Sincerely, Malaysian Heart

My experience as a MAFREL election observer at Bagan Pinang

2009-10-22T02:27:00.002+08:00

During the recently by-elections in Bagan Pinang, I had the privilege of volunteering as a MAFREL election observer. For someone whose only involvement with elections had been to vote once every 5 years, the experience was very enlightening and educational. Here is what happened:I first read that MAFREL (Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections) needed volunteers to act as election observers in

Deepavali Valthukkal to All!

2009-10-17T23:44:00.001+08:00

Today, 17 October 2009, is Deepavali, the festival of lights which is observed and celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists too. Deepavali (or Diwali) literally means "a row of lamps" in Sanskrit, and lamps play a major role in its celebration, signifying the victory of good over evil, and of light over darkness.Hindus believe that dharma or righteousness is a central principle by

A very meaningful Ryukyuan folk song: Tinsagu nu Hana (Balsam Flowers)

2009-10-17T12:09:00.002+08:00

I happened to hear this Ryukyuan folk song by chance, after following a YouTube link shared by a Facebook friend (you know how one song leads to another, right). The melody immediately caught my ear, and on further googling, the lyrics immediately captured my heart. Here it is, Tinsagu no Hana (Balsam Flowers), sung by Rimi Natsukawa: Tinsagu nu hana by Rimi NatsukawaHere are the lyrics

If you go to Tanjung Tuan, beware the monkey!

2009-10-17T09:09:00.005+08:00

Last weekend I was in Port Dickson for the Bagan Pinang by election, and had some free time on Saturday afternoon. Having had enough of the campaigning antics (of both sides) for a while, I decided to go to Tanjung Tuan (also known as Cape Rachado) for some peace and quiet. It was not far from where the MAFREL's operation centre was. My Mum used to tell us about the times when, as a child, she

Who I am, and why I blog

2009-10-10T03:46:00.001+08:00

Recently, a young Malaysian, who is researching citizen journalism and citizen blogging in Malaysia, emailed me with some questions to answer. After sending him/her my reply, I realised that what I wrote was a statement of why I blog, and of who I am as a blogger. I reproduce here his/her questions and my responses to them, as a statement of principles.1. What prompted you to start blogging?

Today is World March Kuala Lumpur – Street Party!

2009-10-10T03:43:00.001+08:00

Today, 10 October 2009, is World March Kuala Lumpur – Street Party! From The World March for Peace and Nonviolence's website (www.theworldmarch.org):The World March for Peace and Nonviolence was launched during the Symposium of the World Center for Humanist Studies held at the Park of Study and Reflection in Punta de Vacas, Argentina, on November 15, 2008.The World March aims to generate

Did Hishamuddin Hussein and Syed Hamid Albar lie about Waythamoorthy's passport?

2009-10-05T12:30:00.009+08:00

SAD FAREWELL: A picture of Waythamoorthy and his daughter, taken after their breakfast in Singapore,before he departed for UK yesterday (photo and caption from this Malay Mail report datelined 28/9/09)One of the standard responses of Umno/BN to any people's power movement that they find threatening, is to to impugn the movements motives and cast aspersions on the honour and credibility of its

What lessons can Malaysians learn from Mahatma Gandhi and Satyagraha?

2009-10-02T23:48:00.004+08:00

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948photo from hereToday, 2 October 2009 is the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. In India it is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, and internationally it is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Besides commemorating the birth of such a human being, what lessons can we learn from his life and struggle, and why would

Murugiah's attempt to stifle legitimate political discourse (and give BN an edge in Bagan Pasir) must be opposed!

2009-10-02T14:34:00.004+08:00

From the New Straits Times 4 days ago (bold emphasis mine):Instant detention threat for talk on cow's head 2009/09/28 PORT DICKSON: Anyone bringing up the Shah Alam cow's head incident during the Bagan Pinang election campaign will be detained immediately and could face charges of inciting racial tensions. The warning was made by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk T.

Justice for Kugan petition to DYMM YDP Agong 26/09/09 - what I observed

2009-09-27T11:23:00.015+08:00

This is what I observed at the peaceful assembly in front of the Istana Negara on 26 September 2009, which was called by Hindraf and the Human Rights Party Malaysia to deliver a petition to the the DYMM Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. The petition, which you can download and read here, pleads to the YDP Agong for justice for Kugan and his family. Eight months after his death in police custody, the killer/

If our politicians are working only for their own interests, it is because we do not make them work for ours!

2009-09-24T16:03:00.004+08:00

Dear Readers,Hope you all had happy and meaningful Hari Raya holidays, because now it's time to get back to the work we must all do: bringing change to our country, beginning with ourselves.Raja Petra wrote an excellent article, "Me serve the rakyat? Nah!", published on Malaysia Today yesterday. While I can't vouch for the factuality of the specifics RPK reported as going on behind the scene of

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to all!

2009-09-20T01:45:00.000+08:00

Today, 20 September 2009 AD (or 1 Syawal 1430 AH) is Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Hari Raya means "day of celebration" in Bahasa Malaysia, and Aidil Fitri is from the Arabic Eid ul-Fitr; Eid means celebration or festival, and Fitr pertains to the breaking of fast. It is the Islamic festival that is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. As it is written in the Holy Quran:

Rest in Peace, Mary Travers

2009-09-18T15:30:00.002+08:00

Mary Allin Travers(9/11/1936 - 16/9/2009)Mary Travers, folk singer, activist, and member of Peter, Paul and Mary, the influential folk trio of the 60's, passed away on 16 September 2009. How influential were they? Speaking for myself, the first time I heard Blowin in the wind, it made me think hard about some of the values that I had adopted, and some of the things that I had taken for granted.

The Charter of the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Initiative

2009-09-17T12:51:00.010+08:00

ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA PREAMBLE:Recognising that our beloved Malaysia is:A sovereign and independent member of the global community of nations;A polity founded on the principles of a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy;A multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multi-cultural society formed on the basis of a shared choice of membership;A country built and nurtured by the immeasurable efforts

MUST READ: What does Umno value? Another GREAT article from The Nut Graph

2009-09-17T12:11:00.001+08:00

Dear Readers,The folks at The Nut Graph have done it again! I reproduce here part of another powerful article from there, this time by Ding Jo-Ann. This article is sharp and incisive; it gets to the heart of the matter and drives a stake through it. It lays bare what our ruling party is all about:"Since the March 2008 general election, calls have been growing for the BN to rethink the race-based

The Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia initiative: launched on Hari Malaysia!

2009-09-17T08:38:00.008+08:00

On the 46th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia, another endeavour of hope has been launched: the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia initiative, the goal of which is to actualise the spirit and substance of "One People, One Nation".It is an initiative by a group of Malaysians who believe that we can, and need to, do better as a nation. The difference between this particular effort and the others

New Nationalism: Freedom with Empowering Peace

2009-09-17T05:31:00.000+08:00

Dear Readers, This is a joint statement made by more than fifty civil society organizations, where they spelt out a framework for a new national discourse which embodies diversity and dissent and the rejection of political violence as the true signs of nationhood.New Nationalism: Freedom with Empowering Peace We the undersigned civil society organizations believe that Malaysia must renew our

Five ISA detainees released - THANK GOODNESS!!! Nine more to go!

2009-09-15T21:26:00.003+08:00

(Mat Sah Satray with his son Shuaib. Photograph taken from here)Mat Sah Mohamad Satray, Dr Abdullah Daud, Mohd Nasir Ismail @ Hassan, Ahmad Kamil Md Hanapiah and Muhammad Amir Md Hanapiah will be released from detention without trial under the Internal Security Act today. En. Mat Sah, who had been detained without trial since April 2002, is the husband of anti-ISA activist Pn. Norlaila Othman, or

Would a British politician stand on stage with a weapon in hand? - Response to an anon

2009-09-15T16:50:00.005+08:00

In response to my previous post "MUST READ: Would a British politician stand on stage with a weapon in hand? - Article by Dr Farish A Noor, from the Nut Graph", an anonymous commenter replied as follows:No need to imagine, violent anti-islam demonstration did happen in Britainhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1205263/Police-arrest-31-demonstration-Islamic-fundamentalism.htmlThis is my

MUST READ: Would a British politician stand on stage with a weapon in hand? - Article by Dr Farish A Noor, from the Nut Graph

2009-09-15T12:24:00.001+08:00

Dear Readers,This is a short excerpt from a powerful article titled "Power, politicians and brutality", by Dr Farish A Noor, which was published in The Nut Graph today (bold emphasis mine):"Southeast Asians tend to adopt a dismissive view of the West. And there are far too many right-wing ethno-nationalist leaders in our part of the world who cannot evolve any further than to continue in their

Meme: Save Yvonne’s Sight

2009-09-14T16:02:00.002+08:00

Dear Reader,I read about the Save Yvonne's Sight meme on Crankshaft.Blogger Yvonne Foong, 22, has neurofibromatosis type II, which has severely affected her sight and hearing due to tumours in the brain and spine. She is scheduled for an operation between 1 and 4 December 2009. The cost of surgery is USD44,000 or RM54,770, and the cost of staying in hospital for two weeks is USD915 or RM3219.She

The magpie barks propaganda: How to read partisan blogs 5

2009-09-13T17:11:00.003+08:00

For this fifth instalment of HTRPB, we'll be looking at a post by blogger Pasquale of Barking Magpie. In the past, he has posted entries titled "When will the Malays learn!!! The Chinese will and can never share power once they ARE in power!", and "CPM stands for Chinese Party of Malaya and they failed to form a Chinese entity in Malaya...cept for Penang!". The post we will be looking at is more

Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia 2009

2009-09-13T11:31:00.000+08:00

Dear Readers,This is a most commendable effort by Peace4Msia. Here it is in full:Dear friends,A few friends met up some days ago and in talking about events that have happened in the country in the past year, came up with this idea: what if on Malaysia Day we all fast for peace for our nation? The idea grew into a plan and now, it has become a nationwide call for action."Fast for the Nation,

Is this what Rocky's Bru has turned into? How to read partisan blogs 4

2009-09-11T16:55:00.006+08:00

(Updated Below)The testimony of Sivanesan Tanggavelu that he was hit with a metal rod, punched, kicked, slapped all over and even caned on his genitals and the soles of his feet until he passed out from the pain, while in the custody of the ACA, should be cause for serious concern for all Malaysians. After all, we have been plagued with a series of suspicious deaths in custody, and we have seen

What was Hindraf singing during their vigil?

2009-09-10T23:59:00.000+08:00

Those of us who have seen the video of Hindraf's candle light vigil on 5/9/09, and the subsequent arrests by our police, would have heard the vigillers singing a song in Tamil, as they tried unsuccessfully to get to Dataran Merdeka. For the benefit of those of us who would like to understand what they were singing, and why, here is some info.The title of the song is Tholvi nilayena ninaithaal,

"I am an individual" - excellent post by Hussein Abdul Hamid

2009-09-09T11:06:00.003+08:00

Blogger Hussein Abdul Hamid, who blogs at Steadyaku47, writes this excellent entry, part of which I reproduce here:Tuesday, September 8, 2009 I am an individual. The state of affairs now seen on our country leaves us with no other conclusion then that UMNO has failed. It has failed in its effort to justify their demand that we Malaysian should allow them to continue

How old is the Sri Mahamariamman temple in Section 19?

2009-09-08T21:59:00.003+08:00

There seem to be at least two different figures quoted as the age of the Sri Mahamariamman temple in Section 19. The news media seem to believe that the temple is 150 years old, as can be seen in these reports: The Star: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/5/nation/20090905110154&sec=nation NST: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/7cowhead/Article/index_html Malaysian

Y.B. Sivarasa on DSAI's prosecution - videos from Media Rakyat

2009-09-07T15:26:00.003+08:00

Dear Readers,This is a must see from the folks at Media Rakyat! Sivarasa Rasiah: You The Rakyat Be The Jury (Pt 1) Sivarasa Rasiah: You The Rakyat Be The Jury (Pt 2) Sivarasa Rasiah: You The Rakyat Be The Jury (Pt 3)These videos (and lots more like them) are available at Media Rakyat. In their own words:The Universal Declaration of Human Rights indicates: “Everyone has the right to freedom of

Democracy, according to Rocky

2009-09-06T04:38:00.000+08:00

In Rocky's latest post, "Seksyen 23 residents prevail", he writes (bold emphasis mine):Temple relocation shelved. Not a good day for Khalid Ibrahim. The Menteri Besar's dialogue with the Section 23 residents this morning went awfully awry.Lessons for the govt:1. Unilateral decisions don't pay, especially with a weak government/leadership2. Democracy is alive (especially after a demonstration)Is

Hindraf's candle light vigil 5/9/09 - what I observed

2009-09-06T03:59:00.002+08:00

Map of Dataran Merdeka and its environsAs I crossed Jalan Kinabalu to get to Dataran Merdeka, it was 6 pm. In front of St. Mary's church (A on the map), I could see police officers walking towards Jalan Raja, adjusting their uniforms and berets. Ahead, there was a police "balai bergerak", and a van. An assortment of uniformed officers stood by, while about 25 - 30 people dressed in plain clothes

Y.B. Khalid Samad - a principled Malaysian leader (UPDATED)

2009-09-05T02:27:00.006+08:00

(Photo of Y.B. Ir. Khalid Samad from here)Never let it be said that there are no principled politicians in Malaysia. There is at least ONE, and his name is Y.B. Khalid Samad, M.P. for Shah Alam, and a member of PAS Central Political Bureau.In the wake of the BN inspired cow's head incident, when our government ministers have chosen to defend bigots who threatened violence on their fellow

What possessed the protesters? - Article by Jacqueline Ann Surin from the Nut Graph

2009-09-04T16:29:00.004+08:00

Dear Readers,This is part of an excellent article by Jacqueline Ann Surin, who is the Editor of The Nut Graph, which was published there today:What possessed the protesters? 4 Sep 09 : 8.00AMBy Jacqueline Ann Surin jacquelinesurin@thenutgraph.com