Saving the plants

Two of my very close friends have been spreading rumours that I'm a plant killer! Yes, they are unfortunately still my good friends:) Anyway some of it is true - both have expressed horror and shock when they heard my curry leaf plant died. The infamous story they will tell is that only plants that know how to source for their own water will survive in this house. True..... as the three case studies from my past will testify to.

So when I started to introduce new plants to the balcony, one accused me of being a phoney - "where is the real Gaya?!!" while the other is still waging her bets that my new comers are going to be short-lived (her variegata plant is so much more livelier than mine though we got it at the same time!)

But I aim to change:) so I've bought myself a book called: Houseplants: The Green Thumb Guide to Easy Indoor Gardening, but the one that caught my eye was a little blurb on the top cover - Never Kill another houseplant Again! I was connected to it immediately! Its a very interesting and useful book, so will be setting myself to some experiments and to redeem myself:)

I should put on record the survivors on the balcony just in case:)
1993/1994
I first got one cactus plant (as in one only) back in 1993/1994 as a gift from a friend. I was studying in USM Penang then. When it was time for me to move out of Penang, I left the small pot in my aunt's place in Butterworth. Some years later, they moved to Petaling Jaya and with them came the cactus plant which had bred quite actively, I think there were 3-4 pots of many cacti plants. I transplanted them into 2 of my own pots sometime in 2001, these spread even more. But I've kept two with me. Its the 21st century family of a 1993 single plant!


2000

This aloe vera was taken from one of the houses we stayed in PJ in 2000. When I moved out of there, I took with me one pot and it has been around since then. There's another one with some young leaves(?) but this needs to be re-potted, you can see its a bit chaotic!

2005

This is a Euphorbia Trigona or also known as the African Milk. I bought the plant from Cameron Highlands in 2005 and it has been growing steadily. I keep it in the balcony because I read somewhere that you get good colours when it has enough light. Its now about 1metre high and you can't see it here but the stem and leaves are a bit reddish at the top.

I know many people would say that its easy to keep cactus and succulents, and which is true. But I'm quite proud of these resilient ones, especially when they know I've been pretty bad at caring for the plants:)






Some new ones are the hibiscus and two others waiting to be identified (I have this plan of growing trees on the balcony!) and some herbs. Not too successful yet in the herbs departmet but several experiments are ongoing, like assuring the mint that they should survive in the soil and not in the water only! And tomorrow I'm hoping to get a few more plants, so wish me luck!

Anniversaries

Sunday the 25th would have been our four-year anniversary. It is still an anniversary, though Soeren is no more, it is a recollection of memories.

We used to joke that there were too many dates to remember and commemorate! We had two engagement parties and two wedding parties (have to cover the Malaysian and Danish families) and then the actual registration date which is 25 July. Whatever excuse we could come up just to get people together and have a party:)

So, a toast to Soeren:)

But I will never forget Plaza Masalam, where our marriage was registered. One because the officer in charge was very nice, but secondly, it was also the site of a tragic incident last year when the assistant to the Selangor Exco died - Teoh Beng Hock. Soeren also posted on this on his blog last year. Teoh's death anniversary was on 16 July. We are no where closer to the truth then we were a year ago.

RIP Teoh.

Launch of the SEA Media Legal Defence Network

Over the weekend, I attended the soft launch of the SEA Media Legal Defence Network, a regional initiative to provide assistance and funds for the defence of media - online, small media, bloggers - against the constant threats to messengers throughout the region.

In the Philippines, journalists are being kidnapped, harassed and killed in the line of duty; in Indonesia, journalists experience imprisonment for criminal defamation; in Thailand, the emergency laws and the current political instability targets media and journalists, accusing them of siding the red shirts and the yellow shirts; in Singapore, the former Prime Minister has bankrupted opposition through the defamation laws; and in Malaysia, controls are imposed via a slew of anti-free press laws, censorship and political ownership.

According to the coordinator of the project, HR Dipendra, the network will provide:
* Payment of legal fees;
* Assistance in accessing free legal advice;
* Assistance in taking up cases in international tribunals and supervisory bodies;
* Support for the independent observation of court proceedings;
* Support in matters of strategic litigation;
* Opportunities for training in media law and litigation; and
* Support for the exchange of information and experience among media lawyers.

People might ask why defend the media in Malaysia at all? What with public confidence in it at an all time low. The 1998 coverage of the reformasi and Anwar Ibrahim's sacking and court case, and the build up and post March 2008 elections have certainly not won the media any new supporters while many have shifted to the internet media. So, why bother about the "agents" and workers of the media who are also responsible for churning out lies, distortions and misinformation.

Firstly, I think it is wrong to threaten the media and journalists in the first place. They have a duty to do and a thriving media is important for society. Ok, in its ideal form, especially to support the building and maintenance of democracy and justice.

Secondly, the fact remains that there are many journalists who do a good job and who test the borders everyday and believe that they are in a position to bring about changes. Some who felt they couldn't work effectively anymore have gone on to set up their own media, such as the founders of Malaysiakini and The Nut Graph. And then we have individuals who do a good job using their own resources like Anil Netto. So, the point is there is good work being done, and we need to support and protect them.

Thirdly, by protecting journalists, we are also extending support to dismantle the controls that are in place. We do that by challenging in court the censorship and defence of journalists, by raising awareness among the public to get their support.

Fourthly, we as the public have a stake in supporting good journalists. We get good stories that are fair, balanced, ethical and important to us. If we don't show that we care, we will get rubbish. Then we complain about the rubbish, and the cycle continues.

Of course we are all aware of gatekeepers who allow themselves to be at the mercy of the owners and political masters. We know that, that's why groups like Aliran, CIJ, WAMI and the rest advocate legislative and political change.

The point to note about the SEAMLDN is that it will also extend support to bloggers and the online news sites, who tend not to have the financial and legal resources like the big media.

Anyway, the highlight of the launch on Friday evening was Zunar's presentation of his cartoons, where his compilations have been banned by the government as "they were threats to security"! By the way, Zunar and Malaysiakini filed a suit today against the Home Ministry over the ban of 1Funny Malaysia and Perak Darul Kartun, for and this is where it is funny:)

“The publications have been banned for its contents that can influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies. The contents are not suitable and detrimental to public order," said Mahmood [Home Ministry chief secretary Mahmood Adam].

Here's an old media that is so powerful and because of that, it scares the s**t of the government. That's the topic of another post:)

If you haven't seen Zunar's work, please do, they are good stuff. You should be able to find them on Malaysiakini's website, which has published Zunar's political cartoons for many years now. Zunar was our "highlights" at the 2007 World Press Freedom Day celebrations at the Annexe Gallery.

Going public

Today was my first press conference, organised by the Coalition for Good Governance, of which the Centre for Independent Journalism is part of. It was to express our stand on the Selangor FOI enactment tabled last week. If you're interested, you can read our statement here. Sonia has contributed a piece to The Nut Graph here.

This was my first PC in a while, somewhat readjusting back to the NGO work. It has been much tougher than expected. So even though I've been back since May, this was the first time I've been out in public to make a statement etc. Am pretty sure there are more talks/forums to come, especially with the FOI law, to get NGOsand the public to support the law and call for it to be strengthened. But I needed the first nudge to be sure I could do it.

But many things have been difficult, or at least different. Which doesn't have to be a bad thing, but it also means there are many hours spent trying to make sense of the changes. Personal losses can do quite a bit to affect the levels of confidence, I knew it would happen, but still in theory things seem easier:) You wonder if the decisions you make are the right ones because you no longer need to think in terms of two. And I got a very good explanation about this process and understanding that has also helped me be conscious of myself.

Being one is not strange to me. And in some ways I've returned to that state, albeit with new experiences and perspectives. I can only hope that its for the better. As Nietzsche said, if it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger.

Anyway I thought I would put up our last photo together, which was taken at the hospital in Fredericia. I think it was Soeren's ability to give his hearty smile and joy even when he was in pain, that defined who he was. Its a constant reminder that I can do better for myself.

Goodbye Ben

Received news today that Benjamin McKay has passed away. Wish I knew him better. I remember him as a smart, witty and lovable person. Enjoyed reading his interviews and articles in various publications/magazines. I just found an article interviewing Ben if you want to know more about him.

R.I.P Ben.




Updated: obituary in the Annexe Gallery.

Ministry of Truth?

In 1948, George Orwell wrote the fabulous book Nineteen Eighty-Four about a totalitarian regime in Oceania, one of the 3 super-states created after a global war. There are four ministries - Ministry of Peace, Ministry of Plenty, Ministry of Love and Ministry of Truth. The main character Winston Smith works in the last where his job entails rewriting history and changing facts to fit in with the Party's propaganda and manufacture news when required.

I thought about 1984 when I read about the new Communication Strategy Strengthening Committee, here in Malaysia. Its members are Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, Information Culture and Communication Minister Rais Yatim and Minister in PM's Dept Nazri Aziz, to prevent spread of false news!

How do you respond to things like these? Do they really think we are so incapable of free and independent thought?

And we taxpayers are expected to support this ? I wonder how much budget is allocated to this work, how many people will be tasked to the committee work and who will they report to? As we know, the Home Ministry already does this work. There are actually people who sit and read ALL the newspapers and just to be sure the "readers" are loyal to them, their work is counter checked by other people. Now, government is actually admitting that they take our money to pay someone who will report to the masters what we are not supposed to know.

I remembered also an announcement in 2008 the Pahang state government hired pensioners to monitor blogs that were supposedly writing stuff that were anti-government. I like Niamah's venting of it.

Anyway, this committee,which is supposed to meet every month, will discuss guidelines to be followed by the media, and then consider "Amendments to the law, quality training for investigation officers, witness protection and the definition of false information" (Source, NST)

Except that, we all know the only agenda is to stop any dissemination of information that would make the Barisan Nasional look bad. Period.

Are people aware of the countless guidelines and regulations that already govern the media, both offline and online? Here's a snapshot of it:

1. Content Code of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission that regulates the broadcasting, advertising and multimedia industry;
2. Guidelines for Publication of Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security
   
3. Code for advertisers
4. Printing Presses and Publications Act (regulations under 2 are sanctioned under the PPPA) (Gosh, where do we begin)
   
5. Sedition Act (hmm...the list is pretty long)
   
6. Defamation Act
7. Penal Code (many options for the creative authorities unfortunately)
8. Internal Security Act (Example of Suaram activist arrested under this act)
   
9. Communications and Multimedia Act
10. Film Censorship Act
    
11. and many others...

With the actions taken against Suara Keadilan, Rocket and Harakah, we really should reject these committees and any attempts to further control our right to expression and right to know.

In the meantime, if you haven't read 1984 or watched the movie, just watch Hishamuddin and gang's antics. Its as good, if not better that Orwell's fiction!

Venkis in Kuantan

Its turned out that the majority of the Venki kids (2 out of 3!) is now based in Kuantan. Annu has begun her posting here as a paediatric dental specialist at the Kuantan GH and Sundar (aka Ramesh) is working at a project site in Gambang. So they have found a place to share, which is also now the official holiday hang out place for the family!

Decided to join them for a few days to get away from the city. These are photos from Teluk Cempedak from yesterday. Its a superb place for relaxing. Never realised what a nice place Kuantan is. I had a sneak preview last year when Soeren, Mathias and I visited our friend for Hari Raya, and her house is literally by the beach. And one of her neighbours is a fisherman and her family sometimes has the "pleasure" of receiving fresh fish.

Annu's place is less than 10 minutes from the Teluk Cempedak beach, which is pretty clean and well maintained. We also saw several treks that are accessible via the wooden bridges built along the beach. I love to see families and groups of friends hanging out in nature and what luxury to be able to do it on a Monday evening! Annu has already written in to sign up as MNS member, so we can join in their activities. You can't live in Pahang (with the longest river and biggest national park on the peninsula) and not explore it:)


I've come to appreciate cities and towns close to the sea as being sane living. Some of my favourite cities have that access like Cape Town and Sydney. I felt it most therapeutic when I was in Fredericia after the funeral to be able to walk by the beach, listen to the sound of the waves and be lulled by the sea breeze. At least for 2 months, it became a routine for me to go for morning or afternoon walks by the beach. Someone told me once that people feel at peace near water because that was our cradle for 9 months in the womb. I won't swear by that and wonder how it works for those who have aquaphobia (ok, scared of water, ya, me included). But the sound of the water and its rhythm on a non-stormy day calms down your own heart beat, I think. Anyway, its too bad that the neither Putrajaya nor Kuala Lumpur is close enough to the sea to have strolls by the beach. It only means have to make regular trips to Kuantan!