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Aliran launches ‘Thinking Allowed online’

Anil Netto
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The folks at Aliran are revamping their website and today, they have launched a regular column “Thinking Allowed online,” featuring almost daily commentaries on current issues.

The idea is to look at the story behind the news and analyse the issues behind the headlines from a perspective of justice, human rights, multi-ethnic politics and universal spiritual values – all that Aliran stands for.

For this endeavour, Aliran has assembled a team of more than two dozen columnists – a blend of veteran activists, renowned scholars and seasoned commentators.

Kicking off the new section is Aliran president P Ramakrishnan with a piece “Traitors and treachery!”

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Howard Zinn 1922-2010: American legend

Anil Netto
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The legendary American ‘people’s historian’ and anti-war activist Howard Zinn, author of the classic ‘A People’s History of the United States’, has passed away.

“You cannot depend on presidents; you cannot depend on elections and voting to solve your problems,” said Zinn.

One of his central themes was that ordinary people – through countless small acts of organising, struggling and clamouring for reforms – are the only ones who can turn the tide and push elected reps to make meaningful change. This a message that should resonate with many Malaysians disappointed with the antics of certain elected reps who are supposed to be furthering the reform agenda but instead end up betraying the people’s aspirations. Do not lose hope!

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LIVE: Pas gears up for Perak state elections

Anil Netto
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Pas leaders have urged their youth divisions in Perak to be prepared to play a key role in the next state election.


Perak Pas Youth listen to calls for them to go all out in the next state election

Nizar rallies the youth – Photos by AA

1600: The event ends with the youths taking an oath to work hard to oppose Umno in the next state election.

1540: Mahfuz, a addressing the crowd of about a thousand, says the youths have an important role to play in transforming the nation. He knows the youth are enthusiastic for not only Perak but the whole of Malaysia to come under Pakatan in the next elections. The outcome of the next elections, however, will largely depend on the younger generation, the new voters.

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Mahathir launches Selangor Perkasa

Anil Netto
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1535: Mahathir is at the launching of Selangor Perkasa at the MPAJ Multi-purpose Hall in Hulu Kelang now.

Also with him is Megat Zulkarnain, the Gombak Umno Youth chief, according to a twitter message by an Umno Youth exco member.

Mahathir had said yesterday that the emergence of NGOs rooted in Islamic and Malay causes proves that the Malays now have less confidence in the political parties that are supposed to represent them. On 24 January, Perkasa launched its Pahang wing and days earlier, another wing in Malacca.

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Batu Caves: No stage, so MB speaks from lorry

Anil Netto
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Barred from setting up a stage at Batu Caves, Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim instead addressed a large Thaipusam crowd – from the back of a lorry, just like in the old days.


The view of the huge crowd from the lorry – Photo by an eyewitness

The police decision to dismantle the stage which the state government had set up came despite the Selayang Town Council’s approval of the location. The cops cited security grounds as the reason for their decision, but said the state government was welcome to set up a stage at any other location – a move that Selangor state exco member Dr Xavier Jayakumar described as illogical and vindictive.

The PM, accompanied by his wife Rosmah and Cabinet members, had arrived at 9.10pm and immediately launched into a charm offensive. See Malaysian Insider report here. They left at around 11.15pm.

Not to be outdone, Khalid, his state exco members, and the Adun for Batu Caves, Amir Sari, were then hoisted onto the back of a truck and spoke before a crowd of thousands near the viaduct not far from the main entrance to Batu Caves.

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Ku Li: “We demand what is rightfully ours”

Anil Netto
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Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has thrown his weight behind Kelantan’s claim for oil royalties in an impassioned address to a capacity crowd at the Kota Bharu stadium tonight.


“Extraordinary. The stadium is packed. Bleachers full, field full,” marvels Ku Li. – Photo courtesy of N51pasirpanjang.blogspot.com

“The oil royalty is not about the federal government’s charity payments but the sovereign rights of the states within our Federation,” he said. “I stand here representing only myself. I am here upon principle.”

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Not funny

Anil Netto
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Police and Home Ministry officials have confiscated Zunar’s new book ‘1Funny Malaysia’ from bookshops in Penang and Malacca.

Thirteen copies of the popular political cartoonist’s book were confiscated this evening from the Popular Book Store in Air Keroh, Malacca. A further 27 copies of ‘Where is Justice?’, edited by Nathaniel Tan, were carted away as well.

The latest seizure comes on the back of similar action in Penang three weeks ago. On 7 January, officials bundled away 30 copies of ‘1Funny Malaysia’ and four copies of ‘Where is Justice?’ from the Popular Book Store in Gurney Plaza.

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Aussie, NZ investors lose savings in Labuan: MP

Anil Netto
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A group of Australian and New Zealand investors, including retirees, claim they have lost millions in  savings invested in debentures issued by a Labuan-based firm.

They say they have lost a total principal sum of US$25-35 million along with millions more in unpaid interest.

The matter was highlighted by Klang MP Charles Santiago in Parliament during a debate on 15 December 2009 on the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority (Amendment) Bill 2009.

The investors have written more than a hundred letters to various Malaysian government agencies and regulatory bodies to complain about the matter. Among other things, they want to know why the company is still in operation; they are also calling for a full-scale investigation.

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Rumoured PKR MP’s defection is “nonsense”

Anil Netto
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Prominent PKR elected reps in Penang have refuted a media report speculating that an MP from their party ranks in the state could be defecting.

“There is no truth to it,” said Penang state exco member Abdul Malik, of the report that a Penang PKR MP could soon become a ‘BN-friendly’ independent. “It’s just speculation.”

“Nonsense,” said Batu Uban state assembly member Sim Tze Tzin (PKR) in a text message from overseas. “Concerted attack to make PKR look bad before Anwar’s trial.”

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Certain quarters trying to stir it up

Anil Netto
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Severed wild-boar heads were dumped in the premises of two mosques along Old Klang Road in Petaling Jaya at dawn today, a Selangor state exco member confirmed.


Khairy with a few Umno Youth leaders at the Bkt Sentosa Mosque – Photo posted by Zuhri, retweeted by Khairy

Social reform movement Aliran has expressed outrage over the incidents.

News of the sacrilege broke when Batu MP Tian Chua and Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin both twittered about the incidents that took place at the Al Imam Al Tirmizi Mosque in Taman Seri Sentosa and the Jumhuriyah Mosque in Taman Dato’ Haron, about two kilometres apart.

News reports said that four wild boar heads – two at each mosque – wrapped in plastic rice bags were found. At each mosque, a bucket was placed next to the severed heads with about RM30-RM40 in cash strewn around.

“According to a local Dan Brown, it’s an underworld message,” said Khairy, who warned Malaysians not to fall into the perpetrators’ trap. “Whatever the motives, I’m afraid the nuances of moderation will be lost on the mob. Leadership. Now.”

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