Malaysian Youths: Hoaring Girls & Ganglands for Boys

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".

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.

So Malay-sian youths are now prostituting themselves out of anger, and joining gangs and being rebels without a cause.

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.

What is shocking is that the Police, enforcement agencies and government don't seem to take a hard stance on the following things:

1. Loitering
2. Racketing (Gathering in groups and being a public niusance)
3. Truancy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Girls, having sex to spite their parents? What kind of idiotic logic is that? Risk getting aids? An STD? and not treasuring their virginity?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kill them all - is all I can say. These spawn from hell should die a death befitting a cockroach.

Study: Boredom revving up two-wheeled menace

GEORGE TOWN: Boredom has been cited as one of the main reasons why youths become Mat Rempit.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

These students were linked to serious cases like murder, rape and break-ins, he added.
He also said the Police Cadet Corps could become the eyes and ears of the police to help counter social ills among their peers.

He said the uniformed body had grown tremendously from an initial 1,960 members 39 years ago to 89,110 members nationwide now.

SAC I Tun Hisan also presented certificates to 15 cadets from the state who excelled in their studies.

Monday April 27, 2009
Sex affair just to spite parents
By ANDREW SAGAYAM

KUALA LUMPUR: More underage girls are having sex to get back at their parents for neglecting them.

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.

Statistics compiled since 2005 showed that the number of girls below 16 years old who are sexually active has been increasing every year.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.”

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”.

The study also showed that teenagers got bored easily, craved attention or wanted the freedom to express themselves.

ACP Suguram Bibi said parents should educate sons to respect the opposite sex and not take advantage of them.

“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.”

She advised parents to understand the law better and welcomed inquiries from anyone on investigation procedures in sexual assault cases.

Elizabeth Wong Nude Photo Scandal

Malaysian politics his finally hit new lows.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Barisan Nasional politicians are still arrogant, heartless and shameless.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tuesday February 17, 2009

Rep must resign from all her posts, says Khir

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.
He said Malaysians were not ready to accept leaders who were embroiled in scandals.

Given this, he said Wong must relinquish all her positions.
“This is a moral issue and Malaysians cannot accept leaders with moral issues and so she must vacate her State Assembly seat.

“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.

He was commenting on the nude photos of Elizabeth being circulated through multi media messaging service (MMS).

Kuala Kubu Baru MCA assemblyman Wong Koon Mun said that a wrong was a wrong.
The picture was obviously taken by someone who had access to her bedroom.

“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.

He added that it was equally immoral for the culprit to have taken photos of Elizabeth in the nude without her knowledge.

Meanwhile, national Barisan leaders expressed sympathy for what Wong was going through.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said such an incident should not have happen.

“She is a wakil rakyat and she is doing her job as one. To get her down this way is not good.
“I hope she will be strong and ignore whatever that has happened,” he said when asked to comment on the case in Parliament yesterday.

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said an individual’s privacy should be respected.
“People should not do such things,” she said.

However, she said people would closely observe their leaders and they needed to watch their conduct.

She said they virtually do not have private lives any more.

Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Starts Damage on Malaysian Tourism Industry

Former 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Now, PM Badawi has put her in a position where she can cause some economic damage, due to her inexperience and incompetence.

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.

Perhaps the BN needs a few more lessons by the voters to teach them to pick the right people to lead the country.


Selangor govt says move by Tourism Minister foolhardy
Thursday, April 3, 2008

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.

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.

On Wednesday, Azalina had said that the decision 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.

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.

“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.

She added that one should not cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face.

“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.

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.

Badawi not keen to drop the NEP

Quoted from the Straits Times of Singapore, March 11 2008:
... Flanked by BN component party leaders at a press conference yesterday, he played down the failure to obtain a two-thirds majority in Parliament. When first asked about it, he retorted:
"In what way is it so vital?", "As far as we are concerned, we are not so crazy to be wanting to get two-thirds".

Hmmm... that's strange, perhaps Badawi and his advisors are having a major blonde moment. We will all recall that BN fought tooth and nail, dragged the opposition contenders names through the mud with media blitz, not to mention the numerous quipps by BN contenders that 2/3ds majority is in hand... which later turned into... if we don't get 2/3ds majority, the people will suffer the consequences.

Furthermore, this comment by Badawi is certainly not in line with the more level headed MCA President: "We never thought the outcome would be like this. We will not blame the voters. We will take note of the strong message the voters have sent us this time and at the same time, we will deliver what we have promised the people".

Much better, it's obvious that some people have learned their lesson... but the target was really UMNO, not MCA.

But the remark by Badawi is shocking, it shows that UMNO still believes they are all powerful and unaffected by their dismal results and poor public approval ratings. So it looks like little is going to change on that front. Guess we will just have to handover the entire elections in 4 years time to the opposition, provided they perform - which there is no reason why they shouldn't.

Worst of all, Badawi indicated that, Quote: "He did indicate, however, that he would not do away with the remnants of the New Economic Policy (NEP), which many had deemed pro-Malay".

This is strange, I think we can all recall that Badawi was not long ago, for the systematic dismantling of the NEP. But today, he changes his story. Why? Best guess, Badawi is playing the racial card (like the rest of his UMNO colleagues). Now that they have lost favor with the Malays, he seems top be offering them a reason to come back, and he thinks that by singing songs of old, the NEP, that they will support him? Guess again.

Just today Badawi warned the DAP that dismantling the NEP in Penang will bring about economic strife to the Malays in Penang, and Lim Guan Eng will be fanning racial tensions because the Malays will be marginalised.

So who is sewing the seed of anger in the hearts of people?

All Guan Eng is doing is putting a stop to the NEP in terms of government tenders and ensuring that government tenders are open for all. How is this removing Malay rights? Besides, this has been a highly unpopular policy with the non-Malays, and these days Malays alike.

Besides, in spending public monies, shouldn't the tender be open to all? And not question whether you are Bumiputra or Non-Bumiputra, and whether 30% of your workforce is made up of Bumiputras. Perhaps this is why we have sub-standard build quality, town planning and so forth. Because the contractors, some Malay company knows that regardless of what they do, they are promised the contract under the NEP. How will we progress this way? How can we be world class?

Shouldn't the contract be awarded to the company presenting the best quality at the lowest price? These days, if you ever spoke to anyone having dealings with government departments, you'd come to understand that things, be it services, tangible items and so on, are purchased with taypayers money at highly inflated prices.

Just last year, the local papers covered the Auditor General's report which highlighted the purchase of numerous things at ridiculous prices. ie. Screwdriver set = RM300+ (real value RM30), 2 pcs. 3.2 megapixel digital cameras = RM8,000+ (real value RM1,500). Yet they are purchased, and someone is making a lot of money in between. That series of articles were quickly stopped after 3-4 days of reports.

Therefore, the DAP's idea of practicing open tenders in Penang is definately a good way forward for better management of government expenses and hence public funds.

So, the Prime Minister who claims that he is a "PM for All", is really just a fallacy, because his actions speak volumes of what his true intentions are - and that of UMNO.

UMNO should really stop being a spoiled sport and not fan racial sentiments and let the Opposition do what they promised the very people who voted for them. Unless, of course, UMNO is afraid that it might actually work out.

UMNO really needs to reinvent itself and offer the Malays something more without denying the poorer Malays opportunities, and the rest of the minority races as well.

Barisan Gets a Slap in the Face from the Rakyat

Tahniah Rakyat Malaysia! Your message to the national coalition has been delivered, with an even greater force than expected. So, the Silent Majority that Barisan Nasional always banked on, has deserted them. This is a sign of the people's deep dissatisfaction with what has gone on in the past 4 years.

At this very moment, some of our BN leaders who have been slayed, or colleagues of the same, are reporting to the media that they they can't say what has gone wrong and that it will require some analysis. What is there to analyse?

I believe that we can collectively answer that question... in general, the BN didn't take many things seriously:

1. The rights of the minority groups, ie. the Chinese and Indians. So far, only the Indians have protested openly, however, the Chinese, as usual won't really choose to take to the streets, but we believe spoke through their votes, whereby Chinese political representative stalwarts were replaced by an array of Indians, Chinese and Malays from Keadilan or DAP.
2. The BN's inability to address key issues around not only the marginalisation of the minority races, but the minority religious groups as well. Ie. Buddhists, Hindus and Christians. In previous articles, all based from articles published in the local newspapers and some regional press, it has been obvious that over the past decade, the propogation of any other religion but Islam was stifled. How many new temples are built? How many new churches have been built? Applications to build were not approved or sidelined, but at the same time, DBKL and state governments build mosques using public funds to sponsor the development of a more Islamic Malaysia. All good and well, we as muslims, christians, buddhists and hindus would never complain about such things, but if this is so, then it must be equal
3. Some people accuse those in BN of corruption, although there has been no clear evidence of it, considering some of the widely publicised indulgences of certain individuals in the past 2 years, have shown how widespread it is.
4. The insensitivity of certain party leader's and minister's comments about other ethnic groups; ie. Khairi Jamaluddin (UMNO youth deputy chief) and Nazri (Minister in PM's Department). These two individuals alone caused a lot of damage to UMNO by their racially charged comments, to the extent of warning the chinese not to push the Malays. This followed by Hishamuddin's (UMNO youth chief) drawing of the kris to symbolise Malay power, did not auger well with the people.

The above spiral and branch out into a variety of other issues that plague our country. Our people have been divided by these words and this thinking and the government under Badawi did little to mediate and mitigate.

While BN has been distracting the people with raising issues around HINDRAF and the promise of better security, the Iskandar Development Region and so forth, these issues were sidelined and not considered seriously, or if anything, not addressed.

So BN, this is the price you will have to pay. Sharizat made a comment in the media that the people have done this to "teach BN a lesson", and "they have to accept the consequences" (as BN has lost the 2/3 majority). Again, threats. No, we don't want to hear anymore threats. Not especially from a party stalwart who has been ousted by a young lady with hardly any experience who is half her age. Not to mention, in an urban constituancy where many educated and wealthy individuals live.

Do not threaten the people anymore. BN must accept their defeat and clean their house. Out with the old policies of favouritism, out with the arrogance of being in power for 50 years, and start working for the people, not dwell on some rhetorical rubbish and treat the public like they are stupid.

Times have changed, the new generation of Malaysians are better educated, and have a lesser tolerance for mediocrity.

Many of us were raised to support BN because we were promised peace, harmony and equality. We don't think that any of that is true. Perhaps on the surface it may seem so, but the racial divide is there, and it grows. But, typical of the Malaysian way, our leaders would wait until it blows up in their face before they decide they have a problem.

Malaysians today have taken drastic measures and great risks in bringing in a stronger opposition to hopefully quell the overly arrogant and Malay Rights "crazed" Barisan Nasional. We are all watching and hoping that this decision is the right one. If not, well, this now shows that anyone is expendable and we have discarded our loyalties for merit and performance.

Khairi said today that "we will fight back". Well, you may have that chance, only if BN reinvents itself and the Opposition DOESN'T prove itself to be able to deliver.

Everyone is expendable. Times have changed, people have changed.

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black, UMNO Youth Gives Credit Where It Isn't Due

Tian Chua of Keadilan did a very politically and morally stupid thing by doctoring a picture of DPM Najib, Razak Baginda and Altantunya and posting it on his blog. It's obvious that it was done as a practical joke of some sort, and some kind of dark and sick humor. Now, politicians in the Barisan Nasional have taken this as an opportunity to politicise the issue and discredit Keadilan and it's leaders. Frankly, one could easily say that it is Barisan, and not Keadilan that is "distracting the people from (Barisan's) own weaknesses" (as quoted from Khairi) and the real issues the country is facing.

The question is this, as slanderous as Tian Chua's picture was, it is clear that it was doctored in such a manner that depicts it as more comical in nature which equates to mischiviousness. Why then, does Hishamuddin and the rest of BN have to react so strongly towards it? A simple remark that it was mischevious and defamatory would suffice. Subsequently a court injuction can be easily attained and that being the demand that Tian Chua remove it. If they wish, they can sue him for liabel.

Saying so many words in the media does not only highlight the stupidity of Tian Chua, but also the eagerness and opportunistic leadership of Barisan to take a swipe at the opposition. It benefits neither.

Hence, the pot (Hishamiddin) is calling the kettle (Tian Chua) black. Both are equally silly in the latest drama that has enveloped Barisan Nasional.

On Hishamuddin's remark, “Such a deed will then be accepted as a culture and practice in the country".

Hishamuddin, do you really think that the Malaysian people are so stupid to simply adopt "cultures" and "practices"? Doctoring a picture of someone is definately not something that can be associated with any culture. As a litigator, you should know that such things are better associated with juvinility, rather than culture.

Perhaps, for the Malay community, they are easily impressed and influenced by the negative bits of western culture. Some examples are, immitating the black "gangsta rappers", dressing as neo nazi facists (and acting like them - not realising that Hitler would have gladly murdered them all - not only the Jews), performing in home pornography (u-tube has plenty), performing daredevil stunts on the road ie. Mat Rempit... and the list goes on.

But for Malaysian's in general, we don't think so. Again, this has nothing to do with Tian Chua setting the stage for Malaysians to take advantage of our democracy and it being an abuse of freedoms of expression. Not many will follow in the footsteps of a lesser politician, barren of charisma and the ability to speak eloquently. Hishamuddin, Malaysian's are not so stupid, do not insult us.

In this case Barisan has blown the subject matter out of proportion by saying that if these acts are not curbed, then it will become a norm and we will have people going around defacing the name and pictures of the Prophet Mohammad. Such ridiculousness is surprising, coming from Hishamuddin. He was one of the more promising leaders and many had great hopes that he will lead the country over and above Najib. This being a preference voiced by many. However, over time, Hishamuddin has shown himself to be less and less worthy of the people's hope and support. It started with the keris weilding - to which he might as well have said that he wanted "to bathe the keris in Chinese blood" as his predecessor Najib Tun Razak once said in a 1986 rally. (Ref wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najib_Tun_Razak)

In summary, less words and drama would have sufficed. Perhaps UMNO and Barisan have played into the hands of Keadilan. Perhaps the objective was to sow the seeds into people's minds that Najib had something to do with it and that there is a conspiracy to be conjured. If this is the case, then stupidly, Hishamuddin, Khairi and the rest of the BN goons have played into the opposition's hands by glorifying a very poorly doctored picture of the Deputy PM with Alatantunya - which again, is stupid in terms of drawing even greater public attention to such matters and making something out of nothing and thereby, in a way, giving it credibility.

Hisham: Punish Tian Chua to stop such acts

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth is concerned that if Tian Chua’s act of doctoring a photograph that implicated the Deputy Prime Minister is not stopped, more people will go overboard in their actions in the name of “freedom and democracy.”

Its chief, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, said if the authorities did not reprimand the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief, this would mean his deed had been legitimised.
“Such a deed will then be accepted as a culture and practice in the country,” he said on the doctored photograph posted in Tian Chua’s blog that depicted Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and a look-alike of Altantuya Shaariibuu at the same table.
Abdul Razak is one of three people accused in the murder of Altantuya, a Mongolian translator.
“The day might come when they use transparency and freedom as an excuse to insult the Prophet Muhammad, just as what has happened in the West. “This is how it starts so we need to curb it. I am not equating the Prophet to our leaders but if the act is not stopped, it will become a norm,” he said in reference to caricatures of Prophet Muhammad carried by a Danish newspaper that led to an worldwide protests by Muslims.

Speaking at the opening of the Gombak Umno Youth divisional meeting yesterday, he said that Tian Chua’s action and that of PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who defended him, showed their true character.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the act by Tian Chua was to distract attention from the party’s weaknesses. “His refusal to apologise, although it is slanderous, shows that he is rude and arrogant. Stupid people don’t know how to say sorry because they do not understand the meaning. “We will show them in the next general election. We will bury PKR and make sure there is no place for Tian Chua or other PKR leaders,” he said at the Bukit Bintang Umno Youth divisional meeting yesterday.

Meanwhile, Tian Chua insisted there was nothing for him to say sorry for. “No one has told me exactly what I have done wrong. If the authorities think I have committed a crime, they should investigate me,” he said.

UMNO's Election Strategy: Cyberspace Combatants and Debates on the Streets

...and who else better to do the job but... Dato' Azalina Othman!

The very same person who made stupid and embarassing remarks in the global media regarding Singapore's entry into hosting the Formula 1 race. She said...

"(The) region should have one F1 race. Singapore should not compete with Malaysia,"
(Really? So like the NEP, you feel it's your God Given Right? Afraid the commercial world doesn't work that way)

"I am not worried. I have no concern with Singapore hosting the F1 race," she added.
(If you're not so worried, then why remark in the first place?)

"I think Malaysia has one of the best tracks. We host the hottest race in the world. I don't think Singapore can challenge the F1 race in Malaysia,
(Are you trying to make yourself feel better now? Poor thing!)

The last statement was the most stupid one. Azalina assumes that just because she thinks that the Sepang F1 race is "Hot" that Singapore can't challenge Malaysia? Besides, who was talking about Singapore vs. Malaysia? All Singapore was doing was minding it's own business and looking at a potential commercial deal. Azalina was better off shutting her mouth and letting the market decide. Now, we look stupid and because of her stupidity and being "gung ho" about "Malaysia Boleh", you end up looking like the spoilt brat and "Malaysia Bodoh". And now, people who didn't think of comparing which is better, will think to do so, which is kind of... worse for Malaysia. Coz, we are good and building new things, but never maintaining.

And now, this Minister of Youth and Sports who has very little to show for in her success in promoting and building the Youth and Sports... unless you deem Mat Rempit's being a success (and I bet Malaysia is.. in that department)... is going to lead a cyber-war against Bloggers.

Fantastic. The Bloggers will have a field day with you and your team of proposed "writers" (to which you have no idea how to deploy).

Dato Azalina's strategy like your rattling your mouth off on the F1 Singapore, is greatly FLAWED.

Do you think that by having a team of UMNO writers battling some tenths of thousands of Blogs will be possible? Do you think it's going to change people's mindset? Words are worthless, actions from the government we voted in is what is needed. So, your writers can keep on writing, and they will be continuously bombarded. In the end, you probably didn't change hearts and minds, you probably create more resentment by those actions.

The part which is even more shocking is when she proposed that UMNO members be confrontational in coffeeshops when evesdropping on people's conversations.. ie. speaking poorly of UMNO and the government.

What kind of stupid strategy is that? It has the makings of turning into an argument, which will escalate into some racial remarks and eventually people might even trade blows. So, UMNO's strategy is to start riots to change people's mind about the government (we'll bet Khairi will be the front runner of that). WOW... this is truly mind blowing.

Also, on the part about being concerned that UMNO members might be swayed by what they read on the Blogs, look, people have minds of their own and they make their decisions and take sides based on what they see and know. If they are not taking your side, then perhaps UMNO and the component parties need to really start looking within themselves to see what is wrong and what they need to make good on.

Do you think fighting tenths of thousands of people head on is going to solve the problem? Think again.

Frankly for a Minister of Youth and Sports, she is neither wise enough to lead the youth and neither physically fit to be a model for a Sports Ministry.

We'll be looking forward to these so called writers, I'll bet the respondents on Lim Kit Siang's website and people like Marina Mahathir will gladly chew them and spit them out. Bring it on!


Umno recruiting team of writers to fight ‘cyber war’

KOTA KINABALU: Umno is set to do battle in cyberspace ahead of the anticipated general election by assembling a team of writers from every state to counter allegations about the party and its leadership on certain websites. Umno supreme council member Datuk Azalina Othman Said said she had been recently tasked by party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take charge of this “cyber war.”

“This is among our key strategies in preparation for the elections. The other is getting our members to register as voters,” she said yesterday after opening the Kota Kinabalu Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri meetings. Azalina, the Youth and Sports Minister, said all state Umno liaison committees would be asked to identify writers willing to assist the party in this cause.

However, she declined to explain how these writers would carry out their duties nor did she name the websites that had purportedly spread the allegations. Earlier, in her speech when opening the Youth, Wanita and Puteri meetings, Azalina said certain websites appeared to be stepping up their attacks against the country’s leaders. “We need to counter these blatant lies. If we remain quiet, our worry is that some of our members and civil servants will be influenced by all these nonsense,” she added.

Azalina said she was aware that many party members liked visiting certain websites and could end up believing what was posted there. On the other hand, she said, there was a tendency among opposition party members not to believe any negative report about their leaders. “We want Umno members to support and defend their leaders. If they are sitting in a coffeeshop and hear others talking badly about the party leaders they should counter those lies immediately,” Azalina added.

In a related development, she said the opposition had resorted to moving their members and supporters to seats they were confident of winning in the coming polls.

Threats to Society, Rapists: The Faces of 3 ANIMALS

These are the 3 GODLESS BASTARDS who rammed a couple and their Proton Iswara off the road at approx. 10.30pm around Gelang Patah (near the Second Link to Singapore). They continued to chase the couple until their car broke down near Tampoi. They then abducted the couple, took them to a quiet place in Bukit Indah and brutally gang raped the girl after slashing her boyfriend's legs and forcing him to watch them rape her.

Burn these faces into your memory. You may encounter them at some point.

Only one of the above is named, on the left, Shahabdeen Haq SK Mohammed Ariff, the other two remain un-named. Apparently, the police claimed that they caught 14 people involved in the rapings. The public has yet to be shown their pictures.

It has not been formally published, however, rumour has it that they have all been released on bail. If this is true, then the Police really needs a slap up their head, releasing such predators back into society. The bastards should be castrated and whipped.

Shouldn't the police show these faces to the public? Isn't it our right to know what kinds of Animals lurk out there? Shouldn't we have the right to protect ourselves? In order to do so, don't we need to know what these bastards look like? Or is it because these crimes of brutality towards women are more frequently done by a particular race and you are embarrased? Yes, perhaps you may want to slap the sedition act against us, but isn't it true? Most news reports that we read of incest are usually Malay and occassionally Indian. Is it something that is troubling the community that is causing them to go in this direction? Surely, the government and the police don't know what to do or just can't be bothered. Yes it is embarassing, maybe it's time you try to understand the root cause of the problem because it's becoming more frequent and it affects all of us.

Don't attend to this, and in a matter of years, the once peaceful and beautiful country of Malaysia, blessed with all its culture and heratage will be just another Cape Town or regress and suffer a similar fate such as Manila.

Are these the people we are putting in place to lead our country? Yes. Can we do something about it? Yes. By voting for the opposition, we create a balance of voices in Parliament. Right now, Barisan has the majority in Parliament, so there is little that the opposition can do. For example, Lim Kit Siang's attempts to table these issues on Johor in Parliament last week failed, because it was of no interest to them. See link: Rampant crime and lawlessness - I apologise to JB people that Parliament has failed them

This is why we need to restore the balance of power in government. Because this is the price we pay for not voting or succumbing to Barisan Nasional's threats that should Barisan fall, the people will suffer under an Islamic extremist opposition... blah blah. However, doutful that even if the silent majority votes for the opposition, that they will take over the governance of our country. But there will be more of them in Parliament, and believe me, they will be eager to prove that they can do the job and have public interest at heart. BN has become complacent and over-confident with characters like Nazri (Nazri acting as Super-ACA and Super-AG to declare Johari innocent of RM5.5 million corruption allegations) and Khairi (Police Arrested Participants of a Peaceful Protest... ) running around. Both have made comments towards other races basically stating their "Malay Dominance" or Ketuanan Melayu.

It's time for change...

Malaysia Bodoh! Part 2

...and this is part 2 of the article that raised a strong response from the government and some staunch supporters... the guy just took the words out of my mouth...

Part 2

The response to my recent column 'While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry', published in The Age newspaper on November 15 has been overwhelming. I've received hundreds of e-mails and messages, many from Malaysians both in Malaysia and outside, of which perhaps 95% have been supportive. Thank you for these. It seems that the column has given voice to concerns that many Malaysians have.

I'd like to emphasise (and as many of you realise already), that I wrote
the column as constructive criticism. I like Malaysia very much. I visit often and have many Malaysian friends of all races. I've also written a lot that is positive about Malaysia in the past, most notably in a previous book of mine - The Asian Insider: Unconventional Wisdom for Asian Business, which has no less than five chapters to explain to people outside Malaysia why I feel that Malaysiashould be given more credit than it gets.

There have been many achievements. There is much about which Malaysians can be proud. Malaysia, for example, is far more politically mature and developed than is Singapore. The media is more open too (but of course not asopen as it could or should be.) Malaysians are more entrepreneurial too. AirAsia started in Malaysia and has revolutionised air travel across Asia. In Singapore, there is very much a sense that the government has to doeverything.

I also believe that the NEP, which has seen special advantages given to
bumiputeras over other groups, has been important for Malaysia. It has been essential for nation building. Malaysia is peaceful and while the various groups may not mix much there is clear mutual respect between them. That is a huge achievement.

However, the problem as I said in my column, is waste. And also the use of statistics that are blatantly wrong. Malaysia also has a big problem with transparency. Too little account is made of how other people's money is spent.The police too are way too corrupt for a country as developed as Malaysia. The rote learning that is practiced in the
schools also needs to be done away with. Generations of Malaysian children are missing out on an education thatshould teach them how to be creative and critical - this is what a truly modern, boleh country needs. Again, my comments are meant to be constructive. And I make them as a non-Malaysian largely because many Malaysians feel rightly or wrongly that they cannot say these things themselves in their own country.

Since my column was published, plans for a new RM400 million Istana have been announced and the Agriculture Ministry parliamentary secretary has told Parliament that Malaysia's first astronaut will be playing batu seremban and spinning tops and making teh tarik while in space. There are countless scientists around the world who would give anything for the opportunity to go to space and do real experiments. For the Malaysian government to send anastronaut into space to play Malay children's games serves only to re-emphasise my point about waste. Not only that, it makes Malaysia look infantile in the eyes of the rest of the world, which is a great pity when Malaysia hasmade so many real
achievements. The world is getting more clever, more competitive and
more dynamic every day. There are too many in Malaysia who don't seem to understand this.

Of course my views are just that: my views. But I have spent most of my
adult life analysing and writing about Asia. I am direct and critical; I do not veil my criticisms because I don't want to waste my time or yours with readers trying to guess what I really mean. Open debate is absolutely critical for all modern, dynamic countries. The free flow ofideas and information helps to make countries rich. Political leaders cannot do everything on their own be they in the UK, Australia or Malaysia.
They need help. Otherwise they make mistakes. And when they do, whose fault is that? Those who prefer to stay quiet? And should I
as a non-Malaysian be commenting on Malaysia? Of course. Malaysian political leaders and commentators routinely comment about other countries. That's how the world is now,an inter-dependent, global world. And the world is much better for it.I will write another column about Malaysia soon.

Michael Backman
November 17, 2006

Malaysia Bodoh! Part 1

Now here is an article I really like... it says what has been on
so many Malaysian's minds for a very long time... Reviving the archives...
enjoy... will save my views

Michael Backman
November 15, 2006

While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry

MALAYSIA'S been at it again, arguing about what proportion of the economy each of its two main races — the Malays and the Chinese — owns. It's an argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up.

It's a tough world out there and there can be little sympathy for a country that prefers to argue about how to divide wealth rather than get on with the job of creating it.

The long-held aim is for 30 per cent of corporate equity to be in Malay hands, but the figure that the Government uses to justify handing over huge swathes of public companies to Malays but not to other races is absurd. It bases its figure on equity valued, not at market value, but at par value.

Many shares have a par value of say $1 but a market value of $12. And so the Government figure (18.9 per cent is the most recent figure) is a gross underestimate. Last month a paper by a researcher at a local think-tank came up with a figure of 45 per cent based on actual stock prices. All hell broke loose. The paper was withdrawn and the researcher resigned in protest. Part of the problem is that he is Chinese.

"Malaysia boleh!" is Malaysia's national catch cry. It translates to "Malaysia can!" and Malaysia certainly can. Few countries are as good at wasting money. It is richly endowed with natural resources and the national obsession seems to be to extract these, sell them off and then collectively spray the proceeds up against the wall.

This all happens in the context of Malaysia's grossly inflated sense of its place in the world. Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures. This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.

As if to make this point, a recent episode of The Simpsons features a newsreader trying to announce that a tidal wave had hit some place called Kuala Lumpur. He couldn't pronounce the city's name and so made up one, as if no-one cared anyway. But the joke was on the script writers — Kuala Lumpur is inland.

Petronas, the national oil company is well run, particularly when compared to the disaster that passes for a national oil company in neighbouring Indonesia. But in some respects, this is Malaysia's problem. The very success of Petronas means that it is used to underwrite all manner of excess.

The KLCC development in central Kuala Lumpur is an example. It includes the Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the world when they were built, which was their point. It certainly wasn't that there was an office shortage in Kuala Lumpur — there wasn't. Malaysians are very proud of these towers. Goodness knows why. They had little to do with them. The money for them came out of the ground and the engineering was contracted out to South Korean companies.

They don't even run the shopping centre that's beneath them. That's handled by Australia's Westfield.

Next year, a Malaysian astronaut will go into space aboard a Russian rocket — the first Malay in space. And the cost? $RM95 million ($A34.3 million), to be footed by Malaysian taxpayers. The Science and Technology Minister has said that a moon landing in 2020 is the next target, aboard a US flight. There's no indication of what the Americans will charge for this, assuming there's even a chance that they will consider it. But what is Malaysia getting by using the space programs of others as a taxi service? There are no obvious technical benefits, but no doubt Malaysians will be told once again, that they are "boleh". The trouble is, they're not. It's not their space
program.

Back in July, the Government announced that it would spend $RM490 million on a sports complex near the London Olympics site so that Malaysian athletes can train there and "get used to cold weather".

But the summer Olympics are held in the summer. So what is the complex's real purpose? The dozens of goodwill missions by ministers and bureaucrats to London to check on the centre's construction and then on the athletes while they train might provide a clue.

Bank bale outs, a formula one racing track, an entire new capital city — Petronas has paid for them all. It's been an orgy of nonsense that Malaysia can ill afford.

Why? Because Malaysia's oil will run out in about 19 years. As it is, Malaysia will become a net oil importer in 2011 — that's just five years away.

So it's in this context that the latest debate about race and wealth is so sad. It is time to move on, time to prepare the economy for life after oil. But, like Nero fiddling while Rome burned, the Malaysian Government is more interested in stunts like sending a Malaysian into space when Malaysia's inadequate schools could have done with the cash, and arguing about wealth distribution using transparently ridiculous statistics.

That's not Malaysia "boleh", that's Malaysia "bodoh" (stupid).

Here's an article that addresses what the minority communities have been dying to say. Finally, people are taking their dissatisfaction with Barisan to the Ballot Box... it's about time!

Fellow citizens, in the last general election, we gave the Barisan Nasional a landslide victory. As I recall, the nation was overjoyed that Badawi had such great support from the people, a fresh Prime Minister and a new era for Malaysian politics.

Sadly, and over time, we were all greatly disappointed. For starters, it seemed that the level of confidence we had given the government, worked to our disadvantage. In the past couple of years, we have seen Hishamuddin, draw his Kris and waving it around in the name of Malay pride and power. We have also seen Badawi's son in law Khairi Jamaluddin, protesting in front of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, directing the anger of a mob of youngsters at the US Secretary of State Rice. Khairi, also has threatened the Chinese community on numerous occassions. And now, we have an Information Minister, Zainuddin Maidin who seeing the increasing trend of political bloggers such as myself, deems it to be a threat to the nation and hence wants to "curb" "the phenomenon".

So what does all this spell for us? The very people who gave Barisan the make or break vote. Nothing but absolute disappointment. We now have people in power who think they are invincible and they can go about saying whatever it is that they like, be it seditious or anything that rouses the emotions of the other races. Strangely, I believe that if it were a chinese or indian person who said the same things Khairi said or even did what Hishamuddin did, they would definately be behind bars, and I am quite certain that the Malay response would have been a lot harsher - which would have likely been tolerated by the government. Yet, these people still roam free and say and do as they please, enjoying the power and priviledge that we provide them.

They are quite happy continuing as they are, just as Najib has responded to the slide in Chinese votes in Ijok... "Najib said it was usual for support from this group to slightly increase or decline during by-elections and that this could have been related to local issues, adding that young voters there had been more critical than usual"... really? is it as simple as that? This is how you respond to Ong Ka Ting's valuable fact?

I think its time this is brought to a stop, and if you agree, perhaps we should take it to the ballot box in the coming election. Vote for the opposition. There will be enough votes to bring Barisan back, but we shouldn't give them a full mandate to run the country. By lending votes to the opposition, perhaps parties like Keadilan will gain some credibility and build a stronger party, hopefully one day there will be enough strength within that party making it really worthwhile voting for.

What our country is missing is a decent opposition party. It's time we learn to give ourself a choice for the benefit of the future generations. We cannot rely on Barisan anymore. It's obvious which party dominates the coalition, and now, some of them are becoming as extreme as their counterparts in PAS. Examples are clear as day, with regards to the religious department and the mockery they are making of our country and people, and our "moderate government" tolerates this?

Have a read of this article extracted from The Star (http://www.thestar.com.my/). It's a clarion call, hear it and hear it well fellow Supreme Council and Leadership of UMNO, because many of us will vote for the opposition just to put you where you belong. Change your methods and your attitude and perhaps you will regain our confidence.

Factors that swayed Chinese vote
PETALING JAYA: The swing of some Chinese votes to the opposition in the recent Ijok by-election was due to unhappiness with the service of the previous assemblyman as well as several sensitive national issues, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said.

He said the Chinese voters in the constituency had complained that they were unhappy with the service rendered by the Barisan Nasional."During campaigning, they (Chinese voters in Ijok) asked us why we were doing this and that now (during the election) and not earlier. There were also some rumblings on national issues," he said after attending a Wesak Day celebration at the Kwan Inn Teng Temple here.Elaborating on what he meant by "rumblings on national issues", Ong said some voters had expressed unhappiness over statements made by "some leaders" which they considered hurtful."We got this feedback although we had explained that the implementation of policies is based on collective decision-making with a multiracial perspective and not on certain statements by individuals."However, they did not accept our explanation," he said without elaborating on the statements.

Giving the party analysis on the Chinese voting pattern in the Ijok by-election for the first time, Ong said there was no doubt that "to a certain extent the Chinese votes in the area had swung to the opposition".He said that in Ijok town, for example, the BN won by a majority of only 21 votes."In Kampung Ijok, next to Ijok town, we lost 116 votes. I think that in certain areas, the swing was not big. Overall, the BN still obtained the Chinese vote, particularly in the new villages but the question now is by how many per cent because some of the ballot boxes had votes from mixed areas."In southern and northern Batang Berjuntai — two predominantly Chinese areas — the BN managed to secure about 500 Chinese votes.Ong said that the MCA, being a party that represents the Chinese community and the second largest BN component, did not deny that there was increased Chinese support for the opposition compared with the previous election."We will work hard and go down to the ground to get their feedback.

"There is a sign of some swing in Chinese votes from the BN to the opposition. This is something we cannot deny."Compared with the 2004 general election, there is some change of mood. To what extent, we can’t draw the percentage yet." Asked whether the party’s internal problems had played a role in the reduced Chinese support for the BN, Ong said: "I don’t think that was a big factor."In the by-election, K. Parthiban of the BN beat Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim of Parti Keadilan Rakyat by a majority of 1,850 votes.However, despite the better performance by the BN compared with the 2004 general election (when BN received a 1,649-vote majority), Chinese support for BN had reportedly dropped by about 10 per cent. — Bernama