CJMY announce-01 180612

[Lim Boo Seng]

Dear fellow CJs,

Although facebook is more interesting, we choose not to opt for FB due to the following reasons.

(1) Not all CJs have facebook a/c yet, BUT all CJs should already have gmail a/c (if not pls signup and inform me).

(2) FB is not secure enough, i.e anybody who is not in an authorised FB group can still gain access via "back door" 

(3) We want to ensure that all CJMY matters, announcements, feedbacks, responses are strictly confine to CJs only 

Therefore, we propose to use the google gmail group  - citizen-journ...@googlegroups.com for all official CJ matters. 

If you have suggestion, proposal for improvement, or doubt, need clarification or even a complain, pls highlight via gmail so that all CJs are aware. 

We assure you, we will look into every email  and reply the soonest possible.

VISION

Citizen Journalists Malaysia (CJMY) is a private inititative to create a premiere platform for Malaysian citizens to participate

in the news gathering process, by producing and developing content whilst adhering to the highest standard of journalism,

which generates positive change in the local community and for the betterment of th country.

MISSION

o- Ensure that every citizen journalist trained by Citizen Journalists Malaysia takes ownership the vision statement

o- Provide a voice to the voiceless as encourage the CJs to highlight local community issues and stories often 

    ignored by mainstream media

o- Continuously train its citizen journalists on journalism aspects and to adhere to highest standards of ethics to 

    maintain the credibility of the CJs

o- Adopt new technology online and offline to promote efficient and credible reporting

o- Adopt sustainable practices to ensure the citizen journalists can contribute their work independently

Rgds

limbo...@gmail.com

"One voice, one direction"

"Help us to serve you"

[Kuna Chelliah]

Dear Mr. Lim Boo Seng,

It would have been good if you indicated in what capacity you wrote this mail on behalf of the Management. Can I assume that it was as the Managing Director of Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. The reason I ask this is because I expect such pronouncements to come from either Maran or Premesh. However, if you have been authorised by the BoD, then of course you speak with the appropriate authority.

Now, my next question. Are all the unanswered questions in the facebook group still valid, and will they be answerd via this google gmail group? or will there be a need to repeat the questions here for the benefit of those not in the facebook group?

Thank You.

CJ 

Kunathasan Chelliah 

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[Lim Boo Seng]

Dear Kuna Chelliah,

I am writing in my capacity as CJMY chariman with the blessing of the CJMY BoD. In the facebook, I believe our CEO of Malaysiakini, Mr Prem have answered quite substantially on funds and grants.

Any other questions, matters still outstanding, pls communicate via googlegroups email.  I think it is not necessary
to repeat what is in facebook.  BUT you are welcome to repeat the questions, if you deem fit and necessary.

Rgds.

limbo...@gmail.com
"One voice, one direction"
"Help us to serve you"

[hedges sun]

note and good proposal.

[Kuna Chelliah]

Dear Mr. Lim Boo Seng,

 

For the sake of good order, I replicate my query which was raised in the facebook group page. I am afraid that I simply cannot agree with your statement that the queries on the funding have substatially been answered. All I know is that Mr. Premesh Chandran has promised to give details by 30 June, 2012. I should have thought that the accounting for the 1st. tranch of funding should already have been finalised, but have to assume that the management prefers to declare all at one go. However, the details of the newly incorporated Co, (Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd.) should be readily available, and therefore there should be no reason for delaying the reply in this respect.

 

The Questions raised in facebook are as follows:-

 

"I believe that the main complaint amongst CJ's is the lack of transparency with regards to the funding recieved, and how it is expended. The sums recieved apparently goes into the millions in US Dollars, yet CJs have to invest in their own ...equipment to churn out the stories, whilst not even being paid an allowance for their time and effort. I know that by writing this, the guns (by some) are going to be trained at me, especially as I am only a small contributor of articles. The other question being asked is about the incorporation of "Citizen Journalists (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd." CJs want to know who the shareholders of this new Company are, how many shares do each of them hold, and how much money each of them have injected as share capital to take over this 4 year old entity. I believe that these are genuine concerns ( and not politiking), and reporting without fear or favour is what CJs should be adapt at doing. The only ones who can speedily dispel any of these rumours are those in management who know how much funds were recieved and how they were utilised, and also the details of the new entity which was incorporated a couple of months ago. I believe that

Yesterday at 11:05am · LikeUnlike

• 

  Citizen Journalist Soapbox

  Management should be paid for managing and CJs should be paid for each published article,...........I trust that this is the ultimate aim of the current management, but in the meanwhile, please just declare everything and be transparent in ...order that malaysia benefits from this CJ programme. P/S. I have not aimed at hitting at anyone here, just raising the key questions which I trust will be answers to the satisfaction of all. TQ."

I should clarify that, as Lucia has intimated, I do not speak on her behalf, and perhaps many others with her views. I do nevertheless believe that in the interest of good governance, the CJs need to know the status of the funding, and the structure of the organisation in which they presumably are stakeholders.

[Premesh Chandran]

Dear Kuna,

With regards to the grants to Malaysiakini for the CJ project, as mentioned we are wrapping up the grant and will be happy to share the information. The grant actual ends on June 30th, and we have to complete all our accounting and submit the final report to ICFJ by July 31st. As mentioned, once we are done, we will share the info with CJs.

Prem

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[Lim Boo Seng]

Dear Kuna,

As Mr Premesh stated they are wrapping up the grant which ends on June 30th, after which they will complete the final accounting report for ICFJ.  You are welcome to check it out with Mr Premesh, he will be glad to share the info with you.

As for now, this newly formed committee i.e. the CJMY Management Committee (MC) hv no authority to deal with any financial matter  with regards to the previous funding, grants whatsoever.  Until the BoD makes clear its stand on financial matter, no comment for the moment.


Rgds.

[Kuna Chelliah]

Dear Premesh/Boo Seng,

 

Premesh's reply in respect of the grant has been noted, and we look forward to sharing the details when they are made available some time in July.

 

However, I believe that Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. was formed on 11 May, 2012 with 2 subscribers who are also the Directors of the Company. The initial paid-up capital of the company is RM2.00.

 

As we all know, CJMY is a 4 year old entity which was funded by ICFJ up until 30 June, 2012. I also see that we have about 160 CJs in total, some very active and some just tagging along. Whatever to state of participation, they are all stakeholders in the CJMY "family".

 

The key question is this:

 

Q. Assuming that Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. is about to take over the CJMY (the 4 year old entity), how much is each new shareholder in the new entity going to inject into the Company to acquire this 4 year old CJMY? What is the ultimate structure of Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. going to be? Are ALL CJs going to be invited to invest in this new entity?

 

Unless these answers are forthcoming from you (without any resistance), there is going to be serious doubts on the integrity of this whole set-up. I therefore urge you to be candid in your response, and engage all CJs in the decision making process, so that the structure of this new outfit will be able to withstand major tremors in the future.

 

Thank You.

 

Kuna Chelliah

[Premesh Chandran]

Kuna,

I can understand your concerns about the ownership of CJmy. I can assure you there will be no monopoly of power and resources. Everybody is working for the common good. The board is  still working out the details. The challenge is to come out with a structure that benefits all CJs and no one person or group in particular, while making sure the organisation can operate with the ambit of the law.

Besides the key question below, do let us know what other questions you have.

cheers,

Prem

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[Lucia Lai]

oh good! once i was asking about how come sone announcement were made
in the CJMY FB only and not here (in this e-group), and i think it was
maran who informed me that this e-group will be slowly phased out,
which i don't really agree, my main reason being your no. 1 reason,
lim. also another thing is although one may have FB account, but one
might not check FB regularly but one will check email regularly. i
would say, even assignments, should be posted here.

On Jun 18, 1:12 am, Lim Boo Seng <limboos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear fellow CJs,
>
> Although facebook is more interesting, we choose not to opt for FB due to
> the following reasons.
>
> (1) Not all CJs have facebook a/c yet, BUT all CJs should already have
> gmail a/c (if not pls signup and inform me).
> (2) FB is not secure enough, i.e anybody who is not in an authorised FB
> group can still gain access via "back door"
> (3) We want to ensure that all CJMY matters, announcements, feedbacks,
> responses are strictly confine to CJs only
>

> Therefore, we propose to use the google gmail group  - *
> citizen-journ...@googlegroups.com* for all official CJ matters.

> limboos...@gmail.com

[Kuna Chelliah]

 

Lim Boo Seng limbo...@gmail.com

 

1:22 PM (2 hours ago)

 

 

 

 

 

 

to citizen-journa.

 

 

Dear Premesh,

Quote from Boo Seng's Mail:

"Dear fellow CJs

FYI.

CJMY Board of Directors
Maran Perianen        : Chairman of BoD/Operations Director
Leow Beng Hock      : Strategic Planning Director
Steven Chen            : Sales and Marketing Director
Tan Kai Swee           : Finance Director
Marcellinus Simok    : Corporate Communication Director

CJMY Management Committee
Lim Boo Seng                     : Chairman of CJMY Management Committee
Devakumaran Narayansamy : Deputy Chairman of CJMY Management Committee
Rajeswari Raman                : Secretary of CJMY Management Committee
Imran Hilmy                        : CJMY committee member (Northern)
Alan Chai                            : CJMY committee member (Central)
Vijaya Kumar Rahman         : CJMY committee member (Southern)
Raymond Jim                      : CJMY committee member (East Msia & Borneo)

Please note that CJMY Management Committee is for a one year term only. Once the term ended,
they will be re-elected through balloting process from next year.
CJMY Board of Directors term and re-election is being formulated and will be advised after
the second board meeting."

........................Does'nt all of the above only serve to confuse us?

 

For starters, there appear to be 2 organisations: (1) CJMY with its Committee lead by Chairman Lim Boo Seng; Then there is (2) Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. with its Board of Directors lead by its Chairman, Maran Perianen.

 

We don't see Premesh anywhere in either organisation! Are we to presume that you are defecto head?

 

An SSM Search shows that the only Shareholders and Directors of Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. are Leow Beng Hock and Maran Perianen. Boo Seng's revelation of the Board Composition is therefore not quite accurate.

 

With regards to the grants recieved, perhaps you will be generous enough to reveal the total sums recieved to-date, and what sums you anticipate will still remain for CJ operations after 30 June?

 

All of the above queries are asked with the assumption that the Citizen Journalists programme is being run as a non-profit making NGO. If my perception is wrong, please do not hesitate to correct my understanding of the CJ programme. Thank You.

 

Kuna Chelliah.

[Maran Perianen]

Dear Kuna,

It would not be confusing if you would have taken some time to attend the CJ Conference and the forum which was organised on the last day. Everything was clearly explained to every CJs who took the time to attend. All of them understood.

The formation of the company was a follow up since 2010. In 2011, we discussed in the forum. And in 2012, we announced in the forum on the selection of the Board of Directors. Since then, we have been working on appointing the directors on to the board. 

The Management Committee or formerly known as the Central Working Committee, is the committee voted in by the CJs themselves during the forum.

In order to make sure that the whole system works hand in hand, we are carefully crafting the policies and the required documentation in the meantime. And to assist in the implementation and moving forward with the sustainability plan, the Management Committee which was elected by the CJs is also invited to sit in the board. 

We selected the directors during the conference and now we are in the midst of submitting the relevant resolutions and documentations. So, I don't understand why it is confusing for you.

In order to know more details of the project and what we are trying to do here as a movement, please do be pro active and get in touch with your respective chapter head for the information. 

The only reason, why Premesh Chandran has beenn answering the question is because you wanted to know "how the grant money was spent". So, that comes under his responsibly. Post incubation period of the project will be handled and managed by the Board itself. This is what was decided way before we started the project. 

If you have any other question on how the directors were selected, why were they selected and when were they selected, please do write to me and I will explain because that will come under my responsibility.

Apart from that, if you want to any thing about the CJ company formation, or what the movement will do to sustain, please get in touch with Steven Chen, Southern Region Head.

Thank you.

cheers,

maran

      ------

      ~m~

Maran Perianen

Malaysiakini.com

Mobile: 0196652538

YM : maran05p

[Premesh Chandran]

Kuna,

In order to register the entity, before the last CJ conference, two directors were needed, Maran and Leow Beng Hock were asked to put their names to it.

Since the CJ conference, has selected a board and a management committee, both entities are working out the structure. Again, its a work in progress, trying to create a balance between an efficient running of an organisation and company law.  If you are seeking clarification, do give the entities time to work things out. I don't see any reason not to. Yes, the CJ project is being run as a non-profit NGO.

As the CEO of Malaysiakini, I am ultimately responsible for project deliverables under the current grant, although Maran, Lynn and the chapter heads were the ones who really took on the burden of ensuring the project is a success. Going forward I am not the defacto head, but I hope to actively assist the development of the CJ movement, in terms of fund raising, supporting its relationship with Malaysiakini and in whatever other way possible.

As I have no formal powers, the CJ board can always ignore me, and I will have no powers to enforce anything.

Since you're really interested and passionate about the CJ movement, I suggest do come in and we can have a discussion. I do urge you to give the CJ board and management committee space to operationalise.

cheers,

Prem

[Kuna Chelliah]

Maran,

 

How disappointing that you ask me to refer to Steve Chen, southern chapter head! It would have been good if you had invited me to meet you instead in your capacity as Chairman of the Board!

 

In any event, the shareholding structure of this newly formed Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. is crucial for the long-term survival of this organisation. Any subscriber of the shares in Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd. should be willing to inject say RM1million to take over all the assets of the current 4 year old CJMY, including the many journalists within the fold. Any other option of giving away free shares will be a formula for desaster.

 

Just in case you have any doubts about my intentions, I can declare that I have no ulterior motive besides contributing openly towards the welbeing of this organisation, for the betterment of journalism in Malaysia in general.

 

I thank Premesh for inviting me for a meet. I shall gladly do so. Maran, I am sure that I am also welcome to have an exchange of views with you when I am in KL next.

 

Kuna Chelliah 

[Maran Perianen]

Dear Kuna,

There's nothing disappointing over me referring you to meet Steven Chen. He is responsible for the Southern Region CJs. Every other CJs from southern region meet him for any questions in regards to the CJ movement. We do not give preferential treatment when it comes to this.

For your kind information, I did ask you to write to me if you have any other concern regarding the directors. So, I did give you an option.

And by the way, we have the same amount of concern or if not more when it comes to the survival of the Citizen Journalists movement. 

For the benefit of your doubt, nobody here is trying to make money. Making sure the organisation sustain is the paramount objective and we have been doing this now and for the past four years. So if there is a particular person has got more to loose, is none other than those who has been selected and elected to sit on the board currently.

For your information, we have been drafting whatever details need to ensure the survival of this organisation and it will be published for the CJs to subscribe. In view of that matter, we will take the necessary time and measures for everyone's interest is protected.

I hope I have made myself very clear here. 

[Kuna Chelliah]

Dear Maran,

 

Steven Chen is head of the Southern Chapter, and if he requests that i cover a local event, I shall most certainly do so if I am able to commit. The issues at hand do not come within his purview, especially so when he is (according to Boo Seng) designated the Sales & Marketing directorship. Furthermore, this email group was announced as the forum to express views on the future direction of the Company. It was for this reason that I expressed my disappointment.

 

As to my non-attendance at the Annual Conference, I must say that I had assumed that it was going to be one big party, and an event to renew friendships. As there was no specific programme circulated, I was not aware of the agenda to have serious discussions on the last day.

 

Please allow me to explain my concerns about the election of BoD and Committee Members. It seems to me that we are placing the cart before the horse. You see, once you incorporate the Company, the 1st. exercise that needs to be done is to determine the share capital requirements of the Company and determine who the shareholders are going to be. The next step is to raise the share capital to take over all the assets of the ongoing CJMY, which is the 4 year old outfit, and also have sufficient funding for on going working capital requirements. It is these shareholders who shall vote to appoint the Directors of the Company. No one else! Therefore to say that the CJs at the Conference elected the BoD is, I must respectfully state is quite out of order. It gives the members a false sense of empowerment.

 

I therefore urge you and your team to pay particular attention to the shareholding structure of this new entity, in order that you leave no room for the unnecessary hiccups along the way.

 

Regards,

 

Kuna

 

This is the reason why I keep repeating that the shareholding structure is extremely crucial to the long-term survival of Citizen Journalists (M) Sdn. Bhd.

[Maran Perianen]

Dear Kuna,

Let me reiterate again, the formation of the company and strategizing with moving forward with the organisation is under the purview of all the chapter head and me. 

We strategized everything from the beginning, up to now. 

And you are correct, this email group is now the channel for you to bring up anything, that is why you see all the messages are posted here.

By the way, during the CJ conference we don't only party and renew friendships, we also do serious things like bringing up concerns and answering them. In fact, on the second day, we normally have trainings and seminars. Conference agenda is distributed to all CJs, two months prior to the event.

With due respect... in reference to what you have brought up on determining the share capital requirements, we are looking into it.

We have just started and once everything is in order we will announce it to the CJs.

So until then, let us concentrate and finish the task in hand.

Appreciate your concerns and thank you.

[Kuna Chelliah]

Dear Premesh,

May I remind you and your team @ cj.my that the promised deadline for publishing the financials relating to the funding recieved from 
ICFJ is fast approaching. There have also not been any pronouncements from the BoD of he new Company on its general shareholding structure etc. I hope that we will heaar from you by 31 July.

Kuna

On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, Premesh Chandran wrote:

Kuna,

In order to register the entity, before the last CJ conference, two directors were needed, Maran and Leow Beng Hock were asked to put their names to it.

Since the CJ conference, has selected a board and a management committee, both entities are working out the structure. Again, its a work in progress, trying to create a balance between an efficient running of an organisation and company law.  If you are seeking clarification, do give the entities time to work things out. I don't see any reason not to. Yes, the CJ project is being run as a non-profit NGO.

As the CEO of Malaysiakini, I am ultimately responsible for project deliverables under the current grant, although Maran, Lynn and the chapter heads were the ones who really took on the burden of ensuring the project is a success. Going forward I am not the defacto head, but I hope to actively assist the development of the CJ movement, in terms of fund raising, supporting its relationship with Malaysiakini and in whatever other way possible.

As I have no formal powers, the CJ board can always ignore me, and I will have no powers to enforce anything.

Since you're really interested and passionate about the CJ movement, I suggest do come in and we can have a discussion. I do urge you to give the CJ board and management committee space to operationalise.

cheers,

Prem

--

[Premesh Chandran]

Hi Kuna,

Yes, the deadline is fast approaching. Like a good journalist, lets hope I meet it!

Prem

[Kuna Chelliah]

Thank You Premesh for that response. 

As an accountant in public practice, it is not unusual that we miss deadlines on occasions. Please don't

rush things and produce financials that cannot stand the test of scrutiny. I'd rather you delay the process

by a week ot two, and produce a sound set of financials, rather than a set that allows us to take pot shots 

at! 

I would like to be able to take up your offer to meet (I shall be in KL on Wed and Thur this week). I'd like to

attend in my capacity as a CJ, ie be allowed to be critical in my questions, and obtain answers to searching

questions. However, I assure your team to be professional in my approach, and I shall only publish information

which you agree to make public. Of course, I shall want to be independent in my report, but fair to the organisation

at the same time.

KC

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--

[lhseng hs]

Dear Kuna,

I would like to be able to take up your offer to meet (I shall be in KL on Wed and Thur this week). I'd like to

attend in my capacity as a CJ ..................... When is your last article ?




kbguy

---

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:44:03 +0800
Subject: Re: CJMY announce-01 180612
From: kchel...@gmail.com
To: citizen-journ...@googlegroups.com

[Kuna Chelliah]

Hi KBGuy,

I assume you meant, "When was your last article?".

I believe it was in May, 2012 covering Najib's attendance at the Vaisagi Festival gathering of Sikhs at

the Dataran Merdeka,..........this was soon after 28/04.

The one before that was the debate between Ambiga and Khari Jamaluddin. There were a couple before that too.

Kuna

--

[R. Vijay Kumar, the EnvironsEagle]

Hi my good friend from Kelate,

You'll the sole  lone ranger CJ, how are you doing?

While I appreciate Kuna having answered your question, please enlighten the many of us, especially the silent phlegmatic subdued ones, your thoughts behind your specific question beneath and its relevance especially with regards to the email messages trail before that. 

Once again, I am asking about your thoughts behind your 'timely' question.

I await your reply. Have a great week ahead. 

Cheers,

Vijay

Sent from R. Vijay Kumar's iPhone

[Premesh Chandran]

Dear CJs,

I've put together the information you require. Please see:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BgIudI0K68KZjqlM75ONhyjvE2vcYWuHYvtGzbylBLU/edit

I think the doc is self explanatory.

cheers,

Prem