Visiting the Homeless with Lawyers for Liberty

I had a chance to have a deeper understanding of the plight of the homeless people this morning. What did I learn?

One Malay folk asked just now, "Dia mau RM300. Mana mau cari?" The homeless people we engaged with just now have no means to even have 3 proper meals a day, let alone a proper place to stay. How are they going to raise the money needed to pay for the fine? It is very unfair for the NRD to impose a fine to everyone who lost their IC, because not everyone can afford it.

What is worse? These folks are not entitled to aids from the government or other relevant agencies because they do not have an identification card. So, this vicious cycle goes round and round, and they will never be able to come out of the state they are in.

The officials told us if that is the case, we have to get an certification from either the Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) or Ketua Kampung to prove they are indeed very poor people. But hey, these folks are from Kuala Lumpur city, where in Kuala Lumpur city do you have a village or kampung? LFL asked if an MP's certification is okay, they said NO. Oh well, it is quite obvious these JKKK and Ketua Kampungs are politically appointees to a certain extent, and not a democratically elected leader of a particular community.

According to a volunteer from the coalition of NGOs helping these homeless people, a letter was addressed to Najib Razak (Prime Minister), Tengku Adnan (Federal Territories Minister), and Rohani Karim (Women, Family and Community Development) a day after Prime Minister Najib made visited the homeless folks on the 11th of July and promised to help. But till today, there is no reply from any of these Ministers.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/07/11/PM-visits-homeless-and-promises-help-Shelter-planned-for-them-to-sleep-and-shower/

See, the government can come up with beautiful names like Ops Qaseh or Desa Bina Diri, but this is not reflected in reality because the folks do not feel the kasih sayang, and there has been numerous complains from inmates in Desa Bina Diri, begging to be released. Have a look at this video filmed in the Sungai Buloh centre.

Why is this so important? It is because of the Ops Qaseh expected to be conducted anytime after Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Ops Qaseh is a joint operation between the police, Immigration Department, KL City Hall and the National Anti-Drug Agency.

Under the Destitute Persons Act 1977, these authorities are empowered to catch any destitute person and bring them to a magistrates court within 24 hours. The magistrate can then decide to place the destitute person under a welfare home for up to 30 days. Following a report made by the social welfare officer, a magistrate can extend the detention for a period not exceeding 3 years.

This welfare home may sound like a good initiative by the government, but guess what, it is in fact in a terrible state and there are those who are currently in these social welfare homes who are begging to be freed!
http://www.malaysia-today.net/homeless-beg-to-be-freed-from-sungai-buloh-centre/

As such, the first hurdle LFL and the NGOs are taking, is to ensure these homeless folks have an IC. It is a fundamental liberty of all Malaysians to have an IC! The folks we brought to the National Registration Department (NRD), have checked their statuses in the system, and true enough, they are MALAYSIANS. This is clear proof that the Federal Territories Minister is lying when he said most of the beggars and homeless people are foreigners!
http://www.theantdaily.com/Don-t-miss-these/Of-beggars-and-givers-Punishing-the-well-intentioned-to-solve-a-problem/

No spa in KLIA2?

If Astro Awani, theStar and NST said Tony fernandes doesnt want to move to KLIA2 because "there was no spa and museum", I will have to read other sources before I arrive at my conclusion. Because just this morning, he denied it. Remember, it is Astro, theStar and NST. The first owned by the 2nd richest dude in Malaysia, the second by a Chinese government political party and the third by a Malay governemnt political party.

According to public statements and press releases, safety and costs were Tony's concerns since day 1 of the spat. And even yesterday, before MAHB made that cheeky statement, he told reporters AirAsia is only "delaying" the move to ensure it is safe, and not "objecting"the move. He has always been consistent on that. I do not know the political story and thus it will only be speculative. What I can bring to the table, is facts not denied from parties concerned. So here are some facts regarding KLIA2. You decide who is being cheeky.

Fact 1: UEMC-Bina Puri Joint Venture DID NOT meet the deadline. From 28 June 2013 to 31 january 2014, then to 30 April 2014, and then to 2 May 2014.

Fact 2: 65% of the airport's Safety & Fire Standards NOT MET. this statement was made by Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

Fact 3: These reports were done by the Fire and Rescue Department, the Sepang Municipal Council and Indah Water Konsortium. NOT by AirAsia. And Fernandes has every reason to believe them.

Fact 4: Rectifications for defects are currently under way.

Fact 5: Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) issued by architects, engineers and building draughtsman registered with the Board of Architects Malaysia NOT received by MAHB. It means, "lu tak boleh pakai KLIA2 lagi lah".

Fact 6: Tony admitted to the museum, and explained it was to spur children to have interest in aviation.

MY CONCLUSION: The government awarded this project to their cronies, and got rich most probably. Despite the costs ballooning 300% for a LOW COST TERMINAL, the safety and fire standards were not met. This is all due to shoddy and shitty works by cronies who get projects without going through tender.

Now, what MAHB is asking AirAsia to do, is to move in even before the CCC is obtained. It is like moving into newly built houses without an OC (Occupation Cert). What will likely happen if there are accidents because of faulty structures? Lawsuits will come flying in like rain because AirAsia moved in before the CCC was given.

Guys, Tony Fernandes is a businessman. Businessmen are not politicians who have to kowtow to their masters. They do not need your votes by lying to you. What they want, is to make profits. And Tony has proven he will do it the proper way.

Whether you like it or not, he has a proven track record in the aviation industry. Whether you hate AirAsia or not, you have to give credit to Tony for transforming the aviation industry in Malaysia. You will still be flying KK-KL for RM1500 if not because of AirAsia. Now MAS has to follow suit and lower their prices. MalindoAir has also followed this formula.

What is your conclusion?

A Time To Sympathize, A Time To Criticize

2 minutes to understand why I am at this point criticising the authorities over the way they are handling the recovery of #mh370:

I am pretty sure the spotlight is on Malaysia, especially with so many other countries joining the S&R (search and rescue) Team. It should be the perfect opportunity for Najib & Co to boost his leadership credentials. But sadly.... that's not the case.

1. Immigration incompetency: You have a Transport Minister & a Defence Minister (same person holding both portfolios) replying "Do you know how many other missing passports are reported? 4 million" when asked why didn't the Malaysian immigration bother checking with Interpol on the missing passports. Interpol has confirmed that the missing passports were in their database. Did the Malaysian Immigration even bother using Interpol's database?

2. Contradicting statements from the chief of PDRM & DCA: Khalid Abu Bakar the IGP issued a statement confirming one had boarded the fateful flight, but DCA released another, confirming 5 missed the flight despite checking in.

3. Time of disappearance: Subang Air Control Traffic Centre reported the disappearance at 1.22am, whereas MAS only reported it at 7am. For this, MAS probably has their own protocols to abide, hence the delay.

4. Contradicting reports over the flight's turn into the Straits of Malacca: RMAF Chief confirms the plane took a sharp left turn and was hovering above the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, which was detected by its Butterworth control centre. This was denied by a spokesperson from the PM's office. Note: If you look at the Peninsular map, the directions of Beijing and the Straits of Malacca are totally different. Beijing is situated 2 o'clock from KLIA, straits of malacca is at 10 o'clock. To go to Beijing from KLIA, you wouldnt have to pass-by the straits of malacca because it is at a completely different direction.

5. Delayed information: International media seems to be giving more updates than local media. This gives international observers an impression that M'sian authorities tell M'sians what they want them to know, and hide what they don't want to know. A survey was conducted by the South China Morning Post asking if readers were satisfied with the amouny of information released by Malaysian authorities. A whopping 87% said NO.

It is true that every Malaysian is sympathising the loss and the grievance of the family members and I share that sympathy too. I might be condemned for criticising the authorities, or even scolded to shut up if i can do nothing but criticise. But the question is, how far can sympathies take you and help you in the search for #mh370? At this point in time, all eyes are on the leadership. The world is looking at how the authorities are managing this issue. Sympathies won't help you locate the plane. Strategy and good management wont gurantee you being able to locate the plane either. But at least, the latter is a better shot at recovering the plane. Right?

-Tweet me at @adrianlimcheeen 

Storm The Racial Barricades

I have lived being a minority ethnic all my life, and I will always be one in Malaysia. I am not bitter and I am not sad. It is something I accept as part of me.

I grew up in a Chinese medium primary school and had the privilege to to be in an environment dominated by Malays and Bumiputeras in high school. After high school, I was attached to private institutions, and this is where these thoughts came to me.

The reason I used the phrase "had the privilege" is because I have lived 6 years of my life trying to learn a language, a culture and other traditions I am not familiar with. I am glad I had that 6 years.

It is sad to admit that the perception of Malays being stupid, lazy, slow, laid back and corrupt still lingers among the Chinese community, I find that this has to stop as soon as possible.

To these Chinese, I must stress that this presumption and general perception does not make the Chinese smarter, more hardworking, aggressive or not corrupt. See, race does not define your character. You think there are no stupid lazy laid back or corrupt Chinese? You are hell wrong. The biggest foreign joker in English football now is a Malaysian Chinese. Get my point?

I cant blame these Chinese though, because all their lives, they have lived with the same race. I pray that the barriers will be broken and these friends will have a chance to engage with people "not their kind".

All my life, the friendliest and most loyal friends I have ever known are the Malays. Yes, the Malays I repeat. The problem with many Chinese is they think they are richer, and thus a more superior race despite being a minority. While on one note they speak of equality and demand justice as a minority, they forgot that the Malays too, want the same. Who does not want to be treated equally?

In view of the recent wicked and politically motivated bible raid at the Bible Society of Malaysia, I would first clarify that I am in no position to speak of authority, but I of course, as usual, have my very own opinions.

The Christians make up less than 10% of the country's 30 million population, and the Muslims, about 60%. See, the authorities should know that these 10% is a very minority group, but this does not mean you can bully them!

Following this incident, I was once again reminded how my Malay friends have touched my heart.

We see many politicians and NGOs speak up against this tyranny. We were even reported on BBC and NYE! What disheartens me at first, is the fact that what I see and read on the news, are statements by non-Muslim spokepersons demanding JAIS to issue an apology.

It was only last night and this morning, when i decided to scroll through Facebook and Twitter, did I realise that actually many of my Muslim friends were condemning this raid.

Before I continue, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest appreciation to these friends. It is very tough I admit, because you might be shunned by certain quarters of your own community for speaking up. But really, it warms my heart. I salute you and thank you for standing up for us. In fact, this reminds me of what Pas and Pkr did for the Chinese when a malicious headline on a tainted newspaper decided to run the headline "Apa Lagi Cina Mahu?".

In BERSIH as well, when I first learned of Unit Amal Pas. These volunteers have really touched the hearts of many. During the rally, they formed a human barricade to protect the participants, they asked the Chinese participants to stand behind them in case there were provocations from the police of FRU.

To my Malay friends once again, I would like to say thank you. Our minority voices might be heard, but it is definitely louder when combined with yours. The testimony given by you is what touches the hearts of other non-Muslims. When you stand up to protect their friends from persecution, and condemn what is wrong, this is what Islam teaches, right?(Forgive me if I am wrong)

In condemning persecution and injustice, it shows nothing other than being a right minded person. If you ask me who is a defender of Islam, I would say these are the ones. Definitely not JAIS, Perkasa or UMNO who claims to be one, because their actions show otherwise.

As appeared on FreeMalaysiaToday: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2014/01/04/lets-storm-the-racial-barricades/

ALAMAK! Isu khalifah Allah AGAIN!

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/selangor-religious-authorities-raid-bible-society-of-malaysia-chairman-held

I will start by stating I am not a constitutional lawyer or a professor lah, but here are some of my thoughts regarding the above raid. I might be wrong, so just share your opinions. And if there are any lawyers here who can kindly enlighten me, please do. Gua masih belajo.

What is wrong?

When I read a bit on a particular act ie. The Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, I had some thought provoking questions.

The introduction of the act explicitly states that this act aims to control and stop development of non islamic faiths among the muslim community. (According to Perkasa Hulu Langat's blog displaying a copy of the act.http://perkasahululangat.blogspot.com/2011/08/enakmen-agama-bukan-islam-kawalan.html)

Though not specifically stated by JAIS, I would assume they are exercising section 8 and 9 of the act, since it's regarding the use of certain prohibited words as stipulated under schedule 1.

The literal meaning of the 1988 enactment in my opinion, is very clear, and JAIS is doing everything in accordance with the 1988 enactment as it is.

But, here is the issue: Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which provides that "every person has the right to profess and practice his own religion".

If the words stipulated in schedule 1 of the enactment has been used all these while by Christians throughout Malaysia (East Malaysia especially), it can concluded that it is their way of professing and practising his own religion.

So when BN decided to come up with this 1988 act, aren't they running contrary to Article 11 of the Federal Constitution? It was passed because they had 2 thirds of the majority in the house. Back then, the opposition were already vocal about it, but they cold not do anything because of their minority in the State Assembly.

So my question: Is the 1988 enactment constitutional in the first place?

 

SEA Games 2013, Day 1

My first day in Myanmar would not involve Floorball as training only starts on Sunday. So I will write about my experience here, minus the sports. 

Contrary to what most people think, Yangon is not the capital of Myanmar. It was, but they have since changed it to Nay Pi Taw, the city hosting the 27th SEA Games. It took me quite a while to wonder why would they host the games in a province 6 hours away from Yangon. But it all makes sense now. 

We were the first team to arrive at Yangon Airport at 7.50am (9.20am Malaysian time), 30th of November 2013. Upon arrival, we were greeted by receptionists in traditional costumes. "Magindala" means welcome in their local language. They have an accent like the Thais, and their hand gestures are somewhat similar (palms against each other in front of the chest, and a slight bow). Each and everyone of us were greeted by 6 receptionists, and for 3 seconds, we felt like a footballers heading to play an international friendly game. 

We went through the "diplomats" counter, and got our passports stamped. Was relieved I didn't have an issue with my old and new passport. We got a surprising welcome note then. There were a few ladies, probably 2 heads shorter than me, waiting at the carousels. When I picked up my bags, they immediately stood in and helped me carry my bags before placing them on the trolleys. Well, it was awkward but I'd appreciate the gesture though.

At the waiting station for our pick up bus, we decided to grab a few group pictures. The next thing we know, the locals had their smartphones and tablets out, snapping as many pictures of us as they could. Second time feeling a boss. We had a police escort out of Yangon. Thank you Mr Policeman for riding solo and clearing the roads for us.

Throughout the 6 hours ride, I managed to grasp and imagine the Myanmar culture. The locals are warm, kind, friendly, and helpful. They are very beautiful people. Their innocence, smile and warmth,  These locals however, are generally very poor. I did not see big cars and houses, or even nice and well kept houses along the way to Nay Pi Taw. Most houses have long grown weed, and dirty walls. The roads, are probably worse than those in Sabah. If you watch wartime movies, you'd probably be able to paint an imaginary image. 

We arrived at the village and waited a few hours to get our papers processed. Security was tight. We went through body and bag searches. Great effort to ensure the athletes are safe. Dinner, was accustomed to our Malaysian taste buds. Rice, fried noodles, mixed vegetables, stewed beef, sweet and sour chicken and fish. There were refrigerators everywhere stoked with water bottles and 100plus. 

Day 2 continues....

A Malaysia Day greeting

As appeared on Malaysiakini: http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/241354

On this auspicious golden jubilee, I would like to pray for a better Malaysia. A place where racism, crime and corruption is rejected, a place where democracy, accountability and equality is upheld. A dream too far fetched?

I woke up to a normal Monday, apart from it being a public holiday. I woke up realising the last Chinese New Year and Hari Raya made a better mark. Well, apart from greetings of Selamat Hari Malaysia seen on Facebook statuses, or tweets, what else do we see that indicates it is Malaysia Day? So where is the excitement for this very special day? This is supposed to be Malaysia's birthday!

Well maybe, just maybe, Malaysians are bitter and have a resentment towards what is happening to this country. But let's take a moment to think, what did Malaysia do wrong? We are holding a grudge against the wrong party. The resentment and anger, should be directed towards those who messed up the country instead. Malaysia on the other hand, has done nothing wrong. This land instead, has blessed so many people in abundance. It is rich in natural resources, and is such a beautiful place to be.

We wake up on the dawn of Malaysia Day, knowing Malaysia is 50 years old, but what do we have that is worth being proud of?

We are known to be a country of multi-ethnicity, but are we really moving forward as a country without being racially polarised, or is it just a myth? Two days ago, the deputy prime minister said "we should not be apologetic to other races". What a Malaysia Day gift! This speaks volume. Try saying this in America or UK, or maybe just across the causeway in Singapore, I can assure you no matter what the context of the statement is, you'll be shunned out immediately! Lucky for our DPM, this is Malaysia. 

After 57 years of independence, we still see the federal government setting out education policies based on the need to win elections. See, that is where the chunk of problems lie. In a developed country, education is a tool to empower the next generation to bring the country to greater heights. In Malaysia however, the government uses it as a tool to fish for votes. We have seen flip flop policies, in particular the use of English language in our education system. What is there to bicker about, my dear education ministers? English is a global language, you cannot deny that. And the only way to move forward globally, is to adapt to the use of the English language. Protecting the national language, or mother tongue for that matter, does not come at the expense of depriving the use of English.

What has happened to East Malaysia after 50 years of "Malaysia"? Sabah and Sarawak, is unique in a sense that it makes up two thirds of Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak did not join Malaysia, instead, they together with Malaya, formed Malaysia. But are they in terms of development, really on par after 50 years? These states have for the past half a century, contribute a big chunk to Malaysia's economy through natural resources like petroleum, timber, rubber, palm oil, and even tourism. But does the development there reflect such contributions?

I remember visiting the interior once. And a friend's relative asked, "belajar di KL?" I answered "ya", and I was given a lecture on how blessed and lucky I am. Another friend from Sabah, now working in Kuala Lumpur, was asked "kau kerja di KL bah kan?" And for that matter, she was these villagers' person to look up to. My point here is, KL has become such a prestigious place in the hearts of these rural folks, and to even set foot in KL, would mean so much to them. You can be selling banana fritters or nasi lemak in KL, and dare I say, these folks will still look up to you. Now why is that so? 

And lastly, before I end, I would just like us to ponder, where is Malaysia in our hearts? Who else can be proud of Malaysia, if not us Malaysians? To those who dream on migrating, or already have the ability and means to migrate, please stay in Malaysia. There is no place like home. We may be in despair, we may be broken, we may be in shame. But who else will turn things round and return Malaysia's glory, if all the talents leaves? The only change Malaysia can get, is when Malaysians themselves decide to change. 

-tweet me at @adrianlimcheeen