Malaysiakini :: Letters

Jln Sultan: Is MCA minister subservient to SPAD?

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 12:30 AM PDT

Who is MCA trying to kid in the controversial acquisition of Petaling Street (Chinatown) land for the construction of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT)?

The MCA president Chua Soi Lek on Wednesday Aug 24, so proudly announced and promised that the 31 landowners on Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Sultan would be able to hold on to their property, after the government had agreed to reinforce their buildings and upon completion of the tunnelling beneath their shops allow the land to be returned to the owners.

However, in less than 24 hours, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairperson Syed Hamid Albar said the compulsory acquisition of the Jalan Sultan lots - where the KVMRT would run underground - was necessary because under land laws, landowners also owned the land that lies below ground.

"We have to do compulsory acquisition of the land. It means that subsequently, they have to alienate the land above," Syed Hamid told reporters after a memorandum of understanding signing with Puspakom Sdn Bhd on Thursday.

Syed Hamid added that although they were currently working on a solution to allow the traders to return to Chinatown, "there is no guarantee that it would eventually be returned to the owners".

This again, as in the past, shows what MCA leaders say are meaningless and just a "damage control exercise" whenever controversial issues afflicting the Chinese community arise.

In particular, can anyone really trust Chua to represent us?

In dealing with such issues since Merdeka, the MCA continues to dish out crap, never sticking its neck out for the Chinese community.

The biggest joke in this Chinatown issue is this: Why is the Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha keeping mum? Isn't he from MCA? Is the SPAD chairperson more powerful than Kong?

Of course the answer is that the Umno SPAD chairperson is more powerful. Kong is keeping mum because his useless ministerial position - rendered useless by Kong due to his inaction - is more important than the Chinese community.

If he objects, he will be removed by Umno, just like what happened to former MCA president Ong Tee Keat who foolishly knocked his head against the brick wall of the multi-billion-ringgit Port Klang Free Zone (PKF) financial scandal.

Kong, after taking office, displayed his 101 percent loyalty to the powers that be by immediately sweeping the PKFZ probe under the carpet, thus safeguarding his ministerial position.

Under such circumstances, do you really expect the dumb Kong or the MCA to defend the interests of the Chinese community or give a damn for a Chinese heritage zone?

It is really appalling to note that, of late, non-Umno ministers have been reduced to just puppets, toothless leaders who are completely subservient to Umno and the powers that be.

These ministers are powerless to Umno-formed and Umno-linked commissions, committees, boards, etc.

So Malaysians, isn't it crystal clear that it does not really make any difference whether there are MCA, Gerakan or MIC ministers after the next general election?

As for the Malays, only the cronies of Umno Malays will continue to prosper while the majority of Malays continue to struggle in poverty.

What is Merdeka without free and fair elections?

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 11:31 PM PDT

As we draw near to Merdeka Day, I begin to reflect on the real meaning of Merdeka. We may have gained independence from the British in 1957 but have we gained true freedom from our colonial masters?

Have we grown as a nation united with one common goal or vision? Or have we become more disunited since 1957, having lost our direction as to where we are heading to as an independent nation.

Despite 54 years of independence, are we really free when we have oppressive laws in place, such as the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Emergency Ordinance and The University and University Colleges Act (UUCA)?

For me, the real meaning of Merdeka is achieved when we have freedom to determine our destiny through a free and fair electoral system. As a young Malaysian, I realise the importance of being an agent of change, not because we want change for the sake of change, but because we want real change that will transform this nation to be an Asian tiger once again.

Many took part in the Bersih 2.0 rally because they know how unjust the Malaysian electoral system is. On July 9, Malaysians braved tear gas and water cannons because of their strong desire to see real change for a better Malaysia.

These are the true present generation of Merdeka warriors in the 21st century. It is simply incomprehensible that as a nation, we still have to rely on archaic laws, such as the recently used Emergency Ordinance on Malaysians who had no intent to declare war on His Majesty but merely to demand free and fair elections as a tax payer and as an ordinary citizen.

It is simply unacceptable for a modern nation like Malaysia to depend on such laws which are increasingly being used as a political tool for oppression to scare Malaysians into submission when they have done no wrong but merely to wish for a more transparent and corrupt free electoral system.

It is with this backdrop, that the BN government has clearly lost its moral authority to rule with their brutal crackdown on Bersih participants during both pre and post-July 9peaceful rally.

What moral authority does BN have when freedom of assembly and freedom of speech under the Federal Constitution is rendered meaningless? Instead, oppressive laws such as the Police Act are being used as a political tool to deny us of our basic human rights by giving flimsy and lame excuses such as protecting public safety and security.

We should not be cheated of our basic freedoms, but rather we must draw inspiration from the Bersih 2.0 rally when the true spirit of Merdeka was on display, when Malaysians from all races walked together hand in hand demanding free and fair elections.

These are the true Malaysians who have overshadowed the celebration of Merdeka Day this year.

Merdeka to me means freedom from fear, as well as freedom from oppression. It is a precious personal characteristic that we must have as ordinary Malaysians fighting for our basic freedom in determining our destiny as Malaysians.

If we truly love our country, we must take up the fight for freedom and justice in our land. The most basic fight for freedom now is for free and fair elections. It is only when this is achieved, that we can at last experience the real meaning and true spirit of Merdeka.

Kredit: www.malaysiakini.com

Jumaat, 26 Ogos 2011

Malaysiakini :: Letters

Malaysiakini :: Letters

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