Polis Raja di Malaysia v2.0

The same headlines are back. Indian youth(s) shot by police. As usual, it is always 'a case self defense', and the dead are 'known to have a criminal history'. The usual miracle of course, not one cop has a scratch, not one suspect is spared. Just how does one define 'criminal history' by the way? Did those arrested have a record of past convictions? Does that amount to criminal history? Or did they merely have their name jotted down in some detective's diary as suspects in some yet unsolved case?

To make matters worse, the sister of one of the accused, in a fit of madness after hearing of her brother's demise, decides to end her own life with paraquat. But not before feeding her four children with it! She just died this afternoon, while her children are still warded. Sad. Stupid, but sad.

Whatever it is, extrajudicial killing is murder. Nothing less and nothing more. It is something that cannot be tolerated. The police are paid with taxpayer's money. We, the rakyat, pay you, the police, to serve us! Not shoot us. If someone does something wrong, arrest them, charge them!

Within days of the Famous Five, another guy gets killed. Deva gang's leader they say. Fancy that. I always thought Deva Gang's leader would be a guy called Deva. Anyway, whatever his name, he's dead now. No questions, no answers. Dead.

That's not all. In Johor, we have a case of a mentally unstable man, who allegedly killed his own mom, dead in police custody, hanging himself with a pillowcase. Why was a mentally unstable murder suspect given a pillow case which he can use to hang himself, apart from many other things, in the first place? I didn't know that was a luxury we provided in our lockups!

The sad truth is, this is not the first time we hear such stories, and it will not be the last, unless something concrete is done. Let's put an end to this once and for all. Bring the IPCMC. Enough delaying. Install cameras in all police patrol cars. It will cost peanuts compared the other rubbish we waste government money on!

The PM presented the governments budget for 2010 in parliament a few minutes ago. Below are some of the key items he has announced. They items below are a compilation of my status updates in Facebook, as the PM was giving his budget speech.

• PM has finished presenting the budget, ended his speech with spirited promises of 1Malaysia for all.
• RM 500 one-off payments for civil servants and pensioners, up to grade 58.
• Public Transport to be given priority. New Komuter trains, LRTs, stations to be improved.
• EPF increased to 11% voluntary, special scheme for self-employed, tax rebate increased to 7k from current 6k.
• 3 billion units of Sukuk 1Malaysia announced.
• 1Malaysia clinics to be introduced in housing areas, 50 clinics to begin with, manned by MAs, to improve public healthcare. Clinics to be open until 10pm daily.
• Federal Territories Ministry renamed Federal Territory and Public Welfare Ministry, measures announced to curb urban poverty.
• Various measures announced to eradicate hardcore poverty, women empowerment.
• Crime prevention to be given top priority, especially snatch thefts. Various measures announced to beef up police and other agencies.
• Income tax reduced from 27% to 26%, personal relief increased from 8k to 9k per person.
• New system to ensure only those who are needy receive gov subsidies, including discounted petrol price, using Mykad, to be introduced early 2010.
• RM 50 per year service tax per credit card, RM 25 per supplementary card. This is to reign in credit expenditure.
• In battle against corruption, Gov to introduce Whistle-blower Act, 14 new Sessions Court, MACC to be beefed up.
• Gov to review laws, take stern action to curb Ah Long menace.
• Gov universities to be given greater autonomy in HR and student matters, allowed to form companies to generate income.
• PM announces Netbooks with broadband for 100,000 uni students, at discounted price, by TM, MCMC.
• 30 National Scholarships for top achievers, purely on merit, to study in top unis around the world. P
• Preschool to be absorbed into school curriculum, to increase entrance percentage from 67% to 87% by 2012, 20 schools to be made 'Prestige Schools', autonomy in school administration.
• PM has announced tax rebate up to RM500 per year for broadband subscription.

Deepavali Nalvazhtukkal

Happy Deepavali to all Hindus, and happy holidays to all! Hope you have a blessed celebration. Let us not forget the less fortunate during these festive times, and let us build greater bonds with family and friends as we all celebrate together.

Bagan Pinang

Yet another by-election, this time in Negeri Sembilan. The candidate for Barisan Nasional is none other than Tan Sri Isa Samad, the former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar and one-time UMNO strongman.

The opposition will no doubt harp on the fact that Tan Sri Isa was suspended from UMNO for three years for money politics. In fact, it is probably the only local issue they can harp on, in addition to the usual bunch of standard issues they bring up all the time.

Yes, he was found guity of money politics. Yes, he was suspended from UMNO. Yes, he is a 'tainted' candidate if one wishes to say so. Yet why him? Because the people of Bagan Pinang want him. They simply love him. No, it is not just me saying that, it is not even BN, this was the result of a survey done by PAS themselves! Why? Because he is a man who goes down to the ground, who mixes with the people, who genuinely helps the people.

According to one local voter who came to the candidacy announcement event, Tan Sri Isa is apparently good with names. He makes an extra effort to remember the names of people, some of whom he has only met once!

The opposition know they cannot beat this man. Not in Bagan Pinang. You can engineer a thousand by-elections in your strong areas, and claim that the 'tide is shifting' against BN, but we'll put a stop to your 'shifting tide' here. Once and for all.

The ONLY thing Pakatan Rakyat hopes to get from this election, is to publicize the fact that a 'tainted' candidate was fielded by UMNO. 'BN endorses corruption' they will say. Well, say what you want. That's about all PR seems to do. Talk. We've seen it in Kampung Buah Pala, and just about everywhere else. Just one thing, don't forget your supreme leader is an ex-convict, your Penang Chief Minister is an ex-convict, many of your MPs have spent time in prison and paid fines. So look at yourself first before talking about 'tainted' candidates.

Merdeka and True Patriotism

The nation celebrated its 52nd birthday yesterday. Many people sent Merdeka wishes to each other. Many more posted Merdeka greetings on blogs, Facebook etc. A select few, very few I might add, paraded flags on their cars, houses etc. To the majority of Malaysians, Merdeka simply meant a public holiday, a long weekend. In fact, if you had not tuned in to local tv stations, or read the mainstream newspapers, you might have just missed it entirely, and you are hardly to blame. The simple truth is many Malaysians simply do not have a patriotic sense of love and belonging to the nation.

Many of my friends ridiculed the Merdeka Day itself, saying it there is no true Merdeka until Indians are treated equally in this country. Several pointed to the cow head incident in Shah Alam, saying the incident overshadowed the entire meaning of Merdeka. I am just as disturbed by you over the incident, and cannot wait for justice to be done. Quite frankly, I do not blame you for thinking along those lines. I cannot say I do not agree with you either. It is a fact that the Indians in this country are treated like third class citizens. I do feel things are on the positive rise, but nevertheless, until we see concrete changes, I really cannot expect the majority to feel a sense of belonging overnight. The one thing that I can point out it, let us not mistake loyalty to the government, support for any political party, and love for the country. Let us not blame the country for our misgivings. The country never discriminated against anyone. People did. People in goverment, people who want to be in government, people.

Like it or not, we are Malaysians. We were born Malaysians, live our lives as Malaysians, and we will die Malaysians. Non-Malay Malaysians are mere tourists in India or China. We do not belong there, neither do they want us there. Many migrate to the US, Europe, Australia, but they will never cease to be Malaysians. They may have new passports, but in their hearts, there is always Malaysia.

Things are not rosy here in Malaysia. But things will change. We will change. First, we must BE that change. We must believe in the change. One cannot sit and whine and complain, but not do your part for a better Malaysia. My message for my fellow Malaysians, BE Malaysian. Do not think of yourself as Malay, Chinese of Indian. Think of yourself as Malaysian first. Others may continue to look at you through the racial lense. But if you yourself continue to look at yourself as Malay or Chinese or Indian, you lose the right to complain, in my opinion.

I have hope on the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia concept. It is a fundamentally good concept. The vision is there. It is the implementation that is needed. Many dismiss it as political slogan spinning. Well, wether it is 1Malaysia or Malaysian Malaysia, it is all a slogan until we see something happening on the ground. Nothing can happen if we don't embrace that concept and work towards it. Many sit and wait for the effects of 1Malaysia to come knocking on their doors. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. If you want to see it happen, you have to play your part to MAKE it happen. The least we can give is hope. Salam 1Malaysia my dear Malaysians!

Nammavarum vendam, Avargalum vendam, Matram mattum vendum!

The MIC elections due on the 12th of September appears to have taken a rather ugly twist, at least in the eyes of the media. Several newspapers have mentioned the existence of campaigning along caste lines, with the emergence of an alleged pressure group of supposedly lower castes, calling themselves Nammavar or 'Our People'. This group claims to have the support of hundreds of delegates, and has declared support for Datuk S. Subramaniam, former MIC Deputy President, to regain the post. They then refer to Dato' Seri Samy Vellu's team as Avargal or 'Them'. Ironically, this very group that seems to mobilize support along caste lines, claim they are trying to remove caste politics in the MIC. Their logic is beyond me.

In my relatively short time being associated with the MIC, I can tell you this much. I don't know what is in the minds of the party seniors, many of whom belong to a generation that is well past its sell-by date, but in the minds of the youth, the future leaders, there is no room for caste. Many among us do not even know what caste we belong to, let alone associate others along caste lines. We crave for one thing in the party. Change. We want to see the MIC rise again to be a force to be reckoned with, to be the voice of the Indian community. So to my beloved party seniors, if you can't improve the party, at least know when to stop burying it further!

The Malay Mail, two of its reporters at least, had a field day reporting on caste politics in the MIC. Both these individuals are no strangers to controversial reports and suspect ethics. Unfortunately, we can't blame them alone. MIC politics has given them that room to run us down.

I am not a voting delegate. However many people I know are. I will be there on the 12th, hoping that the results will signal a positive change. If it does not, I fear the MIC may drown beyond rescue. The party president may have given a list of his preferred candidates. I have the utmost respect for him. I understand his reason of wanting people he can work with. Ultimately the decision is in the hands of the delegates. In the race for deputy president, whether they vote the president's choice, his opponent's choice, or a neutral candidate promising genuine change, is up to them, and up to them only. I trust the delegates know the urgency of the situation. If they still do not, than all is lost before it even begins! Believe in Change, Vote for Change!

P.S. The title, in Romanized Tamil, can be translated as 'No to Our People, No to Them, Yes to Change!'

MIC Election Season

It's election time in the MIC. A time of heightened anxiety and activity, not to mention politicking and campaigning. The nominations for the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings were concluded successfully this morning. I wish all the contestants the best, and hope you will all maintain a sense of decorum throughout the campaign period. Let us not forget that the MIC is one big family. While we can compete and contest, within the frame of democracy, the unity of the party members must always be of paramount importance.

I shall focus on the youth wing in this post, one that I have the most familiarity with, among the three. T. Mohan, the current youth coordinator is going for the National Youth Chief post. He is being challenged by one SP Muthuveloo, a lawyer. Having known Mohan for some time, and knowing of him even longer, he has my undivided support. Without taking anything away from Mr. Muthuveloo, in my opinion, T. Mohan has done way more than any other youth leader for the community, especially during his stint as the head of the Social Welfare Bureau. He has raised millions for worthy causes, and has touched the lives of thousands who were in dire need of assistance. I sincerely hope the delegates feel the same way, vote for him, and give him a strong mandate to steer the youth wing forward. I am confident he will make an excellent youth leader, perhaps the best in recent times!

The AGM for the Youth, Wanita, Puteri and Putera will be on next Sunday, and we will all know the results then. The excitement however, is only set to increase several notches from then on, as the nominations for the main MIC posts will be on the 22nd. Many leaders have expressed their intentions to go for various posts, so let's wait and see what comes. Whatever it is, exciting times ahead for the MIC.