RAKYAT OWN THIS COUNTRY

SUBSIDY CUTS

2010-07-18T18:09:00.003+08:00

So, we are now into the new era of subsidy cuts as announced by the PM a few days ago. I suppose it couldn't go on forever. Some day soon we'll have to learn to be efficient and toughen up. After all, if you're spending your savings, what's left when the shit hits the fan?

I do to a certain extent agree to subsidy cuts. The explanation so far for subsidy cuts or even abolishment makes sense. What I'm really pissed off about is "leaks". Yes, I've talked about leaks before many times. It's the unnecessary wastage of money, normally public funds to either support somebody's ego but most of the time it's just pure greed as people race to become overnight millionaires at the cost of the rakyat.

"Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has warned the Najib Administration that the latest subsidy cuts are not enough to stabilise the country’s delicate economic situation, saying the prime minister has yet to address corruption and profligate projects."

I think that "leaks" cost more than subsidies. So even if you cut subsidies, it's not gonna do much as long as the "leaks" continue to exist and not just exist but grow bigger. Ku Li made a good point of it:

The Kelantan prince noted that the government was still subsidising giant organisations that are making huge profits because they are still enjoying subsidies despite the “subsidy rationalisation” on fuel and sugar last Thursday.
“What about the subsidies that are given to organisations that take lumpy amounts of money? The IPPs (independent power producers), toll concessionaires the government is still subsidising them. Why are these subsidies not cut?

“It is costing much more money than cutting subsidies of fuel and sugar,”

Very true. Seems that Malaysia is set up in such a way as to benefit a small group of people in a particular configuration. As long as you get into formation and continue to protect that structure, you'll be set up for life together with your 7 generations. Screw everybody else.

This is further backed up by an Indian world renown astrologist, G. Suresh. According to Suresh:

"the latitude (20 30’ North) and longitude (1120 30’ East) was most conducive as it received “positive energy” from the other planets which energised the country, and by extension, the people and all other creations within it."

Not sure if the people of Malaysia benefits from this but a small group really does. And they maintain a tight grip on it too.

This is funny though and Suresh got it wrong here:

"He said Malaysia’s global position was also best for “space research “ as it was directly opposite the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) — an independent agency of the United States Government responsible for aviation and spaceflight — and 12 hours behind in time, which made it a most appropriate site to do follow-up research."

We don't want to do space research, we want to play kampung games in space. Just ask our first ever astronaut.

So people of Malaysia, what are we gonna do about these small group of people who rob us day and night of a better life that we deserve? Both sides - BN and PKR. The next election is coming, think about it.

AN OPEN INVITATION TO "KENA"

2010-06-19T02:15:00.003+08:00

I just love it when an open invitation like this comes along. I mean, we don't get this everyday..well, come to think of it we do because these idiots make these type of statements all the time. it's just that we don't have the time to stop and comment because we're too busy trying to keep our families alive.

The Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin today said that:

Earning RM3,000 a month should be manageable if folks living in cities cut down on overheads such as Astro and cars..

Most people in the city do earn about that much but they're still struggling to make ends meet. Now why is that? There are lots of factors, too many and too complicated to explain here but suffice it to say that we're trying our best while our politicians are not doing their jobs and shoot their mouths off.

Then he said:

“This city is liveable for those earning RM3,000 a month, provided they do not live in luxurious places,’’ he said.

Now, my question to him is this - can you please terminate your 4 Astro subscriptions and get rid of all your luxury cars? Take the bus to work or to go wherever it is that you need to go. Maybe your wife could use the taxi to go to Bangsar Shopping Centre to do her hair at Cut Above.

As for us people living in "luxurious" places, why don't you move out of your luxury bungalow in Damansara Heights first and stay in a 1 bedroom flat in Puchong or Cheras or Sungai Penchala?

I don't understand why these idiots continue to talk to us when they're supposed to just shut the hell up and do their jobs. Doing their jobs properly would have made this country prosperous earlier and would have increased the standard of living for all. Instead they make stupid remarks like this and continue to live a life of luxury while the common man struggles to feed himself and his family.

Stop making stupid remarks which is degrading and insulting to the people's intelligence and daily sacrifices. It just pisses me off so much when these idiots talk like this when for the next 10 days I have to eat maggi and drink plain water.

Squeezed in the middle

2010-06-15T12:09:00.002+08:00

I like and agreed 100% with the article written by P. Gunasegaran in the Star published today. In it, he makes the case that the government only talks about this and that, about modernising the country, going forward, raising taxes, wanting to raise productivity, output, competitiveness, standard of living, etc.

So far, it has only been talk. The government seems to always be telling us, the people that we have to do this and that to improve the country but they don't have to do much. In fact, we have to always help them. Help them do what? Increase their income? To achieve the goal of each one of them becoming a millionaire?

No, I say the government works for us. We made them. We put them where they are. I don't care if they are Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, they still serve us. God Allmighty said - "I did not create man and jinn but to serve me.". Well, we did not put the government of the day in power but to serve us.

Why do we need to pay so much for cars, after houses, the largest expenditure for many households, and subsidise directly the profits of our national car companies after a quarter of a century of help?

The answer to the above question is because the people behind it need to continue to make shitloads of money forever without giving a damn about the common people. And people in the government, especially the politicians stand to gain much from this kind of arrangement.

The idea that the Government should spend to raise economic activity and incomes is valid but the important thing is to maximise the effect and ensure that it raises incomes and has a long-term positive effect on the economy.

So far the government, read "Politicians" don't want to do such thing i.e. keep the equation unbalanced to one side is because in doing so they can maximise their income in the long term.

Sidelining a truly iconic building such as Parliament House in favour of an RM800mil project in Putrajaya is not going to endear the Government to the public. Neither is a doubling in the cost of the Jalan Duta palace to over RM800mil.

Again, this is a clear cut example of their unwillingness to do anything which is good for the people and country. Projects such as this with its bloated price tag are conjured up for the benefit of the politicians and their cronies. It's just pure simple greed.

Experience indicates, despite what the consumer price index or CPI may show, that price rises have generally far outpaced income for salaried workers, especially in urban areas where prices are much higher for transport, food and accommodation.

That indicates an inexorable trend of falling real incomes across the board. To put it bluntly, most of us are worse off than our forbears in terms of real income – what the money earned could buy.

So, the question remains - what are we gonna do about it? We the people who have put these greedy people in a position to rape our country at will and live an opulent life, while we continue to struggle daily to feed our children and give them a decent education.

What are we gonna do about it? Continue to shout "Hidup UMNO" or "Hidup Anwar"? Hidup this and that? Don't worry, UMNO and all politicians will "hidup" no matter what we shout. What about us?

What are we gonna do at the next elections? Are we gonna put back the same crap that we put every elections? And continue our miserable existence while they live it up in Damansara Heights, London , Paris and New York? Think about it.

EXCUSE ME PETER

2010-06-10T05:08:00.003+08:00

As usual, the typical Barisan Nasional mentality and attitude prevails. And it shows very clearly after elections or by-elections, especially when they lost.

SUPP organising secretary Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui made a statement at a Gawai celebration event a few days ago which ruffled a few feathers (mine included) and really showed that the BN and its leaders really haven't learnt anything new or have become wise in any way.

"Chin, who is Minister for Energy, Green Technology and Water and Miri MP, said these voters were ungrateful and had forgotten that it was the Barisan government that had given them jobs, good education and a safe country to live in."

It seems there was an argument over the use of the word "ungrateful" because Peter Chin said he did not say the word or mean it in such a way but many people heard him say the word "hargai" or "tidak menghargai" during his speech. Since most people are not trained linguists, I would assume he meant "ungrateful".

Whether he used it or not, whether he meant it that way or not, these old bastards still have the same mentality - that they are the boss and we are the staff, that we should be grateful to them and not the other way round.

Sarawak DAP information chief David Wong puts it here:

"Wong said yesterday it was obvious that the SUPP leaders were still living in the past. He said it was not a question of gratitude as it was the voters who put these Barisan leaders in their posts to serve the people."

Here is a message I've repeated many times before and I'll repeat it again now for the benefit of Peter Chin - The rakyat own this country, the rakyat are this country. We are the boss, you work for us. We put you where you are, so you be grateful to us and do your job properly. Stop all your bullshit and corruption and start doing your job.

BTW Datuk Seri, I've been to your house in Miri and I was amazed. That was 20 years ago, I can't imagine how luxurious it is now. So, please spare us the crap and just do your job or get the hell out and give it to somebody else who would and could serve the people.

Treasury disputes Idris Jala’s data

2010-06-09T08:34:00.002+08:00

What a joke. One day, Idris Jala says that we could be bankrupt if we continue the way we are and now the Treasury itself no less, is saying that he is wrong. The best part is they are saying that he is wrong because his figures are way off.

Idris Jala gave the figure RM74 billion for subsidies last year while the Treasury gave RM18.6 billion. So where did the balance go? In the first place, I may not be "in the know" but even I know that RM18 billion is a bit low for a country like ours.

But the most important part is I actually trust and believe Idris Jala. He looked like he stumbled and made a mistake by announcing the findings earlier which is now ridiculed by everybody but that just tells me that he was honest.

So, where did the difference go (RM74 billion minus RM18 billion)? I heard Damansara Heights has a lot of nice new bungalows and loads of new car models. Also, sales of properties in Australia and the UK is on the up.

AND SO THE GREED LIVES ON

2010-06-03T18:30:00.003+08:00

Ah yes, the benefits of being in power and staying in power. You get to ignore reality and live the opulent lifestyle while the rest of humanity soldier on in the dirt.

Datuk Seri Idris Jala recently released a study on Malaysia's subsidy situation and said that we could go bankrupt by 2019 if we don't do something about it. He outlined measures to do rectify the problem or ways to avoid the problem from happening. Sad to say, the measures were aimed at the people. It seems we the people need to sacrifice again for the country.

That doesn't sound like a bad idea. After all, we owe the country, we should love our country and try to do whatever in our power to keep it afloat. After all, if the country capsizes, we die. But now, it looks like the politicians and those who walk the corridors of power have decided to go against this and are trying to hang Datuk Seri Idris Jala to dry. Why?

Obviously because they don't want to lose control and power. Losing power means the inability to maintain their opulent lifestyle. It's the standard operating procedure of politicians. I mean, what do they care about the people or the country, right? Power and wealth comes first.

I have another solution to this bankruptcy problem that we are facing. We could actually save a lot more and avoid bankruptcy, in fact we could be even more prosperous than we could ever imagine if only we could plug the "leaks". What are leaks?

An example of a "leak" is a public project which costs RM5 billion actually costs RM2 billion. The extra RM3 billion leaks because some people need to maintain an opulent lifestyle or they wanted to become overnight billionaires or whatever. The point is 1 project can leak hundreds of millions if not billions, imagine how many projects there are in Malaysia every year? How much can we save? How much can we better invest to get better returns?

But alas, we the people have created monsters and over 53 years these monsters have grown so big, we can't defeat them. And so, they run wild and trample on us and what do we do? We keep them in power and we keep paying the price. These monsters are from both sides, as long as they are politicians.

So, what can we do? Change. That's all. Just stop and think about it. Thinking is not illegal yet, you can't get detained under ISA for thinking. Think. And maybe sometime in the near future, take action.

VOTE BUYING

2010-05-20T06:47:00.002+08:00

Lets call a spade a spade. Promising goodies before and during an election is vote buying, plain and simple.
The era of buying political loyalty with schools, promises of new roads, temples or cash handouts is long over.
Don't call it all the other crap because it's not. It's just vote buying. How can you win something and claim performance when you cheated by buying the votes? Who cares if you spent RM200 trying to buy the layman's vote of RM20 million trying to buy the community with a school, it's still vote buying.

Why does schools only gets built when there is an election? Schools should be built when schools need to be built. Roads should be built when roads need to be built. Not when politicians need to retain power because power feeds their greedy need for more and more money.

In the case of the Sibu by-election, it is very clear that the people especially the Chinese there thinks differently now of the old vote buying tactics. What does these politicians take us for? Idiots like them?

Like Najib said before, performance. It's about performance. It's not just the people and economy that needs to perform, it's the politicians that needs to perform and they need to perform badly.

Again, let me repeat the whole arrangement between the people and the government, be it BN or PR. The people own this country, the people are this country. We are the boss, you politicians are the workers, you work for us and we tell you what to do because we put you where you are and you are rich because of us. Now go and do your f@#cking jobs and do it right.

Selangor's top cop talks cock

2010-05-12T17:21:00.005+08:00

Here we go again. Total disregard and disrespect for the boss. how many times must these people be reminded who is boss, who needs to be respected. We the people are the boss, the police are the servant. That is why you are called government servant because you serve the country which is the people.

After the IGP opened his mouth without thinking, now we have the Selangor top cock..err..cop..shooting his mouth off also. He's saying..

There seems to be a concerted effort by certain quarters to get children and youths to hate the police, Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar claimed.

Nobody needs to do anything to make people hate the police, the police are doing fine making people hate them with all their crappy attitude and behavior from making unnecessary roadblocks causing massive traffic jams to talking rudely to the public to flaunting their powers as if they own the universe. And lets not forget my favorite - shooting innocent people dead and lying about it afterwards.

"Here we are trying our very best to build bridges with the public and getting them to assist us in crime prevention, but on the other hand, there are people out there instigating youths, especially teenagers, to hate us," he said when contacted Wednesday.

Like I said, you're doing it all by yourself. This outburst, like your boss, makes it plain to see that you are all useless. You can't do your jobs and just shut up. If you don't like it, get another job. And here he is at his best trying to cover up the shooting of Aminulrasyid.

He said at no time did the police accuse Amimulrasyid of being a suspected criminal.
He said what his officers had stated at the time of the incident was that the policemen in the patrol car acted in the manner they did because they thought the people in the car they were chasing were suspected to be criminals.

He said they didn't accuse Aminulrasyid as being a suspected criminal but then again "..they thought the people in the car they were chasing were suspected to be criminals." What the f@#k is he trying to say? Is he trying to confuse us or is he trying to cover it up?

At the end of the day, somebody died. And he was NOT a criminal, suspected or not. Just f@#cking apologise lah. What is wrong with these f@*ckers anyway? They've been so protected and been able to do their shit for so long that they feel they are invincible, untouchable, they can do whatever they like, they can terrorise us and nothing happens. Even when an innocent child is dead, they still behave like this.

Now, can anybody tell me, do we need to instigate hate towards them or not? Or are they doing just fine without us?

DEATH OF AMINULRASYID AMZAH

2010-04-30T02:56:00.006+08:00

A 15 year old boy was shot dead by police because he "tried" to ram them with his car. We'll never know will we? We'll never know whether this 15 year old boy without a driving license was really a "criminal" with murderous intent. I mean we were not there when it happened.

For all we know, he was just going for a joyride with his parent's car and got caught. Obviously, he was scared that his parents would find out. I was there and have done that too. I've taken my dad's car for a joyride during Form 5. But I got away with it of course.

Now, in Malaysia the fear of getting caught with your dad's car is amplified when we see the police because the fear of the police is in a class of its own. In Malaysia, we have fear when we see the police, not feel safe. This is because they will find any excuse to stop us and fuck up our day, if not try to relieve us of some cash. Not much difference from crooks right? The only difference is that they have a license to go about their business.

I'm not surprised the boy tried to run. And when he got cornered, he tried to backup his car and get away. The dumb-fucks called the police were standing in the wrong place. They should just get their fucking ass out of the way and chase him down. Why did they need to use their guns? Maybe Rosmah is having a firesale on guns.

The best part after all this bullshit is that the IGP has an attitude about the whole mess. Facing flak over the incident, his response to the public is this:

"If you do not want the police to enforce the law, then say so," he said.

"I can tell my men to not take any action, including conduct inspections on vehicles or arrest Mat Rempit who ride without licences," he told reporters after launching a blood donation drive at the National Blood Bank in conjunctionwith the 203rd Police Day celebrations here Thursday.

What an asshole! That is not the way the head of such a big organisation talks. But then again, this organisation is full of thugs. So I guess that makes it right. I'd like to run him over with my car. Who does he think he's talking to anyway?

Well, in case he forgot, let me remind him. Excuse me asshole, you are talking to the people. The people own this country. You work for us, we are your boss. We put you where you are, we pay your salary, we sent your children for their expensive overseas education, we are responsible for you sitting in that expensive car. So show some fucking respect!

It seems that they boy went for the joyride with a friend who managed to escape the thugs. According to his police report, they overtook a police car and was fired on immediately casing their car to go out of control. Trigger happy cops are running loose on our streets. And the gang mentality came out in its full glory when the boy's friend got out of the car and was kicked around by the police.

Sementara itu, dalam laporan polisnya, rakan remaja berkenaan mendakwa dia dan mangsa, telah memotong kenderaan polis dengan laju.
Dakwanya, kereka mereka kemudiannya dikejar sebuah kenderaan MPV polis dan ditembak, mengakibatkan kereta mereka terbabas.
Dalam aduannya itu, rakan remaja itu mendakwa keluar dari kereta untuk menyerah diri dan mendakwa salah seorang anggota polis menendangnya dari belakang.
Dia juga, dalam aduan tersebut, mendakwa anggota polis yang lain turut memukul dan memijaknya beramai-ramai.

Dia mendakwa meronta-ronta serta dapat melarikan diri daripada anggota polis tersebut, lalu balik ke rumah.

What kind of thugs are employed as police in this country? Trigger happy thugs, that's what. Somebody better make sure the key witness which is the surviving friend of the dead boy actually survives to attend court. If somebody can be blown up to shut them up, what is a 15 year old boy right?

Najib slams those who spread lies to confuse people

2010-04-21T09:33:00.002+08:00

Finally! Finally our PM and a politician has spoken out against other politicians, those of his own kind. Finally he has said what so many others dare not. Finally he has put it on paper, in black and white, the truth.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has hit out at those who indulge in “gutter politics” in their campaigning for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

Finally, it has been put on national papers that politicians spread lies. A fact known to the people since the earth was born but repeatedly ignored by ravenous greedy politicians.

PM: Malaysia can withstand tide of extremism and radicalism

2010-04-14T18:32:00.004+08:00

Really? It does seem that from time to time we do have some form of extremism and radicalism that rears its ugly head but I do agree that it usually can be handled before it goes out of control. We have been lucky so far.

But if you really look at it, how many times have extremism and radicalism come from the people? Can't recall the last time? I don't blame you. Now, think of how many times extremism and radicalism has been created and perpetuated by politicians and government servants. Lots.

I think before Najib goes around saying such things, maybe he should think first and look back at how much extremism and radicalism has been coming out from UMNO, politicians and the government especially when they come up with some policies which is supposed to be "good" for the people. Or when they come up with policies that is ridiculous and divisive.

If you look carefully, most of the crap comes out politicians with special attention to benefits for them. Seriously, we the people should tell them politicians to shut the hell up and start doing their jobs.

BAD BOYS - WHO'S BAD?

2010-04-10T07:04:00.004+08:00

Datuk Nur Jazlan is a nice guy. I've met him before and I can say that he is a nice guy. Until recently that is. Perhaps he's caught the flu or some type of fucked up political bug. Why you say? Well, from his latest article, it seems quite clear that he has his head quite high up the political ass. maybe that's where all these bugs are lurking.

He seems to be talking in the same tone all these BN, or for that matter all politicians, talk. We are right, you are wrong tone. Blaming others for being childish when you are the same. You know, the pot calling the kettle black.

Well Datuk, you disappoint me. I thought you'd be more forthright but then again you are under UMNO and says volumes. Where has all the righteousness gone? Actually, we the people don't really care what you feel about your opposition or each other. We just care about our livelihood and out country. Why can't you people (politicians) just do your job properly?

A reader of said article made this comment which is very true and will happen in this country whether these politicians like it or not:

Regardless, Malaysians should change their government at the next election.

It must be shown to Malaysians that changing a government doesn't end with the destruction of the country. It ends with politicians understanding that they are not above the people. It ends with them understanding that their jobs are temporary and can be taken from them when they don't perform.

Change the government every 10 years. Let them know who the boss is. Only then will you get politicians of higher calibre because if they want to keep their cosy position, they had better do as the public wants.

Stop insulting the people's collective intelligence. They work harder than any politician and in spite of all the bollocks they have had to put up with the last 53 years, have prospered. They do not need the current batch of politicians - the politicians need them. It's time to make them understand this.

Yes, I repeat my message in this blog again.

I am not here to topple any government. I am here to remind the politicians and the government that we the people own this country. We are the country. You politicians and government work for us. We are the boss, you are the worker. You do our bidding, that's why we pay you so much. If we don't like what you are doing, we can and will replace you. You are not indispensable.

So, please stop fucking up our country. We don't have time for your bullshit because we have to earn a living to feed our families. Stop talking so much and get to work. Just do your job properly.

HURRY TO REDANG BEFORE WE ARE DENIED

2010-04-10T06:55:00.003+08:00

Another day in paradise. Ah yes, the paradise that is Malaysia and its incredible thinking gives me goosebumps. Here we are, living an almost paradise and another day, another genius idea by our glorified politicians to "protect" something.

Today it's about protecting Redang Island. It seems that Redang has been abused by us normal folks and so the way to protect it is to only allow admission to the rich folks. Rich folks in this country are closely defined as politicians and their groupies. Sometimes, these groups includes police, JPJ, customs and other government department personnel.

So, people of Malaysia, do rush on over to redang to enjoy the ideallic paradise before we are barred from going there just because we don't have enough money. Well, come to think about it, we do actually. Just that its been distributed quite lop-sided to our politicians.

King disappointed with new media for "slander, lies and distortion of facts"

2010-03-16T04:57:00.003+08:00

Yes Tuanku, we know you are disappointed. So are we, the people. But we are more disappointed with the "slander, lies and distortion of facts" by politicians which goes on everyday in all forms be it printed, electronic, moving images or live.

It's a good thing Tuanku reminded them in Parliament :

“Unfortunately, there are still members who display manners and deeds unbecoming of elected representatives."

Yes very unfortunate indeed. Unfortunate for us the people I'm afraid your highness as we are still struggling to survive on a daily basis while most if not all members in the August house are quite well fed.

MPM proposes a bank for Bumiputeras

2010-03-08T07:19:00.003+08:00

Another idiotic idea from an idiot. It seems to me from the way he's talking that these people are desperate for the NEP to continue. For whatever reason, I'm not sure but I'm betting it has something to do with keeping the status quo. It sure is not for the benefit of the Bumiputera because the Bumiputeras has not been benefiting from. If they did, they wouldn't still be "lagging" behind.

But according to Datul Ibrahim "The Frog" Ali, the Bumis are still lagging behind, they are not happy and need help.

“The main issues facing the Bumiputeras are that they feel that they are increasingly being left behind in the national development process. They are worried about the decline in their relative economic status. The Bumiputeras are currently behind the Chinese and Indians,”

So, to solve this proble, the MPM or The Malay Consultative Council wants the government to help them set up a bumiputera bank for the bumiputeras.

"The Malay Consultative Council (MPM) plans to set up a bank to help the Malay community regain its footing in the country’s economy, saying RM2 billion would be needed for the venture."

Guess who will be running the bank? Of course the people who came up with the idea. So easy nowadays to get a banking license and start printing money. And best of all, it's being paid by rest of us. All RM2 billion of it.

And what do you think of this statement of a so-called "leader"?

“Economic growth was one of the highest in the world on a sustainability basis for 20 years. Our growth was tremendous because of the policy. NEP is not meant only for the Malays. Foreign direct investment was also at its peak during the NEP period,” the leader said.

Was he asleep during the last 2 financial crisis? So the NEP was the sole reason our economy achieved tremendous growth. And nothing else. Genius.

Sultan Johor: Shape up or ship out

2010-03-07T08:30:00.004+08:00

Finally, a royal worth having..if he stays true to his words and deeds that is. The new sultan of Johor has declared his unhappiness at the state of affairs with the state government and wants changes.

“They must buck up and if they cannot, then they must get out. I am fair to everyone (Opposition or ruling government)."

If he really does what he says, then he would be something like the kings of Jordan where they actually care and take care of the people. The king of Jordan from the father to the son regularly goes out to the streets in disguise to find out exactly the situation on the ground and fixes it. Sounds like this guy is about to do that.

“In short, I want to know everything and nothing must be hidden from me,” he said, reminding the agencies not to give false reports as he had informers in every nook and corner.

Lets hope that he really is change and makes a good example to the other royals in Malaysia on how to behave and perform the duties of royalty, not just spending money and behaving regally.

SARAWAK IS MINE AGAIN...MUAHAHAHAHAHA

2010-03-04T06:59:00.003+08:00

Was there ever any doubt? It seems that elections, any elections in Malaysia especially in Sarawak, are just formalities. We know already who is gonna win and retain their seats. There is no point to it. The only changes we can see is when these politicians want to change or switch around their own people to maintain their grip on power.
So here we have Taib laughing his head off, secure in the thought that he has a few more years to continue to suck out a few billion more Ringgit from the state of Sarawak. Of course those seated around him are also happy as they will also continue to reap the benefits. What shall we the people do about it?

‘Overly liberal’ economic model worries Malay groups

2010-02-28T18:55:00.004+08:00

OK, here we go again. The issue of Malays' rights and privileges and how they need to be protected. I'm a Malay and yes, it is nice to be protected up to a limit. I don't want to be crippled by protection, I need to learn to fend for my own. Remember the saying - "Feed a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him how to fish and he eats for a lifetime"? That is what is needed for the Malays, not continued absolute protection. Absolute protection will weaken them.

Some people and certain political parties are up in arms and come running to the defense of the Malays only because they will benefit from the Malays being kept under wraps. If the Malays suddenly were independent, they would be irrelevant and therefore lose their source of riches to maintain the house in London, the expensive cars, the bungalow in Damansara Heights and their children's overseas education expenses.

How are we going to handle this? with "Tidak apa" attitude again? Here are some nationalistic and supposedly "caring" statements from our politicians:

“We don’t want an economic model that is overly free or overly liberal... we want a model that can lead the interests of the Malays,” the leader told The Malaysian Insider on condition of anonymity after attending the MPM launch in the Sultan Sulaiman Club yesterday. - The interests of the Malays or your own personal interests? Difficult for me to believe.

"The MPM felt that Malay political leaders themselves are sidelining Malay interests, the leader said without identifying these politicians." - Memang pun these leeches are sidelining Malay interests in place of their own interests, everybody knows that.

"The leader said a majority of NGOs in the MPM had disclosed that Malays and Bumiputras feel their position was threatened as the country’s economy is still being controlled by minority groups." - Minority groups? Such as UMNOputras and their cronies?

"Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali yesterday said MPM’s role is to protect and be the frontline against quarters that continuously try to undermine the rights, privileges and economy of the Malays, position of Islam and Malay Rulers in the country." - In case the PERKASA president doesn't know it yet, these "quarters" that "continuously try to undermine the rights, privileges and economy of the Malays, position of Islam and Malay Rulers in the country", are actually politicians, including himself.

I will repeat my message again. I am not here to overthrow the government, I am here to state a fact. The fact is - the rakyat own this country, we are the country. We put the politicians where they are, where they enjoy a great life for themselves and their family. They work for us, we are the boss, they are the servant. We should not be afraid of them, they should be afraid of us.

Taib: Prepare Sarawakians for high-income economy

2010-02-28T17:26:00.002+08:00

This is another idiot. Talk only without thinking. All of Sarawak's riches has been taken from the people and put into the pockets of a few individuals plus some family members and he dares to talk like that. High income economy. High income for who?

Prepare the people for a high income economy. For what? To do what? To work like dogs again so that he and his family can continue to rape the state while the people live on scraps? Can't wait for the day when Taib drops dead.

Najib: Use websites for business as well

2010-02-28T17:17:00.002+08:00

Of course we are using websites and the internet for business as well and not just for Facebook. everybody is trying to find ways to supplement their income seeing as the rich keep getting richer and the rest of us keep getting squeezed everyday.

But it would help if Najib stopped talking and actually did something. In the case of the internet, bandwidth is king, not just content. Bring down the cost of broadband in Malaysia and make it accessible to everybody. Stop protecting Telekom and open it up to others so competition will drive down the cost and bring innovation. Stop having this control mentality.

And while you're at it, do the same for our car industry so that more people can afford better cars instead of paying the same price for a Honda but getting a Proton instead (for the price of a Proton in Malaysia, you could get a Honda or Toyota in other parts of the world).

Original Link

Najib: Use websites for business as well

Don't leave nation building to chance, says PM Najib

2010-02-28T17:09:00.003+08:00

Nation building...hmmm. That is about building our nation into a strong, respected, advanced and prosperous entity, isn't it? Of course we as the people want a successful and prosperous nation. And we are working hard everyday to do that. But it seems that politicians are working feverishly to go the opposite way, that is to make sure they prosper forever.

"Malaysians cannot leave it to chance to build a united, harmonious and prosperous nation but they must take it seriously in their deeds and actions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak."

Deeds and actions? I say politicians do it first, if they can. Deeds and actions. It's like asking the fox to look after the chicken coop. What a joke.

Links

Don't leave nation building to chance, says PM Najib

Malaysia’s richest recover some of their wealth

2010-02-17T04:17:00.003+08:00

Well that's good news isn't it? At least for the rich.

Malaysia’s 40 richest people recorded an increase in their fortunes and were collectively worth RM156.7bil as at Jan 15, or 63% more than the RM96.3bil a year ago, on the back of a recovery in the stock market, a Malaysian Business survey reveals.

I wonder what about the rest of us? 40 people are worth RM156.7bil. That's almost 2/3 of the national budget. Talk about wealth distribution. And all this wealth was accumulated with some help of the good people that we, the rakyat help put in power. What a convenient arrangement, don't you think?

I wonder if some of us are thinking part of that wealth should be distributed fairly among the rest of us, what do ya say? Shall we try to fix the situation at the next general elections?

Links

Malaysia’s richest recover some of their wealth

Malaysia veering towards instability?

2010-02-11T06:57:00.003+08:00

How stable are we? Or maybe the question should be - how unstable are we? A lot of things go on in and around Malaysia that most people are not aware of. This is because most people are too busy trying to earn a decent living to pay for their lives and keep their children alive.

Some other people, a small minority actually, are more fortunate. They don't have to do battle everyday just to survive. They are extremely rich, which helps. But they do need to do a bit of a battle sometimes to make sure they stay rich though. And this battle seems to affect the rest of us because in order for the rich to maintain their position, the rest of us have to be subjected to changes which normally benefits them or so say Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC).

The report also said that while Islamic activists which are “threatening Malaysia’s secular credentials” are getting the widest coverage, it was the Umno elites, described as “a fringe group of insiders who have been able to profit disproportionately from the policies of the ruling coalition” that deserved the most attention.

“They are threatened with a loss of political power that could also impinge directly on their substantial business interests. Malaysia’s future will be determined largely by the tactics this group of insider elites resort to in order to stay in power and the success of those tactics. Their commitment to democracy is a major question mark. If they blatantly manipulate the system in order to remain in power, the public backlash could be worse than anything Malaysia has seen in its modern history.”

Oh boy, tell us something we don't know. Actually what we need is a solution, not a repeat of what we do know. Something like a weedkiller that will kill off these damn weeds forever.

M'sia needs major economic transformation to become developed nation

2010-02-10T09:08:00.003+08:00

Is that so? There has been so much talk lately of Malaysia being caught in the middle income trap and brain drain and changes needed for the future. Politicians again are asking for change and sacrifice from the people. I wonder what about the politicians? shouldn't they change too? After all, when they change for the better we save billions.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah highlighted this issue and many other issues that are blighting the country, our economy and future. He has such good points, points which would make politicians puke with the truth about themselves. But the truth it is nonetheless and they have to accept the facts, change and the country will be better for it. If they can that is.

Comment from Tengku:

I mentioned the major Asean countries but not Malaysia in my list of investment destinations. That is because Malaysia has fallen off the map for much foreign investment. With neither the cost and scale advantages of Vietnam and Indonesia nor the advanced capabilities of Singapore, Malaysia is firmly caught in a middle-income trap and appears to have fallen off the radar screen of foreign investors. It might seem puzzling that this country, sitting at the heart of Southeast Asia, blessed with extraordinary natural, cultural and human capital, and once a beacon in the developing world, has become irrelevant.

For more on this excellent article that he wrote, read "Malaysia’s regime crisis, race politics and the kalimah Allah issue".

MALAYSIA'S BRAIN DRAIN

2010-02-08T05:53:00.002+08:00

Today there is a lot of talk in the papers about our brain drain, why it is happening and how can it be reversed. The answer is pretty simple, easy and in broad daylight for all to see. But the problem is nobody bothers to see it or say something about it. What's worse is those that are the problem can't see it and won't admit it.

It seems that the trend of smart people leaving the country or migrating, is increasing by 2 folds. That means there is a 100% increase in the numbers that got up and left last year compared to the year before. That is alarming to say the least.

So, as usual allow me to say what many people are afraid to say for many reasons. Why are all these people leaving or migrating their beloved country? The simple answer is because of politicians. When fucked up politicians keep making decisions that is not in the real interest of the people and country, the whole situation gets fucked up and nobody wants to live in a fucked up situation, right? Unfortunately, not many of us can just pick up and leave.

AmBank Group economist Manokaran Mottain hit the nail on the head when he said:

“We are not tackling the real issue – and that is the politics behind all these policies,”

Another problem is Malaysia’s indolence in phasing out uncompetitive industries and in implementing meritocracy is the reason why Malaysia’s development is behind economies like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea despite having natural resources, infrastructure and an English speaking population.

Imagine being so much bigger and having so much natural resources compared to Singapore but ending up way poorer and behind? How is that? The answer is greed, pure unadulterated greed. When politicians who were given the mandate and responsibility to manage the country so that the people can benefit and grow, do not do their jobs this is what happens. That is how Malaysia has fallen behind all her neighbors including even Vietnam.

If I have the resources to move away I would too because I don't see the slightest chance of change with these politicians and the situation the country is in. As long as these politicians don't understand or refuse to understand that the people own this country and that they just work for us, nothing will change. Sorry, there will be change, a change for the worse.

So people, think, decide and use your vote wisely. Pakatan Rakyat, don't start smiling. I'm no BN basher, you are just the same as far as I'm concerned. There is no you or BN, there is only the rakyat. Either you serve us or please migrate away.

Links

The push and pull factors
Stemming the tide and keeping our talent
The Malay dilemma
Our loss is another country’s gain

THE RUBBISH OF POLITICIANS

2010-02-03T17:55:00.004+08:00

Sometimes I'm glad for help from politicians. I mean, it is a hard job trying to show them as idiots spending our money, going round in BMWs, staying in Damansara Heights, their children going to UK schools and all the while we the people, suffer on a daily basis.

What I mean by help is that, they sometimes do stupid things and then put their foot in their own mouths without our help. I'm so grateful. Thank you. Case in point - Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim.

Just a week ago Rais was complaining and in typical Malaysian politician fashion putting down, degrading and saying how evil or bad the internet and Facebook was for Malaysia, Malaysians and Malaysian culture. Then he got bashed by the whole world no less. Today I was watching TV1 (yes, I know the impossible does happen sometimes). I never watch TV1. Why? Because it's just full of crap and propaganda.

But today, somebody happened to leave the channel on and I saw an advertisement showing the 1Malaysia Facebook page and inviting all Malaysians to join in, make friends, network and all that evil, western, cultural degrading activities that Facebook offers for free.

I was laughing my head off. I thought Rais said the internet and Facebook was bad for us? And here we have 1Malaysia (which if I'm not mistaken was concocted by Najib the PM and promoted by the government) promoting it's own page on Facebook..and on the government's propaganda channel - TV1. WOW! Foot-in-mouth moment right there. Priceless lah.

And by the way, Rais tried to cover his foot-in-mouth disease today by saying what he meant was :

“I am not sidelining new creations, but what I meant was, they should include traditional and cultural moments such as the Chinese New Year and Deepavali celebrations, so that users would know local culture and traditions while having fun when using them.”

Doesn't he know? Wait a minute..yup, he doesn't. If he knew, he wouldn't have put his foot in his mouth. Facebook does have cultural elements. Just today I loaded Cafe World and they have Chinese New Year decor and stuff to use in the game.

Seriously, we have idiots working for us.

WHO IS INSULTING WHO?

2010-01-27T04:44:00.002+08:00

Don't we just love how our politicians continue to run down our intelligence? Take for example the case of bloggers. Anytime anybody has something to say and they say it on blogs or anywhere online, they get threatened or the police show up at their front door. Very efficient of the government.

But everytime any politicians talk crap or seditious, nobody lambast's them and the police suddenly has something else to do instead of turning up at the politicians' Damansara Heights home. How fair is that? And to think that they work for us...tsk, tsk, tsk.

“However, those who continue to show emotions that are not in line with the country’s aspirations, create discord in society and violate the Sedition Act or Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Government and relevant authorities need to take action,” Dr Rais told reporters after launching the SMK (P) St George Museum and Art Gallery at the school Tuesday.

Yes exactly what I'm refering to. "..those who continue to show emotions that are not in line with the country’s aspirations, create discord in society and violate the Sedition Act or Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.." - this is what politicians do everyday. So, when are they going to be threatened and dragged to jail then?

I know there's no such thing as freedom of speech but people should be allowed to express their feelings and opinions as long as it is within limits. The problem is the government's definition of limits applies to only them and their interests. When it is not in their interests but in the people's interests, they start to bend the rules to their advantage. Why is that?

Why can't we the people think on our own? We have brains capable of reasoning, it's the same brain given by the same God as the politicians, although sometimes our brains are so much better than the politicians'. Maybe because when the people start thinking, we'll start asking questions like - "Why are they living in a million dollar bungalow in Damansara Heights while we live in a small house in Kajang and being pressured by the bank for payment?".

Coming back to freedom of speech, I do agree though that it has to have some sort of limit, within reason. We definitely do not talk crap about somebody who has passed away, no matter how bad they were. I mean, they're dead already, let them answer for their sins to God by themselves.

Rais: Malaysians aware of online laws but just don’t obey them

2010-01-19T03:57:00.004+08:00

I just love how our politicians talk and talk without thinking much or feeling guilty about anything. It seems that we the people are always wrong and always not thinking properly when we do something or say something. It seems that we know the law but don't obey them because we are so confident of not being caught.

Malaysians are aware of laws but they just do not bother to obey them when making online comments, said Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He added that many people assumed the law would not catch up with them.

I would always point out that politicians should always think before they open their mouths. They also know the law, in fact they are involved in making the law so they should know better. Sometimes knowing the law inside out makes one privy to ways of bending them. It seems that they are so confident of not being caught that go around in expensive cars and live in Damansara Heights when everybody knows a Malaysian minister's salary could never pay for that.

Don't we just love the way these politicians threaten us on a daily basis with veiled and all encompassing threats that can be defined broadly so as to accommodate their purposes?

“Under Sections 232 and 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, we have to be careful with what we publish over the Internet to ensure that we do not threaten national security, create social unrest or misuse it for child pornography."

National security? So broad. So easy to blame almost anything or anyone for "national security". When the people start thinking and asking questions, it's a threat to national security. All they want is for us the people to quietly go about our lives like happy little farmers so that they could go about their business of raping the country.

I repeat, I am not here to bring down any government. Any country needs a working, efficient and responsible government to administer it. I don't support any political parties, I hate politics. I support my party, that is ME. I support feeding my kids and giving them a good education. I support efficient government service with a smile. I support freedom, fairness and righteousness.

So really, I don't care which side you are on, just do your job and do it right. Talk less, stop telling us the people what to do, what is right and wrong and just quietly go about your job. Finally, for God's sake, just shut the hell up an do your job.

Leaders of Metro Tabernacle Church forgive attackers

2010-01-09T19:16:00.003+08:00

I must say that is a very noble gesture indeed by the church to forgive the attackers, whoever they may be, Muslim or not (I'm not sure whether they be Muslims or not but I have a very strong feeling they are definitely politically aligned in some way).

Metro Tabernacle’s senior pastor Rev Ong Sek Leang said the church did not condone such acts but would forgive those responsible.

“We have a congregation of about 1,700 who are Godly and forgiving.
“It is a very sad day for Malaysia but a great day to know that most Malaysians do not think like that,” he said.

Now, to those freaks that did all this un-Godly act and should they be Muslims and/or Malay, I have this to say to you - "Buat malu kaum dan agama". They have definitely tarnished Islam. They are definitely not Muslims in the true sense and much less human beings. More like trash actually.

Govt targets 60% cut in power usage

2010-01-09T18:52:00.003+08:00

So now suddenly we want to go green. Cutting energy usage by 60% AFTER building Bakun? Haha..what a joke. So after spending billions ramping up power supply, now we want to spend some more to cut its usage.

"This will be achieved by replacing existing electrical appliances and gadgets in government buildings and street lights with the latest low-energy devices, said Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui on Saturday.
He said one of the first targets would be to replace existing street lamps across the country with low-energy bulbs."

Sounds like another excuse for cronies to supply these bulbs and make a killing with our money. After spending our money..sorry pocketing our money with Bakun, now they want to pocket some more with these other "excuses".

Like I said, line 'em up and put two to the head.

THE KNIGHTS COME RIDING IN

2010-01-08T18:08:00.004+08:00

Well, it had to happen didn't it? I must say I'm utterly and despairingly shocked. Or to put it in more modern and direct terms - fucking shocked! What the fuck are these people or arsonists thinking?

First of all, I just heard about the burning down of a few (my friend said 5 from an SMS but the news said 3..hmmmm) churches in the Klang Valley this afternoon from a Christian friend. I had to read the news just to be sure because it seemed so far removed from reality.

All this because of disagreement on the use of the word "Allah". Those in power seemed unable (or should I say unwilling) to resolve the issue so we have come to this then. And now suddenly all the politicians come riding in on their white horses to restore the day. How convenient, no?

I see 2 possibilities here. One, there is a bunch of fucked up, drug induced, fanatic satanic loving trash that has done this despicable act. Two, there is a bigger political agenda to engineer such a situation in order for the politicians to look good riding in and saving the day. I mean, look at KJ standing on one of the burnt down sites and saying how sad he is.

I like how the Muslim Professionals Forum condemned the act below:

"The Muslim Professionals Forum described this as “the cowardly and utterly senseless act of a group of misguided, chauvinistic bigots.”
“This act of arson, committed presumably in the name of Islam, desecrates the very religion it purports to protect. The Holy Quran unequivocally prohibits destroying the houses of worship of all religions, as warned in Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 40,” its board of directors said in a statement."

Either way, somebody better get off their fat ass (which was paid for by the rakyat by the way) and do something quick to resolve the issue. And while they're at it, they would be wise to survey history and what it says about boundless greed and egos.

In the end, we must ask ourselves what purpose does it serve to do such things? How do we think we look like now to our neighbors and the whole world? The whole world is now saying that Muslims burnt down churches in Malaysia because of a protest. Just Google it and there are dozens of negative reports, there's even something on Youtube. Thanks for putting our collective foot in our mouths again.

OH MY GOD!

2010-01-05T15:59:00.002+08:00

Here we go again. The controversial use of the word "Allah" has become another hot topic lately and it's getting all sorts of people riled up. A lot of opinions are being formed, some might not be the correct ones. The government seems unable to control the situation.

And now another governmentr idiot is calling for blogs and websites to stop "fanning" the flames. So funny this, coming from "fanners". Yup, that's what I'm gonna call them now, fanners. These politicians are the ones fanning issues into flames and flames into firestorms.

"Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Maj Gen (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom today urged Internet websites and blogs to refrain from carrying anything negative on the issue of the use of the word “Allah” by the Catholic weekly magazine, Herald."

I wished these idiots would just stop talking and do their jobs like they're supposed to. Back to the issue at hand, I'm not qualified to comment and neither is everybody else. In this case, I just think we should go back to basics, the fundamentals. Check what God said and what the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said. Not what politicians said.

And while we're doing that, checking that is, keep an open mind. Don't be too quick to attack our friends and neighbors who happen to be from a different religion. Always remember, we own this country, not politicians. Don't swallow the crap they feed us whole.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

2010-01-02T08:02:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year! Another new year rolls in and the hope is that change will come, people will wake up and realise that change is needed for a better life, a better future for their themselves and their kids.

But will change come just because we wish it so? Or will it come because we took action? I'm inclined to believe that it is the latter. But the thing is, we human beings have this problem of being either lazy, forgetful or procrastinate. Especially when it comes to issues larger than ourselves or beyond our control.

I'm just hoping that this new decade will bring on more thinking in people, that people will look around them and feel that change is needed and should start now so that in the far future things will be a lot better for all.

THE MEASUREMENT OF GREED

2009-12-27T09:08:00.003+08:00

Another year passes and another new one beckons. Have we changed in some way to be better or at least have the realisation to be better? wouldn't change for the better lead to a better life or is it the other round? Chicken or egg, sir?

The world is not getting better by the day. Not with us continuing to pollute it and taking out of it and not putting it back. Greed drives us all. And global greed will in the end kill this planet. Here's an example of greed at its best, excerpted from a Malaysian Insider report:

"A good estimate of how much governments have spent in responding to the global financial crisis through bailouts, fiscal stimulus and otherwise is US$10 trillion (RM34 trillion) over the last two years or so, he says.

“The best climate experts estimate that it would take US$5 trillion for a global deal on climate change,” he adds.

In other words, the wrangling over carbon emission cuts and the transfer of green technology witnessed at the Copenhagen climate summit recently could have been easily resolved if the countries were willing to spend just half of what they mustered in a heartbeat to fight the financial meltdown.

Unfortunately, many deem the health of banks far more important than the health of the planet."

Sigh....

WHIP SNATCH THIEVES

2009-12-26T13:15:00.003+08:00

Finally, those who walk the corridors of power have actually considered a harsher penalty for snatch thieves - whipping. And it seems that it was proposed 10 years ago but nobody cared, maybe because not enough lives were lost or maybe because none of their family members dies from it.

"The call for mandatory whipping for snatch thieves was first mooted by police 10 years ago. It resurfaced recently following a rash of cases which resulted in deaths or injuries. Although whipping is provided under Section 379 of the Penal Code, it is not mandatory and most snatch thieves get away with a prison sentence."

To me, the loss of lives these past few years from snatch theft is more than enough for these 'sampah masyarakat' to be whipped, in fact if somebody asked me, I'd line them up on a wall and shoot them a few times in the head. They deserve it. Is a life worth a couple of bucks?

"Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s adviser and special officer Datuk Michael Chong, who was also at the meeting, urged non-governmental organisations to play a bigger role in combating crime, especially those involving young children like the murder of a girl found in a retention pond on Tuesday.
“We at the ministry have always taken criticisms from NGOs positively. But instead of criticising, the groups should also work with us to reduce crime,” he said."

And how are NGOs or anybody besides the authorities supposed to do more to combat this menace? All we can do is beat the shit out of these snatch thieves motherfuckers if we managed to catch them on the road. But then that is called taking the law into your own hands.

So I say, the people in charge should do their job, do it better and go the extra mile. Don't go round telling us do this and do that, you go do your job in the first place. Do it 100% at least, not 80% or less.

Husni: GST will put us among developed nations

2009-12-19T20:22:00.002+08:00

GST, GST, GST. Everyday there is talk of GST this and GST that, does anybody know or understand what is GST? And most importantly, how it is implemented and how it will affect us, the people on the street.

The government is so hell bent on this GST but nobody from the government has actually come out with a clear and concise explanation on what is GST and how it will be applied in the Malaysian context.

All I know is that currently we pay 10+5 when we buy services or goods. That comes up to about 17% and not 15%, and definitely not "between 5 and 10 percent" as Husni has put it :

"Ahmad Husni said the GST system to be introduced by the government is at four per cent to replace the sales and service tax at between five and 10 per cent at present.."

So now, it will be 4% is it? What does that mean? Does that mean the next time I order my Prosperity burger I'll pay less because I'll be paying less taxes? Enlighten me.

And here's then understatement of the year from a politician:

“We believe the collection from the GST will be given back to the people,”

It's like a vampire declaring he doesn't drink blood. Yeah right Edward. And here's another reminder for y'all. The rakyat own this country. We put you where you are today, so you work for us, we are the boss, you are the staff. So go do your jobs and do it properly, talk less crap!

Foreign budget hotels may sink locals: Association

2009-12-15T17:33:00.003+08:00

Again the inferiority complex and lazy mindset of Malaysians is rearing its ugly head. The announcement that foreign budget hotels would be allowed to set up here in the future has all sorts of people making noises that the local budget hotels will be wiped out.

Wait until the politicians enter the fray. Oh, they'll be making all sorts of patriotic noises just to look good. If and when the situation comes to foreign hotels being allowed to operate here, our local hotels have to buck up and improve. They have to learn to compete, if not now when? The government has to assist this competition by providing minimum breaks or incentives and not just be giving crutches. Nobody learns anything with crutches.

What's worse : a racist or an idiotic racist?

2009-12-10T03:06:00.006+08:00

It seems that the war of words between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is still on. And Nazri is beggining to be more brazen and downright rude not to mention stupidly childish as he responded to Tun Mahathir:

“It only confirms what I said was right. I am right in the sense that if Umno is a racist party, he (Dr Mahathir) was the president of a racist party so he is a racist.
“The argument does not make him less of a racist,”

BTW Nazri, your argument doesn't make you less of an idiot.

And I've got some news for Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when he said:

"Reminding leaders not to fall into the trap set by the Opposition to the point of quarrelling among themselves, Muhyiddin said they must stop engaging in debates about government agencies such as the National Civics Bureau.

The issue surrounding the bureau, he said, was an attempt by the Opposition to discredit the Government just as they had tried to discredit other agencies including the police and the Election Commission."

Discrediting each other is what you people do best. It's your staple food. You do it all the time whether openly, direct or indirect. It's like breathing for you.

And now another regular reminder to all politicians - the rakyat own this country, you work for us, we put you where you are. So please, shut the hell up and just do your damn job. Stop wasting time and our money.

Malaysia has no time to waste

2009-12-08T04:00:00.003+08:00

Written by Thomas Soon
Re-published from The Edge Daily

Time waits for no one, or for that matter, any country. For a country with so much potential, Malaysia has indeed wasted much of her resources.

Now in the treacherous path of extricating ourselves from the middle-income trap, more obstacles stand in the way to the high-income status — many likely of our own making.

In no particular order, among those, judiciary independence and institutional integrity have to be restored, respectability returned to domestic politics, draconian laws abolished, freedoms widened, fiscal discipline practised, private sector investment rejuvenated, cost of living contained and of course, corruption eliminated.

It has been well documented that Malaysia has lost out to many countries in the region in attracting foreign direct investments. Much more needs to be done.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is heading in the right direction and with Budget 2010, has set a good foundation for changes ahead.

Many nodded in agreement when he recently acknowledged that the civil service is a bloated one — an admission long time coming.

He then followed through that with proposals under Budget 2010 (which is being debated in parliament) to privatise parts of non-essential government services. A right first step in the right direction, many would say.

It is no secret that the government’s investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd has no business to be in many of its existing businesses, prawn farming for instance.

Notwithstanding its initiating role of being a catalyst for private sector investment to bloom, such non-strategic businesses must be relayed to private companies as soon as possible.

Also, Cuepacs has to wake up to the reality that for each individual civil servant’s compensation to rise, its numbers must be reduced — elementary economics.

With the amount of government pension unsustainably piling up, there are no two ways about it — the civil service has to be trimmed and productivity enhanced.

Surely, the civil service does not look forward to being left out of the high-income dream. There are painful adjustments to be made.

There were many good reasons why people clamoured to join the civil service in decades prior.Private sector compensation is now far more superior, yet the civil service continues to grow. Why?

Najib has also proposed a Whistle Blowers Act, also under Budget 2010, to curb corruption or unethical practices among profligate administrators and businessmen.

The trimming and improvement of the civil service must certainly be the essential first step for the country to leap to the next level, apart from a transformation in governance.

Any efficiency and productivity achieved must be further consolidated. The Japanese call it kaizen — continuous improvement.

For the country to succeed, political expediencies would have to take a backseat and genuine visionaries — who will no doubt face lots of resistance — would have to come to the forefront.

Policies that fulfil short-term demand will be useless, in the face of rising competition in the region and globally.

The problem with many of our politicians is that they worry about facing the next elections, not elections 30 years from now. Hardly visionary.

Kudos to Najib for saying sometime back that he would continue with his reform agenda, even if risking losing elections. He has the perfect opportunity to be a revolutionary leader.

This publication’s front-page story today tells of a US-based fund manager adequately impressed with Malaysia to have started investing in its equities. He even foresees Malaysia emerging as an “Asian tiger” in the next industrial revolution.

Taking out any spin, many other foreign fund managers are yet to have similar views, adopting a wait-and-see stance.

Globalisation’s next phase is steaming ahead. Countries with strengthening currencies, such as Japan, are on the lookout for bases abroad.

Chinese companies, when their government allows the yuan to appreciate, will likely do likewise.

What is Malaysia doing to make itself much more appealing to more foreign investors beyond Iskandar Malaysia? Whatever our case, reforms will have to be carried out and there is no time to lose.

Penans to receive birth certificates and MyKads

2009-12-08T02:55:00.004+08:00

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein will travel to the remote settlement in the Ulu Baram district in northern Sarawak this week to personally meet the Penan people who have been living without citizenship since Independence. Wow..and to know that these people are the original settlers of this land that we call Malaysia.

Everybody fights about their rights to the land but nobody bothers about the real owners of the land i.e. the indigenous tribes of Sarawak and Sabah and the orang asli of Semenanjung. These people have had no documents since independence but Indonesians and Filipinos can get these documents in a flash. Makes one wonder of the wonders of Malaysia.

Not only do these people have no official document but they are also poor. They have not been given the special access that the "Bumiputeras" have had..oh wait a minute, who is more Bumiputera if not the original settlers of the land. I wonder what the definition of "Bumiputera" is anyway? Hmmm...

"These Penans are among the estimated 35,000 people throughout Sarawak who are without birth certificates and MyKad."

Come election time I wonder if these 35,000 extra votes were the ones that always makes Sarawak a 100% BN stronghold?

MPs should be courteous and graceful, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker

2009-12-07T04:20:00.002+08:00

Ha ha..what a joke the Malaysian Parliament is. Well, actually the Malaysian Parliament is not the joke, the MPs are. They behave like children, talking crap and wasting time and money. Instead of debating real issues and solving problems, they just waste time and earn free allowance.

The speaker says:

"Do you have to be rude with one another like in other countries, where fisticuffs ensued, to make the Malaysian Parliament world class?" he asked.

How can we be world class when our MPs' attitude is like a broken toilet on an everyday basis? There is no more righteousness in this world, what more to expect such luxury in politics. Sigh.

Khazanah to bring kiddie characters to Nusajaya theme park

2009-11-08T11:58:00.002+08:00

First they announced that Legoland was going to setup in Nusajaya, now this new theme park. Legoland has gone quiet so far, so we'll see what happens. It's good that finally they've got Nusajaya going for some theme parks, at least we Malaysians get to go to theme parks and pay in Ringgit.

But the stupid thing is now they're making a lot of noise over these mediocre theme parks after they sent one of the biggest names in theme parks to Singapore - Universal Studios. Idiots.

Bagan Pinang: Isa to run for Barisan

2009-09-30T05:08:00.002+08:00

It seems that old habits die hard. Another by election and another old face. This one has a lot of mud on it but still they want him. Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad has been chosen as the Barisan candidate in Bagan Pinang. Why can't we go for change? Why must the same old shit be repeated over and over again? Isa Samad said:

“Under the new (Umno) leadership, my semangat (spirit) to serve is stronger."

Semangat stronger? Semangat or greed? He's been in the constituency for 30 years and MB for 22 years. Enough already. Even if he wasn't convicted of corruption (which he was by the UMNO disciplinary committee), he's been around too long. Time for change.

‘Big Brother’ is watching

2009-09-26T08:46:00.004+08:00

Another crappy idea to make a few people rich. This idea for traffic cameras either on urban roads or on highways has been proposed, money spent, no results, equipment goes to waste then re-proposed, money spent, no results, equipment goes to waste then re-proposed, money spent, no results, equipment goes to waste about 3 times already.

Everybody can see the cameras at traffic lights and on our highways rotting there because after spending a few hundred million ringgit on it, the whole system is used for about 2 days then abandoned. Stories abound of how the people involved ran out of money and couldn't maintain the system or had no money to continue buying the expensive film.

And now, here we are again. Again, we're talking about installing another system costing RM300 million. It's the same shit just on a different day. Now it's Najib's gang's turn to make some money so they've cooked up another system to install which costs RM300 million. What a bunch of wasteful, greedy motherfuckers. Mark my words, by next year there'll be more rotting cameras lying around our roads.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

2009-09-20T11:28:00.005+08:00

Today we celebrate Hari Raya after 30 days of Ramadhan and fasting and devoting ourselves to God. It is a celebration of the triumph over oneself. It is also an opportunity to forget and forgive one another for previous sins or hurt that we've inflicted or have been inflicted upon.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally apologise to everybody who I have hurt before either by my actions or my words whether intentionally or not. I truly am sorry and hope that we could start again on a better footing. Although, some things take longer to forget and might not be forgiveable, for example when somebody you love betrays you..twice. Hmm..that's a tough one.

More importantly, I want to point out something that I feel is not highlighted properly by the Prime Minister in his Raya message to the nation today. He said:

“Unfortunately, there are hate mongers who try to deny this reality. They try to inculcate teachings of ungratefulnes in the people to achieve their narrow aims."

In reality, who are these "hate mongers"? As far as I can see and experience on a daily basis, all the people of this country get along well with each other. Yeah sure, once in a while we have arguments and fights but it doesn't threaten national security. The really big problem arises when politicians throw fuel into the fire. They are the real "hate mongers", sowing hatred to keep the fear alive so certain instruments of power can be maintained to keep them in power. Power of course equals wealth. And at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Money. Greed.

Selamat Hari Raya anyway to the rest of us. May God bless everybody.

1Malaysia F1 Team Commercially Viable?

2009-09-18T08:04:00.003+08:00

According to Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, one of the investors of 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd the venture is commercially viable. That means he's saying that it is a business worth investing in as one will get a return on one's investment. If not, it wouldn't be called commercially viable.

But commercially viable to who, I wonder? To Tune, Proton, Naza? An F1 team costs a lot of money especially when you don't have any facilities. A wind tunnel is useful but it would probably cost a few hundred million ringgit to construct. Running the team alone annually will cost a few hundred million a year too. Kamaruddin seems to think that selling merchandise will make the venture commercially viable.

“It’s a win-win (situation) for everyone as the branding will create excitement for Malaysia and its infrastructure like the Sepang F1 Circuit while as investors, we would be able to derive income from the merchandise,” Kamarudin told StarBiz in a telephone interview yesterday.

So a win-win situation and returns on investment is paid for by branding and merchandise? Like life is paid by love and fresh air.

“This is a smart partnership between the GLCs (government-linked companies) and entrepreneurs in the true form of one Malaysia,” Kamarudin added.

Smart for who I wonder? How can it be smart when we the people don't benefit from it. The most is we'll be embarassed by how the team will be doing in the championship. I don't think these people really thought out this plan.

ROYAL WASTE

2009-09-18T05:08:00.002+08:00

There they go again. Taking their childish, drunken attitudes to the public space and wasting our money for their own selfish ends. Another royal brawl that demands attention and public money to resolve. That's what happens when you drink and have an attitude later.

Earlier, at a news conference in KUALA LUMPUR, the son of the eldest princess of the Negri Sembilan household Tunku Nadzimuddin Tunku Mudzaffar expressed disappointment over the police’s “serious lack of affirmative action” in its investigations into his alleged assault by a member of the Johor royalty and his supposed bodyguards.

Enough of this shit already. If you want to have a childish argument, do it at your house or should I say palace. We, the people are sick and tired of this shit. We have enough problems everyday just trying to feed, clothe and educate our children. The system in place to serve the rakyat is already overloaded and inefficient as it is. We don't need unnecessary shit like this to waste the limited resources that is supposed to serve the people.

COW HEAD INCIDENT 2

2009-09-13T17:55:00.005+08:00

After the chaotic town hall meeting to resolve the temple location in Sec 23 Shah Alam, it would seem that moving the temple location JUST another 100 meters away solved the problem as if by magic. And to think that one of the the reasons given by the so-called protestors was that the smell is a problem.

Smells travel when the wind picks it up and carries it for long distances. Does anybody with a right mind think that the wind could carry a smell for 300 meters but not 400 meters? Yah, I know. On top of that, there were reports that these so-called "protesters" couldn't really give a straight answer when asked why they were so against it. They kept giving the excuse of smells and traffic congestion.

Is that a good enough excuse to slaughter a cow and parade the head around, then stomping and spitting on it, which by the way shows a lot hatred for something, which can cause other people to get angry and spark an unrest? A reader of my blog posted this comment which is the normal response from most Malaysians (without political intervention of course):

Greetings,

I'm a Muslim

Lived 300m from a temple
-Been there done that

Final Conclusion : No problem, make new friends as sometime they asked my permission to use the roadside outside my house for parking (if there's any special ceremony etc. at the temple)

No problem at all

It seems to me this was just another attempt by politicians to cause further problems for their opposition because they are greedy and want back their "property". To me this whole cow head incident was cooked up by politicians then fed to the unsuspecting residents of Sec23 Shah Alam so they would make a fuss and the said politicians would have something to attack their rivals about.

So the people of Malaysia, are we the property of politicians? For them to manipulate for their own selfish and greedy ends? Or are we the rakyat that owns this country? Are we the boss and they the workers who work for us? Or are we the victims supplying blood to thirsty vampires?

PM: The rich are responsible to provide for the needy

2009-09-13T17:42:00.003+08:00

Oh really? In that case all we need is just for politicians, staff from the police, immigration, customs, RTD and other government agencies' staff to come out with the cash, then all the poor in this country won't have to be poor anymore.

I've seen many times how police personnel or immigration staff are driving around in expensive cars which would take them 10 lifetimes to pay for on their salary but there they are, going around in expensive big cars AND in their uniform. Where did they get the money for that? What about politicians living in Damansara Heights on a salary that is less than RM10,000 a month? But they still live there AND have at least 6 luxury cars in the garage.

Imagine if all these rich people contributed to zakat and the needy. How much better a world this would be?

Falsifying share and bond certs for RM19bil

2009-09-11T14:14:00.003+08:00

So this is how one becomes a billionaire overnight and at the expense of the rakyat. These are the kinds of people who are running our country's institutions and our money, put there by the greedy politicians that we voted in.

Two senior officers of Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) were called by the Sessions Court here to enter their defence on a charge of falsifying share and bond certificates valued at US$5bil (RM19bil).

This is the kind of leaks that I've been talking about. People with no righteousness are free to manipulate the country's resources for their own benefit and leave the shit to us, the rakyat that is struggling to feed ourselves and our kids.

So what are we doing about it? The solution is a long term one but it has to start at home with our kids. Teach them righteousness and fear God. Teach them to do the right thing and do it right the first time. We will not see changes in our lifetime but at least we can leave the lessons for our children to implement for the benefit of our grandchildren.

‘Muslim sensitivities’ an excuse for blatant racism?

2009-09-06T06:14:00.000+08:00

Analysis by Syed Jaymal Zahiid

“Muslim sensitivity’ or outright racism? Residents from Section 23 clash during today’s town hall meet. — Picture by Jack Ooi

SHAH ALAM, September 5 — “Muslim sensitivities” was used by the Malay residents of Section 23 as the central reason to reject the Hindu temple relocation, but when some were asked today what these “sensitivities” really were, none of them could give a straight answer.

Yet Malay residents of Section 23 said they felt their religion, Islam, had been profoundly threatened by the temple relocation proposal by the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government.

It prompted them to take to the streets with a cow’s head recently to defend their religion; it drove them to discard civic consciousness and adopt extreme measures, to go as far as insulting another religion, knowing full well such action could lead to physical confrontations.

“It would disrupt traffic flow,” said one female resident of Section 23 when asked what exactly these Muslim sensitivities are.

The female resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was one of the army of residents that attended a dialogue session held by the Selangor government this morning.

It was organised to resolve the deadlock but sadly, the event was fruitless after it transformed into a free-for-all verbal assault session, when the residents turned rowdy and began insulting Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and other PR leaders.

Residents threw racial insults towards the leaders. They rejected any alternative proposals even before the leaders had managed to raise them. Some accused the leaders of insulting Islam if they were to go on with the relocation.

“We don’t like the smells. It would be noisy and the temples would usually get bigger so we just don’t want it to be near our homes,” said another resident, Roshan, 42, on why he was against the temple being built there.

When suggested that Malays in other parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have no problems with Hindu temples being built near their houses, even when these areas are predominantly Malays, Roshan rebutted gushingly.

“I am from the May 13 generation,” he said, referring to the infamous racial riots four decades ago. “(Malays in these areas are fine because) the land there is limited,” he said.

Throughout the “dialogue”, residents insisted their rejection of the temple relocation had nothing to do with racism and that they were not extremists.

They boasted of their harmonious ties with their Indian counterparts but blame the temple relocation proposal and its proposer, the PR government, as the cause of the strained interracial bond.

The temple, originally located in Section 19, had been proposed to be relocated after an agreement with the city council and other relevant authorities, to Section 23, some 300 meters from the residential area after residents in Section 19 complained.

But many Malay Section 23 residents will have none of it. For them, building a Hindu temple in the midst of an industrial area to provide their Indian counterparts, which make up about 10 per cent of the Section 23 population, the right to practice their religion is a threat to the sanctity of Islam.

Notwithstanding, almost all the replies given by residents when interviewed by The Malaysian Insider cited traffic congestion as the main reason behind their rejection of the temple relocation.

They failed to define how a Hindu temple built some 300 metres away from their houses was insensitive towards Islam but one cannot but feel that as the fiasco goes on, more and more of these Muslim sensitivities will be raised in their arguments.

Syed Jaymal Zahiid is a reporter with The Malaysian Insider, who covered this morning’s chaotic town hall meeting

COW HEAD INCIDENT

2009-09-04T02:05:00.004+08:00

I really didn't know what was the big deal with this cow head thingy until I read a letter written by a reader of The Star today. Hamdan Ibrahim was saying that the people who protested the relocation of a Hindu temple to their area by bringing a severed cows head did not have the spirit of fasting, which is true. Since they were Malays and Muslims, and they did such a thing during the fasting month makes it even worse.

To think that the shameful incident occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims are taught to be more patient and tolerant, makes it sadder.

These disgruntled Muslims who partook in the protest do not have the spirit of fasting in their hearts.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein made the right call after changing his tune when he said that those responsible should have stern action taken on them. This issue would definitely stir racial hatred and can be viewed as a seditious act. But then again this happened at a Malay majority area (Shah Alam) so we'll have to see what happens. On the other hand, this happened in the state of Selangor which is under the opposition. We'll really have to see.

SELAMAT MERDEKA MALAYSIA

2009-08-31T18:46:00.003+08:00

Selamat menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke 52 Malaysia. We have indeed come a long way and we are now at a level where our forefathers couldn't even dream of. We have a good life in absolute peace and security. But is this peace all owed to our leaders? I beg to differ.

Most Malaysians are peace loving, accomodative and just want to get on with life. We have no problems with each other on a daily basis. We can joke about each others race weakness or whatever in public. Problems only arise when politicians poke us and put us head to head against each other for their own gain. Najib in his Merdeka message said:

"The Prime Minister has called on Malaysians to “repair the bridges and tear down the divisive walls” that exist among the races.
In his National Day message, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said opportunistic people had exploited the friction among the people to cause the bridges, which were painstakingly built by the nation’s founding fathers, to become shaky."

The divisive walls were put up by the politicians for their own gains in the first place. Why would we the people want to put up divisive walls? We're only concerned about the peace of the country and feeding our children. We can repair the broken bridges but you motherfuckers better not tear it down again. Can you do that?

Talking about greedy, what is this raising the prices of fuel by another 5 cents when it was already set?

PM: Anything less than 8% in next 10 years will delay developed nation status

2009-08-29T08:23:00.004+08:00

It seems to me Najib is either too engrossed in finance (maybe he wants to become a finance savvy PM) or his brother the banker is whispering in his ear too much. Lately I've been reading and hearing Najib talking about financial matters a lot, it's good that he wants the country to unify and be prosperous. That is his job after all.

But it seems that he has his head in the clouds. All these goals are noble and should have been put as a priority a long time ago but the reality is that our politicians are a thousand years away from being even remotely righteous.

Malaysia’s economy must grow at an annual rate of 8% over the next 10 years for the country to achieve developed-nation status by 2020, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

8% growth every year for the next 10 years? After the damage that Pak Lah did to the country the last 6 years, do you think this is achieveable? Is it even possible with all the leaks that is happening all around us everyday? For more info about leaks, go here.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the country should strive to achieve the target to qualify for the World Bank’s current threshold for high-income economies. To achieve the status, Najib said Malaysia should not only be well-off but also act and live in a manner that reflected that status.

How are we supposed to act and live in that manner when our basics are not even right? Most Malaysians especially politicians have no clue about righteousness, courtesy, being timely, accountability and all the other things that make for a more civilised and prosperous society.

The biggest problem is that our leaders are corrupt and have no righteousness to do anything right. With leaks occuring everywhere and all the time, I'll bet my last ringgit that we will not hit our Vision 2020 on time.

A major dilemma for Najib

2009-08-27T05:18:00.005+08:00

More like a major leak for the nation. This is what I was talking about. It's leaks like these that enrich a few and fucks up the country and the plans to make it a prosperous place to live for all.

According to The Malaysian Insider:

The land from the project belonged to Kuala Dimensi, which acquired the property in the 1990s for RM96 million, or roughly RM3 per sq ft.

The land was subsequently sold to the Port Klang Authority in 2002 on a commercial basis, for RM1 billion, or roughly RM25 per sq ft, government documents show.

Easy money. On top of that, they've quietly made a few billion more along the way "building" up the project which ended up not built. Imagine if that money was used for healthcare or public transport or for small loans to businesses, how much of an improvement the rakyat would enjoy. This is Malaysia, the bolehland. Here is another link to a blog that lists out the facts. Plus here is the "official" scandal website for more facts and questions.

Cut in Govt expenditure unlikely to offset deficit

2009-08-21T23:47:00.005+08:00

The biggest problem here is not all this fancy economics. It's quite simple really. The biggest problem facing Malaysia and how to make it a prosperous country for all is leaks. Yes, leaks. When your container is constantly leaking, there is no way for you to keep on topping it up and hoping that it will get full and much less, stay full.

The only way is to stop the leaks. What do I mean by leaks? Why, money of course. Money is leaking through the system and economy like nobody's business since independence, or maybe shortly after that. If we can make sure the money is spent properly, then only can projects benefit the people and the economy can be grown for all to benefit. As long as these leaks are still around, there is no way for us to grow. How can we tell that we are not growing? Just look at our neighbor, a small country with no natural resources whatsoever but they are many times richer than us.

Reckless bloggers can be prosecuted

2009-08-18T15:35:00.003+08:00

Here we go again. More rubbish from the mouth before the brain has a chance to work. Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today that reckless blogger will be prosecuted. How do you define reckless? There is a fine line between reckless and intelligent conversation. Since it is not defined, we are left at the mercy of the powers that be to define it according to their whims.

“In the past we didn’t have such problems but with the advent of cyberspace, such seditious postings could probably hurt the feelings of certain communities,” he said.

Which community would that be? And bullshit that in the past we didn't have such problems where seditious statements were made in public. We had politicians and political rallies in the past didn't we? So, there were seditious statements uttered there. There were always and will always be seditious statements made whether through the internet or at live gatherings.

If you really want to pick on it, what about all the seditious statements made at UMNO gatherings or even Parliament? These fuckers have been at it for decades, we've just started.

Hisham: We’ll act against those who incite hatred on the Net

2009-08-17T22:45:00.005+08:00

Ever notice that whoever gets into this most powerful position of home minister starts losing their minds when they get there? What is it about this position that somehow makes them feel invincible? That they can talk down to us, the rakyat that put them there in the first place? It seems that threatening talk with the usual excuses (race, religion and royalty) is the norm with these people. Does it make them feel better perhaps since they are only 3 million strong and we are 25 million? Who is it that put them where they are, that allowed them such power and that provided them with unimaginable wealth? Let me see..urg..gotta work the brain..ah yes, it was us, the rakyat. The rakyat that ever now and then gets a pink letter from TNB stating that they will cut the power supply if we don't pay the bill quickly.

I wonder if these powerful people that we the rakyat put where they are have ever had the pleasure of TNB's pink letter? To squeeze their brain trying to figure out where to find a few hundred ringgit to settle the bill. Maybe they do squeeze their brain but over a few hundred million ringgit. Yes, that is a lot more than our measly TNB bill, right? Maybe they have a lot more to think about than us (like which new BMW should I order?).

No politician is above the law, says Muhyiddin

2009-08-17T22:21:00.003+08:00

Really? He actually said that, I wonder if he meant it or not. Being the politician that he is, he probably didn't mean it. But I do agree with it as NOBODY is above the law, especially God's laws. Funny thing is some people do get above the law and they get away with it. These people are well connected and they have a tightly closed grouping. I wonder when they are going to get what they deserve. Ah yes, on judgment day perhaps.

Muhyiddin commented on the MACC being frustrated with doing their job:

He was asked about a report quoting Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull who, in a fit of frustration, suggested all investigations involving politics be suspended temporarily with immediate effect.

Shukri claimed he felt certain quarters were out to tarnish the image of the commission by making vicious and unfounded allegations against the commission and its officers.

Muhyiddin said Shukri’s remarks might have stemmed from the opposition being uncooperative in the bid to probe allegations of corruption against them.

Opposition being uncooperative? Sounds like political rhetoric to me. Maybe the MACC is frustrated about too much power in the government that is blocking their progress too. How about that?

In defence of public assemblies

2009-08-08T03:35:00.002+08:00

Re-produced as the content is too good to lose in a summary. Original link here.

AUG 5 — I was unable to make it to last week’s anti-ISA gathering because I had to attend a family wedding in Penang. I did notice the roadblocks on the way to Kuala Lumpur as I drove up to Penang on Friday, the day before the assembly.

I was kept updated on the day itself while attending the wedding through SMSes, Facebook and Twitter via my Blackberry.

The next day, there was another wedding reception scheduled and I was tasked to drive a few family friends there. After exchanging pleasantries, I focused on my driving as the three middle-class Malay women — each of them aged about 60 years old — chatted at the back of my car.

“The traffic jams in KL were horrible yesterday,” said the first woman.

“It was because of those demonstrations,” said the second.

It seems that people end up talking about politics even at weddings these days!

The issue of demonstrations has been very much in the news lately, of course. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has claimed that public rallies are an inconvenience. Deputy Minister Datuk T. Murugiah has urged traders affected by the rally to claim compensation from the organisers.

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution grants Malaysian citizens the right to freedom of speech, expression and assembly. These rights are naturally subject to regulation.

But we cannot deny that these rights exist and that we ought to be free to exercise them. Despite what some claim, public assemblies have a long history in this country. Najib, for one, should remember that Umno came to prominence due to its demonstrations — many which were “illegal” according to the law of the day — against the Malayan Union.

Any mature democratic country regards protests as part and parcel of democratic culture. Our founding fathers fought to free our country in order for us to be a democratic and sovereign nation. This includes the freedom to assemble that was included in our Constitution. We cannot consider ourselves either “democratic” or “sovereign” until and unless these rights are respected as well as exercised responsibly.

I do not deny that demonstrations can sometimes cause the public inconvenience — this is something to be regretted. But we go through the same hassles during football matches, marathons and concerts. I am a big fan of football and my wife is trying to become a regular half-marathon runner, but I would think that the freedom to assemble includes the more substantive right of freedom of expression. The hassle and the losses to business are not due to public assemblies themselves but the excessive police roadblocks and harassment that almost always greet such gatherings.

As for the police, the problem is that our requests for permits to hold public assemblies are almost always rejected. On many occasions, we adhere to the police advice to do it in closed premises such as stadiums, but this option only became available to us after we managed to form governments in the various states. Previously all of our requests would have been rejected and we had no recourse whatsoever.

The disproportionate use of police force has been a recurring trend, not only on Aug 1 but also previously. The highlight was surely the arrest of five lawyers — Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Ravinder Singh Dhalliwal, Syuhaini Safwan, Murni Hidayah and Puspawati Rosman — who were about to provide legal advice to a group arrested for being in an “illegal assembly” on the charge that the lawyers too were part of the assembly.

On Aug 1, like the Bersih assembly before, we gathered to send a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Why should the police have attempted to disperse us? Wouldn’t it have been better for them to monitor and guide the assembly just as any public gatherings such as marathons, football matches or concerts?

The organisers were more than willing to talk about which routes or points of assembly to use to minimise the inconvenience to the public. That would have worked better than tear gas or batons. Hard as it is to believe, the government holds all the cards and it hasn’t been willing to compromise on even the most reasonable points.

While I was studying in Britain, I took part in several anti-war marches protesting British involvement in the invasion of Iraq. At one of the marches I attended, over two million people marched to protest the war — in comparison to the size of London, an equivalent number in KL would be 500,000 people on the streets.

But the marches were done in an orderly manner with excellent cooperation from the police. The organisers provided stewards to help organise the crowd as we marched to Hyde Park, singing and chanting as all enthusiastic marchers do. Toddlers in prams, the elderly in wheelchairs — all joined together to make a statement to the government that we were against the war.

Imagine that — I had an easier time standing up to the British government for invading a Muslim country than my fellow Malaysians who were attempting to peacefully deliver a memorandum to their King. The argument that any and all public assemblies can turn violent is nonsensical — Malaysians should surely be allowed to think and act for themselves after more than 50 years of Merdeka.

I do not blame the rank-and-file policemen, who were just doing their job. In fact, during the Bersih assembly, most of us other than those who were in Masjid Jamek managed to participate peacefully as there was no police harassment elsewhere. The Unit Amal members, the volunteer corps from PAS, were excellent stewards — picking litter, ensuring the crowd did not mutter any unrelated slogans and helping to divert traffic. This proves that demonstrations can happen without untoward incidents if only the police would cooperate.

Which brings me back to the three women.

“God knows what they were demonstrating about,” said the third woman.

“But you know, the police should just let them demonstrate,” said the first. “Give them the space. Don’t provoke them. I’m sure there wouldn’t be any trouble.”

“Yes, I saw it on Al Jazeera and CNN,” said the second. “The police brutality. It was horrible, an embarrassment to the country. Why did they need to do that?”

“People can assemble peacefully overseas,” remarked the first. “But in Malaysia the police will always provoke them. Why do they do that?”

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is the political secretary to the Selangor mentri besar and state assemblyman for Seri Setia. He was the youngest elected representative in the 2008 general election and blogs at www.niknazmi.com. An avid Liverpool football fan, Nik Nazmi remains divided between Kelantan and Selangor, while his wife participated in the half marathon at the recent Standard Chartered KL Marathon. The views expressed are his own.

Do not filter out democracy

2009-08-08T03:32:00.002+08:00

Re-produced as the content is too good to lose in a summary. Original link here.

AUG 7 — It’s really funny how unremarkably the announcement came. The government yesterday put out a tender for companies to help filter the Internet. Now, in places like China and Iran, this happens quite regularly. But in Malaysia — well, there’s a first that should go into the Malaysia Book of Records.

In this day and age, it’s a rare regime that pretends to be democratic and yet maintains a law that allows the government to throw anyone it likes into jail for as long as it likes, without any accountability at all.

Rarer still are regimes who do this and who, rather than slowly loosening the chains of their people, only tighten them further. The people of Malaysia have spoken quite clearly: they want more freedom, not less.

The government dismisses calls for the abolition — and sometimes even amendment — of the Internal Security Act as unfounded, because the ISA is necessary to preserve national harmony. If people were to be able to do as they please, and speak their minds, this logic goes, then the country would collapse. Riots would break out and terrorists would have free rein.

Curiously, virtually every democracy with preventive detention laws has controls over how long someone can be held for. Often, after a certain period has passed, the government must either charge the detainee with a crime, or let them free.

In Malaysia, even though in theory someone can only be held for two years, the government has complete freedom to renew the detention order — and it is accountable to nobody.

The government pretends we are democratic in spite of this law; it is our own kind of democracy, they say. But democracy is about more than voting. They had elections in Soviet Russia; they have elections in North Korea. Hardly anybody pretends these countries, which have stripped the electoral process of all the freedoms it requires to work, constitute democracies.

Democracy needs information to work. The people who vote need to be able to understand the issues that concern the government, and to hear different points of view about how to tackle these issues. If you know nothing about who you are voting for, why bother voting?

It is true that letting people talk and listen has its risks. We must bring to justice people who spread a message of hate, and who plot against our country. But we must also accord those we suspect of these crimes their right to due process.

If the government can toss any terrorist it likes into the lockup for as long as it pleases, it will slowly and surely expand the definition of terrorism to encompass those who merely disagree with the ruling regime.

We have already seen this happen; how many ISA detainees have truly posed a threat to our country? Many of these supposed terrorists at this very moment sit in Parliament, on both sides of the benches, helping govern this country!

Anyone who has properly considered the issue of the ISA will view it as an untenable law. At the very least, it needs amendment so it complies with the same preventive detention laws used by real democracies. But I believe we would be better off abolishing the ISA, and compel the government to properly charge people in court for their crimes, instead of allowing the government to do whatever it likes to suspected criminals; no government should act as judge and jury.

But rather than begin repairing our broken democracy, the government is intent on destroying it altogether. The people are tired of sham democracy and rigged elections, and they have used the internet over the last ten years to make this known. Nothing has done more for our democracy in living memory than the development of the internet.

And now the government is set on censoring the Internet, to ensure only the opinions it likes will be available online. In name, the government merely wants to block access to pornography and websites which promote hate speech.

While I am sceptical about the feasibility of censoring pornography, I can at least see why a democratic government might want to regulate adult content. But there is no justification for censoring views and opinions — none.

For years, some of the most racist material has been available online; long before that, it was available from the podiums at most of the ruling parties’ annual general meetings. It is a testament to the wisdom of the Malaysian people that literally zero violence has resulted from these things in the last four decades. Malaysians are mature enough to reject calls for violence.

The government is carefully treading down the path of full censorship. When we restrict the spread of information and opinions, we restrict our democracy — and to what end? To protect the interests of those in power, who would rather not hear nasty things about themselves?

That is the primary reason the government wants to censor any and all avenues of information in this country. If we want to preserve the democracy our founding fathers fought for, we must put a stop to this nonsense, and vote out those who clearly put their own interests ahead of their country’s.

Malaysia touted as one investment hub

2009-08-07T12:31:00.003+08:00

Again they go talking about "hubs". I hate it when these idiots come up with another one of their ideas and call it a hub. Everytime they come up with a hub, nothing happens. When Sepang was first started and built, we were to be a motorsports hub but nothing happened. Out motorsport industry is nothing to shout about. In 2008, the government allocated RM4 million for total motosports development. RM4million? How is a hub supposed to be developed with RM4 million?

The law and government mentality as a whole is not conducive for a motorsports hub. Everytime somebody with a souped up car or a mildly modified car drives around to a roadblock, they are witheld and threaten with all sorts of rubbish until they pay up. Who wants to modify their cars in this situation? In turn who wants to invest in motorsports activities or trading when the people are thinking it's not worth buying the stuff and installing them.

These idiot politicians will continue to come up with more hubs and announcements then expect development, at the same time they restrict us with all sorts of rules and regulations to instill fear. How is development supposed to happen? They are ones in fear as they need to maintain constant control. Look at Dubai and how it grew so fast and so big. They have no fear to hire the best people be they foreigners and give them free reign. If Malaysia practices 10% of how Dubai goes about it, all our lives would be better off.

Why do Malaysians march?

2009-08-03T07:46:00.002+08:00

This article was written by YeoYang Poh in The Sun and it was too well written for me to summarize, so I have had to re-publish it here in it's entirety so we all may benefit from the points put forward.

Why do Malaysians march?
Yeo Yang Poh

On the move ... a section of anti-ISA protesters near
the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

WHY march, when the government has said that it will review the Internal Security Act? Why march, when there are other very cosy ways of giving your views and feedback?

One would understand if these were questions posed by nine-year-olds. But they are not. They are questions posed by the prime minister of this nation we call our home. Answer we must. So, why?

Because thousands who died while in detention cannot march or speak any more. That is why others have to do it for them.

Because persons in the corridors of power, persons who have amassed tremendous wealth and live in mansions, and persons who are in the position to right wrongs but won’t, continue to rule our nation with suffocating might. And they certainly would not march. They would prevent others from marching.

Because the have-nots, the sidelined, the oppressed, the discriminated and the persecuted have no effective line to the powerful.

Because the nice ways have been tried ad nauseam for decades, but have fallen on deaf ears.

Because none of the major recommendations of Suhakam (including on peaceful assembly), or of the commissions of inquiry, has been implemented. Because the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is not in sight, while corruption and insecurity live in every neighbourhood; and (despite reasoned views expressed ever so nicely in opposition) Rela (people’s volunteer corps) is being brought in to make matters even worse.

The proponents in “Su Qiu” (remember them?) were not marchers. In fact it is hard to find nicer ways than “su qiu”, because the term means “present and request” or “inform and request”. In terms of putting forward a view or a request, it is the height of politeness. Yet they were labelled “extremists” – they who did not march.

And now you ask, why march?

Because you gave non-marchers a false name! You called them the “silent majority”, who by virtue of their silence (so you proudly argued with twisted logic) were supporters of government policies since they were not vocal in raising objections. You claimed to be protecting the interest of the “silent majority”. Now some of them do not want to be silent anymore, and you are asking why?

Yes, because double standards and hypocrisy cannot be covered up or explained away forever; and incompetence cannot be indefinitely propped up by depleting resources.

Because cronyism can only take care of a few people, and the rest will eventually wake up to realise the repeated lies that things were done in certain ways purportedly “for their benefit”.

Because the race card, cleverly played for such a long time, is beginning to be seen for what it really is – a despicable tool to divide the rakyat for easier political manipulation.

Because it does not take much to figure out that there is no good reason why Malaysia, a country with abundant human resources and rich natural resources, does not have a standard of living many times higher than that of Singapore, an island state with no natural resources and that has to import human resources from Malaysia and elsewhere.

Because, in general, countries that do not persecute marchers are prosperous or are improving from their previous state of affairs, and those that do are declining.

Because Gandhi marched, Mandela marched, Martin Luther King marched, and Tunku Abdul Rahman marched.

Because more and more people realise that peaceful assemblies are no threat at all to the security of the nation, although they are a threat to the security of tenure of the ruling elite.

Because politicians do not mean it when they say with a straight face or a smile that they are the servants and that the people are the masters. No servant would treat his master with tear gas, batons and handcuffs.

Because if the marchers in history had been stopped in their tracks, places like India, Malaysia and many others would still be colonies today, apartheid would still be thriving in South Africa, Nelson Mandela would still be scribbling on the walls of Cell 5, and Obama would probably be a slave somewhere in Mississippi plotting to make his next midnight dash for the river.

And because liberty, freedom and dignity are not free vouchers posted out to each household.

They do not come to those who just sit and wait. They have to be fought for, and gained.

And if you still want to ask: why march; I can go on and on until the last tree is felled. But I shall
obviously not.

I will end with the following lines from one of the songs sung in the 1960s by civil rights marchers in the US, without whom Obama would not be able to even sit with the whites in a bus, let alone reside in the White House:

“It isn’t nice to block the doorway
It isn’t nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways have all failed
It isn’t nice; it isn’t nice
You’ve told us once, you’ve told us twice
But if that’s freedom’s price
We don’t mind ...”

Yeo Yang Poh is a former Bar Council president.

ISA STREET PROTEST

2009-08-02T10:47:00.007+08:00

Yesterday saw another street protest of the controversial ISA on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. And as usual no permit was given and police used their water cannons and tear gas. There was a pro-ISA gathering planned but that fizzled out. Why I wonder, maybe they couldn't get a permit? Or maybe nobody gives a damn so no point going about it plus they couldn't get enough people (cos nobody gives a shit) andthey'd probably get beaten up by the public too. Kah, kah, kah.

Nobody managed to get through to Istana Negara to hand over the anti-ISA memo because the police as usual used this opportunity to test their water cannons and tear gas to make sure it was still in good working order. But 1 guy did manage to get through to the palace though, he was a pro-ISA guy, hmm..that might explain it then.

Yes the protest caused a huge jam and problems to the people of Kuala Lumpur but maybe these people who were inconvenienced don't really care about the issue or what happens to Malaysia. They just want to get on with their lives, which is probably OK compared to some of us. But I do care and I quite like the fact the people now are willing to go out and make their feelings known. It puts some pressure on the politicians so they don't just sit on their fat asses eating our money.

Next time might I suggest that if you want to hand over a memorandum to the king, just walk there with 5 guys and just give it to the palace. No need to organise a rally with 100,000 people because then you'll get gassed and arrested plus the mission failed. Or is it that the mission is something else completely? Politicians, what can I say.

Anti-Ahmad forces getting restless

2009-08-02T10:00:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since I posted anything here. I'm trying to post my own writing now as compared to just reproducing other posts and news. It takes a lot of time and thinking to do though, I;m going through a difficult period in my life now and my brain is just overloaded everyday. I'm trying my best though. Today's topic had a comment that was just too stupid and selfish to ignore, so I had to comment too.

This is about the politicians in the Terengganu power struggle. It's just within UMNO only. It revolves around the new MB that was the palace's choice over Idris Jusoh, Datuk Ahmad Said. UMNO had no choice but give the MB post to Ahmad Said as the palace objected to Idris, must be a reason right? But since then, factions in the Terengganu state UMNO were not happy because of the following reasons:

"One major issue has been the appointment of coordinating chairmen. The posts, through which funds are channelled for projects in state seats, have always been held by the assemblymen.But in areas where the assemblymen are opposed to Ahmad, the post has gone to an appointee of the MB’s office."

It's always about money isn't it? Money to channel into one's own pocket either directly or via proxy. What about the people? The people who put them in this position of power to reap such huge benefits for themselves. We, the people are still suffering trying to feed our children on our salaries which value has steadily been dwindling. And these people are fighting over the opportunity to upgrade to the new Mercedes or BMW. Uaarrgghh! (Puking, throwing up).

Between law and royalty

2009-06-26T07:28:00.003+08:00

This is why I've been saying I'm not happy with our so-called royals. How can we respect them when they treat us like rats? In Perak, some royalty supporters association had the gall to ask people to respect royalty. My reaction is respect has to be earned not just given freely. So far, the royals have not shown us why we should respect them, the only thing we have for them is fear and contempt.

Faizal Tajuddin

Thursday, 25 June 2009 00:00

KUALA LUMPUR - The Manohara saga raised a few crucial questions about the royal families in Malaysia; essentially on the perception that royalty is solidly above the law.

Albeit the fact that constitutional amendments have curbed royal immunity since 1993, a common view still prevails that royal households do not need to follow the same legal and moral standards that the average Malaysians are expected to adhere to.

So much so, a clear transgression by a commoner that is liable to a prosecution in the courts is unfairly seen as a perk for being born in a royal family.

The case involving Manohara Odelia Pinot is an example of a running series of alleged indiscretions by royal families in Malaysia

Sixteen at the time of her marriage to a Kelantan prince, Manohara alluded to being a victim of abuse and torture while being in his royal home. She showed pictures of razor cuts, although they were not necessarily pictures of inflicted wounds on her body.

But it does raise questions on domestic abuse and legal provisions to deal with such accusations.

Her alleged escape from her husband’s royal family was dramatic, with the involvement of US Embassy personnel, the Singapore police and helpful strangers giving the scenario a theatrical twist.

The Indonesian media pounced on the story at the time of the presidential campaign, adding weight and nationalistic zeal to the issue.

Sex with a minor

In the books of any sensible person, sex with a minor is taboo. Anybody with a modicum of decency would not entertain such thought of paedophilia.

Relating her supposedly forced marriage to the prince in a media interview, the teenager said: “You have two stories; one saying I’m happy and another I’m not. So, you have to check on both stories.”

Scintillating as her saga may be, there is the bigger question of the Malaysian aristocracy sense of impunity. Real or perceived.

Does the unwillingness of the Malaysian authorities to act against law violators of royal descent add to royalty’s sense of exemption from any rule of law?

Remember the incident involving hockey coach Douglas Gomez? It happened some years back, following a match dispute that implicated a Johor prince? The Sultan and other members of the Johor royal family called Gomez to the palace, only to subject him to a royal assault. The incident sparked events that led to the curbing of royal immunity.

Stories of gore and torture

.In 2002, Raja Nor Mahani Raja Shahar, 60, the wife of Raja Jaafar Raja Musa, second in line to the throne of Perak, spent a weekend in a lock up after an alleged connection to the kidnapping and murder of his younger wife, aged 26.

In October 2005, the Johor royalty was again implicated when one of its family members was arrested after he allegedly crashed the wedding reception of a Brazilian couple and attacked guests with golf clubs and sharp objects. Several people were injured and hospitalised .

In Manohara’s case, her allegations of torture, kidnapping and marital rape certainly merit further investigations.

The enforcement agencies appear to be traipsing around the issue and doing nothing; which is in stark contrast to the way the police handles criminal suspects.

Seemingly, who you are and what you are worth is an explicit consideration when it comes to how the law deals with you. In an Animal Farm fashion, “Everybody is equal but some are more equal than others.”

Source : Malaysian Mirror

PROTON, PROTON

2009-06-26T03:55:00.003+08:00

Here we go again, another failure at Proton costing some more money. In this latest case, it is with a Chinese company to produce cars in China. This was a JV deal, where proton setup a company in China, probably an office, hired people and spent some money. Their partner was supposed to facilitate their business in China, something like in Malaysia lah, where you need a local company with 'connections'.

It turned out that this local Chinese company couldn't get shit out of the Chinese government much less permission to produce cars in China.

It seems Proton loves to waste money on JVs which it has no idea what it is doing. This reminds me of the other projects that they've fucked up such as the one with VW and MV Agusta. The VW deal really cheesed me off as I was looking forward to a national priced VW but no, Proton had to have a swollen head and insist on controlling the JV when they only had 49% compared to VW's 51%.

Actually, where is the sense in that? "I'll let you take 51% but I have the final say.". Fuck off! That's what people will tell you. See where VW went? They setup in Indonesia, now Indonesians that we abuse here will be able to get jobs at the VW plant there and drive around in world class technology at affordable prices. Thanks Proton.

MiG-29 jets to be sold off, replaced with interceptors

2009-06-26T03:28:00.003+08:00

I just read the news on The Malaysian Insider that our new Minister of Defense, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has announced that we will be selling off our MiG-29s and replacing them with Interceptors. I wonder how much in billions this deal is gonna cost us.

Anyway, the crux of the matter is why the hell are we replacing our 14 year old (they were bought in 1995) jets when we can't even replace the 30 over year old Nuri helicopters that keep killing people? (Reminds me of Chris Tucker in the movie Money Talks when he says - "Guns don't kill people, stupid motherfuckers with guns kill people").

Does some motherfucker need to make a commission? Or are the MiGs too old and out of date? (Nuri anyone?).

Azmin alleges Jean Todt costs Tourism Ministry RM593,400

2009-06-25T08:07:00.003+08:00

Whatever the truth is, it doesn't make sense for 1 person to spend RM1 million just to promote the country twice a year. What kind of returns is he getting us anyway?

KUALA LUMPUR (June 24, 2009): Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) today alleged in the Dewan Rakyat that former Ferrari F1 team boss Datuk Jean Todt was appointed as Malaysian Tourism Ambassador at a cost to the Tourism Ministry of some RM593,400.

Asking Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib the rationale for the appointment, Azmin said he had proof to support all his claims, including on Todt and his fiancé Datuk Michelle Yeoh being offered land on an island in Terengganu.

However, Sulaiman did not reply to his question on grounds that it has deviated from the original question and advised Azmin to put his question in writing.

Azmin stressed that the question was not out of topic as the original question from Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) was about films produced by the ministry to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination.

"I have proof whereby Yeoh and Todt were offered (part of) Pulau Besar. And his flight ticket alone had cost RM360,000. The cost of his appointment reached RM593,400.

"But, he (Sulaiman) didn't want to reply. Don’t you agree with me that this is a related matter, Tan Sri?" Azmin asked Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia who said it was not his duty to agree or not with him.

Later, when met in Parliament lobby, Azmin said the annual fee of RM593,400 included air tickets costing RM360,000, accommodation (RM60,000), tips, laundry, faxes and telephone costs (RM90,000) and other miscellaneous costs.

He also said Todt also received RM388,000 as travel allowance when he holidayed in Malaysia and this included RM240,000 for two air tickets and miscellaneous expenses (RM60,000).

He said Todt, in return, is required to attend a minimum of two major events in the country and two international missions to promote Malaysia.

"The ministry agreed to bear all expenses, including his holiday in Malaysia twice a year for two persons," he said, adding that he had proof to show communication between Todt and the ministry on the deal.

"Why do we need to spend so much money? I hope the ministry will clarify this before the end of the session and if I am wrong, make a statement to prove me wrong," he added.

Later, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen rebutted the claim that Todt had been given a piece of land in Terengganu for becoming a tourist ambassador of Malaysia.

She told reporters in Parliament lobby: "As far as I am concerned, Todt would never have a piece of land in Terengganu. Todt was made Malaysia’s ambassador starting in May for two years and with his connectivity in Europe and the world, it will help to promote the country's tourism as well as to promote the country as a second home."

On Azmin's claim that Todt was paid about RM1 million for his task as ambassador, Ng said: "The RM1 million is not cash for him. It is a two-year budget set aside for him when we need him to travel.

"When we want to do promotion in Europe, RM1 million is nothing. So yes, he (Todt) is allocated with a budget but not into his pocket, it is for the ministry and it will be spent accordingly."

Asked whether it was true that Todt had spent RM1 million in a year as claimed by Azmin, Ng said the Gombak MP had been misinformed as the ministry has not even started spending the money.

"He (Todt) was only appointed in early May. So I do not know where Azmin got his information. We are just preparing his budget and I hope these people get the figures correct," she said.

On whether Todt is acting as ambassador on a voluntarily basis, Ng said: "The ministry does not pay him salary but for the air tickets and expenses incurred when he is required to go and meet people.

"Azmin, as a responsible MP, should tell me where he got his information. I will bring it up in Parliament and he'd better be sure that his information is reliable. I appreciate that if the MPs want to raise something in Parliament but do not mislead the House," she added.

Source : The Sun

Public fed up with Opposition MP’s antics, says Hisham

2009-06-18T06:53:00.002+08:00

This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. BTW, these politicians no longer speak what is on the people's minds, they just talk rubbish which is only beneficial to them.

KUALA LUMPUR: The rakyat is tired of seeing antics such as Monday’s fracas in Parliament, in which several Opposition MPs were ejected.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the public did not want to see such antics from their elected representatives.

“They want to see us move forward and debate issues in a mature way. They don’t want to see antics that tarnish the image of this House.

“I hope contributions by the Opposition would be more meaningful and helpful to bring about changes and strengthen what needs to be done under the Prime Minister’s vision,” he told reporters in the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

Hishammuddin said if Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia had not been strict in ordering the MPs out, the whole incident would have dragged on.

He said although he had instructed police to maintain security outside the Parliament building, they could not stop Pakatan Rakyat supporters from wearing the headbands.

“Otherwise, we would be accused of abuse of power,” he said, adding that the police were ready to help with Parliament security upon request from the Speaker.

Several backbenchers took the opportunity to raise the matter in the House with both Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Sri Gading MP Mohamad Aziz accusing the Opposition of having “tarnished the image of the country” in their supplementary questions to Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay.

In his reply, Kohilan said he agreed and was saddened by the fracas.

Source : The Star

WHY I HATE POLITICIANS

2009-06-17T10:28:00.002+08:00

Most people who read my postings here and on other forums, blogs, websites or Facebook would have noticed by now that I have an inclination to thrash politicians. I say that clearly for the benefit of those who are blind and probably think that I am anti-government. I am not anti-goverment, just anti politicians - from both sides.

Why do I hate them? Well, simple really. Because they start off as nice and clean, wanting to change the world but end up being greedy motherfuckers who just mouth off rhetoric for their own benefit. The worst part is they always go into politics for the wrong reasons. They always forget who they are and their function.

Well, let me remind them. First of all, this country is not for them to plunder but it belongs to us, the rakyat, the people. Without us they are nothing. We agreed to put them in charge of the country for our benefit, not theirs.

Basically, they work for us, we are the boss, they are the staff. Staff normally listen to the boss, not make the boss as the staff and make the boss poor. We have agreed to elevate these people to their positions to manage the country on our behalf so we may benefit but we don't benefit, instead they and their families benefit. Am I talking cock or sedition? Very simple, just look at every politician especially ministers. How come once they are elevated to the position of power, they become rich and live in Damansara Heights?

It happens all the time. It's not that I woke one day and decided to hate politicians. But 90% of the time this is what happens. Wouldn't you get fed up? Does that mean I'm anti-government? Am I a seditious person? Should I be charged under ISA? How would you feel if it was difficult as it is to survive on a daily basis and the politicians that you put into power to improve your life wasted public funds but get rich at the same time? Which right thinking person would be happy?

2009-06-17T05:26:00.001+08:00

1 Malaysia a spin-off from previous policies, says Najib

Unity can only be achieved when the politicians stops racial politics and banging the heads of the different races together for their own benefit.

KUALA LUMPUR: THE 1Malaysia concept, formulated to forge unity among the people, is not new and it has been carried out in various forms by the country’s past leaders, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib, who attended Parliament for the first time as Prime Minister yesterday, noted that the only difference was that past leaders chose their own approaches to foster closer relations among the races.

He said 1Malaysia was like a formula to help the people achieve the aspirations of Vision 2020 and make Malaysia a fully-developed country.

Symbolic entrance: Najib being received by Minister In the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz (right) on his arrival at Parliament House Monday.

“If Bangsa Malaysia, outlined in Vision 2020, is the final stage of that process, then 1Malaysia is a guideline to achieve these results.

“This is because we can only have a stable and developed country through the people’s unity,” he said in reply to Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique (BN - Tenggara).

Halimah had asked Najib to clarify the 1Malaysia concept in terms of its implementation and assimilation by the plural society of the country and how it would contribute to the success of Vision 2020.

Najib said, unlike a “Malaysian Malaysia” proposed by the Opposition, 1Malaysia did not deviate from the basic ideas and spirit of the Federal Constitution.

“People should not fear or cast aspersions on the concept because 1Malaysia seeks to have the ethnic identities of each race to be respected.

“This means every race respects each other and understands their unique differences. Only then can unity be achieved.”

Najib said 1Malaysia also sought to ensure that the poor would not be left out in the Government’s development programmes.

“The people must progress first before the country can achieve development.”

Source : The Star

2009-06-13T10:24:00.000+08:00

Our children’s future should come first

Re-published from The Sun.

THE COUNTRY’S education system has undergone so many changes that not many people, including several Education Ministry officials and even teachers, can trace the evolution of the system over the last half century. The name of the last public examination students have to sit after six years of primary school and five years of secondary school has also passed through a series of changes, from Cambridge School Certificate Examination, FMCE, MCE, SPM and the present Open Certification SPM.

We had the comprehensive school syllabuses and such curricula as the KBSR and KBSM. We moved from a time when getting a credit in English was compulsory to a time when it is no longer so. So Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should be forgiven for apparently not knowing that a pass in English is no longer compulsory to qualify for an SPM certificate. Under the Open Certification System that commenced in 2000 only a pass in Bahasa Melayu is required for a certificate, recording the results of the other core subjects and electives, to be awarded.

It is apparent Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister, was only thinking out aloud when he suggested that a pass in English should also be made compulsory for an SPM certificate to be awarded. And now ministry officials will have to scramble to study whether the suggestion could be implemented and also to determine whether the English that students have to pass in order to obtain their SPM certificate is the present communication English or the English where grammar is formally taught.

Be that as it may the minister is a very courageous man indeed even to just suggest to make English important again. This is especially so when even the policy of teaching mathematics and science in English is under severe pressure. Politicians of all hues, government as well as opposition, have been voicing their opposition to it and so have a number of organisations especially the Movement for the Abolition of Teaching and Learning Science in English.

This paper supports the suggestion by the deputy prime minister just as it has always been supportive of the policy of the government concerning the teaching of mathematics and science in English. The suggestion if implemented could complement the learning of mathematics and science in English and take the effort to help young Malaysians mastering the global language to a new level.

This seems to be too good to be true. There is, thus, a nagging suspicion that the suggestion of a compulsory pass in English, no matter how it came about, may be just the way out the government has been looking for should it decide to end the teaching and learning of mathematics and science in English. Should that be the case then it is clear that the future of our children has to be subordinated to politics.

2009-06-09T18:15:00.002+08:00

Dr M: Don’t forsake English and ruin children’s future

Damn right. The future of Malaysians is that they will be stupid. How can we not teach English grammar? Not making English compulsory to pass SPM is OK by me but grammar is very important. Without it our level of English will be rubbish, lintang-pukang. No wonder these past few years, no in fact some people I know 10 years ago have bad grammar. Sentences such as "I likes you" or "I past the house" are common nowadays. We need to fix this, if not Malaysians of the future will be slaves to the world as we can't even understand what others are talking about.

PUTRAJAYA: Parents should think about the future of their children when deciding whether to agree or to oppose the Government’s proposal to make a pass in English compulsory for a student to pass the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said, English was a necessary component for students to get good jobs once they leave school or for them to go overseas for further education nowadays.

Honoured: Dr Mahathir receiving the honorary Doctorate of Humanity from Lim at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Cyberjaya yesterday. Seated on the left is Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

He said that when commenting on Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that the ministry was mulling the possibility of making English a compulsory subject for passing SPM.

He said if parents continued to reject the importance of the English language in their children’s education, then the future of the country would be at stake.

He also slammed those who oppose the move saying that these people were less concerned about education than politics.

“It is more like politics than education. They are not interested in education or acquiring knowledge. All they want to see is how many votes they can win. So I am afraid the country will go to the dogs,” he told reporters after being conferred a honorary Doctorate of Humanity by the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology yesterday.

Asked about the possibility that the policy on the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English would be scrapped Dr Mahathir said: “I feel very sorry. In future, all Malays and Malaysians will be stupid.”

Earlier, he received the honorary doctorate from university president Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing.

Source : The Star

2009-06-09T17:22:00.003+08:00

Ministry to deliberate on English paper for SPM

DPM shocked? shouldn't he know by now as he has children? oh no..his children don't go to gov school..they go to some expensive private school..guess who paid for that private school fees?..uhum..

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a day of shocking revelations for Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when he learnt that students need not pass the English paper to get a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia certificate.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said he was shocked that English grammar was no longer taught in school.

He said he wanted to gather feedback on the matter to see if this situation was good for the country.

Groups reacting to the call said the quality of teaching of English needed to be addressed first before making the subject compulsory, although others said students could be victimised by such a move.

Source : The Star

2009-06-01T07:55:00.001+08:00

No more subsidies for flour, sugar and bread by year end
Terence Fernandez and Karen Arukesamy

No more subsidies for flour, sugar and bread by year end - here's one way to solve the problem..stop the subsidies to the toll operators, that way more than 10 people will benefit..they can so easily stop subsidies to the people but not the few concessionaire kakis..

PUTRAJAYA (May 31, 2009) : Teh tarik, roti canai and roti bakar are set to cost more next year when the government ceases to subsidise general purpose flour, fine and coarse sugar, and standard loaf bread.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom said subsidies for these items will be removed by the end of the year, opening them up to market forces.

"For the moment, there is no indication that the subsidies for these three items will be extended beyond 2009. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that the prices will increase," he told theSun.

Acknowledging that the poor will be hardest hit, Mohd Zain said the government is looking into ways of ensuring that the low income group will still enjoy low prices for these items.

"This may include an extension of subsidies just for this particular group," he said.

The subsidies for these three items will cost the government RM1.3 billion this year.

The retail price for flour is RM1.35/kg, coarse sugar RM1.45/kg, fine sugar RM1.55/kg, and bread RM2.10/400g. Without government subsidy, flour would cost RM2/kg, sugar RM2.05/kg, and bread RM2.42/400g.

These include costs for production, manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and retailing.

Mohd Zain said the ministry had informed the three industries last year that it will not be able to subsidise the products beyond 2009.

"The alternatives were either to remove the price control or increase the price but the smaller manufacturers said they would have to close shop," he said.

At RM1.45 for sugar, Mohd Zain said, there is a loss of 60sen for every kilogram produced.

"If the retail price is RM2.05, they have taken into account the production and profit margin. Their profit can go up to 10% to 15%," he said.

The government subsidy for sugar this year is RM345 million. An additional RM375 million was allocated in the second stimulus package.

The subsidy for flour is RM210 million, and bread RM89 million.

On the monopoly of sugar refineries by just two players, he said the long-term subsidy for sugar ended last year but the industry asked the government to continue with the subsidies, which the government agreed.

Mohd Zain said the removal of subsidies may see different grades of goods being introduced in the market.

"If you want better quality sugar you pay more but for those who cannot afford that, there will be other grades they may choose from," he said.

"They would not mind as long as their coffee is sweet."

Mohd Zain said the high world wheat prices prolonging since the end of 2007 had caused flour millers and bread manufacturers to operate at net losses. These industries requested for ceiling price revisions.

To maintain the ceiling prices, RM250 million was given to 11 flour manufacturers and RM74.4 million to 18 bread manufacturers from May to December last year.

"People have to realise that government has spent a lot. We (the government) cannot control everything, but consumers have the power to control, they have to decide what they really want," he said.

"Once the government subsidises goods, the industries become complacent and consumers become pampered and this subsequently distorts the economy."

He said the subsidies were not helping the people as much as they were meant to with foreigners also enjoying the cheaper prices.

"People from Thailand come down to buy these items and at the same time there are unscrupulous people who sell these items to the Thais at higher prices," he said.

"Consumers will have to accept and probably pay more but they must make proper judgments or let the market dictate the prices."

Mohd Zain also said the bread industry has been complacent and it is time to change their business model.

"Even as we are subsidising you have to rethink whether you want to continue with the current method when the competition is so high," he said.

"Why not open a fresh bakery where the bread comes hot from the oven and go up market like the European bread market?"

He said it was time for a competitive policy that would protect consumers and the Competition Act to be tabled at the end of the year would help to advance this.

Source : The Sun

2009-06-01T07:26:00.002+08:00

Cut toll rates to increase nation’s competitiveness

Damn good letter with damn good solutions..now we only have to pray to God that the people who walk the corridors of power in this country has brains or can feel their duty is to serve the rakyat..then again maybe not..

THE toll rates for commercial vehicles need to be reduced in order to reduce transport costs and make us more competitive.

Toll charges from Ipoh to Singapore cost about RM400 for a round trip which works out to about 20% of the transport costs.

This is eroding our competitive edge as a nation. The Government should look into reducing the rates for commercial vehicles by half. PLUS would not lose in terms of revenue as many transporters use local roads now just to avoid paying high toll charges.

But this has contributed to more accidents, which also have a high cost to the nation. When the rates are reduced, I am sure more transporters will use the expressways.

By cutting toll rates and hence the costs, local manufacturers would be able to price their goods competitively, hence increasing exports. This will result in an increase in toll collected by PLUS as well.

The toll pricing mechanism should be changed from a linear scale to a sliding scale, such that the further one travels on the highway, the less one pays per km.

The present flat rate does not encourage more frequent use of the highways as it encourages motorists to get out of the highways at the earlier exit to minimise charges.

Our accident statistics show that more fatal accidents occur on local roads at great cost to the nation. We should do more to encourage more motorists to use the highways.

SHYAM LAKSHMANAN,
Lahat, Perak.

Source : The Star

2009-05-25T05:28:00.002+08:00

Penang targeting 10 million tourists soon, says Guan Eng

Penang alone wants to attract 10 million tourists when the whole country can only get 20+ million? That's good for Penang but sucks for the country because the country should be drawing in more maybe 30 or 50 million per year. What is the Tourism Ministry doing? Ah right..spending money.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang has set a target of 10 million tourists in a few years, says Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said as a start, the state hoped to maintain the tourist arrival figure of 6.3 million visitors it recorded last year despite the economic downturn.

“It is difficult for us to eclipse the figure last year in view of the current economic situation. But we will try to at least maintain the figure,” Lim said when launching the 30th Penang International Dragon Boat Festival at the Teluk Bahang Dam yesterday.

He said Penang recorded a 21% increase in tourist arrivals or 1.2 million more visitors last year, compared to the 5.1 million visitors in 2007.

On the dragon boat race, Lim said the tradition had now become an international sport, after it was listed as one of the events in next year’s 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Twenty-eight teams, including seven international teams, were battling for honours in the two-day event, which ends today.

Source : The Star

2009-05-17T16:39:00.002+08:00

People may eventually reject both BN and Pakatan

It's already happening, the rakyat own this country not greedy fucked up politicians.

BENTONG: The people may eventually reject both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat because they are getting fed-up with the political catastrophe in Perak, said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yesterday.

He said the people’s feelings and unhappiness was more apparent following the change in the rightful Perak Mentri Besar within hours.

“It is as if we have nothing to do. In the end, the public will reject both sides,” he told reporters after launching the Puteri Umno retreat programme at Bukit Tinggi yesterday.

Hishammuddin said he was made to understand that ceramah on the Perak issue were being held with people holding banners that could incite anger and hatred among the people.

On another issue, Hishammuddin who is Home Minister, said Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar could talk to him if he felt that his movement was restricted following his release from the Internal Security Act.

“I am not an unreasonble man, but he shouldn’t use his detention and release as a political platform to sow seeds of discontent and to get political mileage.

“There are ways and means for him to speak to us and I’m sure we can consider his case,” he added.

Source : The Star

2009-05-13T19:46:00.002+08:00

Tired of excessive politicking

By CHRISTINA CHIN and SYED AZHAR

Got that right. while these rich folks are fighting over the juicy parts, we the people are left to fend for ourselves and fighting for scraps. Shoot these motherfuckers in the head..twice. Useless motherfuckers, taking our money and the nation's wealth while we labour daily to feed our children and try to make a semblance of a normal life. Forget about luxury or normal living, just surviving is like going up a mountain. Enough already and get back to work! The rakyat own this country, not you greedy useless motherfuckers.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sick and tired of the excessive politicking in the country – that’s the general view of most Malaysians.

From forced by-elections to the current political impasse in Perak, most people interviewed said they want politicians to focus on meeting the needs of the people, particularly in facing the global financial crisis.

Some claim that the current political situation is even making the people “reject and loathe” politicians.

Koperasi Pelancongan Pulau Pinang (Kopel) chairman Ali Akhbar Mohd Noor said although the general election was over last year, the politicking had yet to end.

“We are sick and tired of this. We don’t want by-elections which are orchestrated merely for publicity,” he said, adding that both the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader had talked about helping the people.

“So, why can’t these two leaders sit together and get the job done?”

In Kota Baru, SRK (C) Kai Chih Parent-Teacher Association chairman Wee Seng Yee said there was now total disrespect for the country’s rule of law, with political parties turning to the courts in their fight.

“People are the victims with all the shenanigans,” he said, adding that the tactic of forced by-elections by certain parties was simply a waste of public funds.

“I remember that a by-election was only held if the MP or assemblyman passes away but they are now making a trend out of it, especially when they need not pay a sen for it,” he said, asking for this “mockery” to be stopped.

In Kuala Lumpur, businessman Lim Kok Heng said politicians needed to focus on the economy as businesses were facing the effects of the global financial crisis.

“I still have problems getting people to pay me up. I have salaries to pay for my staff and to feed my family, All the politicians do is to quarrel.”

In Malacca, businessman K. Thanasekaran, said the general election ended last March and politicians should “just get on with their work.”

Kelantan Funeral Parlour Association chairman Lai Kim Fook said the excessive politicking had caused people to start rejecting political parties when nothing had been done to resolve problems like corruption and cronyism.

Lawyer Mohd Hazuan Sidek, 44, said it had caused people to loathe politicians, who should be giving ideas on how to improve the economy and the lives of Malaysians.

“But now they are also wasting public funds by forcing by-elections from time to time. One can simply vacate a seat without having any conscience,” he said.

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) northern branch chairman Datuk O.K. Lee said the excessive politicking was affecting business and leaders should get to work in tackling the hard times.

Penang Senior Citizens Association president Lawrence Cheah said it was “unethical” for parties to use by-elections as a political strategy and those engaging in money politics and party-hopping were a “disgrace.”

Society of the Disabled Persons (Penang) president Teh Lay Kuan said the community wanted their votes to be respected and a halt to by-elections if they were only held for political motives.

Source : The Star

2009-05-09T05:43:00.003+08:00

GREED KNOWS NO BOUNDS

Even during these tough times people are gambling. Well, why wouldn't they? That is one of the ways to easy money (or so they think) when other means have dried up. The only place left for them to gamble now is the oil market. Oil prices are now approaching USD57 per barrel and these greedy people are pushing it up some more based on recovery hopes.

Hopes? What hopes? Look around at the first quarter losses reported -

Germany's Commerzbank 1Q net loss euro861 million
Royal Bank of Scotland 1Q loss 857 million pounds
Toyota sees worst fiscal annual loss ever
Japan's top chipmaker Toshiba posts record loss
Southeast Asia's top bank DBS of Singapore's profit falls

There's more, too many to list. Suffice to say that greed knows no bounds.

2009-05-09T05:18:00.001+08:00

Enter Apanama – Mahathir’s yacht

I use that phrase too all the time, it's just stuck in my head.

LANGKAWI: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s favourite phrase – “Apa nama? (What’s the name?)” – is now a yacht.

The vessel, which is still under construction at the Langkawi international marina, is expected to be ready in September.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat presented Dr Mahathir, who is an avid sailing enthusiast, with a registration certificate for his yacht Apanama here yesterday.

The 11-metre-long yacht, being built by local boat company J.G. Challenge Sdn Bhd, is the 100th vessel registered with the Marine Department’s Langkawi International Yacht Registry.

Apanama can seat 22 crew members and passengers and can do 17 knots.

Later, when asked by reporters why he chose to name his vessel Apanama, the usually outspoken Dr Mahathir smiled, his sense of humour showing.

During his days as Prime Minister, he was known to punctuate his sentences with “apanama”.

The phrase later became associated with him and used by both friends and foes to describe him.

In his speech, Ong said the construction was proof that local boating companies were capable of competing with foreign firms in building quality boats and yachts for the international market.

Source : The Star

2009-05-09T02:09:00.001+08:00

Snatch theft: Housewife escapes death

By SIMON KHOO

This shit has got to stop already, shoot the motherfuckers. The current laws are too weak, the government must change it to deter snatch thieves.

KUANTAN: A housewife was injured in yet another case of snatch theft, the scourge of the nation which recently saw two pregnant women and their unborn children being killed.

The 58-year-old unnamed victim, from Bukit Sekilau, injured her hands and shoulder when she fell after a pillion rider on a motorcycle pulled at her handbag containing RM4,000, a cellphone and other valuables.

State deputy CID chief Supt Nordin Mustapha said the victim had just completed her shopping at a nearby night market at about 6:45pm on Thursday.

“As she was walking back to her car, a motorcycle rode close to her and the pillion rider suddenly snatched her handbag.

“She fell and was dragged for a short distance before she was able to let her handbag go,” he said, adding that the incident happened too fast for passers-by to come to her aid on time.

Supt Nordin said after the victim regained her composure, she sought medical treatment and lodged a report later the same day.

He said the case had been classified under Section 394 of the Penal Code for causing hurt while committing a robbery.

“We urge those with information on the incident to contact us immediately to help nab the culprits,” he said.

Source : The Star

2009-05-08T05:23:00.004+08:00

Group to fight snatch thieves and Mat Rempit menace

When people die, they make some noise. Later quiet again. Talk only, that's why we have to do something ourselves. I'm not gonna die for nothing like that, I've got 4 kids to feed. Nor will I let anybody I know die for something so stupid as a snatch theft. If I see a snatch theft in progress on the street, I will run over the motherfuckers a few times to make sure they'll never walk again.

BATU PAHAT: The Home Ministry will set up a joint committee to come up with a plan to fight snatch thieves and Mat Rempit in the wake of the tragedies that claimed the lives of two pregnant women.

Deputy Minister Jelaing Mersat said the committee would involve other ministries and departments, such as the Transport Ministry, Puspakom, the Road Transport Department and local authorities.

Jelaing said snatch thieves and Mat Rempit had become serious problems.

“We aim to come up with a big effort to solve these problems,” he told pressmen after visiting Razali Ahmad, 41, at his home in Ayer Hitam here yesterday.

Razali lost his wife Jamilah Selamat, 31, who was two months’ pregnant, following a snatch theft in Taman Ayer Hitam on Sunday.

She fell off her motorcycle, hit her head on a pavement and went into a coma.

Yesterday, another snatch theft in Kota Baru claimed the life of Saripah Mohd Nor, 34, who was four months’ pregnant.

Jelaing said the ministry and police had to step up their crime-fighting efforts, adding that the perpetrators must be caught as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff, who was also present, said a task force led by state CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Amer Awal would carry out investigations into Jamilah’s death.

He said police were still waiting for the post-mortem report and results of Puspakom’s examination of the victim’s motorcycle.

DCP Mohd Mokhtar said he had ordered Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Ibrahim Aris to set up community policing and neighbourhood watches in Taman Ayer Hitam and Taman Mekar here.

He also urged witnesses to come forward to assist police with investigations.

Those with information can call the police hotline at 07-221 2999 or go to the nearest police station.

Source : The Star

2009-05-07T04:47:00.002+08:00

Dr M: Ruler cannot remove head of govt

By DHARMENDER SINGH

At the end of the day, Sultans are still people and subjected to laws. If they want to be above human laws, fine but they can't be above God's laws. Justice, fairness and righteousness. Nobody is above the law. Period.

PUTRAJAYA: The state’s ruler cannot remove the head of government in Perak if provisions under the state constitution are the same as those under the Federal Constitution, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the Federal Constitution stated clearly that the monarch could only decide on whether or not to appoint an individual as the prime minister but did not have the power to remove the premier.

The prime minister can only be removed through a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

“I think the provisions in the Federal Constitution should apply to Perak but I do not know (the Perak state constitution) and if Perak is different then I stand corrected,” he told a press conference after delivering his keynote address on The Role of the Executive, Legislative, Judiciary and Constitutional Monarchy at the ninth Perdana Discourse Series here Wednesday.

Asked if he thought there had been any abuse of the system in the removal of former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, he said the matter had been referred to the courts, and the courts should be allowed to decide.

Dr Mahathir said he also felt that Barisan Nasional had rushed into taking over the Perak state government when it should have taken the time to consider the decision properly before acting.

“They may have been doing the right thing but it was still a little bit hasty and when we are in too much of a hurry we always make mistakes. In any situation, always give yourself time to think,” he said.

On whether fresh elections should be held to allow the people to decide on the government in Perak, he said, it was not a matter for him to decide and people would have the chance to make the decision whenever elections were held.

“They (voters) can also sell their votes for only RM200 but they should remember that they are betraying their country and the future of their children and grandchildren,” he said.

On whether some civil servants had also overstepped their bounds when making decisions related to the state government, he said he was not sure if it were the civil servants or the legislative body that made the decisions.

The civil servants, he said, could have been just executing orders given to them.

However, Dr Mahathir also hit out at blogs that attacked the Sultan of Perak. He said that had been no abuse of power.

It was the former premier who clipped the powers of the royals during his tenure, with amendments to the Constitution that removed their immunity to being sued in their personal capacity.

“Having made the law, it is easy for people to blame the chap who made the law (allowing rulers to be sued), but the law was not made to sue the Sultan politically,” he said.

Source : The Star

2009-05-07T04:40:00.002+08:00

Annual rape cases doubled from 2003

By WINNIE YEOH

Guess who was PM during that time? Yes, the bloody sleepy and useless Pak Lah. He was so useless and spineless that all the little Napoleans under him did whatever they wanted without fear and the criminal on the street took the hint that they too can do whatever they liked as the leadership is weak and useless. Now after 6 wasted years, we are suffering the effects. The economy is fucked, the crime rate is fucked, most things in this country is fucked. Thanks to Pak Lah and his so-called smart beruk son-in-law.

GEORGE TOWN: The number of rape cases reported in the country doubled from 2003 to 2007.

According to studies, there were 1,479 cases in 2003, but this rose to 3,098 four years later.

“What is worrying is that the figures only represent the number of cases reported. Most rapes cases went unreported.

“Experience tells us that only one out of 20 victims is willing to report her case,” said Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang programme director Dr D. Prema.

She was speaking at the “Understanding and Supporting Rape Survivors” seminar at Penang Hospital Wednesday.

She said another area of concern was the prosecution of rape cases.

“We analysed 439 sexual crime cases tried in the Penang courts between 2000 and 2004, and found 137 cases pleaded guilty,” she said.

She said that 198 cases ended in a discharged, not amounting to acquittal, verdict.

“Out of the 118 rape cases which went on full trial, only seven rape cases and six statutory rape cases were convicted,” she said.

Dr Prema said WCC hoped different agencies could work to strengthen an integrated inter-agency approach to support rape victims.

“WCC is aware of the difficulties and challenges in reporting, investigating and prosecuting sexual crimes.

“We believe that support for rape victims must cover both physical and emotional recovery as well as access to justice,” she said.

She also said WCC began collaboration with the emergency department of Penang Hospital from April 2008 to provide support for rape victims when they went to the One Stop Crisis Centre for assistance.

Centre executive director Loh Cheng Kooi said the seminar was aimed at building a better understanding of the situation and the rights of rape survivors.

The seminar saw 200 participants, comprising medical personnel, welfare officers, police officers and state prosecutors.

It was jointly organised by Penang State Health Department and Penang Hospital.

Source : The Star

2009-05-07T04:14:00.003+08:00

Snatch theft: Another pregnant woman killed

By SYED AZHAR and C.A. ZULKIFLI

Another snatch theft incident with a loss of life, no make that 2! Damn fucking motherfuckers. This shit has to stop but it can't stop when the penalty is only 2 years or a fine. I say shoot these motherfuckers in the head..twice! This shit started to get worse and become a daily event when Pak Lah assumed office. Nowadays the crime rate is at an all time high. Najib better do something about it.

KOTA BARU: A woman who was four months’ pregnant died after a run-in with snatch thieves here, just days following a similar incident in Johor Baru which also saw the deaths of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

In the 10:50am incident on Wednesday, Saripah Mohd Nor, 34, of Kampung Kok Bedullah, Tumpat here was riding on her motorcyle on a busy road along Kampung Padang Raja, Melor, Ketereh when two men came up behind her on another motorcyle.

One of them tried to snatch her handbag, which was slung around her neck. The tussle caused her to fall off her motorbike and she was hit by a passing car. She and her four-month-old foetus died on the spot.

The mother of five was on her way to Bachok where her estranged husband Mat Zani Awang, 39, is living.

Kota Baru OCPD Assistant Comm Zahruddin Abdullah said Saripah had suffered head, hand and leg injuries.

Police who were on the scene within minutes of the incident, believe the two suspects are in their 20s.

“We have compiled witnesses accounts, including that of the driver of the car who lodged a police report.

“I want to appeal to anyone with any information to come forward and assist us in solving this case,” he told reporters at a press conference at the district police station here Wednesday.

ACP Zahruddin said that Saripah’s body was sent to the Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital for a post-mortem before her remains were released to her next of kin.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 304 of the Penal Code, and the perpetrators, if found guilty, could be jailed for up to two years and fined or both.

Local resident Zakaria Yaakub, 45, said witnesses who saw the incident had tried to apprehend the suspects but to no avail.

In Tumpat, Saripah’s mother Hashimah Hussin, 54, said she was deeply saddened by the incident, especially since Saripah was in the process of a divorce.

“Her last words to me, before she left for her husband’s home in Bachok, was for me to care of three-year-old Siti Najwa, her youngest daughter.

“Lately, she has always been telling me to take care of all her children if anything were to happen to her,” Hashimah said.

“She was on her way to her husband’s house to fetch her son Mohd Shawal Nabil, eight -- the other three children are living with her husband,” she said at her home here.

Hashimah said Saripah had been living with her for the past two weeks and had separated from her husband.

Saripah was buried at the Kampung Kok Bedullah Muslim cemetery later Wednesday.

Source : The Star

2009-05-06T06:38:00.001+08:00

Holding ministers to account
Tunku Abidin Muhriz

THREE hours is a good length of time. In three hours, you can be entranced by Datuk Usman Awang’s greatest poems, or you could read Zaid Ibrahim’s book Saya Pun Melayu. You could watch Evolusi KL Drift twice, single-handedly prepare an authentic ayam masak kuning for 50 people, or reharmonise the Negri Sembilan state anthem. You can fly from KL to Miri, canoe from Kuala Terengganu to Redang, or drive from Singapore to Seri Menanti, or at least you ought to be able to.

But for three hours last week I was stuck between the Singapore and Malaysia immigration checkpoints on the Second Link. Yes, it was a long weekend for Singapore, and yes, Singaporeans must rightly be subjected to rigorous checks before being allowed entry into the motherland, but our immigration authorities should have been prepared for the exodus. Was no one at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex briefed about this? Has this never happened before? And yet, as I contemplated joining the incontinent streams of travellers exiting their vehicles scurrying to find sufficient foliage to conceal necessary biological functions, it struck me that this cavalcade of Singaporeans, reeling from a very visible recession on their island, were using their Easter weekend to spend money in Malaysia.

Comforted by these indications of our religious freedom and economic superiority, I spent the rest of the journey reading the various responses to the newly-appointed cabinet, and for the most part they were lukewarm, cautious or seething with contempt. One remarked that after the hype of a vastly reformed government, it was about as innovative as Fast and Furious 4, although at least the latter advertises its tagline “new model, original parts”.

The proposed Key Performance Indicators are a genuine improvement though, and these should be carefully considered and implemented. Although having lived in Blair’s Britain, I hasten to add that KPIs have their own shortfalls: achieving the targets can become so obsessive that statistics are manipulated, when in fact there has been no change on results on the ground. One specific example from the UK is patients being shifted from one hospital waiting list to another, to satisfy targets on waiting times.

Ideally, the KPIs should be tied to specific manifesto commitments or other policy pronouncements, and monitoring should be by a parliamentary committee empowered to hold ministers to account, rather than a government agency which probably won’t. Proceedings of this committee should then be made public so that we can all see how well the ministers are performing on our behalf. If the members of the cabinet were incentivised in this way to perform, that would assuage some of the widespread concerns. We have a long way to go before we can expect our ministers to be subjected to a Jeremy Paxman – a legendary BBC presenter who barks questions at politicians frankly and entertainingly – but it would be a good thing if our politicians got used to a greater degree of regular scrutiny.

It occasioned that I sat next to one of these ministers at a historic event this week, and our chit-chat raised my hopes. I had spoken to this YB before, but here was a reminder that our political system has raised some outstandingly qualified members who are really on the ball. Yet it is true that even a collection of outstanding individuals need to balance different legitimate interests and make compromises guaranteed to anger others. That is one of the hallmarks of cabinet collective responsibility; and thus here is another bonus of the proposed KPIs: to highlight the specific successes and failures of individual ministers. For competent ministers, it is a win-win situation.

There is one specific KPI I would like to foist upon leaders at the state level, and that is the extent to which they understand and use their constitutional rights and prerogatives. There were two sad headlines that demonstrated how weakly our federal structure is exercised by those charged to do so. First was the dilly-dallying over the appointment of the Penang deputy chief minister I, in which the chief minister cheerfully passed the buck to the leader of his coalition at the federal level. Second was the weird absence of assemblymen in the Terengganu Legislative Assembly, which was reportedly defused when the prime minister “ordered” them to attend. But what has the prime minister got to do with the Terengganu Legislative Assembly? In other federal countries, state leaders rightly guard their rights and privileges to stem the centralisation of power and to ensure that their constitutional position is maintained. But here the state actors are wantonly tolerating, even welcoming, central intervention. What a waste of 1948.

Failing that, how about a KPI for maximum waiting times at the Second Link?

Source : The Sun

2009-05-06T06:26:00.003+08:00

PKFZ audit report: Damning disclosure
by R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez

What else is new in Malaysia? Corruption, greed and total disregard for God. This is what happens when righteousness is substituted with total greed.

PETALING JAYA (May 5, 2009) : The independent audit report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) which is expected to be released this week is a damning disclosure of mismanagement, clandestine deals, conflicts of interest and a total disregard for transparency and accountability for a project which was supposed to cost RM1.845 billion but ended up at RM4.6 billion.

Sources told theSun that among the findings of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) are that:
» No proper studies were undertaken before embarking on the project;

» Major decisions on the project were made without prior approval of the Port Klang Authority (PKA) board;

» The PKA chairman and general manager entered into agreements without seeking the advice of the relevant government authorities;

» There was a failure to exercise adequate governance and implement checks and balances in the implementation of the project.

PWC was commissioned by PKA to probe the troubled project a year ago following an expose by theSun in 2007.

The audit report also detailed a series of conflict of interest situations:
» Sementa assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil was both the Pulau Lumut Development Co-operative (KPPL) chairman and a PKA director in 2002 when the land for PKFZ was sold by KPPL to PKA;

» Rashid Asari & Co, the legal firm retained by PKA, was also the same firm overseeing the inking of the sales and purchase agreement between KPPL and turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB). A point to note is that its senior partner, Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, was the deputy chief of Umno’s Kapar division, where Tan Sri Onn Ismail is an exco member. Onn was the KPPL chairman and his son-in-law Faizal Abdullah, the then Kapar Umno division youth chief, is also the deputy CEO of Wijaya Baru Global Bhd (WBGB), the firm appointed by KDSB as the main subcontractor;

» Perunding BE Sdn Bhd, appointed by PKA as the independent quantity surveyor for PKFZ, was also a quantity surveyor for KDSB;

» PKA’s board of directors were not advised that the chairman of the PKA at one time was also the deputy chairman of WBGB;

» KDSB directors Omar Latip and Idris Mat Jani are also directors and shareholders of WBGB.

One contributory aspect to the PKFZ mess, the sources added, was that several Finance Ministry regulations on transparent accounting practices were not complied with and that the advice of the attorney-general (A-G) was not sought.

“The agreement between PKA and KDSB was not even vetted by the A-G,” said one source.

The A-G had suggested the government acquire the 404ha for the development of the free zone instead of purchasing it from KDSB at an inflated rate of RM25 per sq foot, although KDSB had purchased the land from KPPL for only RM3 per sq foot.

The source goes on to reveal KDSB’s questionable conduct by overcharging PKA in interests of up to RM300 million, while hidden costs amounting to RM100 million were not revealed to PKA, hence the purchase price of over RM1 billion.

“There was an absence of competitive open tenders with KDSB being awarded the contract to develop the free zone even before the master plan for PKFZ was completed,” said the source, adding that the audit report showed that contracts were entered into merely on estimation of the projected costs.

The report, it is said, also specifies that while the intention of setting up the free zone was to transform Port Klang into a regional trans-shipment hub, cost escalations, poor governance by PKA coupled with weak project management had undermined the viability of PKFZ as well as PKA’s financial obligations where its reserves of RM500 million have been all but wiped out.

“If all these bases were covered, then PKFZ would have been a goldmine,” said another source.

The audit report also paints a troubling picture of officials in the Transport Ministry, noting that so-called letters of support signed by a former minister for the issuance of the bonds could be construed as a guarantee and that PKA would have to meet its financial obligations under such an arrangement.

Instead of complying with the Treasury’s recommendations of issuing government bonds and developing the project in phases, thereby benefitting from lower coupon rates, PKA decided to develop the free zone in one go, having to pay double the rate, estimated at about 8%. Hence, there are concerns the project cost could balloon further.

It is learnt that the report also noted that PKFZ only enjoys an occupancy rate of 16% to 19%.

“However, one is confident that with the new team at the helm the project is salvageable,” said another source, attributing the disclosure of the PKFZ fiasco to efforts by Transport Minster Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and the “clean-up crew” of PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng and PKFZ general manager Lim Thean Shiang, who took over from Datin Paduka O.C. Phang last year.

It is learnt that Lim briefed government backbenchers on the audit report yesterday.

An MP, when contacted, said the closed-door briefing was meant to keep them abreast of the issues before the audit becomes public.

Ironically, current Backbenchers’ Club chairman, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing holds a controlling stake in KDSB. Former Umno treasurer Datuk Abdul Azim Zabidi is also a director of KDSB.

Source : The Sun

2009-05-06T04:52:00.002+08:00

Crisis shows current financial system must be abandoned

By DR MOHD NAZARI ISMAIL

This is why Islam forbids usury and Islamic banking is the answer. In fact Islam is the answer.

Lending must be seen as an opportunity to be benevolent rather than to enrich oneself

ON Feb 10, the Obama administration, Federal Reserve and Senate announced the seriousness of their attempt to solve the deepening economic crisis in the United States, an attempt which entailed public and private money to the tune of more than US$3 trillion.

In response, the Dow Jones industrials dropped 382 points. This disappointing response to the initiatives points to a number of possible implications.

The first implication is that the US$3 trillion was judged by the market to be inadequate to solve the crisis. The problem is that nobody is able to figure out exactly how much is needed. It could very well be an additional US$10 trillion. Nobody really knows.

But if the eventual amount is thought by the market to be too huge, this can trigger a perception that the debt burden of the US taxpayer is beyond redemption. This could very well lead to a loss of confidence in the US economy, thereby leading to a worsening of the situation.

Second, the plan of action by President Barack Obama lacks the necessary details on how the huge sum of money is eventually going to solve the financial and economic crisis. But to expect Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to be able to come up with a crystal clear and convincing plan is simply illogical.

After all, if it is indeed possible to create a clear “road map” on how to get out of this crisis, that will imply it was possible in the first place to create a plan that would have prevented the crisis.

Third, the market players realise the whole world is in a deep financial quagmire, the solution to which requires a totally new and radical way of thinking and the current solutions being offered are considered by them to be neither new nor radical enough.

Well, actually that is what a lot of people are saying, including our Bank Negara governor who, during the recent Bank Negara High Level Conference, reiterated the need for renewed thinking to reform the global financial system.

Unfortunately, the reality is that these calls for reforms in the global financial system or “architecture” are not new.

More than a decade ago, during the Asian financial crisis, we heard similar calls for reforms to the global financial architecture.

According to most people, there has not been any significant reform and that is one possible reason we were unable to prevent the occurrence of the present much bigger and wider crisis.

In reality, what is needed is an acceptance by all that the current system is fundamentally flawed and must be abandoned. At their core, financial crises are problems of over-borrowing, over-lending and over-leveraging.

Financial crises are also the outcomes of a relatively recent innovation which is the legalising of the activity of lending for profit which led to the growth of the lending-for-profit industry.

Prior to the 15th century, lending in almost all societies and communities in the world was motivated by altruistic reasons. Lending was thus for the sake of helping people in need. As a result, the scale of this type of activity was small. Only the most desperate people were in debt and, significantly, there was no interest charged on the debt.

However, since usury was legalised, lending is now an industry and a massively huge one too. In fact, it is the most important industry and the driver behind all other economic activities.

Lending and debt are now so embedded in people’s lives that to be debt-free is an exception and to be in debt is the norm. From individuals to corporations to football clubs to countries, everybody is now indebted.

Major corporations in the United States are so highly indebted or leveraged that they cannot function without being able to borrow money.

The moment credit lines slow, they are in trouble. If the credit lines freeze, they become zombies. And since interest payments are due on outstanding debts, a highly-indebted individual or company that is in trouble can easily become strangled by the debt. And if there is nobody willing to help, the stranglehold becomes tighter and tighter by the day.

For individuals, personal bankruptcy and all its worst implications stare in the face. For those who are not willing to face them, a bullet in the head or a rope around the neck seems the only option.

Help may come in the form of more loans to tide out the problem. However, due to the interest that will be charged on those additional loans on top of existing unpaid and accumulating interest payments, those actions are simply equivalent to giving indebted people more rope to hang themselves.

If we really want to help a person who is strangled in debt and unable to engage in meaningful economic activities, the best way is to freeze all interest charges. Better still is to forgive the interest charges and only ask for the principal back.

If the debtor is unable to pay back the principal owed, the lender must give him time until his situation improves. This is how we untie the knots around the necks of borrowers.

However, for this to take place, the paradigm must change. Our actions described above must be motivated solely by a desire to help borrowers who are in trouble rather than to profit from their troubles.

Lending must be seen as an opportunity to be benevolent rather than to enrich oneself. If we are unable to make that paradigmatic change in how we see the purpose of extending loans, then the solution I am offering will make no sense and will appear to be completely unacceptable and bizarre.

But be cognisant of the fact that there is no other solution that can solve the situation and, at the same time, prevent future financial crises from happening again.

Dr Mohd Nazari Ismail is a professor at the Faculty of Business and Accountancy, Universiti of Malaya. His latest book is “The Globalisation Debate: A Case of Barking up the Wrong Tree”.

Source : The Star

2009-04-29T07:17:00.001+08:00

Nobody is a 2nd-class citizen: Najib

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

If you are an UMNOputra you are 1st class, other than that we are 2nd class or even 3rd class citizens.

PUTRAJAYA: No Malaysian should consider himself a second-class citizen nor feel sidelined or left behind in the nation’s progress, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said under his “1Malaysia” concept, every member of the public who was eligible, in need of help and aid, would be rendered assistance.

“Let it be known that all citizens of this country have their rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Federal Constitution. Citizenship is not only about one’s rights but also about responsibility towards the nation.

“No parties should be overly zealous in demanding their rights and forget their responsibilities as citizens of Malaysia,” Najib told some 5,000 civil servants Tuesday in his first meeting with them since being appointed Prime Minister on April 3.

In explaining his “1Malaysia -- People First; Performance Now” concept, the Prime Minister said Malaysia is a plural society and this was a reality that needed to be accepted by all.

Under this concept, it would be ensured that no Malaysian would be sidelined from getting the Government’s attention.

“As far as the Government is concerned, meritocracy does not mean equality that is awarded blindly. It means placing something at its rightful place.

“A child from an unpoverished family, whether from the city or a rural area, irrespective his ethic background, but has potential, also has the right to be assisted by the Government compared with his peers from well-to-do families who obviously have better education opportunities,” he said.

Najib however reminded everyone that while a fair playing field could be provided to all, the outcome depended highly on one’s desire, needs and desire to succeed in life.

The Prime Minister said the country was now facing two monumental challenges -- the short term challenge of facing the impact of the global financial and economic meltdown; and the long term challenge of reforming the economy based on a new model that emphasised creativity and innovation.

“It is hoped that the new economic model will act as a catalyst for Malaysia to boost its status from an upper middle income nation to one that is of high income in the near future,” he said.

Najib also threw a challenge to the younger generation, known to be critical of the civil service -- to be a part of it so that “improvements could be made from within.”

“While the monetary renumeration offered by the private sector cannot be matched, those who join the civil service sector can be assured of a high sense of satisfaction that is derived from serving the people and the country,” he said.

Source : The Star

2009-04-28T06:46:00.005+08:00

Mukhriz gets DAP, Gerakan backing on AP issue

About time we get rid of this get-rich-quick scheme for a few people that does not benefit the people. Because of this system, Malaysia car prices is among, if not the highest in the world. It deprives the people access to better quality cars with the latest technologies.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan and DAP fully support the call by Deputy International Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir to abolish the current approved permit (AP) system for the import of automobiles.

Gerakan vice-president and head of central economic bureau Datuk Mah Siew Keong said the AP scheme for imported vehicles should be cancelled immediately as it only benefited a few businessmen.

Doing away with the scheme would also open up more business opportunities for all Malaysians, irrespective of race and creed, he added.

In a statement on April 27, Mah said the AP scheme was a “protectionism” policy and had created a monopoly for some businessmen, which was not good for today’s open economic era.

He said cancelling the scheme should be treated as another benefit for all citizens following Najib’s announcement of economic liberalisation policy.

Mah said doing away with the AP system would be another important step for the government in its efforts to practise a a more fair, liberal and transparent policy.

He was commenting on a statement by Mukhriz two days ago that the abolishment of the scheme was among the many options open to the government, and had stressed that the main consideration of the review would be that “any levy or tax should benefit the government, and cost savings, if any, should go to the people”.

However, Mukhriz had also said that while the ministry was giving high priority to finding a solution to the long-standing issue, the abolition of APs was not the only option on the table as there were many other ways to solve the problems.

DAP’s national publicity secretary Tony Pua, who is also the member of parliament for Petaling Jaya, said data released after the spat between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former Miti minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz disclosed that 33,218 APs (or 50.1% of total of 66,277 APs) in 2004 and 28,283 APs (or 41% of total of 68,330 APs) in 2005 were awarded to the trio of the late Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin, Datuk Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim and Datuk Mohd Haniff Abdul Aziz.

In 2005, some 80% of the APs went to 20% of the companies, many of which were inter-related, he said in a statement on April 27.

“The award of these ‘free’ APs to these individuals and their companies gave them the opportunity to amass RM1.8 billion within two years.

“It raises the obvious question as to how such discretionary issuance of APs will help achieve its objective of ‘creating a class of bumiputera entrepreneurs or uplifting the economic position of the bumiputeras’ as quoted in a reply to me based on a parliamentary question I raised last year,” he said.

Pua said DAP supported the call by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association to open up the AP scheme for public auction to everyone, with possibly 30% restricted for bumiputera participation.

He said DAP had long been calling for the AP to be abolished and had in its proposed national budget for 2008 presented in 2007, called for an open auction of the APs which could raise up to RM1.5 billion annually for the Treasury based on an estimated 50,000 APs issued at a conservative market value of RM30,000 each.

“These funds could be channelled towards public causes such as overhauling our miserable public transportation system and facilities which our new prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) witnessed for the very first time on April 27 (April 26).

“The availability of funds are of even greater importance to the government given the necessity to expand public expenditure in light of the global economic crisis, which is hampered by the sheer lack of funds due to the shrinking petroleum-related revenues,” he said.

Pua said the DAP reiterated its call to support the above reforms, and would take a common stand with Mukhriz on this issue in the interest of openness, competition and transparency.

Source : The Edge Daily

2009-04-12T05:55:00.001+08:00

Khairy ready to assist Najib

Hahahahahahaahahha..padan muka beruk ni. Don't talk cock la Khairy, Tun M has blocked you and soon you will be wiped off the face of Malaysia (to the benefit of the people). In the meantime, shut the fuck up!

MALACCA: Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin, who was not included in the new Cabinet line-up announced by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday, expressed his readiness to assist the Prime Minister although he is outside the Government.

The Rembau MP said that holding a position in the Cabinet was not important to him, especially in view of the heavy responsibility that he has to shoulder as head of the Youth wing.

“As Umno Youth head, I am ready to assist the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib), whether within or outside the Government, and I feel the post is not important,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam at Seri Bendahara here.

The exclusion of the Umno Youth head from the Cabinet is nothing new because Suhaimi Kamaruddin (1978-1982) and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (1996-1998) were among the movement’s heads who were not appointed ministers previously.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth No. 2 Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who was appointed Deputy Youth and Sports Minister described his appointment as a recognition of the younger generation’s leadership. - Bernama

Source : The Star

2009-04-12T05:52:00.002+08:00

Auto woes need a technology solution

I was looking forward to having VW technology and build quality available to us at Proton prices (or relatively near) but no, these people have too much pride and are control freaks. They never do or think about the people, only themselves. We could've had a partnership with VW, brought Proton to greater heights, provided more business and jobs, given better value products to the people. But sadly, here we are again..

A QUESTION OF BUSINESS
By P. GUNASEGARAM

The reality is that Proton needs a major world-class technology partner to take it forward. Without it, its plans will be stalled – permanently.

THREE things will plague Proton going into the future. And even if, as its managing director suggests, the Malaysian car industry is consolidated (see cover story on pages 20 to 23), they are not likely by themselves to solve Proton’s woes. The three are:

1. Proton lacks scale. After 23 years, it has still not managed to get the scale necessary to get significant earnings from exports. Until today, it relies on the local, protected market for the bulk of its revenue and profits, whenever that comes.

2. It does not have the necessary technology. Developing new models is hugely expensive and unless one has scale, these become prohibitive. The only way profits can be made under such circumstances is to push relatively inferior products at inflated prices to the Malaysian public.

3. Continued protection will hinder it from seeking a solution. If Proton and other local car manufacturers continue to operate in a protected market where they can still make profits despite inefficiencies, poorer products and higher prices, there is no incentive for them to change. That will progressively make Proton less and less competitive in international markets and will put off the liberalisation of the auto industry further into the future.

A merger between Proton and second national car manufacturer Perodua won’t solve the woes. Perodua has a technology partner in Daihatsu and has the potential to become a regional manufacturing centre for Daihatsu. Proton has no chance of doing that.

Markets in Asean are opening up and there is no way that Proton’s products are going to be good enough on a comparison basis, including price, to compete with the best from world manufacturers. That’s because its cost of developing models is way too high compared to the scale of manufacture.

For it to be able to manufacture on a scale which will make operations profitable without protection, it needs to tie up with a partner who not only offers technology but markets to go along with it.

Unfortunately, that kind of a partnership does not come easy. Such a chance came by when German manufacturer Volkswagen came close to a deal with Proton in 2007 but the deal was aborted just days before it was going to be signed.

It was believed that the deal, being pushed by Proton’s major shareholder, Khazanah Nasional, was opposed by the Trade and Industry Minister as well as Proton top brass then. Since then, Proton, buoyed by the introduction of a new model and substantial government relief for development expenses, reported profits. But with car sales severely down now, problems have resurfaced.

To most industry observers then, Proton’s long-term problems were not solved by the introduction and success of the new Proton Saga because there was still substantial protection for the national cars, including Proton.

Now that the car market has turned down, it is obvious again that Proton needs something more to come out of its doldrums. Simply put, that is a reliable, competent and world-class technology partner.

Trouble is it may not be able to find one soon in the current environment and the price it may get for its own assets is likely to be low.

That has one major implication: Malaysians are going to continue to suffer by paying high prices for cars for some time to come – unless we remove protection to force Proton to the negotiating table.

Managing editor P. Gunasegaram feels that competition is good for both the pocket – of consumers that is – and the soul.

Source : The Star

2009-04-10T03:09:00.002+08:00

Ministers’ performance to be reviewed every six months

Now talk is easy and everything sounds good. But the real problem here is not the 28 ministers, those people maybe you can control but the 1 million civil servants who have an attitude problem. Service and therefore results will not improve if these people have the same "tidak apa" attitude and the "I'm in charge, so you have to pay" mentality.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has introduced a comprehensive key performance indicator (KPI) to gauge the performance and achievements of his cabinet. The prime minister said he would also be personally involved in assessing the performance of all the ministers every six months with the assistance of the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department who is in charge of a unit to monitor the KPI.

“With the help of this minister, I will monitor the KPI to ensure that it runs smoothly. For the record, I will be personally and directly involved in reviewing the performance of all the ministers every six months.

“Should any performance not meet the standard, I, the relevant minister and public officials concerned will remove any obstacle that is impeding their performance. This is has been my approach all along to achieve transformation through a performance-based leadership,” he said.

He said the KPI would emphasise impact instead of input and outcome, not output, to ensure a public service delivery that is value for money.

Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is the Minister in charge of Unity and Performance in the new Cabinet.

“The indicator will reflect the country’s key strategy and will be monitored by a new unit to be led by a minister in the Prime Ministers Department.

“To achieve this, I want the ministers and senior officials in the civil service to be responsible for their own achievements based on the KPIs,” Najib said before announcing the new cabinet in Putrajaya.

He also said that the 40 deputy ministers would be given specific tasks.

He would also instruct the ministers to draw up KPIs complete with job specifications for themselves and their deputies within 30 days from Thursday.

“This is my intention, to set such objective so that the new government truly shoulders the responsibility entrusted it by the people,” he said.

He also reminded the newly-appointed ministers to work hard, listen to the complaints and work relentlessly with commitment to the 1Malaysia concept.

“We have been given the honour to serve the people and nation so we should accept this honour with humility and dedication,” he said. - Bernama

Source : The Star

2009-03-26T18:46:00.002+08:00

PNSB spent RM1mil on Balkis in 2007, CEO tells panel

By WANI MUTHIAH

This is a shortened version of the same news report I read yesterday but did not post. The original stated that these Balkis motherfuckers spent only RM4000 on a charity program for single mothers while they wasted RM996,000 on their shit including spending so much money on crappy stuff, some of which they went to China to order but were made here in Malaysia. Motherfuckers, I hope they burn in Hell.

SHAH ALAM: Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) spent about RM1mil in 2007 to sponsor a three-day sports event organised by the now defunct Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis).

PNSB CEO Datin Khairiyah Abu Hassan, who testified before the Selangor State Assembly’s Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) yesterday, said purchases included sporting apparel for Balkis and the visiting contingent members.

Balkis was headed by former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo’s wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik throughout his tenure as mentri besar.

PNSB also paid RM45,781.00 worth of souvenirs for VIP guests attending the event.

The committee, chaired by Selangor Legislative Assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim, also included Deputy Speaker and Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Talha, Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali, Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib and Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee as well as Barisan Nasional’s assemblymen Sulaiman Abdul Razak (Permatang) and Ismail Sani (Dusun Tua).

The inquiry also heard that PNSB paid RM34,600 for a Hong Kong trip in March 2007 and RM88,388 for a trip to Tokyo in June the same year.

The committee also noted that PNSB only spent RM4,000 for a welfare scheme for single mothers in October 2007 as opposed to the large amount of money forked out to pay for Balkis activities.

Khairiyah had also said that PNSB made payments on behalf of Balkis without really knowing who the recipients were.

Source : The Star

2009-03-26T18:36:00.002+08:00

Abdullah wants cops to send shivers down spine of criminals

By LOURDES CHARLES and RASHITHA A. HAMID

The cops have bending shivers down the spine of ordinary Malaysians for years. Now only do the criminals gonna get it? Save it lah..

KUALA LUMPUR: The police must instil fear and send shivers down the spine of criminals who have become more brazen, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said the police should utilise their capabilities and resources to prove to criminals that they have what it takes to defeat bad hats.

“Criminals must be made to fear the strength and effectiveness of the police. We must show them that we are able to match them, especially now when criminals arm themselves with modern and sophisticated weapons.

“Show them and the public that you are a force to be reckoned with. Instil fear in criminals so that you can effectively combat crimes in a professional and responsible manner,’’ he said during his speech at the 202nd Police Day celebrations at the police training centre on Jalan Semarak yesterday.

The Prime Minister said he was happy with the performance of the police force and wanted them to carry out their job with integrity and responsibility.

He said members of the force must play their part in helping to build a respected and feared force.

“The force is in the midst of undergoing restructuring and needs time to implement certain projects,” he added.

Abdullah also praised Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan for fulfilling and implementing what was promised to the Government and him.

He also said training was necessary to ensure that the police could be a force that can ensure peace and the security of the people.

Musa, in his speech, vowed that he and his men would serve the nation with full responsibility.

He said in order to better serve the public he had proposed to the Government to set up another six new departments within the force.

“We have already set up one of the departments and we hope to set up another five soon,” he said, adding that there are currently seven departments in the force.

He said he would need a lot of manpower to set up the department and that was why the force needed to recruit 60,000 personnel to meet its needs.

Musa also said that the police training centre would be set up in all the contingents to enable his men to attend courses from time to time.

Currently there are only six police training centres and sometimes his men would not have the opportunity to attend certain courses.

During the parade, Abdullah witnessed the presentation of 25 Mitsubishi Evolution X (Evo10) cars and 426 Honda ST 1300 motorcycles that would be used by the police for fast and effective response at crime scenes.

Abdullah who was impressed with the cars, later took one of them for a spin amidst loud cheers when he spun the tyres before taking off.

Source : The Star

2009-03-25T23:56:00.002+08:00

Khairy is the new Umno Youth chief

What a sad day for Malaysia when a "beruk" can engineer his way like what has happened during the UMNO Youth elections. Let's all continue to fuck this fucker up for as long as we live because I don't want to become a part of Singapore and my children's future is more important than one beruk's dream of domination..

Khairy Jamaluddin has won the Umno Youth No.1 post.

The 39-year-old Khairy polled 304 votes to defeat the other two contenders for the Youth top post - Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

The Rembau MP, who is the son-in-law of outgoing Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, takes over from Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is vying for one of the three Umno vice-presidencies.

The new Youth deputy head will be Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who defeated Datuk Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Razali garnered 407 votes.

Source : The Star

2009-03-23T12:17:00.001+08:00

Najib wants an able and credible Cabinet

The problem is the voters have no conscience and are not righteous people, how to get a concious cabinet?

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has listed out the qualities he is looking for in his new Cabinet line-up when he takes over as Umno president and Prime Minister.

He said those in his Cabinet must have ability, credibility and general public acceptance so that he could institute reforms in both the party and the Government.

Asked what would happen if the delegates at the party’s election failed to deliver him the line-up that he wished for, Najib said he could only appeal to them to do the right thing, as it was their right to decide.

“That is why I say they must vote according to their conscience. If we want Umno to be seen as the conscience of the Malays and Malaysia, we must vote with our conscience.

“We have to elect leaders who have the credentials to undertake the reforms,” he said in an interview with editors of several newspapers in the run up to the party’s general assembly.

Other qualities he will be looking for are commitment to the struggles of Umno, being open and ready for reforms as well as good leaders in the community.

“We should choose leaders who have good qualities in the eyes of the people.

“I need a good team as we are facing the most challenging of times. I need leaders who share the same thinking and political will,” he said.

To a question, Najib said he had seen some candidates possessing the qualities that he wanted but he did not go on roadshows to promote them as he did not want to influence anyone.

“The delegates are free to choose who they want. But I am watching and I know. If I don’t say anything, this doesn’t mean that I don’t know,” he added.

Source : The Star