A Call For Social Consciousness & Awareness

"... we must also take a position on issues like the Lynas project, torture of prisoners and detainees and other current socio-political issues. As responsible physicians, we cannot just hide under the “tempurung” of our white coats and stethoscopes."

Doctors’ Concern About Social Justice & Democracy
(excerpts)

Dr Mary Cardosa President, MMA 2011-12.

The events of the past few weeks should have set us all thinking about what it means to be not just doctors in Malaysia but also as citizens. In particular, the arrest of Jeyakumar Michael Devaraj under the Emergency

Ordinance, with the charge of “waging war against the King”, has been particularly disturbing to many of us personally. Kumar, a Life member of the MMA, has participated in many of our AGMs and is well known for bringing up resolutions urging the Association to look into working for the health of poor communities (e.g. estate workers) and questioning policies that favour the rich and disadvantage the poor (e.g. privatisation of health services). Since his arrest, many doctors have spoken/written about the Kumar they know personally, telling stories of his peaceful, simple and humble nature, and the philosophy that he has always followed — service to the people, especially the less privileged of society. He has made many personal sacrifices, living a very simple life and driving that beat up blue Volkswagen beetle for many years.

I have known Kumar since the 1970s in Penang, and I too have many stories about the great work he has done over the years, as a student and as a doctor. Organising free tuition classes for children from squatter communities, documenting carefully the occupational hazards and high accident rate (many fatal) of the logging industry in Sarawak, working to stop the demolishing of the houses of poor city council workers are just a few examples that I have personally witnessed.

How could such a person be a threat to the King?

He has done more good and made more sacrifices than a hundred of us put together. I join the many people who have written letters and petitions calling for the release of Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj and the other five members of PSM who have been detained under the Emergency Ordinance on 2 July 2011.

Doctors’ responsibility to society

Although the MMA is here to listen to you and to try to address some of your issues, as the largest doctors’

organisation in the country, we also have a responsibility to address issues that affect health. As

doctors, we are well respected, we have status in society and we are often in a position of influence; as such, we have a responsibility not just to ourselves but to others, especially those who are less fortunate than us.

JK Rowling, in her speech to the graduating class of Harvard University in 2008, said

“If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped change. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

As doctors, therefore, we need to think about how we can use that privilege to make this a better world for all. At the very least, we need to address issues that will affect the health of our people. At a broader level, we should also be concerned about larger issues of social justice and democracy. So while the MMA should, and will, always address issues where doctors’ welfare and the practice of medicine is affected, we must also take a position on issues like the Lynas project, torture of prisoners and detainees and other current socio-political issues. As responsible physicians, we cannot just hide under the “tempurung” of our white coats and stethoscopes.

MMA Press Statement: Dr. Jeyakumar’s hunger strike

MMA Press Statement: Dr. Jeyakumar’s hunger strike

posted in - Nation, - Palmdoc |

Press release
29th July 2011

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is very concerned to hear that Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, a Life Member of the MMA who has been detained under the Emergency Ordinance since July 2nd 2011, has gone on a hunger strike, as announced by his wife R. Mohanarani yesterday, “to seek justice, and he will continue his strike until all six of them are released or brought to trial..”

We urge the authorities to release Dr Jeyakumar and the 5 others from PSM as the police said they had been detained “for being key movers of the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally”, which is now over. If they are not released immediately, they should be charged and tried in open court.

While we are concerned about the possible detrimental effects of this hunger strike on Jeyakumar’s health – more so as he has been brought to the hospital for heart problems twice since his initial arrest almost a month ago – we must also respect Jeyakumar’s right to this non-violent form of protest.
In this regard, the MMA calls upon the authorities to respect international human rights law and not to resort to force-feeding as a means of ending Dr Jeyakumar’s protest. The World Medical Association (WMA) – the body that establishes ethical guidance for doctors around the world – states that force-feeding by any means is considered as unethical and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

We also wish to remind all doctors that we are ethically bound to respect the right of a competent person to refuse food intake as a form of protest.
The WMA Declaration of Tokyo (1985) states that
“Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially. The decision as to the capacity of the prisoner to form such a judgment should be confirmed by at least one other independent physician. The consequences of the refusal of nourishment shall be explained by the physician to the prisoner.”

The WMA has reiterated the same in the Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers, adopted by the 43rd World Medical Assembly in 1991 and revised by the 57th WMA General Assembly in 2006, the full text of which is available at http://www.wma.net/en/30publications/10policies/h31/index.html.

The principles outlined in the Declaration of Malta include the duty of physicians
- To act ethically and to prevent coercion or maltreatment of detainees;
- To respect the detainee’s autonomy (“Forced feeding contrary to an informed and voluntary refusal is unjustifiable”);
- To uphold the principles of “benefience” (doing good – respecting the individual’s wishes and promoting his welfare), complemented by “non-maleficence” (doing no harm – minimizing damage to health and not forcing treatment or coercing him to stop fasting); and
- To ensure that their primary obligation is to the individual patient – “remaining objective in their assessments and not allowing third parties to influence their medical judgement, including not allowing themselves to be pressured to breach ethical principles, such as intervening medically for non-clinical reasons.”

The WMA Declaration of Malta also recommends that a physician be involved in the management of the person undertaking the hunger strike as early as possible, making an assessment of the person’s competency, informing him of the consequences of his action, and performing a thorough medical examination at the start of the fast, noting the person’s values and wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of a prolonged fast. A physician should also be allowed to communicate with the hunger striker in privacy and “ascertain on a daily basis whether individuals wish to continue a hunger strike and what they want to be done when they are no longer able to communicate meaningfully.”

In accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Malta, the MMA urges the authorities to appoint one of our MMA members as the physician involved in the management of Dr Jeyakumar during his fast, so that we can be assured of his health and welfare and can communicate this with his family and friends on a regular basis, and can intervene medically if and when appropriate, while respecting Dr Jeyakumar’s autonomy and right to carry out this form of non-violent protest.

Let not intimidation hold us back.

Dr. Jeyakumar, 8th July 2011

I would like to thank everyone who is supporting us by the hours, prayers, urgent appeals etc.

The six of us have not broken any laws and our crime is that we are socialists and we are attempting to put the issues affecting the poorer 60 percent of Malaysians in the national agenda. eg hospital privatisation, minimum wage and decent wages.

Our detention is totally unwarranted and we are working within the democratic framework. ‘Udahlah’ the pamphlet distribution call for people to think properly for the general elections.

Our actions and activities is totally within the democratic space allowed by constitution. Sad to see, higher ups in police unable to differentiate between nation and constitution from the party of power (Article 5).

Stand up for democratic rights and let us not allow this kind of intimidation to hold us back.

*Dr D Jeyakumar is still being detained under the Emergency Ordinance.

Read also:-

• Why I am a socialist and intend to remain so - Jeyakumar (written in detention)

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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.

Hmmmm, Yes- "Let's Focus".

On Friday, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Ku Li) is going to launch a new movement called Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (AMANAH), according to Free Malaysia Today ..... Ku Li is probably one of the last of the better people in Umno. I would be quite prepared to follow Ku Li. But I would find it difficult to follow him if he remains in Umno.
And that is the problem I am facing.
~ RPK, Let's Focus
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Hmmmm ... now I cannot rip Pakatan Rakyat through propaganda becos my nincompoops are too dumb (even the one from Oxford) ....
MACC teaches people how to fly ...
The Univesities are courting disaster by offering Ibbit ali awards.
The media is braindead in that they rehash conspiracy theories about Jews/Christians/Hindus/Chinese/Indians/Eskimos etc etc etc
PDRM is hopeless- they spray chemical-laced water jets & fire tear-gas into hospitals "to protect patients".
The racist Ibbit Ali is a joke of titanic proportions ......
Nazri says that you cannot glorify Commies, but it's okay to give Chinese dignitaries a red-carpet welcome ....
Hishamudin says Cow-head protestors and screaming for Chinese blood is cool, but Bersih t-shirts & asking for clean elections is forbidden on the streets ...

Okay- here's the plan ...

Let's get a dinosaur political flunky in UMNO to start talking some real reason as a facade ... he must be a turncoat who was a loser in an earlier struggle ..... he must be able to talk about high-flung ideals, morality, rule of law through an "NGO" or some sort of campaign with a sweet smelling name.
He doesn't have to prove anything .... just has to talk or even fart- the idiots in these NGOs should be able to fall for him even if he farts .... just becos of his name.
APCO can help him with his speeches ... maybe some PR leaning NGOs which are non-partisan will fall for it - you know that idealistic hogwash an all ... but his allegiance must be to us.

We need a loser who can talk about the "Social Contract" to bolster our racist platform ... who might that person be?

Hmmmm, Yes- "Let's Focus" ....

Hisham- RELEASE Dr. Jeyakumar & EO6 NOW!!!!

5,000 private doctors call for Jeyakumar's release

Jul 19, 11 4:38pm

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The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations, which represents some 5,000 private doctors nationwide, has joined hands with others in the medical profession in calling for the release of Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar.

"We are extremely concerned at the continued detention of our colleague, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, whom we all recognise and acknowledge as a law-abiding, competent, kind and diligent doctor.

"His public service record is exemplary and, to the very best of our knowledge, he is certainly not a threat to our society," the federation said in a media statement today.

It quoted Jeyakumar's long tenure in government service and charitable work as "selflessly serving the rakyat", reminding that the good doctor was well known for his capacity for charity and kindness for all under his care, regardless of ethnicity and religion.

"We, appeal to have the detention order against Dr Michael Jeyakumar lifted," said the statement, which also appealed for the release of the other Parti Sosialis Malaysia members who are being detained under similar circumstances.

Jeyakumar and five other PSM members are currently being held under the Emergency Ordinance for alleged involvement in planning the outlawed Bersih 2.0 rally for electoral reforms.

Prior to this, 176 medical practitioners have issued similar calls for his release.