PI Bala & The Deafening Silence Trilogy

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Shortchanging : The "1-Malaysia" Way ....

Hospital assistants running clinics causing anxiety

MalaysianMirror Wednesday, 25 November 2009 08:40

We would like to raise the concerns of many individuals who are wondering about the quality of "1Malaysia clinics" that are manned by hospital assistants. Whilst the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations of Malaysia supports and encourages more clinics to be set up, they must comply with the law. The law clearly states that clinics must be manned by a registered medical practitioner at all times to ensure quality care. The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (1998) and Regulations (2006) require that all private clinics have specific written policies and standard operating procedures to that effect. We were surprised that the government had anounced in Budget 2010 that it would be setting up the 1Malaysia clinics manned by hospital assistants, which is inconsistent with the law. It appears that the government is now promoting a lower standard for private healthcare whereas it would have raided and shut down such clinics in the past. If hospital assistants are allowed to run the 1Malaysia clinics, does it mean private clinics in general can now also do so? The government must clarify this point. A clinic by any other name is still a clinic. The public demands that all of them offer the full medical services expected of a typical clinic in the treatment of ailments. The majority of 1Malaysia clinics are concentrated in urban areas where they should have been set up in villages and urban fringes where they are most needed. The government needs to review such health and medical resources to ensure the poor in both urban and rural areas are best served. Dr Ng Swee Choon Committee Member, Medical Affairs Committee Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations of Malaysia www.fpmpam.org

Democracy, "Asian Values" & Mahathirism

"All praise for democracy, the best system for politics ever invented by man.

But being invented by man, it is not free from imperfections.
It works only if you know these imperfections and their limitations."

- Mahathir, CHE Det

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Here is a man, who destroyed the very doctrine of "separation of powers" in Malaysia, singing a very "off-key" democratic tune!
Probably what he meant to say was - "All praise for Mahathir - the man with 'many ideas' ..." - the one man who "saw the imperfections" in democracy, and hence manipulated it to suit his whims and fancies - and justified his dictatorship. He went on to mention that the loser should accept the winner, (without articulating how one should become a winner) - and in his "trademark" fashion, went on to paint his opponents black ..... just so that he would look white.

This is the man who destroyed the once sterling reputation of the Judiciary. Today though, foreign investors would shudder at the prospect of having to sign a deal under the Malaysian system. Here is the man who saw it fit to send judges to boot-camp, sack them, vilify them and create a subservient civil service of the institution - talking about "limitations of democracy".
This is the man who claims that India practices "too much democracy"(Mahathir probably means to say that India was better-off during the emergency, under the rule of Indira Gandhi), while China is supposed to be better (becos it now has money & can bring development??)!!

In Mahathir's definition of democracy, it is supposed to be limited to those within his circle of friends and family - the chosen elite who would be eternally grateful to him for the freebies he dished out through licensing, privatization, APs, mega contracts and what not. The rest, who dissent are meant to just STFU.

In fact, after getting the original Umno de-registered READ HERE (yes - it was his people who got it de-registered and not Ku Li's - as they would like it spun) after his fallout with Ku Li, the Umno Baru he created was nothing more than a training ground for unthinking servants and lackeys, devoid of any element of democracy - it was a select group whom he chose, who casted votes, made all decisions and ruled Malaysia by default. With an Umno enslaved & devoid of democracy, he now had all of Malaysia at his disposal- to do as he pleased.

We all know what happened to the PDRM after Musa Hasan was promoted to become the IGP, (after his role in certain events). No- don't blame him ..... it was Mahathir who decided how the PDRM had to be run, and Musa was simply entrusted to do the job - and obviously, he did it "well". Ever since, Law and Order was only as good as the elite it served and the money it churned.
Civil society? What civil society are you talking about? They're all simply enemy agents who seek to demonize him for his compassion!! Irene Fernandez can vouch for that .....

Mahathir loves to hide behind his "doctor" name and justify his actions "as a doctor would seek diagnosis and a cure" (as he said in History Channel) - the only problem was, he did not see his patients as humans but simply as "cases" to be dealt with. (Shamelessly advertising his ignorance of democracy, he confesses that he does not care much for the law or legalities.... "a cure at all costs", was his idea of statecraft/democracy).
He did what he alone believed to be right, at whatever cost - even if it robbed his patient of his/her humanity. To him, his patient (I speak of "democracy", here) was simply a commodity which should serve him - which he can also trade-off, so as to further his personal agenda. He actually said (on History Channel) that a patient should be allowed to voice out his complaint without interruption, so that he could be treated - well, we all know what he prescribed to the victims of ISA/Ops Lalang, Anwar Ibrahim and also LGE.

History channel's Mahathir biography, was hardly "face-saving" in its presentation!!
None of his corruption, destruction of institutions, lies, "failed ventures" or brutalities were revealed. In the "Malaysia Boleh" spirit, instant millionaires were created out of thin air overnight. Nothing was mentioned about the financial mega-scandals (read OPV/ PKFZ/ Perwaja/ Bakun/ Bank Islam/ Bank Bumiputra/ MAS- Tajuddin/ Renong-Halim Saad etc).
Memali, Ops Lalang, the details of the constitutional crises, how he beat Ku Li in Umno elections, Sabah elections/sabotage, illegal "bumiputras", the corruption of the education system etc, etc, etc - nothing was mentioned!

History channel was bordering on shameless ...
Param was the one saving grace.
Even Jomo's & LKS's comments were very "guarded" or constipated, rather (for which they must've been paid handsomely) - to lend credibility to the whole show. (I just wonder why Anwar wasn't interviewed as well, when Mahathir could assert Anwar's "guilt" in the show .....)
It was all nauseating at best!!! History Channel seemed to have been paid to create a hero out of a corrupt despot, who was bent on creating a culture of piracy to produce a super-rich Malay elite who lived off handouts and a band of tycoons from crony capitalism, through daylight robbery!!

Indeed, "All praise for democracy, the best system for politics ever invented by man" - but it Mahathir's case, it is only good when it can serve his agenda .... thus it's "limitations".
It doesn't matter to him how one "wins" - the ends, justify the means.

That dear friends, is Mahathir's idea of a "perfected democracy"...... no wonder he clamours to be recognized as a "Dear Leader" (just as in some other despotic regimes).
So much for the know-it-all - our very own "Mr. 10%" ......

Addendum:
Word has it that Mahathir has recently been started on a new medication for his aging grey matter.
He's apparently on T. Arsepirin 500mg tds these days ...

Maraysian Engrand, wor!

Some light-hearted Sunday funnies

(from Patrick Teoh's "NIAMAH!!!")

No need to worry la. We all won't be speaking any English in a few years from now.

Actually, the Deputy Minister of Education (see post below) has absolutely nothing to worry about. Malaysian students and Malaysian youth have not spoken English in decades. That is going from what they are being taught in Malaysian schools and colleges. I heard from a reliable source today some 'sample' questions that were part of an English language exam paper for a certain Malaysian university. Don't laugh too hard okay?

Objective test.

Question: What does it mean when a person has a 'sixth sense'?

Required answer: The person has the ability to see ghosts.

Question: Which country welcomes its visitors with a garland or "lei"?

Required answer: Hawaii. (but Hawaii isn't a country!)

Question: If you cut open an apple and find the centre resembling the word for God (original word in the test substituted to protect sensitivities and to avoid legal battles about who can use the name) what is that?

Required answer: A blessing in disguise.

There were more examples but by that time I was laughing so hard I couldn't hold on to the phone. Hope you had an enjoyable and productive Sunday. Smile.

NIAMAH!!!

Corruption is a two-player game

Corruption is a two-player game
Malaysian Insider

NOV 22 — Malaysians are a funny lot. We’ll rant and rave about institutional corruption yet have no qualms whatsoever partaking in bribery on a personal level. One minute it’s PKFZ this, double-tracking that but the moment we get pulled over by the coppers for any number of the traffic infractions we commit in a day, we see nothing wrong in slipping the guy a RM50 note to “make him go away.”

Sometimes we even take a perverse sense of pride in how “easy” it is to negotiate the pitfalls of our local traffic laws. Many a time, we will proudly declare to foreigners “Malaysia no problem wan, if get caught can settle!” It’s not so much that we even say this, but more the wicked satisfaction with which we tell all and sundry about something that cannot possibly be any source of dignity whatsoever.

“Settle? What do you mean ‘settle’?” is the near-inevitable reply. This is where we not only regale them with tales of rampant corruption but also “teach” them the wily ways to avoid “overpaying.” Some even go as far as giving them a Lonely Planet guide on how much should be offered: “If parking, you offer RM20. If speeding, RM50 can already. Drink-driving, aiyoh, that wan expensive!”

I readily admit that I used to be part of the “everything can settle” crowd. Each time I see flashing blue lights in my rear-view mirror, I make a quick mental note of how much it will cost to pay the fine and adjust my opening gambit to suit. It was just... easier.

One day, however, I snapped. It had been a particularly long day and the country was in some turmoil with the Kampung Medan riots then. I was on my way home when a car runs a red light and nearly T-bones me.

Like all good Malaysians, I offer him a good dose of my extra-loud horn and a quick one-fingered salute, before proceeding straight into a waiting roadblock. Mental check: No bats, knives, swords, guns, or dead bodies in the trunk so I should sail right through this.

Then the man approaching my window drops the bomb of a line: “Encik tadi langgar lampu merah.”

What. The. Fish.

At that point in time, there would have been no possible way for me to hold him in lower esteem. The scum that sticks to the scum that sticks to the scrapings from the bottom of the shoes you throw away would have been a better thing.

I hand him my licence and proceed to close the window. He knocks. I crack it open enough to let in some air. “Dari mana?” he asks, like he gives a toss. “Sana,” I answer as I flick my thumb vaguely in the direction from where I came.

He seems taken aback by the aloofness but soldiers on nonetheless, “Pergi mana?” “Sana,” I say as I casually wave a hand towards where I want to go. I develop a sudden fascination with my radio to avoid having to hurt my eyes looking at him so he wanders off to speak to what looks like his “senior.” Some minutes later, he saunters back.

“Ni kena saman, ni.” There’s so much false concern in his voice for my sudden “misfortune” that I can barely keep my dinner down. So I flash him my biggest, friendliest smile and say: “Ye ke? Kalau kena tu, kenalah, kan?”

That’s not how the script goes and it catches him off guard. He stands there pretending to scribble in his notepad. Before long, he goes to confer with his “senior.” He comes back, knocks on my window, and hands me my licence. Then he says, “Saman tu kita hantar kat rumah.” I give him the same wide smile as I drive off.

From that day on, I vowed never to directly give him and his ilk another single sen. Instead, I just take whatever ticket that’s coming and pay that instead. You’d be surprised, more often than not they don’t even bother writing one when the shakedown has clearly failed.

It’s a simple concept to live by: You do the crime, you pay the fine. Obviously this demands a certain degree of pain and sacrifice on your part in terms of money and time, but is there really any other way to go about it?

People try to bribe their way out of trouble because it’s “easier” but is this any different to the undeserving contractor who offers kickbacks to secure a project he’s not qualified to receive, instead of actually bringing himself to meet the standards actually required or match the prices his competitors offered? Isn’t he just taking the “easy” way out, too?

Corruption also doesn’t happen in isolation; it takes at least two to play. There’s the corruptor and the corrupted. The bribe giver and the bribe seeker. And corruption is corruption, regardless of whether there’s RM50 in it or RM50 million.

So the next time you feel tempted to take the “easy” way out, think hard about what it really means. You may not have had a similarly encouraging experience as mine so I can only implore you to join me in saying no to the corruption that we can. We might not be able to personally do much about the things like PKFZ or frivolous Disneyland trips but we can surely do at least this much.

So, are you going to stay a part of the problem? Or will you choose to be part of the solution?

Are We Any Different?

Do the advocates of ISA realize the mockery of humanity represented by the ISA?
The untold horrors of detention without charge and/or trial, is one of the instruments of intimidation which a government which thrives on violence and brutality would advocate.

As noble as the intentions of such a law may be, it cannot be executed in a righteous manner - as its very existence itself allows those in the corridors of power to act with impunity upon fellow men and women. It is by itself an affront to the rule of law. It is a law that is beyond the laws it is supposed to come under.

Today in Malaysia, we have many who advocate the ISA in ignorance - that it is a licence to play God, and deny you your humanity. A thousand excuses will be given to keep it in place, while they ignore the reasons for for abolishing it - just to facilitate the rule of pirates in power and feign patriotism. They claim that it is a necessary evil to protect their rights - the very rights which this evil is poised to take away.

Little do they know, that it is meant to make you accept against your will, a subhuman status in society. It is meant to break your human spirit, silence you and render you into just another beast of burden which would silently toil the earth for its master - for slops in return.

There are indeed "many ways to skin a cat" - but The ISA is just not one of them, if we were to take humanity into consideration.

Below is the Press Conference of an ex-ISA detainee from Singapore, Dr Lim Hock Siew:-

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Refreshing Mahathir's Memory .....

Here are a few comments from readers of MalaysiaKini, in response to Mahathir's comments on Anwar's role as "Economic Advisor" to Selangor:-

"Dr M: Anwar right choice to bankrupt S'gor"

Kanesin SVS Sappania Pillay: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, it was you who made Anwar Ibrahim the finance minister in your cabinet and he was sacked for reasons other than failing as finance minister if my memory serves me correctly. I am sure he would have learnt from his 'failure'.

Ed: Hmm, and yet he was the right choice for finance minister under your administration. I guess Mahathir always had the tendency to surround himself and his cabinet with people who 'didn't know anything' in relation to the offices they held.

SusahKes: Well, let's see Dr Mahathir. You were responsible for:

1) Awarding privatisation contracts at hugely inflated prices

2) Bailing out MAS by paying higher than market value for its shares

3) Using Petronas to bail out your son

4) The loss-making Paya Indah Wetlands/Sepang projects

5) The loss-making Putrajaya development

6) The loss-making Cyberjaya/MCS development

7) The huge Bank Negara forex trading losses (which you conveniently called 'paper losses')

8) Bailing out Proton and passing the mess back to the taxpayers

I've only just mentioned the financial side. What about the 'raid' you made on the judiciary? What about the use of ISA/OSA? What about corruption?

Do you know how much of potential FDI we lost over the years because of the non-financial aspects of your dictatorship? Aiyo, Dr M, don't 'pusing-pusing' la...

Victor Johan: Mahathir, when journalists seek your opinion, it does not mean that you should think they and the rakyat are stupid. Your reply only reflects who you are.

In my opinion, your statement certainly reflects your mental state - you're uncomfortable with the progress that Anwar and other like-minded Pakatan Rakyat representatives are making in providing the rakyat with an alternative government come the 13^th general election.

Their success will certainly be your demise and those of the other BN reps - all the cans of worms and skeletons in the closets will be revealed. We need facts, not gutter-level political replies. You were prime minister and finance minister once, remember?