DAP Sec General Lim G E speaking at a press briefing on the attack: “How can the victims be blamed? In this Malaysia Bolih ..white becomes black and black becomes white. This system is only practice by BN members"
= == == ===Letter to Election Commission
4 April 2007
TAN SRI DATUK SERI PANGLIMA HAJI AB. RASHID BIN AB. RAHMAN,
Pengerusi, Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya Malaysia (SPR),
ARAS 4-5 BLOK C7, PARCEL C
PUSAT PENTADBIRAN KERAJAAN PERSEKUTUAN;
62690 PUTRAJAYA
Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri,
Investigating Parliamentary Secretary of Youth & Sports YB SA. Vigneswaran For Physically Manhandling A Harian Makkal Osai Photographer And MIC Youth Brigade Members For Involvement In The Bloody Assault On Two DAP Members As Well As Using Vulgar Language To Threathen A Harian Malaysian Nanban Female Reporter.
DAP requests that the Election Commission investigate Parliamentary Secretary of Youth & Sports Datuk SA. Vigneswaran for physically manhandling a Harian Makkal Osai photographer and also MIC Youth Brigade members for involvement in the bloody assault on two DAP members as well as using vulgar language to threathen a Harian Malaysian Nanban female reporter after the nominating process was completed on 3 April 2007.
The Machap by-election will witness a continuation of the tradition of dirty tactics employed by BN in misusing government machinery and resources to get voters to support BN to achieve their overwhelming victory. Sadly such politics of deception, fear, money and compulsion have been employed by BN without any restraint from the Elections Commission.
To these 4 tactics of deception, fear, money and compulsion, BN has now included in their arsenal the politics of violence. On 2nd April 2007 Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when announcing BN’s candidate for Machap had introduced a Hokkien term – Hut Ji Liap! (Give a punch).
Unfortunately, such language of “hut ji liap” was not mere rhetoric but acted out in full display after the nomination process had been completed in the Machap nomination centre in Bukit Bulat. Two DAP members from Seremban, K. Kannis A/L Kanniah and Vijayan A/L Arumugam, were assaulted in full view of the police personnel present whilst walking back along the road. Around 30 MIC Youth Brigade members were involved using bricks and the MIC party flag.
We have the sharpened MIC flag which was used as a weapon to seriously injure our two members on the heads and faces. Three assailants have been identified of which two copies of the police reports are attached for your attention. Our members were walking peaceably and had better sense than to provoke a much larger crowd. Using violence is unacceptable and a clear attempt at intimidation to influence the election climate in Machap by introducing an element of fear.
Such violent attacks by MIC Youth Brigade members contravenes Section 4Aof the ELECTION OFFENCES ACT 1954 (REVISED - 1969) which states:-
Section 4A. Offence of promoting feelings of ill- will or hostility.
(1) Any person who, before, during or after an election, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, does any act or makes any statement with a view or with a tendency to promote feelings of ill-will, discontent or hostility between persons of the same race or different races or of the same class or different classes of the population of Malaysia in order to induce any elector or voter to vote or refrain from voting at an election or to procure or endeavour to procure the election of any person shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or to both such imprisonment and fine.
(2) Subject to any specific provision to the contrary in any written law relating to an election, any person who is convicted of an offence under this section shall, until the expiration of five years from such conviction, be incapable of being registered or listed as an elector or of voting at an election or of being elected at an election, and if at that date he has been elected at an election, his seat shall be vacated from the date of such conviction.
MIC and BN members are used to employing gangster culture and violence to get votes. The same MIC Youth Brigade members used vulgar language to threaten a Malaysian Nanban Harian reporter Malini a/p Rangasamy causing fear to her when she was only carrying out her duty as a reporter. MIC Youth chief Vigneswaaran who is also a Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sports, went further by physically manhandling a Harian Makkal Osai reporter Malayandi A/L Pidaran. Copies of the police reports are also attached.
Such violence on reporters threatens freedom of the press and indicates that there will no free, fair and impartial access by the DAP in the mainstream media during this elections. If the Election Commission is serious and sincere about creating a level playing field, then they must not only ensure fair access in all papers and broadcasting media but act sternly and urgently against BN members, leaders and MPs who use violence on DAP members, reporters and photographers.
Can the Election Commission henceforth ensure the safety of DAP members and supporters as well as journalists covering the by-election from the violence of BN members? Should the Election Commission fail to act under Section 4A against BN leaders and members for not only attacking DAP members but also reporters and photographers, then it will only confirm that the Election Commission is biased and prejudiced against opposition parties.
DAP had expressed deep misgivings and unhappiness that the polling day has been fixed on a working day, denying the right of 2,410 voters working outstation the opportunity to return home to work. Instead of seeking a high voting turnout by encouraging those working outstation to return home to vote, the Election Commission appears to deny those inclined to support the opposition the opportunity from doing so.
Taking action against those perpetrating those shameful acts of violence on Nomination Day would help remedy the strong biasedness in favour of BN.
Yours faithfully,
LIM GUAN ENG
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Meanwhile MIC Youths said that the movement would file 5 police reports against DAP following the incident and they would also file a complaint with the election commission.
MIC youth chief, MIC Youth chief Vigneswaran (ABOVE) said : "This is the lowest form of politics practiced by DAP; there have no issues and want to make this connection.
This person and in every election he will be there to quarrel. He was there in Lunas"
He alleged that K.Kannia ,42 and S.Vijayan,24 both slightly injured in the incident were not DAP members but PKR who were there to cause chaos.
= == = == = =UPDATE: 05 April 2007
DAP KULASEGARAN UPROAR in PARLIAMENT Over Attacks in Machap; Demanded Explanation from Deputy Minister JohariBaharum; Shouted Down by MPs; Speaker Explains; Khairy Jamakudding talks of attack on BN leader by Opposition members
ABOVE: Another newsman Tamil daily Makkal Osai photographer P Malayanadi, 49, showed his injury in Machang
ABOVE & BELOW: DAP MP M Kulasegaran waving newspapers (the Sun, Tamil Naiban, Chinese papers with pictures as proof ) in Parliament reporting on the incident where so many DAP members were beaten up and demanded an explanation from the Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari
= = == = = == = = == = = == =
ABOVE: Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Baharum was seen speechless nervously adjusting his coat during the uproar raised by Kulasegaran. He escaped answering stating that he had to wait for the report
= = = = = = == = == =
ABOVE & BELOW: Typical response from BN backbenchers; when the opposition raised some real and urgent issues, they would joined in to shout them down.
== = = == = == = == = == = == == = =
ABOVE & BELOW: the speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng, trying very hard to calm the situation said; " Yg Berhormat, I ask you to sit, I will answer, please sit. Parliament is a place for us to voice important matter; the issue raised is something new and the reply from the Deputy minister must wait for the report. This is the reply; it is up to you."
= = == = == =
ABOVE: M Kulasegaran was not satisfied...showing his exasperation over the non-answers.
4/4/07, Following is account given by MP M Kulasegaran (from his blog)
Today Johari started to reply on matters raised and I raised as to the assault of DAP members by MIC chaps who have acted like gangsters. Also to day all the main newspapers had photos which clearly show the details of the assault. To our dismay Johairi says he got nothing to add as investigation. The Speaker intervened and said that it not necessary to pursue this matter further as the investigation is proceeding.
I did not agree with the speaker and told the speaker that the issue is current and it warrants at least an interim report to the house. All ran loose and the Speaker who could not control the house because too many MP’s were speaking at the same time and one even said I was mentally unstable/crazy and the Speaker switched off the entire micro phone. I continued to speak and told the house why
1) the assailants who was detained was released on the intervention of a Minister although the assailant was identified by the DAP chaps
2) the exhibits in this case have not been retrieved by the police and the Police are too slow in the investigations
3) Parliament becomes irrelevant if it does not debate matters which are current. The shouting match finally ended when the Speaker asked Johari to proceed with other issues.
= = == = = == =Assault at Machap by MIC members;; 4thApril2007; By MP M Kulasegaran
Yesterday more then a thousand supporters all over the country went to Machap to give moral support to the DAP candidate. At the nomination center it was really interesting to see the BN parties and the DAP supporters engaged in a verbal war of words. Nomination was over at 11am. We stated to disburse and many of us were approaching to our cars which were parked some 500 meters from the nomination center. The police had asked the DAP supporters to leave the nomination center and later when we have all left then the police then allowed the BN supporters to disperse.
Suddenly we heard a commotion in front of us and I saw MIC members wearing the MIC Brigade t-shirt assaulting two members of the DAP. The MIC chaps used bricks and sticks to assault both K.Kannia ,42 and S.Vijayan,24. Apparently the MIC chaps were upset with the DAP supporters who at the nomination center had chided their President S.Samy Vellu. But things would have gone really bad and uncontrollable if not the quick presence of the police who rushed from the nomination center.
What surprised all was how come there more then 50 MIC members were waiting to ambush the DAP supporters when the MIC members were only dispersed after the DAP supporters left the nomination center? It looks like it was all well planned by the MIC boys to harm DAP supporters. We took the above two chaps and helped them to lodge police reports at the Machap Umboo police station. DAP’s Sec-Gen Sdr. Lim Guan Eng, A, Sivanesan and other leaders were present to give a helping hand. After lodging the reports the police took both the victims to the Hospital for medical treatment.
When at the police station Malaysian Nanban journalist R Malini, 30, complained that vulgar words were hurled at her allegedly by an MIC brigade member when she was attempting to take photographs of a group of MIC brigade members. Another Tamil daily Makkal Osai photographer P Malayanadi, 49, in a separate police report complained he had been pushed by the MIC Youth chief Vigneswaran – the Parliamentary Secretary of the Youth and Sports ministry with force while trying to take photographs of a man detained by the police. Malacca chief police officer Ayub Yaakob, who arrived at the police station confirmed that a man has been detained in relation to the assault.
At about 2.45pm I left Machap and arrived at Parliament at 4.30 and immediately raised the assault and complained that the investigation was slow and the police must buck up. The Deputy Minister of Internal security Johari mentioned that he was not aware of the fracas and he will investigate and revert the soonest possible. As usual Parliament adjourned at 5.30
= = == = =
Meanwhile Deputy UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamalluddin twisted the incident that it was a BN leader who was attacked...over TV3
Above: the TV3 news headline, Thursday morning, 5th April 2007
Khairy Jamaluddin expressing deep regret over the incident said UMNO youth described the incident as a personal attack against the BN leader. In the BN there is no place for personal attacks.
ABOVE:
Kahiary Jamaluddin: “I was there at the nominations and at the same time I heard several opposition members attack on a BN leader" BELOW: Pointing to his right ear, where he heard the rumours
This is how the BN is telling lies through hearing rumours. Did any of the swarm of reporters and photographers saw that attack?
= = = == =Those involved in scuffle ‘from outside Malacca’; NST MALACCA: Those involved in the scuffle outside the Machap by-election nomination centre are not from Malacca. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam claimed they were from outside his state and had arrived at the venue to create trouble. "The DAP members were from Negri Sembilan. They are destructive. They have caused problems in Lunas, Kedah in 2000, started fights during the Batu Talam by-election campaign and then arrived in Machap to fight." He was commenting on the scuffle between MIC Youth and DAP members after candidates filed their nomination papers for the Machap by-election on Tuesday. "The DAP members are not good people. They were from Negri Sembilan. The MIC members involved in the fight were from Perak."
He said the fight broke out after several DAP members used foul language to insult MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and his family. Malacca MIC chief Datuk R. Raghavan calmed the situation and warned his members against fighting in the hall. He said the fight happened outside the hall when the Perak MIC Youth and DAP members were on their way home. "It happened when the MIC Youth members were provoked. "DAP members shouldn’t have used dirty words against Samy Vellu and his family.
"If I were to insult Lim Kit Siang, can they take it? I am sure they would get angry." Umno information chief Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib — after meeting smallholders in Kampung Kemuning — urged BN component party members and supporters not to lose their cool when provoked by opposition members. "We should refrain from falling victim to instigation by the opposition. "The opposition does not have any issue to capitalise in Machap. This is why they are provoking our members."
April 04, 2007 22:06 PM
= = == = == = = = =
Machap Residents Seek Help To Bring Back Relatives From Abroad
ALOR GAJAH, April 4 (Bernama) -- Some residents in the Machap state constituency is seeking the government's help to enable their relatives who are working illegally abroad to return to the country to renew their passports. They are trying to bring back their relatives who have been working illegally in Japan and Taiwan for many years. "Now they want to come back but their Malaysian passports have expired for sometime. So far, we have received seven cases here," said MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau (PSCB) head Datuk Michael Chong.
"We have advised them on how to get to the Malaysian embassy there and to apply for an emergency certificate to help them return." Chong, together with five of the PSCB staff are here to handle the cases as the department has the expertise in handling such problems. Malaysians, particularly the Chinese community, have always sought the help of the bureau to solve various problems, ranging from debts, cheating cases, missing relatives to marital problems. Chong said most of them went to countries such as Japan and Taiwan to work and bring money home.
"There is nothing wrong with working overseas for better pay. The problem is that they have overstayed and have to face the law of the countries they are staying in now," he added. Therefore, he advised Malaysians working abroad to adhere to all the regulations to avoid any problem in the future. The well-publicised MCA PSCB has also set up a mobile service unit here today to help voters in the Machap constituency. Stationed at the Machap Umbor Barisan Nasional (BN) operations centre, the mobile unit will operate daily throughout the Machap by-election period from 10am to 10pm. BN candidate Lai Meng Chong, 56, is facing DAP's Liou Chen Kuang, 33, in a straight fight in the Machap state seat by-election on April 12. The by-election is held following the death of its assemblyman Datuk Wira Poh Ah Tiam on March 15 due to renal failure == = == = =
ABOVE & BELOW: The landmarks in Machang you would not miss
BN will not face an uphill task to retain the seat as it has been a traditionally BN stronghold for 50 years.
However this by election
has a distinctive significance in that it is the
first involved in a Chinese majority seat since 2004 hence posing the BN to retain the seat and gave BN a
signal to the coming GE.
About 75% of the 22,000 residents in Machap are farmers and majority of them have oil palm and rubber holding while some earned a living by planting cash crops.
And with crop prices at high levels, the farmers have nothing to complain. Political observers feel there is no local or pressing issues to harp on. The dissatisfaction against the BN government is mainly from the “urban poor Chinese” unable to find suitable work to “sustain the daily needs” and "make ends meet" . So the outcome of this by-election is predictable with the BN retaining it perhaps with a reduced majority.
= = = =
Fracas mars Machap by-election nomination day; Pauline Puah; SUN
MACHAP (April 3, 2007): Two DAP supporters were injured in a fracas that marred nomination day for the Machap by-election today. The scuffle between supporters from MIC and DAP took place outside the nomination centre at Machap Japerun Complex in Bukit Bulat, about 7km from Kampung Baru Machap Baru, as the nomination came to a close. Witnesses said they saw a DAP member nursing a head wound after the scuffle which erupted when tensions rose.
The other person had a minor injury. Police later arrested a man after a police report was lodged by the DAP. The day started at about 9.10am with supporters from the Barisan Nasional and the DAP camps sizing each other up. Heckling and shouts of "get out" were heard form both sides. There will be a straight fight between the candidates of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the DAP in the by-election for which polling is April 12. Supporters from both camps started gathering slowing from 8am.
ABOVE & BELOW: The BN Supporters & their huge flags
Flanked by some 3,000 supporters, BN candidate Lai Meng Chong arrived the centre at about 9.10am while DAP candidate Liou Chen Kuang arrived some 15 minutes later with a group of about 500 supporters. Chanting slogans asking the rival party to 'get out', the supporters from both camps were separated by a gate set up by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) to avoid commotion. Adding on to the temperature on nomination day was the supporters' motivation songs and 'boos' against each other. DAP Wanita also caught the attention of the crowd when they brought along red roses in the rally.
Heavyweights from both parties also turned up to throw weight behind their respective candidate. Among BN leaders present were deputy premier Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
ABOVE: Some of the DAP leaders present to give moral support, L to R; Ronnie Lui, Tan Seng Giaw, M Kulaegaran & Lim Kit Siang; BELOW: DAP Chairman Karpal Singh was there
DAP leaders who turned-up included secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, chairman Karpal Singh, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang and DAP MPs Teresa Kok, Fong Po Kuan, Fong Kui Lun, Tan Kok Wai, Tan Seng Giaw and M. Kulasegaran. Nomination was closed at 10am. No protest was lodged during the one-hour protest period. At 11.15am, returning officer Hasim Ismail announced that there was a straight fight between Lai and Liou. While the nomination procedure was about to end smoothly, a scuffle broke out outside the centre between supporters from MIC and DAP.
Witnesses said two DAP supporters were assaulted with one of them suffering head injuries. The police later arrested a MIC supporter after a police report was lodged by DAP. The Machap state seat fell vacant following the death of Datuk Poh Ah Tiam last month. In the 2004 general election, Poh secured 5,487 votes while Liou who took on the MCA for the first time, obtained 1,285 votes. The constituency has 9,623 eligible voters, 45% of whom are Chinese, 38% Malays, 15% Indians and 2% others.
= = == = = == = == = == = =
Machap: Thank you PKR for the support and solidarity
April 3rd, 2007 by DAP, ronnieliutiankhiew
ABOVE: The PKR contingent at the nomination walk
We must thank PKR for sending their national and local leaders to walk our candidate to the nomination centre. Some 1,000 DAP members and supporters took the 20-minute walk unfrayed by the distance and heat. The procession was led by DAP SG Lim Guan Eng and Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang. Other CEC members include Tan Seng Giaw, M.Kula, Chong Eng, Fong Kui Lun, Ahmad Ton, P Guna, Tan Kok Wai, Chow Kuan Yew, Teresa Kok, Vincent Wu, Anthony Loke, Boo Cheng Haw, Fong Po Kuan, Seah Leong Peng, Nge Koo Ham, Sivanesan, Leong Ngag Ngah, Apalasamy and me. Chairman Karpal Singh arrived in his car despite of his inconvenience. He received several rounds of applause from our members and supporters.
ABOVE; The DAP Flower power lead by MP Theresa Kok
We were delighted by the good mix of members and supporters. We have old and young, men and women, Chinese, Indian, Malay Portuguese showed up from all over the country punctually (before 9am)in high mood and good fighting spirit.
All of them have lodged police reports and so far only one of the attackers was detained for investigation. The police have promised to go after another two MIC members whom were identified through videos and photos taken by the DAP members.
ABOVE: The DAP members injured who lodged police reports and BELOW: The yellow & blue MIC "hooligans" attacking the DAP members
We want MIC President Datuk S Samy Vellu to apologise immediately to the DAP over the assault of our members. Meanwhile, when the MCA candidate was asked to comment on the ugly fracas, he has described those who attacked the DAP members as hooligans. He said that Machap is a peaceful village and those who used violence were not welcome. We hope Samy Vellu and his party leaders could heed the call made by the MCA candidate.
ABOVE: The yellow & blue MIC "hooligans" under control of the leaders before they were set free.
I have personally thanked Sdr Shamsul Iskandar, the PKR Youth Chief cum Jasin division chief and other PKR leaders. I was told some of the Pas members were there to observe the nomination process and have given their moral support.
= == =
Photographer assaulted in scuffle; NST Apr 03 07
ALOR GAJAH: A scuffle broke out after the candidates had filed their nomination papers for the Machap by-election, resulting in several people sustaining minor injuries. Makal Osai photographer P. Malayandi, 49, was among those assaulted and lodged a police report. Malaysian Nanban reporter Malini Rangasamy, 30, claimed that she was scolded for taking pictures when the fight began. K. Kannis, 42, and A. Vijayan, 24, of the DAP suffered cuts on the face and head. MIC Youth chief S. A. Vigneswaran denied he was involved in the scuffle but said he had tried to calm the situation when he heard there was a commotion between "some of my boys and a third party". "I did not know they were DAP members. I went there to stop the fight," he said. State police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakob acknowledged that reports were lodged and police arrested a man in his 30’s. "We are trying to locate two other men believed to be involved in the fight," he said.
= = == =
April 03, 2007 11:48 AM BN And DAP In Straight Fight In Machap
ABOVE: BN Candidate LAI MENG CHONG, 56 and BELOW; ,DAP candidate LIOU CHEN KUANG, 33
STRAIGHT FIGHT… BN's Lai Meng Chong (right) will face DAP's Liou Chen Kuang at the Machap state by-election on April 12.
ALOR GAJAH, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Machap state by-election in Melaka on April 12 will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and the DAP. BN's Lai Meng Chong, 56, who is the MCA Alor Gajah vice-chairman and political secretary to Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, will face DAP's Liou Chen Kuang, 33, a businessman. The announcement was made by the returning officer, Hasim Ismail, after the nomination and objection period closed at 11am at the nomination centre set up at the Machap Japerun Complex. Lai submitted his nomination papers at 9.14am and Liou did so 14 minutes later. No objections had been filed over their nominations.
Liou contested the seat in the 2004 general election but lost to Melaka MCA chairman Datuk Wira Poh Ah Tiam. Poh beat the DAP candidate by a 4,562-vote majority. Present to lend their support to the BN candidate were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and People's Progressive Party president Datuk M. Kayveas. Others were BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal, other cabinet ministers and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Also at the nomination centre were MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, MCA Wanita chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen and Umno Wanita deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
The nomination process went on smoothly as Machap residents woke up to sunny skies, unlike the erratic weather seen over the past few days. A police helicopter hovered over the Japerun complex as traffic police officers took charge to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Built a few years ago, the complex has rarely seen a large turnout like the one seen today, not even during the 2004 general election.
April 03, 2007 11:09 AM
= = == = =
Samy: Works Ministry is EPU's 'tool'; Pauline Puah; SUN
