Press Statement in solidarity with Korean People against FTA

PEOPLE'S COALITION AGAINST
US-MALAYSIA FTA
No. 22A, Jalan Vivekananda , Jalan Tun    Sambanthan , 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-2274 7791                    Fax : 03-87374772

PRESS STATEMENT 19/4/2007

TODAY KOREA-US FTA! TOMMOROW MALAYSIA –US FTA 
IMPLICATION: THE PEOPLE SUFFER !

Why is the Korea-US FTA is not good for the Korean People? 

Based on publicly available information it is proven that the Korea-USFTA is
almost exactly the same as existing USFTAs.

The impact of the agreement …

- South Korea agreed to implement the US standards of patent protection found in all recent USFTAs and which go far beyond those required
by the World Trade Organization *. The South Korean Health and Welfare Minister admitted that the USFTA could cause US$1.2billion in damage to the
South Korean pharmaceutical industry. The National Health Insurance Corporation estimated that a three year patent extension in the patent
duration alone would cost more than US$542million and this is just one of the ways medicine prices would be likely to rise because of its USFTA.

- South Korea also agreed to increase its copyright period to 70 years before legal copies can be made, the same as all recent USFTAs.

-  South Korea   had to agree to the yarn forward rule in the textile sector pushed by the USA which is likely to make it very hard for it to
increase its textile exports to the USA.

- South Korea agreed to basically the same protections for US investors as other countries signing US FTAs with investment chapters. This
includes a broad definition of expropriation that may require full compensation for legitimate South Korean government policies that reduce the
profits of US companies. *Like all USFTAs with investment chapters except Australia's, the Korea-USFTA allows US companies to sue the South Korean
government directly at an international tribunal if it does not pay this compensation, *except in the area of certain real estate policies.

- Like all USFTAs except Jordan, South Korea agreed to open more of its government procurement to US companies. *

Although South Korea excluded rice from its USFTA, this does not create a precedent (for example for Malaysia in its USFTA negotiations) according to
the Assistant USTR for Japan, Korea and APEC, Wendy Cutler.


THE LIKELY IMPACT OF THE US FTA ON KOREA IS CLEAR ;

- The South Korean Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister-designate predicted that a USFTA would cost the South Korean
fishing industry to lose up to US$91million.

- The Acting Prime Minister of South Korea said that 70,000 to 140,000 farmers would inevitably lose their jobs as a result of the Korea-US
FTA. Economic models predict that 99% of South Korean rice farmers would have lost their jobs if South Korea had agreed to remove its tariffs on rice
in a USFTA. A labour expert predicts that another 100,000 workers in other sectors, for example electronics, could also lose their jobs. *

- A team of 17 Korean experts predicted that the Korea-US FTA would require South Korea to amend 169 of its laws. The South Korean government
also found 33 local government laws that may violate a Korea-USFTA and so have to be changed. *

THIS IS THE DEAL THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT GOT DESPITE: 

The South Korean Government was well prepared for the negotiations and negotiated strongly, including walking out of certain negotiations. The
South Korean government  had a 726 page analysis prepared by 27 Korean academics and experts on the impact of a Korea-US FTA on it.

There has been enormous concern from Korean civil society over the Korea-USFTA, for example:

- a Korean trade unionist committed suicide over the USFTA by setting himself on fire,*

- parliamentarians including a former Justice Minister and Party Chairman have been on hunger strike for three weeks and parliamentarians
from all parties signed a statement calling on the FTA negotiations to halt,

- there have been strikes and demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of Koreans from all walks of life  *

After doing all this and so much of pressure from the Korean People , the similarity of the Korea-USFTA to the USA's FTA template shows that the
template is likely to still be non-negotiable and also the strength of the bargaining power  and the pressure of the USA on Korea   to get what it
wants. Furthermore, the US government has said that the Korea-US FTA 'would establish a model that we believe could be replicated with other Asian
economies'.

After what had happened in Korea and the kind of deal Korea got, does the Malaysian government think that it can come out as winners is the
US-Malaysia FTA ?

The people of Malaysia should realize, that the USA can continue to  negotiate an FTA with Malaysia, even without fast track authority and there are
chances that the US government's fast track authority may be renewed. Given South Korea's experience, we doubt that we can get a good deal in the
US-Malaysia FTA as the FTA is actually a tool to protect and expand US interests in the country and NOT vice versa.

Thus, the People's Coalition Against US-Malaysia FTA demand that the
MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT HALT ALL NEGOTIATIONS AND THE IDEA OF AN FTA WITH THE
US SHOULD BE DROPPED! 



For more information please contact : Kohila -0192275982

Solidarity Letter from Korea

Korean Alliance Against Korea-U.S. FTA

150-982 Daeyoung Building 3F, 139 Youngdeungpo-dong 2-ga, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Tel: 82-2-775-2501 Email: nofta@hanmail.net www.nofta.or.kr

April 16, 2007

Let Malaysia’s Struggle be the Example for the International Progressive Movement!

Letter of Solidarity

To the Malaysian People Fighting for a Better World:

We, the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA, congratulate the People’s Coalition on your struggle to stop the Malaysia-U.S. FTA. The delay of the FTA talks represents the tremendous power and unified will of the Malaysian people. Your struggle gives Korea and the world inspiration to continue this fight against injustice, exploitation, and the reckless spread of capital.

Also, we thank you for your solidarity action against the Korea-U.S. FTA. Your willingness to organize this protest, despite the tasking requirements of your own struggle, is a truly honorable act of solidarity. Further, it stand as testimony to the fact that the fight against neoliberalism and free trade is a global fight carried out by the people of the world against transnational capital, not one of individual nations. We are humbled by the strength demonstrated by you protest today. The will and action of the People’s Coalition sets a precedent for the international anti-neoliberal movement to follow.

The Korea-U.S. FTA was concluded on April 2, 2006, after only a year of negotiations. The process was undemocratic from the beginning. There were pre-conditions such as importing U.S. beef that may be infected with mad cow disease and lowering the film screen quota that is vital to Korea’s cultural community. The result of the agreement is worse than we expected. Under the agreement, transnational corporations have the authority to change Korea’s labor, environmental, and health standards in pursuit of profit. The cost of Korea’s national health insurance will inevitably go up, and public services such as electricity are facing privatization.

The greatest burden, however, falls on Korea’s 3.5 million small farmers. Already the farming community is met with difficult economic and social conditions, but they till their land every day just as their families have done for hundreds of year. They are the keepers of Korea’s cultural and social values. If it is enacted the FTA will force the farmers off their land, only to face poverty and isolation in the urban areas. We are sure that under the FTA, this is also the case for Malaysia.

Korea’s movement to stop the FTA has been strong and will go on. Over 300 labor, farmers’, and social organizations, under name of the Korean Alliance, carried out a year-long fight in Korea and in the U.S. Although our protests were organized in a peaceful manner, we faced much police violence and arrests. It has resulted in one tragic incident that we must share with the Malaysian people.

At 11:22am on Sunday, April 15, taxi driver Huh Se-uk passed away after having attempted self-immolation in protest against the Korea-U.S. FTA two weeks ago. On April 1, at roughly 1:00 in the afternoon, Huh Se-uk appeared at Korea’s Hyatt Hotel, the site of the final high-level FTA negotiations. Shouting “Down with the Korea-U.S. FTA! Step Down Roh Moo-hyun!” he lit himself ablaze. Determined to struggle until the last, he could still be heard chanting after police had put out the flames and were carrying him away on a stretcher. Huh Se-uk was rushed to the hospital where underwent surgery. He remained in critical condition until he finally passed away on April 15. The FTA negotiations, carried out behind locked and guarded doors, never included the voices of people like the worker Huh Se-uk.

Huh Se-uk’s death bares witness to the true nature of the FTA, which sacrifices the livelihoods of farmers, workers, and ordinary peoples for the sake of profit of transnational capital. His memory contains our sorrow and rage at the secretive and undemocratic nature of the FTA negotiations. We are in grief, but he lives on in our struggle. Inheriting his message and strength, we will defeat the FTA.

We have now begun a new phase of our struggle. Our goal is to stop the FTA from passing in Korea’s National Assembly. It is a difficult struggle, but it is also a global struggle. Our fight against the FTA is a fight against neoliberalism that is sweeping the earth. But we believe in something that is always greater than the force of capital. It is the power of people. The people of Korea are marching with the people of Malaysia. We shall march toward a world where we can live in justice and with dignity.

Let us unite! Let us march together toward victory!

With respect and in solidarity, we thank you.

Oh Jong-Ryul
Co-Chair, The Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA

Against Imperialism in Latin America

Against Imperialism in Latin America

by Choo Chon Kai (Central CommitteeMember of PSM) -delivered during International Socialism 2006 at Bangkok, 23-25 October 2006) organized by Workers Democracy of Thailand.

After 500 years of colonial suppression and over 25 years of neoliberal catastrophe, Latin America today is in turmoil, and the masses of the continent are leading a new wave of rebellion against imperialism in the 21^st century. The mighty imperialist power, the US and the ruling classes of Latin America, have been seriously challenged by this recent wave of revolts, which is inherited from the popular resistance of Latin Americans since the European invasion 500 years ago.

The development of popular resistance against imperialism in Latin America in recent years, has opened up the eyes and inspired those from other parts of the world. The resistances in this continent in revolt, don’t just pose challenges to the existing imperialist dominance but also lay out opportunities for changes from below, setting up conditions, objectively and subjectively, for a socialist revolution.

Direct actions by peasants in Peru, the indigenous upheaval in Ecuador, street protests and factory occupations in Argentina, a climate of massive insurrection in Bolivia, land occupations in Brazil, political awakening in Uruguay, anti-imperialist mobilizations in Chile and battles against US-sponsored coup plotters in Venezuela, have marked an important turning point of people’s struggle in the region.

Cuba, which was seen as the “last bastion of Socialism” and isolated by the western imperialist powers especially since the downfall of Stalinist Soviet Union, now remains a major threat to the US imperialist power. A recent report prepared by US-aided Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, which is co-chaired by US Secretary of the State Condoleeza Rice and US Secretary of Commerce, revealed Bush’ plan for a regime change in Cuba, with a budget of USD 80 million.

Latin America Challenges US Imperialism

Latin America was one time the “backyard” of Imperial US, with US-backed dictators ruling the region throughout the 20^th century. The democratically elected president Allende in Chile was replaced by US with the Pinochet government which left a bloody trail of terror in the Andean country; the US-backed Argentinean military junta tortured, and murdered over 30, 000 men, women and children; Uruguayan and Paraguayan dictatorships passionately participated in Operation Condor, even kidnapping the babies of some of the clandestine prisoners they were torturing.

In order to consolidate its imperial influence in the continent, US recruited, trained and employed terrorists such as Luis Posada Carriles, known as the Osama Bin Laden of Latin America, who helped trained the brutal Nicaraguan Contras to overthrow the Sandinista government, as well as the Guatemalan and Salvadoran death squads.

The Cuban revolution has posed a real challenge to US imperialism itself and has become the inspiration of ordinary people in Latin America and elsewhere to rise up against imperialism. We see people in Latin America still carrying banners of Che with passion. Though the revolution was isolated by the imperial powers with economic sanctions and military threats, it has proved to have the support of the working class of Cuba and stands strong until today.

With the recent events of shifting left in Latin America, Cuba has found new ideological allies in the region, and can begin concentrating on the unfinished process of its revolution, handing over power to the ordinary workers and peasants.

Latin America in Transformation

Neoliberalism is widely rejected today in Latin America, the continent where neoliberal policies have been carried out on a massive scale by imperialists and their agents, the ruling class. Gradual economic genocide as a result of imperial domination under neoliberal policies, has generated humiliating poverty for three-fourths of Latin Americans, degrading living standards and suffering of millions who are squeezed in favelas across the continent. For the indigenous people of Latin America, neoliberalism probably means just merely the latest variant of 500-year genocidal subjection.

Neoliberalism’s slashing of state social programs and use of “flexible labor” had led to the collapse of the minimum wage, impoverishment of masses, rising unemployment, and for even well-educated professionals “precariousness” of work and “over-exploitation”. It has also produced a new wave of popular resistance and leftward electoral swings.

In the wake of new wave of massive rebellion, there are, to be sure, strong counter-tendencies from the existing ruling class, including attempts to destabilize radical governments, counter-revolutionary plots and mobilizations, more repression and paramilitary terrorism, and accelerating violence against the oppressed people. What is at stake in Latin America is nothing less than control of basic resources, including oil, gas, water, low-wage labor, biodiversity, schools, hospitals, housing, transportation, pensions, banks and industries. The ordinary workers and peasants who participate in the social movements are protesting the privatization of nature, the commodification of life, and the pillage imposed by neoliberal imperialist powers, together with the illegitimate, unpayable foreign debts passed down from the dictatorships.

The election of Evo Morales in Bolivia and the radical reforms of the Hugo Chavez government in Venezuela, provide a fertile ground for emergence of an alternative to imperialism, and give meaning to the chant “another world is possible”, which world can only be a socialist one. Morales calls for a “communitarian socialism based on reciprocity and solidarity”, while Chavez advocates the need to internationalize the revolution and create “a new socialism for the 21^st century” because “another world is not possible within capitalism!”

Even the election of moderate centre-left “soft neoliberal” governments, like those of Lula in Brazil, Bachelet in Chile and Tabare Vazquez in Uruguay, are the product of a long period of struggle against neoliberalism and the right-wings.

The failure of Lula’s “soft neoliberal” policies in Brazil has proven again that reformism is a dead-end for capitalism “with a human face”. The masses are continuing to mobilize against neoliberal policies, and the recent narrow victory of Lula in the first round presidential election showed the dissatisfaction of Brazilian people towards the continuation of neoliberal and pro-imperialist policies under Lula. This is a case of how without a working class party that carries out a clear revolutionary program to break the power and wealth of the oligarchy, there will be no real change for the working class.

Internationalization of Struggles

There is a growing recognition among Latin American peoples and the new leftist governments in the region, of the need to forge alliances and to internationalize their struggles. The continental campaign against the Free Trade Area of Americas (FTAA), has led to the formation of Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) which is to counter the US-imperialist dominance through establishment of a continental single market.

Initiated by Cuba and Venezuela, and joined by Bolivia recently, ALBA which was aimed at the exchange of medical resources and petroleum between nations, can be a catalyst to take the revolutionary process further. With the ALBA, Venezuela delivers about 96,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba at very favourable prices and Cuba in exchange has sent 20,000 medical staff and thousands of teachers to Venezuela's slums.

And now, Cuba has over 700 medical doctors in Bolivia to go into the most remote areas of the Andean country, and have treated more than 776 000 patients. Venezuelan President Chavez has pledged $1.5 billion in energy investment to Bolivia, and is also investing in projects to produce organic tea, coffee, dairy and legal coca products in Bolivia. For Bush in the imperialist camp, these are lethal recipes of subversion in Latin America, but for the workers and campesinos, these are measures that may boost international solidarity among the working class to unite and resist the imperial order.

Since all the countries of Latin America are dominated by imperialism, they have a super-rich ruling class which is hand-in-hand with the imperialist bourgeoisie. This lay the basis of the most unequal societies on earth, and it is essential to defeat imperialism in order to end continuous oppression and exploitation. Yet, the task of taking on imperialism, cannot be relied on any-kind of merely “anti-imperialist alliance” with any sector of the bourgeoisie. The fight for the national and democratic tasks of the revolution, has to be led by working class and peasantry themselves.

As the great Russian revolutionary Trotsky put it, “Central America and South America can only uproot themselves from backwardness and slavery by uniting their states in one powerful federation. But it is not the backward South American bourgeoisie, venal agency of foreign imperialism, which will be called to resolve this task, but the young South American proletariat, the leader chosen by the oppressed masses. The slogan in the struggle against the violence and intrigues of world imperialism and against the blood-soaked domination of the indigenous comprador cliques, is then, the Soviet United States of Central and Southern America.”

Anti-Imperialism: Towards Socialist Revolution

There is growing interest in Socialism among the masses in Latin America. Public opinion polls in Venezuela and Brazil show more than half of the population favoring socialism. Yet there is a growing debate about the kinds of anti-imperialist models and socialisms that should be sought.

The Cuban Revolution of 1959 started a process of bringing socialism to the continent, with the tradition of Jose Marti, a kind that might differ from European socialism or the Stalinist model. Today, Venezuela’s socialism is rooted in the ideas of Simon Bolivar, and Bolivia’s is based on indigenous traditions. There are multiple socialist perspectives in Latin America. They share some common characteristics:

1. Human-value driven, based on love (in the words of Che Guevara and Jose Marti), respect for others, and social justice;
2. Participatory, without Stalinist-type of authoritarianism, but with multiple-level planning, worker-controlled enterprises, and as in the words of Fidel Castro, “politics instead of politicking”
3. Internationalist, defending people against neoliberal and imperialist onslaught.
4. Pro-sovereignty of nation-states in defense of the principles of non-intervention, non-aggression, and self-determination, including new states created to link up many peoples and ones aspiring to true “national independence” through unification into a Latin American state or confederation.

Which road to be taken and how? For sure, it can only be taken by the working class and the leadership of the working class rooted in the struggle against imperialist subjugation and oppression.

Deepening the Revolution

There are people who may argue whether the Bolivarian process and events in Latin America, are socialist revolutions in the 21^st century or not. But whether socialist or not, we are sure that this process with the participation of the working masses, would lead in the direction of a socialist revolution. But, of course it needs a clear leadership of working class. Without mass mobilization, Chavez’s government would not survive the attempts of coup and continue with its radical reform programs.

The antagonism between the ruling class and working class, would lead to revolution and counter-revolution, and this would be the crucial moment for people to organize and mobilize in defense of the revolution. And the revolution only would prevail, with a strong working class base with clear leadership, and it has to be internationalist one.

In the face of imperialism’s stepped-up pressures, all will depend on how much unity and internationalism can be built among the social movements and different governments that bear the aspirations of the radical masses.

With the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela starting to pour in much energy, together with Cuba and Bolivia, and mass struggles across the continent, Latin America is once again on the march, towards building a Socialist alternative for Latin America.

Now, the question and task in front of the working class and peasantry of Latin America, is how to deepen the revolutionary process which has been started. Only through deepening the revolution, by workers and peasants taking power from below, to build a genuine working class democracy, and internationalizing the struggle across the continent and the planet, only then shall we foresee a better world.

This is also the challenge to all of us around the world besides comrades in Latin America, the challenge for us to organize ourselves into a socialist movement with a revolutionary program, to link up our struggles and strengthen solidarity among the movements, to defeat savage capitalism and to build a genuine working class democracy, towards a common goal: a socialist future!

Protest agianst rotten bus system! We demand a better public transport!

A protest against the notorious rotten bus system, was held at noon today, at Penang Road, in front of Komtar Building.People who are suferring under the current rotten bus system in Penang, were there in this protest, voiced out thier anger and frustration aganist the government inaction in providing a better public transport for the people.After the bus revamping plan which lauched during April Fool Day (to fool the people?) failed, the bus system has backed to square one with the alternative plan hanging in the air.How long will the people wait for a better bus?

Rakyat Menggesa Rundingan FTA Diberhentikan

12 Jun 2006, Pulau Pinang

Pagi ini, Batu Ferringghi kelihatan tenang sahaja. Kalaulah bukannya disebabkan kehadiran kumpulan-kumpulan masyarakat yang memprotes untuk membantah Perjanjian Perdagangan Bebas (FTA), tiada siapa yang akan tahu bahawa satu proses rundingan yang amat penting di antara kerajaan Malaysia dan Amerika Syarikat sedang berjalan di Hotel Park Royal secara “senyap-senyap” bermula hari ini (12 Jun 2006) sehingga 16 Jun. 2006. Ini merupakan pusingan rundingan FTA Malaysia-AS yang pertama.

Kerajaan Malaysia dan Amerika Syarikat mengumumkan bahawa rundingan untuk Perjanjian Perdagangan Bebas (FTA) dua hala. Dalam beberapa bulan yang akan datang, satu rundingan yang intensif akan dijalankan di antara dua pihak. Tetapi, rakyat langsung tidak diberitahu tentang apa yang akan dirundingkan. Rundingan FTA Malaysia-AS ini dijalankan dengan cara yang langsung tidak telus dan tidak demokratik.

Hari ini, Gabungan Mengenai Perjanjian Perdagangan Bebas Dua Hala Malaysia-Amerika Syarikat, yang dianggotai oleh lebih 30 organisasi masyarakat telah menghantar satu memorandum kepada delegasi perunding kerajaan Malaysia yang sedang memulakan rundingan FTA dengan delegasi perunding Amerika Syarikat.

Lebih kurang 100 orang mula berhimpunan di hadapan Hotel Park Royal Pulau Pinang, bermula pukul 10.30 pagi, untuk menyuarakan bantahan mereka terhadap FTA dan menggesa supaya rundingan tersebut diberhentikan. Perhimpunan ini dihadiri oleh wakil-wakil daripada kumpulan-kumpulan masyarakat sivil seperti Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP), Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC), Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Aliran, Kumpulan HIV Positif, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) dan Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM). Perhimpunan aman ini berlangsung untuk selama satu jam. Slogan-slogan membantah FTA dilaungkan.

Wakil-wakil Gabungan yang ingin menghantar memorandum kepada ketua perunding untuk kerajaan Malaysia telah dihalang daripada masuk ke dalam hotel. Seorang wakil daripada Kementerian Perdaganan Antarabangsa dan Industri telah keluar menerima memorandum.

Mengapa rundingan mengenai satu perjanjian dua hala yang akan memberi kesan mendalam dalam semua aspek masyarakat ini dijadikan begitu “sulit”? Apa yang kerajaan Malaysia dan Amerika Syarikat cuba sembunyikan daripada pengetahuan masyarakat?

Yang jelas, ini adalah satu lagi serangan neoliberal ke atas rakyat Malaysia. Sudah puas kaum pekerja, petani, anak-anak muda dan majoriti besar rakyat di Malaysia ditindas oleh kapitalis nasional dengan wujudnya pelbagai dasar-dasar ekonomi kapitalis yang menghakis hak rakyat, seperti penswastaan perkhidmatan asas, pengurangan subsidi masyarakat, ketiadaan akta gaji minima, ketiadaan kebebasan menubuhkan kesatuan sekerja dan sebagainya. Kini, rakyat Malaysia menghadapi satu lagi ancaman langsung yang baru daripada kapitalis-kapitalis Amerika Syarikat pula. Jikalau FTA dilaksanakan, jaminan kerja dan perlindungan sosial yang selama ini sudahpun serba cacat akan dihancurkan dengan lebih teruk lagi.

FTA yang asyik dipromosikan oleh kapitalis-kapitalis antarabangsa, merupakan satu jentera kapitalis membolot kekayaan masyarakat dengan cara menindas kelas pekerja. Kewujudan institusi neoliberal seperti Pertubuhan Perdaganan Sedunia (WTO) sudah cukup membimbangkan dan terus menghakis hak dan kepentingan kaum pekerja, petani dan yang miskin di seluruh dunia. Namun, kapitalis-kapitalis transnasional masih tidak puas hati dengan agenda yang dibawa dalam WTO. Mereka menggunakan FTA untuk menguasai bidang-bidang yang tidak diliputi oleh WTO, dan membawa agenda neoliberal dengan lebih agresif lagi. Kapitalis-kapitalis ini hanya inginkan penguasaan yang sepenuh ke atas kehidupan harian setiap insan. Kini, Malaysia yang ditadbir oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional pula beria-ia untuk mendampingan fahaman neoliberal dengan melacurkan hak rakyat kepada kapitalis Amerika Syarikat.

FTA hanyalah salah satu cubaan kapitalis-kapitalis untuk terus mengaut keuntungan besar dan menguasai dunia, dengan melacurkan segala hak dan kehidupan rakyat jelata. Tiada alasan untuk kita menerima FTA dan segala cubaan serangan neoliberal daripada kapitalis sama ada dari luar atau dalam negeri perlulah ditentang habis-habisan, supaya masa hadapan kita tidak digadaikan. Hanyalah dengan rakyat tertindas bersatu sebagai satu kelas dan mengorganisasi untuk lawan, barulah kita dapat membina sebuah masyarakat baru yang bebas daripada penindasan.

Tak Nak FTA! Hancur Kapitalis!

Laporan oleh
Choo Chon Kai
019-5669518

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maklumat mengenai FTA Malaysia-AS boleh didapati di laman web:
http://www.ftamalaysia.org/

People VS People?

A forum “Federal Constitution: Protection For All”, jointly organised by Aliran and Article 11 Coalition, which was held on 14 May at Cititel Penang, disrupted by a crowd of about 300 people who were demonstrating against Inter-Faith Commission (IFC). Though there were police blocks everywhere and facing much difficulties to go to the forum venue, the turnout of the forum was quite impressive as about 300 people filled up the hall.

The program which was planned to run from 9 am to 1 pm was "forced" to cut short and ended with disappointment of most of the participants, after disruption from outside and inside the venue, plus "threatening warnings" from the police that the crowd might out of control and storm into the venue.

The forum which allowed everyone to discuss openly, freely and democratically about critical issues confronting every citizen's fundamental rights, the supremacy of Federal Constitution, was unexpectedly faced disruption of a group of demonstrators who proclaimed themselves "Coalition against IFC" . In fact, the forum had nothing to do with discussion on IFC, and not posing any "threat" to Islam as everyone across religion, were allowed to participate in the discussion. There were a quite big number of "representatives" from the demonstrators registered and attended the forum without any obstruction from the organizer. Sadly, the democratic debate or even a simple discussion was not "allowed" to take place by those people who tried to disrupt the forum.

If a democratic discussion in a mutual respect manner is not allow to take place among people in the civil society, how can we expect the conflicts and issues concerned of everyone can be resolved? We should use our freedom to promote others, not to violate others freedom.

Demo lagu pekerja - Internasionale

Berikut adalah demo lagu Internationale dalam Bahasa Melayu. Lagu Internasionale adalah sebuah lagu yang paling kerap dinyanyikan oleh golongan pekerja sedunia dalam perjuangan menentang penindasan sistem kapitalis. Lagu ini berasal dari Perancis selepas Paris Commune dipukul dengan keras oleh pihak pemerintah Perancis. Namun, semangat perjuangan kelas pekerja antarabangsa diteruskan, dan lagu Internasional menjadi satu penyuntik semangat yang begitu hebat dan dinyanyikan dalam pelbagai bahasa oleh golongan pekerja di merata tempat di dunia.

Untuk dengan Internasionale dalam Bahasa Melayu,
sila klik sini utuk versi demo

Lirik lagu:

INTERNASIONALE （versi BM）

Bangunlah rakyat yang tertindas
Bangun rakyat yang diperas
Nyalakan api perjuangan
Menjulang kebenaran

Hancurkan segala penindasan
Ayuh kita bangun, bangun
Dunia baru kita dirikan
Pasti jadi kenyataan

Perjuangan penghabisan
Bersatulah melawan
Dan Internasionale
Pasti ‘kan berjaya
(ulang 2x)

Tiada raja atau penguasa
Peluru atau penjara
Yang dapat mehalangi kita
Menjadi rakyat merdeka

Selagi nyawa dalam diri
Perjuangan takkan henti
Biar darah membasah bumi
Menyerah takkan sekali

Perjuangan penghabisan
Bersatulah melawan
Dan Internasionale
Pasti ‘kan berjaya
(ulang 2x)

farewell forever Koay Jetty

What stands between Komtar and Koay Jetty? What stands between construction and demoliton? People or profit?



After the destruction of of the last remaining magroves within the city of Georgetown, besides Koay Jetty, now here comes Koay Jetty itself faces its final destiny... demolition for developers' pocket!

"Profit before people" is the only doctrine that prevails in the capitalist society... with the help of heartless government bureaucrats and opportnist politician fooling people around.

Though 12 May is the dateline for people who are staying here to move out, but 2 weeks before the demolition already started... A new record breaking high density, bee nest ghetto will replace this heritage community. Another Malaysia (Penang) Boleh!

Is this so called "development"? By destroying something invaluable (of course it won't exchange for profit) to accunulate profit for the capital owners?

Last remaining Koay Jetty houses... no more tomorrows...

Development on the way at your back... watch out for new urban disease!

Who will appreciate this? Definitely not those so called YB and DatoX2

Gone with the development!

Last moment on the Koay Jetty bridge!




Here is the new "paradise" in Georgetown... please pay ONLY RM 75 000 for a crowd high rise slum!

PROTES turun ke jalan untuk mengedar maklumat

Satu aksi perhimpunan mengedarkan risalah membantah kenaikan harga minyak, telah dianjurkan oleh Gabungan Memprotes Kenaikan Harga Minyak (PROTES), pada 22 April di kawasan berdekatan dengan Masjid India di pusat Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.

Lebih kurang 300 orang mengambil bahagian dalam aksi ini, dan mendapat sambutan meriah daripada orang ramai.

Foto: Kes PSM didengar di Mahkamah Rayuan

Kes Pendaftaran Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), didengar di Mahkamah Rayuan, Putrajaya, pada 10 April. Lebih kurang 500 orang penyokong PSM berhimpun di hadapan Istana Keadilan untuk memberi sokongan. Kes ini telah ditundakan ke 12 April.

Polis mengganas semasa perhimpunan membantah kenaikan harga minyak

Polis Mengganas Semasa perhimpunan Rakyat Membantah Kenaikan Harga Minyak

26 Mac 2006

Hari ini, semasa hujan masih renyai, para pengunjung KLCC terkejut dengan suasana yang menyeramkan sejak awal pagi. Kehadiran trak berwarna merah Unit Simpanan Khas (FRU), dan juga mata-mata yang berpakaian unifom ataupun menyamar sebagai orang awam, telah pun membimbangkan ramai orang. Ada pengunjung yang ingin memasuki perkarangan taman di belakang KLCC Suria dihalang oleh pengawal, dan alasannya ialah sebab keselamatan. Apa sebab keselamatan itu? Barangkali adalah kehadiran bilangan polis yang serba berkelengkapan yang begitu mengerunkan.

Semasa si penulis dan beberapa kawan berjalan ke arah perkarangan taman KLCC, sekumpulan polis mengekori kami dan memberhentikan kami. Rupa-rupanya pegawai-pegawai polis tersebut memberi “nasihat” kepada kami supaya meninggalkan tempat itu, kononnya mereka hendak tangkap sesiapa yang berada di situ. Hairan juga mengapa orang ramai yang berkumpul di tempat lapang pada hujung minggu yang bercuaca mendung itu pun boleh diperiksa kad pengenalan, dan diancam tangkap oelh polis.

Apabila penulis beredar ke hadapan Menara Kembar Petronas, sudah adanya lebih kurang 500 orang berhimpun di situ dengan memegang belon hitam. Ini adalah kali ketiga perhimpunan rakyat membantah kenaikan harga minyak seliter 30 sen sejak 28 Februari. Perhimpunan hari ini dianjurkan oleh Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC). Keadaan pada hari ini nampak kelam-kabut sedikit, kemungkinan besar kehadiran para polis yang menakut-nakutkan orang ramai yang berada di situ.

Kedengaran ada orang bercakap melalui pembesar suara ke arah rakyat yang berhimpun pada masa itu, tetapi tidak jelas apa yang dikatakan. Para FRU yang berkelengkapan kayu pukul dan perisai pelindung membentuk barisan, dan terdapat pula FRU yang memegang pelancar peluru gas pemedih mata dan M16! Berperangkah ni? Polis nak berperang dengan rakyat?

Dengan suara laungan, mereka yang berhimpun melepaskan belon ke langit. Selepas itu, mereka yang berhimpun beredar dari Menara Petronas dan ada yang berarak menuju ke jalan besar. Tidak lama kemudian, apabila mereka yang berarak kembali ke Menara Petronas, polis mula mengganas!

Tanpa sebarang amaran pada kali ini, FRU dan pasukan penangkapan menyerang orang ramai di hadapan pintu masuk Menara Petronas dengan tiba-tiba. Pada masa yang sama, trak merah yang berada di hadapan Menara Petronas pula mula memancut air ke arah orang ramai secara rambang. Hampir semua orang yang berada di situ terkena air, termasuklah beberapa orang polis yang belum bersedia. Pasukan penangkapan bersama FRU telah melakukan penangkapan ke atas mereka di situ secara rambang. Mereka yang tidak sempat lari telah dikepung dan dikasari oleh pegawai-pegawai polis.

Keadaan aman perhimpunan yang pada awalnya bertukar menjadi huru-hara, akibat daripada keganasan dan kekerasan tindakan polis. Keadaan begitu tegang disebabkan ada polis yang seolah-olah naik gila, dengan berkeriau ke arah orang ramai yang berada di situ. Mereka yang ditangkap pula ditangani dengan cara yang kasar. Ada yang kena pukul, dicekik di bahagian leher dan ditekan ke atas lantai. Semua ini hanya berlaku di depan mata si penulis sahaja!

Kemudian ternampak pula polis yang berkuda mula berkeliaran di atas jalanraya. Mereka yang menunggu bas di perhentian bas dihalau oleh pegawai-pegawai polis yang serba ganas. Mereka memekik dengan suara yang ngeri ke arah orang awam sama ada mereka yang datang untuk menyertai perhimpunan, ataupun mereka yang lalu kebetulan sahaja.

Seramai 22 orang telah ditahan, namun dibebaskan pada lewat petang.

Satu perhimpunan yang aman yang disertai oleh tidak ramai orang dan kurang terorganisasi, telah dipukul oleh jentera keganasan pemerintah dengan cara yang ganas, zalim lagi tidak masuk akal.

Sememangnya kenaikan harga minyak telah memberi impak yang amat teruk kepada rakyat Malaysia terutamanya golongan pekerja. Rakyat yang tidak puas hati dengan tindakan yang diambil oleh kerajaan, memang berhak untuk menyuarakan ketidakpuasan dan tuntutan mereka melalui saluran demokrasi seperti berhimpun secara aman. Tetapi kerajaan bergegas menggunakan kekerasan untuk memberhentikan perhimpunan aman sebeginia. Ini hanya menunjukkan sebenarnya kerajaan Barisan Nasional hari ini sedang dihantui oleh krisis yang mendalam. Pihak pemerintah yang terjurumus dalam krisis ekonomi dan politik, sanggup menggunakan apa jua bentuk kekerasan untuk memukul sebarang reaksi daripada golongan yang diperintah.

Ada satu pepatah daripada filem Hollywood terkini, V for Vendetta, yang sedang ditayangkan di pawagam Malaysia, yang berbunyi, “Rakyat tidak perlu takut pada kerajaan, kerajaan yang patut takut pada rakyat”. (People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people) Ini memanglah hakikatnya apa yang kita saksikan dalam peristiwa keganasan polis hari ini. Kerajaan sebenarnya takut pada rakyat yang marah dengan dasar-dasar yang menekan rakyat, maka pihak pemerintah sanggup menterjemahkan ketakutan ini kepada bentuk keganasan ke atas rakyat.

Rakyat bukannya bodoh, rakyat bukannya senang dibuli. Rakyat pasti akan bangkit dengan lebih hebat lagi jika kelas pemerintah ingat mereka dapat bermaharajarela untuk selama-lamanya. Namun, hanya dengan rakyat yang sedar, bersatu dan berorganisasi dapat mencapai kejayaan yang terakhir. Perjuangan rakyat hanya akan berbuah hasil hanya jika rakyat bergabung menjadi satu, dan bergerak serta bertindak sebagai satu kelas, kelas pekerja dan golongan tertindas yang pasti akan menumbangkan kelas kapitalis yang memerintah hari ini.

Hidup Perjuangan!