Iethia puUa•eatuv democracy?
FOR THE SAKE OF ...... STABILITY? Facing the general election with jus*- in mind • Is this p.Jiamentary democracy? ...6; Eleetioa W...-Dr M•s fmlet ...9; Letten... ll; Prayen from 41ift'ennt tractitioDS ••. I9; The may faeel of potaq ..lO.IIofhas (of Sri Laab) speM. out!...23; Solidarity for justice and peace ... l4; ReJaious double IIUMards? ... 25; Corruption... l7; Piliban raya umum alwl dataJ18 ••• 30; Cummt conc:enas .• .34; CREDIBIUI'Y - amuat for commonwealth ~en-t=r team ••• 37; Established studards of election-watdaiaa allllllt.. .39 FORTHE SAKE OF STABILITY ?
Facing the general election with justice in mind
tability is going to be the A just government rather than SQUABBLES Barisan Nasional's campaign a dominant one should be the theme in the coming general What is equally disturbing is that goal of every voter in the relations between and among BN election. In order to maintain sta coming election. bility, the BN wants an overwhelm parties are not as harmonious as ing majority in Parliament and the they should be. Let us not forget State Assemblies. BN chairman, that it was mainly because of the Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad Some of the other BN parties . ugly communal squabble between would prefer nothing less than the are also tormented by factional sections of the MCA and groups massive four-fifths majority he politics. lo the Gerakan in Penang. within UMNO in 1987 that the obtained in the 1986 parliamentary there are the Lim Keng Yaik ethnic temperature in the country election. loyalists, as opposed to the Lim shot up just before the October There are two questions that Chong Eu faithfuls. ll was a clampdown. ln fact, the differen- emerge from the Barisan's desire tussle for Influence and authority to obtain a huge electoral mandate between the pre~dent and deputy for the sake of political and econo pre~dent of the Parti Bersatu ling Uong Sik and Samy Velu head mic stability. One, is the BN Sabah (PBS) which led to the major S.risan component panies really capable of maintaining sta birth of a splinter party called Akar rife with factional politics: Stability bility? Two, even if it is, does the under Mark Koding. nevenheless7 BN deserVe another gigantic endorsement from the rakyat?
CRISES AND FACTIONS One wonders how the BN will be able to maintain the sort of sta bility that Dr Mahathir always brags about, when almost everyone of its component parties has experienced some form of crisis wltich invaria bly creates instability within the organization concerned. The MCA, for instance, is now going through a serious leadership crisis which threatens to divide the party into two contending factions. Factional politics is as rife as ever within the MIC. It is an open secret that within UMNO there is intense political rivalry among a few leaders who are playing for big stakes. As a result, cliques and factions have emerged around these leaders, both at State and Federal levels.
2 be wrong to as~umc that M.1hathir '~ Barisan is as capable as Tun Razak's or Tun Hu\Sein's Bansan of con tnbuting towards stab1hty. For Mahatlur's Barisan is different from tus predecessors' BariSan. The late Tun RaLak gave the Barisan a real role. be provided the Barisan with a genuine pre sence. in Malaysian politics. The Barisan Supreme Council met often and discussed issues. Tun Hussein continued wJth that pracuce. In deed, Tun Hussein was deeply committed to the Barisan as an mstitutJOn. He used the Barisan as a mechanism for resolving some senous ethruc controvemes over education and the Uke.
SELF-INTE REST Dr Mahathu. on the other hand, ignores the BN - except when u Tun Razak and Tun Hussein were deeply committed to the Barisan suits his convenience. There are no as an institution for resolving some serious ethnic issues. regular, frequent Barisan meetings. In major political cnses, hke the ces between UMNO and the MCA was hardly any consultation within Constituuon cnsis of 1983 or on ethnic iSSues in particular have the Coalition. The Coalition seldom Operation Lallang of 1987, Dr become more and more apparent met as an entity. There were no Mahathir has not bothered to bnng in the last few years. Look at the discussions on policy matter~. When together the component parties of way they quarrelled over the a maJOr controversy broke out or the BN. The only time when he Selangor Islam1c enactment contro· when a crisis occured, the Barisan hastily convened a Bansan Council versy a few months ago! Nasional Council was not called meeting was m the midst of the Likewise, the MCA and Gerakan into session. UMNO de-registration cnsts in are not on the best of terms - to It was partly because of the 1988 The Barisan was used to say the least - in Penang. In farcical state of afffairs withm Jegjtim1ze the birth of UMNO Sabah, the PBS and Lhe United the BN . that the MCA president Baru and to validate his position Sabah National OrganiL.ation hunself. Datu!. Sen Dr Ltng U ong as prestdent of the new party and {USXO), also a Barisan partner, Sik, registered h1s quiet protest as chairman of the Coalition. It are political adversaries. In Sara lil late November 1988 b} gomg was a blatant example of crude wale, the Parti Ban!>a Dayak Sara away on leave for SIX weeks. He self-interest overnding everything wak (PBDS). though a Barisan too hmted that there were no else. consultations wnhin the Bansan on mem~er at the Federal level, is very much opposed to the Parti irnportJnt nattonaltssues. Bur.uipo,rtTa Bersatu (PBB), the How can such a Coalitton which Sar:M"ak National Party (SNAP) does not practise consultation, and other Barisan components of wh.tch lacks the spmt of genume the S:u •ak State government. cooperation, ensure national ~ta It must also be noted that in the btltty? Of course. Dr Mahathir will last four years, three Bansan parttes argue that m spue of everything, have quit the Coaliuon - Berjaya the Bansan, and before that, the (from S.ibah), Hamtm and Berja~ Alliance, have brought about peace (from Peninsular Malaysia). This and stability. There tS no reason does not speak well of the Bari why it cannot continue to guaran san leadership at all. tee poli ucal and econormc stabill ty. A number of factors - and no t CONSULTATIONS JUst the presence of the Alliance or the Barisan - explain Malaysia's I n fact, when Harnim and Ber stability. Nonetheless, even if we jasa left the Bansan to JOin Se acknowledge that the ruling Coah mangat 46, they alleged that there tton is one of the factors, 1t would Mahathir: No consultation.
3 or course, just before elections, acknowledge that our economic try in the West and Japan. Our the Barisan comes alive. It is a recovery since the middle of electronic products found their convenient vehicle for prescrvmg 1987 has been fuelled to a great place in the world market. The the power of certain individuals extent by developments in the upturn in Ute prices of our primary and groups. ln between elections. region and in the international commodities in 1988 - rubber, it is a small clique with Dr Mahalhlr economy. There has been a tremen palm-oil, tin and petroleum - was Mohamad at the helm which runs dous flow of investments into the also a contributing factor. the country. country primarily from Truwart, Though there has been an econo Dr Mahathir's auitudc to the flung Kong and Singapore, but also mic recovery, marty serious econo Barisan is one of the main causes of from South Korea and Japan. mic problems remain. Unemploy its decline as an effective Coali This investment tlow is only ment has been reduced only sligh tJy tion of different ethnic. regional partly due to the sort of incentives in the last two years. There is still and group interests. It is this we offer foreign investors and to some graduate unemployment. Coalition which he has rendered our O\\n economic management. A lnilation has still not been brought impotent that Dr Mahathir is now much more Important factor is the under control. The ringgit is still trotting out as a force for stability. dynamism or those export-oriented weak compared to the Singapore H ow can a Coalition comprising econonues whose rate of capital doHar and various o[her inter faction-ridden parties bring about accumulation has been so rapid that national currencies. Our total ex political stability? How can a Ulelf money just has to find exter leiillll debts are still quite high, Coalition consisting of parties nal outlets. although our repayment rate is which are often at loggerheads Malaysia was also helped by the quite good. Nonetheless debt servic with one another, ensure national time!) recovery, and subsequent ing swallows up 21 sen of every cohesion and national solidarity? expansion of U1e electroni.:s indus- ringgit spent. A BIG VOTE'? More. important, even if one concedes that the Barisan is still ..- c necessary as a Coalition govern ·- ment, does it follow that it should be given a big vote in the coming polls? This is an important ques tion which each and every Malay sian voter should ponder upon. Before one votes. one should ask: what has the Barisan govern ment done with the four-fifths majority it obtained ln the 1986 election'! What has been its track record in the last four years'! We are not talking of Alliance and Barisar. 1ule in the last 33 years. Based on its performance in the last four years. dues Lhe BN ueserve another four-fifths or even a two thirds majority?
ECONOMY If we started w1tb !he economy, it is true that the BN government has played a role in taking the nation out of the tunnel of reces sion. It cut back on public sector expemlilUre, it de-regulated the economy, it gave various incentives for the export sector, it helped to make our manufactured products more competitive in the inter national market. ere. But at the same time, we must Four years of misrule.
4 These specific problems aside, tives of the mass swoop was to there is a lot of evidence to show stifle the growth of democratic links among themselves. that food production, rural indus dissent. The almost simultaneous But even these opposition trialization and even rural infra suspension of three of the least parties have not been able to force structure development have not servile dailies also revealed the real the Barisan leadership to be more received the attention they deserve intention of that ISA operation. accountable. This is why the in the last few years. The gap A series of amendments since government has been able to between the haves and have-nots October 1987 to the Publications camouflage all sorts of scandals m the rural economy is becoming Act, the Police Act and the Socie involving the political elites. The more visible. Indeed, in the econo ties Act have placed more curbs cover-up in the 'Viji-AG' videotape scandal is still fresh in the memory my as a whole, 20 per cent of the and controls upon the freedom of of the rakyat. population at the upper echelons expression, the freedom of assem of the economy control 5 I per bly and the freedom of association. SOME QUESTIONS cent of the nation's income, while These curbs and controls have 40 per cent of the population at enhanced the powers of an already Should we continue to aUow an the lower echelons of the economy dominant executive. The Constitu overwhelmingly powerful executive control only 13.8 per cent of the tion has also been amended a - which is the inevitable conse nation's income. couple of times in the last two quence of a massive vote for the While we give credit to the years to ensure that executive Barisan - to cover up financial Barisan government for some of dominance cannot be challenged and sex scandals? Should we its achievements in the economy, by other institutions of a demo allow corruption and greed among we should not overlook its many cratic state, notably the judiciary. the elites to reach an incurable shortcomings. As voters, we should Indeed, the emasculation of the stage? Should we allow public deduct a few points from its score judiciary is one of the saddest accountability to decline further? sheet. trends in the nation's public life Should we allow fundamental free since the last general election. doms to be curbed and controUed SCANDALS The unjust dismissal of Lord to such an extent that they become Many more points should be President Tun Salleh Abas and two meaningless? Should we allow Par deducted for the BN's handling of Supreme Court judges, Tan Sri Wan liament to remain a mere 'rubber certain financial scandals. Who can Suleirnan and Datuk George Seah stamp' okaying all the decisions of forget its cover-up of the UEM showed the extent to which the the executive without a second Nonh-South Highway scandal? Or executive would go in order to thought? Should we .allow the its mishandling of the CCB scandal? perpetuate its dominant power. judiciary to become an impotent What about the strengthening of The dominant power of the tool of the executive? Should we private lottery operations in the executive was also effectively utili allow the executive to dominate country and the role of individuals zed to legitimize the destruction Malaysian society to such a degree Unked to the Barisan elites in of the original UMNO and the that every other institution is these lotteries? And what about establishment of a new UM NO. dwarfed into insignificance? Should Renong, that reverse purchase of The manner in which it was done we allow the prejudices and UMNO-linked companies which was a reflection of growing politi passions of one individual to VIolated both law and ethics? cal authoritarianism. become the policies and pro For the Malaysian voter, it is grammes of a whole nation? POLITICS AND this authoritarianism, so apparent ADMINISTRATION since 1986, which is a matter of CHECKING EXCESSES great concern. As a result, there is When we rum from economics There is no doubt that electing less democratic space today than in a stronger opposition will help to and finance to politics and adminis the pre-August 1986 period. For tration. the Bari&an 's performance check some of these trends and one thing, institutions which help tendencies in our body politic. raises even more quesuons. A few to create and sustain democratic months after the 1986 genera! By asking . the people to streng space like the Judiciary are a lot then the opposition we are not election, the Official Secrets Act weaker today than in the recent (OSA) was amended to further endorsing all their policies and past. Some of the informal institu stances. We are aware of the weak restrict the flow of information. It tions of a democratic society like was yet another blow to public nesses and shortcomings of each public interest societies and trade of the opposition parties and of accountability. unions are also fmding it more Then, in October 1987, parlia the opposition as a whole. None difficult to function effectively. It theless, a numerically stronger mentary democracy suffered yet is only opposition political parties another setback when 106 people opposition will not only be able to which have become stronger partly curb the excesses of the govern were detamed without trial under because of the split within the the infamous Internal Security Act ment but will also force it to original UMNO and partly because {ISA). One of the hidden objec- modify and even change some of of their own endeavour to forge its present policies. 5
• positive changes in the lives of the tice. What we need in the Malaysia INSTABILITY? people. Malaysians know from their of lbc nineties is a government Will a stronger opposition and experience of the last four years with a strong sense of justice and that huge majority can lead to therefore a not-so-donunant govem a compassion. A just government arrogance and haughtiness, to the ment lead to political mstability? rather than a dominant govern abuse of power and the misuse of It will not. If the ruling Coalition ment, should be the goal of every authonty. They know that a huge capture!. a I 00 or 110 seats, it"ll voter in the coming election. majority can lead to the growth still have a workable majority. Once we have a just govern of corruption and the decline of There are many, many governments ment, there is every likelihood liberty. They know U1at a huge in parliamentary democracies aU that we will also enjoy political and majority can lead to the spread of over the world which lunctJUn economic stability. On the other cliques and fact10ns among those quite well with small but workable hand, we may have stability but who wield power and control majoritil!s. ln fnd1a today, the with very little justice or compas wealth and to the loss of idealism, sion. Stability w1thout justice will, ruling party does not even have a of a sense of purpose, among those majorit) in parliament but u halt in the long run, lead to inStability. who have been entrusted with the This is why we must first seek already introuuccd some ret om1s in welfare of the people. the field o1 public adrmrustraUon. justice. Indeed, justice is so important Tlus lS why the rakyat should JUSTICE not be duped by the argument that that if the rakyat feels that justice the government needs a huge four More important than a ruling is no longer possible under the fifths or two-thirds majority to Coalition with a huge majority is present leadership, then it is their ensure stability and to bring about a government with a sense of jus- duty to elect a new government. 0 IS THIS PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY?
r. Mabathir Mohamad JS domg merely performing official duties as or President of UMNO Baru from it again. He ts gmng around Prime Minister and coincidentally his position as Prime Minister for D the country, carnprugnmg for had to speak at certain functions in an obvious reason - so that he can the coming general election, with· his capacity as Chairman of the use aU the privileges of State out announcmg the electJOn date. Barisan. power for his own partisan pur He has launched a full-scale cam This is the cunningness of the poses. paign through television. His elec man. This is the craftiness of Compare this with what the tion speeches are televised for a few Mahathir Mohamad. He abuses go Tunku did in 1959. In order to minutes almost every other day. vernment facilities for party pur· strengthen the Alliance for the And yet, officially, he ts not poses and yet pretends that it bas parliamentary elections in that campaigning as Chairman of the nothing to do Wllh elections. year, he quit as Prime Minister. Barisan Nasional. He is merely Apart from his misuse of Televi For three months Tun Abdul performing his official duties as sion Malaysia, in all his trips to the R.azak was the Prime Minister. Prime Minister. This is wll:t on different states, government depart· The Tunk.u felt that since he was every occasion -whether it J.S Pasir ments like KEMAS, government going on a full-scale election tour Mas or Bagan Serru or Jelebu - officials, school teachers and others of the country, he should step he perfonns some official duty who are part of the state bUieau down as Prime Minister so that it and then makes an election speech cracy, are mobilised to the hilt! would be clear to the rakyat that in which he lambasts his political Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Moha he was doing so as Chairman of opponents. mad more than any other Prime the Alliance and President of This is Mahathir's way of camou Minister before him has merged the UMNO. He did not want to mix up flaging what is, in fact, an election party machinery and the govern Jus role as Prime Minister with his campaign tour. This way he cannot ment bureaucracy in such a way other role as leader of the Alliance. be accused of misusing govern that there is no distinction between Indeed, in many other ways, ment facilities for party purposes. them. He does not want to separate the Tunku, whatever his faults, His defence would be that he was his role as Chairman of tbe Barisan was much, much more sincere
6 about parliamentary democ.racy publu: ralites. TOP: than Mahathu \1ohamad. The Rallies \'.ere fm.t banned m tl1e The CPM surrenders: Mahathir still Tunku allowed opposition parties 1978 general electwn. The reason does not see fit to end the ban on air-time over Radio Malaya (later given by th e then Milll~tet of Home election rallies. Radio Maluysta) There y,as equit· Affairs was that the Mala} an able sharing of election broad· Communist Part) (M(P) \\ hkh BELOW: casts m the four languages among \'.US gotng to observe the 30th Tun Salleh Abas' sacking was all the poliucal parttes m all the anmver~ar} of its upn:.tng would totally frivolous. Can Mahathir lay three general electton~ under the cause troubk at clectton rallies claim to parliamentary democracy Tunku - m 1959, 1964 and 1969. The MC'P's armed upristn~ ..:ame to when he has struck down a pillar of There were even telcvtsmn clip) an end in December la:.t }Car. b the system? of opposition ralhes. ~hown dunn~ there an) JUstiJicauon now lor the news buUetin~ in bOlh the the 'onunued b:111 upon clc..:non 1964 and 1969 general elections. rallies'! Here agam, Dt . Mahatlm Look at the si tuation tod.ty ha:. ~hown lumself to be a ver) The Opposition has no acces~ at undemocra tl' leader lie has all to Radto and 1 elevlliion. There refused to allow pubh~ rallie:.. are no election radto hroad,asts though tht! Election Commisston If the muck of an opposmon pnh itself suggested some ume ago llctan 1s shown on the TV screen that the g11Vl!rnment shoulJ consJ· during elections 11 1s only to dis der hftmg the ban. credit him. Radio and TelevisiOn ~lahathtr Mohamad ~lands m are dominated by Barisan polill· starb. contrast to the Tunku 1n cians. starting with Mahathir Moha· yet another respect . Tile Tunl-.u mad . It is as II they own the allowed the ma\.tmum of fivl! electronic medt.a . weeks lor l..'ampaigmng - that 1s. During the Tunku 's prune llli· t1ve weeb.s from nominauon day to nistership public ralites were also poUmg da}. He adhered to this allowed. In 19 59. in spite of a rule even during the 19t>-l general state of emergetKY. all pohllcal election. held in the mitht of parties and election 'andidates had lnd one~lan (onfrontattnn. the full freedom to hold ralites. In the 1982 and 19~6 genewl In the 1964 clccuon, in splle ol ciCdlOOS - the tWO e(ectl0115 held Indonesian C'onfrontatton. there under Mahathu - the campaign were public rallies all over the coun· penud wa:. :.hurtcned w JUSt mne try. In the 1969 general electton. days. Th~y were tllc shortest cam the Opposiuon made full use of p:ugn pcrioil~ in our hi,tory. It is
7 rumoureu that Mahathir may short· when one has struck down a most that he d1d wh:n he did to an inno en further the ramp• .ugn period important pillar of that :>ystem., cent human betng. It is because ot in the coming electton He IS Dr. Mahathir's predecessors what his lack of re~tramt that he was pre deternuned to make it as dtiTiwl! ever their sbortconnngs would pared to ui\ ide IJr<.! '0. to dcst roy as poss1blc for hts opponents to not have sacked the head of the the ongmal L \"0 and create a perform welL Judiciary on totally fnvolous. ntp new UMr-..0 o\er which lie can IS It only too apparent that pant charges wluch are an msult exerctse total control. II IS th1s Mahathu Mohamad cares httle for to basic human mtelligcnce. This Jack of rel>tramt on llli part whtch established rules of electoral com is not because the Tunku. Tun t~ the primar}' cause lor the sub peUilon or for accepted pnnc1ples Razak and Tun Hussem were verswn of the electoral pmce:.:> of parliamentary practice. Demo Prime Ministers of extraordinary today. cratic standards and values mean virtue. It is because, as leaders. In a parliamentary democracy , noth1ng to him. What is important they had some sense of restramt. a ~ense of restramt tn the cxerctse to lum is winning the contest for They had a sense of shame. There of power is a crucial quality of power, whatever the Co)tS. What were certain things they just leadership. Without that qualu}. is in1portan1 to him is remaining wouldn't do. a leader wiLl be tempted to accu in power whatever the con It is largely because Or . M~hathir mulate power, to be dictatonal and sequences. Mohamad. hjs other good points nuthoritanan JJor people like him. the end notwithstanding. Jacks a sense of M alt~ysians do not have to look justil1es the means. Or. Mahathir restraint in the use of power far for an example of this. 0 has been quite explicit about this aspect ot IU:> personal credo. fn many of his mecttngs with UMNO offic1als m the various states, he has told them that it docs not r mauer how one wins; what 1s ~' important ts winning. 0:\ ~ ;/~ (J ) } ~ Secunng, and remaining in, I \ ~~ ~\ ~ / - , -& , ~~~ power whatever the means and methods employed, has become \~~,~p Man 1~ ~~ such an obsession w11h the man that he w1ll not tolerate any mdi \ \ ~-, Aga1nst t1r. v.J vidual or instttution which stands in his way. What better proof of i ~11'\l::\1 the State ltfr - ~ rhis altitude than h1s sacking of t-:~ I h lf ~-~ Tun Salleh Abas, the rormcr Lord .·1 --1 )"':.:a ~ I \ President which in tum led to the ~'ti 1 ~ '-7.., I dismissal of two other Supreme ~') ( Can there not be a government ' I Court JUdges! l11c 'Salleh plus two· 1- .l iJ1 which majorities do not ·~ episode shows beyond the shadow ~ ~ virtually decide right and ~-,:S ~ wrong. but conscience? - in t.Y') of a doubt that Dr. Mahathir will I 1 1 not hes1tatc to destroy any mstitu which majorities decide only J tion - however VItal tt may be to J 1 j those questions to which the I a parliamentary demoaacy - in rule of expediency is I order to preserve and perpetuate appJjcable? Must the citizen l Jus power. In this mstancc. hls ever for a moment, or in the assault upon the mdependence of least degree. resign his } the JUdu.:lary has crippled that conscience to the legislator? mstttutton for a whole generation. Why hal> every man a Would any leader who genuinely conscience, then? cares for the mtegrity of the judi Henry Thoreau Ciary, for the separation of powers. n for the rule of law, for all tho~c n . r,' ff, values and pnnctple~ whtdl p1ake ~~ parltamentary democracy such a I ~:herished poltucal system, resort to such an unscrupulous. unethical I ( move. simply be~,;ause or !>elf \ lnterest? Isn't it the height of I vm"\ ; t hypocrisy to pretend that one \ Ill \C I respects parliamentary democracy / 8 Election Watch - Dr M'sTarget
ver ~ince irs bnth on J6 February 1990, Election E Watch hn~ become one or rhe Prime Mu u:.tcJ 's fovmnue target) of attack. He alleged. at that ttllJC. that it was an e>.lemion of the Oppo~JtJOn. th.Jt 11 wa' btaseJ towards the OppoSition Now he has gone one step fur ther. He IS suAAe~11ng that the formation of l le~uon \\atch could be pJrt or :l plot W <.all~e trouble in the commg gencml elccrion. "1f the Oppo~ttton h1~t." Elec tion \\.atdl. he allc:ge,. may Je mg tn diiferent place~ tn the dCl' to· tn cbre that there was cheatinJ! r:JI rolls. It \\35 aJ,o J.llegcd that tn the clcctillll JnJ rh1s ma) lead to some tn~tan.:es th•m~a11d~ lll name) nob. Tim '' "hy he has uwiteJ uf v0ters had Jll~t ,·:umhcd 1rum the Commonweahh Ill send uh· the rolb TOP LEFT: servers to the ele.:11on. ~o that Elc..:· It ts l>lgrtiltcant that 1111c da} tion Watch will not dare to make Tun Sutf1an. Election Watch was formed before Ucctwn \\lah.:h was laun .. h because of widespread allegations of such an all ega twn . cd. the Scw!tar) nf the l::lel.l1nn elector•l malpractices. Is there 9 so angry with Election Watch. it is not diHkull to understand. To put it m a nutshell, Mahath.ir wants to win the coming generaJ election with a huge maJority - t.f possible, he would hke to repeat his 1986 performance. However. he is afraid that he is going to lose a lot of seats in Kelantan and Terengga nu. Even in Kedah and Perlis, he may lose quite a bit or support. If there is a Significant erosion of support in these Malay-majority states, Mahatlur's credibility as a Malay leader will be a1Tected. 1-tis position as UMNO Baru Pre· sident wiU become shaky. There is an even greater danger. Re may Jose his two-thirds majority in JB by~lection : This and other by· Parliament - somethmg that has elections showed that UMNO Baru not happened to any UMNO or By-elections apart. the negative had lost considerable support Alliance or Barisan leader before. reaction towards UMNO Baru among the Malay electorate. There ~~ ~:ven a possibility that the amongst substantial segmcnb of the Barisan ttself may lose the election. voter~ in Kelantan and Tercngganu. Conner Lord President and his Dr. Maltathir Mohamad wants to in particulJT. began to worry the colleagues, had blown the whi!)tlc be absolutely certain that none of UMNO Baru leadersh1p. Titc anti· on the masSJve electoral fraud these thmgs will happen. He must pathy towards UM 0 Baru con· that was taking place. They had win and win convincingly. It trasted wtth a ground-swell of cried 'foul' not because they had should be only too apparent to support for Semangat 46 and PAS any Jove for the Opposition but everyone b)' now that he'll resort in the two states. A number of because of their concern lor fau· to any trtck. however unscrupl.! local factors further l>trengthened play and h o nest~ They realized lou:.. emplo} any method, however the Semangat-PAS opposition. As that tf these electoraJ ..,alpract1ccs unethical. to ensure his triumph. UMNO Baru leaders began to read were left un c be~:ked . a lnt of Some of t.hc electoral tricks we 'the writing on the walr, they people would refuse to ac ... "' mentioned earlier are part of his decided that they must do some the outcome of the next general weaponry. Dr. Mahailir would have thing to prevent the very real elecuun. hk~ ~ to accompHsh hls mission, posstbility of u Barisan defeat in In trying tu resolve the~e m 10 that it is Dr. Mahathir who is up to Committee of lnquiiY, who wanted some mischief. How is that possi to make their report public, became ble? Hasn't Dr. Mahathir said that villains in the eyes of the Prime it is the Opposition and Election Minister. On the other hand, some Watch who are plotting to cause of those who were responsible for trouble? the BMF scandal are still enjoymg Plain common sense will tell us the perks of power and privilege. tJ1at in any political system those Likewise, those who tried to who exercise authority, who wield expose the UEM highway scandal power are in a better position than ended up in jail while those who those who have neither authority benefitted by that highway con nor power, to manipulate electoral tract have gone on to accumulate rolls, to transfer voters from one more riches. And now, we are constituency to another, to elimi beginning to witness a situation nate voters' names from electoral where those who have a genuine registers and the like. We have al commitment to fair and honest ready shown this to be true in our elections are criticised and con own case. Almost all the reports on demned, while those who manipu elections, in recent years, in coun late electoral rolls, are allowed to tries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, carry on with their dirty work. South Korea and the Philippines Travesties of justice of this reveal that electoral fraud, more sort express themselves in other often than not, is committed by ways too. Even when it is crystal· those in power. clear that a certain wrongdoing is When those in power cheat at due to the government, Dr. the polls, opposition parties are Mallathir Mohamad often tries to forced to react. This is because transfer responsibility for it to they may feel that they have been someone else. He is trying this deprived of the victory which is trick with the coming election. legitimately theirs. They protest, Though most alleged electoral mal they demonstrate, they give vent to practices are linked to UMNO their frustrations. Those in power Baru and certain Bansan parties, then exploit the tense situation he is now trying to convince brought about by opposition pro society that they are the work of tests to foment trouble, to create the Opposition. He is transferring Tan Sri Ahmad Noordin and Chooi chaos, to instigate riots. This is his sin on to his opponents. what happened in Bangladesh a few Mun Sou of the BMF CommittM of 'Sin transfer' is part of the years ago after its National Assem Inquiry: Hero becomes villain in a politics of the Mahathir govern typical Malaysian cate of 'sin bly elections. ment. lt was Dr. Mallathir who transfer'. In Malaysia, as in some other destroyed the original UMNO countries, when trouble of this sort and created UMNO Baru, in order breaks out, the people in power to purge the party of his oppo to happen. So what does he do? are quick to put the blanle on nents. And yet, he has transferred He decides to invite observers from their opponents. The root cause of responsibility for the destruction of the Commonwealth. through the the problem is often buried in the UMNO to his opponents who are Commonwealth Secretariat, to look heap of government propaganda. If, now with Semangat 46. Similarly, at the conduct of the election. He let us say, the Opposition in Malay it was because he feared the inde is hoping that the Commonwealth sia protests against widespread penderl't judgment of a Supreme observer team will legitimize his cheating in the polls, it is those Court panel headed by Tun Salleh ' 11 that very independence was smothered LEI I ERS in a few minutes on the morning of 27 May 1988, and certainly not by the Bar W. Welcome lettlf'l fTom rudeR. letters can be either in Ehglish or Bah.. Council. The Bar Council only tried to Mal8ysia. 1'lMM letters may be edited for pw.,_ of spece and c18rity. The rekindle that flame, but alas, the viftwl mey not be thwe of the Aliren Monthly. Pleudoftylnl are acc:epeM but ambers were angrily and quietly extin· •t lett8n should include the writer's rwme 811d edd,... letters should guished by the setting up of the second ,...... Y be tv.-writt.n with double-spacing; if hand-written they should tribunal. be 1-.lbl•. Where, oh where, in Islam, the offi· Letter~ should be adclr..-d to the Editor, Aliran Monthly, P.O. Box 1049, cial religion of the country, can I find 10930 Penent. Meteysie. justification for the assault on the lnde· pendence of the Judiciary by the Executive? RA ~ 7/VDER SINGH SurrKti Petanr DR. M's SERMON ON proven beyond a reasonable doubt before tJ1e accused is sentenced. Of JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE! ooune, the Executive claims that the Tribunal got to the bottom of things before recommending Ton Salleh's ELECTION WATCH be 8.00 pm TV 1 news on 26 May removal. But was it the true bottom or AND DR.M 1990 ahowed IX. Mall2thir talking a false bottom? Can the Executive T to reporters surrounding him. explain in plain language why the rules Replying to their questions about the of evidence applicable in trying the man t is amuing how .ri.~ oJdinary indivi· ACA's nid on the residence of Univeni· in the street were completely put aside duals - rwo of them retired, three ty of · Malaya Vice-Chancellor, Prof. when it came to trying the head of the self-employed and one unemployed Syed Hussein Alatas, he suddenly I- without politica1 links, without independent Judiciary? Was this act of launched into a sermon on the indepen· changing the rule of the game in acoor· holding influential positions in govern· dence of the ACA and the Judiciary. dance with the law? ment, w;tJIOut heading any mass-bated The gist of the two-minute sermon on Does ldam, the official relision of organizations, simply ~ themtelves TV was: this country: Election Watch could rattle a govern· • The ACA and the Judiciary are • condone double standards in trying ment enjoying four-l'&fth majority! independent bodies. different accused persons? Or. Ma~th.il. the PM, never tiles or • The government cannot interfeJe in • put the Executive above the laws of heaping st.orn on them or ridiculing them at every aVIil.able opportunity. their actions even if they were not the land and of Islam itself'l The one-sided attacks on ElectiOn always apolitical. • give the Executive the prerogative to • No one ahou1d be angry with their put aside principles of justice enun Watch is prommently featured in the actions as they are independent ciated in Islam itself so as to remove newsp.apers. televuion and ndio. The things said of EJection Watch are so bodies and therefoJe free to act 'obstacles' in its path? ludicrous that one wooden how is it without restiictioru. • give the Executive divine rWht to possible for sane and rational huiiWI • He questioned the Bar Council's destroy others so that those in power beqs to become utterly insane and motive in wanting to commit the may remain in power at aU costs? Lord President to prison. foolish. • He castiaJted the Bar Council for I am afnid it is rather late In the day Why is Dr. M so upset? Election accusing the government of inter· (on 26 May 1990) for Dr. Mahathir to Wat ch had not attacked the govern fering whenever the government give a public sermon on the indepen· ment nor accused the Election Commis· toot action accoJding to the law. dence of the Judiciary fm the flame of sion of cheating m the elections. ln • He blamed the Bar Council for having fact, they ~ve even admitted that cauaed the independent Judicwy to elections so far had been relatively free feel "terkongkong" (embed) to some and lair and hope tbal the next election extent in carrying out its duties. will a1Jo be an honest affair. Why should this rattle Dr. M? Of all people, Dr. Mahathir himself Whatever lillie that Election Watch should know best why the once inde· had said so {u is either distorted or pendent Judiciary feels "terkongkong" totally ignored by the media. Why is the today. What an irony that be should be government so scared of their viewa that giving this public sermon on tJie tnd.e the government 13 ensure that every working adult will For them, like many poverty-stricken Air chairman and a leader in the have enough to subsist on alter Mu.slim families, the new moon of Kadaz4n Duson Cultural Association. retirement, the sum of M$10,000 Syawal did not bring the joy and the He is also a member of the NECC. does not make sense. festivity it was meant to. A news report Do you think that these men may J estimate that a retired person which carried the plight of these have sold confidential .reports to another wouJd requiie at least M$200 to live on 'beggers' was more judgmental than sym country? What else could they have each month. If the life expectancy of pathetic. An opportunistic plot to done to have prejudiced the security an anrage Malaysian is 65, that gives neece generous Malaysians, especially of the nation except for speaking up him 10 years of retiied life if he during the fasting month, was how the on important issues? If the government retiies at 55. At M$1,000 per annum Ieporter chose to see it. Call me naive u sincere, they shouJd be tried in an (M$10,000 divided by 10 years) that but I still believe in the sanctity of noen co11rt of law. Otherwise, free them person wouJd have less than M$90 per motherly Jove and so, imd it bard to unconditionally. Opposition parties month to live on. Does this mean that accept that any mother would want shouJd abo include the abolition or the 87% of the EPF contributors will live to see her young child beg on Hari Raya. ISA in theii manifestos. below the poverty tine when they retire? Ollr beloved Prime Minister in his In many developed countries, the official speech spoke of a victory KARUPPAN provident f11nd is administered by em (kemenangan) for all Muslims, but for Johor Bohru ployers directly. This u especially so for the poor and hungry children at Pudu laJ:ge corporations. The many schemes Raya, there was no victory, no joy. available in the free market go beyond Only a continuous battle, a struggle fm the legislated benefits offered in both daily sustenance. l, personally, wish Malaysia and Singapore. to have no part in thU victory. Sure, Singapore has iinproved on its the statisticians and the economists provident fund legislation by making em pull out the reports and the graphs DON'T "CIVILIZE" THE the fund a more dynamic asset that and claim that, with a consistent 5- PENANS! can be used. for medical care, insurance yeu upward trend in the national and homtH>wnership PllrPOses. A 3% economy, we are winning; that Malay hat a joy it was reading interest rate is indeed paltry, but it sians on the whole have nothing to Aliran Monthly (yet again). is based upon excellent economic complain about, that poverty as a Thanks for the article on the fundamentals. Given the fact that social problem in Malaysia is not as W Penans (AM Vol 10 No. 2). fd like to the fund's reserves in Singapore are acute as in other Asian countries. But take the argument further. enormous, low interest rates mean as long as there is even one h~ngry "Civiluot ion" is a word that has easier access to funds for industries child in Ollr midst, all of us are losers always had racist and exploitative which in turn means a healthier no matter what the figures say. overtones. ln ancient Rome, the economy all round. This also preserves If in the blind jubilation of victory "barbarians" were kept u slaves for the the reaJ value of one's provident fund lor :a few, we do not see the struggle savings. If the attitude of some of civilized RoJDJ.JU. The Romans looked of the rest, we are truly a poor and down on any alien culture. my fellow Malaysians, like TAK is in sorry lot. lt is time that we pay more Then there W2S the trans • Atlantic any way symptomatic of the whole, attention to the children · be they from export or millions of Africans for then I must state that as a nation we tlte rural areas of Kelantan or the estates slavery, using the racist argument thst are a short-sighted, greedy and self· of Selangor · for they are the children the blacks were sub·human, and were centred lot. of Malaysia. Let's ttuJy practise the too stupid to know any better. There It is obvious that if the money spirit of Syawal with a caring heart and a was no regard wbatsover for the African that T AK has in the CPF is a small loving spirit which does not judge but culture. sum, then it would not be an issue to only wishes to share the bounty of God; The British Empire was built by him at aiL If Malaysians • who are a heart that wishes to see the tight of coloniafuts casting themselves as father· concerned about their own future, victory shine in the eyes of every ligures to protect the poor, ignorant and that of their country · want their mother's child. money out of the CPF, may I suggest (and uncivilized, of course) natives. Indeed, the British considered it their that they take that money and place CHRISTIAN FRANCIS moral duty to impose their civilized it Immediately into theii EPF acoounts, Kuala Lumpur to be used only for refuemenl PllrPOse5. culture on the natives. Jn South Africa too, the whites EMMANUEL DANIEL sneer at the rnoal customs of the native Singapore blacks, who they consider violent, lazy and difficuJt. "We're mote civilized'' the argument goes. SABAH ISA DETENTIONS: Even Hitler's idea of the "master race" and the superiority of the Aryans ANOTHER BLOW FOR over the Jews and others ran along the DEMOCRACY s:une tines. He detested the Jews and THE SUFFERING also the way they lived - their culture, CHILDREN OF MALAYSIA theii history, and their civilization. iberal thinkers. people who .criti· Throughout history, the word cize, and those who speak up for "civilization" carries the implication that be sprawling gardens and the L the truth are today branded some cuJtures are better than others. ])Otished marble interior of Seri as 'subversive' activists threatening the It is a vtiy subjective word. Perdana were a starlt and bitter security of the nation. The ISA bas AJ for the Penam, they are consider· T become a source of mental torture contrast to the noon~y heat and ed to have a ·•primitive" mentality, the suffocating smog at Pudu Raya for peace-loving Malaysians who are just h"ke the Australian Aborigines on the first day of Syawal. While the true believers of Democracy. Malaysians once were. Yet listen to anthropologist Prime Minister and his wife played were &hocked again when they read Peter Filth's description of them: the perfect hosts to thousand$, young in the press of three more anests uncler "AU5tralian tribes ... know the habits, mothers and their tearful little ones the ISA in Kota Kinabalu on Monday, marldnis, breeding grounds and seasonal carried on with a prolonged Ramadan. 28 May. Benedict Topin, is the Sabah nuctuations of all the edible animals, 14 fish and birThe Star, 22 April 1990): "The appointment of lecturers and professors in local univer&ities is based on academic excellence and the ability to teach, regardless or race, Education Mtn.istet Anwar Ibrahim said today. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE However, the government will maintain JUST A PIPE-DREAM its policy of appointing bumiputru who excel to key posit.ions, he added." The second sentence both qualifiea and he recent furore over the promo nullifies the rust - thus "regardlesl tiona iR the MU is both vexatious of race" has no real mea.n.ing at all. T and depressing. Vexatious, be In conclusion, the goal of academic cause there seema to be oothillg we can excellence remaina an unreachable goal do about thole irresponsible and chauvi· As long as there is no academic freedom nistic politicians who hide behind the - in that a V .C cannot even appoint banner or the Barisan Nasional and say his own deans without incurrillg the whatever they pleue. Depressing, be· wrath of some politicians - and as cawe the reactiOns of tbose at the top long as the quota system is imposed have reconfirmed - not that we need indiscriminately, mediocrity will conti· such reconf"umation - our belief that nue to reign in local universities. there is no academic freedom in this counby and that the quota system has EDUCATOR to be adhered to in all spheres or acade KUilliz Lumpur mic life, at all costs. There has been much lament about the deteriorating academic standarcb in local universities, and much rhetoric has been devoted to the lofty goal of acade mic excellence. Yet, when a Vice· GET RID OF THE Chancellor took a step towuda this goal 90-DAY SYNDROME by appointing 110me non-Malay academi cians as deans and deputy deans, an beD broke loose. The authority concern t has been quite a while since the la5t PeNms: Another plea fot them to ed tried to find "excuses'- as though he mass anesta of 110 -called 'subversive choose the way they live! needed one at all - by giving a break- I elements' in our society. Our first 15 Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, press and by consumers associations such • rust step in their studies into anti has clarified that the ISA was created to as CAP. monopoly and anti-UUst laws and fair deal with the communists. Hence, poli· The most celebrated case that comes trade policies. let us hope that EON will ticians especially those from the Opposi· to my mind is EON, distributor of o ur ease iu policies to make the Proton more tion, should not be made victims of the national car. Due to the massive price affordable to tbe average Malaysian ISA. Detention without trial is at differential it enjoys over its competi· wh1ch I believe is one of the reasons variance with one of the most funda· tors, the Proton Saga has enjoyed stunn ~ hy the government initiated the mental civil liberties i.e'. the right to a ing success since iu launch. Thu has national car project. fair trial. helped EON maintain its monopoly in Hu.man beings have a tendency to the 1300 to 1500 cc range. ~ a result Y.L. WAN forget about wrongdoings oommitted in of this monopoly, EON has created its Peraling Jaya the past. In Malaysia, 10me prefer to own set of rules an sellill8 Proton S;agas call it the '90-day Jyndrome' where to the public. Consumers no longer have bygones are oonsidered to be bygones. a choice with regard to tbe accessories Abuse of power by the E:- 16 their families, let alone study road safe MS YEOH, A SPECIAL KIND Each day she took home bundles of ty boob (or their refresher coune tests. exercise books to mark. I helped her What would happen il these people fail OF TEACHER carry those to her grey Monis Minor. their tests? What will happen to their Ms Ycoh was a dedicated teacher and livelihood? ls Dr. Ling going to support was touched to read Cikgu K. Swen never once was I made to feel "small" them financially? dnn's letter (Letters, AM Vol. 10 coming from a Malay school She was There ue swely better 'Y•Ys to pre No.3). suiet and we were afraid of her, btU her vent road accidents. For instance, in I praises, 5COidings and coaxing paid off I do not doubt at all that Cikgu's Si.!!ppore they have the penalty points dedication knows no ethnic bounds. when a number of us made it to Stan system, where the traffic offenders ue Syabas. Cikgu. dard 6A, a multi-ethnic class. We abo punished with points, and if it exceeds a I was reminded of one of my teachers managed co be among the top ten ltU· cerW:n nwnber, the offenders' licence who helped lay the foundation of my dents in that class. will either be revoked or suspended for education. Ms Yeoh was a humane professional JeYenJ yeus. wen, if it can work there I had come from a Malay school teacher 'A ho did not let ethnic prejudice why not here? where English was taughc as a subject, obstruct her Malay pupils' progress Road developen should a1Jo be taken a few bows a week. during those years at Island Girb' to tulc. Many of our roads are not deve When I paned my Darjah Empat School. loped and built to the safety atandards examination. I euned a place in Special Now, she's retiled and I visit her at required. Malay Clus, SMl (1960) and SM2 least once a year during Chinese New The Cabinet Committee should re (1961). Year. As the 'pantun' goes: conlider this pJan. The new Ucence My teacher was Ms Yeoh Gim Chooi Pisafl8 emas dibawa belayar, rul.iJig as it atands, will swely irk, whe for those Cwo years. Masalt sebiji di aw peti, ther it works or not. She taught us to spell and to write Hutang emas boleh dibayar, legibly. She coached us in pronuncia Hutang budi dibawa mati. SHANKAR tion and arithmetic. Ptnarrg May God bless UJI all. f/AMIMA DO.VA MUSTAFA Fugem~. Oregon. USA RENONG DEAL IS malting mactune nos. 1-4", becomes SS,99S million ($1 ,000 X 5,995). This is A FARCE! an increue of 5,995 times. If this cor· porate exercise had been proposed in the MINISTER SHOULD UK or the US, the promoters would all have been put into jail and the licence of DECLARE TRANSFER he recent announcement by the ad~ merchant bank would have ILLEGAL Renong Bhd to acquire the Fleet been withdrawn. ln any case, the Stock T Group and Batibudi Nominees for ExcbaJ18e of London and New York do $1.226 billion is another (uce. Renona not allow multi-tiered hoklmg com Bhd cannot issue 1,226 million Renona panies. The Reno~ exerci.te would he Soetety for Christian Reflec sharea of ~en each at an isaue price of SO result in a holdi~ company of fow to tion (SCR) is most distwbed at $1.00 per shue, just to create a share five levels. Ow Reg.istru of Companies the recent turn of events re premium reaerve of $613 million and T and the KLSE should follow the UK gardina the recognition or the Harris make the accounts of Renona Bhd took example. 10 that the Innocent public can Solid State Workers Union (HSSWU). JOOd for later exploitation. be protected from legaliZed crooks. It has been cleu for some time now that The purpose of this whole corporate Therefore, if S2 million in net assets the manaaement of Hartis Solid State exerciJe ii to cheat the greedy and igno· is invested in Kinta KeUas, by the time (M) Sdn Bhd (HSSM) has shown scant rant public. The ac abould not allow that reaches Renong, the market value regard for the spirit of the law and has auch blatant shue manipulation. will be approx. S 11,990 million (2 X constantly resorted to legal loopholes The following calculations will iltus 5,995). ln Ibis way, Renong's market and uOJCrupulous means to undermine tnt~ my point: capitalization may eAceed Sime Dalby's the formation of tlle union. An auet valued at Sl in Kinta Kel.lu, ($7 ,000 million) in five years' time. The most obvious of these is the after pasainJ through UEM, Time, Hati _H the companies concerned ue such move by the manqement to coctce the budi and RenoJ18 will be maanitled to a good buy, then Renona should pay employees of HSSM to accept offers of $S,995 u abown below: cash for them and not involve the employment in a sister company, Harris This means that if a SO sen Renona public. Advanced Technology Sdn Bhd (HAT), a share i1 valued at $1.00 by the market day before the expiry date of the 14· then, an asset of Sl ,000 in Kinta Kellu, CONCJ:.'RNI:.'D INVESTOR day period given by the ministry to the aftl!l' passing through the "money· Jpoh company 10 recognise HSSWU. This efiectjvely reduced the total number of employees in HSSM, and consequently the number or union members, to only COUNTER ASSET MCRATIO 24. 1. Kinta Kellas 1.00 X 31.87 = s 31.87 Given that the ownershlp of HAT is s no different from that of HSSM, and 31.87 X 18.70 = S95.91 2. UEM s s the fact that it was during work.ina 3. Time s 595.91 X 5.03 = $2,997.73 hours in the HSSM plant that offer 4. Renona $2,997.73 X 2.00 = S5.995.46 letters or HAT were issued to the ..MC Ratio is the Markel Capitalization Ratio for Februuy. (The Stu, 3 April workers, it is obvious that this offer of 1990). reemployment is nothing short of an attempt to crush the union by invok.ina an appuent legal loophole. 17 The issue of the workers being KASIHAN GURU..CURU pedih panu matahari serta bau peluh dj haJ'a!SOO into joining the new company iJ ~ekolah. Kasihan betul cikgu. Ke., another point to consider in the con guru dj ICedah, Perlis dan Penang khu text ol the continuin& aga or the nya, setiap pagi berebut lc:e .ekolah workers to form the Cint-ever in-house zinkan say a menambah sedikit melalui jalan.jalan yang sempit belaka. union in the electronic. sector in kepada tuliaan B.A. Kedah dalam Keempat, berbagai lterja sengaja diada· Malaylia. lc:eluuan Allran MonthJy yang lalu. !tan untult memberatltan beban auru Ill thiuegud, the Human Resources I Ada lima aebab menaapa kita kuiban KBSR. Ke'!a Berat Sampoi Rebah. Minister bad chosen to conclude, from ltepada auru. Pertama, aoal gaji. Banding· Kelima, guru sering menghadapl auru his dilcussion with 200 workers, that lab aen THEME: UNITY AND ECONOMY SPEAKERS : •DAnJKMOHAMEDSOPIEE (New.papcr colwiiJiilt. forme' ~) Human Resources Minister: "No •DRJOMOKS harraument on worken"! (ACIIdelllic A IOdal aetmlt) • DR CHANDRA MUZAPF AR pretently employed by him. The actioJU (Aiiru Pr:elident) of the management of HSSM/HA T is in clear violation of thU section. DATE 11-8-1990 (S.turday) H the M.inbtry of Human Re10wces and the Government allow managements TIME 7.30p.m. to make a mockery of the statutory machinery provided by law for the re VENUE NEGEJU SEMBILAN CEYLONESE ASSOCIATION HALL cognition of the union, it will tel a (Next 10 Ceftt11ry Hotel) precedent for other irresponsible ma No. I Jalaa SUIIpi UjoJII, nagements to follow suit. SCR therefore SEREMBAN calls upon the Minister to declare thu 10-alled transfer of workers from HSSM to HAT u i.l1epl, and that HSSWU be allowed to begin repretentq the more than 1,000 workers who have placed their trust - and hopes- in it. I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Society For Christlon Reflection • 18 UNIVERSAL SPIRITUAL VALUES PRAYERS FROM DIFFERENT TRADITIONS Our Lord: you ruave not created this for nothing. Yours is the Glory. Preserve us from the doom of the Fire. Emad Adly Representative of the Islamic faith Ecumenical liturgy, Montevideo, December 1989 A Hindu prayer rt/CJU are the Father of the universe whatever is moving and unmoving. You are the great Teacher who is to be worshipped by humanity. 0 Lord of unequaled power, None exists that is equal to you in the triple universe: How then can there be anyone superior? Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body before you, 0 adorable Lord, I crave your forgiveness. As a father to his devoted child, As a friend to his dear friend , As a lover to his beloved, Even so, 0 Lord, shouldst thou bear with me. Rabi Shamna, Representative of the Hindu community, Ecumenical liturgy, Montevideo, December 1989 19 "W'Ju.t comes from the tips, reaches the HEART TO HEART ear. What comes from the heart, reaches tlle heart." -ARAB PROVERB THE MANY. FACES OF POVERTY ECENTLY, an English daily tude of his hapless mother and part tions) of a better life after another. highlighted the plight of an ly too, because the family was just He and his family of growing child R Indian family living in con so poor. ren have lived in boxlike tene ditions resembling an animal pen. ments in the heart of Georgetown The family, comprising the mother, DOWN 1N THE DUMPS for more than 12 years, 10 of which have been spent trying to known only as Sophie, and seven In a more recent incident, a get into better surroundings, but to children ranging from one to 11 Malay family of seven were forced no avail. years lived in deplorable conditions to live next to a stinking and Home to the Tans is a two by near Semenyih, Selangor. filthy rubbish dump site in Am pang two metre cubicle, one of 34 The open hut in wh.ich they after their former squatter house similar dwellings laid out in two were squatting was bare, drab and was demolished by the authorities. rows and separated by a narrow dirty. A broad wooden bench Warri Ibrahim, 30, her husband alley along which the womenfolk formed the bed for the children and their five children have little do their washing and cooking. all of whom had sores on their choice because her husband earns The cubicles house some 200 heads, flaky skin and bloated tum a measly $300 a month. She hates residents who are no better-off than mies - signs of poor nutrition and to see her children playing ln the Mr Tan. Together, they make do hygiene. dump, but can do nothing about with only two bucket toilets, two Madam Sophie's husband was it because there is nowhere else in bathrooms and three taps which reported to have died after drink the crowded shanty settlement for have frustratingly poor water ing weedkiller several years ago. lt the kids to expend their boisterous pressure. The women in the area was also reported that she "drank energy. hardly sleep during the night a lot" and supported her family Nevertheless, she worries in because they have to stay up with a monthly allowance of $ 110 cessantly about the health hazards filling their pots and tanks with from the Welfare Services Depart faced by the children whose con water for the next day. ment. She said she had stopped stant companions are thousands of Mr Tan has been trying to get working at a nearby pig farm after flies and mangy dogs. She hates a government low-cost house for getting the welfare grant. having to breathe the foul air years. He thinks his failure to get The family was "discovered" which sometimes makes her sick one is because his income is even by three students out on a fishing and causes her husband and chil lower than the category which trip. They were civic-minded dren to lose their appetite. qualifies for low-cost housing. enough to alert the English daily To make matters worse, there is Otherwise, he claims, it must be which then published the sorry no water supply or electricity in due to his lack of the right connec story of the family. Several days their homes. Puan Wani pays $15 tions for he sees many well-earning after that, one of the children who a month to a family living near the people getting such houses. He is had lain ill and semi-conscious for main road to get tap water for an sure that more politicians will be days, succumbed to his illness. hour a day, while kerosene and gas making more promises this election The death of the child further lamps light their house when dusk but is not so sure about getting his underscored the tragedy of th.is falls. poverty-stricken family wh6rn low-cost house. society seems to have forgotten. POOR IN THE MIDST OF His death need not have been for POOR ARE OF ALL RACES WEALTH ' he could have been quickly rushed Madam Soptue, Puan Wani and to a clinic or hospital under normal In the case of Tan Yeng Yew Mr Tao have one thing in common. circumstances. However, he was left and his family of seven, life has All three are victims of poverty - neglected with flies swarming over been one broken promise (made Madam Sophie particularly so him partly due to a lacking atti· without fail during general elec- 20 or tlult all Malays have gained living. 1mmeasureably from the New Such myths are frequently used Economic Policy, their stories by certrun political quarters to sow demonstrate that there are many discord among ethnic groups and it poor Chinese as well as Malays would be useful LO reflect on who have been left behind despite these and other incidents of pover millions of ringgit spent under the ty the next time we hear someone NEP. ft also brings into question clruming that "all Chmese are what the government has done or rich" or that "all Malays have not done for the Indians. gained a lot from the NEP". We The ostentatious lifestyles of should not only correct friends certain groups uf Chinese and who harbour such myths but Malays have erroneously led many reject politicians who perpetuale to generalise that the entire com them. 0 fl; munity enjoys a high standard uf -----._:_-A (\ AYW ) ~ -I ~ J Sophie and her child in their drab squatter hut. The Lesson The Lord said, "Say, 'We' ·:· But I shook my head, Hid my hands tight behind my back, and said, Stubbornly, "1. '' 1?1e L ord said, "Sa_v, 'We' "; But 1 looked upon them, grimy and all awry Myself in all those twisted shapes? All, no! Distastefully I nmzed my head away, Persisting, ...- ~\ - ·(/ "They." - _v ('- / "'y;' The Lorrl said, I "SII}', 'We' "; A1d I Puan Wani hate1 to breathe the At last, foul air from the dump near where she lives. Richer by a hoard Ofyears Arri tears, and lhey and their families have Looked in their eyes and formed the heavy word suflered because of this. Yet all Thar belli my neck and lowed my head. around them are symbols of wealth Like a shamed schoolboy then I nuanbled low, and development which seem to "We, have bypassed folks like them. Lord." Their stories arc not particular cases for there are many like them Karle Wilson Baker wllo do not make their way into lhe news and thus gain the atten Lion and sympalhy of the public and the authorihes. Their plight shows tno that the poor are to be found among all ethnic groups. far from popular myths that all Chinese are wealthy 21 ETHNIC CONFLICT Mothers Speak Out! Whether we come from the and night, was to bring about the 'MOTHERS AND North or the South, from the plan dawn of a better future for our DAUGHTERS OF LANKA• tations or from the coast, from children. And we are no longer are a group of concerned village or town, whether we belong prepared to see those dreams of our women who have come to the Tamil, Sinhala or any other future destroyed at anyone's hand. Already thousands of our chtl together to work towards community, no matter what diVI sions and differences there may be dren have been cruelly snatched restoring Peace and between us, the Jove we bear for away from us. Some of them have Democracy and safeguard our children is the same. fallen prey to a T 56 gun or a Human Rights. We nursed a thousand hopes in 'galkatas'; others have breathed our hearts from the day a chLld theu last on a funeral pyre built was conceived 10 our womb to the on tyres Some of them have moment when we heard 1ts first Simply 'disappeared'. All that we n the face of the growing Situa cry; we bore much suffering and can fmd of others, are bits of bone. tion of terror in our country, pain for the sake of our cluldreo, How can we bear to see the we have come forward as with love in our hearts. Surely all faces we so often fondled in child MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS this was not to sec the lives of our hood, now distorted by the tortures OF LANKA to demand justice children destroyed in this wanton they have undergone? Today the and fair play for all human beings, manner? Nor did we make so many mothers of our t..oumry are to be who are like sons and daughters to sacrifices to bring our children to seen in lamentation, unable to us with the fum resolve to nd our adulthood, simply to see them then accept the cruel fate that has land of this cruel cycle of murder take up arms against one another. befallen the1r children, seekmg the and violence forever. Our goal in life, as we toiled day remains of a loved one 10 rivers, 22 on the roadside, on the beach. We say ENOUGH. We ask you, the rulers of our country: why are you silent while our children are being destroyed by assassins, whether they are in uniform or MOTHERS OF LANKA CRY OUT without? You gunmen, and you who give orders to gunmen: if you have ever felt the warmth of a "STOP ALL mother's love even for a day, how can you now bring such sorrow KUJ.INGS NOW'' to the hearts of mothers all over the country? And to our people we say: why do we remain passive and silent, while our very right to ell me, my childRD, life is being snatched away from us T Howcu I, and while peace & democracy are your mother, remain lilent any lo~Wer? rapidly disappearing from our land? You who are our children. Curion CODIWIIea the f1eab your mothers cry out to you that that I nurtund, murder cannot bring about the with llleep... nilht•, cessation of murder. You who amidlt Jw~ and deprimion; the f1eab struggle to build a prosperous that il aU that remaiN future, a just society, a new human of my tOn, being, you above all must learn to mydauahter, respect human life. of the child who looked up at me with loYe iJI ita eyea Can the lives of those infants, after a c:laildhood quurel children, the Sick, the old, the religious and all other unarmed The blood thlt tlowa innocents who have died so far onr vilqea and town, on the roedlide and in the riven, ever be recompensed? il the blood that once flowed As mothers are the fountain· in my Yeina head of love, so can they launch u l auc:tled you, my child. into struggle without a care for No matter: What UIDI )'041 bear, themselves, when they sense a No matter w ..t power you haft - threat to their children. Therefore, Who il it who pft yoa the !Dill, at this decisive point in our history, Who is it who pYe you the po-, we as mothers and daughters of 1o deatroy life that a mother brou&ht forth? Lanka, appeal to all women of this country io come forward to defend Wait. our right to life, to demand an Heed yoa the mother'• cry. end to this wanton destruction of CaD a llalt to tbia cyde life and to organise and build a ol Yiolence and hatred. Stop tllia ltilliJw, movement dedicated to the seeking and eeek IOiutioaa of solutions to the problems we Stop ltillinJ. face today. With this in mind, let Stop ldlliDI NOW. us unite around the following MOTHERS AND DA 1/CHTERS demands: OF LANKA • to call a halt to the practise of C/o. .58, Grun hth, Colombo 3. politics at gunpoint, • to create a society free of divisions of race, creed, caste, • to build an atmosphere in which one can live without fear. REFUTE BARBARISM ! END THE WAR! Reproduced from KANTA MAGA Journal of the Progressive Women's Front, 1990: (6) May. 23 Below is a statement by The World SOLIDARITY FOR Solidarity Forum on Sri Lanka for Justice and Peace which met in JUSTICE & PEAC Thailand in May 1990. The meeting was attended by 83 persons representing organisations from Sri vernments to resolve the The forum will therefore cam Lanka as well as development ethnic conflict, agencies, regional and international paign, nationally and international (ii) the subversion of democra support networks for Sri Lanka and ly, for the following, which it tic processes and the growth identifies as the pre-requisite for social, religious and peace of authoritarianism, and movements from 20 other the restoration of peace and demo (ill) implementation of econo· countries. The gathering was a cracy in Sri Lanka: mic policies that have result response to the escalating human • to focus attention on the viola ed m the increasing pauperi rights violations and erosions of tions of democratic and human sation and marginalisatlon democracy in Sri Lanka. rights in Sri Lanka; of a large section of the • for the lifting of the state of population, have contribut -Editor emergency, holding of free and ed to the prevailing situa fair elections, repeal of repres tion in the country. sive laws, the preservation of the This Forum notes that there are independence and integrity of on-going negotiations between the the judicial system, and the Sri Lanka Governmem and the observance of Sri Lanka's obliga his ~orum re-affmns its L TIE and would welcome all tion under the international T commitment: efforts to resolve the long out covenants; • to peace and respect for human standing ethnic conflict. • to halt the forced repatriation rights; Based on the commitments that of plantation workers and to call • to the vision of a multi-ethnic it has re-affmned and the condi for the granting of citizenship society based on respect for the tions that it has noted above, this rights to all plantation workers identity and legitimate rights of forum calls for: who choose to become citizens all nationalities and communi· • The renunciation of violence and of Sri Lanka; ties; acts of terrorism as a means of • for the evoluuon of a framework • to democracy, political liberty, a resolving political differences by of regional autonomy, in which free and untramelled franchise, a aU political groups; citizens can fully exercise their pluralist state that guarantees • The operation of all law enforce democratic rights, without being respect for all religions, without ment agencies including the subject to any form of intimida preference, and constitutional armed forces and the police tion or coerc1on, and in which and democratic structures based with strict adherence and all ethnic groups can fully on these principles. accountability to the rule of exercise and enjoy their collec This Forum considered with law; tive rights; deep alarm the prevailing situation • The disbanding and disarming of • to ensure freedom of thought in Sri Lanka and noted: all vtgilante groups, the de and expression, including the • That severe infringements of militarisation of the country and autonomy of the mass media human nghts, including abduc restoration of the supremacy of from state comrol and within a tions, disappearances, arbitrary democratic, civilian adminis structure that will make them arrests, rape, conscription of tration. reflective of the plurality of minors, torture and numerous This Forum calls upon the inter Sri Lankan society; extra-judicial killings have been national community to: • the development of economic commonplace for several months • actively support initiatives to strategJes that would support and still continue; end aU violations of human and and enhance the values of a • That the apparatus of the democratic rights and to restore democratic society. state, vigilante groups allied to democratic norms and practices; The World Solidarity F orum on the powers that be, and certain • request the government of Sri Sri Lanka, in the spirit of its com other political organisations Lanka to observe ItS obligations mitment to peace and justice and must bear responsibility for this under international covenants on the restoration of democracy in Sri situation; civil, political, social, cultural Lanka, has unanimously adopted • That a state of mLlitarisatioo and economic rights; this statement and calls upon other prevaLls throughout the country; • require an account of the human like-minded groups and mdivi • That: rights record as a precondition duals to affmn and support this (i) the failure of successive go· of aid. initiative. 0 24 I RELIGION RELIGIOUS DOUBLE STANDARDS? We carry below the objections ~ would like you 10 refer voiced by the MALAYSIAN the Administration of Islamic Law to the article 'Valiant Enactment 1989 which were un CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL We!Tort that turned sour'. acceptable . To date one of them OF BUDDffiSM, whrch appeared in /\!iran ( 10.3). (governmg the age of conversion) It ts not the mtenuon ol Malay CHRISTIANITY, HINDUISM has been struck down by the stan Consultauve Council or AND SJKKHISM to the views Supreme Court but we are still Buddlu ~rn. Chnsuamty. Hmdutsm of an earlier article in the AM . waiting to sec that particular sec and SilJusm (MC'CBCHS) to entet non bemg amended! The "33 into polemic:.. However. it 1s Christians" must ::.urely be aware tmportant that ""e dartfy our The C'ivtl L:m ('ode has been of the ~land taf...cn by the Selangor po~illon vis-a·\'is the comments accepted b~:cau~e tt ~~ not based State Government when the Men made by a group of JJ Malaystan on any rchgtun . Whereas, the teri Bcs:~r wa) adamant and refused Christians. (pages II and I::! of the Syariah is bused on a specific further dtscuSSIOll wllh the MCA. above issue). religjon. Islam. The non-Muslims Perhaps. they should have read We woultllike to point 1\llt that who follow the1r uwn religions. more care I ully our article which th~.: so ..:ailed "author:.·· of the also have their owu rchg1o us laws points out how the Syariah never article have. and have never. rn tht~ country. treated non-Mushms equally and a) failed to obtain facts ot what asked that thl.!} he applied to peo d1lfcrcnt e\amples were given ~1C'CBCHS has been trymg to ple who du not prole~ their wluch were drawn from history, do .~nd beliefs. ln \1ala}~la , il wuntry from ~tuauons wtucb exist at tl1e b) th~ tm:.rcad the iment ol whilh LS mul11-rehgtou~ and mulli present moment m "Islamtc MCCBCHS' article tn question. radaL and ''here treedom to States", and from Malaysia where Ftrst ol all MCCBC' HS has been profess one·~ rehg.ion IS guaranteed there is already considerable dis trying to see the Pnme Mtntster ut tbc Constitution, it 1s llnpor crimination at. present and more for a dtalogue without mudt tanl that any code ollaw to govern discrlrnlnat10n is likely to happen. suc~.;c~s We have sent numerous the people be not based on any The examples quoted are relevant ml.!moranda and leuers tu the one particul3r rchgton. precio;ely because the ''situation Prnne ~1iruster. appealing lur mcct The purpo)e ot the article by and practice d1ffers from one tngs 111 order tn have a dtalogue MCCBCHS is to re,pond to those Mushm maJOrity state to another." with him. \\hen then: was no e1tbcr in the Bar1san 'astonal or MCCBCHS i~ merely stating what re:.pon~e we lud to resort ltnally m the oppo~iunn or 1n the indepen had and hJ~ happened everywhere Ill the signature l:ampaign. When, dent group \\ hu ~all and work lor so that c.:~,mparisons and parallels at laq. uur Prune Mintster granted th~ unposltton ol the Jslamtc La"" can be stud ted and renected upon. us an .tUdience. we pn.:~cntcd tu on ALL .Mala y~iam. The~e expone Consider the case of the liquor hi111 :t file with all our ..:mrcspon nerm of the appht.:atmn of the licences in a district of Selangor dence ami memorumia. Islamic Law on all Malaystans make whtch were cancelled and were In the third paragraph. tht' nn Ui!>ltllCIIOn between laW!> that only rc-tssued after considerable :Httde hy the "33 Chnstians" arc acceptable and laws that are political intervention. The Social a... ur:oe~ '\1C'C'BC'HS ol presenting a not acceptable to thl' nun-Muslims. Welfare Lottery is to be stopped. bra~ed perspectiH! of the S1wiafl MCCBCHS ts responding to th1s. ln certain ''hlamic countries'' The unenuon of \1C'C'BC' HS J) The "33 ChmllilllS" S 25 that there is no consensus amongst ment of the "33 Christians", these It seems to us that the under Muslim scholars on many impor issues should not have been brought lying philosophy presented by the tant issues which concern non up because they created an "us "33 Christians" seems to be that of Muslims under the·Syariah. vs ·them': situauon. Aliran's present position. In the We are therefore definitely con But, these "33 Christians", may name of unity, it soft-pedals all cerned with many more issues than rebut that these issues are non· differences and concentrates on j11st Articles 67 and 70 of the racial and non-religious whereas the commonality to such an extent that Selangor Enactment. We continue to Islamic Law issue is religious. Of it fails to take cognition of the appeal to the Government not to course, the issue of the conver reality. There are differences of apply the Syariah - to non sion of all vernacular-type schools beliefs in the various religions Muslims. into national-type schools is racial. which all must respect and which The "33 Christians" further But this is not the point. cannot be tgnored. There is dis accuse us of enhancing biases and The underlying principle, how crimination against non-Muslims prejudices of the non-Muslims ever, of raising up issues is that which has become entrenched and is against Muslims. The building of there is injustice done and some now approachmg the point of bridges is an admirable concept thing must be done to nght what is intolerance. There is even raetal djs but it must be based on justice wrong. Why is this principle only crimination. and mutual respect. applicable to social problems that Finally, the "33 Christians" Should we cover up truth in cut across rac1al and religious should, perhaps, have had a dia order to preserve a false atmos affiliations? Why is it not also logue with the MCCBCHS, on phere of understanding, especially applicable to racial and religious which the Christians are represent when discriminations are being injustices done? Are there double ed, before berating the MCCBCHS. experienced? · Peace that is not standards in this question of based on truth and justice is injustice? Rev. Dr. Kim Beng (President) pseudo-peace which could break ls it not natural to react with A. Nagapan (Vice President) out into violence. It is much pain when one is abused, discri Rev. Dr. Paul Tan, S.J. (Hon. better to face truth and try to minated against merely because one Secretary) resolve whatever problems which wofesses a different religion and/or Joginder Singh (Past President) exist than to pretend that all is is of a different race? well. We do not see how the telling of the truth can enhance prejudi ces and biases. The MCCBCHS is dedicated to the promotion of mutual respect and cooperation between people of different religions. Efforts at dia logue have been hampered by the attitude that Islam is the "official religion" and as such the other religions in Malaysia must be satis fied with the discriminations inflic ted on them. Can there be true dialogue when one party not only feels superior but acts with superio rity and discriminates against others? The MCCBCHS, in spite of this, will continue to find ways and means for dlalogue. Another accusation of the "33 Christians" is that we are caus.lng "us vs them" polarisation. This is unfa~r! Many issues have been brought up by not only Aliran but also the NGOs. These too have caused "us vs them" situation. Just to mention a few: the !SA, the North South Highway, the attempt to change all vernacular-type schools to national-type schools, etc. Logically, then, following the argu- 26 CORRUPTION Corruption - A hard look at public enemy number one by Christopher Evans ecruit. Boesky, Bofors, applied ar BHP. Australia's largest Guinness- a string ofscan· company. After oil was dis<.:overetl R dals have gained internation 'Those on the inside share an in lhe Bass Srrait. Bl iP overcharg· al limelight. backed up by strong overriding priority to prevent ed their customers for a year due sub·plots of take-over crookery and the truth from being known. • to a laboratory error. When this insider-dealing. The former Chair· was discovered it wou ld have been man of the n ong Kong Stock b easy. and perfectly legal. to do change is arrested. Delhi house nothing. But BHP's Managing Di buyers are routinely asked to pay rector, Sir James McNeil, order· hall· lhe price in black money. and any practice that. from the point ed the payment of full refunds. another Japanese Prime Minister of view ul morality, cannot he 'I am more ultcrcsted in the good resigns in a corruptio11 scandal. openly ad,nowledged is !J.kcly to name of BHP than m A$10 mil· The Communist world fares no have ~omcthing wrong with it. lion.' he said. better. Accusations of profitecnng Perhaps such considerations The incident was not pubh· lly at Politburo level in Moscow. an old comrade of Fidel Castro is executed for drug running and students in BeiJing arc mown down while protesting about 'rotteru1ess·. Small wonder that for millions of people from Beijing to Bogota corruption is public enemy one. Is it realisth: to expect an Jm· provbment? Unfortunately one can't boil such a Wlllple.x problem down to a universally acccpt:Jblc list of dos and don'ts. Almost everyone recoils from t11e rich and powerful cheat ing to become even more rich and powerful. Fewer get angry about the small man cheating the big. And when it comes lO the audacious trickery of some who live under despotic rebrimes. it is easier 1o applaud lhan disapprove. Equally, many businessmen feel tl1ey are not corrupt, but the VIC· tims of extortion - 'Pay me mum:y or I will make n impossible for you to do business ~round here.' And cultures v<.~ry. In some pans of the world a seasonal gift to a cLient might be highly questionable, m others a viral courtesy. Where do you draw the line? A Shanghai demonstration: Citizens' outrage against high-level useful rule of thumb could be that corruption. 27 Aibel's report 'provoked intense cized. Such cases rarely are, tllough India's Gandhi; Japan's Nakasone: discussion, to say the least' among we read daily about scandals. Some An electoral defeat and a senior management. 'Each of the like BHP do not want to blow their resignation both linked to payoffs. own trumpet. Others don't want it senior executives,' he relates, known that there was ever a pro 'affirmed that doing business m this blem. Asking a person what he or way was contrary to his own per she has done about bribery is like sonal code of ethics.' And ITT's Many other organizations use asking a man if he has stopped top management also concluded codes of conduct. Police in Lon beating his wife. they would risk far more than they don, for instance, can accept a The result is a one-sided pic might gain by going on making cup of tea on someone's door ture of industry. A survey in 'questionable payments'. After con step but must not go inside for a 1988 by the Market Research sultation with line-managers, they meal. Such codes help create a Society in the UK showed that drew up a policy which, among climate favourable to those who the man in the street strongly dis other tl1ings, 'forbids acceptance of want to be honest, which means trusted big businessmen. Only na gifts from competitors, customers most people. tional newspapers were trusted Jess. or suppliers'. Some structures in business, The US multinational ITT had a Under the watchful eye of a economics or politics are known bad press in the Seventies, but few boardroom committee ITT's from hard experience to be fer realize how much things have 280,000 employees world-wide tile soiJ for corruption. For exam changed since then. were told of the new code and top ple. underpaid public servants in ln April 1974, foUowing an management's determination to control of multi-million budgets attempt at blackmail against the apply It. •As il has become known will always be subject to great company, Howard Aibel, ITT's that people have been fired, the pressure. General Counsel and current Exe number of deviations (from the Indiscriminate subsidies are ano cutive Vice-President, Jed an inves· code) has diminished,' states Aibel. ther danger area. According to EEC tigation. He found 'instances of He believes that changes of figures the 750 residents of me covert arrangements made by some structure and pohcy can 'enhance Vatican have each been eating some ITT companies, primarily those ethical standards of conduct', but 16 kg of veal per week. Much 'operating abroad ... payments ...... adds, 'In the final analysis it ts the more likely is that EEC meat tra turned over to government offi individual who will determine the ders have been registermg ficti cials in a position to mfluence the ethical quality of business con tious 'exports ' to the Vatican in award of business'. duct.' order to clainl lucrative export 28 subsidies. throughout the period, as she still the doctor let it be known he Equally suspect is a manage is. In 1966 she was Lord Mayor. would neither give nor receive any, ment philosophy that measures She carne through the scandal he found one of the ftrms bidding, everything by short-term financtal with her reputation enhanced and John Laing pic, keen to work the results. Many a young recruit is has been decorated for services to same way. Despite intrigues and told, 'Whatever the company code the city. illicit payments available from some says, the quarterly returns are She declines to discuss all she competitors, Laing won the con what really count. Go ahead and knows - talking behind people's tract. falsify them.' backs would be 'contrary to my Fifteen years ago a young East Jewish faith', she explams. But African Asian took up a post as a Less attractive to cheat she is characteristically forthright junior partner in an accountancy Nearly all countries Legislate about what it takes to steer clear firm. He was determined to prove against the bribing of their own of corruption. 'You've got to feel that honesty was possible in that otficials, though only the USA - you are answerable to God,' she setting. His family was behind thanks to President Jimmy Carter - says. 'Otherwise you can behave as him, and he won the backing of outlaws the bribing of other peo you like. No one else sees.' Ius partners. There followed 'five ple's. In some countries, certain When exposure alone is not or six hair-raising years'. bribes to foreign officials can be enough to change the culture of ' lt is normal in the profession to counted as tax-deductible business a corrupt organization, an aroused give gifts,' he told me. 'The giver expenses - a situation which is public opirtion may belp. ln Queens wants the receiver to overlook a being fought in Norway by a citi land. Australia, a State which has few items in the balance sheet. The zens' movement. suffered a series of corruption state loses tax revenue. We decided Most cases of corruption come scandals, citi7ens have taken this a we could not join in.' to light simply because the law has step farther with the launching of The fim1 nearly went out of been broken. The exposure of Ivan a charter, Our decision for a corrup business as many clients left, Boesky, the Guinness affarr and tion-free Queensland. Its basis is saying they did not want to be Recruit are all examples of legal that people cannot expect to live guinea pigs. And the staff had to systems in the hands of honest in a corruption·free society if they endure hassle and lower incomes. and determined men reacting are not prepared to make a perso ' Many times we asked ourselves if against wrong-doing. Such actions nal stand themselves. it wouldn't be wiser to concede,' make it less attractive to cheat. But some corruption rings are he recalled. 'Success isn't guarante The same can be said of Zim hard to break. Those on the inside ed in the path of living straight. babwe where President Mugabe share an over-riding priority to pre Often the issues are not clear cut. appointed the independent San vent the truth from being known, Is corruption justified if survival Is dura Commission whose investiga even when this is in direct conflict at stake -your own or a client's?' tions into corruption led to the with the interests of their organiza It is usually fear which over dismissal of some of his own tion or country. Often they will shadows one's convictions, the busi cabinet. viciously attack anyone who threa nessman went on. 'But corruption Exposure of a problem was tens to uncover what is really going is corroding the foundations of enough to provoke a detennined on. society. it is not a private problem.' clean-up operation in Newcastle In the worst situations few indi Having asked himself what he upon Tyne, England. viduals can hope to stand frontally would be able to offer to coming During the late Sixttes and early against the forces of corruption generations if he gave up his stand, Seventies there was considerable and win. Theu resistance has to be he decided 'to give fears of the out urban reconstruction in the region, more akin to guerrilla warfare. come to God'. planned and financed by local Occasionally they pay a high Some clients who had succumb authorities. Few realized that any price. An executive with a well ed to the 'giving' environment were thing was wrong until an archi· known Hong Kong company refus prosecuted. Later, some of these teet, John Poulson, went bankrupt. ed to pay bribes. Informed that it came back to his fum. • In his books were found unex was a condition of employment, 'We are now doing well, mainly plained payments of £175,000 to and unable to see a way round it, due to our reputation for dealing T. Dan Smith, leader of Newcastle he resigned. It took him many straight,' be told me. 'New partners City Council, a 'city boss' with a months to establish his own small know what they are coming into. It long record of public service. A business. is part of the attraction of the job. weiJ-oiled mechanism for corrupt Others take great risks and find Some big companies have stuck ly awarding construction contracts unexpected allies. Last year an their necks out like us. But the was uncovered. Within months, Egyptian doctor was involved in battle is not over. It confronts you Smnh and some of his associates plans for building a new hospital every day.' were serving long prison sentences. in Cairo. Several companies wanted Theresa RusseU was a much res the contract and assumed that Reproduced [rom For A Change - pected Newcastle City Councillor large bribes were in order. When Moral Rearmament, Oct, 1989. 29 PILIHANRAYA UMUM u ilihanraya umum akan darang berlainan danpada kesemua P piUhanraya yang Jalu kerana pertama kali dalam ~ejarah politik Malaysia. PAS akan bcrganding bahu dengan pani-parti lam untuk menewaskan Bansan Nasional (B ). PAS menganggotai gabungan parti-partt pembangkang Melayll/ Islam bernama Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah yang diketuai oleh Sc mangat 46. Sementara itu Semangat 46 pula rnengadakan kerjasama dengan parli-parti bukan Melayu seperti DAP dan AMrPF yang ili ketuai oleh M.G. Pandithan. BN telah mengeksploitasikan isu kerjasama PAS dengan Semangat 46. dan kerjasama Semangar -l6 dengan DAP dan AM IPF untuk memporak-purandakan para pen yokong PAS dan DAP supaya kerjasama yang dianjurkan oleh Semangat 46 ini gagal. Apabila gaga!. terselamatlah BN daripada kemusnahan. BN lebih suka kepacla keadaan PAS dan DAP dahulu. sebelum Semangat 46 mengambil inisiatif dengan DAP sedangka11 DAP Di Semenanjung lerclapat 131 me ngwujudkan kerjasama untuk menentang dasa:r Negara Islam kerusi iaitu 92 kerusi majoriti PAS. menentangnya. Kalau PAS dan pengundi Melayu. 26 kerusi majori DAP masih scperti dahulu, sudah Ncgara kua mengamalkan sistern ti pengundi Cina dan 14 pengundi te ntu BN tidak tcrgugat dan akan demokrasi berparlimen sebagaimana campuran. Di Sabah terdapat 20 kembah berkuasa dengan mudah yang tcrmaktuh dala111 perlembaga· kerusi. Sarawak 27 kerusi, di setiap kali pilihanraya diadakan. an. Apa juga undang-undang atau Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan satu. BN menakut-nakutkan para pen dasar yang hendak diwujudkan Di Sarawak terdapat empat kerusi yokong parti-parti yang menyenai 111esti berpandu kepada syarat clan majoriti pengundi Islam sementara kerjasama mi. Adalal1 diharapkan peruniUkan dalam perlembagaan. di Sabah enam dan Wilayah Perse para pemimpm dan penyokong Kedua, negara kita mempunyai kutuan Labuan satu. Apabila di parti-parti ini tidak tem1asuk pe penduduk berbil:rng kaum. Hak dan campur kerusi pengundi Melayu/ rangkap BN. kepentingan setiap kaum henuakJah [slam di seluruh negara jumlahnya Kerjasama PAS dalam Angkatan dljaga dan ilipelihara sesuai dengan 113. dan kerjasama Semangat 46 dengan prinsip Islam dan selaras dengan Oleh kerana Slstem politik Iota kumpulan-kumpu1an bukan Melayu pedcmbagaan. masih dipengaruhi sentimen perkau menimbulkan dua isu : Negara kita mempunyai 180 man dan keagamaan, sesebuah parti kerusi Parlimen. Sokongan 91 orang yang wujud bersendirian tidak akan 1. PAS dituduh menyokong dasar ahli diperlukan unlllk meluluskan mendapa t sokongan rakyat keselu sekular kerana bekerjasama dasar biasa sernentara pindaan atau ruhannya kerana rakyat sedar pen dengan Semangat 46. tambahan kepada perlembagaan tadbiran yang lkin dan berkesan 2. PAS diruduh bekerjasama memcrlukan sokongan 120 ahli. memerlukan kerajaan. yang di- llhat muka JJ 30 ARE YOU AWARE OF THE ISSUES AFFECTING OUR FUTURE? Do you want to know what is reaDy happening? JOIN US IN THE STRUGGLE FOR Get a grasp of the issues and events that affect us as JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND Malaysians whatever our ethnic or religious SOLIDARITY! background. Aliran does not get a.ny foreign financial help. We READ ALIRAN MONTHLY depend entirely on Malaysians for support. The We h.ne tackled aU sons of natioriAl and global Aliran Monthly whose editoriAl team works on a subjecu. 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Whatever befalls the earth befalls the people of earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself''. CHIEF SEAITLE • • e Aspiring to make every Malaysian an informed, thinking, effective strand • REFLECTIONS ON THE MALAYSIAN e LIMA PERSOALAN - $3.70 0 CONSTITUTION- $12.20 0 Apakah Alia Tenggllra Selamet? Menppa TerdaPIIt - A compilation of papers presented at a Conference on Kemiskinan Oalam Mesyarakat Kite? APIIkah Die Kebuda· "Reflections on the Malaysian Constitution: 30 Years After yean Nasional? Mengepe Adanya Kekurangan Rumah? Merdeka." The topics addressed include the Historical Menppa Wujudnya Polarisasi Kaum? Dapetkan jawapannya Background, the Role of the Monarchy, the Role of the dalam buku ini. Judiciary. the Role of the Parliament, the Role of the Executive, State and Federal Relations, the Rule of Law, e I.S.A. 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Indicate number ordered in box next to title. • NATION Oftol TRIAL- $12.00 0 Nllme: Mr/Mrs/W...... _ .....•••..• ~ ...... These last five years have been tumultous ones for Malaysia Address: ...... in many respects. In many spheres of national life, the country appears to be 11ipping. This is manifested in the weakening of democratic foundations and the rise of authoritarianism in government, corruption and financial I enclose money order/postal order/cheque no ...... scandals, lack of accountability and an absence of integrity among people at the helm of the nation's affairs, violation ...... dated ...... for the sum of of human rights, a declining economy and increasing unemployment. In the mid&t of all this, Aliran continues to • Pl8118 include 50 sen for bank commiaion for demand a saner political and economic system. outatation cheques. • For local orders, pricea quoted are inclusive of postage. • For overs- orders, prices quoted in US$. Add 20% of total ordar for surfaea mail and 100% of 32 total order for airmail. ~------~ .tan '''''' '' jll JnJ...t;rlgl nleh 2/J ahl~-:.1hh Parlimen. bung kcludupan tetapi merek:J pengundt bu!..ilJt 1\ld.t) 11 } an!! 5enHIJ partl yang lliCilJJtli bl)leh mcnc;apai taraf hidup yant! heradJ ~..t:.l:lln "~' 1 1a , a1.1. .1~:1n tru komponen B\ mcmpunyat perlem· lebih hail< jtku partt yang. mereka Angkal.tn harus nu.:ngwujuJkJn ha!!aan \ang bt>duinan llru1 hf'r· sukoug' herku,,~a atau uwntadt kcq~-;Jma Jcng1n pJrtl·patll Lukan tent,tngun L'MNO herbetu pcrlem· an)!):,Dt1 ker:JtJUil ~1 ~la)U i.l£JT I.Jap:H OlCIIUI.I.;Jil keru~l hagaJnnyOJ dcngan MC \ . ( ,J RA Tamhahan pula udak ban} J.k J...~, ru<,t \Jill! Jikua~:1• oleh MC A. KA' \tiC dan pam-paru dan patti d1 durua y::~ng WUJUU ~emala lor RAk.A~ d.w MJC d1 Scmenan Sabalt dan Sarawak UMNO bcr mata untuk mcltlbangkaug. Sese JUng !>upaya majonu ke1 u~t 2'3 tu.tuan menJaga dan membela nasih buuh paru J>li iJtik dlluhuhkan dapat d.tnwnan~ or~mg ~Jel.tYll. 1( 1\ pula untuk untuk. herku~~3 'am ... ad~ herkn.l.!>a D1 ~cnl~lllllJHng hanya nngg:!l menJagJ dan membcla na~1h sendtn atau menj!,11lJ;golal keraJ.tJ.n d J 1 lai!i p:lrt hd;an Mela) u, taitu Ola~yJr.tkat CtnJ dan ~1JC unwk ~:ampuran. OAP dJn \M !Pr i ang l.un sudah ntJsyarak;JL India dun bcgttulah MCA. (,J RAKAN. MIC dan menj.tdl an!!£Oia BN ~cteru~tl}a anggota-anggola bw dalam BN \dalah mcnghatrank.tn kcnapa Sun{!guhpun parll-paru 1111 memang '\Cdar bah 33 mentary Convention on the Aboli tion of Slavery, the Slave Trade and Institutions and Practices SimJ· CURRENT CONCERNS Jar to Slavery and the Convention on the Nationality of Mamed Women. Malaysia bas, in addition, signed but not ratified tht> Inter· national Convention Against Apar· theid in Sports. The remaining 19 International ERASE RACE Nonethel~. 10 the United States today, as in most other Instruments listed by the UN have parts oi the world, inter-communi· not been s1gned or ratified by the s mono-..-th. nic societies he· ty conflict very often revolves Malaysian government. Among the come mult1 ethruc and as around a variety of ethnic and non· more prominent Jnstruments would A ethnic mmorities in cer· ethnic factors. These conflicll. be the Jnternational Covenant on Lain countrie.' ust- their new found should not be described as racial - Econom1c, Social and Cultural frel'dom to express deep-seated eth· unless, of course, the physical Rights, the International Covenant nic ~ievances, words hke race attributes of the communities con· on Civil and Political RigbLS, the riots and racial tensions are bt>ing ccrncd, are an established source International Convention of the employed more and more m the of tension. Elimination of AU Forms of Racial English languaae media 1n diffe· Ii was out or concern for the Discrimination, the International rent part.. of the world. manner in which the term race bad Convention on the Suppression and It is seldom realized by media been abused that 40 years ago, Punishment of the Crime of Apar· personnel that lhe word racial as UNESCO, in its Cirst statement on theid, the Convention on the Eli an adjective of 't<'ns1ons' between Race, observed: mination of Discriminallon Against say two communit1es in some part "Nat1onal, religious, geographic, Women, the Convention Against of the Sovit>t Union may nol bt Unguistic and cultural ~roups do Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman an accuratt> description of what is not necebSarily coincide with racial or Degrading Treatment or Punish· really happt>mng For the term groups, and the cultural traits of ment and tht> Convent1on relating race, ru. thE> illustrious l>Cholar such groups have no demonstrated to the Slatus of Refugees. Ashley Montagu points out in hts genetic connection with rac1al It IS worth observing that a well -known study Man's Most Dan· traits. Because serious. errors of th1s large number of Third World gerous Myth: The ~'allacy of Race, kind aa·e habitually committed countries havt> ratified many more has a clear biolog1cal or physio· when lhe term 'race' is used in of the Instruments than Malaysia logical connotation. And yet the popular parlance, it would be has. Countries like Algeria, Argcn· tensions in the Sov1t>t Union or better when speaking of human tina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bra.til, in ~orne other pan of the world races to drop the term 'race' alto· Cameroon, Colombia, Cyprus, may have nothin~ to do with getber and speak of ethnic groups." Egypt, Guyana, India, Jamaica, physiological diffcrencCl> between It is time that the media in Libya, Mauntius, Mexico, Pakislan, the communitieS concerned Jn· Malaysia and elsewhere heeds this Peru, Sen~.>gaJ, Sri Lanka, and Uru· deed, there may not even be any piece or advice. guay, to name a few, appear to be physiological d1fferences between more prepared than Malaysia to them! 19 June 1990 Chandra Muzaffar ratify international documents on Most of thl· so-called ·rac1al' President human rights. conflicts which the med1a reports T'm, of course, aware that some are, more often than not, linked of the countries mentioned above to religious, linguistic, cultural, and many others who have cndors· national and rel(ional diffpr.-nct's. ed various covenants and conven· It would be mort> appropriate to tions, are, in practice, amongst dE>scribe all thest> differences as the worst violators of human 'ethnic'. RATIFYING rights. By comparison, Malaysia has [n Malaysia, for instance, we INTERNATIONAL a better track record than many have ethnic not racial - diffe INSTRUMENTS of them whether it is in the sphere rences. There i~> no biological of economic, social and cultural dimension to inter-community con· rights or in the sphere of civil and trovPrsies or even conflicts Ill t is significant that Malaysia is political r1ghts our country. Reli~:ious or linguis playing an increasmgJy impor· It is precisely because or this tic differences, cultural or reg1onaJ I tant role in the United Nations. that we should not be afraid to differences may, at certam pomts Apart from its membership of the ratify important Internallonal In· in time, exacerbate relations among Secunty Council, Malaysia is also strumentl.. U after ratifying them, difrerent communities. But these at the helm of UNESCO and we try our very best to adhere to connicts are certainly not rac1al in UNCTAD. the standards we have accepted , nature. What is disappointing, however, we would be regarded interna· On the other hand, there was is that for a country which places tionally as a sincere, genuine pro undoubtedly a rac1al element 111 the so much emphasis upon the UN, tector of buman rights. In t.hat way, belligerent altitude of early Wbitc Malaysia has yet to ratify a number Malaysia would be able to set an seWers towards the natives of of vital International Instruments example to other countries - espe· Australia (the Australian Aborigi· connected with human rights. cially those that do not aUach nes). Many of the Whites regarded According to an update on ratifi· much importance to the ralifica· th(' natives as "racially inferior" cations of International Instru lion of International Instruments. There was, for a long while, a bio· ments produced by the United There are other plus points in log1cal or racial aspect to Black· Nation!> itself, as of 1 September ratification. One, by ratifying some White conflicts in the United 1989, Malaysia had ratified only or the covenants and conventions ·'tates. two Instruments - the Supple· we would be accepting the fact that 34 there are certain values and prin for its campaignine without any ciples in the relationa between reeard for the principles ot fair human beings and communities competition in a Parliamentary which are universal. These are Democracy. Even now the Chair absolute values and principles. They man of the Bariaan Nasional who is can be found in all the great spiri also the Prime Minister is using tual traditions. Two, many of the TV for his election campaign. rlehts and responsibilities contained Shouldn't the Commonwealth team in the various covenants and con· look into blatant abuses of power ventiona serve as ideals and aspira of this sort? What sort of election tion&. Once we ratify them, we watching can a foreign observer would have certain lucid eoaJJ to team do if it is in no position to work towards. Three, if we ratify evaluate the way in which the some of the more crucial lntema ruling Coalition misuses State facili tioal lnJtrumeots, the people of ties, the mass media and every Malaysia would be able to evaluate other institution at its disposal to the conduct of their govenunent on cajole and coerce voters into human rights, based upon inter supporting it? In this connection, national standards upheld by the ian 't the frequent reference to the UN. Four, ratification also enables May 13 riot another example of the international community to voter intimidation? Will the Com useu Malaysia's commitment to monwealth observer team have human rights. This ia important anything to say about this? for there is undoubtedly an inter· It is for all these reasons that national moral environment aur ALIRAN endorses the view exprea roundine human rights issues. It ia ed by Election Watch that the ob simply not poaible for Malaysia to server team should arrive in the inaulate itself from t.his environ country at Jeaat 3 weeks before ment. election day in order to familia Indeed, it would be in harmony rise thenuelves with the entire with our growing international electoral system. They must also prominence if we ratify various meet all the political parties and Tearful retum from Mina: International Instruments im particularly the opposition to find diately. out what their grievances are. The Increasing numbers of pilgrims have observer team should examine in placed a tremendous organisatiorui.l 21 June 1990 Chandra Muzaffar detail all the well documented burden on the Saudi government. President electoral grievances or the last few ye.ars. The observer team should ensure that eleetoral dis· crowd control outside the tunnel crepancies such as the mass trans and if there were better facilities fer of names from one consti for pilgrims performing the various tuency to another have been rites required of the Haj. It may rectified. even be necessary to build another FOREIGN OBSERVERS A foreign observer team which tunnel and to improve transport is serious about watching our services for the pilgrims. TO THE MALAYSIAN elections would be only too happy For some years now, with the GENERAL ELECTIONS to uphold all the atandard practices continuous increase in the number and procedures connected with of pilgrims performing the annual bile the Malaysian public election watching. ALIRAN would Haj, doubts have arisen as to the welcomes the deei.sion of be most disappointed if the foreign ability of the Saudi government to the Prime Minister to in observer team is used to legitimise meet the demands of the situation. W electoral manipulation and electoral Perhaps, the Organization of lsla· vite Commonwealth observers to monitor the coming General Elec fraud. mic Countries (OIC) should study tions, a lot of Malaysiaru are in depth the physical and organiza 4 July 1990 Ariffin Omar tional problems posed by the an beginning to wonder bow effec Hon. Secretary tive these observers will be in carry nual pilgrimage to Meeca. ing out their work. In this connection, the OIC So far the Prime Minister has not may even want to considet a pro responded to the call made by posal which has been made before Election Watch that the Common to place the two holiest cities of wealth observers should adhere to Islam, Mecca and Medina, under the established norms of election THE TRAGEDY AT MINA the supervision of the International watching. The norms listed by Muslim Community. The two cities Election Watch are very impor and the Haj would then become tant and woultl determine the ere· LmAN expreaes its deepest the responsibility of the entire dibility of the Commonwealth condolences to all the fami Muslim world. The OIC could take observer team. A lies of the victims of the charge of the administration of the For instance if there is to be tragedy at the Al-Muaissem tunnel Haj. It would relieve the Saudi proper electing watching the ob at Mina, in Saudi Arabia on 2 July government of the great burden 1t eerver team must be given every 1990. We pray that God will give has to bear every year in organizing opportunity to asseu whether the them the streneth to bear the bur the pilgrimage. actual competition for electoral den of their sorrow. aupport is fair or not. The ruling Perhaps the tragedy could have 11 July Chandra Muzaffar BN l(overnment uses radio and TV been averted if there was effective President 35 THE MIGRATION OF authorities have already begun massive transformations to the ar· SOVIET JEWS AND THE chitecture and ecology of Jeru· TRANSFORMATION OF salem whieh z10nizm sees as the JERUSALEM eternal capital of greater 1srael. By trying to change the mult.i religious character of Jerusalem, the n spite or protests [rom Lhe vast lsraeli authorities art' repudialing maJority of Third World coun the history of that ancient city. I tries, Israel is going ahead with For it is a history in which Jewish, plans to settle 300,000 Soviet Jews Christian and Muslim elements are in the occupied territones. inter·mingled. It is simply not This organized migration of So possible to eradicate its Chnstian viet Jews is unjust. for at Jeasl four and Muslim heritage. More than reasons. One. the Jews are going to that, the Israelis arc attempting to be seWed in territories which have deny the contemporary truth about been illega!Jy occupied by Israel Jerusalem - that even today it since 1967. How can a rel(ime is a city that is peopled by Chris· which has no legal au lhority, let tians and Muslims, apart from Jews alone a moral right, to a parttcular This is why Jerusalem should territory choose Lo bring in new always remain a city which belongs settlers? Two, there are long esta· to, and is identifiable with, all the blished comrnunittcs of Pale!.tiniart three great religious traditions of MusHms and Christians hving in the region. these territories. The fundamental But if the international commu rights of these Palestinians have nity, and especially the Third not been recognized by lhe Israeli World, wants to stop the trans· regime and yet the regime now fom1ation of Jerusalem into an intends to populate the occup1ed exclusive Jewish city, 1t should be Deputy IGP Tan Sri Abdul Rahim: territories with an alien communi· prepared to become more vocal. The Sabah plotters' arrest under ty. Three, the occupied territories More important, it must be willing ISA is again an abuse of that law. have in the last two and a half to act. Likewise. the Third World years witnessed a massive popular should go beyond rhetoric on the uprismg, the inti fadah aimed question of the migration of While we arc against any group'~ at ending Israeli occupatlon. And Soviet Jews. It should put pressure attempt to use vio l enc~> to secede yet, tht> occupymg power which upon not only lsrael but also the from Malaysia, nonethelc:.s, we lind has ne1ther moral legitimacy nor United States and the Soviet Unton. the major aspects ol the plotters' popular support amongst the mdi· For a st.arl, lhe Arab Slale!> them plan to be rather odd. For any genous population, IS now seelung selves should demonstrate through movement seeking to "liberate" a to change the demographic compo deeds their commitment to the people must be home-grown. Th1s sition of the Lerrttones 1t controls Palestinian caus<.'. was the case of all genuLne anl1· through armed mtghl Four. the colonial struggle3. The iovolv~ment imposition of S0\'1Pt Jt'WS upon the 11 July 1990 Chandra Muzaffar of mercenaries inevitably spells local populatic>n will lead inevita· President defeat. bly to the further r.ubjugation und Grven the abovt>, we l•JUl eithf'r domination or lhP Pale<;tinians. conclude that the plotter~ com· This will give rise to fresh tensions prise madmen involved in a wild and confiicts in the PntirP r<>l(ion . plan and/ur the authoritit!!> havt' The stubborn persistence of the concocted a nd1culous story. Israeli authori lies, spt>ci ficalJy the Whichever the case, the u..c;e of L1kud led gove-rnment, 1n encourag BRING THE "SABAH fSA lo arre::.t .md detain the rour ing the migrat1on of SoviPt Jf'ws PLOTTERS" TO Sabahans a ll e~ed to be among the may be part of that grand de.;1gn OPEN COURI! plotten, IS UtljU:.tifu!d l llH'It'[y of mternational z1oru~m to creatt> goes tu ,.how )"t aga1n Lhiil tht.> 'Ere tz Israel·, a ~treater Israel in !SA can be abu«ed for :Wy pur West Asia, ~tretching from 'tht> Nile LlRAN \·iews vdth gravf' pose. For that rPason, ·\LlRAN to the Euphratet.' After all, thr> concern the claim by the onc.'P a~:ain calls for its immediate annexation of Pa(('sttnian territory. A lJeputy Im.pector·Genfral rcpr>al the wsurpation of Palestiman rights of Police, Tan Sri AIJdul Rahim t:ndcr the prt.'l;elll ctr~·um~an and the expuls1on of the Palest1· Mohd Noor that the poltcc havE' ce&, we support call,. made by nian people have been mlegral to uncovered a plot to t.ake Sabah out various groups and individuab that Israeli policy since 1948. lndet>d, of Malaysia by forct- thE' rour detained men. bl' the verv creat1or. of the state of Accordin!! to lht.> DPputy JGP, brought to tnal trnmedmtely or Israel V:as basE'd upon tht> ideology the various documents seized !.how· cvurse, Lh1s will have to be donP of annexation, usurpation and P.X· ed the exi~tence of a ''group" under ~om ,· other Law 1Hnce tht pulsion. There ore enough betl1· and that the) " mean busines!>''. ISA does not allow for open cose, bloodthm;ty individuals in the He cla1med that they planned to trials This would he the n~xl Israeli Cabinet today, llke YitLhak form a "Sabah Peop(.,'s Libera· log1 cal .nep for tb .. police to take Shamir and AneJ Sharon, who will tion Orgamtat1on" and a secret sincE' they claun to have the evJ have no qualms about conquPring army, and tc> recruit loreign mer df'nce to prove- tht> e.oc:istence of Arab lands and mtudE'ring Atab CPnarie::. Lv st'i?.P power Apparent a plut neighbour~o in order to achteve ly, a Caut'astan mt>rcenary is acting their dream of a greater 1srael. as the group's mtddleman in rt>cru1t· 13July1990 E'l:ecuti\'e As part or this dream, the lsraeli ing mo re mercenaries. Committee 36 ELECTION WATCH CREDIBILITY A must for commonwealth observer team lection Watch welcomes the The Commonwealth observer (5) The observer team should Malaysian government's deci team has to adhere to the meet with representatives of all E sion to invite observers from standard nonns of election pohtical parties involved in the Commonwealth countries for the watching if it is to have any elections, including the opposi coming general elections. credibility not only among tion. The team should receive It shows that the government and examine documents and Malaysians shares EJection Watch's concern but the rest of the memoranda from political about the conduct of the coming world. parties and election candidates general eJections. lt is because of pertaining to the conduct of this concern fo r a fair election that elections. Election Watch was formed in the (6) The observer team should be first place. In its own modest way, some experience tn election prepared to meet any group or Election Watch therefore has had watching and are known and individual who wants to pre some unpact upon the public and respected for their integrity, sent its/his views on the con the government. impartiality and objectivity. In duct of elections. In this EJection Watch, it should be keeping witl1 t:lus goal, no connection, the observer team reiterated, was established with the Malaysian authority should should also be willing to sole purpose of reinforcing the bave any say in nommaung or receive written submissions constitutional role of the Election appointing these observers. from the public on the con Commission as an independent (2) The observer team should have duct of elections in Malaysia. body charged with ensuring a free access to the electoral rolls. (7) The observer team should also and fair election. Contrary to It should have the right to be allowed to fUJd out whe misrepresentations in the media, examine at random and of its ther in the actual competition Election Watch was not set up to own volition any of the Par for power the different politi usurp the functions of the Elec liamentary or State electoral cal parties have equitable tion Commission. We believe that rolls. access to the daily news the observers from the Common (3) The observer team should have papers and radio and tele wealth countries for the general access to the reports on general vision. This is an important elections will also 'help to streng elections and by-elections aspect of a free and fair then the mdependence and integri prepared by the Election Com election. ty of the Election CommiSSion. mission and to any other (8} The observer team should also However, for Commonwealth document it may request from be allowed to fmd out if observers to the coming general the Collli1llSsion. political parties and election elections to function effectively, (4) The observer team should have candidates are adhering to the there are certain prerequisites that access to documents contain rules and regulations pertaining should be met and certain facili ing the various electoral gne to the conduct of elections ues that should be made available vances of the last four years laid down in the Election to them: (since the 1986 general elec laws. In particular, the actual (1) The observer team should tions) brought to the notice election campaign of both comprise individuals who have of the EJection Commission. government and opposition 37 parties should come under make the report public. which have become part and parcel close scrutiny. It is important, of election' watching. These norms ln order to facilitate the work of in this connection, for the have evolved over the last decade the Commonwealth observer team, government to function as a or so and were observed in diffe Election Watch hopes that the 'caretaker government' during rent electoral situations in different team would be given ample time to the election period. parts of the world. familiarise itself with the entire Election Watch hopes that the (9) The observer team should be electoral and political Situation in Commonwealth observer team to allowed to witness the actual the country. It may be a good our general elections adheres to counting of ballot papers at idea if the observer team arrives standards, norms, practices and pro counting centres on election in the country at least three weeks cedures which have gained almost day. The team should have before the general elections. universal acceptance. The credi the right to choose the count Foreign observer missions that have bility of the observer team will mg centres. It should also be monitored the South Korean, Sri depend on this. allowed to receive complaints Lankan, Pakistani and other elec pertaining to balloting. tions had spent a minimum of (I 0) The observer team would be three weeks preceding elections in TIJN MOHD. SUFFlAN expected to prepare a report those countries. BIN HASHIM Chairman on the conduct of the general What we have outlined above Election Watch electiOns m Malaysta. It should are some of the standard norms 25 June 1990 STAND UP AND BE COUNTED To say the truth as one sees it takes a lot of courage when one belongs to an institution. To challenge the instttut10n itself takes even more courage ... When Krushchev pronounced his famous denunciation of the Stalin era, some one in 1he Congress Hall is reported to have said, 'Where were you, Comrade Krushchev, when all these innocent people were being slaughtered?' Krushchev stopped, looked around the Hall, and sau, 'Will the rruzn who said that kindly stand up!' Tension mountea in the Hall. No one stood up. Then Krushclrev said, 'Well. you have your answer now, whoever you are. I was in exactly tile same position then as you are now. ' from SONG OF THE BIRD by Anthony de Mello 38 E TA LISHED STANDARDS F ELECTION WATCHI G A M ST A rau election IS much more than lection Watch 1s saddened by the Prime Miruster's reaction what happens on polling duy itself. E to some of the gmdelines we TI11S is why Election Watch in it& had suggested for the Common press· statement of '26 June 1990 wealth observer team to the coming had stressed that " the observer general elecuon. team should also be allowed to Gnd These guidelines, Jt should be out whether in the actual competi· emphasised agam, are established tion for power the d1flercnt politi international standards wluch have cal parties have equitable access to become part and parcel of elccttOn the daily newspapers and radto a11d watchJng in most places. television. This 1s an Important An} observer team to a general aspect of a free and tau clccl1on." election, for instance. should be It is a pity that the Prime alllJWed to meet w11h representa Minister ha~ chosen to 1gnore the tives of all pohtical parties involved whole question of equitable access in the c:lection These parties should to t11e mass-media in his comments have the right to submit their on the fun.:uons of the Common wealth observer team. Reports on views ahout the conduct of elec· thousands of names of voters in elections prepared by observer !tons LO the counrry to the obser one constituency appearing lfo the misl>tom to Sri Lanka, South ver team. Thil> i~ tundarncntaJ to electoral roll of another consti· the wmk of any observer team tuency, of names disappearing. Korea. Pakistan and Nicaragua , :.how that 'acces:. to the media' whtch is seriou~ about monitoring altogether from particular conl>ll is an important aspect electtons. It is wrong w deny tuencies, and so on. In tact, the mvariably lure1gn observers access tu memo Prime Minister' himself had com oi tllcir investigations. Fmally. Ltection Watch states ramia and submtsswns !rom pobtJ plained recently electoral roll~ or that it is ever wtlhng to work with caJ partie!>. on display m certain places. vanish the Malaysian Election Commis In this connection. it is impur Ill!;! from public view. In the papers sion. the Commonwealth observer tant lO note that foreign ubservers of 13 July 1990 the Secretary to team, the Malaysian govctnment who hall monitored elections even the flection Commhsion stated m !>ome quasi-military states like that there were irregulariues and and all political partles from the South Korea. Palustan and Bangla cheanng m the registratJon of Bansan Nasional and the Opposi tion, to ensure a fau and honest desh were allowed 10 meet vanous electorf> m Kelantan. and the pobttcal parties. In a multi-party CommiSSion was obliged to devise general election As we have empha sised on a number of occasions parliamentary democracy lil-..e ours. a new system to overcome the there is no JUstificatam at all to prohlem. The observer team mould before, thil, was the purpose behind ueny the Commonwealth oh:.erver be allowed to obtain a clear ptcture the formation of Election Watch. team its right to meet all the politi of these and other electoral grievan We have no other motive. Our consciem:e is clear. God is our cal parties involveu tn the wming ces through discusstons w1t h pollli· judge. 0 ele~.:uon. cal parlle~ and other puhhc tntcrest Meeung all pohtlcal parlle!> ts groups. TUN ft.IOHD. SUFFJAN importwlt lor yet another reason. Elc~:uon \\atch ts ulso perturbed BIN HASHIM In recent weeks and months. rhat the Ptimc Mmistt.!r's com:cpt Chainnan. tl1cre have b11cn numerous com of' a lair. free. clean anti honest l::lection Watch plaints from politkal parries and eh:~:uon appears ro be wnfmed to tlte public about hundreds and the adual process of ballow1g. 13 Ju~y 1990 39 Mahathir's Tune (j) ~Le.c:rtOf'J W/IT~H? #OW CAN? /HEY t>oN'T WANT TO !HEY CAN#Jq-f' PANC£ 11> OIJ~ {j) !>AtoiC£ • ••· THEY INANT T~ fl.lNE. WE ONLY WMJT PEoPLE (io MEET THoSE PeOPLE wHO lltN KE~p STEP N rrll U~ ... Ol.fTStr>~ APART Ft'(Piff IAr . THfY PDN'T WANT TO PANC£ t4LPIJ' f @ COME ON, oMAit.. / ';Du 1RE oLt>, 8UT You c.AP STILt.. t>J.H'E. p,MJGf-1 J)AN CE ! YDH /C/{DW I r1/E. -rUNE· @WE ONLY AccEPr pEOPLE WHo PANCE -rc ouP.. /UNE ... M AHATflf'R 's TUllE •1 ~~~./ 1 HIOUI' f M/lfJAnilll.. • rf4 Printed by: POLYGRAPHIC PRESS SDN. BHD.. Lot 14, Jalan 1, K.awasan Perusahaan, Cheru Jaya, Balakong, Batu 11,43200 Cheras, Sela ngor Darul El11an. Published by: ALIRAN KESEDARAN NEGARA, P 0 Box L049, 10830 Penang. Office Phone; 04-871608