Teresa Kok

在本期國會會議開始前，我以書面向首相提問了一個有關大馬人權委員會的問題。我問政府將如何提升大馬人權委員會的權力、角色和形象，以免大馬人權委員會淪為「無牙老虎」。

在這問題出現在3月27日的下議院會議議程的前幾天，首相暑部長納茲里已經告知我說他將親自回答這問題。當時我還以為身為國會人權核心委員會主席的他會答說政府將修改大馬人權委員會法令，以賦予該委員會更大的權力，或者發表一些加強大馬人權委員會實權的話，所以他才興致勃勃的告訴我他將親自回答我的問題，藉以突出他維護人權的形象。

沒想到他當天令我大掉眼鏡。他初作答時只是把政府官員準備好的答案刻板的念出來，即大馬人權委員會是根據大馬人權委員會法令的第四條款所賦予的功能和權力行事，那即是教育人民認識人權、在系關人權的問題上給予政府勸告、提醒政府簽署關系人權的國際條約，以及調查人們或組織有關違反人權的投訴。他說該委員會目前正向警方、關稅局、監獄等執法單位的官員進行灌輸人權意識的訓練。

在他答畢后，筆者在提附加問題時，便提說政府的許多執法單位都不尊重人權。例如最近當大馬職工總會率領人們在國油的雙峰塔前示威抗議石油漲價時，警方在活動沒開始之前便以水炮車把聚會的人們驅散；當不滿國內大學校園選舉不公正的學生向該人權委員會投訴后，他們便被校方當局以紀律行動對付，而當大馬人權委員會的官員要列席校方的紀律行動聽審時，這些官員竟然被校方拒于門外；此外警察總長最近也下令要所有女警員，包括非回教徒的女警員在參與警察日慶典時戴回教徒頭巾，這些都是違反人權的事。

我說這些政府單位之所以公然違反人權，是因為大馬人權委員會沒有執法的權力，因此政府應該給予該委員會法律上的權力，以讓他們能更好的執行任務，以免淪落為「無牙老虎」。

沒想到這位部長大人竟然回答道：「你發夢嗎？大馬人權委員會法令里闡明該委員會的角色是要在人民當中提倡人權，政府根本就不要把“牙”交給大馬人權委員會！」此外，他也形容我反對警察總長下令非回教徒女警戴頭巾的言論是憎恨回教。我在他言畢后馬上引用議會常規向議長抗議，要他收回這動機不良的言論。

問答時段后，我在國會走廊見到他和數位巫統后坐議員坐在一塊，他們見到我時嘻笑不斷，當我質問納茲里指責我憎恨回教的言論時，他嬉皮笑臉的說：「我其實是要給你公開澄清你不憎恨回教的機會，所以剛才你起來反對我時，我靜靜不出聲。」

這種說法真像廣東話所說的「打橫來講」。唉，身為首相暑掌管國會事務和法律事務的部長，同時也是國會里人權核心委員會的主席，他竟然公然的承認政府就是要讓大馬人權委員會成為「無牙老虎」，還有那一個內閣部長能比納茲里發表更真實和真切的壓制人權的言論呢？

聽了部長大人的這番話，你認為我國的人權狀況還會改善嗎？大馬人權委員會還有作為嗎？

（31－3－2006）

‘Cops stripped me, took my money’
Beh Lih Yi (Malaysiakini – www.malaysiakini.com)
Mar 30, 06 4:57pm

Sixty-year-old homemaker Cheng Pik Wai claims she was stripped naked and lost RM200 during her three-hour detention at a police lock-up earlier this month.

Cheng, who migrated here 35 years ago from Taiwan after marrying a Malaysian, related her ordeal at a press conference at the Parliament lobby this morning.

The press conference was organised by DAP parliamentarian Teresa Kok.

According to a copy of her police report lodged with the Jalan HS Lee police station, Cheng was detained at the Dang Wangi police lock-up (previously Pudu jail) on March 11. This followed a misunderstanding that she had stolen goods from a shopping mall in the city. (more…)

1)FRU waiting to act against the protestors. (26-3-06)
2)Water canon dispersed the crowd outside KLCC on 26th March 06.

3) Ronnie Liu and I were trying to speak to the police officer of Pudu Jail lock-up. (26-3-06)
4) We used mineral water bottle to knock at the gate of Pudu Jail lock-up, to demand to meet with the detainees. (26-3-06)

5)Protestors led by MTUC gathered at the entrance of Parliament on 27th March 06.
6) DAP MPs greeted the protestors outside the Parliament.

MTUC leaders led workers and NGOs’ activists at KLCC to protest against fuel price hike in the morning of 26th March 2006 (Sunday). They staged another demonstration outside the Parliament house on Monday morning, 27th March 2006.

The crowd at the demonstration on Sunday was dispersed and 17 were arrested. I did not attend the demonstration at KLCC as I was in the forum on Burma issue at Chinese Assembly Hall. However, I went to Pudu Jail lock-up later to give support to those who have been arrested and detained outside Pudu Jail lock-up. Among those who were hauled into Pudu Jail lock-up were PAS’ treasurer, Dr Hatta and his daughters. . (more…)

Malaysiakini, March 27: A minister today branded opposition parliamentarian Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) an ‘Islam hater’ after she questioned the directive that all policewomen must wear the tudung (headscarf) during official parades.

During the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat this morning, Kok in a supplementary question had described last week’s directive issued by Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar as a “clear example” of human rights violation.

Responding, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the directive was to ensure uniformity of dress at official parades and this was even implemented during the opening of the Parliament session every year. (more…)

Dear friends,

I noticed that one of our friends, John, posted a commentin this blog, asking me how he could make a donation to the DAP.

Parliament is in session and I was busy trying to get a few bank account numbers for anyone who may be interested to contribute to the party. I apologise for my late reply. Very sorry about this.

I was very touched to see supporters like John wanting to donate to the DAP.

The DAP doesn’t own any business, we don’t have any business cronies, we survive through public donation and elected reps’ contribution. This means we survive under very difficult circumstances.

Many members of public come to us for help, but few have thought of our financial needs.

So thank you John for being so thoughtful and offering to donate. I also thank those who, in my absence, tried to try to explain how contribution could be made.

I am happy we, here, in this blog, are starting to gel like a family.

i) for internet fund transfer via credit card, pls visit this page.

Other bank accounts:

ii) To donate for DAP HQ: DAP MALAYSIA —- A/C NO: 3063828309 (Public Bank, Petaling Jaya)

iii) To donate to my service center: DAP CAWANGAN SEPUTEH——A/C no: 5-14235-464557 (Maybank, Jalan Mega Mendung, Kuala Lumpur)

iv) for DAP FT State committee: DAP F. Territory State Committee—- A/C no: 5-142-3515-1672 (Maybank, Jalan Mega Mendung, Kuala Lumpur)

Kit Siang, Betty Chew, Guan Eng and I admiring the cute little newborn piglet.

A DAP delegation headed by Lim Kit Siang visited a pig farm owned by Chin Nam Yee in Tanjong Minyak, Malacca last Friday.

Chin is the chairman of the Malacca Livestock Breeders Association. He led the campaign against the forced closure of pig farms in the state. (more…)

Hi guys,

I’ve managed to participate in the debate of motion of thanks to the King yesterday afternoon.

I touched on a few issues in my speech, namely:

A) the abuse of power of the BN-component branches in Federal Territory,

B) the stand of Ministry of FT on setbacks from highway to houses in Sri Petaling

C) the closure of pig farms in Malacca

D) the need of setting up IPCMC for balance and check on the police force

E) “double standard” of the Ministry of Internal Security on action taken against the mistakes made by China Press

I also managed to pose two questions to the Housing and Local Government Minister. (more…)

I feel very sad today and yesterday when I heard the speeches of UMNO MPs in Dewan Rakyat opposing the establishment of a Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

When these guys were giving their speeches, they also whacked me for allegedly defaming the police force and tarnishing its reputation.

Sri Gading MP, Mohamed Aziz, on Monday said that we should be grateful for the contribution made by the police and whacked me for exposing the Squatgate scandal which discredited the police. (more…)

The leaders.

The delegates.

Our party convention was held at the Federal Hotel yesterday. A day earlier we had our 40th Anniversary celebration.

Earlier in the week the NST had a mischievous story under the heading: Guan Eng’s fortunes tied to amendments.

The article claimed “Some senior DAP members and younger supporters are planning to challenge the proposed changes [to the party constitution].”

It went on to say “the failure of letting it be passed may take the party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to the political doldrums in Malacca after a telling defeat in recent state committee elections, another notch down” (more…)

When I was about to leave the longhouse, I saw dried paddy at the corridor.

Paddy looks like oats that we see in advertisement. I then took a photo together with our Sarawak guys with paddy in our hand.

The Three Amigos: Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng (right) , Dr Ting Chek Ming and I checking out a logging yard.

Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and Dr Ting Chek Ming took me on an eco-tour of the surrounding areas during our 3-hr drive from Bintulu to Sibu.

We stopped by a modern longhouse on the outskirts of Sibu. This was a new experience for me as I’ve never stepped into a longhouse.

There is a large corridor, each door that we saw along the corridor represents a household. (more…)

Hello guys,

Apologies for not updating my blog for 12 days. I know I have used this excuse a number of times, but really, and I mean really, work has been so busy till i didn’t even have time to check email.

I was busy with fund raising dinner for my service center which was held last weekend, and before that I was in Sarawak. I was also occupied with helping to organise this weekend’s party convention and party anniversary.

I have a little bit of time now, so I’ll try to summarise a little of this and a little of that. This is the first of two posts, the second one to be posted tomorrow.

I was in Sarawak from March 6-8 to attend a series of events organised by Sarawak DAP to celebrate International Women’s Day.

I was there to replace Fong Po Kuan who was there earlier, and who had successfully persuaded our Sarawak leaders to gift flowers to women in markets. Po Kuan promised them she’ll help them with this creative idea but later discovered she couldn’t make it as she had to attend the Parliament Select Committee meeting. That was how I became the party’s Flower Grrl. (more…)

International Women’s Day Message

Days away from the start of the 9th Malaysia Plan, aspects of the previous Plans, presented with much fanfare years ago, are still gathering dust in the government file cabinets.

Increasing the female labour force is one of the proposals outlined in the 6th Malaysia Plan (1991-1995). Malaysia’s female participation in the workforce has been hovering around 45 percent over the past two decades.

In 1985, female labour participation in Malaysia was 44.3 percent, up a shade higher at 46 percent in 2005.

This is much lower than most industrial countries, such as Singapore (56 percent), South Korea (51 percent) and United States (57 percent). (more…)

Seputeh DAP members and I checking out MCA’s land grab booty.

I have known for a long time thes premises of the MCA Overseas Union Gardens is squatting on state land but I did not protest as it did not create problems to the public.

The premises were used as a kindergarten in the day and serve as a place for residents to practise kungfu and few other activities in the evening.

But now that I am aware the MCA OUG has dodgy plans after delaying moves to abandon the place to facilitate the widening of Jalan Awan Besar which will be connected to Kesas Highway, it becomes my obligation to protest and make public what’s happening. (more…)

This memo was presented by the Coalition Against Water Privatisation to the Minister of Water, Energy and Telecommunication Feb 27. The delegation met with the Minister for about rwo hours.

Proposed Amendments On the Water Services Industry Bill (2005)/ Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (2005).

From: the Coalition Against Water Privatisation (CAWP)

To: YB Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik,
Minister, Kementerian Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi (KTAK)
27th February 2006

Introduction

1) The Coalition Against Water Privatisation (CAWP) believes that water is a common good and the basis of life on earth and thus cannot be transformed into a commodity for profits. Thus, provisioning of water should be perceived from: (more…)

Statement from AIPMC Delegation to the Thai-Burma Border

February 23rd, 2006, Bangkok

We, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) delegation to the Thai Parliament and further to the Thai-Burma border refugee camps, would like to welcome and support the ‘olive branch’ offer from the NLD to the Burmese Military Junta.

In the unprecedented move, the NLD, on 12 Feb 2006, said it will recognize the role of the current military regime, in national politics, if the Generals agree to convene Parliament in accordance with the results of the 1990 elections. (more…)

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus (AIPMC) organised a visit to one of the refugee camps at the Thai-Burma border on Feb 24. The trip was jointly organised by AIPMC and Thai Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

I initially was very reluctant to go as I have heaps to do in KL, but was persuaded by the executive secretary of AIPMC, Roshan Jason, that I should attend as Lim Kit Siang was unable to go and the delegation needs the presence of women MPs.

At one point this trip was almost cancelled as Thailand was in political crisis and the chairman of the Thai Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Kraisak, was busy trying to oust Prime Minister Thanksin Shinawatra. But Kraisak then decided to go ahead with the plan and personally took us to the border. (more…)