My Picture on street banner

On the Eve of Chinese New Year 9th February , around 5 p.m. , I received a call from my RA committee member saying that he saw my photo on buntings together with pictures of some local politicians and Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib which were hung up at Taman Wawasan Puchong and Bandar Puteri areas.

Since then, I received several calls from friends and associates asking me the amount of payouts I have received from BN for my picture to be used in the banner.

I am very disturbed and aggrieved by these nasty allegations and rumours going around with the unauthorized use of my picture in the banners displayed as such.

Firstly, I wish to clarify that all the allegations are unfounded and that I received NO payouts from any person or political parties for the use of my picture.

Secondly, I wish to clarify that my picture was used without any prior consultation, permission or consent from me. Also I wish to elaborate that this picture was taken in 2011 at an event held to launch “FREE WALKIE TALKIE GIVEOUT” to all Bandar Puteri AND Wawasan RA(S) by YB DATO SATIM for community security purposes. Nevertheless, so far our RA did not receive any of the promised walkie talkies.

I was in fact informed by some RAs that they paid RM150 as requested for registration before taking possession of the units but even they were not handed any walkie talkie until today.

Thirdly, I wish to confirm that YB Dato’ Satim did make contributions to several RAs including my RA in 2011, and that funds were not received in my personal capacity.

I am deeply aggrieved by all these allegations and strongly feel that my position and role in the NGO in which I have been serving voluntarily, will be compromised. Hence I strongly objected to such unauthorised use of my picture.

Therefore, on the same evening (9th Feb) at 7.36pm, I SMSed Dato Satim seeking his special kind cooperation to have all buntings removed but sad to say the reply received was quite an ambiguous, quote “No worries, the things give to you are for NGO” , Besides, no buntings have been removed thus far.

Owing to this situation, I have to seek our MP YB Gobind Singh and Exco Member YB Teresa Kok to help me arrange a press conference to clear my name with those unkind remarks I have received as a result of the inappropriate use of my photo.

I must say Dato Satim has been quite supportive to our RA but yet this does not give him or any person who produced this bunting, the right to use my photo without consent in any buntings .

The said buntings and allegations has tarnished my image, reputation and put me in public odium, hence I demand that the parties responsible for the production and display of these buntings to promptly remove all these buntings to avoid further misunderstandings. Also I hope that all parties concerned respect the civil rights of ordinary citizens.

I believe in “ IF YOU ARE RIGHT AND YOU KNOW IT, SPEAK YOUR MIND.  EVEN YOU ARE A MINORITY OF ONE, THE TRUTH IS STILL THE TRUTH” by Gandhi

ALICE CHOO
BP 11 CHAIRMAN CUM
SECRETARY JKP ZONE 16 PUCHONG

12 FEB 2013
12.35PM