Peter Chong - Special Assistant To YB Sivarasa

Video: Paul Wong.

Hands Of Mother Nature At Work!

Clip: Angela Ooi.

At His Breaking Point!

Clip: Estrelita.

Perak State Assembly Sitting - 28 Oct 2009

8.30 am - Information from Ipoh are not in yet. Still early.

8.57 - Reporting from Medan Istana at DAP H.Quarters.
The crowd is not here yet except reporters.
All aduns will gather at DAP HQ before moving into the State Assem.Building.
Moving in in 3 batches.
Ist. Reporters. 2nd. BN Reps and 3rd. Pakatan Reps. all to be done by 9.30 am.

9.00 - Polics trucks arrived. 1 FRU water cannon truck. Notice advising the public to stay
50 metres away from the state building.

9.04 - Ngeh Koo Ham told the press that it is a shame over the police presence whenever
Assembly sits, yet they are stopped by the police from entering the building.

The restaurant below DAP H.Q. is still operating despite within the 50 metres police line.

9.17 - Sivakumar, the speaker's robe was stolen last night. Suspected the thief disguised as Unit Amal personnel.

9.25 - Speaker's robe recovered, not stolen. Sivakumar arrived at DAP Hq. The crowd is reported to be slightly more than a hundred congregating around.

9.47 - Sivakumar in full Speaker's robe emerged from the DAP hq and is heading to the Legislative building with the aduns.

9.51 - The Pakatan aduns have to walk through the police blockade.
All aduns are out of sight from the mian entrance gate.
What are going to happen inside the building will be interesting indeed.

10.03 - It is reported that Sivakumar and the aduns are seen coming out of the building.
Thrills and spills to come?

10.16 - Sivakumar is seen but not the aduns. "They" forcefully removed his Speaker"s robe.
It is believed that the Pakatan aduns are in the State building but not in the legislative building yet.

10.22 - PAS members hold prayers within the forbidden 50 metres zone. Police keep watch.

10.46 - Police are about to act. They stand in front of the 20 plus people who carry on with their hajat prayers.

11.02 - Sources said that chaos in the Assembly over the legitimacy of the Speaker.

12.25 pm. - Pakatan Assembly had adjourned and left for the library. That's all folks.

Back for the latest.

12.45 - Pakatan Aduns are heading to DAP HQ for a press conference.
Nga Kor Ming (Pantai Remis) alleged that he was kicked during the sitting. He will make a police report.
Sivakumar shows his torn robe to the public.

1.22 - YB Nizar claimed that a bunch of thugs held Sivakumar forcefully to seize his Speaker's robe which resulted in the tear.

1.33 - Police Officer known as Khairul kicked the private parts of Nga Kor Ming at the checkpoint in order to seize his camera.

Hindraf - Illegal Assembly?

The Hindraf Rally on 25 November 2007 saw Makkal Sakthi and 30 Hindu non-governmental organizations committed to the preservation of Hindu community rights and heritage in a multiracial Malaysia.

Five thousand riot police were dispatched to the scene using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds of 100,000 spread across the city. 136 people were arrested.

Until today, there are 23 left and who refused to plead guilty. Despite coming from different states and the risk of losing their jobs and incurring additional expenses, they stood their ground – to fight for their rights to peaceful assembly.

It is a sad case to see zero response from the civil society except for their relatives and friends who came to give moral support. It is a crying shame to hear how Malaysians cry out loud wanting to look beyond ethnicity, but when the time comes for them to show their moral support, excuses become aplenty.

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

One of the important festivals celebrated in Malaysia (notably in the states of Penang and Selangor) is the Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Kew Ong Yeah) which is celebrated on the 1st till the 9th day of the Nine month in the lunar calendar.

On the last day of the eighth lunar month, a consecration ceremony is performed to purify the temple and the surrounding grounds.

Many devotees go on vegetarian diet during these 9 days.

Devotees in whites and yellow came from home barefooted getting ready to perform such spectacular feat – Fire Walking over burning charcoals.

Then, an inauguration ceremony for the five generals and armies of spirit soldiers of heaven and earth, fire and water, earth, metal and wood are performed.

The Tao believers will ask for blessing and help from the Nine Emperor Gods. The following year for those are helped have to do penance in whatever forms they had vowed to.

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

Billiard Wizardry

Clip: Estrelita

Perak Assembly Sitting

Perak State Assembly

Live Reporting From Ground Zero

(Yoh and Mono Lee)

28 October 2009

8.00 a.m.

Karaoke For Hearing Impaired

Clip: Estrelita

Only In China

Forum

ISA - Why Review, Why Not Abolish?

Venue : Bar Council Auditorium.

Date : 24 October 2009 (Saturday),

Time : 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Speakers:

1. Prof Dr.Aziz Bari.

2. YB Saari Sungib.

3. YB Dzulkefly Ahmad.

4. Nora Murat.

5. Syed Ibrahim.

6. Norlaila Othman.

For further information : Nailini (03-7784 3525)

Home - Documentary Drama

Date: Friday, 23 October 09
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: The Annexe Gallery,

Kuala Lumpur
Admission: FREE

Enquiries: 03-77843525 (SUARAM)

Provide details such as full name and the names of those you are bringing along.
Those who have not registered will not be allowed in.

HOME is a short drama about the journey of Burmese refugee Roi Roi's search for a home in Malaysia.

Many Burmese refugees seek to flee from the tyranny of the military junta. Despite surviving a grueling journey across the borders of Thailand and Malaysia, they find themselves victims of human rights abuse and human trafficking in Malaysia.

This is a documentary that unveils the heartbreaking stories of Burmese refugees in Malaysia through testimonials of their horrific experiences.

Temme Lee.

One Pair of Hands

Clip: Estrelita.

Africa - A Way Of Life

He Is A Jolly Good Fella! - Eric Vaillier

Video: Paul Wong

Acrobatic Wonders

Clip: Angela Ooi.

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintances be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

Chorus

For auld lang syne,

my dearFor auld Lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,

For auld lang syne!

Good things come in small packages, they say.
Quality is better than quantity, they say.
Modesty is virtue, they say,
This is the man who has all in one!

Eric Vaillier is popularly known as the "Frenchman" who has a local touch. Ask him anytime about local history and he will make you realised how many history classes you have missed in school.

The most beautiful trait he has is that he will leave no food wasted. Psst... he is also known as the "Bandaraya Man."

Those who know him will agree that his modesty has won him many friends. He is carrying the "Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia" flag too.

WE ALL ARE GOING TO MISS YOU VERY MUCH ERIC!

Bagan Pinang - Finale

This banner was seen at Deretan Kedai Taman PD Utama.

FRU on standby at Teluk Kemang after a scuffle between the supporters from the two camps.

Bagan Pinang By-Election

Bagan Pinang - 09 Sept 2009

The following clips were recorded on 09 October at Batu 3, Jalan Pantai.

Bagan Pinang By-election

Finally, the excitement for Bagan Pinang by-election on the 11 Sept is over.

Barisan Nasional won with a majority of 5,435 and this is the people’s choice. Even the postal votes are not included, BN still wins comfortably.

The floodgate for the “by-election tsunami” to take another win had refused to open for Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat should not blame the voters but to look internally where had gone wrong.
Is it that they have too many Hassan Ali and too few Khalid Samad? I guess so.

If and when the internal problems within the coalition are not honestly solved, no matter where the next by-election will be, there is going to be another repeat of Bagan Pinang.

It is unnecessary to write what people already know about Barisan’s mighty power but rather to look at who refuses to abide by the principles agreed upon within Pakatan itself.

Pakatan leadership should not start the blame game but to analyse its own follies!

It is difficult to get rid of the bad apples now but do Pakatan have the stamina to wait until the next general election?

Let us see what the next coming by-election, perhaps in two months time or so, will be. Until then, what are the problems that are going to emerge and how they are going to be solved will be the yardstick to determine where Pakatan is heading!

More to come.

Bagan Pinang

I will be updating what is happening at Bagan Pinang effective Saturday dawn at Facebook. If time permits, I will be posting photos and clips in this blog - dawningeyes.

As of Friday 5.30 p.m. until 12 midnight, the schuduled "ceramahs" at different locations where important personality will be speaking are the "ceramahs" that are worth recording.

If you want to catch what is happening at Bagan Pinang, please make a date with me.

Vocal Wizardry

Clip: Estrelita

At The Mercy Of Typhoon Ketsana

A Heart Stopping Prank

This prank is no laughing matter. It can scare the hell out of you.

Clip: Tan KT.

Ceramah At Taman Bayu

The eve of the nomination day for Bagan Pinang by-election was mundane. The usual fanfare expected for any by-election was missing. The consolation is the beach and seafood to appease the disappointments.

The locals are hospitable and have a lot of sentiments to share. The usual soaring food prices and fuel are the subjects that matter most to them.

When asked about the chances of who will win the Bagan Pinang by-election, many lamented about the postal votes that may once again rob them of their choice.

We were told that there was a “ceramah” scheduled at Taman Bayu, a few kilometers away. A kind Malay man led us with his motor-cycle to the venue.

YB Gopala was there to share with those present about his experiences during his detention under I.S.A. He related about his humiliation and the harassment after his release.

The crowd about hundred plus was absorbed when he revealed how Tok Guru had helped him when he was down.

Despite the soggy ground people still congregated to hear other speakers calling for their votes for PAS candidate.

The coming Sunday will tell if PAS can create the upset or Barisan to hold on the seat for Bagan Pinang.

Clips In Sequence - 02

Bagan Pinang Nomination - Clips In Sequence

Bagan Pinang Nomination - Part 03

With the help from the above slides, I would like to give a brief write-up about what had happened on the 02 October 2009 on the nomination day for Bagan Pinang constituency.

If I say that there were more than 25,000 Pakatan Rakyat supporters, you may think that the figures were far-fetched. I would rather say that the figures were not more than 25,000 strong.

As for Barisan supporters, the figures were around 8,000 strong.

The crowd from Pakatan Rakyat was expected to be overwhelming and that was the reason why the rendezvous to start the walk to the nomination centre was about half a kilometer away.

The route was not directly led to the main entrance but a by-pass route leading into a small housing estate next to the side entrance was for Pakatan Rakyat supporters. The by-pass route was about 200 yards from the main road to the side entrance.

By the time the leading party reached the side entrance, some two-thirds of the Pakatan Rakyat supporters were still on the main road.

The rain came but the walk was not in hiatus.

Some took shelter in the two petrol stations and at the verandah of a row of shop lots. The rest stood on the main road facing the Barisan supporters.

The FRU made their presence felt by placing themselves as barricade between the two taunting and over-zealous groups.

On two occasions, drinking water in plastic bottles were seen flying from the Barisan crowd over to where Pakatan Rakyat supporters were. Luckily, there was no retaliation otherwise it would be a hell break loose situation.

The police stopped the Indian drums merry-makers from strolling into the vicinity. People jeered and unnecessary remarks were thrown at the police.

By 11.30 a.m. a few politicians were seen emerging from the nomination centre to greet their supporters. The crowd soon dispersed waiting for night to come to enjoy the hard hitting “ceramahs.”

Bagan Pinang Nomination - Part 2

The only coastal road came to a standstill. Special passes were issued to the residents living within the vicinity of the nomination centre.

Supporters from the Barisan and Pakatan had a field day of a jay-walker. A sea of flags and banners calling for support could not escape the eyes.

Man, woman and child of different ethnicity came to make the event more exciting.

The rain came and could not hamper their spirits. Those who marched to the nomination centre were drenched.

Brisk business from the food stall selling mutton soup noodles was overwhelming.

Umbrellas were selling like hot cakes. Thanks to the rain that brought the vendor the unexpected business.

To continue ...

Bagan Pinang Nomination - 021009 Pt 02

The whole trunk road was filled to the brim when the two groups merged. PAS supporters stole the limelight and the green PAS flags could be seen at any corner.

The crowd swelled to a frightening size, at least at thirty-five thousands strong. As usual, the Unit Amal in saffron colour t-shirts led the way.

The Pakatan Rakyat coalition groups had to use the by-road leading to the other entrance to avoid the Barisan supporters stationed at the main entrance.

It was just unbeliever to see the mommoth crowd for a by-election.

Bagan Pinang Nomination - 021009

More to come ...

Bagan Pinang Nomination - 021009

Chinese Swan Lake

Clip: Estrelita

Who Will Triumph?

Zulkfly Mohd Omar (PAS) Isa Abdul Samad (BN)

One more by-election will be one more defeat for BN? Bagan Pinang is BN stronghold and with four thousand plus postal votes, the fortress seems invincible.

The first indicator to give the gut feeling a go is on nomination day. The trend of supporters on both sides will tell a tale.

The ceramahs to come will see the battle in full gear from both sides to convince the electorates of Bagan Pinang.

Let the show begin.