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MNC hits blogger with RM10m demand

Anil Netto
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A Japanese multinational company is demanding RM10 million by today and a public apology from lawyer-activist-blogger Charles Hector after he highlighted problems faced by Myanmar migrants working at the firm’s plant in Malaysia.

Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn Bhd claims the workers are not employed by the firm and are instead supplied by an unnamed third party and that Hector had thus defamed Asahi Kosei through his blog postings by suggesting that the firm was responsible for the alleged poor treatment of the workers. Before he was slapped with the RM10 million demand, Hector had sent two e-mails on 8 and 9 February 2011 to the company expressing concern about the workers’ problems – but did not receive any reply, clarification or denial.

Hector had also released a joint statement, endorsed by 82 civil society groups and published on his blog, to express concern about the workers’ plight.

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‘Friday of Victory and Continuation’

Anil Netto
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This is the people’s victory celebration in Tahrir Square in Cairo today. Egyptians are not resting on their laurels and letting down their guard in their quest for real and meaningful democracy.

Twitter photo by SherineT

They are not content just because Mubarak has left, leaving behind his henchmen.

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George Town Special Area Plan ready

Anil Netto
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The Special Area Plan, a plan prepared for the George Town World Heritage Site (GTWHS) to guide and control development in the area, has been submitted to Unesco.

Among other things, the plan provides for water taxis and the enhancement of back-lanes.

Basically, the Plan is to formalise the management of the world heritage site under the George Town World Heritage Incorporated and provide zoning control. It will:
– ensure suitability of use within the cultural landscapes
– systematic monitoring of change of use of land and buildings within the WHS
– provide for an activity zoning map that will take effect
– outline a landscape and pedestrian network masterplan including a waterfront promenade, new park areas, streetscape and backlane enhancements and a water taxi route

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Sound of freedom reaches Bahrain

Anil Netto
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Pro-democracy fervour is sweeping the North African and West Asian region. First Tunisia. Then Egypt. Now the people of Bahrain are rising.


This is the most popular song to emerge from the Egyptian pro-democracy uprising and vividly captures the mood of freedom and hope that is ripening in the region. (Click ‘cc’ on bottom right of the video box for English subtitles.)

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Sodomy II: New twist

Anil Netto
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Karpal Singh pointed out today during the Sodomy II trial that a standard form filled by a Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctor only mentions ‘attempted sodomy’ and ‘attempted oral sex’.

I had to burst our laughing when I read this reader’s comment about a Malaysiakini report ‘Sodomy II: Dent in prosecution case’ on this latest development by someone going by the name of Keturunan Malaysia:

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Suzanne Mubarak, ex-‘First Lady’

Anil Netto
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Anyone want to join The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement?

Photo courtesy of jehanara.wordpress.com

“Our collective vision of peace is one that goes beyond the absence of war or the silencing of guns. It entails creating the conditions that lead to the foundation of secure societies — societies that are empowered to assume a major role in defending and preserving peace,” said Suzanne, the founder and president of the movement – and now ex-First Lady of Egypt.

I wonder if she is in good health now.

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sPICE: The quid pro quo with SP Setia

Anil Netto
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55

How is SP Setia going to finance the building of the proposed new convention centre in Penang known as sPICE? It will be allowed to build an extra 1,500 homes in its existing projects in Penang, effectively increasing the density of those projects.

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Egypt: Remembering the fallen heroes

Anil Netto
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A haunting tribute to the fallen in Egypt’s struggle for democracy and economic justice.

But the struggle for real economic justice in the face of predatory global economic forces in collaboration with local elites is by no means over just because Mubarak has stepped down.

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Why dictators need ‘orderly transitions’

Anil Netto
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Ever wondered why most dictators or authoritarian leaders who have overstayed their welcome refuse to leave their positions immediately despite widespread protests?

Invariably, they often need to put in place an “orderly transition”, which can range from a few months to even a year.

Why is this so?

– they need to sort out their family fortune, transfer money out of overseas bank accounts before they get frozen, etc and they need to find a safe haven for their wealth.

From the Telegraph:

The intelligence source suggested that 82-year-old Mubarak may have learnt the lesson of his fellow dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the former president of Tunisia, who was forced with his family into a hasty exile in Saudi Arabia while Swiss authorities froze the family’s bank accounts.

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Farewell, ‘Lady Macbeth’ of Tunisia

Anil Netto
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13

Ousted Tunisian dictator Ben Ali had to put up with serious insult from his wife Leila before they boarded the plane to flee the country.

'Lady Macbeth' Leila - Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
When hubby refused to board the plane, Leila commanded, “Get on imbecile. All my life I’ve had to put up with your screw ups.”

“Leave me, I don’t want to go, I want to die here for my country,” pleaded Ben Ali pathetically, sounding a bit like Mubarak.

But Ben Ali’s hated political police chief, Ali Seriati, pushed him up, shouting: “For —-‘s sake, get on!”

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