Ngos and Non-Electoral Politics Build Participatory Democracy and the Autonomous Public Sphere by Francis Loh

PP3739/12/2002 ISSN 0127 - 5127 / RM3.00 / 2002:Vol.22No.11/12

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 1 COVER STORY NGOs And Non-Electoral Politics Build Participatory Democracy and the Autonomous Public Sphere by Francis Loh

political controversy AA surrounding the pro- AAA posed construction of the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) Project made the headlines in early December 2002. The controversy resulted in the suspension of two elected Penang State Legislative Assembly Per- sons (SLA) from their own party. Their suspension reminds us that when the chips are down, the Barisan Nasional (BN) always prioritise their party interests ahead of those of the rakyat whom they claim to represent. How else does one explain the decision of the BN leaders, including those from the MCA, to punish the two Penang MCA SLAs for, apparently, going against the BN party whip ?

Malaysians who have been struggling for political reform and change but who have become disillusioned with the opposition, especially PAS, that appears fix- ated with realizing an Islamic state, should take special note. They should not argue themselves into a corner and end up tacitly supporting the BN instead.

By analyzing the PORR controversy, I wish to highlight the existence of two realms of politics in

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

Our cover story is a continuation of our theme over the last two issues. Francis Loh discusses the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) controversy but CONTENTS highlights the significance of building participatory democracy and the autonomous public sphere. By COVER STORY this is meant the non-formal realm of politics out- ••• NGO's And Non-Electoral Politics 222 side electoral politics. He opines that, now more so than ever, Malaysians seeking democracy should ••• Go For Electoral Pacts 101010 also consider the work of NGOs. ••• Involved Versus Opportunistic Politics In Sarawak 121212 Accompanying the lead story are two interviews, one with Penang-based Lim Kean Chye and FEATURES Kuching-based Dominique Ng. Lim, who was in- ••• Sept 11 And Human Rights volved in the anti-colonial struggle, reflects on the current state of passivity in the opposition. Political In Malaysia 141414 activist Ng, on the other hand, laments the passing ••• Police Watch Group Wins Award 252525 of genuine “old-style” commitment in politics and ••• Violent Suppression 272727 the growing prevalence of opportunism. ••• Life In Prison 292929 ••• Malaysia Abstains On Torture World Human Rights Day fell on Dec 10. Prema Protocal Vote 313131 Devaraj reports on a seminar-cum-celebration in Penang while Eric Paulsen explains why Police ••• NST's Irresponsible Reporting 343434 Watch and Human Rights Committee is the winner ••• A Special Kind Of Love 353535 of Suaram’s annual human rights award. ••• Dear Mommy And Papa 373737 ••• Where Faith And Life Intertwined 383838 Chee Soon Juan, an opposition party leader in Sin- ••• A Gentle Soul Who Did His Best 404040 gapore, recounts his five-week ordeal in Singapore jail after falling foul of the authorities yet again. Another regional story is of the violent suppression REGULARS by Thai police of a peaceful gathering to protest the ••• LettersLettersLetters 161616 Malaysia-Thailand gas pipeline project in Haadyai, ••• Thinking Allowed 191919 a story that was largely blacked out in the Malaysian ••• Current Concerns 323232 media. OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS This month’s Heart to Heart section commemorates the untimely passing of Jubal Lourdes and Irene ••• AppealAppealAppeal 232323 Ch’ng in a freak accident in Bali. Jubal, a longtime ••• Subscription Form 242424 Aliran exco member, was a gallant fighter for human rights who was much loved by those who knew him. We carry tributes by Aliran president P Ramakrishnan, his brother Darrel and close friend Martin Jalleh, a regular AM contributor. Daniel and Dwayne, the couple’s two children, write a note of Published by farewell. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN) 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Jelutong, ALIRANALIRANALIRAN is a Reform Movement dedicated to Penang, Malaysia. Justice, Freedom & Solidarity and listed on the Tel : (04) 658 5251 Fax : (04) 658 5197 roster of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Founded in 1977, Aliran welcomes Homepage : http://www.malaysia.net/aliran all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Angkatan Edaran Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. Lot 6, Jalan Tukang 16/4, Seksyen 16, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 3 Malaysia, the formal and the non- MCA and UMNO; of the severity formal. Although these two as well as the laxity of the pun- realms often converge, they are in ishment meted out so far; and now fact different. Malaysians who are of “new information” available disillusioned with electoralism which has prodded UMNO to and the political parties, includ- take the matter to the BN Supreme ing the opposition parties, might Council. It is not unlikely that the want to engage in the non-formal MCA will now be pressured by the realm instead. There is much need BN Council to expel Tan and Lim. for consolidating this sphere if we are keen on ushering in partici- Significantly, there has been little patory rather than simply proce- attention given in all this public dural democracy. This article is discussion on the merits and de- submitted as a response to the merits of the PORR Project itself. debate on our current political options that has been conducted Opposition To PORR in the previous two issues of the Aliran Monthly. Yet it is obvious that many lion Project has been awarded to Penangites are opposed to the Peninsular Metroworks Sdn Bhd Let us first discuss the PORR con- PORR Project, not least of all be- a company with next to no expe- troversy before investigating the cause the Penang State govern- rience in highway building, rais- two different realms of politics. ment had not duly consulted those ing questions of cronyism. whose homes were going to be af- The PORR Project fected prior to approval of the It is because of such concerns and Project. Although no detailed En- anxieties that Danny Law, the Thanks to the PORR controversy, vironmental Impact Assessment DAP SLA for Batu Lanchang, Tan Cheng Liang (SLA for Jawi) (EIA) as required by law has been with the support of two opposi- and Lim Boo Chang (SLA for conducted, the deputy chief min- tion Assembly members, intro- Datuk Keramat), two relatively ister has proclaimed that there duced the motion to postpone the unknown Penang MCA repre- would henceforth be no further PORR Project pending completion sentatives have recently become realignment of the proposed high- of the long delayed RM400 mil- nation-wide personalities. Issues way. No doubt there will be seri- lion Jelutong Expressway. Only surrounding their failure to vote ous impact on the environment, after its completion, Law had ar- against the DAP motion in the and the quality of life of gued, could it be determined Penang Assembly on 21 Nov, the Penangites will be affected. whether there was real need for investigation by the MCA Disci- this controversial highway. It was plinary Board into their absten- But there is also popular concern because of this growing discon- tion, and their subsequent sus- that the Penang government is try- certment between the Penang pension from the MCA indefi- ing to solve Penang’s transport Government and the Penangites, nitely, dominated domestic poli- problems by simply adding a new according to Tan Cheng Liang, tics in early December. ring road here, an additional ex- that she abstained from voting pressway there, and even a third against the DAP motion. After all, There have been arguments and link connecting the island to the the DAP motion was simply to counter-arguments by their sup- peninsula. There is no evidence postpone the launch of the Project. porters and detractors whether the that it is developing an “integrated party whip was in effect when the transport system” wherein a more However, it does not appear that voting was conducted; of the other comprehensive public transport the merit of Tan’s argument, even SLAs who were missing when the system (including perhaps a light less the objections of Penangites, vote was taken; of brewing ten- rail transit system) is given due were ever seriously taken into con- sions between the MCA and consideration. Finally, there is sideration during the MCA Disci- Gerakan as well as between the amazement that the RM1.02 bil- plinary Board’s deliberations. For

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 4 and the MCA, there would not nowadays more interested in have been any protest and contro- pushing for the realization of an versy. The Gerakan president, Islamic state, rather than in repre- who does not reside on the island, senting the interests of the rakyat, insults Penangites, considerable Muslim and non-Muslim. In view numbers of whom are opposed to of such apprehensions about the the Project for reasons mentioned opposition parties, there is a dan- above. Some also smell a rat! They ger that concerned Malaysians did not need to be instigated by might begin to withdraw from the MCA nor even by the opposi- politics, or rally behind the BN by tion parties. default.

The Formal Realm Of In fact, there is little possibility of Procedural Democracy PAS’ Islamic state coming to pass in the immediate future. For in re- The PORR issue highlights the sponse to the improved perform- existence of the formal and the non- ance of PAS in the 1999 general a while, it seemed that the Board formal realms of politics in Malay- election, the BN government, was concerned whether the BN sia. The formal realm is the one which still controls a two-thirds party whip was in effect when the involving the executive and the majority of seats in Parliament, vote was taken. With prime min- bureaucracy, the judiciary as well has quickly amended the Election ister Dr Mahathir reminding the as the legislative assemblies and Laws and the Election Offences MCA that it had a standing obli- parliament, the electoral process Act to arrest the opposition’s elec- gation to the coalition, otherwise and the political parties. Proce- toral advance (see Aliran Monthly Malaysia’s democracy would be dural democracy characterizes vol 22 no 3). threatened, the writing on the wall this formal sector. This realm is was clear. Put another way, the overwhelmingly dominated by the Additionally, the Elections Com- coalition’s interests are deemed to BN coalition. The non-formal sec- mission (SPR), which is nowa- always precede the interests of tor is that realm of politics days beholden to the government, individual parties while the pos- wherein ordinary people, some- has proposed new electoral con- sibility of the coalition’s interests times organized as NGOs or in- stituency boundaries, that, when contradicting the people’s inter- formal groupings, express them- passed by Parliament, will en- ests is not considered at all. selves peacefully. It is not readily hance the chances of the ruling associated with political parties coalition in the next election (see In Dr Mahathir’s spin on the no- or with elections. Aliran Monthly vol 22 no 8). In tion of democracy, the coalition, short, electoral democracy and the by virtue of its being elected into From the PORR case, it is clear that formal political realm generally - power, already represents the peo- the BN’s domination of the legis- especially when we consider the ple. It follows that protests and ob- lative allows it to ride roughshod coercive laws like the ISA, OSA, jections are always the purview over the people’s wishes. And UUCA and Societies Act as well - of the opposition. In identifying should members of the BN coali- are clearly under the initiative of Wong Kam Hoong, Penang’s MCA tion “threaten to undermine” the the BN. chief, to be responsible for insti- interests of the ruling coalition, gating these anti-PORR protests, these members of the coalition, The Non-Formal Gerakan president Lim Keng Yaik too, can be sacrificed. Such a situ- Realm Of was alleging that Wong and the ation does not augur well for the Participatory Penang MCA were associating rakyat who very often turn to for- Democracy themselves with the opposition. mal politics to resolve their problems and predicament. There is By comparison, there exists more Worse, Lim was perhaps suggest- also the current concern that PAS, scope for manoeuvring in the non- ing that had it not been for Wong the leading opposition party, is formal realm of politics.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 5 Since the 1980s, a small but articu- occasions environmentalists have ment led by the NGOs in the 1980s late group of the middle-class, of- also gone to Court. was usurped by the state. Politics ten organized into NGOs, have was re-directed towards the for- promoted a new discourse and The Estate Workers Support Com- mal realm of political parties and practice of participatory democ- mittees have also been prominent elections thereafter. racy. By the latter is meant not only in struggling for the introduction the institutional checks and bal- of a monthly wage scheme while No doubt coercive laws and out- ances associated with free and fair other groups have protested right repression struck fear in elections and procedural democ- alongside the so-called peneroka many Malaysians. But the BN’s racy. It further refers to the crea- bandar (urban pioneers) threat- consolidation was also due to the tion of an autonomous public ened by developers and de- rapid economic growth which oc- sphere that allows for alternative manded due compensation or curred from the late 1980s until views of development and demo- low-cost housing when evicted. the economic crisis in 1997. This cratic participation to be aired. There are the consumer groups, growth was spearheaded by de- particularly FOMCA, CAP and regulation of the economy and For instance, these NGOs, which ERA-Consumer who have edu- privatization of the public sector. are usually multi-ethnic in orien- cated the rakyat about their rights Fed up with the waste, ineffi- tation, consciously avoid racial- as consumers through signature ciency and corruption associated baiting which dominates the for- campaigns, workshops and pub- with the public sector, a large sec- mal electoral process. Women lications. Finally there are also tor of the Malaysian public, espe- groups like AWAM, Sisters in Is- groups like the Third World Net- cially the middle-classes which lam, the Women’s Aid Organisa- work and JUST who have focused now enjoyed unprecedented lev- tion and the Women’s Crisis Cen- on issues of globalization and in- els of consumerism, welcomed the tre are important components of justices in the international sys- policy shift. Anticipating oppor- this realm of politics and have tem. tunities for themselves, business- struggled against the patriarchal men – bumiputera, local Chinese structures that characterize the Setback and foreigners – also welcomed formal realm of politics and in- privatization. The corollary to this sisted that women deserve equal Malaysian NGOs had suffered a was the emergence of rights. In the mid-1990s, they were major setback when the BN gov- developmentalism, a new political particularly successful in work- ernment conducted a mass crack- culture which valorized not only ing with other women’s groups down on dissent in October 1987, economic growth but the political engaged in formal electoral poli- codenamed Operation Lalang. In stability which it necessitated, as- tics to successfully lobby for the one fell swoop, 106 Malaysians – sociated in the minds of most Domestic Violence Act and to representatives of NGOs, union- Malaysians with the BN, since the amend various other laws which ists, opposition leaders, educa- coalition had ruled the country discriminated against women. tionists, church social activists, uninterruptedly since independ- and even ordinary villagers – ence in 1957. Human rights groups like were detained under the Internal Suaram, Hakam and Aliran have Security Act (ISA). Many were in- Reformasi also struggled against the ISA and carcerated in the infamous other coercive laws by conducting Kamunting Detention Camp with- However, this realm of non-formal seminars, petitions, legal aid and out trial for two to three years. participatory politics burst onto sometimes demonstrations. Envi- Consequently, the momentum to- the Malaysian scene once again ronmental groups like the Envi- wards “participatory democ- in the late 1990s. This dramatic ronmental Protection Society Ma- racy”, “alternative development”, turnaround had everything to do laysia, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, “rule of law”, “accountability” with the dual crises – the 1997 fi- Malayan Nature Society and the and “justice” was halted in its nancial crisis and especially the anti-Bakun Dam coalition have stride. The democratic space “Anwar saga”, i.e. Anwar’s sack- lobbied with some success to pro- which had been patiently claimed ing from the cabinet, his expul- tect the environment. On several by the burgeoning popular move- sion from UMNO, and his subse-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 6 quent arrest, prosecution and sen- voices heard as the 1999 general tencing to jail. But the demands of election approached. Although it Anwar’s supporters quickly appeared that they were critical moved beyond concern for of the BN and its policies, these Anwar’s well being to issues such NGOs and new groups were also as “rule of law”, “participatory addressing their concerns to the democracy” and “justice for all”. BA, indeed, to any coalition seek- The Reformasi movement also ing to rule the country. called for the repeal of coercive laws, especially the ISA, and for Most of these groups and initia- curbs on “corruption, cronyism tives as mentioned in the box were and nepotism”. not associated with the BA opposition coalition or directly con- Like the NGOs, the Reformasi cerned with the outcome of the movement was also multi-ethnic election. Rather the emergence of in orientation. It involved women these groups, alongside the as well as men, the young as well Reformasi movement and the for- as the old. Indeed the issues manifesto was facilitated to some mation of the BA indicated that which it upheld were the very is- extent by the decision of several Malaysia was in democratic fer- sues that the NGOs had kept alive prominent NGO activists to join ment. It further indicated the com- throughout the 1990s as the opposition parties, especially ing together of the formal and non- developmentalism held sway and Parti Keadilan and Parti Rakyat formal realms of politics. the BN consolidated its grip over Malaysia, and to promote the the Malaysian public. It high- democratic agenda of the BA writ Probably for the first time, signifi- lighted the importance of sustain- large. Several former NGO lead- cant numbers of the Malay mid- ing that counter-discourse of par- ers also contested the election un- dle-classes were also involved. ticipatory democracy and the au- der the banner of one or another Previously supporters of the BN- tonomous public sphere even of the BA parties. UMNO government, these Malays when no impact seemed evident now considered the BN govern- during the early 1990s.. The entry of these NGOs leaders ment zalim (cruel) and tak adil (un- into party and electoral politics just) and expressed their anger NGOs In The was perhaps the culmination of openly. This change in attitude Opposition the earlier engagement of the and orientation was due to NGOs with the opposition parties Anwar’s mistreatment, which for This counter-discourse was sub- to set up two coalition bodies, many Malay dissidents was consequently adopted not only by the namely Gagasan and Gerak in 1998 sidered to have breached “tradi- leaders of the Reformasi move- to coordinate joint activities to pro- tional“ norms and practices. They ment, who re-organised them- test Anwar’s mistreatment and also revealed that Malays were selves as a politial party, Parti related issues. Although there now equally concerned with Keadilan Nasional, but by the new were differences and frustrations, larger issues of justice and democ- opposition coalition, the Barisan a sense of camaraderie also racy. Through organizations like Alternatif (BA) as well. emerged as a result of debating Abim (Angkatan Belia Islam Malay- and working with one another. sia, or Islamic Youth Movement The spirit of the counter-discourse Malaysia) and JIM (Jamaah Islah is evident in the BA’s joint mani- NGOs Outside Malaysia or Reform Movement festo “For a Just Malaysia” and in The Opposition Malaysia), which reached down their “people-friendly” alterna- to the grassroots, lower income tive budget, which proposed in- A related development was the Malays were also drawn into this creased spending for social pro- proliferation of NGOs and other movement. UMNO no longer held grams. In fact, the formation of the independent groups (see box next the same hegemony over the BA and the formulation of its joint page) which also made their Malay community.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 7 BN Recaptures like previous opposition coali- with PAS’ increasing focus on in- The Initiative tions, for instance, the BA contin- troducing Hudud laws and other ued to hold together after the elec- Islamic practices in Terengganu. Although the BN won the Novem- tion. In the wake of the Tragedy, the ber 1999 election, nonetheless, DAP withdrew from the opposi- there occurred a tremendous im- However, by 2001, not least be- tion coalition. Non-Muslims but provement in the fortunes of the cause of the September 11 Tragedy also Muslims have also been con- opposition, PAS in particular. In- and George W Bush’s “war cerned about allegations concern- deed, despite the opposition’s de- against terrorism”, the momen- ing PAS’ connections to the feat, it appeared - for a while at tum was seized by the BN govern- Kumpulan Miltan Malaysia least - that the momentum re- ment again. Even prior to the Trag- (KMM), and by extension the mained with the opposition. Un- edy, the DAP had voiced concerns Jemaah Islamiyya, allegedly al-

New Initiatives 1998-1999 hundred lawyers in support of a colleague who was found guilty of “contempt of • the “Women’s Agenda for Change,” which court” for remarks uttered while defending demanded that the laws be enforced to pro- Anwar Ibrahim in court; tect women’s rights and that these rights be • environmentalists who protested the contin- furthered through new legislation; ued resettlement of Sarawak natives al- • the “Citizens Health Initiative,” which mo- though the Bakun HEP project had been bilized Malaysians from all walks of life to shelved, as well as the proposed construc- oppose the pending corporatisation of the tion of the Selangor Dam which threatened general hospitals and other health services; destruction of some pristine forests and re- • the “People are the Boss” involving Chinese quired eviction of the indigenous peoples youths who championed a return to the origi- living there; nal meaning of democracy; • a mass campaign led by FOMCA and other • the 17-Point “Election Appeals” (Suqiu), consumer organizations to encourage par- which focused on issues of justice and de- liamentarians to pass the Consumers Pro- mocracy rather than specific Chinese issues tection Act; which was endorsed by more than 2000 Chi- • artistes who parodied the unfolding politi- nese associations; cal events and protested against injustices • Election Watch or Pemantau organized by in their compositions and songs, artwork Budi, a new NGO, which rallied 40-odd and installations, performances and skits, NGOs to jointly monitor the electoral cam- verse and, in one instance, an entire novel; paign and to prepare a report of its findings; and • about 50,000 signatories of a petition co- • groups of ordinary Malaysians who had ordinated by the Estate Workers Support purchased into housing development Committees demanding a monthly wage projects which were stalled on account of scheme and better working conditions for the economic crisis and then protested col- plantation workers, several busloads of lectively against the developers and pres- whom converged on parliament’s doorsteps sured the government to look into their to deliver the petition; plight; • a coalition of NGOs, principally Indian- • small groups of urbanites in Kuala Lumpur based, that called for an inquiry into the kill- and Penang in particular who actively cam- ing by the police of 18 Indians (including a paigned for conservation of historical build- pregnant woman) on two separate occasions, ings and the urban habitat; and finally whom the police suspected were criminals; • the emergence of Malaysiakini, Malaysia’s • an unprecedented march through the streets first online news daily and other independ- of Kuala Lumpur in December 1998 by a few ent websites.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 8 Qaeda’s proxy in the Southeast This was evident in the demo- Asian region. cratic ferment which character- ized the pre-and post 1999 elec- Although there has been no evi- tion period. That was even more dence of such PAS connections telling in the cases of the Indone- whatsoever, nonetheless, the dra- sian(1998), Thai(1992) and Fili- matic change in the international pino(1985 and 2001) NGOs political climate, which has re- where, by co-operating with the sulted in fear of political Islam, opposition parties and engaging has had its knock-on effects in in the formal political process, Malaysia. This has resulted in fear they actually contributed towards of PAS’ intentions - not helped by regime changes. the fact that PAS has seemingly focused on its goal of realizing Is- Perhaps what is required espe- lamic rule in Terengganu. Mean- cially now in Malaysia is to return while, the BN has consolidated it- to the realm of non-formal politics. self through a series of victories There is a need to sharpen the in the Sarawak state elections and their engagement in the electoral counter-discourse of alternative other by-elections, the PBS’ return process, the focus of a particular development strategies and to to the BN, and Mahathir’s en- NGO is often cause-specific. Its consolidate the practices of par- hanced international status as the impact upon the political process ticipatory democracy. The autono- voice of moderate Islam. is therefore limited and evident mous public sphere outside of only over the long term. NGOs political parties and elections Return To Non-Formal have been excellent instruments needs to be expanded. There will Participatory for championing specific causes, be occasion in the future to re-en- Democracy ? especially of those groups which gage with the formal political have been marginalized. By defi- realm either during future elec- It is amidst this scenario that we nition NGOs eschew the electoral tions or on specific causes. Mean- want to remind ourselves of how, process because of the compro- while networking among the as in this PORR controversy, the mising stances required. In this NGOs must also be prioritized so BN government cannot be ex- regard they differ from the politi- that engagement with the formal pected to prioritise the rakyat’s in- cal parties, which are concerned political realm when it is resumed terests ahead of their own. At a with mobilizing different sectors is conducted from a position of time when we expect the BN to be of the society and aggregating strength. q more magnanimous, it chooses to their different demands ride roughshod over the protests so as to win elections. of Penangites, and even of its own In the face of their lim- elected representatives. It is a ited impact, like- timely reminder to Malaysians minded NGOs network concerned with bringing about with one another to en- political reform that our political hance their influence. choices should be located within Yet even then, their im- the wider context of formal and pact remains limited. non-formal politics. Otherwise we restrict ourselves to the realm of By joining forces with party politics and argue ourselves opposition parties in into the corner of the “better the 1999, the Malaysian government we know than the one NGOs were able to en- we don’t know”. rich those parties as well as hasten the proc- Unlike the political parties and ess of political reform.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 9 COVER STORY Go For Electoral Pacts Opposition seem to be in a state of passivity, not stressing programmes enough

Sarawak, you are going down the certain seat in a certain area. path of the destruction of our Con- stitution (or what’s left of it) and AM: Some people say the oppo- hurting the interests of the others sition are always reacting and are in Malaysia. not pro-active enough. What do you think?think?you Back home, the case of Lim Boo Chang-Tan Cheng Liang in the Kean Chye: That’s true, I think PORR affair, I am afraid, is another that…now, this may be unfair be- example where the Opposition cause we can only read what they failed. Instead of maintaining a say from the newspapers - but petty silence, they should have judging from the newspapers - struck out at the unfairness of the and again I stress it may be unfair whole process of punishment. - they (the opposition) don’t seem to be stressing their programme. And then there is the SNAP affair. And their programme, if you re- It smacks of an abuse of power. member from the early days, was Aliran Monthly: What do you And I don’t hear the voice of the to restore the independence of the think of the state of opposition Opposition. judges, to abolish the ISA, and so politics and parties today in Ma- on. laysia?laysia?laysia? AM: Do you think the opposition are cooperating well enough or Now they seem to be in a state of Lim Kean Chye: I know almost should they have a united coali- passivity, of inferiority, reacting to nothing about the Borneo states tion including PAS? statements by the government. To and should confine myself to Pe- take an example, if you talk about ninsula Malaysia. Well, basically, Kean Chye: When you come down freedom of religion, I don’t think I think they are rather unprinci- to brass-tacks, if you are talking the opposition has ever come out pled. If their policy is constitu- about the opposition, they want on obstacles to church building. tional rights, human rights, inde- to win seats in Parliament. For The Constitutional provisions pendent judiciary and so on they that I think they should have elec- about freedom of religion and the should always proclaim that toral pacts and not something right to acquire property and so policy and put it into practice. more profound than that - because on is meaningless if certain state as was shown in the last election regulations frustrate their imple- Many times the rights of Sabah and in Penang, the DAP (candidates) mentation. Worse still, while com- Sarawak are brushed aside or ig- were wiped out. The Penang elec- plaining that the judiciary is no nored; yet the opposition has re- torate decided, Ah, you are going longer independent, certain oppo- mained silent. It’s a shame that to introduce Islamic law in Penang; sition leaders encourage appeals Borneo was even threatened by no, no we won’t have it. So they from one court to another, which hints from the opposition. If you threw them (the DAP candidates) makes them rather foolish. do not uphold - and strenuously out. But it’s very different with a uphold - the rights of Sabah and temporary election pact - to win a AM: After Sept 11, the opposition

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 10 seem to have lost their momen- lems but this main headache of to support the government on cer- tum and strength. Why do you Malaya and the Borneo states tain issues, for example, on as- think this has happened and keeps pounding away. Surely it is pects of Islamic practices of which what are the... time that the Opposition seriously the government has taken a more study the laws and practices that enlightened view than the ultra Kean Chye: Have they? I only no- prevail in the Middle-East e.g. conservatives have done. ticed they have quarrelled, that’s Morocco, Yemen, Egypt and the all. In a recent speech Tan Sri Palestine Authority, setting up a AM: So at the end of the day, are Musa Hitam said that many have commission, say, and reporting you disillusioned with partisan left UMNO and joined PAS. That and even sponsoring a conference politics or do you think there is does suggest something, and he after the study. If that had been hope?hope?hope? ought to know… done, we wouldn’t have heard about people being “shell Kean Chye: I am neither disillu- AM: Do you think the (opposition shocked” about Saudi Arabia. sioned nor hopeful. While there’s BA) coalition was the best way to life, there’s hope - that is, people go?go?go? AM: Is there a role for NGOs in are not Nazi sheep; different peo- this process of bringing about ple have different ideas. If we Kean Chye: I don’t think so. I don’t change and reforms? want to talk of democracy and a think they were right to have a more tolerable life for the citizens coalition. That’s why they lost in Kean Chye: Yes, I think that NGOs of the country, they should be al- Penang, the DAP. As I said, you are absolutely vital. There are vari- lowed to express opposing views must have temporary electoral ous NGOs in this country and I freely. Without a clash of ideas, the pacts. think they are all doing a good job. truth will never emerge. q I think the more you make people AM: How do you think a aware of what is going on around multiethnic opposition should them, the more they will get to Penang-based Lim Kean cope with the challenges arising know what the issues are that af- Chye was one of the founders from the Islamic...? fect their lives. of the Malayan Democratic Union, a party that strove for Kean Chye: Is there a multiethnic AM: Some people in the govern- self-government of Malaya in coalition? I don’t think so. I don’t ment say that the opposition are 1945. He was also one of the think it’s a multi-ethnic coalition just opposing for the sake of op- founders of the All-Malaya at all. posing. What are your comments Council of Joint Action on that?that?on (AMCJA) of which Tun Sir AM: Okay, how should the op- Tan Cheng Lock was chair- position handle the emergence Kean Chye: Well, that is the usual man. This council, made up of political Islam? claptrap from people who abhor of all political parties then, dissent, the very pulse of a demo- was set up in 1946 to seek self- Kean Chye: Is that what you call cratic life. But that said, I think rule in Malaya. it? I think the problem we face that generally the opposition here is the rise of the Wahabi should consider where necessary teachings and the desire of their adherents here to wipe out the identity of the Malays, to Arabise them so to speak. Will an Ayatollah To accomplish great things, system be imposed on us? Will the “Islamisation” of the governments we must dream as well as act. lead to worse than the “dress code”? - by Anatole France

The opposition ignore these prob-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 11 COVER STORY

Involved Versus Opportunistic Politics In Sarawak The concern now is that the opposition lacks a unifying voice.

Malaysian parties. Sarawakians Dominique: You cannot deny the are also worried about rocking effectiveness of the BN govern- what appears to be a very stable ment here. Much as we think there BN, which they fear, if not strong is corruption here, the BN govern- enough, will not bring development does deliver. Internal checks ment. Unlike West Malaysia, de- are there. They are always testing velopment is a difficult issue here. public response when they an- Development cannot be taken for nounce policies. And they always granted since the BN always uses get public feedback given their it as political leverage during elec- incredible machinery on the tions. Those who do not vote for ground. the BN are denied development projects. But how can we expect the people within the BN parties to check AM: Rural areas succumbing to government? It is only those out- development politics is under- side who can check government. Aliran Monthly (AM): Sarawak standable. But why doesn’t the For better or for worse, for a de- used to have a vibrant opposition. urban electorate support the op- mocracy to survive, the people But today, the opposition is virtu- position?position?position? must have choices. Right now, the ally non-existent. Why is this so? BN is saying to the people that it Dominique: The BN plays eth- is the only party worth voting for. Dominique Ng: In the best of nic politics very well. Certainly, I beg to differ. times, Sarawak politics is very a lot of people say that they fluid. Whatever is going very well would like more opposition. But Now, this does not mean that ma- for the opposition in West Malay- urban Chinese here don’t vote jor BN political figures have not sia doesn’t necessarily translate for the opposition because they made significant contributions to into equal success in East Malay- are both afraid and apathetic. the country. They have. But at the sia. This has been the trend over Like other Chinese communities same time, in many ways, they the past 20 years. Much about the elsewhere, they support govern- have also brought the country to Federal Government does not af- ments that give them the oppor- what it is today. We are now con- fect Sarawakians. And where State tunity to survive, to make cerned with other values that a politics is concerned, Sarawak- money, to do business, to get the community must have, one of ians are very protective and pos- contracts. The Chinese are sur- which is free choice. A society that sessive. vivors, not only in Malaysia but is continually controlled by the everywhere else in the world. government, by the powers that be, AM: Protective and possessive? how different are we from a com- AM: Is the BN doing such a good munist society? Dominique: Sarawakians prefer job here that no political opposi- local parties compared to West tion is required? AM: What are the key problems

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 12 facing the present political oppo- “old style” of politics we used to tive factor here during the last elec- sition?sition?sition? know here in Sarawak, of a dedi- tion. cated core of people who worked Dominique: Lack of cohesion, lack their guts out for a cause with lit- AM: Do you think PAS has been of unity, singleness of purpose, a tle or no return, has disappeared. up-front and transparent in ex- lack of willingness of politicians Today, many politicians have two plaining hudud, the Islamic state, to sacrifice for the people as they jobs and are not into politics full- and the rights of non-Muslims in did in the ’70s and ’80s. I am not time. This has contributed to- an Islamic State? saying that all opposition politi- wards many opposition politicians today are opportunists, but cians losing their close touch with Dominique: Actually, PAS is a some are. Nonetheless, there is a the people. non-entity in Sarawak. If at all PAS general lack of clarity of purpose. is mentioned, it is generally the AM: How does one develop this media reporting on their activities Also, there is the question of strong “old style” politics? and decisions in West Malaysia. personalities within opposition But that already seems to be parties that cling on to power in Dominique: Sarawak needs an enough to scare the people here. senior positions and who thus do opposition of this type. But, eve- Indeed, unless there is a huge not allow the party to progress rything is against us, the whole change in their approach, it is with new ideas and new blood. culture, education, the commu- likely that they will not have any That said, there are some good op- nity. There is presently no politi- role here. position party leaders in Sarawak, cal culture to help cultivate, nur- namely Chiew Ching Sing and ture and support people willing AM: Any last words for opposi- Wong Ho Leng. to sacrifice everything for the election politics in Sarawak, the is- torate. sues?sues?sues? AM: Why is Chiew Ching Sing, the sole opposition DAP repre- AM: PAS works closely with the Dominique: For opposition poli- sentative in the State Assembly, grassroots. And they are very tics to have a chance, what is so popular in his constituency? committed too. Yet, many needed now is a very strong ini- Sarawakians fear PAS. tiative from the top opposition Dominique: The reason why he leadership of both West Malaysia won, was due more to his person- Dominique: PAS is active in and Sarawak. They need to sit ality. He, more than any other op- Malay-Muslim areas. I am sure down and work out a sustained position politician in the state, they are dedicated people. But, and unified alternative approach gave up everything literally to PAS does scare many to the BN. work for a cause he believes in. Sarawakians. Fairly or unfairly, He goes to the kampongs every the image projected about PAS by There is a need for an effective weekend. His constituency is half- the media has had a major impact opposition voice. The concern Iban, half-Chinese and he works upon the general psyche of the now is that the opposition lacks a continuously on their behalf. He population which associates PAS unifying voice. At the moment in is a man of the people, a rare breed with the current trend of Sarawak, after our last electoral of politician. radicalisation of Islam around the debacle, everybody seems to have world. The BN has also played up abandoned the idea of coming to- AM: So, Chiew is successful be- the issue very well, especially gether. Right now, everyone seems cause he is people-centred, un- since 9-11. to be going their own way. q like other opportunistic opposition politicians who merely ap- Furthermore, in recent years, pear during election time? PAS’s actions and decisions in Dominique Ng is a lawyer, Kelantan/Terengganu have not social activist, and oppo- Dominique: I would not say that inspired confidence, indeed it has sition politician based in all opposition politicians are op- made things worse. And Keadilan Sarawak portunistic. But the fact is that the linking up with PAS was a nega-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 13 HUMAN RIGHTS Sept 11 And Human Rights In Malaysia Suaram organises forum to mark opening of new office in Penang by Prema Devaraj

enang was not left out of PP the celebrations to mark PPP World Human Rights Day in December 2002. To commemorate the occasion and to mark the opening of its new office in Penang, human rights group Suaram organised a host of activities.

First, it issued a press statement on the “State of Human Rights in Malaysia 2002”. This was fol- lowed by an exhibition “Human Rights in a Malaysia” as well as a forum “9/11 and Human Rights teriorated with a widespread 1997, reformasi in Indonesia and in Malaysia” on Sunday, 15 De- clamping down on civil liberties. democratisation in Thailand ex- cember 2002 in Komtar, Penang. posed the “Asian values” argu- For instance, in Malaysia, the ISA ment and allowed activists to Some 65 people turned up at the is being justified as necessary push the universal understanding forum to listen to political scien- with “security” put ahead of of human rights back into the tist Johan Saravanamuttu, trade rights. Asserted Johan: “A human mainstream. unionist N Balakrishnan and rights culture is not inimical to Malaysiakini CEO Premesh human security.” Instead, he Civil society groups like LawAsia Chandran. Prema Devaraj, an countered, such a culture would tried to get ASEAN governments Aliran executive committee mem- enhance human security. to form a working group on hu- ber, moderated the session. man rights for the region. But in- Johan spoke of how through the stead of the formation of a regional Johan, an Aliran Trust Board 1990s many Southeast Asian human rights commission, na- member and Fellow and Executive states had rejected the universal tional human rights commissions Director of the Asian Regional Ex- notion of human rights and had were formed: for example, the Phil- change for New Alternatives instead emphasised so-called ippines Commission on Human (Arena), talked about human ‘Asian values’. This allowed these Rights, the National Commission rights after Sept 11 with special states to place collective rights on Human Rights, Indonesia reference to Southeast Asia. He above civil and political rights. (Komnas HAM), the National lamented that the human rights Human Rights Commission, Thai- situation across the world had de- But the economic meltdown since land, and the Human Rights

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 14 Commission of Malaysia pressed his frustration at the “con- norm. Similarly in Malaysia, de- (Suhakam). sumer culture” of the workers, mocracy is being sacrificed for se- who seem to be more interested in curity. The use of the ISA goes on, However the integrity and effec- earning their wages than in their initially with the Emergency, then tiveness of each of these groups rights. He felt that the workers with the racial riots in 1969 and vary and civil society groups have were really not aware of how the more recently against religious ex- their work cut out for them. “There labour force was being controlled tremism. He said that Malaysians is more networking and connec- and how the events of 9/11 were had grown accustomed to being tion among Asian groups now being used to deregulate laws. thrust in a situation of having to (e.g. Asian Peace Alliance),” ob- face one ‘threat’ after another. served Johan, but much more Workers are now being asked to needs to be done to bring the hu- work longer hours with 12-hour He also questioned the growing man rights agenda back on track. days increasingly becoming the culture of violence in the country. norm. In one workplace, for in- “There’s so much violence in our The next speaker, N Balakrishnan, stance, factory workers can no long society, that when it is extended an Industrial Relations Officer sit and do their work and instead against terrorism, no one is with the Electrical Industry Work- are required to work standing up shocked,” he noted. Instead of ers Union (EIWU), spoke about to improve productivity. This is in having a war state, Premesh sug- the impact of 9/11 on the direct contravention with legal re- gested that we had to tackle the Malaysian labour movement. quirements that the working envi- root causes of terrorism and win Historically speaking, it was the ronment should not adversely af- over public opinion for a peace workers who initially organised fect the workers physiologically or state. This is more easily said than and struggled for the advance- psychologically. done as it was not just a matter of ment of their rights after years of repealing the ISA and ensuring exploitative working conditions, It would seem that despite what- freedom of expression. he pointed out. ever laws there may be for workers’ rights, looking after investors He felt that groups had to have a ”But each time something hap- takes precedence over the rights broader political programme to pens globally, laws are amended, of the workers. resolve issues that divide the com- many changes are made, and munity and stressed the need for workers’ rights are curbed,” he The third speaker, Malaysiakini’s activists to develop a second-tier complained, citing events such as Premesh, touched on the chal- of leadership. The need for work- the 1965 confrontation with Indo- lenges facing human rights activ- ing together, promoting partner- nesia and times of economic cri- ists in Malaysia. Premesh, who has ships and trust among one an- sis as examples. also been involved with SUARAM other is ever more important at for the past 10 years, talked about this stage. In particular, he called Balakrishnan also described how the new American security doc- for a return to local elections. hotel and transport industry trine which allowed for new laws workers have been affected, with that seriously undermine funda- The forum ended with an hour- fewer people travelling these mental liberties (like the Patriots long question-and-answer ses- days. Faced with global economic Act) to be enacted. Once again, the sion. It was felt that groups had to uncertainty, sections of the manu- state reasons that in order to pre- act to counter the dominant US- facturing industry were not ad- serve security, the rights of the citi- led agenda. The protection of hering to wage contracts. Indus- zens must become secondary. democratic values and human trial courts were expecting work- rights must be seen as an integral ers to concede or understand the Premesh also spoke of the termi- part of the fight against terrorism position of management. nology now in use which implied and not as an obstacle to it. that the US is now at war and that Bala, who is also a general coun- war-time conditions apply. The Later that night, Suaram organised cil member of the Malaysian Trade concept of a ‘war state’, he ob- a dinner for Penang-based activ- Union Congress (MTUC), ex- served, had become an accepted ists and friends.q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 15 playing by the rules. The body even gets government funding - and is recognised by the Govern- ment & Election Commission!

Looking forward to some response if Malaysians - or more precisely ALIRAN readers - care to rise to the challenge and start organising before the general election comes around !

Ong B K via e-mail PAS And UMNO Not Playing Fair

Letters must not exceed 250 words and must include the writer's PAS plays an important role to name and address. Pseudonyms may be used. Send letters to : divide Muslim monopoly of Editor, ALIRAN MONTHLY, 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Penang, power in Malaysia. Regardless of Malaysia or e-mail to : [email protected] Views whether PAS or Umno rules, they expressed need not reflect those of Aliran. If you are sending have no intention of playing fair by e-mail please include your message in the e-mail body itself. as seen in the case of Sabah where by hook and by crook, the minor- We do not open attachments to avoid viruses. ity Muslim population is in- creased by migration and naturali- Electoral Action I guess this will influence the vot- sation of Muslims from the Phil- ers since most people will be fair- ippines and Indonesia in order to Often the irregularities/ unfair- minded - unless they are bound deny power to non-Muslims and ness of electoral delineation (and by interests to the ruling parties. to monopolise political benefits other initiatives associated with There may be technicalities to for Muslims. the Election Commission) are ac- overcome and assumptions to be cepted in resignation. So any taken into account made - the Non-Muslims are left with analysis will go only far enough point is a competition needs to be crumbs. The trend will continue to establish a conclusion which fair to be worth its name! Without as time and population growth we all know. going that far, we forfeit an effec- are in favour of Muslims. The PM tive means to fight for the integ- has openly acknowledged that I think there is a point to do a rity of the central democratic proc- non-Bumiputras face discrimina- more comprehensive job to work ess. All this of course implies more tion. Non-Muslims under a PAS out the discrepancies in detail committed election watching led government will also be non- and disseminate the informa- compared to what has been at- first class citizens. tion publicly so that the elector- tempted before. ate can get more sensitised and David Tan demand fairness in the entire But I am impressed by the scale of Kota Kinabalu election process. For example, mobilisation in election watching we can work out how much which underpins Thailand’s de- The Real Meaning ‘handicap’ is placed on each mocracy - as disclosed by a del- Of Religion opposition candidate by work- egation from their election watch ing out the unfairness from ger- body in 1999. Over there the elec- It is very depressing to read these rymandering effect, i.e. the op- tion watch organised tens of thou- letters in your magazine from fel- position in X state need Y% of sands of volunteers to do the job - low Muslims who seem to be so vote to win majority seats as and they can cause disqualifica- obsessed with the need to bring compared to the ruling party. tion to candidates who are not back medieval punishments. A

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 16 religion can’t really be a religion recalcitrant traffic violators with convince us that, thanks to them, if it is about fear, violence, cruelty a string of unsettled summons. It we do live in a caring society. and injustice, and repression of was with a sense of disgust and people’s rights (viz. Iran). outrage that I read it and it cer- Sathiaseelan SSM tainly unsettled me! My outrage Kuala Lumpur There are so many wonderful stems not from the fact that the things about religion, but these politicians had not paid up but Unanswered Questions really important aspects, the es- from the fact that our guardians Surrounding The Health sentials and raison d’etre of reli- of the law, the Police, had failed to Financing Scheme gion, seem to have passed these enforce the law without fear or people by. We don’t have to have favour, as they had always prom- an Islamic State or stoning people ised they would. Health is a basic human right and to death; we can still fast and pray the provision of universal, acces- and obey the commands of Allah, Remember the thunderous warn- sible, comprehensive healthcare is like not eating certain foods, or ing by the Federal Police Traffic the social responsibility of the touching alcohol or drugs, not Chief sometime in May that “no government. For a long time, Ma- slandering, backbiting, being one will escape this time”, as the laysia was reputed to have one of honest and truthful, uncorrupt May 16 dateline approached? In the best healthcare systems and compassionate and kind to response to his warning, remem- among developing countries. animals and people (like women, ber how ordinary folks had to Quality medical care was avail- if you are a man). forego their May Day public holi- able to the majority of the popula- day to join the unending queues tion at minimal costs. Do these Muslims think that the at police stations in the swelter- Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace ing heat just to beat the dateline? This system began to unravel in be upon him) came to the Earth the early 1990s with the unregu- simply to make war and stone Can the police now clarify lated mushrooming of private adulterers to death? Or that the whether the warning was only hospitals and with the onset of the world will be miraculously trans- directed to the meek and the weak BN Government’s privatization of formed once we have introduced and not to politicians and people public healthcare services. In 1994 hudud? Why don’t they look at the in high places who, by the nature the Government Medical Store character of the Prophet (peace be of their job, have to “rush” along was privatized resulting in a dou- upon him) and see what he was our highways and roads to serve bling of the government’s annual really like and try to emulate him. ordinary folks like us and there- drug bill. In 1997, hospital sup- What is religion really about? It’s fore, in a sense, they are above the port services such as laundry, about climbing out of the bond- law really!! This matter was ex- cleaning, maintenance and waste age of being a slave to food, drink, posed almost a week ago and the disposal were farmed out to sex, and the ego and self-esteem silence from the Police, especially Radicare, Tongkah and Faber based on externals. That’s how the Federal Police Traffic Chief, is Medisave - causing the cost to soar you save your soul and religion is really deafening! from RM140 million (in 1996) to about saving souls. It’s also about RM450 million the following year. saving the Earth. Going on about Not only have these politicians hudud like this is completely miss- blatantly violated the law and Patients in government hospitals ing the point of what we are to do failed to settle their summons be- and clinics are now faced with ris- on Earth and how we can fulfill fore the deadline, but it was also ing charges. Poor patients regu- the true purpose of life. reported that some of them had the larly appeal for public donations gall to say that they had to now in the newspapers, accident pa- Ismail Abdullah forego their holidays just to settle tients are asked to buy their own their summons. Have they ever surgical plates and screws and Traffic Summons: thought about ordinary folks who heart patients are asked to pay for Double Standards? had to forego their meals or skip their own routine medicine and an instalment on their motorcy- procedures. Policies advocated by It was exposed recently that some cles just to beat the deadline? And the BN Government have made it of our politicians, despite their ve- these are the very politicians who hard for these who cannot afford neer of respectability, are in fact will be at the forefront to try and to pay to get speedy and appro-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 17 priate healthcare. proving health services for the of manpower, overwork and low people? Or should we expect this morale. What Is The NHFS ? to be another ploy to get our money to go into private pockets The government could take The NHFS is basically an attempt through privatization, inflated proactive measures to ensure that by the BN Government to shift the concessions, fraudulent subcon- the public healthcare system is burden of financing healthcare tracting, or plain corrupt prac- adequately funded and staffed. from the government to the rakyat. tices? Many of the problems in the pub- The National Health Financing lic sector could be resolved if the Scheme is the Barisan Nasional s What is the link between the government was prepared to pro- answer to their underfunding of NHFS and the recent announce- vide more comprehensive remu- Malaysian healthcare. It will be ment of the BN Government that neration packages, better working like an extra tax - probably de- it is going to privatize all public conditions and to resolve the le- ducted straight from your salary hospitals? It is possible, that the gitimate grievances of staff in gov- (like EPF). The money will be paid only ones who will benefit from ernment hospitals and clinics. into a fund administered by the the NHFS will be health insur- National Health Financing Au- ance companies and corporate Dr Xavier Jayakumar thority, which will be responsible hospitals. Secretary, BA Health Bureau for channeling this money into healthcare. Do you trust this government with Protest Against your money? Are there alterna- Rising Crime Level Will The NHFS tives? Really Help Us? The uncontrolled situation of If you hear the Government say crimes committed on citizens The NHFS is probably a rationale “We have no choice” think again. surely points to our weak police to create another huge cash cow! There are always choices. force. The National Health Financing Authority could eventually be- Obviously, the Government could If only our police were efficient come the second largest fund in simply spend more of the taxes many lives could have been saved the country, after the EPF, with an they collect from us - directly and and injuries avoided, and the rise annual cash flow of some RM8 to indirectly - on Health. Why in the number of widows and or- RM10 billion of ordinary people’s should the rakyat be taxed twice phans could have been stemmed. money - OUR MONEY! for health? At present, the government healthcare budget is a mere The time has come for all NGOs We all know what has happened 2% of the GNP. In comparison the once again to take a common stand to other huge funds like this. EPF government spends 6% of GNP on and to protest to the Government is used to bail out crony compa- Education. The World Health Or- about the ineffective police force. nies and to finance mega-projects, ganisation (WHO) s recommenda- which benefit no one but the cro- tion is that the government The police force must be more nies in charge of them. In early healthcare budget should be be- Malaysian so that extra care can 2001, the Pensions Trust Fund tween 4% - 8% of the GNP. be given to problem areas taking (KWAP) was involved in the scan- into consideration the cultural dalous bailout of Time dotCom. 6% If less money is squandered on and social aspects of the various of the Pensions Trust Fund wasteful mega projects and costly communities. amounting to some RM903.74 crony bailouts there would cer- million was ploughed into Time tainly be more money available to I feel justified to ask ALIRAN to dotCom s Initial Public Offer pump into supporting the public take the lead in a joint petition (IPO), resulting in colossal loses healthcare system. The Govern- (with support from other NGOs) and jeopardizing the pensions ment could also do more to regu- to the Government and the police and gratuities of thousands of civil late the private sector. The unbri- to bring down the alarming crime servants. dled growth of the private sector level. has sapped the public sector of Will the BN Government really government doctors and special- P Sivakumar channel this new fund into im- ists, resulting in gross shortages Johor Baru

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 18 tempted to revive the once popular series, The Three Stooges — and Zam might just fit the bill.

But this is really not all. Prior to this, the honourable deputy minister also claimed that in Malay- sia the mainstream media have the freedom to decide on which advertisements to run. This is in relation to the US public relations campaign that is being mounted in the media in various countries throughout the world, including Malaysia’s mainstream media, to portray how Muslims in the US are able to live harmoniously in prosperity with the rest of the population. Zam Goes To It sounds really stupid especially Hollywood when there is already a standing Zam boasted that Malaysia’s me- rule in the Information Ministry dia have that freedom. Sure, the The newly appointed deputy in- that advertisements should not mainstream media that are under formation minister Zainuddin include non-Asians, particularly the control/influence of the pow- Maidin, or simply Zam as he’s Caucasian-looking personalities. ers that be ‘instinctively’ know known here, apparently has a lot (Well, at least there used to be such where to draw the line. Try say- to offer not only to fellow a ruling for advertisements on TV.) ing that, Zam, come the next gen- Malaysians but also the capital In other words, Zam really didn’t eral elections. city of the entertainment world, have the need to desperately jus- Hollywood. tify this ruling in a way that only But many things can still happen invites laughter and scorn. between now and the next general Recently, the new broom swept elections, especially with shoot- many people off their feet with Anyway, what happened, it from-the-hip Zam. Just recently, his public announcement re- seems, was that the minister’s Zam came up with another ‘mas- garding the Malaysian ban of blunder reached the American terpiece’. He urged the opposition famous American actor, Brad tinsel town where a female radio Democratic Action Party (DAP) to Pitt, from the Toyota advertise- deejay remarked rather sarcasti- support ‘all government efforts to ment. He claimed that the cally that Mr Pitt made all Ameri- combat militant activities in Ma- Toyota commercial was ‘an in- can men feel inferior, too! laysia, even with the use of the In- sult to Asians’ as it, he insisted, ternal Security Act (ISA’. would ‘plant a sense of inferior- At this juncture, we were wonder- ity among Asians’. ing whether the impenetrable As usual, with a twist of logic, Zam was also testing the waters Zam insisted that all laws passed There are many ways to make in Hollywood, in the sense that in Parliament had the support of one’s mark in the political arena, he might be casting his eye on that Muslims and non-Muslims alike and one has seen many a politi- glitter town should his political and, by implication, they’re cian, in his/her attempt to be pub- career fail miserably in the near ‘halal’, and therefore ought to be licly noticed, committing guffaws future in Bolehland. And for all acknowledged and backed by the along the way. But this one is re- you know, there may be some peo- people in general. It is important ally the pits. ple in Hollywood who may be to impress upon the honourable

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 19 minister that it doesn’t really matter who passed the laws concerned – especially when more than two-thirds of the Malaysian Parliament are from the ruling BN. What does and should matter is what kinds of laws are being passed by Parliament for the common good. Do these laws enhance civil liberties, freedom of expression, the administration of justice, etc.? Q Q Q Q Q

The Myth Of Mahathir's 100,000 crowd? The Prime Minister’s 100,000 Guests man to get to Putra Jaya even in a bushwhacked by the taxi service car, but on Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, if when they leave. The authorities When Muslims celebrate Aidil we believe what we read in the insist the taxis charge an arm and Fitri after the Ramadhan fasting newspapers and hear or see on a leg, and justify it because the month, in Malaysia it is to gauge radio and television, he would fares are cheaper than in the popularity of its leaders. But find the place with his eyes closed. Ougadougou. there are structured rules that one But fudging the records is a Ma- ignores at one’s peril. No one, es- laysia Boleh! speciality. We have I live within sight of KL Sentral, pecially a cabinet minister, should an Electric Rail Link (ERL) to ferry but I do not take the ERL to return have more visitors than the Prime passengers from KL Sentral to the from trips: the taxi ride home is Minister, Dato’ Seri Mahathir Kuala Lumpur International Air- RM7 for a RM2 ride, the hassle to Mohamad in Putra Jaya. If he has, port. Few international and local get your baggage from the trains one would not notice it from read- flights take off and land in KLIA, to the taxi stand, the extreme in- ing the mainstream press. Every not enough to justify the “suc- convenience the station itself is to Muslim has his “Open House”, cess” ERL has achieved. More the traveller. The airport taxi to which all and sundry are in- than 5,000 people make use of the would take me from the airport to vited. But no count is kept of how ERL daily, we are told, but the few my house without the hassle in many came a-calling. times I have observed it, and from between. But all this does not mat- what those who use it regularly ter: the authorities must convince The deputy prime minister, Dato’ say, each train arrives and leaves themselves and others that despite Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, with less than 50 passengers; of- the high price, people cannot wait has his in the cavernous hall of ten one is the only passenger in a to take the ERL. So, they fudge the the Putra World Trade Centre, but coach. figures. And believe in its success. he would not have more visitors And so at the Prime Minister’s in Kuala Lumpur than Dr One reason is the outrageous cost, Open House on Aidil Fitri. He Mahathir in Putra Jaya. We are and bureaucratic effort to make it opened his Imperial Palace to the told a few tens of thousands came; less likely for one to use it: the ticket public for five hours last week. in his parliamentary constituency costs RM35 one-way. If more than One hundred thousand people no of Kepala Batas 60,000. two people intend to fly, a taxi is less, we are told, came to pay their cheaper. Besides, those who use respects. All stops were pulled to But Dr Mahathir had more, no less the ERL are horribly inconven- ensure the crowds, from cut-rate than 100,000. It is difficult, well- ienced to transfer their luggage to ERL tickets to Putra Jaya to hun- nigh impossible, for an ordinary the trains at KL Sentral and dreds of buses bringing people

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 20 who came on public transport members and others are paid an and chartered buses. It would allowance and free transport so have created the biggest traffic jam that he would address a huge ever seen in Putra Jaya if the offi- crowd. His handlers believe the cial figures are believed. But what message he delivers is all the more it did not have on the first day of important when it is delivered to Hari Raya was a traffic jam. a 100,000 captive audience than to a committed 100. But when peo- The newspapers carried photo- ple are forced to turn up so the graphs not of the immense crowds leader can go home satisfied with jostling to get to shake the Prime the love the people have for him, Minister’s hand but of closeups. it can backfire. This old newspaper trick is em- ployed oft and on these days to The Romanian dictator, Nicolae suggest he is so popular that Ceascescou, addressed a huge Malaysians travel great distances crowd in Bucharest several years Badawi: Reportedly had a crowd of 60,000! and put to incredible discomfort ago to thunderous applause. Then to greet the Prime Minsiter on Hari one man in the crowd booed. He from all over the country and fetch- Raya Aidil Fitri. The more out of stopped, stared at the crowd and ing those from the railway sta- touch a leader is, the more he in- demanded who had. A pindrop tions. Those with their own trans- sists on large crowds to prove he silence ensued. port came on their own. But could is popular. This is one the prime- Dr Mahathir, 77, have greeted minister-to-be, Dato’ Seri Then the boos erupted from dif- 100,000 people in five hours? Let Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, now ferent sections of the crowd. us look closer. begins to employ. Within the hour, he had been over- thrown, and in three, shot dead There are 18,000 seconds in five Sixty thousand turned up at his like a common criminal. hours (60 minutes x 60 seconds x rural residence in his parliamen- five hours). tary constituency of Kepala Batas. This would not happen to our be- He needs to prove he is a worthy loved prime minister, but some- If he greeted his guests in clock- successor, but not as worthy as the thing close to it could if he believes work precision, allowing one sec- Great Man himself, so his people the lies his media and political ond per guest, in five hours he are happy 40,000 less came to pay handlers feed him and the world. could have greeted 18,000. But he their respects. But, as in Putra He understands the Ceascescou spend more than that per guest, Jaya, 60,000 visitors cannot have phenomen well enough, which is often if he greets someone he turned up in Kepala Batas. Per- why he is frightened of reformasi knows he may spend five minutes haps 6,000 but not 60,000. As in crowds. But when legitimate dis- and more. Putra Jaya, perhaps 10,000 not ten sent is crushed so harshly, in time times more. that dissent would show itself in Let us assume 100,000 did come. crowds brought and bought to And a quarter in their own cars, Leaders are fascinated with and honour him. But he does not be- with two or three passengers in by crowds. The more autocratic lieve it would happen to him. Let each. That is 8,000 cars over five they are, the greater their belief in us hope. Especially when he has hours. Many would stay on for their relevance. So when large begun to believe the lies his men half an hour or more. Is there place crowds are present when they feed the world about how great a in Putra Jaya for 8,000 cars? Some speak, they ignore the tremendous leader he is. visitors would have to walk for organisation that ensured it. more than two kilometres and source: www.mggpillai.com more to reach the Prime Minister’s When the Prime Minister makes reception. Then what about those his political rounds, UMNO Q Q Q Q Q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 21 Bomb Iraq Honest Sing the following lyrics to the tune of Politicians? “If You’re Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands”

Tan Siew Sin Ismail Abdul Rahman & Ismail Mohamed Ali ...... good men all three who selflessly served the Nation as Finance Minister Deputy Prime Minister & Bank Negara Governor.

Belated we recognise their rare gifts

If we cannot find Osama, bomb Iraq. of honesty & integrity; If the markets hurt your Mama, bomb Iraq. and, in death be- If the terrorists are Saudi, and the bank takes back your Audi, and medal them posthumously. the TV shows are bawdy, Bomb Iraq. Leaving a question If the corporate scandals growin’, bomb Iraq. And your ties to them are showin’, bomb Iraq. dangling transparent If the smoking gun ain’t smokin’, we don’t care, and we’re not jokin’. like a skeleton That Saddam will soon be croakin’, Bomb Iraq. in the cupboard:

Even if we have no allies, bomb Iraq. Are our only From the sand dunes to the valleys, bomb Iraq. So to hell with the inspections, Let’s look tough for the elections, honest politicians Close your mind and take directions, dead and buried? Bomb Iraq. - Cecil Rajendran While the globe is slowly warming, bomb Iraq. Yay! the clouds of war are storming, bomb Iraq. (* It was announced recently that Kuala If the ozone hole is growing, Some things we prefer not knowing. Lumpur Society for Transparency and (Though our ignorance is showing), Integrity will posthumously award Bomb Iraq. former finance minister Tun Tan Siew Sin, former deputy prime minister Tun So here’s one for dear old daddy, bomb Iraq. Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and former From his favorite little laddy, bomb Iraq. Bank Negara governor Tun Ismail Saying no would look like treason. It’s the Hussein hunting season. Mohamed Ali, Transparency Interna- tional Malaysia’s National Integrity Even if we have no reason, Medal.) Bomb Iraq.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 22 RM10 Can Make A Difference If every reader chips in, Aliran's financial woes can be resolved

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Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 24 HUMAN RIGHTS

Police Watch Group Wins SUARAM Human Rights Award 2002

ome every year on De- CC cember 10, Suara Rakyat CCC Malaysia (SUARAM) commemorates World Human Rights day with fellow activists, comrades and friends, to foster solidarity and unity and most importantly to espouse the growing need for human rights to be defended, preserved and promoted.

As part of SUARAM’s vision to work towards building a human rights movement through empowerment, solidarity and advocacy, SUARAM launched a Human Rights Award initiative in 1999, in honour of communities or groups of people who have strug- Police Watch & Human Rights Committee gled persistently and relentlessly exemplified themselves in defending their rights. The by performing the following: award has since become an annual effort, gestured towards en- couraging, recognising and laud- 1 Worked on issues of police brutality, police shooting and ing outstanding achievements to- deaths in custody; wards the realization of all hu- 2 Mobilised and coordinated family members of victims, man rights. NGOs and the public in creating public pressure and awareness campaign; Previous winners have been wide 3 Submitted a few important memoranda on ‘deaths in cus- ranging: an urban settler commu- tody’ and ‘the trigger happy police’ to Parliamentarians, nity struggling for land rights, the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Justice; reformasi activists, wives of ISA 4 Took up many cases and related legal matters on a pro bono detainees fighting for the release basis; of their husbands, and a commu- 5 Obtained alternative post-mortems for deaths in custody nity struggling to get a vernacu- and the ongoing inquests on the death in custody of Tharma lar school reopened. All of them Rajen and M. Ragupathy. have been through tremendous hardship and tribulation, but

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 25 have remained steadfast in their and attracted the interests of been positively affected, albeit in fight to defend their rights. SUHAKAM, NGOs and the pub- a limited extent in their unlawful lic. Public awareness of the impor- ways. The selection of the winner from tance of proper police conduct and the 2002 nominees, like previous accountability is higher and rather By Eric Paulsen years, was difficult and close. The optimistically, the police have SUARAM coordinator nominees were judged on various categories: gravity of human rights abuse; awareness caused, empowerment created and impact on the human rights situation.

In all the categories, Police Watch & Human Rights Com- mittee, a group set up by concerned citizens to protect and obtain redress for the vulnerable and poor against unlawful police conduct, came out with top marks. The group encountered many difficulties dealing in a subject that was bound to be controversial and highly charged. In their many confron- tations with the police, hospital The other nominees: administration and magistrates, 1 . Malaysiakini - the leading alternative and independent the group met massive amount internet news. They are still uncompromising in pub- of red tape, apathy and general lishing “only the news that matters” despite the disregard for accountability and unaccommodating climate and financial constraint. transparency. The police on sev- 2. The SOS Damansara school - after 700 days of the clo- eral occasions threatened them sure of their premises, they are still persevering in edu- with arrest and legal action. cating the pupils with generous donors, dedicated teach- ers, volunteers and the support of the parents and the The group’s efforts throughout the community. year had succeeded in creating a 3. The Orang Asli Community of Bukit Tampoi, Nilai - had strong sentiment among the af- their homes demolished and land taken in order for a fected community, knowing that highway to be built. They won a landmark High Court they have somewhere to go to ob- case against the government for compensation. The case tain help and redress in police was significant because for the first time compensation matters. This newfound aware- was paid for the land through the Land Acquisition Act ness has led to more people as- and oral evidence was accepted to prove their history serting their rights, making com- and ownership. plaints and seeking redress when 4. The Community of Ladang Stratshila, Jelapang - 4 gen- they or their family members were erations of plantation workers fought eviction and finally, unlawfully arrested, remanded, in a settlement with the developer, obtained land for their beaten or killed. homes. The frontline was mainly made up of women workers. Many of them were arrested in numerous en- The many complaints, memo- counters and altercations with the developer, police and randa and police reports in expos- others. ing the wrongdoing of the police have generated much publicity

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 26 REGIONAL Violent Suppression Thai police use force to break-up peaceful anti-pipeline protest

On 20 December 2002, the prime ministers of Malaysia and Thailand met in Haadyai. According to the NSTNSTNST report “four-eyed meeting between them achieved break- throughs on several matters.”

“A meeting of this sort has never happened before. It was held in an informal setting but I am happy to tell you that the discussions were substantive and real and point the way to resolving common problems,” said Dr Mahathir.Mahathir.Mahathir.

Two days later the NSTNSTNST further reported “the Malaysia- Thailand Gas Pipeline Project started in 1999 will go on despite protests by some Thai residents.” And further that the Thai PM had said that “the pipeline project had full government support and was left to Thailand’s PTT he Thai Government’s Plc and Malaysia’s Petronas to complete it.” TTT firm decision to go ahead TT with the Thai-Malaysia There was no elaboration of the peaceful but popular pro- gas pipeline and separa- tests against the Pipeline Project and not a mention of the tion plants project stirred up a new violent suppression of the protestors. round of fierce confrontation with local opponents.

Last night, at about 2030 hrs, po- evening prayer, the largely Mus- not expected by the protesters as lice used force to purge Thai- lim protesters were beaten with they had attempted to seek per- Malysian pipeline protestors who police batons, dragged from their mission to rally peacefully and were peacefully gathering in front vehicles and then detained. an agreement was reached with of a hotel in Hadyai District, Women, including NGO activists a deputy to the Prime Minister’s Songkhla province, Southern and students, were also forcefully secretary, Watcharapan Thailand. About 2,000 of them dragged away and beaten. Their Chankachorn, to use the area. came there to submit a letter of clothes were partly ripped as a Six vehicles and sound equip- petition to Thai Prime Minister result of the clash. ment belonging to the protest- Thaksin Shinwatra, who along ers have been damaged. with his cabinet members, were En route to the town of Had Yai, slated to have a first joint-meeting they were stopped and searched. The police chief, Pol. General with the Malaysian cabinet at the Upon arriving at the JB Hotel, they Sant Sarutanond, also lied to hotel the following day. gathered peacefully in the area public that the police were marked with police fencing. The forced to use violence against While preparing to perform their clash and forceful eviction were the protesters as they “got too

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 27 close to the hotel”. In fact, a space show to the Malaysian govern- can be gathered and a public in- near the parking lot of the hotel, ment that everything is under quiry is completed. which is more than 300 metres control, and that any hurdles away, had been agreed upon by against the commencement of this We, the representatives of devel- the Prime Minister’s representa- gas pipeline construction have opment organizations, submit the tive for the villagers to use for stag- been removed. following demands to the Prime ing peaceful demonstration. And Minister, Mr. Thaksin Shina- they were brutally beaten right at It is not so, as the Thai government watra, and the cabinet: the spot while praying. has failed to give reasonable an- swers to many questions by the 1 . All protesters who have been At present, about 11 NGO activ- villagers and many concerned arrested be released uncondi- ists, students and villagers, academics. More than 1,000 aca- tionally and that their injuries have been charged for obstruct- demics from leading institutions be cared for and their damage ing and injuring officers and countrywide have recently asked be compensated. possessing weapons and de- the government to review the 2. Compensation to be made for tained at the police station. Bail project to no avail (see accompa- the damage done to vehicles, has been denied. nying statement). The Senate com- sound equipment and other mittee on the environment and the belongings of the protestors. It is disheartening that such a National Human Rights Commis- 3. The gas pipeline project and harsh attack against a religious sion have recommended that this the separation plants project and peaceful group of villagers project and the industrialization be shelved to avoid further con- took place in this so-called demo- be halted until more information flict. q cratic country. It is even more de- plorable that the government is so With Solidarity •Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability •Assembly of the Poor •Cam- obsessed with its desire to indus- paign for Alternative Industry Network •Campaign for Popular Democ- trialize the South of Thailand, an racy •Environmental Conservation Club, Rajchapat Institute, Kancha-naburi area that has enabled fishing com- •Green World Foundation •Kanchanaburi Conservation Group •Project of munities to live abundantly for Ecological Recovery •Yadana Pipeline Affected Communities Alliance •Sus- centuries. They do not want the tainable Energy Network Thailand •Thai Development Support Commit- gas pipeline project and the affili- tee •Thai Volunteer Service •Thai-Karenni People Group •Union for Civil ated petrochemical and other in- Liberty •Water Resource Network •Wildlife Fund Thailand under the Royal dustrial estates at the expense of Patronage of H.M. the Queen •Wang Sala Local Environmental Group, their peaceful livelihood. There Kanchanuburi December 21, 2002 are studies whose findings are against the touted economic ben- For more information, please contact : efits of the project. The energy glut Campaign for Alternative Industry Network / CAIN does not seem to make the govern- 801/8 Ngamwongwan Rd., ment heed the counter argument Soi 27, Maung district, from the protesters. Nonthaburi 11000 THAILAND In choosing Had Yai as the venue Tel/Fax : (662) 952-7606, for the joint cabinet meeting, the (662) 952 7371 Email : [email protected] Thai government simply wants to

The proposed 352 km pipeline is a US$689.8 million (RM2.62 billion) joint-venture project to explore “25 years of high reserve” natural gas in a Joint Development Area covering 7,520 sq km, about 150 km from Kota Baru in Kelantan and 180 km from Pattani in south Thailand.

The gas from the Gulf of Thailand will then be piped through two villages in Chana district in Songkhla province to Changlun in Kedah. - NST, 23 December.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 28 REGIONAL

Life In Prison by Chee Soon Juan “If my imprisonment can bring the international spotlight to bear on the injustice that prevails in Singapore, then every minute that I spent in jail was worth it.”

shared a tiny cell (6 ft by dinner between 3 and 4 o’clock in While I don’t have complaints, I II 15 ft) with two other in- the afternoon. The meals are ad- do, however, have major concerns: III mates and a toilet bowl, equate except that by nightfall in- the squatting kind. I ate mates get hungry because dinner Hundreds of prisoners compris- and slept – at nose level – the en- is eaten so early. ing men from China, Thailand, tire five weeks beside a latrine. I Indonesia, Burma, South Asia, etc. was fortunate as other cells had I spent a couple of nights in the are caught for overstaying in Sin- four inmates crammed into an sick bay when I was ill. The “beds” gapore after their work visas have even smaller cell. The cell is com- have no mattresses, just a metal expired. I witnessed what seemed pletely bare except for a small plate with holes throughout on like an endless row of new in- window near the ceiling, which which you tried your best to make mates all squatting, heads shorn allows natural light into the room; yourself comfortable. Our ankles and clutching their straw mats an awning covers the window so are chained to the bed-post. Some and plastic boxes, waiting to be that one cannot see the sky. The prisoners even had both ankles introduced to their cells. wardens peer into the cell through and a wrist cuffed to the bed- a tiny slit on the solid metallic frame. They all looked bewildered and door, which entombs the cell. terrified. Why wouldn’t they? A At night if one needs to answer minimum of three strokes of the We’re given a straw mat to sleep the call of nature, one is given a rotan awaited them (the number on the concrete floor (there are no small pail to urinate into. With one depended on how long they over- bunk beds like you see on TV) and ankle chained to the bed, it takes stayed in the country). Caning in a plastic box containing two small some skill (and not a little bit of Singapore is a barbaric act where blankets, toothbrush and tooth- contortion) to manoeuvre into a trained personnel (some say the paste, soap, toilet paper, a small position where you could bring caners are trained exponents of pail, a drinking mug, and a face the bucket onto the bed and kneel the martial arts) slash a six-foot towel. Water is provided during over it to ease yourself. long, one-inch thick cane, across meal times. Because of the heat the hapless victims’ buttocks. The and humidity, inmates flush the In prison, minutes seem like hours individual’s ankles are strapped toilets and use their pails to col- and hours like days. You long to onto a heavy, metal frame and they lect extra water for washing, cool- be free and to be with family and bend forward where their wrists ing down and even drinking. friends again. Don’t get me wrong; are similarly locked, with only I am not complaining. I accept their naked backsides exposed. There is “yard time” an hour a day willingly the punishment because for exercise and showers. We’re in doing so, I want to demonstrate I was told by some of the inmates locked in for the rest of the 23 the nature of the ruling party in that the screams of the victims af- hours. Breakfast is brought in at Singapore and to seek to help it ter each stroke of the whip makes about eight, lunch at noon and mend its undemocratic ways. one lose all appetite for food. The

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 29 cane breaks skin and draws much like the Internal Security Act blood. Doctors are on hand to ad- used for the ruling party’s oppo- minister treatment and to assess nents. if the individual can take more We will punishment. A maximum of 24 “Dr Chee, I want to commit sui- strokes is the legal limit and only cide,” one of the detainees whis- match your males below 50 years of age can pered to me when I paused out- be whipped. side his cell. “I can’t take it. I don’t capacity know when I am going to be re- I shared my first night (inmates leased and I can’t get a trial.” He, to inflict are rotated in different cells on a like the rest of his fellow criminal regular basis) with a 45-year-old law detainees, is kept singly in suffering with guy from China. His face turned isolation cells. ashen when he told me of his im- our capacity pending ordeal under the rotan. If my imprisonment can bring the My heart sank further when he international spotlight to bear on to endure told me that many men in his the economic, social, and politi- plight leave their countries out of cal injustice that prevails in Sin- suffering. desperation in search of a liveli- gapore, then every minute that I hood. Many are not aware of man- spent in jail was worth it. If pres- We will datory caning rule in Singapore. sure can be brought to bear on the Singapore government by our meet your Our short conversation ended friends in democratic countries when he lay back on his mat and and international organisations, physical force stared blankly at the ceiling. I then and in so doing help us in our thought of Michael Fay, the Ameri- struggle for freedom, human with soul force. can teenager who was caned by rights and democracy, then I the Singapore government for would without a moment’s hesi- We will not vandalising (spray-painting) tation step into that cell again. cars. The situation then caused a hate you, furore in the United States. It was But change must ultimately come over one individual. But now, only from us Singaporeans. And if we, but we will not silence greets the thousands who by daring greatly, attempt to re- have been whipped, and continue store justice and democracy to our obey your to be whipped, for their “criminal” country, our current sacrifices acts. The pain was just as excru- would be more than compensated evil laws. ciating for Fay as it is for these by our future successes. For suc- overstayers. The only difference is cess will come - it is only a ques- We will soon the colour of their skin. tion of when and how. q wear you down I also saw a couple of inmates who 14 Nov 2002 were imprisoned under the Crimi- by pure nal Law Temporary Provisions capacity to Act, a law that empowers the gov- Dr Chee Soon Juan is Sec- ernment to detain a suspect when retary-General of the oppo- suffer. it is unable to secure a conviction sition Singapore Demo- in open court. The detention or- cratic Party der is signed by the minister and by Martin Luther King Jr. is valid for a period of two years. Source: www.sfdonline.org It is also renewable so that a suspect can be detained indefinitely,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 30 HUMAN RIGHTS Malaysia Abstains On Torture Protocol Vote

fter 10 years of inter- governmental nego- AAA tiations, United Na- tions member states finally approved an Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture in a General Assembly vote on 18 Decem- ber 2002. The result: an over- whelming 127 in favour, 4 against (USA, Nigeria, Palau, torture. The implementation of ment’s attitude to torture and Marshall Islands), with 42 ab- these constructive proposals exposes its hypocritical, un- stentions. would be reviewed through democratic and oppressive na- regular visits. ture. In a sense it is not sur- Aliran is deeply disturbed and prising given the harrowing disappointed that Malaysia is The Optional Protocol will be accounts of detainees’ experi- surprisingly one of those open for signature from 1 Janu- ences under the hated Internal unenlightened 42 nations that ary 2003 and will come into Security Act and only confirms abstained on this crucial vote. force upon the 20th ratification. that the authorities are not pre- We fail to see why the Those states that have ratified pared to forego harsh and cruel Malaysian government could the protocol will elect the in- treatment of detainees. The not have voted in favour of the ternational Sub-Committee abstention is also not unex- protocol, which is designed to that will determine its own pected given that Malaysia has help rather than condemn rules of procedures. up to now failed to ratify the States. By voting for the pro- Convention Against Torture. tocol, Malaysia would have Only three Southeast Asian na- stood head and shoulders with tions had the moral courage to We urge the government to those in the international com- distinguish themselves by vot- repair the damage to Malay- munity that had the moral ing in favour of the Protocol, sia’s tarnished international courage to stand up for justice. namely Indonesia, Cambodia image by immediately ratify- and East Timor. We congratu- ing both the Convention The Protocol establishes a late them for being receptive against Torture and the Op- unique system of complemen- to the idea of international tional Protocol. tary international and national scrutiny and aligning them- visiting mechanisms to places selves with ethical standards of Executive Committee of detention. The visits, by behaviour. 21 December 2002 adequately mandated experts, would be preventive rather Malaysia’s shameful absten- For more information, please than reactive and thus would tion, on the other hand, sticks visit the Association for the only make recommendations out like a sore thumb and Prevention of Torture website: for changes required to prevent speaks volumes of the govern- www.apt.ch

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 31 Hence, the sensible police approach would have been to alert the public to the existence of unfounded email rumours. The proactive solution is for the authorities using the mass media they control to advise the public to ignore those and other rumours. That would have gone a long way in mollifying the public.

Instead the police have chosen the counter-productive method of using ISA which can only heighten uncertainty and suspicion among our usually poorly informed citizens. A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. The authorities may be extremely Stop Arresting or harm. unhappy about how foreign me- ‘Rumour-Mongers’ dia reports have recently, unjusti- fiably and irresponsibly linked Under ISA! The rumours of terrorist attacks in question have probably been Malaysia to international terror- Aliran regards as totally transmitted and spread in this ist conspiracies. The authorities unjustifed the recent spate of ISA manner. It is more than likely that would be right to be unhappy arrests (so far 10 people have been some people, upon receiving those about how some foreign govern- arrested) of several so-called ‘ru- messages, ‘forwarded’ the ru- ments’ travel advisories, stricter mour mongers’ for allegedly mours without malice. visa requirements and periodic spreading via email unfounded announcements have made Ma- rumours about potential terrorist It is a habit of many people to ‘play laysia seem less safe than it has attacks on certain places in the safe’ by informing friends and always been. country. relatives to be cautious. We de- plore this habit of mistaking ru- Let the authorities prove the fal- We are completely opposed to any mours for reliable ‘information’. sity of those ‘international ru- deliberate attempt by anyone to mours’. Let them safeguard our cause alarm and panic in our so- But, regrettable though it may be, economic interests and national ciety, especially over so serious a it is part of ‘Malaysian culture’ to reputation by using the diplo- matter as terrorist attacks. But the think, ‘If there’s no truth, there’s matic and other means available ISA arrests, non-transparent as still no harm in being careful.’ to them. always, are tantamount to terror- izing basically innocent people Is all this too much for the authori- But if the authorities cannot arrest who may have erred with no in- ties to understand? Is it too much ‘foreign rumour-mongers’ who tention to cause mischief. for them to accept that many citi- operate on a much wider scale zens are easily unnerved by ‘ru- with far worse impact, then our As anyone who uses email knows, mours’ when they have been police have even less justification people send and receive all kinds warned so frequently by the au- for using the ISA upon our own of messages, jokes, news, greet- thorities themselves that all kinds typically ill-informed, misin- ings, quotes, words of wisdom, of alleged militants and terrorists formed or frightened citizens. tales of sorrow, inspirational epi- threaten our public security? sodes, and, yes, even lies and We should consistently reject un- items of disinformation. There is In this case, the so-called ‘rumour- founded rumours about our secu- an email culture that leads peo- mongering’ has not caused panic rity. But these rumours are no ple to share these messages with and has had no impact whatsoever worse than the huge amounts of others without meaning ill intent on the public sense of security. false information, lies, fitnah and

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 32 tohmah frequently spread to dis- credit the lawful opposition, NGOs and concerned individuals.

If the police want to use ISA to deal with rumours and false information of that kind, how many people would the police have to arrest? Who would the police have to arrest?

Or is it the case that ISA is being used again to intimidate an already insecure populace for political gain by those in power?

Is it the case, moreover, that the authorities will now use these ISA arrests of alleged ‘rumour-mongers’ as the excuse to increase the police surveillance of the Internet? Will the arrests become the pretext for controlling and shutting down the different dissenting websites which provide uncensored news and alternative views?

As always, after arresting citizens under ISA, the police act mysteri- ously. They do not bother or they fail miserably to produce evidence of the detainees’ guilt.

If the police have a case against Subscription available for only RM10 a month the alleged ‘rumour-mongering’ detainees, let the authorities charge the detainees in court. Let the public know and understand what crimes and what issues are involved.

Above all, let those who are detained defend themselves as citizens who have a right to a fair trial Address: 2-4 Jalan Bangsar Utama 9, in an open court. 59000 Kuala Lumpur.

Aliran urgently calls upon the Phone Malaysiakini: 03-2283 5567 authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all those detained under the ISA. Fax Malaysiakini: 03-2289 2579

Aliran Executive Committee E-mail Malaysiakini: [email protected] 21 December 2002

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 33 HEART TO HEART : "What comes from the lips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the heart" - Arab proverb Drowning Tragedy: NST’s Irresponsible Reporting

he deaths of our be- spread like wildfire among front page. By contrast, its sub- TTT loved friends, Aliran people who did not know the sequent reports based on more member Jubal couple. factual information were Lourdes and his wife tucked further inside the pa- Irene Ch’ng, was a devastating The Bali police later categori- per. blow for all who knew them. cally denied the details con- tained in the NST report: the An ethical newspaper would But the misleading and sensa- medication turned out to be have issued an immediate apol- tional way the New Straits Times painkillers for Jubal’s slipped ogy on the front page to the initially reported their tragic disc and there was no note to distressed parents, relatives, deaths in a hotel swimming the children. Jubal’s brother friends and colleagues. But this pool in Bali has made the loss Darrel said that hotel guests he apology has not been forth- doubly distressing. had interviewed said there was coming even until today. A no quarrel; the couple had printed front-page apology is On 2 Dec 2002, the newspaper been happy. Following the re- required - not least for the sake ran a front-page story implying sults of the post-mortem con- of Jubal and Irene’s children - the couple had quarelled and ducted in Bali, the police have to clear any doubts and stigma might have consumed some pills categorically ruled out suicide. caused by such irresponsible before they entered the pool, as The cause of death was due to reporting. several bottles of medication drowning. were found in their hotel room We are waiting to see if it is along with a letter addressed to One would have expected more beyond the NST to issue such their two children. The implica- responsible and accurate re- an apology. tion of the NST report was porting from an established death by suicide. national newspaper. It should Dr. Mustafa K. Anuar have verified its sources and, and Anil Netto Jubal’s and Irene’s parents, if there was any doubt as to Coordinators relatives and friends were an- their reliablity, it should have Charter2000-Aliran, gered by this irresponsible and exercised caution. Instead, the a Malaysian citizens’ unbelievable insinuation, paper insinuated suicide and media initiative which sparked rumours and published the story on the 4 December 2002

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 34 HEART TO HEART : "What comes from the lips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the heart" - Arab proverb A Special Kind Of Love

Jubal Lourdes and Irene Ch’ng were an outstanding couple who touched the lives of many. by Darrel Lourdes

had written something on paper about Jubal “I“I and Irene but as I stand here, looking at the “I“I“I crowd in the Church, I realize that there is nothing I can say, that will speak louder than what we can see here today. The fact that there are so many people here today is testimony to the lives Jubal and Irene lived. This crowd is a statement towards how outstanding they were as people.”

Let me start by thanking all of you for being here. This last week has been a very intense celebration of the human spirit. We have cried and laughed together - felt the bonds of love amongst friend and relatives, found compassion and shared pain in a very unique and special way. My family and I have experienced the best that human fellowship could offer. It has been an intense experience of empathy and compassion for many of us. It has also been a very long and intense week for many of us and I think it is time to let go and move on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people on behalf of my father before I move on to talk about Jubal and Irene….

Soon Seng (Irene’s brother) and I reached Bail at Jubal and Irene in Bali on 27-11-02, 3 days before their death about 4.00 pm on Sunday, 1 December 2002. It was a cloudy day. They sky was dark. It had rained. It ming pool, drained of its contents, with a police line was a 55-minute drive from the Airport to the Bali around it. We knew this was the pool that had taken Spirit Hotel and Spa. By the time we arrived, it the lives of Jubal and Irene. Soon Seng continued to started to rain. try to get in touch with the manager. I left him to it and went down to the pool that was a distance from “Come Back” the lobby.

We asked for the manager and tried to get in touch By the time I reached the pool, it was raining quite with people who would be able to help us under- heavily. There in the rain, I screamed and shouted. stand what had happened. In the midst of that, we It was anger and hurt that I felt most but at the back looked over the balcony of the hotel and saw a swim- of my mind I kept telling Jubal come back, come back

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 35 Another part of my mind kept tell- fact that we are struggling to let gone through the operation. There ing me this was not possible, but I them go is a testimony of the life was so much gentleness in his could not stop myself from ask- these two people lived. It is hard, body. He touched her with so ing him to come back…. not to go, and the pain is so deep, and we much care. There is no doubt that come back! cannot help but ask them to come they shared a strong bond, right back. till the end. The next day, we went to the hospital in Sangla. When they pulled Another thing that stands out for A Special Jubal out of the freezer, and re- me today, as I stand here thinking Relationship moved the cloth that they used to of them, is the love they shared for cover him, the first thought that each other. When Soon Seng and Another thing I believe will linger came to my mind was: You still look I were clearing their stuff in Bali, in our minds is the love they so handsome. I bent over him. I gen- we found in their wallets the first shared for their children. I have tly touched his hair and it felt so photos they carried of each other. seen the two boys grow from little soft. Then I touched him on his The photos were about 14 years babies into handsome, strong chest with great care, afraid I old. They had laminated it so that young men and there is no deny- would hurt him or give him more it would be preserved. Each had ing the influence Jubal and Irene pain then he had already felt. I one of their wedding photos in had on them. They did not be- held his arm. And it was so cold. his/her wallet. come good boys by chance. They In my mind, I kept saying come are good because of the love Jubal back, come back, come back! If you saw the photos we brought and Irene gave them. back of their holiday, you would I am sure I am not the only one notice the joy they found in each I still remember the many conver- here today saying “come back”. other. When we spoke to the peo- sations I had with Jubal and Irene The fact that there are so many of ple in the hotel, they were sur- over the parenting questions they us today telling Irene and Jubal to prised that they had been married struggled with. I remember walk- come back is a testament to the for 12 years with two children. ing into the hospital late at night lives they lived. It is clear to me They told Soon Seng and me they and finding Jubal bent over that we will not remember Irene thought Jubal and Irene were boy- (younger son) Dwayne as and Jubal for the degrees they got friend and girlfriend having a Dwayne struggled with a fever. I or the honours they picked up or great time in Bail. They said their remember (elder son) Daniel cud- for their material wealth. fellowship looked so fresh, like a dling up against Irene after her young couple in love. operation, looking so happy with But we all remember how they the nest he had found in his had loved and cared for us. An For many of us, the love that they mother. There are just so many experience of them always left us shared has always been a great memories that could be shared feeling better, complete, more ful- reminder of how good a relation- here today. filled as people. They were out- ship can be. They had a deep, standing friends. They were good meaningful, real and grounded I must say it feels good to stand listeners; they shared what they way of relating to each other. They here today talking about Jubal and had, brought humor into our lives had their moments of struggle, just Irene. It feels good to be able to say and they cared for us. The fact like all couples, but these moments with confidence that we will re- that there are so many of us here were always the stepping-stones member them for the love they today is a testimony of that love. to something better. shared, for the love they gave and for the love they had for their chil- Photos In The Wallet One of the most powerful images dren. If feels good to say that we of love in my mind is of Jubal in will not remember them for the su- We experienced their love … and the ICU, leaning over Irene after perficial things of life but for the we are here to mourn - to mourn she had undergone a brain tu- way they loved. It feels good to say the fact that we will no longer mour operation. He looked bent that they touched the lives of the have this love in our lives. The and broken as if he himself had people they met; it feels good to

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 36 say that Irene and Jubal’s relation- home, Irene was singing a song. “The next time I fall in love, it will ship offered so many of us hope At a key line in the song, she be with you.” And I am sure, the and comfort. It feels so good to say stopped and glanced at Jubal, and next time they fall in love, it will that these were outstanding par- Jubal knew that she was in love still be with each other! ents and people. with him too and their love began. I do not remember the name of the We should wish them a good jour- I feel proud to have known Jubal, song that Jubal mentioned but I ney. They will be missed. May my brother. I feel proud that we remember the line from the song: their souls rest in peace. q shared a special relationship for 35 years. I feel proud of who he was. I also feel proud of Irene. In the last few days, the number of people who have come up to me and talked to me about how she We write this note with grief in touched their lives makes me our hearts. Both of you have left proud. I feel proud of her as a per- us so suddenly. We cannot be- son and as a friend. I feel proud of lieve it. We feel very sad and de- them as a couple. I feel proud I had jected. the chance to know them. Even though we will be missing Falling In Love both of you, the rest of our lives, we will never forget the “Happy I would like to end this with a Times” we had together with story. This happened about 14 both of you. years ago. Jubal and I used to live in Madras Lane. We had a swing Tata, Amachi, Ama, Chinaih, in front of our house that is now Chinnamah and Ayumi will miss you and mummy very in my mother’s house. While I sat much. Please pray for us so that we will live a good life in this on the swing and Jubal sat on a world so that both of you will be very proud of us. stone structure opposite me, he told me he had fallen in love with Pappa and Mummy, do you know how much people prayed Irene. He said he had liked her for for you and mummy. Pappa, you always pray to God. We a while but was unable to tell her hope God will help us to live a good life. about it because he feared that she did not feel the same way. He We expect to live in this earth from now on, with your bless- feared rejection and feared losing ing and prayers. We love both of you very much. a good friend. So he held back his feelings and used to go out on We end this letter with tears in our hearts. dates with Irene pretending to be friends. Daniel and Dwayne placed this One of their more popular outings farewell letter in each of the urns containing the remains of their was the swimming lesson pro- parents which were then buried. vided by Irene. After one of the swimming lessons, on their way

Jubal and Irene were found dead in the hotel swimming pool on the morning of 30 Nov 2002. Police in Bali ruled out suicide and, days later, a post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as drowning. Hundreds attended the moving Funeral Mass held on 7 December 2002 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 37 HEART TO HEART : "What comes from the lips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the heart" - Arab proverb Where Faith And Life Intertwined Religion to them was much more than a church-going experience.

here is much that I can them into a time of TT recall of Irene and Jubal social consciousness. TTT — their simplicity and Social transformation humour, and the unfail- gradually became a ing responsibility that they preoccupation. They showed as parents to their sons were keen to be a voice Daniel and Dwayne. to the voiceless and to be involved in issues But perhaps what stands out the which many avoided most about them is what I think for fear of the conse- could best be described as their quences and reprisals. “ardent spiritual journey.” Reli- gion to them was much more than Jubal became a mem- a church-going experience. ber of Aliran, and went on to serve as an executive which he himself was noted for. Their spiritual journey took them member for many years. Irene was beyond the confines and security a solid support to Jubal and she Irene was well respected in her job of ritualistic religion to a spiritu- was equally vocal on the social is- as HR manager and later director ality that challenged them with sues of the day. in the hotels she worked for. Many the unfamiliar. In their search for of her former colleagues and those meaning, they strove to connect There were times when they whom she last worked with have faith to everyday life, which shared the great challenge of try- shared profound memories of her among other things, led them to ing to balance marriage, family fairness, kindness and efficiency an explicit and implicit dialogue life, their careers and social activ- at work. with peoples of other faiths. ism. They made mistakes along the way, but they had this great Daniel and Dwayne have every Personal spiritual transformation sense of humour that enabled reason to be proud of their par- and growth seemed to be their fo- them to laugh at themselves and ents — who have no doubt left a cus in the initial years. Their faith- funny side of life. great legacy behind. The tears of experience became a source of sus- the immense crowd made up of tenance, especially in very diffi- In recent years, both Jubal and friends from all walks of lives and cult times, particularly when Irene Irene continued with their exem- faiths who turned out at the fu- suffered from a suspected brain plary lives in their workplace. neral service bear testimony to tumour. Jubal finally got to do what was this. q closest to his heart: he became a But they were never easily satis- motivator, enhancing the lives of Martin Jalleh fied. Their spirituality impelled many with the very zest for life A close friend

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 38 A GENTLE SOUL WHO DID HIS BEST Continued from page 40 they will remain forever as mem- one cruel stroke, misfortune ren- bers of this unique fraternity, the dered their two children orphans. Aliran family. Our hearts go out to their children, Daniel, 10, and Dwayne, 8. To add Jubal joined the Aliran family on to our misery and agony, the New January 3, 1988 at the age of 23. Straits Times came out with a new While others of that age were more twist to this tragedy, implying that concerned about their career and both Irene and Jubal had commit- dreaming of their fortunes to be ted suicide and that they had left made in the future, Jubal chose to behind a letter for their two chil- be part of Aliran’s struggle to re- dren. This irresponsible reporting form society and fight for justice. horrified their friends and fami- required for this task. He was not lies and scandalised their charac- He was elected into the executive given to any ostentations or pre- ter. The Indonesian police, how- committee in October 1991and tences. He was genuine in warmth ever, subsequently demolished continued to serve as an executive and friendship with that infec- the NST’s lie by confirming that committee member until October tious smile that touched one and their deaths were due to drown- 2001. He had served the cause all. Sometimes he would laugh ing and that there was no letter faithfully and to the best of his loudly at the crack of a good joke addressed to their children. ability for nine unbroken years. flashing his white teeth. His beard And it was with a heavy heart that adorned his handsome face for Aliran knew the couple well he stepped down from the execu- most of his life. There were also enough to realise the absurdity in tive committee. He was compelled occasions when he had shaved this ‘reporting’. We came out with to decline nomination as he had that beard, giving him a fresh look a media statement condemning to move to Kuala Lumpur in con- that made him boyish-looking. this terrible report and demand- nection with his new job. But he would always return to ing that they apologise to the be- keeping his beard. When I first reaved families. The New Straits For 15 years he was with us met him, he had that beard and Times, which boasts of reporting through thick and thin. He served when I bid him farewell he also “All the News that Matters”, did as Coordinator of various bureaus had that beard. Not many people not see it fit to carry our media at different times, organizing so- look great with a beard but Jubal statement nor did it tender its apol- cial gatherings, internal educa- was an exception - he looked dis- ogy for misreporting. It appeared tion, talks and forums. His easy tinguished! that it did not matter to the NST mixing and pleasant demeanour that decency demanded this little was a great asset for the interac- There were so many people at their act of good behaviour. tion and intermingling that was funeral ceremony to bid them farewell on December 6. It All the misreporting in the world spoke so eloquently of how cannot tarnish the character of well they were regarded good people in the eyes of those and the many friends they who know them. Their memory had to mourn their deaths. will remain intact and we will re- It was a poignant moment member Irene and Jubal for what that left many teary-eyed in they were: decent and gentle souls. the church. Irene and Jubal were truly a win- some couple who made a hand- What makes their untimely some pair. They were a pair in life deaths such a devastating and they continue to be a pair in Punja, Winston and Joyce tragedy is the fact that in death. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.22(11/12) Page 39 HEART TO HEART : "What comes from the lips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the heart" - Arab proverb A Gentle Soul Who Did His Best We will remember Jubal as a gallant fighter for human rights and dignity. by P Ramakrishan

y earliest memory of They were happy. MM Jubal goes back to an his- MMM toric occasion on a date My last memory of that is deeply rooted in Irene and Jubal is the history of Aliran. The date was one filled with December 23, 1987 and the occa- pain and sorrow, sion was an event dubbed as “Wel- lying side-by-side, come Home, Chandra”. It was a dead and lifeless, happy occasion. in two coffins - in- separable even in Chandra, the founding president death - at the fu- of Aliran, was released from neral parlour at prison five days earlier after hav- the Church of the Immaculate Spa. There were no witnesses and ing been incarcerated for 52 days Conception. It was Thursday no tell-tale signs to provide an under the nefarious ISA on night, December 4, 2002 - 16 days inkling as to how they met their trumped up charges. Aliran or- before Jubal’s 38th birthday. Their untimely deaths. It will remain a ganized this event so that mem- bodies had just arrived from Bali. mystery. bers and friends could meet and To welcome them at the funeral greet Chandra and share his ex- parlour, there was a wreath - the But there was no mystery about perience of being under ISA deten- first - from Aliran with the word- their lives. They were gentle souls tion. ing: We will miss you, Jubal and who did their best and stood out Irene - From the Aliran Family. as a loving couple who wanted Jubal was there that night to greet the best both for their children and Chandra. He had just turned 23, This was the second tragedy to society at large. three days earlier. He had his befall Aliran. More than 12 years beard on and he had his Irene ago, on May 20, 1990, three of our Jubal's dedication and contribu- with him. They were not married members - Punja, Winston and tion to the Aliran cause will not then and Jubal was not yet an Joyce - perished in a car accident be forgotten. We will remember Aliran member. while returning from KL. It was a Jubal and all the other committed terrible blow for us in Aliran. Aliran members who are no It was a social gathering with din- longer with us as gallant fighters ner thrown in. Irene and Jubal sat And in this latest tragedy both for human rights and dignity. We side-by-side under that huge ban- Irene and Jubal, who were holi- will cherish their memory and ner that welcomed home daying in Ubud, drowned in a Chandra, each holding a plate freak accident in the swimming and carrying on a conversation. pool at the Bali Spirit Hotel and Continued on page 39

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