WARNINGS WORKED

Quake shows vital role played by early alert system

Another massive earthquake occurred off the west coast of Sumatra, with after-shocks as strong, if not stronger, than the first.

Although none of the tremors exceeded those of the 2004 Boxing Day ones, nonetheless, at 8.6 on the Richter scale, and with the offshore epicentre so close to Banda Aceh, the threat of a tsunami was taken very seriously. The early warning sirens blared in the coastal areas fringing the Indian Ocean, warning of a possible tsunami. As a result, evacuation  of all these  areas was systematically undertaken by the authorities of the countries concerned, including Malaysia. Fortunately, the nature of the earthquake did not induce tsunamis and the alerts were called off soon afterwards.

 

The natural disasters of the new millennium have caused much trauma in the affected countries and globally. Hundreds of thousands lost their lives in the Boxing Day tsunami and some small shoreline communities of west Sumatra were wiped out. Not long afterwards, another quake and a tsunami devastated Nias Island off the Sumatran west coast. Many intervening quakes and volcanic explosions took their toll in Indonesia and worldwide but nothing as bad as 2004.

However, just over a year ago, Japan suffered its worst earthquake and tsunami in recent history. Lives were lost in the thousands, communities wrecked and, worst of all, the Fukushima nuclear plant was damaged, causing dangerous fallout. That brought the disaster close to home throughout the world. Time has  obviously  not been kind, leaving one survivor of the Aceh tsunami wondering what manner of transgression has brought on such divine wrath.

Nevertheless, the high death toll and the near total wipeout of Banda Aceh in 2004 had left a sense of insecurity that begged addressing, both domestically and internationally. The world came together and an early warning system was put in place. Two days ago, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning which was communicated to all Indian Ocean rim countries, and according to the World Meteorological Organisation, the communications system set up after the 2004 tsunami worked well and the affected countries received the alert of possible oncoming "seismically charged" waves well within five minutes. People who heard the sirens and received warnings via fast spreading SMS text messages took themselves to higher ground in an orderly manner. Although the exercise was thankfully academic this time, it demonstrated the public awareness so important in avoiding chaos.

For, when huge volumes of water metres-tall rushing to shore in mere minutes threaten, only the early warning sirens are of any help.

Read more on:  http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/editorial/warnings-worked-1.73443

'MALAYSIA'S ELECTORAL SYSTEM MOST FAIR'

KOTA BARU: The electoral system in Malaysia is among the best in the region and should not be doubted by its people.

Former Narathiwat provincial election director Phaithoon Chehae said the system was also considered the "most fair and clean" he had seen in his 14 years as election director in Narathiwat.

"I've observed Malaysia's general elections since 1998 and I noticed the system is well managed. If I had the power to change the electoral system in Thailand, I would use Malaysia's as the model."

He said what attracted him most was that all eligible citizens were allowed to vote, and they did so without being influenced by political parties.

"Malaysians choose their government or the candidate they want. They are not coerced to vote for those who hold government posts or influenced by political leaders.

"If the leader, like the prime minister, nominates a candidate whom they do not agree to, they can reject the person. The situation is unlike in Thailand."

Phaithoon, who ended his service as election director in December last year, said in Thailand, the candidates were decided by the leaders.

He lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership and said Malaysia was a prosperous and peaceful country.

"His manner of governing Malaysia has become the most talked-about topic in government offices and coffee shops in Thailand, especially in Narathiwat."

Read more on: http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/malaysia-s-electoral-system-most-fair-1.73528

WHAT IS BILL- Security Offences (Special Measures??

BILL IS IN LARGER INTEREST OF NATION

WHAT is the real significance of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 tabled  in the Dewan Rakyat on April 10?

The bill is one of those extraordinary examples in history -- in the history of any nation -- of the executive voluntarily surrendering its power to the judiciary.

The power to detain a person without trial under the Internal Security Act  was, in a sense, the ultimate expression of unfettered authority. Now the government of Datuk Seri Najib Razak has decided to relinquish that authority in the larger interest of the nation and the people.

The implications of the abolition of the ISA and detention without trial are manifold. One, it demonstrates respect for the rights and dignity of the human person. No Malaysian has to fear any more the executive's arbitrary exercise of power in the guise of national security or political stability.

If a person is deemed to be a threat to national security because of his alleged involvement in organised violence or economic sabotage or espionage or in some attempt to overthrow parliamentary democracy, he will be arrested and investigated for a maximum of 28 days, and, if there is evidence against him, he will be produced in court.

It is a judge -- not a minister -- who will decide his fate, based upon the law.  It is equally significant that the bill states explicitly, "No person shall be arrested and detained ... solely for his political belief or political activity."

Two, the bill also enhances executive accountability. The police as the executive's arm will have to conduct a thorough investigation with all the instruments of the law at its disposal within a specific timeframe. If there is a case against the alleged security offender, the public prosecutor will have to convince the judge. It is this that makes the executive answerable to the judiciary.

 Three, the bill also provides for a degree of parliamentary oversight. It says  the 28-day period of investigation "shall be reviewed every five years and shall cease to have effect unless, upon the review, a resolution is passed by both Houses of Parliament to extend the period of operation of this provision."

Four, the bill, it is so obvious, strengthens the judiciary.  Since its role is to protect and preserve justice, the judiciary will now be able to play that role in the context of determining who is and who is not a threat to national security and public order.

Five, given the positive impact of the bill upon all three branches of government -- the executive, the legislature and the judiciary -- it will undoubtedly reinforce the rule of law and improve democratic governance.

While contributing to democratic governance, the bill is also cognisant of the importance of protecting the well-being of society as a whole.  Provisions relating to sensitive information, interception of communication, electronic monitoring device, protected witness and hearing in camera, testify to this. Nonetheless, even in these spheres, there is some check and balance to ensure that the scope for abuse is minimised.

It is indisputably true that the bill, viewed in its entirety, marks a break with the past.  Indeed, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill, juxtaposed with a number of other measures introduced by the prime minister in the last seven months, heralds a new era in Malaysian politics.

 Three Emergency Ordinances have been abolished; laws pertaining to restricted residence and banishment have been rescinded; the annual renewal of licence requirement in the Printing Presses and Publications Act has been removed; and the Universities and University Colleges Act has been amended to allow for student participation in party politics.

 There is also now a Freedom of Assembly Act which is a fairer reflection of Article 10 in the Malaysian Constitution than what the Police Act had provided for.  The 32 recommendations adopted by the Dewan Rakyat in December last year and this month aimed at improving the electoral system also promise to enhance freedom and democracy in our country.

Of course, some of these amended laws can be further reformed. There are other laws such as the Sedition Act and the Official Secrets Act which should also be abolished or at least modified drastically.

But no one can deny that the reforms that have taken place in recent times under  Najib's leadership embody the most comprehensive, the most far-reaching agenda for political change that the nation has known since Merdeka.  These changes, epitomised by the abolition of the ISA and detention without trial, if properly implemented, will accelerate the sort of political transformation that many right-thinking Malaysians are committed to -- a political transformation that will give substance to the exercise of freedom with responsibility.

HISTORIC CHANGE:  The proposed Security Offences (Special Measures) law respects human rights and  enhances executive accountability

Read more: Bill is in larger interest of nation - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/bill-is-in-larger-interest-of-nation-1.73449