Aarvidi’s Weblog

What a terrible let down for the people hoping to have changes in Suhakam; has the Government lost its direction or is it a ‘tit for tat’ reaction, you complain about an ineffective body let’s see what you can do. It could be that, but don’t forget this entity has lost its direction and in no way champions Human Rights. It has become an extension to support whatever Human Rights dereliction the government does. Suhakam has become a propagator to misuse of human rights issue and it has no independent views to eradicate such misuse. They are paid well by the Government, RM 7,000 and a Perdana car with bills paid, and this income will stop when the Government things they are not doing what they should so, subtly promote Human Rights abuse; or else there is no extension. All the people involved must search their conscience, have their honestly done their jobs to eradicate Human Rights misuse or otherwise. If they accept the extension they are not worthy of what they did in the past as eminent people. One mistake can wipe away your past services you have done, your Suhakam service is suspect.

They are aware their reports have not been tabled in Parliament, and it begs the question, how effective you are. Would you want to continue.

One of your members investigating an human rights issue, makes a decision that the individual has been treated well - this is based on reports given by people who treated this person. Will the people responsible say ‘we are sorry’ - the irony being the person involved was not even seen. I don’t know whether video recordings were seen, but, how on earth do you confirm a person is healthy and well just based on what you hear. Surely you must see the person, is it not. What did Talib Othman do to correct this anomaly or he is not aware of this. The sick person I believe has been send to IJN.

Why did this member gloat over this particular issue, was he afraid he won’t be re-appointed again. Sometimes your conscience is more valuable than the money. Can I say anything more.

16 Suhakam Commissioners Reappointed

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) — Sixteen Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioners have been reappointed to serve another two-year term ending April 2010.
Their reappointment was in accordance with the provisions under subsection 5 (1) of the Suhakam Act 1999, a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office said Tuesday.
They are Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, Tan Sri Simon Sipaun, Dr Chiam Heng Keng, Dr Mohammad Hirman Ritom, Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah, Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim, Datuk Dr Abdul Monir Yaacob, Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam, Datuk Choo Siew Kioh, Tunku Datuk Nazihah Tunku Mohamed Rus, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim, Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Datuk Dr Michael Oon Kheng Yeoh, Datuk Khalid Ibrahim and Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
There were also is no new appointments but the government reserved the right to review Suhakam’s requirements from time to time and appoint additional commissioners if the need arose, it said.
The Government also thanked former commissioners whose two-year term expired this year.

16 Suhakam Commissioners Reappointed :: Bernama.com

In any organisation you can’t serve two masters. It is very obvious in this case, Perak Islamic Affairs Department (JAIP) Director Datuk Jamry Sury has not got up from his sleep, or he is wishing March 8 was a dream. He is a civil servant and one of the thing he has got to live with is, he remains a servant and masters may change. He may have ideologies of a very high esteem, and this he could have used to convince his old master. But perhaps the new master has different ideas, and if he does not toe the line of the new master, the concept of a servant becomes a mockery. Jamry must be grateful his services continue, because servants are easy available, there are a lot of unemployed graduates. No one is indispensable.

AIP Director Transferred Back To State Secretariat

IPOH, April 29 (Bernama) — Perak Islamic Affairs Department (JAIP) Director Datuk Jamry Sury has been transferred back to the State Secretariat from where he had been sent to the department on secondment.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said Tuesday it was a normal transfer but a Perak state assemblyman, speaking in Sitiawan, claimed that Jamry was Tuesday ordered to go on a 24-hour transfer for alleged non-cooperation.
The assemblyman claimed that Mohammad Nizar issued the transfer order to Jamry over the telephone and did not allow him to give any explanation.
Jamry, who is also secretary of the Perak Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council (MAIAMP), declined to comment but said he might issue a statement after an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, Tuesday evening at the Istana Kinta here.
Mohammad Nizar said: “That (the transfer) is a normal administrative procedure. We had the deputy state secretary transferred (a few days earlier) on promotion to the headquarters. This is usual. You should have asked this question when the previous menteri besar transferred the state secretary soon after taking office. I didn’t.”
He spoke at a news conference after a function at the Perak Islamic Administration Institute (INTIM) here Tuesday evening.

JAIP Director Transferred Back To State Secretariat :: Bernama.com

It is a good thing that they did. To be honest, what did they do in their respective positions - was it just putting up their hands to ’sokong’ what UMNO infiltrated councillors decided. Or, did they have their own minds to speak up for the people. A Tamil saying ‘thalaiatti bommaikal’ (toys shaking their heads in the affirmative) comes to my mind. Please do not do this, from now on, assert yourself - there is no political pressure.

For the record, MIC President is in the throes of a mud slinging exercise with Toyo an UMNO has been. This will not end now, more rubbish will come out, keeping the people entertained. We wait with abated breath.

Perak MIC Councillors Quit

IPOH, April 29 (Bernama) — All the 34 MIC district, municipal and city councillors in Perak will step down from the posts on May 1 as the Barisan Nasional (BN) is no longer in power in the state.
Perak MIC chief Datuk G.Rajoo said all of them were quitting voluntarily and that no pressure had been exerted for them to do so.
They would, however, continue to serve the people in their respective areas, he said in a statement here Tuesday.
The Pakatan Rakyat coalition comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat, DAP and PAS won the state in the March 8 election.

Perak MIC Councillors Quit :: Bernama.com

So, Toyo says you ordered the demolition of the temple. It is reported that you did so on Nov 15. Is it true?

exclusive Since last October, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been tagged as the chief culprit behind the controversial demolition of the Kampung Rimba Jaya Hindu temple near Shah Alam - he now claims that

MIC president S Samy Vellu had instructed him to do so.
“Samy Vellu called me on the night of Nov 15 and told me that Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) people had infiltrated the temple and that it must be demolished that night itself,” alleged Khir, who was Selangor menteri besar at the time.
In an interview, Khir Toyo also denied that the temple had been pulled down two days before Deepavali, saying the exercise had been carried out a week after the significant Hindu festival.

‘Samy Vellu ordered temple demolition’

A good account of the political situation in Malaysia. As the Prime Minister explains, changes in the political hegemony was not caused by a single reason, but it was a combination of factors that made the people aware, changes should be made; and now the new political scene. Leaders who should have been mindful of their actions, through caution to the winds, became arrogant, boastful, as if the country belonged to them and the people were the followers of some icons of authority. They failed to understand that they were in that position not by divine intervention or fate but were elected by the people. Once in power the charm, the sweet talk, smiles that strained the facial muscles, were forgotten, and they become men of destiny. The people became followers like being led by the ‘The Piped Piper of Hamlin,’ to a destination unknown.

Would Hishamuddin the Education Minister apologise for his keris act, would the dentist Toyo talk about his presentation of a broom, would the Mentri Besar Perak lock himself up in his residence and cry, would Samy Vellu suddenly become a saviour of Hindraf and the Indians he neglected, would Badawi fear his position - all these are unimaginable if Barisan had won. The defeat brought them down to earth and made them mere mortals who have to learn to be humble. Humility is one trait a Politician should cultivate and this quality will make him last in the political arena.

The Prime Minister says there are lessons to be learned. I am afraid this is not so. Why is the central government trying to crush and make it difficult for the 5 states under Pakatan Rakyat to survive - no federal projects, funds for development channeled through other sources etc. Does the Prime Minister think the people of these 5 states will applaud the action taken by his Ministers. Are not the people being driven away far from Barisan Nasional. Time for another analysis, Mr Prime Minister. People now have longer memories, trust me.

I hope the Pakatan Rakyat representatives don’t make the same mistake of Barisan Nasional. It is good if they think of this statement:

Wong, who is completing his PhD thesis on Malaysia’s electoral system and party politics at the University of Essex in the UK, said many voters had given the opposition conditional support.

Malaysia PM: Lessons to be learnt

By
Claudia Theophilus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The BN’s losses were attributed to public anger and discontent among ethnic minorities [EPA]

Malaysia’s prime minister has said his government has important lessons to learn after it suffered heavy losses in general elections, slashing its parliamentary majority and reshaping the country’s political landscape.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who assumed his second term in office on Monday, said the all parties in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition shared responsibility for its heaviest election losses since independence in 1957.

Nonetheless Abdullah said he continued to have the backing of all BN members, despite its dismal showing in the polls, and he rejected suggestions he should resign.

“We are collectively responsible,” he said immediately after taking the oath of office before Malaysia’s king. “There are lessons to be learnt.”

Abdullah will face a tough time with states
under opposition control [Reuters]

The United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the ethnic-based coalition’s main partner, has formally endorsed Abdullah’s leadership of the party and government.

And despite having fewer ethnic Indian and Chinese representatives in government, Abdullah reiterated his 2004 election promise to be the “PM for all Malaysians”.

But there are already signs that his government is already facing problems posed by the large opposition presence in national and state legislatures.

In Penang, the new state government led by the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) has openly rejected the New Economic Policy (NEP), an affirmative action policy favouring ethnic Malays.

The policy, launched almost four decades ago, intended to uplift the Malay community to equal the economic status of other races in the country through preferential treatment in business, education and access to state contracts.

Sworn into office as chief minister of Penang on Tuesday, the DAP’s Lim Guan Eng said the NEP had bred “cronyism, corruption and systemic inefficiency”.

The new DAP-led Penang government is also mulling plans to re-introduce local government elections, which were abolished in the 1970s after the ruling party suffered major losses.

The opposition coalition comprises the predominantly-Chinese DAP, Islam-based PAS and Keadilan, which has close links with Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy prime minister.

In Saturday’s polls, the 14-member BN coalition won 140 of the 222 parliamentary seats, with the opposition claiming victory in 82 constituencies.

In depth

It also lost four states – Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor – in addition to Kelantan, where PAS, which has been in power for almost 20 years, made an almost clean sweep.

Many reasons are being proffered for the ruling party’s loss of its two-thirds parliamentary majority, not least among them the arrogance demonstrated by government and party leaders in recent years.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Raja Petra Kamarudin, who runs the popular Malaysia Today blog, says the coalition suffered massive losses due to a combination of factors.

He said people had different reasons to vote out the BN.

‘Political tsunami’

Ethnic Indians and Chinese votes also
went to Islam-based PAS [EPA]

“Some did not like the waving of the keris (a Malay dagger) by Umno leaders. Some were unhappy with the increase in toll rates and prices of goods,” he said, adding the polls outcome were clearly a result of public anger.

“Some just hated Abdullah and Umno, but many, including ethnic Malays, took offence to racist remarks against ethnic Indians and Chinese … telling them to go back to their ancestral villages if they didn’t like living here anymore.”

Raja Petra said the internet also played a major role in shaping people’s opinion and keeping them informed of the goings-on in the government.

“As a result, the political tsunami gave the opposition close to half of the popular vote, which will hopefully see greater check and balance in the federal and state governments,” he said.

“People want a clean administration, a clean judiciary, a corruption-free police force and an equal distribution of wealth among all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.”

Mary Magdalene Pereira, associate professor in policy studies at the Universiti Teknologi Mara in the state of Selangor, noted that for the first time, the votes did not go along racial lines, except in states like Kelantan and Penang which are predominantly Malay and Chinese respectively.

“The opposition would not have won so many seats or achieved this level of success without the support of Malay voters,” she told Al Jazeera.

Pereira said there was also a shift on the ground where, in previous elections, attendance at ceramahs (campaign rallies) rarely translated into votes.

“But this time it did. The opposition ceramahs attracted a multi-racial audience, many of whom including Malays were nodding in agreement with the points made on stage,” she said.

Political maturity

del.icio.us Tags: Political wakening,Badawi,Hishamuddin,Toyo,Samy Vellu.,Pakatan Rakyat,Malaysia,Parliament

Some observers see the results as indicative
of a growing political maturity [Reuters]

A reasonable conclusion to explain the protest vote – besides a desire for change – could be that Malaysians have matured, she said.

“There is a new expectation … where a Malay minister is willing to speak for other races, and vice versa.

Technorati Tags: Political wakening,Badawi,Hishamuddin,Toyo,Samy Vellu.,Pakatan Rakyat,Malaysia,Parliament

“It may be a sign that we are moving towards a multi-racial political culture, a prospect that raises a lot hope for a lot of people,” added Pereira.

Wong Chin Huat, representative of a parliamentary reform initiative called CSI-Parliament, said voters had found a common platform for a united voice through civil society participation.

“The efforts of civil society organisations and individuals provided that extra push, which was spread by word of mouth and through online forums,” he told Al Jazeera.

“The high number of civil society candidates in this election clearly shows that.”

Wong, who is completing his PhD thesis on Malaysia’s electoral system and party politics at the University of Essex in the UK, said many voters had given the opposition conditional support.

“We are crushing the traditional ideas of opposition politics. The trend has changed,” he said.

“People are demanding government accountability, transparency and equal treatment in all spheres of Malaysian life.

“Now there is a joint venture between the opposition and civil society to push for change, and we are already chasing our elected representatives on their election pledges.”

Al Jazeera English - News - Malaysia Pm: Lessons To Be Learnt

I am all for monogamous marriages, still trying to understand how could a man manage multiple spouses. A single wife is good enough, but if you couple up with the second, third or possibly the fourth, isn’t this asking for trouble. I think man has limitations as far as physical, spiritual and economical assets are concerned, and sharing of these is bothersome, definitely unequal when trying to be fair to all, the man ends up not satisfying any one. The same happens to wives, here a group trying to satisfy a single man. Woman by nature being possessive, use all the guile, intelligence and what have you to possess the single man. Most of the time, the females resort to trickery, plain cheating and the sexual allure to tie down the man. Love that is meant to cement the relationship of husband and wife becomes just a word, and the mutual respect that should exist is no more there, and if the relationship exists it is temporary and cannot be permanent. Many a time the husband and wives believe there is nothing wrong with multiple partners, but to me it is a time bomb waiting to explode and when that happens imagine the misery especially for the children involved.

There are of course exceptional cases where more than one wife becomes a necessity, like in the case quoted below of 2 sisters marrying a man, but generally multiple wives are a pain and those who have gone through the ordeal and now are free will vouch for it. Like this case, I have known of 2 sisters sharing a man, one of the sibling is not well, unable to have a child, and the first voluntarily agrees to her sister or even another man to share the bed - these are exceptional cases and surprisingly these marriages last and everybody involved is happy.

Can any woman sincerely say she is willing to share her husband - I don’t thing so, by nature a woman wants to have total control over her man, and she rather be a widow than be the first or second wife. Women any comments!

The Sisterhood

By Dr. Arunachalam Kumar, India [ Published Date: April 27, 2008 ]

A Spartan affair, this union. The groom, seated in front of a smoking fire, bends sideways at anointed time and ties the yellow cord round his bride amidst a low chanting of entreaties to the one above and a shower of turmeric-coated raw rice grains sprinkled by a motley group of curious onlookers. The setting is at the Mariamman Temple, a small granite floored and walled courtyard that is the hamlets communication node to the divine. The chants continue and something strange follows: the groom, bends again in his squatted position to the other side, and amidst a second shower of rice grains, ties another sanctified yellow cord around the neck of yet another coy bride.

Strange indeed - a double wedding, two women and one man!! This is stuff for the tabloids! Not so, friend, not if you were from here, this tiny chilly dwelling in the nether sholas of the Nilgiris. Not if youve seen a middle-aged widow struggle to bring up two growing daughters- in a village populated by a male majority of drunks, womanizers and no-gooders. Minding her business, staying off street- side tap gossip, avoiding gaze and contact with ogling men, the trio stays low, till time catches up - the girls have to be palmed off. The younger one, eighteen, a sprightly oily- pigtailed cheerful lass who sang Tamil film songs as she gathered firewood, and the other a year older to her, her sister - dealt a cruel blow by deity and disease. Polio had crippled her in early infancy itself, reducing her to crawling on two spindly legs. Unable to work, she stayed home, attending to all domestic chores as the other two women eked out their day, working to earn for their keep and hearth.

…to an impoverished, proud family of three women, this double wedding is divine intervention and blessing….

Close knit and passionately bonded, the women, were aware what was in store. The younger sister knew, sooner than later shed find a man - but her sister? She was doomed. That thought hurt, even in their dreams. As expected, one after another suitor, looks away disdainfully from the polio stricken girl, instead, proposing to the other healthier sister. Six men, six rejections. Enough to break the hearts of both the sisters and wrench the sleep from their mothers moist eyes.

Then, the miracle! By a strange quirk of fate - the younger sister lays down a stipulation. The man who next wants her hand, must also agree to marry her sister. If no, then its no from me too. In three months, she finds a man who nods. Yes, he will marry both - and they are. The sisters still stay together, six years after they were wed. They are still inseparable; their mother drops in once awhile to see them. The common husband, surprisingly, takes care of both quite well - for Ive seen him physically carry and help

his crippled wife, as his other wife giggles as the trio board a bus, off to the city to watch a movie.

Illegal? Immoral? Unjust?

Who cares? Not the villagers, who are proud they endorsed the union. Not the younger sister, who found her own ingenious way to thwart kismet. Rural India, always finds a loophole out of a mess, and how. For us city bred and urbane, all this may appear bizarre - but to an impoverished, proud family of three women, this double wedding is divine intervention and blessing.

Are the sisters happy? I really cannot tell, but I do see them now and then, when I go up the hills for my annual holiday. I can hear the younger one singing loud and cheerfully, as she plucks virgin tea leaves from the low bushes, Rehmans lilting composition from the film, Roja, chinna chinna asai. Beyond the shola crest, tucked in the morning mist and fog, I see smoke rising from the sides of a tile roofed tenement. Here, her sister is shes busy too (and maybe, singing too) stirring the pot for the familys afternoon fare.

In all my years Ive never heard or seen a more concrete or pronounced exhibition of family bonding and sibling love than this one.

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