Failure to act on complaint

\In the course of my social and political work, I used to receive complaints from members of the public that some law enforcement agencies and municipal councils failed to take action of their complaints. We have entrusted our rights to them and these agencies at times failed us and it was always very annoying. However, we need to understand that not all complaints could be acted upon, unless the law allows them to be acted upon. For example, some who made complaints just wanted the police to make immediate arrest of an offender or suspect, but, police officers normally could not proceed immediately to arrest unless the complaints involved seizable offences where arrests could be made without warrants of arrest. If warrants are needed, applications need to be made to the local magistrate before an arrest could be conducted. This may need a bit of time. Many times, when there were delays to execute arrests, the police, due to the ignorance of the public, were always wrongly blamed.

If a municipality is concerned, to be fair, we need to ensure that the matter of our complaint falls within the area or jurisdiction of the bandaraya or municipality concerned and we also need to ensure that the bandaraya or municipality also has the power to act on the complaint.

However, government agencies could not simply ignore our complaints lightly and if they do this, we can bring them to court if the acts or omission complained of are within their power to act and of which they are legally obligated to act.

The police, for example, when complaints involved cases of trespass to land or serious vandalism to property, the police in order to avoid or in order to decline not to proceed with the investigation would tell the complainant that the complaint was a civil matter and that the matter could only be brought to the civil court and that the police had no power to conduct an investigation. If such an excuse does happen, then, it would not be a proper course of action because the law requires the police to investigate a complaint that is serious in nature once lodged.

Therefore, the Bakun folks who recently lodged police complaints against criminal trespass to their native lands and property by officers of a government department should go further to seek court’s intervention to act against the officers of the government department concerned.

For the Bakun folks who had lived on their lands for the past 130 years, there are circumstances that warrant them as complainants or aggrieved persons to seek the court’s intervention for a protection order besides seeking the court to issue an order requiring the police to explain for their action, omission or negligence by way or prerogative writs pursuant to s.25(2) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. Since police reports had been lodged against the officers of the government department concerned, the police department could not sit tight and ignore the complaints as contempt of court could befall them if these Bakun folks would wish to pursue the matter against the police department in court by seeking the court’s intervention to issue a prerogative writ.

Be reminded, the court as umpire in the administration of justice of what is right and what is wrong has a constitutional duty to protect the rights of the members of the public and is duty bound constitutionally to give orders and or directions to the police and other relevant authorities when there is a failure by them to perform their duties or legal obligations in the administration of justice. Failure to comply the court’s order and or directions will attract the person or authority concern to contempt of court or penal sanctions pursuant to Article 126 of the Federal Constitution.

Therefore, government officers simply could not ignore public complaints as they are expected to work for the people and to fulfill their official obligation as permitted by the law because a failure to do so could invite penal sanctions from the court once the complainant brings the complaint to court to redress the matter.

VISIT TO PENANG GOVERNMENT - 17.7.2008

All comrades took the photographs with Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng.

全体出席者同槟州首席部长林冠英合影。

Everyone listened to the short speech given by YAB Lim Guan Eng

about the developement in Penang.

Photograph with DAP Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera Sdr. Liew Chin Tong

与升旗山区的国会议员Sdr. 刘振东合影。


See who is this???

Wow... Mr Teh Yee Cheu, an elected member of Penang state assembly-
the 1st from Penang-Xiamen Transnational Cycling!!！

左二的是槟城第一位“从槟城骑脚车至厦门慈善筹款活动”伟大的YB Teh Yee Cheu.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS AND LIBERTY

The Police Force is a very powerful arm of the Executive in enforcing law and order, but, their powers are not unlimited. Members of the police force could only exercise their powers in accordance with the law and could not take any advantage of the ignorance of the public of their rights when enforcing law and order. Police officers were taught to be tough and polite, but, most often, when under pressure many of them abused the powers in their hands. Many retired became respected men, but, there are those who were cursed by the public when they retired. An organization with such a size of more than 100,000 personnel definitely could not run from some bad apples within the organization.

Recent abuses by the police included on 29 January, 2006 the shaving of the heads of 11 senior citizens who were alleged to have played a game of mahjong during Chinese New Year. While detained in the lock-up they were stripped to underwear only. There were also instances where women were humiliated and some stripped naked. There was a case where a woman when asked to perform “squats” in a police station was captured in a hand phone camera which led to a Royal Commission of Inquiry in December, 2005. There was also an allegation by a 14-year old boy, Badrul Syahwal Syahryul, of been beaten up for refusing to admit an alleged theft of a bicycle.
Abuses by the police include the detention of motor vehicles. Although the law permits the detention of motor vehicles not exceeding 48 hours unless regularized under the relevant laws, most often than not, motor vehicles were also detained more than necessary by police officers. Threats and reminders by lawyers and car owners to police officers of civil suits also fell on deaf ears.

There were also cases where police officers took the short-cut way for help of the public to assist police investigation by way of phone calls or by relaying the requests through the media, yet, with threat of arrests if failing to appear in police station as required. The police have no power to issue such an order through the phone or the press and by doing so, this definitely invite disobedience and abhorrence by the public against such order. The police should know that this should not be necessary as it creates an environment of fear disrespect against the police. The police should by right, exercise their power by issuing the attendance notice under section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code if they require the public to attend at the police station to assist police investigation. Still the best way is to visit the witnesses or potential suspects for their statements recorded.

To the suspects, when under arrests, I have to remind you that you have a right of silence because under the law, anything you say may be given in evidence in court. Likewise, if police officers want to record your statements in which you think your statement may incriminate you, you should refrain from giving the statement. When under detention, no police officers should under Rule 20 of the Lock-Up Rules 1953 remove you out of the lock-up from the hours of sunset to dawn! It is unlawful to do so and this will be good ground for assault and damages against the police officer concerned. It is better to engage a lawyer to protect your right.

Before you are put into the lock-up, make sure that some one you could trust take back your personal property and also be observant as to what were written by the lock-up officers inside the Register Book the personal belongings seized from you. For gold ornaments, lock-up officers may just write “yellow metal” in the Register Book and when you are released, if you find a difference, you may not be able to dispute it. If it was gold, you need to insist that it should be properly described in the Register Book before you put your signatures on it. This also goes to other items such as hand phones. There would not be any point to complain later even though some good officers may help you, they would not be able to do so because of your mistake.

When charged in court, insist that a copy of the charge sheet be extended to you. Make sure that your request be recorded by the magistrate. This will help to protect your interest. This is because being the accused person you have a right to know the charge against you. It is a fundamental right because no person could stand trial without knowing the charge well. To understand the charge is another thing, but, to know the charge properly is what we need to insist. With the charge sheet in hand, you may wish to consult a lawyer and if the charge is defective, your lawyer can know what to do.

Investigation Of High Profile Cases by Subordinate Officers?

Everything seems wrong in this country and in recent weeks there has been too much suspense caused by allegation of sodomy against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan. There were also allegations by Anwar against the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and also the IGP, Tan Sri Musa Hassan for abusing the power of their office into a sodomy case against Anwar some ten years ago. There was also a statutory declaration made by a private investigator, P. Subramaniam linking the DPM Datuk Najib with the murdered Altantuya. The story was carried in national tabloids (New Straits Times Friday July 4, 2008) that Altantuya was said to have told P. Subramaniam that “she had met Razak and Najib at a dinner in Paris and that she was promised a sum of US$500,000 as commission for assisting in a submarine deal in Paris.”

In the midst all these high dramas, Najib said Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan confided in him being sodomized by Anwar Ibrahim just days before Saiful lodged the explosive police report to against Anwar. Najib claimed that Saiful came to his house, looked traumatized and was in fear with cold hands, but, needed help to obtain a government scholarship and had to see me. Najib said about the allegation against him, “Why Now?”, then Anwar could also ask the same question, “Why Now?” and was it something to do with the impending announcement by Anwar to contest in a by-election and that “Why Now?” an allegation of sodomy came out? Was it because BN was so scared of Anwar’s win would create havoc in Parliament?

Now, the whole world would be watching us again and the authorities had announced that the allegations by Anwar to be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency. We should not forget that the allegation by Anwar involved most top officers of two important arms of enforcement agencies, that is, the Attorney-General’s Office and the Police Department. There could not be good reason for ACA be instructed to conduct the investigation as the allegations by Anwar could involve serious implications on the credibility of the said two government agencies. This would only bring down public confidence against the Attorney-General’s Office and the Police Department. There could be offences that the ACA could not have to power to investigate, such as obstruction to justice or fabrication of evidence.

The fact that a senior officer from the Attorney-General was said has been seconded to the ACA to handle such a high profile case does not guarantee the Malaysian public and the world that the ACA could act transparently in their investigations and without any undue pressure or influence. Could ACA work independently when the officer from the Attorney-General Chambers was a subordinate officer to the Attorney-General? At the as same time, he is also not an officer higher in rank to the IGP. In all such investigations, officers who conducted investigations should by right, be the officer senior in rank to the officer being investigated and when investigation is in progress the “suspect” officers need to go on leave or be suspended. The government should not let Datuk Shukri Abdul who only holds a director rank in the ACA to conduct the investigation as being a director, Datuk Shukri Abdul is in the same rank of any director in the Police Department or a director in the Attorney-General Chambers. This is also not fair to Datuk Shukri and he may feel some uneasiness to carryout an investigation against these officers who were superior in rank than him.

Since the allegations by Anwar involved two most top officers of two most important government agencies in the administration of justice, there is no reason why the government had not set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to conduct the investigation, instead of having the same being handled by the ACA. This at the same time is not fair to Tan Sri Rahim Noor, who when being the top cop of the Royal Malaysia Police was investigated by a Royal Commission for the black eye assault against Anwar Ibrahim, It is also not fair to Anwar too when a Royal Commission was set up against Tan Sri Rahim and not in the present case of allegations made by him against Tan Sri Abdul Gani and Tan Sri Musa Hassan. At the time Anwar was assaulted for the black eye, Anwar was already no more in power and it was also the same situation now. Why double-standard?

It is a known procedure that ACA also has to report their high profile cases to the Prime Minister or to the Minister in-charge of legal affairs, not to Parliament. Again, this is not fair to ACA who later if could compile sufficient evidence, but, will be administratively told to hold on with the investigation or not to proceed with the case further, thus, would cause the dirt be swept under the carpet, if proved.

Again, the power to prosecute lies with the Attorney-General and it would be unlikely that the Attorney-General would like himself be prosecuted if there could be evidence against him. This is because under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution the discretionary power to institute, conduct and prosecute a case lies with the Attorney-General himself.

The investigation at the same time also could not be fair to both Tan Sri Abdul Gani and Tan Sri Musa Hassan as in how and in whatever way the investigation be conducted, although if they may come out innocent, their names still could be tainted by public perception against them in which they will carry into their retirement. This is because the public perception or opinion is against investigation be carried out by government officers lower in rank to them or by a government agency with equivalent status to their departments.

Malaysians should also recall the case of Tun Salleh Abas and the Justices being preside by a Judge lower in rank to Tun Salleh Abas which caused much public dissatisfaction. The wounds until now are not fully healed. If the Attorney-General be prosecuted, it would also be very awkward for him be prosecuted by an officer lower in rank to him. This therefore calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up to investigate the allegations against both Tan Sri Abdul Gani and Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

On the same length, there is also a need for a Royal Commission to be set to investigate the case against DPM Najib for allegations of links he purportedly had with Altantuya.

The answer given by Najib to the press of the meeting he had with Saiful was also clouded with mystery and had damaged his image as the anointed prime minister in- waiting. It does not talk sense for a young Saiful to be able to see many VIPs including cabinet ministers and the DPM so easily, especially, when such a meeting could be in the house of the DPM and that Saiful could confide in DPM the sodomy before lodging a police report against Anwar. The person most close to Saiful could be his fiancée or his parents and family members. Why Saiful had to see and confide in Najib, but, not his fiancée and his family members?

Since Najib knew the matter and had observed that Saiful looked traumatized, looked genuine and in fear with cold hands, why Najib, being a DPM and a leader that was expected to uphold law and order did not immediately sent or advised Saiful to lodge a police report against Anwar immediately? Najib may not have the legal obligation, but, at least a moral obligation to see that a report be lodged against Anwar immediately and not sit on it.

A leader who leads the country must know when to take action and must have the courage to make a decision. Malaysians should not forget Senator Edward Kennedy could not gain American confidence in his presidential election just because Senator Edward Kennedy took many hours to come forward to the police station to lodge a police report concerning the death of his female aide who was involved in an accident. So how could Malaysians have confidence with Najib to hold the post of the Prime Minister if he could not make a decision sharp and quick decision affecting law and order? Is Najib still fit to be the DPM?

Why it took so many days before the police report was lodged against Anwar?

If Saiful wants a scholarship, why he had to see the DPM? There are many poor bright students out there who also needed scholarships, but, they could not sought help from DPM, but, why Saiful could easily see the DPM for help? It seems that as if Malaysians are fools all the time! We all know if it was not easy for us even to see some government officers, then, how could Saiful been able to see a DPM so easily? What special relationship Saiful had with DPM and may Saiful teach a tip or two to Malaysians how to do this. It is something of a pride if we can even shake hand with the DPM!

Najib please wake up to international standard as Malaysia’s future will depend on you! It seems that your Zaid Ibrahim at this moment is more bold than you!

DINNER SPEECH AT CROWN TOWER - 5.7.2008

With YB Violet Yong, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Fong Kui Lun and Mr. Ting Ling Kiew from SNAP

DAP presenting a souvenir to SNAP Deputy President, Mr. Ting Ling Kiew

to foster closer relationship

Salam Sejahtera dan Selamat Datang kepada semua para hadirin sekalian........

My opening address was in the National Language because I accord great respect to the Language and malay culture, but, not all Sarawakians have good command of the language.

Always serious in delivering speech. Sarawak helped formed Malaysia and should be accorded equal partnership, that was what our forefathers said................., but,.......... see my speech below

The man who always gave headache to BN government! Lim Kit Siang is his name!




Our National Party Treasurer, YB Fong Kui Lun.




Seeking donation for the cause of Sdr. Chong Chieng Jen in fighting the might of a dissatisfied voter who filed an Election Petition against Sdr. Chong Chieng Jen.







DAP Choir Group in Action!

When Tunku Abdul Rahman on 27 July 1963 while in Singapore, wanted to form Malaysia, Sarawak was one of the territory that Tunku had in his mind, so was the state of North Borneo, which is now, Sabah. Both states were very rich in natural resources. Sarawak got a gold mine, unexplored vast lands, huge virgin forests and timberlands. It was also a land famous for its hornbills. Likewise, was North Borneo at that time was equally rich in natural resources. Tunku could know that Sarawak had oil in Miri at that time. On top of these, it was believed that the coastal shelves of both states also have oil and gas, our most prized natural resources.

The important question we need to ask is, “ Why Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted Sarawak and North Borneo to be part of his Malaysia Plan?” Was it because of our rich natural resources or was it because Malaya wanted to help develop North Borneo and Sarawak, who were very undeveloped and backward British territories in this region. Sarawakians and Sabahans must be reminded that we did not join Malaysia, but, we helped formed Malaysia. This is because if we were said “joined Malaysia” then, we rightly could be said junior partners in Malaysia and we if we think so, then, we are surrendering our rights of “equal partnership” and could invite discrimination from UMNO and the federal government led by UMNO. Sarawak and Sabah should not always “kow-tow” to UMNO and federal government! We have our rights, pride and dignity!

In what ever thinking, differences of opinion and happenings at that time, we formed Malaysia on 16 September, 1963 and helped Malaysia to prosper and stabilized the political and security situation in this region. We were supposed to be treated equal and that was, at least the promise, of our Malaysian forefathers who also included that from UMNO. After Malaysia was formed, we Sarawakians and Sabahans, as our culture dictates us, were always an obliging lot, obedient and subservient to the federal leaders and UMNO in the name of nation building and unity. When UMNO and their leaders said something we never opposed, because, UMNO in which we understood was that, “You Must Not Oppose”.

Not only that, under the Malaysia Agreement, we should be allowed to review the so-called “20-Points Agreement” for East Malaysia. This was supposed to be done in 1973, but, we did not have a proper review of this right, which, I personally feel, should be by way of a referendum, to involve each and every adult Sarawakian and Sabahan.

But unfortunately when, Nigkan, became our Sarawak first chief minister on 22 July, 1963, Ningkan was a very disobedient servant of the federal government. Ningkan was unceremoniously removed because Tun Razak, who at that time the Prime Minister and UMNO, boss flexed the federal muscle, wanted Ningkan removed by citing Article 7 of the State Constitution and this led to a constitutional crisis in Sarawak, because Ningkan not only opposed UMNO’s dominating policies over Sarawak, but, because we were not treated as equal and that there were also policies not suitable to Sarawak.

In a Dewan Rakyat sitting at that time, a political leader in Sarawak was heard to say, “How alarming it is to find the extent to which UMNO in Kuala Lumpur would go – to even topple the [Ningkan] government headed by an Iban who happened to hold non-racial views……….. is Sarawak a colony…….in Malaysia? (the full text of this politician’s speech was published in the Sarawak Tribune on 31 May 1963).

We need now examine what that politician said in parliament, “…is Sarawak a colony……..in Malaysia?”

Sarawak helped Malaysia to develop and was always behind the federal government in whatever crisis the nation was facing. When the alliance government led by UMNO did not have the two-thirds majority in Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution, a Sarawak political party on 11 February, 1977 came to its rescue by joining the federal government with five of its Members of Parliament. With this, the federal government hurriedly amended the Federal Constitution which effectively sealed the mouths of Malaysians to speak on issues considered sensitive, such as grants for scholarships, permits or licences, reservation of places in the public service and citizenship rights granted to immigrants and the control of or reservation of educational opportunities in educational institutions.What a treatment we received from UMNO-led federal government? The Federal Constitution is a sacred document, where our rights and protection are spelt out. Be it known to Sarawakians, that Article 161A of the Federal Constitution does no give native status to Ibans and Bidayuhs in Sarawak, although some indigenous races were included in the said Article 161A of the Federal Constitution. We must understand that ibans and bidayuhs are also dayaks of Sarawak, but, was it because of the voice of Ningkan, who was an uncompromising Iban that made Ibans and Bidayuhs inconspicuous in our Constitution?

We in the DAP believed in multi-racialism and this Federal Constitution should accord ibans and bidayuhs a proper place. Read with our Sarawak state Interpretation Ordinance, I could not, but, correct me if I am wrong, find the races called land dayaks and sea dayaks in Sarawak. So this was that much our federal leaders know about Sarawak and could not know the wishes of Sarawak people. UMNO and federal government leaders should not assume that we still lived on the trees! Now, I hereby call our iban and bidayuh friends and all other natives in Sarawak, to wake up and fight for your rights which had been overdue. It is time now that a dayak, being the largest race in Sarawak, takes the chief ministership of Sarawak, to correct the flaws of the government and to give better focus to the dayak cause. If there is no dayak wanting to take the challenge, it is also time that a malay takes the chief ministership of Sarawak.

45 years after Sarawak helped formed Malaysia, there is yet a malay who became a chief minister of Sarawak. Are the malays here ‘second class’ malays in Malaysia? The malay language is our national language and although most Sarawakians speak the language, not all have good command of the national language. Since the malay language is our national language, the Sarawak malay language should also be allowed in our civil service, not only in the Dewan Undangan Negri. We could not deny that many non-malays could speak and could communicate well in local malay language, but, not in the national language, that is the national malay language. If we have a malay chief minister, maybe the dream of a better communication and use of the local malay language could be a reality. It is something that we Sarawakians should be proud of.

Not only that, when the UMNO-led federal government had wanted to control our oil, Sabah and Sarawak, we also gave into their demand. With the control of Parliament, the federal government then passed the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which saw almost all oil and gas revenues went to the federal government and Sabah and Sarawak until now, could only got a paltry 5% of the royalty back. So, Sabah and Sarawak not only gave them oil, but, also gave them oil money. We had been deprived for too long of our resources.

To BN MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, for the sake of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, it is time that you should be changing boat and jump to the Opposition to see a fairer deal for Sabah and Sarawak. You had done enough damage to Sabah and Sarawak by prolonging your stay in the BN government, and it is time that you think for a better Sabah and a better Sarawak. People of Sabah and Sarawak are already impatient and will judge you in the next election. If you want to test their intelligence, don’t play money politics to win their votes. Be gentleman and fight clean! God will reward you!

With the oil and gas money from Sabah and Sarawak, West Malaysia had become a rapidly developed part of Malaysia, with huge international airports, federal complexes, smooth fast lane highways, public universities and hospitals with state-of-art life saving equipments and facilities. Oil and gas from Sabah and Sarawak also helped their factories and cars moving, leaving Sabah and Sarawak still very much backward states with still too many places inaccessible by roads, but, by airplanes and helicopters as if all Sabahans and Sarawakians are millionaires!While Malaysia prospered steadily since Malaysia was formed, which also saw West Malaysia enjoyed many cheaper goods, but, Sabah and Sarawak was let to enjoy goods at prices very much expensive than in West Malaysia, because Parliament, controlled by UMNO did not give a thought to have a National Pricing Act. We can earn the same amount of money our brother West Malaysian may earn in West Malaysia, but, the earnings of Sabahans and Sarawakians have no purchasing power.

In longhouses and rural areas, the poor malays, chinese and natives were just hoping that God would be kind enough to them that they not fall sick, otherwise, if sick, the only fast mode to hospitals are by helicopters! Wah! Helicopters! How to afford this when most of those in the rural areas could not even afford generators for their electricity!Talking about electricity, I have Bakun, in mind. To further speed up the pace of development in West Malaysia and to realize Vision 2020, the federal government wanted Bakun be sped up so that West Malaysia would benefit from the power supply from Bakun. A mammoth dam had been built and progressing well, but, if one day God wants this Bakun dam to break or earthquake like in China in Szechuan to happen, many people in Sarawak will die and their families, friends and relatives will live their lives in sorrow in the remembrance of the dead. The federal government may just send aids and some help, but, no amount of money can buy back the sorrows of Sarawakians if this were to happen.

Therefore, when West Malaysia wanted electricity power, we also agree to supply them through Bakun, but, they have Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), which is, a very much bigger and powerful electricity supplier than in Sarawak. Why the UMNO-led federal government did not want to build their own Bakun and with the expertise and resources Tenaga Nasional Bhd has, supply power to Sarawak and our brother state, Sabah? If they are scared that the dam may one day collapse by the will of God, then, Sarawak people also do have that fear. Why push the fear to Sarawakians?

We now have too many West Malaysian businessmen and companies came here to seek prosperity and wealth in Sarawak when Sarawak companies and businessmen had already found the goings tough. When the Rajahs and the British were in Sarawak, economic resources in Sarawak were colonial properties, but, now what happened to our resources and opportunities with the influx of West Malaysians grabbing business opportunities and competing with Sarawakians? Sarawakians, may one day may not be able to control their own resources. What natural resources and business had Sarawakians controlled in West Malaysia. The same situation now also applies to Sabah, and the influx of too many West Malaysian companies and businessmen had deprived jobs from much needed for Sabahans. In the civil service, sons of the soils of Sarawak could find too many “expatriates” coming up and down the lifts of Bangunan Sultan Iskandar! We need them, but, not too many and most of these “expatriates” could not understand the local people well, which in turn, caused many things not done properly to the satisfaction of the local people.

Now, when the nation is facing food and rice shortage, it is to Sarawak that Malaysia has to turn to – plant padi and other food crops, but, who will plant? Sarawakians to plant the padi or people from West Malaysia to plant? If West Malaysians and their companies come here to plant, land be given to them or just leased out? If huge chunks of Sarawak lands be given to West Malaysians, this again, will deprive Sarawakians of their natural property and Sarawakians will find themselves squeeze out.

Most of our lands which are suitable for huge padi plantations which are near to civilization are native lands. Being not titled land, the natives in Sarawak will find it difficult to stamp their rights on and natives may find themselves in endless woos with the authorities and companies when their lands be encroached for these developments and up-coming padi plantations.

When our national carrier was in trouble, sick with debts, the federal government also had to come to Sarawak for rescue. In Sarawak, the federal government discovered in the highlands of Borneo in Baram, the “gem”, Idris Jala, to revive the fortune of the Malaysia Airline System (MAS), who, prior to that many complained as, “Mana Ada Sistem (MAS)? Now, we can proudly say, “Malaysia Ada Sarawak!”. That is, when in trouble, Malaysia has Sarawak to look forward for help!.So, Malaysia, when you are in trouble, Sarawak is always behind you, but, are we a colony state? Please answer us!

To Sarawakians, we need to understand, DAP was brought in by Sdr. Chong Siew Chiang and a few others, because, they could see the evils that would befall Sarawak since 1978. They had this vision and a mission to fulfill. The DAP federal leaders also could see this to happen in Sabah and Sarawak, and we all know, when we were already in one nation and in Malaysia, there was no way we could get out of Malaysia. DAP federal leaders also had this vision and had wanted Sarawak and Sabah to enjoy equal partnership in Malaysia. They love us Sarawakians and Sabahans, as they see “One Malaysia, One Nation” and not something we used to have heard called, “East Malaysia and West Malaysia”. We believed in Malaysia and will stay in Malaysia, but, I say, we don’t want to be mistreated as second class states within Malaysia, This was the reason why DAP federal leaders gave the blessing to have DAP set foot in Sarawak in 1978 and also in Sabah. This was because DAP led by Sdr. Chong Siew Chiang also knew that there could not be any other political parties that could save Sarawak from the onslaught of unfair policies against Sarawakians by UMNO led federal government. This was because Sdr. Chong Siew Chiang and DAP federal leaders could at that time see political parties in Sarawak, could only know to blindly support UMNO-led BN government and will forget the rights of Sarawakians.

SUPP was the party which joined the UMNO-led Alliance government in 1971 which gave the UMNO-led Alliance government the much needed two-thirds majority that caused UMNO to hurriedly amend the Federal Constitution, thus, depriving many issues affecting not only Sabah and Sarawak, but, Malaysia as a whole, be voiced out openly as they could be considered sensitive and invite ISA and OSA. Their joining of UMNO led-federal government was the start of the change of political scenario to become what it is today and if any political party is to be blamed, then, there is no reason why SUPP could be singled out. Sabah and Sarawak became weak on negotiation table and SUPP's participation as a component member of the government also saw the rise of UMNO arrogance and dominance in Malaysian politics, a strategy which SUPP should regret.

Many thereon after the Federal Constitution was amended, were afraid to voice out the grievances faced by Sabahans and Sarawakians. Many Sabahans and Sarawakians are confused and Sarawakians wondered if Sarawak is a colony? This is a perception that we should all correct. The DAP federal leaders did not want this misconception and this was why DAP was allowed to be launched in Sarawak in 1978.

Now, the public sentiment is that can we displace UMNO-led BN government with a Pakatan Rakyat government so that the many wrong policies affecting the people of Sabah and Sarawak also our beloved nation could be put right?

I have to tell them, we want that to happen, but, this may not happen too soon. We missed the political Tsunami of March 8, 2006!

This is because with many things and political issues affecting the nation, not only in Sabah and Sarawak, we better prepare for an emergency rule. This is because it is unprecedented for the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, to voice out seeking help from the army to quell any civil unrest which could spark by recent political situation or development in the country. We should not now have a 6-day joint military-police exercise as if the nation is anticipating an emergency. This had created some uneasiness with the people of Malaysia. The call by the IGP and the joint military-police exercise showed that the Royal Malaysian Police with the title, “Royal” awarded by the King for its effort in maintaining security and for fighting insurgencies had no confidence in managing the security of the nation. Why need the army?

The many happenings in the nation, which included the incapability of the country to control the “legal” immigrant situation in Sabah and Sarawak, the allegations against DPM Najib’s affairs with Altuntuya and the submarine purchase, the case against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the allegations against the Attorney-General and the IGP and the late Moktar Abdullah, the recent suspension of trading in the KL stock market exchange, the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary, law enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police and the Anti-Corruption Agency, the recent increase of oil affecting prices of goods and business, and the increasing ground dissatisfactions of Sabahans and Sarawakians against federal policies are enough for the army to make excuses to cause a coup detat and place this beloved Malaysia in emergency rule. I hope the Army may not have this thought at all.

Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Najib and those involved in the allegations of mismanagement of the country should not make further noise through the press. They should take leave from their duties and a Royal Commission should be set up and not ACA to investigate the allegations hurled against them. Criminal acts, such as obstruction of justice and tampering of evidence could have occurred and these are not simple case of corruption and abuse of power alone in which ACA should not be a body that could be seen independent in their tasks as ACA has to report the investigation to the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister.

Malaysia, we pray God save you! To, Sabah and Sarawak, may God protect us with no earthquakes to destroy our Bakun Dam later on and no more deprivation of our rights and natural resources and may the UMNO-led federal government give us what are ours and give us what are due to us. To Sarawakians and Sabahans, in DAP we shall survive! In Pakatan Rakyat we will see Malaysia progress!