Cute FRU to stop anti-toll protestors !

Posted by: free&fair on Tue, 09 January 2007 22:37:52 (1513 reads)

A big difference from past police response to popular anti-toll protests : the police fielded young female FRU at the front rows to stop the anti-toll hike protestors in KL ! The change of tack seems to reflect the fact that the toll hike is less than convinsing compared to before -and the cronies will have a hard time to keep the government either agreeing to toll hikes or pay hefty compensations. The government is thus put on the back foot in relation to popular protests. So what should the protestors do ? May be this is the time to step up the protests so as to tap into the depth of the anti-toll hike sentiments ! Tun M's admission that the toll agreements were weak provided a huge boost to the anti-toll hike cause. The protestors must go on to squueze all advantage from these positive developments !

Penang Watch web site revived with new design !

Posted by: free&fair on Thu, 09 November 2006 14:30:59 (713 reads)

Since a few months ago when Penangwatch was notified by the web site host SEACEM that there was a security risk in the web site the updating mechanism was suspended -effectively stopping the web site. Updating of the web site continued only on its article section -the updating failure was in the picture uploading part. The waiting game went on for 1 month before Penang Watch was told that the (free)host had just looked at it and recommend a change of the web CMS from MAMBO to JOOMLA system. However Penangwatch team had contacted another local web designer to move house to another host. So the offer by SEACEM was turned down. After that it took another 1 month or more for the new design to come on stream -thus effectively suspending the Penangwatch web site -launched in April, to hybernate for over 3 months in all ! But the wait has finished now -go to www.penangwatch.net to check out the web site with a new look !

Protest for a better bus system this Friday Lunch !

Posted by: free&fair on Mon, 07 August 2006 19:16:49 (542 reads)

There has been too much talk over the last 10 years about the malfunctioning bus `system' in Penang -and media reports on Penang's bus `system' is occuring in mainstream media on almost daily basis. Yet the Minister for `Entrepreneur' choose to go against the tide of public opinions and allow the bus operators another `2nd chance' to operate with buses which cannot get clearance from the PUSPAKOM, putting the life of passengers in harms' way. A time to say `STOP' !!!!!!! Let's do it together on this Friday lunchtime at Penang Road, below KOMTAR, at the Pedestrian crossing....

Teng driven by CEPAT to bang table to defend his bus revamp

Posted by: free&fair on Thu, 13 April 2006 21:14:46 (489 reads)

In a hastily convened meeting Teng Hock Nan -the State Exco in charge of bus revamp was driven to banging the table to defend his much criticised bus management. He was criticised for not allowing users representation in his small bus revamp committee -probably consisting less than half a doz staff from the City Council. He only offer to meet CEPAT members to answer questions once in 1-2 weeks. He was criticised for not making the 15 monitoring teams members from various departments (CVLB, MPPP, JPJ, Police etc) identifiable to the public -thus disallowing bullied bus users to run for help. (Many complained of being charged exorbitantly). He said that uniform attires do not allow any additions -to which CEPAT members were `cepat'(quick) to counter that the police are adding `Saya anti-Rasuah' badge to their uniform. Full recording of the hour long hotly debated briefing is available for download here (Part 1-26min)and here (Part 2-29min).

PPTW#4: Bus loads of discontent in Penang

Posted by: free&fair on Tue, 04 April 2006 15:28:15 (401 reads)

The picture above was taken from Weld Quay -near the bus terminal. Obviously from some discontented souls or interested parties. Today when I cycled down the Weld Quay bus terminal & later KOMTAR bus terminal I found many areas where positive changes can be made -and even where costs can be saved : eg there are half a dozen of new notice boards erected next to the existing notice boards -same design and almost indistinguishable from the old ones. This happen when the MPPP hike assessment rates for the last 2 years on account of cash shortage, and when the Council has been running ever higher deficits in its budgets....

KOMTAR to Become Swiftlet Housing Instead of Low-Income Housing

Posted by: Anonymous on Sat, 01 April 2006 09:22:28 (1113 reads)

Komplex Tun Abdul Razak will be turned into a 65-storey swiftlet housing to produce RM18 million worth of bird nests a year, the Penang Legislative Council and City Council voted unanimously behind closed door in a joint session to approve the project. Fewer than a handful of legislators walked out in protest.

The way it was in George Town transport wise

Posted by: free&fair on Wed, 29 March 2006 12:31:14 (509 reads)

Penang had a history of experimentations in modes of transports -we had horse drawn trams, electric trams, trolley buses, steam engine driven buses etc, before diesel buses took over under Lim Kean Siew's directive. The story by STAR should inspire Penangites to think boldly about reforming and updating our transport system. The change currently embarked upon is too little too late: complaints come from overly `manja' bus operators -who complained of having to follow same vehicles regulations as all others,and the public who are not fully informed of where the improvements are eg are there more routes coverage compared to before? Would there be timetables ? Would the buses be refurbished ? It does not look like the State Government is fully prepared -as are the bus operators, to push through the revamp of the bus system. Then how could it succeed after the oil hike protests are bulldozed off the streets by the State apparatus @police@FRU ?

`Protes sampai turun' campaign come to Penanti tomorrow (Sat)

Posted by: free&fair on Fri, 17 March 2006 23:14:47 (424 reads)

Without the mainstream media exposing any of the actions there is a veritable groundswell and uprising against the recent drastic oil hike ! The `protes sampai turun' campaign will come to Penanti(near a Penanti school) tomorrow (Sat)-at 5.00pm, led by PKR's president & Permatang Pauh MP Wan Azizah. So when a party president can `turun padang' ( come down to the ground) who is `not jantan' enough (`daring') to join the protest ? The protests have been growing outside KL when KL protests fluctuates over the last weeks. But alternative media are keeping these protests in the discerning eyes-and MALVU will keep you informed of all protests everywhere. Watch out. Last protest was here- copied from Malaysia-today's report :

Koh ignored by Penangites, supporters

Posted by: free&fair on Thu, 16 March 2006 12:11:12 (346 reads)

His handpicked crowd of civil servants and party faithfuls did not turn out in force -leaving the Dewan Sri Pinang half empty. The press didn't help to inform: the Star didn't report it; NST reported it in some inside pages -but failed to mention the empty seats -of course no tell-tale picture either. He only has himself to blame: he is only hoping that Penangites will accept him again after leading Penang to no where for 3 terms -just like the tradition to accept the non-performing bus opertors again to lead the charge to `improve' the public transport. So bad is the lack in crediblity that Penangites had forgotten to ask their CM to speak for them ! Koh was ignored. Which is worse then if he was disagreed with and taken seriously!

George Town to have new Council chief

Posted by: free&fair on Sun, 12 March 2006 12:04:23 (421 reads)

Ahmad Phesal had been the George Town unelected `mayor' for the last 2 years when questionable landscape projects sprang up in George Town : the fake sea gulls along Jelutong Expressway; the fake hibiscus at Udini Rd roundabout; the fake Pinang fruit at Beach St roundabout; then some more fake sheels at a park nearby. Each fake landscape project cost hundreds of thousands. Yet the `mayor' won 2nd prize for his `Penang Municipal Park' project ! While the media is full of praise for the departing `mayor' it is time for residents to question to what extent the `mayor' -said to be the most `cooperative' by the State Government, had contributed to the notorious landscaping projects. As a mark for responsiveness : he never reply to any of the complaints we sent to him !

Subsidies : people or ministers get more ?

Posted by: free&fair on Sat, 11 March 2006 21:59:13 (306 reads)

When it come to cutting subsidies the politicians are fast to accuse the people of `subsidies mentality' -foretting that the ministers themselves are addicted to so much subsidies and perks that quite a few of them from both sides of the political divide had been refered to displinary board over over-charging the Parliament for their `services'-whether personal or public. So Najib want stickers of Rm14.60 subsidies to be stucked on every gas tank -but how about also RM20 000+ as average subsidies which the people pay to non-performing ministers per month ? In fairness all subsidies should be declared -fair is fair. Will the DPM be game enough to accept the challenge ?

Another sign of success for anti-oil hike campaign: PM check if his hat is still there !

Posted by: free&fair on Sat, 11 March 2006 10:44:43 (303 reads)

Keep the campaign steady and most likely some results will be on the way : the PM is seen chacking his hat when defending the oil hike recently. He tried to win friends by announcing that he will give some measures to offset the effects of oil hike to the people. But the real issue is : the oil hike is made all the more difficult to accept because the increase in oil will not go to improve public transports or other development-the RM4.4bil will simply go to cronies' big mouth! It will only touch public transport if air transport is included in the list ! The failing MAS is asking for Rm3bil from the government and Pak Lah pledge to support the `public transport' all the way !!! May be this Pak Lah need to check his hat more often if he persist in his cronyism!

Anti-oil hike protest spread-even to Sarawak !

Posted by: free&fair on Wed, 08 March 2006 20:41:45 (300 reads)

As we expected : Sarawakians will not resist using the imminent State elections to press for their interests on their oil and gas royalties, taking advantage of the record breaking oil hike. (Report & pictures appended) Actually without the help of mainstream media -which largely suppress pictures of anti-oil hike protests, following instruction from the PM Dept, the popular show of discontent had spreaded to many towns in Malaysia : Sg Petani had a large protest on a scale bigger than the one in BKE, Penang last Saturday ! And for Penang there will be another protest planned for coming Saturday at BKE, complete with street theatres, specially composed songs, even refreshments stalls ! So the official arguments are failing -no thanks to the PM's lack-lustre performance in the 1st half of his term. If you disagree with the oil hike -and worst, the massive wastage by the government in (ab)using the mammoth oil revenue over the years , come with all your friends! Following that DAP will have a forum on Sunday at 8.00pm, at Cheah Kongsi!

Censored pictures of anti-oil hike protest at KLCC HERE:

Posted by: free&fair on Wed, 08 March 2006 11:58:18 (421 reads)

NEAC provide 9 FAQ on the oil hike to confuse the people. The following is another 12 FAQ from another perspective:

Anti-oil hike protest photos banned : Pak Lah dig head into sand

Posted by: free&fair on Tue, 07 March 2006 11:36:53 (382 reads)

What do a PM do when his policy become unpopular ? The Malaysian PM simply ban all pictures of protest against the oil hike. None of them appear in the mainstream papers controlled by the government or the parties. The line is drawn at allowing discussion only. Even the Chinese press known for printing big pictures toe the line this time. It has yet to attract the same objections as that of other assault against press freedom. Yet the protests pictures are not objectionable cartoons against muslim prophet -why should they be banned if not for Pak Lah's political damage control exercise ? Why the media can be made into Pak Lah's tool for pushing unpopular policies down the people's throat ?

Encountering the CVLB : video available here NOW!(UPDATE-2)

Posted by: free&fair on Mon, 06 March 2006 22:04:13 (306 reads)

Finally I managed to edit and upload this video which I shot on our encounter with the CVLB chairman Dato Hj Baharom which took place on Friday morning at Equitorial. It is available for download here The 20+ min footage did add something to my understanding on how CVLB worked or not worked : Teng Hock Nan blamed CVLB for Penang's bus woes. But when they are together they are like buddies -wonder if Teng can play the blame game again -and if his Gerakan members in CEPAT can be copycat blamers any more. The encounter -unplanned as it was probably ruffled a few feathers -but for the sake of conveying some frustrations from the public -it was probably worth it. Please:
UPDATE-2: This is it-the video had been downsized to about 10MB-now you can see it-although a bit blurry. But enough to catch the interesting parts of what went on.

3rd anti-oil hike protest in Penang: Butterworth-Kulim Expressway toll booth

Posted by: free&fair on Sat, 04 March 2006 21:40:58 (265 reads)

The anti-oil hike protest at Butterworth-Kulim Expressway toll booth is the 3rd in Penang and 2nd today. SOme 200+ people turned up around 5.30pm and created a hell lot of noise with horns and whistles. Passing vehicles responded enthusiatically in replies. They were so enthusiatic that they planned another one for next week on Saturday at same venue and same time -that is if the PM do not retract his unprecedented oil hike. Actually there was also a well attended protest at Ipoh yesterday afternoon. Look like the protest seems to be taking off everywhere -and if this is sustained the government may lose its nerve and cave in to the people's demand ! This is a protest with a future to win !

CVLB’s renewal of license for Penang's notorious minibus operators met strong objections

Posted by: free&fair on Fri, 03 March 2006 14:48:03 (309 reads)

Commercial Vehicles and Licensing Board Chairperson Dato’ Hj Baharum came under strong scrutinies from the media and public transport advocates this morning when he headed a ceremony to renew the licenses for Penang’s 4 notorious minibus operators, at Equitorial Hotel, Penang. In his words he admitted that the bus companies didn’t follow the routes, timetable and did not keep their buses in good maintenance. However he said he still would give another chance to the operators. When questioned he insisted-to the disappointment of public transport advocates present, that he will not use open tender to pick the best transport operators for Penang –even after the existing operators claim they can’t make ends meet and that they cannot provide a satisfactory service. The CVLB will choose the operators by going through their applications according to unknown criteria.

Pictured: notorious bus operators fronting the picture, with CVLB's chairperson Dato Baharom standing in back row, 2nd from left, and Teng Hock Nan, 3rd from left.

1st salvo against fuel hike from the North !

Posted by: free&fair on Thu, 02 March 2006 12:23:21 (601 reads)

1st salvo against the fuel hike came this morning at 10.00am, at the Department of Consumers Affairs in Prai when DAP, PKR, NGOs and drivers groups staged a noisy demonstration agains the unpopular hike under police surveilence. The demo will usher in a series of demos in Penang -to be followed by a bigger protest at KOMTAR (Penang Rd) on Saturday at 10.30am, then 5pm on the same day at BKE at Prai side. The people are mobilising now to defeat the fuel hike while the BN is mobilising its spokeperson to defend the decision eg Najib spoke on RTM last night to defend the fuel hike, and Transport Minister claim to have just set up a Cabinet Committee to Promote Public Transport-with `some' of the savings from the RM4.4bil from fuel subsidies to be retained in a fund for public transport. Let's see if the people can turn the tide against the BN government this time -after losing 6 times on fuel hikes before in the last 2 years !

Protests against fuel hike to start in Penang, KL

Posted by: free&fair on Wed, 01 March 2006 12:13:07 (278 reads)

The unexpected, steep fuel hike is causing much anger among the people and protests are planned everywhere from tomorow onwards towards the weekend ! Check out the timetable below to find out where you -as a citizen, can make your voice heard ! In Penang there is a PC by the Minister for Entrepreneur Khalid Nordin to announce public transport plans for Penang at 9.30am on Friday, at Equitorial Hotel. But judging by the timing it seems that the announcements -which he had made last year without fulfiling the promise(see last post), could just be a political ploy to pacify certain NGOs who wishfully think that the Pak Lah Govt would suddenly want to improve Penang's public transports -when for the last 15 years the public transport campaign had been met with arrogance and rejection from the CVLB under the Ministry of Entrepreneur. So the protests planned so far are as follow:

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