Isnin, 9 Mei 2011

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Lim Guan Eng

Posted: 09 May 2011 01:29 AM PDT

Lim Guan Eng


Joint Statement by the Christian Pastors of Penang with the Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng (be/bm/cn))

Posted: 09 May 2011 12:53 AM PDT

KOMTAR, Penang 9th May 2011

1. DAP and the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng have never asked Christian Pastors to pray to seek God's divine intervention to establish Malaysia as a Christian state or have a Christian Prime Minister.

2. Christian Pastors and Churches have always prayed for blessings for the nation, peace and well-being, unity and harmony amongst all races as well as a leadership that is honest and just.

3. Christian Pastors and Churches are aggrieved that such outright lies can be published in the mass media. We sincerely and strongly urge the Prime Minister and Home Minister to take action against Utusan Malaysia for printing and spreading such dangerous lies that have disturbed the multi-religious harmony of society, created fear and uneasiness amongst Malaysians, especially Christians.

4. We express grave concern that Utusan Malaysia is spreading dangerous lies that make Christians the object of hate and incite hatred against Christians that may lead to undesirable consequences.

5. The Chief Minister of Penang will continue to meet with Christian leaders, Bishops or Pastors just as he meets with Muslim clerics, Buddhist or Hindu monks in line with Mr. Lim Guan Eng's duties as the Chief Minister.


Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM)

a)Roman Catholic Church
b)Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM)
c) National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia

Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minsiter

———– Malay Translation ————-
Kenyataan bersama antara Paderi- paderi Kristian Pulau Pinang dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, YAB Lim Guan Eng pada 9 Mei 2011 di Komtar, Penang.

1. DAP dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng tidak pernah meminta paderi- paderi Kristian berdoa meminta Tuhan untuk campur tangan dalam usaha untuk membentuk Malaysia sebagai negara Kristian ataupun mempunyai Perdana Menteri Kristian.

2. Paderi Kristian dan pihak Gereja selalunya berdoa agar diberi keberkatan kepada negara, keamanan dan kehidupan yang lebih baik, penyatuan dan keharmonian di antara semua bangsa dan kepimpinan yang jujur dan adil.

3. Pihak paderi dan gereja dibelenggu kekecewaan berikutan dakwaan penipuan tersebut yang dilaporkan di media massa. Kami dengan tulus mendesak agar Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Dalam Negeri untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap Utusan Malaysia yang mencetak dan menyebarkan pembohongan berbahaya seperti yang telah menganggu keharmonian kepelbagaian agama daripada pelbagai masyarakat, mencetuskan rasa takut dan gelisah di kalangan rakyat Malaysia terutama di kalangan penganut Kristian.

4. Kami melahirkan keprihatinan bahawa Utusan Malaysia menyebarkan pembohongan yang sungguh bahaya yang boleh menyebabkan kebencian diwujudkan terhadap penganut agama Kristian dan juga membolehkan perasaan kebencian diwujudkan terhadap penganut agama Kristian yang boleh menyebabkan implikasi- implikasi yang tidak diingini.

5. Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang akan terus mengadakan perjumpaan dengan pemimpin Kristian, Ketua Paderi ataupun Paderi seperti mana perjumpaan yang dilakukan terhadap ulama- ulama Islam, sami- sami Buddha atau Hindu selaras dengan tanggungjawab saya sebagai Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang.

6. Kenyataan bersama ini dibuat bersama Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) yang dianggotai oleh:

a)Roman Catholic Church

b)Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM)

c) National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia

Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, YAB Lim Guan Eng

———– Chinese Translation ————-

槟城基督教牧师与槟城首席部长林冠英于2011年5月9日

在槟城光大发表联合声明:

1. 民主行动党和槟州首席部长林冠英从来不曾要求基督教牧师向上帝祷告,建立基督教国,或让基督徒成为首相。

2. 基督教牧师和教会向来都祈求我国人民安居乐业、各族人民团结与和谐,以及诚实及公正的领导。

3. 基督教牧师和教会感到痛心疾首,因为如此荒唐的谎言竟然可以刊登在大众媒体上。我们诚心与强烈地要求首相和内政部长对付《马来西亚前锋报》,他们刊登并散播如此危险的谎言,这可能破坏社会多元宗教和谐、令马来西亚人特别是基督徒感到恐慌、不安。

4. 对于《前锋报》散播危险谎言,令基督徒成为遭仇恨的目标,以及煽动反对基督徒的情绪,令基督徒置身于不安的情况,我们表示高度关注。

5. 槟州首席部长将继续与基督徒领袖、主教或牧师会面,正如他也与回教神职人员、佛教或兴都教僧侣会面一样,这是林冠英履行他身为槟州首长的义务。

马来西亚基督教联合会 (CFM)

a) 天主教堂
b) 马来西亚教会协会 (CCM)
c) 马来西亚福音联谊会(National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia)

林冠英,槟州首席部长

UMNO Inspired Demonstration In Butterworth Shows The Dangerous Political Games Of UMNO (be/bm/cn)

Posted: 08 May 2011 11:27 PM PDT

UMNO Inspired Demonstration In Butterworth Shows The Dangerous Political Games Of UMNO Not Just Opposing A Toll-Free Alternative Road But Playing With Fire Through Blatant Lies That DAP Wants To Create A Christian State And A Christian Prime Minister To Win Malay Support At Any Cost.

The UMNO inspired demonstration in my constituency of Bagan(Butterworth) yesterday shows that dangerous political games of UMNO in not just opposing a toll-free alternative road that cost less than RM 2.5 million. What is more risky to the country's racial and religious harmony is that these UMNO-inspired demonstrators used the blatant lies that DAP wants to create a Christian state and Prime Minister to condemn me.

It is utterly irresponsible of UMNO to play with fire by spreading such lies through their newspaper Utusan Malaysia just to win Malay support at any cost. Many Christian leaders have expressed utter dismay at these provocative lies and denied vehemently that there are groups of Christian pastors working with DAP to create a Christian state and Prime Minister.

By failing to stop the UMNO-owned Utusan Malaysia from continuing this hate campaign of lies, the BN government is inciting hate against the minority Christian community. DAP express grave concern that this hate campaign against Christians by Utusan Malaysia may not just stop at verbal attacks. The BN government has to bear full responsibility for any undesirable consequences on the Christian community in Malaysia based on Utusan hate campaign of lies.

DAP has reiterated our stand in endorsing the Federal Constitution that Islam is the religion of Malaysia. DAP is opposed to the establishment of any theocratic state from any religion. This position of supporting Islam as stated in our Federal Constitution is even included in the DAP party constitution.

DAP regrets that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called for calm by promising to investigate the allegations without stating that action would taken against Utusan Malaysia if found to be printing false news. Clearly, the BN government has not only failed to stop Utusan Malaysia from continuing with such baseless attacks but has even encouraged them by promising action against Christian pastors and the DAP if found to be true. Why has the BN government not promised to take stern action against Utusan Malaysia when Utusan's lies are exposed?

Such double-standards by BN leaders lend suspicion that Utusan enjoys full immunity as an UMNO-owned paper to spread dangerous lies and is allowed to conduct its campaign of hate against minority peaceful Christians, who are helpless to defend themsleves.

In the demonstration against me yesterday, UMNO has every right to oppose a toll-free alternative road from Jalan Bagan 29-Jalan Siram that cost much less than the estimated cost of RM 5 million. Through the Penang PR government's famed open tender system, the cost was brought down to RM 3.3 million. The contractor who won the project was a Malay contractor who brought down the cost further by another RM800,000 to RM2.5 million through close monitoring by the Penang State EXCO member YB Lim Hock Seng.

This is a classic case of a state government project costing less than than the awarded tender price that would never happen in a BN state, which would invariably cost more than the tendered price. Further the contractor doing the project is a Malay, proving that not only can a Malay contractor compete under the open tender system but that the Penang PR government gave a majority of government contracts to Malays.

It is regrettable that UMNO opposes a free alternative road but has never organised a demonstration against a tolled road. This is the essential difference between BN and PR. BN wants to build toll roads to collect money from the public without providing any free alternative roads. PR wants to provide an alternative toll-free road.

BN and UMNO has every right to protest and oppose the PR state government building this toll-free alternative road in Jalan Bagan(Butterworth). This is essentially a difference of principle and nation-building policy between BN and PR.

However, no one has a right to run a campaign based on lies and UMNO has no right to protest against something that is just not true. Or else where would this end? If our country is built on lies, then collapse is certain.

Malaysians regardless of race and religion must stand up together against UMNO and Utusan Malaysia who are playing with fire and are ready to burn 1Malaysia with the racist agenda of 1 Melayu/1 bumi, 1 Cina of MCA or 1 India of MIC.

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 9.5.2011.

————- Malay Translation ——————

Kenyataan Akhbar oleh Setiausah Agung DAP merangkap Ahli Parlimen Bagan, YAB Lim Guan Eng pada 9 Mei 2011 di Kuala Lumpur.

Demonstrasi yang terinspirasi oleh UMNO di Butterworth menunjukkan permainan politik bahaya UMNO yang bukan sahaja menentang pembukaan jalan alternatif bebas tol, malah bermain dengan apai menerusi pembohongan bahawa DAP ingin menubuhkan sebuah negara Kristian dan melantik Perdana Menteri yang beragama Kristian, semuanya untuk meraih sokongan kaum Melayu tidak kira apa kosnya.

Demonstrasi yang terinspirasi oleh UMNO di kawasan parlimen saya, Bagan (Butterworth) semalam menunjukkan permainan politik bahaya UMNO yang bukan sahaja menentang pembukaan jalan alternatif bebas tol yang harganya kurang daripada RM2.5juta. Lebih membahayakan keharmonian kaum dan agama di negara ini adalah demonstrasi yang terinspirasi oleh UMNO ini menyebar kata-kata bohong secara terang-terangan dengan menuduh DAP berhasrat untuk membentuk negara Kristian dan melantik Perdana Menteri beragama Kristian untuk mengutuk diri saya.

Adalah amat tidak bertanggungjawab bagi pihak UMNO untuk bermain api dengan menyebarkan pembohongan melalui surat khabarnya Utusan Malaysia semata- mata ingin meraih sokongan kaum Melayu walau apa cara sekalipun. Ramai pemimpin di kalangan komuniti agama Kristian turut melahirkan kekecewaan atas penipuan bersifat provokasi ini dan menafi dengan sekeras-kerasnya bahawa wujud kumpulan paderi Kristian yang bekerjasama dengan DAP untuk membentuk sebuah negara Kristian dengan Perdana Menteri yang beragama Kristian.

Kegagalan menghentikan akhbar milik UMNO, Utusan Malaysia daripada meneruskan kempen pembohongannya, kerajaan BN sekali lagi menghasut kebencian terhadap komuniti minoriti Kristian. DAP amat khuatir bahawa kempen benci yang dilancarkan terhadap orang beragama Kristian oleh Utusan Malaysia ini tidak akan berhenti setakat serangan lisan sahaja. Kerajaan BN perlu menanggung sepenuhnya tanggungjawab terhadap sebarang akibat yang tidak diingini yang berlaku pada komuniti Kristian di Malaysia berikutan dengan kempen bohong dan benci oleh Utusan ini.

DAP telah mengulangi pendirian parti kami yang menyokong Perlembagaan Persekutuan di mana Islam adalah agama Persekutuan Malaysia. DAP menentang sebarang cubaan untuk membentuk negara teokratis yang berdasarkan mana-mana agama. Bahkan dasar menyokong kedudukan Islam sebagaimanamana yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan adalah juga termaktub dalam perlembagaan parti DAP.

DAP merasa kesal bahawa Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak telah menyeru semua pihak supaya bertenang dan berjanji akan menyiasat dakwaan yang berkenaan tanpa menyatakan apakah tindakan yang akan diambil terhadap Utusan Malaysia sekiranya didapati ianya mencetak berita palsu. Jelas sekali, kerajaan BN bukan sahaja gagal untuk menghalang Utusan Malaysia daripada terus membuat serangan tidak berasas, malah telah memberikan galakan kepada Utusan dengan berjanji untuk mengambil tidakan terhadap paderi Kristian dan DAP jika terbukti beritanya benar. Mengapa kerajaan BN tidak berjanji untuk mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap Utusan Malaysia sekiranya akhbar berkenaan dibuktikan menyiarkan berita palsu?

Double- standard seperti ini daripada barisan pemimpin BN menimbulkan kecurigaan bahawa Utusan menikmati kekebalan sebagai akhbar milik UMNO yang dibenarkan untuk menyebarkan pembohongan bahaya dan melancarkan kempen benci terhadap kaum minoriti Kristian yang tidak berdaya untuk mempertahankan diri mereka.

Dalam demonstrasi terhadap saya semalam, UMNO memang berhak untuk menentang pembinaan jalan alternatif tanpa tol yang dibuka semalam di Jalan Bagan 29-Jalan Siram yang memakan kos kurang daripada anggaran awal iaitu RM5 juta. Melalui kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat yang melaksanakan sistem tender terbuka, kos pembinaan telah berjaya dikurangkan kepada RM3.3 juta. Kontraktor yang mengendalikan projek tersebut merupakan kontraktor Melayu yang telah berjaya mengurangkan kos jauh lebih rendah iaitu RM800,000 menjadikan kos akhir hanya RM2.5 juta. Semua ini telah dilakukan melalui pengawasan rapi daripada EXCO Kerajaan Pulau Pinang, YB Lim Hock Seng.

Ini adalah kes yang klasik di mana kos projek di bawah pengawasan Kerajaan Negeri dapat dikurangkan sehingga lebih rendah dari kos yang ditender, sesuatu yang tidak akan berlaku di negeri BN. Lebih-lebih lagi, kontraktor yang berjaya melakukan kerja dengan baik adalah kontraktor Melayu, sekali lagi membuktikan bahawa bukan sahaja kontraktor Melayu boleh bersaing di bawah sistem tender tebuka tetapi kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Pulau Pinang juga turut memberi majoriti projek kita kepada kontraktor Melayu.

Sangat menyedihkan apabila UMNO sanggup menentang jalan alternatif percuma tetapi tidak pula mengadakan demonstrasi menentang jalan yang dikenakan tol. Ini adalah perbezaan penting ketara di antara BN dan PR. BN hendak membuat jalan bertol untuk mengaut duit daripada rakyat tanpa menyediakan jalan alternatif percuma lain. PR pula menyediakan jalan alternatif tanpa tol.

BN dan UMNO mempunyai hak untuk membantah dan menentang kerajaan PR Pulau Pinang di atas pembinaan jalan alternatif tanpa tol di Jalan Bagan (Butterwrorth). Ini ternyata terdapat perbezaan prinsip dan Polisi Bangunan Kebangsaan antara BN dan PR.

Walau bagaimanapun, tiada seorang pun yang berhak melancarkan suatu kempen berdasarkan pembohongan dan UMNO tidak berhak untuk membantah sesuatu perkara yang tidak benar. Kalau tidak, sampai bilakah semua ini akan berakhir? Jika negara kita dibina atas pembohongan, maka ianya semestinya akan binasa.

Rakyat Malaysia tanpa kita kaum dan agama harus berdiri bersama- sama menentang UMNO dan Utusan Malaysia yang sengaja bermain api dan bersedia untuk membakar 1 Malaysia dengan agenda perkauman 1Melayu/ 1Bumi, 1Cina oleh MCA ataupun 1India oleh MIC.

——————– Chinese Translation ———————-

民主行动党秘书长兼峇眼区国会议员林冠英于2011年5月9日在吉隆坡发表声明:

巫统在北海鼓动示威,证明巫统不惜任何代价,玩弄危险政治游戏,他们不只反对免费交替公路,也说谎"玩火",指行动党要建立一个基督教国及让基督徒成为首相。

巫统昨天在我的国会选区巴眼(北海)鼓动示威,证明巫统不只反对成本少过250万令吉的免费交替公路。更危险的是他们破坏种族和宗教和谐,睁眼说瞎话,指行动党要建立一个基督教国及让基督徒成为首相。

巫统不惜任何代价,通过他们的报章《马来西亚前锋报》 散布谎言的玩火行为是不负责任的,很多基督徒领袖已经对这类煽动性的谎言表达极度不满,坚决地否认有一群牧师要和行动党合作建立基督教国和让基督教成为首相。

国阵没有阻止巫统的《前锋报》 继续造谣,国阵政府就是在煽动针对基督社群的仇恨。对于《前锋报》煽动制造对基督社群的仇恨可能不会止于口头攻击,行动党对此高度关注。如果《前锋报》的谎言对马来西亚基督社群产生不良后果,国阵政府必须要负起全部责任。

行动党已经重申,我们认同联邦宪法 ,那就是回教是马来西亚的官方宗教。行动党也反对以任何宗教之名建立神权国。这项支持我国联邦宪法的立场,甚至已经写入行动党的党章。

首相拿督斯里纳吉呼吁各界冷静,并答应进入调查,但是却不说明如果《前锋报》被证实捏造假新闻,当局会采取什么行动,我们对此感到遗憾。很明显地,国阵政府不但没有阻止《前锋报》,反而鼓励他们继续这种毫无根据的攻击,因为有关方面答应"如果报道属实,就会对基督徒牧师和行动党采取行动"。为什么国阵政府不答应"若证明《前锋报》撒谎,一定会采取严厉行动对付它"?

国阵领袖的双重标准不禁让人怀疑,《前锋报》 是不是因为它是巫统拥有的,而享有免控权?以致它可以挑起对少数和平、无力自辩的基督社群仇恨情绪。

在昨天对我进行的示威当中,巫统绝对有权利反对价值少过预估成本500万令吉的峇眼花园29条路与西南路免费交替公路。槟州民联政府闻名的公开招标,让建路成本减少至330万令吉。赢得竞标的承包商是一名马来承包商,在行政议员林峰成的紧密监督下,该名承包商甚至将成本再减少80万令吉至250万令吉。

这是州政府工程成本少于竞标价格的经典例子,它永远不会发生在国阵州属,国阵州属的政府工程成本总会高过竞标价。再说,承包商既然是一名马来人,证明了不只马来承包商也有能力在公开招标制度下竞争,而民联政府也把大部分政府工程颁给马来人。
巫统反对免费的交替公路,而从来没有组织示威反对收费大道,这实在令人遗憾。这便是国阵和民联的差别。国阵在没有提供交替公路的情况下,兴建收费公路,向公众收钱,而民联要提供免费的交替公路。

国阵和巫统有权利反对和抗议民联州政府所兴建的北海峇眼路免费交替公路。 这便是国阵和民联在国民建设政策和原则上的根本不同。

不过,没有人有权利假借谎言来反起运动,而巫统也没有权利反对一个根本不正确的事情。 不然,岂不是没完没了?如果我们的国家是建立在谎言之上,那么它必将崩溃。

全体马来西亚人民必须同心协力,对抗巫统和《前锋报》 ,他们正在玩火,并准备用他们的种族主义议程"一个马来人、一个土著、一个华人、一个印度人"来彻底烧掉"一个马来西亚"。

林冠英

Lim Kit Siang

Posted: 08 May 2011 11:13 PM PDT

Lim Kit Siang


BN to blame for any attack against Christians, says DAP

Posted: 08 May 2011 11:05 PM PDT

By Clara Chooi May 09, 2011 The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — The DAP warned Barisan Nasional (BN) today that it will have to bear responsibility for any undesirable consequences that may befall the Christian community resulting from its endorsement of Utusan Malaysia's Christian Malaysia reports. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the [...]

PAS leaders put down right wing paper’s latest fire

Posted: 08 May 2011 10:22 PM PDT

Harakahdaily KUALA LUMPUR, May 9: PAS leaders have come together to slam right-wing group Perkasa’s mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia in its latest claim against DAP of a ‘Christian conspiracy’ to make Islam the religion of the Federation. PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang condemned the paper for being irresponsible in playing up communal issues to [...]

Climbing a tree to catch a fish

Posted: 08 May 2011 07:44 PM PDT

By Neil Khor | Malaysiakini The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) has made it clear that if it did not get support from the Chinese electorate, the party will withdraw from active participation in government. Its ministers and key allies in the mainstream media have said that this is not a threat but a statement of [...]

Islam Under Attack? What about Christians?

Posted: 08 May 2011 07:29 PM PDT

By Emmanuel Joseph Those who claim Islam in Malaysia is under threat should really spend a day trying to live as a Christian here. It is baseless, callous, slanderous, stupid statements such as these that are tearing this country apart far more than dinners for pastors or celebrating Deepa-Raya, or doing the poco-poco. No religion [...]

LKS, Get Well Soon

Posted: 08 May 2011 07:19 PM PDT

By Wong Ho Leng Because of the Sarawak election, he delayed his cataract operation… That fateful morning, we were put up at Kingwood Hotel, Kuching. I wasn't surprised that LKS had called at 7 something in the morning. He does that quite often to me, to exchange political views. But this was an exceptional morning. [...]

Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #64

Posted: 08 May 2011 06:49 PM PDT

By M. Bakri Musa Chapter 8: Culture, Institutions, and Leadership Economic Culture of Malays The aspect of Malay culture that is pertinent here is the subset termed "economic culture," that is, the beliefs, attitudes, and values that bear on the economic activities of individuals, organizations, and other institutions (Porter's definition). I will analyze these on [...]

A ‘new McCarthyism’ on the rise, warns Bishop

Posted: 08 May 2011 04:25 PM PDT

Terence Netto | May 8, 11 Malaysiakini Catholic Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing warned of the rise of a "new McCarthyism" in Malaysia where failed politicians engage in "witch-hunts and "scaremongering" as diversions from the problem of their sinking popularity. In comments made to Malaysiakini on the emergence of allegations that Christian groups were out [...]

Christian state: Utusan blowing hot air, says don

Posted: 08 May 2011 04:15 PM PDT

Hazlan Zakaria | May 8, 11 Malaysiakini Renowned constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari has dismissed Utusan Malaysia’s article on a supposed conspiracy to make Christianity Malaysia’s official religion as “ridiculous”. “Constitutionally it is just illogical. It cannot happen, just impossible. Even if Pakatan controlled hundred percent of the Dewan Rakyat. “Remember that the Senate which [...]

IFJ backs Hata’s appeal against Utusan sacking

Posted: 08 May 2011 06:25 AM PDT

Jacqueline Park, IFJ May 6, 11 The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) fully supports a senior journalist and union leader in Malaysia who is appealing to Malaysia’s Industrial Relations Department to order his reinstatement at Utusan Malaysia newspaper. Hata Wahari, president of IFJ affiliate the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), was sacked by Utusan [...]

‘Think of it as a duty roster than a shadow cabinet’

Posted: 08 May 2011 02:52 AM PDT

Susan Loone | May 8, 11 Malaysiakini Sarawak DAP state representatives played down the current spat between the party and PKR over the shadow cabinet issue, saying the temporary crisis would not mess up the Pakatan Rakyat coalition. DAP Sarawak secretary Chong Chieng Jen (right) described the issue which recently pitted the two Pakatan allies [...]

Jeff Ooi takes ‘Christian conspiracy’ to police

Posted: 08 May 2011 01:50 AM PDT

Susan Loone | May 8, 11 Malaysiakini Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi has lodged a police report against Umno-linked Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia and a blogger BigDog.com, for what he described were “malicious” articles alleging he was involved in a purported Christian conspiracy to change the country’s official religion. Ooi, who is DAP central executive [...]

Archbishop slams ‘irresponsible, baseless, provocative’ reporting

Posted: 08 May 2011 12:03 AM PDT

Malaysiakini May 8, 11 Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Murphy Nicholas Pakiam, has slammed reports alleging a conspiracy to turn the country into a Christian state. Describing the reports as "irresponsible, baseless and provocative", Pakiam demanded that the authorities take action against what it said were quarters that seek to threaten the harmonious, multi-cultural and multi-religious [...]

Chinese voters must decide

Posted: 07 May 2011 11:49 PM PDT

ON THE BEAT WITH WONG CHUN WAI Sunday Star Sunday May 8, 2011 The question is whether the Chinese community wishes to be in the government or the opposition in the next general election. IT'S a month now since the Sarawak state polls and Tan Sri Taib Mahmud, who was the target of the emotional [...]

Charles Santiago

Posted: 08 May 2011 11:11 PM PDT

Charles Santiago


Rights of Women & Domestic Violence

Posted: 08 May 2011 09:35 PM PDT


Malaysian politician calls for Nuke-free ASEAN

Posted: 08 May 2011 07:03 PM PDT

Source: The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 05/03/2011 8:21 PM | National

A Malaysian politician has demanded a nuclear-free ASEAN during the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People's Forum 2011 in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"I think we should have a nuclear free environment. We should focus on renewable energy. Construction of every nuclear reactor has an impact throughout the region. [The countries] are closely tied to each other geographically and therefore if there is [a reactor] that collapses, the other [nations] will be impacted." Malaysian parliamentarian Charles Santiago said during one of the plenary sessions.

He said that currently ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, were looking into establishing nuclear plants despite the risks that surround such power generators.

Charles said that most ASEAN countries were located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and that nuclear plants are never green nor completely safe. Thus, the idea of building them in ASEAN countries was "asking for trouble."


Perjanjian Dagang UE-ASEAN Berbahaya Bagi Negara Berkembang

Posted: 08 May 2011 06:55 PM PDT

Komhukum (Jakarta) – Masyarakat sipil se-Asia Tenggara yang tergabung dalam Konferensi Masyarakat Sipil ASEAN (ACSC)/ Forum Rakyat ASEAN (APF) 2011 pada Rabu mengkritisi perjanjian dagang bebas Uni Eropa-Asean.

Perjanjian UE-ASEAN tersebut, yang akan ditandatangani pada Kamis (5/5), dipandang dapat merugikan negara ASEAN sebagai negara berkembang, dari sisi kedaulatan negara dan keberpihakan pemerintah kepada kepentingan rakyat, demikian siaran pers dari ACSC/APF 2011, Rabu.

Hal yang dikritisi antara lain perjanjian hak paten UE-Asean yang mengharuskan obat generik ASEAN menunggu setahun lebih lama dari standar prosedur saat ini, sebelum mereka boleh memproduksi obat paten yang sama dengan harga yang murah dan terjangkau rakyat.

Produsen generik juga harus menjalani ulang prosedur izin layaknya produsen obat paten. Anggota Parlemen Malaysia Charles Santiago, yang juga seorang tokoh masyarakat sipil, menilai bahwa kesepakatan itu pada akhirnya bisa menghancurkan industri obat generik.

“Jelas ini bukan ‘win-win solution’, karena hasilnya tidak seimbang bagi kita negara berkembang,” kata Charles.

Anggota Komite Pengarah acara tersebut, Indah Sukmaningsih, juga mengkritisi UE yang dalam Piagam Perdagangan Bebas itu hanya bersedia membantu distribusi dan produksi obat generik, namun tidak dengan aksesnya.

Hal demikian, menurut Indah, akan banyak rakyat miskin kesulitan mendapatkan obat generik itu karena aksesnya terbatas.

Kesepakatan perdagangan bebas UE-ASEAN juga dianggap berbahaya dan meneror kedaulatan negara, karena perusahaan-perusahaan Eropa akan diperbolehkan menuntut negara anggota ASEAN ke Makamah Internasional jika ada kebijakan yang dipandang merugikan keuntungan perusahaan tersebut.

Sebagai contoh, menurut siaran pers itu, kasus produsen rokok Philip Morris yang menuntut pemerintah Uruguay 100 juta dolar AS ke Makamah Internasional karena memaksa label anti rokok di produk Philip Morris, dan bisa dialami juga oleh ASEAN.”Kalau begitu, kebijakan negara-negara ASEAN akhirnya memihak investor dan bukannya rakyat lagi,” kata Charles.

ACSC/APF 2011 diikuti oleh 1.200 peserta dari berbagai LSM di sepuluh negara anggota ASEAN.
LSM yang tergabung mewakili perjuangan kesetaraan gender, keadilan ekonomi, penegakan HAM termasuk hak kaum keterbatasan fisik, hak buruh, serta perlindungan hak waria.

Acara tersebut dilakukan untuk menyongsong pelaksanaan Konferensi Tingkat Tinggi (KTT) ke-18 ASEAN yang akan diselenggarakan pada 7-8 Mei di Balai Sidang Jakarta.9K-1/Ant)


Jalan Membentuk ASEAN yang Membumi

Posted: 08 May 2011 06:50 PM PDT

Source: Oleh: Vina Ramitha – inilahcotcom

DediNews – Kebijakan ASEAN yang selama ini terkesan elitis, dapat 'dibumikan' dengan melibatkan kelompok-kelompok masyarakat sipil dalam proses pembuatan kebijakan itu.

Hal ini menjadi kesimpulan diskusi panel ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People's Forum, beberapa hari lalu di Jakarta.

Panel diskusi 'Alternative Solutions for a People-Centered ASEAN in a Global Community' itu dihadiri lebih dari 1.200 perwakilan Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat (LSM) se-Asia Tenggara untuk membahas isu-isu regional, pembangunan dan keterlibatan masyarakat sipil dalam ASEAN.

Untuk isu ekonomi, kelompok masyarakat sipil akan memastikan sistem pasar bebas nantinya tetap memihak rakyat, terutama mereka yang hidup di bawah garis kemiskinan.

"Sekarang waktunya memastikan status mulia dari pengembangan komunitas itu sendiri," kata Herry Priyono dari University Indonesia.

ASEAN kini berusaha membentuk komunitas regional melalui perdagangan bebas dan integrasi ekonomi pada 2015. Namun Anggota Parlemen dari Malaysia Charles Santiago mengritik sistem integrasi ekonomi itu sendiri.

"Apa yang kita perlukan adalah sistem dan peraturan yang adil, yang memperhatikan semua peluang dan keuntungan semua pihak dan bukannya perdagangan bebas yang hanya akan menguntungkan sepihak orang," ujarnya.

Membahas keterlibatan masyarakat sipil dalam ASEAN, Thun Saray, Direktur Eksekutif ADHOC Cambodia mengusulkan, sesi Interface Meeting Pemerintah ASEAN dengan kelompok-kelompok masyarakat sipil dalam KTT ASEAN ke-18 nanti harus didasari sikap saling menghormati dan kebebasan berpendapat.

"ASEAN akan mampu membentuk komunitas regional solid yang menghormati HAM, hak wanita dan anak, hak minoritas dan hak bagi penderita cacat," ujarnya.


ASEAN society criticizes EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

Posted: 08 May 2011 06:39 PM PDT

Source: Jakarta Forum


Jakarta Forum-ANTARA News – The civil societies of the Southeast Asian nations grouped in the ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC) / ASEAN People`s Forum (AFP) criticized on Wednesday the European Union – ASEAN Free Trade Agreement.

The ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement, which would be signed on Thursday (May 5) can harm the interest of ASEAN members as developing countries from the aspects of state sovereignty and the government support for people`s interest, the ACSC/APF said in a press statement here on Wednesday.

They criticized among others the EU-ASEAN patent right agreement which required ASEAN generic drugs to wait one year longer before they could produce similar patent drugs with law price which is within the financial reach of the people.

Member of Malaysian parliament Charles Santiago, who is also a noted civil society figure, said that the agreement would in the end destroy generic drug industry in ASEAN countries.

“It is clearly not a win-win solution because it would not produce a balanced result for us developing nations,” he said.

The free trade agreement is also viewed as to endanger the sovereignty of the state because European firms would be allowed to suit ASEAN countries at the International Court of Justice if they found a policy they considered harmful to them.(*)
Editor: Heru Source: Antara News


Southeast Asian Civil Society Offer Concrete Pathways to a People-Centered ASEAN

Posted: 08 May 2011 06:34 PM PDT

Wednesday, 04 May 2011 05:38 administrator
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JAKARTA, May 3 – ASEAN policies are at odds with the needs and desires of the majority of people in Southeast Asia, making urgent the need to advance peoples' alternatives, said a panel of speakers at this year's ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People's Forum (ACSC/APF).

Speaking on the "Alternative Solutions for a People-Centered ASEAN in a Global Community" plenary session on the first day of the ACSC/APF, a regional gathering of over 1,000 representatives of NGOs, community-based organizations, and peoples' groups, the panelists shared thoughts on regional trends, movement building, and ASEAN engagement.

Popular conceptions of the economy as synonymous with the market system, ignoring the state of people's livelihoods, has created a bias against the poor, argued Dr. Herry Priyono of the University of Indonesia, Jakarta.

"It is time to reinstate the noble status of community development," He said, offering the concept of a people-centered economic system as his alternative to ASEAN's prevailing system.

ASEAN's effort to build a regional community through trade liberalization and economic integration were criticized throughout.  "What we need are fair rules and mechanisms" that create benefits and opportunities for all rather than free trade agreements serving very few, stated Charles Santiago of Malaysia.

Gaps between ASEAN governments' and peoples' visions for a regional community were also emphasized.

Encouraging critical examination of internal dynamics within movements for a people-centered ASEAN, and urging expansion of strategic alliances beyond the region, Indonesian human rights activist, Ms. Kamala Chandrakirana, stressed the importance of a people-led community over one created by the spaces and opportunities provided by ASEAN officials.

"We need to be conscious and make strategic steps to grow a grounded regional movement beyond the meeting rooms by building a core constituency of people and communities immediately affected by ASEAN policies and committed to developing a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness," she said, referring to the hundreds of annual gatherings of ASEAN officials.

Speaking of approaches to ASEAN engagement, Mr. Thun Saray, Executive Director of ADHOC in Cambodia, focused on the improvement of ASEAN mechanisms and institutions.

His list of suggestions included more meaningful government interface meetings with civil society, respect for freedom of expression and the independence of civil society organizations, a stronger regional human rights body, and the mainstreaming of human rights as core values in the region.
Questions and comments from the floor reflected the breadth and diversity of those in attendance, demonstrating concerns for women and children's rights, spaces for LGBTIQ participation in civil society, and the variety of concerns of disabled people.

The ACSC/APF will continue from May 3-5, 2011 at the Ciputra Hotel in Jakarta.


Blog@Wengsan...博客@永山

Posted: 08 May 2011 09:22 PM PDT

Blog@Wengsan...博客@永山


Water disruption in Petaling Jaya and Kampung Tunku

Posted: 08 May 2011 09:40 AM PDT

MY VOICE FOR NATION

Posted: 08 May 2011 01:54 PM PDT

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Posted: 08 May 2011 06:14 AM PDT

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