Public hearings just for window dressing

Below is the full press statement issued by the Selangor Buddhist Development Committee (SBDC) in regards to the lack of response from the local authorities towards the objections submitted by the Buddhist community on the Draft Local Plans 2020 by the relevant authorities.  About 40 Buddhist community leaders and devotees were present during the press conference. The Press Conference was held on 9 Dec 2010 at the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association which was chaired by Loka Ng Sai Kai, Chairman of the SBDC.

PRESS STATEMENT

Local authorities lack of response towards the public hearing objections on the Draft Local Plan 2020(Lack of Structural Provisions for Buddhist Places of Worship)

9th December 2010

SBDC (& its precursor, Buddhist Committee on MPSJ Local Draft Plan 2020) had submitted the objections with over 4000 signatories on January 28th 2008. The MPSJ DLP 2020 public hearing was held on June 22nd 2009. The Public Hearing Panel Chairman YB Iskandar Abd Samad stated the Selangor State Planning Committee (SPC) would decide if the objection(s) were relevant, if not, be discussed on a case-by-case basis (Attachment 1). SDBC submitted a letter (Attachment 2) to enquire the matter on June 10th 2010 but received no response. The gazetted MPSJ Local Plan 2020 is expected to be published soon with minimal considerations to SBDC’s proposals and objections (Attachment 3).

SBDC subsequently submitted similar objections to the MPS, MPAJ, MPKj, MDHS & MDKL DLP 2020 on January 31st 2010 (Attachment 4). To date, SBDC had attended the MBPJ, MDHS, MPS, MPKj & MPAJ Draft Local Plans 2020 public hearings on March 8th, June 14th, June 28th, July 8th & Nov 1st 2010 respectively. On all occasions, the Chairman YB Iskandar Abd Samad, accompanied by the Selangor Jabatan Perancangan Bandar & Desa Semenanjung (JBDS) director, Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan, mentioned that SBDC would be consulted further on their objections. However it is with huge disappointment that SBDC was never invited for further consultations and NO such discussion(s) with any of the above-mentioned local councils had taken place since then.

Furthermore, responding to the authorities’ indifference attitude, more than 1023 residents of Putra Heights & USJ Subang Jaya have petitioned to request Datuk Mohd Jaafar to facilitate Putra Heights Buddhist Society’s land applications with the MPSJ and Petaling Land office for an update. There has been NO response or feedback since these applications were made in June & August 2010.

In view of such unfavourable developments which lacks of transparency and accountability, SBDC wishes to highlight the following

1. With reference to religious practice, we urged the State Planning Committee and Jabatan Perancangan Bandar & Desa Selangor to be more vigourous and professional in adhering to its own guidelines in relation to the provisions for building of places of worship for non-Muslims, which is one place of worship for every 2,600 devotees or 5,000 residents.

We emphasized that there are needs for more free-standing Buddhist temples (Vihara Buddha) with sufficient facilities to cater for the spiritual and religious education needs of the Buddhist Community in Selangor.

2. SBDC (& more than 4000 Buddhist objectors) urged the relevant authorities to be fully accounted for and explain why MPSJ (& other local councils) have NOT seriously considered SBDC’s objections. As such, the communiqués and consultation for their decision(s) MUST be done with more transparency and accountability.

We therefore seek the State Planning Committee to take cognizance of this matter seriously and listen to the voice of the people.

3. SBDC reiterates our objections to the usage of the term “Rumah Ibadat (tokong / vihara / kuil / gereja / gudwara )” in Draft Local Plan Majlis Perbandaran Selayang 2020 & all other draft local plans in Selangor. This will further dilute the Buddhist Vihara structural provisions in these local draft plans.

4. SBDC also urges the SPC, Selangor Land Office and the Jawatankuasa Hal Ehwal Selain Islam Negeri Selangor to clearly elucidate in writing the gazette mechanisms & provisions of land for non-Muslim places of worship.

We hereby stressed that the SBDC are prepared to engaged and work closely with the State and the relevant authorities for Buddhist temples to be built on land allocated by the Selangor State Government which are designated for places of worship. As stakeholders in this state, all we seek is the State government’s attention, understanding and compassion towards the needs of our community to have proper land to build and manage our Buddhist temples.

Buddha's Vacana on race supremacy

Are a person's birth, race, culture and religion the criterias to dictates one's supremacy and nobility over others? Many years ago during my university days when I began to study the Sutras which are the teachings of the Buddha as retold by His disciple. One of the earliest sutra which I studied was the Vasala Sutra (Discourse on Outcasts). The last verse of the said sutra which I still remembers by heart is as follows:

"Not by birth is one an outcast;

not by birth is one a Brahmin.

By deed one becomes an outcast,

by deed one becomes an Brahmin."

The term Brahmin denotes a certain caste or class of people who are considered the nobles and are positioned higher than other castes in the society in India especially in olden days.

So when certain people of certain race from certain area starts to claim they are more supreme than others due to their race and place of birth, it makes me wonder what will happen if each and every race and tribe in the world also declares they are a class above all and more noble than others. Will there be a Nobility Olympics so that each race competes against each other to decide who is the "noblest and supreme" of them all. Just like the Winter and Summer Olympics, there should be many events. The events can include the Best in Shouting Aloud, Most Publicity Seeker, Most Intimidating, Most Racist, Most Extreme, Most Rabble Rousers, Most Nonsensical Statements, Most Opportunists, Highest Mob Mentality, Smallest Pea Brain and whatever long list of other events that can be cooked up by these self declared "nobles and supremacies". But I doubt it will include most respectable, most decent, most well behaved, most polite, most dignify, most intelligent, most understanding and more importantly, Most Wise. - Loka

Vasala Sutta

Discourse on Outcasts

Translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera

Thus have I heard:

On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at Anathapindika's monastery. Then in the forenoon the Blessed One having dressed himself, took bowl and (double) robe, and entered the city of Savatthi for alms. Now at that time a fire was burning, and an offering was being prepared in the house of the Brahman Aggikabharadvaja. Then the Blessed One, while on his alms round, came to the Brahman's residence. The Brahman seeing the Blessed One some way off said this: "Stay there, you shaveling, stay there you wretched monk, stay there you outcast." When he spoke thus the Blessed One said to the Brahman: "Do you know, Brahman, who an outcast is and what the conditions are that make an outcast?" "No, indeed, Venerable Gotama, I do not know who an outcast is or the conditions that make an outcast. It is good if Venerable Gotama were to explain the Dhamma to me so that I may know who an outcast is and what the conditions are that make an outcast."

"Listen then, Brahman, and pay attention, I will speak."

"Yes, Venerable Sir," replied the Brahman.

1. "Whosoever is angry, harbors hatred, and is reluctant to speak well of others (discredits the good of others), perverted in views, deceitful -- know him as an outcast.

2. "Whosoever in this world kills living beings, once born or twice born, in whom there is no sympathy for living beings -- know him as an outcast.

3. "Whosoever destroys and besieges villages and hamlets and becomes notorious as an oppressor -- know him as an outcast.

4. "Be it in the village, or in the forest, whosoever steals what belongs to others, what is not given to him -- know him as an outcast.

5. "Whosoever having actually incurred a debt runs away when he is pressed to pay, saying, 'I owe no debt to you' -- know him as an outcast.

6. "Whosoever coveting anything, kills a person going along the road, and grabs whatever that person has -- know him as an outcast.

7. "He who for his own sake or for the sake of others or for the sake of wealth, utters lies when questioned as a witness -- know him as an outcast.

8. "Whosoever by force or with consent associates with the wives of relatives or friends -- know him as an outcast.

9. "Whosoever being wealthy supports not his mother and father who have grown old -- know him as an outcast.

10. "Whosoever strikes and annoys by (harsh) speech, mother, father, brother, sister or mother-in-law or father-in-law -- know him as an outcast.

11. "Whosoever when questioned about what is good, says what is detrimental, and talks in an evasive manner- know him as an outcast.

12. "Whosoever having committed an evil deed, wishes that it may not be known to others, and commits evil in secret -- know him as an outcast.

13. "Whosoever having gone to another's house, and partaken of choice food, does not honor that host by offering food when he repays the visit -- know him as an outcast.

14. "Whosoever deceives by uttering lies, a Brahman or an ascetic, or any other mendicant -- know him as an outcast.

15. "Whosoever when a Brahman or ascetic appears during mealtime angers him by harsh speech, and does not offer him (any alms) -- know him as an outcast.

16. "Whosoever in this world, shrouded in ignorance, speaks harsh words (asatam) or falsehood expecting to gain something -- know him as an outcast.

17. "Whosoever debased by his pride, exalts himself and belittles others -- know him as an outcast.

18. "Whosoever is given to anger, is miserly, has base desires, and is selfish, deceitful, shameless and fearless (in doing evil) -- know him as an outcast.

19. "Whosoever reviles the Enlightened One (the Buddha), or a disciple of the Buddha, recluse or a householder -- know him as an outcast.

20. "Whosoever not being an Arahant, a Consummate One, pretends to be so, is a thief in the whole universe -- he is the lowest of outcasts.

21. "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a Brahman. By deed one becomes an outcast, by deed one becomes a Brahman.

22. "Know ye by the example I now cite (the fact that by birth one is not an outcast). There was an outcast's son, Sopaka, who became known as Matanga.

23. "This Matanga attained the highest fame so difficult to gain. Many were the warriors (kshatriyas) and Brahmans who went to attend on him.

24. "Mounting the celestial chariot (the Noble Eightfold path, and driving) along the passion-free high road, (Sopaka, now a monk), reached the Brahma realm having given up sense desires.

25. "His (lowly) birth did not prevent him from being reborn in the Brahma realm. There are Brahmans born in the family of preceptors, kinsmen of (veda) hymns.

26. "They are often seen committing evil deeds. In this life itself they are despised, in the next they are born in an evil state of existence. High birth does not prevent them from falling into a woeful state, or from censure.

27. "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a Brahman. By deed one becomes an outcast, by deed one becomes an Brahman."

When the Buddha had thus spoken, the Brahman Aggikabharadvaja said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, O Venerable Gotama, excellent! Just as, O Venerable Gotama, a man were to set upright what had been overturned, or were to reveal what had been hidden, or were to point the way to one who had gone astray, or were to hold an oil lamp in the dark so that those with eyes may see things, even so in many ways has the Venerable Gotama expounded the Dhamma, the doctrine. I take refuge in the Venerable Gotama, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, the Order. May the Venerable Gotama accept me as a lay follower who has taken refuge from this day onwards while life lasts."

Managing an expanding Rocket

nThe growth in membership and branches of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) since the breakthru 12th general election in 2008 creates a new challenge to the party especially for its leaders in Pakatan Rakyat ruled states particularly in Selangor and Penang.

For a party whose membership some 30 years ago was just more than two thousand, the current monumental growth in membership is surely a situation which many veteran  DAP leaders can never imagined. Previously with small membership it is easier to manage the party in terms of secretariat affairs and branches coordination. Fast forward to year 2010 when the membership and branches had rocketed to such numbers which is unseen in DAP's history. The party HQ  and some state secretariats workload must have increased tremendously in processing and managing the new membership and branches applications. While DAP works towards a progressive and people friendly policy development in the state and federal governments, the party is now faced with the challenge to further enhanced its office management and coordination at all levels of party hierarchy.

In Selangor itself, the branches had mutiplied from 40 branches before the March 2008 general election to the 145 branches which are sending delegates to the DAP Selangor State Convention this weekend. On top of that, at least 50 new branches are still awaiting registration by the Registrar of Societies. Assuming averagely there are at least 60 members in each branch, there are now at least 12,000 members just in Selangor. Just like any other organisations, managing an expanded membership list requires more manpower,  financial resources, better office management system and organisational skills.

Lau Weng San, Selangor DAP Secretary and Kg Tunku ADUN shoulders huge challenge 

in preparing for the 1k plus delegates attending the Selangor state convention.

With the setting up of new branches, more delegates will also be attending state conventions as each branch are entitled to send seven delegates. As such, this means larger venues are required to accommodate the enlarged delegates attending state conventions. Larger venues and more delegates translated to higher cost to organise the conventions. Sooner or later DAP will need to review its constitution in relation to the number of delegates entitlement for each branches to attend the state and national conventions as overwhelming delegates will be too heavy a task for the state secretary and a costly affair too.

For instance, what will be the scenario if in the future there are 500 branches in Selangor? That will be translated to 3,500 voting delegates! If each member took 10 seconds to select 15 out of 50 candidates and finally drop it into the ballot box, that will consumed slightly more than nine hours just to cast the votes! For the Selangor state convention this weekend, will 2.5 hours be enough for the whole election process to be over? That's assuming every delegates already decided and know who and where to mark the 15 candidates of their choice from the list of 50 names in multiple pages. If Lau Weng San is still the state secretary by then he will really need more assistants and full time secretariat members to manage the secretariat and organised the state conventions.

Assumed in the near future DAP as part of Pakatan Rakyat already takes over the Federal government  and its membership surged to 2,000 branches with at least 60 members in every branch. During the DAP triennial congress which elects 20 national leaders, every branch will be entitled to send 4 delegates and the total delegates will be 8,000! DAP by then will need to convene its congress at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil and a whole day for all to cast the votes! If that's the case, PKR might need to book all the available stadiums in the country just for their divisions direct election!

On another note, while it is indeed a good thing for DAP to be able to attract more people to sign up as members, it need to ensure these new members understands and accept the party's ideology and direction for the nation. It will be detrimental not only to the party but also the prospect of managing the country with a greater hope if newly enlisted members brings in certain political culture and approaches which the rakyat has been detesting all these years. It will be such a pity if any branches, new or old, existed all in name but only for the purpose of sending delegates to cast votes during state or national elections. For a political party to be relevant to the man in the street, local branch leaders are the frontline agents of change and need to engage the grassroots and the constituents continuously. This can be achieved by having community programs with the residents and to increase the citizens political awareness and participation especially in the democratic electoral process.

For all the candidates who offered themselves for the thousand plus delegates to elect them as state committee members, they need to think deeper than just a political position and government appointments but how to manage a growing party in terms of memberships, branches and also possibly larger financial resources. As state government leaders, there are many salaried civil servants providing the backbone and administrative support. But for a political party these resources are limited and may be too costly to even think about it.

For a party which is consolidating its power based in the state and strengthening its machinery, it will need more than mere slogans and fiery speeches but the capability to provide examplary leadership and good organisational and administrative skills for the party.  Not just the know how to lead but to manage the party well too. - Loka

Note: The blogger had organised many conventions and annual general meetings for NGOs, locally and internationally for the past 20 years and are aware of the needs and challenges faced to ensure the respective events proceed smoothly, especially during election year. Anyway, the blogger might have attended the opening ceremonies but had never organised any conventions for any political parties so far.

Images of Sri Lanka

 Landed in Colombo via UFO?

 Towards the pinnacle of wisdom

 Buddhism is part of our daily lives

 Tuk-tuk and train side by side along the sea front, container ship at the horizon.

 Fishing in the sunset

 Sri Lanka flying high

 March forward together

 The Buddhist flag was first conceptualised in Sri Lanka

Buddhist viharas in Sri Lanka for prayers and contemplation

Not to be missed....Sri Lankan tea

Turning around Sri Lanka

After going through years of internal strife that causes the economy to tumbled, Sri Lanka is set to forge ahead after peace arrives two years ago. After years of arm conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE), Sri Lanka is now going through a renewal and reconstruction process which expected to bring more development to the country.

It is with high hopes that the people of Sri Lanka re-elected the popular President Mahinda Rajapakse for a second term of office months ago which inauguration ceremony was held last Friday near the sea front.

The last time I went to Sri Lanka was more than 10 years ago and the impression that Colombo, the capital city gaves me was a very tense feeling to be at the place that time. During the flight home after attending the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth 16th General Conference recently, an Sri Lankan engineer in his 30s sat beside me. He is visiting his supplier in Subang Jaya to quality check on the lamp posts which his company is procuring from the Malaysian factory. His company was recently awarded a contract by the Sri Lankan government to built new street lightings along Colombo city roads as part of the re-construction process.

During the flight, he confided that before the LTTE was decimated, his mother was always very worried each time he walks out from home as bombings were happening regularly in Colombo and he might be the next victim as the bombings usually claims innocent pedestrians and members of the public. Now the fear is at the minimal as bombing in public places has been close to non existence for the last two years.

Many lives has been lost due to the 30 years internal strife. It would not be surprising if every Sri Lankan has lost at least one of their family members or known of someone who lost some love ones to the war. The three wheeler or "tuk-tuk" driver who fetch my Thai buddy Anurut and myself to the McDonalds also lost one of his brother to the war.

With his second term in office just being officially inaugurated, President Mahinda Rajapakse gripped on the country's future is as firm as ever and his leadership is expected to bring the long overdue progress to the people of Sri Lanka where about 77% of  of them are following the Buddhist faith. - Loka