Now- Sell them this "Class Struggle"!

Malaysians tend to deplore the corruption, racism, and hypocrisy of BN and they're right. However, because of the wide expanse of arguments regarding corruption, racism and religious fanaticism, they tend to be lost in the process to the extent that they often forget their own interests. Thus there are occasions when Muslims sided with the greatest offenders of Islam and Christians or Hindus voting for those who could be said to be traitors to their community and/or religious teachings. Malaysians dislike racism and yet voted for parties founded on race, hate corruption and yet think that it is an inevitable affliction of human societies.

So far, I can see only one party that cuts through such arguments and recognize the essence of our problems: the problem of class which affects all races, all religions, as well as the country's governance.

Class oppression is a social reality which has been covered up in racial/religious rhetoric. This results in the legitimation of a socio-political structure based precisely on such rhetoric. From the ox-head incident to the frequent murders of those who're poor and underprivileged, the class factor screams for recognition but all we've seen in the nation's blogs - both pro-BN and pro-Pakatan's - are either race/religion-centered arguments or quarrels over clean elections.

There's no doubt that racism exists, that religious discrimination exists, that corruption is rampant, and that elections must be cleaned up. But the key to solving them is to deal with class oppression.

Perhaps that's why the one party that attacks the nation's problems at its roots are being merciless attacked; its members rounded in the fashion of a NAZI state, and its leader's life now being just a step away from being snuffed out.
-LChuah (aka Renoir)

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"The HINDRAF movement is symptomatic of the fundamental problems that remain entrenched in our country and to stoke the flames of racism would only exacerbate racial tensions and animosity among Malaysians.
Malaysians of conscience who are committed to reforming this nation must recognise that a viable opposition is essential and now is the time to support it.
For the pro-reform parties in society to work together effectively, they must find common ground, be open to communication and collaboration, and resist the temptation to scapegoat other races for their problems and frustrations."
-ANWAR IBRAHIM

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“Only a class based movement not based on ethnicity and religion can truly built a nation without discrimination, race based corruption and race based politics. The ruling party would be able to rule and would continue to rule as long as the people are divided. The ruling party is not going to build a united Malaysian Nation, as it is not going to work to its advantage. The Opposition too have at many occasions being sucked into the same mode to win support of the people.
The future of Malaysia can go two ways – Race and Religious Politics which is the rule of the day versus Class based politics – cutting across race and religion lines. It is a serious question as race and religious politics with its history and conditioning remain the most effective way to mobilise the racially divided people. It is a question every person has to ask and ponder. It is a question which is going to continue to haunt us.”
-Arutchelvan, Setiausaha Agung, Parti Sosialis Malaysia

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In all periods of history worldwide, when communication underwent a revolution - it heralded some form of socio-political upheaval and/or industrial revolution. Malaysia is no exception. To deny it, would only lead to turmoil.

Without this factor, all fights on the political front be it in the parliament, elections or demonstrations/marches/petitions, are doomed to fail.
Those who control communication, will be the elite - who will rule- who will define, make, interpret and break the law at their whim and fancy.

The message of a class based struggle need to reach the hearts of the heartlanders. They need to understand that their heritage,culture, religion and right can only be protected with a class based political scenario - as opposed to the elitist ethnic politics that is prevalent today.
-Class Politics - the Other Option?

Doctors in MMA say, "Scrap Lynas Plant!!"

Nix Lynas plant, says doctors’ association

By Yow Hong Chieh

July 20, 2011

A file photo of anti-Lynas protestors demonstrating in Kuala Kuantan earlier this year.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for the Lynas rare earths plant to be scrapped in the absence of evidence that the plant will be “totally fail-safe”.

MMA president Dr Mary Suma Cardosa said there were still many unresolved questions concerning the safety and implementation of the Gebeng plant despite assurances by both Lynas and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“We remain deeply concerned that public safety and health concerns have not been adequately met and could not be guaranteed, by whatever reassurances, that have been given,” she said in a statement today.

Dr Cardosa pointed out that neither the long-term waste management nor the possible contamination of surface water and atmosphere by radioactive waste material were addressed in the radiological impact assessment (RIA) report.

She said the open-air waste storage model mooted for the plant would allow radioactive particles to “dust the environment”, increasing the chance of inhalation by the surrounding community.

“The RIA did not include the assessment on internal radiation, which is very crucial as radioactive waste products are mainly alpha emitters,” she said.

External alpha radiation is generally not harmful but alpha particles can cause cellular damage and increase the likelihood of cancer if inhaled or ingested.

Dr Cardosa said these omissions from the report were worrying in light of allegations by The New York Times that the construction and design of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) may have serious flaws.

Current regulatory standards are not tailored to monitor waste containing radioactive elements, which she said was hinted at in the IAEA report, she added.

Pressure from local residents and environmentalists strongly opposed to Lynas’s Gebeng plant forced the government to order a month-long review led by the IAEA that concluded on June 28.

Lynas expects to meet by year-end all 11 conditions put forth by the IAEA review panel and for them to be adopted by Putrajaya.

The Australian mining giant has said that its plant — which will extract rare earth metals crucial for high-technology products like smartphones, hybrid cars and wind turbines — will create a RM4 billion multiplier effect annually and 350 jobs for skilled workers.

Although reports say the plant may earn RM8 billion for Lynas, critics have questioned the real economic benefit of the project, pointing to the 12-year tax break Lynas will enjoy due to its pioneer status.