Global Voices » Malaysia

May Day Videos: Marches, Demonstrations and Protests Around The World

Juliana Rincón Parra — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:08:19 +0000

Through cities around the globe, people took to the streets to march and commemorate the International Workers' Day. Videos by The Real News take us on a tour of how the day was observed throughout the world.

May Day March in Venezuela

While some places saw peaceful marches, others had violent encounters between armed forces and the protesters. On the first part of the video, an overview of workers in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. For example, Malaysian activists protested against the growing inequality. In the Philippines were for job security and higher wages. Indonesians protested low wages and rough conditions. Cambodians asked for higher wages. People in Bahrein asked for workers to be reinstated to their positions of which they were removed by the government crackdowns. In Egypt protests were on behalf of including workers rights in the constitution that is being drafted. In Europe, workers protested austerity measures that seem to target them. In Russia, both the ruling party and the opposition had their own rallies. The French left marched against the past of fiscal austerity. And in the London, where May Day is not a holiday, workers went on strike.

On the second part, protests in North and South America. Demonstrations throughout Canada protesting budget cuts and rises in college tuition. In the USA, banks were targeted in many major cities including clashes with riot police, calls to strikes, and blockades. In Mexico workers marched to ask the government to do a better job in the face of violence. Honduras saw protests against the privatization of public services as well as corruption. In Cuba, massive parades commemorated the Cuban Revolution and in Venezuela both the government supporters and opposition marched, either for or against the recent reforms. In Colombia there were arrests during the protests and the Chilean student movement also marched.

Malaysia: Bersih Demonstrations Around the Globe

Jerrenn Lam — Sun, 06 May 2012 22:52:44 +0000

While the Bersih (clean) demonstrations were going on in Kuala Lumpur last week, similar gatherings were being organised by Malaysians overseas. Johnny Ong posted a list of Bersih demonstrations that happened around the world in support to the demand for a clean and more democratic elections.

In Hong Kong it was reported that 400 people attended the event.

Bersih in Hong Kong. From Facebook of Temily Tianmay

Demonstrators outside the Malaysian Consulate. From Facebook of Ray Kok Rui Lau

In Melbourne, Australia about a thousand people were estimated to have attended:

In Melbourne's Federation Square. From Facebook of Daniel Loh

In Washington, DC, USA:

Bersih in Washington, DC. From Facebook of Leng-Feng Lee

In Los Angeles, USA:

Bersih in Los Angeles. From Facebook of SzeMin Sim

In Toronto, Canada:

Bersih in Toronto. From Facebook of Kevin Chong

In Auckand, New Zealand:

Bersih in Auckland. From Facebook of Chung Cheong Yung

In London, UK:

Bersih in London. From Facebook of Siok Jin Lim

In Dublin, Ireland:

Bersih in Dublin. From Facebook of Chloe Cheah

In Zurich, Switzerland:

Bersih in Zurich. From the Facebook of Chia Huei Kaivalya Tan

In Paris, France:

Bersih in Paris

And in Moscow, Russia, organisers requested the participants to take photos while wearing a mask to protect their identities:

Participants of Bersih in Moscow

Biggest Rally in Malaysia

Mong Palatino — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:53:10 +0000

Anil Netto describes the recent Bersih 3.0 protest in Malaysia as the biggest display of people power in the country. Bersih is an electoral reform movement.

Malaysia: Thousands Joined Bersih 3.0 Protest

Jerrenn Lam — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:52:54 +0000

Thousands of Malaysians took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur and many other places around Malaysia and the globe on April 28, Saturday, for the Bersih 3.0 protest, a movement for electoral reforms. It was also a day of government crackdown, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the assembly.

Vicknesharajan wrote about why they are supporting this cause as well as the turnout during the day.

Today I will be there at Bersih 3.0 to “duduk and bantah” (sit and protest). I am sick and tired of complaining and I am going to do something about it. No matter how much BN (author's note: ruling party) says that the EC (election commission) is doing a good job and elections are fair and clean, I refuse to believe it. Also, Why should BN be supporting the EC? The EC falls under the Prime Minister's Department and that should not mean it is a tool of BN. If experts have found flaws in the electoral process, then BN should join hands with the opposition and say, “yes, there is a problem and let's fix it” and not defend something that is flawed.

Looks like Bersih 3.0 began earlier than expected. People had started to throng Dataran Merdeka a day ahead of the event. From the videos, it seems to be a large crowd and from the tweets of various people there, the estimate is about 4000 people and increasing. This is a good sign.

Bersih in Penang. From Facebook page of Cheok Hor

Dr Hsu also attended the demonstration:

I was at the masjid Jamek area from 12 noon till about 2.50pm. I left after Anwar (opposition leader) and Ambiga (Bersih convenor) gave speeches on top of a makeshift truck. I missed out the action in the later half when tear gas was fired around 3.15pm.

It was a massive crowd. A crowd that is made up of the o, the middle age, the young , men and women, boys and girls. A crowd that is made up of Malay, Chinese, Indians. A crowd that is made up of people wearing yellow, green and other assorted colours. The crowd was peaceful. People greet each other even though they do not know the person.

It doesn’t matter that people do not know the persons around them. All come with the same purpose and all come with the same mind — That is to ask for a free and fair election.

George Choo was among those who attended:

I just came back from BERSIH 3.0 MARCH TO DATARAN MERDEKA FROM CENTRAL MARKET.

I am a protestor because I want to protect and safeguard the future of our young generations of all races.

Today, I am very proud to be a ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA as I saw Malaysian of ALL RACES taking part in this BERSIH MARCH to protest against the corruption of Umno and BN.

If we continue like this, MALAYSIA WILL HAVE GREAT FUTURE as malaysian of all races is able to COME TOGETHER TO SOLVE OUR NATIONAL PROBLEM.

Kok Son even gave the protesters tips:

1) Bring a small but thick towel (to cover your nose and mouth from tear-gas.)

2) Wear long pants and long sleeve shirt (to protect your body from tear-gas stings…)

3) Bring a small packet of fine salt (salt is an effective antidote against the stings…)

4) Don't open your mouth (as the tear-gas can enter your mouth and cause you to cough badly)

5) Don't wait for the gas to reach you.

6) Wear jogging shoes…

7) Carry an umbrella

8) Carry a bottle of water and your camera.

9) Don't bring your children

10) Stay away from the frontline…

11) Lastly, go early. (At least 2 hours earlier…

CK wrote about the Bersih 3.0 movement in Kuching, a city in the Eastern state of Sarawak.

At 1:46 p.m., I arrived at the venue for the sit-in protest in Kuching, which is the Old Court House, or some call it Tourism Complex. I saw some policemen around but they neither disturbed the protesters nor disrupted the whole process. Kudos to the civilised police force in Kuching! Unlike their counterparts in Kuala Lumpur who used water cannons to shoot water with harmful chemical at the crowd. They even used tear gas there! I think the rakyat do not deserve these as these are weapons to be used on criminals and terrorists only.

Bersih in Kuching. Photo from Facebook page of Mabel Lee

On Twitter, the topic is highly popular, although not all were positive.

@rama4change: Bersih 3.0 is a huge runaway success. Biggest ever protest in malaysia. Bersih 3.0 message laud n clear. Will the PM listen?

@wongholeng: Join Bersih 3.0. Be counted. I like this one. You Can’t Live an Extraordinary Life by Making Ordinary Choices. fate of Msia is in ur hands

@chrischoongww: I was thinking the same“@oonyeoh: If any MCA leader had bothered to attend Bersih 3.0, they would conclude it's time to close shop.” #fb

@dzainalabidin: “@azizisafar: Bersih 3.0 had achieved their objective: to create chaos!”

‏ @EmanRaslan: Bersih 3.0 defines how ungrateful Malaysians are with what we have. #EnoughSaid

@AthiraaK: Typical Msian Govt! 1st you say Bersih 3.0 is no threat to country now you deny permit? Tell me something new!

‏ @oonyeoh: One of my strictly apolitical friends, who isn't even registered to vote, told me, “Bersih 3.0 has changed me… “

Online news portal, The Malaysian Insider, reported that the police used tear gas and water cannons on protestors in Kuala Lumpur, and at least 100 protesters were arrested.

It was also reported that more than a thousand people attended the Bersih 3.0 demonstration in Melbourne, Australia.

A full list of Bersih 3.0 demonstration locations around the world can be found here. Another online news portal Malaysiakini also has a timeline of events that happened during the protest.

Malaysia: Rare Earth Processing Plant Creates Backlash

Jerrenn Lam — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:57:25 +0000

Recently, the Save Malaysia! Stop Lynas! campaign started to protest against the release of radioactive waste from a rare earth processing plant in Malaysia.

The situation unfolded when the New York Times published an article revealing that Lynas Corporation, an Australian mining company based in Western Australia, has established a processing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia, called the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP).

In particular, many Malaysians are incensed that this plant was constructed without the residents’ consent, as there are residential areas within 30km of LAMP.

From the Facebook page of Stop Lynas! Save Kuantan

Khoo Kay Peng articulated this opinion in his blog:

This Federal Government claimed that it is willing to listen to the people. But listening cannot be a selective work. In the case of Lynas, the people have spoken and they would like a project with such huge risk and low benefit to the people to ship out of the country.

The way the government welcomes and fought for the Lynas plant to be operational in Gebeng is a monumental shame to our inability to attract better quality investment.

Glam also rubbished the Malaysian government’s assurance that the radioactive waste will not harm Malaysian citizens:

Prime Minister Najib Razak said the Government has instructed Lynas Corp to relocate its residue disposal site to a location far from its Gebeng plant and local communities. In the same breath, he also said that this did not mean the rare earth project and its residue were harmful (The Star, March 03, 2012, p 02). So tell me, Najib, what exactly did you mean?

…the government itself is clueless on what to do with Lynas’ “radioactive waste”.

We simply cannot let the government do this the second time around! You and I may not be living in Bukit Merah or in Gebeng-Kuantan, but in the case of Bukit Merah, fellow Malaysians have suffered and in Gebeng-Kuantan, another group of Malaysians will suffer if we permit this government to be reckless. Let's stand in solidarity with them and do what is necessary to put a stop to this madness! Stop Lynas!

However, there are also those who think that the plant’s operations would not affect Malaysians. Eddy wrote:

My recent post on Lynas Gebeng had a surprise distinguished visitor, Datuk Dr. Looi Hoong Wah himself, I would like to share his comments, which would more or less put paid to the rubbish and scare mongering by the Stop Lynas crowd. I am reproducing his comments in full as follows, please read:

All the Anti-Lynas foot soldiers and RED GUARDS BARU should realise that they have been misled by some very sophisticated ultra-devious people who are experts in mass brainwashing and are using the issue to gain political mileage for their own evil ulterior motives.

In Bukit Merah, the radiation comes from Thorium and Uranium which are our own and has been in Malaysia for billions of years.

Although the radiation level is well over 37 times that of the Lynas waste, there is no definite well controlled scientific proof that the cases of leukaemia and birth defects are caused by radiation from the waste.

Unscrupulous people have been using videos and pictures of patients with congenital abnormalities and other illnesses to instil fear into the population. There is absolutely no scientific proof that these cases are caused by radiation.

Zurairi Ar also wrote about the distortions of facts by anti-Lynas groups.

The bulk of this fear can be attributed to the level of distrust against our ruling government and local authorities.

Like many other Malaysians, I do wish for a cleaner and greener Malaysia, but it should go beyond a partisan affair.

Stopping Lynas and saving Malaysia… they don’t always need to be the same thing.

Shinliang brought in a different perspective, expressing scepticism at the Government’s ability to manage such a site.

Would I want the processing plant next to my home? No. Just like I don’t want any factory near my home, I don’t want the processing plane near my home too. All I am saying is that the danger of the plant is, at times, exaggerated. The danger of this processing plant is probably similar to any other factories. In fact, it could be safer.

But I did say I oppose the construction of the Lynas plant, yes? Of course, and here is the real reason. Our government.

No factory is accident-proof. An accident, after all, is defined as an unexpected event. But in a country, where cow-feeding operations can become real estate agency; where jet engines can be lifted from an air base; who is it to say that a rare-earth processing plant cannot become a nuclear catastrophe? The problem is, there is just not sufficient trust in the management of our government agencies for a project like this. While I acknowledge that there are projects that are well-run by our government, but I can also say that about half of them are equally abysmally managed. As the rakyat, can we afford the risk? As the Prime Minister of all Malaysians, should you take the risk?

iMyn voiced similar concerns:

Well, I’m not saying that I support the Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP) 100% but I can say I don’t oppose it 100%. The biggest question is whether we are ready to take up the responsibility of handling a risky but very beneficial business on our soil. Would we just give up and say, we are not ready for this, or we make things happen? Besides any business has risks. The oil & gas industry has potential to pollute the environment as much as the Lynas factory.

On Facebook, the Stop Lynas! Save Kuantan group has garnered 11,709 Likes at the time of writing, while a Twitter account that goes by Stop Lynas Coalition is actively campaigning against the issue as well.

On Twitter, Bobby Teoh wrote:

Hey you! Why are you doing this? Why are you destroying ppl's home. Do you think money is everything? Do you care about mother earth? #Lynas

Which received a reply from Tims Trading:

@Bobbyteoh #lynas provides jobs for locals while is safe for the environ don't believe lies

There are also many videos that have been circulated on YouTube, for example, a video by Stop Lynas Save Malaysia.

Malaysia: Occupy Dataran Merdeka and Education Protests

Mong Palatino — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:02:06 +0000

The April 28 Bersih 3.0 sit-down protest is expected to be the major political event of the month in Malaysia but students and Occupy activists have already put forward their demands ahead of time.

Early this month, hundreds of students marched in the streets demanding the abolition of the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) - Malaysian student loan scheme – which students criticized as an exploitative and anti-poor commercialization scheme. Instead of loans with high interest rates, they wanted free education.

Anil Netto explains the rationale of the protest:

High study loans are contributing to mounting household debt in the country. The students are insisting that higher education should be free. In a sense, the students’ protest is a critique of the neoliberal approach of curbing government spending on essential services like education and health care and getting users (students and patients) to bear the financial burden.

PTPTN study loans were introduced in 1997 following moves to ‘corporatise’ institutions of tertiary education in the country. This has seen the gradual removal of subsidies in higher education, thus shifting the burden of financing higher education from the government to the students/public.

Woon King Chai disagrees with the demand to abolish the loan scheme but recognizes some of the negative impact of the program:

Personally, I disagree with dismantling the fund entirely simply because that is not the only solution available. However, I acknowledge that there are students who are unable to afford a salary high enough to pay off their loans upon graduation, especially in today’s competitive job market.

After a brief discussion with my housemates and further on with some friends and colleagues, one logical and actually practical solution that the government can take is to actually reduce the interest rate and administrative fees further, so that the amount that the students would have to pay would be lesser (and thus, hopefully less burdensome, especially with a few thousands shaved off the loan). Aside from that, the government can also propose to make the repayment scheme a lot more lax and less strenuous to the new graduates, by reducing the rate of increasing progression for monthly minimum amount to repay the loans.

One of the popular slogans in the Occupy Dataran. Photo from The People's Parliament

Occupy Dataran Merdeka

After the rally of students, youth activists launched the Occupy Dataran Merdeka movement. The Occupy goals are not limited to student issues and the campaign initiators are not just youth activists. Occupy Dataran supports the right of students to air their demands through the use of public space:

Why is Occupy Dataran part of the encampment? Occupy Dataran is an independent and autonomous grassroots initiative to reclaim Dataran Merdeka as an open and democratic space for people to gather, discuss and explore the true meaning of democracy beyond the representative system, to redefine democratic participation beyond the ballot box, and to imagine a new political culture beyond race, ideology and political affiliation. We have decided to be a part of this encampment because we believe in reclaiming public space and that the student movement, like any other, has the right to use this space for their cause.

Occupy Dataran maintains that our presence at Dataran Merdeka is fully consistent with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, where the people’s freedom to assemble peacefully is provided for and protected. Our presence has been peaceful and our conduct embodies the spirit of nonviolence.

As such, the actions taken by DBKL and the officers over the course of the last 10 days, constitute serious violations of the fundamental freedoms belonging to all Malaysians, including members of Occupy Dataran, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

Emma & Wai Yeng clarifies that the Occupy Dataran group is distinct from the anti-PTPTN student protesters:

…the campers have been erroneously lumped by the media and public in general into one group. There are in fact two very distinct factions. The first is the original #OccupyDataran group – they call themselves a leaderless group

Sharing space with #OccupyDataran are the students – known by no other name, they gathered to protest PTPTN, and what they believe is a flawed system of government-assisted student funding

The People's Parliament praises the campers:

Nightly, they hold their assemblies, deciding matters based on consensus, allowing for the fullest participation by anyone who will stand up to share his or her thoughts on the matter under discussion.

Last Sunday noon, I had the pleasure of watching these young Malaysians negotiate calmly and politely with DBKL officers who wanted them to vacate the site they were occupying.

Luka Kita reviews the major demands of the campers:

While other participants have articulated that they do not necessarily want to abolish PTPTN but still support the occupy action for other reasons closely linked to the education system. These reasons include the conditions of the current PTPTN scheme and the current system of preferential treatment for bumiputeras (Malays and non-Muslim indigenous populations)

While there does seem to be a lot of focus on education issues, other protestors have articulated their reasons for occupation in broader concepts of democracy and class struggle

From the start, the police has described the Occupy activities as illegal but the protesters have remained defiant.

Campers at Occupy Dataran. Photo from The People's Parliament

Twitter reactions

Using the hashtags #mansuhPTPTN and #occupydataran, here are some reactions on Twitter:

@inbarajs Don't fight for #mansuhPTPTN just bcos ur too cheapskate to pay back the loan. Free education is a different cause altogether

@kevinkoosk Young people at #occupydataran should read books next door at the Kuala Lumpur Library. Dont waste time

@karrotgold #OccupyDataran is to fight for free education? When will these students understand that nothing is free in this world?

Malaysia Prepares for Bersih 3.0 Sit-Down Protest

Mong Palatino — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:31:59 +0000

The Malaysian election reform movement Bersih (Clean) has organized a Bersih 3.0 Duduk Bantah (sit-in protest) on April 28 at Dataran Merdeka in Malaysia. The rally has three demands:

1. The Election Commission must resign, as it has failed in its responsibility and has lost the confidence of the public.
2. The electoral process must be cleaned before the 13th General Elections.
3. Invite international observers to observe the 13th General Elections.

Through BERSIH 3.0, we will continue our struggle for clean and fair elections, assembling and expressing our views peacefully as are our rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

The action is also the group’s reaction to the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee which Bersih dismissed as inadequate:

BERSIH 2.0 is of the belief that many of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee can be immediately implemented. We do not see the need to provide for a lengthy implementation period. We reiterate that BERSIH 2.0 has demanded that reforms should be implemented BEFORE the 13th General Elections are held.

BERSIH 2.0 is of the view that it is highly likely that the electoral fraud and other irregularities that are currently being perpetrated in Malaysia, and which have been and continue to be the concern of decent, fair-minded and peace-loving Malaysians, will continue unabated. A golden opportunity to right the wrongs and do something good for the benefit of Malaysians now and in the future has sadly been missed.

Last year’s Bersih 2.0 assembly gathered more than 50,000 people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. It forced to government to acknowledge the demand for sweeping electoral reforms.

The rally last year turned violent when police dispersed the peaceful assembly. Below is a video teaser for Bersih 3.0 which also features some of the scenes from last year’s Bersih 2.0 assembly:

Dahlia Martin also summarizes the frustration of Bersih to the electoral reform recommendations submitted by the Parliament:

…many of the recommendations in the report did not carry timelines – meaning it was possible that a proposed reform might not be implemented in time for the next general election.

Bersih has responded quickly to the prospect of what they call the “dirtiest” ever elections Malaysia faces in its call for an April 28 global protest.

Dr. Ong Kian Ming has a study which questions the accuracy of the electoral roll:

Finally, through a detailed analysis of the Q4 2010, Q1 to Q3 quarterly updates and the Q3 2011 electoral roll, it was found that there were over 106 thousand voters who were removed without public display and almost 7 thousand who were added without public display.

Khoo Kay Peng advises the Election Commission to address the complaints raised by Bersih:

If the EC does not address the discrepancy in the electoral roll immediately and swiftly before the general election, the commission cannot avoid mounting pressure for the chairman and his committee to step down.

Its negative reaction so far gives credibility and relevance to Bersih 3.0. The authorities, especially the DBKL, should not try to frame the peaceful protest as a political campaign. It is a demonstration of people's frustration with the pace of reforms and a lack of sincerity from the ruling regime and its appointees.

EC has less than 48 hours to announce its plans to clean up the electoral roll or face a major protest against its impotency and irrelevance.

"Election Fraud by Numbers"

Jacqueline Ann Surin tackles some of the criticisms hurled against Bersih organizers:

No matter who supports Bersih 2.0 and now Bersih 3.0, the proof that there is a need for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the current electoral system is in the numbers.

…in my opinion, seeking help from these political parties is a responsible choice, especially when in the past, the state and non-state actors have shown every indication of threatening violence, and with impunity, against peaceful citizens.

On Facebook, Dickie Buoy supports Bersih 3.0:

Even tho, my wife is no longer a Msian, and we are too far away from the' nearest' location for Bersih.

But in our hearts, we stil Willl be rooting for all of Us, who stand for the right 2B treated with respect. We stand for Justice. So so sad to see awful and heartless acts of police brutality on Innocent citizens who Want What is right. Stay Safe.

On Twitter, @adriene has a message for fellow netizens:

Years fm now, your grandkids will ask you if you were at #Bersih 3.0. Do you wanna tell them you slept in and watched Saturday cartoons? ;)

Bersih 3.0 is still coordinating with the police for the venue of the assembly. Bersih will be a global event too since support actions have been organized in 41 cities in 14 countries.

Malaysia: Religion, Academe, and Freedom

Mong Palatino — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:27:34 +0000

Hwa Yue-Yi tackles the issue of academic freedom and religious freedom in a Muslim-dominated society like Malaysia

Hashtags to Monitor Indonesia quake

Mong Palatino — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:13:31 +0000

An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.5 hit Indonesia on April 11. The tremors were also felt in Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar. A tsunami alert was issued in several countries but it has been lifted already. Netizens use the hashtag #thaiquake, #prayforsumatera, and #prayformalaysia to monitor the quake impact.

Malaysia: Online Media to be Regulated Soon?

Cindi Loo — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:12:20 +0000

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced at the recent Malaysian Press Institute awards that amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) will be tabled in the Parliament soon. In addition to that, he also repeated his intent to regulate online media as the government cannot practise double standards when it comes to regulating the print and online media.

This announcement was made in conjunction with his speech to make reforms back in September 15, 2011 for Malaysia Day, wherein he promised to abolish the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA), the Banishment Act (1959), and amend the PPPA as well as the Restricted Residence Act 1933:

Kajian semula komprehensif ini akan melibatkan Akta Kediaman Terhad 1933 dan Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan 1984 di mana prinsip pembaharuan tahunan akan dihapuskan dan digantikan dengan pengeluaran lesen sehingga dibatalkan.

A comprehensive review (of laws no longer relevant) will involve the Restricted Residence Act 1933 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, where the annual licences will be abolished and replaced with licences that will be issued until they are cancelled

However, this was met with skepticism, as pointed out by the Center for Independent Journalism, the “reforms” on the PPPA do not mean extending media freedom in Malaysia:

The government’s unreformed position when it comes to freedom of expression is reflected in its response to the Malaysiakini court challenge to the Home Ministry’s rejection of its application for a publishing permit. Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop in his affidavit-in-reply filed on Sept 12, 2011, said permits were a “privilege”, and the denial of permits cannot be equated to denial of the right to free speech. This position ignores the people’s right to information, especially those who do not have Internet access and are thus deprived of alternative, freer media that can afford a more critical perspective.

The Prime Minister also needs to clarify whether the government still plans to widen the scope of the PPPA to include online media, in apparent contradiction to its much-touted commitment to Internet freedom.

Some of the current provisions that curbs freedom of speech and expression found in the PPPA includes:

1. Under Section 5 of the PPPA, the Malaysian government still holds power over permits to publish newspapers. The Home Minister has sole power to grant or deny applications, revoke permits which have been issued (which according to the PM’s announcement will not have to be renewed annually), and set conditions before issuing them. There is no recourse to judicial review of the Home Minister’s decisions regarding the permits.

2. Under Section 3 of the PPPA, the Home Minister controls the licences to use printing presses.

3. Under Section 7 of the PPPA, the Home Ministry controls all publications (defined as books, articles, music, photographs, caricatures, reports, notes etc) in the country and can issue bans on those it deems “undesirable”.

Under the current context of law, the online media is not included under the PPPA, thus giving it more freedom to be critical and analyse the government's policies and announcements, much to the chagrin of the Ministers and politicians.

Aneesa Alphonsus, a Free Malaysia Today journalist, wrote that it is impossible to regulate the online media the way the government does to traditional media:

The misguided would continue to think of it as still being “the Internet” – another piece of technology, another channel that can and should be subjected to regulation.

Oddly, and with no intention of romanticising it, online media is in fact the de-regulation, or perhaps re-regulation, of traditional media.

By turning the existing power structures of public representation on its head – anyone with an internet connection now has a voice – online media assumed the people-centric role that traditional media has left behind.

Has this always been a good thing? There will always be those who take their new-found liberty for granted.

But to focus our laws on addressing these isolated incidents is to miss the bigger picture about what online media really stands for – a rebalancing of the way modern society has worked in terms of public representation

Some took to Twitter to voice their views on online media regulation:

@napiez: Dear @NajibRazak the online media doesnt need regulation. It's mainstream media that needs de-regulation

@annuarkhairi: Let's see what Tun M has to say about this. In a way he guaranteed regulation free online media during the MSC days.

@krybabe: Online media aside, MSM has stepped up to the plate - self regulation, code of ethics, MPC. Now ABOLISH PPPA & STOP threatening them alrdy

@hanimomo: Maybe the regulation of online media will help curb unsubstianted claims and vicious slanders?

@ssathyao1: wat is problem with our PM wanna regulate online media so that BE END can ctrl the media..freedom of speech only exist in msia thru online

@JBoey: @smellykatemoss they can regulate all they want but the online media will always be around and users will always find a way !

@vonHazrul: Anyone who thinks it's a grand idea to regulate online media should be patted on his back. With a shovel.

But until the proposed new law or amendments to PPPA is tabled on the Parliament, which is now in session, there's only speculation on whether this regulation is a sign of progression or regression in the media landscape of Malaysia.

Southeast Asia Digital Library

Mong Palatino — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:24:20 +0000

The Southeast Asia Digital Library provides educators and students with materials published in Southeast Asia. The online library contains digital facsimiles of books and manuscripts, as well as multimedia materials and searchable indexes of additional Southeast Asian resources.

Malaysia to Impose Minimum Wage Policy Soon

Jerrenn Lam — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:00:53 +0000

Malaysia has reportedly set a minimum wage policy for the first time in the country’s history. Here are some online reactions. Jacques believes that it is a move in the right direction:

Minimum wage increases the standard of living for the poorest and most vulnerable class in society, and will help stimulates consumption by putting more money in the hands of low-income people who spend most if not all of their paychecks. A good thing when you consider that Malaysian exports are expected to suffer this year because of the European debt crisis.

However, not many feel this way. Most people think that the reason for doing this is the upcoming general election, which is expected to occur sometime this year.

Workers in Kuala Lumpur. Photo from Flickr page of AkumAPRIME used under CC License

Hishamah thinks that while the idea has its merits, it has its flaws, too:

If the minimum wage comes in at around the RM800 level, I wouldn’t expect too much of a negative impact, at least not immediately.

But there will be a cascading effect on wages up the scale, which will raise both supply side and demand side inflation over time – if a basic worker gets an effective 25% increase in base pay, you think his/her supervisor ought to be getting anything less? And that will raise wage costs, particularly in those industries which are sensitive to worker pay, i.e. services. So your teh tarik and roti canai are going to get a bit more expensive pretty soon.

Employers might also start being more wary over hiring as well as cutting benefits in-kind and allowances, so I’d also expect a minor increase in long term unemployment, though at RM800 it won’t be much.

As the minimum wage gets further away from the poverty line, you should expect both these effects – inflation as well as unemployment – to accumulate faster.

iMyn from Cekikdarah thinks that there are some setbacks to the implementation of this policy:

Then there is the usual problem in Malaysia, which is when salaries raise, everyone from the shop owner to the mamak stalls will raise their prices. The worker that just had a pay raise suddenly feels like been played. His pay raise makes no difference.

I think there are a few problems with Malaysia that doesn’t allow us to implement this minimum wage. First of all, we are still dependent on cheap labor. Most of the small businesses, small factories, plantations still rely on cheap labor to make a hefty profit. There are also a lot of foreign workers in Malaysia that can work more for less. For sure the employers of these foreign workers wouldn’t want a minimum wage enforced. Even worse, if the minimum wage is only enforced for locals, they would have stiff competition from cheaper foreign labor.

A solution would be education. The government should make sure every Malaysian has ample education and certification, including vocational certification. Once everyone has certification, the government can then enforce wages according to certification. This is also important in realizing the vision of becoming a high income nation. The nation must have an educated, high skilled workforce and not merely cheap labor because whatever the country, not many can compete with cheap labor from the emerging markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia and now Myanmar, who has just joined the show.

Outspoken former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad have also been quoted saying that this policy will bankrupt Malaysia, which in itself have copped criticism from some bloggers, among them Khoo Kay Peng, a politician:

It is a shame for him to say that the implementation of minimum wage may bankrupt Malaysia. We say that the RM100 billion wasted during his tenure for bailing out failed projects, cronies and through corruption is highly likely to bankrupt Malaysia.

His stupid project such as the crooked bridge at the Johor causeway, Proton, MAS, Perwaja, Bakun, dodgy defense procurement, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, F1 race and others had wasted billions of federal coffers. He had preferred to waste financial resources on wasteful and mediocre projects and allowed people of resource rich states such as Trengganu, Sabah and Sarawak to remain poor and destitute.

On Twitter, many were retweeting news articles on the issue, and some voiced their opinions through the social networking site as well:

@gowriey: Minimum wage gap? Malaysia needs minimum work ethic gap and minimum education standards gap.

Malaysian Bill Watcher

Mong Palatino — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:00:45 +0000

Malaysian Bill Watcher is a citizen media initiative which was launched to monitor the activities of the Malaysian Parliament and to inform the public about the laws enacted by the institution

Southeast Asia: Internet Freedom Rating

Mong Palatino — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:50:40 +0000

Aim Sinpeng discusses the study made by OpenNet Initiative about the state of internet freedom or unfreedom in several Southeast Asian countries. ‘Partly Free' countries include Malaysia and Indonesia while ‘Not Free' countries include Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam

Southeast Asia’s Three-Wheeled Vehicles

Mong Palatino — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:10:29 +0000

Tuktuk, Beca, Kuliglig, Trishaw, Pedicab, Becak, Tricycle. These are the famous three-wheeled vehicles common in the Southeast Asian region. They can be seen in the streets of urban centers, but governments are trying to ban these ubiquitous pedicabs and motorized rickshaws in major throughfares.

Tuktuk outfitted with anti-bag snatching netting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo from Casey Nelson

Cow in Tuktuk in Kampot, Camdodia. Photo from Tales from an Expat

Tuktuk protective gear during rains. Photo from Flickr page of anuradhac used under CC License

Tuktuk in Thailand. Photo from Flickr page of Blue Funnies used under CC License

Tuktuk in Laos. Photo from Flickr page of Luluk used under CC License

Kuliglig or motorized pedicabs in Manila. Photo from Flickr page of gino.mempin used under CC License

Manila City government wants Kuligligs removed from the streets. Photo from the Flickr page of Siopao Master used under CC License

Tricycle in Dumaguete, Philippines. Photo by author

Engineered trike to adopt to the hilly terrain of Pagadian, Philippines. Photo by author

E-Tuktuks whose spare parts were made in Thailand will arrive in Europe soon. Meanwhile, E-Trikes were launched last year in the Philippines. They use lithium ion batteries, commonly used in laptop computers and mobile phones. Below is an E-Trike in Davao City in southern Philippines which is being promoted to reduce use of fossil fuels:

Photo by Karlos Manlupig

Jan Shim rode a Beca or rickshaw when he toured Penang, Malaysia:

THERE are many ways to see Penang, and one of the more interesting manners would be on a trishaw. Also known locally as the beca or rickshaw, it is a quaint mode of transport that ferries passengers through the streets of Penang at a leisurely pace. In Malaysia, pedestrian-pulled rickshaws were gradually replaced by cycle rickshaws (beca in Malay). Cycle rickshaws were ubiquitous up to the 1970s in cities. Since then, rapid urbanization has increased demand for more efficient public transport, resulting in dwindling cycle rickshaw numbers. Today, cycle rickshaws are operated mostly as a tourist attraction, with small numbers operating in Malacca, Penang, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Becak in Indonesia. Photo from Flickr page of Original Nomad used under CC License

M-Explorer writes about the Pedicab Siantar, an antique motorcycle in the city of Siantar in Indonesia. Edwin describes the unique pedicab designs in Indonesia. Enchanting Eden notes that Becaks are being replaced by modern vehicles:

Becaks are fast becoming a rare breed, as City Governments across the Archipelago ban them for their antiquated and inhumane nature, replacing them with motorized versions trikes similar to Thailand’s tuk -tuks. It’s ironic to think that while this is happening in Indonesia, the rest of the world, especially in the progressive countries who are pursuing anything labelled “green alternative everything” are re-introducing pedicabs in one form or another.