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Haunting images as Kugan is laid to rest

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kuganfuneralPhotos and report by Rakyat@work

We take off from University Malaya Medical Centre, at about 2.15pm.

1430: Embedded with the ‘Barisan Rakyat’ group, we are to meet at Puchong before proceeding to the burial ground. A convoy of about 10 cars makes it way. Word has it that there are about a thousand people near the Taipan Subang police station but no way of confirming it. A helicopter is hovering above.

1530: We arrive at the main T-junction towards the burial ground, which is about a kilometre away. Many people are gathering there and a couple of policemen are visible. The sense of anticipation mounts. Groups of people gather to talk about the day’s news. It is strangely quiet though. The scorching sun is drenching us with sweat.

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Paula’s police bail not extended – but probe continues

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paulaPaula (in light blue shirt) with friends at the police station this morning – Photo by Paula’s 10-year-old son.

The emcee at one of the Abolish ISA vigils in Penang, Paula Khoo, found out when she turned up at the Patani Road police station this morning that her police bail was not going to be extended.

The police instead told her they would call her once their investigations are completed.

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Panasonic to shut Malacca site and “merge” S’gor plants

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More bad news.

This time it’s Panasonic, which is reportedly shutting three plants in Asia. Media reports suggest the company is likely to report an annual net loss of some US$1.1 billion on the back of restructuring charges, a slump in demand for consumer electronics and a stronger yen. That would be its first net loss in six years.

The plants targeted for closure include two of the three Panasonic plants in Malaysia.

The Malacca plant, which produces capacitors for mobile phones, reportedly will be shut in March. Some 500 jobs will be lost.

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Kugan’s final journey: An end to custodial deaths?

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Lawyers address a crowd inside the University Hospital premises

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Riot police take up positions as an officer orders the crowd to disperse

This was the scene outside the University Hospital at about 1.20pm today. Police probably outnumbered the crowd as half a dozen riot police trucks waited along Jalan Universiti outside the hospital.

Kugan is expected to make his final journey to Puchong today.

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BBC Scotland occupied!

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Photo by Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign

About 50 activists occupied the BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow  on Sunday, 25 January, to protest at the BBC’s failure to broadcast a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Gaza.

The DEC is made up of 13 aid agencies, which are leading UK registered humanitarian charities that fulfil certain criteria.

The Committee is traditionally supported by “a network of television and radio broadcasters, the banks, the Post Office, BT, regional and national press and a range of organisations in the corporate sector”. The idea is “to rally the nation’s compassion, and ensure that funds raised go to DEC agencies best placed to deliver effective and timely relief to people most in need”.

Among the activists who occupied the BBC Scotland headquarters was John Hilley, who has written in the past for Aliran Monthly. Here is his account of the “occupation”:

Last night (25 January), saw our inspiring occupation of the BBC in Glasgow in protest at their decision not to air the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal on behalf of Gaza.

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Now Chee Seng residents worry about dengue

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blue-sheetsIndiscriminate disposal of blue plastic sheets around the Bolton site area – Photos by Chee Seng residents

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Steep and uncovered hill-slopes

Residents of Chee Seng Gardens in Tanjung Bunga, Penang, are now worried about an outbreak of dengue fever.

On 11 January, 10 Chee Seng Garden residents visited the area around the construction site and found what they said was “rampant irresponsible disposal of plastic sheets and other recepticles in jungle fringes, ….uncovered hill slopes which should be covered, proximity of land clearing activities to PBA Land, blasting near to Straits Regency, hill gradient at near 90 degrees when terraced…”

They are worried about a possible outbreak of dengue fever and point ot the following to show their fears are not without any basis:

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Over 500 attend Abolish ISA vigil & forum on Palestine

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More than 500 people packed the PJ Civic Centre auditorium last night for an Abolish ISA/Solidarity with Palestinians vigil followed by a forum.

Police were present but left about an hour later.

German firm with Malacca plant files for bankruptcy

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More bad news in the electronics industry in Malaysia.

German firm Qimonda, which has a plant in Malacca, has filed for bankruptcy in Munich – thanks to a global glut in memory chips.

From the Qimonda website:

Region: Malacca / Senai
Established: 1973
No. of employees: approx. 1,100
Areas of activity: Research and Development, Design and Testing, Production, Purchasing, Logistics, Planning and Controlling, Information Technology and Service, Support and Staff Functions

Meanwhile workers at Intel are worried they might end up with no proper compensation following the closure of the firm’s two plants in Penang, as the excerpt from this NST report suggests. No severance package?

While Intel has assured that it intends to offer some 1,000 affected Malaysian employees comparable jobs within its existing facilities in Penang and Kulim, a veil of insecurity and uncertainty is now shrouding those affected.

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Hotel set to tower over George Town heritage buildings

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The hotel being built behind the GPO in Penang – Image credit: NST

Happy Lunar New Year

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Wishing all of you a very happy Lunar Year. May your coming year be filled with love, peace, joy, compassion and everything good.

And here’s a special message from Rakyat@work:

A New Year gift to Paula Khoo

Date: 28 Jan (3rd day of Chinese New Year)
Venue: Pattani Road Police Station,
Time: 8.00am

Dear peaceful rakyat of Penang and Malaysia.

Please make time to be with Paula Khoo because she have stood for you, possibly for your children too, in calling for the abolition of the ISA. (She has to report at the police station to find out if the police are going to press charges over her participation in an Abolish ISA vigil.)

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