Oxygen Deprivation - Pollution is in the Air

Rots Till The Core

2007-02-03T11:07:00.000+08:00

Extracts from KTemoc's blog posting on 1st February 2007:

On the average, 6.7 women in the country are getting raped daily while 1.65 persons are murdered everyday, not to mention that recently police officers have been charged with the murder of a Mongolian model.
The nation’s crime index recorded an almost 45% increase in crime cases from 2003 till last year.
Lim expressed surprise (?) in The New Straits Times (NST) publishing a total crime index figure that's vastly different from those published on the police official website. As mentioned the police figure for 2006 was 225,836 but the NST figure for the same periodwas 198,622. The NST did not state its source for the stats.
He asked whether somebody in the government has deliberately ameliorated the frightening crime figures in the country. If he doesn't watch it, AAB may call him a 'liar'.

So our country really rots, all the way to the core. Guess who forms the core?

Anyone Taking on Ghani for Defamation?

2007-02-03T10:36:00.000+08:00

Singapore rebuts Johor CM's flood claim - Todayonline, 1st February 2007

Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman told the New Straits Times that it was Singapore's reclamation project on Tekong island, close to the Johor river, that caused it to flood.
Mr Abdul Ghani claimed that this caused the mouth of the river to narrow and excess rain water could not be discharged. The river then burst its banks in Kota Tinggi, he said, submerging homes and streets.
Singapore has rebutted the claim and even Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has distanced himself from his colleague's statement.
Meanwhile Singapore's Ministry of National Development (MND) said in response to media queries: "The comments are unfounded. This is confirmed by the results from the technical studies that were commissioned separately by both the Malaysian government and the Singapore government."
The studies were carried out as part of the proceedings before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to settle the dispute on Singapore's land reclamation works at Pulau Tekong and Tuas View Extension.
The MND pointed out that a study carried out by Malaysia's Department of Irrigation and Drainage in 2002 on the impact of the reclamation works should there were no appreciable changes to the water levels within the Straits of Johor for flood flows.
"As such, the study concluded that there is no increased flooding due to Singapore's reclamation works," said the MND. Other studies came to similar conclusions. Both governments then accepted that it would not be necessary for the flood impact to be assessed any further.
"There is, therefore, no scientific basis to the allegations that the flood is caused by Singapore's land reclamation works in Pulau Tekong," said the MND.
The Johor administration has come under increasing pressure in the wake of the floods that killed 17 people and left Malaysia with a massive RM1.5 billion bill — the cost of helping the flood victims and repairing roads and schools. About 30,000 people are still taking shelter at relief centres.

It is the hottest trend now, hope that Singapore government would take Mr Ghani on court for "defamation"! I did not know that Mr Ghani is so knowledgeable in scientific study, perhaps he can share some of his findings, rather than wasting his precious time pointing fingers at Singapore, trying to find a perfect scapegoat when he is under intensed pressure for their messed-up relief activities.

How does he think that he can get away with his baseless accusation? Bear in mind that Singapore is not ruled by the all-mighty UMNO party, so not everyone can take the same sh*t.

A No-Vote from Me

2007-01-25T10:39:00.000+08:00

PM: I’ll run in next elections - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants to run in the next general election and continue leading the country. “I think so. I think so. There is a lot of work to be done. There is a lot of work. Yes,” the Prime Minister said when asked if he still had the appetite for the job and planned to contest in the next elections, expected in 2009. (The Star, 25th Jan 2006)

Still fancy running in the next election, dear PM? I am seriously disappointed from the recent "scandals" exposed in various media and one thing for sure, I won't vote for you! I am seeing now how our country rots and I want to make sure it is on the right track again.

I have decided to post this, despite all the limitation for me to go online and continue blogging. Walk with us, god bless Jeff & Rocky.

Wins Both Ways

2006-12-04T10:45:00.000+08:00

Singapore calls for clarity from Malaysia on its participation in South Johor development - Mr Lee said Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has welcomed Singapore's investments in the area, but the Johor state government has publicly expressed its reservations about Singapore's role there. (Channelnewsasia, 4th Dec 2006)

This is a good one from Lee junior. A short press statement which is razor-sharp, just like the old man. Let's digest this slowly, if you want Singapore to invest, then slap the face of Johor Sultan, UMNO and state government. Otherwise you might prefer to slap the face of our PM by halting all the investment? Either way, He is the sole winner.

P/S: Somehow I did not manage to find the toolbars when I am posting this entry, so it is just plain text. Was it something wrong with blogger.com or was it me?

No Update Notice

2006-12-01T13:39:00.000+08:00

Due to some personal commitments during this period of time, I won't be updating this blog as much as before. Will be backed with hotter and the hottest updates soon.

Mave, I am still around, just that won't have much time to update my blog for a while. Instead, I will be leaving my traces in your blog and other bloggers'.

How Democractic Are We?

2006-11-24T11:21:00.000+08:00

Democracy Index has been published by The Economist, guess what, Malaysia ranked 2nd last under "flawed democracy", at least we are better than Bolivia. The neighbouring countries are ahead of us in the ranking, you can check the full listings in pdf format from www.economist.com, click here.

I am expecting an official statement from the government, it doesn't matter which sh*t hole it comes out from but it always sounds the same. "Those that published the index, obviously does not understand the culture of Malaysia and the requirements for a multi-ethnical country". Culture of Malaysia, way to go with censorship in newspaper, discrimination and ISA!

I forgot the new trend led by Rafidah, "no comment" is the IN thing now.

Final Episode

2006-11-24T10:21:00.000+08:00

Accusation irks German group - The Star, 24th Nov 2006

The German Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) has defended its global ethic activities in Malaysia.
KAF representative Peter Schier said it was regrettable that Penang Umno delegate Shahbudin Yahaya had accused KAF of threatening Islam with its global ethic projects without verifying with the foundation what they do and lambasting them at the recent Umno general assembly.
Dismissing Shahbudin’s description of the “father of the global ethic concept” Prof Dr Hans Kueng as a Jew from Germany, Schier said Dr Kueng was a “very famous Roman Catholic theologian from Switzerland” and highly respected by religious leaders of all faiths.

PAS veep: Umno tried to mask flaws - The Star, 24th Nov 2006

The recent Umno general assembly where some speakers debated racial issues has tarnished the country's image and caused uneasiness among Malaysians, PAS vice-president Datuk Mustafa Ali said.
He said the debates at the meeting had gone overboard and what was done was just to cover-up the flaws of Umno which claimed to have been championing the Malays.
“By picking on the Chinese, they (Umno) believe they can garner more support from the community but actually they created more animosity and fanned friction among the ethnic groups.
“They found Chinese as the scapegoat to hide their own faults and failures to uplift the standard of Malays,” he said here yesterday.

This will be my last post on UMNO GA. Further analysis on the speeches is not needed, I bet most must have known, the whole sandiwara is just crap.

Focus On Development, Media or PM?

2006-11-24T10:00:00.000+08:00

Pak Lah: Stop playing up racial issues - The Star, 24th Nov 2006

The Prime Minister wants all Malaysian media to stop playing up racial issues and instead focus on stories about the nation's development.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said matters raised by various delegates at last week's Umno general assembly should not be interpreted as the party's or the Malays' stand.
“My winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly has been accepted by all Barisan Nasional component parties,” he said here yesterday.
Earlier, Abdullah was asked by a reporter for his comments as some newspapers continued to publish stories on racial matters.
Initially, the Prime Minister appeared to be taken aback by the question and asked the reporter: “Today too?”
When the reporter replied in the affirmative, Abdullah then said the media should stop highlighting such stories.
He said the media should report more about the development programmes taking place.

UMNO delegates are not playing racial card, guess who is the culprit? It is damn media who reports nothing but the truth. PM, you shouldn't blame the media, there is nothing spicy enough to report, apart from the batu seremban stuff and in terms of development, maybe only Zakar's mansion is worth mentioning.

I also have a statement for our beloved PM, "stop protecting the priviledged racists in your government, especially the SIL and focus on the country's development". You should help the media, or else they will run out of job very soon, since there is nothing for them to report.

By the way, the space training that "we have invested" might be showcased live on TV, I wonder if Russian government allows that. Oops, they haven't discuss with the Russian yet, then why bother to announce? You have plenty of chance to slap your own face, no hurry.

Astronaut training may be shown live on Internet - Malaysians may get to watch the country’s two astronauts undergo training “live” on the Internet. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said he would discuss the matter with the Russian Space Agency during his trip to Moscow next month. (The Star, 24th Nov 2006)

Anyone Needs A Zakar's Service?

2006-11-22T13:50:00.000+08:00

(Source of info: GuangMing Daily)

Mr. Zakar et. al. are making their way to the news headline again. There are too many allegations of Zakar gang flouting the law for me to translate, so just go ahead and read the details in Chinese.

By the way, he mentioned that if his service is still needed, he is willing to be on the battle field again during the next general election. Do vote for Zakar OK, he got a big mansion to pay for and a large family to be taking care of.

Facts On Rela Clarified

2006-11-22T13:14:00.000+08:00

Check ID of Rela officers, public advised - The Star, 2end Nov 2006

For any raid, there must be a Rela "officer" leading group of Rela members
The Rela officer will have an authority card, with details verified and issued by the national security division in the Prime Minister’s Department.
The officer will have his photograph, name and serial number stated on the card. The card is the size of a credit card, yellowish in colour and will have the words ‘Authority Card’ printed on it as well
Only Rela officers had the power to enter private premises to search for illegals without needing a warrant.
You can find out if the person having the card is really a Rela officer by calling 03-8888 6308 or 03-8888 6314. All raids conducted by Rela were also planned well in advance and recorded by the district-level offices.
Raids by Rela are usually carried out in teams of at least 15 to 20 people.

Something that I reproduced from The Star for ease of reading. If a few Rela members are trying to stop you at the middle of night or charging into your house, you have the right to say "no". Main point is the raid is normally conducted by 15-20 people, headed by a "officer" who holds the authority card. Any doubt, call the magic number.

Be a wise citizen by knowing your rights.

Who Is the Real Racist

2006-11-21T15:29:00.000+08:00

(Source of info: www.merdekareview.com)

What is wrong with putting up Chinese politicians' opinion on the newspaper after the ethnic bashing during UMNO general assembly. If this act has been classified as inciting racial hatred, I believe the authority should have tougher action in mind for the few priviledged UMNO delegates who are waiting to bath with their blood.

Instead of safe-guarding the rights of all ethnics through the constitution, the real racists play the games well, labelling anyone against their ideology as "racists". It takes guts to tell the truth in Malaysia's mainstream media and when you do, the real "racists" will crush you like a tiny fly.

UMNO has priviledge provided by the law, and they are good in manipulating it to their advantage based on circumstances. The way I look at this, they are a notch above Malaysia's law, just like the Rela men.

Come on, Pak Lah. Don't bluff your naive rakyat, where is the media freedom as promised since your guys can't even tolerate the mildest comment. How about some spices from other ethnics and opposition parties? I heard our ex-PM's comments are well tolerated but I bet that is because you don't want to crush your own rice bowl by losing the support of your own party members, right? Are you game for some naked truth on the media?

Criminals Do Read Newspaper

2006-11-21T13:20:00.000+08:00

A very well-planned job - The Star, 21st Nov 2006

Two container trailers driven by men in Rela uniform did not raise any suspicion when they arrived at the MASKargo Complex in Batu Maung here at 2.15am yesterday.
The “Rela personnel” told the two Customs officers manning the checkpoint that they were there to flush out illegal workers and instructed them not to alert the people inside the complex.
In just an hour, they piled 585 cartons and 18 pallets of microchips and motherboards manufactured by a multi-national company in Bayan Lepas into the containers.
The loot estimated to be worth US$12.7mil (RM46.99mil) was said to be the country’s biggest ever heist. And arguably the most audacious, too.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was in Putrajaya, was livid when informed of the robbery. The Prime Minister was very angry over the lack of security.

Criminals are getting smarter and I bet they do read newspaper. Is anyone going to revise the provision that Rela members are allowed to force enter a business premises without a search warrant? The povision was the hot talk of the town few weeks back, which put the police force to shame, with their "I am the law" claim. Not even police can conduct a search without a warrant but these Rela men do.

Don't be angry, our dear PM because we only have ourselves to blame. How it all started, read the first line of the news and you might see the light.

Negaraku, or Negaramu?

2006-11-21T13:07:00.000+08:00

Fiery argument over who owns M'sia - The Sun, 20th Nov 2006

The debate on Budget 2007 for the Entrepreneur & Cooperative Development Ministry in Parliament today turned chaotic when Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang questioned the accuracy of a figure given by Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai).
"At the (recently concluded) Umno general assembly, there was a mistake stating that the International Herald Tribute was based in the United Kingdom," said Lim chuckling.
The irritated Badruddin rebutted: "Ini negara kami (This is our country). (You are) samseng (thug) and kurang ajar (rough) ... This is Umno's business. You don't interfere."
"You are so petty and narrow-minded. And I am a Malaysian," Lim shouted, adding that the Speaker should make a ruling whether the statement was appropriate.
Baharuddin explained that when he said 'negara kami', it includes all Malaysians. However, his clarification failed to pacify the opposition MPs.
Peace was only restored when Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib ruled that Badruddin had no intention to imply the country belonged to Malays only but to all Malaysians.

I am puzzled, is it Malaysia negaraku, negarami or negaramu? Are we singing a different national anthe or was it just another misunderstanding? I doubt so, remember Baharuddin mentioned the magic word, UMNO, and also the most IN term during the assembly, "kurang ajar". Yeah, yeah, we are the rich "samseng" that spoon-fed you with those non-halal money while you "kuat belajar" UMNO's keris ideology.

Free Surfing, Anyone?

2006-11-21T09:51:00.000+08:00

Now you can check your emails or Instant Messaging (IM) for FREE wherever you are, with SingTel Wireless@SG. SingTel Wireless@SG is proud to be part of Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) which offers everyone wireless broadband access at both indoor and outdoor areas. What's more, SingTel is offering the basic service at 512kbps FREE for 3 years till 30 November 2009.

Plus, a full suite of upcoming and exciting services to enrich your lifestyle,

eConcierge: a smart location-based service to provide personalised information.
BBTV: watching programs while on the move with BroadBand TV.
Mobile VoIP: make calls via WiFi and enjoy savings off your mobile bill.
WhizGuide: fun-filled leisure time with edutainment information.

(http://home.singtel.com/wirelessSG/wsg_index.htm)

Received this information from a reader this morning. You can read more about Singapore first free wireless broadband service at their website. Happy surfing!

Power, But A Cleaner One Please

2006-11-20T13:39:00.000+08:00

Groups protest against coal power plant project - The Star, 20th Nov 2006

A coal-fired power plant in an area earmarked for eco-tourism in Silam is yet to get off the ground but already it is stoking up anger among several groups in this part of east coast Sabah.
The most vocal opponents to the 300MW plant, said to cost between RM1.2bil and RM1.3bil, are a group of environmentalists, social activists and local businessmen in this booming agriculture town.
They fear the plant will do more harm than good for them and the environment stretching from Darvel Bay to the pristine Danum Valley forest, some 80km away.
”We need power. But we want clean power,” said Wong Tack, the Sabah Environment Action Committee chairman in Lahad Datu district where several vehicles were seen sporting stickers which said: “No coal power plant” and “Coal-fired power plant jeopardises health.”

I am not environmentalist, nor social activist but I do support every effort that could contribute to a greener environment for the future generations. "We need power, but we want clean power", is a short but straightforward message to the authority, right on bull's eye.

Bring your own carrier or bag if you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, use less plastic bags, or use only bio-degradable bags (i.e. paper bags) to save the earth.

Dress The Way We Want To

2006-11-20T13:33:00.000+08:00

Burqa ban not the way - The Star, 20th Nov 2006

Malaysia has told the West that they cannot continue to tell Muslims what to do.
The West should also not construe that a citizen is disloyal by the way he or she dresses, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
“Why can’t you give people the right to dress the way they want to dress?” he asked, when commenting on The Netherlands’ move to ban the wearing of the burqa (a long and loose garment with veiled holes for the eyes worn by Muslim women) in public.
Syed Hamid said he found it difficult to understand why diversity was being snuffed out.

This is a good one from Syeh Hamid and I think I should share his comments with the readers.

Brainless Mat Rempit

2006-11-20T13:13:00.000+08:00

Mat Rempit rain stones on cops - The Star, 20th Nov 2006

Some 200 Mat Rempit pelted stones at a group of policemen when they tried to break up a street-side gathering at a housing estate near here yesterday.
Twenty policemen rushed to the location at about 2am after two of their colleagues were stoned by the street racers.
Unfazed by the defiance, the policemen gave chase and apprehended 17 youths – including three teenage girls – after brief scuffles.
“My men were not injured but one of the patrol cars was damaged when the Mat Rempit grazed the car with a motorbike,” said ACP Muhammad Fuad.
He said one of the 12 machines seized was believed to be stolen property.
On Oct 15, a group of about 20 Mat Rempit stoned the Kubang Semang police station near Bukit Mertajam in Penang, after two of their friends were arrested for illegal racing along the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway.

It is no longer about illegal racing, it is crime, violence and ignorance. It is about how you balance your adrenaline rush against rationale as a living human being. Grazing their motorbike with police car? They should really spend more time thinking with their brain then acting like a hero using their ass and super-duper motorbike, hoping to crash the "tiny" police car.

Rapist's Penis, Anyone?

2006-11-17T16:56:00.000+08:00

China officially admits executed prisoners are the basis of organ trafficking - AsiaNews/Agencies, 16th Nov 2006

China’s government has admitted that an illegal traffic in human organs for transplant actually exists, but blamed it on the work of rogue surgeons. For this reason, it has called on the members of the profession to adhere to a “code of conduct”.
Addressing a conference of surgeons in Guangzhou yesterday, Deputy Health Minister Huang Jiefu acknowledged that most organs harvested come from executed prisoners. He insisted that informed consent must inform organ harvesting, that donation be voluntary and done with the consent of donors or their families.
“Under-the-table business must be banned,” Mr Huang said cognizant that too often organs come from non consenting parties and are sold for high fees to foreigners.
China executes anywhere between two and ten thousands prisoners, the highest number in the world. And families have complained that the bodies of their executed relatives are not handed over.
Human right groups have said some mainland hospitals have traded organs to patients in other countries, and foreign patients disguised as tourists have come to the mainland for transplants using organs from prisoners or other donors who had not given their informed consent.

Transplant organs removed without executed prisoners’ consent - AsiaNews/Agencies, 20th April 2006

Charges against China are not new. Members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement have repeatedly said that prisoners from a labour camp near Shenyang, where a transplant centre is located, are executed whenever requests for organs are made.
Relatives who try to ask for the bodies of executed Falun Gong members are beaten or arrested since their movement is illegal. Instead, bodies are usually cremated. Moreover, under 1984 regulations, a prisoner’s organs can be used without any prior consent if no one makes a claim for the remains.
In September of last year, the press reported that a Chinese cosmetic company was using skin from dead prisoners for beauty products sold in Europe.
Chinese Deputy Health Minister Huang Jiefu acknowledged that most liver transplants relied on organs from prisoners in remarks he made at the International Conference on Liver Transplants in July 2005.

Last post of the day. If you ever think of organ transplant in China, do consider whether you want it from a drug trafficker, murderer or even a rapist.

Videos On Alleged Rigging of UMNO Election

2006-11-17T12:55:00.000+08:00

Some interesting youtube videos on the alleged rigging of UMNO election, which caused the defeat of Mahathir:

Aminuddin Omar - Kubang Pasu Youth Exco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3cDS15KvHw

Radzi Ayob - ex-Kubang Pasu youth wing chief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzArn0ahX6o

No Update Notice

2006-11-17T11:17:00.000+08:00

I will be away for a few days. Will be backed, possibly on 21th Nov to share our thoughts again. Till then, have a great weekend ahead my friends.

SUPP Downfall, Is Lesson Learned?

2006-11-16T10:17:00.000+08:00

MCA Youth regrets criticism of Barisan leaders - The Star, 16th Nov 2006

MCA Youth has expressed regret at the strong criticism against certain MCA, Gerakan and MIC leaders at the Umno Youth general assembly, saying delegates should refrain from making fiery and emotional statements.
Its chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the criticisms were made although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had asked delegates to refrain from making irresponsible statements that would hurt the feelings of other races.
Describing it as more “poisonous and unreasonable than the opposition,” the MP for Bentong said Barisan component leaders must take into account the importance of all races when implementing any policy.
On Tuesday, Hishammuddin, who is Umno Youth chief, said that opportunistic leaders who stoked the “fires of disunity” had no place in Barisan Nasional.
He said Malaysia could not be moulded by the narrow-mindedness, chauvinism and extremism of those who play the racial card in order to emerge as champions of their race.

Najib reminds BN allies of pact - The Star, 16th Nov 2006

Barisan Nasional component parties that adhere to party policy uphold the social contract enshrined in the constitution and national policy although there may be individuals, who criticise or dispute the social contract, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that even if these individuals might be the main leaders of the component parties, they were still bound by the policy that was formulated collectively.

My advice to Abdullah, Najib and Hisham, don't make naive comments that would makes you swallow your own words at a later stage, it just makes you look even worse on international arena. Still in control, Pak Lah? "Take it easy, brother".

And to MIC, MCA and Gerakan, if you want to maintain people's support, maybe you should start thinking about where you stand and even forming alliance with opposition. The downfall of SUPP in Sarawak is a good indicator of our hatred on corruption, dicrimination and how the parties are able to maintain their "golden silence" even when they were being treated as second class citizens. "It reaches my boiling point" when seeing the parties that represent the minorities being critised and yet, still pledging for loyalty to the empire. It is about rights against wrongs and if you can't get this simple philosophy, no one can help you.

Anwar Not Even Considering UMNO

2006-11-16T10:06:00.000+08:00

Anwar not keen on Umno, says Azizah - The Star, 16th Nov 2006

FORMER deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is still a political force to be reckoned with and that is why Umno delegates still see fit to attack him in their speeches, said his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail.
Wan Azizah, who is the Parti Keadilan Rakyat Nasional president, said that the delegates had attacked Anwar because what her husband had said was relevant to them.
“If they do not consider him a political force, they would not bother,” she said.
On Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin hitting out at Anwar for saying that the New Economic Policy was no longer needed, Wan Azizah said that Anwar had taken this stand because after 33 years, the NEP had failed in enriching its bumiputra target group.
On Umno Youth saying they did not want Anwar back in the party, she said: “He is not even considering this (rejoining Umno). Anyway, Anwar was dismissed from Umno for alleged sexual misconduct, which was proven to be untrue by the court. On that score, he should have been reinstated.”

What a relief to fellow Malaysians. This is what we need, a strong leader for opposition party and a new leadership. UMNO's "Malay Warriors" just don't get it, Malays don't have to rely on UMNO to progress, they have alternatives, they have PAS, Keadilan and even DAP.

The current race-based policy only benefits the few priviledged ones and to correct this, we need a class-based management system. When the real war comes, UMNO's leaders will only be waving the keris at the back, shouting on the name of "Malay blood", "Malay warriors", and guess who will be dying on the front line?

A Bomb Blasted At Ipoh

2006-11-16T09:59:00.000+08:00

Woman hurt in blast at Ipoh food court - The Star, 16th Nov 2006

An Ipoh City Council cleaner suffered slight injuries to her lower right leg after a homemade bomb exploded at the Medan Kidd food court.
M. Krishnambal, 54, who was given outpatient treatment, said she was removing a plastic bag from the floor at the food court around 9.45am yesterday.
“I thought it contained rubbish and had a shock when the package suddenly exploded,” she said, adding that the incident happened around 9.45am yesterday.
Hawker Halijah Bakar, 51, said she spotted a man in his 50s putting down the plastic bag.
“He came to my stall at about 7.30am and wanted to order nasi berlauk (mixed rice).
“When I told him I only had nasi lemak, he ordered Teh-O instead,” she said.
Halijah said the man looked nervous.

Can you see the direction which our country heading to?

Altantuya's Death Is Confirmed

2006-11-16T09:54:00.000+08:00

Altantuya murder case: Razak to be charged - The Star, 16th Nov 2006

Malaysian analyst to be charged in connection with murder of Mongolian model - Channelnewsasia, 16th Nov 2006

Abdul Razak -- whose political connections stretch as high as deputy premier Najib Razak, who is also defence minister -- has been in police custody since being detained last Tuesday.
"He will be charged for abetment to murder today (Thursday)," said Abdul Ghani. The crime is punishable by death.
A court on Wednesday charged Azilah Hadri, 30, and Sirul Azhar Umar, 35, with the murder of Altantuya.
Both men were junior officers of the police tactical unit. If found guilty, they face the death penalty.

Just to keep the readers updated on the progress of Altantuya murder case. Abdul Razak, a chief inspector and a corporal are charged and the female detective released on bail after DNA test confirmed the blown pieces is Altantuya. From Guang Ming Daily, The female detective has now become the witness for prosecution.

Revamp The Financial System

2006-11-15T11:53:00.000+08:00

Puteri Umno wants more flexible bank loan approvals - “Banks should stop asking who is behind their companies or whether any big shots are at the helm of the company, as a prerequisite to approving loans,” Noraini said in her policy speech. (The Star, 25th Nov 2006)

Get the facts right, missy! In the financial world, risk is the keyword. For one to obtain a loan at a low interest, you will need a mortgage or a guarantor. Otherwise, bank will issue you a high risk loan, "unsecured" loan at a higher interest.

There is no such thing as "unsecured" but low interest, but you might want to talk to KJ, I heard he had good friends that issued interest-free loan when he bought some shares, a while ago.

Majulah Bangsa!

2006-11-14T10:06:00.000+08:00

Bumi equity now at 18.9% - The Star, 14th Nov 2006

The Government has reiterated that bumiputra equity ownership in the corporate sector was 18.9% at the end of 2004 as mentioned in the 9th Malaysia Plan.
This is based on data produced by the technical committee of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi said yesterday.
The committee comprises experts from the EPU, Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM), Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia and Permodalan Nasional Bhd.
The committee also has the services of external experts in the information technology field to generate the data required

No time limit to achieve Malay Agenda, says Najib - The Star, 14th Nov 2006

No time limit will be set to achieve the Malay Agenda to uplift the status of the race, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
He said it was impossible to correct the 446 years Malays were oppressed under the rule of foreigners between 1511 and 1957 within a period of 20 to 30 years.
“For as long as long as our goals are not achieved, we will continue the struggle, deploying every available resource for the sake of our people.
“What we struggle for are our rights without denying the rights of others,” he said when opening the Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri delegates conferences here on Monday evening.
On the other hand, he said the government’s figure of 18.9% of bumiputra equity ownership was realistic as it was derived from the data of 600,000 companies compared to the 1,000 public listed firms in the study.
Similarly, Najib noted that the Economic Planning Unit figures last year showed that bumiputra owned 11.7% of commercial buildings while it was 71% for the Chinese.
Likewise, he said the average monthly income of bumiputra had merely increased from RM339 in 1976 to RM2,711 in 2004 while for the Chinese, the figure rose from RM796 to RM4,437 during the same period.
“Based on this fact alone, Lee Kuan Yew’s allegation that Malaysian Chinese are being sidelined is completely wrong. Let it never be said that our openness and inclusiveness is a sign of weaknesses.
“On the contrary, it is precisely these qualities that make up the formula of our success. This is the approach well accepted by all races willing to work hand in hand to develop Malaysia,” Najib added.

Firstly, PM took Malaysians as fools. Despite various communities calling for transparency in the statistics, what we received is a statement after another. Stop wasting our time, "it is hard to be nice and patient". It is no longer about numbers, but it is a test on PM's and also government's credibility. Denying the facts will only prolong the damage.

Secondly, Najib does not take in the factor of how hard Chinese have worked for their deserved income and totally disregard the handouts given by the government to the Bumis. 20-30 years is not enough, let's work harder with "no time limit" until Malay's status is uplifted!

Majulah Negara! Majulah Bangsa! Penatlah Orang Cina and India!

When Malaysian Talks

2006-11-14T10:03:00.000+08:00

Teng: Don’t skirt issue - Dr Teng, who is state Local Government committee chairman, said he met Abu Bakar yesterday and the council president claimed that the press had misunderstood him. “As such, I told him to meet the media as soon as possible so that the matter does not blow up further,” added Dr Teng. Abu Bakar could not be reached for comments. (The Star, 14th Nov 2006)

Abu Bakar is just so Malaysian!

Ban Religion, Says Elton John

2006-11-13T15:32:00.000+08:00

Ban religion, says Elton John - Channelnewsasia, 13th Nov 2006

"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. From my point of view, I would ban religion completely," he was quoted as saying.
"Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate. The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion?"
"Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together? I said this after 9/11 and people thought I was nuts. Instead of more violence why isn't there a meeting of religious leaders?" he said.
"It's like the peace movement in the Sixties. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts but we don't seem to do them anymore.
"If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance."

An alternative viewpoint of Elton John. I am not against any religion, his comments are just something that all of us should ponder about, what is wrong with this world? People stop loving each other and everyone is fighting selfishly for lust, money and power.

Just Another Epic

2006-11-13T14:54:00.000+08:00

Leaders of Malaysia's ruling party back PM Abdullah - Leaders of Malaysia's ruling party used the start of an annual week-long summit Monday to voice strong support for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, following continued attacks by his predecessor. (Channelnewsasia, 13th Nov 2006)

Meeting to be aired live on XX - The Umno general assembly, which begins today at the Putra World Trade Centre here, will be shown live over XX’s Channel XX. (The Star, 13th Nov 2006)

If you have ever wondered why certain cable TV operator is live-telecasting the proceeding of UMNO's general assembly, you should be able to find your answer through this short news extract. It is about propaganda and declaration of loyalty. It is another cosplay, stageplay or whatever play you like to call it, meant to gain support for next general election. Hopefully I have put it in a layman term, simple enough to understand. If the people are behind the PM, why does UMNO has to stage so many epics to convince the people?

I have decided to leave out the cable TV operator's name and channel number because I don't do free advertisement and it is against my will to help them with the publicity. Why bother to watch if you have already know the outcome? I remember once my university mate passed us a few questions so that we can ask him during his presentation. He will then answer in style with the prepared answers and all these are just so familiar.

Release of statistics on Bumi's equity and live telecasting the scrutiny would be a better idea. I bet the viewership should be high enough to impress. Do not miss out the racial element, it must be scrutinised by experts of all races, different parties and also NGOs. If you meant to do it with MIC and MCA only, then don't bother to waste your resources.

Bird Brain vs. Malaysia Forensic Department

2006-11-13T10:57:00.000+08:00

Source of info: Kwang Wah Yit Poh

It doesn't matter whether you have a first or worst class forensic department when you have bird brains that do not sealed up crime scene's vicinity before we even have a solid court case.

Forensics department up to mark - The Star, 13th Nov 2006

The forensics department will continue to upgrade its services in keeping with technological advances so that it can solve intriguing and extraordinary crimes.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said at present the department had the necessary expertise to handle most cases, including the “high-profile” ones.
“Let’s not forget, criminals too are getting smarter,” said Fu when met after opening a seminar on Taoism and before he launched a booklet on the prevention of cheating by mediums at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

Criminals are getting smarter and bird brains are getting more in our justice system. All these equalised to nett unsolved cases.

Link: The Perfect Script

Travel Advice: Ladies' Attire

2006-11-13T10:33:00.000+08:00

Picture of victimised victim, Melissa Darlyne Chow

(Source of info: The Star)

Please practice due deligence when travelling to Malaysia, attire as illustrated by Melissa, a victimised victim at the recent CCTV incident is unacceptable, especially at the presence of Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan, Penang Municipal Council's President. Help yourself by wrapping up like a dumpling to prevent sexual harrassment, or else you have yourself to blame for being "too sexy".

Happy Visit Malaysia Year 2007! All ladies are welcome for some discriminative treatment, free-of-charge, from Malaysia, truly Asia.

A Bite On The Sweety Pie

2006-11-13T10:11:00.000+08:00

Officer tried to frame me, says houseowner - The Star, 13th Nov 2006

A HOUSEOWNER in Klang caught a Health Department officer trying to frame him with a tube containing mosquito larvae, reported Nanyang Siang Pau.
Lee Hai Ann said about 10 health officers on their rounds to check for Aedes mosquito breeding grounds had demanded to enter his house.
“Upon entering my house, my wife spotted one of them holding a glass tube containing brownish water and was behaving suspiciously.
“The officer was shocked when my wife shouted at him. He accidentally spilled the content of the tube in his haste to put it into his pocket,” said Lee.
Lee said he then grabbed the glass tube from the man and found the tube to contain filthy water with mosquito larvae.
“The other officers immediately ushered the man away, leaving two others in my house."
“They asked me to forget about the matter which I refused,” said Lee.
He later lodged a police report.

Everyone wants a bite on the sweety pie, for those who are too far from reaching that pie, they resort to their own means. Want to know who contributed to the downslide of Malaysia's CPI ranking, PM? Check your mans!

Too Sexy For My Love

2006-11-13T09:51:00.000+08:00

Council chief slammed over remark - The Star, 13th Nov 2006

Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan should apologise to the media for his “insensitive” remark over the dressing of women journalists, said state deputy assembly speaker Datuk Lye Siew Weng.
Abu Bakar had claimed on Saturday that the CCTV incident would not have happened if the journalist’s attire was not sexy. He also said a dress code would be drawn up for the media.
The same day, New Straits Times journalist Melissa Darlyne Chow, 23, lodged a police report in which she alleged that the CCTV operator in the control room had outraged her modesty by focussing the camera on her thighs. Chow had said she was wearing decent office attire and her skirt was knee length when she attended the council meeting on Friday.
Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said it was inappropriate for Abu Bakar to remark that if the dresses of women journalists were not sexy, the camera would not have zoomed on their thighs.
State MCA youth chief Ooi Chuan Aik called for an independent body to be set up to investigate the incident.
State Economic Planning, Education and Human Resource, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said Abu Bakar’s statement was very insulting to women and described the incident as a “serious case of harassment.”

Seems like ideology of "uncovered meat" is practiced not only by the Clerics in Australia, but also by Penang's Municipal Council President. If Abu Bakar Hassan's comment is acceptable, I wonder if peeping is by all means, is legal in Malaysia? In his context, if you don't wrap yourself up like a mummy or dumpling, then you have no right to complaint about peeping tom.

NUJ: Sexy attire remark utterly baseless - The Star, 13th Nov 2006

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described as “utterly baseless” the remarks of Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan concerning the recent closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera incident at City Hall.
NUJ president Norila Md Daud said the comments were utterly baseless and she questioned how the blame could be put entirely on the journalists when it was obvious that the CCTV operator had ulterior motives.
“The issue here now however is the work ethics of the CCTV operator. That should be the main concern,” Norila said.
The incident came to light after a fellow journalist spotted the images on the CCTV monitor in the control room last Friday.
The camera had been focusing on the women’s thighs for more than 15 minutes, which later caused one of them to break down in tears after seeing her picture on the monitor.

Stop blaming the victim, say groups - The Star, 13th Nov 2006

Stop blaming sexual harassment on victims. This is the call by women’s groups and leaders here who expressed outrage over the CCTV “peeping tom” controversy at City Hall.
Women’s Centre for Change executive director Loh Cheng Kooi said she was extremely disappointed with Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan’s remarks over the dressing of women journalists.
The National Council of Women’s Organisations (Penang branch) president Datin Elizabeth Devaraj said what the journalist wore did not justify such unwarranted attention.
“The act of focusing the CCTV on her thighs was a gross infringement of personal rights,” she said.
State Wanita Gerakan chairman Ng Siew Lai said Abu Bakar should not be diverting attention away from the act by blaming it on the journalist’s attire.

As I have mentioned several times in various blogs, "victimising the victims" is our Bolehland's speciality whenever sensitive issues are involved. If it is not good enough, some racist spices would make it taste even better.

More Than 1 Term of Back Tracking? Hell No!

2006-11-13T09:08:00.000+08:00

Malaysian PM vows to stay in power despite attacks - Channelnewsasia, 12th Nov 2006

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has vowed to remain in power despite ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad's criticism that he is endangering the economy, a report said Sunday.
"I will not run. I am here to stay. I have a long-term plan," Abdullah said in an interview with the Malay-language Mingguan Malaysia.
With all the policies and strategies in place, it would take more than one term to accomplish the mission, he said.
"I will work to ensure all the projects are implemented," he said.
Abdullah faces a test of support within the party at the week-long general assembly, where no restrictions have been placed on topics for debates.

I doubt there will be a test of support during UMNO's assembly. With Abdullah's "long term plan" in mind and his promise to "ensure all the projects are implemented", who wouldn't want to board this gravy train. It sounds like the train can go pretty far, because "it would take more than one term to accomplish the mission". Worse come to worst, blame the statistics.

He didn't mention about making a change, so I bet he prefer to run Malaysia the communist way. I wonder how far would Malaysia back-track after more than 1 term. If you have questions on how Malaysia has metarmorphed from a police state to a communist state, click on the link to read more on recent Bumi's equity debate.

Malay Chamber of Commerce Wants Transprency Too

2006-11-10T17:22:00.000+08:00

Now Malay Chamber of Commerce questions govt's methodology - The Sun, 10th Nov 2006

The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia yesterday questioned the methodology used by the government to calculate the corporate equity ownership of Malays.
It said in a statement that Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin's revelation in Parliament that bumiputras controlled 36.64% of the 912 companies (as at last Dec 31) listed on the main and second boards of Bursa Malaysia as "puzzling".
Chamber president Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin said: "The revelation is discrepant. The government's previous firm stand was 18.9% ... we are worried that this will conduse the Malays.
"What methodology did the government use that resulted in the contradicting findings that is diseminated to the people?"
To eliminate confusion and ignorance of the Malays about their real economic status, the chamber urges the government and Malay leaders to:

prepare data of Malays' status that separates the government-owned companies from those of bumiputra status;
call Malay intellectuals to work together in preparing a complete and accurate data on the economic wealth of the community; and
be firm in stating the Malays' position, and not speak out of fear or favour.

It looks like "Abang Adik" not only confused the Non-Bumis, even the Malay Chamber of Commerce now demands for transparency.

Twist Again?

2006-11-10T17:10:00.000+08:00

Proton caught unaware - The Star, 14th Jan 2006

Proton Holdings Bhd was surprised by Volkswagen AG's decision to abort plans for an alliance with the national carmaker but investors turned cautious on the stock and sent Proton's share to its lowest level in over four years.
Bernama reports that Volkswagen's plans to relegate Proton into a mass assembler of completely-knocked-down Volkswagen cars and its insistence on taking a controlling stake in the national carmaker have wrecked plans for the two automakers to strike a strategic tie up, quoting people familiar with the negotiations.
“It was simply not acceptable to Proton to be downgraded from being a full-fledged auto manufacturer to a mere assembler of Volkswagen cars.
“This would have meant the end of Malaysia's ability to develop and manufacture cars,” said an investment banker.
The investment banker said that over time, it became apparent Volkswagen wanted to exercise control over Proton, including the running of its finance, management, product development and manufacturing operations.

That was in January 2006 and what is it now?

Decision on foreign partner for Proton within three months - The Star, 10th Nov 2006

The Malaysian government is in talks with foreign car makers, including Germany's Volkswagen AG and Peugeot SA of France, about possibly selling a stake in national automaker Proton Holdings Bhd., an official said Friday.
"We've been open-minded and we've been talking to many parties,'' Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia's junior finance minister, told reporters.
"If it's necessary to bring a foreign partner, we will bring in a foreign partner,'' he said. "Within three months, we will come back with something more.''

Govt okays 51% sale of Proton manufacturing - TheEdgeDaily, 8th Nov 2006

The government is believed to have finally decided on giving foreign parties 51% control in the manufacturing operations of Proton Holdings Bhd, with German carmaker Volkswagen AG being mentioned as a potential partner, a source said.

Patriotism is dispensable and circumstantial. Now, it is OK to relegate Proton, let foreign company exercise control over local company, including the running of its finance, management, product development and manufacturing operations for the sake of survival. The twist is just so, Malaysia.

Life Is Cheap

2006-11-10T09:59:00.000+08:00

(Source of info: Kwang Wah yit Poh)

The remanded officers claimed that Abdul Razak Baginda has instructed them to eliminate the problematic mistress for a mere US$30,000. Talk is cheap, a human's life is even cheaper.

Link: Sex Education: Implication of Unprotected Sex

Who Is More Scandalous?

2006-11-10T09:19:00.000+08:00

PAS timber scandal brewing - The Star, 10th Nov 2006

The Kelantan Barisan Nasional has claimed that certain PAS leaders solicited millions of ringgit from timber contractors for the approval of concessions and logging permits.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa said the money was channelled to the party’s coffers, resulting in the state becoming poorer but enriching the party.
Showing several letters with company letterheads, including a copy of a cheque to substantiate the claims to reporters, Annuar said he would soon make reports with the Anti-Corruption Agency.
Asked the amount of money involved in the transactions, Annuar said he had evidence that at least five private companies had “given” over RM1mil since 2000.

RM1mil in 6 years time, not too bad right, comparing to others that siphoned off millions at the blink of eye. After all, it is only 14,000 per month, I wonder how poor Kelantan has become. The scandal was revealed before it is reported to ACA, something fishy? Politics in Malaysia is just so interesting. It is about how to make big thing looks small and small thing looks big.

This piece of news came right after PM 's statement on corruption, what a coincidence. PAS Kelantan is the first on the chopping board, who's next?

PM: Speed up the cases against corrupt 'anchovies, sharks' - The Sun, 9th Nov 2006

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants the courts to expedite the hearing of corruption cases -- no matter if they involve "anchovies or sharks".
He said there had been criticisms made by the people that such cases were being delayed by the courts.
The prime minister also commented on Malaysia's position in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, which showed the country's score slipping from 5.1 last year to 5.0 this year.
He said the figure was dissapointing but also questioned if the study really reflected the actual situation in Malaysia.

Did you hear what the PM has just said, stop wasting your time on small little fish, we want to see solid actions on the killer-sharks.

Why is that whenever "number" is involved, our PM is always in the state of denial? If the CPI does not reflect the actual situation in Malaysia, what would you recommend? Who set the vision to improve Malaysia's CPI ranking and yet, who is questioning the accuracy of CPI now? Contradiction, one after another, we just have to get used to it.

You Pay Or I Pay

2006-11-10T09:09:00.000+08:00

Decision on toll rates by year-end - The Star, 10th Nov 2006

The Cabinet will decide by the end of this year whether to increase the toll charges for the five concessionaires.
The concessionaires are Guthrie Corridor, KL-Karak Highway, Grand Saga, Lebuhraya Damansara Perdana and Lebuhraya Shah Alam.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the concession agreements would be due by Jan 1 next year.
“The agreement lapses every three to seven years, so we will have to review the toll. If we do not allow them to increase the toll, then we will have to compensate them,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

I don't work in these area, neither do I understand the details of the agreement but it sounds like a good project to pick-up because you will never lose money. It is either the road users who will compensate you or the government, either way, you are the winner. I have the similar thought on Singapore's public transport system, which have gone through a few rounds of fee hike since I was here.

How if all these are due to mis-management of the company and or mis-using of operation budget? We pay for your fault too? When other company is facing a down-turn, they will take measures to cut the budget, i.e. reduce the spending, re-structure the company's manpower and improve the efficiency. I hope the ministry has looked into it and the toll increased is based on the principle of "no other way out".

A Bad Day For Mahathir

2006-11-09T14:59:00.000+08:00

Malaysia's Mahathir suffers mild heart attack - Channelnewsasia, 9th Nov 2006

Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad has suffered a mild heart attack but is in stable condition in a Kuala Lumpur hospital, one of his sons said Thursday.
"He had chest pains late last night and early this morning, so we called his doctors and they suspected it was a minor heart attack," Mokhzani, the second of Mahathir's three sons, told AFP.
"So we took him to the National Heart Institute and the tests confirmed that's exactly what he had." Mokhzani said the 81-year-old Mahathir -- who ruled Malaysia for 22 years until handing power to current Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in October 2003 -- was conscious and in stable condition.
"From the reports the doctors put out today, there is no requirement for any invasive procedures," Mokhzani said.
"He needs rest. He's just there under observation and the doctor will update us and the public in 48 hours," he said, adding doctors wanted to see how Mahathir would respond to his medication.
Mokhzani said his father was awake and talking, expressing fears he might miss an upcoming concert by a Bollywood film star in Kuala Lumpur.
"He's still talking about the Shah Rukh Khan concert, so he's okay. He's been through this before. This is his second heart attack. The first was in 1989," he said.

I haven't watch any of Shah Rukh Khan's performance but I bet it must be so good that Mahathir is still thinking about it when he was hospitalised.

Malaysia's Mahathir making rapid recovery, says son - Channelnewsasia, 10th Nov 2006

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is making a quick recovery from his mild heart attack, one of his sons said Friday.
"He is in good condition. We are convinced in just a matter of time he will be out of the hospital," Mirzan Mahathir told AFP. "He is fine and he is resting," he added.
Mirzan blamed the attack on Mahathir's recent overseas trips to Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, saying his 81-year-old father had been "tired out".
Mirzan said his father would like to thank everyone for their prayers and messages for a fast recovery.
Mirzan said depending on advise from doctors, Mahathir was expected to remain in hospital for a week and would likely miss next week's annual meeting of the ruling United Malays National Organisation's (UMNO). "I don't think he will attend the meeting. He will still be in hospital," he said.

Mahathir is in good shape and he would like to thank all who has prayed for his wellness. The sad thing is he might be out of the action during the annual meeting of UMNO.

The Perfect Script

2006-11-09T10:09:00.000+08:00

First, it was only a murder, then...

Analyst gave model diamonds, says consul - The Star, 9th Nov 2006

“Each time they met, the analyst would give her gifts such as jewellery, including diamonds. He had also deposited US$30,000 (RM111,000) into her account,” said Syed Abdul Rahman, who is based here.
He said Altantuya's family had kept all the jewellery receipts as well as photographs of the couple when they first met.
Syed Abdul Rahman said usually when Altantuya wanted to visit Malaysia, she and the analyst would meet beforehand in Shanghai before arriving here. “They would stay in a well-known hotel here each time Altantuya came,” he added.
He said the couple had travelled to South Africa and Europe together on holiday. – Bernama

The money element; RM111,000 cash, jewellery (including diamonds) and holidays to South Africa and Europe.

Woman’s dad to prove marital ties - The Star, 9th Nov 2006

The father of murdered model Altantuya Shaariibuu will come with documents to prove that she was married to the prominent political analyst, Mongolian honorary consul Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi said.
Syed Abdul Rahman, who is based here, said Altantuya's father would also be bringing his grandson for DNA tests to ascertain the identity of the father.
He said the family would be arriving over the next few days. He, however, declined to reveal the actual date of arrival, citing security concerns.
Syed Abdul Rahman said he was baffled by media reports claiming that Altantuya had extorted RM1.85mil from the political analyst.
“Altantuya's family is well off as her father is a successful contractor in Ulan Bator.”

Witnesses and evidence are flocking in, and probability of "another assassination" boil up the climax even higher. Accusation comes into the picture, claiming extortion of RM1.85mil by the victim from the poor married man.

Razak an urbane and debonair intellectual - The Star, 9th Nov 2006

Cabinet ministers, politicians and intellectuals who had been contacting reporters for confirmation of the analyst’s detention since Tuesday expressed shock at what had taken place.
“This is a shock to many of us because Abdul Razak is an affable person and everyone knows of his strong political ties with certain Umno personalities,” said a fellow analyst.
A former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer regarded Abdul Razak as a “good man”, and he hoped that the public and media would adopt an open mind.

The "spin" element, he does sound like a good man, doesn't he?

Mongolian students express shock - The Star, 9th Nov 2006

Mongolian students here are shocked by the brutal murder of 28-year-old Mongolian freelance model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
“We do not know her but we are shocked to learn about her murder. We are also scared,” said Dorj Solongo, 23, when met at a college here.

The reactions.

Democrats Are In The House

2006-11-08T16:12:00.000+08:00

Democrats seize control of House - The White House conceded the Democrats had picked up the 15 net seats needed to wrest power from the Republicans - for the first time in 12 years. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said the American people had "voted for Democrats to take our country in a new direction - and that is exactly what we intend to do". (BBC, 8th Nov 2006)

It is a season of change, Democrats are in the House, Thaksin outlawed by millitary power, is it season finale or next episode is coming? Are we getting a new direction too to get Malaysia out of the current mess?

The Truth Has Prevailed, Never Ending Policy Continues

2006-11-08T13:10:00.000+08:00

Bumis own 36.64% of listed companies - The Sun, 8th Nov 2006

Bumiputra equity ownership of the 912 companies listed on the main and second boards of Bursa Saham Malaysia (BSM) stood at 36.64% and valued at RM78.4 billion as at Dec 31 last year. Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Husin revealed this in the Dewan Rakyat today in reply to a question from Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
"The methodology in any research undertaken is based on the belief and understanding of the said researcher," he said.
"However, the methodology used by us (the governement) is more all encompassing and fairer in giving an overall picture to reflect our country's economy."
"The 30% is the minimum objective. If we follow the racial composition, it has to be 60%. If we want to look at this emotionally, then we (bumiputra) are also not satisfied," he said.
Asked by Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) whether the deputy minister has meant the government will continue with the NEP even if it has achieved 30%, he said: "Under the 9MP and Vision 2020, our achievement is to be fair to all races. We have to make sure that the policy earlier has to be realised."

The truth has prevailed, it is not the number that matters, because not matter how hard you debated the figure, it depends on the "belief and understanding of the researcher", according to "Abang Adik", which for layman like us, he means "do not question".

Government claimed that their computation includes a larger pool of companies, apart from companies from first and second board, but when are they going to reveal that figure? It puzzles me seriously that a ready statitics need to go through so much closed door discussion before it can be made known to public. Anyway, after much debate, the target has just been raised to 60% because it is meant "to be fair to all races"? As a non-Bumi, when have we received a fair treatment?

Am I worked up? You bet I do. I have worked so hard to excel academically and also in ECA activities, but still not good enough to secure any scholarship to get through the hardest time of my family during my university years. Yet, it is piece of cake for my Bumi classmates to get theirs for studying in foreign countries with their less than desirable results. Ask around those who have studied in the same oversea universities with our kampung jaguh, and you will know how they are pampered with exorbitant amount of scholarships.

From a police state, Malaysia has just turned into Communist state. After all, it is just fair distribution of wealth by population ratio. In other words, it means when our equity went lower than the supposed ratio, we will be given special priviledges too (I supposed), and Bumi will have to part some of their shares to us so that it is fair and equal. No need to work so hard, my friends and families, all of us will get the fair share of this sweet little pie end of the day.

Link: Let's Grill The Number, Buying Time, Brain Drain, True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Backing Down, Finally

ACA, Anti-Complaint-Agency

2006-11-08T11:26:00.000+08:00

Money laundering report against deputy minister - The Star, 8th Nov 2006

A fruit exporter has lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency alleging that a deputy minister was involved in money laundering of up to RM10mil.
Mohamad Tahir Fazal Mohamad lodged the report on Aug 23 along with supporting documents.
Among them, were certified copies of receipts of payment to the deputy minister from 2000 up to the present day, and the general ledger of a company of which the deputy minister is chairman.
Mohamad Tahir claimed the documents showed that the deputy minister had breached the Anti-Laundering Act and Bank Negara regulations through the illegal transfer of huge sums of money.
“I have gone to see the ACA four times since filing the report but nothing has been done,” he said at a press conference yesterday at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat office.
“They have not even recorded my statement.”
At the press conference, he was flanked by lawyers Damian Pheny, who is his counsel, and Sivarasa Rasiah, who is the PKR vice-president.
“If there is no response from the ACA after this, we will assist to take it up to Putrajaya to the Prime Minister’s Department,” Sivarasa said.

What did the Anti-Corruption Agency deputy director-general Datuk Zakaria Jaffar just said when Malaysia slipped 5 places on the Corruption Perception Index?

"The agency was independent and could investigate politicians, but people were not willing to come forward with information".

What did someone that is trying to lodge a complaint said (be reminded that he has hand-full of information)?

“I have gone to see the ACA four times since filing the report but nothing has been done, they have not even recorded my statement.”

Come on, how many times these people need to slap their own face before they woke up? ACA, Anti-Corruption-Agency or Anti-Complaint-Agency?

ACA not obliged to brief complainant - 9th Nov 2006

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is not required to inform a complainant of any follow-up action or investigation it may take on a report lodged with it.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor said the agency would study the report and then investigate accordingly if there was a basis to it.

The issue is, for the very least that you could do, at least you should have taken his statement, right? More excuses?

Asian Heroes by Times Magazine

2006-11-08T10:33:00.000+08:00

In the special edition of Times Magazine, it pays tribute to 60 Asian heroes, who have significant contribution in vaious fields, and amidst those familiar names, we have Singapore MM, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew on the list. He was being potrayed as smart, tough, pragmatic—an enduring symbol of Asia itself. He has been widely regarded as one of the smartest brain in Asian region, transforming Singapore into what they are now, with GDP per capita at $29,500 from a few hundreds in just 40 years.

If the neighbours could label him as "senile", then I bet we need to find a better term to describe their state of mind which is lower than "senile", perhaps a "retard"? Pardon my poor English, I am very bad with words.

I bet the "kampung jagung" won't be able to get their names on the list even if they brought "teh tarik" to the space.

The Cover:
60 Years of Asian Heroes

The Contents:
Gandhi & Nehru
Corazon Aquino
Aung San & Aung San Suu Kyi
Ahmad Shah Massoud
Deng Xiaoping
Mohammad Hatta
General Vo Nguyen Giap
Sir Murray MacLehose
General Douglas MacArthur
Mohammed Ali Jinnah
Lee Kuan Yew
Akira Kurosawa
Amartya Sen
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Maxine Hong Kingston
Kenzo Tange
Hayao Miyazaki
Farrokh Bulsara
Nam June Paik
Han Suyin
Gong Li
Seiji Ozawa
Salman Rushdie
Li Ka-shing
Akio Morita & Masaru Ibuka
Stan Shih
Jerry Yang
Momofuku Ando
Narayana Murthy
Hanae Mori, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake & Rei Kawakubo
Muhammad Yunus
Chung Ju Yung
Victor & William Fung
Shigeru Miyamoto
Lakshmi Mittal
Sachin Tendulkar
Li Ning
Jahangir Khan
Bruce Lee
Efren Reyes
Tenzing Norgay & Sir Edmund Hillary
Rudy Hartono
Sadaharu Oh
Mou Zuoyun
The Dalai Lama
Youk Chhang
Guan Yi & Malik Peiris
Thich Nhat Hanh
Eugenia Apostol & Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc
Kang Chol Hwan
Judith Mackay
Mechai Viravaidya
Ding Zilin
Meena
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Mother Teresa

(Source of info: Times Magazine, November 13, 2006 Vol. 168, No. 20)

These are the great people of the region, click on the links if you want to know more. You can find a brief description of their contribution using this link.

Sex Education: Implication of Unprotected Sex

2006-11-08T09:53:00.000+08:00

The analyst, his lover's body and a KL scandal - TODAYonline, 8th Nov 2006

Malaysian police have detained a well-known political analyst and three police officers over the gruesome murder of a Mongolian woman. Police top brass, including Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan, were tight-lipped about the case and refused to reveal the names of the suspects.
The political analyst, in his 40s, is believed to be a close associate of a Malaysian Cabinet minister and is often quoted in the media on international affairs.
The victim, Ms Anna Ana Ang, was shot and her body blown up with a grenade. The woman, in her 30s, is said to have had a brief sexual encounter with the political analyst when he was in Mongolia last year, an affair which resulted in a baby born in Mongolia this year.
According to Malaysian media reports, on Oct 9, Ms Ang and two friends travelled to Malaysia and confronted the analyst, who is married with children. The meeting in the posh Kuala Lumpur suburb of Damansara Heights turned sour and the analyst, who heads a think-tank, sought the help of the police.
Police officers escorted Ms Ang away and ordered her friends to leave while the matter was being "settled". According to Bernama news agency, her friends became worried when Ms Ang failed to return to the hotel and reported the matter to the Malaysian police as well as the Mongolian consulate in Thailand. The Mongolian consulate contacted the Malaysian police and asked for help in locating Ms Ang. Armed with details provided by her friends, Malaysian police pieced the case together.
Three police officers have been detained in connection with the murder: A female lance corporal, an inspector and a chief inspector with the elite special action unit. On Monday, the detained police personnel led investigators to Tasik Subang Dam in Shah Alam, where parts of Ms Ang's skeletal remains were found.
Speaking to reporters, Inspector-General Musa said: "We may detain some more people to assist in the investigation but please do not speculate and I do not want to reveal how many more will be detained."

Please include this in the sex education module of Malaysia. Example of how unprotected sex ended-up with gruesome murder plan that involved A POLITICAL ANALYST (CLOSE ASSOCIATE OF MINISTER), 3 POLICE OFFICERS and A MONOGLIAN LADY???!?!?! I was shocked when I heard the news on Singapore's TV last night. What the hell is happening that this Mongolian lady was blown out in the Bolehland?

What is the difference when a fake police officer and genuine police officer stops your car? To get down the car or not? Some might suggest the old methodology of driving to the police station but how safe are you? You might have to do another nude squatting again.

Top Malaysian analyst pleads innocence over model's murder - Channelnewsasia, 8th Nov 2006

A top political analyst close to senior politicians was being detained for five days as part of a police investigation into the abduction and murder of a French-trained Mongolian model, his lawyer said Wednesday.
"I had a short interview with Abdul Razak Baginda this morning at the court and I am relieved to hear that he is in no way involved in the abduction or murder," Shafie Abdullah told AFP.
"He is being investigated for the abduction and murder. Abdul Razak is being detained for five days until Sunday. "He pleads innocence," he said, adding Abdul was picked up by police on Tuesday.
Shafie also said Abdul Razak knew one of the policemen detained in the investigation.
Abdul Razak is the executive director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, a leading private think-tank in Malaysia, and provides regular commentary on the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

Some updates if anyone is interested to know who is the so called political analyst. Adultery? Murder? This is so sexciting, just like the Hongkong drama, where you have the elements of sex, money, crime, triad and politics. Once again, our research centre made it to the headline and so do the ruling UMNO.

Bangsa Malaysia

2006-11-07T10:40:00.000+08:00

Bangsa Malaysia in mind - “Bangsa Malaysia means we do not evaluate someone by his skin colour, race or religion,” Najib said when closing the Johor Umno Convention at Persada Johor here yesterday. “It does not question the special rights of the Malays, our quota or anything of that sort.” (The Star, 7th Oct 2006)

In short, I believe what Najib means is there is NO Bangsa Malaysia. How does it make us one united race when some received a better treatment than us?

Success story of unity in diversity - MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the people should be talking about the spirit of Rakyat Malaysia, and added:”Our freedom to practise our respective cultures, beliefs and religions is en-shrined in the Constitution. The question of assimilation of any one race into another does not arise at all.” Citing the Barisan Nasional as a prime example of “unity in diversity”, Dr Chua said it was a fact that Malaysian political parties – ruling or opposition – were still based on a racial basis. (The Star, 7th Nov 2006)

Unity in diversity or dictatorship in disguise? When the leaders are slapping the face of the minorities and yet the representing parties are still able to keep their mouth shut, this is what they call unity!

Soul of a nation - The term Bangsa Malaysia merely reflects the spirit of a Malaysian and it should be looked at from a broad perspective, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said.
“To us, Bangsa Malaysia means the Rakyat Malaysia spirit, which already exists rather than the formation of a new race. When you are a Malaysian citizen you enjoy all the rights in the Constitution, which were already agreed upon by our forefathers. “We promote unity in diversity. No race will be deprived of its original identity, culture, religion, language and traditional practices. This is the key to the success of the multi-racial Malaysian society. This is our strength,” he said (The Star, 7th Nov 2006)

Were we being deprived of our original identity and culture when government disallowed burning of fire crackers during Chinese New Year? Our forefathers might be short-sighted when they put their signature on the dicriminating agreement, but evolution theory promises that each new generation will be more critical than the generation before. It will be a tough challenge for the government to convince them of accepting such discriminating treatment.

Transparency International: Corruption Perception Index 2006

2006-11-07T10:17:00.000+08:00

Source of info: Transparency International: CPI 2006 & 2005

What does the statistics tell you? If our PM is in control, why did Malaysia's ranking slip from 39 in year 2005 to 44 in year 2006? It looks like the whole ASEAN region is getting more corrupted except Singapore that is stagnant at 5th and Indonesia that has improved by 7. Our PM has failed in delivering his promise, curbing grafts and reducing corruption.

Corruption ranking slips - Just World president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said that to quell rumours about nepotism, politicians and their families should declare their assets but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently said that there was no need for one. “That was disappointing. They should be able to demonstrate that they are above board,” he said. (The Star, 7th Oct 2006)

When the PM failed to be more transparent, what can you expect from a transparency survey? Slipping? I am not surprised.

Scratching Backs

2006-11-06T11:11:00.000+08:00

Indon minister skips S'pore meet 'in protest' - TODAYonline, 6th Nov 2006

Indonesia's Industry Minister Fahmi Idris is still upset at Singapore's decision to raise the haze issue at the United Nations General Assembly last month.
To register his protest at the move, Mr Fahmi boycotted a meeting of the Indonesia-Singapore joint steering committee on the Batam, Bintan and Karimun special economic zones, according to Antara news agency.
He claimed that by raising the issue before the General Assembly on Oct 20, Singapore did not uphold the spirit of cooperation among Asean member countries.

What have Indonesia done to uphold the spirit of cooperation among Asean member countries? Failing to stop the haze from spreading, declining to sign the treaty, and giving unreasonable solution when our families' and friends' health are in risk? When you don't scratch my back, why should I scratch yours?

Clearing the air - TODAYonline, 7th Oct 2006

When Singapore called for a wider effort at the United Nations on Oct 25, Indonesia's response was testy. Its representative, Ms Adiyatwidi Adiwoso Asmady, said the move was "tantamount to interference in the domestic affairs of Indonesia".
She added: "Where there is already a bilateral and regional arrangement for addressing a problem, let us make full use of them instead of misusing the UN forum in a frenzy of naming and shaming."
In a letter to Mr Fahmi yesterday, Mr Mirpuri explained that Singapore raised the matter at the UN not to shame its neighbour but to mobilise the international support that was needed.
Mr Mirpuri said that glossing over the issue of haze during a discussion on environmental issues at the UN was not an option. This would only have cost Asean its credibility.
"Singapore's strong preference was for an Asean statement, but unfortunately the Indonesian representative did not want the haze issue mentioned at all," said Mr Mirpuri.
"Hence, Singapore had no choice but to make the points in its own statement."

This is a fair game. If you don't do your part to protect your citizens, at least I have to do mine for my own people. If there is no shame then there is no name, why blame others when you got yourself to blame. I have not heard anything from Malaysia, I thought they always like to piggyback on current issues to attract attention, why don't they comment when it is needed the most?

Who Deceived My Ancestors

2006-11-06T10:51:00.000+08:00

To the shock of the 2,000 people present and hundreds of thousands of viewers at home of the live telecast over RTM 1 and TV3, the Ruler said it was built by colonialists who had used dirty tactics to deceive his ancestors. (Quoted from Mave's blog)

I read about the comment from Johor Sultan on his will to demolish the causeway because it will make Johor a more prosperous region. If someone had used dirty tactics to deceive his ancestors in signing the agreement, I can't stop but keep thinking of who had deceived ours when Malaysia is formed? At the same time when he is asking for demolishing the causeway, are we putting a fullstop to the Never Ending Policy?

Let's Talk About Sex

2006-11-06T10:27:00.000+08:00

Leaders slam newspaper’s article on sex - The Star, 6th Nov 2006

Several ministers and Umno leaders have condemned a newspaper for running a feature on sex with explicit details.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Weekend Mail had gone overboard with its feature on sex.
“I received endless calls and SMS over the articles. The media going overboard in exploiting sex will only worsen our social problems,” he said in his speech when launching the FT Umno Convention yesterday.
Najib said the newspaper should not have carried such articles that “elaborate in detail” sex positions just to make profit at the expense of public interest.

I have not seen a copy of the Weekend Mail but I do not understand how is it by elaborating various sex positions in detail would worsen our social problems. It is supposed to enhance the pleasure during love making and it takes a lot more than just "have sex" to make good things happen. Love making is a subject, and we need to gain knowledge to perfect it, and also learn to appreciate it. Don't treat your wife or girlfriend as a baby making machine!

If you can't hold your "nafsu" against an "uncovered meat", don't blame the newspaper. They didn't instigate you to commit a crime but only teach you how to make love, right?

Maybe we should stop teaching chemistry in our school, it turns us into a bomb-making "terrorist".

Malaysia fights looming AIDS epidemic - Reuters, 24th Oct 2006

Malaysia, a conservative, mainly Muslim country, has some of the world's toughest anti-drugs laws. But the HIV virus is spreading rapidly due to illegal drug use and a lack of sex education, raising fears of an epidemic.
Delivering a loud wake-up call to the government, the World Health Organisation warned last year that Malaysia was on the brink of an HIV epidemic.
About 60 percent of those believed to have HIV were Malays -- the largest and most religiously conservative of Malaysia's ethnic groups.
Kuala Lumpur -- which started in the mid-19th century as a tin settlement with brothels, gambling booths and opium dens -- is packed with clubs brimming with drugs and alcohol but is also a place where kissing and hugging are forbidden in public parks.
With no sex education at schools, some youths believe that HIV can be transmitted by mosquitoes, fleas or bedbugs.
Religious leaders are deeply opposed to the distribution of free needles and condoms."(It) will encourage people to have free sex. We must address the root of the problem," said Ahmad Awang, a spokesman at the Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), the country's largest Islamic opposition party.

How ironic when the author mentioned that KL "is packed with clubs brimming with drugs and alcohol but is also a place where kissing and hugging are forbidden in public parks". Thailand has been a successful example of curbing AIDS through education, something must be wrong in our system when the number of HIV patients have grown exponentially. Blaming game and closing doors are not the ultimate solutions to the problem. So shall we continue the chemistry class?

Birthday Leave

2006-11-03T09:15:00.000+08:00

Of birthday leave and other pro-family initiatives in Asean - "We have birthday leave and special leave to allow employees to attend their childrens' school activities," said Ms Emmeline L Verzosa, of the National Commission on the role of Filipino Women. (938LIVE, 3rd Nov 2006)

I want to have my birthday leave too! It is already saddening enough to grow 1 year older and I don't want to "celebrate" this big day with my director.

Facts on Trans Fat

2006-11-03T08:52:00.000+08:00

Recently a lot of highlights were being given to this topic, "trans fat" and courtersy of Health Promotion Board of Singapore, they have gathered some basic information on their website for your better understanding. You can also find a list of famous packaged food and commonly eaten food with the respective trans fat contents. As a guidelines, we should not consume more than 2g of trans fat daily, so start calculating today.

Did you know that Burger King's and Long John Silver's french fries has 3.38g and 6.90g of trans fat, whereas KFC's and MacDonald's has only 1.03g and 1.23g respectively?

What does trans fat do to our body? Trans fat behaves like saturated fat in the body, raising low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) that increases your risk of coronary heart disease. In addition to raising "bad" cholestrol, trans fat also reduces the blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholestrol), which protects against heart disease. (HPB)

Be a smart consumer, choose wisely for you and your family. Please relay this message to your loved ones.

Crime On The Rise

2006-11-02T09:41:00.000+08:00

Crime on the rise in Sarawak - The crime index in Sarawak has risen 17.4% in the first 10 months this year, with 10,800 cases reported. (The Star, 2nd Nov 2006)

It is a 17.8% rise in crime index!

Every time when I am backed to my hometown for short vacation, people around me would remind me to be careful of where I walk, where I park my car and how I carry my phone and wallet.

During those young days, I often have sweet dates with my girlfriend to places like parks and waterfront promenades, all which have now turned into "dark spot" for crimes. Those places that I used to hang out with my fellow friends for a cold beer at night, have instead become the heaven for car thieves.

This is very saddening when I learned that the clean and peaceful small little town that I used to live in, is now the breeding ground for crimes. Can someone do something to help this place?

Travel Advice: Bring Your Marriage Certificate

2006-11-01T10:04:00.000+08:00

Since I have been writing some reviews on places and resorts. I think it would be wise to provide some travel advices, preparing fellow travellers from the unexpected.

The first travel advice for foreigners reading this blog, please bring along your marriage certificate with you when travelling to Malaysia. You don't want to go through the trauma of someone breaking into your hotel and interrogate you, claiming you have conducted "khalwat" while you were having a good sex in the middle of a full-moon night. Try to make a copy and hang it outside your room for maximum security. Any evidence to show that you are not a Muslim will be equally useful.

"Malaysia Truly Asia"? Is marriage certificate needed in other Asian country also? I will make sure I check before my next tour. Till then, enjoy your stay.

Shall We Start Patrolling?

2006-11-01T09:50:00.000+08:00

Stop moral policing, say Christians - The Star, 1st Nov 2006

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) wants the Cabinet to reassure all Malaysians that their privacy will always be protected and nobody is subjected to harassment from Islamic Religious Officers.
The federation's executive committee said it was troubled and deeply concerned by news reports that a foreign couple had been “traumatised in the wee hours of the morning when officers of the Kedah Religious Department stormed into their Langkawi condominium and rudely interrogated them.”
Americans, retired policeman Randal Barnhart and his wife Carole, who had wanted to make Malaysia their second home, are now reconsidering that plan after their unpleasant encounter with religious officials who had accused them of committing khalwat (close proximity).
The federation said that even though the Barnharts, in their 60s and married for over 42 years, told the raiding team they were Christians, the officers continued to be intimidating towards the couple, insisting they show their marriage certificate.
Although the Prime Minister had just recently refuted his predecessor’s claim that Malaysia was now a police state, the federation said incidents such as that in Kedah and other similar actions by over-zealous vigilante groups in Malaysia pointed to the contrary.
Apart from urging the Cabinet to look into the matter and take steps to reassure all Malaysians, the federation called on the Kedah Religious Department to offer an official apology to the Barnharts, and for the Tourism Minister to assure all tourists and Malaysians that they will not be subjected to vigilante moral policing by religious officers.
“The CFM joins the voices of other concerned groups in the country in affirming the personal freedoms guaranteed to every person in our Constitution and that no person should be subject to laws other than what is sanctioned by Parliament,” it added.

I am OK with moral policing but not those that are religion-based. If they want to pursue such act, do not complaint when people from temple or church start patrolling the street during one fine day. After all, we are from a multi-racial society and the constitution warrants religious freedom.

Was Mahathir right on the nail when he mentioned Malaysia is a police state? Still remember the RELA case, the readers can judge on their own.

Tourism Ministry officers told to probe khalwat raid - The Tourism Ministry has directed its officers in Kedah to investigate the case of the American couple in connection with a khalwat raid in Langkawi recently. Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim said the ministry viewed the matter seriously and the report would be handed to the Minister by the end of next week. (The Star, 3rd Nov 2006)

Let's Teach China About Transparency

2006-11-01T09:07:00.000+08:00

Open scrutiny of government plans will encourage investment, says PM - The Star, 1st Nov 2006

Malaysia has recommended its policy of transparency and open scrutiny of government plans and policies to China and other Asean countries as a means to increase investment in their countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said greater information flow and transparency, especially on economic and industrial development, was vital.
“Information of this nature, especially when they pertain to new opportunities and changes to rules and regulations, must be shared with and disseminated to the private sector in a systematic and effective manner,” he said.
In Malaysia, he said, it was a practice that government plans, such as the Third Industrial Master Plan and Ninth Malaysia Plan, were open to public scrutiny.
“I recommend this Malaysian example to China and to other Asean countries,” he said in his keynote address at the Third China-Asean Business and Investment Summit here yesterday.

This is so funny. Now our PM is teaching China how to do business. Does anyone know that China's economy is expected to grow at 10.4% this year?

You can't blame the PM for this statement, it is true that all Malaysians were being given a chance to scrutinise the government plans, nobody was jailed for talking about it right? The only thing is while we were scrutinising, was there any explanation given? Was there any concrete action being taken other than calling ASLI's report "rubbish" without providing any proof? I call this dictation rather than transparency. So what is the difference? With or without scrutiny, back to square 1.

I have not seen the transparency in our government when leaders are chosen based on "certain" criteria, problem is "dicussed" closed door and statistic never exist. This is my 3rd calling, Najib, I want to see the data on Bumi's equity. I have been asking properly as requested by PM and I still have doubt, when are you showing it to me?

Link: True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Certain Criteria, Future Malaysia Leader, Buying Time

It Is A Narrow Minded Season

2006-10-26T10:53:00.000+08:00

Australian Muslim leader under fire over remarks on women - Todayonline, 26th Oct 2006

Australia's most senior Islamic cleric has sparked uproar after describing scantily-clad women as "uncovered meat" inviting sexual attack.
The government's sex discrimination commissioner called for the cleric, Sheik Taj Aldin al-Hilali, to be sacked and deported while several ministers expressed outrage over the remarks.
Al-Hilali made the remarks in a Ramadan sermon to 500 worshippers last month in which he criticised women who "sway suggestively", wear make-up and no hijab or Islamic headscarf, The Australian newspaper reported.
"If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside on the street, or in the garden or in the park, or in the backyard without a cover, and the cats come and eat it ... whose fault is it, the cats or the uncovered meat," he said.
"The uncovered meat is the problem. If she was in her room, in her home, in her hijab, no problem would have occurred."

Analogously, "If you take out a lot of money, put it in your pocket, or inside your tiny undies, and someone robs you or even murder you, whose fault is it, the robber or the money". It is a season of narrow minded people giving the stupidest speech and thought on earth. Let's stop all this ignorant act. You don't live in your own world, and do pay some respect to the people, religion, environment around you. You are just humiliating yourself.

Link: Another Unreasonable Reason, Wish you a not so happy occasion

Buying Time

2006-10-26T09:36:00.000+08:00

Govt Will Answer To Dr Mahathir's Criticisms - Bernama, 24th Oct 2006

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday that the government will respond to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's allegations against the government and the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The deputy prime minister said Abdullah would give a "long and detailed" answer to all the questions and clarifications sought by his predecessor.
"I have spoken to Pak Lah (Abdullah) and he is prepared to answer the issues raised by Tun Dr Mahathir in great detail."The answers will be given at a meeting or in writing...it's up to the prime minister," Najib told reporters at the Aidilfitri open house of the prime minister and cabinet ministers at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
However, Abdullah needed time to answer all the latest allegations by Dr Mahathir because they were only raised last Sunday, he added.

When a leader claims that he is "in control", why wasn't he able to give an immediate response to people's enquiry? Why does he need to "prepare" answers while everything should be on his fingertips?

Is this another typical response, just like the previous ASLI's case? Every Malaysian who is not senile, would recall that Najib still owe us an answer on Bumiputera's equity debate. Buying your time again? I still have doubts, Najib. When are you showing us the figures?

Link: Brain Drain, True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Backing Down, Finally

Law to Protect Rela, Not You, Folks

2006-10-25T17:35:00.000+08:00

Govt to act against Rela members who abuse their powers - The Star, 25th Oct 2006

Action will be taken against Rela members who abuse the powers given to them to help arrest illegal immigrants, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
Radzi was commenting on the recent protest by the residents in Cheras that Rela members misused their powers to crash into their homes after breaking door locks and smashing gates during their raid to arrest illegals.
"Rela is a voluntary organisation. When they conduct the raids, they are given the power to enter the premises and then to arrest,'' he said, adding that he meant ''business premises'' and ''not dwelling houses.''
Asked if they could enter without a search warrant, Radzi said: "They have the powers to do it. They are empowered by the law.''
"But if any Rela member oversteps their powers, I'll take care,'' he stressed.

If RELA are being empowered by the law to enter premises without a search warrant, it means the law itself does not protect the citizens. This is unacceptable, it is a lobed sided empowerment and those who being affected by the recent incidents should stand up and voice for a change.

Place: Pulau Besar (Johor, Malaysia)

2006-10-25T12:50:00.000+08:00

Jetty at Pulau Besar

Beach at Pulau Besar

White Sandy Beach, Crystal Clear Water

Beautiful Sunset

Pulau besar is a short 30mins boat ride from Mersing, Johor. The island is pretty un-commercialised as compare to the bigger brother, Pulau Tioman (Tioman Island) and only a few small resorts (?) have erected there. These small scale resorts, with very basic facilities provided are for those seeking for a typical "kampung-feeling" retreat. I realized from my last trip that a few of the resorts have closed down, maybe due to few people that know the existence and fierce competition from the surrounding islands. For me, I call this exclusivity and privacy.

There is no nightspot around the island (thank god) and neither there is any seller or tout trying to harrass you, offering various bargains and packages. All it has is the quiet ambience, crystal clear water and fine, white sandy beaches. Corals can be easily spotted around the island and it is close to the shore, which you can bring your own snorkel gears and off you go with schools of fish swimming around you. If you are aiming for some exotic corals, you can arrange for a snorkel trip to the nearby islands with the resorts.

There are mountains at the center of the island and it is a short trek (1 hour, one way) to the peak, for some spectacular view of the vicinities.

Happy Deepavali and "Selamat Hari Raya"

2006-10-20T11:20:00.000+08:00

I will be leaving for a short trip to a deserted place, without any internet connection and I won't be blogging for a few days (consider it a break).

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone an early HAPPY HOLIDAY, and for those celebrating the big occasion, HAPPY DEEPAVALI and "SELAMAT HARI RAYA".

Take care my friends, drive safely and best wishes to your family.

Certain Criteria

2006-10-20T10:52:00.000+08:00

Councillor appointment process may be reviewed - The Star, 20th Oct 2006

The Government will take a second look into the process of appointing councillors to avoid instances where more than one member of a family is appointed to a council, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said this was necessary to avoid accusations that district or municipal councils would only comprise members of a certain family.
“We will consider looking into this again. Actually, this situation had never happened before, as appointments are made based on certain criteria,” he said.
“It so happens that members of this family met the criteria. We had never expected this scenario (where several members of the same family become members of the same council) to happen,” he told reporters after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Investment at his office yesterday.

What's the criteria for one to be chosen as councillor? "Certain criteria" is the answer, literally means "do not question". Perhaps it is too transparent again that we couldn't see.

FTA? What The Hell Is That?

2006-10-20T10:24:00.000+08:00

'MPs must know FTA's impact on future generations' - The Star, 19th Oct 2006

It is imperative for Members of Parliament (MPs) to know what impact the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the US and Malaysia will have, as the agreement will affect the country's economy and future.
"Many MPs are clueless about the FTA and its implications," Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation director Charles Santiago said today.
"MPs should ask questions on the FTA's contents and its impact, for the good of future generations," he added at a Gabungan Rakyat Menentang FTA (GRMFTA) press conference.
The group - comprising 38 non-governmental organisations and opposition parties - offered to help MPs understand the issues involved through briefings.
It also asked if the government had conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the FTA that takes into account trade and job gains and losses, loss of policy freedom, social effects such as access to affordable medicines and knowledge, food security and technology transfer.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy secretary general Dr Xavier Jayakumar said: "We are not against trade, but we do not want a lopsided trade agreement with the US."
"The World Trade Organisation agreement is a government-to-government level agreement but the FTA is an agreement between the country and large corporate interests," he said.
"Once it is signed, there is no turning back," he said, noting that the FTA also allows private companies - some which are richer than the country itself - to haul governments to international courts.

Clueless? I bet they are, with the worshipping practice, "government must be right!". They don't need to know anything because it just can't be wrong. It sounds pretty dangerous to their empire when companies can haul government to international courts.

No more cover-up, closed-door meeting and under table solutions for you guys? Better think carefully before you put your signature on it, you seriously need to know the impact on future generation, especially your unquestionable empire and not even FIL can get you out of the mess you created.

FTA sounds to me that I am getting "more transparency"?

Who Build The Nuclear Weapon

2006-10-18T10:15:00.000+08:00

Bush signs Bill legalising CIA prisons - TODAYonline, 18 Oct 2006

United States President George W Bush yesterday signed a controversial law legalising secret CIA prisons, harsh interrogation practices and military trials as weapons against suspected terrorists.
"It is a rare occasion when a president can sign a Bill he knows will save American lives." "I have that privilege this morning," Mr Bush said at a White House signing ceremony.
"The Bill I sign today helps secure this country, and it sends a clear message: This nation is patient and decent and fair, and we will never back down from the threats to our freedom."
Both houses of Congress last month passed the Bill, which became a focus of the debate over security and civil liberties in Mr Bush's war on terror, launched after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks.
The measure was drafted in response to a US Supreme Court ruling in June that Mr Bush had overstepped his powers and breached the Geneva Conventions by setting up special war crimes tribunals for "war on terror" suspects.
The sweeping legislation sets guidelines for interrogating suspected terrorists and would send several hundred inmates held at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to trial after years of detention.

Legalising CIA prison with harsh interrogation practices and military trials sounds the same to me as building nuclear weapon in North Korea and allowing Japan to have their very own army platoons. The only difference is who made the decision and how you phrase it nicely with your super-duper powerful English, "It is a rare occasion when a president can sign a Bill he knows will save American lives.".

If we were being given a chance to build such a prison (or we already have it?), this is how we phrase it. "Finally we got to build a prison, we can jail and abuse them, get them to admit they are the stupid terrorist suspect. Then we lock them up for as long as we want. We are the law."

And here comes America.... "Hey, you violated human rights".. My foot!

Future Malaysian Leader

2006-10-18T09:50:00.000+08:00

Mat Rempit attack police station with rocks - New Straits Times, 17th Oct 2006

The Mat Rempit’s mob-rule mentality emerged again when a group of them brazenly attacked a police station on Sunday.
About 20 of the illegal racers, unhappy that police took in two of their friends, threw rocks at the Kubang Semang police station to register their protest.
Seberang Prai Tengah acting police chief Superintendent Zainal Abidin Nin confirmed the incident and said the two youths had been arrested.
He said the suspects were arrested in connection with a motorcycle theft case.

If UMNO is interested in these Mat Rempit, by all means, take them all. I am just wondering if any of the Malaysians is looking forward to see any of them becoming transport minister, or even prime minister of Malaysia. Do vote for them OK?

MIC and MCA say no open discussions on socio-economic concerns - The Sun, 17th Oct 2006

The MIC will not talk openly on issues involving the economic interests of the Indian community, but will stick to its existing approach of closed discussions with the government, said its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting also favours internal meetings. In a statement posted on its Chinese website yesterday, he said MCA will not compromise the fundamental principles and rights of the Chinese community. "In order to present the Chinese community's views effectively, MCA has to use strategic ways to put the views forward. We opt to raise issues in internal meetings," he said.

Or maybe you prefer to vote for Samy and OKT so that they can conduct a closed discussions with government when it concerns your survival? Who wrote the speach for you, Samy and OKY? What a coincidence, just a different way to rephrase it.

Resort: The Narima (Koh Lanta, Thailand)

2006-10-17T12:03:00.000+08:00

I will start off my travel review with the most memorable resort that I have stayed for 3 nights, namely, The Narima at Koh Lanta, Thailand. Amidst of the great-expensive-5 stars hotels/resorts around the island, this small resort caught my eye with good reviews from various travellers.

Upon reaching Krabi airport, I spent two hours on board a small van, crowded with tourist and local people to reach my destination. The resort has warned me about the crampness in the shared transport, but due to tight budget I sticked with my initial decision. The journey is slightly uncomfortable, but still bearable, provided the air-con is working. The resort is situated on Koh Lanta, certainly not one of the most common tourist location one would choose to go at the vicinity. From Krabi airport, you have the choices of the more developed tourist attraction like, Aonang, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi islands or you can join me at Koh Lanta, if you want a place that is not too commercialised, with friendly people around you.

The reason I have chosen The Narima as my "home" for 3 nights are simple. The Narima has their own secluded beach (a bit rocky though) and you have a lot of privacy, instead of swimming on the crowded beach, which is shared by infinite resorts. You will be disappointed if you are expecting a white, sandy beach but the resort has not failed to show the genuine condition on their website, a yellow sand, and slightly rocky beach. There are times when I stepped in a hotel and wonder if I have gone into a wrong place because everything just look so different from their photos but for this particular resort, it is as real as it can be. There is a nice pool, small secluded beach and simple yet stylish rooms.

The thing that impressed me the most is the friendliness of the resort owner, Dr. Yodchai and Dr. Nopawan. You can read more on their info at the website if you wish to know how they look like, fell in love and started the venture. Nopawan greeted us with great smile when we reached, and instructed the waitress to serve us some cold water and snacks while we sit comfortably on the bench to complete the registration. Since it was not the peak season of the year, Nopawan walked us to the chalets and recommended a few with better view for us to choose from. She was also kind enough to show us around the chalet, and told us where to look for what, how to get down to the beaches and what are the activities available. In fact, most of the time, you will see Nopawan and Yodchai strolling around the beach and restaurant, chit-chatting with the guests, learning and sharing the cultures and stories.

We had all our meals at the resort's restaurant and the food was fantastic, yet reasonably priced. It was one of the best Thai food I ever had from a hotel/resort and I strongly recommend to try all the courses if you can. Trust me, you won't regret it.

The two most interesting experience that we have are (1) snorkelling at Koh Rok and (2) Lanta-Lanta Festival. Nopawan has recommended the snorkelling trip during our arrival and we went for the snorkelling on our second day. The snorkelling was great with beautiful corals, fish and we had our lunch on one of the fine and white sandy beaches. The water was crystal clear and as turquoise as it can be. For me, this is heaven.

We placed a reservation to the Lanta-Lanta festival later of the day and to my amaze, Nopawan and Yodchai were leading the tour. Due to the huge participation, they have booked for additional transportations to bring us to and fro the festival, apart from picking up a few lucky one on their own car. All of this are free of charge, a great gesture for us from Nopawan and Yodchai. What you can find on the festival is shop, shop and more shopping. You don't need to bargain as hard as you would be in Bangkok or Phuket since the price is relatively realistic and low. There are also some cultural show and good food, if you know how to enjoy it.

The only word that I can use to describe my feeling throughout the stay is "homely". You will feel as comfortable as if you are at your own home, and every workers in the resort is part of the big family, headed by the friendly Nopawan and Yodchai. If you are looking for some peaceful retreat, this is the place for you. If you are opting for alcohol, shopping and girls/boys, perhaps you should try your luck elsewhere.

Travel Review

2006-10-17T10:47:00.000+08:00

Since I am travelling quite frequently, I have decided to post some info on resorts/hotels/places that I have been to, be it good or bad, to share with the readers. Well, this is not to the expense of my postings on the "polluted scenes" around us and hopefully with the "transparency" guaranteed by our DPM, I have more time to write on nice people and places. Do note that the details included are simply based on my own travel experience and nobody actually paid me to do this. Anyway, there is no harm if anyone is willing to pay for my trip for a travel review, do let me know, yeah. If you need any specific info on anything, just drop me an email at o2deprivation@gmail.com and I will try to help as possible.

There are some instances when customers claimed that they were being treated differently because they are Asian, and the reviews written by westerners might not be the truely applicable. Let's hope this review will do them justice based on my personal experience as a (1) Asian (2) Malaysian (3) Chinese.

Poor Investment

2006-10-17T10:18:00.000+08:00

PAC to probe Bank Islam's RM1.5b losses - The Star, 16th Oct 2006

The Public Accounts Committee will look into Bank Islam's stunning RM1.5 billion provision for loan losses this year - more than double last year's - by quizzing its shareholders.
He said the PAC cannot look into the goings-on in Bank Islam directly as it is not a government agency or department. However, it can do so through its investors, he said.
Bank Islam's current major investors are Lembaga Tabung Haji, which holds 29.7% equity, followed by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (25.2%) and the Employees Provident Fund (6.4%).
Transparency International Malaysia (TI) said the delay by the government and regulatory authorities in making public the reasons behind the losses by Bank Islam would go contrary to the transparency and accountability promoted by the government.

1st point, let's look at who is the investors, damn, EPF. 2nd point, please check with DPM on the self-proclaimed transparent government.

Let's Grilled The Numbers

2006-10-17T09:27:00.000+08:00

PM: Ask properly - Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the government was willing to make public the methodology used by the EPU to calculate the corporate equity ownership of various community. "If there are still doubts (on the figures), we can reveal the methodology used and the government was transparent when it comes to such economic data. "We have no problem revealing the methodology but there should be no insinuation as if the government is not being transparent," he said. (The Sun, 16th Oct 2006)

Of cos there are doubts, and in fact, these doubts were not being plucked from the air but it arose following all the "rubbish" statements, denial of ASLI's report and Dr. Lim's resignation to defend his stand and academic freedom. Where are the self-proclaimed transparencies when we first started questioning the figure? It always comes late, just like the "999" we dialed, that take forever for someone to pick-it-up. Maybe our kampung scientist still buying time to put the mathematical pieces together, making it sounds as reasonable as it can? They must be working very late these few nights, poor guys.

The ASLI's report was submitted few months back, but they received no respond from the government. Perhaps some are hoping that by applying similar methodologies of "act blur", "report is lost" and "the number you dial is not reachable" were good enough to prevent the news from spreading. Now, when people start questioning on the transparency, our PM said "ask properly" and our DPM echoed "our government was transparent". Did the PM ever tell SIL to "ask properly" when he was out there, grilling the poor non-bumis?

Can't wait for the "transparency"in this issue. Let's see how much of the information is reaching the public, or it is another closed door debate with endless speculations. If you want to debate the methodologies, now is the time, there is no need for further delay.

Link: Buying Time, Brain Drain, True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Backing Down, Finally

Time Off

2006-10-13T10:54:00.000+08:00

It's good that I managed to take some time off for a light travelling, leaving this polluted scene for a while, grazing some good supply of oxygen. Catch with with all of you, my readers in a few days time. Take care.

Brain Drain

2006-10-12T16:19:00.000+08:00

What is happening in Singapore:
16 outstanding researchers receive Science & Tech awards - Channel News Asia, 11th Oct 2006

What is happening in Malaysia:
ASLI director quits over controversial findings - The Star, 11th Oct 2006

Noticed the difference? Being controversial in Malaysia is always a big NO NO, you will not be rewarded. It gets you no way because people (or rather government?) is not ready for a change. Ultimately, you should just follow the crowd and path where the stream takes you and this is what we call "loyalty" or rather, "rigidity". It can get you even further if you start swinging your keris, or maybe parang if you don't have one.

Our PM is calling for feedback on brain-draining issue, striving hard to woo the experts back to Malaysia, but has he got the anwer yet? Search me........ geeesh, I really don't know.

Being creative needs a strong will to be controversial. Impeding someone to be controversial, kills creativity and while we are moving towards a more R&D culture, once again we fight with empty rifle.

Rejection of Asli report sends wrong signal: Toh - The Sun, 12th Oct 2006

The government's rejection of the report on bumiputra corporate equity published by Asli's Centre for Public Policy Studies, which challenges the official data, has sent the wrong signal that dissent is not tolerated and honest pursuit of knowledge discouraged, says state executive councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon.
"Discussions with CPPS (headed by its director Dr Lim Teck Ghee) and others on these issues could have been held and a consensus arrived at.
"Instead, the government lambasted Lim. The signal seems to be that dissent is not tolerated and honest pursuit of knowledge discouraged," he said.
The Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said critics of the Asli report must use the "same or a higher level of intellectual rigour" to dispute its findings
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Mirzan's statement and apology had reduced Asli's credibility and integrity because it was without academic basis or rational. "Clearly, Mirzan's retraction was politically motivated and not driven by any flaws or shortcomings either in the centre's methodology or research data," he said.

The space is shrinking, oxygen is depriving. Simple explanation, there is no room for negotiation and those that hold a keris won. While ASLI is willing to debate on the computation, there is no transparency coming from government side, how do we put our faith in a government that operates like a black box? The damage is already done, but don't forget the next election is coming soon. We shall see about that.

Lim hopes to teach at local varsity - 17th Oct 2006

Dr Lim Teck Ghee, who last week announced he would step down as director of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute's (Asli) Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) in the interest of academic integrity, hopes to be able to teach in a university here.
However, if things don't work out, he will probably leave the country again.
"I'll continue researching and would like to teach at one of our universities. But it could be that they may not find my presence and expertise convenient or appropriate. Let's see, if things don't work out, I will probably leave the country again," he said of his future plans in an e-mail interview.
"I'd like to return to researching issues of Malay poverty and under-development, an area which I worked on in the 70s and 80s in Malaysia, which I've left aside for some years now," he added.

Brain-draining again?

Link: Buying Time, Let's Grilled The Numbers, True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Backing Down, Finally

Another Unreasonable Reason

2006-10-12T11:30:00.000+08:00

E-mail from Takaful man ‘not fatwa’ - The Star, 11th Oct 2006

An e-mail from Takaful Malaysia’s Syariah department head Fauzi Mustaffar forbidding Muslims to wish Hindu friends Happy Deepavali is a narrow interpretation of Islam, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin.
“It’s his personal view. He has no authority to say Muslims shouldn’t wish Hindus because that is like a fatwa (edict). And fatwas can only come from the National Fatwa Council and Jakim,” he said.
When contacted for his comments, Fauzi said the e-mail was in response to enquiries from employees and was only meant for internal circulation.

Even if the letter is only meant for internal circulation, a narrow minded thinking like this will actually cause mis-conception of other people on Muslims. This is such a lame excuse, another unreasonable reason. Let's wave our sword and demand an apology from Mr. Fauzi. Wait, he is the department head? I just can't believe how someone with such un-liberalised thinking can make it to that position. What a disgrace.

Link: It Is A Narrow Minded Season, Wish you a not so happy occasion

Barbarian Is In Town

2006-10-11T14:19:00.000+08:00

“If you can guarantee the wind will not blow (in this direction), then I can guarantee it (haze) will not happen again.” [...] When we export oxygen, you don’t say anything; when we export haze, you complain.” Indonesia First Secretary (political affairs), Mudzakir

What else can I say? This is just so barbaric.

Link: The Ultimate Solution, Pray Harder Folks, Dear Neighbour, Have You Walk The Walk

True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee

2006-10-11T13:31:00.000+08:00

ASLI director quits over controversial findings - The Star, 11th Oct 2006

Dr Lim Teck Ghee, director of Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS), has resigned as a director of Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli).
Dr Lim said he could not agree with Asli president Mirzan Mahathir's statement that a report on bumiputra corporate equity did not fairly reflect the true picture of the equity ownership by bumiputras in Malaysia.
"Since I cannot agree with Mirzan's statement and because of the need to defend the position and integrity of independent and non-partisan scholarship, I regret to inform that I will be stepping down from my position as director at the end of the month" Dr Lim said in a press statement.

Quote:
I hope the public space opened up by the Centre’s work on this particular, as well as other important, issues will be expanded on and vigorously defended by others. It is the fundamental right of the Malaysian public to question all government statistics and policies, more so when these are not transparent or defensible.

Dr Lim is a former UN regional advisor and World bank senior political scientist. He is also a recipient of international academic awards.

Today is a notable day in Malaysia's history, on how big bully won the game with words of mouth and no fact is needed. My ultimate salute to Dr Lim, at least he is not one of those who joined the crowd when realised that they cannot beat them. Dr Lim is a true man with courage, someone we should be proud of. You can read more about the resignation from Jeff's entry.

Who should we trust? Scientest or empty rifle? what a day.

Link: Buying Time, Let's Grilled The Numbers, Brain Drain, Backing Down, Finally

Backing Down, Finally

2006-10-11T11:42:00.000+08:00

Asli backs down over NEP data - The Sun, 10th Oct 2006

Under pressure from Umno politicians and certain segments of the Malay community, think tank Asli has backed down and agreed to withdraw a contentious report on the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Asli or the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute president Mirzan Mahathir issued a statement today saying the findings by its Centre for Public Policy Studies that bumiputra equity ownership could be as high as 45% cannot be "vigorously justified".
Mirzan noted that the report - Corporate Equity Distribution: Past Trends and Future Policy - was part of a larger study undertaken by a multi-racial group of scholars and consultants in connection with the Ninth Malaysia Plan. It was submitted to government in February, but the centre did not receive any feedback.
Sources said although Asli has officially agreed to withdraw the report, those involved in putting it together are standing by their work. However, they accept that the political reality left the institute no choice but to back down in order to stop the attacks on Asli.

ASLI has backed down under the intensed pressure, this is such a sad story to start my day with apart from hearing mave is retiring from blogging. I was still wondering if ASLI will maintain its debate and cross-checks government's account book and this news suddenly struck me hard on my head, dream on, man! Note that they have submitted the report to government in February but there is no feedback. Our government might just be a notch over Indonesian's since they can "tok kok sing song" and at the same time "act blur".

Link: Link: Buying Time, Let's Grilled The Numbers, Brain Drain, True Man With Courage - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go , A marginalisation?, Migration issue , Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard , Customer is always right , Something to think about , Misleading? By who?

Wish You A "Not So Happy" Occasion

2006-10-10T10:05:00.000+08:00

Rocky's blog has the coverage on how Muslim staff of the public-listed company, Takaful Malaysia, are discouraged from wishing its customers "Happy Deepavali" as it was against the syariat.

This is so narrow-minded and I am extremely disgusted with that. I do not believe that we should stop wishing others to be happy on their special occasion. What should we do then? Wish them a "not so happy" so that only we can be "happy" about it? I simply cannot agree with marginalisation of others by the name of one's religion since I believe the teachings of any religion emphasize on peace and harmony. Is there any mis-interpretation of the teachings by some narrow-minded persons? Please tell me about it.

Link: It Is A Narrow Minded Season, Another Unreasonable Reason

"Tok Kok Sing Song"

2006-10-10T09:39:00.000+08:00

US oil major Chevron and Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will pay Chad US$281.6 million (RM1.04 billion) under a deal to end a tax dispute which saw them threatened with expulsion from the central African country, the Government said. (Business Times, 9th Oct 2006)
According to D-G of IRB, Tan Sri Zainol Abidin Abd Rashid, Petronas is a responsible tax payer. “There is no reason for Petronas not to pay tax and hurt its own reputation,” Zainol said. “I don’t believe that Petronas would have done that as it is an international class company and the sole local company listed on the Fortune 500.”

I learned about "deduction" method from the Mathematics classes that I have attended under the great Malaysia education system. This is how I apply the technique, "If statement 1 is true, then Petronas is a f*ck-up company since they earned billions from the country but not paying tax", else, "ZA from statement 2 must be bull-shitting since Petronas has already admitted to the tax dispute". Did I score a 100 marks or 0?

All these statements sound so faimiliar to me, what does "the sole local company listed on the Fortune 500" has to do with not paying tax? The same goes to when Muhyiddin's claim on the equity dispute that ASLI's report is "rubbish", simply because it "challenges the government authority". Maybe the local company and government has grown so great that people start worshipping it.

Those from Singapore can easily put this in a very straightforward, simple term "tok kok, sing song". Let's Karaoke.

Fund Raising for Seputeh's DAP

2006-10-09T13:47:00.000+08:00

I read from Teresa Kok's blog that Seputeh's DAP is having a fund-raising drive. I am neither a political supporter of ruling party nor DAP but I believe the service centre is worth every bit of sweat and blood that you have donated since it is there for you, by you.

You can help by sending a crossed cheque to: DAP Cawangan Seputeh, or make a deposit into DAP's MayBank account 5-14235-464557. For more information, please refer to Teresa's blog at http://teresakok.blogsome.com/2006/10/06/dime/

The Ultimate Solution, Pray Harder Folks

2006-10-09T13:14:00.000+08:00

Source of info: The Sun, 9th Oct 2006

Wish if Allah will be more responsive than Indonesian government. There are a few things that Allah can do to aid the current situation (1) shower the earth with water (2) uncover some gold mine in Indonesia and the most importantly (3) knock the brain out of Indonesian government.

While all the neighbours are suffering and eager to provide assistance to Indonesia over the open-burning issue, they are still reluctant to put their signature on the treaty. Years after years, I hope someone has answered their prayer, how about ours? Are we going to take tough actions on Indonesia? Are we going to claim damages for the impact on health of fellow Malaysians and decrease in tourists?

Link: Barbarian is in town, Dear Neighbour, Have You Walk The Walk

Lagging Or Not Lagging

2006-10-06T10:03:00.000+08:00

PM: Bumiputeras still lagging - New Straits Times, 6th Oct 2006

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the methodology used by Asli in counting government-linked companies (GLCs) as Bumiputera companies was wrong and could even lead to anger."They adopted an approach based on a survey involving only 1,000 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia, unlike the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), which involved 600,000 Malaysian companies (in its survey) and used government documents.
Zainal Aznam also said the Asli study considered government- linked companies as predominantly Bumiputera, while the government removed GLCs from its figures
A third flaw was Asli’s use of market capitalisation while the government used the par value, or nominal value, and the number of units of shares a person held.

I am not financial analyst nor economist. Hopefully someone can put up a good comparison, explains the difference between the calculation methods and at the same time identifies the correct analysis. For a layman like me, my understanding is that EPU is having a bigger sample size while at the same time, GLCs were excluded. Assuming all GLCs are predminantly Bumiputeras' is wrong by ASLI, but government either did not explain how many of it actually own by Bumiputera? Maybe it is true as what ASLI has pointed out, some of the information is just not accessible. These complex calculation always left me hanging.

What is real stake of bumis in KL market? - The Straits Times, 7th Oct 2006

Asli estimated that bumiputeras own 70 per cent of the shares in GLCs, which make up a third of the market value of the stock exchange. They include utility companies such as Tenaga Nasional and Telekom Malaysia, and Malaysia's biggest bank, Maybank. Asli also did its sums using the market values of the shares, rather than the par or nominal values, for the simple reason that it is market value that actually denotes the value of a company.
But Datuk Seri Abdullah disagreed. He said the Economic Planning Unit's method was more accurate because it surveyed the 600,000 companies registered in Malaysia, excluding GLCs, and did its calculations using the par value of the shares. He said it was not right to include the GLCs.'The revenues reaped by GLCs will be handed over to the government to be saved in funds for use by the people and the country,' he said.

Right or wrong to include GLC? It simply depends on your objectives. Anyway, ASLI is willing to let the government examines their book, how about our least-transparent government, are you doing the same too?

More flak for study saying bumiputeras have 45% stake - The Straits Times, 9th October 2006

In a Mingguan Malaysia report, published yesterday, Tan Sri Muhyiddin said the research challenges the government's authority. He described it as irresponsible and urged the government to be strict if Asli fails to retract the research. 'The research is rubbish and cannot be used. As a Malay, I feel angry and I think it has ulterior motives,' he said. 'The research might have certain agendas aimed at sparking off a polemic, especially among those who think the research is true. That group will surely accuse the government of releasing false information.'
- O2's comment: The phrase "challenging the government's authority", make it sounds like we are living in the dictators era and it is an equally irresponsible statement. By the way, "as a Chinese, I feel angry and I think you also have ulterior motives". If the government did nothing wrong, why should they worry about accusation? Show us the data, we just want transparency!
Economist professor Dr Ismail Md Salleh said the report was inaccurate because different measurements were used.
- O2's comment: It might be government's report that is inaccurate because different measurements were used, right? This is why ASLI, as an NGO is willing to let you examine their method. Why shoot them down in an open discussion? Aren't we a democratic nation?
Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin said they could be unhappy with the renewed NEP and the target of 30 per cent bumiputera equity ownership. He noted that the government figures were accepted by international economists, and warned that if Asli's report was accepted, it could retard the government's effort to distribute the nation's wealth based on race equality.
- O2's comment: Yes, we are unhappy not because of the 30 percent bumiputera equity ownership. We are sad because we have tried to co-operate and help the Bumis achieving better life though the "Never Ending Policy" but the outcome is the rich one are getting richer and poor one remains. We should all feel unhappy about it, regardless of race and ethnic since it never really benefits any of us, with the widening of income gap.
The Malaysian Malay Entrepreneurs and Merchants Association has asked Asli to be more sensitive towards bumiputera issues. The association's president, Datuk Moehamad Izat Emir, told Mingguan Malaysia that Asli should focus on matters which require their involvement rather than intervene in the bumiputera status in the country
- O2's comment: ASLI is an NGO, they have the right to involve in any activities if there is a need to. If they only involve in matters assign by the government, they should re-brand themselves as GO. Please get the definition clear before you voice your opinion.

I saw this piece of news in The Straits Times and would like to have my personal opinion on this issue, just like the way our politicians have commented without needing much facts to support their point. I guess nobody can blame me for doing the same, right? Unless we are practicing double standards, are we?

Link: Backing down, finally, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go , A marginalisation?, Migration issue , Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard , Customer is always right , Something to think about , Misleading? By who?

Dear Neighbour, Have You Walk The Walk

2006-10-06T09:48:00.000+08:00

Azmi's frustration - The Star, 6th Oct 2006

To put it mildly, the haze has made Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid one frustrated man.
”It is outside our control. We can only hope the they can overcome their problems; and we will help by sending our firefighters there if they request for it,” he said.
Azmi reiterated this many times and said he was sure that the Indonesians themselves were suffering.
“In fact, I was in Indonesia in June and met the relevant ministers. They told me they had the systems to control the haze. It looks like their system is not effective,” Azmi said.
Azmi added that the situation could not improve further until Indonesia ratified the Asean transboundary haze agreement. As of March this year, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines had yet to ratify the treaty.

Years after years we waited, especially for Sarawakians that suffer the most during the hazy days. Is our government going to put some pressure on Indonesia, making sure that their system is working effectively to control the haze? We are still waiting, and of cos at the same time, we are still suffering. Where is your promise, Indonesian government? Talk the talk but doesn't walk the walk, how familiar is that.

Malaysians have had enough of haze woes - The Star, 7th Oct 2006

We've had enough! That just about sums up the feelings of Malaysians when once again they have to bear with the blanket of haze that has left those suffering from respiratory problems gasping for breath.
Schools in Sarawak will close when the air pollutant index (API) reaches the hazardous level of 300 and above.
A state disaster relief committee meeting, to be chaired by Dr Chan, will be held next week to discuss the next step of action. He added that the number of respiratory cases was increasing due to the haze.
The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board has already distributed more than 200,000 masks to the public.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia field officer for Sarawak Jok Jau Evong said: “The Malaysian Government must apply constant pressure on Indonesia to take action. We should not make noise only when the haze gets bad.
“Malaysian authorities must also ensure that Malaysian-owned oil palm plantations in Indonesia are not involved in open burning.”
Transparency International Ma-laysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the Government should convene an urgent regional conference to discuss the haze in the region and come up with concrete and long-term solutions.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution signed in 2002 in tackling the issue. “The agreement is not producing results. Year in, year out, we see the haze continuing to occur due to illegal logging or open burning in Indonesia. What is Asean doing about this?” Navaratnam asked.

"Year in, year out", we are still watching the same episode; schools are shut, masks are distributed, patients with respiractory increased and the typical Indonesian dance carries on. What have you, Indonesian government done to recover our loses? Be it in education, health or tourism. Let's put some pressure on the Indonesian government, we must fight hard to prove out point, and when I say hard, I mean the "hard way" if we have to.

There is no difference if the company involved in open burning is a Malaysian, Indonesian or foreign company. When it happens in Indonesian soil, prosecute them using Indonesia's constitution law. Blaiming the companies from other countries for open burning in your soil makes zero sense to me, it is not their goverment that burned your forest and of cos, they don't run your country! We have offered help to you, and are struggling hard to help ourself in this haze problem. What have you done to help yourself and your neighbours?

Link: Barbarian is in town, The Ultimate Solution, Pray Harder Folks

Malaysians Should Not Question

2006-10-05T10:31:00.000+08:00

Chua: Think of global issues, not equity share - The Star, 5th Oct 2006

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Malaysians, regardless of race, should focus on the global challenges.
“What is important is how Malaysians can prepare the nation to enable it to compete with our neighbours such as Thailand and Vietnam,” he said after opening a lantern festival organised here by four MCA divisions on Tuesday.
Dr Chua, who is also the Health Minister, said Malaysians should not question the equity distribution, as different evaluation methods would yield different results.
Commenting on a statement by an NGO recently that the Malays controlled almost 45% of the nation’s wealth, he said the statement had no effect on national unity.
The report by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute’s (Asli) Centre for Public Policy Studies on “Corporate Equity Distribution: Past Trends and Future Policy,” citing Bursa Malaysia Corporate Equity’s 2005 statistics, said the estimated volume of bumiputra equity ownership was 45% of the RM715.4bil of total stocks on the stock exchange, or RM325.08bil. However, the Government’s estimate of bumiputra equity ownership as stated in the 9MP was only 18.9%.

Mr vice president, let me get this straight, we are not trying to abolish the equity system, but merely being more critical on the assessment method. This will help to establish a proper and fair measurement method that is acceptable by the public. And when I mentioned public, I mean irregardless of race and ethnic. If this was not being defined correctly and openly, when will we know if the definition of "30% equity" is going to change again? Do you get it?

When it is concerning the country that we are living in and livelihood of the people, I wonder what is the role of you in our community? Instead of providing the necessary support, you requested your people to stop questioning. In my view point, you are simply dispensable when we are facing the "global challenge". I don't think you need much explanation on what is hogging us behind with all those gravy train allegations and unproductive projects.

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go , A marginalisation?, Migration issue , Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard , Customer is always right , Something to think about , Misleading? By who?

Mydin Hypermarket

2006-10-04T14:58:00.000+08:00

Probe into claims of selective sugar-selling - New Straits Times, 4th Oct 2006

A probe has been launched into complaints against Mydin Hypermarket for allegedly refusing to sell sugar to non-Malays.
Among the complaints include a letter to the New Straits Times alleging that the hypermarket only sold sugar to Malay customers but told others that they had run out.
Other residents here also complained that the outlet was racially biased against non-Malays.
The state enforcement unit chief Fahmi Kasim said a team conducted spot checks at the Mydin Hypermarket in Bandar Baru Uda here. Without disclosing any details, he said the management had been advised not to practise discrimination.
He also said the management had earlier explained that it was trying to restrict customers from buying too much sugar at the expense of those who would be celebrating the festivities.

You can restrict people from over-stocking sugar but you shouldn't stop those that are really in need, irregardless of race. Let's boycott Mydin Hypermarket if this is true. Whether you are Bumi or non-Bumi, we should act together and condemn this discrimitory act for the sake of racial harmony. "The management has been advised"? We need more action for this issue, this is simply unacceptable. I think we should probe into the enforcement unit's decision, while they are probing the hypermarket.

MSC, Malay Superior Corner?

2006-10-04T14:35:00.000+08:00

MSC offers chances to all races, says minister - The Star, 4th Oct 2006

It has never been the Multimedia Super Corridor’s (MSC) policy to marginalise certain communities but to create wealth for the country, said Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha.
Currently, he said, there were about 1,600 MSC companies, some 1,200 of which were locally-owned.
More than 300 of the local-owned companies had bumiputra participation, he said. “It is not the MSC’s policy to marginalise certain communities as the country practices an open policy where those with capability are able to develop the companies,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
He was commenting on Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s remark that bumiputras should be given priority in sectors such as biotechnology and information communications technology to ensure they were not left behind.

Cut the crap KJ! I fully agreed with Datuk Kong, it is about the "capability" to develop individual companies and I especially favourite the term, "open policy". Priority again? If the bumis failed after being given the priority, it is again other companies' fault for being too competitive. What is the next step? Another subsidy? Pardon me, it is Multimedia Super Corridor and not Malay Superior Corner.

Link: Entry requirement

A Chess Game

2006-10-04T10:29:00.000+08:00

Lee's statement could have incited feelings of Malaysians - The Star, 3rd Oct 2006

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the Government did not consider Lee's letter of explanation as a letter of apology. “It is not an apology, he was saying that he was sorry for causing discomfort, not that he was sorry for saying that. It is two different things. “He just restated what he felt and it went beyond (what was) just a previous discussion,” he said before breaking fast with Wisma Putra staff in Putrajaya yesterday.
Barisan Nasional Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Lee had to issue an apology to the Malaysian Government and the people because he had clearly violated the country's dignity and sovereignty by his statement on how the Chinese in Malaysia were treated. He added that Lee had to apologise after he faced criticism from Malaysians of all races, that he had overstepped the boundaries on an internal issue that should be discussed by Malaysians and not outsiders.

It is obvious that Hishammuddin has a worse command of English than me because he has mis-interpreted the letter from LKY. Syed Hamid in the other way, is much better as he clearly understood that LKY simply apologized for the "miscomfort" and not the "statement" he has made. "Lee apologised after he faced criticism in Malaysia of all races"? No, Hishammuddin, you are wrong. Check out the poll result in Kwang Wah Yit Poh, I think he may have more Chinese supporter than you do. I have the less updated result in my previous blog entry if you want to have a glimpse. By the way, LKY decided to publicised the letter and the whole world is watching. The smarter guy won an upper hand in this round, even when he has apologised. So who is the gentleman now? LKY has "apologised" and what about Malaysia over the numerous marginalisation comments that he has quoted?

Lesson learned. A good chess player must be able to predict all the moves before you decide to hit on your opponent.

'Singapore knows our stand' - The government will not take the issue of Lee Kuan Yew’s inflammatory statement and explanation any further but hopes such rhetoric would not recur. Najib wondered if Lee was serious about good bilateral ties as "how is this going to happen if he makes such statements". (The Straits Times, 6th Oct 2006)

In case you are still confused and not aware at this state, LKY has pointed out a few persons, who have raised the issue of Malay's marginalisation in Singapore. I have not heard the apology from them, and if Malaysia is "serious about good bilateral ties", they should start apologising and "how is this going to happen if" Malaysians "make such statements?". Clean your backyard first before you start firing, haven't learnt the lesson? Irony?

Unity panel wants Kuan Yew to say sorry - A parliamentary panel yesterday called on Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to retract his statement that Chinese in Malaysia were being systematically marginalised. Maximus was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the committee near here. He said Lee’s remarks were uncalled for, unwelcome and tantamount to interfering in Malaysia’s affairs. (The Straits Times, 7th Oct 2006)

Maximus, why are you making the life so difficult for your PM. Didn't you realised that SIL, KJ has done the same mistake and now is a situation of "a thief shouting for another thief". Sigh! some people just don't get it. LKY is calling for a checkmate, unless you want another chess game? Are you up to it?

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go, A marginalisation?, Migration issue, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

Understanding Malaysia's Culture

2006-10-03T11:11:00.000+08:00

Briton wants PR — before he dies - New Straits Times, 2nd Oct 2006

The long delay in granting Sir Norman Frank Sisson’s application for permanent residence has an Englishman who has lived here for nearly 20 years worried.
In the past three years, Barker had become a regular visitor to the Kuantan immigration office as he pleads with the authorities to speed up his PR application.
The red tape has Barker worried that the approval would come too late — just like in Sir Norman’s case.
Barker said the delay had cost him a lot of money and time. He claimed that he had spent more than RM20,000 on air tickets and other expenses as he had to leave the country every three months when his visitor’s pass expired. He has to apply for a new visitor’s pass to re-enter the country.
"There was even an occasion when the Immigration Department told me that they could not find my application file. They also don’t respond to my email," claimed the former manager at Ferrostall AG a contractor for Perwaja Steel.

I am really wondering why is there such a long wait for someone so keen to reside permanently in Malaysia? 3 years continous effort to urge the authority for speeding up the application gets him no where and leave him with question marks when they told him his application is lost and did not repond to his email. Well, hope Barker enjoys the "Malaysia Tak boleh" culture when he is going through the application process.

LKY Is Sorry, What About UMNO?

2006-10-03T10:36:00.000+08:00

Lee says sorry - The Sun, 2nd Oct 2006

Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has apologised to the Prime Minister over his remarks that the Chinese had been systematically marginalised in Malaysia.
Lee said: "I am sorry that what I said has caused you a great deal of discomfort. After a decade of troubled relations with your predecessor, it is the last thing I wanted."
He pointed out that there were occasions when Umno leaders had publicly warned Malaysian Malays that if they ever lost power, they risked the same fate as Malays in Singapore, "whom they alleged are marginalised and discriminated against".
He said he had not said anything more than what he had said before, adding that he had no power to influence Malaysia’s politics or to incite the feelings of the Chinese in Malaysia.

By the way, LKY is sorry for making our PM feeling discomfort and not because of the statement that "Chinese has been systematically margnialised in Malaysia". Got it? So, is UMNO going to apologized to Singapore for their marginalisation comment? I doubt so.

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go, A marginalisation?, Migration issue, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

More Statistics, Anyone?

2006-09-29T11:35:00.000+08:00

Source of info: Kwang Wah Yit Poh Polling Result, 29th Sept 2006

An online polling was conducted by Kwang Wah Yit Poh on LKY's remark, whether they feel that Chinese community in Malaysia was being marginalised or not. Out of 244 votes till date, 243 felt that marginalisation has taken place. By looking at the distribution of voters, the group with highest vote count is "male", "university graduates" at "age group of 21-30". I believe this group is basically the workhorse for the next 20 to 30 years and seriously, it does not look good when they have lose faith in the current situation.

By the way, I hope the DPM, Najib is paying attention to the poll result since he intiated the effort to "get people's opinion". More statistics anyone?

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go, A marginalisation?, Migration issue, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

"Necessity" vs. "Will"

2006-09-29T10:33:00.000+08:00

Shortage of funds affects all districts - Baling's poor and destitute are not the only ones who have not been paid their allowances in the past four months, Kedah Social Welfare Department director Hadisah Hamid said. She added that the shortage was caused by Federal funds meant for them being used to help flood victims. “This has caused an imbalance in the payout to poor single mothers, the aged and the disabled in all districts in Kedah,'' she said yesterday. (The Star, 29th Sept 2006)

It makes me wonder whether is our country so tight on money. I am seriously against building of the sports complex in London. "HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CENTRE"? We don't even have enough money to help the poor so why should we spend it on something that is not necessary. It is a "necessity" vs. "will" situation but I guess "will" is having an upper hand now.

No Salary Revision For Poor Civil Servant

2006-09-29T10:01:00.000+08:00

PM: No salary revision for cops and civil servants - The government has shot down the request by Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) and the police force for a salary revision. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad said the government is not ready to pay higher salaries now as available funds need to be channelled for development. (The Sun, 28th Sept 2006)

Halting the super duper sports complex in London should save us a few billion's bucks for our poor civil servant. Alternatively for a quick solution, we can consider looking into sacking the slacking ambulance service providers and immigration officers, and put the money into good use. Well, maybe showing the "Malaysia Boleh" spirit to other countries is more important than feeding your people. What can I say, "Malaysia Tak Boleh" again?

Link: Privatisation of ambulance service, Getting passport stamped, did I not try to?, A simple comparison tells the story

Bumiputera Equity at 45%

2006-09-29T09:28:00.000+08:00

Asli welcomes discourse on bumiputra equity ownership - The Sun, 29th Sept 2006

The Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute's Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) would welcome the opportunity to discuss its findings on Bumiputra equity ownership with other non-partisan bodies and individuals.
The "Corporate Equity Distribution" report, which was based on primary and secondary research, found that Bumiputra corporate share may be as high as 45%, rather than the official 2004 estimate of 18.9%.
Several individuals have disputed the validity of the report's findings, including Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia treasurer general Zainol Abidin Abdul Hamid and Universiti Putra Malaysia economics lecturer Judhiana Abdul Ghani.
Zainol said the CPPS report was inaccurate because it contradicted official statistics, while Judhiana said even if the target of 30% Bumiputra equity has already been achieved by the New Economic Policy, ownership is concentrated in the hands of a small group.
Lim said the study was undertaken by a multi-racial group of scholars and consultants as part of work in connection with the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

ASLI has agreed for a discussion with non-partisan bodies and individuals, so government, are you going to initiate similar effort to debate your computation? I would totally ignore Zainol's comment since that is not even a debating statement, but only pledges of loyalty to the government. Yeah right, government cannot go wrong! As for Judhiana's claim that 30% equity has been achieved but in the hands of a small group, are we having a new definition of 30% equity possession again? Anyway, I would like to thank Judhiana for her supporting statement, to prove that there is basis for ASLI's number.

While someone has commented that the computation was done by a single race (which obviously is wrong as "the study was undertaken by a multi-racial group of scholars and consultants"), did anyone noticed that those refused to accept the stats are also from a single race only? Laughing stock again?

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, 43 more to go, A marginalisation?, Migration issue, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

Privatisation Of Ambulance Service

2006-09-28T15:22:00.000+08:00

Govt gives up on hopeless ambulance service - The Sun, 26th Sept 2006

The government has given up on trying to correct the attitude of civil servants to provide satisfactory ambulance service at government hospitals.
"The attitude of drivers and lack of trained personnel have given us no choice but to to privatise the service," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said a proposal on this was submitted to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) last June (2006) and the ministry was awaiting approval.
"Because of this, we feel it is better to rent the ambulances or pay to use the private ones available," he told reporters after launching a "Special Discounted Indemnity Insurance Scheme for Young Medical Doctors" here today.
"It's akin to being at a restaurant. The presence of many waiters does not mean that your food will arrive fast," he added.

I second the move to privatise ambulance service, since they are really helpless. Before that let's make sure we sack all the problematic civil servants that has serious attitude problems. We do not want to pay them the same salary while doing nothing. We have enough "white elephants" in the zoo.

A True Malaysian

2006-09-28T10:44:00.000+08:00

His heart still beats for Malaysia - The Star, 28th Sept 2006

Billionaire Robert Kuok owns newspapers and a television station but his evasion of the media cloaks him in mystery. Known as the master of networking, he has one of the best links with the leadership of China, one of the fastest-growing economies, but the Johor-born businessman is still very much a Malaysian at heart.
“Build up the country through education,” he advised, saying that education must not be compromised.
Kuok stressed that he cared a lot for the country, and he called on Malaysians to do business the honest and hard way.
“Business is always hard work. Many people think they can make money with the Government’s help.
“You have to do business the proper way. Never bribe anyone. Money can be made slowly,” he said.

I couldn't agree more with the headlines that Robert Kuok's heart still beats for Malaysia. He knows what is happening back in the hometown, "education must not be compromised" and "you have to do business the proper way". True Malaysians are those that speak with conscience and stand-up to defend the truth, not those that try to stay in the same boat, waiting for a chance to make it to the top.

43 More To Go

2006-09-28T10:32:00.000+08:00

Education Minister has very good and long-term plans, says Ka Ting - The Star, 28th Sept 2006

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has welcomed the Education Ministry’s approval to build two Chinese primary schools under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
“I know Datuk Seri Hishammuddin has very good and long-term plans for our Malaysian education system. He is taking care of our multi-ethnic society,” Ong said.

Not too bad, 2 Chinese primary schools against 180 schools to be build under 9MP. That's not even 1%, considering the fact that "he is taking care of our multi-ethnic society". 43 more to go before reaching the number of Chinese primary school in year 1957.

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, A marginalisation?, Migration issue, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

A Marginalisation?

2006-09-27T11:02:00.000+08:00

Source of info from Kwong Wah Yit Poh, 26th Sept 2006

Source of info from International Times, 27th Sept 2006

I would like to share some information that I read recently from Kwang Wah Yit Poh and International Times, and am compiling the important points in English for the benefit of all readers.

From overall 9MP fund allocation for primary school, only a tiny 3.6% that goes to Chinese primary school and none of the 180 primary schools to be build is Chinese and Tamil school.
In year 1957, there are 310,000 Chinese student in 1333 Chinese schools and the number of Chinese student has increased to 636,000 in year 2006.
However, Chinese school was reduced significantly to 1288 Chinese schools, 45 less than the figure in 1957.

Malaysia ethnics ratio is Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est. - source). 3.6% of fund allocation and 0/180 schools for 23.7% of Chinese population, while the number of Chinese schools is shrinking with increased Chinese students, can we consider this extend, a "marginalisation" or Chinese education's crisis?

You don't have to crack your brain and think hard to get an answer. Maybe someone is waiting for LKY to announce the stats or else, we should just shut-up and try to work out a solution for this very tough mathematical equation.

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go, Migration issue, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

4 Main Factors For Success Of Nation

2006-09-27T10:32:00.000+08:00

Four main factors for success of nation - TAMIL Nesan, in its editorial, said the tremendous success achieved by the Government in 49 years of independence was due to national stability, racial unity, continued growth and security, factors that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently said were important for all Malaysians to continue to maintain. (27th Sept 2006)

How are we doing on the 4 main factors for the sucess of nation?

National stability, with high graft allegations and internal political disputes?
Racial Unity, with KJ's racist poision?
Continued growth, with our WEF ranking dropping one rung?
Security, with high crime rate and loose border control?

I bet we are not very successful at this point of time, by definition. We are losing it fast.... don't you think so?

How Well Are We Performing "Fact"ually

2006-09-27T09:47:00.000+08:00

Malaysia among top 10 in Asia - New Straits Times, 27th Sept 2006

Malaysia is the second most competitive country in Asean after Singapore, and remains highly competitive among Asian nations this year. It is ranked the sixth most competitive after Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea in the region.
Asia’s two emerging economic giants — China and India — are lower down the ladder. China falls from 48th to 54th position, while India ranks 43rd. While Malaysia’s overall competitiveness ranking has dropped one rung to 26th — it was 25th last year — among 125 countries worldwide, in terms of "market efficiency" it is ranked ninth, with Hong Kong taking the pole position followed by the United States and the United Kingdom in second and third positions respectively.
The Geneva-based World Economic Forum, which develops the Index, says: "Malaysia exhibits one of the most efficient economies in the region, with flexible labour markets, relatively undistorted goods markets and public institutions that in many areas (example rule of law, the legal system) are already operating at the level of the top performing European Union members that joined in 2004".
"There is no question that the country has come a long way and has excellent prospects," said Augusto Lopez-Carlos, Chief Economist and Head of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Network.
But there are concerns too. According to him, Malaysia’s overall competitiveness score would be improved "if the government was more successful in reducing the public sector deficit. Improving the health of the workforce and access to education would also do much to enhance the country’s competitiveness".

Summary table for comparison between the ASEAN neighbours (source of info from www.weforum.org). Simple stats, we have gotten worse and dropped one rung from previous ranking, 25th to 26th. Please cut the crap about how others are doing to make yourself feel good, and stop painting nice pictures on the ranking. This is how I look at it "Malaysia’s overall competitiveness ranking has dropped one rung to 26th — it was 25th last year" That all, "fact"ually.

Migration Issue

2006-09-26T15:33:00.000+08:00

Source of info from Kwong Wah Yit Poh, 25th September 2006

Anyone can advise the number of Non-Bumis migrated to Singapore as compare to number of Malay that have migrated to Malaysia? Tried to google for a good comparison but failed to get any stats on this, drop me an email if you do, I would really like to know.

Link: Backing down, finally, Lagging or not lagging, Malaysians should not question, A chess game, LKY is sorry, what about UMNO?, More statistics, anyone?, Bumiputera Equity at 45%, 43 more to go, A marginalisation?, Contradiction: Let the voice of people be heard, Customer is always right, Something to think about, Misleading? By who?

Getting Passport Stamped, Did I Not Try To?

2006-09-26T11:59:00.000+08:00

Get passports stamped, Malaysian commuters told - The Star, 26th Sept 2006

Malaysians crossing the border to southern Thailand should follow immigration rules and get their passports or border passes stamped rather than just wave them at checkpoints.
Waving documents or even just nodding heads at immigration officers is commonly done by the inhabitants of both sides of the Malaysian-Thai border in Kelantan as they cross the border daily for work and trade.
The army’s Eighth Brigade commander Brig-Jen Shaharuddin Abu Bakar said this practice should be stopped.

Looks like it is not only happening in JB, but a norm at Malaysia-Thai border too, which the authority has chosen to "close one eye" all the while. Did anyone tell Brig-Jen Shaharuddin that I tried to get my passport stamped at JB checkpoint but the officer choose to ignore me?

Link: A simple comparison tells the story