Single & Pregnant – What are my choices?

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) developed a booklet for single pregnant women on medical and legal matters. The booklet Single and Pregnant: What Are My Choices? is published in both English and Bahasa Malaysia. Simply click on the links below to read it in your language of choice.

• Single and Pregnant: What are my choices?

• Hamil dan Sendirian: Apakah pilihan saya?

WAO hopes this book will serve as a guide and help single pregnant women with their pregnancy process physically, mentally and emotionally as well as guide them in their options to either opt for adoption or to keep the baby.

The booklet was sponsored by Malakoff Corporation Berhad under their “Empower for Life” initiative for single parents.

For more information on WAO, please refer to www.wao.org.my

Imerman case: Ex-spouse can lie but can’t steal

“Covertly found assets no longer valid in divorce robbed women of protection previously afforded to them and declared the result a cheat's charter. ‘Wives have until now been allowed to produce an ace from their sleeve: a document proving the husband had lied about his finances was admissible even if improperly obtained,’ they said. The erstwhile husband said: ‘I was determined that my private papers could not be stolen and the perpetrators get away with it without retribution’… There was also the possibility that some of the defendants had committed criminal offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and the Data Protection Act 1998. The court thought that this sort of ‘unregulated self-help’ in divorce proceedings couldn't be condoned.”

For the full judgment, click on this link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/jul/30/imermam-judgment-divorce-assets. For the news: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/afua-hirsch-law-blog/2010/jul/30/divorce-imerman.

This principle seems “fair” to spouses who are filthy rich and the proceeding is a way to get even with the other. I could picture spouses hiring people like Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception. While you are at it, why not go the extra mile and plant an idea into the other’s mind to give away all his assets to you? Think about it.

However, to the financially dependent single parent, this decision is a potential disaster. The arrogant and rich spouse (A&RS) could afford the available means to hire better lawyers and conceal all the information regarding his assets.

The Lords in this case may have lost their “understandings” (more appropriate word should be “minds”) against the reasonable man/woman on the street. From my understanding of their decision, now the aggrieved spouse (AS) not only being financially at a disadvantage, sometimes ripped-off from her deserving share in the matrimonial assets, or being driven out of the matrimonial home, has to ask the A&RS politely, “Pardon me, sir. Would you let me have all the declarations of your assets, please?” The Lords expected the A&RS to reply, “Why yes, it is my pleasure. Here, take it so you can claim as much as you need.” Yeah, right. See what I mean?

The AS is penalized for “stealing” the documents whereas the A&RS received sympathy even though he lied to the court i.e. refused to disclose all the assets. What skulduggery! I am not referring to the AS but to the A&RS.

My plea to all: don’t ever let this kind of principle be established in Malaysia. It would be a heyday for every A&RS. The dawn of injustice to single mothers with children to feed. Get an alternative. Each spouse should get his/her OWN burglar-proof and C4-proof safe. If you are rich enough to own assets, then getting a safe should not be a problem. Just remember NOT to use the wedding date as the access code.

If you are one of those who leave everything around the house waiting for your other half to pick up after you, yet continue to do so after reading this, then you do not deserve to keep any of the matrimonial assets.

CREST: Pakistan Appeals For Aid

Dear Saints/Friends,

Prov 3:27-28 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you. 

Pakistan earthquake in October 2005 killed over 80,000 people. The beautiful Kashmir mountains has spurred its ugly head again. Over 3 million people have been affected with raging monsoon floods since last week.  A window of opportunity is opened again to make a difference and impact vulnerable flood victims living in pain, hunger and cold.  CREST and local partners are giving out cooked food to 650 families that have been evacuated and living in 2 schools in Charsadda. Here is an opportunity to engage with people who has never experienced unconditional love and good works.  A flood relief package with flour, rice, sugar, oil, tea, laundry soap, water bucket, crockery and cooking utensils for a family costs US$100.00.

Would you like to sponsor a family?  CREST is inviting trained medical professionals/volunteers to go on a MEDICAL MISSION to Pakistan from Sept 4 to 11.

Kindly write/call CREST office for more information.  Blessings, Lana Wong    --  Crisis Relief Services & Training Berhad 27 Jalan SS2/104 47300 Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia Tel: 03-77257299, 03-77256297 Fax: 03-77257298.  

** Kindly make cheques payable to CRISIS RELIEF SERVICES & TRAINING BHD and bank in your contribution to MBB Account No. 5141-9611-8174 or donate online at http://www.crestmalaysia.org/yourhelp.php. 

Fax/email your transaction slip to 03-77257298 stating the purpose, amount, your name and postal address for us to acknowledge receipt **

Further news: 

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/5/nation/6799612&sec=nation

AUKU Public Lecture Series

Baru-baru ini Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (AUKU) 1971 sekali lagi menjadi perhatian umum apabila empat mahasiswa jurusan Sains Politik UKM bakal dikenakan tindakan disiplin di bawah akta tersebut kerana didakwa melibatkan diri dalam kempen pilihanraya kecil Hulu Selangor. Mereka telah dituduh melanggar Seksyen 15(5)(a) AUKU yang melarang mahasiswa dari menyatakan sokongan atau simpati terhadap mana-mana parti politik.

Walaupun semakin banyak perhatian diberikan terhadap kes tersebut, pemahaman tentang latar belakang, fungsi, keberkesanan dan impak sebenar AUKU masih menjadi persoalan serta tanda tanya dikalangan mahasiswa dan juga masyarakat umum.

Siri Ceramah Umum AUKU ini bertujuan untuk membincangkan akta ini secara menyeluruh dari sudut perspektif sejarah, perlembagaan, hak asasi, dan juga penguatkuasaan. Program ini dianjurkan oleh KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section.

Ceramah Umum AUKU (1):

AUKU & SEJARAH KEBANGKITAN MAHASISWA 1960AN

Tarikh: Khamis, 1 Julai 2010

Masa: 8:30 malam

Penceramah: Fahmi Reza, Penyelidik sejarah gerakan mahasiswa

Ceramah Umum AUKU (2):

AUKU & PERLEMBAGAAN PERSEKUTUAN

Tarikh: Khamis, 8 Julai 2010

Masa: 8:30 malam

Penceramah: Azmi Sharom, Prof. Madya Fakulti Undang-Undang, UM dan Soh Sook Hwa, Bekas mahasiswa USM yang didakwa di bawah AUKU

Ceramah Umum AUKU (3):

AUKU & HAK MAHASISWA

Tarikh: Khamis, 15 Julai 2010

Masa: 8:30 malam

Penceramah: Shazni Munir, Presiden Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) dan Yap Heng Lung, Sekretariat Malaysian Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)

Ceramah Umum AUKU (4):

AUKU & MASA DEPAN

Tarikh: Khamis, 22 Julai 2010

Masa: 8:30 malam

Penceramah: Teh Yee Keong, Mantan Penyelaras Gerakan Mahasiswa Mansuhkan AUKU

Tempat: Auditorium KLSCAH, Jalan Maharajalela, KL (berdekatan Stesen Monorel Maharajalela)

Untuk maklumat lanjut sila hubungi: 03-22746645 (Miss Loo)

日前，四名国民大学（国大）政治系学生因为在乌雪补选期间，前往选区考察，而遭到校方援引大专法令提控他们支持反对党。为此，大专法令再度引起人们的高度关注。

虽然这起事件引起越来越多的社会大众的关注，然而，还是有许多的社会大众及大专生对大专法令的缘起、功能、效用与影响不了解及存有很多的疑问。

为此，隆雪华青特别开办《青年讲堂》邀请了 各界专才成为主讲人。这些主讲人将会从历史、宪法、学生及替代方案的角度出发，以期能更深入及全面的探讨大专法令。

这场由隆雪华青筹办的青年讲堂，一共有四堂课，分别是：

讲堂（一）：历史角度

大专法令与其产生：回顾1969年学运风潮

日期：1/7/2010 （星期四）

时间：8:30pm

主讲人：法米里扎（ 60年代学运研究员）

讲堂 （二）：宪法角度

大专法令与宪法：检思大专法令如何违宪

日期：8/7 /2010 (星期四）

时间：8:30pm

主讲人：阿兹米沙隆姆（马大法律系副教授）、苏淑桦 （挑战大专法令违宪的前学运领袖）

讲堂 （三）：学生角度

大专法令与学生：探讨大专法令与学生的影响

日期：15/7 /2010 （星期四)

时间：8:30pm

主讲人：沙兹穆尼（全国大专生团结阵线主席）、叶兴隆（马来西亚青年与学生民

主运动组织秘书）

讲堂 （四）：替代角度

大专法令与其替代方案：大专宪章与大学管理法案

日期：22/7/2010

时间：8:30pm

主讲人：郑屹强（前废除大专法令联盟协调员）

这一系列有关大专法令的公开讲堂，将会在隆雪华堂楼上讲堂进行，媒介语为国语，入场是免费 的，欢迎在籍的大专生及对大专法令这课题有兴趣的公众踊跃出席。如有任何疑问，可以联络隆雪华堂秘书处03-22746645或游览隆雪青的部落格

MyConstitution Campaign Launch of Phase 5: Executive/Government

After our the launch of our last phase in April, the next phase is now upon us! Phase 5, which covers the Executive / Government will be launched by a Cabinet Minister, Senator Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon.

Details are as follows:

Date: 23 July 2010
Time: 10.30 am
Venue: Dewan 10, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Dataran Gemilang, Presint 5, Putrajaya

As usual, the Rakyat Guides and Rakyat Service Advertisements for the phase will be made available. Also available are our brand new tee shirts!

Program:

10.30 Speech by Edmund Bon, Chairperson of Constitutional Law Committee

10.40 Presentation by Syahredzan Johan, Co-Deputy Chaiperson of Constitutional Law Committee.

10.55 Speech by YB Senator Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in PM’s Department

11.15 Official launch of Phase 5 of the MyConstitution campaign

11.30 Tea-break and press conference

11.50 Conversations with YB Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon

Spaces are limited, so please contact our Ms. Lim Ka Ea at kaea@malaysianbar.org.my to book your place.

Mari merakyatkan Perlembagaan!

MyConstitution goes to Kedah!

The eagerly anticipated MyConstitution Workshop and State-level Launch!

The MyConstitution Campaign will be travelling north to Alor Setar, Kedah on 17 July 2010.

There will be a workshop to empower youth on their constitutional rights and what the Federal Constitution actually means. The workshop will be held in University Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah at 2pm on 17 July. Limited space only! For registration, please call the Kedah Legal Aid Centre at 04-733 3467 or Ms. Hasni Salina at 012 4898302.

There will also be a state-level launch at Kolej Universiti Insaniah, Alor Setar Kedah on 18 July, 2:00pm. The Menteri Besar of Kedah will be officiating the launch. This will be followed by a “Conversations on the Constitution” forum on Federal-State Relations, featuring power speakers such as Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Haji Sulaiman, Professor Dr. Aziz Bari and others. This event is opened to public.

This event is proudly funded by the Kedah State Government and brought to you by the Kedah Legal Aid Centre and the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee.

Don't Go To China For Organ Transplants

Published by Free Malaysia Today, 12 July 2010. By Teoh El Sen.

SUBANG JAYA: Malaysians who go to China for organ transplant risk contracting serious diseases, says a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert.

Dr Francis Delmonico, a WHO adviser, said some Malaysians who had gone abroad for organ transplants had returned home with diseases like TB, hepatitis and HIV.

According to a report by the Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry, some 60% of Malaysians have gone overseas for transplants in the past nine years (2000-2009), with 856 seeking treatment in China alone.

Speaking at a forum on "Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism -- the need for regulatory and legislative control" held here last Friday, Delmonico advised Malaysians not go to China.

"We do not know where they get the organs. But in most cases, the organs are taken from executed prisoners. And we know that when patients go there and ask for a donor, the authorities would just say, 'we need a B-blood type execution' and it's done and some middlemen get the money," said Delmonico, who is also the director of medical afffairs and president-elect of the Transplantation Society.

"People need to know that those who went abroad for organ transplants have become ill on returning home. Besides, nobody is keeping tabs on how these transplants are done after the money has been paid. This is a fact. They (medical authorities) don't care and there are no guarantees," he added.

He said the commercialisation of organs – buying and selling of organs – is known to occur in countries such as China, Pakistan, India, the Philippines and Egypt.

“This is unethical and should not be sanctioned,” he added.

Delmonico also urged the Malaysian government to draw up new laws to combat organ trafficking and at the same time boost the efficiency of the local transplant agency.

Condemning reports of kidnappings and other forms of coercion to harvest human organs, he said that it was often the rich who would travel abroad to purchase organs from the poor.

“This is also a form of exploitation,” he said.

Be tough on middlemen

Malaysian Society of Transplantation president Dr Harjit Singh agreed, saying: "We must be aware that this (kidnappings) is happening."

"We need laws in place to safeguard the interest of our citizens and to prevent organ trafficking from reaching our shores,” Harjit said.

He added that organ transplants in Malaysia are governed by the Human Tissues Act 1974, which needs to be amended or replaced with a new Act.

Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, who was also present, said Malaysia needs to be "tough on the middlemen" by enacting news laws or amending existing ones such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007.

She said the country should have comprehensive programmes to address poverty so that Malaysia would not become a target for the organ black market.

Ministry of Health official Dr Azmie Shapie said the ministry is trying to strengthen its capacity to provide transplants but the main challenge is getting more organs.

"If we do not address this, then other issues will crop up. Our people who go to other countries for tranplants could contract hepatitis B, HIV, and so one. We cannot condone it," said Azmie.

National Transplant Resource Centre chief national transplant coordinator Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor told FMT that organ trafficking is now decreasing as countries are becoming more aware of the problem.

"In line with the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism we adopted last year, we must have laws to prosecute those who traffick.

“Right now, the Ministry of Health has a set of policies against the buying and selling of organs but there is no provision to penalise those who do it."

Lela added that in addition to more public willingness to donate, the transplant agency also needs funding for more doctors, nurses and logistics.

About 60,000 transplants are taking place worldwide each year, and one in 10 are done illegally. In Malaysia, some 10,000 patients are waiting in line for organs such as kidneys, livers, hearts and lungs.