Malay News:First ABU, now ABCD, and then what?

[ABU] in effect follows the framework that promotes the kind of decision making that uses blanket, all-or-nothing, blind support or rejection. Such a campaign breeds a longer term danger. It spurs more unthinking divisive positions and a precursor to civil hostility. Anas Zubedy In striving to make Malaysia a better nation we must be careful with the road taken. We must not sacrifice the journey for the goal, the means for the end. We need to change Malaysia in the right way towards the right goal. It may take a longer time and we may not be able to see the fruits of our labour but our future generations will profit from it. It is slow, but sure. Good and lasting change needs time to be cultured, we cannot be in a hurry. That is why on many occasions I have registered my disagreement with the ABU’s unthinking, irresponsible and destructive approach in choosing our MPs and ADUNs in the effort to advance Malaysian politics. The method in effect follows the framework that promotes the kind of decision making that uses blanket, all-or-nothing, blind support or rejection. Such a campaign breeds a longer term danger. It spurs more unthinking divisive positions and a precursor to civil hostility. Today this divisive scheme has given birth to another blanket stupidity, ABCD; Asalkan Bukan Cina DAP. I have seen this acronym popping in my FB threads and posts that belong to PAS supporters. This trend perhaps was triggered after CM Lim Guan Eng politicised the ‘Allah’ issue via his Christmas message. What if that ‘Cina DAP’ is better than the other candidates no matter what their background or ethnicity? Similarly, in the case of ABU, what if the UMNO candidate is the better choice? Aren’t we giving the other candidate a free ride? Will we be able to secure the best of Malaysians to be our lawmakers with this method? First ABU, now ABCD, and then what? Is this the way we want to go?

Malay News:Lahad Datu: Show of flower power at embassy

Give peace a chance: Sabahans Ronna Jaiwin, 38, (right) and Dayang Siti Salwani Awang Kasah, 36, placing bouquets of flowers in front of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Flowers are being placed outside the Philippines Embassy at Jalan Changkat Kia Peng here as a symbol of hope for peace to return to Sabah. A 37-year-old IT technician from Kota Kinabalu placed a red rose outside the gates of the embassy here at 2.15pm. “My prayer is that there will be peace once again in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the rest of Sabah. “I hope we will no longer have to be afraid over the safety of our friends and family living there,” said the man who declined to be named. He said he had been following closely the recent events in his home state and that they weighed heavily on his heart. “When I read about this initiative on Twitter, I decided I would express my wish for peace in Sabah,” he said. The initiative, dubbed Ops Bunga, was started by blogger Joe Lee on March 6. Outside the embassy, Lee said the idea to “fight fire with flowers” was to call for peace and show appreciation to those at the frontline in Lahad Datu and Semporna. “We also wish to show our appreciation to the Philippine government for not supporting the intrusion and to tell Filipinos we can and should live together in peace,” he said. Actor Remy Ishak, who also placed a small bouquet at the gates, said his prayers were constantly with those at the frontline, including his younger brother. “I hope peace will be achieved soon so my brother and the rest can come home safely to their families,” an emotional Remy said. Thirty members of the United Sabah Suluk Association were also present at the event to deliver a memorandum to the Philippines ambassador. Its acting president Faisal Sisar said the memorandum called for the intruders to leave Malaysia immediately, and for self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to be brought and tried here. “Otherwise, we Suluks living in Malaysia will cut all ties with the Sulus in the Philippines,” he said, adding that there were about 800,000 Suluks in Malaysia.

Malay News: Lahad Datu: Injured VAT 69 commandos stable, says Deputy Home Minister Lee

The injured VAT 69 commandos, Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim (left) and Kpl Azman Ampong. IPOH: The condition of the two VAT 69 commandos who were injured in the clash with the Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu and Semporna are stable. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim, 32, and Kpl Azman Ampong, 39, had received treatment at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. “Doctors are observing their health progress and would decide on when to remove the shards of the disintegrated bullet from their body,” he told reporters after visiting the commandos at the hospital here on Saturday. Lee said Azman, who sustained injuries to his spine, would be transferred to the Lumut Naval Base for further treatment. “The naval base has the necessary medical equipments to treat his injuries more effectively,” he said.

Malay News: Anwar Sodomy II charges cooked up by PM’s office

The father of youth who said he was raped by Malaysian opposition leader says Najib’s office was responsible writes Asia Sentinel. The father of the youth who accused Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy in 2008 apologized to Anwar at a press conference Friday and said the plot to have Anwar arrested was cooked up in the office of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Azlan Mohd Lazim, 60, accompanied by an official from Anwar’s Pakatan Rakyat coalition, said his son, Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, had been used by what he said was “irresponsible quarters” and that statements that both he and his son gave to the press during and after the trial were written by his lawyer and a special officer in Najib’s office. The two were identified as attorney Zamri Idrus, and the special officer, Khairil Annas Jusoh. Anwar was acquitted of the sodomy charge in a Kuala Lumpur high court in January 2012 although government prosecutors are appealing the case, which has been dubbed Sodomy II. The appeal is to be heard on July 22. Anwar, in 1999 a prospective heir apparent to then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was originally convicted in Sodomy I after he fell out with Mahathir and served six years in prison in a case that was universally viewed as cooked up to ruin his political career. “Anwar is innocent and a victim of this slander… as such I apologize to Anwar and his family,” Azlan said in a printed statement. “He and his family have suffered a lot as a result of this slander?I deeply regret all the slander hurled against Anwar, which involved my son Saiful Bukhairi.” Everything, he said, “was planned in great detail by a special officer in the PM’s Department. Even the script I read during the press conference after Anwar’s sodomy acquittal last year was prepared by this officer.” His son, he said, “himself has never explained the sodomy incident and the accusation to me. I was never called as a witness in the case. I was never called by any party to offer my statement as the father from the start to the end of the trial.”

Malay News: Dancing in respect of women

KUALA LUMPUR: The entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur turned into a dance floor when some 400 people took part in a flash mob organised by The Body Shop in conjunction with International Women’s Day. The dancers comprising customers, students from the Inti International University and Colleges, official radio partner’s Capital FM and staff and management of The Body Shop and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur danced to the tune of Break The Chain. Carrying the theme “Expect Respect”, the flash mob drew a crowd – with some snapping photos and recording the event on their handphone cameras. Also there to support the event were Capital FM presenters Xandria Ooi and Priscillia See­lan. The Capital FM staff also handed out red roses to the ladies in the crowd to show their appreciation and admiration towards women. “Normally, we associate flowers with Valentine’s Day when men give it to women. So we thought, why not have women give out flowers to other women so we can express our appreciation for them,” said Capital FM Sdn Bhd general manager Lynette Ow. Dancing among the crowd was The Body Shop managing director Datin Mina Cheah-Foong who felt that getting people to sign up and be a part of the flash mob was a way for them to actively show their support to end violence against women. “Women have little control of their bodies. There are people trying to control how women dress and now it is unbelievable that they are now trying to control the idea of dance. “This flash mob is a way for us to reclaim our bodies for dance and to celebrate women all over the globe,” she said.

Cambodia:‘Cambodian garment unions and GMAC can resolve wage issue’

March 08, 2013 (Cambodia)
Fibre2Fashion

Workers’ unions as well as the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) need to reach a compromise over the wage debate, Vong Sovann, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Strike Resolution Committee has said.

The official, who is supervising the wage negotiations, said the existing minimum wage of US$ 61 per month is very less and the garment workers are seeking a hike in wages, which however is not acceptable to factory owners, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

The last round of negotiations failed as though the unions cut their demand from US$ 120 to US$ 100, GMAC expressed readiness to approve a rise of only US$ 6, Mr. Sovann said.

Again during a meeting with the Government this week, GMAC revised its offer to US$ 70 or US$ 75, excluding the health bonus allowed in existing wage structure.

Mr. Sovann suggested that possibly the unions can reduce their demand to US$ 90 and GMAC may increase it to over US$ 70.

However, GMAC Secretary-General Ken Loo said garment owners cannot afford to pay US$ 90 per month, and do not anticipate any further negotiations with unions that can lead to a resolution.

Meanwhile, Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union President Ath Thorn too voiced his firmness that the unions are not ready to lower their demand below US$ 100, and workers would resort to strike if this demand is not met.

He said the amount of US$ 100 has been fixed in view of the rising expenses that the workers need to meet.

The two-day Asia Floor Wage meetings recently held in Phnom Penh also discussed the minimum wage in Cambodian garment sector.

Ashim Roy, General Secretary of the India-based New Trade Union Initiative, who participated in the meeting, said a hike to US$ 100 would not have any adverse impact on the firms sourcing garments from the country.

The buyers are not going to move to Bangladesh, while it is going to take around three-four years for Myanmar to develop a garment industry, he added.

Malay News: Malaysia rejects ceasefire offer from Filipino group

Malaysia has rejected a call for a ceasefire by a Philippine Muslim clan who launched an incursion into a village in Sabah last month, saying the land belongs to them. PM Najib Razak said they want the group "to unconditionally surrender". The ceasefire offer by the group's leader based in Manila came after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for an end to the violence in Sabah. Since fighting began, 60 people have died: 52 Filipinos and eight policemen. Malaysian National Police Chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying that at least 31 Filipinos have been killed this week. "We want the militants to unconditionally surrender and hand over their weapons," Mr Razak told media during his first trip to the area since violence broke out. He added that the military would continue to track them down "for as long as it takes to eliminate them" if they did not surrender. In a statement released earlier, Mr Ban's office said he encouraged all sides to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation peacefully. "The Secretary-General expresses concern about the impact this situation may have on the civilian population, including migrants in the region," said the statement. "He urges all parties to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards." Ceasefire The Manila-based leader of the Filipino clan, Jamalul Kiram III - one of several men who claims the title of Sultan of Sulu - said earlier this week they they were prepared to "fight to the last man". But on Thursday, Mr Kiram issued a statement following Mr Ban's comments and called for a ceasefire to the violence in Sabah at 12:30 local time (04:30 GMT). "They will not take any action. They will remain in the place where they are now. They will not expand operations," his spokesman, Abraham Idjirani, told reporters in Manila. "We hope Malaysia reciprocates the same call for a ceasefire," he added. The group of some 200 Filipinos landed at a coastal village in the Lahad Datu district of Sabah, on Malaysian Borneo, saying that the territory was theirs. Calling themselves the Royal Army of Sulu, the clan members said they were descendants of the Sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines, which ruled parts of northern Borneo for centuries, and demanded that the Malaysian government pay more money to lease their land. Initial attempts by both the Philippines and Malaysian government to persuade them to leave failed, and late last week, clashes broke out between the clan and Malaysian police, leaving eight policemen and 19 clansmen dead. On Tuesday Malaysian troops backed by fighter jets raided the area around Tanduo, where the clan were holed up. On Wednesday they then carried out extensive searches of the area, saying some of the Filipinos could be hiding among the local population. The clan said on Wednesday that none of its members had been killed, but later in the day, Malaysian officials displayed what they said were photographs of 13 bodies they had found in a shallow grave in Tanduo. It was not clear whether they had died during the assault or in last week's clashes. Both the Malaysian and Philippines governments are coming under increasing public pressure to end the ongoing crisis. A rally was held in the Philippines capital, Manila, on Wednesday night calling for a peaceful resolution and expressing concern for the safety of the many Filipinos who live and work in Sabah.