Howard Zinn: Small Acts Multiplied by Millions 282828 Perhaps It Is Time for Us to Recall the Tunku’S Legacy
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
For Justice, Freedom & Solidarity PP3739/12/2010(025927) ISSN 0127 - 5127 RM4.00 2010:Vol.30No.1 Aliran Monthly : Vol.30(1) Page 1 COVER STORY Democracy undermined Forces are at work to subvert the voters’ choice in the last general election while others are playing up emotive issues of race and religion for political ends by P Ramakrishnan akatan doesn’t need an enemy to destroy it. It PPP can self-destruct quite easily – thanks to certain renegades within coalition part- ner Parti Keadilan Rakyat! The undercurrent that has been simmering for some time has fi- nally surfaced with the Bayan Baru MP, Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, lashing out at the Penang Chief Minister pub- licly, accusing him of being “dic- tatorial, chauvinistic and commu- nist-minded”. From the public’s perspective, there are several MPs in PKR who have taken public positions con- trary to the stated aims of the party thus undermining its credibility as a viable component of the Pakatan Rakyat. Word has it that some of them are deliberately daring the party to take action against them so that they can justify their joining the Barisan Nasional. In fact, they are provoking the party to discipline them - which would make it easier for them to leave the party. There is talk that Umno is trying to entice them to cross over. Over- tures are believed to have been ZahrainZahrainZahrain Tan Tee Beng Aliran Monthly : Vol.30(1) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE T’’is the season of betrayal. In our cover story, P Ramakrishnan says forces are at work to subvert CONTENTS the voters’ choice in the last general election while fringe groups are playing up emotive issues of race and religion for political ends. Hishamuddin COVER STORY Yahaya says racial sloganeering could become ir- ••• Democracy Undermined 222 relevant if a new government takes over that is bet- FEATURES ter able to promote democracy and socio-economic FEATURES ••• BN Bound For Defeat, says Ku Li 777 and cultural justice. ••• The Tunku, Merdeka And Malaysia 888 ••• Ketuanan Melayu Vs But for now, Malaysians could suffer even more with Cucu Dato' Merah 111111 the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). ••• Blues Over Education System 131313 GST-driven inflation would be a calamity that the ••• Malaysia's Migrant Hell-Holes 151515 struggling lower-income group could do without, says ••• Ko-Tai: Penang's Untold Story 202020 Jeyakumar Devaraj.. Migrant workers are already liv- ••• Abdurrahman Wahid 242424 ing in appalling conditions. Angeline Loh looks at ••• Aids And Impediments To Malaysia’s ‘migrant hell-holes’ – the immigration The Realization Of Humanity detention camps, where evidence of cruel, degrading According To Islam 262626 and inhuman conditions is overwhelming. ••• Howard Zinn: Small Acts Multiplied By Millions 282828 Perhaps it is time for us to recall the Tunku’s legacy. ••• Even Malays Are Leaving Malaysia 303030 After 52 years of nationhood, let us demand greater ••• Action Stations! accountability, integrity and compassion, says V ‘No’ To The Regressive GST! 404040 Chakaravarthy. We also pay tribute to the legend- ary American historian and peace activist Howard REGULARS Zinn, who spoke of small acts that could lead to real ••• Thinking Allowed 191919 change, and Abdurrahman Wahid, described as the ••• LettersLettersLetters 343434 gentle, friendly face of Indonesia and Islam. ••• Current Concerns 363636 Over the long-term real change will be facilitated OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS through a revamp of the education system which, ••• Subscription Form 232323 as Teacher’s Blues describes, falls desperately short ••• Maternity Leave In Asia 313131 of expectations. Given the right guidance, youths can do wonders. Shakila Abdul Manan describes how a group of multi-ethnic youths brought George Town’s local history to life through an inclusive Published by musical drama, ‘Ko-Tai’. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN)(ALIRAN)(ALIRAN) 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Jelutong, Aliran is an organisation for ‘social democratic reform’. We advocate freedom, justice and Penang, Malaysia. solidarity; comment critically on social issues, offer Tel: (04) 658 5251 Fax: (04) 658 5197 analysis and alternative ideas keeping in mind Email (Letters to Editor): the national and global picture based on universal [email protected] human rights and spiritual values. We are listed on the on the roster of the Economic and Social Council of Email (General): [email protected] the United Nations. Founded in 1977, Aliran Homepage : http://www.aliran.com welcomes all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Konway Industries Sdn. Bhd. Plot 78, Lebuhraya Kampung Jawa, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang Aliran Monthly : Vol.30(1) Page 3 AnwarAnwarAnwar This was what I wrote on 1 Febru- ary 2010 on Aliran’s ‘Thinking Allowed Online’. The events un- folding since then confirm that this possibility is on course. Forces are hard at work to realise this. It seems that certain PKR elected MPs, representatives and mem- bers who have been very vocal and critical of their party were only playing for time to make their move at the right time. What would be the right time, you may wonder. Well, as long as Anwar is mobile and able to travel around the country, that would be made to encourage this but it has to commit treachery. the wrong time to make a move. not been revealed what the price He would have turned the turn- would be. To be sure, it must be Let’s remember that the treachery coats into villains and vile char- hefty! when it is committed is not against acters who deserve to be roundly the political party they desert but condemned. He would have Hidden objectives in fact it is against the Malaysian turned the tide against them. voters and against democracy. Having successfully subverted Is that the reason Anwar’s Sod- the Pakatan government in Perak, If ever elected representatives turn omy II was scheduled to take the BN - especially Umno - is now into renegades and turncoats, place around this time - so that hard at work to achieve two other through enticement and bribery, he would be tied down in court objectives. we must not only punish these proceedings to do any effective traitors in the next round of elec- damage control? Apparently, it Objective number one is to topple tions but we must severely pun- seems so! But of course, you the Pakatan Selangor state gov- ish the party that encourages would be told that this is a mere ernment and take over the richest such treachery. coincidence! You would be as- state. All it takes is for seven state sured that the Barisan Nasional assembly members to be bought When we give a simple majority doesn’t interfere with the judi- over and Umno will have the to the Opposition, it is possible for ciary and that the law was only Selangor state government in its our will to be subverted through taking its course. pocket! corruption, as has happened in Perak. It is easy to buy a few rep- Whatever the explanation, the Objective number two is for the resentatives. But when we give the ground work had thus been laid, BN to regain its traditional two- Opposition a bigger majority, it as it were, to allow for betrayals third-majority in parliament. will be very difficult to frustrate and treachery to run riot. Again, all it takes is for nine MPs the peoples’ mandate. to jump ship. Zahrain Let’s do a better job when the 13th makes his move These objectives are achievable if General Election takes place. Let’s the greed of certain elected reps not only give the Opposition a big- Malaysians had expected can be fed with millions of ringgit ger majority; it would be even bet- Zahrain to blaze the trail in pav- to entice them to switch parties. ter to reverse the roles and give the ing the way for parting company This is how they will turn certain Opposition a chance to rule Ma- with PKR. They were spot on. people into traitors and force them laysia. Zahrain did not disappoint any- Aliran Monthly : Vol.30(1) Page 4 he was elected for what he was? If tives? As if to confirm their suspi- it wasn’t for the combined effort cion, Salehuddin has predicted of PKR-DAP-PAS behind him, he that there would be an exodus wouldn’t be a YB today. If he had from PKR. stood on the BN ticket he would have been a has-been on March 8, The disgruntled Tan Tee Beng, for 2008. his part, was believed to be upset when he wasn’t appointed as a People wanted change; so they director of PBA, the Penang water voted for candidates standing on authority, after having been nomi- opposition tickets. Look at some nated by PKR. Many believe his of the characters who were elected. unhappiness was rooted in this They didn’t deserve to be elected. issue of appointment – a personal Voters wanted to punish the BN matter. Previously he had also for its arrogance and uncaring at- stated that he was unhappy over titude and they simply voted for the lack of allocations for PKR Lim Guan Eng whoever stood against the BN. It MPs in Penang. was as simple as that. one. He quit PKR in a huff and He became a very vocal critic of announced his decision at a press Zahrain said he resigned from the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan conference accompanied by the party because he did not want to Eng, accusing him of “no class and former PKR secretary-general, be blamed by history and future standard” and being arrogant.