PP3739/12/2004 ISSN 0127 - 5127 / RM3.00 / 2004:Vol.24No.11/12

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 1 COVER STORY Our Island, Our World Tsunami, Penang’s future and the limits to nostalgia by Khoo Boo Teik

riting from Penang Is- WWW land at the beginning of WW January 2005, I assume that many of us will long remember this past month because of two events.

One event was as global and ‘out of this world’ as could be imag- ined. Within hours the tsunami of 26 December ended the year 2004 most horribly. Not even ‘safe, safe Penang’ was spared the tsuna- mi’s grievous destruction.

The second but actually earlier event, spread over a week start- ing in mid-December, was a local and parochial outcry over Penang’s ‘loss of shine’. Three newspapers, The New Straits Times, Berita Harian and The Star, launched a joint campaign to ‘Stop Penang From Decay’ and to ‘Stand Up for Penang’.

We are free to make real or imag- ined connections between these two events, one global and the other local. But they raise ques- tions about the future of the Island which no Penang resident can ig- nore. Destruction

In Penang the tsunami caught the unfortunate mostly at Batu Ferringhi, Telok Bahang and Pulau Betong. The tsunami brought the Island its biggest loss

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

We apologise for the delay in getting out this issue. As we were going to press, the tsunami hit our re- gion including Penang and Kedah. We decided, CONTENTS therefore, to incorporate discussion of this tragedy into this issue. COVER STORY The cover story by Khoo Boo Teik, you will see, dis- ••• Our Island, Our World 222 cusses the early December media campaign on re- ••• Fishermen Worry About The Future 777 storing the shine to Penang in the context of the tsu- nami’s fury. FEATURES In accompanying pieces, Anil Netto reports on the ••• In Death, Imperialism Lives On 999 plight of a group of affected Tg. Bungah residents ••• ‘Riot’ At Kamunting: The Real Story 121212 while Jeremy Seabrook laments that the western ••• Violence In Kamunting 161616 media, even in this tragedy, makes a distinction be- ••• Radical Novel Challenges tween locals and westerners. Established Norms 191919 Housewife-turned-activist Norlaila Othman talks ••• People Cannot Afford Higher about the continuing tragedy in Kamunting and Medical Bills 222222 sheds some light on what really happened during ••• Say ‘No’ To Privatisation 242424 the so-called riot there recently. ••• A Young Mum's School A mini tsunami, if it could be so described, hit the ‘Balance Sheet‘ Story 272727 MTUC. The first by K George provides important ••• Siva Should Resign As Human historical background. The second article by A J Rights Commissioner 363636 Patrick and A H Ponniah welcomes the election of ••• Fresh Hope For Workers 383838 the new team led by Syed Shahir and Rajasekaran. The third piece by Aliran president P Ramakrishnan, ••• MTUC Election: Well Done, Raja 404040 distributed before the MTUC election, possibly had an important impact on the outcome. Rama had REGULARS asked how Siva Subramaniam, who was challeng- ••• Current Concerns 171717 ing Rajasekaran, was going to cope with the heavy workload from the many positions he had accumu- ••• LettersLettersLetters 323232 lated. OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS Angeline Loh writes on a mundane yet extremely ••• Aid For Achenese 111111 important issue: the financial burden of sending our children to school nowadays. On the same theme, ••• Subscription Form 313131 Jeyakumar Devaraj discusses the mounting costs of medical bills in the wake of healthcare privatisa- tion. We invite responses from our readers.

Finally, do not miss our centre-page story by Shakila Manan, who discusses award-winning author Published by Fatimah Busu’s latest novel, Salam Maria. 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, Kuala Lumpur.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 3 some of the worst hit re- commonalities. gions. Communities Their efforts were made tire- lessly and quietly with no This isn’t contrived sentimental- thought of credit, profit or ity. publicity – a solid indica- tion that the tsunami’s toll Look at where the tsunami was on Penang (and Malaysia) deadliest – Acheh, Sri Lanka, has not been endured in Thailand and India. Without vain. Penang’s close historical links with the communities in each of Neighbours these places, could George Town have become heritage-rich and a Too often in the past self- world famous repository of cul- interest made us choose tural diversity? our neighbours. We needn’t speak moralistically While we prospered, we of debts and obligations. It’s prided ourselves on be- enough to recognize that old and longing to an abitrarily con- deep personal, familial, cultural, structed ‘East Asia’ that ex- social, economic and educational cluded large chunks of ties bind us to those communities Asia. During the 1997 fi- – and to act accordingly. nancial crisis, however, we of life, damage to property and hated it when foreign fund man- It’s evident that their post-tsunami disruption of livelihood caused by agers lumped us with the rest of a reconstruction will require long- a natural disaster in living ‘moribund region’. term efforts and external assist- memory: 52 persons dead, 5 miss- ance. It’s also likely that govern- ing and 206 injured; 615 houses When we were hit by the haze, ment-to-government arrange- and 1,332 boats damaged, accord- SARS and avian flu, we strove to ments won’t be enough to sustain ing to the Penang government’s ‘distinguish’ ourselves from our those efforts. Sooner or later, bu- statistics. neighbours in hopes of saving our reaucratic obstacles, political mo- tourist industry. (Some are already tives, corporate resentments and To the families of those who died, upset that foreign media coverage inter-state suspicions may give one offers condolences. One tries of the tsunami-ravaged areas the lie to well-intoned rhetoric in small ways to help those who lumped Penang with, say, about helping one another in a survived but bear other forms of Phuket.) time of crisis. hardship. Across the world, ordi- nary people have been extraordi- In short, faced with ‘globaliza- For Acheh especially, if the ‘com- narily selfless in responding to tion’ in full swing, we viewed if munity of Penang’ plans to extend the plight of devastated commu- not feared our neighbours as our its assistance beyond immediate nities. ‘competitors’. relief, our NGOs, which the gov- ernment has found ‘meddlesome’, Here numerous civic bodies, reli- Like it or not, the tsunami has have already been cooperating gious organizations, NGOs and forced upon us a shared misfor- with community-based individuals have volunteered tune and sense of vulnerability. Achehnese NGOs in Acheh and time and effort, contributed money But that, together with the need Penang. and materials, and joined over- for joint action to avert future dis- seas missions to mobilize relief asters, must inspire a deeper Working together, these NGOs aid for the tsunami’s victims in awareness of our regional would be well placed to facilitate

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 4 regional ‘community-to-commu- then on persuading voters that smoother traffic dispersal when a nity’ support networks. In the everything was dandy? smaller urban population walked, process of aiding reconstruction, cycled, or relied on public trans- their continued cooperation may One should sympathise with the port. But the Island’s population meaningfully help to heal many Island’s long-suffering perma- grew. With the development of ru- kinds of social conflicts and po- nent residents. But one can’t em- ral areas, suburbanization in- litical wounds. pathise with the Kuala Lumpur- creased residence-workplace dis- based editors and journalists, poli- tances. Above all, to tackle our post-tsu- ticians from other states, ‘ex-YBs’ nami condition with confidence of the Penang Exco, and Parti There isn’t an efficient system of and creativity requires us to im- Gerakan’s foes within the BN public transport, whether pri- agine our neighbours differently. who claimed to ‘Stand Up For vately operated now or partially Penang’. run by the Municipal Council be- Decay fore. Much of the peak hour traffic Were they generously giving voice ferries children to and from Retrospectively, how petty must and space to local discontent? Or school because they can’t conven- seem the ‘Stop Penang From De- were they beating the drums for iently walk or safely cycle cay’ information overload on ‘regime change’ in Penang by tug- anymore. spoilt beaches, dirty seas, gar- ging at public heart strings? bage-strewn streets, snarled traf- There’s a ‘sell the national cars’ fic, abandoned buildings, unhy- Without being an apologist for the policy no State government can gienic hawkers and unscrupu- ‘present regime’, whose failings resist. And so highways and ring lous taxi drivers! Aliran Monthly has regularly docu- roads become ‘necessary’ while mented, one can say this much. the needs of pedestrians are sac- Substantively, the media reports, Only someone who dishonestly rificed to escalating car owner- complaints and letters taught us disavows BN’s collective (Exco) ship. nothing new about man-made responsibility would cheer a problems in George Town. Either round of ‘musical chairs’ to re- Can such conditions magically the media had not heard, the state place a Gerakan Chief Minister make George Town’s trams, buses, government had not heeded, or with one from MCA or UMNO. bicycles and trishaws of yester- the unelected ‘local government’ year reappear? Can one make traf- had not attended to similar griev- Nostalgia fic snarls disappear by compel- ances long expressed by residents, ling drivers to go longer distances people affected by different kinds The rest of us don’t need an or- and more roundabout ways of of projects, NGO activists and chestrated politics of nostalgia. ‘getting from A to B’? even visitors. For instance, what’s the point of For that matter, how do we bring Politically, the campaign was a being nostalgic about Penang’s back bathing in the seas and play- sandiwara late in its staging. Was eclipsed Jual Murah? In an age ing on the beaches, when the ho- Penang’s ‘glory’ intact before the when departmental stores and tels and the tourist strip from Batu March 2004 general election? Did hypermarkets undermine small Ferringhi to Telok Bahang have all George Town only begin to ‘rot’ ‘rent-controlled’ shops and com- but shut out local residents from after the Barisan Nasional’s re- munity-centred kedai runcit, can the Island’s finest beaches? turn to power? the vanished stature of shopping precincts, like Penang Road and Besides, who among the ‘locals’ Election time would have been Cambell Street, be recovered by still bathe in the seas when swim- best for scrutinizing ‘Pulau half-hearted pedestrianization ming has gone ‘indoors’ with pri- Pinang Darul Sampah’ if the me- and the construction of glitzy vate clubbing and condominium dia were truly concerned about arches? living, at least for those who can ‘neglect’ and ‘lack of political afford it? (Wasn’t it sad and tell- will’. But wasn’t the media bent George Town used to have ing that a number of the tsunami

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 5 casualties were out-of-town pic- nickers attracted to the beaches?)

Hawkers

Finally, there’s a matter close to our hearts because it’s so close to our stomachs!

Nothing is more emblematic of Penang’s cultural diversity than its ‘hawker food’. (In Perth, Aus- tralia, in 1999, I found five outlets for ‘Penang hawker food’.) No It’s ludicrous for Kuala Lumpur ters. Anxiety over a jaded tourism one embodies our self-reliance editors and politicians to pontifi- may be laced with fears of a like the ‘Penang hawker’. cate on the quality of ‘Penang scared-off tourism. If we publish hawker food’ by lamenting the haze levels and SARS figures, for- Yet, the many laments recorded supposed decline of George eign tourists would shun us. If we over ‘Penang hawker food’ Town’s nasi kandar. require more stringent environ- showed no realization that the mental impact assessments of hawker food business has ex- Like other Penang people, I enjoy projects, ‘development’ would panded like never before because my share of that excellent Indian cease, and where would we be ‘eating out’ has risen like never Muslim cuisine. But, really, what then? (Ironically, the tsunami has before. Consequently, unlike 30– can they know of Penang who created an appreciation of our 40 years ago, hawkers currently only nasi kandar know? ‘mangrove shield’.) make a decent living, owing very little to local authority tolerance, A Better City Nothing I’ve written is a do-it- government aid or political will. Is Possible yourself package for making Penang a better place in which to There are still famous, ‘inner-city’, Merely to pine for the ‘lost lustre’ live, work, play and die. street-lined and sidewalk-based of the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ takes hawker stalls – for example, at us nowhere except to serve some To work towards that goal, we Lorong Selamat, New Lane and hidden political agenda. Nor can must chart fresh ways between Kampong Malabar, popular with we take refuge in our pre-tsunami the local and global, and be- residents and tourists alike. Else- sense of safety. tween the past and future. We where, hawker centres tend to be need to appreciate that Penang grouped in large ‘coffee shops’, From now on, we’ll probably hear Island’s uniqueness lies in our massive food courts, annexes to more ‘warnings’ than before. paradoxical social character wet markets or high-rise housing Some warnings we’ve heard ad and texture of life: We can be in- schemes. nauseam. If BN doesn’t have a two- sular and yet cosmopolitan. thirds majority, if there’s no ISA, We’re simple without being There are other roadside hawkers political instability will drive backward. And even when we who went too far in building away foreign investors. If labour’s ‘go global’, we’re rooted to semi-permanent structures and allowed to organize for better con- home. seeking political help against evic- ditions, wages will rise, competi- tion or relocation. But mostly it’s tiveness will fall, and the same The tsunami didn’t take any of sheer prejudice to stereotype the investors will depart. that away from us. But we’ll lose ‘Penang hawker’ as an unhy- it all if we uncritically persist gienic, itinerant, street-blocking, Perhaps warnings of economic along ‘tried’ paths of ‘progress’ traffic-disrupting would-be squat- competition will be spiced with that threaten to overwhelm us, by ter on public land! ‘early warnings’ of natural disas- design or default. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 6 COVER STORY Fishermen worry about the future by Anil Netto

n the midst of all the same. Here at Kampong gloom around at the re- Masjid, some residents III lief centre, Wan, a young worry that developers fisherman in Penang might be eyeing some of who looks like he is in his early the state land (Tempo- 20s, lies on the grass, looking up rary Occupation Li- to the heavens. ‘‘A huge wave cence) where they have struck my boat and I was thrown lived for generations. out,’’ he recalls of the day the tsu- nami struck here. ‘‘I saw scenes Many of the fisherfolk from my childhood flash before my in Kampung Masjid are eyes before I was rescued by a pass- ironically descended ing boat. I am so thankful to God I from migrants from Aceh in to listen.’’ Many of the dead were am alive.’’ Sumatra, which suffered the out-of-town visitors to the island worst devastation from the tsu- and picnickers. As the days turn into weeks, much nami. ‘‘My grandfather from of the joy of having cheated death Sumatra was a fishermen here in Up to 5,000 fishermen in the state has given way to uncertainty over Kampong Masjid,’’ says Salim are affected, and 90 percent of the future among residents of (not his real name), also a fisher- some 1,600 boats were damaged Kampung Masjid, a cramped fish- man, with a distant look. ‘‘He died or destroyed, and fish prices are ing village of plank houses on the three years ago at the age of 109.’’ expected to rise. A new boat narrow coastal stretch of northern (RM10,000) together with an en- Penang Island. A few fishermen told me the tsu- gine (RM8,000) would cost close nami first struck Langkawi Island to RM20,000 while repairs to a Sandwiched by the sea on one side farther north at around 12.30 pm damaged boat or engine could set and the coastal road that rings to 1 p.m. They said the beach boys the owner back RM1,000-3,000. Penang Island on the other, at Langkawi alerted their counter- ‘‘Where do we get the money for Kampong Masjid looks desolate. parts at the beach hotels in this?’’ wonders Salim. ‘‘Our A few wet, sorry-looking chickens Penang, who in turn warned ho- houses have been damaged and walk gingerly along muddy, nar- tel guests to stay away from the we have nowhere to go.’’ row paths, inspecting the scene of beach. The giant waves, they said, the devastation. only struck Penang between 1.30 Out of 100 fishermen at Kampong p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – ample time Masjid, about half are members of Located near the upper middle- for warnings to have been issued. the local fishermen’s association. class surburb of Tanjong Bungah, ‘They only promised aid to their Kampong Masjid was one of sev- But not everybody was listening. members,’’ Salim laughs, deri- eral fishing settlements in north- ‘‘We heard that two fishermen at sively. ‘‘In contrast, the Buddhists west Malaysia badly hit by the Dec sea noticed unusual wave pat- didn’t care whether we were 26 tsunami. Several hundred vil- terns and raced seven miles to members when they gave us aid.’’ lagers have lost their homes – shore in their 60-horsepower about 16-20 out of the 39 houses boats to alert some picnickers Clearly unhappy that the govern- here were damaged - and are now along Pantai Miami (Miami ment bureaucracy took so long to wondering whether their fishing Beach, on the north coast of reach them, the fishermen instead communities will ever be the Penang Island) but they refused paid tribute to the Buddhist Tzu

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 7 Chi group and church volunteers here to happen elsewhere.’’ land where their village stands for their prompt response. ‘‘It took and “develop” the area. ‘‘We the government machinery about Meanwhile the state government must be based in our fishing vil- a week to get going while these says it will look into ways to help lage in Tanjong Bungah,’’ insists groups were on the spot almost the fishermen regain their liveli- Salim, adding that they don’t immediately.’’ hood. The relief centre in Tanjong want to be outside their fishing Bungah houses about 50 families area, where they earn about At a relief centre at a school in or some 200 evacuees from RM700-800 a month. ‘‘They can Tanjong Bungah, Sree, a perma- Kampong Masjid. The evacuees redesign the village but we want nent resident from Indonesia who believe they might be given tem- to move back.’’ works at a food-processing factory porary housing in a longhouse in Batu Ferringhi, stares in space but some want to return to their ‘‘I am wondering when all this with a worried look. ‘‘I am not sure village. They worried that the tem- will be over; it has disrupted my what to do,’’ she sighs. ‘‘My home porary housing might be too far work,’’ he sighs. ‘‘In the short-term has been badly damaged.’’ away from the seashore. we are okay, but what is worrying us is the long-term – whether we She used to pay monthly rental of The fisherfolk in Kampong will get the money to buy new RM180 for her plank house in Masjid are also concerned about equipment and return to our way Kampong Masjid. ‘‘How can I af- speculation that the state might of life in the fishing village we ford the rental for a low-cost flat use this opportunity to clear the know.’’ q of RM400-450?’’ she laments, adding that she only earned RM600 a month. Close to 70 people perished in Malaysia while some 300 were injured when the tsunami smashed into the northwest coast- Some of the fund-raising initia- line of the northwest of peninsula Malaysia, especially Penang tives carried out by prominent and Kedah. Fishing villages, squatter settlements and shops firms and media corporations in along the coastline have suffered considerable damage. Kuala Lumpur have already col- lected hundreds of thousands of Although Penang suffered the highest number of fatalities, it ringgit for tsunami victims. was the coastal fishing villages of Kedah that suffered the worst devastation. The tsunami affected some 1,000 houses in seven But a few evacuees in Tanjong villages around the Kuala Muda area of Kedah, badly damag- Bungah told me that by 2 Jan 2005, ing or destroying 500 homes. they had only received around RM700 (RM500 from the state’s I surveyed the extensive damage at one of the villages, Kampong Social Welfare board and smaller Sungai Muda, along the Kuala Muda seafront: whole houses amounts from zakat and the Bud- flattened; others with gaping holes in concrete walls, roofs torn dhist Tzu Chi relief group). “We down, the insides trimmings of houses washed away; debris have to wait and see if there’s and mud all over — like some giant had trashed the place. more to come,” says Salim. Twelve people died here and in nearby areas while several are said to be missing. Some fishermen claim that aid Over 4,000 people were evacuated and placed in eight schools, is being channelled to victims which were turned into relief centres, around the little rural via ruling coalition politicians town of Kota Kuala Muda. Easily the largest of these relief and they wonder how much of centres was Sekolah Kebangsaan Kota Kuala Muda, not far it will go to the genuine cases. from Tikam Batu, along the old trunk road heading north to Aziz Kassim, a trader from the Sungai Petani in Kedah. At this school, over 3,300 devastated same village, looks annoyed. and weary villagers from over 650 affected houses had sought ‘‘Aid should go directly to the refuge. All around the school premises – they sat or lay de- victims wherever they are in jected, silent or talking with others and just waiting, waiting, Malaysia,’’ he insists. ‘‘We waiting… don’t want what has happened

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 8 DISASTER In Death, Imperialism lives On For the western media, it is clear that a tourist’s tragedy is more important than that of the locals by Jeremy Seabrook

he number of fishing TT boats from Sumatra, Sri TTT Lanka and Tamil Nadu at sea when the Boxing Day tsunami hit will never be known. There is scarcely any population tally of the crowded coasts. Nameless people are con- signed to unmarked graves; in mosques and temples, makeshift mortuaries, people pull aside a cloth, a piece of sacking, to see if those they loved lie beneath.

As in all natural disasters, the vic- tims are overwhelmingly the poor- est. This time there was something different. The tsunami struck re- sorts where westerners were on holiday. For the western media, it was clear that their lives have a different order of importance from those that have died in thousands, but have no known biography, and, apparently, no intelligible tongue in which to express their feelings. This is not to diminish man-made, preventable catastro- One of the most poignant sights the trauma of loss of life, whether phes. The ruins of Galle and of the past few days was that of of tourist or fisherman. But when Bandar Aceh called forth images westerners overcome with grati- we distinguish between ”locals” of Falluja, Mosul and Gaza. Im- tude that they had been helped by who have died and westerners, perial powers, it seems, anticipate the grace and mercy of those who “locals” all too easily becomes a the destructive capacity of nature. had lost everything, but still re- euphemism for what were once A report on ITN news made this garded them as guests. When referred to as natives. Whatever explicit, by referring to “nature’s these same people appear in the tourism’s merits, it risks reinforc- shock and awe”. But while the west, they become the interloper, ing the imperial sensibility. tsunami death toll rises in anony- the unwanted migrant, the asy- mous thousands, in Iraq disdain- lum seeker, who should go back For this sensibility has already ful American authorities don’t do to where they belong. A been reawakened by all the hu- body counts. globalisation that permits the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 9 wealthy to pass effortlessly can disburse so lavishly in the art in perspective the meaning of se- through borders confines the poor of war, offer a few million as if it curity. Life is always at the mercy to eroded subsistence, overfished were exceptional largesse. Fortu- of nature - whether from such over- waters and an impoverishment nately the people are wiser; and whelming events as this, or the that seems to have no end. People the spontaneous outpourings of natural processes that exempt no rarely say that poor countries are humanity have been as one from paying back to earth the swamped by visitors, even though unstoppable as the waves that life it gave us. Yet we inhabit sys- their money power pre-empts the broke on south Asia’s coasts; do- tems of social and economic injus- best produce, the clean water and nations rapidly exceeded the tice that exacerbate the insecurity amenities unknown to the indig- amount offered by government. of the poor, while the west is pre- enous population. Selflessness and sacrifice, people pared to lay waste distant towns working away at rubble with bare and cities in the name of a security In death, there should be no hier- hands, suggest immediate human that, in the end, eludes us all. As- archy. But even as Sri Lankans solidarities. sertions of our common humanity wandered in numb disbelief occur only at times of great loss. To through the corpses, British TV But these are undermined by the retrieve and hold on to it at all other viewers were being warned that structures of inequality. Promises times - that would be something of scenes they were about to witness solemnly made at times of imme- worth to salvage from these scenes might distress them. Poor people diate sorrow are overtaken by of desolation. q have no consoling elsewhere to other urgencies; money donated which they can be repatriated. The for the Orissa cyclone, for hurri- annals of the poor remain short cane Mitch in Central America, the Jeremy Seabrook is the au- and simple, and can be effaced floods in Bangladesh, the Bam thor of Consuming Cul- without inquiry as to how they earthquake - as for the reconstruc- tures: Globablisation and contrive an existence on these frag- tion of Afghanistan and Iraq - LocalLifeLocalLifeLocalLife ile coasts. What are the daily visi- turns out to be a fraction of what tations of grief and loss in places is pledged. E-mail response to where people earn less in a year [email protected] than the price that privilege pays Such events remind us of the same- for a night’s stay in a five-star ho- ness of our human destiny, the fra- Source: Guardian 2 Jan 2005 tel? Western governments, which gility of our existence. They place

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 10 DISASTER

When asked what they most Aid for Achenese needed, the victims in Posko TVRI relief centre, Banda Aceh, had ex- Parishioners and the general public had responded pressed their desire for the Quran generously with donations of cash and kind and prayer attire. He said that just generously with donations of cash and kind over RM10,000 had been spent on the purchase of Qurans, telekung he Cipta Karya set sail charges as well as the more than and kain pelikat. Bishop from Swettenham Port RM60,000 spent on purchasing Selvanayagam said that the Indo- TTT today with over 165 badly-needed items specified by nesian NGOs had conveyed that tonnes of much-needed Forum LSM Aceh. aid of clothes and instant noodles relief aid for Kruengbuehkueh were “overly plentiful” but prac- Port near Lhokseumawe, a five Bishop Selvanayagam said that tical things like cotton buds to re- hour journey by road to Banda the church’s social service arm, move mud still caked in victims’ Acheh. the Penang Office for Human De- ears as well as underclothings and velopment (POHD), had co- daily necessities were neglected in Hardest hit victims of the raging ordinated the relief aid for the dio- the rush for medical supplies and tsunami two weeks ago can expect cese. He praised parishioners as food. the aid to reach them by Friday as well as the general public that had waiting on standby with trucks responded generously with dona- Bishop Selvanayagam said that and eager hands is a coalition of tions of cash and kind. The ship- the Mahindarama Buddhist Tem- 28 Indonesian NGOs called Fo- ment of aid included medical sup- ple in Kampar Road, had joined rum LSM Aceh. The local coali- plies, dry food, water, rice, deter- forces in a big way with the Catho- tion has set up relief centres in re- gents and daily necessities. lic church and had contributed a mote villages and small towns in large bulk of the aid with 20 lorry- the districts of Lhokseumawe, Bishop Selvanayagam acknowl- loads of canned food, rice, water Sigli, Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh, edged also the “angels” behind and clothes. Goods from POHD, that have yet to receive foreign aid. the scenes – faithful volunteers the Mahindarama Buddhist Tem- who had turned up day after day, ple and donations from the pub- In a press statement, Bishop of working from morning till late at lic amounted to over 130 tonnes. Penang Rt. Rev. Antony night, to sort and pack items Selvanayagam, said that dona- which ranged from individual- Also loaded onto the Cipta Karya tions had poured in from the 28 ised “goodie bags” which in- were Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen’s parishes under the Penang Dio- cluded bras, panties and sanitary contribution of 1,800 cartons of cese which includes Penang, napkins for the women and razors water as well as the water and bis- Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and and briefs for the men in addition cuits sponsored by State Executive Perlis, and the highly supportive to soap, combs, cotton buds, tow- Councillor Lau Chiek Tuan. members of the public and had els, toothbrushes, toothpaste and -Penang Office for Human Development paid for the RM15,000 sea freight other essential items. 12 Jan 2005

Aliran and Aliran members have been working closely with the Penang Office for Human Devel- opment on this tsunami relief aid effort. We urge all our readers and supporters to back this aid effort initiated by the POHD. The aid is being sent directly to Aceh-based Indonesian NGOs who are running a relief camp in the disaster zone.

Cheques can be made out to Penang Office for Human Development and mailed to Aliran or directly to POHD, Pusat Keuskupan Katolik, 290 Jalan Macalister, 10450 Penang. Tel: 04-227 3405/227 4851 Fax: 04-228 3870 e-mail: [email protected]

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 11 DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL ‘Riot’ at Kamunting: The real story Detainees were targeted because they had campaigned for their freedom, claims homemaker-turned-activist by Norlaila Othman

held my tears as I saw my son reach out and III place one of his fingers through a 20 sen-size hole on the sheet of fibreglass that separated us during our meeting. I counted 26 small holes altogether and as we talked, I had to ask my husband to repeat the sentences two or three times as I couldn’t more than two years and up to fill his free time reciting the holy hear his voice clearly. He also now he has not been charged or Qur’an. He has a small one, asked me to do the same. I came, given a fair trial in an open court which he carries in his chest hundreds of kilometres from KL before an independent judge. He pocket everyday. to this place but we were allowed was alleged to be a member of a to meet for 45 minutes only. group referred to as Jemaah The worst night Islamiyah, which is said to be Normally, during our visit, my linked to Al- Qaeda, and he was For two and a half years, my son son and I would be able to shake perceived to be a threat to the coun- and I have lived without him. I my husband’s hands (salam) and try. Strangely, however, such a se- can still remember how, on the later my son would climb on his rious, high-profile allegation night of Wednesday, 17 April back. My husband would take a didn’t qualify him for a fair trial 2002, my husband was hand- few paces up and down and both unlike any other suspected crimi- cuffed as he opened the gate to of them would giggle happily. nals in Malaysia. His good name welcome our ‘guests’ who Nothing separated us during our and image has been tarnished in dropped by in the middle of the previous meeting. But today, 19 the media but he hasn’t been night. A group of 12 men dashed December 2004, our meeting was given the chance to defend him- into our single-story house in not a normal one. We were denied self. Taman Keramat and raided the everything. I felt as if I was in a whole area, including the ceiling. prison. Over the last two weeks We were married in 1990. He al- After four hours of ransacking, at everything was quite fine, but on ways told me that we should have 4.30am, they took my husband, this day, after the reported ‘riot’, at least 10 kids, but until now, Al- my CPU, my son’s CD games, my he was treated by camp authori- lah has rewarded us with only a handset, my file on Islamic Stud- ties like a prisoner - not as the de- boy named Suhaib, aged 11. In ies and a camera. tainee that he was. both our families, our siblings considered my husband as the My son began to cry when the van Well, why do I think that my hus- most pious one. Being a soft spo- with my husband inside cruised band, ISA detainee Mat Sah ken and amiable man, he never out of our sight. I held my tears Mohd. Satray, should not be con- raised his voice even when he was and didn’t cry at all. I consoled sidered a prisoner? It is because angry. He had no Islamic educa- my son, and later he slept on my he has been detained here for tion background but he loved to lap. The next day, my friends came

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 12 to my house and they said that my the ISA. I used to participate in stu- tried to stop the action of the UKP eyes were swollen. I learned about dent activities during my campus but there were too many UKP per- the allegations hurled at him from life more than ten years ago. I’m sonnel and 12 detainees inside the mainstream media. On the first also a member of Jamaah Islah were beaten up badly. day of his arrest, he was alleged Malaysia (JIM), an Islamic NGO to be a member of the so-called that is actively involved in con- Detainees make handicrafts like Kumpulan Militan Malaysia tributing towards social welfare tissue boxes, jewellery cases, pen- (originally referred to as in Malaysia. These experiences cil boxes and flower vases using Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia), actually helped me a lot to relate tools such as blades and scissors but after 60 days, he was alleged to the other human rights groups supplied by camp authorities. to be a Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) mem- in GMI. They managed to make hundreds ber! of beautiful items, and some of the I didn’t have much trouble getting detainees’ wives helped to sell My first steps myself involved in the campaign them a few months before as I received warm support from Ramadan, the fasting month for In the early days of his detention, my close friends in JIM. I began to Muslims. Sales reached almost I was just a naïve and innocent get acquainted with lawyers and RM15,000 and proceeds were working wife/homemaker. I reporters. I learnt how to make used to buy supplies and ameni- didn’t know much about the ISA. good statements and later began ties for distribution among 40 fami- I also felt under siege. I had never to write. My first writing was pub- lies for the Hari Raya celebration. met any human rights activists or lished in the PAS organ, Harakah, lawyers. It was Aliza Jaafar, wife in Nov 2002 while a few others Up to the time of writing, no fam- of ex-detainee Saari Sungib, who came out in Malaysiakini later in ily member has been allowed to was the first one to discover me. 2003. I also began to give talks visit the detainees involved in the She gave me a lot of books on the about the ISA to small groups of incident. The camp authorities ISA written by her husband. Then women. During the 11th general admit that there were a few de- I began to understand that my election, two other detainees’ tainees sent for medical check-up, husband was also a political de- wives and I helped a few Barisan but they will only allow visits in tainee. I hate the ISA so much be- Alternatif candidates in their cam- two or three weeks from 8 Decem- cause it has not only violated my paigns. ber, the day the detainees were as- husband’s rights but has also saulted. One of the family mem- taken away all the happiness in An orchestrated ‘riot’ bers of the injured detainees man- our lives. And my hatred towards aged to get a report from the the ISA slowly broke the wall of On 8-9 December 2004, a so-called Taiping Hospital: a doctor him- fear inside me. I had no choice but “riot” erupted at the Kamunting self confirmed that the pattern of to fight it for the sake of our rights. Detention Centre, where some 100 the injuries suffered by the detain- And when the ‘Reformasi Six’ detainees were being held. It re- ees was consistent with those were released, I took my first steps ceived front-page treatment in the who had been bound and beaten. in the struggle together with the New Straits Times and Berita Harian When families are finally allowed human right activists. and it was reported that weapons to visit the victims, the wounds were found in the security camp. and bruises would have surely I came to know that the Abolish healed without a trace by then. ISA Movement’s (GMI) Family The “riot” actually started from a Support Group (PSK) was actively spot check, a normal procedure The spot check that day didn’t engaging other detainees’ wives. carried out by the Prison Security end with Block T-2B alone. The As the days rolled by, I found that Unit (UKP), at Block T-2B, one of UKP raided all the other blocks as my days were really packed with the blocks in the camp. At 9.00 am, well. All detainees gave their co- activity, mainly providing sup- the detainees in the block were operation to the UKP. port to the families of the other shocked to see a large number of detainees. As a graduate from a UKP officers dashing into their Then at 4.30pm on 9 December local institution, it was easy for block and simply taking their be- 2004, a group of 24 detainees, me to understand the human longings, especially tools and among whom was my husband, rights activists’ struggle against material to make handcraft. They was totally shocked when sud-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 13 denly there was a second spot- different dorms while another them made a statement that they check specifically at Block T-4. All eight were put in solitary confine- were not JI members as alleged by 24 detainees had their hands ment. The wives of the 24 detain- the media. At the same time, 10 of handcuffed behind them. All of ees involved made police reports them (including those who were them were instructed to bend and urged their lawyers to study beaten) filed their habeas corpus down and each was held by his the torture incident and look into applications with the help of beard by a UKP officer. They were the possibility of suing the newly Chooi and Co. The case was heard forced to walk in a single file to appointed camp director, Tuan in December 2003 and later ad- another block. Along the way, they Yusaimi Mohd Yusof. journed to February 2004. The were kicked, beaten, punched and court rejected their applications spat on by more than 50 UKP of- A day after the ‘riot’, the detain- but they later filed an appeal to ficers including some of the war- ees’ lawyers tried to visit them but the Federal Court. dens. The UKP officers also took were denied permission by the the detainees’ belongings com- camp officers. Subsequently, a In March 2004, a few weeks be- prising books, badminton rac- group of two commissioners and fore the 11th General Election, the quets, clothes, shoes, family pic- two officers from Suhakam was 24 detainees supported the al- tures, letters, magazines, AIM allowed to visit the victims. A day leged KMM members in their hun- handouts and also dry food. At after his visit, Prof. Hamdan, one ger strike. They rejected meals the time of writing, their belong- of the commissioners, in fact sug- provided by the camp. ings have not yet been returned to gested that the detainees should them. be charged in court or released. On 19 April 2004, the 24 detain- ees submitted their memorandum Not only were they treated like a Vocal detainees on the alleged torture inflicted by flock of sheep, most of them were beaten police during their 60-day deten- elbowed, punched and choked. tion at the Police Remand Centre. They were also verbally abused According to the latest data, 73 Later, three of the detainees’ wives, with words like “babi dalam detainees are alleged to be JI mem- including me, lodged reports at kandang” (pig in the sty). Even bers and 7 are alleged to belong to the Dang Wangi Police Station. though they didn’t resist, they KMM. Nik Adli, the son of the were kicked and punched a Menteri Besar of Kelantan, is one In early May this year, the whole number of times. The kicking and of the detainees. The detention of world was stunned by revelations beating was done so hard that the KMM members is coming of inhumane treatment by US sol- some of them suffered from bruises close to its fourth year. diers of Iraqi prisoners at Abu and slipped disc. Ghraib prison. Suddenly, the same Most of the 24 beaten detainees in group of ISA detainees came out One UKP personnel choked my Block T-4, including my husband, with sketches of the torture in- husband while another elbowed had been detained for more than flicted on them by their interroga- him hard, throwing him to the two years. They were alleged to tors during the first 60 days in the floor. All the time, my husband be JI members. At the beginning of Police Remand Centre. The had his hands handcuffed behind their detention, they thought that sketches showed that the torture his back. After the medical check- if they followed the camp rules was very similar to that experi- up last Thursday, 16 December, six and listened to the Special Branch enced by the Iraqi prisoners. The days after the incident, the x-ray officers, they would be released Deputy Internal Security Minister, scan showed that he had a frac- fast. This position changed in June however, described the sketches ture on one of his left rib bones. 2003. The Reformasi group was as ‘naughty boys' drawings’. The x-ray scan was sent to the or- released right away after two thopedic section for further inves- years of detention, whilst the de- The same Deputy Internal Secu- tigation. tention of the most obedient group, rity Minister, Noh Omar, said that Al-Maunah, was renewed. The the allegations by the detainees The group of 24 was then sepa- detainees then begin to engage were aimed at tarnishing the coun- rated into three smaller groups. lawyers. try’s image. On 28 May 2004, for Two groups, each comprising the first time in the history of the eight members, were put in two Then, in September 2003, 31 of security camp, the camp authori-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 14 ties opened the place to reporters of these families was estimated to arrest, but some of them also claim from all over the world to show be in the range of RM2,000-10,000 they were harassed by Special that there was no torture in the per month. But now, they have lost Branch officers. For example, a camp. It was however noted that everything. A homemaker with wife from Pahang, experienced Noh Omar didn’t bring reporters seven kids in Ampang Jaya lost miscarriage while she was seven to Block T-4, the place where the much of her husband’s business months’ pregnant. Another wife 24 of them were held; instead, he valued at RM12 million and now from Perak had to undergo seri- went to meet them alone, thereby she has started doing small cater- ous treatment and medication due angering the detainees. ing to earn a living. to Post Partum Depression as her husband was taken away a few Later, in July, the same group sued Most of these wives are fulltime days after she gave birth. A Spe- Election Commission chairman homemakers. Without proper cial Branch officer advised a wife Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman for qualifications and experience, it’s from Selangor to get a divorce from denying them their right to vote. hard for them to get jobs in the her newly wed husband who was They won the first round and the open market. Some of them got in- arrested four months after their case will be heard soon. volved in direct-selling or small- wedding. time catering to earn a livelihood. In August this year, the same Some of these wives received The biggest threat group sent a memorandum to the money from the Welfare Depart- Perak Mufti, Datuk Seri ment but it was too little to meet The ISA is not a suitable law to Harussani Zakaria, who is also a their daily needs. Furthermore, it safeguard the economic life and member of the Malaysian Muftis is not easy for the wives to receive security of the country. National Council, urging the council to de- aid from the Welfare Department, security means the safety and se- clare the controversial ISA as as they have to undergo a series curity of the people to ensure their ‘haram’ from an Islamic point of of interviews with the officers-in- rights are upheld. But the ISA is view. charge. often used by the ruling political leaders to ensure they remain in As we go through all these The latest data from GMI’s Fam- power. For more than 45 years, the memos, we can understand why ily Support Group shows that ISA has been used on all walks of the detainees’ counsel, Edmund only 20 per cent of wives have a people such as ministers, lectur- Bon, has said that this group ap- stable income. About 80 per cent ers, students, and businessmen. peared to be targeted by their as- or 60 families are facing serious sailants. They had done a lot of financial problems. At least 500 The ISA actually is the biggest things just to highlight that their children are suffering from lack of threat to the people. So far, over detention was unlawful. a father’s love and attention. This the years since Merdeka, more year alone, two detainees’ sons than 10,000 people have been de- It seemed that the detainees had were warded at HUKM due to tained indefinitely without trial. tried every which way to publi- mental illness. This draconian law must be abol- cise their detention, but their cap- ished to make sure that future gen- tors refused to free them. Instead, The idea that those who help de- erations can live peacefully in a they were badly beaten, leading tainees were considered to have country that is free from the tyr- to a deterioration in their health. links to terrorists made things anny of the ISA. q worse. Most of the family members The real victims and close friends chose to keep of the ISA quiet because they felt that they were also under siege! If they Norlaila Othman, wife of During the first year of the deten- wanted to help, they would do it ISA detainee Mat Sah tion, families might still have a quietly. The ISA really succeeded Mohd Satray, is a member certain amount of savings to sur- in instilling fear in the hearts of of the Abolish ISA Move- vive. But after two years, life gets the people. ment's Family Support more difficult, as the needs of the Group committee. children increase. Before the hus- As for the wives, they not only bands were detained, the income suffered from the trauma of the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 15 DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL Violence in Kamunting Bar Council responds

f a person who is de- allege that some of them were tained without trial – abused and severely beaten de- III and whose cry against spite offering no resistance. ports that have been made to-date the unjust deprivation of as well as any other available evi- his liberty has gone unheeded for The authorities have so far denied dence (such as photographs taken a long time – experiences further requests by the detainees’ lawyers of the injuries), and report its con- violations of his human rights, to visit their clients. This refusal clusions to Suhakam. This team what remnant voice would he can hardly be helpful to the proc- should comprise equal number of have to bring attention to the vio- ess of establishing the truth, and doctors selected by Suhakam, lations? What practical and ef- in fact would lead to speculations doctors appointed by the detain- fective recourse would he be ac- adverse to the authorities. The ees’ families, and doctors nomi- corded by the system that sees fit authorities must forthwith allow nated by the authorities. to incarcerate him by way of an the detainees’ lawyers to visit administrative decision? their clients without further delay. This prompt and demonstrative step will not only illustrate the On the other hand, if allegations In addition to the provision of seriousness with which of further violations are un- adequate medical care, the prison Malaysian society now treats al- founded, what are the appropri- authorities must, in view of the in- legations of human rights viola- ate steps that the authorities must cidents, allow the injured detain- tions, but will also give meaning take to reveal the truth in an ac- ees to be examined by doctors of to the otherwise empty promises countable and transparent man- their choice. of transparency and accountabil- ner? ity. Apart from the lodgment of police These are some of the questions reports, family members of some It is bad enough that detainees the Bar Council would pose in re- of the injured detainees have sub- without trial have to suffer con- lation to the two separate inci- mitted a memorandum to tinuing violation in the very form dents last week at the Kamunting Suhakam urging the latter to con- of their unjust detention. It will detention centre. On 8 December duct a public inquiry into the in- be worse if these persons, nega- 2004 and 9 December 2004, two cidents. Suhakam has said that it tively portrayed and having no- separate spot checks were con- will await the result of police in- where to turn, are quickly forgot- ducted at the detention centre. vestigations before deciding ten by society. We must not lock The incidents left a number of de- whether or not to do so. them up and throw away the key. tainees and prison officers in- jured. The Bar Council urges Suhakam Suhakam is well placed to open to immediately (and without hav- their door to seek and reveal the Not surprisingly, there are two ing to wait for the findings of any truth behind it; and it is strongly opposing accounts of what in fact other party) form a team of doc- urged to do so. took place. The authorities allege tors to, firstly, medically examine that the detainees tried to prevent the injured detainees at the centre Hj Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari the spot checks, and started a riot. as soon as possible; and, secondly, Chairman On the other hand, the detainees study all the relevant medical re- Bar Council

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 16 ready dreamt up a toll hike even before road construction can start.

Works Minister Samy Vellu was reported to have argued that the higher toll rates are necessary for the government to avoid being burdened with ever-increasing compensation for the concessionaires.

But either way, the ordinary tax- payers, who are already paying income tax and road tax, lose. If the toll rates go up, they will have to cough up even more in tolls and A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. hikes in the prices of other essen- tials. If the government rejects the toll hike and instead pays com- Highway takes its toll must pay hefty compensations if pensation to the concessionaire, on taxpayers for any reason the toll hikes are it would mean that taxpayers’ deferred. money (i.e. public funds) would Aliran is appalled by the govern- still flow to the concessionaire. ment’s insensitivity towards the Such a practice virtually amounts hardship that ordinary people to a guarantee of profitability by We hold the Cabinet and the en- will face when the 10 per cent hike the government to the highway tire government responsible for in the North-South Expressway concessionaire. What kind of this shameful fiasco. tolls comes into effect in January. business `entrepreneurship’ is this — and where is the traditional Dr. Mustafa K. Anuar Apart from the higher tolls, citi- business risk inherent in any pri- Asst. Secretary zens will also bear the brunt of the vate investment? Why should bil- 21 December 2004 inevitable increases in price of es- lions of ringgit in profits on the sential goods and services that highway flow to a private entity, Tsunami: Set up early will follow. Experience tells us that which only invested a few billion warning system the government will be unable to ringgit to build the highway — prevent such price increases. and that too financed by taxpay- Aliran is appalled and devas- ers’ money in the form of govern- tated by the magnitude of the It is disturbing to see the govern- ment loans. No wonder the death and destruction inflicted ment’s pro-business philosophy concessionaire of the proposed by the tsunami following the taking effect at the expense of pub- Penang Outer Ring Road has al- earthquake in the seabed north- lic interest.

The government appears to have painted itself into a corner by mak- ing such a lop-sided agreement, which allows the highway concessionaire to periodically raise the toll rates without regard to the higher traffic volume on the highway. It is such a blatantly one-sided agreement, which even stipulates that the government

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 17 Support Suhakam’s initiative on refugee concerns

e would like to join WWW hands in endorsing WW the call of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission or Suhakam to address the hu- manitarian concerns of asy- lum seekers, refugees and peo- ple of concern in Malaysia.

[The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says there are about 11,000 refugees from Aceh, 10,000 Muslim Rohingyas from Burma and some 8,000 Burmese from various other principles and in line with the In the light of this important ethnic groups.] spirit of the 1951 UN Convention initiative by Suhakam to rec- Relating to the Status of Refugees. ognize and included refugee We wholeheartedly support concerns in its mandate, we the specific proposals by We also endorse the proposal to strongly urge that Suhakam Suhakam to make our health develop guidelines to coordinate continue to protect and moni- facilities accessible to refugees, and facilitate these processes, in- tor the rights of asylum seek- to facilitate the education of cluding the coordination of the ers, refugees and people of con- children of refugees and the various government departments, cern, especially at the end of recognition of the right to en- more specifically the immigration the amnesty period in Decem- gage in wage-earning employ- and law enforcement agencies in ber 2004 for undocumented ment based on humanitarian regulating refugee concerns. migrants. q

west of Sumatra. The horren- up by the Malaysian Red Crescent lective effort to avoid a similar dous aftermath was an unex- Society (MRCS). Respond to this tragedy in the future. pected tragedy that has left all urgent call of distress with com- the affected countries numb passion. Efforts such as this that are with sorrow and misery. focussed on saving lives and al- We also call upon the Malaysian leviating the misery of people We extend our heartfelt sympa- government to take the lead, in should be foremost on our thies to all the families that have a global effort in cooperation agenda as opposed to material fallen victim to this natural dis- with other nations bordering the and physical development that aster. Indian Ocean, in setting up an is meaningless to the vast ma- early warning system like the jority of our people. Aliran urges all Malaysians to one in place for the Pacific Rim. donate generously to the Earth- We should play an active and Aliran Excutive Committee quake/Tsunami Relief Fund set urgent role in pursuing this col- 28 December 2004

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 18 CULTURE AND THE ARTS Radical novel challenges established norms by Dr Shakila Manan

alam Maria is a radical Adawiyah and Sayyidah SS novel as it provides a cri- Nafisah, who provides spiritual SSS tique of the nation-state leadership, enlightenment and for turning its back on salvation to this group of dispos- the less-privileged and sessed women in Hutan Beringin, marginalized communities, a place deep in the interiors. Maria mainly women who are old, poor, Zaitun is not just a spiritual single, disabled, victims of incest leader, she is also an entrepreneur: and rape, says prominent literary she is the one who encourages critic Dr Wong Soak Koon. these women to start a small cot- tage industry, sewing and selling She expressed this view during specially-embroidered telekung or the recent launch of Dr Fatimah praying attire for Muslim women Busu’s Salam Maria by Malaysia’s in the urban centres. This helps Poet Laureate, Prof Muhammad provide them with some form of Fatimah Busu, Salam Maria, Hj. Salleh. The launch was organ- financial independence and secu- Malaysia, ised by KANITA, Universiti Sains rity. Absolute Press (M) Sdn Bhd, 2004 Malaysia’s foremost Women’s De- velopment Research Centre, A devout Muslim, Maria Zaitun is reduced to a social outcast be- Before the launch, Muhammad cause she has been misunder- moderated a panel discussion stood. Wong highlighted with four notable speakers: Dr. Fatimah’s courage in criticizing Wong Soak Koon, Assoc. Prof. Dr. religious institutions through the Ruzy Suliza Hashim, En. Hanafi character of the village imam, who Ibrahim and Assoc. Prof. Dr. lacks compassion and humanity Maznah Mohamad. for social outcasts such as Maria Zaitun. Instead of helping her, the Spiritual leader and imam chases Maria Zaitun out of entrepreneur the mosque, where she had thought she could find refuge and The female protagonist in the spiritual salvation. It is a group of novel, Maria Zaitun, is a charac- women, old, poor and disabled, ter taken from W.S. Rendra’s fa- who offer her sanctuary in their mous poem Nyanyian Angsa. humble abode in Hutan Beringin.

Wong added that it was Maria Wong noted that Maria Zaitun’s Zaitun, fashioned after women resourcefulness is clearly demon- Islamic saints such as Rabeah al- strated when she takes over the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 19 running of the household and pro- KANITA director, agreed as she the men they are married to - vides help to other marginalized underscored Fatimah’s valiant through Maria Zaitun. This fe- women who had sought refuge in attempts at exposing the “brutal male protagonist is not portrayed Hutan Beringin. realities of contemporary society” as a subservient wife but as a de- through her airing of issues such vout Muslim and a wise and Fatimah didn’t spare the media in as incest, child sexual abuse, reli- knowledgeable spiritual leader. her novel, noted Wong. One of the gious hypocrisy, superficial religi- Like other women in this novel, characters is Siti Senang, a jour- osity, greed and slander. Maznah Maria Zaitun has been given both nalist with Primadonna magazine. argued that Malay women are of- voice and agency, said Ruzy. To please her bosses, gain popu- ten “easily maligned” and vulner- larity and reap profits, Siti Senang able to slander, as in the case of This is clearly shown through the sensationalises news about Maria Maria Zaitun, as they are ex- character’s interrogations of soci- Zaitun, her spiritual powers and pected to conform to certain State- ety’s improper understanding saintly touch. constructed and -promoted ideals. and implementation of religious practices. It is also seen in her re- The novel has several strengths The writer, Maznah added, de- sourcefulness in setting up home and some limitations, said Wong. serves to be commended for her in Hutan Beringin. Ruzy also Although the writer was brave efforts in dismantling a “gendered touched on the technique of magi- enough to raise important social Islamic history”. Reinscribing an cal realism that Fatimah em- issues affecting Malaysian soci- alternative history into her narra- ployed to blur the boundaries be- ety, in particular Malay-Muslim tive, Fatimah has highlighted the tween fantasy and realism. Using society, it would have helped if contributions and sacrifices of such a technique, she was able to she had attempted to explore the Muslim women saints. weave in elements of mystery, “subjective layer of personal life”. mysticism, suspense, disbelief It would have been interesting to Women in this novel, Maznah through dream sequences when unravel the underlying tensions, noted, are portrayed as highly rev- foregrounding real issues of pov- contradictions and anxieties erent, charitable and non-judge- erty and abuse. within Maria Zaitun as she jug- mental in their dealings with in- gles several roles and assumes a cest victims and unwed mothers. Hanafi Ibrahim, a Language Plan- number of identities. “The spir- These marginalized women are ning Officer with Dewan Bahasa itual leader is bound to conflict kind, humble, understanding; and Pustaka, viewed Salam Maria with the entreprenuerial self,” they have a genuine desire to help as an “idealistic novel” as it is re- said Wong. Likewise, tensions fellow women in distress. It’s an flective of Maria Zaitun’s ideal- and conflicts within other char- interesting point Maznah raised ism. Her migration to the interi- acters such as Tasnim and Siti as such women are often subjected ors, he added, was the result of Senang could have been explored. to shame and scorn at the hands moral and spiritual decay and of bureaucratic officers and holier- loss of humanity amongst city As an educated Malay-Muslim than-thou religious authorities. dwellers. He felt that the writer woman living in a modern, capi- had foregrounded several basic talist society, Siti Senang too was Blurring the issues revolving around religion bound to have faced tensions and boundaries - issues which have not yet been anxieties within her. Wong felt it resolved. Difficulties arise when would have been interesting to see Salam Maria has provided women boundaries that separate cultural how Siti Senang handled them. A with alternative identities that are and religious practices are pertinent point indeed: by reveal- contrary to the traditional model blurred in this novel. This, he ing her doubts and insecurities, of womanhood, a model that other added, is worrying as uninformed the character assumes a human writers so often subscribe to, ob- readers will not be in a position to identity and “begins to live.” served another panel speaker, distinguish them. Ruzy, a Universiti Kebangsaan Easily maligned Malaysia lecturer. Fatimah pro- Bold touch vides a critique of such women - Maznah, a social scientist and whose identities are defined by In her speech, Fatimah touched on

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 20 the creative and publishing proc- esses of her novel. She expressed her disappointment with the edi- tor for making unnecessary changes to the manuscript and acknowledged that Maria Zaitun was based on a character in W.S. Rendra’s poem. Rendra had de- picted Maria Zaitun as a syphi- lis-stricken prostitute; however, the Maria Zaitun in Salam Maria is a devout Muslim woman much hated and maligned by a sick Malay-Muslim society. The writer added that Maria Zaitun is an or- dinary person, but she is one who is quite conscious of her tempo- rary existence in this world.

Fatimah Busu’s latest novel is cer- tainly radical: it questions and challenges established religious norms and practices by exposing their gaps and inconsistencies. She is highly critical of Malay- Muslim society, its religious hy- pocrisy and its penchant for su- perficial religiosity. The novel also highlights the nation-state’s fail- ure in providing much-needed support to marginalized women.

What is demonstrated is this so- Malaysiakini subscription rates ciety’s skewed understanding of important religious principles 1 year Standard ...... RM 150 Premium (Includes Archives) and their improper implementa- 6 months Standard ...... RM 80 1 year Premium...... RM 450 tion. In addition, issues of incest, 1 month Standard ...... RM 15 rape, child sexual abuse and aban- E-Coupon (Also available at Aliran) doned orphans are real issues that confront this society on a daily RM10 - 20 days Standard basis; hence the writer deserves RM50 - 4 months Standard praise for being bold enough to highlight them, when her contem- poraries would have played safe by staying well clear of them. q Address: 48 Jalan Kemuja, Bangsa Utama 59000 Kuala Lumpur.

Shakila Manan is a lecturer Phone Malaysiakini: 03-2283 5567 at Universiti Sains Malay- Fax Malaysiakini: 03-2289 2579 siasiasia E-mail Malaysiakini: [email protected]

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 21 HEALTHCARE People cannot afford higher medical bills Healthcare privatisation will burden Malaysians by Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj

n his briefing to the press II on 23/12/04, after re- III ceiving the memoran- dum endorsed by 81 or- ganisations calling upon the gov- ernment not to privatize the dis- pensaries in Government hospi- tals, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek stressed that there was no real is- sue. According to Dr Chua, the whole event was orchestrated by opposition parties for political mileage. The Malaysian healthcare system is one of the best in existence, and the BN govern- ment has been doing a good job managing the health care sector.

The 2-tier health care system

The fact that out-patients only need to pay RM 1 to register and get treatment should not blind us to the fact that the BN's misman- agement of the health care sector over the past 25 years has led to the de facto existence of a 2-tier system in Malaysia. Maybe a con- crete example will help! where he will be assessed, put up for a month, or a comprehensive health angiography and further treatment insurance cover, he has the option of Let's take the case of a 40-year-old if that is found necessary, and all this seeing one of the 4 interventional car- Ipoh resident who has just suffered a will be for free – the government will diologists in the private sector in Ipoh heart attack. If he is a government pick up the bill. where the going rate for coronary servant or the spouse of one, then he angiography is RM4000, angio- will be referred to the IJN or to Uni- If he is not a government servant, but plasty is RM8000, angioplasty with versity Hospital within a month has an income in excess of RM10,000 stenting is about RM15,000, and by-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 22 pass surgery is in the region of dition warranted it – at that time March 2004.” What a cop-out! It RM30,000. almost all the specialists were in is the BN government’s manage- government service. ment of the health care system that However the majority of people in has led to the present 2-tier sys- Perak are not government serv- However, the Thatcherite revolu- tem, and civil society has more ants, and do not earn in excess of tion in the West found a strong than adequate reasons to view any RM10,000 per month. The per- adherent in Dr Mahathir who, further manipulations of the centage with comprehensive with his policies of “Malaysia In- healthcare sector with suspicion health insurance cover is small – corporated” and “Public – Private and trepidation – given the BN’s and don’t forget these policies are Partnership”, allowed the wide- track record! not cheap. So what happens to spread development of private these patients? Ten years ago we hospitals. These private hospitals Incidentally, the deterioration of could send them to the Cardiol- led to a massive brain-drain from the health care system to a 2-tier ogy units in GH-KL, University the public sector, for incomes for system is not the only problem Hospital or in UKM. However in private specialists were five to ten with our healthcare system. The the interim some idiot has times higher than those of govern- other major problem is the series corporatised all these institutions, ment sector specialists. Over 20 of privatization exercises that so these avenues are closed to the years, this had led to a situation have led to inflated costs and bulg- non-government servant. where 75% of the specialists in the ing coffers for the lucky corpora- country are in the private sector tions involved – but we will not At present the only avenue for a catering to about the 25% of the go into that for now. recent heart attack patient who is in-patient population. (Up till not wealthy nor a government now 75% of all admissions are Anyone who does counselling servant is the Cardiology Unit at still to government hospitals) will tell you – the most important the Penang GH. Unfortunately Meanwhile the heavy work-loads factor for a successful outcome is this is the only cardiology center in the government hospitals – the the client’s acceptance that some- in the government sector for the 75% of the inpatient population thing is wrong, and that solutions whole of north Malaya, and they as well as the training of house- need be found. Our exposure to are inundated with many genu- officers, other junior doctor and the honourable Minister on 23 ine cases. The doctors there work aspiring specialists is shouldered Dec gave us the disturbing feel- valiantly, but they are grossly over- by 25% of specialists in the coun- ing that the BN leadership re- loaded. I called last week to try try. (What a pathetic deployment mains quite oblivious to the and get an appointment for a pa- of skilled manpower!) amount of damage it has wrought tient who in my opinion needed upon the healthcare system in this an early assessment – within 10 This situation has been made even country, and appears intent on in- days I would have thought. I was worse with the corporatisation of flicting more of the same in the told that the earliest appointment the Cardiology Department of GH near future. would be June 2005! And this is KL as the current IJN as well as just for checking, not any interven- the corporatisation of the Univer- Looks like the struggle against the tion! sity Hospitals which have a high neo-liberal agenda might have to concentration of government sec- start with the defence of the pub- The evolution tor specialists. lic healthcare system. We need to of a 2–tier mobilize! q healthcare system A lack of honesty and insight The Malaysian healthcare system Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj is that was built up in the first 20 In the course of his discussion a Central Committee years after Merdeka was quite eq- with us, Dr Chua kept saying – Member of Parti Sosialis uitable. Patients, even the poorest, “do not bring that up, it was be- Malaysia and an Aliran had the chance of being seen by fore my time. I am only responsi- member.member.member. the senior specialists if their con- ble for what has taken place since

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 23 HEALTHCARE 81 organisations say ‘No’ to privatisation of hospital dispensaries

Putrajaya, 23 December 2004 supply medicines to government hospitals and clin- ics but the people do not value medicines supplied A demonstration was held outside the Health Min- free and have abused and wasted them. istry by around 400 people. A ten-member delega- tion led by Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj met with Health We categorically reject the line taken in the Health Minister Dr. Chua Soi Lek. Among the members of Minister’s statement and the logic of his argument the delegation was PSM National Chairperson, Dr. because privatisation will create difficulty for the Nasir Hashim, PAS Central Committee Member Dr. public, especially the elderly and low-income fami- Hatta Ramli, Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader, Tian lies. Chua, JIM Deputy President Hj Zairol, Jalil (SPNS), K.Arumugam (Concerned Citizens Group), Paul We present below our arguments for the attention of Sinnappan (People’s Service Organisation) and Lim the Health Minister and the Barisan Nasional Cabi- Ban Teng (DEMA). net with the hope that the proposal to privatise the dispensaries be scrapped immediately. The final memorandum below was endorsed by 81 civil society groups. 1. The majority of Malaysian citizens rely on gov- ernment hospitals. Stop the privatisation of government hospital dispensaries In 2003, government hospitals recorded admissions of about 1.8 million patients. This total represents We, the undersigned groups, are shocked and dis- 80 per cent of all patients who receive in-patient appointed to read Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek’s treatment in Malaysia for 2003. Government hospi- press statement published in the New Straits Times tals also treated 7 million outpatients in 2003. (4 December 2004), which stated that the Malaysian government would privatise government hospital These figures clearly prove that many Malaysian dispensaries from next year. citizens rely on government hospitals for treatment when they fall ill. Any action to force patients to According to the Health Minister’s statement, the bear the costs of medicines will burden the majority government has spent RM800 million annually to of ordinary citizens.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 24 2. Most Malaysian citizens come from the low- or tem that has received praise from the WHO and other medium-income group internationl bodies, is so determined to change our healthcare system to a privatised system. The expe- The government’s own statistics as recorded in the rience of other countries clearly proves that the free Eight Malaysia Plan reveals that 25 per cent of market approach only raises medical costs while Malaysian citizens earn a monthly household in- denying proper treatment to the low-income group. come of less than RM1,000 and another 32.7 per cent earn a monthly household income in the range 5. The privatisation of various healthcare areas that of RM1,000-2,000. has taken place has only added to the cost of healthcare services. In view of the people’s low level of income, private dispensaries in government hospital dispensaries The Malaysian government privatised the medicine will add further economic burden to more than 75 procurement section (General Medical Store) in 1993 per cent of low- or medium-income Malaysian fami- and five support services in 1997. The cost of these lies (who earn a monthly household income of less privatised sectors has soared two to four times. than RM3,000). When the medicine procurement section was priva- tised to Southern Task Force, a Renong subsidiary, 3. Malaysian government expenditure on health medicine costs skyrocketed by 230 per cent. The pri- is well below the recommended WHO levels vatisation of the five support services to Radicare, Tongkah and Faber Mediserve has resulted in costs The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recom- surging from RM140 million in 1996 to RM450 mil- mended that governments in developing nations lion in 1997. should invest 5 per cent of GDP in their healthcare systems. The Malaysian government’s expenditure Until now, the Malaysian government has not yet on healthcare is only 2.7 per cent of national GDP revealed to the people the benefits it has achieved compared with 13.7 per cent in the United States, 5.8 from this privatisation and at what cost. We feel that per cent in Britain, 3.8 per cent in the Philippines, 5.7 the Malaysian government should hold a detailed per cent in Thailand and 3.1 per cent in Singapore referendum on healthcare privatisation before tak- (Souce: World Health Report 1999 and 2000). ing any new steps in this direction.

Not only does the Malaysian government spend well It is also our view that this action is only aimed at below the recommended levels, but they now want increasing profits, and the privatisation of dispen- to take steps to further reduce public expenditure. saries will only profit a few firms with certain vested interests. 4. The Malaysian healthcare system is extremely cost-effective 6. The National Healthcare Financing Scheme has still not yet been launched. Although the Malaysian government’s expenditure is very low compared with other countries, the Consumer organisations, the doctors’ association Malaysian healthcare system’s performance has and the Citizens Health Initiative have stressed that been excellent if viewed in terms of its reach across an equitable Healthcare Financing System must be the community, infant and maternal mortality rates, set up before any corporatisation or privatisation is and life expectancy - all of which have almost undertaken. Unfortunately, although the Malaysian reached excellent developed nation levels. This government has spent thousands on study after proves that the government healthcare system is far study on this issue, it has failed to announce the more cost-effective compared with free market sys- results of these studies or to hold an open dialogue tems that are guided by competition among private with the Malaysian people to build a consensus on hospitals and insurance firms and motivated by a fair and reasonable financing system. profit maximisation. It is our stand that the current healthcare system be- We do not understand why the Barisan Nasional longs to the people of Malaysia, and the Barisan government, which presides over a healthcare sys- Nasional government does not have a mandate to

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 25 change or privatise it as they like. The BN government for Consumers (Era Consumers) 22.Federation of must be more responsible and should obtain a man- Malaysian Consumer Association (FOMCA) date from and the permission of the people before it 23.Food Not Bombs (FNB) 24.Friends of SUARAM undertakes any privatisation of this public service. Johor 25.Gabungan Anak Muda dan Pelajar JERIT 26.Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam (GAMIS) 7. Caring society 27.Gabungan Pekerja Kilang dan Kesatuan JERIT (GPKK) 28.Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) Among our national aspirations is the creation of a 29.Jaffanese Cooperative Society 30.Jaffanese Co- caring society in which the disabled, the poor and operative Society Youth 31.Jawatankuasa Kebajikan the elderly will be given protection and supplied Mahasiswa/I (JKMI) 32.Jawatan-kuasa Sokongan with proper basic amenities. As it stands, the public Pekerja ladang (JSML) 33.Justice and Peace Com- healthcare system is an important component in ful- mission (J&P) 34.Klang Consumer Association filling this social responsibility. The privatisation 35.Kumpulan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KKM) 36.La- of public hospitals will undermine our efforts to cre- bour Resource Centre (LRC) 37.Malayan Nurses ate a caring society. Union (MNU) 38.Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement (DEMA) 39.Malaysian For these reasons, the groups presenting this memo- Catholic Student Council (MCSC) 40.Malaysian randum demand: Ceylonese Congress, Cheras Branch 41.Malaysian Trade Union Congress 42.Malaysians’ Voters Un- 1 . the scrapping of the proposal to create private ion (MALVU) 43.Melaka Environment Association dispensaries in government hospitals 44.Pahang Consumer Association 45.Parti Islam 2. a study on the privatisation that has already been SeMalaysia 46.Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) 47.Parti undertaken in various healthcare sections and a Reformasi Insan Malaysia (PRIM) 48.Parti Sosialis disclosure of the results to the people. Malaysia (PSM) 49.Pemuda Parti Sosialis Malay- 3. a dialogue with the people before any further pri- sia 50.Penang Diocesan Youth Network (PDYN) vatisation and corporatisation in healthcare 51.Penang Office fo Human Development (POHD) 4. a reduction in the wastage of public funds as a 52.People Service Organisation (PSO) 53.Perak Con- result of privatisation, which has led to costs sumer Association (PCA) 54.Perak Environment shooting up much higher than pre-privatisation Association 55.Persatuan Kebangsaan Hak Asasi levels. Manusia (HAKAM) 56.Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS) This memorandum is supported and endorsed by: 57.Persatuan Pelindung Pengguna Kelantan 58.Persatuan Pelindung Pengguna Pulau Pinang 1.Alaigal 2.Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN) 59.Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) 60.Po- 3.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) 4.Amalga- lice Watch and Human Rights Committee 61.Pusat mated Union Employees General and Clerical Al- Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS) 62.Reactive lied Services (AUEGCAS) 5.Angkatan Belia Islam 63.Selangor & Wilayah Persukutuan Consumer As- Malaysia (ABIM) 6.Angkatan Muda Malaysia Parti sociation 64.Selangor Cricket Association Keadilan Rakyat 7.Angkatan Muda Parti Keadilan 65.Selangor Environment Association Rakyat Pulau Pinang 8.Angkatan Pemuda Parti 66.Semparuthi Iyakkan 67.Sinui Pai Nanek Sengik Islam SeMalaysia 9.Association of Bank officers (SPNS) 68.Sisters in Islam (SIS) 69.Social-economic 10.Borneo Indigenous and Peasant Movement, Committee, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Kuching, Sarawak 11.Campur Ministry Office, 70.SOS (Save Ourselves) 71.SOS Damansara (Save Penang Diocese (CMO) 12.Campus Ministry Office Our School) 72.SOS Selangor (Save our Sungai Malacca-Johor 13.Centre for Orang Asli Concerns Selangor) 73.Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) (COAC) 14.Child Development Initiatives (CDI) 74.Suara Warga Pertiwi (SWP) 75.Taman Cuepacs 15.Citizens’ Health Initiative (CHI) 16.Civil Rights Cheras Residents Association 76.Tenaganita Committee, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall 77.United Chinese School Committees Association 17.Community Action Network (CAN) 18.Commu- of Malaysia (Dong Zong) 78.Universiti Bangsar nity Development Centre (CDC) 19.Consumer As- Utama (UBU) 79.University Malaya General Staff sociation of Ayer Keroh 20.DAP Socialist Youth Union (UMGSU) 80.Women’s Candidate initiative (DAPSY) 21.Education and Research Assocaition (WCI) 81.Women’s Development Collective (WDC)

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 26 EDUCATION A young mum’s school ‘Balance Sheet’ story Parents struggle to cope with the financial burden of sending children to school by Angeline Loh

hings during my school toe inside the gate. When the ini- mother, a professional home- TT days were very different tial downpayment is made for all maker, gave me some eye-open- TTT from those that kids and these, only then can your lively, ing facts and figures. She said parents now experience. ignorant, lovable little child begin that one had to have a layout of The school scene parents now face his or her laborious journey into about RM110-115 to start off in is a far cry from that which my education. Standard One. This was only for parents encountered. Parents books and fees and other pay- nowadays dread school or the Once you’ve said ‘good-bye’ at the ments required by the school in- thought of having their clutch of school gate and watched the little cluding ‘wakaf’ contribution, youngsters trooping down that apple of your eye disappear which was imposed on all begin- road, especially when they are fi- amongst his and her peers, doubt ners in the school in Subang Jaya nancially unprepared for it. The begins to set in. Can the invest- whether they were Muslims or investment is uncertain although ment be sustained? Will it turn out not, and ‘‘‘ takaful’’’ insurance, compulsory, and the capital lay- all right? Well, you rationalize it which parents were obliged to out is enormous by low and lower by saying, “It’s for his or her good. take out for their children from middle-income standards. All children must go to school” or Standards One to Six. The “Hopefully, this will turn out well RM1.50 insurance premium was Think about it. First, you have to and they’ll have a much brighter a yearly charge. RM1.00 for kit your kid out in a school uni- future than we had. They’ll be able ‘wakaf’ was collectable only in form, socks, shoes and bag, as ba- to move up in society. Earn more Standard One from non-Muslim sic starters. Then, you have to get and live comfortably.” OK, but beginners.* pencil-box, stationery, textbooks, what looms in the immediate fu- exercise books, work books, and ture? Tuition and tuition fees? An explanation for non-Muslim other required books. Then there What else? parents, ‘wakaf’ in Islam is a do- are school fees, special fees, PTA nation made for religious or pub- contributions, insurance (‘takaful’ First downpayment lic purpose (according to the insurance) and ‘wakaf’ contribu- Malay-English, English-Malay tions in some schools and bits and I had an interesting conversation Dictionary by Yang Kassim pub- pieces like school badges, name with a sprightly young mother of lished by Minerva Publica- tags and miscellaneous items to two school-going children - the tions,2002 Edition). pay for. elder boy going to secondary school next year and the younger ‘Takaful’ insurance is an Islamic Some schools ask for contribu- girl to Standard Five. They at- insurance scheme that the pow- tions for their cooperative even tended a school in the USJ area of ers-that-be deem fit to put into before your 6- or 7-year old puts a Subang Jaya in Selangor. This practice.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 27 catch the interest of our little SUMMARY OF EXPENSES ones. As uniforms have come up in the conversation, let us look Expenditure involved in sending children to school: at them.

Item Primary Secondary Uniform costs School School Remember that your kid is a kid One-off Expenses every year and s/he does as kids do: play * Books, Fees, Misc. etc. RM315 RM419 rough-and-tumble games, get into * Computer class & Misc. - na - RM 220 mini-wrestling matches, get * Uniforms RM291 RM121 smeared with mud, food, paint or * Additional Kit RM152 - na - something unmentionable. Kids’ * Shoes (4 pairs for 2 children) RM100 plus - na - apparel has got to be really tough Total Expenses RM 858858RM RM760RM760RM760 and last as long as possible so your resources are not drained at Monthly Expenses a faster rate than your pocket can * Pocket Money RM15.50 RM62 cope. Moreover, kids grow too big * Transport (‘Bas Sekolah’) RM60 plus RM60 plus for their clothes and shoes by the * Tuition fees per subject RM30(min) - na – month or, if you’re ‘lucky’, by the Total monthly payments RM105.50RM105.50RM105.50 R122 year.

Note: The amounts stated are only estimates taking into account costs My friend, the young Mum, from for male and female children in the case of uniforms, additional kit her vast experience of looking to and footwear. Food is excluded as cost of home prepared food will the needs of her junior scholars, depend on parents’ preferences. For ‘Transport’, the ‘bas sekolah’ was puts the price of a decent qual- used as this is the most common means of transport. These costs fluc- ity, fairly hardwearing primary tuate depending on the economic climate and government policy for school uniform at RM55 at least: the year. Going to Secondary school could cost more than Primary RM35 for a pair of boys’ trou- school but numbers were not available. sers and RM20 per shirt. This cost is usually multiplied by three as there must be a change There are two ‘takaful’ insurance As the years in Primary school of clothes available and one companies in this country: go by, additional dictionaries, emergency set of clothes in case Takaful Malaysia, which was the reference books and work books of unavoidable accidents. Thus, first ever to be set up in the coun- - which the school requires but RM55 x 3 sets = RM165 per try, and Takaful Nasional, which does not provide - have to be ac- child. Girls’ pinafore uniforms ‘offers children education cover’. quired on your own account. could range from RM36-42 de- Takaful Nasional is the more Books are expensive. Even lo- pending on size as well as qual- widely known of the two.* cally produced books are costly. ity. Multiply this sum by three We’ve merely covered books and as well, per child. This would From Standards Two to Six, the stationery so far without mak- be RM108-126 for another child. budget for books alone is about ing a squeak about other notes All in all you’d have to come up RM150 excluding the cost of mis- or papers the school may hand with about RM273-300 for uni- cellaneous stationery, which in- out. In addition, consider exam forms only. cludes mathematical instruments, fees, Physical Education kits or musical instruments or art mate- requirements for extra curricu- The cheaper the uniform, the rial. These miscellaneous but lar activities such as joining a lower the quality, and the less compulsory bits and bobs could uniformed unit like the Scouts, durable and comfortable it is for make you at least RM50 poorer. the Cubs, the Red Crescent and the child who has to be in it at At least! whatever else is available to least five hours a day.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 28 Footwear Expense about all those school expeditions month afford to send their chil- to elocution competitions, com- dren to school despite nominal aid Another tough area. Shoes cost bined school sports, debating allowed them by the government from RM10 upwards depending competitions and science expos/ and the school. Text book aid on quality and durability, which exhibitions for which your bright doesn’t go that far as a child still most parents look for. There are, spark may be singled out to repre- has to be clothed, fed, and trans- of course, those upper-middle and sent the school? An expensive ported with all other needs seen upper-income parents who place honour for you may be required to. importance on branded goods. to chip in for travel expenses or That is their choice if they can af- meals, to say nothing of accom- Additional Private ford it. Again, my friend, the modation should this event take Tuition Expense young mother, takes the sensible place outside the homestate. option of getting as good quality Due to the keen academic compe- in shoes as is affordable, paying tition nowadays, egged on by the around RM25 per pair of school High School Expense Education Ministry, which has shoes that may last at least six (initial downpayment) ambitious plans for Smart months. In her case, shoes for both schools, average- and low-income children may come to RM100 plus Entry to Secondary school is an- parents find themselves forced to per year as she provides both chil- other costly affair. The layout for make theirs and their children’s dren with two pairs of shoes, tak- books alone is about RM290. Fees lives more miserable by sending ing wear-and-tear into account (all inclusive), estimated at them to tuition classes for various due to sports and extra curricular RM129; computer classes for subjects (even for Art). The cheap- activities. She said that the RM10 Form One freshies, RM120 for the est tuition fees per subject can be shoes would not last two months; year. Slap on another RM100 for as much as RM30, going up into so ultimately, the accumulated School Rules booklet, files and 001 the hundreds, depending on cost over a year of buying cheap Card, and other miscellaneous whether a standard or deluxe tui- shoes could turn out to be more progress reports which are com- tion package is opted for, as my than paying a bit more for reason- pulsory for all students to possess friend, the young Mum, says. able quality shoes that last longer. on entry to Secondary school and which must be bought from the New parents, be warned of the Additional school co-op shop. Last and cer- impending tidal wave of ex- Kit Expense tainly not least, you begin again penses when you have to send kitting out your now adolescent your beloved off-spring to dis- We must not forget that our chil- child for her/his entry into the cover the mysteries of education dren have to be involved in PE and teenage world of Secondary at the tender age of six to seven extra curricular activities. More school. Dig deep into your pocket plus years. When they ultimately stress put on the pocket to com- and come up with another sail away, we hope they will spare pulsorily kit them out in suitable RM121, to start with! So Happy you a thought and understand sports wear. Schools sell T-shirts New Year to near bankruptcy! better the burdens you had to bear and track bottoms specially de- Mind you, this is the cost of at- just to make their lives better. signed with their own logos and tending a normal government colours. This, I was told, now school. Food Expense costs RM25 per set in primary school and RM27 per set in sec- The response by most parents to Food seems to figure at the low end ondary school. As for uniforms for the question, “So how do you cope of the priority scale in school. uniformed units such as Cadets, with all this expense simply to There is much complaint from Scouts, Girl Guides, Red Crescent, send your child to school?” is parents that food sold in school St. John’s Ambulance and school probably a humble shrug and canteens is expensive and of low bands, costs can run into more plaintive, though fatalistic, “Like nutritional quality. For example, than RM100 per set. We have only that-lah.” I wonder how parents another mother whose two boys groused about clothes so far; what earning RM1,000 or less per go to Primary school in

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 29 Butterworth, Penang, said that a dren were seen to go outside the of unaffordable transport ex- small packet of ‘nasi lemak’ ranged school compound to buy food penses. She knew someone from 60 sen to RM1.00. Even at across a busy road. Hawkers’ food whose child was disabled due to RM1.00, all that you get is an inch is more expensive than food sold a congenital condition. The of chicken, half a piece of cucum- in the school canteen. She even child’s mother was told that there ber and a load of ‘sambal’ to col- cited a case when a child was was a school for such children in our the ‘nasi’ red. You’d be lucky knocked down by a car when try- another section of the USJ area. if the chicken had any substan- ing to get to the food stalls. The area of Subang Jaya is so tial flesh on it. So what would you large that travelling from one sec- get for 60 sen? Probably not ‘ikan Transport Expense tion to the other can be reason- bilis’ or any cucumber. A number ably far. The child’s father works of innovative parents have re- Parents agonize over the safest as a store assistant in a large sorted to providing their off means of transporting their chil- hyper-market in the area. He spring with nutritious homemade dren to and from school. With the walks to work from where he food in lunch boxes to get round occurrence of so much crime lives. The mother is reluctant to the problem of expensive, less against children nowadays, every change her child’s school to the nutritious food. caring parent would closely exam- one further away as she cannot ine all affordable options. Some afford the transport costs to the Moreover, parents are also con- decide to chauffer their kids them- school catering for disabled chil- cerned about food hygiene in selves, others take the option of dren. So this child will lose out school canteens. Keep in mind, sharing drives with friends and in the long run, not because he is these are children we’re talking neighbours with children in the unintelligent but simply because about now, and they are suscepti- same school, and some have to de- his parents cannot afford proper ble to all sorts of ‘bugs’. pend on bas sekolah (school buses), education facilities for their dis- vans or even ‘private’ car hire. advantaged child. For growing children, particu- larly boys, the lunch box some- Bas sekolah expense amount to Profit or Loss? times proves insufficient. So par- RM30-60 per month depending on ents dole out an extra 50sen – the distance travelled. The disad- Forgive my claim to clairvoyance, RM2.00 per day to feed them at vantage is that if your child is the but I foresee a future Malaysian school. What would the expense first passenger going to morning society split by the chasm of class be in a month? An estimate of session school, s/he will have to division of upper, middle and low RM15.50 – RM62.00. get up very early and be washed, economic status. We already fed breakfast and dressed ready struggle to cope with surviving Parents who cannot afford chil- to board the bus when it is still each wave of price increases due dren’s ‘pocket money’ would dark. On the other hand, if the to whatever economic tsunami the probably have to pack a bigger child is the last one to alight after authorities see fit to stir up. Now, sandwich box or their children evening session school s/he may it’s the withdrawal of petrol sub- will have to be content with what arrive home at around 7-8 pm. sidies and the pending rise in they have till they get home for public transport fares and toll lunch or dinner. Some parents For a private van, a negotiated charges. With racial and religious take the trouble to bring freshly price per child was RM50 per polarization, we citizens are also prepared food for their kids dur- month. Transport for two trying our best to be accommodat- ing recess time. During the puasa schoolgoers adds up to RM100 ing towards each other to improve (fasting) month, no food is avail- per month to and fro. Private car integration and create under- able in the canteen. So, what are hire in the Subang Jaya USJ area standing and harmony amongst non-Muslim children to do? The for travel within 2 km of the school Malaysians. Do we need more other young mum from costs RM60-80 one way and causes of conflict and contention Butterworth, was exasperated by RM100 per month, two ways. to further divide our society into the fact that at puasa time, many haves, have-somes and have- non-Muslim primary school chil- The USJ Mum alerted me to a case nots? q

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Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 31 out their business practices in an openly, transparently, ethically and correctly. He has hit the nail on the head. Businesses always complain about corrupt practices including bribery but then they themselves resort to such meas- ures to get to the front of the queue. Motorists always complain about police officers stopping them and then they “have to” give money to avoid being summoned. Hello, ei- ther follow the law or just take the summons.

Corruption affects everyone at every level. The government ma- chinery and approval process Letters must not exceed 250 words and must include the writer's must be transparent. There must name and address. Pseudonyms may be used. Send letters to : be a specific time for all matters to Editor, ALIRAN MONTHLY, 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Penang, be decided upon, failing which it Malaysia or e-mail to : [email protected] Views is a disciplinary offence. If any ap- expressed need not reflect those of Aliran. If you are sending plication is turned down, the ap- by e-mail please include your message in the e-mail body itself. plicant must be made aware of the We do not open attachments to avoid viruses. reason in writing. Government of- ficers must be made to record the Idiots’ guide to volved in money politics. One reasons for their approval or re- corruption eradication member was quoted as asking if jection of any application, for ju- reimbursing petrol costs for those dicial review if need be. Aliran Monthly, Vol 24 Issue 9 who come to visit him at his house quoted a phrase from the BBC’s amounts to money politics? Isn’t If the operational government Yes Minister on governance: ‘The the answer simple? Do people machinery is effective and effi- less you intend to do about some- normally reimburse visitors to cient and includes clearly laid thing, the more you have to keep their home? Are visitors reim- down procedures, corruption will talking about it.’ I think that ex- bursed if they visit politicians and be minimal as those giving and plains the whole Malaysian gov- government officials at their of- taking will be caught red handed. ernment and the furore about fices or homes? Of course not! Corruption can be eradicated if money politics and corruption. people are prepared to call a To me, there is a very simple rem- spade a spade and get real. At the Let us examine some recent is- edy for money politics to render it end of the day, organising semi- sues. I am quite puzzled about the completely useless as a tool for nars and talks achieves nothing. continued accusations of money winning. Have a one-member, politics in the last UMNO general one-vote system for all party posts Yes Minister assembly. Surely there will be and do away with the current del- Petaling Jaya winners and losers; so will it then egates-based system. No one can be natural for the losers to claim engage in money politics when My unborn there was money politics at play? there are tens of thousand of vot- child’s future ers directly involved. Some say money politics needs a I was reading the article regard- clear definition. I disagree. It The PM has pleaded that every- ing Shamala Sathiyaseelan’s cus- would be clear if someone is in- one must ensure that they carry tody case. I have a problem simi-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 32 lar to hers but it is slightly com- as proof of paternity. any impartial historian acknowl- plicated. edges the positive role that Chin However, we were both never Peng has played and his contri- I was in a relationship with a married, so can he be recognised bution towards the independence Muslim man who is working in a as the father of my child in the eye of Malaya, then Chin Peng must government department. We had of the law? If he can, will the be acclaimed as a hero. He must sexual relations and I ended up Syariah court penalise him for be honoured, decorated and pen- pregnant. He promised he would having a child out of wedlock? sioned for having served the coun- marry me and we would bring up What will be the status of my cur- try. the child together. In fact, he asked rent husband or the “acknowl- me to go for an abortion at first edged father”? His political persuasion should but I refused. not stand in the way and I do I do hope that with your re- hope that your authorities do not When I was about three months’ sources you will be able to an- get stuck in the past and have the pregnant, he left me and avoided swer these questions. It worries vision and magnanimity to rise to all my efforts to contact him. He me as I am only 22 years old and the occasion. said that my being a non-Muslim I do not want to spend the next was complicating our relation- 18 years worrying about my Tsang Mang Kin ship and he didn’t think that I mistakes. could convert and bring up our Our leading child according to the Muslim JC political parties faith. lack democracy Rumsfeld’s war and quality We were never married and he has never provided me with any sup- I was watching Rumsfeld’s War I stumbled upon your website port for our child. I am now get- on SBS, Australia recently. It gave and your observation that “To- ting married to a friend of mine a background to the pre-emptive day, all our leading political who is a non-Muslim as my child war in Iraq. It is a must-see film. It parties lack democracy and they needs a father figure in life. reveals the architect of the attack lack quality.” I am not surprised on Iraq. Not very flattering. at this situation as most of the The irony of the whole thing is political parties are suffering that the father of my child had Bill from the syndrome of “Idiots actually fathered three other kids outvoting the smartest” as a re- with a Muslim girl whom I have In favour of sult of too much obsession with met. All of their offspring were Chin Peng democracy. aborted at a clinic. The poor girl was upset with me as she believed I have just read S Arutchelvan ar- In UMNO for instance, a number that I had stolen her “future hus- ticle pleading for Chin Peng to be of Malay intellectuals had been band” from her. He never planned allowed to return home. I have absorbed into the party to create a to marry either of us. been deeply moved by the call for perception that the party has ac- generosity towards this hero, cepted the technocrats and I am now in my eighth month of whom I have just discovered, not academia members who can con- pregnancy. I do not want him to being a Malaysian (I am a tribute towards the party’s strug- come back later into my life and Mauritian, former Sec Gen of the gles and aspirations. But their destroy my child’s life by de- Mauritius Labour Party) and liv- genuine intentions were often manding custody. Under the ing in a different socio-cultural blocked by the motives of the ma- Federal Constitution, the context. jority of the senior UMNO party Syariah court only has jurisdic- members, some of whom are basi- tion if ALL parties are Muslim. I Has the Government responded cally idiots! believe that the Syariah court to your plea? I believe there is need does not recognise DNA testing to go further. If the authorities or Dr Abyjamal

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 33 MTUC ELECTION: WELL DONE, RAJA Continued from page 40 majority of 47, with 542 delegates a working relationship with the Mohd Shafie BP Mahmud, played voting. workers’ national centre. his game cunningly and system- Mahathir was a persistent critic atically in this MTUC electiion. As for Rajasekaran, the incum- of the MTUC, especially Zainal He apparently joined Zainal’s bent secretary-general, he secured and David. People with longer camp; assured Zainal of his sup- the highest majority of 95 votes, memories will recall that David port; attended Zainal’s party; and which emphatically revealed the was one of the 106 unjust victims publicly declined to contest delegates’ confidence in him. of “Operation Lalang”, the crack- against his chief, declaring that he down of dissidents under the did not wish to introduce any ten- Zainal’s harsh Internal Security Act in sion into the MTUC. At the end of Ignominious Exit 1987. He spent 222 days in deten- the day, Shafie was the only can- tion, a wasted period in the life of didate to be returned unopposed. After having been at the MTUC’s any human being. It was the helm for 20 years, Zainal’s forced fourth time that David had been It was unsurprising that Zainal departure was ignominious. In the government’s “guest”. was finally defeated by a simple his later years, many associated and humble man, a person of hon- him with the old saying: power That was not all. David and esty and commitment. That was corrupts, absolute power corrupts Zainal were jointly charged for the price the long-serving presi- absolutely. allegedly committing misappro- dent of 20 years had to pay for dis- priation of RM20,000 belonging to honouring his agreement with his Over the years I had maintained a the TWU. Zainal was allowed bail deputy two years ago. close comradeship with Zainal; I of RM180,000 but had to spend trusted him implicitly and ad- one day in jail before he could Zainal is history now. It is stupid mired his rise to the MTUC’s top raise such a huge sum. No bail was of Zainal to claim that the media post. V. David, a blue-blood trade allowed for David for he was al- “killed” him. This merely shows unionist-cum-politician, was ready under ISA detention. After that he has been out of touch with Zainal’s mentor for many years. a few months, the DPP inexplica- the ground-level sentiments that Both were Transport Workers Un- bly withdrew the charges. were building up against him, ion (TWU) leaders and had been waiting to do him in. What has involved in various opposition And then Zainal joined UMNO happened to Zainal was tit-for-tat. political parties, including Baru and also accepted the As for Shafie, it was sweet revenge Semangat 46. Zainal was criti- senatorship in November 1998 - against a dishonourable man. It cised for his association with two months after his friend, appears that two can play the Semangat 46 by none other than Anwar Ibrahim, was arrested and same game! his close ally in this year’s MTUC jailed on dubious charges follow- election, Siva Subramaniam, who ing his dismissal as deputy prime Stick to NUTP, Siva opined that trade unionism and minister. In the eyes of many dis- politics didn’t mix. David, unfor- appointed unionists, this was N. Siva Subramaniam is presently tunately, suffered a stroke and political patronage conferred by the executive secretary of Na- was gradually bed-ridden. Subse- Mahathir. Since then, many of his tional Union of the Teaching Pro- quently Zainal joined Dr friends and supporters distanced fession (NUTP), the largest union Mahathir Mohamad’s UMNO themselves from him. Conse- of the teaching profession in Ma- Baru. This came as a shock to his quently, MTUC’S prestige and laysia with numerous problems friends like Rajasekaran and sev- credibility declined - and two op- and aspirations. Siva is also ad- eral others like me. posing camps sprouted in the visor to the Congress of Unions of MTUC. Employees in the Public and Civil It was a known fact that Mahathir, Services (CUEPACS), the umbrella the fourth Prime Minister, was not Tit For Tat body of the union of public sector a friend of the MTUC, unlike his employees. This federation of three predecessors, who had kept The MTUC deputy president, trade unions has 120 affiliates

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 34 with some 200,000 members. As an old-timer trade unionist, I to leave with dignity”, he added. am averse to senatorships and At one time, they both were very These two posts are more than datoships etc. There are many oth- close to each other and worked enough to keep his hands full, es- ers like me who share this senti- well as a team. pecially the post of executive sec- ment. Trade unionists who left an retary of the largest civil service indelible mark on the trade union Oligarchies and teams are com- union. Besides, he is also a mem- movement with their selfless serv- mon in organisations. But this is ber of the Employees Provident ice and exemplary dedication - the first time in the MTUC’s his- Fund Board. The contributors are such as P.P. Narayanan, Jesudoss, tory when an entire team from one now frustrated and angry with Narendran, V David, and many faction captured the MTUC lead- the EPF for not looking after their others - never aspired or craved ership. It was possible because of interests adequately. for such titles. In Malaysia, sena- the cooperation, mutual trust and tors are not elected. It is offered as determination of all those who He is also a Human Rights Com- a patronage and even conferred worked together. The new presi- missioner, a very responsible po- onto some people who do not de- dent is committed to dialogue, sition that demands ability and serve this honour. which is the right way to thrash commitment to tackle violations of out differences and restore unity. human rights. Over and above, It would be desirable if Siva de- Siva is also, I understand, the cides to concentrate only on his The MTUC is a multi-racial, multi- deputy chairman of NUTP job as NUTP executive secretary. religious and multi-lingual or- Koperasi Berhad. If he did that, he would then do ganisation. Its unique character- justice to the salary he receives. istic is that it belongs exclusively Are all these positions not enough to the working people. The trade for a retired unionist? How much The MTUC financial secretary, A. unions’ struggle is aimed at re- time can he spare for the MTUC Sivanathan, is a capable officer to storing the dignity of the working as its secretary-general? It is an handle the finances of the organi- class and achieving social justice. organisation with about 250 affili- sation. As for the deputy secretary- This struggle is perpetual - for ated unions. Their total member- general, Abdul Halim Mansor, he there are powerful forces working ship is around 500,000. In 1997, has played his cards very well. He against us always. Siva was elected as the Financial deserves to be rewarded in the Secretary of the MTUC. Within a course of time. We are faced with numerous prob- few months, he resigned without lems. We do not have to resort to any explanation. One of the newly elected vice revolution to solve them. Malay- presidents, A. Balasubramaniam, sia has chosen parliamentary de- How many of you are aware that occasionally gives me lifts to the mocracy as the system of govern- the public sector unions have MTUC. Let me congratulate him ance. In such a system, workers lost their right to collective bar- and another vice-president, can be very powerful, because, gaining and their right to strike? Indera Putra Jamal, who is one of they hold the vast majority of the The government employees are my old friends. votes. deprived of their right to natu- ral justice. Sivasubramaniam To all the others who were suc- But, what happens when the elec- was CUEPACS president for a cessfully returned, let me say: I do tion is held? Unfortunately, they are number of years and NUTP gen- appreciate your decision to ally either influenced by religion and/ eral-secretary for 14 years. Ask with Raja. I am sure you did so in or race. There are others who take him what steps he has taken to the interest of the MTUC and the bribes and betray the workers. That restore these important and in- larger cause of the workers. is why the MTUC has made re- alienable rights of the workers? peated decisions to conduct politi- If you visit CUEPACS website, Perpetual Struggle cal education for the workers. For you might find the picture of some time, the political bureau had Mahathir and now that of It was indeed magnanimous of been quite active under the Zainal’s Abdullah Badawi as well! That Raja to have expressed his sym- chairmanship. After he became perhaps is the legacy that he had pathy for Zainal. “It would have Senator, however, the bureau has left behind in CUEPACS. been better if Zainal had been able gone into slumber! q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 35 LABOUR MOVEMENT Siva should resign as Human Rights Commissioner He has to choose between trade unionism and human rights. by P Ramakrishnan

atuk Siva Subramaniam immediately following his retire- DD should resign as Human ment a year ago. It appeared that DDD Rights Commissioner. the NUTP desperately needed the He must decide whether vast experience that he had as the he wants to be a trade unionist or immediate past secretary general a commissioner of the Human of the union. Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). He cannot have it both On top of that, he is also adviser ways. to the Congress of Unions of Em- ployees in the Public and Civil He is currently busy on the cam- Services (CUEPACS). This role paign trail to get elected as the must inevitably call upon him to Secretary-General of the devote some time and effort. Malaysian Trades Union Con- CUEPACS has 120 affiliates with He is also the Deputy Chairman gress (MTUC). He is already the a membership of 220,000 and di- of NUTP Koperasi Berhad, a co- executive secretary of the Na- visions in all the states, and there operative set up by the NUTP for tional Union of Teachers are the Conferences where his its members. There must also be (NUTP), which boasts of a mem- presence is necessary as adviser. demands on him in this capacity. bership in excess of 100,000. The There would be invitations for him There are Area Meetings to attend responsibilities that go with this to grace certain civil service un- and General Meetings requiring post must entail onerous duties ion functions, to give talks and his attendance. and tasks requiring his time attend meetings and to help draw and presence. There are 12 up memorandums. What else he is involved in only branches in Malaysia: it would he knows. But by all accounts he mean that he would have to What’s more, according to the looks like one very busy man. How travel quite a bit. There would Employees’ Provident Fund’s much time can he give to each of be workshops to conduct, semi- website, he is also one of the five these activities? With all these re- nars to address, reports to pre- workers’ representatives on the sponsibilities to shoulder, how pare and recommendations to be EPF Board for the two-year term many days are there left in a week made. ending 31 May 2005. There must for him to devote to other activi- be regular board meetings. This ties? The demands on his time Once the teaching profession was responsibility is a heavy one es- must be tremendous. Why then referred to as a veritable jungle. pecially when the dividends keep does he want to take on another The problems are many and nu- dropping every year, leaving EPF mammoth task that requires full- merous issues are still outstand- contributors frustrated and angry. time effort? ing. And that was why he was ap- Their frustrations must be ad- pointed as the executive secretary dressed seriously. The MTUC is the national trade

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 36 union centre for the trade union to other activities when one is a positions full-time. If they can’t movement in this country. Its af- Human Rights Commissioner. allocate time for human rights, filiates are mainly drawn from the That is why Suhakam commis- then they should step down as private sector representing many sioners are paid well with perks commissioners,” Arutchelvan trades and industries from all over thrown in. demanded. the country, including Sabah and Sarawak. There are 250 affiliates Human Rights Commissioners The Commissioners deserved to with a combined membership of who are also full-time lawyers, be slammed for not taking their 504,000 - five times more than that corporate figures or unionists will roles seriously as is expected of of the NUTP. Their problems are find it difficult to devote them- them. Even Suhakam’s com- varied and totally different from selves fully to human rights. An plaints division chairperson the civil service. Siva cannot be as urgent court case cannot be put Prof Hamdan Adnan expressed well versed in their issues as he is aside; an EPF board meeting can- his regret that no Commissioner with civil service matters. Why not be postponed; a corporate deal was present on that day. “I don’t then is he hankering for the MTUC cannot be held up. But human know what happened. There Secretary General’s post as well? rights violations and abuses don’t should be at least a commis- wait for the convenience of the sioner on duty everyday,” he And how serious is he in fulfill- Commissioners and need to be said. ing his obligations if he was to be urgently addressed. Violations elected? We have to raise this ques- can take place at any time and Commissioners involved in other tion simply because he once stood aggrieved parties can come knock- activities and other endeavours for the post of MTUC Treasurer in ing at the Commission’s doors cannot do justice as members of 1997, got elected and then in- unannounced. the Human Rights Commission. credulously - without any expla- They cannot simply spare their nation or justification – resigned The nature of human rights time on an ad hoc basis - as and the post within months. Is he tak- abuses is such that Commission- when they are able to - in order to ing another ego trip this time? ers are expected to be available do justice to their duty and justify whenever their intervention is ur- the wages they receive. And let us not forget that he is also gently required. But because a Human Rights Commissioner. many of the present Commission- It is in the light of this that Aliran How much time is he able to de- ers are not full-time on the job of calls upon Siva to choose between vote to this all-important task as human rights, there have been trade unionism and human rights. required under the Human Rights times when their services were not Better still that he resigns as Com- Commission of Malaysia Act available. missioner in view of his involve- 1999? How much time and effort ment in so many other arduous can he devote as Commissioner, A case in point was on 19 No- activities requiring all his time and burdened as he is with all his other vember 2004 when not a single attention, leaving little time for responsibilities and commit- Commissioner was around in human rights. We hope that com- ments? the office to receive complaints. mon sense will prevail. “Suhakam has 17 commission- When a full-time professional is ers and over the past three days, This call is equally applicable to appointed as Human Rights not even one of them was the other Commissioners who are Commissioner, which job would present in the office. It shouldn’t also busily engaged in other ac- take priority for him? Their career be a problem to station at least tivities. They should search their and professional advancement one commissioner there a day,” conscience and do what is right. would naturally take precedence, mourned social activist If they are expected to live up to and they end up becoming part- Arutchelvan who was assisting the demands of the Human Rights time Commissioners. family members of the hunger Commission of Malaysia Act strikers in Simpang Renggam, 1999, then their priority should be Human rights is a serious busi- Johor. “They are paid wages and human rights on a full-time basis. ness. It cannot take second place they should be treating their There can be no other choice. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 37 LABOUR MOVEMENT MTUC conference: Fresh hope for workers Winds of change promises better protection for neglected workers by A. J. Patrick and A.H. Ponniah

he much-awaited MTUC Early attempts by the MTUC Presi- members’ serious attention was Triennial Conference dent, who was facing a serious the concern over the performance TTT was held from 29 – 30 challenge to his leadership, to of the EPF and the dividends de- December 2004 at the bulldoze his views on NUBE par- clared. Resolutions touching on Civic Centre, Petaling Jaya. Un- ticipation were debated vehe- the need to remove restrictive la- ions and workers in general were mently and rectified. In fact the bour laws and those that stifle hu- keen to know what would be the dictatorial behaviour of the Presi- man rights were duly adopted. delegates’ response to the aborted dent in ignoring the constitutional MTUC was urged to give serious agreement reached between requirements of the conference of attention to organising the unor- MTUC president Zainal Rampak MTUC earned the ire of the major- ganised to strengthen the labour and Mohd. Shafie Mammal, his ity of the delegates who showed movement. There was a call to in- Deputy in 2001. According to this early signs of disenchantment crease MTUC activities and initia- pre-election agreement Zainal with his leadership. tives to intensify membership par- promised to vacate mid-term as ticipation. Delegates wanted more MTUC President paving the way The MTUC General Council’s re- labour education programmes for Shafie to take over. port and financial matters were and encouragement for increased examined critically calling for ac- women's participation in the trade The other issue that aroused countability. Proposals and mo- union movement. much interest was the new pact tions were passed to improve the between Zainal and Dato Siva performance of the Congress. Winds of change Subramaniam, ex-president of CUEPACS, to wrest total control Emergency resolutions moved by The finale of the conference wit- of MTUC leadership as President the delegates along with those re- nessed a most tense and hard and Secretary General for the en- ceived from the unions were ex- fought battle: the election of of- suing three-year period. amined and considered. The de- fice-bearers especially that of bates that took place were of high the President. Two major teams Participating standard and thought-provoking. mushroomed for this contest, delegates Action programmes were insisted one led by the President and the upon to revitalise the MTUC. other by the Secretary General. The future and destiny of the Zainal Rampak, the incumbent MTUC clearly rested on the 542 Senseless proposals including President, and Datuk Siva delegates representing 142 affili- amendments were rejected. One Subramaniam attempted des- ated unions attending the confer- such proposal called for an elected perately to wrest the posts of ence. They held fast to their demo- leader to hold on to his position President and Secretary Gen- cratic right to ensure and deter- in MTUC even if he changes his eral. Whereas G. Rajasekaran, mine that all matters decided at union membership. the Secretary General, sup- the conference were with their full ported Syed Shahir for the post concurrence and that they had a Issues highlighted of President. Both campaigned say on all matters that concerned for their respective teams vying them. Among the issues that drew the for all the posts.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 38 could do to hold on to what he might have to lose if he left the hall.

As soon as the election results were announced, the newly elected team was earnestly addressing prob- lems of members, which received little attention just a day earlier. There was a wind of fresh hope for better protection for the neglected workers and unions. Delegates seemed joyous that their voice would now be heard. The past and the present You must deliver Since 1996 Zainal had many times delegates’ support. indicated his desire to retire but In the post election press conference had also many times changed his Zainal, who was seen as a held immediately after the confer- mind. At the last MTUC elections changed person following his ence, the new team declared that in 2001, he solemnly signed a about turn in politics and becom- the new leadership would address MOU with his deputy Shafie who ing a government man, also ex- all workers’ issues. One of the first had challenged him. He agreed to pected support from all parties. amongst the issues to be dealt with step down in 2002 and hand over He relied on his old loyalties will be the NUBE crisis. office to Shafie. He breached that aligned to the opposition and at agreement on the flimsy grounds the same time he was expecting Their style and approach will not that many unions wanted him to support from government sympa- reflect any antagonism or bellig- stay on. thisers. erence in their dealings with any party but rest assured that the dig- In December 1984 Zainal, then Rajasekaran always stood out as nity of labour will not be compro- Deputy President MTUC, chal- a representative of the workers. mised under any circumstances. lenged P.P Narayanan, who was Shahir also shared a similar back- the MTUC President. P.P reached ground with Rajasekaran but had Shahir in a very conciliatory ges- a gentleman’s agreement with unsuccessefully attempted to en- ture appealed to the winners and Zainal to step down in 1.1.1986 ter parliament to address workers losers in the elections to close in favour of him in return for with- issues on an opposition ticket. ranks in order to meet the chal- drawing his challenge. Come lenges facing the workers and 1986, P.P honoured the pact. For New dawn their unions. a man who came to be President for the workers through a pact which was hon- and unions And we must add, the winning oured by his predecessor, none team has a right to be gratified expected Zainal to dishonour his The current challenges confront- with and energised by the land- own pact with his deputy. When ing workers and their unions, slide victory. They will be under he did that, he lost a lot of respect forced the delegates to make a care- immense scrutiny and much will and support of friends and many ful assessment before they made be expected of them. They must workers. their choice. In the end, the del- perform and deliver all that has egates made up their minds. been promised and pledged in the Zainal teamed-up with Datuk Shahir, Raja and all the members next three years before the next Siva, who depended on his title to of their team won a resounding MTUC conference. Their support- exert influence on the delegates. victory, sending cheers and thun- ers expect and demand nothing Siva was not known to have strug- derous applause in the hall. less. gled for workers especially those in the private sector. In fact he was Zainal left the conference a de- It is understandable why the new noted to be a strong government feated man while Siva stood team has to embark on this task supporter and relied on it for the around pondering as to what he immediately. q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 39 LABOUR MOVEMENT MTUC Election : Well done, Raja His commitment, honesty and dedication to the trade union movement has been recognised

by K George I firmly believe he has a definite agenda to take the labour centre of Malaysia to greater heights. The question of personal prestige that goes with the president’s position is something he has never craved for. He has boldly declared that his approach to solving trade un- ion disputes and grievances will be through dialogue. He will not be belligerent or confrontational.

Syed’s opponent, Zainal Rampak, was a well-known giant. He had held the MTUC presi- dency for 20 long years. It was unfortunate that he had to cling on to the post the last two years The rejected, the elected and the elated by dishonouring an agreement he had entered into with his deputy, aving been G. for the next three years. It is my Mohd Shafie BP Mahmud, pledg- Rajasekaran’s friend hope and prayer that the new lead- ing to step down after a year to HHH and trade union col- ers will run the national labour allow his deputy to succeed him. league for well over three centre’s affairs as a united team That was a black mark for him. decades, I dare say, his commit- and restore the organisation’s lost ment, honesty and dedication to prestige and credibility. Besides being MTUC president, the trade union movement was Zainal also holds several national fully endorsed and recognised by The new president, Syed Shahir and international positions. It the delegates on 30 December Syed Mohammad, is a man of de- was a mammoth task for Syed - a 2004. Raja, who was re-elected as termination. Even after four de- “small man” by all accounts secretary general of the Malaysian feats, he refused to give up the when compared with the incum- Trades Union Congress, and his fight. He is not someone who is bent - to dislodge Zainal with a team made a complete sweep in easily discouraged. Having the election of the MTUC leaders known him for the past few years, Continued on page 34

Aliran Monthly : Vol.24(11/12) Page 40