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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Human rights youth camp in Penang

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Human Rights Camp 2008 Calling all youths out there!! Amnesty International Malaysia will be organising a 3-day human rights youth camp for the first time in Penang on 29 Nov – 1 Dec. Come and learn about fundamental human rights, the Malaysian human rights realities. There will be a movie, games, exposure trips to see and speak to human rights victims and how they stand up for their rights, discussions, sharing session by human rights activist and many more!! Fees: RM 30 (inclusive of meals, accommodation and transportation for the exposure trip in Penang only) Venue: Yayasan Aman, Permatang Pauh, Penang. Hurry, register quickly as we have limited places!! For more information please call Yohen at 03-7955 2680 or email yohendra@aimalaysia.org PROGRAMME
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What should the petrol price be?

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Okay, you tell me what the local petrol price should be now, bearing in mind that they have removed subsidies completely now. Of course, we also need to factor in the need to conserve scarce fossil fuels. I think RM1.80 without any subsidy would be a more acceptable price now, taking into account the need to bring down food prices and stimulate the local economy while trying to encourage fossil fuel oil conservation and prevent wastage at the same time. Thanks to Ong Eu Soon for compiling this chart:
Petrol price Global crude
RM/litre US$/barrel
01/10/00 1.20 35
20/10/01 1.30 20
01/05/02 1.32 26
31/10/02 1.33 28
01/03/03 1.35 31
01/05/04 1.37 38
01/10/04 1.42 47
05/05/05 1.52 48
30/07/05 1.62 57
26/02/06 1.92 63
05/06/08 2.70 120
17/11/08 2.00 55
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No surprise that MPSP is nearly broke

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So there are questions being asked about what happened to the RM225 million in reserves held by the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP). Today, the MPSP is nearly broke as Penang Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nan and Lim Guan Eng engage in a battle of words over the media. But it’s not a big mystery really how the MPSP blew its reserves. Some RM65 million was splurged on a new MPSP office building in Bandar Perda near Bukit Mertajam. On whose instruction? Then, there are all the expenses related to the new (white elephant?) Batu Kawan Stadium and a sports complex near Bukit Mertajam. Apart from this, the BN-administered MPSP indulged in all kinds of “beautification projects” costing hundreds of thousands of ringgit while the basics such as proper drains for the whole town were neglected.
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Another Mass in Penang for ISA detainees

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Another Mass will be held for ISA detainees at 8.00pm today at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang.

RPK has his statement recorded

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RPK is hauled up again for questioning today Photo by Rakyat@work

A cigar-puffing RPK at the Sentul police station this afternoon Photo by Rakyat@work About 50 people, including the press, gathered outside the Sentul police station after 3.00pm today, as they waited for Raja Petra to have his statement recorded.
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Time to slash the petrol price

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I think it’s about time we slashed the petrol price, don’t you think? When the price of petrol was increased from RM1.92 to RM2.70 – a hike of 41 per cent – on 5 June, the price of Nymex Light Sweet Crude was around US$125 per barrel (on 4-5 June). The current oil price is around US$56/barrel, which is less than half of what it was at the time. And yet, after three four reductions, our petrol price is still RM2.30 2.15 – nowhere near the RM1.92/litre of 5 June, when the price was US$125. Even if we take the price of RM2.70 at 5 June, a 50 per cent reduction in line with global prices would be RM1.35/litre – certainly not more than RM1.90. It’s time for a sharp drop in pump prices. But the most we can expect from this government is a 15-sen reduction to RM2.15 2.00/litre, which will not have much impact on overall domestic demand/consumer spending unlike the sharp rise earlier. Neither will it be able to reverse the rise in food prices as a result of the sharp hike earlier.
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Images from the PJ vigil last night

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Videos courtesy of Sivin Kit, who was at the vigil last night. He says, “After reading the rules for the gathering, I realised by lighting the candle I was in fact breaking the rule as I spoke. But then I did come later, so I missed the briefing! haha”

Standing up to be counted Photo by Rakyat@work

Restrictive conditions of the police permit Photo by Rakyat@work

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LIVE: Restrictive permit fails to spoil “best vigil so far”

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Updates from ‘citizen journalists’ reporting ‘live’ from outside the MBPJ building in PJ: 2316: “Hahaha… the conditions seem to be like saying you can have a birthday party but no cake and no birthday song.” – kimsng via comments 2225: “What a beautiful day in PJ… We proved to them we are peace-loving anak Bangsa Malaysia.” – Dave via text 2130: Mission accomplished… for tonight at least. The day draws to a close – taking us another step closer to the day when the ISA is finally repealed. Oh, what a joyous day that will be! 2121: The last speaker Edward Ling, 26, has given an outstanding speech. “Everything has to do with politics including daily stuff like the price of petrol,” he says. “They are applying scare tactics – don’t talk politics; don’t light candles. It’s a mockery.” The crowd of about 300 have just sung the national anthem and are now dispersing. “The mood is patriotic.” – Participant via text, who is relieved the event has ended without any incident. 2110: Haris is speaking now. 2109: Despite the restrictions, “this is the best vigil so far,” says my contact. More than 200 people are now gathered in front of the MBPJ building, where the lighting is good and there’s plenty of space. “There is a fantastic line-up of speakers who are giving good testimony.”  Among them is Din Merican. The best part has been the sharing given by some of the ordinary people including senior citizens. One senior citizen encourages those gathered to continue doing what they are doing. He equates their struggle to that of Gandhi’s, Martin Luther King’s and other peacemakers’. Some of those present have candles and are wearing Abolish ISA T-shirts, but a few men believed to be plainclothes security personnel are taking pictures of them, and one by one, the candles are put away… But so many people have come up to speak and share their testimony and there is a look of happiness on their faces. Someone suggests that every Selangor state government office should have a “No to ISA” sign prominently displayed. 2104: “We are gonna have fun,” says my contact at the scene. 2100: No sign of a police presence. 2055: Teresa has just completed her speech. 2042: Among them is MP Teresa Kok. 2031: The crowd swells to 150 now. “No kidding, wearing some T-shirts and lighting up the good old white candles have become a threat to security?” – Blog reader via comments “Torchlights, bolehkah?” – splim via comments
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Freedom Run pictures; Paula’s harrowing experience

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Running towards freedom from the ISA

Reaching Tengku Kelana Pictures courtesy of a blog-reader

These are images of the ongoing two-day 350km Freedom Run from Klang to Kamunting, which began yesterday and ends this evening.

Meanwhile, Paula Khoo, blogger and emcee for last night’s Abolish ISA vigil in Penang, was released at 1.10am from the Patani Road police station. She will have to report back to police on 28 Nov to find out if she is going to be charged. Blogger Lucia Lai has the update on Paula’s release here.

Read Paula’s account below of her harrowing experience in police custody:

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Police detain singer-guitarist Paula at Penang vigil

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Paula leading the crowd with a freedom song

Riot police arrived as the event was winding down

Shining the light for justice and freedom in the land All eyes will now be on the vigils in Petaling Jaya and Ipoh tomorrow. 2358: The rumour goes out among those outside that B K Ong has been arrested. But Chin Tong confirms over the phone that B K Ong is safe and sound with him inside the station. The small crowd of about 20 outside the police station are now allowed to enter the premises. 2321: Chin Tong sends me a text message:
She’s actually arrested. But probably (to be) released soon.
2258: Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong has been allowed into the police station. He tells me over the phone he understands that she has not been formally arrested but they are questioning her at the moment. 2154: Four or five activists and friends, along with several journalists, are now outside the police station. They have not been allowed to enter the compound. 2133: Singer-guitarist Paula Khoo was detained by police as the Abolish ISA vigil in Penang drew to a close after 8.30 pm, just about 30 minutes after it had begun. Ironically, Paula, who was the emcee for the night, was detained minutes after leading the crowd in a rendition of “Sing a song of freedom”. As the event was winding down, police including about a dozen light strike force personnel arrived. An officer using a loud hailer gave the crowd ten minutes to disperse as the riot police stood in a row behind him. The crowd gradually dispersed, but unknown to many of them, Paula was quietly led to a police van and taken to the Patani Road police station.
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Kee Thuan Chye speaks about “fairly current” events

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A relaxed-looking Kee Thuan Chye talks about his latest book ‘March 8: The day Malaysia woke up’, unfulfilled promises, renewed fears of a crackdown, and the political transition. He says Malaysians need to be more politically conscious and let the powers-that-be know that they can’t ride roughshod over the people.

Abolish ISA “freedom run” in progress

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Candlelight vigil at the Esplanade, Penang at 8.00pm today, organised by the Penang Anti-ISA Network.
An Anti-ISA freedom run from the Pandamaran new village in Selangor to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak was flagged off at 8.15am today. The 350-km two-day run, organised by the DAP, is taking the following route:
Saturday, 15 Nov 08 (Selangor) 0800 – Flag off at DAP Pandamaran Service Centre (near the market). Route towards Bt Tinggi/Bayu Perdana traffic light (YB Charles Santiago Service Centre). Towards Jalan Kim Chuan and onwards to YB M. Manoharan’s service centre (near Hin Hua school). Simpang Tujuh roundabout and towards Jalan Tengku Kelana (Indian Street). 0845 – Cross the Klang bridge and towards Gold Coast hotel, Pin Hua school. Pin Hua school to CIMB bank and Jalan Meru, pass High School to (YB Teng Chang Khim’s service centre). 0900 – Jalan Kapar, batu 2 setengah. Straight to Kapar town. 1000 – Kapar town. Proceed to Jeram. 1200 – Kuala Selangor. 1330 – Tg Karang. 1430 – Sekinchan. 1630 – Sg Besar. 1800 – Sabak Bernam. Run stops for the night.
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Bakun: More public money to be pumped in?

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RM3 billion of your EPF money has been lent for the Bakun Dam project (Photo credit: Raymond Abin/IPS) This news report below doesn’t sound good. The Tenaga Nasional Bhd CEO is saying that government support is needed for the Bakun Dam to be economically feasible. Is this a request for a bailout? Remember, we already have more than a 40 per cent electricity reserve margin in the peninsula, and more dams are supposed to sprout like mushrooms in Sarawak. Remember, they have already borrowed RM3 billion from the EPF and RM0.4 billion from the Pension Trust Fund for Bakun. Does that mean they have already lent your EPF money for a project that will not be feasible without government support? Then there’s the whole question of the viability of the Bakun Dam, seeing how even the dam catchment areas have been logged or degraded.

And they still want to build the Murum Dam near the Bakun Dam and relocate a thousand Penan inhabitants. Where is the money for Murum going to come from?

(TheEdgeDaily) Kuala Lumpur: Tenaga Nasional Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh said government support was needed for the Bakun Hydroelectric dam to be economically feasible. “It can take the form of a pseudo-govt support in terms of the financing or other kind of support. But to ensure that the tariff from Bakun to Tenaga is at an affordable rate there must be some support. For Bakun, it cannot be purely commercial financing,” he told reporters during the International Energy Security Forum 2008 yesterday.
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LIVE updates: A wet night in Seremban

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Live updates from an eye-witness at the scene. Blog reader We Care says:
I see Rain as a symbol for “Showers of Blessing”. Let’s continue to fast and pray for Wisdom, Peace and Tranquility to prevail. Let’s continue to campaign to “RELEASE all ISA detainees and ABOLISH ISA NOW”!
In a related development, Perak became the second state to approve a motion in its State Assembly to Abolish the ISA. The motion was approved yesterday, according to the Abolish ISA Movement, Syed Ibrahim Syed Nor in an email notification. It’s a huge symbolic milestone for the campaign as the Kamunting Detention Centre lies in Perak. Selangor was the first state to approve such a motion in May. 2120: The vigil ends peacefully after the crowd sings two numbers, “I have a dream” and “Where are all the flowers gone?” Zorro tells the rakyat it’s not the size of the crowd that matters but their intention and commitment to the cause of justice. The next vigil will be held in Penang tomorrow, Saturday night, at the Esplanade at 8.00pm.
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5,000 new jobs coming up

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In the midst of all the doom and gloom surrounding the global economic slowdown, it is heartening to know that there is at least one sector in Malaysia that is expanding, creating thousands of new jobs over the next few years.
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10 lessons to be learnt from the Big Bang tennis flop

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Now that the recriminations have flown around after the “Kings of Tennis” debacle, it would be a pity if this episode is allowed to peter out without any real lessons being learned. There are larger lessons here for the state when dealing with private companies coming up with all sorts of ideas and proposals: 1. Protect the public interest at all times, ahead of private interests. 2. Check out the track record of the companies concerned. Do they have a history of successful ventures? Are they in financial trouble? Check out the directors’ backgrounds. 3. Don’t get too “pally” and cosy with the business community. State government officials are there to uphold and defend the public interest. It’s fine to encourage economic activity, but when dealing with private companies, always do so at arm’s length. 4. Beware of things which appear to be free and cost nothing to the state. What do they expect in return – if not in cash, then in kind? Are they looking for relaxation of regulations, easier licences, cheap land, monopolistic advantage or a stepping stone to related ventures? 5. If they are introducing new technology, chemicals, etc, is the technology proven and safe? Remember the Precautionary Principle:
The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action. The principle implies that there is a responsibility to intervene and protect the public from exposure to harm where scientific investigation discovers a plausible risk in the course of having screened for other suspected causes. The protections that mitigate suspected risks can be relaxed only if further scientific findings emerge that more robustly support an alternative explanation. In some legal systems, as the law of the European Union, the precautionary principle is also a general and compulsory principle of law.
In other words, the burden of proof lies with those introducing the technology to prove that it is safe – and NOT with the public to prove that it is harmful.
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Gotcha!

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Selangor state assembly member Lau Weng San was assaulted on Sunday Photos by Sunny Lim

Ever wondered what the view from inside a police truck would be like as you are hauled off to the police station? This is what Sunny saw…

Waiting… and waiting: Inside the PJ police station after being arrested More than 100 people attended the Mass for ISA detainees at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus last night.  Parish priest Fr Marshall Fernandez and Fr Fabian Dicom concelebrated the Mass. Police presence was low-key, with just a couple of plainclothes officers outside. There will be another Mass next Wednesday. Meanwhile, Lau Weng San, the Selangor state assembly member representative who was assaulted during the vigil in Petaling Jaya on Sunday, has found a picture of the man in plainclothes who he identifies as the one who assaulted him. Click here. Gotcha! Weng San was among 23 arrested on Sunday. Also among those arrested was Sunny Lim, who provides an inspiring account of his participation in the vigil, capturing the spirit of the occasion.  He was outraged by what he witnessed.

The weather was kind and the night air was filled with patriotism. The national anthem was heard loud and clearly sung by all present in unison. Before it was over, my arm was grabbed by a plainclothes officer. I suffered shock for a moment and wondered what had gone wrong. I remained composed and walked along with him. Full article on the Aliran website here.
What do all these vigils mean and why are the authorities now getting a bit edgy? I tried to answer these questions in the article for IPS below:
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Ronnie Liu arrested

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Selangor state exco member Ronnie Liu has been detained or arrested, according to two sources.
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