NGOs alarmed at excessive federal govt powers Himanshu Bhatt GEORGE TOWN (March 7, 2010): The impact of widespread federalism, or entrenched federal government powers in state affairs, is a serious concern that needs to be looked into, a forum to assess the Pakatan Rakyat’s two-year rule in Penang heard today. Several NGO activists expressed concern over various matters in which the federal government exercised undue control, leaving the state authorities out of important local matters they should be handling.
Excessive federal powers alarm NGOs
How do excessive federal powers affect Penang and other states in Malaysia?
To understand some of the constraints that state governments, especially Pakatan-ruled states, are operating under, check out this report in theSun on the Penang Forum.
Penang turning into concrete jungle?
What do visitors to Penang and Penangites themselves think of the place? Are we building more malls and high-rise luxury condo blocks than we need?
What about affordable housing?
Look at what has happened to Midlands One-Stop Centre, once a popular shopping draw. What is its occupancy rate now? It looks more than half empty now – many of the shoplots are shuttered down -as shoppers make a beeline to the newer, flashier malls.
Have a look at these two letters to the press:
Three hurt in police action
Three people were reportedly injured in the police action at a Pakatan ceramah yesterday.
Naguib Mahfuz Ismail (left), Abdul Khalid Hassar and Tahir Said were reportedly injured during the incident last night – Photo courtesy of Shamsul Iskandar’s blog
The three, who were members of a Keadilan youth squad, were reportedly hurt when police disrupted the Pakatan ceramah and forced it to move indoors.
Naguib Mahfuz Ismail (left), Abdul Khalid Hassar and Tahir Said were reportedly injured during the incident last night – Photo courtesy of Shamsul Iskandar’s blog
The three, who were members of a Keadilan youth squad, were reportedly hurt when police disrupted the Pakatan ceramah and forced it to move indoors.
Startling revelations at Penang Forum
Back from a rejuvenating day at Penang Forum 2, where 170 concerned individuals, including representatives from 35 Penang-based NGOs, grappled with the question, ‘Has anything changed after two years?’
The participants passed two resolutions: they supported the Penang state government’s call for the reinstatement of local government elections and called on the Election Commission to act, pronto. In the interim period, they called for the quota for reps of public interest NGOs to be increased to five each in the Penang Municipal Council and the Seberang Perai Municipa Council.
The second resolution called for the Local Plan for Penang Island (completed/revised in 2009) to be made public so the public can give their views. Never mind if it is a bit dated by now. (The plan covers the period from 2005 to 2020.)
During the forum, participants were fascinated to learn the following:
Another Pakatan ceramah disrupted
Riot police have disrupted yet another ceramah, this time at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in KL, forcing the crowd in the field to move into the club hall.
Reformist ‘Lan Mamat’, a PKR member, was arrested and taken to the Dang Wangi police station – Photo via Tian Chua tweet
Reformist ‘Lan Mamat’, a PKR member, was arrested and taken to the Dang Wangi police station – Photo via Tian Chua tweet Police disrupt Pakatan ceramah
2317: Kit Siang observes: “This black episode symbolises 1st anniversary of Najib’s 1Malaysia. Will ask Najib n Hishamuddin in Parliament – what r both of u afraid of?”
2305: In his speech, Anwar has urged the authorities not to use the police to restrict the people’s freedom. Husam, for his part, touched on the courts and the oil royalties while Kit Siang condemned Najib’s “unjust policies”.
2215: The police have agreed to allow Anwar and Kit Siang to speak on “non-sensitive issues” for ten minutes more.
Police holding the mike on stage at the ceramah – Photo by Kit Siang
2212: The police are on stage trying to stop speakers from addressing a large Pakatan gathering in Kepong, according to a tweet by Anwar. They say political speeches are not allowed, says Kit Siang.
Police holding the mike on stage at the ceramah – Photo by Kit Siang
2212: The police are on stage trying to stop speakers from addressing a large Pakatan gathering in Kepong, according to a tweet by Anwar. They say political speeches are not allowed, says Kit Siang.
Zul sacked as PKR removes major pain in neck
So PKR finally bit the bullet and sacked Zulkifli Noordin in a move that will go a long way in restoring the party’s credibility.
PKR is now set to reap the rewards after cleansing itself of some of those who seek to betray the rakyat’s mandate. Its journey to restore the people’s faith in the party can now begin with earnest.
In a way, Zul appeared to be doing his level best to invite this sacking, perhaps because he didn’t want to be seen as betraying the rakyat’s mandate by quitting. But the people know better.
Penang govt says ‘yes’ to local council elections
Congratulations to the Penang government for asking the Election Commission to hold local council elections in Penang!
It’s a long-awaited move, coming two days before the second anniversary of the Pakatan’s coming to power in Penang. It not only attempts to fulfil the Pakatan’s general election pledge but shows that the administration has listened to sentiment on the ground from civil society and public opinion that is strongly in favour of the restoration of local democracy.
It will also go a long way towards promoting greater accountability.
Penang Forum – two years after March 8
The Working Group for the Penang Forum is holding a public forum “Penang Forum 2” from 9.00am to 5.00pm at the Caring Society Complex along Jalan Utama on Sunday, 7 March.
The Penang Forum is an informal network of some 40 Penang-based NGOs and concerned individuals who came together in April 2008 to chart a possible way forward for Penang.
After the 2008 event, a Penang Forum Declaration was submitted to the state government calling for a new partnership with the Penang people based on the principles of popular participation, transparency, accountability, sustainability and social justice.
Thunderbolt for MCA: Soi Lek, CC members quit
Ooh la la, what have we go here: Chua Soi Lek has quit as MCA deputy chief while seven other MCA central committee members are expected to resign as well, according to a tweet from the Insider.
Khairy had earlier twittered, “Major MCA announcement at 2pm. Positive development, we hope.”
Cops to quiz Penang Pakatan reps
More pressure on Pakatan reps. Police are expected to question several Penang Pakatan reps at noon today over a political gathering apparently held without a police permit.
Those expected to be questioned at the 28th floor of Komtar include Lim Guan Eng, V Raveentharan, Jason Ong and Sim Tze Tzin.
60% say PKR won’t be affected in next GE
An ntv7 poll over the news tonight asked viewers if they thought PKR’s performance in the next general election would be affected by the recent defections.
The results were surprising: 60 per cent responded ‘No’, the party’s performance won’t be affected, with just 40 per cent saying ‘Yes’, it will be.
All right, let’s do our own poll then.
[poll id=”53″]
1,000 students protest at Labuan water shortage
Some 1,000 students have protested at the persistent water shortages at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah campus in Labuan.
Photo: UMS Labuan website
It was the first picket in the history of Labuan, reports Bernama, which said the water problems were due to a “dry spell”.
Photo: UMS Labuan website
It was the first picket in the history of Labuan, reports Bernama, which said the water problems were due to a “dry spell”.
Armed with placards and posters, they gathered at the university campus about 14km from Labuan town as early as 9am, and demanded water – as the police were on standby.
1Regular 1Water supply for 1UMS-KAL, please
It looks as if the water shortages in Labuan, previously highlighted in this blog, have not yet been resolved, judging from this letter by an upset parent.
Since July-August 2009, many letters have been written to everybody and anybody in authority to resolve the major water crisis that has hit the Universiti Malaysia Sabah-Kampus Antarabangsa Labuan. Despite all the requests and pleas and the resulting promises, there seems to be no end to the water shortage crisis. If anything the situation has worsened, with the static tanks that have been set up not being filled up when empty. Invariably, students have to endure a day in every three days with ZERO water. Many students have been spending time in town to find clean food as there is insufficient water to wash the dishes properly. My daughter told me that many of the male undergraduates have resorted to staying at the Labuan International Airport from Friday to Sunday night, or whenever there is a holiday. The airport is the one place where there is regular water supply, air-conditioning, and Internet access. During the Mauladur Rasul holiday weekend, there were so many UMS-KAL students at the airport that airport officials started to scold them, and they were chased out from the airport.
Live – Beng Hock inquest; Tee Beng, Fairus quit
Gobind Singh cross-examines pathologist Shahidan while Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng quits PKR.
Rousing reception for Pakatan’s Sabah CNY bash
Pakatan leaders, euphoric over the turnout at their Lunar New Year open house in Kota Kinabalu, have told Sabahans that their state could play a leading role in changing the political landscape of the country.
A sea of people packed the hall – Photo via Tian Chua
The turnout this afternoon was “overflowing”, observed Lim Kit Siang, noting that Anwar Ibrahim arrived to a “riotous welcome”.
It is a “sign of the times (for) Sabah, Malaysia”, said Kit Siang.
A sea of people packed the hall – Photo via Tian Chua
The turnout this afternoon was “overflowing”, observed Lim Kit Siang, noting that Anwar Ibrahim arrived to a “riotous welcome”.
It is a “sign of the times (for) Sabah, Malaysia”, said Kit Siang.
LIVE: Tsunami alert for Pacific basin
Live coverage of the tsunami alert for Hawaii.
Live coverage of rescue operations after the 8.8 earthquake in Chile
0213: Blog readers Kent and Silvia Sharrar comment at 12.25am (Malaysian time): “We are Ewa Beach residents in Acapulco (at the Fairmont right on the beach). It came & went w/no effect. Loud crash when wave hit the beach.”
0122: Social networking site Twitter is being heavily used with about 500-1,000 updates per minute.
0105: The Malaysian Met Department issued a statement at 8.30 last night. “NO tsunami threat to Malaysia. However, those staying at coastal areas of Lahad Datu, Semporna, Tawau and Sandakan, Sabah are advised to be alert as there are likely to occur rough sea conditions and sea level rise starting tomorrow afternoon, 28 February 2010.”
0100: Sirens wail along the Hawaiian coast again.
0059: This will be a major event with dangerous waves for Hawaii, but nobody can predict how big the waves will be, says a televised warning.
Is the worst over for the Malaysian economy?
Najib says the Malaysian economy is out of the woods and we are poised to do better this year. From what you see around you, do you agree?
A bunch of bananas in Penang is now RM1 more expensive, char koay teow and roti canai servings have shrunk, and many workers have lost out on increments over the last couple of years. Stress levels have soared as workers have to work longer hours to cover for those retrenched and not replaced. And now we have the spectre of GST looming over us.
The GDP figures did not do as badly as anticipated last year because of the pump priming and fiscal stimulus packages.
Amirah Ali’s Katakanlah
Amirah Ali’s soulful Katakanlah, the first track of a work-in-progress EP (Extended Play), has been released online. The haunting lyrics reflect her anguish over what is happening.
I believe that we cannot rely on politicians alone to change our country. Others too have a crucial role to play.
I believe that we cannot rely on politicians alone to change our country. Others too have a crucial role to play.
