Jed Yoong

I was alerted by Politics 101 that Human rights lawyer and blogger @ People’s Parliament Haris Ibrahim was invited by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to speak at a forum — ISA arrests of Hindraf 5 – Ops Lalang2 coming? — last Friday.

Today, he blogged:

I was shocked and gravely disappointed to see and hear DAP leaders at the forum play and manipulate the race card by harping on the issue of marginalised Indians simply because the audience in the hall was almost 80% Indians.
I was most disheartened when I heard Kula refer to the Indians in the audience as his ‘countrymen’.
Kula, am I not your countryman?
Were the non-Indians in the audience not your countrymen?
Were we not there to discuss the likelihood of a second Ops Lalang? Or was this staged just to enable DAP to draw an Indian audience?
If UMNO and BN are using the Hindraf rally and the aftermath to stir up Malay sentiment for their own political mileage, DAP demonstrated last Friday that they are not averse to use the same to play the race card, albeit slanted differently.
I have had enough of race-based politics, whether BN or opposition led.
If we are to have a chance to end this raced-based divide and rule, you and I, civil society must take the lead.
And we must take the lead now.
We must take the lead to give direction to the political parties.
BN will not listen.
The opposition parties must now heed our call.

I wasn’t at the forum but I believe the DAP is trying to reach out beyond its hardcore Chinese supporters.

What is playing the race card? Playing the race card is like UMNO. Conjuring up imagined threats and trampling on other communities’ festivals to look like the champion of the Malay race or Islam.

In the case of Hindraf, the grouses are very legitimate. And they come from a Hindu community. We can’t just say, “Oh, it’s a racial issue, so we should ignore it to build the Malaysian identity.”

There is anger within the Indian community. And this must be acknowledged. Sometimes it’s not stirring the anger cos it already exists already.

To contrast the Hindraf reality with “playing the race card” is UMNO suddenly declaring that all turkeys must be halal and Muslims have the exclusive right to use the Arabic word for god, Allah. There is NO REAL issue here. People are not suffering, marginalised, discriminated, exploited. It’s some sandiwara to win Malay and Islamic votes.

Whereas Hindraf is concerned about issues like Indians dying in police lock-ups, the sad state of the Tamil schools which will affect the community’s upward mobility, destruction of temples — all “bread-and-butter” issues. Not some imaginary TURKEY or GOD CRISIS.

To a large extent, there is no running away from R&R rhetoric in Malaysian politics as the needs and issues are sometimes community-centric but they also cut across R&R. Like places of worship, everyone wants to have their fair share. Schools, same thing. It’s the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional government’s RACIST policies that are causing all these problems.

Like me writing about Hindraf and I am a Chinese. Am I playing the race card? NO. It just happens that this group with legitimate grouses are Hindus. And the discrimination of non-bumiputeras are real.

But at all times, we the nons would like to be part of the Malaysian identity. But UMNO says NO. Only BUMIPUTERAS are full citizens. The rest are “kaum pendatang”. UMNO remains the feudal lords in Malaysia.

So NO, DAP was not playing the race card. IT just so happened the people with real “bread-and-butter” issues were Hindu.

Also, guess what? Samy Vellu was boo-ed and jeered on live TV at some public event. Uncle Kit’s take here and Anil Netto’s here.

Allow me to make one other point. The desire to maintain public order should not be used as an excuse for never allowing peaceful assemblies.

Absolute freedom may cause chaos. Absolute prohibition will cause frustration and anger to fester.

Raja Nazrin 

With an impressive intellectual background, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah always draws attention when he speaks on issues, particularly those affecting ordinary Malaysians. Here, in a frank interview with SYED NADZRI and JENNIFER GOMEZ, the Oxford and Harvard-trained prince gives his take on contemporary concerns.

Q: You have been addressing some issues that are obviously close to your heart in the last few months. Would you like to expand on what you have been saying lately?

A: Yes. I have tried to address in a non-partisan way issues I believe are of central importance.

These include the need to maintain social cohesion in our multi-ethnic society, improving our human and social capital, good governance and the importance of having an independent judiciary.

These issues are not new. I merely wanted to add my voice to the many who have spoken on them over the years.

Q: You have also spoken a lot about corruption. Why is this so?

A: Corruption, if not contained, can become a cancer eating its way into our society. It is morally wrong. It undermines the rule of law and can retard economic growth.

It disproportionately penalises the poor. The rich can afford to pay their way in a corrupt society, but ultimately it is the poor who suffer most.

Q: Don’t you think that given the fact that issues are being discussed more openly now, there is hope that things will further improve in future by people speaking up?

A: Discussing issues openly can only be good for society.

It is even better if discussions take place in a rational, informed and constructive manner.

This way, more people will be able to contribute to discussions on matters that affect them.

This is particularly so with the youth, whom I believe must be encouraged to take ownership of the country’s future.

It also helps that the present leadership is more open and tolerant, and willing to listen.
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JED YOONG: Quite a good column today. But Kit Siang said Pak Lah wanted to go on leave earlier that’s why Cabinet met on Tuesday instead of the customary Wednesday. Mainly, the Oracle wrote that Hindraf has strengthened UMNO and Malays generally supported the use of ISA. My view is that the super-propaganda demonising Hindraf and preparing the masses for the use of the draconian law, which allows for detention without trial, shored up public support for its use. He also wrote that “to hold back elections because of Hindraf and Bersih rallies make little political sense because the impact of price hikes would be more politically damaging as it would cut across all races”. Erm, I think the rallies created a sense of chaos which suggested that dopey PM was losing control of the masses, despite the re-assurances in the compliant MSM. I dunno, what do you guys think?

ON THE BEAT BY WONG CHUN WAI

Sunday Star - Dec 23, 2007

ALL SET TO MOVE INTO HIGHER GEAR

The Christmas break will be cut short for many politicians as they prepare to woo voters; signs are strong that the elections will be held at the end of February or early March.

THE Cabinet meeting was held on Tuesday last week instead of the customary Wednesday. At the same time, Members of Parliament were wishing each other farewell, believing it would be the last time they would meet before the next general election.

For the ministers, many wanted to clear their work before the Hari Raya Haji celebrations while some had taken leave.

One minister took his family to Europe for a week, telling MPs that he would be busy campaigning once he is back.

For some, they have already hit the campaign trail, taking advantage of the holiday season to meet their supporters and constituents.

Others wanted to register their presence at flood-hit areas and have even cancelled their vacations.

There are already enough signals – the general election is likely to be held in the next two or even three months.

The Bersih and Hindraf protests, which led to the use of the Internal Security Act, may have its impact on urban votes but are unlikely to drastically affect the leadership’s showing in the elections.
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The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) to arrest five Hindraf leaders is most deplorable and marks another violation of the pledge by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to promote democracy, uphold human rights and defend the rule of law.

The five detained under the ISA are P. Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasanthakumar.

The return of the ISA is another regression of Malaysia to the dark era of human rights violations which can only tarnish the country’s international reputation and image.

Is Operation Lalang 2 in the works with the warning by the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum that “a list of names had been submitted by the police and it was only a matter of time before several others were detained under the ISA”.

The DAP is organising a forum on the above issue with the following details:

Date: 21st December 2007 (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

The distinguished panel of speakers will include:
YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
YB M Kulasegaran, MP for Ipoh Barat
YB Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang
Sdr Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General
Sdr A Sivanesan, DAP Central Executive Committee Member
Other speakers to be confirmed

I gave a talk to a group of pro-Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Umno people a few weeks ago.  In that crowd was one whom I would classify as an ultra-religious person.

When I pointed out that corruption is bad and that we must oppose it, he replied that corruption is okay. I then argued that Islam says that corruption is Riba’ (usury) and that there are 80 levels of Riba’ and that the sin for the lowest level is equivalent to the sin of sexual intercourse with one’s own parent. He agreed and said that this is actually one of the sayings (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad.

I was flabbergasted. There I had before me a religious man. He was preaching to me and saying that the present secular system of government has to be rejected in favour of an Islamic system. He blames the ills facing this nation on the fact that we have turned our backs on Islam and chose instead a western secular system over the Islamic system as prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad. But corruption is okay, he argued.
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Some feel: “Maintaining race relations in Malaysia is not an easy job. As recent events have shown, it is a very delicate process indeed.” So the ISA must be used? For more ISA apologetics, go here.

I know some quarters have condemned Hindraf for its claim of “ethnic cleansing”. For my take, go here. Whatever it is, perhaps this group of marginalised Hindus do feel that their culture and religion are being systematically destroyed. I believe they have a right to complain. And then it’s up to the relevant authorities to INVESTIGATE. It’s jumping the gun to say that such a thing never happened or isn’t happening. If it is true, do you expect our Government to admit it so readily? At the same time, its a democratic freedom for those who feel angry about Hindraf’s claims to express their emotions. But we must never let emotions cloud the rule of law and Hindraf’s claims should be investigated.

Today, they have detained Hindraf leader and lawyer P Uthayakumar along with four others under the ISA. Malaysiakini has the EXCLUSIVE interview of his farewell message to supporters.

Just a thought, with the courts “theoretically” under the ruling coalition’s grip, what forced Pak Lah to use the ISA?

It was used in 1987 because Mahathir didn’t have control of the courts. Remember, it was before former Lord President Tun Salleh Abbas’s controversial sacking.

So, I am thinking Pak Lah is really losing his grip on power.

Like Malaysiakini reported today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said: “We think the government is desperate to use the ISA.”

Time for the UMNO fellas to plan an appropriate farewell party for Sleeping Beauty.

But what is most worrisome is the epistemic and cognitive dissonance between the actions of the state and its rhetoric. The administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi came to power on a huge mandate and riding on the promise that it would not only clean up the Malaysian political system but also initiate a series of reforms and listen to the people.

Now the last point is terribly important for many Malaysians have always felt that their opinions were of little worth in the eyes of the powers-that-be. The previous administration of Dr Mahathir Mohamad did little to cast any suspicions that it was remotely democratic, and Dr Mahathir even went as far as proclaim his own deep misgivings of democracy and reform. Badawi, on the other hand, tapped into the frustrations of the Malaysians and promised them an outlet by stating that he would take them into account and listen to them. But what has been the result?

It could be argued that the two massive demonstrations witnessed in the streets of Kuala Lumpur were precisely instances of public communication. One doesn’t have to be a scholar of semantics or semiotics to see that expressions of public distrust and anger in the public domain is a case of public communication at its most explicit. These were instances of Malaysians saying to the government and to Badawi in particular: “You promised us reforms, but you have not delivered. Now we are excercising our fundamental right to complain.”

But the complaints of the Malaysians were stiffled and silenced by the police sirens and the popping of tear gas cannisters in the streets. Its difficult for any leader to listen to the people when he is gassing them at the same time. Its equally difficult for there to be any meaningful dialogue between the state and the population when the latter are demonised as anarchists, unpatriotic trouble-makers, foreign agents, etc as soon as they show the slightest signs of protest.

So what gives? Prime Minister Badawi had appealed to the Malaysian public to give him time, feedback and support. The demonstration of frustration and the demand for reform happen to be precisely the sort of feedback he needs at the moment, one could argue. Yet Badawi’s reaction on the eve of the Bersih demonstration was to threaten the demonstrators with arrest and to state bluntly that he will not be challenged. Is this the real face of the benevolent administration that came to the power on the promise that the leader would listen to the Malaysian public, and which asked Malaysians to ‘work with me, and not for me’?

Excerpt of It is hard to listen to people while you gas them in the face by Farish A. Noor @ The Other Malaysia

From Lim Kit Siang’s BLOG:

The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) to arrest five Hindraf leaders is most deplorable and marks another violation of the pledge by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to promote democracy, uphold human rights and defend the rule of law.

This is because the infamous detention-without-trial Internal Security Act is the very antithesis of the rule of law.

The five detained under the ISA are P. Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasanthakumar.

If the government has clear and convincing evidence that the five had committed grave offences, they should be charged in court allowing them an open trial and an opportunity to defend themselves instead of being incarcerated under a regime where proof is not necessary at all.

The return of the ISA is another regression of Malaysia to the dark era of human rights violations which can only tarnish the country’s international reputation and image.

VIDEO of Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh’s responses at Parliament’s lobby today. Malaysiakini’s report here.

BREAKING NEWS Malaysiakini reported today:

ISA Crackdown: 5 Hindraf leaders arrested

K Kabilan | Dec 13, 07 1:09pm

Several Hindu Rights Action Force leaders were arrested this afternoon under the Internal Security Act and taken to the police headquarters in Bukit Aman.

The police confirmed the arrests which were made under Section 8(1) of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and said the five will be detained for two years.

Those arrested are Hindraf legal adviser P Uthayakumar, lawyers M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau and organising secretary T Vasanthakumar.

Full story @ Malaysiakini.

From the Star:

PETALING JAYA: Police said they have detained all five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) under Section 8 (1) of the Internal Security Act.

The five are P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kenghadharan, V. Ganabatirau and T. Vasanthakumar. They were picked up at various locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Seremban.

They will be detained for two years, Inspector-General Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said in a statement.

On Wedensday Uthayakumar was released on police bail after having been arrested on Tuesday for a second sedition charge.
He was among three Hindraf leaders who were charged at the Klang Sessions Court on Nov 23 for allegedly making speeches to incite hatred at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor, on Nov 16.

JED YOONG:

A great injustice has been done to Hindraf, who championed the legitimate grouses of the marginalised Hindus. They were shot with tear gas and water cannon like animals. To say the leaders were “seditious” and hence deserve to be detained under ISA shows the Government’s double-standards. UMNO leaders are known for spewing the most bilious racial and religious hatred in their speeches.

Malaysia has entered a new abysmal low, where only God can save us now. In God, we trust. And may He have mercy on the Abdullah administration.

Dear Pak Lah,

When you came into power, the country’s hopes were on you.

After 22 years of Mahathir, we, the rakyat, believed in YOU.

We believed that you would be different from Mahathir - cleaner, nicer, more open, transparent and accountable.

We know you are human, which is why you married your wife’s brother’s ex-wife.

We know too that a man must have his “big boys’ toys”. So a yacht or a plane, should be ok.

We remember too that you were once Foreign Minister. So that’s probably why you still like to travel.

But now, we are confused.

Reading the news reports in Malaysiakini, looking at the photos and watching the videos of the mass arrests that began on the eve of International Human Rights Day, we wonder if you are worse than Mahathir.

A hundred odd lawyers and other citizens gathered on Sunday for a peaceful march. But they were overpowered by 500 police personnel. Why use a sledgehammer to kill a fly?

A lawyer was merely stopping Kuala Lumpur City Hall officers from taking down banners in the Malaysian Bar building. Why arrest him too?

A group of marginalised Hindus whose voice is ignored by your government held a peaceful protest. Why did the police shoot tear gas and water cannon at a group, who was peaceful and unarmed, seeking sanctuary behind the gates of Batu Caves temple?

Members of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) handed a memorandum to Members of Parliament in the august house. What crime have the committed? Why did you arrest them? In parliament too?

Pak Lah,

As your term comes to an end, are your true colours beginning to show?

We, the rakyat, have given you such a large mandate and yet now you fear you may not stay?

You proclaim Islam Hadhari. Yet your police is brutal, your courts unjust and your wakil-wakil uncouth.

You promise to be fair to all races yet you sing the song of ketuanan Melayu at the UMNO General Assembly.

You said you will be more open. But the PPPA still hangs around our media’s necks.

Pak Lah,

Your clampdown has backfired, we, the rakyat, say to you.

Because for too long, the Barisan Nasional government has ruled using FEAR.

We, the rakyat, are no longer afraid.

And we, the rakyat, will vote you out.

If not us, then UMNO.

Yes, probably because like Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia Today wrote: “Abdullah has lost the plot.”

While Steven Gan of Malaysiakini wrote: “Abdullah is arguably the most incompetent PM we ever had.”

The writing is on the wall, Pak Lah?

I wish you all the best.

Be positive, you will have more personal time to vacation with your new wife.

Thank you.

Warmest regards,

JED YOONG

UPDATE - WED Dec 12, 2007 7.05PM

From the Star Online today:

PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has denied that its officers had detained Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim upon his return from Istanbul at KL International Airport yesterday.

Full report here.

ORIGINAL POST 

December 11, 2007

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia — Earlier today upon arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport I was stopped by Immigration officers who alerted me that my name has been added to a “suspect list.”

The nature of this list, who is included on it, and why my name has been added to it, are questions for which no answer was given. I was held in the Immigration Office for a short period after which my passport was returned to me and I exited the airport.

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UPDATE 6.49PM

LIM KIT SIANG:

This is the blackest day for Parliament in 50 years.

In utter contempt of the sanctity of Parliament and the honour and dignity of Members of Parliament, the police arrested over 20 people in the parliamentary precincts.

[...]

I protested strongly against such a most shameful episode in the annals of Malaysian history in 50 years when Dewan Rakyat resumed sitting after lunch recess, proposing a privilege motion to direct the Police to release all arrested within parliamentary precincts - as the police arrests should have been made outside Parliament. However, there was no support whatsoever from any Barisan Nasional MP or Minister.

Nine DAP MPs and one PAS MP also met the Speaker, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah to lodge the strongest possible protest and he said he would seek clarification from the Inspector-of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

The blackest day for Parliament in 50 years after the Black Sunday of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his fifth year as fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

UPDATE 5.16PM

From Malaysiakini

Sixteen opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Dewan Rakyat in protest of the arrest of 24 Bersih petitioners this morning.

The 16, including all DAP and PAS MPs who were present, walked out at about 3.55pm in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was scheduled to wind-up the debates on the Bill at 4pm.

From Politics 101:

Dateline: 15:45hr. DAP MPs are packing up and preparing to walk out of parliament to protest the mass arrest on parliament grounds of Bersih administrators.

UPDATE 7.26PM

From Malaysiakini:

Nine freed, 15 still detained 

PKR secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim, PAS election director Mustapha Ali and a teenager were among nine people released by police as at 4pm.

The others freed comprise six members of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), who had gone to Parliament House to hand over a memorandum to Opposition parliamentarians, to submit to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In all, 24 members of Bersih had been arrested this morning in the vicinity of Parliament House, while attempting to deliver the memorandum on the extension of the Election Commission chief’s retirement age via constitutional amendment.

Still being held are PKR information chief Tian Chua,  PAS treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli and party Women’s chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh and central committee member Dr Lo’Lo’ Ghazali, and Parti Socialist Malaysia pro-tem chairperson Dr Nasir Hashim, secretary-general S Arutchelvan and party central committee member S Sivarajan.

Eyewitnesses said the police had surrounded Tian Chua’s vehicle and forcibly removed him before arresting him at about 10.40am. Another person in the car was also detained.

Chua had failed to stop at the roadblock and had insisted on moving forward before nine police officers swooped in on him and hauled him away.

Full report @ Malaysiakini. 

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