PP3739/12/2005 ISSN 0127 - 5127 / RM4.00 / 2005:Vol.25No.3

Wan Sulaiman: His Mahathir: Certain things instructions were were done in a way they tantamount to an Order should not have been of the Supreme Court. done.done.done.

Haidar: Did his conduct Harun: Why did constitute contempt of court? he approach the Diarist? PostmortemPostmortemPostmortemPostmortem ofofofof thethethethe 1988198819881988

Daim: The government had a plan? JudicialJudicialJudicialJudicialAliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 1 CrisisCrisisCrisisCrisis COVER STORY Postmortem of the 1988 Judicial Crisis Diarist, Daim, Mahathir owe it to the public to shed light on the mystery surrounding the controversy by Datuk George Seah

un , the former Lord President of TTT the Supreme Court of , in his book MAY DAY FOR JUSTICE opined, “I have no doubt - and few would now disagree - that it was the UMNO saga that led to my de- struction as a Judge”.

We all know that the Judge Harun Hashim declared UMNO illegal even though no such relief was claimed by any of the parties in the proceedings be- fore him. The plaintiffs, the UMNO 11, merely sought a decla- Harun: Why did he approach the ration that the election of the Presi- Diarist? dent of UMNO was null and void “After Harun declared UMNO il- on the simple grounds that there legal, he only sought the Diarist’s were more than 40 illegal mem- opinion on what was next. The bers present from unregistered Diarist speculated and also told UMNO branches at the time of Tun Salleh Abas what could hap- voting and the winner won by 43 pen in the event they (my empha- votes. Who was responsible for sis) persisted in their plan to have the participation of these illegal a full court hearing of the members? UMNO’s case.

“Diarist” "Tun had inti- should shed light mated to the Diarist the Govern- ment’s plan. They were simulta- Some 15 years later, following Jus- neously alarmed, sceptical and tice Harun’s death, an obituary rather naive. The rest is history. appeared in The New Straits Times (5 October 2003). The following "... Harun made more personal is an extract which makes fasci- history by handshakes than by his nating reading in hindsight: judgments or what he wrote. The Daim: The government had a plan?

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

Datuk George Seah recaptures the judicial crisis of 1988 and raises important questions: Did Tan Sri CONTENTS Haidar Mohd Noor commit contempt of court in not carrying out the order of the Supreme Court? Did the Acting Lord President, Tan Sri Hamid Omar, in- COVER STORY terfere and countermand the order of the Supreme ••• Postmortem of the 1988 Judicial Crisis 222 Court? ••• Haidar's version of events 666 Abuse of power continues until today. K George re- minds us that for all the talk, the Abdullah adminis- FEATURES tration has not lived up to its promise in wiping out ••• Corruption spreads its ugly wings 777 corruption. One disabled pensioner, N Sarangabani, ••• Bring back local council elections 999 shares his traumatic experience when police barged ••• No need for - into his home in a futile search for drugs. One way water transfer project 111111 to restore accountability, at least at the local level, is to revive local council elections, says Karpal Singh. ••• Alarm over review of paraquat ban 121212 ••• Faultlines of Malaysian But corporate interests and the whole privatisation Multiculturalism 141414 scheme still hold sway. PAN AP raises the alarm ••• Discussing “Sepet” over tau chooichooitau 191919 over government plans to review the ban on paraquat ••• Achehnese, Islam and foreigners 232323 while Koon Yew Yin argues that there is no justifi- cation for the privatised RM6 billion Pahang- ••• Obituary : Pope John Paul II 252525 Selangor water transfer project. ••• Earth: The final frontier for human rights (Part 1) 303030 New links, however, are definitely needed to bridge ••• The Wolfowitz Coup 404040 societal faultlines. Johan Abdullah urges Muslims to rethink their opposition to the Interfaith Commis- REGULARS sion of Malaysia. Wong Soak Koon reviews the ac- claimed award-winning Malaysian movie, Sepet, ••• LettersLettersLetters 33 which broke new ground in portraying the reality ••• Current Concerns 353535 of our plural society. Aguswandi reports on mis- placed apprehension in Aceh about Islam and the OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS Acehnese’s immensely tolerant perception of for- ••• Heart to heart 888 eigners. We also carry three reports critically exam- ining the legacy of Pope John Paul II, who spent his ••• Subscription Form 181818 life building bridges.

A global environmental crisis is unfolding before our very eyes, warns Angeline Loh, in a timely piece, while our back cover story focuses on the furore surrouding the appointment of Paul Wolfowitz, a Published by key architect of the Iraq war, as World Bank head. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN) 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Jelutong, ALIRANALIRANALIRAN is a Reform Movement dedicated to Penang, Malaysia. Justice, Freedom & Solidarity and listed on the Tel : (04) 658 5251 Fax : (04) 658 5197 roster of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Founded in 1977, Aliran welcomes Homepage : http://www.aliran.com all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Percetakan Tujuh Lapan Enam Sdn. Bhd. No. 16, Lengkangan Brunei, 55100 Pudu, .

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 3 irony is that though Harun rarely Court decision declaring in another way. Sometimes, cer- gave a written judgment, he be- UMNO as an illegal society? tain things were done in a way came a prolific columnist after re- they should not have been done tirement”. Perhaps the Diarist may care to or certain things done should not shed some light on these pertinent have been done.” In the construction of ambiguous questions. legal documents (save for certain “What are the certain things?” the exceptions), the Court does not The other intriquing matter al- journalist asked. consider the subsequent actions luded to in the conversation the of the party or parties. But in in- Diarist reported to have had with No, I don’t want to tell (smiles),” terpreting human conduct the ac- Tun Daim Zainuddin, who was replied Tun. tivities of the party or parties fol- UMNO Treasurer deserves our at- lowing the event is highly relevant tention. It seems that even before But without theTun’s explana- and material. the UMNO 11 appeal was heard tions one can only speculate what by the Full Bench of nine Judges the certain things are that were done We know that soon after declar- of the Supreme Court, the Govern- in a way that should not have been ing UMNO to be an illegal organi- ment had already devised a con- done! sation Justice Harun was pro- tingency plan. It would be inter- moted to be a Judge of the Supreme esting to know what the plan was Haidar’s Dilemma Court of Malaysia (Note the Dia- for the sake of posterity and who rist’s observation of Harun as a was behind the plan. Lastly, there was the interview Judge of the High Courts: Harun given by the retiring Chief Judge made more personal history by hand- Mahathir’s cryptic of the High Court in Malaysia, Tan shakes than by his judgments or what remarks Sri Justice Haider Mohd Noor, he wrote. The irony is that ... Harun which was published in The New rarely gave a written judgment). Another interesting revelation Straits Times (7 November 2004). was unearthed following the re- The retiring Chief Judge was re- Harun SCJ was nominated as a tirement of Tun Mahathir ported to have said: third member of the Kota Baru ses- Mohamad, when he was inter- sion of the Supreme Court in July viewed about his retirement by a “As for the most memorable mo- 1988 by Acting Lord President journalist who wanted to know: ment in his career, he cited the Tan Sri Abdul Hamid in spite of impeachment of former Lord the fact that more senior Judges “Does that mean you are much President Tun Salleh Abas in like Tan Sri Mohd Azmi, Tan Sri happier now?” Tun replied, 1988. As the Chief Registrar of the Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan “Well, happy in a way, not happy Supreme Court, I was very much Hamzah were available. informed of the action taken. At the tribunal against the five judges Following his retirement from the of the Supreme Court, I was the Supreme Court Judge, Harun was star witness. given an academic appointment in the International Islamic Uni- “It was a very tough time for me versity, which he held until his because on one side, Tan Sri Wan sudden death in a heart attack. Sulaiman Pawan Teh was threat- ening me with contempt if I did This background information not follow his order, and on the raises some interesting questions: other side, Tun Hamid Omar was assuming the power of LP and • Why did Justice Harun ap- directed me to act otherwise. proach the Diarist after the Court case? “When I was called up, I said that • Was the Diarist privy to some I was only a civil servant and it information as to what would Mahathir: Certain things were done in a was not for me to question the happen following the High way they should not have been done. Acting LP’s order. Tan Sri Wan

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 4 Sulaiman said he could cite me for Registrar of the Supreme Court contempt and I said if I had to go cannot take it upon himself that to jail, I would.” the administrative directive of the Acting Lord President can over- Readers would recall that Tan Sri ride the Order of the Supreme Haidar Mohd Noor was the Chief Court. It is something very basic. Registrar of the Supreme Court of Malaysia during the 1988 Judicial The directive of another Judge of Crisis. the Supreme Court cannot supercede the Order of the Su- Immediately after the removal of preme Court. It is prudent to note Lord President Tun Salleh Abas that even the Lord President is not and senior Supreme Court Judges accorded any special privilege to Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman and Datuk override or exempted from this George Seah in 1988, Tan Sri rule — leave alone an Acting Lord Haidar was appointed a Judge of President! the High Court in Borneo. He re- turned to the High Court in Ma- Haidar: Did his choice constitute Which Order should contempt of court. laya and was elevated to the Court have prevailed? of Appeal and subsequently to the Federal Court before his appoint- Contrasting the two instructions ment as Chief Judge of the High in this way there is no doubt what- Court in Malaya. soever, whose instructions should have taken precedence, namely Supreme Court vs and without any fear of doubt the Acting Lord President instructions given by Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman, in his capacity as Pre- siding Judge of the 5-member Su- Tan Sri Haidar’s statement that preme Court of Malaysia should he had to make a choice — be- have prevailed. tween the instructions given to him by Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman and Tan Sri Haider, as Chief Registrar, the contrary instructions given by had no right to question the legal- the Acting Lord President, Tan Sri ity of the 5-member Supreme Hamid Omar — poses a very fas- Court. As Chief Registrar, his duty cinating constitutional question: was merely to carry out the Order Which instructions should take Wan Sulaiman: His instructions were of the Supreme Court — and noth- precedence? tantamount to an Order of the Supreme ing less! Instead Tan Sri Haidar Court. preferred to comply with the ad- At that point of time, it is relevant ministrative instructions of the to note that Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman could not by any stretch of the im- Acting Lord President rather than was giving his instructions in his agination amount to an Order of obey the instructions given to him capacity as the Presiding Judge of the Court or perceived as having by the Presiding Judge of the 5- a specially constituted 5-member similar or equal weightage. Con- member Supreme Court. Supreme Court of Malaysia. tempt of Court postulates as an These instructions were in fact Order of the Court and not as in- In hindsight, Acting Lord Presi- tantamount to an Order of the structions of another Judge of the dent Tan Sri Hamid Omar seemed Supremen Court — whereas Act- Supreme Court who is not sitting to be interfering or countermand- ing LP Tan Sri Hamid Omar was as a Judge in the Supreme Court. ing the Order of the Supreme only giving administrative direc- Court! This episode will no doubt, tive to his Chief Registrar. Acting In my opinion, contempt of court make an interesting academic ar- Lord President Tan Sri Hamid can arise only when an Order of ticle on Malaysian constitutional Omar’s instructions did not and the Court is disobeyed. The Chief law for law students. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 5 COVER STORY Haidar's version of events: “I was only carrying out orders”

The following is a letter from the Chief Regis- trar, Encik Haidar Mohamed Noor, to the Acting Lord President, Tan Sri , on the special sitting of the Supreme Court presided by Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh on 2 July 1988.1988.July

This letter, though tendered to the Second Tribu- nal, was not published in that Tribunal’s Report, either in the original or in translation.

that by reason of YAA [Tan Sri Abdul Hamid] being involved s directed by YAA over At about 12 noon, I was informed with the Tribunal proceedings, AAA the telephone this morn- by Puan Azizah that the Supreme that he as the seniormost Judge in AA ing, I hereby report on Court would be convened in the Supreme Court was compelled what happened on 2 about half an hour for the purpose to make the decision to convene July 1988. of hearing an urgent application the said special sitting. YA also from Tun Salleh’s counsel. I then informed me that YAA [Tan Sri At about 8.30 am on 2 July 1988, directed the staff of the Supreme Abdul Hamid] was a `litigant’ YAA had telephoned me and in- Court Registry not to get involved and for that reason could not formed me that if there were any in the said sitting as the sitting make any decision in relation to applications or appeals in con- was not fixed by YAA the Acting the sitting of the Supreme Court nection with the case of Tun Salleb LP. After that I was called by YA in respect of this matter. YA Tan Abas, YAA had directed that the Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman to Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman in- Registry of the Supreme Court the ante-room of Supreme Court formed me that they were aware was not to take any action with- (1) and he informed me in the pres- of the consequences of their action out taking any directions from me ence of the other Supreme Court and that YA was willing to be sus- first so that I could get further di- Judges that they would have a pended from office. rections from YAA. I then through special sitting of the Supreme Puan Azizah directed the staff of Court with regard to the applica- He then instructed me to await the the Supreme Court Registry ac- tion made by Counsel for YAA Tun decision of the special sitting and cordingly. After that I checked Salleh as YA Datuk Ajaib Singh if necessary to sign any order. I with the Registry of the Supreme had postponed his decision to informed YA Tan Sri Datuk Wan Court and found that no applica- Monday and for that reason im- Suleiman that I and the Registry tion had been filed, and I accord- mediate action must be taken. For staff had received instructions ingly informed YAA over the tel- your information, YA Tan Sri ephone. Datuk Wan Suleiman had said Continued on page 17

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 6 CORRUPTION Corruption spreads its ugly wings Abdullah found wanting by K George

he Director General of months ago was of the opinion the Anti-Corruption that Abdullah could be depended TTT Agency (ACA) told the up on to fighting corruption, has press on 27 May 2004 since changed his view. Unfortu- that he had submitted the report nately Malaysia appears to be far concerning the 18 high-profile more corrupt since “Mr. Clean” cases of corruption to the Attor- took over as prime minister. “The ney General and that the latter level of corruption is pervasive, it was expected to proceed with the is much hidden. It is sophisti- prosecution of the individuals cated,” Anwar was reported as soon. To a question by one of the saying. reporters whether any Menteri Besar and Chief Minister was in- Anwar went on to say that his volved, the ACA Chief’s reply sources in the government told was: ‘I do not want to sensation- him about corruption involving alize the issue’. land deals, procurement of mili- tary equipment, defence contracts People may recall Prime Minister and negotiated tenders and con- Abdullah Badawi informing the sible because the so-called inde- tracts. Abdullah was quite suc- nation way back in February last pendent Election Commission ac- cessful in projecting an image of year that Eric Chia, the Mahathir- cording to many behaved like a ‘Mr. Clean’ and may not even be appointed ex-Perwaja boss, and poodle. Election laws and rules personally corrupt, Anwar con- Kasitah Gaddam, a senator who were blatantly violated with im- cedes. But he added, “I don’t think was appointed as Cabinet Minis- punity. Election ethics were he (the PM) was extremely careful ter, were charged for corruption. thrown overboard and the oppo- The news came as a shock. Many sition was subjected to numerous people came to the inevitable con- restrictions and frustrations. clusion that Abdullah was seri- Abdullah now rules with a cabi- ous and determined to fulfil his net consisting of 92 members – all commitment to eliminate corrup- of them Datos. tion in Malaysia. Taking the cue, Rais Yatim, the then Minister of Not withstanding Abdullah’s Law in the PM’s Department, is- commitment and promises, the sued a press statement that the incidence of corruption and brib- ACA was investigating18 high- ery, favoritism and nepotism has profile cases of corruption. increased unabated. Strangely, transparency, accountability and The fifth Prime Minister achieved open tenders continue to be irrel- what perhaps he did not dream evant even after Mahathir’s era, of. He obtained a massive man- signalling that nothing has date in the 21 March 2004 general changed. election, outdoing all his pred- ecessors. Of course, this was pos- Anwar Ibrahim, who until two Continued on page 10

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 7 HEART TO HEART : "What comes from the lips reaches the ear, what comes from the heart reaches the heart" - Arab proverb We were shamed by the police

cting on some false infor- I am a disabled government pen- trouble. This possibility must be AA mation - probably pro- sioner and my wife is doing busi- taken into consideration very se- AAA vided by someone har- ness. My three daughters are well riously. bouring a grudge established and drawing good against my family - that my fam- salaries. Our total household in- We have resided in our present ily was involved in illegal activi- come is more than adequate to pro- place for nine years. We have a ties, the police from the Penang vide us with all that is necessary very cordial and friendly rela- Narcotics division on 11.3.05 for a comfortable life. tionship with our neighbours raided my house at about 2.45 and enjoy a good standing with a.m. We were woken up from our With this kind of economic back- them. But all this has been sleep, and when the door was ground, is it reasonable even to dashed by the unprofessional opened the police barged into our suspect - without any valid rea- raid on our house. We have been house. Our privacy was not re- son - that we were involved in an humilated without reasonable spected and we were humilated illegal activity? cause. We have suffered the by the police action. trauma of this shame and our As a matter of principle, is it not reputation has been injured ir- The police told me that if I had reasonable to expect the police to reparably. We have suffered a drugs I should surrender it; oth- have done some good homework great injustice. erwise, if the drugs were to be and prior investigation to confirm found then my entire family any suspicion they may have had The police have not shown any would be arrested. I told them that before raiding our house and, in remorse so far. In fact, when I took I was not involved in any illegal the process, shaming us in our up this matter with the Inspector, activity. neighbourhood? he told me I could report it to who- ever I liked. In whatever way one The police then throughly For their own good and to main- views this response, the conclu- searched our house and our car. tain the friendly image of the po- sion is the same: sheer arrogance! In the process, things were strewn lice, the police must take every all over the place, and they made precaution in their own interest How to I remove the shame and a mess of our house. But in the end and that of the community they suspicion associated with my they did not find any drugs. serve. They must at all times family? How do we clear our project a professional image of name? They did not apologise for their themselves. Otherwise their image mistake; they did not say sorry will be tarnished and their repu- Shouldn’t the police take an ac- for the inconvenience we suf- tation will be damaged. tive part to clear our name? After fered; they were not bothered all they created this situation! about the embarrassement they They should not be uncaring and Isn’t it their duty to rectify the situ- caused us. unprofessional in their conduct ation? whenever they receive informa- I am not sure whether this raid on tion alleging criminal activity. Is a written apology too much to my house at that unearthly hour There are unscrupulous people expect from the police? was legally carried out. They did who, out of revenge or jealousy, not show me any warrant of can provide false information to N Sarangabani search. put people they may not like into Penang

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 8 LOCAL COUNCIL Bring back local council elections by Karpal Singh

n August 11, 1786 Cap- In my view, it is the abolishing of OO tain Francis Light, a local council elections in 1964 OOO trader of the East India which led to the sorry state of af- Company, acquired fairs. Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah. Penang Island was stra- The Local Government Act, 1976 tegically located on the north east provides for appointed council- coast of Malaya in between the In- lors. Both the Majlis Perbandaran dia-China trade route affording Pulau Pinang (MPPP) and the merchants a safe and sheltered Majlis Perbandaran Seberang anchorage point. Penang was Perai (MPSP) are ineffective be- named the Prince of Wales Island cause their councillors are not and was universally acknowl- elected by the people, but ap- edged as the Pearl of the Orient pointed by the State Government. thereafter. To compound the position, these and it was direct elections which Penang was made a free port in councillors do not have any con- were conducted towards the set- 1872 with the free port status be- stituency to serve. They are paid ting up of local councils. The peo- ing removed in 1967. What are allowances for no work! Those ple must of necessity, have a say the reasons for the decay setting appointed do not have the back- as to who their representatives in with Penang losing its shine ing of the people who pay rates should be in local councils. This which once was the solace of and expect the day-to-day admin- would certainly be a check on many a tourist not only from all istration, in the form of removal of councillors who do not effectively over the world, but also locals who garbage and other services, to be carry out their duties. They would prided in Penang as the leading effectively in the hands of elected meet their fate in the next munici- state in the country blessed with municipal councils which was pal council elections. beauty and splendour. the position until local council elections in the country were abol- The abolition of local council elec- The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri ished. tions is the main cause for the de- , a cay which has assailed Penang. Penangite himself, should take The Government abolished local Let us not allow this decay to take the lead in restoring to Penang council elections on account of on proportions which will result its lost splendour and signifi- political expediency as most of in the ultimate destruction of what cance. The Federal and State the local councils were controlled was once the pride of the country. Governments should not look at by the Opposition in towns the symptoms, but at the cause throughout the country. It is not the “Save Penang from for Penang to have degenerated decay” campaign which is the into one of the dirtiest states in At that time, there were designated answer to the malady. It is the res- the country. wards instead of constituencies toration to Penang of its past glory

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 9 which is the solution to that Continued from page 7 Daim Zainuddin and Rahim malady. Tamby Chik inspite of police re- in terms of involvement of family ports lodged against them. It hap- The Prime Minister should be members and close associates.” pened during the Mahathir era. pragmatic and immediately cause But people are still talking about a return to elected local councils. What does Transparency Interna- it. To restore the dignity of your After all, in the last general elec- tional, which draws on 17 surveys Chambers, I plead with you to please proceed with the prosecu- tions at the Federal level the of opinions of business people tion of the 18 culprits. You could was given a and country analysts, say: “Cor- then be complying with the royal 9/10 majority in Parliament. ruption in Malaysia did increase in 2004 compared with the situa- command without wasting any What is the Barisan Nasional tion in 2003.” more time. afraid of after having acquired that majority in March last year Assessment by in the general elections? Why the AG still TI and Anwar; sits on ACA’s report Is it Valid? In Britain, local council elections have been the order of the day from From the above analysis, it is Out of sheer curiosity, I embarked time immemorial. It is elected lo- clear that Abdullah has been on research to enable me to assess cal councils which are the bed- found wanting in handling in- the actual situation of corruption, rock and foundation of the demo- stances of corruption and scan- swindle, fraud, favouritism and cratic system, and not parliamen- dal, which have become a daily nepotism in our Bolehland. The tary or state elections. occurrence. Those wishing to first thing that struck me was the know the details of corruption indulgence in money politics dur- ing the UMNO election in Septem- The Prime Minister should also and scandal should visit the ber 2004. restore to Penang its traditional websites of MGG Pillai, free-port status. This is essential , Malaysia Today etc. and by subscribing to publica- When we say money politics, peo- to stem the tide against Penang’s tions such as Harakah, Aliran ple don’t get the real picture; it is recession and degeneration into Monthly, Seruan Keadilan and the nothing but bribery and corrup- oblivion. I cannot see the logic of Rocket among others. tion. It is buying votes to get elected depriving Penang of its free-port to the leadership of UMNO, the status and according Pulau The Yang Di Pertuan Agong is- dominant party in the Barisan Langkawi of this free-port status. sued a royal command on his last National that rules the nation. birthday instructing that all cases Of course, it was Tun Mahathir of corruption must be prosecuted, Some believe that the money that Mohamed, a Kedahan, who as irrespective of who the culprits changed hands in the last UMNO Prime Minister initiated that move are. Why then is the AG still sit- elections amounted to millions of to make Pulau Langkawi a free- ting on the ACA report in respect ringgit. If this is true, then it is port. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad of the 18 high-profile cases, which blatant corruption. Compared Badawi should now do the need- were submitted in May last year? with the previous elections, the incidences of money politics in ful as a Penangite to restore What are the AG’s views with re- 2004 is believed to be the worst. Penang’s free-port status. gard to allegations published in the websites of MGG Pillai and In fact, the real winner was ‘money Malaysia Today apparently nam- politics’. Those leaders of the rul- It is these steps which ought to be ing the Deputy Prime Minister ing party who indulged in such taken to effectively restore to Najib Razak and his wife as be- practices were even implicated in Penang its lost glory. q ing among the 18 under investi- corruption confirming how perva- gation? He should either confirm sive is money politics. this or deny it as their reputations Karpal Singh is the Mem- are at stake. Why is money used to buy votes? ber of Parliament for Bukit According to some, such money Gelugor, Penang. The previous AG is on record for is perceived as a ‘forward invest- failing to prosecute Rafidah Aziz, ment’. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 10 PRIVATIZATION No need for RM 6 billion Pahang- Selangor water transfer project by Koon Yew Yin rain, which normally flows away Presently more than 40 per cent of to waste. The authorities should the pipe water is leaked away in fter talking with my two not simply accept the proposal Selangor. If all the leaking pipes college mates - one re- submitted by someone who has a are replaced/ repaired quickly, AAA tired as State Kedah and lot to profit from its implementa- the amount of water saved can be water engineer tion. considerable. Consequently this and the other retired as Selangor RM 6 billion prospect can be post- State water engineer; we are all ex- One possibility is to tap the rain- poned indefinitely. perienced Chartered Civil Engi- water from the lake of the SMART neers, over 70 years old - we do project currently being imple- If the authorities still want to im- not believe that Selangor really mented to a designated storage plement the project after careful needs to take water from Pahang. reservoir. The lake has to be emp- consideration of our opinion, we As reported, the total cost will be tied now and then to provide like all Malaysians would like to more than RM 6 billion: RM3.8 space to catch the water from the see that the whole scheme is prop- billion for the dam and tunnel and next flood. This proposal can be erly carried out. We would like to RM2-3 billion for the filtration further enhanced if water from see that the procedures of consult- plant. We hope that the Authori- other sources can also be trans- ant appointment, prequali- ties will consider our opinion se- ferred to the designated storage fication of contractors, tender riously before implementing the reservoir to ensure continuous opening, evaluation and award project. supply of raw water for treatment. of contracts are transparently and properly carried out. About 30 years ago my company Another possibility is to retain the constructed the Upper Pierce Dam excess rainwater from the rivers Furthermore all contractors across a valley in Singapore thus that frequently causes flood in should be encouraged to submit creating a large reservoir. You can Kuala Lumpur. We are sure that their own alternative designs be- see the big lake when you play the upstream water is of much sides submitting tenders based on golf at the Singapore Island Golf better quality than the Singapore the original design. Very often the Club. Subsequently three or four sewerage. successful contractor can offer a more reservoirs were constructed better design with significant sav- to retain all the rain from It is hard to believe that you can ings. and Singapore including their drink up all the water from Sungai own sewerage water. That is why Selangor. There are presently I write this in good faith and I trust Singapore has not asked Malay- three off-takes sucking up water the authorities will consider this sia permission to construct an- from Sungai Selangor and you can letter seriously. I have no financial other pipe line to Singapore, in still see there is some considerable interest in any part of this business spite of the fact that their need amount of flow downstream of the except to hope to pay a cheaper wa- must have increased many-fold off-takes during dry weather. ter rate in the future. q over the years. Their engineers During rain, which occurs once have fully investigated all the in every few days, the excess flow methods involving rain collection to waste is considerable. It is most Koon Yew Yin, 72, a Chartered and retention . Collecting rain for regrettable that we did not con- Civil Engineer, is former human need is an age-old method struct a few more reservoirs as founder director of IJM Corp practised by our forefathers. what Singapore did to retain all Bhd and former member of the the excess rain-water. It is still not Board of Engineers, Malay- We would like the authorities to too late to consider building a few sia, a statutory body to regu- engage a creditable consultant to more reservoirs which should be late the engineering profession investigate completely all the vari- much cheaper than taking water ous methods of retaining excess from Pahang.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 11 PESTICIDES Alarm over review of paraquat ban

Government goes back on its word

he Pesticide Action Net- TT work Asia and the Pa- TTT cific (PAN AP) is totally shocked to hear that the government has decided to recon- sider the ban on Paraquat, which is the most deadly weedkiller, scheduled under Class 1(B) of the Pesticides Act 1974. The shock- ing and unbelievable decision was announced in The New Straits Times (April 15, 2005).

In the report, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the Min- istry has decided to review the ban Muhyiddin : Ban reviewed after after “presentations” were made presentations from small holders and sion was taken by consultation to his ministry by small holders “key” industry players. with the different ministries based and “key” industry players. on human health concerns and action only goes to show that, once because of available alternatives. “It is crystal clear that the Minis- again, the industries’ profits over- What a shame that now the gov- ter had caved in to the pressures ride the health considerations of ernment has gone back on its and persuasions of these ‘small the people. word! Indeed, Malaysia Boleh!” holders’ and ‘key’ industry play- states Rengam. ers,” comments PAN executive When the ban was announced in director, Sarojeni V. Rengam. 2003, NGOs, public interests Paraquat is the most important groups, doctors and medical as- product of Syngenta — the “We are disappointed at the re- sociations in Malaysia and other worlds’ biggest agrochemical cent development because the re- parts of the world applauded the company. The ban came after consideration of the ban on one of Malaysian government’s deci- more than ten years of struggle by the most dangerous poisons in sion to ban and phase out the use PAN AP and local partner, the world has serious implica- of Paraquat. Now Malaysia’s Tenaganita, to end the continued tions vis-à-vis protection of work- reputation in the eyes of the world poisonings suffered by plantation ers and farmers’ health and rights is at stake. workers — especially pesticides to a safe working environment. sprayers who are mostly women. The ban should take effect in July “We were the first country in Asia this year, but the government’s to announce the ban. This deci- In view of the current problem, we

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 12 istry has suddenly gone back on Count - the most important and its word and reversed its decision basic unit of the nation. to stick to the Paraquat ban? “With this ban, it is crystal clear 3. In mid-2004, Deputy Agricul- that the Malaysian government, ture Minister Shafie Hj Aqdal which promotes the concept of a himself had asserted that there “Caring Society”, is forsaking the should be no more questions proven adverse health impact of about the matter and that the ban Paraquat, especially on women has to stay. Also, all aspects of the plantation workers and their chil- issue were looked at by all the dif- dren,” declares Rengam. ferent departments and minis- tries. If the Paraquat ban is repealed, it is a sad and black day for justice, Why has the Minister changed his for farmers and agricultural work- mind? What is the rationale for ers, for women and children, who reviewing the ban other than are the most oppressed and “presentations” made by small- marginalised communities in the holders and “key” industry play- country. q want the Minister to consider the ers? following questions before the Source: PAN AP press release Cabinet makes a total decision on 4. Paraquat is not necessary. For the ban of Paraquat. example, Golden Hope plantation does not use Paraquat. It is busi- 1. The Pesticides Board is to be ness as usual for the company commended on the numerous without the poison. and exhaustive steps and meas- ures they have taken to consult the What is the excuse then for the pesticides and palm oil industry, Malaysian oil palm plantations to NGOs and the workers on the is- call for the repeal of the ban? sue. Consultations and assess- ment were done with various de- Lastly, we are completely sad- partments and Ministries within dened that the Malaysian govern- the government – Ministry of ment has totally no regard for this Health, which had also concurred year’s World Health Organisa- with the ban. tion’s Day, which focuses on mothers and children, themed Why are these consultations be- “Make Every Mother and Child ing ignored?

2. During the second round of consultations undertaken with the Ministry of Health, at the be- ginning of the third year of the phase-out, the outcome and rec- ommendations of the session was for the ban to stay.

What took place between that consultation session and now, that is so significant that the Min-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 13 INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE Faultlines of Malaysian Multiculturalism I urge my fellow Muslims to rethink their objections to the Inter-faith Commission by Johan Abdullah

t is with some sense of in Kuala Lumpur. disquiet that I’m per- III suaded to pen a few This self-same bridge has held lines about the struggle despite the simmering tensions of over the setting up of an Inter-faith 1987, the Kampong Rawa inci- Commission of Malaysia (ICM). dent of 1998 and the Kampong Given the controversy which Medan fracas of 2001. And some- raged over the ICM, can one be how, even Malay supremacy, a forgiven for believing that our metaphor for the reality of the pre- mooting an inter-faith commis- faithlines have become our pri- ponderant political power of the sion is remarkable. I know of few mary faultlines. And these Malays, has become ‘normalised’ countries in the world (if any) that faultlines could well be the fis- and is not greatly challenged have one. But then most things in sures which would create the so- these days. Malaysia from the serious to the cial tsunamis of the Malaysian po- mundane tend to be rather re- litical landscape in time to come. Uglier contestations markable – and I say this with no irony. For one, this polyglot coun- How have our ethnic cleavages But in more recent times a new try was given little chance by po- been overtaken by our religious ‘spectre’ is haunting social rela- litical scientists of surviving and cleavages? A brief rendering of the tions — religion. The DAP, for ex- yet it has hung together for almost history of ethnic relations may ample, has focused more in recent five decades as an independent help to show this. Whether one years on the “Islamic state” than state, with few of the fissiparous finds it palatable or not, a so- on any other political issue. I tendencies that inflict other eth- called “ethnic bargain” laid would guess that the general pub- nically polarized countries. And down the foundations of lic at large is also divided most after the September 11 event and Malaysian ethnic relations under conspicuously over such an issue, its repercussions, Malaysia amaz- the shadow of Malay supremacy less so than say, education. The ingly has remained an oasis of (). This happened Islamic state issue was the wedge calmness and stability in the face way back in 1957. that drove the Barisan Alternatif of outbursts of political violence to its state of virtual collapse to- in the neighbouring states of In- Much water has flowed under the day. The cleavage of faith has sur- donesia, the Philipiines and Thai- proverbial bridge since then, and faced menacingly again in recent land. that inter-ethnic bridge of sorts has months in a more general sort of survived (barely) the ethnic riots way with the controversy over the But let’s not get complacent! In- in 1964 in Singapore and Bukit ICM. creasingly, there is more and more Mertajam, the ‘hartal’ riots of that is irksome and unsavoury in Penang in 1967 and most infa- But first, it should be stated at the our faithlines. The contestations mously the May 13 riots of 1969 outset that the very idea of are becoming uglier. Recently, for

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 14 example, the Persatuan Ulama primus inter pares of faiths in this and . The Malaysia called on the Conference country, much like ketuanan attempted implementation of of Rulers to censure some indi- Melayu. But is there anyone who criminal aspects of the Syariah has viduals who were thought to have really doubts that to be the case? been the major bone of contention insulted Islam. We have coped Very briefly, the predominant Is- for the non-Muslim communities, with controversies over vernacu- lamic credentials of the Malaysian seen as the thin end of a wedge to lar schooling, the Merdeka Uni- state, which have been well-estab- introduce comprehensive Islamic versity, lion dance licenses, Kuan lished over time, are as follows: law for all. Strident objections Yin statues, “Vision Schools”, etc, have been voiced publicly by the but can we deal sensibly with the 1 . Since independence, Islam has DAP, other non-Muslim parties faultlines of our faiths? It is com- been embedded in the Consti- and NGOs. monplace in this country that we tution as the official or ‘state’ are never quite able to lay down religion. I would contend that in a the rules of the game for making 2. A policy of Islamization was multicultural society all cultural social and political decisions. formally implemented since and religious communities have Sometimes the goal-posts get Mahathir’s era began in the the inalienable right to practice shifted in the middle of a game. 1980s. their own faiths free of interfer- Contestations sometimes end in a 3. In foreign policy Malaysia pro- ence from outsiders insofar as they bargain, a compromise, or a ne- files itself as a Muslim state and adhere to the constitutional pro- gotiated resolution, which is well has formal membership of the visions of the state and the uni- and good, but more often than not Organisation of Islamic Con- versal practice of the rule of law. ‘solutions’ are increasingly being ference (OIC). It formally leads Distinct groups such the Orang imposed from the top-down. the OIC today. Asli and cultural minorities in 4. More controversially, Mahathir Sarawak and Sabah may even ar- True, those who dabble in conflict declared Malaysia to be al- gue that their customary practices resolution and management tech- ready an “Islamic state” in Sep- should be equally and fully re- niques may think we are a fine tember 2001. A booklet pur- spected and preserved insofar as specimen of brinksmanship but porting to justify this was pub- they don’t offend the established for how long can we stay on shift- lished and then promptly with- rule of law and the Constitution. ing sand and not have proper drawn because of its inappro- rules-based systems for resolving priate content and this seems Remarkable cultural conflicts as we reach the to have allayed non-Muslim achievement end of the fifth decade of apprehensions about the gov- Merdeka? Somehow I feel such ernment’s intentions. In any multicultural society or the current modus operandi of con- 5. Abdullah Badawi since 2004 state, the problem arises when flict resolution has reached its has declared a policy of boundaries are traversed deliber- upper limits especially when it civilizational Islam (Islam ately or inadvertently. Here is comes to matters of religion. It Hadhari) to be the bedrock of where we need to have clear rules won’t be long before it fails in a government policy. and laws which define what can comprehensive sort of way and as or cannot be acceptable behav- responsible citizens, we must ask Given this, non-Muslims may be iour. We can choose to endlessly for something more formal, effec- forgiven for believing that some contest each and everything that tive and efficient to deal with our rules tend to apply quite automati- crops up or we can, in a civilized cultural fissures and most of all, cally when it comes to the imple- way, establish some ground rules. our faithlines. mentation of many Islamic poli- cies. The problem arises when cer- I thought that was what the ICM Islamic credentials tain Islamic policies are proposed was attempting to do. And, read- that go well beyond the accepted ing the lucid explanations of its So now let me return to the issue parameters of tolerance in a spokesperson and steering com- of the ICM controversy. In my multicultural society. And here, I mittee chairman, Malik Imtiaz view, it hinged around the issue refer to the policies proposed, if Sarwar, I had few doubts that this of Islam as the state or official reli- not attempted to be implemented, was the case. However, different gion, that is as the recognized by the PAS governments of views were apparently expressed

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 15 Mustapha Ma, made statements to the effect that there was deep hatred against Islam among some of the proponents of the ICM idea. He also reportedly remarked:

“It was said that Malaysia would have achieved Islamic state status if not for the interference of the colonial masters and the arrival of non-Muslims. Are we now wit- nessing the regression of our country into a with Islam as a mere ornament?” (Malaysiakini.com, March 1, 2005).

Malik Imtiaz: Steering Committee Khutubul : Bar Council Chairman It is a supreme irony and rather Chairman sad that the very idea of an inter- by a number of Muslim groups. to a national conference to moot faith commission has turned out So let me briefly recount my un- the setting up of an ICM. It should to be an issue requiring the even- derstanding of the episode to shed be said that right from the outset tual intervention of politicians more light on the matter. some Muslim groups were not and the prime minister no less. overly enthusiastic about the idea The boldness and inaccuracy of Some two years ago members of but no strong objection was regis- the ACCIN spokesperson’s re- the human rights subcommittee tered. Indeed, groups like ABIM mark may be attributed to the fact of the Bar Council mooted the idea participated in the early decision- that the previous prime minister of an inter-faith commission. making. The Sisters-in Islam con- proclaimed Malaysia to be already Some advocates of the idea, which tinue to support the idea. Thus, an Islamic state although in ac- included enlightened Muslims, the conference objective, among tual fact the Malaysian constitu- felt that the existing inter-faith other things, was to iron out dif- tion only states that Islam is the dialogue mechanism, the ferences and reassure doubters state religion. In point of fact, the Malaysian Consultative Council about the bona fide intentions and Malaysian state remains one not for Buddhism, Christianity, Hin- the value of having such a com- based on any particular religion duism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) mission. but one that guarantees freedoms was inadequate to deal with all of all faiths. In essence, Malaysia inter-faith matters not least of all As I said earlier, the holding of the is and remains a multicultural because Muslims were not mem- conference, involving some 200 state, not an Islamic state. bers of the MCCBCHS. multi-faith participants, repre- senting various faiths, was itself The whole unsavoury twist in Indeed Muslim groups partook of a remarkable achievement. It was this saga actually shows that an no formal inter-faith mechanisms. also quite heartening that a min- ICM mechanism is very much Hence the idea of the ICM came ister, Rais Yatim, officiated at the needed in Malaysia’s about. All religious groups, and event. multicultural society. ACCIN especially Muslim groups, were spokesperson’s statement would invited to participate in this Bar Unsavoury twist be the very sort of insensitivity Council initiative. The Bar Coun- that needs to be addressed. I don’t cil, incidentally, was at the time But the inevitable happened. A also doubt that there are also much and led by a Muslim lawyer, coalition of 13 Muslim groups unspoken cultural insensitivities Khutubul Zaman Bukhari. calling itself the Allied Coordinat- on the part of non-Muslims to- ing Committee of Islamic NGOs wards Muslims, which we hear The long and short of it was that (ACCIN) demanded that the gov- of on an everyday basis, but no eventually after many meetings a ernment scuttle the idea of the one is so bold as to express them broad consensus was arrived at ICM. The spokesperson of ACCIN, publicly like the ACCIN spokes-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 16 person. Continued from page 6 Suleiman then instructed me to make a report with regard to what- A pertinent point is why should from YAA as Acting LP not to get ever instruction I had received on the Muslim majority in particular involved in any action taken by the day in question. In my meet- feel insecure about the practice of the Supreme Court. And therefore ing with YA Tan Sri Datuk Wan its faith as expressed by such I did not agree to any order that Suleiman, YA then said that an opinions as that of ACCIN? By all may be made after I had explained action for `contempt of court’ accounts, time and demography my position, and after I had ex- might be brought against YAA are on the Muslims’ side; the 55 plained my position, YA Tan Sri [Tan Sri Abdul Hamid] YB Attor- percent or more of Muslims will Datuk Seri Eusoffe told YA Tan Sri ney-General and I might also be in time become an overwhelming Datuk Wan Suleiman that I need implicated. YA Tan Sri Datuk Seri two-thirds majority not be involved and proposed that Eusoffe Abdoolcader also men- Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman sign tioned about the action for con- Disturbing whatever order that may be made. tempt of court and YA Datuk withdrawal YA Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman George Seah told me his view that understood my position and I had a `good defence’ as I was What I also found disturbing in agreed that he himself would sign carrying out superior orders. I this episode was the withdrawal then said that in this matter I left of groups like ABIM and the In- whatever order that might be it to God’s hands only because I ternational Movement for a Just made. I then left the Supreme merely carried out instructions World from participation in the Court ante-room. ICM conference. If supposedly from the Acting LP and if I refused progressive NGOs in the country I then went to the Supreme Court action would be taken against me. find it difficult to support an idea Registry and informed the staff as important as an inter-faith com- including Mr. Raju, the inter- At about 12.45 noon I informed mission, then it is little wonder preter, that the Seal of the Supreme Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman that we can have opinions such Court ought to be kept in the about the instructions of YAA to as that of Mustapha Ma. The Mus- locked cupboard. All this while make the report to YAA yourself lim fringe of Malaysia - are now no application had been filed in and not to YA Tan Sri Datuk Wan determining Islam’s discourse. the registry. As it was already ap- Suleiman and once again I was proximately 12.45 pm, I informed informed of the possibility of ac- The open-mindedness and gener- the staff present that they could tion for contempt of court against osity of Muslims is what this go home. Puan Azizah was not YAA Chief Justice Malaya [Tan Sri country needs, not the narrow- in the office at that time. This in- Abdul Hamid], YB Attorney-Gen- mindedness and bigotry led by an struction was issued on the instruc- eral and I, and he then instructed extreme fringe of Muslim cham- tion of YAA that the sitting did not me that the staff of the Registry of pions who are driven by a false have the sanction of YAA yourself and the Supreme Court ought not to sense of insecurity to use Islam for I was instructed to take the appropri- obstruct them in carring out what- their own narrow politics. ate action in this matter by YAA. ever duties they had to carry out. (Present author’s emphasis) YA Datuk George Seah and YA Tan Writing as a Muslim I have abso- Sri Wan Hamzah were then lutely no problem with an ICM On the morning of 4 July 1988, at present. Again I reiterated that I which lays down, even if neces- about 9.15 am, I was called by YA was only carrying out my duties sary, the legal niceties for inter-re- Tan Sri Datuk Wan Suleiman to and my fate would be determined ligious relations in Malaysia’s his Chambers where YA Datuk by God. Apart from what oc- multicultural society. As the great George Edward Seah, YA Tan Sri curred, it appeared that the staff Muslim jurist Ibn Khaldun has Datuk Haji Mohamed Azmi bin of the Registry did not obstruct the taught us, law is humanity’s most Datuk Haji Kamaruddin, YA Tan special sitting from proceeding. civilized manner of resolving Sri Wan Hamzah bin Haji conflicts. I would urge my fellow Mohamed Salleh and YA Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor Muslims to re-think their objec- Datuk Eusoffe Abdoolcader were tions to the ICM. q present. YA Tan Sri Datuk Wan Source: May Day For Justice

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Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 18 FILM REVIEW Discussing “Sepet” over tau chooi

This film shows that our young people are fascinatingly multi-faceted by Wong Soak Koon

nce in a long while, a two instances, while watching OO film by a Malaysian film her commercials, I had been OOO director comes to our driven to ejaculate “get real”. commercial theatres which leaves us saying, ‘Hey, we Blurring stereotypes have to talk about it. Let’s adjourn to some teh tarik place, okay?” A movie allows Yasmin much This was how a few friends and I more time and space to deliver a felt after watching the movie Sepet more nuanced narrative. She re- directed by Yasmin Ahmad — mains primarily a story-teller but only we had to go to a café as not with sharp eyes for the tragi-com- a teh tarik stall was in sight in the edy and ironies of Malaysian so- vicinity of Mid-Valley Megamall. ciety. She has admitted in an in- Over dressed-up glasses of tau terview that it is the human sto- chooi (soya bean milk) and expen- ries of daily life and not your sive cakes we all waxed vocal (if analyses of the NEP, NDP or other not exactly eloquent) about many socio-economic-political policies nic boundaries. We don’t live by aspects of the film. that motivate her to make films. the tight ethnic categories politi- Thank goodness for this (we have cians use to box us in at certain As some reviewers have put it, we had films that are a jumble of stages of their own ambitious ca- agreed that there was an endear- postmodern images decon- reers. Orked and her mother as ing charm to the simple story line. structing everything all looking as well as the queenly house-help, The use of near unknowns in the if they leapt out of an academic Mak Yam, love to watch Chinese key roles of Orked and Jason a.k.a. treatise on Fellini according to dramas and soap operas. One of Ah Loong added to the natural- Lyotard!). Nonetheless, I hope Orked’s heroes is an actor of Japa- ness of the tale. But is Yasmin Yasmin won’t mind if, after watch- nese-Chinese parentage. In fact it again using rose-tinted camera ing her film, we do the usual job is her hunt for the VCD of lenses and giving us yet another of linking human stories to issues “Chungking Express” that example of those sometimes sen- of ethnicity, class, etc. destines her to meet with Loong timental advertorial narratives (Jason). And Thai songs and mu- she is famous for in her television One of the most interesting as- sic are shown to have a potent li- commercials? Only in traces. In pects of “Sepet” is its inversion or bidinous hold on her parents. In- her brief commercials the stere- blurring of stereotypes. cidently, my friend later told me otypes of Malaysian life some- Malaysians, in their daily lives, that a Malay lady sitting near her times loom large. In fact in one or clearly traverse cultural and eth- uttered tak sopan (not decent) dur-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 19 seller romancing their teenage daughter. The mild reluctance Orked’s father displays and the acceptance of the mother appear unreal. But would Yasmin’s crit- ics themselves be perpetuating stereotypes by setting up the “eter- nal” barriers of class, ethnicity and religion? No ethnic group is homogeneous nor are any group’s borders always impenetrable. Orked’s parents are, quite simply, not your hadith-mouthing funda- mentalists. There is a domestic scene where the father reminds his wife (Orked’s mother) and the house-help to do their evening prayers. Glued to the television set, absorbed in yet another Chinese soap opera, both women show reluctance. A holier-than-thou person in the cinema would be very offended by this scene but it is so refreshingly human. Haven’t we all made excuses like those used by the two women at some time in our lives? The parents are ing the scene where the parents Malay girlfriend, Keong’s brief also portrayed as not class-con- danced to Thai music, the mother question: “You think so?” makes scious. They treat the house-help wearing a sarong tied across her us think too. Too many develop- as part of the family. The director breasts showing bare shoulders ments – political, economic, con- chose to present them as not the and arms (we rarely see this in stitutional – have taken place be- entrepreneurial, wealthy, upper- Malay movies nowadays al- tween the time of legends, for ex- middle-class Malays of the post though spaghetti straps and other ample, the legend of Princess NEP era. Orked tells Loong that revealing western-style dressing Hang Li Po (sent by the Emperor her family could not afford a pi- do not bother directors or cen- of China to marry a Sul- ano. sors). tan and therefore seen as initiat- ing a mixed racial lineage) and the A gentler approach Loong’s mother is depicted as a present day. Policies have defined Peranakan ie a person who comes and categorized people according It is true that there is more than a from a heritage where Malay to ethnicity and religion, like it or trace of nostalgia in Yasmin’s dress, food, language are used not. Narrow-minded Islamicists making the father drive an old car even if Islam is not practised. have not helped; neither have (a model much outdated and not Yasmin refuses to romanticise this chauvinists from on all sides. your Proton Saga or Proton Wira figure. She does not make the Loong’s mother does accept ); the house they live in is not the mother an easy bridge between Orked but not initially. suburban terrace house many a Loong and Orked. When Loong teacher can and does buy today prematurely and confidently tells Some feel that Yasmin has glossed (on government loans?). There is, Keong (his good friend) that over the protest that Malay-Mus- undeniably, something of the surely his mother, being lim parents would feel towards a Yasmin-type romantic yearning Peranakan, would not object to a non-Muslim, non-Malay VCD for the past in these details. The

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 20 parents seem as if they are from pious Muslims. The tone of this (5As still can get a scholarship). an era when the identity markers film differs greatly from the tonal And Loong himself is given some of race and religion do not have quality in the films by the Ameri- important lines to speak when he such an intense hold on people. can director, Spike Lee, where ra- tells his friend, Keong, that he will Does it therefore seem as if the cial confrontation, state violence somehow get to England too, then parents are caught in a time- and manipulations are presented support himself working part- warp? They appear to emerge from starkly. Those who enjoy this kind time. He will persuade Orked to a time before Islamic revivalism of frontal expose may find do the same so that some poorer and before the bumiputra and Yasmin’s film too tame. For my- and more deserving youth can non-bumiputra categories divided self, I am glad she chose a gentler have her scholarship. Youthful Malays and non-Malays in so approach. I also feel that it would idealism perhaps but these refer- many aspects of life. But then be inaccurate to say that there is ences must make us rethink cer- should we conclude that, post- no critique of policies or the state. tain public policies that divide, May 13 and post-Islamic revival- segmentalize and create estrange- ism, figures like Orked’s parents Turning to the male protagonist ment. Loong does repeatedly ask have all disappeared from Ah Loong’s dilemma (so very well himself if he is stupid to be so Malaysian society? I should hope acted out by Ng Choo Seong) I hopeful but I think so-called naïve not. shall illustrate what I see as young people can often force us Yasmin’s quiet uncovering of in- to reassess our own jaded views. The author, Henry James, once justice and discrimination. The said that “ a writer cannot be dic- last segment of the film records a Code of honour tated to”. This dictum may apply critique of the arbitrary way schol- to artists in other media too, in- arships are given. In the fifth-form “Sepet” shows some of our cluding film-makers. Yasmin has exams which both Loong and Malaysian youths struggling to simply chosen more tolerant, more Orked sit for, she only manages keep themselves afloat in a soci- humane human beings as Orked’s 5As whereas Loong, in spite of the ety with so many written and parents – never mind if those brutalizing circumstances sur- unwitten rules and with so much more critical of state policies think rounding his life, manages to inequity. The Chinese youths, like this is a cop-out because Yasmin achieve 7As. Yet it is Orked who Loong, earn a living to support fears more confrontational scenes; gets the scholarship to go to Eng- families through after school ac- or, if those who support the Is- land. Her own mother notes the tivities by selling VCDs. We see lamic opposition feel she should anomaly in this line of dialogue: that oppression, even violence, have made the parents strict and “5As pun boleh dapat scholarship” need not be inter-ethnic but can often be intra-ethnic. Here Yasmin seems to have borrowed some bits from certain Hong Kong movies (perhaps by the director Ann Hui?). The Chinese gang “lord”, Jimmie, terrorizes the youths and extorts part of their earnings. These young people are depicted as not simply no-good lepak gang- sters. Some are driven by eco- nomic constraints to earn money in this way. There is a code of hon- our among them which makes Keong willing to take a severe beating rather than betray Ah Loong. That such brutalizing cir- cumstances exist and that they force people to have their own

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 21 code of honour and their own group protection outside of our comfortable bourgeois mores, re- veal our society’s inequitable dis- tribution of wealth whatever the GNP and GDP may be cranked up to be.

There is a witty exchange of dia- logue between Loong and his loyal friend, Keong, when Loong visits the injured Keong in the hospital. Keong mentions that legendary band of faithful friends (the epitome of brotherhood) in The Malay Annals (Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekiu, etc) and says: “Hey, they could be Chi- nese-lah, all Hangs.” Did I hear a gasp of disgust and disapproval in the darkened cinema? If I did, it must have been from some pur- ist nationalist who can’t take any humour directed at what he deems legends that are sacro- sanct.

Ng Choo Seong does a marvelous that people who suffer also look ple, is surprised that Orked’s job of capturing Ah Loong’s for a reason to laugh” (, 21 mother treats the house-help as toughness as well as his tender March 2005). an equal. Orked wears the tra- side (this is a poetry-writing ditional baju kurung in almost toughie with spiky dyed blonde The Malay middle-class youths every scene but her openness, hair who is quite endearing). The who are Orked’s friends are individuality and independent bond between him and his long- similarly caught in a maze of spirit are clear. This film shows suffering mother may seem like a choices. Her girlfriend reads a that our young people are fasci- cliché out of Chinese soap operas book on anti-colonialism but natingly multi-faceted. but it is acted out so naturally by likes boys with Caucasian fea- Choo Seong, we all had to take out tures (her hero is Leonardo I shall not take away from any- our tissues and handkerchiefs. Ah Dicarprio, star of the hit film one’s desire to see this movie by Loong simply has to survive by “Titanic”). Orked is almost disclosing the plot movement or all available means in a world raped by her friend whom her the ending of this tale of a mixed- where one slip can mean death. mother had thought was a de- race romance. Although the film Weaving in and out of dangerous cent boy from a good Malay- has traces of romantic sentimen- traffic on his motor-cycle or con- Muslim family. We therefore tality and I am a cynic-romantic, I torting his pliant body to dance to learn not to pigeon-hole people. decided to err on the romantic the rhythms of a traditional Those Malay youths wearing rather than the cynical side after Malay tune, Loong epitomizes the modern, urban youth gear watching “Sepet” or perhaps the struggle to live in a society where (jeans,T-shirts etc.) turn out to be soya bean and cakes sweetened there is inequality and feudal and narrow-mindedly my mood. Go see “Sepet” for your- violence.And he tries to smile too conservative in many areas of self and decide what you like and because, as Yasmin says, “ I find life. Orked’s girlfriend, for exam- what you don’t like about it. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 22 REGION Acehnese, Islam and foreigners Clearing up the misapprehension by Aguswandi

o the Acehnese hate for- against foreigners. They have also DD eigners? Do they want been very active, writing graffiti DDD the many foreign aid such as “Foreigners out of Aceh” workers labouring to in some areas. Some groups have help them to leave their villages? also spread rumors that foreign Are the Acehnese, you may ask, aid workers are attempting to fanatical Muslims? Christianize local people.

The departure of some foreign aid Immensely tolerant groups and all foreign troops from Aceh signalled the supposed end However, in a refugee camp in of what the government called the Aceh Besar, an image quite con- emergency post-tsunami period trary to these sentiments could be (not to be confused with the civil seen. A banner raised by Acehnese emergency still in place in Aceh). stated, “Don’t leave Aceh”, in an may believe that the locals really Given some of the mendacious appeal to foreign aid workers. do not want the presence of for- statements made about the foreign Even more interestingly, in west- eigners as they are fanatical Islam- presence in Aceh in this period, it ern areas in Aceh, people prefer ists. is important to offer some clarifi- to seek medical aid from foreign cation about the Acehnese, Islam posts rather than from the nearby Misrepresenting the Acehnese as and their view of foreigners. government post. In many places, fanatical and claiming that they the locals have greeted foreigners hate foreigners, and Christian Without such clarification, the with a warm welcome. Many of groups more specifically, is just path is left clear for incorrect as- those asked have stated that they one of the cheap propaganda sessments, like last month’s state- are very grateful for the presence lines being put out about Aceh. It ment by Indonesian defence min- of numerous foreign troops and is quite easy to present the local ister Juwono Sudarsono in Wash- foreign aid workers. community as hostile to non- ington D.C. Juwono reportedly Muslims as the Acehnese are pre- hinted that Christian groups So while we are hearing state- dominantly Muslim. In this odd needed to leave Aceh because the ments about the Acehnese hating world of ours today, being a de- locals were uncomfortable with foreigners from non-Acehnese vout Muslim is seen as synony- their presence. groups claiming to speak on be- mous with fanaticism or, even half of the locals, we can also see worse, terrorism. But in the case The same could be said of the ac- quite clearly that the locals actu- of Aceh, as in many others, this is tions of members of some militant ally feel very comfortable with the absolutely wrong. The people of Islamic groups being allowed into presence of so many foreigners in Aceh are not fanatics. Aceh. In a mosque in Banda Aceh, their villages. What is dangerous members of these groups have is if outsiders have little or no It is a historical fact that the urged the Acehnese to rise up knowledge about Aceh, as they Acehnese are immensely tolerant

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 23 of foreigners, regardless of their Acehnese, many Acehnese dis- with religion. It is a conflict based religion, skin colour or ethnicity. trust Muslim nationalists in Indo- on unjust practices and policies This is in part due to the geo- nesia. A clear indication of this from a central government — graphical location of their island, fear can be seen in the many de- which happens largely to be Mus- which promoted high flows of mands by Acehnese groups for the lim as well. travel to and from foreign lands. international community to help Historians have made special note them resolve the conflict in Aceh. People of different faiths are not a of the high level of Acehnese in- problem for the locals because the teraction with other peoples, no- The Acehnese understanding of most important thing is not the tably during the golden age of what it means to be Islamic has name of their faith, but what these Aceh’s sultanate. As sociologist become increasingly inclusive. people are doing in Aceh. This Otto Syamsuddin has said, this The province’s Islam is becoming was clear even during the 1998 historical mobility gave the somewhat unique; friendly to riots across Indonesia where Chi- Acehnese a very cosmopolitan those that have different beliefs, nese and Christian communities legacy. and deeply suspicious of some of were targeted — yet this did not those who claim to share the same happen in Aceh. Those groups felt Increasingly inclusive religious values as them. safe in Aceh. There has never been any conflict between Muslims The ongoing conflict in Aceh has No incidents and non-Muslims in Aceh. There also prompted many Acehnese to have been no incidents caused by broaden their understanding of It was, therefore, an absurdity religious disputes. There are two the meaning of their relationships when in 2001 the central govern- major Christian churches in Aceh, with other peoples. and not only did they Those of different reli- survive the tsunami but gions or skin colour can they have been pro- be friends, while those tected by locals from that supposedly share any harm. their beliefs may not necessarily be friends. Islam has often been used by interested ele- This has led to a more ments, predominantly flexible definition of us non-Achenese, to dis- and them, foreign and tract people from the non-foreign, infidel and real issues in Aceh. devoted. Ordinary Now, once again, the Acehnese use the word fact that the Acehnese kafir (infidel) in refer- are Muslim is being ence to those who visit used to drive a wedge injustices upon them, between those that regardless of their religion. This ment imposed sharia (Islamic) law would help and those that need word can also apply to Muslims. in Aceh. They suggested that it help. This must be challenged and Infidels may be friends, irrespec- would be a route to solving the prevented from undermining the tive of their religion, as long as conflict in the province. Yet the reconstruction and the longer- they do not visit injustice on the locals had not been asking for term peace process in Aceh. locals. The issue here is not one of sharia, they had been asking for Christianity, Judaism or Islam; the justice to be done and for those The writer is an Acehnese human only infidel is a perpetrator of cru- who had committed crimes rights activist working for the In- elty. against the Acehnese to be — re- donesia Human Rights Cam- gardless of their religion — paign in London. q As a result of the lack of Muslim brought to justice. The present solidarity for the plight of the conflict in Aceh has nothing to do Source: Jakarta Post, 13 April 2005

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 24 OBITUARY A messenger of peace and justice He opposed the use of force and violence and stood firm in opposing a military solution.

liran is saddened by the million Palestinian refugees made AA passing of Pope John Paul homeless by the formation of the AAA II on 2 April 2005. He was state of Israel. At Yad Vashem, Is- an important moral force, rael’s main Holocaust memorial, who literally reached out to the he paid tribute to the six million ends of the earth through his trav- Jews killed by the Nazis from els to spead the message of peace 1938-45. More recently, however, and justice. This stands in sharp he criticised Israel’s plan to build contrast to those who build their a massive wall, which now threat- arsenals and accumulate wealth to ens to suffocate the occupied ter- try to achieve their goals of power ritories and make a Palestinian and domination. state unviable.

We recall his legacy in promoting Speaking in defence of the poor and inter-religious dialogue, in build- upholding the dignity of the hu- ing bridges instead of walls. His man person, made in the image of greatness was also due to his abil- God, the Pope also emphasised the wards the vitality of the church, ity to be inclusive and to reach out “primacy of man over work” and were suppressed. to “the other” outside his fold “the primacy of labour over capi- even though he was responsible tal” in two social encyclicals. He In this hour of loss, however, we for leading the Catholic faithful. not only spoke out against the athe- wish instead to honour his wider ism and authoritarianism preva- contribution towards a more just He opposed the use of force and lent in communism but also criti- and peaceful world. In particular, violence and, despite efforts by cised the excesses of capitalism. He he exemplified a servanthood and world leaders to seek his support was sharply critical of the immo- moral model of leadership so lack- for the invasion of Iraq, he stood rality of neo-liberal globalisation, ing in our world today and so firm in opposing a military solu- and how it has impoverished en- starkly at odds with the airs and tion. Similarly, he opposed the at- tire communties in both developed pomp surrounding world leaders tack on Serbia even when there and developing nations, robbing and prominent personalities to- was a consensus among the people of their dignity and enslav- day. People who have met John United States and the European ing them to consumerism and ma- Paul - VIPs and ordinary folk alike powers that it was timely to do so. terialism. - have related how struck they were by his simplicity, humility John Paul upheld the rights of Others, however, have remarked and compassion. These, along Palestinians to self-determination about the pontiff’s conservative with his examples of forgiveness but also recognised the state of Is- theology, which reversed some of and reconciliation and his con- rael. When he visited the Holy the church reforms heralded by cern for justice and peace, hold Land, apart from visiting the sa- Vatican II in the early 1960s and many lessons for us today. cred sites, he visited the Palestin- centralised authority in Rome. ian refugee camp at Dahisha, Dissenting views and debates, Aliran Executive Committee putting the spotlight on some 3.5 which could have contributed to- 5 April 2005

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 25 OBITUARY Controversy marks John Paul II era by Christopher Caldwell

ohn Paul II defies classi- made it so. One of his abiding pre- - according to such exegetes as Mr fication as a political occupations as Pope was to re- Weigel and Rocco Buttiglione, the JJJ conservative or liberal. solve doctrinal differences that Italian philosopher-politician - Most Americans and Eu- stood in the way of a reconcilia- was a combination of classic ropeans would put him in the tion between the Catholic and Or- Catholic theology (Thomas former camp because of his role thodox churches. He visited syna- Aquinas) and 20th century phe- in publicly encouraging the oppo- gogues and mosques. Nor were nomenology (Husserl, Max nents of communism, beginning his non-religious positions tai- Scheler, et al). The Pope espoused with his first papal visit to Poland lored to comfort reactionaries. He what Eamon Duffy, church histo- in 1979. In the early 1980s he opposed the Falklands war, the rian, called “the supreme value of warned leftwing clerics in Brazil Gulf war and the Iraq war. No free and loving moral action, in and Nicaragua to stay out of poli- sooner had the Berlin Wall fallen which each person realises their tics. Many saw a theological con- than he began vituperating the own individuality”. servatism to match the political “social sins” of capitalism, par- one. As early as 1984, Giancarlo ticularly the world-wide gap be- This helps explain why the Pope Zizola, who covers the Vatican for tween rich and poor, and calling was seen as a hypermodern vi- the Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper, for a reform of the global economy. sionary by some and a hidebound wrote: “Most people believe that On a visit to Brazil, he gave his reactionary by others - and why present papal policy is a regres- episcopal ring to a penniless his views on sexuality continue sion into dogma in all its archaic slum-dweller. to be such a flashpoint of contro- authoritarian form.” The Pope versy. The Pope’s worldview had extolled freedom of conscience but Judging the Pope on purely ideo- something in common with cer- worried that it could lead to rela- logical grounds is a dead end. An tain non-religious theories of so- tivism if not reined in, warning in academic philosopher of distinc- ciety - theories of identity politics the early 1990s that Europe was tion, he was among the mightiest that are usually derided by reli- drifting into a “new paganism”. intellects ever to have served as gious people as relativistic, he- A recent Washington Post com- pope, but simply tallying up his donistic and decadent. Charles mentator described his as a “cen- political positions makes him ap- Taylor, the Canadian philosopher, tralising, authoritarian pontifi- pear either illogical or arbitrary. has described identity politics as cate”. George Weigel, the papal biogra- a way for people to locate them- pher, wrote that the Pope was a selves in a world without tradi- And yet, the Pope’s politics much less political figure than his tional hierarchies. In the absence looked different when viewed predecessors and could be under- of social systems that used to al- from poor countries. He was the stood only theologically. In the lot every person a role and a sta- first pontiff to assume his audi- first “post-Constantinian” pa- tus, people now find their bear- ence was not merely Christendom pacy, Mr Weigel noted, John Paul ings through their relationships. but humanity. The rapprochement II declined to act like a head of “We can see how much an origi- with other faiths that was central state, choosing instead to appeal nal identity needs and is vulner- to Vatican II was central partly to individual consciences through able to the recognition given or because he, as a young bishop, persuasion. The Pope’s theology withheld by significant others,”

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 26 Mr Taylor writes in The Ethics of Authenticity. “Relationships are seen as the key loci of self-discov- ery and self-affirmation.” The legacy of

The Pope, too, saw relationships as a key locus of discovery. What Pope John Paul II is more, he spoke more openly of sex than other popes, announcing that “sexual communion” within marriage could help “make God Interview with Blase Bonpane, a former priest comprehensible to human be- who worked in Guatemala in the 1960s, by Amy ings”. But when God is intro- Goodman, host of Democracy NOW! duced into relationship-based ethics, the conclusions differ from Amy Goodman: It’s good to have the ones Mr Taylor describes. you with us. Your response to the What Mr Taylor calls identity, the reign of Pope John Paul II. Pope would have called the sol- ipsism of atheism. Where the re- Blase Bonpane: Well, the most lationships Mr Taylor describes positive thing would be in the require sexual freedom, those book written by Jonathan Kwitney John Paul II described require called Man of the Century. sexual ethics - loving the whole, Jonathan, not being a Catholic, God-created person and not us- wrote about the political side of ing him or her as a means to af- the impact of John Paul II. And I firm oneself. It is this line of rea- knew Jonathan while he was writ- soning that led the Pope to the ing the book. He passed away value judgements about a “culture since. of life” - and against contracep- tion, abortion, gay rights and the But the low point, I suppose, was ordination of women - that most [the pope’s] response to the death sharply divided people. of Archbishop Romero and that was a result of very poor advice he shook his finger at Ernesto, and John Paul II drew pre-sexual-revo- from Cardinal Casariego of Gua- I think he misunderstood com- lution moral conclusions by ask- temala, who was the only cardi- pletely what was taking place in ing up-to-the-minute philosophi- nal in Central America at the time Central America at the time. So cal questions. They were not ques- and a great supporter of the Gua- that’s a sorry part of the situation. tions his predecessors thought to temalan military and of milita- But that’s only part of it. ask. But the controversy that rism in general. He reminded me marked the 26 years of his papacy of Cardinal Spellman in some There’s also the matters to be dealt was perhaps evidence that they ways. with, the matter of gays, not only were the right ones. q in the Church, but the matter of Another very serious error oc- what is called gay marriage. The curred] when in March of 1983 he dialogue must continue into a (Source: Financial Times, shook his finger at Ernesto Cardi- new papacy to indicate that many 1 April 2005) nal at a time when he was visit- people are simply asking for a ing Nicaragua and 20 youths had property agreement with the state. The writer is a senior editor just been killed in the Contra war, Some of them understand that in at the conservative and the mothers of those youth the Catholic Church they aren’t going to be married in the tradi- newsweekly The Weekly were present and they were hold- tion, but they’re asking for a prop- Standard.Standard.Standard. ing pictures of their sons, and the pope actually told them to shut erty agreement whereby they can up. He said, “silencio,” and then receive a hundred different ben-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 27 efits of being married. So it is a Blase Bonpane: I think it was ab- completely acceptable. So these question of what is called secular solutely outstanding, and I think things were on the positive side. marriage that is being dealt with it is quite tragic that the bishops here. of the United States did not pick And it was curious that prior to up the cudgel after he made it clear the conference in Puebla, the And I think that dialogue has not his great opposition to war and to newspapers were coming out say- reached the Church in its fullness war in Iraq. The U.S. bishops took ing Pope John Paul II condemns yet, any more than the dialogue a very weak response, I believe, by liberation theology. It just didn’t on abortion has, because if we not bringing that issue to each happen. It was that the capitalist wish to see a decline in abortion, and every parish in the United world was so afraid of what lib- we must look to places like Hol- States, almost giving one the feel- eration theology implied that they land where it has declined because ing that they had a greater dedi- wanted to condemn it in the press of excellent sexual education, in cation to U.S. foreign policy than before the Pope even made a state- addition to guaranteed health they did to their own church. ment on it. So that part was of great care. Those two things put to- interest to all of us, and liberation gether cause abortion to drop rap- And this, I think, is quite scandal- theology is simply a response to idly, whereas putting it under civil ous, and it’s been a history of scan- imperial theology, which has been law as a crime seems to make the dal. The pro-war position of the with us since 312 A.D., since the whole situation worse. So the dia- leaders of the U.S. Church, like the time of Constantine, the emperor logue on these issues has not yet famous Cardinal Spellman in the becoming a Christian. He brought been completed. matter of Vietnam. So his position the sword into Christianity and on war was excellent. conversion by way of the sword, But the sociology of Catholics is and that was ultimately seen in that as many of them practise birth Amy Goodman: And capitalism? the Crusades, in the Inquisition, control as Protestants or any other in the conquistadors. And these group, and the same applies to Blase Bonpane: And on capital- are all things for which Pope John abortion. The pope has not been ism, extremely interesting. We saw Paul II apologised. listened to on these events. that he had a horror of Soviet com- munism, but when it came time He was horrified by Church his- What is taking place is what’s for the first conference that he at- tory, and that included the Holo- called a sensus fidelium, the sense tended in Puebla in Mexico — I caust. I don’t know of any pope of the faithful, and that is that they was there, and Archbishop that had apologised for the his- must ultimately decide in their Romero was present — this was tory of the Church prior to him. So conscience. The pope is not a line 1979. The condemnation at he was an extremely complex officer in the military, and the last Puebla was of unrestrained capi- man. And there are many, many word in the Church is your per- tal. He was very much against the facets to this person, some that sonal conscience, and people have deregulation. He was very much we’re sorry about and many that to follow that, and they are follow- against what is called we find quite unusual. ing it. Some call this a “smorgas- neoliberalismo today, the 19th bord Catholicism,” but it’s really century laissez-faire capitalism Amy Goodman: There was an ex- not. It’s a matter of saying, “I have that showed only regard for profit tended piece in The New York Times to make a stand in terms of what I and no regard for the common about the legacy of John Paul, and believe is right,” and that is com- good. So to the surprise of every- they talked about Brazil, for exam- pletely an acceptable situation in one at that conference, the only ple, the Rev. Leonardo Boff of Bra- the Church that has not received thing condemned in the confer- zil, a movement leader, silenced enough attention, I believe. ence was unrestrained capital, by Rome for a year. In 1992 he re- and Marxist analysis was kept as signed from the priesthood to pro- So all of these issues remain to be a methodology that was fully ac- test Vatican restrictions on writ- dealt with far more fully than they ceptable. He was not talking ings by the clergy and members of have been dealt with in the past. about people becoming Marxist, religious orders. Another cham- as such, but the use of Marxist pion of liberation theology, the Amy Goodman: Can you talk analysis, that is, to recognise class Rev. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the about the opposition to war of warfare, to recognise the lack of first democratically-elected presi- John Paul? distributive justice in society, was dent of Haiti denounced the Vati-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 28 can in 1992 for recognising mili- more pure, much more primitive, tary leaders who had deposed much less sectarian. The thing him in 1991. Since 1982 when he that’s going to really change is became a priest, Father Aristide this. The West tried to define eve- had excoriated the Haitian rything. We’ll tell you all about Church for what he called its God, we know all about God. And “complicity with brutal dictator- that’s very embarrassing. We ships.” know nothing almost to say about God. Blase Bonpane: Absolutely cor- rect. Jean-Bertrand Aristide was And the Buddhists and others chosen by the people twice in a have shown this with great rever- landslide, and the Haitian Church ence that we don’t know about and also the Vatican, was very this. We should simply stand in opposed to his position as they awe before the mystery, and the were opposed to others in the Pope made some terrible remarks clergy that went into politics: about Buddhism, saying it was, Miguel D’Escoto, Ernesto Cardi- in effect, an atheistic type of thing nal, and others. I think this was a The Haitian Church attacked and the Buddhists in Sri Lanka grave error. These men were in a Aristide. Other bishops in El Sal- really opposed that. position of representing the peo- vador attacked Romero. Casariego ple, the hopes, desires and anxie- attacked Romero. All of this is So there’s a lot of work that needs ties. They were fulfilling what part of the history of a very hu- to be done in terms of the presence Vatican II said we should be do- man Church. And we have to look of the Church in the global sphere. ing, and I think Vatican II, that is at these great examples. Jean- And I think Pope John Paul II did between 1962 and 1965, was a Bertrand Aristide is still President a great deal to get that discussion great threat to Pope John Paul II. of Haiti, even though he is living going, to make it clear that we He felt that the matter of hierar- in South Africa at this time. The have to show great respect for ex- chy was being destroyed and that man behind this—as you know, isting religions, great respect for the base communities were being the Pope was travelling to 120 people who are non-theists, peo- given too much power, so he re- countries — but the man respon- ple who cannot affirm God, and acted to the Vatican II, which had sible for enforcement was the Car- to join together in what are known really ignited a fire in all of us, be- dinal Ratzinger who [is] an ex- as the fruits of the spirit, where cause we were told not to wait for treme reactionary and who re- we see justice and peace and love orders from Rome. We were told moved the licence to teach from and joy and endurance and cour- to enter into these hopes, desires many priests, and some of them age. We’re seeing the fruits of the and anxieties hasta las ultimas had to go forward on their own spirit and those we can identify, consecuencias, up to the ultimate because they could not simply sit whereas we can’t define God, and consequences, wherever it took us. in silence and watch the faithful we shouldn’t try, and the West, in- deteriorate spiritually and mate- cluding the Roman Catholic That led Jean-Bertrand Aristide rially. Church, has gone too far. We think into saying, “Alright, I’ll be presi- we know everything. q dent, if necessary.” It led Ernesto So I think that we’re going to see Cardinal to say, “Alright, I’ll be these changes continue, and what Amy Goodman is the host minister of culture.” It led Miguel is called liberation theology will of the nationally-syndi- D’Escoto to say ”Alright, I’ll be simply be called theology. I think foreign minister.” it’s a matter of removing the im- cated radio news program perial trappings that had nothing Democracy Now in the US. We have got to work on behalf of to do with the teaching of Jesus, these people, who are suffering, imperial trappings that have Source:Source:Source: who are hungry, who are in mis- come into the church as a result of Democracy Now!, 5 April ery, and they need to be liberated. the Roman imperial power. 2005 www.alternet.org/ So I think this is another example story/21670 of many of the sins of the Church. And we’ll see something much

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 29 ENVIRONMENT Earth: The final frontier for human rights (Part 1)1)(Part A global environmental crisis is unfolding before our very eyes by Angeline Loh

ook around at your im- LL mediate environment. LLL The air you breathe, the water you drink, the per- sonal hygiene products that are necessary in this day and age, the vehicle you drive or ride. Are you happy with your life as it is?

Most of us would conclude that we are reasonably happy as long as life remains routine and we don’t lack what we take for granted. In our nice little cocoons we’re cozy.

In our beloved country, Malaysia, People must appreciate that global warming is a serious problem we like to think we live apparently carefree lives. Yet something have to get expensive filter sys- smog we inhale. rather disturbing seems to be hap- tems fixed to the water supply. pening. We acknowledge that life We have learnt to expect the ‘haze is changing, but in some ways for Isn’t it our right to have clean water? season’ every year and blame it the worse. This subtle but inevita- For all the rhetoric spewed in the on neighbouring countries, forget- ble change is beginning to erode press by water authorities, noth- ting our own callous attitude to- the ground beneath our feet. ing has changed. We still have to wards environmental issues. Time Cracks are appearing in our cozy take our own precautions to feel to buy face masks, and more cocoons. safe; so we pay for extra gadgets. money pours out. Industries that catered for special needs in the Ugly issues now necessarily break Stepping out for a breath of fresh past have now boomed as their into our consciousness. Things we air? What fresh air? At six in the products become necessities. prefer not to think about - such as morning, the whiff of traffic fumes the mud-coloured water from the already permeates the atmos- Pollution, like war, is a money spin- tap that we have to drink or phere. We can see the air we ner. Funny how these negative oc- shower with; the rust-coloured breathe as we cross the road hold- currences become acceptable in water with which we have to cook ing our hands over our noses - a our psyche. We continue our life- our food, wash our pans and natural reflex but a futile attempt styles of waste as if there were no plates and do our laundry. So we to try and lessen the amount of tomorrow.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 30 “Prophets of doom” ‘acid rain’, ‘green house gases’, Grenada and other Pacific is- ignored ‘toxic wastes’ and ‘nuclear fall- lands, one of which is Sao Tome out’. and Principe in the Gulf of We fail to ask ourselves if we, hu- Guinea. Its president, Fradique de man beings living on this planet, Even the illiterate are not ignorant Menezes, said, “Sao Tome and our only home, have a right to a or unfamiliar with the changes in Principe continues to see our very habitable, unpolluted environ- their surrounding environment - existence threatened by global warm- ment? changes they had never wit- ing.” He feared his country would nessed before. The simple be reduced to “nothing but a tiny Frequently, we prefer to pretend fisherfolk can tell why making a volcanic peak sticking above the that no cracks exist in our badly living is becoming increasingly waves.” maintained houses even if we difficult, why the tides don’t come know the house will ultimately in as they used to or why there are In view of recent natural hurricane crumble despite our useless efforts fewer fish where once supply was disasters that have struck island to hide the defects. abundant. They are fully aware of states such as Haiti and Grenada climate change and pollution. and coastal areas of the United Governments' attempts to con- These simple observations are States, people everywhere must serve the natural environment more significant than many of us appreciate that global warming is have been minimal, piece meal, realise with repercussions on so- a serious problem. We must urge contradictory and ineffective. Eco- ciety far beyond the fishing vil- our governments to ratify the 1997 nomic considerations take prior- lage. Kyoto Protocol and other interna- ity as we speed towards achiev- tional environmental treaties to ing ‘developed nation’ status. Pro- Rising sea level conserve our planet. More signifi- tests and warnings by conserva- cantly, we must re-examine our tionists and environmental NGOs At the 59th United Nations gen- present lifestyles, values and de- have been badly received or eral assembly meeting in New velopment programmes and tech- ingored in the past, like water off York this year, the small island nologies. a duck’s back. They were labeled nations in the Pacific basin and ‘prophets of doom’ and ridiculed the Caribbean begged the interna- Eco-friendly by the media, whose prejudice has tional community to consider cli- economics needed been fed by their vested interests mate change and rising sea levels in receiving corporate advertising. resulting from global warming as The 1997 Kyoto Protocol is only urgent a threat as terrorism. They one of the many international trea- The warnings came decades ago. desperately urged countries to ties devised to protect our plan- Like the story of ‘Noah’s Ark’, only ratify the Kyoto Protocol on glo- et’s environment. Under its terms, a few recognized the signs of bal warming. industrialized nations should de- looming disaster. When the flood crease their collective emissions of that destroyed the earth did inevi- President Anote Tong of Kiribati six major greenhouse gases to 5.2 tably come, it must have been too (one of the island states most percent below 1990 levels by the late for regret. threatened by rising sea levels) year 2012 to ‘slow global warm- said, “We have demonstrated re- ing’. The world is no longer a place so markable solidarity in the fight large or mysterious today as it was against global terrorism. Can we Russia, one of the foremost mem- perceived to be by medieval folk not demonstrate the same in the fight ber states of the United Nations, who thought it flat with edges over against climate change and sea level has very recently ratified the Kyoto which a ship could fall into the rise?””” Protocol, enabling enforcement of unknown. Language has evolved this agreement on 16 February to identify and describe the state The situation is of desperate ur- 2005. In contrast, the United of our planet. You don’t have to gency for these low-lying island States has unequivocally rejected be a rocket scientist to come across nations. Amongst them, besides support for this treaty on the words like, ‘global warming’, ‘cli- Kiribati, were St. Vincent and the grounds that it “puts a dispropor- mate change’, ‘rising sea levels,’ Grenadines, Haiti, St. Kitts Nevis, tionate burden on the American

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 31 economy and favours developing Australia, have not yet ratified the of at least 70% of greenhouse gas nations.” 1997 Protocol. Their main objec- emissions over the present century is tion: economic reasons. But essential to limit the effects of cli- It is interesting to note that the wouldn’t more eco-friendly econom- mate change such as the recent United States explicitly admits ics be just as viable as the current chaotic weather occurrences (hur- that it only pays lip-service to al- eco-unfriendly economics? ricanes), flooding and rising sea leviation of poverty and leaves the levels resulting in steady shore- world in no doubt that the US A catastrophic line erosion and the submergence Government only looks after its acceleration of low-lying islands. own vested interests. For all the hype in its calls to the international On 11 October 2004, Reuters envi- CNN.com reported on 2 Novem- community to fight ronmental corre- ber 2004 that “A thaw of the Arc- terrorism, it is un- spondent, Alister tic icecap is accelerating because willing to concede Doyle, reported that of global warming…due to a build even conditionally to scientists were say- up of heat-trapping gases and the measures that would ing, “An unex- trend is set to continue”. The Arc- more equally distrib- plained jump in tic Climate Impact Assessment ute global economic greenhouse gases (ACIA) report confirms that gas wealth and conserve since 2002 might emissions from cars, factories and world resources. herald a catastrophic power plants are major sources of acceleration of global greenhouse gases. The urgency of The Guardian, UK, in warming if it be- the situation has forced Arctic-rim a reported on 12 Sep- comes a trend.” nations comprising the United tember 2004 under Dr. Wangari: America should Confirming this, Ri- States, Russia, Canada, Denmark, the headline, ‘US not sacrifice the global chard Betts, Man- Norway, Sweden, Finland and Declines to Back environment. ager for Ecosystems Iceland to take some kind of ac- Poverty Declaration,’ US objec- and Climate impact at the Hadley tion. Regrettably, they remain in tions to proposed international Centre, UK, explained that carbon disagreement, with the US refus- taxes alleging “they would be in- dioxide (CO2) levels had risen ing to take any drastic measures herently undemocratic and im- faster than average over two years. to alleviate the crisis. possible to implement.” President CO2 is the main greenhouse gas Bush was seen to have ‘skipped’ causing rises in global tempera- Devastation and destruction is two high-level meetings discuss- ture since the Industrial Revolu- widespread. The massive loss of ing the issue. tion. human life is tragic, and the result- ing homelessness of thousands Kenya’s Nobel Peace Prize win- Although scientists declined to be has contributed to a worsening glo- ner, environmentalist Dr. Wangari ‘alarmist’, they admitted that “fig- bal humanitarian crisis. q Maathai, added her voice to calls ures were confirmed at sites in- urging wealthy developed nations cluding Mauna Loa, Hawaii, west to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. “We Ireland” and “the Norwegian Note: This essay was writ- continue to appeal to the rich Arctic island of Svalbard, about ten just days before the countries in the world to consider 1,300km from the North Pole” in Tsunami hit the region 26 patterns of lifestyle that can reduce the northern hemisphere. Dec 20042004Dec pollution of the environment.” She added, “ I would like to see This two-year increase in green- The final part will con- America not sacrifice the global house gases is found to be faster sider the effects of the de- environment because they have a than UN projections until 2100 velopment of nuclear tech- lifestyle they must maintain.” based on the burning of fossil fu- nology, wars and interna- els. Higher global temperatures tional investment trade The United States, the world’s could spark off “everything from agreements on the global leading polluter,,, and the two other desertification to rising sea lev- environment. large polluter nations, China and els.” Scientists estimate a reduction

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 32 in writing for public viewing.

Temujin

I think the Government should let him come back as he has made a great contribution to this country. If it was not for him, our country would surely not have been freed from the British so soon (31 August 1957). The British might still have been in control of our country until the end of the 20th - century just like they were in Hong Kong, who knows? So, I think that Chin Peng’s contribution to the country should be recognised; let him come back to Malaysia. Letters must not exceed 250 words and must include the writer's name and address. Pseudonyms may be used. Send letters to : Chin Hung Editor, ALIRAN MONTHLY, 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Penang, Malaysia or e-mail to : [email protected] Views I am 39 and did not experience all expressed need not reflect those of Aliran. If you are sending that is being bandied about nor by e-mail please include your message in the e-mail body itself. am I well informed enough to We do not open attachments to avoid viruses. comment, but I have some ques- tions: Why not privatise the If privatisation is so good - as government?! good as or even better then sliced CPM (Communist Party of Ma- bread - why don’t we privatise the laya) was an organisation; it can’t I suppose water is the last of the government, starting from munici- very well have been Chin Peng ‘kings’ now available to ‘greedy’ pal councils right up to parlia- alone who did the killing. Even if businesses hoping to benefit from ment. After all, apparently, the pri- he gave orders, the subordinates privatisation. vate sector does it better? would have committed the killings - so why single the man out? Based on the rush through par- Watering Heights liament and the half-hearted at- Petaling Jaya tempt by government backbench- ers to ask meaningful and intelli- Should Chin Peng be gent questions, one can see we are allowed to return? heading towards the same mess left by PLUS in its wake of tolled Its a bit disappointing for a per- highways. son of S Arutchelvan’s intellec- tual stature to fail to admit that We - meaning the government and the CPM was an enemy of the those who elected them - will state before and is an enemy now. never learn. In the haste to priva- I am sorry to say I could not agree tise, we forgo many safeguards, with your article in Aliran leading to a definite doomsday Monthly Vol 23:9 especially the bit scenario in the future, just like about welcoming Chin Peng to what has happened with our other Malaysia. I’m sorry, that is the utilities and the national car most disgraceful statement a fel- project. low citizen of Malaysia could put

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 33 Isn’t it true that the CPM had was a patient who monitored my Stop hanging of Malays too? Is it true that they development after visiting hours. Singapore twins' father were allowed to return? Why the When I did wake up weeks later, I seeming discrimination? Hidden talked to him. What pains me is We note with concern and sadness agenda(s)? Is it true that Shamsiah that I can’t remember him. the case of 14-year old Fakih and her husband were CPM Singaporean twins Gopalan and leaders as well? Is it true they were At one stage my breathing was Krishnan Murugesu, who have allowed to return? If so, why the very erratic, and when my mother been tramping the streets of the double standard? The authorities and sister came to see me the next city-state seeking public support should clear the air on this per- morning he reported my condi- for a petition against the execu- ceived bias or discrimination tion. tion of their father. Their father against Chin Peng. Shanmugam Murugesu was sen- He died a few months after my tenced to death for drug posses- Alan Cheong leaving the hospital; he had can- sion and will be executed unless cer. I want to remember him for the Singapore President S R Nathan help he has shown my family and grants his petition for clemency. Ambulance blocked me. This heart-rending case well illus- by uncivilised trates the evil caused by the inflic- Malaysians We as human beings can’t change tion of the death penalty. what is fated to happen but at I was hit badly in the head in a least remembering those who The death penalty is an extremely bad accident in 2004. Fortunately have helped us compensates in a cruel and degrading form of pun- I am alive but my vision is im- sense; but for me I can’t remember ishment. The condemned person paired and my movement is very that and that’s what hurts the not only suffers from the barbar- unsteady even the wind, if strong most. ity of the execution itself, but also enough, can make me fall. Ini- the cruelty of waiting upon death tially, it also affected my ability to The main reason why I’m writing row for the day he is to be methodi- think well. this is to inform the people of Ma- cally killed by the state. laysia that while I was in the My memory eventually returned Sultanah Aminah Hospital in It has never been proven that the and my life flashed before me. It is Johor, the carnival Sure Heboh imposition of the death penalty re- interesting to feel that you are look- caused the deaths of a few peo- duces the incidence of crime. On ing at the life of a total stranger ple. In the hysteria to meet some the other hand, there is over- when in actual fact you are look- local celebrities some people lost whelming proof of the horren- ing at your own life. The kindness their sense of decency and dignity dous impact of the death penalty of people I have met and the expe- as human beings and parked their upon the loved ones of the con- rience I have encountered at cars in such a way that it blocked demned person. places I have visited makes me so the passage to the hospital. It grateful. I am now more sensitive caused the death of a child who These two young boys will almost - I am more saddened by other had asthma and a woman in la- certainly be seriously traumatized people’s pain than I am about bour because the ambulance by the killing of their father by the myself. could not come through. State, particularly since he is the only parent they have. They are What bothers me is that while I Have Malaysians lost their sense mere children who should be in was in the hospital there were of being civilized human beings? school or at the playground and kind souls who helped me in some I am limited physically right now living the carefree existence of ways. I have no recollection of but writing this will somehow childhood. Instead, they are walk- that; this was told to me by my sib- and hopefully allow people to ing the streets of Singapore, beg- lings. think. ging for their father’s life. How

While I was unconscious, there Sad Sad Continued on page 37

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 34 groups and NGOs print person- alised envelopes in bulk to last them two to three years. It is cheaper to print in bulk. How do they clear their stock by 31 May?

Aliran for example has 40,000 open-ended wrappers to despatch the Aliran Monthly. It is impossi- ble for us to clear the stock by 31 May? Why should we be forced to discard this stock? Will Pos Malaysia compensate us for this?

We have raised many other ques- tions and highlighted problems in A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. our “Letter to the Editor” dated 2 March 2005. This letter would have been helpful to the authori- New postal rates: velopes of similar size be accepted ties in understanding the prob- Minister is as standard mail? Why was the lems posed by the new postal hikes confused as well cheaper “printed matter” category and perhaps would have been discontinued? Why are “open- useful in tackling those problems. We refer to the parliamentary re- ended” postal wrappers/jackets But unfortunately, the media - in- port - ‘Pos Malaysia to clear con- no longer acceptable for printed cluding ‘The People’s Paper’ - did fusion over new rates’, The Star 12- matter? not bother to carry this letter. It 4-05 - which quotes the Energy, would appear that they are not Water and Communications If he cares to know the truth, it is interested in highlighting the peo- Deputy Minister Datuk Shaziman not only the public that is con- ple’s problems. The full letter will Abu Mansor as having stated “the fused. The postal staff are equally appear in the next issue of the correct information did not reach confused. We were told by a cer- Aliran Monthly. the people.” tain postal staff that a briefing was held for 400 members of the postal Why did the government allow It is obvious that he himself is not staff on 22 February at Kepala Pos Malaysia to rush through this very clear what the problem is. He Batas - 6 days before the imple- so hastily? This cannot be the merely states what has been re- mentation date on 1 March. Ac- work of a caring government - or peated in the newspaper on 16-2- cording to him, even the experts can it? 05 when announcing the new who came to brief them were un- postal rates and reveals nothing able to answer the questions Malaysians deserve honest an- new to throw light on the prob- raised or provide satisfactory swers. lem. clarification. P. Ramakrishnan He states “the 30 sen postage Shaziman does not understand President would remain for standard letters the problem. He states that “com- 12 April 2005 which met the requirements of the panies have until May 31 to clear new classification. He doesn’t their old stock of personalised The joke is on the say why that classification insists envelopes.” government that the envelope has to be “non- glossy paper of white colour” to Is he really unaware that compa- Aliran is alarmed that the govern- be considered as standard mail. nies, unions, co-operatives, con- ment might be fooling itself or, Why can’t the cheaper brown en- sumer bodies, environmental worse, might become the butt of

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 35 jokes if it makes good its threat to his initial reaction. ing them and to the police for tak- take action against the country’s ing them to court without just only news portal, Malaysiakini, for Certainly, what is not a joke is that cause. They had been punished the latter’s recent April Fool’s Day the government has not walked even before they could be found prank. the talk convincingly ever since it guilty - and now the court has made its pre-election promise to thrown out the case. Such high- It would be a pity if the govern- go after corruption in a big way. handed action by the authorities ment were to take such a practical will only bolster demands for the joke rather seriously. Besides, there We sincerely hope that the govern- Universities and University Col- were others, such as a popular ment’s professed commitment to leges Act to be abolished. radio station, that also told so- wiping out corruption does not called ‘lies’ to the general public amount to a bad joke. We demand that the students be in the spirit of the day. And, curi- reinstated in their respective ously, this radio station has so far Dr. Mustafa K Anuar & Anil Netto varsities without condition. Fur- not received any warning or Joint coordinators thermore, the authorities must threat from the government, Charter 2000-Aliran adequately compensate the stu- which has displayed a good sense 14 April 2005 dents. The compensation should of humour in this particular case. be large enough to deter similar Compensate “ISA 7” actions by the authorities based Minister in the Prime Minister’s for wasted years on flimsy and frivolous grounds. Department Mohd Nazri Aziz’s This would also force the police threat against Malaysiakini makes Aliran welcomes the Kuala to be more responsible in their ac- us wonder whether the govern- Lumpur magistrate’s court deci- tions. ment is inclined to find a pretext sion today to acquit seven sus- to punish this news portal. pended university students after Aliran Executive Committee Malaysiakini has provided effec- the prosecution failed to prove 22 April 2005 tive and stimulating space for in- their involvement in an anti-Inter- cisive articles, intellectually chal- nal Security Act protest four years Respect lenging letters, and a fair meas- ago. differing views ure of investigative reporting. The demonstration was held out- Aliran is deeply disturbed by Malaysiakini’s April Fool prank side the National Mosque in Kuala complaints that Home Ministry might have touched a few raw Lumpur on June 8, 2001 but the officers have allegedly seized cop- nerves in the government because prosecution even failed to prove ies of Pas president Abdul Hadi’s the news portal had reportedly al- that it was an illegal gathering. latest book in several parts of the leged that three ministers and one country. menteri besar would be charged The students had been banned for corruption. This prank must from attending classes by the four have served as a cold reminder to universities where they were the public of all the outstanding studying. They later appealed to cases of serious corruption beg- the Education Ministry but the ging to be prosecuted. This must then Education Minister said they have been Malaysiakini’s only could only be reinstated if they crime. apologised - a condition they did not accept. We congratulate the Attorney-General Abdul Gani students for standing firm to their Patail, who initially was report- principles. edly alarmed by this prank and was keen to prosecute, decided Four years of their lives have been against it. He later claimed that wasted thanks to the university’s the local media had misquoted high-handed action in suspend-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 36 Copies of the book, Hadharah Continued from page 34 upon all executions as a first step Islamiyyah bukan Islam Hadhari (Is- towards the final abolition of the lamic Civilisation, Not Civilised can the State of Singapore justify death penalty. Islam), were reported to have been this? seized in Malacca, Negeri Sembi- N. Surendran lan and Terengganu apparently Justice that is not tempered with Charles Hector because it fundamentally chal- mercy is nothing more than the Salbiah Ahmad lenges the Islam Hadhari that is brute unfeeling exercise of force by for Malaysians Against Death being promoted by the government. the State. In the name of pity and Penalty and Torture (MADPET) human dignity, and for the sake If it is true that the books have been of these suffering children, we call 19th April 2005 confiscated, it would certainly go upon His Excellency President S against the very notion of freedom R Nathan to grant the clemency Note: For further information, kindly of expression and of diversity of opin- petition of Shanmugam contact Mr. N. Surendran (H/P: 012- ions in a democratic society. Such Murugesu. We also call upon the 3207066) or Mr Charles Hector (H/ an action would deserve all-round government of Singapore to imme- P: 019-2371100) or at condemnation by people who treas- diately impose a moratorium [email protected] ure democracy and the freedom to express differing opinions.

In this regard, we also would like Congrats, Raja! to point out that PAS’ recent call for Sisters-in-Islam to be deregistered is not too dissimilar with the Home Ministry officers’ alleged heavy-handed action. PAS was unhappy with the opinions expressed by Sisters particularly those relating to their view on cer- tain aspects of Syariah law in the wake of the recent moral policing in Kuala Lumpur.

We agree with PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub’s view that if you disagree with someone else’s views, you just need to counter them with your own arguments. There is no need to resort to ex- treme measures such as confiscat- ing Hadi’s books from book- shops or, for that matter, calling for SIS to be deregistered. Only then can a culture of sober public I am extremely happy to read about discourse be cultivated and nur- Rajasekaran’s victory in the MTUC tured. elections. Please convey my heartiest Dr. Mustafa K Anuar & Anil Netto congratulations to him. Joint Coordinators Charter 2000-Aliran 22 April 2005 Jay Bhan, India

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 37 THE WOLFOWITZ COUP Continued from page 40

PKR distances itself from While the Europeans cut deals, Wolfowitz quickly Anwar’s support for Wolfowitz launched what all labelled a “charm offensive.” He (Malaysiakini 8-4-05) noted his concern for the poor, and repeated that he understood the Bank chieftain to be a civil servant Former deputy pre- responsible to all nations, not just his friends in the mier Anwar Ibrahim Bush administration. He added that he understands does not determine he will have to tamp down his zealous advocacy of the policies of Parti democracy. Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as he only Restrain his fervent commitment to democracy?! Are plays an advisory you serious? role, said deputy president Dr Syed Paul Wolfowitz does not have a record of promot- Husin Ali today. ing democracy. “He is our advisor. He can give advice to us He helped sell the Iraq war to the U.S. public on but he cannot determine the party’s policy,” false pretences of the threat of weapons of mass de- he added when asked to comment on struction, a major betrayal of democratic principle. Anwar’s controversial support for Paul Wolfowitz as the new World Bank president. But it wasn’t as if bringing democracy to Iraq was the hidden agenda. In fact, after occupying Iraq, the Syed Husin described Anwar’s backing of United States resisted elections in the country, until Wolfowits as his personal view. He ex- Iraqis forced the United States to accede. plained that only comments from Anwar’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Wolfowitz’s allies say he worked to promote democ- PKR president, can reflect the party’s stand racy and human rights in Indonesia when he was on a particular issue. Asked on PKR’s posi- US ambassador there. But as Northwestern Univer- tion on Wolfowitz’s appointment, he said the sity Professor and Indonesia expert Jeffrey Winters party had not discussed it. notes, there is no available press account of Wolfowitz mentioning democracy or human rights “I didn’t know why Anwar expressed sup- while ambassador - but an extensive record of port for Wolfowitz ... maybe because of his apologetics for the despotic Suharto regime. Indo- long-time friendship with him. But the party nesian human rights activists say Wolfowitz never has not made any stand yet. We will discuss met with them. it later if the issue arises,” he added when contacted. Wolfowitz comes to the World Bank presidency with no relevant development experience but for his over- …Meanwhile, Syed Husin said Anwar told sight of the reconstruction of Iraq - a project beset by the party that the media did not report his corruption, cronyism and incompetence, and which condemnation of the US war on or his de- has failed miserably at delivering water, health, se- mand for the withdrawal of its troops but curity and other basic services promised to the Iraqi chose to only highlight his support for people. Wolfowitz, who is US deputy defence secre- tary. Everything about Wolfowitz’s career, including his time in Indonesia and overseeing Iraqi reconstruc- “Anwar’s crucial statements against the war tion, suggests he is likely to intensify rather than in Iraq was omitted from media reports,” he reform the failed World Bank corporate-led model added…. of development.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 38 Perhaps the only positive note about his assump- tion of the Bank presidency is that he brings a scep- Reactions:Reactions:Reactions: ticism about the institution’s effectiveness, and per- haps a willingness to shrink its controlling powers, Anwar Ibrahim expresses including by getting poor countries off of the loan support for Wolfowitz’s treadmill. appointment (Bloomberg 23-3-05) (In an endless cycle, loans generally end up requir- ing more loans to be repaid - and so make borrow- “I certainly would ing countries especially vulnerable to conditions at- welcome him to the tached to the provision of subsequent loans. Debt bank. He passion- payments also drain vital financial resources from ately believes in free- poor countries, with deadly consequences.) dom and under- Wolfowitz has indicated interest in substituting stands the issues of grants for loans, and, especially if prodded by a poverty, environ- mobilised, global civil society movement, may be ment degradation, ready to embrace full and immediate cancellation of living conditions the debts owed by the world’s poor countries. and health issues which (are) very much a World Bank The first chance to help achieve this long-overdue agenda.’ goal will be at the protests accompanying the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s annual “I don’t share Wolfowitz’s views on the meetings. q Iraq war and I’ve made it clear the best the Americans can do is to withdraw their Source: http://lists.essential.org/pipermail/corp-focus/ forces from Iraq. But I don’t believe that 2005/000201.html> that war was directed against the Mus- lims or the Iraqi people.” Russell Mokhiber is editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter, There has been “the perception that he had www.corporatecrimereporter.com. RobertRobert. ignored the importance of dialogue. I Weissman is editor of the Washington, D.C.- haven’t experienced this with Paul. He based Multinational Monitor, comes across as a person who’s ready to www.multinationalmonitor.org... engage and listen.”

ManMan AgainstAgainst thethe StateState

Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience? - in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? Henry Thoreau

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 39 WORLD BANK The Wolfowitz Coup by Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman

lthough many thought it was a cruel prac- States picks the head of the Bank. AA tical joke when Paul Wolfowitz’s name was AAA first floated to head the World Bank, this Sneering at the rest of the world, the Bush adminis- was no April Fool’s prank. Last Thursday, tration chose a man who symbolises US unilateral- the executive directors of the World Bank approved ism and contempt for the rule of law. the key architect of the Iraq war as president of what is supposed to be the world’s larg- Although tradition says the rest of est development agency. the world accedes to the U.S choice, Europe does have the votes to block For decades, the World Bank has a U.S. selection, and organised op- veered out of control with a corpo- position from developing countries rate-led development model. The would have made it very hard for Bank has pushed mega-develop- the Wolfowitz nomination to suc- ment projects that have displaced ceed. millions of people, failed to im- prove national well-being and But Europe wasn’t willing to force thrown countries into a down- a confrontation with the United ward debt spiral. States - it being perfectly clear that the Bush administration knew Simultaneously, it has pushed how distasteful the nomination market fundamentalist policies - would be in Europe, where there is including blind support for priva- continuing and overwhelming op- tisation, deregulation, and marketisation and position to the Iraq war. commodification of social services and public goods - that have benefited multinational corporations, but Instead, the Europeans opted for horse-trading. impoverished hundreds of millions. France hopes to win U.S. support for its candidate to run the World Trade Organisation. Germany is Periodically, the Bank acknowledges its past fail- seeking a seat on the UN Security Council. And the ures - devastatingly obvious upon objective review Europeans reportedly extracted a commitment for a of its record - and promises to start anew. With each new number two position at the Bank, to be reserved renewal, however, the institution manages to repeat for a European. the mistakes of the previous era, yet again. The developing countries also chose to sit on their If the Bank is going to continue to exist, it does need hands. There was some Machiavellian calculation a new start, but not the kind that Paul Wolfowitz’s here, too - Brazil also hopes for a Security Council nomination portends. seat - but generally the poor countries had a better defence for staying quiet. Unlike the Europeans, they Wolfowitz assumes the presidency of the Bank actually borrow from the World Bank and are sub- thanks to colonialist tradition and craven geopoliti- ject to its dictates, so challenging a presidential con- cal calculation. tender, with the likelihood of failing, would be a major gamble. By tradition, but for no conceivably justifiable rea- son and without any legal requirement, the United Continued on page 38

Aliran Monthly : Vol.25(3) Page 40