Of UMNO, Bangsa Malaysia, NRP, NUCC, Gerrymandering and other rantings

I have been avidly reading through the news and blogs on matters of Bangsa Malaysia, the form with no race required to be written on it, the 505 Election result, National Reconciliation Plan (Pelan Rekonsiliasi), the NUCC/MKPN dan macam-macam pelanlah.

I have not been ranting for a long while, bear with me ok :) ......

1. I am not going to say that we Malaysians are fantastically great with each other lah, but we are doing OK, the Malays still buy things from Chinese and many still help old ladies or OKUs crossing the streets irrespective of creed or colour, the problem is some politicians and some parties (read DAP n PKR) out to squeeze as much votes for themselves and their party are exaggerating our differences and making us quarreling in the open with each other.
2. If anybody needs reconciling, then it will be ALL our political parties and their leaders, if they can reconcile with each other today, 95% of our racial or religious problems will be solved. Najib's NRP should be renamed National Political Parties Reconciliation Plan, we the ordinary people don't need to get involved, we just want peace and stability so that we can work and perhaps be prosperous like our rich and prosperous Chinese Malaysian community. But looking at the reaction from racist Kit Siang who poured scorn on PM Najib's peaceful and re conciliatory gestures to Malaysians and we have not seen the report from the NUCC/MKPN Unity people yet..... I don't think we will have peace for some time to come.
3. Talking about our very own rich and prosperous Chinese community, can the DAP provocateurs stop telling our Chinese friends that they are second class citizens, stop confusing these folks who drive in expensive cars, live in condos and gated housing estates, who forms cartels control and monopolise Malaysia's economy heck the Forbes MY richest list is almost all Chinese Ok. If they the Chinese still believe the utter rubbish from DAP that they are being discriminated by the Malay led Gomen then I am lost for words.
4. This Bangsa Malaysia thingy is also getting out of hand lah. For those who advocate Bangsa Malaysia, let me ask you this, do you speak bahasa Malaysia/Melayu well considering that you have been born and bred here? If you hesitate to answer then please don't bother OK.
5. I am a Malay and I am proud of it. If you are Chinese or Indians, Ibans, Dayak, Bajaus, Kadazans, Melanau or other Pribumis then you should be proud of your race too, no need to talk about Bangsa Malaysia when you people insist that your children be sent to vernacular schools where they will learn the language of a foreign nation more than Bahasa Malaysia lah. It smacks of hypocrisy kan. You can't have the cake and eat it too.
6. This Theresa Kok ah, should also stop her serial racists behavior lah, the latest being that horrible CNY Video that even many Chinese say is tak tunjuk hormat pada Tahun Baru Cina. I am not saying she should be slapped for the video, but I am waiting for the result of the Polis investigation on that CNY video. I hope she is charged for breaking  whatever Law that MY have, many of us have had enough of her racists provocations.
7. On the ALLAH issue, the Catholic Church especially the Paderis in charge of the Herald, stop allowing yourselves to be used by political opportunists from both Pakatan and/or BN lah. Be sensible, be sensitive, love thy neighbor, don't be confrontational. Listen to what Idris Jala a devout Christian himself has to say lah, not the DAP and Anwar who will not solve the problem but will only make us sink to a deeper hole of hatred.
8. The DAP and those sewaktu dengan mereka should stop being condescending inciting pricks commenting on Friday prayers sermons/khutbahs which are meant for Muslims ONLY. We are not stupid people ok Lim Kit Siang we know what is right,what is good, what is bad , what is halal and haram. Those words are probably alien to you guys. Can't the authorities charge these DAP people for sedition or something, they are interfering in how Muslims conduct our religion among ourselves.
9. If one would just look a little deeper on whats happening around us one would see a pattern of first provocations by certain parties (DAPlah), then reaction by the target group (Malayslah) who would invariably respond, then the provocateur(DAPlah) pleaded to become the victim(DAPlah) and tell other people(the world) that they are being prosecuted by the Gomen(read Malays). The solution is to nip the troublemaker(DAPlah) in the bud. 
10. In Singapore kalau ada that bunch of cowardly RBA cyber armchair army, they will be in jail hours after they post anything racist or threatening in the internet if they are in Singapore. The Gomen there don't tolerate nonsense on race and religion and they they have a 1 School for All system there, it works, there are less talking about race or religion because they understand each other from young. 
11. Here in Malaysia our brilliant political leaders from both BN and DAP,PKR,PAS want adults to mingle and understand each other and be united after years of brain washing segregated on race and religion when they were younger, be realistic, can or not?
12. Our Gomen should use any law available to keep them quiet. Be decisive like Singapore Gomen lah..Singapore is successful not because they have many industrious Chinese there but they are successful because the Gomen knows exactly what to do and they are decisive, no UTurns, they always think what is good for Singapore first before their party or family and friends(cronies lah). 
13. Like Tun Daim say don't worry about the mandate, just be a strong and decisive leader PM Najib and others will follow and appreciate you for that. Don't allow that silly DAP and Nuar nonsense that they won the popular votes get to you, Pakatan is not even a registered coalition, they went into the PRU with their eyes open using their own registered name..that they the DAP, got 38 seats and PKR how many 29 seats and UMNO win how many seats 89 kan!... tell them the Lims the Nuars to bugger off, they lost! .....and UMNO and the Sarawak and Sabah BN parties won the mandate fair and square with a very comfortable majority in Parliament at that.
14. Gerrymandering? stop that hypocritical nonsense..the fact is the loose coalition won PP, Kelantan and Selangor showed that gerrymandering or not if the majority wants you to win you will win. And please don't try to be be an angel and say that a DAP,PKR,PAS in power would not use gerrymandering to support their Gomen to stay in power. Don't bullshit, we have had enough bullshit thrown at us by politicians since 2003. That's a full decade, enough already!
15. Coming back to the borang thing brought up by Joseph Kurup, I and many of my friends can agree to wipe out race from the borang provided that all Vernacular Schools are banned, all ethnic based name for organisation should also change by an act of Law, cannot use Association of Hakka clan, United Malay National Organisation, Malaysian Chinese Association, Malaysian Indian Congress, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Malay Chamber of Commerce etc etc..if you want to wipe out race  then wipe out everything that concerns race..be like Thailand and Indonesia..if cannot or are not willing to do then better shut your pie hole lah.
16. Anyway if the smart and savvy UMNO leaders in the GOMEN will agree to wipe out race column from the borangs then be ready for the blowbacks from the Malays  Ok. You people might want to change UMNO to United Minority National Organisation as Perkasa has become the dominant Malay Party after PRU14.
17. Keep up with not listening to the ordinary grassroots rakyat lah UMNO leaders, it is your right kan....tapi.....Don't be terperanjat in PRU14 like the night you uttered its a 'Tsunami Cina' in PRU13 OK..By then it'll be too late for UMNO, the Tsunami Melayu had arrived and left.

Akhir rantings, lets not fight among ourselves lah,  don't focus too much on our differences, lets focus on our similarities and other positive attributes, leave the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians, the Pribumis alone to do whatever they need to do to get on with their lives, lets stop politicians from playing us against one another, ignore these politicians, they will slowly fade away and MY will once again be a peaceful and harmonious place.....Ameen.

Reminder To Self:

When we fight among ourselves because of political, religious or racial differences, we will end up like Syria.

SOURCE MSN HERE.

Politicians must not play politics with water supply as the rakyat will suffer in the end!

Finally after 4 years of stubbornness and so soon after water rationing was imposed on the poor suffering Selangor folks yesterday, the Pakatan State Gomen today realised their folly of playing politics with clean water supply and had agreed to issue the development order for building the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant which will be able to treat raw water transferred from Pahang rivers to Selangor.

Putrajaya and Selangor sign MoU on restructuring of state's water industry

Now that doesn't feel so bad does it YAB Khalid, anyway I still hope that you will still be MB long after the forced Kajang by-election. In my book, you will be a better MB than that ex-convict jailed for abuse of power Anwar Ibrahim anytime.

Excellent article by YB Idris Jala - My Take on the ALLAH issue

'I am convinced that religion and true spirituality plays a vital part in nation building and shaping Malaysian society and the nation. I grew up in Sarawak where people are a lot more tolerant and accommodative of one another, regardless of race and religion. In Peninsular Malaysia, we need to learn a thing or two from the Sabahans and Sarawakians. We must not allow religious conflicts to divide us, or plant the seeds of hatred between communities. Religion is rooted in our Federal Constitution, our State laws and our Rukun Negara as the one of the five main pillars of our society. I pray that this issue does not stain the fabric of our society today. May God guide us and grant us the love and wisdom to help us find a way forward for our nation'

Idris Jala

 

This is an excellent article written by a Cabinet Minister Idris Jala on the Bible and Kalimah ALLAH issue, I recommend visitors, Malaysians especially to read this very sensible common sense article in full, we are after all a multi-racial and multi-religious nation, we shd find common ground so that we can live in peace with each other. And.......Please read less about the inciting rubbish as told by Nuar n his DAP masters and supporters ok. 

Read on:

My take on the ‘Allah’ issue ― Idris Jala

FEB 24 ― Many people have been asking for clarification and also my views on the ongoing “Allah”/ Bible issue and the validity of the 10-Point Solution. This column will address this. I wish to place upfront a caveat that the views expressed here are my own in my personal capacity. As this issue is highly sensitive, I have tried my best to be as fair as possible, without taking sides.

1. I repeat what the Prime Minister and my cabinet colleagues, such as YB Khairy Jamaluddin and YB Nancy Shukri have already stated publicly – the Cabinet has reconfirmed the validity and our support for the 10-Point Solution as was originally announced in April 2011. The 10-Point Solution was established by the Federal Government as a fair and amicable way to manage the polarity of views between the various religious groups, in particular Christians and Muslims, taking into account the laws of the country.

As stated in the 10-Point Solution, for Sabah and Sarawak, there is no restriction on the import and local printing of Bibles in any language, including Bahasa Malaysia/Bahasa Indonesia and indigenous languages (referred to collectively as the “Alkitab”), as the Government recognises that there is a large Christian community of indigenous origin in these two states. It is also in line with the spirit of the 18 and 20 point agreements, when Sabah and Sarawak became part of Malaysia. It has been argued that these agreements allowed for full freedom of religion in both states. As for Peninsular Malaysia, the Alkitab, whether printed in Malaysia or imported into Malaysia, must have the words “Christian Publication” and the cross sign must be placed on the front cover as imposed by the Government in the interests of the larger Muslim community in Peninsular Malaysia.

2. However, I would like to highlight a few recent developments, namely the Court of Appeal judgement on the Herald case in October 2013, the Sultan of Selangor’s decree in November 2013 and the recent speech by the Sultan of Kedah, which prohibits non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”. Whilst the Federal Constitution Article 11.1 stipulates that “every person has the right to profess and practice his religion” and Article 11.3 states that “every religious group has the right to manage its own affairs”, Article 11.4 however stipulates that “State law and in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, Federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.” It is on this basis that relevant Islamic laws were enacted in 1988, which restrict non-Muslims from using “Allah” and various other words. For example, in the case of Selangor, 34 words are prohibited including Allah, Ulama, Haji, nabi, iman, injil, sheikh, insya Allah, fatwa, wahyu, syariah, etc.

3. There is no doubt that more than 300 Alkitabs which were confiscated by JAIS, at the Bible Society of Malaysia on Jan 2 were previously cleared by the Home Ministry since the Bible Society Malaysia has complied fully with the conditions prescribed under the 10-Point Solution. Indeed, since the announcement of the 10-Point Solution in April 2011, for more than two years, the Home Ministry has cleared for distribution thousands of Alkitabs in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

4. As I understand it, JAIS acted on the basis of the relevant Islamic state laws and in particular the latest decree by the Sultan of Selangor in raiding the Bible Society of Malaysia. Under the Federal Constitution Article 3.2, the Sultan is the head of Islam in each state where there is a ruler and the King in the case of the other states. It is for this reason that whilst the Federal Government has established the 10-Point Solution, it is not at liberty to direct JAIS and the Selangor Government to comply with it and disregard the decree by the Sultan. It is also in this context that the Federal Government is not in the position to take disciplinary action against JAIS officers as per point 5 of the 10-Point Solution. Our PM has clearly stated that the Federal Government confirms and supports the 10-Point Solution but we must abide by existing Federal and State laws. Having made its position clear at the Federal level, that is why two of my cabinet colleagues, YB Khairy Jamaluddin and YB Nancy Shukri have urged the Selangor Government to take a stand and play its part in dealing with this matter from a State perspective.

5. In the last two years, many people asked me three important questions on the 10-Point Solution vis-a-vis the consistency of related policies, laws and practice. I have been asked these questions at many private discussions and open forums and I wish to state clearly my own responses to these questions.

Question A: How can the 10-Point Solution co-exist with the Islamic State Enactments? Are they incompatible?

In accordance with Federal Constitution Article 11.4, Islamic state laws were enacted to control and prohibit the propagation of non-Islamic faiths to Muslims. In Selangor, Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment of 1988 is a law passed by the Legislative Assembly of Selangor to control and restrict the propagation of non-Islamic religious doctrines and beliefs amongst persons professing Islam. The act of “propagation” is the crux of the matter. While the 10-Point Solution allows Christians and churches to use the Alkitab, which contains some of the 34 prohibited words, the 10-Point Solution does not condone the act of “propagation” of non-Muslim faiths to Muslims. That is an offence under the State Islamic enactments.

As mentioned earlier, the 10-Point Solution requires the Alkitab in Peninsular Malaysia to have on the front page the cross sign and the words “Christian Publication”. This is a pragmatic solution. This is akin to the practice of putting “non-halal” warnings on food items to inform Muslims to refrain from taking them. Instead of banning altogether non-halal food and drinks in the country, this practice allows non-Muslims to consume non-halal food and drinks and at the same time, making it clear to Muslims not to take them.

To reiterate, the 10-Point Solution does not condone non-Muslims propagating non-Islamic faiths to Muslims. In other words, the Alkitab is allowed on a conditional basis i.e. for use by Christians, their Churches and congregations and non-Muslims. However, if anyone uses the Alkitab or uses any of the prohibited words to propagate non-Islamic faiths to Muslims, then he will contravene the relevant Islamic laws. Clearly, it is not an offence for non-Muslims to sing the Selangor State Anthem which has the word “Allah” in the lyrics because merely singing or uttering the words in the anthem does not constitute “propagation”. Similarly, although the word “Haji” is one of the prohibited words, a non-Muslim who is addressing a Muslim with the Haji title is not committing an offence.

Another example: although the word “injil” is prohibited, the Federal Government and the State Government of Selangor have not prohibited my church, which is one of the fastest growing churches in Kuala Lumpur from calling our church SIBKL or “Sidang Injil Borneo KL”. In fact, in our church, we often pray for our Prime Minister and the leaders of our nation so that God will bless them and grant them the wisdom to lead our nation.

In summary, the 10-Point Solution permits the Alkitab, conditionally in Peninsular Malaysia but unconditionally in Sabah and Sarawak. It does not condone the propagation of non-Muslim faiths to Muslims, whether or not they use any of these prohibited words in the act of “propagation”. The Islamic State enactments and the 10-Point Solution are consistent on the propagation of non-Islamic faiths to Muslims. Hence, I am of the view that the 10-Point Solution can co-exist with the Islamic State Enactments, although I am aware that there are people who think this co-existence is not perfect.

Question B: Why do we place conditions for the Alkitab in Peninsular Malaysia when there no such conditions in Sabah and Sarawak? Surely, as one country, we should not have this differentiation.

In every country in the World, there are national policies, legislation and standards which are “common” for all states but there are also those which are “differentiated” or customised to take into account specific peculiarities in each country. For example, there are common laws for the United States of America but there are also specific differentiated laws in each state of USA. This is also the case in Malaysia.

The majority of the people living in Sabah and Sarawak have been using the word “Allah” in their own indigenous language even before and after independence. The Alkitab has been widely distributed freely, without restrictions for years. Again, the 10-point solution is in line with the spirit of the 18 and 20 point agreements which explicitly state that while Islam is the religion of the Federation, this is not the case in Sabah and Sarawak. That said, the final Malaysia Agreement did not have such an explicit provision. Sabah and Sarawak do not have similar Islamic State laws as those in Peninsular Malaysia. It is for these reasons that the Federal Government and the State Government in Sabah and Sarawak are unanimous in taking the stand that the Alkitab should not have any conditions as those imposed in Peninsular Malaysia.

In the case of Peninsular Malaysia, the majority of the people are Muslims and there are existing Islamic State laws which control and prohibit the propagation of non-Islamic faiths to Muslims. The sensitivities of the majority Muslim community in Peninsular Malaysia should be taken into account. Furthermore, Christians in Peninsular Malaysia who are Chinese, Indians and others do not normally use “Allah” in English and their own vernacular language. However, recognising the interests of the minority Christian communities and also other communities and religions who also use the word “Allah”, such as the Sikhs, it is reasonable to allow them access to these Alkitab and their own holy books on a conditional basis.

Question C: On the one hand, the 10-Point Solution allows the Alkitab in Peninsular Malaysia to be used by Christians as long as they fulfil the two conditions (that is the cross sign and the words “Christian Publication”). On the other hand, the Home Ministry is not allowing “The Herald” weekly from using the word “Allah”, regardless of whether they put these on the front page of the newsletter, the cross sign and the words “Christian Publication”. Isn’t this a contradiction in terms?

The Herald’s case is based on the use of powers by the Minister under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 [Act 301] which is to prohibit the use of the word “Allah” in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the publication of The Herald newsletter. In this case, the Home Minister has used his discretionary power in accordance with the law, upon being satisfied that the use of the word “Allah” in the Herald’s publication could cause sensitivities, which in turn threatens public order and security. The Court of Appeal has ruled that the use of the word “Allah” in the Alkitab is different from its use in The Herald newspaper as seen from the distribution angle of the publications. The Alkitab is allowed on conditional basis to be used in the church and in the Christian community while The Herald is a newsletter that can be accessed by Christians and non-Christian communities. Based on those facts, the usage could result in religious sensitivity and ultimately threatens public order and security. The incidents of the torching of some churches in Peninsular Malaysia have been cited as evidence in the court hearing at the Court of Appeal.

In dismissing the appeal by Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop, Kuala Lumpur (“Titular”), the Court of Appeal reasoned its judgment as follows:

• that the Minister had acted in accordance with discretionary power in accordance with the law. The Minister was also found not to be acting outside the established principles for his decision to be set aside by the Court.

• that the administration (Executive) is the best body to decide on matters of public order and security. In this case, the Court of Appeal found that the High Court had erred when deciding that there is no evidence to show that there has been a threat to public order and security. The Court of Appeal further concluded that the law allows the Minister to make decisions without waiting for threats or violence and is sufficient should there potentially be an occurrence of threat to public order and security. The court also took into account the violence that occurred after the High Court decision.

• that the prohibition of the use of the word “Allah ” in the Bahasa Malaysia version of The Herald, which is a translation of the English word – ” God” in a newspaper, will not prevent the Christian community from practicing their religion and therefore does not violate the right to freedom of religion under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

In the courts, the arguments on behalf of the Minister and the Government of Malaysia in the Court of Appeal are focused on the absolute discretion of the Minister to prohibit the use of any words that could threaten public order and security.

In summary, the 10-Point Solution allows the Alkitab for use by Christians on a conditional basis in Peninsular Malaysia. However, the Home Minister has exercised his discretion by virtue of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 [Act 301] to prohibit the Herald from using the word “Allah” on grounds of public order and security. In addition, many people have pointed out that The Herald is a newsletter, and given its potentially wide circulation, it also has a greater propensity to be a tool for propagation.

6. I believe differences or conflicts on religious issues are best dealt with through dialogue and discussions rather than through the courts. However, in the Herald case, the Titular has exercised his legal rights by taking the first step to take the matter to the high court, the court of appeal and now awaiting, the Supreme Court hearing. As this is the highest court in the country, its judgement will be final and definitive. 

7. While awaiting the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing, I think it is in the nation’s best interest for all parties to remain calm, avoid taking confrontational actions and refrain from making provocative public statements on the “Allah” / Bible issue. As religious matters are highly sensitive, we must all make sure that the issue is not exploited or escalated to disturb national unity, stability and security. Apart from the court case, we should encourage continuing interfaith dialogue and discussions in order to find an amicable way forward in handling religious conflicts and concerns.

8. When we came out with the 10 point solution through negotiations and dialogue, the terms of reference was one where we have to make sure the solution firstly, comply with the Federal Constitution on religious freedom but at the same time, comply with the State Islamic enactments. This in itself was very difficult. Secondly, we had to ensure that there is a win-win solution for the Muslims and the Christians so that no one loses out completely. We had to be sensitive to the Muslims as well as the Christians and non-Muslims. Thirdly, we need to recognise that many Sabahans and Sarawakians use the word “Allah” in their own indigenous language. Fourthly, that Sabahans and Sarawakians make about 4 million trips annually to Peninsular Malaysia, hundreds of thousands of them study and work in Peninsular Malaysia. These complex requirements of the terms of reference meant that we had to develop a solution in a very tight spot. There was very little room to manoeuvre. Although I know that there are Christians and Muslims who did not like the 10 Point solution because it did not give them exactly what they wanted from their point of view, it was the best and practical compromise that fulfilled all the scope of the terms of reference.

9. Unless someone comes up with a better and more acceptable way forward, I think the 10-Point Solution remains the most pragmatic and workable compromise ( I emphasise ‘compromise’) to help us manage this highly sensitive issue. I urge all parties to think very carefully about jumping the gun on solutions which lead to a win-lose situation. Think about the dire consequences and people’s reaction; either way, I am convinced any one-sided solution will certainly create a serious fault-line in the Malaysian religious and social fabric. We don’t want to go there.

10. I am convinced that religion and true spirituality plays a vital part in nation building and shaping Malaysian society and the nation. I grew up in Sarawak where people are a lot more tolerant and accommodative of one another, regardless of race and religion. In Peninsular Malaysia, we need to learn a thing or two from the Sabahans and Sarawakians. We must not allow religious conflicts to divide us, or plant the seeds of hatred between communities. Religion is rooted in our Federal Constitution, our State laws and our Rukun Negara as the one of the five main pillars of our society. I pray that this issue does not stain the fabric of our society today. May God guide us and grant us the love and wisdom to help us find a way forward for our nation. 

Datuk Seri Idris Jala is minister in the Prime Minister's Department and chief executive of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu).

Read the article in full here.

Do not be surprised if the next PM of Malaysia is some one from Sabah or Sarawak ok friends.

If the TPPA could threathen natives' rights to their land, then Malaysia should opt out and strengthen ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY instead

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is a proposed plurilateral free trade agreement (FTA) currently under negotiations among 12 nations surrounding the Asia-Pacific region, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the Philippines, the United States, Vietnam and more recently Japan, boasts a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of over US$33 trillion (RM99 million) as at end-2012.

'Besides having to deal with higher prices for medicine and healthcare, Malaysia is also at risk of losing the ability to protect the land for indigenous tribes if it signs the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) with the United States'

Former Japanese MP Nobuhiko Suto

If the TPPA can threathen native land then the Gomen better beware it could threaten the Federation of Malaysia as we know it.

'With the existing Perlembagaan and our Gomen policy are we even ready for the TPPA, does the benefits far outweigh the losses that we must have the TPPA at any cost? The TPPA will threaten our Perlembagaan and our Laws, the American Corporations will beat us down with just one finger (sue the Gomen to kingdom come), and its not just the Malays, Bumis that will be affected, the Chinese monopolies of the economy will be affected too, means all of us will be affected the poor as well as the rich Malaysians ok'

Me

The news:

TPPA could threaten natives’ rights to their land, says Japanese professor

Besides having to deal with higher prices for medicine and healthcare, Malaysia is also at risk of losing the ability to protect the land for indigenous tribes if it signs the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) with the United States, a professor and former lawmaker from Japan said today.

Former Japanese MP Nobuhiko Suto said this was because under the TPPA, participating countries cannot have laws that give preferential treatment based on ethnicity.

Such policies, said Suto, open Malaysia up to be sued by international corporations under the TPPA’s investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system – a controversial provision that critics say gives too much power to corporations over local governments.

This could effectively mean that under the TPPA, Putrajaya would have to review its policy of giving special rights to Peninsular and East Malaysian indigenous tribes over their land, and of setting aside Malay reserve land.

“Which is why I am quite confused as to why Malaysia is still in talks to sign the TPPA,” said Suto, who is a former member of the Japanese House of Representatives, the equivalent of Malaysia’s Dewan Rakyat. 

In comparison, Indonesia, which also has preferential land rights for some of its ethnic groups, has pulled out of the TPPA talks, said Suto, who was professor of economy and management at the Tokai University in Tokyo.

“This was after they realised how much of a threat the TPPA was to their local economy and domestic policies,” said Suto, who is now part of the campaign to oppose the TPPA in Japan.

The TPPA is not a mere pact between participating countries over the trade in goods, he said. 

“It is an attempt by the US to change local laws, policies and systems to give an advantage to giant American corporations who want to operate in a certain country.”

The TPPA is an agreement that would open up Malaysia’s economy to corporations mainly from the US. In return, it opens the US economy to Malaysian firms, particularly in the electronics sector.

Its critics have charged that it would, among others, raise the price of healthcare and give foreign corporations too much power in the local economy through the ISDS.

The TPPA also demands that participating countries not give preferential treatment to state-owned enterprises or government-linked companies.

Talks with the US are continuing over this weekend between Malaysia and 12 other countries on the TPPA in Singapore. The other countries are Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Mexico, Japan, Brunei, Peru and Canada.

Fears of Malaysia losing more than it would gain from the TPPA have seen 60 groups from a variety of different backgrounds, such as the Malay Economic Action Council and Malaysian AIDS Council, banding together to pressure the government against signing the pact.

Putrajaya had previously stated that it would not sign the TPPA if it “was detrimental to Malaysian interests”.

“It’s not just developing countries that will have a problem with the TPPA. Even developed economies, such as Japan, will be seriously impacted,” said Suto.

For instance, Japan imposes a customs duty of 700% on imported rice in order to protect its rice farmers. Without the duty, local Japanese rice would be seven times more expensive than imported rice.

“But under the TPPA, this duty would have to be abolished,” said Suto. 

When South Korea put into force a Free Trade Agreement with the US a few years ago, it had serious consequences to its local provincial governments because of the ISDS, claimed Suto.

One province provided school lunches made from produce grown by local farmers. But according to the ISDS, such a policy was unfair and the government could have been sued. 

The province eventually stopped the policy, said Suto, even though it had helped local farmers.

Opposition towards the pact, he claimed, is also building up in the US, where the content of the talks is also kept secret.

This is because the ISDS also gives non-American foreign companies the ability to sue local American state governments for breaching TPPA regulations.

“So when members of the US House of Representatives found out about it, they themselves said this could be a threat to their own sovereignty.” – February 23, 2014.

Additional Reading:

TPPA boleh sebabkan negara alami krisis ekonomi - Dr. Mahathir

TPPA – A Stealth Attempt to Undermine Democracy

Source here

The BN Gomen will have a huge demo in its hand that will include its supporters too, if they proceed with the TPPA, of that I am certain. It could even be the precursor to  death kneel of BN in PRU14.

 It is dead serious ya PM Najib Razak.

The Genting Bus Tragedy Report: Speed Kills!

'Speed Kills'

 'The Genting Bus Tragedy is a gruesome testimony why Speed Kills'

'The Gomen may not be able to or do not want to take over the Private Road leading up to Genting Resort but the Government can surely conduct a Road Safety Audit and then instruct Genting Berhad to redesign and improve its Road Safety, if they don't want then just close the road citing non compliance of safety'

'Gomen must act now on the recommendations of the independent advisory panel, SPRM must be called in to investigate JPJ, SPAD why they did not do their job properly?'

'Another Bus tragedy at Genting Highland will be very bad news for our Malaysia'

Me

The report on the Genting Bus Tragedy is out and thanks to the MOT Minister DS Hisham, can even be read in pdf click the link to MOT website.

I am however reproducing the news report from cbt.com.my in full:

Shocking findings in the Genting bus crash report

In unprecedented findings by the independent advisory panel probing into the causes of Genting bus crash, it has exposed the incompetency and violations across the board that were already considered as open secrets among the public transport and road safety advocates for quite a while.

The 44-page report highlights the systematic failure by the government agencies for not assuming full responsibility and exercising the jurisdiction and power accorded to them, details that have been speculated by the public all this while.

It was further cemented in strong words by the panel as per item 3.5 of the report entitled 'Lackadaisical Attitude on Road Safety':

“The Panel is deeply concerned with the findings that senior management of several government agencies and private organisations reflected lackadaisical attitude and poor commitments on road safety, despite the fact that they are in a position to influence or make decisions to implement appropriate measures in their normal duties.”

The report released yesterday which was prepared by the six-man panel headed by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, also highlights the lack of enforcement and communication to safe operation practice for public service vehicle including weaknesses in standard operating procedure by authorities and relevant organisation.

There are so many findings outlined by the panel and to assist readers, CBT extracts someof the damning findings from the independent report to the Transport Ministry which may provide the idea on the level of disarray among the government agencies and relevant organisations, thus directly and indirectly contributed to the nation’s worst road fatalities in a single crash.

Lackadaisical Attitude on Road Safety

a) Both Road Transport Department (RTD) and Puspakom Sdn Bhd had poor safe keeping of documents and records. The important documents and records related to the crashed bus could not be produced by RTD as it was claimed that the documents were destroyed by white ants. There was no further countermeasure to retrieve the entire content or partially;

b) Puspakom only keep their detail inspection records from 2010 onwards. It was claimed that there are no means to trace the earlier inspection details, including the technical contents of any earlier approval;

c) Puspakom demonstrated its lackadaisical attitude in performing vehicle inspections where unrealistic data was recorded throughout the years for the crashed bus. Puspakom did not take any appropriate action to identify and improve such shortcomings. The panel believes this is also not an isolated case;

d) Genting Malaysia Berhad failed to take adequate proactive actions to rectify road safety issues and to further enhance the safety of their road;

e) The Panel noted that Department of Occupational, Safety and Health (DOSH) was not assuming full responsibility in managing occupational road safety and health, and instead attempting to delegate its power to other authorities;

f) There was no initiative taken by any relevant authority to gazette the posted speed limit for the purpose of enforcing over-speeding along the Genting road;

g) The absence of the director-general of Public Works Department (JKR) for the interview session without any notice is not acceptable by the Panel. The director-general had further demonstrated his low priority and seriousness towards road safety by assigning one of the senior principal assistant directors to represent JKR, and he could not provide any clarification on important issues sought by the panel.

Lack of the Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health in Genting Highlands Transport Sdn Bhd (GHT)

a) The operating company had very poor documentation and no substantial evidence to support that the company had very poor documentation and no substantial evidence to support that the company and the bus service were operating with satisfactory effort to ensure safe service and operation in driver management, vehicle replacement and maintenance, and journey and risk management;

b) GHT never conduct drug and alcohol test for their drivers.

Road Status and Road Design

a) The Genting road was approved without any detailed design submitted and has never been audited by any relevant authority;

b) At present, there is no policy that requires submission of the road design with road safety audit to the relevant authorities, including the local council, for a private road with public access;

c) The safe speed of the curve at the crash site was calculated to be 30 km/h which is much lower than the posted speed limit of 50 km/h and the design speed of the road of 60 km/h.

Vehicle Approval and Inspection

a) The current vehicle plan approval only requires general vehicle drawings which contain very little information for inspection purposes. Bus approved plans indicates minimum dimensions and not the actual dimensions of the bus. In so doing, there is a possibility that buses are subject to unauthorized modifications without being noticed;

b) Periodic verification and validation check of coach builders are poorly implemented and monitored by the authority

c) There is no official guideline to determine the standing capacity on stage buses.

Standard Operating Procedure and Vehicle Technical Requirements

a) Some of the existing guidelines are verbal, not documented, and subject to changes by individual engineers;

b) Under these circumstances, industry players like vehicle manufacturers, vehicle body builders, design engineers, Puspakom engineers and RTD engineers do not have a common technical reference for vehicle requirements thus giving rise to confusion and misinterpretation.

Non-compliance of Provisions

a) There are strong evidences to show that certain officers of the RTD’s Automotive Engineering Division do not comply with the Weight Restriction Order by approving Maximum Permissible Laden Weight (BDM) of a certain category of vehicles far beyond the gazetted BDM.

Front Row Safety Seatbelts of the Crashed Bus were not installed

a) The vehicle plan for the crashed bus was approved by RTD on 14 August 2008 without safety seatbelts for front row seats;

b) The Transport Ministry, through the letter to the RTD director-general dated 12 April 2004, decided that all front row seats must be installed with safety seatbelts;

c) Four lives could have been saved from this Genting crash if the above had been complied with.

Licensing of Public Service Vehicle

a) Approval of operation license without considering any specific requirement for certain road environment by Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) may compromise safety;

b) For example, double-deck buses (tour buses/express buses) are allowed to operate along hilly and winding roads;

c) Standing capacity is allowed for all stage buses without considering road environment under the present operation permit approval procedure by SPAD.

Lack of Communications among Different Agencies

a) Vehicle blacklisting system is not synchronized between Royal Malaysia Police and RTD. In this case, the blacklist status of the crashed bus which was from police, appeared on RTD website but not in the RTD system;

b) Specifications of SPAD requirements for permit are not well communicated to relevant authority and permit holder.

The panel has also recommended that National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to be established within two years to be accorded with technical competency and power.

An interim body before the formal creation of NTSB is also suggested to ensure effective implementation of the recommendations submitted by the panel in the Genting bus tragedy report.

Read the news report in full here.

CNY Video: Theresa Kok should and must apologise first to the Chinese Community and then to Malaysians

Onederful Malaysia:Teresa Kok tidak amal budaya Cina, kata kumpulan profesional

After all the DAP Bull shit defense of Theresa Kok its really refreshing to note that many Chinese Malaysians are against the divisive CNY Video.

Theresa Kok has done enough damage to race relations especially between the Chinese and the Malays starting from that infamous squatting woman incident in 2005 and the list goes on:

Anyway I believe there is still hope for a multiracial Malaysia where people can live in peace and harmony not fighting each other as DAP and their leaders would like us all to do.

Marilah kita sokong Dasar Pendidikan Negara, jangan sekali-kali kita benarkan Gomen tunduk pada ekstremis Dong Zong

This is something that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister should take note, if the UEC is given Gomen recognition we will be a totally polarised country in just under 20 years. It is really bad for the country, the race relation is really bad as it is. Language Extremists Dong Zong's demands if met by the Gomen will destroy the fabric of our multiracial society, we will be many nations in one country.

Pengiktirafan UEC oleh kerajaan satu pengkhianatan kepada Dasar Pendidikan Negara - Dr Mohd Amir Sharifuddin

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Perkasa memandang serius tuntutan oleh Dong Zong agar kerajaan mengiktiraf Sijil Peperiksaan Bersepadu (UEC) yang tersiar dalam Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini.

Bagi Perkasa pengiktirafan UEC itu oleh kerajaan atau kerajaan negeri di bawah Pakatan Rakyat adalah suatu pengkhianatan kepada Dasar Pendidikan Negara.

Dasar Pendidikan Negara bukan memihak kepada mana mana pihak tetapi adalah untuk kebaikan kita bersama.

Perkasa menganggap kerajaan adalah agen kepada kerosakan perpaduan antara kaum jika UEC diterima kerana ianya akan menjadi pemangkin kepada masyarakat Cina menghantar anak-anak kereka ke sekolah jenis kebangsaan Cina sehingga peringkat tertinggi pendidikan di mana mereka tidak akan bercampur-gaul dengan pelajar dari kaum lain. Pastinya perpaduan kaum lebih buruk di masa akan datang.

Saya yakin dasar pendidikan kebangsaan adalah satu satunya alat perpaduan yang penting bagi Malaysia. Mana boleh sekolah berbagai aliran membantu perpaduan. Carilah sebuah negara lain di dunia yang mengamalkan sistem berbagai bahasa pengantar di sekolah.

Perkasa melihat Dong Zong masih mahu bersendiwara kerana setiap kali ada pilihan raya ketika itulah pelbagai tuntutan dibuat oleh Dong Zong. Dan setiap kali itulah Perkasa juga melihat kerajaan ada menunaikan sebahagian tuntutan mereka.

Perkasa gesa kerajaan cukup-cukuplah melayani kehendak Dong Zong. Lebih baik kerajaan tegas dalam membina perpaduan kaum negara ini bermula dari bangku sekolah lagi.

Perkasa tekankan bahawa kerajaan perlu hentikan segala bentuk bantuan kepada semua sekolah jenis kebangsaan ini. Lebih baik tumpukan kepada sekolah kebangsaan sahaja. Banyak lagi keperluan yang masih kurang di sekolah-sekolah kebangsaan.

Disebabkan bantuan begitu banyak diberikan kepada sekolah jenis kebangsaan, kerajaan terpaksa mengurangkan peruntukan kepada sekolah-sekolah kebangsaan.

Sekolah kebangsaan adalah untuk semua pelajar berbilang kaum dan bukan untuk pelajar Melayu sahaja. Itu sebabnya dipanggil sekolah kebangsaan. Sekolah untuk semua kaum.

Mengapa tidak mewajibkan semua pejalar perlu berlajar di sekolah kebangsaan? Jika kaum lain mahu sekolah bahasa sendiri mereka perlu tanggung perbelanjaannya sendiri kerana dalam perlembagaan negara telah menyatakan begitu.

Cari waktu sesuai untuk belajar dalam bahasa lain selain bahasa kebangsaan. Semua rakyat wajib bersekolah di sekolah kebangsaan dan pastinya perpaduan antara kaum lebih erat di masa-masa akan datang.

Bukan setakat murid-murid sahaja, malah ibu bapa berbagai kaum juga boleh bergaul semasa mereka bila ada acara-acara tertentu. Apakah Dong Zong tidak terfikir ini sebagai satu kebaikan? Apakah Dong Zong tidak mahu anak-anak dan ibu bapa kaum Cina bergaul dengan kaum lain?

Perkasa tegas menggesa kerajaan jangan menerima UEC yang didesak oleh Dong Zong itu. Jangan kerana mahu sokongan undi di Kajang, kerajaan rela menggadai masa depan perpaduan negara. – 11 Februari, 2014.

* Profesor Dr Mohd Amir Sharifuddin adalah Pengerusi Biro Pendidikan Perkasa.

NO more bullshit! Let's bash the hypocrites that benefited from it and now wants NEP aborted

A good reply to those hypocrites who have immensely benefited from the NEP but now wants it aborted because they do not want others to have a comfortable life like they have. Reblogged from the MOLE.my:

Let’s all bash NEP

By Ibnu KhalidTuesday, February 4, 2014

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Without stability, we would never enjoy strong economic growth - Ibnu Khalid

Every once in a while, as if like clockwork, the debate on the NEP resurfaces. The latest came from the author of ‘No More Bullshit, Please, We’re all Malaysians’.

The writer - Kee Thuan Chye claimed that Malaysia is in a social and economic mess because of the NEP, he further asserted that “if it was not for the New Economic Policy (NEP) and its continued existence to this day …. we would not be in the state we’re in now”.

Specifically, he charged that the NEP has made us economically less competitive, discouraged investors from putting money into ventures, and triggered a massive brain drain. Nice try, but unfortunately, his claims are not supported by facts or data, in other words (to use his favourite word), are entirely bullshit.

Let’s take the brain drain issue first.

Studies have found that the foremost reason why most tertiary educated Malaysians emigrate is to seek better career prospects, and not solely because of the NEP. This is not my conclusion, but the conclusion by World Bank and Harvard University.

Claiming that the NEP triggered an exodus of the well-educated is quite a far stretch from the truth. For an ex-journalist I expected him to uphold some journalistic integrity. Maybe he is also ignorant of the fact that brain drain is not solely a Malaysian problem.  

Singapore, our prosperous neighbour who is often touted as a utopian state that some of us wish to emulate, is also facing the same problem.

The World Bank found that Singapore’s rate of brain drain is 14.5%, much worse than Malaysia’s 10%. Hong Kong’s brain drain is equally bad, at 30%. What does this tell us?

It might suggest that abolishing affirmative action policies would not resolve the problem. Then why is it that Kee Thuan Chye thinks that the NEP is the problem?

What about investments? Has the NEP discouraged investments in the country as claimed by the writer? Let’s see.

Data from IMF shows that Malaysia's average investment ratio to GDP during the official NEP period was among the highest in the region. Our average investment ratio to GDP was about 29%, on par with her neighbouring countries and comparable to developed nations such as USA, UK and Japan.

Even if we stretch the analysis to the year 2012, the average investment ratio remained on par with our neighbours. Isn’t he aware that many industries were exempted from the requirements of the NEP? For example, since 1986 export-oriented companies, which were mostly owned by foreigners, were fully exempted from the NEP requirements.

Besides that, the manufacturing sector has been liberalized since 1998. High-technology industries, especially companies that were established within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) were also allowed exemption from NEP rules.

And the services sector, which accounts for 60% of the GDP, was also liberalised a few years ago. So where is the evidence that the NEP impeded investments?

Nonetheless, despite what the evidence has clearly shown, NEP will continue to be the punching bag for the ills facing the nation. The baseless arguments to discredit the New Economic Policy have been refuted many times, but are still being recycled ad nauseam.

It only serves to fuel unnecessary rage against a policy that has provided great success in establishing a socio-economic balance and harmony in society.

We must acknowledge the fact however inconvenient it maybe; NEP plays a big role in creating and maintaining social and political stability in this country since 1970.

Without stability, we would never enjoy strong economic growth. Sadly, the NEP bashing will continue. It has become a zombie; it should be dead given that the critics are wrong on the facts and they have been thoroughly refuted by analysis.

It is time to bury it; the bashing serves no intellectual purpose other than fulfilling some hogwash political agenda and appeals to racist and liars. Enough. No more bullshit, please.

Yes lah Kee, please no more bull shit from you, its rather tiring,

More Bullshit from Kee Thuan Chye

Kee Thuan Chye you are one condescending racist prick do us a favor and start doing what you preach..NO MORE BULLSHIT!

PRK Kajang: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” 

'He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight'

Sun Tzu - The Art of War

'PKR’s troubles not my problem'

YAB PM Najib Razak

By now I believe many Malaysians will have known by now that there will be a forced bye-election at DUN Kajang in Selangor brought about by a premeditated resignation of a PKR Adun who is making way for Anwar Ibrahim to be another ADUN and perhaps MB of Selangor if MB Khalid Ibrahim resign or is forced to resign. 

Of course we should know that its not just PKR who have a say about the MB post, the Sultan of Selangor does have wide discretionary powers under the State Constitution contrary to what many non-Muslim lawyers think, read here.

PKR macais lead by Rafizi Ramli have come out with the most incredulous reasons why Anwar at 66 and with time not on his side should be MB for Selangor. I think its more to do with PKR trying to buttress Anwar's weakening political strength n presence in Pakatan as Khalid Ibrahim is seen to be a more effective National Leader albeit thru his good report card as MB of Selangor. I guess if you take Khir Toyo as an MB benchmark..anybody than Khir would do damn good as MB of Selangor. Don't get me wrong, I have the highest respect for TS Khalid Ibrahim, when he was PNB boss he made ASB a success and the fruits is still being enjoyed by many Malays/Bumis who owe a debt of gratitude to this man who is now MB of Selangor.

Anyway I don't think Anwar can stomach another good leader with real management abilities as this would put a spanner in his quest for the PM post in GE14 another four years from now. Not that Nuar and Pakatan will have an easy ride to Putrajayalah and of course Anwar should not forget that he has a date with the Court of Appeals in his Sodomy 2 trials (yes lah Anwar you are not out of the wood yet OK).

Anyway the other day our PM Najib did say that PKR problem is not his problem responding to some PKR idiot call for him to lawan Anwar at PRK Kajang. I would humbly suggest to the PM to boycott the PRK Kajang, why I say? Read on:

1. The voter numbers are not good on BN side..there are 40% Chinese voters who would vote for any monkey if their Hero Lim Kit Siang tells them to, n I am sure he will do just that. The Malay voters numbers 49% but the Malays are split three ways UMNO, PKR and PAS the Indians are about 10% and their votes are probably split more than 3 ways.

2. PKR say the forced unethical  bye-election is a tactical move for Putrajaya as well..so BN should defeat this move by not participating in their messy political manoeuvring.

3. The country has had enough of politicking by Anwar and his Pakatan gang since 2008, its now 2014, a decisive PM Najib can stop this nonsense by telling Pakatan categorically that BN will not have any part in the sodomisation of the electoral process and will boycott not only the PRK Kajang but any other elections forced by sudden resignation or not caused by a Court Order.

I think the many peace loving Malaysians will greatly appreciate BN for boycotting the forced election...let peace and political stability prevail with good and decisive leadership in the interest of ALL Malaysians.