Tuesday, September 15, 2009

PR Senior Leadrs should make their stand on KBP

Press statement

HINDRAF is appalled by the demolition of the last remaining Indian Heritage village in Penang today aided, abetted and assisted by the Penang State Government.

Malaysians should be aware that Hindraf assistance to help preserve the village was sought on the 26th June 2009 when the villagers have been battling a more than 10 years struggle to preserve their village. Upon our campaigns and questions on the legality of the attempt to demolish the village many eye opening facts surfaced.

Till date Lim Guan Eng has refused and deliberately diverted from answering the real questions posed on him on the saga of KBP.

The final act of wiping out the village would serve as the beginning of the end of DAP rule in Penang and support for DAP nationwide. Hindraf has on its own accord mobilised thousands of supporters to campaign for PR in the last GE without even being invited to do so because we believed the time to rid the evil BN regime has come. But the actions and inactions of DAP in Penang and their subsequent lies, denial and silence on many legitimate questions posed on the issue have caused many Malaysians to lose hope on change and make assumptions DAP is no better than the evil UMNO and BN.

The fact that senior leaders within Pakatan Rakyat- Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Hadi Awang,Tok Guru Nik Aziz, Syed Husin, Karpal Singh and others who have remained silent and tight lipped causes Hindraf to wonder if they are actually held at ransom by Lim Guan Eng for reasons only known to them.

The Rakyat voted for a change- change that they believed would enhance a more democratic Government that is open, transparent and friendly that would take into considerations human factors, fairness, right of the poor, defenceless and marginalised.

It is very troubling that a senior citizen of the village had attempted to torch herself in order to protect her home. The conclusion that could be made is that the state Government under DAP has turned into an evil regime. We urge senior leaders in PR to break their silence and come in the open on their stand on the KBP issue. Should they fail to do so, a wrong signal would be sent to the public that would erode the confidence of rakyat on PR which would pay a hefty price in the next GE.

If nearby Chinese fishing village – Bang Liau and Chinese jetties Clan in George Town can be recognised as a heritage village what sin has the people of KBP committed to face extinction?

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chairman

HINDRAF

Kampung Buah Pala - Fiery Threat

Islam & Malay Muslims are not the problem: UMNO, MCA, MIC, GERAKAN and their stooges are

Wong Mun Chee

Only UMNO and its lackies have the means, motive and opportunity in making it appear like Islam and the Malay Muslims are the problem for ‘others’.

Sure, I was out spoken about Kg. Buah Pala issue, with such complimentary remarks, that I am even branded as a Gerakan, UMNO stooge. With all the negative elements, my stand still in affirmation that the LGE-led DAP government of Penang sold their soul for monetary gains and that they have achieved in subjugating those poor folks in Kg. Buah Pala with their media power and falsified events to achieve their own needs. So what is the difference between BN and Pakatan Rakyat when the public is in despair? To me, BN and Pakatan are no difference if what is truthful, fair and just is not served. The change of guard that we observed is superficial if we are superficial ourselves and primarily the critics for their own needs.

On the Section 23 Shah Alam issue, fortunately, the anticipated respond on the cow head incident tilted and has in effect strengthen the belief amongst the Malaysians in our Muslim brothers and sisters that the other races can find solace. It is enlightening that our sensible and level-headed Muslim brothers are able to speak out to maintain a balance in this multicultural society in allowing the freedom to practice each one’s way of live.

Do you think, the UMNO-led BN, having been in power for 52 with Mahathir’s iron fist for 22 years, can be erased within a blink of eye? Not a chance, because with well-planned provocation, the anticipated response can even become a weapon in the arsenal of the agent provocateur.

Those affiliated and pre-staged events to inflame religion intolerance or for the matter what one comments is only possible if it serves one’s own needs. As much as they are the agent provocateur, we the general public are no better when we observe and practice everything in a race and religious outline as opposed to a truthful cause in fairness and equality although sometimes in our mind it is skewed as a racist agenda.

In the Kg. Buah Pala issue, the agent provocateur was the DAP and they stooped so low akin to another UMNO in disguise to defend themselves in malicious ways. Why do you need to defend and justify truth if that was you seek? Truth has no substitute. Truth is truth and that is the reality whether you like it or not you have to deal with it.

I had once the opportunity to spend about seven hours in conversation with the late MGG PILLAI before his demise and his greatest hope for the country was our Muslim brothers & sisters.

We all know that those in power, whether it is Muslim or others, will always cohort to create an atmosphere to maintain their own status quo, but we as the public should slowly drift away intelligently from a race- or religion-based biasness in strengthening our unity. Even in the opposition we have division of a somewhat race-based affiance. It is not a perfect system, but the change can only appear if we are in unity on a humanitarian cause irrespective of origin.

By way of deception and manipulation, the elected members have taken the public for a ride over the last 52 years by supportive policies that lend the appearance of legitimacy and credibility to an operation justified for a pre-determined agenda that only serves their own needs.

Today, the public, meaning you and me, take a bit more trouble to find out what is actually happening to our society for the effort that we put in individually to make sure that we can participate and create the change in our own ways.

To create the change in unity, we first need to be independent and unshackled in our own thoughts for what is truthful, just and fair. Knowledge alone will not suffice but the wisdom to see it once you are truly awaken. Once we overcome this, then it does not matter who says what, as long it what is truthful, just and fair for the community that we intend to create and to live together.

UMNO, MCA, MIC, GERAKAN and their stooges will continue with their antics, but it is us, the public, you and me, that will make the difference when we are in unity for what is fair, just and equal. Once you come in terms with yourself in unity with the public for a society’s concern, then you have the wisdom rather than the half-truth knowledge that appeases you for your own individual collaboration.

If you feel like a truly Malaysian, then you understand the message, not how it is benefiting me, as that has been the modus operandi imbibed in us courtesy of UMNO led scumbags and now we have seen in Kg Buah Pala issue.

Your choice is our society’s need if you can be truthful to yourself.

Heart-wrenching sight for oldest resident - Malaysiakini

It was a heart-wrenching moment for octogenarian Draviam Arul Pillay as he witnessed his home and memories violently snuffed out by a demolition team at Kg Buah Pala.

Using sledgehammers and other equipment, developer Nusmetro's demolition team tore down the house of Kampung Buah Pala's most senior resident Draviam Arul Pillay, 84, the father of the village association secretary Joseph Stephen.

NONEVillagers watched in dismay as the rampaging demolition team destroyed Draviam's (left) family house under the watchful presence of a large police squad including a light strike force unit.

His daughter, Thavamani Draviam, 44, was overwhelmed by the sight and could not contain her tears and anguish at witnessing the destruction.

She scolded the workers who went about their task with no regard for the fact, or knowledge, that they were demolishing the home in which she was born.

"We built the village ... it's ours. Now they have robbed us off our home," said Thavamani, who had to be consoled by her family members.

After partially tearing down Draviam's home, the demolition team moved on to residents' association assistant secretary, C Tharmaraj's home.

Tharmaraj's mother R Indrani, 62, caused a stir when she threatened to torch herself as the demolition team was dismantling her house gate.

NONEShe came out from her house with a bottle of liquid, believed to be kerosene, and doused herself with it.

Then she produced a match box and threatened to immolate herself if the demolition team did not leave the place immediately.

Upon seeing her going berserk and shouting at them, the workers quickly left the area.

Her son, Thanaselan calmed down the tearful Indrani and took her inside.

A final RM125,000 offer

Resident K Murugan told Malaysiakini that developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd's director Gary Ho today offered a one-off RM125,000 final compensation to some of the villagers who did not accept the earlier double-storey house offer.

NONEHe said Ho also told the residents whose houses were demolished today that they would be relocated for a month to a nearby apartment pending further decisions on the matter.

"It's like we are at the mercy of the developer today because the state government, courts and police are all against us for standing up for our rights," said Murugan.

During the demolition, some villagers vented their anger and frustration against everyone, including Ho, the police, the demolition team and even the village association leaders.

At 3pm, the demolition team were virtually done and had demolished 13 houses of the 17 houses earmarked for destruction.

Residents then started retrieving items of value from the debris of their homes. Several were heard yelling out names of elected representatives for not coming to their aid in their time of need.

"They came here for votes and promised to save our village. They even pledge to stop any demolition attempt over their dead bodies. Now our village is gone, the politicians are not around to stop it," said one of them.

Four house owners negotiated successfully with Ho to allow them to dismantle their homes by themselves.

Earlier, a scuffle nearly took place between cattle farmers and the demolition team when they attempted to flatten cowsheds with a bulldozer.

Timely police intervention prevented a near-ugly situation and the team then dropped the idea when told that cattle rearing ground was not part of the Oasis project site.

The demolition team then left the site with police escort.