tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46537279847043321172024-03-14T07:32:41.261+08:00Politika MalaysiaMalaysia Tak Boleh...suggestions anyone? Enough rhetoric, lets address the real issues affecting citizen & countryThe Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-14572604999230333272009-04-27T13:49:00.006+08:002009-04-28T00:48:02.886+08:00Malaysian Youths: Hoaring Girls & Ganglands for Boys<p>Shocking? Yes, I am. A few articles in The Star revealed that boys, who form the majority of the Mat Rempit (menacing motorcyclists) get involved in illegal racing for the gains of free sex and mostly because they are "Bored".</p><p>Girls, are getting themselves involved in underaged sex with boys their age and even those older than them - to spite their parents, because they feel neglected by their parents.</p><p>So Malay-sian youths are now prostituting themselves out of anger, and joining gangs and being rebels without a cause.</p><p>Looking at the KL and PJ streets and malls, I would assume that this mainly involves the Malay community. We know that the Mat Rempit are Malay, not too sure about the girls, but looking at the street corner of Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail, you will see dozens of Malay girls crowding around with the boys. Mostly teens. Perhaps they are having sex elsewhere, and that is just a meeting point. Who's to say.</p><p>What is shocking is that the Police, enforcement agencies and government don't seem to take a hard stance on the following things:</p><p>1. Loitering<br />2. Racketing (Gathering in groups and being a public niusance)<br />3. Truancy</p><p>All they do, like in the articles below is claim not to know how to handle the problem, suggest that parents be involved etc. For God's sake, amend the laws and punish the youths as adults. Then punish the parents as well.</p><p>These things are rampant, and you can see teens everywhere, loitering, shouting at each other. Even getting into small scuffles on the street, which I've personally witnessed at the Maybank at the corner of Bukit Bintang.</p><p>These sorts of things shouldn't be allowed. All these Malay youths should be elsewhere, at home, studying or being useful. But no, parents have no control of their children these days. These days, punishment by caning in school is not allowed, and teachers fear the backlash of protective parents. Hence, the source of this social epidemic of problems Malaysia now has. Gone are the days when we were punished by the ruler or cane (in serious cases involving theft, fighting etc). Cruel? Not at all. Character building and instilling discipline. </p><p>Both of which are seriously lacking in teenagers today. They are increasingly defiant of their parents and therefore teachers as well. They find their social circle of bad hats in school and create problems. This eventually escalates to become more serious, hence the Mat Rempit, gangsterism, and "loose" girls.</p><p>Some Malaysian parliamentarians will say that all this is because of the negative influence of western culture, propogated by the media. I say, this is wrong. The problem here is that the education system has no way of teaching these kids, and does not sufficiently educate teenagers that there is a consequence for socially unacceptable behaviour. </p><p>In the US, drivers education is taught in school, and horrid pictures of those who are without limbs, dead in their vehicles are shown. To shock the teens into understanding that this is what it looks like, when you don't follow the rules. Similar things can be done to scare them into following the law.</p><p>Imagine, boys join the Mat Rempit because they are bored? Good gosh, where are the parents? Where is enforcement? They should without question be jailed in a juvenile home. See how many kids will do such things then. But they are not, they are allowed to roam free.</p><p>Girls, having sex to spite their parents? What kind of idiotic logic is that? Risk getting aids? An STD? and not treasuring their virginity?</p><p>No amount of religion will help people like this. Teaching them religion will not help. They might still be bored. Shock them into seeing what can happen if they continue, and repremand them for it, jail them in a juvenile hall for months or years and see if they are still "bored" enough to endanger their lives and the lives of others.</p><p>Khairy Jamaluddin made an idiotic statement once, and promoted the Mat Rempit. He said they can be the eyes and ears of the police. He said they should have a race track to race their motorbikes.</p><p>But En. Khairy, with the Oxford education, which part of his brilliant plan realises that these Mat Rempit have ILLEGALLY MODIFIED motorbikes? Is Khairy endorsing that Illegal Modifications are acceptable, and no longer illegal? He must be, because, how are these Mat Rempit going to get themselves from their home to the race track? Surely, they are not rich enough to tow their illegally modified motorbikes on the back of a pickup truck. The last I recall, an illegally modified motorbike is not deemed to be road worthy.</p><p>Silly man. Even more silly are those who made him UMNO Youth Chief. So, Khairy is partly to blame for this menace. He supports it.</p><p>The only way to stop this menace is by using jail and caning. The law needs to be amended to suit the times. Singapore used the death penalty for kidnapping when it was rampant in the 60s and 70s. Philippines uses the death penalty for rape - till today.</p><p>Malaysia is becoming a hole for the ill intentioned, and the government and police don't do a darn thing about it. Perhaps hudud that will come in under PAS rule would be good to manage these people. Perhaps it would be a good thing to support PAS to rule the country. Unless Barisan UMNO can really take charge and show that they are serious about turning things around - namely safety and security.</p><p>I guess if some drivers are bored, maybe they should take out their frustrations by knocking down a Mat Rempit or two, just for fun. Just like how they assulted a deaf mute girl at a petrol station - for fun.</p><p>Kill them all - is all I can say. These spawn from hell should die a death befitting a cockroach.</p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Study: Boredom revving up two-wheeled menace</span></strong><br /></p><p>GEORGE TOWN: Boredom has been cited as one of the main reasons why youths become Mat Rempit.<br /><br />This was a finding made by a government institute’s research on Mat Rempit. Forty-eight per cent of youngsters polled cited boredom when asked why they became Mat Rempit who ride recklessly, often endangering other road users.<br /><br />Penang Deputy CPO Senior Asst Comm I Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the Youth Development and Research Institute’s study showed that 38% of the Mat Rempit polled said they indulged in such activities to fill their spare time while 27% cited peer pressure.<br /><br />“The research also showed that 87% of them are aged between 14 and 25,” said SAC I Tun Hisan when opening the 39th Police Cadet Corps parade at the Federal Reserve Unit field in Air Itam here.<br /><br />There were also 2,218 crime cases involving 3,725 students last year, of which 3,629 were between the ages of 13 and 18, he said, adding that there was an alarming increase in juvenile delinquency in the state. In 2007, there were 1,936 cases involving 3,383 students of which 3,241 were aged between 13 and 18.<br /><br />These students were linked to serious cases like murder, rape and break-ins, he added.<br />He also said the Police Cadet Corps could become the eyes and ears of the police to help counter social ills among their peers.<br /><br />He said the uniformed body had grown tremendously from an initial 1,960 members 39 years ago to 89,110 members nationwide now.<br /><br />SAC I Tun Hisan also presented certificates to 15 cadets from the state who excelled in their studies.</p><br /><br />Monday April 27, 2009<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Sex affair just to spite parents</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">By ANDREW SAGAYAM</span><br /><br />KUALA LUMPUR: More underage girls are having sex to get back at their parents for neglecting them.<br /><br />This startling information was revealed by police who said that the girls had initially claimed they were raped but later admitted to have consented to sex with their boyfriends.<br /><br />Statistics compiled since 2005 showed that the number of girls below 16 years old who are sexually active has been increasing every year.<br /><br />The study also revealed that an alarming 60% of girls between the ages of 13 and 15 had sex because they “wanted revenge” on their parents. Sex with a girl aged under 16 is classified as statutory rape under the Penal Code.<br /><br />The girls, largely from urban areas, confessed that they had befriended men as they were angry with their parents for subjecting them to emotional and physical “abuse”.<br /><br />While some had sex with men just to get back at their parents, others were coerced into it by the very men they had turned to for solace, said Asst Comm Suguram Bibi Munshi Deen, head of the Sexual Abuse and Children’s Division at Bukit Aman.<br /><br />Noting that teen rape had risen since 2005, she said that the victims – mostly from cities and major towns in Selangor, Johor and Kedah – usually ended up pregnant.<br /><br />“We are not pointing a finger or exposing the private lives of families but the public must realise what is happening,” said ACP Suguram Bibi.<br /><br />“Children, teenagers and youths are our future leaders and we as adults, parents or guardians must guide and instil in them right and proper values.”<br /><br />Statistics from 2005 to 2008 showed 75% of the rape victims were below 18 years old and at least 60% of the girls were below 16. Boys below 18 made up between 8.4% and 13.6% of the “rapists”.<br /><br />The study also showed that teenagers got bored easily, craved attention or wanted the freedom to express themselves.<br /><br />ACP Suguram Bibi said parents should educate sons to respect the opposite sex and not take advantage of them.<br /><br />“We also found that some boys were challenged by their peers and forced to commit sex acts to prove that he was one of the gang and to stop being ridiculed.”<br /><br />She advised parents to understand the law better and welcomed inquiries from anyone on investigation procedures in sexual assault cases.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-87024314320437478062009-04-22T21:19:00.008+08:002009-04-22T22:32:26.548+08:00Mat Rempits Terrorise & Rule the Streets in PJ, KL and moreIn the recent week, we have read disturbing news of Mat Rempit attacking an innocent mother and child, a man on the street and in the not so distant past, they attacked a Filipino lady in Kelana Jaya, grabbing her by her hands and dragging her on the road.<br /><br />For those foreigners who do know know what Mat Rempits are, they are basically gangsters who ride around on small cc. motorcycles in convoys. They have a tendency of being violent and belligerent with absolutely no respect for the law. You can liken them to the Hells Angels or small time Yakuza. Except, they are usually small and scrawny.<br /><br />They should be outlawed. But the Police make endless excuses and the Parliamentarians are too lenient in the establishment of laws to protect the innocent and punish these gangsters.<br /><br />In the article below, you will read that the Police are unable to identify who is a Mat Rempit. What utter nonsense. These people are on the streets mainly at night, riding in convoys, easily identified by the illegal modifications, and loud noise from their mufflers. You'll know them when you see them, their attitude on the road says all. In any other country, the patrolling police will see good reason to stop the convoy and have them all screened for drugs and alcohol. But this is Malaysia, people make excuses to do less work, the Police are no different. Hence the article below.<br /><br />So which government department is responsible for what happened to that poor mother and child? That poor man? Or the Filipino lady in Kelana Jaya?<br /><br />Malaysia is becoming a dangerous place to live. Tourism numbers are up, according to our ministries. But many don't see the tourists. Well, considering that Malaysia has been deemed to be #2 in crimes against women, and crime is rising, without any effort to keep it at bay. I, as a Malaysian wouldn't encourage tourists, as they are usually the main targets. We have had Chinese women raped, Korean women raped in their hotels, numerous people who have had taxi drivers extort money from them, and so much more. I never encourage my friends to visit Malaysia, I would feel immensely responsible for any harm that may come to them.<br /><br />So, what is the solution? We can name a few:<br />1. Outlaw street racing. Make it punishable by no less than 5 years jail and 10 strokes of the cane<br />2. Outlaw illegal modifications to motorcycles & cars as well. Make it punishable by the consfication of the vehicle and a RM20,000 fine. If the fine is too much to pay, a jail term of 2 years<br />3. List and publish the allowed and also the illegal modifications, like the LTA of Singapore and make clear the laws<br />4. Limit the speed of all motorcycles below 500cc to 50km/h, as they do in Britain. Speed is limited by only having 2-3 gears on the motorcycle. Besides, it is unsafe to travel any faster on what is deemed to be a bicycle with a 2 stroke engine.<br />5. Outlaw people from riding and driving in convoys of more than 5 vehicles. Giving the police to lawfully stop and search the person and vehicle.<br />6. Road bullying should be punishable by no less than 2 years jail, per offence.<br />7. Offending parties should be stripped of their drivers license for no less than 1 year on the first offence, and 2 years on the second offence. They will be required to retake their exams from the theory level, and will be required to perform double the amount of practical practice sessions prior to the exams<br />8. The current basic theory exam paper is too simple. The JPJ must look to review it and bring it up the the standards that are practiced in Singapore. Road safety and defensive driving are absent from the textbook.<br /><br />Perhaps if all this is too harsh, as deemed to be by our very comfortable lawmakers. Then, the fine should be no less than RM10,000 on the first offence and mandatory jail for the subsequent offences.<br /><br />The government is doing too little to address this menace. The Mat Rempit are dogs, bastards and "anak sundal". They are a menace to society, and if the police doesn't do something soon. Soon, Malaysia will find itself with less tourists, scared citizens, and perhaps some citizens who will take the law into their own hands.<br /><br />The police make excuses all the time, for their failure to protect the people. Yes, they cannot be everywhere. But they certainly can make a concerted effort with other departments to catch these robbers and rapists. Soon, you will find the Mat Rempit abducting and raping women. Watch and see. They are already very bold. Bold enough to attack and rob people at Petrol Stations. It is a matter of time before they become more violent.<br /><br />I wonder what Khairy Jamaluddin, now UMNO Youth Chief has to say about these people he once endorsed. He called on them to be the eyes and ears of the police. Right! Look at them now, they are bloody animals, and Khairy, YOU are at fault for encouraging this menace. Clean up this mess you spoiled brat!<br /><br />To all other Malaysians, I say, live not in fear, and be prepared to use your cars to run them over if you are attacked. They get away all the time, they will mame you if they had the chance. Show no mercy, take them down - not kill them, and report it to the police. Some keep weapons of sorts in their cars, it isn't a bad idea these days.<br /><br /><br />Saturday April 18, 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Mat Rempit gang up to rob<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">By STEVEN DANIEL</span><br /><br />KUALA LUMPUR: Mat Rempit showed their ruthlessness when they pounced on their victims and bashed one up in two separate incidents within 24 hours.<br /><br />In the first incident that happened at Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Damansara Utama at 6.20am on Thursday, a 51-year-old housewife was walking her 16-year-old son to the bus stop to wait for the schoolbus when they were approached by at least 40 Mat Rempit on 20 motorcycles.<br /><br />They surrounded the terrified mother and son before pushing the boy away and grabbing her gold bracelet worth around RM1,000. Fortunately both did not suffer injuries.<br /><br />The victim in the second case was not so lucky as he was bashed up with helmets and sticks before being relieved of his wallet and two mobile phones.<br /><br />The 27-year-old man was re-turning home to Sentul after work at 4.30am yesterday and had stopped in front of the National Museum near Jalan Travers to make a phone call.<br /><br />He was reported to have noticed at least 15 motorcycles speeding past him and did a U-turn upon seeing him.<br /><br />The Mat Rempit members beat him up with sticks and helmets before robbing him. The victim suffered bruises to his face and back.<br /><br />Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid who confirmed both incidents urged witnesses to both incidents to SMS to Rakan Cop or call the police at 03-2115 9999.<br /><br /><br />Wednesday April 22, 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When a Mat Rempit is not a Mat Rempit<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">By RASHITHA A. HAMID</span><br /><br />KUALA LUMPUR: The Mat Rempit are a feared lot. They are a nuisance to fellow road users, they participate in illegal street racing and perform dangerous stunts, such as the wheelie, superman (lying flat on the seat), and scorpion (standing on the seat with one leg during a wheelie).<br /><br />But who is a Mat Rempit? Even the police don’t seem to know.<br /><br />With the Mat Rempit linked to criminal activities such as gangsterism, gang robbery, street fighting, assault, vandalism, theft and road-bullying, it seems they may not be Mat Rempit after all.<br /><br />Federal Criminal Investigation Department Director Comm Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin said if a person, regardless of race, age or position in society are involved in criminal activities, they are criminals. The same goes to the Mat Rempit.<br /><br />He said there are several reasons why youngsters are involved in illegal street racing.<br />The youngsters claim there is no proper place for them to relax during their spare time.<br />“They told us (police) that wherever they go they have to pay; and that is why they are involved in illegal racing, just to release tension and relax,” he said, adding that they don’t have to pay for illegal racing.<br /><br />However, the police are against the Mat Rempit especially when it comes to public safety.<br />This is because they are involved in criminal activities, causing injuries and even deaths to their victims in some cases.<br /><br />Comm Bakri said it was very difficult to track down these people as the police could only take action according to the law.<br /><br />“We can’t be arresting all the Mat Rempits as not all of them are involved in criminal activities.<br />“When we arrest them, they admit being involved in illegal racing and not in criminal activities. And we don’t have proof that they are criminals,” he added.<br /><br />He urged the public to furnish the police with information to eradicate the nuisance created by Mat Rempit.<br /><br />Comm Bakri also urged parents to be aware of their children’s movements.<br /><br />“Parents play a very important role in educating their children,” he stressed.<br /><br />In a statement released by Bukit Aman yesterday, it was stated that 77 operations were conducted against the Mat Rempit since January with 181 of the bikers arrested.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-82548323865650246912009-03-18T00:56:00.004+08:002009-03-18T01:15:11.873+08:00UMNO Double Standards: Ali Rustam OUT, Khairi & Khir INDatuk Kadar Shah was correct in his accusation that UMNO practices double standards.<br /><br />While Mohd Ali Rustam has been barred from contesting the Deputy President's post, his predecessor Isa Samad was suspended for 6 years. Frankly, it's the same offence, a precedence has been set and Ali Rustam should be suspended for 6 years also. Better, if UMNO were really serious about stamping out money politics, they would sack Ali Rustam and the others like Khairi and Khir, sending the message that UMNO has no place for the power hungry and crooked politicians with low morals.<br /><br />Instead, for the same offence, Khairi, the son in law of PM Dollah, gets off with a warning. Why? Is it because he is the son in law of the Prime Minister? For that he has a special "get out of jail" immunity pass?<br /><br />It's absurd and an abomination!<br /><br />Khairi should be sacked, along with Ali Rustam, and later charged with criminal proceedings by the MACC. Why are they being spared? A bribe is a bribe, call it money politics, vote buying or whatever, it's an offence.<br /><br />We musn't allow people of such poor moral qualities to lead our people and nation. What example do they set for our children, our young aspiring Malays? It only aims to make them more lazy by way of them thinking of the easier and quicker way to get rich. Not by honest hard work with the gifts that Allah has given us.<br /><br />However, throughout history, UMNO seems to condone senior party members like Muhammad Taib (Vice President) who was caught with a briefcase full of money in Australia. Now, he is back, contesting for the Deputy President's post like this blemish never existed.<br /><br />Everyday I pray that our country doesn't allow itself to be further diminshed by these greedy people whose main aim is to enrich themselves and not the nation they are supposed to.<br /><br /><a class="contentpagetitle" href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/20602-khairy-maintains-innocence-khir-toyo-relieved"><strong>Khairy maintains innocence, Khir Toyo relieved </strong></a><br /><strong>By Lee Wei Lian</strong><br /><br />KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Umno Youth chief hopeful Khairy Jamaluddin has maintained he is innocent of breaching any campaign rules although he accepted the party’s disciplinary board’s decision to give him a warning.<br /><br />The Umno Youth deputy chief claimed he is a victim of a political agenda to discredit him and expects more such attacks in the days ahead in te run-up to the party elections on March 25.<br />”The important thing is that I am still able to contest,” Khairy told The Malaysian Insider, saying he is focused on the upcoming elections.<br /><br />Asked whether his rivals had initiated the charges, the first term Rembau MP said: “I don’t want to accuse anyone. But there is a political agenda behind it.” The others running for the post are Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Khir Toyo.<br /><br />Khairy, who is also the son-in-law of outgoing party president and prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was confident the warning would not affect his chances but will take steps to counter any anticipated attacks.<br /><br />“This is just the beginning,” he said.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Khir was relieved that he had been cleared of all charges by the disciplinary board which announced its decisions today.<br /><br />“I want to thank the disciplinary board for the decision,” Khir told The Malaysian Insider but declined comment whether he felt the charges were politically motivated.<br /><br />“I hope they (Umno delegates) can think of what happened to me,” he said, adding he believed he still has a fair chance of becoming Umno Youth chief.<br /><br />However, the Umno disciplinary committee’s decisions, including to bar Datuk Seri Ali Rustam from running for the deputy presidency, did not go down well with some members.<br /><br />Muar Umno division committee member Datuk Kadar Shah Tun Sulaiman said the disciplinary board was not consistent and practised double standards.<br /><br />“Why was Isa Samad suspended for six years but no such penalties were imposed on those found guilty this time?” he told The Malaysian Insider.<br /><br />Tan Sri Isa, a former party vice president, was suspended in 2005 for money politics. His suspension has been lifted.<br /><br />Kadar Shah says that he is giving the disciplinary board seven days to respond to a letter he delivered to them this afternoon about his dissatisfaction with their efforts to root out money politics — failing which he will refer the matter to the Registrar of Societies.<br /><br />Kadar Shah had threatened on March 5 to file an injunction to stop the Umno general assembly later this month and said that he may still do so if the disciplinary board does not respond to his letter.<br /><br />There has been a sense of unhappiness among party members over the charges brought against Ali as it is seen to be a political ploy to disqualify him from the race for the deputy presidency.<br />Ali was widely perceived to be a front runner for the post and today’s decision appears to benefit his rival, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.<br /><br />One Umno member told The Malaysian Insider, “This is a sad day for Umno as Datuk Seri Ali Rustam is someone that you can count on to deliver and is a very down to earth person. Hopefully, he stays the course and fights on within Umno as he is always a party-man.”The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-71420432360878298592009-03-13T23:16:00.003+08:002009-03-13T23:42:39.860+08:00Khir Cries Foul - The Smearer Gets Smeared HimselfEveryone who knows about Khir Toyo, knows that he had his hand in the cookie jar on numerous occassions. Regardless of whether there is proof of it, doesn't matter. There are some politicians that people just know - are dirty.<br /><br />As Menteri Besar of Selangor, Khir Toyo had approved numerous hillside developments to take place. Even when Mahathir was in power and mandated that the development should stop, after he took a helicopter ride over the Ampang area, the development stopped for a while, but resumed no more than 6 months later.<br /><br />The result? Catastrophy. Numerous landslides, lives lost, homes lost and people left to deal with the mess. But Khir Toyo would appear suddenly to show sympathy for the people and make all sorts of promises. But, the work will continue eventually.<br /><br />He made the people of Selangor suffer, today, Selangor is congested, there isn't any proper zoning, and there are condominiums everywhere.<br /><br />But when you question Khir Toyo or the Municipal councils on this, they say, it's private property and they have no jurisdiction on the developer. So, the people are left in a lurch and have to live with it - helplessly watching their investment be devalued.<br /><br />Khir Toyo has been accused of all sorts of things, striking deals with the developer is one, surely, there is a kickback somewhere in some form. Who's to know? But we can all guess it's true, because there have been so many inconsistencies with Khir Toyo, it doesn't make sense, unless he is corrupt.<br /><br />Yes, there is no proof. But it doesn't mean that it isn't true either.<br /><br />Khir is now getting a taste of his own medicine. Poor Elizabeth Wong was victimised, and Khir made silly statements. Perhaps that now he is being accused of all these wrongdoings, Khir Toyo should not contest as a candidate and resign from UMNO. After all, that was what he implied in the case of Elizabeth Wong. So why shouldn't it apply to Khir?<br /><br />Khir Toyo talks big, and acts holier than thou. Now, he faces his own smear campaign, so let's see whether he has enough integrity to stand by his own convictions. No? Then he should be rejected.<br /><br />UMNO has a host of better candidates and of a higher caliber than a failed Menteri Besar who lost Selangor to the opposition - a historical first.<br /><br />People rejected Barisan and UMNO in Selangor because they were feeling the pinch and getting the short end of the stick because of the corruption that was happening in the state.<br /><br />UMNO delegates should realise this and reject Khir Toyo. As Youth Chief, you can see the quality of person you are putting before young and aspiring Malays. Let not he be the example that we set for our children.<br /><br />On the most recent inquisition into Khir's travels. It isn't so much about where he went (as he defends it below), though we're not sure what business he brought from Milan or Paris to Selangor. It sounds more like a lavish holiday. The bigger question is, how did could he spend the taxpayer's money in such great amounts for so few trips? But it isn't surprising that Khir Toyo would abuse state funds.<br /><br />If you break down the amounts, you will see that it is impossible to rack up those amounts in travel expenses, unless he was living over and beyond the norm.<br /><br />Again, this questions Khir's integrity and responsibility as a Minister. If he had abused and spent the people's money in that manner, it is quite possible that he could have been irresponsible in a variety of other ways, perhaps ways that aren't so obvious.<br /><br />Khir should be investigated by the MACC, and they should nail him for every penny he has syphoned from the people of Selangor - who need more police stations, better infrastructure, better roads and so on.<br /><br /><br /><a class="contentpagetitle" href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/20320-khir-claims-plot-smearing-him-before-umno-polls"><span style="font-size:130%;">Khir claims plot smearing him before Umno polls </span></a><br /><br />SHAH ALAM, March 13 - Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who is contesting the Umno Youth chief post, claims there is a secret plot aimed at tarnishing his reputation in the run up to the party polls later this month.<br /><br />He said the group, masterminded by someone from within Umno, collaborated with the opposition leader to attack him during the State Legislative Assembly sitting which began on Tuesday.<br /><br />Mohamad Khir said most of the allegations against him such as the issue over the purchase of real property in Mecca in 2007 and the latest, the alleged use of funds belonging to a state government subsidiary company to buy a Range Rover costing RM500,000 for use by his wife, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, were only raised in the Assembly sitting.He said: “If all the allegations were true, why attack me in the State Assembly? If there is any wrongdoing, report directly to the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)”.<br /><br />Even the total cost of his air tickets for overseas travels from the year 2000 until now had also been raised in the State Assembly sitting, he said.<br /><br />The former Selangor menteri besar said although the total cost of his air tickets for the overseas trips amounted to RM360,000 for the eight-year period, the trips were made to attract foreign capital to the state amounting to between RM48 and RM50 billion during the period.<br /><br />Asked on his chances in the Umno election, he said: “I still have a fair chance.” - BernamaThe Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-14707698977153769162009-03-12T15:12:00.006+08:002009-03-12T15:19:38.296+08:00Khir Toyo Took Selangor Taxpayers For A RM349K RideHere is an article carried by The Star today. Commentary will follow soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Published: Thursday March 12, 2009 MYT 3:04:00 PM<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Khir Toyo travel costs exceeded RM300,000</strong></span><br /><br />SHAH ALAM: The overseas air travel costs for former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo from September 2001 till January 2008 amounted to RM349,134 and involved 21 trips.<br /><br />Among destinations visited by Khir were London, Bangkok, Beijing, Los Angeles, Dubai, Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Paris, Perth, Milan, Venice and Amsterdam.<br /><br />Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the statistics were from air travel warrants obtained from the Office of the Selangor Mentri Besar.<br /><br />Costs like hotel, food and drinks and other costs were still being tallied by the Office of the Selangor Mentri Besar, he said in reply to a question by Mohamad Azmin Ali (PKRBukit Antarabangsa) in the State Assembly on Thursday.<br /><br />Azmin had asked for the costs of the mentri besar's overseas travels from 2000 till now and the name of the travel agent that arranged the trips.<br /><br />Abdul Khalid said the travel agent was Green Adventure Holidays Sdn Bhd and that the involvement of other agents was still being looked into by the Office of the Selangor Mentri Besar.<br /><br />In reply to a supplementary question by Mohamd Azmin if there were any family ties between Khir and Green Adventure, Abdul Khalid said his office had no proof of any ties.<br /><br />He said the state government had now appointed Tourism Selangor Sdn. Bhd to manage travel for the state government. However, to avoid the practice of a monoply the state government welcomed the participation of other travel agents.<br /><br />Added Abdul Khalid: "Till now, we find that most of the state executive councillors were inclined to buy tickets online especially from AirAsia as this was cheaper than going through travel agents." - BernamaThe Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-8975391965224710892009-03-09T00:39:00.009+08:002009-03-09T01:52:22.638+08:00Down with English! Malay Pride Must Come First!The fear of our Malay brothers and sisters today is that of their faith in Islam and Malay culture, that, to them, is easily eroded by virtue of teaching math and science in English - in the case of Malay culture. The matter of faith in our religion is a matter for a separate discussion.<br /><br />Just over the weekend, thousands (reported after the article below) of Malay students, including that of the Opposition (PKR and PAS), staged a massive protest in KL. All in the name of stopping the government's policy of teaching math and science in English. Their reasons: because it will erode our cultural identity, or it will make us respect English more than our own mother tongue.<br /><br />Goodness gracious. How small minded can some people be?<br /><br />How on earth can a language erode one's own culture? A language is a means of communication. By virtue that English has been chosen by History to be the standard means of international communication, be it in politics or business, it is therefore important.<br /><br />Respecting one language over another doesn't make any sense either. This Abu Qassim Nor Azmi, Student Union leader, speaks of this and obviously doesn't know what he is talking about - it sounds idiotic and stupid. I wonder what sort of education he has been receiving. If you watch the video below, you will hear Abu Qassim speak, you will then realise why it is important that English is emphasized in Malaysia. The standards have dropped far below what is needed to be proficient to communicate effectively in this increasingly Globalised world that we live in. The young university scholar speaks like a primary school boy, unable to articulate himself properly and basically speaking in broken English. He seems to say that he has grown accustomed to speaking English, even outside class, however, it appears that he doesn't do it very well.<br /><br />If my Malay Muslim culture, ingraned into me from birth to adulthood is so easily shaken and eroded by learning a language that would help me communicate effectively in this world, ultimately contributing to the quality of life I will have, then I must be a very weak person.<br /><br />I would only fear these things if I were of weak character and didn't have any faith in the strength of my principles that are driven by the cultural conditioning that I grew up with.<br /><br />Culture is more than just a language my brothers and sisters, it is our way of life. And so what if we speak a different language at the workplace? Or even at home? Does that make us less Malay? Less Muslim?<br /><br />Many of my father's friends who are from a different generation of Malays were brought up with the English language - they are no less Malay than anyone else. Some of them even attended Christian Missionary schools, they were never forced to say the Lord's Prayer, but stood in respect when it was said. Some even know the exact words to the prayer too. They are still devout Muslims who attend Friday prayers and their faith hasn't wayned.<br /><br />So what is all this protesting for?<br /><br />Here are some of the facts of how serious the situation is.<br /><br />1. Proficiency of English in Malaysia is at its worst. It has been going downhill since Anwar Ibrahim was Education Minister, when we came up with the failed Bahasa Baku.<br />2. Students in Primary school upwards are being taught by young teachers, who themselves are not proficient in the language. My nephews and nieces have often corrected their teacher in matters of pronunciation and grammar.<br />3. Malaysia used to produce top notch scholars from University Malaya, which in the 60s was highly regarded. Today, our crown jewel has fallen to the rank of over 300. A degree from this university has little value outside Malaysia, for graduates seeking post graduate studies in the West, will need to prove themselves again by retaking certain undergraduate subjects, one of them is English.<br />4. Malaysia was aiming to be the Cyber centre of South East Asia, and over a decade has passed, with little to prove. Though it has never been said openly, the problem with multinational corporations is that of the quality of human resources available. They have since moved on to form their Outsourcing centres in Philippines and India. Why? Because of proficiency in IT and more specifically for the Philippines, English - spoken and written.<br /><br />Malaysia with it's vastly Malay language curriculum which is forced upon every ethnic group, has failed to ensure that people are properly educated and proficient in a language that is used to communicate with the rest of the world. English is the official business language of the world. Surely, you won't try educating a Mainland Chinese or a Japanese person in Malay for your convenience of communication.<br /><br />The government is right in taking these initial measures to restore the standard of English to what it was before.<br /><br />Take for example the Indians and the Pakistanis, they speak English fluently, so much so, that they can convince most westerners that they can do everything and anything. We all know this. Are they any less Indian or Pakistani? Have they cast out their Caste system? Have they stopped worshipping their Hindu Gods or Allah? No. Have they forgotten their provincial cultures and the crafts that are unique to their cultural heritage? No again.<br /><br />So my dear brothers and sisters, why so much fear over such matters? Think before you act, do not act in haste and take a step back and see the broader picture.<br /><br />If you feel that your Cultural heritage is being attacked, remember that culture is instilled into you by your parents, how well they have done it will be evidenced by how you, as an adult choose to live your life. How you, as an individual decide what is important to you. And it certainly has nothing to do with learning how to speak the one language that is understood the world over.<br /><br />Do not fall prey to the acts and support of some politicians, in this case PAS and PKR. They are simply buying political capital by appearing to support you and your cause.<br /><br />Malaysia is regressing. This latest protest, in the large numbers that it attracted is one that is of great concern. It appears that the vast number of ignorant people in Malaysia are growing, and they appear to be mostly Malay. It is very sad, very sad for us as Malays.<br /><br />By this act of ignorance, we only shame ourselves and our culture. Surely it isn't part of our culture to live in our little world where Malay is an effective means of communication among 27 million people.<br /><br />If the BN and the King doesn't come out to make a strong statement on the matter, and to help the people understand, it will mark the midpoint of Malaysia's regression.<br /><br />To regain our footing in English proficiency to what it was previously, it will take more than just a couple of generations. May God help our children and help them forgive us for making their future a little more bleak in this competitive world.<br /><br /><br />Hundreds of Malaysians stage language protest<br />By Melissa Goh, Channel NewsAsia Malaysia bureau chief<br />07 March 2009 2238 hrs<br /><br />Video<br /><a class="bodytext2" href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/413777/1/.html">Hundreds of Malaysians stage language protest</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds of Malaysians, mostly Muslim Malays, had taken to the streets to protest against the use of English to teach Mathematics and Science in schools.<br /><br />Police fired water canons and tear gas to disperse the crowd as they marched to the National Palace in downtown Kuala Lumpur despite a police barricade, in an attempt to reach the National Palace.<br /><br />The protest was led by opposition Islamic party president Abdul Hadi Awang, flanked by national laureate, A Samad Said.<br /><br />Their aim was to deliver a request to the king to change teaching of Mathematics and Science from English back to Malay language.<br /><br />The switch in languages made by the government six years ago as part of an effort to lift the standard of spoken and written English among students.<br /><br />The demonstrators claimed that the move has failed and is leading to an erosion of the Malay cultural identity.<br /><br />Abu Qassim Nor Azmi, of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students said: "Now we talk in English when we go to the canteen, and when we go out, we continue to talk in English. This will lead to a crisis of identity, we will repect English more than our own mother tongue."<br /><br />The police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, but many re-grouped despite heavy rain.<br /><br />The inspector general of police lashed out at the protestors for being what he called "demo crazy".<br /><br />More than 120 were later detained for questioning.<br /><br />The protestors maintained that they are apolitical and their aim is to protect the Malay language which is the national language guaranteed under the federal constitution, but the opposition Pakatan Rakyta alliance is capitalising on the rising public resent towards the UMNO led government.<br /><br />Mohd Saifullah Zulkifli, an Opposition Youth Leader charged that UMNO is setting a very bad record even though they are supposed to represent the Malays.<br /><br />Prime Minister designate Najib Razak had appealed to the country's predominantly Malay population not to be overly obsessed in protecting the Malay language.<br /><br />He assured them the Malay language will always remain the premier official laguage in Malaysia.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-18243880362517740272009-02-26T21:48:00.004+08:002009-02-26T22:24:42.882+08:00Opposition MP Attacked by UMNO Youth Members at ParliamentGutter politics has now evolved into gangsterism.<br /><br />22 UMNO Youth members allegedly decended upon an old, crippled and wheelchair bound DAP Minister of Parliament. Karpal Singh was confronted and assulted by 22 men claiming to be Selangor Umno Youth members, as they grabbed Karpal Singh by his tie and jacket at the tower block entrance of Parliament.<br /><br />(Some may challenge the word assult. The definition of assult is when someone or people physically touch someone in a manner or with intentions of intimidation.<br /><br />He was saved from further assult by his fellow colleagues and brought into the buildling.<br /><br />Apparently, when Karpal shouted for help from the nearby Parliament guards, they only said: "We only jaga (look after) inside (Parliament), not outside."<br /><br />What absolute rubbish. But you can imagine that this is a similar response given by Malay guards all over Malaysia, be it at KLCC and now even Parliament! They usually cannot be bothered to involve themselves and help others. These people are what we call locally as "makan gaji buta". Being paid for nothing.<br /><br />Safety and security in Malaysia is horrendous, crime is spiraling high and we wonder why.<br /><br />Parliament is a very secure building and property. You cannot enter the grounds without first providing your IC at the guardhouse which is more than 100m from the building. You also need to prove that you have official business there before allowed entry. Not just anyone can enter.<br /><br />It is not hard to believe that UMNO Youth members from the Selangor division will resort to such tactics. Look at the Selangor Youth Chief, this is reflective of his leadership. It is not surprising.<br /><br />But it is quite silly that they will do it in such a place like Parliament, either that or, they feel that they weild so much power, being Malay (the privileged) and being UMNO members, that they think they can do anything they like, including intimidating and assulting a crippled Parliamentarian.<br /><br />Karpal Singh may not be the most diplomatic politician, but he speaks for his people and he fights for them, his interests one must remember, are that of his belief of what the future of Malaysians should be. Right or wrong, his heart is in the right place. Just because certain people lack the intelligence to challenge him, they would think that brawn will solve the problem.<br /><br />UMNO Youth infantile idiots. Grow up, do not embarass your race, Islam, your culture and heritage. You only embarass yourselves and discredit your leaders.<br /><br />Lets see if this case will die a natural death in the media, or will the police investigate and incarcerate the guilty 22 UMNO Youth members. Punish them or set a precedence for this sort of politics. Disgusting.<br /><br />Shame on UMNO and shame on the Police. What a disgrace.<br /><br /> <span style="font-size:85%;">Thursday February 26, 2009</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Group confronts Karpal outside tower block<br /></strong></span><br />KUALA LUMPUR: A group of 22 men claiming to be Selangor Umno Youth members confronted DAP chairman Karpal Singh just outside the Parliament tower block on Thursday.<br /><br />In the 2.45pm incident, the men surrounded the Bukit Gelugor MP, shouting and demanding that he retract the word “celaka” which he had used in reference to Umno Youth during his debate speech on Wednesday.<br /><br />Unlike other MPs, Karpal Singh – who is wheelchair-bound – uses the ramp at the tower block to enter the Parliament building.<br /><br />Four other MPs — Lim Lip Eng (DAP – Segambut), Fong Kui Lun (DAP – Bukit Bintang), Chong Chieng Jen (DAP – Bandar Kuching) and N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR – Padang Serai) — went to Karpal Singh’s aid after being informed by security guards.<br /><br />At the same time, Fong Po Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) received a call from Karpal Singh’s aide and went over as well.<br /><br />By then, Lim’s tie and coat had been pulled by the men in full view of Parliament security.<br />During the commotion, Fong shouted: “ Where is security ? Where is security?” and a reply was heard: “ We only jaga (look after) inside (Parliament), not outside.”<br /><br />Soon reporters and others at the Parliament lobby rushed out to the entrance and to the windows to witness the event.<br /><br />Even after Karpal Singh had entered the Dewan at 3pm, the group of men continued to loiter at the entrance.<br /><br />At one point, Gobind Singh Deo (DAP – Puchong) came out of the tower block and challenged the men to a “one to one fight”. They moved away after the security guards stepped in.<br /><br />In the House, Karpal Singh raised the matter immediately.<br /><br />He said he was blocked by about 15 Umno men who acted like gangsters and who told him to apologise or else he could not go into the House.<br /><br />“(How) Can such a thing happen in Parliament?” he exclaimed. Karpal Singh said that he called the (in-house) police for help but no one came to his aid except for his party members.<br /><br />“What protection as a Speaker will you give us?” he asked.<br /><br />Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia replied that such threats were not condoned in Parliament and that he would ask the police and the relevant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department to investigate.<br /><br />Chong Chieng Jen (DAP – Kuching) asked whether investigations could be carried out immediately since the guards were still at the entrance.<br /><br />During the debate on Wednesday, Karpal Singh had uttered the word “celaka” against Umno Youth and also pointed the finger at the wing for the “bullets and threatening letter” he had received in Penang.<br /><br />The confrontation was the latest in a “series of threats” leveled against the outspoken MP, who had riled some quarters for his statement that the Sultan of Perak could be taken to court for his role in the Perak crisis. He later received bullets and a threatening letter at his house in Penang.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-51752674162488873192009-02-24T10:36:00.006+08:002009-02-24T11:44:28.175+08:00BEWARE: Oral Sex Illegal in Malaysia, Chua Soi Lek InvestigatedAn old story rears its ugly head. Dr. Chua Soi Lek, former Health Minister who is liked by his constituents and is known to work hard for the people and at his portfolio was secretly videotaped while having sex with his lady friend. Upon this revelation, he resigned all his party posts and as Heath Minister. This was a great shame at the time as he is known to work hard for the people and he was deemed to be the "Best Health Minister" we ever had.<br /><br />At least he had the courtesy to voluntarily resign his posts unlike some other people who have been accused of all sorts of fishy business deals and using a government position to influence (isn't that abuse of power?)<br /><br />Yet, he was returned to politics with the resounding support of the people. It's obvious that many people don't really about other people's sex life. What mattered was that Dr. Chua had served and will serve the people well. That's what they voted for.<br /><br />Today, Dr. Chua faces another investigation on the same video. This time for having Oral Sex. It is apparently stated in Malaysian Law that something as petty as Oral Sex, or even Anal Sex is against the order of nature and hence illegal and punishable.<br /><br />Against the order of nature? At one point humans weren't supposed to fly, let alone walk on the moon, and the earth was flat. Any attempts to prove otherwise was deemed to be the work of the devil. We don't have wings (nature), so we shouldn't fly (order).<br /><br />We are neither for or against oral or anal sex, but does it matter so much that the very nature of it impacts society so negatively that people need to be policed on what they choose to do in their private time? We think not.<br /><br />In Dr. Chua's case, this was a private moment, how he decides to engage in sexual intercourse and how he does it and even for how long, isn't for anyone to dictate. These things usually occur in the privacy of a room and is not discussed in public. It was unfortunate that some people decided to trap him and to destroy his political career for their own reasons. Now that they have failed, they are making a second attempt at highlighting something quite petty, but law enforcers and makers alike in Malaysia are taking to it and re-investigating him. Why do this to one of the few Barisan Nasional MPs who actually work for the people?<br /><br />I'm sure if we could peer into the private lives of Khairi Jamaluddin, Hishamuddin, Najib, Khir Toyo and other politicians, we may find out all sorts of things about them. Who's to say that Khairi was not involved in sex before marriage, who's to say the same of any number of politicians? How do we know that none of the above enjoy oral sex, giving or receiving? They can publically announce that they don't, but how do we know?<br /><br />The law enforcers will prosecute these petty acts, but as the people, we should not pay attention to these petty things. We as the people should continue to vote in the people who will work hard for us, and not get caught up in these little moral inquisitions, and judge people.<br /><br />The fact is, none of us are so clean that we cannot be faulted. Everyone has sex in different ways, and some like certain things more than others, is it any of our business?<br /><br />A sexual offence in Malaysia includes oral sex, it's absurd. How many men haven't received oral sex at one point in their lives? Politicans, policemen and ordinary people? Surely there are more haves than haves not.<br /><br />In which case, why don't we place cameras in everyone's bedroom, invade their privacy and then incarcerate them for it. That's essentially what the police is doing, they are going after the wrong people.<br /><br />The recent events of Elizabeth Wong and Chua Soi Lek only shows that politics in Malaysia has stooped to new lows and that Malaysians are easily distracted by little dramas like this when the people should actually be angry about politicians wasting time on such matters, and politicians should be focusing on what to do in such harsh economic times.<br /><br />Oral Sex against the order of nature? Then we should all be in jail.<br /><br />Malaysia is fast becoming the circus of the region as many of our neighbours tell us that reading or watching the Malaysian news says it is "very entertaining", like reading the National Enquirer - a garbage celebrity rumour magazine. Malaysia Boleh.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Soi Lek faces oral sex probe</span></strong><br />NST, 24 February 2009<br /><br />PETALING JAYA: Former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's sex video clip has come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Police are investigating the MCA deputy president for allegedly engaging in oral sex. Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said investigations began recently after two copies of the video clip, showing Chua in intimate positions with a woman, were found in a mailbox of a house in Kelana Jaya.<br /><br />The houseowner lodged a police report on Feb 13 and police are investigating the case for carnal intercourse against the order of nature and distribution and possession of material containing pornographic elements."We will investigate the police report which stated that the oral sex in the DVD was too explicit," Khalid said.<br /><br />Dr Chua arrived at the Petaling Jaya district police station here at 11am and left an hour later after having his statement recorded.<br /><br />He said there were some people out there who still wanted to tarnish his name and scare him with such tactics."I will leave it to the police to investigate and I will give my full cooperation."<br /><br />When the clip first surfaced in January last year, Dr Chua resigned from all party and government posts.<br /><br />He had been MCA vice-president and health minister then. Dr Chua returned to politics late last year after being elected MCA deputy president.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-1005182980018556102009-02-17T14:36:00.007+08:002009-02-19T19:06:31.317+08:00Elizabeth Wong Nude Photo ScandalMalaysian politics his finally hit new lows.<br /><br />In the recent months we have watched the Perak State Government led by Pakatan Rakyat, crumble because of two of their PKR MPs decided to quit and become independents in support of the BN coalition. To add to this, an UMNO man had joined PKR only to quit a week later, just around the same time when the two PKR MPs quit. Conspiracy? Your guess is as good as ours.<br /><br />It goes to show the kind of dirty tactics that await us under the Najib administration, since he is seen to be the leader of the campaign.<br /><br />More recently, Elizabeth Wong. Seen to be a hardworking MP for Bukit Lanjan just like her counterpart Teresa Kok of Seputih, she is appreciated by her constituents and very much liked. All this has been torn down by the likes of certain UMNO opportunists who seem to take to mud slinging and character assasination. One such person is Khir Toyo - the very much disliked former Menteri Besar of Selangor.<br /><br />Khir Toyo has said that this is a morality issue and that Elizabeth Wong has moral issues, thus, the people cannot accept such community leaders.<br /><br />This comes from a man who has so many allegations against him of corruption and fishy land deals, destruction of the environment to make way for housing developments on hillsides and so forth. It is on his approval that developers get the go ahead to build on hillslopes even though there is a directive not to. In the recent years, there were at least 4 landslides in the Ampang area, lives were lost. When questioned, Khir Toyo's response along with that of the Town/City Councils is that; it is private property, we do not have any jurisdiction - and that of the sort. There is only one reason why people in authority who are supposed to protect the rights of the people, would surrender their power to a private company and developer.<br /><br />If it isn't the State Government's responsibility to ensure the safety of people, proper zoning and planning, then whose is it? The developers?<br /><br />How does that compare to a poor woman who was photographed while sleeping by her boyfriend (alleged Hilmi Malik). Is it her fault that this perverted young man had perverted and malicious intentions? Is it her fault that this new joiner to PKR might have been coaxed by money, perhaps offered by some politician or political organisation - possibly opposition in the state, to do this? Is it her fault that she chooses to sleep in the nude? Many Malay men sleep with a sarong and no underwear. Is it wrong that a single woman has a sexual relationship with a man? Perhaps in Islam, but not everyone believes in this, including many of our Muslim friends.<br /><br />So, why victimise her on this basis? Nobody would give Elizabeth Wong a second look if they knew she did these things if she was just an ordinary citizen, even Khir Toyo wouldn't care. He would probably say that it isn't bad if you don't get caught. But in this poor woman's case, something is made out of nothing.<br /><br />Elizabeth Wong serves her community well, this is no way to treat someone who works for the people, perhaps this is something that Khir Toyo can learn.<br /><br />Wong Koon Mun, Kuala Kubu Baru MCA Assemblyman said that it is wrong for a single woman to allow a man to access her room. What century is he living in? She is a mature woman, not a teenage girl. Don't tell me Wong hasn't gone into a single woman's room before? Are we so sure that he, along with the rest of these Male Chauvanist Pigs didn't have sex before they were married? Please.<br /><br />Barisan Nasional politicians are still arrogant, heartless and shameless.<br /><br />The people had made a choice last year for change, none of us will deny that the states that are managed by the Pakatan Rakyat are in any worse position as they were before. Hillside developments have been stopped, and for once, the people are being listened to.<br /><br />However, the BN, with their slim majority is trying to fabricate and dig up all sorts of negative things to assasinate the characters of the people whom we voted for, so that perhaps they may be able to wrest power from Pakatan Rakyat in those states.<br /><br />We firmly believe that the people, the silent majority know what these political ploys are and that support for the Pakatan Rakyat will remain. We want to vote for people who will work for us and in our interest.<br /><br />The people must fight this insurgency by the Barisan Nasional and cast out any doubt about the people whom we voted for. All this dirty politics is a waste of time when the economy is worsening and people are unemployed. It seems to be BN's way of distracting the people from what the Pakatan Rakyat is really trying to do and the achievements already attained.<br /><br />If the Pakatan Rakyat had the time away from serving its constituents, they could possibly go digging into the backgrounds of people to blackmail the opposition, and to find the weaker opposition members who could either be made to defect or be a spy or trojan horse in the Barisan Nasional.<br /><br />Don't dismiss the possibility for a second that the BN is desperate and would do this. The silly people of UMNO are probably gauging Najib's ability as our new PM by how many coups he can orchestrate. It serves to benefit him as he would be seen to getting the support he needs.<br /><br />If there are any Pakatan Rakyat leaders or members reading this, you should seriously look into the background of those closest to the leaders and sensitive information. Do not trust the outsider who has joined in the recent 1-2 years. Be weary.<br /><br />Anwar Ibrahim's biggest mistake was promising the people that he will be able to orchestrate mass defections in Pakatan Rakyat's favor. After the elections and being 5 states ahead, the Pakatan should just concentrate on proving themselves to the people of those 5 states. This will win Pakatan Rakyat the next election in those states, and perhaps with success in those states, people from other states will begin to trust Pakatan and PAS to lead the nation. Forget these ambitions, focus on what you have now and build upon it. Selangor, Penang and Kedah are industrialised and there are great opportunities.<br /><br />As for Khir, some people should just get some dirty information on him and bring him down. Perhaps since he believes that appearing nude in photos is a morality issue, even if it is involuntary, someone should spy cam Khir changing in one of his country clubs and post it on YouTube. Perhaps he can then resign too, after all it is a morality issue that the people cannot accept.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Tuesday February 17, 2009<br /></span><br /><strong>Rep must resign from all her posts, says Khir </strong><br /><br />KLANG: Selangor Opposition chief and former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has called for Pakatan Rakyat state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong to resign on moral grounds.<br />He said Malaysians were not ready to accept leaders who were embroiled in scandals.<br /><br />Given this, he said Wong must relinquish all her positions.<br />“This is a moral issue and Malaysians cannot accept leaders with moral issues and so she must vacate her State Assembly seat.<br /><br />“Let the people decide and if they still want her, they can vote her in again, or vote for someone else if they don’t want her to represent them anymore,” said Dr Khir.<br /><br />He was commenting on the nude photos of Elizabeth being circulated through multi media messaging service (MMS).<br /><br />Kuala Kubu Baru MCA assemblyman Wong Koon Mun said that a wrong was a wrong.<br />The picture was obviously taken by someone who had access to her bedroom.<br /><br />“Who is that person? And if it’s her boyfriend as rumoured, it is morally wrong for a single woman to allow a man access to her room,” he said.<br /><br />He added that it was equally immoral for the culprit to have taken photos of Elizabeth in the nude without her knowledge.<br /><br />Meanwhile, national Barisan leaders expressed sympathy for what Wong was going through.<br />Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said such an incident should not have happen.<br /><br />“She is a wakil rakyat and she is doing her job as one. To get her down this way is not good.<br />“I hope she will be strong and ignore whatever that has happened,” he said when asked to comment on the case in Parliament yesterday.<br /><br />Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said an individual’s privacy should be respected.<br />“People should not do such things,” she said.<br /><br />However, she said people would closely observe their leaders and they needed to watch their conduct.<br /><br />She said they virtually do not have private lives any more.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-39426861179926737442008-11-11T21:47:00.007+08:002008-11-11T22:30:00.766+08:00Johor Police Disagrees on Crime Rate in Johor - Targeting SingaporeansCrime and Johor are synonymous. Even Malaysians will admit to that. But the Johor Police, long embattled on the state of affairs with regard to safety and security in Johor, seem to be on the defence - against the Singaporean media.<br /><br />Firstly, let's disect the facts:<br /><br />1. The police claim that there have only been 19 cases of robbery involving Singaporeans from Jan to Oct this year. Have they considered that many affected Singaporean victims may not file police reports? Why wouldn't they report it? Simple, because the system and beauracracy is so bad that people spend hours at a police station making a report, talking to an officer who, in most people's experience, seems to have an attitude of disconcern and helplessness. So, people don't file reports (unless they lose their IC, or something that requires an insurance claim) because they feel that more hours are wasted and only because criminals in Malaysia are hardly ever caught, go on a wanted list etc., and even if they are, the penalty is so light, they will be set free after 6 months for something like a snatch theft. So what is the point?<br /><br />2. The Police claim that about 850,000 Singaporeans enter the state monthly. If you calculate this, the Police are saying that 28,333 Singaporeans enter Johor each day & 1,180 every hour. These figures do not make sense. If that is the case, the causeway and the Johor immigration will be packed, even if there are 4 people in a car, that would be 295 cars per hour.<br /><br />Impossible. There are many hours in a day when there isn't any traffic on the causeway, except returning Malaysian cars.<br /><br />28,000 Singaporeans enter Malaysia each day, I wonder if the economy is so good that 28,000 Singaporean workers can take the day off to visit Johor - to do their shopping at Giant or Carrefour.<br /><br />Are the figures a fabrication? Maybe, or maybe not. But considering that the quality of police officers that include secondary school dropouts and people without diplomas or degrees, perhaps they have miscalculated or wrongly analysed the data.<br /><br />That aside, the fact is that crime in Malaysia is high. Horrendous crimes involving rape, murder and assult is high, especially in Johor. All Johorians, especially those in Johor Baru will tell of how fearful they are and how many times each of them have been a victim. In most places, you will be a victim, perhaps once. In Johor, nobody is spared. The old and frail are targets by cruel and vicious opportunists.<br /><br />If the police says that this isn't true, then they, like the rest of the government are in denial, and hope for change is pointless.<br /><br />The police have the cheek to say that this year, there have only been 14 cases involving Singaporean vehicle thefts. ONLY 14 cases? It plainly shows that the police think that 1 less case is "progress".<br /><br />They probably botched the numbers, and they want to believe that their prevention efforts are paying off. Gosh, I wouldn't be so quick to cheer. It's only 1 less case.<br /><br />Best for people in general to stay away from Johor - until some people come to their senses.<br /><br /><br /><br />Quoted in the Star:<br /><br />Johor cops dispute Singaporean media reports on crime<br />By FARIK ZOLKEPLI<br /><br />JOHOR BARU: Only 1.4% of crime cases in Johor this year involved Singaporean victims, said Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff in refuting reports by the island republic’s media.<br /><br />There were only 19 cases of robbery involving Singaporean victims from January to October this year, compared with 44 cases during the same period last year.<br /><br />“Between 830,000 and 850,000 Singaporeans enter the state monthly, and only a handful are victims of crimes,” he said, adding that Johor police wanted to refute Singaporean newspaper reports that implied their citizens were being deliberately targeted.<br /><br />DCP Mohd Mokhtar said that only 26 cases of intimidation against Singaporeans were recorded so far this year, compared with 47 last year. There were only 14 cases of vehicle thefts involving Singaporeans this year, while last year showed only 15 cases.<br /><br />“Criminal cases involving Singaporean victims are on a decline this year,” he said, adding that the state’s crime prevention efforts were paying off.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-30768009217972249562008-11-06T15:40:00.004+08:002008-11-06T15:51:25.993+08:00Oh Pak! Oh Pak Lah...Good gosh, what planet has he been living on? Anyone can be PM in Malaysia? Not even competent to know that:<br /><br />1. The constitution states that the Head of State must be Malay<br />2. The Rulers have in recent weeks stated their stance, clearly for Malay rights<br />3. UMNO stalwarts insist that Malay rights are paramount on UMNO's agenda<br />4. Son In Law Khairi Jamaluddin is clearly a Malay Ultra<br />5. The general Malay population in Malaysia are not likely to accept a non Malay leader, or even a Deputy PM who is non Malay. This is clear based on what has gone on in recent weeks in Selangor and previously to that, general statements made by Malay leaders, influential or not.<br /><br />Pak Lah seems to think that he can use this to raise the hopes of the minorities in Malaysia and to buy himself some political mileage local or foreign. Wrong!<br /><br />Even Marina Mahathir, a fairly enlightened person had only this to say "Say what? Not sure what Planet he is living on".<br /><br />Goes to further reinforce the general sentiment about such things happening in Malaysia.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thursday November 6, 2008</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Abdullah: ‘Anyone can be PM’</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br />PUTRAJAYA: It is possible for anyone from a minority group to be a nation’s leader, even in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.<br /><br />“It is up to the people to decide, just as the Americans had done through the democratic process,” he said while extending his congratulations to Senator Barack Obama.<br /><br />Reporters had asked him in the Parliament lobby yesterday if it were possible for a person from a minority group to become Prime Minister in Malaysia.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-82582341171066392612008-11-03T23:11:00.004+08:002008-11-03T23:18:44.248+08:00Ketuanan Melayu - Concept Becoming Questionable by Malay LeadersFinally, some sensible words from an UMNO leader on the matter of Ketuanan Melayu. Little else needs to be said of what the non-political and open minded Malays think of the concept.<br /><br />Truly, it's a concept, not so much a reality. It is only real to those who wish it to be real. Unfortunately, racial supremacy is a thing of the past in the globalised age. It died with Hitler but lives on in small pockets in society.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Zaid not going to apologise for Ketuanan Melayu statement</span></strong><br />October 3, 2008 (The Star)<br /><br />KOTA BARU: Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has hit back at three Umno supreme council members for asking him to apologise over <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/1/nation/2436369&sec=nation" target="_blank">remarks that he made about Ketuanan Melayu</a> (Malay supremacy).<br /><br />Stressing that he would never apologise, Zaid said it was because he loved his Malay race that he recommended open competition be allowed to ensure the race could compete with others in a globalised age.<br /><br />“I am not surprised by the reaction of some Umno leaders especially since they have an ongoing party election,” he said in a statement on Monday.<br /><br />“I am a village boy from a poor family, not an aristocrat or royalty. I want to see the Malays succeed in economy and education.”<br /><br />Zaid said he was not questioning the special rights of Malays as enshrined in the Constitution.<br />He said the new model that he recommended was based on openness to ensure young Malays closed ranks and cooperated not only with other races in the country but also foreigners.<br /><br />He named Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Syed Albar, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassin and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib as the three supreme council members.<br /><br />Zaid had pointed out recently that the Malay supremacy concept had failed and distracted from the real issues confronting the country.<br /><br />He said on Monday that he hoped Malays could differentiate between leaders who thought of their interests from those who only used the name of Malays for political mileage.<br /><br />He said the concept of Malay supremacy had a negative element that was racist and implied that<br />they only wanted to become masters without knowing how to struggle or be responsible.<br /><br />He added it was not a clear reflection of the race and such an image weakened them.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-39133577747093350712008-09-11T02:40:00.004+08:002008-09-11T03:31:28.304+08:00Ahmad Ismail Bites the Dust, but calls himself a "Perjuang"<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2008/0911/Utusan_Malaysia/Muka_Hadapan/mh_01.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2008/0911/Utusan_Malaysia/Muka_Hadapan/mh_01.1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ahmad "Pejuang Melayu" Ismail<br />perhaps a racist</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">The following video was posted on the NST today:</div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/NewsBreak/20080911000241/Article/index_html">http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/NewsBreak/20080911000241/Article/index_html</a></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Ahmad Ismail, widely proclaimed to be a racist has been stripped and dishonorably discharged from his duties as an UMNO member and has also been suspended for 3 years.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">This was all for his statements during the Permatang Pauh campaign that the Chinese in Malaysia are merely "squatters" or "immigrants" - referring to them as "Pendatang".</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">This sparked an outcry by all Chinese leaders, both from Barisan Nasional and the Opposition with demands for an apology. Some UMNO leaders also remarked that Ahmad Ismail should apologise, including the Prime Minister. However, a recalcitrant and arrogant Ahmad Ismail, though in his twilight years, remained fiery and fought against the demands for an apology. Seeming to want to renew his political career with the Malay community, he has appeared to deploy tactics using the racial card - this, more and more seems to be a common tactic for UMNO leaders to gain popularity as "Malay Ultras" seem to be respected by the grassroots.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">The end result of Ahmad Ismail's comments:</div><div align="left">1. The Prime Minister and UMNO has potentially lost more ground on both sides (the Non-Malays and the Malay Ultras residing within the party and communities around)</div><div align="left">2. BN Youth Chief for Penang from Gerakan has resigned</div><div align="left">3. Gerakan has threatened to pull out of the coalition</div><div align="left">4. Ahmad Ismail throws tantrums and tells Gerakan to "Get out of BN"</div><div align="left">5. UMNO supporters in Penang worsened the situation by tearing up a picture of Koh Tsu Koon (Gerakan Chief)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244476254921630098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCnVkA1suSkJaVyWRPv0vcz6jahxvHKf41dec7wReEWl50mntwWPLjM29ad7cE1CR6bZ-MKDXGdcEbNja_39hbHUE27DJ1_GZgNB1GcslUT77_j37uxBbV7a-_r3EA_jYcSqq6pbmHjk/s200/a189d1b6fff0fc200955c9f0eae202d5.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">An Idiot Ahmad Supporter - remember his face<br /></p><br /><br />All this for the sake of saving face and pursuing a personal agenda.<br /><br />UMNO should sack him with no possibility of return to active politics. Ahmad Ismail should be charged with Sedition . If this were any other person other than an UMNO Malay, this person would be put under ISA immediately.<br /><br />However, considering that the DPM Najib Tun Razak had once said "Bathe the kris in Chinese Blood", we suppose that since he was pardoned and not put under ISA for such a remark in the 1980s, people like Ahmad and people like him will have the freedom to antagonise other races with racial slurs.<br /><br />The amazing part is that even Dr Mahathir has gotten involved. He supports that Ahmad shouldn't apologise as the other races have also been racial, and MCA, MIC and HINDRAF have never apologised.<br /><br />Again, fair leaders of our dwindling nation, For the sake of all Malays, Chinese, Indians and the other races... None of what you have claimed to be racial slurs against Malays have really been racial slurs. Example:<br /><br />1. Gerakan announcing it may want to leave the BN is deemed to antagonise national harmony. What? How can that be? Does this mean they cannot leave even if they are not heard and playing a role for the electorate?<br /><br />2. Malaysian Taiwanese Student who developed a video using the national anthem that riddled the situation in Malaysia as he saw it. Why should the chinese parties apologise for him? He is not a member of those parties - he is a lay person<br /><br />3. HINDRAF - why should MIC apologise for them? They are their own movement.<br /><br />Unlike UMNO and the irresponsibility of UMNO members and leaders, these other parties had no linkage with any of those acts (deemed to be against the Malays). However, people like Khairy Jamaluddin, Nazri, Najib, Ahmad Ismail - all members and leaders of UMNO, have personally made silly statements about other communities for the sake of their "Perjuangan" - Melayu. For political gain and for personal gain.<br /><br />These people are pardoned, slapped on the hand perhaps and allowed to carry on. They nearly tear the fabric of our multi-racial and multi-cultural society apart, and they are not punished. But for the likes of HINDRAF leaders, just standing for their rights as Indians and economic rights, are placed under ISA, and accused of disrupting national harmony. Even if they were, people like Ahmad Ismail should be placed under ISA - what makes him so different from the HINDRAF 5?<br /><br />The 3 year suspension for Ahmad Ismail is a slap on the hand, it is hardly severe enough considering the damage he has done.<br /><br />And he can still have a press conference and say that he is not going to apologise and he has done nothing wrong. This was after he said that, we are where we are because Allah determined it as such. It's amazing how some people can use Allah S.A.W. as an excuse when it is convenient. Further to that, he claims himself to be a "Perjuang", Crusader for the Malays and with that comes sacrifice. It appears that he has Martyred himself for the sake of his people and sacrificed himself for the Malay struggle. Perhaps this comes from the "Jihad" mindset, and of course, to gain political ground with the grassroots. Only the kampung people will be happy enough to buy into this sort of hoax, in the form of a sandiwara.<br /><br />Perhaps Ahmad Ismail should be careful from now on. People have labelled him a racist, Chinese, Indians and Malays alike. Perhaps, one day he will meet his fate with the people he has belittled. Ahmad Ismail is but one man and there are 50% of Malaysians who do not support the racial politicking, if the PKR manifesto and popularity vote is anything to go by.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Therefore, if things heat up, Ahmad Ismail could be in the hot seat, and perhaps those who have suffered losses will go in search of him. At which point, the country he is trying to protect from the "Pendatang" will cease to be his own, as he may have to flee for fear of life and limb.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />God willing it doesn't come to that, but for this man's political sins, the backlash can be treacherous.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-85075458428929370762008-09-08T01:12:00.005+08:002008-09-08T02:03:46.493+08:00Dr. M, Once Dubbed a True Statesman, joins the Ahmad Ismail messThis is when people will start losing respect for Dr. M. Whatever that's left of it.<br /><br /><br />All this emotion that led to Ahmad Ismail making these racist remarks, and the people who have supported his statement just goes to show what a bunch of racist imbiciles these people are - now Dr. M included.<br /><br /><br />Filled with pride of whatever remains of their "Ketuanan Melayu", they all fail to realise one thing, it is only some Malays who believe that they are truly Bumi Putras, in the literal sense, and that they are the Tuans of out country - not all... Just some, mainly from UMNO. Blinded by their pride and view of themselves, these UMNO, so called, Leaders, believe that they can say anything and do things any which way they please. Because we all must succumb to the great Ketuanan Melayu "perception".<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>The Reality: We are only Tuans in our own country, beyond Malaysia's borders, the Ketuanan thinking doesn't apply</strong>.</span> So, who are you trying to kid? Only yourselves dear UMNO members and veterans. The reality, Malaysia failed in many areas, many were once deemed to be international firsts. Ie. The MSC, the Entertainment Villiage, BioTech Valley. If you, as a fellow Malaysian doesn't believe this, then just go to the locations that house these large investments, sponsored by the Rakyat. Is it flourishing?<br /><br /><br />Why has it failed? Many reasons. One can surmise that the root cause is the focus on the NEP and the prosperity of a certain few Malays (as the poor rural Malays still remain poor and haven't benefitted from these things). We believe it is mainly because of the NEP which has given birth to this thinking of Ketuanan Melayu.<br /><br /><br />For example, in building the MSC, the intention was to make Malaysia a ICT hub, but in very short time, India overtook us, and before we knew it, the Philippines has become a hub for all the Call Centers and Business Process Outsourcing centers. Why? Surveys, that some may have been privy to, show that it is the level of competence in IT and the proficiency in English that has led to the MSC's failure. One can say there are hundreds of ICT companies, but they are mostly local, and small businesses. Companies like Microsoft pulled out years ago, along with Kenichi Omae that pulled out from the advisory panel.<br /><br />What is this evidenced by? We have posted articles about the sub standard education in Malaysia, and also the English medium. Many will find that many students graduating from our local Universities do not have a strong command of the English language, yet we intend to attract international corporations? A major issue is also the competency of Malay fresh graduates from the local universities, who have a lack of understanding in the subject of their degrees. If you think this is untrue, speak to someone from the private sector and see what they have to say - it has been published in the media in the recent 3 years.<br /><br />Just speak to any non Malay university student and you will begin to understand that special preference is given to Malay students during pre-exam lectures... there is much more, but you get the picture<br /><br />So, in Malaysia, we have arrogant idiots like Ahmad Ismail who go around making derogatory statements about the Chinese and other races. Then he and Dr. M accuse the Chinese and Indians for making similar statements against the Malays.<br /><br /><br />Tell us dear intellectual and all powerful "Tuan's" of our Country, who is the minority that is being sidelined here? Why do you make it all about the Malays and yourselves? Look at our demographics and you will see that you are the majority and that the minority groups are being sidelined.<br /><br /><br />What do you have to be frustrated about? Have you considered the frustration of the Indians and the Chinese, and that of the poor Malays?<br /><br />For Dr. M to be unhappy about any apology just goes to show the arrogance of the man. For Ahmad Ismail, he's just a moron. Only a moron could make statements like that, as he may have failed his Sejarah Malaysia class and yet, became a politician.<br /><br />The fault lies in the system of recruiting and developing our nations leaders who obviously have no understanding of what it means to be a leader or a moderate understanding of our nation's history and people management.<br /><br />Dr. M asked, why doesn't HINDRAF or MCA apologise as well? Simple. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>HINDRAF isn't an elected government body, so they are radical and don't have responsibilities like a BN or UMNO MP</strong></span>. MCA leaders haven't made such statements, frankly, to the Chinese community, MCA is but a "Toothless Tiger". For their subservience, MCA lost many seats in the General Election of 2008.<br /><br />The day a MCA leader stands up and makes a statement like that against the Malays, there will be riots and protests, and perhaps some innocent Chinese will be injured. But when the UMNO man makes a statement like Ahmad Ismail, nothing happens, except for some Chinese leaders demanding an apology.<br /><br />Why don't the Chinese protest? Simple, because, unlike their Malay brothers, they aren't so emotional. But they are also not stupid. We have seen the Chinese population decline in Malaysia, they are emmigrating - leaving the country. And our leaders complain about "brain drain". Idiots. While the Malays fuss about with silly rhetoric and safeguarding their perception of "Ketuanan", the Chinese and Indians (who can) are simply trying to earn enough to buy their way out of the country, by educating their children abroad, or saving to start a life anew abroad.<br /><br />Very soon, the Malays will have to fight among themselves for who is more "Tuan" than the other, as there won't be a multi-racial Malaysia anymore. That will be the day when Malaysians, Malay, Chinese and Indian alike, who have left and are abroad, will sit back and laugh as one race, fights among each other to further divide themselves.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Dr M on Ahmad Ismail furore:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Non-Malays make racist remarks too</span><br />September 07, 2008</strong><br /><br /><br />WHY should the government apologise when others like the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) have not said sorry for racist remarks?<br /><br /><br />Former premier Mahathir Mohamad said this in a recent posting on his blog.<br /><br /><br />Citing the Hindraf memorandum sent to the British government last year as an example, DrMahathir said that terms like 'Islamic extremist', 'ethnic cleansing' and 'mini genocide' were used to describe what the government was doing to the Indians.<br /><br /><br />He wrote: 'The writings in the Hindraf memorandum are not only racist, but seditious.<br />'The question is why the government is lopsided, hiding the racist remarks of Hindraf, but reporting widely on what has been said by Malay leaders.'<br /><br /><br />Dr Mahathir said that Malays are so afraid of being labelled racist that they do not defend themselves.<br /><br /><br />'It is unfortunate for the DPM (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government that even after the Umno top leadership made a public apology, it was rejected by those community leaders.<br /><br /><br />'They have demanded that the person who uttered the words labelled as 'racist' should apologise himself,' he said.<br /><br /><br />Referring to Malaysian student Wee Meng Chee, accused of ridiculing the national anthem, he said: 'Have (he) been asked to apologise? Have (his) leaders been asked to apologise?<br /><br /><br />'Far from it. In fact, Wee was defended by leaders of the Chinese parties,' he said.<br /><br /><br />Dr Mahathir also said race relations had worsened after the 8 Mar general election, adding that he too might be accused of contributing to the situation through his writing.<br /><br /><br />'It is so unfair if one side is free to accuse, while the accused can't even open his mouth,' he said.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-11214056566840119712008-08-30T00:51:00.004+08:002008-08-30T01:19:44.039+08:00Permatang Pauh, Petrol Prices, Return to UMNO: Dr M Interview Reveals...Here is our translation of what was mentioned in Dr. M's (<a href="http://www.chedet.com/">www.chedet.com</a>) Blog. It has become quite apparent that the current government under the Badawi regime has performed censorship of not only Malaysia Today (in a feeble and unintelligent attempt), but on any opposing views to their agenda.<br /><br />Dr. M, has also been subjected to this. Not only has the Police intervened and discouraged people from inviting Mahathir to give talks and speeches. This is the way of an <strong><u><span style="color:#ff6600;">authoritarian</span></u></strong> regime. None of us would have ever imagined that Badawi was capable of this in his years as Minister of Foreign Affairs and as DPM.<br /><br />Without further ado... as extracted and translated from Dr. M's website, for the english speaking world to understand:<br /><br />2. During the news interview, I had explained that the interview will serve no purpose as the journalists will not be allowed to report my responses as they are, and they will be twisted to appear that I am supporting Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi and his government.<br /><br />3. As expected, the report was written differently from what I had said<br /><br />4. When asked about the reduction of petrol prices, my response was that this had a connection with Permatang Pauh. We should have more by-elections so that the petrol prices can be further reduced<br /><br />5. What was reported was that I said the reduction of petrol prices will benefit the people. That's All.<br /><br />6. I was also asked about what my plans were after Permatang Pauh. Will I return to UMNO?<br /><br />7. I reminded them that I left UMNO with condition. I will reapply to return to UMNO if Dato Seri Abdullah is no longer President, that is if I am permitted to return.<br /><br />8. Once I return, I will <u><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">return to the field and work hard to re-attract all the pockets of UMNO supporters and Barisan Nasional that have supported the opposition</span></strong></u> in the 12th General Election<br /><br />9. I also explained that this work will take time. However, <strong><u><span style="color:#ff6600;">if the leadership change is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">only</span> in June 2010, there will be not enough time to rebuild the party</span></u></strong> before the 13th General Election<br /><br />10. <strong><u><span style="color:#cc0000;">NONE of this was even reported in the slightest, in any newspaper or television</span></u></strong>. Is this the sort of freedom of media as promised by Dato Seri Abdullah?<br /><br /><a href="http://test.chedet.com/che_det/2008/08/snippets-4.html#more">Original Report</a><br /><br />Some interesting quotes from Dr M in the same post:<br /><br />"But to break a promise and to openly show that you can meddle with the security of the internet is to expose a degree of <u><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">oppressive arrogance worthy of a totalitarian state</span></strong></u>"<br /><br />I had once before written to a Government Minister that Malaysia has become a police state because the Government instructed the <strong><u><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">police to call up people</span> who invited me to give talks and coerce them into withdrawing their invitation</span></u></strong>. The police is not supposed to do that. When the Government makes use of the police for extralegal work then the Government is guilty of abuse of power.<br /><br />The Minister simply <span style="color:#ff6600;">replied that I had retired and it was <strong><u><span style="font-size:130%;">better for me to literally shut up</span></u></strong></span>.<br /><br />I know that <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">things have been engineered to ensure Khairy Jamaluddin will win as UMNO Youth leader and Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi as President</span></strong>. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong><u>Democracy in UMNO is dead</u></strong></span>. And when democracy dies in UMNO, the party itself will die<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">I would like to say this to the Prime Minister and his minions</span></strong>. You may have the power now. But as in five States, you may lose power some day. And this will certainly happen because of your obsession to <span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong><u>block all contrary opinion from being heard</u></strong></span>. It will <strong><u><span style="color:#ff9900;">blind you to the reality of the situation</span></u></strong> so that you will continue to do wrong things and the people will reject you totallyThe Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-74748059430154354562008-08-27T11:20:00.003+08:002008-08-27T11:34:17.492+08:00Tun M: "The Descrimination Must End"Our former Prime Minister, who recently unshackled himself from the ungrateful UMNO party and members, who belittled him (only after he retired), a founding father of Malaysia, has spoken brilliantly about the NEP and Malays.<br /><br />This is why Mahathir should have remained our Prime Minister, this is why Badawi and Najib do not belong where they are. Along with the likes of Minister in the PM's Department (Nazri - who has crossed swords with a man far greater than him), and UMNO Youth Deputy Chief (Khairy), these so called leaders lacking vision and care for their people and nation, should go.<br /><br />See quoted extracts below:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://test.chedet.com/che_det/2008/08/affirmative-action.html">AFFIRMATIVE ACTION</a></span></strong><br /><br />33. The <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Malays must accept that this discrimination cannot be forever</strong></span>. If they fail to respond properly to what is being done for them, they should accept this policy would be taken away.<br /><br />34. When <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Malay youngsters, especially boys, failed to study and qualify</span> for university education, when they preferred to play and not study, we cannot expect the non-Malays to patiently wait and give up their opportunities</span></strong> until the Malays decide to become serious and study. That would not be fair.<br /><br />35. That was why we introduced merit in the selection of students for the universities. <span style="color:#ffcc33;">Unfortunately, the implementers of Government decisions chose to interpret it differently</span>. By requiring Bumiputeras to sit for the matriculation and the non-Bumiputeras to sit for higher school certificates, they managed to give the impression that the Bumiputeras were actually better qualified than the non-Bumiputeras. <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">With this, the intention of the Government to make the Bumiputeras become more serious about their <span style="font-size:130%;">education failed</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /><br />36. There is a <span style="color:#ffcc33;">tendency among Malays to regard the discrimination in their favour as a privilege</span>, as a recognition of their <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">superior status</span></strong>. I think this is wrong. The discrimination is in order to give them a kind of headstart so that they can catch up with other races. <span style="color:#ff6600;">To me, it is shameful to have to be protected because we <u><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">do not</span></strong></u> have the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">capacity to compete</span></strong></span>. We are not Red Indians to live on reserves. We should regard it as a temporary expedient to be done away with once we have achieved the capacity to compete on our own.<br /><br />37. However, <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">we must give time for <u>ending the NEP</u> and it should be done in stages</span></strong>.</span> I hope that the time will not be too long. In the meantime, serious efforts by the Bumiputeras must be made to avail themselves of the opportunities. If this is obviously not being done, then, as with entrance into the universities, <span style="color:#ff0000;"><u><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">the discrimination must end</span></strong></u>.</span>The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-14443235817382621522008-08-27T00:25:00.004+08:002008-08-27T01:18:08.545+08:00Permatang Pauh: Anwar Wins by a HUGE MarginTahniah Anwar! Against all odds and the arrogant Barisan Nasional, you have succeeded not only in winning your seat, but by an even bigger margin than Datin Seri. It's obvious the people don't buy the sodomy claims made against you.<br /><br />Just today, Information Minister, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, had the cheek to make a shabby statement...<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">"Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must accept that the era of him becoming prime minister ended long ago."</span><br /><br />All sorts of tricks were resorted to by the highest ranking officers in the current government. DPM Najib even resorted to swearing on the Quran that he neither murdered nor knew Altantuya, the brutally murdered Mogolian translator. This was just after Saiful, Anwar's sodomy accuser, performed the same act claiming that Anwar sodomised him. (Come on, any real man would have fought his way out of that situation, unless he really wanted it)<br /><br />Najib then turned to Anwar to say that he should do the right thing and swear also. Political trickery from a man who also has an agenda, and plenty of secrets. He has outrightly accused Anwar of corruption, however, it is a matter of time before the finger pointing begins to reveal who the really corrupt are.<br /><br />We're not blind to the fact that it is possible that Anwar has his misdeeds, cronies, stashes of money or otherwise (as claimed by Najib). However, we also know that Najib and the likes of people like Khairy (who has participated in the campaigning) aren't clean enough to go around pointing the finger at other people. So many people have spoken about it, and it comes from different sources, these people aren't even opposition supporters, some are UMNO, and yet, they are aware, and yet they do nothing. Perhaps all feeling of hope is lost.<br /><br />Perhaps, it is now time for us to give an opportunity to someone who has so widely claimed an agenda of a secular and equal for all Malaysia. Perhaps it is time for that change. BN says he will not deliver on his promises and that the rakyat are being duped. However, if he doesn't, not only will he not survive the next election, he would have lost all his international credibility - which, therefore casts doubt. As he is deemed to be quite reputable in the international community.<br /><br />What is the point in supporting a government that has not only mismanaged the economy, and benefited a small group of Malays, but also one that is arrogant enough to believe that the people will support them, even after they as the lawmakers and nation builders have made racial and religious slurs against the minority groups.<br /><br />That aside, UMNO even attempted to secretly form an alliance with PAS, a group with an Islamic State Agenda, against all UMNO's principles of supporting policies that will benefit all Malaysians regardless of race or religion. UMNO in such desperation was willing to break ranks with their component parties, just to ensure the strength of the Melayu and Islam, forgoing the more national agenda that includes every Malaysian. The entire Malaysian community that helps build this nation. This is wrong.<br /><br />We have predicted that as far as UMNO and PAS is concerned, it is a battle of who is more Islamic. Gone are the days where their agenda was in full support of all other races. BN increasingly becomes divided.<br /><br />On the matter of Islamic State, Najib claimed that we are an Islamic state prior to the elections. Then more recently, he claimed that we aren't. So which is it? So much evidence shows that UMNO has lost its way. They are torn as to whether they need to gather more Malay support to manage their sinking ship, or should they support a more national and perhaps secular agenda as the leader of the BN.<br /><br />So what's the point in supporting the BN if they have lost their way and their clarity of their agenda? Change must come about, and it must come now. Anwar certainly does not promise an about turn change, as far as we are concerned, but it will be a fresh start. There will be changes and some difficulty for some in managing that change. However, this can be expected. Considering the options we have, we think that Pakatan Rakyat holds promise.<br /><br />The message we, as the rakyat have sent BN is that we are serious about change and that we will not be taken for fools. Nobody really has much respect for Badawi or Najib, but yet, they, along with some bigwigs remain arrogant. Perhaps it's time we retire them to their mansions in England and Australia.<br /><br />Today, the Rakyat have triumphed yet again, and it is obvious that we stand firm on our decision and need for change. Will UMNO now consider their misdeeds and the need for change?<br /><br />Remember, by supporting Barisan, we effectively do the following:<br />1. We entrust our nation to Badawi, whose son-in-law, (as claimed by fellow UMNO comptriates) is power hungry and willing to do all sorts of things to show himself as the Malay-Ultra for purposes of party position. Khairy is also widely known to have some big businesses<br />2. We entrust our nation, for however long he can hang on to it, to Najib. The man who once uttered the words "bathe in Chinese blood" in the 1980s. See Wikipedia. Search Najib Tun Razak. We also entrust our nation to a man who has control of the Armed Forces, and who has held the position of Defence Minister for almost or more than a decade.<br /><br />It is time we realise that some people, unlike Mahathir, hold very little vision for the nation or anyone else other than themselves.<br /><br />It is time for change and we must endure the trials to come.<br /><br />Tahniah Rakyat Permatang Pauh dan Rakyat Tersayang Malaysia!<br /><br /><br />News clips extracted:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Najib: Beware of Anwar</strong></span><br /><br />BUKIT MERTAJAM: Datuk Seri Najib Razak today reminded voters in Permatang Pauh not to be hoodwinked by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's promises as he was willing to validate anything to become prime minister.<br /><br />"I can tell a lot about how he toppled the deputy prime minister then, the late Tun Ghafar Baba, who was also the Umno deputy president and who carried his (Anwars's) bag. You can guess what was in the bag when he was contesting the party elections. Full of money. Today, he talks about corruption," Najib said. -- Bernama<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Battle for Permatang Pauh: 'We stand a fighting chance'</span></strong><br /><br />Barisan Nasional (BN) stands a fighting chance of wresting the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said the coalition's deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.<br /><br />"The impossible may materialise. BN supporters should not assume we don't stand a chance." Najib said BN had conducted a solid campaign since Aug 16 and ran a number of activities which increased its chances of winning. "We will not admit defeat and we will continue to strive till the end," Najib said on BN's chances in the by-election which takes place on Tuesday.Speaking after visiting an education and career exhibition here held in conjunction with the Pekan Fest 08, Najib, who is also deputy prime minister, said BN's election machinery should not let its guard down.<br /><br />"I call upon our machinery to enhance our position and make sure this momentum turns the tide to BN."On the presence of Sabah BN leaders in Permatang Pauh on Friday night, Najib said this showed their strong support for the coalition."This shows the BN government is stable and will continue to exist."Najib said the statement by PKR's vice-president Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan that 13 BN MPs in the state would cross over to the opposition did not hold water.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Battle for Permatang Pauh: Anwar's time is over, says Shabery</span></strong><br /><br />BUKIT MERTAJAM: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must accept that the era of him becoming prime minister ended long ago.<br /><br />He said the PKR candidate for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election had previously been chosen by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to join the government, and had been appointed acting prime minister before being expelled in 1998.<br /><br />Anwar's claims that he would become prime minister on Sept 16 were merely wishful thinking, he said at a function at Kampung Tanjung Putus, near here yesterday.He urged the constituents in Permatang Pauh not to be swayed by claims that Anwar would become prime minister if he were to win the by-election tomorrow. -- BernamaThe Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-57679188600365188502008-04-17T22:42:00.016+08:002008-07-28T00:35:59.683+08:00Massive RM80 mil to maintain 1,400 Government Perdana's - Solely Contracted to ONE Company<p><span style="font-size:85%;">It's either the Star tabloid is trying to play down the matter of the high maintainance Perdana V6 government cars (in view that they can be considered government controlled media), or the journalist who wrote the article can't count. Either way, how stupid do you think the Malaysian public is?</span></p><p>Based on the facts provided in the article. RM80,000,000 is the cost to maintain 1,400 Perdana V6 - annually. If you calculate this on excel or a simple calculator, the cost of maintaining each Perdana V6 is actually RM57,142.85. Compare this to what was quoted in the Star - RM12,000. Certainly a more reasonable figure to a majority of readers.</p><p>Therefore, on the matter of the high maintenance national car - $57,000 is quite a lot of money. There isn't a single car that costs that much to maintain, unless it's some sort of exotic sports car. Even then, 57K would probably mean you would fly the mechanic out from Italy - twice a year at least.</p><p>We think little needs to be said to add fuel to the fire. It's obvious that corruption is rooted deeply in the current government. For our government treasury to pay out such sums of money and not question it for all these years, one really wonders about so many other areas with large capital expenditure - such as defence, works and so on. To pay RM80 million to one company annually to maintain a local 2000cc V6 car is absurd. Furthermore, to not question it.</p><p>The failure rests in the government. They are likely to blame it on the company providing the services, however, someone on the government end, dealing with the procurement of the services of this company is certainly the person that needs to be investigated. The key for the ACA is to find a rat and see how deep the rabbit hole goes. We can be certain that there are many mouths to "feed" for a RM57K maintenance of a single Proton Perdana V6.</p><p>The Perdana gearboxes have always been a problem for the car. Testimony from friends and people in general, this is the main complaint. Mechanics will also tell you the same thing. A private mechanic told us that the gearbox is in the region of about 16K to replace - workmanship included. It's madness, because that is about the cost of any european car gearbox. Shouldn't a locally manufactured product be cheaper?</p><p>Protons are high maintenance cars. Frequent problems include issues with the electronics, power windows, gearboxes and just overall quality. If anyone chooses to deny this, then it's either they are a Proton owner, by virtue that they can't afford anything more or better, and they have succumbed to the poor standards of our fair nation's sub standard car - not even popular enough to be sold in 3rd world countries. Sad. One may argue that Protons are sold in many countries, but really, the figures are negligible.</p><p>Therefore, what is the government doing about it? The company that they have so heavily invested public funds in, by way of bailouts and equity held by Khazanah is not helping them by providing even the government with a quality vehicle that is reasonable to maintain and lives up to the standards and quality of a world class vehicle. Instead, parts are easily 3-4 times more expensive.</p><p>The most important thing is what the governement intends to do about the RM80 million that is used to maintain the vehicles. It's far too much, and a large portion of that money can be used to fund better education and opportunities for Malaysians.</p><p>We can be assured that this RM80 million for maintaining just 1,400 Perdana V6s, is only the tip of the iceberg.</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Sunday July 27, 2008<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">RM80mil to maintain government cars<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">By EDDIE CHUA</span></p><p><br />KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government is paying <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>RM80mil annually to Spanco Sdn Bhd to have the latter maintain its fleet of 1,400</strong></span> Proton Perdana V6 Executives and other vehicles designated for official use.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">This works out to about RM12,000 annually</span></strong> <span style="color:#009900;"><em>(WRONG!)</em></span> to maintain each of the locally-made luxury-line Proton Perdana leased from Spanco.<br /><br />On Friday, Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said called on the ACA to probe the high service charges imposed by Spanco.<br /><br />The Perdanas were part of a fleet of 5,600 vehicles of various models and makes that Spanco, a vehicle fleet management company contracted to lease and maintain vehicles for ministers, top civil servants and senior government officials, made available to the Government.<br /><br />The contract was inked in 1994 for the duration of 25 years as part of the Government’s privatisation exercise. It expires in 2019.<br /><br />In that contract, the Government paid Spanco RM100mil a year to lease and maintain its entire fleet.<br /><br />But in June 2003, Spanco and the Government returned to the negotiating table when the Finance Ministry found the contract awarded to Spanco in 1994 excessive. The Government appointed an international audit firm to look into Spanco’s books.<br /><br />Under the revised agreement, the audit firm recommended the Government cut back the contract by 20% to RM80mil annually. Spanco chief executive officer Datuk Hamzah Mohd Salleh said the issue of cost overrun and high maintenance charges did not arise at all under the Government-Spanco deal.<br /><br />“Any overrun would be borne by us,” he said, but declined to reveal the details of the package.<br />“We only leased the vehicles to the Federal Government. We don’t do the state governments’ business.”<br /><br />A source told The Star that the Government was Spanco’s only customer.<br /><br />Under the deal, the Government gets new Proton Perdanas every fourth year.</p>The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-31116216925275510202008-04-17T22:42:00.008+08:002008-04-17T23:43:40.890+08:00Malaysia's Sub-Standard Education System & Racial Discrimination in VarsitiesFinally, all in one day, a key issue that we have highlighted for Malaysia - Sub Standard Education, has come to light - not in one, but two articles as quoted in the Star. Written by a Malay man and one other, these articles summarise the level to which the Malaysian Education system has degraded to and what happens with the non-Malays when they are not accepted into local universities because of the quota system - driven mainly by the BN government's view of "Ketuanan Melayu".<br /><br />A recent article quoted in the international media regarding some silly remarks made by the Kelantan Crown Price, further highlights the need to eradicate race based politics and to clearly enforce the Sedition Act, even on those who are so called playing to "right wing" politics.<br /><br />Many in UMNO have also made derogatory remarks about other races and their desire for equality and their rights to be uplifted. But today, they sing a different tune, but do not be fooled dear citizen, they say what they say because they need to - for now. History shows where their loyalties lie and hence the sincerity of their word - beware the wolf in sheep's "clothes"...<br /><br />For your reading pleasure and thoughts:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Article #1: Under threat? What threat?</span></strong><br /><br />BRAVE NEW WORLD By AZMI SHAROM<br /><br />Since the recent general election, voices have risen up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now ‘under threat’. But perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony.<br /><br />AND so it begins. Race-based rhetoric has raised its ugly little head in response to a democratic process. Over <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>49%</strong></span> of the people of Malaysia have voted for parties that have rejected race-based affirmative action in favour of a needs-based platform.<br /><br />It did not take very long for voices, both common and royal, to <span style="color:#cc0000;">rise up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now <strong>“under threat”.</strong></span><br /><br />“Under threat” from what, may I ask? Let’s take a bit of time to look at this so-called “threat”. <span style="color:#cc0000;">Firstly, Malays are given special protection under <strong>Article 153</strong> of the Constitution</span>.<br /><br />Article 153 is titled “<span style="color:#cc0000;">Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, etc, for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak</span>”. <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Article 152</strong></span> states that <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Malay is the National Language</span></strong>. The <span style="color:#cc0000;">Supreme Head of the Federation, according to <strong>Article 32</strong>, is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Malay ruler</span>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">This is the foundation of Malay “special privileges”.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">None of the Pakatan Rakyat component parties</span></strong>, including the DAP, have said anything about removing</span> Articles 153, 152 and 32. They remain safe and secure with no sign whatsoever of any sort of threat.<br /><br />Besides, in order to change it, you would need a two-thirds majority in the lower and upper houses of Parliament plus the support of the Conference of Rulers. The last time I checked, no one has a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.<br /><br />Secondly, due to simple demographics, it is unlikely that a totally non-Malay party is ever going to win absolute control of the government. Of the five state governments in the hands of the Pakatan, four are led by a Malay Mentri Besar.<br /><br />Penang is an exception, but <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Penang has been led by non-Malays since the 60s</span></strong>. <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Why was there was no outcry before this?</strong></span><br /><br />Thirdly, the proposed <span style="color:#ff0000;">doing-away with the NEP</span> (or whatever it is called nowadays), I suppose, can be seen as a threat to the Malays.<br /><br />But <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>how it can be a threat</strong></span> is beyond me, because the <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>replacement suggested by the Pakatan</strong></span> is not some sort of laissez-faire capitalist economy. Instead, it <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>is an economic system with affirmative action <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">promised to those in need</span></strong></span>.<br /><br />If the Malays are the largest group of people in Malaysia who are in the most need, then they will get the most help. <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">If they are not in the most need, then why on earth do they need help then?</span></strong><br /><br />This is the point where I will get angry letters about how the NEP is needed; because in the business world – the real world which I know nothing about because I am just a lowly-academic trapped in my ivory tower – Malays are discriminated against by the Chinese. So we need a policy like the NEP to provide some balance.<br /><br />I disagree.<br /><br />If there are racist business policies being conducted against the Malays, then you face it head on with anti-discrimination laws.<br /><br />If some person feels he is being discriminated against, no matter what his race, then let there be a law to help him, and let us punish the racists with a hefty fine or jail term.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>You do not meet racism with racism</strong></span>; you challenge it by destroying all traces of it.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">The problem with the NEP, as I see it, is that it <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">breeds a mentality of entitlement</span></strong> based on race and not merit</span>. This <span style="color:#ff0000;">mentality <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">seeps into governance</span></strong>, and it <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">creates an atmosphere of mediocrity</span></strong></span>. One example of this is how the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Constitution has been disregarded</strong></span> in relation to employment issues.<br /><br />The Federal Constitution states that<span style="color:#ff6600;"> you can set quotas at the entry points of government services, for example, the civil service and public universities</span>. However, <span style="color:#ff6600;">this is counter-balanced by Article 136 that says </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">all federal employees must be treated fairly <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>regardless of race</strong></span></span>.<br /><br />This means that <span style="color:#ff6600;">once inside a service, everyone is to be treated equally based on <strong>merit</strong></span>. In such a situation, only the cream will rise to the top.<br /><br />However, <span style="color:#cc0000;">since the introduction of the NEP</span>, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>the practice in government services has been to promote Malays mainly</strong></span>. This <span style="color:#ff0000;">has in turn led to a <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">drop in the number</span></strong> of non-Malay actors in the service of the public</span>.<br /><br />Taking my profession for example, the closeted unrealistic world of academia, I look down south and I see that <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:180%;">30% of the staff</span> in the National University of Singapore Law School are Malaysians</span></strong>.<br /><br />How come these <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>clever fellows</strong></span> who are <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">good enough to teach in a university</span></strong> that is <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">among the <span style="font-size:180%;">top 20</span> in the world</span></strong> are <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>not here in the land of their birth</strong>?</span></span> Why are the blinking <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Singaporeans enjoying our talent</span></strong>? Is it because <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">that talent is all <span style="font-size:180%;">non-Malay</span></span></strong> and <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">they feel they have <span style="font-size:180%;">better opportunities</span> there</span></strong> than here?<br /><br />This is a <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>complete waste</strong></span>, and in the end <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>this loss of talent</strong></span> means a <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">loss</span> for the university</strong></span>, the <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">country</span></strong> and the <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">people of this country</span></strong>, including the Malay students who miss out on the best possible teachers.<br /><br />Perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony, in which case my answer to that is this: clean up your act, live up to your promises and listen to what the people are saying.<br />Make yourself electable by proving that you can create good government.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">That is called democracy.</span><br /><br /><em>Dr Azmi Sharom is a law teacher. The views expressed here are entirely his own.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Article #1: Engineers of poor quality</span></strong><br /><br />I AM a manager in a chemical manufacturing firm in Malaysia. We often have vacancies for mechanical and chemical engineers, and occasionally electrical engineers. We do take in fresh graduates to train and develop for the future of our company.<br /><br />In recent years, I have noticed a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">marked reduction in the quality of the engineering graduates</span>. I would like to suggest that our local universities work with professional bodies such as Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) to address the weaknesses.<br /><br />Some of the courses should be tailored to suit industrial requirements. BEM and IEM would be in the right position to work with the many universities we have here. Alternatively, they could come up with modules to be included in the engineering curriculum at our local universities.<br /><br />With the advent of computers and simulation packages, another new problem is that fresh engineers seem at a loss to conduct design calculations from basic principles. They are over reliant on such computer packages.<br /><br />When they start work, they are at a loss to do design work because some companies may not have such computer packages. Hence, <span style="color:#ff0000;">even basic engineering calculations</span> to determine the optimum pipe sizing and pump selection are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>beyond them</strong></span>.<br /><br />These are basic engineering calculations, and without the necessary skills, we are left with <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>design works that are sub-optimal</strong></span>, resulting in high operating costs for the users.<br /><br />Alternatively, everyone would be running to consultants to get even the most basic of engineering work done for them.<br /><br />In many of the plants I have been to, there is much that could be done to improve efficiency by just going back to good basic engineering practice. And in some cases, it’s just using good common sense.<br /><br />I think there is a <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>need to teach and emphasise on such basics</strong></span>. We should ensure that our young engineers are provided with <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">good foundation knowledge for the future of our country</span></strong>.<br /><br />After all, it is upon solid foundations that skyscrapers are built.<br /><br />In this aspect, I must take my hat off to University Technology Petronas (UTP), which has formed an Industry Advisory Panel (IAP), and invites professionals from the industry to review their curriculum and suggest areas for improvement. UTP is serious about this and has implemented many of the suggestions introduced by its IAP.<br /><br />UTP also has an adjunct lectures series where professionals are called in to give lectures to the undergraduates. I think these are good initiatives that other universities would do well to emulate.<br /><br /><strong>SHYAM LAKSHMANAN,Lahat, Perak.</strong><br /><em></em>The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-14048752501266492932008-04-05T01:51:00.002+08:002008-04-05T02:23:11.823+08:00Nazri: "Umno did not lose. Don’t talk as if we lost"Minister in the PM's department, who was initially shocked at the losses suffered by the BN in the Election aftermath, who also said that he is lucky to have made it (win back his seat - by a much reduced margin), has found his footing after a few weeks of being in a "daze" and has quipped that UMNO did not lose and not to speak as it UMNO had lost.<br /><br />Stressing that his victory in the Padang Rengas parliamentary seat was proof of that, Nazri said: “I won, I didn’t lose. If it had been any statements that I made, I would have lost.”<br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;"><em>This comes from a man who was obviously quite grateful that he kept his seat by a small margin just after the elections - as quoted in the local Star. He has a short memory, and maybe needs a knock to remind him.</em></span><br /><br />Well, yes, by virtue that the BN still has a slim majority, they did win, however, don't say that you didn't lose - because YOU DID! These election results are by far the lowest of all time, and you mean to say that you can arrogantly say that you didn't lose?<br /><br />Further to that, you deny that you were also responsible for some pretty hard hitting remarks at other races, and making threats of "not pushing the Malays", that cost the BN support from the other communities?<br /><br />Who do you think you are Datuk Seri Nazri? You are a Civil Servant! You SERVE us, the public! You are an elected official - by the people. You are just lucky that perhaps with some postal votes you saved your skin in the 2008 elections, perhaps you and the band of other idiots wouldn't be so lucky in the next elections.<br /><br />Datuk Seri Nazri, you are the cause of friends and family of mine to have lost confidence in Pak Lah's leadership, the so called multi-racial stand of the BN and all that. We all voted the opposition - any opposition just to spite people like you. Because of you, your fellow UMNO colleagues lost their seats. People like Sharizat who works hard for the people became a victim of the people's anger towards BN - because of your stupid and insensitive comments and lack of deplomacy.<br /><br />Datuk Seri Nazri, you do not belong in politics. You should consider another career. You have no respect for our former PM Mahathir who is a far superior man and politician compared to the one you are backing. Mahathir has done many things for Malaysia. What has Badawi done? In our eyes, all Badawi did was lose control of his party by not controlling the loudmouths such as yourself, and this eventually cost the credibility of the BN as a whole to be reduced to nothing.<br /><br />See article from The Star:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Nazri denies he's quitting, says not to blame</span><br /><br />PARIT BUNTAR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has denied talk that he is quitting his ministerial post.<br /><br />He dismissed talk that he would resign to take responsibility for hard-hitting remarks he had made in the past that could have cost Umno and the Barisan Nasional support in the recently-concluded general election.<br /><br />Nazri said the losses suffered had nothing to do with anything he had said.<br /><br />Stressing that his victory in the Padang Rengas parliamentary seat was proof of that, Nazri said: “I won, I didn’t lose. If it had been any statements that I made, I would have lost.”<br /><br />“Remember, Umno did not lose. Don’t talk as if we lost.”<br /><br />However, he noted that the Barisan did lose some seats because it had stayed true to its promise on seat allocations among component parties.<br /><br />“For example, we already knew that the Indian community did not support the MIC but still we kept to our promise.<br /><br />“Umno did not take back the Malay-majority seats but allowed the MIC to contest although we could have won them,” he told reporters after handing out aid to 124 storm victims in his constituency here on Friday.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-49867947274529369532008-04-04T02:16:00.005+08:002008-04-04T02:42:05.063+08:00DPM Najib loses Tun Dr Mahathir's endorsementQuoted from the Straits Times of Singapore - Wednesday, April 2 2008<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Some quotes on Mahathir about Badawi:</span><br /><br />"Even his own state (Penang) was captured by the opposition. Never before did we have a Prime Minister from an "enemy" state. Is he not ashamed?"<br /><br />"I know the candidate list did not come from the chief ministers. They brought the list to Sultan Abdullah Shah, and the list is taken to the office next door. It is inspected there (bu the so-called Fourth Floor Advisers) before being sent back to Sultan Abdullah."<br /><br />"I admit I was a reason why the BN lost. I cannot support a leader who is not good for the country and party. I couldn't support all candidates but I said they should pick good people."<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Mahathir no longer supports Najib for Prime Minister</span><br /><br />Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said he no longer supported Deputy Premier Najib Razak for prime minister.<br /><br />At a raucousevent attended by more than 1,500 Umno members, he said: "Previously, I said Najib but I have changed my mind."<br /><br />Tun Dr. Mahathir had called on his succesor, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, to resign and hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib the day after the ruling Barisan Nasional suffered unprecedented losses in the March 8 polls.<br /><br />But the Deputy Premier himself quickly pledged loyalty to Datuk Seri Abdullah.<br /><br />Last week, it is understood that the Prime Minister announced to Umno's governing council that Datuk Seri Najib would be his running mate at the UMNO election in December.<br /><br />But while he withdrew his endorsement of Datuk Seri Najib, Tun Dr. Mahathir stopped short of saying which candidate he preferred.<br />The most credible challenge to Datuk Seri Abdullah could come from Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who has said he will take on the Prime Minister in the party polls.<br /><br />But observers believe that Tun Dr Mahathir has moved a step closer to Tengku Razaleigh or Umno Vice President Muhyiddin Yassin as his choice for the top job.<br /><br />And his support can be influential.<br /><br />Despite the baggage that the 82 year old still carries from his own years as Prime Minister, his attacks on his successor over the last two years have caused Datuk Seri Abdullah serious damage.<br /><br />The former premier, who launched his attacks against Datuk Seri Abdullah two years ago, has again become one of his harshest critics.<br /><br />Indeed, it was Tun Dr. Mahathir who led the charge at yesterday's boisterous event held to analyse the electoral losses.<br /><br />He urged the crowd, mostly Umno grassroots members to speak up to ensure an open contest for party president, who has traditionally also been Malaysia's prime minister.<br /><br />The participants subsequently turned the event into an angry tirade against Datuk Seri Abdullah and his son-in-law Khairi Jamaluddin.<br /><br />In fact, the event had the air of an opposition rally - except that it was Umno members expressing their disgust with their top leadership.<br /><br />Shouts of "Hidup Mahathir" punctuated the noisy event, and calls for the Prime Minister's resignation were met with cheers.<br /><br />Umno governing council member Mohd Khir Toyo, who defended the leadership by saying that a change of leaders would not help if the policies remained the same, was heckled.<br /><br />An Umno Youth branch leader set off cires of "traitor" when he called for the return of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to the party. He was forcibly removed from the hall by two men.<br /><br />There was standing room only inside the hall, and hundreds more crowded around a big screen outside.<br /><br />Such anger at the grassroots is one of the many fires that the Prime Minister is struggling to put out, and his determination to stay in power is stirring up harsh criticism.<br /><br />"I call on him to resign. Anyone else would have done so already but he is shameless. We must be brave to reject leaders who bring disaster to the party," Tun Dr Mahathir said.<br /><br />His son Mukhriz Mahathir also spoke at the event, sayting that it was the leadership of Datuk Seri Abdullah which was dragging down UMNO. Datuk Mukhriz, an Umno Youth exco member is a newly elected MP.<br /><br />Urging party leaders to shake off their fear of speaking up, he said: "I appeal to you, stand by me, for us to find a solution"The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-10435557973960467172008-04-04T01:55:00.002+08:002008-04-04T02:16:16.815+08:00Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Starts Damage on Malaysian Tourism IndustryFormer Youth and Sports Minister, known for her silly remarks on the Singapore Formula One race (quoted in an earlier article in this site), has unanimously decided to deny the State of Selangor and other opposition governed states by ceasing support of tourism development in those states.<br /><br />It awfully silly to deny states like Selangor and Penang, which are among the most industrialised states in the nation, support from the Ministry of Tourism just because of a change in leadership. It only goes to show the miopic view of this particular minister, and the lack of any strategic thinking whatsoever.<br /><br />What does she think the Federal Government has to gain from pulling out tourism funding in these states? Does she think that the residents of those states will feel the pinch and therefore feel fearful and thus in turn support the Barisan Nasional coalition next time? Is Azalina so naieve to think that she can teach the general population of those states a lesson by denying them further economic growth by way of tourism? We think not.<br /><br />Potentially, this will just anger people further and prove to the majority opposition voters in those states that their decision was correct and that the Barisan Nasional government not only lacks the capability to lead the country to economic growth and social stability, but also that the Barisan Nasional doesn't have the strategic sense to see the long term benefits of being benevolent to those citizens who do not necessarily support them.<br /><br />At this point, all Azalina has done is proven to the general public that they had made the right decision in either voting the opposition or not voting at all. And for those who voted BN, perhaps they will soon see the errors of their judgement.<br /><br />When the cabinet was reshuffled Azalina was someone many expected to see removed. She proved to be useless in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, there was no greater progression for our youth, except more vice. And as for our sportsmen and women, no different from her predecessor.<br /><br />So why is Azalina still there? She is hardly impressive when she speaks, she doesn't seem to be a wonderful role model for the youth, she's just an average and mediocre minister like some others in the PM's cabinet.<br /><br />Now, PM Badawi has put her in a position where she can cause some economic damage, due to her inexperience and incompetence.<br /><br />The people shouldn't take situations like this lightly. It basically says that our government promotes mediocrity, ie. people like Azalina, and hence, this is the end result.<br /><br />Perhaps the BN needs a few more lessons by the voters to teach them to pick the right people to lead the country.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Selangor govt says move by Tourism Minister foolhardy</span><br />Thursday, April 3, 2008<br /><br />SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government strongly feels that Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s decision to terminate all tourism memorandum of understanding with Opposition-ruled states as foolhardy.<br /><br />Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment state chairman Elizabeth Wong said such a decision is reckless for the Federal Government especially to sideline Selangor, which is the gateway into the country and a premier destination.<br /><br />On Wednesday, <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20833921&sec=nation" target="_blank">Azalina had said that the decision</a> was due to the change in leadership in the state governments that was in line with the termination of the Tourism Action Council in the states.<br /><br />Wong said Selangor is one of the top destinations in the nation’s first stop for most international tourist and to sideline other states like Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Kedah is not wise.<br /><br />“Initially, we had been looking forward to working with the Tourism Ministry for the betterment of the industry and the country. Selangor accounts for some 30% of the national Gross Domestic Product and this callous move might have adverse impact on our national economy as well as the industry,” she said.<br /><br />She added that one should not cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face.<br /><br />“For us in Selangor we will persevere in supporting the tourism industry and this in fact gives us a better opportunity to work even more closely with the private sector. We are committed to improve and to develop the tourism sector in the state in several new initiatives in eco-tourism and heritage tourism,” she said.<br /><br />Wong also called upon Selangorians to visit the state’s historical attractions and push forward the industry with a greater zeal in the light of this development.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-77922953129477300312008-04-02T18:13:00.003+08:002008-04-02T18:50:26.417+08:00Policemen Rape Chinese National in a Patrol CarYet another rape case in Malaysia. So much so, our country is becoming synonymous with rape. So much so, that even the very people who are supposed to be protecting the innocent and incarcerating the guilty are now taking part in this vicious act of inhumane violence.<br /><br />So the big question is, what are the penalties in Malaysia for rape? What does the Malaysian government do to ensure that we deter potential rapists from indulging in these horrendous acts of violence towards women?<br /><br />One word - NOTHING.<br /><br />Police statistics in country show that rape cases have been on the rise year on year for the past decade and more. However, the police makes excuses saying that it's because of population growth and the introduction of foreign workers that brings about vice.<br /><br />Well, now the policemen - whom many are corrupt and still continue to be corrupt (even after a change of uniform with the words "Integrity" on it), are now into brutalising and battering people. Now evidenced by this new rape case of a Chinese national.<br /><br />So, what is the government doing about this? The laws haven't changed to be any more severe, the penalties are varied, some get 3 years jail, some get 20 years jail, some even get whipping.<br /><br />Where is the consistency in the application of the law, where is the deterence for wannabe rapists to not partake in these violent acts?<br /><br />So again, what is our government doing about this major issue? Perhaps, like all other things, it will take a daugter or a wife of some Datuk or Datuk Seri to be brutally raped and maybe even murdered before something serious is done. Only in the harshest of situations affecting individuals in government, will they wake up to the every day realities that the rest of us "lay-people" live in.<br /><br />The penalties for rape among many other vices like kidnapping and murder must be amended to something significantly harsher.<br /><br />As a Muslim nation, perhaps the Hudud laws will best serve such crimes. This basically means castration for rape and the chopping of limbs beginning with the hands for theft. For crimes like murder, stoning to death by the community.<br /><br />Brutal as it may sound, the fact is, the laws in Malaysia today are not applicable to the exponential increase of such crimes.<br /><br />In the 1960s, when kidnapping was common in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew made death the penalty for kidnapping. Virtually overnight, it stopped and the number of kidnappings reduced significantly.<br /><br />So the question is, what will the Barisan Nasional government do about this? Now that their power hangs in the balance? Will they make more empty promises about reducing crime and really not doing anything about it? Or will they amend the laws to better protect its citizens?<br /><br />RISING CRIME is one of the reasons why BN nearly lost the elections - is BN certain that they want to take this lightly and not give it due attention? Their own Policemen are now raping foreigners.<br /><br />We'll bet that over the next few weeks there will be no closure to this case in the media and it will die a natural death - and people will soon forget it ever happened. Like all other major rape cases, there is never any clear ending and the public gets no peace of mind or closure knowing that the criminals got what they deserve.<br /><br />This is the unfortunate state Malaysia is in. The winds of change are coming, and the Barisan Nasional has to work extra hard to ensure the people are completely satisfied.<br /><br /><br />Two cops held over rape<br />NST: 02-04-08<br /><br />KUALA LUMPUR: A trip here turned into a nightmare for three women from China when one of them fell to her death while another was allegedly raped by two policemen.<br /><br />The three women, from Hunan, China, had arrived here three days ago and stayed at a budget hotel in Jalan Pudu.On Tuesday night, two of them decided to go out for supper and left the third woman in the hotel room.<br /><br />Their friend, however, fell to her death from the fifth floor of the hotel about midnight.When the women returned to the hotel about 3am, they were surprised to find a number of policemen in the lobby. Unaware that the victim was their friend, the women decided to wait outside the hotel for the police to complete their investigations.<br /><br />While they were standing outside the hotel, a police patrol car stopped near one of the women. She was then allegedly bundled into the patrol car before it drove off.<br /><br />Her friend, however, noticed the incident and together with a Malaysian friend who had a car, they tailed the patrol car. However, the patrol car managed to evade them.<br /><br />The 42-year-old woman who was abducted claimed that she was taken to a secluded area by the two policemen.<br /><br />She said she was molested by one of them. The other policeman ordered her to strip and raped her in the back seat of the patrol car.<br /><br />The policemen then robbed her of her handphone and money before sending her back to the hotel about 4am.<br /><br />The traumatised victim related her ordeal to her friend and lodged a police report about 2pm yesterday. She was later sent to Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for a medical examination.<br /><br />Following police investigations, a constable in his 20s and a lance corporal in his 40s were arrested. It is learnt that both suspects are married.<br /><br />City CID chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Ku Chin Wah confirmed the incident but declined to elaborate as investigations were ongoing.<br /><br />Police are also looking into how the other woman fell to her death.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-54932472351318058532008-03-16T21:57:00.003+08:002008-03-16T22:09:53.942+08:00Pie in Face: Penang Petty Traders Association tells UMNO not to Politicise NEPSurprise surprise... perhaps the first bit of evidence showing that the Bumiputras either haven't benefitted from the NEP or that UMNO is only holding back Malay potential to play on a leveled playing field.<br /><br />Of late the PM and all his men have been playing up the issue of the NEP being removed by the DAP and Keadilan. However, one will notice that although the new (Malay and Keadilan Party Backed) Menteri Besar of Selangor has strongly supported the move to abolish the NEP, the PM and UMNO has been playing the racial card by making statements in the media that Malays will be sidelined in Penang and there will be a backlash. Statements they may be, but statements of sowing anger into the hearts of the Malays is what it potentially does. Strangely, they avoided picking on Keadlian for the same stand, but made it all about the (Chinese) DAP's intention to abolish the NEP.<br /><br />We aren't accusing UMNO of anything, but what has already been reported in the government backed newspapers of The Star and the New Straits Times. And to the layman who thinks about it for a moment, it seems like a racial card is being played by the very people who advocated not to in the not so recent past.<br /><br />Take a read of an article quoted in the Star today:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Bumiputra traders back open tender policy<br /></span></strong>By DERRICK VINESH<br /><br />BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Bumiputera Petty Traders Association is appealing to state <span style="color:#cc0000;">Umno leaders to not politicise</span> the state government’s intention to practise an open tender policy for contracts and projects.<br /><br />Its chairman Alif Abdul Mutalib Kader, 64, said such a policy would <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">benefit all races</span></strong>, including the Malays.<br /><br />“Through an open tender policy, we believe there will be <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">equal benefits for all businessmen to have a share in the state’s economy pie</span></strong>.<br /><br />“The state <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Umno leaders should think twice before demonstrating in the streets</span></strong>. They should give the new state government a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">chance to be transparent and f</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">air</span></span></strong> in its administration,” said Alif who came to The Star’s office in Prai on Sunday to air the association’s views.The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4653727984704332117.post-82960226792015038272008-03-14T23:59:00.006+08:002008-03-15T01:26:59.984+08:00UMNO Protesters... Oh, How the Tables Have Turned...Khairi Jamaluddin, UMNO Deputy Youth Chief, once called the HINDRAF protesters "Monkeys" for demonstrating their discontent in the streets. Yet he was seen demonstrating with 5000 people in the heart of the city, demanding to speak to the US Secretary of State. Unscathed by the police, he emerged a hero for all Muslims as he was seen to be fighting for Palestinian rights.<br /><br />Perhaps he was unscathed because he is the "Untouchable" son-in-law of the Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Perhaps it was because he is an UMNO Youth Leader. Perhaps it was because he was fighting for Muslim rights. Perhaps because of all this, he is seen as fighting for what Malaysia perceives to be right wing political topics, and so it's OK.<br /><br />Whatever the case may be, these are the double standards that plague our Barisan Nasional that is representative of cronyism and the belief that Malay Rights stand paramount over any other race's rights.<br /><br />Today, while the nation has nearly voted the Barisan Nasional out of power, the new state governments are adamant on delivering on their pledges that they will abolish the National Economic Policy. The DAP isn't the only party saying this, Keadilan and PAS are also keen on abolishing the policy that has long been regarded as only benefiting the UMNO Malays or those who fall within special circles that are privy to the fruits of the NEP. The youth, like Khairi are beneficiaries of this privilege - and people like him will want to safeguard this safety net that has protected over 3 generations. The Malaysian population is now dominated by Malays by a sheer 70%.<br /><br />So, how then is the remark by UMNO leaders, saying that the Malays will be marginalised by the dismantling of the NEP - true or possible? For more than 3 generations, they have provided themselves with privileges such as free education, a larger quota of places in the local Universities, special privileges in business and even a special discount for purchasing property.<br /><br />UMNO should explain to the Malaysian public how it is possible that for about 40 years, Malays have been enjoying this special privilege and they still need it because their equity compared to other races is still below the 30% mark?<br /><br />This being the case, how much longer does this have to go on? The question they should be asking themselves, by making things easier for Malays to develop as a race, isn't it possible that they have handicapped the Malay will to want to meet challenges and work hard to overcome them?<br /><br />We believe that it is more the latter that is the cause of Malays not meeting the mark, than some lame excuse that the Chinese are quick to steal opportunities from the Malays.<br /><br />Throughout history and the world's social development, it is a known fact that the underprivileged are stronger than the privileged. The simple reason being that they have always had to work harder for what they want, and thus see things from a very different perspective, not to mention, the underprivileged are hungry for opportunities to rise the social ladder.<br /><br />The Malay of today have a lackluster attitude, and have a perspective that they are greater than they really are - but sadly, perhaps only in Malaysia. On a global scale, many won't be able to compete because the competition out there doesn't wait or have special privileges for those crutched by racially biased beliefs that they need things a certain way in order to succeed.<br /><br />In the not so distant past, Mahathir also said on many occasions that the NEP will eventually be abolished, and that the Malays are not helping themselves. Though he may sing a different tune today - to meet his political ends with the Malay people, one musn't forget that Badawi was also for levelling the playing field during and just after the 2004 elections. But neither of our Prime Ministers had the courage to do the right thing, for fear of being ousted by UMNO party members.<br /><br />So, it now takes a great lesson such as this, whereby the voters, fed up with years of being marginalised - Malay, Chinese and Indian, united against UMNO and Barisan Nasional, voted them out.<br /><br />This should be a wake up call for UMNO and the PM... but sadly, the mentality hasn't changed much. Today, you will hear of Badawi sowing the seeds of anger in the hearts of the Malays, making statements that they will be marginalised if the NEP were to be abolished.<br /><br />One person even said (Quoted in the Straits Times, 14 March 08) that, the Malaysian Malays will be marginalised like the Singapore Malays (if the NEP were non existent). Hah! What utter rubbish! Our Singapore Malay brothers think that the Malaysian Malays are lazy and stupid, they also think that the NEP isn't helping. If UMNO wants to make comparisons like that, they better get their facts right. The Singapore Malay is playing on a level playing field, they succeed on their own merit, they are smart, hardworking and see things from a International view. One to one, they are stronger than their Malaysian brothers many times over - and they are happy and proud of their achievements.<br /><br />One could say that UMNO is now interfering in the racial politics in Singapore. They best not make such comparisons and not interfere in affairs that they have no understanding of. If so, the Singaporean Malay will be packing his bags and coming to Malaysia to enjoy the NEP. Why would a man or a woman who is fully capable of standing on his/her feet want to subject themselves to a wheelchair?<br /><br />So today, instead of HINDRAF or Keadilan pounding the streets and protesting, what we see are UMNO members (who once upon a time said that protesting is not the Malaysian way, and even led by Khairi), protesting in the streets.<br /><br />But why doesn't the police arrest some of the protesters? They arrested HINDRAF men, women and children for a lot less. Actually, just for showing up. Therefore, what is the Ministry of Home Affairs doing about this, are they involved, have they held off the usual beatings of protesters just because these are UMNO members - fighting for "right wing" views?<br /><br />Little has changed in UMNO, they are still proud and arrogant - but now, they have resorted to taking to the streets - a sign of desperation. Only time will tell whether they are truly capable and sincere in re-engineering themselves.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Group protests outside S’gor secretariat</span></strong><br />By DHARMENDER SINGH<br /><br />SHAH ALAM: A small group of people marched from the state mosque to the state secretariat building here Friday to protest against DAP’s decision to abolish the New Economic Policy (NEP).<br /><em><span style="color:#009900;">(This sounds familar...)</span></em><br /><br />The participants started to gather at the roundabout near the mosque just after Friday prayers at about 2.30pm and were seen standing at the side of the road carrying banners.<br /><br />The protesters stopped right in front of the line formed by the police Light Strike Force (LSF) members, about 150m from the main entrance to the building, but continued with their cries. They left peacefully about 20min later.<br /><em><span style="color:#009900;">(They should have been beaten and shot at with tear gas and water cannons - the norm in dealing with other HINDRAF, Keadilan & Bersih protestors)</span></em><br /><br />Shah Alam Deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Mohd Shariff Abdul Wahid said police were aware of the planned gathering and confirmed that no permit had been issued for it.<br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>(They should have been arrested... again the norm for dealing with people who break the law)</em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;"></span></em><br />“The secretariat building is a protected government building so we stationed 50 men there including two units of the LSF as a precautionary measure,” he said.<br /><br />He said the protesters, who belonged to a political party, had asked to meet with Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim but the police did not permit this due to security concerns.<br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>(A political party? Can't be the opposition, can't be MCA or MIC - we don't think they care about the NEP. So it has to be UMNO members. Maybe it's because they are UMNO members that they weren't shot at, sprayed and arrested. How irresponsible of UMNO, it's OK for them to protest and hold illegal gatherings (like the example set by Khairi Jamaluddin), but any other group or party that does this will be arrested. UNFAIR!)</em></span>The Silent Majorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14196974302956974810noreply@blogger.com0