Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said although the government had reduced fuel prices three times in the past three months, the unfortunate thing was that this had not brought down goods prices (The Star).
Government made an announcement five days ago that the 30 per cent surcharge on stage and express bus fares, which is expiring on October 15, will continue to be imposed until the public transport fares revision is announced. Since the fuel prices drop another 10 cents yesterday and the Aidilfitri celebration has already ended, will the government cancel the surcharge as soon as possible to reduce people's burden?
On 5th of June, fuel prices were increased by 78 cents. Subsequently, the government also increased the price of electricity: Commercial and industrial- 26 per cent Retailers and small restaurant operators- 18 per cent (for first 200KWH per month) Residential- new pricing structure for users above 200KWH per month Now the fuel prices have gone down 40 cents, will the government review the price of electricity and makes adjustment?
When the fuel prices increased 78 cent in June, food prices has been increased up to 30 per cent. As a student, I would like to see the food price to be reduced. But do the food sellers willing to do so?
Unanswerable questions are flowing in my mind......
-The proposed Race Relations Act has been approved by the cabinet. The act will not only focus on punishment alone but also on helping build and strengthen race relations.
-The journalist Tan Boon Cheng from Sin Chew Daily who wrote the news article of Ahmad Ismail's statement that Chinese were "squatters" in the country , had been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for one day.
-Three newspapers- Sin Chew Daily, the Sun and Suara Keadilan received show-cause letters from Home Ministry because of reporting sensitive issues.
Justice?? Rest in peace
Tan reported Ahmad Ismail's statement based on what he said and did not exaggerate his statement. She was merely carrying her duty to report as it was. Meanwhile, the editorial board did not put the news article as front page story and used sensational headline for the article.
The arrest and issuing show-cause letters to news publication have been seen as an intimidation of journalists and the media industry.
On 3rd of September 2008, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said the media must report the truth without fear.
The reality is the perpetrator free from law and shouted in the press conference to blame others. But the journalists and news publication become scapegoat. Report the truth without fear? Rest in peace.
Bukit Bendera UMNO division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail not only refused to apologise for his allegation, he is also pointing an accusing finger at the reporter from Sin Chew Daily for misreporting his comment, and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon as well as other Chinese community leaders for turning his allegation into racial issue.
Ahmad said that he did mention Chinese were "squatters", but he was referring to the situation before the acquisition of national independence. He insisted that he did not do anything wrong as what he said was based on historical facts. Meanwhile, he accused the reporter from Sin Chew Daily for misreporting his speech. He said that the particular reporter possesses a personal agenda and she does not specialise in political news coverage. I am wondering why Ahmad did not come out immediately in the early stage to clear his name as he did not mean it. He held a press conference to explain his allegation only after 10 days the report was published. Meanwhile, the report did not sensationalise Ahmad's words. It only contains 144 words and it merely occupied 1.89% of the total layout of that page. In addition, it was published on page 8.
Moreover, since Ahmad said that he did not mean it, but why Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Tun Razak who was at the scene during the speech has offered an apology to the people a few days ago for Ahmad's allegation? Could it be said that Najib felt Ahmad's allegation did mean it therefore Najib apologised to those who have been hurt by Ahmad's words? It seems that the reporter was not the only one who "misunderstood" Ahmad's words.
On the other hand, Ahmad blamed Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon for using his "squatter" allegation to mount racial tension. Ahmad held a press conference yesterday to defend his position and urged Gerakan to leave the Barisan National ruling coalition for creating chaos among the component parties. He said Koh should apologise to the Malays, Muslims and Chinese in the country for mounting so much tension.
After Ahmad finishing his statement, his supporters tore a photo of Koh in the conference room. This action has angered Gerakan members. Chief of Wanita Gerakan Datuk Tan Lian Hoe urged Prime Minister to sack Ahmad from the party immediately and asked for Ahmad to be charged under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for threatening national security and playing up racial sentiments. Tan was quoted in a news report in Malaysiakini that "How would UMNO members nationwide react if a photo of their president was torn in that manner?"
This incident becomes chaos when other political party and media practitioner have been pulling into the dispute. Well, this is not the first time that politicians accuse the media for "misreporting" or "misinterpreting" their words, and it won't be the last as well. They often do that to divert people's attention and avoid to be responsible for their words.
I think even if Ahmad willing to apologise in the near future, but his apology already means nothing as people can see his arrogance at his press conference in television news.
I wish our politicians could stop playing outdated racial politics and focus on important national issues.
Due to the pressure and criticism from the Chinese community, an apology has been offered to the Chinese community by Deputy Prime Minister a.k.a UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Tun Razak for the racist remark made by Bukit Bendera UMNO division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail.
But the incident does not end with the apology offered by Najib. Leaders of different Chinese political parties think that the apology should have come from the person who made the allegation. They said that Ahmad must face the people and ask for forgiveness himself. At the same time, they want UMNO or Barisan National takes disciplinary action against him and he should also be subjected to sedition charge.
Today, Ahamd told the media that he refused to apologise for his racist remark. He was quoted in a news report from The Star online that "Why should I apologise? I didn't do anything wrong. Those who do wrong should apologise but I haven't done anything." Although PM has already "advised" Ahmad not to repeat such remark, and DPM also apologised to the people on behalf of him, and there are five police reports lodged against him under the Sedition Act, but he still does not regret for what he has done. I wonder what makes him so "brave" to not admit his mistake.
Based on the current situation, the controversy will remain unresolved even if Ahmad willing to apologise. UMNO has to take disciplinary action against him, then only UMNO can rebuild its image and gains back people's support. At the same time, it can be a warning to deter other politicians from making racist remark in the future.
Ahmad responded to the media that he is not going to apologise as he didn't do anything wrong (Picture: Sin Chew Daily).
During a speech in Permatang Pauh by-election on 25th of August, Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail said Chinese were "squatters" and "as the Chinese were only immigrants it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races". On 30th of August, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said he will personally meet Ahmad and advise him not to repeat his racist remarks. Ahmad's allegation has angered the Chinese community. Leaders from different political parties request Ahmad to apology for his allegation. However, up till now he has not offered an apology to the Malaysian Chinese.
Apart from offering apology, MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Kiat said disciplinary action should be taken against Ahmad. Ong was quoted in a news report from The Star online that "Each component party should have an internal mechanism to take disciplinary action against any party member who makes racist remarks."
Meanwhile, another MCA vice-president Datuk Fong Chan Onn said the government should consider charging Ahmad with sedition.
Will UMNO president aka Prime Minister of Malaysia consider the suggestions of MCA vice-presidents? I wonder......
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was at the scene when Ahmad was making his racist remark. However, Najib did not say anything on the issue. Does it mean that Najib feels it is OK for Ahmad to make such remark? I am just wondering......
As the politicians in a multiracial country, they should beware of their words and actions to avoid racial tension and to maintain racial unity. Ahmad is not the first politician who has insulted other race.
I personally agree with Ong that disciplinary action should be taken against any party member who makes racist remark. An apology will not deter politicians from making racist remarks again as we can see the example mentioned above.
All politicians should bear in mind that it is difficult to build and maintain racial unity, but it is easy to destroy racial unity by irresponsible words or actions. The result of March 2008 general election shows that Malaysians are not interested in racial politic anymore. If those politicians still do not understand and accept the message from the people, and keep indulging in racial politic, their destinies again will be decided by the people in the next general election.
In 1998, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad established Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) for the purpose of accelerating the economic development. At that time, Tun Dr Mahathir promised that there would be no censorship of the internet in order to attract and secure foreign investment.
But today, the government breaks the promise by shutting down Malaysia Today. I believe it would affect the credibility of the government and also frighten the foreign investors.
Stifling Freedom of Speech Basically, our freedom of speech and expression is protected under the Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which stated that " Every one has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
However, there are too many existence laws to restrict the freedom of speech/expression, which are the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Sedition Act, the Defamation Act, and the Official Secret Act (OSA).
Moreover, the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) is used to regulate the print media while the broadcast media is being regulated by the Communications and Multimedia Act. The licence of the print or broadcast media can be revoked anytime if they 'do something wrong' in their publication or broadcast. Well, it depends on the discretion of the Home Affairs Minister and the Energy, Water, and Communication Minister, which means the reason to revoke media's licence can be subjective.
The online media should be free from any rules and regulations. However, the condition has changed after Raja Petra was being investigated under the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 for his 'seditious' article on his blog.
So, how much freedom do we have to express our views and opinions?
The existence laws are more than enough to bring a person to face law suit if he or she breaks the laws. But the action of shutting down Malaysia Today is unacceptable and it has been seen as a further suppression on alternative voice. Democracy in Malaysia seems to be moving backward. Curbing on freedom of speech and expression will not help in fostering democracy in our country.
Bloggers, take good care of yourself!
P/S: Under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998:
1) A person who
a)by means of any network facilities or network service or applications service knowingly-
(i) makes, creates or solicits; and (ii) initiates the transmission of, any comment, request, suggestion or other communication which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass another person person; or
b) initiates a communication using any applications service, whether continuously, repeatedly or otherwise, during which communication may or may not ensue, with or without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at any number or electronic address,
commits an offence.
2) A person who knowingly
(a) by means of a network service or applications service provides any obscene communication for commercial purposes to any person; or
(b) permits a network service or applications service under the person's control to be used for an activity described in paragraph (a),
commits an offence.
(3) A person who commits an offence under this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction
Prime Minister DatukSeriAbdullah Ahmad Badawitook commuter and LRT rail services on last Friday to experience the transport problems faced by the public. His comment was "unsatisfied service". I am one of the commuter and LRT users. I always take LRT to reach KL Sentral, and then change to commuter to reach college. The commuters always delayed or canceled. Most of the time, the platform was crowded due to delay or cancellation of trains. When the next train came, people pushed their way in and would not give way to the disembark passengers. In the crowded train, passengers need to beware of pick pocket and female passengers need to beware of lecher.
There are signboards in the trains indicate that we need to give seats to the person with disabilities, pregnant women, elders and persons who carry children. However, I used to see people who were sitting pretended sleeping when they saw pregnant woman stood in front of them. When the pregnant woman left, they awoke and read newspaper or listened to MP3.
One day, if you got the same experience as mine, you may feel annoy in the beginning. But at the end of the day you will become apathetic when you experience all these consistently.
Two years ago, the government reduced oil subsidy and promised that the RM4.4 billion savings from the reduction in oil subsidy will be spent wisely in improving and upgrading the transportation system, including commuters, monorail, buses and LRT rail service. Abdullah was quoted in a news report from Bernama that "I hope the people will no longer question the money received. We will put the money to good use so as to improve the public transportation system in all states." Since Abdullah has already experienced the public transport which is not up to the expectation, shall the people (tax payers) question where does the RM4.4 billion gone?
There was no queue when passengers were waiting for the commuter at KL Sentral station.(Photo taken by Claire)
This is a letter from a commuter user to express his dissatisfaction towards the commuter service. It was published in The Sun, dated 21st of August, page 17.
