Gotcha! Raja Petra

I'm almost taken by what Raja Petra has been claiming these past few days following his questioning by the police at KL's Dangi Wangi station.

For one, lets take a look at his explanation that all the profanities posted against Islam and the Yang DiPertuan Agong were done by the co-called UMNO 'cyber-troopers'. What begs to be answered now is, if it is true those dastardly deeds were 'penned' by UMNO mercenary scribes, why have they now almost come down to a trickle if not stopped suddenly in their tracks? Given the battle zone that is politics would most likely never see any let up in subversion, offensives, counter-offensives and psy-war efforts, it would be a most lame excuse for Raja Petra to point his fingers to an unsubstantiated and groundless claim such as that.

However, I, being a regular follower of Malaysia-Today and other SOPO blogs, would agree to a certain degree of subversion by some over-enthusiastic, albeit childish and shallow attempts by UMNO 'cyber troopers' to try some clearly futile attempts at flooding the website's server with hundreds of repetitive postings as well as the alleged 'planted' comments that have become the bone of contention presently.

If the alleged cyber-fifth columnists do really exist and occassionally succeed in posting their uncouth and criminal comments and, given their ability to cause quite a disquiet on both sides of the Malaysian political divide, I wouldn't think that they will stop.

I would think that the reason for the sudden disappearance of the bulk of such postings is because they were not carried out by the people that Raja Petra strongly alleged. They were actually carried by some over-zealous cyber-anarchists aligned to the blind (blinkered) spirit of Raja Petra's claim to social and political righteousness.

As such, following Raja Petra's clear advice before his being summoned for questioning by the police last week that he would appreciate if the readers of Malaysia-Today would refrain from posting profanities and anti-Islamic comments, the attacks suddenly came to a slower pace and almost zero. In most probablities this may be attributed to the culprits taking heed of his appeals as well as the unfounded fear that by continuing to do so would cause what they perceive as their only channel of free speech to come to an end. Another possibility is the fear that by persisting in maintaining the momentum of profanities and vulgarities, they may cause their scapegoat, i.e. Raja Petra to be arrested, hence losing their presumed anarchic alter ego.

So based on all these, Raja Petra's contention that the attacks were carried out wholly by the so-called UMNO cyber-troopers does not carry any weight. This theory becomes even more plausible – even real, given that earlier he had admited he could not control such postings that came from abroad,and in yet another instance, that he should not be held responsible for those were just comments made by others and not himself as the operator of Malaysia-Today.

After going through the three 'defences' mentioned above, Raja Petra suddenly zeroed in on the 'wholly-carried-out- by- UMNO-cyber-troopers' scapegoating stance. And with that he felt that he was treading solid ground as almost all his blind flock of followers would unhesitantingly jump on the bandwagon and go on an all out counter-offensive to re-direct the blame to external forces.

Sila Halusi Teguran Ahli UMNO INI

Saya tertarik dengan luahan kekecewaan dan kekesalan seorang ahli UMNO yang tersiar di laman KMU hari ini (Surat Terbuka Kepada Tan Sri Muhamad Muhamad Taib).

Saya amat menghargai keutuhan negara ini selain rasa begitu bertanggung-jawab terhadap kedaulatan agama dan bangsa. Saya seorang ahli biasa UMNO yang tidak pernah mengenali mana-mana 'kroni' pun sebelum ini. Saya tidak meminta apa-apa balasan selain melakukan perjuangan siber ini secara sukarela dari dulu lagi. Saya amat terkilan dan berasa malu dengan apa yang didakwa (dan kononya juga dibuktikan) bahawa pihak UMNO di PWTC telah mengupah penulis "mercenary" untuk membantu menafikan segala tohmahan dan pembohongan yang tersiar di internet.

Usaha itu murni. Sebagaimana pihak pembangkang dan aktivis politik bersayap kiri bergiat di alam siber dengan penuh yakin, begitulah juga hak pihak UMNO mempunyai ruang untuk menggunakan pletform maya bagi mempertahankan diri.

Jika benar wujud pasukan siber itu dan juga benar mereka cuba menyamar di laman-laman blog yang disasarkan, saya rasa telah tiba masanya untuk dikaji semula strategi berkenaan.

Paling penting ialah bagi segala usaha penangkisan terhadap tohmahan dan propaganda ditangani dan jawab secara profesional dan berhemah.

Bukan calang-calang orang yang mampu berdiri teguh berjuang di medan pertempuran siber ini. Saya tabik kepada beberapa suara 'moderate' yang tidak berasa malu mengakui sebagai ahli UMNO dan ketara diterima dalam komuniti blogger pembangkang, termasuk Malaysia-Today.

Bagaimanapun, sejak kebelakangan ini dengan pencerobohan dan suara kasar kebudak-budakan cetek beberapa orang 'counter-blogger', senario keterbukaan telah menjadi kecoh. Kecoh bukan kerana blog-blog pembangkang dan aktivis bersayap kiri tergugat, tetapi kerana langkah sumbang 'pejuang' mentah kita sendiri.

Ini hanyalah pendapat peribadi saya. Diharap pucuk pimpinan parti terimalah secara terbuka kerana misi UMNO sentiasa murni. Kemurniaan inilah yang saya pegang dan bukan disebabkan kerana beberapa pemimpin digugat pelbagai tuduhan di alam siber. Itu semua perlu dijawab dan diperbetul sendiri secara telus.Ia juga tidak bermakna seluruh ahli UMNO yang berhati mulia dan berintegriti akan meninggalkan perjuangan parti dan bangsa disebabkan segelintir pemimpin itu.

Pada kami UMNO tetap UMNO dan segala-galanya perlu diperbetulkan secara dalaman dan terbuka dan dalam pada itu segala perjuangan terhadap ancaman ini tetap diteruskan.

Saya dan beberapa rakan seperjuangan akan sentiasa berjuang untuk mempertahankan kedaulatan agama, bangsa dan negara. Oleh itu saya memohon supaya segala-galanya dilakukan secara berhemah kerana akhirnya yang paling berkuasa ialah rakyat dan ribuan ahli UMNO yang begitu mengharap.

PAS Akui Terdapat Blogger Yang Melampau Terhadap Islam

Ahli Dewan Negara dari Parti PAS Senator Wan Ubaidah Wan Omar mengakui ada blogers yang membuat kenyataan melampau, mengancam dan membuat fitnah serta boleh merosakkan akidah umat Islam.

Bercakap ketika membahaskan Rang Undang-undang Aktiviti Kerajaan Elektronik 2007 di Dewan Negara semalam Wan Ubaidah menyebut tentang laman blog Murtad Malaysia di mana orang-orang Melayu yang murtad memberi kenyataan menyatakan kenapa mereka mahu keluar Islam dan sebagainya.

Sementara itu, Senator Mumtaz Md Nawi berkata, kerajaan seharusnya mengkaji sama ada betul atau tidak apa yang ditulis oleh mana-mana blogers sebelum mengambil apa-apa tindakan.

An Early Observation of the Police Report Against RPK & Malaysia-Today Fiasco

Its quite beguiling to read about the fiasco surrounding the police report lodged against Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK) and Malaysia-Today.

For one it sure looks like RPK was so piqued that his sense of objectivity and balance seemed to have gone to the dogs in this instance. Just look at his challenge to UMNO Information Chief Muhamad Muhamad Taib which was published in Malaysia-Today today.

RPK kept ranting about his being not an ordinary prince but a Bugis Prince at that. A strain that is assumed to bring shudders down the spine of his detractors, especially Muhamad Muhammad Taib—never mind that his claimed royal genealogy leads back to some historic nation of yore far away from our shores.

At times his staccato outlash against his detractor made me laugh out loud. I laughed because of the almost childlike response from RPK and no less the way Muhammad Taib tackled the matter, to subsequently turn it into a virtual circus of sorts.

Already RPK has indicated that he had not the faintest idea of what UMNO or Muhamad Muhamad Taib was harping on. If it was over a certain posting or comments that he had allegedly humiliated the Yang DiPertuan Agong and Islam, RPK said there was none to be had on that stated date of July 11.

I am not partisan to RPK, Malaysia-Today or the person who made the report vicariously or otherwise. But the point is that both sides may be equally at fault or loss, whichever way you look at it. For UMNO and Muhamad Muhamad Taib who wanted to nab the perpetrators of the alleged attack on the Yang DiPertuan Agong and Islam, you should have made sure that all proper evidence and documention are at hand. This is very important. Although RPK himself had tried (although not draconianly) to ensure certain civility and decorum in Malaysia-Today, he nevertheless had clearly failed in this.

As for his own postings over alleged corruption and what not, why not garner the help of the legal community and start by making police reports and fight for it through proper channels? Truth and honesty will not fail a mission ultimately. However, by taking this route of among other things, allowing subversive elements to partake of the ‘free’ platform that he has provided via Malaysia-Today, he has turned himself into a victim – again.

RPK should have closely monitored all postings that appear on Malaysia-Today. Readers and commentators can critically discuss anything by all means, but do please keep emotions in check for want of certain decorum of civility as sensible citizens – citizens because most of the focus is on bringing about change, a better standard of democracy and higher level of integrity in the Government and country.

Without close monitoring this is what happens. Well, to some of the opponents of the system, reaction (the harsher the better) in any form is deemed as progress, either in the way of ‘martyrdom’ for the protagonist or at least to deflect attention to the assumed ‘misdeeds’ of the authorities in trying to enforce certain laws.

As for RPK, instead of coming forth with a more sensible set of answer backs, he got carried away with allegations of misdeeds and indiscretions of Muhamad Muhammad Taib that ranged from corruption to disrespect to the Yang DiPertuan Agong.

Having said almost everything that I presume rushed to his mind at the spur of the moment, he concluded his piece by challenging Muhammad Taib to a duel with kerises. What gives?

This, I see as RPK’s weakness. Earlier on in one of his postings on the so-called establishment of UMNO cyber-troopers to take on the opposition bloggers through the open medium of the internet, he even had the audacity to stoop so low as to describe his opponents (UMNO cyber troopers) as country bumpkins who did not even know how to use cutlery at a formal dinner. He wrote off this people upon this presumed shortcomings, adding that their inability to speak proper English placed them at station below his so-called noble upbringing. So much for freedom. It sure reeks of certain vestiges of Middle Age feudalistic outlook.

Yes, of course I also see that on the part of UMNO the counter attacks by these mercenary cyber warriors or what not clearly had failed. On the main they have not been successful in engaging the opposition. This has been easily picked by RPK and the rest to turn it against them.

As a mere observer I can see that if RPK’s arch nemesis, especially UMNO, had put more thought into their fight back strategies, they will find that there are a thousand and one ways to succeed – there are many ways to skin a cat, as the saying goes.

However, this early showdown between UMNO, Muhammad Muhammad Taib dan RPK seems to have fallen flat on its face.

Laporan Polis Terhadap Malaysia-Today

Dipetik dari blog Countergrain

Menurut laporan awal daripada beberapa blogger termasuk Jeff OOi dan Rocky satu laporan polis telah dibuat di Balai Polis Dang Wangi hari ini tadi terhadap laman web alternatif Malaysia-Today yang dikendalikan oleh Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

Countergrain sudah lama menghitung hari ekoran tindakan begitu ramai blogger dan pembaca laman berita alternatif Malaysia-Today mengeposkan komen-komen tanpa beralas. Yang saya maksudkan ialah komen berunsur hasutan dan kecaman terhadap beberapa isu sensitif, terutama yang ketara menghina agama Islam dan Nabi Muhammad.

Ada di antara blogger yang sengaja menggunakan laman Malaysia-Today bagi meluahkan kata-kata lucah terhadap masyarakat Muslim dan agama Islam -- ini tidak patut disiarkan tanpa penapisan oleh pihak editorial.

Berikutan kegagalan Raja Petra menangani kepincangan itu, ramai di antara masyarakat Islam di negara ini berasa begitu terhina.

Tidak kurang ramai juga yang menasihatkan (termasuk countergrain sendiri)Raja Petra supaya segera menapis pos-pos sedemikian rupa tetapi beliau pada mulanya gagal berbuat demikian, hinggalah sejak beberapa hari kebelakangan ini apabila beliau akhirnya memberi amaran kepada pembaca Malaysia-Today yang beliau akan mula menapis segala posting selain mengenakan syarat bagi menyertai laman tersebut.

Kita patut mengambil iktibar daripada keadaan ini. Tanpa menyebelahi mana-mana pihak saya rasa memang tepat masanya bagi laporan Polis dibuat.

Jika diperhatikan daripada satu sudut, Raja Petra yang begitu mendaulati kebebasan ekspresi dan bersuara, terutama di internet, telah dijadikan mangsa oleh anasir-anasir yang sengaja menggunakan laman Malaysia-Today sebagai saluran.

Dari penjuru lain pula kita perlu melihat senario ini dari aspek toleransi.Dalam konteks ini, toleransi yang maksudkan ialah sikap kesabaran beberapa pihak dalam kerajaan yang sengaja tidak mahu menambahkan minyak kepada api hasutan yang dinyalakan oleh anasir-anasir subversif di laman Malaysia-Today. Daripada ini kita dapat mentafsirkan samada kerajaan sengaja menindas suara pembangkang atau sebaliknya.

Bagaimanapun, apabila keadaan menjadi begitu serius apakah salah bagi sesuatu dilakukan untuk menanganinya demi kesejahteraan semua penduduk negara pelbagai kaum ini?

Pemuda MCA Memberi Ketua Pemuda UMNO Nasihat Keras

Pemuda MCA telah menyampaikan nasihat keras kepada Pemuda UMNO supaya jangan terlalu taksub dengan keadaan. Sayap Pemuda MCA itu dilaporkan berasa tidak senang dengan gesaan Ketua Pemuda UMNO, Dato Hishamuddin Tun Hussein supaya MCA berhenti daripada membuat kenyataan berhubung andaian bahawa Malaysia negara sekular.

Berikut surat terbuka daripada Pemuda MCA kepada Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO yang bertarikh 22 Julai 2007:

Surat terbuka kepada Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO

Kami, ahli-ahli muda MCA, menyokong penuh pendirian dan usaha murni MCA menyumbang kepada pembangunan negara dan rakyat Malaysia.

Kami membidas tindakan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO yang memberi “Amaran kepada MCA” melalui akhbar Berita Harian (tajuk utama, Sabtu 21 Julai 2007) yang meneruskan politik polemik mengintepretasikan semula perlembagaan persekutuan Malaysia.

Ini berlaku walaupun pada hari Khamis 19 Julai, 2007, Kementerian Dalam Negeri telah mengarahkan media arus perdana supaya jangan menyiarkan sebarang berita mengenai Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam. Perbuatan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO langsung tidak menghormati larangan yang telah dikeluarkan oleh KDN yang mewakili kerajaan negara.

Kenyataan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO terhadap pemimpin MCA yang merupakan rakan kongsi utama BN, tidak membawa manfaat kepada sesiapa kerana ia tidak membawa kebaikan kepada mana-mana pihak.

Kami memberi nasihat ikhlas kepada Ketua Pemuda UMNO supaya mengingati semangat BN yang telah menjadi teras kerjasama dan muafakat selama 49 tahun Malaysia merdeka. Perbuatan mengeluarkan amaran terhadap sesebuah rakankongsi seperjuangan BN juga memperlekehkan semangat toleransi, hormat-menghormati dan bermuafakat.

Kami menyarankan pihak yang berkenaan seupaya melihat Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia secara menyeluruh, bukannya mengambil sesuatu fasal atau fakta secara terasing kerana ini tindakan pihak yang jahil mengenai latar belakang, semangat dan kesefahaman yang telah dipersetujui di antara semua rakyat Malaysia yang menjadi teras membawa kepada pembentukan negara Malaysia yang merdeka.

Leadership Development Bureau
MCA Bangsar/22 July 2007

Komen Publius Melayu: Dalam menangani isu ini, saya kira eloklah kedua-dua sayap parti komponen BN itu berusaha menyelesaikannya secara rasional dan tertib. Di pihak Hishamuddin, sekiranya amaran beliau berhubung kenyataan Ong Ka Chuan itu terlalu keras, sudah tentulah reaksi daripada pihak lain juga akan diajukan secara lantang.

Ini adalah perkara yang boleh diselesaikan sekelip mata. Pandangan peribadi almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman dan kemudian disusuli mendiang Tun Tan Siew Sin adalah tidak lain daripada tafsiran berdasarkan 'pertuturan' dalam perlembagaan yang boleh dilihat dari pelbagai sudut.

Dalam pada itu, saya juga mempersoalkan tujuan Ong menimbulkan isu tersebut. Apakah manfaatnya? Apakah ia hanya sebagai modal cetek bagi menarik perhatian penyokong?

Anwar, Nat & Konspirasi Barat

Polis Bukit Aman menahan Nathaniel Tan (Nat), pembantu Anwar Ibrahim dalam Foundation For the Future, pada 13 Julai 2007 di pejabatnya di Phileo Damansara 1, Petaling Jaya.

Pada mulanya ramai yang mengsyaki penahanan pada 4.45 petang itu bersabit kesalahan di bawah jenayah siber seperti yang dijelaskan seorang anggota polis apabila ditanya. Bagaimanapun, sebab sebenar tidak dapat dipastikan.

Berikutan penahanan itu, seperti yang diagak, rata-rata masyarakat blogger pembangkang melenting dan melemparkan pelbagai tuduhan terhadap pihak polis dan kerajaan. Mereka tidak berlengah untuk memanipulasikan isu tersebut. Dakwaan polis bertindak secara kuku besi, membelakangkan prosedur undang-undang dan dakwaan bahawa penahanan itu dilakukan berikutan arahan daripada pihak atasan berhembus kencang.

Dalam masa yang singkat berita penahanan itu juga dimaklumkan kepada beberapa organisasi antarabangsa, termasuk Amnesty International dan Reporters Sans Frontieres (Badan Wartawan Tanpa Sempadan). Organisasi-organisasi ini juga tidak berlengah untuk menempelak dan mengecam tindakan tersebut.

Kepantasan isu penahanan Nat dieksploitasikan oleh beberapa pihak tempatan dan antarabangsa memberikan semacam kesahihan kepada teori konspirasi yang mengaitkan Anwar menerusi dalang-dalang luar yang dikesan pertalian hingga ke Jabatan Negara Amerika dan Yahudi.

Ia dengan jelas meletakkan tandatanya besar mengenai tanggapan mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Malaysia itu mendapat bantuan kewangan daripada anasir antarabangsa yang menggunakan ketidakpuasaan peribadinya sebagai helah untuk campur tangan dalam sistem demokrasi Malaysia.

Kini, Nat telah dibebaskan dengan jaminan. Dia perlu melaporkan diri kepada pihak polis dalam beberapa hari bagi siasatan selanjutnya.

Dalam menangani perlekehan daripada pembangkang berhubung isu tersebut, kita berasa agak mual dengan segala imej 'kebenaran' yang ditonjolkan mereka. Tidak guna kita bertegang urat dengan mereka kerana mereka ini jenis manusia bebal yang hanya dapat melihat segala-galanya daripada perspektif sempit.

Bagi rakyat Malaysia yang lebih berpendirian rasional, tindakan itu semestinya mempunyai sebab tertentu. Terlalu awal untuk menghukum pihak polis atau sistem perundangan. Mereka tidak mungkin sebodoh itu untuk melakukan sesuatu sesuka hati di zaman globalisasi yang begitu terbuka ini.

Saya rasa walaupun terdapat landasan tertentu dalam prosedur penahanan dan tangkapan menurut undang-undang, namun keperluan semasa kadangkala memerlukan tindakan luar biasa. Tindakan diluar prosedur biasa bukan sekadar berlaku di negara membangun. Ia lebih sering berlaku di negara maju seperti di Amerika Syarikat dan Britain. Bagaimanapun, selain beberapa suara minoriti menegur perlakuan itu, ia tidak sehebat konspirasi dunia barat terhadap negara membangun seperti Malaysia -- dengan bantuan anasir-anasir dalaman sendiri.

THE REALITY OF CHINESE STUDENT POLITICS

Its been almost 7 months into the year, but the issues relating to Chinese students at Malaysian public universities still dominate much of the talks on campus ‘politics’.

The gathering momentum and intensity of this much ignored area merits a revisit just for he record. What have we here to date?

Chinese students, prompted by the no-less racist leanings of the opposition parties (the multi-racial concept is just a facade, while the reality is the opposite within the organisations, i.e. the look of camaraderie is just a coalition of sorts to help realise their the defeat of the detractor parties) have made the following exclusive demands:

· Banners in the Chinese language in UPM and UPSI

· Letterhead in the Chinese language at UPSI, USM, UTM, UUM, UPM

· Special canteens for Chinese at UPSI, USM, UM, UUM, UPM

· Special floor for Chinese students at residential colleges/hostels at UTM

· Special buses to transport Chinese students to church at KUTKM, UTM, UPSI, UM, UUM, UNIMAS, USM, KUTKM, UPM

· To demand that Mandarin be made a compulsory subject at UPSI.

A closer observation reveals that all seven issues are being played up at almost all the universities. It looks as though the Chinese students at all the institutions have come together to voice out these demands.

Outside the perimeter of the universty grounds questions arise as to whether the BN-led government had anticipated this happening. Had they the foresight to visualize such a scenario when they made a policy allowing 45% non-Bumiputera students at the public universities? Are they ready to manage the nurturing of more demands for a raising of quota for Chinese students in spite of all the explanations and rationale put forth all these years? We have to remember that in Malaysia the Chinese make up only 40% of the total population. As such, why the need to ask for a higher percentage for Chinese students? Even without this increase we can see where the scenario is heading.

Backtrack to November 26 and 27 2006. The Chinese students held what was called “A Dialogue Session with Leaders” at UPM. The event was attended by 95 Chinese student leaders from 14 public universities (all identified as supporters of the government). The VIPs present were the Minister of Higher Education, the Deputy Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dato’ Dr. Adham Baba, Dr. Mohd Fauzi Ramlan, Director of Development & Student Affairs Division, Ministry of Higher Education, the Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs UPM, Mohd Ikmal, YB Wei Kar Siong dan YB Lau Yun Peng.

At the session three main issues were brought up, namely:

1. To review the voting system

2. To make it compulsory for all institutes of higher education to organise cultural progammes at least once a year at the university level.

3. That the Universities and Colleges Act (AUKU) be reviewed. They also asked the Ministry of Higher Education to allow for the setting up of Chinese Cultural Societies at universities along with the adoption of two languages.

At the end of the session, the Chinese student representatives submitted a two-page memorandum containing the aforementioned demands to be conveyed to all the relevant people at the Ministry.

The move to demand for such rights is almost the norm among Chinese students partisan to the opposition’s cause, in particular at UPM, USM and UTM. These students would invariably align themselves with external NGOs such as Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) through the efforts of its former Campaign Coordinator, Chang Lih Kang, and the Malaysia Youth and Students Democractic Movement (DEMA) headed by Soh Sok Hua.

The usual trend is for the Chinese students leaders to join DEMA while at university and after completing their studies, work at SUARAM and the Youth for Change (YFC) Movement.

YFC is led by Lee Khai Loon (formerly of DEMA UTM) and Chua Yee Ling (DEMA USM), both of which are directly orchestrated by Tian Chua, PKR’s Information Chief. Both the latter have at one time been active in the Chinese Language Societies at their respective universities. Such links obviously tell quite a lot about Tian Chua’s involvement as the main force behind the Chinese student’s opposition stance at Malaysian public universities in concert with the likes of the PBT, DEMA, YFC and SUARAM

As an example, Ginie Lim had started as the Chairperson of the Chinese Language Society at USM (PBTUSM) before contesting for a seat in the Students Representative Council and subsequently becoming one of its EXCOs. After finishing her studies, she became actively involved in DEMA and appointed a committee member of PKR’s Information Bureau. The same with Lee Khai Loon, who started off as the Chairman of the Chinese Language Society at UTM, contested for a seat in the Students Representative Council at UTM, won and became EXCO MPPUTM . After completing his studies he held a post at DEMA, sent to Hong Kong through the Asian Students Association (ASA), a students network sponsored by the Jewish/U.S. supported National Endowment for Democracy, NED.

Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim called Lee Khai Loon back to Malaysia to assist him in recruiting more young Chinese through the Youth for Change (YFC).

The conclusion to all these:

· Chinese students, whether labeled as supporters of the government or the opposition harbour the same aspirations, i.e. to demand for greater rights for Chinese students and amendments to AUKU (Universities and Colleges Act). Where will all these lead to in the wake of the authorities’ non-submission to their demands? Demonstrations? Where will it lead to?

· The Chinese Language Society at each university is the early platform for Chinese students to access the opposition; the route being PBT to DEMA, SUARAM or YFC.

· Dato’ Seri Anwar and Tian Chua are the godfathers.

· The west had long intended to subvert Malaysia through Divide and Rule and they seem to have made some headway by pitting the Chinese students against the Malays, the government and mostly the country’s affirmative action policy, which they would always turn into a racialist and discriminatory tool.

With the sway towards a more Chinese-oriented policy, the question is will the Chinese be able to be fair to all?

Ezam’s “Class Act”: A Staged Exit

On the surface of it, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor’s resignation looks genuine enough to pass-off as a move that is all honourable, i.e. to focus all his energy in moving GERAK.

However, if one cares to look deeper beneath that facade of righteousness there still lurks a dark shadow of doubt fingered by some ‘unknown’ hidden hands. Hidden hands that can be traced back to his mentor, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the grand designs of his U.S.-sponsored initiatives such as the Foundation for the Future and other so-called pro-democracy and human rights war machines.

While we wait for the truth to naturally surface, it will suffice for us to just reflect on GERAK’s self-proclaimed struggle that is supposedly independent, impartial and beyond party politics. One doesn’t have to go far to ponder GERAK’s so-called non-partisan stance. Just consider Ezam’s willingness to cooperate with all organisations, including civil society, political parties both INSIDE and OUTSIDE government in order to push for reforms in Malaysia.

Now, doesn’t that sound very familiar? Isn’t that the same strain played by Anwar on all his platforms within Malaysia and abroad? No, Ezam has not burned his political bridges. He is just on a mission assigned by Anwar – a platform that will make PKR and Anwar’s U.S.-backed strategies wholesome and most attractive in the areas he has set his eyes on for the 12th General Elections.

And to start off his support base in GERAK, Ezam has successfully recruited legions of youths, the majority of which is made up of Chinese from colleges and even form six students. Of course, the bait is the noble aspirations of GERAK – aspirations that ride on the relentless offensive of the opposition parties against almost all Government policies, which they claim are tainted with endless corruption and inefficiencies.

Ezam’s claim that his SMS-based recruitment exercise had attracted mostly Chinese youth is so telling. Obviously, he found the Malay students averse to his ideals - ideals that have been nurtured in the mental training grounds of Anwar Ibrahim.

Don’t be surprised to see that GERAK’s next coup in its recruitment exercise will impact those in Sabah and Sarawak, for these are the two states that Anwar and PKR are confident of making very significant headway in the GE.

How can Ezam say that his is acting apolitical with GERAK when in reality he is willing (read: already) working with political parties within and outside of Malaysia to realise his goals? And there are obvious conflicts in his stand with regards to PKR, too. As for the party, Ezam sees GERAK as a continuation of the struggle of the party. He sees it playing a complementary role for the party (PKR), helping the party to give a clear picture (an excuse) to voters that both GERAK and PKR are really serious in combating corruption. Now, isn’t that the very same war cry used by all politicians in this country? Fighting corruption is always on the shopping list, but always against those in the ruling Government.

So, while the truth unravels itself in the months to come, lets just keep our options open about the real directions that Ezam is taking his vehicle, GERAK.

PKR’s STRATEGY FOR 12th GENERAL ELECTIONS REVEALED

Following a discussion between Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tian Chua (PKR’s Information Chief), Selvakumaran, Haji Rahman (supporter of Khalid Ibrahim), Haji Yusof (Khalid Ibrahim’s proposer) and Khalid Ibrahim (PKR’s candidate for Ijok) at a Chinese Restaurant in Batang Berjuntai, Anwar declared that PKR was all ready and geared towards capturing Sabah and Sarawak in the coming 12th General Elections.

Within a short time Anwar’s declaration began to make the rounds in Ijok and beyond. Such bravado posed certain questions, including whether the gearing-up strategy is being prompted by directives from the CIA and the U.S. to him.

We know that Christian missionaries have for a long time been harbouring designs for a wider outreach of the faith in Indonesia, including Sabah and Sarawak. Lately there has been a marked surge in missionary activities, especially from the Protestants in many parts of Indonesia and the immediate region. Why is this so?

Words have it that PKR will ensure that voters will reject BN and that the main thrust of the strategy is de-stabilise PBB in Sarawak and UMNO in Sabah.

Anwar further claimed that the PKR leadership in Sabah and Sarawak are actively working towards ensuring the success of their plans.Meanwhile, in the peninsula cooperation between PAS and PKR will focus on:

1. Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Perak.

2. PKR will focus on Selangor, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah.

3. PKR and DAP will join forces in Penang, Perak (Chinese majority areas) and Wilayah Persekutuan.

Both Negeri Sembilan and Melaka are excluded. It makes one wonder why, given the fact that DAP had long nurtured plans to strongly contest in both states.

According to Anwar, to date more than 17,000 people have declared their intention to follow Jeffrey Pairin Kitingan in joining PKR. The thrust of the planned exodus led by Pairin is mainly centred among the Kadazan Dusun community.

Anwar told Malayan Nanban that he had different approaches for each ethnic group and that he would utilise his resources to the maximum in the face of the 12th General Elections.

Dr Mahathir: No chance for Anwar to become PM

Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not believe his former deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, can make a come back to Malaysian politics and be the Prime Minister.

The former prime minister said he did not see any hope for Anwar to “achieve what he wanted to achieve” — to become the prime minister.“I don’t think he has any hope of achieving what he wants to achieve...of course, he wants to be the prime minister.

“He will never get that spot,” said Dr Mahathir in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on July 7, 2007 when asked by the interviewer how he viewed Anwar’s chances of making a comeback to mainstream politics. Asked why Anwar, now adviser to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), cannot become the prime minister, Dr Mahathir said the former deputy prime minister was losing his followers very fast.

“You can tell people something and people will believe it for a short time but later on they are bound to discover whether you are telling the truth or you are lying to them,” he said.

Dr Mahathir sacked Anwar in September 1998 for immoral conduct and corrupt practice.

Anwar served a six-year jail term after he was convicted for corruption. He was released from prison in 2004 after the Federal Court overturned his sodomy conviction. Anwar is barred from returning to active politics until April 14 next year.

On Wednesday, Dr Mahathir succeeded in his bid to quash the defamation suit brought by Anwar for accusing him of being a homosexual at a conference hosted by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam). The following day, Anwar filed a notice of appeal.

Campurtangan Dalam Demokrasi Malaysia: Yayasan Jerman Salur Dana Terang-terangan kpd PKR

Frederich Nauman Foundation (FNF) telah menaja Parti Keadilan Rakyat melalui program Menjana Tenaga Kemenangan (MTK) anjuran Parti Rakyat Zon Selatan di Air Keroh, Melaka pada 10-11 Mac, 2007.

Frederich Nauman Foundation menaja menghidupkan Kelab Anwar Ibrahim dengan membantu kewangan untuk menghidupkan blog-blog seperti Merpati Jingga kepunyaan Faisal Mustafa (AJK Angkatan Muda PKR) yang mendapat pembiayaan RM10,000 daripada FNF untuk blog itu. FNF turut memberi bantuan kewangan kepada blogger Jeff Ooi (Screenshots) dan Raja Petra Kamaruddin
(Malaysia-Today).

Berdasarkan kajian International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), sistem pilihanraya yang paling banyak diamalkan adalah “senarai perwakilan seimbang” (List proportional Representation). Di antara 199 negara, 70 mengamalkan sistem ini, 47 mengamalkan sistem “first-past-the-post”.

Nampaknya, pembangkang mempunyai usaha mengketengahakan sistem “ perwakilan yang seimbang”(Proportional Representation) yang diandai lebih adil kepada semua parti/pihak berbanding dengan sistem “first-past-the-post” yang mereka mendakwa menguntungkan parti seperti BN.