UMNO Attempts to Corner

Financial Sector A

I -The Child is the Father of the Man - so_me reflections on child abuse . R‘?jiv's Last 0rds_... on foreign

policy " -Te_naga Nas|onal-

' Abuse of

Power? W

. , ,f,=,V V,,;- ~, W Religiosity on the Rampage; Spirituality in Slumber...7; Letters..9; “IfWe Were Malays...”...l7; New World Order or Same Old American Imperialism?...l8; The Eagle Must leave the West Asian Sky...21; A Plea: Lift Economic Sanctions Against Iraq...25; The Child is the Father of the Man - Some reections on ch'ldI abuse...27 ; Rll"v’s Last Words...0nforeignp0licy...29; Current C0ncerns..31; Tenaga Nasional: Abuse ofPuwer?...40

,, UMNO Attempts to Corner Financial Sector steps to not only increase its Paduka Daim Zainuddin. In 1982, The new Finance stranglehold over the Chinese press, when Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Minister Anwar Ibrahim but also to ensure that its access to Mohamad secured the services of has promised that ties ftmds in future is secure. Daim - then a prominent between politics and businessman - it was widely believed that Daim was inducted to help solve . business wiD be severed. UMNO's flnancial dependence on But, this may be easier said outside sources. than done with the Renong Daim's solution was to make Group's growing deep in-roads into the corporate sec­ involvement in the banking tor using UMNO's investment arm, Fleet Holdings Sdn Bhd, which was and financial sectors, says established by his predecessor EDMUND TERENCE Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, now GOMEZ in yet another of president of the opposition party, his insightful probes into Semangat 46. Thus, Daim's state­ ment. "I personally feel that UMNO the b~Wness connections of should not be involved in business", UMNO. made during his fmal day in office as Fmance Minister, can only be taken at face value. Since he continues to hen the Barisan Nasional Fonner Finane. Minist« Daim Zainud· remain treasw-er ofUMNO, the party wou the 1990 General din oreat.d thle unique mix of polilice will have a difficult time convincing W Elections with its two­ withbusin... . Malaysians that this unholy mix of thirds majority control of parliament politics and business is about to intact. most analysts attributed its cease. success to two main factors - money Yet, even while the former and media. While the seemingly easy The entire deal, fmance minister continues to receive access to funds and the consequently valued at $1.95 accolades from nearly all quarters for greater spending capacity of the billion, is also one of leaving the Malaysian economy in Barisan Nasional raised the conster­ the pink of health after seeing it nation of the opposition, it was the largest in through a severe recession with the probably UMNO's vast control over Malaysian corporate help of some stern economic the mainstream publishing and measures, the criticisms that he has electronic media that eventually history which will received for contributing to this turned the election in favour of the make Renong one of rather unique phenomenon of politics Barisan Nasional. the largest in business have not abated. At the It was only the Chinese press centre of these criticisms stands which showed some semblance of companies in the RenongBhd. independence in its reporting during stock-market in the election campaign. Since the Renong Talu!over results of the elections also revealed terms of paid-up Until early 1990, Renong was an the continuing decline of support, capital. obscure property-based. publicly­ especially from the Chinese com­ listed loss-making entity. Almost munity. for the Barisan Nasional- the overnight. Renong' spoor state of af­ ruling coalition obtained only 51 per UMNO's current vast control fairs changed last April when it an­ cent of the popular vote - it appears over the media and its access to funds nounced the reverse takeover of two that UMNO has already initiated is probably attributable to the efforts ofUMNO's major investtnent hold­ of the party's treasurer, Datuk ingcompanies-AeetOroupSdnBhd

2 a 43 per cent interest in 1V3. That these two companies are the ITlQSt profitable income-generating com­ panies in the Renong Group is ~ue undoubtedly to the benefits they have derived from the privatisation policy. The entire deal, valued at $1.95 billion, is also one of the largest in Malaysian corporate history which will make Renong one of the largest companies in the stock-market in tenns of paid-up capital. As a result of these acquisitions, Renong is now forecasting a massive pre-tax profit of $185.037 million foe the year en­ ding 30 June 1992, a far cry from its precarious financial standing just last year. Acquisition ofNanyang Press The acquisition binge .continued EJection VICtory: UMNO'• vMt control over the main•treem pubbhing and early this March when Renong ob­ et.ctronic mecia helped HCUre the Barisan win. tained an indirect 50 per cent stake in publicly-listed Nanyang Press and Habbudi Nominees Sdn Bhd - holds the remaining 50 per cent stake (Malaya) Bhd through Hume In­ and a 2 per cent stake in publicly­ in PLUS -the company it established dustries. Jaguh Mutiara Sdn Bhd, a listed United Engineers (M) Bhd to oversee the implementation of the company wholly-owned by (UEM). privatised multi-billion North South Renong's Fleet Group, has 23.8 per The takeover, the largest in Highway project cent equity of Hume Industries. Malaysian corporate history. was Nanyang Press is the publisher and through a ~swapping exercise ...it is becoming distributor of Malaysia's largest cir­ worth $1.226 billion which immedi­ culating Chinese daily. Nan yang ately converted Renong into one of evident that there is SiangPau. Malaysia's leading conglomerates an increasing Thus, with this acquisition, having cootrol over a significant Renong now controls the major number of private companies and attempt to comer the Chinese newspapers in the country as eight major publicly-listed com­ financial and NSTP owns the other leading panies including The New Straits banking sectors Chinese daily. Shin Min Daily News. Times Press (NSTP), Sistem Apart from this, also tluough NSlP, Televisyen (M) (or 1V3), Bank of through an intrinsic the leading English and Bahasa Commerce (BCB), Hume Industries, web of interlocking Malaysia dailies come under Time Engineering, Kinta Kellas, Ce­ Renong's control, thus giving the ment Industries of Malaysia (CIMA) relationships leading Group almost near monopolisation andUEM. back ultimately to of Malaysia's mainstream media and Since then, Renong's forays into Renong. publishing sector. the corporate sector have been steadi­ With the publishing sector, not to ly ~ing. In February this year, mention the highly lucmtive con­ the last of Fleet Holdings' publicly­ Faber Group, although ear­ struction sector - through UEM, listed vehicles, the once-ailing hotel marked to benefit from the privatisa­ Time Engineering, Hume Industries and property development company, tion ofMalaysia's postal department. and CIMA - well consolidated under Faber Group (formerly Faber Mer­ will probably depend more on PLUS Renong, it is becoming evident that lin), was brought under the Renong to improve its profitability. At the there is an increasing attempt to umbrella when 50 per cent equity of same time, under an "in-house" con­ comer the financial and banking sec­ Projelc Lebuhrnya Utara-Selatan Sdn solidation exercise, also involving tors tluough an intrinsic web of in tee­ Bhd (PLUS) was swapped for a 30 share-swapping, Renong acquired a locking relationships leading back pee cent stake in Faber Group. UEM direct 30.5 per cent stake in UEM and ultimately to Renong.

3 lion shares when the company went BCB-UAB Merger bank. UMBC has eighty-two branches which extend overseas. public in 1988. In January 1990, he On 24 September 1990, Bank of made a surprising move of divesting Commerce (BCB), in which Renong his shares in Rashid Hussain to obtain has a 60 per cent stake through Fleet ... UMNO's control a controlling 51 per cent stake in Group and NS1P, announced the over a vast financial publicly-listed Juara Perkasa Cor­ purchase of the United Asian Bank porntion Bhd (JPC). which was then (UAB). currently Malaysia's sixth market opens so debt-ridden that its shares had largest bank. from Bank Negara. Es­ avenues for political been suspended from trading. sentially, it is a share- swapping ex­ JPC was rejunevat.ed and later ercise which will see the merger of patronage renamed RJ Reynolds Bhd following BCB and UAB. Following a series of a restructuring and merger exercise extraordinary losses, UAB had to be The consideration that UMBC with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., then bailed out by Bank Negara in 1986 and D&C Bank should seek to merge a foreign-controlled entity which had when the central bank could not con­ takes on a different light when it is been under increasing pressure from vince any ofUAB's shareholders to noted that Daim Zainuddin had a per­ the govemrnent to ensure tl}at 30 per inject funds into the ailing bank to sonai interest in both banks before his cent of its equity was allocated to a keep it afloat Bank Negara ended up appointment as Finance Minister in Bumiputera concern in compliance pumping in almost $363 million to 1984. Apart from this, in 1985, Fleet with the New Economic Policy revive UAB. Since then, the central Holdings tried 10 acquire a 41 per (NEP). bank has always been open about its cent stake in UMBC from govern­ Through his 19 per cent control intention to divest its 79 per cent ment-owned Pemas, but the deal of General Lumber. Wan Azrni has stake in UAB for cash. provided an failed to materialise. been using the company to acquire an appropriate bid was made. D&C Bank was also once con­ interest in Rashid Hussain since The complex BCB-UAB merger trolled by another UMNO-related December 1990. After an initial pur­ will result in an enlarged banking company, Halimtan Sdn Bhd (now chase of 5.9 per cent equity. General network of thirty-six brnnchcs, twen­ renamed Waspavest), through Lumber's interest in Rashid Hussain ty-nine from UAB and seven from publicly-listed Aokam Tin Bhd and more than tripled to 17.6 per cent by BCB which also owns 60 per cent Roxy Bhd. At the end of 1987, also the first quarter of 1991. equity of a profitable merchant bank. through a share-swapping exercise, Commerce International Merchant an attempt was made to transfer The Wan Azmi-General Lumber Bankers Bhd (CIMB). The merger Aokam Tm (and thus D&C Bank) to link with Renong in Rashid Hussain will make this new entity, to he called UEM, but this deal also fell through. becomes p::uticul:lfly interesting con­ Commerce Investments Bhd, the Presently, D&C Bank's largest sidering the rampant allegations that fifth largest bank in the country, in shareholder with 20 per cent equity is Wan Azmi's companies were the which Fleet Group is expected to the latest fast growing securities­ conduit for shifting the Nanyang hold at least a 33 per cent controlling based conglomerate, publicly-listed Press shares 10 Hume Industries, thus stake. Rashid Hussain Bhd. A more recent giving Renong indirect control of the publishing company. Wan Azmi had UMBC·D & C Bank Merger new shareholder in Rashid Hussain is Renong. Rumours abound in the steadily increased his stake in However, even the BCB-UAB market that the 9 per cent equity ac­ Nanyang Press to 30.23 per cent merger, said to be unprecedented in quired by Renong in Rashid Hussain before divesting it lately in the open banking industry. pales in com­ is set to increase in the near future. market for approximately $52 mil­ parison 10 the proposed merger being lion. Part of these shares was believed considered between Development & Rerwng-General to have been picked up by Hume Commercial Bank (D&C) and Lumber-Wan Azmi link Industries. United Malayan Banking Corpora­ Rashid Hussain's other major Renong-Hong Leong link tion (UMBC). The former is current­ shareholder with a 18 per cent stake ly ranked Malaysia's fifth largest Hume Industries' acquisition of is General Lumber Bhd controlled by bank while UMBC is the third prominent Bumiputra entrepreneur, theNanyang Press shares strengthens largest D&C Bank has thirty-six Wan Azmi Wan Hammt. a close the ties between its major brnnches while its fmance subsidiary. protege of Daim. Wan Azmi first shareholder, Hong Leong Co. (M) D&C Finance Bhd, has twelve obtained a direct stake in Rashid Bhd. and the Renong Group. The branches nationwide. Like BCB. Hussain when he was allocated the links between Hong Leong Co .• the D&C Bank also owns a merchant entire Bumiputra portion of 5.5 mil- investment arm of the Singapore­ based Quek family, and UMNO-re-

4 latcd companies can be traced back according to Malaysian Business and fast expanding - corporate con­ to 1988 when a 30 per cent stake in (15/2/91), stated, "When they trol is not without the blessings of the Frank B. Hall, an insurance 'broking (KLCE) had the opportunity they party nor forUMNO's benefit. company under the control of Hong failed to do anything. Leong Co., was sold to Hatibudi And now when the private sector UMNO's Financial Market Nominees. A year later, in April is willing to set up Kloffe they oppose Since the BCB-UAB and D&C­ 1989, Hatibudi Nominees' listed such moves .... They have not been UMBC mer~ers involve three of vehicle, UEM, awarded a S500 mil­ doing their job and financial futures Malaysia's top six bank. and with the lion supplies contract to Hume In­ is definitely not their exclusive right." probable inclusion ofBHL Bank and dustries for the North-South The KLCE had been flirting with the the proposed Kloffe, it would mean Highway project idea of embarlcing into stock index that the UMNO- controlled Renong In what now appears to be a quid­ and financial fulures trading. While will have control over a vast banking pro-quo Jaguh Mutiara, at the end of there had been a general sentiment and financial network. Whether this 1989 was allowed to take up the that the Malaysian fmancial marlcet will be of any benefit to the rights issue in Hume Industries may not be ready for fmancial fu­ Malaysian financial sector, in view of which was renounced by Hong tures trading in the next few years, the Renong's political ties, is ques­ Leong Co. Jaguh Mut.iara ended up Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange tionable since UMNO's control over with 26 per cent equity of Hume In­ (KLSE) had mentioned that it was a vast financial market opens dustries; four months later Fleet ready to cooperate with the KLCE on avenues for political patronage. Group bought Jaguh Mutiara; a day stock index futures trading. Generous and lucrative credit later Renong announced the acquisi­ Should the Kloffe get off the facilities may be given to party sup­ tion of Fleet Group. ground, it augurs well for Zalik porters to fumnce their business ven­ This Renong-Hong Leong link is Securities which plans to go public tures. Large donations can also be becoming more obvious in the fman­ soon and which has also announced solicited for political activities from cial market. Zalik Securities Sdn the a::quisition of a 20 per cent stake the recipients of loans from fmancial Bhd, a prominent stock- brolcing in Ban Hin Lee Bank Bhd (BHL). institutions controlled by the party. company which is 51 per cent con­ Incorporated in 1935 by the Penang­ Access to funding for future forays trolled by Hong Leong Credit, a sub­ based Ycap family, BHL Bank went into the corporate sector will also be sidiary of Hong Leong Co., was public late last year. The bank was easily obtained because of these among the companies in the consor­ then ranked twelfth in terms of ~t financial linkages. tium formed to set up the proposed size and had eighteen branches. The Concern over the probable abuse Kuala Lumpur Option and Fmancial BHL Bank may also soon figure of the fmancial market has some jus­ Futures -Exchange (K.loffe). The under the Renong Group since a tification because of past events. other partners in the consortium in­ close associate of Datuk: Halim Saad, UMNO's dominance in the govern­ clude Rashid Hussain, Renong and Renong's executive chainnall and ment was a probable reason why its listed subsidiary, NSTP. UMNO's main business proxy at the Malaysia's top two banks - state­ moment, has reportedly acquired a owned Malayan Banking Bhd and ReiWng-Kioffe Link stake in Zalik Securities. Bank Bumiputra Bhd - were used to The Kloffe - currently under Halirn Saad'sstake in the Reoong sccwe loans foe the construction of study by CIMB, the BCB-controlled Group is now believed to be hovering the party's headquarters, the Putra merchank bank- hopes to commence around 70 per ceot which constitute World TT3de Centre (PWI'C), and operations by the end of this year and his combined interest through direct for UMNO's holding companies, proposes to help develop Malaysia and indirect control. By his own ad­ especially during the recession in the into a major financial ccnlre in the mission, he has an indirect 50 percent mid- 1980s. region. Last year, the Capital Issues stake in Fleet Holdings and, together The loans for both purposes had Committee (CIC) and the fmance with his wife, Datin Norani Zolkifli, allegedly been improperly serviced. ministry gave the approval to set up he whoUy- owns Hanuma Sdn Bhd In fact, on 28 December 1988, Bank the Kloffe which will initially trade which bought the total equity of Bumiputra obtained a court order to in stock options and subsequently in Pacific Fleed Sdn Bhd and Hanurai auction off the PWfC to recover a fmancial futures. When strong objec­ Sdn Bhd, both of which had an inter­ $200 million loan given to th~ tion to the establishment ofthe KJoffe est in Renong. Although UMNO deregistered UMNO. The re­ was voiced by the only futures ex­ leaders now claim that Datuk Halim registered party {UMNO Baru) is change in the country, the Kuala is acting in a private capacity and that now trying to have the case Lumpur Commodity Exchange UMNO no longer owns any shares in withdrawn by applying to the Offi­ (KLCE), it wa<~ promptly countered the stock market, it is difficult to cial Assignee to have the properties by then Fmance Minisler Daim who, believe that Renong's sprawling - of the old UMNO vested in UMNO

5 Baru with an Wldertaking to take over cessor at theFmance Ministry, Datuk listed under the fmancial counter, and all outstanding assets and liabilities. Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had . reportedly also keen on ocquiring an Although UMNO Baru should easily promised to ensure that the ties be­ interest in UMBC. be able to pay off this outstanding tween politics and business are UMNO is ocutely aware that if it debt in view of its control over the severed. desires to check the declining corporate sector, it provides a useful However, with the growing rate popularity of the Barisan Nasional, lesson on how the banking sector can at which theRenong Group is involv­ control over the mainstream press be abused. ing itself in the banking and fmancial and easy access to funding are cru­ While it is indeed worrisome that sectors, this might prove difficult for cial. In both respects, the Renong UMNO, through the govenunent and Anwar, particularly now that Group may soon be playing a pivotal Renong, may eventually control five politicians closely linked to him have role in UMNO's bid to sustain its of Malaysia's six largest banks, some acquired a Sbke in the erstwhile tin dominance in the government.+ comfort may be found in Daim 's sue- company ldris Hydraulic Bhd, now

6 Universal Spiritual Values Religiosity on the Ra01page; Spirituality in Slu01ber

It is because of the 'us' versus But genuine spirituality, on the The dispute over the 'them' mentality that total victory for other hand, as opposed to false Babri Masjid figured one can only be accomplished religiosity, is universal enough to ac­ prominently in the recent through the complete defeat of the commodate both Masjid and M.andir Indian General Election. other. Thus, the Babri Masjid, as far and every other edifice of worship. as the Hindu militants arc concerned, For the spiritual world view a;:lrnow­ Chandra Muzaffar wrote has to be destroyed in order to build ledges that there are different paths to this essay in October 1990. a new Ram Mandir. In their minds, God, the Eternal Truth, the tntimate He examines the larger and in the minds of cet1ain Muslim Reality. And God, within this question of religiosity and extremists, there can be no co-exist­ world view, is not the private property spirituality in relation to ence between Masjid and Mandir. of a particular religious community or tradition. Since God is universal, Hinduism and Islam . neither good nor evil, neither salva­ Since God is tion nor damnation, is the monopoly universal, neither of the followers of a particular religion. he violent conflict over the good nor evil, neither The spirilllal worldview expres­ Babri Masjid and the Rama salvation nor ses love for God through loyalty to T Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. damnation, is the universal values such as mercy and India. has revealed once again the compassion, justice and freedom. It frightening power of religiosity in the monopoly of the is the strength of these values in one's lives of people. For the essence of followers of a life, rather than the extent of one's religiosity is a fanatical attachment to attachment to the symbols of forms and symbols. So strong is thi!: particular religion. religion, which is the ultimate attachment that it often serves as a measure of one's faith. In other substilllte for the substance of faith . words, faith of this sort goes beyond Since forms and symbols, like rites and rituals, distinguish one faith from another, the glorifica­ tion of these external manifesta­ tions of a particular religious tradition, leads to a dangerous sort of exclusivism. This is yet another characteristic of religiosity. Ex­ clusivism, in tum, breeds distrust and suspicion between followers of different religions. It reinforces sectarian attitudes which is one of the most negative consequences of the rise of religiosity in any society. In such a situation the 'us' ver­ sus 'them' dichotomy pervades all spheres ofsociety. The antagonism and animosity that result from this invariably leads to conflict HOLY GROUND IN AYODHYA: Frightening •ymbol of religio.ity In the lvea of people.

7 perhaps Mahatma Gandhi who regarded religious bigotry as an "enormous waste of energy". He always maintained, "Say Is­ vara, say Khuda or Allah - it is aU one." Rabindranath Tagore, Hindu poet and mystic, was equally committed to the ideal of Hindu­ Muslim hannony, and indeed, harmony within the entire human family. He was con­ vinced, in spite of all HINDU RALLY IN DELH: Recent decades have witnessed severe strains in Hind~Hauslim ti•. his sorrow over inter­ religious conflict, that ''the God of hwnanity the adulation of temple and mosque, different jewels are made out of the has arrived at the ruined temple of the church and synagogue. same gold ...... The vessels are dif- tribe." Individuals with a spiritual ferent though they all are moulded Though the sublime spiritual sen­ worldview would see a solution to out of the same clay." In another timents of Kabir or Gandhi never the conflict at Ayodhya in a different place he says, '"The Hindus avow that really influenced the masses of Mus­ light from Hindu militants and Mus­ the names of their beloved is Ram, lims and Hindus, it is true that Mus­ lim extremists. While they would the Muslims give to their beloved the lim mystics and Hindu saints -did defend the right of the Babri Masjid name of Rahman. The two fight with succeed, at various times in history, to remain where it is, they would also each other over a name and fmish to bring Muslims and Hindus endorse the building of a Ram Man­ themselves. The Reality neither together at the grassroots. The impact dir in the vicinity of the mosque. knows." It is worth adding that theSe of these sacral personalities upon the More than that, they would. as the words were uttered five centuries attitudes of the common folk has philosopher, Ramachandra Gandhi, ago! often been underestimated. the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Dawud, another famous mystic, It is in recent decades that Hindu­ suggested in an article in the Indian held similar views. He once said, Muslim ties have witnessed severe Express on 3 December 1989, call for ''The same is Allah, the same is Ram. strains which are in some ways the construction of"a matchless arch, The different names by which He is without precedent Uneven develop­ an open Ram-Rahim Darvaza, a called are but like different dishes ment which weakens a segment of a magical open door of dialogue and prepared out of the same flour ... Tbe. certain religious community, vision between Masjid and Mandir." Hindus say: Our way is the right economic dislocation with ethnic im­ This superb idea of a symbolic one. The Muslims say: Our way is plications, mass unemployment architectural link between mosque tbe rigbt one. Ask tbese people to amongst educated youths in different and temple, Muslims and Hindus is show which way is the way or God. ethnic groups, electoral politics not alien to Indian history and cul­ The two people have both strayed which depends upon communal ture. In the past, more than in the away from the real path." Referring 'vote banks', the elite manipulation present, Muslims and Hindus have, to attitudes towards temple and of communal sentiments and even on numerous occasions, evinced true mosque, he made this interesting ob­ the character of the modern nation­ spirituality in their attitude towards servation: "The Hindus are at­ state which sometimes attempts to one another. The illustrious Muslim tached to tbe temple, the Muslims cast diverse religious identities into a mystic, Kabir, for instance once to the mosque. I am attached to homogenous cultural mould, are noted, "0 brother, how can there be Him who has no (JXed abode. I think among some of the major causes. two masters or two gods for this I am every moment living with God. They explain why at this juncture single world? Say, who has given I neither need a temple nor a in history, religiosity is on the thee this wrong idea? Allah and mosque." rampage while spirituality is in slwn­ Ram are but different names given Among the Hindus, the noblest ber.+ to one and the same Being, even as advocate ofHindu-Muslim unity was

8 ·' FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS SHOULD BE LmERS IMPROVED he Consumers Association of TSabah (CASH) is deeply con­ cerned with recent developments in national policies. It is apparent that the national leadership is refusing to accept the democratic choice of the rakyat. What we see is that those who opt for a different political ideology to that of the Barisan' s are penalized. A clear indication of this is the exclusion of the chief ministers of Kelantan and Sabah from the monthly meetings of state chief NATIONAL UNITY IN THE to United Malaysians National executives and the prime minister. OFFJNG Organization. By so doing, I feel that The chief minister is the most communal tension will be reduced, appropriate person to represent the t is indeed very heartening that leaving the DAP to be the only strong state at federal-level meetings by I UMNO Baru has opened its opposition party. PAS, though in the virtue of his position. Even if there is doors to non-Malays in Sabah with opposition, is only fighting on a political conflict between the state the dissolution of USNO. I wish to religious grounds and therefore does and the centre, state development congratulate both the Prime Minister not command majority support. issues should take precedence over and Deputy Prime Minister for The most important question is policies. making it possible for National Unity whether UMNO Bam has amended It is very unfortunate that with to become a reality through UMNO's its Constitution thus opening its the present arrangement, Sabah who open-door policy. This act is an doors to non-Malays? Is the Registrar voted the PBS into power will not get honourable one and a lesson to all of Societies aware of the changes in their problems heard at the parties in the country which exist as UMNO Bam setting up branches in federal-level. communal parties, pledging to Sabah only as a "marriage of Consumers in Sabah are also defend the rights of the communities convenience" to fight PBS? UMNO taxpayers who contribute they represent. Baru must surely remember that substantially to national coffers. By Since UMNO Baru has now when it supported BERJA Y A excluding the chief minister from started the ball rolling by opening its headed by Harris Salleh, the PBS such meetings, Malaysians in Sabah doors to non-Malays, there is no swept the board revealing that will be further alienated from necessity for MCA and Gcrakan, the UMNO Malay politics was not mainstream development issues. two Chinese parties, to go to Sabah. acceptable to the Sabahans. This will hinder efforts in nation Instead they should dissolve their It is to be hoped that UMNO Baru building and national integration. respective parties and join UMNO will not cause more disunity among The recent replacement of the Barn. the various groups in Sabah instead head of the state security council is Though MIC is only a 'toy' in the of uniting them as UMNO Baru another matter of concern for Barisan Nasional and since Samy claims it would do. consumers here. If a chief minister is Velu has always been saying that he An important question to be denied infonnation on state security will sink or swim with UMNO Baru, asked is whether opening UMNO matters, confusion over directives he too should dissolve the MIC and Baru's doors to non-Malays is could arise ifthere is a security threat join UMNO Bam. restricted to Sabah ONLY or will to the state. The chief executive of the After all, it is welllmown that the UMNO Baru have the courage and state will not even be allowed to candidates from MCA, Gerakan and vision to throw open its doors to all make and implement decisions! MIC won most of the seats in the last Malaysians. The CASH wishes to urge those elections with UMNO Baru's Ismail Hashim concerned to seriously review the support. So this is the best PENANG present approach to federal-state opportunity to join UMNO Baru, relations for the sake of our nation's which name should now be changed well-being. We do not wish to see

9 another "Tambunan" in Sabah and Ramachandra Gandhi and many the provision for a constitution­ Kclanlan. That would amount to a do-gooders fall into this category. al head of State. denial of the practice of Only those who can vizualizc the creation of a common parliamentary democracy in our God as Eternal Truth and Eternal nationality and beloved nation. Love, simultaneously and the safeguarding of the special Patrick Sindhu concomitantly, and adore Him as position of the Malays and the President, CONSUMERS such can hope for the spirit of God to legitimate interests of the other ASSOCIA110N OF SABAH, KOTA enlighten them and guide them in communities. KINABALU their endeavours. It is hard but I am This was later termed the trying and I hope others will alsotry! Merdeka Constitution and it gave S I Muthuthamby birth to a new nation on 31 August TRUTH AND LOVE KELANG 1957-Merdeka Day. After 33 years, Malaysians continue to live in peace EQUALLY IMPORTANT and hannony safeguarded by the hank you for the weU-reasoned Constitution mainly because of the Tand thought provoking article contribution and sacrifice of this "Dimensions of Unity" by Prab­ great soul In return, we could not hakaran Nair (AM, VollO No. 11). sacrifiCe even one day as a public But after reading the next article "A holiday to mourn his loss. Design for Ayodhya" by SP Ramachandra Gandhi also on the JOHOR subject of unity it appeared that both articles, to me at least, displayed some confusion about God's at­ EDUCATION ACT NEEDS tributes. So I thought I should do my CLOSE SCRUTINY bit 10 put matters straight. God has many attributes, all he Education Act requires equally important and necessary in .. T close and detailed scrutiny . themselves, but twoofthem,namely, BAPA MALAYSIA: No public holiday We are now in a situation where God's Truth and God's Love arc of in his honour? graduates cannot obtain jobs, the the utmost relevance and importance British General Medical Council 10 man's relationship with God and TUNKU'S FUNERAL: NO does not recognise our medical with other men. PUBLIC HOLIDAY? degrees and a major employer of As one author put it, God is both skilled and intelligent labour truth and love and we can know the he day following the sudden (Kumpulan Gurthrie) does not truth only in proportion to our love. T demise of our beloved Bapa consider our graduates sufficiently Unfortunately, many would-be Malaysia should have been declared capable or knowledgeable. servants of God give first place to a public holiday, not justa holiday for This must be remedied before either truth or love and consequently government departments and what may have been a mistake lose their bearings. schools. becomes a disaster. Those who follow Truth without He brought the three ethnic GHood much love are very poor vehicles for groups together through UMNO, the JOHO~BARU God's Truth to shine through them. MCA and the MIC under the They can fast and pray and soon after wnbrella of the Alliance. Under him, indulge in cruelty and corruption. the sentiment for independence On the other hand, those who continued to grow during the UFT SANCTIONS ONLY give prominence 10 Love without a 'emergency'. WHEN APARTHEID IS high regard for truth exhibit a very A commission was set up to draft DEAD shallow self-cenlred love. In spite of the Constitution under five specific all their protestations of universal terms of reference: ost Malaysians have proud­ love, one can detect in them a secret the establishment of a strong Mly supported the Malaysian Government's resolute stand since admiration and preference for their central government with some the sixties in opposing apartheid and own kind. for the rich and powerful, autonomy for the states. for the elegant, etc. Probably the safeguarding of the posi­ the racist regime in South Africa. tion~ and prestige of the rulers.

10 Recent developments in South THE MOST RIDICULOUS unfairly treated makes one wonder if Africa under De KJerlc have been SHOWONTV they are citizens of this country! promising and should certainly be When the government needed their encouraged. However, although was most appalled when I first services urgently in the early siAties, cracking under pressure from both I came to know of a quiz show on they were encouraged to apply. But inside and outside, the fact remains Malaysian TV. The quiz ·show is now that they are old they arc dis­ that apartheid has still not been called "Kuizria RTM". This show is carded and left to fade away. The dismantled. the most ridiculous I have ever seen government is unbelievably mean The international community because it takes up a large portion of and unsympathetic towards this un­ must keep the pressure up to hasten the airtime on both government-run lucky group of teachers. the end of this despicable racist networlcs, TV I and TV2. The clues In the implementation of the system. Hence, Malaysia should for each part of the show are given two-tier salary scheme for Primary respect the appeal of the African out in stages from 7.00 pm to 11.00 School teachers, the government National Congress (ANC) not to lift pm everyday except Sundays. practises 'double standard' in sanctions until apartheid is dead Can you imagine the adverse upgrading the salary of Category C2 We should not be taking our cue effects on our children who are and Category B I teachers. To begin on South African sanctions from encouraged to pick up the clues. with, these two groups of teachers are Western govenunents. wttich have Spending 4 hours everyday, six days all performing the same duties and never been serious about economic a week, is definitely detrimental to shouldering the same responsibilities sanctions against South Africa in the viewers. I thought the government is in primary schools. The only first place. As the CIA found, trying hard to get more people, difference is that one has MCE and economic sanctions against Iraq were especially children. to read more. the other LCE. Both groups attended remarkably effective and could have How on earth can they fmd time to and qualified from thes.'lme teachers' ended the stalemate in the Gulf read if they are glued to TV screens colleges. At present the C2 teacher is without war had they been given a every night? How can our children do on C8 (MCE scale), the B 1 teacher is chance to work. well in school if they neglect their on a lower scale, that is D9 (LCE We should avoid making hasty homework and sacrifice their sleep scale). decisions under Western pressure just to solve those stupid quiz Under the two-tier salary scheme, which we will later regret - as in the questions? a C2 teacher can be upgraded to B 10 case of UN Security Council In addition, the advertisement (HSC/STPM scale) and the B I resolution 678, which gave the US a promoting the quiz show also teacher can be upgraded to C8 (MCE blank cheque to invade Irnq without persuades the audience to buy more scale). But then for the pwpose of any accountability, checks and TV sets so that they can catch the upgrading. the government is balances. clues over both networks introducing a 'double standard'. For Already Malaysia's position on simultaneously. It is therefore a waste the C2 teachers it is plain sailing, South Africa has been compromised giving civil servants a 5% pay even the 'prerequisite' of a Credit in by the fact that it is listed by the UN increase as they will end up in deeper Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level is as the only Third Wor-ld nation with debt buying more TV sets! being waived when these C2 teachers investments in the racist republk:. I appeal to the government to are upgraded to B 10 scale. Whereas Also, there is a considerable evidence immediately take this show off the air for the B I teachers to be upgraded to of Malaysian imports (e.g.com for before Malaysians become more C8 scale, the government has feedmeal) from South Africa through illiterate. introduced some absurd and unfair the fiction of third parties (e.g. DesmondLai conditions: Maputo). 8/NIVLU, SARAWAK i) They must possess a Credit in Rather than lift sanctions, Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level, Malaysia should enforce them more or strictly until the day apartheid is ii) For those without the BM 81 TEACHERS UNJUSTLY dead Let us not let down our South Credit, they must be 50 years old but African brothers and sisters in this TREATED not more than 54 years old on aucial final phase of their struggle. am writing this letter to express 1-2-1991. They have 10 attend and JomoKS I my utmost disgust and disap­ pass a 'three months' cow-se at a KUAL4. LUMPUR Teachers' College. Subsequently, pointment at the way our government they have to attend an 'interview'.lf continues to discriminate against and exploit the Category B I teachers. successful in all that, then they can be The way this group of teJchers is upgraded with effect from 1-1-1991,

11 and not from 1-1-1989, which is the factory? Daim said he was ac­ Officials from the Registry of case forC2 teachers. ting purely in his professional Companies have also told searchers This is definitely a case of role as lawyers for his clients in that the Police had taken away the me injustice involving exploitation and applying for a manufacturing on the Bright Sparklers Sdn Bhd. discrimination. Why is our licence from MJDA for Bright If this is true, then the government and the Education Sparklers. Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ministry treating this group of old But Daim was the founding HaniffOmar, should explain why the teachers in a very cruel and unfair Board Chainnan of Bright Sparklers Police had removed the file on Bright manner? They have after all given Sdn Bhd and he only resigned from Sparklers Sdn Bhd instead of making more than thirty years of service in the post in 1977. a photostat set of the file. educating our children. I understand How did a lawyer octing in his Alternatively, why had the Registry that Islam is based on truth and professional capacity advising of Companies allowed the Police to justice. Where is the justice now? clients in applying for a take away the file without making a Eric Wong manufacturing licence end up as photostat set to make it available to /POH Chainnan of the Board of the the public in the Registry. Company? The disappearance of the me of When he said yesterday the Bright Sparklers Sdn Bhd from (9-5-1991) that he was only a passive the Registry of Companies is very FOUR QUESTIONS FOR investor holding a 0.03 percent of the disturbing and cannot inspire DAIM shares of the company and that he had confidence that there will be the no other interest or dealing in the find the statement by the fonner fullest and widest inquiry into all Finance Minister and currently company nor in its management, was aspects relating to the explosion at I Daim talking about now or is he UMNO Treasurer, Datuk Paduka the Sungei Buloh fueworks factory Daim Zainuddin, responding to my talking about the time when he was which killed or injured 100 people Chairman of the Board of Bright and destroyed numerous houses in call to him to declare his relationship Sparklers Sdn Bhd? Sungai Buloh new village. with the Sungei Buloh fireworks fac­ At the height of his interest in the I call on the Minister for tory, following the explosion on Tuesday (7-5-1991) which killed or company, what was the stake of Domestic Trade and Consumer injured 100 people most unsatisfac­ Daim and his family in Bright Affairs, Datuk Abu Hassan Omar, to tory and misleading. Sparklers Sdn Bhd? immediately investigate why the me How could he allow Bright on the Bright Sparklers Sdn Bhd had Daim said that 'other than being Sparklers Sdn Bhd to start disappeared from the Registry of a passive investor, holding 0.03 per manufacturing f~.reworks when Companies and to take action to cent of the shares of Bright Sparklers restore the file to the Registry for Sdn Bhd, he had no other interest or the government had not issued a required dealing in the company nor in it<; manufacturing licence, CSJ» public use as by the law. UmKitSiang management ciaHy during the four years when he was Chainnan of the Parliamentary Opposition leader, Daim said that Bright Sparklers Board of Bright Sparklers Sdn PENANG Sdn Bhd were his clients in the late 1960s when he was a practising Bhd? The various government lawyer and that some time in the early 1970s, he assisted them in their departments have claimed that the fireworks factory is illegal and PUBLISH JOKES application to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority unclicensed, and was never given a s a subscriber of Aliran manufocturing licence for f~.reworks. (MIDA) for a manufacturing licence. Monthly for a number of But Daim said he was responsible for A Daim added that he was offered years, I hope you·will be kind enough applying for a manufacturing licence shares in the company which he to accede to a small request of mine. for Bright Sparklers. subscribed and paid for in his name My request is that from time to AND QUESTIONS FOR THE which were subsequently transferred time Aliran Monthly should publish to his family company. IGP AND THE REGISTRAR: jokes similar to those in Laughing at I have received reports that the Why did Daim conceal the fact Others Expense (Vol. lONo. 31990) me on the Bright Sparklers Sdn Bhd that he was the founding Board contributed by AWY. Chainnan of Bright Sparklers had disappeared from the Registry of H SChiew Companies in the last two days. This Sdn Bhd in the statement to KUCH/NG was also reported in the front page of reveal his relationship with the illegal Sungai Buloh fueworks Utusan Malaysia.

12 ABSURD RUUNG AT UTM jumping from tree to tree, always UMNO Baru got the support of the looking for goodies. Malay electorate is questionable. e wish to complain about an When a politician keeps hewing The rousing of racial and Wabsurd rule imposed from party to party under the guise of religious sentiments by insecure recently on aU students at Universiti the Rakyat, he is no longer a UMNO politicians, bribery, Technologi Malaysia - Scudai Main politician, but is, in every sense of the intimidation, the one-sided Campus. This new ruJe prohibits a word an oppcnunist. propaganda by the mainstream student from carrying another of the Why does UMNO make a media are the reasons behind UMNO opposite sex on a motorcycle in the mountain out of th.is trivial issue of Baru 's victory in the general campus. This applies to aU races. party- hopping? The squirrels in elections. UMNO Barn's victory in We really fmd this rule very Semangat 46 will, true to their form, the general elections is a victory ridiculous and hard to accept because hop to the UMNO tree, as long as achieved through unhealthy ethnic there is no basis for this rule to be goodies are available. So what? and religious sentiments rather than implemented. As non-Muslims we Need we be reminded that these as a result of policies that are in line are perturbed that we are also squirrels were once UMNO squirrels with truth and justice. subjected to laws that are mainly that gleefulJy hopped to Seman gat 46 Perhaps the former Seman gat 46 meant for Muslims. before the general elections in leaders should examine their As university students, we are October 1990, hoping to become conscience as to how UMNO Baru matured enough to think for Yang Berhonnats? obtained its votes rather than h.ide ourselves without the University Now, they are merely repeating behind the curtain of Malay Unity. authorities looking into aU aspects of their act, ever hopcful that theUMNO Ronald our private and personal lives. We tree will catapult them into new IPOH would appreciate some freedom opportunities! without having someone watching N KGabriel over us 24 hours a day! KUALA LUMPUR We sometimes feel as if we are 70 MILLION IN HALF THE student prisoners being guarded and TIME hounded by the authority aU the time. By imposing such an unfair ruJc WHERE IS THE REPORT? he statement attributed to the the University authorities will T Prime Minister in a local destroy unity among students and here was a promise by the newspaper recently that the 70 mil­ undermine the government in T Government, reported in the lion population target would be promoting a united nation. This is Sunday Star of 7 October last year. achieved by year 2040 is perplexing. because this silly ruling will create that the report of the observer team Perhaps it should not be with aU the misunderstanding between the on the last General Election would be exhortations in recent years for published. non-Muslims and their Muslim higher productivity! counterparts. Are these copies available now"? When the new population policy We appeal to the Education Gllood was announced five years ago it was Minister to look into this issue as JOHORBAHRU repeatedly stressed that the target soon as possible. year for a 70 million population was Unsatisfied undergraduate 2100 or in one hundred and fifteen years' time. Fwt.her Malaysia, had University Technology Malaysia POLmCIANS WITHOUT the land and resomces to sustain such Scudai Campus PRINCIPLES JOHORBAHRU a population which, however, would he exodus of certain Seman gat have to be hardworking. This time T46 leaders to UMNO Baru is frame, it was said, would allow for another example of how opportunis­ the gradual build-up of the necessary SQUIRRELS AND tic certain politicians can be. The infrastructure for this growth in PARTY-HOPPING reason given by the so-called leaders population. for leaving Semangat 46 is Malay Now that the target is expected to hy does a TUPAI jump Unity and the wide support UMNO be achieved in fifty five years many W from tree to tree? Obvious­ questions arise. Ftrstly, how reliable ly in search of goodies and when it Baru obtained from the Malay elec­ torate in the last general elections. is th.is expectation of 70 million by comes across a good bearing tree, it year 2040? If it is correct, someone will remain there and eat to its heart's This is an unjustified excuse because the manner under which has to explain how the pundits were content after which it will continue so far out in their predictions in 1985.

13 Another question - is there a new narrowed down to one problem -low until each has become adjusted 10 the target for the ycar2100and ifso what wages. other before having the first child is it? Since a 70 million population Low wages protect the interests That time could be a few months or a was thought to be within the ~ity of capital Wlder the guise of nation few years. It depends on the couple, of our natural resources how is it building at the expense of social and on the time it takes them to get proposed to look after the additional development. But such vital issues their home settled and to prepare millions that will inhabit Malaysia by are rarely addressed by the MIC themselves financially and 2100? Unless, of course, it is President and other social emotionally for the arrival of a child envisaged that zero population movements. These people only How many children should a woman growth is also attained by year 2040. highlight such problems like have? Asmanyassheorherhusband The public are entitled to some excessive drinking of sarnsu and want and feel they can afford - answers. toddy, the poor condition of Tamil financially, physically and Darulc Dr T Devaraj schools and poverty in the plantation emotionally. In the matter of family PENANG other than relating these issues to the size, their wishes and the doctor's basic fundamental national problem advise are the important faced by the wodcing c~ - low considcrntions. There is no place for wages. political or ethnic considerations. THE PROBLEM IS Datuk: Seri, it is not wrong to have Dr B Gunasekaran SOMETHING ELSE 80% of the Indian population as PENANG tappers but what is wrong is having atuk Seri S Samy Vellu's 80% tappers who are lowly paid and recent call encotUaging In­ D exploited. dians to have more children so that S Arutchelvan PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY they can benefit from their share of BANG/ AND THE REMOVE CLASS the national cake only indicates how ISSUE much conununal politics determine the destiny of an ethnic group in a he recent public outcry over multiracial country like Malaysia. If WHEN TO GET MARRIED T the promotion of pupils from Datuk Seri Samy Vellu's vision is national-type primary schools is a taken serious) y then Malays and Refer to the comments by the matter of great concern to both Chinese should also have more I MIC President, urging Indians 10 parents and educators. This issue children in order to increase or main­ marry early and have more children. should be viewed from an education­ tain their share of the national cake. Generally speaking, the best age al perspective, not a political one. This so-called solution advocated by to be married is the age when one has Any political overtones occorded to the President of MIC, only reveals reached physical and mental it would resuit in gross injustice to the rather vividly the bankruptcy ofideas maturity. Naturally this will vary innocent pupils. The authorities inMIC. with each person but experts put it should make an attempt to analyse The solution suggested is between the ages of 22 and 30, with the situation and provide answers for primitive in nature. It is no wonder the husband older than the wife. Here some of the salient questions raised why the other solutions introduced again, numerous exceptions are so as to ensure public accountability by MIC, like the Investment option found. In many a happy marriage, the and allay the fears and doubts of dis­ through Maika Holdings and the wife is the older partner. The point is gnmtled parents. education option carried out by SMC that the couple should be mature The decision not to exempt these had failed. It is evident that the MIC enough to withstand the stresses and pupils from Remove Class came at has failed to look into the strains of marriage. Many people the eleventh hour and it took many by fundamental issues confronting the postpone marriage past these ''ideal surprise. Changes in educational Indian society or mther the Indian ages". However, we can assume that policy, no matter how well-intended. wOOcing class. in the majority of cases, a person who should not be made in haste. The The root problems faced by the has passed the age of 36 without authorities should now make public Indian working class should be seen marrying has remained single by the report of the inspectorate of in a wider perspective and must be choice. It is unwise 10 try and bee a schools which indicates that pupils linked to the nature of the confirmed single person into with 6As who skipped Remove Class socio-economic system and not seen marriage. did not perform well in secondary from the narrow ethnic perspective. Married couples usually want schools. The public has to be The problems faced by the majority and expect to have children. Many convinced that this particular policy of the Indian working class can be authorities advise that a couple wait change is based on facts substantiated

14 by statistics. This is what pubic proceed to carry out an evaluation of schools, and in the long run their accountability is all about. the test and make public the results? survival? The immediate concern of Is the UPSR a valid and reliable This evaluation should include, at edacators is: Is this last-minute test? If it is - and it should be - the 6A least, a brief description of the change of policy damaging to the pupils, whether from the national or pwpose and nature of the test (e.g. morale of pupils who failed the national-type primary schools, type of test and nature of content), second test? Finally, the vital should be recognized as practical evaluation (e.g. scoring question remains: Have we, as high-achievers. That being the case, procedures and face validity) and educators, tried our best to ensure that those from the national-type primary techn.ical evaluation (e.g. reliability justice is done to these pupils? schools - even if their results for and validity). A well-conceived and Educator Bahasa are initially lower (as implied carefully constructed test should be KUALAWMPUR by the argument that the Bahasa able to stand up to public scrutiny. paper for the national-type schools is Admittedly, providing of lower standard) - are not serious satisfactory answers to all the handicaps as long as they have questions above will be no easy task. NOT EXCLUSIVE attained the minimum language One possible solution in future - HOSTELS BUT competency. though not necessarily the best - MULTl-ETHNIC SCHOOLS To prove their point, the would be to allow national-type FOR ORANG ASU authorities subjected the pupils to a school pupils the option of taking the second Bahasa test What is the same BM paper as that for the he District Officer of Hulu validity and reliability of the second national schools, as an additional test. T Selangor, Haji Shafie Rarnli, test, consideriang that it was carried Pupils who get 6As and a pass in the has urged the Orang Asli to discard out in haste, with rather unclear additional BM paper should then be their tidak apa attitude if they are to objectives? Can it be disclosed to the promoted to Form 1. This would be be successful and progressive (NST public how the second test was set seen as a more equitable approach to 304-1991). and scored? Thus far, both the na1w'e decision-making in the promotion of To illustrate his point, he cited the of the test and the scoring process these pupils. case of the $1.7 million JHEOA seem to be shrouded in mystery. To look at the more positive side hostel in Bukit Lanjan which was not From the educators' point of of the issue, one should remember fully occupied, although it was view, in any test administered to the that the Remove Class is a vital specially built for Orang Asli pupils, the format should not be transitional stage for national-type schoolchildren. The Orang Asli allowed to intcrlere with the true primary school pupils, particularly community, he said, was more performance levels of the pupils. If those who have not attained interested in staying in their the pupils are unfamiliar with the minimum competency in Bahasa settlements and being with their own format of the test - as was the case in Malaysia. Giving these pupils an families. This sort of attitude, he the second test - practice sessions are extra year of education also means added, must not prevail. required. Practice sessions, usually additional expenditure for the I am sure Haji Shafie meant well carried out in schools and at all levels, Ministry of Education. Therefore, the when he made these remarts. But I concentrate on familiarization with decision to revoke the exemption feel compelled to add my own. format. Did we give these pupils the should be seen as weU-intended even For one, the JHEOA hostel in chance to familiarize themselves if one may not be convinced that Bukit Lanjan is not fully occupied not with the new format of the second there is sufficient grounds for doing because of the ridak apa attitude of test? More important still, did we teU so. The contention here is: do the 6A the Orang Asli, buy simply because them what they were going to be pupils really need to go through Orang Asli parents in Selangor prefer tested on? Have we also made the Remove Class? The question we to send their children to schools effort to adhere to the ethical need to fmd answer to is: After six closer to their homes. And there are principle of testing for years of primary education, have government schools nearer their decision-making: to guard against these so-called high-achievers homes than the one in Bukit Lanjan. the misuse of assessment results, to attained the minimum language I also do not think it is wrong or respect the testees' right to know the competency required to cope with 'poor attitude' on the part of the results, the interpretation made and instruction in Bahasa Malaysia? If Orang Asli to want their children to the bases for their conclusions and not, why? Public conccm also centres be with their families, as Haji Shafie recommendations? In the light of around the question: Will this change suggests to be another reason for the public outrage over the low pass rate of policy affect adversely the poor attendance at the Bukit Lanjan for the second test. should we not enrolment in national-type primary hostel.

15 The present- arrangement likely to socialize with their but by providing further requires Orang Asli children as non-Orang Asli fellow citizens. cncouragementteOrangAsliparents ' yOWtg as seven years to be separated Thus, it appears to me that Haji and schoolchildren to attend from their families f~;. .:·. ~·~·:~~./.·/ ,·.<~).,. ·>:.::··.;">(.. f.·.: However, in opting to send their ·, ·...... : .' .·...... ~...... ~ ' .. '.. .•\- ~- .... " . ' •• • #. • •• • •• • ,.f ~. '.. • •• • .. • •• children to nearby government ' .... ~· ..·: ~ .• Jo·,.~: ~:.· ··, .. ··:,·-:.:~ .. ,..,.. :·. schools, Orang Asli parents face •._.... ·,. ,' ·: • • ;·...... · · .. .·'·." -t~ .. . . :: ... ·:: . ~. ' . .. ~ ...... (• ·-~ .,.• . ., . . .. .· "· . problems too. Private school vans , ...... ,..... ~-·., .... '( "'• . . .• ' : '•. • ._ I! .: ,. ,.- • ~.. j • ' • ' • " : • need to be hired to ferry the , : ••• l • ,.. ••, • • • • • • ~·.,. ••• :_ ' , • • • '' .. 1 I .. , •··• >· ..·._· ••• ···,.. ,.c···• . · •·• : .. schoolchildren from their relatively ' ' : ~ ' • • • "- • • "t~ : " , • •' .. • I ', #._ t .. .. • • • • • • • ..__ .. ,.~ ,. -. -- • ~." '. f •• • · .. • •• isolated settlements to school each •~ '\ ..... I. •. ; ·.'· :· t .: . '.."' . . . : ·. : .• ". : ; ! .. . ':.. . .:! day. And this is an added expense to an already limited family budget Keep the flame burning... In some cases, especially where \ the parents do not have motorcycles ' ... Appeal for Donations or bicycles of their own, the children Lal year ALJRAN cddnted its lhil1eendl mversary. We have leave the house as early as 5 in the been speakina up b' tnltb; jlslice. fleedoln and didllily. In l\'lCeiiC morning to walk to the main road in years. we ha-te added a new dimensioo to our goal wldch is embodied order to board the public bus to ia CJUr .... "'A~·, mowmcnt IOWIRtl t.JNI'I'v-. 0.. sbUgle school foruaitytlllbeacbicued..._...a ,.,.wl*it Jaialdill*common Over time, it has been noted, the valuea ideals whlda • •'k c:ca .-e.y tdilkJn. We Wlllllo interest in schooling generally wanes .tMJCsam~....-:•••widtac1ea-kuslldleclbyiP'itual nnd the schoolchildren drop out of school It appears to me that some form of monthly financial assistance for travel, or even bicyles for the schoolchildren, would be a big encouragement to both parents and children to continue the pursuit of education. Also, while I must accord the JHEOA much credit for the establishment and management of special hostels and schools for the Orang Asli in the interior areas. I should add that the policy in urban or semi-rural areas should be directed at Orang Asli participation in normal type government schools. Orang Asli leaders themselves have observed that children who went through such schools, as opposed to exclusively Orang Asli schools, have fared better educationally, and are also more

16 'What comes from the ips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the hesrt" - Arab ProVfNb Heart to Heart

"If we were Malays ••• '' homas Samy (not his real Thomas Samy laughed scornfully. fare woukl be heavily subsidised by name) ~ worked as an es­ The couple had single-handedly the State, that he would not be spend­ T tate-hand for almost 25 years. brought up the disabled child on their ing nights worrying about what will A large part of his working life, he own with virtually no help at all from happen to his family if he died sud­ said. was worse than the cows that outside agencies. denly. roam the previous rubber, and now The government, he said, has "My sons would be studying in oil- palm plantation. never helped him nor is it ever likely boarding school now if they were He left the Tamil Primary School to. The government, he claimed, is Malays and my daughter would be in in the estate after Standard Six and only willing to help Malays. a nice home. But right now, I cannot worked in odd j)bs before joining the The Malays who lived nearby even say whether I can afford to let est1te as a labourer.lt was yet another used to worlc in the estate l,ike him. my eldest son go on to Fonn Six ifhe link in the family poverty chain But over the years, they have left the did well in his exam." started by his father ~ho had come estate for better jobs because they are What he earns is insuffteient to from Pondicherry, India in 1934. "I able to get licences and capital for all buy even a low-cost hollse which is used to earn only 1.75 ringgit a day sorts of businesses, he claimed. The also another worry because he will when I started work. Today I get Chinese too come and go in the es­ leave his estate housing when he about 12 ringgit for a day's work., but tate. Only Indians like him are unable retires. only when I wen. If it rains, I get to move on to a better life, he said Thomas Samy has endless "if we nothing. I wen very hard. but what bitterly. were Malays ...... " grievances, built do I have to show for it? Nothing! I The writer pointed out that there up over a lifetime of being a victim worlced hard year after year, but still were also poor Malays including a of society. It is like a wall that is my children and I are barely surviv­ Malay family in the estate who had a neither easy to break out of, nor to ing," he said, pointing to his bare disabled teenage son. He ignored the break into.+ 2-room estate housing. example. The tetrncc estate unit has a lon­ He is convinced that if he was a AM Reader gish hall with two small bedrooms to Malay, his disabled daughter's wei- one side nnd a toilet and kitchen at the bock. Thomas Samy has very basic fumitW"e in the hall- but no television - ~bedrooms. There is little else apart from pic­ tures of holy Christian saints on the wall. His two school-going sons oc­ cupy one bedroom while he, his wife and their daughter Rina (also not her real name) occupy the other. Rina is believed to suffer from cerebrnl darrulge, and has been bed­ ridden for her entire 13 years. She has a floppy head, is unable to sit up without being propped and has trouble controlling her bodily func­ tions. The couple love the child dearly although she is a heavy bwden and the source of much wony. Asked whether they had ever had help from the welfare services department,

17 International Affa1rs New World Order or Sante Old Anterican lntperialisnt?

monopoly of force. but relying for which the former US Attorney­ In the first part of his levies of both troops and money upon General, Ramsey Clarke, has called article on George Bush's powerful barons to whose opinions "uncivilised, brutal and racist", and "New World Order'', FAN he therefore paid a decent regard, which is equally condemned by the dealing halfheartedly with a parlia­ Vatican and the World Council of YEW TENG expr~d the ment on whose moral support he Churches. motives and hypocrisy sometimes called bot which he other­ A Sony Tale ofDeja-vu behind this euphemistic . wise circumvented... " aspiration. Here, he offers The arrogance is unmistakable Should the world support such a 'New World Order'. such a pax some implications of such and unashamed It is the voice of the American conservatives who slrong­ Americana which is no more and no an order and why the UN ly support the lilces of Bush. The better than a feudal order'? As Profes­ and the Third World whole American conduct of the Gulf sor Noam Chomsky, of the Mas­ should resist it. conflict followed faithfully sachusetts Institute of Tectmology, O'Sullivan'sadvice: Reject all peace has said, this 'New World Order' is moves from Iraq; reject all com­ nothing but a new version of the old promises. A "brisk and brutal" war American imperialism. Or, as Wil­ Medieval King liam Pfaff of the Los ocs that mean Angeles Times has that the United pointed out, 'The world DNations will in the futw'e may prove have no role at alJ? Not less orderly than it was exactly. The interna­ when frozen by the tional body wiU have Cold War. Rather than the role of a sycophar1t, providing the paradigm almost a slave doing as for a new international his master likes. Ac­ order, the Gulf War cording to O'Sullivan, may provoke further the role of the United disorder. "This is in­ Nations "is to give its deed happening; the blessings to those inter­ cynical American in­ ventions which the US stigation and manipula­ has decided to m:lke, in tion ofthe Kurds in Iraq, retwn fora marginal in­ a people whom the fluence on US conduct MARINES IN SAUDI ARABlA: UN bleuin~ in return lor m.rgin.. US Americans have That, and no more". conduct betrayed so many times And that was how in the ~t few decades, the United Nations and its Secretary­ from day one, carpet bombing of promises to provoke fresh disputes General behaved throughout the Gulf Iraq, killing thousands of innocent among Iraq, Iran and Turkey. Crisis and the Gulf War: As impotent civilians including chiJdren, women, As Professor Richard Falk, of the puppets. the aged and the handicapped. and Centre for International Studies at O'Sullivan concludes by saying destroying homes, a baby milk pow­ Princeton University, has pointed that "America's position in such a der factory, industrial sites, roods, out, American foreign policy is based system would be similar to that of a bridges, schools, hospitals, bus sta­ on 'stability without justice. medieval king in a feudal society: the tions, taxis, etc. The most ferocious Stability, that is, for the US to exploit sole sovereign with a recognised aerial boombardment in history,

18 Henry Kissinger called for a new balance of power, "globally as well as regionally". The trouble with Kissinger is that he never seems to learn from past human failwes and tragedies. The so-called "Equilibrium- emanating from the so-called balance of power led us to the First World War and then the Second World War.

KURDISH REBELS POSE~ Warrior Culture". stDE A CAPTURED American history is a MIUTARY INSTALLATION IN history that stretched HARtR; from the genocide of VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FLEE A SHA TIERED the Indians at home, HOMELAND; to armed intervention IRAQI SOLDIERS WAVE THE in Indochina. WHITE FLAG OF DEFEAT; Lebanon, the Manipulation of peoples or plain carpet-bombing of their Dominican Republic, abodes· .. the US pursUM Grenada, Central and perpetu.tes Its "New America, and the Per- Wor1d Order". sian Gulf. As Profes­ sor Stephen E. Ambrose reminds us, the US also "sup­ ported an invasion of and bully.Such a self-serving agenda scenario in the Los A1geles Times Cuba, distributed enormous quan­ can only lead to a Grave New World. lnternaliolll11 (which was reprinted in tities of arms to friendly governments It is the case of the wolf which cries the Feb 15, 1991 issue of India around the world and fought costly 'boy'. Writing on the post-Gulf War Today), former US Secretary of State wars in Korea and Vietnam". Not to

19 the bush but come straight to the mention the anned intervention in A Sick Joke ofScoundrels point A 'New World Order' under Panama and Iraq, and the attack on Who wants a 'New World Order' Bush will tum into one vast global Libya. and the covert support of the under the leadership of George killing field. Contras in Nicaragua and covert Bush? In his autobiography, Looking In The Tempest by William operations against Iran. (See Veil: Forward (Doubleday, New York, Shakespeare. Miranda says: The Secret Wars of the CIA 1981- 1987), Bush said President Hanj' 0 brave new world 1987, by Bob Woodward and Truman's decision to drop atom1c That has such people in't Presidents' Secret Wars by John bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki This is ironic, as some of the Prados). And let us not focget Chile. in Aug 1945 "wasn't just people she fi.TSt sees are in fact us President Woodrow Wilson's courageous, it was far-sighted''. scoundrels. Or,like Aldous Huxley's "14 Points", which formed the basis HWKireds of thousands of innoCent Brave New World, a novel about a of the Annistice with Gennany on 11 Japanese civilians .~ed f~r thi~ future state where utopian ideals Nov 1918 at the conclusion of the "courageous" and far- s1ghted have turned into a nightmare Hrst World War, included such lofty murder. As a Congressman, Bush op­ dehumanization. That is what aims as general disarmament, open posed the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Geocge Bush's 'New World Order' covenants of peace openly arrived at Ban Treaty. As US Vice-President, has in store for all of us - a sick joke instead of secret diplomacy. self­ Bush headed the "Special Situations and deception. detennination for the peoples of the Group" of the White ~ouse wh~ch The rest of the world, especially former Ottoman empire. However, planned the US invasion of tmy the Third World, must insist on peace the "new diplomacy of Wilson was a Grenada in 1983. During the 1988 with justice. To be satisfied with fraud because in practice, he refused US Presidential election campaign, peace at any price is to receive ~e all publication of his own discuss~ns Bush refused to answer a question peace of humiliation. peace w1th with his French, British and Italian from a reporter about the American poverty, indeed the peace of ~e colleagues during the Paris Peace naval blunder in the Persian Gulf- the gmveyard. We must stand up w1th Conference in 1919, as pointed out shooting down of an Iranian pas­ courage and unity to reject this so~ of by Donald Cameron Watt, Professor senger aircraft. killing more than 200 American peace and made-m­ of International History at the innocent people - on the ground that America 'New World Order'. Be­ University of London, in The Fon­ he (Bush) would "never apologise for cause it is not even a world order; it tana Dictionary ofModern Thought. the United States of America. I don't is merely a selfish, arrogant Then on 6 Jan 1941. in a speech care what the facts are". American imperialism. in the us Congress, President On 20 Dec 1989, in order to get Like the people of Iraq, the Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian people of the Third World must resist his "Four Freedoms", another ver­ strongman who had a long associa­ this imperialism. + sion of a new world order· The fourth tion with him(Bush) when he was the freedom was the freedom from fear. director of the CIA, Bush, now the which was to be ensured by a us President, sent 24, troOps of worldwide reduction of annaments. the US 82nd Airborne to Panama But we know better now what hap­ Between 2, and 4, civilians lnf8CI'oftheUS ... pened to that ideal: The United States were killed, and El Chorillo, a Panama City squatter settlement. was went on to become the most heavily "People now Uve in armed nation in the history of the reduced by the invading forces "to fear of the US, beUne world. little more than a graveyard strewn As Professor Ambrose says, by with smoldering rubble and charred me. U you are &iendly 1988 the year Geocge Bush was body parts," in the words of Gerry with the us, that is fine. elec~ President of the US, "The O'Sullivan, writing in the Sep-Oct But if you annoy them, budget of the Department of Def~nse issue of The Hwnanist. an American they can take action was over $300 billion. The Urutcd magazine. Children were straf!~ at like they did in States had military alliances with from the air by American military Panama. There Ia no fifty nations, over a million soldiers, aircraft. As stated earlier, the number more Kuaala you can of civilians killed by American aerial airmen. and sailors stationed in m~ tum to." than 100 countries, and an offenstve bombing in the Gulf War just ended capacity to destroy the world many ran into tens of thousands. Dllto' Seri Dr ~llatllir times over''. Can we, the people of the world, ,....,.. Thus a New World Order is noth- put our trust in Geocge Bush's 'New ing but a euphemism foc an American World Order'? Let's not beat around World Order. 20 Justice The Eagle Must Leave the West Asian Sky The Kurds' Right to Genuine Autonomy

massacred by the Pbalangists and othen thing between 40,us fraternities of the recent Gulf crisis, the T~h are not the only ones guilty of and teaching foundations were all government made a slight concession on manipulating the Kurds. The banned." At the same time,Ataturk the use ofthe Kurdish language. Needless rights of the Kwds have been systemati­ stripped the Aghas and the Sheikhs, the to say, there are still no Kurdish school cally denied by a nwnber ofgovenunents traditional elites of the Kurds, of their no Kurdish press. no Kurdish cultur in the region. spiritual authority. He regarded such institutions, no Kurdish political c In fact, it is a govenunent outside the authority as inimical to the aspirations of gan.izations. West Asian region which to have appears a secular state.. In a sense, the suppression of I accorded a degree of cultW'al freedom to The imposition of a single TuOOsh Kurds has become steadily worse in the Kurds. In the Soviet Union,the identity accompanied by the forced last two decades. In the early eighties, 300,c.ro.ood Kwds dispersed in various secularizalion of the Kurds, triggered off instance, the government intensifiOd provinces, "have their own schools, widespread revolts against Ataturk's militarization of the eastern and soutJ school books and press. A railio station government These revolts which erupted p-ov.inces in ~ to monitor the broadcasts in Kurdish to the whole of right through the twenties and thirties tivities of the Kurds. It is reponed Kurdistan." were put down with incredible ruthless­ "two of Turkey's four amUes will no In the Lebanon, on the other hand, the ness. In one instance the leader and permanently based in the east Alth Kwds who nwnber less than a 100,(XX) "hundreds of his supporters were hanged, the ostensible reason for this concr have gone through a lot of trauma since hundreds of villages were burnt to the tion, and for NATO and US m.iliu the Civil War. Some of them have been ground, and thousands of peasants, any- stallations in the area, is the coni

21 was led by Qazi Muhammad. Kur­ KURDISH a-IILO REFUGEE IN dish became the official language TURKEY: No of the republic and periodicals Kurdish were published. schools, no Kur­ But the republic was short­ dish preea, no lived. Too weak to sustain itself Kurdish cultural and without support from all the institutions, no Kurds, Qazi Muhammad was not Kurdish political able to resist the assault of Iranian organizations. The suppres­ troops. He and two of his collegues sion of the "were publicly hanged in Kurds is har­ Mahabad's main square." shest in Turkey, After the Mahabad episode, yet the the Kurdish Democratic Party of mainstream Iran (KDPI) of Qazi Muhammad media pays went underground. But its remain­ scant aUention ing leaders continued to be to the reality be­ cause Turkey is harassed by the Shah's secret a member of police, SAV AK. A number of NATO. them were arrested. A few were executed. When the Shah was over­ thrown in the 1979 Islamic revolu­ tion, some Kurdish leaders who had worked with other revolution­ ary forces, were optimistic about obtaining genuine autonomy under the new regime. However, not all their expectations were ful­ filled. The new Islamic constitution provided for the study of local lan­ guages. Kurdish would be taught in schools in Kurdish areas. Publi­ cations could also be produced in Kurdish. Provincial councils in Kurdish areas would have sig­ nificant Kurd.ish representation. But these councils would not have full autonomy. Many impor­ tant appointments would still be made by Teheran. Besides, Kurds of the Shi'a denomination would sensitivity of Afghanistan-Iran-USSR The Kurds in Iran, though in a better not be regarded as ethnic Kurds since border regions, it permits the Turkish position than their counterparts in Turkey, "religious identity must take primacy govenunent closely to control the Kurds have also had a troubled relationship with over ethnicity". And even Sunni Kurds under the protective mantle of Western their government for a long while. were not classified as a minority. The strategic interests." After the First World War, the Islamic constitution recognised only non­ All in all, of the 3 countries with founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, Reza Muslim religious minorities like Chris­ substantial Kurdish minorities (Turkey, Khan, with the encouragement of the tians, Jews and Zoroastrians. Since the Iran and Iraq), it is undoubtedly Turkey British, tried to establish a state compris­ Kurds are Muslims and since one's Is­ which has been harshest towards the ing different ethnic groups. ln the process, lamic identity should take precedence Kurds. Its suppression of the Kurds tan­ he had to face several separatist uprisings. over one's ethnic identity, the Kurds tarnounts to the total denial of both the The Kurdish rebellion in the twenties was would be grouped with the other Muslims identity and the rights of a people. amongst the strongest challenges to his in the larger Islamic community And yet, there isn't very much news rule. However, Reza Khan managed to (urnmah). The urnmah is a single com­ in the mainstream international media suppress these revolts. munity. Islamic unity would suffer if par­ (which is, of course, the Western media) In spite of this, in 1946, following the ticular ethnic identities were emphasized. about the terrible treatment of the Kurds Second World War, the Kurds of This was the position adopted by the new in Turkey. Why? Because Turkey is a Mahabad succeeded in establishing a Teheran government. Some Kurdish member of NATO and a staunch ally of separate, independent republic. It oc­ leaders viewed the non-recognition ofthe the US in West Asia. cupied a small area in Northern Iran and Kurds' distinct ethnic and cultural iden- tity as a severe setback to their struggle for made by the Kurds which mattered. The Armed hostilities between the autonomy. question was which faction had more to government and the Kurds under Banani Since the differences between the Is­ gain if that demand was accepted by the started once again. New issues were lamic government and some of the Kur­ government. Indeed there were occasions brought into the picture. The Ba'thists, dish leaders could not be resolved through when concessions made by the govern­ sensing that they had the upper hand, negotiations., the latter resorted to anned ment to the Kurdish cause were sabotaged offered a new Autonomy Declaration to struggle. During the eight year war be­ by one faction or the other. the Kurds. The Autonomy Declaration of tween Iran and Iraq, some of the Iranian Factionalism within the KDP and the 1974 "was an emasculated version of the Kurdish groups even received military Kurdish community at large and inter­ 1970 agreement, offering less than the assistance from the Iraqi government. But necine battles with the government con­ KDP had demanded, but admittedly a they failed to make any headway. tinued until the Ba'th party came to power great deal more than the Kurds in Iran or In the last 3 or 4 years, most Iranian for the second time in 1968 (It was in Turkey dared hope for." The most sig­ Kurds have come to &C()Cpt the status quo. power for a brief while in 1963).The nificant clause in the Declaration which In any case, their position today is better B a'thists tried to end hostilities and signed m a sense was an outgrowth of the 1970 than it wgs during the period of the Pah­ a peace agreement with Barzani in March agreement was the provision that, "the lavi dynasty or even in the initial years of 1970. area of Kurdistan shall enjoy autonomy the Islamic revolution. The Teheran The agreement, among other things. limited by the legal, political and government for its part is beginning to accepted the following principles:- economic integrity of the Republic of show some appreciation of the cultural 1) Amendment of the constitution to Iraq." distmctiveness of the Kurds and indeed, read the Iraqi people consist of two main Barzani rejected the Autonomy Law of the other minorities as well. Nonethe­ nationalities: the Arab and Kurdish because it did not provide for total Kur­ less., there is still a lot of room for im­ nationalities. dish control over the oil resources of provement. 2) Formation of a Kurdish area with Kirlculc, though the city was part of Kur­ In the c~ of Iraq. Kurdish demands self-govemernnt. distan. But behind the scenes, "Banani for autonomy and even independence 3) Appoinbnent of a Kurdish vice­ had already asked for, and received as­ were heard during the period of BrillSh president. surances from US offiCials in Iran" that rule. As we have observed, the British, for 4) Recognition of Kurdi.o;h in those the. US would back him with arms if he a variety of reasons, failed to respond areas where Kurds constitute the fought the governmenL positively. majority. Kurdish and Arabic would be A full-scale war broke out in April The struggle for autonomy continued taught together in all schools. 1974.lnitially, the lrnqi government for­ after Iraq officially became independent 5) Requirement that offiCials in the ces scored some notmle sucoesses. Later, in 1932. The Kurdish leader of the pre-In­ Kurdish areas speak KI.U'dlsh. when Kurdish insurgents received mas­ dependence period, Shaikh Mahmud 6) Right to establish Kurdish student, sive a.~si.~tance from Iran, and induectly, Barzinji wgs succeeded by Mulla Mustafa youth, women's and teachers' organiza­ the US, they managed to regain lost Barzani Barzani clashed with the monar­ tions. ground. A stalemate developed. chical government in Baghdad on several 7) Economic development of the In order to end the War, some Arab occasions right through the thizties and Kurdish area. governments brought Iraq and Iran forties. He even spent a number of years 8) Agranan reform. together and they signed the Algiers in exile. By accepting these principles, the agrccment(1975), which we have already He returned after the coup of 1958 Ba'thists had offered the Kurds more referred to. Once the agreement was when General Qasim overthrew the rights than any previous Iraqi govc:mrnent signed. the Kurdish insurgents were left monarchy. Barzani established a friendly or any Turkish or Iranian government for high and dry, without any external relationship with Qasirn. Qasim, in tum, that matter. During 1970 itself sections of military support. The Iraqi government accorded more rights to the Kurds than the agreement were implemented, "in­ began to take repnsals against the Kurds. any preceding regime. The new Constitu­ cluding the amendment to the constitu­ Up to 50 Kurchsh villages in the border tion, for instAnce, stated that "Kurds and tion. the appoinbnent of senior Kurdish areas with Iran and Turkey were Arabs are partners within this nation." officials including senior members of the demolished. Thousands of Kurds were Kurds were appointed to senior positions. KDP as governors of Dohulc and Albil forcibly re-settled in 'strategic hamlets'. But Banani was still not happy. He respectively, Kurdish police chiefs for the II is alleged that at least 150 Kurd~h wanted full autonomy for the Kurdish three Kurdish provinces of Dohulc, Arbil political prisoners were also executed. region in the North. Some of his sup­ and Sulaymaniya." However, when the Iran-Iraq war porters started to revolt against Qasim. In spite of this, the agreement failed. began in 1980, Iraqi Kurds seized the In the meantime, serious factionalism One of the main reasons was because the opportunity to retaliate against the Bagh­ began to develop within Barzani's Kur­ US, backed by Israel and Iran encouraged dad govemrnent. With the help of Iran, dish Democratic Party (KDP). A faction Ban.ani, who had his own grievances now under an Islamic leadership, the two opposed to Barzani emerged led by Jallal about power and authority, to break the main Kurdish parties, the KDP and the Talabani, who was less conservative and agreement and to fight the B'athist newer Patriotic Union of Kurdistan traditionalist compared to Barzani. The -govenunent. We have seen that the inci­ (PUK) gained control of substantialareM clash between these two factions had a dent that triggered off this reaction on the in the north of the country. But towards profoWld impact upon the Kurdish strug­ par;t of the US was Iraq's nationalization the middle of 1988, Iraqi forces regained gle for autooomy. For vt:ry often it was of the petroleum industry in June 1972. the initiative. They won back territory not the intrinsic value of a certain demand they had lost, inflicting heavy losses upon

23 the Kwds and the Iranian army. By all of the justice of its demands. 1be KIDdish ment Most of all, a number of Kurdish K:COunts, the Iraqi countel".()ffensive was leadership seemed to wish for more im­ groups and leaders have, over the bloody lnd brutal. perialist interference in the region rather decades, sold themselves to foreign 1be Kurdish struggle for autonomy than less ..." Barzani's close liaison with powers from outside West Asia. 1bey are in Iraq is, in a sense, diffeRnt from the the United States tlvough two docades sometimes used, sometimes manipulated other states in West Asia. On the one provides ample proof of this. by powerful alien interests - and then hand. Iraq has given more rights and There is another equally important discarded. granted more autonomy to its Kurdish factor to consider. If the government's In a nutshell, the lack of integrity population than any other stale in the overtures on autonomy had not inspired among some Kurdish leaden in West region. A highly ICClaimed study of the trust lnd confidence among the Kwds, it Asia has been a major cause of disunity Kurds prepared by the London-based was partly because of the harsh, ruthless and disharmony. It is partly because the Minority Righls Gr0t1p (MRG) in 1989, manner in which it had responded to Kurds are so badly divided that it has been which is critical of various aspects ofIraqi evety challenge from the community. so easy for foreign powers to dominate policy towards the Kwds, nonetheless ac­ Witness, for instance, how the Ba'thist them. knowledges that, "Iraq has recognized regime retaliated in 1974-5 and 1987-8, Coodusion Kwdish rights to a greater say in internal to Kurdish uprisings. It e:~tplains why to If the Kwds are to achieve their goal affairs than either Iran or Turkey has this day, the government's offers of am­ of genuine autonomy after so many done." On the other hand, Iraq has "also nesty are given little credence by a sig­ decades of strife and struggle, it is unpor­ found itself involved in more major con­ nificant segment of the Kurdish tant that they wort: together, cooperate frontations with the Kurds in recent population. with one another. They must try to years" than the other states in West Asia. It is this tendency towards ruthless­ transcend their sectarian differences and How does one e:~tplain this paradoltical ness and brutality which has convinced a forge that bond of unity which has eluded situation? lot of people that Iraq used chemical them for so long. One of the minor factors responsible weapons against the Kurds in 1988. Iraq, At the same time, the various states in for the situation would be the intense it should be noted, "has resolutely denied West Asia which have KIDdish com­ rivalzy between antagonistic factions in the use of chemical weapons against its munities should move in the direction of the Kwdish struggle which, as we have Kwdish citizens. However, it admitted more freedom and greater accountability. pointed out, invariably made it difficult using chemical weapons against Iranian In other words, they should become more for good solutions aimed at enhancing forces, and it was found guilty of their use democratic. in the sense of encouraging autonomy to be implemented successful­ against Iranian forces by a United Nations dissent and promoting participation on ly. 1be politics and personality of the late Conunission in 1986." the part of the citizenry. Genuine Mustafa Barzani had no doubt aggravated Incidentally, Iran, it is now estab­ autonomy for the Kurds is not possible as mailerS. lished. also used chemical gas against long as prevailing political structures in A more important factor, however, Iraqi forces. In fact, a US Defence Depart­ the region are authoritarian. 1lus is, in has been the active interference ofthe US, ment study has shown "that Iran may have fact, the vital flaw in Iraq's regional and to a lesser e:~ttent, Israel and Iran. in been the fJtSt to fire artillery shells filled autonomy for the Kurds. There c.-. be no the internal affairs of Iraq. 1be root of this with cyanide gas into Halabja.. ." Halabja real autonomy in a system where interference- is of course ideological. is a Kwdish city and we now know that decision-making is highly centralized and From the lale silt ties, ever since the Ba'th many Kurds died from Iran's cyanide. often arbitrary. party carne to power in Baghdad. the US But the point is this: if Iraq's treat­ Indeed. to show that it is serious about lnd its regional allies began to be con­ ment of Kurdish rebels was not as harsh autonomy, Iraq should take the lead and caned about its nationalistic, anti- im­ or as severe as it has been all these years, invite both Iran and Turkey to partlcipate perialistic stances. The petroleum its international image would have been in a conference which will formulate nationalization issue of 1972 illustrates different- notwithstanding a media which strategies to democratize their respective our point It was in the interest oftheUS­ &S set to denigrate lhe Ba'll~t kaduship political systems !10 that the .K.unk will he established by incontrovertible evidence and Saddam Hussein in parocular. able to enjoy genuine autonomy. 1be culJed from the Pike Commission's All said and done, then, Iraq, like Iran, conference should also adopt basic prin­ report, among other sow-ces - to ensure Turkey and some of the other states in ciples ofautonomy for rrunorities 111 all the that theKwds went on fighting Baghdad. West Asia should bear some respon­ three states. What this means is that however hard the sibility for the sorrow and suffering of the Finally, the Kurdash quest for Ba 'thists tried to ICCOmmodale Kwdish Kwds. autonomy, as their e:~tpenence in the last demands, it was not be possible to resolve Factionatisrn 70 odd yean has shov.n, demands a the problem of autonomy. However, the Kurds themselves are region that is freeofforeignnwUpulation. If anything, the orientation of the also to be blamed. We have seen how As long as superpowers and big powers major Kwdish opposition ~vement to divided they are. There are factions within continue to dictate the destinies of West Baghdad in the last two and a half decades Kwdish movements in particular states. Asian states, small, weak communities - has eJtacerbated the situation. Martin van Different factions or groups are some­ like the Kwds-will remlln the playthings Bruinessen the author of Agha, Sheikh times linked to diffe.rent governments in of forces beyond their control and StiU put it succintly when be ob­ the region. A Kurdish group in one Yes, the eagle must leave the West served, "The KIDdish movement (in Iraq) coutltJy may sometimes be used by the Asian slcy so that the little chicten can had, especially since 1966, a conserva­ government of another countJy in the return to its roosl • tive, even reaction.y appearance. in spite region to undermine the other govern-

24 A Plea: Lift Econotnic Sanctions Against Iraq

e appeal to the United upon foreign vegetable seeds. What gastroenteritis creating a public Nations Security Council all this means is that if the people of health catastrophe in the country." W to lift the economic Iraq are to survive, economic sanc­ The situation is so bad that the sw-vey sanctions imposed upon the Republic tions will have to be lifted. estimates that "at lea<>t 170, Iraqi of Iraq. Our appeal is motivated The suffering of the people of children will die over the next year primarily by humanitarian Iraq is further compounded by the from disease, inadequate medical considerations. almost total destruction of its public care and other Gulf War after­ From various I\.!J:Iurts, the health infrastructure. A Harvard shocks." To obtain urgently needed economic sanctions which have been University team which conducted a medicines and to re-build its health in force since 6 August 1990 have comprehensive survey ofthe nation's care system, the sanctions imposed caused immense suffering to the public health situation from 28 April upon Iraq will have to be removed people of Iraq. The report by Mr to 6 May 1991 discovered "epidemic immediately. Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Under levels of cholera, typhoid and Secretary-General for Administra­ tion and Management, published on 20 March 1991 gives a vivid picture GOD ANSWERS of the devastation and destruclton of (A response to ruin Gurthalan KaUr's "Where art thou, God?") the country. He notes that "most means of modem life support have Filii mlliiJ gllists llave I dorntd, been destroyed or rendered tenuous. Scannin~ t~-try agt, Iraq has, for some time to come, been protecting the pwt and Worthy relegated to a pre-industrial age .... .'' ceastltss/y glliding In his report Mr Ahtisaari obser­ the stranded sea of entrapped sparks ves that "sanctions decided upon by trt>dilingthe paJh ofMaya tht dtceptor trapped;,. 1M life and dtalh. the Security Council had already ad­ cycle of versely affected the country's ability to feed its people." It is on this basis KltOW tlitt 1101 "''1 cliWM child ~Nne hwnan that he strongly recommends "the ur­ the muon for shell gent supply of basic commodities to acquired after endless births? safeguard vulnerable groups.'' He TM IWiocaiUI aiul carnage then goes on to suggest "the tht elrama thai ever lPifolds provision of major quantities" of are all thine own creations various staples for the general triuertld by bOdily disirts population including "milk. wheat, oblivion to thy divine 1101ure. flour, rice, sugar, vegetable oil and tea." The Ahtisaari report is par­ Tltt immortal lhaltNJJt art ticularly concerned about the adverse witntss In silence impact of food shortages -especially as the dectplivt Maya powdered milk: - upon children. with her tver tnclwrdng charm However, to save the children trap tltLt within ItO fold. and their parents, Iraq should be al­ lowed to import food. For Iraq before Know thee not my divine clild 2 August 1990 was importing about tht rtGStJnfor thine highest form 70 per cent of its food needs. Besides, to ward offthe d.eceptiw MayQ its ability to produce its own food is tl1ld &tiKJld the splen.dOur severely hampered by a serious ener­ of'"'·~ glory gy crisis. Iraq also imports most of the sltilliq liU million swu. ft:ed products necessary for livestock Who do tho• then bUJme for fanning and is heavily dependent actions born of M~ and nnd? s.;Ravi Merwn

25 In a sense, there is really no jus­ 10)1nstitutPengajaranKonuutiti 19) Persatuan Sa ins Sosial tification any more for maintaining (IPK), Sarawak Malaysia (PSSM) economic sanctions against Iraq. The 11) Islamic Information Centre, 20) Persatuan U/ama Malaysia sanctions were imposed in the fll'St Penang (PUM) instance to force Iraq to withdraw 12)JamaahlslahMalaysia (JIM) 21) Sabah Christian Movement­ from Kuwait Following its defeat by 13) Jawa1ankuasa Perdamaian Pacos the US-led military coalition, Iraq Asia Barat, Pulau Pinang 22) Sabah Women's Action has withdrawn completely from 14) Justice and Peace Commis­ Resource Group (SAWO) Kuwait It has accepted all the 12 UN sion, Diocese ofPenang 23) Sahabat Alam Malaysia resolutions passed between 3 August 15) Malaysian Physicians for the (SAM) and 29 November 1990, pertaining to Prevention of Nuclear War 24) Selangor Graduates Society a variety of issues connected with its (MPPNW) (SGS) invasion ofKuwaitof2 August 1990. 16) Malaysian Trades Union 25) Society for Christian Reflec­ Iraq has also consented to a UN Congress (MlVC) tion (SCR) presence along the Iraq-Kuwait bor­ 17) National Union ofPlantation 26)SUARAM der and allowed the UN to operate Workers (NUPW) 27) Transpon Workers Union refugee centres in the country. It has, 18) Persatuan Kakitangan (1WU) besides, agreed to the destruction of Akademik dan Pentadbiran Univer­ 28) Third World Network its biological and chemical arsenal siti Sains Malaysia (PKAPUSM) Wlder international supervision. It is not right to go on punishing the people of Iraq. It will only ag­ gravate their suffering. And, as al­ ANNOUNCEMENT ways, it is the most vulnerable groups - children, women, the elderly, the Special Discount for Aliran Monthly Readers sick - who will bear the brunt of this The followina boob are otrmd at a special price for A1iran Mondlly deprivation of the basic needs of life. readers. Once again, we address our plea Boob iD f'..D&Iisb to the UN Security Council: please ArlfURIICt lift the economic sanctions imposed Convpfiolt upon Iraq. We hope that Malaysia Dialotlle 011 Dmocracy will also use its influence within UN lisiJd Pri;e circles to persuade the Security Sj:.(X) Council members to act to save the $4~ people of Iraq. $3-00 list ofgroups endorsing the Offer Price • All three for $8-00 plea to lift economic sanctions against Iraq (in alphabetical order) 1) A/iran Kesedaran Negara (AllRAN) 2) All Women's Action Society (AWAM) 3) Centre for Orang Asli Con­ cerns 4) Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) 5) ERA Consumer "'ffti valid wbilc ID:b .... 6) Darul Arqam ~ o«m fur Alilan Moathly SublelibCa 7) Environment Protection Eiabet

26 The Child is.the Father of the Man Some reflections on child abuse

phenomenon." She adds that "we until 1989 a total of 378 cases of DR WONG SOAK must radically rethink, redefine and abused, abandoned and neglected KOON shares with AM reorganize our methodologies to children were registered. Of the some highly pertinent views reflect the true incidence of child 378,222 were physically abused, 78 on the issue of child abuse abuse within all strata of our society." sexually abused and 88 abandoned. Dr Kari Killen-H~. a fellow of the which has come under One third of the children were below Norwegian Institute ofChild Welfare the age of three. Statistics 300 indi­ much public scrutiny of late. Research at a seminar organized by cate that the number of child abuse the Malaysian Council for Child cases tripled over eight years from Welfare (1991) reminds us "that we 1981-89. ach time we read of a child all have it in ourselves to lose control Physical abuse, according to a being abused or see terrible for a split second which is all it takes medical social worker, Ms Barbara Eimages of wounding on to cause serious hurt to a chld." Yen, usually occurs repeatedly over television we want to scream out at a period of time and is therefore not the perpetuators. We cannot believe an isolated incident but a pattern of that human beings can act in that "The child is father behaviour. Sexual child abuse she way. But while rage is an under­ of the man" in a deftncs as "the exploitation ofa child standable and spontmeous reaction, relationship of for the sexual gratification of an perhaps we should also stop to adult It occurs when an adult uses his reflect Rage can distance us from the mutual respect and power or authority and takes ad­ discomfort of having to re-examine love and children vantage of a child's trust and respect ourselves, our institutions and the to involve the child in sexual activity. tenor of our society. We simply say can often help us see If the abuser is a dose relative the that these abominable acts are per­ the world anew. abuse is called incest" petuated by deviants and leave it at While these two categories of that. Although I am not a social abuse seem very distant from the ex­ worker nor an expert in the field of Cruelty to children and young periences of most parents, the third child psychology I shall be quoting persons in the legal context is defined category which is "emotional abuse.. from experts as I develop my own in Part II, Section 3 of The Children can make us uncomfortable because reflections. and Young Persons Act, 1947 as oc­ we recognize our own potentiality fa­ That this issue has received con­ curing when inflicting this form of abuse. Emo­ sidemble media and govenunent at­ "any person over the age of tional abuse "involves excessive a­ tention is a good sign that our society, eighJeen who has the custody, charge unreasonable parental demands and in spite of its traditional concern with or care of any JOUIIg person. wilfully expectations that are beyond the "jaga muka" and "oi meen" (save assaults, ill-treats, neglects, aban­ child's capabilities." foce) is finally allowing certain issues dons or exposes such child or )'OU/Ig It includes "constant criticism, (once kept hidden} to be taken out of person to be assaulted, ill-treated, belittling, yelling, threatening or ig­ the closet into the arena of public neglected, abandoned or exposed, in noring the child and withdrawal of debate. But because many of the a manner lilcely to cause such child love." This broader defmition of cases of abuse reported by the media or yoU/Ig person Ullnecessary suffer­ abuse focuses on the fulfJlment of a involve abusers from the lower-in­ ing or injury to his health (including child's developmental needs. Child come group, wemayagaintooeasily injury to or loss of sighJ, or hearing, abuse is not only associated with the conclude that such acts are contained orlimb,ororganofthebody,andany visible horrors of burns. lacerations within one class of society. mefltal derungeTI'Ient. •• and cuts. On the contrary. Ms Madeleine According to the SCAN Hyde from the Boys' and Girls' Wel­ (Suspected Child Abuse and Steps Being Taken fare Society, Manchester (New Neglect) team formed in 1985 to 1be govenunent is taking steps to Straits Times, 21 December 1990) identify cases of child abuse and deal with child abuse perhaps be­ says: "child abuse is a classless wOIK with the families concerned, cause it realises that if children are

27 not taken care of valuable human the most vulnerable members of the which usually take place informally resources will be lost and this will not population. Domination of the and among friends can also be more auger well for the country's future. A powerful over the powerless occurs struct\u'ed through the initiative of proposed Child Protection Act will in our institutions - in schools, with voluntary organizations, religious be ~ussed in Parliament to replace the police, etc. groups and governrnent effort the outdated Children and Young The press has reported cases of The lack of extended family sup­ P'e.oon's Act (1947). Under the new brutal police actions inflicted on port which is fast becoming a prob­ act doctors will have to report cases those taken into the lock-up. The lem among the geographical mobile of suspected child abuse to the most recent case of assault of a pupil segments of our population means authorities. A hot-tine has also been by teachers reported in the press oc­ that alternative modes of group sup­ set up. State-level child-protection cured in Jasin where a 15-year-o.ld port in parenting will become neces­ teams have been formed comprising student alleged that three teachers sary. The government should also welfare, medical and police person­ punched, lcicked and hit him with a look into the possibility of extending nel as well as community and baseball bat in order to force a con­ paid maternity leave and allowing religious leaders. fession to ascertain "offences." The fathers to play a part by granting them It seems that in addition to these media, especially television often leave too. steps the monitoring of adoption and portrays violence as heroism as well The recent spate of child abuse placement via private agencies as a nonnal way to solve conflicts. cases reported has meant the need for should be made more effective. prosecutions. To have to deal with Childcare centres are also becoming Menial Hea/Jh the participation of very young big-business in this country because In a highly-competative and children in the court process is some­ both parents work. The granting of stress-fllled society such as ours thing relatively unfamiliar to the licenses for such centres should be human relationships both wittun the courts. One hopes that all those con­ done only after careful investigation family and in the community can cerned with the legal process will be by the authorities. There should be degenerate into brutality. The move sensitive to the fact that children are regular inspections after that to en­ by the Health Ministry to set up a very vulnerable. Care should be sure that all is well. committee on mental health (New taken to ensure that the abused child Such practical measw-es, timely Straits Times, 25 May 1990) is a does not feel he is on trial. as they are, must also be accom­ good one because it means thai the Many abused children may al­ panied by a re-examination of oursel­ authorities acknowledge the toll on ready be under the wrong impression ves and the tenor of our society. As the human psyche in a rapidly­ that if they were better children they in all close relationships, the bonding developing society. would not have been thus treated. In of children and parents is a complex At a conference on psychological dealing with the aftercare ofthe child, mauer not easy to generalise on. One medicine held recently, the Director­ one should be sensitive to the com­ can only present some areas for General of the Ministry points out plex mix of emotions the child inter­ reflection. that while psychotics arc 1mown to nalises - he is often both in fear of the Firstly, when docs ~ipline be­ form a small percentage of the abuser and yet somehow bonded to come abuse? Do we still want to ad­ population, there are many more who his victimiscr. This is especially true here, without questions, to the adage suffer from anxiety and depression­ if the abuser is a natural parent The "spare the rod and spoil the child"? related problems. Recognising the social worker can help the child to Or, are there other altern::atives to cor­ stress factor may help in dealing with verbalize his emotional chaos. pornl punishment which are as effec­ child abuse. Poverty, social isolation, Freud once told a friend that the tive? In Asian societies, the adult's inadequate housing and lack of basic most satisfying achievement in life is right to discipline has never been amenities can all contribute to ten­ to have been a good parent Children questioned. This right and its im­ sion which erupts into abuse. The are not passive objects waiting to be plications should be ~scrutini1.ed. authorities need to make a concerted molded into concrete realisations of Let me state that I do not counsel effort to better the quality of life for our own dreams. They are human disrespect for elders. I am simply in­ those in our society who are thus beings with dreams of their own viting a reassessment of the authority impoverised. which we, in tempering discipline role which should be accompanied It is often assumed that parenting with love, can help to fulftl. ''The by a heightened sense of respon­ slcills need not be learnt but are in­ child is father of the man" in a sibility and compassion. stinctive. Dr Karl Killen-Heap, how­ relationship of mutual respect and As we examine our own society, ever, feels that it is often necessary to love and children can often help us however we: find ample instances of equip people with some skills, and to see the world anew.~ the abuse ofpower. Usually children, have discussion groups for the shar­ the disabled, the aged and women are ing of information. Such activities,

28 World Politics Rajiv's last words ... on foreign policy

has been fwlctionmg is totally inade­ India is faced with the same challen­ The assasination of quate for this. The system was set up ges as it was at that time. We called Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May after the Second World War by the the Asian Relations Conference in 1991, in the midst of the winners of the war, in their (world) Delhi, there was the Bandung Con­ Indian General Election, perspective. It was, I think, not even ference and the Brioni Conference valid for the Cold War and today in and these led to the NAM comingup, has created a vacuum in the post-detente period it is totally which gave some sort of balance. Indian politics. Since the invalid. And today it cannot give the So there are ways out and I think Election has yet to be type of development (-oriented India is in a position to play a major completed, (at the time of policies) that arc needed in the world. role in fmding one. In the immediate writing) we are not able to I had raised this question, in 1987 situation, especially taking our com­ I think, at the UN Special Session on plicated fmancial situation in view, it guage the total impact of Disarmament. Speaking on disarma­ is going to be a very difficult task Rajiv's assasination upon ment, I had raised the question as to since very delicate balance has to be the Election and the future what happens after disamamenL The made to see that we come through. of the Indian fact was that it was the nuclear nation. However, some of balance that had been preserving You do need money, investment peace till then, an unstable peace and technology (from the West). How his thoughts on Indian though. Now if you remove that do you maintain an independence foreign policy and non­ without replacing it with something foreign policy? Will you rnake com­ alignment which appeared else as we have done in the past one promises with the West? in one of his last few or one and a half years, you would interviews given to have a very critical situation where t depends on what you mean by anybody who is more powerful could compromises. We had a very FRONTUNE (May 11-24 use that power towards whatever end I good relationship with the Soviet 1991), a Tamil Nadu they felt was useful for themselves. Union but at no time did we com­ Fortnightly, are of great And unfortunately that is what I feel promise our foreign policy for Soviet relevance to all of us. We has started to happen. I think this is interests. We worked tooth and nail the time when India should play a to get them to withdraw from Af­ reproduce excerpts from major role in reversing this trend and ghanistan .... that interview. working towards a more democratic With the United States again we global structure and that is the only built a very good relationship starting way in which we will be able to look really from 1982 onwards when my How do you propose to run an after our independence, our policies mother visited the US. But it was independent foreign policy when the and at the same time play a useful role really from 1985 onwards that it real­ country has shown this dependence in the world. The difficult part is ly started wortcing well. But that did eveninr~pa>;ngloans? going to be in the immediate term. not prevent us from remaining in

29 here is a misapprehenSion that the tour was fixed to "... we have to work T sort out the problem. It wasn't that at all. Our main worry towards a new global was that what was happening order ... The system there (in the Gulf) will be the precursor of sorting out other was set up after the global issues. It was going to be Second World War the fJTSt major international issue by the winners of the after the Soviet Union and eastern Europe had gone into this new war, in their (world) phase. The point was not the im­ perspective ... and mediate, that was worrisome all right, but the effect of that on the today .. .it is totally in­ future of our foreign policy. I was valid." talking on that level By the time we started working that out, the Iranians had invited us and we In foreign and defence policies This is a unipolar world. Then accepted their invitation. I thought there are some problems. There are why all this talk about non- align­ there was no usc going to Iran unless issues such as nuclear non-prolifera­ ment? Nehru propounded the thesis we got some inputs from the Soviet tion and restrictions on export of mis­ when the world was at least b1polar Union on how their mind was work­ sile technology and countries want us ing and how tough a position they to accept these conditions. Are you were willing to take, and how hard going to accept such conditions to don't agree with that. There is a they would be willing to push. So we attract new investment? misunderstanding with the word sent a message to President Gor­ I non-alignment It means non­ bachev asking him for time, and he feel it is very difficult to accept aligrunent, not neutrality and not was kind enough to ftx the time in these kinds of conditions balancing two blocs ... Talce a situa­ almost 24 hours. I whether or not we get the money. tion like the Gulf where you had a What happened in that brief This is my personal feeling. This is unipolar exercise, where the UN was period of time, in the 24 or 48 hours, all part of the same thrust. One thing functioning in a very peculiar man­ was that his proposal had come and appears clear to me after speaking to ner. It required nations to be non­ it looKed as if it would be accepted. several world leaders that the think­ aligned from what was happening We were setting out on a totally dif­ ing of the former colonising and look at it from a distance. I think ferent track ... it got covered over by (colonial) powers has not changed. I even though the word non-alignment the (Soviet) proposal. don't mean they want to still found causes some difficulty, it is not an Coming back to the talks, the colonies, that's history, but the at­ inappropriate word even today. Soviet Union, Iran, Cuba, Yugos­ titude of using power to get direct My perception of non-alignment lavia. Algeria and the Gulf states had benefits has not changed. And this is is that it is not just that you were with the same worry that we had. But going to manifest itself in every bloc 'A' or'B'butitisthalyouwant depending on the size of the country sphere. That is why we have got to a democratic gJobal order. This has and the inner strength of the country, stand our ground and create a new not changed whether you have one they were willing to speak openly thrust in the NAM and the Arab bloc or two blocs or whether it be­ internally. But they said that we're countries and the Organization of comes five or 10 blocs tomorrow. telling you this here but outside we African Unity. What we are looking for is not 'x' can't t.'\llc bec:UJse we're much too I think that the thinking in some number of blocs that the world is small or under sornebody's thumb. European countries has changed after divided into but the undemocratic And if India doesn't speak out, then the Gulf War. They are not advertis­ global scene. there is no way that they can take a ing this, but when you get them stand. And if countries like India speaking they speak a totally dif­ Could you throw some light on come upfront and are willing to take ferent language. It is not going to be your tour of Iran and the Soviet a tough stand, they will all stand with easy to chart that course, but it is not Union dUring the Gulf war? you. But without two or three big impossible either. countries talcing a stand. they just have to fall in line.+

30 Among the prominent features oi this US plan for security in Asia and the Pocific are enhanced access for US warships and aircraft to the seaports and airfields of the region and a clear political and security role for Japan under the aegis of the US. The US desire to establish a new security framework for our region- if media reports are true - should not swprise anyone. With the end of the Cold War, the US has been exploring ways and means ofenhancing its new status as the world's only military superpower (110te: the US for more than a decade now has ceased to be an economic superpower). Strengthening its military power, though not necessarily increasing its military presence, particularly in those regions which are of crucial importance to its interests, is part of the US's overall strategy of perpetuating its global dominance. CURRENT The Gulf War was part of that strategy vis-a-vis West Asia. For the United States, East and CONCERNS Southeast Asia also constitute an increasingly vital region in goo-ecooomic tenns. Some of the globe's most dynamic economies :.-e found in this region. As an area of ISA DETENTION OF between the people of Sabah and the economic activity, East and DATUK DR JEFFREY Federal Government. Southeast Asia has, on the whole, KmNGAN ManjitKaur registered higher growth rates in the Executive Committee Member t is with deep· regret that last few years than any other part of 14May 1991 I ALIRAN notes the detention of the world Datul· )r Jeffrey Kitingan under the Besides, the opportunities for Intem .. Security Act (ISA) for aJ. trade and investments which the leged involvement in activities REGIONAL SECURITY region provides to Japan, its prejudicial to the security of the ANDZOPFAN undisputed economic leader, places country. n article in the International the US at a disadvantage in its We call upon the Government to A Herald Tribwle (27-28 April 'economic war' against Japan. This, either put him on trial or to release 1991) suggests that "the United we may add, is one of the main him immediately and States and the non-Communist na­ reasons why the US is so suspicious unconditionally. tions of East Asia, including Japan, of the East Asia Economic Grouping He I as already been charged with are preparing to develop a new (EAEG) proposed by the Malaysian seven o ltlflts of corruption and now security networic" in the region. The Prime Minister. Though theEAEG is he is arrested under the ISA. It would network which will include the basically a consultative forum, the appear that Datuk Dr Jeffrey ASEAN states has been described as US is afraid that it will lead to its Kitingan is being politically a "cooperative vigilance" that would exclusion from a region of victimised. be "characterized by a growing tremendous economic promise This arrest is also not in the security partnership between the US which it feels will soon come under interests of national stability and and its friends and allies" in Asia and total Japanese dominance. harmony as it would affect relations the Pocific.

31 create a Southeast Asian region which is free of external dominance and control. Two, it argues explicitly that peace and freedom in Southeast Asia would be possible only if the states wilhin the region are genuinely non-aligned and independent At a time when one military SUIX!rpower is trying to dominate international politics. what this means is that Southeast Asian states should not be aligned to that superpower or any other foreign power for t.hat matter. As a first step towards reviving ~MARINES BOARD A SEA KNIGHT HELICOPTER: The US strengthens its military poww in • bid 1o perpetullle its global dolninMce. ZOPFAN, ASEAN should begin a constructive dialogue with the states In order to obtain a signifJCallt surrounding the US role could of Indochina and Burma to fmd out role in the economic development of generate friction and tension. The how we can realize our common goal the region and in order to check US, true to its character, will want to of a genuinely independent and Japan's influence, the US has involve itself covertly or overtly in peaceful Southeast Asia. In this decided to take charge of the security these domestic political conflicts. connection, it is heartening to note and stability of East and Southeast Moreover, significant ethnic t.hat our Prime Minister believes "t.h.at Asia. By appointing itself the minorities and communal cleavages serious study should be given to in guarantor ofthe region's security, the in almost every country in the region viting the foreign ministers of US will ens w-e that no one in the area could tempt the US to indulge in the Vietnam, Laos and Burma to a pursues policies which are inimical to age-old game of political dialogue with ASEAN foreign its interests. Any attempt to achieve manipulation. This could lead to ministers at their annual meeting in economic or political objectives fW1her upheavals with alJ their dire July." independent of the US will be consequences. However, governments alone "nipped in the bud". The US, through If our region wants to avert what cannot ensure that the peace and its vigilante role, will also be ever could well be a political catastrophe security of Southeast Asia will be the vigilant of any move by Japan to use of the future, East and Southeast responsibility of Southeast Asians. TI1e people of this region should also its enormous economic power to Asian states should demonstrate their develop its own independent determination to look after their own play their part. Non-governmental inithtives in international politics. security. The security of the region organizations (NGOs), whether they are public interest societies or trade A US-dominated security should be the responsibility of the network which diminishes the states within the region. This should unions or even political parties independence and autonomy of be a basic tenet of the foreign policy should also help to revive interest in, and commitment to. ZOPFAN. people in the region will, in the long of each and every state in our part of run, create a great deal of instability. the world · Perhaps the time has come for groups in different Southeast Asian As is happening in other regions ASEAN should show the way. It where the US exercises inordinate should revive the concept of states to establish links among influence, such a network will ZOPFAN (wne of peace, freedom themselves and launch a ZOPFAN inevitably polarize the states of East and neutrality) ennunciatcd 20 years movement and Southeast Asia, with some ago in the form of the Kuala Lumpur Wouldn't it be a good idea if a enjoying close ties with the Declaration. It i'> a pity t.h.at in the ZOPFAN movement emerged on the superpower while others choose to course of the last two decades this initiative of the people themselves to stand some distance away. The signs idea has slowly faded into oblivion. commemorate the 20th annive1'S31)' ofZOPFAN!! are present even now within And yet its relevance for genuine ASEAN. At the same time, economic peace and security in the region is Chandra Mu=offar competition among states within the beyond question. For ZOPFAN President. region could exacerbate relations - .emphasises two central concerns ISMay 1991 especially if some states are more which are bound to acquire greater favcw-ed by the US than others. Even and greater significance in the within each state, the controversy coming decades. One, it seeks to

32 TRIPARTISM SIDELINED numbers at Stadium Negaca, to listen of the public have suggested that the midst the calls to workers to to speeches exhorting workers to tragedy ocurred because there is too A increase productivity and plod on and take oaths. much freedom in India. Too much remain disciplined in retwn for a bet­ What is urgently needed is for freedom, they say, leads to political ter life in the year 2020- i.e. 30 years lripactism to function sincerely and violence. latet - scant attention is being given genuinely so that the worker -will This is not true. There are to the role of worlrers in the area of have a say in the benefit to be derived countries with much less political consultation and profit sharing. for the efforts put in. freedom than India which are also Today,lripartism is held out as a This is something that is convulsing in violence. South Korea, slogan rather than a practice, unlike universally accepted as democratic ruled by a semi-authoritarian regime in the past. In the sixties and early and just. This has also been which imposes certain curbs upon scvcntiestherewasagenuineattempt recognised as such by the participants dissent, has had to deal with periodic at consultation with workers who had of the NECC, who have endorsed this bouts of political violence for the last a say in certain policy matters and principle in their report to the 3 decades or so. In both Somalia and wage negotiations. government. Ethiopia where harsh dictatorships The present day reality is that To translate this principle into were in control under recently, tripact.ism has been sidelined, the practice the government should political change has been workers' rights and rewards have seriously consider establishing an accompanied by ~ts of violence. been completely overlooked and Economic Council which will focus At the same ti!Tie, we have everything has become arbitrary, upon cooperation among capital, societies which grant much more with capital and government government and labour in the effort political freedom to their citizens dominating every sphere of the to ~hieve a better life for everyone than India and yet there has been workers lives. in the year 2020. This council should minimal political violence. The Take the recent case of the 5 per replace the Malaysian Business Netherlands and Denmark would be cent increase in the salary of Council which is clearly not two examples. On the other hand, government servants. It was an representative of all sectors of there is Britain where there is also arbitrary decision on the part of Malaysian society. Besides, an considerable political freedom but government, without consultation economic council which gives the system has not purged itself of with the w/-. In tenns of increase, the development effort will feel action which gives rise to violence. wOIXer receives SW/- more whereas alienated from this grandiose vision Indian politics is a case in point The the graduate is paid an additional of the year 2020. frustrations generated by massive S1001-. Taking into consideration the It is only if lripartism is given youth unemployment, the lack of economic reality of the day, is the some such tangible meaning along social mobility for the educated, ordinary worker's suffering in these lines that the promise of a better ever-widening economic and social anyway alleviated by this pittance? future for the worker - a home, a car disparities, economic dislocations, Without any meaningful and a holiday in 30 years' time- will the pervasiveness of corruption and tripartism in existence, any gesture become a reality. bureaucratic inertia - which have on the part ofcapital and government P Ramakrishnan been accumulating over the last 3 will always be symbolic rather than ExecutiveCommittee Member decades or so - have resulted in the substantial. 21 May 1991 rapid spread of the politics of anger All the hard work and increased and despair. If anything, caste p-oductivity must mean something to barriers, communal divisions and the worker. There must be an FREEDOM AND VIOLENCE religious chauvinism have immediate and tang.ble reward for exacerbated the situation. The ~tive efforts. 1hls reward must be more n the wake ofRajiv Gandhi's bru­ manipulation of social frustrations than an opportunity to gather in large I tal assasination, some members and ethnic schisms by politicians

33 A national itself through the language of leadership must communal wrath. emerge which will This is why a spiritual try to cure the understanding of freedom as a moral Keep religloR disease, not just value which is both a right and treat the symptom. responsibility is imperative, if out, Indian · This does not freedom is not to be misused and mean, however, abused. that there is nothing Chandra Muwffar panel wams wrong with the way President society 27May 1991 understands and applies freedom. In India, as in many UMNO BARU MUSEUM: A other societies, DISPLAY OF CONFUSION? freedom is equated t is disturbing to learn that the with 'the right to'. Il I Malacca State government plans is interpreted solely to build an UMNO Baru muscwn in as the individual's the state, a project that is to be or the group's right financed, at least partially, by public to speak and to act, funds. in a way it deems The ruling party, in this case, has fit indeed displayed its confusion This idea of between government and party freedom does not activities and interests. There is a really harmonize conscious blurring of roles. A with the concept of constuction of an UMNO Baru freedom embodied museum is a party project that in either Hindu essentially caters to the needs and philosophy or in interests of party members. Islamic thought. What is also worrying is that this For freedom in the latest development reminds us of the religion of both the ruling party's recent activities that large Hindu reflected an inclination to misuse majority and the public money and institutions. For main Muslim instance, in the last general election, hell-bent on power, has also been an minority is not just Radio-Televisyen Malaysia, a important faciO£. As a result of all a right It is also a responsibility. government institution, was used, or this, segments of the Indian masses What this means is the freedom of rather misused, by the ruling party to have concluded that since the expression or the right to assemble promote its public image and situation is not going to change for should also be seen as a responsibility consequently protect its own political the better, they have nothing to lose carrying with it all that the tcnn interests. by resorting to acts of violence. implies. In fact, the exercise of One wonders how would the Because the system cannot deliver, freedom is regarded as such an UMNO Baru react if, for instance, they have decided to wreck the awesome responsibility that the the PAS-led Kelantan State ancient Upanishads insisted that it ~· government and the PBS-led Sabah By cw1ailing political freedom should not be encwnbered by base State government were to decide to one will not be able to control desires and ignoble motives. The foUow its (UMNO Baru's)footsteps political violence. For the violence Muslim philosopher, Al-Kindi, was by building their respective party that erupts so often in India is like the also of the view that man cannot be musewn using public funds? pus oozing out from a boil The boil free, if his soul is not free of hatred Mustafa K Anuar itself is due to Something else. The and bigoery. The relevance of such Executive Committee Member inability of the system to ensure advice cannot be emphasized enough JOMay 1991 justice for the poor and powerless especially since so much of the masses -that is the root ofthe disease. violence in Indian politics exJX"esses

34 Tapes

BOOKS CASSEITE TAPES (Speeches by A/iran 1. REFLECTIONS ON THE MALAYSIAN President, Dr. Chandra Muzaffar) CONSTITUTION - $12.20 0 (320 pg) I. AN ISLAM IC STATE OR A SECULAR STATE? A compilation of paper~ presented at a Conference ($5.00 +postage 0.50¢) 0 on "Reflections on the Malaysian Constitution: 30 This ~peech deals with various issues involved in the Years After Merdeka." The topics addressed include Islamic State vs Secular State controversy. It suggests the Historical Background, the Role of the Monarchy, a non-sectarian spiritual alternative which is in line with the Role of the 1udiciary, the Role of the Parliament, Aliran 's philosophy. the Role of: the Executive, State and federal Relations, the Rule of Law, I undamental Liberties, the Ethnic 2. CHALLENGES FACING ASIA Dimension and Islam in the Comtitution. · ($5.00 +postage 0.50¢) 0 The speech outlines the awesome challenges faced by 2. DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY - $3.20 0 (86 pg) Asians today and suggests ways to deal with them. It Collection of speeches made by leaders of various identifies the crucial areas that have stood in the way of political parties and public interest societies in progress and good government and insists that unless connection with the Third Dialogue of Concern on effective transformation first takes place in these areas; Parliamentary Democracy. no lasting or meaningful change can come about.

3. CORRUPTION - $4.20 0 (87 pg) 3. OPPOSE OSA (THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT) An easily readable, informative and analytical coUection ($5.00 + postage 0.50¢) 0 of papers on various aspects of this social scourge In this analysis of the 1986 amendments to the Official presented by Aliran officials and guest speakers at an Secrets Act, an attempt is made to spell out the conse­ Aliran seminar on Corruption. quences of that law for freedom and democracy. The public is shown how their right to know would be 4. NATION ON TRIAL - Sl 2.00 0 (422 pg) affected and how public accountability would lose its These last five years have been tumultous ones for meaning. Malay~ia in many respects. In many spheres of na tiona! life, the country appears to be 'lipping. This is 4. WHO IS DESTROYING THE RUKUNEGARA? manifested in the weakening of democratic foundations ($7.00 +postage 0.85¢) 0 and the rbe of authoritarianism in government, This tape contains two speeches on the Rukunegara corruption and financial scandals, lack of accountability which attempt to show how and why the Government and an absence of integrity among people at the helm in particular had deviated from the principles and of the 'nation\ affairs. violation of human righh, a goals of the nation's charter. The speakers are Aliran declining economy and increa~ing unemployment. In President Dr. Chandra Muzaffar and AI iran Executive the midst of all this, Aliran continues to demand a Committee member, Gan Teik Chee. saner political and economic system. 5. Development - For Whom? 5. FREEDOM IN FETTERS- Sl0.20 0 ($5.00 +postage 0.50¢) 0 Comprehensive study of the state of democracy in A studied criticism of the au lhorities for the wasteful Malaysia. Deals with all the major laws and instituions spending, for obsession with prestige projects and for relevant to an understanding of democracy in Malaysia. excluding the poorer segments of society from main­ It examines all the major trend~ and developments stream development. The talk deplores the increasin.ely which have influenced the practice of democracy in elitistic trend in development as a betrayal of the Malaysia. people's dream of a just society.

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36 continued from page 40 clear the controversies which have But the engineers claim that the TENAGA NASJONAL - ABUSE been generated. In fact. the matter National Electricity Board (NEB) OF POWER? had been brought up in Parliament in had formally talcen over the Paka sta­ December 1990 by KuaK.ia Soong, tion in 1990. In other words, it had top managers in TEN, as well as ir­ the MP for Petaling Jaya. who called accepted without reservation the regularities in the awarding of con­ for a criminal investigation into the commissioning of the Paka plant by tracts to certain external consultancy matter. Mitsui. fums and contractors some of which In their letter, the engineers allege they claim are linked to these senior MANY QUESTIONS that the it was Tetracon, an external personnel. 1be engineers add some­ Although the authenticity of the contractor, which wrecked Paka's what dramatically that the state of letter might be doubted, it does con­ turbine 3C out of sheer incom­ affairs in TEN could eventually make tain many serious allegations which, petence. As a result. a diversion of the $2.2 billion BMF scandal seem at least. are worthy of further inves­ electricity was required from the na­ like only "minor irritation". tigation. These allegations in turn tional grid in 1990 which cost the The latest letter has been circu­ have given rise to several obvious NEB an additional M$35 million. lated to the director of the ACA. queStions. · They say that Tetracon had no senior ministers, opposition If indeed our existing gcnernting previous experience in turbine over­ leaders,the IGP, the TEN chairman, capacity is more than adequate for haul work. In fact. their contract was local and foreign newspapers, and our needs, why are we still faced with limited to maintenance work only. regional magazines. It warns that power shortages? Is this because They claim that it was only after TEN may be forced to resort to load­ power stations have been damaged Tctracon came into the picture that shedding within the next few months following substandard overhauling the turbine in Paka tripped and col­ to prevent its main power stations of twbines by external contractors lapsed. It is &lleged that Paka is now from crashing and resulting in bil­ who are ill-equipped to carry out the producing only a third of the capacity lions of ringgit in damage. One of job? it is capable of. This sad state of their most startling allegations is that Toprovethcirpointtheengincers affairs is something which the ACA an emergency has already been cite the case of the Paka power station can easily assess. declared within TEN. The engineers in Terengganu. The engineers then go on toques­ also warn of imminent break­ tion whether TEN General Manager downs, black-outs and brown-outs (Main Projects) Tara Singh Gill has despite the "clear overcapacity" an emergency has a stalce in Tetracon either directly or within TEN. already been indirectly via nominees. Earlier lbey appeal to Maha1hir to carry declared within TEN. reports have raised concern over out a fuU-scale inquiry into TEN to what is said to be his lack of ex­ The engineers also perience in power generation and warn of imminent operations. breakdowns, BOllER WEWING WORK black-outs and BY TEI'RACON brown-outs despite It is alleged that senior personnel at TEN (all listed in the letter) lied to the "clear the NEB Board and misled the Min­ overcapacity" within ister about Tetracon's capability in handling boiler welding work. TEN. The engineers claim that Danish Power Consultants (DPC), whose TEI'RACON AND THE chairman is Mahathir's brother-in­ law, Jaafar Mohd Ali, had inspected PAKAPOWERSTATION the Prai and Port Dickson stations Samy Vellu recently declared and had come up with a report critical that he would be talcing Japanese of Tetracon's perfonnance. This giant Mitsui & Co to court to seek report is supposed to have been ac­ damages totalling S 12 million for the Energy Mine.~er Semy V.Uu showed cepted by the Board of the NEB. But no inclination to pur.ue allegations of disruption at the Paka power station is it true that it was then hushed up? negulariliM within TEN. which Mitsui had commissioned.

37 awarded to Asia Brown Perhaps that is why Samy Boveri, a Swedish-Swiss Vellu could declare to MPs in firm. at a total cost of M$1 January 1991 that there was billion? ( Press reports had no such thing as a report by earlier quoted Samy Vellu as DPC. But at that very mo­ saying that the turbines would ment. the engineers claim only cost M$700 million. DPC was rejecting more What happened?) work by Tetracon/Bharat By comparison, it was Heavy Electricals. this time recently reported that GE­ on Unit 3 of Tuanku Jaafar. USA had received an order Port Dickson. (It has also for a 932 MW gas power sta­ been alleged that the former tion in Korea for only station superintendent at the US$200 million (M$550 mil­ Port Dickson power station TURBINE ROOW: Sube~ overhaul~g of turbin. by ' lion). What is the real reason was made director of external contractors il4qUipped for the Job? for the huge disparity? Tetracon upon retirement) Cheaper generators must Although Tetracon was documents of TEN in order to surely be available, argue certain supposed to have been blacklisted sharpen its competitive edge. sources. Moreover, there are reports after the Paka project, the engineers They question the sincerity of the of irregularities in the tender process ask why it continues to win huge ACA in catching the culprits and especially in respect of urgent coo tracts. claim that lEN staff who dared to delivery schedules not being made How true are reports circulating point out irregularities were ~Y known to all bidders and post tender that NEI Parsons was awarded the transferred or victimized. That lS why offers. Connaught Bridge Combined Cycle the engineers say they have to~~ Docsn 't the energy master plan Extension project even though the anonymous, although they admit tt approved in 1989 state that we have company had never packaged such_ a may appear cowardly to the outsider. enough plant capacity to meet our station and had perfonned poorly 10 But they maintain thatitis better than energy requirements until the end of Port Dickson and Singapore before? remaining totally silent 1995? This plan was supposed to Is the subcontractor again have been approved by the finance NEAR CATASTROPHE AT Tetracon? ministry. But now the Energy ~­ It has also got to be asked if there PORTKELANG ster is quoted as saying that he lS ~ any connection between Bharat The letter alleges that one of the shopping for turbines to meet our and the MIC. Is there any substance tw1>ines at the Port Kelang power needs beyond 1995. This is pointless to allegations that the Cabinet had station failed earlier this year when as a tw1>ine can be commissioned decided to award the Rehabilitation the cold reheat valve exploded with within two years. Project to an Indian Government steam gushing out into the worlc area. The power shortage cited as. the consortium but it was later given to Several employees were injured and reason for the acquisition of tutbmes Bharat? one hospitalized. Fortwlately, the is alleged to be largely the result of machines had just been started up and the failure of existing equipment CONFIDENTIAL had not yet reached full ~g caused by substandard repair work DOCUMENTS speed, otherwise a catastrophic dis­ carried out by contractors. The engineers allege that certain aster could have occurred. Even so, With these additional seven tur­ senia personnel at TEN have ~n the massive turbine block was shaken bines with a capacity of say 740 MW. distributing highly confidenllal from its foundation as a result of the we would then have a capacity of documents to contractors .}ike shock. The engineers complain that 5,850 MW by 1995 when our General Physics, Peninsular Power, this disaster cost 1EN millions of projected requirement would only be Tetracon, lEA Corporation and ringgit and was the fourth of its kind 4,950 MW. Hence, do we really need Minco by selling them 10 the highest in less than one year. seven tw1>ines when three or four bidder. Minco appears to have been would probably suffice? We sh~d given special preference. SHOPPING SPREE be wary of tying up billions in Wtutil­ They also allege that Peninsular What do we make of reports that ized capital which would surely I~ PowerofEngland which~ inter­ the contract for the supply of seven to higher electricity tariffs and 10- ested in acquiring a 25% stake in gas tw1>ines with a total of 7?3 MW creased external debl (The NEB ex­ 1EN has been given access to secret (or is it only 740 MW as claimed by ternal debt stood at more than M$4 certain quarters) of power was billion last year.)

38 MINCO CONSULTANI'S CHINA COAL nary circumstances? What is the out­ It is alleged that Minco is the only Another disturbing allegation is come of these investigations? local company allowed to make bids that 1ENhas contracted to buy China The circw-nstances surrounding with five or more foreign consultants coal for the next five years. Inventory this whole saga are quite revealing for the combined cycle power station levels are expected to be in the region especially in four respects. consultancy for Pasir Gudang. All the of 1.4 million tonnes but the en­ One, there is very little public others are limited to bid with only a gineers point out that TEN coal yards accountability within our govern­ single foreign consultant. can only handle a maximum of ment departments and off budget The engineers say this immedi­ 700,000 tonnes. How is the excess agencies. Just imagine, the money ately places Minco at an advantage coal going to be stocked? saved on just one turbine would be because the rejection of a sole con­ In any case, do we really need all enough to provide proper housing to sultant in the case of the other bidders this coal now that we can make use a few thousand squatters. means the rejection of the whole of our own sources ofcheaper natural Two, there is a complex web of tender, whereas Minco can keep on gas to run our power stations? Is it political-business-civil service con­ producing alternate candidates as true also that our coal-firing stations nections in Malaysia which often soon as any one of its consultants is are not designed for China coal leads to all kinds of situations where rejected. which is of low grade and contains conflicts of interests can arise. Despite this, the best offer for high residuals? Will using this coal Three, without an independent P.dSir Gudang came not from Minco reduce the life-spans of ow- power media, we are deprived of but from Black & Veatch/Ranhill stations? coW"ageous investigative journalism Berseketu/EEC. Not surprisingly, which could shed some light into claim the engineers, the tender exer­ AMPANG TIMOR LAND situations like this and clear up all the cise was immediately called off after Is it true that another fast-rising intrigue and speculation. that. TEN general manager is busy Four, if the ACA is truly inde­ In another engineering Consult­ worlcing with other lEN Board pendent, then perhaps the guilty par­ ancy tender for the 500 MW thermal members to develop the land owned ties would finally be made to see !he coal/oiVgas power station proposed by TEN in Ampang Timor. It is al­ erroroftheirwaysandall this wanton for Kapar, Minco is alleged to be the leged that this project has nothing to abuse of power could be stopped. local partner to nine of the eleven do with electricity generation. Well, there certainly seems to be foreign consultants bidding. It is plenty of strange goings-on within claimed that word had got around to OVER TO YOU, ACA TEN to keep the ACA busy for a the effect that if foreign consultants Aren't Tetracon, Stone & long, long time. That is, if it is really di$1 not team up with Minco they Webster,'Minco andGenerai Physics interested.+ would be rejected out of hand. supposed to be under investigation Ani Netto Although Samy Vellu has denied by Ani Arope, the TEN chairman? Is that he knows Minco well, the en­ it true that these companies are still gineers claim that he had lobbied winning contracts under extraordi- hard for Minco at the World Bank sponsored country-wide road pave­ ment concract Consultancy company against the PWD's recommendation for another consultancy company. A popular govemment, without popular Who actually owns Minco and is information, or the means of acquiring it, is it in any way related to TEN's senior but a prologue to a farce or tragedy; or per­ managers, past or present? haps both. Knowledge will forever govern PERGAU PROJECT ignorance; and a people who mean to be Then, there is the Pergau project their own governors must arm themselves which the engineers claim was secured by an A P Arumugam. Is it with the power which knowledge gives. true that Samy Vellu knowingly misinfonned Parliament that the con­ -James Madison lract price was 1.38 billion ringgit when the real cost was 1.82 billion?

39 ACCOUNTABILITY Tenaga Nasional: Abuse Of Power? Something strange is brewing in Tenaga Nasional (TEN)

wmW"S of discontent are ! I emanating from the hub of A WHO'S WHO OF POWERFUL the nation's energy supply. This time, the group calling themsel­ PERSONALITIES: ves the Concerned Engineersof1EN have written another letter containing Samy Velu ·energy minister an "emergency message" to the Prime Minister. Apparently, their ef­ Tara Singb GiU • TEN general manager (main projects) forts to improve the situation in 1EN from within have been largely ig­ Daniel Jesutbasan • TEN chief engineer & geo manager (opera nored. Hence, their direct appeal to tioos) Mahathir.

lbak Abu u•n • TEN manager the state of affairs in P Ganendra • Minco managing director TEN could eventually make the $2.2 billion E G Rob~ - General Pbysics director former NEB chief engioeu BMF scandal seem like only 'minor Abu Zarim • Tennga Ewbank Preece chairman irritation" former NEB general manager

Jaafar Mobd Ali • Danish Power Consultants chairman A previous letter from the-- en­ Mabathir's brother-in-law gineers highlighting irregularities was dismissed by Energy Minister Badri Basir • TEN general manager Samy VeUu as theworkofadissatis­ fied contractor. The latest letter Ani Arope • TEN chairman denies this by arguing that no con­ tractor is going to jeopardize his fu­ Yew Siew Peog - Tetracoo managiog director ture here by criticizing a minister or former superintendent PO power or the TEN management. statioo MISMANAGEMENI'? A P Arumugam • Ki'M Technology The problem, the engineers claim, lies with the top management Tbamburaj • Bbarat Heavy EJedricak (M'sia) gen manager of TEN. They allege mismanage­ ment and negligence among certain • colllinwd 011 JIGI' 37

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