Today, I am attending a workshop on gender responsive budgeting in Penang.
“Gender responsive what?” I hear you ask. Basically it means incorporating the gender perspective – too often overlooked – in every stage of the budget planning process, including measuring the impact or outcome of the actual spending.
This was the sort of day for me that encapsulated a lot of what it means to be Malaysian today.Interfaith dialogue, understanding one another
In the afternoon, I dropped by at the St Anne’s Catholic Church in Bukit Mertajam, which was holding a dialogue session with Dr Dzul, the MP for Kuala Selangor and Pas central committee member.
This is Dr Dzul engaging in open and frank dialogue with Fr Henry Rajoo, the parish priest over some of the contentious issues in Malaysia. This was a dialogue and not a debate, the crowd was told. The mood was one of willingness to listen to the other’s point of view, trying to get to know and understand one another.
Astonishing courage. Thousands of determined pro-democracy Bahrainis have reclaimed the symbolic spot in the capital at Pearl roundabout, the same place where security forces had massacred others over the previous two days. Pro-democracy protesters take over their spot again - Photo by hadeelalsh via TwitterPhoto by NickKristof via Twitter
As part of the effort to promote Penang street food against the onslaught of fast-food culture and gentrification, I thought a poll to determine once and for all the signature street food dish of Penang would help to whet everyone’s appetite.
But first, nominations, please – for the dish that uniquely captures the essence of authentic Penang street food culture and satisfies the most number of taste buds.
Thirty years in power is a long time – an eternity in politics – whichever way you look at it. Parting is indeed is such sweet sorrow for those who do not know when their sell-by date has expired.
From Aljazeera:
Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, has said in an interview to America’s ABC News that he is “fed up” and wants “to go” after 62 years in public service.
However, he fears the consequences if he were to quit immediately, saying his resignation would bring chaos to Egypt.
A Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement was signed yesterday between India and Malaysia.
The agreement, “which was reached after seven rounds of negotiation, will see Indian mangoes, cotton, motorcycles, trucks and basmati rice attract less duty in Malaysia, among other things,” reports PTI. “As a quid pro quo, the South-East nation will face less barriers on the sale of its fruit, engineering goods and chemicals in India.”
Disturbing scenes as security forces fire live bullets on pro-democracy supporters in Bahrain. Dozens have been massacred over the last three days. Even medical staff were not spared the outrageous brutality.
A Japanese multinational company is demanding RM10 million by today and a public apology from lawyer-activist-blogger Charles Hector after he highlighted problems faced by Myanmar migrants working at the firm’s plant in Malaysia.
Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn Bhd claims the workers are not employed by the firm and are instead supplied by an unnamed third party and that Hector had thus defamed Asahi Kosei through his blog postings by suggesting that the firm was responsible for the alleged poor treatment of the workers. Before he was slapped with the RM10 million demand, Hector had sent two e-mails on 8 and 9 February 2011 to the company expressing concern about the workers’ problems – but did not receive any reply, clarification or denial.
Hector had also released a joint statement, endorsed by 82 civil society groups and published on his blog, to express concern about the workers’ plight.
This is the people’s victory celebration in Tahrir Square in Cairo today. Egyptians are not resting on their laurels and letting down their guard in their quest for real and meaningful democracy.Twitter photo by SherineT
They are not content just because Mubarak has left, leaving behind his henchmen.
The Special Area Plan, a plan prepared for the George Town World Heritage Site (GTWHS) to guide and control development in the area, has been submitted to Unesco.
Among other things, the plan provides for water taxis and the enhancement of back-lanes.
Basically, the Plan is to formalise the management of the world heritage site under the George Town World Heritage Incorporated and provide zoning control. It will:
– ensure suitability of use within the cultural landscapes
– systematic monitoring of change of use of land and buildings within the WHS
– provide for an activity zoning map that will take effect
– outline a landscape and pedestrian network masterplan including a waterfront promenade, new park areas, streetscape and backlane enhancements and a water taxi route
Pro-democracy fervour is sweeping the North African and West Asian region. First Tunisia. Then Egypt. Now the people of Bahrain are rising.
This is the most popular song to emerge from the Egyptian pro-democracy uprising and vividly captures the mood of freedom and hope that is ripening in the region. (Click ‘cc’ on bottom right of the video box for English subtitles.)
Karpal Singh pointed out today during the Sodomy II trial that a standard form filled by a Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctor only mentions ‘attempted sodomy’ and ‘attempted oral sex’.
I had to burst our laughing when I read this reader’s comment about a Malaysiakini report ‘Sodomy II: Dent in prosecution case’ on this latest development by someone going by the name of Keturunan Malaysia:
Anyone want to join The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement?Photo courtesy of jehanara.wordpress.com
“Our collective vision of peace is one that goes beyond the absence of war or the silencing of guns. It entails creating the conditions that lead to the foundation of secure societies — societies that are empowered to assume a major role in defending and preserving peace,” said Suzanne, the founder and president of the movement – and now ex-First Lady of Egypt.
I wonder if she is in good health now.
How is SP Setia going to finance the building of the proposed new convention centre in Penang known as sPICE? It will be allowed to build an extra 1,500 homes in its existing projects in Penang, effectively increasing the density of those projects.
A haunting tribute to the fallen in Egypt’s struggle for democracy and economic justice.
But the struggle for real economic justice in the face of predatory global economic forces in collaboration with local elites is by no means over just because Mubarak has stepped down.
Ever wondered why most dictators or authoritarian leaders who have overstayed their welcome refuse to leave their positions immediately despite widespread protests?
Invariably, they often need to put in place an “orderly transition”, which can range from a few months to even a year.
Why is this so?
– they need to sort out their family fortune, transfer money out of overseas bank accounts before they get frozen, etc and they need to find a safe haven for their wealth.
From the Telegraph:
The intelligence source suggested that 82-year-old Mubarak may have learnt the lesson of his fellow dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the former president of Tunisia, who was forced with his family into a hasty exile in Saudi Arabia while Swiss authorities froze the family’s bank accounts.
Ousted Tunisian dictator Ben Ali had to put up with serious insult from his wife Leila before they boarded the plane to flee the country.'Lady Macbeth' Leila - Photo courtesy of WikipediaWhen hubby refused to board the plane, Leila commanded, “Get on imbecile. All my life I’ve had to put up with your screw ups.”
“Leave me, I don’t want to go, I want to die here for my country,” pleaded Ben Ali pathetically, sounding a bit like Mubarak.
But Ben Ali’s hated political police chief, Ali Seriati, pushed him up, shouting: “For —-‘s sake, get on!”
A great and glorious victory: finally, people power in Eqypt has done it! Congratulations to the people of Egypt for ousting Mubarak, a modern-day Pharaoh.
Mark this day, 11 February 2011 or 11022011. After just 18 days, ordinary disenfranchised people with seemingly no leader, no organisation, managed to topple one of the most authoritarian leaders in the world – one who was backed by the regime’s feared and hated secret police and by the United States with its military aid.
The people, in contrast, had no weapons, no armour apart from the certain knowledge that they were on the side of good and of the downtrodden in their battle with the forces of evil and oppression. They were arrested, teargassed, struck with rocks and batons, beaten, tortured and even shot dead.
2200: Massive crowds of infuriated Egyptians have surged outside presidential palaces and the state television station to protest against Mubarak. Mubarak and family have left Cairo for his home on the Red Sea.0505: Mubarak throws cold water on public demands for him to quit and instead insists that he will be staying on until September.
0059: Mounting excitement in Tahrir Square as crowds gather. A lot of anticipation now as people wait for an official announcement. Whatever happens, congratulations to the people of Egypt for their inspiring courage in the face of extreme adversity.
But what happens to the regime and the ‘torturer-in-chief’ Omar Suleiman?
Rainbow over Tahrir Square yesterday: Hope for freedom - Photo credit: Ayman Mohyeldin