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Here We Go Again Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:14 PM PDT THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Hakim Joe Malaysia possesses submarines that cannot dive but are able to sail faster than a sampan going upstream. Likewise, we are also buying super expensive helicopters that can possibly out-fly and out-maneuver Superman in flight (in theory only). Now we are looking at fighter jets to replace the ageing MIG-29N Fulcrum in 2015 and the budget could be in excess of RM6 billion. Here we go again. French aerospace company Dassault Aviation is planning to set up an office in Kuala Lumpur within the next few months with the intention of winning this lucrative contract from the Malaysian Government. On offer is their Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) Rafale at an estimated cost of 100 million Euro a pop (depending on who you ask). A squadron of a 12 aircrafts will cost in excess of 1.2 billion Euros (RM5.2 billion without optional extras like Krell Sound System, Liebherr fridge, Bosch reverse sensor or Prometheus dashboard cigar lighter). Not to be out done, British defense company BAE Systems (who already has a large office in Kuala Lumpur) is offering a better deal. For an estimated RM5.5 billion, BAE Systems will sell to RMAF 10 units of their Tranche 3 Typhoon fighter/interceptor. Now, how is this a better deal as compared to the Rafale? The Frenchies are offering 12 units whilst the Pommies are offering 10 units. The Frenchies deal cost RM5.2 billion whilst the Pommies deal cost RM5.5 billion. The Rafale is a MRCA whilst the Typhoon is NOT a MRCA. What BAE Systems is also offering are another 20 units of Tranche 1 Typhoon FOC (gratis, as is basis) that the Royal Air Force is retiring from active service, kind of a "Buy 1 Free 2" offer. Technically, these aircrafts are not entirely free, as the RMAF will need to pay to fit specific items like the communication systems and other support items to be compatible to its existing ground control systems. Boeing is also in the picture with its offer of the FA-18F Super Hornet (5th Generation) at USD57 million a piece. Cheap? Oops…the USD57 million is only for the chassis alone, not even the paint job. The real cost per unit after installation of the engine, avionics, pylons, radar, etc. approaches USD125 million a unit (without ordnance, training or support) minimum. However, Boeing is the most optimistic that they are capable of securing this contract as RMAF is already using the FA-18E (4th Generation) and the Malaysian pilots are familiar with the aircraft (hence less training required) plus the important fact that they have appointed three (yes, three) Malaysian companies to do the lobbying for them - Composites Technology Research Malaysia Aero Composites (CTRM AC), SME Aerospace (SMEA), and Spirit AeroSystems. Likewise, of the four potential suppliers, only Boeing has made an official visit to Putrajaya this year to promote their latest aircraft to the former Defense Minister. The other three haven't even applied for their visas. Composites Technology Research Malaysia Aero Composites is a wholly owned subsidiary of Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Based in Batu Berendam, Melaka, CTRM AC is a government-linked company with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated as its major shareholder. SME Aerospace, based in Sungai Buloh, manufactures aircraft parts, components and assemblies for customers worldwide and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Aerospace & Defence Industries Berhad. Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, based in Kuala Lumpur, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. [NYSE: SPR] The fourth and final offer is from Sweden's SAAB with its JAS 39 Gripen MRCA aircraft at USD60 million a pop even though this offer is considered to be the least successful of the entire lot and the cheapest. For those detractors that think that the purchase of military aircrafts is not viable due to Malaysia's economic outlook and that we are still financing the current fleet, think again. As of April 2011, a Request For Quotation (RFQ) has been issued to the four manufacturers. But then again, when and what has economy and cost to do with the purchase of military hardware here in BolehLand? BTW, the submarines still refuse to submerge underwater.

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‘M’sia was slow in probing Iranian-linked companies’ Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:20 PM PDT Washington was also concerned over Malaysia's snail-paced move to replace its IAEA envoy who was sacked for voting against a resolution against Iran. Just a week ago, another US diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks revealed the attempt by an Iranian-linked Malaysian company, Electrics Component Limited, to purchase TRS-500 gyroscopes used for guiding missiles from China. Syed Jaymal Zahiid, Free Malaysia Today Washington was concerned with Malaysia's slow progress in its probe into Malaysian companies suspected of illegal transshipment activities involving Iran, a US diplomatic cable revealed. The cable, leaked by whistleblower site WikiLeaks and published in news portal Malaysia Today today, said Foreign Affairs Ministry deputy secretary general Zainol Abidin Omar was told to "redouble its effort" after he revealed that nothing concrete was found yet from the probe, launched following US pressure for action on the listed companies. "'We have requested security agencies to initiate their investigations,' but added that, thus far, 'the investigation has not been able to unearth any activities that are in contravention to UN resolutions'," Zainol was quoted as saying in the cable. This followed the emphasis made by US diplomats Robert G Rapson and Poloff Nathan that the US has "strong concerns" about the companies listed and their activities, and urged the Malaysian government to work harder. Just a week ago, another US diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks revealed the attempt by an Iranian-linked Malaysian company, Electrics Component Limited, to purchase TRS-500 gyroscopes used for guiding missiles from China. The US said that ECL was linked to Iranian firms "Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is Iran's primary developer of liquid propellant ballistic missiles, and Heavy Metal Industries, a front company for the tactical missile developer Ya Mahdi Industries". Both SHIG and Ya Mahdi Industries are sanctioned under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737, the cable said, adding that the gyroscopes, used in ballistic and cruise missiles as well as unmanned aircraft, are prohibited for export to Iran under the same resolution. It also said that ECL had links with another Malaysia-based front company Skylife Worldwide Sdn Bhd. US doubts IAEA envoy replacement plan The cable also disclosed Washington's concern over the Malaysian government's snail-paced move to replace its International Atomic Enforcement Agency (IAEA) envoy who was sacked for voting against a resolution against Iran. Zainol had disclosed to the US diplomats that Mohd Arshad Manzoor Hussain was still the "interim" chairman of the IAEA Board of Governors despite pledges by the Najib administration to replace him immediately last year. The delay of Arshad's replacement was due the "sensitive" nature of the issue, said Zainol, added the US cable. The cable revealed US' dissatisfaction with the latter's reply which said that Zainol was "coy in providing a direct answer". READ MORE HERE

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• Thumbing nose at Hisham, Khairy says march goes on
• Bersih rally: Umno Youth will have to face consequences, says Hisham
• Use ISA against Bersih rally organisers, says ex-elected reps
• Assange says WikiLeaks works hampered
• Malaysia’s ‘stupidity’ sizzles Internet
• Sabah’s RM1b road maintenance deal raises dust
• US 'sexting' lawmaker quits to cry of 'pervert!'
• Apologise to Muslims over cartoon, Abim tells Utusan

Thumbing nose at Hisham, Khairy says march goes on Posted: 16 Jun 2011 10:24 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - Khairy Jamaluddin said today that Umno Youth will still march on July 9, in defiance of Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's warning that police will act against the illegal gathering. The Umno Youth chief said that his predecessor "can warn us all he wants" but "Pemuda will continue come what may." "My Pemuda and I are ready to face whatever consequences. This is a new Malaysia. We have a right to assembly guaranteed by the constitution. Umno Youth will be marching on 9 July. And that's that," he told The Malaysian Insider. The Rembau MP said yesterday that the movement will join the fray on July 9 to "strengthen the democratic system", and rival electoral reform group Bersih 2.0's rally on the same day. Perkasa has also claimed that 36 NGOSs will join the Malay rights group in an anti-Bersih march on the same day. Hishammuddin, who relinquished the chairmanship of Umno Youth in 2009, said today that the Youth wing's decision did not represent Umno's stand. "It doesn't matter whether I'm former Pemuda chief or not. They will have to face whatever consequences [for] their action. Nobody is above the law," the Umno vice president warned earlier today. But Khairy said the rally will go ahead as it was a unanimous decision made by the entire Youth executive committee. "It was not my unilateral decision. We feel strongly that we need to march to show that the voice of the people is not monopolised by the opposition," he said. Bersih is an election watchdog group that is pushing for electoral reforms to provide for free and fair elections in Malaysia. Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties and activists are gearing up to march next month in the second such rally by Bersih, the first being in 2007 when up to 50,000 were reported to have gathered in the capital, with many being dispersed by water cannons and tear gas fired by the police. PAS has promised to bring 300,000 protestors this year in hopes that it will galvanise support for the opposition in the general election expected within the year. The 2007 rally was said to play a big role in bringing record gains for the opposition electoral pact in Election 2008, where it swept five state governments and won 82 parliamentary seats. Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia has urged Malaysians to march against Bersih.

Bersih rally: Umno Youth will have to face consequences, says Hisham Posted: 16 Jun 2011 09:57 PM PDT (Bernama) - Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Friday that Umno Youth will have to face the consequences of their action if they proceed with their intention to hold an illegal rally on July 9. Hishammuddin, who is also former Umno Youth chief, said nobody was above the law and that they (Umno Youth) would have to deal with the police just like others. "My advice is the same to everybody and, as I mentioned in Parliament, the police are looking at this as a security issue. "I think when it comes to this, it doesn't matter if I am a former Umno Youth chief. Umno Youth will have to face whatever consequences of their action, as I had to when I was Umno Youth chief in my time," he told reporters after a meeting with an Australian delegation and representatives from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) here. Hishammuddin was asked to comment on Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's announcement that they would also be organise a rally this July 9 to hand in a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong supporting democracy and the role and reformation carried out by Election Commission (EC). The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) is also organising a rally on that day. Asked whether the stand taken by the Youth was Umno's stand, Hishammuddin said the decision to organise the rally was an executive committee decision. Therefore, he said, it was purely the Youth's stand, not Umno's as a whole.

Use ISA against Bersih rally organisers, says ex-elected reps Posted: 16 Jun 2011 04:33 PM PDT (Bernama) - The Malaysian Council of Ex-Elected Representatives (Mubarak) wants the police to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the organisers of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) rally on July 9. Its president Datuk Seri Aziz Abdul Rahman said on Friday, June 17 it was time for firmer action to be taken by the authorities against any form of activities that could jeopardise public interest and the country's security. "Although we realise that in present circumstances, the authorities may be hesitant to use the ISA to avoid portraying a negatives image of the country at the international level, we opine that public order and the security of the country cannot be substituted with the need to portray a good image," he said in a statement. Aziz said that no one could deny that the proposed rally, which would involve a huge crowd, could turn ugly and lead to a riot. Hence, measures should be taken by the police to stop the rally, he added.

Assange says WikiLeaks works hampered Posted: 16 Jun 2011 04:20 PM PDT (AP) - After six months under virtual house arrest, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (pic) acknowledged that his detention is hampering the work of the secret-spilling site. His supporters accused Britain of subjecting him to "excessive and dehumanising" treatment. The 39-year-old Australian is living at a supporter's rural estate as he fights extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over claims of rape and sexual molestation made by two women. Assange's bail conditions require him to observe an overnight curfew, wear an electronic tag and report to police daily. His supporters released a video to The Associated Press condemning the conditions. In it, WikiLeaks associate Sarah Harrison accuses authorities of treating Assange "like a caged animal." British prosecutors, who initially opposed bail, say the strict conditions are necessary because the claims against Assange are serious and he is a flight risk. The video also claims police have set up surveillance cameras near the house to record licence plates of visiting cars. Vaughan Smith, who owns the 240-hectare property in eastern England, called it a "pretty intrusive regime" and said three cameras had appeared near the property since Assange came to stay. Assange, who roamed the globe before his arrest in December, told the AP that he had become "a fixed target" for snoopers. "It is easy to conduct surveillance against me and anyone I talk to," Assange said. "We take steps against this, but it is costly and time-consuming." He said his house arrest had been "the single largest impediment to our work, with the possible exception of the illegal blockade being conducted by the major US financial institutions against us." Some US-based banks and financial services have refused to handle payments to WikiLeaks. US authorities are investigating whether Assange and WikiLeaks violated American laws by releasing tens of thousands of secret government documents, including daily logs from the Iraq war and classified diplomatic cables from US missions around the world. Prosecutors have convened a grand jury near Washington to probe the WikiLeaks disclosures. "A lot of our resources are tied up in dealing with the situation in the United States and the grand jury and this Swedish extradition case and the banking blockade placed on us by Visa, Mastercard, Bank of America and so on," Assange said. "So, while we are still producing publications every day, a lot of those resources have been taken away to deal with these events." On July 12, the High Court in London will hear Assange's appeal against a judge's order that he be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual molestation against two women. Assange denies the charges, which he claims are politically motivated. He said that if he lost the appeal, he could go to Britain's Supreme Court or the European Court of Human Rights. He said he was confident he would be cleared. "I feel that the Swedish authorities will drop the case," Assange said. When asked why, he replied only that "there are many players in the Swedish situation." Swedish prosecutors did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Malaysia’s ‘stupidity’ sizzles Internet Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:25 PM PDT KRDS India, one of the Facebook-authorized app development firms in Asia, opines that spending RM1.8 million to develop six Facebook applications is 'impossible' and 'seriously unjustifed.' (Free Malaysia Today) - Malaysia, it seems, is fast becoming the purveyor of laughs on the worldwide web. On the heels of the Obedient Wives Club which aimed to turn 'good wives into first class whores',  there's now the Malaysian government spending RM1.8 million (US$590,000) on six Facebook,  which incidentally is free, applications. The Internet application (app) developer world is abuzz with humour and bewildement at the 'stupidity' of the move. The common view across the web is that the move to spend just over half a million US dollars is "seriously stupid" and an "utter waste of tax-payers' money. Speaking in Penn Olson – The Asian Tech Catalogue site – Willis Wee said in an article headlined "Spending US$100,000 For a Facebook App is Just Plain Stupid" and many other experts in the business think so too. Wee said he forwarded the news about the Malaysian government's largesse to Preetham Venkky, the Business Head at KRDS India, one of the Facebook authorized app development firms in Asia, to seek his opinion on the matter. Preetham's reply was that spending RM1.8 million (USD$590,000) to develop six Facebook applications was 'impossible' and 'seriously unjustified'. He said: "For an app like Citrawana (one of the six) to costs close to US$100,000, this is impossible since the app is pretty straight to the point. "The money paid is seriously unjustified. It should cost anywhere between US$12,000 – US$15,000 inclusive of two iPads being given away as prizes. He added that "these costs would include (to quote directly) – "creative works, concepts and ideas, design, flash programming and coding, testing and debugging, uploading and launching of application, system server development and maintenance, and development of database from the contest." Potentials not exploited Earlier this week, the Tourism Ministry, through Deputy Minister James Dawos Mamit, set off a storm when it revealed it had paid that amount for the Facebook apps. In his reply, Venkky said it was important to note that based on the minister's statement "cost did not include campaign management, monitoring, Facebook ads, or fan recruitment through Facebook and Google". "In most cases, the costs can escalate quite rapidly if a key deliverable is fan count. "If there's a target to acquire one million US fans for the page (this could be a realistic expectation since the client is a tourism client) where the CPC (cost per click) is US $1.10 (on average) then it might be a good deal. "If I were to make a guess, I think it would make sense if $90,000 includes the development of six apps with the remaining money spent on media (buying ads) to propagate and rapidly increase engagement," he added. Venkky was also shocked at the quality of the apps that were developed which, he said, did not fully utilise the full potential of the social network site and was not encouraging more 'fans' to 'like' the pages of the Tourism Ministry. READ MORE HERE

Sabah’s RM1b road maintenance deal raises dust Posted: 16 Jun 2011 02:02 PM PDT (FMT) KOTA KINABALU: Despite spending hundreds of millions of ringgit annually on road maintenances, Sabah has not 'one single decent road'.  Knowing this, why has the government renewed the contracts of four contractors who performed 'poorly' in the past? Posing this question, former Sabah minister Kong Hong Ming said there was no justification for the extension of the maintenance contracts. "I understand the government has approved the extension of these monopolized contracts for another term. "They have renewed their contracts for another 10 to 15 years starting this year even before the expiry of their existing ones. "The total contract value will constitute RM800 million to RM1 billion a year of public spending in the future," said Kong, who is now PKR Tawau division chief. Kong stressed that the government must justify to the public such a heavy financial commitment into the future, especially knowing that the contractors had under-performed and were ineffective in maintaining public roads. "Judging from the series of recurring complaints highlighted in the media by community leaders, opposition parties and even Barisan Nasional party members on the deplorable conditions of public roads throughout the state, it is obvious that something has gone seriously wrong with the performance of these monopolized road maintenance contracts awarded by BN government," said Kong, who is a civil engineer turned lawyer. He criticised the decision to commit the state to an RM1 billion a year expense to only four contractors as an unjustified debacle. "Based on the existing contracts and huge spending per year, the people of Sabah should be enjoying reasonably good or at least well-maintained roads throughout the state. "But there are obviously some discrepancies and irregularities between the big spending and actual work done on the ground. "Despite frequent complaints, there is no obvious improvement on the poor road condition and network in the state. "In Sabah, we have reached such a sorry state of affairs that even new roads are unfit, unsafe and unserviceable," he said. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/17/four-errant-roadworks-contractors-sabahs-rm1b-road-maintenance-deal-raises-dust/

US 'sexting' lawmaker quits to cry of 'pervert!' Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:51 PM PDT (NST) NEW YORK: "Bye bye, pervert!" a heckler cried, as US Congressman Antony Weiner announced amid loud jeering Thursday that he was resigning because he got caught sending lewd electronic pictures of his bulging crotch. Weiner endured insults and finger wagging — but was also cheered by a handful of loyalists — as he told the world he was quitting his job of more than 12 years in the House of Representatives. In his nearly four-minute speech Weiner, 46, apologized for the "damage" the tawdry scandal caused his wife and fellow lawmakers. The New York congressman chose an unusual venue for his political humiliation: a senior citizen's center, packed with grandparents who arrived on wheelchairs, walked with the aid of canes, or were assisted by helpers. They sat on the sides of the room, while reporters took over the center. Weiner showed up some 20 minutes late for the press conference at the Council Center for Senior Citizens in Brooklyn, New York. Outside, police had blocked traffic on the street, full of TV broadcast trucks. When Weiner finally showed up he was met by applause from supporters and a cascade of camera clicks from the pack of photographers. "About 20 years I stood in this very same room here... and asked my neighbors for their help... in electing me to the City Council," Weiner began, speaking at a podium between two US flags. Weiner talked about how it was "humbling" to represent the district, and how he had "never forgotten" his neighbors, "because they represent the same middle-class story as mine." "I had hoped to be able to continue the work that the citizens of my district elected me to do," he said. "Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible." The aged Weiner supporters gasped when the congressman announced his resignation. Some younger people in the crowd however cheered, and a voice cried out, "Bye bye, pervert!" Weiner thanked his colleagues in the House of Representatives, ("They come from different places around the country, but fundamentally we all agree: They're all patriots"); his staff ("They are young people who are not paid very much. There are people that worked very hard and very long hours"); and "the many people" who have helped him. Weiner continued speaking despite a crescendo of jeers. A man in the audience stood up from his wheelchair and yelled at Weiner, wagging his finger. Another asked about his penis size. Weiner, trying to maintain his dignity, expressed gratitude "to my family, to my mother and father, who instilled in me the values that carried me this far... and of course to my wife, Huma, who has stood with me in this entire difficult period." However Weiner's wife Huma Abedin was not standing by him at the press conference. Abedin, a top aide to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is reportedly pregnant with the couple's first child. Said Weiner: "I'll be looking for other ways to contribute my talents." More heckling and jeers followed as Weiner exited. "We don't want him to quit," said Ethel Winberg, 75, a Weiner supporter and a regular at the center. "Give him a break. He made a mistake, he needs a treatment."

Apologise to Muslims over cartoon, Abim tells Utusan Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:46 PM PDT (TMI) The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has demanded Utusan Malaysia apologise to Muslims nationwide over its comic strip titled "Kekeliruan kes rogol" ["Confusion in rape cases"], saying that it was an insult to Islam. Abim president Dr Muhd Razak Idris charged that the cartoon had insulted Islamic laws, and gave the false impression that the religion did not defend rape victims. "We want Utusan Malaysia to make a public apology to Muslims for the publishing of the cartoon, which we see shows ignorance towards Islamic laws and principles. "This should not happen in our society and should not be carried by a media organisation which fights for Malays and Islam," he told The Malaysian Insider. Muhd Razak said that the cartoonist who drew the comic strip appeared to be "ignorant" about Islam and urged him to repent and not repeat the mistake again. "So I ask that after this any cartoons that want to be published should be checked by those who are knowledgeable in religion because we do not want Islamic laws to be seen as victimising rape victims, like this comic strip has," he added. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/apologise-to-muslims-over-cartoon-abim-tells-utusan/

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M’sian women sending the wrong messages Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:37 PM PDT The PM and his wife appear to have several overseas trips per year and the frequency with which they break off from their official functions for private purposes is seen as corrupt. Lately, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was again in the spotlight, together with her husband for alleged misuse of public funds. Rosmah, members of her family and an entourage of over 200 people, ostensibly termed officials, combined an official trip with the wedding of Rosmah and Najib's daughter. Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today Recently, a few Malaysian women, who with their feckless and frivolous nature, made a mockery of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, have undermined all that women have achieved. At a time when the nation is on an austerity drive, some women appear to act without discipline. Whilst women around the world and women of the non-Muslim faith share equal rights with their male counterparts, it appears that some Muslim women in Malaysia appear to want to be deprived of their rights. Who are these women who have sent out mixed messages? One is the wife of a minister but is itching to be the head of state. Another is a minister who has a penchant for spending, whilst the last is a woman who represents a group who believe that wives should 'obey, serve and entertain' their husbands. These women are guilty of grossly abusing the positions they hold. Their actions have sparked controversy and attracted condemnation from all quarters. Most women in the nation have to keep strictly to a budget to maintain their families. However, these women have used taxpayers' money to fund their lavish lifestyles or barmy ideas. When women have struggled to gain the right to work, be educated, be financially independent and have self-worth, some women have decided to reduce themselves to sexual playthings. Lately, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was again in the spotlight, together with her husband for alleged misuse of public funds. Rosmah, members of her family and an entourage of over 200 people, ostensibly termed officials, combined an official trip with the wedding of Rosmah and Najib's daughter. Observers say that the same thing happened on an earlier trip to the USA when Rosmah and Najib used their official trip to attend their daughter's graduation ceremony. Perhaps it is not uncommon for those on business trips to combine their trip with a short holiday after they have conducted their official meetings. However, the PM and his wife, appear to have several overseas trips per year and the frequency with which they break off from their official functions for private purposes is seen as corrupt, by the public. It does not help when there is no transparency over these trips and the full and detailed costs are never divulged. What have they to hide if everything is above board? Naturally they would be horrified to go on a privately funded leave and be asked to break off in the middle to attend to some official function somewhere. They would not hesitate to claim travel expenses and be compensated for the inconvenience. Rosmah's political ambition Rosmah appears to have political ambitions with the way she is alleged to 'intrude' in the workings of various departments, the way she goes on overseas trips and represents the government of Malaysia, as on her recent trip to the Middle East and Bangladesh. Few will forget how she seemed to take charge of the evacuation of the Malaysian students in Egypt during the recent uprising in the country. Many will wonder about the cost of her treating the airlines as a personal taxi service. On an official trip to the Middle East she returned midway through, to attend the wedding of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, before resuming her middle-eastern tour. Rosmah's alleged lavish spending on these official trips is legendary and again, taxpayers must balk at how they have to foot the bill for her shopping sprees and the transportation of her gewgaws to Malaysia. In the last week, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen was alleged to have spent RM1.8 million to set up a Facebook page, which she has since denied and said instead that the money had been spent on a full social media branding campaign. Yen Yen is not new to controversy either, for she is a politician who seems unable to shake off her image as a big-time spender. She chalked up a hefty travel bill of RM5 million in three months, ostensibly "promoting Malaysian tourism" by going on a worldwide overseas junket. Yen Yen can't have forgotten the humiliation in Parliament, last year, when she was called a "tourist minister" rather than the tourism minister. Meanwhile, the formation of the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) whose vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamad, drew condemnation from most sectors of the public except, of course, from the Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria, Rohaya said that women should be "good wives" by acting like first-class prostitutes and please their husband. She also blamed women for men's social ills. She said, "If you look at the world today, women are already being treated as sex objects … in magazines, on TV … so why can't they be sex objects to their husbands? It is legal and permitted by God. "A good wife is a good sex worker to her husband. What is wrong with being a whore in bed for your husband?" READ MORE HERE

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Himpunan Bersih 2.0 canggah nilai Islam, dakwa YDP Yadim Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:49 PM PDT Selain itu menurut beliau, perhimpunan aman anjuran Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) merupakan satu helah untuk mengheret rakyat ke dalam kancah politik yang lebih besar. "Usaha itu merupakan percubaan pemimpin tersebut untuk menguji pengaruh, dan kerana itu sanggup menipu lebih ramai rakyat kononnya, sistem yang pernah memberikan kemenangan kepadanya dulu dan sedikit peluang berkuasa sebagai tidak boleh dipertahankan, ia perlu dirombak dan diberikan jaminan baru sesuai dengan keperluan mereka. "Pemimpin sedemikian merupakan orang yang tidak mempunyai jiwa perjuangan yang besar, mereka berminat mengadakan rusuhan kerana mempunyai agenda politik yang lebih besar," katanya dalam satu tulisan disiarkan dalam Utusan Malaysia hari ini. Aziz Jamaluddin juga menyifatkan penganjuran Himpunan Bersih 2.0 yang turut disertai Pakatan Rakyat, badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan rakyat sebagai satu bentuk anarkisme yang berlaku kali kedua dalam negara selepas 2007. "Wujud pendapat umum seolah-olah merusuh di jalan raya bagi membangkitkan rasa tidak puas hati mengenai sesuatu perkara sebagai natijah daripada prinsip demokrasi. "Maka, usaha Bersih untuk menganjurkan perhimpunan jalanan pada 9 Julai ini seharusnya dilihat sebagai suatu bentuk anarkisme yang kembali ingin dibudayakan dalam masyarakat Malaysia," katanya. Himpunan Bersih kali pertama diadakan pada 2007, beberapa bulan sebelum pilihan raya umum 2008 yang menyaksikan Pakatan Rakyat berjaya menawan lima buah negeri dan memenangi 82 kerusi Parlimen. Menurut beliau, dalam Islam perjuangan yang bersifat anarkisme tidak sesuai dengan tuntutan agama malah diharamkan kerana boleh memudaratkan termasuk dari aspek fizikal dan psikologi. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/himpunan-bersih-2.0-canggah-nilai-islam-dakwa-ydp-yadim/

Artikel Hasan Ali - Wartawan Utusan buat Laporan Polis terhadap DAP Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:36 AM PDT Abdul Yazid membuat laporan itu di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Shah Alam di Seksyen 9 pada pukul 3.30 petang dan keluar dari balai tersebut pada pukul kira-kira 5 petang. Abdul Yazid berkata, laporan tersebut dibuat adalah menafikan dakwaan wakil rakyat tersebut bahawa tiada wartawan Utusan Malaysia menemui atau menghubunginya bagi mendapatkan bahan berita yang tersiar pada Selasa lalu bertajuk `Pengguguran Hasan disambut baik DAP'. "Saya sememangnya kebetulan menemui Suee Lim pada 13 Jun lalu di sebuah kedai runcit di Seksyen 9 yang berdekatan dengan pejabat Utusan Malaysia di sini dan sebagai wartawan saya mengambil inisiatif bertanyakan pandangannya sebagai wakil rakyat DAP mengenai pengguguran Hasan sebagai Pesuruhjaya Pas negeri. "Saya sudah lama mengenali wakil rakyat itu dan kami saling mengenali malah saya sendiri sebelum ini pernah menemuinya dan menghubunginya sebagai wartawan Utusan Malaysia,'' katanya di sini hari ini. Laporan polis berkenaan dibuat ekoran kenyataan Suee Lim seperti yang dilaporkan oleh portal berita, Malaysiakini.com hari ini bertajuk, `Berita Palsu: ADUN Sekinchan buat laporan polis'.

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What were you saying again, YB Datuk Zulkifli Noordin? Posted: 16 Jun 2011 04:08 PM PDT By the way, I did not know that the YB had been bestowed a Datukship. I am sure he deserves it. Congratulations YB Datuk. YBDZN (short for Yang Berhormat Datuk Zulkifli Noordin – I learn to shorten things from PEMANDU), for the uninitiated, stood in the 2008 GE in Kulim under the PKR banner. His political tagline was, "it is time to change, new hope." During the campaign, he repeatedly reminded the voters to use their vote wisely. He implored them to use their "sacred hands" to choose a candidate who was commanding and not to chose a devil masked as an angel. This was what he wrote on his blog on 27th Februuary 2008: "Undilah calon yang berwibawa, bukan jerangkung bertopeng dewa." I admire his tenacity and conviction, I must say. He asked the people to vote someone who was clean, someone who was not corrupted or corruptible. He wanted a stronger opposition to fight abuse of power; to fight against corruption and to fight for a better Malaysia. He asked the people to vote for a responsible representative who would  fight for the people's rights and whatever things which are closed to the people's heart. Love this! However, unfortunately, perhaps while suffering a momentary lapse of refinement, he was also prone to a bit of theatrical indulgence such as displayed by this, which appeared on his blog on 5th March 2008 titled "Orang kata KJ macam beruk…": That was most unfortunate. But hey, the man has his opinion. As he was feeling the heat of the election campaign – which was understandable, as he was a rookie of sorts – he developed a dislike against the then Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR). It looked like the "macam beruk" blog post was not the last showing of his penchant for name calling. This was evident in his post, titled, almost inevitably, "SPR Barua BN." Wow. For a person who describes himself as the "servant of Allah" and who always fight for Islam, he was very Islam in his language. But hey, the man has an opinion, right? In that post, YBDZN berated SPR for cancelling the usage of the indelible ink in the 2008 GE. He wrote: "Memang kita sedia maklum mengharapkan ketelusan daripada SPR samalah seperti mengharap gajah dapat melepasi mata jarum." Then in April 2008, he advocated freedom of expression by speaking, not once, but three times, about a planned gathering called "Black 14" as a show of support for Anwar Ibrahim. His three posts on that subject appeared here, here and here. READ MORE HERE

FELDA Ada Potensi Besar Jatuh Bangkrap, Pinjam Wang KWSP RM6 Billion Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:41 AM PDT Timbalan Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Ahmad Maslan memberitahu Parlimen, Felda mencatat keuntungan RM1.197 bilion tahun lalu dan dan nilai keseluruhan syarikat itu adalah RM19.18 bilion. Bagaimanapun Ahmad Maslan tidak dapat memberi penjelasan kenapa, Felda perlu membuat pinjaman RM6bilion jika kedudukan kewangannya kukuh. Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim meminta kerajaan Umno-BN menyatakan sama ada RM6 bilion itu digunakan oleh anak syarikat Felda, Felda Global Ventures untuk melabur dalam syarikat milik asing. Pelaburan itu, menurut Anwar, menyebabkan Felda menanggung kerugian berkumpul RM500 juta dari tahun 1997 hingga tahun lalu. Malah katanya hal ini mengakibatkan timbul pelbagai persoalan mengenai kelemahan dalam pengurusan dana Felda dan apakah pinjaman yang dibuat bertujuan untuk menampung kerugian agensi terbabit. "Siapa yang beri kebenaran? Adakah Menteri Kewangan dirujuk dan apa jadi dengan pemimpin-pemimpin korporat yang terlibat dalam kes ini? "Kalau anda terus bergolak dengan undang-undang dan secara berterusan membuat keputusan bertanggungjawab, Felda akan diterima. "Dan saya persoalkan keputusan untuk mengambil kerja konsultant. Tidak ada rekod dari segi pengalaman atau kepakaran dalam pelaburan dan teknologi urus niaga perindustrian," ujar beliau. Ahmad sebelum ini gagal untuk memberikan jawapan kepada Anwar kerana tidak mempunyai maklumat penuh mengenainya. Pinjaman RM6 bilion oleh Felda itu didedahkan oleh Pengerusi Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) Mazlan Aliman pada bulan lalu, namun ia tidak disahkan oleh Felda sehingga kenyataan Ahmad hari ini. Tahun lalu, Ahmad mengaku, juga di Parlimen, bahawa rizab Felda susut daripada lebih RM4 bilion pada tahun 2004 kepada RM1.35 bilion tahun 2009. Peneroka Felda dilihat sebagai "simpanan tetap" Umno ketika pilihanraya dan sebarang kritikan terhadap pengurusan Felda sering mengundang tindakan padah daripada pemerintah. Tahun lalu, lidah rasmi Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Suara Keadilan diharamkan dan disaman kerana mendakwa Felda mungkin bangkrap jika terus menanggung kerugian akibat pemborosan dan pelaburan yang tersasar. Sementara itu, Anwar turut menyangkal keterangan Ahmad kononnya Felda mencatatkan keuntungan tinggi, sebaliknya ujar beliau, agensi itu mampu memperoleh keuntungan berlipat ganda sekiranya pengurusan lebih telus. READ MORE HERE

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• The Rot Started With UMNO
• Shame, Shame On Malaysia
• The Malaysian mindset: No money, no talk
• Does Malaysia need millionaires?

The Rot Started With UMNO Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:22 PM PDT One begins to wonder how the individual interests of Malaysian private businessmen for 1 day is tied up with the national interests of the whole country or whether they are just trying to stop reforms in Malaysia? By batsman When the US got into deep financial trouble under the Republicans, they elected a Democrat to be President and sort out the problem, since Democrats are supposed to be more people friendly. Now tent cities (no doubt better looking than the ones in the 3rd World) are springing up in California, the US unemployment rate is dangerously high and the Chinese are getting very worried the US will default on its loans. But guess what? The US is still employing drones to bomb Libya and Pakistan, but I suppose they can't help it since the US is the policeman of the world (if only the blurry and confused US Senate realized this). When Greece got into trouble and needed bail outs, a Socialist who is supposed to be people friendly was elected to sort out the mess. But it looks like the mess is bigger than his ability to solve it, so Greece is now in danger of finally and officially going bankrupt, not being governable with people rioting in the streets and the whole of Europe is worried the contagion will spread. Even the Malaysian government is worried that the planned peaceful Bersih 2.0 demonstration will turn into a Greek-style riot and while the Home Minister and his police force say they are neutral, Perkasa and UMNO Youth seem to have tasked themselves to ensure all goes well and that national security is well protected from any peaceful rioters. Malaysians are saying that planned peaceful demonstrations to demand clean elections and reforms to put Malaysia on a healthier footing are threats to national security and public safety. Crony businessmen are drummed up to cry foul that the peaceful demonstrations will affect their business of the day. They don't want anything like Greece to occur here. Unfortunately for Greece, it is already too late and the rot started a long time ago. The riots are only an angry expression that the rot that started a long time ago is now turning their lives into one long misery. So one begins to wonder how the individual interests of Malaysian private businessmen for 1 day is tied up with the national interests of the whole country or whether they are just trying to stop reforms in Malaysia? Looks like Malaysians are playing patriot games. Who are actually the patriots and who are the traitors? There is a lot of deafening name calling for sure. Lets go back to the beginning. Even RPK likes to go back to the beginning to show that UMNO was created on the back of street demonstrations in spite of the fact they claim Malay culture frowns upon street demonstrations. The British who ruled Malaya then was world famous for the practice of divide and rule. This colonial policy enabled them to rule Ireland for 700 years and allowed them to conquer the whole of India with just a few thousand soldiers. So of course the British used divide and rule in Malaya. But they were an external power and the people who comprised Malays, Chinese and Indians had excellent relations amongst themselves. Many old timers still remember how good race relations were then even in spite of the fact that the British used divide and rule tactics. Unfortunately when the British handed over power to UMNO, UMNO continued to use divide and rule tactics. The big difference was that UMNO is now the internal independant government not an external colonial power. Given this situation there is no chance for Malaya to become a peaceful united country. There is no chance for healthy Malayan and subsequently Malaysian nationalism to thrive. UMNO lives only on Malay nationalism and practices divide and rule. When UMNO promotes Malay nationalism in the context of a multi-racial country like Malaysia, it acts as a splittist trend. This splittist trend has subsequently turned into a divisive racist style Ketuanan Melayu ideology. The rot started from UMNO. When UMNO subverts true Malaysian nationalism in favour of narrow divisive Malay nationalism, it cannot be said to be working for the interests of the whole country anymore, even when it tries to cover this up by cobbling itself together with the MCA and MIC to look multi-racial. Malaysia has become a quarrelsome country split into races and religions without any true loyalties to the country as a whole (think Hindraf), united only by racist force and abuse of power. UMNO therefore stays in power by racist force and abuse of power and it retains its power through massive corruption and wasteful spending to win votes and turn race against race and religion against religion through favouritism (i.e divide and rule). In the meantime the country is running up massive debts – just like Greece and just like the US. The rot started with UMNO. So when RPK says he cannot understand the Malay mind, I am suggesting he start with UMNO. Money, not loyalty or patriotism is the key factor in Malay minds. In fact, it is the key factor in Chinese and Indian minds too. (Fortunately for me, my friends say I have only sex on my mind. Fortunate too that I have an obedient wife). "Loyalty" and "patriotism" is now dependant on money. There is no longer any outlet for true ideals and honesty except in faith – everything else is money. Malaysia has turned into a country of mercenaries obsessed with money (the same way businessmen are worried about their miserable day's takings) and the rot started with UMNO. Bersih 2.0 is only trying to make small changes by demanding clean elections in a peaceful demonstration. Even this is seen as a threat to public order and national security. I guess the operative word here is not "demonstration" but "demand". UMNO cannot tolerate any demands since it rules by force and abuse of power, but where does that leave the people? And democracy?

Shame, Shame On Malaysia Posted: 16 Jun 2011 03:11 PM PDT By Matthias Chang Hypocrite of the First Order. How can Malaysia withdraw its invitation to the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir from attending the Langkawi International Dialogue when it condones the visit of War Criminal Blair to Malaysia and to deliver a lecture at the University of Malaya – Shame, shame on Malaysia, a Muslim country! Following the outcry by Amnesty International, the Bar Council of Malaysia and the press statement from the de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri that he would propose to the Cabinet to withdraw the invitation to President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and President Robert Mugabe to attend the Langkawi International Dialogue, for allegedly violating human rights in their respective countries, the two leaders have been told that they are no longer welcomed to Malaysia. The rationale for Nazri's proposal is that the government having indicated its interest to join the ICC, should accede to the Rome Statute and comply with the Charter and as such should not invite persons indicted by the ICC. Such hypocrisy and shameful conduct! The biggest war criminals are Bush and Blair and their cohorts, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, George Tenet, Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, General Tommy Franks, Jack Straw, Geoffrey Hoon, Lord Goldsmith, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, General Sir Michael Walker etc. Did Nazri and the government ever demand that these blood-thirsty war criminals be brought to justice for the wanton slaughter they unleashed in Iraq and Afghanistan and now in Bahrain, Yemen, Pakistan and Libya? Did Nazri and the government demand war crimes charges be leveled against the racist Israel for the occupation of Palestine, the invasion of Gaza in 2008 under Operation Cast Lead which in a UN sanctioned investigation and report found that the Israel Defence Forces ("licensed to kill thugs") have committed war crimes? No, No, No! They remained silent. In the case of Sudan, Malaysia via Petronas, the national oil company had invested RM5 billion in the oil and gas industry and reaped substantial profits for years. If Malaysia is not willing to accept the President of Sudan as a dialogue partner, then for heaven's sake, get out of Sudan, disinvest from the lucrative oil and gas industry of that country. We prostrate before the President in order to reap the obscene profits from Sudan's oil and gas industry but turn our backs on the President, when pressured to do so for some alleged crime. But, we are told that a man (or woman) is innocent until proven guilty.    The International Criminal Court is a kangaroo court and its officials, the barking and lap dogs of the United States, Britain and NATO. Just recently, this morally bankrupt institution had the audacity to bring war crimes charges against Gaddafi for allegedly killing civilians and ordering mass rape but have condoned the slaughter and bombing of innocent civilians by NATO air strikes, even to the extent of permitting the use of bunker busting bombs (which are in fact mini-nukes). NATO has no qualms in the bombing of Al Fateh University, Campus B and as reported by the former Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney. Such double standards! It was reported in the New Straits Times, 17th June 2011 at page 10, that Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Dato Seri Anifah Aman will visit Sudan for "damage control." He was quoted as saying, "I have no choice, but to do damage control and visit Sudan." What would be the nature of "damage control"? Nothing short of a PUBLIC APOLOGY and an assurance that should President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir decide to visit Malaysia and attend the Langkawi International Dialogue, his safety and well-being is guaranteed and that anyone who attempts to arrest him shall instead be arrested for making false charges, will suffice. MALAYSIA never ceased to call itself an exemplary "Muslim country". Then act and behave like one. Stop kowtowing to the war-mongers in the United States, Britain, Israel and NATO. Show some dignity and expose the double standards, failing which do not call Malaysia a "Muslim country". When Muslims are slaughtered all over the world, we do not demand justice for the massacred, the displaced population and the wanton destruction inflicted on these hapless countries. We pay lip service to the cause of justice when the UN General Assembly convenes each year. But, concrete action is never forthcoming. All cheap talk, "thunder with no rain!" Shame, shame on Malaysia!

The Malaysian mindset: No money, no talk Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:12 PM PDT We place money before values, ethics, justice, honor and humanity. This is the real liability we are concerned here. By J. D. Lovrenciear Despite the many places of worship that we never stop building; despite the many seemingly ethical-sounding slogans we adopt perennially; despite the many social change campaigns that we profess to support; despite the religious events and festivals that we partake as well as parade to the world that we are a unique experience that is 'Truly Asia'; despite all these, Malaysians appear to have become anchored in a credo that is hard to shake. This permeating credo is that believe in money - a credo of 'money talk first'. In fact, it is no surprise to hear from almost most Malaysians the common adage: No money, no talk. Money has become the central 'god' or 'goddess' for many. They will fight to prove to you that without money you can do nothing. Yes, without the currency of the times, we cannot purchase. We use money to exchange for the goods and services we need to live and even survive in this contemporary world. That is not the problem. The problem is we have reached a point of no return where we keep placing money before everything else. We place money before values, ethics, justice, honor and humanity. This is the real liability we are concerned here. Take the case of the announced Bersih 2.0 rally. The first objection was 'our business will be affected'. Never mind about your higher ideals for the nation's progress. "I need to find my money" is the argument that gets the protection and support instantly. The same goes for a political rally that BN organizes. If there is no money in the offing, you can be rest assured the turnout will be only those who are supposed to be on duty for the event. The money can come in the form of a free makan-makan, free T-shirts, a small 'ang pow' or whatever. But it translates to some gains that can be accounted as monetary incentive. It is plainly, 'no money, no go'. You set up a professional organization. And the first thing on those who clamor to hold office in that institution is, 'how much extra can I make' or 'what added mileage is there for me'. Money, money and more money. No one wants to look at the higher ideals of existence. Forget about the values, the ethical dimension, noble intentions. The question that matters is, "how do I survive mate?" Or "everybody is making money, why can't I". Whether it is the trader, the office bearer at a place of worship, the office boy on errands, the manager at his high desk, the professional, the politicians – whoever; they have all through their conduct that most of us are familiar with, have proven time and time again that money comes first. Today we know that people are prepared to kill for no reason whatsoever but for so long as there is money. Remember the guy who C4-ed the Mongolian national? He said in court that he was promised RM100,000 for a clean job. The case against a former chieftain which also raises eyebrows is yet another example what money can do. Properties are grossly undervalued and sold to someone only because the subsequent business (money) opportunities are not crippled. If you search the annals and recent history pages from the courts, the Parliament, and national archives, we will be inundated with examples that attest to this fact that Malaysians will do anything and everything for money. If there is no money, but mere ideals and principles, ethics and justice, they will tell you they are "busy-lah, sorry eh, maybe next time". This trend is not only dangerous but compounds all future generations of this nation. For as long as man has lost his dreams, visions and hopes for a future built on justice, honor, ethics and principles, that nation of people will remain robbed to the raw bones for eternity. For a nation of people who eagerly put money before business, money before service, money before their very existence, money before their beingness – they are ruined. Strangely, we never were like this in the yester-years especially during the times of Bapa Malaysia. Thank God that are there a few in between who are still willing to give their time, energy, and even money to stand up for the higher and nobler ideals of humanity and nation. But when the larger nation of people put money before all else, we must take inventory. We therefore need to re-orientate. We need to understand, appreciate and endorse that money is only a result of what we do. Money should never be the determinant of what we are willing to do. Now who do we blame for this national malaise that is affecting all Malaysians like a cancer? Your take, please.

Does Malaysia need millionaires? Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:10 PM PDT For a nation of 28 million with about a third that are gainfully employed, have these glaring and hidden Malaysian millionaires and even billionaires made the life and times of the masses any better? By J. D. Lovrenciear   The government of the day always crows 'Look at the number of multi-millionaires we have created'. On the surface this appears to sound fantastic. How many ranked or rated individual millionaires and billionaires are there amongst Malaysians? How many more undisclosed millionaires are there anyway? For a nation of 28 million with about a third that are gainfully employed, have these glaring and hidden Malaysian millionaires and even billionaires made the life and times of the masses any better? And what about all those who are in service and quietly raking in bagfuls of cash – at least going by the palatial houses they have renovated and the shopping list they discard all so frequently, do we need these filthy rich people? Mind you some in the civil service even arrive in a Rolls Royce to cast their vote in a state election. Would they all add to the wealth of a nation making the standard of living for the man in the street any better? Yes, some may argue that these millionaires set up huge corporations and provide employment for thousands. But the thousands are living off from loan sharks, credit cards, tight-fisted frugal expenditures and hardly any gala holidays don't you know? Not only that, their nightmare is also about getting sacked if they towed the wrong line. The Malaysian economic agenda is unable to cushion the Ahmad, Ah Beng and Muthu and their ordinary families against any economic or financial tide that washes upon our shores. In the wake of such challenges, the government will rescue the billionaires first followed by the millionaires next. The poor employee or self-employed citizen will have to fend for himself, tighten his belt and if need be walk through the corridors of being a bankrupt. How many families do we know in our neighborhood or amongst relatives and friends who are aching, breaking their backs and pockets to expand their shrinking pay packets? Is this an exaggeration or a reality?   Why couldn't we have made sure that co-operatives and ex-servicemen's associations and other such similar agentries that are in effect owned by the ordinary rakyat be the millionaire and billionaire organizations of Malaysia? That way we could have ensured that the millions and even billions of profits would have remained for the working rakyat. The rakyat would be able to, amongst other things, send their children to school and higher education of their choice without having to beg for handouts or even fight for such assistance. The nation as a population would be richer and leading a better standard of living. Indeed the government must remember that it is not a servant unto the rich, famous (infamous rather), the singular multi-millionaires. On the contrary the government's duty is to serve the citizens, King and nation. With all the multi-billion (rather trillion) Ringgit that this nation has earned through its oil, tin, rubber, oil palm, as well as trading in rice imports, the APs, IPPs, Concessions, super-structures and multi-billion Ringgit developments and what have you, all Malaysians would be walking tall without debt. Instead, the Great Bapa Moden Malaysia sold us the empty dream of 'privatization' that not only made cronies into mega-rich people but also in the process killed off the household entities like the Water Works Department, the Telecoms, the Tenaga Nasional and others that were well known for their fairly good performance. But we were led to believe that that these agencies are poor performers and that privatization will bring the rakyat greater benefits. It did not. But unfortunately, we are straddled with economic and financial pains while the multi-millionaires float enormous profits. In between they make some handouts under the guise of donations and corporate social responsibility. Does this all make sense? Or is our BN formula flawless? Let the rakyat decide.

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