My Anthem

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Zunar is among brave Malaysians who zero in on The Truth...

and my dear ER(Esteemed Readers) are kindly asked to rate how he compares with our MACC deputy head...For the latter, I only have many Qs with the crying out loud, still allowed, REALLY?-- YL, Desi

#1 from the Malaysian Mirror:

Cartoonist Zunar arrested, new book seized

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Friday, 24 September 2010 20:17

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysiakini cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar (picture), was arrested Friday under the Sedition Act for publishing books considered ‘detrimental to public order’ and that could ‘influence the people to revolt against government policies’.

The Star reported that police raided his office premises in Brickfields about 4pm and seized about 70 copies of his latest book, Cartoon-o-phobia, due to be launched Friday night.

City police chief DCP Muhammad Sabtu Osman confirmed the arrest and seizure of the items.

The new book, Cartoon-o-phobia, features a collection of political cartoons that have appeared on the Malaysiakini website as well as unpublished cartoons and fresh artworks.

Published by Malaysiakini, Cartoon-o-phobia was to be launched at 8pm Friday at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall by former Perak mentri besar Nizar Jamaluddin.

On Malaysiakini’s website, Zunar said that despite his arrest, the launch would proceed Friday night.

According to The Star, Zunar said that Cartoon-o-phobia was chosen as the title to illustrate and reflect the fears of certain parties to cartoons.

“I am thinking of registering the term ‘Cartoon-o-phobia’ as a new word that carries the definition of ‘individuals or parties who are afraid of cartoons and use political power to act against cartoonists’,” he said.

The cartoonist said that the content of this latest book had more bite compared to his previous books.

Zunar’s three previous books - 1 Funny Malaysia, Perak Darul Kartun and Isu Dalam Kartun were banned by the Home Ministry but he had earlier told Malaysiakini that he was willing to take the risk in releasing this new book.


#2 From the NST:

NOTE: The "Really?'s are inserted by Desi:) or :( depending on your viewpoint!

Malaysia a role model in fighting graft'
2010/09/25
By Adrian David
news@nst.com.my
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KUALA LUMPUR:
The inconsistent interpretation of corruption by different countries has made the task to combat social ills even more difficult.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Sutinah Sutan said greater efforts were being made globally to standardise and streamline the understanding and procedures linked with corruption so that it could be tackled effectively.

"Many lesser developed countries are still learning from the experience of others and are attempting to adopt their initiatives.


"Malaysia is seen as a role model as a nation successful in combating corruption.
Many countries look at how we have rapidly progressed and developed since achieving Independence in 1957. (REALLY?)

"They say we have managed very well to control corruption with our strong political will," she said at the close of the three-day "15th ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific" and "Regional Seminar on the Criminalisation of Bribery" at the Palace of Golden Horses in Seri Kembangan, Selangor yesterday.

Sutinah, who is also the event's secretariat chairman, said the delegates agreed that corruption was a big threat among lesser developed countries and greater initiatives were being put into place by their respective governments.


She said Malaysia had measured up to international standards like those laid out in the "Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act" and other United Nations laws and regulations.(REALLY??)

"We have learnt that minimising bureaucracy and delays can reduce corruption. The idea is to promote business without corruption by enhancing confidence-building measures for businessmen and foreign investors." (REALLY (as done in Malaysia)???)

She said the message was clear -- one does not have to bribe officers; there is no "extra cash" required to do business in Malaysia. (REALLY????)


"We are also pushing for matters concerning extradition, asset recovery and other new action plans in a systemic manner with the cooperation of other countries."

The event saw 28 countries and over 200 representatives involved, including representatives from the Asian Development Bank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Transparency International, World Bank, German Training Institution, American Bar Association and the United Nations Development Programme.

The speakers presented international standards and national approaches to issues concerning international instruments on the criminalisation of bribery, challenges in establishing and applying domestic and foreign bribery offences, corporate liability for bribery, investigative techniques, and sanctions and confiscation.


Read more: 'Malaysia a role model in fighting graft' http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/7aad24/Article#ixzz10WI1XGFa

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