By now, most of my regular/intimate -- readers whom I regard with the highest esteem, hence ER is my address -- would know that YL Chong is also sitting in as Editor, cpiasia.net, the brainchild of renowned economist and activist Dr Lim Teck Ghee.
In life, one thanks the lucky stars if you BUM-p into naturally gifted yet humble people with high IQ in tandem for they make good teachers, and take it from Desi, at age 61 young, the number of good -- let's not hunt for excellent! -- teachers can be counted via the fingers on a human hand. Mine is left of course, being a socialist out of the closet on weekdays. As for weekends, as I kept reminding new found bud Angela Ooi -- the one responsible for the last two SEREMBAN ANTI-ISA CANDLELIGHT VIGILS to be followed by the third this Friday -- Desi is not above behaving like the 100% Capitalist, so invites to functions at five-star, even planetary, hotels are welcomed then. If such an Capitalist invite arrives on a Monday to Friday, I treat it an exceptional Prime Day should I be inclined to ENJOY myself, an indulgence I occasionally allow my small self in order to keep pace with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is, if I am not wrong, about 84. I plan to match him in such longevity and wisdom/vicedom -- leave out his smirks and and power-dressing!
Now, where was I?
Okay,back to my second abode. This piece was supposed to have written yesterday, but it was not a day ... WHEN ALL MY TROUBLES SEEMED SO FAR AWAY. For that you leave it to the Beatles, whom I quote and singAlong much nowadays ... i-magine-nation: NegaraKu as one united nation, GB!
p
e
A
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without having the
I:
S:
A:...
Here's what I actually want to propagate among my ER today, an extract of wisdom -- treat this as my miss'd CON BF rumination, obediently read and digest this over brunch:) ~~~~~~~
"How else can we describe the state of affairs in Malaysia? In a country where the Rule of Law is respected and permitted to flourish, just laws are applied even-handedly and fairly. I can point to numerous instances where that has not been our experience. Let me point a few out to you. A gathering of one group constitutes an illegal assembly but not that of another. A speech or publication is seditious or constitutes a serious threat to the security of the nation such as to warrant detention without trial under the ISA if published by one person but not another. This cannot be right even if it were to be to the benefit of the
majority, which is not the case. My belief in constitutional democracy and the Rules of Law is founded on an acceptance of their functional qualities and the prospect of sustainable and inclusive development that they offer. It is of no concern to me whether Fukuyama was right when he declared that in view of the success of liberal democracies all over the world and the collapse of communism, mankind had achieved the pinnacle of success and history was dead.
There are less esoteric reasons but as, if not more, compelling ones. Indonesia’s transition to democracy since the end of military rule in 1998 showcases these. The majority of Indonesians have embraced democracy, religious tolerance, and religious pluralism. In addition, a vibrant civil society has initiated public discussions on the nature of democracy, the separation of religion and state, women’s rights, and human rights more generally. These developments have contributed to a gradual improvement in conditions for human rights, including religious freedom, over the past few years. Since 2003, Indonesia has also overtaken Malaysia on the Reporters sans Fronteres Press Freedom Index, moving up from 110th place to 100th out of 169 countries covered. Malaysia on the other hand has dropped from 104th place to 124th place in the same period. I am not surprised. In 1999, Indonesia passed a new Press Law that, in repealing 2 previous Suharto administration laws, guaranteed free press through the introduction of crucial measures. This new law allows journalists to freely join associations, guarantees the right of journalists to protect their sources, eliminates prior censorship of print or broadcast news and makes the subverting of the independence of the press a criminal offence. It also establishes an independent body to mediate between the press, the public and government institutions, uphold a code of ethics and adjudicates disputes. Progress has not stopped there. On 3 April this year, Indonesia passed its Freedom of Information Act. This latest law allows Indonesia’s bureaucracy to be open to public scrutiny and compels government bodies
to disclose information. To enforce disclosures and to adjudicate disputes, a new body has been created under the new law, independent of government and the judiciary. While there remains some debate about the penal sanctions for misuse of the law, the passing of the Act clearly is a step in the right direction.
VIParting words: For more, or aMore as I promote peace more than words -- although that's what is "...(are) all I have to take your heart away..." -- surf obediently to cpiasia.net. I have to say adieu,not goodbye for now as I leave to have a meeting in Kuala Lumur with Sdr TG. THat's the way Dr Lim is being addressed by most buds. "TG" as short as YL for Teck Ghee:) -- Desi
PS @9.05AM:
Please surf to anilnetto.com for a delayed "LIVE" report -- professionally written I might add! -- on the Anti-ISA Candlelight Vigil in PJ last evening which was rudely interrupted by the FRU, some participants were arresyed. __ YL, Desi
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