Day: September 16, 2016

Malaysia Day — AICHR Malaysia

Raevathi Supramaniam

Source: The Malay Mail Online

Ties among Malaysia's different communities have reached an alarming level, says Anglican Archbishop of South East Asia, Datuk Ng Moon Hing. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, December 25, 2015.

SEPTEMBER 16 — The Malaysian Federation was established in 1963. Malaya had earlier won its independence in 1957, and in 1967, we came together with our closest neighbours to form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Asean has resolved that it shall be a rules-based, people-oriented and people-centred community. Its Member States signed the Asean Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) in 2012 that affirms all the civil and political rights, and all the economic, social and cultural rights in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. Further, Asean Member States have committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all peoples in the region. Central to this commitment is the rule of law.

On the 53rd anniversary of Malaysia’s establishment, it is worth recalling that our Federal Constitution provides a domestic rights-based framework regarding, among others, life and liberty, movement, speech, assembly, association, religion and property. Malaysia is committed to the respect, upholding, and protection of these rights. The same are to be responsibly exercised according to law. In charting our shared future together, we are well-served by the Constitution and the AHRD to aid us in navigating the emerging challenges that we face as a nation. Read more →

Policy of arresting the homeless cruel, ineffective says charity

admin

Source: NST Online

The arrest and detention of the homeless without trial under the Destitute Persons Act must be stopped as it is cruel, said a non-profit charitable organisation today. Pic by NSTP/Mohd Rizal Abdullah

The arrest and detention of the homeless without trial under the Destitute Persons Act must be stopped as it is cruel, said a non-profit charitable organisation today. Pic by NSTP/Mohd Rizal Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR: The arrest and detention of the homeless without trial under the Destitute Persons Act must be stopped as it is cruel, said a non-profit charitable organisation today.

Petaling Jaya-based Community Excel Services (CES) said the current policy of detention does not help the homeless as they are stigmatised and placed under ‘rehabilitation’ against their will, which does more harm than good.

“Rounding up and detaining the city’s homeless population shouldn’t be part of government strategy to help vulnerable people.

“What we should do is address the psychological and emotional needs of the homelessness, which includes their lack of love, feeling of belonging, acceptance and safety,” said CES coordinator Jerry Teo.

He was speaking to the press during CES’ KL Urban Fellowship program to assist the poor, which includes providing medical check-ups, clothing giveaways, games and meal sessions with volunteers at its centre in Lorong Petaling. Read more →

Mahathir hands over Citizens’ Declaration to King

admin

Source: FMT News

Former prime minister has audience lasting more than an hour with the Agong at the Istana Anak Bukit in Kedah. Pic taken from FMT News.

Former prime minister has audience lasting more than an hour with the Agong at the Istana Anak Bukit in Kedah. Pic taken from FMT News.

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah to hand over the Citizens’ Declaration, bearing 1.4 million signatures.

Former Umno member Khairuddin Abu Hassan told FMT that he accompanied Mahathir to Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar, Kedah, for the “historical” meeting yesterday.

“They (Mahathir and the King) met about 4.30pm and the discussion went on for about an hour 15 minutes.

“It was just between the two of them. So whatever was discussed inside, I will let Tun Mahathir reveal it,” Khairuddin said. Read more →

Prof: Here’s how you curb Islamic extremism

admin

Source: FMT News

Among other suggestions, Prof Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi says emphasis should be placed on the fact that no one has complete knowledge over everything. Pic taken from FMT News.

Among other suggestions, Prof Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi says emphasis should be placed on the fact that no one has complete knowledge over everything. Pic taken from FMT News.

PETALING JAYA: Islamic extremism in the country stems from the education and training of everyday Muslims, according to Professor Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi of UCSI University.

Speaking to FMT, Tajuddin said to curb extremism, Muslims have to look at how they educate their children, including emphasising that no one has complete knowledge over everything.

He cited the fact that many Muslims in the country believed that non-Muslims were damned.

“How do you know this for certain? Are you saying you know for sure what God has in store for the non-Muslims?

“Even in the Quran it says that all our knowledge is only a drop in the ocean compared with divine knowledge.” Read more →

Sabah Bersih offers to aid challenges against new state seats

admin

Source: The Malay Mail Online

The Election Commission (EC) is seeking to change the names of 12 parliamentary seats and 34 state constituencies nationwide. — Pix by Kamles Kumar

The Election Commission’s proposed redelineation of federal and state seats. — Pix by Kamles Kumar

PENAMPANG, Sept 16 — Bersih 2.0 will assist voters in Sabah with legitimate objections against the 13 newly created state seats, said chairman Beverly Joeman.

Joeman said that the state chapter of Bersih 2.0 has consistently objected to the addition of the 13 new state seats, but must respect the decision made by the majority of Sabah elected representatives at the last assembly sitting.

“We will be studying the new seats closely and will assist any party or members of the public who want to make objections in their constituencies based on the Constitution,” she said, adding that their team has already found several irregularities in the new delineation that could be construed as gerrymandering.

Among the examples pointed out by the electoral watchdog was the shifting of several voting areas indiscriminately and without knowledge or consent of the voters themselves.

They cited the new Tanjung Dumpil seat in Putatan, Tulid in Pensiangan and the voting station of Lido, in Kepayan, which was moved to Luyang, among the issues. She also said that the group took issue with the Election Commission’s public display of the delineation, saying that the map was not detailed enough to properly depict the new boundaries. Read more →

Sarawak-born ex-soldiers who thwarted Indonesian invasion still waiting for citizenship

admin

Source: The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 ― While national celebrations are taking place in Bintulu to mark Malaysia Day today, five Sarawakians who served as border scouts during the country’s infancy have been denied citizenship.

Basar Arun, Basar Paru, Kadamus Liling, Florant Arun and Anderias Sha were born in Sarawak and had put their lives on the line in the 1950s and early 1960s fighting the Indonesian forces that were bent on preventing the formation of Malaysia.

Despite their service to the country, the five Lun Bawang who defended Sarawak during the Confrontation have been denied a MyKad, supposedly because the National Registration Department (NRD) is unsure of their country of origin, The Star Online reported today. Read more →

Speculation grows over early polls in Malaysia

admin

Source: The Straits Times

Proposed changes to voting districts seen as bid to help BN win back seats at next election

Parti Amanah Negara, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) contested the seat in Sungai Besar, Selangor. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Malaysia’s Election Commission yesterday published changes to voting districts, fuelling speculation that polls will be held next year.

Although the amendments do not create any new parliamentary seats, opposition parties said the changes will result in the movement of supporters in marginal areas, and that could help embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition win back the seats it lost in the past decade.

Datuk Seri Najib has been attacked both at home and abroad in the wake of graft allegations involving US$700 million (S$940 million) found in his personal accounts. As a result, some top officials in the ruling party Umno have left a government that is facing widespread unhappiness, according to opinion polls.

Despite this, reports point to possible elections by March next year – more than a year before Parliament’s mandate expires.

Read more →

Selamat Hari Malaysia 2016!

admin

Source: YouTube

In conjunction with Malaysia Day 2016, a diverse group from the Malaysian Performing Arts Industry decided to come together to sing the song “Setia”, as an act of unity and tribute to our beloved country, Malaysia. They said it is also a tribute to all our athletes at the recent Olympic & Paralympic Games, Rio 2016. Demi negara yang tercinta…

Malaysian Performing Arts Unite – SETIA (2016)

From Malaya to Malaysia — Shad Saleem Faruqi

admin

Source: The Star Online

BY SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

Shad Saleem Faruqi - file pic

Shad Saleem Faruqi – file pic

Growth and evolution are natural and necessary in any federal set-up.

AS we commemorate Malaysia Day, it is important to look back at the mileposts that led to this historic accord between the British and Malayan Governments and the territories of North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak.

It is also important to note what my Sabah and Sarawak friends often remind me of, that Sabah and Sarawak were not minor colonial outposts that “joined” Malaya in 1963 but were two huge, sovereign, independent states that reconstituted Malaya to form Malaysia.

Indeed, for a few short weeks before “merger”, both Sabah and Sarawak had gained independence from the United Kingdom.

Read more →