2011- A Malaysia in Denial ... and Frustration.

Rogol Amah : Nah!! Nama Menteri itu terpapar dalam laporan ini..

"The Kedah PAS Ulama Council has unanimously rejected the views expressed by Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa in his book “Menuju PAS Baru (Towards a New PAS).”
-PAS ulamas reject book on party
"The State Government will either have to shut up and agree to the choice of the Federal Government or else go to war with the Sultan.
-In other words….
"The opposition does not appear to be able to see who its friends and who its enemies are."
-Niamah!
‘Paranoid’ aides told church to remove crosses for Najib visit"
Jakim says powerless to act against gay Malay
Staid papers suffer as gossip sells

**********************************************

As the year comes to a close, I can only express one sentiment after seeing all the shenanigans of our politicians (most of who think silly demoguery is "progressive")- frustration.

We had slogans galore ("1-Malaysia" included), scandals upon scandals, nauseating racism & bigotry defended, hypocrisy promoted, mediocrity perpetuated, lies propagated, sensationalism created, rapes ignored, victims punished, stupidity rewarded, corruption excused, shameless clowning in courts applauded, injustice is twisted into virtue, education destroyed, the Federal Constitution subverted, Judiciary emasculated, Royalty politicised, Parliament destroyed, State Governments sabotaged, resources plundered and Rakyat subjugated.

We had Rosmah representing the PM (down with "chicken-pox"), Anwar(as always), Teo Nie Ching, Ronnie Liu (not his mole), APCO, Zaid Ibrahim, Muhyidin, Hishamudin, Ibrahim Ali, Rais Yatim (ongoing), Gobala(ongoing), Jakim/Jais, Isa (now Felda) etc tec etc being forever fodder for public ridicule.
Just a look at the things mentioned on the web is in itself mind-boggling.

The scariest part of it all- none of these guys seem to think that they're doing anything out of the ordinary!! It seems like they believe that it is all in a day's job!!
For the New Year- all I have is "hope". To have anything more than that in the "highly professional" politicians we have would be foolhardy.

Firstly, PR should remember that most Malaysians aren't as pro-PR, as much as they are anti-UMNO/MCA (which is the cornerstone of BN- MIC has been out for the last 10 yrs).
The reason for this is simple- UMNO is arrogant, and MCA feeds their ills by being docile & "selling out" (by doing 'social work' instead of defending political rights of Malaysia).
In doing so, BN has also blinded itself to the fact that the political dynamics they perpetuate is very destructive to the nation as a whole. They have also alienated those who criticise their ways in good faith (when they see the potential that is wasted).
To make matters worse, those who have criticized are labelled as ignorant "enemies", instead of partners in nation-building.

In saying this- I do not mean that this is a mindset isolated to BN guys- those in PR also suffer from the same "siege mentality". They too perceive BN as "enemies" rather than partners at nation-building- although their actions aren't as drastic and shameless as that of BN's. As a result of the decades old political practices under BN rule, this disease extends into the civil service, judiciary, police, army, parliament and many other sectors which are vital to the well-being of the country. In fact, I dare say that

"Political prophets" have said repeatedly that the sign of the fall of an empire, is the breakdown in its moral/philosophical raison d'etre, finances, services & infrastructure- and you cannot deny that it is happening in a Malaysia that has been plundered throughout the Mahathir years, and is now helpless to stop it thereafter.

BN is today going through what the Indian Congress Party, Japanese LDP, Taiwanese KMT and Indon's Golkar went through- the only difference is, they have a strong hold on the whole system through their imbeciles and sycophants placed strategically in the network.
While Pak Lah & Najib may have wanted to reform the party in the light of the stark realities they were faced with- the system controlled by the few elite wouldn't allow them to make those changes. For that to happen, I guess we need to wait for the demise of the "old guard".

I do not deny that PR has its shortcomings [like Chong Eng's Malay or Hadi/ Ronnie Liu's moles ;-)]- but as bad as they are at governance (despite the many improvements) as newbies, they are the only way I see, towards achieving our aim to reform the piracy that has been the culture of UMNO, and to make BN relevant once again.
For BN to be relevant, they have to shed their "siege mindset" and arrogance, learn to admit mistakes and give credit where it is due. PR on its part should refrain from emulating BN's bigotted ways (take note, Ronnie Liu/Hadi/Nasa).
Last but not least- they should understand the dangers of playing up a very divisive & destructive "R&R" (race & religion) polity, in their efforts to gain political mileage.

The world is on the verge of a financial meltdown- and our politicians are fighting about people's sexual preferences, clothes, power, God/religion, racial/religious/cultural supremacy, and other ikan bilis issues .....
All I can say is that the shamelessness shown by our politicians would put strippers & prostitutes to shame ....

They say, that when all is lost- only "Hope" can carry you through. I therefore look forward to that day when Malaysian politician exhibit greater statesmanship & less demagoguery- in hope.

Happy New Year, guys-
May the New Year bless Malaysia with less mindless politicians.

1Malaysia- The Regional Rapists' Hub?

It could very easily be argued that under the guise of religious freedom,
Malaysia is actively promoting child exploitation,
gender discrimination and sexual violence.
Of course, if we are really fine with this state of affairs,
we can earn a few more tourism dollars
by marketing ourselves as a legal paedophile haven.
Lolita, anyone?

Lolita anyone? - The Malaysian Insider

Kapil is an advertising strategist turned brand consultant based in KL, who likes nothing better than to figure out why people behave the way they do. Naturally this forces him to spend most of his time lounging in coffeeshops and bars. He can be reached at kapilanski@yahoo.com

Lolita anyone?

December 29, 2010

DEC 29 — The recent case of a 14-year-girl schoolgirl getting married with the full approval of a Syariah court has raised more than a few eyebrows. While a lot of commentators have focused on the religious side of the matter, there are deeper social issues at stake here too.

In 2009 according to the health ministry quoted by the NST, out of 479 children waiting to tie the knot, only two were boys. Also, 32 of them were below 10 years of age.

Clearly only young girls seem to be interested in getting married at eight or 14. So in our society, traditional gender divisions are alive and well. Boys have to study and get a job and cannot be put under the pressure of managing a household at such a young age, but it is perfectly fine for girls who are children themselves, to take up all these responsibilities.

We are told that these girls are making these decisions on their own and are perfectly happy with their choices. Where are they getting these ideas from? Mass media certainly doesn’t glorify or even generally depict this kind of behaviour.

Shah Rukh Khan hasn’t been spotted romancing a nine-year-old in the cinema recently, unless I missed something. We are hopefully not teaching this in our education system. So it is clearly a cultural custom among some families that seem to find nothing wrong in this practice. Some parents also clearly seem to be in a hurry to transfer the responsibility of a girl child onto another family for economic reasons.

If we look at this for a minute from the perspective of the would-be husbands of these child brides, the picture becomes even starker. What possible reason could there be from their perspective, apart from wanting to have sex with a child, that cannot wait for the girl to achieve majority? Whether he is in love with her, or he wants a union between their families, or wants to help the girl or her family out of poverty, all of these can be achieved without immediate marriage. If the intention is noble, sex can be withheld till the girl is of age. So from the prospective groom’s perspective, we are left with the inescapable conclusion of wanting to take advantage of legalised paedophilia.

Even from a religious perspective then, there should be no justification to grant sanction to such a union in this day and age when we are all aware of the range of negative consequences of such marriages on the child concerned.

That is why our muted response is so shocking. The excuse that discussing this would tread on religious sensitivities has a hollow ring to it. Do we really believe that it is fine for girls of 11 to be sexualised legitimately and being allowed to make long-lasting life-changing decisions at such a young age, just because a loophole exists in the law? Is our regard for women so low that we don’t care about the multitude of mental, physical and emotional traumas we are condemning them to when we look the other way?

As a society, is it enough to say that since it is allowed by a particular religious segment, it is for them to resolve? Or that this is not just a Malaysian problem, it happens in other parts of the world too? Is the definition of a developed state purely economic? Should we not also be developed in the sense of protecting our children? Is our notion of criminal behaviour really this shallow?

It could very easily be argued that under the guise of religious freedom, Malaysia is actively promoting child exploitation, gender discrimination and sexual violence.

Of course, if we are really fine with this state of affairs, we can earn a few more tourism dollars by marketing ourselves as a legal paedophile haven. Lolita, anyone?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Cruzeiro says:

With the current obsession to become the "Hub" of anything & everything,
surely certain 'leaders' who are philanderers, murderers, rapists & paedophiles
would be pleased with the "progress" Malaysia is making in this 'noble' endeavour
to make it the premier regional Paedophile cum Rapist Hub ....

and I'm sure, as Ibrahim Ali and the "Ketuanan" boys would say-
"Others (especially Singapore) would be 'jealous' of us"!

Sarawakians Wake Up: Development Is Not Reward For Supporting BN, But Your Rights « Hornbill Unleashed

Karim Raslan

Travelling through Sarawak has prompted me to think about the fundamental paradoxes that lie at the heart of governance in Malaysia.

While they’re at their most pronounced in Sarawak, the themes and challenges are pretty much uniform wherever you go in the country.

As in the peninsula, the cities and towns of Sarawak have turned against the BN. At the same time, most rural areas remain solidly ‘blue’. It’s a mirror of image of what is happening across the South China Sea, with the notable exception of Kelantan.

So what’s the contradiction? Well, those who’ve benefited the most from the BN development policies and politics – viz the urban Malaysians of all races — have become the ruling coalition’s toughest critics.

They’re not thankful supplicants — kissing the hands of the local MP or state assembly member. Ordinary Malaysians want more and they want it now. In their eyes, legislators are just ‘public servants’ – whose basic obligation should be on serving.

The critical factor is that urban Malaysians are no longer dependant on the BN for basic amenities like water, housing or electricity. Besides that, many now work in the private sector. Their livelihoods are no longer solely dependent on political influence.

Because of this, they’re able to turn their backs on the patronage and service ‘machine’ that empowered them and indeed their parents’ generation.

Educated and well-informed, they’ve started questioning the way the BN has governed for decades. They deplore shady back-room deals and controversial use of public funds. They want greater openness and transparency. Of course, the BN has proven deeply resistant to greater freedoms of any kind, especially for the media.

But the voters are smart. They understand the connection between civil liberties and government services. They know that a strong media will question and probe the deals that have driven up the cost of many public projects.

Still, tight media controls have not stopped the public from being highly critical of the leaders proffered by the BN.

I find it hard to believe that Khir Toyo and Noh Omar are the best Malay leaders that can be found in Selangor. Surely there must be hundreds — if not thousands — of highly-educated Malay professionals to be recruited from Subang Jaya, Kepong and Melawati — the ‘cream’ of the NEP?

Why don’t these men and women want to join Umno?

The failure to recruit the best human resource lies at the core of Umno’s continuing failure to win back the urban Malay middle classes. It also reinforces my point as the products of the NEP turn their back on the original ‘agent’ of change — namely Umno.

The same dilemma is slowly emerging in Sarawak.

Take Sibu, the business hub of the Rajang river basin, for example. The city is remarkably clean, organized, and safe. Indeed, the covered market — surely one of the largest in the country — is an impressive sight.

As we all know, the city’s voters rejected the BN in spectacular fashion at a by-election only months ago. This was a calculated, considered move by Sibu’s predominantly Foochow Chinese community, who knew they could manage without government assistance.

However, the same is not true of the small long-house communities beyond the city limits. The disparities between these areas and the urban centers are stark. Roads shrink and eventually disappear in rural Sarawak.

Running water is also a major problem — especially during the dry season. Many of the longhouses must rely on large water tanks and elaborate rain-water traps to survive.

In certain cases, the local rivers have also been polluted by the use of industrial-scale fertilizers in nearby plantations or pig farming.

Difficulties in enforcing the Native Customary Rights (NCR) over the land also often results in the dislocation of these communities.

The haphazard access to public utilities and property rights – have made rural Sarawakians very dependant on developmental politics.

Sarawak’s rural poor realize that only the state government of the day can help them. They therefore keep voting for BN representatives in the hope that their needs will eventually be met.

Therein lays the contradiction for the BN: providing these services would mean an inevitable loss of rural support.

As a consequence, Sarawak’s piece-meal development of the interior reinforces the BN control. Indeed, it makes communities more wary of challenging authority.

Needless to say, this is no way to achieve the ETP, NEM, 1Malaysia or any of the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves as a nation.

Development is not a reward, it is a right. Solving the paradox, however, comes at an exceedingly high political cost. But then again, the BN has no choice: we simply cannot go on like this. — Bintulu Org

Sarawakians Wake Up: Development Is Not Reward For Supporting BN, But Your Rights « Hornbill Unleashed

Rais stresses for "deep study" on Laws For Rape

Source: The Star Online, Malaysia. Thursday, April 11, 2002.

Full force of law against rape

By JANE RITIKOS

KUALA LUMPUR: Further amendments to the Penal Code may be made to compel the court to mete out the maximum sentence on perpetrators of rape and incest.

“We are considering altering the language of the law to make it mandatory for the court to mete out the maximum sentence,’’ Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Rais Yatim said yesterday.

He confirmed that he had proposed to submit a note to the Cabinet on the need to amend Section 376A of the Penal Code with the proviso that it had been amended and gazetted last September but yet to be implemented.

“This is to comply with the expressions of the Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) who wants a proportionate and deterring sentence for rapists and those who engage in incestuous acts,’’ he said, adding that the note would be submitted within a month or two.

Dr Rais said another possible recommendation was prescribing the number of whipping to be meted out on those found guilty of such crimes.

“The Act made whipping a mandatory penalty for rape and incest but the number of strokes is not spelt out. It is up to the discretion of the prison and depending on the fitness of the perpetrator,’’ he said.

Dr Rais said another possible recommendation was to look into the procedures of evidence gathering so that the cases would be foolproof for prosecution.

He, however, stressed that a “deep study” would have to be conducted with the consultation of the Attorney-General as further amending of the Act at this time would require legal justification.

“We are looking into the possibility of recommending stiffer punishment for rape and incest although some quarters may query why as the (amended) law has not been implemented,’’ he said.

The Penal Code was amended last year to include a new section 376A, which separates incest from other forms of rape.

While the jail term for rape has been retained at between five and 20 years, the new section provides for a minimum of six years and a maximum of 20 years jail. The Act also includes mandatory whipping for rape and incest.

Dr Rais said amending the Act at this time would not augur well with the practise of imposing new laws.

“Bear in mind that the section was just amended. But we will comply with the public view, especially when translated through the comments of the Deputy Prime Minister.

“We want to apply quick reaction,’’ he said.

Asked why the penalties imposed through the previous amendments was not harsh enough to cause a public outcry, Dr Rais said the study would also see whether there was a widespread reaction or just the concern of some.

“While we are concerned with the rising incidences of incest where children are mostly the victims, we must also be fair in law- making.

“But we can converge Section 376A to put in place the feelings of the public,’’ he said.

Suck your way up the ladder

"Umno Selangor is in deep shit. With the Khir Toyo corruption matter -- and talk that two Barisan Nasional state assemblypersons may also be involved in the murder of the Indonesian millionaires -- things are not going too well for UmnoSelangor.

It seems the Indonesians are pissed about what they perceive as a cover up of the murder of one of their nationals (like how the Mongolians were earlier) and now with talk in the Umno Blogs that the Minister who raped the Indonesian maid is Rais Yatim the government may be hard-pressed in covering up this scandal any further.

Anyway, as they say, a rumour is never confirmed until it is official denied.
So let’s wait for the official denial."
- RPK, Suck your way up the ladder

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

If you can remember, one of the crucial factors for the fall of Perak was the State Secretary. He was the one who summoned the police to prevent Nizar Jamaluddin from entering his office. In fact, State Secretaries have also played a role in bringing down governments in other states as well, Terengganu being one of them.

I was counting the days when the Selangor State Secretary would retire but now that he has I find that the appointment of the new State Secretary is outside the hands of the state government and is a man who is another Umno stooge.

Umno Selangor is in deep shit. With the Khir Toyo corruption matter -- and talk that two Barisan Nasional state assemblypersons may also be involved in the murder of the Indonesian millionaires -- things are not going too well for Umno Selangor.

It seems the Indonesians are pissed about what they perceive as a cover up of the murder of one of their nationals (like how the Mongolians were earlier) and now with talk in the Umno Blogs that the Minister who raped the Indonesian maid is Rais Yatim the government may be hard-pressed in covering up this scandal any further.

So Umno needs their man in the Selangor State Government and if Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim can’t convince the Selangor Sultan to reject the appointment of this Umno appointee then things may be very tough for Pakatan Rakyat.

Anyway, as they say, a rumour is never confirmed until it is official denied. So let’s wait for the official denial.

On another matter, politics in Malaysia is moulded after the Umno example. All political parties copy what Umno does. But then Umno is an expert at the game which they invented so to copy Umno means you are playing with a huge handicap.

In Umno, leaders are not headhunted. They work on the system of popularity contests. You start as a member then move up into the branch committee, then branch leader, then division committee, then division leader, then state committee, then state leader, then national committee, then national leader, and so on.

You serve your time and work your way up the ranks by becoming popular with the grassroots. You could be a postman or railway crossing guard or whatever but as long as you know how to play to the gallery you will make it after 10 or 20 years climbing up the ladder.

In Umno they work on the 30:70 formula. You must show 30% loyalty to the party and 70% loyalty to the leader. Shahrir Samad is a good party man. He will live and die with Umno. He shows 100% loyalty to the party. But that means he shows zero loyalty to the party leaders. And that is why he can’t go up.

MORE

Listen Then IF You Have Ears (& brains), DAP/PAS/PKR!!

14 lawan 3

If Pakatan Rakyat wants to form the next federal government it needs to talk to the other parties and maybe increase the membership of Pakatan Rakyat from just three parties to six, seven or eight.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

I am not well today, have not been since yesterday, so I am really in no mood to write long articles. I just want to get this one completed and then crawl into bed and sleep off my flu. And I am going to write what I have already written before back when Barisan Alternatif still existed and before there was even a Pakatan Rakyat.

Barisan Nasional verus Pakatan Rakyat (then called Barisan Alternatif) is 14 lawan 3. That is because there are 14 parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition and only three in Pakatan Rakyat.

Once upon a time Barisan Nasional too used to be only three parties when it was called the Alliance Party. The three members were Umno, MCA and MIC.

If Barisan Nasional remained three parties today it could not form the government. Umno, MCA and MIC combined could not even secure 100 seats. Today, Barisan Nasional (or the Alliance Party) would be in the opposition.

Say what you like, without the rest of the 14 members of Barisan Nasional they would not be in government. The figures speak for themselves.

What I wrote a few years ago was that Barisan Alternatif (or now Pakatan Rakyat) needs more than just three parties. Even Umno, never mind how strong it may be, can’t do it with just three parties. If Pakatan Rakyat wants to form the next federal government it needs to talk to the other parties and maybe increase the membership of Pakatan Rakyat from just three parties to six, seven or eight.

And this means not only a power-sharing formula must be ironed out but a seat allocation agreement as well. There are after all about 800 State and Parliament seats so there are enough to go around. And if each party does not bite off more than it can chew it may yet get to form the next federal government.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

BN MP submits evidence of Sabah IC scam to Home Ministry

KOTA KINABALU: The federal government has been given sufficient evidence to prove that foreigners in Sabah have gained Malaysian identification documents through dubious means, a Barisan Nasional MP said today.

Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing said he had submitted the evidence in a memorandum to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein recently.

One of the many cases he cited in the memorandum, was that of a Filipino who had a genuine Malaysian IC but who travelled to Mecca to perform the Haj using his Filipino passport.

~BN MP submits evidence of Sabah IC scam to Home Ministry

So what if MCLM is "Partisan" towards JUSTICE, Saiful?

***************************

"Why are they allowing Pakatan Rakyat’s priorities to be placed
over and above the principles guiding civil society in this country?"

~Wan Saiful Wan Jan, We need a principled political force
[Wan Saiful Wan Jan is chief executive of the
Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (www.ideas.org.my)]
**********************************

Bravo, Saiful- you got one thing right in this article - "MCLM is even more united, more focused and more committed to defeat Barisan Nasional than anything else".
No need to be "both surprised and upset", Wan Saiful - "upset" minds can ruin "perception" in forming "IDEAS", Saiful- and that's bad. So, just "surprised" will do, okay! And since you tend to "upset" allow me to spell it out for you ....

First of all, you need to remember, that in taking up the oath to be a healer, a doctor tends to first swear to "cause no harm" - and only then proceed with the rest.
Likewise- I'd go so far as to say that, MCLM strives to cause no harm to the prospect of removing UMNO from Putrajaya, in its efforts to heal Malaysia of the stench and cancer of corruption. Without the removal of Umno from Putrid-jaya (as it come to be known)- fighting for reform, would be a lost cause.

Then, whatever we do say about UMNO- it should be said within the context of UMNO's legendary intolerance for dissent, and the failure of UMNO to endorse the principles outlined in "The People's Declaration" - these acts speak volumes by themselves ...
So don't come around saying that UMNO hasn't been invited to dinner, Saiful.

It is not that MCLM "fears" a three cornered fight (which you seem to wish for)- but just that it doesn't see the point of it all, unless it is to aid the perpetuation of Umno rule.
It is not that civil society has become subservient to Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda as your "upset" mind perceives- but rather that civil society wishes to use PR in a positive manner, towards removing UMNO/BN and achieving their agenda or principles.

This is not without reason- (Thanks to that octogenarian Umno idol & puppetmaster -Mahathir), it is just that years of attempts upon attempts at reforming Umno/BN has been an exercise in futility - and have only resulted in progressively moronic politicians which has turned the Parliament into an ineffective talk-shop cum circus used to legitimize all thier shenanigans, and worsening corruption .

**************************

"MCLM must realise that Barisan Nasional is made up of many component parties.
And, within the component parties, take UMNO for example, there are factions too.
And some of these parties or factions could be open to their reform agenda....
.... MCLM must not discount them."
-Wan Saiful
*******************************

Oh yes- MCLM definitely realizes that that there are "angels trapped in hell" .... even then, I don't think UMNO is an option, Saiful. If these "angels" who by choice don't mind staying in hell- then that's where they belong. QED.
And since these angels have been powerless to do anything (beyond staying there in feigned disgust) about the rot in UMNO all those years, if wuld be very rational to presume that they're definitely of no consequence to the reform agenda.

"Don't discount them" you say? I seriously doubt MCLM discounts them.... we just hope they have the guts to come out of the closet and be the reformist they claim they are then. Maybe they should realize that it's best they leave UMNO, if reform is what they have in their minds or hearts- otherwise they're best left to their own devices. I'd seriously doubt their credibility or even the point of talking to them unless we need to satisfy some strange masochistic fetish, or love to "fight or play with pigs" .

Nobody is "allowing Pakatan Rakyat’s priorities to be placed over and above the principles", as you put it - the two just converge in their motives towards eliminating a common enemy. It is a synergistic relationship, and not one of subservience as in the case of the Umno Allies in BN. Although it may appear to be otherwise to those who are "upset" and perceive it at "blind partisanship", that perception is far from the truth.

It is only the UMNO/BN spin that has gleefully at first led the people astray and confuse them further into thinking that MCLM intends to go in as a "third force" & turn it into a three-cornered fight .... and now, insinuate that it isn't guided by "principles".

One thing for sure though- it definitely isn't guided by UMNO/BN's hypocritical spirit of "1-Malaysia" reforms.
And so what if it is partisan to those who endorse JUSTICE, Saiful!

MCA's Calm before Tenang Waterloo?

"Since he took over MCA’s reins this year, Soi Lek has been working hard to revitalise the party’s waning popularity by pushing for a greater voice in BN.

His outspokenness has already landed him in the soup numerous times with several top Umno leaders, who have publicly rejected the leader’s views and chastised him for going against BN’s ideals."

In Tenang, a fight for MCA’s survival - The Malaysian Insider

By Clara Chooi

December 23, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 – MCA is under pressure to deliver Chinese votes in the upcoming Tenang by-election in Johor and prove it has won back enough support to guarantee a Barisan Nasional (BN) win as the ruling coalition mulls snap polls in the next few months.

Leaders from both MCA and DAP, its main rival in Pakatan Rakyat (PR), say the battle will be for Chinese votes as they expect Umno has the Tenang Malay vote in the bag.

PR is already describing the Tenang vote as MCA’s and BN’s to lose as the battle would be fought on the ruling coalition’s Johor stronghold, a state that had escaped the 2008 political tsunami.

The non-Malays in Tenang — at nearly 52 per cent of the 14,592-strong electorate — could provide an indication of how the country’s Chinese and Indian voters will vote in the next general elections.

Chinese voters make up a whopping 39 per cent of the Tenang electorate while the Indian community has 12 per cent. The Malay voters make up about 49 per cent.

Tenang is also one of the two state seats under the Labis parliamentary constituency, formerly held by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (picture).

Labis is now helmed by Soi Lek’s son, Chua Tee Yong, another rising star in the Chinese-based party, the second largest component party in BN.

In Election 2008, Tee Yong lost to DAP over non-Malay support, but cruised to a win due to solid support for BN from the Malays.

Since he took over MCA’s reins this year, Soi Lek has been working hard to revitalise the party’s waning popularity by pushing for a greater voice in BN.

His outspokenness has already landed him in the soup numerous times with several top Umno leaders, who have publicly rejected the leader’s views and chastised him for going against BN’s ideals.

Opposition leaders believe the Tenang by-election will be crucial for Soi Lek to prove his worth and solidify his position, and his party’s, within BN.

“The stakes are much higher for MCA, compared to PR. Even though it is true that Umno is confident of sweeping up the Malay votes, the stakes are particularly high for Chua Soi Lek himself.

~In Tenang, a fight for MCA’s survival - The Malaysian Insider

Exam Board Outsmarted by Kids- Yet again!!!

Best PMR results in four years; 30,863 score straight As

PETALING JAYA: A total of 30,863 candidates scored straight As in the 2010 Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination, a 0.65% increase from last year and the best PMR results in the past four years.

Education director-general Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mahmud said, however, that the results for candidates in the special category (kids with disabilites) saw a slight decline.

DG said the ministry would conduct an analysis to look into the causes.

A total of 479,675 candidates registered to take PMR, he added.

~ Star Online

What "1-Malaysia" ..... It's Contempt!!

Its so childish for Selangor Government to ban 1Msia logo...
Ronnie Liu said this is a political statement made by the State Exco,
when supporting Local Government instructions asking the Logo to be removed...
WHAT LAH! Where's the tolerance?
Is Selangor under a COMMUNIST REGIME kah?
Pakatan got no constructive ideas besides being destructive...
What's wrong with cultivating 1Msia Spirit??
-Ti Lian Ker

==========================

Dear Ti Lian Ker,

Firstly, I think it was childish of you to bring up something as inconsequential, when you could've questioned them harder on more serious matters like the awarding of the contract to a RM2.00 company. (A case for Selcat: RM2 firm gets rich contract) .

Yes Ti- I agree that there is nothing wrong with a "1-Malaysia Spirit". Sad to say, they don't allow this "1-Malaysia" to love you as much as you love it- by virtue of your skin color & creed!! It truly astounds me that you and all your MCA "machais" would still go out to town to serve this hypocrisy despite this humiliation you're subjected to every day of your lives.

The way I look at it- the rejection of "1-Malaysia" is a lesser sin- if at all it is. It is just childish politicking .... in rejecting an empty slogan, and is inconsequential. Maybe it was a wise decision to prevent the naive from falling for this hypocritical sloganeering nonsense.

BN calls for 1-Malaysia, but has Umno shamelessly spouting racism through Utusan Malaysia.
BN trying to sabo PR in Perak/ on water issues/ suspends their lawmakers from parliament without a defence at the Committee hearing- PR then reacts to reject BN's hypocritical 1-Malaysia.

It was definitely a 'ciplak' idea (from Yogyakarta's 2006- 1-Indonesia, "Masyarakat dahulukan, pencapaian utamakan") which could have been made good- but it is today a big fat lie peddled by hypocrites and supported by parroting sycophants. (Maybe Najib was saying the truth that it was an "original"- within his parameters of ignorance ... Yes- that's indeed very original- a confession of ignorance by a "leader"!)

I just wish that Malaysian politicians (especially those from BN)will "grow up" some day & realize there will be plenty for everybody- if only they can be disciplined about the rule of law & nation-building, and regard all lawmakers as partners (instead of adversaries).
Very sad that Malaysian politicians cannot transcend partisan-politics in doing that.

I don't care much for the slogan, Ti- they could've named it "1-Timbuktu" for all I care, and I would still support it if it did translate into reality, and allow me to get the equal rights & liberties enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Just look at the brain-drain and the flight of financial capital, Ti.
No catchy slogan is gonna change what you feel deep down in their hearts for the "1-Malaysia" policies perpetrated by bigots, racists & selfish hypocrites towards the people- CONTEMPT!

"Cow-dung" in your head, Nazri?

“I raised it because Anwar says he has got proof. Now I’m showing my proof and I want Anwar to show his proof, and I want to see who is bluffing here,” Nazri said.

Nazri also called Anwar a liar for saying he had not been given a chance to defend himself in front of Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee.

The Rengas MP said Anwar could have defended himself on two occasions: first, when Anwar was asked to defend or retract his claim after it was first made in Parliament, and second, when Nazri put forward the motion to refer Anwar to the committee in April.

~Nazri shows proof Anwar was ‘lying’

“True, Anwar was allowed to enter his defence, but that was only at the beginning, before Nazri put forward the motion to suspend Anwar.

“What needs to be stressed is that he was never given a chance to defend himself in front of Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee,” said the PKR secretary-general.

“If Nazri was serious about this, he should have presented his proof in front of the committee, and let Anwar present his proof too. But that did not happen, did it? Anwar has proof, trust me. He has been wanting to show it since day one,” added Saifuddin.
~PKR claims APCO pressured over One Israel

======================================================

Why say that Anwar was allowed to defend himself, when he wasn't allowed to speak at the deliberation of the Parliament's Right & Privileges Committee? If one is on "trial"- shouldn't he/she be allowed a defence during the trial? Or are you the kind of Law Minister who demands that the Accused be gagged at the trial?

After so many "principled statements" you made, after accusing others of having "cow-dung" in their heads- this is the most PATHETIC LIE & SPIN you can come up with?

"Cow-Dung" in your head, Nazri?

Abe Lincoln once said, that Hypocrisy is when a man murders his own parents, then asks for clemency on grounds that he is an orphan.....
You Nazri, on the other hand- Murder The Law, then plead understanding when you defend unconstitutional laws like the ISA/OSA/PPPA/PA/SA, on grounds of "national security".

A "Law Minister" is it?
Shame on you-
You're a nothing but a DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE, NAZRI!!

Who's Lying, Najib?

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister has expressed regret

over allegations of 1Malaysia being a copy of a concept
adopted by another country.
- The Star
=================================

Mr Najib claimed the 1-Malaysia idea is an "Original" creative idea of his- despite evidence to the contrary in 1-Israel, One Singapore or even 1-Indonesia ....... (wherein even the "motto" sounded the same!!)
Either somebody must be playing a joke on us (especially Najib- ha ha) with the 1-Indonesia thing or somebody is lying ....
(Maybe Yogyakarta councillors or city hall can verify this).

"There is nowhere in the world that has

1Malaysia, People's First, Performance Now."
~Najib

Penan go to court to defend Heart of Borneo rainforests

Penan go to court to defend Heart of Borneo rainforests

"This is our land": Penan elder James Laloh Kesoh demarcating the Penan Ba Jawi's territory (Picture: BMF)

Ba Jawi (Sarawak), MALAYSIA. The Penan community of Ba Jawi in Sarawak's Upper Baram region has today lodged a collective action lawsuit against Malaysian timber giant Samling and the state government of Sarawak over 15,000 hectares of primary rainforest in order to protect their livelihood from being destroyed by logging.

The case was filed this morning by lead plaintiff Lija Agan, headman of the tiny village of Ba Jawi, and three other plaintiffs who are claiming that the Ba Jawi forests have been used since time immemorial by their ancestors and urgently need to be protected against logging. "About 200 years ago, the ancestors of the plaintiffs were living in and around Ba Jawi, exercising native customary rights over the land in Ba Jawi and its vicinity", the Penan's statement of claim reads. "They hunted and gathered food from the forests and lived on sago (uvut) as their staple food. The plaintiffs are presently exercising these rights over that same land."

The Penan are claiming that a logging licence held by Samling Plywood, a subsidiary of the Malaysian Samling group of companies, should be rescinded, since it was issued by the Sarawak government in an "unlawful, improper, unconstitutional and therefore null and void" manner.

The new case is the fifth native customary rights case lodged by Eastern Penan communities from Upper Baram since 1998. It has been prepared with assistance from the Bruno Manser Fund and will be represented by the renowned law office of Messrs. Baru Bian in Kuching.

The area covered by the Ba Jawi claim is a key region of the Penan Peace Park, a self-administered conservation region in the Heart of Borneo, which was proclaimed a nature reserve by 17 Penan communities in November 2009 and covers twice the size of Singapore.

In February 2007, the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei signed the tripartite "Heart of Borneo Declaration" in which they committed themselves to protecting the rainforests of central Borneo. However, the declaration has not been followed by much action on the ground. In December 2009, Sarawak's director of forests, Len Talif Salleh, even condemned the Penan Peace Park as an "illegal" project that "tainted Sarawak's image".

(21 December 2010)

steadyaku47: Unfit to be Prime Minister....of any country!

Why is Najib unfit to be our Prime Minister? Let me count the ways…..


Hands down the tragic murder of Altantuya tops the list. Don’t ask me about it because I am bias. Go ask that Indian kachang putih seller, the Pak Chik selling satay by the roadside or that Chinese guy selling Yong Tau Foo at the market in Lucky Gardens each morning. Ask them about Najib and Altantuya. This is what they say:


NAJIB IS GUILTY UNTIL AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY CLEARS HIM.


~steadyaku47: Unfit to be Prime Minister....of any country!

MoHA's "Engrand" so Fowerfacked, ah?

Thanks to some vigilant people,
we have been alerted to some
very "crever" people working in
some critical sectors of our Government.
Please visit
Ministry of Home Affairs- Frequently Asked Questions
for some good laughs.

Below are some screencaptures from the official website of Hishamuddin's Ministry:-
(Please click on images for full size view)

MACC- WHY The 'Elegant Silence"?!

BALA'S CASE UPDATE

Dear Abdul Rahman Bachok,

I am referring to the visit Manjeet Singh Dhillon, Amarjit Singh Sidhu and myself made to your offices in late July this year when we handed to you the questions and answers affirmed by my Client Mr. Balasubramaniam a/l Perumal, in London, as per your request.

I also refer to my email to you dated 19 September 2010 requesting an update on your investigations into this matter but unfortunately I have yet to receive your response.

I have therefore been requested by my client, Bala, to write to you again for an update.

Please note that it has been 5 months since we handed to you the above document at which time we were advised that all other parties had already been interviewed by your team and that Bala's answers to your questions was the final part of your investigations.

We would very much appreciate your immediate advice.

Please also be informed that my client Bala is more than willing to attend court as a witness against any of the persons you may have suggested be charged in relation to this matter but he insists that a guarantee for his safety be provided by the relevant authorities for obvious reasons.

Please could you revert to me at the soonest.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Americk Sidhu

AFF Cup 2010 Indonesia 5- Malaysia 1

HERE'S TO YOU, FAM!!!


AFF Cup 2010:-
Indonesia vs Malaysia: 5-1

Sarawak’s billion dolar bride! « The People’s Parliament

Sarawak’s billion dolar bride!

December 21, 2010

Received the following alert :

Sarawak Report has been subjected to a cyber-attack, which has knocked it temporarily off-line. This follows a number of death threats sent through our mail, which have been notable for their creepy, ‘black-magic’ format.

Disabling websites by using millions of hits is a very expensive process, even more expensive than hiring top lawyers. So this limits our list of suspects in this case to people who are both very rich and have a direct interest in shutting us up, but who would rather not face the scrutiny of an open court.

______________________________________________________

In solidarity with Sarawak Report, which has done so much for the people of Sarawak in the short time that it has made its mark in blogosphere, I am posting the Sarawak Report that would have been posted up but for this cyber-attack.

______________________________________________________

Billion Dollar Bride

Meanwhile, we have exclusive pictures of Sarawak Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud’s, new young bride. Kuching has been aflame with interest and amusement at the leaked information that the 74 year old has found himself a second wife who is still in her 20s.

However, the government has refused to issue official confirmation of the wedding ceremony that was celebrated at the weekend in the Chief Minister’s vast mansion (the financing of which remains a mystery, like the rest of his properties). Even senior Government Ministers are scouring the web for details of the new “Thief Lady”, who has yet even to be announced by name.

In desperation calls have been made to Sarawak Report and so we feel honoured to oblige.

Sarawak’s wealth around her neck

Sarawakians will not fail to notice that several thousand hectares of irreplaceable jungle must have been felled and turned to oil palm to adorn this lady’s neck.

One top London jeweller today gave the opinion that the rubies in her diamond tiara, necklace, ring and broach are “likely to be fake glass”. His reason was that if they were genuine cabochon rubies, like they appear to be, then they would be “priceless at such a size as that”. When pressed the jeweller hazarded that they would be worth at least RM150 million.

Since the Chief Minister has yet to release details about his bride we will leave Sarawakians to decide amongst themselves whether the Chief Minister has adorned his new wife in glass or cabochon ruby.

Christmas is a time for sharing

As they depart for their Christmas honeymoon, doubtless utilising one of the Hornbill jets funded by Sarawak’s hard-pressed taxpayers, we hope the happy couple spare a thought for the many hungry children in the longhouses who are hoping for a nice present this year.

However, times are hard because more and more land has been snatched away from these communities by the Chief Minister’s BN government, so their parents will have already told them not to expect too much.

As ever, these parents will have to remind their children that the Chief Minister’s favourite advice to the rural folks is that they “must learn to wait”. Apparently, Taib is promising that at some stage he will begin to share his wealth with the people he took it from!

Posted by Haris Ibrahim
Filed in Sarawak State Elections, Taib Must Go

YouTube - bloody wealth/harta berdarah,taib mahmud

YouTube - bloody wealth/harta berdarah,taib mahmud

Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger

BREAKING NEWS: Lawyer Rosli Dahlan Acquitted

After 3 years (since 2007) of seeking justice against offences he did not commit, Lawyer Rosli Dahlan is a free man to resume his legal practice and rebuild his family life. Less than 1 hour ago, Judge Abu Bakar Khattar acquitted him without his defence being called.

Finally, we see justice done, although the pain, agony and humiliation that he and his family suffered as a result of the action of the Attorney-General and MACC cannot be erased. He has been a victim of selective prosecution.

Those of us who have been following his case on this blog must now wish Lawyer Rosli Dahlan and his family a good future from 2011 onwards. I congratulate his Defence Team led Dato Kumaraendran for a professional job well done. They put up an excellent fight to win Lawyer Rosli’s freedom.

What about DPP Kevin Morais?

One lingering question remains and that is of DPP Kevin Morais. He lied under oath and the Attorney-General should open a file and investigate DPP Morais on charges of perjury. This is a serious matter and must not be swept under the carpet. No one is above the Law or below it.—Din Merican

More @ "Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger"

Is BN guilty of criminal negligence?

The BN has failed to explain the Constitution and the so-called Social Contract to the people, says Hishamuddin Yahaya.

Hishamuddin Yahaya: It’s either do away with race-based political parties or stay race-based, in which case the country would forever remain divided along racial lines

ALIRAN

Are our efforts to foster racial unity really doddering, as alleged by some? Indications are that they are. Incidents involving people in responsible positions making derogatory racial remarks all point to that direction. What these people said is too sensitive to quote here. But suffice to say they were derogatory and racist remarks, which no amount of apology will erase.

Again what prompted the PM to give a stern warning that the government would not tolerate such sensitive issues being raised by any quarter? The answer is simply that racial unity is still elusive, and unless programmed and implemented wisely, it will not easily be achieved.

I am prompted to reminisce about what the late Koh Kai Boh, a Cabinet Minister prior to the May 13 incident, said when he came to Malaysia Hall, London to give a briefing on the situation, weeks after the infamous incident. Among other things, he said, “the government is guilty of criminal negligence in not teaching and explaining to the people our constitution.” Had that been done, he said, the racial riot could not have occurred. The late Koh Kai Boh himself was a lawyer.

~ Is BN guilty of criminal negligence?

The MACC Way to whitewash the crimes of A-G Gani Patail

The MACC Way to whitewash the crimes of A-G Gani Patail

by Din Merican

Yesterday, the mainstream media, especially the NST and The Star, gave much publicity to MACC’s press conference at which the MACC stated that they have found new evidence in the case against the former Chairman of Malaysia Airlines (MAS),Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli. As if in glee, the Chairman of MACC’s Operation Evaluation Panel, Tan Sri Hadenan Abdul Jalil, took the opportunity to silence critics by stressing that “claims by certain quarters that the MACC did not investigate the allegation is, therefore, untrue”.

Really? Is it true that MACC has always been investigating the MAS scandal? What mischief and trickery is this? Could Tan Sri Hadenan be suffering from selective amnesia, or was he fed with wrong or false information by the MACC?

Has Tan Sri Hadenan forgotten that Malaysia Today had posted the MACC’s official reply to Malaysia Airlines (MAS) where the MACC clearly said that they were not investigating the Tajuddin case but had instead referred the matter back to the Police? Wasn’t that’s what the whole uproar was about that led all the alternative media to remind the MACC Chief Commissioner, Dato’ Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed about his public pledge that he will resign if big fishes are not investigated.

As a matter of integrity, I invite Tan Sri Hadenan to correct his statement. Otherwise, I will reproduce that MACC letter just to expose Tan Sri Hadenan as either lying publicly or is being used by the MACC to mislead the public. But let’s not go down that route.

Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia should resign

Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia should resign

"Parliamentary Puppetry" indeed, my friend ...

"So pliantly and passionately Pandikar Amin
plays and dances to their every tug and tune,
much to Umno's great delight, pleasure and purpose....."
~Martin Jalleh, Pure Puppetry in Parliament

=========================================

Welcome to the real world, Martin!!
Nothing new here!
Puppetry indeed- but when has it been any different?
Under Tunku, Razak, Hussein Onn, Mahathir or Abdullah Badawi?
If anybody thought things would be any different under APCO's Najib, they were simply delusional. If they hoped that the depletion of BN/UMNO's 2/3 majority and PR would have changed things overnight- I'd say that they were unrealistic (considering the number of Mahathir-bred nincompoops in Umno/the civil service/security forces).

Exactly two years ago, during the euphoria of the post-308 period, I wrote as follows:-

"written by cruzeiro, December 19, 2008 12:44:35
Under the BN system of the "social contract", the Parliament isn't supposed to work!
It's just meant to be an "ornament", to showcase democracy.
This has been the scenario ever since 1971, after the unity govt became BN under Tun Razak - so that the opposition was rendered a lame duck due to low numbers,
and wouldn't have a voice.

The parliament was meant to be subverted thru backdoor deals
done behind closed doors, due to the overwhelming majority of the BN.
To do that, they first subvert the opposition states/ parties, by making them "allies" first.
Slowly but surely, they emasculate/ neutralize these parties.
This way, they appear to be "strong", when it is actually the opposition that is weak ...."
- With an Umno Govt, The Parliament Should be Dysfunctional!

So, I now repeat myself ....
The parliament has been inefective by design for decades. The Parliament has long been functioning as a facade for "democracy" in an otherwise despotic state ruled by a regime of kleptocratic mafiosos. It was always the "legitimizing tool" which they have used to placate a docile, subservient, adulating and idolising people who dwell in apathy. (But of course- there is one more avenue for legitimacy these days - it's fashionable to invoke the name of God and religion).

The Umno warlords who control the strings of "parliament" don't care about nation-building as much as they care for their personal asset building. One need not look any further than the scions of past Umno-putras to see that fact. The Parliament isn't what it was meant to be at its inception- it is today the whorehouse, where people sell their souls to Umno interests, while those who oppose the "mafiosos", make monkeys of themselves in their futile efforts to thwart the kleptocracy.

The Parliament as we know it, is a shell of what it used to be- both in form and substance. throughout the Mahathir era, Umno has worked diligently and patiently worked towards progressively centralizing and consolidating power- with scant regard for the democratic principles upon which the Federal Constitution was written- and the Judiciary, Monarchy, the Parliament and consequently the Rakyat have been the victims. Najib regard for the sanctity of the august house was made clear with the "Rape of Perak"- and today he has brought it to Kuala Lumpur.

****************************

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible".
- Voltaire
******************************

I recall a conversation with a Wakil Rakyat from the opposition bench, wherein he lamented how he first entered the parliament full of hope- that he would be able to "make a difference" with the increased presence of PR representatives, only to be disappointed.
He said that he couldn't do much- to which I replied, "Considering the quality of MPs we have, don't you think that is the whole idea?" .... and he gave a sheepish smile.

Don't they see that the so-called parliament is "ineffective by design"?
Sometime I wonder what you call all those intelligent people who get "whacked" repeatedly over the years- then go back for more, without doing anything about the "whip" used against them .... it must be a fetish for pain (maybe the word "masochistic" fits the description?. Taking it to another level, Malaysian are mostly like that, I suppose).

Malaysia has never been a Parliamentary Democracy under a Constitutional Monarchy. Ever since the time of Razak, it has been about Umno and nothing else- everything we (and the world) saw were simply window dressings which were used to legitimize the plunder of the nations resources while the Rakyat were treated as consumable commodity.

The parliament as we know it today should have been boycotted long ago for Umno's shenanigans, to let the world see Malaysia for what it really is-
A Racist Dictatorship by the Elistist Umno Oligarchs/Aristocracy!

We have a long way to go before the rakyat know the price that has to paid for their apathy ....

****************************

“So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom,
those who wish to tyrannise will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent,
and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods,
religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.”
- Voltaire
***********************************

"Rock the Mic" should only be left to the Rock & Rollers....

"Rock the Mic" should only be left to the Rock & Rollers....

Play it again, Sam

Play it again, Sam
==================================

==================================

The full session of the MCLM Forum in London

The full session of the MCLM Forum in London

As follows are the full videos in 11 parts of the Malaysian Civil liberties Movement (MCLM) forum in London on Sunday, 12 December 2010

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Tz2NCVPvM

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUMAj7qkhHs

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_BBD7tiOWk

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlhTRlztako

Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLZ4M4bYo-o

Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB3-KWlbarY

Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikI2h5cTBVk

Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuWhpDZkLTw

Part 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXzZqem-q-k

Part 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAfqaVN5SjY

Part 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_quNigm1dXE

ARTiculations: American Pie Revisited

ARTiculations: American Pie Revisited

Efficient Ministers in Malaysia- I "Believe" It!!

“As for Najib Razak, he is an opportunist.
Although he has not been critical of Singapore,
he will not hesitate to go in that direction if it is expedient for him to do so.
Najib’s political fortunes continue to be haunted by the murder scandal,” -WikiLeaks

“I assure you that Malaysia is not run by incompetent politicians
but by very competent politicians,”
, Najib insists Malaysia is run by ‘very competent’ leaders

*************************

• When they "elect" a new speaker before the Head of State's opening address-
• When they bring plainclothes policemen into the Perak state assembly, and drag the speaker out like a sack of potatoes-
• When Najib says, "You help me, I help You"-
  
• When his deputy says that they will not provide Federal financial allocation to "Opposition" held constituencies-
  
• When Rais Yatim says "I change my Mode"-
  
• When Zahid Hamidi says that I'm unpatriotic-
  
• When the Home minister says that people have to step on cows heads to "express themselves", or that certain ordinary Arabic words cannot be used in Malaysia by non-Muslims, because it confuses the Muslim -

I 'BELIEVE' IT!!

• When the Education Minister Flip-flops on English/Malay teaching or says Umno's propaganda/ Islamic History should be a compulsory for all students, so that I'll be patriotic-
• When Jo Baharum attends the wedding of a 14-yr old kid -
• When Umno Ministers twist & turn to justify "Ketuanan Melayu", then in desperation, bring the royal houses into the picture after humiliating them in the Mahathir era-
• When they put a man who confesses to corrupting Court officers, who announces "laws of discount" in plea-bargaining- to head the Judiciary -
• When parliamentarians behave like uncouth children incapable of coherent debate-
  
• When the Home Minister believes that a peaceful assembly with candles or t-shirts certain colors is a threat to "national security" -
  

I 'BELIEVE' IT!!

• When they say that sending a man to space as a tourist is "scientific progress"-
  
• When I hear that we need a 100-storey tower to stimulate the economy-
  
• When they cannot accountable for Bakun, or Taib Mahmud for the bigtime Damming & plunder of Sarawak to death -
• When they say they cannot charge Tajuddin Ramli for MAS scandal -
• When I hear of acronyms like PKFZ or OPV, KPI or NKRA, ETP or whatever-
  
• When they say that they couldn't accumulate 30% equity in spite of RM52 billion allocation over 40 yrs-
  
• When they say the cannot find RPK-
• When PI Bala goes missing -
  
• When they say a pretty Mongolian with no records of entry into Malaysia was blown up with C4 explosive-
  

I 'BELIEVE' IT!!

Najib's "Elegant Silence" & the "four diseases" of BN ....

"The muted response from the Najib camp is glaring ......
This places Najib’s officials in a dilemma.
If they were to agree to the revelations about Anwar,
then they are also confirming that Anwar was deliberately ‘trapped’.
So what should they do? Either way, they are stumped.
Hence the collective silence."

Two different 'reactions' to stand by your leader

Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysia Chronicle

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Soon after the damaging WikiLeaks revelations emerged early on Sunday 12 December, two different reactions were noted in the two opposing camps of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak.

Although initially slow to react to the news, (it was after all Sunday and he was overseas then) Anwar responded with a series of tweets followed by the Pakatan publicity machinery press statement.

Meanwhile, Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak who was present at two official functions, declined the opportunity on each occasion, to speak to the press. Even his supporters and members of his Cabinet maintained a collective silence. After last week’s BN convention, when all the leaders of the component parties were vocal in their support for him, WikiLeaks appears to have had a calming influence over them.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Communications Director of Parti Keadilan Rakyat issued a statement which expressed the seriousness of the disclosures: “The sodomy charges against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim fabricated by the Malaysian Special Branch is a serious matter as this is the surest sign yet that the persecution stems from a conspiracy at the highest levels.”

He questioned the cosy arrangement between the intelligence services of the two countries, “We must ask why the Singaporean intelligence services chose to collude with Malaysia’s Special Branch in spreading such lies about Anwar.”

There was shock that the Singaporeans had been complicit in this wrongdoing. “What is more shocking is the fact that the leadership of the Republic of Singapore has chosen to partake in this deception by deliberately spreading disinformation to an Australian intelligence agency, the Office of National Assessments (ONA).”

They were nothing more than “sensationalized personal opinions” according to Saifuddin N asution Ismail, the Secretary General of PKR.

“It must be stated very clearly that this is raw information that has yet to be screened and verified and that is what is causing the WikiLeaks commotion worldwide,” said PKR information chief, Latheefa Koya.

Part of the Wikileaks disclosures claim that a senior Singapore official said, “A lack of competent leadership is a real problem for Malaysia”, citing the need for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to prevail politically over the murder case of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The muted response from the Najib camp is glaring.

Already that Sunday, Najib had twice avoided meeting the press. However, government officials, when contacted, said it would be best to wait for Singapore’s explanation before any reaction was given.

One senior official said, “I am sure Singapore will explain soon enough. I am sure some people are already embarrassed with the leak”.

Malaysia’s relationship with Singapore will come under intense pressure with the revelation that “Malaysia’s decline” is fuelled by incompetent politicians. Derogatory comments were posted about Malaysia’s prime ministers, past and present. Najib was called “an opportunist”.

Another warned the “situation in neighbouring Malaysia is confused and dangerous”, fuelled by “a distinct possibility of racial conflict” that could see ethnic Chinese “flee” Malaysia and “overwhelm” Singapore.

Malaysia’s senior government officials would also be aware that WikiLeaks revealed that Anwar Ibrahim - Najib’s political rival – was trapped in a “set-up job” but the opposition leader had walked right into it.



What is strange is that no one has lambasted the Singaporeans for making those totally inappropriate comments about Najib. Or condemned the Singaporeans for saying Malaysia was confused or that the country was in decline.

Unless, they believed all these to be true.

After last week’s call to arms at the BN convention, the delegates had responded with gusto and warmed to Najib. They showed their approval for his speech, style, content and delivery by interrupting with loud raucous support.

“He is a true national leader,” said MIC CWC member S. Manivasagam, one of the delegates. “He is Barisan’s best asset.”

What did Najib said about BN’s four diseases - delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance?

Shame on these delegates! Amnesia already? None of them have shown support for Najib by condemning the Singaporeans for badmouthing their leader.