Archive for the ‘Electoral reforms’ Category

Special video on Nov 10 March to the Palace

November 23, 2007

I have been invited by the organiser of the premiere to speak a few words before the launching of the special video on Himpunan Rakyat Aman 10 November produced by TVPAS on Monday night.

Pls come and join me in this meaningful occasion.

TAYANGAN PERDANA GELOMBANG KUNING

VIDEO PERHIMPUNAN RAKYAT 10 NOVEMBER

PADA HARI ISNIN 26 HB  NOVEMBER 2007 , JAM 8.30 MALAM

TEMPAT: DEWAN USTAZ FADHIL NOOR
MARKAZ TARBIAH TAMAN MELEWAR, KUALA LUMPUR

PROGRAM
8.00    MALAM             KETIBAAN
8.20       MALAM            KETIBAAN TETAMU KHAS
8.30      MALAM            LAGU NEGARAKU
8.35      MALAM            UCAPAN ALUAN PENGERUSI MAJLIS
8.45     MALAM            UCAPAN  WAKIL BERSIH  
9.00     MALAM            UCAPAN  PENGERUSI LUJNAH PENERANGAN
9.15     MALAM            TAYANGAN PERDANA ‘GELOMBANG KUNING’
10.00   MALAM            KOMENTAR DAN PELANCARAN DANA TVPAS.COM
10.30   MALAM            MAJLIS BERSURAI

Understand the role of monarchy

November 23, 2007

Those who are still wondering why BERSIH has chosen to present its memorandum on electoral reforms to HRH Agong should read this article.

20 years of shellshock

 

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

I have one, just ONE proposal for the Honourable Minister of Education. If you do this I might, I said MIGHT, overlook your crime of sabre-rattling, or rather keris-kissing. (But I honestly don’t think the Chinese will forgive you though — but that is another subject for another time). And this proposal is that the Ministry of Education should make it compulsory for all students to memorise the entire Federal Constitution of Malaysia. And the Federal Constitution should be a compulsory examination subject, which means if you fail the Constitution test then you fail the whole exam.

I am appalled that even lawyers who have gone to court to argue cases that involve the interpretation of the Federal Constitution do not appear to know the Constitution. I have had to bring to their attention certain clauses or articles in the Constitution and help interpret it for them. Hey, I am no lawyer and I don’t even pretend to be one — although I trust myself more than lawyers when I ‘argue’ my case during the many police interrogations under Section 112 that I have been subjected to.

As a slight digression, editors of the mainstream newspapers (meaning ruling party-owned of course) should also be made to sit through a crash-course and examination on the Constitution. Although Article 32 (2) says that the Consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is called the Raja Permaisuri Agong and Her Majesty shall take precedence next after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over all other persons in the Federation, the newspapers still insist on calling the wife of the Prime Minister the ‘First Lady’.

Hey, read my lips, the Raja Permaisuri Agong is the ‘First Lady’. That is what the Federal Constitution of Malaysia says and can we please follow the Malaysian Constitution and not the United States Constitution. We are not yet the 52nd State of the United States, although if we allow Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to continue as Prime Minister that may happen soon enough (that is if we do not become Wilayah Singapura first).

It should be made mandatory for ALL Malaysians to read, memorise and understand the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. Just by reading the comments in Malaysia Today’s blogs offer enough evidence to prove that Malaysians in general are ignorant about the Constitution. They make many stupid comments that reveal this ignorance. Take the recent so-called ‘official statement’ by the so-called ‘official spokesman’ of the Istana Negara as one example. “Why does the Agong not sack him?”, “Why does the Agong not make an official announcement rebutting his statement?”, “Why did the Agong not personally accept the Memorandum from the rakyat on 10 November 2007”, and so on, are just some examples of the ignorance of Malaysians on what is proper protocol and how the Agong is supposed to conduct himself according to the Constitution.

Malaysians are also ignorant about how Malaysia’s Westminster system of Parliament is supposed to function. Malaysia is supposed to have four branches of government. We have the Executive, the Judiciary, the Legislature, and the Monarchy, and each is supposed to work independently of each other and in a way parallel to one another.

The Legislature makes the laws, the Judiciary interprets the laws, the Executive implements the laws, and the Monarchy is the protector and trustee of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and ensures that the laws passed do not violate the Constitution. The Judiciary, although its role is to just follow whatever laws are passed by Parliament, can also play a role in looking at the spirit of the law rather than just the letter of the law. It can also make rulings contrary to the letter of the law in the event that the spirit of the law should override the letter of the law.

Let us look at one example, the Internal Security Act (ISA). The ISA, which was tabled in Parliament by Tun Razak in 1960, was passed into law specifically to combat Communist Terrorism. Since the Communist Insurgency has officially ended with the signing of the Peace Treaty between the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) and the Malaysian government in Hattyai, Thailand, the ISA, for all intents and purposes, has outlived its usefulness.

Now, some judges have actually ruled that detaining non-Communist Terrorists (CTs) under the ISA goes against the spirit of the law and they have not only ruled that the detention is illegal but in their judgement have suggested that the ISA be reviewed or repealed. These judges have made their ruling not based on the letter of the law but the spirit of the law. These judges have invariably been sidelined and placed in cold storage whereas by now some of them should actually be the Chief Justice if based on their experience and seniority.

What does this tell us? First, judges who rule with their conscience and according to the proper interpretation of the law and in compliance with the Federal Constitution are punished — so not many judges dare become too ‘independent’. Secondly, the Judiciary is no longer an independent branch of the government but is just another arm of the ruling elite. Therefore, the Judiciary, which is supposed to be one of the four branches of government, is rendered impotent. The Executive is ultimately that in charge and the Judiciary merely does its bidding.

The same goes for the Legislature. Members of Parliament are not allowed to represent the voters who put them in office. Whenever any ruling party Member of Parliament votes with his or her conscience and appears to side with the opposition, disciplinary action is taken against them. Remember the Deputy Minister Datuk S. Sothinathan case? And what about the most controversial Islamic Family Law episode last year where Nazri Aziz reminded ruling party Members of Parliament and government-appointed Senators that it is their obligation to vote the way the ruling party wants them to vote?

The Malay term for Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen is Wakil Rakyat (Peoples’ Representative). In reality they are Wakil Parti, not Wakil Rakyat, while some, such as Members of the Cabinet, in particular the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, are Wakil Pos because they won the elections due to postal votes.

It is evident that the Judiciary and Legislature are no longer valid branches of government. The Executive Branch decides what they do. In that sense, the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary have been merged into one. So that leaves us only the Monarchy. If the Monarchy too comes under the Executive, then Malaysia will be reduced to only one branch of government.

And that is why it is important for Malaysians to understand the role of the Monarchy. While the Judiciary and Legislature have lost their independence, the Monarchy still has certain powers as stipulated under the Federal Constitution. For example, the common belief is that the Chairman or President of the political party that wins the most number of seats in Parliament automatically gets to become Prime Minister. That is not true. The Agong decides who gets to become Prime Minister.

The second common belief is that the Agong can only act on the advice of the Prime Minister. That is also not true. And it is also not true that once the Prime Minister goes before the Agong to request that Parliament be dissolved to make way for fresh general elections, then the Agong has to agree. The Agong can refuse to dissolve Parliament if he has reason for doing so, like for example if His Majesty feels that the election is fraudulent. And the Agong can even decree that a Royal Commission of Inquiry be set up (that is why it is called ROYAL Commission) to audit the entire electoral system and recommend reforms.

Yes, Malaysia no longer has four branches of government. Yes, the Legislature and Judiciary have been reduced to rubber stamps. But the Monarchy is no rubber stamp although it appears like it is also a rubber stamp.

Understandably, the Monarchy appears to be a rubber stamp because of the Constitutional Crisis 20 years ago where the Rulers were told in no uncertain terms that Malaysians in general want the Monarchy abolished and for Malaysia to be turned into a Republic. Only Umno is defending the Monarchy, Umno told the Rulers. Without Umno, the Monarchy will be history like in India and Indonesia. Therefore, if the Monarchy goes against Umno, then the Rulers will all be removed and the Prime Minister would become the President of the Republic of Malaysia.

This shocked the Rulers. And although 20 years has since passed, the Rulers are still in shellshock. And that is why we see much reluctance on the part of the Rulers to ‘interfere’ in the running of this country, as what Umno constantly says in the attempt to silence the Rulers.

But there is no such thing as interfering. The Rulers are not interfering. Malaysians are not asking the Rulers to interfere. The Monarchy is one of the four legitimate and independent branches of government. The other two branches, the Judiciary and the Legislature, are eunuchs. These two have been rendered impotent. We therefore have only one branch remaining, the Monarchy, which can play the role of checks and balances to the Executive.

We are not asking the Monarchy to do more than what the Federal Constitution allows. We are only asking the Monarchy to do what the Federal Constitution empowers it to do. We are asking the Monarchy to do what they are legally bound to do.

I was told the Monarchy costs this nation RM40 million or so a year. Well, if that is true, I have no problems with that. RM40 million in not much if the Monarchy performs the job it is paid to do. We also have 1,000 or so Wakil Rakyat (Members of Parliament, Senators and State Assemblymen) who cost the nation more than RM40 million a year. And we are not even including the ‘under-the-table’ payments which are costing the nation billions of Ringgit. So RM40 million is affordable if the Monarchy does its job. If reforms are introduced, which will in turn reduce or eliminate abuse of power and corruption, just one government contract properly implemented alone can save RM40 million — which can more than pay for this cost to maintain the Monarchy. Therefore, the Monarchy can pay help for itself just by reforming the manner the nation’s money is spent.

The ten Monarchs have taken an oath of office. They have sworn in the name of God that they will do the job they have been entrusted to do. Their duty is therefore to God and not to Umno. Sure, Umno has threatened to abolish the Monarchy. Umno has told the Rulers that only Umno wants to maintain the Monarchy while the rest of non-Umno Malaysians want the Monarchy abolished and for Malaysia to be turned into a Republic. Hey, this can’t be done. The Federal Constitution of Malaysia does not allow it to be done. And even talking about abolishing the Monarchy is a crime under Malaysia’s Sedition Act. You can get sent to jail for just saying it. And if you try it then you can get charged for treason against the King and be sentenced to death by hanging if found guilty. Remember what happened to the Al Maunah chaps?

The Gelombang Kuning march on 10 November 2007 was actually more than just about electoral reforms. It was also to send a message to the Agong that the people are behind His Majesty. Malaysians do not want Malaysia to be turned into a Republic. This will only mean that the four branches of government will be reduced to three. As it is now, the three have already been reduced to one. The Executive decides what the Judiciary and Legislature do. Why would we want to abolish the Monarchy and give absolute power (kuasa mutlak) to the Executive?

The people ‘spoke’ on 10 November 2007. And the message was that the people want the Agong to perform the role His Majesty is being paid to perform; nothing more, nothing less. The Monarchy has to prove to the people that it is that fourth branch of government. It has to prove to the people that it is still relevant and required. Sure, Umno will throw threats that the people want the Monarchy abolished. It did so 20 years ago and the Monarchy is still in shellshock. But that was 20 years ago. That was when the people thought the government was functioning. But the government is now no longer functioning. The four branches of government no longer exist. Today, Malaysia has been reduced to just two branches, the Executive and the Monarchy.

We do not want the Monarchy to become the Executive. We want to maintain the four branches of government. We just want the Monarchy to restore the four branches of government the way it was intended to be. That will be the role of the Monarchy. The Monarchy is not being asked to run this country. The Monarchy is being asked to restore what is already a failed system.

And we will gladly carry the Monarchy even if it costs RM50 million a year. RM50 million is extremely cheap compared to the billions we are losing because of the failed system. Sure, auditors cost money, as any company director will tell you. But ‘auditors’ are a necessary cost to safeguard this nation’s wealth.

And that is the role of the Monarchy, the fourth branch of this nation’s government.

THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF MALAYSIA

Article number: 4

(1) This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

PART IV – THE FEDERATION
Chapter 1 – The Supreme Head

Article number: 32

(1) There shall be a Supreme Head of the Federation, to be called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who shall take precedence over all persons in the Federation and shall not be liable to any proceedings whatsoever in any court.

(2) The Consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to be called the Raja Permaisuri Agong) shall take precedence next after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over all other persons in the Federation.

Article number: 40

(1) In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or of a Minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution…..

(2) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may act in his discretion in the performance of the following functions, that is to say :-

(a) the appointment of a Prime Minister;

(b) the withholding of consent to a request for the dissolution of Parliament;

Article number: 43

(2) (a) the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as Perdana Menteri (Prime Minister) to preside over the Cabinet a member of the House of Representative who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House…..

PART XI – SPECIAL POWERS AGAINST SUBVERSION, ORGANISED VIOLENCE, AND ACTS AND CRIMES PREJUDICIAL TO THE PUBLIC AND EMERGENCY POWERS

Article number: 150

(2) (A) The power conferred on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by this Article shall include the power to issue different Proclamations on different grounds or in different circumstances, whether or not there is a Proclamation or Proclamations already issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Clause (1) and such Proclamation or Proclamations are in operation.

(8) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution :-

(a) the satisfaction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong mentioned in Clause (1) and Clause (2B) shall be final and conclusive and shall not be challenged or called in question in any court on any ground; and

(b) no court shall have jurisdiction to entertain or determine any application, question or proceeding, in whatever form, on any ground……

BERSIH: Missing votes unacceptable

November 21, 2007

BERSIH Ceramah at Alor Star tonight: I will be speaking together with Mohd Sabu and other BERSIH leaders. Call Nasir at 0124215955 for details.

Missing Ijok ballots: EC’s explanation weak

Nov 20, 07 5:13pm Malaysiakini
Polls reform group Bersih today rejected the Election Commission’s (EC) explanation that the 142 missing ballots in one area during the Ijok by-election in April was due to ‘human errors’.

“If 142 missing ballots can be explained away, how about the missing ballots in Lumut?” asked Bersih, which stands for the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, in a media statement today.

The Lumut parliamentary seat, where a navy base is located, has recorded as high as 2,763 unreturned ballot papers in the 1990 general election, 3,487 (in 1995), 8,176 (in 1999) and 5,486 in the last elections in 2004. 

“Can the people trust the electoral process when thousands of ballots are mismanaged in every election? Is (EC chief) Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman not concerned about his commission’s integrity and credibility,” asked the group.

The EC’s attribution of the 142 missing ballots to ‘human errors’ was conveyed to election watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) in a meeting yesterday.

Mafrel, which monitored the conduct of the Ijok by-election, had urged in August for a special inquiry to be conducted to probe the missing ballots. It has since accepted the EC’s explanation.

Barisan Nasional’s K Parthiban defeated PKR candidate Khalid Ibrahim by a 1,850 vote majority amid allegations of election irregularities and phantom voters in the by-election.

Unanswered questions

Apart from the missing ballots, Bersih said there were many outstanding electoral issues in the by-election which have yet to be explained by the EC.

The bigger scandals, according to Bersih, include 50 dead voters, votes ‘stolen’ by impostors and 23 voters without national identity cards which were allowed to vote in Ijok.

“Bersih stresses that such irregularities are not isolated cases, but rather, they reflect systematic patterns,” added the coalition, which is made up of five political parties and 67 NGOs.

For example, Bersih said, the EC should explain why was there a sudden increase of 8,463 voters in the Ipoh Timur parliamentary seat held by parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.

Out of the number, 3,208 of them are postal voters. The seat was won by Lim in the last general election with 9,774-vote majority.

In view of that, Bersih reiterated that the domestic postal voting – for police and army personnel working locally – must be abolished.

“Monitoring of the voting process is insufficient because postal voters are also assigned en masse to any marginal constituency to counter opposition support as and when deemed necessary by BN,” claimed Bersih.

The EC has recently said the postal voting system will not be repealed but it would allow polling agents representing the candidates to observe the casting of postal votes.

Related report
Missing ballots: Ijok not an isolated case

And this must be seen as a move to reward Rashid for his ‘special and excellent service’ to the Barisan Nasional coalition all these years.

With Rashid around, BN has no problem of winning big in general elections and by-elections.

BERSIH will do our best to stop Rashid at all cost. The longer he stays, the bigger the damage to the Malaysian democracy.

Amendment gives lifeline to EC chief
Yoges Palaniappan
Nov 20, 07 3:59pm
The Constitution Amendment Bill, which was tabled for first reading in Dewan Rakyat today, may allow Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s tenure to be extended for another year.Abdul Rashid, who is due to retire on Dec 31 on reaching the mandatory age of 65, may serve an extra year after the Bill comes into implementation.Clause two of the Bill seeks to amend Article 114 of the Federal Constitution to increase the age of retirement of a member of the EC from 65 to 66 years of age.Whereas, Clause three of the Bill provides that the new age of retirement applies to a member of the EC appointed after the coming into operation of the proposed Act.

However, a serving member will be given an option to retire at the age of 65 years or the new age of retirement.

Prepare to lead EC

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz, who tabled the bill, told reporters that the Bill will also apply to members of Public Service Commission.

Explaining that the Bill would be tabled for second and third reading on Dec 11, Nazri said: “We need a two-third majority to pass this bill in the Dewan Rakyat as it involves amendment to the Federal Constitution.”

The Star today quoted Abdul Rashid as saying that he has not received any notice from the Prime Minister on the possible extension of his tenure.

“I have received no notice and I don’t care. But if I am asked to, I am prepared to lead the commission into another election, even upon retirement,” Abdul Rashid said.

BERSIH: Rashid must stop lying through his teeth

November 21, 2007

We have presented ‘ tons’ of evidence to Rashid that the SPR under his leadership is full of ‘shits’ ; but this chappie is so thick-skinned that nothing could change his tendency to lie.

He is leaving very soon and we will do our best to make sure his ‘disservice’ as the EC chairman would not be extended for even a single day by HRH Agong. The longer he stays, the bigger the damage.

Rashid is nothing but a hypocrite. In front of the DAP delegation, he said PAS disagrees with the use of indelible ink because of religious issue. In front of the PAS delegation, he said DAP was not keen for a longer campaign period because a longer period would be too tiring for the DAP. When I pointed out his antics right in his face in one of the meetings with BERSIH, he just kept quiet.

He can be extremely friendly with you but you would never know what he would say about you in your absence.

PRESS STATEMENT

20 November 2007

BERSIH demands explanation for the “Phantoms of SPR”

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) demands that the Election Commission (SPR) Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid explain how “phantoms” were created in Ijok, Ipoh and numerous other places.

BERSIH dismisses Abdul Rashid’s attempt to divert attention by focusing only on the 142 missing ballots in Ijok and ignoring the bigger scandals in the Ijok by-election on 28 April 2007:

(a) Over 50 dead voters were still on the electoral roll and 12 of them, all of them Malays from the Jaya Setia polling district, rose up from their graves to cast their votes on polling day. Opposition support was slashed by about 18% in this district.

(b) Three Chinese voters at Pekan Ijok had their votes stolen by impostors, who had turned up earlier at the polling station. A swing against BN had been expected and realized at the Chinese-majority polling district.

(c) As many as 23 voters were registered without national identity cards.

(d) As many as 32 voters aged between 100 and 132 years old were still listed on the electoral rolls.

BERSIH stresses that such irregularities are not isolated cases, but rather, they reflect systematic patterns. Most recently, Ipoh Timur (the seat of the Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang which he won with a margin of 9,774 votes) saw an increase of 8,463 registered voters. The problem is more than just a clandestine form of gerrymandering.

The integrity of the electoral roll in Ipoh Timor is reflective of the integrity of the SPR. Prominent local blogger Ahirudin Attan (Rocky’s Bru) who had never registered as a voter found out that he has been a resident and voter at Taman Rapat Setia since 1999. Another example is a Ms. L.L. Wong, who has never registered as a voter, recently found that she has been a voter in Johor Baru since 1990.

The SPR has tried to blame this on some assistant registration officers who used the old registration system before July 2002 but it has failed to given any names to support the accusations. It has also failed to guarantee that all such irregularities will be rectified and not be repeated since the new registration system was introduced in 2002.

The petition by 100,000 members of the public to the Yang DiPertuan Agong on 10 November was to express, amongst others, this legitimate demand: the electoral roll must be cleaned up so that all phantoms can be exterminated before the next general election.

BERSIH also dismisses SPR’s attribution of the 142 missing ballots in Ijok to “human errors” as irrelevant to the larger question of the necessity of postal voting. If 142 missing ballots can be explained away, how about the missing ballots in Lumut, which were as high as 2,763 in 1990; 3,487 in 1995; 8,176 in 1999 and 5,486 in 2004?

Abdul Rashid has in the past attributed such missing ballots to postal voting. Can the people trust the electoral process when thousands of ballots are mismanaged in every election? Is Abdul Rashid not concerned about his commission’s integrity and credibility?

Taking the example of Ipoh Timur, 3,208 of the 8,463 increased voters for the next elections are postal voters. In 2004, 92.9% of the 4,807 postal votes in Bukit Bintang went to the BN. The local residents must wonder where all these police officers and army personnel in the city centre are hiding, as the high figure of policemen is not reflected in the actual situation on the ground.

BERSIH emphasizes that domestic postal voting must be abolished. Monitoring of the voting process is insufficient because postal voters are also assigned en masse to any marginal constituency to counter Opposition support as and when deemed necessary by the BN.

Spread the Yellow Wave across the country

November 19, 2007

BERSIH leaders are now working very hard to spread the Yellow Wave across the country through talks, dinners and ceramahs.

I was speaking in Klang with Sdr Dr Hasan Ali last night. I will be speaking on 20 Nov at the PJ Dinner organised by DAP with Sdr Lim Kit Siang, Tony, Weng San and Dr Cheah , 21 Nov in Alor Star with Sdr Mohd Sabu, and 25 Nov in Kg Nalla Batu Gajah with Sdri Fong Po Kuan.

 Mohd Sabu

More programs will be drawn up by BERSIH up and down the country to spread the Gelombang Kuning in the coming months. Every NGO and parties under the umbrella of BERSIH was encouraged to organise activities and events to spread the Yellow Wave.

PM Abdullah has just announced publicly that BN will relaunch its Blue Wave to drown the Yellow Wave. Will he succeed or fail miserably like the Nov 10 rally? The answer lies with the Rakyat.

Pls remember to wear something YELLOW on every Saturdays. May the Yellow Wave crush the Blue Wave into ripples.

PJU: Phantom voters live in phantom houses

November 18, 2007

The house numbers of SS3/39 ends at 111; but if you check the electorate rolls for PJU (where I lost in 1999 and 2004), you could find house numbers from 201 to 1518 ! And 90% of these phantom voters who lived in these phantom houses were Malay voters.

Now you know why BERSIH is so keen in cleaning up the electoral rolls and press for a clean and fair electoral system.

  

灵北SS3区39路幽灵选民过百

(八打灵再也讯)雪州民主行动党秘书刘永山说,八打灵再也北区一条街道竟出现超过3百名幽灵选民,令民主行动党质疑有关“幽灵住宅区”,为何连门牌都不存在的地址却能出现在选民册上。

他周六在记者会上揭发有关幽灵选民名单,该名单人数超过300人,当中有超过90%是马来人,都是被指居住在八打灵再也北区SS3区39路的居民。

39路门牌仅111号

他披露,该条街道的房子都属独立式洋楼,他们是依据选举委员会所提供的选民册地址,沿家挨户分发传单时才发现此事。根据地图所指,39路的门牌号码最多只有111号,实地考察也正是如此,但是幽灵住宅却从201号起跳直到1518号,犹如扩展出来的新住宅区,不过当地居民被询问时都表示,对这些突然多出的门牌号码表示不知情。

“我不晓得这些幽灵选民几时出现在选民册内,但翻回过去纪录,这些幽灵选民早在2006年时已出现。”

他声称,除了人瑞、幽灵选民,现在还有幽灵路,而且连没有门牌注明的也可纳入选民册内。他补充,雪州行动党将向选举委员会做出上诉。

Let’s paint Malaysia YELLOW on Saturdays

November 18, 2007

Ceramah BERSIH: Datanglah ke Palm Grove Kelang malam ini untuk ceramah BERSIH. Saya akan berucap bersama dengan Dr Hasan Ali dan rakan-rakan seperjuangan lain.

AFP: Police confiscate activists’ leaflets in KL

POLICE disrupted a street protest on Saturday by confiscating balloons and leaflets after activists launched a campaign to urge Malaysians to wear yellow every Saturday to demand electoral reform.

At least 10 members of a group were distributing the materials to the public at a busy train station in Kuala Lumpur when police moved in.

Mr Ronnie Liu, of the opposition Democratic Action Party, described the police action as a form of ‘intimidation and harassment’.

‘I will say our street protest to promote a campaign to wear something yellow every Saturday was a success despite the police action. We managed to distribute the yellow balloons and ribbons before they stopped us,’ he said.

‘They also threatened to arrest us,’ he added.

He said yellow was chosen to represent people power, freedom and justice.

A protest on Nov 10 demanding electoral reform drew some 10,000 people despite rain and a police ban. The rally was suppressed by police using water cannon and tear gas.

But protesters managed to hand a memorandum to a palace official for the Malaysian King, who is highly respected but has a largely ceremonial role and usually stays out of politics.

The protest movement, a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups called Bersih (‘clean’ in the Malay language), is pushing for reforms including a clean-up of the electoral rolls and an end to postal votes.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Gelombang Kuning: Polis pecahkan belon, rampas risalah Bersih

Posted by: raja petra

Nyza Ayob | Foto Wan Zahari Salleh
Harakahdaily

  Sebelah Stesen Monorail Sentral  pada hari Sabtu 17 Nov 2007

Kira-kira sepuluh minit ‘Gelombang Kuning’ dilancarkan oleh Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) di pekarangan Stesen Monorail KL Sentral, polis mula bertindak dengan merampas risalah yang diedarkan oleh pertubuhan tersebut.

Dalam pelancaran yang bermula jam 2.00 petang itu, selain risalah, belon berwarna kuning yang tertulis perkataan Bersih termasuk yang berada di tangan orang ramai dipecahkan dan dipijak serta kenyataan akhbar berbahasa Melayu mengenai pelancaran tersebut juga dirampas anggota keselamatan yang hadir.

Malahan tujuh orang daripada dua belas anggota Jawatankuasa Bersih termasuk Ronnie Liu dan Faisal Mustaffa yang mengetuai pelancaran tersebut turut ditahan polis serta disoal siasat dan diminta menunjukkan MyKad masing-masing.

Menurut Faisal, apa yang memeranjatkan, mereka ditahan oleh 20 orang anggota polis yang tidak memakai pakaian seragam (polis preman) sedangkan polis berpakaian seragam turut berada di kawasan tersebut.

“Memang kami amat terkejut dengan penahanan tersebut. Sebaik sahaja ditahan, kami bertanyakan siapa mereka kerana mereka tidak memakai baju seragam polis. Mereka menyatakan mereka polis serta menunjukkan kad pengenalan sebagai anggota polis.

“Kami mempersoalkan kenapa kami ditahan. Katanya, kami ditahan di bawah Akta Penerbitan dan Percetakan 1984 dan menyatakan risalah kami mengandungi unsur-unsur yang mencurigakan. Mereka menggugut untuk membawa kami ke balai polis. Namun hampir setengah jam kami disoal dan ‘tercangak’ di situ, kami tidak juga dibawa ke balai polis,” kata Faisal sebaik sahaja dilepaskan polis.

Jelas Faisal, jika benar polis ingin menyoal siasat, mereka sudah bersedia untuk dibawa ke balai polis. Namun sungguhpun van polis sudah berada di kawasan tersebut, mereka tidak diarahkan untuk menaiki van tersebut.

“Kami memberitahu mereka kami memang bersedia untuk dibawa ke balai polis dan peguam kami juga sudah menunggu di sana. Tetapi mereka tetap tidak membawa kami. Bagaimanapun selepas setengah jam ditahan, kami dilepaskan begitu sahaja tanpa sebarang syarat, “katanya.

Dalam pada itu, jelas Faisal, pada waktu yang sama, difahamkan kira-kira 50 orang anggota polis berkawal di setiap sudut Stesen KL Sentral berkemungkinan maklumat yang disampaikan kepada mereka bahawa Bersih juga akan turut mengedarkan risalah di stesen tersebut.

Bagaimanapun kata Faisal, pihaknya tidak sempat ke stesen tersebut kerana mereka ditahan dan 200 risalah telah dirampas.

Sementara itu, Dr Hatta Ramli yang juga Ahli Jawatan Kuasa Bersih yang tiba sejurus tujuh orang AJK Bersih itu dilepaskan, menyatakan beliau sudah menjangkakan, selepas perhimpunan 10 November lalu, apa sahaja yang dikaitkan dengan Bersih akan diambil tindakan keras pihak polis.

“Mereka memang menggugut untuk menangkap pimpinan Bersih yang mengedarkan risalah untuk memperkenalkan Bersih kepada orang ramai,”katanya.

Jelas Dr Hatta, sebahagian masyarakat masih belum mengetahui dengan jelas perjuangan dan matlamat Bersih.

Tambahan pula katanya, kempen yang dibuat kerajaan mengenai Bersih dalam media rasmi menyebabkan rakyat semakin tidak memahami misi pertubuhan ini.

Dr Hatta yang turut tampil dengan berbaju kuning menyatakan tindakan kerajaan yang menggambarkan Bersih sebagai musuh kepada rakyat menyebabkan rakyat semakin kurang pemahaman mengenai tujuan Bersih ditubuhkan iaitu ke arah proses pilihan raya yang lebih telus.

“Sebab itu kami bertindak untuk mengedarkan sendiri risalah mengenai Bersih kepada rakyat. Nampaknya mereka menghalang untuk mengelakkan kita daripada mendidik masyarakat,” katanya yang juga Bendahari PAS Pusat.

Bagaimanapun tegas Dr Hatta, pihak Bersih tidak akan berputus asa serta akan meneruskan usaha untuk menimbulkan Gelombang Kuning kepada rakyat.

Sehubungan itu katanya, Bersih akan terus menggerakkan usahanya menyampaikan maklumat kepada rakyat pada setiap negeri.

Untuk menggerakkan Gelombang Kuningnya, Bersih mengajak rakyat mengenakan warna kuning pada pakaian, tali leher, selendang, payung, topi, serta mengingat riben berwarna kuning pada antena kereta dan cermin sisi pada setiap hari Sabtu sebagai sokongan kepada usaha pertubuhan ini.

BERSIH: Yellow Saturdays campaign will catch on like wildfire

November 17, 2007
In front of the main gate of the Palace: I was phoning several Yellow Walkers to bring some National Flags  to the front. We needed the flags to send our delegation to the Istana. Those young flers in maroon uniforms (right in front) are members of the Unit Amal. They have done all of us proud with their excellent performance. Terima kasih Unit Amal!

I am very confident that the Yellow Saturdays campaign will catch on like wildfire all over the country. My confidence stems from the fact that more and more Malaysians now realise that the current electoral system is full of frauds and the Election Commission (SPR) was willing to serve the interest of Barisan Nasional as if the EC is the 14th component party of the ruling coalition. And that some 100,000 rakyat have turned up on Nov 10 to voice their support despite of repeated threats from top BN leaders and the police. Even the roadblocks all over the country did not stop the rakyat from converging at the capital city last Saturday. 

Todate, some 60,000 Yellow T-shirts have been sold all over the nation.

 Hidup BERSIH! Hidup Rakyat!

以干扰公众抵触印刷法为由
警方阻推介“黄色星期六”

■日期/Nov 17, 2007   ■时间/08:47:33 pm
■新闻/家国风云   ■作者/merdekareview特约谢晶晶
           
【本刊特约谢晶晶撰述】警方强行阻止干净与公平选举联盟(Bersih,简称净选盟)今午在吉隆坡中环车站(KL Sentral)举办的“黄色星期六”推介仪式,一度没收净选盟代表身份证,更套以“干扰公众”罪名。

紧随上周六“诉求干净选举”大游行、全国掀起“黄潮”之势,净选盟决定打铁趁热在今天推介“黄色星期六”,呼吁公众每逢周六穿着黄色衣物,响应改革选举制运动。

净选联盟近十名代表今午二时许集合在吉隆坡中环车站,由民主行动党非政府组织局主任刘天球发表约五分钟的演说后,开始向人潮派发净选运动的宣传册子及黄色汽球。

约十分钟后,数名便衣警察突然趋前指示净选盟代表出示身份证,然后在没有给予理由的情况下,没收七名代表的身份证。

净选联盟成员刘天球随即询问警方扣留其身份证的原因,警方原本回应说净选盟代表活动干扰公众,随后又改口指警方怀疑宣传册子内容违反《1984年印刷法令》,并要求净选盟的代表随同警方前往十五碑(Brickfield)警局问话。记者趋前聆听双方对话时,数度遭一名便衣警察推开。

刘天球及净选盟代表与警方和平交涉约半小时后,十五碑警区总部卡玛鲁汀祖助理警监(Kamarudin Zul)接到一通电话,指示属下将身份证归还给净选联盟代表,并要他们结束今天的活动。

警方:没收身份证只为记录

卡玛鲁汀较后指出,警方向净选盟代表收集身份证只是用作记录用途,不会逮捕净选联盟代表,同时受到上头指示必须没所有宣传物品,及解散这项活动。

基于所有的宣传册子及汽球已被警方没收,净选联盟逼于无奈结束今日的推介活动。被没收的宣传册子还包括介绍公民智囊团(Citizen Think Tank)的宣传册子。

七名遭警方扣留身份证的代表包括刘天球、净选联盟秘书处成员Madeline Chang、法沙慕斯达化(Faisal bin Mustaffa)、公民智囊团(Citizen Think Tank)代表朱达(Dzuldah)、阿兹米尔(Azmir Zrm bin Rose)和再益(Zaib bin Ibrahim)。

据记者现场观察,净选盟今天举办的推介活动,并没有为人来人往的中环车站制造困扰,现场秩序良好。他们友善地向路人派发宣传册子和汽球,没有高喊口号或举大字报的激昂场面,只是一般的宣传活动。

一名净选盟代表说,警方在活动开始前已派出大批人手在附近驻守,他在中环车站内就看到至少有五十名制服警察。

警方驻守戒备

在活动开始前,中环车站只有两、三名制服警员巡逻,后来至少有九名便衣警察出现,随后还有一辆警车停在路边驻守。

便衣警察表明身份后与净选盟代表交涉时,曾吸引少数的路人围观,但大多数路人并不以为然。净选盟代表也协助几名被人潮阻挡去路的盲人过马路。这场风波由始至终没有引起很大的骚动。

上星期六净选联盟在吉隆坡市中心举办选举改革大集会,警方如临大敌般在市中心布署壮大的镇暴阵容,并在多处实行封路措施和进行路检;最后,这场大集会在四万名参与者守纪律的情况下和平结束。

相较于大集会的四万名参与者,净选联盟会此次的活动参与人数只有区区不上十人,但警方仍然严正以待,就便衣警察的人数已超过净选联盟代表。警方及政治的干预使选举改革运动经历一波三折。

刘天球:警方理由不合理

刘天球指出,净选盟有权向公众分发宣传册子,而有关宣传册子经过律师研究后,证实没有触犯任何法令,于半年前已开始印刷及发派;因此,警方以干扰公众及宣传册子内容违法的理由扣留众人的身份证是不合理的。

刘天球说:“我曾询问警方是否要逮捕我们,对方否认,但是,如是不是逮捕,警方没有理由可以扣留我们的身份证及要求我们到警局问话。”

净选盟秘书处成员法沙慕斯达化(右图)表示,该联盟今天的目的是推介“黄色星期六”活动,而警方有关举动使该他们认为这是当权政党尝试阻止选举改革的手段之一。

虽然今天的活动受到警方干扰,但无阻选举改革运动继续进行。”净选盟在今日发表的文告中写道:“我们的声音必须被听见,我们的信息必须被理解,我们的权力必须被恢复!”

他指出,继本月10 日以“以黄潮淹没吉隆坡”为主题的游行大集会得到巨大回响后,该联盟决定顺水推舟,推介“黄色星期六”活动,并将之纳入是净选运动的其中一部分。

他表示,黄色并不只是代表皇室的颜色,它还是代表反对、新闻自由及人民力量的颜色。他说:“上星期六举办的大集会人数相信有十万人,除了聚集在皇宫外的人群,其实还有许多人在吉隆坡一带遭拦截而无法前来共襄盛举。”

在“黄色星期六”活动下,净选联盟呼吁关心选举改的国人联同他们的亲友,即日起每逢星期六在穿着及其它方面配上黄色,如穿黄衣、戴上黄色丝带、黄色领带或头巾,携带黄色雨伞、在车镜、脚车绑上黄丝带等…

法沙慕斯达化指出,这项全国性的活动将持续至选举改革成功为止。

刘天球:选委会成为国阵“帮手”

刘天球在推介“黄色星期六”活动发表演说时指出,此活动目的是推动清廉与公正的选举。他呼吁人民与净选联盟站在同一阵线,一起推动选举改革。

刘天球(左图)说:我国的选举委员会已成为国阵政府的‘帮手’,以协助国阵在大选中胜出。只要选举制度不进行改革,在野党就不会有机会打败国阵,根据估计,在野党可在来届大选中获得60%的选票,但在野党仍不能取代国阵组成政府。”

国阵政府实行不公平的国会及州选区划分,举个例子,选举委员会允许一万名国人成为怡保东区的新选民,其中三千人是邮寄选民,讽刺的是,怡保东区并没有军营或警察宿舍,何来这么多邮寄选民?”

另一个明显例子是上届大选,选举委员会宣布展延雪州选民的投票时间至傍晚七时。”

他表示,现场民众对这项活动的反应尚算良好,但据他了解,经过大集会后,很多人渴望参与“黄潮”。刘天球说:“我们须给予有关单位作出决定,目前我们还未决定是否展开新一轮的游行。”

Yellow Saturdays launched off today despite of police interference

November 17, 2007

Nov 10: Marching in the rain. We were on the way to the Palace.

I was alomost arrested for distributing the BERSIH leaflets with other supporters of BERSIH this afternoon at the Sentral Monorail Station in Kuala Lumpur.

Some 20 over SB officers from the Brickfields police station disrupted the launching of the Yellow Saturdays campaign. The took our Mykads and wanted us to go to the police station for investigation.

I challenged the police officer to state the reason for retaining our Mykads but to no avail. I refused to follow them to the balai because we have the rights to distribute leaflets and they have no rights to stop us.

After some 15 minutes of stand-off with the police, they finally returned the Mykads to us without the need to go to the balai for investigation.

They have also confiscated some of our balloons and leaftlets without justification.

We managed to read out our statement and distributed some ballons and leaflets to the public before the disruption.

We in BERSIH will continue to promote our Yellow Saturdays campaign all over the country. No amount of pressure from the police/ BN could stop us from pushing for clean and fair elections.

This is the statement from BERSIH today…

Coalition For Clean And Fair Elections (BERSH) 4A Jalan Sepadu, Taman United, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala LumpurTel: (03) 79806571   Fax: (03) 79802697   URL: www.bersih.org   Email: info@bersih.org 

 Press Release 17 November 2007 The Yellow Wave Continues… 

Hot on the heels of the highly successful and historic 100, 000 People’s Gathering on 10 November, BERSIH continues on its mission for clean and fair elections with the launch of the Yellow Wave campaign.

As evident in the People’s Gathering on 10 November, we can truly make an impact if we all stand together and speak as one voice. On 10 November, we made a statement that was heard all over the world. And the world took notice, not least because we stood out in YELLOW, the colour chosen to symbolize our protest.

BERSIH believes that our flawed electoral process is a core cause for the exploding political, administrative and judicial rot in Malaysia, therefore we have an obligation to maintain the momentum for change and reform. We need to send a strong, consistent signal to the government, and what better way to remind them of our demands than to wear YELLOW, the colour of 10 November!

BERSIH urges all concerned Malaysians and their friends to wear something YELLOW every Saturday, starting from today. Wear a yellow ribbon on your shirt. Wear a yellow necktie or scarf. Use a yellow umbrella. Tie a yellow ribbon on your car’s antenna or side mirrors. Tie a ribbon on your bike. Wear a yellow armband. Better yet, wear your BERSIH T-shirt!

Our voices must be heard. Our message must get across. Our rights must be restored!

Let us paint the country yellow, starting today!

                                                                                                                                                   About BERSIH
Launched in November 2006, BERSIH started off as a coalition of 26 NGOs and 5 political parties. Today BERSIH is supported by over 70 NGOs and 6 political parties.  BERSIH’s four immediate demands for electoral reform are:

  • The use of indelible ink to prevent multiple voting
  • The abolition of postal voting for the armed forces
  • A thorough cleanup of the electoral roll to eliminate fraudulent registrations
  • Fair and equitable access to the media
Launch of ‘yellow day’ marred by police harassment
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz
Nov 17, 07 5:22pm
Malaysiakini
Today’s launch of polls watchdog coalition Bersih’s ‘yellow day’ was marred by what one Bersih leader described as police harassment in order to disrupt their campaign for clean and free elections.Several Bersih leaders, including DAP leader Ronnie Liu and PKR leaders N Subramaniam and Faisal Mustaffa, had just begun distributing balloons and pamphlets to pedestrians and commuters in front of the KL Central monorail station in Brickfields.Reading from a prepared statement, Liu called on the public to wear “something yellow” every Saturday as a statement of support for electoral reform and to send a message to the government for clean and free and elections.“Wear a yellow ribbon on your shirt! Wear a yellow necktie or scarf! Use a yellow umbrella! Tie a yellow ribbon on your car’s antenna or side mirrors! Tie a ribbon on your bike! Wear a yellow armband! Better yet, wear your Bersih t-shirt!“Our voices must be heard. Our message must get across. Our rights must be restored!” said Liu when the launch started at 2:30pm a few feet away from PKR’s information office.

Pamphlets, balloons seized

The upbeat mood of the activists, however, took a downturn 15 minutes after they started their distribution campaign when several police officers from the Brickfields district police station appeared and ordered them to surrender their identification cards (IC).

Leading the operation, district ant-vice division chief Kamaruddin Yusof initially told Liu and the others that they were suspected of violating the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

About 50 copies of Bersih pamphlets – and 20 of Bersih’s yellow balloons – were seized.

Kamaruddin refused to say, however, what offence had been committed exactly or the relevant section that had been infringed.

“You cannot just tell me we’ve done something wrong under the Presses Act. You have to tell me what we’ve done exactly,” said Liu.

“Don’t argue with me. Not here. I’m not going to argue with you. Whatever you want to say, say it at the police station,” Kamaruddin responsed.

Several minutes later, Kamaruddin also said the Bersih activists were disturbing public order as “we have observed that you have been creating public disorder here.”

Also present with him was district public order division head Mohd Khalid Adun.

Kamaruddin told Liu and several others that their ICs were needed to record their particulars. A vehicle was called to take them to the district police station.

‘Orders from above’

The 15-minute wait for the police vehicle in the hot sun, however, seemed to to mellow the initially rigid stance of Kamaruddin and other police officers.

“You don’t have to come to the police station. You can have back your ICs. You’re free to go,” said Kamaruddin before ordering the documents to be returned to their owners.

“I have orders from above, lah,” Kamaruddin told reporters when asked what the whole affair was about.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later, Liu said the episode was a clear example of harassment by the authorities in order to disrupt Bersih’s public education and awareness campaign.

It will not, however, dissuade the coalition from continuing with its efforts.

“We will continue the campaign. We still want the people to know about the Bersih campaign and to wear something yellow every Saturday,” said Liu.

Bersih – made up of 67 NGOs and five political parties – has taken the royal colour of yellow to beseech the King’s hand in calling for electoral reform.

Last Saturday, they held a rally and march to the national palace to submit a memorandum to the King’s representative.

BERSIH’s response to the statement issued by Datuk Pengelola Bijaya …

 Who’s this fler? Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Istana Negara, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, IC No: 461214035359, is an UMNO member, membership No: 03728983, from Cawangan Taman Desa Minang, Gombak Setia, Gombak. Aha…


 

Coalition For Clean And Fair Elections (BERSH) 4A Jalan Sepadu, Taman United, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur Tel: (03) 79806571  Fax: (03) 79802697  URL: www.bersih.org  Email: info@bersih.org 

Press Release 17 November 2007 BERSIH’s response to the statement issued by the Palace 

BERSIH wishes to put in on record that we have never said at any time that the memorandum handed over to Yang DiPertuan Agong on 10 November was handed over with his Majesty’s tacit or express approval. The Rakyat of Malaysia are free to petition our King at any time on matters of major public interest, including free and fair elections, a position we are sure His Majesty would surely agree with. BERSIH again thanks the Palace for receiving on Tuesday, 6 November 2007, our written request for the appointment at 5 pm on 10 November 2007 to hand over the memorandum. We also appreciate the request from the Palace for the list of names of the delegation who was to hand over the memorandum to a representative of his Majesty and which we duly submitted on Friday, 9 November 2007. Finally, BERSIH wishes to record again our thanks to His Majesty for receiving the memorandum through his appointed representative on 10 November 2007. As citizens of Malaysia, it is our expectation that His Majesty will continue to play the role that he has been entrusted with under the Federal Constitution, and in so doing, to protect the rights and interest of all Malaysians and to ensure the integrity of our institutions. On our part, BERSIH will continue its struggle for free and fair elections and for genuine democracy in Malaysia. For enquiries, please contact the secretariats; Faisal Mustaffa 019-2232002 or Medeline Chang 012-2192010.  

RPK: What the eye does not see

November 17, 2007

  On Nov 4, BERSIH has submitted a letter to the Istana Negara, informing HRH Agong that we will be presenting a memo on a clean and fair electoral system to HRH on Nov 10.

The fact remains unchanged: we have submitted a letter to the Istana Negara by hand before the Peaceful People’s Gathering and the palace authority has asked for a namelist of our delegation the Nov 10 event. This indicated clearly that the palace has wanted to receive the memorandum and look into our demand. We would not be shaken by a statement supposedly issued in the name of  HRH and feel rejected or disappointed.

We urge the rakyat to be patient and let us wait for HRH Agong to respond positively. 

We respect the views of HRH Agong and we are grateful that HRH has accepted our memorandum for a clean and fair electoral system.

Btw, who’s this chappie?

Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Istana Negara, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, IC No: 461214035359, is an UMNO member, membership No: 03728983, from Cawangan Taman Desa Minang, Gombak Setia, Gombak.

Do you see the link now?

  

16/11: What the eye does not see

Category: Articles

Posted by: raja petra

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Now you see it, now you don’t. Yes, people like David Copperfield make a very good living doing silap mata. The English call it magic. Actually it is more a sleight of hand. The hand moves faster than the eye, they always say, so while they make you focus on one hand, the other hand does the ‘magic’ trick. Malays call it silap mata, which translates literally to ‘fault of the eye’. Whatever it may be, and whatever language you are comfortable with, the main gist to the whole thing is: what you see is not what you get — or in ‘computer language’, WYSINWYG.

And today the Government of Malaysia tried doing a David Copperfield on us.

“Tuanku Mizan Regrets Claims He Supports Illegal Rally,” screamed the Bernama headlines. The Malay version said, “Tuanku Mizan Kesal Dakwaan Baginda Sokong Perhimpunan Haram.” Both versions can be read below.

Wow! To the layman this sounds very serious indeed. A very ‘high-ranking’ Istana Negara official named Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan and going by the title of Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja has issued a statement of behalf of The Agong. Who is this guy anyway?

Well, this guy holds the position that Jeanne Danker used to hold before she dislodged the Raja Permaisuri Agong to become Malaysia’s so-called ‘First Lady’. Actually, the Prime Minister’s wife is maybe the ‘22nd Lady’ after the Raja Permaisuri Agong, the consorts of the nine State Rulers, the four Undangs, the four Governors, followed by the few ex-Raja Permaisuri Agong still living. But the government-controlled media would like us to believe that the Federal Constitution of Malaysia is wrong in placing 21 other ladies above the Prime Minister’s wife.

This Wan Safiain chappie hails from Terengganu and works for the Prime Minister’s Department. In fact, the entire office of the Istana Negara comes under the Prime Minister’s Department. I remember relating an incident which happened way back in November 1999, a few days before the Tenth General Election.

In November 1999, I was tasked with the job of delivering a letter from Barisan Alternatif to the Istana Negara requesting an audience with The Agong then, my uncle. I delivered the letter at noon on Friday and went off to the mosque for my Friday prayers. When I went back to the office around 2.30pm there was a reply waiting for me in the fax machine turning down our request for an audience, with a suggestion that we try again after the general election. Our letter was addressed to The Agong. The reply came from the Prime Minister’s Department. The Agong never got to see the letter and was not even aware that one had been sent. And that was probably the fastest reply ever from a government department in Malaysia’s entire history.

So now we know how the Istana Negara office works. The office comes under the Prime Minister’s Department and the people in that office are planted there by the Prime Minister’s Department to be the eyes, ears and sometimes mouth of the government as well. And today we saw an example of how it has become the mouth of the government. Today’s announcement by the Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja, not the Keeper of the Royal Seal but the Keeper of the Royal Linen a la Jeanne Danker before she became ‘First Lady’, is a prime example of how these plants from the Prime Minister’s Department are the eyes, ears and mouth of the government.

That is why it was not wise to quietly deliver the BERSIH Memorandum to The Agong. If that had been done, then the Memorandum would have been hijacked and would have been diverted to the Prime Minister’s Department instead — and The Agong would have never seen it. And that was also why it was necessary for 100,000 citizens to march to the Istana Negara to ‘escort’ the Memorandum — although only 50,000 eventually got through because they sealed off all the roads into Kuala Lumpur which resulted in one of the worst traffic jams in history.

This Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja chappie is a most unpopular personality in the Palace office. Everyone in the Palace office knows he has been planted there as the eyes and ears of the government. And his job is not only to keep a watch on things and report back to the Prime Minister’s office whatever is happening in the Palace, but he has also been tasked with the job of frustrating every effort of The Agong in interacting with the rakyat (citizens).

Today’s press announcement did not come from The Agong. It did not even come from the Keeper of the Royal Seal whose job it is to make official statements on behalf of The Agong. It came from a glorified chamber maid planted in the Palace as an enemy in the blanket. These are the worst kind of slime-balls and scumbags. They smile and call you friend. Then they stick a dagger in your back.

100,000 rakyat wanted to meet their Monarch that afternoon of Saturday, 10 November 2007. The Agong did not say no. The Agong will never say no to 100,000 rakyat who wish for an audience with His Majesty. The Agong just wanted to know how many people will be representing the 100,000 rakyat and what their names are.

The Agong also realised that the government will certainly try to frustrate the effort of the 100,000 rakyat who wished for an audience with His Majesty. And this did happen. The government said that a police permit would be required and that the organisers should apply for one. So the organisers did, but the application was rejected. And the government warned that if the 100,000 rakyat still insisted on pursuing the march then the government would retaliate with force. And the government did as promised.

When the first volley was fired on the assembled marchers around the Masjid Jamek-Masjid India area, word was passed down the line that the 19th Brigade of the Royal Malay Regiment or Regimen Askar Melayu Di-Raja (RAMD) was on stand-bye, to move in if there are any fatal casualties. Fourteen armoured cars (kereta perisai) had earlier arrived from Sungai Petani and were parked at the Sungai Buloh military camp, ready to roll at a minute’s notice. It would take them ten or fifteen minutes to arrive at the scene of any violence against the rakyat.

Panic buttons were pressed and alarm bells rung. This had happened once on 13 May 1969 in Kampong Baru. The Royal Malay Regiment is not one to mess around with. The Agong is their Commander-in-Chief and soldiers are trained to obey their Commander-in-Chief at no consequence to their own lives.

The police backed off. They were reduced to traffic control where those positioned at junctions stopped cars to allow the marchers to safely cross the road. The RAMD remained on stand-by and the next morning the fourteen kereta perisai quietly slipped out of Sungai Buloh and went home.

This has worried the government. The Agong did not say he did not wish to meet the representatives of the 100,000 marchers. He in fact asked for their names. And when the government issued threats of violence against the marchers, the 19th Brigade of the RAMD was brought into Kuala Lumpur with fourteen kereta perisai. This was The Agong’s way of saying that if you shoot the marchers, just like you did in Batu Burok in front of The Agong’s palace in Kuala Terengganu, then all hell will break loose.

So the government backed off. They had no choice. The 100,000 rakyat wanted to meet The Agong and His Majesty had said yes. And the 19th Brigade of the RAMD came to town to ensure that yes means yes.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi issued a decree at the Umno General Assembly the day before the Saturday, 10 November 2007, march. He said he ‘pantang dicabar’. This translates to mean he is allergic to being challenged. And his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, asked the police to arrest all the marchers. Yes, arrest all the marchers. Arrest all 1,000 of them! Arrest all 2,000 of them! Hey, even if it is 5,000, arrest all 5,000 of them. But wow, it is 50,000 with another 50,000 on the way. How to arrest 50,000, or 100,000 if the other 50,000 reach Kuala Lumpur?

Oops, forget about arresting them. 50,000 is too large a number to arrest. There are not enough trucks to ferry 50,000 and not enough jails to house 50,000 people. Instead, close all the roads leading into Kuala Lumpur. Seal off Kuala Lumpur and not allow anyone in. Let it remain 50,000. Don’t allow it to grow to 100,000. Then we will announce we won. We will announce that the march failed and the ‘illegal demonstrators’ were prevented from assembling at Dataran Merdeka.

Shit, now we are told that they never intended to assemble in Dataran Merdeka in the first place. The Dataran Merdeka thing was a decoy, a Red Herring. They wanted the police to assemble in Dataran Merdeka so that they can march unhindered to the Istana Negara. We were tricked. They won. We lost.

Okay, all is not lost. We can still announce that The Agong is not happy with the march. We will announce that The Agong did not agree to the march. We will announce that The Agong did not consent to the march. That will give the perception that we won and the 100,000 marchers lost. And we will get the head of housekeeping to make that announcement. After all, he is our plant in the Palace. He is our man and on our payroll. And, since he carries this very impressive title, no one will know he is just in charge of making the beds and not actually anyone important.

Oh yeah? Well, Malaysia Today knows. And Malaysia Today knows that most in the Istana Negara regard him as a slime-ball and a scumbag. And anything he who makes the beds says does not matter as long as it is not The Agong himself who said it. Try again guys. Maybe you will have better luck next time. And please, don’t ask that slime-ball and scumbag to make any statements if you want us to believe that it is really The Agong who is saying it.

Tuanku Mizan Regrets Claims He Supports Illegal Rally

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) — Yang di- Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed regret over claims that he and the Palace approved and supported Saturday’s illegal rally in the city.

In a statement issued here today by the Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja of Istana Negara, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, the King also regretted the gathering which was organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and supported by the opposition parties.

Tuanku Mizan stressed that he and Istana Negara had at no time approved or given any support, directly or indirectly, to any quarters that organised or was involved in the illegal assembly or any other activities that contravened the law.

On Saturday, Bersih, which comprises several non-governmental organisations, as well as some opposition parties had gathered their supporters at various spots in the city, including around Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and the National Mosque, before marching to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to Tuanku Mizan.

The following Monday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar said Bersih had decided to submit the memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the ruler himself approved of it, and that the presence of Bersih at Istana Negara was to hand over the memorandum to the King’s representative.

In the statement, Tuanku Mizan said as the head of state, he was responsible in ensuring that the country’s administration based on the constitutional monarchy system, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, was respected and adhered to by all.

He hoped that the people would act in accordance with the law and not be involved in any illegal action or activity.

“Every Malaysian citizen is responsible for maintaining public order for continued peace and stability in the country,” Tuanku Mizan said.

The King also hoped that the people would together work at preserving unity and harmony to ensure that the country would continue to develop, prosper and be respected.

Meanwhile, Wan Mohd Safiain said that Istana Negara, for the first time, summoned the media to publicise the content of the statement as the King viewed the matter seriously.

“Normally, Istana Negara would issue a statement via facsimile but this time, we had to call the media here to ensure that the King’s message reaches the people,” he added.

Tuanku Mizan Kesal Dakwaan Baginda Sokong Perhimpunan Haram

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Nov (Bernama) — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin melahirkan rasa kesal dengan dakwaan kononnya baginda dan Istana Negara memperkenankan dan menyokong satu perhimpunan haram di sini Sabtu lepas.

Dalam satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Istana Negara Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan hari ini, Seri Paduka Baginda juga melahirkan rasa kesal dengan perhimpunan itu yang dianjurkan oleh satu kumpulan dikenali Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH) yang disokong parti-parti pembangkang.

Dalam kenyataan itu, Tuanku Mizan menegaskan bahawa baginda dan Istana Negara tidak pernah pada bila-bila masa jua memperkenankan atau memberikan apa-apa sokongan secara langsung atau tidak langsung kepada mana-mana pihak yang menganjurkan atau terlibat dalam perhimpunan haram itu dan apa-apa jua kegiatan lain yang berkaitan yang menyalahi undang-undang negara.

Sabtu lepas, BERSIH yang disertai oleh badan-badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan parti pembangkang mengumpulkan penyokong-penyokongnya di beberapa tempat di sekitar ibu kota termasuk Jalan Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman dan Masjid Negara sebelum berarak ke Istana Negara bagi menghantar memorandum kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Isnin lepas, Setiausaha Agung PAS, Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar, berkata dalam satu kenyataan bahawa BERSIH mengambil keputusan menyerahkan memorandum itu kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong setelah Tuanku sendiri memberikan perkenan Baginda, dan kehadiran BERSIH ke Istana Negara pada hari Sabtu itu, adalah bagi menjunjung perkenan Tuanku untuk menyerahkan memorandum itu kepada wakil Baginda.

Tuanku Mizan bertitah sebagai Ketua Utama Negara, baginda bertanggungjawab untuk memastikan bahawa prinsip sistem pentadbiran negara berlandaskan prinsip Raja Berperlembagaan seperti yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan sentiasa dihormati dan dipatuhi oleh semua.

Baginda berharap agar rakyat Malaysia sentiasa bertindak dengan mematuhi undang-undang negara dan tidak melibatkan diri dalam apa-apa juga kegiatan atau tindakan yang menyalahi atau bertentangan dengan undang-undang negara.

“Setiap rakyat Malaysia bertanggungjawab untuk memelihara ketenteraman awam demi menjamin keamanan dan kesejahteraan negara,” titah baginda.

Seri Paduka Baginda juga berharap agar rakyat dapat bersama-sama mengekalkan semangat persaudaraan dan perpaduan demi membina negara yang lebih makmur, bersatu padu dan dihormati.

Wan Mohd Safiain pula berkata pihak pengurusan Istana Negara buat pertama kalinya memanggil media untuk menghebahkan kenyataan ini kerana Yang di-Pertuan Agong memandang serius perkara itu.

“Kebiasaannya Istana Negara mengeluarkan kenyataan melalui faksimili, tetapi kali ini terpaksa memanggil media untuk memastikan ianya dapat dihebahkan kepada seluruh rakyat,” katanya.

Comments

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Mik wrote:

The next time i see sirens with royalty convoy when i m stuck in heavy traffic jam, i will gladly move and giveway without complains.The Royalties has earned their respect and love, i would say. Thanks to malaysia-today for that. IF MT didn’t reveal how UMNO hijacked the Royalties’ power since 1980s, i will never know. Looking back now, i m wondering what are other lies they told us.

The STATEMENT, even if its a spin, i must say didn’t really bother me. 1st the Agung did not condemn the rally. He said he was disappointed his name was mentioned. The statement claims:

“In the statement, Tuanku Mizan said as the head of state, he was responsible in ensuring that the country’s administration based on the constitutional monarchy system, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, was respected and adhered to by all.”

Now, i would love to see that happens. That is not a light statement compares to the part “regret”. The statement did not say don’t demonstrate. It asked to UPHOLD the law. Well, the law is above the government or the police. Sadly in our country, we have different versions, one for the rich and another for the layman. Illegal activity? The march wasn’t illegal. It was made illegal by the present government. Well, the statement put it..1st uphold the constitution, then the law, and lastly don’t do anything illegal. Now, i hear that peaceful demos are allowed under the Law of Land, now how can dat be illegal? You mean we can’t overwrite the ban if we bring them to court? Say, if the court is nuetral, without the influence of UMNO. Bet we will win.
His statement again:
“Tuanku Mizan stressed that he and Istana Negara had at no time approved or given any support, directly or indirectly, to any quarters that organised or was involved in the illegal ****embly or any other activities that contravened the law.”
It reads like some legal do****ent. Anyways.. the rally is not legal if the present government had the guts to follow the constitution and allows the march to take place. Isn’t it illegal to deny the march? No? Yes? Leave them to argue.
So why worry guys. I for one, welcome the statement. Of coz i will be more happy if its wrong. still.. Now, we have now a KING!

Daulat Tuanku!

I feel more patriotic now. I bet alot of ppl out there share the same feeling. Now, something occurred to me. There is nothing wrong with this country, alot of things wrong with ruling party. I love Malaysia.

17/11 01:43:22

toolan wrote:

Daulat Tuanku Daulat Tuanku Daulat Tuanku

This is really the stuff where hopes are raised and prayers are finally answered.

This should serve as an inspiration and aspiration to remove any doubts of those who suffer but are unwilling to voice or show their discontentments towards all that are wrong in this country.

Its time for the nation to embrace this wind of change.

17/11 01:33:21

confuseus wrote:

“DAULAT TUANKU”
TUANKU AND the 19th Brigade of the Royal Malay Regiment or Regimen Askar Melayu Di-Raja (RAMD) are indeed the PAYUNG for RAKYAT !!!

THANK YOU, RPK. You make my day !!!
Now I can sleep peacefully.

17/11 01:10:14

stocktube wrote:

well, without this article everyone would have thought that the “chappie” actually represents Agong and the “regret” statement was from Agong and because of the protocol Agong might not comes out and speaks it out but thru this chappie …

but that’s not the point here … the point here is the damage has been done and almost (99%?) everyone who read or hear the news now have a “perception” that it was Agong’s official statement, ****uming what RPK said in the article is true … so how RPK? how to undo the damage(s)?

on the other hand, if this chappie is just a nuttie, then shouldn’t the Agong do something about it? If not does that means Agong is helpless against even a “planted s****bag” who is supposed to be a small-fly?

so what now? what is Agong going to do? or maybe there’s nothing can be done after all and we’re back to business as usual …

cheers …

17/11 00:50:19

miwaki wrote:

BN government will continue to cheat the rakyat just to remain in power.But now they have Malaysia Today to contend with.

Can anyone imagine what is life without MT ? All of us will be ill informed all the time.My suggestion to BN is give up your power and let someone else manage this country for the better.

17/11 00:45:59

malgal wrote:

well thank goodness you set the record straight rpk about the RAMD on standby and ready to pick the erstwhile rakyat up from being trampled to the ground. because i had been quite keciwa to say the least when i heard the agong was not there to see for himself his 50,000 loyal rakyat who risked life and limb to prove their signatures meant business and instead turned out to be at a monsoon cup function. the monsoon cup! wasnt that yet another funnel for misplaced funds…

i have just gotten back from a forum for stopping the judiciary rot and about to iron my yellow tshirt for tomorrow. please let the agong know there must surely be lots like me ironing their yellow tshirts on friday evenings and if he likes, he could really make his Linen Man with the fancy title iron his and join us. nothing like sharing the sentiments right? at least his Linen Man with the fancy title could report to his keepers the bersih linen the agong keeps in his cupboards.

see u in yellow tomorrow and good night.

17/11 00:42:30

Salmah wrote:

Can’t Berseh make a police report about this national lies. TV 3 repeated the lies again on the 12 mig night news.

17/11 00:38:28

Lady wrote:

I think it’s time the Agong should have his own blog. Now, won’t that make things difficult for the powers that be? *chuckles*

17/11 00:37:10

michael wrote:

wiltda13 wrote:
michael wrote:
On the 13th May 1969 incident, the Royal Malay Regiment was reported to have done unthinkable cruel things to the Chinese, in particular.

http://blog.limkitsiang.com…
RPK,

If what I said here is out of line and may get M2day into problem please delete as you see fit.

Thanks
_________________________________________________________________

Thank you for the link, Wilda13. It confirms what I read as a student in Australia years back.

There Must be 100% Trust between the Royalties and ALL of their subjects. The subjects must also have total and complete confidence in the Royalties that the Royalties will exercise their responsibilities under the Constitution when they are called for. And when they do exercise their powers they do so in accordance to the Constitution. This means protecting all regardless of their race or religion.

If the Malay Regiment was under the direct command of the Agong on 13th May 1969, isn’t it correct to ****ume, without disrespect, then that the former Agong has failed his subjects terribly. His army was the biggest culprits in the murder of many innocent people, the every people they were suppose to protect. Till today there has been no official acknowledgement that this has happened, let alone explanations, of the atrocious actions of the Malay Regiment, and sadly so no closure on this subject, possibly for a very, very long time too.

I recall as a child in Johor Bahru, there was generally “Peace” in the Johor State. I understand from my parents then that it was because the Sultan of Johor sent his personal army up to the northern part of Johor to prevent the racial violence problems from spreading down his State. This very act has always given me confidence in the uprightness of the Royalties because of Sultan Ismail. I will always have this deep respect for the late Sultan Ismail of Johor. For me he will always be the exemplary King.

I feel the non-Malays have no problems with honoring and respecting the Malay Royalties. However, there are many who are suspicious of the infighting going on between UMNO and the Royalties because they view this as a Malay Power issue, and that they are just going to be the scapegoats at the end of the day. The memory and lack of closure of the actions of the Malay Regiment on 13 May 1969 racial riots doesn’t help at all.

I am asking questions on the Malay regiment, not to create doubts on the integrity of the Royalties. On the contrary, I want 100% subjects’ respect for OUR Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. All I am requesting is that the lessons of the Malay Regiment be learnt, instituted and never ever be allowed to be repeated again. The Malay Regiment must be impartial when exercising their duties to protect the Agong, the Rakyat and the Constitution.

Honestly, the Royalties do not have many opportunities to gain Real respect from the Rakyat, especially in the political system such as in Malaysia; and when they do, they will be judged and remembered for their Actions or Inactions taken.

RPK has already done wonders in reviving the Trust and Need for the Malay Royalties which has so cleverly been dismantled by UMNO over the years. His royal blood links, his integrity and his steadfastness in fighting for a better Malaysia has given many people hope and confidence in what royalties are and can do. The Royalties must now take all the steps that they are empowered to do so under the constitution to save this beloved country Malaysia.

That UMNO has the guts to put words into the Agong’s mouth to deceive the public is simply just too unbelievably shocking for me to believe that it can be allowed to happen in our country. If this isn’t an act of treason, what is?

Daulat Tuanku! X3 X3 X3

17/11 00:36:51

atsanee wrote:

I say it agin.
Pray for Palace support,and as it will not be so openly given,prepare to stand alone.
Just dont lose sight of your objectives and mission.
Dont get bogged down on whether this or whether that is true.
Just carry on in the worse case scenario.

17/11 00:15:10