Please help !!
Flood-Brace for the worst until Boxing Day
More than 90,000 people were displaced and seven killed in Malaysia Saturday following massive floods caused by the heaviest rainfall in a century, said officials.
There were nearly 74,000 evacuees in the southern state of Johor bordering Singapore, 12,650 in neighboring Malacca state, and 5,100 in eastern Pahang state, said an official of the police Internal Security and Public Order Division.
Seven people have been reported dead, all in Johor, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the heavy rains in southern and eastern peninsular Malaysia are expected to persist until Sunday, after which weather conditions should improve.
The likelihood of Malaysia's biggest city, Kuala Lumpur, experiencing heavy rainfall is slim, the department said in a statement.
The rainfall and floods over the past five days in Johor are reported to be the worst in 100 years.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rushed to visit affected areas in Johor Saturday upon his return from an official visit to Venezuela, said the national news agency Bernama.
Abdullah promised food supply and other necessities to flood victims, and called on the authorities to ensure the health of the evacuees at relief centers by inoculating them.
"We want to ensure that everyone gets to return home safely," Bernama quoted him as saying.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told state-run RTM1 TV station that there was sufficient supply of food and blankets for all evacuees.
The government will provide money to those whose homes and crops were damaged by the floods, Najib said while visiting victims in Malacca.
On Friday, Najib said Malaysia does not need foreign help to tackle the floods.
Several countries had expressed willingness to help Malaysia, Bernama said without naming the countries.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited the flood-stricken south Saturday as the country struggled to cope with torrential rains that have forced almost 90,000 people to flee their homes.
Abdullah went to Johor state to meet victims and inspect damage, as newspaper reports said the death toll from the floods had risen to seven, with the death of a 90-year-old woman, whose body was found floating in her home.
The rains, which started a week ago in Johor, Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan states in south and central Malaysia, have now spread to northeastern Kelantan and Terengganu states, swamping entire towns and villages.
Southern Selangor and Klang Valley are likely to be affected by the heavy rainfalls should the conditions persist, the Meteorological Department warned today.
The Department has issued these areas with a Red Stage warning, the most severe of the three-stage weather warning, and advised people to prepare and brace for the worst conditions.
A forecaster said heavy rainfall and thunderstorm were expected to persist in the Klang Valley until Boxing Day (Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006).
"The heavy rainfalls and wind condition that are currently affecting states in the east coast and Johor are expected to bring heavy downpour to the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas.
"Generally, the weather will be cloudy in the morning while heavy rains are expected in the afternoon and night, but the public is advised to update themselves with the weather forecast," she said when contacted by Bernama.
The flood victims in Johor desperately need your help. There is a gross shortage of pillows, blankets, baby food, clothes, clean/new underwear, and more. In the spirit of Christmas cheer, this may be the best time to demonstrate love and goodwill towards fellow man.
There are two collection points: Parliament House and Kontena Nasional. For more information you can contact YB Halimah Sadique at the following numbers:
The ugly side of human nature has started to emerge from the floods that have hit several states – there are reports of looting and people are claiming that certain parties, including uniformed personnel, have asked for money before rescuing victims.
The Star said.
To looters, Bukit Aman Deputy Internal Security director Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamad Muda has this to say: “Beware, you will be arrested on sight.”
He issued the warning to ensure that people did not take advantage of the thousands of abandoned properties in flood-stricken areas.
ASIA: AHRC announces the release of its 2006 Human Rights Report – The State of Human Rights in Eleven Asian Nations
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) announces the release of its Human Rights Report for 2006 (345 pages), entitled "The State of Human Rights in Eleven Asian Nations." The report includes in-depth analysis of the situation of human rights in the following countries : Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
2006 has been a year in which the AHRC has noted continuing discontent over malfunctioning democracies and legal systems and the consequent setbacks these shortcomings cause for human rights and the rule of law.
Specifically, Asia's people feel discontent over the authoritarianism of democratically elected governments as well as military regimes. They are restlessness over restrictions on their freedom of expression, association and assembly. They are angry at the use of martial law and emergency and terrorism laws that steal their rights in the name of making them secure. They are frustrated over rampant corruption and dissatisfied over the ineffectiveness of states to stop manifold forms of discrimination that are widely experienced throughout the continent. They are distressed as extrajudicial killings, disappearances and torture continue unabated, and they are disappointed over the ineffectiveness of parliaments, judiciaries, police forces and prosecution systems to address these deficiencies. Moreover, states are not dealing with this discontent in a positive manner by trying to resolve these problems. Instead, governments resort to even worse military and policing methods to deal with them. This is the grim picture of Asia as it approaches 2007.
2006 has witnessed certain notably highs and lows. Firstly, Nepal has witnessed a historic popular revolt that has effectively over-thrown the country's King, whose regime was responsible for gross and massive violations of human rights. This has led to a political process that could well enable a lasting end to the internal conflict that has raged in the country for over a decade, if all parties abide by their commitments, although much needs to be done in order to dismantle impunity and achieve justice for the thousands of human rights victims in the country. Sri Lanka has descended into further violence, and the AHRC has branded the country the most violent place in Asia at the moment, with the State having singularly failed to take any serious steps to bring the situation under control. In Thailand, respect for human rights and the rule of law were set back many years with the return to power of the military on September 19. The Philippines has been the stage of a campaign widespread, targeted political extra-judicial killings, accompanied by the abject failure of the government to do anything to halt them or bring those accountable to justice. In other countries, such as Bangladesh, Burma, and Pakistan, endemic, gross violations continue unabated, while the international community turns a blind eye. In India, the majority of the population continue to suffer from poverty and a lack of access to rights, despite the much heralded economic boom that the country is experiencing.
To surmise, in all the countries contained in the AHRC's Human Rights Report for 2006, serious violations of human rights are ongoing, impunity prevails, and the institutions of the rule of law are failing to carry out the basic functions of protecting individuals' rights, notably those of the millions of poor and/or marginalised members of society.
Asian Human Rights Commission - Malaysia
Amnesty slams Malaysia for deporting Cambodian former police chief
Amnesty International has criticised the Malaysian government for deporting a Cambodian ex-police chief to his home country, where he fears he will be tortured and killed.
Heng Pov's lawyers were shocked by the move, which came as Federal Court judges were about to hear an appeal against the deportation order.
Amnesty International's Malaysian branch says the deportation is evidence that the Malaysian government has failed to respect the asylum process.
Malaysian rights group Suaram also condemned the "lightning" deportation and said it raised questions about whether the Cambodian government had put pressure on Malaysia.
Heng Pov was convicted and sentenced in absentia by a Cambodian court on September 18 for conspiracy in connection with the killing of a judge in Phnom Penh.
He fled the country and arrived in Malaysia, where he was detained on immigration offences in early October
Heng Pov, who had been convicted of murder in Cambodia in his absence, was spirited out of Malaysia while the courts were still hearing the case.
He had previously been ordered to return to Singapore from where he intended to fly to Europe.
Heng Pov was convicted of killing a judge in his native Cambodia in 2003.
The circumstances of Heng Pov's deportation were extraordinary.
Reversed decisions
Just six days ago, Malaysia's High Court ordered that he be returned to Singapore from where he had entered the country.
From there, he was expected to travel to Finland, which had offered him a visa.
But on Thursday morning, Malaysia's appeals court set aside the lower court's decision.
Lawyers for the former police chief, who have argued that he faces torture if returned to Cambodia, immediately appealed to the federal court, Malaysia's highest.
But within an hour, immigration officials had handed Heng Pov to the Cambodian authorities and the wanted man was flown out on a private plane.
When the federal court convened to consider the matter a mere 50 minutes later, Heng Pov was en route to Phnom Penh.
The judge heading the panel, Richard Malanjum, reprimanded state prosecutors handling the case.
Civil liberties activists and lawyers have accused the authorities of treating the courts with contempt.
Meanwhile, the police chief's wife has appealed to international human rights groups to help her husband.
Malaysia flood help Cambodian ex-police chief Heng Pov AHRC Asian Human Rights Commission
More than 90,000 people were displaced and seven killed in Malaysia Saturday following massive floods caused by the heaviest rainfall in a century, said officials.
There were nearly 74,000 evacuees in the southern state of Johor bordering Singapore, 12,650 in neighboring Malacca state, and 5,100 in eastern Pahang state, said an official of the police Internal Security and Public Order Division.
Seven people have been reported dead, all in Johor, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the heavy rains in southern and eastern peninsular Malaysia are expected to persist until Sunday, after which weather conditions should improve.
The likelihood of Malaysia's biggest city, Kuala Lumpur, experiencing heavy rainfall is slim, the department said in a statement.
The rainfall and floods over the past five days in Johor are reported to be the worst in 100 years.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rushed to visit affected areas in Johor Saturday upon his return from an official visit to Venezuela, said the national news agency Bernama.
Abdullah promised food supply and other necessities to flood victims, and called on the authorities to ensure the health of the evacuees at relief centers by inoculating them.
"We want to ensure that everyone gets to return home safely," Bernama quoted him as saying.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told state-run RTM1 TV station that there was sufficient supply of food and blankets for all evacuees.
The government will provide money to those whose homes and crops were damaged by the floods, Najib said while visiting victims in Malacca.
On Friday, Najib said Malaysia does not need foreign help to tackle the floods.
Several countries had expressed willingness to help Malaysia, Bernama said without naming the countries.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited the flood-stricken south Saturday as the country struggled to cope with torrential rains that have forced almost 90,000 people to flee their homes.
Abdullah went to Johor state to meet victims and inspect damage, as newspaper reports said the death toll from the floods had risen to seven, with the death of a 90-year-old woman, whose body was found floating in her home.
The rains, which started a week ago in Johor, Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan states in south and central Malaysia, have now spread to northeastern Kelantan and Terengganu states, swamping entire towns and villages.
Southern Selangor and Klang Valley are likely to be affected by the heavy rainfalls should the conditions persist, the Meteorological Department warned today.
The Department has issued these areas with a Red Stage warning, the most severe of the three-stage weather warning, and advised people to prepare and brace for the worst conditions.
A forecaster said heavy rainfall and thunderstorm were expected to persist in the Klang Valley until Boxing Day (Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006).
"The heavy rainfalls and wind condition that are currently affecting states in the east coast and Johor are expected to bring heavy downpour to the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas.
"Generally, the weather will be cloudy in the morning while heavy rains are expected in the afternoon and night, but the public is advised to update themselves with the weather forecast," she said when contacted by Bernama.
The flood victims in Johor desperately need your help. There is a gross shortage of pillows, blankets, baby food, clothes, clean/new underwear, and more. In the spirit of Christmas cheer, this may be the best time to demonstrate love and goodwill towards fellow man.
There are two collection points: Parliament House and Kontena Nasional. For more information you can contact YB Halimah Sadique at the following numbers:
07-772-1567
012-718-0010
019-774-3007
012-718-0010
019-774-3007
Folks,
Down south, mostly in Johor, there are some 75,000 people who have had to leave their homes and are feeling very wet, cold and hungry. So, if you can, please donate blankets, pillows, mats, baby food, underwear ( CLEAN ones only please!) and clothes, baby diapers and other essential items. You can send them to the Dewan Serbaguna at Parliament House, or to the Kontena Nasional outpost in PJ.
Please also pass the message on to whoever you think can help, and can mobilise donations. They don't need money, they need these items urgently.
Thanks a lot.--- Marina Mahathir.
The ugly side of human nature has started to emerge from the floods that have hit several states – there are reports of looting and people are claiming that certain parties, including uniformed personnel, have asked for money before rescuing victims.
The Star said.
To looters, Bukit Aman Deputy Internal Security director Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamad Muda has this to say: “Beware, you will be arrested on sight.”
He issued the warning to ensure that people did not take advantage of the thousands of abandoned properties in flood-stricken areas.
ASIA: AHRC announces the release of its 2006 Human Rights Report – The State of Human Rights in Eleven Asian Nations
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) announces the release of its Human Rights Report for 2006 (345 pages), entitled "The State of Human Rights in Eleven Asian Nations." The report includes in-depth analysis of the situation of human rights in the following countries : Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
2006 has been a year in which the AHRC has noted continuing discontent over malfunctioning democracies and legal systems and the consequent setbacks these shortcomings cause for human rights and the rule of law.
Specifically, Asia's people feel discontent over the authoritarianism of democratically elected governments as well as military regimes. They are restlessness over restrictions on their freedom of expression, association and assembly. They are angry at the use of martial law and emergency and terrorism laws that steal their rights in the name of making them secure. They are frustrated over rampant corruption and dissatisfied over the ineffectiveness of states to stop manifold forms of discrimination that are widely experienced throughout the continent. They are distressed as extrajudicial killings, disappearances and torture continue unabated, and they are disappointed over the ineffectiveness of parliaments, judiciaries, police forces and prosecution systems to address these deficiencies. Moreover, states are not dealing with this discontent in a positive manner by trying to resolve these problems. Instead, governments resort to even worse military and policing methods to deal with them. This is the grim picture of Asia as it approaches 2007.
2006 has witnessed certain notably highs and lows. Firstly, Nepal has witnessed a historic popular revolt that has effectively over-thrown the country's King, whose regime was responsible for gross and massive violations of human rights. This has led to a political process that could well enable a lasting end to the internal conflict that has raged in the country for over a decade, if all parties abide by their commitments, although much needs to be done in order to dismantle impunity and achieve justice for the thousands of human rights victims in the country. Sri Lanka has descended into further violence, and the AHRC has branded the country the most violent place in Asia at the moment, with the State having singularly failed to take any serious steps to bring the situation under control. In Thailand, respect for human rights and the rule of law were set back many years with the return to power of the military on September 19. The Philippines has been the stage of a campaign widespread, targeted political extra-judicial killings, accompanied by the abject failure of the government to do anything to halt them or bring those accountable to justice. In other countries, such as Bangladesh, Burma, and Pakistan, endemic, gross violations continue unabated, while the international community turns a blind eye. In India, the majority of the population continue to suffer from poverty and a lack of access to rights, despite the much heralded economic boom that the country is experiencing.
To surmise, in all the countries contained in the AHRC's Human Rights Report for 2006, serious violations of human rights are ongoing, impunity prevails, and the institutions of the rule of law are failing to carry out the basic functions of protecting individuals' rights, notably those of the millions of poor and/or marginalised members of society.
Asian Human Rights Commission - Malaysia
*********
Amnesty slams Malaysia for deporting Cambodian former police chief
Amnesty International has criticised the Malaysian government for deporting a Cambodian ex-police chief to his home country, where he fears he will be tortured and killed.
Heng Pov's lawyers were shocked by the move, which came as Federal Court judges were about to hear an appeal against the deportation order.
Amnesty International's Malaysian branch says the deportation is evidence that the Malaysian government has failed to respect the asylum process.
Malaysian rights group Suaram also condemned the "lightning" deportation and said it raised questions about whether the Cambodian government had put pressure on Malaysia.
Heng Pov was convicted and sentenced in absentia by a Cambodian court on September 18 for conspiracy in connection with the killing of a judge in Phnom Penh.
He fled the country and arrived in Malaysia, where he was detained on immigration offences in early October
Heng Pov, who had been convicted of murder in Cambodia in his absence, was spirited out of Malaysia while the courts were still hearing the case.
He had previously been ordered to return to Singapore from where he intended to fly to Europe.
Heng Pov was convicted of killing a judge in his native Cambodia in 2003.
The circumstances of Heng Pov's deportation were extraordinary.
Reversed decisions
Just six days ago, Malaysia's High Court ordered that he be returned to Singapore from where he had entered the country.
From there, he was expected to travel to Finland, which had offered him a visa.
But on Thursday morning, Malaysia's appeals court set aside the lower court's decision.
Lawyers for the former police chief, who have argued that he faces torture if returned to Cambodia, immediately appealed to the federal court, Malaysia's highest.
But within an hour, immigration officials had handed Heng Pov to the Cambodian authorities and the wanted man was flown out on a private plane.
When the federal court convened to consider the matter a mere 50 minutes later, Heng Pov was en route to Phnom Penh.
The judge heading the panel, Richard Malanjum, reprimanded state prosecutors handling the case.
Civil liberties activists and lawyers have accused the authorities of treating the courts with contempt.
Meanwhile, the police chief's wife has appealed to international human rights groups to help her husband.
Malaysia flood help Cambodian ex-police chief Heng Pov AHRC Asian Human Rights Commission
Labels: Malaysia and Asean
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