You want a PAS-led Taliban Government?

No News Is Bad News

Which image do you want for Malaysia?

 

You want a PAS-led Taliban Government?

 KUALA LUMPUR (May 1, 2023): After the 15^th General Election (GE15), Malaysians found themselves without a Government as they had elected a split 222-seat Parliament.

What shocked Malaysians was the prospect of a PAS-led Taliban-like coalition Government being formed to govern the people (not Malaysians).

If that had happened, Malaysians only had themselves to blame for they made their choice through the ballots without serious consideration of the consequences for themselves and the country.

Post GE15 saw no single party winning a majority to form the Government. The main political blocks or coalitions are Pakatan Harapan (PH - comprising PKR, DAP, etc), Perikatan Nasional (PN - comprising Bersatu (The Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Malay: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), abbreviated BERSATU or PPBM, PAS, Gerakan, etc), Barisan Nasional (BN - comprising Umno, MCA, MIC, etc) and the Sabah-Sarawak block.

Malaysians were lucky to escape from the jaws of the Taliban-like PAS as it was unable to garner majority support from the 222 MPs. Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin had rejected the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King)'s invitation to form a coalition Government with PH or BN.

Muhyiddin was adamant in becoming the 10^th Prime Minister.

Why all these historical background? Because Malaysians are relatively fickle-minded .

So, it was really a close shave for Malaysians to fall into the clutches of the Taliban-like PAS because PH, BN and the Sabah-Sarawak block rejected PAS to be in the Government.

Now, let us be clear. None of the political parties or coalitions are angels, so to speak.

But it is always the case of choosing between " the devil and the deep blue sea"  or choosing "the devil that you know than the devil that you don't" when it comes to general elections. If you don’t make a right choice (not necessary to your liking), your future and rights are doomed for sure. And that is the reality of politics and life.

No News Is Bad News is making a comeback after going into hibernation on Dec 3, 2018. We are back because Malaysians need to unite and speak with one mind for their future and fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution - not under Taliban-like governments.

We, are therefore, focusing on the coming state elections. These are the states that did not dissolve their assembly to pave the way for GE15.

What is crucial in the coming state elections, likely in June or July, is that Malaysians must unite to elect a governments that protect Malaysians and their rights.

In so doing, they have no choice or alternative but to reject PAS outright.

To send PAS to oblivion, Malaysians are reminded that they too have to reject PAS allies - PN, Gerakan and Umno-MCA-MIC political frogs).

Of course, in electing your governments, there are two general considerations:

> ARE you electing MPs who protect and defend the rights of Malaysians? And

> ARE you electing MPs with potential and integrity to ensure good governance or at least provide reasonable level of check and balance to ensure the people’s money and wealth are used wisely and with 100% accountability.

We will not tell you what you we think on the above. We leave that to you to form your own conclusion and opinions.

You must ask yourself whether you think the assemblyman or MP you are electing truly has Malaysians at6 heart?

And, ask, whether spending RM92 billion (not million) during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic was justifiable, reasonable or realistic without any accountability thus far.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below three news reports to help jolt your political senses:

 

OMG! MUHYIDDIN & HADI’S SHADOW CABINET HAS ZERO CHINESE & INDIANS – ONLY ONE SABAHAN & ONE SARAWAKIAN – HOW MALAYSIAN IS THIS?

Business, Politics | February 3, 2023 9:14 pm by | 0 Comments

 

Ex-DAP MP: PN’s shadow cabinet dominated by one race, lacks inclusivity

 

Former Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai has expressed dismay over the composition of the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) shadow cabinet, pointing out that it is dominated by Malay-Muslims and lacks full representation.

“There is not even a single representative of the Chinese. There is not a single representative of Indians. Sabah has one person. Sarawak has one person.

 

“This doesn’t represent the racial composition and geography of Malaysia,” said Wong in a social media post today.

Wong served two terms as Air Itam state assemblyperson from 2008 to 2018 before taking over as Bukit Bendera MP for a single term.

PN is dominated by MPs from PAS and Bersatu and its shadow cabinet showed that.

Aside from opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin was named as “chief of PN MPs”, with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang as his deputy.

Putrajaya MP Mohd Radzi Jidin, a former education minister, was tasked to shadow both the Finance and Economy Ministries.

Bersatu’s Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah, a former foreign minister, was assigned to the Higher Education Ministry – a portfolio he helmed as a deputy minister from BN.

First-term Bersatu lawmakers named included Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, tasked to shadow the Communications and Digital Ministry, as well as Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal to oversee the Foreign Ministry.

From PAS, Bagan Serai MP Idris Ahmad was assigned the religious affairs portfolio, while Kubang Kerian MP Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man oversees the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry.

Sarakei MP Ali Biju and Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee stood out as the sole reps of their respective states.

MKINI

 

MACC probes RM92.5bil spent on Covid-19 management by PN govt

The anti-graft agency says it is waiting for a detailed breakdown on the monies spent from the finance ministry.

FMT Reporters - 09 Dec 2022, 1:39pm

 

MACC says a total of RM530 billion was allocated by the previous PN government but not all of it is being investigated.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission says its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds by the previous Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government is focused on the RM92.5 billion the government actually spent on Covid-19 management measures.

In a statement, MACC said the finance ministry has provided it with details on the breakdown of the funds under the economic stimulus packages in 2020 and 2021 related to Covid-19 management.

“Initial investigations found that an estimated RM530 billion was allocated. Based on that amount, RM92.5 billion involved government funds while RM437.5 billion was not government funds.

“The focus of MACC’s investigation is on the RM92.5 billion. The finance ministry is detailing the breakdown and will submit it to MACC next week,” it said.

On Tuesday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the agency had opened an investigation paper into the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion in funds by the Muhyiddin Yassin-led administration.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said the finance ministry had acknowledged several breaches involving the funds.

On Monday, Muhyiddin ridiculed the RM600 billion figure being thrown around by those in the government, saying he believed they were referring to the eight stimulus packages worth RM530 billion unveiled by him when he was prime minister.

He insisted that he had not misappropriated any of the funds and dismissed claims that there were leakages in the former PN government’s expenditure.

He said that the majority of the RM530 billion did not involve government expenditure, which included various Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal facilities, the reduction in EPF employee share statutory contribution rate, and loan moratoriums.

The PN chairman said his administration had only spent RM83 billion in fiscal injections up to June 2021, which he maintained was not misused. Muhyiddin resigned as prime minister in August 2021 after losing majority support.

In focus: Women in Afghanistan one year after the Taliban takeover

15 AUGUST 2022

 

One year ago, on 15 August 2021, the Taliban entered Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul and took control of the country.Over the past 12 months, human rights violations against women and girls have mounted steadily. Despite initial promises that women would be allowed to exercise their rights within Sharia law—including the right to work and to study—the Taliban has systematically excluded women and girls from public life.

In focus: Women in Afghanistan one year after the Taliban takeover

Women hold no cabinet positions in the de facto administration, which has also abolished the Ministry of Women’s Affairs—effectively eliminating women’s right to political participation. The Taliban has also banned girls from attending school past the sixth grade and barred women from working most jobs outside the home.

Restrictions on women’s movement and bodies continue to escalate. In May, the Taliban decreed that women must cover their faces in public and instructed them to remain in their homes except in cases of necessity. Women are banned from travelling long distances without a male chaperone, and unchaperoned women are increasingly being denied access to essential services.

 

Decades of progress on gender equality and women’s rights have been wiped out in mere months. We must continue to act together, united in our insistence on guarantees of respect for the full spectrum of women’s rights.”

— UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous

Stripped of their rights, under constant threat of violence, Afghan women and girls are relentlessly carrying on with their lives. For some, that means forming new civil society groups to address community needs; for others, it means re-opening their businesses and going back to work. For all, it is an act of unseen, unheard bravery.

One year after the takeover, we’re sharing stories of women in Afghanistan today, written in their own words. These mostly anonymous first-hand accounts capture the fear, anger, and profound sense of loss that pervade the daily lives of Afghan women—as well as the resilience with which they continue to live them.

For more details, go to https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/08/in-focus-women-in-afghanistan-one-year-after-the-taliban-takeover 

Hello fellow Malaysians!

No News Is Bad News

 

Hello fellow Malaysians!

KUALA LUMPUR (May 2, 2023): Hello fellow Malaysians! We are back after going into hibernation on Dec 3, 2018.

We feel the need to make a return to keep Malaysians wary of the political developments unfolding in Malaysia the past decade.

There is a serious need to get all Malaysians alert of the developments that influence their future and Constitutional rights.

We have reached a political state in which no Malaysian can afford to ignore their rights to help shape their and the country’s future.

It is no more tenable to say, “I am apolitical, and I do not care about politics because it is not my cup of tea. I do not care to vote because the candidates are all useless or not to my liking.”

Whether you like it or not, the results of General Election 15 (GE15) showed how drastically it affected all Malaysians and their children and generations to come - irrespective of whether you did or did not cast your ballots.

And the future of Malaysians and Malaysia are in the hands of all Malaysians and there is no one else to blame on the outcome and consequences of general elections (GEs).

In making a choice in any election, it is crucial to consider:

> DEFENDING the Constitution and your rights; and

> GOOD governance (level depends on those elected).

Yes, it is always a choice of choosing the devil or the deep blue sea when it comes to elections. But that is reality that we cannot afford to ignore anymore.

No News Is Bad News remains committed to highlighting important political developments and socio-economic issues that affects all Malaysians.

Long Live Malaysians!

No funds for TARC exposes MCA as a party of low-down liars with only an agenda for themselves?

Facebook pic.
Why the Chinese hate MCA and BN
FMT
February 23, 2018 7:42 PM
By Sebastian Loh
Poor MCA. The party’s leaders have been wearing their best game faces as the general election approaches, apparently confident that they’ll make gains. But even if MCA president Liow Tiong Lai suddenly discovers the cure for cancer, they’re almost certain to be wiped out. The reason: Chinese people are mad as hell and hungry for change … for more, go to https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/02/23/why-the-chinese-hate-mca-and-bn/ 

No funds for TARC exposes MCA as a party of low-down liars with only an agenda for themselves?

Like UMNO, the MCA is just another party of devious manipulative lying leaders.

Recently, the MCA has been using its mouthpiece - The Star - to spin news demonising the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government, especially Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng for stopping the annual allocations for the MCA-controlled Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARC).

That is a plain lie or spinning and twisting facts to suit MCA’s political agenda.

The fact is it was the now deposed racist Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government that had stopped the annual allocations for TARC in Budget 2018 (when BN was still in power).

And the MCA was as meek as mouse when this was raised by the then DAP Rasah MP Teo Kok Seong in November 2017.

The then Education Minister Idris Jusoh, when asked about the exclusion, said the government would look into the matter.

So, why is the MCA and The Star not stating this fact in its news spins?

And, is the DAP, Teo and Lim any better on this issue? Teo had defended TARC’s “right” for federal allocations? So, what is DAP and Lim’s stand now?

It sure looks like Teo is a “nobody” in DAP and that he was only speaking for himself?

Or, is it that Lim did not dare to raise this fact because the BN had in some point of time between November and May 9 (14th General Election) quietly reallocated the annual fund for TARC?

Whatever, both MCA and Lim need to clarify the facts? Did TARC get the funds or not after Budget 2018 was tabled?

However, No News Is Bad News’ stand on the allocation of annual funds is plain political and discriminatory - TARC should never have been given such funds. Why?

TARC is just another private institution of higher learning. It was given special treatment and got the funds just because it was set up by MCA - with millions of Ringgit in donations from Malaysians - of which it was part of the super corrupt ruling BN regime.

And now the MCA is demanding such discriminatory treatment for TARC to be continued by the PH federal government?

Discriminatory? Yes! Our stand is this: If TARC is to be given such funds, then all private institutions of higher learning nationwide should also get such funds too!

The new low-down MCA president Wee Ka Siong has claimed that TARC would suffer higher tuition fees if the funds are not reinstated.

Really? It was revealed that TARC had multi-million ringgit in savings to keep TARC going! So, why the need to raise fees?

So, is TARC just another revenue-generating machine for MCA? Bollocks to MCA’s claim from Day 1 that TARC was set up to help educate Malaysian children!

If Wee and MCA are truly defending TARC and the benefit of its students, then why can’t it give up control of TARC to the federal government and let it become a public university for Malaysians?

Of course MCA and Wee cannot give up the goose that lay the golden eggs! Right?

And, the MCA is now also lamenting and whining about all other MCA-controlled money spinning “machines” like Kojadi and others for not getting annual allocations from the PH federal government.

And that is why MCA must give up control of TARC and The Star so that integrity and public confidence can be restored.

So, MCA and Wee - Go Fly A Kite with your whining!

Here are the related news reports on the issue:

"MP shocked govt has stopped funding TARC

Michael Murty
November 29, 2017 1:13 PM

Rasah MP Teo Kok Seong has criticised the government for not allocating funds to the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

KUALA LUMPUR: It is shocking that not a single sen has been allocated to Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARC) under Budget 2018, the DAP’s Rasah MP Teo Kok Seong said.

He said this was especially difficult to comprehend as TARC was an MCA-founded institution, and had been receiving allocations prior to this.

He said TARC was allocated RM60 million in 2015, RM51 million in 2016 and RM30 million in 2017, but was not allocated a single sen in the 2018 Budget.

“As a former student of TARC, I feel extremely disappointed by this,” he said at a press conference in parliament here today.

He said although he was not from the MCA, he felt the need to ask the government why it had excluded the institution from funding.

“It is sad that no MCA leader has publicly spoken out about this. It is impossible that all MCA leaders, ministers and deputy ministers do not know about the exclusion, which required me to bring it up in parliament.

“The top leadership of MCA has to answer why this exclusion has occurred without their knowledge. Have they not gone through Budget 2018?

“What is the use of the party having three ministers and three deputy ministers if they fail to ensure the college that they founded receives funding from the federal government?” asked Teo.

Education Minister Idris Jusoh, when asked about the exclusion, said the government would look into the matter. - FMT

Guan Eng: UTAR, TAR UC must be separated from MCA before getting more govt money

NATION

Wednesday, 21 Nov 2018
9:55 PM MYT
by martin carvalho, hemananthani sivanandam, and rahimy rahim

File photo of UTAR's Faculty of Business and Finance in Kampar, Perak.

KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has insisted that MCA should break off ties with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) before the government provides more allocations for the two institutions.

"I would advise that next year, we will consider (more allocations) but at the same time, we want to be sure that there is a clear separation between education and politics.

"Both UTAR and TAR UC must not be owned by MCA," said Lim in his winding-up speech for his ministry on Budget 2019.

He was replying to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong who queried why the government had slashed funds for the two institutions.

Dr Wee pointed out that the government had merely provided a RM5.5mil development fund for UTAR and TAR UC, but had not provided any matching grant.

Lim said that there could be a different forms of allocations for both the institutions if they were not owned by MCA.

He reiterated that politics and education needed to be separated.

"This is a brave decision made by my officers and I will support their decision.

"We cannot give matching grants to all schools, this would mean an outflow of money which we cannot bear," he said, explaining the reason for only providing the development fund but not the matching grant.

Dr Wee, however, argued that the matching grants were vital as it would help ensure lower student fees were charged by both institutions.

Lim insisted that MCA had a RM2bil fund, to which Dr Wee rebutted, saying that both Utar and TarUC were developed through public and government funds.

Dr Wee said that the institutions spent RM100mil to develop campuses in Sabah and Pahang without asking for government assistance.

Lim however later asked if MCA had received funds from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), to which Dr Wee said no.

"As far as I know, no," said Dr Wee.

Lim said it is best that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigate the matter.

"If you still deny that MCA did not receive funds from 1MDB, then let MACC investigate," said Lim.

Dr Wee then questioned the relevance of linking 1MDB to the education fund.

"Why are you mixing the issue of 1MDB and the universities," he asked.

Lim then became defensive and said: "You can hentam (bash) me in the Chinese media that I am anti-Chinese. Never mind."

"I am ready to accept because this is the principle of financial management that the government needs to uphold," said Lim. - The Star"

The racist Umno-led BN and PAS too cannot change their spots

The historic handshake that triggered the fall of the mighty racist Umno-led BM

 https://youtu.be/gEGOuLJ5LRo (VIDEO: Anwar Ibrahim’s full speech at the Congress on future of Bumiputras & Nation)

The racist Umno-led BN and PAS too cannot change their spots

For 60 years, the racist Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS have been playing the racist and religious cards to divide Malaysians for political power.

Even after being soundly rejected by the majority law-abiding cum peace-loving Malaysians in the May 9 14th General Election (GE14), both Umno and PAS continue to play both the divide and rule political cards.

Lately, various quarters, through various media tools and organisations, have been claiming in their news reports of a Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Dr M)-Anwar Ibrahim 2.0 rift or fallout.

Such reports have been posted by the suspected CIA-backed news portal Malaysia Chronicle (MC). And also the London-based now super racist political hatchet-man-for-hire Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK) of the infamous Malaysia-Today (MT) fame.

Yes, both MC and MT subscribe to the same political strategy as BN and PAS to serve their political masters or agenda - divide and rule to weaken any administration.

For Malaysians who voted for change, thus giving the Pakatan Harapan (PH) the opportunity to rule Malaysia for a term or five years, the so-called Dr M-Anwar rift is becoming a bore and irritant.

At 93, Dr M is certainly running out of time to change or undo the damage done to Malaysians, especially the Malays, and Malaysia.

If or when Anwar succeeds Dr M, he will certainly have more time in his hands to change or reform Malaysia, socially, economically and politically.

But, there are already much rumblings and frustrations being voiced by Malaysians who are impatiently demanding change by PH.

To such Malaysians, may we at No News Is Bad News remind them: Rome was not built in a day.

Do you think it is that easy to dismantle the damage inflicted on Malays, Malaysians and Malaysia by the Umno-led BN and PAS?

An appropriate description of politicians?

There is no need for this blog to list out the changes that had been initiated by PH since GE14 - it is open for all to see.

Yes, there is still much more that need to be done or undone by PH to satisfy Malaysians and Malaysia - especially the divide-and-rule Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy) installed by Umno through Alliance and then BN since Merdeka (Independence) 1958.

The Umno-led BN and PAS are still lurking in Malaysia’s political arena and the Dr M-Anwar 2.0 combo need to tread with extreme caution in seeking national reforms.

Dr M-Anwar needs to consider the current and changing sentiments of the Malays, while initiating national change and reforms, so Ketuanan Melayu sentiments are not unnecessary ruffled to the advantage of Umno and PAS.

To the impatient Malaysians who are rooting for and demanding change from the PH leadership, we reiterate: Rome was not built in a day, neither can the Umno-led BN and PAS change their spots - a label that is often pinned on Anwar.

Yes, during the Abim and Umno days, Anwar used to say different things to different audiences.

But he is doing much less of that in public speaking. We republish, yet again, the above video clip for you to form your own judgment of Anwar.

The video clip was shot at a 100% Malay audience.

Isn’t this about change for Malaysians and Malaysia?

Malaysia is 8th worst country for freedom of thought - Say a big 'Thank you' to racist Umno-led BN’s 61-year rule!

(An officer canes a woman who violated strict Syariah laws. Source: AP
Brunei, M’sia, Indonesia rated region’s worst violators of rights, religious freedom
By A. Azim Idris | 8th December 2016 | @AzimIdrisHybrid
MUSLIM-MAJORITY Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been listed as the region’s worst freedom of thought defenders in a 2016 report released by the International Humanist Ethical Union (IHEU). The Freedom of Thought Report published on Tuesday rated the three as countries where “grave violations” of rights and the treatment of the non-religious occur. “Grave violations” is the last on a list of five categories, and is the worst rating to be given to the countries surveyed. The other categories are “free and equal”, followed by “mostly equal”; “systemic discrimination”; and “severe discrimination”. The report noted that both Brunei and Malaysia have threatened the death sentence for apostasy, while Indonesia enforces lengthy prison terms for those convicted of “criticising” religion …for more, go to https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/12/brunei-msia-indonesia-rated-regions-worst-violators-rights-religious-freedom/
https://www.facebook.com/iheunion/videos/352033285542647/ 

Malaysia is 8th worst country for freedom of thought - Say a big 'Thank you' to racist Umno-led BN’s 61-year rule!

Malaysians have only the racist Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) governments to "thank" for the 8th worst country for freedom “honour”.

For 61 years, the BN federal government that was re-elected 13 terms before it was given the boot in the 14th General Election last May 9, have been using the racial and religious cards to cling on to power.

With the MCA, MIC and Gerakan working in cahoots with Umno, race and religion were exploited to the hilt by Umno to cling on to political and governing power with rural, especially Malay, support.

The Umno-led BN’s political folly just was not sustainable in a multi-racial multi-religious country like Malaysia - it was just a matter of time before the majority of progressive peace-loving Malaysians will muster enough courage to say “enough is enough”.

That, they did. Today, they have rejected and given the Umno-led BN the boot with Malaysians crying out and heralding in a New Malaysia.

But, will the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government and its leaders have the political will and courage to dump the politics of race and religion?

Time will surely tell … in a decade or so? Read on for the details of Malaysia’s dubious global honour:

"Malaysia is eighth worst country for freedom of thought, just above UAE, Pakistan

Published 3 days ago on 31 October 2018
By Zurairi AR

According to a report, Malaysia is ranked the 8th worst country for freedom of thought. ― Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 ― Malaysia was ranked the eighth worst country for freedom of thought, placing 189th among 196 countries worldwide in the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s (IHEU) Freedom of Thought Report 2018 published yesterday.

The report pointed out that the ten worst-performing countries uniquely share “a conservative vision of Islam is deeply embedded in the legal framework”, where the legislation is either entirely or partly derived from religious laws or authorities.

“Both Malaysia and Pakistan are among the countries which have suffered specific apparent anti-atheist and anti-‘blasphemy’ violence in recent years,” said the report.

However, it noted that that there is “a few signals of hope” the worst-performing countries, such as the regime change in Malaysia following the 14th general election.

Malaysia ranked only slightly better than these countries: Saudi Arabia (196th and last place), Iran (195), Afghanistan (194), the Maldives (193), Pakistan (192), the United Arab Emirates (191), and Mauritania (190).

The list was jointly-topped by Belgium, the Netherlands, and Taiwan which received perfect score.

Among highlighted new issues that have cropped since last year were the teachings of violent topics in Islamic education, and the still unresolved matter of child marriages in the country.

The report also noted “increased discrimination, harassment and violent hate crime against the LGBT community” during Pakatan Harapan’s first 100 days in power, including the joint raid on alleged gay club Blue Boy in Kuala Lumpur.

It also highlighted the Shariah caning sentence against the single mother in Terengganu for offering sex work.

Responding to the report, advocacy group Malaysian Atheists and Secular Humanists (MASH) said that “religious-fueled intolerance, supplemented by hostile and violent sentiments from both state and non-state actors in recent years, have only increased in intensity”.

“Atheists and other minority groups, especially the LGBTQI+ community, are often forcibly stripped of their right to freedom of expression, being needlessly assailed by onslaughts of vitriol online and offline. Many go into hiding to avoid persecution,” its media officer Amelia Han said in a separate statement.

Starting out in 2012, the report is a worldwide survey of discrimination and persecution against humanists, atheists and the non-religious.

It is prepared from submissions received from experts, relevant parties, and members of IHEU, a worldwide umbrella of humanist, atheist, secular and similar organisations.

Last year, Malaysia was singled out and listed among seven countries worldwide that practise “active persecution” of the non-religious, following a so-called “hunt” against atheists starting earlier that year.

"

Malaysia and South East Asia: Freedom of Expression and Information

May 7, 2014

ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

1. Most important 5 case law related to expression and information and why?

When understanding the nature of freedom of expression and information in Malaysia, it is important to note that almost all cases relating to freedom of expression have a central theme of not offending the 3 “R”s. The 3 “R”s refer to the issue of Race, Religion and Royalty. So long as any media organisation, politician or individual steers clear of the 3 “R”s, they will not attract any prosecution. Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of expression but in reality laws have been passed to curtail this freedom. Article 10 makes specific reference to the government’s ability to curtail this freedom. Some of the offending Acts of Parliament include:

A. SEDITION ACT

B. PRINTING PRESSES AND PUBLICATIONS ACT

C. COMMUNICATIONS AND MULTIMEDIA ACT … for more, go to https://globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu/publications/malaysia-and-south-east-asia-freedom-of-expression-and-information/

Proof of America’s freedom of speech and expression bullshit!

Members of the Westboro Baptist church stage a protest across the street from a school in Maryland. The church can continue to picket military funerals following a supreme court ruling. Photograph: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images
The freer the speech, the stronger the democracy
Tom Rogan
Europe could learn from the US supreme court Snyder v Phelps decision: free speech is the best defence against extremism
Fri 4 Mar 2011 20.16 GMTFirst published on Fri 4 Mar 2011 20.16 GMT
On Wednesday, in an 8-1 ruling the US supreme court affirmed the first amendment's enduring protection of free speech. While in its narrow result the court's ruling found for a fringe group of religious extremists over a family already burdened by the greatest loss, Snyder v Phelps was correctly decided (pdf). In doing so, the court sharpened the distinctions between rights to freedom of speech in the United States and in Europe. Following recent first amendment cases including, for example, United States v Grace, which held protests on public land as principally protected, and Rankin v McPherson, which held that a public employee was wrongly fired for remarking that she hoped President Reagan would be assassinated, the court's holding was a strong affirmation for first amendment stare decisis. Writing the majority opinion, Chief Justice Roberts noted the late Justice Brennan's words in the landmark case Texas v Johnson (which held anti-flag burning legislation to be unconstitutional): … for more, go to https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/mar/04/freedom-of-speech-us-constitution-and-civil-liberties 

Proof of America’s freedom of speech and expression bullshit!

Malaysians who continuously whine for greater freedom of speech and expression and look to the US as the global role-model for democracy, well eat your heart out!

The US government has, about two weeks ago, shut down Gab (Gab.com), the Americans’ alternative to Facebook.

To those who blindly worship the US as God or Saints and think the US can do no wrong, what have you to say about this?

Still support the US’ global China-bashing agenda? So, is the US sincerely defending freedom of speech and democracy when it batters China, accusing the Communists of lack of human rights and democracy?

You be the judge and form your own conclusions. Read the following message from Gab.com CEO Andrew Torba and rethink about the US if you wish. The way to Make America Great Again?:

"Gab has spent the past 48 hours proudly working with the DOJ and FBI to bring justice to an alleged terrorist. Because of the data we provided, they now have plenty of evidence for their case. In the midst of this Gab has been no-platformed by essential internet infrastructure providers at every level. We are the most censored, smeared, and no-platformed startup in history, which means we are a threat to the media and to the Silicon Valley Oligarchy.

Gab isn’t going anywhere.

It doesn’t matter what you write. It doesn’t matter what the sophist talking heads say on TV. It doesn’t matter what verified nobodies say on Twitter. We have plenty of options, resources, and support. We will exercise every possible avenue to keep Gab online and defend free speech and individual liberty for all people.

You have all just made Gab a nationally recognized brand as the home of free speech online at a time when Silicon Valley is stifling political speech they disagree with to interfere in a US election.

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Shut down by the US government! Making America Great Again?

PH Penang government into its 3rd term … it will be a folly to take Penangites’ support for granted!

Pix for representational purpose only.
Chronology of landslides in Penang since 2017
Posted on 20 October 2018 - 11:36am
Last updated on 20 October 2018 - 01:48pm
GEORGE TOWN: Following is a series of landslides which occurred Penang in 2017 and 2018.
>> Sept 21 2017: Penang is hit by flash floods and heavy rain causing landslides and trees toppling in Jalan Tun Sardon-Jalan Bukit Baru, Paya Terubong resulting in the closure of several main roads to Balik Pulau and George Town.
>> Oct 21 2017: A landslide strikes an affordable housing project construction site in Lengkok Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah at about 8.57am. The incident claims the lives of 11 workers comprising a local, five Bangladeshis, two Indonesians, two Myanmar and a Pakistani after they were buried by earth from the landslide on a hill side.
>> Oct 5 2017: Continuous rain for almost 17 hours coupled with strong winds causes dozens of roads to be closed to traffic, while thousands of houses were inundated, hundreds of trees fell and landslides occured in several areas claiming seven lives.
More than one hundred landslides occurred in Penang Hill causing the railway service to the peak to be closed for a month.
>> Jan 5 2018: Heavy rain causes flash floods in 50 areas in the state as well as a landslide at a pepper farm in Tanjung Bungah resulting in four people being evacuated due to the landslide.
>> Oct 11 2018: Heavy rain and strong winds bring down 14 concrete beams measuring 25m each, collapsing on the hill side in the Bukit Kukus project.
>> Oct 19 2018: Rain lasting more than 10 hours results in a landslide at the Bukit Kukus project site for the paired road construction site linking Paya Terubong to Relau.
Three people have been confirmed dead following this latest incident. — Bernama/theSun

Above: Natural disasters or man (developer)-made disasters? Is the PH Penang government, into its third-term of governance, going about with BN’s business as usual in property development, giving excessive priority to private developers?

PH Penang government into its 3rd term … it will be a folly to take Penangites’ support for granted!

There is absolutely no such thing as honeymoon anymore for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Penang government which is ruling for a third term.

The new Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, a former Chinese newspaper journalist, should know well not to allow his government become arrogant and ignore the pleas of Penangites.

Just like what his state exco in charge of housing, the Jagdeep ‘Talk Cock’ Singh Deo, who is now arrogantly ignoring the pleas of Majestic Heights (MH) house buyers, the state government is doing the same with the many environmental issues - mostly related to over development.

Like the previous garbage Barisan Nasional (BN) state government, the PH is continuing with business as usual like the BN - giving excessive leeway to developers who care a damn for environmental safety issues.

No News Is Bad News has in the past three blog postings highlighted the issues related to the Majestic Heights mixed township project that was abandoned in 2001.

Jagdeep had in a meeting with MH victims on Jan 12, 2016 assured the Persatuan Penduduk Taman Terubong Indah (TIMH) PPM-029-07-28012016, representing 212 buyers, “That is not a problem!” with regards to waiving the state’s affordable housing scheme conditions.

Today, after being elected for a third term in office, he is avoiding and ignoring the pleas of the MH victims who had been waiting for their dream home for some 20 years, fair treatment and justice.

Do the victims deserve such a treatment from the so-called New Malaysia PH state government that is only prolonging their misery?

Read these previous blog postings for context:
https://victorlim2016.blogspot.com/2018/10/this-is-how-shitty-penang-state.html (This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!)
https://victorlim2016.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-mind-boggling-penang-ph-government.html (A mind-boggling Penang PH government and the 20-year abandoned Majestic Heights housing project)
https://victorlim2016.blogspot.com/2018/10/not-so-majestic-after-all-20-year-woes.html (Not so majestic after all … 20-year woes of house buyers and a simply unreliable and uncaring Penang PH government)

Will he have the political will to lead and whip his state executive councillors to serve the rakyat?

There is a limit to the political patience of Penangites who have changed their state government twice due to ruling coalitions’ failure to respond to the rakyat (people) and, provide good and sincere government service.

Chow is reminded about Penang’s political and electoral history.

If Penangites can kick out the Alliance-MCA state government, replacing it with the then Opposition Gerakan in 1969 and then again giving the boot to Gerakan in the 12th General Election (GE12) in 2008, there is nothing to prevent them from doing the same to the current DAP-led PH Penang government.

So, no more honeymoon. Start responding to Penangites’ pleas and concerns! You are elected to govern and serve the rakyat!

The site that was abandoned by Majestic Heights Sdn Bhd for some 20 years and is today revived and re-branded as The Stone state affordable housing project.


Three members of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia will be part of the team probing the landslide which killed nine in Penang on Oct 19. (Bernama pic)