Monday, February 4, 2008

Malaysians, Do NOT Get Us In Trouble WIth Your Comments

We set up a blog in hopes that there would be more public awareness about the seriousness of this issue. We hoped that everyone would understand how scary it would be, especially for students who study in other states when they take the buses home.

However, there are PEOPLE misusing the comments to defame the prime minister and spread political agenda like asking us to go under BERSIH's umbrella or asking DAP to help us. It's all very against the current government.

You few Malaysians don't need us young people to TELL YOU what is right or wrong. Do you seriously think you are in your right state of mind to post seditious comments on this blog? I don't care if it's borderline seditious but use your brain before posting. Four of us will end up in jail thanks to you. Did Nat Tan's case not teach you anything?

This blog is NOT to be used to lobby against the current government. Granted we would like the government to take heed of our plight seeing that the elections are near, perhaps we stand a better chance to be heard. However, it is not YOUR position to dictate who we should cling on to go against the current government.

I've deleted those comments to save us four blog moderators.

This is for Nian Ning, Mohd. Zailani and Boon Eng.

This is not to be used as a political agenda.

Do not get us in trouble.

edited: Apparently, this move did not go down well with a lot of people.

Do understand that we never said that we do not support the existences of oppositions. We have seen how irrational the authorities can be and just grab whoever they see first if they see something "not right" in the cyberworld. A world that they do not understand

By "not right", if you didn't see the kind of comments that was posted up, please do not act like we are merely kids who are apathetic. It wasn't merely a kind "Oh, please ask the opposition for help" but it was things that you don't want to be said about your mother or your father. It was targeted at our ministers. They might not be the best at what they are doing, but this is not the place to burn them at the stake and leave us to handle the mess, should there be any.

-

Online petition for Nian Ning

By ONG YEE TING

The Star Online - 4th February 2008

yeeting@thestar.com.my

PENANG: Friends of Lee Nian Ning, a medical student who died in a bus accident on Jan 25, have set up a website to seek signatures for a petition on express bus safety that they will send to the Transport Ministry after Chinese New Year.

There is also an online forum at the website (http:// www.buscrashnomore.blogspot.com) to discuss bus crashes in Malaysia.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia law student Teo Lee Ken said the site had already received 17,000 hits and 3,750 e-signatures since it was set up on Jan 28.

He said the website with the theme: ‘If this happened to her, it can happen to you’ targeted students who use public buses.

“We don’t know how much we can change the situation but we know that something needs to be done and someone has to start something,” he told reporters while collecting signatures after the memorial service for Nian Ning at Mahindrama Buddhist Temple yesterday.

Nian Ning, 21, a medical student and Public Services Department scholar at the University of New South Wales in Australia, was killed in an accident when the double-decker express bus she boarded from Penang to Kuala Lumpur crashed near Slim River at 5.55pm on Jan 25.

Universiti Malaya (UM) engineering student Desmond Tan said the idea to set up the website and forum came from a mutual friend who is now studying in Wales.

“He was saddened by her passing and wanted to do something for her although he couldn’t be physically here.

“He then suggested that we start a website that could reach out to all people around the world and create awareness on the importance of bus safety and to draw public attention to together prevent such tragedies,” he said.

Tan said they are now working to get feedback and suggestions from students in local colleges and universities.

“We are really glad that some strangers who came to know us through the website have volunteered to become our representatives in their respective colleges and universities,” he said.

He said they would hand in the petition to the Transport Ministry and the bus company a week after Chinese New Year.

“However, the campaign will continue until we get at least 26,000 signatures.”

Nian Ning’s father Lee Hock Chuan, 50 said she had been looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year together with the family.

“She had even baked some festive cookies with her mother earlier,” he said.

The Memorial - 3rd February 2008

Please take note:


We, the Team at Bus Crash No More appreciate the enormous support of the public that we have received so far. Everything has been above expectation and we hope our aim and mission will be accomplished very soon. In the mean time, in our comments column, there have been some parties that have been over excited to share unnecessary and extreme ideas that we deem to be inappropriate.

We do NOT welcome any offensive or subversive comments which are inclusive of political propaganda or in any way which might create unnecessary misunderstanding. We STRESS that Bus Crash No More is a NEUTRAL site which has a POSITIVE mission towards safer bus rides and a peaceful Malaysia. We are not going against any party nor supporting any political organization. All we need is make sure the voice of the victims to be heard in the the public in a peaceful manner. Hence, the team at Bus Crash No More shall not be held liable, in any aspect of comments by readers.

Let's get back to the Memorial, shall we?

Last Sunday marked the 9th day since the loss of Lee Nian Ning and 2 other victims in the Slim River Bus Tragedy. The Mahindarama Buddhist Temple management held a Memorial and paid tributes to Nian Ning.

The lecture hall was filled with relatives, friends and also devotees who showed great support. The Team at Bus Crash No More were able to call upon the press to witness the event as well. You can check it out at the links below:





It all began at 10am, with the arrival of guests and the honourable reverands of the temple. As Nian Ning was a student of this Mahindarama Sunday Pali School, many of her Sunday School friends helped to organize the memorial. The Chief Monk led the chant of The 5 Precepts.


Sister Suriya, the emcee for the day invited Mr. Lee Hock Chuan, Nian Ning's father to give a speech after the chant. The anticipating crowd were solemn and in sorrow. Grief filled the air of the hall. Deep in our hearts, we know we need to be strong.


Next up, a bosom buddy of Nian Ning, Amy took to the stage to share memories from their friendship, of which began since they were in standard one. The sharing session was very tear-jerking and emotional. Brother Justin, Nian Ning's Sunday School classmate followed to share his thoughts as well.


A 20 minutes chanting session took place after the heart-touching speech. A chant that we all hope that Nian Ning's soul will rest in peace and keep her family stronger by each day.

A petition drive was carried out by close friends to garner support to sign the petition. A total of almost 400 signatures were collected from the morning itself.

That was the memorial for Nian Ning.

Rest in peace. In loving memory of Lee Nian Ning (1987-2008)

Friday, February 1, 2008

Haris Ibrahim's(the man behind the "Save The Judiciary" petition) Email

I emailed Haris Ibrahim asking for advice regarding our concerns if IC numbers are actually needed for the petition. Whatever it is, there was no turning back as it had already crossed 2000 signatures by then.

Fortunately, this was his reply.

-----

Hi Jolene,
Firstly, let me congratulate you and your friends for taking the initiative to start the petition. I have signed it ( No. 1733 ).
I do not think that it is fatal if your petition does not bear the ic numbers of the signatories. I was insistent on ic numbers for my 'Save the Judiciary' petition given that it was being sent to the Agong and I felt that, for that reason, ic numbers would serve as an assurance for the monarch that all the signatures were legitimate.
Good luck and God bless


----

PEOPLE! Haris Ibrahim signed our petition! We are truly humbled that someone whom we have admired for his effort in raising awareness on past issues have stepped up to support us. We will move forward with your continued support. Thank you Haris!