Was at the office by 8am this morning, to beat the morning sun. The location of my new place is a 20 minute walk to my office, which is pretty cool because it means that I don't have to waste time on buses or MRTs, and I shrink my carbon footprint, yeah! All the more to compensate for flights that I take =P
There is also a recycling station directly downstairs, I can see it from my room window nine floors up. So now I have two more trash cans, one for bottles and cans, and one for paper. Takes a bit more effort, because I'll have to take the recyclables down instead of just disposing everything through the rubbish chute in the kitchen that makes trash disappear magically (never ceases to amaze me). But I'm happy about it. It's one of the little things, out of many others, that makes my place so great.
Housemate David has not moved in yet, he'll probably move in this weekend or later. Right now I am staying alone, enjoying the space that I can call my own, finally. On the day that my parents returned to KL, the second day that I moved in, I lay spreadeagle on my mattress, buried in the midst of boxes and bags, and slept. For hours and hours. Woke up, thought about unpacking, and went back to sleep. After all these months, I could finally relax and unwind and... rest. From July I'd been rushing from one event to another, one country to another, one bed to another. I felt like I could sleep forever. And from that day I have been waking up every morning with a smile on my face.
My room is gorgeous. It is bright and airy (windy even, at times), fully unfurnished, meaning that I moved into an entirely bare room. This allows me tremendous creative space. I've planned the whole room out and know exactly how it will look like after I'm done with it. Right now it's a big mess but that will change after I get some storage space. My faithful wall map of Asia (with Europe thrown in) will go up on the wall beside my bed. I'll have a chill out corner, with soft lighting and a rug and lots of cushions. Dark curtains. A small book case half concealed under a table cloth.
And the kitchen! I can finally buy vegetables in bulk because we have a cool new fridge (as opposed to the old broken one with the previous Landlord of Nightmares), have milk, put my eggs in, have fizzy drinks, so on and so forth =D I've been cooking noodles the past two nights just putting together whatever I can think of, coming up with a final concoction of:
charcoal noodles + onion + carrot + tomato + egg + seaweed + milk + vegetable stock. Tastes pretty good actually. I also eat it out of the pot. One less dish to wash =D
I think I will make mushroom soup tonight. Maybe I should experiment infusing rice with a mushroom soup base. Make some sort of risotto-like thing, which in case of failure will just turn into mushroom porridge.
Yup I'm pretty happy =) Oh yeah I am going to donate blood this afternoon. Yes, after two times of rejection (a year ago my veins were too weak, 8 months ago I was sick within 3 weeks before the donation drive) I am going for the third time. I connected the dots and figured out the problem. Twice I went on Fridays, twice I failed! Coincidence? I don't think so. Haha just kidding. Anyway third time's the charm, fingers crossed. Back to work!
Showing posts with label power-of-one. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power-of-one. Show all posts
The thing about Earth Hour.
It's always the same argument, isn't it. Why should I vote? Not like I'm going to make a difference. Why should I throw garbage in a can when there is so much litter lying around? Why should I change my lifestyle when other people won't?
For me, I don't care what other people do. I do my bit. I reject plastic bags as much as I can. I bring my own utensils to the canteen that only uses polystyrene utensils, or boycott it when I don't feel like eating crappy food and washing my own utensils. I try to use power conscientiously. I've got loads of room for improvement, I know that, but at least I try.
Earth Hour is a world-wide PR stunt, not hippie-run, and loads of people are capitalizing on it. So what? Somewhere, it might inspire people to change their lifestyles. To turn off their appliances when they're not using them. To talk about what they can do, with like-minded people. To explain to their children why the national landmark was blacked out for an hour. To make a symbolic gesture that LOOK CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING, what can we do about it?
Look I know there's a lot of crap happening in this world. I know a lot of people are disillusioned. I agree that climate change will not be reversed by a one-hour world-wide publicity stunt. But whinging about it, taking a stand against it because you don't want to be seen as a follower of fads, will bring positive change? We keep harping about "people's attitudes", forgetting that we are the people. We are the attitudes that need to be changed.
The other day, I met a prof on my floor who beckoned to me and banged a tin thingy that he was holding. "Look," he said. I looked. "I brought my own utensils too!" he said, proudly. I had met him in the canteen once, quite some time ago, and he saw me using my container. "Just wanted to let you know that you're inspiring people around you!" he beamed. I wasn't even trying.
Just because you don't see the difference that you're making, does not mean that you did not make a difference.
And that's my stand on Earth Hour.
For me, I don't care what other people do. I do my bit. I reject plastic bags as much as I can. I bring my own utensils to the canteen that only uses polystyrene utensils, or boycott it when I don't feel like eating crappy food and washing my own utensils. I try to use power conscientiously. I've got loads of room for improvement, I know that, but at least I try.
Earth Hour is a world-wide PR stunt, not hippie-run, and loads of people are capitalizing on it. So what? Somewhere, it might inspire people to change their lifestyles. To turn off their appliances when they're not using them. To talk about what they can do, with like-minded people. To explain to their children why the national landmark was blacked out for an hour. To make a symbolic gesture that LOOK CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING, what can we do about it?
Look I know there's a lot of crap happening in this world. I know a lot of people are disillusioned. I agree that climate change will not be reversed by a one-hour world-wide publicity stunt. But whinging about it, taking a stand against it because you don't want to be seen as a follower of fads, will bring positive change? We keep harping about "people's attitudes", forgetting that we are the people. We are the attitudes that need to be changed.
The other day, I met a prof on my floor who beckoned to me and banged a tin thingy that he was holding. "Look," he said. I looked. "I brought my own utensils too!" he said, proudly. I had met him in the canteen once, quite some time ago, and he saw me using my container. "Just wanted to let you know that you're inspiring people around you!" he beamed. I wasn't even trying.
Just because you don't see the difference that you're making, does not mean that you did not make a difference.
And that's my stand on Earth Hour.
EARTH HOUR!!!
Rooarrrrr!!!!
Don't know what Earth Hour is? To make it simple for you, on March 28th 2009, whereever on earth you are, at 8:30pm, you're supposed to turn off your lights. For one hour. That's Earth Hour.
Let me illustrate for you the magnitude of this event. On this day,
Malaysians! It's lights off for Putrajaya. Petronas Twin Towers. Penang Bridge. Dataran Merdeka.
Elsewhere, but no less important! Great Pyramids of Giza is going to turn off. Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in France, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, Niagara Falls, Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, Stockholm Castle, Acropolis, will all be dark as well.
To a smaller scale! NTU Graduate Hall (where I'm staying in) is turning off corridor lights of alternate floors.
Even extreme cynics agree.
WHY?
Do you want to vote for global warming?? Do you?? Think about the children!
However you do it. Do it. Sign up and be counted.
Don't know what Earth Hour is? To make it simple for you, on March 28th 2009, whereever on earth you are, at 8:30pm, you're supposed to turn off your lights. For one hour. That's Earth Hour.
Let me illustrate for you the magnitude of this event. On this day,
Malaysians! It's lights off for Putrajaya. Petronas Twin Towers. Penang Bridge. Dataran Merdeka.
Elsewhere, but no less important! Great Pyramids of Giza is going to turn off. Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in France, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, Niagara Falls, Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, Stockholm Castle, Acropolis, will all be dark as well.
To a smaller scale! NTU Graduate Hall (where I'm staying in) is turning off corridor lights of alternate floors.
Even extreme cynics agree.
WHY?
THIS IS THE WORLD’S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION, BETWEEN EARTH AND GLOBAL WARMING.
On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour.
Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.
The results of the election are being presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. We want one billion votes for Earth, to tell world leaders that we have to take action against global warming. [source]
However you do it. Do it. Sign up and be counted.
Friday is Blood Donation Day (II)
Today's Friday. The Thirteenth! *thunder*
So like I mentioned in my last post, I went to donate my blood again. I had made an appointment a week ago to secure a slot, and put my passport into my bag yesterday so I wouldn't forget.
Today at 11:25am I went to the Student Activities Centre. Got my goodies (a cool diary and an even cooler badge in the shape of a red blood drop with AB on it) and filled in the forms. After getting rejected the last time for having weak veins, I was nervous that they'd reject me again - and apparently they had my records, so off I was booted to check my veins, before they would register me. My veins were alright, phew! Then I was sent to the medical checkup station. While waiting I leafed through the free diary, and noted that you can't be sick or have a fever within three weeks of your blood donation day.
*thunder*
It was then confirmed by the physician - they couldn't accept my blood because I had been sick, although I am alright now. Of course I couldn't protest because as much as I want to donate my blood to help people in need, I don't want to end up poisoning them because of my sickly blood. But it was so disappointing that this time round I didn't even clear the registration stage. If this trend keeps up, next time I'd be rejected even before trying to register. I returned the cool diary because I didn't feel that I deserved it, but secretly kept the badge. I know, I know. I'm a pathetic pseudo blood donor.
So that's how I ended up in my office drowning my sorrows with Peel Fresh Mango Juice and some Extremely Salty Chips. Nobody wants my blood. People in the office were sympathetic and cautiously kept their faces straight.
To others reading this who are healthy enough to donate blood: Think of those that can't, and do it. Your blood can save lives, and you never know if you would need the favour returned next time (choi choi choi). As for me, I'm going to keep at this until I finally get it right. Me and my AB+ blood shall prevail.
So like I mentioned in my last post, I went to donate my blood again. I had made an appointment a week ago to secure a slot, and put my passport into my bag yesterday so I wouldn't forget.
Today at 11:25am I went to the Student Activities Centre. Got my goodies (a cool diary and an even cooler badge in the shape of a red blood drop with AB on it) and filled in the forms. After getting rejected the last time for having weak veins, I was nervous that they'd reject me again - and apparently they had my records, so off I was booted to check my veins, before they would register me. My veins were alright, phew! Then I was sent to the medical checkup station. While waiting I leafed through the free diary, and noted that you can't be sick or have a fever within three weeks of your blood donation day.
*thunder*
It was then confirmed by the physician - they couldn't accept my blood because I had been sick, although I am alright now. Of course I couldn't protest because as much as I want to donate my blood to help people in need, I don't want to end up poisoning them because of my sickly blood. But it was so disappointing that this time round I didn't even clear the registration stage. If this trend keeps up, next time I'd be rejected even before trying to register. I returned the cool diary because I didn't feel that I deserved it, but secretly kept the badge. I know, I know. I'm a pathetic pseudo blood donor.
So that's how I ended up in my office drowning my sorrows with Peel Fresh Mango Juice and some Extremely Salty Chips. Nobody wants my blood. People in the office were sympathetic and cautiously kept their faces straight.
To others reading this who are healthy enough to donate blood: Think of those that can't, and do it. Your blood can save lives, and you never know if you would need the favour returned next time (choi choi choi). As for me, I'm going to keep at this until I finally get it right. Me and my AB+ blood shall prevail.
This is sick.
Prompted by Elviza's kind email regarding relief efforts by Mercy Malaysia offered to Palestine, I took some time off this evening from my readings and read up a little more on the situation in Gaza. I'm sure most of you would have kept yourself more informed than I have, so I'm just going to show some pictures ripped from NYTimes. Because many of us are quite insensitive to human suffering unless it is shoved in our faces.
The funeral for 14 of around 40 people killed on Tuesday when Israeli mortar fire struck near a United Nations school in Gaza where many people were taking refuge. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
Women grieved during another funeral, for ten family members killed in a missile strike. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
The aftermath of an airstrike in the Rafah refugee camp on Wednesday. The rising civilian death toll in crowded Gaza heightened international urgency to end the combat. Israel has said repeatedly that it will not end the operation in Gaza until it is certain that Hamas will no longer fire rockets into its civilian areas. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
From Yasmin Ahmad's blog, I read SMSes from Dr. Jemilah from Mercy Malaysia who is currently delivering aid on the ground at Gaza.
I think, witnessing all the efforts that Mercy Malaysia is putting into helping all the innocent lives taken and injured (according to Elviza's blog, Al-Jazeera has the figures that 700 Palestinians have been killed, 219 of whom are children; more than 3000 are wounded), supporting them is the least that we can do.
How you can help? Monetarily, Mercy Malaysia needs more contributions to buy surgical kits, medicines and hospital equipments to help the hospitals in Gaza.
***
And then I watched two videos, also from Yasmin Ahmad's blog, on the American media portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict. As a media student I am fascinated, but as a layperson I am overwhelmingly disgusted by the underhanded tactics used to virtually mask the events from the rest of the world. Each clip takes 30 minutes, but I assure you it's worth it, to learn from media activists, scholars and journalists what's really the situation, and how the media twisted the facts.
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 1)
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 2)
To sum things up, these videos will show you how Israel is obsessed with its PR image, how the media content goes through some 4 major filters, i.e. 1) the owners of the US media and their business interests, 2) the political elites, 3) the PR efforts of Israel and 4) Pro-Israel media watchdogs. Then they show you, in six clear points, the PR strategies of Israel. Interesting bits include how the journalists are being forced to use language such as "neighbourhood" instead of "settlement" to mask the (very much illegal) occupation of Palestine; and how they give uneven portrayal (empathy on Israel side and nonchalance on the Palestine side); and how they use words like "retaliation" to imply that the Israelis were acting out of self-defense... it is really fascinating.
It's too long to summarize here and I'm quite eager to get this post out, so for you weirdos who want to read the transcript of the videos instead of watching them, here's the link to the transcript. The videos are produced by the Media Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization which produces documentaries looking at media critically.
The funeral for 14 of around 40 people killed on Tuesday when Israeli mortar fire struck near a United Nations school in Gaza where many people were taking refuge. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
Women grieved during another funeral, for ten family members killed in a missile strike. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
The aftermath of an airstrike in the Rafah refugee camp on Wednesday. The rising civilian death toll in crowded Gaza heightened international urgency to end the combat. Israel has said repeatedly that it will not end the operation in Gaza until it is certain that Hamas will no longer fire rockets into its civilian areas. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.comFrom Yasmin Ahmad's blog, I read SMSes from Dr. Jemilah from Mercy Malaysia who is currently delivering aid on the ground at Gaza.
"Salaam. I am leaving tonight for Egypt and onto Rafah, to set up a pipeline for aid into Gaza. Don't worry, it is safe there. Pray for us and the people who are suffering there. Happy new year, I love all of you." (Dec 31)
"Salaam, Min. As I write this, in the last 15 minutes more than 20 bombs have fallen on Gaza, within the distance I can hear them. We are about 2 km from Palestine, and it is a case of so near and yet so far. Our five trucks are loaded with USD100,000 worth of valuable medicine, surgical sets, and disposable items, including syringes, intravenous infusions and bandages. We will wait till the bombings stop, and once the gate opens, we will try to push the goods through. While the Egyptian border has thankfully allowed aid to go through, the challenge is to wait for trucks from the Palestine side to come and collect the goods. For the past day, they have not been able to collect even life saving goods as Israel continues with land and air assaults. We will try our best and stay till we can assure our aid goes through. Many people have been kind to us here and we ask for your continued support and prayers." (4 Jan)
"Alhamdulillah (Praise the Lord). Nothing short of a miracle and Allah's love and mercy for us. We managed to transfer 50 tons of supplies. Many people waited for days, but we sailed through. Alhamdulillah. How was your TV thing? To be honest, it's been very slow on the fund-raising side from HQ." (5 Jan)
"Alhamdulillah. I am fine. Spent some time with Palestinian kids transferred to Cairo for treatment. They were crying and wanting to go home! They don't realise their homes have been blown apart. So very sad. Getting the second consignment ready to go again. Take care. Salaam to all and thank everyone for their generosity and doas." (7 Jan)
I think, witnessing all the efforts that Mercy Malaysia is putting into helping all the innocent lives taken and injured (according to Elviza's blog, Al-Jazeera has the figures that 700 Palestinians have been killed, 219 of whom are children; more than 3000 are wounded), supporting them is the least that we can do.
How you can help? Monetarily, Mercy Malaysia needs more contributions to buy surgical kits, medicines and hospital equipments to help the hospitals in Gaza.
- Cheque is to be made payable to “MERCY MALAYSIA” and addressed to Mercy Malaysia, Level 2, Podium Block, City Point, Kompleks Dayabumi, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 Kuala Lumpur.
- Cash donations can be made via on-line transmission or deposit at CIMB Bank Account No: 1424-000-6561053.
- Donation form can be downloaded from here.
- Further enquiries are to be directed to +603-22733999 or info@mercy.org.my
***
And then I watched two videos, also from Yasmin Ahmad's blog, on the American media portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict. As a media student I am fascinated, but as a layperson I am overwhelmingly disgusted by the underhanded tactics used to virtually mask the events from the rest of the world. Each clip takes 30 minutes, but I assure you it's worth it, to learn from media activists, scholars and journalists what's really the situation, and how the media twisted the facts.
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 1)
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 2)
To sum things up, these videos will show you how Israel is obsessed with its PR image, how the media content goes through some 4 major filters, i.e. 1) the owners of the US media and their business interests, 2) the political elites, 3) the PR efforts of Israel and 4) Pro-Israel media watchdogs. Then they show you, in six clear points, the PR strategies of Israel. Interesting bits include how the journalists are being forced to use language such as "neighbourhood" instead of "settlement" to mask the (very much illegal) occupation of Palestine; and how they give uneven portrayal (empathy on Israel side and nonchalance on the Palestine side); and how they use words like "retaliation" to imply that the Israelis were acting out of self-defense... it is really fascinating.
It's too long to summarize here and I'm quite eager to get this post out, so for you weirdos who want to read the transcript of the videos instead of watching them, here's the link to the transcript. The videos are produced by the Media Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization which produces documentaries looking at media critically.
Are you suing me for having oral sex?
Yesterday in Dr I's lecture he was telling us an anecdote about this country's newspaper (I think it's Singapore but can't be sure) whose top guy was saying "gay" shouldn't be used for homosexuals because "it's a happy word". So therefore when the American sprinter, Tyson Gay was on the news, his name was automatically altered by the system into "Tyson Homosexual". I hope think they rectified it before it went into print.
I forgot why he was telling that story.
Anyway some help is needed of you dear people, to sign an online petition calling for sexuality rights in Malaysia. Read the text - anal and oral sex are deemed as "unnatural offenses" by law, and people who do it can be sentenced up to 20 years jail and whipped. I didn't know that. And who are you, the state, to tell me what to do and what not to do within the confines of my bedroom? And this doesn't apply only to gay people, but also to heterosexuals as well, for those of you who are wondering. So all of us are in this. Homophobic or not.
Here's the gist of what we want from the government:
Alright let's not get carried away here. Sign the petition, my fellowmen and women, at least make ourselves heard in a small scale. Sex is a basic need, much like eating. Should we be policed on how we eat our nasi briyani? Should I be jailed for slurping my soup? Would I be whipped if I don't eat cereal with milk?
Hail sexuality rights! Sign the petition here.
I forgot why he was telling that story.
Anyway some help is needed of you dear people, to sign an online petition calling for sexuality rights in Malaysia. Read the text - anal and oral sex are deemed as "unnatural offenses" by law, and people who do it can be sentenced up to 20 years jail and whipped. I didn't know that. And who are you, the state, to tell me what to do and what not to do within the confines of my bedroom? And this doesn't apply only to gay people, but also to heterosexuals as well, for those of you who are wondering. So all of us are in this. Homophobic or not.
Here's the gist of what we want from the government:
- abolish all laws that criminalise sexual practices between consenting adults.
- dismantle State institutions or initiatives that were established with the purpose of regulating and monitoring people's sexual or moral behaviour in consensual situations.
- cease all persecution of and discrimination against sexual minorities such as homosexuals, bisexuals, intersexed, transsexuals and transvestites, and transgendered people.
Alright let's not get carried away here. Sign the petition, my fellowmen and women, at least make ourselves heard in a small scale. Sex is a basic need, much like eating. Should we be policed on how we eat our nasi briyani? Should I be jailed for slurping my soup? Would I be whipped if I don't eat cereal with milk?
Hail sexuality rights! Sign the petition here.
Earth Hour 2008
I am participating in Earth Hour 2008, which is a global movement of turning your lights off for one hour, on 29th of March, 2008. It is a symbolic gesture to recognize the significance of global warming and climate change, and on this date some cities such as Bangkok, Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Christchurch, Manila etc. (click here for comprehensive list) would turn off their lights at 8pm.
You can sign up here to register your support, and tell your friends about it. Apparently Malaysians are quite responsive as we are ranked the seventh in number of supporters, following USA, Canada, Australia, UK, NZ and India. Also you can click here for the list of Malaysian businesses and schools which are participating.
By the way, I googled "climate change", and was quite surprised to find out that Malaysia actually has a group targeting climate change! It is called the CETDEM (Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia), not a very specific name is it? Anyway there are three major aspects that they work on, i.e. climate change, organic farming and sustainable energy. And apparently it has been around since 1985! Interesting, I shall read more into it.
*To be updated constantly*
To the following list of people who signed up for the event, thank you! =D And spread the influence!
1. Asa - who told me about the event
2. Seow - first one on my account!
3. Melissa Tan =D
Apparently policemen are known as "cikgu" in jail.
Just back from Nat's forum and right after unloading almost 2 litres from my bloated bladder, here I am. OK so you didn't have to know about the bladder thing, but that's to illustrate my complete dedication to the matter at hand.
I took some interesting notes.
From Jeff: Nat was arrested but they were not sure of what code to charge him under. Therefore, and this is a darkly funny phrase, it was a "flippant arrest". Also from Jeff: Bloggers are warned that from now on until the next general election, there may be "planted commenters" leaving comments on blogs which may land blog owners in trouble.
Nat's account of what happened in jail. When Nat was following the police out, he received a call from his lawyer to refuse going with them. When he did, the police just said "tangkap sajalah" and handcuffed him, and that's how he was whisked away. He was brought back home where they ransacked his place and took his PCs, his monitor (wahahahaha) and some papers. Nat noted that they could have planted anything in his room if they wanted. (I've heard elsewhere that it's the oldest trick in the book)
As had been described in Eli's blog before (here and here), there had been attempts to thwart Nat's lawyers in appearing beside him in court. Nat was also questioned over and over and over again over same questions - in Nat's words: "different officers, same questionnaire" (yes, and some innocent pedestrian outside the lockup was probably being mugged while the officers sat inside asking questions like "siapa nama kau" and "umur berapa" over and over and over again. Lack of resources my foot lah.) in attempt to break (or frame?) him.
Why (was Nat arrested)? Ah this is interesting. Nat and his other conspiracy theorists have come up with three probable reasons on why he had to spend four days in lockup and, upon release, endure his new nickname as "Ikan Bilis".
First scenario: it may be due to the "complete ineptitude" of the police, more so the Cyber Crimes Unit. According to Nat, these people have no idea what blogs are. Go figure.
Second scenario: it may be due to the fact that Nat's affiliated with opposition politics. Hmmm...
Third scenario, a.k.a. Juicy Dirty Conspiracy Theory That Sounds Kinda Plausible: Nat's being therusa kancil between two pertempuran gajah-s. OK obviously you don't know what I'm talking about. Let me explain. Nat could be the sacrificial stone which was used to kill two big birds. Still don't get it?
OK. Enough with analogies.
What I mean is, what could have happened, according to Nat's theory, was that he may have been
a) used to blow up the doctored photo, like what I had mentioned before. Keeping Najib's (did he? did he not?) involvement in Altantuya's case a huge question mark imprinted in the rakyat's minds. Even a simple layperson like me could see that, so that's no big conspiracy theory.
b) the pawn to remind us all, that there may be something to the reports of Dep. Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum being corrupt. He had just recently been cleared of his allegations. Or else why under the Official Secrets Act? Doesn't that add credibility to the reports that were refuted previously? Incidentally there is bad blood between Johari and the Inspector-General of Police, Musa Hassan. Ooooohh...
c) both of the above.
And you wonder why they called him the Ikan Bilis.
I don't remember if Nat mentioned that it may be an attempt to scare bloggers. Did he?
Not anyone is as lucky as Nat to have had his network of NGO activists, opposition leaders and bloggers behind him. Tony had presented a case of a man named Tung Ket Ming (I hope I spelt his name correctly), whose face due to my total lack of ability to recognize faces, is etched to my memory as a blank face with a huge black patch on where his right eye is.
Mr. Tung was charged for armed robbery, but refused to plead guilty. To force him to plead guilty he was beat up, SEVERAL times in SEVERAL police stations. He was punched, kungfu-kicked, hose(Not typo. A hose was used.)-whipped, and finally relented to sign a statement which he did not understand (due to illiteracy), admitting to committing armed robbery. Was Mr. Tung guilty? We will never know, but the records say that he is.
[Edit some minutes later: Malaysiakini has the report on Mr. Tung. They spelt his surname as "Tong", but I distinctively remember "Tung" on Tony's slides.]
Friends who went to the forum, please point out if there are any errors in what I've recorded above. After all I was taking notes with an extremely full bladder.
...
Wow I can't believe I have blabbed this much. Anyway this is for the benefit of those who didn't make it to the forum, and also for my own documentation purposes.
Oh, and a tip from Haris Ibrahim, a human rights lawyer: empower yourselves with the little red book (download from The Malaysian Bar: full version (incl. all languages: BM BI BC BT), versi Bahasa Malaysia, English version or 中文版), which teaches you your rights when confronted with the police. Also, Haris mentioned that if faced with the worst case scenario ("tangkap sajalah"), it is worth being charged under obstruction of police and wait till one's legal counsel arrives. Food for thought.
...
[Another Edit: After writing the whole piece only I remembered that Nat had written a statement on his arrest. In English and BM somemore. Read it here.]
I took some interesting notes.
From Jeff: Nat was arrested but they were not sure of what code to charge him under. Therefore, and this is a darkly funny phrase, it was a "flippant arrest". Also from Jeff: Bloggers are warned that from now on until the next general election, there may be "planted commenters" leaving comments on blogs which may land blog owners in trouble.
Nat's account of what happened in jail. When Nat was following the police out, he received a call from his lawyer to refuse going with them. When he did, the police just said "tangkap sajalah" and handcuffed him, and that's how he was whisked away. He was brought back home where they ransacked his place and took his PCs, his monitor (wahahahaha) and some papers. Nat noted that they could have planted anything in his room if they wanted. (I've heard elsewhere that it's the oldest trick in the book)
As had been described in Eli's blog before (here and here), there had been attempts to thwart Nat's lawyers in appearing beside him in court. Nat was also questioned over and over and over again over same questions - in Nat's words: "different officers, same questionnaire" (yes, and some innocent pedestrian outside the lockup was probably being mugged while the officers sat inside asking questions like "siapa nama kau" and "umur berapa" over and over and over again. Lack of resources my foot lah.) in attempt to break (or frame?) him.
Why (was Nat arrested)? Ah this is interesting. Nat and his other conspiracy theorists have come up with three probable reasons on why he had to spend four days in lockup and, upon release, endure his new nickname as "Ikan Bilis".
First scenario: it may be due to the "complete ineptitude" of the police, more so the Cyber Crimes Unit. According to Nat, these people have no idea what blogs are. Go figure.
Second scenario: it may be due to the fact that Nat's affiliated with opposition politics. Hmmm...
Third scenario, a.k.a. Juicy Dirty Conspiracy Theory That Sounds Kinda Plausible: Nat's being the
OK. Enough with analogies.
What I mean is, what could have happened, according to Nat's theory, was that he may have been
a) used to blow up the doctored photo, like what I had mentioned before. Keeping Najib's (did he? did he not?) involvement in Altantuya's case a huge question mark imprinted in the rakyat's minds. Even a simple layperson like me could see that, so that's no big conspiracy theory.
b) the pawn to remind us all, that there may be something to the reports of Dep. Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum being corrupt. He had just recently been cleared of his allegations. Or else why under the Official Secrets Act? Doesn't that add credibility to the reports that were refuted previously? Incidentally there is bad blood between Johari and the Inspector-General of Police, Musa Hassan. Ooooohh...
c) both of the above.
And you wonder why they called him the Ikan Bilis.
I don't remember if Nat mentioned that it may be an attempt to scare bloggers. Did he?
Not anyone is as lucky as Nat to have had his network of NGO activists, opposition leaders and bloggers behind him. Tony had presented a case of a man named Tung Ket Ming (I hope I spelt his name correctly), whose face due to my total lack of ability to recognize faces, is etched to my memory as a blank face with a huge black patch on where his right eye is.
Mr. Tung was charged for armed robbery, but refused to plead guilty. To force him to plead guilty he was beat up, SEVERAL times in SEVERAL police stations. He was punched, kungfu-kicked, hose(Not typo. A hose was used.)-whipped, and finally relented to sign a statement which he did not understand (due to illiteracy), admitting to committing armed robbery. Was Mr. Tung guilty? We will never know, but the records say that he is.
[Edit some minutes later: Malaysiakini has the report on Mr. Tung. They spelt his surname as "Tong", but I distinctively remember "Tung" on Tony's slides.]
Friends who went to the forum, please point out if there are any errors in what I've recorded above. After all I was taking notes with an extremely full bladder.
...
Wow I can't believe I have blabbed this much. Anyway this is for the benefit of those who didn't make it to the forum, and also for my own documentation purposes.
Oh, and a tip from Haris Ibrahim, a human rights lawyer: empower yourselves with the little red book (download from The Malaysian Bar: full version (incl. all languages: BM BI BC BT), versi Bahasa Malaysia, English version or 中文版), which teaches you your rights when confronted with the police. Also, Haris mentioned that if faced with the worst case scenario ("tangkap sajalah"), it is worth being charged under obstruction of police and wait till one's legal counsel arrives. Food for thought.
...
[Another Edit: After writing the whole piece only I remembered that Nat had written a statement on his arrest. In English and BM somemore. Read it here.]
I dreamt of Anwar yesterday.
I did. I can't remember what it was about, but I do remember Amir being in it. Contrary to what you may imagine, it had no guy-on-guy action. (Gaaah the horror!) Now if I can only recall what it was about... *stares off into the distance*
Speaking of which. The vote-buying activities of BN is really getting to me. VERY tulan. I meant to blog about it earlier when I read Tony's posts on his reflections on the Machap, Post 1 (about on-the-ground work) and Post 2 (BN bringing "development" to Machap. Vote-buying. VOTE-BUYING. WTH.), but it was stuck in a backlog of various other posts I had in my mind (hence the overload and I came up with 3 dustbins instead).
Here are some of the goodies Machap got, from Tony P's Post 2:
OK. Moving on.
Look what's on The Sun today: "Development pledges not 'vote-buying'" The whole piece is so wrong that I'm just going to put it in whole here:
//UPDATE
I have just noticed that WTF#1 differs slightly from WTF#2.
WTF#1: Development promises by ministers to voters during an election cannot be construed as vote-buying.
WTF#2: Election candidates and political parties cannot make promises to voters during an election.
Can anyone enlighten me with the technicalities of WTF#1 vs. WTF#2, apart from there are no opposition leaders who are ministers?
//End of UPDATE
And so it continues with Ijok. Elizabeth Wong has already got some early tidbits. Here and here.
Let's end this post with Bribe-Me Badges, crafted by Mob1900:
Speaking of which. The vote-buying activities of BN is really getting to me. VERY tulan. I meant to blog about it earlier when I read Tony's posts on his reflections on the Machap, Post 1 (about on-the-ground work) and Post 2 (BN bringing "development" to Machap. Vote-buying. VOTE-BUYING. WTH.), but it was stuck in a backlog of various other posts I had in my mind (hence the overload and I came up with 3 dustbins instead).
Here are some of the goodies Machap got, from Tony P's Post 2:
- Some 900 street lamps were put up. A hawker in Melaka town joked that its now so bright, he can see the ants on the road in the evenings! Roads were resurfaced, even when they are not particularly worn. A RM1.2 million recreational park was created all within a two-week period!
- BN was blatant in its attempt to sway voters preferences. BN's candidate, Lai Meng Chong was "caught" red-handed by the press in the early days of campaigning for offering RM8,000 to RM13,000 to renovate individual villager's houses.
- Later in the campaign, he was also "caught" on film giving out free food to constituents to entice support for BN. Again, this represents an offence under Malaysian laws. "A person is guilty under this offence known as 'treating' if he gives or provides any food, drink, refreshment or provision for the purpose of corruptly influencing others to give their vote during elections."
- Two days before the campaign ended, BN "donated" 400 brand new bicycles to a local school. Students were seen brandishing brand new mountain bicycles home that very day.
- At the karaoke entertainment centres organised by BN, not only do the participants get "free" entertainment, they will each receive RM20 as a "token of appreciation" for every song they belt out.
- And the ugliest of it all? Outright cash in exchange for votes. See Malaysiakini report here with all the photos. Our party worker, Thing Siew Shuen captured the utter lack of morals and integrity of MCA and Barisan Nasional on film. These voters collected RM100-200 each.
OK. Moving on.
Look what's on The Sun today: "Development pledges not 'vote-buying'" The whole piece is so wrong that I'm just going to put it in whole here:
KUALA LUMPUR (April 16, 2007): Development promises by ministers to voters during an election cannot be construed as vote-buying. (WTF #1)
Neither can allocations, given out in kind by ministers during elections, be deemed as bribing voters, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said today.
"Ministers and functionaries, people connected to the government, they're doing their job," he told reporters at the launch of a national voter registration campaign.
Abdul Rashid stressed, however, that election candidates and political parties cannot make promises to voters during an election. (WTF #2 which contradicts WTF#1)
In the recently-concluded Machap by-election in Malacca, voters benefitted from newly-paved roads, hundreds of new street lamps, and a RM1.2 million recreational area near the Durian Tunggal dam.
Other development goodies were also announced by the Barisan Nasional leadership, including 102 grants for housing lots for second-generation settler families at Felda Tun Ghafar Machap, and a RM3.7 million allocation to Felda Machap to upgrade water pipes, construct a multi-purpose hall and repair a mosque.
Various ministries also promised different kinds of allocations to improve the lives of voters, prompting DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to remark that the Machap voters were the "real victors" in the by-election.
Lim told theSun the party would be making a formal complaint to the EC today as such promises were an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954 as stipulated under Sections 8 to 10, which cover the issues of treating, exerting undue influence and bribery.
Abdul Rashid said vote-buying was not the EC's problem. (WTF#3?!?!?)
"Vote-buying is for the Anti-Corruption Agency (to investigate). We are not given the power to handle corrupt practices," he said, adding that the EC could only advise people to take part in the elections in "a clean way".
"Of course, if evidence is there, the party can bring the case to court and they (the courts) will decide," he said.
However, he noted that in previous court cases which contested these issues, the judges had ruled that there was no need to stop ministers from publicising their projects. (WTF#4 Neener neener neener there's nothing you can do)
Earlier, Abdul Rashid said the national voter registration exercise hoped to register at least 50% of the current 4.9 million unregistered voters.
So far, only 10.2 million Malaysians aged 21 years and above, out 15.1 million, have registered to vote. (WTF#5 Pulling hair out stomping on daisies belting expletives)
//UPDATE
I have just noticed that WTF#1 differs slightly from WTF#2.
WTF#1: Development promises by ministers to voters during an election cannot be construed as vote-buying.
WTF#2: Election candidates and political parties cannot make promises to voters during an election.
Can anyone enlighten me with the technicalities of WTF#1 vs. WTF#2, apart from there are no opposition leaders who are ministers?
//End of UPDATE
And so it continues with Ijok. Elizabeth Wong has already got some early tidbits. Here and here.
Let's end this post with Bribe-Me Badges, crafted by Mob1900:
We're registering tomorrow!
YKent and I are going to register as voters tomorrow! This is in response to Rocky's caution that those who wish to vote in the next General Election must register before the end of this month.
Thou shalt not deprive me of my voting rights!!!
I was going to do it anyway so tomorrow is as good a time as any. We're going to have breakfast then go to the nearest post office to perform the ceremony. Then we will proceed to complain, legitimately, about the government all the way home. Can't wait!
Here is what you need to know to register, nicked from this page of the Women's Aid Organization:
How do I register to vote?
So, have you registered yet?
Thou shalt not deprive me of my voting rights!!!
I was going to do it anyway so tomorrow is as good a time as any. We're going to have breakfast then go to the nearest post office to perform the ceremony. Then we will proceed to complain, legitimately, about the government all the way home. Can't wait!
Here is what you need to know to register, nicked from this page of the Women's Aid Organization:
How do I register to vote?
- You have to register to be a person on the electoral roll to ensure your right to vote during the elections.
- You can now register to vote throughout the year at any post office, State Electoral Office or Mobile Registration in public areas. Starting from 1 July 2002, you can register to vote every day during working hours.
- To be eligible, you must be a Malaysian citizen, at least 21 years old and residing in a constituency.
- To register, go to any post office or the State Electoral Office.
- Bring your identity card (IC) with you, and fill in Form A (Borang A), which has four sections. You will not have to pay for this form.
- As proof of your registration, tear off the attachment in Section IV of Form A, and keep it with you.
- This entire process should only take you about 20 minutes, and you will help to bring real changes to women's lives.
- Application's name should follow the name on the Identification Card. Use BLOCK LETTERS.
- Include the correct Identification Card number:
- New Identification Card Number
- Old Identification Card Number
- If the applicant does not have an Old Identification Card number, please state "NONE"/"TIADA" at the stipulated area/box.
- The applicants' address should be the full permanent and contactable address (please state the postcode).
- State the type of application; new application or application to change the address.
- Get and keep the attachment of Section IV of Form A as proof of registration.
So, have you registered yet?
Daphne and Aisya
Welcome new blogger Daphne Ling!
She's doing something pretty meaningful, helping a little girl and her family out. The little girl, Aisya suffers from Fraser Syndrome - "her eyelids are completely fused together, her fingers are webbed, her hearing is impaired and her larynx partially shut" -quote from an article featuring her from The Star. Her father who's the sole breadwinner in the family has just recently lost his job, so the family's basically struggling to make ends meet.
I have a vague memory of reading that article on paper actually. Poor thing.
How you can help - you can help spread the message (if you're a broke and jobless student like yours truly) or you can donate some money (check out this article for more information) or if you're in the position, you can even hire Aisya's dad! I don't know, be creative!
p/s. Go watch Mukhsin. It is WORTH YOUR MONEY. More on this later.
She's doing something pretty meaningful, helping a little girl and her family out. The little girl, Aisya suffers from Fraser Syndrome - "her eyelids are completely fused together, her fingers are webbed, her hearing is impaired and her larynx partially shut" -quote from an article featuring her from The Star. Her father who's the sole breadwinner in the family has just recently lost his job, so the family's basically struggling to make ends meet.
I have a vague memory of reading that article on paper actually. Poor thing.
How you can help - you can help spread the message (if you're a broke and jobless student like yours truly) or you can donate some money (check out this article for more information) or if you're in the position, you can even hire Aisya's dad! I don't know, be creative!
p/s. Go watch Mukhsin. It is WORTH YOUR MONEY. More on this later.
It's International Women's Day!
I'll let these people do the talking (and YELLING) for me.
This post is dedicated to all the women I know - my wonderful mum, my sister who's in college, women who have survived breast cancer, women who are struggling to raise four children on their own, girls who are in healthy relationships, girls who should stand up for themselves, girls who pretend to be dumb but in reality are not, strong women fighting for the greater good, lesbians and bi-sexuals, women of all body shapes, everybody.
SNAP OUT OF IT! EVERY DAY IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!
This post is dedicated to all the women I know - my wonderful mum, my sister who's in college, women who have survived breast cancer, women who are struggling to raise four children on their own, girls who are in healthy relationships, girls who should stand up for themselves, girls who pretend to be dumb but in reality are not, strong women fighting for the greater good, lesbians and bi-sexuals, women of all body shapes, everybody.
SNAP OUT OF IT! EVERY DAY IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!
Child Abuse is Bad.
And child sexual abuse is worse.
I spent the last hour having lunch with my sis, who came back from a workshop on child abuse yesterday, and was determined to share all the morbid little stories and details she'd learnt. So exuberant was she that I suppressed the odd mixture of hate and nausea churning within, and gulped down the tasteless lunch whilst she chattered away.
So, if you know of any wrongdoings upon children (in fact - of any wrongdoings at all, but I'm going to be less ambitious and just focus on children) please listen to them. Support them. Then make the bastards sorry that they ever laid their hands upon them. (Legal means is preferred - as much as I would like to inflict bodily harm)
Visit P.S. The Children for more information.
And I'm labelling this "power-of-one" because I believe everyone can make a difference.
I spent the last hour having lunch with my sis, who came back from a workshop on child abuse yesterday, and was determined to share all the morbid little stories and details she'd learnt. So exuberant was she that I suppressed the odd mixture of hate and nausea churning within, and gulped down the tasteless lunch whilst she chattered away.
Abused children who decide to tell get to relive their trauma at least 20 times telling the stories to adults who may or may not listen to them.
The story of the mum who couldn't stop crying when her son told her that he had been molested - until the son grew so fed up that he never told her anything else anymore.
Crooks that deserve a million deaths who go by a "standard procedure" of getting the parents' trust, the children's trust, and manipulation of innocent minds to save their [insert string of profanities] arses.
The complicated feeling of guilt of the children who convict the offenders - they may actually like the paedophiles, just not their actions.
The story of the pastor/priest who got sacked from church because he was caught molesting/raping (I'm not sure) the disabled and children. The case was hushed up for the church's reputation, and this bastard went out and opened a shelter home. And he is still AT LARGE because noone is speaking up.
So, if you know of any wrongdoings upon children (in fact - of any wrongdoings at all, but I'm going to be less ambitious and just focus on children) please listen to them. Support them. Then make the bastards sorry that they ever laid their hands upon them. (Legal means is preferred - as much as I would like to inflict bodily harm)
Visit P.S. The Children for more information.
And I'm labelling this "power-of-one" because I believe everyone can make a difference.
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