THUGGERY........... and low down scums. These are the words that I wish to describe those UMNO Youth that had caused a raucous at parliament recently to protest against MP Karpal Singh (for whatever the reasons). If I had a son being a party to the incident, I would have given him a tight slap.
Even if they had so much of hatred for Karpal, they had no right to take the law into their own hands, and do something that might hurt Karpal. What can a crippled Karpal do to defend himself. Nothing.......virtually nothing. Indeed, I deem such act as cowardly and their behaviour no better than thugs. Is this what UMNO teaches you to do? And certainly your parents too did not teach you to behave like gangsters.........did they? You have the courts of law to seek justice. Go there with your lawyers and launch report against Karpal. That will be a more civilised act.
As a Malay and a Muslim, I am ashamed at what UMNO Youth had done...........it has only brought shame to my race and religion. If UMNO Youth feels strongly that there is a need to fight, please go to Palestine or to Afghanistan. Our Muslim brothers there will certainly welcome you.
I am surprised that the security guards at parliament did nothing to prevent these UMNO Youth gangsters from getting into parliament and causing the 'riot'. And where were the policeman with their water cannons? They had tarnished the sanity of the august house and smeared the good name of our nation. Is this the democracy and tolerance that UMNO preaches? Never mind if Karpal is a non Malay. He still has his civil rights as a Malaysian citizen; just like anyone of us, and that includes UMNO Youth. These are acts that UMNO seemed not to learn, and that will anger others. I am quite sure the Indian community is angry, and I am doubly sure that more Indian votes are lost by this stupid incident.
Let us be civil and most of all, respectful of the freedom and liberties of individuals. Just because one is judged to be 'kurang ajar', or called him by whatever name, he certainly does not deserve to be rough-up. Please let the rule of law prevail, and not the rule of the jungle.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9.00 am on Feb 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS – NO END IN SIGHT
Once again, the issue of direct negotiation for government contract was raised in parliament by Member of Parliament Machang Saifuddin Nasution recently, despite the pledge made by the government that direct negotiation should cease. He was referring to the on-going direct negotiation to be awarded for the sub-marine rescue services for the Royal Malaysian Navy billed at RM 2.45 million to a bumiputra company.
From what I gather, the company being called for direct negotiation is a bumiputra construction company having no previous experience in handling naval contracts. I am also told that it is the same company that was awarded the construction of the aircraft runway at the RMAF based at Gong Kedak, Kelantan, which is said to have major defects in the runway construction that could affect aircraft safety. It is also the same company that has been awarded some construction contracts for the Army Camp at Gemas.
One only need to search the background of this bumiputra company, and it will not be difficult to find that the owners of the company is well connected to some top government politicians. Otherwise, it will not be too easy for the company to be awarded contracts through direct negotiations by the government. As search at the Ministry of Defence will reveal it all, and those involved in approving the award of contracts. Will the MACC be willing to look into this?
The time has come for the government to take stock of the abuses by unscrupulous officials that has been awarding contracts through direct negotiations. I am not saying that these officials are corrupt, but rumors are abound implicating them with corrupt practices.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2 pm on Feb 26, 2009
From what I gather, the company being called for direct negotiation is a bumiputra construction company having no previous experience in handling naval contracts. I am also told that it is the same company that was awarded the construction of the aircraft runway at the RMAF based at Gong Kedak, Kelantan, which is said to have major defects in the runway construction that could affect aircraft safety. It is also the same company that has been awarded some construction contracts for the Army Camp at Gemas.
One only need to search the background of this bumiputra company, and it will not be difficult to find that the owners of the company is well connected to some top government politicians. Otherwise, it will not be too easy for the company to be awarded contracts through direct negotiations by the government. As search at the Ministry of Defence will reveal it all, and those involved in approving the award of contracts. Will the MACC be willing to look into this?
The time has come for the government to take stock of the abuses by unscrupulous officials that has been awarding contracts through direct negotiations. I am not saying that these officials are corrupt, but rumors are abound implicating them with corrupt practices.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2 pm on Feb 26, 2009
IT IS NOT OVER YET FOR ELIZABETH WONG
With her out of the country for a much needed rest after a tumultuous period of relentless character smearing aimed at demolishing her political career, Elizabeth Wong is not alone in her time of distraught. Voices of support from various quarters are still being heard, and her supporters have called for her to remain the assemblywomen for Bukit Lanjan. This has also been the stand of her party which sees her an exemplary politician that had served her electorates well.
The Sultan of Selangor was correct in his decision to allow the wisdom of the Menteri Besar to decide on the fate of Elizabeth Wong over the photo scandal, and whatever action needed to be taken must bare into account the wishes of the people. The Sultan sympathized with Elizabeth Wong and hope that she remain calm despite her excruciating ordeal. These are indeed soothing words by the Sultan who wished not to indulge in state politics. As a Selangorean, I pay my deepest respect, loyalty, honour and gratitude for the Sultan’s royal wisdom and advice to the state government.
The person that had triggered the shameful act to demean Elizabeth Wong must have by now felt the extreme public backlash over the episode, which he may have least expected. Even Khir Toyo who was quick to demand the resignation of Elizabeth Wong must have felt how sorry he was to have opened his big mouth too early in making the demand.
And for speaking out loud against Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim alleged corruption, Khir Toyo is now facing a much larger problem involving irregularities in the financial management of Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) over the purchase of properties in Saudi Arabia while the latter was the Menteri Besar. This is just one of the many allegations of corrupt practice by the former Menteri Besar who has denied all allegations against him. We are constantly reminded of a saying ‘that if you point a finger at someone, there will be four other fingers pointing at you’. This is exactly what is happening to Khir Toyo today.
I wonder why has it been Khir Toyo alone that has been at the throat of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim since the latter’s appointment as Menteri Besar? What about the former Selangor UMNO/BN exco’s. Not a word is being uttered by a single one of them in support of their former boss. Why this sudden abandonment? Or are they too afraid to open their big mouth too and to be caught for alleged corruption as well? I am quite sure they all have something to hide; hence the deep silence.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORUPTION
Posted at 12.00 pm on Feb 26, 2009
The Sultan of Selangor was correct in his decision to allow the wisdom of the Menteri Besar to decide on the fate of Elizabeth Wong over the photo scandal, and whatever action needed to be taken must bare into account the wishes of the people. The Sultan sympathized with Elizabeth Wong and hope that she remain calm despite her excruciating ordeal. These are indeed soothing words by the Sultan who wished not to indulge in state politics. As a Selangorean, I pay my deepest respect, loyalty, honour and gratitude for the Sultan’s royal wisdom and advice to the state government.
The person that had triggered the shameful act to demean Elizabeth Wong must have by now felt the extreme public backlash over the episode, which he may have least expected. Even Khir Toyo who was quick to demand the resignation of Elizabeth Wong must have felt how sorry he was to have opened his big mouth too early in making the demand.
And for speaking out loud against Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim alleged corruption, Khir Toyo is now facing a much larger problem involving irregularities in the financial management of Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) over the purchase of properties in Saudi Arabia while the latter was the Menteri Besar. This is just one of the many allegations of corrupt practice by the former Menteri Besar who has denied all allegations against him. We are constantly reminded of a saying ‘that if you point a finger at someone, there will be four other fingers pointing at you’. This is exactly what is happening to Khir Toyo today.
I wonder why has it been Khir Toyo alone that has been at the throat of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim since the latter’s appointment as Menteri Besar? What about the former Selangor UMNO/BN exco’s. Not a word is being uttered by a single one of them in support of their former boss. Why this sudden abandonment? Or are they too afraid to open their big mouth too and to be caught for alleged corruption as well? I am quite sure they all have something to hide; hence the deep silence.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORUPTION
Posted at 12.00 pm on Feb 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
WHAT AILS THE NATION?
Isn’t Perak in a dilemma? Having two Menteri Besar’s (MB) and not knowing which one of the two is a legitimate MB? If we say one is legitimate, then the other must be illegitimate. The latter sounds obscene isn’t it?
There has never been such a confusion in the state, and although BN/UMNO does not want to openly admit the predicament they are in (which was their own creation), they are now forced to dispatch their lawyers to the UK to seek advice from the Queen’s Council on how to deal with the constitutional deadlock facing the state. I thought we have our experts on constitutional law and why go to the UK? What if the QC decides on an opinion that favours the PR? Where else will the UMNO lawyers go?
Legal experts within the country has been divided in their opinion with regards to the issues affecting the state government and the controversies surrounding the appointment of Dr. Zambery as its MB. I don’t believe these controversies will come to an amicable end that soon. We can expect a long legal tussle that may take years to resolve, while the state goes into ‘free fall’ and it is the people that will eventually suffer. Common sense is thrown out of the window, while the power grabbers still insist that they are the rightful rulers of the state.
It was told of a report in a Malay daily that Abdullah’s favourite son-in-law Khairy had urged the appointment of a new speaker for the Perak state assembly to resolve the political impasse. If the report is true, I would say that this is about the most stupid thing ever uttered by an UMNO youth leader. Does he not understand the formalities involved in the appointment of a speaker? And even if they bulldoze through the appointment (like they did in taking over the state government), don’t he know that BN/UMNO voting rights in the assembly will be further reduced, since a speaker has no voting rights? Why not try and do what Khairy has said, if UMNO truly believes in Khairy’s words.
The country has seen enough of the politicking among politicians that has been going on following the Perak constitutional crisis. Not satisfied, there are now attempts to stir the Selangor and Kedah state government with issues of corruption and crossovers. While all this is going on, the real issues affecting the nation takes a back-seat.
And with the UMNO general assembly due within a month’s time from now, I really wonder if our honourable UMNO ministers will have the time to concentrate and be serious enough to tackle the worsening issues threatening the nation today, most importantly the ‘bread and butter issue’.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 1.30pm on Feb 23, 2009
There has never been such a confusion in the state, and although BN/UMNO does not want to openly admit the predicament they are in (which was their own creation), they are now forced to dispatch their lawyers to the UK to seek advice from the Queen’s Council on how to deal with the constitutional deadlock facing the state. I thought we have our experts on constitutional law and why go to the UK? What if the QC decides on an opinion that favours the PR? Where else will the UMNO lawyers go?
Legal experts within the country has been divided in their opinion with regards to the issues affecting the state government and the controversies surrounding the appointment of Dr. Zambery as its MB. I don’t believe these controversies will come to an amicable end that soon. We can expect a long legal tussle that may take years to resolve, while the state goes into ‘free fall’ and it is the people that will eventually suffer. Common sense is thrown out of the window, while the power grabbers still insist that they are the rightful rulers of the state.
It was told of a report in a Malay daily that Abdullah’s favourite son-in-law Khairy had urged the appointment of a new speaker for the Perak state assembly to resolve the political impasse. If the report is true, I would say that this is about the most stupid thing ever uttered by an UMNO youth leader. Does he not understand the formalities involved in the appointment of a speaker? And even if they bulldoze through the appointment (like they did in taking over the state government), don’t he know that BN/UMNO voting rights in the assembly will be further reduced, since a speaker has no voting rights? Why not try and do what Khairy has said, if UMNO truly believes in Khairy’s words.
The country has seen enough of the politicking among politicians that has been going on following the Perak constitutional crisis. Not satisfied, there are now attempts to stir the Selangor and Kedah state government with issues of corruption and crossovers. While all this is going on, the real issues affecting the nation takes a back-seat.
And with the UMNO general assembly due within a month’s time from now, I really wonder if our honourable UMNO ministers will have the time to concentrate and be serious enough to tackle the worsening issues threatening the nation today, most importantly the ‘bread and butter issue’.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 1.30pm on Feb 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
POLITICS AND POLITICKING
Does the title of this article sounds familiar. Well of course, who else can I be referring to if not our honourable politicians, who over the last few months has nothing better to do, except politicking. Just read our dailies and watch the news on TV, and what do we read and hear..............this politician suing another politician. That politician asking another politician to resign. Another minister claiming another politician 'menderhaka' and pledge to defend (whatever it is), to the last drop of his blood. Supporters of one political party protesting against another political party for God knows what.
Even politicking has not escape some of our civil servants today. They are now acting and talking like politicians themselves, and uttering statements that smack of favouritism for a particular political party. They are suppose to be apolitical, but they have somehow been infected by this 'politicking disease' from the politicians themselves.
What utter rubbish these elected people's representatives are............and yet they who are suppose to work for the people (not the people working for them) seems oblivious to the social and economic woes affecting the country today. And you know, I have not seem my wakil rakyat since having voted for him.
Thousands are now jobless, and many more are awaiting retrenchment. Crime is on the rise, and the worse is yet to come when mothers will find nothing left on their dinning table to feed their growing families. If they are to march to the streets one fine day, please don't blame them, and order the police to shoot them with water cannons.
I see so much of disgruntlement among the ordinary people that I meet daily, that somehow goes unnoticed by our leaders. Luxuries have blinded them. And I hear no real discourse among our leaders as to how issues affecting the people today are being resolved. I suppose if there was any real discourse, it must have been done within the walls of Putrajaya, and anything that comes out of it are being kept tightly within the aforesaid walls. Why have there been no open debates among leaders with the public for example. I suppose, even if debates are held, it is only held within the confines of parliament where only a fraction of the debate is being reported.
I can also understand why our leaders takes no notice of the woes affecting the people today. It is because they are being insulated by their cronies, and they only see and hear the good things. They hardly visit the kampung folks that lies deep in the interior, or even visit the squatters in the city center. They prefer to live the comfort of their luxurious homes, and to go out shopping at the expensive shopping malls. Money is no real problem to them, as some people would say, 'it flows like water'.
Please Mr. Politicians, get out of your shell and start your rounds meeting the ordinary people in the streets and villages. You will be better informed of what actually lies in the hearts of the people, and please don't have your cronies stick like leeches around you. When you hear the azan from a nearby mosque or surau while doing your rounds, proceed straight for your prayers with the rest of the congregation.
Please Mr. Politicians, stop this suing one another. Stop accusing one of being a 'penderhaka'. Stop accusing one of corruption when you fully well know that you are corrupt yourself. Stop asking others to resign when you fully well know that you are no better (or may be even worse) than the person that you have asked to resign. STOP POLITICKING and get down to your core business i.e. to serve the people. That's what your job is and the reason why you have been elected.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2.45 pm Feb 22, 2009
Even politicking has not escape some of our civil servants today. They are now acting and talking like politicians themselves, and uttering statements that smack of favouritism for a particular political party. They are suppose to be apolitical, but they have somehow been infected by this 'politicking disease' from the politicians themselves.
What utter rubbish these elected people's representatives are............and yet they who are suppose to work for the people (not the people working for them) seems oblivious to the social and economic woes affecting the country today. And you know, I have not seem my wakil rakyat since having voted for him.
Thousands are now jobless, and many more are awaiting retrenchment. Crime is on the rise, and the worse is yet to come when mothers will find nothing left on their dinning table to feed their growing families. If they are to march to the streets one fine day, please don't blame them, and order the police to shoot them with water cannons.
I see so much of disgruntlement among the ordinary people that I meet daily, that somehow goes unnoticed by our leaders. Luxuries have blinded them. And I hear no real discourse among our leaders as to how issues affecting the people today are being resolved. I suppose if there was any real discourse, it must have been done within the walls of Putrajaya, and anything that comes out of it are being kept tightly within the aforesaid walls. Why have there been no open debates among leaders with the public for example. I suppose, even if debates are held, it is only held within the confines of parliament where only a fraction of the debate is being reported.
I can also understand why our leaders takes no notice of the woes affecting the people today. It is because they are being insulated by their cronies, and they only see and hear the good things. They hardly visit the kampung folks that lies deep in the interior, or even visit the squatters in the city center. They prefer to live the comfort of their luxurious homes, and to go out shopping at the expensive shopping malls. Money is no real problem to them, as some people would say, 'it flows like water'.
Please Mr. Politicians, get out of your shell and start your rounds meeting the ordinary people in the streets and villages. You will be better informed of what actually lies in the hearts of the people, and please don't have your cronies stick like leeches around you. When you hear the azan from a nearby mosque or surau while doing your rounds, proceed straight for your prayers with the rest of the congregation.
Please Mr. Politicians, stop this suing one another. Stop accusing one of being a 'penderhaka'. Stop accusing one of corruption when you fully well know that you are corrupt yourself. Stop asking others to resign when you fully well know that you are no better (or may be even worse) than the person that you have asked to resign. STOP POLITICKING and get down to your core business i.e. to serve the people. That's what your job is and the reason why you have been elected.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 2.45 pm Feb 22, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
ARE WE EXPECTING MORE GIFTS AND PROMISES?
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung told Dewan Rakyat today (Feb 18) that the government had to cough out RM 15.153 million to maintain a total of 3,376 extra policemen during the period of the Kuala Trengganu by-election held recently. This must have been a record of sorts i.e. with the largest number of policemen deployed for a by-election in a single state constituency, and the hiring of the most expensive tents costing RM 6 million to accommodate the extra police force.
Now that a precedence has been set, I am just wondering how much more will the government be spending in up-coming by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and most probably Bukit Lanjan? And if Kuala Trengganu is the trend setter, I wonder too, how many more thousands of policemen will be deployed?
Honestly, if one were to ask me for an opinion, I would say that the cost to maintain security (so they say) in the Kuala Trengganu by-election is a waste. That amount could have been used to feed thousands of poor and hungry Malaysians. Or better still, donate that amount to the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, if there are no poor and hungry people in Malaysia.
Anyway, I do not believe there was any threat, perceive or otherwise, in the KT by-elections. Neither do I believe that threat was the real issue. Or were they expecting some suicide bombers? Certainly, there were some other hidden agendas that was blinded from our view. And if the agenda is one to ensure a win for the BN, they surely have failed miserably.
These up-coming by-elections will be interesting to watch. Will there be more Santa Claus doling ‘gifts’ and lots of promises to the electorate? If it does, I just wonder if the promises and pledges made in Kuala Trengganu has been fulfilled. Enticing the voters with promises and pledges is an effort in futility these days. It’s their tummies and the food on the table for their families that they want assured.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 16.00 pm on Feb 19, 2009
Now that a precedence has been set, I am just wondering how much more will the government be spending in up-coming by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and most probably Bukit Lanjan? And if Kuala Trengganu is the trend setter, I wonder too, how many more thousands of policemen will be deployed?
Honestly, if one were to ask me for an opinion, I would say that the cost to maintain security (so they say) in the Kuala Trengganu by-election is a waste. That amount could have been used to feed thousands of poor and hungry Malaysians. Or better still, donate that amount to the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, if there are no poor and hungry people in Malaysia.
Anyway, I do not believe there was any threat, perceive or otherwise, in the KT by-elections. Neither do I believe that threat was the real issue. Or were they expecting some suicide bombers? Certainly, there were some other hidden agendas that was blinded from our view. And if the agenda is one to ensure a win for the BN, they surely have failed miserably.
These up-coming by-elections will be interesting to watch. Will there be more Santa Claus doling ‘gifts’ and lots of promises to the electorate? If it does, I just wonder if the promises and pledges made in Kuala Trengganu has been fulfilled. Enticing the voters with promises and pledges is an effort in futility these days. It’s their tummies and the food on the table for their families that they want assured.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 16.00 pm on Feb 19, 2009
THE TRIAL OF THE KHMER ROUGE LEADERS IN CAMBODIA
My last trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia was in 2004, and having been there the first time in 1992 as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force, I witness a startling change this time, in the life and activities around the city as well as across the countryside, The city is so vibrant with business activities dominating the daily chores of its people, and the countryside remained sparsely developed. I saw no tanks and military vehicles patrolling the streets, and soldiers with AK 47’s and B 40 rocket launchers bunkered at strategic points within the city centre. There were still roadblocks manned by the police at some point along the roads at the outskirt of the city, but not the militia.
I read that there is now an on-going UN-backed trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders in Phnom Penh, the first of which is the infamous torturer of Toul Sleng prison, Kaing Guek Eav, popularly known as Comrade Duch. He is said to have tortured and presided over the execution and murder of no less than 16,000 Khmer women and children. Duch who is now a born again Christian had sought forgiveness for his heinous crimes, for which he claimed to have acted on the orders of his superior.
Besides Comrade Duch, there are four other Khmer Rouge leaders that will also face trial. They are Nuon Chea who was deputy to Pot Pot, Khmer Rouge’s foreign minister Ieng Sary, Minister of Social Affairs and wife of Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith, and finally Khmer Rouge’s official Head of State, Khieu Samphan. All four are scheduled to undergo trial in 2010.
Toul Sleng prison was formally a school, but was turned into a prison by the Khmer Rouge regime. I visited the prison while accompanying the former Chief of Army, Gen Tan Sri Abd Rahman Hamid on his official visit to the UN Headquarters in Phnom Penh. Evidence of torture and the smell of dried blood still lingers in the air, and inside the class rooms-turned torture chambers. Hundreds of skulls are still stacked up in glass shelves, as reminder of the untold brutality of the Khmer Rouge over thousands of innocent Cambodians.
In the province of Battambang where the Malaysian Army contingent were deployed, there were still signs of torture and execution found in the hills and countryside around the province. Getting a skull isn’t that difficult, but that does not bring solace to those who had lost their family members to the dreaded Khmer Rouge. They claim that taking back any part of what remains of their dead will only unsettled the tranquility of the soul of the dead.
All five former leaders of the Khmer Rouge that will undergo trial for their crimes certainly have blood in their hands. They may not have participated directly in the murder, but at the least, in allowing or having the knowledge in the execution and murder to proceed unabated. I do not believe that they have not witnessed an execution, and neither do I believe that they have not ordered one, consciously or otherwise.
The trial and the subsequent judgment to be meted upon them, will not end the horrors and sufferings of those who are witnessed to the crimes, and those who had lost members of their family. A mother seeing her child’s head being bashed against a tree, or being thrown into the air to be punched by a bayonet will never forgive the perpetrators. Likewise, a son having to witness the mother being raped by Khmer Rouge soldiers and subsequently shot dead will remain vengeful of the Khmer Rouge for as long as he live.
We were told of many other horrifying stories that happened to the Khmers, and we should be grateful that a similar fate did not reached our shores. Had the domino theory of the early 70’s been realized, we are not certain whether we could remain alive till this day.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 14.30 pm on Feb 19, 2009
I read that there is now an on-going UN-backed trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders in Phnom Penh, the first of which is the infamous torturer of Toul Sleng prison, Kaing Guek Eav, popularly known as Comrade Duch. He is said to have tortured and presided over the execution and murder of no less than 16,000 Khmer women and children. Duch who is now a born again Christian had sought forgiveness for his heinous crimes, for which he claimed to have acted on the orders of his superior.
Besides Comrade Duch, there are four other Khmer Rouge leaders that will also face trial. They are Nuon Chea who was deputy to Pot Pot, Khmer Rouge’s foreign minister Ieng Sary, Minister of Social Affairs and wife of Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith, and finally Khmer Rouge’s official Head of State, Khieu Samphan. All four are scheduled to undergo trial in 2010.
Toul Sleng prison was formally a school, but was turned into a prison by the Khmer Rouge regime. I visited the prison while accompanying the former Chief of Army, Gen Tan Sri Abd Rahman Hamid on his official visit to the UN Headquarters in Phnom Penh. Evidence of torture and the smell of dried blood still lingers in the air, and inside the class rooms-turned torture chambers. Hundreds of skulls are still stacked up in glass shelves, as reminder of the untold brutality of the Khmer Rouge over thousands of innocent Cambodians.
In the province of Battambang where the Malaysian Army contingent were deployed, there were still signs of torture and execution found in the hills and countryside around the province. Getting a skull isn’t that difficult, but that does not bring solace to those who had lost their family members to the dreaded Khmer Rouge. They claim that taking back any part of what remains of their dead will only unsettled the tranquility of the soul of the dead.
All five former leaders of the Khmer Rouge that will undergo trial for their crimes certainly have blood in their hands. They may not have participated directly in the murder, but at the least, in allowing or having the knowledge in the execution and murder to proceed unabated. I do not believe that they have not witnessed an execution, and neither do I believe that they have not ordered one, consciously or otherwise.
The trial and the subsequent judgment to be meted upon them, will not end the horrors and sufferings of those who are witnessed to the crimes, and those who had lost members of their family. A mother seeing her child’s head being bashed against a tree, or being thrown into the air to be punched by a bayonet will never forgive the perpetrators. Likewise, a son having to witness the mother being raped by Khmer Rouge soldiers and subsequently shot dead will remain vengeful of the Khmer Rouge for as long as he live.
We were told of many other horrifying stories that happened to the Khmers, and we should be grateful that a similar fate did not reached our shores. Had the domino theory of the early 70’s been realized, we are not certain whether we could remain alive till this day.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 14.30 pm on Feb 19, 2009
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