Kapitan Lim Guan Eng’s Indian mandore’s Deepavali message: Break up cow sheds to UMNO developer “ Don’t Break up the Kg Buah Pala cow sheds now, but feel free to break them after Deepavali” (Deepavali reprieve for cowherds, The Sun 16/10/2009 at page 
Friday, October 16, 2009
Kapitan Lim Guan Eng’s Indian mandore’s Deepavali message: Break up cow sheds
Bagan Pinang BN victory, the beginning of the evaporation of Indian support for PR ?
Voters in this small town near Port Dickson have clearly exercised their vote to give BN a landslide victory. Based on the last 8 bi elections the incumbent always held fort. BN was expected to retain Bagan Pinang . There was a high 40 % postal vote factor in this bi-election. Postal votes are normally pro BN. However the exceptionally high margin secured by the BN candidate confirms that more Indians have decided to give back their votes to BN..
Through out the elections, observers were gauging if PR could make the inroads in Bagan Binang. In the case of BN it was very pertinent for them to retain the seat. Against the wishes of the likes of Dr.M and Tengku Li, PM Najib chose Isa a controversial candidate who was censored and penalized by his own party. This was indeed a political gamble.A loss in Bagan Pinang could actually have seen weakening of his position within his party. The win in Bagan Pinang today can be seen as a mandate to PM Najib Razak to continue his BN leadership.
This election has shown us the glaring weakness within PR. PR has seemingly lost ground and have not settled in as the ruling government in 5 major states, more importantly they have lost ground gained with the Indian community..
From the results ,and the ensuing commentaries posted
on the Bagan Pinang bi-elections are we to infer the following?.
1.Corruption though an important issue only took 2nd place to tangible issues like housing, health, education and food.
2.Indian temper against MIC and Umno seems has cooled off.
3.PR has not convinced the voters that it wis a viable alternative to BN to rule the country.
4. PR failed to present to its Indian voters effective socio economic programs to secure their upward mobility.
If the above are true, the Indian community which was responsible for the tsunami elections in 2008, was eager to see policy based resolution to their perennial problems by an alternate PR led government but this however did not happen in the PR governed states. As such they had to weigh other options for their future.If PR does not distinguish itself as a viable governing material it should not be surprised if it looses its stake in the next GE.
The success of PR in the 12th GE was aided by the issues that were dominating the political landscape like the Suhashini custodial battle,Melaka pig breeders issue,Herald publication KDN withdrawal, Shah Alam temple demolition , Hindraf demonstration and subsequent ISA detention of its 5 leaders which was of intense public interest then. It was further facilitated by the flaws in the judgment of the timing of the elections by the former Prime Minister,but this time round PR will not have that benefit.
Be sure that the current Prime Minister will time the elections to his advantage. He is on track to appease the Indians. He will work around the other races soon. PR should not just wait to pounce on controversies and flaws on the governance of BN ,but should steer its state governments to deliver a distinctively viable socio-economic agenda .With two economically well developed states in hand it should not be a daunting task.If it fails to impress in the ensuing months that it can also deliver, forget about staking a claim for the seat in Putra Jaya. From the lessons from Bagan Pinang we know voter sentiment is very volatile, and no party can claim absolute rights to govern, Malaysian politics seems dynamic in its pattern of swing.In the next 24 months if PR fails to demonstrate its governance in its ruling states we should not be surprised at the reversal of vote swings.
It was a strategic political error that PR did not develop a mechanism wherein the participation of the leaders of the “Hindraf inspiration” was secured in the running of the PR controlled states. Is it a manifestation of Umno type arrogance or is it a deliberate strategy to sideline and marginalize those Hindraf leaders so that the Indians support can be split and absorbed within the so called multi racial parties like PKR , DAP and into Pas through dubious fan club mechanisms.? Is a strong united Indian community centered on the struggles of Hindraf ,a threat to others who connive to hijack Indian support by empty political rhetoric?
From the Bukit Selambau bi-elections, failure of PR to accommodate the request of Hindraf for a candidate of their choice, it is evident and has become difficult to believe that a PR led federal government in the future will give consideration to the 18 point socio-economic agenda for the Indian community which was the core of the Nov25 2007 Hindraf spirit.
Indians are emotionally distraught and downtrodden. If by just political rhetoric PR plans manage the Indian support ,such a support will evaporate in no time.I just hope Bagan Pinang is not the beginning of such a process.
Lim Guan Eng’s Deepavali gift, breaking Cow shead Kg. Buah Pala
200,000 free rice coupons, none to Indians
The UMNO led Malaysian government’s Agriculture and Agro based Industry Minister gives out free rice 200,000 coupons for poor Malaysians (The Sun 14/10/09 at page 6). But we are yet to hear of the first Indian poor to receive his first bag of free rice. But then this is possible under Prime Minister Najib’s One Malaysia! Editor.
200,000 free rice coupons, none to Indians
The UMNO led Malaysian government’s Agriculture and Agro based Industry Minister gives out free rice 200,000 coupons for poor Malaysians (The Sun 14/10/09 at page 6). But we are yet to hear of the first Indian poor to receive his first bag of free rice. But then this is possible under Prime Minister Najib’s One Malaysia! Editor.
How The Indians Are Excluded From The Agricultural Sector Systematically
By Naragan N.
Yesterday and today the last remaining structures of Kampung Buah Pala are to be torn down – the cow barns. The cattle farmers of Kampung Buah Pala have no alternative land yet. The cows are going to be stranded, literally in the streets. But who cares?
When a pig slaughterhouse was demolished in Kedah recently, the sole DAP rep in the Kedah State Government there caused an uproar by threatening to resign and the issue was immediately resolved. If the affected farmers had been Malay cattle farmers, they would have been courted and alternative land would have been provided by one of the several government agencies set up expressly for this purpose. But this is an Indian farmer and so no one really cares.
This is marginalization in real life and blood. This has been going on right from the beginning of Malaya, then Malaysia. Very systematic marginalization. Till today there is still no political will in the governing coalitions both at the Federal and the State level to resolve these critical problems. The only way we can see that these problems will be resolved is when the Indians get into the mainstream of National Development.
Let me try and briefly explain how the Indians have been blocked systematically from getting into the mainstream of National Development - in this scenario in the Agricultural sector contributing to the marginalization we so often speak out about. The real world effect of all this is what we see happening in front of our very own eyes – in KBP.
From the 1950s there has been significant development in the Agricultural sector spearheaded by government agencies such as FELDA, FELCRA, RISDA, FAMA and many others (see list of these agencies at the footnote).
And for these 50 odd years we all know how the rural Indian population mainly from the estates have been systematically pushed out and excluded from benefiting from any of these efforts. This was through the period of the fragmentation of the plantations (from the 50s through to the 80s) and then massive eviction from land as a result of the development of the land for various purposes (from the late 70s through to now). They have all been turned over into the urban poor.
All of this, through the working of the racist UMNO policies. In fact the NEP of the last 40 odd years, was supposed to erase identification of race with occupation. It has done exactly the opposite in the Agricultural sector. The estate Indians were thrown out of that sector and that sector has effectively been turned into a monopoly almost of the Malays. Billions and billions of our National resource has been spent in this sector over this period, but the Indians gained nothing from it all. This is a direct result of the policies of the racist UMNO -a Malaysian version of Apartheid.
Now a new and even more significant chapter is opening up in the Agricultural Sector and I suspect many of us are not aware of the significance of what is happening or about to happen. In just the last 2-3 years the development policy of the government has changed to accelerate development in the Agricultural sector to make it the 3rd engine of growth, besides Manufacturing and Information technology, the other engines of economic growth.
What this means is that there is going to be a tremendous amount of expansion in this sector. A further large amount of the national resource is going to be invested to develop this sector into the engine of growth – like the Multimedia Super Corridor effort, the e- Government effort, the CyberCities and so on to develop the Information Technology Sector. A total ecosystem is going to be created to facilitate the development of this sector. Billions and billions are again going to be spent to develop the potential in this sector.
The functions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Base Industry has been increased and related agencies have been restructured to support and facilitate this strategic initiative. The stated objective is to evenly develop all aspects of supply chain management within the agriculture and agro-base industry – from seed production, production, post-harvest handling, storage, logistics, grading, labeling, packaging, transporting, retailing, wholesaling, marketing, branding, processing, up to the point where the goods are sold to consumers (from farm to table).
A ‘Cluster’-based development of zones of production not unlike the Fruits Production Zones, the Target Area Concentration, the Aquaculture Zone Industry and the Modern Agriculture Project and Permanent Food Production Park are also in the making. The same cluster based development effort as in the Manufacturing sector.
Marketing, Research and Development and Business Development are all slated for expansion in this sector. To enable all of this the Entrepreuner and Cooperative Development Ministry has been folded into the Rural and Regional Development (RRD) Ministry and new functions have been introduced into the RRD Ministry and its various units.
The Tekun program has been converted from an Enterpreuner financing agency to a strategic Entrepreuner development agency, now within the RRD Ministry. This is a significant program with budgets in the Billions of Ringgits.
The SMIDEC ( Small and Medium Industry Development Corporation) has been expanded and renamed to become the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation. The National SME Development Council Secretariat Function of Bank Negara has been folded into the SME Corporation.
Bank Pertanian has been corporatized and now operates as the Agro Bank, the official disbursement agency for the government of all the funds going into the sector.
Special Bumiputra only financing schemes have been rolled out by various banks. One example is the SPED scheme of the Bank Rakyat. They give out loans from RM 30,000 to RM 500,000. One of the eligibility is unashamedly that the applicant must be a Bumiputra.
Various educational Institutuions such as University Putra Malaysia, UiTM, Risda College, Felda Academy are collaborating strategically to produce the skilled manpower needed for this expansion.
All of the above, without exception is meant only for Bumiputras with a few crumbs thrown out to the partner political party local heads and their relatives and cronies for their connivance to maintain status quo. Tell me if I am wrong.
I know several small Indian livestock farmers, a few aspiring young farmers and I can see that at best they get cursory assistance, not the womb to tomb kind of assistance that the Malay farming community gets or is about to get with all of this. These small livestock farmers operate on TNB land under power cables or on railway land or on some land like KBP, all waiting to be evicted someday destroying even that little participation in this part of the economy. There is very little benefit for the Indian farmers or aspiring farmers or Entrepreuners from any of these programs, in fact they are about to be obliterated from this sector totally, given what we see going on.
From all of this, you can see on the one hand, the scale of things that is happening in the country for the development of the Agricultural Sector – in what we call the mainstream of National Development. On the other hand,we know from whatever little is published or from our own experience that the Indians have been totally excluded from this mainstream of development.
This is how the system operates to to block Indians from the development process. They are left to be where they are and to use the little resources they have to try and get out of their predicament.
All of this must change. The only organization in the country that can speak up in these terms for the Indians now is Hindraf and the Human Rights Party. Please see the proposal for the 2010 Budget by the HRP-
Let us all get together in a way that will get us the change we all seek. There is a lot of trickery and lies around. We have to work against all of that to get to the truth, but we will get there.
Foot notes:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
RM1 MILLION WORTH BUNGALOW FOR BUAH PALA VILLAGERS EACH!
| by cryingvoices | |
WHERE IS THE DOUBLE STOREY HOUSE WORTH RM600,000???? LIM GUAN ENG, RAMASAMY AND RSN RAYER... CHEAP LIARS!!! MACC SHOULD INVESTIGATE ON THEIR KEEN INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN KG.BUAH PALA LAND! THIS PHOTO IS THE PROVE OF THEIR LIES~!! SHOW ME WHERE IS YOUR DOUBLE STOREY HOUSE???
High Chaparral: DCM denies demanding apology - Malaysiakini
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has not made any such demand either, he told a press conference at his office today.
"I have been sympathetic to the residents from the beginning and have tried to help them in every way I could. They can always see me to settle the compensation issue," he said.
Ramasamy said the state government could not be demanding an apology from members of the public for criticism levelled at it.
"The state government is bound to be criticised for its administrative policies and actions," he said.
Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairperson M Sugumaran (left) had told reporters on Sunday that the 10 residents, including himself, had been directed to sign and read out a letter of apology.He claimed that the apology, to be prepared by the administration, was to be addressed to Lim and others for what the villagers had said and done at the height of the Kampung Buah Pala issue.
Sugumaran also said the state government had barred him and four other office bearers of the association from entering Level 28 of Komtar (where Lim's office is located) and Level 52 (Ramasamy's office) since last week.
He named secretary Joseph Stephen Draviam, assistant secretary C Tharmaraj, assistant treasurer I Pasunagi, committee member O Selvaraj, as the others who were affected.
In addition, the 10 were told to first see Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer to facilitate negotiations, he alleged.
Ramasamy said, however, that he is not aware of either the ban or the 'see Rayer first' directive.
"I have not given such directives to anyone. I don't think my staff would have done it either ... (any) such directive was surely not from my office," he said.
Committee created
Ramasamy reiterated his eagerness to resolve the compensation matter, in order to bring the issue to a close.
On some residents facing problems in securing alternative homes, he said they could always seek his help. He said the state housing department could accommodate them in vacant public housing units, pending completion of the double-storey houses offered.
Ramasamy (right) also announced the formation of a pro-tem committee for the 15 former villagers who have accepted the offer of houses. The committee is headed by R Karunakaran, a DAP member.Asked why this is necessary when there is a registered association to represent the villagers' interests, Ramasamy said the committee is only for those who have accepted the compensation offer.
He also disclosed that the state executive council had rejected his proposal to set aside state land to rebuild Kampung Buah Pala, on grounds that it does not want to set a precedent.
Rayer, who was at the press conference, said the 10 villagers should retract their police reports and allegations against the state government.
"There must be retraction to show that what is past is past," he said.
Kampung Buah Pala, a 200-year-old Indian settlement, was demolished last month to make way for the Oasis condominium project, undertaken jointly by landowner Koperasi Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.
Bagan Pinang RM 900,000.00 to upgrade Chinese school and temple (by UMNO but peanuts for Indians).
Bagan Pinang RM 900,000.00 to upgrade Chinese school and temple (by UMNO but peanuts for Indians). This announcement was made by the UMNO Deputy President Muhyiddin Yasin during the Bagan Pinang by elections (NST 9/10/09 at page 8). But for the Indians in Bagan Pinang the Lukut Tamil school which is the only school in Malaysia and perhaps the world over which is situated on the first floor of a shop house. Yet again like in almost all wayang kulit politics by UMNO and now also ably followed by PKR, DAP, and PAS in Kedah, Penang, Selangor (and up to April 2009 also Perak), this Lukut Tamil school was merely promised a two (2) acres of land. As usual nothing had been given in writing let alone the land little being issued. Even then this peanut 2 acres of land will not cater for a school field, future expansion and assembly Cum Community Hall. Further a mere computer and a fax machine was yet again announced by UMNO’s Indian Mandore Cabinet Minister as goodies for a local Tamil school at the Bagan Pinang by elections campaign whereas the Chinese school gets RM900,000.00 See the different allocations for the mere 10% Chinese voters in Bagan Pinang and as usual the peanuts for the Indians who from 20% of the voters. The Malays do not need any allocations as they get almost everything in the annual Malaysian Budget for example RM 230 Billion for the year 2009 which is almost all targeted at the Malay Muslim community and they are placed in the national mainstream development of Malaysia which the Indians are not. One Malaysia under Prime Minister Najib Razak? Editor
Budget 2009 must bring in working-class Indians
Jeevindra Kumar Krishnan, Sukumaran Apparu
Pro-tem central committee members,
Human Rights Party Malaysia.
Oct 14, 09
4:33pm
Dear Prime Minister,
We are a recently formed political party, the Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP), which is pending registration. We refer to your recent request to the rakyat for proposals to be incorporated in the upcoming Budget for 2010. Our humble proposals, not quantified monetarily due to lack of data and time constraints, are as follows:
1. Minimum Wage
1. We propose that a minimum wage be set at RM1,200 per month, and, RM50 a day (RM6.25 per hour) for piece rate or daily paid wage-earners, for all Malaysian citizens, so as to uplift them from low wages and concomitant poverty. This will, in one sweep move the lowest paid workers' family above the poverty line of RM691 under the 9MP. The average minimum wage of RM325 agreed for oil palm plantation workers from Jan 1, 2001 will give those workers a real wage of only RM258.55 in Jan 1, 2010.
2. Repatriation of illegal foreign workers and cessation of intake of foreign labour
2.1 Simultaneous to the above minimum wage for Malaysians, we propose that it be accompanied with the repatriation of 500,000 foreign workers so as to create and augment employment opportunities for Malaysians.
2.2 The repatriation of foreign workers would largely be confined to the illegal workers who are estimated by sociologists to number 1.5 million in the peninsula alone.
2.3 To ensure that the effect of the minimum wage increase is not diluted but enhanced, the repatriation of foreign workers must be simultaneous to the setting of minimum wages for Malaysians.
2.4 To bring about a restructuring of the Malaysian economy and society, there should be a capping of the intake of unskilled foreign labour so as to force the automation and mechanisation of work.
2.5 Once again this policy would be widespread and could only be a gain to all Malaysians, particularly the marginalised and impoverished bottom strata of Malaysian society.
3. Alienation of one million acres of land for the technologically advanced farming of high- yielding grains, vegetables, fruits, livestock and aqua--culture
3.1 As in previous schemes like Felda, Felcra, Fama, Risda, Kejora, Keda, Kesedar, Ketengah, Agropolitan etc, e propose that one million acres of land be alienated to Malaysians of all races equitably for the technologically advanced farming of high yielding grains, vegetables, fruits, livestock and aqua-culture.
3.2 We rank 8th , 11th and 12th respectively in terms of per capita import of corn, rice and wheat worldwide; this is critical considering that global grain reserves are estimated at 40 days as of 2008. This will also increase the existing agricultural land from 78,700 sq km to 82,746 sq km.
3.3 The purpose of this scheme is to be increasingly self-sufficient in food supply, and if possible for export, as well as to restructure the economy so that no ethnicity is identified with any sector of the economy.
3.4 As previous schemes mostly benefitted the Malay community, further entrenching them in agriculture, we propose this scheme be opened to a larger and more equitable participation by all Malaysians, particularly the working class Indians, without prejudice.
4. Franchise schemes
4.1 We propose that PNB should now extend its mission to provide total franchise solutions to all Malaysians. The time has come for Malaysians, especially working class Indians, to be allowed into all mainstream development programmes that are available.
4.2 We also propose that the licensing requirements under the Franchise Act 1998 be relaxed together with the removal of race-based requirements in submissions of annual Reports for the franchisers or the master franchise.
5. Establishment of an Anti-Race Discrimination Commission and an Equal Opportunities Commission
5.1 We note that in the past, many proposals and schemes did not filter down to the masses as intended, or were not implemented, or were not equitably distributed, or were hijacked by corrupt parties, and this was the bane of the NEP.
As such we propose that an Anti-Race Discrimination Commission and an Equal Opportunities Commission be established for the specific purpose of acting as a watchdog and ensuring that government policy be implemented as intended, and be distributed equitably, specifically not excluding the working class Indians.
This commission should be similar to the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equality and the Human Rights Commission of the United Kingdom.
5.2 This commission would be set-up with powers to enforce what is already budgetary and government policy, including the following:
5.2.1 Enforcement of minimum wage in the private sector
5.2.2 Monitoring of the repatriation of illegal foreign workers
5.2.3 Equitable distribution of land alienated for the purpose of agriculture, livestock and aqua-culture (as in para 3 above).
5.3 To show transparency and sincerity, an official prime minister's circular should not only be issued but made public and specifically also forwarded to us for our follow-up in the implementation thereto. This would prove the government's commitment and sincerity.
After all, Article 8 of the federal constitution provides for equality before the law and equal protection before the law and Article 12 provides for no discrimination on the grounds of race and religion.
5.4 In addition, the Implementation and Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department must be made responsible for the implementation of the prime minister circulars and the budget as a whole, as well as provide monthly updates on their website (that is, when they are up and running again) on the latest status of what has been achieved vis-a-vis the budget.
An example of long overdue implementation will be the yet-to-be-seen allocation of RM100 million for the re-development of Tamil schools as announced in the last budget, of which not a single sen has filtered down.
This when the monies could have been put to use immediately on a lesser number of schools if the initial allocation had been too small, as it has proven to be.
6. All Tamil schools to be made fully aided
6.1 On this budget, an announcement should be made by the prime minister, reiterating an earlier government announcement, that with effect from Budget 2009, all the 523 Tamil schools are to be fully-aided government schools with equal budgets, facilities, resources and teaching staff.
Simultaneously, a policy should be introduced that Tamil and Chinese be taught in all national schools during regular school hours with effect from Jan 1, 2010 onwards.
7. Micro-credit schemes and small business loans extended to non-bumiputeras
7.1 We propose that micro-credit schemes such as the Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) be extended to all Malaysians regardless of race. Right now there is only token assistance to non-bumi small businessmen.
A meaningful extension of the policy to favour all Malaysians would ensure the wide spreading and flourishing of small businesses and a reduction of loan sharks (Ah Longs) and the attendant crimes.
7.2 Licenses must be issued to entrepreneurs in the scrap yard and recycling industries. It is inconceivable that businesses that play such an invaluable role in managing dwindling resources are persecuted because they are unable to obtain the necessary licenses.
8. Amanah Saham Scheme for working class Indians
8.1 The Indians' equity stake in Malaysia has fallen to 1.1%. We propose that the government take concrete steps to rectify this dismal state of affairs by launching a brand new Amanah Saham Scheme in Budget 2010 specifically for the Indian working class.
This scheme is targeted for Indian Malaysians earning less than RM1,200 per month but will be open to all Indian Malaysians earning less than RM3,000 per month.
8.2 The proposed Amanah Saham Scheme must be launched with an initial annual fund size of RM2 billion and be structured with the availability of a government-backed loan scheme at a preferential interest rate of not more than 2.5% per annum (similar to yield of a 3-year Malaysian government security). Current outstanding MGS issues stand at RM229 billion.
8.3 All other terms must be kept similar to that of Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020.
9. Reclassify the plantation sector from the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry
9.1 We propose this transference of the plantation sector from one ministry to another as the plantation population are better served under the rural development ministry which is better able to care of the social needs of the rural population.
Agencies like Felda, Felcra, Risda, etc, come under this ministry and are better able to meet the needs of the rural population particularly when they get displaced when plantations are phased out. This is nothing more than a reclassification of departments from one ministry to another.
10. Resettlement of urban poor into government housing schemes
10.1 Resettlement of all urban poor communities should be carried out on a programmed basis into well-planned government housing schemes rather than in an ad hoc manner, on the occasion of their eviction when private development occurs.
This will avoid all the incumbent conflicts and abuses that are currently associated with private development on land occupied by these urban poor communities.
11. Legal aid for criminal cases
11.1 In order to serve justice to the poor, we propose a fully-funded government legal aid fund for all criminal cases as a fundamental right for all Malaysians earning RM5,000 and below per month. This proposal would be seen as Malaysia taking the steps to ensure justice is served fairly and equitably. This should be modelled along the United Kingdom Legal Services Commission.
12. Conclusion
12.1 We request that working-class Indians be brought into the national mainstream development of Malaysia rather than on ad hoc race-based specific allocations that do not filter down. Kindly therefore provide and announce the necessary allocations for all our aforesaid proposals that benefit all Malaysians and cannot be faulted on any grounds.
The writers are pro-tem central committee members, Human Rights Party Malaysia.
BN embraces Malaysian Indians, Pakatan Rakyat crucifies them
By Wong Mun Chee
Why does the landslide BN win not surprise anyone except those Pakatan Rakyat lobbyist. It is actually a simple conclusion; Pakatan Rakyat just felt that the Indians were not so important anymore as seen in the events that took place in Kg Buah Pala. Even the cow head incident seems to have no effect as that is what is expected from BN but not what is expected with the hoped change in Penang.
We all can condemn as much as we want, but Najib definitely proved to be a better politician than those in the opposition at least in Bagan Pinang as he knew how to embrace and court the Indian society whereas, the opposition became too big headed and discarded the Indian society.
The Pakatan Rakyat thought that through their ineffective Indian mandores, they will be able to harness support. Gosh!!! are they so naïve and blinded. Najib in the other hand inaugurate a runaway organization MMSP and better still, Dr Mahathir endorses it and this has proven that they would rather work with them even it is one of the numerous Indian parties and resolve the issues rather than depending on MIC the so called stalwart Indian representative.
As for Pakatan, it is a simple egoistic run, what can the Indian do. The minute you talk about Kg Buah Pala, it takes a defensive attitude and crucifies those residents rather than working with them for their own deficiency or ulterior motives. For Pakatan, they are after all the minority and those Indian mandores within their sphere will ensure their votes minus the transparency and truth in the people’s mandate for the change. How wrong has this been proven in the Bagan Pinang affair.
Whether Pakatan learns its lesson or not, but definitely BN has learned its lesson after GE2008 and makes concrete efforts to embrace the Indians in whichever manner to ensure that it stays in power even by breaking its own protocols.
Bagan Pinang has been a bellwether for Pakatan when they side track the Indian issues. No doubt the BN government is known for its marginalization and suppression of the Indians, and for that reason, the Indian voted en block under the direction of HINDRAF for the Pakatan coalition in the GE12.
However, if Pakatan thinks that Indian issues can be derailed and put aside similar to that seen in Kg Buah Pala, then they are no different from BN and the Indians rather chose a known devil then an unknown devil.
How Pakatan will move ahead will depend very much on whether they are serious in addressing the Malaysian Indian issues which is far more pressing than the economically sound Chinese and politically assisted Malays at least in their four (4) states.
From what I understand, the Indians still prefer to work with PR but they say, not at any cost. They want to see that there is a real difference between BN and PR. Otherwise, it really does not matter. BN will continue doing the same something crumbs stuff that PR is attempting to do now for the Indians. They do not want crumbs they want to see a crumbling of the old marginalizing order of things.
Let me also explain a thing about myself. Why does a Chinese name talk so much about an Indian issue? Simple, I am a Malaysian, my name does not matter but my intention for what is the truth does for a better Malaysian society.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
2010 Budget Proposals By Human Rights Party Malaysia (13/10/2009)
Date : October 13th 2009
Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,
Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Block Utama Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62502 Putrajaya.
E-Mail : najib@pmo.gov.my
Fax : 03-8888 3444
Dated: October 13th 2009
Re: 2010 Budget Proposals By Human Rights Party Malaysia (13/10/2009)
Dear Datuk Seri Najib,
We are a recently formed political party, the Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP), which is pending registration.
We refer to your recent request to the Rakyat for proposals to be incorporated in the upcoming Budget for 2010 (The Sun 2/10/09 at page 12). Our humble proposals, not quantified monetarily due to lack of data and time constraints, are as follows:
1. Minimum Wage [1]
1. We propose that a minimum wage be set at RM 1,200 per month, and, RM 50 a day (RM 6.25 per hour) for piece rate or daily paid wage earners, for all Malaysian citizens, so as to uplift them from low wages and concomitant poverty. This will, in one sweep move the lowest paid workers’ family above the poverty line of RM 691 under the 9MP. The average minimum wage of RM 325 agreed for oil palm plantation workers from Jan 1 2001[2] gives those workers a real wage (in constant 2001 RM) of RM 258.55 in Jan 1 2010[3].
2. Repatriation of Illegal Foreign Workers & Cessation of Intake of Foreign Labour
2.1 Simultaneous to the above minimum wage for Malaysians, we propose that it be accompanied with the repatriation of 500,000 foreign workers[4], so as to create and augment employment opportunities for Malaysians.
2.2 The repatriation of foreign workers would largely be confined to the illegal workers who are estimated by sociologists to number 1.5 million[5] in the peninsula alone.
2.3 To ensure that the effect of the minimum wage increase is not diluted but enhanced, the repatriation of foreign workers must be simultaneous to setting of minimum wages for Malaysians.
2.4 To bring about a restructuring of Malaysian economy and society there should be a capping[6] of the intake of unskilled foreign labour so as to force automation and mechanisation of work to take place.
2.5 Once again this policy would be widespread and could only be a gain to all Malaysians, particularly the marginalised and impoverished bottom strata of Malaysian society.
3 Alienation of one million acres of land for the technologically advanced farming of high yielding grains,vegetables, fruits, livestock and aquaculture
3.1 As in previous schemes like Felda, Felcra, Fama, Risda, KEJORA, KEDA, KESEDAR, KETENGAH, Agropolitan etc., we propose that 1,000,000 acres of land be alienated to Malaysians of all races equitably, for the technologically advanced farming of high yielding grains,vegetables, fruits, livestock and aquaculture.
3.2 We rank 8th, 11th and 12th respectively in terms of per capita import of corn, rice and wheat worldwide[7]; this is critical considering that global grain reserves are estimated at 40 days as of 2008.[8] This will also increase the existing agricultural land from 78,700 sq km to 82,746 sq km.
3.3 The purpose of this scheme is to be increasingly self sufficient in food supply,and if possible for export, as well as to restructure the economy so that no ethnicity is identified with any sector of the economy.
3.4 As previous schemes mostly benefited the Malay community, further entrenching them in agriculture, we propose this scheme be opened to larger and more equitable participation by all Malaysians, particularly the working class Indians, without prejudice.
4. Franchise Schemes
4.1 We propose that PNS should now extend its mission to provide total franchise solutions to all Malaysians. The time has come for Malaysians, especially working class Indians to be allowed in all the mainstream development programmes that are available.
4.2 We also propose that the licensing requirements under the Franchise Act 1998 be relaxed, together with the removal of race based requirements in submissions of Annual Reports for the Franchisors or the Master Franchise.
5. Establishment of an Anti Race Discrimination Commission and an Equal Opportunities Commission
5.1 We note that in the past many proposals and schemes did not filter down to the masses as intended, or were not implemented, or were not equitably distributed, or were hijacked by corrupt parties, and this was the bane of the NEP. As such we propose that an Anti Race Discrimination Commission and an Equal Opportunities Commission be established for the specific purpose of acting as a watchdog and ensuring government policy be implemented as intended, and be distributed equitably, specifically not excluding the working class Indians. This Commission should be similar to the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equality and Human Rights Commission[9] of the United Kingdom.
5.2 This Commissions would be set-up with powers to enforce what is already budgetary and government policy, including the following:
5.2.1 Enforcement of Minimum Wage in the private sector
5.2.2 Monitoring of Repatriation of Illegal Foreign Workers
5.2.3 Equitable distribution of land alienated for the purpose of agriculture, livestock and aquaculture (as in Para 3 above).
5.3 To show transparency and sincerity an official Prime Minister’s Circular should not only be issued but made public and specifically also forwarded to us for our follow up in the implementation thereto. This would prove the governments commitment and sincerity. After all Article 8 of the Federal Constitution provides for Equality before the law and equal protection before the law and Article 12 provides for no discrimination on the grounds of race and religion.
5.4 In addition, the Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU JPM) must be made responsible for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Circulars and the Budget as a whole, as well as provide monthly updates on their website (when it is up and running again) on the latest status of what has been achieved vis a vis the budget. An example of long overdue implementation will be, the yet to be seen allocation of RM 100 million[10] for the re-development of Tamil Schools announced in the last budget, of which not a single cent has filtered down, when the moneys could have been put to use immediately on a lesser number of schools if the initial allocation had been too small, as it has proven to be.
6. All Tamil Schools to be made fully aided
6.1 On this Budget Speech, an announcement should be made by the Prime Minister, reiterating an earlier government announcement, that with effect from Budget Oct 23 2009 all 523 Tamil Schools are to be fully aided government schools with equal budget, facilities, resources and teaching staff. Simultaneously, a policy should be introduced that Tamil and Chinese be taught in all National schools during regular school hours with effect from 1st January 2010 onwards.
7. Micro-credit schemes and small business loans extended to non-bumiputras
7.1 We propose that micro-credit schemes such as the Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKUN) be extended to all Malaysians regardless of race. Right now there is only token assistance to non Bumi small businessmen. A meaningful extension of the policy to favour all Malaysians would ensure the wide spreading and flourishing of small businesses and reduction of loan sharks (Ah Longs) and the attendant crimes.
7.2 Licenses must be issued to entrepreneurs in the scrap yard and recycling industries. It is inconceivable that businesses that play such an invaluable role in managing dwindling resources are persecuted because they are unable to obtain the necessary licenses.
8. Amanah Saham Scheme for Working Class Indians
8.1 The Indian Equity Stake in Malaysia has fallen to 1.1%. We propose that the Government take concrete steps to rectify this dismal state of affairs by launching a brand new Amanah Saham Scheme in Budget 2010 specifically for the Indian Working Class. This scheme is targeted for Indian Malaysians earning less than RM 1200 per month, but will be open to all Indian Malaysians earning less than RM 3000 per month.
8.2 The proposed Amanah Saham Scheme must be launched with an initial annual fund size of RM 2 Billion, and be structured with the availability of a Government backed loan scheme at a preferential interest rate of not more than 2.50% per annum (similar to yield of 3 year Malaysian Government Security). Current outstanding MGS issues stands at RM 229 Billion[11].
8.3 All other terms must be kept similar to that of Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020.
9. Reclassify the Plantation Sector from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry
9.1 We propose this transference of the Plantation Sector from one ministry to another as the plantation population, are better served under the Rural Development Ministry, which are better able to care for the social needs of the rural population. Agencies like Felda, Felcra, Risda, etc., come under this Ministry, and are better able to meet the needs of the rural population, particularly as they get displaced when plantations are phased out. This is nothing more than a reclassification of departments from one Ministry to another.
10. Resettlement of Urban Poor into government Housing Schemes
10.1 Resettlement of all urban poor communities should be carried out on a programmed basis into well planned government housing schemes , rather than in an ad hoc manner, on the occasion of their eviction when private development occurs. This will avoid all the incumbent conflicts and abuses that are currently associated with private development on land occupied by these urban poor communities.
11. Legal aid for Criminal Cases
11.1 In order to serve justice to the poor, we propose a fully funded government legal aid fund for all criminal cases, as a fundamental right for all Malaysians earning RM5,000.00 and below per month. This proposal would be seen, as Malaysia taking the steps to ensure justice is served fairly and equitably. This should be modelled along the United Kingdom Legal Services Commission[12].
12. Conclusion
12.1 We request that working class Indians be brought into the National Mainstream Development of Malaysia, rather than on ad hoc race-based specific allocations that do not filter down. Kindly therefore provide and announce the necessary allocations for all our aforesaid proposals that benefit all Malaysians and cannot be faulted on any grounds.
12.2 We hope these proposals merit you kind consideration. We shall be pleased to provide further clarifications if necessary.
Yours sincerely,
_____________
Jeevindra Kumar Krishnan Sukumaran Apparu
(012- 3151178)
Protem Central Committee Members
[1] http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/bp178/ Minimum Wage Trends : Understanding past and contemporary research
[3] http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/01/……Adjusted for ~ Inflation, Average Consumer Prices Malaysia
[4] http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/malaysia-to-cut-foreign-labour-by-500000-lead_10051611.html
[6] http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1A1-D902OGQ80.html AP Worldstream | April 16, 2008
[8] www.energybulletin.net/node/24336 World grain reserves are at their lowest in 50 years and in the last 18 months…
[9] http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
[10] http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/30/nation/4806410&sec=nation
[11] http://bondinfo.bnm.gov.my/portal/server.pt……..
One room home for Indian mother and her 10 kids
UMNO Prime Minister Najib Razak on 10/10/09 announces over 144,000 DBKL flats to be sold to Malay-sians as a gift. UMNO earlier announced a special loan scheme for the poor to be administered by Bank Simpanan Nasional and Bank Islam for those who do not have pay slips, proof of Income Tax payments etc. All these are political gimmicks and a mere show play and wayang kulit. But this poor Indian mother with ten children stays in one bedroom, and was never given the opportunity to buy one of these 144,000 over DBKL flats or any Welfare Department help. As usual it is not the UMNO led government, BSN or the Welfare Department who should be attending to this problem but are not doing so. UMNO assigns an lady Indian Mandore to show that Indian problems are being addressed by Indian “Entrepreneurs”. (Star Metro 9/10/09 at page M13). But this poor family is given peanuts ie the flat deposit of RM1,200.00, monthly rental of RM350.00 for the time being plus RM2,000.00 of sundry goods, furniture, kitchen utensils etc. What happens when this “mandore” stops her monthly RM350.00 rentals per month after her initial media publicity glitz ends?. This family will be back on the streets. This is the tip of the iceberg of the poor and the homeless Indians UMNO must give a permanent and meaningful solution to these critical Indian problem. UMNO must give this family the Felda like land schemes, the latest being the Agropolitan land scheme. This Indian mother with the help of her ten children (and the hundreds of thousands of other poor and deserving Indian families) can do farming, rear high yielding chicken, Jamnapri and Kalahari goats, Dober cows, aquaculture and at the same time take care of the 10 acre palm oil or rubber plantation agricultural land given to them and which she eventually will become the owner of this land in 20 years. This is the help UMNO would give almost all poor Malays but would deny almost all poor Indians these land ownership opportunities. But Prime Minister Najib would insists that he is the “father” of One Malaysia.
17 year old Indian Juvenile bashed up in police lock up for 51 days
17 year old Indian Juvenile bashed up in police lock up for 51 days. Yet again an Indian youth (17) was bashed up in UMNO’s police lock up at Seri Kembangan police station (refer Mingguan Malaysia 11/10/09). His mother Suga Devi had lodged a police report that her son was bashed up in the police station and had suffered a swallen face, bruised and bleeding nose and he had difficulty easing himself. As usual UMNO’s Selangor Chief Police Officer tries to do the usual police cover up by threatening that the police may take action against this mother who had lodged a police report against the police and when Malaysia Nanban daily had embarrassed the police when they had highlighted her story in their front page. Also for making the allegation of police crime in the police lock up against the police when the police station is supposed to be about the safest place in Malaysia. Luckily also for this youth, that the said Tamil daily (Malaysia Nanban 11/10/09 front page and 7/10/09 front page) had highlighted this youth’s plight. Of course no other media, PKR. DAP, PAS, NGO’s or the Malaysian civil society would bother as this youth is “merely” an Indian. No one questioned why this 17 year old Juvenile was detained for 51 days in a row when Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows only a maximum of 14 days. A jovinile should not be in the police lock up in the first place but in a home. Thank god this youth did not die in police custody like A. Kugan.
