Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Embrace the Tamils to ensure long-lasting peace

I wish to share the opinion expressed by the renowned journalist, Mahendra Ved , from India. The following write-up of Mahendra Ved gives an insight of the Tamils and LTTE problems in Sri Lanka:

THE last time I wrote on Sri Lanka developments in this column, there was an angry letter from a Sri Lankan Tamil woman. Besides dubbing me "a north Indian, insensitive to Tamil aspirations", she wrote, somewhat contemptuously, that my first name resembled that of her president.
I noted the sentiments. My argument that the Tamils of the island nation deserved all support and sympathy, but not the Tigers, had not washed with her.

She is, perhaps, representative of the anger of millions more who have for the past two decades come to identify their aspirations with those of the Tigers.

Actually, they had no real choice as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had decimated every other Tamil group that advocated a different line and did not agree with its violent struggle.

I had met moderates like Appapillai Amrithalingam, Umamaheswaran and others in the 1980's, only to read later of their assassinations. The LTTE did not allow any other opinion to exist.

Here lies the crux. Here lies the tragedy.

The end game in Sri Lanka has been won by a determined government that gagged the media, disregarded international opinion and concerns, and ruthlessly carried the military campaign to its logical conclusion. The Tigers have been all but destroyed in their home base.

There were reports as the battle entered the last phase that some Tigers might escape to Southeast Asia and keep the resistance alive till they regain a foothold back home and in southern India. Some would have escaped to other parts of Sri Lanka as well. This is possible. If it happens, several governments that have banned the organisation have a serious task at hand.

While this is in the realm of informed speculation for now, there is no end to the woes of the Tamil populace. More than 200,000 are displaced and went through hell in the last phase. The numbers of dead, maimed, sick and homeless are still being compiled as the international community rushes in help.

According to the United Nations, roughly 7,000 ethnic Tamil civilians were killed between January, when a military offensive pushed back the rebels into a tiny enclave in the northeast, and the first week of this month.

The Tamils may feel relieved, but also fearful of retribution from the majority Sinhalas, going by the current triumphant mood after the military victory.

The vast Tamil diaspora feels angry and humiliated. In Canada, they want to try the Sri Lankan leadership for "war crimes". In some other capitals, from the safety of distance and democracy, resolutions have been passed to bring the Sri Lankans "to their knees".

This anger is understandable, considering the years of distrust from discrimination and ill-treatment that successive governments in Colombo meted out to the Tamils. Laws were passed to keep them suppressed and on the periphery of society. Violence was met with violence even among civilians. Discontent prepared the ground for resistance.

A critical look at the role of the Tigers has been long overdue. Violence was the basis of their quest for a homeland. They transformed from an armed resistance group to a guerilla force and eventually into a terrorist organisation, complete with an army, navy with submarine vessels and a small air wing.

Money kept pouring in and so did arms and ammunition. For years, Colombo kept up its carrot-and-stick policy. Only, the carrot was not juicy and sweet enough and the stick was not strong enough. For lack of political will on both sides, the conflict lingered on.

For years, the military proved a poor match to the highly motivated and organised Tigers, who killed at will not only fellow Tamils considered "traitors" but also top ministers and leaders. Even the present army chief was hit just outside his office.

At the centre of it all was the LTTE supremo, Vellupillai Prabhakaran. Much has been written about his grip on the minds and bodies of the Tamils who lived in the north and east of the island for a quarter of a century.

Now that he has met a violent death, it remains a moot point how much they loved and how much they feared him and his cadres.

The bloodletting -- more than 90,000 killed -- and Prabhakaran's own bloody end could have been averted had both sides shown sagacity. Colombo played to the Sinhala chauvinists, while the LTTE utilised each ceasefire to regroup and strengthen its hold over the territory inhabited by the Tamils.

The worst, one hopes, is over. Winning the peace will call for a clear political outline of the future by the government. Rebuilding the country will call for the government to abjure the thought of victor and vanquished.

At the end of the day, what matters is the degree to which Colombo will accommodate the Tamils in the future constitutional and administrative framework of the country.

It will be President Mahinda Rajapakse's task, therefore, to ensure the removal of such feelings through meeting the genuine demands of the Tamils. That will mean granting them equality with the Sinhalas in every sphere of political and social activity, in order for the former to identify with the rest of the country.

One cannot ignore the rather justifiable bitterness Sri Lanka's Tamils have felt about their place in the country's scheme of things. Such bitterness can only be wiped off through guaranteeing Tamil rights -- to education, to government service, to pursuing their own language and culture -- in the country's constitution.

It is time for Rajapakse and his men to show a measure of wisdom and understanding. Otherwise, their triumph will only pave the way for years of guerilla and conventional warfare.

Worse, violence that is now being window-dressed as a victory extracted by the Sri Lankan army will likely strengthen the military top brass' aspiration for power and influence in state affairs. Sri Lankan society will have to resist this phenomenon, so common across South Asia.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

CONGRESS EMERGED VICTORIOUS IN INDIAN GENERAL ELECTION

The following is a write up on Indian Polls by MR.MAHENDRA VED, a well known journalist and columinist from India.


Era of governance by coalition continues:


SINGH is still the King. Manmohan earned a fresh term as India's prime minister after hard, closely fought, no-holds-barred parliamentary polls elected the 15th Lok Sabha last week.
He is the first to complete a full term and win another since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962.

The worst was feared after parties and individual leaders broke ranks and the level of discourse took a plunge. Mercifully, the nation has been spared the much-feared horse-trading that would have been inevitable if the popular verdict had been fractured.

The most reassuring thing about the results is that one can hope the government will last its full five-year term, unless there is an unforeseeable mess. No need for a mid-term poll, with all its inherent uncertainties and expenses.

Equally reassuring is the perception, based on the last five years' performance, that the government will provide political stability and steer the nation's economy, buffeted by global recession, on the right course.

The reaction of the silent majority and the middle class was recorded in the form of votes. That of the business and industry has been ecstatic, more so as they think the new government need not take diktats from the communists.

But being pragmatic, even they would acknowledge that with or without such diktats, pumping in billions in rural employment and poverty alleviation projects has helped.

The new government can now concentrate on a myriad problem at home and those impacting its security and foreign relations, particularly in this highly volatile neighbourhood.

The multifarious partnership with the US, a politically unstable Nepal, an imploding Pakistan and conflict in Sri Lanka remain immediate challenges. So does watching Bangladesh from where militants of various hues pose a serious threat.

The five-year arrangement of division of labour will continue: Manmohan runs the government while Sonia Gandhi runs the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). It augurs well for democratic functioning.

The era of governance by coalition continues. Any attempt by the Congress to act big could isolate it. The UPA stays with its sulking constituents, both winners and losers.

Chances are that Manmohan will offer ministerial posts to some like the vanquished Bihar satrap Lalu Prasad Yadav. Ever pragmatic, Yadav admitted his "mistake" in not taking Congress along in the key Bihar state.
Yadav's fate may be better than another rebel, Ram Vilas Paswan, who aspired to be India's first Dalit (the most oppressed class) prime minister. He had entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 1977 for winning with the highest vote margin in history. He lost in the same impoverished Hajipur in rural Bihar.

Another prime ministerial aspirant, Mayawati, chief minister of the most populous Uttar Pradesh state and a one-woman army, failed to emerge as a queen or a kingmaker. She must slog it out in her state and stay friendly to Delhi. Wily and ambitious Sharad Pawar, who also has a big stake in cricket, would have thrived had the UPA fared badly in making inter-alliance arrangements. He must bide his time.

Ailing octogenarian Karunanidhi spoilt Jayalalithaa's party. He performed a remarkable repeat that Tamil Nadu does not generally allow. Political pundits and astrologers had predicted a key role at the national level for "Amma", as she is called. She fared badly despite advocacy for Tamil Eelam in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

It is too early to determine if the raging conflict and the influx of Tamil refugees from the island played any role. The defeat of Vaiko, the lawmaker who threatened Tamil Nadu's "secession" from the country and Pattali Makkal Katchi would suggest that it did not.

The real loser is the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). It may be end of the road for Lal Krishna Advani, his party's and the alliance's official nominee for prime minister. The next time on, in 2014, he will be 87 years old. It would be time for a new generation to take over.

NDA contested without the liberal Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is ailing. Advani, despite his attempts to shed the image of a "Hindutva" hardliner and to appeal to the young, could not fit into his shoes. The BJP will now have existential problems, despite being in power in eight states. With Vajpayee out and Advani weakened, the second line of leadership may step up in-infighting.

The communists, too, are in a total mess. Their number dwindled in Parliament and the Red bastion was seriously dented in West Bengal and Kerala. The Left Front's supremacy in Bengal has ended after 32 years. But their bete noire, Mamata Banerjee, who brought it all about, has a record of erratic behaviour. She could unwittingly help the Left recover.

What worked for Congress/UPA? The Rahul factor -- his appeal to the young while campaigning across the country and his go-it-alone strategy for the party have obviously added to mother Sonia's unrelenting campaign and backroom parleys.

Rahul could debut as a minister, but perhaps not at the cabinet level. A minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, maybe.

Manmohan himself proved a doughty campaigner. No orator and recovering after a complicated heart surgery, he undertook a punishing campaign, blasting his principal rival Advani who had needled him for the last five years. His campaign was the surprise of the poll.

Not only Punjab voted for a Sikh prime minister -- other religious minorities too have noted the quiet work of India's first prime minister who does not belong to the majority Hindu faith.

Beyond individuals, parties and alliances, it was the people who rewarded those who performed: Manmohan at the national level and in the states, chief ministers like Narendra Modi (Gujarat) and Navin Patnaik.

Writer-turned-politician Patnaik's stake-all gamble of breaking from BJP over anti-Christian violence in Orissa state yielded good dividends. This is but one example of people being tired of strife in the name of religion and caste.

Ironically, people responded well to BJP's slogan of "su-rajya" -- good governance -- but chose not to elect it for fear of social disharmony, ranging from attacking religious minorities to those visiting pubs or dressing the way they like.

This goes to underline that the individual does matter in a democracy.

END

(Malaysian politicians must take note that the individual does matter in a democracy and voters are deemed to reject parties which exploit race and religious sentiments in politics).

LTTE SUPREMO REPORTED DEAD

Sri Lankan military declared that they had brought to an end the decades old civil war by routing out the remnants of the LTTE rebels and killing their paramount leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Prabhakaran’s deputies- Sea Tiger leader Soosai, LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman, political wing leader B.Nadesan and head of the LTTE’s Peace Secretariat S.Pulideevan were also reported to be killed by the government military forces. Also killed were Prabhakaran’s 24 years son Charles Anthony.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed in 1970's.It was brought under the leadership of Prabhakaran in year 1972 and hereafter LTTE engaged in a all out war to set up an independent homeland for ethnic Tamils. But, USA declared LTTE as a terrorist organization on 8th October 1997.

The Tamils were consist of 12 % of the Sri Lankan population. It was reported that the ethnic Tamil’s citizenship were stripped in year 1949 by the Singhalese ethnic majority government. The Tamil’s century’s old manuscript were also destroyed.The Singhalese majority government were also alleged carried out a calculated ethnic cleansing on Tamils. The Tamils were not encouraged to join public sector including armed forces.

It was reported that the marginalization and the deprivation policy practiced by the Singhalese government against the Tamil ethnic was the major factor which forced the Tamils to be defiant and take arms to set up a separate homeland for Tamils. After all Tamils were not an immigrant community in Sri Lanka. The history reveals that the Tamils were once the rulers of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka comes under the patronage of Tamil Kingdom ever since the known history.

With the demise of LTTE forces in Sri Lanka, the Asia's longest running civil war was all but over. Yes, Prabhakaran and his army has been killed but their sacrifices will be remembered forever by the Tamils not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world.

The Tamils all over the world mourn over the demise of their hero Prabhaharan and his colleague.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

INTERNET IS CHANGING THE WAY WE LIVE

Today , 17th May 2009 , is World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. This year's theme is ' Protecting Children in Cyberspace'.

The internet has changed the way we live by connecting us to the world whilst enhancing the capabilities of many Malaysians to interact and share information among them without barrier.

The internet gives us the freedom to express our opinion through on line publications and blogs. The internet is good .Let us use this freedom wisely.

The Malaysians, made of diverse ethnic, religion,culture ,language and way of life must learn to use internet wisely in sharing information and opinions.we must use internet and blog responsibly.

we must not misuse this great invention of human kind to destabilize the unity fostered among Malaysians ever since Malaysia achieved independence or Merdeka.

The introduction and adoption of internet has given opportunity to many Malaysians to blog, particularly engage in political blogs. The political blogs which mushrooming in quantity has changed the Malaysians perception about their political beliefs and affiliations.

But we must always mindful of the information we put or receive on the internet. we must always mindful of our language we use in blog . We must use blog responsibly without hurting,offending, humiliating or embarrassing others on the internet.

We must always uphold sanctity of the law and being courteous to others when we use internet to express our opinions,particularly on religion.We must learn to blog wisely.

We must not misinform others with false information or twist the facts for some particluar interest in cyberspace using blogs. It is very dangerous to spread any information on the internet which may affect the political stability of Malaysia.

We must always uphold RUKUNEGARA while we blog on internet. Let us celebrate this day with a commitment that is to save our teenagers and children in cyberspace.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

MALAYSIANS NEVER WANT TO REMEMBER THE UGLY FACE OF MAY 13, YEAR 1969.

About 40 years ago, on this day Malaysia witnessed a racial riots in year 1969. The bloodshed of 1969 was reported took at least 200 lives. The race riots were sparked by politics. Chinese opposition supporters, whose parties made sweeping election gains, held a victory march in Kuala Lumpur and jeered at residents in Malay neighborhoods. The Malays staged their own rally, and in ensuing clashes, mobs armed with pistols and knives roamed the streets, killed people of other races and torched their homes.

The 13 May incident, as it was referred by historians, was reported to be caused by many factors and the most pertinent factor was the disparity among the various races, particularly the imbalance between the Malays and non- malay citizens. The Malay community, being the native of this country, felt that they were left behind in economic sector compared to the non-malay citizens, particularly the Chinese community.

Tun Abdul Razak,who took over the leadership of this country from YTM.Tunku Abdul Rahman, father of independence, and formulated policies to curb the ecomic imbalance between the races so that all Malaysians live peacefully without fear or hateful as one big family in this country of plentiful opportunities.

Tun Abdul Razak, draw affirmative plans with the support of Chinese and Indian leaders to restructure the Malaysian society in order to get rid of the identity of race with the economic function. At the same time, he also emphasize on eradication of poverty among all malaysians regardless of race, creed and religion.

Thus, Tun Abdul Razak , with the strong and undivided support from his friends who represents the interest of the Chinese and Indian community , drew the road map for greater economic development and prosperity for all Malaysians of this great country . On the way to reach the determined destiny, some quarters from every community benefited but many did not make it, infact left behind .

To put it in record, the malay communities corporate wealth surged from 2.4 percent in 1970 to about 20 percent today. Chinese community own about 40 percent of the corporate equity.But the Indians who are are about 8 percent of the population only have a stake of less than 2 percent.

Malaysians Indians, after 40 years of the introduction of the affirmative plan, failed miserably in economic development compared to other communities.
Thus, the Indians being the minority community in a nation of 27 million people has become more vocal lately in demanding their due legitimate rights and benefits . To this effect, the Indians even staged an unprecedented public protests in November 2007.

Understanding the mounting unhappiness and distress among the Indians, the new prime minister, YAB Mohd Najib Tun Razak, the 2nd Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak’s son , who took over the leadership of this country lately from Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, is willing to listen to the economic and social woes of the Indians.

In line with his One Malaysia concept , the Indian community expects Najib Tun Razak , our energetic and visionary prime minister to draw an an affirmative action program, similar to the plan drawn to improve the livelihood of the Malay community aftermath the 13 May incident by his late father, to eradicate the poverty among the Indian poor. By doing this, he not only will be seen to be walking the talk but will be considered as a guardian of the minority community in the heart and mind of Malaysians Indiands forever. It will be his signature legacy forever.

God bless this great nation-Malaysia .

Friday, May 8, 2009

THREE HINDRAF LEADERS REALEASED FROM ISA

The government has realeased the remaining three HINDRAF leaders from ISA detention today,namely P.Uthayakumar,M.Manoharan and T.Vasantha Kumar.The other two leaders, R.Kenghadharan and V.Ganabatirau were realeased as soon as Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak took over the leadership of this country.

Indian community welcome the government's wise decision. They also wish to put in record their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the present government to walk the talk.

Malaysians were sceptical about the 'One Malaysia- People First,Performance Now' concept announced by our new premier a couple of weeks ago. There are some who alleged that this is another political gimmick of BN government to woo support from the rakyat,particularly the non-Malays citizens who alleged to be drifting away from BN.

But the release of all the HINDRAF leaders from ISA evidently proof that Najib's administration give importance to people's voices and performance.Malaysians must consider seriously the appeal made by Najib Tun Razak when he took over the leadership baton of this great country. He urged Malaysian to evaluate him based on his performance and not mearely on baseless allegations and political rumours.He even went further to appoint a minister, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon to come up with KPI to evaluate his cabinet ministers.

All these clearly manifest that Najib's government is willing to listen and deliver according to the wishes of the majority without sacrificing the security and harmony among the diverse races in this beautiful country.

Well done Najib Tun Razak.Syabas to Hishamuddin Hussein!

Malaysians,particularly the Indian community is waiting to receive many more good news from Najib's government, yet to be announced.

Malaysia is a great Country.This is our home. Let us be together as one big family to grow and reach greater heights in the near future.

May God bless Najib with wisdom to make this great country as a better place live for all Malaysians.