I am Sacked!

Today, I am partyless. I served MCA as a divisional chairman since 1985. On the 2^nd January 2008 when I resigned from all party posts, I was still an MCA member. Today, I don’t even have a party. So, my position today is worst of than when I resigned on 2^nd January 2008. I did not realize that MCA disciplinary board led by an aging lawyer have deemed fit to recommend me to be sacked 21 months after I have resigned from all party and government posts for the same reason as when I resigned in January 2008. If there is provision for sentencing of death physically, I am sure that the disciplinary board would have no hesitation in recommending me to face the gallows. The reason is obvious why I need to be sacked. Will my sacking boost up the image of the MCA? I have to assume that the President today is as clean and clear as crystal. Only time will tell.

Since last night, my phone has not stopped ringing. Today, I spend my time trying to read all the sms. Probably, this is to keep me occupied since I am now partyless. The press has not stopped harassing me. It is actually quite funny and fun.

My family and friends will be going away for a short holiday. I need to enjoy this partyless status. So friends, give me a chance to rest. People will be thinking that I will be working very hard, but as usual; I take everything in my stride. Hopefully I can live longer to see another day and another battle.

Press Statement by Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek

Today, MCA Disciplinary Council recommended that I to be expelled from the MCA. The decision comes as no surprise because there has been a sustained attempt by the MCA President to subvert the wishes of the rank and file and end my political career.

But as a loyal party man, I have to abide by the decision of the Disciplinary Board and the Presidential Council. I am confident that MCA comrades will understand fully the events leading to the suspension and why the MCA leadership needs to keep me on the sidelines.

It is an open secret that those who are not on the same page with the MCA President are regarded as his enemies or a threat. These people are labelled as:

* Anti-MCA and out to destroy MCA;

* Gangsters;

* Cooperating with businessmen and taking money from them to topple him

The MCA President has outlined 3 main agenda for the party: Economic, Politics and Inter-racial Harmony. But in reality, it appears that his most important political agenda is to remove Chua Soi Lek.

Now that I have been suspended, I hope he can sleep well.

But not all of us have that luxury. For those of us who love the MCA, our work has just begun.

Today, it is not about Chua Soi Lek, neither it is about Ong Tee Keat. It is about MCA as the second largest component party of BN still drifting without direction and purpose.

It has been more than 16 months since the March 8 general election and 10 months since the last party election. But there has been little evidence of change.

There is no closing of ranks, no unity, morale is low and suspicion is the order of the day.

The Permatang Pasir by-election result is evidence of how far the party has slipped.

Comrades who love the party will come to realize that its time to stand up and unite to save the party. Otherwise, we will soon fade into oblivion.

I have confidence that MCA members will not let one man self-destroy the party. It will be a sad day for MCA that if we do not rise to the challenge of saving the party. Doing nothing is not an option; saving the party is the only way to move forward so that we can contribute to strengthen BN and together help to achieve One Malaysia.

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今天，马华纪律委员上呈报告建议将我开除。这项决定并不让人感到意外，因为总会长多次试图推翻基层的意愿，以终结我的政治生涯。

但身为忠诚的马华党员，我必须服从纪律委员会及会长理事会的决定。我深信，马华党员都彻底明白我何故被冻结，以及为何我党领导层须把我退至边缘。

任何与总会长立场相违的同志都被视为他的敌人或威胁，这早已是公开的秘密。这些人甚至被标签为：

* “倒党”分子；
* 黑帮;
* 与商人勾结集资“倒翁”的人士

马华总会长为党提出“三拼”改革：拼经济、拼政治、拼种族和谐。但事实上，“拼蔡细历”似乎才是他最重要的议程。

如今我已被冻结党籍，希望这能使总会长安稳入眠。可是，并非所有人有能如此奢乐，对那些爱护马华的同志，我们的工作才刚开始。今天，已无关蔡细历或翁诗杰，真正的问题是马华作为国阵第二大成员党，迄今仍然毫无目的和方向地漂流。

308大选至今已16个月，党选也落幕10个月，但却不见马华有明显的改变；不见求同存异、团结一致，相反的，党员的士气低落，大家不断地互相猜疑。

峇东巴锡补选成绩再一次证明马华已被远抛后头。

爱党的同志必能意识到，现在必须团结起来挺身救党。否则，我们很快就会被彻底地淘汰和遗忘。

我有信心，马华党员不会让一个人毁灭整个党。如果我们不挺身面对挑战挽救这个党，那才是马华的悲歌。

我们不能袖手旁观；救党是唯一的前进方式，这样我们才能协助强化国阵，并携手实现一个马来西亚的目标。

Back From Campaigning

Sorry dear readers for not doing any posting in the last one week. I spent 3 days campaigning in Permatang Pasir by election, and 2 days in Johor for functions which I have to officiate.

Meanwhile, I have chosen not to respond to personal attack launched by MCA President. I have a lot to say but I have chosen to remain silent. I can understand why my president is hysterical. I thought by remaining silent would enabled him to concentrate his ongoing battle with Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his allegation of RM10million. Obviously, the MCA President as usual, thinks that he can do no wrong. If I choose to respond then he will continue to allege that he is facing attack from all fronts, both within and outside the party. The President was so paranoid about his purported enemy that MCA leaders and members that have gathered at the Johor MCA headquarters in Jalan Segget, Johor Bahru were reported as ‘gangsters’ out to ‘ambush’ him.

With regards to his legal battle with Datuk Seri Tiong, I can only wish him good luck. I have said it in the last MCA Central Committee meeting that it is best to let the police, MACC and now the court to decide who is telling the truth. I had supported President to lodge a police report and seek legal redress, but I objected to the party itself getting involved. It is unfair to get the party involved, since the alleged RM10miliion never go into the party’s coffer and hence it becomes a personal problem for the President. It is up to President to defend his honour.

I will choose an appropriate time to defend myself against baseless allegations leveled against me by the President.

在过去一周，我因数度奔走峇东巴锡补选及南下柔佛主持一些活动而没有张贴任何文章，在此向所有读者说抱歉。

与此同时，我选择不回应马华总会长的人身攻击。我能了解为何总会长如此歇斯底里。我想，我保持沉默能让他专心应付和拿督斯里张庆信的交战以及一千万令吉政治献金的指控。显然的，总会长和以往的一样，总认为自己不会犯错。如果我回应他的连串指责，他必将续称受到党内党外各方人马攻击。总会长如此多疑，甚至把聚集在柔佛马华位总部前的马华地方领袖及党员，解为“埋伏”他的“黑帮”。

至于和张庆信的交战，我唯有祝他好运。我已在上周的马华中委会表明，由警方、反贪污委员会及法庭（他既已入禀法庭）谁说真话最为恰当。我已表明支持总会长报警及通过法律途径处理有关事件，但反对把党牵涉其中。既然所指的一千万令吉没有进入马华的账库，这已表示那是总会长的个人问题，他须捍卫己誉。

我也会在适当的时候，一一回应总会长对我毫无根据的指控。

蔡细历：根本没阴谋论,翁过于担心被推翻

光明日报，19.8.2009

（八打灵再也讯）马华署理总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生周二首度针对总会长拿督斯里翁诗杰提出的“1亿令吉阴谋论”开腔。蔡细历称，翁诗杰所谓的政商勾结，联同马华党内人士筹备1亿令吉把他拉下台，并旨在毁灭马华及国阵的指责毫无根据，而且对马华不利，无疑污辱马华基层的人格和尊严。

他说，翁诗杰的说词似乎表明马华党员“向钱看”，只要有钱就可以办事，所以他会询问翁诗杰，为何说出这一番话。

蔡细历也是国阵总协调，周二晚主持灵北区国阵协调会议之前，召开记者会时指出，马华是一个大党，拥有足够的资源与人才，总会长应该善用人才以强化党，而不是过于担忧别人要推翻他。

他说，他相信只要领袖交出成绩，并肯于听取基层的意见，党员就会给予支持。

“如果我们又良好的表现，就不怕有人要推翻我们。这种阴谋论都是没有根据的。”

他强调，马华目前处于最低潮，人民要看到的是马华如何提供有效的服务，而不是为自己的政治目的服务。

询及翁诗杰提到一个东马的政党要西渡，以取代马华，蔡细历表示，大马是一个民主国家，如果该东马政党认为有发展空间，当然可以西渡。

他称，他不担心马华会被取代，因为马华拥有60年的悠久历史，只要马华表现良好，人民就会支持。

“如果我们内斗内行，外斗外行，不要说国阵成员党取代我们，就连民联的政党也可以取代我们，因为人民的支持并不是理所当然的。”


陆垠佑言论污辱中央代表

针对马华副总秘书拿督陆垠佑呼吁全体党员保持警惕，不要随意签署召开特大的文件，以免掉入有心人的圈套，蔡细历表示，这可以说是对中央代表的一种污辱。

他指出，如果中央代表要签名，必然有他们的理由，如果他们不要签，怎样也逼不到他们签名。

他形容，陆垠佑提出的做法，并不是一项很好的劝告。“中央代表在政治上是成熟的，并明白马华的斗争目标，所以怕他们上当，叫他们不要随意签字，无疑是一种羞辱。”

另外，针对张庆信表示在续约时，会重新考虑是否给予沙巴拉曼学院1令吉象征式租金的优惠，蔡细历说，这是由张庆信来决定。

“我们感谢他只收取1令吉的租金，但如果他往后要照市价计算，我们也没有办法。”

政治献金属个人事
勿拖马华下水

蔡细历认为，翁诗杰与Kuala Dimensi有限公司首席执行员拿督斯里张庆信之间的“1000万令吉政治献金疑云”是个人事件，翁诗杰不应该把马华牵涉在内。

蔡细历刚从新山参加马华中委会议，再赶抵八打灵再也主持国阵协调会议。他再记者会上指出，中委会有讨论此事，他在会议上反对翁诗杰牵扯党进入事件的做法，惟只有少数的中委认同他。

他指出，这是翁诗杰和张庆信之间的事，外人并不清楚。“我们并不知道谁讲的是真的。我相信警方与反贪污委员会将调查得水落石出，希望党员不要诸多猜测。”

他表示，此事固然影响总会长的形象，但是总会长不应把党牵涉再内，以影响党的形象。

“如果马华有受惠，那就必须承担，但是马华总财政已表明没有收到这笔款项，所以最好由警方和反贪委员会去调查。”

他强调，他支持翁诗杰针对有关事件报案，并采取法律行动，但绝不认同翁诗杰把党牵涉在内。

“我也在会议（中委会）上举出一个例子，多年前，马华有一位领袖被指控，许多党员都站出来支持他，不久后，他却在新加坡被逮捕，过后坐牢。因此，我们应该让法律去裁定。”

询及他对“1000万令吉政治献金疑云”的想法时，蔡细历表示，他的个人想法并不重要，更重要的是警方的调查。

Soi Lek asks Tee Keat to keep MCA out of tiff with Tiong PETALING JAYA, Aug 19 — MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek has asked the party pre

From Malaysian Insider, 19.08.09

By Lee Wei Lian

PETALING JAYA, Aug 19 — MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek has asked the party president and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat not to involve the party in a possible legal battle with Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, saying that it is "his personal problem".

Tiong is CEO of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), the main developer of the scandal-hit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) and whose company is under investigation by Ong's ministry. Tiong had dropped a bombshell last week when he claimed that he had made a RM10 million donation to Ong for MCA party purposes.

Ong has since denied the allegation and threatened legal action though Tiong has refused to retract his statement. The MCA president also met with division leaders over the weekend and emerged with their backing.

The MCA central committee, which met in Johor Baru yesterday, made a decision to support Ong in his bid to clear his name and to lodge a police report and seek legal redress.

Chua told reporters at a press conference at a hotel in Petaling Jaya last night that while he had supported Ong in making a police report and in taking legal action, he had objected to the party itself getting involved.

"I expressed support to sue Tiong but I do not believe the party should be involved in it. It is a personal problem. Only the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission know the truth," he said before chairing a meeting with other Barisan Nasional component parties. "I support the president in seeking legal redress but not dragging the party into it."

Chua also expressed his doubts about Ong's "conspiracy theory" about a RM100 million campaign to destroy MCA.

The Chinese media had reported that Ong told division leaders that there was a concerted effort to amass RM100 million to move a vote of no-confidence against him at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and that should the effort fail, there will be an attempt to form a new Chinese-based political party to replace MCA.

"The conspiracy theory has no basis," Chua scoffed. "If you say there is a RM100 million campaign to topple him, the message is that MCA members only look for money — no money no talk. At the end of the day, people support politicians based on their performance."

He also said that he thinks the party is at its lowest point in its history and if the "internal conflicts" continue, the party may not survive past the next general election.

"The voters will replace MCA because we are not performing and involved with internal conflicts. We are elected to serve the people and not politics," he said.

When asked about the reaction from central committee members when he objected to the party being involved in Ong's bid to clear his name, he said that "very few people" were with him but that it was "expected".

He also cited a case to reporters of "a senior MCA leader" who was arrested in Singapore, charged and jailed, likely referring to former MCA president Tan Koon Swan who was found guilty of criminal breach of trust.

"We should let the law take its course," he said.

Ong had built up an image of being clean and transparent but his reputation is now in tatters following Tiong's allegations.

His position as party president is considered shaky with Chua's supporters expected to push ahead with plans to call for an EGM to remove him.

Ong himself was reported as saying that he was not the president that was favoured by Umno, the dominant party in the Barisan Nasional coalition, and is in danger of losing his transport minister job ever since pushing for the PKFZ to be investigated.

When asked by reporters to comment on statements issued by certain MCA leaders asking members not to sign any petitions calling for an EGM, Chua replied that it was an "insult" to the members' political maturity.

Notification

I have been travelling a lot lately. I was in Permatang Pasir for Nomination Day yesterday and today, I am on my way to Johor Bahru for the MCA Central Committee meeting. Therefore, I have no time to do any postings in these few days. I hope that all readers will understand.

Permatang Pasir By-Election

This will be the 8^th by-election since the 308 general election. There are 20,350 voters in the Permatang Pasir constituency. The Malays account for 72.3 percent, Chinese 26 percent, Indian and others 1.7 percent. This seat has been traditionally an opposition seat. In the 2008 election, PAS won with a majority of 5,433 votes.

For BN, it is not going to be an easy battle since this state seat is situated within the Parliamentary seat of Permatang Pauh. Anwar’s influence would be overwhelming. Losing the seat is more likely than winning. Hence, winning will be a bonus for BN. In fact, to be able to reduce the majority of 5,433 votes won by the previous PAS candidate will be a moral booster for BN.

UMNO’s choice of candidate will be crucial. If the candidate is accepted by most members of the division, then I am sure UMNO members will be more committed to ensure that the election machinery function effectively. This is often one of the biggest problems in BN, be it UMNO, MCA, MIC or Gerakan where the choice of candidate is crucial in facing the election. Often the lack of support by own party members can prove to be fatal in the election, more so in the by-election. When members know that the results of the by-election will not tilt the balance of political power within the state, then total commitment by BN members may be lacking.

Of course PAS members will be in high spirit in facing this by-election, not forgetting that this is their stronghold. However, the drastic reduction of the majority votes obtained by the PAS candidate in Manik Urai, Kelantan could have unnerved the confidence within the party. Hence, PAS’ party members may even work harder to prove their point that they have the support of the Malay community.

The 5,600 non-Malay voters will be crucial in this coming by-election. This is another classical example that when the Malay votes are split, then the non-Malay votes, if they are substantial, will be crucial to the victory of any party. BN will then have to pursue what we call a middle path, catering to the needs of all community. This politics of balancing can be a very delicate job, which not many will understand. The opposition will have the advantage of talking since they do not have to practice what they preach, by virtue of the fact that they are not in power at the federal level. The recent open spat between PAS and DAP is a good example of politics in action at the state level. When each party has its own agenda and having to cater to its own supporters, then open clashes become inevitable between the parties. The sale of alcohol is totally blown out of proportion by PAS and DAP. State level politics permit such open quarrel as it will not tear the nation apart. When confronted with bigger issues and if it is divisive, then the nation may be held to ransom by the political parties involved.

When chairing a few of the BN’s coordinating meeting in Selangor, I notice that there have been a lot of complaints that there is mushrooming of entertainment outlets within Selangor, especially in the Klang valley. The usual complaint is that the cyber cafes and pubs are situated near schools. This has caused a lot of dissatisfaction among the people. I am sure a lot of PAS leaders are against their own state government for approving many of these entertainment outlets. Wee Choo Keong’s outburst against the DAP EXCO member is very enlightening to us.

In the Permatang Pasir by-election, national issue will overwhelm local issues. How national issues are going to be played out will depend on the two main political parties, BN and PR.

Wildlife Protection in Malaysia

Of late, Malaysia became well known internationally for the wrong reasons:

1) For purported human trafficking;

We read in the report that in fact a tourist guide was charged in court for trafficking some women from China. Before that, we read of cases of trafficking involving Bangladeshis who were caught off the coast of Johor. There will be many more cases that goes unreported because no one is arrested. Since it is a lucrative trade, there will always be rooms for corruption.

2) The convicted wildlife smuggler Anson Wong who is dubbed as ‘Pablo Escobar’ of wildlife trafficking is actually a Malaysian, operating from Penang. The response from the director general is a typical example of a very layback officer, saying that it is an old story. Whether it is old or new, it does not speaks well of the Wildlife Department of Malaysia since the conviction of Anson Wong was due to the effort of US rather than Malaysia’s Wildlife Department.

A few years ago, I remember reading clearly that when this gentleman was highlighted in the press with Kuala Lumpur as the hub for wildlife trafficking; there was strong denial by the Wildlife Department. . Penangite Anson Wong was subsequently arrested following a sting operation set up by the US authority. This does not augur well for the image of the Malaysia Wildlife Department when trafficking occurs right under our nose and it needs the US authority to arrest the criminal.

In fact, the government should not stop at the conviction of Anson Wong. They should do house cleaning within the Wildlife Department so that whatever networking established for the smuggling of wildlife can be wiped out.

Malaysia is regarded as one of the 12 countries with mega bio-diversities with rich flora and fauna. However, if we are not careful in managing our forests and wildlife, then our children and definitely grandchildren will only be seeing wildlife in the zoo. Ever since monitor lizard and the anteater called pangolin suddenly become exotic food, you can see that their numbers have dropped dramatically. My house in Batu Pahat is situated at the foot of Gunung Soga. It is a protected forest. It is not surprising then to see snakes, iguana and even anteaters making its way in front of my house. I have been staying there for about 15 years. Of late, I hardly see anyone of them. There are professionals who go around capturing iguanas and anteaters since the meat fetch very good price in China and Taiwan. Before long, I won’t be surprised that the iguanas and anteaters become extinct.

I fully agree that the Wildlife Department is grossly understaffed. A lot of its staff members regard it as a job to earn a living. There is no passion in looking after the wildlife. To compound the problem since the wildlife is valuable in the black market, then one can imagine that the wildlife smuggler would do all he can to bribe his way through. Our Wildlife Protection Act is totally inadequate and ineffective. The fine is too low to be a deterrent. Unless the Act is reviewed with mandatory jail sentence and even whipping, wildlife trafficking will continue.

H1N1 Public Apathy

This is my third posting on H1N1. Earlier I wrote that if H1N1 cannot be controlled because of local transmission, then we can foresee that the number of cases would climb up rapidly. Hence, we are told that we now have more than 2000 confirmed cases. What is surprising is that death toll have reached 38. As of yesterday, the WHO has recorded about 208,155 confirmed cases in 174 countries with 1,688 deaths, which brings the average mortality rate in H1N1 to about 0.5 - 0.8 percent. With 2000 cases, we are talking about 10 to 16 deaths. Here in Malaysia, we are talking about mortality rate that is nearly 4 times more than the accepted norm of 0.5percent. This is a cause of concern to the authorities and the rakyat.

In any infectious disease outbreak, controlling the source of infection is of paramount importance. Hence, the individual plays an important role in order to contain the disease. Public apathy in Malaysia is frightening. The level of cleanliness in public places leaves much to be desired. In a lot of shopping centres and offices, don’t hope to find soap in the public toilet. It is indeed sad that Hong Kong had done a better job in maintaining cleanliness of public amenities from public lift to toilet. Even public toilets in hotels in Malaysia, KLIA and LCCT have no soap. I have also read in the papers today that in Subang Airport, there was no soap found in the public toilet. The MOH has been advising the public to wash their hands regularly with soap to prevent viruses, but without soaps in public toilets, how are we going to contain the disease? Not only that, the public lifts are also not cleaned regularly, let alone sanitized. An infected person would have infected a lot of places in the course of his travelling and daily contact. Hence, one of the first rules in containment of infectious disease is cleanliness of premises which are frequently used by the public.

There is also a lack of public education or the education itself is not reaching the target group. The awareness should start from the schools. The MOH should not just close down schools whenever someone is infected with the H1N1 and send the children home. The children will just regard the closing down of the schools as school holidays for them. It is better for MOH to teach school children on self-cleanliness and to avoid close contact with other children by wearing masks.

The high mortality rate in Malaysia has also raised panic among the public who are now rushing to get the anti virals to protect themselves. However, the anti-virals must be taken with caution. It has its harmful side effects, especially on some children where it will cause nausea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and other sickness. Therefore, parents must be extra careful when it comes to the anti-virals because it will promote resistance, of which will weaken the body’s immune system and cause it vulnerable to fight any flu virus. Besides that, many are concerned about the late diagnosis of the doctor for H1N1. Many believed that the deaths from H1N1 were caused by late diagnosis from the doctors. This perception has to change. Doctors have to equip themselves with updated information from the WHO in order to make the right diagnosis. There is no excuse since there is enough publicity to alert doctors on the H1N1.

We must all keep in mind that it takes two to tango. Without the cooperation from the public, the government itself is unable to contain the disease. Hopefully both the government and the public will continue to stay alert to prevent further spread of the disease.

公众对H1N1已麻木不仁？

这是我第三篇关于H1N1流感的文章。我之前说过，如果我们无法控制本土感染趋势，确诊病例必将飙升。世界卫生组织昨天证实全球174个疫区国家的累计病例已激增至20万8千155宗，1千688人死亡，死亡率约0.5－0.8％巴仙。回到大马，我国的H1N1病例已超过2千宗，死亡人数高达38人，死亡率是世卫数据的四倍，值得当局和公众高度关注。

要控制任何传染疾病，控制感染源头最为关键，而每个人都有发挥的角色。不过，一些人民却表现得漠不关心，这种态度让人担忧。公共场所的清洁和卫生水平仍不理想，许多购物商场、办公楼，甚至是机场及一些酒店的厕所也没有准备肥皂。卫生部不断提醒人民勤洗手以防病毒，在卫生设施欠奉的情况下，如何遏防疫情？不仅如此，公共升降机也没有定时清理，更不用说进行消毒。受感染者公开活动，通过与人接触能迅速传染他人。因此，维持公共场所的清洁和卫生是防疫的首要条件。

此外，缺乏公众教育和抗疫宣导，或讯息无法递及目标群体，也是我国抗疫过程面对的另项一问题。教育和醒觉应从学校做起，当校内证实有学生受感染，卫生部不该只把病童送回家或关闭学校。学生会把学校关闭现象当成放假。相反的，卫生部应该教导学生保持个人清洁卫生，以及戴上口罩以避免密切接触。

H1N1流感死亡率偏高使大马人民一度陷入恐慌，纷纷抢购抗流感药物。然而，所以人们必须谨慎服用。抗流感药物具有副作用，尤其会导致孩童感到恶心、呕吐甚至脱水等其他不适。家长们必须额外小心，一旦服用过量将削弱人体的免疫能力，无法对抗任何流感的病毒。

另一方面，大家也极度关注医生对H1N1流感的诊断。许多人认为医生延诊导致一些人死于H1N1流感。人们必须摒弃这种观念，而医生们也需密切跟进世卫公布的疫情讯息，以迅速进行确诊。

我们须知，抗疫工程需要双向的配合。没有人民的充分合作，政府无法遏制疫情。希望政府和人民继续保持警觉，协力灭抗流感。

Internet filtering: A Do or Don’t?

I read in the papers last week about the proposal by the Minister of Information Datuk Seri Rais Yatim to implement Internet filter in Malaysia. I know that this has raised much debate among the public on the line or in the papers. In recent years, Internet has been a very important source of information especially after the mainstream media is said to have been strictly under scrutiny in some countries. According to the statistics, there are rough estimation of 15.8 million Internet users in Malaysia in year 2008, out of the total Malaysia population of nearly 26 million. This means that there are about 62.8% Internet users that will be affected if the net censorship is implemented.

Right now, most of the people felt that it is inappropriate for the government to implement net censorship since China’s Green Dam Internet filter system has met with a lot of resistance and condemnination. Although Rais Yatim has given assurance that the filter was only to censor pornography information, many Internet users are still unable to accept it since they believed that the filter will somehow affect their access to the Internet and there will be more restriction in expressing their thoughts or receiving online information.

As a blogger myself, of course I do not wish to see my articles having to wait for green light from the censorship board before it could be published online. But I do have confidence in the Prime Minister Najib who has said that the government will NOT censor the Internet because it will be ineffective in a borderless world where information flows freely. I applaud the statement from the PM, not because he is the PM, but because what he said does make sense. We are living in a borderless world where competition is intense. Without Internet, we will be handicapped to compete with others and be left behind.

If blocking the online pornography were the main cause to the introduction of the Internet filtering system, then a general Internet filtering system would be an overkill. In fact, the suggestion by the Terengganu state government to use special software on e-Books to curb access to pornographic sites is a much better idea. The PM should walk the talk and that is no Internet filter system.

新闻部长莱士雅丁上周对媒体证实，可能在国内实行过滤互联网的措施。我相信这项建议势必引起各界激辩。近年来，互联网是一个非常重要的信息来源，尤其当一些国家严格管制主流媒体后，互联网的角色更显得重要。

2008年的统计显示，在马来西亚近2千600万人口当中，有1千580万名互联网用户。这表示，“网滤”政策一旦实行，将有62.8％的国人受影响。

目前，多方一致认为在我国实行“网滤”不恰当，更何况中国的“绿坝计划”在推行后掀起千层反对声浪。

尽管莱士雅丁保证政府只会过滤和封锁色情网页，但过滤互联网的建议仍无法让许多网友接受，他们始终相信，有关措施将影响浏览和搜寻功能，限制网上讯息接收和传送。

身为一位博客，我当然不愿意看到，我的文章在网上发布前必须经过网滤局审查。但我对首相纳吉日前表示政府不会过滤互联网的声明有信心，也希望首相能确保“绿坝”不会实行。

我们生活在竞争激烈、信息自由流通的无疆界世界，没有互联网，我们将无法与他人并驾齐驱，甚至面对被淘汰的命运。

相比下，丁加奴州政府提出为学生使用的电子书装置特殊软件，遏制学生通过电子书浏览色情网站的建议更可行。

Selangor EXCO Ronnie Liu Under Siege

EXCO at the state level has certain executive power. Every Wednesday, they attend the state EXCO meeting, chaired by the Menteri Besar. The EXCO meeting is a mini cabinet where the state financial officer, state legal advisor and state secretary are also present. They are regarded as ex-officials and give advise pertaining to legal and administrative matters. Most land matters and local authority problems are usually brought up at the state meeting.

An EXCO member while being invested with certain power, are not involved directly on issues involving enforcement. Hence, if I am in charge of local government, I cannot directly interfere in the promotion and transfer of staffs within the local authorities. I can express my opinion through the state’s secretary or if it involves legal matter, through the state legal officer. When it involves land issues, I would normally contact the Director of Lands and Mines. Only on certain major policy matter, it can be brought to the attention of the MB. When it comes to enforcement, my hands will be tied. Of course we cannot deny that enforcement officers do abuse their power. There are structures and legal avenues within the state and local council that everyone has to follow, including state EXCOs. If enforcement officers abuse their power, there are also procedures to follow whereby these can be rectified effectively without much ruckus.

Under the Excise Act in the federal laws, beer could be freely sold, be it in supermarket, sundry shop or convenient store and no license is required to sell beer because it has very low content of alcohol. Ronnie rushing to the scene and insisting that the seized beer to be returned by local council will not solve the problem. This act by Ronnie has caused PAS Selangor Commissioner Datuk Hasan Ali calling for Ronnie to be removed from his EXCO post because he has crossed his boundary and jurisdiction as an EXCO.

It would be better if Muslims can be inculcated with the right Islamic values as to the wrong of drinking beer. If they drink alcohols or liquors, they would be punished if caught. One good example is the recent incident of a Malay model, who was caught drinking in a hotel lounge were punished with caning and fine of RM5000. This case provoked an outcry from a lot of Muslims who felt that the punishment was way above the wrong committed. More campaigns should be done by Selangor state government to educate Muslims about their Islamic values, especially on Muslim youths who are vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol.

Now, it all boils down to Selangor MB’s decision. His decision is crucial to whether PR remains united or divided over liquor issue. It appears to be that the PKR is in the dilemma as DAP and PAS are bickering among themselves over different opinions in this issue. I remembered PAS started proposing ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages at sundry shops and convenient stores end of last year but Khalid objected to the proposal. However, not even a year after that, this proposal returns. I wonder what is the motive of PAS by proposing such ban in Selangor, where there are multiracial communities. Are they trying to start up some hudud laws in Selangor? Only PAS knows!

Chua: Don't be suspicious of me

Extracted from New Straits Times, 2009/08/05

By Eileen Ng

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek pleaded with the party leadership to give him a chance to carry out his responsibilities.

Speaking to reporters after attending the party's disciplinary board hearing on his DVD sex scandal at the MCA headquarters here yesterday, he said there was an ongoing whispering campaign by "some people" to undermine his work as a MCA leader and as Barisan Nasional chief coordinator for Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states.



As an example, he said there were leaders who were concerned over his trips to meet with divisional and grassroots leaders nationwide.



"I need to meet them to strengthen the BN machinery and understand the problems faced by BN to enable me to file a report to the national BN leadership and bring it to their attention." 



However, he refused to name those who were trying to stop his work.


"I have no other agenda. I've said I am not interested in becoming a minister so please don't speculate. There is no need to be suspicious of me.

"I have served the party for 24 years and I love MCA and BN.

"Maybe I love the party more than some MCA leaders and this may affect some people who don't like it."



The disciplinary board hearing, which started at 2.30pm, was chaired by former secretary-general Ng Cheng Kiat.



It was called after Simpang Renggam division chief Eng Cheng Guan filed a complaint in May last year with the previous disciplinary panel headed by former deputy president, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, that Dr Chua had committed adultery and performed oral sex and the scandal had tarnished the party's image.



Dr Chua was caught on video having a tryst with a woman at a hotel in Johor last year. 


He subsequently resigned from all his government and party posts.



He was elected as MCA deputy president at the party elections last October.



However, in a surprising move, Eng withdrew his complaint last week saying that he did not intend to pursue the case.



But the current board had decided to proceed with yesterday's hearing because the complaint had been accepted by the presidential council after it established there was a prima facie case.



Yesterday, Dr Chua arrived at the party's headquarters accompanied by two lawyers Cecil Abraham and Rishwuant Singh.



Party veterans Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lam, Tan Sri Wong See Wah and Datuk Ho Lin Teck, who were invited by Dr Chua as his witnesses as they were members of the previous disciplinary panel, came at 2.15pm.



Chan did not turn up.



However, the veterans refused to speak to the press when they came out at 3.50pm.



Dr Chua said only Dr Sak was called to testify to the board.



He said Dr Sak told the board that the previous disciplinary panel had decided to stop hearing his (Dr Chua's) case when he resigned from all posts.



"However, the current board said no such record of the previous panel's decision exists."



He said he would accept whatever decision reached by the board and called for members to remain calm and keep working for the party and BN.



"I am optimistic by nature and am sure the board will make a fair decision as the public and members are looking at how they behave and act.



"It is not a question of a gesture but a question of being fair."



He said he received a lot of advice from members who urged him not to attend the hearing as the complainant had withdrawn the complaint.



"They pointed out that it's another attempt to bury me politically.



"However, I feel as a party leader and member, we must respect the institution of the party and obey orders."

Five reasons to dismiss sex tape probe'，蔡细历举5大理由撤销光碟案投诉 马华党章不承认《党员行为守则》

From Malaysiakini, 05.08.09

A day after attending the MCA disciplinary board hearing on his sex tape scandal, Dr Chua Soi Lek made public his submissions to the board - listing five main reasons why the probe should be dismissed.

In the latest posting in his blog yesterday, the embattled MCA deputy president revealed that his lawyer had written three letters to the disciplinary board in the last week of July.

The case against him pertains to a DVD which portrays Chua having sex with an unknown woman, widely distributed in January 2008.

The charge is that the scandal has tarnished the party's image.



Chua summarised those letters and gave five main grounds, explaining why the complaint againt him should be dismissed.



1 The complainant Eng Cheng Guan had withdrawn his complaint against him and did not attend the hearing. This had denied Chua's right to question his accuser.



Due to the absence of a complainant, the disciplinary board is acting as both judge and prosecution, which is against the party constitution which requires the board to deliberate and consider all complaints in an independent, impartial and unbiased manner.

Complainant had no 'locus standi'

"How can the disciplinary board do so in this instance if it is both prosecutor and judge in the matter?" asked Chua.



"...it would overstep the bounds stated in the constitution of the MCA and act unconstitutionally, illegally and wrongly."



2 According to the MCA constitution, Eng has no locus standi to lodge a complaint against Chua as he is from a different division (Simpang Renggam) from Chua's (Batu Pahat).



3 Chua would be penalised twice if the complaint is heard again.



Chua said he had resigned from all government and MCA posts when the tape surfaced in January 2008, and the resignation was accepted by both the government and MCA.



When he constested the party deputy president's post in October 2008, none including Eng questioned his candidacy and eventually he made it as the number two in the party.

"This conduct of the MCA, its disciplinary board and the complainant all leads to one irresistible conclusion: That the complaint had been dealt with and is over."

MCA members vindicated me



"It is clear to all, in any event, that the General Assembly (and the members of the MCA) have vindicated the respondent (Chua)," he stressed.



4 The party constitution requires that a written complaint must be 'initiated and referred' by the party presidential council to be heard by the disciplinary board.



Chua further questioned whether the presidential council could "take over a complaint that has been made and then withdrawn" by "a member who had no standing to initiate the complaint".


5 Eng's complaint alleged that Chua had breached the 'Code of conduct for MCA members' which is not recognised or referred by the party constitution.



"Since the disciplinary function and powers of the disciplinary board are based on articles 123 and 124 of the constitution of the MCA, and not from the 'Code of conduct for MCA members' these entire proceedings are, with respect, a non-starter," said Chua.



"The code is the legacy of former president Ong Ka Ting. However, he did not amend the party constitution to include the code.



"The reasons outlined here are all good reasons for dismissing the complaint," said Chua.

------------------

转载自当今大马， 06。08。09

昨日出席马华纪委会性爱光碟事件听证会的蔡细历（右图），今日在其部落格公布其律师向纪委会提呈的5大理由，说明为何纪委会应该撤销针对他的投诉，停止调查。

他表示，其代表律师是在7月22、29与31日，分别致函纪委会要求撤销投诉。他将这三封函件的内容总结为5大理由。

黄清源撤销投诉缺席听证会

（一）身为投诉人的马华新邦令金区会主席黄清源已经撤销投诉，同时没有出席听证会，而且这等于剥夺了蔡细历反问投诉人的权利。

蔡细历表示，随着黄清源撤销投诉，此案缺乏控方，纪委会因此必须同时扮演检控官与法官的角色，但这是不受马华党章所允许的，因为党章规定纪委会必须在独立与不偏袒的情况下处理每宗合法投诉。

“若纪委会身兼检控官与法官，它如何能够做到（立与不偏袒）？”

蔡细历强调，纪委会若继续调查此事，就等于是“违章、非法与错误”。

来自不同区会不具投诉资格

（二）根据马华党章，黄清源不具有投诉人的法定地位（locus standi），因为黄清源来自新邦令金区会，蔡细历却来自峇株巴辖区会，由于两人来自不同区会，因此前者不能投诉后者。

蔡细历指出，在2008年7月18日开会的纪委会，早已议决承认这项论点，因此目前的纪委会受制于该项议决，不能重新检讨或做出不同的决定。

党员与党大会已宽恕蔡细历

（三）若纪委会继续调查此事，等于是第二度基于同样的罪行惩罚蔡细历。

蔡细历表示，当性爱光碟事件曝光时，他已辞去所有党政职务，政府与马华也接受其呈辞，没有再进行调查。之后马华允许蔡细历参与去年的党选，当时没有任何人包括黄清源提出这项课题，蔡细历也在党选中告捷。

“马华、纪委会和投诉人（黄清源）的举动都导向一个无可否认的结论：投诉已获得处理并结束。”

“对许多人来说，在任何情况下，全国代表大会（以及马华党员）已经宽恕了答辩人（蔡细历）。”

党章不承认《党员行为守则》

（四）马华党章第123A条文规定，会长理事会必须“提出与提呈”（initiated and referred）书面投诉给纪委会，后者才能展开调查。

蔡细历进一步指出，若纪委会认为会长理事会已提出投诉，就会引发两项疑点：（一）马华党章的哪一条文允许会长理事会接受一项已被撤销的投诉？（二）明显的会长理事会并没有提出投诉，因为投诉是由一名不具法定地位的党员提述，而且这名党员已撤销投诉。

（五）黄清源是根据《马华党员行为守则》投诉蔡细历，但是马华党章并不承认，也没有提及这项守则，加上纪委会是根据党章第123和124条文操作，而非《马华党员行为守则》，因此整个听证会根本就不应开始。

《马华党员行为守则》是前总会长黄家定上台后，大力推动“九大政纲”时所制定的守则，不过当时他并没有修改党章纳入这项守则。

蔡细历在贴文结尾时总结说，“上述提及的理由都是撤销投诉的恰当理由”。