From Kluang To KL

How Things Have and Have Not Changed

2009-10-22T03:52:00.000+01:00

Further to the March 8 elections, leading to the anti-climax on Sept 16 last year, things were looking good for Pakatan Rakyat, where we also saw Pakatan winning most by-elections and it’s leader Anwar Ibrahim, returning to Parliament. There also appeared to be too much of politics in the country leading to Sept 16.

Pakatan Rakyat as a whole was also in their element by setting up state governments in 5 states and handing out freebies while Barisan Nasional were in the brink of collapse, especially UMNO, while MCA took the opportunity to renew itself by the way of Ong Kah Ting not seeking another term. MIC became irrelevant with it’s leader going on a mission to re-brand the grand old party. MIC should have been renamed Samy Vellu & Family Party as part of the re-branding exercise.

One year later, we are seeing the situation reversed. BN’s win in Bagan Pinang brought back some cheer to Barisan, though it can be solely attributed to Isa long service to the constituency, more than a reflection of support for BN. It can be also said that Pakatan Rakyat was also disorganized throughout the campaign period.

Najib , who started with the lowest popularity ratings ever by a PM has regained some support of the Malaysians.Some of the policies changes and other economic measures received support from the corporate sector as well as the public. The upcoming budget is likely to have some people friendly measures that would definitely spur Najib’s popularity.

Pakatan Rakyat, on the other hand, is seen as in chaos. No discipline whatsoever, that would sum up the attitude of their leaders. Their decline started with the BN takeover of Perak. However unfair it may be, Pakatan Rakyat leaders behavior was nothing but crude, rude and unbecoming, no matter that they felt that they were victimized. Kugan and Teoh death brought back the anger of public, but then BN is not to be blamed entirely.

Conflicting statements from their Pakatan Rakyat leaders are nothing but an example of a coalition in distress. While Lim Kit Siang does, from time to time indicate that Pakatan Rakyat has to buck up, however their supreme leader has been forever in denial, claiming that BN and press are to blame for everything.

PAS revealed their true colours while PKR leaders continue to squabble in public, the recent being Zaid decision to take leave, when there is no need to, if ever he wants to concentrate on forming a formal coalition. PKR, whose leader dreamt of taking over as PM by the way of luring (or rather, buying) the support of mainly MPs of both Sabah and Sarawak, are now facing serious crisis in the very same states. DAP on the other hand, remains the only sane party in Pakatan Rakyat despite the drubbing they received over the Kampung Buah Pala issue.

From becoming a government in waiting, Pakatan Rakyat is now seen as a coalition that is found wanting. Nothing substantial has been achieved in the states that they govern. Election promises remains as texts in their manifestos while their leaders continue to behave like opposition. In the area that I am staying, I saw no substantial differences, except for increased dengue cases.

BN is also seeing crises within their coalition. MCA is still reeling from the decision of delegates to the EGM. No solutions seems to be in sight. I would have preferred the level headed reformist, Ong Kah Ting remained for another term. Chua Jui Meng headed for the problematic PKR. My prediction is he would not last long there as he is not the person who can survive rough politics. He should have joined DAP, where at least they would have respected.

PPP is also still affected by the continued defiance of Murugiah, who refuses to acknowledge that he is no longer in PPP or definitely not the President. Najib is also appears to be unsure as to how to handle Murugiah’s case. In general, Murugiah is seen to be effective and popular in his role as Deputy Minister, regardless of the problems with the party leadership.

MIC rebranding exercise last year has resulted in President renewing his term with the support of his own men at helm in the Central Working Committee. Samy Vellu was also pressured to leave, mainly due to the insistence of influential Dr Mahathir that he has overstayed his welcome. As defiant as he has been, Samy insists that he will hand over the reign to largely ineffective deputy before the next party elections.

Najib, not wanting to rely solely on MIC for Indian support, agreed to do something unprecedented, launching Malaysia Makkal Sakhti Party, run by a former Hindraf coordinator. The PM usually do not even attend AGMs of parties who supports but not a member of BN.

The recent UMNO general assembly showed that UMNO can also be rational when their leaders want to. No fiery speeches, except for the ones by Najib. ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ appears to have taken a backseat as this grand old party risk losing their grip on power for the first time ever if they do not change.

In summary, both BN and PR are in a mess and indirectly, the Malaysian public suffers due to selfish and irrational attitude of some leaders. Imagine how many policies, approvals and economic measures could have been stalled due to politicians holding government posts (both federal and state) distracted by internal political problems in their respective party. This is where party politics and democracy does not benefit the general population and we, Malaysians have seen a bit too much of this lately.

MIC : In Their Own World

2009-09-15T07:38:00.002+01:00

That would summarise what happened over the weekend during the MIC Annual general Assembly. In what should have been a major change in party structure in order to rejuvenate the party, what we saw was the same old faces helming the top leadership.

Almost all other BN parties have seen changes in their leadership but despite massive failures in the general elections, MIC members are adamant that the current failed leaders are still needed.

Datuk Subramaniam failed challenge of Datuk Palanivel has been expected but this is certainly not a measure to rejuvenate the party, as these two politicians are nothing but spent force. Many thought Subra’s win can bring some hope of change, but this is not to be. Sothinanthan worked as the spoiler to Subra’s plans. While Sothinanthan is still young, Subra’s political career can be considered as good as over.

Subra may still have some options but he is unlikely to move to opposition, not after decades in BN.

Samy Vellu can proudly claim that he still commands support in the party, but the fact remains that more than half did not vote for his choice for Deputy. Even the vice presidents of his choice, won due to their own popularity, owing to decent performance in their respective government post, though they were nominated to the government post by Samy Vellu.

My only regret is that Dr Subramaniam ( the Human Resources Minister) should have contested the Deputy President post. He is credible, fluent in all three languages and appear to be well liked by all, not only in MIC.

The only consolation is that some young leaders have been appointed as Secretary General, Information Chief and Treasurer.

With this development, things can only go down hill for MIC. There’s nothing for Samy to be proud of. Almost approximately 70% of Indians voted for the opposition in the March 8 elections, and even with the Najib feel good factor, more than half Indians voters, mostly young voters, are still leaning towards the opposition. The main reason is they hate Samy Vellu and to a lesser extend BN.

Najib and even Mahathir’s hint for change was not heeded by the delegates. My interaction with the grassroots, right after the MIC elections, indicates that none will return if Samy remains. That’s a fact and majority Malaysians would agree. Many Indians only have harsh and disgusting words for Samy Vellu. His son and daughter-in law’s involvement in the party has only further infuriated many. They see this an attempt to turn MIC into Samy Sdn Bhd.

Pakatan Rakyat’s further decline in performance and lack of initiatives for Indians will ensure some votes return to BN. With this development, it is as if MIC has chosen to keep them out of the equation.

Rightfully members should be discussing on their lost of support and perhaps the outcome of the post mortem further to the general elections in the annual assembly, none happened and Samy Vellu summed up the issue by saying MIC lost support due to BN and not him. And the MIC delegates accepted that. That says a lot about their ability to gauge public sentiments. No further debates on this and they appear to be contented with President’s argument and some BN bashings throughout the assembly.

They appear to be happy with their current standings in the eyes of people. They appear not to be bothered with various criticisms and onslaught by Hindraf and Pakatan Rakyat Indian leaders. They appear to in their own world.

Unless some drastic change happens, MIC is likely to be completely wiped out in the next elections and they will eventually be where they want to be, in their own world.

1Malaysia Overdose

2009-09-03T09:28:00.001+01:00

I am increasingly irritated by the 1Malaysia campaign. Not sure why people are so into this slogan as if this is something new. Even the corporate sector joined the bandwagon and riding on the catchy slogan with their glossy advertisements in the mainstream television.

While Najib’s massive campaign may have been positively welcomed by the rakyat, it has become an irritant and more so when his own party members are still within the old mindset as reflected in some of their speeches and not to mention various articles in Utusan Melayu.

While everyone blames Utusan Melayu for racist centric articles, the same can be said with Tamil newspapers and I was told, even Chinese newspapers. It’s just that all Malaysians can read Utusan while not all Indians or Chinese Malaysian can read Tamil or mandarin newspapers, what more Malays.

Unless Najib’s own party members reflect the slogan in their actions, this 1Malaysia will soon end up like “Gemilang, Cermerlang and Terbilang” in the next general elections.

1Malaysia maybe nice and catchy to some people, especially the kids, but it’s pointless if people chose to segregate themselves and the fact that we have a system that segregates children from young. And we all know that this systematic segregation is well supported by the same people who champion for 1Malaysia, Malaysian Malaysia and others similar slogans that are not popular.

On the other hand, if Malaysians really wants to be united, not just be seen to be united, they have to make sacrifices, I mean big sacrifice here. That would be the current generation’s biggest contribution to the next, and they will certainly be remembered centuries to come.

I am, of course, referring to the single stream school idea which has been reignited, read here.

If Najib and Muyiddin is serious about 1Malaysia, they should do their best to float a workable idea towards establishing one single school stream. It may not be appealing to Chinese and Indian educationist, or rather chauvinist, but an attractive and quality national school may work to attract non Malays back to national school. This may include introduction of English medium schools, which I believe will definitely attract all races.

With the race and racist sentiments hitting high notes recently, I had a first hand look on old 1Malaysia in one small cowboy town called Paloh in Johor. I attended a function held by my father’s friend, an Indian Malaysian. Whilst it was a small function, it was well attended by multi-racial crowd within the neighborhood. What was surprising it that, the non-indians outnumbered the Indians.

I had the opportunity to have a chat with the folk there. I gathered that most of them work in saw mills, estates, factories, transportation and small businesses catering to the residents there. I also realized that being in a small town, they, regardless of race, depend on each other for job, business and daily needs.

When they started talking about politics, one of them turned to me and said that ‘you educated people are the ones who are creating all kinds of problems for this country’. He further added that there have not been any racial problems in the small town ever. He also mentioned that their biggest problem ever was with the communist insurgency back then when Paloh was known to be one of the communist stronghold back then in Johor.

I was taken aback but not surprised with the accusation against KLites as there are certainly lots of truth in that statement. Throughout the conversation, everyone showed genuine warmth towards each other, as they have been for decades, something that I hardly see in KL. Life there is simple and slow but people are enjoying themselves and would not want a complicated life such as in KL even if given millions of Ringgit.

So 1Malaysia is certainly not new, but an old wine in a new bottle. And according to the folks in Johor, educated Malaysians chose to deliberately crack and eventually break the old bottle over the years.

Only Najib Can get rid of Samy Vellu

2009-09-01T04:49:00.000+01:00

Samy Velu continues to be the most valued comedian in the country. However in the recent weeks, he has been under pressure, mainly from his former deputy, Datuk S. Subramaniam, who is seeking to retake his deputy president post.

Unlike in any other party where top leadership will not openly support any candidates, Samy Vellu went on and announced his preferred candidates for all post available at the central level. The list has numerous political deadwoods and over the hill loyalist of Samy Vellu or rather his ‘yes men’. Talk about rebranding.

It is said that MIC have gained some currency recently. It is mainly due to the fact that BN still gives ‘face’ to them, and also it’s long standing membership in BN. It is no secret that many leaders in BN component party thinks that Samy Vellu is an embarrassment to BN and prefers to see him out.

Pathetic Performance of Indian ADUNs and MPs from the opposition also led to Indian Malaysian looking up to MIC again, though in small numbers. Majority fence sitters and sympathizers will return only if Samy Vellu is no longer there.

Instead of indicating his path of retreat, he is now saying that he may remain up to 2015. He also roped in his daughter in-law to become’s Puteri’s deputy chief. His son, Velu Paari is already the so-called advisor to MIC Youth although it has been said that he calls the shots. Most of those in upper echelon of the party are already his relatives and close friends. There is no chance for outsiders and he might as well rename the party after his own name.

If Najib really bothered about sentiments on the ground, he should pressure Samy Vellu to give way as soon as possible or else MIC would still remain a liability to BN. Only Najib is in a position to do so and he'd better do it soon.

Guilty Unless Proven Innocent & Kickbacks

2009-08-26T09:16:00.004+01:00

Details in the mystery letter received by Gobind appear to be flawed and inconsistent. It says that the alleged preparator, a senior MACC officer left the MACC building at around 6.10 while pathologists who testified clearly said that Teoh could have died anywhere between 8am to 9.30pm. Blogger Jebat Must Die has the story here.

It is quite mind boggling how the law works here, at least according to Gobind, although the Pathologist listed various reasons why Teoh’s death could be due to suicide, Gobind wants conclusive prove that it is not a homicide but a suicide.

When MACC revealed that commission were given to several DAP branches, he wanted it expunged from the records but he did not ask for the same when he put it to the client that MACC killed Teoh. His line of questioning continuously implies that MACC deliberately killed Teoh. But when, upon investigation, it was revealed that DAP did received kickbacks from several projects, Gobind was fuming. Hey, what double standards.

Here’s a comments by Malaysiakini reader, “It is easy for the police and the chemist to say there is no evidence to support a claim. But in such an important case, we would want them to prove it, what with all the materials in their possession’

It appears that the notion ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is applicable to Pakatan Rakyat and their lawyers only, while for the rest it’s “guilty unless proven innocent”.

It may still be found that a MACC officer may have been involved, but to blame the whole organisation (MACC) is like blaming the whole of DAP of being corrupt, where in this case, it is likely to be.

If DAP and their representative wants us to believe that they are squeeky clean, they must be either joking or dreaming. This is Malaysia, commission or kickbacks are a norm. Ask DAP members, supporters or sympathisers to swear (like how Gobind asked the MACC officer to put up his hand and swear) that they have never given or taken commission, you will hardly see any hands up. Even if you refuse, the giver will insists, it is part of our culture.

The same applies to other parties, organisation and normal people. It's just that the opposition and their supporters are hypocrites. We have an economy that runs on commission and anybody would be foolish enough to deny this fact.

MACC Should Just Do The Right Thing

2009-08-18T09:35:00.004+01:00

Based on the recent developments , MACC is under tremendous pressure on top of Teoh’s case which is under intense scrutiny at the moment.

While it must be said that MACC has been understaffed and does not have adequate resources, there’s no reason why MACC should stop investigations on politicians. They may have to change their approach, especially when dealing with opposition politicians. Maybe they should treat the politicians as VVIPs, complete with Kompang and Bunga Manggar when they visit politicians.

Lim Kit Siang’s allegation that MACC are using Gestapho tactics are laughable, from the video footage, it was clear that political aide, Wong Chuan How was not even handcuffed and appeared to have agreed to follow MACC officers to the car and suddenly he tried to set himself free and that’s when the commotion started. If he would have followed the officers, none of the commotion would have happened. The root cause here is Wong.

Pakatan Rakyat’s accusation of double standards has, in terms of investigating politician has been torn to shreds here, where it is clear that more BN politicians and sitting assemblyman has been hauled up and charged while not a single Pakatan Rakyat MP or state assemblymen has been charged this year. Even after Teoh Beng Hock’s case, MACC went about their work and arrested a BN Terengganu State Assemblyman.

MACC would do better if it informs public on what has happened to the case of former Selangor MB, Azalina and scores of other cases. Perhaps a public relations failure there exploited well by the opposition. When they can issue letter of release to Jawi Assemblymen clearing him of corruption (an allegation by fellow DAP member), why these are not followed in all other cases. Even former Deputy Chief Minister of Penang, Fairus was investigated and later cleared by MACC, again the allegation came from his own party members.

MACC has also appointed a 30 man team to investigate PKFZ issue, hence Guan Eng’s reasoning that MACC is slow on BN related cases is simply not valid. The silence of the MACC advisory board in all these issues is puzzling though. Aren’t they supposed to defend their own men.

Recently, the state assemblymen for Seri Delima R.S.N Rayer said that all probe in relation to accusation of land scam has been dropped. Why so, with all DAP’s rhetoric’s of in pursue of justice and truth. Why Lim Kit Siang did not call for formation of Royal Commission of Enquiry to investigate the alleged land scam. What happened to their internal investigations headed by Deputy CM, Ramasamy, or Do Guan Eng has something to hide?

Selangor MB in the meantime also appointed a Internal Audit team to investigate all spending of all allocations to state assemblymen. Why he chose to do so is anyone’s guess since he claims those Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen are clean. What about Wee Choo Keong allegation, why has Khalid not formed a team to investigate Wee’s claims, Why the double standards?

Pakatan's Fellow ex-Perak MB Nizar also did the same when the then 2 PKR Assemblymen was arrested and charged for corruption. Nizar claimed that it was a trap set by MACC but immediately changed the tune when the 2 assemblymen chose to defect. What do you call this then.

Also when a BN man claimed that he was assaulted by MACC officers, wonder why didn’t Lim Kit Siang and gang kick up a fuss and call for Royal Commision of Inquiry? Why the double standards here.

Corruption is still corruption even though the amount is paltry RM 2,000 and there’s no reason why MACC should not investigate cases on Pakatan Rakyat’s assemblyman.

Pakatan Rakyat must realise that most of the allegation of corruption and impropriety came from Pakatan Rakyat members themselves and NGOs and not cooked up by BN, so there must be some truth in all these. If not, why worry if Pakatan Rakyat squeky clean members have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide? Time will tell.

We Will Never PAHAM Indian Malaysians

2009-08-04T15:07:00.004+01:00

HINDRAF Not United

With the formation of Uthayakumar’s PAHAM (Parti Hak Asasi Manusia), Indian Malaysian votes are bound to be split further in terms of political allegiance. There are already substantial Indian Malaysians in MIC, PPP and Gerakan in BN, BN friendly IPF, MUIP, HINDRAF offshoot MMSP while also increasingly in PKR and DAP in Pakatan Rakyat and not to forget PR friendly PSM.

For a start, Uthayakumar failed to unite even his fellow ISA comrades. Each and every one of them went their own way after being released. How is he going to unite and get the support of the rest of Indian Malaysian is a huge question mark. Kg Buah Pala issue helped to boost Uthaya’s image, albeit for a while but just in time to launch his own party, PAHAM (Parti Hak Asasi Manusia).

The other ISA detainees went their own way with former national coordinator, Thanenthiran forming his own party, Malaysia Makkal Sakhti Party, Vasanthakumar claiming to own the original HINDRAF registered as a company, Hindraf Enterprise while Gandibarao have yet to unveil his plans but made known clearly that he will not be joining Uthaya’s PAHAM. Another detainee, M Manoharan went straight onto his role as ADUN for DAP.

Kg Buah Pala – Return Of The Indian Hero

Lying low after being released from ISA detention, Uthayakumar sprung into action on the Kg Buah Pala issue. He turned what was originally a land grabbing issue into a racial issue.

Taking a leaf from Lim Kit Siang’s book of ultimatums, Uthayakumar threatened Lim’s son, Guan Eng with various one week and two week ultimatums. Uthaya also reportedly promised to sleep in Kg Buah Pala in August, on the eve of the planned demolition of the village and fight. He asked villagers to prepare just a pillow and mat for him on the eve of demolition His ultimatum fizzled out soon after, and nothing much has been heard from him since and all of a sudden , Uthaya is now in UK for treatment for unique heart problem!

His brother Waytamoorthy, who is still holidaying in UK, continued his favourite pass time, continuous statements that do little to rattle Lim Guan Eng and the state government. The brothers did little to demonise the previous state government, alleged by many as the real culprit in alienating the village land to UMNO linked cooperative.

After several ultimatums, Uthayakumar went on to focus on launching PAHAM and also to release his book ala ‘Mandela’ written while in detention.

Grassroot support for Uthayakumar and PAHAM has been lukewarm with only 3,000 people turning up for his release from ISA as well as during the launch of his party. Some people present was also disappointed that the event was somewhat turned to a book launch and fund raiser.

People known to me, many of whom participated in the demonstration in Nov 2007, expressed their displeasure of Uthaya forming yet another Indian based party, saying their respect for Uthaya would still be upheld if he would have chose to continue to fight on a NGO platform. His action in forming his own party has left many opposition supporters disillusioned and not sure who and what should they support.

Indian Malaysians Are Still With the Opposition

I can’t agree with Merdeka Centre survey recently that revealed 74% Indian Malaysians supports Najib. This figure seems far fetched. It maybe due to small number of Indian Malaysians respondents interviewed. While Najib did somewhat improve the perception on BN in the eyes of Indian Malaysians, real increase in support for BN is somewhat minimal.

MIC, after all the superficial re-branding exercise, has been largely unsuccessful in attracting Indians back to BN. They may have managed to get some ex-members back but these are the same group that failed the Indian Malaysians before. Samy Vellu’s reluctance to step down will ensure that they will never regain the support they once had.
Only BNs policies, handouts and Human Resources Minister Dr Subramaniam perceived good performance at national stage had resulted in some support for MIC and BN.

IPF and PPP are in turmoil of their own doing while small number of Indians is with Gerakan where their contributions are largely insignificant. In general, Indian Malaysians are still influenced by Pakatan Rakyat and it would require a lot of convincing for them to return to BN fold.

If my friends (mostly Pakatan Rakyat supporters) observation is valid reflection of sentiments on the ground, Indian Malaysian are beginning to be disappointed with Pakatan Rakyat’s increasingly shaky administration where they seems to spend more time squabbling rather than focusing on people’s problems. If this continues, Pakatan Rakyat will lose support of Indian Malaysians sooner than later.

PAHAM – Multi-racial Party?

PAHAM claims to be a multi-racial party with focus on marginalized Indians and not aligned to BN or Pakatan Rakyat. How can this party work independently in the context of a multi-racial country is anyone’s guess. PAHAM may get the support of gullible, uneducated Indian Malaysians who were in awe of Uthayakumar’s heroics and rhetoric ala Tamil Movie superstars, but unlikely to get the support of middle class and educated Indians.

He mentioned that PAHAM are likely to contest in 15 parliamentary and 35 state seats. As you would have guessed, most of the seats are those with significant Indian voters but not the majority. Chances of them winning the seats are slim unless either BN or Pakatan Rakyat gives way. I will not be surprised if PAHAM lose their deposits in all their duels if both coalitions are contesting.

Claiming to be multi-racial is easy, but I would be very surprised if PAHAM managed to recruit a single non-Indian as a member. If they continue to pursue their extreme 18 point memorandum, they are unlikely even to get a single non-Indian vote.

This strategy of claiming to be a multi-racial while focusing on Indians and Hindus seems to be non-starter and only gullible Malaysians will believe them. Sad to say that there are many of them (gullible Malaysians), hence this party may eventually end up like other mosquito Indian parties with some fanatical supporters.

Pakatan Rakyat Now PAHAM

Uthayakumar’s threat and demands on the Kg Buah Pala issue has forced Pakatan Rakyat to distance themselves from him and certain extend, the farcical entity called HINDRAF. Pakatan Rakyat leaders who defended Hindraf right after the 2007 demonstration and arrest of the 5 HINDRAF leaders have kept quiet.

Indian Heroes in other parties in Pakatan Rakyat such as Manikavasagam, Gopalakrishnan and others Rakyat appears to be equally confused with Uthaya and Waytamoorthy’s constant attacks on Pakatan Rakyat. They are also afraid of losing their Indian support if they openly criticise Uthayakumar, hence keeping quiet is the best option for now.

Anwar Ibrahim, who briefly became Indian Malaysian’s ‘Sivaji the Boss’, derived Indian Malaysians support mainly by taking advantage of mass support enjoyed by Hindraf and used the cries of ‘Makkal Sakhti’ when ending all his speeches. Anwar is nowhere to be seen now and never commented on HINDRAF ever since the elections. Except for occasional cries of injustice over the ISA detainees, HINDRAF has been largely forgotten after Pakatan Rakyat won big in 2008 and went on to form several state governments.

Lack of gratitude and recognition by Pakatan Rakyat leaders is probably what made Uthayakumar angry hence his decision to go all alone. Pakatan Rakyat leaders also understood (PAHAM) and realized that supporting HINDRAF or PAHAM can be counter productive and even disastrous for their own political survival.

A recent opinion piece appeared on PKR’s Suara Keadlian suggesting that HINDRAF is racist and extreme, something that never appeared in Suara Keadlian when Anwar ‘ Sivaji the Boss” Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat were courting Hindraf before the general elections. Talk about media spins and politics. Perhaps Suara Keadilan momentarily lost their voice (Suara) when Hindraf first emerged.

Indian Malaysian Leaders Failed Big Time

With many Indian based political parties, are the Indians better served and represented? The answer is clearly a big NO.

Indian Malaysians votes were crucial in Pakatan Rakyat’s win in Penang,
Perak, Selangor and to a certain extend Kedah where Indian Malaysians voted for PAS.
What did they get in return? No different from BN, some piece meal assistance and handouts. The difference is that BN has far more money and power.

No single Pakatan Rakyat state government has came out with some blue print on how to assist Indian Malaysians and except for some heroics here and there, defending the Indian Malaysians (eg Kugan’s death), Pakatan Rakyat’s Indian Leaders has been largely ineffective and some even became the laughing stock in the DUN and Dewan Rakyat. Some of them have successfully branded themselves as extreme Indian Malaysian heroes that they are sure to be booted out by the majority non-Indian voters in their constituency in the next elections.

BN based Indian parties has, as usual been largely been making up the numbers in the coalition. With or without them, there would not be much of a difference.

Self Realisation & Mindset Change Required

What they need is not political leadership or political party. There are plenty of opportunities in Malaysia. Of course, there are many obstacles when faced with government’s bureaucracy, but there also are ways to overcome those.

Indians can survive on their own if they can focus and invest on education (and continuous education) and not on jewelries. They also need to cut down on their excesses especially on ludicrous cultural belief and traditions, spending on all things Hindu, gambling and alcohol. This alone will reduce more than half of their problems.

In terms of leadership, what Indians really need is a leader like Mahathir who dares to criticise his own race, while being in power and afterwards. Have we ever heard HINDRAF or any Indian Malaysian leaders criticizing Indians for many problems that are actually their own doing? Never, if not who will support them!.

I haven’t heard any Indian leader who criticise Indians for spending hundreds a week buying lottery/ Magnum 4D but failed to buy a single English or Bahasa newspaper for the children to read.

Have we ever heard Indian leaders calling on Indians to stop building temples as there are far too many in existence? Recent case to this point is the launch of RM 3 Million glass/crystal temple in Johor Bahru. Imagine how many scholarships would RM 3 million financed and how many families would have benefited. But every other Indian leader criticized government’s allocation of JPA scholarships. Indians in general also likes to glorify something like the crystal temple while failing to realise that the money could have been well spent elsewhere.

I have also never heard any Indian Leaders demonizing Indians for their habit of borrowing for everything that’s done in the name of culture and tradition. Excessive amount of money is spent in the name of preserving culture and tradition, never mind if their children lacked the resources for their education.

Caste segregation, domestic violence, gangsterism, marginalization and violence against women are hardly discussed, what more criticised! These are still widespread and Government is blamed for issues like stateless Indians when this is a basic requirement well known and publicised for decades.

It’s not just the politicians that need to change. This is a society where race, caste, pride and ego is more important than children’s education or family financial well being and no one leader has tried hard to reverse this communal disorder.

Every leader that came only told the community to thump their chest and be proud about themselves, their culture, tradition, no matter how ridiculous and wasteful some of it was. They do this all the time to boost their ego and inadvertently let the community continue to believe in their flawed way of life for decades.

Unless Indian Malaysians, especially Hindus, critically analyse their own failings, even god can’t help them, what more politicians. This is proven by the fact that 13,000 temples in Malaysia seems not to be helpful, if the claims of decades of ethnic cleansing, marginalization and discrimination is in fact true.

Shame On You, Ronnie, Anwar, Kit Siang and Co.

2009-07-28T15:54:00.006+01:00

What if the situation is reversed, I thought for a while and realized that the outcome would have been somewhat different.

What if an aide to a BN MP/Adun was found dead at the MACC building. The situation and events preceding the death would have been completely different. Police would have had no problems investigating and MACC would not have been blamed for the death without a shred of evidence.

Anwar Ibrahim, Lin Kit Siang would have never screamed for Royal Commision Of Enquiry. There would not have been any protest or candle light vigil in front of the MACC building. In fact, when a criminal suspect (Kugan) died in custody, only Indian Heroes from both end (Pakatan Rakyat and BN) made a big fuss but no Royal Commision Of Enquiry was ever demanded. In fact, no Royal Commision Of Inquiry has been ever formed to investigate any death in this country. Why now? Why Pakatan Rakyat never demanded Royal Commision Of Enquiry for release ofvarious individuals accused of murder, drug possesion etc due to technicalities of lack of evidence? Where were Pakatan Rakyat then, the so-called defenders of justice.

What appears to be a sudden death that has yet to be fully investigated, Opposition politicians certainly politicized and turned it into a racial issue. Theresa Kok’s reportedly accused MACC of being racist and that only Chinese politicians were targeted by MACC. What she did not realise is that by accusing others of being racist, she herself has acted like one. With due respect to Teoh, unnecessary memorials were held to stir public emotion and Anwar also used the issue in his rallies. And all of us know that the investigation has just concluded. The opposition has already declared MACC quilty and police of cover up.

In this case MACC appears to be the target, mainly due to various prejudiced views of the Opposition parties and their supporters, no matter that far more BN politicians has been investigated and charged this year. Not a single Pakatan Rakyat MP or assemblymen has been charged this year, according to checks by Malay Mail.

What if this happened soon after Anwar Ibrahim becomes the PM and Lim Kit Siang is his deputy. Would he demanded Royal Commision Of Inquiry before police completes their investigation? Would he accept full responsibility of any death in custody and blame institution under his own care? It is like asking ‘would you accept full responsibility for someone who somehow drops dead in compound of your house’?

What if even now, a DAP member (touch wood) if found dead in their headquarters, would Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng accept responsibility and blame? What if an employee of Selangor state government faces the same fate, would Khalid Ibrahim accept full responsibility for the tragic event even before the investigation is completed? What more with all the accusation of underworld links in Selangor and now Johor.

While no one, at this juncture knows what happened, is it wise to speculate and hurl accusations, especially when there are no evidence? When MP Wee Choo Keong claimed that certain Exco in Selangor has links to underworld, Ronnie Liu jumped and asked Wee to produce evidence. Where was the evidence when Pakatan leaders hurl numerous allegations against BN in their speeches and rallies, example the Saiful Bukhari, Altantunya affair etc.

I agree that MACC may have been slow or selective in their investigation of BN politicians but the fact remains that BN had more of it’s members investigated and charged this year This is apart from various head of government department being charged for corruption recently, something that is beyond the control of BN politicians, but they are impacted anyway in terms of public perception. If Pakatan is serious, they should have sent a memorandum to the Advisory Board of MACC, some of whom are eminent individuals respected by all. I maybe wrong, but I never heard or read that this was done by Kit Siang, Anwar and Co.

Knocking and breaking mortuary door is certainly not an act of a mature leader and clearly disrespect to the dead. They did the same in Kugan’s death. Even if a MACC officer is eventually found quilty, let law takes it’s course and that doesn’t mean the whole institution is to be blamed. It is as if saying if a Pakatan Rakyat member is guilty of corruption, the whole Pakatan Rakyat is corrupt. Would Mr lim Kit Siang accept the fact and declare himself to be part of a corrupt party if any of DAP member is found quilty one day?

This situation (Pakatan Rakyat member found quilty of corruption) will happen one day, let’s see how they react. It nearly did in Perak when two former PKR members are charged for corruption. Do you remember how MB Nizar reacted to this, “a trap by BN” and changed the tune when the two defected to BN. The fact remains that the two were charged for corruption as PKR members and also member of the state government helmed by Pakatan Rakyat, if anyone really care to remember!

There’s no reason for behave the way they did, taking advantage, playing mind games and scoring political points out of a tragic event, to bolster their flagging popularity, which is even more disgusting, shameful and tragic as compared to the actual death. Shame of you, Pakatan Rakyat..

Wanted : New Leaders For Pakatan Rakyat

2009-07-20T16:40:00.002+01:00

Referendum?

When Pakatan Rakyat won the last few by-election, Anwar say that they are referendum on BN and when they won big in Bukit Gantang and Penanti, Anwar says that they are referendum on Najib. When PAS barely won in Manik Urai, where there were more spoilt votes than the majority, Anwar says that this is a small by-election and nothing to worry about while his cheer leaders in Pakatan Rakyat claims a win is a win. If PAS would have won by say 2,000 votes, he would have declared that Najib is unpopular and should be replaced by you know who.

They also chose to ignore that although BN lost in many by-elections before, they still commands support in big numbers, no matter that the majority won by Pakatan Rakyat is bigger.

When Centre For Merdeka Studies polls few month ago showed that majority Malaysians prefers Anwar over Najib as best person for the PM job, Pakatan supporters were jubilant and when the similar study recently showed Najib has gained some support, Anwar rubbishes it saying that these are Mainstream Media spins to glorify Najib while his partner Lim Kit Siang says that the survey results provides a challenge to Pakatan. So who is right and who is trying to run away from the issue.

Media Spin Or Pure Indicipline?

When there were few issues within Pakatan Rakyat recently, Anwar again reiterated that the media is at fault for blowing issues out of proportion. The fact is that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are the ones to call media for press conference and announce their stand or argument. Good example is DAP Kedah who invited press for the announcement of pulling out of Pakatan Rakyat Kedah.

Even PAS, UMNO unity talks reflected as ‘Crisis of confidence’ by Lim Kit Siang but Anwar in a statement says this is an attempt by BN to split Pakatan Rakyat and it is BN who is trying to manipulate the issue, when actual fact, the whole issue was started by PAS during their annual conference. When Anwar spoke, PAS president was sitting next to him, with no shame or sense of guilt whatsoever.

Pakatan Rakyat Leaders says that the recent liberalization announced by Najib is a copy of what they have proposed long time ago while PAS President opposed to the move saying that the Malays are not ready and wants the 30% quota upheld. On the other hand, Nik Aziz goes everywhere and preaches that there is no such thing as race in Islam. So who is spinning here?

Now that trouble has started brewing in Pakatan Rakyat Selangor, wonder who Anwar will blame now, perhaps NST, Utusan or the new kid on the blog, Malaysian Mirror. Azmin could have easily brought up any issues directly to the MB or if there are doubt about MB Khalid, he can go directly to Anwar. Azmin must have his own agenda to do what he did and Anwar probably behind it. Or is it times up for MB Khalid if Ex-Penang DCM Fairus resignation is taken as precedent.

In Penang, Jeff Ooi lashed out at two Pakatan Rakyat Councillor for their performance. Aren’t there any other avenues to raise this rather than through press. Everyone appears to behaving like loose canons protecting their own turf and somewhat forgotten what they promised before the elections. The same applies to various nonsensical outbursts by Kulim MP.

Talk Is Cheap But Rakyat Is Watching

And also see how they have played hide and seek in Kampung Buah Pala issue, blaming everybody except for themselves. Lim Guan Eng is certainly not winning any points for this. He may have not promised anything before the general elections but villagers there (in fact a PKR leader) claimed that senior PKR leaders certainly did and their ADUN even reportedly declared that the developer can only destroy the village ‘over his dead body’. Now is this some BN media spinning or a case of over- promise and under-delivering.

Lim was also taken aback by Anwar’s response of former Chief Minister Ahmad Fairus resignation as well claims that the new bridge should not be where it is while Lim earlier said that there are no issues with the bridge. Not sure who is spinning here.

Pakatan Leaders, especially Lim Kit Siang criticized Najib’s various goodies on his 100 days in Office but did he say the same thing when his son did the same soon after taking over the Penang State Government or when Selangor government announced lots of freebies such as free water etc.

Lack Of Leadership in Pakatan Rakyat

Pakatan Rakyat should realise that there’s absolutely no leadership in Pakatan Rakyat. There are no mutually understanding relationship between parties and no discipline whatsoever. Most of their problems now are their own doing and there appears to be lack of will or leadership to manage problems within the loose coalition and resolve it amicably rather than going to press all the time.

When press reports news as it is, like the DAP Kedah’s press conference on TV, they are still considered a spin by Anwar. As observed by many Pakatan Rakyat supporters themselves, they are behaving more like opposition and not the government of the day. Many supporters also agree of their ADUNs and MPs are of poor quality and may end up being a liability in the long term unless they are monitored and disciplined when necessary.

They should heed Karpal Sing’s outbursts that Pakatan Rakyat needs fresh leaders and they should forget Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Nik Aziz and Abdul Hadi as they have
clearly shown that they are only good in talking and not manage their party or discipline their members.

Anwar Ibrahim or Wan Azizah can even manage their own party, how do they expect Anwar to manage such a fragile coalition? Just imagine if they are the government of the day. They will end up contradicting each other every other day since they are the government and they will always be in the limelight.

No Leadership Change or Renewal In Pakatan Rakyat

It must be noted that while BN had their leaders replaced and renewed many times over, including change of 3 Prime Ministers in the last 6 years and various changes in the the cabinet and components parties, except for MIC, Pakatan Rakyat are still helmed by the same old leaders, who don’t appear to be inspiring at all nor do they look like future national leaders. There are some promising young leaders in Pakatan Rakyat but they unlikely to be trust in the forefront as long as the current dinosaurs are still around.

A Clinical Psychologist used to tell me that you will see the true colours of a person or organisation when observing how they react and behave when in crisis. We saw some of it from BN component parties’ right after the general elections and throughout 2008 and we are seeing it now with the antics of Pakatan Rakyat leaders, led by their supreme demigod.

Teoh Death A Boost?

Certainly, no doubt about that, the impact if not similar, maybe bigger than Kugan’s death.

Pakatan rakyat seized the opportunity to turn Teoh’s death into a political issue and inadvertently united the squabbling faction in Pakatan Rakyat, which also boosted their image in the eyes on the public. But their statements and behavior of some leaders during the protest are anything but exemplary. Blaming the whole institution for the death is ridiculous especially when doing so without knowing any details of events, investigation or autopsy. Breaking down the door of the mortuary is certainly not an example to follow.

How long can this sustain depends very much of the outcome of investigation of Teoh’s death while if there are no efforts to manage their internal crisis well, they will lose credibility and support anyway.

As we are all well aware, Malaysians have short memory and if Najib can boost his popularity within 100 days in office, Pakatan Rakyat can either match him or go further down hill in matter of months. It all depends on good leadership, something that Pakatan is sorely lacking.

Prioritise Reforms

Najib’s so-called economic reforms are not likely to bring benefits immediately, although it may bring about some feel good factor. The earliest indication of benefits to the economic reforms are likely to be seen and felt only next year.

Najib and team should quickly capitalise on the lean economic period to reform all the tainted government institutions such as MACC, Police and Judiciary. Before even that can happen, several tainted individuals such as the IGP, MACC head must go and they must go now.

IPCMC must be brought to reality to prove that Najib and his cousin Home minister is serious about reforming the Police while several eminent persons, who sit on the Board of MACC must make their presence felt and take appropriate measures to restore the credibility of the institution. Take Teoh's death as an opportunity to clear the mess in these insitutions.

The Day No One Listened To Rakyat

2009-07-16T15:30:00.003+01:00

Please read here on MCA's proposal to fine tune the PPSMI policy.

What I don’t quite understand is that why MCA is barking on this now, not when the proposed changes where tabled at the cabinet meeting. As far as I am aware, they were previously against teaching of Science and Math in English and never proposed any alternative to boost English. Why now when the DPM says that the decision is final. Perhaps they are doing this further to severe backlash from parents as evident from many polls conducted recently, including those tens of thousands in Dr Mahathir’s blog.

This is what happens when politicians listens too much to NGOs and racist education groups. The same applies to Tamil education groups and headmasters. The same group of Tamil School Headmasters, who agreed to the policy change in 2003, reportedly welcome the policy change announced by DPM together with the mindless politicians in MIC.

We also hear grouses by DAP and others who are not so happy with the transition that is to take place in 2012 affecting students, especially those in form 4. Again why is this never brought up when they were busy protesting the PPSMI policies in cahorts with the Chinese Educations Groups, NGOs and fellow partners in Pakatan Rakyat. What is the difference if the policy is reversed effective next year or even immediately as proposed by Chinese Education Groups.

Everyone says” do not politicise education” but everybody, including BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicised the PPSMI issue to the hilt. Pakatan Rakyat even lead a march towards Istana Negara opposing the policy together with members of NGO, so-called nationalist and Tamil and Chinese education group.

When faced with backlash from parents, they now offer various forms of protest in disguise when the policy is finally overturned. Where was Lim Kit Siang when Anwar Ibrahim led the so-called 100,000 people gathering the protest in KL on March 2009?

These politicians (including BN) , NGOs and Educations groups monopolised the rountable discussions with the Education Ministry and deprived parents of their views. As Dr Mahathir’s blog has proven, majority urban parents would like the policy to continue. The mistake is that Dr Mahathir failed to undertake such a poll before the policy change was announced.

How come none of the so-called education groups or nationalist spoke about almost 70,000 non-Chinese students (Majority are Malays) who are enrolled in Chinese schools.Why is that it’s fine for them to study Maths and Science in Mandarin in Chinese schools as opposed to English? This was deliberately and conveniently left out from the public discussion.

The same applies to Malaysians whose mother tongue is other than Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin or Tamil such as Bajau, Dusun,Dayaks, Ibans, Bidayus, Punjabis, Malayalees, Telugus, even kelantanese and various ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak. Why is that these groups were left out and where were the defenders of the monority?

As a parent and employer, I feel disgusted and dissapointed with the failure of politicians (BN and Pakatan), so-called nationalist and education groups to listen to people. At least a referendum should have been undertaken, no matter how complicated the process could have been or the matter should have been left to vote by Parents Teachers Association of every school so that they decide and excess English teachers could have been redistributed accordingly elsewhere.

As for Pakatan Rakyat, this is certainly not a win for Makkal Sakhti (people’s power).

“People First, Performance Now” Applies to Voters employed in Private Sector Too

2009-06-23T15:23:00.003+01:00

I detail some of my recent experience with major service providers in the country.

Telekom Malaysia

Went to Telekom Malaysia to relocate telephone line (which has a Jaring Broadband jumper on) within the same area. Explained to the staff on the relocating highlighting clearly that the line has a broadband jumper on and that Telekom may need to liaise with Jaring to relocate both the phone line and broadband jumper together. The person on the counter says that it’s not a problem at all. Paid necessary fees, promised relocation will be done within 7 days.

After 7 days, there’s no news from Telekom. When called they promised to return call and as expected no calls received. When called, another promise of 3 days to complete the relocation. On the third day, at least they called, only to be told that due to the broadband connection, they have have to liaise with Jaring and do the necessary transfer. Finally when these technicalities were resolved, they called and informed that the job is contracted out and that another fee must be paid to their contractor. Fine with that (although it’s unfair as relocation fee was paid to telekom as well) and finally appointment was fixed for weekend. Two days later the contractor calls from the front of the house wanting to do the relocation. When explained that the appointment was for the weekend, he claims that he was wrongly advised by Telekom. Finally, the job was completed, one month after submitting relocation request.

Telekom Malaysia's stated mission is” To provide total customer satisfaction as we strive to become a world class telecommunications company” I am touched by their commitment to customers!!

Jaring

Now it’s Jaring, Telekom’s partner in crime. Before phone line was relocated, enquiries made resulted in confusion whether I have to disconnect the wired account as they were unsure if they are able to get me connected at my new place. Finally they advised me to deactivate the account and reactivate once phone line is relocated. RM 100 was charged for relocation. Once phone line was relocated, informed Jaring with another promise of 3 days to complete the job. After 3 days, there were no news from them, so called in only to be informed the person in-charge is away and the personnel in the branch not sure what to do as they have never handled relocation. Had to make an official complaint and demand to be transferred to a senior person before someone actually took the initiative to solve the issue.

Jaring’s Mission and Core Values

Vision

One Community, One Station, One Number is JARING's vision which depicts our integrated net technology of unified communications utility; thus ultimately producing seamless internet connectivity riding on technology waves which are capable of changing a new generation of internet users.

One Community constitutes communication through JARING as One Station in which every community member will have One Number that is reachable by others.

Mission
JARING's mission is to cross borders and change lives. This illustrates JARING's efforts to open up or detach the boundaries in order that more freedom of choices and innovation for a seamless communications may be created.

JARING's mission to shape the creation of global borderless unified community demonstrates its efforts to bring people from all walks of life as one, notwithstanding the different culture, language or ethnicity which co-exist in the virtual global community to communicate with one another.

My comment is ‘ just make things simple and deliver, and not talk about crossing borders and changing lives.

Courts

Next, Courts Mamooth, ordered two simple chairs and a table. Was informed that they are able to deliver after 7pm, even on weekdays. They show up on delivered date only to deliver the table. When called, they explained that the table and chair is sourced from two different warehouse. I told them that’s none of my problem as they promised to deliver all items together. Complaint was escalated to a manager, who promised to deliver the item the next day. Rushed home to be there about 7pm, no one turned up. Called the branch (Mutiara Damansara) and got an apology from the manager who promised that the item will be delivered the next day. The ordeal continued as again there wasn’t any delivery. Called in again to speak to the manager, and was told that the manager was in a meeting. Asked the customer service staff to get the manager to return call. No calls received that day. Called again in the morning, again they are apparently in a meeting, asked to be referred to the store manager, was told that he was away.

Had no choice but to call group head office in setapak. The lady in charge informed that the store never have meetings during the operating hours. Now I released that the manager who handled my complaint was avoiding me. Finally the item was delivered, 5 days after the promised date. I demanded a written apology only to receive an e-mail apologizing but shifting the blame to the delivery company!. I gave up. No more Courts Mamooth ever.

From Courts Website, Their mission “ To be the most customer oriented, profit focused retailer making aspirational home products easily affordable”

Their Core Values

Intergrity – Doing what is right
Customer Focussed - Committed to delighting customers
Result Oriented - Committing to achieve defined goals for the company and yourself.
Innovation – Innovating through creative ideas
Leadership – Demonstrating ‘servant leadership’ through personal accountability.

I have not seen any element of their mission or core values with my experience with them except for the fact they made some profit out of pathetic service.

Maxis

Had numerous run ins with this company. Have been a customer for 12 years now but always get shortchanged especially they improve their terms and lower their rates for their new plans in their competition to get new customers.

Post paid customers are like slaves, apart from a insignificant discount of being a loyal customer, the monthly line rental, clip, statement etc are still being charged, up to RM 100, excluding call charges. When asked whether can I move to a prepaid plan, the answer is no, when I asked if there are any other post paid plans, the answer is no. Later, when told that I want to move to Digi (with the same number) they promised to call back, and after two weeks, they introduced the post paid value plans. This is how telcos exploit their customer and they appear not to be ashamed of this at all.

I still had my RM 400 deposit paid for post paid plan in 1997, but my credit line has been increased to RM 1,600 over the years . What is the logic of having a RM 400 deposit for RM1,600 credit line, I have no clue when other Maxis plans do not have requirements for deposits.

When demanded that my deposit is returned, they say it is not the procedure. When asked if they would at least pay me the interest since I have been paying promptly for 12 years, again no answer. I had to fight my way, escalating the issue all the way up before they decided to return my deposit, but without any interest or regrets! This is from the so-called world class and No 1 telco in Malaysia.

And try calling them 3 times with the same technical problem, you are likely to be placed on hold for at least 10-15 minutes and guess what, you will get 3 different answers.

And this is what they say (or rather brag) about themselves

Maxis is about life enablement

Part of our job at Maxis is to make sure that technology is never scary. Or even, remote from your daily activity. Our challenge is to answer successfully the question "how human can the technology become?"

We have three words to describe the spirit of Maxis, the things that should come across in every single thing that we do, for customers and for everyone who works together in the company.

By focusing on just three words we define ourselves.

This is what Maxis stands for.

SIMPLE
We aim to keep everything we do as simple as possible. For example, customers understand what it is we are telling them because we do it in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand.

We make things simple for everyone, including ourselves. Keeping things simple also means that everything we say is said in a clear direct tone of voice that is friendly and human.

Trustworthy

Trust is crucial in every successful relationship and this is true between customers and Maxis, just as it is true between the company and its employees. All good relationships are built on trust which inspires confidence, and, assurance, conviction and reliance.

To be trustworthy is a way of life.

Creative

Creativity defines us and therefore differentiates us from our competition. It inspires not only our communication style, but also how we answer the phone, design our stores, and deal with challenges.

Creative runs through everything we do and everything we say, it's in our DNA.

Now, Simple, Trustworthy and Creative, hmm… the last few words are really a sham. They should have started with Maxis is all about making easy money, squeezing loyal customers and confusing customers (Mr Iswar of Maxis can testify to my statement) . Technology is never scary, their services are.

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The same happened when I wanted to change my addresses, three out of 4 banks did not update my address on time promised while some asked me to fill different forms for different products (at this cyber age) and even with that, one of the address was not updated and the bank staff did not express regrets whatsoever.

And all of the above incidents happened in a span of two months.
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It’s fine to make mistakes at times, but to under deliver repeatedly, like the above organisations, they deserves no loyalty. But the problem in Malaysia is that, there are no viable competitors for all these services as they are equally pathetic, untrustworthy and certainly profit oriented with no long term sustainability in mind.

Even when I take the trouble to complain and speak to someone in authority, they appear to take complains lightly with no sense of urgency to resolve it.

Almost nothing gets done on time in Malaysia and we have to demand for good service. I have so far, yet to experience delightful service, can’t recall of any in Malaysia in the past.

And the best part is that Malaysians in general equate poor service to Government’s services and I can bet that some government departments are far more efficient than these so-called world class conglomerates.

And to think that they are world class and branching out worldwide is certainly scary, while local customers continue to be shortchanged. What makes them think that locals will not dump them one day, if services continue to be pathetic?

Or when government start liberalizing all sectors one day. For local companies, “we will cross the bridge when we come to it” applies. They are not worried that when the time comes, the bridge may not be there anymore for them to cross. What is more important to the leaders of these companies are current bottom lines.

And Malaysians also voted for the opposition partly due to the same reason, inefficient government and its services which makes me wonder why is that so. If we think about it logically, only about slightly more than a million people of the total approximate 12 million labour force work for the government. Therefore, indirectly the Prime Minister and government leaders are only responsible for actions of less than 10% of the workforce.

And yet we think government services, provided free most of the time (despite claims that tax payers are paying their salary when in reality majority individuals in Malaysia do NOT pay tax) are pathetic. Actually the private sector is worse as we don’t even get decent service for the money paid.

Majority voters themselves are employed in the services sector and they should stop complaining of government’s efficiency and focus on improving their services to their customers, who actually pay their salaries but yet continue to be shortchanged.

I did come in contact with someone from one of the organisation, well known for poor service, who made fun of Najib’s “People First, Performance now”. I have no doubt that this nothing more than a slogan engineered to boost confidence of his government, Haven’t we heard many of these before!.

What this man did not realise is that, the same applies to him and millions of staff/voters (Opposition and BN supporters) who runs businesses and those who work for other service providers as well, not just BN or government!

Unmasking E-Democracy: A Study of the Malaysian Blogosphere

2009-06-05T17:29:00.007+01:00

By Arlianny Sayrol

ABSTRACT

The 2008 General Elections in Malaysia is a historically eminent event, for not only has the ruling Barisan Nasional (or National Frontier) lost its two-thirds majority in the Parliament, it also reflects the revolutionary use of the online platform. Being termed as the ‘silent revolution’, the Malaysian oppositional parties and youths adopted a campaigning strategy that uses the latest Internet based technologies. Only one will be scrutinized in this thesis, the Malaysian blogosphere and specifically, the socio-political blogs.

Using Antonio Gramsci’s cultural hegemony framework, this thesis will attempt to
examine how the Malaysian blogosphere is able to provide a space in shaping counter
hegemony and to what extent it is capable of subverting the ruling regime’s hegemony. It will also analyze the potentials and barriers in the creation of new forms of intellectuals or leaders from the subordinate classes in leading this counter hegemonic power. This thesis will suggest that due to the fragmentary nature of the blogging content, counter hegemony is unable to hold fort as a strong and distinctive entity in convincing citizens to subscribe to. Hence, State hegemony will reign supreme.

The commonly held notion that blogging advances democracy will be re-examined
through the use of Axel Brun’s produsage model. This thesis questions whether socio-
political blogs are able to bring about actual societal transformations in Malaysia. It will also propose that, the idea of produsaging democracy oversimplifies and ignores the imperfections of reality. The prevalence of digital divide, citizens’ apathetic attitude towards socio-political matters and the State’s stringent stance on bloggers, greatly affects the “freedom” within the Malaysian blogosphere.

Chapter 1: Introduction

In this election, young Malays joined hands with other young Malaysians in making the argument for the Malaysia of the future. They followed the footsteps of their forefathers who fought for their country’s independence over half a century ago. By doing so, youths are sowing the seeds of success for their children, when Malaysia celebrates its centenary. By then, Malaysia will truly have come of age.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, 2008, Malaysia’s State Assemblyman, in his article, The
Coming of Age of Malaysia’s Youth, Opinion Asia

1.0 Introduction

Blogs have emerged from modest beginnings and become a highly networked
mass of online knowledge and communication for the common people. It is ‘arguably
the most popular online personal publishing platform on the Internet’ (Brady, 2005,
p.4). All types of research could be done through blogs as the medium provides for
linking from site to site, leading to possible collaborations and knowledge sharing in a
fast, convenient and public manner. Moreover, blogs act as novel tools that allow
bloggers to mobilize their audience (ibid.) without the need for any formalized
leadership or control. On the other hand, blogging content have become so disembodied and stricken with provocative fabrications as well as political exposé, the power of the authority or government becomes largely undermined.

In Malaysia, politicians from the ruling party are upset with bloggers criticizing
local policies, accusing bloggers as liars and troublemakers. There are talks of forcing bloggers to register with the government (Masnick, 2007), in the attempt to discipline these errant netizens. This may lead to the institutionalization of the blogosphere that contradicts the e-democratic calls of ‘cyberspace is the space where individuals are, inherently, free from control by real space sovereigns’ (Lessig, 1998, p.3). Leveraging upon blogs’ qualities such as allowing for anonymity and ease of usage, blogs enable the voices of the repressed to be heard. Blogs provide for an alternative source of news in a country where her mainstream media is highly controlled by the state (Banerjee,
2008).

As aptly put by Nik Ahmad (2008), a prolific blogger and political commentator
in Malaysia, he maintains that new technologies have undermined Malaysia’s old
politics of divide and rule. The ruling party had depended on racially stratified
mainstream media in crafting different messages to the different racial groups,
‘allowing them to stoke the fires of communal discontent on the ground’ (ibid.). This strategy galvanizes citizens’ dependency for the government and hence, the legitimacy for its ruling. With blogs, citizens are able to search for other avenues in gaining different perspectives for a certain incident or issue that may have been concealed by the mainstream media. This is further heightened during the campaigning period for the Malaysian 2008 General Elections, where the oppositional parties and Malaysian youths actively blogged on contentious and anti-government content (Tan and Zawawi, 2008). What Nik Ahmad (2008) termed as ‘silent revolution’, has resulted in a historical defeat by the ruling Barisan Nasional1 coalition, from maintaining its two-thirds majority in Parliament and being unable to have complete control in amending the country’s Constitution.

Through this thesis, I will review how an average Malaysian citizen, with
neither political clout nor influence, gains autonomy through the Malaysian
blogosphere. In addition, I will look into the challenges he or she faces in attempting to practice democratic ideologies of freedom of speech and expression, in countering the State’s authoritarian ruling. Through their persistent and relentless questionings, these online political commentators have destabilized the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) consociationalist2 government’s hegemonic use of “cultural governance”.

The Government’s biased actions are justified by the notions of Malay special rights and supremacy or better known as, the Bumiputra policy, which undervalues all other non-Malay and non-indigenous racial groups (Kesavapany and Saw, 2006, p.24). However, to what extent such opposition has been able to effectively recast what constitutes the national interest is still dubious.

I question whether the new media platform is able to compel Malaysians to face
up to their longstanding problems of corruption, cronyism and nepotism, as stated by
Kanchana (2009), that had ‘became so deep rooted into society that it became part of
the Malaysian culture’. It has been argued that the usage of the online medium may
become a viable catalyst in the formation of a new ideology for the state where the
focus for a citizen’s well-being will be based on national interest, rather than the interest of certain racial groups. Nonetheless, I will argue that it can end up as an online extension for the reproduction of pre-existing offline ideologies and conditions heavily influenced by racial sentiments.

1.1 Research Questions

Freedom and democracy become the inevitable consequence of digital
technology, with the state having no authority over the online communities. ‘Digital
democracy will be decentralized, unevenly dispersed, even profoundly contradictory’
(Jenkins, 2006, p.208) leading to the rise of autonomous media centers. This propagates the belief that digital technology has the independent power to shape and transform society. In most cases, ‘forms of control and regulation are already embedded in the operational codes that govern our interactions in cyberspace… unless we understand this anti democratic potentil of cyberspace; we are likely to sleep through the transition from freedom into control’ (Lessig, 2000).

Therefore, expecting the decline of powerful governmental institutions when confronted with cyber democracy becomes rather premature. The political effects depend on decisions made in both the technology and the regime, which shapes the new medium and the institutions around it.

This thesis is an extension of Brown’s study (2004) on politics of the Internet in
Malaysia that uses the Gramscian cultural hegemony framework. I propose an
investigation into the extent blogs can become a space for ideological negotiations by
the civil societies, beyond the State’s hegemonic control and itself as a negotiable
ideology seeking to subvert State’s hegemony. With blogging as a space for counter
hegemony, I will analyze whether there will be creations of new forms of intellectuals or leaders from the subordinate classes. At the same time, I will scrutinize the possible obstacles that prevent an average blogger who holds no political power, from developing into these new forms of intellectuals.

Furthermore, I am skeptical about the hype that the freedom of expression in the
Malaysian blogosphere equates to further democratization for her citizens. The
prevalence of digital divide as well as the highly state controlled news content from both online and offline mainstream sources (Kenyon, 2007; Reporters Without Borders, 2006) provide an ominous background for the advancement towards democracy. In the Produsage model put forth by Axel Bruns (2008), he claims that produsaging
democracy is not really aimed at toppling the ruling regime. Instead, the focus is on how blogs are able to reinvent the ways in which citizens deliberate and engage on social and political matters. I will examine whether the produsers of these socio-
political blogs are able to bring about actual societal and revolutionary changes in the overall Malaysian society, or whether it is just an illusion of empowerment.

In summary, my thesis focuses on two theoretical concepts, namely, Gramsci’s
counter hegemony and the formation of the new intellectuals from the subordinate
classes and followed by Axel Brun’s model of produsaging democracy. My research
questions are:

(1) With blogging as a space for counter hegemony, can the politically powerless
citizens be turned into a new form of intellectuals in seeking to subvert the State’s
hegemony?
(2) Will these ordinary citizens acting as produsers, bring about actual social
transformations within the overall Malaysian society, or will there simply be a
reiteration of pre-existing ideologies (such as the State’s racially stratified propaganda), in the online space?

Chapter 2:

2.0 Setting the Stage for the Malaysian Blogosphere

In this chapter I will give an overview of how the offline mainstream media
landscape in Malaysia is like, as affected by the State’s political stance and policies. Preceding that, I will investigate the value of blogging as an alternative space for an average citizen in Malaysia. At the same time, I will look into the country’s concerns for the prevailing split between its rural and urban areas that contributes to digital divide and how this impacts on Malaysia’s e-democracy.

2.1 Destabilizing the State Ideology

Malaysia follows a model of consociational democracy where the usual practice
is ‘of accommodating the competing interests of the various component parties in
Barisan Nasional (BN) while maintaining Malay dominance,’ (Kesavapany and Saw,
2006, p.24) with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) having a sovereign
rule over it. Malaysia has a history of electoral democracy since her independence in 1957 but it is considered as a pseudo-democracy with a discourse ‘based on ethnic lines and the very idea of “race” become naturalized in official life’ (Farish Noor, 2002 in Tan and Zawawi, 2008, p.11). The mainstream media’s role is in propagating State policies via the use of agenda-setting, where the State has put into place, ‘a set of laws to contain opposing voices, discouraging public discourse’ (Tan and Zawawi, 2008, p.10).

Not surprisingly, the superseding objective is for the ‘creation of national unity
through the eradication of racial equality in the social and economic advancement of the people’ (Kesavapany and Saw, 2006, p.24-25). In this, the governing power still holds on to the neo-colonial beliefs of Malay supremacy and Malay special rights that are prioritized over the needs of other races. Ethnicity has thus become a doctrine in the formulation of every aspect of government programmes and policies, namely, the New Economic Policy (NEP) up to 1991 and thereafter, the National Development Plan (NDP)3. These ethnic-based policies result in much discontentment amongst minority groups such as the Chinese and Indian Malaysians. They consider the doctrine as racist and causing ethnic segregation amongst Malaysians. Furthermore, with BN having a monopoly over the mass media, it is not surprising that these dissenting voices of the minorities eventually used the online platform for discussions of topics not published in the mainstream media and for airing out their grievances against the State (Banerjee, 2008).

In September 1998, amid conflicts over the dealing of the 1997 Asian Economic
Crisis, ‘Mahathir (the then prime minister of Malaysia) sacked his deputy and erstwhile protégé, Anwar Ibrahim, and expelled him from the government and UMNO’ (Brown in Abbot, 2004, p.79). The ex-Deputy Prime Minister was held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) where he was charged with allegations of corruption and sodomy. This led to a public outcry that became known as the Reformasi movement and the formation of National Justice Party (also known as Parti Keadilan Nasional).

Due to the ISA hovering and watching dissidents closely, along with the stringent rules imposed upon the mainstream media, these oppositions used the Internet and mobile communications in garnering support and organizing rallies and demonstrations. Consequently, the Internet in Malaysia became known ‘as a political medium in Malaysia and as the medium of reformasi is virtually synonymous’ (Brown in Abbot, 2004, p.82). Hence, the concept of Internet as a political space for counter hegemonic discourses becomes widely established.

2.2 Invigoration of Malaysians’ Online Culture

The Malaysian media began as a State controlled media environment where the
print media worked under an annual licensing scheme and broadcast media. However,
since early 1980s, Malaysia’s media landscape had seen a process of deregulation and
liberalization (Banerjee, 2008, p.1). Despite that, ‘the Malaysian media continue to see some form of control over the mainstream media’ (ibid). Malaysians have also actively embraced new media technology as seen through its ‘Multimedia Super Corridor5 initiative that enabled rapid expansion of the Internet and mobile telecommunications’ (ibid.). This includes the Bill of Guarantees, with the ruling government’s ‘promise not to censor the Internet’ (Brown in Abbot, 2004, p.79). According to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, ‘the Internet news media cannot be called an “alternative media’ any more as it is a more popular medium than the traditional mainstream media in Malaysia’ (Banerjee, 2008, p.2). Today, the mainstream media as part of their selling strategy are
trying to imitate and catch up with the increasingly popular alternative online media by being as critical and shrewd as the latter.

Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) was conceptualized in 1996 as an initiative by the Malaysian government designed to leapfrog Malaysia into the information age. The focus is on aiding both foreign-owned and home-grown
Malaysian companies that have businesses in multimedia and communications products, as well as in any related research and development areas.

Unlike the mainstream media that tend to package and distribute its content to
citizens, the online media is more of a pull technology where users could proactively search and request for information that is flexibly customized and aggregated. With such tools, citizens are able to search online for information that is not published in the mainstream media. For instance, in the previous 12th Malaysian General Election, ‘user perception of coverage by the mainstream mass media on the elections was that of bias and propaganda, the Internet emerged as a more trustworthy medium and led to people switching to the Internet as their main source of information’ (Banerjee, 2008, p.4).

In a study conducted by Universiti Utara Malaysia (COLGIS, 2008), their
findings showed that, towards the end of the election campaign, Malaysians’ support for Barisan Nasional (BN) become much less than from the start whereas their support for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) increased. In addition, ‘it has later been admitted by several Government sources including Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi6 that the
Government had underestimated the power and influence of the Internet’ (ibid.). The
Opposition parties aggressively used the alternative online media and made
unprecedented election gains, by presiding over 5 states, thus disallowing UMNO from
gaining the two thirds majority for the first time ever. These indicate the growing
resentment and distrust of the citizens towards the ruling coalition party.

*(During the course of writing this thesis certain political restructuring took place in Malaysia. Under much pressure from the public and his UMNO party, PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi resigned from his post on 1st April 2009 and was taken over by his deputy, Najib Tun Razak. However, any references made to the Prime Minister or leader of Malaysia in this thesis, will be given to PM Badawi)

The blogosphere is widely believed to be a platform for direct and deliberative
democracy that is designed to grant public participation, where all citizens are given a voice in decision making. The ‘underlying social networks behind blogs to suggest unconscious development towards democracy’ where its ‘interactions are not influenced by any form of command and control’ (Tan and Zawawi, 2008, p.5). All conventions will have to be reinvented, although the process would not be easy, in creating a world with no center, gatekeeper nor margins. These technologies will have a hand in deciding the new political conditions in Malaysia, having ‘a direct effect on the well-being of the country in the immediate and distant future’ (Ooi, 2008). Malaysian blogosphere is like ‘the emergence of the underground newspaper, grassroots video production, people’s radio stations and other forms of independent media production and distribution’ (Enzensberger, 1974). This new generation of digital communications is making cultural resources available to all, using a relatively low cost and easy to use media with an open network and the peer-to-peer technique, hence providing the birth of a new political culture.

The rapid proliferation of blogging bears testimony to the fact that the
Malaysian citizens are harnessing the new media to present their own views, opinions
and content. The existence of such socio-political blogs heavily relies on participation and readership by the average citizens rather than the highly powerful elites. This ‘latent technical power must be used intelligently and deliberately by an informed population’ despite knowing that ‘big power and big money will find a way to control access to virtual communities’ (Rheingold, 2000). Malaysian netizens need to educate themselves in order to leverage the emerging forms of political and economic power online. Therefore, in bringing about a social transformation within Malaysia, it is necessary to establish public commons in the form of blogging and the creation and distribution of its alternative content.

2.3 Digital Divide in Malaysia

Socio-political blogs could be seen as an alternative media which provides
multiple and different points of views, as opposed to the singularly expressed ones
through the mainstream media. Alternative media caters to communities not well served by the mass media, or that specifically advocates for social change. Also termed as “citizens’ media”, one would expect it to be produced for non-profit reasons and not controlled by government linked media conglomerates. However, in reality, Malaysia’s ranking on their annual press freedom index to online censorship is worsening, from 124th in year 2007 to 132nd in year 2008, out of 169 countries ranked (Reporters Without Borders, 2007 & 2008). Ironically with increasing understanding by the State that the Internet can play a key role in democracy, more and more new methods of censoring it are being introduced. The Malaysian government is seen as backtracking on their promise not to censor the Internet, with their prevalent use of the ISA to detain errant bloggers without trial (Amnesty International, 2008).

As compared to other Asian countries, Malaysian blog readers have a higher
interest in political blogs (PR Newswire, 2006). Nevertheless, ‘there exists a digital divide between its large rural population and its congregated urban population’ (Crump and Zaitun, 2005, p.2) that is still growing as technology is speedily evolving. According to the Information Society Index (ISI) Ranking (2009) for digital divide, Malaysia stands at a calculated average of 36 against the 53 countries in Asia Pacific. Furthermore, in an earlier study conducted, it was found that the percentage for students’ usage of the Internet in the rural area is 64.7% as compared to the 84.6% in the urban area (Norizan, 2002, p.7). Although financial help is given to conduct activities in overcoming this, it seemed that there is ‘no standard approach and no coordination’ (Crump and Zaitun, 2005, p.2) between the different campaigners resulting in overlaps, repetitions and a waste of resources.

The alternative online media through socio-political blogs may seem freer than
the mainstream media. However, as long as information technology is ‘not being
realized equally in the society, with the poor, rural and minority groups falling behind,’ (Norizan, 2002, p.1) e-democracy becomes an empowering power, only for those who are already empowered in the first place.

3.0 Theoretical Framework

I am using Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony that gives great attention to
ideology and culture as the agents for State dominance as well as revolution. In Chapter 2, I have explained how Malaysia’s consociationalist government had over the years, used cultural hegemony through its neo-colonial beliefs of Malay supremacy and the rights of Bumiputra, in legitimizing its racial based policies. Nevertheless, through the Internet, there has been a surge of counter hegemonic power for civil societies led by the average citizens (turned bloggers) who have restricted or no political clout. Therefore, in Chapter 5, I will analyze whether these average Malaysian bloggers could potentially become a new form of intellectuals from the subordinate classes as proposed by Gramsci, in leading this counter hegemonic power.

I will also be looking into the concept of ‘produsaging democracy’ as put forth
by Axel Bruns. Alongside, I will be analyzing claims about e-democracy based on
studies conducted in Europe, America and Asia. Later in Chapter 6, I will investigate whether produsers in the Malaysian blogging space can bring about actual societal changes that extend beynd the blogosphere and into the offline community. However, I will argue that it may simply become another platform for disseminating the already existing offline ideologies.

3.1 Cultural Hegemony and its Struggles in Reality

Under a radical milieu of Fascist Italy, the Prison Notebooks was Antonio
Gramsci’s attempt to formulate an alternative plan of political action for the working class against the ruling regime. The period of his incarceration served to illuminate Gramsci’s ideas on hegemony, consent and the role of civil society. Works on hegemony was brought up by Marx and Lenin but it was Gramsci who established the
salience of hegemony in determining social relations within a capitalist system. He
deviated from the traditional Marxist view by ascribing a crucial role to culture and ideology, in his analysis of the socio-political system.

With a focus on human personality, their struggles and a ‘self-active political
education and autonomous organization of the proletarian political culture’ (Martin,
200, p.311), Gramsci boldly opposed Marxism’s simplistic notions of the proletariat
eventually propelling into victory. Instead, he formulated a concept that allows for the ‘confrontation between differing cultures where hegemony has to be negotiated and won’ (Newbold in Boyd-Barett and Newbold, 1995, p.329).

Diagram 1: A visualization of the change in the components of society’s superstructures (Bates, 1975).

The above diagram envisaged Gramsci’s study of the role of intellectuals in
society that led him to break down the superstructure into two great “floors,” which he described as “civil society” and “political society” (Bates, 1975, p.353). The upper level consists of the political society which is composed of public institutions like the government, courts, police and army, capable of exercising direct power and aggression. The political society is also known as a site of repression with the use of legal state apparatuses of coercive power.

On the second level is the civil society, comprising private organizations like schools, places of worship, clubs and parties that contribute to the formation of social and political consciousness. Civil society is seen as a marketplace of ideas, where intellectuals enter as “salesmen” of contending cultures (ibid.). Intellectuals are the builders of society and on whom society is dependent on, ‘there is no organization without intellectuals, that is, without organizers and leaders’ (Gramsci in Martin, 2001, p.111). Only the “winning” intellectuals are able to produce and impose cultural hegemony upon the population through the use of ideological apparatuses such as education and the mass media.

Intellectuals who are able to extend the world-view and ideas of the rulers to the
ruled as “common sense” and secure the “free” consent or the consensual will of the
masses, have thus, created hegemony. Therefore, a functioning hegemony is when ‘the
political leadership based on the consent of the led… is secured by the diffusion and popularization of the world-view of the ruling class’ (Bates, 1975, p.352). However, for hegemony to maintain itself successfully, simply depending on the “spontaneous” consent given by the masses is insufficient. There needs to be an enforcement of the coercive state apparatuses by the political society which legally constraint groups that do not consent. Nonetheless, when spontaneous consent fail, where the ruling class ‘is no longer “leading” but only “dominant”, exercising coercive force alone’ (Gramsci, 1971, p.276). This means that the ruled no longer are subsumed under the old hegemony. There is a crisis of authority and a necessity to create a new political culture.

Gramsci (1971, p.5) stated that ‘all men are intellectuals, one could therefore
say; but not all men have in society the function of intellectuals’ where ‘the mode of being the new intellectual can no longer consist in eloquence… but an active
participation in practical life’ (ibid, p.10). The transformation of a lowly average man from the proletariat class into an intellectual requires one to not only possess a certain technical capacity but also be a leader who is vigorously involved in all activities so as to be visible to the masses. In this, as espoused by Gramsci, the potential intellectual needs to be taught a new type of skill and political knowledge. However, ‘the distance between high levels of specialization and the intellectual skills of the vast majority of people is maintained as a traditional split between people, intellectuals and specialized knowledge continues’ (Showstack, 1987, p.271). Hence, the development of intellectuals from the proletariat class (or citizens of the ruled) is severely stunted, resulting in the conditions for a full expansion of social equality to be massively underdeveloped.

An ‘old order cannot be made to vanish simply by pointing out its evils, any
more than a new order can be brought into existence by pointing out its virtues’ (Bates, 1975, p.365). The element of ideology is crucial in political struggle, but it is not easy to change completely the consciousness of the ruled. The proletariat party desiring to replace the hegemonic State needs to be able to impress upon the masses of its counter hegemonic beliefs that is able to lead ‘the working class beyond the limits of the existing bourgeois democracy’ (Lawrence and Wishart, 1978, p.288).

In order for counter hegemony to work, it needs to be coherent and better than
the prevailing hegemony, ‘not only in their moral conduct, but also in their technical know-how’ (Bates, 1975, p.365). If this is successful, it may result in a crisis of authority or the failure of the current ruling class. People would then cease to trust the ruling leadership and henceforth, abandon the party.

However, to take over and become the ruling or “bourgeois” culture itself requires a ‘combination of cultural and ideological elements derived from different class locations’ (Bennett in Boyd-Barrett and Chris Newbold, 1995, p.351). In other words, those who want to be the ruling party in society, needs to take into consideration and accept what other classes want as well, in order to sustain and legitimize their domination.

In today’s context, Gramsci’s theorizations are quite underdeveloped as very
few academic papers have yet to use them in the study of new media. These new media
platforms, to which the masses could freely access, are the new ideological spaces for political socializations. Through them, civil and political societies are able to disseminate both hegemonic and counter hegemonic values and contents. Furthermore, application to Malaysian politics and blogosphere has to date, not been done before.

I am focusing on Gramsci’s concept of the everyday intellectuals becoming the
ultimate intellectuals or leaders in society, to analyze whether this can similarly happen to the average Malaysian blogger. In the Malaysian blogosphere, there are both extensions of the State’s dogmas as well as opposing and contentious ideologies that float freely. There are no clear distinctions between the two, due to the fragmentary nature and massive number of blogs online that are constantly changing. I will then analyze the extent to which the Malaysian blogosphere, are able to carry a dominant version of an anti-government and “democratizing” effects as though it were the only naturalized culture. Nevertheless, I will contend that in the end, it is not wholly democratic as it is actually structured to privilege those who already have some power and influence.

For non-homogenous societies with deep social cleavages, suuch as Malaysia,
using Gramsci’s theoriization of consensual ‘collective will’ may result in various
complexities. Due to thee heterogeneous background that each Malaysia an citizen has, in terms of access to the Innternet, education, culture, class position, religiion and others, it becomes immensely harrd to find common points to reach consensus. This reflects the “struggles” faced by thhe average blogger who usually has low de egrees of power, resource and influence.. Hence, there are uncertainties as to whethe er such struggles actually do happen and if they do, whether they can transform the aver rage blogger into commanding intellectua als.

3.2 Produsaging for whhat sort of “E-democracy”?

E-democracy co omprises the use of electronic communication t technologies like
the Internet, in enhancinng democratic processes within a representativee democracy. As seen in most of the lit terature reviews, the main aims are to produc ce better policies through increasing citiz zens’ accessibility and participation in public policy decision-making and ensuring ddirect engagements with the government (Kl luver and Yang, 2003). E-democracy alloows for greater transparency and accountability,, not only for the production of better pollicies and more democratic processes, but also in increasing the State’s political legitima acy.

Diagram 2: The produsage process -producer and user no longer are separated but becomes one produser (Bruns, 2008).

As proposed by Axel Bruns (2008), that is reflected in the diagram, ‘in
collaborative communities, the creation of shared content takes place in a networked, participatory environment which breaks down the boundaries’ and allow all participants to be users as well as producers of information and knowledge. This produsage-based culture mimics democratizing processes in the blogosphere which includes decentralization, fluidity and a heterarchical7 structure in distributing power horizontally and more equally.

User led content production is dependent on ‘very large communities of
participants (to) make a number of usually very small incremental changes to the
established knowledge base’ (Bruns, 2008, p.1). In this, bloggers may use mainstream
news as references or built up on each others’ contributions and responses.
Subsequently this results in an ‘avalanche of consumer generated content that is
building on the Web, adding tera-beta bytes of new text, images, audio and video on an ongoing basis’ (Trendwatching.com, 2005). Nevertheless, there is a tendency for like-minded individuals to link up that may further delineate groups based on their differing values and varying levels of resources that they own collectively. This contradicts the notion for an all inclusive platform in promoting democracy.

( Hetararchy is the opposite of hierarchy, where power and authority are spread out over a horizontal structure that tends to overlap and mix)

Citizen journalism, through the use of socio-political blogs is a huge part of e-
democracy that ‘offers a multitude of alternative, produsage based models for the user-led selection, coverage and discussion of new stories’ (Bruns, 2008, p.73). Despite being able to gain different points of views and having a wider choice when
participating in discussion threads of their interests, critical bloggers or blog readers will be limited to a minority who are privileged, well educated and skilled. The less educated majority would end up consuming passively or have no access at all due to digital divide. Furthermore, ‘the ideal of the informed citizen is breaking down because here is simply too much for any individual to know’ (Jenkins, 2006, p.259). Therefore, with new forms of knowledge creation there needs rapid developments of the network infrastructure as well as ‘new skills in collaboration and a new ethic of knowledge sharing’ (ibid.) where most developing countries may not be able to cater for.

Bruns (2008, p.344) asserts that produsaging democracy ‘not so much perhaps
leading to its casual collapse per se, but to a significant reinvigoration of citizen participation to democratic processes’. In this, it is important to be skeptical of e-democracy’s transformative potential that may not necessarily happen and instead be an extension of the authoritative State rulings. However, what is significant is that, it is not merely about toppling certain forms of governance but ‘towards their reinvention in a new participatory context’ (Rushkoff, 2003). This includes the formation of new forms of engagements between citizens with their governments and the existing power structures.

In a 2004 seminar for Enterprise and Information Society led by the European
Commission, where Erkki Liikanen (2004, p.4), stated that all the European countries
have progressively been developing e-government plans and strategies for citizens’
online voting and participation solutions. Preceding that, IPSOS European Survey
(2006) assessed 115 million Europeans and found that 6 in 10 Europeans have heard of
blogging with 1 out of 5 have read a blog before. These go to show that through the
support and investments made by the governing bodies, e-democracy is able to flourish with the growing participation from the European population.

‘Bloggers do hope that they will gain influence on European politics in the
future’ (Trepte & Huber, 2007) but they acknowledge that this could only happen
through collectivism and networking. Nonetheless, there has yet to exist a unified
community or social movement online. Antagonistic political attitudes still exist, there is no comprehensive collective identification that links all Europeans together and even when there are collective goals, people are reluctant to participate (ibid.). However, an endeavor in unification is being made through the Bloggingportal.eu8 (2009), with the combined efforts amongst many leading European socio-political bloggers. Such efforts to mine data from blogs, help blog readers to cope with the ‘sheer volume, variety of opinions and time constraints’ (Liikanen, 2004, p.2-3). It reflects how bloggers themselves have the ability to network and come together to promote new ways for political engagements, all as part in produsaging democracy online.

(Bloggingportal.eu is an organization that syndicates the content from more than 300 multilingual blogs writing on the European Union (EU).

In America, Pew Research Centre (2006) released a survey finding where ‘some
50 million Americans go to the Internet for news on a typical day’ which ‘coincides
with the rapid growth of broadband adoption in American homes’ and where the
‘overall Internet penetration rose to 70%,’ with ‘74 million people (37% of adult
American)’ logging online. American politicians from both the Democrat and
Republican, recognize that the Internet allows for the unconventional ways of direct
messaging to specific audiences, especially the untapped young voters.

Thus the race is for ‘the rewriting of rules on advertising, fund-raising, mobilizing supporters and even the spread of negative information’ (Nagourney, 2006). However, with a race to control
the technology, there is an inherent fear of blogs becoming institutionalized and a
political apparatus for propaganda by political groups or media conglomerates. If this happens, the claims for produsaging democracy become a convenient way to mislead individuals to think that they are participating in an essentially “free” and independent culture.

As compared to their Western counterparts, there seem to be a dearth of recent
academic studies done on e-democracy and Asia as a whole. It may be that the concept
of democracy is still being seen as a Euro-American master term of ideoscapes that
‘was constructed with a certain internal logic and presupposed a certain relationship between reading, representation and public sphere’ (Appadurai, 1996, p.35). Therefore, non-European and non-American countries may ‘have organized their political cultures around different keywords’ (ibid.) since they are not able to fully associate with the term, viewing it as an alien concept. Asia is conveniently seen as wanting to ‘buck the trend and resist the global pressures to democratize’ (Grugel, 2002, p.226) by using her “Asian values” that have heavy influences from the Confucianism. Ironically, such values9 are also held by some Western countries. This goes to show that the Eastern/Western dichotomy is problematic as values and cultures are not permanently encased on any set of inherited traditions and are instead, fluid and complex, especially
more so with the spurring development of technology and the Internet.

(Examples of Asian values include: social order, hierarchy and the importance of an uncritical respect for the authority)

For Asian countries, developments in information communications technology
(ICT) and the Internet started with a perception that ‘efficient telecommunications
infrastructure as a crucial element in the attraction of investments… essential to the building of a country’s economic competitiveness’ (Kluver and Yang, 2003, p.1). Based on a global e-government study carried out by Brown University (2006), ‘Asian
countries once again dominate e-government ratings, taking three of the top five spots’. Hence, economic and capitalistic considerations are the primary reasons for rapid developments in Asian ICTs where the secondary effects have caused citizens’
democratic deliberations online, such as through the socio-political blogs.

In a research released by Microsoft’s MSN and Windows Live Online Services
Business and analyzed by India PR Wire (2006), Asia’s blogosphere is ‘fueled by youth with almost half of all bloggers (56%) under 25, while 35% are 25-34 years old and 9% are 35 years old and over’. Asian netizens are most attracted to blogs updates on daily life by their families and friends as well as blogs that are updated regularly and written with striking pictures. This goes to show that their blog consumption were mainly for socialization purposes in getting connected with others, and not really for socio-political discussions with ‘politicians fared poorly across the region with only 14% interested in reading their blogs’ (ibid, p.1).

The survey also showed that 50% of the survey respondents view blog content
as ‘trustworthy as traditional media’ and find blogs as the ‘quickest way to learn about news and current affairs’ (ibid, p.2). Hence, this translates to a high potentiality for blogs as a medium for information seeking, citizen deliberation and subsequently, the advancement of e-democracy. Nonetheless, due to Asia’s highly diverse make-up in terms of cultural values and ways of governances, technology developments become greatly disparate, with the degree of control over online content to differ according to each individual country’s policies. Thus, the Internet in Asia ‘does not create a unique space of freedom, but is merely an extension of the offline public and private spheres within which citizens communicate’ (Chattopadhyay and Chun, 2005).

The produsage model is technologically deterministic and in a sense problematic
as it assumes that the blogger cum produser has full autonomy in production and
consumption due to the relatively liberated conditions provided by the blogosphere.
However, in reality it needs to consider other social and human factors like the State policies and regulations over the Internet, society’s attitudes towards blogging and the issue of digital divide that may prevent the individual from becoming a blogger and participating as a produser for democracy. Furthermore, bloggers may not necessarily participate with the sole aim to further e-democracy and instead be part of it for other apolitical reasons such as for entertainment and socialization. With all these in mind, in Chapter 6, I will analyze the extent to which produsaging democracy within Malaysian blogosphere can bring about social transformations that goes beyond the online.

Chapter 4: Research Methodology

4.0 Research Methodology

In attempting to address the research objectives and aims of this study, the
following methods of qualitative field research were used; semi-structured face to face
interviews and email interviews as well as short open-ended preliminary surveys. This
multiple method technique entails ‘using more than one method or source of data in the
study of social phenomena’ (Bryman, 2001) leading to a more comprehensive and in-
depth data collected.

4.1 Semi structured Face to Face and Email Interviews
Semi structured face to face and email interviews were conducted as they allow
greater flexibility, depth and range of topics to be covered, ‘qualitative interviewing
design is flexible, iterative and continuous, rather than prepared in advance and locked
in stone’(Rubin, 1995). I have selected individuals of any nationality who are keeping
up with Malaysian news and politics online; have a good knowledge on the topic and
actively discusses it, whether online or offline, as my subjects for analysis.

The purpose of the interviews was to obtain the ground sentiments from an
average Malaysian citizen or non-Malaysian onlooker and their perspectives on the
potentials and threats that blogging can bring to Malaysia. In addition, the interviews
were conducted to ascertain their expectations of the role of online alternative media,
particularly the socio-political blogs, in shaping e-democracy in Malaysia.

Snowball sampling was appropriate for this study because as indicated by a brief
pilot study that I have conducted, those who actually consume online news and
alternative views are still of a minority albeit critical group. Therefore, this research
requires a purposive selection of those who have the skills and means to access the
online political sphere in Malaysia. However this also meant that a bias exists where
only the viewpoints of the privileged few will be reported. It must also be noted that
some of the respondents are experts in their fields. Therefore, in writing this
dissertation, I am constantly made aware of the prevailing issue of digital divide and the
absence of a more inclusive voice in the Malaysian society.

A preliminary survey was also used to collect data on demographics and an
overview of Internet and blog consumption of each respondent. This was then followed
by an hour long face to face interview session or a self-administered open-ended email
questionnaire. I also did multiple follow-ups through emails in clarifying any doubts I
had about their statements and extending to them, other related questions.

I deliberately chose only the first names of respondents to be reported, because
one respondent requested as such and I decided to implement this on the other
respondents as well, not only for consistency but also to protect their privacy. I
observed that all the respondents were rather enthusiastic as they believe that their
inputs will bring forth some good to the Malaysian society. Furthermore, most of them
are not situated within Malaysia and hence, do not feel any form of constraint in airing
their views.

Throughout the whole interview process, reflexivity was practiced in which I
tried to eliminate any bias or preconceived understandings that I had about a certain
issue or personality mentioned by the respondents. In addition, I took the initiative to
study any books, journals, websites, blogs or videos, recommended by my interview
respondents that subsequently enabled me to collect a corpus of secondary research
data. I also allowed the categories and themes for the analysis to emerge from the data,
instead of testing for the existence of pre-defined categories.

4.2 The Interviewed “Intellectuals”

Within a two months period (December 2008 to January 2009) a total of 10 face
to face interviews and 2 email interviews10 were conducted. All the respondents were
tertiary educated with occupations such as professional banker, manager, journalist,
teacher, academic, civil servant and university student. They range between the ages of
18 to 55 years old.

Table 1: Demographic details of the 12 interview respondents.

No. Name Method Nationality Occupation
1 *Alvin Face-to-face Singaporean (previously Malaysian) Civil servant
2 Mei Face-to-face Singapore PR/Malaysian Civil servant
3 Chin Face-to-face Singapore PR/Malaysian Manager
4 *Jian Face-to-face Malaysian Undergraduate
5 Filzah Face-to-face Singapore PR/Malaysian Teacher
6 Christine Face-to-face Singaporean (previously Malaysian) Undergraduate
7 Edwin Face-to-face Malaysian Undergraduate
8 Anuar Face-to-face Singaporean (previously Malaysian) Teacher
9 Shahril Face-to-face Singaporean Masters student
10 *Ridhwan Face-to-face Singaporean Undergraduate
11 *Gabrielle Email Malaysian Intern at Malaysiakini
12 *Balan - Email Malaysian Banker

There are five Singaporeans with two originally from Singapore and three,
previously were Malaysians. Three of the respondents are Malaysians, whilst the rest
are Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) and still Malaysian citizens. Five of them
(refer to the table list of respondents’ names with an asterisk *) at the time of the
interviews owned their own blogs and all are moderately active readers of online news.

There are 4 females and 8 male respondents, with 7 who are Chinese, 4 Malays
and 1 Indian. Five of the respondents have 6 to 10 years of computer use experience,
whereas the rest have 11 years or more, with a majority spending more than 19 hours
online per week.

During the interviews, I asked the respondents of how they view e-democracy to
be like within the Malaysian blogosphere and of whether it has impacted the offline
society. I also queried on their views towards socio-political blogs and to what extent
they and other bloggers have contributed to Malaysia’s e-democracy.

Chapter 5: Findings & Analysis

Counter Hegemony and the New Intellectuals

There does not exist any independent class of intellectuals, but every social group has
its own stratum of intellectuals, or tends to form one.
Antonio Gramsci in Media, Culture and Morality by Keith Tester, 1994.

5.0 Findings & Analysis: Counter Hegemony and the New Intellectuals

This chapter presents the findings that show to what extent blogs can become a
space for negotiating multiple sets of ideologies by the civil societies, the oppositional
parties and ruling regime. I will look into the interview respondents’ views on how
blogging is able to shape counter hegemony that is different from that of the State
controlled mainstream media. Next, I will investigate how this counter hegemony may
give birth to new forms of intellectuals from the subordinate classes as proposed by
Gramsci. In this, I will also analyze the respondents’ view of themselves as
intellectuals, in leading this counter hegemonic power.

5.1 Shaping counter hegemony online
Most of the respondents view civil societies and the oppositional political parties
within the blogosphere as “activists” who use the online space to advance and bring
awareness to the public of their cause. There exists a marketplace of ideas within the
Malaysian blogosphere, where intellectuals from contending groups enter as “salesmen”
in aggressively promoting their rebellious ideologies.

There are political or activist blogs that put their opinions on them. They try to have
active discussions and highlight important issues in the country. Then there are those
trying to garner support, whether physical or monetary, especially during the elections.
An example is Jeff Ooi, a blogger turned politician, through his blog alone he
collected RM100,000 for campaign funds. – Edwin

Jeff Ooi or Ooi Chuan Aun is one of the more prominent socio-political bloggers in Malaysia. He has been dubbed
by Malaysiakini as owning “Malaysia’s Most Influential Blog” and was awarded the “Freedom Blogs Awards (Asia
category)” by Reporters Without Borders in 2005. He owns Screenshots (http://www.jeffooi.com/) where he did
most of his political campaign fundraising. He is now a Member of the Parliament, under the oppositional
Democratic Action Party (DAP). On January 11, 2007 he was accused and sued by News Straits Times Press (NSTP) to
have more than 10 libelous postings on his blog. This lawsuit gave birth to the Bloggers United campaign that
establishes a fund to protect unfairly detained bloggers and protect their rights for freedom of speech in their blogs

Blogs also allow for individuals to correct whatever that have been misconstrued by the
mainstream media. Hence, respondents feel that blogs are more trustworthy as they are
able to provide different points of views which were previously censored.

"These blogs allow (oppositional) politicians to correct or contest whatever has been
‘mis-said’ by the mainstream media. So the same issue can now be seen in two or more
perspectives. – Shahril "

As mentioned in Chapter 2, due to the Reformasi incident and the government
controlled mainstream media, opposition are the ones who are leveraging upon the
online platform. This inevitably, gives the impression that socio-political blogs are only
for political dissidents. However, one respondent point out that bloggers from both the
oppositional parties and the ruling regime use the medium to perform “political
assassinations” in the form of verbal abuse and insults, on their opponents. Usually such
bloggers employ an emotive tone in their writings, in order to appeal to their readers.

"I think all news in Malaysia, whether mainstream or alternative are quite emotional. It’s
a borderless world where nobody can control, you can just add in your views online
without any hesitation… then it is no longer e-democracy but an “e-democrazy”. –
Ridhwan"

This respondent also feels that there are both extensions of State propaganda as well as
contentious ideologies that float freely and even overlap with one another.

"Even in the alternative media, I am not sure what the people (bloggers and blog readers)
want. To some extent they want alternative ways that are democratizing but some feel
that State authoritarianism should be the way. Activists are quite questionable as they
do not have a cohesive view. They failed to bring the people together to work towards
common points. – Ridhwan"

There are no clear distinctive counter ideologies due to the fragmentary conditions of
the blog contents and the huge number of blogs available online that is continuously
changing. These result in an endless struggle for ideological control and being unable to
adequately convince all citizens to put their stake in counter hegemony and overthrow
the State’s hegemony.

5.2 Counter hegemony leading to the crisis of authority

Socio-political blogs do expose the irrationality and the unfairness of the
“common sense” imposed by the State onto citizens. When the State’s common sense
no longer works, respondents recognize that there is much distrust and anger felt by
netizens, towards the State and therefore, a crisis of authority. Many of the respondents
emphasized on the issue of contentious bloggers who were unfairly detained without
trial under the government’s Internal Security Act (ISA).

"Look what happen when the government used the ISA to capture Raja Petra
Kamarudin. Blogs came alive, mobilizing the average citizen to launched mass
protests. The government is still using the old method of force but they need to realize
force can only be used to a certain extent. – Alvin"

All these imply that the Malaysian society is at a disjuncture, where a new political
culture needs to be developed. Citizens do have some form of agency and autonomy
where the success of a certain hegemonic ruling is largely dependent on adopting
subordinates’ values.

"Raja Petra Kamarudin is the editor for the Malaysia Today website and a famous contentious anti-government blogger. He is deeply against money politics, corruption and ethnic polarization that are prevalent in Malaysia. He was detained twice under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for comments allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad. However, he was freed after the High Court Justice granted his petition and ruled that his detention was illegal. His case is often mentioned in various petitions pushing for the government to review the ISA"

"When people have been extended certain benefits or freedom to them, it is extremely
difficult to extract it away from them. Malaysians have tasted certain levels of
empowerment with the blogs and the spread of information, the impact seen on the
elections. It is just a starting point and Malaysians may demand for the platform to be
freer. – Chin"

However, as realistically put by a respondent, the process for a total social
transformation is not easy, or may even be impossible. This is especially so with
backward State leaders who fear a backlash if they were to be lenient towards the
bloggers.

"The whole government has to be taken over by a group of technocratic elites. Those
who are IT savvy and knows IT is an integral part of governance. Right now, the
hardcore ones are the technologically backward group who do not appreciate this
“mess”… for them it is a mess! They are afraid that a can of worms will be opened. We
need to wait for this whole bunch to pass away. – Alvin"

"In addition, another respondent feels that the opposition is still unable to provide a
strong alternative or counter hegemony, to the ruling party.
The opposition’s performance improved drastically in the last elections, but so far, they
have failed to prove themselves as a credible alternative to the ruling party. – Gabrielle"

5.3 Putting subjects into place

In order for counter hegemony to successfully transform into society’s
overriding hegemony, “spontaneous” consent by the masses is crucial. It seems that
despite the efforts by citizens to go online to get alternative perspectives, most blog
readers are still uncritically consuming what is put forth before them.

"Malaysian politics, there are scandals, the corruptions… I guess that is why there is an
interest for me, sensationalizing of Malaysian politics. – Ridhwan"

Moreover, narrowcasting is an unavoidable technique to use in the blogosphere where
the blog contents are aimed at specific segments of the Malaysian society as defined by
values, preferences or demographic attributes. Some of the respondents feel that what
appeal to these blog readers are news on political scandals and racial based interests,
rather than participating in socio-political discussions for nationwide interests.

"Blogs have very little agency. I visit a certain site and it is full of people who think alike
with me. What happens is that there is very little diversity of ideas… a reflection of
communal politics, it is usually one way. – Jian"

These result in like-minded individuals to congregate together, basing themselves on
racially stratified groups that hold on to pre-existing offline values. Furthermore, due to
the enormous amount of information given to them, the respondents often become
overwhelmed. They feel that it is mentally tough for them to go beyond the realm of
their own value and belief systems and accept opposing ideas.

"It is mentally taxing to get a whole bunch of information and trying to find something
of coherence… and they may be opposing to my own values. – Jian"

Nonetheless, they could easily evade sites that have transgressed their ideas of what
their version of the “truth” is.

"I cannot recall why or what I googled for but I recall reading a post on an issue and
reading varied responses, that made me ‘dizzy’ and confused. I try to avoid those. –
Filzah"

5.4 The new intellectuals?

One respondent who blogs frequently feels that he is contributing to Malaysia’s
e-democracy and views himself as being unable to separate politics from living.
Almost all recognize the standards in being a “serious blogger” or the new intellectual
for the blogosphere. These include, being able to have a widespread reach, have high
quality and accurate blog content as well as stories published need to be recent and
relevant to their target readers.

"Certainly my blog is political, I think many have realized the other side of the coin by
reading my blog as reflected in some of the blog comments I have received. – Balan"

"There are three definitions to me; first is to be able to maximize the blog as a tool to
disseminate your ideas and promote to as many people as possible to gain reputation.
Second is to strive to improve blog content in terms of accuracy and also attractiveness.
Third is devoting a great amount of effort and time in maintaining the blog’s up-to-
dateness. – Gabrielle"

Nevertheless, having sophisticated technical (blogging) skills alone, does not
necessarily translate into giving the person authority over society. The blogger needs to
exist beyond the blogosphere by actively participating in numerous offline activities in
gaining recognition amongst the majority who are outside the blogging community.

"You cannot stay behind a computer and just write, offline is still needed…
campaigning, giving outdoor speeches and meeting the non-blogging people. – Mei"

Most of the respondents do not view themselves as the new intellectuals of the
Malaysian blogosphere. Instead, they see themselves as the powerless underdog, with
little following where their writings are viewed as casual and not taken seriously.

"I am not the person who has the power to decide, the underdog… I still feel if every
citizen is given the authority to do what they want, there will be chaos. – Mei"

Many are reluctant to start blogging or blog extensively because they feel that they may
put something online but due to the massive number of blogs, no one apart from their
small network of acquaintances will actually look at it.

"(My blog has) a very mild impact because I know the number of people visiting, not
very flattering. I am not a serious blogger. – Jian"

Some of the respondents even claim that based on their experiences in reading blogs,
they find that many of the bloggers are actually out to create trouble, spread propaganda
and rumors.

"Any Tom, Dick or Harry can write, but if they critique without evidence or research, if
people were to read and just follow blindly, they are purposely creating trouble. – Mei"

The respondents aired their reservations in believing most of the blogs’ contents as they
find many to be unreliable. Hence, they feel that a large majority of the average
Malaysian bloggers will never reach the standard of effective leaders.

"They are mostly emotional. When they like one person, they will magnify that person…
do not know how true their contents are… very myopic and one centric kind of view –
Ridhwan"

However, socio-political blogs that are deemed to be credible and reflective of popular
sentiments are those written by individuals who already have some political clout and
influence before they went online to become bloggers. They consist of bloggers who
were previously, or still are journalists and influential figures. These bloggers, albeit
to a limited extent, could perhaps be the new “intellectuals” for Malaysia’s blogosphere.

"I do not read ordinary people’s blogs. You need to have someone recognized by society
and given the legitimacy to speak. Only through these people then can information be
authentic as these people need to be accountable for what they write, since what is at
stake is their political position. They will be put to task and questioned by the public or
their political opponents. – Shahril"

As frequently listed by the respondents, one of them is the previous Prime Minister Mahathir who was himself for
a period of time, blocked by the government controlled mainstream media, leading him to open up his own blog
(http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/). Recently, he compiled his blog entries and published them in a book.
Others included: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Nurul Izzah, Teresa Kok, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, Hadi Awang, Ahirudin Attan
(Rocky Bru), Sheih (Kickdefella), etc"

Chapter 6: Findings & Analysis

-Produsaging E-democracy

We can’t reinvent the instruments of communication and collective thought without
reinventing democracy, a distributed, active, molecular democracy… by systematically
producing the tools that will enable it to shape itself into intelligent communities,
capable of negotiating the stormy seas of change, Pierre Levy in Blogs, Wikipedia, Second Life and Beyond: From Production to
Produsage, by Axel Bruns, 2008.

6.0 Findings & Analysis: Produsaging E-democracy

As a continuation from Chapter 5, this chapter looks into the potentiality of the
ordinary Malaysian bloggers as produsers of democracy online. It examines the issue of
digital divide within the Malaysian society and of the immense yet fragmented
information available online. This chapter also investigates whether through the
Malaysian blogosphere, actual societal and revolutionary transformations, can be made,
or whether it is simply an illusion of empowerment for the average Malaysian blogger.

6.1 A citizen to citizen connection

As seen through the respondents themselves, the Malaysian blogosphere goes
beyond location and geographical boundaries, getting far greater reach than what the
mainstream media could ever achieve. All the respondents except for two are located
outside Malaysia and most have dual nationalities with a few who are non-Malaysians.

"Although this is my adopted home (Singapore) and I quite like it here… there is still a
place in my heart for Malaysia, naturally I am curious… even for Singaporeans not
born or bred in Malaysia, they should know about news in Malaysia, it is just next door.
– Chin."

Blogging is a platform where both Malaysians and non-Malaysians can make
contributions as well as gain knowledge about the different perspectives available on a
current political or societal issue.

"I can read ten blogs and I can have ten opinions or have same opinions but ten different
ways of explaining it. Then I can have a bigger picture, of whether to believe this
opinion or trust this choice or not. It gives me a wider choice, other than just the
newspaper. – Mei"

This reflects how much blogs are user-led content productions, which are dependent on
other participants to make small yet many incremental additions or comments to their
entries.

"It is like a sharing session, people who share the same concerns with me would
comment, as well as those whom I do not know, as far as USA and the Middle East.
These people who read my blog are those who have a stake. Or it can be because the
issue at that time is very hot so people just come in to read different perspectives and
some may comment. – Ridhwan"

This heterarchical structure in power distribution mimics the democratizing processes of
decentralization, fluidity and equality in knowledge sharing and giving. Nevertheless,
the issue of access with Malaysia’s rural and urban divide will contest this democratic
effect that will be analyzed in the following section.

6.2 The digital divide conundrum

All the respondents feel that access to the Internet is still restricted to a
privileged few and those who visit socio-political blogs are those who are better
educated.

"There is a certain self-selection, those who go to socio-political blogs will generally be
a bit more educated or politically concerned than the average citizen. The ability of
blogs to influence the masses is still limited. – Chin"

In addition, there exists a large discrepancy within the rural and urban divide in
Malaysia. This contributes to the increasing digital divide across the Malaysian society.
One respondent believes that those from the rural areas have no interest at all to partake
in online debates when they have to struggle for their basic daily needs.

"By using or subscribing to Internet, we are marginalizing… the elderly who may not be
IT literate and also the poor who do not even own proper home facilities. Therefore,
such groups are highly unlikely to have Internet access, simply because it is not a
necessity for their survival. Yet they are often the ones who are affected by
governmental policies and have no say in them – Filzah"

Even in the more urbanized areas, the Internet penetration is still low as compared to
other neighboring countries like Singapore. According to a respondent, this is due to the
poor network connections and lack of computers available for use.

"I was back in Malaysia and my Internet connection there is sketchy. One is computer
problems and two, the streaming connection there sucks. My friends used to call the
connection in Malaysia, “shit-mix”. – Jian"

With the uneven development of technological and network infrastructure in Malaysia,
produsaging democracy becomes a façade, where in reality it is only for the privileged
few.

6.3 Fragmentation of information

Most of the respondents agree that this alternative medium allows for the
quickest way to learn about news that has been blocked by the mainstream media.
Moreover, those who obtain new information from socio-political blogs would spread it
through word of mouth or print the online information out for those who are offline.

"Urbanites who have been empowered by knowledge gained from websites or blogs
spread their knowledge to their offline contemporaries. This allows for "online politics"
to affect even those who are offline. For example, in the last election, many Internet
iliterate adults were persuaded by their children to vote for the opposition. – Gabrielle"

However, it is also agreed that there is far too much information available online, for an
individual to coherently comprehend and know which information are true and which
are not. Blogging content are seen as fragmentary and could easily distort certain facts.
This may lead blog readers to only read what they are accustomed to and avoid those
that are out of the norm or opposing to their views.

"The thing about e-democracy is that they cherry pick. The readers only read selective
blogs that tend to reinforce their perception. If you support PAS, you just read Harakah
and PAS related blogs and if you are Keadilan, you might read Raja Petra blogs or any
other pro-Keadilan blogs and if you are Chinese, most of us read DAP like Teresa
Kok’s blogs. – Edwin"

A respondent suggested that there needs to be an organization or person who is able to
compile and aggregate all the blogging content in a comprehensive manner in making
blogging an impactful platform for produsaging e-democracy.

"Blogs are like the building blocks of online democracy… if there is a smart guy who
can compile them together, it can actually be a powerful tool. One does not make a
difference, but if many, it can make a quite powerful punch. – Alvin"

6.4 Just another platform?

There are respondents who feel that blogs are just another avenue in extending
what is already available in the offline.

"Blogs can also be an advanced tool for rumor mongering and speculation. Malaysians
have the habit of listening to rumors and gossips and now they have began to turn
online for the same purpose. – Balan"

Another respondent states that blogs are an alternative way to spread ideologies and will
not by itself, result in societal changes within Malaysia.

"I believe that it is a multiple approach taken by the opposition to get into the online
community and at the same time go to the rural communities. I believe for online itself
is not sufficient, it is just part of it, you need it but it is not sufficient to say that online
could change the whole of the Malaysian political fabric. – Ridhwan"

Almost all respondents believe that there are already or will exist better interactive
applications to replace the blogging platform. Recommendations include, Youtube,
Twitter and Facebook.

"Youtube is actually very good because people upload a lot of political speeches, all the
ceramah (speeches) go online because the conventional media will block them. – Edwin"

"Instead of blogging, many people are now utilizing Twitter and Facebook notes to
spread information. They may be more effective as updates are immediately visible to a
particular person's network of friends, whereas it takes time to hop from one blog to
another. – Gabrielle"

6.5 How “free” is free?

The Malaysian blogosphere can be seen as a space where different ideologies
and cultures freely come together to be contested and negotiated. A respondent
highlighted the fact that the increasing power of the Internet does not necessarily lead to
citizens being “free” and empowered. To the contrary, citizens who are not as educated
and skilled may be misled by certain dogmas and unknowingly become the agents in
spreading them.

"If these people are that gullible to begin with, there need not be blogging to influence
them… an uncle at the coffee shop could easily influence them. But before the Internet,
the uncle could influence 10 people when he talks to 10 people but now with Internet, at
one go you could influence thousands of people. – Chin"

At first glance, due to the commonly held notions that participation on cyberspace
equates to the Western conceptualization of democracy as being totally free, blogs may
seem to carry a dominant version of such a liberated culture. Nevertheless, some of the
respondents feel that Malaysia need not subscribe to the Western formulations of
democracy and instead, blogging with “responsibility” is more appropriate and makes a
blogger more credible.

"It is better that they self-censor themselves, rather than making irresponsible remarks.
We should not be advocating for frivolous spreading of rumors, without any responsible
claims. – Shahril"

The respondents themselves, despite having received Western education, are still
conforming to certain aspects of Asian values. They are aware that some bloggers may
have their own political agendas and propaganda. Yet they feel they need some form of
“proof” that they believe could be sustained, if it is held by ‘trusted’ and reputable
government sources.

"A good blog is one that makes cross references with official and trusted sites… I do not
really find the posts to be credible unless they are from the government websites. –
Filzah"

Some respondents believe that there is a tendency for blogs to be full of lies, where a
better option would be to use the offline media, whether belonging to the government or
the oppositional parties.

"There are many lies and unverified stories in blogs. If bloggers are honest enough, I
suggest that they should use the offline media, can be government or oppositional
publications. – Anuar"

There is also some reluctance to blog on racial and religious issues that are viewed as
sensitive, especially with the existence of uncritical and emotional readers. Making such
issues invisible will sustain the racial polarization within the Malaysian society and not
contribute to a “freer” society.

"Raising of sensitive issues such as race, religion and constitution can be dangerous to a
multi-racial Malaysia. Recent incidents suggest that Malaysians are not responsible
enough on the net and Malaysian public are an emotional lot especially when issues of
race and religion are discussed. – Balan"

Most of the respondents stated that they find a majority of blogs as uncritical with
frivolous updates on mundane things and have no respect for them.

"For the sheer amount of the blogs when you have 95 percent being utter crap. Some do
not even write with complete and proper sentences and I hate those. I hate those diary-
like blogs that are extremely self-centered, blogging about the silliest things. – Chin"

Furthermore, all the respondents believe that those who go online are mainly seeking
entertainment, rather than to read social and political issues on blogs and news sources.
One respondent acknowledges that she is so busy with her offline activities such as
school and family, that she goes online primarily for relaxation and fun and is not really
motivated to seek news on socio-political blogs. Therefore, being part of the Malaysian
blogosphere does not essentially attribute an individual as a produser of e-democracy.

"I go online for socialization and entertainment purposes. Not really to seek news, I
hardly read socio-political blogs because I am not really interested in them. Nowadays,
I seldom keep up with the political scene in Malaysia, although I would like to… but I
am too busy with work. – Christine"

Chapter 7: Conclusion

The Malaysian blogosphere does to a limited extent provide a catalyst in the
formation of counter hegemony. Socio-political blogs still end up as an online extension
for the reproduction of offline ideologies that are heavily embedded with racially
stratified messages. Under a veneer of freedom of expression, there is a fear that one
would helplessly slip through from democracy to control as the Malaysian government
tries to regulate its blogosphere through both ideological and coercive state apparatuses.

Socio-political bloggers may act as activists in bringing forth their cases to the
public and providing citizens with multiple and different points of views that are often
censored by the mainstream media. However, due to the fragmentary nature of the
blogging content, ideologies tend to overlap and are not distinctive enough to hold fort
as a strong counter hegemony. Therefore, there is nothing concrete to persuade citizens
to subscribe to and hence, the State’s hegemony still reigns supreme.

The State’s biased actions and policies are exposed by socio-political bloggers,
especially seen when bloggers are unfairly detained under the Internal Security Act
(ISA). This angered the rest of the blogging community and results in a further
explosion of contentious blogging content, increasing the distrust of citizens towards the
government. However, a majority of the blog readers are uncritical and unskilled in
reading, especially of blogs that tend to stir up negative emotions and distort the facts.
Moreover, blogging allows for narrowcasting, making it easy for blog readers to avoid
blogs that oppose their own values and to seek for blogs that reinforce their perceptions.

The new intellectuals in the Malaysian blogosphere who possess refine technical
skills in writing and blog designing still need to go offline and partake in political
campaigning in order to reach to the non-blogging community. Nonetheless, most
bloggers see themselves as the powerless underdogs who have little following and their
blogs are seen as not serious. Furthermore, a majority believe that the potentially
successful new intellectuals are those bloggers who originally have some political
power and influence offline. These result in much reluctance for an average citizen to
start blogging, with the belief that no one will take notice of what they write.

Produsaging democracy within the Malaysian blogosphere is not about the
toppling of the ruling regime and bringing about radical societal transformations.
Instead, it is about changing the ways in which citizens deliberate and engage on socio-
political matters. As seen through the respondents themselves, contributions from these
produsers may go beyond geographical boundaries. Nevertheless, access is restricted to
the privileged few who can afford the technology and only those who are better
educated have a greater tendency to frequent socio-political blogs. There exist a digital
divide where the majority of the Malaysian population is still trapped within the rural
domain and are more concern about daily survival than being part of the blogosphere.
Even in the urban areas, there are relatively low Internet penetration and poor network
infrastructure. A more comprehensive study needs to be done on this rural and urban
divide and of how those in the rural states are able to be linked up to blogging.

The blogosphere is seen by most as just another avenue to disseminate what is
already available online. It by itself will not result in any social transformations and can
easily be replaced by better and more interactive platforms such as YouTube, Twitter
and Facebook. Studies on how other types of new media platforms which can become
politicized have yet to be done and it will be intriguing to see how each will affect or
leverage upon the other.

The increase in the blogging population does not necessarily equate to an
increase in freedom and empowerment for an average citizen. A majority of the blogs
available are of frivolous updates of mundane life, for socialization purposes and where
produsers are simply seeking for entertainment and not primarily for news on socio-
political blogs. Furthermore, many of the respondents feel that there is no need to adapt
to the Western formulations of democracy where there is complete liberty. Instead, they
believe that blogging needs to be done with some degree of responsibility and restraint.
There is also reluctance to blog on racial and religious matters as this may possibly lead
into trouble with the law enforcers. Hence, many will hesitate to blog as critically and
freely, contributing to a culture of apathy and self-censorship.

Gramsci may view produsaging democracy itself, as a multi-layered struggle
where the utopian ideal of advancing democracy via the online platform still needs to
take into consideration the specific values and cultural context of a certain country. In
this, it is not sufficient to simply focus on the Malaysian blogosphere, as citizens will
increasingly adopt other types of technological applications and not be dependent on
just one. Despite the relatively low levels of effectiveness of blogs in furthering
democracy as seen throughout this thesis, we can not discount the fact that their
presence still has the power to make the Malaysian government anxious.

A better explanation of this thesis needs to incorporate textual analysis of the
famous socio-political blogs so that the role of the everyday intellectuals in producing
counter hegemony can be more thoroughly explained. In addition, this thesis mainly
interviewed a segment of “Malaysians in diasporas”, with residents located outside
Malaysia and hence, for future research, more bloggers within Malaysia need to be
interviewed. However, this thesis does show a comprehensive attempt to address the
important issue on new media and the Southeast Asian politics, in the Malaysian
context.

Being a non-Malaysian, I may have limited knowledge on Malaysian politics
and of how certain matters or events are perceived and practiced by Malaysians. I can
be said to be outside the realm of their “common sense” and be biased in my
interpretations, considering Malaysian bloggers to be the “Others” based on my own
value systems. However, this also puts me in a privileged position as I am not
embedded and normalized into their social and cultural values and hence, able to
analyze more aptly. Another limitation as mentioned earlier in Chapter 4, some of the
interview respondents are experts in their fields. Therefore, in writing this dissertation
and in the selection of my respondents, I may unwittingly have marginalized certain
voices in the Malaysian society. These I try to overcome through reflexivity, where I am
constantly made aware of as the prevailing issue of digital divide.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN HONOURS THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (HONOURS) DEGREE

By:
Arlianny Sayrol
Supervisor: Dr. Chung Peichi

Presented to:
COMMUNICATIONS AND NEW MEDIA PROGRAMME
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

[ACADEMIC YEAR 2008/2009]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.
Socrates, 470 B.C. to 399 B.C.

Shimmering THANK YOU to

Dr. Chung Peichi for her encouragement and sincere guidance.
The super duper interview respondents for their enlightenment and magical ideas:
Balan, Chin, Mei, Filzah, Alvin, Christine, Gabrielle, Jian, Ridhwan, Anuar, Shahril & Edwin.
Ibu and Ayah for coping with my unpredictable mood swings and their endless love.
Ehsan, the world’s greatest chicken peeler and Milo maker.
Sherly and Rian for great avenues of distraction.
Friends who patiently answered all my disturbing questions and amused me through late nights:
Robbie, Kei, Farhana, Fadzli, Safraz, Mark, Parvin, Fatma, Fiza, Naweera, Shafi, Justin &
Shufen.
My weary yet sexy laptop, Sakina Atelier Calisto.And all those who contributed in this thesis production.

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LTTE Chief - Hero To Malaysian Tamils

2009-05-22T16:08:00.003+01:00

MIC President, Samy Vellu issued a statement in Tamil Nesan on the demise of Vellupillai Prabakaran, the Chief of Liberation Tigers Of Tamil Elam (LTTE) Samy Vellu glorified Prabakaran in MIC’s official mouthpiece saying that Prabakaran is matyr, praising his determination to defend the Tamils in Sri Lanka and his decades long struggle to seek a separate state for Tamils.
In short, Samy Vellu says Prabakaran death is a great loss to the Tamils worldwide and he will go down in the history as one of the greatest Tamil Warrior.

If anyone had cared to notice, Tamil Newspapers had, in the last week or so, turned into somewhat a Tamil Nadu newspaper. All the main stories are either about the war in Sri Lanka, IPL (Indian Premier League cricket) or the Indian elections. I am not surprised as this has been the case for quite some time. I myself had to check the newspaper masthead to verify if I am actually looking at a local newspaper at the newsstands.

Indian Malaysians affinity with India and SriLanka has never wavered over the decades since independence. Indian Malaysians still worry about the happenings in India although the number of people with direct relatives and friends has dwindled. I for one, no longer know or in touch with any relatives in India.

Samy Vellu’s statement would be no different from sentiments, feelings and opinion of fellow Tamilians in Malaysia, be it from BN or Pakatan Rakyat supporters. They have over the years been a silent sympathizers and supporters LTTE and Prabakaran. Some have gone to the extend of donating to LTTE although this has never been published or verified.

The recent demonstration by Tamil Malaysians, led by an opposition leader at the Chinese Embassy reflects the sentiment on the ground. They carried Prabakaran’s portrait during the demonstration which was called to protest purported involvement of the Chinese government in supplying arms to the Sri lankan government

Local Tamil newspapers have always been featuring stories on LTTE and Prabakaran since it’s (LTTE) existence. I still remember that a local Tamil Newspaper (can’t recall which one) was reprimanded and had it’s license suspended for running a series of articles glorying the LTTE, few years ago.

Due to this huge support from Malaysian Tamils, Hindraf have been many times labeled as Malaysian version of LTTE by Tamil Malaysians themselves. This may have caused HINDRAF to be inadvertently associated with LTTE by the authorities.

Tamil people in Tamil Nadu and it’s government have been supporting LTTE for many years . Successive Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu met Prabakaran and supported LTTE financially until the 90s when Rajiv Ghandhi was assasinated and when LTTE was declared a terrorist organization by the UN.

I have, not long ago, come in contact with some Sri Lankans in the course of my work. I have befriended both Tamils and Sinhalese (the majority race in Sri Lanka) and I do get two different versions of events and stories on the claim for separate Tamil State in Northern Sri Lanka.

The Tamil Lankans (as they call themselves) told me various stories of discrimination, intimidation, mysterious disappearance of loved ones, murder and torture by the Sri Lankan police and related authorities. The Sinhalese friend on the other hand, related his father’s experience of witnessing LTTE’s killing of Sinhalese Lankans.

While I cannot judge who is right or wrong, one thing is quite clear, there is so much of hatred there. These Sri Lankans came to Malaysia together only in name and profession but they refused to go lunch/dinner or weekends outings together. They did work together as a matter of professionalism though.

While both Tamils and Sinhalese claim that they are right to pursue their interest (One country and Separate Tamil state respectively ), it cannot be denied that something is not right with them as some point as diplomacy were not seriously explored despite the mediation by the Norwegian government.

Norway, unlike other major powers, not only took the war seriously, they also provided aid to the Sri Lankan government. LTTE has been accused many times of breaking promise of ceasefire brokered by the Norwegian government. On the other hand, the extend of violence, death and displacements of Lankan Tamils has never been ably and independently verified as the foreign press have never been freely allowed into the war zone (northern Sri Lanka).

Prabakaran is not dead, claims the LTTE spokesperson from Toronto and Tamil Malaysians in general believes he is still alive. A Tamil daily in India even published a picture of Prabakaran (see above) watching news of his death on television while holding a daily with news of his death as headline. This reminds me of the time when notorious gangster bentong Kali was killed by the Police. Many at that time, believed that Bentong Kali was ‘protected’ and never trusted polices’ version of event.

Samy Vellu and Tamil Malaysians must have conveniently forgotten that LTTE was responsible for introducing suicide bombers to the world, cyanide usage and scores of other guerilla tactics now employed by various terrorist groups in the world.

Samy Vellu and Tamil Malaysians also forgot that LTTE was responsible for the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi, A Sri lankan President, nearly killed the Sri lankan Prime Minister and not to mention, nearly 30,000 soldiers and civilians (both Tamils and Sinhalese) in the last 2 decades. It is said that the Lankan soldier killed more than 50,000 Tamils.

Samy Vellu was a minister when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE suicide bomber in Tamil Nadu and he, with fellow Tamil Malaysian expressed their outrage, condemned the violence and expressed their sympathy to the Indian government then. He and fellow Tamil Malaysians seems to have forgotten all that now.

Tamil Malaysians and the likes of Samy Vellu appears failed to weigh and judge what is right or wrong in Sri Lankan war as RACE and RACIAL interest and nothing else clouded their mind, judgement and mass murderer Prabakaran is now a Tamil Warrior.

IPF, MIC, HINDRAF, MINDRAF, MMSP, UMIP, coming soon ...LTMI

2009-05-20T15:27:00.006+01:00

Malaysia has yet another new political party, read here

Like everyone else, except for these party members, I am sceptical about their ability to garner support. Their purpose is again to demand equal rights to Indians Malaysians in the country, no different from MIC, IPF, MIUP, formed by Anwar's former tennis buddy, Nalakaruppan.

Uthayakumar, the stubborn Hindraf leader, also seen as the most influential, mentioned several times that he may launch another party. This leaves the Indian Malaysians, the biggest minority, with the most number of political parties in the country.

Feedback from ground suggest that this party is unlikely to capture the imagination of Indian Malaysian and likely to fade into oblivion in just few years. The party president was once accused by fellow Hindraf leader as a spy from special branch sent to infiltrate Hindraf during its active days and was reportedly completely detached from the other 4 HINDRAF detainees while on ISA. This party, Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP), claims Thanenthiran, will seek dialogue and support from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat it seems. Thanenthiran's statement that they are open to receiving funds from anyone clearly reflects that MMSP has no principles whatsoever. They are there with some agenda and money ‘talks’, according to them.

I see this as an influence from Tamil Nadu, India where there are possibly hundreds of parties, including those reigned by Movie Stars, which many see as an abuse of democracy and a waste. Political parties in India has a tough time garnering support and establishing power base due to constant shift of preference by the electorate. Political parties there are no longer relying on the ideology as they vote margins are so thin that they no longer preach about or promote their ideology in the open.

For example, the Chief minister of Tamil Nadu is pronounced atheist but these values are not promoted by his party's (DMK) as their major vote bank are Hindus and while their hardcore supporters are also atheist, majority supporters are from various faith. DMK’s major ally in the state government is a Muslim party. All these parties change their allegiance every other elections as long as there is something for them, hence you see a Hindu party form coalition with a communist and Muslim party. Strange but true, so the odd partnership in Pakatan Rakyat (DAP + PAS) is nothing compared to what is happening in India.

These mosquito Indian Malaysian parties appear to be doing the same. They have no ideology, principles or values whatsoever. Hindraf, though not a political party was supposed to defend Hindu Rights but their actions thus far are nowhere near the values of the religion. They blame everybody for all the ills faced by the Indian Malaysian community but fail to admonish weaknesses, mistakes and misadventure by the very Hindus they claim to be defending. They just 'close one eye'.

Their determination is to defend all things Indian or Hindu, no matter that the roots cause of many of the issues highlighted are Indian Malaysians themselves, example; building illegal temples which is not required/requested by anyone on land belonging to others. They also could not care less if people of other races are suffering too. For them poor Indians deserve attention more than any poor from other races.

Other Indian champions like Manikavasagam, Manoharan and 'the bus stopper' Gobalakrishnan knew that these new political parties are not likely to win people's support and that their own non-Indian majority voters will ditch them soon enough if they choose to move to any of these mosquito parties. They are playing safe although it is likely that they will provide their moral support or in Gobalakrishnan's case, his expertise in identifying vehicles carrying phantom voters during elections.

This new party will definitely put some pressure on Pakatan Rakyat especially PKR. PKR won many of the seats with thin majority and it is thought that Indian votes made the difference. PKR and their leaders promised the moon to Indian Malaysians during the campaigns but so far, not much has been delivered, something that HINDRAF leaders complained and acknowledged. It is also on this premise that Utayakumar and brother Waytamoorthy may shift their attention to focus on formation of a new political party rather than relying on PKR.

Pakatan Rakyat, who is in power in 4 (and sometimes 5) states, failed to implement any major policies or blueprint addressing issues highlighted or rather demanded by HINDRAF or Indians Malaysian in general. Once in power, they realised that they can't simply give away land for schools and temples, although land comes under the state government. Having interacted with people in Selangor, support for Pakatan Rakyat is declining though they are certainly not running towards MIC.

PKR and DAP's multiracial approach will not endear them to Hindraf and if they (PKR) openly and loudly show support to any Hindraf related organisation or political parties, they are likely to lose support from the non-Indians, as they have been seeing a decline of Malay support recently. They will definitely thread cautiously and would not want to be seen associated with any of these race based party or risk their multiracial policies and approach ring hollow with the electorates.

In summary, Indian Malaysians continued to be treated as idiots by their so-called leaders. These leaders are convinced that Indian Malaysian are dumb enough to easily change their allegiance often enough from one party to another, perhaps due to their exposure to Indian politics, as soon as they see something attractive without looking at the background, track record and principles of these leaders.

Soon enough, there will be more parties named after some prominent political parties in India, examples; Malaysian Indian Communist Party, Malaysian Indian Muslim League, Malaysian Indian Darividian Party, Malaysian Indian Anna Daravidian Party.

If everythings else fails, we may see the emergence of Liberation Tigers Of Malaysian Indians Party (LTMI) or Malaysian Indian Liberation Tigers, taking Malaysian Indians where LTTE failed.

My personal experience and interactions with Indian Malaysians confirms many times over that Middle and lower class Indian Malaysians are easily influenced, as evidenced greatly by their confusion with their own religion and cultural practises,

They will continuously be used by various parties due to their own weaknesses, something that no single Indian Malaysian leader has come forward to admit or acknowledge.

Malaysiakini's 'about Us'

2009-05-08T17:40:00.004+01:00

This letter by one Mart Garbera caught my attention. While many condemn newspapers and online portals based on their contents, Mart chose to comment and condemn Malaysiakini based on it's 'about us' entry.

Mart says "I was about to join your ‘famous' website but declined because of your boasts and those who awarded your website are one of the same - subjugated, enslaved, Western-induced weak brains.

I have a million more to write to both of you but please publish these questions to see if you ‘really' practice justice, human rights, democracy, freedom of speech and good governance. Let your supporters see what you people think who you are.

Your claims in your About Us and my simple, soft rebuttals and challenges are as follows:

Of Lawyers, (il)Legal Fees & Liberalisation

2009-04-28T06:40:00.006+01:00

Do read the below statement by Bar Council President on Government’s recent decision to allow foreign legal firm to practice in Malaysia.

In summary, the Bar Council is unhappy with government’s move to allow foreign legal firms to enter Malaysian Market.

Ragunath says “The Bar Council’s position is that a managed system of liberalisation, in which foreign law firms are required to enter into joint ventures with Malaysian law firms, represents the best of both worlds as the Malaysian Bar has, amongst its members, sufficient practitioners with expertise in the area of Islamic Finance at an international level. Foreign law firms are able to tap into the Malaysian law firm’s knowledge of domestic laws, regulations and business environment, while Malaysian law firms are able to access knowledge of new legal/financial products. This reflects a “win-win” situation that would augur well for an orderly liberalisation of the domestic legal services market. The Bar Council has made known to the Government its preference for this method of liberalisation since November 2004, and has even prepared the relevant amendments and rules and regulations, and is therefore extremely disappointed that the views of BNM have prevailed”

Ragunath claims that Malaysian law firms have necessary expertise and want foreign firm to enter partnership with local firm. Why would any foreign firm want to do this as this would not give them a free hand to operate in Malaysia and what is the difference then as it is the same as the requirement to have 30% Bumiputra equity.

With the level of services that local law firms provide, who wants to partner them anyway!

Ragunath also claims that “Malaysian Bar has, amongst its members, sufficient practitioners with expertise in the area of Islamic Finance at an international level”. Then what is Bar Council afraid of then?

If foreign firm wants to tap into knowledge of domestic laws, regulations and business environment, they can just hire local lawyers with the right skills and expertise. They should be free and welcomed to do that and not forced into partnership with local firms. I think to Bar Council, liberalisation means open up a bit but they still wants control and monopoly.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually my recent experience with one of the law firm prompted me to write this post and it was even more relevant when reading the statement by the newly minted Bar Council President.

I purchased an apartment way back in 2002 and paid hefty legal fees in RM thousands for the services of the legal firm appointed as panel lawyers for the property. When asked why the fees are high considering the work involved is just standard preparation of documents without any need for legal advise, counsel or even heroic argument in court, the answer from the learned lawyer was ' the fees are fixed and in accordance with the value of property'.

When highlighted that this is unfair as the work involved (some standard clerical document preparation work) has nothing to do with the value of the property, the lawyer then said that the fees are approved by the Bar Council and cannot be changed. When asked if he can reduce the fees upon request, the esteemed lawyer gave a straight faced answer, we don't do discounts as it is not allowed, again by the Bar Council.

Recently I was surprised to receive 2 notices from the same lawyer. One is for “Perfection Of Transfer ‘ and another for “Perfection of Charge’ which is basically for me to obtain release of Strata Title from the authorities. Being a gullible Malaysian, I was not aware of this requirement, the transfer of strata title. The lawyer who received thousands of Ringgit years ago failed to advise me on the impending transfer and not to mention, another huge legal fees.

As it was before I, was asked to pay few thousand Ringgits as legal fees, again for some standard piece of paper work.

The breakdown are as follows

Memorandum of Transfer RM 400
Service Tax RM 20
Strata Title Search RM 60
Application Fee & CTC Strata Title RM 100
CTC Blanket Consent RM 50
Adjudication FEE RM 10
Registration fee of MOT RM 120
Registration Fee – Consent RM 30
Transport Charges R M 120
Printing, Xerox, Telephone, Fax RM 75
MISC & Incidentals RM 50
Total RM 1035

Memorandum Of Charge RM 400
Consent to Charge RM 300
Master & Strata Title RM 60
Stamp Duty on MOC RM 40
Registration Fee MOC RM 120
Application Fee Consent to Charge RM 50
CTC Strata Title RM 50
Registration Consent to Charge RM 30
Purchase of Charge Doc RM 200
Transportation Charges RM 120
Printing, Xerox, Telephone, Fax RM 50
MISC & Incidentals RM 50
Total RM 1610

Grand Total RM 2645

When questioned on the charges, the clerk answered that the fees are determined based on the value of the property as approved by the BAR Council. If you notice, none of these documents involved any intervention from the lawyer except for maybe their signature. And the lawyer was nowhere to be seen.

How is this fair that fees for a simple piece of clerical work is charged based on the value of the property? What property value got to do with the simple administrative work?

They just use standard documents (they even charge us for the documents) and they do not for example, hold copyrights for authoring the documents. This is a simple piece of clerical work but the charges are anything but fair or reasonable.

Any technology involved? hmm.. just Microsoft word and mail merge function will do the job. What about Human Capital, a PMR/SRP qualified clerk can do the job.

They even charge RM 50, 00 for transportation when as the property/bank panel lawyer, they would have been using a messenger to do the same for more than one client. Just imagine if the lawyer acts for 500 owners in the same apartment project. He would made RM 25,000 for just adding RM 50.00 for transportation on top of his other (il)legal fees and another RM 25,000 for MISC and Incidental charges, which is never explained even if you insist.

By Charging, say RM 2000, this particular lawyer would have made at least a Million Ringgit for rendering these so called professional clerical services if he does the same work for 500 apartment owners in the same project since he is the panel lawyer.

This particular lawyer just sent us the notice by normal post and when we called them, they mentioned that the documents were not ready therefore, asked us to wait for their call. The call never came, and we had to make a total of 5 calls to chase them as we did not want to miss the deadline and end up paying penalty. We had to go their office to sign the documents and yet we are charged for telephone calls and transportation.

This is not the case of this particular lawyer only. The same happened with two other transactions with 2 different law firms. In terms of service, it always us, the clients, who chase the lawyers for follow ups when it should be the other way around. And they claim that they are professionals!

What a way to make money. If this is not daylight robbery, I don't know what is and how are they different from KL taxi drivers who overcharge. At least I know now that I chose the wrong profession.

Legal fees should take consideration of risk involved vs rewards eg how many of such S & P or property related transactions have ended up as dispute in court and how many lawyer were fined or even jailed etc due to errors etc.

And I was reliably informed that lawyers are not allowed to give discounts on fees. This is certainly to prevent competition and all lawyers can safely charge exorbitant fee approved by Bar Council.

Why is Bar Council afraid of competition? If you can’t even allow competition domestically, don’t talk about liberalization or competing at global stage.

When Bar Council espouses protectionism and disallows competition, stop talking about NEP, Quotas, level playing field, WTO and Free Trade!

When their fees and charges are anything but fair and just, don’t talk about justice, judiciary etc

When your own clients are not treated fairly, don’t preach about fairness.

When your services are anything but professional or world class, don’t complain when foreign firm are allowed to practice in Malaysia.

At the end of the statement, Ragunath says “The Government must address domestic market issues and ensure that such policies are also abolished if there is to be true liberalisation of the legal services market in Malaysia. There is no point making Malaysia welcoming to foreigners if we have not yet put our own house in order.

Can Bar council do exactly the same, solve this unjust overcharging, poor level of service and put your house in order or if not, just allow foreigners to come in. I certainly think that opening will the legal services market will only do good for long suffering Malaysians.

Malaysian Indians and Their Attitude Towards Education.

2009-04-10T04:13:00.017+01:00

I received this from felow 'right thinking Indian Malaysian'

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Why Education?

The words 'cultivate' and 'civilize' are almost synonymous to the word 'educate'.

Education is important as it teaches us the right behaviour, the good manners thus making us civilized. It teaches us how to lead our lives.

Education is the basis of culture and civilization. It is instrumental in the development of our values and virtues.

Education cultivates us into mature individuals, individuals capable of planning for our futures and taking the right decisions.

Education arms us with an insight to look at our lives and learn from every experience.

The future of a nation is safe in the hands of educated individuals. Education is important for the economic growth of a nation. It fosters principles of equality and socialism.

Education forms a support system for talents to excel in life. It is the backbone of society.

Why Malaysian Indians has failed to master the education??

Why the Tamil schools are in terrible condition?

Poverty?

Lack of support from government?

Because of their own mentality?

Importance given to Temples against Tamil school!

Look these cases and judge you self !

Case 1

Maran Marathandavar Temple

But, what about Maran Marathandavar Tamil school?

Given the same care?

Maran Marathandavar Tamil school

Case 2

Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple, Seremban (Negeri Sembilan)

But, this is faith of Lukut Tamil school which located not far from
Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple, Seremban (Negeri Sembilan).

A School with...
No playground.
No canteen.
No library.
Only school in shop lot house.

SJKT LDG Sungai Salak, Lukut, Negeri Sembilan

Why this school is in such condition?
Are the people of Seremban lack of funds?

Think!

Case 3

Sri Bala Subramaniar Swamy Temple Port Klang.

SJK (T) Tepi Sungai, Klang

Case 4

Aiyanaar Temple , Ulu Sepetang. Taiping

SJKT Kg Jebong Lama -Taiping

SJK (T) Kampung Jebong Lama in Simpang may have the smallest "class" in the country.

The 74-year-old school has three containers donated by former Kuala Sepetang assemblyman Datuk Siew Kok Kan ..

(Donated by MCA, not even by MIC, Hindraf or people of Taiping).

Pupils can only do so until 11am as the heat gets unbearable after that.

Enough is Enough!

Stop blaming the government!
Stop the street demonstration!

Stop the stupidity

News Clip : Pakatan Rakyat MP asking for funds for school

Pictures from various sources featured.

END----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FACT : There are about 15,000 temples & shrines in Malaysia and about 560 Tamil Schools.

For those who are not aware, estimated cost for each temple illustrated above or those similar found elsewhere are at least RM I million, at least!!

There are are many other examples. Even recently, it was reported that there are 15 temples in Bukit Selambau while at the same time reports suggests that there are still people, especially Indians living in horrendous condition and some even without electricity or water!

It’s the same in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur where temples continues to be enlarged while Indians continue to live in squatters.

Even at Batu Caves temple, they spent close to RM 2 Million for the giant Murugan statue (above) but they appears to have conveniently overlooked the fact that the Batu Caves Tamil School, built on the Batu Caves temple land lacks the funds to maintain it's facilities. Example, the library is a digrace, the toilets are filthy and school children sit on 'mamak stall' plastic chairs. This year they are still seeking donations to build extra classes and other facilities.

The

I know that I may be seen as insensitive for saying the following, but I don't care bacause these are facts.

FACT : God never asked Indians to built 15,000 temples and shrines, more so by building on land belonging to others.

FACT : Unlike muslims, it is never a must to go to temples to pray.

FACT : So-called Hindus in Malaysia go to temples praying for economic prosperity.

FACT : So-called Hindus in Malaysia even prays to pass in exams

FACT : So-called Hindus in Malaysia shaves their head for some reason or the other.

FACT : So-called Hindus in Malaysia have numerous festivals in temples (minimum 8 a year) spending a fortune collectively, for better well being, prosperity, peace for themselves and the country.

FACT : So-called Hindus in Malaysia carry Kavadis' bearing Liverpool and Manchester United Images for Thaipusam.

FACT : So-called Hindus in Malaysia spends a lot on religious items, 4-D Numbers, booze, tamil movie VCDs but you can hardly find books at their homes.

FACT : Indian Malaysians claim that they are still poor.

FACT : Indians Malaysian claims that they are systematically marginalised

FACT : Indian Malaysian claims that they are discriminated.

QUESTIONs :

If GOD is happy with all the above prayers and practises and thousands of temples build in his(GOD) name, why is that the GOD failed to answer their prayers (for peace, prosperity, success ) for almost a century?

WHY are they still struggling as they claim now.

WHY they claim that they are systematically marginalised

WHY they claim that they are discriminated.

WHY high number of them are involved in crime

WHY are they turning to MIC, HINDRAF, DAP and PKR to solve their problems

In summary, despite all daily, weekly and yearly prayers, festivals, sacrifices the suffering and difficulties, WHY GOD failed the Indians/Hindus in Malaysia?

ANSWERS :

1. GOD never asked anyone to built temples everywhere

2. GOD never asked anyone to hold prayers, festivals, sacrifices etc, (these are all man made practises) if they are unable or can't afford to do so.

and finally

3. GOD never helps anyone who don't help themselves.

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I have stopped giving donations to temples long time ago and I know the god will not be angry. I realised that donations to temples would not in anyway help the community. I urge everyone to stop doing so and contribute instead to education.

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I am glad that this was circulated widely but unsure if those hardcore MIC, Hindraf, DAP & PKR supporters have the capacity to THINK rationally.

Pakatan must disassociate itself from Hindraf

2009-04-03T10:14:00.003+01:00

From Malaysiakini.com/letters

Anak Bangsa Malaysia | Apr 3, 09 4:24pm
I refer to the Malaysiakini report, Hindraf to back PKR's Manikumar.
Hindraf has disgraced itself by acting like a spoilt brat in Bukit Selambau just because PKR did not choose the Hindraf coordinator as their candidate.
For a movement which is supposedly apolitical, Hindraf leaders now want political rewards and positions for themselves.
Bukit Selambau is a mixed seat with 50% Malays, 30% Indians and 20% Chinese. To have any chance of winning, a candidate must garner the support of all races, not just the Indians.
For PKR to field a Hindraf man would be a disaster as the 70% of the non-Indians have no reason to vote for the representative of an ethnocentric movement with a one-race agenda.
Knowing that the Bukit Selambau by-election is an acid test for Samy Vellu which will determine whether the MIC strongman’s political fortunes rise or fall, Hindraf still insists on not assisting in a PKR win.
If MIC’s candidate wins this by-election, it will give Samy Vellu a new lease of political life but Hindraf will cheer his victory just to spite Anwar while the Indian community will be the loser.
Compare Hindraf’s attitude with Nicholas Bawin who still works tirelessly for a PKR win in Batang Ai even though he was not selected as candidate despite being the frontrunner.
This is a man who cares about his community more than personal rewards for himself unlike the self-serving leaders of Hindraf.
Hindraf’s self-serving attitude is best illustrated by the Hindraf Penang deputy coordinator’s statement that Indians continue to be marginalised under the Pakatan Rakyat states which he justified by saying:
‘Only in Perak, some Hindraf leaders were appointed as members of village committees and municipal councillors. But no Hindraf leaders or supporters were appointed to any position in other Pakatan states’.
Apparently, to satisfy Hindraf’s criteria, only Hindraf Indians appointed to positions of power and responsibility count, not any ordinary Indian.
So V Sivakumar as Perak assembly speaker or Dr D Jayakumar as Selangor exco member don’t count because they are not from Hindraf.
Seeing everything through a racial lens is bad enough but Hindraf now wants to go one step further and see everything through a Hindraf racial lens.
It is obvious that Hindraf is another MIC in the making, championing personal advancement instead of the Indian community.
This sort of attitude just makes me sick. Pakatan Rakyat should speedily disassociate itself from Hindraf as a movement with a racist one-race agenda has no place in its vision of a new colour-blind Malaysia.
In any case, Hindraf is a floundering organisation with little influence left as the results of the Bukit Selambau by-election will show.

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Only now people realise the true colours of people associated with Hindraf and Makkal Sakhti.

They are racist and selfish bunch of losers who have no ability to think rationally. They believe in being pampered and wants government to spoon feed them to the extend that they do not want Indians to work hard.

Anwar, knowing their foolishness, took advantage in the last general elections and now must have regretted that they are nothing but bunch of selfish racist who does not subscibe to PKR's so-called multi-racial approach.

Anwar should also realise that the Indian bunch in PKR, who are sympathetic to Hindraf, are no better. These people, like Kalaivanar, wants nothing but positions and status, and eventually money. They are no different from jokers from MIC.

With so many independent in Bukit Selambau, expect PKR votes to be taken away and BN may benefit. V Arumugam, the former ADUN, did not do much there, so there's not much track record to speak of.

Now that Najib has decided to release two of the more harmless of the Hindraf 5, let's see how Hindraf and Anwar reacts.

For first timers, do read my take on Hindraf here, here and here

CAT, The Pakatan Rakyat Way

2009-03-24T10:07:00.003Z

Pakatan Rakyat promised quite a bit with their CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) philosophy. Penang Chief Minister appears to be the CAT main flag bearer with constant use of CAT in his speeches and press conferences. While it sounds good when heard, Pakatan has generally failed to live up to their promises, both in their actions and words. It's no different with other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, often blaming BN government of not being competent, transparent or accountable, most of the time without any evidence in their speeches, ceramah etc.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister

There were numerous rumors and sms flying around on DCM's Fairus impending resignation. When asked, Lim Guan Eng either refused to comment or have been lying by saying that Fairus is still the DCM. He further asked reporters to ask Anwar Ibrahim on the issue. The question is who appointed Fairus as DCM, isn't it Lim? Lim has the right to pass the buck to Anwar if Fairus is quitting his PKR related positions, but appointment of DCM is CM's prerogative and he should be TRANSPARENT and ACCOUNTABLE if the DCM is resigning.

He also passed the buck to Anwar when asked for reasons for Fairus to resign. Anwar, for all his CAT rhetoric, and knowing that Malaysians, especially his supporters, are stupid and dumb enough, says that Fairus quit to further his studies. Hmm..perhaps only real cats will buy that as a concrete reason for resignation from a second highest position in the state government.

Stories from PKR circles indicates that Fairus is not COMPETENT enough to undertake the role of Deputy Chief Minister, hence the question, if Lim simply took directives from Anwar on appointments from PKR, then he should not be talking about COMPETENCY! If Lim thinks that Anwar has made the wrong choice and tarnished the new state governments image, will Anwar be made ACCOUNTABLE.

Asset Declaration

As another move to be TRANSPARENT, Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, supported by even Sultan of Selangor, finally fulfilled their promise to publicly declare their assets. Although the eagerly awaited the declaration was delayed, it was finally put up on the state's website, much to the delight of their supporters.

It was discovered that the so-called asset declaration was nothing more than an income declaration. The Excos merely listed their income since assuming office in March 2008 and listed some of their debt/loans and nothing more than that. Any civil servants will be able to tell you that information on Exco's salary, allowance and perks are widely available in public domain, hence the question whether Pakatan Rakyat is really sincere about their promise to be TRANSPARENT.

None of the Excos listed any of the inheritance, properties or shares held. Khalid cited security as the reason not to do so. Are they, the Excos hold much more than what they have declared to be so worried about their security? I think even the Sultan would have been disappointed Pakatan Rakyat's brand of TRANSPARENCY.

Penang's Non-Declaration!

It must be noted that the CAT flag bearer, CM Lim Guan Eng promised the same, actually probably the first one to promise so immediately after taking office, had till today failed to let the CAT out of the bag. Lim has cited another cattish excuse, no proper asset declaration form to fill and that he is still waiting for Federal Government's standard form. Anyone, except for maybe die-hard Pakatan Rakyat supporters, knows that asset declaration is basically listing all assets, liabilities , income etc in one sheet of paper. Is this a difficult thing to do, especially since the esteemed Chief Minister is an Accountant himself, I wonder..

Bukit Selambau

Another controversy to hit Pakatan Rakyat is the resignation of Bukit Selambau Adun and Exco, V Arumugam. When asked on rumors that he had resigned, the Menteri Besar initially refused to comment and denied knowledge of Arumugam's resignation, saying that Arumugam is not contactable. The later, the Menteri Besar confirms that he received resignation letter, now through a third party. To avoid the damage, PKR claimed that Arumugam and his family have been harassed by BN to cross over and apparently BN people even threatened to kidnap his daughter. If his life is threatened as claimed, he should have requested Police protection for himself and family.

As it has turned out, Arumugam has apparently had personal problems on his and his wife's marital status which can bring about embarrassment to the party and state government. On the other hand, Tamil newspapers ran stories that it was actually Hindraf/Makkal Sakhti people are the ones who were threatening Arumugam and not BN, over some broken promises since Hindraf supported Arumugam during the elections.

Anyone who understands the power equation in Kedah would instantly know that it is virtually impossible to persuade or even buy Pakatan candidates to cross over to BN. Only foolish supporters will believe PKR's various unsubstantiated stories, and yet, there no shortage of believers in Pakatan Rakyat.

Menteri Besar Azizan, Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat failed to come clean on Arumugam's resignation. They failed to ask Arumugam to be ACCOUNTABLE for his actions and they themselves are not TRANSPARENT when explaining Arumugam's resignation Their convenient way out is to blame BN as Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar clearly know that there are a huge group of supporters who will believe whatever their leader say. As per Pakatan Rakyat law books, it's ok if there are no evidence to implicate BN, just say it loud and say it repeatedly, gullible Malaysians will believe.

Anwar's September 16 Lie

Need I say more.. Has he been even ACCOUNTABLE to his own fanatical supporters by explaining the failure to take over the federal government after numerous public promises?

Mr Lim Guan Eng, Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat leaders, my suggestion is stop the CAT rhetorics since you know that you can't live up to expectation and leave the preaching, perhaps, to your cat at home, if you have one. It's no different than 'Bersih, Cekap & Amanah'...

Malaysia’s 60Bil Stimulus Package – Layman’s Reaction

2009-03-12T08:57:00.002Z

For many, the figure did come as a surprise and layman like me expected lots of goodies as the term ‘Mini Budget’ was used all too regularly. For many Malaysians, the word budget by government will always raise a question, what’s in for me.

Let’s go through the key elements in the 60 Billion package through a layman’s worldview and perception.

Reactions in bold
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Highlights of RM60b stimulus plan (reactions in bold)

• RM15 billion fiscal injection;

Have no clue how this affects man on the street.

• RM25 billion guarantee funds;

Only employers benefit in a way to save their businesses. This may not necessarily mean that the employers will retain their employees.

• RM10 billion equity investments;

Again, not sure how does this directly help normal ‘Rakyat’

• RM7 billion private finance initiative and off-budget projects;

New LCCT at KLIA, upgrade of Penang, Airport, electricity for rural areas, broadband centres. New LCCT Airport development may have some multiplier effect on a broad scale; otherwise the rest of the initiatives may only benefit people in the locality.

• RM3 billion tax incentives;

These are beneficial to troubled employers and not employees. Everyone knows that taxes are for those whose income is taxable, what about those who are not. Benefits to employers may not necessarily translate to retaining of staff, their pay, allowances or overtime.

• Unemployment rate in 2009 to jump to 4.5 per cent from 3.7 per cent in 2008;

Despite all the measures above, the government still thinks unemployment rate will go higher. That tells me that the government is conceding that they are unable to stop retrenchment from happening.

• RM700 million allocated to create 163,000 new jobs;

This is related to job creation, training and re-training by government and GLC’s. I wonder how GLCs are going to bear the cost when they themselves are struggling to contain their overheads. As for government, they keep saying jobs are available but many do not know where, what position etc. More information would be helpful.

• House buyers given tax relief on interest paid on housing loans up to RM10,000 a year for three years;

How many people in the medium and low income group are going to buy houses now and how these incentives will help?

• Additional RM200 million for public low-cost housing scheme for low-income earners;

Sure it does help in terms of creating multiplier effect but not much detail available on how this will be implemented. Open tenders are welcomed but not restricted tenders made available to Class F contractors from ‘you know who’ will restrict the beneficiary to a select few. If people are jobless, how are they expected to buy or rent these houses except of course if they are available for free for a certain period.

• RM1.6 billion fund to promote investments;

No clue what is it this all about although they say it is related to projects under the 9th Malaysian Plan. I thought projects under the 9th malaysian plan has been budgetted for already!

• RM200 million to repair and maintain roads and drains;

The allocation is certainly low considering the condition of drains and roads in the country. A lucky draw may be required to determine which town or city would benefit from this.

• RM150 million for renovation, maintenance and repairs to welfare homes, fire and rescue stations, firemen living quarters and public toilets in mosques,suraus and tourist spots;

No complaints here, but where are these funds going?

• Government to issue syariah-compliant Savings Bonds amounting to RM5 billion this year;

This is for people who has money to spare, what about those who don’t. It may well end up benefiting the rich so that they can be richer!

• RM1.95 billion to build and upgrade facilities in 752 schools, particularly in rural areas, Sabah and Sarawak of which RM300 million will be used to improve facilities in government-aided religious schools, Chinese and Tamil schools and mission schools;

We have heard enough on allocation for schools from 2009 budget and the 7 Billion package last year and also through mock cheques paraded by BN during by-elections. Until today, no one appears to know which schools are benefiting from the allocation.

• RM230 million allocated to increase electricity supply coverage and water supply in rural areas particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

It’s about time that BN please the East Malaysians

• RM350 million allocated for rural road construction.

Ditto

• Retrenched workers’ tax-exempt compensation raised to RM10,000 for each year of service from RM6,000 previously;

Again, this is mainly targeted at retrenched workers whose income is taxable. Nothing for groups who are not taxable.

• To raise windfall profit levy on oil palm to RM2,500 per tonne for Peninsular Malaysia and to RM3,000 per tonne for Sabah and Sarawak;

It helps our plantation conglomerates and not necessarily translates into benefits for their workers.

• To raise state investment firm Khazanah Nasional’s investment funds by RM10 billion.

I can safely say that Khazanah will pick up more stocks from performing companies and I wonder how that benefits the public in the short term. It may help to prop up KLSE, but hey, the layman doesn’t care less.

• Effective April 1, levy payment rate to be reduced to 0.5 per cent from one per cent for all employees for a two-year period;

This helps employers and not necessarily translates into benefits for their workers. Moreover the sum is quite small.

• Additional RM200 million for the Automotive Development Fund;

Not much detail were provided, therefore it would not be wrong to assume that this will go to Proton to help them from going under, yet again.

• Government to assist in the auto scrapping scheme for Proton and Perodua-- a discount of
RM5,000 will be given to car owners who trade in their cars which are at least 10 years old to buy new Proton and Perodua cars;

Another lifeline for Proton, but how many people are going to buy or change cars at a time where income is diminished and loans are hard to get!

• Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to build and operate a new low-cost airport at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport estimated to cost RM2 billion;
• RM250 million to expand Penang International Airport;
• A 50 per cent rebate on landing charges will be given for two years effective April 1 to all airlines that operate from Malaysia.

Discount on landing charges may only help to stem losses faced by MAS, Air Asia and other airlines operating from KLIA. I wonder how these airlines would get the rebates if the plane doesn’t take off at all due to cut in flights and demand.

Summary

For the man in the street, this mini budget is a disappointment. I personally cannot see how most of the measures would help man in the street.

For a financial experts and armchair analysts (majority of whom have been proven wrong many times over) , it may sound good to prop up the stock market and help listed companies but the government have to realise that majority Malaysians are employed in non-listed companies.

When what is needed most at this stage is spending, government is encouraging people to save!

Most employment opportunities are created by or through government agencies and GLC’s. This will only weight down their own budget and bottom lines. As it is most GLCs are struggling to manage their cost and have downgraded their revenue prospects for this year.

As for tax relief for employers who recruit retrenched employees, it may only work very much later in the year or next year when the situation improves. Again, tax exemptions can only be claimed the next year. What about the current year where the employer will still have to pay salaries etc. This may pose cash flow problems and at the moment, not many are employing in the first place.

Training and SME entrepreneur development programs will take time to realise its objectives.

Whatever happened to suggestions that would immediately help the man in the street such as temporary tax reduction for individuals, reduction of employers EPF contribution, reduction of sales tax, duties for vehicles and abolition or reduction of tolls, further subsidy of transportation, lower electricity, cooking oil and even petrol.

The government also did not say where the 60 Billion would come from and how does this fit into the 7 Billion package, 2009 budget and also the 9th Malaysia Plan.

There are also no implementation timeline provided or even indicated. With 3 quarters left to go, time is of essence and if the government and civil servants are not serious in implmenting some critical projects, we might as well, like Singapore, admit that we are in recession. Let's not be in denial.

By the way, what happened to the 7 billion package. This is where the problem lies. Nice to announce, what about implementation and who are the beneficiaries. Can the government be transparent and list down projects in detail; who where what?

It would at least give the rakyat some confidence. Releasing statement that 80% of the funds have been disbursed is remains just that, a statement. Nowadays, statements are no longer adequate, show us the money!

In summary, these measures are not going to help us stem the recession at all. I foresee that Malaysia will slip into recession in the second quarter itself. Want to bet?

FOUND : Solution For ‘Long Suffering’ Indian Malaysians.

2009-03-04T09:47:00.001Z

Although I am known to be adverse to HINDRAF and Indian raced based politics, politicians, some stupid traditions they practice etc, being a Malaysian, I would like to share something that I have discovered that can solve most problems faced by Indian Malaysians.

Hindu Sangam, Hindraf, MIC, IPF, PPP, Indian (or rather Tamil) Heroes in PKR and DAP should read this and passed around to their supporters and be ready to close shop as they would not be relevant anymore. There is no stopping other Malaysians to try this out as long as they can understand little Tamil.

Muslims, with respect, are not encouraged to participate unless you are prepared to face the wrath of the authorities.

There is this organization called Rajayoga Power Transcendental Meditation, (RPT) run by one “His Divine Grace Dato’ Seri Guruji” .

What is RPT? (Taken from their official website)

RPT claims that they are the only organization which focuses on the art of holding and utilizing maximum amount of pranic energy in our body through pranayama practice (breathing skill) and guiding towards material and spiritual enhancement in a human life.

What is PRANIC ENERGY? Pranic energy is the ultimate energy that keeps the entire universe operating in a very organized manner. The energy that is operating the universe is the basic energy from which all types of energies are derived.

This is the only energy which keeps the universe and all its animate and inanimate objects "alive". Organic and inorganic cycles are also operating based on this subtle energy. To penetrate the art of holding and accumulating the energy in our body totally rests in the hand of the Master. As for RPT, the Divine Master have mastered this art and has possessed the ability to transmit and convey the skills to disciples and only then will an individual be able to utilize this pranic energy to achieve success in both material and spiritual. This ability is achievable by everyone irregardless of race, religion and nationality. This empowering process is done through a particular discipline, which is the Rajayoga.

Apparently it would just require participation of one day course and follow through with a 5-10 minutes of practice everyday. That’s all

Those who are practicing this yogic power have seen success in the following areas:

Health
• General well being
• Complete self healing
• Ability to heal others
• Youthful appearance
Self Development
• Increased mental alertness
• Increased creativity
• Increased self confidence
• Strong intuition
• Ability to remove mental blocks and weaknesses
• Increased efficiency and better time management
Family
• Family unity
• Better communication with spouse and children
Career
• Increased career development
• More career opportunities and advancement
• Better inter-personal communication
Finance
• Increased earning capacity
• Financial freedom
Spirituality
• Self realization and a sense of purpose in life by doing meditation

Testimonials

“I’m Mrs. XXXX, before joining this course I was financially down and therefore was excusing myself from attending the course. Soon later I managed to take this course and trust me, I’m doing very well in my career and have been selected and awarded with the best actress title and now I’m financially stable and managed to get a new car and I’m extremely happy to see such a fast progress in my life after attaining this yogic energy from this course and all my gratitude goes to His Divine Grace. This feels like a mini Thaipusam (Indian religious celebration) because this has attracted such a huge crowd. This is only possible today because of the love from His Divine Grace to the disciples”
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“After attaining this yogic energy I have started to do business, improved my financial status and now I have got my own new van. All these achievements, improvements, happiness were achieved after being the disciple of His Divine Grace. I would also say that my meditation have boosted my energy, protected me from various harms and this is also the secret to my success. Meeting His Divine Grace is the happiest moment and that itself motivates me to achieve more in my life.”

END -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

In summary, RPT can solve all the problems faced by human beings, more so in the time of economic crisis.The bad news , however, is that looking at the benefits as a result of attending this course, some jobs, sectors, and industries would no longer be needed and many would be out of job.. They are doctors, hospitals, marriage counselors/lawyers, job agencies, Communication consultants, Training consultants, Beau & Anti-Aging Centres, Limkokwing University, political parties, politicians and some others, indirectly.

Maybe people from these sectors should also attend the course to improve their well being once they are out of job.

Reality : Indian Malaysians Conned Again!

A person known to me has been taken in by this man's (His Divine Grace ) blatant brain washing, black magic and other tricks employed during the courses, that he has been ignoring his wife, kids and parents. He spent a fortune for related courses by RPT and as a result is currently saddled with huge debt.

He proudly claims that he can drink weed killers, poison and eat glasses with the powers accorded by the Guruji. This has been going on for many years and he is still in debt. He even places Guruji above anyone else, including his mother. I believe he is not the only one.

It was reported that there were thousands who came for his birthday last Sunday at Batu Caves, a venue headed by the Head of Hindu Council . He was accorded traditional welcome usually reserved for deities. Followers treated him like a god and many profess openly that he is the god’s reincarnation. He is said to be able to vanish into thin air during his courses and display many magical tricks.

Thousands of Indian Malaysians are gullible enough to believe him. His followers appears to be in a spell, obsessed and can't think for themselves. And not surprisingly many of them are well educated. People even believe that food blessed by him can cure ailments and there were instances where he blesses the food served out in the open from his Mercedes, imagine how stupid Indian Malaysians has become.

What appears to be result of participants hard work, good luck and concrete achievements are attributed to Guruji without evidence or logic by these followers.

RM 140 Million

I was told Courses run from RM 700 to RM 15,000 for higher grade course and many sacrificied their hard earned money on Guruji while being saddled with debt by taking Guruji's course and when asked, they say that Guruji will ensure that they get their returns, much more than what they paid.

Their website claims that 200,000 people had so far attended the course, therefore this man (His Divine Grace) would have amassed at least RM 140 Million. No wonder he drives Mercedez, lives in luxury while others suffer waiting in hope.

Tamil Press & Other Feedback

Press reports on his birthday was irresponsible and misleading. Those full back page coverage in various Tamil newspapers on his birthday last Sunday must have been are paid for, as the writers appear to shower divinely praises upon the Guruji. There were also references made out indirectly proclaiming that Guruji is god.

There are small group of people who are either unhappy or directly affected with RPT and their activities venting their frustration through the internet forums.

Hindu Sangam & HINDRAF’s 18 Point Memorandum

I have written to Hindu Sangam urging them to either denounce such cult, deviant groups openly, or otherwise to openly support it so that socio-economic condition of the Indian can be uplifted through his courses!!

Existence of RPT also begs a question; if thousands of families have benefited from his course, why aren't Indians still claiming that they are in poverty, why the need for HINDRAF, why rebel against the government? RPT’s courses, if true as claimed would have solved all the issues raised in HINDRAF’s 18 Point Memorandum and would have made Indian Malaysians the healthiest, wealthiest, happiest, most creative and not least, the community with least number of divorces.

Recommendation To The Malaysian Government

Since the government welcomed suggestions for the Mini Budget, it would be wise if the Finance Minister include some allocation for Indian Malaysians in his upcoming mini-budget to go for this course. This is, if the Finance Minister is ‘sincere enough’ in resolving problems faced by Indian Malaysians and as a result, this would surely make HINDRAF irrelevant.

Various NGOs, Hospitals and Doctor should also engage this man to cure all kinds of ailments afflicting Malaysians.

For those who can afford, just go here to find out more and you are on your way to become healthiest, wealthiest, happiest, most creative Malaysian….and say goodbye to Hindu Sangam, HINDRAF, MIC, IPF, PPP, Indian (or rather Tamil) Heroes in PKR and DAP…

Good Luck and I was told that there is NO money back guarantee…

Believe & Hear In What You Want To Believe & Hear

2009-02-26T07:37:00.001Z

We are at in the state of confusion, no doubt. Malaysians are not sure who and what to believe anymore.

A friend of mine, a commoner/layman like me, last week showed me some print outs. It was a print out of several blog postings from one ‘Pendekar Tanah Air’ the blog had allegedly insulted Indians. I believe the blog is closed for now due to objections.

My friend, who is a Hindraf and Pakatan Rakyat supporter, went on an offensive and suggested that the blog owner must be a Malay and claimed that Malays are becoming more and more racist, hence the emergence of such blogs. My immediate response was, ‘agreed’ that there are some racist, hate blogs, but so are presence of many other blogs insulting Malays and Chinese, directly and indirectly, as well.

Bloggers would agree that we have seen some anonymous blogs which are far worse than this which propagates hatred and racism like never before. The point here is my friend is not a regular internet surfer and relies on vernacular newspapers, The Star, his group of friends for information and at times malaysiakini’s Tamil version,

As we know, internet (with or without broadband) penetration is still low; hence Malaysians still rely on traditional media for information. People still do buy newspapers, but they would believe in every other content except for local politics, thanks to the successful anti-MSM campaigns by the opposition.

At times, it cannot be denied that the opposition is right and stories are slanted in favor BN. However, the opposition owned newspapers or bulletins, which are widely available and available free online, are also at times, equally guilty of spreading lies and their stories are, without doubt, written in favor of Opposition parties and their interest. Good example would be the countdown to Sept 16 complete with latest table of Parliament seats in favor of Pakatan Rakyat and various accusations against Najib.

Such simple print out brandished by my friend (who belongs to 80% Malaysians who do not browse regularly) has led to some kind of hatred; imagine those who do not read at all.

I tried to explain that such blogs are ever present in the blogsphere but unfortunately, people do not understand blogs and how they work. This is where politicians and their supporters take advantage to influence gullible Malaysians. Even if some blogs does not directly insult others, we have seen nasty, insulting racist comments on postings by regular and popular bloggers.

I also told him that there are every possibility that the blog was created by an Indian (you know who) to create hatred towards the main suspect here, the Malays. But who is listening!! Gullible Malaysians appears to want to believe and hear what they want to believe and hear as they are naturally negative and prejudiced.

More Lies and Confusion

With the recent events in Perak, Kedah and Selangor, Malaysians are more confused, although they arrogantly do not want to admit that they are.

A Psychologist used to tell me that you will see the true colours of a person or organization when observing how they behave when in crisis. We saw some of it from BN component parties’ right after the general elections and throughout 2008.

What we saw in Perak, Kedah and Selangor would have disappointed hard core Pakatan Rakyat supporters, especially how their leaders behaved. I was particularly not impressed with the accusations that came aftermath the Perak takeover, especially that when
They rejoiced (Harapan Baru) right after Bota assemblymen crossed over. When the table was turned and BN took over Perak, various accusations flew from opposition camp in Perak, Kedah, Selangor, KL, Kelantan and Penang . But not a single iota of evidence was presented except for the usual statuary declarations, which only has a value for wrapping of Nasi Lemak bungkus nowdays.

One PKR member made a police report claiming that RM 5 Million was offered to ADUNs right after the general elections. Some of my friends (opposition supporters) immediately slammed BN as we were watching the news. I did question the motive of the police report now since the incident allegedly happened right after the general elections, almost a year ago. No one was bothered with my line of questioning the sincerity of the complainant. People appear to be selective in what they want to hear and would not want to have an inquiring mind.

PKR on the other hand blamed BN immediately for the release of Elizabeth Wong’s pictures, again without any evidence. Sivarasa, who was with Eli in the press conference, declared dramatically that the incident was politically motivated and offered the timing as an evidence, since it coincided with the opening of parliament session. We need not ask how is it politically motivated! As a prominent lawyer, the least we expect is some tiny bits of evidence. We know now that the main suspect is Eli’s lover, who happened to be a PKR member and Malay. Before anything, another accusation was thrown that the guy was planted by BN? The story goes on and gullible Malaysians continue to believe what they want to believe…

The same applies with Adun V.Arumugam’s resignation. There were accusations that BN continued to pressure him to cross over, although his cross over would not have changed the state government in Kedah. We still remember how MB Nizar reacted when Two PKR Excos were charged in court for corruption, he says it’s a trap and now they are deriding the same Excos when they chose to leave Pakatan Rakyat. Now, Pakatan supporters say that the two Aduns are really corrupt!

For hard core PKR supporters and fellow gullible Malaysians, BN is to blame for everything that goes wrong for them. The rule is, create an impact by accusing BN immediately through press and media, or ask for resignation of the accused and need not show any evidence. The press will put up the story prominently in the beginning and later the stories will only continue in small columns in the back pages and eventually disappears. With this, they manage to create an immediate impact on gullible Malaysians, there is no need to follow through with evidence etc. As everyone says, in politics, perception is more important than truth. That’s the rule of the game.

When Opposition party members are accused of something, like the situation with Perak ex-PKR MPs and Selangor MB, open the Pakatan Rakyat law books and declare that ‘innocent until proven guilty’ with disclaimer “this is not applicable to BN’. For BN the rule is ‘guilty when you are perceived to be guilty by demi-god Pakatan Rakyat leaders’

For the record, I am all for fresh polls, and I am sure that Pakatan Rakyat will win with two third majority. But after seeing Pakatan Rakyat’s reaction to various controversies affecting them, their individual parties and members, I am quite sure that many would have made their mind not to vote Pakatan anymore.

Their reaction, action, contradictory statements and leaders’ childish attitude does not give any confidence to their supporters, especially those who are not their hardcore supporters. For once, Raja Petra and ‘Singh is King’ Karpal is right, they badly need good leaders who can think rationally and act like a future government leaders supported by the majority, and not like some street fighters in suits who were suddenly elevated to govern. Frankly, we do not see any in BN as well.

Back to my original story, my friend was unfortunately was not convinced with my explanation and appears to have made up his mind. I now, may now have to look for some nasty, insulting articles on Malays or Chinese to show him and prove my point. It may not be worth the effort after all since Malaysians appear want to believe and hear in what they want to believe & hear.

Hail The Indian Malaysian Heroes

2009-01-30T01:12:00.005Z

While we we sympathise with one Mr Kugan's death in custody, what appeared to be a criminal case has been politicised and turned into a racial issue.

While politicians, especially Indian politicians denied this, their presence, statements and actions clearly shows that they were trying to politicise and turned it into a racial issue.

Bloggers on the other hand joined in from far, only to slam the police and BN. I have to agree that that the Selangor Police chief and the Home minister made some stupid statements and jumped the gun without having proper facts in hand. They should have just let investigation take place before commenting.

If anyone should resign, it should be the Chief of the Taipan Police Station. And the government need to implement the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPMC) without further delay.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty?

What is more troubling is that the victim is a suspect in car theft and armed roberry cases. He was reportedly led police to recover 13 stolen vehicles. It was also said that Kugan's death was premeditated in order to cover up the case as it was rumoured that several high ranking police officers had a hand in the car theft syndicate. These are all speculation (since there are no evidence) or even made up to make Kugan look like a hero.

Most politicians, bloggers and groups argue that Kugan is innocent until proven guilty. Well , agreed but I can't help but think how these bloggers and politicians defend Kugan stoutly that he is innocent until proven guilty but had no shame to accuse others of abuse of power, corruption etc without the victims being even charged in court.

For example several bloggers, some of them are lawyers, who highlighted that Kugan is innocent until proven guilty are the same ones who claims that Najib is corrupt, abused power or even having affair with the mongolian on the basis of few Statuary Declaration. Why not the same treatment is metted for people like Najib. They have judged Najib even without any charges being filed against him. And certainly Najib is not alone.

The same applies with the opposition held states who claimed that the previous government was corrupt, eg Penang and Selangor. Until today not a single charge has been filed to prove that the previous state governments were corrupt, but Anwar Ibrahim and friends are still on their roadshow telling all kinds lies. If this is not injustice and hypocrisy, I don't know what is!

I guess 'Innocent until proven guilty' only applies to opposition and anything related to their agenda, like Kugan and his death.

Racial Issue?

We cannot but help thinking that this case has been turned into a racial issue, with only Indian politicians involvement, presence of banners with racial tone and not forgetting Hindraf's involvement and their call to Indians to participate in the funeral procession, which is certainly not a requirement, Hindu wise.

Why is there a need for Penang Deputy Chief Minister to get involved if not for race reasons. Why PKR & DAP Indian MPs and MIC deputy Ministers, except for maybe Senator Murugiah, who hold the Public Complaints portfolio, needs to be there throughout the drama, even after the AG's office have classified the case as murder. Why Anwar Ibrahim visited the familywith such urgency, oh! i forgot, why not since Anwar is Indian Malaysian's de-facto communal leader.

MIC Youth, in a statement claimed that they were the first ones to assist the Kugan's family and expressed disappointment that the opposition Indian leaders hijacked the whole issue. How sad and how unapologetic they are in their pursuit of political mileage.

The presence of PKR, DAP, MIC Indian politicans could only be for the reasons of gaining political mileage and being seen as champions of the Indians.

Political mileage - much to gain, too precious to ignore

Where were they when a single mother, an Indian, lost her 4 children, who drowned recently? This is by far, a devasting loss? Or when an innocent Indian boy was tortured to death recently? The answer, there's nothing to gain, politically.

Nik Aziz even offered to present cash aid to the family, who is said to be reasonably well to do. The selangor state government reportedly offered to bear the funeral cost, which includes a Golden Mercedes used to transport the coffin during the procession.

Why did the same politicians offer any aid to the single mother, have procession or demand for protection of beach goers or innocent childrens, for example ? The answer is the same, there's nothing to gain, politically.

Where were they when policemen and public were killed by criminals, did they get a mercedes hearse, courtesy of the politicians and did the MPs or opposition leaders visit policemen killed or injured in the line of duty? The answer is still the same, there's nothing to gain, politically.

Indian Politicians, from all sides, DAP, PKR and MIC needs to remember that they were elected mainly with votes from non-Indians. If they think they want to be an Indian Hero by involving themselves unnecessarily in this and any similar Indian related drama, think again..I am sure they will be voted out in the next elections. This is especially for Indian leaders in PKR and DAP, who were supposedly multi-racial parties.

Root Cause

While the reforms should be instituted in the police force and government should implement the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPMC), it cannot be denied that Indians are by far the most involved in crime, population percentage wise.

These Indian heroes (PKR, DAP, MIC), if they are really interested to be the communal champion, should instead focus on why these youth end up in crime. The usual reasons given are discrimination, marginalisation and all the crap.

Any able bodied malaysians can survive in Malaysia without turning to crime. Can any of these Indian heroes or their communal hero deny that?

Malaysian Indian Minority and Human Rights Violations Annual Report 2008

2009-01-19T01:07:00.003Z

Have been looking for this document, luckily HINDRAF themselves published the report. Do read all those in bold.

Some interesting infromation thrown to spice up the report such as 6 suicides a day, 41% of beggars are Indians as well. Even in India number of beggars are not that high.

START --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Dedicated to, the three British trained and one Malaysia trained, Indian Malaysian lawyers imprisoned without trial indefinitely at Malaysia’s own “Guantanamo Bay” under the Malaysian draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) for championing the Indian Minority and Human Rights cause.

Executive Summary

Introduction

Overseas Indians worldwide have been granted equal opportunities and leading prosperous life except in Malaysia. This is because the Malaysian government practices and implements very serious institutional Malay Muslim religious extremist and supremacist plans, policies and practices to the extend of reducing and segregating many Indians into literally becoming slaves. Even the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President and immediate past Cabinet Minister of 29 years standing, Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu has conceded as late as March 2008 that the Indians in Seberang Kuari (Penang) are living in worst conditions than in Africa. The Indians in Malaysia are openly discriminated not by the Malay Muslim people of Malaysia but the UMNO (United Malay National Organization) controlled government of Malaysia in direct contravention of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution which prohibits discrimination and upholds equality. In short the Indians are excluded from the national mainstream development of Malaysia in almost every aspect of live on a day to day basis.

But Malaysia’s UMNO controlled government has successfully over the last 51 years since independence camouflaged this reality very well by projecting, highlighting and showcasing the cream of the Malaysian Indian as being successful and prosperous. But this cream only represents a mere 1% of the 2 million Indian populations in Malaysia. About 70% of the Malaysian Indians are left to rot in the hardcore poor and poor category. For raising these very serious Indian minority and human rights violations four Malaysian Indian Lawyers (P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kengatharan & V. Ganapathi Rao) have been arrested and are currently detained without trial for 2 years, from 13th Dec 2007 and continuing indefinitely thereafter at Malaysia’s very own “Guantanamo Bay” (the Kemunting Detention Centre)

Some of Malaysia’s atrocities against its own mere 8% minority Indians in 2008 are as follows:

1. Even as this paper is being finalized on the last day of the year 2008 the Malaysian Police in their Police lock up were alleged to have poured hot water on an Indian youth’s body. When he screamed in pain, a piece of cloth was stuffed into his mouth by the Police and was stepped on with their boots. On a rare occasion NT 7 (A local TV Station) splashed his gory burned marks because, a rare breed Member of Parliament for Kapar, Mr. S. Manickavasagam (present at this conference) dared to take on the UMNO State by exposing this police brutality. But in Malaysia, when the victim is an Indian, hardly anything happens. Not only for this atrocity but almost all and every atrocity as listed herein below, this continues to this day. The Indians suffer in silence. Even the Opposition Parties, NGOs and civil society almost always choose to remain silent because the victims are, “merely Indians”. The police and all the authorities have almost always never been punished even for worst atrocities than this.

2. Indian slavery, including sex and child slavery, in Malaysia is rampant even
after 51 years of independence.

3. 150,000 Malaysians Indians (third, fourth and fifth generation Indians) are
made Stateless by denying them Birth Certificates.

4. Kampong Medan “Ethnic Cleansing” of Indians (2001) – 5 Indians killed and a hundred over suffered grevious bodily injuries.

5. One Hindu Temple is demolished in every week nation wide in Malaysia.

6. Six Indians were shot dead by the police in one single day.

7. One Indian lady (8 months pregnant) was shot dead in her home (1988)

8. 90% of Malaysian victims shot dead by the police are Indians.

9. 90% of the deaths in police and prison custody victims are Indians.

10. 80% of victims of police harassment, unlawful arrests, flimsy and malicious prosecutions, inmates of police lock ups and prisons are Indians, (Note: 90%
in Item No. 8, 90% in Item No. 9 and more than 80 % in Item No. 10 are
Indians despite being a mere 8 % of the total population).

11. Six Indians commit suicide in one day. The suicide rate among the Indians is
600 % higher than the Malay Muslim community largely because of denial of
equality and equal upward mobility opportunities.

12. RM 207.9 billion (USD 54 billion) budget for 2009 and RM 230 billion (USD
60 billion) budget in 2008 for the Mid Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia
Plan but zero allocation for the hard core poor and poor Indians.

13. Indians today earn as low as RM13.00 (USD 3.50) per day as plantation
Workers.

14. 60% of urban squatters and 41% of beggars are Indians.

15. 70% of the 2 million Indians are hardcore poor or poor.

16. Penang Indian squatter families cannot afford to buy milk for their babies and stopped children from attending schools because of poverty.

17. One Indian young mother could not be cremated until after 3 days because of poverty.
18. RM80 billion (USD 21 billion) government guaranteed PNB (Permodalan
Nasional Berhad) shares benefitting almost 9 million poor Malay Muslim
share holders but the almost 2 million poor Indians are excluded.

19. 99% of deserving Indian students is denied the 847,485 public university places. Indians excluded completely from the 120,000 university (UITM)
Places which have a campus in every state.

20. Only one overseas government PSD (Public Service Department)
Scholarship awarded to do medicine for the deserving 2 million Indians.

21. Remawathy, the sixth best student in Malaysia who scored 13 A1s in SPM
(O Level) was denied a government PSD scholarship.

22. Only one medical seat is made available at the University of Malaya against a 2 million Indian population in Malaysia (2004)

23. Foreign medical college Degrees from Ukraine, Russia, Romania, India and Indonesia with almost all Malaysian Indian private students suddenly were derecognized by the Malaysian government.

24. Government PTPTN study loans and scholarships denied to Indians studying medicine, law, engineering etc in overseas.

25. Even in the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) sponsored AIMST University
and TAFE College, government PTPTN loans and scholarships are denied to the Indians.

26. Government PTPTN loans and scholarships denied to almost all the Indian
students studying at the scores of private universities and institutions of
higher education.
27. A very negligent number of Indian students offered full residential schools,
such as the MRSM junior science colleges and scores of other elite schools.

28. 371 Tamil primary schools with about 100, 000 Indian children denied full government financial assistance.

29. Almost all the above Tamil schools are all in cowshed like pre war structures.

30. Indians are even largely excluded from the KEMAS and PERMATA, government run kindergardens.

31. 99.9% of deserving Indians denied agricultural land schemes for the
hardcore poor and poor in the semi government run FELDA, FELCRA,
RISDA, FAMA, ]Agropolitan in the 13 State Government Land Schemes.

32. Indians in the civil service today have been reduced to 1% from about 50%
in 1960s.

33. 99% of the deserving Indians denied licenses, permits, government contracts
and project business loans and opportunities.

34. 99.9% of the hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs created and to be
created by the Entrepreneur Ministry, Rural Development Ministry,
Agriculture and Agro Based Industry Ministry, MARA, SME Bank, Agro Bank,
etc. with hundreds of billions of government funds denied to the Indians.

35. RM 2.5 Billion AIM loans were given to 190, 900 poor households earning below RM2000 per month. But the Malaysian Indian Business Association
President, Mr. P. Sivakumar was reported to have said that the
government’s AIM did not provide micro credit loans to all the 200 Indians it
had recommended.

36. “Scrap metal businesses destroyed by ex Chief Minister the Selangor State, Khir Toyo (of UMNO)”, says Indian Scrap Metals Association Secretary, Mr. Param, a total number of 1118 (almost all Indians) scrap metal business licenses were cancelled in the last three years.

37. Hundreds of thousands of poor Indian squatter colonies demolished with no
or very little alternative homes.

38. Thousands of police reports have been lodged on the foresaid UMNO
controlled Malaysian Government’s atrocities but almost zero action has
been taken.

39. All our scores of Public Interest, Litigations and Suits concerning the most
serious of the foresaid issues have been dismissed by the Malaysian High
Courts or have not seen justices being done. The most senior of the 48
Malaysian High Court Judges who resigned with effect from 1/12/08 were
sent to “Booth Camps” with selected Judges and Judicial Officers to
indoctrinate those attending to hold the view that the UMNO Government’s
interest was “ more important than all else when we are considering our
Judgments”.

40. Hindraf’s 18 Point Demands dated 12/08/07 to the Prime Minister for equality
and equal upward mobility, be included and not excluded and segregated
from the national main stream development of Malaysia had been
completely ignored and rejected.

41. There is a 2 Million Indian population in Malaysia but zero Indian majority Parliament and State seats. The current Indian majority seats have been jerry mandered.

42. 100,000 unprecedented Hindraf People Power Peaceful Assembly that was
held on 25/11/07 was cruelly crushed, 241 arrested and maliciously
prosecuted including for attempted murder of a policeman, a charge which is
an impossible charge in law where bail was denied.

43. All the above atrocities are just the tip of the iceberg.

Conclusion

Malaysia has not only very successfully projected to the world its world tallest Twin Towers but also has very successfully suppressed the aforesaid atrocities against the Indians over the last 51 years. These atrocities are backed by researched news reports and publications as per my (full) paper which is also presented and distributed herein at this conference. Read Here.

Thank you

Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy
Barrister at Law, Lincoln’s Inn
Chairman,
HINDRAF, Malaysia.
Mobile: +447939355981
+91 9789987449
Email: waytha@hotmail.com

END -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think, i have said enough on Hindraf, here , here , and here. Pakatan Rakyat leaders, who have been blindly supporting Hindraf, apparently distanced themselves from this report, now that they are in power in 5 states.

They now claim that they (Pakatan Rakyat Indian Leaders) should be the respresentatives of Indian Malaysians instead of MIC. Good, Wayta, you should train you guns at Pakatan Leaders now.

While HINDRAF claims that governement have fabricated stories that they had links with Tamil terrorists or freedom fighters (whichever way you want to see it) in Sri Lanka (LTTE), that does not give HINDRAF the right to spread pack of lies to an international audience.

Some suggested that Waytha Moorthy stripped off his citizenship since he adores Britain more than Malaysia. I will leave that to the government.

Recession - Malaysia In Denial

2009-01-16T02:48:00.004Z

I seriously believe the government is in denial of the state of the economy.

Please read here, Muyiddin's confidence that Malaysia will not slip into technical recession, despite the negative prediction by analysts, local and foreign. Even MIER has lowered the expected growth rate for Q1. Rating Agency Malaysia (RAM) agrees that we may slip into recession in the first quater itself.

There are also other analyst who are quite upbeat how Malaysia would end the year, here. While former Finance Minister, Tengku Razaleigh has this to say, which i agree on many counts.

The reality on the ground is not reflective with what government is trying to potray. My friend's company in Pasir has already cut production hours and days to 4 days a week from 7 days operations few months ago while he says that there are plans to futher reduce the working days months ahead.

This company produces various components for computers for major brands and reduced demands from almost all computer makers forced them to cut production hours.

Another company in Pasir Gudang went on step ahead to retrench worker by the hundreds. As usual, a mix of foreign and locals were retrenched, rather than retrenching all foreign workers. No one will want to retain expensive locals, those foreign workers retrenched are just for a show to the government that foreigners are first to go.

And we already know about Western Digital.

I also heard and confirmed that Lenovo ((IBM's distribution arm) regional centre's employees, based in Kuala Lumpur have been offered VSS.

Most Banks and financial insitutions has freezed recruitment of staff. They have been told to 'make do with what you have'. Some even started on initiatives such as pay cuts for top executives.

Singapore has been more honest about the economic situation there and this may result in many retrenchment exercises forcing Malaysian, mostly Johoreans returning home only to find that factories and industries in Pasir Gudang, Senai, Skudai, Masai and Kulai are not recruting anymore.

Johor state government claimed that Iskandar Project would offer employment to returning Malaysians from Singapore. I find the statement off the mark, as returning Malaysians, mostly from factories in Singapore, are not likely to be suitable for jobs available in the Iskandar Project.

I think we need not remind Muyiddin on how much does manufacturing contribute to the economy and that bulk of our products are exported to EU and US, the same countries hardly hit by the crisis.

In simple terms, people there are not buying what they can do without, that's the same products that we are selling to them.

There were several statements here and there by the Human Resources Ministry on handling retrenchments, but nothing concrete appear to be in place.

And we have ministries being informed that the 7 Billion stimulus package must be spent by end of the year. How ridiculous can this be. The package was anounced way back in August and respective ministries should have had adequate time to plan the spending. The amount should have been spent by end of the 1st quarter 2009 and maybe before 1st half of the year, only then we will be able to feel the impact of the stimulus package within the same year.

Is the government waiting for things to get worse before they act? Already, revenue from Petronas are expected to dwindle and we know that the expected revenue from Petronas stated in 2009 budget is no longer realistic.

While other countries have been quite nervous, honest and open about possible recession, our leaders appears to be not so worried. We have to expect the worse, only then we will be more prepared. Having confidence remains just that, confidence and nothing else.

We have to act quickly and decisively as time is certainly running out. And we have ministers, especially the Finance Minister spending weeks on a non critical event, the Kuala Terengganu by-election..