The People’s Parliament

On 15th August last year, Dr M spoke at length to a large gathering of bloggers at the Perdana Leadership Foundation headquarters in Putrajaya.

The Malaysiakini report on this event had it that Dr M had said, amongst other things, that in the next general election, there would be widespread vote buying.

“It is for certain that in the coming general election, a lot of money would be spent in vote buying… if the ruling parties do this, we would be governed by a government that is outrightly involved in corruption… For RM200, people are willing to sell their votes. They are not just selling their votes. Dia jual maaruahnya (he is selling his dignity)”, Malaysiakini reports Dr M as having said. 

I was at the event and I can confirm that this last quote is not accurate. What Dr M said was that the Malays will sell their votes for RM200. At least the Chinese would not sell their vote for this miserable sum, he remarked. They will sell it at a higher price.

That explains the Malaysiakini report today entitled ‘Election goodies for Chinese community’ about a pre-CNY promise to build six Chinese primary schools in Sungai Long, Kajang, Bukit Serdang, Rawang in Selangor, Wangsa Maju in Kuala Lumpur and Danga Bay in Johor.

The report has it that Ong Ka Ting said, “I want to thank Hishammuddin. He has always been fair and considerate in listening to the problems faced by Chinese schools.” and “this is good news for the Chinese community before the Chinese New Year.”

Ong is also said to have confirmed that these proposed Chinese schools can accommodate 27,000 more pupils upon completion.

Really? Places for 27,000 more pupils?

To learn what?

Ketuanan Melayu?

That if they do not like that some claim this is an Islamic state, they can get out of the country?

That it does not matter that someone’s late grandpa was Buddhist, he’ll still get buried where the Syariah court says he shall be buried?

That they must tolerate it when someone sticks a keris in their faces and says ‘I will defend my race’ while others call on that keris-wielding fella to use it?

That they will always be second class citizens in the land of their own birth?

Is that all it takes? RM200 each for the Malays and a couple of schools for the Chinese?

Was Dr M right? Are we that cheap?

Is that all it take for us to sell our vote, our children and our dignity?

On 25th January, 2008 another bus crash claimed three young lives.

Lee Nian Ning.

Mohd Zailani.

Pang Boon Eng.

This evening I received an e-mail from Jolene which alerted me to an online petition, targeted at the Ministry of Transport, and which relates to this recent bus crash.

The petitioners ask :

‘What are the explanations?

How could a vehicle with 13 summonses be free on the roads and not held by the authorities? ‘

I have signed the petition to lend it the support it deserves. I think everyone should.

You can access the petition HERE.

Jolene and her friends also have a blog up and running to support this initiative. This can be viewed at http://buscrashnomore.blogspot.com/

Jolene & friends, you are the kind of anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia that must become the foundation of this country.

Farida sent this in as a comment to the ‘put the sick cow to sleep’ post. I thought it was just too good to languish as a comment so I’m reproducing it below.

________________________

Too late, Dr M, too late. Too late to cover up your dark deeds by blaming the Badawi administration.

How I had wished, when you were in your hospital bed in IJN recuperating, that you would do the decent thing - repent and admit all the wrongs you had done towards this nation and its people, all too numerous to enumerate here.

True repentance would have led you to speak the truth at the VK Lingam session, would have caused you to open up and apologise and attempt to make things right, would have been medicine for this suffering nation. But you did not.

True repentance means you are willing to do all that it takes to undo the harm you caused. But you are not.

Your selective amnesia is so you. Some people say your performance before the Royal Commission was vintage Dr M. I say it was wastage. You wasted a great moment where you could have helped expose the truth. You chose self-preservation instead.

Why complain and condemn BN now, Dr M? You were their best teacher and they were ready pupils to emulate your ways.

So, Dr M, leave the affairs of this nation to others. Sit in your armchair, think of your deeds and sing this song dedicated to you to the tune of ‘I Started A Joke’.

I started the rot
That sent this nation crumbling
But I wouldn’t see
That the rot was in me.

I took all the power
And had the nation crying
But I didn’t care
That my rule was unfair.

I started it all
Caused all this mess
And people had less
But I, I’m on my throne
I don’t care two hoots
I can go it alone.

I’ve started a scheme
That’ll make you want me back
A pity you can’t see
That Malaysia needs me.

In a Malaysiakini report entitled ‘Let’s clean up BN and UMNO : Dr M’ , the former PM is reported to have said, “I’m trying to promote a cleansing of the (coalition) by the people because it seems that it is not possible (for BN to cleanse itself)…There is no hope that Umno can clean itself from within. Everything is controlled now. Any contrary view (that party members) make would be contained.”

Doc, I’m afraid it’s too late. The corruption, cronyism and nepotism has spread too far. 

But then, you would know this. You engineered most of it in your time. 

Keep a lookout for this flyer

You should soon see this practically all over Petaling Jaya.

The ‘PJ Utara Get an MP’ group are the brains behind this flyer.

This group has also set up their own blog. You can access it by going to http://getanmp.blogspot.com

These guys are so big hearted that the blog banner also alludes to similar initiatives that have been started in other constituencies. I imagine that the idea is to also outreach to non-PJ Utara registered voters and to let them know about these ongoing efforts.

Great work, guys!

If you are a registered voter in PJ Utara and would like to work to get some decent representation in Parliament for your constituency, why not drop into http://getanmp.blogspot.com and get an idea of what these guys are up to.

 If you are registered to vote in PJ Selatan, Segambut, Subang, Selayang or Serdang, a ‘Get an MP’ for these areas have already been initiated. However, we need more people to get involved if these efforts are going to have any chance of being effective. If you would like to get involved, send an e-mail to thepeoplesparliament@gmail.com

As at this afternoon, 339 have signed the petition. If you have not and would like to, you may access the petition by clicking HERE.

Dig and Pratamad sent in a comment that the T-shirts ought to carry the URL of this blog.

Well, actually, it does, on the rear side of the T-shirt.

Front view

Rear view

Available sizes are S, M, L, XL and XXL. 

Many have written in to purchase the ‘Boycott the Newspapers’ T-shirt. The committee is grateful for your support.

We have been checking for the most convenient manner to have the T-shirt delivered to you. Hence the delay in responding to your requests for which I apologise.

For postal delivery within Peninsular Malaysia, please add another RM2.50 per T-shirt to the purchase price of RM15.00 each to enable us to deliver the same by registered post.

Payment of the purchase price and the postal charges should be made to the following CIMB Account.

Account Holder : Haris Fathillah bin Mohd Ibrahim

Account No.  1456-0001231-52-5

After you have deposited the requisite sum into the above account, please e-mail a scanned copy of the deposit slip to thepeoplesparliament.boycott@gmail.com together with the size requirements, your name and the address to which the T-shirt(s) should be posted to. Alternatively, you may fax the copy of the deposit slip and your order details to 09-2227332. If you have any inquiries please call Shar at the hartalmsmhotline at 012-2484794.

kaki ayam suggested having the boycott T-shirts in BM, Chinese and Tamil as well. Good idea except that this would tie up much needed funds. Perhaps when there are available funds, we might have the same produced. Alternatively, if anyone wants to take this up, I would be happy to give space on this blog to advertise the T-shirts.

kaki ayam also suggested that we should have red ‘Boycott’ T-shirts to coincide with the Chinese New Year celebrations. Again, limited resources.

kaki ayam, yellow also can, lah!

Malaysiakini has videos of the press con as well as comments on the boycott from Rocky and Gayathry of CIJ. You can view the same HERE .

                   (Created by and used with the permission of Walski )

That was this morning.

Yesterday, a ‘Boycott the Newspapers!’ online petition was launched. The petition can be accessed and signed online at http://www.petitiononline.com/hartal/petition.html

This morning the press conference to launch ‘Paper Free Tuesday’ and to announce the several civil society initiatives related to the ‘Boycott the Newspapers’ initiative was held at the Blog House. The committee has asked me to extend my thanks to the Protem Committee of the National All Blogs for their assistance in the use of Blog House and their support in this initiative.

Invitations to the press conference were sent out last Thursday and Friday to all the local mainstream media.

The Star, The Sun, The Oriental Daily,  Malaysiakini, S-Keadilan, Artis Pro Aktif and Centre for Independent Journalism sent representatives to cover the press conference. Also present were blogger friends as well as individual well-wishers. The committee wishes to extend its gratitude to all who came.

I will reproduce below the press statement that was issued on behalf of the committee this morning.

After the press statement was read out, to formally launch the boycott, an sms announcing the same was sent to the Big Chiefs at NST, The Star, Berita Harian and BERNAMA.

Registration

Committee members ( Chew, Helen, Capt Yusof, Shar and myself ) at the PC. 3 others not in the photo are Bernard (Zorro), Nanda and Fari.

Blogger / non-blogger friends

Our friends from the media

More friends from the media

Birdseye view of our media friends

You would have noticed that the committee and many of our friends were in yellow T-shirts.

Yes, to help publicise this initiative and to try and raise funds for this effort, we have also produced a ‘Boycott the Newspapers’ T-shirt.

Front view of the T-shirt

It cost us slightly over RM10.00 per T-shirt. We are selling them at RM15.00 each. If you would like to purchase this T-shirt and help us with this effort you can send us an e-mail at thepeoplesparliament.boycott@gmail.com or give Shar a call at the hartalmsmhotline at 012-2484794 for details of payment and delivery arrangements. Please note that there will be an additional charge for outstation orders to cover courier / pos laju charges.

People, the online petition is yours. ‘Paper Free Tuesday’ is also yours. Its success or otherwise is up to you.

Below is the press statement released today by the committee

___________________________

MEDIA STATEMENT  

On ‘Boycott the Newspapers’ initiative   by The People’s Parliament   

‘Hartal MSM’ working committee: When & Why

This committee comprising 8 individuals was set up in late December 2007 when it became apparent from participants’ comments in The People’s Parliament that there was a genuine concern in society over how news reported by the mainstream media (MSM) did not always tally with facts.

The earnest discussions in our blog and numerous suggestions by readers on strategies to address this concern clearly indicated that many treated the shortcomings of MSM with the seriousness they deserved. It also became obvious that some structure and methodology would have to be put into place if the suggestions to tackle MSM’s failings were to be effectively implemented.

Hence the formation of our committee to manage a boycott of newspapers. 

Which newspapers make up MSM?

In the context of The People’s Parliament initiative to tackle the matter of dishonest news reporting, we have to say that, regrettably and without exception, but to varying degrees, this would include all of the local newspapers. 

False reporting by MSM 

In truth, this is not a recent phenomenon but has been going on for some time. However, a reference to recent events of public importance and the less-than-honest coverage of the same by the MSM would be sufficient. 

1. On 9 Oct 2007, Malaysiakini reported that the Ipoh Timur parliamentary constituency had seen an increase of 8,463 in the number of registered voters within the space of three months. Of particular concern were the new 3,208 postal voters even though there are no new army camps or new police stations in the constituency. MSM did not carry any report on this.

2. On 10 Nov 2007, a civil society-driven rally in Kuala Lumpur was attended by some 60,000 people of diverse backgrounds, calling for electoral reforms. Bersih supporters peaceably marched to the palace of the Yang DiPertuan Agong to deliver a people’s memorandum on the electoral reforms sought. Yet a report in The Star of the following day gave the impression that this rally comprised no more than 4,000 people and was effectively dispersed by the authorities.

3. On 20 Nov 2007, senior political correspondent Lydia Lim of the Singapore Straits Times reported on the 10 ongoing International Court of Justice hearings between Malaysia and Singapore to decide on the dispute between the two nations for sovereignty over the Pedra Branca. Lim’s report said that the Malaysian legal team had resorted to the use of a photograph of dubious authenticity lifted from an anonymous blog to create a photographic illusion and exaggerate the proximity of Pedra Branca to Johor. This scandal was reported in numerous blogs. However none of the MSM published this piece of disturbing news.

4. On 25 Nov 2007, some 30,000 Malaysians joined the Hindraf march headed for the British High Commission. In the early hours of that same day, several thousand Malaysians were forcefully contained in the compound of the Batu Caves. The Star reported on Nov 26 that the IGP had said no teargas or water cannons had been used at the Batu Caves. Nonetheless, many blogs and alternative news sources on the Internet published photographic evidence to the contrary. To date, The Star has not shown any inclination to pursue this matter with a view to giving its readers the truth. In fact, in the days following, there appeared to be a concerted and contrived effort through the MSM to unabashedly vilify this public rally as an attempt by Indians to stir up racial unrest.

5. On 19 Dec 2007, Malaysiakini reported a statement issued by Anwar Ibrahim in which the ex-deputy premier implicated former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik and his successor Chan Kong Choy in the RM4.8 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project irregularity. None of the MSM carried this news item. Interestingly, MSM have also not seen it fit to undertake an investigation into this scandal.

6. On 21 Jan 2008, most, if not all of the MSM reported a crowd of some 21,000 at the MIC-sponsored ‘Meet the PM’ rally at the Badminton Stadium in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur the previous day.  Yet our own committee member who attended the event reported that the number of attendees ranged between 6,000 and 8,000 at best.

 Our expectations of MSM 

We want responsible, ethical news reporting. Balanced and unbiased.

MSM must cease their practice of continually downplaying issues of grave concern to the reading public and their lack of transparency in reporting (or omitting to report) national scandals and revelations of high-level corruption.

We are also concerned for our friends in journalism. We often hear from them of their frustrations in having their reports edited to a point where fact becomes displaced by fiction. This must stop; professionalism must prevail.

Readers pay good, hard-earned money to receive honest news reporting. They should not be duped into settling for less.

Our concerns on elections coverage

Given that the next general elections are expected to be held very soon, our ‘Boycott the Newspapers!’ campaign is imperative if Malaysia is going to have any chance of a cleaner poll. As the Bersih manifesto for electoral reform clearly states, we urgently need a free media and fair access for opposing views.

MSM presently are neither free nor fair.

What history has shown is that MSM have always had a field day disseminating falsehood to Malaysian voters because of the uneven playing field and public space restrictions imposed by the incumbency who are the media owners or whose owners are closely affiliated to the ruling parties. The recent acquisition of Nexnews shares in The Sun and The Edge by tycoon Vincent Tan reinforces the nexus between political and corporate interests.

Signature Campaign 

Yesterday evening, we launched an online signature campaign calling for a boycott of the MSM. The petition is a vehicle for ordinary Malaysians to put on record that they do not condone the duplicity of MSM pretending to speak as vox populi and the patent lies that they print. The petition can be viewed at http://www.petitiononline.com/hartal/petition.html

Today, we call on all Malaysians to join us to make every Tuesday a ‘Paper-Free Tuesday’. Let this be the start. We hope that MSM will get the message and if they do not, we will have to give some thought to the other days in the week.

Currently, MSM spindoctoring is going into overdrive on the authorities’ perennial tried-and-tested track of communalism, misrepresentation and fear-mongering. To counter their deliberate inaccuracy, we shall put together a brief summary of ‘alternative news’ for our ‘Balik Kampung Bawa Berita Benar’. It is an experimental initiative to be picked up at The People’s Parliament shortly.

Closing statement   

The People’s Parliament holds that MSM are now hardly voices of the people but rather mouthpieces of the government. If Malaysia is to see any change at all, the rakyat must know the truth and this truth is unfortunately not forthcoming from MSM.

We hold that a boycott of local newspapers is one way we can check the rot in our country and a means for civil society to take constructive action. Malaysia deserves a free press.

  The People’s Parliament

Hartal MSM committee 

28 Jan 2008

Correction :

Zorro has pointed out that there was an error with regard to the address of Blog House. The address should read : 

No: 66, Lorong Setiabistari 2, Bukit Damansara

50490, Kuala Lumpur.

Thanks Zorro.

__________________________

The Committee set up to plan the boycott of mainstream media is holding a press conference to officially launch ‘Paper Free Tuesday as a dedicated Boycott Day as well as an online petition.

The committee looks forward to the presence and participation of all those who are supportine of this initiative.

As we hope to provide light refreshments for those in attendance, yet do not wish to go the way of the immense wastage eperienced at Batu Caves by the excess preparation of food, please send an e-mail to thepeoplesparliament.boycott@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.

Date: 28th January 2008.

Time: 11.00am.

Venue: BlogHouse @ no: 66, Lorong Setiabistari 1, Bukit Damansara

50490, Kuala Lumpur.

The captions accompanying each photo are a reproduction of Nanda’s description of each photo sent in.

______________________

Indian Sweet Stall where I spoke with the lady

The man I spoke to with his stocks piled up

Young kid carrying kavadi

Devotees in the temple compound

View from the overhead bridge

View from the overhead bridge right after the first shot- just zoomed a little and cropped the road part a little and I believe you can see the effect in terms of the number of crowd perception

View from the overhead bridge - right side of the temple entrance

View from the overhead bridge - left to the temple entrance

Will try to upload the photos later.

Again, Nanda, from all of us, thank you.

_______________________

Tuesday 2230H – Left office thinking about the next day, Thaipusam at Batu Caves. Promised Haris that I’ll go and have a look. There were text messages circulating urging people not to show their support for this event in Batu Caves, rather, attend other temples. There were also text messages saying, go to Batu Caves if you have to, but please do not help to make the temple chairman rob Indians of their money. Go and pray, and if possible, bring your necessary items for your prayers as well.  

Was wondering how it would be tomorrow morning. I have mixed feelings regarding these particular urgings, I’ll explain later. 

Wednesday 

1000H – Left my stuff in office and took LRT from KLCC to KL Sentral. Saw a few people whom I sensed might be heading to where I’m heading. Went and bought KTM ticket to Batu Caves. Round trip costs RM 6.40. Paid, got my ticket and went to wait at Platform 3. 

At Platform 3, it was quiet and calm except for the occasional giggle that I heard. Walked further and I saw a man with his little daughter and a family, mum, dad and 2 little boys. I can’t help hearing the little girl talking to her dad.  I can see the excitement in her face and I can hear the expectations and the innocent joy that she is anticipating in her voice. The little boys were also excited but somehow more timid as compared to the girl. The girl, she made her dad bring her and she’s gonna go there for Thaipusam no matter what. The train came and the little girl jumped and squealed happily.  

I boarded the train. 

Throughout the journey, the excited voice of the little girl can be heard in the coach and almost all the passengers were smiling at her. 

1140H – Arrived at Batu Caves. Got down with the rest of the passengers. This is my first trip to Batu Caves on Thaipusam. I’m not the right person to give any comments or pass any judgements on the crowd here in Batu Caves today for I have no basis for comparison. Instead, I leave it to you to decide by looking at the pictures and by reproducing my conversations with several people there. 

I passed by hawkers selling food and drinks, other traders selling prayer items, devotional songs, cinema songs, earrings, books and some other booths. I headed to the temple compound. Saw a few Caucasians, tourists or perhaps residents, taking pictures of the temple and the devotees.  

I walked into the temple compound, I saw quite a number of stalls. Walked further up towards the stairs leading up to the temple and took a couple of photos. I decided to walk around the compound first before trying to talk to some of the people around here.

 Same thing, stalls, people balding their head, guys trying to get people to buy praying items. Devotional songs playing in the loud speakers. Media van standing by the Geetha store. Somehow, its easier for me to move around in Batu Caves as compared to Thaipusam celebration in Penang. I thought it would be the other way round. 

A reporter was interviewing a devotee who just came down from the temple. I heard the reporter asking her about the number of people this year and the devotee answered the number has reduced significantly. She said she comes to Batu Caves every year because she just lives nearby. Asked if she agrees with the call for boycott against Batu Caves, she answered she knows how the people feel and in a way she agrees but its also a question of religious obligations and hence, she came to just pray here because she lives close by. 

I saw a building, which is the headquarters of the Thaipusam committee. Announcements are made from there. Media people are allowed to be there as I saw people coming out wearing the Media tag, and photographers with their cameras positioned to take any interesting shots. 

Made my way to a stall selling traditional Indian sweets. I saw a lady and a few young guys manning the stall. The lady was unoccupied with customer so I tried to ask her a few questions. At first she was reluctant, she might have thought I came to ask for money for some charity. Then she spoke.  

She told me the number of people this year has no doubt decreased. I asked her, how does she gauge that. And she told me that she’s been coming to Batu Caves every year for the past 10 or more years. She told me at the time when I was asking her questions, usually if previous years, she wouldn’t be able to entertain me as there would be numerous customers. She said, ‘Just look at the front of the stall, usually there’ll be no empty place.’ 

I asked her about the rent and she told me she has to pay RM2800. I’m not sure if its per day or for the entire Thaipusam. There was some unverified source claiming the temple authorities claimed the rental was in amount of few hundreds but apparently not so. Then I asked how about the rent last year, I wanted to make some quantitative comparison but she can’t remember as it was her husband who was the one who took care of it last year. I thanked her for her time and I moved on. 

Went to another shop selling prayer items. A man, in his forties I would say, was manning it. Said hi to him and asked him if he wouldn’t mind if I asked him some questions. He said, no problem tambi, go ahead. I asked him how long have you been doing business here in Batu Caves during Thaipusam. He said, 10 years now. He’s been coming here annually for 10 years. I asked him how’s the crowd this time around. He said, somehow the crowd has reduced a little. I tried to ask him about a rough figure, just to have an idea of the number that can be associated with the crowd and he told me it is difficult to do that simply because, for Thaipusam, people have been coming to Batu Caves as early as Sunday 20^th January 2008. So when we say X number of people, its not necessarily accurate as the number varies from day to day and also from morning, afternoon and evening. I nodded as what he is saying is definitely making sense. Then he went on to tell me, in term of number, devotees came and are coming but perhaps a little lesser than previous years. But in terms of the prayer item sales, this year is quite a bad year for him. He said if at the same time we were talking, the previous year, most of his items would have been sold. But that’s not the case this year. I asked permission to take the picture of his stall with the items still not sold and in bags. He said, no problem, go ahead tambi. 

I asked him further, how much does he pay in term of rent and he said RM 1500. He went on to explain its different rate for different stalls. I asked him how much was it last year and he told me RM 2000. The committee decided to reduce the rent for the prayer item sales stalls  this year. For what reason, I don’t know. 

I thanked him for his time and for his willingness to speak to me. I walked and at this time a kid carrying a ‘kavadi’ caught my eyes. 

The kid was strong, he looked determined. He came out today to fulfill what he has come to believe as his duty. He came out today because of his faith. 

Just a bit later, I saw a group of FRU personnel and the number was growing and I thought there might have been some trouble so I went closer. The FRU personnel and cops were escorting Samy Vellu. He came and he went inside the Geetha store.  

A group of people were outside and I started talking to the guy beside me and he told me regardless of what anybody says, people will still come to Batu Caves. I told him, thanks, I appreciate you sharing your views.  

A couple of FRU chaps were nearby and I decided to talk to them as well. Was wearing my 10-Eleven t-shirt, so I was prepared to be shunned away. I spoke to Shah first and then I spoke to Zaki. Zaki has been with the FRU covering Thaipusam events for 9 years. I asked him, ‘Ada masalah apa-apa tak bang, kali ni?’ He said, ‘Kali ni dekat sini takde. Setakat ni ok.’ I asked him again, ‘Bang, dah dekat 9 tahun abang duty kat sini, tahun ni orang banyak ke atau dah kurang?’ Zaki grinned and said,’ Tengok la kat belakang tu, mana ada orang. Mungkin sebab panas kot. Lagipun orang datang sejak 2 hari lepas, tapi hari ni memang aku rasa kurang.’ I said ok, terima kasih bang, Dato’ dah nak keluar dah tu.  

Samy Velu came out and was interviewed by MSM. I can’t get close enough to hear what they were asking and what he was saying. Apologies for not being able to give his speech here. 

I walked to the fly-over in front of the temple. Went to the middle and took a few photos just to give you an idea of what a simple Nokia N73 Phone’s camera can do and with that you can draw your conclusion of what a Canon EOS Mk 1 with a telephoto zoom lense in the hands of a professional can do. 

I went down, just stood and watched the people. I saw tourists, Malaysian of many colours, devotees, kids, elderly. 

I can’t help thinking about the excited little girl in the train and the little boy with the ‘kavadi’. The little girl was having the time of her life. I tried putting myself in her dad’s shoes and I thought, regardless of what I believe and what I stand for, who am I to deny the little girl the happiness and memory that would be ingrained in her mind for a very long time? Who am I to rob her off her childhood events, events which she unknowingly decides at this age which in turn would turn out to shape her memories even when innocence is long gone? Nope, even if I was her dad, I don’t have the rights to deny her off her childhood experiences. As such, even if I feel strongly to heed the calls of not attending Batu Caves, I would have still gotten up, dressed the little girl, and took her out anyways.  

Same goes to the little boy with his ‘kavadi’. Even if I was his dad, who am I to question the faith of the little boy? Who am I to question the validity of his personal communications with his God? It might have been playing in the thoughts of the young boy for months, of this moment when he actually would do something with his own strength and determination to fulfill his promise to his God. Who am I to tell him that it can be done some other time? Who am I to trivialize his beliefs? Nope, even if I was his dad, I do not have the rights to stand between him and his faith. As such, I would have still prepared all the necessary things to make it possible for him to be there even if I strongly believe in the call of not attending. 

This particular call for not attending the festival is an intricate issue. It involves faith. It concerns ones beliefs. As such it is quite unfair to think of the people going to Batu Caves as those who support the corrupt authorities. At the same time, it is unfair and totally unjustified for the authorities to think that the people who attended are showing their support and use their attendance as a gauge of people’s confidence. Nope, it doesn’t work that way.  

Now this brings us to the main issue for the reason of coming up with this own report. I don’t know how the MSM are going to carry this story.  

BERNAMA carried out a report in which Samy spoke triumphantly about people showing up, ignoring the smses. People showed up, yes, but it was not because they wanted to make a statement that they support you sir, its because they have conscience and they have their personal commitments to their Gods and also due to responsibility. A word that may be alien to some people. 

Bernama carried out report with the headlines ‘Call to boycott Thaipusam ignored, 1 million turn up.’ And in the article, it mentioned ‘at noon, not less than 500 000 turn up.’  

That’s a blatant lie. I was there.  

Regardless of the facts or the issues of beliefs and faith and whatever else there may be, for the general public, they find out about what they believe is the truth by reading what was given to them by the media. As such, the fourth estate is entrusted with the responsibility of providing the truth. An impartial view. An honest account of what’s happening. 

Consciously failing to do so is not an option.  

Repeatedly publishing lies only insult the intelligence of the members of civil society. 

Knowingly distorting facts is unacceptable.  

Misleading the civil society into believing a different version of the actual account, hence betraying the trust of the people and trivializing the entrusted responsibility is unforgivable..

As a members of civil society, what are we gonna do about it?