Selasa, 26 November 2013

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A Sensitive Taoist Priest

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 11:41 AM PST

http://en.cafa.com.cn/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/05-Wang-Yuping-Taoist-Priest-No.02-2007-oil-painting-and-acrylic-150x120cm.jpg 
The old Taoist priest started from humble beginnings, operating a little shrine in my village that was 'Truly Asia'.
 
Yussof Condred 
 
The old Taoist priest started from humble beginnings, operating a little shrine in my village that was 'Truly Asia'. His specialty was going into trances, slitting his tongue with a ceremonial sword and with it dripping red ink, wrote winning 4-digit numbers on yellow parchments. Lucky punters donated generously and now he operated from a new temple, as respectable as his new status. With new status came arrogance and a heightened, affected sensitivity. He received invitations to new year parties and was highly sought after by the rich and famous or infamous to perform rituals at the wakes of their dearly departed.
 
There were two recent incidences in his career that his sensitivity was put to the test.
 
1. The wake.
 
Just last weekend he had the opportunity to perform prayers and blessings at the wake of a grand old lady. For the benefit of non-Taoists, a little explanation about the custom practiced by Taoists is in order. Visitors who come to a wake to pay their last respect are expected to donate money, called 'pak kam' (white gold) in Cantonese, to be inserted through a slot on the top of a donation box. The money must be placed inside white envelopes as befitting the custom and sombre occasion.
 
During a break in his prayer chanting, the priest saw a gatecrasher, an unkempt man clutching a brown paper bag in which was concealed a bottle, paid respect to the deceased and then inserted a red envelope in the slot of the donation box. By now everyone's eyes were fixed on this stranger's action. This was an act of disrespect to the family of the departed. The priest was aghast at the callousness. However, he suspected that the man was drunk (which proved to be the case when the man produced the bottle of liquor from his brown paper bag and started loudly to propose a toast to the health of the dearly departed). Therefore, they forgave the scoundrel and summarily ushered him out.
 
 2.  The New Year Party.
 
During the Chinese new year open house at our village community hall the priest was one of the guests of honour. It was a typical multiracial, multianimal affair where political opportunists mingled freely with vagrants, gangsters, religionists, ahteists, LGBT, idiots, dogs, cats and rats.
 
The highlight of the party was the giving out of 'Ang Pow' by honoured guests. And that was the main reason the event attracted all sorts except the dogs, cats and rats. They only came for the food crumbs.
 
It was then that a wannabe MP committed a faux pas. He handed out the money contained in white envelops. Had he confused a new year celebration with a wake?
 
To the Taoists, new year celebrations are religious. The priest was offended, more so because the wannabe MP was from a rival political party. The virtual rocket that he secretly kept in his heart for decades exploded. He decided to make what was so fashionable these days, a police report for an insult to his religion. 
 
At the police station the officer was polite and professional, for in his stereotyped thinking, since the priest was Chinese and Chinese diligently pay their taxes then he must be a loyal citizen. I began to admire the professionalism of that officer for his explanation to the aggrieved priest. He said "An Pek, I can understand your feelings and I symphatise with you. But the police department is under the authority of a secular government. Therefore we are not authorised to handle religious matters. You may wish to lodge your complaint to an appropriate body, like your Taoist Association."

Netizens slam ‘traitor’ Junaidi’s treason threat

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 11:28 AM PST

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wan-junaidi.jpg 

(FMT) - Sarawak netizens voice anger and disbelief over the deputy home minister's recent warning, calling him a Malaya lackey

Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Jaafar's warning to parties questioning the legitimacy of Malaysia has shocked Sarawak netizens, who've dubbed him 'a Sarawak traitor'.

Affronted users of the social media maintained that Sarawakians have the fundamental right to question and ask for a review of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and that it was not seditious.

Junaidi had on Sunday reportedly warned politicians "playing around" and raising the Malaysia Agreement-related issues. He said it was 'treason and seditious'.

"The issue can disrupt unity between West Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Raising the issue is an act of treason. The Malaysia Agreement should not be raised anymore," he said.

A posting of Junaidi's contentious comment on the Sarawak Sovereignty Movement (SSM) Facebook page drew 58 wide-ranging comments with hundreds of likes within a day.

User Skidz Chai screamed "Pengkhianat Sarawak (Sarawak's traitor)!" while another Penan Murum posted: "This fellow is (Prime Minister) Najib's (servant) and is brainwashed by Malaya. A Negara Sarawak traitor!"

SSM regular Morshidi Abdul Rahman posted: "We are not playing around about the Malaysia formation issue.

"We are questioning the legitimacy of the Malaysia establishment when there are facts showing the Sarawak nation (Negara Sarawak) had been tricked by the British and Malayan leaders in the early sixties.

"Most Sarawak leaders (then) were inexperienced and not highly educated to know what the actual Malayan agenda was.

"Only now we (Sarawakians) can see ourselves their agenda to enrich Malaya and drain off as much oil gains and taxes as possible for the benefit of Malaya only.

"As our people are not 'smart lawyers', cannot we ordinary citizens know the truth?" he asked.

Malaya's lackey

His views were echoed by another user Walter Gregory Ripon, who said: "All agreements of course must be reviewed from time to time to ensure there is no deviation from the foundations of the agreements.

"As an educated minister, please do not make statements like an uneducated person."

Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/27/netizens-slam-traitor-junaidis-treason-threat/ 

 

A Club in Malaysia Tells Its Members to Be Whores -- That Way, Their Husbands Don't Have to Use One

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 11:13 AM PST

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54801000/jpg/_54801945_54801943.jpg 

In no other place have I seen so many women covered from head to feet in the traditional tudong (at least their faces are exposed), while their husbands walk next to them in shorts and graphic t-shirts. And in no other place in Southeast Asia have I had women look at me in disgust as I pass by them wearing my own shorts and graphic t-shirts. 

Lina Eroh (Huffington Post) 

Over afternoon tea a few months ago, my husband and I learned about an organization called the "Obedient Wives Club." It was founded in Malaysia in 2011 and the Penang branch counts several female doctors and other educated women amongst its members.

The goal of the club is as off-putting as its name: to teach wives how to submit to their husbands, in life and in bed.

The club has come under scrutiny for both its published works and vocal advocates, some of whom suggest that the only way a woman can keep her husband loyal is by acting like a "whore in bed." According to one woman who has friends in the club, lessons also focus on treating your husband like the "emperor" he is and introducing new sexual positions into the bedroom.

Which brings me to the situation of women in Malaysia, and perhaps to a larger extent, how women are viewed and hence view themselves within the lens of Islam. Malaysia, a predominantly Islamic country whose Muslim population is governed by Sharia law, is in many ways a patriarchal society where women are subordinate objects to men. In no other place have I seen so many women covered from head to feet in the traditional tudong (at least their faces are exposed), while their husbands walk next to them in shorts and graphic t-shirts. And in no other place in Southeast Asia have I had women look at me in disgust as I pass by them wearing my own shorts and graphic t-shirts. I've even seen girls as young as five wear head coverings and full length outfits despite it being 90+ degrees outside and there being no law in place requiring such dress.

Malay women aren't even supposed to leave their homes in the evening without being accompanied by their husbands -- not for safety, but for modesty. So if you were a typical Malay man, which meeting would you rather drive your wife to?

The one in which she talks about improving the government/education system/environment or the one in which she talks about improving... your sex life?

In every country I've been so far, I've tried to learn about and understand the local way of life. I've spoken to people about why they choose to bathe in the river when they have hot showers in their unoccupied guesthouses, why they don't send their children to school, and why they become prostitutes. I may not have agreed with the reasoning for their actions, but I tried to understand.

Malaysia has presented a unique problem. I simply can't understand why Malay women put up with a society that objectifies them to an extent that I can't imagine in my own life. I don't know why they let their husbands keep them at home and tell them what to wear, even as they drive around town in BMWs wearing shorts and t-shirts. And I wonder how they can consider themselves lucky to be married to men who through their behavior act no better than pigs... or pimps.

The answer, of course, is religion, or rather a strict and perhaps too convenient interpretation of Islamic texts. Malaysia makes it illegal for Malays to not be Muslim, but in the past it has tried to embrace secularity and modernity when it comes to its global policies. Recently, however, many politicians, journalists, and scholars have grown increasingly nervous that Malaysia is veering away from secularity to become a strict Islamic state.

There are noticeable hints on the ground that this change is indeed occurring. More women wear headscarves (or hijabs) than ever before, even though it's not required by law. Sharia law is in full effect, with signs in 7 Eleven reminding Muslims that it's illegal for them to drink alcohol and signs in fancy spas reminding Muslim men (but not women, seemingly since they'd never go to a Western spa alone) that it is forbidden for them to get massages by female masseurs. We've even learned of some public schools that don't have food service available for non-Muslim students during Ramadan, essentially forcing them to follow a tradition that's not their own. (After the student council at this school complained, the dean agreed to open one food cart with limited lunch hours for non-Muslim students. A student that bought food at the food cart was subsequently scolded by her Muslim teacher.)

And a Muslim woman who happens to be a dog trainer was recently investigated and jailed for her "unholy" actions, which consisted of walking three dogs past a mosque and then washing their feet. (There is some confusion as to whether or not Muslims are allowed to touch dogs. Most Malaysian Muslims seem to believe it's illegal, while Muslims from other countries say there are no laws against it.)

And it is in this societal context that women find themselves. By law, a Malay man is allowed to have four wives and countless numbers of divorces. Most men can't afford to have more than one wife at a time, since having multiple families (technically) means you support multiple women and children. But there's always that risk for the woman, the risk that her husband will ask her permission to take on another wife, or worse, just text her:

Talaq.

One time means we're having problems.

Two times means things are getting worse.

Talaq talaq talaq.

Three times.

That means it's over. For good. On legal grounds. 

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lina-eroh/a-club-in-malaysia-tells-_b_4331306.html 

The Lone Ranger rides again, sans Tonto

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:32 AM PST

http://www.fz.com/sites/default/files/styles/1_landscape_slider_photo/public/ong%20tee%20keat_1.jpg 

(fz.com) - So why then is he throwing his hat into the ring when the odds seem harder than 2010, where he garnered 578 votes to Dr Chua's 901 and Ka Ting's 833 votes.  

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was not his usual self when met at his office at the Bakti Nusa foundation in Pandan Jaya yesterday.

He seemed distant, deep in thought and was distracted by the numerous phone calls that kept interrupting our conversation.

"I'm so sorry," he said as he responded to his sixth text in five minutes.

"So many are calling to offer support … even the non-Chinese and those who had abandoned me," he laughed.

He was referring to his surprise announcement on Tuesday that he was going to run for MCA president again.

Ong's lack of focus on his guest can be forgiven. His thoughts were on the fight ahead, but he was also anticipating what his preferred running mate Datuk Gan Ping Sieu would be announcing at the latter's press conference the same afternoon.

Gan, of course decided that he too would be a strong candidate for No.1.

If some of the party's 2,385 delegates and analysts have it right, then Gan's running mate would be Datuk Chua Tee Yong – son of current president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The two youngest senior party officials will be offering youth and vibrancy, against the combo of experience presented by deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and vice president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.

So now Ong finds himself in a familiar spot: all by himself!

"I want Gan.  I was hoping I will get him but he too wants to go for No.1. He should build up some credentials first."

So who will be his running mate?

"Well, I'm a Lone Ranger or singles player like you always say," laughed the 57-year-old.

But even the Lone Ranger has Tonto.

"Yes, so I want Gan, but he has his own path to follow and I respect that," Ong relented.

While acknowledging that he and his No.1 nemesis, the elder Chua had formed an understanding, it was far from a kiss and make up session.

Too much water had gone under the bridge with both leaders publicly going at each other's throats since the bitter extraordinary general meeting and polls of 2010 which ousted Ong as president.

"There's no such thing as a peace deal because anyone can always throw a spanner in the works," he said, alluding to Dr Chua's mastery of political chess and influence he holds over the delegates.

However with a new batch of delegates who do not necessarily listen to party elders and divisional chiefs, Ong feels he has a good chance, in this period of MCA's life which seems to be a free-for-all.

Even then when he defended his presidency, Ong did not offer a running mate, while Dr Chua had Datuk Seri Kong Chor Ha and Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting paired up with Liow.

That EGM only served to further split an already divided party.

With his candidacy for the Dec 21st presidential election, Tee Keat will face similar accusations of putting his ego before the party.

Read more at: http://www.fz.com/content/lone-ranger-rides-again-sans-tonto 

Lawyer sues AG, former IGP and eight others

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:29 AM PST

http://www.sinarharian.com.my/polopoly_fs/1.224753.1385458195!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_490/image.jpg 

(Bernama) - A lawyer has filed a multi million civil action against the Attorney-General, former Inspector-General of Police, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner and seven others for malicious prosecution.

Rosli Dahlan filed the suit involving more than RM47 million on Friday at the Civil High Court here through Messrs Kumar Partnership.

 

He named Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, the MACC, Malaysian Government, Royal Malaysian Police, three deputy public prosecutors, a MACC investigation officer and a police officer as defendants.

 

In his statement of claim, he said the defendants conspired to arrest and charge him in court for a MACC case.

 

He said he was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Dec 20, 2010.

 

Rosli is seeking punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages totalling RM47 million, special damages of RM750,000, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

 

 

Teach your little darlings to think

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:24 AM PST

http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SPM-Moral.jpg 

His father, a doctor, claimed the change at the eleventh hour without prior notice was "racially-motivated" and was to ensure non-Muslims — for whom Moral Studies is a required subject — score fewer As than Muslim students who have to sit the compulsory Islamic Studies paper. 

Frankie D'Cruz, The Malay Mail 

Last year a giant UK supermarket's poll of parents of children aged 18 to 25 years claimed one in three teenagers arriving for their higher education was unable to even boil an egg.

The survey also revealed the average student struggled with basic chores such as barely making toast for breakfast and not knowing how to make their bed in the morning.

The findings of this poll were disclosed by a college lecturer over the weekend during a talk on journalism. We were discussing the changes to the format of SPM Moral Studies paper by the Examination Syndicate that had caused confusion among students and parents.

The lecturer said that in her 12-year experience with institutions of higher learning she had come across students who lacked the ability to carry out simple tasks in life.

She said the robotic tutorials in schools have created students who struggle to think out of the box. "Parents need to teach their little darlings how to do the simplest things in living skills.

"Then, we wouldn't have a situation where parents and students growl when creativity and critical thinking are encouraged as in the Moral paper."

Consider: Over the past two years, students were told that they only needed to memorise the 36 moral values and answer accordingly during the exam.

The 36 values are categorised into seven major fields — self-development, family, nature, patriotism, human rights, democracy and peace and harmony.

Obviously, any change in format without prior notice will cause confusion. So was the case among students and teachers.

One student in my neighbourhood who is incredibly competent at using gadgets and technology came to see me with his parents and asked me if The Malay Mail would highlight the racial element in the changes to the Moral paper.

His father, a doctor, claimed the change at the eleventh hour without prior notice was "racially-motivated" and was to ensure non-Muslims — for whom Moral Studies is a required subject — score fewer As than Muslim students who have to sit the compulsory Islamic Studies paper.

His prejudiced remark must be in the running for the Ugly Malaysian 2013 grand prize. And right up there is also Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli who told a news portal at the height of the issue that the problem was symptomatic of the fragile race relations in the country.

Rafizi reportedly said: "People do not trust the system and the government. The majority have long felt that the subject (Moral Studies) only serves to penalise them (non-Malays).

You decide where Rafizi is coming from. You figure out why race has been dragged in. Aren't we all bored with unintelligent interpretations?

What came across as refreshing though were the points put across by Sarala Poobalan in her letter to the editor:

She wrote that the format used to prepare the paper was heading in the right direction. "Our students are being prepared for thinking outside the box skill although it is currently only for the Moral paper."

I agree with her that it's worrying that the change in the format was not made known to teachers and students.

I agree with her that this was unprofessional and unbecoming of the Examination Syndicate in preparing a national examination paper.

I am not too sure however if all the students would have been able to prepare mentally if they had been told of the format because the Malaysian education system has been focused on standardised testing and memory recall.

Sarala says nobody likes surprises, especially during a major public examination, but agree or disagree, creative impulses are often stifled by a continuation of the instructive approach to teaching that dominates primary and secondary education.

In the push for better grades, creativity is often considered as having no place in the classroom as teachers transmit facts and procedures in a regimented manner to students.

Read more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/opinion/frankie-dcruz/article/teach-your-little-darlings-to-think 

UK governments blocked investigations into Malaysian massacre cover-up

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:11 AM PST

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2013/11/26/1385487803876/Relatives-of-Batang-Kali--009.jpg 

Relatives of Batang Kali massacre victims outside the high court in 2008. The court of appeal has heard how two UK governments tried to cover up Scotland Yard investigations into the killings of 24 civilians. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images 

(The Guardian) - Appeal court hears of Tory interventions in 1970 and 1990s over police probe into troops killing 24 civilians at Batang Kali in 1948

British governments blocked two police investigations into the covering up of the killing by British troops of 24 unarmed rubber plantation workers during counterinsurgency operations in Malaysia nearly 65 years ago, the appeal court heard on Tuesday.

Relatives of victims who died in the massacre of Batang Kali in December 1948 were in court to hear how soldiers of the Scots Guards had admitted murdering the plantation workers.

The government intervened to stop a Scotland Yard investigation in 1970 after the soldiers' confession. The police officer in charge subsequently complained that the issue was "politically flavoured from the outset". The investigation was stopped because of a "political change of view" when the Conservatives came to power in 1970, the officer said.

The Ministry of Defence said: "If no reaction is forthcoming, the matter will probably now remain buried in the public mind … and quietly forgotten."

An investigation by the Malaysian police in the 1990s, after fresh evidence emerged, was also blocked following intervention by the British government, the appeal court heard.

One of those killed, Lim Tian Shui, was said to have been found headless. His son, Lim Kok, who was in court on Tuesday to hear the case, said in a written statement: "The British soldiers committed a great wrong. The British authorities committed another [wrong] in the weeks that followed by branding those killed 'bandits' and 'terrorists'."

He said it was at least as great a wrong to maintain that "untruth" for over 60 years.

Relatives of the victims are seeking a public inquiry into the shootings. The British government argues that the UK has no legal responsibility for the acts of the soldiers at Batang Kali.

Scotland Yard files record summary execution by British soldiers in full view of the villagers, Michael Fordham QC, counsel for the victims' relatives told the appeal court.

"There was available evidence both from the Metropolitan police file and from the Malaysian police investigation, and a combination of both, and witness statements," he told Lord Justices Maurice Kay, Fulford, and Rimer.

The government's refusal to hold an inquiry places it in breach of Article 2 of the European convention on human rights convention enshrining the right to life, and of "customary international law," Fordham said.

Read more at: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/26/governments-blocked-investigations-malaysian-massacre-cover-up 

Thailand protesters back on the streets

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:06 AM PST

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71343000/jpg/_71343507_020132241-1.jpg 

(BBC) - So the government has invoked the Internal Security Act. It is considering emergency rule, which would permit the deployment of the army. It has got an arrest warrant for the protest leader, Suthep Thaugsuban. None of these measures will do much to restore its authority, though, without a willing army or police force. 

In almost any other country, the scenes I have witnessed in Thailand the past couple of days would have been unthinkable.

An unarmed crowd of demonstrators, some of them elderly and most decidedly unthreatening, stormed and then occupied the finance ministry in Bangkok.

Later they surrounded the interior ministry. Most of the staff left in a hurry, leaving a few rows of nervous-looking volunteer guards and rolls of razor-wire to prevent it suffering the same fate as the finance ministry.

A protest movement armed with little more than whistles and plastic hand-clappers has been able to mount what comes close to an insurrection against the government, in a middle-income country and economic hub for the South East Asian region.

Thailand's troubles

  • Sept 2006: Army overthrows government of Thaksin Shinawatra, rewrites constitution
  • Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin People Power Party wins most votes in election
  • Aug 2008: Mr Thaksin flees into self-imposed exile before end of corruption trial
  • Dec 2008: Mass yellow-shirt protests paralyse Bangkok; Constitutional Court bans People Power Party; Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
  • Mar-May 2010: Thousands of pro-Thaksin red shirts occupy parts of Bangkok; eventually cleared by army; dozens killed
  • July 2011: Yingluck Shinawatra leads Pheu Thai party to general election win

But then, they did something very similar before, in 2008.In that year the main government office, including that of the prime minister, was occupied for months, followed by a raid on Bangkok International airport that stranded tens of thousands of tourists.

'Bags of cash'

Thailand seems stuck on a merry-go-round of political conflict, replaying chaotic episodes that were scarcely believable the first time round. Why?

Ask the protesters and the answer is simple. One name. Thaksin Shinawatra.

They are a mix of middle-class city-dwellers and provincial folk from the south, the stronghold of the opposition Democrat party, and they all repeat the same mantras we heard during the last round of "yellow" protests in 2008.

That the former prime minister elevated corruption, always a pernicious problem here, to new heights; that he tried to control everything, and is still doing so from self-imposed exile, through his sister Yingluck, the current prime minister.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (centre) at the parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, 26 November 2013Yingluck Shinawatra has called for calm and invoked the Internal Security Act

No-one doubts the hold Mr Thaksin still has over his party, and his sway over important government decisions. He is, after all, his party's biggest vote-winner, despite living abroad for five years.

There is a continuous shuttle of ministers and officials to consult with him in Hong Kong, Dubai, or wherever else he happens to be.

There are also dark rumours of bags of cash leaving the country, though these are impossible to confirm.

But the common assumption has always been in Thailand that government projects allow "funds" to be siphoned off for well-connected people.

This government has embarked on an unprecedented spending spree, including a rice subsidy scheme costing many billions of dollars a year, a massive water management plan following the floods of 2011, and planned infrastructure investments totalling more than $600bn (£370bn).

Mr Thaksin's opponents fear these projects will generate so much slush money that the Shinawatras will be able to buy enough influence to dominate the country for many years to come, at a time when Thailand is quietly bracing itself for the end of the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the monarch seen as the spiritual and moral core of the nation.

Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25109420 

How to Fix Malaysia In Five Easy Steps

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 08:10 PM PST

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pakatan-bn-malaysia.jpg 

The question then is why isn't it being done if it is in fact that easy? Politics. It does not matter if it is in fact Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, neither gives two hoots for the public. 

Vivegavalen Vadi Valu 

You often read about the never-ending issues ailing our country and sometimes we get tired and frustrated by the politicians *cough* [idiots] who run the country. The thing is, have you stopped to think that all our problems are actually a repeated cycle and can be solved easily? Today, the Prime Minister is quoted to say "it's either GST or face bankruptcy". Now, while the statement may seem exaggerated it is not in fact that far off the actual reality facing Malaysia's looming economic disaster. 

In 1993, the World Bank produced a 400 page report on the Asian Economics, and Malaysia was dubbed the "Tiger of Asia" with an annual growth of 9% in comparison with South Korea's 6% and Singapore's 7%. Our GDP per capita stood at US$350 in contrast to South Korea's US$130. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was also at its highest of US$7.3 Billion, whereas our market capitalisation was ranked 1st in Asia at 14.6% (excluding Japan). 

Fast forward to the present, Malaysia has never recovered from the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, and since then we have fallen behind Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong, and now sit at par with Indonesia and Philippines.

While both Singapore and Hong Kong built up their portfolios by providing lucrative incentives and a favourable environment for investors to do business, Malaysia's stock exchange recorded a drop in listings from 1,025 companies to 976 in 2009. The final blow came from the World Investment Report 2010, which stated that Malaysia suffered a staggering 81.1% drop in FDI compared to Thailand's 30.4% and Indonesia's 44.7%. 

This shocking indictment of the current economic state of our country should come as no surprise, for it was revealed that as of 30 June 2011, the country's debt stands at 54% wherein if it touches 55%, the Constitution will have to be altered to increase borrowings, and we may face the similar disposition of Greece and opt for a bailout.

As Malaysia continues to be ploughed under debts, the Government continues to spend lavishly, ignoring the economic climate to ensure that the ruling power remains in their hands. Most notably, petrol and sugar prices both respectively being subsidised have been kept in check although being distorted by market value. The question that begs to be answered is why as petroleum producers, do we currently face this deplorable disposition? 

The New Economic Model (NEM) proposed by the Prime Minister in the first year of his regime failed to curb our decline as he released Part 1 which was effectively rendered useless as we continued the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) which advocates racial-policies instead of merit-based policies albeit using the backdoor. The 30% quota for tenders and projects reserved exclusively for Bumiputeras continued and this further added to wounds of the economy. 

Furthermore, the country's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) stands at #54 below countries like Rwanda while Singapore sits at #5. The perceived illicit outflow per annum stands at RM 30 Billion and it should therefore come as no surprise that the implementation of GST is a must as we can ill afford to depend on Petronas.

The crux of the matter here is mismanagement and corruption, nothing more and nothing less and the generation that will pay the ultimate price will be mine and yours. Then, how do we fix Malaysia?

1) Absolute judicial independence, practicing proper separation of powers between the Executives, Judiciary and Legislature + a shadow cabinet with funding allocated to provide for proper check and balance. 

2) Revamp the MACC and PDRM with an independent commission reviewing abuse of powers to ensure those who are put in place to serve the people actually do just that instead of serving those who sign their monthly pay slips.

3) De-regularize government purchases, practice transparency with ethics and ensure total open tenders with documents of sale and purchase being made public.

4) Improving the education system with globalization and pro-employment reforms with special emphasis given to children from rural areas, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak. 

5) The absolute banning of all racial politics and policies with maximum punishment meted out for repeat offenders. Enough of the bullshit that racism begins at home, it is time we implement a non-partisan and merit-based system for all.

The question then is why isn't it being done if it is in fact that easy? Politics. It does not matter if it is in fact Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, neither gives two hoots for the public save maybe a few but the overriding do not and that is all that matters. What can you do about it? Simple, citizen activism - reclaim your rights and powers, for demanding for change will not suffice, it is nigh time to act upon it.

Zahid selar negara luar ceroboh kerahsiaan negara

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:57 PM PST

http://i.imgur.com/izC9oIu.jpg 

(Bernama) - Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menyelar tindakan negara luar cuba mencerobohi maklumat kerahsiaan Malaysia yang merupakan tindakan amat tidak wajar.

Beliau menegaskan melalui dasar terbuka Malaysia, negara sedia berkongsi maklumat yang diperlukan sekiranya maklumat tersebut melibatkan negara-negara berkenaan.

"Pada prinsipnya, maklumat-maklumat yang diklasifikasikan sebagai rahsia sepatutnya tidak ada sebuah pun negara yang berhak untuk melakukan intipan.

"Jadi tidak perlu menceroboh atau cuba memantau negara kita," katanya dalam  sidang media selepas merasmikan majlis sambutan Hari Inovasi KDN 2013 di Universiti Putra Malaysia di sini, hari ini.

Sebuah portal berita melaporkan mengenai dokumen rahsia yang dibocorkan oleh pemberi maklumat Amerika Syarikat, Edward Snowden, mendedahkan bahawa Singapura membantu kumpulan perisikan yang didakwa terbabit dalam aktiviti mengintip di Malaysia.

Rentetan laporan itu, Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman berkata, pihak berkuasa Malaysia sedang menyiasat secara menyeluruh mengenai laporan terkini media itu berhubung dakwaan pembabitan Singapura, dalam kegiatan mengintip Malaysia dengan memanggil Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Singapura hari ini untuk mendapat penjelasan.

Sementara itu, Ahmad Zahid akan memperhalusi cadangan Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) supaya menukarkan pegawai Imigresen di pintu masuk negara setiap enam bulan bagi memastikan penyampaian sesuatu perkhidmatan dijalankan tanpa ada unsur rasuah.

"Kami dirunding oleh Ketua Pengarah JIM (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) sendiri untuk tindakan dilakukan dengan tidak menyembunyikan soal imej tetapi soal bagaimana penyampaian sesuatu perkhidmatan ini harus dijalankan tanpa unsur rasuah terutama dalam keizinan membawa masuk pekerja asing," katanya.

Beliau berkata, pemantauan dan tindakan akan dilakukan terhadap mana-mana pegawai jabatan itu yang disyaki terlibat dalam rasuah. 

Positive messages from the PAS assembly

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:53 PM PST

http://i.imgur.com/0LWScDJ.jpg 

Where political strategies are concerned, both PKR and DAP need PAS to help check Umno in Malay rural areas. Having said that, the relationship between these three countries could present delicate changes in the future. 

Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily 

The PAS assembly has reaffirmed the party's stand to stay in Pakatan Rakyat, which is a good thing for democratic politics, especially the country's two-party system.

With the GE13 results not as good as anticipated and with some Malay votes drifting back to Umno, there have been voice within PAS to 'review the party's status within Pakatan Rakyat." Penang PAS even threatened to opt out of the state government out of frustration of being marginalized. With such voices now hushed after the party elections, it has now become confirmed that PAS will remain to work along with its allies in Pakatan Rakyat.

Some of the more conservative members within the party have tried to apply pressure on the party leadership for losing some of the Malay votes because the party has given in to the democratic objectives of Pakatan Rakyat, hence giving up its once aggressive religious approach.

If PAS were to quit Pakatan, BN will easily defeat the individual opposition parties. For instance after the 1990 general elections, DAP withdrew from the alternative front because PAS had insisted to establish an Islamic state. This resulted in the subsequent collapse of the alternative front, allowing BN to easily secure big wins in the coming general elections.

PAS is well aware of the price to pay if it were to allow history to repeat itself.

The two developments in PAS assembly will decide its future directions: the more open-minded Erdogans advocating continued cooperation with Pakatan allies won in the party elections. Mat Sabu successfully defeated his challenger Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah as the party's deputy president. In addition, the Erdogans also clinched two of the three vice president seats and took control of the central committee, the Youth and Wanita wings.

The incumbent Youth vice chairman Raja Ahmad,. who was aggressively hitting out at Karpal Singh in the run-up to the party elections, also failed in his bid for deputy chairmanship.

During his "Rahmat Untuk Semua" opening presidential address, party president Hadi Awang made it very clear that the party would continue to be an active ally within Pakatan Rakyat, not just a passenger, sending a very clear message to all party members.

It is believed that PAS has seen clearly what it will lose if it were to opt out of Pakatan. While going the more aggressive religious way could bring more Muslim voters to its fold, the party will also stand to lose the support of non-Muslim voters, confining the party's influences only on the east coast and giving it no chance of forming the central government at all.

Only if it opts to stay in Pakatan will PAS have an opportunity to take the helm of federal government to fulfill the goals of its political struggles. If the government's subsidy rationalization program and GST implementation eventually brings about inflation and economic recession, then Pakatan will have good chances of taking the federal administration come the next GE.

PAS remaining in Pakatan is never a good thing for Umno, although it is absolutely a good thing for democratic politics. Other than checking the advances of a powerful Umno, it will also ensure that Umno's racist policies will not go too far.

Owing to a split of Malay votes, Umno cannot afford to overlook non-Malay votes. In the recent Sungai Limau by-election in Kedah, Umno has counted on the minority Chinese votes there to wrestle the seat from PAS.

From the PAS assembly we could see that the party has been very ambitious to take over the status of Umno. To the party, it is Umno which has prevented the implementation of hudud laws, not DAP, because the power is now in the hands of Umno.

READ MORE HERE

Polls and bolos rule over twerk

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:50 PM PST

http://i.imgur.com/1P4zx1b.jpg


Syed Nadzri Syed Harun, The Malay Mail 

In Malaysia, the term is not "selfie" or "twerk" which should be Word Of The Year but, by far, the overused, extremely popular and pooped out "polls".

"Polls" or "polling" may not be a new word but its place in the minds of the people in this country has been truly magical the past one year or so as elections of all kinds contuinue to dominate our lives everyday.

Even among the Internet generation here "selfie" and "twerk" which have just been picked as Words Of The Year by Oxford Dictionaries do not have the same impact "polls" has had or is having. "Selfie" means using your handphone to take a picture of yourself while "twerk" is a gyrating, sexually-stimulating movement common in today's dances.

 I do not like its meaning but the sound of "twerk" which somehow gives out negative vibes is something else. Just by the way it sounds, I could very well use it freely on my enemies as much as they would use it on me. "You twerk!"

But look at "polls". Various speculations about when the general election was going to be held started more than two years ago and it reached frenzied pitch from the start of this year. By the time the date was finally announced eight months ago, the whole country went into a delirium with GE13 (13th general election) which turned out to be a close affair.

The significance of the word did not end there of course because this year alone, Malaysians were fed with all kinds of things to do with polls and elections apart from GE13 -- the elections in Umno, Gerakan, PAS, MIC together with the controversy-filled DAP polls as well as the Kuala Besut and Sungai Besar by-elections.

And look at what's coming in MCA and PKR.

In fact, most of the elections mentioned above have been riddled with disputes and controversies that they remain the talking point for a great number of days this year.

The word "polls" itself seems to be bewitching in the Malaysian context as it has spawned many other words and phrases that have captured our imagination.

One is "indelible", a word seldom heard before it was announced last year that indelible ink would be introduced in the country's election process. It required voters to dip a finger in the ink as proof of having cast the ballot papers.


READ MORE HERE

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Corruption well nestled in our system

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:39 PM PST

Corruption is the core for the rot in the country in every aspect. The BN government via its agencies have knowingly tolerated many illegals here and sheltered their businesses too. 

Free Malaysia Today

If there is one country in this part of the world an illegal would love to be in, it is Malaysia. The government of Malaysia has unsurpassed flexibility in accepting them without much fuss.

The influx of illegal migrants largely dates back to the hey days of Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he initiated his pet projects, namely the development of the KLIA, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Twin Towers.

These projects demanded thousands of manual labourers in realising the dreams of one man to seed the nucleus of Vision 2020. Opportunities opened up instantaneously for workers, especially from Indonesia to migrate in droves to Malaysia.

They grabbed jobs like a monkey would do with peanuts. There was very little control or rather insignificant in regulating them or monitoring the movements of these migrants that gained 'privileged entry' into our territories, in specific, Peninsular Malaysia.

Employment agencies mushroomed overnight as a spin-off and it was lucrative to bridge the demands of the industry and the needs of the workers from Indonesia. They craved for better salaries, living standards and definitely a golden opportunity to leave the hardship and poverty in Indonesia. It was a guarantee then that jobs are assured.

Well, fair and fine. Malaysian were and are still just too stuck up to work in the construction industry, thus the need to bring foreigners here was just unavoidable. Indonesia provided a bottomless pool of workers.

In all the excitement, a steady, simmering problem was brewing as the outcome of migrant workers making their way here. Large number of Indonesians who could not afford the various fees and levy imposed by both sides of the country, took short cuts into coming here.

They seeped into Malaysian shores throughout the day, mostly bribing their way in or creeping via illegal boats from Indonesia. The word of mouth that Malaysia is the new 'gold mine of Asia' flared their desire to be here by any method.

They came, integrated into their pockets of community which were already here, built their 'kongsi settlements' in and around construction sites and went on with their life unflustered for many years.

As the dust settled and the momentum swung into a platonic frequency, many were self-motivated to paddle in their families. With time we started to witness the many 'kongsi' sheltering the migrant workers upgraded into settlements anchoring many Indonesian families on the fringes of the cities.

All these transformations were unfolding before the eyes of the various enforcement agencies and ministers. But the lure of vision 2020 blinded even the PM at that time, and the policy of 'convenient ignoring' was employed by the BN government.

READ MORE HERE

 

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Umno, PAS' Mustafa Ali to mediate over sex video defamation case

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:08 PM PST

(The Star) - Umno, PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali (pic) and two others have agreed to go for mediation to resolve a defamation suit in relation to distribution of a sex video.

High Court judge Justice John Louis O'Hara on Tuesday set Jan 15 for case management, pending the outcome of the mediation.

In April, Mustafa and two others were sued by Umno over alleged libelous statements linking the party to the distribution of a sex video clip which showed a man resembling him.

Mustafa, his lawyer Asmuni Awi and HarakahDaily.net chief editor Zulkifli Sulong were named as defendants.

Speaking to reporters here, Zulkifli's lawyer Zulhazmi Shariff said that the parties have agreed to go for a mediation to find a possible settlement.

"The case will be transfered to a mediation centre (at the Jalan Duta Court Complex) to find out if we can settle the suit or not," he said.

Zulhazmi also mentioned the case for the two others.

Umno lawyer Raihanah Ariffin confirmed the details over the matter.

In the statement of claim,  Umno said Mustafa and Asmuni had caused the publication of five defamatory articles against the party between April 12 and 13.

Umno said Mustafa had slandered the party by making media statements which were reported in online portals HarakahDaily.net and www.malaysiakini.com.

It said Zulkifli had allowed publication of two defamatory articles against the party without finding out its truth.

Among others, Umno is seeking for damages, an apology and an injunction to prevent Mustafa and Asmuni from publishing similar libelous words.

Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab. Rauf Yusoh filed the suit on behalf of the party, saying that offending words implied that Umno was the mastermind behind the sex video clip and that it was distributed for election campaigning purposes.

In his defence statement dated May 23, Mustafa admitted that he had given a speech at a ceramah in Dungun, Terengganu touching on the distribution of the sex video and photographs but contended that his speech was not defamatory against Umno.

In the statement of defence dated May 23, Asmuni said that he has legal obligations to make a statement to protect the good name of Mustafa to avoid any negative perception by the people due to the distribution of the video.

In the statement of defence dated May 22, Zulkifli said he was not the writer, editor or publisher of the articles, adding that those words were published without any bad intention as it was a matter of public interest.

 

Money changed hands over Pulau Batu Puteh, claims ex-CID chief

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:57 PM PST

Elizabeth Zachariah, TMI

Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim today revealed that money changed hands, which led to Malaysia losing its claim on Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore in 2007.

That revelation was made in Mat Zain's 31-page statutory declaration sent to the Prime Minister's Office on October 9.

"In the accompanying letter to the Prime Minister, I urged him to focus on paragraph 54 (e),(f) and (g) of the SD, which revealed the wrongdoings of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who handled the Pulau Batu Puteh case.

"Also included was information that a large amount of money changed hands and was credited into a bank account in Hong Kong," said Mat Zain.

He also defended his earlier allegation that Abdul Gani was the reason that Malaysia lost the case which was heard at the International Court of Justice in 2007.

In his SD, Mat Zain claimed that Abdul Gani had intentionally lost the case.

"Studies made on the ICJ proceeding notes showed that a 'controversial photograph' was added in a few days before the case was heard, which can be seen as trying to dupe the ICJ panel," said Mat Zain.

Putrajaya had denied the claim that Malaysia lost its claim on Pulau Batu Puteh due to a wrong photograph of the location of the island submitted by Abdul Gani in the proceedings.

"The AG did not head the case and did not have the final say on the handling of the case," said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri in Parliament last week.

"So the allegations that the AG had shown a wrong photograph as claimed by the opposition leader (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) is baseless and made without any verification."

Mat Zain said if the SD had been made public before the Umno party polls last month, it would have affected Sabah Umno representatives who contested, adding there was a link between Abdul Gani and politicians in the state.

Mat Zain urged Putrajaya to appeal the ICJ decision on the Pulau Batu Puteh case for the sake of the country's honour.

"We still have four and a half years more to file an appeal to ICJ if there was enough evidence to do so.

"No matter how slim our chances are, we cannot let it go just like that," the former Kuala Lumpur CID chief stressed.

READ MORE HERE

 

BN rep: Islam demands ‘muzakarah’ with PAS

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:43 PM PST

DAP's disputes with PAS over Malay rights and Islam is enough reason for a dialogue say reps.

(Bernama) - For the Umno-PAS 'muzakarah' (dialogue) to succeed, the members of both parties need to put aside prejudice, said a Barisan Nasional MP.

BN-Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin said it is time for Umno and PAS to start a dialogue in the best interest of Islam and to ensure that Malay special rights are not disputed.

"We should harbour good feelings so that this 'muzakarah' can unite the Muslims and the Malays.

"I welcome the 'muzakarah' between Umno and PAS,"  he told reporters in Parliament lobby, here yesterday

He said this when commenting on the willingness of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to hold a dialogue with Umno in order to implement an administration based on Islamic teachings.

Zahidi said the DAP always questioned Malay special rights and the position of Islam and ignored the views of PAS.

Another BN MP  Noh Omar (Tanjung Karang) echoed Zahid's view.

"Since they (DAP) have always disputed PAS and there is no point in them (PAS) to stick with the DAP.

"Moreover, the 'muzakarah' is demanded by Islam," he said.

He added that the Malays and Muslims should discuss about the future generation as certain groups had challenged the position of Islam and the Malay Rulers.

"This happened because they (certain groups) regard the Malays and Islam as so weak that they feel that they have more authority to determine the country's political future.

"I welcome the 'muzakarah' between Umno and PAS and hope that it can become a reality," he added.

Meanwhile, Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun ) said a dialogue is good as the outcome is very important to determine the administration of the country.

"The question is how we view the outcome of the dialogue. Implementation is another thing, sometimes it is suitable and sometimes it is unsuitable," he added.

 

Even BN candidate admits of BN’s corruption for votes

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 10:42 AM PST

http://www.thesundaily.my/sites/default/files/thesun/Catalogue/Sg_Limau_by-_c871816_13113_878.jpg 

(Harakah Daily) - It is interesting to note that in a twist of events, even the BN candidate for the Sg Limau by election who lost to PAS' Mohd Azam Samat has admitted that the Umno-BN machinery had been soliciting for votes by way of corruption.

Most glaringly he admitted that government machinery had been used during his campaigning in the lead up to voting last November 4.

In addition to this he detailed how these agencies went all out to bribe the people into voting the BN and yet the support that was expected did not materialize. For instance, he mentions about how in one area he saw the FAMA going in to distribute fruits and chicks. "Truckloads of chicks were given away, but if you count the people who came for the chickens and the votes we got, I'm sure the numbers are different," he was reported to have said.

 

This goes to confirm some comments on the by election and support for BN in general as observed by the former autocrat of 22 years who in his column is reported to have said that election goodies offered by political parties could no longer ensure victory. He emphatically stressed that "cash handouts and gifts will not ensure victory"

 

While some may take this as a jibe against Premier Najib for all his 1 Malaysia handouts that he has made as policy, it is interesting to note how Mahathir has also referred to the performance of the BN at the 13th GE as evidence of how and why such an approach may not always work. In his blog posting he said: "This is evident from GE13. Those who did not support did not support. The money given was a waste, whether government money or otherwise."

 

So does this mean that a new trend is slowly beginning to emerge, that despite "investments" in the form of cash handouts and other material goodies, the people may just not vote for the party concerned? Would this mean that the "cock has finally come to roost"?

 

If that really happens then it is the end for BN, because all along BN has only been able to garner support by giving out cash and other material handouts. If this does not work then, they are doomed.

 

Another interesting thing to note from the Sg Limau by election is the manner in which the BN and Umno leaders carried themselves. Despite Sg Limau being a rural and traditional community where values of simpleness and straightforwardness are practiced, Umno did just the opposite.

 

There was this insincerity of the BN when canvassing for votes. While it's chief minister was going around donning a PAS-like skull cap, those who came from outside the state built up a scene that the villagers could not stomach. As in the words of an academic associated with University Malaya's UMCEDEL, these people were running around with their SUVs causing a ruckus that the people there were not accustomed to. The BN he stated could not discard the opulent culture when campaigning among simple villagers. 

That's not surprising. The BN is only out to get the votes so that the culture of apportioning the wealth among its cronies may continue. 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

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Positive messages from the PAS assembly

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:53 PM PST

http://i.imgur.com/0LWScDJ.jpg 

Where political strategies are concerned, both PKR and DAP need PAS to help check Umno in Malay rural areas. Having said that, the relationship between these three countries could present delicate changes in the future. 

Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily 

The PAS assembly has reaffirmed the party's stand to stay in Pakatan Rakyat, which is a good thing for democratic politics, especially the country's two-party system.

With the GE13 results not as good as anticipated and with some Malay votes drifting back to Umno, there have been voice within PAS to 'review the party's status within Pakatan Rakyat." Penang PAS even threatened to opt out of the state government out of frustration of being marginalized. With such voices now hushed after the party elections, it has now become confirmed that PAS will remain to work along with its allies in Pakatan Rakyat.

Some of the more conservative members within the party have tried to apply pressure on the party leadership for losing some of the Malay votes because the party has given in to the democratic objectives of Pakatan Rakyat, hence giving up its once aggressive religious approach.

If PAS were to quit Pakatan, BN will easily defeat the individual opposition parties. For instance after the 1990 general elections, DAP withdrew from the alternative front because PAS had insisted to establish an Islamic state. This resulted in the subsequent collapse of the alternative front, allowing BN to easily secure big wins in the coming general elections.

PAS is well aware of the price to pay if it were to allow history to repeat itself.

The two developments in PAS assembly will decide its future directions: the more open-minded Erdogans advocating continued cooperation with Pakatan allies won in the party elections. Mat Sabu successfully defeated his challenger Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah as the party's deputy president. In addition, the Erdogans also clinched two of the three vice president seats and took control of the central committee, the Youth and Wanita wings.

The incumbent Youth vice chairman Raja Ahmad,. who was aggressively hitting out at Karpal Singh in the run-up to the party elections, also failed in his bid for deputy chairmanship.

During his "Rahmat Untuk Semua" opening presidential address, party president Hadi Awang made it very clear that the party would continue to be an active ally within Pakatan Rakyat, not just a passenger, sending a very clear message to all party members.

It is believed that PAS has seen clearly what it will lose if it were to opt out of Pakatan. While going the more aggressive religious way could bring more Muslim voters to its fold, the party will also stand to lose the support of non-Muslim voters, confining the party's influences only on the east coast and giving it no chance of forming the central government at all.

Only if it opts to stay in Pakatan will PAS have an opportunity to take the helm of federal government to fulfill the goals of its political struggles. If the government's subsidy rationalization program and GST implementation eventually brings about inflation and economic recession, then Pakatan will have good chances of taking the federal administration come the next GE.

PAS remaining in Pakatan is never a good thing for Umno, although it is absolutely a good thing for democratic politics. Other than checking the advances of a powerful Umno, it will also ensure that Umno's racist policies will not go too far.

Owing to a split of Malay votes, Umno cannot afford to overlook non-Malay votes. In the recent Sungai Limau by-election in Kedah, Umno has counted on the minority Chinese votes there to wrestle the seat from PAS.

From the PAS assembly we could see that the party has been very ambitious to take over the status of Umno. To the party, it is Umno which has prevented the implementation of hudud laws, not DAP, because the power is now in the hands of Umno.

READ MORE HERE

Polls and bolos rule over twerk

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:50 PM PST

http://i.imgur.com/1P4zx1b.jpg


Syed Nadzri Syed Harun, The Malay Mail 

In Malaysia, the term is not "selfie" or "twerk" which should be Word Of The Year but, by far, the overused, extremely popular and pooped out "polls".

"Polls" or "polling" may not be a new word but its place in the minds of the people in this country has been truly magical the past one year or so as elections of all kinds contuinue to dominate our lives everyday.

Even among the Internet generation here "selfie" and "twerk" which have just been picked as Words Of The Year by Oxford Dictionaries do not have the same impact "polls" has had or is having. "Selfie" means using your handphone to take a picture of yourself while "twerk" is a gyrating, sexually-stimulating movement common in today's dances.

 I do not like its meaning but the sound of "twerk" which somehow gives out negative vibes is something else. Just by the way it sounds, I could very well use it freely on my enemies as much as they would use it on me. "You twerk!"

But look at "polls". Various speculations about when the general election was going to be held started more than two years ago and it reached frenzied pitch from the start of this year. By the time the date was finally announced eight months ago, the whole country went into a delirium with GE13 (13th general election) which turned out to be a close affair.

The significance of the word did not end there of course because this year alone, Malaysians were fed with all kinds of things to do with polls and elections apart from GE13 -- the elections in Umno, Gerakan, PAS, MIC together with the controversy-filled DAP polls as well as the Kuala Besut and Sungai Besar by-elections.

And look at what's coming in MCA and PKR.

In fact, most of the elections mentioned above have been riddled with disputes and controversies that they remain the talking point for a great number of days this year.

The word "polls" itself seems to be bewitching in the Malaysian context as it has spawned many other words and phrases that have captured our imagination.

One is "indelible", a word seldom heard before it was announced last year that indelible ink would be introduced in the country's election process. It required voters to dip a finger in the ink as proof of having cast the ballot papers.


READ MORE HERE

GE14 will be about PAS

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:46 PM PST

A progressive PAS can replace Umno and lead the Malays.

Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, FMT

The only reason why Umno and its allies want the PAS ulamas to win all is because they know how easy it is to run circles around them.

Should PAS ever teamed up with Umno, all Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will do is give PAS two cabinet posts and that's the end of PAS.

It will be a repeat of what PAS went through when it joined Barisan Nasional a long time ago.

If PAS revere the foremost ulama, Tok Guru they will ensure that PAS never teams up with Umno. Tok Guru will never sanction PAS sleeping with Umno.

What use is teaming up with Umno? For what purpose?

So that the right wingers in both parties can stay under one roof and become racists?

A progressive PAS can replace Umno and lead Malays. Why should it want to extend a life line to a sick Umno?

A sick party like Umno can control the minds of Malays with sick policies and agenda.

There must be something wrong in this arrangement.

It can only do this because PAS limits its own potential. If PAS becomes a progressive party, Umno is finished!

Ignore Umno

PAS has to play the game intelligently.

As my friend Walla perceptively observed, GE12 was Hindraf. GE13 was DAP. So that GE14 will be PAS.

Now take the earlier statement that in this country our Malays can be the most globally-attuned community member and graft it onto the role that PAS can play towards total success in GE14, and we have immediately a new transformation wave for this tired land.

PAS can also do the same to dignify all life again. People should not be corrupted about their needs.

READ MORE HERE

 

Using Official Secrets Act to ride roughshod over public interests

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 10:44 AM PST

http://www.theantdaily.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_single_large/public/images/articlesOSA-1024x768.jpg.transformed.jpg?itok=IvgdOWm0 

Our Umno-dominated, Barisan Nasional-led government, no matter how much we "love" it, seems to have a strange penchant for making secrets out of public interest issues, calling to question what it is that our leaders are trying to hide.

Hazlan Zakaria, The Ant Daily 

On Nov 21, eleven Members of Parliament representing voters from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur were asked to sign an Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) declaration form prior to a briefing on Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) proposed assessment rate hike.

But some of the MPs, mainly from the opposition, had reportedly refused to sign the form, citing Pakatan Rakyat's policy of transparency in governance.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor and KL Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib handled the briefing, which came on the heels of public uproar over the planned hike, which in some areas are reportedly as high as 260 per cent.

The KL Mayor said the proposed increase was timely and justified it by pointing out that the local authority was faced with rising expenses.

This runs contrary to his reported statement during the local authority's budget speech that DBKL saw high revenues, for despite the lack of a rate hike for the past 21 years, the number of properties that pay assessment tax has increased exponentially.

However, the bigger picture here is our government's seeming preoccupation with making secrets out of public interest issues, and the KL assessment hike briefing is not the only case.

Two other recent glaring cases are the Selangor water privatisation deal and major toll concession agreements. Like the KL assessment rate hike briefing, both are public interest issues which for some reasons have been made into official secrets.

The secrecy clause over both agreements made it impossible for the public to know why toll rates continue to rise and concession periods seem to go on forever.

It also obscures why the federal government pumps money into a Selangor water concessionaire and agrees to proposals to raise water tariffs sky high.

Similarly, if not for the protestations of some of the MPs, no explanation would have been had for why the KL assessment rates need to be raised such.

But what is not secret is that the companies involved in the previous "official secrets" are owned by Umno personalities or business persons seen as close to BN leaders.

And despite having mostly Pakatan MPs, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur continues to be administered exclusively by the federal government without any electoral representation.

Read more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/news/2013/11/25/using-official-secrets-act-ride-roughshod-over-public-interests 

Emotionally blackmailed Malaysians desire change but fear to act

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 10:40 AM PST

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Malays who are pro-opposition but who are not civil servants face additional challenges. They are denied various opportunities and benefits, such as being unsuccessful in bids for a government tender, having their application for educational grants rejected and their request for government land turned down.

Mariam Mokhtar, The Ant Daily 

Millions of Malaysians have spent their entire lives in the captivity of Umno-Baru and the Barisan Nasional (BN), and they do not know any other type of government. They are not used to anything different, so they would be confused if they were given the smallest amount of extra freedom.

Enslaved Malaysians only accept things which are familiar. Just imagine how difficult it is for them to grasp some of the most important aspects of everyday life, such as the rule of law, democracy, human rights and equality.

Reports of a 69-year-old Malaysian woman who has been kept as a slave, with two others, in England, for the past 30 years have shocked the world. It is a story that resonates with Malaysians.

Just like the three enslaved women, Malaysians are victims of emotional blackmail. Despite wanting change to improve their lives and the lives of their children, many Malaysians are repressed by an invisible force which stops them from rejecting Umno-Baru.

The rakyat, principally the Malay community, has been brainwashed into thinking that only Umno-Baru can "save" them, protect their way of life, their rulers, their language and their religion. They are told that a vote for the opposition will lead to a nation ruled and dominated by Chinese and Christians, whilst Malays will become beggars.

Details are sketchy, but the three London women were beaten and emotionally manipulated by the suspects, a married couple from Tanzania and India. The women were rescued when one of them watched a television programme and contacted the Freedom Charity.

Policemen handling the case said that there was a possibility that there were thousands of others who are being held in similar circumstances. Malaysians empathise. Many of us are like those women, being held captive against our will, unable to free our minds of the pervasive influence of Umno-Baru.

I have no intention of trivialising the London women's experience, but there are many similarities between their plight and ours.

Various British newspapers say that the women were forced into a life of servitude. To their neighbours and outsiders, the suspects gave the impression of being a "normal family".

Isn't this similar to Datuk Seri Najib Razak's representation on the world stage of Malaysia as a nation of moderate Muslims? Only Malaysians know that extremism and nationalist policies dominate. An ignorant and ill-informed rakyat will always pay homage to Umno-Baru. Didn't Najib also say he would tackle corruption, and yet he and his cabinet ministers are allegedly still implicated in many corruption scandals?

The British policemen describe "invisible handcuffs" being used to metaphorically shackle the women, at a house in south London. Sadly, Malaysians know only too well what it is like to be restrained by "invisible handcuffs", with civil servants and students suffering most from Umno-Baru's enforced enslavement.

It is alleged that teachers who vote for the opposition can be traced by the serial number on their ballot papers. This is a means of control and it forces everyone who values his job to vote Umno-Baru.

It is also alleged that civil servants who attend opposition ceramahs face a bleak future. They are denied promotions, unlike their peers who climb speedily up the career ladder. This means of control ensures loyalty to Umno-Baru. Civil servants are not enamoured of Umno-Baru policies, but they are forced to toe the line.

Students who attend opposition marches also allege discrimination by the college authorities. Scholarships may be withdrawn. Student leader Adam Adli faced a severe punishment and was suspended from college.

The subtle message is that if you are anti-Umno-Baru or anti-BN, your career prospects and future will be severely restricted. These are not the acts of a democratic government, but more the by-products of a tyrannical government. As long as we think we cannot escape Umno-Baru, we will forever be their slaves.

Read more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/news/2013/11/26/emotionally-blackmailed-malaysians-desire-change-fear-act 

The missing moral compass in our leaders

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 10:35 AM PST

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The opposition must not just offer a change of personnel in Putrajaya but a new kind of real, moral leadership that sets high standards of right and wrong in public affairs and inspires others not to be law-breakers or obedient slaves, but to be responsible citizens who will not fear their government.

Zaid Ibrahim, TMI 

Lately, quite a few of our newspapers have had to retract their stories and apologise as part of defamation settlements. The spate of suits filed against mainstream newspapers, including the "New Straits Times" – and the regularity with which that once-august institution has had to apologise – has become a national embarrassment.

All this implies that journalistic standards at the paper are, at best, questionable. Worse, it indicates a dismal lack of professionalism and the abandonment of the principle by which journalism is governed: the dedication to truth.

The basic duty of a reporter is to present a story with as much balance and objectivity as possible. Higher up the chain, editors will always be subjected to the interests of the outlet's owners – and this is true the world over – but a certain minimum standard must be observed at all times.

The problem is that our minimum standards are in the gutter. Perhaps owners and publishers don't care too much about ethical principles and good journalism. Perhaps what's "fair" and "unfair" are bothersome and unnecessary details that clash with political will.

Now, most of us know that the component political parties of Barisan Nasional own most of the major newspapers in Malaysia. As such, it's incumbent on these owners to address the present situation which is, to put it mildly, deplorable.

Journalists can't exercise the standards they aspire to if their editors don't or can't let them. In our country today, it has become difficult to write and print fair, balanced, or even accurate and truthful stories without upsetting owners.

Sadly, it seems as if some journalists have had to transform themselves into "political warriors" who are concerned only with the political victory and power of their paymasters. Anything can be justified in the service of these twin goals.

Other journalists don't have much choice. They must follow orders if they want keep their jobs, let alone climb the ladder. One can't blame them for trying to earn a living in these uncertain economic times.

Can we look to the opposition for good examples? Unfortunately, not all their political leaders practise the same level of integrity and fairness they expect from government leaders.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has so far seemed unable to use purely moral and ethical arguments against the Government in a way that Dr Martin Luther King and Gandhi struggled against gross injustice and dictatorship.

Even Nelson Mandela, branded a "terrorist" in his youth, grew into a compassionate elder statesman who harboured no ill-feelings against those who imprisoned him for 27 years.

Can you imagine any Malaysian politician today displaying even half that magnanimity?

Over the years, Anwar has not been able to inject into our political culture the same values that he accuses the Government of lacking. He has not been able to impart with conviction the belief that, as a society, we must possess core values that guide our entire community, including the practice of national and party politics.

He has been unable to provide the guidance that will enable the people of our country to discover their own moral compasses. Perhaps this is too tall an order.

Perhaps Malaysians are "not ready" for this kind of responsible democratic engagement.

What is Anwar's own example? If you recall, on May 5 (polling day) this year, he tweeted that "PR has won….#ubah" while news spread of a 9pm press conference at the One World Hotel.

Pakatan Rakyat did not win. It was nowhere near winning a parliamentary majority.

Why was he so cavalier with the truth?  Why did he say, weeks before the election that he would retire if Pakatan failed to win – when he had no intention of retiring?

Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/zaid-ibrahim/article/the-missing-moral-compass-in-our-leaders 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net
 

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