Category: Politics & government

Categories
Politics & government

[576] Of Gaza pullout, the need for good faith

Israel’s unilateral disengagement from Gaza is a mixed signal at best. The return of Gaza to the Palestinian authority, prima facie, is a good development for those that long for peace worldwide. However, web spun by reality is a tad more intricate than simple arithmetic.

First on the line is public perception. Is the withdrawal really a step taken towards peace or is it due to pressure applied by the Palestinian extremists. If it is wholly attributed to peace, then it is something to be celebrated by everybody. Perhaps not by the groups that opposes the pullout but sacrifice needs to be made. If terrorist pressure is the cause, then it is something the Palestinian and Muslim extremists to celebrate.

In truth, I suspect Ariel Sharon is accounting for both factors. He himself has said, this withdrawal will increase Israel security. In context of the two factors, withdrawal improves Israel’s reputation to the world audience and more importantly, to moderate Palestinian. A pullout also reduces the possible conflicts in Gaza.

Yet, many has stressed that Gaza is a start, not the end. That comment comes after one of Ariel Sharon’s top aides in an interview with a local paper said that the pullout from Gaza is a plan to freeze the peace process and in effect, the creation of a Palestinian state. After all, the pullout is unilateral. And moreover, Gaza is minute compared to the West Bank while West Bank, in particular Jerusalem, is the ultimate goal of both sides.

And then, there are fractions in the Israeli Knesset. Though Ariel Sharon is administering the disengagement plan, he is at the wimp of the Israeli majority and the majority, or at least a very large minority does vehemently disagree with Sharon. Several high ranked officials have resigned in protest of Sharon’s policy. One of them is Benjamin Netanyahu – former prime minister and until recently, former finance minister of Israel. Many perceive that Netanyahu is set to go again Sharon for the top post. If Netanyahu once again becomes the prime minister, Gaza disengagement be the end or even undone given his opposition towards Sharon’s plan.

The motives of the disengagement supporters are also in question. As mentioned earlier, Sharon’s top aide has mentioned that this is a plan to freeze any peace talk with the Palestinian and hence, put a stop, or at least delay, the establishment of the Palestinian state. If this fraction gets what they want, the disengagement plan will prove to be ultimately detrimental to Palestinian ambition.

Already, this pullout has bolstered the position of Jewish groups that are against any pullout plan, even more when it concerns the West Bank. In fact, Israel, while is engaging in this disengagement, plans to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank despite criticism from the EU and the US. It is all too possible that this is a move to placate the Jewish right.

There are however representatives in the Knesset that are motivated towards a true peace and the coexistence of Israel along with a free Palestinian state. That cannot be denied. With respect to this group, Shimon Peres is someone to be admired of.

Finally, this disengagement has already been criticized as mere facade. Once the Gaza pullout is done, Israel still control services in Gaza – ranging from water to electricity to transportation.

But despite all the variables, perhaps the most crucial element here is the assumption of good faith. That assumption is so important that without it, nothing will work regardless of the simplicity or the complexity involved. Without trust, everything will crumble.

This applies to everybody, even those couch potatoes that live thousands of miles from the conflict. Including certain sadist and biased Malaysian bloggers that laughed whenever a Jew is slaugthered.

Categories
Activism Environment Politics & government

[572] Of DAP’s protest at the Indonesian embassy

It was Friday morning and I had nothing to do.

So, upon finding out that DAP was holding a protest in front of the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to crash the party. I must say that I had walked all the way from Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak to the embassy. I dare say it was a two-kilometer walk in the . I was just singing in the haze, what a glorious feeling and I’m choking again.

I had thought the Indonesian embassy was located nearby the American’s, right across the street. Thought I knew where it was. Unfortunately, that was the Singaporean’s instead. I was so happy to know Singaporeans were there to save the day. (Heh. To my Singaporean friends, I’m just joking. Love you guys. But, er, maybe love is too strong a word)

Anyway, I kept walking on down Jalan Tun Razak until I started to have doubt. So, I stopped by the Japanese embassy and asked for direction. A person at the Japanese embassy told me how to get there but not before asking “Are you walking?” and grinning.

I said, yeah and offered him my thanks. I did say thank you but considering that he was grinning upon learning that I was walking, what I had really wanted to say was FU, in a very mild and polite, eastern tradition.

A few coughing later, there it was – Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia.

At the embassy, it seemed that there were more police officers than there were protesters. Nonetheless, there were decent amount of sedated people – which, by the way, was disproportionately Chinese Malaysian. Sigh. DAP really needs to get more members with diverse background. Malaysia desperately needs a party that really transcends racial barriers but that is another lament for another day.

After awhile, Lim Guan Eng, I presume, came out after meeting the Indonesian ambassador. There was a mini press conference too, sort of.

While the DAP guy was courting the press, some Indonesians were probably worried.

And then little publicity with little “Jerebu Ancam Kita. Bayar Ganti Rugi” banner. Basically, DAP is demanding Indonesia to compensate Malaysia for the damages done. More about DAP’s demand is here. Heh, like Indonesia has anything left in its treasury to compensate us.

Know what I really think?

We should send everything to make the fire go away and help Indonesia strengthens its system. Maybe, we should even establish an ASEAN Court, just like the European Court in order to handle contentious transboundary issues. It might sound like a socialist’s prank but accounting for the externality, I’m convinced Malaysia should help Indonesia out even without compensation.

Ever heard about white men’s burden? Well, making sure that the region is stable in every aspect is increasingly becoming Malaysians, Singaporeans and Bruneians’ (is Bruneian the right noun?) burden.

Or, alternatively, we should invade Sumatra. Heh. Worried about the NEP? I’d rather worry about that racist policy than this damn haze.

And walauwei. Mamat ni main CS ke?

And Indonesia will be celebrating their independence day in August. Hence, the banner:

War is peace, ignorance is strength and slavery is freedom, dong!

And finally, ah! The landmark of the city:

No, not that two towers.

p/s – I’m not a member of DAP and I’m definately not a socialist commie.

Categories
Environment Photography Politics & government

[571] Of Ampang, haze and 2008 election

I ran a short errand to Ampang with my mother earlier today. Heh, I’m not sure anymore whether Ampang is part of Kuala Lumpur or Selangor. Whatever it is, I brought my handy camera with me and took the liberty to shoot some photos of Ampang.

From the top of Ampang Point, the view was hardly unexpectable. It was the paramount of a green’s dystopia. Dry, arid, dusty, acrid. There was nothing much to be seen even with a thorough scan of Ampang. The sight was distasteful as well as despicable.

Tried zooming around here and there but the smog made any effort useless.

It’s depressing to know that even Los Angeles has better air quality than Kuala Lumpur currently. I’ve been to Los Angeles and I hate it. And all this is making an overrated Ann Arbor suddenly underrated. I really miss the sweet smell of green grasses, the soft summer wind, the clear blue sky. Can’t believe everything, from the flow of Huron to the whispering of the leaves in the arboretum, all that was merely two months ago.

Hell, I’d rather be stuck in a snowstorm during an average winter instead of inhaling Indonesian armpits. I simply can’t believe that I’m right in the middle of a huge environmental catastrophe. Yeah, climate change does affect us all but that comes at a snail pace. This Indonesian smog charges at lightspeed. I’m overwhelmed and angry. Angst might be the right word to describe me right now.

News has it that DAP is organizing a protest there at 1100 local time. I’m going to the Indonesian embassy tomorrow. If I had command a battalion of army, I’d have gone to Jakarta.

For the moment, I know one thing – whoever has not a plan to curb haze in their manifestos for the 2008 election, I’ll be giving them a firm middle finger at the ballot. Sadly however, judging how Malaysian parties write their manifestos, I’d probably won’t be voting at all.

Categories
Economics Environment Politics & government

[550] Of US – India nuclear cooperation

I saw Manmohan Singh’s address to the US Congress yesterday. In his speech, he asserted how important it is for the US and India to work together in a globalized world. In actuality, he seeks the Congress’ consent for the US cooperation with India on India’s nuclear work for civilian purposes. I for one, hope the Congress won’t block any step taken towards that direction.

Chernobyl was a tragedy. So was Three Mile Island incident. However, with growing human population, it is obvious that we will consume more and more power. Unfortunately, that power has to come from somewhere, be it from fossil fuel, green energy or nuclear.

The Indian Prime Minister mentioned yesterday that in any scenario, coal plays a central role in India energy industry. India is a huge country and their reliance on coal would increase carbon emission tremendously all the while the Annex 1 parties to Kyoto are struggling to reduce emission. With or without China and the United States, India could single-handedly wreck the fight against climate change. Nuclear provides a clear alternative to coal while clean and safe renewable sources, at its current state, are simply not enough to quench India and indeed the world’s thirst for energy,

The US has refused to ratify Kyoto and has stubbornly argued that any reduction in emission would damage its economy. Moreover, Bush and his supporters have said that only technological progress is the answer to climate change. Frankly, I’ve yet to see or hear Bush do something about that but now is the time to back that claim up. Now is time to prove that Bush really belief that instead of simply trying to dodge a commitment that the US made under the Clinton Administration. Congress now needs to approve such cooperation to give Bush’s words a spine.

Some fear that this might encourage nuclear proliferation. This groups need to be reminded that India already has nuclear capability. In fact, in my opinion, the US cooperation with India would make nuclear energy safer.

Perhaps, if others still feel strongly against such cooperation, perhaps US offer assistance on a condition that India will sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which India is not a signatory. With India in the NPT, the world might even be able to persuade Pakistan to sign the treaty. Of course, there will have to be a change in the first pillar of the NPT.

In the end, wouldn’t that make the world a bit safer?

On the other side, a lot of people are saying that this new American relationship with India spurs out of concern of China’s growing power. Well, I prefer to some something to counter China’s regional influence – Japan simply can’t counter China alone.

p/s – Michigan is currently second in the ASC and they are closing in on the leader, Minnesota, fast. MIT and Missouri-Rolla is far behind.

Categories
Politics & government Society

[544] Of it’s the French!

Many thought Paris were going to host Olympics 2012. They unexpectedly lost and even worse, they lost to London. The French should be angry. And then London suffered six four bomb attacks the next day.

Initial report suspects this is a work of Al-Qaeda. I on the other hand suspect it’s the French! Yes, it’s the French I tell you. Who else could it be? Why wouldn’t the French do it?

But out of all seriousness, this occurence is unfortunate as it happened during a G8 meeting in Scotland. The explosions in London have already postponed G8’s talk on climate change to some time later. This distasteful incidence have already overshadowed all activities to bring the issue of climate change to the front.

I’d suppose Bush must be happy with this since he possibly won’t have to face a possible barrage from other G8 leaders to act on climate change. At the same time, G8 won’t have to worry too much about anti-globalization protest. It would put the protesters in a very bad light if the protests go on.

Regardless, it’s comforting to know that Bush is finally out of denial mode and admits that there is a link between human activities with climate change. Hence, the work to fight against this environmental chaos is made a tad easier.

Let’s see if China and India are going to accept some kind of emission capping as they have promised some years ago.

p/s – the American Solar Challenger 2005 is almost here. Check out Michigan Solar Car Team website! Go Blue!