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Yusmadi Ahli Parlimen Sempoi (Jurnal Malaysia)

Jika dia memakai jeans dan kemeja-t, Yusmadi Yusoff kelihatan seperti seorang pelajar atau pemuda biasa. Maka tidak hairanlah jika orang yang tidak mengenalinya akan merasa terkejut apabila mendapat tahu dia seorang peguam dan Ahli Parlimen.

“Saya hanya memakai kot jika di parlimen, di mahkamah atau majlis rasmi sahaja. Tetapi jika di luar atau ketika melawat kawasan, saya selesa berpakaian ringkas seperti jeans dan kemeja-t. Pakaian yang formal akan menimbulkan jurang atau rasa tidak selesa,” katanya.

Raut wajah dan warna kulitnya juga menyebabkan Yusmadi sering disangka bangsa Cina. Bangsa Cina utara menegurnya dalam loghat Hokkien. Apabila ke Thailand pula mereka menyapanya dengan bahasa Siam. Begitu juga apabila Yusmadi berada di Indonesia baru-baru ini, dia disangka Jawa.

“Sebenarnya darah Melayu Siam mengalir dalam tubuh saya,” jawab Yusmadi yang boleh dianggap salah seorang Ahli Parlimen yang paling muda di negara ini.

Apakah wajahnya yang “awet muda” itu menyebabkan orang tidak memandang serius?

“Masyarkat sekarang tidak begitu. Mereka sudah bijak menilai. Lagipun saya bukannya muda. Umur saya sudah 35 tahun. Bagaimanapun saya menganggap wajah “awet muda” ini sebagai kelebihan yang dapat saya gunakan untuk mendekatkan diri dengan golongan muda,” katanya.

Yusmadi, anak kelahiran Kampung Jalan Bharu, Balik Pulau, dalam usia 35 tahun telah memikul pelbagai tanggungjawab besar. Selain memegang amanah sebagai Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau, beliau adalah Fellow Hubert H. Humphrey Undang-Undang dan Hak Asasi Manusia dan Fellow Demokrasi, Pembangunan & Undang-Undang di Universiti Stanford di California.

Yusmadi juga adalah Pengerusi Biro Strategi & Hubungan Antarabangsa serta Ketua Angkatan Muda KeADILan (AMK) Pulau Pinang dan Parti KeADILan Rakyat (PKR).

Aktivis sosial ini mendapat pendidikan awal di Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Korok Balik Pulau sebelum melanjutkan pelajaran di SMKA Al-Mashoor Pulau Pinang dan Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah, Kelang. Beliau kemudian mengambil jurusan undang-undang di Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA).

Yusmadi menganggap dirinya sebagai “late-starter” dalam politik. Katanya, minat menyertai politik timbul lambat kerana sewaktu zaman persekolahan dia lebih meminati sukan dan seni.

“Semasa sekolah dulu saya minat rock kapak. Saya juga pernah bekerja sebagai pengurus pentas untuk pertunjukan fesyen Nasha Aziz, selain menjadi ahli Karyawan. Sampai sekarang saya masih mengikuti perkembangan seni dan sukan.

“Saya mula menceburi dunia politik ketika tahun kedua fakulti undang-undang. Itupun secara kebetulan apabila saya diajak bertanding sebagai naib presiden persatuan undang-undang,” kata Yusmadi yang dikenali sebagai “peguam selebriti” di kalangan orang seni.

Ini kerana beliau sudah banyak kali membantu golongan karyawan seni di mahkamah. Yusmadi pernah mengendalikan kes wartawan hiburan disaman oleh Sharifah Aini (Zieman dari The Star dan Saodah Ismail dari Agendadaily).

Antara selebriti lain yang pernah dibantunya ialah Habsah Hassan (penulis lirik), Betty Banafe (penyanyi) dan Kumpulan Mohram. Beliau juga memberi khidmat nasihat kes perceraian Erra Fazira dan Yusry KRU.

Yusmadi yang juga pernah menjadi kolumnis Utusan Malaysia menerusi ruangan “Dengan Izin”. Di bawah firma guamannya sendiri, Fahda Nur & Yusmadi, dia turut terbabit sebagai peguam utama atau peguam bersama dalam beberapa kes berprofil tinggi, antaranya menjadi peguam bela bagi kumpulan Al-Maunah (kes penderhakaan pertama di Malaysia), Ezam Noor (kes OSA) Datuk Seri Koh Kim Teck (kes bunuh) dan peguam bela bagi bekas ahli UMNO, Ruslan Kassim yang disaman oleh Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik.

Mengapa Yusmadi menceburkan diri dalam politik?

“Saya suka menolong orang. Malah sebagai peguam, saya banyak menolong orang yang terbabit dalam kes-kes hak asasi. Malah, saya tidak mengenakan bayaran kepada golongan yang kurang mampu.

“Saya dilahirkan daripada keluarga susah. Ayah saya seorang pemandu dan ibu pula suri rumah. Saya datang dari keluarga yang berpecah-belah. Saya pernah menjual kuih untuk membantu keluarga. Saya tahu bagaimana rasanya hidup susah dan mahu menolong orang yang kurang bernasib baik. Saya yakin saya dapat melakukannya menerusi pembabitan dalam politik,” jawabnya ringkas.

Menceritakan kali pertama dia ditawarkan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim untuk bertanding dalam Pilihanraya Umum 2008, Yusmadi berkata, dia mendapat tentangan dari ibunya yang bimbangkan pembabitannya dalam politik akan menjadikan keluarga mereka lebih susah.

“Ibu pernah nasihat, jangan sertai parti pembangkang, nanti hidup susah. Tetapi akhirnya saya berjaya meyakinkan ibu bahawa saya bertanding untuk membantu orang susah. Akhirnya ibu memberikan restu.

“Sungguhpun begitu ada pihak telah mengekslpoitasi kebimbangan ibu saya dengan menimbulkan cerita bahawa saya telah menderhaka kepadanya. Tetapi syukurlah, kehadiran ibu semasa hari pengundian telah melenyapkan segala tohmahan.

“Walaupun berlawan menentang calon yang lebih berpengalaman, ketika itu saya merasakan boleh menang disebabkan saya adalah anak tempatan.”

Menurut Yusmadi, pada peringkat awal menghadiri Sidang Dewan Rakyat sebagai Ahli Parlimen, beliau berasa bimbang. Tetapi beliau terkejut dengan sikap beberapa ahli BN yang tidak lokek berkongsi ilmu dengannya, seperti Datuk Shahrir Samad dan Datuk Nazri Aziz.

“Di parlimen, walaupun BN dan pembangkang berbeza pendapat dan ideologi, tetapi kami profesional. Di dalam dewan kami bertegang urat, tetapi di luar dewan, kami berkawan,” kata Yusmadi, ayah kepada seorang anak lelaki berusia 4 tahun dan anak perempuan berusia dua bulan.

Apakah cabaran paling besar sebagai seorang Ahli Parlimen?

“Bagaimana harus memenuhi kehendak rakyat pelbagai kaum di kawasan saya dalam keadaan ketiadaan sumber kerana Ahli Parlimen pembangkang tidak mempunyai peruntukan. Bagi orang kampung, tidak ada bezanya seorang ADUN dengan Ahli Parlimen. Maka, jika ADUN gagal memenuhi kehendak, mereka menjangkakan Ahli Parlimen dapat menyelesaikan masalah.

“Bagi pengundi fungsi kami ialah memenuhi harapan mereka. Sehubungan itu saya perlu kreatif dan tekun mencari jalan mencelikkan minda rakyat.”

Terima kasih atas perkongsian maklumat ....

KISAH BERGAMBAR AHLI PARLIMEN PKR YANG TIDAK PEDULI NASIB RAKYAT MISKIN YANG DAHAGAKAN PENDIDIKAN??????

BIAR GAMBAR BERBICARA!!!!

Kisah ini sudah pasti digelapkan dari pengetahuan umum dan media arus perdana milik UMNO/BN seperti Utusan, Berita harian, Kosmo, Harian Metro, The Star dan NSTP termasuk TV3 dan RTM tidak akan terbitkannya.

Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau, YB Yusmadi Yusof telah dengan inisiatifnya sendiri telah menubuhkan Pusat Pembelajaran yang kondusif secara percuma kepada para pelajar yang tinggal dikawasan parlimen Balik Pulau yang diberi nama, AKADEMI RAKYAT BALIK PULAU.

Dirasmikan oleh Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, merangkap Setiausaha Agung DAP,  YAB Sdr Lim Guan Eng.

Satu idea yang cukup baik dalam menghampiri masyarakat terutamanya golongan yang berpendapatan rendah dan kurang berkemampuan.

Dalam majlis itu juga, YB Yusmadi Yusof telah menyampaikan biasiswa dalam bentuk Buku Simpanan Tabung Haji kepada pelajar-pelajar miskin beragama Islam dan voucher tunai kepada yang bukan beragama Islam.

Ini baru betul gaya dan caranya sebagai seorang Ahli Parlimen/Wakil Rakyat dari PKR/PR.

Harap makin ramai lagi akan menyusul jejak langkah YB Yusmadi Yusuf.

UMNO TUMBANG... RAKYAT SENANG...UMNO TERSUNGKUR.. RAKYAT BERSYUKUR... UMNO BERKUBUR...NEGARA MAKMUR.

petikan dari:
 http://omakkau.blogspot.com/2012/11/kisah-bergambar-ahli-parlimen-pkr-yang.html

Dari Jalan Bharu, Balik Pulau ke Hollywood!

Semasa terpilih sebagai Fellow Democracy & Development di Universiti Stanford pada musim Panas 2008, saya telah diberi peluang oleh Ben Moses (producer "Good Morning Vietnam") untuk menyumbang pandangan saya mengenai Demokrasi, Islam, Asia dan Malaysia. Saya telah dipilih oleh Prof. Larry Diamond pakar pengajian Demokrasi tersohor yang menulis buku 'The Spirit of Democracy' yang merupakan Pengarah di Pusat Democracy, Development & the Rule of Law di mana saya bernaumng sebagai Fellow. Pergambaran juga dibuat semasa saya manghadiri persidangan terbesar Demokrasi iaitu World Movement for Democracy di Jakarta dengan kehadiran Putera Hicham Moulay, seorang putera raja Morroco yang juga merupakan Professor pelawat di Stanford.

Pergambaran seterusnya dibuat semasa kami mengikuti kempen pilihanraya kecil di Hulu Selangor yang lalu.

Tajuk asal filem ini ialah 'The Mystery of Democracy' sebelum ianya ditukar sebagai A Whisper to A Roar. Saya mengalu-alukan sopkongan dan padangan anda terhadap filem ini. Maklumat lanjut boleh dilihat di www.awhispertoaroar.com

Ucapan di Education USA bertajuk entitled Courage, Conviction and Knowledge: A Personal Sequence of Wisdom

AKADEMI RAKYAT & PUSAT HAK RAKYAT

Mulai 1 Februari 2012 warga Balik Pulau bolehlah ke No. 21, Tingkat 1, Mukim G, Jalan Balik Pulau, 11000 Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang (di Pekan Simpang Empat) untuk mendapat khidmat guaman dan pendidikan sokongan percuma terutama kepada golongan miskin dan kurang berkemampuan.

Akademi Rakyat adalah inisiatif kecil saya yang percaya bahawa suatu wadah pendidikan perlu ditawarkan kepada warga Balik Pulau yang tidak berkemampuan ataupun miskin. Ianya berdasarkan satu falsafah bahawa Pendidikan Rakyat, kepada Rakyat, dan oleh Rakyat (Education of the people, for the people and by the people). Ianya telah saya mulakan seawal tahun pertama saya dipilih sebagai Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau di Kg. Jalan Bharu. Malangnya premis yang saya gunakan ketika itu telah diroboh dan dibangun semula oleh pemilik baru yang menjadikan tempat tersebut sebagai pusat perniagaan.

Pusat Hak Rakyat (People's Rights Centre) merupakan cita-cita tertangguh saya yang sekian lama semenjak saya layak sebagai seorang peguam. Pusat tersebut adalah lanjutan kerja-kerja 'pro bono' saya mengendalikan kes-kes hak asasi manusia dan kepentingan awam. Memandangkan semenjak hampir 4 tahun berkhidmat di Parlimen Balik Pulau, saya telah diberi peluang mewakili beberapa kes hak awam seperti kes Penduduk Kg. Binjai, penduduk Kuala Jalan Bharu, penduduk Pondok Upeh, kes-kes dadah dan pekerja-pekerja kilang di Bayan Lepas. Bagi memastikan khidmat saya lebih terurus adalah wajar Pusat tersebut diwujudkan mengambilkira jangka masa panjang keperluan khidmat sedemikian rupa diperlukan di balik Pulau.

Saya berharap usaha kecil saya ini dapat sedikit sebanyak menyumbang dan meringankan beban warga Balik Pulau terutama mereka yang kurang mampu dan tidak dibela.

Jom Pi Balik Pulau Hari Sabtu & Ahad ni - Destinasi Hari Minggu Pilihan Anda!

Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau mempersembahkan

INTERAKSI BALIK PULAU 2011

Program-program 'Interaksi Balik Pulau 2011'

1hb Oktober 2011, Sabtu

PAMERAN AGENSI KERAJAAN
9 pagi – 5 petang
Antara agensi kerajaan yang terlibat adalah Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri,
Jabatan Alam Sekitar, Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat, Perbadanan
Perpustakaan Awam Pulau Pinang, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Jabatan
Perikanan Negeri dan banyak lagi

KEMPEN DERMA DARAH
9 pagi – 5 petang

PERTANDINGAN MEWARNA DAN BENGKEL MELUKIS
9 pagi – 10.30 pagi

PERTANDINGAN GUBAHAN HANTARAN
9 pagi – 10.30 pagi

SENAMROBIK
9 pagi – 10 pagi

MAJLIS PERASMIAN INTERAKSI BALIK PULAU & PELANCARAN DATARAN MUAFAKAT
9.30 pagi – 10.15 pagi

PIDATO PEMBANGUNAN OLEH DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
10.15 pagi – 11 pagi
Mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Menteri Kewangan dan Profesor di
universiti terkemuka dunia ini akan memberikan pidato bertajuk, “Ada
Apa Dengan Pembangunan?”

KENDURI RAKYAT
11 pagi – 1 petang
Jamuan makan yang ditaja oleh Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau, YB Yusmadi
Yusoff sempena maraikan program Interaksi Balik Pulau

PASAR SENI BALIK PULAU
10 pagi – 12 tengah malam
Nama pasar seni diambil sempena nama lokasi acara diadakan dan juga
bertujuan untuk merakyatkan seni ke tempat awam seperti contohnya di
Kompleks Pasar Awam ini. Pelbagai aktiviti akan diadakan di bawah
program PASAR SENI BALIK PULAU iaitu;

• Konsert hari pertama menampilkan sensasi baru dunia nyanyian Najwa
Latif, Azhan Atan dari Akademi Nasyid, band asal Balik Pulau, Marble
Band dan banyak lagi band muzik dari seluruh Pulau Pinang.
• Persembahan kesenian tradisional
• Pembacaan puisi dari pengkarya muda
• Bazar jualan produk seni dan kraftangan
• Wayang pacak atau lebih dikenali dengan nama wayang milo
• Pameran foto Balik Pulau

PAMERAN MOTOSIKAL
12 tengah hari – 4 petang
Anak-anak muda dengan motosikal mereka akan bertarung untuk menjadi
pemenang pertandingan motor berhias tercantik.

BENGKEL UNDI MALAYSIA
2 petang – 5 petang
Bengkel ini bertujuan untuk memperkasa anak-anak muda dengan isu yang
dekat dan penting bagi mereka seterusnya dapat dilahirkan dalam bentuk
tindakan seperti bagaimana nantinya isu tersebut cuba ditangani
bersama wakil rakyat di kawasan mereka.

MALAM ANUGERAH BALIK PULAU TERBAIK
8 malam – 9 malam
Penerima anugerah terdiri daripada anak-anak kelahiran Balik Pulau
yang telah mengharumkan nama Balik Pulau dan mendapat pengiktirafan di
peringkat kebangsaan dan antarabangsa.. Program diserikan lagi dengan
persembahan istimewa dari Sasterawan Negara, Datuk A. Samad Said.

WAYANG MILO
9 malam
Tayangan filem

2hb Oktober 2011, Ahad

PAMERAN AGENSI KERAJAAN
9 pagi – 5 petang
Antara agensi kerajaan yang terlibat adalah Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri,
Jabatan Alam Sekitar, Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat, Perbadanan
Perpustakaan Awam Pulau Pinang, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Jabatan
Perikanan Negeri dan banyak lagi

FORUM INTERAKSI PEMBANGUNAN BALIK PULAU
9 pagi – 5 petang
Program ini akan menggunakan pendekatan baru berbeza dengan
forum-forum lain iaitu dengan mengambil pendekatan Interaksi &
koloborasi kunci falsafah 'Muafakat'. Panitia mengalu-alukan warga
Balik Pulau untuk mengambil peluang sebagai pembentang kertas kerja,
pendiskusi dan lain-lain. Terbahagi kepada 4 sesi iaitu;

Interaksi 1 - Balik Pulau sebagai Hub Pendidikan
Interaksi 2 - Balik Pulau Kampung Lestari
Interaksi 3 - Balik Pulau Dan Pembangunan Masyarakat
Interaksi 4 - Agenda Muafakat Balik Pulau

BENGKEL HAK ASASI & TATA KELOLA OLEH SUHAKAM
9.00 pagi – 1 petang
Bengkel tentang hak asasi manusia dikendalikan oleh Suhakam

PASAR SENI BALIK PULAU
9 pagi – 5 petang
• Konsert hari kedua menampilkan kumpulan-kumpulan muzik independen baru
• Persembahan kesenian tradisional
• Pembacaan puisi dari pengkarya muda
• Bazar jualan produk seni dan kraftangan
• Pameran foto Balik Pulau

Terima kasih kepada kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang, Majlis Perbandaran
Pulau Pinang, JKKK seluruh Balik Pulau, Komuniti Frinjan, Little
Penang Street Market dan semua pihak atas sokongan yang diberikan

Pertanyaan 010 512 6836

http://yusmadi.yusoff.blogspot.com/
http://www.balikpulau.my/

Terima kasih :)

Jom ramai-ramai ke INTERAKSI BALIK PULAU 2011

Dengan penuh takzimnya, saya menjemput semua teman-teman untuk datang 'berinteraksi' dengan rakyat di Balik Pulau pada 1-2 Okt 2011, jam 9pagi - 12 malam.

P.S: ajak keluarga, teman-teman dan sahabat handai.
Yang menjemput,

Yusmadi

Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau mempersembahkan

Program-program 'Interaksi Balik Pulau 2011' :

1hb Oktober

10 pagi - Pidato Pembangunan oleh Anwar Ibrahim dan Kenduri Rakyat
10 pagi - Little Penang Strret Market @ Balik Pulau (sepanjang hari)
10 pagi - Pasar Seni Balik Pulau Terbaik! (sepanjang hari)
10 pagi - Pameran Foto Balik Pulau oleh MyBalik Pulau (sepanjang hari)
2 petang - Persembahan muzik, pembacaaan puisi dan seni jalanan
(sehingga tengah malam)
8 malam -Malam Anugerah Balik Pulau Terbaik!, Persembahan istimewa
Sasterawan Negara Datuk A Samad Said
9 malam - Wayang Milo@Pacak

2hb Oktober

9 pagi -5 petang - Interaksi Pembangunan Balik Pulau

Interaksi 1 - Balik Pulau sebagai Hub Pendidikan
Interaksi 2 - Balik Pulau Kampung Lestari
Interaksi 3 - Balik Pulau Dan Pembangunan Masyarakat
Interaksi 4 - Agenda Muafakat Balik Pulau

9.30 pagi - 5 petang - Bengkel Hak Asasi & Tata kelola
10 pagi -5 petang - Little Penang Strret Market @ Balik Pulau (sepanjang hari)
10 pagi - 5 petang -Pasar Balik Pulau Terbaik! (sepanjang hari)
10 pagi - 5 petang - Pameran Foto Balik Pulau oleh MyBalik Pulau
(sepanjang hari)
2 petang - 6 petang - Persembahan muzik, pembacaaan puisi dan seni jalanan

turut berlangsung Pameran Motorsikal, Permainan Tradisi dan macam-macam lagi

Terima kasih kepada kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang, Majlis Perbandaran
Pulau Pinang, JKKK seluruh Balik Pulau, Komuniti Frinjan, Little Penang Street Market dan semua pihak atas sokongan yang
diberikan

Pertanyaan 010 512 6836

Terima kasih :)

MUAFAKAT@BalikPulau 2011

Forum Pembangunan Balik Pulau (MUAFAKAT@BalikPulau 2011) 1 Okt 2011 di Balik Pulau. Tema: ADA APA DGN PEMBANGUNAN? - Ucaputama oleh Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim (mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Menteri Kewangan dan Professor di Universiti terkemuka dunia e.g Oxford, SAIS, Georgetown etc); berpeluang berinteraksi dengan tokoh-tokoh pemikir, usahawan-usahawan, budayawan, ilmuwan terkenal . Ada di kalangan mereka adalah anak-anak kelahiran Balik Pulau yang telah mencipta nama di peringkat negara dan dunia.

Semua Pengubal dasar, usahawan, pemimpin NGOs, individu-individu berkepentingan dgn agenda Pembangunan amnya dan Balik Pulau khususnya adalah dijemput. Sila hubungi saya secepat mungkin. TEMPAT adalah TERHAD. First come first serve basis. Email yusmadi.yusoff@gmail.com

P.S: saya akan guna pendekatan baru berbeza dengan forum-forum lain, iaitu dengan mengambil pendekatan Interaksi & Koloborasi kunci falsafah 'Muafakat'. Saya mengalu-alukan warga Balik Pulau untuk mengambil peluang sebagai pembengtang kertas kerja, pendiskusi etc.

Nor Azman applies to set aside suit (the Star, 20th August 2011)

KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Nor Azman Abdullah @ Baginda Minda is applying to set aside the RM100mil defamation suit filed by businesswoman Ummi Hafilda Ali against him.

His lead counsel Yusmadi Yusoff said he had filed an application at the High Court civil registry via e-filing yesterday to get leave from the court to enter conditional appearance over the claim.

Yusmadi told Justice V.T. Singham that his client was also present in court.

“I hope the court will hear us first before hearing the application by the plaintiff (Ummi Hafilda),” he said.

Lawyer Fahri Azzat, who acted for second defendant Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd, asked the court to allow mediation between Ummi and his client over the suit.

Justice Singham then asked Fahri: “If the court holds a mediation and there is a settlement, will it solve for first defendant too? You cannot separate it. It is interlinked. He is the speaker and you are the publisher.”

Fahri said he was not aware that Nor Azman would turn up in court yesterday.

Justice Singham said the first defendant must be given the opportunity to have his version told to the court.

Ummi’s lawyer Zulhelmi Wagiman said he would have to review the previous documents filed for the suit due to the appearance of Nor Azman and asked for time for mediation, saying that there was a possibility of parties reaching a settlement.

Justice Singham set Sept 12 to hear an application by Nor Azman to get leave to enter conditional appearance in the suit.

Sept 8 court hearing for villagers served with eviction notices (the Sun, 19 August 2011)

Aaron Ngui
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

BALIK PULAU (Aug 18, 2011): The Magistrate Court here fixed Sept 8 for the hearing of defence by six households in Balik Pulau against eviction notices served on them to make way for a residential development project.

Magistrate Mohd Hidayat Wahab set the date after their lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff had filed motions of defence for the six parties who live in Kampung Pondok Upeh, Balik Pulau, today.

The notices were issued on May 21 after the developer, Evergreen One Development Sdn Bhd, was vested with power of attorney by the two owners of the land at Lot 485, Mukim 6 in the Southwest District.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had no rights to the land, as well as rights to ask for compensation.

The company also claimed that the defendants did not pay rent to the landowners, and that the landowners did not receive any payment of rent from the defendants.

It also alleged that the defendants had rejected the ex-gratia payment as the amount was not enough to purchase a low-cost home each, while the plaintiff maintains that the compensation was fair.

Met outside the court, Yusmadi, who is also Balik Pulau MP, said the defendants had been staying in the houses since the 1960s.

“I have known them since I was young. Some of them have been my neighbours, some of them have been my school bus drivers,” he said, adding that he was representing them pro bono.

Yusmadi claimed his law firm is handling about a hundred such cases which were “waiting for (the) right time to (appear in) court.”

The sleepy district has seen a rise in eviction cases as property developers increasingly turn their attention to the vast tracts of undeveloped land on the southern-western side of the island.

“These cases are in Teluk Kumbar, Sungai Pinang, Kuala Kampung Baru, Sungai Burung, Pulau Betong and Kampung Jalan Baru amongst others,” Yusmadi said.

He also said he would set up a fund to assist individuals affected by similar eviction cases.

“The fund is not only for legal expenses but to ensure that their welfare and social aspects are taken care of,” he said adding that whoever who wished to contribute could contact him.

Glimmer of hope for villagers facing eviction (FMT)

Athi Shankar August 18, 2011 Six villagers from Balik Pulau who are facing eviction by a developer have been given a chance to make their defence in court.
GEORGETOWN: There is a glimmer of hope for six villagers who have taken on a developer which is trying to evict them from their land to make way for a residential-cum-property development.

The six villagers, who have been staying at their Pondok Upeh homes in Balik Pulau for over 50 years, will now get an opportunity to have their say in court.

A magistrate’s court here today fixed Sept 8 to hear their statements of defence.

Magistrate Mohd Hidayat Wahab ordered this during mention of an application by the developer , Evergreen One Development Sdn Bhd, to obtain a court order to evict the villagers.

Represented by lawyer Sumarni Saad, the developer has also requested the court to fix the quantum of compensation to be paid to the villagers.

The six villagers are challenging the developer’s summons by demanding an improved compensation.

The defendants are O Arumugam, G Neelavathi, M Jegadeesan, K Muniandy, Khuik Ah Nai @ Ani Abdullah and Quan Yam Sen.

They are represented by counsel Yusmadi Yusoff, who is also the Balik Pulau Member of Parliament.

The villagers were issued an eviction order by the developer in April 2010.

Originally the developer offered cash compensation of between RM10,000 and RM16,000 each, which the defendants rejected.

Each of them instead asked for a low-cost flat unit to be built in the project as compensation.

But the developer rejected their request and instead made a counter offer, improving the cash compensation to between RM14,000 and RM20,000 in August last year.

However, the villagers rejected the compensation and insisted on their demand for a flat unit each.

Yusmadi said the Pondok Upeh case was just an indication of the social problems caused by the sudden surge in urbanisation of Balik Pulau.

He said currently he was handling some 100 cases pertaining to eviction and compensation issues of Balik Pulau residents affected by the fast-growing development.

Yusmadi has started a public interest impact fund to financially aid the villagers in their litigations and welfare needs.

“I hope well-wishers would donate to this fund to help these poor villagers,” he told reporters in the court building.

Global Solidarity Campaign for Anwar Ibrahim

Justice for Anwar Ibrahim Campaign
Over the last 2 years, my colleagues and I have been on a concerted campaign to highlight the political persecution of Malaysia’s champion and advocate of freedom, democracy and justice, Mr Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Leader of the Opposition in our Parliament on charges of sodomy for the second time since the first charge (in 1998) was overturned by the courts in 2004. As a result of our efforts, there is increasing support from the Malaysian people that this humiliation and violation of a fellow citizen’s fundamental rights should be cease forthwith. It is a blemish on Malaysia’s international image.

The present case against Mr. Anwar which is before the courts should be dropped forthwith. This is because there is no foundation in fact for this case to proceed at the expense of taxpayers’ money and the conscience of the peace loving and decent Malaysians. Four accredited doctors including a panel of three doctors from a Malaysian government hospital concluded there was no sign of sexual assault on the accuser, Mr. Saiful Bukhari. The Malaysian government has persistently refused to heed the voices of its citizenry and, therefore, we have little choice but to take this tragic episode in our history before the international community.

We, therefore, urge you and your colleagues to endorse our call to the Malaysian Government for an end to the political persecution of Mr. Anwar Ibrahim. We are confident that with your support the Malaysian people will be further encouraged to persuade their representatives in our Parliament to do what is right in the name of justice to end our Government’s political vendetta against our leader who has done so much in so short a time to promote fundamental human rights and democracy in Malaysia.

Sincerely,
Yusmadi Yusoff, MP
Chairman of KeADILan International Bureau
E-mail yusmadi.yusoff@gmail.com

(In the event you wish to join me for this call, please email me indicating your name, organization/affiliation and country) .

Balik Pulau Needs Its Own Voice

Posted on 1 August 2011 - 10:07pm
Goh Ban Lee

HOPEFULLY, Himanshu Bhatt’s article, “The Balik Pulau dilemma” (The Nutmeg Verses, July 28), has attracted the attention of the Penang state government and local government leaders. There is little point in development if local residents do not enjoy some of its benefits.

Until the early 1990s, Balik Pulau, a place famous for durians, assam laksa and charming village houses nestled among fruit trees, was to be preserved as the food and fruit basket of Penang. Housing projects were discouraged.

This policy has changed. Unfortunately, new houses are selling far above the affordability of the locals.

The plight of the people was highlighted in the press on July 22 when member of Parliament for Balik Pulau, Yusmadi Yusoff, called on the state government to ensure that housing projects must be beneficial to the local inhabitants. He has recommended that members of the village development and security committees be consulted before approvals are given to development applications.

Yusmadi’s request is a non-starter. The approving authority for housing projects for the island, including Balik Pulau, is the One Stop Centre (OSC) in the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) with the municipal president as chairman and four councillors and heads of departments in the local council and state government as members. Tenants of the land to be developed and those living nearby are not involved.

At present, developers must build 30 low-cost houses for every 100 houses in development projects. As a general practice, ground tenants in Penang are usually given such units free of charge plus some moving costs.

The role of the state government in individual housing projects is limited. The state has a special category of land titles, commonly referred to as “first grade” titles, which do not require an application to change land use.

However, the state planning committee (SPC), which is chaired by the chief minister, is more influential, because it can pass policies which are binding on the MPPP, and thus the OSC.

Although state assemblymen and MPs have no direct role in the approval of development projects in their areas, most developers do not wish to aggravate elected politicians. Hardworking elected politicians can therefore improve the compensation given to affected tenants. But they have no influence on housing prices.

The problem faced by the residents of Balik Pulau is felt by most residents of Penang. From Batu Ferringhi in the north to George Town and to Teluk Kumbar in the south, the eastern part of the island also exhibits the same affordability gap syndrome, which even affects those having a household income of RM6,000 to RM7,000 a month.

Minor tinkering in development control and housing loans have little effect on speculation in the housing industry.

Without stiff measures from the federal government and Bank Negara to curb property speculation, the only effective strategy is for the state or federal governments to build affordable houses themselves.

So far, the proposal of building housing units costing below RM300,000 to be sold to first-time buyers, is more talk than action. If the Penang government is indeed concerned about what is going on, it should quickly activate the Penang Housing Board or direct the Penang Development Corporation to build houses that the people can afford.

Officially, the development of Balik Pulau, like all parts of Penang, is guided by the Penang Structure Plan that was gazetted in 2007. But it contains only general policies. The long awaited draft local plan is still a secret.

As such, a special area plan is urgently needed to ensure that Balik Pulau is developed in such a way that the locals are not pushed out. Agricultural areas need to be clearly protected. Developers looking for land must be told clearly that areas zoned for agriculture will not be rezoned for development projects and land speculators should be discouraged from looking to Balik Pulau to enjoy speculative gains.

There is some urgency in having such a plan for Balik Pulau. Land prices in this area have been increasing rapidly, including those with mature durian trees. It is doubtful if the buyers are keen on the durian business.

In the long run, Balik Pulau should have its own local council so that more local residents are the ones who decide on the development projects.

Datuk Dr Goh Ban Lee is a senior research fellow at Seri and interested in urban governance, housing and urban planning.

15th General Assembly of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians' Conference on Environment and Development

‘Police are BN bannermen’ (Free Malaysia Today)

KUALA LUMPUR: The police allegedly replaced Pakatan Rakyat banners in Penang with Barisan Nasional (BN) ones, just before Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak made a visit there two days ago. Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff said that the April 2 incident took place at Pekan Balik Pulau, only a few hours before the start of Najib’s official visit. “Why are the police taking down Pakatan flags during Najib’s visit and replacing them with BN banners?” the PKR MP asked at the Parliament lobby here today. “It was done in the morning just before the prime minister’s visit in the afternoon, and it was done all over town.” Yusmadi also asked why such a decision was made when the Pakatan banners were not in danger of obstructing traffic. He said this while showing four photographs of police officers caught in the act. Abuse of power In one instance, a plainclothes officer was seen alighting from a patrol vehicle before removing a PKR flag from a lamp post. Another image allegedly showed another police officer setting up a poster thanking Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor for their visit to Balik Pulau. According to the time shown on the photographs, the incidents reportedly took place between 11.12am and 11.33am. Yusmadi said that the pictures, which were reportedly taken by Balik Pulau residents, were a sign of the government’s abuse of political power. “This is a case where a government agency has been improperly used, and an example of a collusion of power among the government, BN and the police,” Yusmadi said. “The police have no right to put up banners belonging to any political party.

This is an encroachment of the civil and political rights of the people of Balik Pulau.” The PKR MP said that he had spoken to the police on the matter, and was allegedly told that they had received instructions from their superiors to do so (take down the Pakatan banners). Yusmadi also said that some of these banners were even set up near his office, and that they were still in place. Although disappointed with the action of the police, he said that he would not take down the BN banners. However, he wants the Home Ministry to apologise over the flag incident or face legal action.

Salam Eidul Fitri

Saya dan keluarga mengucapkan Salam Eidul fitri kepada semua warga Balik Pulau. Saya mohon ampun dan maaf sekiranya saya ada melakukan kesalahan kepada mana-mana warga Balik Pulau yang saya kasihi. Moga hari raya tahun ini akan memberi keberkatan kepada kita semua. Amin

MUAFAKAT Keusahawanan

Alhamdullillah Koperasi MUAFAKAT Balik Pulau terbentuk selepas mesyuarat Protem Committee minggu lepas sebagai wadah keusahawanan warga Balik Pulau melalui pendekatan Muafakat. Semua warga Balik Pulau tidak kira latar belakang bangsa, taraf sosio-ekonomi dan usia dijemput menyertainya. Anda boleh hubungi Hj. Nor 017-4753656 dan di Kak Long Saodah di 013-4528643. InsyaAllah Kita Muafakat, Balik Pulau hebat!

MUAFAKAT Sukan - Bolasepak

Semalam berlangsung perlawanan akhir pertandingan bolasepak Parlimen Balik Pulau. Kali ini pasukan JKKK Kongsi mengalahkan pasukan JKKK Sungai Burung berkesudahan dengan tendangan penalti apabila kedua-dua pasukan terikat 1-1 sehingga tamat perlawanan. Saya amat kagum dengan 'MUAFAKAT' kesukanan yang ditunjukkan oleh anak-anak muda yang rata-rata berumur 25 tahun ke bawah.

Elemen kepimpinan MUAFAKAT yang diterapkan ialah kerjasama di antara pemimpin (YB), JKKK (NGO), pengadil (sukarelawan), anak-anak muda, masyarakat setempat dan kelompok peniaga kecil (penjual air etc.)

Semalam kami hanya adakan majlis kecil di Azlan Tomyam sebaik sahaja tamat perlawanan. Majlis penyampaian hadiah akan dibuat selepas hari raya. Tahniah anak muda Balik Pulau!

Cabaran kepada Kepimpinan MUAFAKAT

Di dalam artikel yang ditulis oleh Alan B. Slifka yang bertajuk Leadership for Enhancing Coexistence: Promoting Social Cohesion Among Groups in Pluralistic Societies di dalam buku Crossing the Divide: Intergroup Leadership in a World of Difference menggariskan beberapa halangan kepada model kepimpinan 'MUAFAKAT':

i) Painful Memories: Religious, Ethnic, Cultural and Regional Conflict
ii) Trauma, Resistance to Change and Addiction to the Status Quo
iii) Differing Backgrounds, Experiences and Conditioning
iv) Minorities' Desire for Inclusion Without Loss of Cultural and Religious Identities
v) Discrimination and Inequality of Opportunity
vi) Lack of an Entity Charged with Responsibility for Promoting Social Cohesion

Leadership: What Goverment Can Do:
- must take active steps to promote equality, diversity, inclusion coexistence among people etc.
- the need for leadership not only on the part of the goverment but also on the part of coexistence scholars, nongovernmental organizations, and private citizens to provide the moral support, research, and personnel required to make the notion of a shared future a national goal.
- e.g. Community Relation Council (NGO), Triennal Action Plan etc.

Leadership: What Individual Leaders Can Do:
- effort to create a new vision
- e.g. Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi

Improving Leadership for Coexistence:
a. Recognize and identify community diversity within state borders

b. Acknowledge diversity as areality that positively contributes to the country's economic and moral development

c. ratify and implement relevant international declaration and covenants concerning respect for differences, tolerance and peace

d. work with local and national government agencies, civil and social organizations, community leaders to identify key barriers to coexistence and develop policies to address them.

e. create institutions to implement and monitor these policies in tandem with civil and social groups

f. codify policies into laws, where appropriate

g. keep the public informed of the benefits of the policies and include the public in the process of creating and implementing them

h. engage with all identity groups on aregular basis to ensure that they feel included in government policies and programs.