For Justice, Freedom & Solidarity

For Justice, Freedom & Solidarity PP3739/12/2008(007145) ISSN 0127 - 5127 RM4.00 2008:Vol.28No.3

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 1 COVER STORY A New Dawn? Not quite, but a liberation all the same by Philip Khoo

arch 8, 2008 exorcised by oppositions but lost by govern- MM the demons of May 13, ing parties. MMM 1969. The quiet euphoria that swept At last, the country took the first much of the nation, even those steps to becoming a normal elec- who voted for BN, was under- toral democracy where govern- standable. We realised how much ments can change, and be formed we had achieved against the with simple majorities. A stifling odds. And we were proud, not choke-hold was broken. The coun- only on the night of March 8 it- try heaved a collective sigh of re- self, but more so as the transitions lief and allowed itself a yelp of joy, in state governments proceeded as despite a small flurry of some smoothly as could be reasonably worried SMSs. expected.

There was one glaring abnormal- It was euphoria that did not wish ity, a holdover from the old order to be dissipated. – the shared sense that the party which won the most seats had We could feel that when so many lost. were dismayed, even outraged, by the newly triumphant Lim Kit That was because the party had Siang’s threat to boycott the Perak always, and abnormally so, in- state government’s swearing-in sisted on gaining a two-thirds ceremony. Kit Siang was forced to majority or better in Parliament, retract the threat; the country was and a sweep of every state. Indeed, finally coming into maturity, even some of its leaders had set them- if it still needed nurturing. selves the autocratic target of zero opposition. In the event, the party Meluat was almost relegated to be the then and now opposition, with many believing it would have been so if not for In the most developed and pros- electoral fraud. perous part of the country, in two of its poorest states, and to a lesser Padan muka extent elsewhere, the people voted in an outpouring of disgust, or Thus, padan muka (‘serves them meluat – at the sleaze and ex- right’), as many felt, because the cesses, the concupiscence and March 8 polls exemplified the old greed, and the arrogance of the adage that elections are not won incumbent ruling party.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

In our cover story, Philip Khoo analyses the results of the general election. It wasn’t quite a new dawn CONTENTS but it was a liberation all the same, he said. We now need to rise above pursuing mere economic efficiency; we must promote a more holistic understand- COVER STORY ing of social solidarity to reduce inequalities and ••• A New Dawn? 222 enhance capacities. ••• How The BN Bullied, Bluffed And Bribed Their Way To Victory Abang Benet then goes on to describe how the BN In Sarawak 888 bullied, bluffed and bribed their way to victory in Sarawak. For democrats in Sarawak, it was a missed ••• Sabah: The More Things Stay opportunity to push forward the agenda of political The Same, The More They Change... 121212 and economic reform in a state saturated with po- ••• Time Running Out For Abdullah 141414 litical abuse and corruption.

Over in neighbouring Sabah, G Lim observes that FEATURES the more things stay the same, the more they change. ••• 1988 Judicial Crisis: Remove Their For the first time, national rather than Sabah-only Burden And Set Them Free 242424 parties have shown that they can constitute a cred- ••• Dangerous Cargo Transpotation: ible opposition force in the state. How Serious Are We? 262626

The 12th general election has certainly opened the ••• Empowered Penangites Make eyes of the people. And time is running out for Their Voices Heard 404040 Abdullah Badawi, warns K George. Can the PM push through meaningful reforms before he is shown REGULARS the door? ••• LettersLettersLetters 171717 Many Malaysians feel empowered by the outcome ••• Thinking Allowed 212121 of the general election and sense that they can actu- ••• Current Concerns 292929 ally make a difference. Anil Netto reports on the Penang Forum, at which activists and other con- OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS cerned Penangites agreed on a declaration outlining key areas of concern and proposals for submis- ••• Subscription Form 383838 sion to the state government.

On a different note, players in the shipping industry are puzzled at the Port Klang Authority’s about- Published by turn in liberalising the issuance of Container Pack- Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara ing Certificates. Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan won- (ALIRAN)(ALIRAN)(ALIRAN) ders how serious port authorities are in ensuring 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Jelutong, the safety of dangerous cargo transportation. Penang, Malaysia. Tel: (04) 658 5251 Fax: (04) 658 5197 Email (Letters to Editor): ALIRANALIRANALIRAN is a Reform Movement dedicated to [email protected] Justice, Freedom & Solidarity and listed on the [email protected] roster of the Economic and Social Council of the Email (General): [email protected] United Nations. Founded in 1977, Aliran welcomes Homepage : http://www.aliran.com all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Konway Industries Sdn. Bhd. Plot 78, Lebuhraya Kampung Jawa, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 3 Table 1: Percentage of votes for opposition* candidates, Parliament, 1995–2008

State % opposition change 1995 1999 2004 2008 2004-2008 Perlis 31.5 43.8 36.3 39.9 +3.6 Kedah 35.3 44.2 40.2 53.2 +13.0 Kelantan 56.7 60.9 48.7 55.0 +6.3 Terengganu 45.4 58.7 43.6 44.7 +1.1 Penang 39.0 48.4 43.2 63.0 +19.8 Perak 31.7 44.1 40.5 53.3 +12.8 Pahang 28.4 42.6 32.3 40.5 +8.2 Selangor 24.7 44.8 34.0 55.4 +21.4 KL 41.1 49.4 41.2 62.0 +20.8 Putrajaya – – 11.7 24.4 +12.7 N. Sembilan 29.7 40.8 30.1 45.1 +15.0 Melaka 31.7 43.4 28.8 42.6 +13.8 Johor 20.5 27.1 20.4 34.7 +14.3 Pen Malaysia 33.433.433.4 44.444.444.4 36.236.236.2 50.250.250.2 +14.0+14.0+14.0

*Excluding independents

The old order was stood on its ing been misled and betrayed. rogance of a minister caught with head, as if the long-forgotten slo- his pants down, the violence gan of a generation ago, “Enough There had been soft sweet talk of meted out to peaceful demonstra- is enough!”, had echoed with re- a gentler, kinder, fairer Malaysia, tors. doubled force (see Table 1). only the actions pointed to something else. There was the pantang dicabar (‘I Bread-and-butter issues alone won’t be challenged’) of one who cannot account for the breadth One Mentri Besar declared there claimed he was all ears and in- and depth of the revolt. would be no Bangsa Malaysia. The vited the nation to “work with me, Minister of Education and not for me”. And, of course, there In 1999, the disgust erupted when Pemuda UMNO chief raised his was the last-minute indelible ink Malay cultural sensibility was of- keris, not once but twice, and with- flip-flop that raised the spectre of fended by Anwar Ibrahim’s mal- out any rebuke. A son-in-law and electoral fraud. treatment. On March 8, the disgust wannabe prime minister stoked issued from an offended racial sentiment. Hard landing Malaysian sensibility. Other incidents followed: the Rarely has such arrogance and No action, talk only, flaunting of evidently ill-gotten incompetence been seen. remember? wealth, unseemly corpse-snatch- ing, foot-dragging over the crisis In less than four years, a party that It issued from a deep sense of hav- of the judiciary, the wounded ar- had crushed the opposition in

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 4 2004 alienated almost every seg- continued with their spin. They Without the transformations ment of the population. Stun- blinded themselves and their po- wrought by the NEP, we would ningly, those in power were not litical masters to the truth, thus probably have pulled in opposite aware of the gulf that had opened contributing to the crushing dis- directions while pursuing our up between them and the people. missal of the UMNO-led BN. separate civil, political and eco- Right until the results shocked nomic rights – exactly as we did them into silence, they had as- The more the so-called main- 40 years ago. sumed they could count on the old stream media spun, the more bogeys, and coast on the presumed meluat people felt. The culmi- But on March 8, we ended the allegiance of Malays to offset de- nation was the muntah (vomit) curse of being trapped in contrary fections by the “others”. induced by the scorn and dirt motion. We moved in the same they tried to heap on the ‘irrel- direction, albeit at different paces. What, if not meluat, evant Anwar’ in the last few was at work? days of the campaign. Thus March 8 revealed the poten- tial, if not quite reality yet, of an Take Putrajaya, a cocooned com- How was it a shared Malaysian even more important transition: munity of loyal government serv- sensibility, and not just different the emergence of Pakatan Rakyat, ants who had recently enjoyed a sensibilities creating a shock out- a new, national electoral coalition salary rise. One quarter of come? bearing a multiethnic commit- Putrajaya voted opposition, ment to a new politics. thereby more than doubling its Let’s look at Selangor, particularly proportion of the vote. the Klang Valley. Here is home to Dismantling the country’s richest (hence also Mahathir Translate this across the civil serv- relatively poorest) population and ice and imagine: very likely, one its most mixed constituencies. For this we have Abdullah in four people you meet in gov- Here is the site of the demons and Badawi to thank. ernment offices voted opposition! bogeys that have haunted us for 40 years. In the early 1990s, Mahathir Mo- Even Johor, the dependable hammed cobbled together an elec- stronghold of UMNO and MCA, The BN’s defeat in Penang, while toral coalition that won three elec- defected in large numbers: the a surprise, was always a possi- tions from 1995 to 2004, includ- opposition’s share of the vote was bility. The BN’s dismissal in ing the turbulent polls of 1999. 35 per cent. And the opposition Selangor was spectacular, and (The high-profile blogger-politi- narrowly missed taking Negri necessary to exorcise the ghosts cian, Jeff Ooi, acknowledged the Sembilan. of our national consciousness. strength of Mahathir’s coalition

Perhaps the best indicator of the Different folks, March 8 outcome was an item in same strokes the Merdeka Centre’s opinion poll of December 2007. Half of those We should pause here to take polled declared they did not be- stock of a sensitive but related lieve the media reports on Bersih, matter. the campaign for clean and fair elections, thus signalling the loss We should evaluate the New Eco- of trust. nomic Policy’s positive contribu- tion to March 8. We must consider Stuck in spin the need to surpass it if we are to find a new approach to the con- But the sycophantic so-called tinuing – in fact, worsening – in- mainstream media – actually an equalities and inequities that mark increasingly irrelevant tributary – our nation.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 5 by slapping himself twice for hav- mixed states of Penang, Perak, lition drew its sustenance from the ing stuck with it!) Within four and Selangor, and the Federal Ter- dreams of Vision 2020. short years, Abdullah brought ritory of Kuala Lumpur, BN’s av- that coalition to its demise in the erage winning majority was un- Bolehland peninsula. der 4,000 – less than PKR’s 5,000 with a difference? and PAS’s 6,000. Mahathir’s electoral coalition had Critics, social activists and once seemed invincible. It was What was the nature of NGOers scoffed at it, but the idea poised to capture even those few Mahathir’s electoral coalition? of Malaysia Boleh!, the goal of de- seats, such as Kepong, long re- Briefly, it was based on solid sup- veloped nation status, and the garded as lost to DAP. port in Malay-majority constitu- notion of a bangsa Malaysia cap- encies (with the unstable excep- tured the imagination of the peo- In 1990, DAP won Kepong with a tion of Kelantan) and resilient supple. 38,000 majority. By 1995, DAP port in mixed constituencies. could only squeak through with Mahathir was simply the most a 5,000 majority that was further The coalition captured well over important public intellectual of whittled to under 2,000 in 1999 half the voters of the three major the time. and in 2004. Overall, DAP’s aver- ethnic groups in the peninsula in age winning majority was slashed 1995. It was sufficiently resilient Under him, NEP was muted and from 12,000 votes in 1990 to 5,000 when faced with significant reshaped as the National Devel- in 1995 and to 3,500 in 1999 be- Malay voter defection in the mixed opment Policy (NDP). Thus, NDP fore rebounding to 5,500 in 2004. constituencies in 1999. and an economic boom that trans- formed the nation provided the Conversely, BN’s average win- In short, although it was based on glue that held the nation together. ning majority rose from 9,500 in de facto Malay dominance, the coa- Perhaps for the first time since the 1990 to 15,000 in 1995, dropped to 8,500 in 1999 but rebounded to 12,500 in 2004 – all comfortable Table 2: Opposition vote for Parliament majorities. by state and ethnic composition of electorate*

It was supreme irony, therefore, State Malay (%) Opposition Vote (%) that the man who began his political career as a “Malay ultra” Terengganu 95.5 44.7 should have “turned over” the Kelantan 94.3 55.0 Chinese and incorporated them Putrajaya 93.5 24.4 into his triumphant coalition. Perlis 82.5 39.9 It is equally ironic that the coali- Kedah 77.6 53.2 tion ruptured under the man of Pahang 70.4 40.5 gentle ways who claimed to be Melaka 57.9 42.6 “Prime Minister for all”. Johor 52.4 34.7 Rupture Negri Sembilan 52.1 45.1 Selangor 50.7 55.4 And what a rupture! March 8 Perak 47.0 53.3 overturned the pattern of the three Kuala Lumpur 33.9 62.0 previous elections. Penang 33.7 63.0 Peninsula-wide, DAP’s average Peninsular Malaysia 59.6 50.2 majority exceeded 15,000, while BN’s fell to less than 8,000. In the *Ethnic composition based on total electorate, not turnout

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 6 run-up to independence, there nition of the fears that are inces- The support was very strong in was a sense of nation and a na- santly fed by the race-based poli- heavily non-Malay-majority con- tionalist sentiment. tics. stituencies, but much weaker in heavily Malay-majority constituen- One has only to recall the flutter- Thus far, it is fortunate that PAS, cies. Moreover, the cross-ethnic ing flags on cars in August 1998 in particular, has covered for the support was uncertain in mixed to realize that that sentiment sur- faux pas of the DAP with regards constituencies, especially those vived the crucible of the 1997 fi- to statements on the NEP. Still, all that have a 40–60 percent Malay nancial crisis. And it survived the Pakatan Rakyat parties must re- (or Chinese) share of the electorate. 1999 elections, with the Chinese, member that there are citizens in in particular, cleaving to it despite the ‘Pakatan Rakyat states’ In many of the seats won by the Mahathir’s blatant use of the old watching their spanking new opposition (with 50–55 per cent race card in the Suqiu affair. governments. Six other states of the vote), a tiny swing of 2.5 per wonder whether to follow suit. cent would convert wins into Therein lies a hope and warning. losses. In contrast, the mixed con- In all this, it is performance that stituencies won by BN, mainly in It is hope insofar as Mahathir’s counts, not statements. Failure Johor, are much more secure; there electoral coalition appears to have would simply mean a depressing the opposition gained less than 45 transferred its allegiance to return to the previous race-based per cent. Pakatan Rakyat, the combined op- and race-divisive electoral coali- position that has DAP and PAS tion. Strengths and holding the two ends, and PKR weaknesses the middle. One way to see the continuing divisions is to match the PR’s com- Chart 2 (page 19) reinforces this But it is a warning, too. Having bined percentage of vote against picture by matching parliamen- broken the taboos of our national the ethnic composition of the elec- tary wins with the parties. life, the electorate will have no torate. One can do this for each qualms turning out the opposition state, using the Malay percentage The chart shows the astounding should it not progress towards as a proxy measure of ethnic com- dismissal of BN and UMNO. Yet popular dreams and desires. position (Table 2). it would be foolhardy to underes- Those are no less than dreams timate UMNO’s retained strength and desires for a nation we can There is obviously a relationship in its core constituencies. Con- hold in pride, a negara kebajikan between ethnic composition and versely, PKR’s victory was quite (welfare nation) within a dy- the size of support for the opposi- comprehensive, but the party namic Malaysian economic tion, except for Kelantan and largely won with only 50–55 per agenda, with equal concern for all Kedah, on the one hand, and cent of the vote. That hints at how at its core. Johor, on the other. hard PKR must work to consolidate its support. Watch those divisions However, if we examine the accom- panying charts, which illustrate Moreover, the opposition’s per- We have every right to be eu- this relationship for every parlia- formances were different in the phoric. mentary seat, we can see why we three mixed states of Penang, have good reason for hope with- Perak and Selangor. These differ- Yet we must heed the deep ethnic out ignoring the warning. ences warrant special attention divisions that are still with us. No because they require the new gov- one should repeat the BN’s griev- Looking for ernments to adopt different ap- ous and arrogant error of mistak- cross-ethnic support proaches and styles of govern- ing their own spin for reality. We ance. want to transcend the damaging Chart 1 (page 19) shows that the race-based politics of yesteryear. opposition received significant But we need to do so in full recog- cross-ethnic support. Continued on page 19

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 7 ELECTION 2008 How the BN bullied, bluffed and bribed their way to victory in Sarawak For democrats in Sarawak, it was a missed opportunity to push forward the agenda of political and economic reform in a state saturated with political abuse and corruption by Abang Benet

Son: Sulaiman Taib

CM Taib launching project in Lapuk

arawakians quite ex- elections. In rural areas, there is SS pected that the BN hardly any opposition at all. Just SSS would win most of the 31 as the seriously endangered parliamentary seats in Hornbill (which gives Sarawak its Sarawak on 8 March. touristy “Bumi Kenyalang” name) has all but disappeared owing to After all, there is really no opposi- excessive logging by BN cronies, tion of significance in the state the rural opposition in Sarawak outside of the four urban centres has been all but decimated by the of Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri BN over the last two decades. despite the DAP and PKR making a big splash in the 2006 state There was also a certain lack of Cousin: Norah Tun Abdul Rahman

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 8 interest in the elections since history, different religious and eth- torical and constitutional factors nic make-up, different economic have meant that parliamentary structure, and a large wealth in- elections here are not perceived as equality configuration. Geo- being as important as state elec- graphically separated by the tions. South China Sea, Sarawak has a different political culture, grap- Even so, it was quite dishearten- ples with different political issues ing to wake up on Sunday, 9 and views politics in the penin- March to realise that the BN had sula as being very remote from lo- once again swept (sapu) all but one cal realities. parliamentary seat (Bandar Kuching). Not that this result dis- Contesting parliamentary elec- appointed the Sarawak BN led by tions here is hugely expensive - Chief Minister Abdul Taib far, far more expensive than run- Mahmud. Indeed, the weak per- ning a campaign on the penin- George Chan formance of the opposition only sula. This gives the BN huge ad- helped reinforce his family’s con- vantages since they control the tinued feudal-like grip on politi- money, the media and the govern- cal power in the state since his ment machinery - which they ef- son Sulaiman Abdul Rahman fectively deploy to subsidise the Taib and his cousin, Norah Abdul overall costs of their electoral cam- Rahman, were elected to this 12th paigns. And, as in previous elec- parliament. (One of Taib’s broth- tions, the BN’s ‘high moral and ers is also currently a state assem- political principles’ did not give bly member.) Nor did the over- them any pause or hesitation to whelming parliamentary results bully, bluff and bribe the elector- suggest any need to democratise ate to ensure they achieved a mas- politics in the state. sive victory. For the BN, the ends justified the means. Yet, for those who value democracy, it was a mini debacle, what Here, as a partial explanation of more when the electorate in Penin- what happened in Sarawak, we Robert Lau sula Malaysia dumped the BN detail some key anecdotal wholesale. Thus, for democrats in incidences of BN bullying, bluff- Sarawak, the 12th General Elec- ing and bribing (a.k.a. dirty un- Tiong Thai King tion was a missed opportunity to derhand practices blithely con- push forward the agenda of po- doned by the Electoral Commis- litical and economic reform in a sion) which helped them win 30 state that is saturated with politi- out of 31 parliamentary seats. cal abuse and corruption. Bullying Which begs the question, “What happened in Sarawak?” After all, While campaigning in Bintangor, if peninsular voters can dump the Taib Mahmud urged voters to sup- BN, why didn’t Sarawakians fol- port the BN and to never disasso- low suit? ciate themselves from the mainstream development agenda. He Well, the first thing to remember also warned Chinese voters of is that Sarawak is not the penin- ‘grave consequences’ if SUPP lost sula. The state has a different his- further support (ET, BP, SC, SH,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 9 US, 1 March). His deputy, Alfred were marginalised politically, they ernment’ since ‘opposition parties Jabu was equally blunt and told would end up like ‘the Chinese in cannot guarantee the future of the voters inclined to support the op- Indonesia’ (SH, 2 March). people and the country’ (US, 6 position ‘to think twice, if they March). wanted continuous development Bluffing from the government’ (US, 2 But the biggest bluff of all was March). Apart from bullying tactics, the played by the Borneo Post (6 BN also unashamedly bluffed March) when it ran page upon Echoing this intimidating senti- their way – often via racist argu- page of seemingly superlative ment, the Sibu SUPP strongman ments - through the election cam- news about how well the and BN candidate for Lanang, paign. Malaysian economy performed Tiong Thai King, noted pointedly under the BN in an election sup- that the annual federal govern- George Chan told Miri voters that plement. written by hacks using ment development allocation to if the SUPP Miri candidate lost, questionable data supplied by the Robert Lau, the BN candidate for Sarawak Chinese would likely Economic Planning Unit of the Sibu, and himself was RM10 mil- also lose their only Chinese fed- Prime Minister’s Department, lion. In the event they lost the elec- eral minister to voice their Chinese which was paid for by a ‘mysteri- tion, Tiong said this RM10 million views (IT, 26 February). A SUPP ous’ source! would be switched to other places letter to the editor also noted that (IT, 6 March). without Chinese representation in But bluff was not enough. So, the the BN, the Chinese would effec- BN also resorted to outright brib- Another SUPP heavyweight tively ‘lose their rights’ (SC, 26 ery. Wong Soon Koh noted the same. February). He suggested the federal govern- Bribing ment’s Ninth Malaysia Plan allo- Robert Lau, the SUPP candidate cation of RM400 million meant for Sibu, urged hawkers to sup- As in previous elections, two for flood mitigation measures in port SUPP as the Chinese com- types of bribery were rampant Sibu would be diverted if the two prised a mere 30 per cent of the during this election. BN candidates in Sibu failed to get state’s population. According to re-elected (ET, BP, 5 March). Robert, any SUPP loss would pos- The first was development hand- sibly see the emergence of a Malay outs by the BN in exchange for So too George Chan, Deputy Chief mayor for the city. And what if the votes. Bribes in anything but Minister and SUPP party presi- Mayor apportioned licenses ac- name, infrastructure projects dent opined that all constituen- cording to ethnic ratios? If that worth a total of about RM1.622 cies that voted in opposition can- happened, Robert opined that billion (yes, billion!) were de- didates in 2006 had seen their nobody could help the Chinese clared open and promised to the annual development allocations hawkers, not even the opposition electorate by nearly all the postponed indefinitely or can- (SH, 3 March). Sarawak BN leaders and candi- celled (IT, 7 March). dates throughout the campaign In a speech supporting Dr Tiki period. Note that this is only the Parroting the SUPP bigwigs, Lafe, the BN candidate for Mas reported figure! Many other infra- small-fry Tan Joo Phoi, the Batu Gading, Peter Nansian (the Tasik structure projects were launched Kawa BN state assembly member, Biru BN state assembly member) as well but the value of these de- told Chinese voters that they said that unlike the BN, the oppo- velopment bribes was not re- ‘should appreciate what they sition was only a hindrance to ported. have now, and continue to sup- development (ET, 26 February). port SUPP’ so that society re- The BN also gave away about mained in a state of peace and Taib Mahmud also played the RM1.985 million (but likely more) prosperity (SH, 29 February). In a bluff game when he told voters not in cash under the guise of devel- subsequent speech, he went fur- to believe the opposition party’s opment grants - just to show vot- ther and noted that if the Chinese manifesto call to ‘change the gov- ers how thoughtful they were,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 10 even as they bought their votes.

Land compensation payments amounting to millions and hundreds of land leases were renewed while hundreds of other new land titles were also distributed during the campaign period.

Note also that all these figures do not include all other infrastructure projects launched and cash handouts given after polling day of which there was also a substantial amount, including one per- George Chan, Yong Khoon Seng, Alan Sim (BN Candidate for Bandar sonal pledge/donation of Kuching) and Ting Pek Khiing launch Chinese school project in Kuching, RM100,000 by BN MP Tiong King Election 2008 Sing to SM Kai Dee in Bintulu (BP, 17 March). Bintangor (SH, 11 March). the Chinese press disgusted voters. Then, there was the more shady Considering the election results practice of alleged vote-buying via for Bukit Begunan in the 1996 Thus, despite the best efforts of the straight-forward but clandestine state election was voided by the national PKR-DAP leadership to cash handouts. The DAP candi- Election Court on account of una- get the state-level PKR and DAP date for Kuching, Chong Chen Jien shamed electoral bribery by BN to present a united front against made a police report alleging that campaign agents, such anecdotal the BN, the local PKR-DAP ayam SUPP had carried out vote-buying allegations carry more than a jantan leaders were unable to see in the constituency. This was ve- whiff of authenticity about them. the big picture. Instead, they chose hemently denied by the BN can- to display their stupidity and didate Alan Sim. Bickering by vacuously super-inflated egos in Opposition miserable tit-for-tat attempts to Then, Philip Tukok, a supporter also helped BN score insignificant points against of the independent candidate for each other. Consequently, dis- Sri Aman, alleged that he and two But apart from all these factors, the gusted voters either voted for the others had been offered a RM10 BN won hands down and even in BN or refrained from voting. bribe by BN agents at approxi- the various urban seats favoured mately 8.00 pm on 7 March, the by the combined DAP-PKR oppo- Small wonder the BN laughed and eve of polling, at Rumah Kion, sition simply due to the opposi- romped all the way home with 30 Tanjung Bijat, Sri Aman tion’s inability to present them- seats. And they will win again in (Malaysiakini, 13 March). selves as an intelligent, strategic the forthcoming state elections due and ultimately viable alternative by 2011 if these so-called ‘champi- Wong Ho Leng, the DAP candi- to the BN. ons of the people’ in PKR-DAP do date for Lanang, also alleged in not get their act together. q his blog that postal votes seemed Instead of organising a mature to be for sale in his constituency a and thoughtful campaign against Acronym Glossary few days before polling day the BN, both PKR and DAP bick- BP: Borneo Post (Wong Ho Leng, 10 March). ered over seats and attacked each IT : International Times other throughout, thus sabotaging SC: Sin Chiew Daily An independent candidate, Wong their respective campaigns. Their US: Utusan Sarawak Hua She, attributed his loss to intense bickering in the public SH: See Hua Daily News ‘money politics’ especially in realm which was most evident in

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 11 ELECTION 2008 SABAH: The more things stay the same, the more they change... For the first time, national rather than Sabah-only parties have shown that they can constitute a credible opposition force in the state. by G. Lim

n face value, nothing As in 2004, at least some of the Kapayan, this resulted in the BN OO much changed in Sabah, credit for the extent of the BN vic- winning with less than half the OOO despite the tsunami that tory must be given to the DAP and votes cast on a split in the oppo- hit the peninsula. As in PKR in recognition of their fail- sition vote. 2004, the BN scored a virtual ure to cooperate effectively in the clean sweep in both the state and state. As in Sarawak, relations be- An effective federal elections, losing only one tween the two main opposition opposition presencd federal seat, Kota Kinabalu – parties contesting in the state, where it came a rather embarrass- PKR and the DAP, are frosty at Yet, in fact, much has changed ing third behind both the DAP best and they failed to come to a between these two elections. and PKR – and one state assem- comprehensive seat agreement, While the BN share of the vote has bly seat, Sri Tanjong. The overall running candidates against each remained broadly the same, the share of the vote that went to the other in eight state assembly seats non-BN vote has shifted notice- BN was slightly down from 2004 and three parliamentary seats. In ably. In 2004, the majority of those but still dominant, at around 60 Inanam, Likas, and Luyang, all not voting BN instead voted for per cent this time compared with state assembly seats in and one of the many independent can- 65 per cent last time. around Kota Kinabalu, and in didates. Keadilan and the DAP

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 12 were between them able to collect no more than about 14% of the PartyPartyParty 200420042004 200820082008 ChangeChangeChange vote (see table). This time around, BN 64.9% 61.2% -3.7% independents took only around PKR 11.7% 26.6% 14.9% 5% of the vote – although there were still plenty contesting both DAP 3.0% 6.1% 3.1% at the federal and state level. In Sabah Opposition Parties 1.0% 0.7% -0.3% other words, DAP and particu- Independents 19.4% 5.4% -14.0% larly PKR have managed to establish an effective presence in the state that was lacking four years ago. Credible Ansari Abdullah, is a Muslim of performance mixed descent and well-liked This drastic improvement in across communities. But the lo- PKR’s performance in particular Two main reasons. Firstly, the cal party also has a number of, has largely been due to a long PKR, particularly in the rural ar- for want of a better term, ethnic grassroots-building strategy that eas, suffers from something of a cliques: the predominantly Chi- the party has been undertaking credibility gap. Many people are nese supporters who see in the state since at least last year. discontented – as turnout and Christina Liew as their ‘repre- Whereas in previous years, PKR’s feedback at their ceramah clearly sentative’ in the party, non-Mus- influence did not extend signifi- indicate sentiment in favour of the lim Sabah bumiputera, who cantly further than Kota Kinabalu opposition. Many people can still largely coalesce around Jeffrey and the largely urban West Coast remember when the PBS left the Kitingan, and the Muslim division, this time around the BN for the first time back in 1990, bumiputera, who tend to look to party was able to contest and win after which the federal govern- Ansari. a reasonable share of the vote vir- ment virtually cut off Sabah, re- tually across the whole state. ducing federal grants to the bare In-fighting between these groups minimum, blocking timber ex- for candidate lists in the run up Credit must go to the PKR, there- ports and taking other measures to the election soured relation- fore, for taking this long term that seriously hampered the local ships and, it seems, fed down to strategy of going into the economy. So while people may the grassroots level where many kampongs and building up core not be happy with the economic activists who had committed a lot bases of support across the state. management of the BN, many also of energy to campaigning on the Yet, as anyone who has spent find it hard to believe that the PKR party’s behalf felt somewhat be- time in Sabah over the past cou- could do any better, particularly trayed by the BN-style politicking ple of years could tell, there is as long as the BN controls the fed- of their party leaders. quite substantial discontent in eral government. the state. Inflation has hit This is certainly a problem that Sabahans particularly hard, as Secondly, a lot can be attributed the PKR has to address. But this the impact is increased by the to a virtual implosion in the party should not undermine the fact extent to which many basic com- at the top levels in the last few that in putting up a credible per- modities have to be imported to weeks running up to the cam- formance this time round, the the state. While the areas around paign period, and the campaign PKR and, to a lesser extent, the Kota Kinabalu have seen endless itself, which largely undid much DAP have achieved a remarkable new shopping-cum-residential of the good grassroots work of the result in Sabah. q areas springing up, many rural previous years. regions are still failing to see any benefits from the post-PBS gov- For the most part, PKR in Sabah G. Lim is a post-doctoral re- ernments. Why was the PKR has assiduously avoided getting searcher in Malaysia poli- unable to capitalise further on involved in issues of race and re- tics at a UK university these discontents? ligion. The state liaison chief,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 13 POLITICS Time running out for Abdullah The 12th general election opened the eyes of the people. Can the PM push through meaningful reforms before he is shown the door? by K George

e have already gone tic increase in corruption and Parliamentary WWW through several analy- crime in the country. democracy WW ses and comments. I too wish to add to them. Ethnic harmony Malaysia has chosen parliamentary democracy for its system of Bersih consisting of DAP, Pas, I am sure that most of the people governance - but are we really PKR, PSM and several NGOs in Malaysia are happy with the practising it? The system has three called upon the Election Com- way they voted. The Barisan separate entities – the Executive, mission (EC) to ensure that the Nasional has been finally denied the Legislature (Parliament) and 12th general election would be the two-thirds parliamentary ma- the Judiciary. free and fair, emphasising that jority. Besides that, there are now some of the past elections (even unbelievably five states under the In 1988, the then Lord President including by-elections) were control of the opposition. In spite Tun Salleh Abas and two other neither fair nor free. The Com- of the changed political scenario, senior judges were dismissed by mission responded with certain by and large there is a feeling of a kangaroo tribunal, manipulated assurances, one of which was unity and harmony among by the Executive. Later, Lim Guan the use of indelible ink. Malaysians. The strident voices Eng, the present new chief minis- of the few fanatics failed to unset- ter of Penang , was imprisoned The Aliran Monthly election issue tle the peace and harmony of the for 18 months, having been found published a few days after Nomi- nation. guilty under the Printing Presses nation Day carried a cover story and Publications Act (PPPA) and that strongly urged the people to Coming back to the election result, the Sedition Act. What was his vote for a change. Its editor, P I believe there will be harmony crime? Ramakrishnan, did not mince his amongst the ethnic groups, less words in emphasising the impor- competition, improvement in de- As a Member of Parliament, he tance of drastically reducing the mocracy and human rights and was approached by a Malay Barisan Nasional’s long-standing very clear setbacks for cronyism grandmother for help. She two-thirds majority. and nepotism. claimed that her 15-year-old granddaughter was raped by a For my part, when Prime Minis- What about open tender? Chief Minister, who was not ter Abdullah Badawi started Mahathir and Abdullah both even questioned by the authori- setting up corridors in every promised open tender but hardly ties. When I came to know that nook and cranny of Malaysia, I practised it. I hope and pray that the girl had given birth to a wrote a couple of articles high- the government henceforth will child, I suggested in one of my lighting his grandiose promises practise social justice, which will articles that a DNA profile be to the people, his shortcomings remove marginalisation and en- performed to determine pater- as Prime Minister, and the dras- sure eradication of poverty. nity. But who cares!

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 14 How many of you are aware that a total rejection of Abdullah’s rea- premier, Abdullah Ahmad more than 950 journalists had son for undemocratically detain- Badawi was seen as the God-sent appealed to Dr. Mahathir to re- ing the five Hindraf leaders. saviour of Malaysia. But now he peal the PPPA but in vain. The is no more ssen in that light! Cor- PPPA empowers the Minister Peaceful demonstration is every- ruption and crime seem to be the concerned to cancel, withdraw one’s right. But for organising a order of the day. The PM himself or suspend the licence permit at very successful mammoth demon- mentioned over a year ago that any time at his sole discretion. stration these five leaders have increasing corruption is hurting His decision cannot be chal- been put under ISA on unproven our economy. lenged in a court of law. If you charges. Please, Mr. PM, start your go through our statutes, quite a second term of premiership by re- It is our duty to fight against the number of the laws have such leasing them, and redeeming your serious menace of corruption and ouster provisions. tarnished reputation. crime.

Please bear in mind that we the Malaysia’s The scourge of people elect our representatives to new Cabinet money politics Parliament and the respective State Assemblies to run the coun- The new cabinet consists of 32 During elections in Malaysia, try/state. This is basically what ministers including the Prime money politics spreads its ugly democracy is all about. Instead, Minister and his deputy. Malay- wings – though hard evidence is our elected representatives are sia’s progress, prosperity, reputa- hard to come by. Nonetheless, controlled by their respective party tion and ethnic harmony all de- there were a few instances of can- ‘whips’. Yes, the whip can make pend upon the Cabinet’s ability, didates mysteriously withdraw- you vote against your conscience. commitment and honesty. ing from contests, leaving his only Our first PM, Tunku Abdul opponent to claim victory uncon- Rahman, enacted the Internal Se- The name of a well-known tested. curity Act (ISA), an atrocious piece woman is missing from the list of of legislation, in 1960. The ISA cabinet ministers. She was inves- During the recent elections, a allows the police to enter a per- tigated by the Anti-Corruption PKR candidate did not turn up son’s house even at an unearthly Agency (ACA), which concluded to file his nomination papers. hour to arrest him, take him away that there was a prima facie case He just disappeared; his house and lock him up. against her for illegally giving out was locked; his family was not 28.7 million shares to five persons to be seen anywhere. Days later Our new Chief Minister of Penang who are closely connected to well- he was discovered holidaying in was a victim of the ISA in 1987. known politicians. For reasons Port Dickson. It must have been His father, not knowing where in unknown to me, she was also un- a well-earned holiday! Is this heavens his son had been taken der investigation for giving away not another form of money poli- to, went to the police station in thousands of Approved Permits tics? If so, it must eradicated so Kuala Lumpur. A smiling police (AP). The value of just one AP is that our election can be free and officer arrested the father and im- anywhere between RM15, 000 fair. prisoned him. The officer thanked and RM30, 000. There was a gov- the father for voluntarily surren- ernment announcement before the After the election, when I tried to dering! elections that anyone under ACA find out whether my PKR friends investigation would not be al- who had contested the election Talking about the most undemo- lowed to contest in the elections. had won, I was informed that they cratic and cruel ISA, five Hindraf Would she have come under that were all locked up in hotels pur- leaders have been detained under category, I wonder? Anyway, she portedly for brainstorming and this notorious ISA. One of them, appears to be upset. that they could not be reached. I lawyer, S A Manoharan, stood for was not only shocked but became election and won without person- Corruption and crime worried. It was only later that I ally campaigning. He is now an came to know that there were at- Assembly member, which means In 2004, a few months after tempts to buy some of them. the people’s representative. This Abdullah became the PM, I men- was a clear rebuff to Abdullah and tioned in an article that our fourth The Suara Keadilan of the PKR

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 15 published after the election car- bus-loads of phantom voters enough votes to be elected. Even ried a story on page 6 alleging that were transported to voting cen- an ex-PM who had ruled the Khairy Jamaluddin had lost the tres. country with absolute authority election by 83 votes on the first for 22 years can be a victim of count but the result was reversed Abdullah’s money politics. with a bundle of postal votes on change of style the second count. Khairy won by Now that the elections are over, 5,746! I was told that the result The 12th general election had Abdullah should concentrate his would be challenged in the court opened the eyes of the people. energy in running the country ef- but this is left to be seen. They now know they have the fectively. power not only to change state Many believe, rightly or wrongly, governments but to teach the ar- Here are a few pressing issues that that the BN resorts to such illegal rogant BN a lesson that will not need the urgent attention of the and shameful practices through be easily forgotten. They will no BN: the postal ballots to tilt the balance longer be pushed around and in favour of the BN. taken note of democratic countries • IPCMC - The PM was largely where ordinary people have responsible for the establish- U-turn on brought about effective changes ment of the Royal Commission indelible ink through the ballot box. on Police. He promised to implement the Commission’s rec- A few months ago, the Election Abdullah must have taken note of ommendations, one of which Commission chairman gave us the peoples mood. On 19 March, was to establish an Independ- something to cheer about by an- a day before Prophet ent Police Complaints and nouncing the use of indelible Muhammad’s birthday, Abdullah Misconduct Commission ink to stop phantom voting. A declared his determination to en- (IPCMC). It is going to be three few weeks before the 8 March sure efficiency, commitment, serv- years or so but there is no sign election, it was reported that the ice to the people and an end to of IPCMC. Please implement EC had ordered nearly 50,000 corruption and to pay special at- without any further delay. bottles of the indelible ink cost- tention to the people’s problems. • Attorney General - The A-G ing about RM2.4 million from But does he have enough people must be answerable to Parlia- Mysore, India. But days before in UMNO to help him? ment. Let us not have another the election, the Chairman Mokhtar Abdullah. rudely shocked the nation by There are many Malays who are • Anti-Corruption Agency stating that the Commission educated, intelligent, honest, (ACA) - The ACA must be in- overlooked the enactment of the humble, capable and incorrupt- dependent and their investiga- necessary legislation to permit ible. But hardly any of them get tion report of crimes must be the use of the indelible ink! But elected to the Umno leadership made public. the BN remembered to amend because of rampant money poli- • Local Council elections - the Constitution to extend the tics. Good people without Please re-introduce elections Chairman’s term of tenure to en- money and connection cannot for Local Councils as recom- sure that he was around for the get into leadership position in mended by the Athi election. UMNO. That is why UMNO is Nagappan committee years in such a bad shape. Eventu- ago. Councillors must be ac- I doubt anybody believed him. ally money politics will destroy countable to the people. The talk is that the election ana- UMNO. This is also Dr • Freedom of Information - It is lysts of the Barisan Nasional Mahathir’s prediction. Just im- time Malaysia enacted a Free- would have come to the conclu- agine, Mahathir himself was not dom of Information Act in- sion that the BN was going to able to get elected as a delegate stead of hiding their misdeeds face an unimaginable electoral (a simple post) for the Kubang under the Official Secrets Act setback. Was this the reason Pasu division to enable him to (OSA). why the BN government ex- participate in the Umno general tended the service of the Chair- assembly last year. He and oth- I hope and pray that PM Abdullah man for another year? The net ers say money politics was the will fulfil all the promises he made result was that many believe that reason why he did not win way back in 2004. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 16 tion and the Anti Corruption mate goal is, of course, the forma- Agency can look into this tion of a two-party system in Ma- discrepency before more people laysia. If this objective is realised, are victimised and plundered. it will be genuine multi-racial politics in the new political era. This Geoffrey Chong will certainly augur well for our Kampar aspiration of a Bangsa Malaysia.

The silent majority As for the Opposition consisting of PKR, DAP and PAS, the elec- Letters must not exceed 250 have spoken torate has given it the mandate for words and must include the The silent majority has spoken a bigger and louder voice in Par- writer's name and address. through the ballot box — lound liament. Hopefully, the Opposi- Pseudonyms may be used. Send and clear! They demand positive tion will live up to the rakyat’s letters or emails to Editor (see changes to the political landscape hopes and expectations by play- page 3 for address details). of Malaysia. ing its role responsibly, effectively Views expressed need not reflect and with integrity. those of Aliran. If e-mailing, In the 2004 General Election, the include message in the e-mail voters returned the BN to power In the run-up to the General Elec- body itself. with a massive mandate but it tion, the BN asked the electorate squandered this tremendous to make a choice — a bigger say in We are being robbed goodwill. The BN failed to fulfil Parliament and the Government, its promise of a clean, efficient or just a louder voice in Parlia- Recently when my water meter and trustworthy government in ment but outside the corridors of was changed to a new one, the line with accountability, transpar- power. speed of the new meter acceler- ency and good governance. ated. Following that my water bill The voters made their choice re- doubled from RM18.60 to Instead, what the electorate got in soundingly — they preferred the RM40.60. The amount of water return was a raw deal — rampant latter! Critics will ask: Can this consumed had increased for no corruption, abuse of power, arro- be effective? Well, was it a mere reason from 37 cubic meters to 60 gance, poor governance, cronyism coincidence that only after the cubic meters. This is indeed puz- ... The list goes on! Hindraf demonstration that the zling. government announced affirma- With this strong message from the tive actions for marginalised In- Besides, the new meter is of infe- rakyat to the BN, it has to make a dians? Similarly, was it a mere rior quality. In less than a month concerted effort to reinvent itself. coincidence that the EC promised after installation of the new me- That’s the only way to move for- a fairer and more transparent elec- ter, the lid covering the meter read- ward. The alternative will be its tion only after the Bersih demon- ing glass fell off — whereas the complete demise, rendering it ir- stration? previous meter lasted for years relevant in the New Politics of and yet looked solid and intact. Malaysia. This election has In the first place, if only the Gov- clearly shown that the days of ra- ernment had listened to Hindraf I’m wondering how was this con- cial politics are numbered! Class- and Bersih, they would not have tract given to this guy who must based politics is the wave of the taken their grouses to the street! be making tons of money for him- future. self by suppling inferior meters The loss of the BN’s more than and helping Lembaga Air Perak For a start, communal parties no- two-thirds majority in Parliament to make more money through ac- tably UMNO, MCA and MIC will ensure, with the bigger voice celerated meters. should merge to form a truly of the Opposition, that amend- multi-racial organisation in line ments to the Constitution will not We hope the Consumers Associa- with the New Politics. The ulti- simply be made at the whims and

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 17 fancies of the Government. Take non-Muslims there for its fairness lop-sided and untruthful report- for instance, the bill to extend the and integrity. ing and made the voters to rely on EC chairman’s tenure by one year. the Net and sms for news. Pres- It was bulldozed through at light- The 12th General Election was ently there is a call for boycotting ning speed using BN’s over- truly a watershed in Malaysian the print media, because they whelming majority in Parliament. politics. Yes, a new dawn and a have prostituted themselves to BN On the other hand, the Minimum new hope for Malaysia have ar- lies and garbage. Wage Bill lobbied by the Opposi- rived! tion for years has yet to see the For those successfully elected, it light of day. Why? Again, be- Wong Cheak Ming is my hope that they will not be cause of BN’s overwhelming ma- Rawang swollen headed or arrogant. They jority! must not let down the voters who I shed tears of joy put their trust in them. In the new coalition state governments of Kedah, Penang, Perak After exercising my birthright for K T Ong and Selangor, DAP-PKR-PAS twelve consecutive General Elec- Ipoh have to fulfill their promises, as tions I shed tears of joy over the enunciated in their respective results of the recent election. It is You and your kris! manifestoes to the rakyat. If they not because the Opposition heav- work hard and sincerely for the ily dented the Barisan, but rather I refer to Hishammuddin rakyat and in the spirit of give-and- the fact, for the first time, voting Hussein’s statement, “I have take, they can be assured of the cut across the racial divide. Per- throughly explained the issue of rakyat’s continued support and haps it is time for racial political brandishing the kris. It is signifi- cooperation. Otherwise, come the parties to ponder on the late Dato cant to the Malay culture...” next election, the electorate will Onn Jaffar's wisdom of non-racial show them the exit as swiftly as it parties, in this cosmopolitan na- He is talking nonsense! Before the had voted them in. tion, as no single race is able to last two Umno Youth assemblies, form a stable government. no other youth leader or Umno Hence, in PAS-led Kedah and politician has drawn the kris in Perak, the state governments The reason why voters turned the name of Malay culture or for should rule with wisdom and away from the Barisan are many whatever reason. Even the rebel- fairness so as to allay the fears of and varied. Firstly, the wield- rousing Datuk Harun Idris, the the non-Muslims. PAS should ing of the keris and the cry of noted Umno Youth leader of the stress more on the commonalities blood bath at the UMNO Youth past, did not resort to this stupid that unite us, such as love, com- Assembly compelled the other act of provocation. They were passion, humility, justice, equal- communities to vote against the thinking leaders who understood ity and our common humanity as BN. MPs enjoying good living the political implications when espoused by the world’s great re- at the public expense but not the sensitivities of the non-Malays ligions. being responsible in providing were ignored in a crass and crude a quorum during the parliamen- fashion to show off Malay su- In short, all these are universal tary meetings frustrated the premacy. values. Therefore, PAS should populace. When no stern action focus more on the substance rather was initiated against the Now Hishammuddin knows than the outward form of Islam. Zakariah Palace in Kajang and what that arrogant display of In this way, we see our shared val- two other local councillors for brandishing the kris had cost the ues and this will certainly contrib- not submitting building plans BN. Will he dare repeat that stu- ute in no small measure, towards amounted to blatant double pid act with his deputy yelling national unity. In this context, it standards. his lungs out? is noteworthy that the PAS-led Kelantan government has gained In a way the electronic and print Sensible Malaysian the confidence and respect of the media effectively countered the Seremban

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 18 Continued from page 7 In Perak (and, to a much lesser BN’s victories in heavily Malay- degree, Penang), voting fol- majority seats were narrow ones. lowed an ethnic divide. The op- From Chart 3 (page 20), one can position did well in heavily non- Grounds for optimism see that the opposition did less Malay constituencies while BN well in seats with more than 60 dominated the heavily Malay- The overall situation is unmistak- per cent Malay-majority. Indeed, majority areas. able when one matches state seats the higher the Malay majority, with the levels of support for each the lower was the level of voter The opposition in Selangor, how- party in the same three states discontent, especially in Penang ever, enjoyed the strongest cross- (Chart 4 - page 20). and Perak. ethnic support. Here, even the There is the rejection of BN across the board, barring UMNO in the Chart 1: Parliament: Opposition percentage heavily Malay majority seats. by ethnic composition by state, 2008 There, too, is the ethnic divide, with a thin and unstable middle ground (mostly within the 40–60 per cent opposition support band).

But there is some ground for optimism here. A majority of UMNO’s seats also falls between the 40 and 50 per cent support lines. This suggests that a little pull and some assurance – and a clean up of postal voting – may just bring them over the 50 per cent opposition support line.

Social solidarity

Chart 2: Parliament: Opposition percentage So, where do we go from here? by ethnic composition by party, 2008 Many people, understandably tired of the waste from corruption, cronyism, greed and sheer incompetence, insist on economic efficiency as the principal guiding principle of good governance.

That would be a mistake, especially for Perak, but also for Penang.

Think of it this way. Like Margaret Thatcher, think of the nation as a household writ large. But, unlike Thatcher who was obsessed with balanced

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 19 budgets at all costs and favour- and maximum efficiency. for one another and offset mu- ing business, we should con- tual shortcomings beyond a nar- sider what makes a household A household stays together be- row-minded “what’s-in-it-for- more than just an accounting cause it cares for all its members me” mentality. unit. – old and young, weak and strong, male and female, able They throw occasional tantrums, A household is a household not and disabled, healthy and sick. no doubt, but, ideally, the house- because it balances its budget and Its members care for one another hold and its members perform does things with minimum waste and share burdens. They cover their nobler deeds with equity and without discrimination.

Chart 3: Opposition percentage in state seats New dawn, by ethnic composition by state, 2008 new nation

In summary, we must rise above economic efficiency alone.

We must have a more holistic accounting of social solidarity that allows us to reduce inequalities by building capacities, enhancing capabilities, and making allow- ances for differences in abilities and cultures.

And when all else fails, we must support those unable to care for themselves, without dispossess- ing others out of greed.

By doing so, we will truly build Chart 4: Opposition percentage in state seats a nation and establish a genu- by ethnic composition by party, 2008 inely national basis for greater economic dynamism and growth.

The new state governments must go some distance in this direction. The opposition MPs must set new standards of social solidarity and consistently challenge BN to live up to them.

Only then will they consolidate the incipient electoral coalition that made its presence felt on March 8. And thus will Pakatan Rakyat lay the ground for a full change of government the next time. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 20 “We will now have to separate the mechanism of channelling federal funds in states controlled by the Op- position,” he said, adding that the mechanism was learnt from the expe- rience with the 18-year rule by the Kelantan Pas-led government....

Abdullah Badawi told the people to use the proper channels to demonstrate their discontent, and not go demonstrate. So, the people did, and in no uncertain terms, whacking the BN, and especially the MCA, Gerakan and MIC, right Yet more proof over the head to make sure they these clowns have got the message. learnt nothing! But clearly, newly-minted Hous- New way to channel funds to non- ing and Local Government Min- BN states ister, Ong Ka Chuan of the MCA, http://thestar.com.my/news/ has not got the message. story.asp?file=/2008/3/29/nation/ 20790252&sec=nation He’s saying that so-called “federal funds” will go to the BR-ruled GOPENG: Opposition-led states states through a separate feder- will continue to receive federal ally, i.e. BN, controlled channel. funds for development projects in This is spitting in the faces of the new villages through a mecha- people who voted in the BR nism expected to be set up by next governments. month, Housing and Local Gov- ernment Minister Datuk Ong Ka So, it looks like the people have to Chuan said. federal development officer (FDO) spit back. to take charge of federal funds and “We want to make sure that the a state development officer (SDO) In the first place, what “federal people will not lose out in terms who will only handle state funds. funds” is Ka Chuan going on of projects like roads and drain- about? His funds? age,” he said yesterday after at- “The FDO will receive and chan- tending a dinner function hosted nel federal funds to the ground for Let’s see: for election workers of Gopeng development,” said Ong, who is MCA division. the Tanjong Malim MP. Corporate taxes contribute about one third of federal revenue. Four states - Kedah, Penang, Perak He pointed out that federal funds These corporations are located in and Selangor - fell into the control for development projects in one or another state and, okay, the of the Opposition after the March Barisan Nasional-led states were federal territories of KL, Putrajaya 8 general election. being channelled directly to the and Labuan. state government through the Ong explained that the mecha- SDO, who also handled federal Income taxes contribute about a nism was for the states to have a funds. tenth of federal revenue. These

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 21 come from people living and personal income tax collected, stowed the title on himself. Later working in one or another state net of administrative costs. In Dr M had no objection when his and, okay, the federal territories fact, they will get more since admirers called him Bapa this and of KL, Putrajaya and Labuan. Penang and Selangor have a Bapa that — Bapa Modernisation, much higher income than Bapa Progress, Bapa Development, Sales and service taxes contribu- other states. Bapa Sharia etc. etc. His detrac- tion about 8 per cent of federal rev- • states to get a proportion of the tors called him Bapa Authoritar- enue. Again, these are paid by corporate tax paid by corpora- ian, Bapa Crooked Bridge, etc. people living and working in one tions operating in the state. or another state and, okay, the fed- Okay, this is a bit more com- Not very long ago, with great fan- eral territories plicated, but it can be propor- fare and at great cost, the North- tionate to the value-added in ern Triangle was launched to Let’s forget about stuff like road the state. bring about economic progress tax, import and export duties and and development to the northern the like. The three items listed If this can be done, let’s see their state and Medan. Obviously, the amount to over half the federal faces turn pucat again, as on elec- Northern Triangle became a revenue. tion night. And we can all yell square! This happens time and loudly, padan muka. We really time again when square heads sit As these clowns haven’t learnt a don’t want to have to do this, but at a round table to do development single thing, we have to hit them if they can’t learn any other way, planning. harder on the head. then so be it. Now it has become fashionable to Looks like even more than local But short of this, perhaps it’s time launch economic corridors — the council elections, what we need for civil society to consider a tax Northern Economic Corridor, is fiscal decentralisation. That’s strike, at least on personal income Southern Economic Corridor, the only way to force these goons taxes. Worth a thought? The Eastern Economic Corridor for and bullies to respect the people’s goons won’t have the resources to Trengganu and Kelantan as well democratic rights and not seek to go after a few million taxpayers as in East Malaysia. Economic subvert them at every opportunity. doing something like this and Corridor as expected and not to transparently — we do up our be outdone, Abdullah’s admirers Lawyers and legislators — please forms properly, and let it be have bestowed the title Bapa Cor- pore over the state constitutions known what we are doing. ridor on him. and the federal constitution and see whether there’s any way the I say, squeeze the bug***s! One wonders how many of these state governments can pass legis- “Corridors” are going to be suc- lation forcing such fiscal - Tingang cessful. Given the corrupt prac- decentralisation to cover at least tice of awarding “negotiated con- the following: Q Q Q Q Q tracts” — aka indecently over- Bapa Corridor priced projects awarded to politi- • states to get a proportion of the cal cronies, political leeches, sons, sales and service tax incurred The honoured title of Bapa Malay- daughters and sons-in-law, fam- in the state. sia was conferred by a grateful na- ily members or proxies for politi- • states to get a proportion of the tion on our beloved and revered cians with huge kickbacks for you personal income tax paid by founding father, Tunku Abdul know whom — will ensure that state residents. Let’s be fair, re- Rahman. At one time a very an- those who stride the corridors of spect our fellow Malaysians, gry but probably a very envious power will be bloated by ill-gotten and don’t ask for more than the Dr M, because of the nation’s adu- gains. Many with vested interests state’s proportion of the total lation of Tunku, made a very rude will be on the gravy train. population. If this can be done, and insulting comment that peo- the five states under the BR ple call themselves Bapa this and Tota will get at least half of the total Bapa that meaning that Tunku be- Q Q Q Q Q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 22 Give us this day our failed to realise the error of their daily bread ways and so failed to mend them. In the General Elections the popu- When Dr M attempted to seek elec- lace exclaimed in one voice: tion as a delegate from Kubang “Dumb animals they!”and threw Pasu to the UMNO General As- them out of office. sembly, many Malaysians wondered why he was stooping so So, dear Pakatan Rakyat draw a low. When he was rejected by his lesson from this story about the ex-constituents, he cut a forlorn, King of Kings, Nebuchadnezzar. indeed a pathetic figure. His so- got what he wanted. We wish his Govern the five states with vision, called blood brothers in UMNO bread company success. After all, wisdom, justice, transparency turned into bloody brothers and half a loaf is better than no bread. and accountability. You were mercilessly savaged him. I was voted in on a non-ethnicity based reminded of Tennyson’s Ulysses Like Ulysses Dr M need not lament platform. Your squabbling over exclaiming in despair: that his people “know not me”. who should be Menteri Besar and He has joined the brigade of the who should be councillors, based “It little profits that an idle King ubiquitous Malaysian “bread- on ethnic quotas, was a disgrace. By this still hearth, among these bar- man”. Ting, ting, ting. Be wise and brave not to get stuck ren crags in the ethnicity rut like the BN. Matched with an aged wife, I mete Loafer and dole Q Q Q Q Q There is a perception that it is the Unequal laws unto a savage race, BN which provides the clowns in That hoard and sleep, and feed ...... ” Dumbos aplenty Parliament. The failure of the Pakatan Rakyat parliamentarians From mega projects Dr M has In his story ‘The White Bull’, to submit questions for the next come full circle to launching tiny- Voltairre relates this episode session of Parliament is unbeliev- weeny projects. Finally, his Look about Nebuchadnezzar, King of able. The reasons: “I didn’t East Policy appears to have borne the Babylonian Empire. know”, “I forgot”, “I was busy fruit or, shall I say, bread. Dr M, doing constituency work” speak in partnership with a Japanese en- “Every morning, the peoples of not only of their slothfulness but trepreneur, has started a bakery this vast realm would chant: also irresponsibility. It is a clear chain — The Loaf. Dr M was betrayal of the faith and truth put never known for managing the Long live great Nebuchadnezzar, in them by the rakyat. Shame on nation’s finances prudently and King of Kings. No longer a dumb all of you. now even if he feels an inner de- animal he!” sire to run amok with the chain’s The titanic sank on its maiden finances, his Japanese partner “And ever afterwards it was the voyage in 1912. These Pakatan will pull the brakes on him. custom in Babylon, each time a Rakyat chaps have sunk even be- ruler (having been grossly de- fore commencing their parliamen- His defeat at Kubang Pasu left him ceived tary voyage! deeply bitter and indifferent to by his satraps, or his magi, or his UMNO affairs. According to treasurers, or his wives) recog- If the Pakatan Rakyat does not Kahlil Gibran, the renowned nised the error of his ways and watch it, sooner than the next four Lebanese poet, “If you bake bread duly mended them, for the entire years or so, the rakyat will gather with indifference, you bake a bit- populace to shout out at his gate: at your gate and exclaim: “Dumb ter bread that feeds but half man’s animals they!” and the inevitable hunger.” “Long live our great King who is will follow. You will be a victim no longer dumb!” of tsunami. Since his retirement Dr M has not had his way and neither has he The little ‘Kings’ in five states Tota

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 23 JUDICIARY 1988 Judicial Crisis: Remove their burden and set them free We, as caring human beings with the means to rectify a terrible wrong, must act to remove this wrong and set them free. by P Ramakrishnan

Salleh Abas George Seah Wan Suleiman

Azmi Hj Kamaruddin Eusoffe Abdoolcader Wan Hamzah

‘It was the Barisan Nasional that destroyed the judiciary in its desire to make it subservient to the Executive.’

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 24 liran welcomes the tice. Some even hailed Malay- ways been Aliran’s stand that AAA Prime Minister’s an- sia’s judiciary as a model for they were wrongly and falsely AA nouncement that a Ju- other countries – independent charged and convicted by a dicial Appointments and credible.” kangaroo court. We want this Commission will be appointed wrong to be undone and the so that the nomination, ap- Indeed our judiciary had such injustice to be exorcised. We pointment and promotion of a high standing in the interna- want them to be rescued from judges will be carried out in a tional community that our the shameful episode of the ‘transparent and representa- judges were greatly respected. past so that they can heave a tive manner’. This is something Some of their judgments stand sigh of relief and say, “Free, the civil society has been fight- as landmark decisions to this at last!.” ing for ever since the Judicial day and are looked upon as Crisis of 1988. This is a posi- truly great judicial pronounce- To achieve this it is necessary tive move to redeem the judi- ments. to visit the past to put things ciary that has been rotting in right. We have to re-examine the doldrums these past 20 The six judges who were - this time through a Commis- years. made victims of a political plot sion of Inquiry - the circum- to subjugate the judiciary in stances surrounding the crisis Indeed, it was the Barisan 1988 were men of integrity, to verify that the charges lev- Nasional that destroyed the ju- representing the best tradi- elled against the six judges diciary in its desire to make it tions of the judiciary. Three of were without merit and that subservient to the Executive. these brave and honest judges the composition of the tribu- In this scheme of things, ques- were unjustly sacked only be- nals itself was a travesty of jus- tionable judges were ap- cause there were judges who tice. Aliran totally disagrees pointed and promoted so that were willing to do the bidding with the Prime Minister’s con- they would be beholden to the of the Executive. The Execu- tention, “I do not think it wise Executive. tive thought that they could or helpful to revisit past deci- sully the names and tarnish sions as it would only serve to We have witnessed shocking the reputation of these upright prolong the sense of crisis – judgments that denigrated the judges in its wicked scheme to something our nation can do judiciary and bewildered liti- achieve their political aim of without.” gants who had turned to the turninng the judiciary into a judiciary in seeking justice. convenient tool to serve it. This You are wrong, Mr Prime Min- How can we reconcile our- it achieved and that is why in ister. These judges have suf- selves to the fact that deserv- these last 20 years the judici- fered long enough. The pain ing litigants were robbed of ary has lost its lustre and in- and anguish that they and their their just dues because of a cor- tegrity as an institution serv- family had to undergo and en- rupted judiciary? Who will ing the cause of justice. dure cannot be compensated undo these wrongs and bring by ex-gratia payments. The to justice the dubious judges The Prime Minister is aware of burden of the false and wrong who had betrayed their oath the outstanding qualities of accusation must be removed of office to uphold justice? these judges when he stated, formally so that they will be “...the government would like seen and viewed as innocent In referring to the 1988 Judi- to recognise the contributions victims of a tyrannical govern- cial Crisis, the Prime Minister of these six judges to the na- ment. We, as caring human be- openly acknowledged the re- tion, their commitment to- ings with the means to rectify vered stature of the judiciary wards upholding justice ....” a terrible wrong, must act to then. He mentioned, “Many remove this wrong and set felt that the judiciary then was Then why were these judges them free. q a venerable institution which of sterling qualities convicted could be trusted to deliver jus- by a farcical tribunal? It has al- 18 April 2008

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 25 TRANSPORT Dangerous cargo transportation: How serious are we? Players in the shipping industry are puzzled at the Port Klang Authority’s about turn in liberalising the issuance of Container Packing Certificates by Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan

ow serious is the govern- Safety a serious and handling, and emergency HH ment on safety issues in business response action. HHH the shipping industry especially in the trans- At the global level, UN Recom- Among others, dangerous goods portation of dangerous goods? mendations on the Transport of are explosives, gases, flammable Dangerous Goods adopted by the gases, non-flammable, non-toxic Previous Transport Minister UN Committee of Experts on the gases, toxic gases, flammable liq- Chan Kong Choy always urged Transport of Dangerous Goods in uids, flammable solids, sub- transport and logistics industry Geneva in December 2000 takes stances liable to spontaneous players to take safety issues more very serious issue with the trans- combustion, substances which in seriously. He stressed that in the portation of dangerous goods. contact with water emit flamma- race to improve efficiency, safety ble gases, flammable solids, self- must not be compromised nor These recommendations followed reactive substances and desensi- should it take a back seat. In his the introduction of the Interna- tised explosives, substances liable speech at the Chartered Institute tional Maritime Dangerous Goods to spontaneous combustion, oxi- of Logistics and Transport (CILT) (IMDG) Code as a uniform inter- dising substances, organic Awards Nite recently, he com- national code for the transport of peroxides, toxic and infectious plained that safety issues had not dangerous goods by sea. Govern- substances, radioactive material, been given the emphasis it de- ments including Malaysia have corrosive substances and miscel- serves. been urged to adopt a uniform in- laneous dangerous substances ternational code for the transport and articles. The recent talk of the town on the of such dangerous goods by sea other hand suggests that the Klang as contained in the 1960 Interna- Since it requires Contracting Gov- Port Authority (LPK), which tional Convention for the Safety ernments to ensure that port facil- comess under the Transport Min- of Life at Sea (Solas). ity security assessments are seri- istry, is not taking the minister’s ously carried out, port facility se- words or the UN recommendation For maritime safety the Code curity plans are required to be de- on the transport of dangerous lays down basic principle; developed, implemented and re- goods seriously. Not unlike other tailed recommendations for in- viewed in accordance with the sectors, the Malaysia Boleh culture dividual substances, materials ISPS Code. This requires compa- probably exhibits habits of react- and articles; and a number of nies in the business “to designate ing only when serious upheaval recommendations for good op- a person or persons ashore hav- happens. Is LPK waiting for some erational practice including ad- ing direct access to the highest serious accident involving deaths vice on terminology, packing, level of management” for certifi- probably before it reacts? Maybe. labelling, stowage, segregation cation purposes.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 26 It was agreed that there was a need making the transportation of such container in compliance with the to review and strengthen require- hazardous cargo not only risky but requirement of the IMDG ments for Dangerous Cargo En- expensive too. dorsements (DCEs) to terminal To its credit, several local survey personnel and cargo surveyors. LPK’s puzzling companies rose to the occasion Amendments were hence made to about-turn and sent their best candidates to guidelines for the authorisation of sit for the exams, whose passing organisations acting on behalf of In Malaysia, the Transport Min- standards was understandably the administration (Resolution istry delegates the responsibility kept high by the LPK. Most of A.739(18)) which are mandatory of such safety implementation these companies invested heavily under Solas chapter XI-1 to require and enforcement to its Port Au- in the training, preparation of the the use of only exclusive survey- thorities one of which is LPK analysing and surveying system, ors and auditors for surveys and whose recent repeated about-turn and supporting infrastructure in- certification which the member decision-making on the issue cluding expansion of their offices. states are expected to implement proved mind boggling on the CPC and enforce as well as maintain issue, which actually forms part Overnight, the LPK was said to as high as possible standards of of the export documentation and have become a role model and implementation exercising vigi- is hence a very serious matter. other neighbouring ports suppos- lance at all times. edly showed keenness in emulat- First it was pathetic enough for ing the system LPK had put in In its latest resolution on Oceans LPK to allow any Tom, Dick or place to garner support, coopera- and the Law of the Sea, the UN Harry, even a dispatch clerk, to tion and compliance in ensuring General Assembly welcomed the sign the ‘Container Packing Cer- the safety of people, ports, ships, entry into force of the ISPS Code tificate’ better known as the CPC cargoes, containers, warehouses and related amendments to Solas knowing very well that it concerns and all parties involved in the and, among other things, urged all grave safety issue and exposed to handling of these dangerous states to work with the IMO to pro- claims running into hundreds of goods. mote safe and secure shipping. million dollars. Ships have caught fire and were totally Just as soon as the ports, local in- At the 2000 Millennium Summit, scrapped merely from a simple surance companies, shipping Secretary-General Kofi Annan re- neglect of wrongful or non-decla- lines from all over the world, P & I marked, “We will not enjoy devel- ration of Dangerous Cargoes. Clubs, Federation of Malaysian opment without security, we will Manufacturers, genuine exporters not enjoy security without devel- Probably finally realising its sig- and importers, and foreign ports opment, and we will not enjoy ei- nificance and consequence and began fully supporting and prais- ther without respect for human the colossal risk it poses and on ing the move by the LPK - sup- dignity. Unless all these causes the face of its commitment to the posedly to reduce risks, tremen- are advanced, none will suc- IMO, LPK decided to properly dously improves safety stand- ceed.” implement CPC by organising it ards, reduce costs and eliminate to be issued by properly trained the chances of any irresponsible Safety at sea is a serious business. competent and independent sur- compromise to safety, the LPK Each accidental claim comes to veyors. made a sudden about turn and hundreds of million. In a recent threw everything into the sea. case, the whole ship had to be It can only be a smart move for Overnight, the LPK became a scrapped because a toxic spill from LPK to ensure the CPC is issued laughing stock in the Industry. a dozen or so containers damaged only by ‘independent surveyors’ the ship beyond repair. They took (qualified, competent and well All of a sudden everything in this the case to court and swiftly won. trained) as a neutral party to sign CPC was scrapped by the LPK, No wonder that insurance compa- and certify the CPC in order to en- regretfully tossing everything into nies are wary of such coverages sure that dangerous goods are disarray. Players in the entire ship- and charge exorbitant premiums packed, stuffed and secured in the ping industry players who han-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 27 dle dangerous cargo are puzzled at the childish attitude of the LPK. BN did badly in the recent elections People have begun to question the sincerity of our Transport Minis- A ‘medical’ perspective ter. While he speaks of safety, his people down the line are doing ith the thrashing that deadly H5N1 (bird flu) vi- just the opposite. One wonders WWW they got in the 12th. rus which manifests itself where the LPK gets its impunity? GE, the BN is now in in the form of idiocy or semi- Before the saga of the Free Zone ICU and they are do- idiocy, thus the descriptor: saga can settle, the LPK, to every- ing a post mortem to find out half past six (HP6). Many one’s amazement, has come up what happened. members of the BN are in- with another major disappoint- fected. ment. . To help BN with this task, the • VD - Very Deaf. Did not lis- following medical report has ten to the grievances of the Professionals such as auditors, been prepared to identify the rakyat and did not heed the lawyers, accountants, doctors, diseases/illnesses that have healthy advice and feed- and company secretaries are li- been plaguing it and how these back from bloggers. censed by the authorities to en- ailments have caused this sick- • Colour Blind - a form of sure they are competent enough ening organisation to become visual impairment which is to shoulder their heavy responsi- so sick that major surgery is directly the opposite of be- bilities. So why is it that when it now being considered. ing colour blind. There is a comes to independent surveyors fixation on color and every- (who issue the CPC for dangerous Diagnosis thing must always be dis- good cargoes), the LPK now wants • Overeating - gorged them- cussed in terms of ‘colour’ - to allow the issuance of CPC to be selves and ate too much of Malay, Chinese, Indian etc. liberalised? Should any Tom, the people’s money • Liver problems - failure to Dick and Harry be allowed to is- • Heart failure - did not have de-Liver on promises sue such critical export docu- a heart to really care about • ‘Inverted Cerebranus - a ments? the rakyat new form of disease where • Rectal cancer and constipa- the cerebrum and anus are The people are calling upon the tion - did not expel all the transposed causing highly Transport Ministry to overhaul s*** from the system irrational and objectionable the running of the LPK. We need • Diabetes - fondness for behaviour, like brandishing more serious and more responsi- sweet things, i.e. saying ancient weapons and rant- ble people to run the place - not sweet things to try and con ing racial slurs and threats haphazard decision-making the rakyat (in plain English, stooges in such responsible lying) PrognosisPrognosisPrognosis places. The message must be clear. • Stroke - stroked too much of Not good and definitely a ter- Anyone that plays around with their own ego and became minal case. Chances of recov- safety issues should be booted out, too arrogant ery are one in a gadzillion, no matter how much influence • Overworking - too busy run- about the same odds as Osama they have with the Minister him- ning here and there cutting converting to the Jewish faith self, as is popularly believed. Ma- deals for own benefit and becoming a messenger of laysia is moving forward. We • Alzheimer’s - forgot to play world peace. cannot compromise on safety. the proper role of an elected Only fully competent and licensed representative CureCureCure persons should issue CPC Certifi- • Obsessive-compulsive neu- No known cure. Euthanasia cates. Nothing less is acceptable. rosis - obsession with clean- recommended. Suggest drink- ing, especially sweeping ing lacquer – at least it will en- Can Ong Tee Keat , the Transport things under the carpet sure a beautiful finish. - Politi-Politi-Politi- Minister, rise to the challenge? q • HP6 - a mutation of the cal doctordoctorcal q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 28 The BN’s defeat was inevitable. The BN’s arrogance failed to ac- knowledge the genuine grievances or address the needs of the many marginalised communities. Even middle class Malaysians turned their backs on the BN for practising double standards and discriminatory policies that only benefited their cronies and party functionaries.

Fifty years of patience - waiting for reforms and just policies - had finally worn thin. At long last, the voters decided that benefits would A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. not come their way under the BN. So they collectively decided to vote for change. A new dawn in ment-controlled media: radio, tel- Malaysian politics evision and newspapers. The one- As a result, from Kedah to all the sided onslaught on the Opposi- way to Selangor, their indigna- Aliran salutes the brave and car- tion was the worst we have seen tion and frustration was felt. They ing Malaysians who coura- thus far. delivered these states into the geously voted for change. This vic- hands of the Opposition. tory by the Opposition is all the In spite of money, media and more remarkable when compared machinery brought to bear on It is Aliran’s hope that the Oppo- with the shameless way the the Opposition, ordinary sition will not squander away this Barisan Nasional fought this elec- Malaysians have delivered a opportunity to bring about the tion. The entire weight of the so- verdict that condemns the BN promised change that will make called BN caretaker government for all the abuses and arrogance a tangible difference to all those was deployed against the Oppo- of the past; for all the corruption who gave this massive support to sition, denying them space and and misuse of government the Opposition. opportunity in all the govern- funds; for all the wastage with- ment-controlled media: radio, tel- out being accountable; for the We hope that there will not be any evision and newspapers. The one- rights and freedoms that have struggle for position and power. sided onslaught on the Opposi- been denied to the common peo- We hope that they will behave as tion was the worst we have seen ple; for every thing that was servants of the people – not their thus far. Aliran salutes the brave deemed to be unfair and unjust. masters - always placing the citi- and caring Malaysians who cou- zens’ interest above everything rageously voted for change. The thinking voters debunked the else. theory that “there was no other This victory by the Opposition is viable coalition in the country”. Aliran would like to propose that all the more remarkable when They rejected the notion that there within a month of taking office, compared with the shameless way was only one choice i.e. the BN. these Opposition-controlled the Barisan Nasional fought this They realised that there was an- states would come out with a re- election. The entire weight of the other choice i.e. the Opposition. port that will in a very transpar- so-called BN caretaker govern- They could not be fooled by all the ent manner reveal the financial ment was deployed against the political theories and media hype position of these states. The peo- Opposition, denying them space to project the BN as their only sav- ple would like to know whether and opportunity in all the govern- iour. these states are financially insol-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 29 vent or bankrupted by the previ- aged by these words. We hope that drives home the fact that no com- ous BN governments. We would they will go beyond rhetoric and munity has been marginalised by like to know how much of the state set an example that is worthy of this government. The Penang funds have been parked in Off our trust and confidence in the State Government truly represents Budget Agencies. We want to new governance that is promised the multi-faceted character and know whether there are enough for Penang. composition of our nation. This is funds for the newly elected gov- a remarkable attempt to make eve- ernments to implement policies Aliran is particularly impressed ryone feel that he or she is very beneficial to the people. with the announcement that the much part and parcel of this coun- Chief Minister, “along with all his try which we call our dear home. We urge these governments to exco members, state assembly appoint independent and compe- speaker, deputy speaker and the We hope and pray that these no- tent auditors to go through the respective heads of the Penang ble endeavours of the newly account books thoroughly with a Island Municipal Council (MPPP) elected government will not be fine tooth-comb and release a re- and Seberang Prai Municipal derailed for whatever reason. We port to the public that will give a Council (MPSP) would be making hope and pray that no one from clear financial picture of these a public declaration of their per- this government will jump party states. Besides, this helps to make sonal assets”. and frustrate the voters of Penang good the promise made by the who have so decisively and cou- Opposition to be transparent and For the last three decades Aliran rageously voted for change. accountable to the rakyat. had been calling for all elected and appointed officials to declare Aliran wishes the new State Gov- In conclusion, Aliran would like their assets so that we could ernment of Penang all the best. to congratulate the Opposition on watch out for any ill-gotten for- a well-deserved victory that prom- tunes. The Barisan Nasional had Aliran pledges to the public that ises the birth of a new dawn in brushed aside all these demands Aliran will be as critical of this Malaysian politics. and went about running the government as it has always been States and the Councils the way of the BN when things are not P Ramakrishnan they chose to – without being ac- done right. President countable and transparent to the 9 March 2008 public. Aliran Executive Committee 12 March 2008 Penang state govt We are heartened that the State starts off Government “would also attempt Missing files: to restore local government elec- on right footing An attempt to hide or tions before the end of its term”. Aliran congratulates the new This is another issue that Aliran destroy incriminating Penang State Government for tak- and the other NGOs have been evidence? ing off on the right footing. It advocating for many, many years. speaks for their courage, their in- Again, the BN ignored the senti- Aliran is shocked and disturbed tegrity, their ethics and their comments of the vast majority of to learn that “all government mitment to good governance. They Malaysians and refused to restore documents and minutes of the are truly living up to their election local government elections. out-going Barisan Nasional promises to inject into politics (BN) government” in Penang transparency and accountability. The appointment of two Deputy have been removed surrepti- Chief Ministers, which is unprec- tiously from the seat of the gov- Aliran welcomes the Chief Minis- edented in the 50 years of ernment building, Komtar. It is ter’s pledge, “We want to run a Malaysian history, is another understood that “all records of state administration free from plus for the State Government. Not projects, completed or on-going, cronyism, corruption and system- that Aliran is overtly concerned approved by the previous gov- atic inefficiency.” We are encour- with ethnic representation but it ernment, were missing.” It is

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 30 obvious that all these important ported, important documents We have learnt that he has in- documents were deliberately re- were in fact shredded. structed heads of schools in moved by BN Exco members Penang to “play safe” and not in- from their offices following their Is there a plot to hide or destroy vite State Government leaders and loss in the recent elections. This these documents because they other elected representatives as conduct is unbecoming of pre- may contain incriminating evi- VIPs and guests of honour to grace viously elected officials who dence that might implicate cer- or officiate functions. were in charge of various port- tain top echelon officials and folios. It should have been very cause problems for the former Does the State Deputy Director of apparent from the very begin- BN state governments? This is Education recognise these leaders ning that the in-coming govern- entirely possible as we have wit- and officials as elected representa- ment would need these docu- nessed so much abuse in the tives of the people? Just because ments for continuity and for ref- way contracts were awarded they don’t come from the Barisan erence purposes. and in the manner certain devel- Nasional, do they stop being our opment projects were launched state leaders? These are official documents or undertaken. There has also and cannot be considered by any been questionable conduct in the The Deputy Director is treading stretch of imagination as private alienation of state land to cer- on dangerous grounds. When he property of those holding their tain individuals deemed to be shows scant respect to our state respective portfolios. These close to the source of power. leaders, what kind of example is documents were a record of he setting for others to follow? what was done and undertaken The Prime Minister must direct on behalf of the government by his defeated BN officials to behave It is a matter of grave regret that these officials for the good of the honourably and return all these he has put into motion and people. A complete record of documents to the present state sidelined and ignored State lead- these documents pertaining to government. Failing which, these ers and other elected representa- their portfolios must be avail- newly elected state governments tives from participating and being able and should have been made should take up this matter with involved in functions organised available to the in-coming gov- the courts to recover all these docu- by schools and his department. ernment. That would reflect ments which are the property of good governance and would be the respective state governments. Is this why the Penang Schools in keeping with ethical conduct Sports Council (MSSPP) meet in in a democracy. Aliran Executive Committee Batu Kawan this week will be of- 19 March 2008 ficially closed by a senior official It is reported “that executive coun- from the Education Department cillors of the previous administra- Penang Education instead of, according to the usual tion had been directed to remove tradition, the Penang Chief Min- these files from the offices.” Who Deputy Director ister? directed them and under what should stop authority were they directed to do playing politics Aliran would like the Minister of this? Will the State Secretary, Education to clarify publicly Datuk Jamaludin Hasan, provide Aliran is perturbed that the whether he condones the stand us with some clarification on this Penang State Deputy Director of taken by the Penang State Deputy report? Education, who is a civil servant, Director of Education. It is a clari- instead of discharging his duties fication that he owes to the peo- The episode of the missing files pertaining to education, has un- ple of Malaysia and which is anx- were not confined only to Penang. fortunately directed his attention iously awaited by all caring and There seems to be a pattern in the to matters of politics. This is con- concerned Malaysians. way important files went missing. duct unbecoming of a civil serv- This happened in Kedah as well - ant and must be condemned in no Aliran executive committee whereas in Selangor, it was re- uncertain words. 26 March 2008

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 31 In appreciation of amicable, with government offi- educated in good, clean, law-abid- Penang state govt’s cials taking a high-handed stance ing business practices that would support for Cepat and resorting to less than courte- prove far more profitable than the campaign ous responses to Cepat members malpractices they have adopted. in this dialogue. In contrast, the new PR Penang Aliran welcomes and appreciates Let chairman Markiman be re- government has shown itself more the Penang state government’s minded also that Cepat had in- for the public interest and the in- extension of support to the Citi- vited him to come to Penang sev- terest of the State, and has, zens for Public Transport (Cepat) eral times before he apparently amongst other things, started off in their campaign for an efficient consented to visit the state. And on the right footing. We hope this and affordable public transport that he had demanded, or rather positive attitude of making the system in the state. ‘commanded’ Cepat’s representa- public interest a priority will con- tives to go to his ex-constituency tinue. YB Chow Kon Yeow’s expression in Hulu Langat, Selangor, to dis- of support for Cepat’s proposed cuss with him the transport prob- Angeline Loh legal action against the Commer- lems in Penang. Executive Committee Member. cial Vehicle Licensing Board 9 April 2008. (CVLB) for neglect of its statutory Penangites have waited 15 years duty is a refreshing change from for proper public bus transporta- P Uthayakumar - the habitual resistance and lip tion and an efficient public trans- service of former BN state govern- port system. The reaction of Callous treatment ment representative Dr. Teng Penangites when Rapid Penang of a human being Hock Nan and the CVLB. first started running was that of utter disbelief. People actually Aliran is shocked to learn that Aliran is also heartened to know wondered if the new public bus Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar that the Pakatan Rakyat state gov- transportation was really there for who is under ISA detention is ernment is prepared to take the them to use and how long it would being treated inhumanely. We issue of the CVLB’s slothful ne- last. Given the inconsistency and find it difficult to believe that a glect of its public statutory duties record of poor maintenance of country that has exalted the vir- to Parliament and to express ‘no public facilities by the former BN tues of Islam Hadari could be so confidence’ in the CVLB. State government, this was under- callous in the treatment of a hu- standable. man being - which is hard to be- We also wish to refute CVLB lieve or accept. chairman Markiman Kobiran’s Markiman Kobiran and the CVLB statement that he has not been have been given sufficient oppor- Uthayakumar, who is diabeti,c given any evidence of the unsat- tunity to alleviate and improve has been wickedly denied his isfactory public transport situa- the situation of the public trans- daily medication even though the tion in Penang. The CVLB chair- port chaos in Penang and should Kamunting detention authorities man is reminded of the April 2007 now take responsibility for per- had been informed of his health meeting in the Penang state gov- mitting it to worsen. problems. His fiancee S Indradevi ernment’s Komtar office. Hard had also handed Uthayakumar’s documented evidence was pro- The CVLB is also responsible for medication to the Kamunting De- vided by Cepat members with a allowing the flouting of licensing tention Centre’s administration in Powerpoint presentation and laws that support and perpetuate the belief that it would be handed statement of the problems by the ‘pajak’ system. It does not even over to him. But this had not hap- Cepat coordinator Dr. Choong Sim seem to have helped those com- pened. She reportedly said that he Poey at that meeting. panies engaging in such illegal had written six letters previously bus leasing to increase their prof- to the prison’s director but the di- The meeting with the CVLB chair- its or put better buses on the road. rector did not respond in any way. man was, regrettably, less than These companies should be re- The medicines were prescribed by

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 32 a doctor in January. international community. difficult to keep accurate count of these numbers. Even the UN refu- As a result of this gross negligence P Ramakrishnan gee agency in Malaysia cannot be and wanton cruelty, President completely certain that statistics Uthayakumar had fallen ill and 11 April 2008 do not change everyday. had to be hospitalised. His dia- betic reading was 18.8 - something Violence against Refugee communities have repeat- that is worrying. If he does not refugees continues edly sent out press releases to non- receive his regular medication, he governmental organisations to can be subjected to various related Aliran would like to bring to pub- appeal for a stop to the arrest and illnesses associated with diabe- lic attention the continuing vio- detention of their community tes. His kidneys may be affected lence perpetrated against mi- members, including pregnant and his eye sight may be in dan- grants and refugees in this coun- women, mothers with babies, ger - just to mention a few ailments try. It is amazing that the public small children and minors. They related to diabetes. We also under- at large is still ignorant of all this have often described the cruel and stand that his protein and uric lev- human rights violation happen- inhuman treatment they experi- els are dangerously high. ing right under our noses. Moreo- ence at the hands of Rela and the ver, most of the Malaysian public abuse perpetrated in immigration His medical condition would re- remain ignorant of who refugees detention centres. This abuse quire him to go on a strict diet but are or why they are here. ranges from being beaten up, sexu- this doesn’t seem to be the con- ally abused, raped and financially cern of the Kamunting authorities. The cause of this ignorance is extorted, to the whipping of mi- They do not seem to take respon- probably brought about by limited nors. sibility for the welfare of a de- information and the negative tainee under their care. His views promoted by the main- Such acts, if committed by any younger brother was reported as stream news dailies and broad- other Malaysian citizen, would be saying that despite his condition cast media, which is still under seen as criminal. Yet when they he was forced to consume food the complete control of the ruling are committed by those in author- which was high in sugar and Barisan Nasional government. ity - through the so-called ‘secu- starch. rity forces’ like Rela - against help- In our view, negative publicity less migrants and refugees, they Aliran wishes to emphasise that that incites violence against any very often go unnoticed and un- a detainee does not forfeit his right group of human beings by any punished. The current Home Af- to medical care under whatever party is unjust and by its nature, fairs Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, circumstance. As a human being, criminal, especially when the vic- has not publicly taken a stand on he is entitled to receive medical tims of such violence are defence- this issue. Instead, the raids on attention like any other less and have not harmed anyone. these defenceless refugee commu- Malaysian. And his family has a nities have been stepped up, af- right to be notified when a de- What have the on-going violent fecting even those officially recog- tainee is hospitalised. This is crackdowns by Rela gained for nised by the United Nations High something very basic in a civi- Malaysian society? It has obvi- Commissioner for Refugees and lised society. ously done nothing for Malaysia who have UNHCR documents to except to give us a bad image in- prove their status. Kamunting authorities need to be ternationally as a cruel and heart- given an urgent course on human less nation. The issue of refugees is not a new decency so that they will react as one. It has in fact been an issue for human beings and treat others Have refugees from other coun- over 30 years since the Vietnam under their care with dignity and tries undergoing internal political War in the 1970s. Since then, other compassion. So far their conduct upheaval or conflict stopped com- countries in the region have been has been disgraceful, deserving ing here or has there been a reduc- gripped by turmoil and hardship, condemnation from the civilised tion in numbers? No. It is in fact but few Malaysians are aware of

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 33 the long-standing suffering in recognition of refugees by immi- Minister’s post-election promise to these countries. gration authorities in this coun- keep all ears open to comments, try. criticism and information that Do we think this does not affect might serve as useful feedback to us? Aliran also urges the rakyat to sup- the federal government. port calls for the federal govern- The excuse by the Government ment to ratify the 1951 UN Refu- Even more confounding is that the that treating refugees humanely is gee Convention and other inter- Home Ministry’s action suggests a ‘pull-factor’ for more to arrive national human rights conven- that important lessons from the on our shores is a fallacy. Neither tions. The public is also reminded electoral results — one of which ill-treatment nor deportation has that Malaysia is an elected mem- is that the party didn’t feel care- served to stop the influx of mi- ber of the UN Human Rights fully the nation’s pulse on the grants, whether documented or Council and should live up to this ground — have been lost on the undocumented. The fundamental role in the international commu- ruling BN. problem is the lack of a proper cor- nity, instead of embarrassing us ruption- free immigration control by being a notorious perpetrator Equally disturbing is that the rul- system and clear- cut policies for of human rights violations. ing BN seems to have recoiled to different categories of migrants. its old fossilised self, refusing to The non-recognition of refugees Aliran again reiterates its support respond and adapt adequately to and the lack of empathy for their for calls by other civil society the new political realities. It is still plight have tarnished our image. groups, including the Bar Coun- incapable of appreciating the im- The use of Rela only puts migrants cil and Suara Rakyat Malaysia, for portance of freedom of expression and refugees as well as sections the abolition of Rela. and of the media. of the Malaysian public in fear because of the indiscriminate Aliran Executive Committee. The Home Ministry should take raids often carried out in the mid- 11 April 2008 note of the Information Minister’s dle of the night. recent remarks that the credibility of the mainstream media has been Rela seems to be acting with im- Makkal Osai ban perceived by the general public as punity and getting away with acts and 'open ears' wanting. of violence against migrants and don't sit well together refugees. This makes Malaysian We call upon the government to society appear inhuman as it ap- Charter 2000-Aliran is appalled grant the publishing permit to pears to overlook such gratuitous at the Home Ministry’s rejection Makkal Osai without delay. In fact, violence. of a permit application by the the government should repeal all Makkal Osai management — restrictive media laws and insti- The recent denial of a two-thirds which is presumably due to the tute a Freedom of Information Act majority for the BN and the victo- Tamil daily’s coverage of the Op- in the near future. ries of the opposition Pakatan position besides giving the BN Rakyat in five states have shown wider coverage. Dr Mustafa K Anuar & Anil Netto us that we can bring about Coordinators, Charter 2000-Aliran changes for the betterment of the This makes a mockery of the Prime 17 April 2008 country, if we want to.

Similarly, the rakyat can put pressure for the new Parliament to address the issue of migrants and refugees more seriously and to come up with more comprehensive and humane immigration policies, which would include the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 34 CIVIL SOCIETY Continued from page 40 the other hand, has only 700,000 Ahmad Chik then spoke about the arts in residents. One possibility is to Penang. Penang has rich and di- turn unused back-lanes in hous- verse cultures with home-grown ing areas into green spaces. singers, actors, and poets. We need to support the arts as it cre- Cross-channel ates a sense of identity and social rail link and political expression. It would also have a positive impact on the Citizens for Public Transport youth. A culturally vibrant place (Cepat) coordinator Dr S P Choong can attract professionals to work then spoke about the traffic snarls in Penang. in Penang. Public transport should be seen as an essential But there is a lack of performance public service and subsidies are light rail link to start from venues and rehearsal spaces, high needed, he stressed. What we need Butterworth and Prai and end up rental costs and last-minute can- is a pro-public transport environ- near the outskirts of George Town cellations. Too many permits and ment. with a good bus feeder system. He high deposits. More arts events said that the ferry service should and festivals are needed, featur- He observed that Penangites are be expanded rather than reduced ing diverse cultural groups to car-dependent because cars are as it is a delightful and practical bring audiences together and to seen as a necessity. It is a neces- way to commute. provide space for local artistes to sity because there is a planning perform. culture framed by a mindset Perhaps another possibility is an which feels that public transport integrated subway system be- Stage actor Himanshu Bhatt noted will never come. So there is a pro- tween the island and mainland, that there is no dearth of cultural car environment: streets are wid- said another, while a third par- facilities going on but what is re- ened, pedestrian walkways are ticipant wondered how there quired is more publicity for these narrowed, one-way streets intro- could be a shift in the mindset of events. duced. It is dangerous to even cy- Penangites to turn to public trans- cle. Penang has one of the highest port. World Heritage listing vehicle ownership per capita in Malaysia - higher than Singapore Another argued that the taxi serv- Heritage conservationist Loh- and it is rising 10 per cent annu- ice should be improved with the Lim Lin Lee then briefed the audi- ally. use of meters enforced so that ence on the world heritage listing more people would be encouraged for Penang. The application that One academic said we should to use this mode of transport. has been submitted is titled “His- also consider the rural situation toric Cities of the Straits: Malacca and the situation in Seberang Prai Lin Lee recommended the O-bahn and George Town”. She listed the in the forum. system found in Adelaide. It uses advantages of a heritage listing: ordinary roads with a special fleet economic returns/appreciation A priority now is to do everything of buses. As it exits the city it uses in value, new business opportu- possible now to make subsidised an electrical rail system on river nities, increase in tourists, and public transport system like embankments. And it is cost effi- prestige. Conservation is needed Rapid Penang work, said cient. to protect heritage values and pre- Choong. serve cultural significance for Supporting the arts present and future generations. One participant suggested that Unesco requires a heritage man- the second bridge be a dedicated Ethnomusicologist Tan Sooi Beng agement plan.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 35 Threats arising from a heritage movement. Workers who are ac- What is good for them is good for listing include tremendous devel- tive in unions can sometimes find everyone e.g. ramps, lifts, bigger opment pressure, population themselves harassed by manage- toilets, signages, larger print, and pressure, environment pressure, ment. disabled friendly public transport. and uncontrolled tourism. Par- A by-law in force since 1993 re- ticipation of and benefit for local One of the demands is three quires all buildings to provide communities is critical. Local com- months’ maternity leave and one disabled access. Planning should munities should be empowered month paternity leave. The other be inclusive in its design and con- and should enjoy the tangible demand is RM900 minimum ception. benefits. wage and RM300 cost of living allowance and not more than 40 Students One participant brought to atten- hours work a week. are humans too! tion the importance of public li- braries, which should be an essen- Jerit, an NGO coalition struggling Next, a university student spelt tial component for cultural strate- for the rights of marginalised com- out what is wrong with education gies. Many among the 150 partici- munities, has suggested that a re- in Malaysia. According to the pants, of diverse background and trenchment fund should be set up Times Higher Education Supple- ethnic origins, were eager to speak with contributions from both em- ment (THES) ranking, Malaysian and air their views. ployer (RM1 per worker) and em- universities have been slipping off ployee (RM0.50). Alternative the radar of the world’s top uni- Full participation housing is also needed by re- versities. She highlighted the sti- by women trenched plantation workers. fling impact of the Universities and University Colleges Act The next presenter, human rights The same policies should be ex- (UUCA). The UUCA forbids five activist Prema Devaraj, called on tended to migrant workers, who students and more from gathering. the state government to respond must be given the same rights. Students are humans too (!) and to the needs of women especially therefore should be granted full the protection of women and chil- The person human rights. Even lecturers have dren. We must ensure the full and comes first to sign an Aku Janji pledge but equitable participation of women dozens have refused. in the economy, she said. Afford- A spirited Lim Kah Cheng then able facilities for child care are drew loud applause when she She also spoke out against the needed. suggested tax reforms to allow the corporatisation of universities, state governments more say in de- which has displaced academic Pay equity, flexibility of hours, a ciding how the public’s tax money culture. In its place has emerged a code of practice against sexual is spent. corporate and bureaucratic cul- harassment and a minimum wage ture. Universities have begun to are all essential. Training is also She explained that the politically seek new sources of funding, in- necessary to upgrade skills and correct term for disabled persons troducing twinning programmes empower women. A committee is persons with disabilities and raising student intakes. But should also look into the rights of (PWDs). The ‘person’ comes first. in the process, students have been women migrant workers includ- Their actual needs are the same turned into products catering to ing domestic workers. as the rest of us: quality education, the market. decent incomes, leisure activities, Workers’ demands the right to raise families, shop- Bringing back local ping and paying bills. But we tend council elections Another rights activist Kris to forget about them. We need a Khaira then touched on workers’ paradigm shift: PWDs need their Political scientist and activist issues. He highlighted how the rights promoted. Obstacles block- Francis Loh then pointed out that government has over the years ing them from gaining access to without local council elections, been weakening the trade union opportunities must be removed. there is no mechanism to hold lo-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 36 cal councils accountable. with the new State Govt and hold A sense of regular meetings with the Chief empowerment The Local Govt Elections Act Minister or the Exco. 1960, Sec 5A (1) allows state gov- A librarian stood up to propose a ernments in consultation with the A restructuring of local govt in Freedom of Information Act. The Election Commission to hold lo- Penang is needed. Maybe there tempo started picking up as peo- cal council elections. But the Lo- should be two councils on the is- ple began queuing up at the mike cal Government Act 1976 states land - one in Balik Pulau perhaps to put forward questions and com- that “all provisions relating to lo- - and more than one on the main- ments from the floor. Among the cal government elections cease to land. Currently, less attention is issues and concerns raised: have force or effect.” Still, Section given to the western side of the • public security 1A says the state authority may island and southern Prai. • the possibility of publishing a exempt any area within any local Penang Reader authority from the provisions of Veteran activist Anwar Fazal sug- • the need for civil society the LGA. gested a whole new mechanism groups to link up with other of neighbourhood councils, groups in the Pakatan states The Penang State Assembly can which would also build a commu- • the need to lobby MPs to reform therefore introduce an enactment nity spirit. The role of public immigration policies relating to revive local government elec- health inspectors should be ex- to migrant labour and refugees tions - or work towards amend- panded to look at public health • the importance of reducing ing the LGA in parliament to al- as a total concept. New kinds of garbage - more recycling is low local government elections to civil servants are needed to liaise needed be revived. with neighbourhood councils. • health tourism is diverting resources from the public sector In the past, councillors (number- One participant requested that the and worsening the unfair two- ing 8-24 in all) were political ap- city status of George Town be re- tier health care system pointees (largely male) and ulti- stored, receiving loud applause mately responsible to the state from the floor. Another added that The participants of various ethnic govt. Thus, the state was able to we should also push for an and religious backgrounds, dictate the local government elected mayor. young and old, then adopted a agenda. The role of council presi- Penang Forum declaration for dent is critical but unfortunately, S P Choong pointed out that mas- submission to the state govern- there has been no accountability. sive development projects require ment. Enthusiastic participants that objections be accepted only signed up for various working Pending the reintroduction of from immediate neighbours - committees, which will work on council elections, there should be whereas the impact is felt in a specific issues and come up with fair representation of women and much larger area. Moreover, no papers within three months. other independent representa- reason need be given for rejecting tives. To promote accountability, objections from neighbouring resi- The world is watching civil soci- council meetings should be made dents. ety in Malaysia, which is blos- open to the public and the media. soming and acting as real agents Similarly, committee meetings on Francis stressed that one big way of change. “I’m enthralled by the land development, transport and to deepen democracy is to decen- response of you participants who environment matters, financial tralise decision-making. Local have stayed on the whole day,” matters and tenders should also democracy would be a significant concluded Ahmad Chik, the mod- be open. Non-performing and cor- step in this direction. Lin Lee, for erator for the final session, thump- rupt councillors must be removed her part, suggested that the new ing the table with satisfaction. and detailed financial statements state government review some of be made public. the contracts for services that had Indeed, for the first time in years, been contracted out to the federal many feel empowered and think NGOs can pursue partnerships level. they can make a difference. q

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Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 39 CIVIL SOCIETY Empowered Penangites make their voices heard Civil society activists and other Penangites agree on a declaration outlining key areas of concern and proposals for submission to the state government by Anil Netto

n Sunday, 13 April, over hope that meaningful reforms guide the new state government OO 150 civil society activists are possible. There was a buzz about their priorities, said a mem- OOO and other concerned of anticipation in the air among ber from the floor. But only criti- Penangites turned up for the 150 participants as the fo- cal issues should be brought to a lively Penang Forum to discuss rum got underway. their attention for immediate ac- issues of concern and to come up tion, suggested another. with a declaration addressed to Protect the the Penang state government. environment One Penangite wondered why there were so many high-end Social activist Ahmad Chik Environmental specialist Leong apartments in Tanjong Bunga? opened the forum, highlighting Yueh Kwong presented some of Were these for foreigners? the role of NGOs and how they the serious environmental prob- came together for last year’s lems in Penang: the impact of land Other questions were raised by the Pesta Rakyat Merdeka. They reclamation, hill slope develop- floor. What can ordinary also successfully opposed the ment, the closure of beaches to the Penangites do to preserve the en- Penang Global City Centre public. He also pointed out that vironment? How was Singapore project. But the biggest break- there is a lack of recreational able to provide open spaces for 4 through was the result of the 8 spaces in Penang. million people? Penang Island, on March general election, which has given many Penangites real The people of Penang have to Continued on page 35

Aliran Monthly : Vol.28(3) Page 40