tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108757242012-02-17T07:13:20.037+08:00"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world: and that is, an idea whose time has come" - Victor Hugo.Jarednoreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-63676537487626612122010-01-08T08:55:00.004+08:002010-01-08T09:09:46.560+08:00

Why are we fighting over a word to refer to Divinity that historically have been used by Arabs of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish faith to describe God? A simple research on the internet will tell you this. The word Allah does not belong exclusively to Malaysian Muslims, and this is a fact of today and the past backed by evidence. Go to the middle east and ask. It is the West that has assigned

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-28739077728424356092008-10-15T10:40:00.000+08:002008-10-15T10:59:20.228+08:00

This is a good discussion on Bahasa Melayu. I like it because it is answered by a Chinese Malaysian - Dr Teo Kok Seong, professor sosiolinguistic of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). In this series on how the national language is perceived by non-Malays.... Teo Kok Seong: ...Kata mereka, kita tidak boleh kata bahawa orang cina yang tidak boleh berbahasa melayu ini tidak patriotik. Saya tak

Jarednoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-86362247454603799512008-10-07T16:52:00.011+08:002008-11-21T16:26:18.096+08:00

I watched What Rainforest? and immediately felt that it should not be called an "environmental" documentary. But it's seemingly environmental sounding name belies the cruel reality of the story. At the Freedom Film Fest where it debuted, it was put under the category "Native Rights and Conservation" and many like me would be wont to expect an environmental film. But how wrong was I. As

Jarednoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-73988653050369931962008-09-09T10:35:00.000+08:002008-09-09T10:36:57.214+08:00

"UTUSAN MALAYSIA: Sekarang ini ada pula Melayu liberal yang juga mahu supaya diwujudkan kesamarataan?DR. SHAM RAHAYU: Kelompok ini yang menjadi racun, saya sebut ini adalah Melayu yang makan Melayu, Melayu yang menjadi racun kepada Perlembagaan.Tidak mustahil mereka yang mencetuskan semua ini.Mereka yang nak jadi juara memperjuangkan hak sama rata, tanpa memahami sejarah Perlembagaan secara

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-70191818303396158372008-06-18T13:30:00.008+08:002008-10-14T12:26:04.955+08:00

I refer to Mirror, Mirror by A. Asohan on StarMag June 15. I was at the National Press Club when de facto Law minister Zaid Ibrahim gave a disingenuous speech to a roomful of journalists, bloggers and activists who work for press freedom. He seemed to be the appropriate person from the government to be invited to speak in the Walk for Press Freedom event on June 1st. Firstly, because he seemed

Jarednoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-12888581024931775092008-06-05T16:24:00.009+08:002008-06-05T17:25:49.289+08:00

---I came across some startling numbers in Newsweek while taking my usual lrt train to work in downtown KL. "By the Numbers" is my favourite section in the magazine because it makes you double back and think again. This time it's about Burma and food.Since the media broke stories about the food crisis and rising food prices, I've been trying to get my head around this new global life threatening

Jarednoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-60731400958038111412008-05-09T16:07:00.000+08:002008-05-09T16:56:02.050+08:00

I've been publishing all the comments that come to the Chinese school debate - weather it is pro or against without fear or favour. This is what I found:1) I am very,very moderate. Sickeningly so. So I can be a referee, but I'm pretty sure the wrestlers on opposite side of the ring will accuse me of favouritism. And very soon they will both turn against me. So here goes: On one side of the ring

Jarednoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-24532408269705902232008-04-23T16:17:00.000+08:002008-04-23T16:18:41.919+08:00

"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." - Arundhati Roy

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-73542834857094296102008-04-15T11:46:00.000+08:002008-04-15T12:05:33.382+08:00

I see now, why Chinese school debate is "sensitive," It's actually not sensitive, it's just that people don't understand what the other side is saying. Four people wrote back to me. Three lambasted me for1) wanting to ban Chinese schools2) being an American and have no roots3) accusing me of not honouring Chinese culture and history.The other one asked for evidence that national schools are being

Jarednoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-70223056296707797832008-04-11T17:48:00.002+08:002008-04-12T15:36:10.703+08:00

CHINESE SCHOOLS AND NATIONAL INTERGRATIONI DO NOT agree that ethnic based schools – Chinese, Tamils, or Islamic schools – should be banned. Each ethnic groups have a RIGHT to set up schools and make sure that their kids learn their mother tongue or religion, but the government should make it more ATTRACTIVE for parents of ALL ethnicities to send their kids to national schools. Now, HOW?I’m trying

Jarednoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-86598975266348537582008-04-04T23:07:00.003+08:002008-04-04T23:20:36.156+08:00

For all the fight corruption rhetoric that Pak Lah has been saying but little done, he could have done it and won admiration from people by repealing the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and enacting the Right to Information Act (RTI) or Freedom of Information. No amount of fighting corruption can be successful when there is an OSA to protect files and documents from the glare of public scrutiny.With a

Jarednoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-82632474917041873292008-03-25T11:00:00.003+08:002008-03-26T00:39:29.438+08:00

I wrote an Open Letter to Dr Chandra Muzaffar in response to his article in The Star (see post before this), and this is his reply. I'm glad he did reply. But after reading Obama's speech on race, I know that there has to be a way that does not divide us. His readings on race in America has everything to do with Malaysian issues on race and unity. Read/watch and be inspired. Anyway, without bias,

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-33816082922624308942008-03-18T17:19:00.000+08:002008-03-18T17:24:02.942+08:00

Dear Dr Chandra Muzaffar,I remember the first time I saw you speaking. I was in my sixth form and you were speaking in a public forum at the Komtar Dome in Penang. I was in awe of your intellectual courage. You spoke the language of justice and equality in an environment where equality seemed a dirty word.Fast forward two decades later, reading your analysis on BN's dismal showing at the polls (

Jarednoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-31974361410684131772008-03-13T22:22:00.000+08:002008-03-17T14:12:50.335+08:00

It is not a Race thing, it is an Identity thing। A number of international media reported that Malaysians head to the polls amidst racial tensions. They show pictures of Hindraf supporters throwing rocks, PAS within the Bersih march and FRUs spraying on demonstrators. It gives the misleading picture that racial strife is the main factor for the defeat of BN.I don't believe that analysis is

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-73785519667013568032008-03-12T12:42:00.000+08:002008-03-12T12:44:46.864+08:00

I am a happy and proud Malaysian. In fact, I am deliriously gleeful!Why?One: All the BNs are forced to एअत humble pie. Now what happened to all the keris waving arrogance? And what a waste of front cover pages speculating the next Chief Minister among BN chinese last week.Two: The electoral process is actually working? I was one of the many, many whose name has been moved to another constituency

Jarednoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-32974471279184999702008-03-12T12:22:00.001+08:002008-03-12T12:25:02.918+08:00

THE mainstream media has a major role to play in why BN fell. They really have to shoulder the blame. But the biggest blame of course goes to the BN itself which had over the years cowed the media and taught it how to report what it wants to read.This is Mahathir's legacy. While he goes around shooting his mouth that Pak Lah has destroyed the BN. It is him who had the biggest hand in removing the

Jarednoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1128940782224471682005-10-10T18:39:00.000+08:002005-12-30T17:32:02.906+08:00

For full story, please see Carmen Nge's www.smallacts.blogspot.com

Jarednoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1128940520389372712005-10-10T18:35:00.000+08:002005-10-10T18:48:14.336+08:00

For full story, please see Carmen Nge's site: www.smallacts.blogspot.com

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1109296800492575442005-02-01T09:57:00.000+08:002006-01-09T11:38:51.713+08:00

ADOPT AN ORPHAN FROM ACEH? NOT.Pictures and story by Ong Ju Lin in Banda AcehLooking for survivors.It is a different world on the ground. For us working in the field, it is a world of mobile clinics, relief distribution, logistics, IDPs (internally displaced persons), UN coordination meetings, health surveillance meetings, etc…Ironically, while you’re at the place where the real stuff is and if

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108572776308765512004-07-04T12:49:00.000+08:002005-02-22T13:25:19.390+08:00

by Ong Ju LinThe Aids cause is no longer a fringe movement. It has become mainstream. The cause now belongs to governments, world leaders and corporations. From a marginalised movement championed by gay activists in America, it has become a multibillion dollar industry supporting research institutions, governments, NGOs and pharmaceuticals.This year’s International Aids Conference held from July

Jarednoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108578860300009242003-09-02T02:07:00.000+08:002006-01-28T23:52:10.770+08:00

Photos and story by Ong Ju LinThe idyllic fishing village of Leam Markham in Trang Province, Southern Thailand, is a classic example of how restoration of coastal mangrove forests can bring a new wave of prosperity to poverty-stricken fisherfolk, writes Ong Ju Lin.The fishing village of Lean Markham in Trang province is cradled in a lush mangrove forest on the coast of southern Thailand, off the

Jarednoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108574891955798122003-05-05T01:10:00.000+08:002005-02-23T17:48:23.593+08:00

by Ong Ju LinThe fate of the V1 Immunitor, which is currently being taken by 60,000 HIV+ people in Thailand and some 5,000 abroad with some hopeful results, is in the hands of the Thai health authorities who continue to dismiss it as a potential therapy in a land stricken with AIDS infecting one million people. Last week, the Thai Food and Drug Administration sought to have its manufacturing and

Jarednoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108573655829351472003-05-05T01:02:00.000+08:002005-02-23T17:50:41.966+08:00

Thai authorities want V1 banned, citing false claims by the drug manufacturer and dubious results, writes Ong Ju Lin.FOR the second time, the Thai National Food Commission intends to pull the plug on the controversial V1 Immunitor, touted by its makers as a vaccine for AIDS. Two years ago, it withdrew its food supplement permit but reissued it a week later after a demonstration by 300 patients

Jarednoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108580530698800802003-02-17T02:57:00.000+08:002005-02-17T14:41:32.236+08:00

How would you like to get hitched in this town? Doesn’t look too romantic, huh? This is Pekan Siam, across the border from Padang Besar where rice retailing and polygamy peddling can go in the same shoplot, ONG JU LIN investigates.JUST across the border of Padang Besar is a small rectangular town made up of rows of shop houses which survive on a steady diet of Malaysian tourists. In the day, the

Jarednoreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108577030214988422002-05-09T01:53:00.000+08:002005-02-19T00:07:51.493+08:00

Amidst calls at the recent Penang Story International Conference for conserving historical living communities, some long-time residents of inner Georgetown have to pack up and leave what has been home to their families for the past hundred years, writes ONG JU LIN.KHOO Chye Huat, 96, and her two sons watched from the patio of their clan home as the long line of dignitaries, accompanied by

Jarednoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108581001579724812001-09-21T03:07:00.000+08:002005-02-17T03:10:01.590+08:00

by Ong Ju LinWHO are the Malays of Penang? It seems there is no easy answer to this question of identity. What emerged at a Malay Colloquium held last month was that the “Malay identity” comprises a kaleidoscope of diverse cultures and ethnicities. Discussions at the colloquium revealed how interrelated communities on the island are, and how the history of one community cannot be fully understood

Jarednoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108570290689233582000-05-09T00:01:00.000+08:002005-02-17T16:24:26.760+08:00

by ONG JU LINXANANA Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta's visit to Malaysia in February signified a new era in Malaysia's relationship with East Timor. Just six months before that, Malaysia had accused the West of taking advantage of Indonesia following the fall of Suharto and orchestrating East Timor's independence. Today, the Malaysian Government has pledged to help East Timor rebuild their

Jarednoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108568172342476462000-05-08T12:10:00.000+08:002005-02-24T00:35:12.760+08:00

by Ong Ju Lin“He was totally, totally innocent and his death was an abosolutely unforgivable murder.”Jose Ramos Horta, independence deputy leader of East TimorUnlike most Malaysians who recently became familiar with East Timor’s long and tragic struggle for independence, one young man, Kamal Bhamadhaj, worked tirelessly from 1989 until his death in 1991to raise international support and awareness

Jarednoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108575875857797522000-05-05T01:33:00.000+08:002005-02-24T00:38:50.263+08:00

by June HL Wong and Ong Ju LinWHEN the Indonesian soldiers started pumping bullets into the East Timorese protesters at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili on Nov 12, 1991, Malaysian activist Kamal Bamadhaj was near the front of the crowd.He somehow survived the murderous hail, apparently sustaining only an arm injury, acording to a medical report his mother, Helen Todd received later. Eye-witnesses

Jarednoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108572207858720661998-08-21T00:37:00.000+08:002006-01-09T12:11:05.786+08:00

Burma is a big stage where the villains carry guns, writes Ong Ju Lin, one of the 18 activists detained recently by the Burmese junta. The authour after her release at a press conference in Bangkok.I WAS one of the 18 detained in Rangoon for six days. The six Americans have become international heroes. The other 12 - three Thais, three Indonesians, two Filipinas and one Australian are lesser (

Jarednoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108571611877343121998-02-05T11:29:00.000+08:002006-01-30T17:28:02.260+08:00

by Ong Ju LinOnce expected to lead her country but now an exile in her homeland, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi still harbours hope for a democratic Burma. As one of the first batch of ASEAN journalist to interview her since her release from house arrest, Ong Ju Lin writes her impressions meeting The Lady in Yangon.We were the first ASEAN journalists to interview Nobel Peace Prize

Jarednoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108626342581789441998-02-05T02:44:00.000+08:002005-02-22T12:35:46.673+08:00

by Ong Ju LinWhile ASEAN celebrates the ASEAN-10 on its 30th anniversary, all is not well with the new kid in the block. Ong Ju Lin takes a critical look at ASEAN’s policy of “constructive engagement” with Myanmar.Ah Thwin operates a small food stall near Shwedagon Pagoda, catering to both local devotees of the temple and tourists. This unassuming young man was a Math student at Yangon University

Jarednoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108629407822822721990-02-16T16:36:00.000+08:002005-02-25T10:01:27.623+08:00

Girl begging by the highway connecting Chaman to Kandahar. copyright@2005 ongjulinTwo Afghan boys taking watch at the Mercy Malaysia hospital in Spinbulduk copyright@2005 ongjulinA Malaysian doctor examining a sick child in MERCY-PIMA Hospital Spinbulduk, Afghanistan. copyright@2005 ongjulinThis Afghan boy makes the best lemonade in town! copyright@2005 ongjulinWomen shopping in Chaman

Jarednoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10875724.post-1108832620354510001990-02-16T00:57:00.000+08:002005-02-25T10:02:09.886+08:00

An entrepreneur in Kandahar uses a pin-hole camera to take a mugshot of a customer in military garb. copyright@2005 ongjulinAn Afghan gypsy refugee in "no-man's-land", near Chaman, Pakistan border. copyright@2005 ongjulinTaliban-style headgear in a market in Kandahar copyright@2005 ongjulinBabasheriff village head entering his mud-dwelling. copyright@2005 ongjulinLandmine survivor on a

Jarednoreply@blogger.com1