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Palestinian Christians face eviction from Bethlehem

Anil Netto
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As we remember the birth of Jesus, it may have escaped our notice that the little town of Bethlehem, his birthplace which lies in Palestinian territory, is now cut off by a 4-metre high Israeli security wall on three sides.

Palestinian Christians also have to contend with demolition and eviction orders issued by Israeli occupation forces.

Over in the Gaza strip, which is now under an Israeli siege, many Palestinian Christians have been denied access to Bethlehem even as the town welcomes foreign tourists.

This report from Al Jazeera:

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So this is Christmas – when they have to guard the milk…

Anil Netto
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guard

A supermarket security guard keeping an eye at the milk aisle – Photo by Ganesh

At Christmas, we recall the birth of Jesus in the midst of poverty and oppression. As we party and feast and make merry, it’s worth asking: did he have enough nourishing food as a baby bearing in mind that his parents were humble peasants struggling to make ends meet? Were they able to provide him with a balanced diet during his formative years?

Let’s spare a thought for workers, including factory operators earning RM600 to RM800 per month, who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford milk for their children. Recently, for instance, a woman complained to an activist that a portion of loose powdered milk  (it’s cheaper sold in bulk; not in tins) in a sundry shop along Penang Street frequented by those from the lower-income group  that used to cost RM7.50 before the petrol price hikes now costs RM10.50.

It’s not surprising that a certain supermarket chain has resorted to putting security tags around baby milk tins/packs. The tags are then removed by the cashier upon when the customer checks out.

Says blog reader pakshah:

If I was a desperate parent, I would be tempted to steal milk too. One pack of full cream milk powder ( 2 kg) costs RM 42. My youngest son consumes more than 4 kg (2 packs) per month. Add 4 tins cereal, it costs more than RM100 to feed him. My pension is only RM 1200.

Could an economic system that allows such a situation to persist be considered just?

Meanwhile, R Ganesh reports from KL:

The proposed privatisation of Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) appears to have not taken into much consideration the basic survival of the poor and the middle class. They would be hit if IJN becomes private. Already, many low-income folk are finding it difficult to cope with high food prices.

Many are now finding that their low wages are insufficient for them to live in dignity given the high cost of living and inflation. The threshold for survival for a family of four is probably in the region of RM2,000 to 3,000. But how many of us actually earn that amount of money?

With reference to your post on the Chicken Thief, what is rather shocking now is that when you go to certain supermarkets, you may now see a security guard in the milk aisle/dairy section. Previously, the guards would be keeping an eye on the liquor section.

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Who’s behind Sime Darby?

Anil Netto
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Of late Sime Darby has been very much in the news with its proposed – and then postponed – IJN takeover and now with a proposed new low-cost carrier airport in Negri Sembilan.

While many have questioned the economic feasibility and viability of a new airport so close to the present Kuala Lumpur International Airport, nothing much has been said about the environmental impact of having two large airports so close to each other (not to mention global warming).

So who exactly is behind Sime Darby? According to its 2008 Annual Report, its substantial shareholders are:

  • Skim Amanah Saham Bumiputera – 34%
  • EPF – 14%
  • PNB – 15%
  • Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputera – 15% (deemed interest)

So basically we are talking about a government-linked corporation and groups managing public money here.

Sime Darby’s Board of Directors (again, according to its 2008 Annual Report) is made up of:

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Who is the real man – Rambo or RPK?

Anil Netto
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Malaysia’s polar opposite non-violent answer to Rambo

Photo by Rakyat@work

The Man With D Video Cam tells us why he thinks we have “the real deal” in our midst:

Rambo is a film character, a man with bulging muscles brandishing a serrated knife and creating havoc among his enemies. In the world of make believe, Rambo has drawn quite a following.

Men who walk around, exhibiting a bulky load of muscles with women clinging to either arm are the real men in this fanciful, make-believe world. Driving fast cars with branded sunglasses, they saunter around as if the world is their playground.

In contrast, what I have is a comfortable car that can still provide me with an uninterrupted journey to my destination and a woman who will stand by me – come what may. This is my world and I love it!

But there are still many things missing in my life. I want to live in the real world, which is more interesting and exciting than any imaginary world, which can be so deceiving.

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If a UN Special Rapporteur can be humiliated…

Anil Netto
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If a United Nations Special Rapporteur from the United States can be humiliated this way, what hope do the suffering citizens of Gaza, which now resembles a vast open-air prison camp, have?

This report from The Guardian:

My expulsion from Israel

When I arrived in Israel as a UN representative I knew there might be problems at the airport. And there were

by Richard Falk

On December 14, I arrived at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel to carry out my UN role as special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories.

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PJ vigil spot turns into rakyat’s Speakers’ Corner

Anil Netto
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vigilPhoto by Rakyat@work

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices as Rakyat@work reports from the 11th Abolish ISA vigil in PJ:

Yes, last night was special, last night was different. The united rakyat had a chance to experience and sing O Holy Night together as ONE bangsa. Thanks to a handsome young lad (that would be Sivin Kit!) with a guitar who led the crowd into the season of Christmas. You had to be there to feel it. It was something we hardly experienced before. It was special! Everyone participated either by singing, humming along, or just soaking in the wonderful tune of gratitude and hope.

Ever faithful city councillor Richard Yeoh started the event on time and recited the usual SOP before getting into the event proper. Last night’s event was dedicated to the Sukhree’s passing, and rightly so because of his dedication and commitment to pursuing what is right as a rakyat of Malaysia. We remember him as one of ours and may his soul rejoice with God. A minute’s silence were observed. A friend of Sukhree’s read a poem in remembrance of him and Raja Petra Kamarudin later provided additional information about Sukhree.

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Give details of PFI for Sime Darby/Air Asia airport

Anil Netto
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First, Sime Bank tak boleh tahan.

Then, Sime Darby turns down Bakun undersea cables project – cannot make money-lah.

Next, public outcry forces postponement of IJN privatisation.

Now, it’s a new low-cost carrier (LCC) airport in Negri Sembilan.

The government has given the green light for a RM1.6 billion low-cost carrier airport, about 20km away from the KLIA. It will be built by Sime Darby and Air Asia under a private finance initiative (PFI).

The rationale is that the KLIA cannot cope with the expected influx of LCC passengers. (Didn’t Mahathir say, when he tried to justify the KLIA, that it was being built to meet the country’s needs for the next 100 years? What about Subang – is it now fully utilised?)

The government must give us details of what kind of PFI is involved. Will any government or public money be indirectly used for this project?

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What Sime Darby was eyeing in IJN

Anil Netto
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The government-owned National Heart Institute (IJN) is in the midst of a RM230 million expansion plan – that would be public money – to buy more equipment and to build a new wing, which would be completed next year.

This from The Edge:

The new wing would give it an additional 192 beds, four new operating theatre complexes, new intensive care units and coronary care units, dialysis centre, health screening centres, cafes and shops, according to the website.

Apparently, the plan was for Sime Darby to ride on IJN’s reputation, painstakingly built by the government and the IJN team over the years, and its “captive market” as a base to draw more patients – locally and from the region (medical tourism) – possibly into a private wing.

From another Edge report:

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Citizen Journalism 101 training in Penang

Anil Netto
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citizen-journalism-workshopMalaysiakini and Seacem are jointly organising a certified video journalism course in Penang over four weekends. Scholarships worth RM3,000 are being offered to suitable participants.

Training objectives:

* To empower trainees through experiential training and give them the knowledge, technical skills and networks necessary for them to address issues of importance
* To encourage diversity, tolerance, acceptance, unity and democracy

Details:

* Practical workshops held every fortnight (four weekends) for two months – 10.00am till 6.00pm in the Aliran building.
* Workshops will focus on reporting skills and the production of video news content

Courses:

* Citizen Journalism
* Scriptwriting for Documentaries
* Video Editing
* Video Camera

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Here’s why the Chee Seng residents are worried

Anil Netto
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surin

surin2

Photos sent in by a concerned Tanjung Bunga resident

From these two pictures of the Bolton Surin project in Tanjong Bunga, Penang, you can get an idea why the Chee Seng residents (living on the left in the top photo) are worried and want the project stopped.

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