GAMBIA ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES

It really is time for Malaysia to follow suit and abolish the death penalty.

GAMBIA ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES

April 4, 2011: the Gambian lawmakers approved new amendments, presented before the National Assembly members by Attorney General and minister of Justice, Edward Gomez, abolishing the death penalty for drug-related offences and replacing it with life imprisonment.

The legislators had in October 2010 approved a law that imposes the death penalty on people convicted of being in possession of cocaine or heroine amounting to or more than 250 grams.

Presenting three bills for amendment - the Drugs Control (Amendment) Act 2011, Trafficking in Person (Amendment) Act 2011 and Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2011 - Justice minister Edward Gomez acknowledged that the amendment of the Drug Control Act in 2010 overlooked Section 18 (2) of The Gambia Constitution of 1997 which stipulates that no court in the country “shall be competent to impose a sentence of death for any offence unless the sentence is prescribed by law and the offence involves violence, or the administration of any toxic substance, resulting in the death of another person.” 

Voicing his support for the amendment, majority leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta described it as being responsive to the dictates of The Gambia constitution, commending the minister for the hard work that had gone into the amendment.

Also minority leader Momodou LK Sanneh supported the amendments on the point that it was brought to toe the line of the constitution, but asked for a little leniency in the sentences prescribed. (Sources: Today.gm, 07/04/2011) - Hands of Cain

CCM rejcts government proposal on the Malay Bible issue

Christian group rejects Idris Jala's 10-point solution

Apr 8, 11 8:16pm

In a lengthy 10-point statement, the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth did not mince its words in dismissing the 10-point solution offered by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala. 

It said that the "quick-fix" proposal ignored the "the overt and covert manner which the government had discriminated against the Christian citizenry for close to 40 years".

The following is CCM Youth's press release expressing its views in response to the various statements issued by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), the 10-point solution as proposed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala, and comments made in the media by the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and various parties.

1. 10-point proposal only addressed the Al Kitab issue

The 10-Point Proposal presumed that Christians were only concerned with the Al Kitab issue. That premise is incorrect. 

The 10-Point Proposal distracted both the public and the church leaders from getting to the heart of the matter, that is, the concern over the overt and covert manner which the government had discriminated against the Christian citizenry for close to 40 years that had resulted in the gradual deterioration of basic rights of Christians to freely exercise their faith.

2. Restore full rights and full freedom enshrined in the federal constitution

CCM Youth denounced deplorable accusations that Christians were not being “fair” or “reasonable” in resolving the Al Kitab matter. CCM Youth disclosed that the Malaysian government had unreasonably and unjustly acted in bad faith since the early 1970s to-date against the Christian community. Among some examples were:

• Gradual erosion of the control of mission schools which included even the physical removal of words such as “Holy” and crosses from schools, even though the land, building and board of governors belonged to the church;

• Removing or disallowing “Christian Fellowships” from being recognised as societies in schools and universities;

• Harassing and transferring out Christian teachers found teaching Bible Knowledge, a legitimate examinable subject for the SPM;

• Gazetting the Al Kitab, the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, as a threat to national security under the Internal Security Act;

• Denying the use of the word 'Allah' for the Christian God, even though it had been used by indigenous groups way before independence, and being the only Muslim country in the world to do so despite wide Arab usage;

• Denying Christians land to operate churches or cemeteries.

And the list goes on.

CCM Youth was saddened that Christians today were openly abused, harassed and provoked in the media and encouraged by the government, with all sorts of erroneous information being placed on official government websites put up as decrees; linking activities from Valentine's Day to 'poco-poco' to crosses on football jerseys, to Christian beliefs without so much as a dialogue or a clarification with the Christian community.

So much so that even the Islamic government machinery, with nods from cabinet ministers, the Home Ministry and state governments, unashamedly encouraged over-zealous religious officers and Islamic-based NGOs, to propagate and sow seeds of hatred towards the Christian community.

CCM Youth was informed that recently a group of students went for an excursion to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and were denied entry just because their uniform had a cross.

After so many years of racial-religious polarisation under the hands of government machinery, religious and racial bigotry is now blatantly practised and widely nurtured in government departments against Christians.

CCM Youth believed that the 10-Point Proposal was superfluous as Christian citizens were not asking for anything extra, but for their basic constitutional rights, enshrined in the Federal Constitution, to be respected and honoured.

3. Christians' birthright to read, speak and write in the national language

CCM Youth opined that it was ludicrous to deny Malaysian Christian citizens the right to use the country's national language for the purposes of exercising their faith.

On the one hand, non-Malay citizens are often criticised for their purported lack of loyalty when they did not speak Bahasa Malaysia, but when they did, like in this case in order to read the Bible, which they had been doing for generations, they were denied that right.

CCM Youth reiterated that as citizens of this country, it was their God-given birthright, which “should not be given up, negotiated, traded away, nor 'sold for a bowl of pottage'”, being simply rushed into just because Christian leaders were offered a “quick-fix” solution to the immediate problems that were originally created by unjust parties.

4. The 10-point proposal does not carry the weight of law

CCM Youth decried attempts to create a 'band-aid' compromise solution that did not carry the weight of law. If the government were truly sincere, there would not be a need for a 10-Point Proposal.

Insofar as this matter was concerned, all the government needed to do was to instruct the Home Ministry to drop its appeal on the 'Allah' issue, which the Catholic Church won on Dec 31, 2009 when it took the case to the High Court. This action would immediately lead to the withdrawal of the Allah and the Al Kitab from any further restrictions in the country.

CCM Youth urged the government to uphold democratic principles and not play games by taking a round-about route that did not reflect their sincerity.

5. 10-point proposal sows disunity amongst Christians

The 10-Point Proposal served only to promote disunity amongst Christians, playing to the ruling government's 'divide-and-rule' tune. CCM Youth questioned how it could be plausible for a 1Malaysia, yet a 2Bible and 3Rule solution?

If at all, it only cemented CCM Youth's opinion that 1Malaysia had been nothing but political rhetoric.

If Christian leaders had agreed to this proposal, the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak would have one rule; while believers in the peninsula, including the Orang Asli, would have another rule.

Should Christians subject themselves to such confusion and be manipulated to accept such terms? Likewise, by agreeing to such terms now, would Christians then forfeit the right to resolve future outstanding matters beyond the Al Kitab issue?

6. No guarantee that pledges or assurances will be honoured

Time and time again, the Christian community have been given assurances but only to be disappointed later on. CCM Youth urged church leaders to be wise, for what had been dressed as compromise could turn out to be an entrapment – “Even the elect were deceived, if that were possible.”

CCM Youth pointed out that they were well aware that there were many obstacles ahead, and they understood the “card game was in the hands” of the government.

Even if the federal government gave the impression of giving way, they could fall back on the state government machinery that would kick in and take that to another gear which involved harassing book stores, printers, forwarding agents, schools and so on, located in affected states.

7. The tipping point - today's decision will impact future generations

CCM Youth urged church leaders to take their time and not to be in a hurry. It was imperative that they did not fail future generations, or act in a manner that could adversely undermine or enslave future generations from practising their faith freely.

CCM Youth urged church leaders to remain faithful and to take as much time as they needed to ponder and to ask pertinent questions without compromising the faith.

Otherwise, future generations would return to remind past generations of leaders of "compromises" made today, or that the church leaders held silent when they could have spoken up, having restrained themselves from pursuing justice when they had the opportunity to do so.

CCM Youth urged church leaders not to worry about having to come to a decision by the CFM's Biennial General Meeting on April 14, 2011, but to take ample time to pray and seek the Lord before coming to a decision.

CCM Youth reminded church leaders that even the youths today were still learning the full extent of the rights that had been eroded to-date as events unfolded, and CCM Youth would endeavour to support church leaders to their best of abilities to recover that which was lost, and hand over full freedom to future generations as their legacy.

8. Are we speaking to the right party with the authority?

With due respect to Senator Idris Jala, CCM Youth raised concerns that there were no assurances that he had the full weight of the cabinet behind him in this regard, given the underlying tones and lack of media support from cabinet ministers. Even the prime minister himself had been strangely silent.

From remarks given by the home minister and various “shadow gatekeepers”, there had been no assurance that the relevant ministries would honour any form of agreement. What remained consistent so far had been the consistency of the government's inconsistencies. The danger of flip-flops was not a probability, but a given.

CCM Youth believed that this rush to force a solution was inadvertently linked to the outcome of the Sarawak elections and the potential impact from its Christian majority population.

CCM Youth observed that it was this careless 'short-term opportunistic' attitude of the government for political expediency that had made them wary of such overtures and advised church leaders to exercise greater caution under such circumstances.

If the government were sincere in addressing the grievances of the Christian community, CCM Youth believed that nothing less than the coming together of a task force from the Prime Minister's Department, the Home Ministry, the attorney-general, the Education Ministry and all state governments and Islamic departments had to take place.

9. Sorry seems to be the hardest word

CCM Youth pointed out that it was Idris Jala (centre) who apologised.

So far, no official statement of apology had been offered by any ministry, especially none was forthcoming from the home minister, the main protagonist who directed the stamping of the Bibles.

The public ought to know that this entire episode of the desecration of the Christian's Holy Scriptures happened during the holy month of Lent which precedes and commemorates the Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion and celebrates His resurrection.

If an opportunity presented itself for reconciliation and restoration to properly right the grave wrong committed, CCM Youth would certainly offer forgiveness. Obviously, the situation had yet to present itself.

10. Christian cabinet ministers must take leadership

CCM Youth noted that except for Idris Jala, many Christian cabinet ministers have kept silent. One cabinet minister even called Christians foolish for holding prayer rallies. CCM Youth challenged cabinet ministers to be faithful and to choose today whom they served - whether God or man.

CCM Youth reiterated that they were not being unreasonable, audaciously demanding or stirring trouble. CCM Youth regretted that for a long time, the church had remained silent, having compromised when it should not have.

In good faith, church leaders had been drawn into endless unproductive closed-door meetings, given verbal promises and handshake agreements that never materialized.

Unfortunately for the church, Christian goodwill had not been reciprocated, and closed door agreements never honoured. The recent desecration of the Al Kitab was the last straw.

CCM Youth called upon all Christians today to rally firmly behind their Christian leaders as they worked towards a resolution for the community. CCM Youth urged the Christian community to uphold their leaders in prayer more fervently.

CCM Youth reiterated that they remained committed to nation-building and bringing about justice, peace and reconciliation for all Malaysians and migrants, and would stop at nothing to bring about change for the betterment of all peoples regardless of creed, race or religion, through proclaiming truth and bringing about justice and transformation to the nation.- Malaysiakini, 8/4/2011, Christian group rejects Idris Jala's 10-point solution

MACC's 2nd death: Independent Thorough Investigation is most important...

What is most important is a thorough independent investigation - for without that, an inquest and/or a Royal Commission of Inquiry will find it very hard to find the truth.

It is indeed a scandal for the MACC - the 2nd death of a person falling from high window. Clearly, CCTVs must be everywhere certainly covering windows...

Who is doing the investigations? It is the police...and that may not be 'independent' enough - Are they treating it as a 'murder'? I think they should be doing that...because then higher standards and quality of investigation would come into play...Maybe, the SUHAKAM should get involved - or maybe, an independent investigation panel should be set up to oversee...supervise the investigations - maybe some MPs, Senators, Malaysian Bar,...

Did they look for fingerprints on the body and the clothing of the deceased? Do they have records of all that were in the building then? Do they know when it all happened? Where were all the different people? Have they been looking for witnesses outside the building  who could have seen the incident? Maybe a public notice should be issued calling on any person who have seen anything to come forward...

I am also interested to know, why the MACC have an enclosed 'badminton court'? Is it open to the public - or just for MACC staff only...Is it just a waste of money? Government should invest in public sports facilities... not like this...

The injuries found on Selangor Customs Department assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed are consistent with falling from a height, said Federal Territory police chief Zulkifli Abdullah.

“From the injuries that were seen on his body, we think they are consistent with a fall from a height, but we have to wait for the laboratory report before coming to any conclusions,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after officially opening the Kuala Lumpur police contingent monthly assembly today, Zulkifli (right) said samples were taken from the deceased during a post-mortem that lasted more than a day.

Ahmad Sarbani, 56, was found dead at a badminton court after falling from the third floor of the Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Jalan Cochrane on Wednesday morning.

He was among 62 Customs officers arrested during a dragnet - dubbed Operation 3B - by a task force led by the MACC and including six other agencies on April 1 at the Customs office in North Port, Port Klang to assist in investigations into corruption cases, money laundering and other offences.

He was released on bail on April 2, after being charged in court.

Ahmad Sarbani was laid to rest at the Kota Damansara Muslim cemetery at about 6.30pm yesterday.

“As of now the statements of six MACC officials have been recorded,” said Zulkifli, adding that this could have included statements from the two anti-graft agency officers who were suspended.

“We are investigating all aspects of the case... we don't want to preempt the findings as of now,” he said.

Close-circuit television (CCTV) recordings have also been confiscated to assist in the investigations, said Zulkifli.

According to MACC investigations director Mustafar Ali, Ahmad Sarbani had returned to the MACC building at 8.26am on April 6 without an appointment and requested to meet the investigating officer.

Ahmad Sarbani had already given his statement to the MACC and was released from custody at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Mustafar said an officer then accompanied the senior Customs officer to a room in the office, before leaving to collect the case file only to find him missing upon his return. - Malaysiakini, 8/4/2011, 'Customs man's injuries in line with fall from height'

Lenggeng Immigration Depot breakout - Investigate the root causes

When one is oppressed, ...and continue to be oppressed, then after complaints receive not much response - people will protest...and in the case of detainees at Immigration Detention Centres...it may end up as what happened at the Lenggeng Detention Centre...

Now, it is reported that they are investigating the breakout - but hopefully this investigation also includes the root causes for the dissatisfaction of the detainees, that culminated in the riot..the fire...the breakout.

It may be good also to consider the recent report About Migrants in Malaysia - UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention -8/2/2011

And let us also not forget Malaysia's obligations to undocumented migrant workers..On 23rd April 1999, the Malaysian government together with other ASEAN governments signed THE BANGKOK DECLARATION ON IRREGULAR MIGRATION, and declaration 14 states as follows:-

Irregular migrants should be granted humanitarian treatment, including appropriate health and other services, while the cases of irregular migration are being handled according to law.    Any unfair treatment towards them should be avoided; - BANGKOK DECLARATION ON IRREGULAR MIGRATION

Let us also not forget the deaths by Leptospirosis at these detention centres.

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) makes it 26 groups concerned about recent death of 6 Burmese in detention

2 migrants fell sick and died at the KLIA Immigration Depot. Could death have been avoided if the required healthcare was available?

126 groups:- Death of 2 Burmese Indicative of State of Detention Places in Malaysia - Denial of Healthcare Is a Violation of Right to Life 

This is not the first case of riots at Detention Centres - 'Riot' at Ajil Detention Centre for Undocumented Migrants - Independent Inquiry/Investigation Needed

Why are people being kept at these Detention Centres for so long?  Maximum should be two(2) weeks. Why are the percentage  of undocumented migrants from Burma at our detention centres increasing? Maybe, we should seriously consider documenting these undocumented migrant workers - and getting them jobs in Malaysia, as we certainly still do need many migrant workers. Would that not save the government money - it makes no sense spending so much to detain and deport, when we could solve the problem by just making them all documented migrant workers. Make the procedure for employing migrant workers simpler - let these undocumented migrants go through the existing private employment agencies, and if they get a job - register them, and that solves the problem.

Maybe, Malaysia should also think about the money earned from taxation of income earned by migrants, levy that employers of migrants pay, amount made from remittances services, insurances, etc...and these will also increase the 'coffers' of Malaysia.

SEREMBAN: Police have rounded up 25 of the 105 detainees who escaped from the Lenggeng Immigration Depot for illegals near here on Monday night.

The hunt is on for 80 others who are believed to have escaped to the nearby jungle or oil palm estate.

In the 9.45pm incident, the detainees, the majority of whom are Myanmar nationals, escaped after rioting and setting fire to the upper floor of their detention block.

Short-lived freedom: Some of the runaways who were caught waiting to be transferred to other detention centres at the Lenggeng Immigration Deport near Seremban Tuesday.

State deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Manan Mohd Hassan said 200 personnel from the police field force, air and canine units, Immigration Department and Rela members were involved in the manhunt to track down the runaways.

“We have set up roadblocks in the surrounding areas and at exits leading to Seremban and Semenyih while our air and canine units scour the surrounding areas.

“As at noon today (yesterday), we have rounded up 25 detainees who were found not far from the camp. We are confident all the escapees will be found by Wednesday evening,” he told a press conference at the centre yesterday.

SAC Abdul Manan said 85 of the escapees were Myanmar nationals while the rest were from Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam and Indonesia.

He said the illegals who had been detained at the camp for between three months and a year claimed that they were unhappy with the conditions at their detention block which was overcrowded.

Escape route: The fence which was damaged when 105 detainees made their escape on Monday night.

“The public, especially those living in the area near the camp, are advised to contact the nearest police station if they notice strangers hanging around,” he added.

It is believed that 348 detainees were confined in the detention block which was supposed to house 250 people. No one was injured in the incident.

SAC Abd Manan said as the two-storey block was damaged in the blaze, some of the detainees would now be moved to other detention centres.

There are a total of 925 detainees in the depot, including 192 females.

Meanwhile, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said a committee comprising the Immigration Detention Centres Department, Prisons Department, Rela and the Civil Defence Department and police had been formed to investigate the breakout.

Immigration Detention Centres director-general Datuk Azri Yusof said none of its officers was injured.

“They could not stop the detainees from running away as there were too many of them,” he said.

He said the department was in the process of upgrading the centre when the incident happened.- Star, 6/4/2011, 105 escape from detention depot, 25 nabbed

109 escape from detention - No choice but to break out? or attract attention?

Let's get beyond the fire - and look at the main reasons for this incident at the Immigration Detention Centre, and again we see.. 

"Investigations show that they were dissatisfied with what they perceived as cramped living conditions, the food and long detention periods," he said.

Abdul Manan said it may well be that many of them had lost patience over the long process needed to settle them in third countries under the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
 

109 Immigrants Escape From Detention Centre

SEREMBAN, April 5 (Bernama) -- A group of 109 immigration detainees rioted and set a building on fire before escaping from the Lenggeng Immigration Detention Centre last night.

Using aerial surveillance and tracker dogs, the authorities managed to capture 23 of them.

Negeri Sembilan deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Manan Mohd Hassan said besides burning down a building, the group also rammed a nearby gate.

"We've set up a special team to determine how the fire was started. They made their escape via the oil palm plantation located behind the facility," he told reporters at the scene here Tuesday.

He was confident that more escapees would be apprehended as they had only the dark forest cover to evade the authorities and, during the daytime, it would be difficult for them to access public transport due to road blocks, police cars patrolling the area as well as aerial surveillance.

Abdul Manan disclosed that most of the escapees were Myanmar nationals who were joined by a handful of Bangladeshis, Nepalese, Iranians, Vietnamese and Thais.

"Investigations show that they were dissatisfied with what they perceived as cramped living conditions, the food and long detention periods," he said.

Abdul Manan said it may well be that many of them had lost patience over the long process needed to settle them in third countries under the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

"Some of them have been in detention for three to 12 months," he said.

The facility had 348 male and 192 women detainees at the time of the incident. None of the women were involved.

Four fire engines were at the scene to control the blaze. There were no reports of injuries.

-- BERNAMA, 5/4/2011, 109 Immigrants Escape From Detention Centre

Illegal immigrants set fire to Malaysia detention centre; 109 escape but 30 recaptured

By The Associated Press – 2 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian official says more than 100 illegal immigrants escaped from a detention centre after starting a fire that partially gutted the facility.

Home Ministry official Mohamed Asri Yusof says authorities recaptured 30 of the 109 detainees who broke out of the camp in central Negri Sembilan state late Monday. Most are from Myanmar.

Mohamed Asri said Tuesday authorities are unsure how the detainees managed to start a blaze. About 1,000 other detainees remain in custody, and no injuries were immediately reported.

The incident could refocus attention on conditions at detention centres. Activists have long said such facilities are overcrowded with detainees awaiting deportation after being arrested for illegally entering Malaysia or overstaying. - The Canadian Press, 5/4/2011, Illegal immigrants set fire to Malaysia detention centre; 109 escape but 30 recaptured

Vui Kong's appeal against the death sentence has been rejected by the Court of Appeal

Sadly, Sabahan Yong Vui Kong's appeal against the death sentence has been rejected by the Court of Appeal - and we shall all continue to fight for his life to be spared, and for the abolition of the death penalty both in Singapore and Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu: Malaysian lawyer Cik Ngeow Chow Ying said she and Yong Vui Kong's family are disappointed with the rejection of his court appeal against the death sentence for drug trafficking but will not give up. 

"We will continue to work on the case," she told Daily Express by phone from Singapore. 

According to her, the Singapore's Court of Appeal ruled that the Law Minister K. Shanmugam's controversial remark was only reflective of government policy, and not on Vui Kong's clemency petition, "though Vui Kong's name was specifically mentioned when he made the statement." 

On May 9, 2010 (before the Court of Appeal gave its verdict on May 14, 2010), Shanmugam made the following statement, which was published in the Singapore Straits Times. 

"Yong Vui Kong, (who was sentenced to hang for trafficking 47gam of heroin), he is young. But if we say, 'We let you go', what's the signal we're sending? We're sending a signal to all drug barons out thereÉjust make sure you choose a victim who's young or a mother of a young child and use them as the people to carry drugs into Singapore." 

Vui Kong's younger sister, Vui Fung, 21, told Daily Express the family was devastated. 

"My eldest brother Yun Leong, 26, (who works as a chef in Singapore) visits Vui Kong every Monday without fail. According to Yun Leong, Vui Kong is resigned to his fate. He (Yun Leong) called me from Singapore today to say that Vui Kong accepts the court's decision with an open mind." 

Following his conviction and death sentence on January 7, 2009, the first person he thought of was his mother Liaw Yung Khan, whom he loves very much. He was worried that the bad news would worsen her mental condition. She is on medication. 

A "Save Vui Kong" campaign blog reported that Yong in his childhood had witnessed how his mother was being abused. His heart broke every time he saw that happen. 

On December 2, 2009, two days before he was due to be executed, his mother visited him. 

Vui Kong had told her, "Mum, don't worry about me. 

I am going to a faraway place with a sifu (Master) to learn more about Buddhism. 

But I will always be with you spiritually. 

"You will always be in my heart. Please don't miss me."  - Daily Express, 5/4/2011, Family is devastated

URGENT APPEAL: Another union leader in Cavite murdered. Workers suspect of management involvement.

IMMEDIATE DISSEMINATION AND ACTION REQUESTED

04 April 2011

URGENT APPEAL: Another union leader in Cavite murdered. Workers suspect of management involvement.

Dear Friends,

The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) calls on everyone to take action with regards the murder Celito Baccay, a union leader in a steel factory in Dasmariñas, Cavite province.  Baccay was killed while driving his motorcycle on his way home after his work shift last March 8, 2011. A fact-finding team composed of staff of the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), Workers Assistance Center (WAC), and members of the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW) found out that Baccay’s killing could be union-related. The team also  discovered that continuing threats to security of his co-unionists prevent their union activities to take place.

Case details (Based on the Fact-finding mission report of CTUHR, WAC and SCW)

 

Please note:  Identities of the witnesses and workers withheld due to fear of retaliation from the perpetrators. Their names were changed.

At around 10 pm of March 8, 2011, Cielito Baccay, board member of MAGIKWO (Maeno-Giken Workers Organization, went out of Maeno Giken Inc. plant in the FCIE after working overtime. Riding his red Honda Wave motorcycle, he took his usual route eastward going to his home at Carmona Cavite. He drove along Governor’s Drive with two other co-workers,  Alpha and Bravo who were also boarding their motorcycles.

At approximately 10:20 p.m. Baccay passed the Baranggay Langkaan 1 Bridge of the Governor’s Drive, more or less one (1) kilometre away from FCIE. Alpha and Bravo then heard a motorcycle crash behind them.  Knowing that Baccay was behind, they stopped and checked for his condition. They then saw Baccay and his motorcycle crashed at the sidewalk of the opposite lane approximately 50 meters away from the bridge. Alpha then immediately called through a cellular phone co-worker Charlie.  At that time, the Alpha and Bravo presumed that it was just a common motorcycle accident since they didn’t notice any gunshot wound or hear any gunfire. Charlie who is staying outside of the FCIE compound flagged the company transport service vehicle (Hyundai Starex van) full of co-workers to ask for help. They arrived at the scene and saw Baccay lying on the ground unconscious. They immediately rushed Baccay to the De La Salle University Medical Center (also in Dasmariñas) where he was immediately treated.

Baccay arrived with vital signs at the hospital but was did not survive. He was then declared dead by his attending physician at around 10:45 p.m.  It was in the hospital that the workers discovered that Baccay was assassinated when police officers came and told them.

At the scene of the motor crash, PO2 Aaron Abesamis and PO2 Figueroa of Dasmariñas Police (PNP) conducted initial investigation.  According to PO2 Abesamis, they responded at the incident after the village police (Baranggay Tanod) of Baranggay Langkaan requested their assistance. In a Baranggay blotter dated March 8, 2011, the Baranggay police accounted that they heard gunfire at 10:30 p.m.  They then immediately went to the area where they heard the gunfire and saw Baccay’s body beside a Honda Wave motorcycle with plate # 7937 PU. 

The police blotter showed that the responding police officers found one (1) empty shell of .9 mm calibre pistol while one (1) deformed bullet slug of the same firearm was found inside Baccay’s jacket.  As of March 22, 2011 PO2 Abesamis said that a follow-up investigation is yet to be made.  Baccay’s remains were examined for autopsy immediately after the incident but the result is not yet available. 

Most people in the area denied any knowledge of the incident simply claiming that they heard gunfire during that night. Co-worker Alpha and Bravo accounted that they never observed any vehicle that passed through them when they turned back to see Baccay.

It appears that no eyewitness could completely determine the identity of the perpetrators. 

Fellow unionists of Baccay however suspect that the Maeno Giken Inc. management is behind the killing.  According to them, they cannot recall any other enemy of Baccay except the Maeno Giken management and that it has sole motive of killing Baccay because the management does not want to recognize their union and is doing everything to destroy the union.  The management is also aware that Baccay is one of the most staunchest leaders of the union. 

Also, various incidents and circumstances involving Baccay and Gart Dennis Melchor, Maeno-Giken Vice president for operation had prompted the workers in thinking that Melchor could have had knowledge on Baccay’s killing.  The workers strongly believed that the previous unpleasant events between Baccay and Melchor could be related to the killing. 

Circumstances before the incident

At 9:00 a.m. of March 8, few hours before Baccay was killed, a heated argument between him and Human Resource Manager Annaliza Melchor (wife of Gart Dennis Melchor) occurred. The argument started when Baccay tried to defend co-worker Delta who was being forced by Melchor to sign a memorandum accusing the co-worker of not wearing the complete PPE (Personal protective equipment) during duty.  Baccay ordered Delta not to sign the memorandum. This irritated Melchor which then accused Baccay of tolerating his co-workers' misconduct. Baccay insisted that Delta did not violate any policy because he saw Delta wore his complete PPE during the day he was accused of not wearing it.

On March 7 at 6:30 a.m, a day before Baccay’s murder, Gart Dennis Melchor went out of the plant and talked to co-worker Echo at the company parking lot.  Melchor then pointed at two red motorcycles while still talking to Echo as if they are talking about it.  About 15 meters away, Baccay together with co-worker Mike saw what Melchor is doing from the window of the company’s locker room.  He then jokingly told Mike, “Pare pustahan tayo, motor ko ang hinahanap ni Garto.” (I bet that Gart is looking for my motorcycle). 

On March 9, a day after Baccay was killed Mike got the chance to approach Echo. He then asked what Echo and Melchor chatted about last March 7.  Echo then told that Mr. Melchor during that time was asking who are of the owners of the red motorcycles at the parking lot and told him that one of those motorcycles is owned by Baccay.

Leonila Baccay, Celito Baccay’s wife, also reported that the management seemed to be angrier towards her husband lately when he turned down a promotion offer.  The management offered Baccay the position for a company team leader but he declined the offer because he knew that it would disqualify him from being a union leader.  Leonila said that “Si Bucks ay ang taong naninindigan sa prinsipyo niya” (Bucks is the type of person that is steadfast to live with his principles).

Workers of Maeno Giken Inc. also claimed that harassment against them heightened when they  organize the union.  They narrated that Melchor is the most strict and rigid among all management officials against the unionists. The workers also described him as assertive and intimidating.  They felt alarmed about Melchor’s attitude of bringing his firearms often, cleaning and loading the pistols with bullets, at the workplace.  The workers are also aware of Melchor’s connection with the army and police officers because he is a gun enthusiast and a member of a gunners’ club.

Baccay, according to the workers is the archrival of Melchor inside the workplace. Melchor’s dominant attitude clashes with Baccay's adamancy.  According to the workers, Baccay is the only one who can resist Melchor’s authority.

During the height of the certification election campaign last August 2010, Melchor also dissuaded the workers from voting for the union.  Some of the workers recalled Melchor’s announcement to the workers during a company general assembly: “hindi ako mangingiming mag-laglag ng ilan sa inyo (I will not hesitate to eliminate some of you).  The workers believe that the announcement is the threat of the Maeno Giken management to those who campaign in favor of the union. 

When MAGIKWO lost in the certification election over a No union choice last September 17, 2010, the workers' conditions reportedly worsened.  All known union supporters and officers including Baccay reported to have experienced anti-union discrimination such as excessive implementation of disciplinary actions and malicious transfer of their work assignments.  Also, after the said date the management duplicated the programs and services being provided by the union to dissuade other workers from seeking help from the union.  But despite its loss, the union has continued to exist defending the workers inside the company from abuses.

Co-worker Oscar also narrated that Baccay was frequently being hounded by men in a motorcycle every time he went home after his work shift from the month of September to November 2010.  The hounding temporarily stopped when Baccay was assigned to work for Terumo Corp. from November to December to isolate him from the other workers. During the past months, Oscar also reported that Baccay was frequently being insulted by company president Shinichiro Maeno, and Gart Dennis Melchor. 

Other workers were not spared by intimidation and harassments.  Oscar himself narrated having experienced some form of surveillance and intimidation when in September 19, 2010 around 10:0 a.m, two strange men riding on an unregistered motorcycle, wearing helmets, motorcycle jackets and dark pants passed at his house somewhere in Cavite twice while looking inside. Another group of strange men were observed staying near the house of co-worker Romeo also in Cavite.  Those men were reportedly asked information about the worker. 

About the victim

Celito Baccay was one of the pioneer members of the Maeno Giken Workers Organization.  As one of the longest-serving worker (his working tenure was 5 years), Baccay was one of the pioneers of MAGIKWO.  Co-workers of Baccay consider him as their founder and the bravest among the union leaders. Having a background on unionism during his previous employment at Cathay Packaging, Baccay was also the mentor of the younger leaders of MAGIKWO.  It was Baccay who normally confronts the Maeno Giken management when co-workers are being scolded and given excessive disciplinary actions. Accoding to them, “Hindi siya natitinag, di natatakot, talagang tumatayo at lahat ng galit kaya niyang saluhin kaya sa kanya kami nahugot ng lakas.” 

About the company

Maeno Giken Inc. is a Japanese owned company operating inside the First Cavite Industrial Estate (FCIE) in Dasmariñas Cavite.  It has a total workforce of 100 where 90 are rank & file workers. The company manufactures steel structures and parts of heavy equipments like container crane, fuel and chemical tanks.  Their products are used locally by different Japanese-owned companies while half of their products are exported to Japan.  Today the company is headed by Shinichiro Maeno as the President while Gart Dennis Melchor is the Vice-President for Operations.

Suggested action

Please write letters to the authorities below asking for:

1.      An immediate, impartial and more thorough investigation on the murder of Celito Baccay be carried out;

2.      Immediate filing of complaints on criminal court to bring the perpetrators to justice;

3.      The families and co-unionists be indemnified;

4.      An investigation on the reported harassments and surveillances on leaders and members of MAGIKWO;

5.      Necessary and prompt steps to protect the right to unionize of the workers in Maeno Giken Inc.

Kindly send your letters to:

His Excellency Benigno Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80

Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales
Chairperson

Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
E-mail: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com

Director General Raul Bacalzo
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2724 8763
Tel: +63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
E-mail: ruth_cossid@yahoo.com

Hon. Leila de Lima
Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: soj@doj.gov.ph

Hon. Rosalinda Baldoz
Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment
7/F DOLE Building,
Intramuros Manila NCR 1002
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 527 2131
E-mail: secrdb@dole.gov.ph

Kindly furnish us a copy of the mails you will be sending to the authorities. Cc  it to pie.ctuhr@gmail.com or to our mailing address Rm 702 Culmat Bldg. 126 E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City 1102 Philippines. You can also fax it thru +632.411.0256.

Thank you very much for your support. Union organizing is a right not a crime. Defend Trade Union Rights, Protect the Workers. Stop the killings! Uphold Freedom to form Unions!

Sincerely,

Center for Trade Union and Human Rights

--
Center for Trade Union and Human Rights, Inc
702 Culmat Bldg, 127 E. Rodriguez Avenue
Quezon city, 1112 Philippines
Telefax No. 632.4110256
email:ctuhr.philippines@gmail.com
website: www.ctuhr.org

CTUHR is an independent non government organization engaged in documentation, research and investigation of human rights violations committed against workers. It is also engaged in education, training and advocacy for workers rights and assist in the formation of workers and community organizations in the Philippines,

April Fool Joke? Or did Selangor DUN really pass the FOI Act

see earlier post : Not so 'open and transparent' birth of Selangor's FOI

Not so 'open and transparent' birth of Selangor's FOI

I visited the website of the State Legislative Assembly of Selangor (Dewan Negeri Selangor), hoping to have sight of this Freedom of Information Bill, that has been passed - but I could not find it. Even our Malaysian Parliament's website is more transparent and open, and we can always have access of all Bills that are before the Parliament. I hope that Pakatan Rakyat's Selangor government would emulate this better practice, and ensure that in the future all Bills that are being considered, and all State Enactments are easily available to the public at the State Legislative Assembly website. It is most important for everyone to have sight of these Bills, so that they can provide their views, opinions, concerns and other input to their ADUNs to consider and raise. 

I saw the earlier version of the FOI Bill, and it drew a lot of criticisms from civil society and the public, and it is good to note that there have been amendments since - but what were these amendments.

The essence of this Bill is 'openess and transparency' but this Bill has been amended, tabled and passed in a manner that lacked 'openess and transparency', and this is very sad. Lets not cry over 'spilt milk' but look to the future, and hope that there will be greater openness and transparency especially when new law (or policy) is being considered and passed. 

Does anyone know where we can get a copy of this FOI Act that has been passed? 

The Selangor assembly today created history by being the first state assembly to enact the Freedom of Information Enactment 2010.

The enactment was tabled for the third reading today by Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong and was accepted by unanimous vote without amendments.

The proposal was seconded by Sri Andalas assemblyperson Xavier Jeyakumar.

It is understood that all of the recommendations proposed by the select committee, made up of PKR-Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, PKR-Batu Caves assemblyperson Amirudin Shari, DAP-Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh, PAS-Sijangkang Ahmad Yunus Hairi and the two BN representatives, were accepted in total.

“The process (involving a select committee consisting of experts and members of the public) took nine months... This is a product of the people's courage and conviction in choosing Pakatan Rakyat in 2008,” Wong said.

She added that through the select committee, the initial draft has been improved on and will not be ultra vires.

“What we wanted to do was to have an enactment which is complete but within the bounds of the state's jurisdiction, and does not challenge the federal constitution,” she said.

Wong (right) said that the enactment, which will include information involving state administration, government-linked companies and municipal and city councils, will be a “dynamic” one.

“If we feel that we can improve the enactment in the next five or six months, the Selangor government will be happy to review the proposals,” she said.

She also expressed disappointment in the BN backbenchers' refusal “to take part in history” by failing to attend a single committee meeting since the second reading of the enactment last year.

The two BN representatives invited to the committee and public enquiry were Tanjung Sepat assemblyperson Karim Mansor and Kuang assemblyperson Abdul Shukor Idrus.

Selangor BN had previously opposed the enactment, saying that it is just a ploy to provide more positions for Pakatan Rakyat supporters, and that it is ultra vires and redundant.

Enactment to be implemented in six months

Speaking to reporters later, Wong said that the state now has six months to prepare to implement the enactment, including training information officers, developing procedures for applications, drafting the application form, evaluating costs and forming the state information board.

The state is proposing to seek consultation and training from countries that have implemented similar legislation before.

Wong, however, could not give a ballpark figure for the cost and that this will be tabled in the assembly after it has been finalised.

She added that the state information board is a revised version of the appeals board as stated in the earlier draft and will now consist of those with legal background (former lawyers or judges) who are independent from party politics.

Appeals following rejection of applications and recommendation for improvements would need to go through this board.

Amendments to the draft

Other amendments made following recommendations from the select committee include:

• Changing the preamble from saying that the enactment is an “opportunity for the rakyat” to “the right of the rakyat to reasonable access information”.

• Penalties will no longer only apply to applicants, but also information officers proved to have impeded or obstructed access with ill intentions.

• Applicants who can be proven to have applied for information with ill intentions, other than stipulated in their application, can also be penalised.

• Expansion of the enactment to include government-linked companies and local authorities.

“This has been a labour of love…It is also a challenge, that if Selangor can do it, so can the federal government... (which has) more at their disposal. They even have the entire Attorney-General's Chambers.

“It's about time that we stop hiding behind black curtains, and laws like the Official Secrets Act must be reviewed,” she said.- Malaysiakini, 1/4/2011, First-ever FOI enactment passed

Interlok - no more an 'indian' concern, as Chinese Malaysians voice out

It does not affect me, so I am not bothered. This is not right, and all good Malaysians and persons must be concern about all wrongs, injustices and human rights violations irrespective of whether it affects me, my community, my religion or my nation.

With the coming out with these statement by 45 prominent Malaysian groups, of Chinese ethnicity, the issue becomes less seen as only an ethnic Indian issue - but a Malaysian issue.

I sincerely hope that Anwar Ibrahim also reform his and PKR's position on this book (see below, the Malay Mail, 11/1/2011, No racist element in 'Interlok': Anwar). Anwar may have been mis-reported or changed his (and PKR's) position, and I hope if this is so, people will post information about this in the comments below this post

A number of prominent Chinese groups are among 45 organisations which inked a joint statement criticising the government's decision to retain the controversial novel 'Interlok' as a compulsory textbook for secondary schools.

In a strongly-worded statement, the civil society groups ticked off the novel for attempting to indoctrinate Form Five students with the 'Malay supremacy' ideology.

Describing 'Interlok' as an “insidious poison”, the civil society groups accused the novel of propagating the ideology of “Ketuanan Melayu”.

“In fact, Interlok is barely a step away from the Biro Tatanegara brainwashing that promotes racism and disunity. 'Interlok' conveys the central message that Chinese, Indian and other minorities are second-class citizens in addition to perpetuating the divisive notion of a host community (the Malays) versus foreigners ('bangsa asing' Cina dan India).

“Not so subtly, 'Interlok' intends to put the Chinese and Indians in their place as 'pendatang', and validating a social hierarchy according to ethnic origin.”

Organisations which signed the statement included KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall, Johor Federation of Chinese Associations and Penang Chinese Town Hall.

It is however not the first time that Chinese groups have issued statements on the matter.

“Not only offensive to Indians, Interlok portrays the Chinese in the most derogatory manner too,” said the hard-hitting statement.

“Kim Lock (in 'Interlok') is depicted as a miserly opium addict and callous adulterer while his son Chin Huat is painted as cunning, greedy, unscrupulous and someone who would happily sell his daughters.

“A major thread of the plot has the Chinese character cheating and oppressing the Malay character. Other Chinese characters such as the communist guerrillas are nasty and immoral, and the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army comprising Chinese recruits is demonised by the author.”

The civil society groups said that 'Interlok' has failed to comply with the guidelines set by the Education Ministry.

“The National Interlok Action Team (Niat) has pointed out that its contents violate five out of six criteria outlined by the KBSM (Malaysian National Syllabus for Secondary Schools) textbook guidelines.

“Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin recently announced that the government has agreed to amend 19 words/passages found to be sensitive. Nonetheless, the fact that the 'Interlok' review panel has had to suggest a total of 106 changes only goes to show how problematic the novel is.

“Furthermore, the withdrawal in protest of the three Indian panelists serves to discredit the ministry's proposed resolution to the issue.”

Solution is to replace 'Interlok'

The groups said that the way out of the impasse is to replace 'Interlok' with other text more suitable for use in the classroom.

“Some defenders of 'Interlok' have claimed that the main characters in the book are mere individuals who cannot be extrapolated as representatives of their race.

“This is a mistaken line of argument as the Interlok lesson guide produced by the Education Ministry's curriculum development department has clearly stated: 'The theme of Interlok is the integration of three main races – Malay, Chinese and Indian – in Malaysia and the challenges they face in order to live together in an independent and sovereign country'.

“Because it is the ministry itself which has dictated that the characters in the novel are allegorical, therefore it will be wrong for us to now view them as atypical. Rather the Pak Musa, Chin Huat and Maniam personas (in 'Interlok') are indeed symbolic of their races.”

The joint statement stressed that the protest against 'Interlok' was in no way a disrespect to author Abdullah Hussain's freedom of expression.

“We do not object to his novel being sold in the bookshops. We do not ask either for the unabridged original version to be edited or censored although we welcome its critical appraisal by discerning adults. But the upshot is Interlok should not be a textbook in schools.” - Malaysiakini, 30/1/2011, Chinese groups weigh in on Interlok

Appendix : Controversial passages in Interlok

Jual Anak

1. Kita makan apa yang dapat. Akar-akar kayu kalau ada. Kita minta sedekah. Kita curi. Kita tak punya anak perempuan. Kalau ada anak perempuan kita boleh jual. (Kim Lock, MS 119-120)
2. "Dia sudah bagus kerja sini, itu tauke bilang Cing Huat banyak rajin dan kalau lu mau jual dia mau beli"...... dia (Kim Lock) belum pernah teringat mahu jual anaknya yang tunggal itu. Entahlah kalau anak itu perempuan. Tetapi sekarang apa sebab dia mahu jual? Dia mencari-cari sebab itu dalam hatinya pada waktu itu (MS 151)
3. Tetapi kalau Kim Lock mahu menjual anaknya itu dia boleh dapat untung lebih banyak lagi (MS 155)
4. Kok Leng mendesaknya supaya menjual Cing Huat. Untung dia tidak banyak cakap, kalau tidak Cing Huat bukan anaknya lagi. Kalau anak perempuan tentu dia sudah jual (MS 160)

Gila Perempuan / Menghisap Candu

5. Malam ini dia mesti tidur dengan perempuan loki Gweek Cin, yang kurus langsing dan berdada rata serta berkaki kecil itu (Kim Lock, MS 155)
6. Muka Surat 200-203, Kim Lock membawa Mei Hwa untuk menghisap candu dan mengadakan hubungan seks dengan dia setiap kali bertemu begitu. Kim Lock mahu membawa Mei Hwa tingga bersama-sama mereka, Cing Huat tidak bersetuju dan meminta panggil ibunya dari Tung San ke sini, Kim Lock menolaknya dengan alasan "Itu akan memakan masa terlalu lama. Wang Kita juga tidak cukup"
7. MS 457-458, orang tua pasukan komunis Teck Hock cuba merogol Poh Eng tetapi diselamatkan

Gelojoh / Wang ialah Tuhan

8. Walaupun benar ada pepatah bangsanya mengatakan "Kalau ada wang, kamu menjadi seorang anak Han yang berani, kalau tidak wang susah nak jadi anak Han pun"(MS 482)
9. Soal duit tak ada musuh, musuh ialah orang-orang yang mau menghalang kita cari makan (MS 141)
10. Dalam kota besar dan asing serupa ini orang tidak boleh kasihan, kalau kasihan kita tidak boleh kaya. Di sini wang yang menjadi ukuran. Dalam dunia ini wang itu Tuhan nombor dua (MS 155-156)
11. Dia sudah mulai sedar bahawa di rantau selatan ini , bukan semangat nenek moyang yang dapat menolong, melainkan wang ringgit. Wangnya ada dan keinginan pada tubuh perempuan pun makin mendesak. Kalau Kim Sui boleh kahwin dan menyimpan perempuan di bandar, maka mengapa pula dia tidak boleh menyimpan perempuan. Apa salahnya? (MS 198)

Diskriminasi / Menipu / Mengeksploitasi Orang Melayu

12. Cing Huat pun sudah boleh sedikit-sedikit bercakap dengan Huan na, dia sudah tahu orang-orang itu orang Melayu, tetapi dia lebih senang memanggil mereka Huan na atau Malai Kuai sahaja, seperti yang biasa dipanggil oleh bangsanya (MS 179)
13. "Cina Panjang kata tanah-tanah itu semuanya haknya belaka. Lembu yang kami bela itu pun hartanya juga. Bapa saya telah gadai kepadanya" (MS 88)
14. Kata Seman tanah itu semua sudah digadai pada Cina Panjang tu, dan orang Cina tu pun dah suruh Seman ini keluar dari kampong tersebut (MS 92)
15. ...... tanah-tanah kita yang dilindungi oleh undang-undang tu tergadai kepada bangsa asing. Kita tak upaya nak buat apa-apa¡­¡­kecut perut sayaa mendengar cerita ni. Lama-lam habis harta benda kita tergadai. Tak bolehkah kita menolongnya? "Cuma satu jalan saja. Itu pun kalau orang-orang kita mau sedar, mau insaf. Jangan ada orang yang ikut jejak pak musa tu" (MS 95-96) -

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 17:41:00

PETALING JAYA: The novel "Interlok" does not contain any racist element as claimed by certain quarters, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

"I read this novel a long time ago; I did not see any racist element in there," he told a news conference here.

Anwar, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, said a calm discussion should be held between those who questioned the content of the novel and the Education Ministry, which introduced the novel as a literature textbook for Form Five starting this year.

Anwar was asked to comment on the call by certain quarters who wanted the novel by national laureate Abdullah Hussain to be withdrawn from school, claiming that it contain elements deemed offensive to the Indian community.

On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's criticism of the Opposition pact's 100-day reform plan, Anwar said he was prepared to engage the premier in a debate on the matter.

Najib said yesterday that the plan, which the opposition intends to implement within 100 days if they win the 13th general election, was unrealistic and contained only populist measures.

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has spoken against any move to ban the book, saying doing so was not in line with the current development in the information age.

What should be done instead was to hold discussions involving those who were against the book, and the Education Ministry, he said.

"I feel that there should not be a barrier to the free flow of information," he told reporters after attending a dialogue with the Selangor Business Council in Shah Alam.

Abdul Khalid said, however, that the country's education system should be sensitive to the needs of the people of various cultures and ethnicities. - Malay Mail, 11/1/2011, No racist element in 'Interlok': Anwar