Perak Adun Keshwinder injured during arrest

Pix 1 Keshwinder Singh Malim Nawar assembly member Keshwinder Singh reportedly suffered a hairline fracture on his forehead, a CAT scan revealed. He was among three elected Pakatan reps detained when they tried to attend a sitting of the Perak State Assembly on 2 September.

LIVE: Mayhem as 3 Buah Pala houses wrecked

Photos by Anil

Just another day in Perak

Speaker Sivakumar tries to convene the Perak State Assembly near the Democracy Tree, but the Pakatan reps are blocked by police and later hold a session at the Heritage Hotel – Photos by Kinta Kid Photo story:
  • The entrance to the State Secretariat building is solidly blocked.
  • The Democracy Tree is also out of bounds for the Pakatan reps.
  • Pakatan reps nonetheless proceed to the Perak State Assembly at the State Secretariat complex.
  • But they are blocked by the now familiar police officer, Glenn.
  • “Do not go any further”…
  • … unless you have a yellow T-shirt?
  • … like these guys.
  • … from this team.
  • Walking two by two is not allowed either.
  • Otherwise you face arrest – Ngeh was the first.
  • Keshvinder was next.
  • And then Chan Ming Kai, who is seen here being handcuffed.

LIVE: Perak State Assembly sitting

More on the Penang Hill Railway

After I highlighted Ric Francis’ and Dr Choong Sim Poey’s letters to the press on the Penang Hill Railway issue, a reader, Garth Johnson, sent in this comment:
I was very interested to read this. The railway was designed by my great uncle Arnold R Johnson and opened in 1923. His very clever design involved carving the hillside taking into account the weight of the cable. That was why he divided the track into two sections with a central station. Maybe modern cables can be thinner and lighter than the old ones making it possible to use a single stretch of track without a central station?
When it was first opened, the Penang Hill Railway was described as “one of the finest hill railways in the world”. Forest Explorers provides some brief background:

Perak Speaker fails in injunction bid

Sivakumar giving a press statement after the decision by JC Tarmizi Abd Rahman Sivakumar (left) speaking to the press after the court decision this afternoon. His lawyer, Mohd Asri Osman, is in the centre and on the right is lead counsel Chan Kok Keong. – Photo by Kinta Kid 1949: Sivakumar’s counsel had objected to the state legal advisor’s request for 14 days adjournment to file affidavits to oppose the Speaker’s application for an injunction. The Speaker’s argument was simple: does the State Secretary, who is the head of the civil service and not of the State Assembly, have the power to interfere in the affairs of the State Assembly? Although the court dismissed the injunction with respect to tomorrow’s sitting of the State Assembly, the judicial commissioner fixed 1 Oct for the application for the injunction to be heard. 1632: The Pakatan side has failed to get the injunction they were seeking on the grounds that the application was made too late, according to another contact at the scene.

Zunar refutes Home Ministry’s allegations

Just after our Merdeka celebrations, it’s back to reality. Cartoonist Zunar, who could be jailed for up to three years if he is convicted under the Printing Presses and Publications Act, feels he has been unfairly treated. “If drawing cartoons results in three years imprisonment, imagine the state of media freedom and freedom of expression in Malaysia,” he laments.
Referring to the news article in Malaysian dated 29 August 2009 which quotes the Home Minstry’s Corporate Communication Unit’s Head, Jamilah Taib that Sepakat Efektif Sdn Bhd, a company that I own will be charged for publishing material without a publishing license. According to Jamilah, Sepakat Efektif will be charged under Section 5(2) (b) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 for distribution unlicensed publications. If convicted, the penalties are not more than three years prison or a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or both. The statement by Jamilah refers to the publication of a cartoon magazine titled ‘Gedung Kartun’.

Hill railway: Safer, cost-effective option

Here are a couple of letters to theSun on the federally funded project to upgrade the Penang Hill Railway written by tram engineer Ric Francis and heritage activist Dr Choong Sim Poey. Ric has his say here:
As an experienced engineer who was responsible for the alternative proposal for the up-grading of the Penang Hill railway, that the NGOs presented to the Ministry of Tourism, I am insulted by the accusation that my system will be a clone. It is obvious that the JKR has neither learnt from the 1905 failure of the first Penang Hill railway which was a one-stage system similar to what is being proposed nor studied the original report prepared by the engineer who built the existing railway. I have the support of several Japanese and American railway experts who say that my proposal is far superior to that of the JKR as it will result in a system that will be cheaper, safer, as efficient and preserves one of the world’s heritage railways.

Japan’s LDP dumped in massive opposition win

This Merdeka brings news that Japan’s LDP has been dumped after virtually unbroken rule since 1955. The new Democratic Party-led government, which is expected to adopt a less subservient relationship with the United States and to expand the welfare state, is forecasted to win 308 of the 480 seats in the lower house.

Higher density, more congestion for Penang?

Great, more high-rise buildings, concrete and congestion… Why is Hunza announcing changes in property development density and not the local government via a press conference? Was there any public consultation before coming up with such a decision? This from The Star.
Wednesday August 26, 2009 Penang raises density for property development By DAVID TAN GEORGE TOWN: The state government has raised the density for property development in Penang, which will bring down land cost and stabilise property prices, said Hunza Properties Bhd executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong. “The state government recently decided to increase the density to 280,000 sq ft in built-up area from 90,000 sq ft per 100,000 sq ft of land.The decision to increase density will allow developers to build more, hence giving consumers more choices.

Could Penang be like this some day?

If Vauban in Germany could be like this… why not Penang? What is stopping us from becoming more sustainable?

ASM shares for hardcore poor: What criteria?

Najib has announced a RM100 million government allocation in the form of ASM trust fund shares to assist the urban poor. The government is reportedly now compiling data on the urban poor and hardcore poor to determine who is eligible to receive the aid. Several questions spring to mind:

Shah Alam temple demo: Voices of sanity

In the midst of this craziness, Dr Rafick provides a reassuring voice of sanity here. Mustafa K Anuar has released a press statement on behalf of Aliran here while Haris Ibrahim has his take here.

A different sort of CSI?

Could this be classified as CSI – Corporate Social Irresponsibility? You be the judge.
Efforts to send food aid to Penan natives in Central Sarawak are now stalled after a timber giant dismantled an iron bridge that provided critical access to 3,000 people living deep in remote areas. Full report here.

Bad news for Mr KPI

Whichever way you look at it, Idris Jala’s appointment as “KPI” minister must be bad news for the other “KPI” minister, Koh Tsu Koon. A friend sent me a text message, with a pointed observation: “looks like ktk is surplus to requirements”, never mind that Idris is supposed to “report” to Tsu Koon on “KPI” issues. The news comes as the Kg Buah Pala villagers stand on the brink of losing their village. No thanks to Mr KPI for allowing the land to be sold under his watch – and then remaining largely silent about what actually transpired back then while the villagers agonise ahead of demolition day. So now we have two “KPI” ministers as the Cabinet bloats up again. “Performance now”, huh? Perhaps one of the first “KPIs” Idris should look at is the 30 per cent target. (No, I’m not referring to the NEP.) To find out which 30 per cent I mean, read this piece I wrote after the Permatang Pasir by-election. Perhaps our country wouldn’t be in such a mess if this particular group achieves parity.

For Yasmin

Yasmin, dressed in white, appears like an angel towards the end of this clip as she sits down to commune in silent reverie with the boy whose house has been demolished…

Probe alleged RM10m donation: MCA divisions

Suspend Ong’s authority until the truth is established, urge Perak MCA reps at a press conference this morning – Photos by Kinta Kid Representatives of half a dozen Perak MCA divisions today signed a memo addressed to Ng Cheng Keat, the chair of MCA’s disciplinary committee, calling for a probe into the alleged RM10million donation to party president Ong Tee Keat. The memo calls on the committee to “to grant an order with immediate effect to cease and suspend (Ong’s) authority” until the truth is established and his name is cleared.

LIVE: Pas coasts to victory in Permatang Pasir

permatang pasir Riot police line up against a wall of Pas supporters along a street in Permatang Pasir – Photo courtesy of Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi A crowd of about 3,000 attended the final ceramah at the Permatang Pasir Pas markas last night – Photos by Anil As at 11.00am, 39 per cent of registered voters have cast their ballots. Live coverage in Malay from Permatang Pasir here. Live coverage in English begins on this website at 4.00pm.

Massive crawl in P Pasir as po…

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Massive crawl in P Pasir as polling closes. Lots of people on both sides of this rural road.

Sarawak food shortages: Who are the storytellers?

sarawak cleared land Logged and cleared for a plantation near Lapok, Sarawak – Photo courtesy of AFP. More pictures and AFP report here. Sarawak Rural Development Minister James Masing reportedly admitted some logging companies had behaved badly and “caused extensive damage” but said the Penan were “good storytellers” and their claims should be treated with caution. The Penan themselves are now experiencing food shortages. Food shortages in Malaysia? Hungry children queuing for food handouts? Who would have thought we would see this day in Malaysia. A Catholic Church in Miri is now providing relief for the Penan in the remote Kapit Division.