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Batu Caves: No stage, so MB speaks from lorry

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30 Jan 2010

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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28 Jan 2010

39

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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28 Jan 2010

16

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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28 Jan 2010

19

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”

M'sian politics

Anil Netto

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27 Jan 2010

45

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

Ethnic and inter-religious relations

Anil Netto

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27 Jan 2010

30

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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Speakers’ corner for Penang?

Anil Netto

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27 Jan 2010

15

Penang may soon set up the country’s first public speakers’ corner.

(I use the term ‘public’ because a speakers’ corner at the Perdanasiswa Complex in Universiti Malaya has just been re-opened after about 40 years.)

The Penang state government said yesterday that it was thinking of a permanent stage at the Esplanade for candlelight vigils, open forums and demonstrations. It would be at a distance from traffic, said a report in today’s Sun.

“The stage can be used on request by anybody, provided it has not been reserved for other events,” said exco member Chow Kon Yeow, who added that a committee may be set up to liaise with NGOs in this matter.

Now this is a positive development, especially if the state government folks are going to discuss the exact location with civil society and the public – but why do we need a stage? In London, the Speakers’ Corner does not require any prior request or approval for speakers to address whoever is willing to listen. On weekends, anyone can step up on a crate (no stage is needed) and speak to whoever cares to listen. At any one time, there could be around half a dozen different speakers animatedly addressing small crowds at different spots in the area while engaging with or ignoring hecklers. We should not follow the farcical Singapore ‘Speakers’ Corner’.

All the same, the loss of the fine public space in front of Dewan Sri Pinang still saddens me.

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