Monday, May 22, 2006

Another protest is coming to town...

The Anti Fuel Price Hike Alliance (PROTES) is organising another protest rally on 28th of May. The date is significant because it is 3-month anniversary of the latest fuel price hike (which was announced on 28th of February) After organising for more than one month, the organisers are confident to gather bigger crowd than all the previous protests.

The details of the rally are as below:

Date : 28 May 2006 (Sunday)

Time : 10 am

Venue : KLCC


In the recently concluded Sarawak election, urban class voters have sent a strong message to the government - If the government is not able to protect the interest of the people, we are not hesitate to make a change!

"Protes Sampai Turun!" is the slogan of the organisers. They have proved their determination, how about you?


Protes Harga Minyak
http://proteshargaminyak.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Stand firm on freedom of assembly

On 14 may 2006, a group of protestors had disrupted a public forum in Penang, which was to discuss the supremacy of the Federal Constitution. According to the organisers of the forum (Article 11), they were "ordered" to abort the forum by the policemen.

The incident has outraged many people, especially the non-muslims. Many so-called "liberals" have even condemned the police force for not dispersing the "mob". However, we must be extra careful when commenting the incident.

I am totally with you if you are supporting the Article 11 coalition and criticize the protestors for being conservative and intolerant. However, if we criticize the police for not clamping down the demonstrating crowd, we are putting ourselves in a bad light.

When peaceful assemblies such as anti-war protest, anti fuel price hike protest, Mayday rallies, anti-ISA procession etc were forcefully dispersed by the police, we stood firmly in defending our right to assemble peaceably; but why are we now asking the police to disperse the crowd outside the hotel where the public forum was held? Did they throw stones? Did they resort to violence? Did they bring arms?

If we ask the authority to suppress demonstrations which are not in our favor, we are asking for troubles. The double standard that we apply on others today will eventually make ourselves the sacrificial lamb!

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Between the JUMBOs

I am invited to speak about weblog (blog) in a seminar co-organised by Civil Rights Committee and WAMI (Writers Alliance for Media Independence). The seminar is in Mandarin and will be held on 10 May 2006 (Wednesday), 8pm at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. The title of the seminar is "The Populace's Media - The Application and Function of Blogs" (translation)

I thought it was ok when Chong Soon (my housemate cum exco of WAMI) asked me to speak. Although I am not very good in blogging, but I think no harm telling others about my experience as a fresh blogger. However, I was shocked when the organiser told me that my co-speakers are Jeff Ooi and Jeremiah Foo, both are famous bloggers in Malaysia.

I am very nervous now. I do not even know what to prepare...... It is mind-boggling that small-timer like me can speak about blogs together with Jeremiah and Jeff. This is tantamount to giving political speech in front of Anwar Ibrahim and Mat Sabu! Amazing!

Anyway, I will try my best to prepare my presentation. All of you are cordially invited to the talk.

By the way, I think I need a name starts with J too - Jeremy. Is it ok? ;p


Screenshots
http://jeffooi.com/


Jerry's Alter Ego
http://jeremiahfoo.com/

Monday, May 01, 2006

Don't just shop!

1st of May is a public holiday, which is the only thing most Malaysians know. Many people will take this opportunity to consume in luxurious hypermarket; whereas some will take a good rest at home. This is exactly what the government want to promote on this significant day - consumerism and being apolitical. However, there are people out there who will always remind us that May Day is traditionally a day of struggle against exploitation and capitalism!

Lest we forget the origin of this particular day, here's the history:


May 1st, the International Workers' Day (or May Day) is the commemoration of the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in most countries. The United States of America and Canada are among the exceptions. This despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the USA, linked to the battle for the eight-hour day.

In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada, organized in 1881 (and changing its name in 1886 to American Federation of Labor) passed a resolution which asserted that "eight hours shall constitute a legal day's work from and after May 1, 1886, and that we recommend to labor organizations throughout this district that they so direct their laws as to conform to this resolution". The following year the Federation repeated the declaration that an eight-hour system was to go into effect on May 1, 1886. With workers being forced to work ten, twelve, and fourteen hours a day, support for the eight-hour movement grew rapidly.

On May 1st, 1886, more than 350,000 workers of the United States went on a general strike after most employers refused to accept the 8-hour working time resolution. Chicago was the main center of the agitation for a shorter day - 90,ooo workers went on strike. After the strike, 35,000 meat packers in Chicago were finally given 8 hours working time.

However, the victory did not last long. Unscrupulous capitalists bought over the policemen and judges. Between year 1886 to 1890, many union leaders were persecuted, some of them were even killed. On 1 May 1890, workers in United States gained solid support from the workers around the world. Besides US itself, workers in many Europe countries (especially England, Netherland, Italy, France, Spain and Russia) and several countries in Latin America held huge rallies. In the same year, the capitalists were forced to succumb to the workers, by allowing workers to have 8-hour working time per day and 1 rest day in a week.

In 1919, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had accepted 8-hour working time per day as universal standard, and announced 1st of May as the International Workers' Day.


Asia0900: 2006 May Day Special
http://www.asia247.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=52