Off the Edge (JT/AW)
THE JUDICIAL CRISIS of 1988. The release of the Lingam Tape in 2007. The political tsunami on March 8, 2008. The Perak Government take-over. The cow-head protest.The anti-ISA rallies. Whipping Kartika. Beer bans. Religious bigotry. Racial conflict. The conflict between Federal-State powers. The role of the national language. All these issues strike at the core of our society.
All these issues find life or root in the Constitution, whether the protagonists of those issues realise it or not. Never have constitutional issues been discussed as frequently, and with such vigour in public spaces and our media as in the last two years. Emotions have been known to take over reason. Racial and religious sentiments are constantly expressed despite our collective efforts at national harmony.
Citizens have started to be heard on matters close to their hearts, youths have advocated strong positions on the direction of our country, our leaders grapple with calls for transparency and accountability in the administration of our affairs. All done against the backdrop of the Constitution.
The Federal Constitution is the ‘rule book’ of this country. It is the supreme law of the land: it sets up Parliament, our system of government and the Judiciary, and it grants rights to the Rakyat. Yet it is a document that is shrouded in mystery and that the average Malaysian might find intimidating for its language as much as for its concepts.
So when people invoke the Constitution, they are seen to make very powerful statements. At times, however, such statements have been inaccurate or provisions of the Constitution have been misinterpreted or misconstrued.
With this in mind, the Rakyat must be able to consider for themselves whether any statements made invoking the Constitution are accurate and to be accepted.
A growing number of the Rakyat have started to display an interest in learning more about the Constitution. Malaysians have started asking a myriad of questions regarding the Constitution and the idea of constitutionalism, in general. People are speaking about the Constitution, but they lack even basic information of this document that defines us as a nation. The Rakyat need to know about the Constitution. The Rakyat need to read the Constitution for themselves. But how many Malaysians have actually creased the spine of this document they knowas the Constitution?
Guided by these observations (and, for the first time in the history of the Malaysian Bar), the Bar Council in March 2009 formed its Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC) to promote constitutional awareness and constitutionalism, as part of the Bar’s wide-ranging initiatives in society.
Because the Constitution is not something just for the government, politicians or lawyers to be concerned about, because the Constitution has real impact in the lives of the Rakyat, the ConstiLC would like to make the Constitution more accessible to everyone.
The ConstiLC comprises lawyers, academics, students, media personnel and activists. Its ‘vision and mission’, contained in its twoyear blueprint (2009-2011), is to:
- Promote the concept of constitutionalism and the rule of just law;
- Raise awareness of, educate and empower the Rakyat on provisions of the Federal Constitution;
- Document and respond to constitutional issues that arise;
- Discuss and critique Court decisions on constitutional issues, and where necessary, offer alternative interpretations;
- Conduct research on matters related to the Federal or State Constitutions and where necessary, make recommendations for constitutional reform; and
- Assist and advice the Bar Council on constitutional matters.
MyConstitution Campaign (Kempen PerlembagaanKu)
Recognising the need to educate Malaysians on the role, function and content of the Federal Constitution, the focal initiative of the ConstiLC’s work is to conduct a firstever nationwide educational and awareness campaign, the MyConstitution Campaign or Kempen PerlembagaanKu.
As part of the two-year campaign, the ConstiLC will, among others:
-Publish a series of pocket-sized, ‘The Rakyat Guides’ booklets on the Constitution;
-Produce a series of ‘The Rakyat Service Advertisements’ on different themes of the Constitution; and
- Host a series of awareness-raising and interest-building programmes on the Constitution through symposiums, dialogues, forums and lectures.
The core themes of the Campaign include the supremacy of the Constitution, the protection of the fundamental rights of the Rakyat, the role and functions of Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary, the relationship between the Federal Government and State Governments, and the electoral process.
The ConstiLC aims to bring the message of the campaign to at least six million households in the Peninsula, and in Sabah and Sarawak. We also hope to work with the federal government, state governments, private and corporate sectors, academic institutions, NGOs and media organisations, always emphasising the collective ownership of the Constitution.
MyConstitution launches very soon. We need your support!
Be there this Friday at 3.00 pm Bar Council.
* Please be informed that an email account is created under “youthgerakan@gmail.com” by someone to circulate emails of derogatory remarks in relation to the poll, as if the Youth is in the process to mess up the party. Kindly take note that neither did Gerakan Youth nor the author send any emails or comments of such nature whatsoever. The strange thing is none of the Youth chief, Deputy and VCs receive such emails.
“It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing”
The Bar Council Human Rights Day is an event that takes place on 10 December every year in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day. The Malaysian Bar Human Rights Committee (HRC) seeks to create more awareness and education on the rights of people in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The focus of this event will be on the rights of a child. 
SUARAM 20 YEARS FUNDRAISING DINNER 2009
“Sometimes approaching what seems like ordinary work with extraordinary intent can produce unbelievable results”



A financial transparency within the government has become much easier to manage than before. The Internet, courages journalist and politicians have provided the public with the possibility of checking how tax payer’s money is distributed among different sectors of our government an addition to how it is being spent. It is reported today in the Star that an estimated RM28 billion losses of public moneys due to non-transparency. Thus hopefully cases like Pempena, PKFZ scandal, AG’s report and government tenders would make public officials accountable and transparent behind the walls of government and improve the quality of the projects.
PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the Internal Security Act are likely to be tabled in Parliament before the current session ends.
I can write pages of why it will be fair, ideal and sensible to abolish the Act rather than reviewing it. I am also in favour to replace it with another law such as anti-Terrorism Act but the ISA has to be repealed first.


Some say media power is political power. When one talks about democracy, it does not mean that the mass media inherently serves the same. In today’s world, media are vulnerable to manipulative by political influence and economic forces. They are not an agent of democracy. PR supporters would criticise Utusan, the Star etc whereas BN supporters may see Malaysiakini, the Sun, Malaysia Insider etc as a hindrance. The sheer number of comments or voices in those related websites/blogs is not a reliable indicator of a society’s level of freedom. But apparently, for some reasons, it is only the critics who have the time to express themselves.


Is Tian Chua still the MP if convicted? Ironically, most of the PKR/Pakatan fans supported his action, even if there is another by-election, they believe a victory is of no sweat. Could this be the 10th by-election after Bagan Pinang? I doubt.
Sekelip mata cuti empat hari berlalu. Sudah jemu saya menikmati hidangan dan kuih-muih Melayu. Apa yang sedihnya adalah ramai meluangkan di perbualan keluarga, restoran, media internet dan am bahawa parti-parti seperti MCA, MIC dan Gerakan (“parti-parti tersebut”) sememangnya tidak lagi relevan untuk menunaikan harapan rakyat terutamanya kaum Cina dan India. Ramai tidak peduli sama ada Ong atau Chua, Samy atau Subra menjadi presiden bagi parti mereka. Reputasi Gerakan pula sebagai parti harapan kini hanya satu parti “moderate” atau “centrist” sahaja – dianggap tidak penting lagi.
As PM Najib says not only we should have open house during this festive season but also celebrate it with an open heart. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri kepada rakan-rakan dan saudara-saudara umat Islam. Enjoy!




Kuala Lumpur, 9 September – In conjunction with Malaysian Human Rights Day 2009, Pemuda Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia urges the government to consider the relevance of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) in urgency.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon today urged the police to act fairly in dealing with public demonstrations because of the perception that they are more effective in cracking down on rallies than on crime.
Some also say that a Buggati Veyrone can easily takes on a jet plane…can a small political party performs better than the larger ones?
As for the party, so far most of the state delegates conferences had not been encouraging especially after the official opening by the president. Anyway my concern is where is Gerakan heading since 308. Did the party rebrand or reform as intended? Can the comrades feel and see any difference? Or are we still ‘begging’ in BN? The only difference I can see is we have some representatives in the cabinet but are they actually there in the interest of the party? Maybe. Of course undeniably our CAT watchers are doing a great job in Penang but is that what the rakyats want? Would we see some ang pows in the party just like how they tease MCA? Maybe. Do the leaders have time for the grassroots before election or delegate conference? Maybe. How many of the Gerakan members have the mentality to serve the people now? Few. Is the party politics really about the elite group, patronage or a particular camp? Maybe. We have a minister in charge of the national unity, but is there a sincere unity in the party? Superficially yes. Is Sedar in KL and Penang of much help to produce results effectively? Maybe.
…The biggest blunder came from our own, Dr Mahathir Mohd. He says that the culture of illegal gathering is the culture of Anwar Ibrahim and not of Malaysian. Maybe he forgot that UMNO itself was born out of illegal gatherings.
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