e-learning in malaysia

E-Learning in Malaysia

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Lebuhraya Karak yang Berhantu…

KISAH KARAK.....

Sebenarnya Karak ada dua jalan, satu jalan lama Karak (KL-Bentong) dan satu lagi Lebuh Raya Karak (baru)
Apa yang menariknya dalam banyak-banyak tempat yang dikatakan berhantu, pasti Karak akan tersenarai,malah di Karak ini lah bagi aku tempat segala hantu. Mana tidaknya seingat aku hampir 10 jenis hantu yang ada kat Malaysia ini ada di Karak.
Antara Hantu Yang Pernah Dikaitkan Dengan Karak :-
Langsuir
Budak Sekolah (merayau-rayau)
Wanita Tua
Bas Lama
Penunggang Motor (Kepala ada badan tak ada)
Perempuan Bawa Anak (batu nisan)
Pontianak
Hantu Pocong
Hantu yang Makan orang (Paling popular)
Volkswagen kuning(dah lupa ada dekat karak @ lebuh Raya Jelapang).

MAKA TERSEBUTLAH KISAH….
Semasa ingin menulis artikel ini ada la tanya kawan-kawan aku tentang jalan lama Karak ni…dan antara cerita yang aku dapat kumpulkan..

Lebuhraya Karak
Lebuhraya karak mula dibina pada 1970 dan mula dibuka kepada orang ramai pada 1977 . Lebuhraya ini menghubungkan Kuala Lumpur dengan Karak dan jaraknya lebih kurang 60.0 km . Lebuhraya ini mempunyai sepasang terowong di kawasan peranginan terkenal iaitu Genting Highland .

1. Antara kemalangan yang paling popular adalah pada 20 Januari 1990, di mana 17 orang terbunuh termasuk 11 orang anggota FRU bilamana berlaku pertembungan diantara kenderaan FRU dengan sebuah lori, sebuah bas dan 10 biji kereta.
2. Kalau korang perasan dekat Genting Sempah (berdekatan perniaga lemang) Banyak Lori berenti pada waktu malam(tidur)..dikatakan tidak sah kalau tidur disitu tapi tidak kena “tegur”.
3. Volkswagen kuning
Selalunya pemandu akan dikacau selepas terowong karak..dia akan potong kereta korang, dan selepas itu dia akan bawa perlahan..ada yang kata jangan potong kereta kuning itu,kalau potong juga…..
Dan apa yang menarik tentang Volkswagen kuning ini,seingat aku pada tahun 1998 masa itu aku diasrama tengah dengar radio Era (masa tu Era baru je wujud).Seorang pemanggil call Era dan cerita pasal Volkswagen kuning ni dari A sampai Z,dan bila deejay tu tanya mana tahu tentang cerita ini,pemanggil dari Jelapang(Perak) itu dengan selamba kata dialah pemandu kereta itu dan talian terus putus….
4. Kereta Misteri
KARAK – Penemuan sebuah kereta Kia Optima yang terbenam ke dalam selut dari ketinggian 100 meter di Kilometer 35.4 Lebuh Raya Karak, berhampiran terowong Genting Sempah menghala ke ibu negara kelmarin menimbulkan pelbagai misteri.
Kereta berwarna perak itu dipercayai terjatuh dari Jalan Bentong Lama , Batu 18 di sini sebelum ia ditemui oleh penunda kereta, Wong Kam Wai, 31, pada pukul 3 petang.
Namun Ketua Polis Daerah Gombak, Asisten Komisioner Abdul Rahim Abdullah berkata, sehingga semalam polis menolak wujudnya unsur jenayah atau kemalangan yang boleh dikaitkan dengan penemuan kereta itu.
“Kalau berlaku kemalangan, mesti pembahagi jalan sudah remuk seperti dilanggar.
Jika ada jenayah mesti ada mangsa di sekitarnya,” kata beliau ketika dihubungi.
Kereta Kia Optima yang berharga lebih RM100,000 itu ditemui ketika Kam Wai sedang menaikkan sebuah kereta Satria Neo yang terbabas di Kilometer 35.4 Lebuh Raya Karak.
Dalam pada itu, satu sumber berkata, ketika ditemui kunci kenderaan ada pada kereta itu namun enjin tidak dihidupkan.
Bagaimanapun,usaha untuk mengangkat kereta ini tidak berjaya. Apabila di pertengahan, dua buah kembalik yang mengangkatnya tiba-tiba mengalami masalah mekanikal dan kerosakan pada sistem hidrolik.Ketika itu,kereta ini hanya beberapa meter sebelum sampai di tepi tembok lebuhraya.

Usaha mengangkat

Ketika kembalik kedua membantu, ia turut menerima nasib sama apabila tiba-tiba mengalami masalah mekanikal pula.Akhirnya, kereta misteri ini terpaksa di”semadikan” semula di bawah jambatan tersebut!
(sumber dari kosmo!)
Jalan Lama Karak
1. Seorang polis, satu hari naik motor ikut jalan lama ni….nak dijadikan cerita sampai satu kawasan tu,dia nampak banyak kereta paking tepi jalan,tapi yang peliknya kat situ gelap gelita,seorang manusia pun tak ada dan yang paling pelik,semua kereta yang paking tu jenis kereta lama tapi masih cantik…Apa lagi rempit la sambil pegang pistol sampai genting sempah(petronas).

Jalan Lama Karak

2. Menurut cerita ramai juga yang ingin mengelak kesesakan lalu lintas ikut jalan lama karak(nak balik KL).Tetapi hampir 80% orang yang lalu disini bukan sahaja waktu malam,tengah hari siang buta pun akan berpatah balik. Sebab dah tak tahan menanggung seram!
3. Dalam satu cerita lain, pemandu bas di situ pernah bercerita pada satu malam selepas bas terakhir dari KL ke bentong lebih kurang pukul 9 mlm, dia telah mengambil penumpang di kawasan tersebut yang kebiasaanya sunyi..Seperti biasa kondaktor bas memberi tiket.Riuh rendah la dlm bas tu sebab ramai penumpang..Bila hampir sampai di Bentong penumpang-pemunpang turun di satu kawasan hutan@kampung….Sampai di Stesen Bentong bila konduktor bas tu nak kira duit balik terkejut tengok dalam beg dia penuh dengan daun saja, mana perginya duit tadi ?.
4. Pernah juga terbaca ,beberapa orang polis pernah terserempak dengan Rashid Maiden (Bekas ketua Komunis Pahang) bersembahyang berlapitkan daun pisang ditepi jalan,tetapi mereka hanya tergamam melihat kelibat Rashid Maiden sehingga la selesai sembahyang..selepas itu..hilang..
5. Mengikut cerita dan laporan akhbar, mangsa menghantar isterinya yang bekerja sebagai Manager McDonalds di Genting Sempah.Masa perjalanan pulang, si suami tetiba hilang di Jalan Lama Bentong- Gombak disyaki kemalangan di salah satu gaung. Si isterinya berjalan menyusuri jalan lama tu selama seminggu untuk mencari suaminya malangnya tak berjumpa.
Kemudian, dalam sebulan lepas tu orang asli dan pihak polis menjumpai kereta si suami dalam gaung di KM 40 Bentong tetapi tiada pemandu di dalam. dalam lebih kurang seratus meter dari kereta itu, mereka terjumpa tulang manusia yang lengkap berbaju Melayu tapi tiada langsung daging pada badan mangsa. Baju Melayu tu masih lagi elok, dan jika dikatakan mayat dimakan binatang liar, tiada sebarang kesan kecederaan dan tulang semuanya lengkap.
6 . Tentang hantu yang makan orang ni pula berlaku pada era 80’an ..si suami ni pergi mencari air kerana kereta dia “temperature”naik.Si isteri tunggu di dalam kereta,lama juga dia tunggu suaminya….lepas tu datang kereta peronda polis,si polis suruh isterinya keluar dari kereta dan terus ke kereta polis dan polis tu cakap “jangan pandang belakang”..bila dengar polis cakap macam itu,si isteri ni terus pandang..Apa yang memeranjatkan ialah si suami ada dekat atas bumbung kereta dengan anggota badannya hancur!
ANTARA LEBUH RAYA YANG BERHANTU :-
GURUN, KEDAH
SUNGAI PETANI - Gara-gara terkejut ternampak kelibat ‘wanita berkebaya merah’ melintas jalan, seorang lelaki nyaris maut apabila kereta dipandunya terbabas dan terbalik di susur keluar Plaza Tol Sungai Petani Utara dekat Sungai Lalang di sini kelmarin.

Kancil yang terbabas

Walaupun bernasib baik tidak kehilangan nyawa selepas kereta Perodua Kancil miliknya remuk teruk, pemandu kereta yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Chan, 51 , kebingungan memikirkan tragedi itu.
Semasa kejadian pukul 6.45 petang , Chan yang telah berkahwin dalam perjalanan pulang ke Taman Bandar Puteri Jaya di sini selepas melawat keluarganya di pekan Ko’bah, Pendang.
“Semasa tiba di selekoh berhampiran susur keluar plaza tol itu, hujan renyai-renyai dan saya menaikkan cermin tingkap.
“Pada masa sama, seorang wanita muncul dari celah pokok bunga yang ditanam di kiri jalan terus melintasi kereta saya dalam keadaan melenggang-lenggok sehingga menampak betis sambil tersenyum memandangnya.
(sumber dari Kosmo!)

Orang ramai melihat lori yang terjunam jatuh dari Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan di kawasan Taman Perumahan Taman Keladi, Sungai Petani semalam.

SUNGAI PETANI – Siapa wanita berkebaya merah yang melintas jalan hingga menyebabkan seorang pemandu lori parah manakala kelindannya cedera ringan apabila lori yang dipandu terbabas sebelum menjunam jatuh dekat kawasan Taman Perumahan Taman Keladi semalam.
Ketika kejadian pukul 8.15 pagi itu, pemandu lori terbabit, Mohd. Sobri Shaari, 42, dan kelindannya yang dikenali sebagai Atan, 37, sedang dalam perjalanan dari Bukit Kayu Hitam menuju ke Bagan Ajam, Butterworth.
Menurut Atan, ketika kejadian dia sedang berbual dengan Mohd. Sobri berkaitan dengan seorang wanita yang ditemuinya di Bagan Ajam.
“Ketika rancak bercerita, Mohd. Sobri tiba-tiba menekan brek lori sambil mengatakan ada seorang wanita berkebaya merah melintas di tengah jalan di Kilometer 105.8, Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan.
“Oleh kerana ketika itu lori dipandu agak laju, Mohd. Sobri hilang kawalan menyebabkan lori terbabas sebelum menjunam jatuh dari ketinggian 10 meter ke atas sebatang jalan di kawasan Taman Perumahan Taman Keladi,” dakwanya semasa ditemui di tempat kejadian semalam.
Sebelum ini Kosmo! pernah melaporkan seorang pemandu kereta Perodua Kancil nyaris maut selepas kereta yang dipandunya terbabas sebelum terbalik ketika cuba mengelak daripada melanggar seorang wanita berkebaya merah yang melintas jalan di susur keluar Plaza Tol Sungai Petani Utara, berdekatan Sungai Lalang.
(sumber dari Kosmo!)

Wanita bekerbaya merah yang berjaya dirakam!

Aishwarya Rai is pregnant

MUMBAI: Former Miss World turned Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pregnant, her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan has revealed.

"NEWS NEWS NEWS !! I AM GOING TO BECOME A GRANDFATHER .. AISHWARYA EXPECTING .. SO HAPPY AND THRILLED !!!,” the veteran megastar wrote on his Twitter account late Tuesday.
Aishwarya Rai, 37, married Bachchan’s actor son, Abhishek, 35, in April 2007. The child will be their first and comes after weeks of media speculation in Indian gossip columns about the actress’ fluctuating weight.

Bachchan Senior later said on the micro-blogging site that he was
“overwhelmed” with the response to the news from followers and had received 2,843 Tweets of congratulation in just half an hour.

The pregnancy was confirmed earlier in the day, he wrote on his blog, bigb.bigadda.com, early Wednesday, adding: “There is joy and happiness around us,” he added.

There was no immediate indication when the baby was due.
The Bachchans — Amitabh, his actress wife Jaya, Aishwarya and Abhishek — are Bollywood’s “first family” and have a fanatical following in India and around the world.
His daughter, Shweta Nanda, has two children. - AFP

source: nst

1 Malaysia housing…??

THEY LOOK GOOD... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak looking at a model for the 1Malaysia Housing Programme after its launch in Putrajaya yesterday. About 42,000 units costing between RM150,000 and RM300,000 are to be built in the Klang Valley and Seremban. — NST picture by Izhari Ariffin

PUTRAJAYA: Phase one of the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PRIMA), which features, among others, stamp duty exemption to provide affordable homes for middle-income earners, was launched yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said 42,000 houses would be built in 20 strategic areas that had been identified in the Klang Valley and Seremban.
PRIMA is specifically for Malaysians earning not more than RM6,000 monthly, be they in the government or private sector or self-employed.

Najib said the loans were up to 105 per cent and house buyers could apply from a selected list of financial institutions. The additional five per cent, he added would be for the insurance and legal fees.

The three-room and two bathroom homes under this programme cost between RM150,000 and RM300,000, depending on the location and size.
The homes will be built in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Ara Damansara (Petaling), Bandar Tun Razak (Cheras), Putra Heights (Subang Jaya), Bandar Bukit Raja (Klang), Kota Elmina (Sg Buloh), Sg Besi (Kuala Lumpur), Elmina East and Elmina West in Shah Alam, Lagong Mas (Rawang) , Bandar Ainsdale (Seremban) and Seremban Sentral.

Najib said there was a significant gap in the construction of medium-cost houses in cities like Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru as developers were more interested in medium-high cost and high-cost projects due to the lucrative returns.
"We are aware of the problems faced by middle-income earners who can't afford expensive homes, but at the same time are not eligible for low-cost housing programmes.
"But no groups would be left out. This programme is part of the government's agenda to increase the quality of life of Malaysians and is in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

"We do not want to burden the rakyat. We are helping to ease their current financial strains."
Najib also said a special corporation, the 1Malaysia Housing Programme Corporation, would be set up to plan and coordinate the projects under the programme.
He said laws to govern the corporation were being formulated and would be tabled in the next Parliament sitting in October.
He added that buyers could only sell their units after 10 years to avoid speculation.
Later at a press conference, Economic Planning Unit director-general Datuk Noriyah Ahmad explained that the housing corporation would be modelled after Singapore's Housing and Development Board that plans and develops public housing towns to provide Singaporeans with quality homes.
Present were Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

source: nst

Memorandum to the Election Commission on Immediate Electoral Reforms in Malaysia

9 July 2011

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) believes that electoral reform in Malaysia is long overdue. A working democracy is built upon the foundation of clean, free and fair elections. Therefore, the role of the Election Commission (EC) in conducting elections with integrity and impartiality is crucial in the democratisation of the nation.

The recently concluded Sarawak State election was a clear indicator that election offences such as vote-buying and blatant misuse of state apparatus and powers continue unabated. Various parties including election observers have revealed evidence of election offences and irregularities but there is a deafening silence and lack of action from the EC. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) has also declined to act on vote-buying.

BERSIH 2.0 views the poor enforcement of the Election Offences Act by the EC during the previous by-elections, state election and general elections as an act of condoning wrong doing. The recent reports of the lack of integrity of the electoral roll, the involuntary movement of voters, and the alleged issuance of identity cards to foreigners are cause for concern.

As there are no marked efforts in instituting meaningful electoral reform, BERSIH 2.0 together with the rakyat are intensifying pressure to ensure that the upcoming 13^thGeneral Election will be free, clean and fair. The Perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0 held on this day in Kuala Lumpur seeks to peacefully gather Malaysians to further this noble cause for electoral reforms and upholding of democracy. The reforms sought are reasonable and wholly achievable if the will to uphold democratic ideals is present.

Immediate demands to the EC for Perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0:

1. Clean the electoral roll

The electoral roll must be immediately revised and updated to ensure existing irregularities such as impersonation and ‘phantom voters’ are removed.

In the longer term, the EC should also establish an automated voter registration system that will automatically register voters upon eligibility. This system can be synchronised with the national registration database which would update any change of voters’ details such as addresses.

2. Reform postal ballot

The current system of postal ballot needs to be reformed to address ongoing disenfranchisement of voters. Disenfranchisement of absent voters can be solved by extending the option to vote by postal ballot or in advance to ALL voters if absent from their constituency on polling day, regardless of whether they are in Malaysia or abroad. In addition, police, military and civil servants must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.

Recent proposed changes to the use of postal ballot made by the EC do not adequately address these issues.

To ensure transparency of the postal voting process, party agents must be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal or advanced voting.

3. Use of indelible ink

Indelible ink must be used in all elections to prevent multiple voting. The EC had in fact made the decision to do this in 2007 and the rumour of sabotage that was used to justify its cancellation in the days leading up to the 12^th General Elections has been proven to be completely baseless.

Indelible ink is a simple, inexpensive and effective solution to voter fraud used in other parts of the world to minimise voter fraud. There is no reason whatsoever not to implement this. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is every intention in allowing voter fraud.

4. Minimum 21 days campaign period

The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days period. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. 21 days is not unreasonable as the British Colonial Government granted a campaign period twice as long, 42 days, in the first national elections in 1955. In the future, the EC should propose for the Elections Act to be amended to such effect.

5. Free and fair access to media

The EC should press for all media agencies especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama, to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all political parties. Public debates between candidates should be encouraged.

6. Strengthen public institutions

The EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC must take independent and proactive measures to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and enforce the Election Offences Act 1954 as mandated by the Elections Act 1958. The EC’s repeated mention that they have no power to act is neither accurate in law nor does it inspire the confidence of the people in their ability to fulfil their constitutional role.

Apart from the EC, the public demand that the institutions of this country such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MAC)) act independently, impartially and with integrity at all times in the execution of their duties and in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

7. Stop corruption

The EC must act to stop all forms of vote-buying during elections, including promises of financial allocations for development projects by Federal and State elected representatives holding administrative positions during the campaign period. The EC should monitor occurrences of vote-buying and take stern action against those who commit any form of vote-buying.

In relation to many other aspects of public life, corruption remains. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (TI CPI), Malaysia has continuously regressed in terms of corruption. We have fallen from the score of 5.28 in 1995 to the score of 4.4 in 2010.

Corruption is a scourge that infects every aspects of Malaysian life. The Malaysian public demands that serious action be taken in respect of corruption and not mere token efforts to appease public grouses.

8. Stop dirty politics

Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation. We believe that the EC can play an effective role in encouraging election campaigns to be conducted in a clean and fair manner.

BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to realise its own potential and constitutional duty in bringing the state of democracy in Malaysia to a higher level. In order for the EC to enjoy public confidence, the EC must implement these demands and make sweeping changes towards an electoral system that ensures the will of the citizens asserted through the ballot box is accurately reflected and respected.

Today, on 9 July 2011, BERSIH 2.0 with the rakyat have united in a peaceful assembly to demand for the realisation of these demands towards electoral reform, upholding of democratic ideals and claiming the right to clean, free and fair elections for a better Malaysia.

Bersih’s Ambiga: No street march, rally will be held in stadium

Ambiga answering questions from the press outside Istana Negara

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan emerged after an audience with the King Tuesday and said the planned rally on Saturday would be held in a stadium.

There would be no street march, she told reporters.

She said Bersih would hold discussions with the Government about the venue.

On her audience with the King, she said: "We had a most wonderful meeting and are most grateful to the King."

She was accompanied by Bersih steering committee member Zaid Kamaruddin and national laureate Datuk A Samad Said.

The leaders had made a request Monday for an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin after he made a statement Sunday advising restraint and compromise as street demonstrations would do more harm than good.

Social Phobia

Dealing with other people can be a terrifying situation for those who suffer from social phobia. 

We’ve all experienced them; those moments when you just can’t bring yourself to leave the house to attend a social engagement. For many of us, the reason is just laziness. But for some people, there is a psychological reason. The idea of mingling with others makes them quake in fear, a condition known as social phobia.

The condition

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is a condition characterised by a fear of certain situations. These situations can be extremely diverse, ranging from a job interview or a presentation at work, to attending a party with friends and even eating or drinking in public.

While many of us have a trepidation of public speaking, for those with social phobia, this fear can be so paralysing that it interferes with their lives.

People with social phobia also fear being watched or criticised by others. Although they may know that their fears are unfounded or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome them.

Do I have social phobia?

Worried about that presentation you have to make at a meeting? Chances are, you are merely apprehensive about having to stand in front of a group and expressing your thoughts.

How can a person tell if he/she has social phobia? The following symptoms may be key signals.

•   Fear or apprehension about a social meeting or engagement (this fear could last for days or even weeks).

•   Fear of being embarrassed in public.

•  Fear of being watched, judged or criticised by people, particularly strangers.

•  Fear that other people will note your nervousness and uneasiness.

•  Avoidance of social events or even places like work or school to avoid any of the abovementioned fears.

These physical symptoms may accompany the psychological ones mentioned above.

·       Nausea.

·       Dizziness.

·       Fainting spells.

·       Breathlessness or rapid breathing.

·       Trembling.

·       Hot flashes.

·       Profuse sweating and clammy hands.

·       Shaky voice and difficulty speaking.

·       Blushing.

·       Muscle tightness.

·       Palpitations.

What can be done?

Medical options

There are medications that can overcome some of the symptoms of social phobia. However, they are not a ‘cure-all’ method, as stopping treatment will cause a relapse of symptoms.

Some of the medications prescribed include:
• Anti-anxiety drugs.
• Beta blockers – to control physiological symptoms caused by anxiety, including sweating, rapid heartbeat and shaky hands.

• Anti-depressants – used in situations where social phobia is extremely severe and interferes with a person’s ability to function.

Behavioural therapy

More often than not, treatment involves therapy and lifestyle changes. Cognitive therapy can help a person identify the situations he/she fears most and learn how to change his/her thought patterns so as to no longer fear these situations.

The person will also learn how to control anxiety attacks  with the help of several methods, eg, relaxation and breathing techniques. He/she can also learn how to deal with a ‘scary’ situation as opposed to avoiding it altogether.

Some therapists encourage role-playing during their sessions to help patients develop better social and conversational skills to enable them to cope better in social settings.

Lifestyle changes

Just like it does for numerous health conditions, lifestyle modifications can help reduce the symptoms of social phobia.

·     Are you sleeping enough? A lack of sleep can make you more prone to anxiety attacks. Adequate sleep will help you stay relaxed throughout the day, especially in social settings.

·     Reduce your caffeine intake. Not only will it keep you up at night, caffeine acts as a stimulant and also exacerbates the symptoms of anxiety. Cut down on coffee and other caffeinated drinks.

·     Try to better manage your stress levels. Relaxation and breathing exercises may help. Scheduling some time each day to indulge in ‘me-time’ helps, too! Whether it is a warm bath, a massage or facial, or even reading a book, find an activity that relaxes you.

·     Although some people may consume alcohol to ‘loosen up’ before a social setting, in reality, alcohol worsens anxiety symptoms. It may give you a relaxed feeling at first, but after a while, alcohol acts as a stimulant, increasing your risk of a panic attack.

·     Just like alcohol and caffeine, nicotine is also a stimulant. If you are a smoker, quit. Remember that smoking before a social gathering will not relax you, but increase your anxiety symptoms.

Exercise is a great way to relax the body and mind, and reduces stress. It helps ease muscle tension and increases energy levels. Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins (those feel-good hormones)!

Is that wrong to ask for a ‘Clean’ Election..?

“Only when elections are clean and fair, can citizens be real masters of their own destiny and expect holders of public office to act accountably and effectively.”

BERSIH started out as the Joint Action Committee for Electoral Reform, which was formed in July 2005, and the coalition’s objective was to push for a thorough reform of the electoral process in Malaysia.

The formulation of the Joint Communique
The Joint Communique was a result of an ‘Electoral Reform Workshop’ held in Kuala Lumpur in September 2006. The Joint Communique defines the long-term objectives and the immediate working goals of the coalition.

BERSIH Steering Committee
The Committee comprises members from the political parties, as well as representatives from the following NGOs: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Women’s Development Collective (WDC) and Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI).

The Beginning of BERSIH
BERSIH was officially launched on 23 November 2006 in the Malaysian Parliament building lobby. It was attended by poitical party leaders, civil society groups and NGOs, including PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah, DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng, DAP National Publicity Secretary and MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok, PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, PAS Youth chief Salahudin Ayub, PSM Secretary-General S. Arutchelvan, Malaysian Trade Union Congress Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, WDC executive director Maria Chin Abdullah and SUARAM executive director Yap Swee Seng.

8 Points

Bersih’s calls are summarised in the following 8 points:

1. Clean the electoral roll

The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.

In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.

2. Reform postal ballot

The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.

The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.

3. Use of indelible ink

Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.

BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.

4. Minimum 21 days campaign period

The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.

5. Free and fair access to media

It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.

6. Strengthen public institutions

Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.

In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.

7. Stop corruption

Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.

8. Stop dirty politics

Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.
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Launch of BERSIH 2.0

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (better known by its Bahasa Malaysia name “BERSIH”) issued its first joint communiqué on 23 November 2006.

At its formation, BERSIH comprised civil society organisations and political parties with the objective of campaigning for clean and fair elections in Malaysia.

BERSIH’s journey thus far has been both monumental and memorable. The public demonstration of November 2007, which saw thousands of ordinary Malaysians take to the streets in support of clean and fair elections, was a critical juncture in our nation’s electoral journey.

Almost 3 ½ years later, the aims of BERSIH continue to be relevant.

The time has now come for BERSIH to continue its crusade for clean and fair elections independent of any political party. BERSIH is thus being re-launched as BERSIH 2.0, a coalition of like minded civil society organisations unaffiliated to any political party. Our aim will be to effectively monitor both sides of the political divide.

The Steering Committee members of BERSIH 2.0 are as follows :

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Chairperson
Andrew Khoo
Arumugam K.
Farouk Musa
Maria Chin Abdullah
Haris Ibrahim
Liau Koh Fah
Richard Y W Yeoh
Toh Kin Woon
Wong Chin Huat
Yeoh Yang Poh
Zaid Kamaruddin

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