Just My Thoughts

With loose cannon Anwar helming Pakatan, way is clear for BN to win big in the GE

2012-01-28T03:00:00.002+08:00

Anwar Ibrahim our Opposition parties(Pakatan Rakyat) proclaimed PM in waiting is cranking up in overdrive with the upcoming General Election looming very near the horizon, some say its March some say its going to be June, I predict it would be in 2012 probably in March but lets just see shall we. Anyway this post is about Anwar's latest statement from his interview with the not so BN Gomen friendly magazine, the Wall Street Journal Asia:

"I support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel,"

Anwar Ibrahim

The full article from the WSJ Asia can be read here:

The persecution of the Palestinians People in the occupied territories by the Zionist Israel is the worse example of human rights deprivation and abuse in the world at this time and we have here a politician who is obsessed to become the PM of this blessed nation. a so called champion reformer and of human rights of Malaysians telling the whole world that he supports ALL efforts to protect the Zionist State of Israel?

This is what former US President Jimmy Carter said about Israel:

I strongly believe Anwar is unsuitable for the very high office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia due to his past unsavoury record of being an ex convict jailed for abuse of power and twice being charged for sodomy with two different men in a space of less than 10 years, to add to his infamous roll of dishonours, this person now openly support the Zionist State of Israel which openly persecutes and kill Palestinians and deprive them of a nation state of their own.

Anwar has outlived his usefulness in Pakatan Rakyat, its time for him to go quietly, his unilateral statements are making him a liability to Pakatan's cause he ought to be replaced by more credible and morally upright leaders from amongst the PAS,DAP and PKR parties if they want to have any chance of cutting down the BN majority, please do not even think of Putrajaya because if you can only come up with leaders of Anwar's mediocre ability and very heavy personal baggage clearly the Pakatan is not ready to control the Federal Gomen.

DAP leaders shouldn't make misleading statements in the year of the Dragon

2012-01-24T22:42:00.000+08:00

Seems Pulau Pinang's imported leader have a habit of embellishing things to make him look good as the Ketua Menteri. Some times I wonder why the BN is slow at rebutting this politician who always like to trumpet other people's good deeds as his own. Here is a report from The Star which is self explanatory:

Guan Eng should stop claiming he helped settle RM630mil loan, says Donald Lim

By SIRA HABIBU

PETALING JAYA: The DAP-run Penang Government was only able to record a positive budget because it shifted its RM630mil debt to the Federal Government, said the Finance Ministry.

Deputy Minister Datuk Donald Lim, who disclosed this, said it was wrong for Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to mislead the public into thinking that the state had settled the loan on its own.

The deputy minister explained that the state debt was actually transferred to the Federal Government following a water restructuring agreement that was initiated even before Pakatan Rakyat came to power in Penang.

Under the rationalisation scheme, the state must pay interest-free rental of RM14.6mil annually for a period of 45 years, he said.

Lim said this in response to Guan Eng's claim that the Penang government had successfully reduced its debt by 95% from RM630mil in March 2008 to RM30mil in Oct last year through prudent and transparent financial management.

Guan Eng had said in an article uploaded on his blog that it was the highest debt reduction recorded in a state in Malaysian history.

Lim said Guan Eng should stop claiming credit that he has helped deplete the hefty loan.

“Guan Eng has not generated such a high revenue to pay off the huge debt within such a short period of time,” he added.

Lim said Guan Eng should be ashamed for telling half-truths for cheap political mileage.

“It goes to show that Guan Eng's Competency, Accountability and Transparency policy is a mere gimmick,” he added.

According to the Finance Ministry, Penang's outstanding loan of RM655.25mil owed to the Federal Government was rationalised by alienating state land-related water assets to Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PABB).

PABB, a state-owned company, entered into a water restructuring agreement with the Federal Government via Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) on June 2 last year.

Under the agreement, PAAB will become water asset owners after buying the water infrastructure from the states.

In exchange for these assets, PAAB will assume Penang's outstanding Federal water supply loans of an equivalent sum.

For how long would half the people of Pulau Pinang swallow the misleading statements and tolerate the grand standing antics of a really ordinary DAP Government led by an import from Melaka who is even rejected by the State DAP there is anybody's guess.

I hope that people in Pulau Pinang would wise up to the fact that the DAP will bring them to no where, not as much as a BN led Government which have done much to help Pulau Pinang to prosper.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

2012-01-21T19:15:00.000+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Wish that the Chinese New Year of the dragon brings peace, happiness and good fortune to your loved ones.

My wife and I hope to have a good year too, in fact our only son is born in the Year of the Dragon.

Lets Sing together now:

The AG appeals against Anwar's acquittal...Thank God

2012-01-21T14:14:00.000+08:00

Its a good day for justice yesterday:

Read more in the NST here.

I can hear the Pakatan war drums backed up by their alternate mouthpiece in the Bar Council are up and running again and the hypocrites of the International NGOs and media will be calling the PM all sort of nonsense. Silly really, this country is Ruled by Law and just because a rich and influential politician such as Anwar is accused of sodomy, only he can Appeal? and the poor victim Saiful got no right to appeal? Bollocks.

Thank you Tan Sri Peguam Negara for deciding without fear or favor to appeal the High Court acquittal. I wish also that the Learned Judge's written Judgement for the acquittal can be put for public viewing, it would make for interesting reading.

The SOPA and PIPA will change how we use the internet if passed by Uncle Sam

2012-01-20T23:34:00.001+08:00

Updated news, but probably just a respite, a breather before another push by the powers that be :

Congress Puts SOPA, PIPA on Hold

Original Post:

Have a read folks on what is happening in America about the ongoing debate on the SOPA - Stop Online Piracy Act and PIPA - Protect IP Act. What happens in America in regards to the passing of these Acts will have a huge repercussion on how we use the internet today and the future. Al-jazeera online have a load of articles on the ongoing drama:

Read more: SOPA: Legitimising censorship?

Online goliaths band together to protest SOPA's threat to business, innovation and civil liberties.

Read More: Why we need to stop SOPA and PIPA

Internet and technology experts discuss why current anti-piracy legislation in the US must be stopped.

Read more: Website blackout over "SOPA" censorship

Wikipedia and Reddit go black to protest proposed US legislation which will 'disappear' controversial websites.

Thanks to my son Arif who alerted me to the news about PIPA and SOPA.

Pakatan leaders who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others

2012-01-19T18:32:00.000+08:00

I do not normally agree with what Dr. Kua Kia Soong say, but this time I am in agreement with him, a one candidate one seat policy is standard for a democracy in fact its a must for democracy to thrive, the Pakatan parties of the DAP, PKR and PAS talks about reform, Change..Ubah but they are themselves slow and resistant to change; From the MI:

One candidate, one seat — Kua Kia Soong

January 19, 2012

JAN 19 — Karpal Singh, Chairman of the DAP must be commended for his recent call to Pakatan Rakyat to practice a “one candidate, one seat” policy. At last, one leader in Pakatan Rakyat has finally spoken up against this undemocratic practice of the party elite monopolising federal and state seats … a lion amongst the lambs?

When I criticised this practice a few years ago (Mkini, 18.4.2008), the “seat grabbers” tried to justify the practice by saying they COULD handle both federal and state constituencies: “All you need to do is employ more secretaries to look after the seats for you what,” was their pathetic reply. They failed to see the contradiction and fallacy in this undemocratic practice while criticising the Barisan Nasional for not carrying out democratic reform.

Democratic reforms begin at home.

A Pakatan Rakyat that champions democratic reforms should practice this basic democratic principle within their parties before talking about reforming the country. “Seat grabbing” of both federal and state constituencies in the general elections suggests that the politicians involved are brilliant multi-taskers and that there are too few appropriate candidates within their parties to do otherwise.

Democracy is about people’s participation and that means creating opportunities for MORE, not fewer people to engage in the democratic process of government. Are these politicians actively seeking and nurturing such potential candidates within their party?

Whatever their claimed intention, “seat grabbing” looks like an attempt by the power holders in the party to have as many positions and privileges as they can grab, a case of careerism and opportunism gone mad! It’s damn petty bourgeois if you ask me…

The Barisan Nasional, you may have noticed, does not practice such “seat grabbing” not because they are democrats but because they have too many parties between which, to divide the spoils. Furthermore, compared to the largely petty bourgeoisie in Pakatan Rakyat, they are the bourgeoisie who have the “discreet charm” to forego such cheap thrills of monopolising federal and state seats and go for the bigger economic stakes.

A retrogressive step

It has been mentioned that, now Pakatan Rakyat has so many candidates, they should think about implementing the “one candidate, one seat” policy. In fact, when I was in the Selangor DAP state committee in 1990-95, we already implemented this policy in the early 1990s, much to the chagrin of the power elite at the centre of the DAP. At the time, they had insisted that a part-time member of parliament who kept two medical practices was indispensable in the state as well. Even then, the rank-and-file in the DAP were opposed to power holders in the party monopolising both federal and state seats.

But now, this “one candidate, one seat” policy of the Selangor DAP state committee seems to have been rolled back in recent years obviously through the persuasive arguments by the power elite in the party that these politicians are indispensable at both federal and state levels. This example shows how political reforms can be rolled back with time…

There are other reforms that have not been implemented within PR including limiting the terms of office of the party leader, a democratic reform that has been achieved by even the retrogressive MCA. Has the never-ending feudal “dear leader” syndrome any place in a democracy?

Even at the expense of feminism?

Turning to PKR, the same practice has been carried out at the expense of very basic feminist principles. I am of course referring to the abdication of the Permatang Pauh seat by the president of the party, Wan Azizah for her husband, Anwar Ibrahim’s return to the federal parliament.

I was not opposed to the idea of forcing a by-election for Anwar to return to parliament but it should have been the MB of Selangor or some other ineffectual MP who should have given way for Anwar and not Wan Azizah. Hasn’t the mentri besar or the chief minister of state enough duties on their plate to also want to claim a federal seat?

In this case, we are talking about not just an ordinary woman leader but the president of the party and a possible Prime Minister of the country in the event of Anwar being imprisoned for sodomy 2.0.

But how was it that the feminists and the principled politicians in PR did not utter any dissension? It has become a standard feminist demand that there should be a gender quota of women representation in political parties, government office and other institutions. In this case, we have a woman president of the party who had already won her seat in parliament having to make way for a man!

It’s democracy, stupid!

Why do you think this grabby practice of wanting seats in both federal and state parliaments is not practiced in other democratic countries? Do you think it is because they cannot afford to employ political secretaries to look after their constituencies?

It’s democracy, stupid! To do so would risk being laughed at by the media and the public for being such petty bourgeois careerists! Democracy is a process that emphasises broad and greater participation of the people and the nurturing of new leaders in the political system. It is about the inclusion of women and young leaders in the exercise of power and decision-making throughout society.

This principle of inclusivity is crucial. It is not about placing a few token or high-profile women who are more interested in air-brushing their public image either! The role of women leaders is to push for deeper and more extensive models of democracy and participation for other women.

Thus, selection procedures within parties must be inclusive, transparent and democratic. Various structures such as the women and youth wings should be empowered to enable them to effectively participate in this selection process. As my example of the Selangor DAP state committee is instructive, intra-party democracy and inclusivity needs to be sustained. This requires the party to have in place structures and system that will ensure that all groups are catered for at all times and reforms cannot be simply undone.

If Pakatan Rakyat fails to carry out such intra-party reform, democracy will continue to be cynically interpreted — as my former comrades in the DAP used to joke about it — “Dia mahu kerusi”.

* The writer is a director of Suaram and former Petaling Jaya Utara MP

Dr. Kua did take a swipe at the BN for obvious reasons, but one thing for sure, in stark contrast to the Pakatan seat grabbers such as Guan Eng, Ramasamy, Nga, Ngeh, Nizar, Theresa Kok, Khalid Ibrahim and many more, the BN have by and large practised democracy for a long, long time...it has always been one seat one candidate for BN.

Indeed, BN are moderates in the true sense of the word. This is what the country actually need.

Perhaps Hadi, Kit Siang and Anwar would want to have a look at their houses first before they call for reform, change or clean up Malaysia, people who live in glass house should not throw stones at others.

Does the Pakatan agree or disagree with what Anwar said to the BBC in Mumbai recently?

2012-01-18T22:03:00.001+08:00

Is it just me thinking that for a person who tells the whole world that he is a pious Muslim politician being persecuted for his political beliefs in Malaysia, upon being acquitted of the sodomy charge brought against him, and after such a gigantic duel with the Prosecutor in a BN "kangaroo court"( he say lah), why would he go to Mumbai to do whatever instead of going to say perform the Umrah in Mekah/Medinah to say syukur to ALLAH. Its just me I guess but have a Read here.

Anyway, now the whole world knows that Anwar Ibrahim gave an interview to the BBC while he was in Mumbai:

Among the Q & A between Anwar and the BBC, this is what was said by Anwar Ibrahim, tak boleh spin ini sebab caught on camera, BBC punya camera pulak tu:

“We will have to review some of these archaic laws. We Muslims, non Muslims in Malaysia generally believe and are committed to support the sanctity of marriage between man and women but we should not be seen to be punitive and consider the archaic laws as relevant. We need to review them. We do not promote either homosexuality in a public sphere or domain. I don’t think we need to make apologies towards that but I think to use this sort of legislation to be punitive, punish innocent people cannot be condoned or tolerated.”

..Did he meant sodomy? Is it not prohibited in Islam even in Christianity?

..Does he support unnatural sex among people?

..So is it okay if its done in private, suka sama suka?

..So is it not wrong to commit sodomy, unnatural sex etc even though it is prohibited by the Major religions of the world?

There is no need to publicise what the BN folks or the folks who supports BN commented on Anwar's staement for obvious reasons, but I have yet to hear a squeak from the DAP and PKR leaders who campaigned in the Sibu and Sarawak elections using the Church against the BN and of course the party supposedly helmed by qualified Muslim Ulamaks and Scholars..Parti SeIslam Malaysia.

Tok Guru Hadi and Tok Guru Nik Aziz together with Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng's silence on what Anwar said in Mumbai is deafening. Do they agree? How could they agree? If they disagree then please stand up and state your stand. The GE13 is coming up the voters wants to hear what you have to say. You guys say you want to Ubah, Bersihkan Malaysia, please walk the talk. Please note that Malaysia will not change nor go forward based on rhetorics alone.

Corruption small or big is CORRUPTION and is subject to our Laws

2012-01-17T11:04:00.000+08:00

Is this the same person who calls for, no not call for but preaches for a "Bersih" Clean and Fair Election:

Marines caught urinating on Taliban corpses? Time for foreign forces to leave!

2012-01-14T16:24:00.000+08:00

This story about US Marines urinating on the remains of alleged Taliban fighters in Afghanistan is very disturbing:

Photo and Report from the MI here

The elite American fighting soldiers of the Marine Corp who urinated on the corpse of their fallen enemies have lost their humanity. How many more of them does the American and Nato forces have in Afghanistan? I am convinced that the Americans and their NATO allies has lost the war that they created in Afghanistan. Its time that they leave, Ben Laden is dead and Al-Qaeda is no more.

The Americans and NATO forces should just go home and let the Afghans rebuilt their nation themselves. Instead of bringing in guns and troops into Afghanistan, the West just help the Afghans to built modern Schools and Universities and help them to feed themselves. Feed the hungry, for a Hungry man is an Angry man.

Justice will be further served if there is an Appeal to the Higher Court

2012-01-12T21:32:00.000+08:00

“… it is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance, that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.”

Lord Hewart

Since Anwar's acquittal on Monday 9 January 2012 there has been intense public debate on whether the Attorney General should appeal to the higher Court of Appeal to overturn the decision. I guess the AG would wait for the written judgement by the Trial Judge before he would make any decision which should be made within 14 days from the date of the acquittal i.e by 23 January 2012.

Unsurprisingly, the Bar Council which seemed to be more interested in the fate of the accused than the complainant has issued a statement to tell the AG not to appeal, here. Rather in haste I should say considering that the written judgement has not even come out yet.

Unsurprisingly, the Pakatan folks are in complete agreement with the Bar Council here. Yup they are best of buddies nowadays aren't they the Bar Council and Pakatan, they are almost like twins. Did I hear somebody say the Bar Council by its nature should be neutral? Yup, like justice for the complainant too?, and not just for the accused.

Ya, sure, Saiful is a nobody, just a son of a retired civil servant but in Malaysia's democracy every Malaysian is supposed to have equal access to the Law, not just the accused who is a rich politician defended by a battery of senior lawyers.

Well anyway so much for the Bar Council, in the mean time, Saiful's father has called to the AG to appeal the High Court decision, here.

It seemed that the Sodomy Trial Prosecution team is very keen to appeal, according to the report here.

Picture thanks to MI

Still, it is the AG, Tan Sri Gani Patail and he alone could decide whether to appeal to the Higher Court or not, I am confident he will do the right thing without fear or favour, but in the interest of Justice I hope the AG will, the independence of the Judicial System will be further enhanced with an appeal.

The bomber(s) must be caught they are a clear and present danger to our society

2012-01-12T17:08:00.001+08:00

The PDRM did a good job controlling the 5000 odd crowd at the Jalan Duta Courts on Monday when Anwar was acquitted on technicalities(Can't say more as the Judge's written judgement is not out yet). What worries me more now are that the time detonated bombs that blew up injuring innocent bystanders, thank God that nobody was seriously hurt.

This development where time detonated bombs are brought to Malaysia's shores by irresponsible individual or group of people is indeed a very very disturbing development. Bombs detonated by timers are new in Malaysia, it is a horrifying thought that there are people who are willing to plan,
make and place time bombs in Malaysia designed to hurt, maim and kill.

The PDRM had just announced today that the bombs were made by experts:

Bomb expert behind Monday's court complex blasts, says police

A Bomb expert could be anybody from a terrorist having experience in Iraq, Afganistan, Indonesia to ex Special Forces from the Military or the Police, they are not your ordinary anarchist, hell they know what they are doing.

My fervent hope is that the PDRM will get those bastards who planned and planted the bombs, if they are not caught God knows what kind of mayhem they could cause in the future. If they get caught I hope they stay behind bars for the rest of their natural lives.

Good luck PDRM!

I am truly shocked by the acquittal, am I alone?

2012-01-09T19:56:00.000+08:00

I don't know about you friends but I am still in shock by Anwar Ibrahim's acquittal this morning. I have not yet read the full written judgement which I was advised from my twitter friends will only be out next week, so I do not want to say so much for now.

Anyway, I believe I am not alone and I believe the whole Pakatan Leadership is in deep shock as well. They have been gearing for life without Anwar and now he has been given a survival rope by the very justice system that he condemned as unfair and being under the thumb of the ruling BN Government. Now their Big strategy to capitalise on Anwar's jailing has been blown to smithereens.

Back to the drawing board people, Anwar with his other personal problems(Chinadoll videos etc) will in the long run be a liability to the Pakatan which clearly need a new Leader with a Clean image if they have any hope of reducing the BN majority in the next PRU (Don't talk about Putrajaya lah, PAS Leaders are not even in agreement who will become PM if PR win the Gomen).

The BN which has all along said that the trial is a private affair is well and truly vindicated. I think in fact, Pakatan Leaders should issue a public apology to BN for fitnah, the Courts are truly independent, remember Khir Toyo was found guilty and Lim Guan Eng also succeeded in his suit against Utusan who had to pay him RM200,000 compensation.

In the coming months the the PR leadership issue and Anwar's personal problem will rear its ugly head, it will be a fire that will devour their cohesive unity and BN just need to wait as the fire spreads PM Najib need not call the Elections now, let Pakatan burn itself first.

I would venture to say that with this acquittal, BN under PM Najib could even start dreaming of the 2/3rd majority again as the Pakatan major weapon to use Anwar's jailing as a rallying call has been effectively nullified. Finally the battle in the next PRU will be about policies and deliverables, which side can convince Malaysians that they can deliver a peaceful, stable and prosperous Malaysia will win Big. My bet will be on Barisan Nasional, they will ensure the peace, stability and prosperity that Malaysians had enjoyed all this while. Anyone would be mad to place their future on a Pakatan which promises plenty but delivers little and led by a exconvict jailed for abuse of power and twice acquitted of sodomy charges on technicalities not to mention other personal problems, no sir.

For interest, here is a picture of Wan Azizah and Anwar just after the acquittal (kebas dari Helen Ang's blog):

A picture tells a thousand words does it not?

Additional Read:

Saiful Accepts Court Decision, hopes Prosecution will appeal

901Judgement Day- Anwar guilty or not, Saiful the victim will finally find closure

2012-01-09T01:06:00.000+08:00

In less than 12 hours Anwar Ibrahim will know his fate whether he is found guilty or not for the crime of sodomy. Whether or not Anwar is found guilty or otherwise, the victim Saiful Bukhari will finally find closure.

Anwar had been in this situation before way back almost 14 years ago, that time Anwar had been convicted for abuse of power(6years) and sodomy(9 years) in 1998, he served his sentence for abuse of power but sadly the conviction for sodomy against his then driver Azizan was overturned by the Federal Court in a land mark 2-1 decision in 2004.

Anwar definitely had a fair trial in his second sodomy trial, the trial which took more than two years is probably the longest in Malaysian criminal history and boy did his defence team come up with almost all the legal tricks in the book with a record 60 postponements and the Trial Judge were even asked to be recused twice. Anwar had all the opportunities in Law to rebut the sodomy charge against him. Did he took that opportunity? Time will tell.

Some Anwar fanboys say that the judgement is a reflection of how fair the judiciary system is, I guess if Anwar is found not guilty his supporters will say the judiciary is fair, if he is found guilty than his supporters will say the Judiciary is under the thumbs of the Gomen... I say bollocks..these are immature thinking. The Judge will make a judgement based on the evidence adduced before him and nothing else, nothing extraordinary about it, its how any Judge around the world performs his job.

Whatever it is we Malaysians must show maturity, we should accept whatever the decisions of the High Court will be, no need to demo macam orang tak ada tuju hala. It is for Anwar's Defence or the Attorney General to appeal to the higher Courts of Appeal and the Federal Court if they are not satisfied with the High Court's decision what ever that will be.

One thing for sure is that in the years between 1998 - 2004 when Anwar was in jail, it must be said that it is one of the most politically stable and peaceful years for Malaysia that I have experienced.

Justice for Saiful!

Read also:

He resorted to all legal avenues

Another Twist in Anwar's life

Lets count our blessings first before we complain too much in public

2012-01-06T23:45:00.001+08:00

Lets have a look at some religious persecution and display of extremism by various groups or Governments throughout the world:

Chinese mosque demolition heightens ethnic tensions
Nigeria: Christmas Day Bombings

Hindu Militants Attack India Evangelicals; Several Injured

China Crackdown On Christmas Celebrations Of House Churches

Oslo Shooter Anti-Muslim Christian Extremist

What is clear is that our blessed multiracial and multi-religious country Malaysia is an oasis of peace by comparison to the places and countries mentioned and not mentioned above. Even though everybody have their own complaints about anything under the sun I think it is only fair to say that the Government led by a very responsible BN is doing a balancing act trying to satisfy everybody and it is also fair to say that nobody can ever be satisfied, not when there are so many interested group to satisfy and the various sensitivities involved.

It seems PM Najib is doing much work meeting and visiting Malaysians from all walks of life as part of his job and of course in preparation for the coming General Elections seen by many to be called sooner than later and has been kind enough to meet with many minority groups to listen to their grouses.

One such groups are the Christian Federation of Malaysia which PM Najib invited for lunch a couple of days ago. Because it was a closed door meet/lunch the public would not know what was discussed. The headline by MI after the meet however does not bode well for a multi religious multi racial country like ours though:

Reverend Moon, Head of Christian Federation Malaysia were quoted to have said "Christians were now resorting to raising their issues publicly because it was the most effective way for the government to take action". Read more here

I am not interested to debate on the merits of the issues which the learned Clergy wanted to raise especially on the interpretation of the Perlembagaan, I say if you want to quote the Perlembagan then you must read it thoroughly and understand the history behind its fomulation before saying other Malaysians are interpreting it wrongly or whatever.

But I think if you want to say it then do it the quiet way through proper channels not publicly. Fine, if you insist on going public with your grouses to maximise publicity, but soon you will have others not happy about what you have to say join in the fray and go public as well and things may get ugly. Its not cricket to tell the PM to do this and that in public, he has many more things to do and many more majority and minority groups to take care as well. Like I said Religion is a very sensitive matter just look at the DUMC issue which when politicized threaten to engulf us in an orgy of hate but was resolved amicably by the wise actions of DYMM Sultan of Selangor himself, not through public discourse, I must add.

We live in a peaceful and stable country, ALL religions are allowed to flourish though proselytizing is strictly not allowed. Lets count our blessings first before we complain too much in public shall we, it draws the wrong kind of attention more often then not.

Posted in Chittagong, Bangladesh

A picture tells a thousand words

2012-01-04T23:49:00.000+08:00

Remember the saying, a picture tells a thousand words, well here is a picture that does tell a thousand words courtesy of the MI:

For all those people who are rooting for Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat, feast your eyes on a photo shoot which could be one of the last of Hj. Hadi, Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang together as leading politicians of PAS, PKR and the DAP. On Monday 9th January 2012 Anwar Ibrahim could be found guilty of sodomy by the Trial Judge and sentenced to a jail term. That will deal a fatal blow for Anwar's political ambition to become PM also signalling final curtains for PKR, the Anwar family franchise formed to make Anwar Ibrahim PM of Malaysia despite being unfit to lead this blessed nation having being convicted in 1998 for abuse of power and now waiting for the Court's judgement whether or not he is found guilty of sodomy with a former male assistant.

By the way did you notice the three veteran politicians and how they held the placard for "Konvensyen Pakatan Rakyat"? Imagine the placard as "Pakatan Rakyat" and see how Hj Hadi barely holding the placard with his outstretched fingers, Anwar holding the placard with two hands quite firmly and Lim kit Siang nonchalantly supporting the placard with his left thumb with an indifferent looking face. Yes folks they can say they are a Pakatan but the body language says that they are NOT "sepakatan" that is for sure. Imagine if Anwar is convicted of sodomy, the two hands holding the "placard" firmly will be missing and will a Islamic oriented PAS be able to work with a Chauvinist and reputedly secular DAP which campaigned in the Sibu by election using the Church? The answer is obvious isn't it.

So why do I need to change for a Pakatan which is not actually a Pakatan but a marriage of convenience sleeping on the same bed but having different dreams. Sure BN/UMNO have their faults, but hey, Malaysians prospered under their rule since Merdeka what. Anyway BN/UMNO are making efforts to transform for the better, the efforts are slow and a bit mixed yes but why you need to go too fast, I am perfectly happy with the pace of things.

I am still waiting for some tainted Ministers and politicians to resign and not be offered as candidates in next GE though, and I am still pissed with the Khazanah's sponsored MAS-Air Asia secret swap and the NFC going-on and I think PM Najib will have to take off his velvet gloves and show some solid iron resolve otherwise Malaysians may think he is not doing anything to address complaints by Malaysians. That is not good for PM Najib.

I will vote for BN despite its shortcomings they give me peace of mind, but PM Najib would want to have a closer look at the fence sitters who voted DAP, PKR and PAS in the last elections, they will determine whether he regained the 2/3rd majority lost by Pak Lah which caused him to retire earlier than he wanted to as PM. A precedent of some sort has been set after Pak Lah, if no 2/3rd then goodbye to you Sir.

PM Najib sure has his work cut out for him with or without Anwar as leader of the Opposition.

Posted in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Of Anwar Ibrahim, three former Selangor MBs and RPK's coup de grace

2012-01-01T20:58:00.000+08:00

I like this piece by Zaini Hassan of Utusan Malaysia:

Antara Anwar, Khir, Harun dan Mat Taib

Utusan Malaysia; December 28, 2011

Saya mempunyai hubungan masam-manis dengan Dr Mohd. Khir Toyo, bekas Menteri Besar Selangor dua penggal. Beliau kini didapati bersalah atas satu kes membabitkan sekeping tanah yang mahu dijadikan tempat tinggalnya selepas persaraan.

Tanah rumah itu menjadi kontroversi yang mengheretnya ke mahkamah dan dijatuhkan hukuman penjara sembilan bulan. Tanah yang dibeli dengan hutang bank itu turut dirampas.

Dr Khir ternyata tenang. Beliau tidak gelabah. Beliau tidak membawa parti bersamanya menentang keputusan undang-undang. Beliau juga tidak membawa orang-orang Umno bersama-sama menemaninya. Beliau tidak menghasut para pelajar untuk menyokongnya.

Dr Khir, yang menjadi MB selama dua penggal, berseorangan. Dulu semasa beliau menjadi MB, saya pernah menghentam beliau dengan kes Bukit Cerakah, penerokaan tanah-tanah di Seksyen U10 Shah Alam sehingga mengakibatkan taman botanik di sebelahnya terjejas teruk. Kini tanah-tanah residensial di situ menjadi cukup bernilai tinggi.

Semasa isu itu sedang panas, beliau dan konco-konconya memarahi saya. Pelbagai tuduhan dilemparkan oleh orangnya ke atas saya. Tapi kemudian kami berbaik semula. Sebagai wartawan, saya tidak ambil hati. Begitu juga beliau.

Pendek kata perwatakan Dr Khir cukup tenang. Mungkin kerana asas kuat agama dan sifat orang kampung yang ada di dalam jiwa dan dirinya, doktor gigi itu tidak meloncat ke sana ke mari.

Untuk rekod, jawatan MB Selangor ini cukup keramat. Sudah tiga orang MBnya menghadapi tuduhan di mahkamah — termasuk Harun Idris dan Muhammad Muhd. Taib (Mat Taib). Harun dan Mat Taib kemudiannya membawa diri. Harun sudah meninggal dunia dan Mat Taib jarang-jarang kelihatan dalam dunia politik.

Namun, bukan semua orang bersifat seperti mereka. Mereka tidak memporakperandakan negara angkara bala yang menimpa mereka itu. Mereka reda. Anwar Bin Ibrahim sebaliknya, yang terlalu menonjolkan imej baik, warak, intelek, pandai, bijak, tidak pula begitu.

Dia juga menghadapi perbicaraan mahkamah. Bukan sekali, tapi dua kali. Sisa-sisa hidupnya kini bergelumang dengan perbicaraan mahkamah. Jika sekali bolehlah dikatakan fitnah, tapi sudah masuk dua kali apakah juga fitnah? Apa hebatnya sangat Anwar sehingga acap kali orang mahu memfitnahnya? Mungkin di mata Amerika Syarikat dia hebat.

Keputusan perbicaraan kes liwat membabitkan seorang pemuda Saiful Bukhari Azlan akan diketahui pada 9 Januari 2012 ini. Kempen untuk menyelamatkan Anwar kini rancak dijalankan.Jika dulu Anwar membawa slogan Reformasi, kini dia membawa slogan Revolusi pula. Pelajar-pelajar universiti akan digembling sekali lagi untuk membuat angkara pada tarikh yang dikenali sebagai 901 itu.

Saya masih ingat di zaman refomasi dulu. Satu KL kecoh dengan demonstrasi jalanan. Harta-harta awam dimusnahkan. KL lumpuh. Kebetulan Naib Presiden Amerika, Al Gore yang berada di KL turut menuang minyak dengan menyokong kumpulan itu. Pelajar-pelajar universiti, rata-ratanya dari UIA, UM, UKM berhimpun dan membuat kecoh.

Setelah keadaan reda menjelang tengah malam, saya dengan beberapa rakan bercadang keluar minum sambil meninjau keadaan di Kampung Baru. Kami keluar dengan Pajero pejabat. Apabila tiba di lampu isyarat antara Masjid Kampung Baru dan Pusat Perubatan Kampung Baru, sekumpulan pemuda yang rata-rata pelajar universiti tiba-tiba memekik Utusan, Utusan, Utusan. Kami tidak perasaan ada logo Utusan di pintu Pajero itu.

Beratus-ratus mereka mula rapat ke arah kenderaan kami. Ekoran gema laungan Hancur Utusan, Hidup Reformasi semangat menjadi ganas. Pajero kami dibaling dengan batu. Kami bernasib baik kerana kenderaan itu tidak dilontar dengan bom api, molotov cocktail oleh pelajar yang hilang waras. Pemandu kami cepat menyelamatkan kami memecut masuk ke dalam Balai Polis Dang Wangi.

Itu kejadian lebih 10 tahun lalu. Kini pelajar-pelajar tersebut — termasuk yang membaling batu menembusi tingkap Pajero itu — sudah menjawat pelbagai jawatan tinggi dalam kerajaan, mahupun swasta. Perasaan mereka kini tidak lagi memberontak seperti dulu. Mereka kini sudah boleh menilai baik dan buruk, hitam dan putih serta siapa sebenarnya Anwar Bin Ibrahim.

Kini pelajar-pelajar yang mentah, pasca-10 tahun reformasi, digunakan sekali lagi. Mereka menggunakan NGO pelajar universiti.

Anwar sendiri mengadakan perjumpaan dan dialog dengan anak-anak muda mahasiswa itu di kediamannya di Bukit Segambut pada 23 Disember lalu. Hadir lebih kurang 100 orang.

Antara intipati perjumpaan, Anwar mahukan mahasiswa tegas dan lantang memperjuangkan hak rakyat. Persoalannya hak siapa? Hak rakyat atau hak Anwar sendiri? Timing beliau serta kempen-kempen 901 itu cukup membuktikan dia cuba menarik para pelajar itu untuk membuat kacau bagi menyelamatkan dirinya pada 9 Januari ini.

Satu lagi persoalannya apakah beliau sudah mengetahui kes liwat itu tidak akan menyebelahinya?

Majlis perjumpaan itu diadakan selepas Anwar selesai berjumpa dengan sekumpulan kononnya puak reformis dan ahli-ahli akademik. Siapa ahli-ahli akademik itu saya tidak boleh sebutlah.

Sebelum majlis bermula Anwar telah membaca puisi bertajuk Takut 66, Takut 98 hasil karya Taufik Ismail. Taufik ialah seorang penyair Indonesia terkenal. Dia salah seorang daripada puluhan budayawan dan seniman Indonesia yang mencetuskan Manifest Kebudayaan pada tahun 1966. Golongan ini menerbitkan antologi puisi diberi nama Angkatan 66. Angkatan inilah yang mencetuskan revolusi menentang rejim Sukarno. Sukarno pada masa itu dikuasai oleh PKI - Parti Komunis Indonesia.

Semangat 1966 di Indonesia dan reformasi 1998 di KL itulah yang mahu dibangkitkan semula oleh Anwar. Anwar mahu samakan Najib dengan Sukarnokah?

Mood mahasiswa yang mendengar bacaan puisinya di perjumpaan itu cukup membara dan bersemangat. Anwar memang terkenal sebagai seorang yang pandai membakar semangat kemarahan orang.

Difahamkan esok, jam 11 pagi bertempat di Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru satu kempen Bebaskan Anwar 901 bertemakan Tolak Fitnah 2, Lawan Konspirasi akan dilancarkan.

Tetapi difahamkan juga, ia dibatalkan di saat-saat akhir kerana ramai pemimpin bercuti dan tiada sambutan dari PAS dan DAP.

Benarlah Anwar dan konco-konconya sedang merancang satu lagi reformasi. Kali ini atas nama revolusi, setelah reformasi dulu gagal. Matlamatnya ialah untuk menyelamatkan tengkuk Anwar sendiri.

Itulah Anwar yang kita kenali. Dia umpama anak nakal yang jika ibu bapa marah atas kesalahannya, dia akan memberontak bagi menegakkan kebenarannya yang salah itu.

Secara logik tiada siapa yang akan memfitnah Anwar buat kali kedua.

Kes liwat pertama dulu tidak dinafikan berlaku oleh mahkamah. Kini negara dan dunia sedang menanti kes liwatnya yang kedua pula dengan seorang pemuda bernama Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Saiful dalam facebooknya menulis: Saya reda apa jua keputusan. Akan terus doa, istiqamah dan sabar.

Anwar sebaliknya gelabah. Anak-anak muda digunakan untuk menjadi perisainya — buat kali kedua. Itulah uniknya Anwar Bin Ibrahim berbanding dengan tokoh-tokoh yang lain.

Selamat Tahun Baru 2012. Semoga Malaysia terus maju, makmur dan sejahtera. — Utusan Malaysia

Certainly 2012 promises to be an interesting year, and talking about the New Year the latest comment by RPK now living in self imposed exile in the UK seems like a coup de grace at Anwar Ibrahim's political ambition to become Prime Minister of Malaysia ever, forget about those students activists who wants to help Anwar start another "reformasi", these students would be of no use to further Anwar's political ambition, not after what RPK had his say:

RPK: “Anwar may become irrelevant”

Happy New Year - Selamat Tahun Baru 2012

2011-12-31T15:06:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year

With 2011 at its end, 2012 brings a fresh start, opportunities to be discovered and perhaps dreams to be realized.

Wishing you and your loved ones only of good health, happiness and prosperity.

Ruhanie Ahmad - Perspektif Akademik Perkara 153 Perlembagaan Malaysia

2011-12-29T18:49:00.001+08:00

Reverend Eu disekolahkan oleh Ruhanie Ahmad:

Perspektif akademik Perkara 153 — Ruhanie Ahmad

29 DIS — Artikel ini disedut daripada penyelidikan akademik dengan hipotesis bahawa pelbagai peruntukan strategik dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan boleh mencetuskan ancaman keselamatan masyarakat, keselamatan nasional dan kelangsungan negara jika ditafsirkan menerusi perspektif yang serong dan sempit.

Ini kerana Malaysia, sebuah negara bangsa di era pramerdeka telah ditransformasikan menjadi negara majmuk di era merdeka; sementara bangsa Melayu dan Bumiputera sebagai penduduk asal, serta keturunan Cina, India dan lain-lainnya selaku golongan migran di era pramerdeka telah digemblengkan menjadi warganegara dengan nasionaliti yang sama, menerusi kuasa Perlembagaan Persekutuan pada 15 Ogos 1957.

Hakikat ini menyebabkan Malaysia sentiasa terdedah kepada pelbagai elemen konflik (Buzan 1991:72), dicirikan oleh konflik etnik (Marger 2003:6), dan berkemungkinan dicengkam keadaan tidak selamat (Kaufman 2008:201).

Perkara 153 mengenai keistimewaan Melayu dan Bumiputera dimaktubkan ke dalam Perlembagaan negara berdasarkan mandat utama Ratu Inggeris dan Raja-Raja Melayu kepada Suruhanjaya Reid — mewujudkan a common nationality for the whole of the Federation and the safeguarding of the special positions of the Malays and the legitimate interests of other communities.

Suruhanjaya Reid juga mendapati kedudukan istimewa Melayu memang sentiasa diiktiraf di dalam pelbagai perjanjian antara pihak British dengan Negeri-Negeri Melayu.

Hakikat ini juga termaktub di dalam The Federation Agreement 1948 di mana Pesuruhjaya Tinggi British dipertanggungjawabkan dengan pemeliharaan keistimewaan Melayu dan kepentingan sah lain-lain bangsa.

Huraian ini bermaksud pemaktuban Perkara 153 bukan diperjuangkan oleh Perikatan. Sebaliknya, kerana peruntukan yang sama termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan Negeri-Negeri Melayu dan The Federation Agreement 1948. Ini disahkan oleh Lennox-Boyd selaku Setiausaha bagi Tanah Jajahan British seperti berikut:

The special position of the Malays was recognised in the original treaties made by His Majesty in previous years, and Her Majesty Queen Victoria and others with the Malay States. It was reaffirmed when these treaties were revised. It was confirmed in The 1948 Agreement, and reference was expressly made to it in the terms of reference of the Reid Commission. So the Malay privilege clauses in the articles of the Constitution do not, in the main, introduce any precedent, but give recognition in the Constitution to the existing situation. The Reid Commission found very little opposition in any quarter in Malaya to the continuance of the present system for a time (ibid:12 Julai 1957).

R.H. Hickling (1979) pula menegaskan, pemaktuban Perkara 153 adalah berkait rapat dengan tahap kemiskinan bangsa Melayu di era penjajah. Huraian ini boleh difahami dengan lebih jelas menerusi pelbagai perangkaan mengenai tahap ekonomi di Tanah Melayu pada di era penjajahan.

The Department of Statistics (1958-1960) menegaskan, etnik Cina pada ketika itu [pada tahun 1957] menguasai ekonomi negara secara kukuh sementara orang Melayu masih dalam kemiskinan.

Ling Liong Sik (1995:3) menyatakan, seawal tahun 1937, pelaburan etnik Cina di Malaysia adalah sebanyak AS$200 juta berbanding pelaburan asing lainnya sejumlah AS$454.5 juta.

Gomez & Jomo (1997:14-15) menegaskan, pada tahun 1950-an, syarikat-syarikat Eropah menguasai 65 peratus (%) hingga 75% perdagangan eksport dan 60% hingga 70% perdagangan import [di Tanah Melayu]; syarikat-syarikat etnik Cina menguasai 10% daripada agensi eskport; syarikat etnik India menguasai 2% daripada perdagangan berkenaan; orang Melayu langsung tidak memiliki sebarang ekuiti dalam mana-mana perdagangan.

Dalam konteks di atas Faaland, Parkinson & Rais Saniman (2000:16-17) menegaskan seperti berikut: Orang Melayu menganggap peruntukan [Perkara 153] sebagai sesuatu yang suci, manakala setengah-tengah orang bukan Melayu mempersoalkan sama ada peruntukan tersebut adalah berkaitan dan mengikat hinggakan pada hari ini. Mengikut mana-mana tafsiran yang munasabah, makna peruntukan tersebut di dalam Perlembagaan adalah bahawa kesejahteraan ekonomi dan sosial orang Melayu yang lemah dari segi ekonomi hendaklah dilindungi dan digalakkan berbanding dengan orang bukan Melayu yang lebih maju. Sebagai balasan kerana diberikan kelebihan begini, orang Melayu mengadakan konsesi yang berpadu mengikut kuasa politik dengan memberikan kewarganegaraan Persekutuan kepada orang bukan Melayu. Sebagai tambahan, orang bukan Melayu dijaminkan bahawa mereka bebas menjalankan perniagaan tanpa diganggu, boleh mengekalkan dan mengembangkan budaya serta warisan mereka sendiri, dan boleh hidup secara berasingan. Dengan kata lain, Perlembagaan mengadakan peruntukan khas untuk orang Melayu, manakala warganegara bukan Melayu mempunyai haknya yang dijamin di bawah Perlembagaan (ibid).

Tan (1987:251) pula menegaskan, Perkara 153 sebenarnya mempunyai “careful balancing which has important bearing not only on social justice but even ethnic relations is also reflected in the provision for Malay reservations.”

Beliau mengetengahkan dua contoh khusus — pertamanya mengenai Perkara 153(9) yang memaktubkan “tiada apa-apa jua dalam Perkara ini boleh memberi Parlimen kuasa untuk menyekat perniagaan atau pertukangan semata-mata bagi maksud perizaban bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.”

Keduanya mengenai tanah simpanan Melayu. Tan memetik Perkara 89(2)(a) yang memaktubkan “jika mana-mana tanah di sesuatu negeri diisytiharkan sebagai tanah simpanan Melayu di bawah Fasal ini, suatu keluasan tanah yang sama dengan luas tanah itu di dalam negeri itu yang belum dibangunkan atau dicucuk tanam hendaklah diadakan bagi pemberian hak milik umum.”

Huraian Faaland et al. (2000) dan Tan (1987) membuktikan Perlembagaan Persekutuan adalah adil kepada seluruh warganegara Malaysia. Lantas adalah meleset untuk mana-mana pihak mentafsirkan Perkara 153 sebagai peruntukan yang menindas rakyat bukan Melayu.

Demikianlah latar belakang pembentukan Perkara 153 yang telah dikaji oleh Suruhanjaya Reid, Perikatan dan Jawatankuasa Kerja Tripartite dianggotai oleh wakil-wakil Kerajaan Perikatan, Raja-Raja Melayu dan Kerajaan British.

Kesimpulannya, Perkara 153 adalah peruntukan yang dimaktubkan secara teliti dan profesional bagi mengiktiraf sejarah dan jati diri bangsa Melayu dan bumiputera di tanah air asal mereka yang dikenali sebagai Tanah Melayu.

Tafsiran sempit dan serong terhadap peruntukan ini boleh menyemarakkan sentimen perkauman dan berpotensi mencetuskan konflik etnik yang mengancam keselamatan masyarakat, keselamatan nasional dan kelangsungan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara majmuk yang kini aman, damai, makmur dan sejahtera. — Utusan Malaysia

* Datuk Ruhanie Ahmad ialah bekas Ahli Parlimen Parit Sulong, Johor dan bekas pelajar pasca siswazah bidang strategi dan keselamatan di UKM.

This is an explanation to once and for all debunk the Myth created by unknown that Article 153 would be removed after 15 years of independence..it was actually part of a series of recommendations by the then Reid Commission which was rejected by the Majlis Raja-Raja and the British Government and leaders of the Alliance Party. Read more in my blogger buddy posting here:

The Road To Merdeka – Article 153

Extremism is extremism, it matters not what faith you profess

2011-12-28T19:25:00.000+08:00

What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.

Robert F. Kennedy

This is an interesting article from veteranstoday.com, about extremism, which seems to know no boundaries which I would like to share. The article is written by VT Columninst Mr. Ken Smith:

Muslim Christian Jew, Extremism is Extremism

by Ken Smith

I recently read a story online about a little 8-year old girl from Israel and the trouble she encounters just going to her local elementary school everyday because some ultra-orthodox Jews living in a city called Beit Shemesh take offense to the way she dresses . Now, before anyone’s hair catches on fire, and before I get tons of emails screaming that we ought to nuke all the Jews or demand that all “Rag-head” Muslims or Blood Soaked Christian Crusaders should be murdered for what they have done in the past, hear me out.

It seems religious extremism has no boundaries. As I read about this little girl in Israel, it made me think about my own 8-year old little girl living here in the USA and I wondered to myself what would I do if someone was threating her on her way to school everyday just because she didn’t wear her clothing some particular way or somehow she showed her bare ankles or bare forearms or she wore a skirt that was deemed to be too short or she forgot her head scarf. I wondered what I would do if someone other than me and my wife were talking to this little girl about this issue.

It prompted me to do some research online about religious extremism and what I have found after reading a ton of material is that no particular religion owns the exclusive franchise on extremism. Jews, Muslims, Christians, they each have their own in-house nut jobs who think that their religion is the only way to a life after death, and if your not doing it their way, then your a heathen or a non believer or a devil. I read stories about Muslims in some countries that don’t allow any education for any females, as doing so it seems is somehow against the Quran. That’s just pure crap; I couldn’t find where it states that women are less than men in any of my searches and I even called a Mosque here in the states for some enlightenment about why women should not be taught in school. To me, it’s just old men interpreting what they think the prophet spoke about in regards to women.

These supposedly smart Imans think that women belong in the Kitchen and nowhere else. They are afraid it seems that if women were treated as equals, well, the whole world would collapse. I also read that women can’t legally drive a car in Saudi Arabia. What kind of a 7th century nut job rule is that? I bet that again it was some religious whack-o who thought if women could drive, well, they wouldn’t stay home. I read that in some of the Christian parts of city of Jerusalem Muslims are not welcome, and neither are Jews. Seems that Christians think that the preaching of Jesus told them that Jews and Muslims are somehow bad to hang around with. I couldn’t find that in the Bible or the New Testament either.

There are those who will think it is blasphemous for me to even write this article. That somehow, because I am trying to draw out into the light, 7th century traditions and wacky interpretations that are outdated and have no part of a modern society, that I am somehow myself being extreme. Go figure.

Here is what I know.

I live in the smallest state in the USA. My neighbors (all living within a mile of me), are Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindu and one who practices Buddhism. Now, I really don’t care if they pray to the moon, or if they don’t pray at all, but please don’t tell me who to pray too, or make fun of me if I don’t practice your religion. Its called “Tolerance” and freedom of religion here and it means you have the right to practice what religion you which, but you can’t force me or anyone else to bend to your religions rules.

Living as a Jew in Baghdad these days is impossible because of extremism. Not because you can’t find work, or don’t know how to do something constructive for the country, no, you see, living in Baghdad as a Jew puts you with (4) four other Jews, four, that’s right, four, out of a city of millions. Four Jews are in Baghdad, and that is because? It’s because there is no tolerance nor freedom to practice your religion of choice.

Then if you go to Medina, burial place of the prophet, you would see that there are no churches , no synagogues, no acceptance of any other religion besides the Muslin religion. You begin to get the idea. No one religion owns the franchise on stupid. That’s right, stupid. Its stupid not to allow a woman to drive a car and say that religion said so. Its stupid to spit on an 8-year old little girl because she is not of your faith. Its stupid to protest funerals of Veterans in the USA in the name of Jesus when you and I know, none of that is what any of the prophets intended.

I really wish that Abraham could come back for a day and have a discussion with both Jesus, Muhammad and I really wish it could be telecast live on the internet for all to see. I would love to hear that discussion, as I am sure, Abraham would say that somehow, his intent on belief of a higher power was never this collection of intolerance and hurt.

When are we going to end this ignorance and become more tolerant of each others belief’s? I understand that this is not the be all end all explanation of these three branch’s of religion, all with one founder, but here is my best shot at explaining what we are dealing with here:

A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم‎), also spelled Moslem,^[1] is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. “Muslim” is an Arabic term for “one who submits to God”.

In Jewish tradition, Jewish ancestry is traced to the Biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the second millennium BCE. The modern State of Israel defines itself as a Jewish state in its Basic Laws, and is the only country where Jews are a majority of the population.

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. “Christian” derives from the Koine Greek word Christ, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew term Messiah.

Now, it leads me back to the core concept that all men are created equal, and endowed with certain inalienable rights, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Now Jews that are intolerant of that little 8-year old girl should be sent onto the Island of Misfit religious whack-o’s, along with the religious police of countries that hunt down those that don’t pray enough, or are wearing the wrong clothing or driving a car, and it should include the nut job pastors and preachers who take their flocks to a foreign country and then have them drink spiked Kool-aid to allow them to get closeer to their god.

Extremism is Extremism

Enough is enough.

To read the article in full go here.

Surely Reverend you must have something else to say during Christmas eve

2011-12-25T16:35:00.000+08:00

I always think that Christmas is a time for holidays with the family, but this year my festive mood is spoilt a bit by Reverend Eu who was reported to have commented on the Article 153 of the Perlembagaan, read here. I am not interested to speculate why the good Reverend would home in on Article 153 during Christmas eve, maybe his intentions are "good". Instead of stirring the hornets nest, he ought to take example on how to give a X'mas Message from Pope Benedict XVI without being accused of trying to play politics:

Read in full what the Pope's Christmas Message were.

Of course the Reverend's statement will draw a response:

here from a blog I like to visit:

Christmas, roasted turkey and politics

and here from a blogging buddy who have put Lim Guan Eng in his place many times:

Lets Talk About "Rights" Rev Eu

What about Article 153 you must say:

Article 153 also says:

Maybe the good Reverend ought to read and understand the History of the formation of Malaysia and the whole of the Perlembagaan first and then Article 153 for good measure before he says something which is obviously political in nature and affects the sensitivity of the various races in Malaysia and does the Reverend know that a majority of the Christians in Malaysia are made up of our brother Bumiputras in Sabah and Sarawak?

Nobody is bullying anybody in Malaysia lah Reverend. But for sure definitely there will parties who will give you a strong response to what you have to say, read here too. Malaysia is a working democracy you know, the right to say something also goes with the right to give a verbal response in kind.

I think its not easy being the Government of a multiracial and multi religious country the only one of its kind in the world. You just can't please everybody can you?

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T00:30:00.000+08:00

Its the time of the year where friends all over the world celebrate Christmas.

Wishing friends who I have since lost contact especially Jim and Helen Payne residing in France, if you guys are reading this, I really miss those long chit chat about almost anything under the sun. It is that time of the year again, when you are thankful for everything merry and bright. May this Christmas be a delight! Wishing you and all friends a Merry Christmas!

This song specially for all who are celebrating Christmas:

Convent Bukit Nenas new Principal; Kementerian Pelajaran should hold its ground

2011-12-20T00:46:00.000+08:00

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Convent Bukit Nenas (CBN) is sailing into controversy. What started off as a normal replacement of a Principal after retirement of the older, has apparently turned into a why you the Kementerian who funded the school did not consult us the School Board before you send this Principle who we do not know of. The story so far can be read here.

Apparently the CBN School Board who had sent their own nominees for the replacement Principle were not informed that the Kementerian had their own choice of school head. I believe it is the Kementerian's Choice as they ultimately pays for the salary of the Principle and other teachers the school being what it is, a fully funded Sekolah Menegah Kebangsaan.

Though the Kementerian's action seems heavy handed I am sure they have their legitimate reasons to do so and after all there are thousands of SMKs around this blessed country to manage which include other "elite" and long established schools such as MCKK, Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (English School), Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, Penang Free, Malacca High etc. etc. which produced many illustrious sons and daughters of this country, so what makes the CBN School board think that CBN is that special?

The Kementerian Pelajaran has many SMKs to run efficiently without being forced by a School Board of a particular school to reconsider their choice of Principle to head a SMK for whatever reason that they can cook.

Transferring the new Principle of SMK CBN would only open the flood gates, soon many other School Boards will want their choice of nominees as Principle, later it would be teachers too. When will these requests end? The new school session in 2012 starts soon, let not the students suffer because the School Board do not like the Kementerian's choice as Principle.

Kalau Kementerian Pelajaran tidak percaya, cuba bagi betis, yang lain tentu mahu peha.

Read also Helen Ang's take on the growing controversy here.

Gomen should not repeal AUKU, students go to Universities to study not indulge in politics

2011-12-18T01:15:00.000+08:00

It seems some University student activists are bent on forcing the Gomen to repeal the University and University College Act/Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (AUKU) they want freedom to indulge in politics it seems:

Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia demonstrators who claim that they represent University Students who wants to play with politics,

Read more on the street demonstration here.

As a parent myself, I do not think that I want to see children who goes to Universities supposedly to earn a good degree lose focus and indulge themselves in politics. You go to a University to earn a good degree so that when you come out you can apply to get interviews for jobs. Once you get a good job do the best you can and once your career is stable maybe you can start thinking about joining politics. University Students should prioritise what they need to do when they enter a University and politics should be the least of their priority.

This is what Dr. Mahathir the man who introduced AUKU wrote about AUKU. Read it well people especially my Malay student friends.

Here is good advise from Yusuf Islam:

The Gomen should not bend to pressure, keep the AUKU,

Students who wants to indulge in politics need not enter Universities.

The American Military is leaving Iraq, when will they leave Afghanistan too

2011-12-18T00:35:00.000+08:00

15 Dec 2011: Casing of the Colors signifying the end of US official military presence in Iraq

So it finally happened, on 15th December 2011, the Americans are formally leaving Iraq which they invaded in 2003, and after nearly nine years, 4,500 American dead, 32,000 wounded and more than $800bn (£517bn) spent, US officials have formally ended the war in Iraq with a highly symbolic ceremony during which an American forces flag was lowered. Read the story here.

All American troops will leave Iraq by 31 December 2011 (Courtesy AP)

For details of the Cost of American lives and dollars read here.

And what about the Iraqis who were killed during the occupation:

The Wikileaks data showed how many died, particularly in the violent sectarian aftermath of the war, with murders as the main cause. That database recorded 109,032 deaths , 66,081 of them civilians, 23,984 insurgents and 15,196 Iraqi security forces.

The Majority of the Iraqis who suffered tremendously under the invasion and occupation of American led forces would shed no tears for the Americans, of that I am very sure:

Iraqis celebrating the withdrawal of American troops

Rana Walid Hammoud holds a picture of her dead father during a demonstration celebrating the US troop withdrawal in Fallujah, Iraq. Hammoud was killed during a fight with the US army in 2004.

Perhaps George Galloway has the last say:

"Apart from the thousands of their servicemen and women whose lifeblood they are leaving in the sands of Iraq, and the tens of thousands too maimed or otherwise damaged to make it back to home and hearth. And minus the trillion-plus of dollars in treasure they have expended on destroying an Arab country (which may have lost a million souls and seen three millions off into exile), fanning the flames of fanaticism, making Iran more powerful, and unleashing a wave of sectarianism throughout the Muslim world."

"I wrote at the time that the invasion of Iraq would be worse than a crime: it would be the Mother of All Blunders. I told Tony Blair – outside the men’s lavatory in the library corridor of the House of Commons, to be precise – that the fall of Baghdad would be not the beginning of the end, but merely the end of the beginning. And that the Iraqis would fight them, with their teeth if necessary, until they had driven them from their land. I told Blair that there was no al-Qaida in Iraq, but that if he and Bush were to invade there would be thousands of them."

Read more by George Galloway: Last Post in Iraq: This is the death kneel of the American Empire

I am now waiting for the American Last Post in Afghanistan. Its really time for the Americans to leave Afghanistan too.

Anwar Ibrahim long sodomy trial closes, Judge to give verdict on 9/1/2012

2011-12-15T23:04:00.001+08:00

The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial draws to a close today after final submissions by both the Prosecution and the Defence team. The Judge Datuk Mohd Zabidin Md Diah will deliver his verdict on 9 January 2012 which is only about 3 weeks away. The story here:

High Court to deliver Anwar's verdict on Jan 9

I do not wish to speculate what the Judge's verdict will be, but as an interested citizen who has been following the case since the time when Anwar ran into the Turkish Embassy when news about the alleged sodomy broke out in 2008, I am tempted to say something.

I think the main prosecution witness Saiful's testimony is credible and difficult to challenge and despite relentless cross examination by the defence team lead by the very aggressive veteran lawyer Karpal Singh, the main witness has remained steadfast and unshaken. Saiful's testimony corroborated by physical evidence adduced in the court such as DNA and video evidence etc., that placed the accused at the scene of the crime seems to suggest that the Prosecution has a very solid case. Read here.

The Prosecution's case is made even more solid when the Defence could only offer denials and irrelevant theory of conspiracy to bring down Anwar which would make a good ceramah topic but virtually useless in Court. The one thing that could save Anwar is an alibi which would place him with some one else, or some place else, that is everywhere else, but not at the Condo where the sodomy allegedly happened. Until final submission there has been no alibi defence witness which could put him somewhere else from the scene of the alleged crime. Read here.

Anyway I do not want to speculate on the verdict which will be given on January 9 next year. Life goes on until then and after that date too.

A last happy wave perhaps?

Anwar Ibrahim is charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code

which carries a sentence of up to 20 years' jail and whipping, upon conviction.

NFC issue: Finally the grand old man speaketh; Dr. M tells Shahrizat to go

2011-12-11T01:45:00.000+08:00

“If we feel it is necessary to quit for the sake of party, we quit. When I wanted to quit, I didn’t ask anyone. I hope others do the same. Don’t wait for people to chase you off.

“Yes, ukur baju di badan sendiri (measure yourself up),”

It just had to happen finally, Dr Mahathir the Grand Old Man of Malaysian Politics said it loud and clear:

Dr M tells Shahrizat to go

The writing is not just on the wall now, I think Minister Shahrizat better get her exit plan in motion, her days as a senior politician is by all account over, its time to go, PM Najib cannot have her as a winnable candidate not even the safest of safe BN seat in Putrajaya, and I don't think Tengku Adnan would let go of the seat that easy anyway.

Don't blame me, I think she will have a ghost of a chance to win in Lembah Pantai, Minister Raja Nong Chik have a better chance than her against the incumbent PKR MP Nurul Izzah daughter of Anwar. It seems Shahrizat is still defiant even one day after Dr. Mahathir gave her the goodbye sign, read here.

Speaking of Dr. Mahathir, I sure wish to hear his comments on the aftermath of the secret shareswap between MAS and AirAsia's (Tony F and kawan) with the support of Khazanah and probably tacit agreement of the powers that be. It is garnering too much negative publicity and like the NFC scandal will eventually cause BN a lot of votes overall while only a select few benefits. I am not going to repeat what has been said in the blogs notably here, here, here and here, here and here too.

The secret shareswap has not done much to turn MAS's fortune though, the stock is at a low RM1.34 now:

Read more here.

This is quite a good post by A Voice:

Read the rest here

Like I was saying just now, I sure wish to hear Dr. Mahathir's view on MAS, Khazanah Corporate maneuvering and Tony F's war against the MAHB. These corporate maneuvering gives BN a very bad name. One should not wonder why the Pakatan politicians has kept mum on the MAS, Air Asia, Khazanah and MAHB issues, why should they make opposition noise, while BN shoots itself in the foot.

BN leaders, the powers that be, do not get the drift?

If Nga is let go for his racist statements the DAP stands accused of condoning his actions

2011-12-03T01:42:00.000+08:00

From The Mole:

Read more here

The DAP leadership's silence especially that of the father and son junta, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng is certainly deafening. If Nga is not disciplined by the DAP, the DAP stands accused of racial discrimination among its rank and condoning Nga's racist behavior. DAP is deeply and truly a racist party.

The DAP is not the place for Tunku Aziz, he should resign from the DAP as protest.

A Menteri should know what to do when the writing is on the wall

2011-12-03T00:07:00.000+08:00

The NFC issue will for sure be milked by the Pakatan all the way until the next election, for those Sharizat diehards I tell them that the NFC issue was brought up by the Auditor General, an office of trust and integrity. Lets not give excuses for her and the NFC Management, the more you defend the more you give ammunition to the Pakatan who do not have much issues to play with since YAB President UMNO and Prime Minister of Malaysia came into office replacing his weak predecessor. All those hard work by YAB Najib can be demolished by perceptions of lack of trust and integrity in UMNO due to the NFC issue, make no mistake this is cannon fodder for the Pakatan.

Sharizat cannot divert the issue by saying its got nothing to do with her and unfortunately instead of explaining the issue in detail she choose to divert attention towards her attackers in PKR at the Umno General Assembly a few days ago.

Lets face it Wanita UMNO is UMNO's backbone, they must be united and they must be lead by a Leader who has no baggage perceived or real. A weakened Wanita will and can cost YAB Najib the 2/3rd majority that BN is yearning for. I want it too but because it will bring political stability to this blessed country.

There are already rumblings after the Umno Assembly:

Read more here.

“Come on, they understand. It is your husband, so what do you mean it has nothing to do with you? If you were not a minister do you think your husband would have gotten the project?”

If Sharizat loves UMNO, she should know what to do. Tepuk Dada Tanya Selera.

Thank God the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 has been passed by Dewan Rakyat

2011-11-30T17:04:00.000+08:00

Despite the vocal protest of a small minority lead by the Bar Council, the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 has been finally passed with all BN MPs voting for the Bill to become Law:

Assembly law passed with only BN votes

I call this a watershed Bill, a historic moment in our blessed nation history, a moment where democracy is allowed to mature, now street protests are banned and children cannot be used by their irresponsible parents as a shield in any protest. The Bill protects the security and peace of majority Malaysians who do not bother about assembling and protesting and those who think assembling and protesting in public is their right. Kudos to the BN MPs who voted for the Bill.

Too bad about the DAP, PAS and PKR MPs who refused to take part in the democratic process to debate the Bill and take part in the voting process, their walkout is a disgrace and a slap in the face to those constituents who voted them to become their Wakil Rakyat. I suspect the Pakatan MPs agreed to the Bil overall but had to abstain as they want the votes of the minority such as the Bar Council and like minded anti anything Gomen NGOs.

Final word on the Bill by Minister Nazri:

“They are like apes (beruk), they say they are lawyers but they don’t behave that way. They act more like apes. They are not mature enough for this Bill,”

A racist politician in our midst, DAP must show it does not condone unbridled racism

2011-11-28T00:49:00.000+08:00

I have no words to describe this DAP politician who could utter such racist attack on the Perak Menteri Besar:

Describing the MB of Perak skin color and calling him "haram jadah" in public is offensive behavior and smacks of unbridled racism.

If the DAP do not punish this disgraceful behavior then they stand accused of condoning racism which have no place in a multi racial Malaysia. DAP itself do not have a future with this kind of politician in their midst.

Lim Kit Siang cannot just sweep this racism in his party under the carpet. There will be a price to pay, don't blame the Malays if they see DAP as a racist party which incites hatred against others in the years to come.

Selamat Menyambut Tahun Hijrah 1433

2011-11-26T17:26:00.000+08:00

Selamat Menyambut Awal Muharram

Jangan Lupa Baca doa akhir tahun (3x) diakhir Waktu Asar hari ini

Selepas Maghrib baca pula doa Awal tahun ini (3x)

Wassalam

The Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011: The Gomen should stand firm on the Bill

2011-11-26T11:50:00.002+08:00

What started as a good idea by the BN Gomen is turning into an ugly spectacle by the very people who demanded and insisted on their rights to protest anywhere they like be it on the streets or in front of anybody's house.

The Gomen tabled the Peaceful Assembly Bill for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday 21 November 2011. Among others the main points of the proposed law are:

30 days' advance notice for assemblies, except for those in designated areas as defined by the home minister;

after notification, the assemblies can proceed, unless there are objections from the police;

no street protests are allowed;

no protests in or anywhere in a 50-metre buffer zone around prohibited areas defined in a list, which includes hospitals, schools and places of worship;

Section 9(5) allows the police to fine organisers up to RM10,000 if no advance notice of a planned assembly is given to the police;

Section 20(1)(c) allows police to arrest anyone who brings, allows to come or recruits children for an assembly;

those under 21 years of age are not allowed to organise assemblies; and

children under 15 are not allowed to take part in assemblies, except in cultural or religious events such as funeral corteges or events approved by the home minister.

The Bill can be read in full here.

I am not a demo type of person, I have other things more interesting to do then protesting in or assembling in any place to protest about anything. I think its kind of old fashioned, use twitter, facebook or blogs etc to voice your support its more effective as the social media reach out to millions.

Anyway for what its worth I think overall the PA Bill 2011 is satisfactory and acceptable and it seems the drafters had made much effort to be fair to both the small minority who wants to assemble and demonstrate and those majority Malaysians who just want a nice life without being disturbed by protestors assembling in front of their house or workplace together with the security road blocks. I like that children are banned from demonstrating and their parents will be held liable. Maybe with certain adjustments namely:

The 30 days period is quite long, I don't think it will take the authorities that long to ask the opinions of residents or commercial vendors whether the assembly can be allowed or not at the "undesignated" areas. Seven days should be OK.

Designated Areas must be defined in the Bill, the Home Minister cannot be given the power to define designated area as he think fit. If Putrajaya is defined as non designated area then it must be clearly written into law.

Designated areas must not be in city centers, places such as Stadium Merdeka or Dataran Merdeka cannot be designated areas, we don't want troublemakers like the illegal Bersih2 protestors spilling into the city streets causing untold problem to innocent bystanders Malaysians and visiting tourists alike.

As predicted the Opposition and their Pakatan friendly NGOs who loves to street protest are up in arms against the PA Bill. Ambiga and Kit Siang say Myanmar are more freer than Malaysia in allowing people to assemble, such ridiculous statement can only come from twisted mind bent on having their way without due regards to the feelings of the silent majority. For their information the Myanmar security shoot to kill their own citizens using machine guns there and any comparison to the Army controlled Myanmar is just a complete nonsense. Malaysia does not need to take any lessons from Myanmar or any other countries for that matter, we make our Laws to suit our environment not somebody else's.

As usual where matters concerns the Pakatan folks is concerned the Bar Council follow along with gusto and now they want to Walk against the PA Bill. Anyway here is a good response by blogger Fatimah Zuhri to Kit Siang and his supporters who are against the PA Bill 2011:

CONTINUE READING THE POST HERE

I say Malaysia's progress towards developed nation status depends on the political stability and hard work of its people and a Government committed to the well being of this country. Unfettered freedom to assemble and protest anywhere in Malaysia will only cause chaos which will be difficult to manage in the future.

The Gomen should not capitulate to the demands of the loud minority who wants their pound of flesh their freedom to assemble and protest anywhere, DO NOT open the Pandora's Box. The Gomen must always keep in mind the security and comfort of the Silent Majority, come the GE our voice will be very loud, louder than the roar of the tiger.

Twitting is a lot better than participating in illegal assemblies

2011-11-24T17:39:00.000+08:00

I am quite hooked on Twitter, it makes me feel alive and in touch with people and friends all around me, on Twitter you can make your thoughts known about something that interest or that you disproved almost immediately, its a micro-blog and it does gives me ideas on what to blog.

Something to share about Twitter:

Source:LiveScience

Twitting is a hell lot better than participating in illegal assemblies trying to make a statement.

MOE and UNESCO joint review of education system: One big step towards a Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua system?

2011-11-21T22:39:00.000+08:00

“To build a nation, first build a school.”

Rabindranath Tagore

“Communalism not communism is the real threat in Malaya.”

Prof. K.G.Tregonning (1959)

Very Big news...perhaps one big step towards the long and arduous road towards a Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua System:

Read in full here

This is a detailed report of what the joint Kementerian Pelajaran and UNESCO study will entail:

Malaysia, Unesco to review education policy

Please read this superb piece by blogger SatD here:

The Story of The Satu Sekolah Memo

And this too from Voices Around blog:

Perjuangan KEMPEN SSS kini berputik!

Read this email attributed to Professor Emeritus Khoo Kay Kim:

"MANY years ago, Tagore said: “To build a nation, first build a school.” He was talking about the need to integrate and socialise the young people who form the citizens of a country. In Malaysia, concern was raised even before World War II, not long after the British had experimented with preserving separatism and found the situation difficult to control. Sir Shenton Thomas (governor and high commissioner), in about 1940, actually thought seriously of adopting a policy to Anglicise the Chinese. But war broke out before he could act.

It is not at all well known that, in the early years of British administration, there was no consciousness of the need to build walls between the ethnic groups. For instance, those appointed to official bodies (such as sanitary boards or state councils) represented industries or commerce. It was only after World War I that the decision was made to appoint ethnic representatives.

The British treated non-Malays as aliens and therefore provided facilities for them to continue to live as citizens of their countries of origin. Hence also, hardened non-Malay criminals were banished, meaning they were sent back to their original countries and could not return.

Malays (as distinct from those of more recent Netherlands East Indies origin) were deemed to be subjects of the Rulers. Those committing serious crimes were exiled, meaning they could return because this was their land of origin. It was to protect their interests, after the first rubber boom of 1910, that the Malay Land Reservation Act was passed in 1913 which also defined, for the first time, who a Malay was. This same definition is preserved in the Federal Constitution.

When plans were laid for the establishment of a nation-state in the course of World War II, the British began to plan seriously the best way to integrate the ethnic groups. The Communities Liaison Committee was formed at the beginning of 1949, chaired by E.E.C.Thuraisingham.

The Barnes Committee, a year later, recommended the integration of the education system. All government schools, as distinct from private schools, would use Malay and English as the main media of instruction but pupils could learn their own ethnic languages. Later, the Razak Report of 1956 stated categorically that “the main objective of Malaya’s educational policy is national unity.” Its recommendations were substantially similar to that of the Barnes Report.

But throughout the late “forties” and “fifties”, various efforts made to integrate the people proved futile. They preferred to remain separate. Hence, ethnic political parties were formed. Socialism and communism tried to use ideology to break down communalism; both failed. I remember a question set for my final year examination (in 1959) by Prof. K.G.Tregonning (an Australian): “Communalism not communism is the real threat in Malaya.” Most of the students who answered that question agreed with the statement.

Singapore is very well aware of that and has adopted, from the beginning, an integrative approach towards education. But its requirement that a pupil must study his/her own ethnic language is too hard. If an Indian pupil wants to study Mandarin instead of Tamil, he/she is not allowed to do so.

Our political leaders also could not solve the problem on the eve of independence. They left many issues unresolved hoping that, after independence, reason and not emotion would prevail. But even now there is no sign of it. When I told the reporter of the Chinese paper that the time had come to adopt a “one-system national school” approach, I specifically mentioned Singapore as an example. But she could not understand what I was saying and reported that I had said non-Malays must forget their mother tongues.

“Mother tongue” is another misunderstood term. It should be the language used by members of a particular family, not the language used by a nation. Therefore, Tamil is not the “mother tongue” of every Indian. The Bengalis, Punjabis, Malayalis and Telegus have their own “mother tongues”. In Sarawak and Sabah, the indigenous people have numerous “mother tongues”.

Like it or not, young Malaysians must make it a point to acquire three languages at least: the national language, an international language (English is the most useful) and each person’s own ethnic language. The schools can provide for the learning of a few of the major ethnic languages: Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic; but it would not be practicable to try to provide more.

When discussing national problems, why must leaders of the nation allow themselves to be overcome by strong ethnic feelings? Their main responsibility is to integrate the nation not separate it. And, by the way, the nation rejected assimilation a long time ago but acknowledged that integration is the right approach. There are still educated Malaysians who do not know this.

I have lived through two serious ethnic riots – one in 1945 and one in 1969. When I plead for a rational approach why should I be accused of not knowing my own people? My research into the history of the Chinese in Malaysia takes into account minute details. But the simple question is, if I choose to be an ethnic champion would I be able to contribute to national unity? Am I to understand that confrontation is the wiser approach? Have we not seen the calamities that have taken place in some countries even in recent times because of ethnic confrontation?

The preservation and practice of ancestral culture is not wrong but when one lives in a complex society, social relations cannot be taken for granted. Certainly accommodation is more likely to lead to greater happiness than stubborn confrontation." Around December 2008.

Go HERE to sign the petition for a Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua, lets help our blessed country towards a peaceful and great future for our young ones.

FRIENDS & COUNTRYMEN, LETS TOGETHER SAY NO TO INDELIBLE INK!

2011-11-17T23:08:00.000+08:00

A major demand of the outlawed Bersih2 movement is the use of indelible ink purportedly to prevent voters from voting twice so they say.

I have always voiced my opinion against the use of indelible ink:

1. I hate the sight of colored ink on my fingers, its hard to wash off and will disturb my concentration when I pray to God Al-Mighty.

2. My Constitutional Right to vote cannot be denied if I refuse to use indelible ink when my IC card is perfectly acceptable for identification even to take out money from my bank.

3.In our progress towards developed nation status lets not regress by using old technology which can be abused, lets use finger print biometrics, we already have fingerprint information embedded in the chip of our MyKad, just clean the electoral roll.

It makes me sick that the Bersih2 supporters and their sponsors the Pakatan parties forcing the Gomen to use indelible ink when it will be an obvious failure and will indeed cause chaos during the polls, we have for fifty four years gone through elections where citizens were allowed to vote without let or hindrance and as long as they bring their IC to prove that they are who they are in the electoral list. Let not this idiotic demand be the cause of violent confrontation between the political divide. In a democracy the minority's right cannot subdue nor over rule the right of the majority who does not want questionable indelible ink on their fingers.

Blogger PAPAGOMO proved that with cheap chemicals that can be bought from hardware stores in Malaysia, the so called indelible ink can be removed:

Blogger Tuan Syed has this to say:

Papagomo "Exposes" Indelible Ink

I agree with Tuan Syed, if we must reform the elections let us reform these:

"if they want real electoral reform - lets just do three things.
.
i. Lets limit the tenure of the Prime Minister, Menteri Besars, Chief Ministers to two terms only.
ii. Lets fix the Polling Date, no more guesswork.
iii. All political parties MUST declare their funds. Where they get their money, how they spend it etc."

Gambar saya kebas dari Papagomo di sini

So over, So irresponsible, So sad

2011-11-17T19:55:00.000+08:00

Rumor mongering, striking unfounded fears into the common people knows no bounds for Pakatan Rakyat:

Courtesy from SMALL TALK blog:

So much over reaction, So Irresponsible, So Sad..the Lynas Plant at Gebeng is not a Nuclear Reactor Plant lah you silly woman.

PPSMI: its never about language says former PM Tun Dr. Mahathir

2011-11-17T00:37:00.000+08:00

I consider the following article written by our former PM Dr. Mahathir to argue for the reinstatement of the PPSMI as the best and most eloquently persuasive post I read so far:

"Saya telah cuba menjelaskan berkali-kali bahawa penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris untuk mengajar sains dan matematik bukan untuk mempelajari Bahasa Inggeris atau memperbaiki penguasaan bahasa itu. Tujuannya ialah untuk menguasai ilmu sains dan matematik"

Continue reading the superb well written article here.

It is my fervent hope and that of many parents in Malaysia that YAB Najib and YAB Muhyiddin understands what Dr. Mahathir their former boss had to say about the PPSMI.

What has a RM10 million Condo got to do with rearing cattle?

2011-11-12T04:02:00.001+08:00

Updated 14 Nov 2011:

Read more here

Original Post:
Still on the NFC fiasco, Friends, can you believe this:

RM10m cattle condo was an investment, says Khairy

I can't believe my eyes when I read the news, what a lame excuse for using Public Fund meant for a National project to buy a Condominium. And what a Super luxury Condominium it is:

I think YB Khairy should stop being spokesman defending the NFC and its Management, macam tikus membaiki labu, the damage control is not working. His replies are like petrol thrown on to fire. Public funds for the NFC cannot simply be used to purchase items for investment, there must be Laws which disallow this kind of thing. Read this critic:The Bangsar beef pie in the sky.

If this kind of "investment" nonsense using Public fund meant for specific purposes is allowed to pass without punishment, its precedence will cause problems in the future if some smart alecs and there are many smart ass in Malaysia who are generous with money not their own, who could given the chance will be willing to buy paintings say by Van Gogh:

A Very expensive investment

I am no fan of the PKR or the PR for that matter, but matters such as Public Fund use or misuse should transcend politics, the NFC Management needs to answer a lot of questions and allegations against them, please be reminded rhetoric and attacks on PKR or PR will not be enough to get you off the hook.

The ETP the Government Economic Transformation Plan has brought much changes especially to the Construction sector where jobs created and funded by the Government are becoming competitive every year, and those tendered out costing less than RM10million ringgit will have scores of hopeful Contractors bidding for the job. Now many Engineers and Technicians in the construction sector are facing pay cuts some even the axe and here we have a Company given a soft loan by the Government for a National Project and have the temerity to use public money to invest in a Condominium? I have not begun to ask who benefits from the purchase, who allowed the purchase and who is staying in the RM10 million condo.

It is time for the MOA Minister in charge of the NFC project to stand up and take charge of the situation, do not leave it to an MP to explain the scandal away because it won't go away. In fact I think the PAC should start an inquiry about the way Public Funds for the NFC is utilised.

Malaysians have the right to know.

The NFC issue, just bite the bullet before it spirals out of control

2011-11-11T01:24:00.001+08:00

When the Auditor General told us Malaysian public that the National Feedlot Center project is in a mess, I believed it.

"Headless" National Feedlot Centre project

The project was such a great idea when it was first mooted, the target was to reduce the nation's dependency on imported meat. It was a good project, unfortunately, it was a good project that went terribly wrong. It does not help that the project was given to a company owned and managed by family members of a serving Cabinet Minister never mind when her family got the job she was not a minister yet.

MOA Minister and Khairy tried to make a defence of what I think is an indefensible situation. Read here and here. Pity the PM had to be dragged into this mess too. Read here.

Now the Opposition PKR, picking on the AG's report has made some very serious allegations here:

NFC - A DETAIL ACCOUNT ON THE SCANDAL

Rafizi Ramli of PKR have almost practically boxed in the BN Gomen on the NFC issue:

NFC: It’s not about the cows

"The debate on National Feedlot Corporation’s success (or failure, depending on which target you use) has dragged on for three weeks unabated. Judging by the intensity of comments made on the Internet, there is a strong possibility that it will snowball to become a national issue in the coming weeks if proper explanation is not forthcoming from the authorities."

The BN Gomen has been warned, the Opposition has got their teeth firmly on BN's soft underbelly and would not let go easily considering the political capital that can be gained by playing up the NFC issue. When the Minister involved finally spoke up. it was not at all convincing:

Shahrizat says family works hard, doesn’t deserve attacks

She was rightly criticised for bringing in Wanita UMNO into the growing scandal:

Where’s the beef, Shahrizat?

As the heat in the kitchen gets hotter, the Malaysian public is being told:

PKR claims NFC funded RM10m Shahrizat family condo

Buying a condo using funds for cattle production? Now this is a really serious allegation which is growing hotter in its intensity as the PKR tries to dig as much dirt about the NFC as it possibly can. The BN cannot use the tired old statements that it is a load of crap and fitnah from the Opposition, remember, it was the AG who first said that the NFC project is a mess.

I think it is time the Husband and children of the Minister concerned, give a public statement to defend the NFC and stop these allegations before things get out of control.

Rafizi ramli speaks for all when he said:

"Our society has evolved in recent years that it is no longer acceptable that a minister’s family can easily secure a RM250 million soft loan and a vast tract of land to breed cattle, when there are thousand others more experienced breeders who could have qualified for such a grant.

It disgusts the public that the minister’s family can spend close to a million ringgit on overseas travel and entertainment when the company has to dish out huge discounts to its customers in order to compete with imports.

The NFC debacle is not about technicalities. It is about the moral leadership expected of our public office holders to safeguard the public funds."

Wise words which transcends the political divide and a reminder to all public office holders when utilising public fund.

Additional reading: Skandal NFC: Gaji Tiga Eksekutif Agroscience Sdn Bhd Hampir RM 200 Ribu Sebulan?

A tale of a good apple and a not so good orange

2011-11-09T00:26:00.000+08:00

I am just wondering what the DAP is up to now? Have a read at this news report:

Anwar to be PM, even from jail

GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be Prime Minister if Pakatan Rakyat forms the next government, says DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said this in response to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s question of who is going to be Prime Minister should Pakatan Rakyat win the general election.

“The answer is obvious. It is very clear that it will be Anwar as decided by all three parties,” Lim said after presenting RM100,000 to the Kong Hock Keong board of trustees chairman Datuk Lam Wu Chong for the restoration of the Goddess of Mercy temple on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.

When asked what would happen if Anwar were to be jailed, Lim said he would still be Prime Minister, citing Turkey as an example.

“Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan couldn’t contest because he was in jail.

“But when they won, they allowed him to contest and he became Prime Minister,” said Lim, who is also Penang chief minister.

Guan Eng citing the case of distinguished Turkish PM Erdogan going to prison and then emerging triumphant as PM when his party won is too much for me bear. No, its not the going to the prison part, but what the two men were prosecuted for before they got into prison that set them far apart and what makes Erdogan a great Turkish PM and Anwar just a PM in waiting whose time will not come. Its like comparing a good apple and a not so good orange.

For starters Erdogan went to jail for reading a poem banned by the then Turkish Government:

excerpts from BBC News, read in full here.

"Conviction

But his pro-Islamist sympathies earned him a conviction in 1998 for inciting religious hatred.

He had publicly read an Islamic poem including the lines: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers..."

He was sentenced to 10 months in jail, but was freed after four.

However, because of his "criminal" record, he was barred from standing in elections or holding political office.

Parliament last year changed the constitution to allow Mr Erdogan to stand for a parliamentary seat." Source BBC News

On the other hand, among others, Anwar Ibrahim was imprisoned because he committed crimes under the Malaysian Penal Code, he was initially prosecuted on four counts of corrupt practice under section 2(1) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance No 22 of 1970 (the Ordinance), on 5th October 1998 found guilty by the High Court and was found guilty on all four charges, as amended at the close of the prosecution case, by the High Court. He was convicted and sentence to six years imprisonment on each of the amended charges, the sentences to run concurrently, to take effect from the date of conviction. He appealed all the way to the Federal Court but was unsuccessful. Source here.

Anwar was also prosecuted for sodomising his driver, Azizan Abu Bakar, excerpts from Big Dog blog (a letter by lawyer Mathias Chang):

Yes the Federal Court which let Anwar free from the sodomy charge on his driver made a very pertinent finding:

“even though reading the appeal record, we find evidence to confirm that the appellants were involved in homosexual activities and we are more inclined to believe that the alleged incident at Tivoli Villa did happen, sometime, this court, as a court of law, may only convict the appellants if the prosecution has successfully proved that the alleged offences as stated in the charges, beyond reasonable doubt.”

After serving time in prison for criminal wrong doing and released in 2004, Anwar Ibrahim was charged for sodomy this time with a former assistant Mohd Saiful in 2008:

The sodomy trial has just been completed and await final submission by both the prosecution and the defence likely on 23 and 24 November 2011. The High Court Judge's decision is expected to be by the end of December 2011. Anwar faces a maximum of 20 years jail if found guilty. Read here.

Now I would like to tell the Pakatan leaders to please spare us the agony of trying to equate Anwar's predicament with that of the distinguished Turkish Prime Minister. You guys can try but it would not stick, I can tell Guan Eng that.

Again I just wonder why the DAP is so adamant to have a convict, convicted for committing corrupt practises when he was the deputy PM to lead the Pakatan. Death Wish? Suggestions any one?

The bitter the medicine, the better the cure

2011-11-08T19:12:00.000+08:00

This letter among others should make the BN Gomen stand up for PPSMI and make it for ALL our young generations:

Thank you to the writer, Dr Kamal Amzan and MI:

PPSMI, a tough pill to swallow — Dr Kamal Amzan
November 08, 2011

NOV 8 — This is déjà vu.

Back in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s day, we saw many U-turns and flip flopping of government decisions.

The decision to build a crooked bridge, double tracking rail project, comes to mind. Malaysians were so tired of such fickle-mindedness that they voted the Opposition into a few states in March 2008.

Three years later, we usher in the era of PPSMI.

Within a week we saw two big announcements by the education minister. One was to uphold the abolishment of PPSMI, while the other was to extend PPSMI until 2021.

After quoting numerous studies and expert opinions on why they have to shelve the teaching of science and mathematics in English, and how teaching in the Malay language will be better for students, the education minister decided that the country could still prolong the teaching of said subjects in the English language.

What were his decisions based on? The proximity of the next general election, or because our students and Malaysia deserve a better future?

Should we expect another U-turn after the general election? Or should we be fickle and vote someone else in?

Whatever the answer, education for Malaysians must not be used as currency to garner support or votes. No matter how unpopular a policy vis-a-vis our education is, the government and the rakyat must swallow bitter pills to ensure a progressive and developed Malaysia.

Gambling with our children’s education is never the answer.

The teaching of science and mathematics in English will not only improve our children’s command of the language, but will hasten the knowledge transfer to make our younger generation more marketable, attracting high income companies in their wake to make Malaysia a high income nation.

Critics who scream violation of the national language should be made to understand that as long as Malaysia is regarded as a third world country (no matter what the politicians want us to believe), as long as our graduates are unemployable, and as long as Malaysia remains behind technologically, Bahasa Malaysia will never be looked up to by the world.

Only a developed Malaysia will allow the respect Bahasa Malaysia deserves, and its proliferation as the next lingua franca in the region if not the world by our world-class, English proficient, sought after graduates.
How many more generations do we need to experiment on before we accept the fact that English language goes hand in glove with advancements in science and mathematics, which will unmistakably lead to national progress?

As with any policy in their infancy, we are bound to encounter problems. Solving them as we move along will be a teaching experience for the teachers, parents and officials in the education ministry and the nation, as long as everyone is committed to such lessons in the English language.

That is called a learning curve, and maturing into a more advance nation.

Crying wolf, giving PPSMI a bad name, getting people to scream and protest against it, and attempting to erase them from history because they are too difficult to handle, or too complicated for the ministry to handle is not the answer.

Malaysians are a mature lot that understand sacrifices for the sake of the future. No sane, rational parent will object to the use of English in the classroom for the teaching of science and mathematics unless they are politically motivated, or are ignorant of world affairs.

The government should be firm in implementing PPSMI, and not bow down to presumedpressure from NGOs and other politically motivated parties. The government must act as a guardian to our children’s and nation’s future, and not let a handful of ill informed parties hijack the policy meant for a better future.

Start making tough decisions and sticking to them please. Bitter pills to swallow, for a better Malaysia.

* Dr Kamal Amzan reads The Malaysian Insider.

No matter what other friends says, I read TheMalaysianInsider everyday.

Remember 4 November 2011, the day the Gomen came to their senses on the PPSMI

2011-11-06T01:29:00.000+08:00

Education Act 1996 explicitly states that, “pupils are to be educated according to the wishes of their parents”.

In May 2010, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur decided that PPSMI did not contravene Article 152, the Education Act 1996 or the National Language Act 1963/67.

Datin Azimah of PAGE. Source here.

Remember Friday, 4 November 2011 friends, its a historical day when finally the Gomen did something sensible, they actually listened to the Parents! I guess the threat not to support BN in the next election was one credible threat not taken lightly by the Gomen:

PPSMI to continue for students already in it: DPM

The Cabinet decision today is only a delay tactic to let off pressure from PAGE and other pro PPSMI NGOs, Other Parents, individuals, bloggers, twitters and of course the man who introduced the PPSMI when he was then PM of our country, Dr. Mahathir. Some people especially the lallang politicians from the Opposition calls it a flip flop, I say it is a good flip flop but though this battle is over the war is still ongoing, the objective is "reinstatement of the PPSMI as an option".

PAGE's Datin Azimah has this to say:

PAGE says likely to continue PPSMI struggle

I have no doubt that PAGE means business and I will support them how ever I can.

Dr. Mahathir has this to say:

Reversal of PPSMI policy cause for concern, says Dr M

"The idea of teaching Science in Bahasa Malaysia is like taking a step backwards.

"Not that I don't have any respect for my national language but the fact is that Science is a different subject. It is not a static knowledge. It keeps on going and improving.

"Everyday people do research and come out with new developments in the scientific field," he told reporters.

He was asked on the transition from the PPSMI into MBMMBI (Memartabatkan Bahasa Melayu dan Memperkasakan Bahasa Inggeris) -- a policy to uplift the usage of the national language and strengthening the command of English among school students.

Dr Mahathir, who introduced the PPSMI policy in 2003, said it was fine to teach other subjects using Bahasa Malaysia. He said he would support such move, as he was an advocate of the usage of the national language.

"However, when it comes to the future of our country, I have to be practical and make the necessary decision.

"I don't want Malaysians to be ignorant in this age of science and technological developments.

"If we cannot master the knowledge of Science, we will not progress. We won't be able to take the country to new heights in terms of scientific development," he said, adding that the issue had nothing to do with being disloyal towards the national language.

Asked if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could override the decision made by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Dr Mahathir said that it could be done if the government decided it was the best move for the people.

Some people still thinks that PPSMI is about language, NO it is never about language, it is about having the right tool for keeping pace and acquiring knowledge in Maths and Science, changes that are happening rapidly everyday around the world.

Actually the BN Gomen which introduced the PPSMI in 2003 before deciding to abolish it in 2009 need not think too much nor worry about the votes, just do a nationwide referendum as suggested by Dr. Mahathir here.

Just remember, it ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

2011-11-06T00:32:00.000+08:00

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

Warm Wishes and a Blessed Aidil Adha to all my friends

Seksualiti Merdeka banned;Thank You Polis DiRaja Malaysia

2011-11-04T00:02:00.000+08:00

I am thankful that the festival celebrating sex against the order of nature (seks songsang) has been banned by our Polis DiRaja Malaysia, I think human rights must have limits otherwise this nation will go to the dog:

BANNED BY THE PDRM WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

The news of the ban here:

Seksualiti Merdeka movement festival banned

The following are quotes by PAS's spiritual advisor on the Seksualiti Movement festival:

“Kebebasan secara mutlak sememangnya tidak ada dan saya khuatir tidak lama lagi akan ada yang menyebut tentang soal kebebasan merompak dan menyamun atas nama kebebasan”

" sesungguhnya Islam tidak menyekat hak asasi manusia tetapi ia hendaklah selari dengan hak asasi yang diciptakan Allah SWT kerana sebarang aktiviti yang bertentangan dengannya akan mengakibatkan keruntuhan terhadap tamadun manusia"

Tok Guru Nik Aziz. Source here.

Still time for the Najib BN Gomen to make the right decision to reinstate the PPSMI

2011-10-30T17:49:00.000+08:00

1. So the BN Gomen thru the DPM and Education Minister have make their stand:

DPM: ‘Teaching Maths and Science in dual languages not feasible’

2. I find it kind of strange that a BN Government which said that they wanted to "memartabatkan" our National language our Bahasa Malaysia but tells us that the PPSMI option is not feasible when the Gomen can afford to pour billions of Ringgit into the vernacular school which is one of the factor causing race polarisation that we Malaysians are facing now.

3. If the Government is sincere in wanting to put Bahasa Malaysia supreme in education then it is high time that the Gomen show some real balls like the Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore Gomen of years ago and introduce the SatuSekolahUntukSemua System. Otherwise they are just talking politics and just sacrificing our children's education on the altars of political expediency.. I say politicians should never be allowed to decide on our national education policy, that job should be given to the education professionals.

4. The Gomen and the anti PPSMI group has really got themselves all mixed up, the PPSMI option is never about Bahasa Malaysia, it is about the best means of keeping pace with latest knowledge in this fast changing world. The Government talk about translation of documents and books from English to Bahasa Malaysia but is the Dewan Bahasa Pustaka up to the monumental job and not finished translation after the knowledge is obsolete? The answer is an obvious NO, it is an impossible task of keeping up translation of scientific work and discoveries. Pak Menteri tidak perlu gula-gula atau memperbodohkan rakyat Malaysia.

This is what Datin Azimah of PAGE has to say in reply to the BN Gomen still in denial after March 2008:

PAGE warns BN of polls backlash from PPSMI snub

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Barisan Nasional (BN) risks losing votes in upcoming polls if it continues barring students from learning science and maths using English in schools, a parents lobby group said today.

The Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) wants the 10-year-old policy of teaching science and maths in English at national schools (PPSMI) to be made an option for students in primary and secondary schools.

“If it is political (decision on PPSMI) give us the PPSMI option in national primary and secondary schools, and we will give you the two-thirds majority, which you are making increasingly difficult for us to do.

“Do not make us give the opposition our vote,” said PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said in a statement to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.

“We would not like the Najib administration to be remembered for abolishing PPSMI, for not regaining the two-thirds majority and for making our children yet another lost generation,” she said bluntly.

Noor Azimah stressed that the government’s past decision in introducing PPSMI in schools was not “flawed”, adding it would empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to compete with other countries should the policy be retained.

She criticised Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for saying yesterday that the education system will turn chaotic if parents were allowed to freely choose the medium of instruction for their children.

Calling it “unacceptable”, Noor Azimah charged that all science and mathematics teachers should be able to teach in either Bahasa Malaysia or English as the PPSMI policy had previously been in place for nine years.

“If the number of schools that choose English are small, then it would be even easier to provide the teachers. The reasons should be addressed head-on and not swept under the carpet after spending RM3 billion of the rakyat’s hard earned income. We want an explanation,” she said.

Noor Azimah said that the current education system only divided children according to race-based schools, a split that was slowly incorporating class differences as seen in the growing popularity of private and international schools.

She stressed that PPSMI was not about learning English through science and mathematics, but to provide the context to put the language into practise.

Opposition parties like the DAP have thrown their weight behind PAGE’s cause, demanding the Education Ministry be more flexible and give students the option which will enable the country to retain its best talents.

The growing row over the education policy has split the country along racial, political lines ahead of national polls likely to be called early next year.

Vocal fundamental groups are using the issue to champion their version of nationalism.

Several non-partisan civil societies have recently banded together to counter this tide but the powerful Malay-dominant political parties appear to be reluctant to commit to this hot potato issue ahead of the 13th general election.

Noor Azimah said that PAGE will be sending a letter of appeal to Najib on the matter tomorrow morning in Putrajaya. Source here.

What PAGE has to say is not a threat, the DAP, opportunistic as usual has now done a U-turn to support the PPSMI option:

DAP pushes for optional PPSMI

Blogger Tuan Syed has wrote a very persuasive article for the reinstatement of the PPSMI excerpts:

"Sudah tentu pada PRU13 nanti, isu PPSMI ini akan diambil kira ramai pengundi yang tidak setuju PPSMI ditamatkan. Di sini saya ingin memaparkan semula komen daripada sebilangan pembaca Blog ini yang sokong PPSMI diteruskan. Dan kemungkinan besarnya mereka tidak akan mengundi Kerajaan BN jika PPSMI ditamatkan.

Samaada Kerajaan peduli atau tidak akan luahan hati oleh umum ini terpulang-lah kepada Kerajaan. Blog ini hanya menyalurkan pendapat dan pemikiran orang berkenaan PPSMI.

Kerajaan cuma perlu memikirkan perkara berikut : jika PPSMI dikekalkan, Kerajaan tidak akan KEHILANGAN sebarang undi, terutama sekali undi orang Melayu, atas isu ini. (Makhluk anti-PPSMI itu yang berjambang putih dan berkelakuan ganjil seperti orang kurang siuman yang kerap merayau di kawasan Masjid India itu tidak akan mengundi Kerajaan, walau apa pun berlaku. Makhluk ganjil itu sudah sah penyokong Pembangkang).

Tetapi sebaliknya jika Kerajaan menamatkan atau mansuhkan PPSMI, kemungkinanya paling ramai juga pengundi (terutama sekali pengundi Melayu) akan membantah tindakan ini dengan TIDAK mengundi BN. Sebenarnya "Mansuhkan PPSMI" ini bakal menjadi isu besar pada PRU13.

Kerajaan seolah tidak peka bahawa isu pendidikan dan masa depan anak-anak kita adalah isu yang sangat besar dan sangat penting bagi terlalu ramai orang. Ini bukan perkara sia-sia atau isu remeh. Dan majoriti ibubapa Melayu inginkan anak-anak mereka menguasai Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris.

Jadi sebenarnya pilihan bagi Kerajaan sangat mudah dan jelas :

Pilihan Pertama : Tamatkan PPSMI, jejaskan peluang majoriti paling besar rakyat marhaen (yang tidak akan memasuki university) untuk menguasai Bahasa Inggeris yang akan seterusnya mengurangkan peluang mereka untuk mencapai kejayaan hidup. Maka oleh itu, BN akan menghadapi risiko kehilangan undi secara besar-besaran pada PRU 13.

Pilihan Kedua : Teruskan saja PPSMI yang akan disambut dengan tepukan dan siulan meriah oleh majoriti orang Melayu, majoriti besar orang China, hampir kesemua orang India, majoriti penduduk Sarawak dan Sabah; PPSMI yang akan membina generasi muda yang mahir berbahasa Inggeris, yang akan peka sains dan teknoloji dalam bahasa Inggeris, yang akan mempunyai daya saing untuk mencari pekerjaan dan peluang niaga sehingga ke peringkat antarabangsa dan akan baik segala-galanya. Tambah lagi, jika PPSMI di teruskan, golongan yang begitu besar dan ramai ini tidak akan mempunyai alasan untuk memarahi Kerajaan BN (atas isu ini) di Peti Undi pada PRU13 kelak.

Bagi saya, walaupun memerlukan cermin mata untuk membaca, tetapi penglihatan saya masih jelas untuk memahami bahawa pilihan yang paling mudah, terbaik dan betul adalah Pilihan Kedua.

Bagi saya Pilihan Pertama adalah Pilihan Maut (Death Wish). Apakah Kerajaan kita rela membunuh diri?"

Read in full here.

Does the BN Government of Najib Razak has a death wish or something? Do they want to win and win big in the next GE or are now just in warming up the seat mode waiting for the next GE and a change of Government.

I like many others do not want to hear other Menteri to say it, I want to hear from the guy where the buck stops at his table, I want to hear what YAB PM Najib decide on the PPSMI on behalf of the Government he leads.

I want him to remember that fateful day when he finally say no to the PPSMI, long after he finds himself and BN on the Opposition side of the Dewan Rakyat and reminisce on what could have been.

The BN Gomen still have time to do the right thing for our children's education. The decision window is still open and the rakyat only wants a fair decision from the leaders they choose to form the Gomen. If you cannot make that decision, then lets have a national referendum to reinstate the PPSMI or Not.

Happy Deepavali

2011-10-25T11:17:00.000+08:00

To all my Hindu friends,

Happy Deepavali

May the beauty of Deepavali season fill your home with happiness

and may the coming year provide you and your family with all that brings you joy.

Impending clean water crisis in Klang Valley by 2014: A dangerous game the Selangor Pakatan led State Government play

2011-10-24T22:50:00.002+08:00

As a citizen who makes up the vibrant Klang Valley population of at least 6 million people encompassing Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya, I am like many others are quite anxious about the stubbornness or should I say the politicisation of the Pahang-Selangor Water transfer project by the current DAP dominated Pakatan led State Government of Selangor by delaying among others, land acquisition, permit to enter the forest reserve and directive for development include the land use approval of the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant which were planned and designed to receive and process the raw water delivered by pipelines from Pahang.

The water transfer project was launched as studies had shown that over the past six years the demand for water has grown by 3.5% annually. SYABAS had said that with the current 33No. water treatment plant capacity of 4,326 million litres per day, they only have 3.5% to 5% of reserve capacity. This means that if one or two treatment plant goes out of action the supply of clean water to the Klang Valley will be affected. The Pahang-Selangor water transfer project were designed to meet the growing demand of clean water in the Klang Valley. Source here.

Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Transfer Key Plan

Project Concept : Read in further detail here

"According to the National Water Source Report 2000-2050 published by the Economic Planning Unit, demand for treated water of 4,391 million litres per day in Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is expected to exceed supply of 4,326 million litres per day from this year. By 2014, the expected demand for water in Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will reach 4,907 million litres per day while the supply capacity is only at 4,431 million litres per day.

These figures strongly support my earlier statement which said that unless the Selangor state government cooperate with the Federal Government on the smooth implementaion of the Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project, these three areas will definitely faced water shortage by 2014.

As such, the statement by Selangor Mentri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim that the state has sufficient water supply up to 2019 was inaccurate and it will confuse the public."

Peter Chin. Source here.

The Selangor Water Supply Crisis Explained:

Here is what the Pakatan politicians who are perfectly willing to jeopardise the life of Klang valley folks as long as they have their way:

Read more of their incredulous explanation here.

Peter Chin said that:

Without Langat 2, Selangor will run dry by 2014

Our DPM does not mince his words:

Read the rest here.

Is the Pakatan led DAP dominated Selangor State Government playing a game of who blink first with the BN led Federal Government whose objective at this juncture is to ensure that there is no water shortage for the Klang Valley population in 2014 and beyond?

I say its a dangerous game to play, WATER is life, humans can withstand electricity cuts but never water cuts, I hope that the Pakatan politicians knows what they are getting us Klang valley folks in to because when the SHORTAGE & CUTS do happen in 2014, they will suffer the consequences of their ill thought out political brinkmanship.

Water is Life....In the words of Karpal Singh "Jangan main-main".... with clean water supply, it is our life you are playing with!

Keropok Lekor anyone?

2011-10-21T15:05:00.000+08:00

I am taking a break for a few days from blogging on the local socio-political scene which seems to be dominated by the purported ramas -ramas issue involving a VVIP son in the Pearl of the Orient, Pulau Pinang. I wish the VVIP would make a formal report to the Polis and get his lawyers to sue also, just get on with it lah.

I am a self confessed keropok lekor addict and I will go to anywhere in Malaysia where there is any news about a good keropok lekor outlet. Its an interesting quest which have taken me to places in Pahang and Terengganu that some urbanites have never visited. I found such a place in my travels at Kuala Kemaman:

Phone to find exact place: 098684678, if interested,
and no I am not taking any commission for recommending

Minimalistic display but practical and the Owners are friendly

I can't think of a better fast food meal of keropok lekor with hot kopi kampung

I am quite sure my colleagues agree

Don't do to others what you don't want others do to you

2011-10-19T00:15:00.001+08:00

The story started to snowball when Malaysiakini gave it discreet publicity as revealed by Blogger Dato' Ahirudin in his latest posting:

Wassup with Guan Eng?

I don't think a serious allegation on his son and the purported cover up can be ignored by giving it the elegant silence treatment and today Guan Eng issued a press statement:

Lim Guan Eng on alleged criminal wrongdoing involving his son

Well anyway some say it is a press statement, I prefer to call it a political ranting which left many with more questions than answers. If Guan Eng or his father thinks that they can capitalise on this issue by blaming their favourite bogeyman UMNO, they should think again. This issue would not go away by just this press statement. I am sure many remembers how relentless the then young Guan Eng was, when he pursued the then Ketua Menteri of Melaka Rahim Thamby Chik for allegedly having sex with a minor read here. I am sure Rahim's family wife and children were severely traumatised by the whole issue, but does Guan Eng care? Remember the merciless campaign against PM Najib's wife, does Pakatan politicians care how severely traumatised the premier couple children had been?

I would be greatly dissapointed with Chief Minister Guan Eng if he does not make a Police Report against the persons concerned or the least he could do is to sue for defamation and causing distress to his young son. The young one must have justice if indeed he is innocent.

I have a feeling that this issue has not reached its peak yet but is gathering momentum especially when the General Election is right around the corner.

Must Read: How to deal with UMNO barbarians

When will we have Leaders who will solve our race polarisation problem once and for all

2011-10-16T20:32:00.001+08:00

While our political Leaders are promoting the 1Malaysia brand and giving support to the vernacular schools as part of the branding process among others, its good to see and read many dissenting voices which opined that vernacular schools should make way for a one school system so that polarisation among the races which is increasingly becoming a very serious problem in Malaysia could be curbed and controlled. One such voice is YB Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim:

Polarisasi kaum: Kerajaan disaran hapus sekolah vernakular
12/10/2011 7:49pm

KUALA LUMPUR 12 Okt – Ahli Parlimen Bebas bagi Bayan Baru, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim hari ini menyarankan supaya sistem pendidikan negara diolah semula dengan menghapuskan sistem sekolah pelbagai aliran atau vernakular yang didakwanya menyebabkan polarisasi kaum di negara ini.

Justeru, beliau meminta kerajaan mewujudkan semula sekolah wawasan bagi memastikan murid-murid dididik dalam persekitaran majmuk dan seterusnya melahirkan generasi akan datang yang lebih bersatu padu dan tidak hanya memikirkan kepentingan kaum masing-masing.

"Malaysia bukan negara Cina, Malaysia bukan negara India dan Malaysia juga bukan negara Arab. Malaysia kita adalah satu negara majmuk dan seharusnya sistem pendidikan kita diolah kembali,” katanya ketika membahaskan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan 2012 di Dewan Rakyat di sini.

Zahrain berkata, transformasi sistem persekolahan atau pendidikan peringkat sekolah rendah dan menengah kini pincang kerana sistem peninggalan penjajah menyebabkan kemunculan generasi yang rasis dan hanya memikirkan kepentingan kaum masing-masing.

Beliau juga merujuk kepada perbuatan pelakon dan penyanyi rap Wee Meng Chee atau Namewee yang didakwanya kurang ajar hingga mudah memaki hamun seorang wanita dalam klip video terbarunya.

"Saya pasti Namewee tidak akan bertindak sebegitu liar dan memaki hamun seorang wanita dalam klip video terbaru-nya jika beliau diasuh secara betul dalam persekitaran yang majmuk,” katanya. – Bernama

Picked this up from the SatuSekolahUntukSemua blog here:

Kerajaan Di Saran Lagi Supaya Menghapuskan Sekolah Vernakular – Apa lagi yang DS Najib ingin pertahankan?

I have done some writing on this subject too, read here, here and here.

Here is some statistics I took off Helen Ang's blog (read here):

I just do not know when the Government of the Day will stop trading our Nation's Education System for political support and votes. I am normally a optimist, but in this instance I do not see a Malaysian Leader who would sacrifice his political position for a one school education system in the next 2 decades.

I pray that one day there will be a Leader who sees that a One School System is indeed the key to unity among races in this blessed country, and he like Singapore's Leader Lee Kuan Yew has the political will and foresight to change for the better for the country he leads.

Allahyarham Ahmad Jais remembered

2011-10-15T01:05:00.001+08:00

On 11 October 2011, a great singer Datuk Ahmad Jais left us forever.

He left us with many wonderful memories of his songs, who could imagine Hari Raya without this Malaysian evergreen:

Who could forget this hypnotic patriotic song:

Semoga Roh Allahyarham Ahmad Jais dirahmati ALLAH dan ditempatkan di kalangan Roh orang-orang yang beriman. Al-Fatihah.

Damansara Utama Methodist Church raid by JAIS: DYMM Sultan Selangor say it is legal

2011-10-11T00:25:00.000+08:00

Here is the latest news and we pray the last about the JAIS raid on the DUMC event during last Ramadhan:

Church raid legal, says Selangor Sultan

Jais report shows evidence there were attempts to subvert the faith and belief of Muslims

Monday, October 10th, 2011 12:16:00

PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor today said the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department's (Jais) raid at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) here on Aug 3 is according to law.

In the incident, police and Jais raided a multiracial thanksgiving dinner at DUMC in Jalan 13/1, organised by Harapan Komuniti, a non-profit organisation helping women, children, HIV/AIDS sufferers and victims of natural disasters, after receiving complaints of an alleged attempt to proselytise Muslims at the function.

Twelve Muslims were detained and later told to present themselves at the Shah Alam Syariah Court on Oct 19.

In a statement issued today, the Sultan said that after going through a report submitted by Jais regarding the raid, the palace is satisfied that the actions of Jais were correct and did not breach any laws enforceable in Selangor.

The Sultan said the actions of Jais were in line with the jurisdiction provided under Syariah Criminal Procedure (State of Selangor) Enactment, 2003, Syariah Criminal (State of Selangor) Enactment, 1995 and Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment, 1988.

"Based on the investigations by Jais, there is evidence that there were attempts to subvert the faith and belief of Muslims but that the evidence obtained would be insufficient for further legal actions to be taken.

Therefore, after carefully deliberating the report by Jais and after obtaining advice from religious authorities and legal experts, we are in agreement that there would be no prosecution against any parties."

"Even so, we command that Jais provide counselling to Muslims who were involved in the said dinner, to restore their belief and faith in the Religion of Islam. We also command Jais to carry out preaching to Muslims in a more regular and organised manner so that their belief and faith towards Islam is protected and enhanced.

"We hope that after this, any and all activities being carried out or which are going to be carried out for the purposes of spreading other religions to Muslims in Selangor must be ceased immediately and no further activities or anything similar to them are carried out in the future."

The full text of the DYMM Sultan of Selangor Press Statement can be read here in Malay and here in English.

I think YB Hassan Ali is vindicated so is JAIS, while the MB of Selangor and some Pakatan Excos and some BN politicians and also some Clerics who had ask for apologies from JAIS even before the report on the raid has been completed, are caught embarassed without a chair to sit on after the music had stopped.

Hudud: Pakatan crybabies

2011-10-10T23:44:00.000+08:00

When Pakatan politicians complain about Hudud posters:

Read in full here.

Hmm...Firstly they(PR) were the ones who agree to disagree with the Hudud implementation, of course in politics there are bound to be people on the other side who will take advantage of the Hudud imbroglio in the Pakatan Camp which would almost certainly be played to the hilt by the BN election campaign. (I am not saying that the gory posters were done by BN operatives though, it could be any body with vested interests, DAP supporters are suspects too).

Pakatan politicians will have to deal with it maturely, no sense in complaining, BN took it in the chin when PR attacked them using many issues which were mostly downright fitnah and lies though some had a little bit of truth in it.

Pakatan Politicians, Please do not be crybabies, don't complain, don't point fingers, if you can't stand the heat, just leave the kitchen I say!

YB Karpal gets 2 Million Ringgit and a hug too?

2011-10-10T21:56:00.002+08:00

Update: Looks like The Mole has the story much earlier read it here.

Original Post:

Pick up news from the Malaysian Bar website, read in full here:

I have no problem about YB Karpal Singh being awarded the RM2 million, I think he deserve every Ringgit and more for what he and his greatly supportive family had to go through since that unfortunate accident many years back.

The Sessions Court Judge conduct in giving YB Karpal a hug after she awarded him the RM2 million in damages is bewildering to say the least and I say this as some one who has been involved in quite a few civil suits in the Sessions, High Court and Appeals Court representing companies I work with in my career.

I find it disturbing that so far I have not heard any comments on the Session Judge conduct from the Malaysian Bar which carried the news above, and of course I am not going to hear any complaints from the Pakatan trio of DAP, PAS and PKR who have been very critical of the Malaysian Judiciary. I guess when it affect one of their own in this case the Chairman of the DAP its OK is it.

Just a thought, wouldn't all hell break lose if the Plaintiff who won the award is a BN politician and is given just a good old handshake by the trial judge after the award has been given? Lets not even begin to talk about a friendly hug shall we.

Goodbye Steve Jobs and Thank You

2011-10-06T23:23:00.001+08:00

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being," Apple said in a note on its Web site. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Read more here

..........and by the way I found out today that the late Steve Jobs was an Arab American, read here to find out more.

PPSMI: its about having the right tools for acquiring knowledge in this fast changing digital world

2011-10-06T14:19:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I read a letter in TheStar which would make many Parents who only wants the best option possible for their children's education feeling very sad indeed. The said letter purportedly from the Corporate Communications Unit of the Ministry of Education defending the Gomen's abolishment of the PPSMI, could be read here:

Why PPSMI is abolished

I thought the Gomen now in "listening to the rakyat mode" having abolished the EO and in the process of repealing the ISA, giving out millions to vernacular schools etc would have listened to majority parents who wants the Gomen to reinstate the PPSMI.

Why does the Gomen make a full U-turn from introducing the PPSMI during Dr. Mahathir's time as PM, to abolishing it shortly after Najib became PM. The introduction is in itself a acknowledgement that acquiring knowledge in Maths and Science through the English Medium is important in this digital age.

I think we must correct this perception about PPSMI, it is NOT about Language, its actually about acquiring knowledge in Mathematics and Science which are mainly in English. If we cannot cope with acquiring the ever increasing knowledge bank/database in Maths and Science which are mainly in English, we are, as a nation, as a people, will be left far behind soon.

The argument that National schools(Sekolah Kebangsaan) students after the English medium schools were abolished went on to become Engineers, Doctors, Architects, Accountants too, is fine, but think of the extra edge they could have achieved with the PPSMI. The world is changing fast, what was good then is outdated now, time waits for no man.

The Gomen must certainly understand that we are talking about a future where their decision now will affect this nation long after they are dust in the ground.

Consider this:

If you Google "Mathematics" you get 87, 800,000 (Eighty Seven Million Eight Hundred Thousand) Search Results;
If you Google "Matematik" you get 32,500,000 (Thirty Two Million Five Hundred Thousand) Search Results.

If you Google Science you get 1,820,000,000 (One Billion Eight Hundred and Twenty Million) Search Results;
If you Google Sains you only get 16,400,000 (Sixteen Million Four Hundred Thousand) Search Results.
.

So MOE do you people think that our young not equipped with basic proficiency in English will be able to cope with the knowledge explosion in Maths and Science in this digital age?

I am quoting the following from Blogger Tuan Syed (Must Read in full: The Great PPSMI Mistake):

"Now lets take two other countries that "messed" up their education system - Burma and Ceylon. Both Burma and Ceylon had an English based education system just like we had. At one time both these countries were the leading lights in post-War Asia. In the 60s and 70s they produced large numbers of medical specialists, engineers, lawyers, accountants and even a United Nations Secretary General (U Thant). U Thant, a son of Burma, was the third Secretary General of the United Nations for a record 10 years from 1961 to 1971. Lee Kuan Yew has written that he seriously expected Ceylon to pass Singapore in their economic development.

Then things went wrong. Just like us, language nationalists in Ceylon and Burma switched their system to the vernacular ie Sinhalese in Ceylon and Burmese in Burma. Both countries also changed their name to Sri Lanka and Myanmar respectively. Ever since then both Sri Lanka and Myanmar have become what they are today - basket cases in Asia.

We are not running down any country's national language including Malay. This is the farthest thing from the truth."

So dear YAB DPM/Menteri Pelajaran please have a discussion again with YAB Prime Minister to give our children their universal Human Rights to choose the education of their choice for the sake of their future and the future of this blessed nation.

YAB PM and YAB DPM, please reinstate the PPSMI.

PAS do not have 2/3rd majority to revise the Perlembagaan to change to Hudud Laws

2011-10-05T00:52:00.000+08:00

The Hudud issue comes and goes according to the frequency of the General Election. Every time when the Election nears, PAS will like clockwork come up with statements to uphold and introduce Hudud if and when they get elected to form the Government. It has become almost a ritual for PAS to push for Hudud in the run up to General Elections that I tend to believe that it is politically motivated rather than anything else.

Any change to Hudud will involve change to our Perlembagaan which will need two third majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

With PAS definitely fielding less than two third candidates for the Dewan Rakyat in the General Elections, I do not see PAS seriousness in wanting to implement Hudud except to merely score points for votes.

Below is a very interesting letter written by the then PM Dr. Mahathir Mohamed to PAS's MB of Kelantan, Tok Guru Nik Aziz in 1994, this letter is so well written that it is still applicable even now:

YAB Tuan Haji Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat
Menteri Besar Kelantan
KELANTAN

Y.A.B. Tuan Haji,

PENGUATKUASAAN KANUN JENAYAH SYARIAH II 1993
DI NEGERI KELANTAN

Rujukan : MB(KN)(S)16/6/(26)
Bertarikh 8 Jun 1994
Pihak kerajaan pusat sentiasa berpandukan kepada kebijaksanaan (al-Hikmah) yang telah ditunjukkan oleh baginda Rasulullah SAW. dan juga para sahabat baginda khususnya al-khulafa ar-Rasyidun dalam melaksanakan ajaran Islam lebih-lebih lagi yang berkaitan dengan hukum-hukum jenayah.

1. Jalan yang diambil oleh Kerajaan Pusat ini adalah juga berpandukan kapada kaedah yang terdapat dalam sistem pemerintahan Islam iaitu “tindakan pemerintahan adalah sentiasa bergantung kapada kepentingan ramai (muslihat umum).” Penguatkuasaan kanun jenayah yang digubal oleh Kerajaan PAS di Kelantan, menurut kajian sehingga setakat ini tidak menampakkan dan tidak menyakinkan pakar-pakar perundangan Islam yang tidak mempunyai sebarang kepentingan politik bahawa ia selari dengan ajaran dan kehendak Islam sebagaimana yang telah diuruskan dengan bijaksana oleh Rasulullah SAW. dan para sahabat.

2. Sepertimana yang Amat Berhormat sendiri sedia ketahui, KEADILAN adalah ASAS yang paling utama ditekankan oleh agama Islam apabila melaksanakan sesuatu perkara. Penekanan mengenai dengan keadilan adalah sangat terserlah dalam ajaran Islam lebih daripada penekanan yang terdapat dalam ajaran-ajaran yang lain dalam sejarah agama. Baginda Rasulullah SAW. sewaktu mengembangkan agama Islam ialah usaha menghapuskan ketidakadilan yang menjadi sebahagian daripada budaya dizaman itu.

3. Tidak perlu bagi saya menyatakan disini betapa banyaknya terdapat ayat-ayat Al-Quran yang menegaskan tentang pentingnya keadilan dan lebih banyak bagi ayat-ayat yang mencela sebarang jenis kezaliman. Disamping itu al-Quran juga sentiasa menggesa supaya dielak daripada terjadinya huru-hara dan Allah sendiri sangat tidak gemarkan kapada mereka yang menyebabkan huru-hara berlaku. Kita hanya bertindak balas terhadap sikap permusuhan dan serangan yang dilakukan terhadap kita. Di Malaysia, orang bukan Islam bukan sahaja tidak memusuhi kita tetapi mereka memberi kerjasama bahkan membantu kita dalam urusan-urusan yang bersangkutan dengan kegiatan dan amalan ajaran Islam.

4. Khusus mengenai undang-undang jenayah PAS di Kelantan, kajian awal menunjukkan dengan jelas bahawa undang-undang itu yang disediakan menerusi perjuangan sebuah parti politik ternyata bukan sahaja menyebabkan ketidakadilan akan berlaku tetapi, sebaliknya ia akan membawa kezaliman. Kebenaran kenyataan ini adalah berdasarkan kapada keterangan berikut:

(i) Dakwaan bahawa undang-undang ini akan dikuatkuasakan hanya di kalangan orang Islam sahaja dan tidak digunapakai untuk orang bukan Islam akan menyebabkan ketidakadilan dan kezaliman yang ketara berlaku. Memang benar di zaman Nabi Muhammad SAW., orang Yahudi biasa dihukum di bawah undang-undang yang berada di dalam kitab Taurat mereka tetapi kitab Taurat mempunyai hukuman yang tidak berbedza dengan hukum-hukum dalam al Quran.

Mereka yang berzina umpamanya, akan dihukum rejam sama seperti hukuman terhadap jenayah yang sama bagi orang Islam. Justru itu tidak ada perbedzaan sama ada penjenayah dihukum di bawah undang-undang Islam atau Undang-undang Yahudi di zaman Nabi Muhammad SAW. Tetapi terdapat perbedzaan yang amat ketara di antara hukuman di bawah undang-undang yang ada sekarang dengan hukuman di bawah undang-undang jenayah yang dicadangkan oleh kerajaan PAS di Kelantan. Menghukum orang Islam dengan lebih berat tetapi orang bukan Islam dengan amat ringan untuk jenayah yang sama atau jenayah dilakukan bersama amatlah tidak adil dan merupakan satu kezaliman, sedangkan undang-undang PAS akan menyebabkan ketidakadilan dan kezaliman berlaku, maka undang-undang PAS tidak boleh diterima sebagai undang-undang Islam atau secucuk dengan undang-undang Islam ataupun selaras dengan ajaran Islam. Ia sebenarnya tertentangan dengan agama Islam.

(ii) Masaalah kesalahan merogol wanita, berdasarkan kapada undang-undang PAS, jika seseorang wanita yang belum kahwin melahirkan anak maka ini adalah bukti ia telah berzina dan akan dihukum mengikut undang-undang PAS, sedangkan apa yang sebenarnya berlaku ialah wanita itu adalah mangsa rogol. Mengikut undang-undang PAS jika ia menuduh perogolnya, tuduhan hanya boleh diterima sah jika terdapat empat orang saksi (yang terdiri daripada orang-orang yang baik, yang tidak melakukan dosa besar) yang menyatakan bahawa telah melihat dengan terang dan jelas bahawa yang dituduh telah merogol wanita berkenaan.

Seperti kita ketahui, melainkan dalam keadaan perang seperti di Bosnia diwaktu mana orang Serb merogol beramai-ramai wanita Bosnia, tidak mungkin jenayah merogol dilakukan di hadapan saksi-saksi yang terdiri daripada orang-orang yang baik. Jika saksi ini melihat dan mereka tidak menolong wanita berkenaan, mereka boleh dianggap sebagai bersubahat seperti penjenayah-penjenayah Serb bersubahat dengan perogol daripada kaum mereka. Jika ada pun saksi, dan mereka tidak membuat apa-apa untuk menolong mereka tidak boleh dianggap sebagai terdiri daripada orang yang baik, tetapi disebaliknya dianggap sudah bersubahat. Dengan itu tuduhan mangsa rogol akan ditolak dan perogol akan terlepas.

Keadaan di mana mangsa rogol dihukum salah kerana melahirkan anak di luar nikah dan perogol dilepaskan sebagai tidak bersalah kerana tidak ada saksi adalah sama sekali tidak boleh diterima oleh sesiapa pun sebagai sesuatu yang adil, bahkan ia adalah satu kezaliman yang dahsyat.

5. Hukum Hudud Islam bertujuan untuk memberi keadilan kapada semua pihak. Ia bukanlah bertujuan untuk melakukan kezaliman. Undang-undang PAS jelas menunjukkan ketidakadilan dan kezaliman yang ketara akan berlaku. Justeru itu undang-undang yang disediakan oleh PAS bukanlah undang-undang yang menepati ajaran Islam. Ia hanyalah undang-undang ciptaan PAS yang bertentangan dengan penekanan oleh agama Islam yang menuntut supaya menghukum secara adil dan menolak sebarang kezaliman. Kerajaan Pusat akan sentiasa berpandu dan menerima ajaran-ajaran dan amalan Islam dari semua aspek tanpa diheret oleh kehendak organasasi politik yang mempunyai kepentingan yang lain daripada Islam dan kepentingannya .

6. Jika undang-undang PAS yang jelas mengandungi unsur-unsur ketidakadilan dikuatkuasakan dinegara ini, dan jika ia dikatakan itulah Hukum Hudud Islam maka umat Islam dan juga anggota masyarakat bukan Islam akan hilang kepercayaan Islam membawa keadilan untuk penganutnya. Ia juga memberi gambaran yang buruk terhadap agama yang suci ini dan menjejaskan imej orang-orang Islam di kalangan penganut agama-agama yang lain. Ia tetap akan menyebabkan penganut agama lain menjauhkan diri daripada agama Islam dan menyebabkan orang yang berminat memeluk Islam menolaknya.

7. Kerajaan Pusat tidak berhajat untuk bersubahat dengan PAS bagi melaksanakan ketidakadilan semata-mata untuk kepentingan politik dan sokongan oleh orang yang telah diabui matanya. Kerajaan Malaysia yang sentiasa dan terus mempertahankan ajaran dan nilai-nilai Islam tidak dapat membenarkan Kerajaan Pas menjalankan sesuatu yang bercangah dengan prinsip keadilan dalam Islam, maka Kerajaan Pusat akan mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya terhadap Kerajaan PAS demi menjaga maruah dan ketinggian martabat Islam dan penganut-penganutnya.

DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD

15 Julai 1994

PAS should really fine other useful issues to keep their party relevant, changing to Negara Berkebajikan from Negara Islam may please PAS's partners in the DAP, but it does not cut ice with the majority Muslim Malays in MALAYSIA.

Retirement Age for Private Sector to be extended to 60, kudos to the BN Gomen

2011-09-29T22:49:00.000+08:00

As an Engineer/Manager who turned 50 this year, I greatly welcome the news that the Gomen is extending the private sector retirement age to 60. I have always believed that 55 is a bad retirement age, at that age a professional is at the prime of his chosen career and would have given much more value for money for the company he chose to serve.

Higher retirement age will benefit the economy

I certainly agree, I say nothing beats experience.

Kudos to the Barisan Nasional led Federal Government for making it happen, this is certainly a right decision and I am sure a popular one too.

The Economist says Yes to Palestinian Statehood

2011-09-29T22:31:00.000+08:00

Some things must be shared, a good article from the Economist arguing for a Palestinian State:

Yes to Palestinian statehood

Efforts to stop the Palestinians from winning statehood at the UN are misguided and self-defeating

Sep 24th 2011 | from the print edition

THE Palestinians are edging closer to getting a recognised state, at least on paper. Their application to the UN’s Security Council, pencilled in for September 23rd, will be rebuffed by an American veto. But if they then go to the UN General Assembly, which seems likely sooner or later, the Palestinians will win an overwhelming majority. The “observer” status that would be given to them would be similar to that of the Vatican—a position short of full membership, which can be conferred only by the Security Council. It would not make an immediate difference on the ground but would help the Palestinians on their way to the real thing by giving them a diplomatic fillip. It should be encouraged, for reasons of both principle and practice.

The principle is simple: the Palestinians deserve a state, just as the Israelis do. The United States, the European Union and the Israeli government have all endorsed a two-state solution. There is broad agreement that the boundary should be based on the pre-1967 one, with land swaps allowing Israel to keep its biggest settlements close to the line, in return for the Palestinians gaining land elsewhere; Jerusalem should be shared; and the Palestinians should give up their claimed right of return to Israel proper. That still leaves much room for negotiation. But provided that the Palestinian request at the UN, still unfiled as The Economist went to press, does not undermine the basic terms of this deal, it is hard to see why any peacemaker, including America’s Barack Obama, should oppose a proposal that nudges Palestine closer to real statehood (see article).

This is barmy. The argument that the Palestinians must resume negotiations before getting statehood is specious. Why on earth should a change in status at the UN stop people talking? Besides, the negotiations have been going nowhere—and Mr Netanyahu has been the biggest stumbling-block. Since his grudging acceptance two years ago of the two-state principle, Israel’s prime minister has shown no eagerness or flexibility in his purported pursuit of a deal. Settlement-building on the West Bank, which he has refused to stop (barring a partial nine-month freeze), is no mere side issue; the Palestinians accurately liken it to the spectacle of two people negotiating over how to share a pizza while one of them continues to eat it. (Unlike the UN status, this does change things on the ground.) In his speech to Congress in May Mr Netanyahu refused to accept that Jerusalem, whose eastern Arab-populated part the Palestinians see as their capital, should be shared. He even inveighed against the notion that negotiations over the boundary should be on the basis of the pre-1967 line with swaps.

The practical and procedural politics of the UN is trickier, but unless the last-minute negotiations deliver something dramatic, the arguments in favour of at least securing the Vatican option surely outweigh stasis. Israel’s government, led by Binyamin Netanyahu, and his backers abroad, especially in the United States Congress, insist that Palestinian statehood is premature: instead of going to the UN, the Palestinians should return to the negotiating table without tiresome preconditions, such as demanding a freeze on the building of Jewish settlements. Mr Obama, keen to reassert his pro-Israel credentials before next year’s election, seems likely to oppose even the Vatican option. Some congressmen are now preparing bills that would punish the Palestinians for their temerity.

The Palestinians have hardly been faultless. Mahmoud Abbas, their leader, has often dithered. He muffed a half-chance for a deal with Mr Netanyahu’s predecessor, Ehud Olmert, three years ago. But he is the most peace-minded Palestinian leader the Israelis are likely to get. Were he now to back away from his UN bid, his clout among his own people would shrivel. The more extreme Palestinians, in particular the Islamists of Hamas, oppose the UN bid precisely because it would, if successful, strengthen the hand of their more flexible compatriots. If a UN resolution reaffirmed support for two states broadly along the 1967 border, those who reject Israel’s existence, calling for a single state on all the land encompassing Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, would be wrong-footed.

This is not to give Mr Abbas carte blanche. He should see whether the Europeans can produce anything (see Charlemagne). Assuming that his bid for full UN membership is blocked, he should rapidly revert to the Vatican option, along with a bevy of provisos to reassure the Israelis. He should agree to refrain from trying to arraign Israel in the International Criminal Court for its past actions. And at some point, Mr Abbas must admit to his people that most of the refugees will never return to Israel proper: that is the price of partition.

A more secure Israel amid the Arab spring

In truth, Israel will be safer when a proper Palestinian state has been consolidated. That is a point that too few Israelis and their American supporters appreciate. This newspaper has argued steadfastly for the right of Israel to exist. We abhor the creeping delegitimisation and demonisation of Israel. But we also believe that the Palestinians deserve a state of their own. These two beliefs are entirely compatible. By his intransigence Mr Netanyahu has played into the hands of those who would destroy Israel. In blocking any Palestinian aspirations at the UN, America is helping extremists on both sides.

Scientist discovers particles that may travel faster than light, a strong case for the PPSMI

2011-09-28T23:29:00.000+08:00

Could this really be true, if it is, THEN IT IS a momentous discovery, everything we know about the Laws of Physics would have to be revised:

Source:LiveScience

Read more here:

Strange Particles May Travel Faster than Light, Breaking Laws of Physics

With many more such significant Scientific discoveries everyday, would it not be difficult for our children not being fluent in English for Maths and Science appreciate the significance of such momentous discovery that there are particles which can travel faster than the speed of light AS EVENTS UNFOLD FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE.

The Government really need to reinstate the PPSMI, the teaching and learning of Maths and Science in English as soon as practicable. We are losing time and the world does not wait for us to catch up as the Gomen dither between making a right decision or a politically popular decision, there is no affirmative action in the pursuit of knowledge.

Our children needs the right tool to face the constantly changing world of Science, PPSMI is the right tool.

REINSTATE THE PPSMI NOW!

Ada orang kena kantoi hari ini? LGE please rebut/call PC if not true

2011-09-27T14:34:00.000+08:00

Latest, uploaded on the internet..a voice recording allegedly to be of DAP Secretary General and Pulau Pinang CM defaming the State of Johor overseas.

1. If proven true, then the Johor State Government should sue the DAP Secretary General for defamation and loss of FDI, asking for apologies will not do, he has damaged Johor's good name in particular and Malaysia in General.

2. If proven authentic, the DAP should also suspend its Secretary General for conduct unbecoming just as they had suspended Manoharan for six months for dishonouring the Jalur Gemilang. That would be fair otherwise DAP is a BS democratic party where some members are more equal than others.