Random Links 204 (“Overwhelmed in Malaysia” Edition)

There’s so much happening right now, that it’s easy to be overwhelmed. But after some pause and prayer, then we can move on to what’s next?

Video Penuh VK Lingam (dengan Transkrip)

The full video that many were waiting for.

Anwar reveals full video, says he has more evidence

Mr. Anwar really has a way to keep people on the edge of their seats doesn’t he?

V Ganabathirau

A moving personal perspective which perhaps is lost when we’re drowned by public perception.

A Call To Intercession

Action with Intercession will make history.

Candle Light Vigil in Penang and the Teh Tarik Revolution

Activists hold candle-light vigil in Penang on a dark day for democracy

It’s been quite a while since I went up to Penang.

HINDRAF 5: ISA Detentions Side-Step Justice System

Everything has been happening so fast …

ISA detentions no surprise, says Najib

Hearing from those in power …

Charge them in court: Indian groups tell PM at special meet

We will be following this news closely.

Its hard to listen to the people while you gas them in the face

Another great title from Farish Noor …

“It could be argued that the two massive demonstrations witnessed in the streets of Kuala Lumpur were precisely instances of public communication. One doesn’t have to be a scholar of semantics or semiotics to see that expressions of public distrust and anger in the public domain is a case of public communication at its most explicit. These were instances of Malaysians saying to the government and to Badawi in particular: “You promised us reforms, but you have not delivered. Now we are excercising our fundamental right to complain.”

But the complaints of the Malaysians were stiffled and silenced by the police sirens and the popping of tear gas cannisters in the streets. Its difficult for any leader to listen to the people when he is gassing them at the same time. Its equally difficult for there to be any meaningful dialogue between the state and the population when the latter are demonised as anarchists, un-patriotic trouble-makers, foreign agents, etc as soon as they show the slightest signs of protest.”

Hindraf, Communitarianism and the Made-In-Malaysia Dilemma

A little delayed reading but very helpful to see the bigger picture.

“Many prominent writers and activists who reside in cyberspace have stated their reasons for not supporting Hindraf or attending their rally. Primarily most of them have stated that they did not wish to endorse any campaign that further divides Malaysian society along sectarian religio-racial lines, and we can only concur with their opinion on the matter. No, Malaysia doesn’t need more racist politics of this sort, even if it is couched on a vocabulary of collective victimhood.

But let us all note one thing at least: While the leaders and supporters of Hindraf may have resorted to the politics of race and religious-based communitarianism to further a specific goal in mind, we should not really be surprised if they had done so. This is Malaysia, remember: the same multi-culti country that has been run and governed by the same tired and worn-out coalition of ideologically bankrupt right-wing communitarian race and religious-based parties for half a century. Those fellow Malaysians who marched on Sunday are the children of a nation-building project that has failed utterly and miserably, and they merely reflect the racialised mindset of so many Malaysian politicians today who are no better.

So while we may disagree with the tone and tenor of Hindraf’s communitarian political-speak, let us not miss the wood for the trees. Hindraf did not invent racialised communitarian politics in Malaysia, it was the component of the Barisan Nasional parties that did, and continue to do so.

Hindraf did not begin a new trend of race and religious-based political association and collectivism in Malaysia: it was the older race and religious-based parties and movements like UMNO, PAS and ABIM that did, and continue to do so.”

What a Democracy really means, Mister..

a quick lesson …

“If a democracy is one that allows free speech, free press and the rule of law, can we safely say that this is what we have currently? (stop laughing, please)

When questioned, Minister of Information Zam said that we have a democracy because “we hold elections every five years”. What an inferior, uneducated statement, lacking substance in qualifying what kind of electoral process we really have.”