It's been a few weeks. And we've seen different reactions to the emergence of this blog. Some were constructive. Some were shocked. While some just loved to resort to cursing and swearing to express how they feel.
Nevertheless, here comes the most important week: the voting period! How will each party fare?
To be honest, SPEAK being the governing party, there may be a high chance they will win. We won't be surprised if they do and we acknowledge that, why? Have you heard all about phantom voters and vote rigging in elections? (Read wiki here) In short, there's a high potential SPEAK will cheat.
There's even a high chance their leaders have cheated their way to win ever since last year's elections, so why not this year, when the council is dominated by them?
So what can we do about it?
One thing anyone can learn from national level politics is this: People have the power to change! As a result, a 'political tsunami' set a new entry in Malaysia's history.
Students of Monash, are you ready to cause a 'political tsunami' here, so strong that can overthrow SPEAK even if they have cheated? Would OUR voice be stronger than theirs?
Only YOU can change this. It's time to practice our rights and show them some people power!
Here we have a list of SPEAK electoral promises. Have they fulfilled all? We highly doubt it.
1. Activities that you want and are important
Did they really open up surveys and asking for students' suggestions to what they would like? What we know is that they went with the usual activities same as previous years and there was little new additions. And performances for these events are mostly dominated by their friends (eg: Icky, Freeloaders Inc., etc), limiting performing slots for other talented students?
2. Welcome back party
Fulfilled
3. Flea market + carnival
Where's the Flea Market? Plus, we remember very clearly that during Presidential Debate, Shazeea (SPEAK VP) argued that Street Carnival should NOT be opened to public because they would not allow outsiders to enjoy OUR money. Sensible, yet we can guess what happens next, Street Carnival was opened to public. Outsiders enjoying our event funded by OUR money!
4. Cheaper and better Monash Ball
Is this year's Ball really better than last year's? We leave it to you. And we don't see how much cheaper is this year's Ball, considering the fact that there are grey areas about VIP Rooms and complimentary liquor from MOS being misused.
5. Clubs and Societies easier to operate
Clubs and societies aren't exactly getting it easier.
6. Revamped Silver Wings Project
Fulfilled.
7. Gym equipment
Punching bag purchased. Fulfilled.
8. Student friendly spaces for relaxing and chilling out
Any new additions besides the existing MUSA Lounge and cafeteria? Nope!
9. Wom*n's room fully functional and operational
Is it fully functional and operational? Yes we see funds splurged on its opening and launching ceremonies.
10. International Women's Day, V-day, Eating Disorder Week
Okay, a fair was held but not all was covered!
11. Scrutinize MUSA
As said in earlier posts, the most basic way to do this would be to release their meeting minutes for public scrutiny. They did not, and ironically minutes are only posted up when we noted that it's been absent ever since beginning of the year.
12. The Monash Experience, tell us what makes you unhappy and we'll make the change!
We don't see survey sheets or questionaires of this sort. Even the previous 'Monash Voice Out' project was not continued and carried out. Did they really provide an established channel for students to voice out their concerns?
As you can see, how many electoral promises did SPEAK fulfill? Not many, actually. Therefore, we do question their credibility in carrying out their duties.
Do you want student representatives who will keep breaking their electoral promises?
YOU decide!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Verdict and Issues on Monash Ball 2008
Before we start, we would like to first comment on certain behavior of our commentators. Yes, we understand your passion for the party SPEAK and naturally react towards the emergence of such opposition (this blog). However, that doesn't warrant you to misbehave. Being rude and childish totally reflects badly on Monash. Are we supposed to be represented that way, with all the foul language and cursing?
Let's all just be more civilized in our words and be constructive in our comments. Alright, get back on track.
Now that the Monash Ball 2008 Mardi Gras is over. We've heard people talking about what they think.
It was a hot topic during the MSC Forum.
Some thought the event was badly organized. The organizers were being questioned and shot during the MSC Forum. Did the Organizing Chairperson lack skills and capabilities in running such large-scale event? Did the MUSA President lose control of the event he could not answer well to our inquiries?
And there were issues regarding VIP Room and complimentary liquor by MOS. Why so?
And finally, some questioned, why did we have to pay extra RM 20 for MOS? If paying RM 80 for a lousy Monash Ball in Sunway Resort Hotel is bad enough, how about paying another extra RM 20 for MOS tickets when it is supposed to be free?
Yes, wasn't MOS entrance for merdeka eve night meant to be free? For entrance before midnight that is. (Source click here) After all, the Ball dismissed at 11pm which means students could still make it for free entrance to MOS.
So why did we have to pay extra RM 20?
If it's bad enough to come across incapable people who cannot deliver a good Monash Ball with our money paid making our money worth, it's even worse to hear that we have to pay extra for something which is meant to be free!
So where does the money go? We wonder!
We're so tired of this! When will this come to an end?
For crying out loud, we should call for the STOP to all these misuse of funds and power!
Let's all just be more civilized in our words and be constructive in our comments. Alright, get back on track.
Now that the Monash Ball 2008 Mardi Gras is over. We've heard people talking about what they think.
It was a hot topic during the MSC Forum.
Some thought the event was badly organized. The organizers were being questioned and shot during the MSC Forum. Did the Organizing Chairperson lack skills and capabilities in running such large-scale event? Did the MUSA President lose control of the event he could not answer well to our inquiries?
And there were issues regarding VIP Room and complimentary liquor by MOS. Why so?
And finally, some questioned, why did we have to pay extra RM 20 for MOS? If paying RM 80 for a lousy Monash Ball in Sunway Resort Hotel is bad enough, how about paying another extra RM 20 for MOS tickets when it is supposed to be free?
Yes, wasn't MOS entrance for merdeka eve night meant to be free? For entrance before midnight that is. (Source click here) After all, the Ball dismissed at 11pm which means students could still make it for free entrance to MOS.
So why did we have to pay extra RM 20?
If it's bad enough to come across incapable people who cannot deliver a good Monash Ball with our money paid making our money worth, it's even worse to hear that we have to pay extra for something which is meant to be free!
So where does the money go? We wonder!
We're so tired of this! When will this come to an end?
For crying out loud, we should call for the STOP to all these misuse of funds and power!
What on earth is Magic Club for?
Do you remember those days when you were in high school, you see friends secretly bringing magic cards to school just for innocent fun? Just to be caught with it and got their little toys confiscated, which ended up with the prefects. And some of these so-called prefects were actually the ones playing with your confiscated magic cards behind closed doors?
What if this high school scenario repeats itself, even in universities?
Apparently, even to the extent a 'Magic Club' is set up in Monash. Now we wonder, what is a Magic Club for? How relevant are magic cards to the average Monash student?
No prizes for guessing who are the founders. None other than the big shots of SPEAK: Darren Ng and Icky.
What's the point of setting up a club which does not really relate to most students? I mean, who still plays magic cards in universities? Not many, as we know.
But the bigger issue is this: There's a clause in C&S Constitution which states that clubs and societies set up may not be entirely social in nature.
Well, isn't Magic Club entirely social in nature? Yet why does such a club get approved easily by C&S Division? By right, clubs of this nature shouldn't be approved under C&S Constitution.
Is it a means for these 'big shots with power' to gain more certs? After all, it is so easy for them to elect themselves into president and vice-president positions in these clubs.
Or worse, if we're not mistaken, each club or society in Monash is given certain amount of funds (estimated to be RM 1000+ a year) from our student funds in order to operate. When such 'questionable' clubs are set up, is there a possibility that these irrelevant clubs gain instant access to funds as much as RM 1000+? How would they make use of these funds, would it easily go into their personal pockets?
As far as we know, this is highly possible. Even more so when the person approving funds (the MUSA Treasurer) is none other than their own close friend.
And please don't get us started on 'Monash Kite-Flying Club', which Darren set up (last year when he was Secretary of C&S Division. Did he misuse his position to set up irrelevant clubs to gain more certs?) and held a key position.
This has to STOP!
What if this high school scenario repeats itself, even in universities?
Apparently, even to the extent a 'Magic Club' is set up in Monash. Now we wonder, what is a Magic Club for? How relevant are magic cards to the average Monash student?
No prizes for guessing who are the founders. None other than the big shots of SPEAK: Darren Ng and Icky.
What's the point of setting up a club which does not really relate to most students? I mean, who still plays magic cards in universities? Not many, as we know.
But the bigger issue is this: There's a clause in C&S Constitution which states that clubs and societies set up may not be entirely social in nature.
Well, isn't Magic Club entirely social in nature? Yet why does such a club get approved easily by C&S Division? By right, clubs of this nature shouldn't be approved under C&S Constitution.
Is it a means for these 'big shots with power' to gain more certs? After all, it is so easy for them to elect themselves into president and vice-president positions in these clubs.
Or worse, if we're not mistaken, each club or society in Monash is given certain amount of funds (estimated to be RM 1000+ a year) from our student funds in order to operate. When such 'questionable' clubs are set up, is there a possibility that these irrelevant clubs gain instant access to funds as much as RM 1000+? How would they make use of these funds, would it easily go into their personal pockets?
As far as we know, this is highly possible. Even more so when the person approving funds (the MUSA Treasurer) is none other than their own close friend.
And please don't get us started on 'Monash Kite-Flying Club', which Darren set up (last year when he was Secretary of C&S Division. Did he misuse his position to set up irrelevant clubs to gain more certs?) and held a key position.
This has to STOP!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Our answers to our commentators
Some questioned us why do we only target SPEAK. Reason being:
SPEAK, as everyone probably knows by now, won the majority of the seats on the MSC during the last elections. The actions that were carried out by the MSC 2008 were mainly tabled by members of the SPEAK party. The actions of the current MSC, reflects the ideology that the party SPEAK has as a whole. As SPEAK have re-registered their name for this current election, we fear that the same action would be continued again. We fear that SPEAK's actions this year may be reflected next year should they get elected. As quoted by former MUSA in our comments, legacy will continue.
We believe it is OUR student rights to voice out our concerns. We are dissatisfied with SPEAK. And we've seen some of the worst power abuse cases in MUSA history committed by none other than the leaders of SPEAK. Either this year or last year.
And our arguments on this blog thus far are not 'baseless accusations' without facts. Information on issues such as laptop purchase can all be found in the meeting minutes, which ironically was only put up once we noted that minutes have been missing throughout the year till now. And to be honest, I would also doubt the authenticity of the meeting minutes since it's put up only as of late. We never know if the reports have been edited and modified to suit and favor SPEAK's position in this situation. The reports should have been put into pdf format. Where is the transparency promised every year by SPEAK?
Just like how accounts on student funds without professional auditing can be easily manipulated.
Finally, we would like to clarify that we are independent from all political parties involved in MUSA Elections 2008. We have no connection with ANY candidates of SPEAK, SMILE, Election Committee, or individual candidates. We are a group of students who are greatly dissatisfied with the SPEAK governance, and believe that these power abuses should be made known to students. They have a right to know what's going on especially when transparency is lacking, and we believe that together we may exercise our power and rights collectively to push for an improvement in OUR Student Council!
SPEAK, as everyone probably knows by now, won the majority of the seats on the MSC during the last elections. The actions that were carried out by the MSC 2008 were mainly tabled by members of the SPEAK party. The actions of the current MSC, reflects the ideology that the party SPEAK has as a whole. As SPEAK have re-registered their name for this current election, we fear that the same action would be continued again. We fear that SPEAK's actions this year may be reflected next year should they get elected. As quoted by former MUSA in our comments, legacy will continue.
We believe it is OUR student rights to voice out our concerns. We are dissatisfied with SPEAK. And we've seen some of the worst power abuse cases in MUSA history committed by none other than the leaders of SPEAK. Either this year or last year.
And our arguments on this blog thus far are not 'baseless accusations' without facts. Information on issues such as laptop purchase can all be found in the meeting minutes, which ironically was only put up once we noted that minutes have been missing throughout the year till now. And to be honest, I would also doubt the authenticity of the meeting minutes since it's put up only as of late. We never know if the reports have been edited and modified to suit and favor SPEAK's position in this situation. The reports should have been put into pdf format. Where is the transparency promised every year by SPEAK?
Just like how accounts on student funds without professional auditing can be easily manipulated.
Finally, we would like to clarify that we are independent from all political parties involved in MUSA Elections 2008. We have no connection with ANY candidates of SPEAK, SMILE, Election Committee, or individual candidates. We are a group of students who are greatly dissatisfied with the SPEAK governance, and believe that these power abuses should be made known to students. They have a right to know what's going on especially when transparency is lacking, and we believe that together we may exercise our power and rights collectively to push for an improvement in OUR Student Council!
Monday, August 25, 2008
One thing SPEAK hasn't learned
If there's one thing SPEAK hasn't learned, it is this: Talking can only go as far, but people are not blind. Students have eyes to see where our student government is moving towards, and talking does not justify everything!
Lessons SPEAK should learn:
1. Corrupted politicians won't go far trying to justify themselves through only talking. All the while, the saying 'Actions speak louder than words' is as true as ever.
2. People are not blind and have eyes to see.
3. People should not fear the government, in fact the government should fear the people.
4. There will always be students who will be dissatisfied (such as us), but how the matter is handled says a lot. When a problem arises, which is more effective - talking and telling people everything is alright, or standing up and take action to find solutions?
In short, SPEAK should really open up their eyes. I suggest that SPEAK should start serving the interests of students properly instead of own selfish gains first.
Furthermore, why is SPEAK using the MUSA Blog? MUSA if i am not mistaken is all students, the MUSA Council (MSC) is the student council who represents MUSA. The opinions expressed on MUSA Blog does not represent the views of ALL students but rather the views of SPEAK. SPEAK should not be using MUSA Blog (owned by us students!) to rebut any arguments made on this website. SPEAK does not own MUSA and should not be using the MUSA Blog for ＡＮＹ political views as this contains the views of a FEW people of MUSA not all students of MUSA. Should the MSC want to defend their decisions, they should be using their own independent website, not the MUSA Blog.
Are we going to allow these people to exploit such channels?
Lessons SPEAK should learn:
1. Corrupted politicians won't go far trying to justify themselves through only talking. All the while, the saying 'Actions speak louder than words' is as true as ever.
2. People are not blind and have eyes to see.
3. People should not fear the government, in fact the government should fear the people.
4. There will always be students who will be dissatisfied (such as us), but how the matter is handled says a lot. When a problem arises, which is more effective - talking and telling people everything is alright, or standing up and take action to find solutions?
In short, SPEAK should really open up their eyes. I suggest that SPEAK should start serving the interests of students properly instead of own selfish gains first.
Furthermore, why is SPEAK using the MUSA Blog? MUSA if i am not mistaken is all students, the MUSA Council (MSC) is the student council who represents MUSA. The opinions expressed on MUSA Blog does not represent the views of ALL students but rather the views of SPEAK. SPEAK should not be using MUSA Blog (owned by us students!) to rebut any arguments made on this website. SPEAK does not own MUSA and should not be using the MUSA Blog for ＡＮＹ political views as this contains the views of a FEW people of MUSA not all students of MUSA. Should the MSC want to defend their decisions, they should be using their own independent website, not the MUSA Blog.
Are we going to allow these people to exploit such channels?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Is the appointment of the DRO fair?
Is SPEAK trying to cheat in this upcoming election???
MUSA General Secretary, Lim Cze Wien, who ran under SPEAK party at last year's MUSA Elections, appointed Desmond Chin to be the Deputy Returning Officer.
Now, what does Desmond and Cze Wien have in common?
The fact is that both of them are in a relationship!!
By being in a relationship, could there be some personal interest between Desmond and SPEAK?
Furthermore, there was no official notice put up for potential returning officers to be interviewed. And these returning officers are paid, once again, using our student funds.
Another case of unequal opportunity, except this time, involving student funds?
We leave it to you to decide... Is this appointment fair? Will this contribute to SPEAK's potential of cheating in elections?
You decide!
MUSA General Secretary, Lim Cze Wien, who ran under SPEAK party at last year's MUSA Elections, appointed Desmond Chin to be the Deputy Returning Officer.
Now, what does Desmond and Cze Wien have in common?
The fact is that both of them are in a relationship!!
By being in a relationship, could there be some personal interest between Desmond and SPEAK?
Furthermore, there was no official notice put up for potential returning officers to be interviewed. And these returning officers are paid, once again, using our student funds.
Another case of unequal opportunity, except this time, involving student funds?
We leave it to you to decide... Is this appointment fair? Will this contribute to SPEAK's potential of cheating in elections?
You decide!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
What happened to OUR money? Gone to the pockets of selfish individuals?
When people are given power to control an estimated council funds of RM 200,000, we need honest people to serve as stewards to those funds.
All Monash students pay compulsory student council fees every semester (be it RM50 or RM30), just like how responsible citizens pay taxes to the government. Which we expect whichever party who governs these funds to be responsible over our money to ensure that every single cent is spent wisely for the benefits of students.
But what happens when funds get misused? Which is exactly what is happening right now under the governance of the SPEAK party.
During the very first council meeting of the year, MUSA President Darren Ng Peck Yun proposed that laptops be purchased for use during council meetings. Stating that using laptops save papers.
Maybe laptops do save papers. But the question is, why do they need to specifically purchase new laptops to fulfill such needs? There are so many ways laptops may be obtained other than using students' money to purchase new ones. First, a laptop can be borrowed/loaned from our uni facilities department. Let's say facilities department isn't opened, they can still use the desktops available in every tutorial room. Or in any worst case scenario, they can just bring one of their own laptops to use during their meetings!
And when the new laptops are purchased, another thing which caused suspicion is this: Darren (President) proposed that the laptop be brought back to his home daily due to security reasons.
Security is not a valid reason as we know, there are tons of other more valuable things stored in the MUSA Offices, such as tens of thousands of cold hard cash.
Bringing home a laptop meant for office means allowing space for personal use.
Furthermore, why did Darren need to take the laptop home? Was he writing the minutes? I think not, only the General Secretary does.
And what is going to happen to the laptop after the year of reign ended? We won't be surprised if it mysteriously disappears.
We want to know, why is our money being used this way, wasted on unnecessary purchases which may be brought home for personal use?
Last year, SPEAK promised greater transparency, and the most basic way to do this would be to release the council meeting minutes and accounts, to reveal what decisions were made and how OUR money was spent.
Apparently, they did not do so. No meeting minutes. No accounts. Nothing.
For the past year, it was common practice to release meeting minutes through the MUSA Online website. Not this year. All that was displayed was "under construction".
Who knows how much of OUR student funds have gone into their personal pockets for selfish gains. There may be more than just laptops.
But we students have the right to change this. Say NO to misuse of funds and abuse of power, say NO to SPEAK today!
All Monash students pay compulsory student council fees every semester (be it RM50 or RM30), just like how responsible citizens pay taxes to the government. Which we expect whichever party who governs these funds to be responsible over our money to ensure that every single cent is spent wisely for the benefits of students.
But what happens when funds get misused? Which is exactly what is happening right now under the governance of the SPEAK party.
During the very first council meeting of the year, MUSA President Darren Ng Peck Yun proposed that laptops be purchased for use during council meetings. Stating that using laptops save papers.
Maybe laptops do save papers. But the question is, why do they need to specifically purchase new laptops to fulfill such needs? There are so many ways laptops may be obtained other than using students' money to purchase new ones. First, a laptop can be borrowed/loaned from our uni facilities department. Let's say facilities department isn't opened, they can still use the desktops available in every tutorial room. Or in any worst case scenario, they can just bring one of their own laptops to use during their meetings!
And when the new laptops are purchased, another thing which caused suspicion is this: Darren (President) proposed that the laptop be brought back to his home daily due to security reasons.
Security is not a valid reason as we know, there are tons of other more valuable things stored in the MUSA Offices, such as tens of thousands of cold hard cash.
Bringing home a laptop meant for office means allowing space for personal use.
Furthermore, why did Darren need to take the laptop home? Was he writing the minutes? I think not, only the General Secretary does.
And what is going to happen to the laptop after the year of reign ended? We won't be surprised if it mysteriously disappears.
We want to know, why is our money being used this way, wasted on unnecessary purchases which may be brought home for personal use?
Last year, SPEAK promised greater transparency, and the most basic way to do this would be to release the council meeting minutes and accounts, to reveal what decisions were made and how OUR money was spent.
Apparently, they did not do so. No meeting minutes. No accounts. Nothing.
For the past year, it was common practice to release meeting minutes through the MUSA Online website. Not this year. All that was displayed was "under construction".
Who knows how much of OUR student funds have gone into their personal pockets for selfish gains. There may be more than just laptops.
But we students have the right to change this. Say NO to misuse of funds and abuse of power, say NO to SPEAK today!
Basic voting rights violated: 4 to decide for 3000+??
4 to 3000+ is big. Ain't it? Apparently that's how big it gets when power is abused the way MUSA history has never seen before.
Since when in the name of student democracy OUR rights been violated in such way?
While the MUSA constitution stated that a council member may be appointed within 3 months from the election, however, why do so when the position isn't vacant?
We're talking about the appointment of Mohd Ikmal bin Mohd Nasir (or in short, better known as 'Icky') as MUSA Vice President. If the fact that he's appointed out of nowhere without an open nomination among students doesn't amaze you, probably the way he's appointed as VP may do so.
Which is all a play of power by MUSA President, Darren Ng Peck Yun, in order to ensure the continuance of SPEAK legacy.
Normally, council members are elected into positions by students through voting during elections. If council members resign from their positions and result in vacant positions, a by-election will be held to elect someone new, or a new member is appointed with approval from the whole council.
Therefore rightfully, appointment of a new council member should be approved by all council members and when position is vacant. However in this case, Darren enforced the policy of appointing Icky into position without open nomination, with the approval limited only to top 4, and when VP position isn't vacant.
We question... Why appoint a new VP when the current VP is still in position? And why is the decision to appoint Icky as VP only limited to the top 4, instead of the whole council?
Since when the MUSA constitution allows only the top 4 to decide who our student representatives should be? That's totally violation of OUR student basic rights to vote and decide! 4 to decide for 3000+! If that's the case, it's equivalent to not needing to go through elections to vote for our representatives, just have our friendly top 4 to round up their friends and 'shoe polishers' to appoint them into power. Convenient isn't it?
No open nomination means unequal opportunity for students.
Top 4 deciding for all students, that's total violation of the MUSA Constitution and YOUR basic voting rights!
That's how far misuse of power has gone to, and this has never happened before in any MUSA history one can find.
Power corrupted and inappropriate, do you want a student leader who will continue to violate your rights?
You have the right to decide, say NO to SPEAK today!
Since when in the name of student democracy OUR rights been violated in such way?
While the MUSA constitution stated that a council member may be appointed within 3 months from the election, however, why do so when the position isn't vacant?
We're talking about the appointment of Mohd Ikmal bin Mohd Nasir (or in short, better known as 'Icky') as MUSA Vice President. If the fact that he's appointed out of nowhere without an open nomination among students doesn't amaze you, probably the way he's appointed as VP may do so.
Which is all a play of power by MUSA President, Darren Ng Peck Yun, in order to ensure the continuance of SPEAK legacy.
Normally, council members are elected into positions by students through voting during elections. If council members resign from their positions and result in vacant positions, a by-election will be held to elect someone new, or a new member is appointed with approval from the whole council.
Therefore rightfully, appointment of a new council member should be approved by all council members and when position is vacant. However in this case, Darren enforced the policy of appointing Icky into position without open nomination, with the approval limited only to top 4, and when VP position isn't vacant.
We question... Why appoint a new VP when the current VP is still in position? And why is the decision to appoint Icky as VP only limited to the top 4, instead of the whole council?
Since when the MUSA constitution allows only the top 4 to decide who our student representatives should be? That's totally violation of OUR student basic rights to vote and decide! 4 to decide for 3000+! If that's the case, it's equivalent to not needing to go through elections to vote for our representatives, just have our friendly top 4 to round up their friends and 'shoe polishers' to appoint them into power. Convenient isn't it?
No open nomination means unequal opportunity for students.
Top 4 deciding for all students, that's total violation of the MUSA Constitution and YOUR basic voting rights!
That's how far misuse of power has gone to, and this has never happened before in any MUSA history one can find.
Power corrupted and inappropriate, do you want a student leader who will continue to violate your rights?
You have the right to decide, say NO to SPEAK today!
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