Asean embraces a rogue regime while inking a Charter for Big Business

 Asean, Civil society, Human rights, Malaysian finance/business, Neo-liberal economics  3 Responses »
Nov 212007
 

So the Asean leaders have signed a Charter in the wonderfully democratic nation of Singapore in the company of leaders from Burma’s rogue regime. (Check out this excellent documentary “Burma’s Secret War”.) Each member nation now has to take the Charter back to their home countries so that it can be ratified by their respective parliaments – which shouldn’t be much of a problem, considering how democratic Asean member nations are and how much their governments have the interests of the people at heart. Which leads to the question: why not a referendum as this is a hugely important document that affects the peoples of 10 nations? That will be the day… Civil society groups that lament that the charter is too state-centred rather than people-centred are missing the point. It was never meant to be people-centred – even though that is what most ordinary people would have wanted, had [Read more]

No need for institutional reform? You gotta be kidding!

 Civil society, Human rights, M'sian politics, Malaysian elections  1 Response »
Nov 182007
 

Here is the Al Jazeera panel discussion (in two parts) on the 10 Nov rally to demand electoral reforms. The panelists were Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy, de facto Law Minister Nazri (Umno as well) and human rights lawyer Imtiaz. Here’s an excerpt. Nazri tries to keep up with the fast-paced discussion by repeating his mantra about democracy ala Umno/BN, putting words in the mouth of the moderator – and then forgetting what the question was. Amazing feat! What’s even more astonishing is his claim that there is no need for any institutional reform whatsoever.

Beware those who want to hijack Malaysia’s People Power movement

 Asean, Civil society, Corporate agenda, Development issues, Europe, FTAs, Global justice movement, Human rights, M'sian politics, Malaysian finance/business, Marginalised groups  1 Response »
Nov 172007
 

In a parting shot, Thierry Rommel, the European ambassador who left his post on Tuesday, castigated the Malaysian government for its deplorable human rights record and the “discriminatory” New Economic Policy (NEP). News reports quoted Rommel as saying the executive in Malaysia is “all-powerful and not accountable” while the judiciary remains beholden to the executive because the prime minister directly makes the appointments. He said Umno runs the country like its own backyard and that the Malaysia was “a one-party state”. “The parliament (is) useless. No fair elections, no freedoms. Police is unaccountable. Internal checks and balances? Forget it. So where do you find characteristics that (represent) democracy?” Malaysians struggling for greater democracy, who marched in the tens of thousands on 10 November, might be forgiven for thinking that they had found an influential ally in Rommel and the European Union. Big mistake. Although most of Rommel’s remarks ring true, [Read more]

“Iconic towers” or eyesores?

 Development issues, Environment, Malaysian finance/business  3 Responses »
Nov 152007
 
"Iconic towers" or eyesores?

If our experience with “iconic towers” in Penang is any indication, then look out for what could happen with other towers in the pipeline. Thanks to a reader for bringing these to my attention: Sad-looking Komtar: Why has its viewing gallery become a store? And here’s a blocked fire-escape Cardboard on the windows of the keris-shaped Menara Umno (supposed to be another architectural masterpiece). Innovative way to reduce heat and cut air-con emissions, eh? So if we have more “iconic towers”, do you really think our habits will improve? While on the subject of high-rise towers, a reader wrote this from England: England’s problems are in the areas where there is high unemployment due to collapsed industries, steel shipbuilding, coal – where entire towns were employed in one industry. Also areas where many immigrant communities have settled – and worked hard to look after their families… It’s also in the [Read more]

“No matter the regime’s physical power, in the end they can’t stop the people”

 Asean, Civil society, Democracy, Global justice movement, Human rights  3 Responses »
Nov 132007
 

Those words uttered by Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi could well apply to Malaysia. Was it a stalemate on 10 Nov? After all, the demonstrators had been thwarted from gathering at Dataran Merdeka in the city centre. They were unable to accompany their chosen representatives to the gates of the palace to hand over their memorandum. And would the memorandum make any difference? What had they really achieved? Would Suu Kyi consider the situation in Burma a stalemate – especially in the aftermath of the brutal crackdown of peaceful demonstrations there? Here’s what she had to say: “I am really not fond of that expression,” she replied rather sternly. “People have been on the streets. That’s not a stalemate. Ethnic people, like the Karen, are fighting back. That’s not a stalemate. The defiance is there in people’s lives, day after day. You know, even when things seem still on the [Read more]

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