PKR congress, yoga fatwa and sordid politics

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Heading to the PKR congress Photo by Amiruddin

Blogger Amiruddin will be covering the PKR congress, which is expected to draw thousands.

Read Farish Noor’s article on the yoga fatwa here.

And check out ABC’s Foreign Correspondent documentary on Malaysia’s sordid and sensational politics here.

The spectre of job losses haunts Malaysia

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The global recession is already creeping up on us with the spectre of job losses looming. Already, we hear multinational corporations here slowing down production, asking workers to take annual leave and going for planned shutdowns. No bonus, no increments, etc… That’s not surprising. US third quarter 2008 economic growth was already in negative territory: – 0.5 per cent (preliminary figure). Personal consumption in the States was down by 3.7 per cent – and that could worsen – while retail sales fell 15 per cent. Housing prices there are expected to slide further.  US unemployment could soar to 8.5-9.0 per cent by the end of 2009. That’s grim reading, isn’t it? It would be foolish to think Malaysia can be spared, especially when traditionally, 20 per cent of Malaysia’s exports have gone to the United States – 12 per cent to the giant US electronic multinationals – while Europe is also sucked into the maelstrom. Blog reader Drachen mocks the thinking in some circles:
Nah, Anil! Don’t be a Chicken Little! Malaysia’s economy has STRONG FUNDAMENTALS! We are managed by SUPERIOR LEADERSHIP! NOTHING will affect our growth and prosperity! We can take ANYTHING the world can throw at us! We are IMMUNE! Let’s all go back to sleep! HAHAHA!
We are talking of a recession in Malaysia that could be worse than that of 1997, which was essentially triggered by a regional financial crisis. In contrast, the coming recession would be more akin to what we experienced in 1986, when exports weakened and commodity prices slumped, sparking job losses.
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LA turns to solar energy; why not Malaysia?

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“Why solar? L.A. enjoys 276 days of sunshine a year, according to the mayor’s office. Solar would also help cut down on the city’s notorious smog.”
Well, why don’t we seriously consider solar? If Los Angeles can move towards solar – the city is aiming for 35 per cent of its energy from renewables – there is no reason Malaysia can’t move in that direction now. If we start now, we can pre-empt any move towards nuclear power plants, which, knowing our maintenance culture, would be a disaster waiting to happen.
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..and they keep coming back to pray for ISA detainees

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Praying in solidarity with those unjustly detained

They keep coming back, week after week, to pray for the release of the detainees… What drives them to pray for total strangers who have been unjustly detained? It is their belief that God cares deeply about justice for everyone.

The weekly Wednesday Masses continue to be held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang. About a hundred people turned up tonight to pray for the release of ISA detainees and the repeal of the ISA. One senior nun was seen wearing not one, but two ‘Abolish ISA’ badges!

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RM1b more needed for flood mitigation in Penang?

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The Penang state government has said it needs RM970 million more from KL for flood mitigation projects to prevent flash floods. It says it has identified seven more areas that require such projects and this would cost RM670 million. Another RM300 million would be needed for 50 water pump stations and five retention ponds. Areas worst affected by floods are Jalan P Ramlee, Teluk Kumbar and Teluk Bahang on the island and kampongs near rivers on the mainland as well as Kampung Tok Suboh in Bukit Mertajam. Activist Ong Eu Soon, however, says only a small fraction of that RM1 billion would be needed if the government were to opt for storm water management, which would involve building storm wells with filters in strategic locations. Check out his proposal, which he says uses the latest US technology.
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More on the Makkal Sakthi prayers

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Pictures by Charles Santiago in Batu Caves here. Update from blog reader RastamanJB in JB:
The SMSes were flying till late evening asking all Hindus to gather at the nearest temple to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Great March. I headed to the temple nearest to my abode… and a real surprise awaited me! A huge banner with the faces of the 5 ISAed heroes was strung across the entrance of the temple. Below their pictures was some message that stated special prayers for the 5 would be held at 8.00pm. I was there at about 7.00pm and could see the events unfolding as the clock ticked away. Slowly the crowd swelled and there was equal representation by women folk as well.
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Prayers to mark Makkal Sakthi awakening

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This was the scene at the Sree Ganeshar Temple along Waterfall Road in Penang at around 7.00pm. About 50 people gathered for prayers to commemorate the first anniversary of the Makkal Sakthi (People Power) awakening. On 25 November last year, some 30,000 Indian Malaysians rallied in downtown KL to highlight their plight.
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Bruce Willis sees red over “green rubber”

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In case you missed it, here’s the link to the Reuters report:

Bruce Willis sues over “green rubber” investment

Irene Fernandez acquitted after 13-year court battle

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Just got news that Irene Fernandez has been finally acquitted after a 13-year court battle on a charge of publishing false news about the ill-treatment and poor living conditions of migrant workers in a detention centre. The High Court judge who made the decision is Mohamad Apandi Ali. Some background here:
Fernandez is a staunch human rights activist and is the director and co-founder of Tenaganita, a Malaysian NGO that promotes the rights and welfare of migrant and agricultural workers.
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No charges pressed against vigil participants

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No charges pressed!: Outside the PJ main police station this morning Photo by Rakyat@work Rakyat@work at the PJ main police station tells me at 9.26am that the Investigating Officer there has told all those arrested during the 9 November Abolish ISA vigil in PJ that no charges will be preferred against them – though their details will be on file in case they commit future “offences”. About half of those concerned are now going off to celebrate. Others have gone straight away to check out the Raja Petra criminal defamation trial, which begins today! Says one of them, blogger Arif Abdull:
Yes, we weren’t charged today. Just back to work from Duta Court to lend support to RPK. The RPK case (has been) adjourned to tomorrow morning at Level 3 court room no 5.
Check out Mustafa K Anuar’s response to the Malay-Muslim “NGOs” that have called on the government to take action against those opposing the ISA (photo of their demonstration from NST):
Wait a sec! Did they imply that the so-called ’Muslim and Malay unity’ hinged on detention without trial aka ISA? (Are they) associating this kind of unity with a piece of legislation that has long been considered unjust and therefore going against the very teachings of Islam that prioritise justice and compassion, among other important things in life?
Meanwhile, Rakyat@work gives us a more detailed report of the Abolish ISA vigil last night: Senior newspaper editor Bob Teoh giving a humourous speech Video courtesy of Sivin Kit Braving the rain once again at last night’s vigil in PJ

Anak bangsa rakyat yearning for a land of justice and peace Photos by Rakyat@work Rain, rain, and more rain. Refreshing throughout the evening.
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LIVE: 200 turn up for PJ vigil

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The latest issue of Aliran Monthly is now out. Meanwhile, the Aliran annual general meeting today has unanimously resolved to call upon the government of Malaysia to abrogate the Internal Security Act and thereby restore justice and establish the rule of law. The AGM also urged all Malaysians to rally together to oppose the ISA and other oppressive laws. Updates with Rakyat@work reporting ‘live’ from PJ: 2152: Malaysiakini reports that nine people, including three Pas leaders, have been arrested for failing to disperse when police moved into a group gathered at another location  – a field in Ampang Jaya – since 8.00pm. The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) had organised the event to launch an anti-ISA rally, expected to be held next year. 2143: “Did you guys catch the news of those … who paraded in the pro-ISA demo?” – SEOAdsenseThemes News report say a couple of hundred people linked to Malay-based “NGOs” had gathered outside Wisma Sejarah, close to the Jalan Tun Razak police station, to lodge police reports against other NGOs such as Sisters in Islam and those campaigning against the ISA. 2130: The crowd is singing the national anthem now before dispersing. 2112: About 200 people are here now. 2109: More sharings from the ‘anak bangsa rakyat‘.
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Something’s going on at the Botanic Gardens

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Eco-stream or eco-tampering? (The view looking towards Coronation Camp)

Thanks to the blog reader who sent me the above pics. In case you are wondering what’s going on at the Penang Botanic Gardens, the pictures above show the “Eco-Stream Walk” under construction. The is one of four new “attractions” in the pipeline, the others being a bambusetum (a bamboo park), a garden mall  and a water garden. (What’s a ‘garden mall’ and a ‘water garden’? These will be just outside the present entrance.) Work is due to finish in 2010. The “Eco-Stream Walk” will be 300 metres long, following the stream from the nursery in the Gardens to a parking area near Waterfall Road. They are also building a ‘Tourist Pavilion’ opposite the Horticulture Centre – gallery, souvenir shops and information booths. (More concrete in the gardens?) Wouldn’t one information booth suffice? In a future phase, a bamboo village will be added. Why not, when you have RM7 million funding from the Tourism Ministry under the Ninth Malaysia Plan? Let’s build some “attractions”. After all, we can’t stand seeing open green recreational spaces around. We must “develop” them.
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Asset declarations: Still waiting for the right “forms”?

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On 17 June, the Penang Chief Minister was asked why the Penang state exco members had not yet declared their assets. He said they were waiting for the right forms from KL to ensure “uniformity” and “maintain good federal relations”. I said back then that there was no need to wait for KL. The BN federal government is not interested in a public declaration of assets. The PR governments are supposed to show us they are different.
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Oil, steel prices plunge – but second bridge still RM4.6b?

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The crude oil price has dipped below US$50/barrel. Similarly the prices of other commodities have plunged. Steel prices, for instance, have crashed from $1,200/ton in June to below $300 – and it is likely to fall even further with demand from China expected to weaken. Now the question is how low can these commodity prices go? The speculative boom run in commodity prices began in 2001-2002, when oil broke the $30 barrier. Certain analysts are now suggesting that we are now only half way down the road back to that trough. So commodity prices still have room to fall further and they could continue sliding until the end of 2009. But it is hard to say if oil will approach the $30 region given that it is getting harder and more expensive to find new global oil reserves. Anyway, I heard on the radio that the government is intending to further cut oil prices. The more immediate issues are:
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So where is Bala?

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In the light of Razak Baginda’s press statement, this appears to be his version of the current state of play (if I read what he is saying correctly): Baginda is not involved. Najib and Rosmah had never met Altantuya. It had nothing to do with an arms deal. Baginda only met Altantuya later. Bloggers have been spreading lies. Two men are now in court in the Altantuya case; so he can’t say much in the interests of “legal ethics”. That leaves at least two simple but unanswered questions:
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They all knew… so why did they approve?

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They knew that an application had been submitted to Unesco a few years ago for George Town to be listed as a World Heritage site. An updated dossier was submitted on 23 August 2007. At the very least, they knew the area is an historical site. So why did they, how could the previous administration (three approvals) and the current adminstration (one approval) approve high-rise buildings in the heritage zone? That’s why I found it hard to celebrate the World Heritage listing. In the heritage core zone (guidelines: max 5-storey/18-metre height restriction; tighter restrictions in certain areas):
  • AGB Sdn Bhd’s RM500 million “The Pier at Weld Quay” project including the 13-storey, 51-metre high, 100-room Rice Miller boutique hotel at Weld Quay: 100,000 sq feet commercial plaza, 160,000 sq feet retail podium, 23 small office-house-office (Soho) townhouses and 105 condominiums;
  • Boustead’s RM100 million 12-storey, 51-metre high, Royale Bintang Hotel (4-star, 295-room) project behind the post office in Downing Street;
In the heritage buffer zone (guidelines: 5-storey/18-metre height restriction):
  • Low Yat Group’s 23-storey, 84-metre high project along Millionaire’s Row (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah);
  • E&O Hotel’s 17-storey, 84-metre high extension.
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Praying in hope for an end to ISA

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Collective prayer: Justice and love will prevail over the ISA

About a hundred people turned up for the Mass  to pray for ISA detainees this evening at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang. It is the latest in a series of Wednesday ISA services that is likely to continue until the ISA is repealed.

Parish priest Fr Marshall Fernandez pointed out that prayer is a powerful means of advancing the kingdom of love and justice and peace. It was also important to have hope, he said.

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Toll concessionaires should cut toll rates

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So all the toll concessionaires except for one are ready to reveal their toll concession agreements. While almost everyone is blaming the hawkers and roti-canai vendors for not lowering their prices, the big guys escape public scrutiny and pressure to cut their toll rates.
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When the BN messed up the Esplanade…

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The PR Penang state government has probably learned a few hard lessons from the “Kings of Tennis” flop.  At the very least,  they will now learn to thoroughly scrutinise proposals from women and men in business suits who claim their ventures will be free i.e. at no cost to the state government.

I was just as interested to see  the concerned reaction by the BN folks towards the damage to the Esplanade.

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Penang state govt: How would you rate it so far?

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How would you rate the performance of the Penang state government so far? Good? Too early to tell? Could be better? Disappointing? Here’s one assessment by Khoo Kay Peng.
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