Say NO to Israeli terrorism in Gaza

 

Israeli terrorism manifest in this picture of young children falling pray to their false war against Hamas

 

 

Citizens of Malaysia and the World,

For the past 2 weeks now, terror has descended upon Gaza, a region in Palestine. After having suffered months of crippling Israeli blockade, the region has now been subject to daily airstrikes, shelling, and ground incursions all supposedly aimed at Hamas, the democratically elected Government of Palestine, for launching rockets into the territory of Israel but reality speaks to those who hear the truth otherwise.

So far nearly 800 Palestinians have died, a QUARTER of them children (such as in the picture above), and nearly 60 of them women, all civilians who have naught to do with the problems Israel has with Hamas. On top of this, continuous incursions by Israel have seen thousands of civilians injured, with the Gaza territory suffering from no electricity, lack of water, food and medicinal supplies. Not content with the hellish conditions the murderous Israeli blockade has created for the Gazans, they have also sought fit to fire upon medical aid workers doing their jobs to save what little lives remain from the rubble and chaos committed.

All these acts and more surely deserve utmost condemnation from those who call themselves civilized, even human. Yet America, the worlds most powerful nation, refuses to so condemn, and yet even condones Israel in perpetrating its merciless war crimes against the Palestinian nation. Although a UN Security Council resolution has recently been approved, the USA saw fit to dribble down its wording in favour of Israel alone, without any firm commitment to reopen the blockades that have been responsible for this in the first place, nor recognizing the need to treat Hamas as a legitimate, democratic representative of the Palestinian people. Scared Governments around the world including the useless Arab Govts have capitulated before American pressure in this.

As a human and a citizen, I do therefore, invite Malaysia and the world to show our anger at these and more by;

1. Boycotting American goods and services. This boycott must go on until such time America recognizes Hamas and Palestine’s right to exist as an independent, sovereign state, with freedom and dignity for its people, and pressures Israel to do the same. Keep in mind that even though it might not be possible to boycott ALL American products, boycott at least some of them, especially those you can do without. For example, instead of drinking Coca Cola, drink Zam Zam Cola instead.

2. Sign this petition created by MCA (a Malaysian political party) Youth at www.petitiononline.com/no2war09 condemning the Israeli terror attacks on Gaza.

3. Do anything within your power and ambit to put thru the message that the world will not tolerate terrorism committed upon Gaza civilians. This may include dumping American company shares, refusing business with American and Israeli corporations and so on; and

4. Pray that one day Israel will be held to account for its current, past and future war crimes such as these.

If our Governments can’t do what it, it would thus be up to us, the People. Arise and do your part for humanity.

Down with the World Assembly! Long live the United Nations!

On April the 1st, news of Pakatan Rakyat wasn’t the only one to catch my eye.

For those of you who know me a little better, either in real life or online, you’ll know I am an avid player of this online simulation game, NationStates. I have been active there since May last year and have found an online community I can identify with. Not only do we have the same interests (ie politics, global issues) but they are on the whole a nice bunch, that is, those who I met living as a nation in the region of Technopolis. Although I eventually left that region due to irrecocilible differences with some of that region’s existing members, I was fortunate in a way to have those agreable move with me into a new region, Technotopia.

 For those of you not in the know, NationStates is a simulation game, created by Max Barry in 2002 to promote his book, Jennifer Government (a spectacular satire on capitalism!) - you register and “found” a nation. You control decisions made though its parliament, which is a simple game of approving predetermined issues, and issue messages to other nations within your region on what are called Regional Message Boards (RMBs). For more, just visit the link and click on their FAQ page.

The part of the game pertinant here is that the game also simulates joining a global body, where membership means being bound by its rules (which affect your nation’s stats) and also being able to draft resolutions to be voted upon. Yes, you guessed it. It works somewhat like the United Nations, and heck, it was called the United Nations! Joining the UN was as easy as applying, and those in the UN could “endorse” any other fellow UN member within the same region, and the highest would occupy the position of UN Delegate, a position of stature within a region, with certain added benefits.

It was a good system. Here the United Nations name was being used for something good. Something the real United Nations was set up for in 1945 after the second world war, to promote greater cohesion, unity, harmony and greater understanding amongst world peoples. Remember the UN Charter?  We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war… to reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights… etc we all know what a cock and bull that is. Not only have they failed to save suceeding generations from war, they have actually contributed to its increase, and human rights violations are greater in number now then ever before, especially in a certain Middle Eastern State this UN helped to found (no guesses which one) it was an open secret that the United Nations was subservient to those who provided the bulk of their funding, the United States, who uses and abuses the organisation like its personal whore whenever it wants.

Not in NationStates at least. Though an online fiction, it was nice to see that resolutions were being passed for the betterment of man, and that “nations” within NationStates were all in reality people hailing from different parts of the world who were friends. But alas this was not to last as on April 1st Max Barry announced on NationStates that the real UN had sent a letter warning Max Barry that his use of the name and flag symbol of the United Nations on NationStates was violating Interllectual Property laws, as well as ordering that he take down such a “traversity” at once.

Now, I ask all, is this really proper? One, how is it that names and symbols of the United Nations, an international organisation, political at that, get to copyright its symbols? Surely if this were allowed to pass, the Vatican City could lay claim to the Bible!

Second, why suddenly out of the blue send a legal notice? Haven’t they got more important notices as such to serve, say on, those such as George W. Bush and Tony Blair for war crimes in Iraq? Or maybe on the Israeli Government for their illegal West Bank barrier wall? Maybe even on the Chinese Government for their oppression of Tibetan and Xinjiang minority groups? Or Myanmar’s military junta for yet again failing to respect the demands of the international community by a swift reversion to democracy and the immediate release of jailed leader Aung San Syu Kyi?

No, these are not a priority to the UN, no sir. Rather, they would prefer to sue others over petty issues such as copyright. Don’t let me even get started on the unjust nature of interllectual property. Max never did no harm nor did those who come online to NationStates using the United Nations banner as a vehicle towards real peace.

For the benefit of all, let me reproduce verbatim what my reaction was in NationStates upon learning of this development;

Everyone! This whole real United Nations condemning NationStates for using the so-called UN brand is a load of bull!

The United Nations is supposed to be about unity and solidarity of the world people, and NationStates, I believe, promotes that through its many nations, regions, and yes, its United Nations. There is nothing wrong with the use of the symbol, and name for these purposes, which are noble.

I find it ridiculous that the name “United Nations” is protected under Interllectual Property laws, laws which lets face it suck in the first place for all the creativity and innovation they stifle, and for all the suffering they cause those who can’t afford the price that comes with using such “property”, some of whom live in the most destitute parts of the world.

Attempting to force IP laws down on us here is abhorrent and contemptous of ongoing efforts to solidify the bounds of humanity under the United Nations banner, and so we must undertake to resist such vile attempts. I urge a vote AGAINST the resolution tabled by Maxtopia in the so-called “World Assembly” right now to indicate protest and freedom from the shackles of such repressive Capitalist laws! Long live the United Nations!

Interllectual property is not cool, its unjust. And so are the United Nations for enforcing it. Adding to their ineptitude owing to failing to follow their own founding principles and behaving like a respectable world organisation, this really is it for them. Leave us alone, wont ya, UN, go sue someone else.

Pakatan Rakyat for the people!

I was surfing the net this evening when I came accross a very interesting piece of news in the online edition of The Star, a local English daily.

According to the report, the Malaysian Opposition parties, PAS, PKR and DAP are to form a new coalition, called the Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Pact).

This event truly heralds a new beginning in Malaysian politics. For the past 50 years of independence, we have lived under the divisive, corrupt and nepotistic government of the Barisan Nasional (BN, National Front). This new alliance is a godsend for all, and just the right response to March 8th’s political tsunami recently.

This is the joint statement of the heads of all three of these political parties, taken from YB Lim Kit Siang’s blog. 

The leaders of KeADILan, DAP and PAS met today in furtherance of the meeting held on the 18th of March 2008.

Today’s meeting was attended by, among others, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang and YB Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

In today’s meeting, we have proposed to consolidate the cooperation between the three parties under the name “PAKATAN RAKYAT”. This name has been proposed pending confirmation by the respective parties.

Pakatan Rakyat pledges to uphold the rights and interests of all Malaysians, regardless of religion or race, as enshrined in the Constitution.

With the results of the recent elections, the state governments of Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor will be known as Pakatan Rakyat state governments. The policies of these governments will be conducted in accordance with the policies of Pakatan Rakyat.

To further mutual understanding regarding such policies, a convention of all Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives of Parliament and State Assemblies will be held on the 27th of April 2008.

We have developed and strengthened the structure of Pakatan Rakyat by creating under the Leadership Council, consisting of the leaders of the three parties, a Joint Secretariat consisting of three leaders from each of the three parties. This joint Secretariat will be tasked with building the foundation and framework of the Pakatan Rakyat for ratification by the Leadership Council.

Congratulations to PR. May more good things follow for you, for Malaysia. This Blog proudly proclaims itself as one of the first to give a review on the Pact.

Malaysia Just Changed It!

On the day of 8 March 2008, something happened in Malaysia. A tsunami of sorts swept the nation. And no, this is not a repeat of the tragic 2004 South East Asian Tsunami that ravaged Aceh in Indonesia as well as other parts of the world, claiming lives. This was a different kind of tsunami, a political sort, hitherto unprecedented in Malaysian history.

The result?

Malaysia Changed! Yeah! Change with a capital “C”. Politically, at least. Not sure about socially or culturally. But its a good start and here’s why.

The Government, ruled by the Barisan Nasional (National Front, BN) for the 50 years that Malaysia (or more accurately, West Malaysia or Malaya)  dominated and led by UMNO all this while as it were, steadily saw its popularity amongst the multi-ethnic masses drop. This happened due to a variety of reasons, which political analysts, what more ordinary people on the Malaysian street, debate on. One thing was clear, the BN had, for the first time in Malaysian history, been denied two-thirds majority in Parliament as well as losing five states to the Opposition. To the foreigner, this might strike things as being a little bit odd. Why should a two-thirds majority be easy to obtain? But for Malaysians, and those familiar with the Malaysian scene, notably its repressive laws against freedom of speech and the right to peacably assemble, know all too well the significance of this election result – a decisive rejection of, amongst others, actions of the government of the day helmed by the once lauded but now deeply distrusted Abdullah Badawi, seen as betraying the huge 2004 General Election mandate to fight corruption, cronyism and nepotism that flourished during his predecessor,  Mahathir Mohamed’s 22 year rule. Other then that there were also concerns mostly specific to certain ethnic communities. The Chinese were up to their teeth with discrimination against them by the Government in education matters mostly. The Indians, previously BN supporters through and through, now, due to agitations by the Hindu Rights Action Force, or HINDRAF, which saw 5 of its leaders been arrested under the notorious Internal Security Act 1960, which allows for detention without trial, use the cry of Makkal Sakthi or People Power to desert the ruling coalition in droves. As for the swing in Malay votes, that was something no one had anticipated, although unfavourable reactions to the HINDRAF saga was one, and Abdullah’s much hated son in law, Khairy Jamaluddin’s widely known influence on executive policies was another factor that could have led to BN’s worst electoral defeat in independent Malaysia’s history.

 The question (or rather questions) to ponder, after such a shocking polls outcome can be among these: Is the BN and UMNO still relevant? They would like to think themselves to be, for sure. But it looks like they aren’t fast enough to understand and come to terms with the new political landscape, dominated by young people and alternative, internet-based media. Can the DAP (Democratic Action Party), the country’s main ethnic Chinese-based Opposition party reconcile deep rooted differences with Islamist PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia or Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) to form, together with PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or People’s Justice Party) a united “Barisan Rakyat“? (People’s Front, BR) to replace the BN in the next general election? One is tempted to say “No” at this point, but it is worth looking at. Much will depend on the success of the mixed coalition in power in the states of Perak and Selangor now.

 Anyway as a former strong supporter of BN and presently being an advocate of change, I wish them luck.