Home Blog Page 416

Police disrupt Pakatan ceramah

2317: Kit Siang observes: “This black episode symbolises 1st anniversary of Najib’s 1Malaysia. Will ask Najib n Hishamuddin in Parliament – what r both of u afraid of?”

2305: In his speech, Anwar has urged the authorities not to use the police to restrict the people’s freedom. Husam, for his part, touched on the courts and the oil royalties while Kit Siang condemned Najib’s “unjust policies”.

2215: The police have agreed to allow Anwar and Kit Siang to speak on “non-sensitive issues” for ten minutes more.


Police holding the mike on stage at the ceramah – Photo by Kit Siang

2212: The police are on stage trying to stop speakers from addressing a large Pakatan gathering in Kepong, according to a tweet by Anwar.  They say political speeches are not allowed, says Kit Siang.

Zul sacked as PKR removes major pain in neck

So PKR finally bit the bullet and sacked Zulkifli Noordin in a move that will go a long way in restoring the party’s credibility.

PKR is now set to reap the rewards after cleansing itself of some of those who seek to betray the rakyat’s mandate. Its journey to restore the people’s faith in the party can now begin with earnest.

In a way, Zul appeared to be doing his level best to invite this sacking, perhaps because he didn’t want to be seen as betraying the rakyat’s mandate by quitting. But the people know better.

Penang govt says ‘yes’ to local council elections

Congratulations to the Penang government for asking the Election Commission to hold local council elections in Penang!

It’s a long-awaited move, coming two days before the second anniversary of the Pakatan’s coming to power in Penang. It not only attempts to fulfil the Pakatan’s general election pledge but shows that the administration has listened to sentiment on the ground from civil society and public opinion that is strongly in favour of the restoration of local democracy.

It will also go a long way towards promoting greater accountability.

Penang Forum – two years after March 8

The Working Group for the Penang Forum is holding a public forum “Penang Forum 2” from 9.00am to 5.00pm at the Caring Society Complex along Jalan Utama on Sunday, 7 March.

The Penang Forum is an informal network of some 40 Penang-based NGOs and concerned individuals who came together in April 2008 to chart a possible way forward for Penang.

After the 2008 event, a Penang Forum Declaration was submitted to the state government calling for a new partnership with the Penang people based on the principles of popular participation, transparency, accountability, sustainability and social justice.

Thunderbolt for MCA: Soi Lek, CC members quit

Ooh la la, what have we go here: Chua Soi Lek has quit as MCA deputy chief while seven other MCA central committee members are expected to resign as well, according to a tweet from the Insider.

Khairy had earlier twittered, “Major MCA announcement at 2pm. Positive development, we hope.”

Cops to quiz Penang Pakatan reps

More pressure on Pakatan reps. Police are expected to question several Penang Pakatan reps at noon today over a political gathering apparently held without a police permit.

Those expected to be questioned at the 28th floor of Komtar include Lim Guan Eng, V Raveentharan, Jason Ong and Sim Tze Tzin.

60% say PKR won’t be affected in next GE

An ntv7 poll over the news tonight asked viewers if they thought PKR’s performance in the next general election would be affected by the recent defections.

The results were surprising: 60 per cent responded ‘No’, the party’s performance won’t be affected, with just 40 per cent saying ‘Yes’, it will be.

All right, let’s do our own poll then.

[poll id=”53″]

1,000 students protest at Labuan water shortage

Some 1,000 students have protested at the persistent water shortages at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah campus in Labuan.

Photo: UMS Labuan website

It was the first picket in the history of Labuan, reports Bernama, which said the water problems were due to a “dry spell”.

Armed with placards and posters, they gathered at the university campus about 14km from Labuan town as early as 9am, and demanded water – as the police were on standby.

1Regular 1Water supply for 1UMS-KAL, please

It looks as if the water shortages in Labuan, previously highlighted in this blog, have not yet been resolved, judging from this letter by an upset parent.

Since July-August 2009, many letters have been written to everybody and anybody in authority to resolve the major water crisis that has hit the Universiti Malaysia Sabah-Kampus Antarabangsa Labuan. Despite all the requests and pleas and the resulting promises, there seems to be no end to the water shortage crisis. If anything the situation has worsened, with the static tanks that have been set up not being filled up when empty. Invariably, students have to endure a day in every three days with ZERO water.

Many students have been spending time in town to find clean food as there is insufficient water to wash the dishes properly. My daughter told me that many of the male undergraduates have resorted to staying at the Labuan International Airport from Friday to Sunday night, or whenever there is a holiday. The airport is the one place where there is regular water supply, air-conditioning, and Internet access. During the Mauladur Rasul holiday weekend, there were so many UMS-KAL students at the airport that airport officials started to scold them, and they were chased out from the airport.

Live – Beng Hock inquest; Tee Beng, Fairus quit

Gobind Singh cross-examines pathologist Shahidan while Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng quits PKR.