Revolutionary assemblies are not held in Government buildings

On 15 June, 1215, the highly unpopular King John of England, negotiated and signed the Magna Carta on Runnymede MEADOWS, along the River Thames and not far from Windsor Palace. The Magna Carta proclaimed the principles of a Constitutional Monarchy that is still applied in England & throughout the world's Constitutional Monarchies. This assembly was not held in some sumptuous building but in an open field!

"Magna Carta required King John of England to proclaim certain rights (pertaining to nobles and barons), respect certain legal procedures, and accept that his will could be bound by the law. It explicitly protected certain rights of the King's subjects, whether free or fettered—most notably the writ of habeas corpus, allowing appeal against unlawful imprisonment.

Magna Carta was arguably the most significant early influence on the extensive historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today in the English speaking world. Magna Carta influenced the development of the common law and many constitutional documents, including the United States Constitution." (Wikipedia)

This democratic tradition continued in France when in 1789, King Louis XVI of France sought to forbid the so-called "Third Estate" or representatives of the people from meeting to discuss urgent national business, they convened on a Paris TENNIS COURT.

That, too, was presumably seen as an "insult" to the ruler, King Louis XVI.

They passed their "Tennis Court Oath" that they would not disperse, adjourn or relent until their right to convene and discuss important public matters as the people's legitimate representatives was acknowledged.

It was the beginning of the French Revolution and of the entire drama of modern representative democracy and popular sovereignty. (Clive S Kessler is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the School of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia contributed to "The Nut Graph")

The Rowlatt Act, also known as the Black Act, vested the Viceroy's government with extraordinary powers to quell sedition by silencing the press, detaining the political activists without trial, and arresting any individuals suspected of sedition or treason without a warrant. In protest, a nationwide cessation of work (hartal) was called, marking the beginning of widespread, although not nationwide, popular discontent. The provisions of this act probably formed the basis of our own ISA.

Gowalia Tank Maidan (now also known as August Kranti Maidan) is a PARK in central Bombay where Mahatma Gandhi issued the Quit India speech on 8 August 1942 decreeing that the British must leave India immediately or else mass agitations would take place. The call mobilised the citizens to a huge Civil Disobedience movement as the British refused to grant independence till the 2nd World War was over.

The First Continental Congress of the United Colonies of North America met at Carpenter's Hall from September 5 to October 26, 1774, since the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) was being used by the moderate Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania. At this meeting, Congress organized a boycott of British goods and petitioned the king for repeal of the Coecive Acts 1774. Here, also, Congress resolved to ban further imports of slaves and to discontinue the slave trade within the colonies, a step toward phasing out slavery in British North America. Carpenter's Hall is a Guild House for Carpenters NOT a Government building.

Closer home, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, was formerly the headquarters of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance in Southeast Asia known as Wan Qing Yuan (meaning “a haven of peace in the twilight years”). It was here that Dr. Sun plotted his revolutionary efforts that toppled the Qing dynastic rule and heralded the start of modern China. Sun Yat Sen held meetings at this mansion from February 1906 until the successful Xinhai Revolution in 1911. This mansion was originally built by a rich Chinese for his mistress, Bin Chan, NOT a Government building.

Thus, the 03 March 2009 meeting of the Perak State Assembly is NOT without precedence, by convening the meeting NOT in a Government building. Meadows (fields), tennis courts, recreational public parks, Guild Houses and mistress' homes have been used to hold historic political assemblies in the past. For Perak, it is a huge rain tree in a carpark.

May history record that this meeting be listed among one of the revolutionary political assemblies in the world NOT held in an officially designated Government building.

Sabahan's letter of woe - Lim Kit Siang's blog

As a new arrival to Sabah, I know that the conditions described are true.

However, I shall like to say that:-
1. Sabah do not have effective leaders, who could outplay those from the Peninsula. Total lack of exposure while living in their coconut shells.
2. Sabahans are generally too laidback to want to make a difference in their own state. Again, quietly remaining within their coconut shells.
3. The greatest mistake that the writer accepts as virtue, is to bar West Malaysians from Sabah. This has resulted in this lamentable situation where Westies have no inkling of Sabah or Sarawak. Is it the fault of West Malaysians, that to travel within our own country, we are subject to the indignity of undergoing immigration checks and then allowed to remain in the state for only 3 months? Unable to seek jobs or even to set up a legitimate business? Are West Malaysians aliens in our own country?

How are we to get to know you, understand you and help you grow economically, when we are not even welcome to Sabah?

This has been put into the thinking of Sabahans for 45 years that Westies are threats to their economy. See what has happened? Sabah has become rich exploitation grounds for UMNO and their friends. Free from competition, they forage without fear and damn the whole state to poverty.

This is not the fault of the ordinary West Malaysian out to create mutual wealth in Sabah.

It is Sabahans believing their corrupt leaders and the Federal Government, who returned only 5% of the state’s wealth to the state. Who accepted this trinket payout and gave away Labuan? You, Sabahans, did through your very own leaders that you elected into power, time and time again. And for what did you get in return? Interrupted water supply, electrical blackouts, floods, high prices of all consumer goods, potholed and untarred roads and more.

Yet, at the same time, they boosted their demographics agenda by importing illegal Filipinos and Indonesians. These work in their industries and plantation and logging plants. While the Sabahan urbanites exploited them as coffeeshop workers, cooks, road sweepers and even as steady suppliers of your seafoods and vegetables! Yet you now choose to complain and continue to keep legitimate citizens of our country away from your shores.

As Sabah slipped into poverty, most of you continue to vote in those orchestrating your demise, in the last General Election. There was no excuse since PR fielded many able candidates to you to choose.

Don’t blame others for your predicament. Do the right thing NOW and move to REFORMASI. Sabah has indeed the potential to be a shining state for eco-tourism of Malaysia.

Do it!!!! Tell your leaders in no uncertain terms "Time for change is well & truly OVERDUE!"

Of HINDRAF and Raya Open House

I am most annoyed by Wong Chun Wai's latest blog comments under the above title. Here is my comment left on his blog. I hope he will allow it to be published.

Quote:
You agree with the official tagline that HINDRAF politicised Hari Raya Open House. Yet, in the next breath, you say that that Open House is paid for by the taxpayers. I believe HINDRAF members are also taxpayers? Further, if the Open House is not political, then, the expenses should be borne from the private pockets of the hosts.

Please do not say the event is non-political but the taxpayers foot the enormous bill.

Besides what is wrong to ask for a favour during Hari Raya? Here we have women and children deprived of their loved ones during this "happy" and forgiving festival. Is it wrong then, to ask for some sympathy and forgiveness?

Forgiveness because their loved ones have NOT been proved guilty or even been charged in a court of law. Only that the people they are begging for help say so.

What exactly is so wrong that HINDRAF detainees' family members and friends have done that they should be chastised by the Government and, now, you? What is wrong for anti-ISA members to ask for release of the other detainees? Most of these detainees will not be with their loved ones. And for what crime? May I ask you that they have committed? When the authorities cannot find sufficient evidence to produce in a court of law?

Answer this! to justify your reprimand.

Another thing is this comment:-

Malaysia is probably one of the few countries where you can actually walk to the PM and asked for a photograph to be taken. This is the only place I can think of where there is a Raya open house and thousands would patiently line up for their turn to shake the PM's hand ..

I wonder what does Mr. Wong sees whenever he goes overseas? Does he look but do not see? All over Europe and the Americas, in law abiding & democratic nations, the nation's leaders reach out to shake the hands of their fellow citizens. Who do you think are shaking Obama's hands as he travel the nation? Only invited guests? Or senior journalists like himself?

Give me a break with all this crappy nonsense!

Perhaps, during this forgiving festive period, I should write it off as jet-lag and possibly still awestruck after meeting ex-President Bill Clinton and have had his photo taken with him.

The Political Stalemate drags on

It has been decided that UMNO will take longer to select their next leaders. It was postponed due to the Elections in March 2008, to December 2008. Now, the election date has moved again, to March 2009. Is there a time limit whereby an organisation/society MUST hold their AGMs?

In the case of UMNO, this continual postponements augur badly for Malaysia's political situation. In our current situation, UMNO contributes the Prime Minister to the nation, any continued delay in confirming the President of UMNO, delays the permanence of the nation's leader. This delay is translating to over ONE year after the last elections! Is this acceptable to the Rakyat?

51% of the electorate re-confirm BN as the party to rule Malaysia. To address the economic meltdown happening in the world. To have strong & permanent leadership to consider and implement strategies to counter the economic distress. Never mind the racial, social, judicial, infrastructural problems besetting our nation. How can we have a focussed leadership in Government when they are busy trying to decide who will lead UMNO and nation? We don't even know who will be the 2nd line leaders and the 3rd line implementors of any policy, if any, to address and simply run the country.

It is becoming a farce of a country SIX months after elections. Where no firm leader or cabinet is confirmed.

What new policy has been issued to address our distress? Raising petrol prices to unprecedented highs and recently, pushing it down again. An announcement of the fiscal Budget just before Parliament took recess? We see the debates and re-considered modifications only in the middle of October, onwards. When, will any, if any, of the policies be implemented? One year after the budget proposals? Afterall, we are not sure who will be Prime Minister, at least, until March 2009! In the meantime, we have a lameduck PM, still fighting for his survival SIX months after the Elections.

I am no expert on Constitutional law or Government. After SIX months, I am still waiting to read a proper discourse, from our Constitutional experts, on what the Rakyat can do to push through, or force the present Government to act or replace it with another who will. Obviously, the present Government is not ready to get down to the business of governance and the Opposition is unable to do so either.

The only avenue I am able to discern is sitting in Istana Negara and his Conference of Rulers.

I strongly feel that THEY must act quickly before our country goes to the "dogs" (written figuratively, of course).

Prayer for Permatang Pauh by-election

O God, we acknowledge You today as Lord, not only of individuals but also of nations and governments.
We thank You for the graces you have given us to exercise our political charity in Malaysia
We also thank You for the opporutnity of free choice offered to the people of the constituency of Permatang Pauh for electing a leader.
Lord God, give them the courage to exercise their solemn duty as citizens of Malaysia to vote on behalf of the whole nation!
Guide those voters with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit so that they may choose a suitable and trustworthy candidate to become the next Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

To date ...... 15 August 2008

Here we are, hours away from the official start of the battle for the future of our country.

Ironically, our future lie in the hands of a few tens of thousands of semi-rural folk on the Penang mainland. They will be kingmakers all, deciding whether we have shot at a two-party political system or we will need to wait for another 4 more years, for a second chance.

Thus, what can the rest of Malaysia do? How do we persuade our fellow Malaysians in this enclave to vote correctly, for the sake of the rest of us? Are these registered voters going to heed the call of 49% of their peers or side with the 51%?

If the voting trend remains the same as 6 long months ago, we will have a shot at a 2-party system for our beloved Malaysia on its 51st anniversary. On the other hand, if disenchantment has set in, as evidenced by the current PAS gathering, Malaysia could be in step back mode, once again. And that is the real worry among the 49%.

Thus, to those with family and friends and associates registered as voters in Permatang Pauh, do your persuasion for the next 10 days. Spend time & a little money to call and talk to them. Tell them, they need to do the right thing for Malaysia NOT just Permatang Pauh. Give our country a chance for change for the better. A Parliamentary Seat is not only about local politics on how many potholes on your road to work everyday. It is not only about whether your drains are still full of shit and needed cleaning 6 months ago and is not yet clean. Or that the town square is being swept clean every day.

This by-election is about larger things. It is about our livelihood, the quality of our lives and that of our children. It is about walking out of our homes in fear of our lives & freedom or with air under our feet, full of optimism and looking forward to a good day's work. Yes, happy to do a good day's job because we do not feel exploited and will bring home a decent clutch of ringgits at the end of the month. That when I smile and say "Selamat Pagi" to the people I pass, I do not see brown, black or yellow, but another fellow Malaysian going about his legitimate business. When was the last time we did smile at a fellow worker on the street and she smiled back and we did not bother about the colour of her skin? Those days will return if we can persuade the people of Permatang Pauh to vote the right man into Parliament.

The right man voted in on 26 August is not the end-all. But he is the start of a new beginning. He may even not be representing Permatang Pauh in future elections. But he will be the start for change in our country.

People of Permatang Pauh, please do the right thing on 26 August 2008.

The key word is "provocation"

And so, the next major episode that is Malaysian Politics was played out, today (16 July).

With an hour to spare, Anwar was on the way home before his next appointment with the Royal (?) Malaysian Police. His few minutes of rest and lunch was not to be. A special squad of police pounced on his entourage at about 1pm (his deadline to meet the police was 2pm), arrested him and bundled him to the Police HQ. All in about 15 minutes. Thus, Anwar had about 45 minutes for rest & lunch (i.e. 1 hour minus 15 minutes equals 45 minutes to spare).

But the Police forced the issue. "Provocation" or "provocative act" was the term expressed by Anwar's allies. The Government is trying desperately to force the issue, rile the supporting public to do something rash, something violent. This would have given the Government the excuse it is seeking, to declare a state of emergency and scuttle the possible change of Government.

They tried it during BERSIH's parade. They tried again at HINDRAF, partially succeeding. Then, many, many times more, the people protested but did not turn violent. The last was the massive gridlock of Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Yet, the people kept their heads and many even suggested passive ways to foil the plotters.

The authorities' are at wits end. Nothing seem to be able to trigger violence among the people. Their warnings of untoward incidents and uncontrolled rage among the demonstrators began to ring very, very hollow, indeed.

So, they did the thing that triggered a massive demonstration and clampdown 10 years ago. They sent their sledgehammer squad to bring Anwar in and well before he was due to report in. Hoping to PROVOKE a reflex reaction.

Congratulations to the wizened citizenry. None took the bait. They simply gathered, watched and waited. The massive police preparation to counter a violent reaction was simply a waste of resources.

I wonder if they will try the same tactics with Raja Petra, tomorrow? What will they think of next to PROVOKE the citizenry?

No, the correct way is Ghandi's way. Mobilise the population to use passive protests. Refuse to pay your income tax to the Federal Government. Pay instead to your favourite State government via zikat. Refuse to pay road tax. Refuse to pay any Federal taxes or dues. Overload the Government machinery with enquiries, requests, complaints, etc. Avoid tolled roads.

Add more HERE............................................

A campaign of civil disobedience is now overdue. Then, the sitting Government will fall.