On Teresa Kok-initiated Suit, Alhabshee's Statements, Rocky's Bru Opinions and Utusan

According to Malaysiakini and The Star online, Teresa Kok, who was detained using ISA is planning to sue Utusan and a certain political figure.

Rocky's Bru posted the entry In defence of Utusan Malaysia . Certain people even applauded UMNO Cheras Syed Ali Alhabshee's initiative to aid Utusan. I remain skeptical over Rocky's Bru and Syed Ali's intentions after reading the entry What Is Press Freedom To You? in the blog "Malaysia Says the Darndest Things".

As for my opinion : Revocation of the suit should only be done if Utusan publishes a formal public apology on its front page.

On the previous statements, I'd say Utusan should only offer a public apology if they are reporting a fake news.

I am not optimistic.

Why Teresa should sue? I think Malaysians know who control the media, and it is certainly not DAP, PAS or PKR. So, if there is any truth that the media is controlled and instructed to write something biased (inconclusive assumption) against the enemies of the controller and this may be very disadvantageous in a lopsided "war" against DAP, PAS, PKR and we all know how widespread traditional media is.

Why we can't equate mainstream media with bloggers?
1) Majority bloggers are not controlled by a single party or entity.

2) Blogs are not as widespread as traditional media. Traditional media can thrive in suburban or village areas whereas the penetration of blogs in this area may be exceedingly low.

3) Blogs allow politicians to explain themselves over the net. Does traditional media allow that (in their papers) if they are controlled or instructed?

The subjects above only apply if the traditional media is controlled and instructed by a single party with political propaganda in mind.

However, if the media is not controlled and free to write and allow Teresa to explain herself to dismiss any form of biased propaganda, then only the suit should be revoked.

No double standards.

P.S. On another subject which may or may not be related : Maybe one day, there should be a form of categorisation to differentiate between news (as in whole truth) and propaganda papers (half truth, twisted truth and lies).

Arrests and Probes on Malaysian Bloggers

RPK Sent to Kamunting (ISA), Teresa Kok, Kickdefella Arrested and Freed, Negarakuku Rapper Probed

Malaysiakini reported Raja Petra sent to Kamunting , written by S Pathmawathy on Sep 23, 08 9:09am
Raja Petra Kamarudin was sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre today to begin his two-year detention under ISA. He arrived at the camp at 11.50am. MORE
-> He is held under section 8 of ISA
-> Detention can be renewed indefinitely

Few days back, Blogger Kickdefella of http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/ was taken to Kuala Lumpur from his hometown Kota Bahru. He recounts his experience in his three posts, Three Nights in Paradise, and Tears of Sadness , I found Al Ghazali in Dang Wangi and Sheih Is Back . Allegedly, it was over the national flag and the way it is being flown / displayed online. Sheih has since been released.

Teresa Kok, a Member of Parliament as well as a blogger ( http://www.teresakok.com/ ), was detained few days before Sheih. Teresa recounts her ISA experience and questions “What have I done? What have I said?”. Earlier, a Sin Chew daily reporter (Tan Hoon Cheng) was also arrested and released on a subsequent day.

Cops grill Negarakuku rapper, Wee Meng Chee ( http://namewee.blogspot.com/ ) was asked to translate his popular but controversial 'Negarakuku' Chinese rap song into Bahasa Malaysia. Namewee (his popular name) is purportedly probed under Sedition act.

On the same day, this news came out, the famous social-political blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia Today ( http://mt.m2day.org/ ) is being sent to Kamunting for detention under Internal Security Act. It was said Raja Petra had earlier seen it coming.

I disagree with the usage of Internal Security Act on anyone. I feel very disappointed and unhappy. I do not know what will happen to Raja Petra when he is in Kamunting.

Guardian.co.uk , one of the famous news sites and publications in Britain has posted an article titled In praise of ... Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin .

Hats off to all bloggers and reporter who have been arrested. I mourn and will not be celebrating Merdeka for a few coming years until I can feel the real spirit of it.

Malaysia Day September 16 : Of ISA and Anticipation

Sin Chew reporter released by Malaysiakini Team on Sep 13, 08 4:19pm
Sin Chew Daily senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released this afternoon and she is now back at home in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
- Held from 8.30pm to 2.30pm
- 'Detained for her own safety'

I was shocked when I read the news above. I did not know that people could be detained for their own safety. It seems the Detained is the one whose safety is compromised and not the person who caused it. Silly me, this is Malaysia. I should not be too surprised with such a thing. After all, our theme is "Malaysia Boleh". Blogger What A Lulu provides a better opinion on this matter.

There are many candlelight vigils which had been held these past few days, by National Union of Journalists, Pakatan Rakyat, bloggers and Seputeh area residents.

jelas.info : The Blog House Vigil
anilnetto.com : Activists hold candle-light vigil in Penang on a dark day for democracy
Malaysiakini : Short vigil in Bukit Aman

etc. etc.

It seems many are not very pleased with the usage of Internal Security Act. That includes me. According to Malaysiakini Law Minister Zaid 'tenders resignation'. If there is anyone from Barisan Nasional that gets my respect now, that person would be Zaid Ibrahim.

Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) is today. It differs from the August 31st Independence Day annual celebration in the sense that Hari Malaysia commemorates the official entry of Eastern Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak into the nation.

In short, Sabah and Sarawak became independent on 16th September.

Will Malaysia get a new government for the very first time after more than half-a-century of having the same party (Barisan Nasional) helming the governance?

My friends, family, colleagues are waiting with bated breath. Some of my chinese friends say this is more anticipatory and intersting than the Mooncake festival they were celebrating on Sunday. Whatever the outcome may be, it has been a long wait.

Will we get it? Read Tian Chua's E Contrario : We Are Ready & On Track and judge for yourself.

Note : Visit http://freeteresa.dapmalaysia.org/ for more information on Teresa's current status. Visit http://mt.m2day.org/2008 for more information on Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is one of the ISA detainees.

ISA should be abolished.

Malaysia on International News - ISA, Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng

Malaysia made news all over the world.

The incident is international now.

UK, America, Australia, Netherlands, Qatar, France Philippines, Canada, Singapore among the many nations wrote about the arrest of Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng were held using draconian law Internal Security Act.

It is advisable for all to read this entry by Nathaniel Tan of Jelas.info : Malaysia’s Moment to Unite .

As a Malaysian, I would say I do not support the use of ISA on anybody.

Using existing laws to deal with the situation is more advisable than internet censoring. However, existing draconian laws should be removed and other common laws should be opted instead.

This is a sad day in Malaysia, especially during the month of Ramadan.

Malaysians, please pay attention to Haris Ibrahim's advice in his post : Don’t fear a dying beast’s last strike, but don’t fall for its rouse either

I would like to call upon all Malaysians to do these:

1. Remain calm

2. Do not do anything rash

3. Do not take to the street

4. Do not be instigated by people to demonstrate

5. Just voice it out in your blog, your comments to the blogs, and inform your friends and relatives about the situation

6. Call your Aduns or MPs and voice out your objection about these arrests and urge your representatives to voice out

7. Members of political parties, sms your leaders to pressure them to voice out

We shall object to these draconian acts by using civility and do not fall into the traps of giving the big brother a chance to declare emergency rule……

There are many other things that we should heed from the posting above.

Malaysians - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Iban, Kadazan.. etc all should stay calm and united. We should love each other as Malaysians ....
_____________________________________________

International News

Malaysia: Free Journalists and Parliamentarian Human Rights Watch (press release) - The Malaysian government should immediately and unconditionally release two journalists and an opposition politician arrested on September 12, 2008, ...

Leading website editor arrested under Internal Security Act Reporters without borders (press release), France - Reporters Without Borders condemns today’s arrest of online journalist Raja Petra Kamarudin, for posing a threat to “security, peace and public order” under ...

Malaysian opposition lawmaker, 2 journalists held International Herald Tribune, US - Police arrested a Malaysian opposition lawmaker and two journalists on Friday under a law allowing their indefinite detention without trial, sparking fears the government was preparing a major crackdown on dissent. Opposition parties denounced the arrests as a violation of human rights and a setback to democracy......

Blogger's detention sparks fears BBC News, UK - By Robin Brant Late on Tuesday night, I spoke to Raja Petra Kamarudin. We were supposed to meet face-to-face earlier in the day, but Malaysia's most ...

Malaysia blogger's arrest creates dangerous precedent guardian.co.uk, UK - Even before his arrest, Malaysia's most political blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin, was attracting hundreds of readers to Malaysia Today, a website renowned ...

Amid arrests and threats, Malaysia cracks down CPJ Press Freedom Online, New York -The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the arrests today of Raja Petra Kamarudin, founder and editor of the ...

Malaysia Internet Ban on Anti-Government Web Site Draws Outcry eWeek, New York - has pulled the plug on a popular news portal often critical of the government, sparking protests from a resurgent opposition. ...

Malaysia‘s top anti-government blogger arrested Ottawa Recorder, Canada - Police arrested Malaysia‘s top anti-government blogger Friday under a law allowing ...

KL nabs 3 in ISA crackdown Straits Times, Singapore - MALAYSIA yesterday embarked on a crackdown, arresting controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and a ...

Police arrest Malaysian blogger ABC Online, Australia - A prominent anti-government blogger in Malaysia has been detained under the country's harsh Internal Security ...

Malaysian blogger arrested Aljazeera.net, Qatar - Malaysian authorities have detained a government critic by invoking a colonial-era security law that allows for indefinite detention without trial. ...

Malaysian opposition defers bid for power Gulf Times, Qatar - Malaysia’s opposition alliance has deferred a planned bid to unseat the government, initially set for September 16, although a media crackdown ...

Malaysian bloggers, journalists brace for wider crackdown Inquirer.net, Philippines - AT least two bloggers, a journalist, and one opposition politician were arrested under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA) on September 12 in what media ...

Malaysian politician, reporters detained under security law Monsters and Critics.com - Malaysian police have detained an opposition lawmaker, a local reporter and a controversial blogger under a draconian law that allows for ...

Malaysia arrests blogger, probes 3 newspapers Reuters India, India - Malaysian police arrested a prominent blogger on Friday while authorities probed three newspapers, including a Chinese daily, ...

Malaysian blogger Raja Petra detained ZDNet Asia, Asia - The Malaysian government Thursday lifted its controversial directive to block access to political portal Malaysia Today but ...

Malaysian Blogger Arrested for Anti-Government Comments Online The Inquisitr, Australia - Authorities in Malaysia arrested editor and founder of Malaysia Today Raja Petra Kamarudin for posting anti-govenment comments on his website. ...

Malaysia locks up journalist Radio Netherlands, Netherlands - Malaysian authorities have arrested Malaysian journalist Raja Petra Kamarudin, two weeks after banning his popular news blog, Malaysia Today. ...

Malaysian Blogger Arrested PoliGazette, Netherlands - Raja Petra Kamarudin, a popular blogger-activist in Malaysia, was arrested by government officials Friday afternoon. The government accuses Kamarudin, ...

Carol Chew's Sexist Billboards : NGOs and Seputeh Reacted

Previously I posted the entry Woman Sexist Against Another Woman in Seputeh . Carol Chew of MCA enacted several billboards around Seputeh in a campaign against Teresa Kok of DAP.

Oh Carol, what have you done? Now, you are in trouble. The major Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has started condemning your actions. People of Seputeh are already alert on this. It is only 5 days away from the Big Day 080308.

CIJ's Stand (got this in my mailbox)
CIJ condemns BN sexist approach to attack opponent

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the tactics used by MCA candidate for Seputeh Carol Chew in launching extremely sexist billboards against her opponent from DAP and incumbent Teresa Kok.

Chew was said to have launched the billboards which depict Kok as a "loose woman" who would two time her constituents.

"It is very disappointing that Chew, herself a woman, has stooped so low to attack her political opponent. Chew is like her colleagues in the Barisan Nasional who show disrespect to women and thrive in a patriarchal and sexist environment.

"We urge Chew to remove the billboards and apologise to Kok and all women in Malaysia as we take offence to the kind of politics the BN chooses to promote," said CIJ executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran.

She said there is no meaning to the BN's decision of fielding more women candidates if it does not promote gender sensitive candidates, be they men or women. It is doubtful that the BN will be able to advance gender equality as their agenda if their candidates do not make an attempt to challenge gender stereotypes and discrimination.

Gayathry also expressed regret to the aggressive treatment shown to representatives of the Women's Candidacy Initiative 2 (WCI2) who were attempting to meet Sungai Siput incumbent and MIC president S. Samy Vellu on Sunday.

According to reports in Malaysiakini, the women were shoved and had their placards damaged as they tried to ask Samy Vellu his stand on gender equality.

"The agenda by WCI and the experiences faced by women show that there is an urgent need to demand for greater gender equality. If candidates like MCA's Chew cannot prove that they are different from their peers, then they must be rejected," she said.

JAG's Stand
From Sassy MP and Malaysiakini : Kok raps rival over ’sexist’ posters

Conduct ethical campaigns

In a related development, the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) today expressed its disappointment with the two cartoon-styled billboards in the Seputeh constituency.

JAG said that the billboards depicted Kok in a manner that degraded her as a woman and trivialized her work as an MP.

“The sexualized cartoons of her (in a tight, bright red dress, red high heels and flitting from one “lover” to the next) sets women up as sex objects,” said the group in a statement.

“Sexist comments demean women and when made in relation to their work, violate their right to a safe working environment.

“This incident highlights again the need for mandatory gender sensitisation programmes for all members of political parties and MPs,” it added.

JAG urged all political parties to conduct their election campaigns on a more ethical basis.

People of Seputeh's Stand
Protest Against Sexist Caricature Bill Board


Teresa Kok's statements : This morning I called a press conference together with a group of residents and supporters at Happy Garden adjacent to the two offending sexist caricature on bill boards erected by MCA Seputeh. In reply, we have put up a banner with Chinese and English wordings stating: “MCA uses women to discriminate women”

Some women folks who came to the press conference were most enraged over the offending caricatures which appeared in the China Press today and took the MCA to task in the presence of many journalists.

Quite a number of reporters and photographers showed up, including main stream media like the Utusan Malaysia, The Star, NST, RTM2 Mandarin News and etc.

I told the press that I was quite surprised that Carol Chew has launched these sexist carricatures on bill boards. I said I was disappointed shocked that Carol told the China press yesterday that she did not find the caricatures as sexist or humiliating to women when it was explicitly offensive to women and more so defamatory.

Conclusion
Carol, I believe the females and residents of Seputeh area are waiting for your apology.

Updated 4th March 2008, 11.16 a.m.
The sexist billboards have been removed. The public is still waiting for an apology.

Woman Sexist Against Another Woman in Seputeh

... and I thought only men are sexist against women.


Picture from Jed Yoong's Seputeh Seat Sizzles .

I would like to plead to Carol Chew Chee Lin, age 27 of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) which is a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) to use a more gracious way of campaigning. As a person of the opposing party in Seputeh, you can attempt to question Teresa's capabilities but please respect an individual from the same sex.

Carol should bear in mind that Seputeh people are educated enough to know sexism is unacceptable. I recalled there was one particular year someone actually made a highly sexist remark on a lady. Seputeh people were deeply shocked. That guy lost in the election terribly. I hope that is not Carol's aspiration for her first ever election but one would never know what is on another's mind.

I wonder whether Carol would like it if Seputeh people were to discriminate her on the basis that she is young and new therefore stereotype her as incapable? That wouldn't be fair to her, right? I urge the Seputeh people not to judge Carol based on that.

I respect and trust that capable ladies can manage two seats with the help of her assistants. I am willing to give it a try. Besides, Gobind Singh Deo is contesting in Puchong.

Please read Teresa Kok's recent post : Carol Chew Made Sexist Cartoon Billboard Against Me . Please check out whether Malaysiakini is featuring this piece of news .....

Nomination Day for Teresa Kok (Seputeh) in Sri Petaling

Nomination Day was on Sunday, 24th February 2008. I was cordially invited by my friends to record and support Democratic Action Party (DAP). DAP is part of the Barisan Rakyat group comprising a few political parties that endorsed the People's Declaration to serve the country and all its people.

The documents on the People's Declaration can be viewed here. Haris Ibrahim and the People's Parliament are behind this meaningful initiative:

1) The People's Voice and The People's Declaration (online version)
2) The People’s Voice (PDF version )
3) The People’s Declaration (PDF version)
4) Piagam Rakyat (PDF version)
5) The People’s Declaration (Mandarin) (PDF version)

Hidup Barisan Rakyat! On 23rd February 2008 (a day before normination), representatives from various political parties (PKR, DAP, PAS etc.) had agreed and accepted the document in the Blog House, Damansara. Malaysiakini made a video recording on the historical event as well.

These are the pictures taken from Bandar Baru Sri Petaling .....



People started to gather around 7 a.m. Flags, caps and banners were distributed to everyone.


Teresa Kok's banner. People were making sure everything is ready before moving. "Jom, Ubah!" is the slogan on the banner.


The leading car started to move. As you can see everyone was enjoying themselves. The crowd threaded the car.


The crowd walked towards the nomination center. Flags were raise and cars on the road honked in support while supporters exclaimed slogans on "Change!" and "Support DAP!".


The "cheerleader" of the day. He looked experienced.


The entourage reached the nomination Sri Petaling Community Hall which functioned temporarily as the nomination center. The 2 aunties were holding DAP's emblem for Election 2008. Nomination time started at 8.00 a.m.


Teresa Kok's representative for submission of nomination. She was being interviewed by the mainstream media. There was another man meeting the officer with this lady in turquoise shirt. He moved ahead already.


Supporters waited for the procedures to complete. Objection period was from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.


View from the other side. MCA is fielding its lady candidate, Carol Chew Chee Lin, 27.


The job was completed. The representatives returned. Now everything is set for the Big Day 8th March 2008. It is Woman vs Woman on International Women's Day ! I hope the ladies will ask Pak Lah why the election was arranged to coincide with the International Women's Day.


DAP T-shirt on Loving and Saving Malaysia.


The DAP emblem and motto for Election 2008.


Event Published in Malay Mail
Malay Mail reported Teresa and Carol run for Seputeh . According to the Malay Mail: “She (Teresa Kok) doesn’t care about the people in Seputeh. She’s not even here today,” remarked several supporters of the BN at the centre.

Now, why wasn't Teresa in Seputeh. That was because she had to present herself in Kinrara for the State Seat candidate nomination.

Teresa's performance in the Parliament was brilliant. She voiced out on many matters for the community such as the nude squat issue, the highway in Sri Petaling affecting the nearby houses, the muhibbah road signboard issue, land issues, etc. etc. There were aunties who told me she sometimes would visit markets in the morning, speak with the people and ask them if there are any community issues that need to be solved.

She did all that even though her schedule was packed. Alfred Ho, the Visually-Impaired but Famous Singer oficially joined Democratic Action Party because Teresa was the only one who took the initiative to meet him.

The Seputeh community would understand that the time and date of the nomination runs in parallel all over Malaysia. It does not matter if she is "here" for the nomination. The most important thing is, she is always "here" in the Seputeh area when the people needed her as exemplified by my writings above. The contributions are always more important.

Will MCA be "there" for the community when the keris is waved with sensitive remarks spoken? Wasn't MCA the one who said it was acceptable by the Malaysian community? The least of all PKR, DAP and even PAS were "there" to discourage it.

I call for people of Seputeh to give Teresa your votes based on her good performance in the constituency. I call for people of Kinrara to give a chance to Gobind Singh (DAP , Parliamentary - Puchong) and Teresa (DAP, State - Kinrara).

Cikgu Ahmad (PAS candidate, Seri Serdang) paid a visit to Gobind and Teresa during nomination. Best wishes to Cikgu Ahmad as well.

People, please vote for Barisan Rakyat in Election 2008 ( PKR , DAP , PAS ) . There will not be any three-cornered fights. There will only be an opposition against a BN candidate at each seat.

Alfred Ho, the Famous Blind Singer Joined DAP !

Alfred Ho, the Visually-Impaired but Famous Singer had oficially joined Democratic Action Party (DAP) at a Press Conference in DAP Seputeh office on 14th October 2007, 11.00 a.m.
Biodata: http://alfredhosinger.blogspot.com/2007/08/biodata.html
Blog: http://alfredhosinger.blogspot.com/

Updated on 16 Feb 2008, 3.59 p.m.
Alfred had informed me that he will be using the new address http://alfredhomusic.blogspot.com/ because of some complications with his old blog. Please visit for updates on his views and details on upcoming performances.

The event was coordinated by MP-in-residence Seputeh Teresa Kok . MP Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun and MP Cheras Tan Kok Wai were present to welcome Mr. Alfred Ho into DAP.

Ms. Teresa Kok started the ball rolling by thanking those who came, announced Mr. Alfred's joining and passed the microphone to him to state his causes.

Alfred Ho's words
A visually-impaired person does not necessarily mean one is less concerned about the politics and society of his homeland, Malaysia. Mr. Alfred Ho (thereupon referred to as Alfred) is an avid and seasoned reader of political affairs particularly through the internet, traversing through multiple blogs and famous news sites such as The Star, Malaysia Today and Malaysiakini ( http://www.malaysiakini.com/ ).

It seems that Ms. Teresa came to know him because he lives in her constituency. Having some problems with his daily life due to some purported discrimination because of his disability, he seek for her help by sending e-mails with related content.

Previously, Alfred stated that he had tried to approach various governmental organisations and parties for assistance but was not able to get the help that he wanted. Only Ms. Teresa took the initiative to meet with him and approach in a positive manner. This is what prompted Alfred to commit himself to DAP to further his causes.

Besides that, Alfred had also alleged that he is also being discriminated for his political standing, as can be seen from the published letters in his blog.

On matters of national interest, he mentioned his opinion that the Angkasawan project is a waste of public funds that could be better used to serve the poor citizens. Alfred is deeply concerned with the current state of corruption in the nation.

It seems that Malaysians are not concerned enough because "they still have money to spend" but judging by the current state of corruption, he calls for all to react before "it is too late". He strives for equality for all, regardless of race and religion. He reiterated that there should be no discrimination even to those disabled.

Earlier, before he started his announcement he stated the sentence "If a blind man can be so concerned until he had to join politics, then something must be very wrong with the country !"

How does a Visually-Impaired person use the computer ?
Alfred uses a Speech Recognition software. It is an incredible tool that allows them to navigate softwares effectively. Words displayed on websites can be translated and transmitted as audio. As for using the keyboard, Alfred was trained in typing. Being quite a fast typist, writing e-mails or commenting in forums is not a problem for him.

MPs' Words
After Mr. Fong Kui Lun welcomed Alfred into the party, Tan Kok Wai urged the nation to use voting as a way to improve the situation in Malaysia. As someone used to say "These days corruption is no longer under the table, it is on the table".

The MP mentioned about Singapore Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew's statement on the potential that Singapore may rejoin Malaysia if equality is practised. He seconded it and re-emphasised the concept with education.

The three MPs then took out a newspaper article published in Chinese. It was displayed the promises of the current Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should the citizens vote for him. In 2004, Abdullah received landslide victory. A number of his promises are unfulfilled it seems.

This year is the 50th year of Malaysian Independence. MP Tan Kok Wai said the citizens in general has no confidence in the current governance. DAP stands against the abuse of power and corruption.

The press conference ended with a Q & A session and Alfred passing his participation form to the DAP MPs. Alfred sang several songs from his music albums to entertain the crowd of press, friends and fans.








P.S. : Sagaladoola is not a member of DAP but decides to do justice to any parties or individuals that may be disadvantaged by the shocking Printing, Presses and Publications Act . MP Teresa Kok wrote a blog entry on this event as well .