大雨来的是不是时候！？

Dear Friends,

There is a "Forum & Photo Gallery of Johore Floor Disaster 2006-2007" which to be held on 28th Jan 2007 (Sunday) 7.00pm at Persatuan Hokkien Batu Pahat.

Any inquiry, Please contact Eddie at: 012-737 1085

Sign online petition to protest against toll hike!

Dear Motorists,

Please sign online petition to register your strongest disagreement to the unfair toll hike in GCE, Karak Highway, Kesas Highway, LDP and Cheras-Kajang Highway with effective from 1st January 2007.

English version: http://www.petitiononline.com/notolle/petition.html
Malay version: http://www.petitiononline.com/notollm/petition.html

Sign it as soon as possible and spread the words around so that we can create a huge force in the internet to force the government to defer the hike!

Thank you.

It is natural disaster or human disaster?

Massive illegal logging, slow relief operations, incapable crisis management skills, unbelievably and irresponsible decisions to release excess water from upstream rivers without warning and planning for downstream flooding and evacuation, outdated drainage system...etc, Malaysians have suffered enough the feeling of frustration and disappointment with our imcompetent government.

The heavy rainfalls which has resulted in many of southern states - Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan to suffer severe flood, is to be expected affecting the Klang Valley area if the heavy rainfalls and wind condition persist. What we have learned from the states now suffering so-called natural disaster? Many flood victims suffered hunger for more than 70 hours, 6 death was reported for now. Is that merely because of the "unexpected and unusual" weather conditions? What if it happens in Klang Valley and it surrounding areas? Could it be any difference? I doubt, and I pray as well for the people who has lost their homes and their loved one, and the stituation will not worsen.

Malaysia bodoh!? Who Cares!!

The article written by an Australian writer and columnist, Micheal Backman 'While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry', published in The Age newspaper on November 15, has stirred up quite a significant reflection among Malaysians. Know what? Our International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz replied:

"What do we care? Obviously, this person doesn’t know Malaysia. He is an outsider and he can say what he likes. I well don’t really care about what others say – as long as it is not a Malaysian saying it,”

Well well, i guess the 95% of e-mails and messages which have been a supportive response to backman's article as he alleged here, are Not Malaysians, or least, they are Not patriot!!

Who is the RUBBISH indeed!!??

Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has criticised the study by Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute's (Asli) Centre for Public Policy Studies's report on bumiputra equity ownership as "Rubbish"

What else can I say but cry for Malaysia when the triumph of brawn over brain happened! Well well, its's not the first time anyway...I just....

Welcome to International Blog Against Racism Week!

Welcome to International Blog Against Racism Week!

If you would like to participate, here's what to do:

1. Announce the week in your blog.

2. Switch your default icon to either an official IBAR icon, or one which you feel is appropriate. To get an official IBAR icon, you may modify one of yours yourself or ask someone to do so.

3. Post about race and/or racism: in media, in life, in the news, personal experiences, writing characters of a race that isn't yours, portrayals of race in fiction, review a book on the subject, etc.

"Federal Constitution: Protection for All"

Article 11 invites you to attend the above public forum, which will focus on the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the rights it guarantees to all Malaysian citizens. The forum will also address the concerns of civil society arising from recent cases that highlight the problem of jurisdiction and emphasises the need for a judicial system that will protect everyone.

Date: Saturday, 22 July 2006

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Venue: Hotel Selesa
Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir / Jalan Tebrau
Johor Bahru

Speakers include: Honey Tan Lay Ean, Prof. Shad Saleem Faruqi and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.
Places are limited and registration is a must.

To register (please provide full name, telephone number and email address) or make enquiries, contact Vizla or Oysim at 013 390 0481 or at wao@po.jaring.my.

Free the Press! Abolish KDN!

Malaysian Citizens' Five-Points Demand on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2006

The Worldwide Press Freedom Index published by RSF has seen an improvement of Malaysia's position from the 122nd in 2004 to 113th in 2005, both as a result of positive measures by the Abdullah administration and as adeterioration in media freedom in other countries. However, the survey is limited to the year to 1st September 2005. In the past seven months, we have seen serious violations and restrictions on media freedom.

Each new prime minister in Malaysia vows to increase the people's freedom. Yet, as former prime ministers know, there is still no freedom for effective dissent or meaningful public debate. Before the exclusive club of dissatisfied former Prime Ministers grows larger, this must be changed.

Read more about the five-points demand here.

Happy Labour Day!

Since after the fall of Marcos's dictatorship and the victory of people power, everything is seems possible in Philippines....They can openly urge the president to step down though not so easy this time against Arroyo....they have all kinds of printed materials distributing freely all around in Philippines.....despite of the dissentient voices, freedom of expression is being upholding without things like ISA or OSA...

Err......hmm hmm..... as I said....everything is possible in Philippines, but is there anything to do with Labor day? Not even my Filipino comrades comprehend either. Anyway, wish you all Happy Labour Day!!! Cheers! :-)

Progressive youth meeting in Manila

Yes, there were some progressive young people gathering in Manila and it was a progressive regional meeting as well. IUSY Asia-Pacific Committee Meeting, which held last week in Manila was a meeting involved significant discussion and debate on the IUSY Asia-Pacific theme 2006- Decent work – Decent life. The representatives of IUSY member organizations from Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Philippines were actively attended the meeting. There were also few representatives of the IUSY presidium from Norway and Sweden as well. Thomas and I were represented Dapsy to attend the meeting this year. It was of cause a pleasant and fruitful trip for me.

Read more

You are invited to a Toy Symphony!

A Toy Symphony is the story of 10 rag-tag toys who were left behind in the toy maker's workshop. As a result, they never made it to the toy shelf for display hence their loneliness and longing to be owned by a child. They share each other's dream of getting "there" so that they can bring joy to a young soul. Their dream however, seems to be futile as for many years, they still have no idea how to get to the toy shelf.
One day a new toy - Mike the Mechanic - joins them at the workbench. Mike is a new-fangled toy that was sent back to the workshop to be repaired. The toys find a great friend in Mike, and to top it all off, he knows the way to the toy shelf. He has been there. Mike ignites a fire in their hearts as he "shows" them the way to get there.
As the story unfolds, see for yourself how love can change the way we live. This production is fully narrated with mime and dance to portray the emotions and thoughts of a group of toys - animated in looks but very much human in nature.

Date : Friday, 14 April 2006
Time : 8.00pm

Date : Saturday, 15 April 2006
Time : 3.00pm

Date : Sunday, 16 April 2006
Time : 8.00pm
Venue : DUMC Sea Park [map direction]

Caricatures for “Say No to Fuel Hike”

Open Submission of Caricatures for DAP Socialist Youth
to publish a Comic Book on
“Say No to Fuel Hike”
This comic is specifically presented to those who had unquestionably
supported Pak Lah in the last general election, BUT now suffer tremendously due to his Fuel Hike Policy

Objective:
To have an avenue for people to air their political and economic grouses through caricatures.

DAPSY will publish the collection of caricatures in both Malay and Mandarin languages. Selected art-works will be published in the Rocket. All contributors will get a token of appreciation.

Target:
Public are welcomed to contribute any ideas of caricatures, irrespective of age, gender and etc.
The local comic artists will be invited to make their contribution.

Contents:
1. The fuel hike saga and its implications.
2. Why the fuel hikes although we are the petroleum producer? Where did money go?
3. Why we cannot share equally the benefit of Petronas and government?
4. How could we change our lifestyle when the senior government officers did not showed by examples?
5. Why the price hike of goods and services could not be allowed although the government allowed the fuel hike?

Rules and regulations:
1．The artists can submit various designs irrespective of size, but the designs must be drawn in black colour. The use of pencil or pen could not be allowed.
2．The designs will be also reserved for other purposes.
3．The artists will be paid for their printed contributions.
4．The closing date is 19 April 2006.
5．The selection committee will be formed to judge the designs and its decision is final.
6．Contactable persons: Ooi Leng Hang 012－3639080 or Loh Chee Heng 03-92857532.

Submission:
1．The designs could be posted to DAP Malaysia: 24, Jalan 20/9, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor or email to ooilenghang@gmail.com, and cc copy Mail to: ps@dapsy.dapmalaysia.org.
2．The size for the soft copy of the designs should not less than 500kb.

What a sigh, our history textbook!

Should history textbooks make you love your country? Most people would probably answer "yes." But what is the purpose to learn history? Should history only highlighted the "radiant" side in order to feed the egos of those dim-witted imbeciles. (I like this adjective and borrowing it from Tony's statement on history here. :)) Someone said that "if you don't know history, you remain forever a child." Somehow, our dim-witted politicians prefer our younger generation would be better not to know so many things than to know so many things that are not so....got it?

In fact, we all know that this "incomplete and imbalanced" approach to Malaysia history and culture can serve no positive purposes. Only by correcting these historical myths and misconceptions, it could help combat bigotry and ethnocentrism and teach us to value our nation's diversity. By making history more inclusive, it can broaden our perspective, allowing us to see through other peoples' eyes, and therefore temper cultural misunderstandings. But, in the globalizational era like now, our YBs boleh faham kah!?

An online petition to the Malaysian Government

To: The Malaysian Government

We, the undersigned, Malaysian men and women from all ethnic and faith backgrounds, are concerned about recent events and statements that undermine the supremacy of the Federal Constitution.

We wish to remind our national leaders that Article 4(1) emphatically

declares that the Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and that the oath of office of all parliamentarians, cabinet ministers and judges is singularly to defend the Constitution.

Further, Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution states that 'Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation'.

The Federation of Malaya Constitutional Commission, 1956-57 Report, states that this Article 'shall not imply that the State is not a secular State'. The Supreme Court decision in Che Omar Che Soh (1988) reaffirmed that "the law in this country is still what it is today, secular law".

Yet, increasingly we hear claims that Malaysia is an Islamic state.Liberty and justice for all Malaysians may only effectively be realizedthrough an independent judiciary with full powers of review. Sadly,Malaysians have witnessed the abdication of this power by our judges largely due to an ill-conceived amendment to the Constitution in 1988. In recent cases in the High Courts, judges have declined to adjudicate on pressing issues simply because they involved some elements of Islamic law, leaving litigants without any remedy. This is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs and one which no civil society must endure.We recognise that the spirit of the Constitution encompasses universal values of democracy, good governance and respect for all. This is compatible with the principles of all faiths represented in Malaysia.

We therefore:
- call on the government and judiciary to uphold the supremacy of the Federal Constitution;
- call upon the government to ensure governance in accordance with the Federal Constitution and premised on the universal values of all Malaysian peoples;
- call upon the government to reaffirm that Malaysia shall not become a theocratic state;

- call upon the government to recognise the proper position of the judiciary within the Constitutional framework, as an independent and equal arm of Government.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned Click http://www.PetitionOnline.com/constsup/petition.html to sign this petition

Public Forum

HEALTH! WATER & THE RIGHT TO KNOW!

The Government's recent pronouncements on both our water service system and our public health care system has left many unanswered questions. Early last year, the government announced a new health financing scheme, calling it the National Healthcare Fund. The Coalition Against Healthcare Privatisation comprising 82 organisations in Malaysia have been pursuing adialogue with the Ministry of Health and to date the coalition does not know exactly how the health financing scheme is going to take place. Information has been sparse at best and there is growing concern that this "Fund" will have far-reaching effects on the way health care is managed and delivered in Malaysia. To add to our concern, the Health Minister flatly denied any knowledge of the apointment of a consultant for the proposed scheme. At the same time certain government hospitals have already started their own small "private wings". Meanwhile The Coalition Against Water Privatisation (CAWP) has been urging the Government for a more tranparent and accountable public management of our water system. The goverment is proposing two water related bills i.e. The Water Services Industry Bill 2005 and The Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan AirNegar a Bill 2005. These two bills, not only do not guarantee that thewater services will not be privatised in the future, instead will paveway for steps to privatise water services.

The right to water and the right to an adequate and affordable healthcare system are our basic rights which must be guaranteed by the State. Efforts at privatisation of such fundamental issues will without doubt affect us all, more so those from the lower income group. The lack of information and transparency surrounding these efforts have caused added hardship for citizens who want to have a say in matters that directly impact their lives. The recently established Freedom of Information Coalition, a grouping of NGOs and individuals hopes to raise awareness among Malaysians our our right to know, our right toinformation and our right to public participation! As such The Coalition Against Water Privatisation, The Coalition against Healthcare Privatisation and The Freedom of Information Coalition wouldlike to invite you to attend a public forum which will discuss and examine these issues.

The details are as follows:

DATE:10 MARCH 2006 (FRIDAY)

TIME:7:45PM - 10:00PM

VENUE: SELANGOR CHINESE ASSEMBLY HALL,

No 1, JALAN MAHARAJALELA, KL

For registration and further inquiries you may contact:

Cynthia Gabriel: 012 379 2189 -

Latheefa Koya: 012 3842 972

No money no talk!

The working class in Malaysia today would be bonded with Sam Hui's music, my favourite singer. His lyrics poked fun at ordinary life and complained of struggles. l'm glad that I'm a Cantonese who can appreciate his songs, also, he can bring out the plight of the poor in lively, soulful ballads, as well as poking fun at the rich, making satirical jokes about the rich and poor alike! Eventhough his songs are written for Hong Kong people, but yet we could share the same feeling as we are now living in a high price but low pay era....

Use these to sing along if you want.

Remember to include people saying "Chi Chi Chi Chi" and ":No money no talk" in the background throughout the song...

Sang Yat Yiu Tsin Dor (Always need more money)

Gone Shui Mud Doh Woh (No money everything is no luck)

Jeh Tsin Jui Tsit Doh (Borrowing money is dishonourably.... )

Pah Die Ai Kite Goh (Begging someone on your knees)

(Lyric of : Bon Kan Ba Leung)
我地呢班打工仔通街走 直頭係壞腸胃
搵個些少到月底點夠洗(奀過鬼)
確係認真濕滯最弊
波士郁的發威(癲過雞)
一味係處係唔係就亂黎吠
翕親加薪塊面挪起惡睇(扭下計)你就認真開胃
(半斤八兩)做到隻積咁既樣
(半斤八兩)濕水炮仗點會響
(半斤八兩)夠薑呀楂支槍去搶出左半斤力，
想話欏番足八兩家陣惡搵食邊有半斤八兩咁理想(吹漲)
我地呢班打工仔一生一世為錢幣做奴隸
個種辛苦折墮講出嚇鬼(死俾你睇)咪話冇乜所謂
(半斤八兩)就算有福都無你享(半斤八兩)
仲慘過滾水碌豬腸(半斤八兩)
雞碎咁多都要啄出左半斤力，
想話欏番足八兩家陣惡搵食邊有半斤八兩咁理想(吹漲)
我地呢班打工仔一生一世為錢幣做奴隸
個種辛苦折墮講出嚇鬼(死俾你睇)
咪話冇乜所謂

hmm.....

Seminar on Islamo-Christian civilization

THE INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (IKMAS)UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA

Cordially invites you to SIRI SEMINAR IKMAS

The Case forISLAMO-CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION
By:RICHARD W. BULLIET, Columbia University

Date/Venue: 14 February 2006 (Tuesday),
2.30 pm-4.30 pm
IKMAS Seminar Room,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi

Abstract
Contrary to the "clash of civilizations" theory put forward by SamuelHuntington, the idea of "Islamo-Christian" civilization grows out of manycenturies of historical interaction, cross-fertilization, and sharedexperience between the Christian West and the Middle East and NorthAfrica.The current discord between Islam and the West conceals but does not erasetheir sibling relationship. Cultural traits that Islamophobes deplore allhave parallels in the West, and vice versa. Finding a way to navigatetoday's controversies depends on a deeper understanding of the past.Biographical SketchRichard W. Bulliet is Professor of History at Columbia University in NewYork City. He has been studying Muslim societies and the Middle East formore than forty years and is the author of numerous books and articles.Twoof his books relevant to the present seminar are The Case forIslamo-Christian Civilization (2004) and Islam: The View from the Edge(1993). His current research takes a new approach to the economic andcultural history of Iran in the early Islamic centuries.

All Are Invited(For further information please call 8921-3205/4169 or 8921-3625)

Cartoon Issue: Is Islam Above Criticism?

An article here regarding the recent cartoon issue happened in Europe. Do read it.

How the factor of civilization and religion affected the relation between the West and Islamic world today

Introduction
The wealth of human civilizations is rooted in its great diversity – especially, in the era of globalization. At the same time, however, the differences in cultural identity are often the cause of misunderstandings and the potential roots of crisis and conflict.
The main problem in today relation between the West and Islamic world is the deficiency of mutual understandings, or rather to say, it was and is rooted in the sense of distrust, suspicious and hatred. For instance, given its “crusader mentality”, Islam is often associated with terrorism and violation of human rights as far as the West is concerned. These images of scimitar-wielding hordes easily spring to mind when the concept of Islam is mentioned; while for Islamic world, the West is the corruption of morality, cultural arrogance and avaricious hegemony in force; and these diametrically opposed images become even sharpened after the September 11, 2001.

read my article

What is the significance of the ideas of Enlightenment for our time?

''The intellectual power, honesty, lucidity, courage, and disinterested love of the truth of most gifted thinkers of the eighteenth century remain to this day without parallel. Their age is one of the best and most hopeful episodes in the life of mankind.’

~ Isaiah Berlin

read my article