What ASLI report ?

This is what I dig from the ASLI report:

• Although the equity holding by Bumiputera has declined, the volume of wealth may not necessarily decline.
• Although the Chinese owns more than 40% of corporate equity, the Chinese have learned to create smart partnerships with influential Bumiputeras to protect their interest. Conclusively, the Chinese do not own a substantial amount of the economy as widely speculated.
• Market cap is not a true representation of wealth because of fluctuation of share prices. Private wealth must also be taken into consideration.
• The capital ownership of Bumiputera is 18.7%, which includes foreign interest of 28.8% and nominee companies of 9.2%. Not a true representation of ethic ownership. If these ownerships are taken out, Bumiputera equity holding is 30.2%.
• The decline of Chinese direct participation in sectors such banking, oil & gas, education and the more apparent presence of Bumiputera in key positions.
• The actual ownership of Bumiputera on the bourse is 45%, which means that the NEP has achieved its goal.
• ASLI has found that the NEP’s goal to nurture a selected few has failed.
• The NEP does not allow true entrepreneurial spirit and does not promote foreign investment.
• Non-Bumiputera enterprises have cherished in Malaysia because they are open to competition during the NEP implementation.
• SMEs of all races must be developed.
• Malay agenda has to be replaced with Malaysian agenda to futher grow the economy.

It’s hard to argue with reports churned by established institutions. However, after reading this report, I think more than half of the report is just plain rubbish (Tan Sri Muhyiddin, you da man). When the report argues that the Bumiputera usually benefit from divesting interest during public offerings and channeling their wealth to other avenues such as real estates and trusts, we have to also measure what is the current volume owned by the Chinese. Amanah Saham Nasional is not the only trust agency in Malaysia! You want to compare apple to apple, let’s open up all the accounts in all financial bodies and look at the true volume.

One contradiction I find in this report is that first it talked about how the Chinese usually look for influential Malays as partners to protect their interest. Then it talked about the rise of smart partnerships between Chinese and the Melayu Baru especially in manufacturing that contributes to the economy. Which is which??? So first kutuk the Malays because the NEP has not worked, and then puji the Malays again because we’re afraid that the Malay political masters will whack us?

The decline of ownership in anchor banks by the Chinese needs to be looked at from the perspective of market penetration, not ownership of individual banks. In other words, we don’t know whether 3 out of 10 banks are controlling the majority of the market or not.

It’s sick reading this report. It undermines the intelligence of the Malaysian community. I hope ASLI does not think that the Melayu Baru are as gullible or naïve. If we counter this report with another report, this will only start a chain reaction of academic discussions.

The MAJOR point of this whole issue is that we see the rise of the Chinese trying to speak up more about Malay rights in our Tanah Melayu or ‘Malay’sia. What are we going to do about it fellow Melayu Baru or Lama?????

ASLI's Major Finding

• The ownership of Bumiputera equity is largely contributed by participation of GLCs
• Corporate growth through debt was Government’s main strategy prior to 1997 crisis. Bumiputeras running large conglomerates took a big fall after.
• There is a new breed of Bumiputera from the middle class with sound education and access to human development opportunities to climb up in the private sector.

ASLI believes that the Government’s intention to redistribute wealth through affirmative action may jeopardize economic growth. ASLI says that the Government should focus on the growth of SMEs in the Ninth Malaysia Plan to promote genuine entrepreneurial capacity.

The objective of the NEP was to eradicate identification of race by economic functions. The NEP was to increase the economic ownership ration of 2.4:33:63 (Malay:Chinese:Indian) to 30:40:30. However, the Government was unclear of the method to be used to redistribute wealth. This would suggest that should one Bumiputera hold most of the 30% and other Bumiputera hold little or nothing, the goal would have been achieved. Following the implementation of this policy, the Bumiputera equity increased from 2.4% in 1970 to 18.7% in 2004 through GLCs and Government agencies. ASLI believes that the 18.7 percentage is deceiving.

The Malaysian Government through its numerous trust agencies and GLCs such as Khazanah, Petronas, PNB, MOF and others have acquired equity in companies as investment. Most are now major equity shareholders in these companies. The acquisition exercise includes participation by various State Economic Development Corporations (SEDC).

The Government has also used Bursa Malaysia as a platform to increase Bumiputera equity. During Tun Mahathir’s premiership in 1981, Tun Mahathir was of the opinion that the stock market was the avenue to create wealth for the Bumiputera by selectively choosing a small group of Malay businessmen and enabling them to use government-linked assets into the stock market. This resulted in swift corporate growth.

Another method was privatization. This involved the sale of government entities to selected Bumiputera businessmen. This resulted in a massive increase of Bumiputera equity in the early 1990s.

Legislation and enforcement agencies were established to maintain to enforce equity distribution among ethnic communities such as the Industrial Co-ordination Act 1975 and Securities Commission and Capital Issues Committee. The regulation includes a minimum equity holding of 30% by Bumiputera. MIT was responsible to ensure that companies going for listing either sell 30% of the equity to approved Bumiputera companies or 30% of the paid up capital is already owned by Bumiputera before listing.

Through these mechanisms, Bumiputera equity increased from 2.4% in 1973 to 20.6% in 1995 and 18.7% in 2004. Chinese equity went from 27.2% to 40.9% in 2004. In terms of value, Bumiputera held equity amounting to RM73.2billion in 2004 compared to RM447 million in 1970.

However, many recipients of share equity divested their interest for a huge profit. Much of the proceeds are rechanneled to Government trust agencies which provide a return of 12-18% per annum, much higher that commercial banks fixed deposits of 3-4%.

Some divestment found its way into the property sector. Value of properties owned by Bumiputera especially in prime areas have appreciated considerably. Bumiputera also enjoy discounts from purchase of real estates. Although the equity holding by Bumiputera has declined, the volume of wealth may not necessarily declined.

A survey of market capitalization of top companies in Bursa Malaysia done in 1993 indicated that the Government owns 40.5% of this equity. Another report indicated GLCs’ market cap amounted to RM260billion, or 36% of total market cap.

Although the Chinese owns more than 40% of corporate equity, the Chinese have learned to create smart partnerships with influential Bumiputeras to protect their interest. Conclusively, the Chinese do not own a substantial amount of the economy as widely speculated.

There is also a dispute in the NEP figures, that the true Bumiputera ownership of equity is 50%, according to Ramon Navaratnam. This is because equity owned by politicians in UMNO and other influential figures are hidden in nominee companies to conceal from scrutiny.

Bumiputera apportioned stock during public offerings are usually sold for a profit. The companies involved need to maintain the 30% Bumiputera equity as part of regulation. This means that although the Bumiputera ownership is seen to have dropped, the actual volume has increased.

Incentives and privileges for Bumiputera are prone to abuse. The access to wealth is usually privileged to middle and upper class Bumiputera, thus hindering the under-priveleged Bumiputera to improve their standard of living. Equitable distribution of wealth can only be done effectively if distributed based on income level.

The regulation of ensuring 30% of Bumiputera equity in foreign companies wanting to conduct business in Malaysia hinders foreign investment. This does not allow the company to truly reflect its true fund raising ability because of this artificial requirement. Not only that, hypermarkets are instructed to have 30% of their shelves allotted for Bumiputera SMEs. Numerous foreign companies are not keen of such regulation.

Bumiputera presence is also more apparent in emerging sectors, such as oil & gas, finance, banking and education. The staffing for big enterprises are usually Bumiputera. A number of large firms originally owned by foreigners or non-Bumi are now owned by Bumiputera or government control such as United Asian Bank, MISC, UMW, NSTP, MMC, Sime Darby, Golden Hope, UEM, Guthrie and others.

Bumiputera presence in executive positions is also more apparent especially in large enterprises such as PETRONAS, MAS and Maybank.

A huge decline of influence of non-Bumiputera is in the banking sector. Because of consolidation exercise, numerous non-Bumiputera-owned banks were under the direct control of less enterprising banks owned by Bumiputera, despite public outcry. Now there are only 3 Chinese-owned anchor banks. Among the ten anchor banks, the Government and Bumiputera own the rest of them.

The conventional method of Government’s initiative to boost up Bumiputera equity ownership through debt has taken a tremendous backlash, in particular, after the economic crash in 1997.

There is also an encouraging increase of inter-ethnic partnership since the 90’s. Because the NEP has so far uplifted the Bumiputera status and the creation of more well-educated middle and upper-class Bumiputera, Bumiputeras now are at par and have the ability to compete better. This now wealthier and smart Bumiputera are creating smart partnerships with non-Bumiputera especially in the area of manufacturing, suggesting that the trend of ‘Ali-Baba’ alliances are diminishing and a more productive business partnerships are being created.

Umno punca virus Rasuah

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Nov (Hrkh) - Rasuah dan penyalahgunaan kuasa begitu sinonim dengan Umno dan hakikat ini turut dipersetujui beberapa pimpinan parti itu yang sedang berkhidmat dengan kerajaan dan yang telah meninggalkan kerajaan.

Terbaru, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Mohammed Nazri Aziz dalam satu kupasannya yang disiar weblog Malaysia-today antara lain bersetuju dengan pandangan bahawa ahli Umno memang kebal dari sudut rasuah dan undang-undang.

Mengulas kenyataan itu, Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti-Korupsi (GERAK) bersetuju dengan kenyataan Mohammed Nazri yang menyatakan ahli Umno kebal daripada tindakan undang undang dan rasuah kerana Umno diterajui oleh Presiden yang juga Perdana Menteri.

Perdana Menteri menjadikan Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) di bawah bidang kuasanya sendiri yang akhirnya menjadikan badan itu tidak bebas kerana pertimbangan politik presidennya, kata Penyelaras Eksekutif GERAK, Badrul Hisham Shaharin.

"Rasuah sememangnya penyakit dalam Umno dan kerajaan tetapi mereka seolah-olah kebal daripada pendakwaan dan penguatkuasaan kerana penguasaan politik dan BPR yang tidak bebas dan jika ada pendakwaan atau tindakan ke atas mana-mana ahli Umno kerana rasuah itupun dilakukan berdasarkan tindakan politik," katanya.

Sebagai contoh kes membabitkan bekas Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Tan Sri Isa Samad yang dikenakan tindakan penggantungan kerana rasuah wang dalam pemilihan Umno.

Tindakan dibuat bukan kerana Isa bersalah, dan hampir semua ahli Umno tahu dan faham untuk memenangi apa jua jawatan khususnya diperingkat Pusat, rasuah pasti menjadi syarat kemenangan.

Bagaimanapun kata Badrul Hisham, hanya Isa dikenakan tindakan kerana pergeseran kem politik dalaman Umno itu sendiri.

Dalam kes ini Umno sudah tentu takut membuka pintu kepada BPR untuk masuk menyiasat kes tersebut kerana jika badan itu dibenarkan melakukan siasatan terbuka, nescaya hampir semua mereka yang bertanding akan dikenakan tindakan, katanya lagi.

"Malah semua perwakilan juga akan dikenakan tindakan kerana menerima, memberi dan meminta rasuah juga merupakan satu kesalahan mengikut definasi BPR," katanya.

Berhubung komen Mohammed Nazri yang menyatakan masalah dalaman Umno dan tidak bersangkutan dengan pentadbiran dan perundangan negara, GERAK berpendirian hujah itu sangat lemah dan dangkal.

"Umno parti pemerintah, sudah tentu rasuah dan penyelewengan dalam Umno melibatkan mereka yang memegang jawatan penting dalam kerajaan. Sudah tentu mereka menggunakan 'kemudahan dan kelebihan' mereka menduduki kerusi penting kerajaan untuk membolehkan mereka menjalankan jenayah tersebut.

"Maka rasuah dalaman Umno yang yang menjadi tradisi inilah yang menyebabkan punca kegiatan jenayah rasuah yang semakin tidak terbendung dalam kerajaan dan negara ini," katanya.

"Jika rasuah itu penyakit, Umno adalah punca pembawa virus rasuah dalam negara," katanya.

Justeru, GERAK mendesak Abdullah Badawi yang dikatakan menjalankan kempen antirasuah, serius dalam kempen antirasuahnya.

"Abdullah perlu berani membebaskan BPR daripada bawah cengkaman Presiden Umno dan meletakkan BPR bertanggungjawab penuh di bawah Parlimen," katanya. - lanh

AMKNS anjur dialog ekonomi dan pelancaran dana pilihan raya

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Okt (Hrkh) - Angkatan Muda KeADILan Negeri Sembilan (AMKNS) akan mengadakan dialog ekonomi dan pelancaran dana Pilihan Raya ke-12 pada 26 November ini di Dewan Sekolah Tinggi Chung Hwa, Seremban.

Menurut Setiausaha AMKNS, Amiruddin Wahab, dialog ekonomi dan pelancaran dana pilihan raya itu akan diadakan setelah melihat kelembapan dan kemelesetan ekonomi yang semakin meruncing kini.

Menurutnya, hampir seruluh rakyat mula merasa kesannya malah rakyat kini menanti satu penyelesaian jelas untuk membawa negara keluar dari kemelut ini, katanya.

Isu ini perlu diberi perhatian khusus menjelang pilihan raya ini yang semakin dekat, katanya kepada Harakahdaily hari ini.

Menginsafi perkembangan yang menghimpit rakyat itu maka AMKNS akan menganjurkan program untuk menjelaskan isu ekonomi dan ke arah persiapan pilihanraya dengan membariskan panelis
seperti Presiden KeADILan, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Pengerusi Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti Korupsi (Gerak), Mohamed Ezam Mohd Noor; serta Bendahari KeADILan, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Program julung kali itu akan bermula pada jam 3.00 petang hingga 7.00 petang dengan ucaptamanya akan disampaikan oleh Dr Wan Azizah.AMKNS menjemput seluruh pejuang reformasi dan rakyat mengikuti program tersebut yang akan menjanjikan pengetahuan bermakna kepada membina minda masyarakat, katanya.

Bagi yang berminat menyertai program ini boleh mendapatkan tiket dengan menghubungi Azizi (012-369 6474) sebelum 24 November ini, katanya.

FAKIR MISKIN : AMNS AKAN TEMUI MAINS DAN JKM NS

Angkatan Muda keADILan Negeri Sembilan (AMNS) akan memohonan temujanji untuk menemui Pengarah MAINS dan JKM NS untuk membincangkan isu fakir miskin di negeri ini.

Perjumpaan ini untuk membincangkan prosedur sebenar penyaluran bantuan dan kelayakan penerima bantuan dari kedua dua badan berkenaan, selain dari menyerahkan senarai fakir miskin yang telah di temui sepanjang jejak fakir AMNS yang diadakan sepanjang ramadhan lepas.

AMNS memohon untuk pertemuan tersebut di adakan sesegera mungkin kerana ada antara mereka yang kita senaraikan itu amat memerlukan bantuan segera, malah ada antara mereka gagal menghantar anak ke sekolah kerana kesempitan hidup.

Seperti Puan Salmah, dari Chuah, (Lukut, Port Dickson) seorang saudara baru yang di nafikan sebarang bantuan kerana tidak menghadiri kelas fardu ain amat mengecewakan. Dari tinjauan kami kegagalan puan salmah dan anaknya yang baru memeluk Islam bukan di sengajakan tetapi kerana kesempitan hidup malah tambang untuk menghadiri kelas juga tidak ada. Anak beliau juga tidak ke sekolah. Perkara ini tidak akan berlaku jika sistem pematauan bantuan dapat di pertingkatkan.

Malah amat memeranjatkan apabila AMNS melakukan lawatan ke rumah keluarga yang diberikan bantuan oleh agensi seperti Baitulmal Negeri Sembilan keadaan keluarga tersebut memiliki keperluan seperti kereta, motosikal, televisyen besar dan lain lain lagi. Dalam keadaan itu masih banyak pula bilangan keluarga miskin tegar yang memerlukan bantuan terbiar tidak mendapat bantuan.

Sepanjang bulan Ramadhan yang lepas AMNS telah melancarkan gerakan kebenaran dan kesedaran sempena ramadhan. Dalam kempen itu amns telah berjaya mengedarkan 50, 000 risalah mendedahkan penyelewengan dana khas yang sepatutnya digunakan untuk membantu rakyat miskin. Sebanyak RM 1 bilion wang rakyat miskin telah disalahgunakan oleh kerjaaan umno. Malah di negeri sembilan Menteri Besar telah menyelewengkan RM 4.5 juta wang rakyat miskin untuk mengubah suai rumahnya yang baru satu tahun siap. Jumlah wang yang banyak juga dibazirkan untuk membeli perabot pejabat kerajaan dan menempah iklan sambutan pemimpin. AMNS amat kesal dengan penyelewengan ini. Ternyata Menteri Negeri Sembilan yang berwajah kononya seorang tokoh korporat yang prihatin masalah rakyat tetapi ternyata menyeleweng dan membazirkan wang rakyat.

Dalam kempen yang sama juga di adakan program jejak fakir di mana AMNS menjejak golongan fakir untuk diberikan bantuan sebanyak 237 buah keluarga untuk diberikan bantuan namun kerana kekangan kewangan amns Cuma berjaya menyampaikan bantuan kepada 56 buah keluarga. Bantuan dalam bentuk barang makanan, bantuan kewangan dan baju raya ini di perolehi dari sumbangan ahli keADILan dan sumbangan orang ramai termasuk dalam bentuk Zakat, Fitrah dan Fidyah. Untuk itu kami mengucapkan terima kasih atas kesudian orang ramai menyalurkan bantuan. Insya Allah semua sumbangan tidak akan kami sia siakan.

Atas kejayaan program ini amns akan meneruskan program bantuan ini dengan program jom ke sekolah. Program jom ke sekolah ini akan di lancarkan untuk membantu anak – anak fakir miskin ini membeli peralatan dan keperluan sekolah.

Memang benar, yuran peperiksaan sekolah di mansuhkan tapi bagaimana dengan yuran sampingan seperti yuran majlis sukan, pibg, yuran kertas peperiksaan percubaan dan seumpamanya. Malah bagaimana mereka ini mungkin berdepan dengan pakaian sekolah dan peralatan sekolah yang semakin mahal. Kami merayu bagi pihak anak – anak keluarga miskin ini , kepada mereka yang berkemampuan sudilah membantu dengan menghulurkan bantuan dalam bentuk kewangan, peralatan sekolah dan seumpamanya. Sebarang bantuan bolehlah disalurkan dengan menghubungi ; Badrul 017 6688404 @ Azizi 012 3696474.

Janji Angkatan Muda keADILan Malaysia meneruskan tekad memperjuangkan rakyat terbanyak !

Kenyataan Media ;
BADRUL HISHAM SHAHARIN
Pengarah Gerakan Kebenaran dan Kesedaran Sempena Ramadhan 1427 Angkatan Muda keADILan Negeri Sembilan Merangkap
Pengerusi Biro Bencana dan hal Ehwal Masyarakat Angkatan Muda Malaysia.

HARI RAYA EIDULFITR 2

CHICKEN RENDANG AND KUAH KACANG

marinade chickenstir untill dryalmost readynext is Kuah Kacang (made from coconut milk, chilli and ground nut)
at my Mom sister house

MY SWEET HOME....
Pic of my sweet simple home ( opss...my parent home...)

when all cabinet full of cookies

Dining Table....

Living Room

My mom picture and my picture when my graduation day on my mom bed room

HARI RAYA EIDULFITR 1

EIDULFITR WITH REVLON

One box enough for the head.

My sister.....


My cousin ... Anies

and..... my self also ....

AMNS sampaikan bantuan kepada 16 fakir di Teluk Kemang

Oleh Wan Nordin Wan Yaacob
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Okt (Hrkh) - Sinar 1 Syawal semakin hampir, dan ketika inilah segala persiapan terakhir bagi menyambut hari kemenangan umat Islam yang berpuasa dipergiatkan.
Ketika ini juga, yang kaya dan miskin saling bantu membantu, yang fakir menerima sementara yang kaya memberi, zakat dihulur derma disalur semata-mata untuk melihat hari raya Aidilfitri dirai bersama.
Pada 15 Oktober lalu, Angkatan Muda KeADILan Negeri Sembilan (AMKNS) telah menyampaikan bantuan kepada 16 keluarga fakir di Parlimen Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson (PD) dalam satu program pelancaran 'Jejak Fakir'.
Program tersebut dijalankan AMKNS sebagai sebahagian besar program menyambut Ramadan, kata pengarah program, Badrul Hisham Shaharin ketika mengadakan sidang media selepas program di Port Dickson. Program tersebut dimulakan dengan konvoi yang disertai 11 kenderaan termasuk sebuah lori mengangkut barang-barang bantuan yang hendak disampaikan kepada fakir miskin, kata Badrul Hisham. Bantuan telah disampaikan Pengerusi Perhubungan KeADILan Negeri Sembilan, Dr Ahmad Azam yang sekali gus melancarkan konvoi bantuan. Program turut disertai Naib ketua AMK Malaysia, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, Exco AMK, Zarerah Hanim Mohd Zaki, Ketua AMKNS, Arifin Berham.

Cina Muslim tidak dapat bantuan zakat?
Apa yang menariknya rumah pertama yang dilawati AMKNS untuk diberikan bantuan ialah rumah sebuah keluarga Cina yang susah di kawasan Kampung Chuah, kata Badrul Hisham. Rumah keluarga ini didiami oleh seorang ibu (68 tahun), seorang anak lelaki 38 tahun (sakit mental) dan seorang anak perempuan (ibu tunggal) 35 tahun dengan lima orang anak, katanya. Ketika bantuan disampaikan, AMKNS diberitahu bahawa salah serang ahli keluarga Cina tersebut, Tan Chong Yin merupakan saudara baru yang memeluk Islam pada tahun 2004 dengan nama Islamnya Salmah Abdullah, kata Badrul Hisham.
Tambahnya, bukan setakat Salmah sahaja yang memeluk Islam, malah anaknya, Goh Chin Kiat turut diajak memeluk Islam tahun ini, katanya. "Beliau memutuskan ingin masuk Islam kerana tertarik dengan cerita kawan-kawan Islamnya mengenai Islam, tetapi malangnya sehingga hari ini beliau tidak pernah tahu mengenai Islam dengan lebih lanjut. Beliau terpaksa bergelut dengan kehidupan susah tanpa bantuan walaupun beliau layak menerima zakat dan bantuan Baitulmal," katanya Menurut Badrul Hisham, pejabat agama hanya akan memberi bantuan jika Salmah hadir kelas fardu ain yang ditetapkan, sedangkan Salmah tidak dapat hadir kerana desakan hidup tatkala terpaksa bekerja keras umpama 'kais pagi makan pagi kais petang makan petang', katanya.
Terlalu banyak orang fakir yang tidak menerima bantuan dikesan dalam konvoi tersebut, malah dari senarai pejabat agama yang diperolehi setelah di siasat tidak ramai, dakwanya.

Penyelewengan dana bantuan orang miskin?
Selain itu AMKNS melahirkan rasa kesal, terhadap sikap Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, Dato' Seri Mohammad Hassan kerana dalam keadaan ramai rakyat negeri ini yang susah, Mohammad terus membazirkan wang bantuan Dana Orang Miskin untuk perkara yang tidak mendatangkan faedah kepada rakyat, dakwa Badrul Hisham.
Antara pembaziran yang didakwa berlaku ialah, kerja-kerja ubah suai rumah Menteri Besar yang baru dua tahun siap dengan belanja RM4.5 juta, sedangkan ramai anak-anak yang tidak dapat pergi ke sekolah kerana masalah kemiskinan, katanya.

From the Sun

PETALING JAYA: An inquiry into alleged police violence during a demonstration heard a witness testify that he was hit with a jet of water and dragged to a Black Maria by no fewer than five policemen.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy youth chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin said he was then handcuffed to another person and taken to the Jalan Hang Tuah police station (formerly Pudu Prison).

He gave evidence yesterday at the start of an eight-day hearing conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) into the "Bloody Sunday" incident of May 28 against fuel price hikes.

Badrul said he was standing beside DAP leader Ronnie Liu that day. He said before that, he had signalled to a policeman standing above the water cannon truck to give the demonstrators five minutes to disperse. He said he was given a thumbs-up, but two minutes later he was hit by the water jet.

"I could not hear the three warnings given to us to disperse as it was inaudible and given at the same time when Ronnie was speaking over the loud-hailer," said Badrul.

In the Black Maria, Badrul said he saw Keadilan deputy secretary-general Zahir Hassan, who was bleeding from the mouth, nose and cheeks.

Badrul acknowledged that there were some police officers who showed concern and wanted to help.

The protest was organised by a coalition of NGOs, Keadilan, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, PAS, and university students, under the group name Protes.

Apart from Badrul, Keadilan information bureau chief Chua Tian Chang and Federal Reserve Unit cameraman L/Cpl Mohd Nasarudin Hashim also testified yesterday.

Suhakam's panel comprised commissioners Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh, Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman and Datuk Choo Siew Kion. It was chaired by Datuk K.C. Vohrah.

Chua testified that the warnings to disperse was issued 15 minutes after the speeches started. He said he moved closer to the water cannon truck as he could not hear the announcement being made above the speeches and the crowd's cheering.

The inquiry viewed a tape recording made by Mohd Nasarudin.

The hearing continues.

http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=15728

SUHAKAM INQ' DAY ONE

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS

Today (5 October 2006) is the 1^st day of the inquiry. The inquiry will continue on the following days:
October 6, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 & 18

Members of the Panel:
v Dato’ K.C. Vohrah (Chairperson)

v Dato’ Choo Siew Kioh

v Dato’ Dr. Michael Yeoh

v Datin Paduka Zaitoon Dato’ Othman

Venue:
SUHAKAM Inquiry Room, Level 29, Menara Tun Razak, Jalan Raja Laut, KL.

Background of the incident:
In protest to the sharp fuel price hike, three peaceful protests had been organized by a number of NGOs, political parties and the MTUC (Malaysia Trade Union Congress) on 3rd, 10th and 26th of March 2006 in front of the KLCC. On the 26th of March, the police dispersed the peaceful crowd violently and arrested 22 protestors. Many protestors were injured due to police brutality. A complaint was submitted to SUHAKAM on 31 March 2006.

On 28 May 2006, the Coalition to Protest Fuel Price Hike (PROTES) once again organized a demonstration in front of KLCC to voice the plights of all Malaysians who are heavily burdened by the fuel price and electricity tariff hike. Unfortunately, the peaceful assembly was dispersed by the police with brute force and excessive violence. 20 people were arrested, including one minor. Many protestors were beaten and kicked by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel. Several protestors were badly injured. The tragic day was dubbed “Bloody Sunday”.

After filing complaint to SUHAKAM, civil society groups made numerous efforts to urge SUHAKAM to hold public inquiry on police brutality in the aforesaid demonstration. After a long wait, SUHAKAM has finally agreed to hold a public inquiry into the incident.

Watching Brief with Observer Status:
1. Sivarasa Rasiah - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
2. Amer Hamzah - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
3. Edmund Bon - Bar Council

Watching brief:
1. M. Moganambal - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
2. R. Ragunanthanan - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
3. Ramesh - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
4. Latheefa Koya - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
5. Stephanie Bastian - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
6. Sheena - Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (KL)
7. Chang Lih Kang - SUARAM

Today’s witnesses:

1. Chua Tian Chang
2. Badrul Hisham bin Shaharin (cheGuBard)
   
3. Lance Corporal Mohd Nasarudin Hashim

Police’s Video Confirmed that the Assembly was Peaceful

After allowing lawyers to assist in the inquiry, Dato’ K.C. Vohrah, the chairperson of the inquiry panel kicked off the inquiry by calling the first witness, Chua Tian Chang (hereinafter referred to as Tian). Tian was one of the main organizers and he is now the Information Chief of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

1^st witness: I saw a pool of blood on the ground. Police should have learnt from other ASEAN countries

Tian was asked about the overall situation on the day of the demonstration. The inquiry panel inquired in detail on the incident. The inquiry panel also asked some questions about the Anti Fuel Price Hike Coalition – PROTES. Tian has given the SUHAKAM panel a full picture of the incident.

According to Tian, there was a heavy police presence on the day of the protest. The organizer has made it crystal clear that the demonstration on 28 May will be the last of the series of anti fuel price hike protests. Tian also told the inquiry panel that Dr. Hatta, the coordinator of the anti fuel price hike coalition (PROTES) had also reiterated this message in his speech on the day of assembly.

Besides, Tian told the inquiry panel that he could not hear the OCPD when the officer warned the crowd by using loud hailer. It was due to the noises caused by the helicopter and the warning was given when speaker, Ronnie Liu was delivering his speech. Tian told the inquiry panel that he saw a pool of blood on the ground after the police had left the scene. Towards the end of his testimony, Tian criticised the police for being selective in allowing public assemblies. He told the inquiry panel that the Malaysian police should have learnt from other ASEAN countries on how to handle big crowd, especially when the ASEAN Police Conference has just concluded.

2^nd witness: Water cannon hit me on my stomach, and I was dragged rudely by the police

Second witness was Badrul Hisham Shaharin, the coordinator of an anti-corruption organization, GERAK. Badrul Hisham Shaharin (hereinafter referred to as Badrul) was the emcee of the assembly on 28 May. He was eventually arrested by the police.

Badrul told the inquiry panel that he was the one who started off the assembly. After a short introduction, he then passed the microphone to the coordinator of the assembly, Dr. Hatta to deliver his speech. Badrul recalled, Dr. Hatta only spoke for a very short while and the second speaker took over. When the third speaker, Ronnie Liu was speaking, Badrul heard some noise from the police but he could not hear clearly what the OCPD was trying to address. He thought the OCPD might be requesting the crowd to disperse, so he tried to communicate with the OCPD through sign language. After some exchanges, he was made to understand that the police was giving them another 5 minutes. Unfortunately, water cannon were unleashed from the truck after hardly two minutes.

The water cannon hit Badrul on his stomach and he fell to the ground because of the force. He was immediately surrounded by 5 to 6 police personnel and was rudely dragged for some 30 yards. According to Badrul, his pants were torn due to the crass dragging. He was then handcuffed and placed into the paddy wagon. He saw Zahir Hassan, the deputy secretary general of Parti Keadilan Rakyat in the wagon. Zahir was badly injured and his mouth was seen bleeding.

Badrul told the inquiry panel that he was not prosecuted to date.

3rd witness: The video was not doctored

The third witness of the inquiry is Lance Corporal Mohd Nasarudin Hashim. Mohd Nasarudin Hashim (hereinafter referred to as Nasarudin) is a FRU personnel, who was instructed to record video during the 28 May assembly. Nasarudin told the inquiry panel that the FRU commander who instructed him was Chief Inspector Pusparajen.

Nasarudin also told the inquiry that Chief Inspector Pusparajen did not direct him to film any specific scene. He testified that the video was not doctored.

The 17-min video was played at the inquiry. The video has clearly shown that the gathering was peaceful until the police acted.

The inquiry adjourned at around 4:30pm and further questions will be asked of Nasarudin on the next inquiry date.

Representatives of the FRU, police and Attorney-General’s Chamber were invited by SUHAKAM as observer but were not present today.

Prepared by,

Chang Lih Kang

Latest : Haze - 13 areas declared 'unhealthy'

The air quality continued to deteriorate in the peninsular today after a brief respite over the weekend.

The Air Pollutant Index (API) for Negeri Sembilan’s Nilai - located near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport - was close to the ‘very unhealthy’ level this morning.

As of 11am, the API reading for Nilai was at 194, said a Department of Environment (DOE) spokesperson when contacted.

He said that the DOE’s website, which provides daily API readings taken at 11am and 5pm, has been experiencing high traffic congestion over the past few days.

API readings between 101-200 is considered ‘unhealthy’ while those between 201-300 is ‘very unhealthy’. Between 0-50 is ‘good’ and 51-100 ‘moderate’.

In total, 14 areas were declared ‘unhealthy’ this morning while 30 were ‘moderate’ and seven ‘good’.

But after a cloud-seeding induced shower this afternoon, there has been a slight drop in the API readings.

Nilai still registered the highest reading in air pollution with 173 as of 5pm.

The number of 'unhealthy' areas dropped marginally from 14 to 13, but 'moderate' areas increased from 30 to 33, while 'good' areas dropped from seven to four.

In the ‘unhealthy’ category were Perak's Seri Manjung (183 at 11am to 163 at 5pm), Kuala Selangor (181 to 165), Seremban (181 to 158), Putrajaya (171 to 156), Kuala Lumpur (159 to 155), Kajang (158 to 145), Shah Alam (145 to 140), Petaling Jaya (139 to 132), Port Klang (131 to 121), Malacca's Bukit Rambai (131 to 110), Gombak (127 to 128), Ipoh (113 to 105) and Malacca town (110 to 86). Sarawak, which was worst hit by the haze last week with several areas seeing their API readings exceed 200, was no longer in the ‘unhealthy’ zone today.

Witness: I was dragged to van and handcuffed

An inquiry into alleged police violence during a demonstration heard a witness testify that he was hit with a jet of water and dragged to a Black Maria by no fewer than five policemen.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy youth chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin said he was then handcuffed to another person and taken to the Jalan Hang Tuah police station (formerly Pudu Prison).

He gave evidence yesterday at the start of an eight-day hearing conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) into the "Bloody Sunday" incident of May 28 against fuel price hikes.

Badrul said he was standing beside DAP leader Ronnie Liu that day. He said before that, he had signalled to a policeman standing above the water cannon truck to give the demonstrators five minutes to disperse. He said he was given a thumbs-up, but two minutes later he was hit by the water jet.

"I could not hear the three warnings given to us to disperse as it was inaudible and given at the same time when Ronnie was speaking over the loud-hailer," said Badrul.

In the Black Maria, Badrul said he saw Keadilan deputy secretary-general Zahir Hassan, who was bleeding from the mouth, nose and cheeks.

Badrul acknowledged that there were some police officers who showed concern and wanted to help.

The protest was organised by a coalition of NGOs, Keadilan, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, PAS, and university students, under the group name Protes.

Apart from Badrul, Keadilan information bureau chief Chua Tian Chang and Federal Reserve Unit cameraman L/Cpl Mohd Nasarudin Hashim also testified yesterday.

Suhakam's panel comprised commissioners Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh, Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman and Datuk Choo Siew Kion. It was chaired by Datuk K.C. Vohrah.

Chua testified that the warnings to disperse was issued 15 minutes after the speeches started. He said he moved closer to the water cannon truck as he could not hear the announcement being made above the speeches and the crowd's cheering.

The inquiry viewed a tape recording made by Mohd Nasarudin.

The hearing continues.

Seremban (my home town) 'unhealthy' areas !?!

Unhealthy air quality has been recorded in more areas in the country as the haze situation deteriorated today.

The areas which recorded the latest Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeding 100 have risen from 11 yesterday to 15 as at 11am today, a Department of Environment spokesperson told malaysiakini.

(The department’s website, detailing API readings on a daily basis, has been experiencing technical problems since this morning.)

The four new 'unhealthy' areas are all in the peninsula - Kuala Selangor (111), Muar (110), Seri Manjung (107) and Bandar Raya Melaka (101).

However, the API in Petra Jaya, Sarawak - which was worse hit yesterday and recorded a ‘very unhealthy’ level - has dropped from 213 to 177 this morning.

Other areas remaining on the 'unhealthy' list are Sri Aman (178), Samarahan (174), Kuching (167), Sibu (163), Nilai (116), Kapit (110), Bukit Rambai (108), Seremban (105) and Bintulu (103).

The readings in these 15 areas however dropped marginally at 5pm but they remained at a 'very unhealthy level', except for Seri Manjung which recorded 94. (see chart)

Putrajaya hits unhealthy mark

Topping the list is still Sarikei in Sarawak, from 156 yesterday to 195 this morning, and down to 178.

In the Klang Valley, the situation has also worsened with Putrajaya hitting the unhealthy level in the evening. The API for Putrajaya stood at 102 at 5pm today.

The rest are of the readings in the evening are Kuala Lumpur (94, from 91), Shah Alam (97, from 94), Kajang (96, from 90), Port Klang (88, from 86) and Petaling Jaya (87, from 85). Such readings are considered ‘moderate’.

Overall, 33 areas recorded moderate API readings while three areas fall under the category of ‘good’.

API readings range from 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy) and 201-300 (very unhealthy). A reading above 300 is considered hazardous to human health.

The API readings are reviewed twice a day at 11am and 5pm.

Video sets the tone in 'Bloody Sunday' inquiry

The video shot by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) presented a clear picture of the ‘Bloody Sunday’ incident as the public inquiry conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) kicked off today.
The 17-minute footage showed FRU officials swinging their batons, civilians running away from the water cannons, the crowd dispersing, announcements by one OCPD and by the protesters. It also showed footage of police officers dragging a person for a distance before placing him down.
The video was filmed by FRU officer Lance Corporal Mohd Nasarudin Hashim who testified in front of a panel of Suhakam commissioners comprising KC Vohrah, Choo Siew Kioh, Dr Michael Yeoh and Zaitoon Othman.
Mohd Nasarudin, 29, a camera man for the past two years, explained to the panel what he did on May 28 when the demonstrations took place. He said that OCPD Kamal Bashar had given orders to Chief Inspector Pusparajan and they (the orders) were then directly given to him. “I was there at 8.45am and I had followed my superior, (Chief Inspector) Pusparajan there. He did not ask me to film anything in particular, he told me to just film what was going on,” he said. Nasarudin, under oath, also said that the footage has not been tempered with and was digitally transferred into a CD.

Use of force Earlier, Keadilan information chief Tian Chua was the first to testify in the morning. He was also represented by counsel R Sivarasa and Amer Hamzah. He has described that he tried negotiating with the OCPD that the protesters would disperse by themselves and the use of water cannons would not be necessary. “He warned that kekerasan (force) would be used if we don’t disperse. I was shocked he actually used the word ‘kekerasan’ when we were just protesting peacefully”, Chua told the panel.

Keadilan deputy youth information chief Badrul Hisham was the second to testify, telling the panel that he was dragged by the police shortly after being hit by the water cannon. “I was surrounded by police officers and I was dragged for quite a distance. The back pockets of my pants were all torn,” he said. He added that he was detained in the Pudu police station for five hours with 17 others before being released. Also present was lawyer Edmund Bon who was appearing for the Bar Council.

Fifth inquiry
This public inquiry will determine whether any human rights violations occurred and if so:

• •which person or agency was responsible for the violations; • how such violations came about;
  
• what administrative directives and procedures or arrangement contributed to then; and
  
• what measure should be recommended to be taken to ensure that such violence do not recur. It will be the fifth held by the human rights watchdog since its formation in 1999.

Previous inquiries were on the the Kesas Highway incident (2001); conditions faced by Internal Security Act detainees (2002); alleged mistreatment of native villagers in Sabah by the police (2004); and the death of S Hendry while in police custody (2006).

Penyelaras Gerak pelajar terbaik Gwangju Asian Human Right Folk School

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Okt (Hrkh) - Eksekutif Koordinator, Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti-Korupsi (Gerak), Badrul Hisham Shaharin, 28, menjadi kebanggaan golongan aktivis negara apabila terpilih sebagai Pelajar terbaik Gwangju Asian Human Right Folk School tahun 2006.

Badrul telah menyertai kursus khas mengenai hak asasi dan demokrasi selama hampir sebulan pada 3 hingga 24 September lalu di Universiti Katolik Gwangju yang dianjurkan oleh Yayasan May 18 Memorial.

Berikutan anugerah itu beliau telah ditawarkan oleh yayasan tersebut biasiswa penuh untuk melanjutkan pengajiannya dalam peringkat Profesional Master Degree dalam bidang Crisis and Management di Sungkonghoe University in Seoul mulai Februari depan.

Sejumlah 20 peserta yang terpilih seluruh Asia dipanggil ke Gwangju.

Gwangju adalah daerah berlakunya kebangkitan rakyat pada 18 Mei 1980 dan kini tempat itu menjadi tumpuan usaha memperkasakan hak asasi dan demokrasi.

Menceritakan pengalamannya di sana, Badrul yang juga Timbalan Ketua Penerangan Angkatan Muda KeADILan (AMK) berkata, di samping peserta mempelajari sejarah kebangkitan rakyat Korea, mereka juga didedahkan dengan pelbagai krisis dan usaha ke arah menyelesaikan krisis di rantau Asia dalam perbagai sesi perbincangan.

Selain pembelajaran secara kuliah oleh pensyarah yang didatangkan khas dari pelbagai negara di Asia, peserta juga diberi peluang melawat tempat tempat bersejarah di seluruh Korea.

Para peserta kemudiannya di bawa ke Joint Security Area (JSA), Panmunjeom (iaitu kawasan krisis yang paling kritikal di rantau tersebut) di mana ia adalah kawasan yang di bawah penguasaan bersama tentera Korea Utara dan Korea Selatan di bawah seliaan tentera Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB).

"Bangsa Korea ini kuat kerana ia mengangkat sejarah dalam masyarakat dan hidup bersama sejarah tersebut. Ini yang perlu kita contohi," katanya.

"Ramai tokoh yang dilabelkan pengganas semasa perjuangan menuntut demokrasi akhirnya diangkat dan diakui pengorbanan mereka malah dalam beberapa kes kerajaan memohon maaf atas kesilapan negara masa lalu, tetapi malangnya di Malaysia sendiri terlalu banyak fakta sejarah yang disembunyikan," kata Badrul. - lanh

AMKNS bantu orang miskin, dedah kepincangan pentadbiran Negeri Sembilan

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Okt (Hrkh) - Dalam meneruskan perjuangan menobatkan keadilan di Malaysia, Angkatan Muda KeADILan Negeri Sembilan (AMKNS) tiada istilah rehat, kedatangan Ramadan kali ini menjadi wadah untuk memperhebatkan aktiviti mendekati rakyat dengan melancarkan kempen kesedaran sempena Ramahdan, kata Pengarah Kempen Ramadannya, Badrul Hisham Shahrim.

Menurutnya, AMKNS melihat, kesempitan hidup dalam keadaan ekonomi tidak menentu ketika ini menambah tekanan kepada hampir keseluruhan rakyat.

Kepedihan ini akan lebih terasa kepada mereka yang sememangnya mengalami kesukaran hidup sebelum ini, justeru sempena Ramadan ini AMKNS tidak akan melupakan golongan fakir di negeri bersendi adat perpatih ini, kata Badrul Hisham semasa memberi maklumat kepada Harakahdaily hari ini.

Dalam program yang dinamakan Jejak Fakir, 12 keluarga telah dipilih untuk diberi bantuan makanan dan kewangan sempena Ramadan, katanya.

Bermula pada 14 dan 15 Oktober, AMKNS akan mengadakan konvoi besar-besaran menuju kediaman lokasi keluarga tersebut untuk menyampaikan bantuan, ujarnya.

Bukan setakat menyampaikan bantuan malah AMKNS turut sedia mengadakan gotong royong membantu keluarga tersebut, katanya.

Lebih menarik katanya, antara keluarga yang turut di senarai menerima bantuan ialah daripada keluarga Tionghua dan India, malah ada antara mereka merupakan ahli dan menyokong Umno semenjak 30 tahun dahulu tetapi gagal mendapatkan sebarang bantuan, katanya.

Ini menunjukkan pendirian jelas KeADILan iaitu membantu sesiapa yang memerlukan tanpa mengira latar belakang, ujarnya.

Bantuan yang disampaikan adalah sumbangan orang ramai yang dikumpulkan. Sesiapa yang prihatin dan turut ingin membantu boleh menyalurkan bantuan dari segi kewangan mahupun barangan dengan menghubungi Azizi 012-369 6474 atau Amiruddin 012-3589872

Sementara itu Badrul Hisham juga memberitahu, dalam bulan yang mulia ini juga AMKNS akan melancarkan kempen kesedaran mengenai kepincangan pengurusan kewangan kerajaan negeri.

AMKNS akan mencetak risalah, poster dan sepanduk mendedahkan laporan Audit Negara (yang dibentangkan di Parlimen) mengenai pembaziran serta salah guna dana bantuan orang miskin oleh kerajaan negeri.

Dalam risalah itu, AMKNS antara lain akan mendedahkan wang sejumlah RM4.5 juta dari dana orang miskin telah digunakan hanya untuk mengubah suai kediaman rasmi MB yang baru sahaja siap.

Selain itu kata Badrul Hisham, risalah juga akan mendedahkan soal penggunaan wang sejumlah RM5.44 untuk membeli perabot Pejabat Daerah Port Dickson dan Seremban.

AMKNS amat kesal dengan pembaziran tersebut dalam keadaan di negeri ini terlalu banyak orang miskin yang sewajarnya dibantu menggunakan dana ini, katanya.

Rakyat negeri ini harus di beritahu perkara ini, justeru AMKNS akan menumpukan pengerdaran di masjid dan pasar Ramadan untuk menyebarkan makluman ini, kata Badrul Hisham. - lanh

lagi gambar di Korea

bersama Black @ Amin (Intern di May 18 Memorial Foundation) dan Athia (FNBKL) depan PSPD

bersama peserta lain di Restoran ala Korea di Seoul

bersama Ayien (Empower) Batu deklarasi 'Joint Security Area'

Hari kedua dan lawatan ke tempat bersejarah di Gwangju

cheGuBard sedang memberikan penghormatan di Permakaman semua wira yang mati dalam kebangkitan rakyat Gwangju 1980

mendengar penerangan mengenai permakaman perwira kebangkitan rakyat bersama peserta
di tugu peringatan pewira Kebangkitan Rakyat Gwangjubersama Ayien di tugu memperingati pewira Kebangkitan Rakyat Gwangju
di kerusi hakim yang pernah menjatuhkan ratusan hukuman mati ke atas pewira kebangkitan rakyat Gwangju

cheGuBard di Korea

Hari ini hari pertama cheGuBard di Gwangju, Korea Selatan mengikuti satu Program anjuran Yayasan 18 May (sebuah pertubuhan bukan kerajaan yang memperjuangkan demokrasi). Akan berada di sini sehingga 26 Mei 2006. Bersama dengan hampir 30 orang aktivis demokrasi dan hak asasi muda dari seluruh dunia.

Program akan bermula esok so sampai awal dan lepak di pejabat Yayasan ini sempatlah update blog. Sekarang masih menunggu seorang peserta wakil Hisbullah, Lubnan.