Teresa has done Malaysians great service
Tuesday, 20-12-2005Letter to Editor, malaysiakini
Umran Kadir
Dec 19, 05 4:27pm
With the revelation that the ethnicity of the victim at the centre of the ‘Squatgate’ controversy is Malay, certain members of Umno have chosen to lash out against the opposition whistle-blowers, accusing them of putting Malaysia in a bad light.
As we all know, it was not the act of whistle-blowing that caused the media furore but the fact that damning evidence of humiliating Malaysian police procedure was presented to the world.
Given that the prime minister and the deputy prime minister have already highlighted the gravity of this incident, I see parallels between the contradictory statements of the accusers in Umno with the contradictory statements of the formerly obstinate Noh Omar.
Perhaps these dissenters too need to be made to understand that the issue here is not one of race, nationality or tourist dollars, but of personal dignity.
One might accuse the DAP of unnecessary dramatics, but there were those in the MCA who admitted receiving the same video but chose to take the low-key route by passing the evidence on to the police. I suppose we will never know what the outcome of that approach would have been.
What we do know is that the actions of Teresa Kok have resulted in a great deal of attention and culminated in a fast-tracked investigation of the standard practices of Malaysian police. It was undoubtedly the international dimension of this incident and the attendant implications that caused the Malaysian government to take the matter so seriously.
In a sense, Teresa has achieved what many hard-working lawyers and activists have been struggling to do. She can only be applauded for doing all Malaysians a great service.
We can only hope that this investigation starts the ball rolling by demonstrating to the Malaysian government the urgent need to establish recommendations made by the first royal police commission in their report released over six months ago.
The international dimension certainly cause the government to take action – rapid, hard-hitting measures which result in shifting of focus from “Chinese nationals” to “its our own subjects – do not interfere with our internal affairs”.
In Malaysia, it is well known that action will not be taken unless there is death/wide spread media exposure/Perdana Menteri intervention. There is no such thing as “sediakan payung sebelum hujan” – something which our Singapore neighbour does quite well. The stance here is “never see coffin, never shed a tear”.
Are we going to see real action taken to implement the first royal police ommission report? More of a chance that Trinidad and Tobago winning next year’s world cup. Come on, prove me wrong and see eggs on my face….PLEASE
As for the Prime Minister, I started believing in you. Now I have my doubts and I still hope I was right….you wanna fight corruption and want people to work with you? I hope I can see some credit emerge from all these brainless, shameless, baseless accusations and noises coming out from the Senate and parts of the Parliment.
Comment by lee wee tak — Tuesday, 20-12-2005 @ 16: 42.25
I find it so unbelievable and so childish that so many spineless BN politicians are baying for your blood and YB Lim’s – and all on account of your exposing, and rightly, the shenanginans of our Polis nude squat works!
Congratulations to you and YB Lim for daring to bring it to the Malaysian public and the world that such acts are downright humiliating, uncalled for, and totally out of character of our Asian way of life. So such action is considered “Haram” (and worse remarks) by the BN blabbermouths?
Yes, so Datuk Michael Chong now claims that such info was given to him earlier, but he blew it if he thought that he will do it on the quiet – what for, to protect who? I have always had good respect for his many selfless work, but he sure cop it this time, as he could easily “blow the whistle” so to speak, earlier.
I don’t like the use of the word “whistleblowing” in this case, as I can’t see how your work and YB’s can be categorized as such – it is, if anything, an honest and sincere attempt to get to the bottom of this sleazy affair, and you should be commended for this, not for BN idiots to try and crucifying you and YB!! What else is new from their end?
It also seems strange and unerrily quiet that BN politicians, the Malay population are not commenting at all on the poor Malay woman forced to do these squats – except one Islamic University guy telling us that this is unIslamic!
Please stand up to these BN illiterates and not let them bulldoze their way to try and divert attention to the core of this problem – the behaviour and voyeur of some of the characters in the Polis force. And the unbelievable stance of the DIGP who did not think it OK to inform his PM in June 2005 of this shameful act, and the poor Deputy Minister who didn’t know the identity of this woman – so we are now told!
“Do not fear your enemies,
The worse they can do is to kill you.
Do not fear friends,
At worst they may betray you.
Fear those who do not care,
They neither kill nor betray.
But betray and murder exist,
Because of their silent consent.”
The BN guys ought to remember the words of JFK:
“In the past, those who foolishly sought power
By riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside”!
They are the ones who don’t have a clue – and you can’t shut them up!
Finally, also remember: Never argue with an idiot (or idiots),
For someone may pass by,
And seeing you arguing,
And not know which one is the Idiot!
Comment by ming390107 — Wednesday, 21-12-2005 @ 02: 53.38
I would like to add one more quotation to those posted by “ming390107” and this was in the opening credit of the film “JFK” which starred Kevin Costner, as spoken by John F Kennedy, “TO BE SINNED BY SILENCE WHEN ONE SHOULD PROTEST, MAKES COWARDS OUT OF MAN”. Once again, I would like to congratulate Teresa and LKS for their courageous against the BN juggernaut in exposing the uncivilised acts of the police. We need more people like them to represent us in the august house. One can easily see who is working and who is not. While the BN reps sit there smugly having that false sense of empowerment and enjoying their perks, the DAP reps are on the job, working their butts out representing their constitutencies. Although many people voted in favour of the BN in the last election, with the hope that a nice guy like our PM could change the system, I remained unconvinced because in the dark world of Malaysian politics, nice guys always finished last. We are now coming into Year 3 of the PM’s office, what significant changes have taken place? Nothing! Pass the word around. Encourage friends and relatives to visit Teresa’s and LKS’ blogs. Come the next GE, we need to move mountains. On the other hand, parties like the DAP must now start strategising their moves. One of them is to behave like a government in waiting rather than an opposition party. Name your cabinet. Start interacting with the people in the streets. You must make your presence felt both in the news and physically. Unlike MCA reps who will go “longkang” pointing during the brief period of campaigning, you may need to pick a few homes to visit in a week or in a month and then let the by word of mouth “advertising” takes its effect that we have an MP who cares. Teresa, could you and the other DAP reps tell us what are your plans for the next election through your blogs. Let us help you to prepare too and who knows, DAP will do much better in the next round. As it is, we are reacting rather than proacting. As of now, we miss Karpal who definitely would have added more weight to what have happened of late.
Comment by Billy — Wednesday, 21-12-2005 @ 09: 49.41
Billy, I know you mean well. But it is easier said than done.
Campaigning needs lots of money. Rich people don’t donate to opposition parties like the DAP. Poor people can’t afford to give alot.
The government uses the country’s assets & taxpayers’ money to fund its political campaign. How can it not win?
One third of the population knows the government has jatuh standard but two thirds remain gullible and oblivious to what is happening around them.
This is not going to be easy. All we have is HOPE.
Comment by cashanson — Wednesday, 21-12-2005 @ 12: 48.37
Online campaign costs little. Perhaps someone should create an e-banner in support of the DAP! All blogs are hyperlinked to one another. Teressa, how about linking to local prominent blogs and create an online force? It is this online realm that my advocacies succeed and eventually gave me an award that I would otherwise not have.
If you can’t do it in real, do it in virtual!
Comment by Yvonne — Wednesday, 21-12-2005 @ 22: 05.09
Yes Teresa, I believe Yvonne has a very good point. There is no way any Opposition in this country (and in Singapore too, for example)can match the financial clout of the BN and its component parties, besides the fact that the ruling party blatantly uses Government machinery to further their own political ends – all in the name of serving the rakyat of course!
So you and YB Lim and DAP and other Opposition groups must fight this battle harder online – that is, until they shut it down!
A clear conscience is a good pillow, and there is nothing like your experience to upset the BN theory of super-domination.
Let me quote the late Indira Gandhi: “My grandfather once told me there are two kinds of people:
those who do the work and those who take the credit.
He told me to be in the first group – there was less competition there!”.
Comment by ming390107 — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 00: 07.13
enough is enough.
Teresa ,pls give a chance for other DAP MP.
Pity themlah !!
u hv too much publicity, so should stop here.
Btw, dont just because lim Kuan Eng got defeated, u start accusing u own comrades of main kotor in the Melaca state DAp election. – afterall they go thru democratic eleaction , is it not???
Comment by soon san — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 14: 01.54
How many people have access to broadband? How many can afford the monthly charges?
Comment by cashanson — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 15: 21.05
by linking all the blog is a good idea too, but as wat cashanson said, not all ppl access internet at home, i access internet at office.
but there is another way i think workable, that is by sharing all the news and information to friends, colleagues, relatives….. what we always do is during mamak tea break, we a group of ex-coursemate who have the common thinking, and those who is “straight forward”, always exchange views…
some people only see the good side of the government, because they believe what they read in the daily newspaper. so, u need to brain wash them sometime. No choise, all mas media control by government, even now NTV 7.
Comment by khssim — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 15: 50.11
We need more Umran Kadirs in this country. I admire him for giving credit where credit is due. There is a little girl in every woman and I am sure the little girl in Teresa is enlivened by such adulatory words and there is nothing wrong with that.
But I have one big fear. By and large Malaysians can be a very selfish lot. Despite all that the DAP has done (including arrest under the ISA) I am afraid this will not be translated into votes in the general elections.
When they have problems (even MCA members) will go to the DAP but will vote for the BN. They want to play safe as they have money in the bank, business to take care, and look for food to eat.
Human rights, justice, corruption are not big issues to them. Racial issues supercedes these.
This would explain the lack of outrage from the Malays to this squatgate scandal.
That is why, despite the colossal abuses of power by the BN, it still continues to form the government with a 92% to boot.
Comment by tony — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 15: 52.33
We need more Umran Kadirs in this country. I admire him for giving credit where credit is due. There is a little girl in every woman and I am sure the little girl in Teresa is enlivened by such adulatory words and there is nothing wrong with that.
But I have one big fear. By and large Malaysians can be a very selfish lot. Despite all that the DAP has done (including arrest under the ISA) I am afraid this will not be translated into votes in the general elections.
When they have problems (even MCA members) will go to the DAP but will vote for the BN. They want to play safe as they have money in the bank, business to take care, and look for food to eat.
Human rights, justice, corruption are not big issues to them. Racial issues supercede these.
This would explain the lack of outrage from the Malays to this squatgate scandal.
That is why, despite the colossal abuses of power by the BN, it still continues to form the government with a 92% to boot.
Comment by tony — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 15: 53.35
I think Tony hits home with his comments about the self-centredness of Malaysians. Malaysians are still politically very immature.
Comment by Lee Wang Yen — Thursday, 22-12-2005 @ 19: 10.39
Merry Christmas Teresa! Hope you’re taking a good rest over there.
Comment by 周瑜 — Sunday, 25-12-2005 @ 19: 24.32