Neo-Soul artiste banned by No-Soul country

Technorati tags: Erykah Badu, Concert Ban, Yorais, Neo Soul, No Soul

That’s about the only headline missing from reports around the globe about Malaysia banning the performance by Erykah Badu, slated for later this evening.

And that’s exactly the headline Walski thinks most appropriately describes what happened yesterday, when the already infamous #yorais announced that the concert would not be allowed to go on.

Rais: Bigger  problem with Muslims if Erykah Badu concert allowed

Datuk Seri Rais Yatim justified on Twitter today the cancellation of Erykah Badu’s concert, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow, saying that if the concert had been allowed to go ahead, it would have created “a bigger and prolonged problem”.

“The ‘Allah’ graphic on the singer’s body will surely create religious controversies among Muslims who do not appreciate such practice.

“The cancellation of the concert is based on justification, if continued, will create a bigger and prolonged problem,” he said in a post on the micro-blogging site this afternoon.

The information, communications and culture minister had earlier today announced on his official Twitter page that the concert has been banned after a photograph revealing a tattoo on the American R&B singer with the Arabic word for “Allah”, or God, appeared in English-language daily The Star yesterday.
(source: The Malaysian Insider)

Assuming it ever had one, this damned country has totally lost its soul.
(a country with an evaporated soul, and more, in the full post)

Sure, we’ve got great infrastructure, complete with potholes, and a an abundance of uneven manhole orifice covers strewn all over our  roads. But gazing at the splendor of the KL skyline only gets you so far.

Walski’s Facebook and Twitter friend, the very prolific Art Harun, had this to say this morning:

We ban a singer with an Allah tattoo. We objected against Valentines day celebration. 40 yr old sex education book - we ban. We assisted in a kidnapping of a visitor to our country. We look with askance at electronic Bibles. And TV3, at 6.50am today discussed bras from Indonesia which apparently could cure cancer. Sometime I think the NFC project is a big prank and all of us are actually the cows.
(Art Harun, via Facebook)

In which case, grazing at the splendor of the KL skyline only gets you so far, if what Art says is true…

What has Malaysia turned into?

Some dare venture that we’re fast becoming another Saudi Arabia – minus, of course, the sand and the almost-unlimited supply of black gold, and unbridled male tribal chauvinism.

Frankly, if you were to ask Walski, Rais Yatim is merely the manifestation of the kind of knee-jerk conservatism that has gripped the nation, which is fast squeezing the very soul out of it. Of course, he opens himself up to ridicule in the process. Someone’s gotta be the #yorais scapegoat, and it’s always better that a dinosaur be assigned the task.

The process of Malaysia transforming from a vibrant secular democratic country into a relgio-hypersensitive despot state didn’t happen overnight, nor did it begin in 2008, as some might think. Although, that said, the process certainly has accelerated since then.

No, from Walski’s observation, the process began in the late 1980’s when legitimacy for increased Islamization was given on a constitutional amendment platter (albeit unintentionally), topped off with that infamous declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic state. Both, for no other reason than short-sighted political expediency. We are today enjoying the fruits, rotten even before they are ripe for the picking.

We have a situation today where anything with the slightest whiff of even coming close to touching the hypersensitivities of “Muslims” gets nipped in the bud. Faster than you can painfully scream ‘castration’.

And while the political bastards politicians play the game of “if PAS can do it, UMNO can do it more drastically” one-upsmanship, the soul of this nation evaporates, leaving the loud self-proclaimed majority in this country wallowing in glee, concerned with the nether regions of high profile personalities. All the while oblivious to the damage their almost voyeuristic obsession creates.

No-Soul trumps Neo-Soul

As far as Walski is concerned, Malaysia has pretty much become a lifeless shell, glittery on the outside, festering and rotting beneath the epidermis. And you don’t even have to peel that much off before the stench permeates, and overwhelms you with flustered frustration.

And then you sit there wondering why the Malaysian diaspora is so unwilling to return?

Another individual, prolific in his own country Pakistan, a college friend of Walski’s, once commented that from what he has seen, Kuala Lumpur is a beautiful city that he would like to spend more time in. But the friend asked this question: “but what does Kuala Lumpur have to feed my soul?”

At the time, some weeks ago, Walski was hard-pressed to answer. If asked the same question again today, he’d have no hesitation to say, “Nothing. Like the rest of this country, whatever little we had resembling a soul, we’ve sold to the Devil. In God’s name”.

Seriously… soul, my friend? What soul?

For to ban a neo-soul artist, simply on the superficial basis of an offending tattoo, if we aren’t already, Malaysia is fast becoming a country without the semblance of a soul… whatever life it used to have quickly evaporating into a murky, misty, long forgotten past that can never be reborn.

Click here for the full post......

Post-901 A.B.U. teeter-totter blues…

Technorati tags: Malaysia, Politics, ABU, Anything But UMNO

Anyone expecting a lull in the hyperactive Malaysian political scene once 901 was out of the way must be disappointed. In fact, knowing the nature of the beast, the word ‘lull’ doesn’t exist in the Malaysian political vocabulary.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately – but not the fake type the MI-6 planted in Russia – you’d probably have come across the acronym A.B.U. at some point.

It stands for Asal Bukan UMNO or Anything But UMNO, an initiative trying to ensure that come the next General Elections (GE13), the Malaysian people revoke the card blanche given to the party for the last half a century.

Granted, the argument  against such kinds of initiatives is usually that UMNO’s rule is by virtue of its cooperation with other component parties within Barisan Nasional (BN), everyone knows who really calls the shots.

As with any initiative that’s political in nature, ABU has its supporters and detractors. It wouldn’t be Malaysia if that weren’t the case.

But before he states his stand on A.B.U., Walski would like to share a back-and-forth exchange between two prominent personalities, both of whom he knows personally…
(ABU this, ABU that, and what Walski’s own stand is, in the full post)

The two personalities Walski refers to are Anas Zubedy and Haris Ibrahim. This past week, there was an exchange between the two gentlemen about A.B.U., with Anas stating why he did not agree with it, and Haris explaining why the initiative was important.

You can find the exchange in the following (in chronological order):

• Why I disagree with ABU (via Free Malaysia Today)
• Why I disagree with Anas Zubedy (via The People's Parliament)
• A note to Haris Ibrahim (via Free Malaysia Today)
• Dear Anas (via The People's Parliament)

First off, allow Walski to express his opinion that the above is the way to have a disagreement on something. Articulately, without going into ad hominem rhetoric, something that's unfortunately all too typical of a lot of 'Net discourse these days.

In summary, Anas’ initial points were that he disagreed with the assumption that everyone in UMNO is bad, and the notion of the need to get rid of UMNO wholesale.

Anas’ standpoint is that a representative should be voted based on the individual’s merit and not based on his or her party affiliation.

Much has been commented about why Anas is taking this stand, including insinuations that his main reason is to protect his rice bowl.

Walski won’t comment on what these commenters think, as the criticism seems to be based more on their suspicion about Anas’ motives. The Anas Walski knows is a centrist, who always prefers the middle ground, a stand he tries to articulate with his opposition to A.B.U..

On the other hand, Haris Ibrahim is of the opinion that UMNO has been given too much leeway, and in the process has used their position in power to their own benefit. More specifically, to the benefit of the elite within the party, not necessarily the general membership Melayu types.

And while Haris doesn’t exactly say outright that all and sundry within UMNO are bad people, he does make a valid point in stating that the inaction and silence of the “good people” against the actions of their party that can and have been construed as being less than savory puts them in a position of collusion. A case in point, the Peaceful Assembly Bill.

Haris has been consistent in his stand on numerous issues over the years that Walski’s known him, and his stand on why ABU is an important initiative doesn’t surprise Walski one iota.

So, you’re probably wondering right about now where Walski stands in all this. Before he clears that question up, allow him to share something that writer (and Walski’s Facebook friend) Kee Thuan Chye wrote, which was subsequently published by Free Malaysia Today.

Umno is beyond redemption. At its general assembly in December, the message it sent out was suspicion of others and hatred for them, and a desperate desire to win the next general election.

Its president, Najib Tun Razak, once again proved what many of us have long suspected – that he is a dissembler. He exposed the ultimate lie behind his 1Malaysia slogan by saying things that would divide the races rather than bring them together. He set the trend for delegates at the assembly to harp on the threats to Umno from other races. It was disgraceful coming from the prime minister of the country. It was supremely irresponsible.

Worse, two days after the assembly ended, he appealed to the right-wing NGO Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida) for support. This has to be the final nail in the 1Malaysia coffin.

To cap it all, Umno showed its partiality to cronyism by defending Wanita leader Shahrizat Abdul Jalil over the scandal surrounding her family’s business, the National Feedlot Corporation. One or two colleagues called for her to step down, but the overwhelming majority stood by her and castigated the opposition for exposing the scandal.

This begs the question: Can Umno change? As the major party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, can it truly stand up for other races as well, and work for their well-being? Can it stay clear of corrupt practices? Can it stop dishing out favours and projects to party leaders and their cronies? Can it save Malaysia from financial meltdown or will it rather bleed our coffers dry?
(source: Free Malaysia Today)

Read the rest of the essay. It articulates quite closely why Walski supports ABU.

Can UMNO change? And if it can, what will it transform into?

Thus far, the transformation that Najib has touted seems to be more rhetoric than reality. In fact, it’s like a game of bait and switch – lure us into believing that his party can transform itself, and then find out UMNO has indeed transformed, but into something uglier and nastier instead. The Najib administration can best be described as one making few steps forward, but several more steps in retreat.

When the 901 verdict was announced, Najib was quick to proclaim that the verdict cleared BN (read: UMNO/BN) of any conspiracy claims.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called rival Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal over a sodomy charge today an exoneration for the political conspiracy claims hurled at the Barisan Nasional government.

“Today’s verdict shows once again that, despite what many have claimed, the Malaysian judiciary is an independent institution where neither politics nor politicians have any influence over the dispensation of justice,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by Bernama Online today.

The prime minister added the ruling in favour of the opposition leader was testimony of his administration’s adherence to the tenet of separation of powers.
(source: The Malaysian Insider)

A wiser politician would have taken this small “victory” and move on to bigger and better reforms, as promised. Regardless of how his own party felt.

True, the prosecution has the right of appeal, a right which was exercised at literally the eleventh hour. It’s the timing that raises questions, as does the filing of another acquittal appeal (via The Malaysian Insider), involving another prominent opposition figure, Karpal Singh. Both appeals were filed on the same day.

Personally, Walski does think the speculation that Najib has relented to the wishes of UMNO (via The Malaysian Insider) has merit. He bases this on what’s been ‘said’ by UMNO’s voice on the Internet, the legion of Unit Media Baru (or UMB, UMNO’s ‘Net warrior division, so to speak). The tone exhibited since even before the trial began in February 2010 indicates that the UMB were promoting the idea that Anwar was guilty, regardless of what evidence would surface.

And since the UMB is a sanctioned organ of UMNO, it is therefore reasonable to surmise that UMB reflects the party as a whole, and  the party wants Anwar Ibrahim out of the nation’s political picture. Similar case with Karpal Singh. The real reason may not be known, but Walski suspects that UMNO is indeed afraid of any strong opposition. And indications are that UMNO’s opposition is indeed gaining traction.

And then there’s the scandals.

The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) Cowgate saga is but the most recent of scandals related to those closely associated with BN. And Walski suspects that it won’t be the last.

Tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary will be allowed to take full control of Proton through a mandatory general offer after Khazanah Nasional Berhad announced today the sale of its 42.7 per cent stake in the national carmaker to DRB-Hicom for RM1.3 billion.

In a statement today, Khazanah said its stake would be sold to DRB-Hicom for RM5.50 per share or RM1.291 billion, subject to approval of the latter’s shareholders.

“Upon completion of the sale and purchase agreement, DRB-HICOM will be obliged to undertake a mandatory general offer on the remaining PROTON shares,” Khazanah said.

Khazanah managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar called the sale a significant milestone in moves to place government-linked companies (GLCs) on a more competitive footing.
(source: The Malaysian Insider)

Is this another scandal in the making? Khazanah (which for all practical purposes is taxpayer-funded) selling off Proton at an apparent loss to a GLC very closely linked to UMNO (via Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH). Nevermind the mumbo-jumbo crypto-math that Khazanah has used to justify that the divestment was actually profitable.

Scandal or not, it certainly is a favor-ridden business deal given to a party-linked crony. And if Proton still cannot hold its own after this, then what? Another bailout?

UMNO has pretty much ruled Malaysia since day one of Malaya’s formation in 1957, through the Alliance initially, and today through Barisan Nasional (BN). That’s 54 years of rule.

Many within the party – as evidenced by the vibes Walski gets from the UMB fellers – feel that UMNO ruling the country is the only acceptable scenario. It has pretty much become a given. Worse, it has become, to many in the party, almost a God-given right.

In imposing that right, religion is naturally brought into the picture. From what Walski reads from the UMB, the real religionists we need to be afraid of are those from UMNO. In their rhetoric, the UMB belittles PAS for not implementing hudud. And since the UMB speaks on behalf of UMNO, don’t be surprised if UMNO seem to be the ones really championing hudud and an Islamic state, something PAS has all but officially abandoned.

And will we really see the repeal of draconian laws, such as the ISA, as promised by Najib last year? Walski would really have liked to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Until he read this (emphasis by myAsylum):

Laws should not be amended if they are seen to be in the interest of the people, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

The prime minister said laws should be retained if society says they should be maintained.

He was responding to a statement by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in an interview with a foreign television station recently on the need to amend laws which he perceived as archaic.
(source: The Malaysian Insider)

Indications are that the promise of repeal may remain just that – a promise. One that is not kept, since “public interest” in this country is generally not determined by the people per se, but by some people with vested interests.

And more often than not, these some people are UMNO-affiliated, in one shape or form.

Granted Malaysia is finally no longer in a state of emergency, something we’ve apparently been in for a long period of time, much longer than the actual emergencies decades ago. And for that, Walski will give Najib credit.

Well, Walski is a "part of society", too, and he thinks that these draconian laws should be done away with. And he is certain that a significant portion of society feels the same way. UMNO does not the entire society make, and he knows very well the opposition those within the party have against repeal.

But you know, give any political party or coalition 54 years, and in all likelihood you’ll get what Malaysia has today with the UMNO-led BN. Should there come a day when BN no longer rules, Walski does hope the coalition becomes an effective opposition, just so that the required checks and balances in a democracy are kept in place.

So, why does Walski support ABU? It is for the aforementioned reasons, and one other very crucial one – as long as UMNO/BN rules, there will always be a Malay agenda, a Chinese agenda, Islamic agendas, Indian agendas, allegations of Christian agendas, and what not.

But there will never be a sincerely championed Malaysian agenda. And that is the real-political implication of UMNO continuing to be in power, as far as Walski is concerned.

The 1Malaysia initiative is wonderful rhetoric, but the reality is that it is more rhetoric than a sincere Malaysian agenda. Perkasa, and an “I am Malay first” future PM waiting in the wings are some proofs Walski has to offer.

And that is why he supports the Anything But UMNO initiative.

Anas Zubedy may have made a valid point in saying that we should always vote a suitable candidate and not vote based on the party a candidate is affiliated with. In a more perfect democracy, that may be true. Malaysia’s democracy is far from perfect, and at times, appears to not even look like a democracy.

Once elected, that candidate, no matter how credible or otherwise, becomes a spokesperson for his or her party. That’s the reality of Malaysian politics as it stands today.

Until that changes, and an MP can truly represent his or her constituents without having to kow-tow to party wishes, the only way to ensure UMNO is no longer given a blank check to govern is to vote them out of government.

Hence A.B.U., and why Walski’s stand pertaining to it.

Finally, here’s a response to A.B.U. – an ugly incident that happened last night in Klang. Oddly enough, Selangor police claim that this did NOT happen (via Free Malaysia Today).

YouTube sure has an uncanny way of capturing and displaying things that never happened. It must have technology to tap moving images from our deepest, darkest, and most mischievous sub-conscious.

Need Walski say anymore?

Click here for the full post......

Lies the UMB-eciles tell...

Technorati tags: UMB, UMBeciles, Fascism, Decepticons

UMNO's New Media Unit - or Unit Media Baru (UMB) - is a cyber unit set up by the party to counter what they consider "opposition propaganda". And as it turns out, they do this - quite consistently - by twisting facts, spreading half-truths, and in this case making up stories.

UMB, or UMBeciles as Walski calls them, is essentially a network of pro-UMNO blogs that use cross-posting to spread their poison across cyberspace, with many of these bloggers also having a presence on Twitter, using the service to promote their posts.

And why do they resort to such underhanded tactics? Well, Walski doesn't call them UMBeciles for nothing. They are mindless cyber-guns (or goons) for hire, and essentially do what they're told to do - discredit the opposition. And they do it with impunity.

Ironically, the guy who heads the UMBeciles, an exco member in UMNO's Youth Wing, portrays himself as holier-than-holy, proving once again these scum are nothing but a bunch of worthless hypocrites...

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

Umno blogs used chess champion’s picture to attack Guan Eng’s son, says DAP

A girl whose photograph was used by Umno bloggers to level accusations of sexual harassment against Lim Guan Eng’s son has been identified as 21-year-old chess Grandmaster Anya Sun Corke.

Corke, who represents England in chess, has no ties with Penang and has never been a classmate of Lim’s son as alleged by Umno blogs, the DAP said in a press conference in Parliament today.

The girl is understood to be currently an undergraduate of Wellesley College in the United States.

Pro-Umno bloggers including Bukit Gelugor Umno division chief Dr Novandri Hasan Basri had claimed that the Penang chief minister’s son had assaulted a 16-year-old schoolmate and tried to escape punishment by using his father’s name.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua (picture) showed a press conference today screenshots from Dr Novandri’s and Papagomo’s blog and pictures from www.chessbase.com said to be of a 21-year-old Anya Corke.

“The chess board has been edited from the picture. This proves beyond doubt that the accusations by these Umno cybertroopers are nothing but barbaric lies.

“They have attempted to defame the 16-year-old son of Lim Guan Eng and humiliate his family with a completely fictitious sexual harassment story,” the Petaling Jaya Utara MP said. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a1f3o7

Click here for the full post......

Malaysia, Human Rights, and the Zen of Idiocy

Technorati tags: Human Rights, Imran Khan, Idiocy, Hypocrisy

This is the second high profile lawyer-non-grata case that Malaysia has gotten herself embroiled in recently, the first being the French human rights lawyer back in July .

It really boggles the mind to think that this nation has regressed to this extent. Worse than a communist despotic state, sometimes. And yet, Malaysia holds a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

So, is Walski to understand that Malaysia promotes human rights outside its borders, but within it cares fuck all?

Read the rest of the opinion piece below, which is, quite frankly, an eye-opener about a country that bends over backwards to portray itself as something it's not...

Amplify’d from www.guardian.co.uk

On being detained at Kuala Lumpur airport

In the Hollywood film The Terminal Tom Hanks plays (with obligatory mangled foreign accent) a character who is trapped in New York's JFK airport. Last week, I had a similar experience at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Malaysia. Whereas Tom Hanks's character spends years trapped, I was only there for a few hours. The episode was both humiliating and enlightening. I had been engaged by a Malaysian lawyer, Waytha Moorthy, to look into taking action against the British government for its role in the exploitation of Indian Hindus during Malaysia's period as a colony, and its failure to protect their rights when independence was declared in 1957.

Ethnic Indians make up just over 6% of Malaysia's 28.3 million people, while Muslim Malays account for just over 61% and ethnic Chinese some 25%. A coalition led by the United Malays National Organisation has ruled since independence, which, according to Moorthy, had led to widespread human rights violations and discrimination of the Indian Malaysian population. About 70% live in abject poverty and one in six are effectively stateless as they are denied a birth certificate. Moorthy originally lodged his action on the 31 August 2007, the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence.

However, the claim stalled following the arrest of the lawyers involved under a draconian piece of legislation called the Internal Security Act. Moorthy had demanded compensation for Indian Malaysians whose ancestors were brought in by the British government as indentured labour. The claim was that, after granting independence, the British had left the Indians without representation and at the mercy of the Malays.

So, the plan was to visit Malaysia and gather evidence and claims that would form the foundation of the case. A recent case involving individuals tortured by British soldiers in colonial Kenya gave fresh impetus to the proceedings. My pending arrival in Malaysia had received advance publicity from local police who had sought to intimidate organisers of the venue where I was expected to meet potential claimants. There was, therefore, some trepidation when I presented myself to the immigration desk on arrival at KLIA. Read more at www.guardian.co.uk

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a1bxps

Click here for the full post......

It's just politics, nothing more and nothing less...

Technorati tags: Anwar Ibrahim, Political Conspiracy, Sham Trial, John Malott

Reading this article, written by John Malott, former US ambassador to Malaysia, what Walski chose as a title for this Amp-clipping was the first thing that came to mind.

And is he surprised? Not one itsy-bitsy iota.

Of course, many will take this as Walski being a die-hard fan and supporter of Anwar. Well, Walski certainly isn't.

Many people, however, have lost sight of what "fairness" means; it simply does not exist in their vocabulary. Or, at least, these many people have a totally skewed definition of the word. Fairness, to them, is when circumstances go their way.

So yeah, Walski's not surprised - UMNO's shit-scared of Anwar, and will do anything within their means to try to put the former Deputy PM away. Just like they did the first time around.

And that, to UMNO is fair. By their definition anyway...

Amplify’d from www.malaysia-chronicle.com

Malott drops a bombshell: A secret pact between Najib and Anwar

Today I read Anwar Ibrahim’s statement from the docket.

Anwar said that it all is a political conspiracy against him.

And I agree.

After all, I was the American Ambassador to Malaysia when all of these things happened the first time around.

As people know, the American Embassy has many sources of information.

Just ask Wikileaks.

Malaysians love to talk….

As so many of my friends in Malaysia know, I have been very outspoken in support of Anwar’s freedom for over one decade. And that is because I know the truth. I was there when it happened the first time.

In 1998 – the first time around for Anwar – my Embassy heard and reported lots of things. We knew the truth. Because Malaysians – at the highest levels -- told us.

When I was in KL, Najib’s personal think tank was called the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, or MSRC. MSRC basically was two people, Rohanna Mahmood and Razak Baginda.

Neither Rohanna nor Razak are government officials, so I am not violating any US laws by revealing what they told me and my Embassy in those days.

A secret pact

In 1998 Rohanna joined me for a private one-on-one luncheon at the Ambassador ‘s residence. It was during the time when Anwar was starting to challenge Mahathir, subtly but still obviously.

Rohanna told me that Najib and Anwar had reached a secret agreement. When Mahathir was gone, Anwar would be PM and Najib would be Deputy PM. That was the deal.

That never happened, of course. When the going got tough, Najib stood by, and let Anwar go to jail.

What about Razak Baginda?

He told a senior Embassy officer, “The decision has been made. They are going to “nuke” Anwar politically for all time to come. “Until he can never stand up again politically.”

100 years

Meaning, it was all a political decision – to destroy Anwar.

That is what Razak – now in self-imposed exile in London -- said.

After that, a senior officer in the Special Branch told an Embassy officer, “We are going to keep filing charge after charge after Anwar so he will be in jail for the next hundred years.”

Can there be any doubt about what was going on then – and what is going on now? Read more at www.malaysia-chronicle.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a1bqwr

Click here for the full post......

Poll Position: The Teoh Beng Hock RCI - Conclusion, yes, but is there closure?

Technorati tags: Poll Position, MACC, Teoh Beng Hock, Royal Commission of Inquiry

The subject of myAsylum’s most recent poll: your thoughts on the outcome of the Teoh Beng Hock Royal Commission of Inquiry. The poll closed at midnight this past Friday, and the results have been tabulated.

Quite overwhelmingly, the respondents were dissatisfied with the outcome of the inquiry. Looking at dissatisfaction in general, 92% felt dissatisfied to some degree, with a very large segment (81%) expressing total dissatisfaction. Only about 8% of respondents where satisfied to some degree, with only one respondent expressing complete satisfaction.

The actual results had 60 respondents choose one of the four responses. Two respondents, selected ‘Other’ and providing the following responses:

• bull shit RCI – it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to analyze that this pretty much meant 100% Not Satisfied.
• it’s open ended. anyone to be charged? – Walski made a decision to regard this as Somewhat Not Satisfied.

Granted that this was a simple straw poll, but it does reflect what Walski has read online – that the RCI brings us nowhere near to bringing the sad saga of Teoh Beng Hock to closure.
(no closure, and not much remorse, in the full post)

Walski is not sure if you have read the full Royal Commission’s report, which he had put up in the posting announcing the poll last week. Personally, Walski was somewhat satisfied, BUT only in as far as the commission laying accountability on the officers involved with the TBH interrogation. He was NOT satisfied with the finding that TBH committed suicide.

It’s one thing that a layperson like Walski thinks so, but quite another when a similar opinion was expressed by someone more knowledgeable in the area of law.

A respected former senior judge has branded the three judges on the Teoh Beng Hock royal commission of inquiry (RCI) “three blind mice” for concluding that the political aide committed suicide despite lacking expert opinion. Former High Court and Court of Appeal judge Datuk N. H. Chan said the commission had “no business” forming such an opinion as none of the experts it called upon gave the opinion that Teoh committed suicide.

He pointed out that this went against Section 45 of the Evidence Act 1950, which states that when a court has form an opinion on a point of science, the opinions of experts are relevant facts.

“Without any relevant fact, that is to say, without an opinion from an expert, a court is unable to form an opinion upon... the scientific point that Teoh Beng Hock took his own life. In this case, none of the experts gave the opinion that Teoh took his own life,” Chan said in an essay sent to The Malaysian Insider.
(source: The Malaysian Insider)

Pretty strong words, if you were to ask Walski. The former judge based his opinion on pertinent legal requirements. If you recall, an earlier Coroner’s Inquiry into the case concluded that Teoh Beng Hock died from neither homicide, nor suicide.

Understandably, the conclusion that the RCI has arrived at was not something the family of the late Teoh could accept either, and they are now considering whether or not to pursue a judicial review of the RCI’s conclusion and report.

Prime Minister Najib has urged Malaysians to not dispute the RCI report on Teoh (via Free Malaysia Today), stating that “the findings were based on truth”. Perhaps it would be a good thing for the PM to consider that another Royal Commission’s findings and recommendations were once upon a time disputed.

Walski reckons that it all depends on who the disputing party is, huh?

On a separate note, the MACC has responded by suspending the three officers named in the RCI report. But many Malaysians are probably asking: And then what?

In the meantime, as all of us are aware, another MACC interrogation resulted in an almost similar tragedy, ironically while the RCI was in session. So far, what the MACC has had to say is that they it study the report. Oh, and that the suspension of the three officers will not damage the morale of the commission.

Not exactly a show of remorse, if you ask Walski. Nor has there been any apology from the Malaysian government. But then again, that’s Malaysia for you – it’s probably easier to squeeze water out of a rock than it is for someone to say they’re sorry.

What happens next? Reckon that we’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully, something really positive comes out of this latest RCI. But based on the track record of recent RCIs, Walski isn’t about to hold his breath any time soon.

Click here for the full post......

Opinion Poll: Are you satisfied with the Teoh Beng Hock RCI outcome?

Technorati tags: Opinion Poll, Teoh Beng Hock, Royal Commission Of Inquiry, RCI Report

Earlier this week on Thursday, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock released its report.

In case you haven’t done it yet, the full report (courtesy of YB Lim Kit Siang) can be found in the full post.

The gist of the report: that Teoh was driven to suicide by the intense interrogation by the MACC. Another key point revealed by the report is that the investigation into alleged corruption by Teoh’s boss, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong, was launched by a senior Selangor MACC officer merely ‘on an informant’s “mere belief” and without supporting facts’ (via The Malaysian Insider).

The question, and subject of our latest poll, that Walski wants to ask you: are you satisfied with the outcome of the RCI? 

The poll is located at its usual place on this blog (top of the sidebar on the right). Walski launched it yesterday, and it will remain open until midnight next Friday, July 29.  
(the RCI report, and more, in the full post)

Walski thought it would be a good idea to have you read the report for yourself, and therefore has presented it below, in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Report of the Royal Commission of Enquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock

Laporan Suruhanjaya DiRaja untuk menyiasat kematian Teoh Beng Hock

The commission's findings, although clearly stating that the MACC is indeed accountable for Teoh's demise, points to the conclusion that Teoh did indeed commit suicide. Understandably, this is something that his family simply cannot accept. What action the late Teoh’s family will take is left to be seen. Reports indicate that the family will await the advice of their legal counsel before proceeding any further.

As far as our poll goes, all the usual facilities apply – you can take the poll here, or at the Polldaddy.com hosting site. You can also host the poll on your own blog or website – if you have a Blogger-based blog, simply click the “Add to Blogger” button below the poll, and use the shortcode [polldaddy poll="5255827"], if yours is a Wordpress based one. Alternatively, if you need the raw HTML code for the poll, leave a comment and Walski will e-mail it to you.

So, what do you think – fully satisfied, fully dissatisfied, or somewhere in between?

Walski will post the results of the poll once it closes next Friday, and then he will reveal what he personally thinks.

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The "War General" (who decided to stay home) barks in retrospect

Technorati tags: Ibrahim Ali, Perkasa, Cowardice, Propaganda Tool

Yeah, yeah... it's Ibrahim Ali again. This time, he's calling for Ambiga S.'s citizenship to be revoked. What Walski would like to know: under what law?

This loud-mouth politician, plus his Perkasa crew, decided to not have a counter-rally. Neither did the silat proponents. Based on what was revealed on Malaysia-Today earlier, if true, their absence is not surprising, since their role was purportedly to instill fear, in hopes of dissuading Malaysians from participating.

Post-Bersih 2.0 rally, however, it looks like Ibrahim Ali continues the barking... Walski wonders if anyone's biting.

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

Ibrahim Ali wants Ambiga’s citizenship revoked

Datuk Ibrahim Ali wants Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan’s citizenship revoked, saying she had committed treason against royal institutions when she went ahead with Saturday’s rally.

According to Utusan Malaysia today, the Perkasa president said yesterday that Ambiga had chosen to defy the advice of both the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in proceeding with the rally.

“Ambiga was already granted the opportunity to meet with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong but in the end, chose to defy his majesty.

“If this was Thailand, people like her would have been banished and stripped of their citizenships,” the daily quoted Ibrahim as saying in a press conference.

The Malay rights leader, who had chosen to stay home on the day of the rally, also claimed of reports that Bersih 2.0’s participants had been paid to attend the mass event.

“Many participants who participated in this illegal rally were not even from Kuala Lumpur. They came from outside and were paid to join an illegal gathering.

“If they were not paid, no one would have joined,” Ibrahim (picture) was quoted as saying. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

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The anti-Bersih 2.0 Script

Technorati tags: RPK, Revelation, The Bersih Script, Government Propaganda

In some ways, you could view Malaysia-Today as a Malaysian version of Wikileaks (which the Malaysian government has blocked). And this latest revelation, if not entirely an eye-opener for some, does give credence to the suspicion that the anti-Bersih sentiment expressed through the mainstream print and electronic media has been orchestrated.

Reading the leaked communique below, you also get a sense that the UMNO/BN-led propaganda machine is stuck in a time-warp, and think that we're still in 1969.

What's been clipped below are merely the highlights of what Malaysia-Today has published. Do give the original article a read...

Amplify’d from malaysia-today.net

ALERT: Guidance on BERSIH Rally (RAHSIA)

GUIDANCE ON KEY ISSUES No 8/2011

Issue: BERSIH 2.0

By most accounts, the Bersih 2.0 protest on July 9 could turn out to be massive and will certainly go beyond issues of fair and free elections. With over 100 political, NGO and right groups could be joining the “March for Democracy”, we expect them to champion a slew of issues ranging from inflation to Teoh Beng Hock and Lynas. The protest, if not countered, could undermine the government, the economy and national security. This note sets out the policy guidance and the do’s and don’ts in managing the issue.

Advisory

The process of mind-conditioning will continue in the run-up to July 9. The process will include: 1.    Discredit the organisation and its key leaders. Bersih is neither registered with ROS nor ROC. It is NOT an election watchdog but a group of politicians and politically inclined individuals who lack credibility. 2.    Label the rally as “perhimpunan haram” or “illegal assembly”, and that the people behind Bersih are trouble shooters and going against the Constitution and the law to gain political mileage. 3.    That they are just a front for the opposition. 4.    Since DSAI is already “out of the race” for premiership, he has to resort to street protests because PR can’t win GE13 through ballot boxes. He is seeking a “short-cut” to Putrajaya via undemocratic and unconstitutional means. Remind people about his Sept 16 bluff.   5.    DSAI is also using this to shift the public attention away from his legal and moral woes. 6.    Create anxiety that Bersih is working for the interests of foreign elements, who are out to destabilise the country.  7.    That BERSIH is not bersih (clean) after all as it is an illegal group out to create havoc.

Do’s and Don’ts

1.    KDN Minister, IGP, DIG and Internal Security and Public Order Director to brief media editors at KDN. Use the meeting to reinforce the branding as “perhimpunan haram”, that Bersih is an unlawful organisation and the perpetrators are out to create chaos. 2.    KDN, which has jurisdiction over all print media, needs to exert its authority in ensuring the press toe the line.     3.    Confine politicians to just making political statements. Let the police do their job. 4.    PDRM can start calling up Bersih organisers based on the hundreds of police reports lodged so far. 5.    Encourage the use of 3rd party validators. 6.    Pre-empt chaos and disorder (fear paradigm). The “show of force” by UMNO or silat groups well before July 9 may be imperative to deter demonstrators. 7.    The soundbytes in our favour MUST come from across the country and across the ethnic lines. The soundbytes should not just be confined to the Malays or those residing in the Klang Valley. 8.    We must not allow the rally to be exploited by international elements. 9.    As a pre-emptive measure, the authorities should stop the launch of Perhimpunan Bersih 2.0   scheduled for 19 June at the Chinese Assembly Hall. Likewise, a related Perkasa event called “Lawan Perhimpunan Bersih” at the Sultan Sulaiman Club on the same day should also be halted. 10.    SPR should counter Bersih demands for free and fair elections by highlighting the various initiatives it has undertaken so far. Use the highly successful Sarawak PRN as its model. It should not meet up with Bersih people.

Recommended media treatment

1.     Media to highlight stories of how businesses, retailers, tourists, shoppers, motorists and ordinary people will be affected. (July is the peak month for Arab tourist arrivals; plus the top three EPL teams will also be in town in July). Malaysia will be in bad light if the teams skip KL on security grounds. 2.    Question the source of funding for Bersih. 3.    The media will primarily be targeting the trio: DSAI (who is capitalising on this ahead of his July 15 Sodomy 2 trial), the newly minted PAS deputy chief Mat Sabu (who is the budak suruhan DSAI and tali barut DAP) and Ambiga. 4.     We will encourage the media to use file photos of Ambiga with PR leaders to highlight her close association with them. Ambiga has the history of leading street protests when she was Bar Council president. 5.    The media to use less of the same old faces (eg Zul Nordin, Zahrain, Ibrahim Ali) as “attack dogs.” Try to tap fresh faces (eg BN Youth leaders, some NGOs). 6.    Friendly bloggers and cybertroopers will continue to be mobilised. 7.    TV stations to constantly play up images of ugly demos in other countries.

Desired outcome 1.    Neutralise the opposition noise. 2.    Reinforce the view that public sentiment is NOT with Bersih and the opposition. 3.    Send a strong message that the government is full control of the situation, that it will not tolerate trouble makers and those who undermine the rule of law. 4.    No apparent adverse impact on investor confidence or Malaysia’s political risks. Read more at malaysia-today.net

 

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