2,000 in peaceful Abolish ISA protest in KL
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday. Lots of candles around – ‘cept they were not on my birthday cake. Some 2,000 Malaysians, many holding up candles to dispel the darkness of our times, gathered last night in KL calling for the release of RPK, the Hindraf Five and other ISA detainees.
That’s an amazing turnout! Full report, pictures and video clips by DeadAlienX here.
(Listen to RPK speak days before his arrest. The BBC interviews him here. If you would like to send an email to your favourite politician(s) calling on him/them to release all ISA detainees, click here for details.)
The event was organised by two different groups: Hindraf and a coalition of NGOs led by the Writers Alliance for Media Independence. As the original venue Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off by police, the vigil turned into a peaceful march to the Kortumalar Pillayar Temple, opposite Puduraya.
The whole event last about an hour. If you were there, do send in your citizen journalist eye-witness impressions.
Early dawn scare for Teresa’s family
Teresa Kok with parents and party supporters at a press conference this afternoon following a molotov cocktail scare at her parents’ home at 2.55am today (Photo credit: M Soon) The molotov cocktail failed to explode and no one was hurt. But a sheet of paper on which was written a threat and vulgar words was found. 300 attend Abolish ISA vigil; Film fest opens in Penang
Free films in Penang; candle-light vigil too
Quite a few things happening tonight.
Check out the Freedom Film Festival in Penang this weekend. It is organised by Komas and is being held at the Wawasan Open University from today until Sunday. The action has already begun… Details of films here. Choose what you like and come and support the festival.
You might also like to join in the Abolish ISA Movement’s candle-light vigil in front of Dewan Sri Pinang tonight from 9.30pm onwards.
Umno AGM put off to March; Abdullah to decide by 9 Oct
This seems to be a compromise to the transition plan – or is it the end of the transition plan? – under which Abdullah was supposed to hand over power to Najib in June 2010. But there was uncertainty over whether Abdullah would even get the 58 nominations he needs from the 191 party divisions to defend his presidency in December.
By putting off the general assembly, he gets to test the waters to see if he can secure those nominations; and if he can’t, he gets to stay on a little longer probably until March and hand over to Najib then. Najib too won’t be seen as power-hungry if he bides his time a little longer.
So will we see a Razaleigh vs Najib contest for the presidency? And where does Muhyiddin fit in? How will Najib, as finance minister, handle the economic slowdown in the coming months? Still a few critical questions hanging in the air. Meanwhile, Anwar is out there…
1229: Abdullah will decide his next move – whether to defend the presidency – by 9 October. He insists that he is not under any pressure to decide. But the pressure seems obvious.
1221: The Umno general assembly has been postponed from this December to March 2009 but the divisional elections will go on as scheduled from 9 October. So will Abdullah stand for the presidency or stand aside for Najib?
More concern about wi-fi radiation
A concerned Penangite has just sent me this article from the Independent in the UK:
EU watchdog calls for urgent action on Wi-Fi radiation By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor Sunday, 16 September 2007 Europe’s top environmental watchdog is calling for immediate action to reduce exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi, mobile phones and their masts. It suggests that delay could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking and lead in petrol. The warning, from the EU’s European Environment Agency (EEA) follows an international scientific review which concluded that safety limits set for the radiation are “thousands of times too lenient”, and an official British report last week which concluded that it could not rule out the development of cancers from using mobile phones.
Anwar works behind the scenes … and waits
Let’s see what happens tomorrow at the emergency supreme council meeting. Umno seems to be facing a leadership crisis. The sand in the hourglass is emptying rapidly for Abdullah.
And all the while, Anwar is waiting and working behind the scenes. . Having missed two self-imposed deadlines, he appears to be adopting a different approach: keeping a lower profile, while waiting to spring a surprise. Here’s something I wrote today for Asia Times:
PENANG – Malaysia’s political opposition insists its plan to topple Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s government is still on track, as doubts emerge about the credibility of those claims after it missed two self-set deadlines for ushering in political change.
Insulting the poor egg
You couldn’t make this up, could you?
All I can say is that some people are easily offended. I think Teresa’s point was that the meals didn’t exactly constitute a balanced diet; neither were they finger-lickin’ good. Know what I mean?
Anyway, it’s the most read article on theSun website! You got to hand it to ’em… They do know how to keep us entertained… 🙂
But, more seriously, see Wong Kok Keong’s concern below.
Report lodged against Teresa Kok for insulting egg KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24, 2008) : The Seputeh Umno Youth division lodged a police report today against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, claiming she had insulted the Royal Malaysian Police and the egg, which is an essential food of the underprivileged. The division’s deputy head Alawi Dahalin and several other members lodged the report at the Brickfields police station.
Wi-fi health risks: Yes or No?
Well, what do you think? Should Penang rush into Wifi or should it adopt a very cautious approach, after studying all the scientific concerns? Perhaps we need to probe deeper into why Germany has advised its citizens to avoid Wifi and why the European Parliament has just voted for stricter safety limits.
You decide if it’s safe enough. I guess the difference between Wifi for the whole of Penang and other devices that you buy (e.g. mobile phones) is that in the former you don’t have a choice whereas in the latter, you can choose whether you want to use them.
To recap, this is what the BioInitiative Report says:
No lower limit for bioeffects and adverse health effects from RF has been established, so the possible health risks of wireless WLAN and WI-FI systems, for example, will require further research and no assertion of safety at any level of wireless exposure (chronic exposure) can be made at this time.And the European Parliament has just voted 522 to 16 for stricter safety limits:
The European Parliament “is greatly concerned at the Bio-Initiative international report concerning EMFs, which summarises over 1500 studies on that topic and which points in its conclusions to the health risks posed by emissions from mobile-telephony devices such as mobile telephones, UMTS, WiFi, WiMax and Bluetooth, and also DECT landline telephones.” Further, it points out the need to “address vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, newborn babies and children.”Contrast that with this report:
WHO studies Wi-Fi risks The Province Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008 The amount of non-ionizing radiation absorbed by a person’s body from a Wi-Fi station is less than one-fifth that they receive from FM radio and TVs that surround them day and night, the World Health Organization has concluded. And the level of non-ionizing radiation — radiation such as light or microwaves that do not cause genetic damage — from the wireless computer routers are between 0.002 per cent and two per cent of international safe-exposure guidelines, the WHO says in a report that considered 10 years of research.But check out this new research from Sweden:
Children are especially vulnerable to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, Wi-Fi and other devices, because their brains and nervous systems are still developing and since their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner – the radiation penetrates deeper into their brains. The Swedish research presented this month at the first international conference on mobile phones and health and represents an analysis of data from one of the biggest studies carried out into the risk that the radiation causes cancer, and was led by Professor Lennart Hardell of the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden.This would be enough for me to adopt a very cautious approach, looking out for public health and safety all the time. Few people are against technology, but we need to make sure it’s safe i.e. not harmful in the long run. This from theSun:
Guan Eng: No proof of wi-fi health risks By Himanshu Bhatt GEORGE TOWN (Sept 25,2008) : The Penang government has found no evidence that the open wi-fi transmission network planned over the whole state would pose a health hazard to inhabitants, and will go ahead with the project. Chief minister Lim Guan Eng said today the economic and social opportunities presented by the project should not be stopped when there is no concrete proof that it is risky. He stressed that the wi-fi band frequency was, in fact, lower than that for mobile phones.
Marina Lee meets RPK in Kamunting
A touching account of Marina Lee’s visit with Raja Petra in Kamunting. Once you read this, you will know why we need to get rid of the ISA:
First time To Kamunting Detention Centre By Marina Lee Abdullah This morning my family and I went to Kamunting to visit Pet. This being our first time there we left home 6am just to make sure we don’t miss the schedule time allowed: 8.30am to 2pm and the family is allowed weekly visits from Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday. We brought some food, fruits, drinks, one pair of jeans, T-shirt and his glasses.
Marina Lee receives a standing ovation
Marina Lee speaking yesterday in KL
Loud applause greeted Raja Petra’s wife Marina as she addressed a large crowd yesterday. Few politicians can win such genuine love, affection and concern from the public.
“Please don’t forget you all have a part to play” in abolishing the ISA and freeing the detainees, urged Marina.
Blogger The Whisperer comments:
I was there, Anil. The support for Marina was overwhelming. Indeed, an inspiring moment. No way they are going to break our spirit with their dirty tricks. This is what I can assure you from the ground.Do you know where they have taken Raja Petra? He is here. Say a prayer over this image for the immediate release of all the detainees.
Wi-fi health risks
Something to ponder over carefully and study before we rush to embrace Wifi. An article from the Independent of the UK:
Germany warns citizens to avoid using Wi-Fi Environment Ministry’s verdict on the health risks from wireless technology puts the British government to shame. By Geoffrey Lean Sunday, 9 September 2007 Independent.co.uk Web People should avoid using Wi-Fi wherever possible because of the risks it may pose to health, the German government has said. Its surprise ruling – the most damning made by any government on the fast-growing technology – will shake the industry and British ministers, and vindicates the questions that The Independent on Sunday has been raising over the past four months. Full articleMembers of the European Parliament have also expressed concern in the mid-term review of the European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010:
Spiked: Malaysian political Oscars
This piece by Huzir Sulaiman was apparently spiked by a mainstream newspaper. It’s a good laugh. Obviously some people don’t think it’s funny!
The Malaysian Political Oscars! Our political situation is like something out of a movie – so here are the awards. The envelope, please… The Wide Angle Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, headquartered for no particular reason in Skudai, presents this year’s Malaysian Political Oscars. The most widely watched television event in Malaysia, the Political Oscar telecast reaches over 1 billion viewers, some of whom are dead, some of whom are 130 years old, and most of whom are registered at the same address.
Teresa Kok’s seven days under the ISA
Reminder: Candlelight vigil at 9.30pm this Friday in front of Dewan Sri Pinang organised by Abolish ISA Movement (GMI). Bring your own candles/torchlights. The organisers are also getting those present to send Raya cards to ISA detainees and to sign a petition for the abolition of the ISA.
Sin Chew has published an interview with Teresa Kok about her experience under ISA detention.
This bit is cute:
(Teresa later said she even told the investigating officer that she was sleeping and eating well, and would take care of herself properly. She said if Pakatan Rakyat successfully seizes power, she would then become their boss! She said the officers were dumbfounded after hearing this.)
Syed Hamid sends RPK to Kamunting
So Home Affairs Minister Syed Hamid has signed a two-year detention order against Raja Petra (photo credit: Susan Loone) – which means RPK goes to Kamunting today. The detention order was signed yesterday, ahead of RPK’s habeas corpus application in court today.
His lead counsel for the habeas corpus application is Malik Imtiaz Sarwar. The Court has since set 28 October to hear further submissions.
He was also due to appear in court under a sedition charge over an article of his which implicated Najib in the Altantuya murder case. Hearing had been fixed for 6-10 October.
Freedom Film Festival comes to Penang
Hi folks, I highly recommend this film festival. Choose a film that catches your fancy and support the cause of freedom and justice. And it’s free! This event has been growing and growing over the years. The old venue near Green Hall was just not big enough anymore, so the organisers had to find a bigger place to hold the festival. This year’s festival will be held in Wawasan Open University in Penang on 26-28 September.
The theme “Democratic Space – Making Room for Human Rights” was chosen to draw attention to the deteriorating state of democracy in Malaysia. What was once a desperate situation of increasing restrictions to freedom of speech, assembly, information, free and fair elections, religious practice and other basic rights, since the March elections and with the dawn of a new political era, the space suddenly feels bigger. The questions that still beg to be asked are: what really is democracy, where are the democratic spaces in Malaysia and what can we do as citizens to reclaim the space?
All systems go…
The lines are being drawn. It looks as if Abdullah has thrown caution to the wind and is now determined to press on with the December Umno presidential election, now that Kelantan and Penang Umno have thrown their backing behind the transition plan.
Najib may now have to be content with the No. 2 position – for the time being. All eyes will be on the first few divisional nominations from 9 October.
In the other corner sits Razaleigh. Who will be his running mate?
The spotlight is now on Muhyiddin. Once again, he has attacked the transition plan. His options appear to be open.
Over on the Pakatan side, the mood appears upbeat.
Cabinet to review petrol price on Wed: Shahrir
According to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad, the Cabinet will review the petrol and diesel prices this Wednesday. It is set to discuss a proposal to reduce retail prices. This from Shahrir’s website in a posting titled ‘Price drop ahead of Raya?’:
JOHOR BAHRU 20 Sept. – Keputusan sama ada kerajaan akan menurun atau mengekalkan harga runcit petrol dan diesel bakal diketahui pada mesyuarat Kabinet Rabu ini.
RPK’s habeas corpus hearing brought forward to 23 Sept
Meanwhile, something else is happening…
This was reported on Malaysia Today:
RPK’s habeas corpus hearing has been brought forward to Tuesday, 23 September 2008 at 9:00am at Jalan Duta Criminal Court 2. (That’s tomorrow! – Anil.) The judge hearing the application is Yang Arif Puan Suraya binti Othman.It was originally supposed to be heard this Friday before a different judge.
Something is brewing…
Just 48 hours to go for the Tuesday deadline to expire.
That’s the deadline given by Anwar for the PM to convene Parliament for an emergency sitting.
I am getting a little “chatter” which suggests that something could be brewing… I can imagine there is probably a lot of behind-the-scenes activity going on in KL.
Earlier, I had been informed that Anwar was expected to be in Permatang Pauh this weekend.
Instead, it was Wan Azizah who showed up for a little constituency work as Anwar was tied up in KL with strategising.