People's Uprising Rally- The winners and losers in KL112

The winners and losers in KL 112- People's Uprising Rally "Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat"

-Malaysiakini

The winners and losers in KL112

7:13PM Jan 13, 2013

For the past few decades, the authorities had placed numerous obstacles for opposition parties to gather en masse, citing security concerns and traffic as the usual reasons.

The People's Uprising Rally (KL112), in keeping with its revolutionary theme, saw the authorities essentially giving opposition parties free passage to do almost whatever they wanted.

Obviously, there was a political gamble at play in view that the 13th general election is around the corner. Malaysiakini examines who had most to gain from this high stakes gamble.

WINNERS

Pakatan Rakyat

Even before the rally was concluded, photographs of an overflowing Stadium Merdeka had gone viral over the Internet, proving to undecided voters that the coalition does enjoy mass public support and is a legitimate candidate for Putrajaya.

What Pakatan needs to do now is to take advantage of momentum and spread the central message of the rally - the ten point declaration - throughout the country.

Civil society

Several key civil society movements, especially for environmental causes, have grown exponentially in strength over the past years and command a sizeable following, which was displayed during KL112.

Evolving from the initial not-in-my-backyard (Nimby) philosophy, Malaysia's various green movements have now gone national as people begin to recognise the importance of civil society in shaping the nation.

Ismail Omar

In the run up to KL112, the police released several statements in an accommodating tone, to the extent of promising that they had set a ‘zero casualty' target.

The whole time, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar didn't say a single word, leaving the talking to his subordinates.

Had things turned sour, Ismail would have taken the rap as usual. But now, he will be remembered for the fact that his men stayed true to their word.

Traders near Stadium Merdeka

Save for one stall owner selling gas masks, traders who set up shop around Stadium Merdeka were all smiles because they were enjoying brisk sale of T-shirts, drinks and food.

Previously, one group of traders claimed Bersih 3.0 had cost them great losses. Perhaps they should sharpen their eye for opportunities.

LOSERS

Najib Abdul Razak

In the past, Pakatan wasn't able to fill half of the 25,000 capacity MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya. Was the prime minister hoping for the same this time round, so he could ridicule them later?

Internally, Umno die-hards are probably curious to know why their president allowed the event to proceed when it could have been dealt with, by many old and proven methods.

More importantly, the public will also be questioning Najib and his party on whether they can pull off a similar spectacle without paying the participants.

Umno and BN

From sodomy to a Christian conspiracy to eroding Malay rights, Umno and BN component parties have slung mud in every shape and size at Pakatan since 2008.

If the turnout was an indicator of reputation, nothing appears to be sticking.

Mainstream media organisations

Save for Sinar Harian and all the Chinese media organisations, the focus was not on turnout nor the message of the rally but the various infractions chalked up by the rally organisers.

Unfortunately for them, videoclips and photographs - in particularly an aerial shot by AFP capturing the scene in and around Stadium Merdeka - are being widely circulated online, helping the public to have a clearer understanding of what transpired.

- adapted from Malaysiakini news portal at www.malaysiakini.com

Malaysia: People's Uprising Rally "Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat"

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on the at least 100,000 strong and enthusiastic crowd who gathered at Malaysian Opposition's Pakatan Rakyat- Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat in Stadium Merdeka 12th January 2013.

Remember these pictures do not include the people in blocked view. Imagine the size of the crowd, 100,000 people at least within in the stadium or outside.

Here are some of the pictures from various News Agencies:
-Malaysiakini.com

 

Will post further after I recover from exhaustion from the rally, anyway it's worth it. At least 50,000 in the stadium as I was in there! Long Live the Malaysian People!

I will post some pictures and videos from my camera in my next blog posting. God bless everyone.

Long live the Malaysian People!

Joshua

Malaysia 12/1/2013: People's Uprising Rally

Demands:

1. Clean and fair elections

2. Free (Internal Security Act) ISA detainees

3. Strengthen and uphold mother-tongue languages

4. Free education

5. Save national tradition and heritage

6. Save the environment

7. Return oil-royalty to oil-producing states

8. Save FELDA



2013: Dawn of Hope for a better Malaysia

Hi everyone,

Frequent readers of my blog are most likely convinced that I am a pro-opposition blogger in Malaysia. As a matter of fact, I believe in equal rights to be heard. Why? Everyone in Malaysia must agree that the main stream media in Malaysia whether TV stations, Radio stations or Newspaper agencies are owned or have direct linked with the ruling political party of Malaysia, "Barisan Nasional" or "National Front" who have since ruled the country on federal level since independence in 1957.

Federal opposition leaders or parties or federal opposition ruled- state governments are being demonized on the daily basis by main stream media in Malaysia reports literally that "no good" can come from opposition parties (Pakatan Rakyat or "People's Alliance")

Everyday Pakatan Rakyat leaders and Pakatan Rakyat ruled-state governments of Kelantan, Kedah, Penang and Selangor are being painted as "no good" can come from them and their state governments. Therefore, as the founding tagline and reason for this blog, I would like to provide an additional alternative voice for real issues concerning the people and also to presents views on Pakatan Rakyat in a fairer way. So, Barisan Nasional government does not need additional media coverage or attention from this blog to promote it's propoganda, "promised-fulfilled" campaigns and slogans.

Since March 2008 when Barisan Nasional government lost their 2/3 majority in Parliamentary seats for the first time and also lost the mandate to run the states of Penang, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and Selangor. It was a political tsunami that shocked everyone, many believe that Barisan Nasional government will repent and be serious in good governance but from 2008 to 2012, we do not see enough commitment and real changes to deal of fundamental issues like corruption, education, media freedom (where rankings got worse in the past few years). Racial and religions issues were played up and more extreme than before, human rights got worse. Budget deficits continue to run high and Nation's debt continue to increase from huge to colossal and illicit financial outflow ranked 3rd in the world!

Can we really believe that all these bad ratings, rankings and shaky financial status are the results of the opposition parties in action? 

I am not saying that "no good" has come from the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, in fact the BN government did alot to develop the nation, did what most of the other governments of the world did, like building schools, hospitals, roads, housing for the poor...etc but isn't that what all governments should do? What I am worried about is the amount of things that a government should not do like abuse of power, dictatorship, unfairness, corruption, leakages...etc?

So I believe that the BN Government did alot what any other governments in the world SHOULD DO but I am also acutely worry about the things that a government SHOULD NOT DO!

The DON'Ts are overwhelming the DOs of the BN Goverment, and it only got from bad to worse since 2008 to 2012.

Quote from DAP Parliamentary Leader/ Advisor/ Ipoh-Timur MP- YB Lim Kit Siang on his 2013 New Year's Message:

Najib’s four-year premiership will be remembered by Malaysians as an administration of plunging global indices, and this unpleasant fact has been underlined by three international reports in the last month of this year, viz:

Corruption - In the four-year Najib premiership, Malaysia’s Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rankings sunk to the lowest depths in 18 years – No. 56 in 2009 and 2010, No. 60 in 2011 and No. 54 in 2012 as compared to the worst ranking of No. 23 under Mahathir and No. 47 under Abdullah – suggesting that corruption under the present Prime Minister is even worse than under all the previous Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak, Tun Hussein, Tun Mahathir and Tun Abdullah.

No. 1 in per capita capital flight : Latest Global Finance Integrity report showed that on a per capita basis, Malaysia with a population of 28 million, is No. 1 in the world on illicit money outflow – whether in terms of black money siphoned out of the country for 2010, which is RM196.8 billion, or for the past decade (2000-2010), which is a whopping RM871 billion or equivalent to over RM31,000 for each of the country’s 28 million population.

Double-whammy of decline in maths and science standards by Malaysian students when compared with foreign countries well as with past batches – In TIMSS 2011 for eighth-grade students, Malaysia is ranked No. 26 with a score of 440 out of 1,000 for mathematics and even lower for science at No. 32 with a score of 426, both below the international average. They are also the worst scores for Malaysia in the four TIMSS 1999-2011, i.e. in maths dropping by 79 points from 519 in 1999 to 440 in 2011; in science, dropping by 66 points from 492 in 1999 to 426 points in 2011.

These are not signs of national transformation but national deformations.

Let 2013 end the national deformations and usher in an era of genuine national transformation for Malaysians by electing a new Pakatan Rakyat Malaysian government for the first time in 55 years.

Happy New Year 2013 to all Malaysians.

-Lim Kit Siang

Israelis & Palestinians' right to live peacefully...

The Israel-Gaza conflict is escalating towards an outbreak of full-scale war in the Middle East.

Both Israeli-Government and Hamas-led Government in Gaza are democratically elected by their people to fulfill the aspiration and the welfare of its people. Therefore, both governments have their responsibilities to carry out the governing responsibilites to SAFEGUARD and PROTECT its citizens' interest and well-being in long term.

• Launching rockets and threatening military ground offensive ARE NOT THE SOLUTION!
• Israelis and Palestinians both have EQUAL RIGHT to live peacefully and properously without being under constant fear and threat of violence and bloodshed.
• There is NO OTHER SOLUTION other than a TWO-STATES SOLUTION for a secured state of Israel and an independant state of Palestine living peacefully side-by-side.

Every nation and every individual has the right to defend itself but it seems that the RIGHT has abused by poor strategies in the long run.

• Ever since Israel managed to assasinate Hamas-Militant Leader in Gaza recently, hundred more of rockets have been launched from Gaza towards Israel, targetting cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
• Since Hamas launched hundreds more of rockets into Israel in retaliation, Israel's offensive campaign only intensifies and only contribute more to civillian deaths.

If both the Israeli and Hamas Governments continue its short-sighted campaign of violence and bloodshed now leading to greater civillian casualties, then both governments have FAIL to SAFEGUARD and PROTECT its citizens' interest and well-being in LONG TERM.

I suggest that:

• Both governments agree to an IMMEDIATE cease-fire as brokered by Egypt and sanctioned by UN.
• Both governments agree to the ONLY diplomatic solution with a secured Israel and independant Palestine living side by side peacefully.
• Both goverments conduct a nation-wide EDUCATION & AWARNESS campaigns for its citizen to be informed of the diplomatic solution.
• Both governments convene a parliament sanctioned NATIONAL REFEREDUM on the Two-State diplomatic solution simultaneously
• Israel ACCEPTS the indenpendence of Palestine and the right of the Palestinians and STOPS all provocative unilateral decision on developing controversial lands...etc.
• Palestine RESPECTS the existence of Israel and the safety of the Israelis and STOPS all provocative militant activities against Israel. Hamas must weed out its militants' wing and establishes a Palestinian Parliament sanctioned defense army along-side with West-Bank. Hamas MUST work along with Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas of West-Bank.

If every nation and individual only acts in the name of  "the right of self-defense", who then will acts in the name of "the right to live peacefully''?

So, Israel and Gaza must act in the name of "the right of its citizens to live peacefully" and not to hijack the nation's interest for self-serving purpose.

May God-Almighty bring peace to everyone's home and the love of God be felt in every heart He loved.

Joshua

Israel-Gaza escalating conflict

Reuters/Reuters - An explosion and smoke are seen after Israeli strikes in Gaza City November 18, 2012. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel bombed militant targets in Gaza for a fifth straight day on Sunday, launching aerial and naval attacks as its military prepared for a possible ground invasion, though Egypt saw "some indications" of a truce ahead.

Forty-seven Palestinians, about half of them civilians, including 12 children, have been killed in Israel's raids, Palestinian officials said. More than 500 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel, killing three people and injuring dozens.

Israel unleashed its massive air campaign on Wednesday, killing a leading militant of the Hamas Islamist group that controls Gaza and rejects Israel's existence, with the declared goal of deterring gunmen in the coastal enclave from launching rockets that have plagued its southern communities for years.

The Jewish state has since launched more than 950 air strikes on the coastal Palestinian territory, targeting weaponry and flattening militant homes and headquarters.

The raids continued past midnight on Sunday, with warships bombarding targets from the sea. And an air raid targeted a building in Gaza City housing the offices of local Arab media, wounding three journalists from al Quds television, a station Israel sees as pro-Hamas, witnesses said.

Two other predawn attacks on houses in the Jebalya refugee camp killed one child and wounded 12 other people, medical officials said.

These attacks followed a defiant statement by Hamas military spokesman Abu Ubaida, who told a televised news conference.

"This round of confrontation will not be the last against the Zionist enemy and it is only the beginning."

The masked gunman dressed in military fatigues insisted that despite Israel's blows Hamas "is still strong enough to destroy the enemy."

An Israeli attack on Saturday destroyed the house of a Hamas commander near the Egyptian border.

Casualties there were averted however, because Israel had fired non-exploding missiles at the building beforehand from a drone, which the militant's family understood as a warning to flee, and thus their lives were spared, witnesses said.

Israeli aircraft also bombed Hamas government buildings in Gaza on Saturday, including the offices of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and a police headquarters.

Among those killed in air strikes on Gaza on Saturday were at least four suspected militants riding motorcycles, and several civilians including a 30-year-old woman.

ISRAELI SCHOOLS SHUT

Israel said it would keep schools in its southern region shut on Sunday as a precaution to avoid casualties from rocket strikes reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the past few days.

Israel's "Iron Dome" missile interceptor system destroyed in mid-air a rocket fired by Gaza militants at Tel Aviv on Saturday, where volleyball games on the beach front came to an abrupt halt as air-raid sirens sounded.

Hamas' armed wing claimed responsibility for the attack on Tel Aviv, the third against the city since Wednesday. It said it had fired an Iranian-designed Fajr-5 at the coastal metropolis, some 70 km (43 miles) north of Gaza.

In the Israeli Mediterranean port of Ashdod, a rocket ripped into several balconies. Police said five people were hurt.

Israel's operation has drawn Western support for what U.S. and European leaders have called Israel's right to self-defense, but there was also a growing number of calls from world leaders to seek an end to the violence.

British Prime Minister David Cameron "expressed concern over the risk of the conflict escalating further and the danger of further civilian casualties on both sides," in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a spokesperson for Cameron said.

The United Kingdom was "putting pressure on both sides to de-escalate," the spokesman said, adding that Cameron had urged Netanyahu "to do everything possible to bring the conflict to an end."

Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser to President Barack Obama, said the United States would like to see the conflict resolved through "de-escalation" and diplomacy, but also believes Israel has a right to self-defense.

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said in Cairo as his security deputies sought to broker a truce with Hamas leaders, that "there are some indications that there is a possibility of a ceasefire soon, but we do not yet have firm guarantees."

Egypt has mediated previous ceasefire deals between Israel and Hamas, the latest of which unraveled with recent violence.

A Palestinian official told Reuters the truce discussions would continue in Cairo on Sunday, saying "there is hope," but it was too early to say whether the efforts would succeed.

In Jerusalem, an Israeli official declined to comment on the negotiations. Military commanders said Israel was prepared to fight on to achieve a goal of halting rocket fire from Gaza, which has plagued Israeli towns since late 2000, when failed peace talks led to the outbreak of a Palestinian uprising.

Diplomats at the United Nations said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit Israel and Egypt in the coming week to push for an end to the fighting.

POSSIBLE GROUND OFFENSIVE

Israel, though, with tanks and artillery positioned along the frontier, signaled it was still weighing a possible ground offensive into Gaza.

Israeli cabinet ministers decided on Friday to more than double the current reserve troop quota set for the Gaza offensive to 75,000 and around 16,000 reservists have already been called up.

Asked by reporters whether a ground operation was possible, Major-General Tal Russo, commander of the Israeli forces on the Gaza frontier, said: "Definitely."

"We have a plan. ... It will take time. We need to have patience. It won't be a day or two," he added.

Another senior commander briefing reporters on condition of anonymity said Israel had scored "good achievements" in striking at nearly 1,000 targets, with the aim of ridding Hamas of firepower imported from Libya, Sudan and Iran.

A possible move into the densely populated Gaza Strip and the risk of major casualties it brings would be a significant gamble for Netanyahu, favorite to win a January national election.

Hamas fighters are no match for the Israeli military. The last Gaza war, involving a three-week Israeli air blitz and ground invasion over the New Year's period of 2008-09, killed over 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians. Thirteen Israelis died in the conflict.

But the Gaza conflagration has stirred the pot of a Middle East already boiling from two years of Arab revolution and a civil war in Syria that threatens to spread beyond its borders.

One major change has been the election of an Islamist government in Cairo that is allied with Hamas, potentially narrowing Israel's maneuvering room in confronting the Palestinian group. Israel and Egypt made peace in 1979.

(Writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; Editing by Todd Eastham)

Nobel Peace Laureate Suu Kyi goes to election...

Myanmar's Aung Sang Suu Kyi calls for changes to constituition

Aung Sang Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is released from house-arrest in November 2010 after spending 15 of her last 23 years in her house. She is now contesting in a by-election for her National League for Democracy (NLD) on 1st April in a rural township Kawmuh in Burma to seek a place in the Military-ruled Parliament house of Burma/Myanmar.

The world, particularly the Burmese people will look at the election contested by Suu Kyi this April 2012, hoping to see the democratic icon blooming back into the political scene of Myanmar.

We will be watching.

In the mean time, for the younger generation who does not know how important and passionate the icon is, probably you can spare an hour or two to watch the movie "The Lady" based on the true story of Aung Sang Suu Kyi who had to choose between the love for her family and the love for her country.

People of Myanmar, Vote Suu Kyi in and Vote oppression out!

God bless us all.

Joshua

Floods in Thailand & Earthquake in Turkey

Natural disasters of epic proportions are happening on a weekly basis while violence and oppresion continue to take place across the Arab world. Continue on with countless unreported or undocumented cases of injustice, human trafficking, slavery or sexual assaults happening everyday dampens our spirit.

While keeping our hopes alive, we must not slide into ignorance and heartlessness.





Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, we prayed that our hearts are willing to give generously.

Joshua