Hannah Yeoh @ Pakatan Rakyat Convention

Hannah's excellent speech at the inaugural Pakatan Rakyat convention
as a delegate from DAP.

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Opposition Disrespects Women?

A few days ago, a senior member of Wanita MCA made headlines in the vernacular press that "反对党不尊重女权" i.e., the opposition does not respect women in Malaysia.

她今日在马华三春礼堂举办的“雪州马青州分团和雪州妇女组代表大会”联合开幕仪式致词时指出，安华是大马垂帘听政的慈禧太后，还明目张胆和大言不惭地说他才是实权主席。

她说：“这种做法是强奸民主和漠视民主，他们称人民公正党，但却公然对该党党员不公平、对民主不公正、对女性尊严进行严重打击、对女性权力不尊重、丈夫欺压太太，以及把家务与党务公私不分。”

她续说，可笑的是号称民主和标榜女权的行动党却和打击女性尊严的人民公正党抱在一起。

“这如果不是公然挑战人民支会，对民主的最大嘲弄的话，那就证明了民主行动党只是为‘赢取胜利’，而出卖最基本原则的机会主义政党。”

This well-respected member of parliament claimed that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is a party that does not respect women as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acts like an "Empress Dowager" (慈禧太后), he's the hidden hand behind the scenes, despite the fact that Datin Seri Wan Azizah is the "rightful" President of the party. She accused Anwar of failing to differentiate a spousal relationship from party politics, and hence it was an affront to democracy and to women.

Of course, no criticism, logical or otherwise, can be complete without dragging DAP into the picture. ;) She went on to accuse DAP of being motivated by political opportunism (赢取胜利) in our working relationship with PKR. As such, DAP also doesn't respect women. Errr...

If this isn't a clear case of the pot calling the electrical kettle black, then I really don't know what could count as one.

It wasn't too long ago when the nation was riled up over the "bocor" controversy perpetuated by 2 incorrigible Barisan Nasional MPs which insulted women all across the country. As blogged by Sdr Lim Kit Siang, when the censure motion was debated in Parliament, not a single BN MP, male or female stood up in support of womenfolk across the country.

In particular, even the right honourable MP who works in the Ministry of Family, Women and Community Affairs, was deafeningly silent, and very conspiciously absent from the Parliament hall despite being given plenty of notice from the Speaker on the motion. Only in the sanctity of the august house of Parliament can be the true test of her moral courage to represent and defend womenfolk - anything else is just plain politiking.

Which party instead took the issue nationwide, organised a gathering of influential non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well more than 300 concerned members of the public to pass an unanimous resolution for the two "bocor" MPs to apologise and to be reprimanded, which they eventually did, although in the most insincere manner?

Well, certainly not the Right Honourable MP herself, and not the Party which she represents.

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Sungai Way Dinner

The Petaling Jaya Action Team is holding its DAP 41st Anniversary dinner at Sungai Way new village, Petaling Jaya on this coming weekend. It's a small-scale dinner with not more than 25 tables at a coffee shop restaurant. The theme for the dinner is "Malaysian First - Let's Make PJ A Better Place".

Besides food, there's quite a few speakers at the dinner as well, of which I'm one. The others include DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng and the MP for Bukit Mertajam, Chong Eng. Details are as follows:

Date: 27 May 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 7.00pm -10.30pm
Venue: Sg Way Hong Kee Restaurant
Speakers (Subject to last minute changes):

• Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General
  
• Chong Eng, DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam
  
• Ean Yong Hian Wah, DAP Selangor State Chairman
  
• Tony Pua
  
• Liew Chin-Tong
• Lau Weng San

For those who are in the vicinity and are interested to attend, please do not hesitate to contact me or Weng San @ lauwengsan(at)gmail.com for tickets. They are being sold at RM40 each. These dinners also assist the party in raising funds.

The key language for the evening will be Mandarin. We are planning a separate dinner where the key language will be in English, so hang on for more details later. See you there! ;-)

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Forum Against Sexist BN MPs

The Parliament has failed in its duty to the nation and people, in particular Malaysian women. It has shirked its responsibility to redeem itself and punish the two sexist BN MPs who have brought shame and dishonour to Parliament by the use of derogatory, crude, vulgar, sexist and gender-offensive attack on Sdri Fong Po Kuan and all Malaysian women on Wednesday, 9th May.

Since Parliament is not prepared to do what it should do to redeem its honour and those of Malaysian women and the nation, it is now up to the ordinary Malaysian public to do what Members of Parliament and Ministers have failed to do – by making their condemnation of the sexist conduct of the two BN MPs loud and clear to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the country!

In conjunction with the above incident, DAP is organising the following forum entitled “Respect Women's Dignity, Towards A 1st World Parliament!”

Date: 17 May 2007 (Thursday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: YMCA Hall, Kuala Lumpur.
No.95, Jalan Padang Belia, Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
(Opposite of the KL SENTRAL Station)

The panel of distinguished speakers include:

1. Ambiga Sreenevasan - Bar Council President
2. Maria Chin Bte Abdullah - Executive Director of Women Development Collective (WDC)
3. Zainah Anwar - Executive Director of Sisters in Islam
4. Azmin Ali – Vice-President of Parti KeADILan Rakyat
   
5. Lim Guan Eng - Secretary-General of DAP
6. YB Lim Kit Siang - Parliamentary Opposition Leader
7. YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim - MP for Seputeh
8. YB Fong Po Kuan - MP for Batu Gajah

I will be chairing the above forum as the moderator, so do come join us for the session. ;)

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Mothers' Day Celebrations

It was a great morning as DAP Petaling Jaya PJ team got into action at 7.30 am as we distributed carnations to all mothers at the SEA Park market in PJ. The ladies were certainly pleased to be receiving the flowers, many of whom were asking for more ;). We also distributed leaflets on our 3 wishes for this mothers' day.




At the end of the programme, we also had a small press conference whereby we protested against the uncouth and misbehaving BN parliamentarians who insulted the dignity of not only our MP for Batu Gajah, Sdri Fong Po Kuan, but also all mothers and women of Malaysia. Watch out for more details of a forum being organised on Thursday this coming week on this issue. ;)


After another press conference with Sdri Teresa Kok on a separate matter, she took me to lunch where she was invited as a special guest at the launch of a new funeral parlour by a Chinese clan association. There I was kindly introduced to many local clan leaders, many who were giving plenty of words of encouragement. (How am I going to remember so many faces and names, I have absolutely no clue!)

Found my way home soon enough, in time to send my missus to her dance class and to take the little angel to a former colleague's daugther's birthday party. When nap time came along, I found a little time to squeeze in this post and clear some of the cobwebs in my mailbox. ;)

After this it's Mother's Day dinner with the missus, yes, I can't be giving carnations out to all the mothers out there and not appreciate the one at home right? :) Unfortunately, that isn't the end of the day for I'll still have to leave the house to attend a funeral wake of a party supporter's (who is now a friend) father.

Yes, all in all, a packed schedule for the day, but thankfully, not every day is like today. ;) And thank goodness, there isn't anything scheduled early in the morning tomorrow. ;)

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Mothers' Day Event

Mothers' Day falls on this coming Sunday. For DAP in Petaling Jaya, to celebrate the occasion, we will be giving out carnations to all mothers at the Sea Park market on Sunday morning from 8.30am. At the same time, we will also be addressing the press at 9.30am, in part to register our with disgust with Barisan Nasional MPs, in particular, Mohd Said "Close-One-Eye" Yusof and Bung Mokhtar Radin who insulted all mothers and women in Parliament with their vulgar remarks.

For those who are free, who shares our disappointment with BN MPs who thumped their tables with joy when our MP for Batu Gajah, Fong Po Kuan failed in her bid to refer the duo to the House Committee of Privileges, please feel free to join us, either at 8.30 or at 9.30. For details, please email me at tonypua(at)yahoo.com. Your support will be greatly appreciated. ;)

Below is our 3 Wishes for this Mothers' Day:

1. That Our Mothers' Dreams Will Come True

Mothers all over Malaysia have sacrificed immensely so we can be successful in our lives. Hence today, May 13 is a day dedicated to mothers across the country for their unconditional love and dedication in raising us. We should therefore be reminded to pause from our busy daily schedule to spend time with her and tell her how much we love her, hoping the our Mothers' dreams will all come true.

In honour of all mothers around the country and as a token of our appreciation, DAP PJ will be distributing carnations to all mothers in Sea Park, Petaling Jaya.

2. That Our Government Will Stop Breaking Up Happy Families

Rubber-tapper Marimuthu was happily married to Raimah Bibi a/p Noordin for 21 years with 7 children but was suddenly and forcibly separated from them because his wife was born a Muslim.

Although Marimuthu has gotten back all his children, the family is now broken up. Raimah Bibi is now separated from her husband and children – although there can be no doubt that they would want to be reunited as one family again.

All religions inculcate good values of family love, compassion and unity and no religion would work to disrupt happy families. Where is the justice in Malaysia if families who have been living happily together for decades are forcibly separated by the Government, leaving the children without the care and love of their mother?

The DAP wishes on this auspicious day, that Raimah, a dedicated wife and mother for the past 21 years, can be reunited her pride and joy.

3. That Our Government Respects Mothers & Women

It was a disgraceful act by BN MPs who insulted women all over Malaysia in Parliament. When our MP for Batu Gajah, Fong Po Kuan was debating the issue of leaks in the Parliament, the Bung Mokhtar Radin had retorted “Mana ada bocor, Batu Gajah pun tiap-tiap bulan pun bocor juga,” while Mohd Said Yusof added ““MP for Batu Gajah tiap-tiap bulan pun bocor juga.”

They abused of their parliamentary privileges to besmirch and dishonour the Parliament by making crude, vulgar, sexist and offensive remarks. They insulted not only Po Kuan but all Malaysian mothers and women.

DAP PJ will show our solidarity with Po Kuan this Mother's Day by asking why no woman BN MP was will stand up to speak up for women dignity and condemn the two sexist BN MPs? Why is our MP in Petaling Jaya Utara who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development staying elegantly silent on the issue?

Happy Mothers' Day!

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Loose Screws

On the fateful day of 8th March, or International Women's Day, our Minister in-charge of the all important Visit Malaysia Year 2006, lashed out at all bloggers, and in particular, female bloggers as reported in Sinchew Daily.

The Minister of Tourism, Dato' Tenkgu Adnan Tengku Mansor lashed out that all bloggers on the Internet are liars, out of which 80% are unemployed women.

“All bloggers are liars, they cheat people using all kinds of methods. From my understanding, out of 10,000 unemployed bloggers, 8,000 are women.”

He said that bloggers spread rumours, disrupt social harmony and many bloggers are slanderous and are cheating people with their blogs.

“All bloggers are not in favour of national unity. Our country has been successful because we are very tolerant with each other, if not, there will be civil war, the Malays will kill the Chinese, the Chinese will take revenge and kill the Malays, and the Indian will kill everyone.”

He urged the rakyat not to simply trust bloggers, and gamble our future away because the achievement we gain in the 50 years of independence is not an easy task.

I don't even think my personal comments are needed on the issue. The loose screws are clear for all to see. So beyond the Court Jesters , those who always blames the rakyat and those who think we are stupid, we also have some who are just not quite "there".

And why was "Tengku" apparently so upset? Just because a female TV journalist didn't have a good experience while covering Flora Festival 2007. What a clown.

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International Women's Day

Ah, roses, the ladies certainly loved them ;)

I was at the SS2 morning market on Thursday, International Women's Day, to distribute roses to womenfolk together with YB Teresa Kok, our MP for Seputeh as well as the DAP Petaling Jaya Action Team. Here's some photos for your viewing pleasure ;)

That's me, coping with the demand ;)

That's Lau Weng San, DAP Selangor state secretary
& political secretary to Lim Guan Eng

(From left) Weng San, Ean Yong Hian Wah (DAP Selangor State Chairman),
yours truly, YB Teresa Kok, Thomas Goh and Lim Ai San

In addition, I also issued a statement calling on the government to take immediate steps to make the streets of Malaysia, particularly in urban centres in Malaysia like Petaling Jaya.

The recent crime statistics makes for some ugly reading. The Royal Police Commission report had stated that violent crime grew from 16,919 cases in 1997 to 21,859 in 2004. That's an increase of 29.2% over the 8 years.

However, as recently announced, the past 3 years alone saw violent crime soaring by an unbelievable 93.7% from 21,859 cases in 2003 to 42,343 cases in 2006. The number of women raped increased from 4 to 6.7 victims daily from 2003 to 2006. And that is only the reported cases, as we are fully aware that rape cases are significantly under-reported in this country.

Women should certainly be able to walk our streets without fears for the safety at any time of the day. The ratio of 1 policeman for every 5,500 citizens in PJ for example, is far too high compared to recommended international standards of 1 to 250 citizens. It's time to sit up and take notice.

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Hitting Women

The Menteri Besar of Kelantan, and PAS spiritual leader, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat made an off the cuff comment with regards to the use of force by the Police yesterday. Essentially he said that the public cannot blame the police if they are forced to resort to such measures. While his comment leaves room for ethical debate, his subtantiation for his argument however, leaves a bad taste in the mouth (to say the least).

He argued that "Islam itself permits a father to hit a child, a husband to hit a wife in certain situations. This is practiced throughout the world."

Umm... excuse me, Tok Guru, which "world" are you talking about? The medieval world of the 13th century?

There is absolutely no reason for a husband to hit a wife, or a man to hit a woman under any circumstances. There is no situation I can think of in which violence is necessary or even justified.

A relationship between a husband and wife is built on trust, mutual respect and love. This relationship cannot be strengthened through fear and violence. We are not even talking about human rights here. The simple fact is a marital relationship breaks down with a physically abusive spouse.

No man or woman is without shortcomings. In a loving marital relationship, we learn to live and work around these shortcomings to strengthen our understanding of our partners better. In matters of dispute, a gentle discussion focused on the objective of resolving the issue at hand should be carried out instead. Hitting the wife does not resolve the dispute, it merely postpones and snowballs the problem.

And even when the disagreement cannot be resolved to the total satisfaction of all parties, there should be tolerance and forgiveness in the hearts of both parties.

I hope that Tok Guru will clarify his statement to protect the interest of women, and not have his words used as by unscrupulous men to abuse their wives.

Today is International Womens' Day to celebrate and promote the interest of womenfolk young and old, irrespective of race or religion. Hitting women is a big no no.

Now, hitting on women? That's a different matter altogether ;)

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