If
Penangites have spoken up!
Since the launch of the Speakers' Square on 4th May 2010, many have spoken at the Square.
The Sembang-sembang Forum's " Best Speech Citation " goes to A.S. Dass, an ice-cream vendor who complaint of harrassment from the MPPP enforcement officers.
Ice-cream seller A.S. Dass (left) venting his frustration at theSpeakers’ Square, at being harassed and restricted from operatingat public places by municipal enforcement officers.
From the Sun May 13, 20210, ".....A.S. Dass, 37, lamented to some 40 people gathered at the square that officers would harass him even though he had a valid licence, and would stop him from selling ice-cream at popular public spots like the Esplanade and Youth Park.
"They tell me if I do not leave the area, they will confiscate my ice-cream and things," he said.
"But they do not know my problems… I ride all the way from Bukit Mertajam every day. I am poor and have two children, one of whom is disabled," he added. "As it is, it is very hard to find business unless I go to popular places," he said.
"There are so many illegal vendors across Penang who are not acted on. Why are they disturbing us ice-cream sellers, even when we have licences?" he asked.
Photo credit and news report taken from the Sun daily. You can read the full report here.
The Sembang-sembang Forum's " Best Performance Applause" goes to the "Flashmob Protest at Lack of Press Freedom" when a flashmob staged their protest against the lack of Press Freedom by reading the newspapers upside down at the Speakers' Square on Saturday May 8, 2010.
May 3 is World Press Freedom Day
How newspaper should be read in Malaysia!
Our " Leadership Quotable Quote " goes to Dr. Toh Kin Woon who sopke in Bahasa Malaysia.
Dr Toh said the Speakers' Square gives the ordinary people a chance to voice complaints which they may not be able to do otherwise as there are few avenues to express such frustration.“We must continue to fight for the abolition of laws which restrict the people's freedom,” he added.
Dr. Toh Kin Woon,
“We must continue to fight for the abolition of laws
which restrict the people's freedom,”
Photo credit from Susan Loone's article : Speakers not intimidated by police presence. Last but not least, Sembang-sembang Forum's "Best Participation Award " goes to the audience who turn out in force every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 6.00pm to listen to the speakers and take in some fresh air and views at the Esplanade.
A nation may lose its liberties in a day and
not miss them in a century.
not miss them in a century.
~Baron de Montesquieu , 1689 - 1755.
French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Era of the Enlightenment.
French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Era of the Enlightenment.
Let's not miss our freedom every Sunday at 6.00pm!
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