Chronology of Disputes Over Mybalikpulau Newsletter

Date	Details
Feb 1	UMNO’s Pulau Betong assembly person Muhammad Farid Saad accuses the myBalikPulau newsletter of “twisting history and insulting the Malays”. He claims the newsletter contains incorrect historical facts and illustrations that “insult” the Malay community. He implies that the current State government is behind this publication and it is an attempt to mislead the younger generation.
Feb 2	Presiden Alumni Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM) Kampus Pulau Pinang, Abdul Said Hussain, repeats the accusation that myBalikPulau newsletter is distributed by the current Penang government to sideline the Malay contribution in the opening of Southwest district of Penang Island. CM Lim Guan Eng denies the current State government is the sponsor of myBalikPulau newsletter. He points out the publication is funded by the previous State government and published under the Federal Government. He accuses UMNO and Utusan Malaysia of creating tension and social unrest in order to attack the current State government.
Feb 3	Utusan Malaysia carries another report calling the myBalikPulau newsletter dangerous.
Feb 5	CM Lim Guan Eng reiterates that myBalikPulau newsletter is sponsored by UMNO and the Federal government. He accuses Farid of playing a racial game. He also demands the latter to withdraw his allegation and issue an open apology for defaming the current State government. Balik Pulau MP, Yusmadi Yusoff, urges Farid to stop politicizing the myBalikPulau newsletter. He points out the newsletter is published by Arts-ED and defends Arts-ED as one of the very few NGOs that is active in the revival and development of arts and culture in Balik Pulau. Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) Pulau Pinang urges for a clarification from the publisher of myBalikPulau as well as historical references used in the writing of Balik Pulau history.
Feb 6	Muhammad Farid blames Utusan Malaysia for twisting his words. He also denies for accusing the State government of sponsoring and distributing the allegedly controversial newsletter. Nonetheless he continues to question the legitimate use of the State logo on the publication. He also refuses to apology and retract his previous statement because he insisted he was merely pointing out factual errors and did not blame any party for the publication.
Feb 7	The Penang Education Council (PEC), one of many funders of Arts-ED denies any role in the publication of myBalikPulau. Seri, the secretariat of the PEC also claims it has no relations with the actual work of Arts-ED. Executive director of SERI, Liew Chin Tong points out that the myBalikPulau newspaper was funded prior to March 8, 2008, although it was only published in 2010.
Feb 8	CM Lim Guan Eng repeats the statement that Penang government has nothing to do with myBalikPulau newsletter. The project was funded by the previous administration. Arts-ED releases a press statement, clarifying that myBalikPulau newsletter is a showcase of the collective efforts of the children and the community, with no intention to be an authoritative history of Balik Pulau. Arts-ED also expresses regret if the contents of the newsletter had touched on any sensitivities and stresses that the purpose of the publication remains apolitical.
Feb 9	A Gabungan Bela Hak Insan Islam consists of 4 Penang-based Islamic NGOs requests the State government to ban myBalikPulau newspaper and take action against its publisher-Arts-ED. The 4 NGOs are Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pajim), Badan Anti Islam Liberal (Badai), Islamic Provocation International Society (IPIS) and Sekretariat Dakwah Pulau Pinang. Gabungan later sets fire to copies of the publication, warning that if no action is taken by the State, they will seek the attention of the Federal government.
Feb 10	Penang State government announces it will file a defamation suit against Muhammad Farid Saad for failing to apologize and withdraw his comments, which have gained much coverage in the Malay language dailies controlled by UMNO. Arts-ED lodges a police report because a group of unidentified individuals visited the office under forged identity to request for myBalikPulau newsletter and other organization collaterals.
Feb 11	Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff condemns the “racist, destructive and parochial approach” to the myBalikPulau issue. He admits that there are certain limitations in the newsletter and encourages further research and resources to help rectify the problems. He again expresses his support for Arts-ED effort in promoting arts and heritage in Balik Pulau. Arts-ED releases another statement stressing that the myBalikPulau newsletter is not intended to be a definitive history. It only presents oral histories as recounted by residents of Balik Pulau, as well as including information on the area from published sources, which were available to the researchers at the time of writing. Information not available at that time to the researchers was not included. Arts-ED also states that “the oral histories represent stories from persons who were interested and willing to share their stories… care was taken to engage with all community and ethnic groups”. Arts-ED includes their historical references together with the statement. A Penang local historian, Khoo Salma, claims the myBalikPulau newsletter as “a wonderful community history effort by the arts education group”. She points out the fact that everyone acknowledges Arts-ED’s genuine effort in encouraging young people to take an interest in their history and heritage. She also addresses the debates raised regarding the opening of Balik Pulau and says that the omission of certain historical facts is not done deliberately, and that other historical facts in the newsletter are valid and appropriate. Kelab Warisan Malaysia (KERIS) Penang branch urges Universiti Sains Malaysia to take action against its staff member who is involved in the publication of myBalikPulau. The organization accuses the newsletter for using sensitive words such as “pendatang”, “pelarian” etc.
Feb 12	Five Arts Centre expresses its concern over the extreme reaction to the myBalikPulau newsletter. The group supports Arts-ED’s effort in facilitating children to interact with elders in the myBalikPulau oral history project. The group testifies the significance of oral histories as “eyewitness accounts of those who lived through both significant and everyday events”. Five Arts Centre urges the myBalikPulau newsletter to be saved for future generation and encourages every Malaysian to read it and engage in dialogue ad discovery.
Feb 13	Fellow Arts-ED participants speak up for the organization. - U-Jean writes to the press and applauds the organization for being an active agent in promoting the learning of local histories through creative ways. “Through them, I learned the value of local history”. She claims that Arts-ED is the only NGO “who gives a voice to young people, who works in creative ways, who educate for free, who believe that everyone has a right to tell their story…” - Nur Faizah J. Jayakumar in her facebook says projects of Arts-ED really stress on tolerance for cultural differences. It provides a platform for her to interact with friends from different cultural background. She also acknowledges Arts-ED’s creative approach in promoting the learning of local histories.  - Natasha Khanum shares her experience and stresses that race and religion has never been an issue in Arts-ED. “Arts-ED is a remarkable effort to educate youths about our history and gives us a sense of identity… We learn maturity, independence and most importantly, we learn unity.”
Feb 14	4 police reports have been made against myBalikPulau newsletter: Kelab Cabaran Pulau Pinang (KCPP), Kelab Warisan Malaysia (KERIS) Pulau Pinang, and 2 individuals. They also challenge the Chief Minister to take action against Arts-ED. Arts-ED lodges police reports because the office was disturbed by a group of hostile and unidentified individuals.
Feb 15	Setiausaha Sekretariat Perhimpunan Melayu Pulau Pinang calls for other “concerned” individual to make police report and request for investigation egarding the publication of myBalikPulau. Police says they are not sure which Act to follow in the investigation of myBalikPulau publication. They will study all information and facts regarding the publication before further action.
Feb 16	Another NGO, Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia, submits a memorandum to the inspector-general of police, including “evidence” linking the State government to the publication of myBalikPulau. Content of the “evidence” remains unknown.  The organization claims to send the other two memorandums to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively. Four more NGOs lodges police reports against myBalikPulau newsletter: Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayung Pulau Pinang (PSSGPP), Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) Pulau Pinang, Persatuan Belia 4B Permatang Pauh and an individual, Johari Ahmad. The Penang Heritage Trust (Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang) releases a press statement to clarify that it is not related to the other NGO “Kelab Warisan Malaysia Pulau Pinang”. The latter had lodged a police report against Arts-ED on 14 February and was falsely mentioned as “Persatuan Warisan Pulau Pinang” by TV3. PHT stresses that it is supportive of the efforts of ARTS-ED as an  NGO that has worked to raise heritage awareness among young people and the community.  PHT describes the ‘MyBalikPulau’ newsletter as “a collection of oral histories on the stories and past incidents narrated by elders from the multi-racial community residing in Balik Pulau and its vicinities, and compiled by young people, and published without alteration.  If there are any differences in the interpretation, they should be proven academically and dealt with in a rational manner, and if necessary, alterations can be made.”
Feb 17	Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia insists to hold the current State government responsible for the publication and distribution of myBalikPulau because the State logo is printed on the newsletter. The organization challenges the CM to take action against Arts-ED. Former facilitator Nurdiyana Md Aini in her blog shares her experience of involvement in the myBalikPulau project 2005-2008. “The participants come from various background…different race, different religion but Arts-ED able to gather them in one group to do a program”. “The impact of this Arts-ED effort is larger…the kids/participants know their roots…” 4 more NGOs lodges police reports against myBalikPulau newsletter: Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida) Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) SPS dan Gerakan Belia 4B (GB4B) Nibong Tebal and Individual: Suhaimi Abdul Rashid, 42. Janet Pillai (Chairperson of ARTS-ED) and Kuah Li Feng (project staff) called by ASP Azhar from Timur Laut to help for investigation.
Feb 18	3 more NGOs lodges police reports against myBalikPulau newsletter: Pertubuhan Pribumi Malaysia (Perkasa) Pulau Pinang, Gerakan Belia 4B Pulau Pinang and  individual, Firus Che Man, 37
Feb 20	Arts-ED received a letter from Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Unit Kawalan Penerbitan dan Teks Al-Quran to attend a meeting at KL on 21 Feb 2011, 2pm on the issue.
Feb 21	Investigation by ASP from Timur Laut regarding the 15 police reports lodged against myBalikPulau newsletter. Investigation session with Arts-ED chairperson, Janet Pillai was carried out for 2 hours at ARTS-ED office at 19, Cannon Street. The investigation was witnessed by Kuah Li Feng, Arts-ED’s staff.  During the session Janet defended the 8 issues as summarized by ASP from the 15 police reports: 1) the term “pelarian politik” 2) the use of s.a.w. for Prophet Ibrahim 3) Illustration showing monkey pointing at man climbing tree 4) Illustration of slaughtering during Hari Raya Korban 5) Illustration of WWII- bombing of George Town 6) Illustration of Chettiars lending money to Malays and Chinese 7) Historical facts on the founding of Masjid Kongsi 8) Historical facts on Stanley Stewart as ADO
Feb 22	Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said to the press that an investigation was ongoing and said those unhappy over the Interlok novel or the publication of ‘My Balik Pulau’ could go through the proper channels to voice their dissatisfaction.
Feb 23 &  Feb 27	ARTS-ED call for a meeting with concerned NGOs and individuals for updates of events, briefing and strategies for further action.
March 3	A press conference regarding issues on myBALIKpulau newsletter was held on 2nd March 2011, 11am at Arts-Ed office (19, Cannon Street). There were approximately 40 people attending the press conference, including Dato’ Dr. Toh Kin Woon (former State Executive Councilor for Education, Janet Pillai (Chairperson of Arts-ED), representatives from various organizations, parents, facilitators, participants as well as supporters of Arts-ED projects.  Dato’ Dr. Toh made several clarifications related to Arts-Ed and the myBALIKpulau newsletter.  Chee Sek Thim (Reka Art Space) read out a joint statement endorsed by 58 arts, heritage and civil society organizations and groups   Also speaking up for Arts-ED during the press conference were Joanne Khaw (heritage tourist guide and Arts-ED’s supporter), Nordiyana binti Md Aini (facilitator of Arts-ED’s project) and Fidel Ho (parents of Arts-ED’s participant).