David Teoh @davidteoh-blog - Tumblr Blog

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The finding suggests that black people have contributed to the “indigenous” British gene pool despite previous evidence to the contrary. Africans were first recorded in northern England some 1,800 years ago, part of a Roman garrison brought in to defend Hadrian’s Wall against raids by tribes in what is now Scotland, the study team said. But slaves from West Africa, Jobling said, were the most likely source of the African DNA revealed in the study. “The first boatful of slaves showed up in 1555 in England, and so from that time on their numbers increased,” Jobling said. In 1601 Queen Elizabeth I issued an edict “that black people should be expelled from Britain because there were too many of them around, which everybody ignored,” he added. Historian Ron Ramdin, author of Reimaging Britain: 500 Years of Black and Asian History, said that by the end of the 18th century an estimated 10,000 black people were living in Britain, mostly concentrated in cities.

Rare African DNA Discovered in White British Males

(via howtobeterrell)

Battle For Malaysia: Jom Balik Undi - David Teoh

#GE13 JomBalikUndi

My 22 tweets on GE13

@dteoh

1. Your MP is not responsible for fixing your drains or fogging mosquitos. They are your legistlators in Parliament

@dteoh

2. Please consider your aspirations for a better Malaysia, what policies would bring about macro-changes and vote MPs who share these values

@dteoh

3. If you find your drains in disrepair, that is the responsibility of your local authority. It is best you contact the relevant authority.

@dteoh

4. Your MP's job is not to point you to the 'right' person to fix your drains or redo your roads. Try google.

@dteoh

5. It is perfectly okay to vote an ADUN from one coalition and an MP from another coalition. They are different jobs altogether.

@dteoh

6. Your responsibility as a citizen extends to after election day. Hold your representative to account. It is your right.

@dteoh

7. Constitutional changes require 2/3 majority. If you fear hudud under PAS, you should look to BN and ponder why you failed arithmetics.

@dteoh

8. Likewise, DAP has no intention of creating a Christian state either. Again, 2/3 majority required and consent from rulers council.

@dteoh

9. In any case, there is more to Islamic law than just hudud. Many principles are universal values acceptable to non-muslims too.

@dteoh

10. If there is a change in government, Malaysia will not collapse on May 6, because WE are Malaysia, NOT the politicians running for office

@dteoh

11. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.

@dteoh

12. Don't buy nonsense from politicians saying state and federal governments from different parties can't work together. WE demand they do.

@dteoh

13. If you are under 30, like me. Who represents YOU in parliament? What are issues you need addressing in the next 5 years? ie. housing?

@dteoh

14. In this globalised era, Malaysians overseas contribute in so many ways. Honour them, their voice is equally as important as yours.

@dteoh

15. If you are a Malaysian living in Singapore, why is it a crime drive your OWN car to vote in your OWN elections? themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/artic…

@dteoh

16. Attacks on @bersih2 unfair. ie. in soccer, if referee pulls a red card on Team A, it doesn't mean referee is an agent of Team B.

@dteoh

17. After elections, even if Team B wins, we still need @bersih2 to hold Team B tosame high standards demanded by public, for future's sake.

@dteoh

18. In last 5 years, credit shld go to M'sian public for opening up democratic space. We hd to travel a full mile before govt moved an inch.

@dteoh

19. ie. On overseas vote, in 2 years, public opinion and policy changes on the matter shifted only after painful lobbying process.

@dteoh

20. It is disappointing tax-payer funded RTM and Bernama runs the govt line and blocks out rest. How is this fair?

@dteoh

21. Bogeyman term 'foreign interference' used to deter of any form of international scrutiny. But we do need independent scrutiny of EC/GE13

@dteoh

22. I feel @anwaribrahim should now WAGE PEACE and RECONCILIATION in the event that his coalition receives the mandate to form a new govt.

timeshaiku

A haiku from the article: Isabel Allende: By the Book

Overseas Malaysians, be the cause in the matter and vote — David Teoh

FEB 7 — Leaving the geographic boundaries of your country does not magically make you less of a citizen, in some instances, it could make you a national hero.

Le Corbusier (1887-1965), the Swiss-born architect and pioneer of the modern movement whose ideas influenced the world over, lived almost all of his professional life abroad. So did Japanese bacteriologist Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), who conducted groundbreaking work on the causes of syphilis and yellow fever. Noguchi lived most of his life in the Americas. Yet both men are recognised on Swiss and Japanese banknotes as national heroes and model citizens of their countries. Switzerland and Japan today are among 115 countries that allow and encourage their citizens residing abroad to vote.

Le Corbusier (left) is featured on the 10 Swiss franc banknote, while Noguchi (right) is featured on the Y1,000 banknote.

In my experience, I know of many who passionately care about what is happening in Malaysia and maintain strong ties with family and friends back home. It is no surprise that many Malaysians abroad wish to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote.

Voter eligibility is clearly spelt out in Article 119 of the Federal Constitution:

(1) Every citizen who

(a) has attained the age of twenty-one years on the qualifying date; and

(b) is resident in a constituency on such qualifying date or, if not so resident, is an absent voter

Hence, as I understand it, until our constitution is amended to say otherwise, no institution has the right to impose criteria to determine the “loyalty” of any citizen with intentions of disenfranchising an eligible voter based on their place of residence and vocation.

Our Election Commission must take steps to improve on its current public image to enjoy public confidence of all Malaysians at home and abroad. We need to see that the Election Commission acts within a faithful interpretation of the constitution to facilitate and enfranchise all age-eligible Malaysian citizens to vote and ensure elections held are clean and fair.

While we are quick to expect more of our institutions, it is only fair that we ordinary Malaysians hold ourselves to a higher standard. Democracy is not a spectator sport nor should we expect our overseas ballot to be served to us on a silver platter. Based on the most recent developments — it is unlikely that all Malaysians abroad would have an absentee ballot for the next general election.

Those who truly feel passionate about the issue must now commit to realistically consider their options if they wish to participate in the elections. Here are some suggestions:

● Be sure to register yourself as a voter.

● If you are already registered, check your status at the Election Commission’s online portal to be sure your details are correct.

● Are all your relatives and friends in Malaysia registered voters? Speak to them about it the next time you call home and encourage them to go out in full force to vote on polling day. Together, we can cause the highest attendance at an election ever.

The writer (left), Rameez (centre) and lawyer T. Raj having breakfast of tosai in Melbourne on February 5, 2012.

● There are at least 400,000 Malaysians residing in Singapore who could easily make the difference at the next elections. If you are working in Singapore, have a conversation with your employer and inform them of your intent to return to your constituency to vote when an election is called. When the time is right, your employer would have had advanced notice of your intent to vote.

● The same is possible for those who reside in Australia, the UK, and elsewhere. Allocate a budget for a holiday in Malaysia this year. Inform your employers of your intent and execute your plans when Parliament is dissolved.

● If you feel inclined to do so, surprise yourself and write to Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. Suggest that they have a sale when elections are called for all registered voters to enable more Malaysians to vote. If you are reading this and are in touch with decision makers at these airlines, share with them what a difference this would make for our national morale if they could assist in this matter.

● All students and their spouses are eligible to lodge a postal ballot from abroad. Encourage students you know to register at their nearest diplomatic mission.

● Take an active interest and keep tabs on this issue by reading up on the MyOverseasVote campaign. Their website highlights what has been done to date.

● Find out if there is an active Malaysian community group in your area and get involved in creative ways. If there isn’t one, start your own group and join the global discussion on social media.

● And finally, touch base with your nearest Malaysian mission to keep yourself informed. The Consul-General in Melbourne, Dr Mohamed Rameez Yahaya, has always been open, approachable and ever willing to assist Malaysians living here. I am certain that he is not alone among his Wisma Putra colleagues around the world. Details of your nearest mission can be found here.

When we Malaysians overseas request our government to facilitate our right to vote, we must be prepared to rise above being whingers and armchair critics. Instead, let us all be the cause in the matter and do our part in creating a better Malaysia.

* Melbourne-based architect David Teoh currently heads the community organisation SABMoz and co-ordinates activities in support of Bersih2.0 in Australia. He tweets as @dteoh on Twitter.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified

#myoverseasvote #bersih2 #malaysian diaspora #postal vote #take action #election commission #sabmoz

SABMoz : Publicly debate the 'No Peaceful Assembly Bill' online

THE Peaceful Assembly Bill should be called the "No Peaceful Assembly Bill" and it should be debated on the internet as a matter of urgency, an offshore Malaysian NGO said today.

"Najib Razak's latest legislative proposal imposes draconian restrictions on the public's right to freedom of speech," said the Australian chapter of Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia in a statement, “but the PM thinks it's 'revolutionary' and a 'giant leap'. Therefore, the public itself must be given the right of reply in a proper, easily accessed platform."

SABMoz said: "We can't all attend parliament and there is no better place for such a debate than the worldwide web.

"It can be organised - it is not a difficult proposition in this age of social media - in the interests of all the people who have a stake in freedom, to openly discuss how the government proposes to define this fundamental right on behalf of all Malaysians."

SABMoz President, David Teoh, said in Melbourne that "we envision a live streamed debate both on mainstream media and other news portals.

SABMoz said that "the internet is the best avenue to reach out to Gen-Y, to engage with the very people in whose hands the future of Malaysia lies".

"We have heard from various politicians. We now need to hear from the public, the likes of those who felt so strongly about Malaysia's future that they came in the tens of thousands on July 9 to show how much they cared.

"The government owes the public this debate. It must move from parliament and into the public sphere.

"SABMoz will consult with the wider group of Malaysian NGOs, and we propose to select five young Malaysians to articulate their feelings on the proposed legislation. Of course, the government, which believes this legislation is right for Malaysia, is invited to do the same.

"In this process, the public will be able to appreciate the full and far reaching implications of the proposed bill, and discussions will empower the ordinary rakyat to have a say in the country’s future.

"We call on the government to publicly debate this proposed law and, in so doing, rise to the challenge of accountability."

SABMoz said the bill also "usurped the role of the judiciary in favour of the Home Minister, to whom an applicant for a peaceful assembly would have to go in order to review a police rejection".

"The feedback we have received is that this has been poorly drafted and has left a lot of loop holes. New laws with such far reaching implications should not be hastily debated and passed in Parliament without careful deliberation at a committee level with input from the general public."

SABMoz said that, while "it fully supported the amendments to the bill proposed by the Bar Council and SUHAKAM, it would serve Malaysia best if such a bill never saw the light of day".

"But that is only our opinion - we need to hear from the people."

* * * * *

SABMoz is an abbreviation for ‘Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia di Australia’ and is a registered association in Melbourne with members in all Australian capital cities. We seek to engage Malaysians, former Malaysians and friends of Malaysians in the spirit of community and relatedness in Australia; providing opportunities for our target community to discuss ways of advancing Good Governance in Malaysia – in particular the promotion of stewardship, integrity, accountability and transparency. In the past year, SABMoz has been at the forefront in campaigning for the 8 demands of BERSIH 2.0 and MyOverseasVote.

#PA2011 #SABMoz #media statement #freedom of assembly #constitution of malaysia

Ambiga in Australia

TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2011 - 6.30PM- 8.00PM

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE Electoral Reform and the Quest for Democracy in Malaysia

Venue: GM15- LAW BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

RSVP Essential: http://alc.law.unimelb.edu.au/index.cfm?objectid=6A3FF7F9-1422-207C-BAF8B4E4EFE99C64&DiaryID=5569

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123322901102369

FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER 2011 - 6.30PM- 10.00PM

CleanBefore13 - BERSIH2.0 SOLIDARITY NIGHT / Nasi Lemak Dinner served

(Vegetarian Option Available) $15 non-students/ $10 students

Venue: Clayton Hall, 264-268 Clayton Road

RSVP Essential: http://bersihstories.eventbrite.com

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104221226355247

SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER 2011 - 6.30PM- 8.00PM

AN EVENING WITH DATO’ AMBIGA SREENEVASAN

Dinner $40 /pp

Venue: Emperor’s Garden, 96-100 Hay St, Haymarket, NSW, 2000

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER 2011 - 12.30PM- 2.00PM

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE (Light lunch served)

Venue: Boardroom, Level 2, Law Building, UNSW

RSVP ESSENTIAL: https://register.eventarc.com/event/view/5951/tickets/ahrcentre-seminar-with-dato-ambiga-sreenevasan

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108904959219114

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER 2011 - 6.00PM- 7.30PM

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE

New Law School Lecture Theatre, Room 24, University of Sydney

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=292621054081821

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2011 - 6.30PM- 8.00PM

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE

Law Theatre, ANU College of Law (Building 5), Australian National University

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=245927852121107

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2011 - 8.00PM- 10.00PM

INFORMAL DINNER WITH MALAYSIANS IN CANBERRA

RSVP for all events essential. Email us at [email protected] or contact us on facebook

HAVE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

The big announcement by the Professor's Council of Malaysia has led us to question if they really deserve their titles. While technically we were not colonised, we have to admit to being part of the British Empire. We were a vassal state. Nevertheless, well done Ezra and friends for giving us satire.

Timber furniture piece completed in 2008. Now serves as my PC gaming console and multipurpose book/storage unit.

Planar Composition 1 Jarrah and European Beech

David Teoh

Zainal Kling and his historian buddies are wrong. We were part of the British empire after all! Check out 'British Empire' in pink in Philips Handy Volume Atlas published circa 1925. It doesn't matter what contracts were sign or not signed, at the end of the day, how was Malaya perceived by the British and the rest of the world? We were 'British' whether we choose to admit it or not.

#malaya

Undilah!

So, I lost my glasses... (MUJI withdrawal symptoms)

In February 2010, I was in Osaka and on a whim, I bought myself new glasses from MUJI. They were red, semi-translucent and cheap. So I bought the frames, and if it wasn't for the fact that I was leaving in a day, I would have gotten the lenses fitted all for 10,500 Yen.

I lost them. Not sure where I put them, I was pretty sure I left them at work, but they were gone the next day. So after a week and looking everywhere, I am still missing my glasses. So, the plan is to ask someone to buy them for me at MUJI and mail it to me.

Need your opinion:

Should I go with the reds that I lost, or get an Olive green in the same style?

Or should I get more conventional frames: like a rectangularish black?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

#MUJI #glasses #design #forgetfulness

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Charles Swindoll

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?

Drawing on the wall with crayons

...henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility: At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty-a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra - Speech given at the Declaration of Independence for Malaya 31 August 1957

SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER AT THE PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE AT MERDEKA STADIUM, KUALA LUMPUR ON 31ST AUGUST, 1957

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, People of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.

I am indeed proud that on this, the greatest day in Malaya's history it falls to my lot to proclaim the formal independence of this country. Today as new page is turned, and Malaya steps forward to take her rightful place as a free and independent partner in the great community of Nations-a new nation is born and though we fully realise that difficulties and problems lie ahead, we are confident that, with the blessing of God, these difficulties will be overcome and that today's events, down the avenues of history, will be our inspiration and our guide. It is therefore with a feeling of particular solemnity that we have listened to the eloquent words of His Royal Highness and in particular to the moving message he has conveyed from Her Majesty the Queen

We are indeed honoured that Her Majesty should have deputed her own uncle, His Royal Highness to be with us on this occasion particularly when we remember that he is no stranger to this land: we recall too with pleasure his previous visit to Malaya and happy recollections of his stay have remained with us.

His Royal Highness has spoken in moving words of the past associations of our two countries. We in Malaya have a long history, but we do not lightly forget old relationships.

For many years past our fortunes have been linked with those of Great Britain and we recall in particular the comradeship of two world wars. We remember too the products of our association; justice before the law, the legacy of an efficient public service and the highest standard of living in Asia. We shall therefore always remember with gratitude the assistance which we have received from Great Britain down our long path to nationhood; an assistance which culminated today with the proclamation of Malaya's Independence. But the long standing friendship between our countries does not cease with independence: rather it takes on a new form. As you have heard in the gracious message from Her Majesty the Queen, Malaya will henceforward take her place in the great Commonwealth of Independent Nations whose members are found in all parts of the world, and as an equal partner in that great association. We in this country will do all in our power to promote its well-being in the interests of mankind in general and in the particular service of world peace.

Thus today a new chapter opens in our relationship with Britain; our colonial status has given place to full equality but we are confident that, fortified by old associations, and linked by old memories, our ties with Britain will grow ever stronger and more durable.

The British will ever find in us her best friend, and it is a source of much gratification to my Government that British Civil Servants will continues to serve in this country to assist us in the solution of the many problems which independence will present.

But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future; from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility: Let no one think we have reached the end of the road: Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour-the creation of a new and sovereign State. At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty-a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.

High confidence has been reposed in us; let us unitedly face the challenge of the years.

And so with remembrance for the past, and with confidence in the future, under the providence of God, we shall succeed.

PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE MERCIFUL. PRAISE BE TO GOD, THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE AND MAY THE BLESSINGS AND PEACE OF GOD UPON HIS MESSENGERS

WHEREAS the time has now arrived when the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu will assume the status of a free independent and sovereign nation among the nations of the World.

AND WHEREAS by an agreement styled the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957, between Her Majesty the Queen and Their Highness the Rulers of the Malay States it was agreed that the Malay States of lohore, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Trengganu and Perak and the former Settlements of Malacca and Penang should as from the 31st day of August, 1957, be formed into a new Federation of States by the name of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.

AND WHEREAS it was further agreed between the parties to the said agreement that the Settlements of Malacca and Penang aforesaid should as from the said date cease to form part of Her Majesty's dominions and that Her Majesty should cease to exercise any sovereignty over them.

AND WHEREAS it was further agreed by the parties aforesaid that the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1948, and all other agreements subsisting between Her Majesty the Queen and Their Highness the Rulers or anyone of them immediately before the said date should be revoked as from that date and that all powers and jurisdiction of Her Majesty or of the Parliament of the United Kingdom in or in respects of the Settlements aforesaid or the Malay States or the Federation as a whole should come to an end.

AND WHEREAS effect has been given in the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957, by Her Majesty the Queen, Their Highnesses the Rulers, the Parliament of the United Kingdom and Legislatures of the Federation and of the Malay States.

AND WHEREAS a constitution for the Government of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu has been established as the supreme law thereof.

AND WHEREAS by the Federal Constitution aforesaid provision is made to safeguard the rights and prerogatives of Their Highness the Rulers and the fundamental rights and liberties of the people and to provide for the peaceful and orderly advancement of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu as a constitutional monarchy based on Parliamentary democracy.

AND WHEREAS the Federal Constitution aforesaid having been approved by an Ordinance of the Federal Legislatures, by the Enactments of the Malay States and by resolutions of the Legislatures of Malacca and Penang has come into force on the 31 st day of August, 1957, aforesaid.

Now in the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful,

I, TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN PUTRA IBNI AL-MARHUM SULTAN ABDUL HAMID HALIMSHAH, PRIME MINISTER OF THE PERSEKUTUAN T ANAH MELAYU, with the concurrence and approval of Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States do hereby proclaim and declare on behalf of the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu that as from the thirty first day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty seven, the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu comprising the States of lohore, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Trengganu, Perak, Malacca and Penang is and with God's blessing shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.

UndiMsia! A youth driven participatory democracy initiative to empower others to action through public education. Its fun, its vibrant. Do something, don't whinge. :)

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