18/11: 3 groups lodge reports against blogger

New Straits Times

Three police reports were lodged against blogger Jeff Ooi for allegedly defaming the country, government and police force.

The reports were lodged by the Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress and Pertubuhan Seni Silat Ikatan Kalam Malaysia against a statement issued by Ooi to an Al Jazeera reporter. The statement was allegedly broadcast on YouTube following an illegal gathering on Nov 10 organised by a coalition of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations calling itself Bersih.

The police reports were lodged at the Sentul police headquarters yesterday about 4.30pm.

The complainants want Ooi to be investigated, alleging that the interview given to Al Jazeera not only tarnished the image of the country but was also seditious and caused racial tension.

Ooi is also alleged to have given inaccurate information to Al Jazeera in stating that the police used unnecessary force in dispersing the demonstrators.

MINORITY RIGHTS by HINDRAF

Hindraf appeal to Gordon Brown to refer Malaysia to World Court (&) and international criminal court

HINDRAF
Hindu Rights Action Force
No. 135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7,
Kemayan Square,
70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia. Tel : 06-7672995/6
Fax: 06-7672997 Email waytha@hotmail.com

15.11.2007
The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the United Kindom
10 Downing Street, Fax: +442079250918
London, URGENT
SW1A 2AA

Dear Sirs,

RE: 1. COMMONWEALTH ETHNIC INDIAN PEACE LOVING SUBJECTS IN MALAYSIA PERSECUTED BY GOVERNMENT BACKED ISLAMIC EXTREMIST VIOLENT ARMED TERRORIST WHO LAUNCHED A PRE DAWN VIOLENT ARMED ATTACK AND DESTROYED THE KG JAWA MARIAMAN HINDU TEMPLE AT 4.00 A.M THIS MORNING (15.11.2007).


2. APPEAL FOR U.K TO MOVE EMERGENCY U.N RESOLUTION CONDEMNING “ETHNIC CLEANSING” IN MALAYSIA.

3. APPEAL TO REFER MALAYSIA TO THE WORLD COURT AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT FOR CRIMES AGAINST IT’S OWN ETHNIC MINORITY INDIANS.



We refer to the above critical matters in Malaysia but which generally gets the least attention locally even by the Opposition parties, Ngo’s, the Malaysian human rights commission and the media for this community is generally regarded as politically insignificant, do not draw local or international funding and are deemed not pressworthy. To the contrary the Malaysian government has successfully projected itself to the world as a modern Islamic thinking country which is not true.

The ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia were brought in to Malaysia by the British some 200 over years ago. Since independence in 1957 the Malaysian Indians have been permanently colonialised by the Islamic fundamentalist and malay chauvinists UMNO led Malaysian government. Among the recent atrocities committed by this government are as follows:-

1. 100 over Indians were slashed and killed by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government in the Kampung Medan mini genocide. Despite numerous appeals, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission has refused to hold a Public Inquiry. The UMNO controlled Malaysian courts struck off a victim’s public interest civil suit for a Public Inquiry to be held without even the said UMNO controlled government having to file in their defence. The UMNO controlled Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police refused to investigate and / or initiate an inquest into the death of at least six Indians in this tragedy despite.

2. Every week one person at average is killed in a shot to kill policy and in every 2 weeks one person is killed in police custody. About 60% of these victims are Indians though they form only 8% of the Malaysian population.

3. In every three weeks one Hindu temple is demolished in Malaysia The latest being the demolishment of the Mariaman temple in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam, Selangor early this morning (15.11.2007) and the next being the (Mutaiya) Hindu temple in Sungai Petani scheduled for the 29.11.2007. A violent armed pre dawn attack at 4.00a.m this morning was launched by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government backed by about 600 police, riot police, Islamic extremist and armed terrorists which completely destroyed this temple.

In an attack two weeks ago, uniformed police, riot police and city Council officers hurled rocks and attacked unarmed Hindu devotees with knives, sticks and iron rods (see www.malaysiakini.com for pictures). At least 20 Hindu devotees were seriously injured and 19 arrested including 4 of their United Kingdom trained lawyers in direct violation of Article 5 (Right to life) Article 8 (Equality) Article 11 (Freedom of Religion) Section 295 (defiling a place of worship), Section 296 (disturbing a religious assembly), 298A(causing racial disharmony) and Section 441(criminal trespass) of the Malaysian Penal Code. These authorities are plagued by an above the law mindset and in fact liberally take the law into their own hands. These atrocities however does not happen to almost all Islamic places of worship. Please visit www.policewatcmalaysia.com for further and better particulars.

4. State sponsored direct discrimination against the Indians in Public University intakes, Indian (Tamil) Schools, skills training institutes, civil service and private sector job opportunities, business and licence opportunities and in almost all other aspects of daily life.

Despite our hundreds of letters, appeals and pleas to the Malaysian King and Sultans, the Prime Minister, Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Ministers, Chief Ministers and the latest being our letters to the Prime Minister dated 29.10.2007 and 30.10.2007 and to the Attorney General dated 1.11.2007 the Malaysian authorities are only proceeding with greater ferocity and with impunity with very little regard for the Federal Constitution and laws of Malaysia. So please help us.

CONCLUSION

We fear that this peace loving Indian community of Tamil origin having been pushed to the corner and the persecution getting worse by the day may be forced to into terrorism in a matter of time as what has happened to the Sri Lankan Tamils. ( Personally, I do not share this view )

APPEAL

On our part we are committed to a peaceful and lawful struggle and pray and appeal that the Government of the United Kingdom:-

1. Moves an emergency United Nations resolution condemning these state sponsored atrocities and persecutions of Malaysian Indians in Malaysia.

2. Refers Malaysia to the World Court and the International Criminal Court for Crimes against it’s own ethnic minority Indians


Thank You,

Yours Faithfully

P.Uthayakumar
Legal Adviser
013-3504711



c.c

Senior Private Secretary to Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II
Buckingham Palace Post / Fax:
London

The Rt Hon David Miliband MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH
Email: firstname.surname@fco.gov.uk
Fax: 020 7008 4467

Your Excellency RT.HON. Mr.Banki Mon,
Secretary General of the United Nations Fax: 0012129634879/4360
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York NY 10017

s.k The Honourable
Keeper of the Royal Seal Post/Fax:20704646
Istana Negara, (Malaysian Palace) Malaysia
Jalan Istana
Kuala Lumpur

Private Secretary to HRH the Sultan of Perak Post/Fax:2556166
Pejabat DYMM Sultan Perak
33007, Kuala Kangsar

Secretary to
His Royal Highness, Tuanku Duli Yang Maha Mulia,
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin
Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj
The Sultan of Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia,
Istana Klang, Jalan Istana Klang, Selangor Malaysia

Y.A.B. DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Block Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra, Fax: 88883444
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 Putrajaya. Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my

Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak
Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Chairman
National Implementation Action Body Fax:88883983
Aras 4, Blok Barat, Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62502 Putrajaya

Y.B D ato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Bin Abdul Aziz
Law Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law)
Chairman
Parliamentary Human Rights Caucas, Fax:88894177
Aras 4 Block Barat, Bangunan Perdana Putra
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan, Persekitaraan 62502
Putrajaya

Y.Bhg.Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
Attorney General of Malaysia
Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Fax:88889369
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan Email: ag@atgc.gov.my
62512 Putrajaya

Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Khir Toyo
Menteri Besar Negeri Selangor,
Tingkat 21, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Fax: 55190032
40503 Shah Alam, Selangor.

Tan Sri Abu Talib
Chairman
Malaysian Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Malaysian Human Rights Commission
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut 50350
Kuala Lumpur

Y.B. Sdr Lim Kit Siang
Opposition Leader,
Parliament Malaysia Fax:603-79575718
Bangunan Parlimen Email: Yoke12@Pc.Jaring.My
Jalan Parlimen 50680 Kuala Lumpur

Y.B. Datuk Seri Utama Dr.Rais Yatim
Minister for Culture Arts and Heritage
Pejabat Menteri
Aras 35, Menara TH Perdana
1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail
50694 Kuala Lumpur E-mail:fizo2811@g.mail.com

Ambiga Sreenivasan
Chairman
Bar Council Malaysia Email: council@malaysianbar.org.my
No.13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar
Kuala Lumpur

Your Excellency Mr.Banki Mon,
Secretary General of the United Nations
United Nations New York N.Y. Fax:0012129634879/4360
10017 USA

Paul Hauch Fenger
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Fax:41(0)229179703
UNOG-OHCHR
CH-1211, Geneva 10 Email: phauchfenger@ohchr.org

Petitions Team
Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights Fax:+41 22 917 9022
UNOG-OHCHR
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland tb-petitions@ohchr.org

SENAT
Human Rights Committee
15, rue de Vaugirars
75291 PARIS Cedex 06
Standard: +33 (0) 1 42 34 20 00
Telex: 205-773 F SENAT PARIS
Telecopie: + 33 (0) 1 42 34 26 77

Human Rights Council of Australia Inc.
PO B ox 1071 Tel: +61 (0) 2 9957 5200
North Sydney NSW 2059 Fax: +61 (02) 9957 4063
Australia Email: Patrick Earle pearles@optusnet.com.au

Human Rights Commission
135 State Street, Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vermont 05633-6301
Human.rights@state.vt.us

American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street
18th Floor New York
NY 10004

Commissioner for Human Rights
Council of Europe Commissioner.humanrights@coe.int
LIBERTY
21 Tabard Street Tel: 0207403 3888
London SE1 4LA Fax: 020 7407 5354
Email: info@liberty-human-rights.org.uk
H.E.William boyd Mccleary
High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Malaysia
No.185, Jalan Ampang Fax: 21702370
50450 Kuala Lumpur

Movement Against Racism and For Friendship
Between Peoples
MRAP, 43 Boulevard Magenta Tel: 01 53 38 99 99
75010 Paris Fax: 01 40 40 90 98

Peace Brigades International France
21 ter, rue Voltaire
75011 Paris

T. Kumar
Advocacy Director
Asia and Pacific
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Tel: 202.544.0200 Ext.224
5th Floor, Washington DC 20003 Fax:202.546.7142
Email: tkumar@aiusa.org
Veena Siddharth
Washington Director
Human Rights Watch Tel: 202-612-4341
1630 Connecticut Ave., N.W. 202-612-4321
Suite 500 Fax: 202-612-4333
Washington, D.C. 20009 Email: siddhav@hrw.org

Matthew Easton
Senior Associate
Human Rights Defenders Program Tel: (212)-845-5287
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor Fax: (212)-845-5299
New York, NY 10001 Email: EastonM@humanrightsfirst.org
www.humanrightsfirst.org
David Geer
Executive Director
Interights Tel: 44 20 7278 3230
Lancaster House 33 Islington Fax: 44 20 7278 4334
High Street London Direct Line:44 20 7843 0485
N1 9LH UK Email: dgeer@intrights.org

Yuval Ginbar
Legal Adviser
International and Legal Organizations Program
Peter Benenson House Tel: 44 020 7413 5739
1 Easton Street Fax: 44 020 7956 1157
London WCIX 0DW Email: yginbar@amnesty.org
UK

Shelina Thawer
Asia & Pacific
Programme Coordinator Tel: 44 020 7422 4215
54 Commercial Street Fax: 44020 7422 4201
London E1 6LT, UK Email: shelina.thwar@mrgmail.org

Iain Byrne
Commonwealth Law Officer
Interights Tel: 44 20 7278 3230
Lancaster House 33 Islington Fax: 44 20 7278 4334
High Street London
N1 9LH UK Email: ibyrne@intrights.org

Ryan Schlief
Amnesty International
Asia-Pacific Programme
1 Easton Street Tel: 44020 7413 5500
London WCIX 0DW Fax: 44 0 7413 5722
United Kingdom Email: rschlief@amnesty.org

Greg Mayne
Programme Manager
Human Rights Institute Tel: 44 0 20 7691 6868
10th Floor, 1 Stephen Street Fax: 44 0 20 7691 6544
London W1T 1AT Email: greg.mayne@int-bar.org
UK

Matthew A. Cenzer
Country Officer for Malaysia
United States Department of State CenzerMA@state.gov
2201 C Street NW, Room 5210
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: (202) 736-7056
Fax: (202) 736-4559

Karin T. Finkler
Senior Foreign Relations Advisor
Congressman Joseph R. Pitts
16th District, Pennsylvania
221 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2411
(202) 225-2013 fax

Lisa Williams, PH.D.
Chief of Staff
Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
American Samoa
2422 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 226-4421
Fax: (202) 225-8757 Email: Lisa.Willaims@Mail.House.Gov

Hans-Joachim Hogrefe
Democratic Professional Staff
International Relations Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Human Rights Issues
Director, Human Rights Caucus
2413 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3531 hans.hogrefe@mail.house.gov
Charles E. Dujon
Legislative Director
U.S. House of Representatives
Jesse L. Jackson, JR
Member of Congress
Second District, Illinois
2419 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-0773
Fax: (202)-225-0899 E-Mail: Charles.Dujon@Mail.House.Gov
Douglas C. Anderson
Counsel
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee On International Relations
Subcommittee On Asia And The Pacific
B358 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Telephone: (202) 226-7825
Facsimile: (202) 226-7829 doug.anderson@mail.house.gov
Dennis L. Curry
Foreign Affairs Fellow
Subcommittee On Africa
Global Human Rights
And International Operations
Congressman Christopher H. Smith
255 Ford Hob
3rd & D Street SW
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-226-1745
Fax: 202-225-7491 dennis.curry@mail.house.gov
W. Keith Luse
Senior Professional Staff Member
Committee On Foreign Relations
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-6225
Tel: (202)-224-4651
Fax: (202)-228-0403Keith_Luse@foreign.senate.gov
Emilie Kao
Foreign Affairs Officer
Office Of International Religious Freedom
U.S. Department Of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Phone (202) 647-0352
Fax (202) 647-3209 KaoEL@State.Gov
Scott Flipse, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Analyst
United States Commission On
International Religious Freedom
800 North Capitol Street, NW Suite 790
Washington, DC 20002
202-523-3240 ext. 23
202-523-5020 (fax) sflipse@uscirf.gov
Yuval Ginbar
Legal Adviser
International and Legal Organizations Program
Peter Benenson House
1 Easton Street
London WC1X 0DW
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7413 5739
Fax: +44 (0)20 7956 1157 E-mail: yginbar@amnesty.org
Shelina Thawer
Minority Rights International
Asia & Pacific
Programme Coordinator
54 Commercial Street
London E1 6LT, UK
+44 (0)20 7422 4215
fax +44 (0)20 7422 4201 shelina.thawer@mrgmail.org
Jolyon Ford
Commonwealth Secretariet
Human Rights Officer
Human Rights Unit
Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7747 6408 Fax: +44 (0)20 7747 6418 e-mail: j.ford@commonwealth.int

Her Excellency Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
President email: aicc@congress.org.in
Indian National Congress
24, Akbar Road
New Delhi – 110011
India

Your Excellency Mr.Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India Fax: 91-11-23019545/91-11-23016857
Prime Minister’s Office
South Block, Raisina Hill
New Delhi

Dr. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi Tel: 91-44-25670132
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Fax: 91-44-25671441/25671276
Chief Minister’s Office email: email: cmcell@tn.gov.in
Secretariat,Chennai 600 009
India

The Right Honorable Selvi J Jayalalithaa ( hopefully this is not the one who spent a cool U.S. 45 million on her adopted son's wedding )
Opposition Leader of Tamil Nadu Phone: 044-24670125/044-25672345
“Veda Nilayam”, 81/36 Poes Garden
Chennai – 600 086

Shri. Vayalar Ravi
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Phone: 91-11-24676837/24676839
9th Floor, Akbar Bhawan Fax: 91-11-24197900
Chanakya Puri email:minister@moia.nic.in
New Delhi-110021
India

FREEDOM OF RELIGION by HINDRAF

CITY COUNSEL AND POLICE VIOLENT ATTACKS ON PADANG JAWA HINDU TEMPLE

HINDRAF

Hindu Rights Action Force

4 lawyers arrested, 85 Million suit – Hindu temple demolish

MEDIA EVENT
5.11.2007 MONDAY

UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION OF FOUR (4) HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS ON 30-10-2007. FILING OF RM85 MILLION HIGH COURT SUIT AGAINST INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS AND OCCI OF SELANGOR, OCPD AND DEPUTY OCPD OF SHAH ALAM AND GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA.

MINORITY RIGHTS

Hindraf peaceful assembly on 25.11.2007 appeal to U.N Sec.Gen

REQUEST FOR URGENT APPEAL TO MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW GATHERING OF THE POOR, UNDERCLASS AND MARGINALIZED MINORITY INDIAN COMMUNITY ON 25TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 10.00 AM TO SUBMIT A PETITION TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND AT THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN KUALA LUMPUR.

HINDRAF
Hindu Rights Action Force
No. 135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7,
Kemayan Square,
70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia. Tel : 06-7672995/6
Fax: 06-7672997 Email waytha@hotmail.com

RT.HON. BAN KI-MOON
United Nations Secretary General
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York NY 10017 12th November 2007

Dear Sirs,

Re: Request for Urgent Appeal to Malaysian Government to allow gathering of the poor, underclass and marginalized minority Indian community on 25th November 2007 at 10.00 am to submit a Petition to Her Royal Highness the The Queen of England at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Government of Malaysia Restricts Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association contrary to Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution.

Application for Police Permit to hold gatherings (though unnecessary) arbitrarily denied without valid reasons.

Hundreds of Police Field Force personnel (in riot gear fully armed) placed at venues to instill fear on intended participants/ roadblocks to deny access to members of public.

Intimidation and interference on Rights of Citizens to hold Peaceful Assemblies by Police Special Branch Officers and threat of arrest detention and criminal charges

Government of Malaysia suppresses National Campaign of HINDRAF (nationwide tours) to obtain 100,000 signatures in support of civil suit against the Government of United Kingdom.

http://www.policewatchmalaysia.com

Agence France-Presse - 11/16/2007 2:06 PM

Malaysia to launch inquiry into alleged corruption: report

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday he will set up a Royal Commission to investigate a video clip allegedly showing judicial corruption, media reported.

The opposition and the Malaysian Bar Council had demanded a full inquiry into the eight-minute clip of a phone call in which a well-known lawyer purportedly tells a judge he will recommend him for a senior appointment.

Abdullah told state news agency Bernama the government had decided a Royal Commission was appropriate based on the findings of a three-member panel it had appointed to investigate the affair.

"We need to determine what the scope of the commission will be," he told Bernama.

Abdullah said the three-man tribunal set up to investigate the authenticity of the video would present their findings at a cabinet meeting next week, Bernama reported.

He said the members of the commission had not yet been determined.

Lawyers held a rare protest in September after dismissing an initial probe as inadequate and the Malaysian Bar Council hailed the latest decision as a victory.

"It's a good step and this is what we have been asking for," Bar Council Vice President Ragunath Kesavan told AFP.

He said he hoped the commission would be given a wide scope for their investigation so they could learn about the problems facing the judiciary and propose changes.

Dissident former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim unleashed a furore in September when he released the video clip.

Anwar was heir apparent to former premier Mahathir Mohamad until he was sacked in 1998 after being jailed for six years for sodomy and corruption.

The sodomy conviction was overturned but the corruption verdict stands, barring him from standing for public office until April 2008.

The lyrics of my Favorite Song - dedicated to dictators

Terbang Helang

Di angkasa nan luas
Terbang sang helang bebas
Menebarkan sayapnya

Sungguh megah lagaknya
Helang mendabik dada
Membelahi angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Bila saja engkau menghampiri
Burung lain terbang lari

Kau merasakan dirimu gagah
Hak yang lain tak kau endah

Mengganas kau di angkasa

Terbanglah engkau tinggi
Sampai ke mana lagi
Ingin engkau jelajahi

Sehingga kau terlupa
Yang tinggi jatuh jua
Bila tiba ketika

Kau ke tanah akhirnya

Bila saja engkau menghampiri
Burung lain terbang lari

Kau merasakan dirimu gagah
Hak yang lain tak kau endah

Mengganas kau di angkasa

Di angkasa nan luas
Terbang sang helang bebas
Menebarkan sayapnya

Usah kau lupa diri
Bahawa langit itu tinggi
Nanti lemas sendiri
Nanti lemas sendiri

http://www.youtube.com/llanfairVideos

10/11: BERSIH media statement

Kuala Lumpur, 5pm: A mass rally organized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) to demand for electoral reforms gained momentum managed to successfully hand over a memorandum to HM Yang diPertuan Agong (the King) despite persistent actions by the police to deter and intimidate the crowd. The crowd then decided to make its way to the National Palace after the original venue of the rally, Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) was completely cordoned by the police.

In the last two days prior to today's event and right up to today, the police and the government had pledged to come down hard on the participants of the gathering:

• Roadblocks were launched on all major arteries into Kuala Lumpur, the venue for the rally.
• Participants were harassed, the yellow t-shirts specially made for the event confiscated.
• Buses were asked to turn back at the toll plazas, and some buses ordered to the police stations.
• Plainclothes policemen were placed on public transportation such as the LRT.
• The Komuter trains and LRT were not allowed to stop at the stations closest to the venue, causing many to miss the event.
• Cars carrying 3-4 passengers were searched for BERSIH-related materials such as T-shirts and headbands.

Police had tried to stop the participants with water cannons and teargas at the four meeting points (Masjid Jamek, Central Market, Sogo and Masjid Negara) as well as when the crowd tried to make their way to the National Palace, but later allowed them to proceed. The crowd in total was estimated at between 40,000 and 50,000, making this the biggest public gathering in the country. Needless to say, that figure would have been much higher had the police not prevented the people from attending the rally.

The memorandum was handed over to palace officials between 3.45pm and 4pm. The delegation included Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Advisor to Parti Keadilan Rakyat-PKR), Lim Guan Eng (Sec-Gen of the Democratic Action Party-DAP), Lim Kit Siang (Parliamenatry Opposition Leader-DAP), Dato' Seri Haji Hadi Haji Awang (President of Parti Islam SeMalaysia-PAS), Dato' Kamaruddin Jaafar (Sec-Gen of PAS), Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad (central committee member of PAS), Teresa Kok (MP for Seputeh-DAP) and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (Sec-Gen of PKR) and Tan Kok Wai (MP for Cheras-DAP).

The memorandum contained a long-term agenda for electoral reform as well as the four immediate demands which are at the core of BERSIH's campaign, namely:

• The use of indelible ink to prevent multiple voting
• The abolition of domestic postal voting for the armed forces

• Cleanup of the electoral roll
• Fair and equitable access to the national media


The memorandum also called on His Majesty to:

• Heed the demands of the people for widespread electoral reform, including the establishment of a Royal Commission to review and reform the electoral system
• Use his authority under Article 40(2) of the Federal Constitution to overrule any decision to dissolve Parliament as long as these four immediate demands are not met.

Immediately after the handover of the memorandum, there were a few more arrests made. At this point in time, 23 people have been detained at the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters, according to our lawyers. BERSIH condemns the arrests of peaceful demonstrators and the use of teargas and water cannons by the police, and demands that all those arrested be released immediately.

BERSIH sees the flawed electoral process -- which virtually guarantees the perpetual rule of the governing Barisan Nasional -- as the core cause of the exploding political, administrative and judicial rot in Malaysia, with far-reaching implications on the economy and society at large.

BERSIH commends and applauds the people for braving the rain and intimidating police actions, to turn up and support the campaign for electoral reform.

"Only when elections are clean and fair, can citizens be real masters of their own destiny
and expect holders of public office to act accountably and effectively."

Released by BERSIH Secretariat

• http://www.youtube.com/llanfairVideos

07/11: Get used to this: Umno Youth chief

CONTROVERSIAL ACT: Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein brandishing the keris, a Malay ceremonial dagger, before addressing the Youth wing yesterday. -- PHOTO: AFP

RACE ISSUES SPARK CONTROVERSY

Hishammuddin again brandishes keris and says it's a multiracial symbol
By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief and Chow Kum Hor, Malaysia Correspondent
The Straits Times

UMNO Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein brandished the keris for the third year running at the party's annual youth assembly yesterday and told non-Malays to get used to his controversial act.

They should not see the Malay ceremonial dagger as a symbol of aggression but as one of unity and protection for all races, he argued.

'Take shelter under the protection offered by the royal Malay keris,' he said, addressing Malaysia's minority groups, saying they should not be afraid of shadows.

The 60-cm-long keris was carried into the hall with much fanfare at the start of the youth assembly and presented to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin on stage.

He unsheathed it and kissed it before raising it high to shouts of 'Hidup Umno' (Long Live Umno).

It was then sheathed and placed on a stand at the stage.

This is the third time in as many years that the keris was wielded in this fashion, although this year, the event was not televised live because of racial sensitivities.

Last year, the keris episode set the tone for the Umno assembly which sparked controversy after a few harsh speeches made the entire proceedings seem extreme.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin yesterday insisted that the dagger was a Malay symbol of dignity and honour and was also used by the Malaysian King at his coronation.

He went on to warn non-Malays not to get carried away with racial rhetoric and risk hurting the mutual respect among races in a country which was built with the sacrifices of the Malays.

'We have nodded in respect and agreement, and avoided strife. Do not misinterpret our silence as a weakness,' he said to loud cheers.

But for all his rhetorical flourishes, he also seemed keen to heed the call by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Najib Tun Razak. They had urged delegates to tone down the Malay rhetoric, as race relations have become increasingly strained, especially after last year's assembly.

The bulk of the Umno Youth chief's speech was thus focused on multiracialism. He told delegates that they could choose to be confrontational, but at times, a wiser approach would be better.

'The honour of the Malays will still be preserved, harmony maintained and understanding reached,' he said.

The effort to tread the middle path was welcomed by Malaysian Chinese Association vice-president Chua Soi Lek, who was happy with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's lengthy explanation about the keris.

'Most non-Malays know that the keris is not targeted at them,' he told The Straits Times, but added that the Malays should also know the Chinese are very sensitive about the display of an unsheathed keris.

But opposition Democratic Action Party leader Lim Guan Eng questioned the need to use a weapon of war. 'It seems that the leopard has not changed its spots,' he said.

Umno women's wing chief Rafidah Aziz, who is the Minister of International Trade and Industry, also opened her meeting on a note of conciliation.

'All Malaysians, regardless of descent, race or religion, have rights and a place in Malaysia,' she said.

Political analyst Karim Raslan said the messages coming from the top are clear.

'We have to let it trickle to the political mainstream and civil servants,' he said.

Most delegates, save for one or two, played it safe, although the handful who skirted close to the edge received the loudest applause.

Selangor delegate Ismail Ahmad was applauded for asking opposition party supporters to leave the country if they were not happy.

'These people, they come to a Malay area and they tell me that our country is not doing well and people are still suffering. Well, I will tell you - you can apply for citizenship in Singapore,' he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They should not see the Malay ceremonial dagger as a symbol of aggression but as one of unity and protection for all races, he argued.
=======================================
Comment:

But you have made it clear and have shown proof for all to see that the dagger is indeed a symbol of aggression. You have abused the dagger.
------------------------------------------------------------------

'Take shelter under the protection offered by the royal Malay keris,' he said, addressing Malaysia's minority groups, saying they should not be afraid of shadows.
====================================================
How dare you say ‘royal’ Malay keris. You have totally desecrated the symbol of the keris. You have insulted the Agong and the Conference of Rulers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He unsheathed it and kissed it before raising it high to shouts of 'Hidup Umno' (Long Live Umno).
================================================
Comment:

Ahh, so it’s an UMNO keris! Now I see the symbol you were talking about.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin yesterday insisted that the dagger was a Malay symbol of dignity and honour and was also used by the Malaysian King at his coronation.
======================================================
Comment:

Kerismuddin, you are in a state of confusion. You do not know the meaning of dignity and honor.
At the coronation the Agong does not brandish it like you and threaten a bloodbath.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He went on to warn non-Malays not to get carried away with racial rhetoric and risk hurting the mutual respect among races in a country which was built with the sacrifices of the Malays.
=================================================
Comment:

There you go – yet another threat. Warn warn , threat threat, that’s all you know. A country built with the sacrifices of the Malays? So the Chinese and the Indians had nothing to do with helping gain Independence? Which history book are you referring to?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The honour of the Malays will still be preserved, harmony maintained and understanding reached,' he said.
=================================
Comment:

What about the honor of the Chinese and the Indians? They have no honor or they do not derserve any honor?
---------------------------------------------------------

The effort to tread the middle path was welcomed by Malaysian Chinese Association vice-president Chua Soi Lek, who was happy with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's lengthy explanation about the keris.
====================================
Comment:

What’s the middle path?
Of course morons like Chua and semi value will be thoroughly happy with kerismuddin’s lengthy explanation about the keris.

Go here to read a lengthy explanation of the keris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Kerismuddin clearly brought shame to the symbol of the keris and abused it. Perhaps he is living in Hang Tuah’s shadow.

Btw, read about the “Middle Path” as explained by Buddha.

The Buddha incorporated the theories of rebirth and of liberation into his teachings. But the Buddha denied the Brahmana’s imaginative theistic theory, and set his own foundations upon an intelligent analysis of reality. He made a thorough change in both theory and practice from the old religions.

Although the cycle of life and death, and the attainment of liberation in Nirvana were theories that were accepted by Indian society at that time, the problems lay in the questions of why was there rebirth and how could one be liberated. The Buddha gave wise answers to these questions. This was the teaching of the "Middle Path".

The "Middle Path" distinguished the Buddha’s Teachings from other religions.

"Middle Path" may be misunderstood as equivocal. In fact Buddhism is not as such. "Middle" means neutral, upright, and centered. It means to investigate and penetrate the core of life and all things with an upright, unbiased attitude.

In order to solve a problem, we should position ourselves on neutral, upright and unbiased ground. We investigate the problem from various angles, analyze the findings, understand the truth thoroughly, and find a reasonable conclusion.

The Middle Path in Buddhism does not mean having a biased view or superficial understanding only. The "Middle Path" represents a distinct theory and way of Buddhist practice that is not common to other religions.

Buddhism is a religion with high moral values. It lays great emphasis on human thought and action in dealing with the natural environment, society or individual problems. It is concerned with the relationship between thoughts and behavior, and the relationship between behavior and its consequences.

Read more: http://www.buddhanet.net/cb...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Most non-Malays know that the keris is not targeted at them,' he told The Straits Times, but added that the Malays should also know the Chinese are very sensitive about the display of an unsheathed keris.
=====================================
Comment:

Most non-Malays? So if you know the Chinese are sensitive about the arrogant display of an unsheathed keris, why did you do it? To show the might of the UMNOputras?
--------------------------------------------------------------

Umno women's wing chief Rafidah Aziz, who is the Minister of International Trade and Industry, also opened her meeting on a note of conciliation.

'All Malaysians, regardless of descent, race or religion, have rights and a place in Malaysia,' she said.
=======================================
Comment:

LOL. What a joke. According to your last sentence, can I have an AP? After all, I am a Malaysian and have a right and a place in Malaysia.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Political analyst Karim Raslan said the messages coming from the top are clear.

'We have to let it trickle to the political mainstream and civil servants,' he said.
=======================================
Comment:

The messages coming from the top are certainly very clear. No need to have it ‘trickled’ or tickled to the political mainstream. The people of Malaysia already know about the people from the top and their atrocities. 1969 is a good example.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selangor delegate Ismail Ahmad was applauded for asking opposition party supporters to leave the country if they were not happy.

'These people, they come to a Malay area and they tell me that our country is not doing well and people are still suffering. Well, I will tell you - you can apply for citizenship in Singapore,' he said.
===========================================
Comment:

A Malay area??? If you go to a Malay kampong then I can understand it being a Malay area. Are you suggesting that this COUNTRY - Malaysia, is a Malay area and that non-Malays are all trespassers? We are pendatangs – you are the landlords and we are the tenants?

Where did this moron come from?

Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface.

So, which physical quantity are you talking about and which surface?

Where do you think YOU came from? Malaysia? You are natives of this country?

What a pack of juvenile ignoramuses.

You have totally disrespected the Royals and the symbol of the keris as it is stands for today. The Royals are using the keris wisely. Unlike kerismuddin who unsheathed it and threatened a bloodbath if we question the ‘rights’ of the Malays. Or was that said by two other UMNOputras.

Then again what can one expect from UMNOputra morons.

sigh.

My respect for DYMM YDP Agong and the Conference of Rulers.

DAULAT TUANKU.

DAULAT TUANKU.

DAULAT TUANKU.

anon