Environs Eagles

I did the the video previously in two parts last year. Now that YouTube allows me more video time, I have combine into one single video, and with the same title.

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Kelantan : The other side of the story Revisited

If you are on the west coast or the south of West Malaysia, you have to visit Kelantan Darul Naim, the “Blissful Abode” on the north-east coast at least once to see it for yourself to know and believe the other side of the story.

The government and the people of Kelantan wish you come and explore and experience their hospitality and to also have a clearer understanding of the Kelantanese cultures and livelihood.

The state is almost synonymous with PAS, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Islamic Party of Malaysia). PAS is a component party of Pakatan Rakyat, which currently plays an opposition role in the Federal Parliament of Malaysia.

Kelantan has been under PAS rule for two lengthy periods. The first period of their rule here began two years after the independence and lasted for 19 years (1959 – 1978). For a brief period from 1973 – 1978, the leadership of PAS then had decided to join Barisan Nasional. Through some dubious and ‘democratic’ efforts, PAS had lost control of the state for 12 years. In 1990 General Elections, PAS together with its Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) alliance returned with an over whelming victory winning all 39 states and 13 parliamentary seats. It had some turbulence phase during and after 2004GE but since 2008GE, PAS and its partners in Pakatan Rakyat are ever so strong and now unshakeable in Kelantan. They are ever ready to replicate this great milieu in the rest of Malaysia.

Why this feeling of confidence and security, more so now?

The answer is PAS Mursyidul Am (Spiritual Advisor) Tok Guru Dato’ Haji Nik Abdul Aziz Bin Nik Mat, the Mentri Besar of Kelantan. He is also revered as ‘The Father of Unity’. His style of administration of the state and his leading a team of leaders is exemplary.

95% of the Kelantanese are ethnic Malay Muslims. The other ethnic groups include the Siamese, Chinese and Indians, both multi-cultural and multi-religious.

The non-Muslim rights are better protected here. There are a number of Buddhist wats and Chinese temples, some deemed the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Visit Bachok, Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kuala Krai, Gua Musang and of course the state capital, Kota Bharu to count the number of grandly-built, new and old, places of worship of the non-Muslims. To cater for the close to 1% Hindu and Punjabi/Sikh communities, there are several large Kuils and Gurdwaras. There are several Churches for the Christian congregations. Some denominations conduct their services in shop-lots and in multi-storey buildings too.

It is very interesting to note that while we have some contentions in other states where certain political parties and their affiliated NGOs are attempting to wedge apart racial harmony for their political and selfish reasons, the Kelantan state government and several district councils permit the operation of abattoirs and pork trading in the state. The sale of alcoholic beverages is permitted under licensed, for non-Muslims only. The non-vegetarian Chinese, Siamese and some Indian communities are at bliss.

See to believe. Watch the video. Better still, take the next holiday in Kelantan. Of course, a trip to Kelantan will be incomplete without taking the time to enjoy the many cultural performances, visits to the historical buildings and sites, choosing from a wide range of exquisite craft items and indulging in the various eco-adventure expeditions or just lazing on the fine beaches overlooking the South China Sea.

You will take back home fond memories of your experiential adventure.

Video by R. Vijay Kumar, Citizen Journalist.

Demand for a just RCI for Beng Hock’s death

On January 5, 2011, soon after coroner Azmil Muntapha returned an open verdict to the inquest of the death of Teoh Beng Hock, a group calling themselves an association of Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Elected Representative Officers (Selpro) called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to establish how Beng Hock had died while in the custody of Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

They opined that the open verdict delivered by the coroner, after an 18 months ongoing inquest, was inapt. They were also astounded that the coroner also said it was neither suicide nor homicide.

In his verdict, the coroner had also stated that there exist sufficient evidence to confirm the pre-fall injury on Beng Hock’s neck but added that there is no sufficient evidence to confirm beyond reasonable doubt that this pre-injury did in fact facilitated or resulted or contributed to the demise of the deceased.

It is bemusing why the police did not do thorough investigations on the pre-fall injury and probe the contradictory statements made by the MACC officers, the expert witnesses and the investigating processes.

A decision made that was not conclusive, and now marred with more suspicions. This episode had caught the world’s attention, so why the shoddy investigations and cover ups?

Together with some other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, some of whom are lawyers, they say the judgment that was delivered was unacceptable, and there is a need to appeal against it. They strongly called for the RCI to be conducted.

Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, a Selangor State Exco member and Seri Andalas state assemblyperson, announced the Selangor state has set up a benevolent fund of RM100,000 to study and produce a detailed report on all the incidents of tortures and deaths in custody in cases pertaining to the agencies related to the current government of Malaysia.

The inquest which began on July 29, 2009 had been fraught with controversies, with expert witnesses giving contrast and contradicting evidences, with the AG’s and police investigations that were incomplete and incompetent. Coupled with the unacceptable verdict by the coroner, a concerned Malaysia group had called for a petition to demand Prime Minister Najib Razak to set up a royal commission to replace the current farce of the inquest and its verdict.

The Prime Minister had called for a RCI, but this group protests that it is not enough to set up the RCI only to limit its scope of investigation to find out whether the methods of questioning used by the MACC were aligned or contravened to Human Rights processes.

The petitioners want the RCI, to determine how did Beng Hock meet his death while in the Selangor MACC premises.

It is a petition to drive the message to the authorities that they should establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to establish how Beng Hock died while in Selangor MACC custody. He was asked to come in for questioning with MACC on July 15, 2009 in their premise, 14th floor. He went in alive, healthy and breathing, but after overnight ‘questioning’ he is found dead in the morning on the 5th floor landing.

The necessity of Selangor MACC in summoning Beng Hock to come in and to subject him to an interrogation just a day before he was getting married, over a paltry sum of RM2,400 was mind boggling to begin with. More important was the motives in bringing Beng Hock into that MACC office.

Other important questions are: What exactly was the briefing given to Selangor MACC officers before the raid on the office of Beng Hock’s employer on July 15, 2009? And just who gave the briefing to these investigating officers?

Beng Hock’s employer is the young upcoming DAP leader, Ean Yong Hian Wah, a Selangor State EXCO member and Seri Kembangan state assemplyperson.

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These group of petitioners appeal to all concerned Malaysians to join in their fight for justice for Beng Hock, and to ensure that the truth prevails. They stressed that this petition is not about politics. It is about custodial deaths and they are just seeking a solution.

For details of the petition, click PetitionOnline.

Video by R. Vijay Kumar, Citizen Journalist

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From Malaysiakini:
Najib: RCI will not probe cause of death

A royal commission of inquiry (RCI) has been established to probe whether Teoh Beng Hock’s human rights were violated when he was grilled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). “I promised on July 22, 2009, to set up the RCI. The terms of reference of RCI will be specific – to investigate MACC’s investigation procedures and whether it had violated human rights,” Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak told a press conference in Putrajaya January 7, 2011.

More news at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/152704

What’s an ‘Open Verdict’?

On January 5, 2011, after an 18 months period, the inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock’s death was concluded with the coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas returning an Open Verdict.

The coroner also ruled out suicide or homicide as the cause of his death.

The inquest which began on July 29, 2009 was to determine how Beng Hock died while in the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s custody.

Beng Hock was asked to come in for questioning with the MACC officers on July 15, 2009 in their premise at the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam. He was denied the liberty to have the presence of his lawyer during these eerie hours of the interrogation.

Mind you, Beng Hock’s registration of marriage was the next day.

He was healthy and alive when he went in, but after an overnight ‘questioning’ session, he is found dead on the 5th floor landing in the morning of July 16.

Baffled with the coroner, Azmil Muntapha’s verdict, Citizen Journalist R. Vijay Kumar spoke to several Pakatan Rakyat leaders, some of whom are also lawyers, to seek information. This video news was also compiled for the benefit of the common concerned Malaysians, especially those whom were following the court events.

Video by R. Vijay Kumar, Citizen Journalist

Are you satisfied with the investigation in Teoh Beng Hock’s death?

Gobind Singh Deo is challenging the Attorney-General’s chambers and the Royal Malaysian Police if they have been satisfied with the level of the investigation of the death of Teoh Beng Hock, a DAP political aide.

Gobind, who is also the DAP MP for Puchong, is the Lawyer for the family of the deceased.

Teoh, 30, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after overnight interrogation by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at its office on the 14th floor of the building.

The inquest, which began on July 29, 2009, has been fraught with controversy, with expert witnesses giving contradicting evidence on the circumstances of Teoh’s death.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas on January 5, 2011 had returned an open verdict into the death. He also ruled out suicide or homicide as the cause of death.

Video by R. Vijay Kumar, Citizen Journalist

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Adakah kamu puas dengan tahap siasatan kematian Teoh Beng Hock?

Gobind Singh Deo telah mencabar Peguam Negara dan Polis DiRaja Malaysia agar mereka puas dengan tahap siasatan kematian Teoh Beng Hock, seorang pembantu politik parti DAP.

Gobind, yang juga seorang Ahli Parliamen DAP kawasan Puchong, adalah peguam yang mewakili keluarga mendiang Teoh Beng Hock.

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Video from Malaysiakini.tv:

Two arrested in Black Democracy 2.0 march

The ‘Black Democracy 2.0′ march organised by PKR Youth outside Parliament today to protest the suspension of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and three other parliamentarians, was halted by the police and two protestors were arrested.

The detained are former PKR Youth information chief Lee Khai Loon, who is also the Council Member of Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, and Padang Serai PKR division information chief G. Pravin Nagapan, who is also the son of local parliamentarian N Gobalakrishnan.

They were brought to Dang Wangi police station for questioning. The two were later released at 6.00pm.

They were among the group of 20 PKR Youth members and supporters, led by its chief Shamsul Iskandar and Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff, who had initially planned to march from Parliament building to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) headquarters about 2km away.

The march was in protest of Parliament’s decision to deny Anwar Ibrahim his right of defence in the rights and privileges committee proceedings and the parliamentary motion that suspended his post for six months for claiming the government’s ’1Malaysia’ slogan was derived from ‘One Israel’ with the initiative of Apco.

Besides Anwar Ibrahim, three other opposition MPs including Azmin Ali (Gombak), R Sivarasa (Subang) and Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) were suspended for six months for criticising the rights and privileges committee.

Around 50 police and light strike force (LSF) members stopped the march about half way to their destination, warning that it was an illegal assembly under the Police Act.

The PKR Youth members maintained their democratic right to march peacefully and continued on their journey, resulting in a minor scuffle with the police and in the arrest of the two.

Lee Khai Loon explained that there was no public transport available at the premise to go to Suhakam as the police had cordoned the area. Thus the group had to walk, and that is when the harassment and arrest took place.

Lee also complained of the use of excessive force while under detention in one of the police trucks.

“I was pushed to the ground and my leg has injury and it hurts,” said Lee.

For more photographs, see Photo Gallery.

More detailed news at Malaysiakini, click here.

Brickfields’ Deepavali Bazaar Traders debacle

CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO: Brickfields’ Deepavali Bazaar debacle: DBKL’s charade

There is a brewing dispute regarding the rental charges for traders who set up baazars ahead of Deepavali at Brickfields.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Deputy Minister, M. Saravanan said that he had also received several complaints regarding the matter from the traders and assured both Pantai Lembah MP Nurul Izzah and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun that he was personally going to look into this issue.
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CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO: Brickfields’ Deepavali Bazaar debacle: The dispute

Pantai Lembah MP Nurul Izzah and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun discuss with the relevant associations and the press about the disputes regarding the Deepavali traders’ baazar prices ahead of the Deepavali festival on Oct 5, 2010.

Brickfields comes under the constituencies of both the MPs, separated by Jalan Tun Sambathan.
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CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO: Brickfields’ Deepavali Bazaar debacle: The traders speak

The traders voice out their opinion regarding the ongoing rental dispute for the baazars in Brickfields.
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Stall operators of Deepavali bazaar unhappy with allocation of lots

Note from Gobal Rajee (Pengerusi Persatuan Peniaga Kecil Bersatu India Kuala Lumpur/Brickfields) providing the breakdown to justify the said pricing to the traders.

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Small traders badly hit in the newly minted ‘Little India’

Article by Ram Anand

As the Deepavali festival looms closer, the petty traders around the newly minted Little India could only muster to hope that they will see a return of investment for setting up bazaars around Brickfields.

Even though the festive period normally provides cheer for the traders, they seem desolate and uncertain as the booth rental charges have now gone up the roof.

Some of the traders are now forced to fork out RM 2,400.00 per canopy, in times when the implementation of the one-way traffic has slowly driven away the regular hustle and bustle normally associated with Brickfields.

Furthermore, due to the ongoing construction works, most of them could not start trading on the date stipulated in their trading license. Most of them are supposed to start trading from October 5 to November 4 or November 5.

Many have only started trading later than October 10, some even as late as October 16.

If these shortcomings are not enough, the traders have been asked to close shops during the three-day visit of the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Little India – for which they are not being compensated.

“It is a question mark actually,” said trader Kalaiarasi Visvalingam, 25, when asked whether she believes she will see profit through her bazaar.

“Last year I managed to see profit because I only paid RM 500 for rental, but this year it has increased to RM800,” she added.

Another prevalent issue is that many of them are not given the receipt for their rental payment, and they could not confirm the profile of the person they hand over the payment to.

It is largely believed that the individuals collecting payment are not from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), who issued the licenses, but instead are individuals who belong to other organizations and associations.

“I understand that the city hall only charges RM250 per canopy, but the prices here are exorbitant and we are receiving a lot of complaints,” said chairperson of the Little India Action Committee S. Pathaa.

Pathaa urged the city hall to implement the same methods practiced in Klang, where the city council directly handed over the licenses to the stall operators and not through a third party.

The rental charges does not include electricity charges, which cost the traders an extra RM100 to RM150.

The Little India development project has been met with plenty of disgruntled voices of late, and KomunitiKini has already covered issues pertaining to the blind community, including the parking woes around the area.

Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar had been making many visits to the areas around the development project in order to highlight the problems plaguing the traders and others involved.

For more on Nurul Izzah’s visit, in Bahasa Melayu, by Fadzly Esa, click here.

For more on Brickfields’ traders’ and traffic woes, both stories by Leven Woon, click here and here.

For more on the affects the development has on the blind community in Brickfields, both stories by Leven Woon, click here and here.

Video by R. Vijay Kumar.

Batu Estate Debacle: Report lodged on DBKL

The residents of the former Batu Estate have lodged a police report on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and private developer, Mayland for possible corruption on the Batu Estate debacle.

The report was lodged on October 6 at the Sentul police station, questioning DBKL’s intervention in a land that is owned by a private developer, Mayland.

In the press conference at the residents’ quarters on October 7, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said that DBKL had set a very wrong precedent, and the legal tussle is still pending in the court of law. Lim said that he would meet Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Deputy Minister, M. Saravanan to highlight this episode on Monday Oct 11 when the Parliamentary session resume.

Saravanan, who is also a Vice President with the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) political party that represents the ethnic Indian Malaysians in the government, was also instrumental in the negotiation of the ex-Batu Estate workers with Mayland. The majority of the residents did not agree with the compensation deal he negotiated and proposed on behalf of Mayland, and had stressed that it was in contempt with the on-going legal suit.

Lim also advised the residents to lodge a complaint with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission – MACC (Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia – SPRM). The residents did as advised.

The residents also further lodged a similar complaint with the Public Complaints Bureau (Biro Pengaduan Awam), which comes under the Prime Minister’s Department.

According to the residents, DBKL had posted the eviction notices on the homes of the residents, which stated that the homes would be subject to demolition on October 13, 2010.

The mention date of the legal suit in the court is October 19, 2010.

More of the story below or click BATU ESTATE
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REPORTINGS AT OTHER NEWSPAPERS OF THE OCTOBER 7 DEMO ……..

Click here Staying put Residents say demolition notice unlawful

Star 2010-10-08:

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China Press 2010-10-08:

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Sin Chew Daily Press 2010-10-08

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Harian Tamil Malaysia Nanban 2010-10-08

BATU ESTATE DEBACLE: This news can be found at komunitikini

Article by Ram Anand, October 7, 2010

The residents of the former Batu Estate have lodged a police report on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and private developer, Mayland for possible corruption on the Batu Estate debacle.

The report was lodged yesterday morning at the Sentul police station, questioning DBKL’s intervention in a land that is owned by a private developer, Mayland.

According to the residents, DBKL had posted the eviction notices on the homes of the residents on October 5, 2010 which stated that the homes would be subject to demolition on October 13, 2010.

DBKL Officer paints demolition details on Oct. 5, 2010

The residents are currently embroiled in a court proceeding, where they are seeking a proper compensation before giving way for Mayland to carry on with their condominium development at the location.

The next court hearing is scheduled on October 19.

The former Batu Estate workers had started discussions in 1978 with Semantan Estate and Sri Hartamas Properties when the latter acquired the land from Semantan Estate.

On Wednesday February 18, 1981, this former Batu Estate workers entered into a tripartite agreement with Semantan Estate and Sri Hartamas Development Sdn Bhd.

According to the agreement, Sri Hartamas had promised to build low cost houses for the former estate workers on the very land it planned to develop.

The company have since formed a merger with a Hong Kong-based company, and after another merger bout, the land is currently under the ownership of Mayland.

According to the residents, Mayland however are denying being aware of the tripartite agreement, and are only willing to pay monetary compensation.

Following further negotiation, the residents are now being offered PPR flats with monetary compensation instead of the promised low cost houses.

They are now disgruntled with the treatment feted out even though a High Court order had in 2004 declared that the residents are not squatters as previously alleged by the company.

An injunction had also been filed in court previously, which means that no demolition should take place until the court had delivered the verdict for the case.

Meanwhile, several residents of the former Batu Estate had also been coaxed to accept their compensation offers without referring to their lawyer proper. Subsequently the house belonging to them has been demolished.

The residents are also displeased with what they perceive as an intimidation tactic employed by the developers.

Recently the developer had dug a trench across access road to the former estate, which is now clogged with rainwater.

Trench dug across one of the access roads, now clogged with rainwater

On Sept 23, the residents staged a peaceful picket near the Jalan Kuching roundabout, demanding Mayland to stop harassing them.

The residents have already filed two police reports prior to this regarding the alleged intimidating behavior by the agents and workers of Mayland.

Residents picket outside their village on Sept 23, 2010

The current tension regarding the issue suggests that all is not settled in spite of mainstream reports surfacing early this year that a settlement fee has been reached upon.

In January, Deputy Minister for Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing M.Saravanan had announced a compensation package of RM 30,000 for the former estate workers and RM 10,000 for the squatters who have moved in since then.

It is understood by KomunitiKini that a majority of the former estate workers have not accepted the said compensation package.

The residents have also expressed their dismay that Saravanan had conducted meeting regarding the issue at DBKL without informing the residents proper.

It had been reported previously that the residents have attended the meetings that Saravanan had arranged, while they currently claim most of them were absent as they were not notified of the meeting.

According to the residents, even their lawyer was absent during the meeting that was held by Saravanan.

A press conference has been scheduled by the residents later today, October 7, 2010 pertaining to this issue. Their Segambut MP, Lim Lip Eng is expected to be there.

The pictures above by R.Vijay Kumar, Citizen Journalist

Please refer to this article: Batu Estate residents: No conclusive deal thus sofar

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REPORTINGS AT OTHER NEWSPAPERS OF THE SEPTEMBER 23 DEMO ……..
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Star 2010-09-25

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Harian Tamil Malaysia Nanban 2010-09-24

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Sinar Harian 2010-09-24

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China Press 2010-09-24