The Ugly Muslim - Mariam Mokhtar

The Muslim NGO Pembela is wrong to blame Christianity for the alleged decline of Islam in Malaysia because the worst enemies of Islam, in Malaysia , are from within the ranks of the Muslims.

Islam may be a beautiful religion, but some of the Muslims in Umno, Utusan Malaysia, and the extremist groups like Perkasa and Pembela are ugly. Islam may preach love and tolerance, but Muslims in Umno, Utusan, Perkasa and Pembela are bigots who are consumed with hate.

Perhaps the so-called Muslims in these organisations, who profess to be true Muslims, are Muslim in name only.They lust after power and are aware that without the Malay vote, the activities of their party, their newspaper, their institution or their way of life (the Ketuanan Melayu lording it over other communities) will be curtailed or cease to exist altogether.

Umno has been stung by the successes of the Opposition in Sarawak . They then suffered further humiliation with PAS rejecting their overtures. So,their only recourse to remain in power, come the general election, has been to provoke and manipulate Malay/Muslim minds, especially the rural Malays.

Umno has capitalised on the power of distraction. The trick is to divert Malaysians from BN's failure to stabilise the economy, to reinvigorate the private sector and investment, and to manage the public finances.

Instill fear in Malays, blame the others

They do this by instilling fear in the Malays and by shifting the blame onto others. This time, the hapless recipient of Umno's degeneracy, are the Christians of Malaysia . On previous occasions, it has been the 'ungrateful' Chinese.

Last Saturday, Utusan Malaysia defiantly provoked Malaysians with a front-page headline claiming the DAP was in league with a group of Christian pastors to instal Christianity as the country's official religion. The insinuation was that the act would pave the way for a Christian prime minister.

Had this been a non-BN sanctioned newspaper, the editors would have been sacked and jailed, their licence to print revoked and the paper shut down.As Utusan is owned by Umno, it was business as usual at this Malay daily.

Time and time again, Utusan has got away with seditious publicationswhen others, like Raja Petra Kamaruddin, face arrest for publishing revealing documents. It is the same treatment meted to Clare Rewcastle-Brown, the non-Muslim founder of the online website, Sarawak Report (SR).

SR prints original documents alleging Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud's corruption and illegally obtained wealth. Clare is trying to make Malaysians aware of Taib's corruption, but very few of the Muslims in Umno have taken heed.

It is without doubt that weak leadership of the country has given rise to this dangerous state of affairs.

Najib's pledge may prove to be just hot air

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak finally broke his silence on the Utusan article; however, his announcement that the government would 'investigate the matter before it was blown out of proportion' and lead to 'serious polarisation in society', may prove to be just more hot air.

Perhaps he should ask himself how many times Utusan has been guilty of sedition and escaped censure? Most will say far too often.

How soon, and how severely, will he clamp down on the extremist Muslim elements in Malaysia , who have fanned anger and suspicion in the community?

Perkasa has already lodged a series of police reports in every state, saying that the 'Christian state issue' was a threat to national security.

Pembela finds fault with the Christians, by claiming that the Christians were on a mission to convert Muslims in the country, starting with "confusing" Muslims by the use of Islamic terms, presumably like the word 'Allah'.

Those who have lived in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s will recall that Christmas was a time when all the races and religions would mix and mingle in open houses. There was no issue with the food or drink, no issue with the religious symbols like crosses or that there was a Christmas tree and hymns and carols were sung. Those times are but a distant memory.

If it is any consolation, all these machinations by the media are an indication that the general election is near.There is nothing like a dose of fear to manipulate people to do the wrong thing.

Perhaps the best way to reason the perceived threat to Islam, in Malaysia , is in the Muslim populace. If Islam here is under siege, it is because the enemy is the 'Ugly Muslim'.

They are the ones who crave power. They are the ones who maintain that the term 'Allah' cannot be used by non-Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia , but is permissible in Borneo . They are the ones who confiscated the Bible in the Malay language and held the Christians to ransom.

So, why do they keep silent on the serious issues?

If we dig deeper, who are the ones who force children to convert to Islam, if one of the parents becomes a Muslim? How about body snatching or grave robbing? What about the child in Sarawak who was whipped for eating food that had been prepared for his school break?

What about the women who are treated like cattle? Or those who are abandoned by their husbands who yearn for a younger model? What about the Muslims who are flogged for drinking beer when this should be a personal choice?

What about the moral policing which has caused several deaths? What about the endemic corruption or the public screening of sex videos? What about child marriages?

Why do the Muslims keep silent on these serious issues but harp on about a fictitious demand by the Christians for Christianity to be the official state religion?

The biggest threats to Malaysia and Islam in Malaysia are the thieving, power-grabbing Muslims in political parties, the media and the NGOs, who know the truth but prefer to manipulate it for their own selfish means.

They have failed their fellow Malaysian and others of their religion. That is the profile of the Ugly Muslim.

Does Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein Dare To Ban Perkasa As He Has Banned Bersih Or Arrest Senator Ezam Mohamad And Khairy Jamaluddin Just As The Police Has Arrested Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj Under The Emergency Ordinance To Prove That The Police Does Not Practice Double-Standards Or Favouritism?

Does Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein dare to ban Perkasa as he has banned Bersih or arrest UMNO’s Senator Ezam Mohamad and UMNO Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin just as the police has arrested Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj under the Emergency Ordinance to prove that the police does not practice double-standards or favouritism?

DAP questions Hishammuddin insistence that the au thorities will act fairly in stopping all gatherings despite only outlawing electoral reforms group Bersih, when no action was taken against UMNO and Perkasa for organising a violent demonstration in Penang on 1.7.2011. Why has Hishamuddin also not arrested Ezam under the Emergency Ordinance for his threats that there is no need to wait for general elections and he wanted to do more protests to force me to step down as Chief Minister earlier?

The Penang Chinese Journalists and Photographers Association (Pewaju) has condemned the unprovoked attacks on a journalist, a photographer and a videographer by the protestors during violent and illegal rallies in George Town downtown and on Penang Bridge . Pewaju questioned why the police did not enforce the law and failed to take preventive measures to stop the demonstration before hand when they already knew about it a day earlier.

Question also arises on why the police have been so tough to clamp down on the Bersih 2.0 rally which is yet to take place, while being incompetent in halting an illegal rally by Umno and Perkasa that actually took place. What is shocking is Pewaju’s statement that the attacks on the journalists took place right before the police eyes, but the law enforcers were hapless, helpless and hopeless to stop the ass au lt. The ineptness of the police raised a question on their integrity, competency and credibility to protect ordinary Malaysians.

DAP supports peaceful demonstrations but condemns violent demonstrations. The failure by the police to act against the violent demonstration by UMNO and Perkasa only shows that there is clear double-standards and favouritism.

Jeyakumar was unjustly arrested under the Emergency Ordinance with 5 other PSM members despite the government’s failure to produce any proof that he was waging war against the King and country. Allegations of spreading communism is ridiculous when Malaysia enjoys close relations with Communist countries like Cuba , China and Vietnam .

Should not then Khairy Jamaluddin be also arrested and charged for trying to revive communism by setting up a permanent secretariat on October 12 2009 to strengthen ties between Barisan Nasional Youth and the Communist Youth League of China (CYL). Barisan Youth chairman Khairy Jamaluddin had said that the permanent secretariat would facilitate continuous bilateral programmes to promote a stronger bond between the two entities.

Clearly the BN government is only victimising Bersih supporters who are arrested in the past week and its secretariat raided on Wednesday, when they have not organised any demonstration whilst UMNO and Perkasa demonstrations are allowed to proceed unpunished. These unjust actions will only sully Malaysia ’s international image and its record of not practicing what it preaches on respecting basic human rights.

Barisan Nasional’s War of Intimidation has backfired - Matthias Chang

Barisan Nasional’s War of Intimidation has backfired. Malaysians no longer fear the sight of armed security forces, the threat of racial riots and or the Communist bogey. Pictures of the peaceful determination and resolve of the Bersih demonstrators say it all. Objective Malaysians (the silent majority) cannot but be impressed with the maturity and faith of those who were willing to face arrest and police intimidation to uphold their principles.

Matthias Chang

Yes, Malaysia is not Tunisia , Egypt , Bahrain , Yemen etc. but there is a common thread – the people’s frustrations (real or otherwise) and the need for expressing their discontent cannot be suppressed. The arrogance of power is no match for grass-root activism.

It is indeed ironic that the “1Malaysia” slogan of the Prime Minister (a united multi- racial Malaysia) was reflected more in the ranks of the Bersih 2.0 campaign on 9th July 2011 than in the ranks of political opportunist and upstart Khairy Jamaluddin’s miniscule band of “Red Shirts” provocateurs. Perkasa as predicted had no mass following and was totally absent in spite of its provocative bravado.

' Blue Ocean Strategy'
I have been informed that some of the Prime Minister’s close advisers on strategy are so-called experts on “Blue Ocean Strategy”, the essence of which is to “make the competition irrelevant and creating uncontested market place”.

After the fiasco on 9th July 2011, may I suggest to the Prime Minister and theentire Barisan Nasional leadership that their first priority is to dump these political wannabes who are totally devoid of any knowledge and experience of the political realities on the ground.

The “political competition” of the Opposition has become more relevant than ever and has captured and occupied more effectively – physically and mentally both the uncontested and contested “political market place”.

The BN government has spent RM billions, but has yet to show concrete results “on the ground, at the grass-roots level”. If these assholes cannot even handle a simple issue of a public demonstration, and the Prime Minister and the entire BN leadership still insist on relying on this bunch of immature political wannabes, then there is but one conclusion – Barisan Nasional will suffer a major setback in the coming General Election.

And if the election is held this year, I am willing to put my reputation on the line as a former political secretary to the fourth Prime Minister, that Barisan Nasional will never be able to reclaim the 2/3rd majority in Parliament as well as the four state governments controlled by the Opposition coalition.
The Prime Minister will be ousted within six months from date of the election.
Advice to PM: Send Hisham to be psycho-analysed
All these so-called advisers and political pundits can do a better service to the nation if they just spend 24/7 for an entire month, watching the Chinese historical epic “The Three Kingdoms” on sale in any DVD shop in Malaysia. They may just be able to learn some basic lessons on Political Strategy 101.

My second advice to the Prime Minister is to send his cousin, the Home Minister to be psycho-analysed for “Enlarged Ego Syndrome” (EES) and to revamp the entire senior management of the national security apparatus of the Polis Diraja Malaysia (the Royal Malaysian Police Force).

My third advice to the Prime Minister is to place in cold storage, the irrelevant UMNO Youth leader. If you do that, you would have – to a certain extent – applied the Blue Ocean Strategy. Your biggest problem and challenge is internal, within the ranks of your party – UMNO political warlords, not the Opposition parties.

These UMNO leaders are intellectually bankrupt and politically outdated.
Lessons
What lessons can we draw from today’s event? To draw any conclusions and learn from the experience, we have to address the following questions:

Firstly, why did the so-called Blue Ocean Strategy experts fail to anticipate a repeat of Bersih 2007 and take pre-emptive measures?

Secondly, why did the national security apparatus fail to anticipate Bersih 2.0? When were the Prime Minister and the cabinet briefed on the Bersih 2.0 demonstration?

Thirdly, why did the Barisan Nasional government allow the Perkasa provocateurs to hijack the stage to mount their ill-conceived fascist-like reaction to Bersih, followed by the immature UMNO Youth’s belated bravado?

Fourthly, why did the Prime Minister, after agreeing to allow Bersih to congregate in a stadium, not follow through with that magnanimous decision by directing the police to grant the relevant permits, but flip-flopped and allowed the security apparatus to take complete charge?

Fifthly, what made the Barisan Nasional propaganda machinery think that by locking down the entire city since Friday evening, there will be a blowback – anger and opposition by the grass-roots – against the organisers of the Bersih 2.0 demonstration, and not against Barisan Nasional for their high-handed action?

Sixthly, was there any evaluation that by taking the sledge-hammer approach to Bersih 2.0 demonstration for “fair and clean elections”, the Barisan Nasional government will be able to retain its supporters and gain new adherents or on the contrary piss off its very own supporters and alienate further the 40% undecided voters?

Finally, what were the identified strategic objectives to be gained by adopting the sledge-hammer approach and how would they enhance the results in favour of the Barisan Nasional government in the coming General Election?

I am curious to know from the Blue Ocean Strategists, the Political Secretaries, the Special Officers and the highly paid consultants what Strategic Briefs/Memoranda that they have submitted to the Prime Minister and the Barisan Nasional leadership.

The rakyat has the right to know as well. It is arrogance, height of irresponsibility and a dereliction of duty if no detail briefs were prepared and submitted for consideration.

Repair period
It is my estimation that it will take a minimum of ten months at the minimum to repair the damage done to the image of the Barisan Nasional in general and the prime minister in particular, provided there is a coherent strategy to address and resolve the issues that are close to the hearts and minds of the grass-roots and the sophisticated urban middle-class voters (young and old).

The administrative machinery is a giant bureaucracy – a super oil tanker. From top down, over 95 percent of the manpower is project-orientated, in plain BN language, money-orientated – “what’s in it for me” mentality. Everyone is eyeing the multi- billion dollar cake, the multi-billion dollar patronage gravy train.

But all that is required is going back to basics.

Matthias Chang, a lawyer by profession, served as political secretary to then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.     

Who will chater the Indians in Malaysia - MIC , Pakatan rakyat or Human Rights Party

The days are closing by as election could be called somewhere end of this year or beginning of next year. All parties are getting themselves ready for Pilihanraya Malaysia ke 13.

Since Independence we have seen many things happening especially concerning the Indian Community. We cannot be blind of the happenings surrounding us. Many of us have felt cheated and discriminated in many events for the last 54 years. We being shamed and made felt disgusted being pushed aside . At times , i have overheard Indian claiming themselves shamed to be associated to the Indian community. Whose fault is this all , that Indians feel such a way ?

What is the cause of this disgrace and discrimination we have to bear as Indians ?

Many have blamed many parties concern about the this issues but till to date no concrete steps by any party have been there to rectify this problem . Is this minority called "INDIANS" are too huge matter to handle that many just shy away from being responsible.

Many have said many times that Government can't be held solely responsible on this Indian problem. Others have blamed the attitude of Indians towards Indians . There are also people who have given up their citizenship of being an Indian .  So, who is to be blamed ????

Where do we stand as Indians today in Malaysia today ?

The feeling of anger and sadness overcome me when i write such an sensitive issues such as this. At times i feel that we are just born to be dead .. each day we are walking towards the 6 feet ground . Is my feelings wrong or am i the only one feeling such pain about our Indian Community or am i getting senile . I wonder to date.

The government of today have ignored the Indians community for the past 54 years and i see many are still supporting the government and praising their leadership . Perhaps they are duty bound as they are serving the public office and they are afraid of their rice bowl will be effected, a big maybe .... some learned Elite Indians just keep themselves away from the plight of Indian poor and i don't know why . It is an attitude or it is just not their problem . Don't they have feelings of  empathy towards Indian community . Are our hearts are made of stone nowadays and our ears are deft and we are blind towards all this happenings to the Indian community especially the Indian trodden poor.

The Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) also have been a let down for the Indian community. We know the MIAKA Shares, The MIC Building issues, The Nesa group and many more. Many poor people have invested in Maika Shares and are left estranged for the past 20 years. How can a trusted Indian Party does this to its own Indian people especially the poor Indians. I totally have lost hope in MIC and its leadership as they didn't stand firm on the "INTERLOK " issue. It shows that self interest is much important then the Indian people dignity and plight. Today, for me MIC is dead and no more relevant to our Indians at large.

We trusted our Indian Member of parliament and also state ADUN's to represent the Indian Community but they too have failed us miserably. In Pakatan Rakyat state of Selangor, last month about 1.700 scholarship was issued and only 3 Indians was awarded . There are more then few hundred Indian brilliant students who obtained 8A+ and above but only 3 was awarded. The manifesto of Pakatan Rakyat on education clearly stated that they will be fair to all races according to the Orange Book . Even 10% of the total scholarship for Indian would be a fair deal but it is less then 0.002 % who eventually got the scholarship.  Why even the Pakatan Rakyat with about 20 Indian MP's are quiet about this issue .  Few days ago, an MP from Selangor brought out the issue of the 97 Tamil school which need to be assisted but the whole 35 ADUN's attended just became silent when the issue was brought up . Didn't we play our part to make them a ADUN in 2008 ? Didn't our vote made them what they are today , why are the Indian plight is taken lightly by all our elected representatives... What wrong have we committed that we have to pay such a high price to our RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP in this land called Malaysia.

I just highlighted to all about 2 simple issues above and there are many more which is not being touched . I ask upon you to be the judge of this action of our so called representative . My concern is also your concern because i am talking about the future of our kids and our generations to come . If even now , we are sidelined , what will happen in next 10 to 15 years from now to our Indian Community ?

I hope and pray each Indian will realize where our community is heading ? Is there HOPE for Indians in Malaysia . So what is our answer, will there be a light at the end of the tunnel for Indians in Malaysia or are we heading to our graves eternity. 

WHO WILL DEFEND THE INDIANS NOW ????? DO WE HAVE HOPE ???? ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW OUR KIDS AND OUR GENERATION TO BE SLAVES AND BEGGARS IN MALAYSIA ???? WHAT IS OUR SOLUTION FOR ALL THIS PROBLEMS ???

Are there anyone will come as a Savior to help our Indian Community ? Who can it be ???





Johnson Doss
HRP

HRP’s P.Uthayakumar is “racist”– a fact or ploy?

Part I
According Uthayakumar, the Malaysians Indians, 70 % of whom he estimates to be in the poor and hardcore poor categories and another 25 % in the lower middle and middle income categories, unaided by UMNO government ridden with racism and religious bigotry, are left to fend for themselves. Even the change, much anticipated and hoped for, post 2008 election in the opposition ruled states is a great let down.

Failing to answer any of P. Uthayakumar’s claims that the opposition alliance has failed to deliver its election promises to Indians and is practicing the same “racial politics” practiced by UMNO, favouring the majority Malays and Chinese, the opposition alliance seemed to have employed a rhetorical strategy, labeling him a “racist” in an attempt that seems to neutralise and discredit his claims.

Charges of racism
In this modern day politics, no one wants to be accused of racism or to be called racist. If it is Uthayakumar who is playing the “race card”, logically being a small party representing the poor minority community, and having not aligned himself with either the ruling coalition or the opposition alliance, what does he stand to gain really, politically?

In such a case, Uthayakumar’s emphatic repudiation of the opposition’s “racist” label as an attempt to counter his dissent on the opposition’s racial politics cannot be dismissed as a “Indian this, Indians that” mindset. Unless proven otherwise, it could be, as he claims, the opposition alliance that is covering up for the shortcomings in its “multiracial” politics.

Definitions of racism
Oxford dictionary defines racism as “the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualitiesspecific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races” and “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior”.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines racism as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race” and “racial prejudice or discrimination”.

Indian Perkasa
Based on the definitions above, those accusing Uthayakumar a “racist” need to explain which part of his struggle qualifies him to be a “racist”? In his struggle as a human rights activist and advocate over twenty years against UMNO’s racism, he has not even once claimed that Indians are of a superior race. Rather his claim has always been that the Indians are victims of such racism and race supremacism.  Neither has he in his struggle, discriminated ‘others’ on the belief that his own race is superior to ‘other’ races? HRP/Hindraf is often called the Indian Perkasa, equated to the UMNO’s Perkasa. Has Uthayakumar ever claimed that Indians are the masters of this land or theirs is the supreme race in the country like Ibrahim Ali claims “Ketuanan Melayu”? Beyond that, with the support of poor Indians, minorities at that, with all the social disadvantages in the country, he is in no position to discriminate or exercise prejudice against ‘others’? As such, to equate HRP/Hindraf’s struggle to that of Perkasa is a shallow parody of the truth.

If Uthayakumar is indeed a racist, where is the proof, and if no, why the racial rhetoric?

Racial discourse by dominant groups
Perhaps understanding the game and power of racial discourse by the dominant groups in racial politics world over might help to shed some light on why a human rights activist and advocate like Uthayakumar is being shrewdly labeled a “racist” by his political opponents.

Racial discourses shape mental models. It is a form of propaganda (Fields 1990: 110-112) in which social actors employ rhetorical strategies in order to make ‘claims’ and promote a particular interpretation of a social issue. Successful “claims making” enable practitioners to mobilize supporters, attract adherence and neutralise or discredit political opponents. Racial discourse is an attempt to influence others’ perception and a convenient tool to gain political advantages.

Racial discourse of dominant groups work very well to legitimize and reproduce dominance by minimizing claims of inequality and marginalization of subordinate groups and makes dominant group understanding normative for a larger society (Doane, 2006).

Racial discourse is inextricably intertwined with issues of power. Dominant groups enjoy disproportionate access to vehicles of transmission for discourse, including among others, government (e.g. opposition alliance with four states) and media (van Djik, 1997).

The global conundrum of racial politics
In the light of the global conundrum of racial politics, Uthayakumar’s claim that the minority Indians suffer the worst form of racism in Malaysia is not hard to comprehend. Racism on minorities exists in many countries around the world. Grosfoguel (1997) argued that poverty, unemployment and low wages are significant among people of African and Caribbean descent in Europe than among the “native Whites.” In fact, poverty, unemployment and low wages have been so rampant among the racially underrepresented groups of Europe that certain countries have experienced unprecedented social protest. In November 2005, exasperated by racism and police brutality, the youth of Caribbean, North and sub-Saharan African descent expressed their frustration by rioting throughout the artificially segregated Parisian suburbs, which offer little to no prospects (Schneider, 2008). Hindraf’s 25 November 2007 phenomenal rally comes to mind.

HRP/Hindraf’s 18-point demand, including issues related to Tamil schools, higher education, job and business opportunities, seek equality and nondiscrimination. This is provided for in the Federal Constitution. 
Article 8 of the Federal Constitution provides for equality before the law. 
Article 12 of the Federal Constitution provides for no discrimination by reason of race or religion in any educational institution receiving government financial assistance.

Uthayakumar’s struggle for equality and nondiscrimination considered “racism” by both BN and PR leaders is puzzling as developed countries are moving towards equality and nondiscrimination in their policies. Nondiscrimination now stands as the key fundamental right in Europe and has been the object of many legislative acts, transposed from the European to national levels (Howard, 2005). From a political point of view “discrimination” has now become the new lens through which European policy makers who seek to promote equality and justice in plural societies view the fight against inequalities (Koppelman, 1996). As a result, the legal apparatus to address discrimination has been enhanced (de Schutter, 2006). This development has made, among others, possible for the vulnerable population, to gain protection and recognition, and in some cases obtain compensation because they have been the victims of unequal treatment based on their race, ethnic origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability (Amiraux and Guiraudon, 2010).

Obama’s call to transcend race and his successful bid to the presidency as well as the Bolivian indigenous Evo Morales’ and African Mandela’s presidencies are all efforts taken by the western world to end racism and inequality in their countries. 

It seems then that Uthayakumar’s struggle for justice and equality for the long marginalized minority Indians, for whom nobody else is willing to speak, is in line with the current global political trend of nondiscrimination and equality in plural societies.

Charges of racism and the use of the label “racist” especially by the dominant group can bring detrimental damage and serve as the best rhetorical weapon to kill the opponent.  Any such serious claim of racism should be rebutted and proved with factual evidence.

So far, Uthayakumar seems to have proven his claim that Pakatan Rakyat is playing racial politics sidestepping the Indians, with many factual evidences (some of which will be discussed in my following article) in his website (www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com).

Nonetheless, the same can’t be said about the opposition alliance which, on the one hand, is suspiciously silent on his claims, and on the other, virulently attack him as “racist”





Iraiputran

Only “Neo Democratic Revolution” can bring down UMNO regime

What do you do with a political party that has been in power for 54 years and ruling with an iron fist though they successfully portray their regime a caring one??

Every Malaysian knows that UMNO’s rule is an evil regime. I say UMNO because it is UMNO that rules and dictates in the 12 member coalition. They are well trained by the British in divide and rule policy.

Divide the rakyat into fragments. Divide the opposition into fragments. Cause fear amongst the Malays that the Chinese are out to take power in the Malay land. Cause fear amongst Muslims that the Christians would rule and that is the end of the Muslim monarchy. Cause fear that the Indians are linked to LTTE. These fears is enough to send ripples among the monarchs that if they do not back UMNO, their Sovereign power would be vanished. In fact many do not recognize this was exactly what UMNO used to intimidate the Rulers pre independence in 1957. The Malay rulers were “blackmailed” that they would lose power under British rule as happened to the Princes in Indonesia and India. Thus the Rulers were willing to surrender their sovereign power to UMNO to save themselves as early as 1955 substituting the Resident Generals to Menteris Besars. The British played along, as they knew it was easier to control the UMNO boys who were educated in England. The Malay downtrodden looked at the educated UMNO boys as their savoir. This in turn served the British, as their business interests in the then Malaya would be protected.

So how do we bring down this regime?? Only waves of Makkal Sakthi – People Power can change this. We have seen how this worked to a certain degree in 2007. Two major people uprisings shook the Government. It is now time for all stakeholders to plan and strategize. The Bersih rally on July 9th may be smaller in numbers compared to 2007. Does that mean the power of wave is weakened? Would Bersih alone do the magic??

Bersih is all about free and fair elections. With this should come larger wave of neo democratic revolution! The mindset of the people has to be revolutionalised! The true power lies in the mind of the people. If all Malaysian minds can be awakened from within that democracy is their birthright and not the privilege of few, then truly a neo revolution of people’s power can be a reality.

A complete overhaul in the mindset of opposition leaders is needed. The people need to be convinced of what they would receive out of the neo revolution. Mere rhetoric’s of “CHANGE” is not adequate.

The people would appreciate if some of the following can be implemented;

- Equality in the true sense and respect for human dignity.
- Equitable distribution of the country’s wealth to all its citizens
- Religious freedom in accordance with Universal principles.
- Respect for Individual rights and civil liberties
- Dismantling of all racist policies.
- Overhaul of the Judiciary which has been manipulative and tempering the judicial system.
- Overhaul the corrupted Police force, which play hand in glove with the underworld and hold the country at ransom in the name of National security.
- Allocation of sufficient funds to prevent brain drain and give equal opportunities to professionals to excel and contribute to the country’s wealth.

Now wait a minute. Is the above possible in Malaysia? PAS would not agree to religious freedom according to International standard for fear of losing the Malay-Muslim support. PKR would not support it either.

What about equality? Dismantling racist policies? Does that mean dismantling of Article 153? No no that is not possible as it would offend the Malay heartland.

Revamping the Judiciary and Police force???
Respect for Individual rights???
No lah this is Malaysia. Malaysians would not accept the idea. It’s not our culture!! All these are not possible in this bolehland??

So where do we stand. What change do we seek?

Well this is my answer to politicians.

They have to start thinking out of the box.

Religious freedom according to Universal principles can be implemented without upsetting the majority Muslims if they set off advocating the fairness principles advocated in Islam. PAS and Muslim clerics must develop the courage to speak openly.

Equality can be implemented without upsetting Article 153. All it needs is cracking the head. It would be a win win situation for all.

Overhaul Judiciary- openly say you would rid Judges who are not fit and corrupted. That would gain people confidence and send shivers to the immune in the Palace of Justice. That would encourage and boost the few Judges who are fair and release them from their shackles.

Will the people buy this??

All Malaysians are fair-minded, caring and potentially given very much to sharing and sharing alike. Never under estimate them. They can be easily awakened so long as politicians are sincere and truly desire change. The Malaysian mindset is ready for purification after 54 years of manipulations. They are courageous and looking out for true audacious leaders. Waves of awakening will eventually come from all corners - Malays Chinese Indians, Kadazans ibans Orang Aslis Civil Servants Trade Unions Businessmen. This wave will not only hit the shores of Kuala Lumpur but also erupt from every state, every towns and districts every Kampungs and Tamans.

Be bold. Never look back. Just move on a true and sincere agenda for change and the rakyat will be behind this great movement of “Neo Democratic Revolution”.





P.Wathyamoorthy
Chairman - Hindraf

Ambiga rises above her Bersih tormentors with UK doctorate award

In what is seen as another slap in the face for the Najib administration, a prominent law university in the UK will confer an honorary doctorate on Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan.

The 55-year old Ambiga's plate is already full, having also been honoured as one of the world's 8 receipients of the prestigious US International Women of Courage Award some two years back. But the doctorate from the UK's University of Exeter is the icing on the cake.

Certainly, the past few months have been tough for Ambiga, who received threats on her life. Blogs aligned to Prime Minister Najib Razak's UMNO party were so uncouth as to even threaten her with "gang-rape" if she did not cancel the Bersih 2.0 rally for free and fair elections, which was held on July 9.

Thus, her triumph is all the more celebrated by Bersih supporters and her well-wishers.

“She is well regarded by most of her peers and enjoys the ear of many of the judges,” Malaysian Insider reported prominent lawyer Tommy Thomas as saying.

“There is no way anyone today can describe her without mentioning Bersih. I’m sure the person from University of Exeter who had a hand in her nomination will do the same. She is Malaysia’s best-known personality today."

Different rewards for different principles
Ambiga reportedly left for London during the weekend, around the time that Najib and his entourage went to Rome to see the Pope.

In London for a 4-day official visit that began late last week, Najib was greeted by angry Malaysian diaspora who wore the yellow Bersih T-shirt to show him what they though of his high-handed actions against the July 9 civilians march.

Bersih 2.0 is a coalition of 62 top NGOs, chaired by Ambiga, and formed for the purpose of creating public awareness and demand for free and fair elections in Malaysia's notoriouly corrupt and distorted system.

An angered Najib ordered an unprecedented crackdown, and on rally day, thousands were injured and one left dead. Nearly 2,000 have been arrested over Bersih and 6 politicians remain in detention without trial under an archaic Emergency law.

The Malaysian PM has been chastised by the United Nations, the US and snubbed by the British Queen, who wore a stunningly yellow dress at the royal audience. Her attire sent an enormous cheer amongst everyday Malaysians, who took it as a sign of solidarity with their efforts to transform their society.

"Thanks to the Najib administration's actions, Bersih 2.0 has been transformed into one of the best-known organisations," said Tommy.





Malaysia Chronicle