The rally that wasn’t
June 20, 2009
Yesterday, during lunch in PJ, I was alerted to a massive rally that was to take place today at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng in KL.
Seems it was being organised by UMNO youth to get Malays to come out and loudly condemn Anwar’s recent public statements on the issue of whether Chin Peng should be permitted to return home.
At least, so the story went, that was the rationale that was being delivered to the ground in an effort to get a decent crowd attendance.
And if that rationale did not get the throngs in, I was told, then a promise of RM100 and food for each attendee was expected to do the trick.
Called some contacts in UMNO to check on this. Most said they had not heard of such a planned rally and did not think KJ would want to involve the youth wing in something like this, given the current public sentiment.
They felt certain that even if such a rally was being planned by the youth wing, they would try to orchestrate it to appear as if it were a spontaneous outpouring of anger by Malays generally, rather than an UMNO Youth organised rally.
By late last night, I had received confirmation from another source that such a rally was being planned.
Then I caught RPK’s ‘Calling all Malay youth and Mat Rempit’ post late last night.
Late, this morning, Nanda headed out to Jalan Yap Kwan Seng.
He alerted me to having sighted a TV3 heli passing over the road on a number of occasions.
I joined Nanda around lunch time.
We were there until about 4pm.
Nothing happened.
Wonder if this was a case of some sinister rumour-mongering akin to that which made its rounds post the Hindraf rally in November, 2007, or one of RPK’s posting throwing a spanner in the works of a devious and devillish UMNO Youth hate programme, which then had to be aborted?
Or could it be that even the Mat Rempit have completely gone off UMNO?
Poll : Do you have any faith in Najib’s 1Malaysia?
June 19, 2009
I don’t.
And I’ll share my reasons with you over the next couple of days.
You?
Go on, have your say.
And after you’ve cast your vote, you may want to leave a comment as to why you do or you don’t.
When a picture does indeed paint a thousand words
June 18, 2009
Last Monday, in Parliament, Karpal asked Najib if he had raised a keris at an UMNO youth rally in Kampung Baru in 1987 and uttered racist words to the effect that the blood of the Chinese would be spilled.
Najib flatly denied making such utterances.
The next day, in response to Najib’s denial, RPK published a post entitled ‘In response to Najib’s denial in Parliament yesterday’ in which Pete reproduced a press release by YB Lim Kit Siang dated 27th April, 2007.
In that press release, YB Lim alluded to a Government White Paper entitled “Towards Preserving National Security” wherein the goverment had reported that, quoting YB Lim, ” in an Umno Youth rally led by Najib on 17th October 1987, banners bearing strong words were displayed, including one which said: “SOAK IT (KRIS) WITH CHINESE BLOOD” ‘.
Yesterday, I got my hands on that White Paper.
It’s a damning document of the messages of hate that emerged from that rally 22 years ago.
I also got my hands on reports on 18th October, 1987 of that rally that appeared in our then still largely independent MSM.
Malaysiakini reported yesterday that Anwar had said, “I was not at the rally, I was the Umno vice-president then… it was organised by Umno Youth and by Najib, (so) I have to just take Najib’s assurance and denial in Parliament,” and “…I am not in the position to discuss or accuse Najib, because I am not aware of what he had said,” and “To be fair, my only statement is that, Najib has denied… but documents and banners are available (and) there were very extreme positions, racist and extreme demands and statement (on them),” and “it is best for Najib to make it clear, if there were excessive (statements) made… and admit it, so that we can move on”.
Let me just say now that what Anwar is reported to have said is amply supported by the White Paper and the news reports of 18th October, 1987.
Yesterday, the Malay Mail reported Karpal as now saying that “I wanted to know if he said it, and he gave his answer, let’s just leave it as it is, the matter should not go on further,”
I disagree with YB Karpal.
Why should we leave it as it is? Why should we not pursue this matter any further?
Don’t we have the right to know the kind of man who purports to lead this nation forward?
Was Najib at the UMNO youth rally on 17th October 1987?
Yes.
Was he leading that rally?
He was then acting UMNO youth chief. I’d say yes.
Did he raise the keris and issue words to the effect that the blood of the Chinese would be spilled?
Don’t know.
Even if he did not, was he not leading a rally that had on display enough paraphanelia that spelt out the threat to spill blood of a particluar segment of our Malaysian community without the need for Najib or anyone else to vocalise it or brandish weapons?
Is this not enough to make his denial in Parliament last Monday somewhat hollow? Deceitful?
Again, that government White Paper and the 1987 news reports bear this out.
Now this man wants us to swallow his 1Malaysia hook, line and sinker .
Does he not first owe this nation an explanation?
Does he not first owe us all an unqualified apology?
Malay defined?
June 18, 2009
My good friend, Art Harun, has an excellent ’say it like it is’ piece in Malaysianinsider which, in the plainest language possible, spells out that, under our Constitution, we are all equal, save and except that provision is made in Article 153 for the Agong to take certain measures to safeguard the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak whilst also safeguarding the legitimate interests of the other communities.
The Constitution speaks of special position, not privileges or rights.
Art’s piece is worthy of a close read, and I’d urge all of you to give it the attention it deserves.
I want to make one point of clarification.
Art refers to the definition of “Malay” in Article 160(2) of the Constitution.
Let me reproduce that relevant provision here.
160 (2) In this constitution, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:
…“Malay” means a person who professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, conforms to Malay custom and -
(a) was before Merdeka Day born in the Federation or in Singapore or born of parents one of whom was born in the Federation or in Singapore, or is on that day domiciled in the Federation or in Singapore; or
(b) is the issue of such a person;
Article 160 is an interpretation clause.
You will note that Article 160(2) expressly states that the meanings of the various words sought to be interpreted in that clause will not apply when, in the Constitution, the context in which the word appears would suggest a meaning different from that prescribed in clause (2). The first thing to note, then, is that the meaning ascribed to the words in clause (2), including “Malay”, are not necessarily exhaustive and must give way when the context demands it.
The second thing to note is that the meanings ascribed to the words in clause (2) are for the purposes of interpreting those words as and when they appear in the Constitution, and the Constitution only and that too, if the meaning ascribed is not displaced by the context.
In other words, the meanings ascribed here in clause (2), including “Malay”, cannot, as a matter of law, be applied and fixed to other laws enacted where similar words appear, simply because the Constitution stipulates the meaning for those words when they appear in the Constitution. It must be understood that these meanings have been ascribed for the purpose of the Constitution and the Constitution only.
The word “Malay”, as defined in the Constitution, has as such been defined so as to afford an understanding of the meaning of that word, as and when that word appears in the Constituion, unless the context affords a different meaning, in which event the latter meaning would have force.
It must not be thought that the definition of “Malay” in Article 160(2) is exhaustive and applicable everytime the word appears in any written law.
Gnana Prakasom post-mortem report : No foul play
June 16, 2009
Received this sms last night, after the post-mortem had been concluded and, presumably, based on the little information that had leaked out :
“Cause of death toxemia secondary to peritonitis, ie, blood poisoning due to inflammation of peritonium. Family to be briefed by Dr. Prasant 8.30am Tuesday.”
Have just been informed that the family met with the pathologist this morning and the latter confirmed that, in his view, there was no evidence of foul play as the immediate and direct cause of death.
I guess it’s best to await the full disclosure of the post-mortem report.
Below is the full text of the press statement issued by Yang Berkhidmat Elizabeth Wong today
______________________________________________
Death in Custody in DUN Bukit Lanjan
It is with grave concern that yet another person has been found dead in police custody in Selangor, this time in my constituency of Bukit Lanjan.
Mr. A. Ghana Prakasom Anthony, a resident of Damansara Damai was found dead at the Sri Damansara Police Station at 8.06 am on Sunday, 14 June 2009. He leaves behind a wife and 6 children. He was arrested on Wednesday, 10 June 2009 .
The deceased’s wife was able to see him on Friday, 12 June 2009. During her visit, A. Ghana informed her that he had complained the magistrate who heard his remand that he was beaten in police custody. Further, his wife reported to me that her husband had a bruised right eye during her visit.
Ghana’s wife was then informed by the police that her husband was expected to be released on Monday without charges. Thus, it is shocking that a day before he is due for release, he was found dead in the lockup.
It is immaterial whether the suspect has a police record or not; a suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. One expects the police to be fully responsible for the well-being and fair treatment of suspects while being in their custody.
I urge the Minister for Home Affairs to investigate this case thoroughly, without favour or fear, and for all police officers on duty during the days when A. Ghana had reported he was beaten in the lockup, leading to his demise, to be suspended pending the investigation.
I urge for a Royal Commission of Inquiry on Deaths in Police Custody to be formed, for the numbers of persons dying in police custody is a matter of national concern.
I join my fellow Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen in urging for the formation of the Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and a coroner’s court to arrest this problem. It is our collective wish that after this tragic incident, no other person would enter into a police lockup and come out in a body bag.
Good luck, Zaid
June 15, 2009
That’s what I sms’d Zaid last night on his joining PKR.
“Good luck”.
Well that and “Just watch your back now”.
Why?
Well, Malaysiakini reported on Saturday last that DSAI had said that “Zaid will soon be appointed as a member in the party’s powerful supreme council and its political bureau, pending approval from PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail”.
I imagine that there will be quite a few in the upper echelons of PKR, especially those who were previously from UMNO, who will not take too kindly to Zaid parachuting in amongst the top brass of the party.
Zaid may well be perceived as having upset the packing order.
Watch out for the backstabbing, Zaid!
Is it time to deliver a reality check to PAS?
June 15, 2009
Whilst in Taiping in the run-up to the Bukit Gantang by-elections, I had a chance to chat with one of the progressive elected reps from PAS.
In the course of that chat, I put to this YB the following poser :
What would it take for us to see the day when Malik Imtiaz, Azmi Sharom and I call a press conference and, at that pc, announce that the 3 of us are submitting our applications to join PAS?
The response I received was positive but disclosure of the same will give away the identity of the YB concerned, so I shall not say anymore of that conversation.
That poser now seems all the more relevant in the light of the call that emerged from the just concluded PAS muktamar for the Majlis Fatwa to investigate Sisters in Islam and, if found appropriate, to ban this NGO and to rehabilitate its members.
It was comforting to read the clarification by YB Khalid Samad, as reported in Malaysiakini yesterday, that “he had made the mistake of overlooking the resolution from his division to ban Sisters in Islam”.
In a press conference called to explain what Khalid has called a mistake on his part, he explained that the SIS resolution, which emanated from the women’s wing of the PAS Shah Alam division that he heads, Khalid explained that what was intended by his division was to move a resolution calling for discussions and debates with SIS on religious issues and it was not the intention to ask for SIS to be banned or its members to be arrested for rehabilitation.
Personally, I accept Khalid’s explanation.
However, it should not escape our attention that there still exists within PAS and, possibly in divisions led by progressives, a mindset that cannot accomodate the diverse views that plainly exists between those who profess Islam, as to what is the substance of the faith, and as to what are the imperatives of the faith and what are not.
I’ve had discussions with SIS members on Islam and we disagree on more issues than those on which we share a common understanding.
Yet, I still receive invites from SIS from time to time for study sessions or forums or discussions.
That’s how things must be.
I hope YB Khalid is able to reign in this ‘Ban SIS’ issue before it really gets out of hand, if it hasn’t already.
The ‘Ban SIS’ issue, though, is not what got me wondering if it isn’t time to deliver a reality check to PAS.
It’s the nonsense of unity talks with UMNO that got me wondering if PAS needs a kick up its backside as a reminder that they are in a position to talk with UMNO now because enough people decided to take a chance with PAS the last GE because they wanted to kick out the very people that Hadi and gang are thinking of crawling into bed with and getting all luvvy-duvvy with.
Or do Hadi and gang think that the 83,000++ non-Muslim members of their Kelab Penyokong PAS would not desert them in the blink of an eye the first it becomes obvious to all and sundry that PAS is going to betray so many who took a leap of faith and voted PAS last GE, by now sleeping with the enemy of the rakyat?
I say ‘Hadi and gang’ because its obvious that not all in PAS are in favour of these unity talks.
I say ‘Hadi and gang’ because I still think there are some good folk in PAS who have their heads and hearts in the right place.
We all know who they are so names need not be mentioned.
It’s up to these good people in PAS, though, to put a stop to this unity talk nonsense, failing which, we have to take it that maybe, just maybe, all of PAS needs a gentle reminder that if it was not for us voters giving them the seats in Parliament and the state assemblies and denying BN their 2/3 majority in Parliament and the state governments in 4 states, UMNO would not waste their time flirting with PAS now.
I’m just wondering whether Manek Urai is as good a place as any other to deliver that reality check.
Got an sms late last night about another ‘death in police custody’ case.
Gnana Prakasom, aged 53, died yesterday morning whilst being held on remand at the Sri Damansara police station.
Malaysianinsider reports today that the police authorities have urged the public not to speculate on the cause of death but to await the post-mortem report.
I’ve just received information that the post-mortem, at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), may have already just begun and is expected to be completed later tonight.
Incidentally, the pathologist conducting the post-mortem is the same one who conducted the second post-mortem on Kugan at the request of the family. There is therefore hope that we might get an honest account of the cause of death.
I am told that when the widow of the late Gnana last saw him alive at the police lock-up last Friday, she had already noticed blue-black marks around the right eye and swelling and bruising on the left cheek, shoulder and waist and abrasions on his left hand.
Yesterday, when asked to identify the body, she was not allowed to have the body turned over and could only observe the body lying face up. I’m told that this afternoon, before the post-mortem was due to begin, the pathologist allowed the widow to view the body again and this time, probably on account of the re-positioned body to make ready for the commencement of the post-mortem, the widow observed 4 puncture marks on the back, one the size of a 10-sen coin.
Whilst we’re told to not speculate on the cause of death, it seems this does not apply to the Selangor CPO. I am informed that he had issued a statement yesterday where he had supposedly speculated that the cause of death may have been occasioned by the detainee falling whilst in the toilet. Haven’t seen any news report of this, though.
Didn’t the Selangor CPO also give some fanciful story about Kugan’s death before the two post-mortems back then?
And didn’t we hear a whole lot of promises about action being taken against those responsible for Kugan’s death whilst in police custody?
We all know what never happened after that, don’t we?
Kopi-O tomorrow, anyone?
June 10, 2009
Yes, I’ve been very quiet of late.
Truth is a core group have been working on taking the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia initiative forward and that’s been taking up practically all of my time.
You’ll hear more about this very soon.
That’s a promise.
Meanwhile, I’m joining friends tomorrow for kopi-O.
1BLACKMalaysia AfterDinnerCoffee – Kuchai Lama
1BLACKMalaysia Soulmate Night – Bangsar South
1BLACKMalaysia Coffee Night – 3rd Mile Square, Old Klang Road
1BLACKyUmcHa – Jaya1, PJ
Kopi-O Time – Bandar Puteri, Puchong
Kopi-O Mission – Aman Puri, Ampang
These kopi-O sessions are taking place at Old Town White Coffee outlets.
If you want to get more details, you may want to drop by the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76346639997
And I’ve just been alerted about one taking place in Penang tomorrow at Old Town White Coffee Bayan Baru, Penang.
I’m going to be at the Kuchai Lama Old Town outlet if anyone cares to join me for kopi-O and gossip.
Meanwhile, a friend has launched a T-shirt which many of you may find suitable with the mood that is being slowly built up with these kopi-O sessions.
If you’d like to get your hands on this T-shirt, you may want to drop by at his website by clicking the image below.
