Quite Like, But Not...

There's a virus in town.

Malaysians have been told that it is deadly.

Were Horatio Nelson still around, perhaps he would have been called upon to arrest the spread of this virus. He did, after all, conquer the Spanish Fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar. But then again, that was a different era, a different war. Most certainly, a different kind of sickness.


We were told that this virus is deadly. To prevent or minimise an outbreak, the authorities, long ago, decided to isolate anyone showing symptoms of the ailments that comes with the virus, hoping the isolation would suffice to curb the virus before it reaches an epidemic proportion.

Yes, this virus is not new. Its been around for a very long time. Perhaps, as long as human civilisation began centuries ago. Yet, not many were aware of it. Or those who were, were told to keep their voice down. And the fate of those caught with the virus...not many stories came forth. But that was then. Before the Internet provided the people with news of the world, all at their fingertips.

Back home in Malaysia, the authorities tried to inject an anti-virus. No, not the sort meant for Personal Computers, but one meant to safeguard the interest of the Nation. But even that is not quite right. To be more precise, the anti-virus the authorities injected, was meant to safeguard their own interest and had nothing at all to do with the people of Malaysia. Or if it did, such noble thoughts and intention were superceded by another strain of virus in the form of greed, and afflicting those who are in power. One which was conveniently overlooked by them.

Now, before anyone thinks I've gone bonkers already, or that I am trying to mislead anyone, the virus I mention is not the H1N1 (click here) afflicting Malaysia and many parts of the world. But this virus is only deadly to the authorities, those who are afflicted with greed and corruption. Ironically, the anti-virus mentioned is...a virus of the mind of the authorities and named Internal Security Act (the ISA), which the authorities have abused many times over in their effort to imprison the minds of the people of Malaysia. InsyAllah, no more.

Come this August 1, it is hoped that many Malaysians from every walk of life will join in the protest against this one weapon which the government is using to safeguard it's own interest instead of the people...the rakyat! Nay, never a thought was given to the people as was aptly written by Praba Ganesan here.

So Malaysians, do come and join us for a lovely walk in the Sun. If you are, then kindly read this message here first.

Somewhat Late

This is a somewhat late entry on the Kelana Jaya Stadium gathering last Sunday.

Attending Public

Justice for Beng Hock

Media and People

Our Trust in Them

Seeking Truth and Justice

Signing the Petition

Taikor

Unit Amal

Except for a brief line on Friday about the probability of this gathering, nothing else was mentioned by the Media after that leaving many to wonder and skip Sunday's gathering at Kelana Jaya Stadium. Thus, the relatively low turn out by the public which many put at around 3,000. By my estimate however, it was higher, maybe more than 5,000 as many walked in and out of the stadium. On such a short notice, perhaps the organisers could have put a large whiteboard at the entrace, announcing the attending VIPs. But as mentioned, it was such a short notice.

Anyway, those liliputian media slammed the gathering as they said that PR was politicising the issue. Don't know whether they - those liliputians - are even worth mentioning as it seem they do not know what politics is all about. If the safety and security of a citizen is not part of politics, then we certainly do not need the liliputians helming the government at all. In fact, it would be better for all of them to tender their resignation, beginning for the top man down to the ketua cawangan. Oh, please do!

For my friends and visitors who may have missed the news, kindly read A Sad Day for Malaysians, either here or at Malaysia Today.

OK, time for me to rest my arms. There's another bout of wrestling I have to attend to tonight...help!

No Longer Worlds Apart

Early Saturday morning while attending a seminar organised by Lajnah Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan PAS Pusat, I was shown a text message by a colleague by the name of Shamsuddin. Even while reading the message, my heart was beating faster than normal and I could feel the smile growing on my lips, and a joy spreading all over as the coming of the message was totally unexpected by some of us there. (At this juncture, I would like to invite visitors to this humble blog to read this entry 'Worlds Apart' first - just click on the title. Do excuse the spelling and grammar mistakes however, as I do hate to edit or correct).

When I wrote the entry for 'Worlds Apart', I did not have a still camera on hand to capture some of the scenes. Coincidentally this Saturday afternoon, I had a still camera with me even if it be a simple Olympus, one which I was using for the seminar mentioned above. And even though the seminar was supposed to end at 2pm, I left early at 12.15 just to be present at the site where the message came from. The picture below, and more on Pictures-Only here, shows of the condition of the houses I mentioned in 'Worlds Apart', though the present condition has generally improved since that visit. Except for the house or shed as seen below and which resembles the living condition of foreign construction workers in Malaysia, where many Malaysians do not wish to speak of or if they do, speak ill of them only.
Sadly however, the house-shed do not belong to neither the foreign workers, nor of illegal squatters, but of Malaysians who had lived on that land for more than 40years. In a sense, they belong to the pioneers of modern Klang Valley, and a city that came to be the capital of Malaysia. The children of these pioneers, contribute to the growing city as much as anyone would care to admit. And for their contribution as well as their parents, their houses were demolished (including the surau there), and they were nearly evicted from their land by the previous state government.

I believe, many people would still remember the picture of women and children crying, men arrested and some beaten, while they were trying to protect their homes from being flattened and bulldozed in the name of development. In truth, the land that was promised to them by the State Government 40years ago, was being robbed by greedy politicians of the past administration.

Even after their house were demolished, the villagers stood their ground. They build sheds to protect their family from natural elements, and fought their ways in and off the Courts of Law...and won.

More info at Jerit website here.

Precisely at 1pm on Saturday afternoon, a motorcade arrive at Kampung Berembang near Ampang, with VIPs from the Pakatan Rakyat State Government of Selangor. Amongst those present were YB Tn Hj Shaari Sungib, YB Iskandar Samad, YB Dr Nasir, YB Azmin Ali, and several more, accompanying YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to a ceremony for the handing over of house-keys to the brave people of Kampung Berembang.


To the people of Kampung Berembang: Syabas! May you and your family live prosper in your new homes.

More pictures at Pictures-Only.

ps. For a somewhat insightful picture of Perak, do read Ajijoi here as well as ckcounterpunch here.

Painting A Picture

I have to admit, apart from the terms 'crylic', 'oil', and 'stroke', I know nuts about paintings. Did try it out once, but my hands were too shaky to draw the fine lines needed. Off course, with a larger brush, I can just dab the canvas as I please...no matter what the end results be, hehe. And I guess, this inability of using those fine brushes rules out the possibility of my becoming a neurosurgeon. Shoot! And I honestly do envy those who can, like Alina's painting below.

Blue Rose, by blogger/painter/lecturer Alina (click here).

At the same time, our bro Mat Salo's younger sister, has her own exhibition running in a gallery in Taman Bukit Kepong. Her paintings, will be on display there till Dec 12. So Painters and enthusiast, do give your support there (read here).

Hang on! I just remember that I do know a bit more about painting. It however, is not on canvas, but in the minds of people. Believe it is something called Public Relations, a form of art in winning the people over.

Its already in the news now that PLUS is giving discounts to its users beginning January 1, 2009. Hooray! This magnanimous show by Plus is unprecedented and, depending on how one view it, has been much awaited. Thank you Plus. However, there is a slight downside to it where to qualify oneslf for the discount, one has to use it from midnight to before sunrise. Hmm...me think, this is what the Malay saying 'Sebelum lalat terbang...' comes handy.

Dear Plus, on behalf of many people, including that cakapaje bloke, I thank you. But, do you think you could extend the discounts on matters where it really matter? For instance, if there are no natural calamity afflicting your highway, yet the traffic crawls at about 1 kilometer per 10 minutes, don't you think your discount would serve better here seeing the amount of petrol being burned needlessly (hence, the pocket of motorist). Let's not forget the time wasted too!
Off course, should you decide to scrap the toll altogether, we would be very much grateful to you. Not your highway mind you, but all the tolls in Malaysia. After all, you and your brethren have had your agreements with the gomen shrouded in secrecy. And no thanks to events recently, the gomen has decided to declassify the agreements (read here). Still, one now has to wonder whether there exist any discrepencies between the declassified documents and the one made available now. It did after all, take the gomen almost ages to make them public. And that too, after constant harassments by the now Pakatan Rakyat, as well as the people of Malaysia.

Again, I thank Plus, even though I think the gomen is trying to paint a nice picture of itself to the people. Please, don't mind me saying this as the discounts offered by PLUS is meant to benefit only a small quarter of the population - the other highways are still charging the full amount! And please, just because there are lots and lots of cars on the roads in Malaysia, that does not mean Malaysians are a rich lot and own at least one car per family. Even if they do, it is out of neccessity since the public transportation system leaves one fuming over it more than not. Imagine, a bus trip from Kota Damansara to Bangsar may well take over an hour. And that is not during peak hours, nor does it inlude the waiting time. Like I mentioned, I do think the gomen is trying to paint a rosy picture about itself. A further evident can be read here.

Sometime during last Ramadhan, the gomen approved a petrol surcharge for all the express bus operators, citing the rising cost of fuel then. Now that fuel prices have plummeted from its all time high, the gomen decided to allow the operators to hike their fares. This time, however, the reason cited is the rising cost of operation. So, should the fuel price go up again, will these operators be given allowed additional profit by again, another petrol surchagre?

By now, I pretty sure some would label me with some unfair remarks. That's their view and their right. But please remember, the majority of the rakyat do not have a fat pocket to around with and many cannot even afford the applaudable move by AirAsia to remove its fuel surcharge totally. Remember, while the AirAsia fares maybe low, the to and fro trips to the airports such as KLIA, can exceed the AirAsia fares! And know what? Indirectly, Malaysians are still paying for the KLIA existance to the tune of RM1B a year! Could not part of the amount be used for the rakyat in making public transportation and inter-city rides better? Compare Pudu Raya and KLIA: between the 2, which benefits the rakyat directly? (for related articles on this, read LanH here and here).

Do you damn me if I continue to damn the gomen, particularly the Sarkas over these and many more.

They may paint pretty pictures. But the rakyat still sing the blues.


ps. Nov29 Update: Nathaniel Tan of PKR and Jelas.Info, have agreed to come.

Shadow Dancing

As much as one try to run away from the blundering acts of the fools helming this nation, one just can't help noticing it...even with both eyes closed! Prior to that, I do have to mention this: except for a short peek at the blogs and site at Readcentral minutes ago, I have confined myself to reading the printed editions of Harakah, Siasah, Wasilah, and KeAdilan, for any political news, and that too just the headlines. Other than that, I have tried to veer my thoughts away. But as with the opening line, one just can't help it!

Enjoying some tidbits with coffee just now, TV3 aired a statement by some Puppet Doraemon Rubber Manager officers about a court order restraining some people - they have to be at least 5km away from the Parliament tomorrow. Then, there's also a warning to peaceful citizens to stay away from an 'expected illegal rally' tomorrow. Wow! What rally?

I checked several sites and blogs, called several people including Amin Black, no one seems to know what the officers were talking about! Anybody?

So I did some thinking, and my own conclusion.

It seems Naz Bod(oh) has denied Parliamentarians from bringing in visitors tomorrow. This surely has something to do with the No Confidence motion against palalah last Friday. Aaah! Now, we are getting somewhere. Thus, some people, afraid of something, are panicking about something which no one else seems to know about. Good thing my emak is a former teacher and able to give a proverb for this "Takutkan bayangan sendiri, hinggakan tunggul pun disangka hantu!".

Off course, this song and the title is not a reflection of the above. Or, perhaps it should be sung by one of the fools.

Beautiful Sunday

I would have elected to use Bill Wither's 'Lovely Day', except that Me...OB is currently using it. And with Cikgu and Ydiana trying to sue my pants off for a cut of a commission, I think I would be more prudent for me to use the song above; it was, after all, a beautiful Sunday.

After tapau-ing emak's breakfast as well as some kuehs for yours truly, I rushed to the MPPJ Stadium. The thought on my mind was not the Police, but where to park since I anticipated people spilling out the stadium. Pictures of the infamous 'police riot' at the Jalan Kebun gathering nearly a decade ago too, flashed through my mind (police personnel were captured on film breaking windows and denting cars belonging to civilians), prompting me to think hard for a safe parking, perhaps, even within the complex of my old office at Kelana Centre Point. However, my fears for a safe parking and 'police riot' soon turned needless; as I turn into the road off the Subang Airport Highway, there were no signs of the Police, and the anticipated huge crowd turned out to be a mere trickle.

I parked the car in a nice spot and soon as the camera was loaded, walked the short distance to the stadium. Along the way, I got into a chat with several people, who were also complaining about the poor turnout. However, the day being still young, I shook off the disappointment and walked into the stadium, making a beeline to Wak, who already had his camera on tripod on the tracks. As we talked, a hair-trimmed and plummer Amin Black joined us. And the crowd size, soon swelled.

Leaving Wak at his post, I began moving along the crowd before taking position at the Podium, where I met YB Tn Hj Sha'ari Sungib, and had a small chat with him. But when the Hindraff supporters began chanting and singing, we parted ways as I tried to take shots of them. Unfortunately, the angle where I was standing was poor and the crowd watching blocked the little view I had. Since I was nicely positioned for the Podium, I refused to budge for fear that other cameramen might take my place, so I let Hindraff be. And true enough, soon, more cameramen made their way up, including Kamal of Malaysiakini TV.

After getting close-up shots of several speakers, I joined Wak for a short while before making my way around again. By then, more people had streamed onto the track.

As I mentioned in an earlier entry, I do find the need to get myself a Digital SLR as there is so much a video camera can do. And in a crowd estimated around 20,000, there were certainly an abundant of shots begging to be taken. Off course, these would also include shots of...ahem, natural beauties.

Moving around, I spotted a well-built man with a black serban rolling a rokok daun, and sat beside him. After the salam, we got to know each other where I bummed one of his hand rolls. The man said he is from Terengganu and had come with 7 others in 2 cars, specifically for this event. He also mentioned that there were several roadblocks along the way here, and saw several buses being turned back, a repetition of events preceding 10-11. But perhaps the funniest thing he said was "Takdok FRU tak syoklah!", as though the FRU has become a personal thing to him and perhaps, to the veterans of such events as well. The same sentiment was later repeated by several others, making one wonder the state of affairs we are living in; even Harris of People's Parliament mentioned of others saying the same thing to him. But mostly, Harris and I touched on our school days.

As I was shooting the other end of the covered stand, my eyes caught the sight of an elderly man sitting cross-leg on a block of cement. His looks are unmistakable for anyone else and soon as his eyes met mine, I rushed to him and we hugged each other in joy for its been more than 10 years since we met. Cikgu Hasbullah, is an old family friend and was very close with both my parents. And like my parents, he too is now a pensioner, and now living with one of his sisters in Subang Jaya. But boy, had someone taken shots of our hugging, I would have to say goodbye to any political aspirations I might have. Good thing I don't. But it was like 'Drama In Real Life', or a Hindustani movie, if you prefer.

By 1pm when the emcee announced a break for the day, I was ready to head back. The event, however, resumed at 2pm and will continue on till midnight tonight. InsyAllah, there will be a Solat Sunat Hajat after Isyak, which I believe will be lead by Tok Guru Nik Aziz. I, however, will not be able to join them. And after that, Amin Black too will be performing. As for the video shots, I guess all of us will have to wait till webtv8 converts them. This time, I definitely will ask for a copy which I will put in this blog, insyAllah.


ps. Bro Zul, if you are reading this and was referring to the ISA as written by Ustaz Saiful, then believe me, I stand for their cause too. Way sometime back, I, being a blog writer of no significance, wrote something about it which can be read here.

Geram!

Hmm...its one of those days when I can't figure the equivalent of a Malay word in English. It can't be seething mad, as depending on the usage, 'geram' can also be for something adorable like in a cute baby or...like the way I put it to some lady friends who utter the word in reference to that cakapaje guy, "Kalau geram, peluklah!". Off course, they never do. Rather unfortunate for me though as its been a very long time since I had a good hug by a lady. Last I remember, I was about 10 years old when one did.

Anyway, the 'geram' I mention here is in context of the price hike protest tomorrow, organised by Protes. As most would have known by now, the venue has been changed to the MPPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya. And though it might be late of me to put it here, GERAMM, the Gerakan Rakyat Anti Manipulasi Minyak (http://www.geramm.org/v1/) has begun their On-line Petition to protest against the price hike. If you are interested, kindly visit their page and sign the petition.
(Update 10:54pm): Please visit and read My Malaysiaku for and interesting article on petrol.

On another note, I wonder how many of my friends remember the song below, which unfortunately, is in a karaoke video format.

100 Days!

During the Ganu trip recently, Azman mentioned about the first 100 days of Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor, and of a comment by his friend "Why do you bother about what PR have done in their first 100 Days? Ask yourself 'What has BN done?'" (Apart from adding misery to the people!).

Received the below from the Lajnah Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan:

100 Days Celebration.
June 19: Maghrib and Tahlil at Masjid Taman Tun Abdul Razak.
June 20:
Morning - Carnival at the ground of Shah Alam Stadium, from 9am onwards.
Night - Ceramah by DSAI and Friends.
June 21, 8pm:
Forum at Dewan Kompleks Muhibah MPAJ, Tmn Nirwana, Ampang.
Speakers: YB's Azmin, Khasim, Iskandar, and Janice Lee.

Kindly inform all, thank you.


And from Doc Lo'Lo':
Meet The People.
Saturday & Sunday (21&22 June).
Led by Doc Lo'Lo', the PR will be meeting with the poor, single mothers, OKU, orphans, as well as the senior citizens; need more volunteers.
Those interested, please call Aishah (019 285 2723) or Shidah (019 211 4764).

Declawed.

Many pet owners, for fear of tear to their expensive furnitures, have their pets declawed - the removal of claws from the pretty felines feet! Though the procedure is supposedly painless, I nevertheless think it is a cruel act, simply because animals that are supposed to have claws, have a need for them. God, has created each creature perfectly suited to its purpose and environment. And just because one value his furniture, or dress, or their own skin, that does not give one the right to such act.

Imagine, if you will, the moment we were born, our parents decided to have our tongues cut out, simply because they do not want to hear us bawling. The initial years may be bliss for them. But from then on...well, we suffer in silence as we can't talk! Not a pretty sight, is it? Further, while the procedure is supposedly painless, the poor creatures may feel the physical pain hours later. Er...I should know, as I was just declawed - had a toenail removed by a doctor.

Ever since 10-11 when my left foot suffered its longest problem, a toenail followed suit. I have tried numerous ways to mend the problem, but it continued plaguing me...till earlier this evening. On my last visit to Dr Bazam for the pain on my left leg, he suggested I have the toenail removed...declawed! Took me more than a month to decide, but finally decided on it last Tuesday, and had the appointment earlier today.

So, how do I know whether the post-procedure can be painful for those cats mentioned above? Well, its now about an hour after the procedure, and the toe is beginning to throb, and at times, quite madly too. I'm delaying taking the painkillers till later, where insyAllah, my sleep will not be interrupted. I am also praying that the small wound would heal sufficiently so that I can take part in the Carnival Rakyat, which, incidentally, is about pain as well...the pain of having the Sarkas around too long, sucking the blood of the people and the nation dry!

Now, imagine this: If each and everyone of us were to join the Carnival, we would be able to remove our pain, especially with regards to the after effects of the Petrol price hike! All we have to do is walk the streets in a peaceful and quiet manner, quite like many of us did during the 10-11. And if Sarkas does not want to go away, we will continue to walk and walk and walk.

For heaven's sake! Take a real look at the situation: the bloody Sarkas is already dying, and we are actually being merciful with them. Now, what's the medical term? Oh, Euthanasia, that's right! Because, if we don't do it, Euthanasia will be applied on us, by them. Except, they'll have no mercy about it. Just like what they are doing now.

OK, let's wheel! Oops! That's private kerpie's battle cry. I mean, let's samba. After all, we don't want to go dancing in the dark anymore, do we?

Street Carnival...Coming Soon!

Rio has theirs, and so does some cities in the US.

We had ours too! It was more beautiful and meaningful, and the streets were filled with waves of yellow. It was lovely, our 10-11 was. But this near future, there is even a bigger carnival being planned, and it involves everyone!

So, get your shoes ready, and join the Rakyat Street Carnival! Or whatever it will be called.

Don't just watch it, be part of the parade!

On A Serious Note - Campaign For the Abolishment of the ISA!

It seems my last entry caused some small ruckus on and off my blog. I won't apologise on the grounds of the entry, but I do feel sorry that it has been misunderstood. Granted, I am not a literature genius, nor even remotely near. But that entry was meant to be a satire of the political madness in Malaysia, and nothing more than that. If ever though, at worse it should be read in humour as the label would suggest. To understand it better, do read it with an earlier entry as I have noted towards end of The Continuing Saga of POB. Perhaps, much later, I will dissect it. Hopefully by then, I too will understand it better :)

OK, enough on that and let's move on to a more serious note - the ISA!

Foremost, let me tell you of my experience of the ISA - I have none! I do not personally know of anyone who has been incarcerated with the act, nor have I met any. But, as I have written in one of an early entry entitled "Of Fishes, Life and the ISA", I am one who is against the Act! To me, it is inhumane, cruel, and barbaric, to charge any person and then imprison them without giving them the chance to vindicate themselves. The ISA, was an Act introduced by the British to combat communist insurgents during the Emergency, and may have justifications for its use then (kindly do note that I have used the word 'may').

The Gerakan Mansuh ISA (GMI), launched, yet again, another campaign to seek the release of more than 75 people who still held under the ISA and are seeking seeking public support via an on-line petition. If any of my friends or readers here are of the same mind, please, do give your support by adding your signature to the petition which is made available on the news, or here Abolish The ISA.


Update April 20, 2008: Correction: The above Petition, while true, is an older petition by Aliran. The actual Petition on campaign which will be submitted to the United Nation Human Rights Commission, are as the links below:

No ISA or http://petitiononline.com/NoISA/petition.html

A Historic Day for Selangor!

InsyAllah, come tomorrow evening, an event one would expect to witness in Kelantan and perhaps Terengganu, will grace Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor. Tomorrow night beginning from Maghrib, PAS will be holding prayers within the Melawati Stadium and have invited the public to join the congregation!

Non-Muslims are welcome to join for the celebration speeches which is expected to take place around 9pm, after the prayers.

Read the itinerary below:

HIMPUNAN RAKYAT DAN MUNAJAT PERDANA

Sempena Kemenangan PAS Di Selangor

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----#

Assalamu'alaikum & Salam Sejahtera,

Seluruh RAKYAT dijemput untuk menghadiri Himpunan Rakyat Dan Munajat Perdana mensyukuri kemenangan PAS & Barisan Alternatif di Selangor.

Program julung kali ini disusun untuk memberi peluang rakyat Selangor khususnya untuk mengamati amanat serta harapan dari pemimpin negara demi mengisi dan mengekalkan kemenangan PAS dan Barisan Alternatif di Selangor, khasnya;

Majlis akan diadakan seperti berikut;

Tarikh : Isnin, 31-Mac-2008

Masa : 8.00malam

Tempat : Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam, Selangor (bersebelahan Stadium Utama Shah Alam)

(tempat letak kereta perkarangan Stadium Utama atau tapak Pasar Hari hadapan Stadium Melawati)

Antara pemimpin negara yang akan bersama adalah;

- YB Dato Seri Tuan Guru Hj Abdul Hadi Awang,

Presiden PAS, Ahli Parlimen Marang

- YB Ustaz Nasharuddin Mat Isa,

Timbalan Presiden PAS, Ahli Parlimen Bachok

- YB Dato Dr Hasan Ali,

Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri Selangor, Exco Kerajaan Negeri Selangor

- Seluruh barisan Exco & Wakil Rakyat PAS Negeri Selangor yang memenangi PRU-12 baru-baru ini.

Tetamu khas pada majlis ini adalah;

- YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim,

Menteri Besar Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Perhatian;

# Hadirin yang hadir diminta datang dalam keadaan berwudhuk serta membawa sejadah (lapik untuk solah). Solah Isyak akan disusuli dengan munajat perdana.

# Gerai jualan makanan & minuman disediakan di tapak gerai Stadium Melawati, untuk tempahan gerai sila berhubung terus dengan Saudara Kamarul 013-3600080.

assayuti@gmail. com / 019-2140240

Harakahdaily
Fri | Mar 28, 08 | 11:26:17 am MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Mac (Hrkh) -Orang ramai dan penyokong Barisan Alternatif diminta hadir beramai-ramai ke Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam, Selangor untuk program 'Himpunan Rakyat' pada 31 Mac (Isnin) ini bermula jam 8 malam.

Dalam program tersebut, Presiden PAS akan menyampaikan amanatnya kepada seluruh rakyat. Selain beliau, Menteri Besar Selangor yang baru, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim; Timbalan Presiden PAS, Nasharuddin Mat Isa dan dua Exco Kerajaan Negeri, Dato' Dr. Hasan Ali dan Teressa Kok dari DAP akan turut sama berceramah.

Program julung kali dianjurkan PAS negeri itu, akan dimulakan dengan solat Isyak dan solat Hajat dan kemudiannya diikuti bacaan Al-Quran dan dendangan nasyid.

Seluruh warga Selangor dan rakyat Lembah Klang dipelawa hadir ke program perdana peringkat negeri Selangor ini. Bagi maklumat lebih lanjut, sila dapatkan Harakah keluaran terbaru yang mula dipasarkan hari ini. - mks.

Saved By The Bell

Sometime during last weekend, Wak and I covered a story somewhere south of Shah Alam, in a village which had we not been called by the villagers to highlight their plight, I would not even know they exist at all! Situated alongside the Klang River, this village - name withheld due to current investigations - have been around for 35years and as we were made to understand, it was awarded 'kampung teroka' status by the previous state government, similar to Kampung Berembang and Kampung Rimba Jaya. Ironically, that was one of the reasons the villagers called webtv8.

Wak and I arrive slightly after Asr and met the Village Spokesman and several others at a coffee shop there. Traveling in 3 cars, the villagers then brought us to a house situated beside the Klang River, and from there we had to climb a dike which was built to prevent the river from overflowing and flooding the areas alongside it. From there, we sighted 3 dredges and were told of another 2 just further up the river. These dredges, we were told, belong to a company which were given the contract to widen and deepen the Klang River, and perhaps the entire stretch of it from Kuala Lumpur to Klang!

Perhaps it is only logical for silts and sand to be scooped up from the river bottom and banks during the process of widening and deepening works. And perhaps it is only logical too that the scooped silt and sand are transported - perhaps sold - to another location. But I remember reading a by law somewhere that sand cannot be sold and transported out of a certain district or state mainly due to environmental problems it would cause later. Unfortunately, I am unable to retrieve the enactment yet. Further, due to the presence of some unfriendly looking people around the site, we were unable to ascertain the destination/s of the trucks (by the hundreds, we were informed by the villagers).

Due to the ongoing works, the villagers then brought us another site where part of the dike - on the village side - have been damaged and even broken in some places. This could cause the village to be flooded whenever water overflow the river banks. We were also shown a row of house which have been damaged perhaps due to sinking ground caused by the ongoing works.

When asked why they had not brought the matter up to the authorities, the Village Spokesman by the name of Azmi, replied they had! In fact, the former State Exco in charge of Mining even came down to look into the matter sometime in July 2007. However, 3 days after the visit, the number of dredges grew from 1 to the present 5, and works are still ongoing without any signs of stopping nor repairs being initiated for the damaged dike.

When the former State Exco came to the village, Heads of State Government Departments were brought along for a meeting with the villagers in the Community Hall. But instead of given assurance on the matter, the villagers were warned not to continue making noise about the matter! Worse, they were told, the houses alongside the river will be demolished soon after PRU12!

The villagers then made a police report, but were later told by the police that the matter is not within their jurisdiction.

Somehow, a villager managed to get in touch with webtv8 and have asked to bring the matter up. However, it will not be a simple matter and along with Harakah, we will be visiting the village again this Friday, insyAllah.

Still, looking at the matter, I would say the villagers are lucky! What, with a new administration, insyAllah, their plight will be looked into. Better still, their houses won't be demolished now.

Once an umno stronghold, the BA had slowly made inroads since 1999. During the PRU12, an overwhelming majority of the villagers decided they have had enough of empty promises, rhetorics...and threats by the government they had previously put into office.

Whatever the outcome of the investigations now, the villagers, as the saying goes, were saved by the bell, alhamdulillah. I just cannot and would not want to imagine had the results of the PRU12 had been otherwise.

Petition Against SPR

Dear Malaysians,

A move has been made by a group of citizens to ensure a free and fair election for the people of Malaysia.

If you believe in the saying "Justice Must Not Only Be Served, But Must Seen To Be Served", then I would like to invite you to join an On-line Petition against the SPR (Election Commission of Malaysia). The link and emails I received are as below:

"ilmuwan78" ilmuwan78@yahoo.com

"Assalamualaikum,

Harap dapat promosikan petistyen online untuk menunjukkan bantahan
kepada SPR....

http://www.petition online.com/ RCER2008

Bermula dari petang semalam , kini telah menghampiri 1000
tandatangan. ..mari kita jadikannya SEJUTA!"

Look Who's Deaf?

I came across this piece of news and just feel like its a good piece to comment on. Kudos to Anthony for highlighting the issue which, had it been at any other time but the election, it would not be looked into by the authorities. The grouse by certain quarters within the deaf people in KL is that RapidKL has a new policy which practice discrimination even among the deaf!

Prior to the new policy, the deaf - irrespective of their club affiliation - were able to purchase for discounted fares travel cards. The only qualification they needed were the the identification card issued by the Welfare Department (JKM). But with the introduction of the new policy, RapidKL now does not recognise JKM's certification on the matter; they now acknowledge certification only from the 5 bodies they have in their list.

Reading it at a glance, one might not think anything amiss. In fact, even I do not think there's anything wrong, except...some political drama; I don't really know but please do read on.




RapidKL, is a government-linked corporation under Ministry of Finance, presumably Khazanah Berhad. What it means is that though it is supposed to operate independently, it is still answerable to the Federal Government. And as the MoF owns Khazanah Bhd, and they in turn own RapidKL, the latter has to toe the line. And toeing the line should also mean recognising the various procedures within the top bracket of the Federal Government. In other words, they have to acknowledge the procedures of other Ministries, which in this case should include those of the JKM of what ever the ministry name is now. But apparently, RapidKL is not!

While I do not claim to know it all, I have been involved in certain documentations at the Federal Level and do know that when new procedures are to be introduced, a glc or gl-entity would have to check with the guidelines of other organisations where certain issues may overlap. And this is especially true in the case affecting consumers and as should be, OKUs. I may be wrong, but even a simple logic may prove the statement above as true. But sadly in this case, it is not.

In terms of heirachy alone, a glc sits below a department, and the department under a ministry. Rightly then, a glc cannot countermand a procedure or certification made by another body which is a level above it. In this case, RapidKL is reversing the certification made by JKM! What gives?

Well, from the viewpoint of someone simple like me, this has something to do with a small election strategy. Come the right time, the Minister of Welfare or what ever, will issue a statement to RapidKL to get things in proper perspective and they will follow suit. Voila! The media will extol the good minister and hence, the party she hails from. The public or in this case the OKU, wll get their discount which was supposed to have been there in the first place, and everybody's happy and vote the party back into power. A month of being back in power, then those involved will find new issues to play with the publics mind.

No doubt to some this is a small issue. But this is simply what has been going around in many other grouses and issues. In other words, the party in power is simply irresponsible to play with issues affecting the publics welfare, and certainly not a government of the people, by the people, for the people!

Perhaps it is justified here to look back into history back at the time when Saidina Umar r.a. was the Khalifah. In one of the books narrating his life story, the Khalifah would ride his horse at night to the areas around Madinah just to see how the people are fairing. On one of his rides, he came across a mother with several of her children crying in hunger. He approached the mother and saw her boiling somethings over an open fire. When asked what she was cooking, the mother replied "Stones,I have no food left! By boiling the stones I hope the children will be quieten in thinking I am cooking food for them, and fall asleep while waiting."

Upon hearing that, Saidina Umar r.a. immediately rode back and took some provisions from the treasury. He then rode back to the mother and gave the provision to her. Later, Khalifah Umar r.a., a famed and much feared warrior, and the most powerful man on the seat of the government, himself cooked a meal for the family.

Yet here in Malaysia and in this present time, we have mere ADUNs or MPs who would look the other way when a citizen is in need. Don't think there's any need to cite any as cases are abound.

My apologies. I have stated it before, and I state it again: I make a poor writer, let alone a critic. I was, merely letting off steam. Back to the whole issue, alhamdulillah, I am not blind nor deaf to the antics of the people in power.