5127 / RM3.00 / 2003:Vol.23No.1

PP3739/12/2003 ISSN 0127 - 5127 / RM3.00 / 2003:Vol.23No.1

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 1 COVER STORY Clampdown On Media Freedom

The authorities may have raided Malaysiakini, but they cannot stifle aspirations for greater participatory democracy by Anil Netto

he uproar over the police The Raid portal was back online, running raid on Malaysiakini may on makeshift resources. But as at TTT have subsided but the af- But first a brief recap of the raid the time of writing, the four serv- tershock continues to be on Malaysiakini on 20 January. ers had still not yet been returned. felt. Now may be an opportune Acting on a complaint by the time to reflect on the importance youth wing of the ruling United UMNO Youth had lodged a re- of media freedom in building par- Malays National Organisation port complaining about an al- ticipatory democracy and a vi- (UMNO), about a dozen police legedly “seditious” letter posted brant civil society. personnel swooped down on the on the website on 9 January. It office of award-winning inde- complained that the letter had In recent months, Aliran Monthly pendent news portal malaysia- questioned Malay “special has carried articles analysing the kini.com in Bangsar. privileges” and contained “false scope for a broader definition of allegations” about the govern- politics to include citizens’ poli- They seized 15 computer central ment’s treatment of other ethnic tics. But without freedom of ex- processing units (CPUs) and four groups and the indigenous pression, freedom of assembly servers in a raid that paralysed the Orang Asli. They also alleged and the freedom to report dissent site and left media freedom on the that the letter had likened in the media, hopes of creating a Internet reeling. Ten hours later, UMNO Youth with the Ku Klux broader political culture are likely after a candlelight vigil attended Klan, the white supremacist to be frustrated. by some 200 supporters, the web group.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

In the cover story, Anil Netto looks at the raid on Malaysiakini in the context of the current political CONTENTS climate and then goes on to discuss the importance of freedom of expression for a country like Malay- sia. He also traces recent crackdowns on the media COVER STORY and suggests that they occur whenever more inde- ••• Clampdown On Media Freedom 222 pendent media have proven to successfully sway ••• Hands Off Malaysiakini 888 the voting patterns of segments of the electorate. ••• Defend Freedom Of Expression 101010 Accompanying the cover story are two statements ••• Silencing The Independent Media 131313 on the Malaysiakini raid – the first by Aliran issued immediately after the event and the second, a joint statement by Hakam, Suaram and Aliran. Andrew Aeria then relates the raid to wider political and FEATURES economic issues. ••• Towards An Honourable MTUC 232323 ••• From Ripples To Waves 33 In the back cover story, AM interviews Toni Kasim, ••• Restrain The Empire 353535 who, under the auspices of the Women's Candidacy Initiative contested the 1999 elections. She calls upon ••• The Role Of The Opposition 404040 the Opposition to stop harping on unimportant di- visive issues and to return to the important issues and principles contained in the Opposition's Joint REGULARS Manifesto 1999. ••• Current Concerns 151515 An important feature by former union leader AH ••• Thinking Allowed 191919 Ponniah discusses the recent MTUC leadership cri- ••• LettersLettersLetters 282828 sis. Ponniah reminds these leaders to focus on the rights and welfare of the workers and to stop in- dulging in private power-grabbing agreements. OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS Finally AM carries 6 pages of extracts concerned ••• Subscription Form 171717 with the impending US-Iraqi war and a report on a ••• AppealAppealAppeal 181818 forum held in Penang by the “Stop the War Coali- tion Malaysia.” The 56 NGOs and religions organisations involved in the coalition calls upon Malaysians to stand up for peace.

Together we can make a difference. Published by 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.aliran.com all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Percetakan Tujuh Lapan Enam Sdn. Bhd. No. 16, Lengkangan Brunei, 55100 Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 3 In the aftermath of the raid, some of power were greeted with stone- looks far from clear. Meanwhile, wondered if the action on cold silence. And the website con- various factions within UMNO Malaysiakini was a prelude to the stantly had to look for new are already jostling for positions. next general election campaign. sources of funding after major It is significant that the raid took Indeed, on the eve of the raid, advertisers pulled out. place at a time when Abdullah is UMNO Youth chief Hisham- Home Minister, Mahathir’s suc- muddin Hussein was reported as What’s more, the fear of the ISA is cessor designate. Thus, those who saying that election preparations so pervasive that many hope that the Abdullah era may and efforts to intensify its focus Malaysians are reluctant to air usher in greater democratic space on winning the elections would critical views on e-mail discussion could be in for a disappointment. be discussed at its party meeting lists for fear of being traced – fears the next day. “There is no ques- that were not unfounded as seen Adding to UMNO’s worries is tion that we are already in the elec- by last month’s ISA arrests of e- the factional split within its key tion mode,” he had said. mail “rumour mongers”. ally, MCA, whose long-serving president Ling Liong Sik is on The action against Malaysiakini will The sight of police carting away his way out. There is also the have far-reaching repercussions for computers from the Malaysiakini merger of two opposition parties Malaysia’s attempt to propel itself office could prove costly for the - Keadilan and Parti Rakyat Ma- into the information age. MSC and turn off some potential laysia – to create Parti Keadilan investors. But little is heard of the Rakyat. The merger creates a When he made his global launch MSC these days and it is unlikely third force in Malaysian politics of the Multimedia Super Corridor that many new foreign software that could potentially rival the (MSC) in 1997, Mahathir prom- or multimedia investors are mak- big two – UMNO and PAS - in ised the whole world that the MSC ing a bee-line for a slice of what- the years to come. was backed by an unalterable Bill ever action there is left in of Guarantees. Among them were Mahathir’s Corridor. The authori- Supporters of ailing jailed ex- pledges that Malaysia would not ties may have factored this in deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim – censor the Internet, would not when deciding to launch the raid. who is all but blacked out in the police cyberspace, and would not mainstream media – have interfere with the freedom of ex- Raids on the Malaysian media are launched a campaign to seek his pression over the information nothing new. Even before the lat- release in April, after his initial 6- superhighway. est developments, Malaysia had year jail term (less one third remis- been ranked a lowly 110 out of 139 sion) expires. They argue that he Backdoor Censorship nations in an inaugural survey should be out on bail pending the carried out by the Paris-based Re- final appeal on his subsequent jail Under Section 3 of the Communi- porters Without Borders (RSF) term of nine years on the sodomy cations and Multimedia Act, the (see box) charge. government prohibited the censorship of the Internet, although there Uncertain Landscape The last thing the ruling coali- are provisions to act against “de- tion wants at this time is for famatory and false information”. The raid on Malaysiakini should Anwar, who still has the ability Recent events, however, suggest be seen in the context of the un- to mobilise the grassroots, to be that such official restraint is end- certainty surrounding the politi- out during a time of transition ing. cal-economic landscape and a in the UMNO leadership. The systematic clampdown on media curbs on the media will restrict But there have been attempts at freedom. any attempt to highlight his “back-door” censorship – indirect supporters’ campaign in the means to cow dissent on the Deputy Premier and Home Min- media and the plight of the 130- Internet. Malaysiakini journalists ister Abdullah Badawi has not odd ISA detainees. had been barred from official been fully tested, an election is press conferences and their news looming and the transition to new More importantly, the next general reports on corruption and abuse political leadership after October election, due by 2004, is coming

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 4 up soon. Let’s not forget that in the last general elections, hundreds of thousands of Malaysians were denied the right to vote as a result of a delay in processing voter registration.

Though most analysts expect the ruling coalition to win hands down given the redrawing of constituency boundaries and the post-Sept 11 scenario, it is still possible that a website like Malaysiakini can sway enough voters in marginal constituencies to tilt the balance. Malaysiakini: A Heady Blend Of Guts And Idealism On the economic front, no one knows what has been swept un- One of the freest forums for democratic expression, Malaysiakini, der the carpet over the last two headed by Steven Gan and his band of idealistic journalists, decades. How our petroleum rev- was born during the heady days of the reformasi era just before enue has been used, for instance, the 1999 general election. It quickly surpassed the other main remains a mystery to many reformasi draw, freeMalaysia.com, and continued when the lat- Malaysians. The tales of corporate ter faded away. In terms of ‘hits’, it was right up there along the mismanagement, privatisation other big ‘guns’ - websites such as Harakah daily and Laman and corruption have not been Reformasi. fully told - much of these remain hidden behind a cloak of intrigue Giving thousands of Malaysians their first real taste of press and speculation. There is pre- freedom, it got off to a dream start and was soon overwhelmed cious little space for investigative with 100,000-odd visitors daily. The website played a key role journalism to probe these issues. in nurturing greater political awareness and critical thinking among Malaysians tired of the official propaganda in the main- Above all, the ruling coalition is stream media. wary of the rise of an autonomous public space; it fears losing control Malaysiakini, through its liberal reporting and analyses, proved of the instruments of repression also to be an important focal point for an alternative discourse to and it fears the ability of ordinary that being promoted by proponents of a conservative Islamic state. people to think for themselves and make their own minds up. Nearly all the reformasi webmasters calling for political change and reforms have remained anonymous for fear of the conse- Thus, the freedom to air critical quences, but Malaysiakini with its journalists proudly display- views to a mass audience is the ing their taglines was refreshingly different. last thing the ruling coalition wants at this stage. For now, Malaysiakini, which is struggling to make ends meet financially, has somehow managed to get back online, report- Importance of ing news of the raid on its website. Its gutsy journalists are not Media Freedom about to throw in the towel and Malaysiakini remains - ironically for Mahathir - Malaysia’s best known dotcom company. There are some who think we are not ready for full freedom of ex- A. Netto pression as irresponsible quarters

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 5 may incite ethnic and religious This is where freedom of the me- With the potential impact of a vio- hatred in our multi-ethnic, multi- dia comes in: the freedom to ar- lation of the no-censorship pledge religious society. That concern is ticulate new opinions and views now at its lowest, the political valid but then, no one is really using various editorial slants, to advantage to be gained for the rul- asking for the sort of unlimited counter the dominant voices of the ing coalition in cracking down on freedom of expression that could corporate-political media giants, cyber dissent would probably out- infringe on the rights of others. which have their vested interests. weigh the loss in investor interest in the MSC. Rather, what groups are demand- A more level media playing field ing is greater freedom to express should include the newsletters, When discussing freedom of ex- critical and opposing views and newspapers and journals of citi- pression, Article 19 of the Univer- hitherto suppressed grievances. zens’ groups, trade unions, pub- sal Declaration of Human Rights, We need to have enough faith in lic interest groups, residents and is crucial: the maturity of our society to al- community organisations, con- low such views to be aired. sumer groups, etc. “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Freedom of expression would al- Greater media diversity is essen- this right includes freedom to hold low all views to be debated and tial so that all sides of any issue opinions without interference discussed in the open. It would can be aired and debated in the and to seek, receive and impart in- provide an outlet for frustration, public arena. This is referred to formation and ideas through any dissent, and grievances. Sup- as the concept of “countervailing media and regardless of fron- pressing such views would only powers”: increased diversity in tiers.” push them underground, below ownership of media, including the surface, where they can be ex- radio, television, the Internet, can But Malaysia’s Sedition Act 1948, ploited by fringe and extremist greatly improve coverage and the a colonial legacy, severely curbs groups. Better to listen and ac- contestation of ideas and over- this fundamental freedom by plac- knowledge such views than to come the bias of individual me- ing wide limitations on freedom suppress them and to heighten dia organisations. of expression, particularly regard- any sense of frustration. ing “sensitive” political subjects Informed Choices such as race. Other laws that re- Some analysts have argued that it strict such freedom are the Print- is impossible to have genuinely An adequate legal and economic ing Presses and Publications Act independent media as media or- framework should be established and the Official Secrets Act. Even ganisations, including the estab- to facilitate universal access to as Malaysian government hosts lished international media giants, and ownership of alternative, the summit of the Non-Aligned tend to reflect the views and the participatory, democratic, inde- Movement, it has no qualms agenda of their owners. They all pendent media. about using outdated colonial era have their own editorial positions laws to clampdown on dissent and even bias, however subtle. Political and civil rights, espe- and free expression. Newspapers, through ownership cially those related to the guar- or the political attitudes of its anteeing of open discussion, de- The tragedy of the Malaysiakini owners, may have their own po- bate, criticism, and dissent, are raid is that it highlights how dif- litical orientation and their own central to the process of gener- ficult it is for civil society to create “biased” view. ating informed and reflected space to promote genuine demo- choices, asserted Nobel laureate cratic discourse to allow a truly Bias is natural. We all have our Amartya Sen. These processes autonomous space for participa- own unique views and perspec- are crucial to the formation of tory democracy. But the outrage tives and that in itself is not wrong. values and priorities in policy and outpouring of support for the To achieve genuine independence making: we need open dialogue web portal provides a glimmer of and to promote a diversity of and free expression to assess hope for the future as more and views, more voices and media out- and resolve social and political more people appreciate and value fits should be allowed to emerge. problems. the need for media freedom. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 6 candidate from Keadilan Free Media: snatched Lunas, a safe ruling coalition seat in the Prime Minister’s An Endangered Species… home state of Kedah, away from the Barisan Nasional. Virtually all the mainstream print seminating news about reformasi and electronic media are now in and keeping the momentum go- By mid-2001, no doubt after a post the hands of ruling coalition par- ing for as long as possible. mortem of the Lunas defeat, two ties or firms closely connected to of the Chinese newspapers were them. A crackdown on the media fol- controversially taken over by the lowed in 2000, targeted primarily investment arm of the MCA, se- Of late, attention has focussed on at the Malay-language press. The verely narrowing the space for the Internet, the last bastion of authorities revoked the permit of freedom of expression in the print press freedom in Malaysia. Before a couple of critical Malay maga- media. the Malaysiakini raid, in Decem- zines, slashed the permitted fre- ber 2002, police detained 10 quency of opposition Islamic Another silver lining: more press Malaysians under the Internal party PAS’ newspaper Harakah, freedom groups sprouted among Security Act for allegedly spread- and came down hard on the dis- them the Committee Against ing terror rumours on the web – tribution of popular Malay-lan- Takeover (CAT) of the Nanyang but it was also a chilling reminder guage pro-opposition tabloids af- Press and the Writers Actions for that Internet e-mail users could be ter the 1999 general election. Media Independence. traced and surfers could take little comfort in anonymity. A silver lining: several press free- The other main avenue of articu- dom groups emerged following lating dissent since Sept 1998 has Even before the ISA arrests, many the crackdown – Kumpulan been through street demonstra- surfers were reluctant to partici- Aktivis Media Independen tions and ceramah. But street pate freely and air critical views (KAMI), a grouping of journalists demonstrations were often in e-mail discussion groups and from critical Malay publications, crushed using heavy-handed po- e-mailing lists for fear of being Charter 2000-Aliran, a Malaysian lice tactics; dozens were beaten traced. The ISA arrests in Decem- citizens’ media initiative, and and/or arrested. ber may have served a dual pur- Media Agenda Malaysia. pose – it confirmed the fears Popular ceramah speakers and among e-mail users that their ano- Fast forward to the Lunas by-elec- crowd mobilisers like Saari nymity on the Internet was an il- tion in November 2000: in the Sungib, Tian Chua, Ezam Md lusion. run-up to the by-election, it was Noor and Lokman Adam were all the relatively independent Chi- detained without trial under the In the last few years, the authori- nese dailies that provided a range ISA in 2001. ties have systematically cracked of views on controversial subjects down on the media in thinly veiled such as factional struggles within Since then, ceramahs have been attempts at shoring up ebbing the MCA, the character and future banned. support. of Chinese vernacular schools and ethnic-based quotas for uni- And of course, there was the A brief flashback: the November versity admission. “spring cleaning” at the English- 1999 general election saw a sharp language Sun tabloid, which had erosion in support for the ruling These issues touched a chord displayed some semblance of in- coalition among ethnic Malay among many Chinese Malay- dependent thinking. voters. Many analysts pointed to sians. Opposition parties such as the Anwar saga and the reformasi Keadilan were quick in tapping Following a 25 Dec 2001 report phenomenon as the principal into this reservoir of discontent. about an assassination plot on the causes. In addition, factional feuds had prime minister and his deputy, a created a major rift within the wave of suspensions, sackings As reformasi erupted in Septem- Malaysian Chinese Association, and lay-offs took place. The Sun ber 1998, independent-minded the second largest party in the rul- had a massive make-over and is scribes turned to the Internet as ing coalition. today a pale shadow of its former an alternative medium of expres- self, which wasn’t that critical to sion. Critical, alternative Malay- The result: a swing in support begin with. language print media also flour- among Chinese voters towards ished and played a key role in dis- the opposition as the opposition A. Netto

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 7 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Hands Off Malaysiakini : Abolish Sedition Act

liran strongly condemns Odious as the Sedition Act has 3. Is the issue UMNO Youth’s un- AA the police raid on the always been, today’s police action happiness that the letter appar- AAA Malaysiakini office this indicates that its enforcement of ently likened UMNO Youth to the afternoon (Monday, 20 this Act has descended to a new Ku Klux Klan of the USA? January 2003) which led to the po- low. lice’s removal of all fifteen (15) We in Aliran don’t believe that computers used by Malaysiakini 2. It is also learnt that the police UMNO Youth deserves to be journalists and personnel and wanted to know the identity of the lumped with the Klan. But if four (4) servers. letter-writer which the editors of UMNO Youth thinks the compari- Malaysiakini refused to provide. son with the Klan is worth de- What justifications can the police nouncing, let UMNO Youth clear possibly give to defend such If that is the case, the police should its name through the mass media heavy-handed action? apply to the Courts to instruct to which it has ample access. Malaysiakini’s editors to comply 1. The police made the raid in con- with the police demand. What le- When in 2000, Prime Minister Dr nection with their investigation of gal or ethical right do the police Mahathir Mohamad likened Suqiu a report lodged by UMNO Youth have to violate Malaysiakini’s right to extremists and communists, five days ago that Malaysiakini to privacy by digging into where were UMNO Youth and the had carried an allegedly seditious Malaysiakini’s records, files and police? Did UMNO Youth object letter at its website. databases in an unrestricted fish- to the blackening of Suqiu’s name? ing expedition? Didn’t certain UMNO Youth ele- If the real issue is a police investi- ments threaten to burn the gation of sedition, why should the Aliran wholeheartedly supports Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall? police remove all of Malaysiakini’s the stance of the Malaysiakini edi- Did the police investigate UMNO computers? Isn’t it usual for the tors in this regard. They have both Youth then? Did the police remove police, based on mere analyses of a professional responsibility and Dr Mahathir’s computers? specific utterances and state- moral right to protect the confi- ments, to pass the job of prosecu- dentiality of sources, without 4. Or is the real issue a politically tion to the Attorney-General’s of- which no newspaper worth its motivated attempt to cripple fice? name can or deserves to survive. Malaysiakini?

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 8 no free, uncensored, online forum to challenge the Barisan Nasional’s monopoloy of ‘truth’, or to compete with the mainstream media’s unwanted ‘news’?

Maybe the hidden political agen- das of certain quarters, with either the UMNO succession in mind, or the next general election to plan for, have driven them to this desperate move against Malaysiakini.

But they should remember that For the record, Malaysiakini is uni- all kinds of unspecified offences. more than an online newspaper’s versally considered to be the na- Not being part of the controlled survival is at stake here. tion’s only non-partisan, honest, mainstream media, Malaysiakini’s critical, free and open forum. journalists were denied admis- When he made his global Since this online newspaper was sion to certain official events. launch of the Multimedia Super started in November 1999, its Corridor in 1997, Dr Mahathir popularity, at home and abroad, Yet these and other obstacles Mohamad promised the whole has vastly grown. didn’t stop editor Steven Gan and world — yes, the whole world his brave band of journalists and and not just a few foreign inves- The popularity of Malaysiakini tes- personnel from creating an oasis tors — that MSC was backed by tifies to the desperate need that of freedom of expression. For all an unalterable Bill of Guaran- Malaysians feel for reliable news, that and much more, they justly tees for the Internet Age. investigative reports, critical com- earned the gratitude and support mentaries, thoughtful columns, of Malaysians who are utterly sick Among the ‘10 Guarantees’ was free exchanges of opinions, and and tired of the Barisan Dr Mahathir’s solemn pledge that frankly written letters. These make Nasional’s barefaced attempts to Malaysia would not censor the up the regular contents of stifle public debate and censor Internet, would not police Malaysiakini. In contrast, the main- discussions. cyberspace, and would not inter- stream media is only too well fere with the freedom of expres- known for carrying half-truths, Has Malaysiakini, by being honest, sion over the information distorted views, outright lies and impartial, free, and yet successful, superhighway. thinly disguised propaganda. thus become an intolerable enemy of those who think that ‘govern- Do the police understand that In a very short period, the inde- ment of the people’ means keep- their action against Malaysiakini pendent and publicly supported ing a ‘stranglehold on news’? today has made a mockery of Dr Malaysiakini has enjoyed a deserv- Mahathir’s Bill of Guarantees? edly high level of credibility and What then was the real reason Does Dr Mahathir understand? esteem — something which the behind the police raid today? Was Does his newly anointed succes- rich and servile mainstream me- it to shut down Malaysiakini by sor, Deputy Prime Minister and dia cannot hope to attain. police action when the Barisan Minister of Home Affairs Nasional couldn’t curb Abdullah Ahmad Badawi care? In the past the Barisan Nasional Malaysiakini’s success and influ- government had tried to control ence by other means? Malaysians do care. Support and undermine Malaysiakini’s Malaysiakini. Abolish the Sedition status. Being online, Malaysiakini What is the agenda behind the Act. doesn’t have a publishing permit removal of the 19 computers and but it was regularly warned that 3 servers? Is it to set Malaysia back Aliran Executive Committee action could be taken against it for to a darker age when there was 20 January 2003

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 9 COVER STORY: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

A joint appeal by Aliran, Hakam and Suaram Defend Freedom Of Expression Uphold The Right To Uncensored News Support MALAYSIAKINI!!

liran, Hakam and AA Suaram jointly appeal to AAA all concerned Malay- sians to support urgently and generously the nation’s only independent newspaper, malaysiakini.com in its hour of need.

Background

As all Malaysians would be aware, the police raided Malaysiakini’s office on Monday, 20 January 2002. The police’s ex- cuse for the raid was its investi- Malaysiakini occupies a unique No other newspaper in this coun- gation into an allegedly seditious place in our society. It is not try supports and encourages the letter carried by Malaysiakini on 9 owned by any big corporation, vibrant debates that are a regular January. The investigation itself not affiliated to any political feature of Malaysiakini. Those de- followed a police report against party, and not beholden to any bates, which feature a broad spec- that letter, bearing the name of vested interests. trum of public opinion, as they ‘Petrof’, which was lodged on 17 should, are critical to our better January by UMNO Youth. Alone of all the daily newspa- understanding of issues of public pers, Malaysiakini has been non- interest. The news reports, col- The police had demanded the partisan, critical, honest and umns, editorials and letters car- identity of the letter-writer. The courageous. Moreover, its ried by Malaysiakini have gone a editors of Malaysiakini refused to website has provided a free, un- long way in keeping our society comply on grounds of protecting censored and public forum for and citizens informed. the confidentiality of sources and numerous columnists and let- letter-writers. At the end of their ter-writers. Consequently, only They have together encouraged 5-hour ‘visit’ to Malaysiakini, the Malaysiakini has scrupulously worldwide participation in pub- police removed nineteen (19) com- upheld the right to freedom of lic communication and discourse puters and servers from expression and the right to a free essential to maintaining democ- Malaysiakini’s office. press in this country. racy. in particular, the letters provided the views of countless read- Why Raid Visitors to the Malaysiakini ers and their airing served as an Malaysiakini? website, who now number over a effective barometer of grassroots hundred thousand daily, value opinion and sentiment. Launched in November 1999 as Malaysiakini for its daily coverage an online daily newspaper, of ‘only the news that matters’. Most of all, by reporting news that

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 10 is elsewhere manipulated and sires of the Barisan Nasional. The raid of 20 January 2003 is an truths that are consistently sup- admission that the Barisan pressed, Malaysiakini stands as a Despite owning, controlling and Nasional can no longer tolerate symbolic and real alternative to monopolising access to the official any source of honest, investiga- the tightly controlled and servile and commercial organs of the tive, critical and free news. mainstream media. mass media, the Barisan Nasional can hardly persuade Malaysians Otherwise, how is it that the po- Not An Isolated Action that the media in this country op- lice acted on UMNO Youth’s re- erates freely and fairly. port of alleged sedition so quickly Thus, and along with many other when numerous other complaints, Malaysians who have voiced their Before Malaysiakini’s arrival, the especially against the Barisan protests, Aliran, Hakam and Barisan Nasional could pretend Nasional politicians, end up with Suaram consider that the police that there was no alternative to its ‘no action taken’? raid on Malaysiakini and their sei- mass media. zure of Malaysiankini’s computers When the Democratic Action and servers was not meant to fa- After the advent and great success Party (DAP) lodged a police report cilitate a simple police investi- of Malaysiakini, the Barisan against UMNO Youth for carry- gation of alleged sedition. Nasional’s pretence is hollow. ing seditious material at the latter’s website, did the police We consider the police raid to be Forced on the defensive, knowing pounce on UMNO Youth and cart an attempt to cripple Malaysiakini that even a small but honest online away their computers? and prevent their continued func- daily has broken its monopoly of tioning as an alternative news pro- ‘news’ and ‘information’, the If someone were to make a police vider that is not beholden to com- Barisan Nasional government report that any of the major news- mercial, political or other vested has periodically tried to under- papers owned by the Barisan interests. mine Malaysiakini’s viability. Nasional parties or their allies had published a seditious article, The police raid on Malaysiakini The journalists of Malaysiakini are will the police uncompromising cannot be lightly taken as an iso- not accredited as such and are of- seize all their computers and serv- lated attack on a small and finan- ten excluded from official events ers and leave them unable to func- cially strapped company running and press conferences. Although tion? a news service. The raid was a Malaysiakini operates legally with- deliberate assault on all out a newspaper permit, many Complaints have been lodged Malaysians’ fundamental right to government and ruling coalition against some television channels know ‘the news that matters’, to quarters have issued warnings before. Did the police ever con- be honestly and properly in- against an alleged ‘abuse of free- sider conficating broadcasting formed, and to have an uncon- dom’ over the Internet. equipment to force the stations off trolled channel to contribute to the air? public discussion and debate. In the light of those warnings, and of previous police ‘visits’, the re- The answer to every one of those Ultimately that raid is an attempt cent raid on Malaysiakini must be questions is a simple ‘NO’. to dismantle a cornerstone of our seen as a move by certain politi- much diminished democracy. cal elements who wish to cripple The freedom of Malaysiakini is our or even close down Malaysiakini. freedom. Hidden Agenda Many who have expressed their Our answer to the police raid on Visitors to Malaysiakini know that disgust at the raid on Malaysiakini Malaysiakini must be a clear ‘NO’ the editor, Steven Gan, and his have speculated that it has been as well. brave colleagues have consist- carried out with the aim of deny- ently practised a noble and pro- ing alternative views given that ‘NO’ to intimidation. ‘NO’ to har- fessional brand of journalism that the next general election may not assment. ‘NO’ to the suppression is contrary to the dictates and de- be that far away. of the freedom of the press.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 11 Hence we must rally around Malaysiakini NOW. We must rally This joint statement is endorsed by behind Malaysiakini in the way the following organisations: that can most effectively restore and advance the operations of an 1 . Alaigal indispensable symbol and site of 2. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) freedom of expression. 3 . Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia Sarawak (BRIMAS) 4. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) We have a duty to ourselves and 5 . Civil Rights Committee (Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall) our nation to stand by the coura- 6. Community Action Network (CAN) 7. Community Development Centre (CDC) geous and honest journalists and 8. Education and Research Association for Consumer (ERA Con- personnel of Malaysiakini who sumer) strive so hard for so little to give 9. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) us so much ‘news that matters’. 1 0 . Group of Concerned Citizens 1 1 . Indigenous People’s Development Centre (IPDC) Don’t allow ouselves to be kept 1 2 . Institute for Development and Alternative Living (IDEAL) ignorant, uninformed or misin- 1 3 . International Movement for Just World (JUST) formed. Defend Malaysiakini now. 14. Kumpulan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KKM) Strengthen it as a viable, inde- 1 5 . Labor Resource Centre (LRC) pendent, uncensored, and pub- 1 6 . Malaysia Local Democracy Initiative (MALODI) licly accessible forum. 1 7 . Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) 1 8 . Partners of Community Organisation, Sabah (PACOS) 1 9 . Persatuan Alam Sekitar Melaka Support Malaysiakini 20. Persatuan Alam Sekitar Selangor Now And Generously 2 1 . Persatuan Pengguna Ayer Keroh, Melaka 22. Persatuan Pengguna Klang, Selangor Let us all help to restore and con- 23. Persatuan Pengguna Pahang solidate Malaysiakini. Let us con- 24. Persatuan Pengguna Perak tribute generously (Maybank cur- 25. Persatuan Pengguna Sabah dan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan rent account no. 5141 78204585; 26. Persatuan Pengguna Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan cheques should be made payable 27. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Perseketuan to Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd) or sub- (PERMAS) scribe to Malaysiakini. (for details, 28. Persatuan Pelindung Pengguna Pulau Pinang refer to www.malaysiakini.com) 29. Persatuan Pelindung Pengguna Kelantan 30. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS) 3 1 . Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) By that simple action, which is 3 2 . Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS) part of all that is noble in our cul- 3 3 . Semparuthi Iyakkam ture, we show our contempt for 34. Sisters of Islam (SIS) those who only have contempt for 3 5 . SOS (Save Ourselves) our rights. 36. Suara Warga Pertiwi (SWP) 37. Sustainable Development Network (SUSDEN) Malaysia By rendering that effective assist- 38. Tenaganita ance we shall also show Steven 39. United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia Gan and his courageous and hon- (Dong Zong) est colleagues at Malaysiakini that 40. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) Malaysians care about profes- 4 1 . Women’s Candidate Initiative (WCI) sional and dedicated journalism. 42. Women’s Development Collective (WDC) 43. Free Media Com 44. Penang Office of Human Deveelopment (OHD) That way, we demonstrate to eve- 45. Women and Workers Independent Media and Training Centre ryone everywhere that ‘all the (WIMTEC) news that matters’ cannot be 46. Selungo Baram Sarawak People Organisation bought or suppressed. q 47. Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 12 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Silencing The Independent Media In Malaysia by Andrew Aeria

MNO Youth, the fire- Malaysiakini’s independent forum it has given Malaysians a false UUU brand wing of Dr. to articulate its views to the pub- sense of economic prosperity even UU Mahathir Mohamad’s lic. as government debt has ballooned dominant ruling party, Blatant Double to 71% of GDP. Growth in manu- recently launched its unofficial Standards facturing production and exports electoral campaign in a most dra- remain weak and the country matic fashion. Its information That the police raid smacked of faces deep-seated structural prob- chief made a police report alleg- blatant double standards did not lems. Further, despite its best ef- ing sedition against a well-re- escape public notice. Numerous forts, the country remains en- garded independent cyber-news- police reports lodged by opposi- snared by crony capitalism undis- paper, malaysiakini.com, for up- tion parties and other civil soci- ciplined by lukewarm corporate loading a reader’s letter likening ety groups in the recent past governance measures. And in- UMNO Youth to the Ku Klux Klan. against UMNO Youth’s alleged stead of promoting efficient mar- Despite Dr.Mahathir’s oft-articu- racially charged statements and ket forces, the government related promise to the world not to provocative actions have consist- mains committed to propping-up censor the Internet, the report ently been ignored by the police well-connected public-listed com- prompted a police raid on and the Attorney-General. The panies, as evidenced by the recent Malaysiakini’s offices. Fifteen high-handed police action thus setting up of Valuecap, a RM10 bil- CPUs and four servers were con- only sullied the country’s already lion investment fund co-owned by fiscated for “forensic tests” after tattered democracy further. government entities, Khazanah its editor robustly refused, on pro- Nasional Berhad, Permodalan fessional grounds, to divulge the But UMNO and the BN are pres- Nasional Berhad and Kumpulan identity of the letter-writer. ently less concerned about democ- Wang Amanah Pencen. Presum- racy than about ensuring a ably, the government wants to en- The raid drew severe criticism “smooth” leadership transition sure that the KLSE remains “fairly from numerous civil society and improved electoral success. valued”. But that Valuecap has groups both within and outside Malaysia’s political-economic already helped many BN politi- the country. Even Malaysia’s offi- situation is currently acute and cian-businessmen raise funds as cial Human Rights Commission not getting any better. Indeed, the part of an electoral war-chest has condemned the raid as “exces- country’s economy is staring into also not escaped public notice. sive”. Many felt that UMNO the abyss even as Dr. Mahathir And while some commentators Youth should have replied to the heads for a “glorious” exit. are optimistic about Valuecap’s allegedly “seditious” letter via a contributions to the market, oth- letter of its own. After all, hobbled Five successive years of official ers are less sanguine fearing that by a government-controlled press pump-priming have not brought structural problems, weak market with little credibility, UMNO Malaysia any closer to solving its fundamentals, insipid global Youth had previously relied upon chronic economic woes. Instead, growth and a looming war on Iraq

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 13 might well undo Valuecap’s in- vestments. And if that isn’t enough, Malaysia’s banking sector remains inefficient, saddled as Of Small-Minded it were with a persistently large bad-loans portfolio and poor cus- And Self-Serving tomer service. Additionally, Mahathir’s multimedia super- Small Boys corridor (MSC) is a grandiose flop, more evident on colourful tourist maps than in the presence of com- In a world of growing open public discussion panies advocating cutting-edge ICT research and development. and debate UMNO Youth is bankrupt of ideas and Of late, to ensure a smooth transi- employs the police to intimidate tion of power, pressure has been applied by Dr. Mahathir on many At an age when transparent discussion, the long-standing UMNO and other information superhighway generates BN coalition party leaders to step UMNO Youth hides behind the Sedition Act down with him so as to allow to obfuscate and to subjugate Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi a free hand in develop- At a time when critical views, mature and ing his own team. In part, it re- democratic societies increasingly tolerate flects Dr. Mahathir’s concern that UMNO Youth, its culture of arrogance and leaving such entrenched leaders in place might just risk the transi- dominance, seeks to perpetuate. tion. Many younger BN hopefuls When there are so many pressing issues on who recognise the signs are al- which it should deliberate ready jostling with the “reluctant to step down” old guard for po- UMNO Youth brays at an letter which would, litical succession thus threatening it seems, this country obliterate! BN stability. In an era of globalisation when even political

Thus, if a politically weak parties have to rejuvenate Abdullah Badawi is to remain in UMNO Youth in petty politics and trivial control of the whole transition technicalities degenerates. process as well as secure im- “Malaysia would not censor the Internet” the proved electoral success, it is in- evitable that authoritarian meas- PM once did loudly postulate ures will needs be ramped up to UMNO Youth takes the country back to the ensure that nothing, not least an Dark Ages, as it gradually mutates. independent and influential media like Malaysiakini, is allowed They don’t really care if the Multimedia to probe and present the bald Super Corridor were to disintegrate truths about the many ills ailing UMNO Youth leaders stalk the corridors the country’s political-economy. It only reflects the BN’s uncreative of power, securing their own political fate. but time-proven approach at pre- serving its political hegemony in Martin Jalleh a “Malaysia Boleh” democracy.q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 14 strict condition that effectively discourages polygamy. These quarters in our society should also take cognisance of certain harsh and exceptional conditions that existed in ancient times, such as war and famine, under which polygamy was permitted to facilitate the larger social obligation of taking care of widows and orphans.

Such provisions, therefore, do not confer on Muslim men the auto- matic right to marry almost non- chalantly. Neither should polygamy be the prerogative of rul- A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. ing politicians as implied by Terengganu state leaders without Polygamy, Perlis vital institution of marriage and seriously taking into considera- And Patriarchy make a mockery of the notion of tion the moral obligations and re- equal partnership in marriage. sponsibilities. Aliran is deeply concerned with the Perlis government’s recent Justice would also not be served What is also disturbing is that the move to do away with the first by such swift marriage proce- actions of the Perlis and wife’s written consent to make it dures: the first wife would be Terengganu state governments easier for a Muslim man to take a made to play second fiddle in a reinforce and reflect sexist atti- second wife. move that would have far-reach- tudes towards women - which are ing implications for her and her undemocratic, unjust and not in This controversial measure - jus- children. As a wife and human keeping with the best tradition of tified as necessary by the Perlis being, she should have an equal Islam. government to prevent Muslim say in the future of the marriage - Malaysian males from crossing instead of ending up feeling ‘used’ Certain Muslim politicians and into neighbouring Thailand to and discarded, as cautioned by religious leaders need to move for- take advantage of relatively Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz ward in their thinking so that Is- easier marriage procedures - has Nik Mat when reminding men of lam can be rightly perceived as a serious implications for the in- the moral and social obligations religion that concerns itself with stitution of marriage. It also of polygamy. larger social issues. Perhaps they raises disturbing questions con- could go even further by outlaw- cerning justice, the position of Equally serious is that this ing polygamy as has been done women, and Islam. blinkered move suggests that in countries such as Tunisia based some quarters in our society are on the Islamic principle that in Marriage is an important institu- conveniently overlooking the practice it would be very difficult tion in society - something that is strict requirements that Islam im- to maintain equality and fairness acknowledged in Islam and other poses on Muslim men wanting to in all aspects and therefore the religious traditions as well. The marry more than one woman. A Qur’an really enjoins monogamy. easing of marriage procedures to Muslim man intending to take take additional wives as proposed more than one wife is expected by Dr Mustafa K Anuar by the Perlis government would his religion to provide equal treat- Asst. Secretary encourage more men to abuse the ment to his wives - an ideal and 14 January 2003

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 15 Scrap The ISA Advisory Board

A malaysiakini report dated De- Aliran is shocked and dismayed cember 20, 2002 disclosed that the that there has been no response Advisory Board, having consid- from the government following ered the representations made the Advisory Board’s recom- under Section 11 (1) of the Inter- mendation that the five nal Security Act, had recom- reformasi detainees be freed. It mended that the five detainees has been more than a month longed detention is an unmiti- under the ISA be released imme- since this recommendation was gated injustice not only to the de- diately taking into consideration made. We understand that Tian tainees but also to their families that they had already completed Chua, Saari and Badrulamin as well. Why should they suffer the two years under the initial were told of the Board’s decision the pain of this unjust system? detention order. on December 3, 2002, Lokman Caring and thinking people can- was informed a week before that not remain aloof in the face of this The five detainees are Tian Chua, in November, whereas grave injustice. Saari Sungib, Lokman Noor Hishamuddin was informed on Adam, Dr Badrulamin Bahron December 19, 2002. If the government cannot honour and Hishamuddin Rais, all of the decision of the Advisory whom were detained in April The Advisory Board has all the Board, if it continues to show 2000. powers of a court under Section scant respect to the rule of law, 14 and it found justifiable then what is the point in having The Federal Court had on Sep- grounds to recommend their re- the Advisory Board? What pur- tember 6, 2002 ruled that the 60- lease. It would thus seem that pose is served in going through day detention under the ISA of two courts have cleared them. this charade? Let’s scrap this these reformasi people - and that Simply put, these bodies have meaningless and perverse provi- of Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor who decided that these detainees sion. The Advisory Board comes is now serving a two-year jail have been deprived of their free- across as nothing more than a far- sentence for breaching the Offi- dom without just cause and that cical facade of democracy which cial Secrets Act - was done in their continued detention was makes a mockery of justice. bad faith. untenable and cannot be sus- tained any longer. Aliran calls for the immediate re- The Advisory Board, which con- lease of these five. Any delay is an sidered the representations of Failure to act urgently in ordering intolerable insult to our notion of these five detainees, was very their immediate release consti- justice. Aristotle in 350 B.C. ob- much aware of the Federal Court’s tutes a flagrant disregard and dis- served, “All virtue is summed up ruling and, under the circum- respect for the rule of law. Each in dealing justly.” If we are inca- stances, could not ignore the Fed- day’s delay means the perpetua- pable of dealing justly we lose our eral Court’s findings and subse- tion of this gross violation of God- humanity and forfeit our right to quent ruling. And, in keeping given freedom. Each day’s delay belong to the human race. with these judicial findings, the is a wanton denial of justice. Only Board wisely and, in all fairness, a government that has no con- P. Ramakrishnan recommended that they be re- science would behave in such a President leased. callous manner. Any further pro- 15 January 2003

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Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 18 That is why the B & B position on Iraq is untenable especially when that country has yet to prove that it is currently a threat to the world. More than half of Iraq, north and south, comprise no fly-zones im- posed upon the country since the last war of 1991. Iraq also remains under UN economic sanctions and is undergoing UN weapons inspections. It takes a stupendous leap of the imagination to say that Iraq is a threat to the world today! On the other hand, take Israel, which persistently occupied Arab lands, ignores UN resolutions by the score, and is known to have nuclear-weapon capability. Why Peace Fever? was attacked by Japan apparently are B& B not calling for weapons without provocation. inspections here or military action It would seem that war in Iraq is to eliminate Israeli weapons of on everybody’s lips and minds. Some would argue that if there mass destruction? The manner in which the United is any “just war” in modern his- States and Britain led by B&B tory, World War II was one such Malaysians have rightly stood up (Bush and Blair) are angling for war. But all the same, it turned against the B & B war mongering. war has confounded most ordi- out to be humanity’s worst war, One can feel buoyed by the fact nary people. B & B would have us where an estimated 60 million that more than one million signa- believe we are on the brink of a people perished. Any victory in tures have been collected by the situation not unlike World War II war at the end of the day is People’s Alliance for Peace, which when the rise of fascism in Ger- phyrric, and the lesson of his- claims to represent some 1,048 many, Italy and Japan (that old tory must be that we must ex- Malaysian NGOs.This Malay- ‘axis of evil’) convinced most gov- haust all avenues of peace and sian peace constituency count in ernments to form an alliance for peaceful resolution of conflict its company strange bedfellows war, including an initially United before we plunge ourselves into ranging from the Sultan of States of America, which only re- any war – for whatever reason, Pahang to the Sabah Inland Rev- sponded when Pearl Harbour justified or otherwise. enue Employees Union! This is really quite impressive. But are most Malaysians really against war? A report in a local daily provided some interesting results from a Gallup poll conducted in 39 countries last month. An over- all majority of 52% of the respond- ents were not for military action in Iraq but in Malaysia only 45% were against military action with another 12% saying that such action must be under the UN. Some 3% actually support unilateral US military action but, note this, some 40% had no position or opinion B & B : Bush and Blair about the matter.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 19 Based on the poll, two important the Implementation of Islamic the U.S. especially with respect to points can be made about Law”. The meeting was allegedly the treatment of Malaysians head- Malaysians and their stance on attended by Islamic radical Abu ing to America. However, with the impending war in Iraq. First, Bakar Bashir of Jemaah Islamiah supreme irony, it has itself de- we can barely muster a convinc- and head of Laskar Jundullah, tained dozens of alleged Islamic ingly majority against war. Only Agus Dwikarna. (The Star, 11 Feb- militants under the ISA without 45% are categorically against war ruary, 2003). Both leaders have the benefit of open trials or even and this is below the international subsequently been detained by the clear-cut charges. A government survey average of 52%. Second, Indonesian government. But this which has such draconian laws almost as many Malaysians (40%) meeting in South Sulawesi also like the ISA could hardly complain are blank about the situation. saw the attendance of many against the fingerprinting or de- Now, this is really sobering. The scholars, politicians and even tention for interrogation of its million signatures and hundreds businessmen, and Hadi’s attend- travelers to the U.S. of NGOs behind it do not really ance was also made known to the even represent a majority of Malaysian ambassador at that This leads me to the case of the Malaysians. But worse, many time. So why bring this up now? USM professor, Mohammed Malaysians remain clueless about The question is whether Hadi is Nasaruddin Ghouse, who, from the situation in Iraq. These 40% guilty by association even if that various accounts, was indeed de- deserve the ancient Grecian enti- ‘association’ is merely to be in the tained by the US police in tlement, idiots, that is people with presence of Islamic militants and Parkersburg, West Virginia for rea- no political awareness! I’m even in an event which long preceded sons which are somewhat opaque. inclined to think that the vast ma- 9/11. An even more important The US Embassy here has said he jority of those who blindly sign question is whether the Opposi- was detained for a driving offence the petitions against war merely tion Leader has ever advocated and released after questioning. do so at the behest of their politi- militancy. Accounts by TV 3 and RTM said cal masters or superiors. So much that Ghouse was actually jailed. then for the Malaysian peace ini- In a democracy where rule of law But the point of this case is sim- tiative. is practiced, a person is presumed ply that the profiling of Muslims innocent until proven guilty. In as potential “terrorists” has gone Q Q Q Q Q the post 9/11 political environ- so far in the US that any person Terrorising Muslims ment, this principle has been aban- with a Muslim name, and God doned by the American govern- forbid, a beard like Osama bin If there is transparency in the gov- ment. The Malaysian government, Laden’s, will automatically be a ernment these days, it is the cur- no great champion of procedural terrorist suspect. This incident, for rent drive to weed out radical Is- justice, has been highly critical of sure, will augment the “fear of fly- lamic elements which are said to ing” to the US for Malaysian Mus- be linked to terrorist networks. In lims. But if the US has succeeded fact, the government has taken the in terrorising Malaysian Muslims, post 9/11 political climate as a our own government has done no carte blanche to witchhunt politi- less in terrorising its own sup- cal opponents, especially if they posed Muslims ‘radicals’ like are connected to PAS. Hadi!

PAS political chief and Opposi- Q Q Q Q Q tion Leader Hadi Awang has been War On SARs the target of such political machi- nations. He has been hauled up There is no misspelling here and for something he did two years I’m not referring to “Star Wars” ago, that is, speaking at a meeting but merely the government’s at- organized by the the Makassar- tempt to shut down Sekolah based “Preparatory Committee for Abu Bakar Bashir Agama Rakyat (SAR). The PM

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 20 has offered SAR teachers jobs in give them no time for recreation, fairs (IPA), which did a study of government schools and the in- reading or sports. Shahidan’s pro- US funding of Malaysian NGOs, tention is to eventually close these posals to outdo SARs will in the the trio received 11 grants from US entities. The implicit and even end do the same damage, i.e., pro- sources totaling some USD 1.41 open justification is that the SARs duce children who are not million (RM5.36m) from 1998- are the breeding ground for Mus- rounded and cannot think criti- 2001. IPA alleged singled out the lim radicals (read PAS support- cally or well. triad as lacking in transparency ers). Ironically, the SARs are com- and accountability over funding munity-run schools which have Q Q Q Q Q sources and also alleged that they been subsidized by the state itself. NGO Triad did not provide annual reports What the government should do, Under Attack nor disclose key funders. S.M. if it were fair and democratic, Idris, who is chairman of the three would be to ask each of these By most accounts, Malaysia is not NGOs has condemned the report schools to provide transparent particularly noted for having a and called it “false, mischievous and open rendering of their pro- large number of NGOs (non- and misleading”. grammes and activities so that govenmental organisations). they can be properly managed Some Third World countries boast I checked the IPA website which and monitored. of hundreds of NGOs. I once appeared to be open and trans- heard that the Philippines had parent. It claimed to have obtained Meanwhile, the redoubtable MB some 30,000 such entities. In funding from 2000 individuals of Perlis Shahidan Kassim has some other countries, NGOs vir- corporations and foundations launched his own personal war tually run the show having more with no single source providing against the SARs. He wants to ex- funds combined that the govern- more than 7% of it funding. IPA tend normal teaching hours of 82 ments themselves. For example, was formed in 1943 and appears Perlis national schools into the some observers have said that to be a pro-capitalist, pro-busi- afternoon, thereby literally elimi- Bangladesh’s economy is virtu- ness and neo-liberal think tank nating the 9 SARs in Perlis by de- ally run by the Grameen Bank, re- which argues that NGOs as fault. The afternoon session from sponsible for providing micro stakeholders in civil society must, 2 –4 pm will offer teaching of Eng- credit to its predominantly rural like governments, also come un- lish, Arabic, fardhu ain (religious population. All of this may sound der scrutiny by the public. Noth- instruction). This looks like a good like exaggeration, but if truth be ing wrong with this but one won- strategy except that the Minister told some NGOs have indeed be- ders why the Aussie right-of-cen- of Education has baulked at the come quite influential and pow- tre think tank was given the task plan. The ministry’s plans are to erful. Perhaps such is the case to scrunitise Malaysian NGOs. have eventually have single-ses- with the Third World Network What are its motives? Let’s have sion national schools across the (TWN) and the Consumer Asso- some transparency here! whole country and extending the ciation of Penang (CAP) and war against SARs into the after- Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), As for the TWN, CAP and SAM, noon session will make nonsense arguably Penang’s most illustri- the Malaysian public do have a of the single-session plan. ous NGOs. The TWN produces a right to expect a transparent and magazine, Third World Resur- open rendering of who is in the Indeed, why should the Perlis tail gence, which circulates world- governing board, what funds they wag the national dog, so to speak? wide while CAP puts out the in- receive, from what sources and Let’s have a proper national sys- fluential Utusan Consumer and how these funds have been dis- tem first, which is fully functional, SAM is part of the multinational bursed through freely available, efficient and provide parents with Friends of the Earth network. transparent annual accounts. the best choice for educating their Otherwise, the sterling work they children. If such is the case, the However, this triad of Penang- have done so far may indeed be SARs will die a natural death. Sec- based NGOs has come under a tarnished by an apparent lack of ondly, Shahidan’s overzealous cloud of controversy recently. Ac- accountability. proposal will strap Muslim chil- cording to an Melbourne-based dren into day-long schooling and think tank Institute of Public Af- Q Q Q Q Q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 21 Valuecap - Whose Money, For Whom? Lord Of The

The government’s launching of a RM10 billion Valuecap Sdn Bhd Ring Roads? asset management company to buy shares on the Kuala Lumpur LOTR FanFanLOTR Penang are not only deliriously Stock Exchange (KLSE) may have 2:37pm Mon Jan 6th, 2003 thrilled about the prospects of raised the prices of shares but it driving on the Ring Road but they has also raised more than a few The Penang Outer Ring Road are also more than willing to dole eyebrows. This is because (PORR) is the most expensive out wads of cash every day for Valuecap is basically funded by road in Malaysian history, the that perverse pleasure. public funds, coming equally from most elaborate and technologi- Khazanah (Treasury), KWSP (Pen- cally advanced, the most difficult At the same time, gentle appeals sion Fund) and PNB (Pemodalan to build and perhaps the most are being made to the Nasional). controversial as well: truly the unenlightened and misguided mi- Lord of the Ring Roads. The One nority who oppose the One Ring In theory, the company could in- Ring Road that will bind them all? Road to see the truth and accept ject its RM10 billion to boost the the benefits of the project to all CI to new heights, say to about 750 For those of us LOTR1 and mankind and Penang (Middle points. But so far the excitement LOTR2 fans who have also seen Earth). The example of our freaky over the new move has petered the other recent ring horror movie, neighbours down south (the ones out, with the CI struggling at the word ring has taken on new who drink from their toilets and around 660 points. Market ana- connotations of other worldly fight over rocks in the sea) is lysts consider this move by the forces wreaking havoc on mortal quoted: even they have suc- government this time not only men and hobbits. This cannot es- cumbed to the powers of Ring unorthodox but highly risky given cape the attention of our elected Roads, so why not you? the current global economic representatives as two of them downturn and the impending have already faced the swift wrath And so the battle for the One Ring war in Iraq. In the short run, such of the powers of the ring road alli- Road rages with the dark forces pump-priming may also benefit ance. These two are now in sus- aligned against a bunch of hobbits foreign portfolio investors who pended animation (somewhat (who will lose their homes) and can cash out when prices rise. Fur- like the nazgul?) while awaiting the fellowship of the anti-Ring thermore, the pundits opine that further retribution for their incred- Road groups. While we await the only a number of select shares ible folly of not voting mindlessly third and final part of the movie, seemed to have benefited from the as required. the real life battle is sure to take move so far. This leads to specu- new twists and turns in 2003. lation that some beneficiaries are Unholy alliances are being forged expected to contribute to cam- and the political shadow play Will the One Ring Road get tossed paign funds in an impending gen- (wayang kulit) and maneuvering into the campaign fires of the com- eral election. is gaining momentum to smother ing general elections? Or will the all opposition to the One Ring unholy alliances behind the One Meanwhile, the Malaysian pub- Road (the Saruman and Sauron Ring Road unravel as the glue of lic will also wonder what RM10 forces at work?). Silent majorities avarice and political fortunes billion can do if it were spent di- are being asked to declare their gradually dissolves under the rectly on alleviating the current stand: you are either with or heat of public scrutiny? Will the unemployment, poverty, meet the against the One Ring Road. Fellowship of the Anti-Ring Road shortfall in housing, provide bet- triumph and Middle Earth have a ter medicare, ecetera, ecetera. The Ring Master, at the behest of safe, efficient, sustainable trans- the Puppet Master, trots out opin- port system? D.L. Daun ion survey results that show that the vast majority of the people of (Source: malaysiakini/Letters)

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 22 LABOUR Towards An Honourable MTUC by Ponniah

ho should be President By MTUC’s constitution, an of- The next day, the MTUC General of the Malaysian Trades fice-bearer only leaves during his Council met while the conference WWW Union Congress term of office if he is disqualified was delayed. Then the Council (MTUC)? The incum- on constitutional grounds (such presented the agreement to the bent, Zainal Rampak? Or his as ceasing to be a member or delegates. About 20 delegates deputy, Shafie Mammal? worker in the originating union), who disagreed with the proceed- because of disciplinary action ings threw their chairs and left the These two men had an agree- taken by the General Council, or conference hall. The overwhelm- ment before the MTUC elections by his resignation. Even a no-con- ing majority of the delegates en- in March 2002: Shafie would not fidence motion against an office- dorsed the agreement and made contest against Zainal, and bearer may have a moral effect but it their decision. Zainal, if he won, would pass no force until the motion is fol- the baton to Shafie when 2002 lowed by disciplinary proceed- When the time came, PP did not ended. Both went on to defend ings. take advantage of constitutional their respective positions as provisions to continue in office. President and Deputy Presi- Hence, the Zainal-Shafie ‘agree- He vacated the presidency, and dent. ment’ lay outside MTUC rules Zainal succeeded him. which confer upon MTUC del- And then they waited till the last egates the right to vote freely for a Zainal’s Era moment to make their ‘agreement’ president who would hold office public. for three years. Beginning in 1992, Zainal and Raja became running mates in a Honour Among History Of Pacts strong partnership. Raja himself Unionists had become Secretary-General. Back in 1984, MTUC President, PP Zainal and Raja strenuously Now, Shafie said, ‘Honour it’ Narayanan (‘PP’), made a deal fought to establish a national un- while Zainal said he was not with Zainal: PP would hand over ion for electronic workers. At in- obliged to do so. power one year later if Zainal did ternational forums, they put the not challenge him. How was the Malaysian Government on the The Shafie-Zainal disagreement deal done? defensive for violating the Inter- has raised many points in national Labour Organisation coffeeshop style talks. Will The negotiations took place on the Conventions. Zainal eventually leave his post eve of the elections. PP had V. as he piously declared in March David (MTUC and Transport The Government finally pinned 2002? Is the issue one of honour Workers Union [TWU] Secretary Zainal down along with his fallen and obligation? Did the two General) on his side. Their advis- mentor, V David, over their mis- men have any right to forge a ers negotiated with Zainal management of TWU. Zainal private agreement before the (MTUC Deputy President), and faced charges in the court. For his MTUC delegates elected their his ally, G. Rajasegaran (Raja) defence, he was assisted with leaders? What really is at stake (MTUC Deputy Secretary-Gen- funds from international trade and what should be done? eral). unions channelled through the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 23 ICFTU. MTUC as a workers’ organisa- all, Zainal backed Malek Ariff from tion. Raja fearlessly stands up MAS Employees Union against But, it is said, Zainal saw the writ- for unions. He is not tainted Raja. But Raja defeated Malek by ing on the wall and found a way with political ambition and can- securing 317 votes (7 votes higher out by moving closer to the Gov- not be accused of using MTUC than Zainal’s in his win against ernment at a time when the power as a springboard. Syed Syaril). struggle that resulted in Anwar Ibrahim’s sacking. Zainal then However, some are disgruntled As the end of 2002 approached, discarded his connections with with Raja for his handling of un- some Shafie supporters doubted certain opposition parties. Most ion leaders appointed to manage that Zainal would vacate the presi- people in MTUC understood MTUC’s industrial relations dency. While Shafie publicly ex- Zainal’s predicament and even cases. These are skilled union pressed his confidence that accepted his decision. leaders who are paid on a case- Zainal would abide by their agree- by-case basis from fees collected ment, there was no response from Most leaders under similar cir- from affected workers who turn to Zainal himself. cumstances would have failed to MTUC for help. It has been said retain union support whether lo- that Raja had paid insufficient Soon Samuel Devadson (MTUC cally or internationally if they attention to the selection of these Selangor Division Secretary) fired chose Zainal’s course of action. union workers, the criteria for the first salvo from the Zainal Yet Zainal deftly kept his position their payment, and their work. It camp by asking Zainal to continue intact. has been alleged that he had not in office. To avoid being seen to be ensured that they were strictly a minority, ‘new faces’ from Raja’s Round appointed on merit and that Zainal’s team urged him to re- MTUC did not lose its service-ori- main. These included AbdulAbdulAbdul Zainal’s shift and compromise ented image. That was because Razak bin Mohd. Hassan (Presi- with the Government’s shortcom- those workers were mostly his dent of Railwaymen’s Union of ings on labour issues led to his supporters. Malaysia and MTUC Vice-presi- fallout with an erstwhile ally like dent) and the union leaders of Raja. Yet others claim that Raja ‘gets the Commercial Workers, Port Kelang work done’ without any sign of and the Estate Staff Union. Then Raja publicly criticised Zainal’s personal gain. They regard Raja Zainal announced that he won’t lack of transparency over the le- as the ‘insurance’ MTUC needs to step down. gal funds Zainal had received. be an independent organisation, Raja also took stands that con- free from the control of either Gov- Shafie’s supporters have flicted with Zainal’s and embar- ernment or political parties. His charged that a number of Zainal rassed the latter’s position as a forthright and transparent stands supporters or their patrons en- Senator. Their growing rift was on labour issues, regardless joyed personal gains such as apparent on the international whether he faces employers or being sent to the ILO Turin In- scene. Previously Zainal concen- Government, have won Raja very stitute in Italy for training with- trated on his rise within the ILO broad worker support. out their selection being ap- while Raja chose the ICFTU as his proved by MTUC based on rel- turf. By 2001, however, Zainal had Shafie’s Salvoes evance and the union point sys- unsuccessfully tried to seize the tem. It has also been allged that ICFTU profile from Raja. Despite Zainal and Raja’s tense Zainal won support by taking relationship, their professional- sides in internal union disputes Raja’s trade union career began ism did not disrupt MTUC’s because his side gets a more as a labour relations activist work. The last MTUC election was sympathetic reception from the working with factory workers. a ‘proxy fight’ in which Zainal Trade Union Department, such Despite his current high posi- and Raja put up separate slates. as during the recent bank union tion, he retains an activist im- Zainal won because of his ‘win- dispute. age. That was and is his strength win agreement’ with Shafie. Some since his supporters, as well as of the leading ‘proxies’ lost be- Shafie himself who, so to speak, some of Zainal’s backers, still cause they did not have their own opted for a free ticket to the Presi- see Raja as the true emblem of strong following. Most obvious of dency in exchange for a ten-month

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 24 wait, has not lost MTUC Secre- the Zainal-Shafie pact. And Look To tary-General Raja’s backing. Dur- The Future ing his ‘waiting period’, Shafie With Prime Minister Dr Mahathir was balanced in his support to Mohamad’s plan to retire in Oc- MTUC must seize this chance to both Zainal and Raja. Besides, tober 2003, there is a sense in this redirect its energies away from Shafie led the MTUC Finance country that leaders should be internal power struggles to more Committee well and proved his ready to hand over the reins of dedicated efforts to achieve the management skills. power to their deputies. Yet MTUC organisation’s primary goals of leaders are busily justifying why advancing the interests of work- Shafie does not hide that he is a they need not keep thei r prom- ers and their unions. Government man. Not only has ises. Do they expect to be judged he posted a large supportsupportsupport to be anything other than indul- For example, MTUC must Mahathir banner continuously gent individulas operating by un- strengthen its union capacity- for months outside his union of- principled ways? Do they expect building, say by unionising 25 per fice, Shafie has openly shown that an MTUC led by them will cent of all. Then MTUC should that he gives priority to advice symbolizeworkers’ strength, unity push for labour law reform to from the Minister of Labour. It and solidarity? eliminate the multiplicity of un- was no surprise that the Minis- ions, bring about union mergers, ter of Labour offered to mediate How should MTUC act presently? and foster the creation of strong in Shafie’s claim on the presi- In principle, MTUC must protect industrial and sectoral unions. dency. But Zainal shunned him its standing and tradition of pub- MTUC must spearhead the drive and preempted the Minister’s lic accountability by resolving its for a nationwide minimum wage intervention in matters regard- leadership issue honourably. system as well as establish insti- ing the MTUC leadership. tutional mechanisms and stand- The President and Deputy Presi- ards for wage revisions that are Act Now, MTUC! dent having brought about this based on the recognised principle undesirable situation, should of fairness. MTUC’s present discord does not leave it to an MTUC Working serve the interests of the organi- Committee – comprising all MTUC should likewise strive to sation or its affiliates. The discord principal officers except the reduce third-party involvement in is bad for the standing of the par- President and the Deputy Presi- union administration and the ties in dispute, and MTUC’s cred- dent – to submit a formula that management of labour relations. ibility at home and among its fel- fulfills two basic conditions: re- For the future, MTUC must set its low unions abroad. solve the controversy justly, and sights on developing an inde- institute a deterrent against any pendent unionism that can nego- Indeed, even non-partisan union future recurrence. tiate with ability, and deliver with leaders are hard put to offer a respect without depending on clear and fair answer as to why Then the MTUC General Coun- political patronage or non-mem- they should accept anyone who cil should act to disallow ‘pri- bers’ support or funds. dishonours an agreement. In their vate arrangements’ whether be- eyes, both parties had dishon- tween aspiring contestants or There is so much more that MTUC oured agreements. incumbent leaders. If MTUC’s must do to entrench a framework leadership transition is not to be of full collective bargaining rights Many of those leaders nominated turned into a two-man show for all public sector workers, legal Shafie to challenge Zainal in the performed for personal gain, the protection for trade union leaders, election. They furiously took General Council must hence- and compliance with grievance Shafie’s pact with Zainal as a be- forth institute disciplinary ac- procedure in work places. trayal. To them, however, Zainal’s tion against anyone involved in conduct shows him to be an old private power-grabbing ‘agree- For the MTUC to pursue these politician who reneges on his ments’. Only then can MTUC noble aims in an era of promise for expediency. They safeguard the basic right of its globalisation, its leaders must were even disappointed with Raja affiliates and all delegates to a themselves observe and practise who commanded their support free, fair and transparent elec- good governance, transparency but chose not to make an issue of tion of MTUC’s leaders. and accountability. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 25 THE ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION Continued from page 40 of roving consultant (she styles is not merely uneven; it is verti- the Islamic State - a pledge made herself as a `free lance trainer’) on cally in favour of the BN.’ during the 1999 general election, gender and human rights issues, with the result that the DAP had especially with reference to issues ‘So what can or what should the withdrawn from the opposition affecting Muslim women. opposition parties do?’, we asked. alliance.

In doing this she has been associ- ‘Stick to their principles’, came the In short, Toni argued that the Op- ated with a number of women’s reply. ‘Stop seeking to score position parties must be prepared organisations and human rights points by quibbling on minor mat- to put their declared commitment groups, in particular Women’s ters for the sake of political advan- to the principles of reformasi, be- Candidacy Initiative, Sisters in tage but make a stand on basic is- fore their struggle for their own Islam, Suaram and Amnesty In- sues that are of real concern to the narrow political advantage. They ternational Malaysia. She chairs thinking public. Such as the issue must make their stand and argue a regional network on building the of an Islamic state, for example.’ with substance. capacities of grassroots groups, and has also done work for the Toni went on to deplore the fail- If Parliament was a charade, then ILO. ure of Parti Keadilan Nasional to the Opposition parties should state its position on this in re- boycott Parliament. “There is no At the time of writing this article sponse both to PAS and the Gov- point legitimising the charade by she had gone off to Patani in ernment. “By not making a stand, `playing along’ with it when we Southern Thailand to conduct a the public are left wondering ex- know full well what Parliament three-day course there on wom- actly where the Opposition stands can do and will not do,” she said. en’s rights amongst the local Mus- on the Islamic State issue. Com- “So there must be some act of re- lim community women leaders, ing across as non-committal does sistance on the part of the Oppo- and by the time this edition of not help the public understand sition to send home the point that Aliran Monthly hits the streets she the Opposition, and perhaps even we have no confidence in the role will be somewhere in Java to meet is a disservice to the Opposition of a Parliament that has been a group of women’s organisations itself. The public does not vote on formed through elections that are there. A lady for all seasons. polling day, it is deciding who is neither free nor fair. worthy of their vote as we speak,” Toni is equally as forthright about she noted. The public must also have confi- the state of Malaysian politics as dence that the Opposition have the she is about everything else. ‘As She deplored the way in which capacity to hold its own, and not you know’, she says, ‘Malaysia is the splendid principles and dance to the beat of someone else’s not a democracy, and we should promises that had been displayed drum.” do all we can to bring about po- in the BA’s 1999 Manifesto ap- litical reform so that it becomes peared to have been side-lined Any act of resistance to send home one.’ and forgotten. She also felt that that point would show the real PAS had let the BA down by go- substance of the Opposition, she ‘This is the role of the Opposition ing back on its commitment not to pointed out, adding that there is a parties, isn’t it?’, we ventured. raise contentious issues such as whole range of acts that can be

‘Of course’, replied Toni, ‘but they are not playing the role. Instead, If Parliament was a charade they are playing the political game then the Opposition parties according to the rules laid down by the Government, and they can’t should boycott Parliament possibly win. The playing ground

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 26 used to show the kehampaan of the tion. `What can they do for you?' BN will always have more re- Opposition. A walkout by the en- – the electorate is asked. `They sources to pour into this kind of tire opposition is one example, have no political clout – they can’t politics, but it also skirts the issue especially when issues that par- bring development to your con- that these issues are issues for the ticularly stifle dissent are being stituency.'" local councils, which again high- discussed (for e.g. the amend- lights the need for proper local ments that were made to the Elec- Toni clarified that she wanted to council elections.” tions laws, etc). put across the point that merely participating in electoral politics She felt the opposition has an ob- Let the world, and especially is not enough. “Challenging the ligation to denounce freshly Malaysians, know the system is foundations of electoral politics - tarred roads and public toilets bung rather than go along with it, what it means to be involved in from becoming political battle- allowing the system to pretend politics - is even more critical for fields rather than be dragged into that it is legitimate.” the long-haul, transformative the losing game. change in the political landscape She said that the Opposition can- of the country. We did not want to Toni Kasim stood as an independ- not just wait for the acts of resist- be arm-chair critics of the system, ent for the parliamentary seat of ance to come from the people and and decided to run the way we Selayang in the 1999 general elec- then turn up when the `moment did to contribute something to- tion in a straight fight with the in- is right’. “They need to also set wards a different way of thinking cumbent BN candidate. She lost, the agenda and send the message about politics. as was only to be expected, but all to the public that they understand the same she garnered 43% of the opposition politics in this coun- To encourage and support diver- votes cast. try to be more than electoral party sity in candidates, issue-based politics.” candidacies, etc is to show matu- The whole episode was remark- rity and to really want something able in a couple of ways. In the "If the Opposition is not playing different and not pander to BN- first place, the Women’s Candi- its part, what can the ordinary citi- style, party-or-nothing politics. dacy Initiative who put her up as zen hope to do?", we somewhat a candidate succeeded in per- naively asked. "Indeed, there are many voters in suading the Opposition parties to this country who are not satisfied let her stand. Secondly, she man- This question really made Toni with freshly tarred roads and aged to capture over two fifths of come into her own. "People al- brand new public toilets to their the vote despite the might and ways underrate the role of the in- constituency." Toni would like to built-in advantages of the BN dividual", she said, "but individu- think that the public are looking party organization. There was als can make a difference. People for someone who will speak up that wave of change at the time should not just keep quiet. They for rights and interests (as it and perhaps many were cha- should continue to voice their should be) but there are many vot- grined by the behaviour of the BN opinions in the Press, attend ers in this country who do unfor- at the time and wanted a change. peaceful demonstrations to ex- tunately see longkang politics as Nonetheless, that we asserted our press their views, badger their lo- the ‘substance’ of politics. right to run was empowering, cal State or Parliamentary repre- even as many people, in BN and sentatives. And who can blame them when BA alike, were sceptical about our that is exactly how it has been pro- reasons and capacity to run. "In the same way, the role of those jected to them,” she lamented. who decline to join any political “What worries me is that there are In the end, she felt vindicated. “We party but seek election as Inde- some in the opposition who feel were over the moon about what pendents should not be over- the need to play the game because we had achieved!” looked. It is, of course, common- they believe that that is what the place for both the BN and Oppo- electorate understands. By going Toni Kasim had made her point sition parties to scoff at Independ- along, the opposition not only about what an individual in the ent candidates who stand for elec- fights a losing battle because the Opposition can do. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 27 to pray for you.

Tan Chi Kiong Bangkok

Editor’s note: We regret to inform readers that Yayori died on 27 December 2002.

Jubal And Irene

I knew Jubal when we were class- mates in TI (Technical Institute) in 1980-81. Though we didn’t really mix a lot, I found him to be a jovial person. I was sorry not to have been able to attend his funeral and say a last farewell to him and his Letters must not exceed 250 words and must include the writer's wife, Irene. name and address. Pseudonyms may be used. Send letters to : Editor, ALIRAN MONTHLY, 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Penang, Soo Hoo Foo Seng Malaysia or e-mail to : [email protected] Views Class of 80-81, expressed need not reflect those of Aliran. If you are sending Technical Institute of Penang by e-mail please include your message in the e-mail body itself. We do not open attachments to avoid viruses. My deepest sympathy to Jubal and Irene’s children as well as the Dear Yayori Matsui … life to its fullest, and say, ‘Please Aliran community. save a place in your prayers for a I happened to read the latest copy miracle’. Your profound words Santana Abdullah of Aliran Monthly (Vol. 22, No. 9) make clear that we have been by e-mail and read your e-mail message to blessed with a co-worker and all your friends. friend who led an exemplary and Malaysian Catholic inspirational life. Bishops Against War I am very sorry to read of your ill- ness. At the same time, I think: It is possible we have met before, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference Thank God for a real, sensitive in the ecumenical circle and in the of Malaysia, Singapore and Bru- and brave individual who work of PP21 with the NGOs. I am nei agree with the Holy See and worked hard for the poor in Asia presently the Executive Director Bishops from the USA and Mid- and around the world. I want to in the Ecumenical Coalition on dle East that resorting to war say I very much appreciate the Third World Tourism. Looking against Iraq under current circum- clear message you have for those into our archives, I note that you stances would not meet the strict of us who are still doing a little have stood with us for two dec- conditions in Catholic teaching bit, while we can, for the Asian ades beginning with ECTWT’s for overriding the presumptions community. For what you have founding in Bangkok. against the use of military force. done, you will always find a place We also join others in urging Iraq in the hearts of the ‘least of my sis- I would like to seek your kind per- to comply fully with the latest ters and brothers’ around the mission to reprint your letter in the United Nations Security Council world. December issue of Contours. resolutions.

I am touched when you ask the I send you warm greetings and the We urge other Bishops’ Confer- forgiveness of friends, urge living assurance that we will continue ences all over the world to join

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 28 their voices in solidarity to call clusion? congestion in Penang and defends upon all involved to abide by the the principle that the people’s in- principles of international law. The Assemblywoman for Jawi terests must override party inter- had stated that her position on the ests. Does that imply that Aliran We join and urge peoples of all PORR issue ‘is a matter of con- was ‘objecting for the sake of ob- faiths and goodwill to pray fer- science and principle, and these jecting?’ vently that all involved will act to are things that I will never ensure that this action of the forsake.....I would rather quit than A Satab United Nations will not simply be forced to vote against my con- Nibong Tebal be a prelude to war but a way to science.’ peace and justice. Kudos To Two Why can’t Surin accept her stand Suspended MCA Reps Archbishop Anthony as genuine? Why does he attribute Soter Fernandez, D.D. President, hidden motives to her statement? To serve with dignity or kautau to Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Is it because Surin has so little dictatorship — that is the ques- Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei faith in human beings? tion.

Infuriated Or The Jawi Assemblywoman I was shocked and disgusted to Confused? knows she will pay the price for learn of the indefinite suspension her stand. She will be dropped of two committed and devoted from the MCA lineup for the next state assembly representatives of election — Gerakan will make Penang. Where is the justice they sure of it. deserve for heeding the grievances of their constituents and voicing In commenting on the two repre- them in the State Asembly? sentatives’ stand, Aliran asked: Are ‘YBs’ elected to protect the I can’t imagine what leaders we BN’s interests or to represent the have in Malaysia today who will people’s interests? Why should do anything to destroy the politi- this question infuriate Surin? He cal careers of those who do not toe claims, ‘I think it may be a bit my- their line. opic to try to put the PORR issue and how these two have voted as Lim Keng Yaik and Koh Tsu Koon Tan Cheng Liang inter-related.’ don’t realize that Lim Boo Chang and Tan Cheng Liang were only Surin may be ‘Infuriated Over Their voting has Gerakan and nominated by the Barisan Aliran’s Reaction’ (AM Vol. 22 UMNO screaming for their blood. Nasional to stand for election. Lim No.10) but he is confused. He Yet Surin doesn’t see that the two Keng Yaik and Koh Tsu Koon asks, ‘…would you think these issues are ‘inter-related’. Is Surin don’t understand that the power two MCA assembly members being naïve? to elect representatives comes from would have voted against if the the people. PORR project had been mooted by Finally, Surin concludes, ‘It is my an MCA CM - conscience notwith- sincere hope that an esteemed When DAP moved to defer the standing?’ He concludes, ‘we NGO like Aliran would take a PORR project until the completion might be stretching logic a bit too more objective stand on future is- of the Jelutong expressway, the BN far, when it is claimed that the sues, instead of objecting for the representatives present voted Jawi assemblywoman (MCA) sake of objecting.’ against the motion — except Tan voted against it because her con- Cheng Liang and Lim Boo Chang science dictated otherwise.’ I’ll like to advise Surin to re-read who abstained. For that they were Aliran’s press statement. Aliran’s suspended indefinitely. Is that de- What is the basis for Surin’s con- statement comments on traffic mocracy?

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 29 Penangites should salute these A person possessing a high level impose severe mental emotional two representatives for carrying of language intelligence may not stress on the average students out their duties without fear or command the same level in Math- which is harmful to their health. favour. We hope they will stand ematics and Science. Conversely, for election in the next general elec- a person possessing a high level If priority is given to learning Eng- tion. Their respective constituen- of intelligence in science and lish at the primary school level, cies will never forget them. mathematics may not excel in the Mathematical concepts and sto- use of language. This diversity of ries of scientific discoveries can be As for the representatives who special intelligence accounts for incorporated in the curriculum to stayed away when the vote was people choosing and excelling in arouse interest and to motivate a taken, they were either wise or different professions. desire to use English to learn cowardly. Or maybe ‘yes men’ Mathematics and Science at a who keep the BN as a one-party These two basic education psy- later stage. system. We must have a strong op- chological principles are applica- position to check government ble to all children irrespective of Learning is a life-long process. malpractices. The opposition op- whether they attend national or Motivation is a crucial factor. At poses motions that don’t benefit national-type schools. the primary school level, children the people. The BN opposes all are too young to understand and opposition proposals. In designing school curriculum, appreciate the economic value of consideration must be given to the different subjects in the school Valupillai these two very important princi- curriculum. To them learning Penang ples. It is a very demanding task. must be a joyful experience. Teachers have a vital role to moti- English, Mathematics Improving the standard of Eng- vate children, each according to And Science: lish and gaining knowledge in their aptitude and capacity, and Professional View science and mathematics are two design all ways and means to meet different objectives. The time their different needs. Language is an instrument for taken to achieve each objective communication and to acquire varies according to the different An experiment may be carried out: knowledge and skills. stages of mental development, aptitude and capacity of the stu- 1 . Allow National-Type (Chi- Before a language can be used to dents. nese) primary schools to focus acquire knowledge and skills, a attention on the learning of minimum level of proficiency At the primary school level, edu- English while deferring the must be attained. cation policy and decision mak- use of English to learn Math- ers have two options. First is to ematics and Science until they Learning a language is different allow children to gain sufficient move into secondary schools from learning Science and Math- proficiency in the use of English, and ematics. Each requires its own a second language, before using 2. National Schools to require special intelligence. it to learn Science and Mathemat- children to learn English and ics. Learning English, which is not use it to learn Science and Educational Research has firmly the main medium of instruction Mathematics at the same time established that besides general in an environment where it is not from Year One. At the end of intelligence, there are different widely spoken and used, is not the sixth year cycle, examina- types of special intelligence easy. tion results will demonstrate such as language intelligence, which is a more productive ap- mathematics and science intel- The second option is to require all proach. ligence, aesthetics intelligence, students from year one to learn psycho-motor intelligence, hu- English and at the same time to Improving the standards of Eng- man relations intelligence and use it to learn Science and Math- lish, Science and Mathematics is so on. ematics. The second option may an educational issue. To politi-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 30 cize such an issue can only gen- had to bear rock blasting which disaster. erate more heat than light and will shook their window panes and lead to unnecessary wastage of glass doors. ‘High risk’ slopes not Dr Kua Kia Soong limited human and financial re- meant to be touched, according to Director, SUARAM sources, time and energy. the project EIA, have been flat- tened. NGOs And Formal Paul Chang Politics Retired Federal During a heavy downpour two Chief Inspector of Schools weeks ago the silt traps again Please allow me to respond to cer- Former Director of the School of burst and a portion of the main tain points raised in the article, Education Studies, USM, Penang drain in the Taman was washed "NGOs and Non-Electoral Poli- away. The residents in the area are tics" in AM Vol. 22 No. 11/12. Bukit Sg Putih Cheras not prepared to accept any croco- — Another Disaster dile tears when another disaster 1 . ‘Perhaps what is required espe- Waiting to Happen strikes. cially now in Malaysia is to return to the realm of non-formal With every landslide tragedy — Bukit Sungai Putih was gazetted politics’. Why ? Highland Towers, Pos Dipang as a Permanent Forest Reserve and, the latest, Ampang — we and Wild Life Reserve in 1932. 2. ‘There is a need to sharpen the hear sanctimonious reports of Today there are at least 20 species counter-discourse of alternative what the authorities could have of non-commercial plants, 140 development strategies and to done to prevent the disasters. species of trees, 45 species of birds. consolidate the practices of par- Mammals such as the very rare ticipatory democracy.’ Is this Before disaster strikes again, the serow have been spotted in this compromised by a ‘misadven- authorities had better check the forest. ture’ to intervene into rampant devastation at Bukit formal politics ? Or more spe- Sungai Putih, Cheras, where Not many people know that the cifically engagement with Op- housing development is going on forest reserve was degazetted by position parties? NGOs and unchecked. Anyone coming down the Selangor State Government in other groups always lobby BN Jalan Cheras from Kajang can 1992 for the present housing parties on issues - so what is clearly see the devastation. More project. The State Government’s wrong to make demands on concerned with profits than peo- own subsidiary has changed its Opposition parties? I hope this ple, the authorities have closed an name numerous times from Kemas is not ‘de-politicisation’ by eye to this project in which a State Anggun to G-Two Assets to another name. Government subsidiary has inter- Kemajuan Bukit Segar. ests. 3. ‘The autonomous public sphere By encroaching on this wildlife outside of political parties and The residents of Taman Cuepacs sanctuary, the Selangor State Gov- elections needs to be expanded.’ Is suffered a terrible mudflood when ernment has flagrantly violated engagement with formal poli- the silt traps gave way on 9 March the National Policy on Biological tics incompatible with NGOs’ 1999. Only weeks before that, the Diversity. Under the law, the State work intrinsically? State Environment Committee Government cannot degazette a Chairman and local officials had wildlife sanctuary without federal 4. ‘There will be occasion in the fu- assured the residents that the de- approval. ture to re-engage with the formal velopment would be carefully political realm either during fu- monitored. The residents of the Tamans ture elections or on specific causes. around Bukit Sungai Putih, Meanwhile networking among Construction work was temporar- Cheras would like to warn the lo- the NGOs must also be prioritized ily stopped to assuage the public. cal, State and Federal Govern- so that engagement with the for- Now work has resumed at a ments that they will be held di- mal political realm when it is re- greater pace. The residents have rectly responsible for any future sumed is conducted from a posi-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 31 tion of strength.’ Have NGOs The pros and cons regarding the ‘suffered’ from engaging in for- 2-year rotation system as CM of mal politics - such that they Sabah has been debated before need to do a `retreat’ now? and discussed at length by party members and the rakyat of Sabah There should be more solid rea- and they are convinced that the sons to substantiate this point for rotation system is more of a bane Malaysia! Or else it may sound than a boon. Joseph Pairin like another counsel for de- Kitingan from Parti Bersatu Sabah politicisation. But for what (PBS) has been shouting for the agenda? abolition of the system. Even Mohad Fauzi Patel, the veteran I think NGOs need to tap into the journalist, commented in the Bor- power of networking and strate- Pairin: Shouting for the abolition of the neo Mail that the rotation system gic interactions with all actors in system has proven to be “very damag- society to work for social change - ing” to the state’s economy. In fact by isolating themselves, they are Chief Minister’s post will remain it could lead to corruption and cutting down on the combined for the time being as the govern- abuse of power. Let me quote the synergistic dissenting force ment believes that so far it is the Law of Moses: (NGOs & Opposition parties), best solution for power-sharing. which only allows BN to win by Really? But how effective is it? You must not distort justice, default. I think this is more than You must not show partiality what NGOs can lose by engage- The rotation system of appointing and you must not accept bribes ment with Opposition parties the Chief Minister (CM) of Sabah for a bribe blinds where they can be ‘discredited by was introduced in 1994 by BN the eyes of the wise and association’ with religious agenda. and was in fact the brainchild of subverts the cause of those Prime Minister Dr Mahathir who are in the right. It has not been a problem for Mohamad. Everyone knows that NGOs to speak for themselves. It such a unique system, which is After all what could a CM do in is more the BN’s power over me- not enshrined in the constitution, two years apart from warming dia which has caused them to be is demoralising the people of his seat before the next eligible misconstrued and undermined. Sabah. But who cares, especially candidate takes over. So long as The response to not engage with when for Dr Mahathir Mohamad this rotation system is allowed Opposition political parties - everything is possible. We just to continue it has one disadvan- while not symmetrically applied wonder where he gets such power. tage: the various parties and to governing parties, means that communities will always think NGOs are playing into BN’s tac- The idea was mooted by him with of themselves as either Malays, tics of divide and rule. Why one aim in mind - that is purely to Kadazan-Dusun or Chinese in- should autonomous NGOs be dic- please and service or reward all stead of being Sabahans, let tated by BN to decide on their lines the various component parties alone Malaysians! of engagement ? within the coalition, which is made up of Muslim-Bumiputra Dr Mahathir Mohamad had him- Ong B K (UMNO), Non-Muslim Bumi- self to blame when some time in putra (Kadazan-Dusun) and the April 2001 he himself admitted Should The Sabah Chinese with the assurance that that the system encouraged the Roulette Continue at least representatives from the birth of lame ducks so why on To Spin? various coalition parties will get earth is the rotation system still the chance to enjoy the benefits allowed to continue? Deputy Prime Minister, Abdullah and also “feel good” as the CM of Badawi (NST, 20/1/03) said that Sabah even for a short period of Tunku Yusuf Jewa the rotation system for the Sabah two years. Kota Bharu

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 32 PEACE From Ripples To Waves Religious groups and NGOs join hands in launching Stop the War Coalition, Malaysia by Prema Devaraj and Anil Netto

natives (ARENA), JIM secretary- general Dr. Hafidzi Mohd Noor, and Jesuit priest Rev. Dr. Jojo Fung.

Fabian set the tone for the evening with his opening remarks. “It’s not our war. War planes will not be roaring above our heads and missiles will not be raining down from our skies….so why are 200 of you good people here on a Fri- day night? After all, what can one man or one woman do? 10 men? 200 women? Even 10,000…what is that but an anthill when ounds of war and pic- The forum saw the launch of the pitched against the might of a su- tures of devastation in Stop the War Coalition, Malaysia, perpower…? SSS Iraq flashed across the a broad-based, multi-ethnic, screen. A video clip on multi-religious national coalition “We are here,” he continued, “be- Desert Storm held the audience in opposing the war on Iraq. Over 50 cause we believe in the power of rapt attention, bringing to life once public interent groups are now the ordinary person.” When or- again the gruesome horrors of the part of the coalition, having en- dinary individuals care enough Gulf War and the nightmare of 10 dorsed an urgent memorandum about a cause, an injustice, and years ago. What would be the sce- to UN Secretary General Kofi come together to exert pressure, nario today if the US attacked Annan urging him to use the of- the little ripples that they create Iraq? fices of the United Nations to pre- will eventually create a wave, he vent a war that would have cata- said. “What we want is a mas- Thus began the forum titled “No strophic consequences for the sive tidal wave of dissent that To War In Iraq” on 24 January at Middle East region and the world. sends a strong NO! message so the Caring Society complex in that people poised to push the Penang. The event was organised Penang state executive councillor war button have no choice but to by the Penang Office for Human Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon wel- sit up and take notice.” Development (POHD) in associa- comed the audience and handed tion with seven other groups: the the proceedings over to POHD The speakers covered various as- Penang Justice and Peace Com- director Rev Fabian Dicom, who pects on how and why the war in mission, Jamaah Islah Malaysia chaired the forum. On the panel Iraq was orchestrated, how futile (JIM), Kumpulan Kemajuan of speakers were Datuk Dr. and dehumanizing this impend- Masyarakat (KKM), Aliran Ronald McCoy of the Physicians ing war would be, the hypocrisy Kesedaran Negara (Aliran), for the Prevention of Nuclear War, of the US stand on weapons of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Aliran Trust Board member Prof. mass destruction and the double the Women’s Centre for Change Johan Saravanamuttu, who is also standards involved. “The posses- (WCC) and the Penang Diocesan executive director of the Asian Re- sion of weapons of mass destruc- Youth Network (PDYN). gional Exchange for New Alter- tion by any country cannot be jus-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 33 tified,” insisted McCoy. “This im- The following are the groups have endorsed the Stop the War Coalition, perative must apply to the eight Malaysia initiative: nuclear weapon countries - the US, 1) Penang Office for Human Development Russia, Britain, France, China, 2) Penang Diocese Youth Network (PDYN) India, Pakistan and Israel.” 3) Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) 4) Penang Justice and Peace Commission Johan summed it up well when 5) Kumpulan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KKM) he noted that war was the last ref- 6) Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) uge of the incompetent; it was fu- 7) Women’s Center for Change (WCC) tile and dehumanising and it’s so- 8) Aliran Kesedaran Malaysian (Aliran) called victories would always be 9) Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor pyrrhic. 10) Women and Workers Independent Media and Training Center (WIMTEC) The forum was unique in another 11) Women’s Development Collective (WDC) sense: it was refreshing to see a 12) Persatuan Pengguna Pahang (CAP) leader of a prominent Muslim 1 3 ) The Sustainable Development Network (SUSDEN) group and a Catholic priest seated 14) Tenaganita on the same panel in solidarity, 15) Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Malaysia articulating anti-war positions 16) Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) 17) Sisters In Islam from an Islamic and a Christian 18) Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia perspective respectively. 19) Golongan Anak Muda Arah Kiri (ARAH KIRI) 20) SOS (Save Ourselves) Hafidzi said the US stance had 21) Malaysian Local Democracy Initiatives (MALODI) baffled Muslims in the world. 22) Penang Anti-ISA Network “The US has no proof that Iraq is 23) IDEAL (Institute for Development of Alternative Living) developing weapons of mass de- 24) Citizen’s Health Initiative struction (WMD) and yet has 25) Women’s Aid Organization (WAO) threatened to attack Iraq.” 26) International Movement For A Just World (JUST) 27) Community Development Centre Jojo Fung, on the other hand, cited 28) Alaigal extensively from Catholic church 29) The Sustainable Development Network (SUSDEN- KK Workgroup) documents and publications to 30) Cahayasuara Social Communication Center show why the Church was 31) Thefreemedia.com strongly against the war. 32) Kinta Consumer Association 33) Center for Orang Asli Concerns 34) Community Action Network (CAN), Kuala Lumpur Many in the audience, compris- 35) DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) ing people of all religious faiths, 36) The Star Publication shared the views of the speakers. 37) Penang Support Group for Migrant Filipinos/Filipino A lively question-and-answer ses- 38) Franciscan Missionaries of Divine Motherhood sion followed with members of the 39) National Society of St.Vincent de Paul, Diocesan Council of Penang audience questioning Iraqi mo- 40) The Group of Concerned Citizens tives and US double standards. 41) National Catechetical Council 42) Church of the Good Shepherd, Setapak The youth of the PDYN took the 43) Campus Ministry Office, Penang Diocese floor next putting up a creative 44) Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, dance performance to the soul- Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism ful lyrics of “Heal The World”. 45) Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kuala Lumpur Tossing plastic oil containers 46) Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS) into a rubbish bin (“No Blood 47) Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS) for Oil”) while singing gustily, 48) Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Youth Ministry they locked arms in a moving 49) New Vision Studio expression of human solidarity. 50) Women’s Candidacy Initiative 51) Shalom Working Youth Fellowship (SWYF) The evening ended with a call 52) Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) for worldwide disarmament as 53) Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens the audience was reminded to 54) Society for Christian Reflection turn out in force at future anti- 55) Tholilaliyin Tholar (Sahabat Pekerja) war gatherings. q 56) ISMA Sekretariat P.Pinang

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 34 INTERNATIONAL

From Porto Alegre To The USA: Restrain The Empire Speech at the Get Up, Stand Up rally, Austin, Texas by Robert Jensen

ast week at the World So- Simple Question Hussein, the world understands LL cial Forum in Porto that even more threatening is the LLL Alegre, Brazil, I talked The question that people in Porto empire unleashed and unre- with dozens of people Alegre did ask me was simple: strained. from around the world. I learned What are people of conscience in a lot about the struggles for jus- the United States – what am I – A Citizen’s Duty tice in their countries, but the most doing to stop the U.S. government, important lesson I brought home especially in its mad drive to war The cynical among us say that was about my own country. in Iraq? it is clear that Bush and his boys want this war, and that the war The question I thought people at Those of us organizing in the will come. That may be true; the Forum would ask me is, ‘Why United States are in a strange situ- there’s no way to see the future. does the U.S. government follow ation. Our task is to work to edu- But I know that no matter what such brutal policies of economic cate the people of our own privi- will come, our task is clear: We and military domination around leged and affluent culture about are the first citizens of the em- the world?’ I thought they would what the rest of the world already pire. In the past, empires had want me to explain the United knows: The United States is an subjects. But we are truly citi- States to them. But they didn’t – empire, and – as has been the case zens, with freedom of expression because, I came to realize, they al- throughout history – empires are and rights of political participa- ready knew the answer to the ques- a threat to peace and life and jus- tion that aren’t perfect but are tion. tice in the world. There is no such real. With those freedoms comes thing as a benevolent empire. a responsibility, to use them to In one session I listened to a stop our government from pur- man who works with the MST, It is crucial that we in the United suing a war that will kill and the landless movement in Bra- States who have so much un- destroy innocents while further zil that is widely considered to earned privilege that comes with entrenching U.S. power in the be the biggest and most impor- living in the empire face their Middle East and U.S. control tant social movement in the question: What are we willing to over the strategically crucial oil world today. He told us that do to stop our government? What resources there. the people he works with of- are those of us in the heart of the ten are lucky if they get a beast doing to tame that beast? We have a choice. We can hide fourth-grade education; many from our responsibility. Or we can are illiterate. ‘But I don’t have The United States is preparing for stand up, speak up, organize, and to tell them about imperial- a war in Iraq that virtually the join the people of the world in ism’, he said. That they under- entire world opposes. No matter movements to challenge the pow- stand. They live with it. how brutal the regime of Saddam erful, to resist the empire.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 35 It may seem safer to avoid that Let me leave you with one image big as that song, as big as Brazil, choice, to hide from that respon- from Porto Alegre, from the floor as big as the world. sibility. But I learned one other of the arena in which the closing thing in Porto Alegre: The people ceremonies took place. As the con- ‘Peace’, he said. ‘Paz’, I replied. of the world do not accept the veners of the World Social Forum American empire. All over the delivered a final declaration and We are Americans, but if we world there are movements for stood on stage, the sounds of John choose to resist we are not the social justice that are strengthen- Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ came over the American empire. And if we do ing, gathering support and chal- loudspeakers, and the 15,000 peo- resist, there is a world we can join, lenging power. They are the fu- ple in the arena stood, held a world that is waiting for us. ture. History is not on the side of hands, moved with the music and the empire. sang of a world with no countries, Perhaps I am investing too much a world living life in peace, a symbolism in one simple hug. But To take the side of the empire is to world without possessions and that moment with that man, that give into our fear, to cast our lot greed. hug in Porto Alegre, was for me with the past. To resist the empire the promise of life outside the em- is to grab onto hope, to cast our lot When the song was over, I turned pire. It was the feel of a future that with the future. It is literally a to an older man sitting next to me. we can all imagine. It is easy, if we choice of empire and death, or re- I had told him I was from the try. q sistance and life. This is not about United States and we had ex- liberals v. conservatives or Repub- changed nods and smiles licans and Democrats; both par- throughout the event, but he spoke Robert Jensen is a journal- ties are on the wrong side of this little English and I spoke even less ism professor at the Uni- struggle right now. This is about Portuguese. At that moment, lan- versity of Texas at Austin, a far more fundamental choice. guage mattered little. I extended and author of Writing Dis- my hand to him. But he rejected it. sent: Taking Radical Ideas American, Yes; from the Margins to the Empire, No! Instead, he reached out, grabbed Mainstream. me and enveloped me in a hug as There is much work to be done on many fronts. One thing we can all do is come out on Saturday, Feb. 15, when people in New York City, War For World Dominance Austin and around the world will Beginning With Iraq rally to oppose the U.S. drive to war. Information is available at by Karen Talbot http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ … we have seen the alarming Earth’ in order to protect U.S. in- If you doubt the importance of growth in clout of the military-in- vestments. We have witnessed the this, think back to September 11, dustrial complex, about which moves to weaponize and 2001. On that day, we got a President Eisenhower sounded a nuclearize space and to build glimpse of what it will look like if dire warning. We have seen the destabilizing anti-ballistic mis- the empire is dismantled from the advent of new military doctrines siles, while scrapping the ABM outside, if the empire continues to projecting ‘full spectrum domi- Treaty . ignore the world. But we have a nance’, ‘pre-emptive’ nuclear choice. We, the first citizens of the strike, and the ‘war against terror- We have seen the rapid eastward empire, can commit to disman- ism’. expansion of NATO with the U.S. tling the empire from within, at the helm. We have seen a sig- peacefully and non-violently, in We have heard the U.S. Space nificant increase in the huge solidarity with those around the Command speak openly about number of globe-encircling U.S. world struggling for justice. ‘dominating space to dominate military bases. These new instal-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 36 lations are strategically located near oil fields and pipeline routes, particularly in Central Asia, Geor- Corporations, War, You gia, Afghanistan, and the former Momentum Of A Lunatic War Yugoslavia. by Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman We have seen the use in Iraq, Yu- goslavia, and Afghanistan, of One thing is clear about the Bush next five years to a approach a ever-more powerful and illegal administration’s current rush to staggering $500 billion. weapons, including fuel-air ex- war: It has nothing to do with pro- plosives, cluster bombs, radioac- tecting U.S. security…. The Ideology Of Empire tive depleted uranium- tipped ar- maments and “bunker busting” There are material interests served The ideology and geopolitical bombs, all of which have killed by war and the run-up to war, of strategy of the war-mongering ex- thousands of civilians. Are these course. tremist networks is, in a word, not weapons of mass destruction? Big Oil empire. They hope to demonstrate how awesome and dominant is End War, The Bush administration, like ad- U.S. military force, and that the End Terrorism ministrations before it, obsesses United States is willing to use it about the Persian Gulf because it routinely on whatever pretext it In today’s world, bristling with sits atop the world’s largest oil chooses. Their intended message: arsenals of nuclear weapons, re- reserves. The Washington, D.C.- Cross the empire at your peril. sort to war must end once and for based Sustainable Energy and all. Fundamental societal changes Economy Network’s Steve Redemption? are required in order create the Kretzmann argues that central to conditions for redirecting the tril- the U.S. industry interest in Iraq There is no escaping the pathetic lions of dollars flushed down the is its potential role as a counter- fact that a major impulse for war drain of military spending to feed balance to Saudi Arabia, which is the desire of President Bush and the hungry, create jobs, provide possesses the world’s largest oil many of the key actors who served quality housing, healthcare and reserves by far. in his father’s administration to education, in the U.S. and world- ‘redeem’ the failure of the first wide. This is also the way to end The Military-Industrial- Bush regime to depose Saddam terrorism. Think Tank Complex Hussein.

Only massive democratic actions A network of defense industry- Political Calculations by the people can stop the drive to backed think tanks have been in- war and ultimately accomplish strumental in cooking up the And there is the narrow political these other essential changes. rationale for invasion of Iraq, de- calculus that must have been un- Therefore, it is more vital than ever veloping concepts such as dertaken prior to the 2002 election in history to turn out in our tens ‘preemptive war’. Many of the by Karl Rove and other White of millions for the upcoming staff at these think tanks are now House strategists. They realized worldwide anti-war demonstra- part of the Bush administration. that the post September-11 boost tions on February 15 and 16. These Former defense company execu- for the president was rapidly fad- challenges can and must be met tives and consultants are also ex- ing and that the administration for the sake of humankind’s very tremely well represented in the was losing control of the national survival. q administration, and wield enor- agenda as the Enron, WorldCom mous influence. For the industry, and other financial scandals war and hyped threats to national dominated the headlines. They Karen Talbot can be contacted security mean greater expendi- ran the election on the war and, at the International Center for tures on their weaponry. The with the Democrats offering no co- Peace and Justice [email protected]@[email protected] Defense budget is set to hit $380 herent opposition, this proved a billion this year, rising over the successful strategy.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 37 Enormous Uncertainty

While few doubt that the United Waiting For The Missiles States will prevail quickly on the battlefield, there is the potential of In Baghdad U.S. soldiers suffering non-negli- An American reporter in the Iraqi capital gible casualties if there ends up being house-to-house fighting in by Norman Solomon Baghdad. There is the real risk of The winter weather is unseason- they know how much suffering is spurring new terrorist acts, either ably mild under blue sky. But the sure to come if the U.S. government in the United States or against U.S. scene is grim. By now, even the launches an attack? Are Ameri- citizens abroad, whether these most optimistic souls can’t quite can media outlets really convey- acts come from Iraq, al-Qaeda or believe their own denial. Nothing ing the humanity of the people in others. (And if Saddam Hussein is certain, but one specter is close: the line of fire? is as evil as President Bush sug- The missiles are coming. Probably gests, and if his regime is collaps- within a few weeks. … There’s not much time to focus on ing, isn’t it likely that he will lash such questions. You wrap up the out at the United States through Day by day, as the probability of story for tomorrow’s editions, slip any means possible?) There is the war nears certainty, you realize the floppy disk out of your laptop possibility that the U.S. invasion that you’re getting a small taste of and ride an elevator down to the will generate political instability the insecurity that Iraqi people first floor. Walking past the no-al- in other countries. There is the have been facing for a long time. cohol bar, you stride into the little enormous uncertainty about how And despite all the claims of Internet shop that caters to foreign Iraq will be governed after reportorial ‘objectivity’, it’s hard journalists. The proprietor, a Saddam is deposed. to deny that many deep stories young man named Firas Behnam, aren’t getting much coverage. smiles and waves from a desk. These are not just concerns for common sense-minded citizens. You might do a story about the es- Minutes later, you’re clicking a They involve the uncertainties calating fears among Iraqi children. ‘send’ button, and your story is on that intensely disturb corpora- Many of them are now exhibiting its way to the newsroom back home. tions, which is presumably the signs of acute anxiety. You realize You breathe a sigh of relief and reason the Dow Jones falls as the that the youngsters, along with glance over at a British newspaper drums of war beat louder. They older Iraqis, are experiencing a form reporter checking his e-mail. You even pose potential risks to the oil of terror. Yet the U.S. government is remember hearing him talk about companies. (They may also pose supposed to be opposing terrorism, covering the Gulf War a dozen risks to George Bush’s re-election, not inflicting it. … years ago: During forays to take a which is why the last, best hope look at bomb damage, he’d recalled, of averting war perhaps is that the Missing Human Links the Iraqi people he met did not ex- White House political strategists press any hostility toward him. pull the country back from the At least dimly, you ponder the dis- brink.) q parities between piling up facts You tried to imagine the shoe on and illuminating human truths. the other foot. If Iraq’s air force (A phone book may be largely ac- were bombing American cities, Russell Mokhiber and curate, but what does it tell you how would Iraqi visitors be Robert Weissman are co- about the people named between treated? q authors of Corporate its covers?) Every day brings more Predators: The Hunt for details, but many human dimen- Norman Solomon is co-au- MegaProfits and the Attack sions seem to be excluded from the thor (with Reese Erlich) of on Democracy (Monroe, media frame. Target Iraq: What the News Maine, Common Courage Media Didn’t Tell You (Con- Press) People at home know how hor- text Books, 2003). rific Saddam Hussein is. But do

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 38 late the war against Iraq is a lie. The most ludicrous of them being Confronting Empire the U.S. Government’s deep commitment to bring democracy to Bare Its Secrets Iraq.

by Arundhati Roy Killing people to save them from dictatorship or ideological cor- … many of us have dark moments it down. We have made it drop its ruption is, of course, an old U.S. of hopelessness and despair. We mask. We have forced it into the government sport. Here in Latin know that under the spreading open. It now stands before us on America, you know that better canopy of the ‘War Against Ter- the world’s stage in all it’s brut- than most. rorism’, the men in suits are hard ish, iniquitous nakedness. at work. No Saddam, No Bush! Too Ugly A War While bombs rain down on us, Nobody doubts that Saddam and cruise missiles skid across the Empire may well go to war, but Hussein is a ruthless dictator, a skies, we know that contracts are it’s out in the open now – too ugly murderer (whose worst excesses being signed, patents are being to behold its own reflection. Too were supported by the govern- registered, oil pipelines are being ugly even to rally its own people. ments of the United States and laid, natural resources are being It won’t be long before the major- Great Britain). There’s no doubt plundered, water is being priva- ity of American people become that Iraqis would be better off with- tized, and George Bush is plan- our allies. out him. ning to go to war against Iraq. Only a few days ago in Washing- But, then, the whole world would If we look at this conflict as a ton, a quarter of a million people be better off without a certain Mr. straightforward eye-ball to eye- marched against the war on Iraq. Bush. In fact, he is far more dan- ball confrontation between ‘Em- Each month, the protest is gather- gerous than Saddam Hussein. pire’ and those of us who are re- ing momentum. sisting it, it might seem that we So, should we bomb Bush out of are losing. Before September 11th 2001 the White House? America had a secret history. Se- But there is another way of look- cret especially from its own peo- Arundhati Roy, activist ing at it. We, all of us gathered here, ple. But now America’s secrets are and winner of the Booker have, each in our own way, laid history, and its history is public Prize, speaking at the siege to ‘Empire’. knowledge. It’s street talk. World Social Forum, Porto Alegre, Brazil, January 27, We may not have stopped it in its Today, we know that every argu- 200320032003 tracks – yet – but we have stripped ment that is being used to esca-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 39 POLITICS The Role Of The Opposition An Individual can make a difference A Conversation with Zaitun (‘Toni’) Kasim - an independent view by D J Muzaffar Tate

s I had never met the lady AA before, and knew her AAA only by her reputation as an outspoken human rights activist and her role in the Women’s Candidacy Initiative, my first questions were focussed on her background and herself.

From her answers and her manner of answering, Toni at once came across as a very clear-thinking, focussed, and incisive person- ality, who knew who she was, what she stood for, and where she profesional women and would Computer Studies at Flinders was going, without at the same brag to his friends about his University, Adelaide, and imme- time appearing overbearing or daughters. diately became involved in hu- abrasive in any way. man rights issues which revolved Toni also became intensely con- around racism, poverty and gen- Born in Ipoh of a middle-class Jawi scious of gender discrimination - der discrimination. She stayed Peranakan family (her father was inspired by her mother, the main there for the next ten years. a bank manager) , and educated caregiver, who urged her daugh- at the Convent in Brewster Road ter on all occasions and at all times During that period she got deeply (now Jalan Sultan Idris Shah), she to stand up for her rights as a involved with Community Aid had been sensitive to nuances of woman. Toni remembers from as Abroad (an Australian version of discrimination at an early age, be- far back as Standard 2 her mother Oxfam) and got married to an cause Indian Muslims are not al- coaching her on how to jawab Australian. Since her return to ways accepted on par by their when friends (or even teachers) this country, she worked as the Malay brethren. made racial or class slurs, to not manager of the All Women’s Ac- only do things right, but to do the tion Movement (AWAM) for about Both her parents were very en- right thing. 3 ½ years and since leaving that couraging. Her father had aspi- organisation, has become a kind rations that his three daughters At 18, Toni went off to Australia would all soar and be successful to take a degree in Economics and Continued on page 26

Malaysia is not a democracy, and we should do all we can to bring about political reform so that it becomes one

Aliran Monthly : Vol.23(1) Page 40