19-09-2008:
Review ISA, says Koh
by Regina William
PENANG: While welcoming the cabinet's decision to proceed with the formulation of a Race Relations Act, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has emphasised on the need to substantially amend the Internal Security Act (ISA) or to replace it with a more specific act on national security and anti-terrorism, as proposed by Suhakam.
Koh said incidents over the past two years had shown that while the Malaysian society may have become more integrated in many aspects, there were still elements of extremism, racism or sheer opportunism which played on racial and religious issues for publicity and self promotion.
"At the same time, members of the public at large have become increasingly more sensitive and critical against such irresponsible behaviours that hurt feelings, cause uneasiness and evoke sentiments.
"There is a greater determination for zero tolerance," Koh said in a statement.
He said Gerakan had set up a special taskforce to prepare a memorandum to the Cabinet in relations to the proposed National Unity Act, amendment or abolition of ISA and amendments to other related acts.
The taskforce will be headed jointly by two vice presidents, namely Datuk Dr S Vijayaratnam who is also the chairman of Gerakan's International and Inter-ethnic Relations Bureau, and Datuk Chang Ko Youn who is the Central Legal Bureau chairman.
Koh also stressed that the proposed Race Relations Act should cover a more comprehensive scope, to be more appropriately called the National Unity Act, which will promote inter-ethnic, inter-religious understanding and harmony, besides inter-ethnic relations.
At the same time, Koh said there must be clear provisions for stringent deterrents to penalise those who intentionally threaten national unity and inter-group harmony.
A special tribunal and other appropriate dispute resolution mechanism, such as mediation, should also be set up to specifically handle such cases, he added.
Showing posts with label Gerakan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gerakan. Show all posts
Friday, 19 September 2008
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Why Voter Will NOT VOTE BN. - Koh Tsu Koon
Exclusive Interview (by SinChew Daily) With The acting Gerakan President: Woman Thanks Koh But Will Not Vote For The BN
Gerakan Acting President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon told the following example in the 10 Mar BN meeting. The example is very simple, but the BN top management felt very shocked and thinks that it is indeed unreasonable.
This is the story:
During the elections campaign, Koh went to campaign in Batu Lanchang market.
A woman took the initiative to approach him and thank him for helping her daughter for an interview opportunity for the Public Service Department scholarship.
“That's good. You should then vote for us!” Koh was pleased and said.
However, the woman answered him that “I will not vote for you!”.
Koh was really shocked and asked her the reason.
The woman explained that even though she would like to thank Koh for his help in fighting for an interview opportunity for her daughter, but when her daughter went for the interview and waited outside the room, the registration official told her that: “You are wasting your time for coming here. You will not get it, because we have designated the recipients.”
The woman said angrily that her daughter was almost fainted, and couldn't say a word during the interview session. Her daughter cried when she came back. Then, the woman and her daughter told the people everywhere about the experience.
Koh said that he was speechless. How he is going to answer that?
“This frustrated example highlights the actions of hegemony and extreme racism. It can be seen at every level, including the government, politicians and officials.
“In such circumstances, how can we get the support from the people? The people will put all blames on the government and the BN component parties of the attitude of the officials and the way they speak.
He said that, particularly in the enforcement process, once the law enforcement officers are of other races, the people would regard it as racial bias. This is the matter over many years and the BN must reform comprehensively, from its thinking, policies and style.
He said that the BN should truly reflect the multiracial concept and return to its original spirit, while fully implement its four major purposes.
Therefore, Koh said the BN's reform should start from the BN itself and all its members. The largest component party must take the greatest responsibility. Of course, each component party should assume some responsibility.
“Secondly, the BN should be on a level playing field. The sign of the BN is a scale. A scale should be fair, and not a distortion.”
Koh said it should be co-responsibility, instead of power-sharing in the BN.
“I do not like to share political power, because it gives the feeling of greediness. However, in the past, the people indeed feel the unfairness of this BN scale. The word “negotiation” has also give a negative impression.”
Nevertheless, Koh said that they have been internally addressing a lot of policy bias, but maybe it is “not enough”. After all, everyone is very busy with their government affairs.
“In the past, the problems would be left aside once they have been solved. It is just like firefighter, where they put out fire at the place it occurs. They are lacking of systematic as well as do not have a strong and effective policy implementation. Therefore, the recent election results have given a great shock to the BN.”
He said he was surprised that the Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mamud has strongly emphasised the importance of multiracial during the BN Supreme Council meeting. He is very much in agreement with the suggestion, as it is consistent with Gerakan's concept.
The following article was extracted from:-
(Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew 2008.05.07
Gerakan Acting President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon told the following example in the 10 Mar BN meeting. The example is very simple, but the BN top management felt very shocked and thinks that it is indeed unreasonable.
This is the story:
During the elections campaign, Koh went to campaign in Batu Lanchang market.
A woman took the initiative to approach him and thank him for helping her daughter for an interview opportunity for the Public Service Department scholarship.
“That's good. You should then vote for us!” Koh was pleased and said.
However, the woman answered him that “I will not vote for you!”.
Koh was really shocked and asked her the reason.
The woman explained that even though she would like to thank Koh for his help in fighting for an interview opportunity for her daughter, but when her daughter went for the interview and waited outside the room, the registration official told her that: “You are wasting your time for coming here. You will not get it, because we have designated the recipients.”
The woman said angrily that her daughter was almost fainted, and couldn't say a word during the interview session. Her daughter cried when she came back. Then, the woman and her daughter told the people everywhere about the experience.
Koh said that he was speechless. How he is going to answer that?
“This frustrated example highlights the actions of hegemony and extreme racism. It can be seen at every level, including the government, politicians and officials.
“In such circumstances, how can we get the support from the people? The people will put all blames on the government and the BN component parties of the attitude of the officials and the way they speak.
He said that, particularly in the enforcement process, once the law enforcement officers are of other races, the people would regard it as racial bias. This is the matter over many years and the BN must reform comprehensively, from its thinking, policies and style.
He said that the BN should truly reflect the multiracial concept and return to its original spirit, while fully implement its four major purposes.
Therefore, Koh said the BN's reform should start from the BN itself and all its members. The largest component party must take the greatest responsibility. Of course, each component party should assume some responsibility.
“Secondly, the BN should be on a level playing field. The sign of the BN is a scale. A scale should be fair, and not a distortion.”
Koh said it should be co-responsibility, instead of power-sharing in the BN.
“I do not like to share political power, because it gives the feeling of greediness. However, in the past, the people indeed feel the unfairness of this BN scale. The word “negotiation” has also give a negative impression.”
Nevertheless, Koh said that they have been internally addressing a lot of policy bias, but maybe it is “not enough”. After all, everyone is very busy with their government affairs.
“In the past, the problems would be left aside once they have been solved. It is just like firefighter, where they put out fire at the place it occurs. They are lacking of systematic as well as do not have a strong and effective policy implementation. Therefore, the recent election results have given a great shock to the BN.”
He said he was surprised that the Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mamud has strongly emphasised the importance of multiracial during the BN Supreme Council meeting. He is very much in agreement with the suggestion, as it is consistent with Gerakan's concept.
The following article was extracted from:-
(Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew 2008.05.07
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