Journalistic Freedom

Both Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon and MCA president Ong Ka Ting had issued statements noting the impact of the Internet and the need for media law reforms. Koh said Gerakan supported Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar’s suggestion that the practice regulating newspapers through an annual printing permit application process be relooked. Opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah had also questioned the police move to haul up celebrated blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin for interrogation on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, although he was later released without his statement taken. Read the Malaysiakini reports here, here and here.

Indeed, the enactment of a Freedom of Information Act and the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) is necessary for a free media so that democracy can flourish in Malaysia.

To celebrate World Press Freedom Day and to allow our journalists to carry out their work without fear or favour, BENAR, a civil society initiative that took root in the People's Parliament, in collaboration with the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), will be launching their BENAR campaign immediately following their forum on Press Freedom at 2 p.m today.

Date: 4 May, 2008
Time: 2 p.m.
Venue: Annexe, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur.

All are welcome.

PKFZ - Independant Audit

The Star online reports today, here, that transport minister Ong Tee Keat has announced that an independent accounting firm will be appointed to conduct an overall audit on the accounts of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project. However, Ong said that the audit is not a probe on any party relating to handling of the accounts in PKFZ and the name of the accounting firm will be announced next week.

The minister had previously promised to reveal how the RM4.6bil soft loan to the PKFZ was spent after costs of the project were said to have ballooned from RM1.845bil. "The audit is necessary for PKFZ to make a fresh start. There have been many reports criticising PKFZ as a ‘white elephant’ and a scandal," he said. “This is a grave accusation when nothing conclusive has been proven yet.”

Ong also named Lee Hwa Beng, the losing MCA candidate for my Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat (I did not vote for him) as the new Port Klang Authority chairman. An accountant by training, it is hoped that Lee would do his best to clarify the PKFZ's accounts, although I do question the MoT's motives in fielding a people's reject to do a man's job.

But lets give the guy a break. It would be interesting to know which accounting firm has been selected. Lets also hope that this isnt just another PR exercise.

B.U.M. 2008 Report

Yesterday, 60 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserted the individual's right to "receive and impart information and ideas through any media", some 150 Malaysian bloggers and friends got together at the Lake View Club, Subang Jaya in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day and May Day to discuss the role of blogging in Malaysia. The forum was also aimed at looking into the role bloggers can play in society. An impressive turnout of the national press corps and TV were there to cover the event.

Read the Malaysiakini and Star online reports, here and here.

The afternoon session, chaired by well known blogger Zorro with the theme 'Fostering a Civil Society' started off with speaker Rocky's Bru blogger Ahiruddin Atan, followed by former High Court judge Dato Syed Ahmad Idid (photo), University Malaya law lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom, Dr Lim Teck Ghee from the Centre for Policy Initiatives and MalaysiaVotes.com editor Jacqueline Ann Surin. Jeff Ooi of Screenshots took part in the conference via a pre-recorded video clip. Everyone agreed that the perception of bloggers in this country changed drastically after March 8 with the PM's acknowledgment that he had made a serious mistake by ignoring blogs critical of the government. Dato Syed Ahmad wistfully noted at the end of his speech that he may not have to quit his job after his whistle blowing act 12 years ago, had blogs existed then.

The evening session which was followed by a sumptuous buffer dinner, was moderated by organising chairman Desiderata Chong and discussed the topic "The Fifth Estate (Bloggers) as Agency for Change". The speakers were Selayang MP William Leong, Sun editor R Nadeswaran, human rights lawyer Haris Ibrahim of the People's Parliament and Malaysia-Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin. Raja Petra in particular, quoted media baron Rupert Murdoch as saying that "by 2030 there will be no newspapers as everything will be online. So The Sun, NST, Star and everything else are in a sunset industry!"

By any standards, the event was a huge success.

Update: As I write this, I just received an SMS from a friend that 6 policemen are now in Raja Petra's house to confiscate his PC and laptop in connection with the Altantuya murder case. He is believed to have been summoned to report for questioning at Bukit Aman tomorrow morning.

The Return

Meanwhile, we have Samy Velu and Khir Toyo accusing one another over the destruction of temples in Selangor. Quite obviously one of them is a liar.

Read the Malaysiakini reports here, and here.

At the same time, some 'desperate housewives' also tried to cheat and do a number on the rakyat by manipulating huge funds placed at their disposal.

Liars and Cheats. What a combination.

The Ancient Mariner on TV

I was up early this morning. Astro TV had sent a car at 0830 hrs. to take me to their studios in Bukit Jalil to record a one hour program "Perspektif Kita: Blog -- Your Mainstream Media?". The audience were mainly youngsters and my fellow guest speakers include other bloggers*, academicians and student activists.

Catch the program tonight at 2030 hrs. on Astro Awani (Channel 501). I believe there will be re-runs on Monday 28th April night at 2300 hrs., Tuesday 29th at 1530 hrs. and Wednesday 30th at 1000 hrs.

* Dato Ibrahim Yahaya of Dunia Tiger, Tan Sri Sanusi Joned's son Akhramsyah of Thoughts in a Tangent, and Norizan Sharif.

(Above photo with program host, popular TV personality and fellow MCKK old boy Suhaimi Sulaiman, who is also a keen blogger himself, here)

Stop Press !

"The King of Bloggers residing at the most visited or gate-crashed cyberhome known as Malaysia-Today.net simply called by matey fans as Raja Petra Kamarudin or "RPK" -- often mixed up with PKR, I often wonder about the connection! -- has confirmed he will be present at BUM2008 at the Lake View Club, Subang Jaya on Thursday 1 may 2008 to celebrate Labour Day with fellow 150 Bloggers and Friends!"- Desiderata-ylchong

All aboard !

Registration /payment has been extended to next Tuesday, 29th April 2008. There are still a few seats left. For details click here and here.

Daylight Train Robbery

(Source: Screenshots)

The 'notorious' reporting duo of Terence Fernandez and R. Nadeswaran from the Sun disclosed today, here, that passengers who depart from KL International Airport (KLIA) have been paying an additional RM2 to RM6 in airport tax for the last 6 years – no thanks to a lopsided deal between the government and Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERLSB) which operates the Express Rail Link (ERL). The KLIA Express connects KL Sentral and KLIA. In simple words, departing airline passengers have been made to pay for or subsidise the service even if they do not use the ERL. (Read also Nadeswaran's column on this, here.)

It is learnt that the rationale behind the 30-year concession agreement signed in 1997 with ERLSB, where YTL Corporation is a major stake holder, was to ensure a return on investment for the service which started in 2002. KLIA handled about 25 million passengers last year and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) about 8 million. “Half of these figures were departing passengers, which means ERL would be receiving in the region of RM80 million a year,” said a source.

So the ERL wasnt exactly a viable enterprise by itself at the outset, was it?

YTL Corporation's boss Francis Yeoh (photo) was also in the news recently (read Jeff Ooi's 'Francis Yeoh and his urgent train' on 15 April, here) when he was quoted by the NST as saying that his RM10 billion KL-Singapore bullet train, first proposed some years ago, is "economically viable, so I think the government will listen to the people and put this project on an urgent basis again."

People? He must mean us poor unsuspecting beggars.

A "little bird" told me that a team of local and foreign consultants engaged by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for a major study on a national transport policy a few years ago during the previous administration, had concluded then that the bullet train project is not viable. Perhaps Francis is simply trying his luck again. Indeed, human greed has no bounds. (Read also a Petpositive comment, here)

(Footnote: Both Nadeswaran a.k.a. Citizen Nades and YB Jeff Ooi will be guest speakers at B.U.M. 2008 on Thursday 1 May 2008).

Update 23 April: Malaysiakini reports, here, that YTL's proposed KL-Singapore bullet train project has been scrapped.

B.U.M. 2008

Call me biased if you like, but in light of whats happening on the judicial front and if goodwill ex-gratia payments are to be made to the wronged judges, lets not forget my friend former High Court judge Datuk Syed Ahmad Idid, the first whistle blower from the judiciary with his 112 allegations of corruption, abuses of power and misconduct against 12 judges in 1996. He had to quit his job after the then A-G Mohtar Abdullah declared that his allegations were "without basis".

Dato Syed Ahmad Idid was apolitical and when he was even threatened with death, he decided to live and see his children through their education whilst he was still alive. He had some inkling of how the government machinery can be (mis) used to put down a good man, so he had to leave the Bench and must now be thankful that Malaysians have at last seen the light and coming to exercise their will and minds. Indeed the Almighty works in mysterious ways.

On Thursday 1st May 2008, Dato Syed Ahmad Idid will be one of the speakers at the Bloggers Universe Malaysia Gathering 2008 at the Lake View Club, Subang Jaya which will feature two brainstorming afternoon and evening sessions involving speakers and audience with the general theme of "TOWARDS A CIVIL SOCIETY". Other speakers include National Alliance of Bloggers protem president Ahirudin Attan a.k.a. Rocky's Bru, academician and columnist Dr. Azmi Sharom, journalist Jacqueline Ann Surin, Jelutong MP cum blogger Jeff Ooi, Human Rights advocate Haris Ibrahim of the Peoples' Parliament, Steven Gan the editor-in-chief of Malaysiakini.com, Dr Lim Teck Ghee of the Centre for Policy Initiatives and journalist R. Nadeswaran of the Sun. There will also a be 'mystery' speaker* for the evening session which will include a buffet dinner.

Don't miss this golden opportunity. Seats are limited to 110 only and on a first-come-first-served basis. The closing deadline for registration/payment of the RM50 fee is 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2008. Click here for details.

Update 23 April: Our 'mystery' speaker has been identified. Its Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia Today!

Ain't that a kick in the head?

(Source: Malaysiakini)

I have always believed that an occasional kick in the butt may be required to get one out of deep stupor. The recent general elections was indeed one such for our sleepy 'flip flop' prime minister.

Last night at the Bar Council's ‘Dinner for Justice’, the PM finally made amends but short of an apology to former Lord President Salleh Abas and other top judges dismissed from the Supreme Court in 1988 - now regarded as Malaysia's darkest hours in its judicial history. He also announced that the government will establish a judicial appointments commission to identify and recommend suitable candidates as a start to reforms in the judiciary. The government will also make goodwill ex-gratia payments to the six judges implicated in the 1988 crisis, three of whom were later removed. This has been a long time coming. (Read the Malaysiakini report, here. The Sun also has his speech in full, here).

We shall see whether he will walk the talk or whether this was just another one of his public relations (PR) exercises to boost his flagging fortunes.

But my blogger friend Zorro's hantu claims that,"He may cross the floor ... !"

Eh? Now that's stretching it a bit.

Like the fella once said,
Ain't that a kick in the head?
Like the sailor said, quote,
Ain't that a hole in the boat?
- Sammy Cahn & Jimmy van Heusen

A Confessional ?

Had lunch with my hometown friend Desiderata Chong at Lingam's (yes, thats right) Curry House in Seremban today. He suggested that perhaps its a "confessional" of sorts that today's NST (no, not the New Shit Times) front paged its editorial with the banner headline 'Get on with the job".

"Enough is enough," it said. Very strange coming from the UMNO owned rag.

Read the editorial in full and readers' comments, here.

I rather thought that its a bit late in the day now that the Barisan Nasional's nightmares have just begun.

Lest We Forget

To all my overseas friends: Take a good dekko.

I have known this man for almost half a century. We went to school together. He was once destined to become this country's numero uno but because he chose to stick to his principles, he was jailed, beaten, humiliated, tortured and what have you, for six long years. He was also barred from holding political office for a period after he was released.

Today marks the day when he is free to pursue his destiny i.e., his rightful place vis-à-vis this country's future. His detractors and former jailers are now running around like blue-assed flies blaming each other for their failure to maintain the status quo in the recent general elections. Like rats deserting a sinking vessel, some may just opt for the inevitable like jumping ship, which is OK by me.

And as we say: Allah-u-Akbar, God is Great. Truth and justice may yet prevail.

Judicial Renaissance

(Source: Bernama)

Addressing a conference of Malaysian judges in Putrajaya earlier today, the Regent of Perak HRH Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah (photo) said the time is right for a "judicial renaissance" and to review the way judicial appointments and promotions are made. A significant call indeed from one of Malaysia’s most respected voices. (TheSun has the full text of his speech, here.)

Raja Nazrin Shah said that in the last two decades, judicial independence and integrity have been eroded. The result: lack of confidence in the judicial system and the complete disregard for the law by some quarters. "These are dark stains on our honour and reputations and they have the potential to weaken, if not destroy the nation," he said. "Until judicial power is reinvested in the judiciary in much the same way that executive power is invested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Cabinet, and the legislative power in Parliament, it will be difficult to convince anyone, not our citizens and not the world community, that we are a nation governed by the rule of law," he added.

In respect for the rule of law, which is a universal ideal, the Regent also quoted his father Sultan Azlan Shah, a former Lord President of the Federal Court:

"(The) right to be governed by laws and not by arbitrary officials is the most precious right of democracy—the right to reasonable, definite and proclaimed standards, which we as citizens can invoke against both malevolence and caprice."

For the record, de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim has also suggested that the government apologise for the sacking of Lord President Salleh Abas in 1988. He has now the support of the current Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad.

I am glad that we have enough sane voices advocating the rule of law for the sake of the nation and the rakyat while big time crooks posing as the powers- that-be quarrel amongst themselves to save their party and self interests.

PKFZ: MOT to bare all?

Todays' theSun front paged a report, here, that the new Minister of Transport Ong Tee Keat has promised a full report which will put to rest the controversy over the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project. He said to uphold transparency, the government had the responsibility to explain the issue, which had been exploited by the Opposition in the last general elections. Asked when the report will be ready, he said it will be out soon once a thorough report is completed. “We will not just give a statement to explain everything. The report will explain the economic impact of the project on Selangor and the country."

Promises, promises.

Whatever happened to the much publicised investigation carried out by the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee headed by Shahrir Samad? A total waste of time and money, I believe, since it was not conclusive.

In another report, former Subang Jaya assemblyman and losing MCA candidate for the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat Lee Hwa Beng (I didnt vote for him!) is poised to be the next chairman of Port Klang Authority (PKA). Sheeesh.

"When he takes over as chairman, Lee’s task will include resurrecting investor confidence in the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Trade Zone which has the potential of being a white elephant due to limited facilities that are not tailor- made to serve the needs of shipping and logistics companies," says theSun.

It is also learnt that the PKA will also see a new general manager this year as O.C. Phang’s tenure which ends in June will not be renewed. Phang, who has served as general manager for four terms which was quite unprecedented, has been largely blamed for PKFZ’s shortcomings as well as PKA’s dwindling cash reserves from RM500 million, which prompted the authority to seek a RM4.6 billion 'soft loan' bailout from the federal government to finance the project.

I for one, am hopeful that the new Selangor state government, which has recently expressed interest in acquiring the project for a token book value of RM1, will do a proper and thorough due diligence to uncover the truth behind the fiasco. (Read also my earlier blog, here).

Pakatan Rakyat

My old friend Capt. Subhash 'Fred' Kelkar in San Francisco calls it cajones which simply means balls or bebola, and these are what I find severely lacking amongst UMNO die hards. A pathetic state of the denial syndrome, refusing to admit to their faults and a penchant for blaming everybody else but themselves.

I was invited to the UMNO pasca or whatever organised by MyKmu.net at the Singgahsana Hotel in Petaling Jaya yesterday, where after all the hype about transparency, openness and daring to speak up bla bla, a young grassroots leader was unceremoniously manhandled and dragged out of the hall after he had the audacity to ask why not consider inviting Anwar Ibrahim back into the UMNO fold. Sheeesh. I rather felt sorry for the whole bunch of them, many looking like paranoid Class F bumiputra contractors still harping on ketuanan Melayu*, etc. and all the while I was asking myself WTF was I doing there.

While UMNO in particular and BN in general are breaking at the seams with their leaders at each others' throats, the PKR-PAS-DAP coalition seems to be growing from strength to strength with the formation of Pakatan Rakyat or People’s Alliance. Is a merger of opposition parties on the cards? If this is so, then we are without a doubt moving towards a much coveted two-party system and we can also look forward to kissing goodbye to communal or race politics once and for all. (Read yesterday's Malaysiakini report, here)

* Malay suzerainty.

Malaysians in Motion

Earlier today I attended a luncheon at the Royal Selangor Golf Club, hosted by my friend and former High Court judge Dato Syed Ahmad Idid, to bid farewell and God-speed to a mutual friend and fellow mariner Capt. Abdul Ghani Ishak. Capt Ghani, together with his lovely wife Alison and their 3-year-old son Adrian, will start their 30-month adventure of a lifetime on a five-leg journey starting May 1 by a 4WD vehicle overland across 5 continents. They will begin from London and travel across Europe, Africa, North and South America, Australia and Asia. They expect to finish the journey in October 2010. (Read Friday 28th March NST online report of the expedition, here).

The family, which calls itself Malaysians in Motion, has bought and fitted a Nissan Patrol 4x4 with the necessary equipment as they intend to cook on their own and sleep outdoors."We have named our vehicle 'Tuah', after the legendary Malay warrior, and of course, it also means luck," says Capt Ghani.

The expedition has the support of Tourism Malaysia. Rainforest Challenge has also stepped in as a sponsor, but the expedition is largely self-funded. Capt. Ghani says he welcomes more sponsors from Malaysia.

Malaysians can keep track of this plucky family's progress via their website: www.malaysiansinmotion.com

(Above photo taken at RSGC. From left: Tuan Hj. Abdul Rahman Azubir, Dato Syed Ahmad Idid, yours truly, Capt. Ghani)

Earth Hour

When I would usually doze off or fiddle with my cellphone, I was pleasantly surprised yesterday afternoon during Friday prayers when the young Imam spoke about saving the environment instead of the usual tiresome sermon about saving everybody's souls and hinting darkly about 'enemies of Islam', etc. A sign of better things to come with the new state administration? Wallah-u-alam.

Anyway, theStar online reports, here, that Penangites have been urged to turn off their home lights for an hour, between 8pm and 9pm on Saturday 29 March 2008, that is today, to participate in the Earth Hour 2008 campaign in conjunction with Malaysia's first Earth Day. This is to join 24 other cities worldwide to reduce global warming by reducing energy usage and wastage.

Earth Hour started as a joint initiative among WWF-Australia, Fairfax Media and Leo Burnett for the city of Sydney with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Sydney by 5% in 2007. Those interested to be part of this global campaign can also sign up for Earth Hour at: www.earthhour.org/user/SLC6.

We can all also do our part in our own small ways. So lights off tonight for an hour at 2000 hrs. Afraid of the dark? Go light a candle.

Just Deserts

(Source: Malaysiakini)

The recalcitrant Terengganu ADUNs or state assemblymen were reportedly in tears when told yesterday that UMNO bigwigs have decided to kowtow to the King's wishes that Ahmad Said be made mentri besar. Unconfirmed reports also said that 3 of them, including the former MB Idris Jusoh, have been stripped off their state datukships. If this is true, then serve them bloody right.

Rumours were also flying around yesterday that the prime minister had resigned but this turned out to be just that, rumours. With the MSM shirking their job it is no wonder that the rakyat has now more faith in cell-phone text messages and websites. In any case, Pak Lah has denied any serious 'loss of face' on his part for having to accede to the wishes of the King after having declared that Ahmad's appointment is 'unconstitutional'. I believe the Attorney-General also did not get his audience with the King, perhaps because His Majesty did not particularly relish a lecture on constitutional law at this stage.

There will be a mammoth reception by the people to pledge loyalty and support for the King or Yang di Pertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan, when he returns to Terengganu for the weekend tomorrow. In the meantime, police are also investigating and out to nab the culprits who had put up banners insulting the palace and in support of Idris Jusoh.

Anybody else for a slice of that humble pie?

"Politicians and diapers have one thing in common.
They should both be changed regularly ... and for the same reason."
- Anon.

Judicial Reform

The government must make judicial reform its topmost priority to restore public confidence in the institution, said Gerakan acting president and former Penang chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Khoon yesterday. Read the Malaysiakini report, here.

"Apologising to the judges suspended or sacked 20 years ago will be gracious for a start, as suggested by the new minister in PM's Department, Zaid Ibrahim. However, what is even more important is that concrete steps must be taken as soon as possible, and seen to be taken towards restoring judicial authority, integrity and credibility in Malaysia," Koh was quoted as saying by Bernama. He also welcomed and supported Zaid's proposal for the establishment of a judiciary appointment commission as a specific measure.

While we are on the subject, perhaps the government should also consider apologising and making the necessary compensations to my learned good friend former High Court judge Dato Syed Ahmad Idid. About 12 years ago, Dato Syed had to quit his job after his letter exposing corruption and abuse of power in the judiciary was dismissed as 'without basis' by his superiors. Read also my earlier blog posting, here.

Describing himself as a judge whose "conscience divulged the truth 12 years ago and now proved 'correct correct correct' via latest video-clip", Dato Syed Ahmad Idid will be a guest speaker at B.U.M 2008 scheduled for 1st of May 2008. Click on teaser below for details.

PKFZ: Time for Reckoning

Malaysiakini reports, here, that the Selangor state government wants to take over and manage operations at the RM4.68 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) as part of its overall revamp of troubled projects and corporations within the state to bring these back to the black.

Rather than letting this Port Klang project go to waste at taxpayers' expense, the state government will take it over at book value of RM1 or RM2 and try to turn it around to make it economically viable, said Selangor's new Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (photo).

Khalid, however, said the federal government’s bailout of PKFZ with a 'soft loan' has not resolved the ‘internal’ issues relating to the alleged irregularities, and has not assured its economic viability either. “Who are the sub-contractors? What are the costs involved in that (project?). We can help unravel all the issues to correct the position,” he said.

“I think the least (that) the public expect is that people who benefited from this must pay for their sins or crimes (through legal action).”

Khalid should know what he is talking about. A former corporate giant, he was very briefly and indirectly also my former boss in the early 90's when Klang Port was privatised to the Permodalan Nasional Bhd. My heart went out to him when I saw him directing traffic in full baju melayu at Anwar Ibrahim's open house during the last Hari Raya Puasa. The time for reckoning is here.

Enter the Royals Pt. 2

(Source: Malaysiakini)

I refused to jump in the DAP's Lim Kit Siang bashing bandwagon last week when he advised his Perak ADUNs to stay away from the swearing in ceremony. It was indeed a bad call and Lim was called biadap or disrespectful but he has subsequently apologised to the Regent of Perak.

Anyway, short of lèse majesté or whatever, what does one make of the above Terengganu ADUNs or state assemblymen (photo) who has chosen to spurn their ruler's choice of Mentri Besar? Malaysiakini reports that prime minister Abdullah Badawi has declared "unconstitutional" the appointment of Ahmad Said as the new Terengganu MB, in a "rare showdown with the nation's royal rulers". The NST has also said in an editorial that an unhappy relationship between the MB and royal rulers could only result in "trouble and acrimony".

This "Mexican standoff" has had precedents in the past and these hotshot ADUNs from Terengganu should take note that they can come and go but HRH the Sultan, who is also the present Yang di Pertuan Agong, will still be there. His place is guaranteed under the federal constitution unless Pak Lah has the balls to turn this country into a republic or something.

It promises to be a very interesting week ahead indeed.




... is coming !