| It's not just about marriage between 2 men Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:11 AM PST He deserted his family and they had to pick up his sizeable debt What's most condemnable about what Ariff did was that he left his family in the lurch. He left them to pick up his sizeable debt, and subjected them to pain, public embarrassment and ridicule. Petronas recently issued a summons to his family demanding the repayment of Ariff's education loan, a whopping RM890,000. By Chok Suat Ling, New Straits Times BE careful what you post on the social media. No-nos would include how many cows you had milked on Farmville, photos showing the layout and exact location of your home, and in the case of criminals, the luxury cars you had stolen. It is also ill-advised to put up photos of yourself inebriated at a party on the day you had called in sick from work, and those of yourself getting married abroad to someone of the same gender when on the run from a study sponsor. Too far-fetched? Believe it or not, people have done all the aforementioned, and more. Last week, photos of a 28-year-old Malaysian man surfaced on social media and blogs. The former medical student was in a state of wedded bliss in Dublin, Ireland, flushed with happiness, with his arm draped around his equally gay and gleeful spouse. Other photos show the couple locking lips, and in various poses typical among the just married. The former student, Ariff Alfian, was resplendent in Malay traditional costume. His Caucasian partner was equally well turned out. It wasn't a grand wedding, but what made the entire combo of photos extraordinary was that the man and "wife" were of the same gender. That, of course, sent many into a tizzy in Malaysia. A number spewed venom, the way they also did when transsexual Fatine Young married a British man in 2009, when Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz wanted to change his name to Aleesha Farhana, and when Elton John performed in Genting Highlands. Indeed, issues related to transgenders and homosexuality remain extremely sensitive in this country. But Ariff's case is not just about that. Many have, however, not been able to look beyond the "marriage". What's most condemnable about what Ariff did was that he left his family in the lurch. He left them to pick up his sizeable debt, and subjected them to pain, public embarrassment and ridicule. Petronas recently issued a summons to his family demanding the repayment of Ariff's education loan, a whopping RM890,000. The former student of University College Dublin, Ireland, began studying medicine in 2003 but extended his studies for a few more semesters in 2008. He was suspended for failing to pay his academic fees that year when Petronas refused to sponsor the additional expenses of over RM160,000 a year. Ariff's father had advised him to continue his studies in Malaysia but he refused and returned to Dublin, cutting off contact with his family. The retiree has been looking for his son since and had made eight trips to Dublin, in addition to lodging a missing person's report with the police, Wisma Putra and the Irish and Malaysian embassies. It appears that while there are parents who neglect their children, we are also not short of cases involving thoughtless, self-centred children. The many young Malaysian girls who eloped to Lombok without a word to their parents and families to marry Indonesian men are among them. Some of these girls later realise the folly of their ways, plead to return home, and have to be rescued by their parents and Umno Youth. Other examples abound. There are even legends about such children. A famous one revolves around Si Tanggang, a poor boy who left his village to become a sailor. He went around the world in a ship and later stopped by his village for food and water. His poor mother, who was left to fend for herself for years, was excited to see her son again. But she was heartbroken when he pretended not to know her. Si Tanggang was cursed and cast as a rock in his own ship, a story which was published in storybooks and turned into a movie. People in Muar, Johor claim it's a true story and that the incident happened in Kampung Bukit Treh, located some 10km from town. Whether fact or fiction, the story is about filial piety, and underscores the importance of being grateful to our parents. Adult children such as Ariff may think they can pretty much do as they please -- which they can, to a degree -- but it's never okay to scandalise our nearest and dearest, cause them grief, and then leave them to pick up the pieces.
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| Listing of FGV- looking our for settlers interests Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:01 AM PST SAKMONGKOL AK47 I am more interested in establishing credibility in a proposition, idea or plan. Accordingly I am not fixated over an idea nor feel xenophobic on having to change my position if necessary, in the interest of achieving credibility. For example, while I am not immediately taken in by the idea of listing Felda Global, the rational economist in me accepts that it makes good business and economic sense to restructure Felda's business to unlock value. I think, even while some of us differ in our views, this principle of restructuring, reorganizing, changing in order to arrive at better value, is acceptable. Also I am not averse to having experts run and operate the business. Example- KPF is the investment entity in Felda Holdings. The members of KPF get dividends, handouts, charity, assistance etc. they are able to enjoy because the commercial entity, Felda Global Ventures Sdn Bhd does the business for them. KPF's and the interests of others- public spirited individuals, minders (paid or unpaid) are to ensure the managers of the business do their work efficiently and create shareholder value. Except that, I will always be circumspect about the term 'unlocking value'. Translate that into action and practice, what does the term mean? This term 'unlocking value' has taken different meanings in the context of business in Malaysia. It can mean anything. In the sad case of MAS for example, unlocking value has meant the sale of assets and the management of balance sheet bypassing managing the operations of the business. The truth is, a business depends more on managing its operations. My understanding in unlocking value is however somewhat more basic- it means you produce more per acre if you are in the business of planting something, you get better price, you produce better quality, produce new products, become more productive, keep costs down. It's a bricks and mortar view of how an economic enterprise operates. You operate the real economy. Goods and services. It's the business operations. As an analyst or investor I will look at these variables and parameters. At the same time, I have this cynical bias- no business unit can sustain profit on paper shuffling and share manipulations without the support of the business fundamentals. I am always suspicious at the managing balance sheet approach. You want to arrive at a clean balance sheet; you manage the assets and liabilities. You are fixated at the over consuming idea of having more value at assets over liabilities. In felda's case that means to me, making sure plantations produce more and high quality yields, marketing, managing more efficiently and so forth. Creating prosperity through share manipulations, IPO and the stuff are initial spurts. What comes later- working on the fundamentals is what sustains long term benefits. A close friend sent me a text. He says he doesn't understand why I oppose the FELDA Global ventures (FGV) listing. Don't I empathize with FELDA settlers? The indirect owners of the 880,000 hectares of palm oil trees are going to enjoy a windfall and you are objecting? Settlers are passive investors through their cooperative. The business and commercial aspects of the business has always been handled by Felda Global Ventures SB. That is the organization that operates and manages the business. Doesn't it make good business and economic sense to restructure the business into a single entity and create upstream and downstream business entities? The most important element of this business in my mind is the land area. Now, these 880,000 hectares comprise of what? The land already owned by settlers or land not already owned by settlers or both? Since 1990, Felda doesn't enlist settlers anymore. Land not already owned by settlers or were not given out were all placed under Felda Plantations. These are not operated by settlers. They are run directly by Felda through their plantation business units. READ MORE HERE |
| First it's cronyism, now race creeps in Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:33 AM PST Penang deputy CM's disciplinary hearing will show how DAP handles its 'godfather-warlord' conflict Karpal was referring to K. Mangleswari, who is also among three women named by Ramasamy as potential DAP candidates for the coming election. It seems that Karpal's attack on Mangleswari has opened a can of worms within the Indian community. By Sharanjit Singh, New Straits Times THE Penang DAP is in for turbulent times as the race for positions in the party heats up, with allegations of cronyism being hurled against state leaders. The attempt to put a lid on the simmering feud between two top leaders in the state has been disrupted by protests, including one in Klang, Selangor, over the weekend. The latest protest by a group of about 15 people was not widely reported, but what they did definitely had an explosive effect. The group, claiming to represent three Indian non-governmental organisations, had gathered to demand an apology from Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer and Bagan Dalam assemblyman A. Tanasekharan. They claimed that the duo had offended Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy by alleging that he had begged for the post. Pertubuhan Naam Tamilar Malaysia chairman G. Ramesh reportedly said Rayer should retract his statement and apologise as his comments had affected the integrity of the Tamil people. They also burnt a picture of Rayer before dispersing. What happened in Klang has infuriated party leaders, who are concerned that racial and ethnic politics are being dragged into the spat involving Ramasamy, Rayer, Tanasekharan and also party chairman Karpal Singh. "The issue concerning Penang DAP leaders has got nothing to do with race or ethnicity, but we are suddenly finding it being turned into one," said a party insider. Party insiders also said many leaders were taken aback by the sudden rise to prominence of an unknown woman lawyer. She is now a commissioner in the state Hindu Endowment Board. Those present at the recent Penang DAP convention would recall how even Karpal seemed to be at a loss at why the woman was being actively promoted. "Who is this Mangleswari?" he thundered in his speech. Karpal was referring to K. Mangleswari, who is also among three women named by Ramasamy as potential DAP candidates for the coming election. It seems that Karpal's attack on Mangleswari has opened a can of worms within the Indian community. Members and state elected representatives are seeking answers regarding the creeping culture of cronyism in the state DAP. Sources say Ramasamy is set to come under the hammer on the Mangleswari issue as well as his infamous statement that "godfathers in the DAP must be gotten rid of" -- an obvious reference to senior leaders like Karpal. Karpal had made it clear that he had no issue on being referred to as a "godfather", but it was the other part of Ramasamy's statement which got under his skin. "It is clear-cut insolence for Ramasamy to even suggest that the party forget the contributions of a leader like Karpal to the DAP. "That is why the whole issue exploded and Ramasamy must now be prepared to answer why he has been acting like a warlord," a source said. DAP leaders are worried that such issues are cropping up at a crucial stage when the party should be concentrating on the bigger battle ahead. It is common knowledge that some incumbents are trying to hold on to their seats while new faces go all out to be selected by getting close to certain leaders. It remains to be seen how the party leadership is going to handle the issue, but some clues will be forthcoming when the disciplinary committee sits to hear out a complaint against Ramasamy, and more are expected to be filed soon. |
| Rifts Appearing in Malaysia's Islamic Party Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:29 AM PST Selangor conservative leads a revolt against modernizers Both Hasan Ali and Nasharudin have been causing tension in the party virtually since the coalition took over the leadership of the state of Selangor in 2008 elections that shocked the Barisan Nasional. From his spot on the executive committee, Hasan sought to ban beer in the urban, relatively liberal state. He has also taken adamant positions against Christians. Asia Sentinel Strains are building in Malaysia's Parti Islam se-Malaysia, the formerly conservative Islamic wing of Pakatan Rakyat, the three-party opposition coalition headed by the embattled Anwar Ibrahim, over the party's fundamentalist roots. The growing split could have ominous implications for the coalition's ability to take on the Barisan Nasional, or ruling national coalition, in elections thought to be scheduled as early as March. Anwar himself has been distracted by a year-long court drama in which he has been accused by a former aide of sexual perversion. The prosecution and defense staged their final arguments last week and the case is now scheduled to be decided by High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohamad Diah sometime in the next weeks. The trial has remained a major preoccupation for Anwar, taking time and focus away from his efforts to keep a fractious coalition together. An UMNO source – with obvious relish – told Asia Sentinel that PAS is "imploding." However, other sources say that while the squabble is troublesome, party commitment to the more moderate line remains intact. "It's a bit premature to say PAS is imploding," said a source with connections to both UMNO and PKR. "The mainstream media of course are highlighting the differences in PAS but within PAS itself, they seem to be okay." The controversy began in June when rank and file members staged a dramatic revolution at the party's annual congress, electing secular leaders and abandoning the rural-based party's traditional call to convert the country into an Islamic state. The largest party in Anwar's coalition, PAS had long turned off urban Malays and other ethnic minorities, particularly the Chinese, with its demands for observance of strict conservative Islamic laws. Given the size of its membership and its potential to take votes away from the United Malays National Organization, the country's biggest political party, PAS unity and support are crucial to the opposition coalition. At the party congress, newer, urban followers of PAS, having fled both the racial stridency and endemic corruption of UMNO and the disorganization of Anwar's PKR, in June elected a slate of officers headed by Mohamad Sabu, a galvanic public speaker from Penang and former member of Anwar's Parti Keadilan who was twice detained under the country's Internal Security Act. Sabu led the moderates' charge, winning the party deputy presidency and crucially defeating a minority of conservatives seeking to lead a splinter group to link up with UMNO. Salahuddin Ayub, Husam Musa and Mahfuz Omar, elected as moderate vice presidents, completed a leadership team reflecting the party's changing membership and leaving the Islamists out in the cold. The strains have been there ever since. However, the controversy broke into the open earlier this month, with Kuala Lumpur's pro-government mainstream media playing up comments by Hasan Ali, a member of the Selangor PAS executive committee saying he and his allies would seek to "bring the party back to the Islamic path, and claiming support particularly from Nasharudin Mat Isa, a former PAS deputy president who was supplanted by the new moderate team. Later this week, Harun Taib, the head of the PAS Dewan Ulama, or council of religious leaders, announced it would support the two dissidents, who were called "fake members" by the party's new mainstream leaders. Harun in turn, without naming names, called the Sabu faction "new immigrants who appeared to have no qualms deviating from the party's core principles." Both Hasan Ali and Nasharudin have been causing tension in the party virtually since the coalition took over the leadership of the state of Selangor in 2008 elections that shocked the Barisan Nasional. From his spot on the executive committee, Hasan sought to ban beer in the urban, relatively liberal state. He has also taken adamant positions against Christians. Both he and Nasharuddin paid for their conservatism during the June elections that brought Mat Sabu and his allies to power. READ MORE HERE |
| Hasan, Nasha dan Saari dipanggil beri penjelasan Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:24 AM PST (Harakah Daily) - PAS hari ini memutuskan untuk memanggil bekas Pesuruhjaya Selangor, Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, bekas Timbalan Presiden PAS, Ustaz Nasharudin Mat Isa dan Ketua Penerangan PAS Selangor, Saari Sungip untuk memberikan penjelasan berhubung beberapa isu berbangkit mutakhir ini yang dilihat membazir masa parti. "Penjelasan ini mesti dilakukan, supaya parti tidak lagi perlu membazir masa melayan pertikaian yang timbul akibat kecil hati terhadap sesuatu kesilapan yang kecil, ego berlebihan dan keengganan sesetengah pihak menerima keputusan parti dan jamaah," kata Ketua Penerangan PAS Pusat, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man dalam satu kenyataan hari ini. Melihat situasi pilihanraya umum yang semakin hampir, PAS kata Tuan Ibrahim tidak akan bertolak ansur dalam sebarang sabotaj sama ada dari dalam mahupun luar yang mengganggu persiapan akhir parti. "Semua ahli mesti memainkan peranan sebagai team player untuk memastikan jamaah bergerak dalam keadaan baik dan harmoni. Seluruh tumpuan kerja mesti difokus kepada persiapan akhir ini daripada melayan karenah-karenah segelintir pemimpin yang ada berbeza pandangan terhadap dasar parti yang dijamin arahnya oleh Majlis Syura," tegas Pesuruhjaya PAS Pahang itu dipercayai membalas kenyataan Hasan yang mempertikai dasar-dasar parti yang diputuskan muktamar dan Majlis Syura. Menggunakan media lawan milik Umno, Utusan Malaysia, Hasan, yang juga ahli jawatankuasa PAS Pusat mempertikaikan dasar "Membangun Negara Berkebajikan" yang menjadi tema PAS sekarang ini. Bagi Hasan, PAS sepatutnya kekal dengan dasar negara Islam yang telah menjadi perjuangan asal PAS. Membalas hujah Hasan, Tuan Ibrahim menerangkan bahawa PAS ialah sebuah parti jamaah yang berdemokrasi, segala keputusan bukanlah keputusan individu tapi keputusan jamaah. "Apabila keputusan telah dibuat, dan Majlis Syura telah mengesahkan bahawa keputusan tersebut selari dengan dasar Islam, setiap ahli PAS perlu bergerak pada arah yang sama untuk membawa parti mencapai matlamat yang disasarkan dan memenangkan Islam," tegas beliau. Dalam kenyataannya itu, Tuan Ibrahim turut mengingatkan ahli-ahli PAS kepada ungkapan 'apa yang ada ialah hari ini, yang lepas tidak akan datang kembali, yang depan tidak menentu lagi. "Oleh itu, pendamkan dendam, buangkan kekecilan hati, ketepikan kepentingan individu dan kembalikan fokus dan bergerak ke depan untuk memenangkan parti," nasihat beliau. |
| Blogger lodges report against Taiping MP Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:17 AM PST MACC to investigate allegation against DAP politician (New Straits Times) - A BLOGGER has lodged a report against member of parliament for Taiping, Nga Kor Ming (DAP), over his alleged involvement in fixing a tailoring contract in 2008. Ahmad Sofiyan Yahya, who blogs in www.sekupangdua.blogspot.com, lodged the report at the Perak Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Meru Raya, near here. The 47-year-old from Pengkalan Pegoh said he was disappointed with Nga for failing to address the allegation, which he had raised in his blog, of the politician's alleged involvement in fixing the contract involving tailor-made lounge suits for the city councillors here. "Nga had accused me in a Malaysiakini report of making up stories and challenged me to report the matter to the MACC if I had any evidence. I am taking up his challenge." Ahmad Sofiyan said he had received documents, which allegedly revealed abuse of power in the awarding of a tailoring contract to sew and supply lounge suits, and had posted them on his blogsite. He said the city council here had already decided to award the contract to Goodman Tailor on April 3, 2008, but changed its mind following Nga's intervention. "The documents, which I received, showed the state government (then under Pakatan Rakyat) recommending Ethan and Elton to supply and sew the lounge suits. "According to the tender list, Ethan and Elton was the last name on the list of bidders while Goodman Tailor was at the top of the list." He said a check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia showed that one of the directors of Ethan and Elton was Wong Seow Ching, who is Nga's wife. At the time, Nga, who is also Pantai Remis state assemblyman, was in charge of the local government's portfolio. "I also found out that Ethan and Elton was registered on April 23 after Nga was appointed state executive councillor," said Ahmad Sofiyan, adding that the documents could be viewed on his blogsite. Meanwhile, MACC investigations director Datuk Mustafar Ali said the body would investigate any issues involving corruption even in the absence of an official report.
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| Pakatan to hold final convention in January before polls Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:02 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will hold next month what will likely be the pact's last national convention before a widely-expected general election, and use the meet to iron out its polls strategy. The Malaysian Insider understands the convention will take place in Kedah on January 14. Previous conventions were held in the PR-ruled states of Selangor and Penang. The national convention aims to smoothen the working relationship between the three component PR parties — PKR, PAS and DAP — while also focusing on the opposition's game plan against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN). "We plan to focus on a more detailed and cogent articulation for our vision and offer to all Malaysians. The plan is to refine our various plans for Malaysia, if given the chance to govern at federal level," Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar told The Malaysian Insider. The PKR vice-president said the focus of the convention would be very specific — PR leaders will prepare its members for polls by briefing them on what issues to tackle when speaking to potential voters. She said the federal opposition would ensure that its future manifestoes or plans would be geared towards attracting young voters. "We have various documents to date, ranging from Buku Jingga, 100 day plan, the opposition leader's Malaysian Economic Agenda, and the notable successes from PR governed states," she explained. Nurul Izzah also said PR would use the convention to drive home the point to their members that they should be well-informed about on-going scandals concerning BN leaders. "Granted, scandals — especially BN's success at making Malaysia a haven for black money laundering — are important highlights to cement reasons for change at the federal level," she said. But she stressed the point that PR will explain to voters is that they have a solution and a team of leaders who will reduce wastage and corruption should the opposition take over Putrajaya. READ MORE HERE |
| Prove blogger’s claims are false, rep urged Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:58 AM PST (The Star) - Pantai Remis state assemblyman Nga Kor Ming has been urged to prove his innocence over allegations made by a blogger on a tailoring contract awarded to his wife's company. Perak MCA secretary Datuk Tan Chin Meng said Nga had merely claimed that the documents, which surfaced in the blog, were forged but did not deny the contents. "On one hand, Nga claimed that the documents were forged, but on the other hand, he did not deny the contents of the blog," he said in a press statement issued here yesterday. He suggested that the Perak DAP secretary lodge a police report over the allegations. "If the documents were indeed forged, then Nga should lodge a police report to allow investigations to begin, which will prove his innocence," he said in a statement yesterday. According to the blog, Nga's wife won a tailoring contract to make lounge suits for Ipoh city councillors shortly after Pakatan Rakyat took over the Perak Government. The minutes of the Ipoh City Council meeting revealed that Ethan & Elton, of which she was a director, was the highest bidder, charging RM650 per suit compared to the lowest price offered by Goodman Tailor at RM450 a suit. The blog claimed that a contract for 24 lounge suits was awarded to Goodman Tailor on April 3, 2008, but was later given to Ethan & Elton at the suggestion of the then state government. "It is curious that a company which was set up shortly after Pakatan Rakyat took over the Perak Government can win a contract even though its bid turned out to be the highest," Tan said. He noted that Nga was a member of the state exco in charge of education, local government, housing and public transport at the time, adding that he owed the public an explanation. "Nga should explain the suspicious circumstances of how his wife's company won the tailoring contract," Tan added. Blogger Ahmad Sofiyan Yahya, who writes under the Sekupang Dua blog, lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over Nga's alleged involvement in the tailoring contract. "Nga has accused me of making up evidence in a report on Monday and to live up to his challenge, I am now lodging a report against him," he said here yesterday. Ahmad Sofiyan added that he had received the documents after Pakatan Rakyat took over Perak. Nga said the allegations were "totally unfounded" and reserved the right to file a defamation suit. |
| Police report lodged against protesters Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:57 AM PST (The Star) - Sekretariat Suara Keamanan Mahasiswa lodged a police report against Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia for taking down a flag bearing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's image in front of the Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre. Suara Keamanan chairman Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi said the action has provoked and caused discomfort among Malaysians, especially graduates. "We urge the police to investigate whether SMM is registered under the Registrar of Societies or the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971," he said after lodging a report at the Patani Road police station here last night. On Saturday, some 200 students marched under the SMM banner to push for the abolition of the UUCA and other laws they considered restrictive. The protesters ended their march in front of the Umno headquarters and briefly took down a flag bearing Najib's image and replaced it with an SMM flag. |
| Wong: Hasan’s apostasy comments his opinion Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:56 AM PST (The Star) - State executive councillor Elizabeth Wong says there will be no action taken against fellow state exco Datuk Dr Hasan Ali over his recent remarks about apostates in Selangor. "His comments were made in a personal capacity and not as an executive councillor," Wong told reporters after the weekly state executive council meeting here yesterday. "The state government has found no report, so far, of Hasan making such statements in his capacity as a state executive councillor. "As a PAS member, yes, he has made those comments. "Therefore, the state government will not be taking any action against him. It is an internal party matter," added Wong, who is state Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment committee chairman. Dr Hasan, who is in trouble with PAS leaders over his stand on the alleged shift in the party's struggle, had reportedly said on Tuesday that his research team, Unit Selamatkan Aqidah, had found 41 apostates in Petaling Jaya and was continuing to collect more data on the issue. |
| Hasan: PAS has lost sight of the Malays Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:54 AM PST (The Star) - Embattled PAS leader Datuk Dr Hasan Ali has continued his tirade against the party, saying that it has lost sight of the Malays since coming under the Pakatan Rakyat banner. He said PAS had veered away from its fundamental role as a defender of Islam. "In the rush to take over Putrajaya, we may end up forgetting our core group of supporters the Malays," he said in an hour-long interview on TV3's Soal Jawab. Dr Hasan said the party's current crop of leaders reflected an imbalance in representation between the ulama and professional groups. He added the ulama-professional ratio in the party's leadership when he first joined the party stood at around 70:30, but it was now the other way round with professionals forming the majority on the party's powerful central working committee. Dr Hasan, who is the Selangor state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs, Malay customs, infrastructure and public amenities, said this situation "will influence" the party's direction, as professionals were prone to rationalising options as opposed to the ulama group's tendency to stay true to Islamic principles. Dr Hasan added that a victory for Pakatan and by extension PAS in the next general election would be meaningless under the current arrangement if nothing was done to uphold the place of Islam, the Malays and the royal institution, three issues which he said formed the core of his political struggles. Dr Hasan sidestepped a question on whether or not he would leave PAS as widely speculated, choosing instead to quote a verse from the Quran to say that he left it to Allah to decide. He said he "loves" his party, but hinted at keeping his options open as he was now mired in a "volatile situation". Dr Hasan, and former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, have been under fire from party colleagues over the past several weeks. There is speculation that both will be dropped by the party in the national polls. The pair have also been slammed by top leaders for proposing that PAS revive unity talks with arch-rivals Umno, with some even saying Dr Hasan is free to leave the party and join Umno. |
| DAP mum on PAS debacle Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:53 AM PST (The Star) - Selangor DAP leaders are shying away from the latest controversy surrounding PAS, saying it is the Islamic party's internal issue. They have refused to be drawn into the in-fighting despite the DAP and PKR being labelled by former Selangor PAS chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali as the "stumbling blocks" in the PAS Islamic state agenda. "I do not want to be dragged into the dispute between him (Dr Hasan) and the others in PAS," said Selangor DAP chairman Teresa Kok when asked by The Star for her views on the PAS feud. "So, I choose not to comment." On Tuesday, Dr Hasan had said he had wide support in PAS for the party to return to its original struggle of forming an Isla- mic state. The 64-year-old Selangor executive councillor blamed the party's alliance with the DAP and PKR for the shift towards setting up a welfare state. He said the alliance was causing a lot of dissent within PAS. The party's influential Dewan Ulama has thrown its support behind Dr Hasan and former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, who lamented that PAS was no longer seen in its Islamic image. |
| Jamil wants Islamic units meet on sexuality, apostasy Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:50 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has called for a meeting of the various state Islamic religious departments to determine how to address cases of apostasy, homosexuality, and trans-sexuality among Muslims. "I have asked Jakim to arrange the meeting soon so that we can inform the people about the law and on its enforcement to resolve the issues," the minister in charge of Islamic affairs was quoted in a Bernama Online report today. The minister was referring to the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religion to Muslims Enactment, which is applicable in all states aside from Perak, the Federal Territories, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak. It is unclear how the enactment pertains to homosexuality, which is not an offence per se under any Malaysian law. Jamil is outspoken on issues of sexuality, having previously been reported by Utusan Malaysia as saying that being homosexual was "unconstitutional". He subsequently said he was misquoted and that he meant homosexuality was against the Penal Code. The minister had also criticised Seksualiti Merdeka — the sexuality awareness event that was banned recently despite having run unhindered in previous years — for promoting "a deviation from society's norms". Jamil said Malaysians had a responsibility to unite and stop any promotion of homosexual, lesbian or bisexual practices. In today's report, he also spoke of a need to inform the public that proselytising to Muslims was an offence in states where the aforementioned enactment was applicable. |
| Season to be jolly – and afraid for M’sian Christians Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:41 AM PST For the minority religious group, there is a sense of unease in the wake of rising tensions with Muslims authorities. "We've had to be very careful about whom we help, and how we go about doing it because authorities are paying more attention to church activities," said a pastor who requested anonymity due to his work among the poor and homeless of Kuala Lumpur. Julia Yeow, Free Malaysia Today In every mall and along every main street in Malaysia's capital, elaborate decorations and loud, blaring carols bring about festive reminders of the season to be jolly. But beneath the blinking lights and merry making, many Christians will be celebrating Christmas with an undeniable sense of unease due to rising tensions with Muslim authorities. Malaysia is a secular state as defined in its constitution, but Islam is the official religion and is embraced by 60 percent of the population. Minority Christians make up about 10 percent, followed
by Buddhists, Hindus and people of other faiths. Religious violence is rare in the multicultural society, but minority religious groups have complained that their right to practise freely is increasingly threatened by a Muslim-dominated
government. Christians have always had to be "cautious" in dealing with the government, said Sam Ang, secretary-general of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, the country's largest evangelical group. "I think there is definitely a sense of Christians feeling threatened much more now, although not so much physically." He said the authorities often misinterpret the law according to their own convenience. "There is always a risk. That is why churches would be wise to always exercise caution," he said.
An emotional thing But one major church apparently threw caution to the wind on Aug 3 when it allowed an organisation with Muslim members to use its premises for a celebration. Islamic religious officers raided the church during the dinner, and later claimed efforts were being made to convert the Muslims who were present. The Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) denied the allegations and called the raid illegal. It said accusations of conversion attempts were false and malicious. Christian leaders condemned the raid, saying the authorities showed no proof or warrant to enter the church premises. The incident also sparked outrage among Muslim groups that demonstarted against what they claimed were aggressive conversion efforts by Christians. They called on Muslims to "take all necessary actions" to protect the sanctity of Islam. In response, the Christian community was placed on alert for fears of a repeat of violent attacks on at least eight churches last year, including one that was gutted by a firebomb. "Religion is such an emotional thing that I find it hard to be at ease during this season," said Vivienne Pal, a 33-year-old Christian. "I'm constantly aware that things can get out of hand in a blink of an eye." READ MORE HERE |
| In Malaysia, corruption is a team effort Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:37 AM PST It's difficult for a leadership brought up within a corrupt system to correct things. These teams are running wild in this government. This government is suffering from a serious credibility problem. Every purchase, contract and project that it dishes out is never free from suspicions of financial improprieties. Every damn business decision involving, for example, even government-linked companies or any companies linked to the government is not above shiftiness. Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, Free Malaysia Today Why does our country find it so objectionable to kick out the crooks and the stupid? For corruption to take place, you must have two important elements – you must be a crook and mental dud. It will therefore take paramount political will by a leadership and a messianic zeal to stem corruption to succeed. In our country, the only answer is a change in leadership. As former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, the whole country, from top to bottom, is corrupt. I take that to mean, Dr Mahathir also includes the prime minister. Money changing hands – that's bribery plain and simple. The businessmen who pay the aides to the prime minister and deputy prime minister monthly allowances, engages in bribery. The politician who pays Najib's people to always say good things about the former so that he continues to be minister or chief minister, does a bribery number. Where the money involved runs into hundreds of millions and even billions, the bribery reaches a more sophisticated level. Manipulating records and numbers
In one of my conversations with The Oracle of Syed Putera (who incidentally is the alter ego of former economic adviser Daim Zainuddin), I asked: "How was it that the double-tracking project originally given to China Railways and which was endorsed by the federal Cabinet was rescinded? "How did it come to the state, when Cabinet revised its earlier decision and in light of new 'data and information', the project was taken away from China Railways and given to China Harbours? "Who provided new data and information? Who directed the provider of the information to submit new evidence?" Any layman would think, China Harbours is a company expert in doing harbours and China Railways in rail lines. The proper thing is to give it to China Railways. The Oracle was very matter-of-fact when he replied: "Because huge sums of money have changed hands." He must have meant the manipulation of facts and figures and methods to allow the switch in decisions. Appointing a project management consultant that deducts points from the track record of China Harbours to make it look unqualified and extolling the virtues of another competitor, is corruption of a more sophisticated level. It means that the level of corruption here in Malaysia takes a network of like-minded people to work. In Malaysia corruption is a team effort. READ MORE HERE |
| Mahasiswa itu poyo Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:32 AM PST Gelaran 'mahasiswa' bukanlah gelaran istimewa yang mempunyai hak atau seolah-olah masyarakat terhutang budi untuk mendengar suara golongan ini. "Poyo" adalah satu perkataan yang digunakan oleh golongan remaja terutama di sekitar Lembah Kelang (dan kawasan sekitarnya) untuk menerangkan rasa kegelian, menyampah ataupun apa-apa perkara yang membuatkan seseorang itu merasa hendak muntah. Zaidel Baharuddin, Free Malaysia Today Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera wahai para pembaca sekelian. Minggu lepas saya telah menimbulkan amarah beberapa golongan kecil yang memakai tudung berlipat-lipat sambil berbual dalam gaya pertuturan Amerika dan British berselit beberapa perkataan Arab. Minggu ini pula saya membangkitkan kemarahan golongan pelajar universiti yang menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai mahasiswa. Namun kali ini tidak seperti sebelumnya, FMT telah menutup kemudahan untuk memberi komen maka tidaklah sakit kepala saya membaca sumpah seranah serta cercaan orang yang tidak dikenali di serata Internet. Pastinya anda sudah tidak sabar lagi untuk mengetahui mengapa saya menggelarkan golongan yang menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai mahasiswa sebagai poyo, maka apa tunggu lagi. Sebelum kita meneruskan perbincangan kita pada hari ini adalah baik sekiranya saya menerangkan takrifan yang digunakan dalam karangan ini, pastinya ada para pembaca yang budiman pasti tertanya-tanya apakah itu "poyo"? "Poyo" adalah satu perkataan yang digunakan oleh golongan remaja terutama di sekitar Lembah Kelang (dan kawasan sekitarnya) untuk menerangkan rasa kegelian, menyampah ataupun apa-apa perkara yang membuatkan seseorang itu merasa hendak muntah. Antara perkataan ganti yang juga boleh digunakan adalah seperti poser, menggelabah ataupun "tak boleh belah". Contoh penggunaan perkataan poyo adalah seperti berikut: "Poyo sial gaya rambut adik kau ala-ala Justin Bieber itu" ataupun "Kite xske sgt ngan die taw, gediks sgt dpn boy cute tue, poyo giler babs, muntah wei." Untuk pengetahuan para pembaca sekelian, contoh kedua itu ditulis dalam bentuk bahasa SMS. Manakala mahasiswa pula ialah perkataan gelaran yang diberi kepada penuntut universiti dan dalam konteks Malaysia, mahasiswa biasanya adalah gelaran kepada penuntut universiti kerajaan yang berminat untuk bertanding Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (MPP). Sesungguhnya saya juga merupakan bekas graduan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, dari Fakulti Kejuruteraan Eletrik, fakulti yang paling membosankan dari segi aktiviti masa lapang pelajar dan pada waktu saya belajar, merupakan pemegang rekod jumlah peratusan keluar mengundi paling rendah sewaktu pilihan raya kampus. Kempen yang mengecewakan
Jadi dapat dilihat dari sini sebenarnya saya tidak mempunyai masalah dengan pelajar universiti tetapi saya hanya mempunyai masaalah dengan yang menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai mahasiswa kerana pertamanya saya tidak nampak apa sangat yang maha tentang siswa ini dan keduanya biasanya mereka yang menggelarkan diri mereka mahasiswa adalah mereka yang saya selalu lihat sebagai poyo. Saya yakin, pastinya ada pelajar universiti yang menggelarkan diri mereka mahasiswa tidaklah sepoyo mana, pastinya mereka merupakan orang yang mesra, baik hati dan disukai ramai, namun dari segi pengalaman dan pengamatan penulis yang telah belajar di universiti kerajaan selama lima tahun diikuti dengan beberapa golongan mahasiswa tertentu maka dengan sedihnya saya terpaksa menyatakan, setiap kali saya mendengar perkataan mahasiswa, perkara pertama yang datang atau muncul dalam minda saya ialah kepoyoan yang menghampiri tahap polis angkasa gaban (peribahasa moden). Sewaktu saya menuntut di universiti dahulu, seringkali saya berdepan dengan orang yang bersemangat berceramah tentang "suara mahasiswa", "kepimpinan mahasiswa" ataupun "kuasa mahasiswa". Pada mulanya saya menolak tepi slogan-slogan ini kerana saya berpendapat kebanyakan mereka yang sibuk memperjuangkan perkara-perkara ini adalah dari aliran sastera yang mempunyai banyak masa untuk menjalankan aktiviti sampingan. UTM yang ketika itu terkenal dengan gelaran Universiti Tendang Menendang kerana tahap kegagalan yang tinggi di kalangan pelajar jurusan kejuruteraan, saya lebih risau untuk mengumpul markah bagi memastikan saya boleh meneruskan pengajian pada semester hadapan. Boleh dikatakan tiga tahun pertama saya di universiti bagi saya "kuasa mahasiswa" adalah perkara kedua dan saya lebih risaukan tentang "kuasa aruhan elektromagnet" dan bagaimana mengiranya dengan tepat. Namun setelah saya menjadi seorang pelajar kanan, yang mana kini markah saya boleh dikatakan lebih stabil (tidak tinggi, teruk juga tapi susahlah nak kena tendang) maka saya pun sedikit berminat apabila dikatakan tentang "kepimpinan mahasiswa". Sebagai seorang siswa yang maha, banyak juga yang saya tidak berpuas hati dengan kepimpinan universiti, masyarakat, negara dan juga dunia sejagat. Namun yang paling saya tidak puas hati adalah isu-isu yang berkait rapat dengan saya sebagai seorang siswa yang maha dan saya merasakan melalui "suara mahasiswa" dan "kepimpinan mahasiswa" bolehlah saya mempunyai saluran dan wakil untuk menyuarakan suara dan hasrat saya kepada pemerintah universiti. Maka apabila sampai masa waktu pemilihan saya pun telah nekad untuk keluar mengundi kerana mahu wakil yang boleh menyuarakan suara saya, selain dari hadiah cabutan bertuah dari fakulti kepada mereka yang mengundi kerana HEP (Hal Ehwal Pelajar) telah mendesak FKE (Fakulti Kejuruteraan Eletrik) untuk meningkatkan peratusan keluar mengundi. Malangnya, apabila saya mendengar kempen dari mereka yang mempunyai aspirasi (bukan pro aspirasi) untuk menjadi perwakilan, saya merasa kecewa. Saya berharap yang mereka akan memperjuangkan perkara-perkara seperti meningkatkan kualiti pensyarah, menambah kemudahan kepada pelajar seperti "water cooler", tentang yuran pengajian, hal-hal akademik, hal biasiswa, untuk memberi input tentang matapelajaran dan kurikulum pengajian kepada pihak pentabir universiti dan perkara-perkara sedemikan. READ MORE HERE |
| Hasan Ali : Kalau datang dulu nampak mukanya, kalau nak pergi biarlah nampak belakangnya Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:28 AM PST ASPAN ALIAS Beberapa orang rakan meminta saya membuat sedikit komen tentang apa yang berlaku dalam PAS yang berkait dengan isu Hasan Ali dan Nasharudin Mat Isa. Saya pula berpendapat itu adalah isu dalam PAS dan Nasharudin telah menyatakan yang beliau akan terus setia dengan PAS. Tetapi mereka mahukan komen pendek saya tentang Hasan Ali, Exco kerajaan Selangor yang menyatakan yang PAS telah menyimpang dari perjuangan asalnya. Oleh kerana PAS bukan parti saya maka saya tidak dapat memberikan komen yang tepat kerana saya tidak pernah berada di dalam parti itu. Oleh kerana tidak tahu apa sebenarnya yang berlaku dalam parti itu saya tidak mampu untuk memberikan komen. Saya mungkin boleh memberikan sedikit sahaja komen mengikut apa yang saya nampak dan dengar dan komen saya hanyalah berdasarkan kepada 'apa yang terbit, itulah yang saya tuai'.
Saya telah mendengar tentang Hasan Ali ini sejak beberapa lama dahulu. Beliau begitu resah berada dalam PAS kerana beliau telah dijadikan umpan oleh pihak yang berseteru dengan PAS agar PAS menjadi lemah. Beliau adalah orang yang kuat untuk menemukan PAS dengan UMNO untuk penyatuan orang Melayu Islam tetapi usaha beliau itu tidak pergi ke mana-mana kerana keseluruhan ahli PAS telah memberikan 'stand' yang tegas melalui muktamar parti itu yang bekerjasama dengan UMNO itu tidak berhasil.
Hasan di katakan agak 'obsess' dengan usaha menyatukan UMNO dengan PAS dan keputusan PAS tidak melayani cadangan UMNO untuk PAS bersatu dengannya. Ramai berpendapat kecenderungan Hasan untuk mendapat keuntungan peribadi beliau merupakan penyebab mengapa beliau mengambil stand 'middle left' dalam perhubungan di antara PAS dengan UMNO. Keuntungan yang di rasakan akan di perolehi oleh beliau jika PAS bekerjasama dengan UMNO ialah jawatan yang baik seperti MB dan lain-lain, lebih baik dari apa yang beliau sandang sekarang ini.
Bagi pendapat saya secara peribadi, Hasan patut meninggalkan sahaja PAS dan tidak berdolak dalik dengan susunan kata-kata yang mudah dibaca orang. Bak kata perbilangan, ramai boleh 'menyelam air dalam tunggak' Hasan itu. Hasan mesti faham dalam keadaan sekarang hanya ada dua posisi yang di ambil oleh individu yang bermain politik; iaitu duduk di sana atau duduk di sini. Politik hari ini memerlukan pendirian yang jelas kerana bagi pihak yang tidak berpuas hati dengan keadaan kepimpinan negara, mereka tidak mahu berketuakan mereka yang tidak di sini dan tidak di sana.
Bagi pihak yang menentang arus mereka mahu melihat pemimpin yang jelas mahu melihat pimpinan hari ini di ambil alih oleh pihak alternatif. Sebaliknya bagi mereka yang mahu mempertahankan pimpinan yang ada mereka perlu jelas duduk di sebelah pihak yang mempertahankan pimpinan itu dengan jelas dan nyata. Mereka yang cuba bermain politik mengikut jalan tengah pada masa ini pasti akan menghadapi masalah besar. READ MORE HERE |
| Poor English skills, race quotas in way of Malaysian prosperity, says ST Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:40 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Malaysia's shortage of skilled, English-speaking workers along with ethnic-based quotas that complicate hiring practices will hamper the country's economic momentum despite a rise in foreign investment, Singapore's Straits Times said today in an editorial about the Najib administration. The newspaper, which is considered to be a reflection of the establishment voice in Singapore, said the Najib administration must follow through with its current reform efforts. However, further economic reform "may" only be possible if Datuk Seri Najib Razak strengthens his grip on the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN) lynchpin, Umno, through a "solid endorsement" from voters in the coming polls, senior writer Bruce Gale said in the story appearing in the newspaper's Op-Ed page today. He said although official numbers show that foreign investment in Malaysia had risen markedly this year, the country continued to lag behind its neighbours. Gale said this was likely the result of the dearth of skilled, English-speaking workers and race-based quotas that "complicate hiring practices", both of which he described as fundamental problems that have led the country into the middle-income trap. "Several measures foreshadowed last year have either stalled or yet to fully materialise. Chief among these is the promise that ethnic quotas would be further relaxed," he added. But, Gale noted that abandoning race-based quotas was a move that would meet strong resistance from within Umno. The writer also commended "reformist" Najib's market-oriented changes as enshrined in the New Economic Model (NEM), pointing to a World Bank report in October on the ease of doing business that showed Malaysia moving up five notches in the bank's global ranking. Gale cited another report from consulting firm AT Kearny earlier this month, which placed Malaysia among the world's top 10 most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment. This year's figures, he said, also showed that total investment approvals in Malaysia until October stood at RM26.4 billion — fast approaching the previous peak in 2007 of RM29.5 billion. READ MORE HERE |
| PKR reveals new ‘proof’ in World Bank row Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:27 PM PST PKR says that a World Bank loan was sought through the National Economic Action Council, of which Mahathir was the chairman. (Free Malaysia Today) - PKR today continued with its attack on Dr Mahathir Mohamad by showing alleged new evidence to prove its claim that the former premier had asked for loan from the World Bank during the 1999 financial crisis. PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said in a statement today that a World Bank report coded "PID6999″ showed Mahathir asking for loans to support his administration's National Economic Recovery Plan (NERP). The loans were sought through the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) under the tenure of Mahathir's strongman Daim Zainuddin. Mahathir was the chairman of NEAC. Daim was the NEAC's secretary and was also the director of the Economic Planning Unit that answered to the former prime minister himself. The World Bank report read: "In view of these circumstances in July 1998, the government announced a National Economic Recovery Plan to bring the economy back on a positive growth path. "One of the six strategic objectives of the National Economic Recovery Plan is to continue the country's equity and socio-economic agenda which had been instrumental during the past two decades, in maintaining social stability in the country. "In line with this objective, the government has proposed a plan of action to mitigate the adverse social impacts of the crisis which threaten to reverse the gains made in the past. The government has approached the (World) Bank for help in strengthening this plan and implementing it through a Social Protection Project" 'Asked for and not offered'
The NERP was introduced as a blueprint to steer Malaysia out of the Asian financial crunch in July 1998. The report stated that Malaysia had first sought the loan on July 26, 1998. It further stated that the World Bank assessment team had departed for Malaysia on Nov 30. The negotiation began Feb 1, 1999. Rafizi said the report clearly stated that the aid was "asked for and not offered". In his blog posting yesterday, Mahathir maintained that he had never written any letter requesting for loan from the World Bank. READ MORE HERE |
| Islamic state not in PAS constitution Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:29 PM PST The founder of the PAS Supporters Club points out there is a clause for the Islamist party to form a welfare state. (Free Malaysia Today) - The concept of an Islamic state is not enshrined in the PAS constitution, says a PAS official. Therefore, the party should stop championing the concept unless it is willing to amend its founding political principles to accommodate the governance policy, modelled after theocracy nations such as Iran. PAS Supporters Club founder Hu Phang Chaw urged the supposedly warring factions in the Islamist party to revert to the party constitution to settle their present dispute. When PAS was formed in 1951, there was no element of an Islamist state inserted in the 11 clauses of its constitution. Instead, there is a clause for PAS to form a welfare society and to uphold the Federal Constitution, Hu said in an interview. Both the PAS and federal constitutions were written based on references and feedback from the United Nations, he added. PAS needs to go back to its roots and original struggle to revive its political objectives, or risks the possibility of fracturing into splinter parties again, such as in the early 1980s, Hu said. He added that the non-Muslim component in the party is watching in disbelief that the party leaders are tearing apart all the political goodwill it has earned since 2004 despite its Islamist leaning. Ideological divide
There is nothing wrong about a welfare state, as for any country to be a success, political parties must often treat the interest and security of its citizenry as of paramount importance, he said. Segments of society are rebelling against the Barisan Nasional (BN) now because, although the coalition had previously championed the people's cause and brought about stability, it seemed to have lost its way now – bogged down with alleged corrupt practices, nepotism and cronism, Hu said. The outcome is the economy has become weak despite whatever growth projections various quarters may be espousing, Hu said, adding that many now subscribe to the belief that the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. Hu was commenting on the dispute and concerns raised over remarks by former Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali, former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa together with a host of other party personalities such as PAS Youth head Nasharuddin Hassan Tantawi and his deputy Nik Abdul Nik Abdul Aziz. To illustrate the ideological divide in PAS, pundits are describing the present disagreement as between the progressive faction, who are influenced by visionary Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the old school of ulamas, who control PAS' decision-making bodies such as the syura council and the central committee. Hu advises all PAS leaders to stop the dispute and refer to the party constitution to end their debate about welfare and Islamic state. "Prepare for the 13th general election and show unity if one still loves the party instead of squabbling," Hu said. READ MORE HERE |
| Dr M, in India we have bad roads but true democracy Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:26 PM PST Last week, Dr Mahathir gave a speech in India which stirred one Indian activist to retort in an open letter to the doctor. We want to become a nation with a system that treats all its citizens as equal unlike your country that officially accords special rights to Malay Muslims calling them first-class citizens while relegating thousands of people of Tamil, Chinese and other ethnic origins. By Siddharthya Swapan Roy, Free Malaysia Today Dear Dr Mahathir, A couple of days back I woke up to newspaper reports which quoted you as saying that India's democracy is a hindrance to its development and, if we did away with the nuisance of democracy, we will become developed. Well, sir, it is heartening to see your concern about India's future, especially now that our own elected government has orphaned us. To read that someone from the outside cares about our development sounds so very nice. But you see, sir, your (apparently) good intentions notwithstanding, your advice to Indians is, well how should I put it… ill-advised. I'm not really sure if you know much about the history of our nation. Don't get me wrong. Going by facts like the general absence of news from Malaysian newspapers; the absence of anything but song and dance in your electronic media; the absence of bookstores that sell knowledgeable books (for example, ones from which you can learn about history and not how to get rich in six steps); the abundance of malls and the stark absence of libraries; the abundance of coaching centres that can make masseurs, air hostesses and a host of quick-fix technicians and the relative absence of centres of higher learning especially in the social sciences; and, above all, the fact that this insanely consumerist and hedonist Malaysia was made under your tutelage, makes me doubt your knowledge of the history of India or any nation for that matter. So allow me to apprise you of the story of our independence. We won independence from colonial rulers waging a long and tortuous battle. A battle that sought to replace a discriminatory, unjust and violent regime that had enslaved huge populations with one which was based on the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. India was home then, as is now and as will always be, to an immense diversity of people who spoke different tongues, prayed to different Gods, wore different clothes and had different political beliefs. These diverse people said to each other that – we, despite our differences, will strive to live and flourish together and make a sovereign nation which will be democratic, socialist and secular. We did not anywhere say that we want to be Malaysia or for that matter China or the US. In India, no one is above the law We want to become a nation with a system that treats all its citizens as equal unlike your country that officially accords special rights to Malay Muslims calling them first-class citizens while relegating thousands of people of Tamil, Chinese and other ethnic origins. Despite the fact that they have known no other land than Malaysia as their own, you denigrate them with the tag of being second-class citizens. We try to work towards having a system wherein a person will grow according to his merit and hard work earning what she or he has rightfully earned. You may be surprised to know that here in India making cartels based on identity, even if under the name of a holy cow called "Bumipuetra" or son of the soil is looked down upon by most of us. Here, promoting the selective interests of one's self or that of his kin is called corruption and nepotism and not, as you call it, development. We are in fact fighting tooth and nail to arrest the scourge of corruption and (you'll be shocked to know) get the guilty punished. Here in India no one is above the law and many a times powerful public figures go to jail for being corrupt or subverting the law. Now that we are at it, sir, I'm sure it would be interesting to know what the minorities of your country have to say – especially the jailed and beaten ones – about the development-democracy debate. In fact, sir, your idea of development is largely at odds with many of us here.
Development is no substitute for values What you did to the tropical forests and water bodies of Malaysia (that is, raze vast acres of them into oblivion to make way for big-buck oil palm plantations and piggeries and so on) would cause huge outrage among many of us who are looking for sustainable development. We are yet to be unanimously convinced that making cemented roads – however broad, lining them with buildings, even if glass-covered and glossy, and putting cars on them, however fast – is a substitute for our valued bio-diversity. Many of us are very convinced that displacing huge populations of native people for useless things like racing tracks is a blot on the word "development". There are many of us who find it a shameful and cruel hypocrisy that while your country has abundant and openly advertised sex tourism, it still whips women for being licentious! READ MORE HERE |
| Malaysia’s record of engagement with the World Bank Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:22 PM PST CPI Members of the public may be interested to know the details of engagement between the World Bank and Malaysia, especially given what many view as Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent attempt to rewrite the history of this engagement during his tenure as prime minister from 1981 to 2003. The Malaysian policy on public access to the documentation of this engagement is severely restricted under the Official Secrets Act.
Fortunately, the World Bank's public disclosure policy is much more open and transparent, and thus the conduct of the said engagement can be seen from the details provided which are accessible through the bank's website.
Besides the current contentious issue of loans provided to the country during Dr Mahathir's administration, bank assistance has been in the way of grants and trust funds provided by donor countries (Malaysia although a middle income and relatively rich country by many standards is still recipient of official funding assistance from abroad) as well as advisory and analytical work assistance.
GRANTS AND TRUST FUNDS READ MORE HERE |
| ‘I’m not involved’: Shahrizat says it again Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:20 PM PST Quizzed on the latest revelation by PKR concerning a luxury condo in Singapore, the minister says that she is merely the wife of the NFC chairman. (Free Malaysia Today) - Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today dodged questions on the latest RM10 million Singapore condominium revelation by PKR and reiterated her non-involvement in the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal. Bombarded with questions from reporters at a charity event here, the women, family and community development minister again said she has no ties with the national cattle farming project apart from being "the wife" of its chairman. "I've said it before… legally and professionally, I am not involved in the NFC. I am just the wife of the NFC chairman. Don't all women and families have husband," she said. In the latest assault against the Umno Wanita chief, PKR leaders claimed yesterday Shahrizat had used taxpayers' money meant to finance the NFC to purchase a luxury condominium in Singapore. The unit was purchased under her family's name. Although the paper trail to prove that the purchase was made using NFC cash was not available, PKR leaders said the presence of several of Shahrizat's private businesses in the island state allegedly connected to NFC's funds was strong enough to suggest a link. MORE TO FOLLOW READ MORE HERE |
| RM34 million for ‘scrap metal’ helicopters Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:51 PM PST (Free Malaysia Today) Opposition DAP wants to know why Sabah Air leased its helicopters for RM1 if it was in the red. TAWAU: Sabah's two new Eurocopters, totaling RM34 million, are stiring a lot of dust in the state without even spinning their rotors. Sabah DAP chairman Jimmy Wong has latched on the Auditor General's latest report that targets Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd's purchase of the Eurocopter AS 355 NP for RM13 million and Eurocopter EC 145 for RM21 million. Wong said the whole deal is a scandal and the helicopters are "scrap metal". State Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development, Pang Yuk Ming while defending the purchase of the aircraft, has however been struggling to explain why they have not been used. In the latest twist, Wong accused Sabah Air Aviation chairman Yusof Kassim, and its chief executive officer Manu Sasidharan of rushing to Kuala Lumpur to get the "operations specification certificate" for the two helicopters only after questions were raised about the aircrafts' air-worthiness. Wong claimed both these officials had met with civil aviation authorities in Putrajaya on Dec 6. Wong said that this proves that the two new helicopters are faulty. He said that without the documents, Sabah Air Aviation cannot use the aircraft for any part of their business. "I was informed that the AS 355 NP does not have this certification and that its airworthy certification was not renewed since it expired about a month ago. "The AS 355 NP is therefore not allowed to fly any passenger with an expired airworthy certificate. The chopper may only fly under special conditions such as for flight testing to qualify for the airworthy certificate renewal. "If this is true, how dare Sabah Air Aviation invite me on Dec 16 to fly in the AS355NP?" Wong asked. Aircraft for CM
The Sabah DAP chief also questioned why the EC145 bearing the registration mark '9M-CMD' had a "VVIP seats configuration" and if it was exclusively for the CM's travel. "Is it true that "9M" signifies aircraft registered in Malaysia and the remaining three alphabets is a special registration mark. I am told that Sabah Air specially selected 9M-CMD to signify the Chief Minister Department," said Wong. He said Sabah Air should provide the original copy of the "operation specification certificate" with the EC 145 registration '9M-CMD' and AS355 NP registration '9M-MOH'. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/12/21/rm34-million-for-scrap-metal-helicopters/ |
| Mahathir is cause of 1997 Financial Crisis Thru Mismanagement Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:25 PM PST Mahathir is NOT an Economist and had NEVER faced such a Financial Crisis BEFORE. Therefore, Mahathir did not know the solution. By Dr Robert Chan In 1995, World Bank, IMF and Economists warned Mahathir Mohammad the Prime Minister that if Malaysia did NOT manage its economy and finance properly, it would suffer the same fate as Mexico whose peso plummeted very seriously. Instead of finding out WHY and HOW to prevent the situation, Mahathir immediately rebutted and scolded them by saying that they were jealous of Malaysia's development and economy and they were trying to embarrass us.
In 1997, when the Financial Crisis hit us, we were all shocked. Mahathir did not know what had happened and therefore did not know what to do. Mahathir and his Ministers were confused by the various statements that they made. Apparently, Mahathir spent billions to support the currency ringgit but was unsuccessful. When US Secretary of Treasury, Robert Rubin came, his advice was sought. Robert asked Daim and Mahathir to reduce interest rates. Daim is only a Lawyer and a businessman. He is no great Economist. IF Mahathir and Daim claim that they are experts in Economics and Finance, I would like to give them a Test - Theory and Viva. Professor Paul Krugman wrote an open letter to Mahathir asking him to implement the Exchange Control. Finally, the value of the Malaysian currency RM fell by more than 50% from RM2.50 to RM3.80 to USD. Mahathir is NOT an Economist and had NEVER faced such a Financial Crisis BEFORE. Therefore, Mahathir did not know the solution. He took advice. Rumours in KL said Nor Mohamed Yaacop was responsible for the loss of US$10 billion in currency trading!!! Ask the Bankers and his classmates in University of Malaya. Malaysians became poorer by more than 50% because the idiotic Prime Minister Mahathir was stubborn. So what so great about Mahathir??? When I was in Britain there was a Debate where Nobel Prize Winner Milton Friedman, Margaret Thatcher British PM and etc participated in discussing the Economy of Britain. Milton Friedman and Margaret Thatcher both said, "You cannot spend money you have not earned." Even a normal housewife knows that. She will run on a budget. A housewife is given a certain sum of money a month by her husband to manage the family and house. If she over-spends, she will be scolded by her husband. Most of the time, the housewife will spend less than what was given so she has some money for rainy days!!! A normal housewife can manage the economy better than Prime Minister Mahathir. Mahathir the Prime Minister ran current accounts deficits for several years with little reserves. Mahathir blamed everybody except himself. Mahathir had to find a scapegoat and he pointed his finger at George Soros. Mahathir is good at finding scapegoats!!! When Malaysia was in the midst of this Financial Crisis 1997-8, he led a huge delegation to Argentina. WHAT FOR??? He should have stayed at home to LEARN ABOUT THE CRISIS, its causes and its remedies. But he did not care!!! If a Japanese PM did that, he would be forced to resign. Mahathir did NOT treat the people with respect. His attitude is, "I can spend the peoples' money any way I like. What can you do? I am the PM. I have the power." Mahathir travelled around the world more frequently than the US President or any leader of his time, using the nation's money. Mahathir also went to Antartica and Vladivostock!!! He can justify anything. After retirement, he admitted the 1997-8 Financial Crisis was the biggest headache he ever had as PM. When I went to Argentina for a holiday, I was told by some Argentinians that our Prime Minister, Ministers and businessmen had bought properties in Argentina. Is that the reason WHY Mahatir (after retirement) flew to Argentina using a "private jet"??? Whose private jet was that???
Mahathir is an arrogant and stubborn person. Mahathir built the crooked half bridge without first getting Singapore to agree and sign the Agreement.
Now the half bridge, hanging in the air, is rotting in the sun.
Mahathir wasted RM350 million of the peoples money. But he doesn't care.
He always said he did not care.
See how stubborn and idiotic he is.
Mahathir is an irresponsible Prime Minister. The RM350 million could be used to build 3500 homes for the poor Malays. These homes could accommodate about 18,000 people. Are Architects and Engineers taught in Universities HOW to build crooked half bridges??? I don't think it is in their curriculum. I think it is unethical for Architects and Engineers to build HALF bridges. Who made the MONEY from building the HALF bridge??? Mahathir built the RM600 million Convention Hall in Putrajaya for the OIC Meeting. Now it is hardly used. Such a waste of money!!! Why doesn't Mahathir use the KLCC Convention Hall or PWTC Halls or other big Halls in KL? Because Mahathir just doesn't care.
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