IRAQ --- MASSACRE IN A CATHEDRAL [JUST Media Statement]

MEDIA RELEASE.

IRAQ --- MASSACRE IN A CATHEDRAL

The International Movement for a Just World (JUST) condemns the massacre of 44 Christian worshippers and two priests at the Sayidat al-Nejat cathedral in Baghdad on the 31^st of October 2010. An al-Qaeda affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq, has claimed responsibility for the massacre. It is allegedly part of the attempt to drive out Christians from Iraq.

The massacre reveals how bloody, brutal and barbaric al-Qaeda and its affiliates can be. It is a manifestation of the vile hatred and vicious bigotry that characterise the actions of this terrorist group.

Al-Qaeda demeans Islam through its senseless, mindless violence. Its massacre of Christians worshipping in a cathedral violates every tenet of Islam--- its acceptance of the right of people to worship in a manner of their choosing; its respect for the sanctity of all places of worship; its observance of the bond it shares with Christians as people of the book and as co-religionists within the Abrahamic tradition; and most of all, its commitment to our common humanity.

The Christians of Iraq who before the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003 by the United States and Britain constituted three percent of the population, are an ancient community which has lived in peace and harmony with the Muslim majority for centuries. They have contributed immensely to the advancement of Iraqi society. Before the invasion, there was hardly any political pressure upon Iraqi Christians. Today, many of them are leaving the land of their forefathers out of fear and anxiety.

In this regard, it should be emphasised that before occupation, there was no al-Qaeda in Iraq. Religious bigotry had no adherents in Iraqi society under Saddam Hussein. Atavistic notions of religious exclusiveness and doctrinal purity had no followers.

These destructive religious sentiments have come to the fore as a consequence of the Anglo-American occupation. At one level, al-Qaeda sees itself, and is perceived by a small segment of Iraqi society, as a resistance movement fighting the unjust occupation of the Iraqi nation. At another level, it has fashioned itself as a group protecting Muslims from the alleged onslaught of Christian evangelists determined to convert Muslims to Christianity.

It is true that in the wake of occupation, Christian Right evangelism, sometimes allied to Christian Zionism, has become active and aggressive in various parts of Iraq. Though they have had very little success in converting Muslims, their belligerent thrust has created a great deal of uneasiness within the country’s deeply rooted Christian community. These ancient Christians sometimes refer disparagingly to these Christian Right elements as the “new” Christians. Needless to say, the “new” Christians-- like the al-Qaeda bigots--- are driving a wedge between the Muslims and Christians of Iraq and have inflicted massive damage upon the nation’s social fabric.

The time has come for Muslims and Christians who value harmony and amity to join hands and hearts and fight these divisive and destructive forces within both our religious communities. For a start, let us express our solidarity with the Christians of Iraq who have displayed such restraint and compassion despite their pain and anguish.

Dr. Chandra Muzaffar,

President,

International Movement for a Just World (JUST).

Malaysia.

11 November 2010.

           

Good job MBPJ & the Pakatan Rakyat government?? - Local Council Reforms

At last, there are some positive development in terms of transparency and accountability at the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya(MBPJ) in the Pakatan Rakyat(PR) governed state of Selangor, where all Local Councillors are still appointed by the State government.

Positive Developments (that I have seen)

1- There is now a schedule for the various upcoming Local Council and Local Council Committee meetings, but still no Agenda (or Aturan Mesyuarat) for especially the Local Council meeting although the table has a column for 'Agenda'. No informing of the public that the meeting is OPEN to the public. 

2- Minutes of the Local Council meetings are now available - but only for the month of Jun and August 2010, i.e.Minit Mesyuarat Majlis Bil 6/2010 and Minit Mesyuarat Majlis Bil 8/2010. What about the earlier Minutes from the time the Pakatan Rakyat Local Council took over? What about the more recent minutes as we are already in November?

3. Accounts - well there is only the Auditor General's Report for year ending 2008 - what about 2009, as it is now November 2010. There also appears to be no significant differences in spending in 2007 and 2008, and hence one wonders whether the wastage of monies alleged of the BN appointed council, is now being continued by the Pakatan Rakyat appointed council. There are also no detailed notes to explain the expenditure - just general terms. How much did the council spend for allowances for MBPJ Councillors, and other payments. How much did they waste in making 'overseas study tours'? What we need is really a detailled comprehensive report and accounts? How many staff? Wages & Benefits? Statutory Payments? Bonuses? How much spend on different community projects? How much was spend on things like 'official uniforms' of Local Councillors (an issue with BN appointed councillors before)? How many spend for parties? for functions? etc. It would also be good to be able to note the different spending activities between the BN and the PR. Or, can we say it is still the same - and nothing really has 'reformed' or 'transformed' under the Pakatan Rakyat.

There is still no annual report (better still quarterly reports) by the MBPJ as a whole, and maybe even the individual local councilors telling us how they spend their time and power as Local Councilors. If they have appointed Peoples' Local Communities - should not their names and the manner they were chosen, with contact email/phone numbers, etc also be available. In fact all Local Councillors must have their own personal blogs where they can tell the people even more of what they did - not just the places they visited, etc - but also their views on some of the local issues of concern.

There are positive developments - but much much more is still required. 

*** I am monitoring the MBPJ, through their websites, as a sample of all other Pakatan Rakyat appointed Local Councils in the various different states they rule.

Some of the earlier posts are as follows:-

MBPJ - A sad reflection of Pakatan Rakyat, No Transparency, Accountability, Not Pro-People - Am I wasting my time?

 MBPJ - More proposals for reform & wondering the reason for not implementing simple reforms already suggested..

MBPJ meeting are open to the public - but people do not know this, or when, or what is on the agenda....

Meeting of Local Council (MBPJ, etc) should be open to the public...

Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya - No changes because Mayor and staff following 'old policies and old ways...' of BN - so, not Pakatan's fault

Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya - Where is the transparency and accountability?

MBPJ is still not transparent, accountable and giving effect to Reformasi, 'People Power'...Makkal Sakti, Kuasa Rakyat..

Hospital caused child to become HIV+ : Adequate compensation & monthly payments + cost of care/treatment

This is atrocious - RM100,000 is about RM760 per month for the last 11 years, and it certainly is insufficient compensation to be paid for the negligence of the hospital that caused a child to become HIV positive.

In terms of compensation, the hospital should have paid at least RM1 million as compensation, and a further RM1,000 or RM2,000 per month, plus all cost of treatment and healthcare, and the cost of the caregiver - maybe another RM2,000 per month. Treatment must be the best available in the market. There should be no need to solicit public donations or to utilize government money to assist this kid. The hospital is and should be made totally responsible - blood to be used for blood transfusion by hospitals must always be pre-tested for all transmitable diseases including HIV positive before being used. In fact, maybe the hospital should also be persecuted by the State - and maybe even an additional fine of RM5 million maybe should have been imposed, whereby this money should be placed in a fund to assist in the treatment and care of HIV+ patients in Malaysia generally.

Further, by reason of Malaysia signing those intellectual property agreements, that deal with copyrights, the cost of drugs needed by HIV+ and AIDS patients are just too high and will get higher with time. Oh yes, it was not just about CDs/DVDs, Computer programs, etc - but also affected medicines.[A smarter government would have not included medicines in these copyright agreements]

KUALA LUMPUR: Fourteen-year old Helmi longs to go to school, play football with his friends and become a scientist.

But his future looks bleak because of a mistake by a hospital in Segamat.

Helmi was given tainted blood by the hospital 11 years ago after being admitted for jaundice, which resulted in him becoming HIV positive.

His father Kamarul, 49, who is disabled, said the past eleven years had been a nightmare for the family.

Moral support: Mohd Khairun hugging Helmi at the press conference yesterday.

Kamarul, father of two children, who works as a road sweeper with the Seremban municipality, said the hospital finally paid the family RM100,000 in damages five years ago.

“At first, the hospital refused to take responsibility, but even when they did, we were not given a fair compensation.

“We were represented by a lawyer who swindled a large sum of the settlement,” he said, adding that they had been travelling from Segamat to Hospital Kuala Lumpur every month for medical appointments until they shifted to Seremban a year ago.

Helmi has now been diagnosed with AIDS and has not been to school for the past month.

“I don’t want my friends to find out about my illness. I am hoping to go back to school,” said Helmi at a press conference organised by the Umno Public Complaints Bureau yesterday.

Umno Youth community and complaints bureau head Datuk Mohd Khairun Aseh said they would do all they could to assist the family.

“I will meet the Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Ministry to request that the family be provided with a low-cost home, so that they will be closer to the hospital,” he said.

To make a contribution to Helmi’s family, contact the Umno Public Complaints Bureau at 03-6207 8706. - Star, 9/11/2010, Future looks bleak for teen with AIDS

GoodElectronics:- Sweatshop conditions abound in electronics industry

GoodElectronics Media Statement

Sweatshop conditions abound in electronics industry

Intramuros, Manila, the Philippines, 6 November 2010.

Electronics workers around the world are denied their basic labour rights. Workers toil in sweatshops conditions under harsh management, without the protection of trade unions. Jobs in the electronics sector are insecure, and contract labour and temporary employment are rife in manufacturing companies. Well known brands are making profit at the expense of workers, in the Philippines as well as in numerous other electronics producing countries.

From 3-5 November, the international GoodElectronics Network held its general membership meeting in Rosario, Cavite to forge plans to confront the appalling conditions in the global industry. The Philippines Workers Assistance Center (WAC) and other local groups hosted the gathering of trade unions, labour groups and environmental organisations from all over the world. At the meeting, grave concerns were raised about environmental issues and ongoing violations of labour rights in the electronics sector. Shamefully, leading brand name companies and their suppliers fail to comply with internationally recognised standards. Workers are systematically denied their right to freedom of association and to collective bargaining. 

In the Nokia Special Economic Zone in Chennai, India, union leaders and workers at Nokia supplier Foxconn have been subject to intimidation, suspension, arrests and criminal charges for simply requesting wage increases and recognition of their union. A second Nokia supplier in the same Zone, BYD, resorted to mass dismissals of workers, including many contract workers, in response to their legitimate demands for union recognition and improved working conditions.

In Taiwan, touch panel maker YFO, supplying Samsung and HTC, is criticised for ongoing union busting. One of the active trade union leaders at YFO is currently under severe pressure – after YFO unwillingly reinstated her after an unlawful dismissal, she is now kept under constant surveillance.

In Foxconn China, supplier to Apple and other well known brands, draconian working conditions have driven 17 workers to attempt suicide and 14 of them have died. Despite these tragedies, the management still refuses to reform the harsh management methods that are applied at the work place. 

JVC Malaysia, member of the JVC-Kenwood Group, producing components for cameras, video and audio equipment, has threatened to terminate the employment of 23 Burmese women migrant workers. The workers filed a complaint to the Labour Department about JVC wrongfully making deductions from their wages in order to recover the levy paid by employers for employing foreign workers. If their employment is terminated, they will face forced repatriation and no prospect whatsoever of recovering their lost wages if their claim is accepted.

In the Philippines, at Lite-On Semiconductor Corporations, formerly known as Dyna Image, in the Cavite Export Processing Zone, the privacy of women workers is systematically violated. Women workers are subjected to violations of their personal integrity. Women job applicants are subjected to intrusive physical examinations as a condition for employment. The Solidarity of Cavite Workers, a workers alliance, unearthed this shocking practice. Lite-On produces camera modules for Samsung laptops and mobile phones.

GoodElectronics is an international network for human rights and sustainability in the global electronics supply chain. The GoodElectronics Network accommodates networks, organisations and individuals that are concerned about human rights, including labour rights, and sustainability issues in the global electronics supply chain, including trade unions, grass roots organisations, campaigning and research organisations, academia, and activists. 

Contact:

Pauline Overeem,

international network coordinator.

+31.6.41344385,

+31.20.6391291,

p.overeem@goodelectronics.org,

http://www.goodelectronics.org.

Related posts:-90 Groups: JVC Unjustly Discriminates Against Burmese Migrant Women Workers Who Claim Worker Rights

When will the ISA and other Detention Without Trial Laws be repealed?

October 27, 1987 - the ISA ....Operation Lallang ...106 persons arrested....and still we have the ISA and other Detention Without Trial laws are still around. Shame on you Malaysia....shame on you, the UMNO-led BN government...

ALONG THE WATCHTOWER By M. VEERA PANDIYAN

A similar swoop of more than 100 people under the ISA is unlikely to happen again, but the underlying ferment threatening the fragile stability of the country remains, no thanks to irresponsible politicians.

TOMORROW is Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights. In its simplest form, it means an “array of lights”.

Its significance is to lead from darkness to light, from negative to positive or from evil to good.

Personally, for the past 23 years, this has always been a time to remember one ominous event in our history – Operasi Lalang (Weeding Operation).

On Oct 27, 1987, five days after the festival that year, 106 people – Opposition and Barisan Nasional politicians, academics and leaders of NGOs – were nabbed under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

It was also the day when the licences of three national newspapers – The Star, Sin Chew and the now defunct Watan – were withdrawn.

Among the notable detainees were then Opposition Leader and DAP secretary-general Lim Kit Siang, MP Karpal Singh, former Aliran head Dr Chandra Muzaffar and then and still MP for Pasir Mas Ibrahim Ali, now of Perkasa fame.

Most were released early but 40, including Kit Siang, his son, present Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Karpal, and several PAS leaders and social activists were held for two years.

The developments that led to the second largest ISA crackdown in our history – exceeded only by those detained during the May 13, 1969 riots – were triggered by rising political tensions with intense racial overtones.

The White Paper tabled in Parliament a year later stated that various groups had played up “sensitive issues”, creating “racial tension” in the country.

But it smacked of being orchestrated and allowed to escalate before the swoop took place, in a dangerous strategy of brinkmanship.

Let me share memories of the dark days when my colleagues and I were jobless for five months.

The most productive and fruitful use of time must surely be attributed to current group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

Apparently, the then reporter in the Penang office put aside his troubles to pursue one of his biggest challenges – courting a girl in a bank who had caught his eye.

That girl, a former state athlete, is now his wife, Datin Seri Flo rence.

Three other colleagues in Penang set up a pizza outlet while others drove taxis, set up pasar malam stalls and such.

N.D. Raj, now production editor, who had blown most of his money on his wedding earlier in the month and the rest on a lavish Deepavali bash, was among those in dire straits.

He took a job as a carpenter, mostly turning screws into an endless number of hinges each day.

As for me, then Malacca staff correspondent, I accepted the first job that came along – fisherman.

Together with Charles Cham, the head of the editorial art department in our headquarters in Peta­ling Jaya (who has since made a name for himself as an artist around the world), I went fishing with the father and son team of Lionel and Martin Theseira.

Two days of being tossed about in a tiny boat made us both sea sick and put paid to any chance of my making it a career.

The Star only paid us a quarter of our meagre salaries during the five months, making life truly tough.

The first few days of Ops Lalang were particularly daunting, especially when almost all the politicians whom I knew well in Malacca were detained, beginning with the first two to be picked up – Guan Eng and Kerk Kim Hock.

One friend in the police Special Branch gave hints that journalists might be in the “next wave” of arrests, suggesting that the racially sensitive Bukit China development issue which I had focused on, could include me in the dragnet.

So, I was mentally prepared to be taken away and often woke up to the slightest sound of barking of dogs or cars passing by outside my house.

One night when my wife, who was then working in an electronics plant, was on the graveyard shift, a car stopped outside the house at around midnight and there were tapping sounds on the iron grille.

I was so ready that I had even packed a plastic bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, sarong, a T-shirt, underwear and two books to read.

After kissing my sleeping two-year-old son, I went to open the door.

But it was a major anti-climax. The expected “SB” turned out to be my two sisters and a relative who were returning from a temple event.

A relative had dropped them off and they had forgotten the house keys.

As for work, it was a terrible time of inaction and lethargy. At our headquarters in PJ, most reporters ended up in the office playing scrabble. (It was long before the Internet or computer games era.)

It was a great relief for all of us when The Star’s licence was reinstated in March 1988.

For many of us, the five months showed who our real friends were, especially from among the usually publicity-hungry politicians.

It’s highly unlikely that a similar swoop of so many people under the ISA would ever happen again but the underlying ferment that threatens the fragile stability of Malaysia remains, no thanks to irresponsible politicians.

Many politicians on both sides of the fence (some have since crossed over and re-invented themselves) are guilty of creating tension in the last three weeks of October 1987. They know who they are.

Malaysians must be wary that these manipulators of emotions can still lead them to the brink of catastrophe, in their pursuit of power and ambitions.

It’s this kind of politicians who should be weeded out when the time comes.

Associate Editor M. Veera Pandiyan likes this line from an old nursery rhyme: A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.- Star,4/11/2010,Ops Lalang haunts, 23 years on

Bar: End police brutality now

Press Release

 

End police brutality now

 

The Malaysian Bar is deeply concerned with the “open verdict” delivered by the coroner’s court on 25 Oct 2010 in the inquest to determine the cause of Gunasegaran s/o Rajasundram’s death. Coroner Siti Shakirah bt Mohtarudin found insufficient evidence to record a conclusion.

The Malaysian Bar urges coroners to be bold in highlighting discrepancies and failings during inquests so that the truth of a tragedy will see the light of day. The inability of the coroner to make a definitive finding in this case, notwithstanding the strength of the evidence pointing to the culpability of the police, casts grave doubts on the effectiveness of the inquest mechanism and renders the whole process meaningless.

The three persons who were in police custody with R Gunasegaran consistently identified Lance Corporal Mohd Faizal as having physically assaulted R Gunasegaran. They did so despite threats to their safety by the police and despite the inducement that their cooperation would secure their immediate release. Their incontrovertible evidence stands in stark contrast to the inconsistent and conflicting testimony provided by the police witnesses.

This situation highlights, once again, firstly, the requirement for those in police custody to have immediate access to legal counsel upon arrest, and secondly, the need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, to function as an independent, external oversight body to investigate complaints about police personnel and to make the police accountable for their conduct.

The Malaysian Bar is also troubled that K Selvach Santhiran, one of the three witnesses who identified Lance Corporal Mohd Faizal, was arrested on the night after the inquest verdict was delivered. The police allegedly physically attacked him in front of his family before taking him away. He is reportedly being detained under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 for 60 days and held at an undisclosed location. If true, such blatant abuse is clearly intended to intimidate those who speak up against injustices or wrongdoings perpetrated by members of the police force.

The Malaysian Bar calls on the Inspector General of Police to undertake a thorough internal inquiry and make public the findings. The conduct of the police officers in question is tantamount to acts of torture that must be penalised. Whistleblowers should be protected by the law rather than punished by law enforcement officers.

The Malaysian Bar urges that the police undergo more effective and holistic human rights education and practical training, with a view to changing the attitudes of law enforcement personnel and their methods in relation to detention, arrest and treatment of persons in custody.

The police cannot be permitted to continue to operate in an environment of impunity.

Lim Chee Wee
Vice-President
Malaysian Bar

29 October 2010

Not only MPs that are being discriminated against but the constituents more so.

The people exercise their constituitional right and elect their Members of Parliament(MPs) and State Assemblypersons (ADUNs) but alas, in Malaysia, these MPs/ADUNs are apparently not given  their annual financial allocations, if they are coming from political parties, not being the ruling party. These annual financial allocations are given to MPs/ADUNs not for their own pockets but for use for the development and welfare of their constituencies and constituents. Relatively, compared to Federal/State and even Local Council financial allocations, this is a small amount - and is meant to be used for 'emergencies', small development activities and welfare activities. and/or maybe for small supports for local activities organized by groups of persons in the constituency. Small pay-outs for assistance in funeral expenses, donations to flood victims, small repairs of homes of the poor, etc. are just some of the examples for what this money is expected to be used for by the said MP/ADUN. [Of course, there seem to be no clear provisions as to the amount and/or the amount that has been given to the individual MP/ADUN, and I wonder whether there is even any publicly displayed accounts of monies received/spend]

Apparently, to prevent 'discrimination' the BN government has also provided for similar allocations for constituencies that chose an Opposition MP/ADUN but the money is provided to the political parties of the ruling coalition who allegedly controls it and disburses for the good of the people in the constituency. [But, alas this is what we hear and again the lack of transparency and accountability is a problem]

Whose money is it really? The peoples' money...or government money, which is also the peoples' money; OR is it the money belonging to the political parties. If it is money belonging to the  political party, then naturally the party is wholly entitled to give the said monies only to their own MPs/ADUNs...but, I believe, this is the peoples' money (wang rakyat) and as such should be properly given to the duly elected MP/ADUN for them to spend for the cosntituency as they deem fit according to the guidelines for spending. Alternatively, the duly elected MP/ADUN should have control over how this money is spent - and ignoring this would be a slap on the face of true democracy. What use to have elections, but when the people chose their MP/ADUN, they are discriminated against by the Federal/State government if they are not MPs/ADUNs from the coalition that forms the government. It is not just discrimination against the MPs/ADUNs but a discrimination against the people in the said constituency. Our Federal Contitution guarantees equality, and, in my opinion, this practice is certainly not a constitutionally permissible discrimination.

I have always advocated for some Opposition MP/ADUN to take this matter to court but alas none have until now...  Better late than never.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is to initiate a class action suit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow at 10am against the federal government.

This is for allegedly not distributing the annual RM1 million allocations entitled to to each of the 74 MPs in the opposition camp, for the past three years.

PSM Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar (left) told Malaysiakini this morning that he has not received any of the allocations since 2008 when he defeated MIC president S Samy Vellu in the general election.

In his class action suit tomorrow, the PSM leader wants the High Court to rule that the BN federal government must be accountable and transparent in its allocations of the MP annual funds as public funds are involved.

He is also invoking in his civil suit, Article 8(1) of the federal constitution, which states that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection. Hence funds should not be allocated only to BN MPs.

He said the aim of the allocations is for the MP to give public service to the parliamentary constituents.

At present there are a total of 222 parliamentary seats in the August House of which BN holds 140, whereas Pakatan Rakyat members hold 74. The remaining eight are held by independents who have defected from the opposition camp.

Left high and dry

The politician-cum-cardiologist claimed that while the BN MPs get their annual allocations, the Pakatan MPs are left high and dry.

He said that the BN is using this denial of public funds as a tool to tarnish the image of opposition MPs, so that they cannot serve as effectively as the BN MPs.

Jeyakumar said that the majority of voters are not aware that such funds have been purposely withheld.

The Sungai Siput MP claimed that this has been going on since 1975 and wants the court to force the BN government to give the funds legally due to the opposition MPS.

He said that he has been running from pillar to post for the past three years, trying to get answers from Prime Minister's Department and as well as the Perak State Development Department (PSDD) which handles such MP allocations, but only ran into brick walls.

According to Jeyakumar, whenever he presses for the details of the allocations of such funds for his Sungai Siput parliamentary constituency, he is only given vague replies.

He has no idea where the money has gone and suspects something is amiss.

At present PSDD does not give such funds to opposition-held MP areas but instead it goes to BN politicians in the constituencies for distribution. _Malaysiakini, 28/10/2010, PSM to file class action suit against federal gov't

But then, it is not just Federal government that allocates money to MPs, but State governments also do the same for the ADUNs. According to the Malaysiakini report, the Federal government provides this money which is allocated by the State Development Department, but I do not believe that this allocations come through State departments in States governed today by the Opposition, i.e. Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan.

Is it only going to be the PSM Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar who is going to take this matter to court - or will the other 73 Opposition MPs join in? Given the unhealthy trend in our Malaysian courts, even if this may be a matter of public interest, the one who takes this suit may not only end up getting a judgment not in his favour but may also be ordered to pay a large sum in cost. In the past, and normally when the matter is one of public interest...or to seek a declaration of right, etc courts do not make orders as to cost, and even if the loser has to pay cost it is a nominal RM500 or RM1,000 - but things seem to have changed under the new Chief Justice. [See earlier posts:- Malaysian courts continue to deter people from claiming rights/justice through the courts]

But then, is the Pakatan Rakyat any different from the BN? Are the Pakatan Rakyat State governments behaving differently from the BN by providing allocations to all elected ADUNs irrespective of which party they come from? There is no justification for behaving the same as the BN, by saying that since the BN is doing this so will we. There is no justification to say that since the BN is paying ADUNs directly - thus the State government will not allocate funds to BN ADUNs...but only to the Pakatan ADUNs in the State. Hopefully, Pakatan Rakyat is practicing democracy as it should be and is all ADUNs in their state with the same amount of funds...

90 Groups: JVC Unjustly Discriminates Against Burmese Migrant Women Workers Who Claim Worker Rights

Update: The good news is that negotiations have commenced and is ongoing between JVC and the affected workers, and we hope that JVC will act justly with regard all affected workers.We hope that the threat of further termination is behind us, and that JVC ensures that all workers' just claims are met.For those who have already be repatriated back to their countries of origins, adequate compensation should be given, together with the opportunity to return and work in JVC.

As of today, we have 90 groups that have endorsed the Media Statement.

Media Statement – 21/10/2010 (90)

JVC Unjustly Discriminates Against Burmese Migrant

Women Workers Who Claim Worker Rights

We, the undersigned 79 civil society organizations and groups, would like to express our serious concern that JVC has indicated that they will not re-new the employment contracts of Pa Pa Aye and 15 other Burmese women migrant workers, who lodged a claim at the Labour Department claiming worker rights that the JVC company had violated, amongst them the wrongful deduction of their wages to recover levy that employers have to pay when they employ foreign workers. The other 7 workers, who complained, whose contract was renewed in August, will also be terminated and repatriated. The information contained in this statement has been provided by the affected workers.

JVC has its factory at Lot. No.1, Persiaran Jubli Perak, Jalan 22/1, Section 22, Shah Alam, 40702 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, and they manufactures cameras, video cameras and audio equipment components, amongst others.

On 21/7/2010, Pa Pa Aye and 22 other women migrant workers lodged a complaint at the Subang Jaya Labour Office in Malaysia. Amongst their demands were for the return of monies wrongly deducted from their wages for levy the employer had to pay to the Malaysian government for employing migrant workers, other unlawful deductions like transfer fees, saving funds, etc amounting to about RM3,500-00, and for the return of the Passports which are still wrongly being held by  the employer . They were also claiming for the balance of the wages that they were entitled. According to the workers, the employer was to pay them much more about RM50 per day but they were only paid the sum of RM23.

On 6/8/2010, after night shift when the women workers were being transported back to their homes, their bus took a different route, and suddenly stopped where the agent was waiting. The agent then called one of the Burmese women migrant workers who had complaint to the Labour Department and asked her to leave the bus and follow him. The workers suspected that the agent was trying to get the worker sent back to Burma, and they stood together and prevented the agent from taking the worker. The workers then lodged a police report about this incident. There have also been other cases of harassment, whereby in one incident 3 men entered the women’s hostel and threatened them.

The workers, through their representatives, which included an officer from the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) also complained about this incident to JVC, and JVC gave the assurance that this will not happen again and they guaranteed that all workers could continue to work in JVC.

On 12/8/2010, the agent tried to force the workers to sign a new contract, but all workers refused to sign it. The pressure on the workers to sign the new contract took place at the factory compound. Later on the same day the JVC’s Human Resource Manager, one Mr. Mazlan, and the HR Assistant Manager, one Ms. Ida, also tried to pressure the workers to sign the new contracts. The new contract was written in English only (just like their old contract). The workers to date do not have a copy of their old contract, as they were never given a copy. The new contract allegedly stated that their daily salary will be reduced to RM21, which is RM2 less than what the workers have been getting until now.

On 25/8/2010, the Burmese workers informed us that JVC had summarily dismissed 30 Sri Lanka women migrant workers in retaliation for their demand that JVC pay them their promised monthly salary of RM750. After the dismissal JVC and the agent, Fast Link Trans, began forceful repatriation of the workers. On 28/8/2010, 8 Sri Lankan workers were allegedly sent home. These workers apparently never received the amount owing them and/or any compensation for premature termination of their contract.

On 8/9/2010, JVC’s Human Resources Officer, in the presence of the Labour Officer and the agent’s representative from a company known as Fast Link Trans, tried to return to the Burmese workers the amount they said was the levy that had been wrongfully deducted from the wages and asked the workers to sign a document which was in English. The workers refused as the amount offered was far less than the sum deducted, and  they did not want to sign any document which was in a language they did not know.

The company also refused to give a copy of the document to enable them to get an independent person who spoke Burmese to translate its contents to them.

On 28/9/2010, the agent informed the workers that when their current annual contract expires, their contracts will not be renewed and they will all be sent back to Burma. The contracts of 15 of these workers’ contract will expire in October, and the rest by the end of the year. Pa Pa Aye’s own contract expires in early November. The contracts of 7 others which expired in August have already been renewed. Later, on about 7/10/2010, the agent informed the workers that all 23 of them will be terminated and sent back to Burma. The process of forced repatriation of the Burmese workers has already begun with one worker being sent back to Burma on 9/10/2010.

It must be stated that according to the workers, when they came to Malaysia to work with JVC the agreement was that they will be employed for a period of at least 3 years, but when they arrived and started working, they were made to sign 1-year contracts with the verbal assurance that it will be renewed every year for at least a total of 3 years. The threat of early termination and deportation is also wrong and discriminatory as JVC has continued to renew contracts of others who had started work around the same time as these Burmese migrant workers.

Any early termination, and/or non renewal of the 1-year employment contracts by JVC can reasonably be seen as a retaliation of the company against workers who have elected to claim their rights as workers. Their case at the Labour Department is pending, and a termination and repatriation back to Burma will mean that the workers will not be able to continue to pursue their claim in the Labour Department/Court as the presence of the worker in the hearing of their claims against the employer is compulsory, and their absence will mean that their case will just be struck off,

We, the undersigned groups, call upon JVC to respect worker rights and their right to access to justice and not cause these 23 Burmese workers to be terminated and deported.

We  urge that JVC to respect the law and the legal process initiated by the lodging of the complaint by the workers at the Labour Department, and to respect and abide with the outcome of the hearing at the Labour Court. Workers should not be terminated and/or discriminated against by reason of the fact that they choose to demand for their rights or better rights as workers. For those who have already been repatriated back to their country of origin, including those workers from Sri Lanka, JVC must compensate them for their expenses in coming to Malaysia to work, and for the early termination of their employment.

We call on JVC to act justly and not to terminate these workers, and to renew their contract so that they can pursue their claims until completion. JVC should also adhere to their earlier promise that these workers will be employed for a period of at least 3 years, for migrant workers do expend a lot of money (850-1,000 USD) when they do come to Malaysia to work and any early termination and breach of rights will only leave these workers in a worse situation as they may not be even to settle the debts they incurred in coming here to Malaysia to work.

We call on Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) to inquire into this complaint concerning the violation of worker rights by JVC.

We also call on the Malaysian government and the Human Resource Minister to ensure that no workers are terminated and/or discriminated against by reason of the fact that they have stood up to claim their rights as workers.

The Malaysian government should also ensure that no migrant worker is terminated and/or repatriated back to their country of origins until the employer has fully settled all outstanding worker claims and/or payments. If migrant workers are terminated, the Malaysian government must ensure that these workers are allowed to stay and work legally in Malaysia until all outstanding claims and legal processes are settled. If special passes and visas are required to ensure workers ability to stay and work legally, it must be given gratis without requiring the workers to pay anything. Worker cases must be expedited, and independent translators should be available at all Labour Departments and courts.

Labour rights must take precedent over immigration law. Do not deport until worker claims are determined and settled by Labour Department and/or courts.

Charles Hector

Pranom Somwong

For and on behalf of the following 90 organizations

ALIRAN,  

Asia  Pacific Forum on Women ,Law and Development ( APWLD)

Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)

Asian Migrants Center (AMC)

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights

Bangladesh Burma Border

BAYAN USA

BUGKOS

Building and Wood Workers International Asia Pacific Regional Office

Burma Campaign, Malaysia

Burmese Women's Union (BWU)

Coalition To Abolish Modern-Day Slavery In Asia

Committee for Asian Women (CAW)

Communication Workers Union P&T Branch Victoria

Community Development Services (CDS), Sri Lanka

Coordination of Action Research on AIDS & Mobility (CARAM-ASIA)

Cordillera Alliance Hong Kong 

Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), Burma

FICAP – Aichi

Filipino Migrants Center – FMC

Filipino Migrant Workers Union Chapter Rd Chapter 

Forum for Democracy in Burma

GABRIELA – Japan

Gabriela-Taiwan

Grassroots Human Rights Education & Development (GHRE-FED), Thailand

HOME, Singapore

Human Rights Education Institute of Burma

IHI Action Group (Iwi Have Influence), New Zealand

IMA Research Foundation, Bangladesh

Institute for National and Democracy Studies (INDIES)

Kachin Women's Association, Thailand

KAFIN – Nagoya

KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section

Lawyers for Human Rights & Legal Aid (LHRLA), Pakistan

League of Filipino Seniors (LFS)

Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW), Cambodia

MADPET - Malaysians against Death Penalty and Torture

Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)

MAP Foundation, Thailand

May 1st Coalition, Co-Coordinator, USA

Mekong Migration Network ( MMN)

Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand

Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) 

Migramte Australia

Migrante-Denmark chapter

MIGRANTE Europe (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

Migranteng Ilonggo sa Taiwan

Migrante International

Migrante international - Hsinchuang chapter

Migrante International - Taiwan chapter

Migrante Melbourne

Migrante-Middle East and Migrante-Saudi Arabia chapter

MIGRANTE – Nagoya

Migrants  Trade Union (MTU), Korea

Migrant Workers Network – New Zealand

National League for Democracy [NLD (LA)], Malaysia

Nepal Institute of Development Studies( NIDS) ,NEPAL

Network for Empowerment of Women in Vietnam

Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia (NAMM)

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM)

Penggerak Belia Zon 23 MPSJ, Malaysia

Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah, Malaysia

Persatuan Prihatin Komuniti KL & Selangor

Philippine Society in Japan – Nagoya

PINATUD A SALENG TI UMILI

PINAY (Montreal)

POURAKHI, Nepal

Pusat Komas, Malaysia

Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Malaysia

Rights Jessore, India

Shan Refugee Organization (Malaysia)

Shan Women Action Network (SWAN), Thailand

St. John's Cathedral HIV Education Centre, Hong Kong

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

Tenaganita, Malaysia

The Communications Union (CEPU), Victoria Branch

The Development Action for Women Network (DAWN), Philippines

The Federation of Trade Unions Burma (FTUB)

The Filipino Women's Organization in Quebec

The National Human Rights Society (Persatuan Kebangsaan Hak Asasi  Manusia, HAKAM), Malaysia

The Shwe Gas Movement

Unite Union New Zealand

Women Empowerment Association

Women Petition Committee

Workers Hub for Change (WH4C)

Yaung  Chi Oo Workers Association  ( YCOWA)

Yayasan Annisa Swasti (YASANTI), Indonesia

Embarassing that we need to import foreigners to teach us English...

As a Malaysian, I am embarrassed that Najib's government is looking overseas( ...Australia, England?? ) for English teachers...

375 native English speakers is to be recruited from United Kingdom and Australia to improve the teaching of English. 

We have ample persons proficient in the English Language in Malaysia. There are so many English speaking families in Malaysia. There are already so many Malaysians that are good in English ...maybe not Muhyiddin & Najib - but there are others. At a time when Malaysia is supposed to be going 'bankrupt'...where needed subsidies are being cut, we surely do not need to look outside for those proficient in English who do have capacity of training new English teachers...or 'monitoring the teaching of the language in schools'. 

If Najib & Muhyiddin is so desparate in bringing in 'foreigners' to improve the teaching of English in Malaysia, then why not bring them in from our ASEAN neighbours like Singapore, Phillipines, etc . 

Or are we still behaving like a neo-colony - and believe that only the 'white man (orang putih)' can speak and teach good English. Is that why, we are only talking about getting Australians...and British. What about Hong Kong? India? Pakistan? Fiji? What is 'good English'? Is it also speaking with the British...Australian slang?

I am certain that we have more than enough capable Malaysians - and there is no need for us in 2011 to be looking for experts in English beyond our shores.

MALACCA: The Education Ministry will hire 370 foreign English language experts from 2011 to monitor the teaching of the language in Malaysian schools.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the recruitment was in line with the implementation of the government's policy of upholding the Malay language and strengthening use of the English language (MBMMBI) for Year One pupils from next year.

"They (the experts) will see how our teachers teach their pupils English," he said at a Titipan Naluri dialogue programme with trainees of the Melaka, Johor and Negri Sembilan teacher training institutes, at the Melaka Women's Teacher Training Institute, here, Monday.

The MBMMBI was introduced to replace the policy of teaching of science and mathematics in the English language (PPSMI), which will be abolished in 2012 after discovering that the policy failed to achieve the objective of improving students' proficiency in English while affecting the performance of students, especially in the rural areas, in the two subjects.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the government had no worries about upholding the status of the Malay language as most of the serving teachers were already trained in the language. 

"The challenge for us now is how to strengthen usage of the English language. That is why we need our teachers to be exposed again through courses during the holidays so as to be more proficient in the language."

He said the English proficiency of trainees at the teacher training institutes would also be improved so that they did not face problems when they started teaching in schools.

"We will soon explain to the public the MBMMBI policy so that they will understand it and help ensure its successful implementation."

Muhyiddin also said the ministry would be finding a way to balance the number of male and female trainee teachers because there were fewer male teachers.

He said that up to August, there were 34,512 trainees at the 27 teacher training institutes in the country, comprising 22,805 women and 11,707 men. - Bernama- Star, 25/10/2010, 370 foreign English language experts to be recruited from 2011

The following are the salient points in Prime Minister Najib Razak's 2011 Budget speech. The 2011 Budget is Najib's second since taking over as prime minister in 2009.

Total budget - RM212 billion, 2.8% higher than the 2010 Budget

Operating expenditure - RM162.8 billion

Development expenditure - RM49.2 billion

• 2010 growth is revised to seven percent from the previous six percent, fuelled by private investment growth (15.2%), private consumption (6.7%) and exports (11.6%).

• 2011 growth is expected to hover between five to six percent supported by private investment (10.2%), private consumption (6.3%) and exports (6.7%)

• 2011 per capita income is expected to go up 6.1% to RM28,000, while income in terms of purchasing power parity will hit US$16,000, tempered by moderate inflation (2-3%) and low unemployment (3.5%).

• Budget deficit is expected to go down to 5.4% of GDP, compared to 2010 figure of 5.6%.

• Federal government revenue is estimated to increase by 2.3 percent to RM165.8 billion in 2011, compared to RM161.1 billion in 2010.

• Private investment is expected to expand 12.5% to RM86 billion.

Emphasis on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects

• RM12.5 billion worth of public private partnerships (PPP) will be implemented under budget 2011, with a RM1 billion facilitation fund from the government.

• The Mass Rapid Transit project is to be implemented beginning 2011 with a private investment of RM40 billion and is targetted to complete by 2020.

• The Academic Medical Centre, a joint-venture between Academic Medical Centre Sdn Bhd and John Hopkins Medical International as well as Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, that will involve private investment of RM2 billion

• Development of an International Islamic University Teaching Hospital in Kuantan and a Women and Children's Hospital

• The construction of a 300MW combined-cycle gas power plant in Kimanis, Sabah.

• The construction of highways such as the Ampang-Cheras-Pandan Elevated Highway.

RM5 bil new tower in KL

• A new landmark, the Warisan Merdeka, to be developed by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), is expected to be completed in 2020 and will include a 100-storey tower, the tallest in Malaysia, which is to be completed by 2015.

• It will stand on land adjacent to Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara. Both stadiums are to be retained as national heritage sites.

EPF to fund Sungai Buloh development

• Development of the Malaysian Rubber Board land in Sungai Buloh covering an area of 2,680 acres will be funded by EPF with RM10 billion over 15 years.

• EPF overseas investments will be increased from seven percent to 20 percent of total assets managed.

Investments

• GLICs (government-linked investment companies) will divest shares in major companies listed on Bursa Malaysia to increase liquidity and trading velocity.

• An International Board will be added onto Bursa Malaysia to increase foreign investment, especially to promote syariah-compliant products.

• The Bumiputera Property Trust Foundation will be launched to enhance bumiputera ownership of prime commercial properties in urban areas.

Corridor projects not forgotten

• Corridor and regional development will be accelerated with an injection of RM850 million

• RM93 million will be allocated for Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy,

• RM133 million for Northern Corridor Economic Region,

• RM178 million for projects in East Coast Economic Region,

• RM339 million for Iskandar Malaysia in Johor.

New private pension fund

• To revitalise capital market activities, the government will launch a Private Pension Fund in 2011.

• The existing income tax relief of up to RM6,000 for employees' contributions to EPF will extend to Private Pension Fund contributions.

Funds to help businesses

• A RM146 million fund will be set up to support the oil, gas and energy industry.

• RM857 million will be allocated for local E&E (electrical and electronic) companies to compete at the international level.

• To help entrepreneurs that face financial problems, the Insolvency Act will be consolidated with the Bankruptcy Act 1967 and Part 10 of the Companies Act 1965, including the introduction of a provision relating to a relief mechanism for companies and individuals with financial problems. A review will also look to amend the current minimum bankruptcy limit of RM30,000.

Tourism

• RM100 million will be allocated to support the tourism industry

• RM50 million to construct several shaded walkways in the Bukit Bintang-KLCC vicinity.

• A RM3 billion eco-nature resort Nexus Karambunai in Sabah will commence in 2011.

• RM85 million will facilitate construction of hotels and resorts in remote areas.

IT development

• The Multimedia Development Corridor programme will be allocated RM119 million. Focus will be on creating an innovative digital economy.

• Import duty and sales tax exemption on broadband equipment will be extended for two years until 2012.

Minimum wage

• A National Wage Consultation Council will be set up to determine the rate and mechanism of minimum wage for various sectors.

• The basic minimum wage for security guards is to go up to between RM500 and RM700 depending on location, compared to RM300 to RM400 previously.

• Fully-paid maternity leave for civil servants is to increase to 90 days compared to the previous 60 day.

• Levy on foreign workers is to increase in stages according to sector. Health insurance for foreign workers is now mandatory.

Training

• The Talent Corporation is to be set up under the Prime Minister Office in early 2011, that will formulate the National Talent Blueprint

• A target to increase PhD-qualified academic staff to 75% in research units and 60% in other public institutions of higher learning

• The 1Malaysia Training Programme will be launched in January 2011 with an allocation of RM500 million

Sabah and Sarawak

• RM2.1 billion will be allocated to upgrade rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak, compared to RM696 million for Semenanjung Malaysia

• RM1.5 billion will be allocated to develop rural electricity and water supply in Sabah, with RM1.2 billion for Sarawak and RM556 million for Semenanjung Malaysia

Allocation for ministries

• RM15.86 billion will be allocated for the Prime Minister's Department. The allocation was RM14 billion in 2009 and RM12 billion in 2010

• RM29.3 billion for Education Ministry

• RM10.2 billion for Higher Education Ministry

• RM1.2 billion for Women, Family and Community Development Ministry

• RM627 million for Human Resources Ministry

• RM111 million for Permata (Pusat Anak Permata Negara)

Other salient points

• The scheduled hike in toll charges for four highways owned by Plus Expressways Bhd will be frozen for the next five years.

• A RM500 Special Financial Assistance for Civil servants Grade 54 and below, including contract officers and retirees. Payment will be made in December 2010.

• Maximum housing loan eligibility for civil servants will increase to RM450,000 from RM360,000.

• First-time homeowners will enjoy a 50 percent discount on stamp duties for homes below RM350,000.

• Young adults of household incomes under RM3,000 will be assisted through a first-home owner scheme where the government will guarantee a 10% down payment for homes below RM220,000. This means that house buyers will obtain a 100% loan without having to pay the 10% down payment.

• Malaysian permanent estate workers will get a maximum RM60,000 housing loan to buy low-cost houses at four percent interest rate, with a repayment period of 40 years extending into the second generation.

• Sales tax for mobile phones will be reduced by 10 percent.

• RM350 million will be allocated to boost efforts to cut down the crime index, and establish 25 special courts to expedite prosecution.

• Full import and excise duties exemption granted to franchise holders of hybrid cars will be extended to Dec 31, 2011. It extends also to electric cars and hybrid and electric motorcycles.

• Import duty on approximately 300 goods preferred by tourists and locals, currently at 5% to 30%, will be abolished.

• Service tax will be increased from 5% to 6%. The government proposes to impose service tax on paid television broadcast services.

• The excise duty exemption on national vehicles purchased by the disabled will go up to 100 percent from 50 percent previously.

• RM200 million will be allocated for the Distribution of Essential Goods programme, on top of the RM100 million allocation under budget 2010, to standardise prices nationwide for goods such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour, gas, petrol and diesel.

• 375 native English speakers is to be recruited from United Kingdom and Australia to improve the teaching of English.
• Monthly allowance of community leaders (JKKK, village heads, Tok Batin, etc.) is to be increased to RM800 from RM450. Meeting attendance allowance is also increased from RM30 to RM50.
• Imams' allowance will be increased from RM450 to RM750, KAFA (religious school) teachers' allowance also goes up to RM800 from RM500.
• RM1.9 billion will be allocated for environmental projects, including for the River of Life programme and the greening of Kuala Lumpur.

• A points system is to be introduced to facilitate permanent resident status applications, and applications can be made after five years of residence compared to 10 years previously. - Malaysiakini, Salient points in Budget 2011 (15/10/2010)