How to ensure fair election news coverage – proposals by journalists’ union
NUJ’s proposals to the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms
- The Election Commission
- The Election Commission must be empowered to form a media monitoring committee whose duties will include issuing guidelines to print, broadcast and on-line media.
- This is to ensure the media engages in fair reporting so that voters have access to balanced views for them to make their choice.
- The committee should be on duty from the time the Dewan Rakyat/State Assemblies are dissolved until election results are announced. In the case of by-elections, the committee should spring into action from the time there is a casual vacancy until election results are announced.
The Hasan Ali third force
A ‘third force’ in politics soon
SPECIAL REPORTS (NST)
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Group ‘can help determine who will form next government’
Hasan also outlined the prerequisites for the third force leaders, saying that they must be morally upright, do not indulge in adultery or flirt with young girls, do not engage in sodomy, are not corrupt or involved in criminal breach of trust and also did not abuse their power.
Malaysia fights against rights for foreign workers
Human Rights Watch
World Report 2012
I woke up at 5am, cleaned the house and made breakfast for the children and worked all day. I went to sleep at 3am. I never got a chance to rest… The wife of the employer shouted and beat me every day… The employer had my passport. The door was locked. I was not allowed to go out or even talk to the neighbours. I never received my salary.
Chain Channi
Cambodian domestic worker
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
April 12, 2011
quoted in Human Rights Watch World Report 2012
Countries initially hostile changed their positions as they heard evidence of abuses against domestic workers: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, along with Bangladesh, Indonesia and India, reversed their opposition and voted in favour.
Human Rights Watch
World Report 2012
» Human Rights Watch report on Malaysia | » Full world report
Malaysia’s wonderful achievements in human rights
- In May 2011 Malaysia was elected to the UN Human Rights Council.
- Malaysia invited the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to visit but then tried to stop civil society representatives from meeting privately with visiting group members.
- Malaysia had the primary role in thwarting a legally binding Asean instrument for protecting migrant workers.
- In June, Malaysia and Singapore did not vote in favour of the UN Convention on Migrant Workers
- US officials emphasised trade and investment, nuclear non-proliferation, and regional security “but did address some concerns” on human rights, democracy, and rule of law.
- In November, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not meet with human rights groups or with Anwar Ibrahim
Freedom means ‘free to support Umno-BN regime’
The Malaysian authorities’ crushing of Bersih’s peaceful march showed the government’s true face as an entrenched power willing to run roughshod over basic rights to maintain control. Apparently Malaysians are only allowed to speak and assemble freely when they support the government.
Phil Robertson
deputy Asia director
Human Rights Watch
Full screen views:
» The report on Malaysia | » The full world report
Anti-ABU mobster detained
A man in his 20s has been detained by Shah Alam police to assist in investigations into the mob attack on the ABU-Hindraf ceramah on Saturday which left one ceramah participant injured, Sinar Harian reports.
Police arrested the man yesterday after he was identified. More arrests would be made when others involved had been identified, said the OCPD, Asst Cmsr Zahedi Ayob. Witnesses to the mob attack would also be asked to give statements.
Zahedi rejected allegations that there had been any damage caused either inside or outside the community hall where the ceramah took place, or to nearby hawker stalls which were said to have been destroyed by a group of unidentified men. He said eight police reports had been filed.
» Satu ditahan berhubung serangan ceramah ABU (Sinar Harian)
Related articles
- Police collusion with anti-ABU mob? (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- Who is Baharom’ the anti-ABU mobster leader? (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- Anti-ABU man ‘Baharom’ a supporter of Hasan Ali? (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
India Today article on Anwar censored
Photo: Malaysia Chronicle
What you missed: Azmi Anshar’s promotion to chief editor
Sadly, Malaysians are being deprived of news about Azmi Anshar’s promotion to chief editor of the Not Straits Times and his incisive views and other bluster on Malaysian politics as told to India Today, the news weekly.
It’s been censored, according to Malaysia Chronicle. Four pages have been ripped out and the contents page defaced with blue marker. Read more…
Anti-ABU man ‘Baharom’ a supporter of Hasan Ali?
“Baharom” the anti-ABU mobster is alleged by some bloggers to be Muhd Razali of Shah Alam (Facebook photo, right). His photo album on Facebook also contains a picture of a Hasan Ali ceramah poster.
Selangor power play
Hasan Ali, formerly of PAS, has ambitions of being Selangor menteri besar and has been at the forefront of moves for a PAS-Umno marriage of convenience in the name of Malay and Muslim unity.
Pakatan Rakyat 36 seats (with Hasan Ali)
Umno 20 seats
PKR & DAP: 28 PAS & Umno: 28
Such a union, whether by coalition or merger, would lay the foundations for Umno’s takeover of the Selangor state administration. They would have a combined total of 28 seats in the State Assembly, on level terms with the Pakatan Rakyat: Umno (20 seats) and PAS including Hasan Ali (8) against Pakatan Rakyat’s PKR (15 seats) and DAP (13).
There seems to be a link, though perhaps coincidental and tenuous, between controversial former PAS leader Hasan Ali and the man called “Baharom”, or Muhamad Razali, alleged in some blogs to be the leader of the mob that broke up the ABU-Hindraf ceramah on Saturday, at which one man was injured.
There is no indication that Hasan Ali has any involvement with the action of the mob. However, he has been linked to Umno’s moves to regain power in Selangor through a PAS-Umno coalition.
The link to Hasan Ali comes from the Facebook profile of Muhamad Razali, a Shah Alam resident in his late 20s, and formerly from Klang, who was identified by some bloggers and blog commenters as being the mobster leader named as “Baharom” in photos posted online. There is a facial resemblance.
On his profile, Muhamad Razali says he attended SMK Jalan Kebun (school year 2002), which is in the locality where the ceramah was held, in a Shah Alam community hall. (Jalan Kebun, runs between Klang and Shah Alam, and goes past Kampung Jawa, Kota Kemuning and Bukit Kemuning, to Kampung Jalan Kebun.)
Link to Hasan Ali
Md Razali’s profile photo album includes a picture of a ceramah poster featuring Hasan Ali, the controversial former Selangor executive councillor for Islamic affairs who was recently expelled by PAS and then sacked from the Selangor Exco.
Hasan Ali has also waged an anti-Christian campaign, alleging large numbers of Muslims being converted to Christianity, and backed a controversial » raid on a Damansara Utama Methodist Church dinner at which several Muslims were present.
He and Nasharudin Mat Isa, a former PAS deputy president, were in secret talks on a coalition with Umno after the March 2008 general elections, in which the Umno-led Barisan Nasional lost power in Selangor.
Since then, Umno president Najib Tun Razak has taken charge of Selangor Umno with the aim of dislodging the Pakatan Rakyat.
Hasan Ali and Nasharudin are believed to have been dropped from the PAS line-up of election candidates for the next election, according to Utusan Malaysia.
» Who is ‘Baharom’ the anti-ABU mobster leader?
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- Police collusion with anti-ABU mob? (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- UMNO, & PDRM, at their sterling best (The People’s Parliament)
- Mob attacks ABU. Nothing happened say police [eyewitness videos] (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- PAS accuses UMNO of using Himpun to revive Unity Talks (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
- Hasan Ali does a Political Mambo (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
Who is ‘Baharom’ the anti-ABU mobster leader?
“Baharom” is said to be the man who led the anti-ABU mob who violently broke up an ABU-Hindraf ceramah near Klang on Saturday, leaving one ceramah participant injured.
This photo, posted online bears a resemblance to photos of Facebook user Muhamad Razali, said to be a former student of SMK Jalan Kebun, near where the ceramah was held. His Facebook profile suggests a link to Hassan Ali, the controversial religious leader recently expelled by PAS and sacked from the Selangor state executive council.
An appeal has been launched on Facebook to identify members of the mob from photo stills taken from eyewitness videos and from the motorcyle number plates.
A prominent pro-Pakatan Rakyat blogger, Milo Suam, posted stills showing motorcycles bearing registration numbers BLK 6537, BLH 4761, BLK 6423. He said it would take police only a few moments to obtain details of the owners from the motor vehicles registry database, and asked why there had been no police action yet three days after the event.
ABU activist Haris Ibrahim has said there was possible police collusion with the mob.
The photo of “Baharom” shows a resemblance to Muhamad Razali, a Shah Alam resident formerly from Klang, in his late 20s. Md Razali’s Facebook profile states that he is a former student of SMK Jalan Kebun, school year 2002.
Jalan Kebun, on the border between Klang and Shah Alam, runs past Kampung Jawa, Kota Kemuning and Bukit Kemuning to Kampung Jalan Kebun, in the sprawling industrial half of Shah Alam on the south bank of the Klang River.
The ceramah, jointly held by the ABU anti-Umno group and the Hindraf movement, was held at a Shah Alam community centre. A mob of motorcycle riders crashed into the venue demanding that the ceramah be called off. The leader, a stockily-built man resembling “Baharom” and Md Razali, was seen on video making threats at ceramah participants and throwing ceramah publicity material to the floor.
SEE ALSO
» Ameno World
» Penarik Beca
» Anak Sungai Derhaka: Wajah Samseng UMNO? yang menyerang ceramah ABU
» Milo Suam | » Facebook
» Facebook appeal for information
Related articles
- Police collusion with anti-ABU mob? (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- UMNO, & PDRM, at their sterling best « The People’s Parliament
- Mob attacks ABU. Nothing happened say police [eyewitness videos] (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- The choice of young Malaysians will be ABU (hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com)
Police collusion with anti-ABU mob?
SEE ALSO:
- Mob attacks ABU. Nothing happened say police
- Who tried to punch student protester Adam? [video] « uppercaise
- Adam’s attacker a KL traffic cop? « uppercaise
- A policeman who talks and thinks like a politician « uppercaise
Police may have colluded with the mobsters who violently disrupted the ABU-Hindraf ceramah in Selangor on Saturday at which one participant was injured. Haris Ibrahim, one of the ceramah organisers, said one mobster is suspected of being a policeman in plain clothes. Later, two Special Branch officers who spoke to Haris seemed intent only on stopping the ceramah (as also demanded by the mob) and did not respond when asked if they were unable to control the mobsters.
Although the police insisted that the ceramah be stopped, some local residents, PAS members, had asked that it proceed, and said they would ensure no further disruption from the mob.
10 more days to the unpredictable water dragon
Keong Hee Huat Chye
Kong Hee Fatt Choy
Gong Xi Fa Cai
The lunar or Chinese New Year begins today, but the Year of the Black Water Dragon begins on Feb 4 according to the Chinese astrological calendar.
The Chinese consider the dragon to be unpredictable and untouchable; people cannot see its head and tail at the same time. We might see something unexpected in 2012. Read more…
Mob attacks ABU. Nothing happened say police [eyewitness videos]
SEE ALSO: Police collusion with anti-ABU mob?
Does the police force tell the truth?
No such incident though there was some dissatisfaction by the residents about the activity. No damages or injuries to people as alleged…no riots occurred.
Tun Hisan bin Tun Hamzah
Chief police officer of Selangor
quoted by Free Malaysia Today
» Mob disrupts ABU/Hindraf event, one hurt (Free Malaysia Today)
We managed to avoid the incident from becoming worse apart from shouting and pushing. There is no such thing as people being beaten with sticks.
Zahedi Ayob
OCPD of Shah Alam
quoted by Free Malaysia Today
Do policemen provide all the facts?
Nothing happened, the residents were unhappy, that’s all. No police reports were lodged, not even by the victim who was said to be injured.
Tun Hisam bin Tun Hamzah
Chief police officer of Selangor
quoted by MalaysiaKini
» ‘Anything But Umno’ rally disrupted, one injured (MakaysiaKini)
Is the police force neutral?
The tension was caused by an anti-Umno ceramah being held in a Malay area and a banner calling for the end of the Umno/BN regime. The villagers were angry with the 20 or so Malays who attended the ceramah … the kampung people came out to protest against the presence of the Malays in the Hindraf organised ceramah. No BN or Umno supporters who disturbed them.
Zahedi Ayob
OCPD of Shah Alam
quoted by Free Malaysia Today
Do people in blue uniforms work for the citizens or for Umno?
Related articles
- A plea to the Malay people: choose new leaders (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- From Race to Social Class in Malaysian Political Discourse (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
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Selangor Times 20 Jan 2012
Say, here’s a big joke: a policeman who talks and thinks like a pathetic politician
Show your support of the brave and heroic police who banned Zunar’s book and stopped an armed rebellion by his fans. Get a copy of his book.
Have you read Zunar’s cartoons? Did you laugh?
And then did you all rise up in armed revolt?
Guess what the police force thinks you’ll do
Thinking is a crime: the fearless thought police in September 2010. Zunar and lawyer Latheefa Koya wait as tough guy A Arikrishnan inspects Zunar's book looking for an excuse to ban it.
This week the brave and heroic policeman must have gained himself a couple of extra promotion points with High Court testimoney against the hardened criminal Zunar. He provided further reason for Malaysians to harbour grave doubts about the professionalism and neutrality of the taxpayer-funded police force and the taxpayer-funded federal government. Don’t joke. That’s seditious.
To be fair, the brave and heroic Assistant Superintendent A Arikrishnan of the Brickfields police seems to have given a solid performance as a stout defender of the egos of ruling party politicians or wives thereof, and as a firm believer that people who think are dangerous and people who poke fun of those in high places are even more dangerous.
The brave and heroic Assistant Superintendent Arikrishnan of the Brickfields police will go far. How far has already been shown by his brave and heroic action against the hardened criminal Zunar who uses lethal weapons such as pens, brushes, ink and cardboard.
As everyone now realises, the brave and heroic Assistant Superintendent A Arikrishnan of the Brickfields police single-handedly thwarted an armed rebellion of Malaysians laughing at the super-rich Umno-BN ruling class. He arrested the chief instigator, the hardened criminal Zunar, and gave him a tour of seven police stations all around KL.
Such brave and heroic policemen willing to get their hands dirty for the greater good of the rich and powerful will earn rewards. Especially if they can stop people from laughing at them.
So, enter the brave and heroic Assistant Superintendent A Arikrishnan of the Brickfields police to testify in court against the dangerous and hardened criminal Zunar, who seeks damages from the police and government for wrongful arrest.
The brave and heroic Assistant Superintendent A Arikrishnan of the Brickfields police said he found “every page” of Zunar’s book Cartoon-o-Phobia to be seditious.
Star censors Internet censorship story
Oh the irony: the Star carried out an act of censorship when running a wire service report on Internet censorship, dropping a mention of Malaysia. These images show clippings from MSN and the Star report:
Photo: Erna Mahyuni
Wikipedia
Related articles
- David Pogue: Put down the pitchforks on SOPA (New York Times)
- The Solution to Internet Censorship? (dvorak.org)
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Internet goes ‘on strike’
Azalina explains: I sold my Mercedes sports car
A spokesman for former cabinet minister Azalina Othman said today that a RM300,000 payment from controversial businessman Yahya Jalil was for her 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL sports car, a collector’s car, which she had sold after realising the upkeep would cost too much.
The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL is a collector’s item, in the Classic Car category“Two years ago, when she was minister, she bought a classic Mercedes Benz 280 SL (1969). It was her hobby. But then she realised that maintaining such cars was quite expensive so she stopped this hobby and put out advertisements to potential buyers. In March last year, Yahya contacted her, and she sold it to him,” Zulkifli told Free Malaysia Today.
“There is no corruption. To say it is conflict of interest is wrong. No such thing. Plus, she was not a minister then, and had no capability to offer any projects. Secondly, she is not an Umno national leader and has no other position other than Pengerang Umno head. She has, and had, nothing to offer the businessman,” Zulkifli said.
The controversial businessman Yahya Jalil, treasurer of Umno Pasir Gudang, heads several companies linked to the aborted “crooked bridge” project to replace the Johor Causeway, the Customs, immigration and quarantine complex (now called the Sultan Iskandar building), and the Johor Sentral transport hub.
Last week, anonymous blogger Whistleblower711 had published an image of a cheque for RM300,000 from Yahya’s maintenance service company and said Azalina (whom he did not name) should explain the payment.
Whistleblower711 did not speculate on why the payment was made. In earlier postings, he had published images of payments made to senator Awang Adek, the deputy finance minister, and to two private secretaries of the prime minister and deputy prime minister.
He had alleged that the payments were kickbacks and that Yahya had “bought” politicians and government officials in regard to his projects.
» Azalina admits receiving RM300,000 (Free Malaysia Today)
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- RM300,000 paid to Azalina by ‘Crooked Bridge’ company says whistleblower (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
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Haris roasts Anas Zubedy (the 3rd Farce) for backing Umno ‘whores and thieves’
Haris Ibrahim gives a roasting today to advertising man Anas Zubedy, who has offered another of his so-called alternatives to civil society’s alternative ideas on political change.
Anas wrote a letter to Malaysia Today to say that the ABU (Anything But Umno) campaign is all wrong. Don’t throw them all out lock, stock and barrel, he says. What if there are some good people still in Umno, he says.
To sweeten his subversive alternative to the alternative, Anas says quite nicely that he has the highest regard for Haris, the lawyer and activist who has been behind the People’s Parliament campaign, Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, voter registration, and ABU.
Haris was also, for a year, president of the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement started by Raja Petra Kamarudin as a “Third Force” for political change.
Just a week ago, Anas had popped up with a letter to Free Malaysia Today proposing his own alternative to the RPK-inspired Third Force. Anas stole the idea, the name, and even has a badge (using the numeral instead). His “alternative” method of choosing election candidates is that they must agree to several Umno-like Malays First pre-conditions, such as accepting Malay culture as the dominant culture.
In response to Anas’s latest move, a very courteous Haris did not quite say that Anas is a blowhard trying to subvert civil society. But you can gauge Haris’s feelings from this passage:
Yes, Anas, not all the whores, robbers and thieves in UMNO are bad. But whores, robbers and thieves, nonetheless.
Ahh… stirring stuff, that.
Haris Ibrahim’s piece is at The People’s Parliament
The latest Anas Zubedy attempt to subvert political change and keep Umno in power is at Malaysia Today
Related articles
- Here comes the ’3rd Farce’ and with badges too (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- Haris Ibrahim breaks with RPK over people power (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- A plea to the Malay people: choose new leaders (uppercaise.wordpress.com)
- Is this Umno’s last hurray? (hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com)
- Is Umno racist? Ask the people of Malaysia (hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com)
Azalina questioned about RM300,000 payment
» UPDATE: Azalina: I sold my classic Mercedes sports car (18 Jan)
Former cabinet minister Azalina Othman has been questioned by MACC, the anti-corruption agency, about a payment of RM300,000 made to her by a company linked to the aborted “Crooked Bridge” project as revealed by anonymous blogger Whistleblower711 last week.
The New Straits Times, in a report this morning, said Azalina spent several hours at the MACC headquarters on Monday. The NST report did not name Azalina, and quoted unnamed sources.
It also erroneously said that the blogosphere had claimed that Azalina received “contributions amounting to the sum”. Read more…
9-0-1: triple play in politics, by Zunar
» Zunar Fan Club | Facebook
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