The media, violence and partnership

20 October 2010 | By Vinoth Ramachandra

Recently we saw a pitiful demonstration of the power of the Internet, coupled with the way global media corporations love to promote religious extremists. Why did the media seize on the words of an obscure, sectarian pastor of an unknown Florida church with less than 50 members and broadcast it… Continue Reading

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Do we need another skyscraper?

20 October 2010 | By Allen Tan

Finance Minister cum Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has tabled the 2011 budget. It amounts to RM212 billion which is the highest ever in Malaysian history. Unfortunately with the huge sum of money to be spent, it does not benefit the people at large. Does Najib have the… Continue Reading

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The need for the wounded to forgive (Part 2)

18 October 2010 | By Peter Young

B FORGIVING THOSE WHO HAVE WOUNDED US (cont’d) a. The reason to forgive We have already dealt with this and it can be summed up in the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:14 – 15 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will…Continue Reading

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Rising above ground, self and country

15 October 2010 | By Goh Keat Peng

The story of the restoration of the thirty-three trapped miners to their loved ones will live long in our memories and be amongst inspirational human stories which tug at our hearts and give us courage and encouragement in times of frail nerves and hopeless thoughts. The odds of being given… Continue Reading

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Managing change

11 October 2010 | By TK Tan

Someone, in writing about “managing change,” made the point that when change is first envisioned it is usually in very broad idealistic terms. That vision needs to be broken down into manageable stages with goals that are more realistic and have a shorter time frame. The point is that a… Continue Reading

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The need for the wounded to forgive (part 1)

11 October 2010 | By Peter Young

When we have been wounded, whom do we need to forgive? A FORGIVING GOD? When we face a family or personal crisis (such as criminal attacks, accidents, disease or disability, marriage failure, redundancy, natural disasters, etc), it is tempting to blame God for allowing such events to take place. If… Continue Reading

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On Muhyiddin, ants and flames

11 October 2010 | By Rama Ramanathan

Should churches (and mosques and temples) accept money offered by the government? Government income includes taxes paid by gambling companies. Government income includes taxes paid by tobacco companies. Government income includes taxes paid by alcohol companies. Most “religious people” frown upon gambling, smoking and drunken-ness. So should religious groups accept… Continue Reading

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CCM Youth Press Release

Kuala Lumpur – 22 Sept 2010. CCM Youth issued a press statement today, referring to various news reports received of a Temiar Orang Asli church in Pos Pasik, Kelantan facing threats of demolition, without any valid reason given by the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli (JHEOA).

Official Letter from Deputy Director dd 9 Aug 2010

CCM Youth is concerned and aggrieved over repeated occurrences of what appear to be bullying acts against the Orang Asli community, and fully supports in solidarity the necessary legal actions to be taken to represent Penghulu Setmen bin Belungei to resolve this matter amicably and uphold the Temiar’s constitutional and customary rights. We seek for the JHEOA to immediately withdraw the “Stop Work” order made against the Temiar Pos Pasik indigenous community.

Additional Roof to Orang Asli Church

CCM Youth opines that JHEOA has overstepped its boundaries in denying the Orang Asli community their rights to choose to empower themselves, be it building upon their own land, homes, wells, a community hall, a temple, a mosque, a shrine or even a church, if they so wish, within the aboriginal reserves. These land rights of our Orang Asli community are protected by Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 whereby the lands which they occupy are protected as aboriginal reserves, belonging to them and they have every right to their land.

JHEOA should focus instead on its primary responsibility and objectives of caring for the wellbeing of the indigenous community as stipulated in its mission statement “to improve the aboriginal’s socio-economic status and competency, increase national involvement for economy, social and political development while preserving the identity and values of the aboriginals”.

Beautiful Bamboo Craft of the Orang Asli in building the church

Furthermore, the rights of our Orang Asli are also protected by our very own Federal Constitution and internationally by United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. JHEOA has clearly violated:

1. Article 11 of Our Federal Constitution, which spelled out very clearly in clause (1) “Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it” and clause (3) “Every religious group has the right –
   1. to manage its own religious affairs;
   2. to establish and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes; and
   3. to acquire and own property and hold and administer it in accordance with law.”
2. Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights by United Nations that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

As we have only just celebrated our National Day and Malaysia Day as well, may we remind JHEOA, as well as all other state and federal government agencies, of our Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia message of seeking to build community and unity through harmonious respect for one another, and celebrate proudly our colourful “Ais Kacang” heritage. We need to “walk the talk”.
CCM Youth reiterates our call to stop bullying our indigenous peoples, and for the JHEOA to respect their chosen Christian faith and, in the spirit of 1Malaysia, allow them to proceed peacefully in building their church at Pos Pasik without further obstacles. We also support the Temiar community in their efforts to seek the assistance and intervention from the Menteri Besar of Kelantan and urge all members of the public to petition against the JHEOA to withdraw immediately their threats to demolish the church.

Legal letter to the JHEOA on 13 September 2010

To support this call by CCM Youth, please sign the ONLINE PETITION which was set up by CCM Youth to get Malaysians of all races to build solidarity with our orang asli communities.

Malaysian Civil Society’s Memorandum on Electoral Reforms in Malaysia 2010

Presented to the Election Commission
Initiated by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections 2.0 (BERSIH 2.0)

We the undersigned civil society groups hold that the only formula for stability, progress and prosperity in Malaysia is a vigorous and healthy multiparty democracy.

Following the 2008 elections, Malaysia is experiencing a changing style of government, from an authoritarian to a more democratic one. While the public have benefitted from the competition between the BN and PR which brought about some administrative reforms and more inclusive policies, it is still worrying that some quarters may resort to desperate means to influence the election, including the abuse of state apparatus or to change the election outcomes through defection and the deliberate denial of fresh elections when the old mandate is in question.
Come the next general elections, should some political parties refuse to accept “democracy as the only game in town” and attempt to compete for power by rigging elections or rejecting election outcomes, Malaysia may sink into political turmoil.

The role of the Election Commission (EC) in ensuring political stability and democratisation is therefore paramount. Article 114(2) of the Federal Constitution stipulates the expectation of the EC to “[enjoy] public confidence”. This means the Election Commission should conduct elections with integrity and impartiality to ensure universal suffrage, a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, informed choices and facilitation of informed choices and inclusive representation. Bersih 2.0 believes that within the existing provisions of the law, the EC can conduct this important democratic exercise according to the international best-practice standards.

The EC can and must protect multiparty democracy by ensuring clean and fair elections, in their administration and enforcement of relevant laws and also through advocacy of necessary changes to the Constitution, laws and by-laws.

Driven by a common desire for a better tomorrow for Malaysia, we urge the EC bring about the following reforms. We hope the EC will engage us and the larger public for consultation and deliberation. We also call upon the Malaysian public to familiarise themselves with their rights as voters and to advance the reform agenda through their own available channels.

Immediate Concerns:

. Investigation of Election Offences. We hold that it is incumbent upon the EC to perform its public duty to cause an investigation of all election offences committed, particularly in the two recent by-elections, pursuant to the Election Offences Act. It would be a dereliction of duty to ignore the numerous reports filed in relation to election offences committed. In order to maintain its independence, the Election Commission should be given the power to prosecute violators of Election Offences Act.

. Obstruction to voters’ registration. We are alarmed to note the complaints of unreasonable restrictions relating to registration, such as limited forms available to Assistant Registrars in voter registration drives despite the fact that some 4 million eligible voters have yet to be registered. Obstruction of universal suffrage is a cardinal offence against democracy. The EC must immediately remove the resistance to the voter registration drive or risk losing public confidence completely, thus making itself unfit constitutionally. The EC must be seen to be complementing the efforts of all parties towards facilitating (and not obstructing) the efficient registration of voters.

A. Suffrage and Polling

1. Automatic Registration – We hold that all eligible voters should be automatically registered as voters upon eligibility and their status and addresses be updated via the synchronisation of electoral rolls and the national registration database. This would do away with the many flaws in, and complaints relating to, the existing electoral rolls from phantom voters, incomplete addresses, address change to multiple registrations.

We are extremely concerned that the EC has rejected the idea of automatic registration of voters, particularly when this will resolve all complaints about the registration process.

2. Lowering of voting age – We hold that all Malaysians of 18 years old or above have the right to vote and be candidates in parliamentary and state elections. They are mature enough to participate in public life and greatly affected by government policies in education and employment. Nearly 90% of the countries in the world now – including our neighbours Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia – have adopted 18 years or less as the voting age. There is no reason we should be left behind.

3. Absentee Voting for All – We hold that the current separate postal vote list should be abolished but all voters – civilians or members of security forces, whether home or abroad – should be able to opt for absentee voting if they have valid excuses and apply to do so before nomination day. This is perfectly possible with automatic registration and a longer campaign period. The abolition of separate postal voter lists means the police and military voters can now choose to vote like civilians if they are not on duty on polling days. This will eliminate fears and allegations that secrecy and free will are violated in postal voting.

4. Indelible Ink – We hold that indelible ink should be used in all elections to prevent multiple voting. The Cabinet had in fact made the decision to do this in 2007 and the rumour of sabotage that was used to justify its cancellation has been proven to be completely baseless. The EC risks being seen as covertly allowing multiple voting should it insist on opposing the use of indelible ink.

B. Constituency Redelineation

5. Minimising gerrymandering – We hold that constituencies should be delineated based on the communities of interests, amongst others, defined by administrative boundaries. Therefore, no parliamentary and state constituencies should cross the boundary of local authorities or administrative districts. Similarly, no local communities should be partitioned by electoral boundaries. The Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution stipulates that local ties should be respected.

6. Minimising malapportionment of constituencies – We hold that the EC must faithfully abide the instruction in Section 2, Part 1 Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution: “the number of electors within each constituency in a State ought to be approximately equal except that, having regards to the greater difficulty of reaching electors in the country districts and the other disadvantages facing rural constituencies, a measure of weightage for area ought to be given to such constituencies.” The rural weightage is not a licence for the EC to manipulate the constituency size. That 17 out of 56 state constituencies in Selangor or 30% have more voters than Selangor’s smallest parliamentary constituency Sabak Bernam in the 2008 elections shows that the EC has blatantly violated the constitutional provision in the last constituency redelineation exercise. We demand that in the coming redelineation exercise, the EC should ensure that in no instance can any state constituency have an electorate larger than the 50% of electorate of the smallest parliamentary constituency in the same State.

C. Contestation and Media

7. Meaningful Campaign Period – We hold that the EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days period. A longer campaign period would not only allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices, it would also reduce the election tension as the parties would have to stretch their resources for a longer period. Twenty-one days is not unreasonable as the British Colonial Government granted a campaign period twice as long, 42 days, in the first national elections in 1955. In the future, the EC should propose for the Elections Act to be amended to such effect.

8. Free and Fair Media Access – We hold that for the next general elections, the EC should press for the national broadcaster, Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) to allocate airtime proportionately for all political parties that contest more than three seats and organise a televised prime-ministerial debate along the lines of what was held in the United Kingdom in May 2010. The EC should propose for the Elections Act to be amended to compel the state-owned media to provide free and equal coverage for all political parties; and private media to provide fair access.

D. Election Finance

9. Control of party expenses – We hold that the EC must propose for the Election Offences Act to be amended so that expenses such as advertising cost incurred by political parties will be accounted for on pro-rata basis as part of the candidates’ election expenses.

10. Public Finance of Party Expense – We hold that the EC should call upon the Federal and State Governments to financially support all political parties based primarily on vote share in the previous elections.

E. Multiparty democracy

11. Right to Contest Election after Resignation – We hold that the EC should propose to the Federal and State Governments to remove obstacles in the respective constitutions so that elected representatives may re-contest in elections after resignation. Most elected representatives are elected on party tickets. Should they change their party affiliation, they have the duty to resign and seek a new mandate. Removing these obstacles would take away the excuses of party hopping without resignation by elected representatives.

12. Administrative Neutrality – We hold that the EC must propose for the Election Offences Act to be amended such that no major and non-urgent decision including development projects and funding can be made by Federal, State and Local governments concerning the nation, a state or a parliamentary or state constituency after the Parliament/ State Legislature is dissolved or the seat is declared vacant.

13. Restoration of Local Government Elections – We hold that the EC should cooperate with any interested State governments to restore local elections in the spirit of Article 113(4) of the Federal Constitution. The EC must not act in violation of what the Constitution demands of it.

F. Electoral Administration

14. Full Judicial Scrutiny on Election Petitions – We hold that the EC should propose for the Election Offences Act to be amended so that election petitions can be filed on all grounds of electoral manipulation. The Act was amended in 2003 to the effect that the integrity of electoral rolls can no longer be challenged in a court of law.

15. Right to Observe Elections – We hold that the EC must prepare a transparent and inclusive guideline for domestic and international observers to be registered for the coming elections. The EC should also propose for the Election Act to be amended to provide for the right to observe elections.

Issued by:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan
Chairperson
For and on behalf of BERSIH 2.0 (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections)

Endorsed by:

1. Aliran
2. Anwar Ibrahim Club (AIC)
3. Amnesty International (Malaysia)
4. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
5. Coalition for Good Governance Penang
6. Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) Youth
7. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
8. Child Development Initiative
9. DEMA (Gerakan Demokratik Belia dan Pelajar Malaysia)
10. Dewan Perhimpunan Cina KL-Selangor (Jawatankuasa Hak Sivil)
11. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
12. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
13. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
14. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
15. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
16. Independence People Action Committee (IPAC)
17. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
18. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
19. Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
20. Klang Consumer Association
21. Komuniti Masyarakat (KOMAS)
22. Kumpulan Akhbar Independen (KAMI)
23. Labor Resource Centre (LRC)
24. LLG Cultural Development Centre.
25. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
26. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
27. Malaysian Dravidian Association
28. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
29. Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association
30. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
31. Malaysian Tamil Forum
32. Micah Mandate (The)
33. National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI)
34. Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI)
35. Penang Independent Schools Educataion Society.
36. Permas
37. Persahabatan Semparuthi
38. Persatuan Alumni Han Chiang, Malaysia.
39. Persatuan Alumni Han Chiang, Pulau Pinang.
40. Persatuan Hak Asasi Manusia (HAKAM)
41. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
42. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
43. Rumah Anak Teater (RAT)
44. Sahabat Wanita
45. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
46. Sembang-sembang Forum
47. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
48. Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM)
49. Southeast Asian Centre for e-Media
50. Students Reserve Unit (SERU)
51. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
52. Tamil Foundation Malaysia
53. Tenaganita
54. University Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY)
55. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
56. Women in Disability Association
57. Women Institute for Research Development and Advancement (WIRDA)
58. Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
59. Youth for Change (Y4C)
60. 528 Media Action Group

Coalition For Clean And Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0)
13, Lorong 4/48E, 46050 Petaling Jaya
Tel: (03) 77844977 Fax: (03) 77844978
URL: www.bersih.org Email: info@bersih.org

I have so much to catch up as far as my reading and writing is concerned.

 

Balance

06 June 2010 | By TK Tan

These days I am literally “on the ball”. My chiropractor has deemed my core muscles weak and needing strengthening so as to hold up my spine better. And so she prescribed a Swiss ball – a large ball made from some strong but slightly elastic material – for me to. Continue Reading

 

Baby hatches – a tragic option?

06 June 2010 | By Peter Young

At the outset, we must remember that God the Father loves each baby so much that he sent his Son to die for everyone born into the world (or aborted before birth). Also, we must remember that it is God’s social order that parents of any child should be married.. Continue Reading

 

Sustainable Cities: Environment Issues in Penang and Selangor

05 June 2010 | By Tricia Yeoh

Much has been said about the little that emerged from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen last December 2009. Well, the Copenhagen Accord was finally signed by major economies including the US and China, committing to limit the rise in global temperatures to two degrees Celsius. However, there. Continue Reading

 

Global christian community urges end to Gaza blockade

03 June 2010 | By Administrator

While many reports and views have been reported in the news, what is the global christian community saying about the incident? Here are some: World Council of Churches It is with great distress that the World Council of Churches received the news that the Israeli naval forces stormed a Gaza-bound. Continue Reading

 

A mere whimper of a prayer

01 June 2010 | By Goh Keat Peng

My attempts late last night and early this morning at describing the meaning of Gaza and the plight of its people have all ended with neither coherence nor completion. Words fail. I could find no mind or talent or technique equal to the task. So much needs to be done. Continue Reading

 

Those days

30 May 2010 | By TK Tan

These days I hear a lot about “those days”. Mostly because of the frequent advertisements on Astro featuring Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun. Seeing these two bring back memories of a time long past when these characters dominated the national football landscape. In the ad Santokh Singh said: “Those. Continue Reading

I suspect the final venue will be at the level one chapel if my guess the turn out will be bigger than expected.

Finally, I’m back to do a wordless for the Micah Mandate. Partly re-inspired after reading a healthy, a little heated and needed civil reflective engagement recent piece. Without going too much into that detail, read for yourself.  Let me do what I do best in providing links and excerpts, then throw in a line or two from me in italic bold.

Sermon In The Hacienda

Posted on 17 May 2010 by Steven Sim

“Mandate” is a powerful word, but it is also a popular word today. My best friend Joshua, who is reading theology at Trinity Theological College told me once that a mega-church in Singapore is “hot on cultural mandate”. And one of its pastors, when asked what did the church mean.Continue Reading

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It’s good to allow developments in other regions to be used as (1) a way for self-examination, and (2) the bridge to connect with common concerns.

WE DON’T TAKE SUCH MONEY

Posted on 17 May 2010 by Goh Keat Peng

Regardless of the results of the Sibu parliamentary by-elections, the reported “special grants” of RM1.75 million to four Methodist churches on the eve of polling day is very troubling to me as a Christian who attends a Methodist church and I am sure to many other Christians. It is always.Continue Reading

Comments (9)

Looks like this piece is generating strong heartfelt views and a push to clarify the matter at hand.

Walking Humbly

Posted on 17 May 2010 by TK Tan

It is interesting that of all the things Micah could have mentioned about what God might require of us, “walking humbly with your God” was mentioned in the same breath as acting justly and loving mercy. The crux of this, to my mind, is that in humility we recognize our. Continue Reading

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Walking humbly is an much needed way of walking these days even if it looks strange to the crowd.

Racism and ethnicity

Posted on 17 May 2010 by Bob Teoh

The first time I saw Ibrahim Ali was four decades ago at a combined meeting of students’ unions organised by the PKPM (national federation of student unions). He was one of the union representatives from Institut Teknoloji MARA student’s union. No one could have missed his presence. He was loud.. Continue Reading

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The first time I saw Ibrahim Ali was last month at a hotel in KL.  The group he was sitting together really had a thug-like appearance. Hmm. .

Social Injustice

Posted on 17 May 2010 by Peter Young

Although the word translated INJUSTICE is only used 10 times in the New International Version of the Bible, the references have vital lessons for us to learn about this relevant subject. 1. With the Lord our God, there is no injustice In the message of king Jehoshaphat to his judges,.Continue Reading

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I’m a social justice Christian and I’m not a communist.

Make May 13 A Day for Peace, Reason and Freedom

Posted on 13 May 2010 by Administrator

Civil Society Message on May 13, 2010 On this day which the nation experienced its darkest hours 41 years ago, we the undersigned civil society groups call upon the nation to make May 13 a day to cherish peace, reason and freedom. Continue Reading

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The coming together to issue statements like this is needed less we forget or we’re off tangent with other urgent issues.

Is KL really so far away from Sibu?

Posted on 12 May 2010 by Goh Keat Peng

If indeed it is true that there are people in Sarawak who feel that they live and function in a kind of cocoon, impervious to so-called ” national issues”, I respectfully ask that they should please think again. In recent times, because of climate change, we have had reports of. Continue Reading

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It’s strange because I will be going to Sibu for the first time (in fact Sarawak for the first time) in June after the whole intensity of the by-elections.  It will be interesting to listen to people talk about the aftermath.

The Christian vote

Posted on 12 May 2010 by Bob Teoh

Any new Prime Minister needs to get a fresh mandate. Therefore, the next general elections will be held soon-within a year or so. This is not a prophesy but common sense. Najib had done well in winning Hulu Selangor. If he wins Sibu, the Sarawak state elections will likely be.Continue Reading

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While it’s true Christians are a formidable bloc, but we must not vote along “parochial” concerns, but along “for the common good” lines. That’s what Micah 6:8 requires of us.

 

Thanks to popTV for a fruitful short less than 8 minute conversations on the stuff that matters!

We the undersigned Malaysian civil society groups from different spiritual, cultural and ideological backgrounds condemn unconditionally in the strongest possible terms the arson against at least three churches following the controversy over the use of the word Allah. 

We express our solidarity with  the Metro Tabernacle Church at Desa Melawati, Church of the Assumption,  Petaling Jaya and Life Chapel, Petaling Jaya, and other churches that have received threats, and to the Malaysian Christian community at large. 

Nothing warrants such deliberately provocative violent acts, amounting to terrorism, on places of worship. Such violence however must not be seen as a communal conflict of Muslims and Christians. It is as much an affront to Islam and to all religions as it is to the Christians. 

While we celebrate freedom of expression, no demonstration must be carried out to intimidate others who hold different opinions. 

These acts are truly a blot on the image that we promote of ourselves as a harmonious multiracial and diverse society. It is also tantamount to an attack on the cardinal principle of the Rule of Law and the institution of the Judiciary who must at all times be left to decide on a case without fear, favour or intimidation.

We denounce those who shamelessly manipulate ethno-religious sentiments for their political gains. This sad situation has escalated due in part to the irresponsible responses from the Administration which appears to be practicing double standards.

We further deeply regret that in postulating their grievances to advance their agenda, those quarters have sought to convolute the real issues touching on the constitutional right of expression and to practice one’s faith  and, with the aid of certain segments of the media, both mainstream and otherwise.

We expect the police to now pursue the culprits in the serial arson attacks with their highest diligence and professionalism. Until the criminals are brought to book, the image of the Najib Administration and his “1Malaysia” slogan will be associated with violence and terrorism. We however categorically reject the proposed use of ISA against anyone. The arson suspects must be charged and tried in open court to delegitimize their barbaric act. 

We call upon all groups with different views on the issue to seek rational dialogue and reach consensus.

No issue is too sensitive for rational debate in a democratic society. The threat of violence should not be used to kill democratic debate.

We call upon all Malaysians to come together collectively:

• to condemn and denounce acts of desecration of any places of worship, now and in the future;
• to create a healthy atmosphere for the most inclusive debate, dialogue, deliberation and resolution of all issues confronting our multi ethnic, multi faith nation.

Regardless of the developments, ordinary Malaysians will stand firm as a peace-loving nation and support each other.

Endorsing Civil Society Groups

1. 1BLACKMalaysia Facebook Group

2. Aliran Kesedaran Rakyat (Aliran)

3. All Women’s Action Society

4. Awal Nahdah

5. Bar Council of Malaysia

6. Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)

7. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)

8. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)

9. Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)

10. Child Development Initiative

11. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC KLSCAH)

12. Civil Society Committee of LLG Cultural Development Centre Bhd (LLGCSC)

13. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)

14. Community Action Network (CAN)

15. Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM)

16. Council of Churches of Malaysia Youth (CCM Youth)

17. Durham Malaysian Scholars

18. Editorial Board of Horizon E-journal

19. Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia (ERA Consumer)

20. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia

21. Federation of Hopo Associations Malaysia

22. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations

23. Free Public Forum (FPF)

24. Friends in Conversation (FIC)

25. Frin Jan

26. Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor

27. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)

28. Hartal Mainstream Media (Hartal MSM)

29. Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)

30. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)

31. Institut Kajian Dasar (IKD)

32. Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)

33. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)

34. Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)

35. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Perak (JKOAP)

36. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia Sarawak (JOAS)

37. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)

38. Johor Tamizhar Sangam

39. Kesatuan Mahasiswa Indipenden (KAMI)

40. Klang Consumer Association

41. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Hopo Association

42. Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)

43. Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

44. Kuen Cheng Alumni Kuala Lumpur

45. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia

46. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram

47. Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society

48. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society

49. Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association

50. Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam

51. Malaysia Thanavasiya Association

52. Malaysian AIDS Council 

53. Malaysian Archagar Sangam

54. Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

55. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates

56. Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association

57. Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)

58. Malaysian Dravidian Association

59. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council

60. Malaysian Indian Business Association

61. Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association

62. Malaysian Indian Development Association

63. Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

64. Malaysian Indian Historical Association

65. Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation

66. Malaysian Tamil Forum

67. Middle Eastern Graduate Society

68. Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)

69. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)

70. myFuture Foundation

71. National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI)

72. New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia

73. Nur Damai

74. Oriental Hearts and Minds Institute (OHMSI)

75. Penang Du Zhong Education Society

76. Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

77. Penggerak Belia MPSJ Zon 23

78. Persahabatan Semparuthi

79. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Selangor

80. Persatuan Aruloli Mandram, Malaysia

81. Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara

82. Persatuan Kebajikan MGR

83. Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia

84. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)

85. Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM)

86. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

87. Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)

88. Persatuan Meditasi Projan Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

89. Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah

90. Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia

91. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita, Selangor (PSWS)

92. Persatuan Silambam Malaysia

93. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang

94. Pusat KOMAS

95. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)

96. Robson Hill Study Group

97. Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia

98. Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association

99. Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)

100. Sarawak Native Land Rights Owners (TAHABAS)

101. Sarawak Women for Women Society

102. Sarawakians Access (SACCESS);

103. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia

104. Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association

105. Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

106. Sisters In Islam (SIS)

107. Southeast Asian Centre for e-Media (SEACEM)

108. SPNS, Bidor

109. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

110. Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang

111. Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan

112. TENAGANITA

113. The Justice, Peace & Solidarity In Mission Office, The Good Shepherd Sisters

114. The Micah Mandate (TMM)

115. Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands

116. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia

117. Universiti Terbuka Perak (Ureka)

118. Wanita Desa Sarawak (WADESA)

119. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)

120. World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter

121. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

122. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)

123. Youth for Change (Y4C)

124. Youth Section of Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall

125. Youth Section of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall

126. Youth Section of Persatuan Wui Leng Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur

127. Youth Section of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall

Endorsing Political Parties

1. Democratic Action Party (DAP)

2. Human Rights Party (HRP)

3. Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS)

4. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)

5. Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

A Quality We All Need

As we go into a new calendar year with its opportunities and challenges, there is a quality of character we as individuals, civil society and nation can do with.

If I may for a change use a big word: Equanimity

It means: “mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.”

Yesterday on New Year eve, when I received word of the Malaysian High Court ruling which in effect lifted the home minister’s ban against the Catholic Church publishing the word “Allah” to refer to the Christian God in its weekly paper, Herald and that the term is not exclusive to Islam.

I sent the following SMS to the Christian and Sikh leadership as their communities have been most affected by the ban for all these years as well as other friends on both sides of the parliamentary divide:

“In Allah we trust. I urge calm and quiet thanksgiving. Our worship, prayer and service continue. But let us neither speak nor act provocatively. Let us be considerate of the feelings of others as well. May the wisdom of God guide us. Goh KP”

Among those who replied to my SMS were the following leaders and friends:

“Thanks. You are right.”
- Paul Tan, Catholic bishop of Malacca and Johore.

“Thank you for good advice. That is exactly what we are doing. May God guide us all.”
V. Hacharan Singh, Sikh Gurdwara Council president.

“Amen. May Allah help us to be patient and humble always and guide us to what is pleasing to Him, and good for us in this life and the next.”
- Aminah Ferrer

“A message of wisdom. Thanks. Happy new year.”
- Syed Husin Ali, senator and deputy PKR president.

“Am of one mind with you on this.”
- Hermen Shastri, Council of Churches of Malaysia general secretary.

“Surely yes.”
- Tan Kong Beng, Christian Federation of Malaysia executive secretary.

“God bless.”
- Anwar Ibrahim, Leader of the Opposition in Malaysian Parliament

“Excellent message! May Allah grant us guidance and blessing. May we live in peace, harmony and understanding!”
- Wan Azizah, PKR president

Catholic Archbishop Murphy Pakiam called just before midnight and conveyed the following message to all Malaysians:

“While we are happy and relieved by the court decision, I think it is a major step in the right direction for the real Islam,which is a great and International religion. It will also go a long way in restoring confidence on the international scene for Malaysia as a moderate Islamic country – at least striving to be so. On the local level it is one more step forward in implementing the One Malaysia concept. I am grateful to the relevant authorities.”

Under God and by His grace, may equanimity rule our hearts and minds, drive our agenda and ensure justice and peace throughout the land.