3rd Session of Universiti Sains Malaysia Students' Consultative Assembly

Prologue: Two weeks hiatus! Lots of things happened in real life as well in my realam while this blog remained silent and covered in cobwebs and dust. My bad. Before clearing up all those backlog that I accumulated, let's get this thing clear off first ahead in urgency.

Alternate title: If I were in that chamber as an observer.

tl:dr? If you don't like my rant, just scroll down for more resource to prepare yourself or just click the red X in your browser and leave)

They reused the one years old banner. Good. 3R towards sustainability.

After months of hiatus, Universiti Sains Malaysia Students' Consultative Assembly will convene on tomorrow (Saturday 19 November 2011) at Dewan Persidangan Universiti for the third session since its inception in 2010/11 academic year and has been held once every semester since. As for myself, unlike the previous two sessions last year which I only followed and commented from the side however, this time I actually submitted a motion to be discussed in DPPUSM (my motion: USM wifi's inconsistent website blocking policy. I actually wrote a three pages long submission complete with pictures on website which I think has been unjustly block, the primary example that is Radio24, Bernama's 24 hour radio site while ABC, BBC, CBC, Al Jazeera and PressTV (Iran) can still be accessed with no problem. They've unblock Youtube anyway so why not other sites? If you want a copy of my submission, ask me directly and I will upload it somewhere.) as well as applying to be an observer in the chamber. (I wonder where did that sudden urge comes from anyway. Boredom perhaps?)

Announcement for student to apply as an observer in the Student Consultative Assembly. Being a hermit separated from reality by cloistering myself in room for so long, I almost missed out the deadline to hand in the application form that I only went to HEPP office to pick up on the application on the day of deadline itself.

So I did hand in the application form, complete with my passport size photo. Even though I know that my application (with zero involvement in club/university activities. BTW, I consider my postgraduate life as a clean slate and whatever I did during my undergraduate life has nothing to do with what I am now) is a very long shot, I still hinges on the fact that the SCA could appreciate participation from postgraduate students (even if for one or two student, I am sure postgrads will bring more sense of reason and expertise to the discussion) instead of giving the opportunity to only undergraduates. Imagine my disappointment when I was told by the MPPs in the MPP10/11 group when inquiring about application for observer YESTERDAY that most likely that application has been rejected since they inform those who got it directly for the past week and it's only two days away from actual session. They could've just inform those whose application were rejected directly as well instead of keeping them waiting but NO, they didn't notify anything. I want my passport size photo back now that my application has been rejected.

Now, even though the official DPPUSM website and its official Facebook page remain awkwardly silent and haven't been updated with the latest list of motion that will be discussed as well as the new roster of DPP members and observers (a matter of time management with lack of people on duty or a deliberate ploy to trivialize the whole event with tight schedule and disinformation for the rest of the campus population to scrutinize it), a few MPP/SRC members has already (and probably it was them who chaired the meeting in processing all the motions anyway. Still wondering why they didn't bother to notify those whose application has been rejected about the rejection.) posted it up over MPP 10/11 Facebook Group (only after someone actually asked it. If no one ask, probably it won't be up too.) So hereby I reproduced the whole list of the motions, 20 in total, that will be brought to the debate by the Students' Consultative Assembly.

1. Pembinaan Surau Di Foyer Dewan Kuliah
2. Pembentangan Peruntukan Bajet APEX Kepada Pemimpin Pelajar
 
3. Dasar Penggunaan USM Wifi (Dari Segi Laman Web/Sesawang Yang Dihalang Aksesnya) Perlulah Dirombak Dan Diperhalusi Semula 
Note: Success! Yours truly's motion, probably incorporated with other similar themed motions but otherwise my title. A bittersweet victory for me though because even though my motion went in, my application to be an observer didn't. So much for hoping postgraduate token observer status or successful submitter of motion will be invited to the chamber as well to present and debate it. So now I have to watched it in horror on Saturday through my laptop with rubbish sound and visual quality as whoever that's going to be responsible in delivering my motion butchered my meticulously crafted piece of work. Just great.
 
4. Menaiktaraf Makmal Komputer Di Setiap Pusat Pengajian
5. Pengawalan Lalulintas Dalam Kawasan USM Perlu Dipertingkatkan
6. Memperketatkan Kawalan Keselamatan Desasiswa Terutama Desasiswa Restu, Saujana Dan Tekun Serta Melonggarkan Sedikit Birokrasi Yang Telah Ditetapkan Kepada Pengawal Keselamatan
7. Yuran Aktiviti Sepunya Universiti Dimansuhkan Dengan Ditanggung Sepenuhnya Oleh Universiti
8. Aktiviti Sepunya Universiti Yang Melibatkan Ramai Peserta Diadakan Di Induk Manakala Aktiviti Yang Memerlukan Penyertaan Sedikit Diadakan Di Kampus Lain
9. Penyelarasan Elaun Peserta Yang Mewakili Desasiswa Mengikut Peringkat
10. Pembatalan Aktiviti Kokurikulum Semasa Pelaksanaan Sukad Dan Tot Dilangsungkan
11. Pembayaran Separuh Harga Penginapan Oleh MPD
12. Memohon Mata Merit Pelajar Dipamerkan Untuk Tujuan Permohonan Penginapan Desasiswa & Memantau Kembali Mekanisme Pelaksanaan Sistem Merit
13. Meningkatkan Tahap Keselamatan Jalan Raya Di Hadapan Pintu Pagar A USM Kampus Kesihatan
14. Persaingan Merit Untuk Pelajar Kursus Ijazah Sarjana Muda Doktor Perubatan(MD) Dan Ijazah Sarjana Muda Doktor Pergigian(DDS) Dilakukan Berasingan Dengan Pelajar Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan
15. Pihak USM Seharusnya Meningkatkan Kebajikan Mahasiswa Kurang Upaya Terutamanya Mahasiswa Buta.
16. Transparensi Pemarkahan ‘Coursework’ 
17. Perkhidmatan Doktor Pergigian Di Setiap Kampus
 
18. Seksualiti Merdeka 2011
 
19. Pengambilan Suntikan Pelalian Vaksin 'Human Papillomavirus' (HPV) Kepada Golongan Wanita Khususnya Siswi USM.
20. Bas-bas di USM

As I glances through the whole list of the same old tedious, boring motions of similar theme except a few newer ones (Issue over RST's gate and security is back. The bus service quality is back. Student activity is back. While last year was MPP that demand for perks, this year is MPD asking for perks in reducing their rental fee in half. How ludicrous.), there's one particular motion catches me eye. (Incidentally, this is the ONLY public issue motion that will be discussed in this session while the other 19 centered exclusively for USM affairs. No comments on the recent Court of Appeals decision that ruled Section 15 of UUCA/AUKU is unconstitutional and in which Wafi (The previous MPP chairman which I still regard as a prick but now an officer in USM working in Student Affair Department.) and the current MPP chairman, Idzuan decided to sent in a memorandum to the government in Putrajaya supposibly IN DEFENCE of UUCA/AUKU? (The picture is over Facebook anyway) I thought officers are not supposed to do anything that's deemed out of the rules and circular? Perhaps someone will voiced it out as an adhoc motion at the end of the day though expecting it to be rubbished or cast aside due to time constraint and weary members not enthusiastic to debate any further). Anyway,

Seksualiti Merdeka 2011

My gut feeling has told me (and rightly so it did) that this hot button issue that had endured so much SHITSTORM in media being dubbed by Utusan and TV3 and the likes as "wild sex party" or "Promotion of Malicious Gay Agenda and Propagation of Sodomy" which rightly refuted by Marina Mahathir as well as polemics in cyberspace which is reeking in bigotry, hate, disinformation and misunderstanding. I am still remain baffled (and many who were active in the organizing Seksualiti Merdeka or just reasonable people out there) on why Seksualiti Merdeka this year has this much of shitstorm while it was relatively uneventful in the previous three occasions?

The thing that I worried about with regards to this issue being discussed in the Students' Consultative Assembly is that the nature of this issue being as polarizing as it could be (though shouldn't be) and the composition of the members of the chamber itself, will not be given due consideration and fair discussion before being hard-pressed into issuing a joint statement condemning the event as immoral and such. In fact, I am fearing that this issue will turn the discussion into an echo chamber of hate, bigotry, misunderstanding and disinformation dominated by the sycophants of PMIUSM and the like, quoting again and again the same line from their Al-Quran like homosexuals should repent or suffer eternal damnation in hellfire as well as other equally irresponsible, dehumanizing statement about "Homosexuals will take over the world" or "Human Right is just a western ploy" or "It will be slippery slope and the society will descend into total anarchy with rape, paedophillia and incest" (By the way, despite being against homosexuality, this article has explained why its a fallacy comparing homosexuality with rape, incest and paedophilia, keyword here being consent/kerelaan as well as misunderstanding of approaches/salah faham dalam pendekatan.) while everybody else in fear of being label heathen remains in silent and vote in support in fear of reprisal and duress. My gut feeling is fearing for the worse and I have already imagine myself debating in that chamber deflecting criticisms and incredulous accusation towards Seksualiti Merdeka and the issue surrounding it. The only problem right now?

I am not there, I will not be there tomorrow and I am not confident if there will be anyone brave enough to provide second opinion about this.

Hence the only thing that I can do right now is to come up with this write up (unlike my previous two write up about motions discussed which I went through all of it in variety level of details to the detriment of my eyesight and back) urging all members and observers in the upcoming session of Students' Consultative Assembly tomorrow to discuss this issue with clarity, maturity, sanity, reason and due consideration. If the discussion has veered off course towards bigotry and hate and rounds of irresponsible, I hope that someone even if it's only one person will pull it back to sanity with facts, logic and reasons. Even if there might be difference between opinions, the least one can do is to listen, debate constructively and respect without descending to name calling or assuming moral high ground the debate even started. 

Please don't let my fear become a reality. Surprise my cynicism.

Last but not least and being true to going back to the source, a few useful links on information about GLBT issues courtesy of Seksualiti Merdeka regarding what exactly are they doing in the event itself which is essentially just a series of talks and forums with different experts regarding GLBT in Malaysia as well as art and theater performances, (Not even an inkling of open, casual sex right here.), definition of various terms used in discussion of GLBT issues, their affiliates including Malaysia AIDS Council of Marina Mahathir fame since sexual health is another equally pressing issue for GLBT besides human right issue and last but not least, 29 ways towards a more GLBT friendly Malaysia in which the core message is essentially BE NICE, BE RESPECTFUL and Don't be forceful. Your friendly neighbourhood resource centre that is Wikipedia has lots of information too about GLBT such as Yogyakarta Principles has listed in Seksualiti Merdeka's website. Do spent some time reading it and enlighten yourself with facts and reasons.

Remember, being friendly as a person is not equal to "advancing sodomy in order for homosexuality to take over the world.". They have no intention of taking the world anyway so stop being fearful towards homosexuals, for them are equally capable people to contribute meaningful to the betterment of society and humanity. Remember, the moment you sweep the issue under the carpet and remain ignorant and choose to dehumanize GLBT is when GLBT will continue to be harassed, exploited and marginalized.

Epilogue: If any of you actually bothered to read until the end, thank you and I salute you. I value reason, principles and pragmatism while expressing deep loathe towards personal attack. Debate is all about facts and coherent train of thought so I would appreciate if those of you who tempted to leave comment about this to do as so. Otherwise, just click that big red X button and leave. Meanwhile, yet another rare occasion that I come up with thoughtful post! Will be back to usual what I ate and what I do run of the mill post next time...if I am in mood to blog. Oh oh just to go in tangent with regards to the issue of taboo, here's an interesting upcoming talk in School of Arts (courtesy of USM Postgraduate Studies group):

The Pleasure and Sensuality of Writing and Art? I am thinking of all those nude Grecian and Roman arts, sculpture and literature, Kamasutra or erotic Japanese Ukiyo-e. Now I wonder if any party pooper might want to drop it and make a fuss about decency and taboo like what Victorian era people do towards Lady Chatterley's Lover demanding censor.