Only 6 ‘baby friendly’ private hospitals?

 Civil society, Global justice movement, Health care  4 Responses »
Oct 212010
 

The Penang state government may be interested in promoting the state as a centre for meetings and conventions – but the state already has a reputation for being a hub for civil society activities, not just nationally but globally as well. Over the weekend, two global forums were held – the Friends of the Earth International Asia Pacific forum “Ecological equity: Sharing the stories, reclaiming our rights” and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s Global Breastfeeding Partners Forum. I dropped by to find out what was being said at each forum. At Waba’s forum, delegates were pleased to hear that the maternity leave for Malaysian civil servants would be extended to 90 days (which is 12 weeks, still well short of the ILO target of 40 weeks.) And what about private sector employees? Still 60 days? Shouldn’t the 90-day maternity leave be included in our labour laws?

Not just Sarawak natives losing land

 Accountability, Agrobusiness/GM food, Corporate agenda, Environment, Global justice movement, Marginalised groups  5 Responses »
Oct 172010
 

For the past couple of days, I have been going in and out of a global conference in Penang on forests, biodiversity, community rights and indigenous peoples organised by Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific. The theme “Ecological equity: Sharing the stories, reclaiming our rights” couldn’t have been more timely. Listening to the heart-rending stories from indigenous representative and activists from places such as Philippines, Uganda and Bolivia, I realised that the indigenous groups in Sarawak who are struggling to protect their native customary rights land are not alone.

Jewish peace ship to Gaza intercepted

 Ethnic and inter-religious relations, Global justice movement, Israel and Palestine, Militarism  4 Responses »
Sep 282010
 

A Jewish peace ship heading for Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy today and towed to Ashdod, a cargo port in Israel 40km south of Tel Aviv. The London-based Jews for Justice for Palestinians had organised the aid voyage. Among those on board were Holocaust survivor Reuven Moskovitz, 82, and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli whose daughter was killed in a suicide attack by a Palestinian in 1997. Also on board were American and British peace activists. The Israeli peace group Gush Shalom reports on a demonstration by peace activists at Ashdod Port to protest the capture of the ship:

Nazri takes on Utusan and Awang Selamat

 Ethnic and inter-religious relations, Global justice movement, Media, Universal spiritual values  12 Responses »
Sep 202010
 

Nazri’s criticism of Umno-owned Utusan over its support for Perkasa  reflects growing unease – even within Umno circles – of the paper’s leanings and a growing realisation that the right-wing group is going to cost BN plenty of votes. Nazri has asked Utusan if its wants Mahathir to replace Najib. His outburst can be found here. He has also taken on the Utusan columnist who goes by the pseudonym Awang Selamat and challenged him to reveal his identity: “I hope he can be a man like me and prove that he is not scared of criticism by coming out in the open and not hiding behind the pseudonym that he uses.”

Howard Zinn 1922-2010: American legend

 Global justice movement, Militarism, United States  8 Responses »
Feb 012010
 

The legendary American ‘people’s historian’ and anti-war activist Howard Zinn, author of the classic ‘A People’s History of the United States’, has passed away. “You cannot depend on presidents; you cannot depend on elections and voting to solve your problems,” said Zinn. One of his central themes was that ordinary people – through countless small acts of organising, struggling and clamouring for reforms – are the only ones who can turn the tide and push elected reps to make meaningful change. This a message that should resonate with many Malaysians disappointed with the antics of certain elected reps who are supposed to be furthering the reform agenda but instead end up betraying the people’s aspirations. Do not lose hope!

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