THE MALAYSIAN

WHITHER UMNO?

2011-07-09T10:27:00.009+08:00

UMNO'S POPULAR SUPPORT AND BACKBONE -- 1957

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UMNO'S POPULAR SUPPORT AND BACKBONE -- 2011

THE END FOR POWER CRAZY TYRANTS IS VERY NEAR.

Najib's 'No Racism' Warning Is Just Another Sandiwara

2010-08-29T12:58:00.000+08:00

Come of it lah brudder! You can't fool all of the people all of the time. Najib knows those wise words, but hey what's another lie for a person who by nature is a deceiving trickster? When our PM came out with the warning about racist remarks in public, my first thought was whether he was referring to the recent imbroglio involving two utterly stupid makcik masquerading as headmistresses or had he by any chance grown a ball or two and decided to caution that supremely ugly Malay supremacist Ibrahim Ali.

But having an inkling about the devious ways in which this man operates, the thought crossed my mind that he may have actually been targeting MCA, Pakatan and ordinary non-Malays for commenting on free speech, more rights for everyone and basically wanting a more just and equitable Malaysia. Non-Malays asking for a fair deal and true democracy is in Umno's world nothing but pure racism and sedition and the 'racists' should be subjected to lynching.

So I wouldn't give much thought to Najib's admonition. It's a waste of time and energy. He is simply not going to lift his pinkie and he won't specifically target any one Malay individual or group spewing racist venom. If it's to his advantage he may even arrest Chua Soi Lek but Umno connected Malays are apparently above the law.

Meanwhile the country is fast going down the slippery slope and national unity is but a far distant memory. I'm seriously thinking of moving to Singapore at least for the sake of my kids. To be sure racism does exist in Singapore too but not the increasingly venomous kind that you find here. The final straw for me was when almost the entire top leadership of Umno both in and out of Cabinet, except for Khairy and Nazri, kept absolutely silent in the wake of a tsunami-like uproar from the public. That the Umno leadership condones such ignorant racist talk is very apparent. Downplaying the issue like what Hishamuddin did as well as the dismissive attitude of that educated idiot Alimuddin Mohd Dom, DG of Education only made matters worse.

Everyone knows that our education system had gone down the longkang decades ago. What kept it propped up for a long time was the pool of dedicated and talented teachers from all the races. As the last of this group of educationists retired over the seventies and early eighties we and our children were set upon by a massive horde of locally trained 'teachers' almost exclusively Malay. We and our nation have yet to recover from the trauma of this onslaught. The racist Hajjahs in Johor and Kedah are merely two examples of an entire generation of BTN indoctrinated goons let loose in our schools to maraud as they wish. In the process all pupils, both Malay and non-Malay, have been deeply affected and their future jeopardised. Those in Chinese schools, accused of producing social skills disadvantaged, exam passing automatons had at least escaped this mediocre fare dished out in sekolah kebangsaan. At least for a short period in their vulnerable lives they had been spared the ravages of racism spooking the classrooms of our 'national' schools.

And please don't expect that Najib will suddenly have a change of heart and perform a miracle. He won't. What we need is not a change of heart but a change of government.

Whose Citizenship Will Be Revoked If Syed Ali Alhabshee Was In Power?

2010-05-30T13:21:00.005+08:00

DOES THIS MONKEY LOOK LIKE A MALAY?

From today's TheStar:

The Government should revoke the citizenship of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Cheras Umno division chairman Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee said. His activities could affect peace in Malaysia. Citizens who are not patriotic should not be given a place here.

Thus spoke one of the most brilliant criminals among the dozens who are currently infesting the Umno sewers. You can count on this Ethiopian-Arab slave descendant who morphed into an UMNO-MALAY to be in the thick of any issue involving the racist party. After all he knows which side his bread is buttered on. It is significant that the Ministry of Finance extended for two years the contract of this a**hole to continue his tenure as The Chairman of Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd effective from 1st June 2008. So the chairmanship is up for renewal in two days time and this dog is barking at his loudest to be heard by Najib. Renewing his contract means another couple of hundred thousands in his bank account. He is also Chairman of Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation which too is controlled by the Ministry of Finance and is the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Tanjung Offshore Berhad (Tanjung). He also holds directorships in IIUM Holdings Sdn Bhd and C.I. Holdings Berhad.

Can you imagine the chaos which would ensue if this brainsick maniac pulled the levers of power in Malaysia? There would be literally hundreds of Malaysians who would lose their citizenship, mostly for being against Umno's corrupt and racist rule, for being fair and trustworthy, for being courageous in defending human rights and for being overachieving, successful non-Malays.

Apart from the usual 'unpatriotic' opposition leaders like Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Tok Guru and Zaid Ibrahim the list will also include flavor of the month pro-government supporters like Samy Vellu and his son.

Among the first to go will be that 'traitor to the Malay race', High Court (Appellate and Special Powers Division) judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim who ruled that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful menteri besar of Perak.

High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan’s controversial ‘Allah’ ruling will guarantee her a place in the top ten hate list.

Another Malay 'traitor' is National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) Chairman Senator Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz for espousing the New Economic Model (NEM), betraying the 'social contract' and having 'forgotten' his roots.

Squash player Nicol David may be stripped of her citizenship for not knowing her place as a woman. Going around the world and winning titles while wearing revealing skirts may be a little too much for the likes of Alhabshee. A woman's place is at home!

Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor is another candidate who our lunkhead has never forgiven especially since she bested a genuine Malay darling - Faradina Mohd. Nadzir (Dina)- in the Idol finals.

However Alex Yoong, race car driver would narrowly escape the net because of his less than spectacular F1 performance. If only he had climbed up the podium even once he would have lost his citizenship.

Marina Mahathir would be right on the top of his list but the very thought of the Tun's ire will send shivers up and down his spine and he'll quickly bury the thought, lest any rash act buries him.

Lee Chong Wei would be booted out. How dare he 'deprive' a Malay juara of his rightful place as champion and agree to a datukship as well!

Jimmy Choo and Michelle Yeoh will be on the hit list for spending too much time overseas (and for being highly successful).

Of course this list can run into thousands of pages. If you'd like to suggest some names, please do in the comments section.

MACC's Attempt To Boost Its Image Doomed To Fail

2010-05-24T10:48:00.002+08:00

There is an interesting report in today's NST that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's 13-member Anti-Corruption Advisory Board has made two recommendations to turn it into a more credible institution.

One is that the Federal Constitution be amended to pave the way for the creation of an Anti-Corruption Service Commission for the appointment, confirmation and promotion of members of the anti-graft body.

The other is for the top graftbuster to be accorded a position equivalent to the inspector-general of police.

But these are merely cosmetic changes that benefit the MACC staff and will in no way lead to improvement in their dismal service. What does it matter if the head of the MACC is accorded a higher rank? Will it make him less subservient to the Umno leadership? Or will he suddenly develop larger testes to take on government-sponsored corruption? It is a fallacy that creating an Anti-Corruption Service Commission which will result in a better deal for MACC staff will in itself cause the officers there to suddenly become more efficient. On the contrary a sudden infusion of 'goodies' will have the undesirable effect of making the already pliant MACC thugs more beholden to Najib and gang.

The NST further reported that the board, chaired by former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, said despite a credible performance last year, the MACC’s biggest challenge was to rectify the negative perception the public had against it.

"The long-term goal should be to make the MACC one of the leading anti-corruption bodies in the world and for Malaysia to be seen as a corruption-free country," it said.

As everyone knows, former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad is himself a disgraced and discredited figure having bent over backwards to help former PM Dr Mahathir oust the then Lord President in a government backed coup d'état against the judiciary. This man should first be removed as chairman of the board.

The only recourse for the MACC to become more credible and help repair their battered public image is:

1) Be made answerable only to Parliament. This will at least limit the level of executive interference somewhat.

2) Remove as many of the deadwood from the highest ranks to the lowest officers as possible and recruit a more ethnically balanced force.

3) Stop sourcing completely from the morally and ethically challenged Royal Malaysia Police.

4) Endeavor to employ highly qualifed and experienced foreigners such as those from the Independent Commission Against Corruption Hong Kong who won't be easily susceptible to licking the rears of government leaders.

Of course none of this is going to happen until Umno is blown away in the next G.E. Hopefully the Pakatan federal government which will take over can preside over the creation of a genuine anti-corruption force we can be proud of.

Samy Vellu, Malaysia's Mr Invincible

2010-05-21T11:43:00.000+08:00

It is incredible that a person who had lost his parliamentary seat in the last general election, actively sidelined by the government and not given a senatorship or cabinet post can still rule the roost in everyday politics. Samy Vellu has been leading MIC for 31 years (since 1979)! The veteran politician recently announced that he would vacate the party top post "eight or nine months" before his current term expires in May 2012.

Despite being overtly vilified by detractors within his own party, the online and print media, fellow leaders in the ruling coalition, opposition parties and Malaysians in general, he has still managed to regularly cock a snook at all and sundry.

Although his personal political fortune is at its nadir, Samy Vellu even to this day remains as arrogant and recalcitrant as ever. Only yesterday he without consultation or justification sacked the MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan who had demanded Samy Vellu's resignation. A few days ago he had similarly expelled MIC division chief V. Subramaniam for telling the MIC president that the party did not belong to him or his family. His haughty reply to those who oppose him is that he would "destroy" those who destroy the party before he steps down as party president next year.

No one, not even Najib can get away with such a unilateral display of arrogant power without paying a heavy price politically. There is a limit to dictatorial hubris and most politicians tend to steer clear from the type of controversial conduct that Samy Vellu revels in.

But the most annoying thing about this whole situation is that Samy Vellu is getting away scot free without any obvious political damage. It is as though he is being judged by a different set of standards which even the PM is not entitled to!

Just what is enabling him to cling on to power so long after the use by date? After all, he has his share of scandals and accusations of graft. Perhaps not as much as the multi-billion ringgit corruption charges involving Umno and the MCA, but still quite significant. The average Indian has only contempt for him and he has also completely lost the respect and support of the ruling coalition. Any other leader in this uncomfortable position would have been hounded into oblivion. Yet there he is, still flaunting his apparent invulnerability. Why? Does he hold secrets which the ruling elite in BN wouldn't want to be made public? Anyone out there who wants to hazard a guess?

Latest Study Finds No Link Between Cell Phones, Brain Cancer

2010-05-19T11:31:00.001+08:00

One of the largest cell phone studies to date was just released Tuesday looking for links between cell phone usage and brain tumors.

The Food & Drug Administration's findings, though, are not entirely clear cut, or without controversy.

More than a quarter of a million Americans use cell phones -- and a new comprehensive study published Tuesday finds there is no increased health risk associated with radiation and cell phones.

"As far as we know it doesn't have the capability of damaging cells," said Dr. Ron Ennis of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital.

Ennis is a radiation oncologist who treats cancer patients.

"There's pretty good evidence that cell phones are very safe, not 100 percent proven. We could find out later on that there is a risk. The likelihood is very low," Dr. Ennis said.

Critics, though, are pointing to one key finding. The study did show an increase in tumors among heavy users. A small part of the study defined as using it 30 minutes every day over 10 years.

"There is a 40 percent increase in malignant brain tumor with 10 years of cell phone use and the public really needs to know that," Elizabeth Barris said.

And advocates for greater cell phone oversight say children and pregnant women are more vulnerable and should be warned against any overuse.

Four states are introducing legislation to attach warning labels on cell phones, stating they may cause brain cancer. Six countries have already warned against excessive cell phone usage --especially in children. Users, like one expectant mother we spoke to, said all the conflicting information can be confusing.

"I try not to talk too much on the cell phone as a general rule," said Nicole Tecco-Reece of Brooklyn.

"I use the earpiece so I don't have it connected to my head," added John Deloney of Far Rockaway.

In all, 13,000 people were part of the 13-country study. Cell phone industry group CTIA said in a statement that the: " … conclusion of no overall increased risk of brain cancer is consistent with conclusions reached in an already large body of scientific research on this subject."

Still, watchdog groups are calling for more independently funded studies that better mirror our cell phone addicted society's heavy use of the devices.

Common sense precautions include: using an ear piece or the speaker phone, or text to reduce your exposure to cell phone radiation.

For detailed information on the study, please click HERE.

Najib's 'Bribery is The Best Policy' Election Strategy Fails

2010-05-17T10:36:00.002+08:00

Ban Election Bribery

So the opposition dramatically snatched a parliamentary seat in Sibu, a hitherto BN stronghold. This can be rightfully described as an 'historic' by-election, no doubt about that.

Two important conclusions that can be made from this result are 1) The influence and unlimited power of the BN and Umno is approaching its nadir. This is good for the country's future. 2) Money, even tonnes of it, can't buy everything. Najib splurged and promised millions in exchange for votes. But this sort of bribery didn't work with the Chinese. (Malays and Indians are a different kettle of fish however and we can fully expect Najib's 'development philanthropy' to target these communities more intensely in future polls).

You can bet your last election bribe ringgit that the Umno leadership especially its middle echelon will be wild at the 'ungrateful' Chinese. These leaders are so used to the 'you scratch my back, I scratch yours' practice, that any sign of independent thinking or action immediately elicits the 'you are a pengkhianat' knee jerk reaction. We can expect the Utusan Malaysia and a few intellectually challenged crony Malay 'patriots' to lead the clarion call to punish the Chinese in whichever way possible. 'Revoke the citizenship of these pendatang', 'don't test Malay patience and generosity', 'Malays are under threat by kafirs who will take over and enslave us' will be some of the more idiotic statements that will be made.

Amidst the hysteria, Tun Dr Mahathir will proclaim that this is what happens when the people continue to forget May 13 and ignore the noble intentions of 'ketuanan Melayu'. "If Umno and Najib continue to sideline Perkasa and other well meaning groups and persist in pampering the non-Malays and implementing the unfair NEM, we will become slaves and servants in our own tanah air," Mahathir will lament.

Ibrahim Ali, foaming in his mouth, may call for a Malay 'boikot' of the Chinese without giving details. He would probably conveniently omit selling all shares in and resigning from the board of directors of Chinese owned companies.

Najib however will as much as possible avoid commenting on the debacle and will instruct his henchmen to redouble efforts to create at least five more 'independent MPs' so that his 1Malaysia matlamat can take root.

All the non-Malay BN component parties will secretly curse Umno for this embarrassing loss while outwardly dismissing it as a minor setback.

All the above reactions may or may not take place but what the DAP should ensure is to NOT allow itself to gloat or appear pompous after this fine win. Modest deportment in the wake of a well deserved victory is a sure vote winner.

Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong Has Quit PKR

2010-05-14T17:37:00.001+08:00

So it has come to pass. The Wangsa Maju MP has finally crossed the Rubicon. There had been speculation for quite some time now that Wee Choo Keong was going to take a walk to the 'other side'. And keeping to current 'fashion' he joins that fastest growing grouping in Malaysian politics -- 'independent' elected representative.

When the chips are down for Najib and Umno they can be assured of Pakatan reps saving the day by declaring themselves independent. It happened prior to the Hulu Selangor by-election and is again occurring with the Sibu by-election less than a week away. To be sure, there will be a mini exodus in the next few days when rank and file Pakatan members, lower echelon office holders and maybe one or two more prized catches will be paraded for photo-ops and speeches to run down the Pakatan leadership.

Don't be surprised if the Umno pet dog, MACC even arrests a couple of Pakatan leaders on corruption charges over the weekend. Then Umno can go to town in Sibu and tarnish Pakatan as the corrupt party!! To such levels has descended the state of politics in Malaysia today.

What hope is there when Najib can go to Sibu, 'donate' RM15 million to Chinese schools and brazenly say that he is helping them, therefore they should help him too and they should know what 'help' he is talking about. This is out and out bribery. But to Najib it is merely aiding 'development' there.

But through all this I have the feeling that the electorate in Sibu is not as gullible as Najib thinks. They may have all these decades been rubber stamp voters for Barisan, but the mechanics has changed in the past two years and even they in the East have been profoundly affected by the many issues and controversies, the race baiting, the religious chest thumping and the monumental corruption. The country is psychologically ready for a paradigm shift in national leadership. Umno is merely attempting to slow down the inevitable. Wee Choo Keong's 'declaration of independence' is merely another futile attempt at retarding the pace of reform and change.

Sack This Unabashed Cop Lover

2010-05-14T12:07:00.000+08:00

From today's TheStar.

Cuepacs has called on politicians, non-governmental organisations and the public to stop bashing the police and be fair to them.

Its secretary-general, Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin, said of late the police had been under relentless criticism from various quarters over isolated incidents.

“Certain quarters just jumped on the bandwagon to pour out a barrage of hatred against the police for which they do not really deserve. Most of the time they are doing a great job, but hardly honoured,” he said.

He hoped Malaysians would refrain from unfair criticism of the police as it would demoralise them without any mention of the gratitude so many feel for their work.

***** What is wrong with this guy Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin? Who is he to advise us about whether we should criticize the cops or not? Is he saying that the police is above the law and therefore have some sort of immunity? Or is he simply currying favour with the authorities as it is perhaps time for his next promotion? If the cops behave like thugs then they should be publicly berated and brought to book. THAT is accountability and not what this rear licker is advocating. Cuepacs should sack this self serving slime ball.

Why The Umno Inspired 'May 13, Melayu Bangkit' Rally Will Be A Damp Squib

2010-05-12T14:08:00.005+08:00

10,000 members from 45 Malay non-governmental organisations with the purported aim of 'uniting' the Malays, are scheduled to meet in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow. They will gather to 'commemorate' the 41st anniversary of Malaysia's second most tragic event, eclipsed only by that greatest Malaysian horror of horrors - the ascension of Dr Mahathir to power as prime minister.

While the facade will be that of Malay NGOs, independently and with the future of the Malay race (whatever that may be) uppermost in their thoughts, 'berjuanging' and raising to hysterical proportions the spectre of the great Chinese threat to their immediate existence, behind the green screen will be the devious, puppeteering Umno hand -- the very hand that feeds contracts, plum positions, goodies, freebies and cold cash to this avaricious bunch of greed merchants populating these NGOs. Why do you think that there are hundreds and hundreds of Malay NGOs ostensibly 'berjuanging' for the same cause? Why the numerous duplication of Malay badan2 for the same cause cé·lè·bre? It's all about the money. Period.

These fake 'strugglers' for Malay rights couldn't give two hoots for the average Malay on skid row as long as their bank accounts, wives and brand new luxury cars are well cared for. They are frauds who without a second thought place expediency above principle, opulence above mundane matters of standards of right or good conduct. And in the process they lead the illiterate, the blind and the plain uninformed among otherwise well meaning Malays to the poisoned well of racism and urge them to drink from it, demi bangsa, agama dan negara.

These are the genuine traitors to the Malay race. These are the real enemies who have over the past decades slowly and steadily pushed to the abyss, in Tanah Melayu, successive generations of unsuspecting, blissfully ignorant Malays. And up there, standing at the very pinnacle of the tower of duplicity and trickery is the high priest of intentional perversion of truth, the purveyor of expediency, deceit and cunning, the Machiavellian manipulator and symbol of everything that is wrong with Malaysia, racist par excellence, then, now and forever, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (Taxonomically it is very difficult to determine and classify the species from which he originates, but the world's most venomous snake comes to mind)

There was a time when this 'Melayu Bangkit' chicanery would have worked wonders. That was during the dictatorial rule of our very own Robert Mugabe, Dr M. And it would have had the intended effect of rousing Malay passions unnecessarily. But alas those were the days my friend and Mahathir thought it would never end. But his era of total domination is gone for good, never to return, thank God. But his worldview apparently hasn't changed even a teeny weeny bit and he is poised to head the blood chants tomorrow, leading 10,000 greedsters and buffoons whose days of basking in the limelight have long gone past the expiry date. These extreme right wing egomaniacs and assorted nutcases would be a sorry spectacle to observe come tomorrow.

Of course we can expect the ultra racist Utusan Malaysia to trumpet the great 'success' of this rally of 'super patriots'. Can one honestly expect Utusan to say that celebrating the bloody riots which killed so many Malaysians is a sign of mental illness and all those gathering in KT are perverted sickos? What else can Utusan do except continue bullshitting to its subscribers in the same vein as in the past? Utusan does not know anything else. It's main reason for still being around is to cheat and connive along with Umno and continue defrauding the more gullible among the Malays.

And lurking in the shadows will be Najib, awaiting any political dividend from this unholy rally of the walking dead. Oh yes, he will at the same time be preaching 1Malaysia in Sibu, attending functions at some Chinese tokong or school, spreading muhibbah around like so much confetti, pretending that he does not have a clue about what is going on in KT. He would of course be aware that many well informed Malaysians know full well about his machinations. But he could not bothered. The end justifies the means. He'll do anything and everything to achieve his ambition. And if he has to lie, cheat and manipulate, so be it. He has been there, done it. It's in his very nature, it's in his blood.

Fortunately this time around such acts of inanity would not be left unanswered. The age of the Internet would assure such rallies would be condemned for what they really are - politically provocative sandiwara. PAS for example has strongly taken to task Umno for their hand in this basically silly venture and that puts paid to Umno wingnut plans to 'unite' the Malays. Malay voices of reason across the political spectrum too have done their part in exposing the true reasons for this misadventure.

Of course there will be those, who despite every evidence to the contrary, will continue to see a grave Chinese threat to the Malays and would wholeheartedly support the wingnuts. That is their privilege. But most of us would more or less opine - "Thanks, but no thanks. Keep your racist agenda to yourselves."

**** Update 5.30pm: May 13 rally called off (According to one of the organisers, “we had decided to postpone it after we were instructed by the country's top leadership, who are worried about the security situation." So these 'super patriots' DID take instructions from the top Umno gestapos. I'm sure that the Sibu by-election must have loomed large when they made the decision to stand down. 'Nuff said)

PM's NEM Speech Laudable. Now Arrest Ibrahim Ali And Whip Civil Service Into Action

2010-03-30T12:41:00.001+08:00

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the New Economic Model just now. On paper it is a courageous move. “We can’t afford to duck the issues any longer. If we are to truly tackle inequality and become a beacon of progress in the region, we must create a sense of urgency to reform,” Najib had said sounding like a true statesman.

However Reuters reported that 'Najib barely touched on the raft of economic and social privileges intended for the majority Malay residents that critics say has engendered graft. The prime minister is reliant on the 55 per cent Malay population for votes'. And THAT is the crux of the whole bloody problem. Espousing lofty principles and 'unveiling' plans for radical reforms is one thing but to get it implemented is a totally different kettle of ikan bilis.

Assuming if Najib truly believes in what he is preaching (and that's a big IF) and that he has the balls to demand its implementation, there are some real obstacles in taking that path. First we have that most opportunistic, racist bastard by the name of Ibrahim Ali and his fellow low life in Perkasa who represent the ideal amalgamation of the worst qualities in Malaysian politics coupled with a deeply rooted inferiority complex. Cheering them on are the biggest dangers to national and inter-ethnic unity - Tun Dr Mahathir and DPM Muhyiddin Yassin. The latter two are above the law in Umno's Malaysia and therefore untouchable. However if there is even an iota of genuineness in Najib's reform plans he should throw the book at Ibrahim Ali and incarcerate the bastard. This should not too difficult for Najib since he has some experience in such matters. At least it would have a calming effect on non-Malay businessmen and foreign investors. Screaming racist invectives is not going to help attract FDIs.

Another big hurdle the PM would face is the equally racist and notoriously moribund civil service. Getting these indolent louts to do his bidding might prove very, very difficult for there are many Ibrahim Alis who are comfortably perched in strategic positions who will not budge unless prodded like cattle.

Then there are the rent addicted umnoputeras who will make life hell for Najib. Free largesse is more potent than drugs and the PM can expect the mother of all withdrawal symptoms to afflict a large portion of Umno's membership. Outrage, violence and cardiac arrests may ensue.

In conclusion, Najib is going to have a terrible time in the near future if he is really determined to reform the nation's outdated and racist policies. But I have grave doubts if he will even get to first base before retreating with his tail between his legs. It takes a great leader to dare bring profound changes in the face of very strong opposition even from his own supporters. The current U.S. president is one such person. And believe you me, Najib is no Barack Obama.

Former Crime Chief Dato Ramli Yusuff Acquitted Of Corruption Charges. Syabas Judge Gunalan

2010-03-12T10:37:00.001+08:00

From TheStar online.

Suspended Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Ramli Yusoff has been acquitted of corruption charges by Sessions Court here.

Judge M Gunalan ruled Friday that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Comm Ramli, who was charged with failing to declare ownership of 20,000 Telekom Malaysia Berhad shares, 154,000 Permaju Industries Berhad shares and interest in two office properties worth RM1,032,840.

Ramli, 56, was alleged to have committed the offences at the office of the then Anti-Corruption Agency's deputy public prosecutor in Putrajaya on Sept 17, 2007.

***** Judge M Gunalan must be congratulated for sticking up for justice unlike his seniors in the higher courts including and especially the Appeals and Federal Court who have shown time and again that they have no brains or balls. Even in this case which will definitely be appealed by the government let us see what the superior courts decide. No prize for guessing which way those judgments will go.

Al-Islam Apologises To Christians. Catholic Church -: 1; Umno, Attorney General -: 0

2010-03-06T17:29:00.002+08:00

From today's The Star:

The Al-Islam magazine has apologised to the Roman Catholic Church and Christians for publishing a special report which involved the desecration of a religious rite.

The apology was posted on the website of its publisher, Utusan Karya.

The controversy began after the magazine published a report, Tinjauan Al-Islam Dalam Gereja: Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad in its May 2009 edition

In the apology, Al-Islam said it had “unintentionally hurt the feelings of Christians especially Catholics” with its report.

It said in a three-paragraph statement that the report was to investigate allegations of apostasy and the actions of its journalists were never intended to deride the Christian faith nor desecrate their house of worship.

The magazine also stated that the apology would be published in next month’s print publication.

Two reporters from the magazine attended and participated in the religious rite.

They admitted to receiving Holy Communion and actually spitting the wafer out, an act Catholics consider desecration.

After police reports were lodged against the journalists and the magazine, they were investigated under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.

However earlier this week, it was announced that the Attorney-General had decided not to pursue the case because of “public pressure.”

Speaking on behalf of Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, Catholic Lawyers’ Society Vice President Joy Appukuttan said Pakiam expressed his happiness over the move by the magazine to apologise.

***** It is indeed a magnanimous gesture by the Roman Catholic Church to have so quickly accepted the 'apology' by Al-Islam. While the so-called apology came across as contrived, insincere and probably given under pressure by Umno bigwigs, the happiness expressed by the Archbishop shows that the Church believes it's time to put and end to this unfortunate fiasco and move on. This is definitely a big win for not only the Catholics and Christians but also for those of all faiths who believe in equitable and fair justice.

However Umno, its leaders and the Attorney General come out of this mess of their own creation looking very, very bad. They have been exposed as desperadoes who will go to any length and lie to any extent to justify the unjustifiable. The Attorney General's attempt in particular to explain why no action was taken against the two fanatic culprits will rank for a long time as the most egregious decision by a legal officer in our country's history. By right he should resign in shame. But then again he and his ilk have either never heard of or believed in words such as shame, accountability or resign. These people are the real pengkhianat whom Malaysians should condemn and shun.

Another PKR Turncoat, Bagan Serai MP Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri Defects

2010-03-03T12:19:00.006+08:00

Bagan Serai member of parliament Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri today became the third legislator to quit Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

The 65-year-old said he had been 'disappointed' with recent events in the party. (No means to cari makan?)

Among the reasons he cited were party infighting and the party's stance on the usage of the "Allah" term by non-Muslims. “In the name of Allah, I would like to announce my resignation from PKR. I hereby quit PKR and resign from all posts to become an independent member of parliament," said Mohsin.

Mohsin didn't take any questions from reporters but asked PKR's former secretary-general Datuk Salehuddin Hashim to answer questions on his behalf.

I suppose at the ripe old age of 65 years there is not much time or avenue to make a tidy fortune. What better way than to throw morals and principles to the ground and stomach a few months of shame and ignominy? It's worth it. After all Najib's millions will more than compensate for the 'hardship'. But using the name of Allah to justify his greed and betrayal is the height of hypocrisy and should be condemned. It is also pretty obvious that Salehuddin Hashim is the bapa ayam for all these political whores.

I wonder how the fence sitters among the public feel about Umno now? Do they truly approve this 'purchasing' strategy? Will they vote for such dishonest politicians again? Only time will tell.

This Is Umno's Malaysia

2010-03-01T10:56:00.000+08:00

With the way that Umno is misusing the police, MACC, the Attorney General's chambers, the judiciary and other government institutions on a daily basis, the above cartoon may well describe the situation in Malaysia today. Very sad.

3 Women Caned For Syariah Offences In Malaysia. Oh How Proud We Are!!

2010-02-17T18:11:00.004+08:00

Welcome to the club Malaysia. You have truly shown us the spirit of "Malaysia Boleh!"

According to The Star -- Three Muslim women became the first in the country to be caned for committing various syariah offences.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the sentence was carried out on Feb 9 at 10am.

Two of the women were given six strokes of the rotan while the third was whipped four times.

One of them was released on Feb 14 after spending a month in prison, Hishammuddin said.

He added one woman would be released over the next few days while the third would be released in June.

All three were found guilty for committing illicit sex.

Hishamuddin must be deliriously happy, now that he has burnished his Islamic credentials for all to view at home and abroad. A real caning bradder and three females at that! Such good news must go down well in brotherly Afghanistan and Pakistan. Not to forget our Muslim compatriots in Sudan and other such nations which are trying their level best to emulate the golden age of Islam of yore.

Congratulations Umno, congratulations Malaysia, for you have finally achieved the recognition which you have yearned all this while from your Islamic brothers and in the process created a record of sorts -- dishing out syariah prescribed caning of women in a constitutionally secular country.

Nizar-Zambry Trial. Did You Expect An Impartial Verdict From This Federal Court?

2010-02-09T10:12:00.003+08:00

The long awaited judgement of the Federal Court on the rightful Mentri Besar of Perak — Umno’s Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir or PAS’s Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is in.

The five 'learned' judges, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria, Justices Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, Datuk Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusoff, and Datuk Abdul Hamid Embong have given their unanimous verdict that the Court of Appeal was justified to reverse the High Court decision declaring Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin the rightful mentri besar of Perak.

But who dictated this 'verdict' which Arifin Zakaria read at the 'Palace of Justice'? Why is it that the same judges are being allotted all the important cases involving the Umno led government? Is the Chief Justice afraid that allowing a truly well read and impartial judge like Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram to be included in the panel of judges in this and other 'crucial' cases would skew well laid plans which have their inspiration elsewhere in Putrajaya? Is it for this same reason that the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum has been sidelined too by avoiding the constituting of a full bench?

How do these judges live with themselves after such a patently unfair decision? How do they face their colleagues, families and close friends? How does it feel to have cheated not only oneself but the citizens of this country by such egregious judicial behaviour which is unparalleled in the justice system of real democratic nations by making such duplicitous and fraudulent interpretations of our constitution?

The legal experts will no doubt, over the next few days dissect and tear apart the dubious premise of this 'unanimous' decision. Not one of the five judges had the guts to rule against the Umno nominee Zambry. But then again aren't these very judges Umno nominees themselves? Shame on these cowards inhabiting the Federal Court who seem to have placed their future well-being and the welfare of their families over that of the nation.

Racist Ignoramus Nasir Safar's Political Future Will Reveal Najib's True Intentions

2010-02-03T12:19:00.001+08:00

By now the buzz naturally is the racism filled tirade by the psychiatrically predisposed(?) Datuk Nasir Safar, (the ugly bloke's pic is above) special officer to the prime minister. So filled with racist venom is this man, that he with such stupidity, spat it with a violence normally associated with cobras, of all places at a mulitracial gathering, a '1 Malaysia' seminar in Malacca! It certainly raises doubts about the state of his mind when he threw caution and common sense into the tong sampah and gave a lecture, which by past experience should have been reserved for a meeting of the wingnuts in Umno along with the currently in vogue Perkasa and assorted inferiority complex laden loonies or at an 'exclusive' BTN taklimat.

What is with Malacca that makes these crazies flip? On 15th October 2007 the other racist dunderhead, Malacca CM Mohd Ali Rustam spoke at a mulitracial convention of the PPP in the historic town where he basically told the delegates that Umno does not need non-Malays to govern the country! He declared that his party has ruled Malaysia for 50 years, they can rule for another 50 years more. And Umno does not need PPP, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Sabah, Sarawak or anyone else to do this and that they can take a hike. That Umno got drubbed five months after his speech in the March 2008 GE shows the disconnect between his racist logic and the reality on the ground. Yet Umno delegates in the last party elections overwhelmingly supported him and would have voted for this fellow, making him our next deputy PM if only he was not suspended for election fraud! Not that Muhyiddin is any better.

But I digress. Within hours of Nasir Safar's ill-fated speech the heat became too much to bear and the poor sod had to resign, presumably only after being ordered to do so by Najib, because I'm sure in his tiny little racist mind Nasir probably felt he had done no wrong. In fact some others at the PM's office felt the same too. For example read this interesting bit from Bernama -- "The remarks allegedly made by Nasir does not in any way reflect the views of the Prime Minister. Datuk Nasir never intended to make any derogatory remarks. He spoke at length on the contributions made by all races in developing the country. Nevertheless, Nasir apologises for any offence caused. In light of this, Datuk Nasir will tender his resignation." A bloody cold and heartless statement. No sign of remorse or disappointment and not even an acknowledgement that the 'special officer' had drastically crossed the line of decent discourse. The crux of that PM's office bullshit is "well, Nasir did not do any wrong, in fact he's a decent chap who actually even praised the non-Malays, has no malice towards them even if he may have said a few harsh words although that was not his intention. In any case if you non-Malays out there have 'misconstrued' his good intentions, he says he's sorry and quits. By the way Nasir's speech does not reflect the PM's views." Haa!

If Najib seriously considers his special officer's act as a very wrong thing to do, then he should put Nasir permanently to pasture. But I doubt that very much and I hope that someone who can, should keep track of Nasir Safar's future from now on. There is every chance that over the next few weeks or months he'll quietly surface not far from the centre of power, perhaps even more strong and respected by his peers. You see what Nasir Safar so foolishly blurted out in Malacca has much resonance not only within Umno but also amongst a significant portion of the general Malay populace because of the party's unrelenting racist propaganda through its media machine including Utusan Malaysia and government apparatus such as BTN. In fact his speech may serve to provide much needed galvanizing power for Umno vis a vis the Malay public.

Nasir Safar will be rewarded by Najib et al because in the convoluted mind and perverse logic of Umno style racism, he is a Wira Bangsa like Mohd Ali Rustam, provided he doesn't get too big for his Bata slippers. In what form and shape that reward will come is something for us to wait and watch. Only then will we know the true intent of Najib's 1Malaysia propaganda. And please don't forget that by his racist outbursts Nasir has at least temporarily shifted the focus from other issues dogging Najib such as the Allah controversy. That should please the PM for a while. Also do remember that even if by a very rare pang of conscience Najib were to allow Nasir to drift to Gilligan's Island, there is always good old Muhyiddin who may with undisguised glee throw him a lifeline and keep him in good humour along with other like-minded comrades in arms, while waiting for the opportune moment to make his own strike.

The Mocking Of Umno's 1Malaysia Government Over Allah Issue Has Started

2010-01-27T10:45:00.000+08:00

The above picture speaks for itself. We are very quickly becoming the laughing stock of the civilized world, including our own thinking public. Very sad indeed.

Has Dr Mahathir Finally Flipped His Lid?

2010-01-20T14:42:00.000+08:00

We know that with advancing age, many people do experience intellectual shortcomings. More often than not we tend to expect and accept these deficiencies as part of the process of life and sympathize with those afflicted with this malady. However if the aging person happens to be a one time world leader who suddenly makes silly pronouncements and downright ridiculous claims, we have to perforce sit up and take notice.

And if that person happens to be Tun Dr Mahathir who reportedly has claimed that the 9/11 attacks in the United States, that killed nearly 3,000, was staged as an excuse to “mount attacks on the Muslim world” we have to seriously consider if the man has taken leave of his senses. The rubbish which he is mouthing is the conspiracy stuff that you'll read on a nutcase's blog in Pakistan or some middle eastern country.

Consider his logic in this statement - “In September 2001, the World Trade Centre was attacked allegedly by terrorists. I am not sure now that Muslim terrorists carried out these attacks. There is strong evidence that the attacks were staged. If they can make Avatar, they can make anything”!!

As if to provide more fodder for others to question his sanity he also states that the creation of the Jewish state was decided after Europeans failed to massacre the community.

Whether these are the words of a madhatter or if it is another deviously planned statement designed for considerable impact on the local population for some political gain remains to be seen.

Read the whole report HERE

By Playing Up 'Allah' Issue Umno Has Single-Handedly Ruined All Non-Malay Barisan Parties

2010-01-09T13:57:00.000+08:00

As if the MCA, MIC, Gerakan and the other non-Malay component parties of Barisan Nasional didn't have enough of serious problems on their collective plates. Now this latest adventurist strategy by Umno to berjuang demi bangsa, agama dan negara has right royally screwed whatever little progress they were making in the aftermath of the March 2008 electoral rout.

Whatever the merits of the Allah issue, it should have been left to the courts to decide. (Not that we could have expected an earth shattering verdict. Everyone knows that like many other cases, this case too would have gone on appeal after appeal finally to the Federal Court where the same five spineless sickos passing off as learned Supreme Court Justices would have sided with the government). AND the issue would most probably have ended there with the Catholics ordered by the courts to shut up.

But no! Not Umno lah. They have to put their dirty politicking paws into the crap pot and stir it with a frenzy reserved for certifiable loonies. Umno simply could not resist the temptation of sickening posturing and grandstanding purely for some short term political gain. So they sent out the usual trustworthy and reliable lunatics infesting the far right wing of the party who dutifully trooped in to the scene and made a mess of it. The logic behind this move? To appear as the genuine defenders and protectors of the race and faith. Khalwat, corruption and murder not withstanding!

Umno has possibly gained a few extra Malay votes over this dispute. But in the process it has totally devastated the electoral chances and credibility of its non-Malay partners. MCA's Ong Tee Keat could only say "no comments" while there was nary a whimper from the MIC. Gerakan's Koh Tsu Koon was pitifully attempting to placate a Catholic Archbishop while PPP's Kayveas was nowhere to be seen. Not entirely unexpected if you come to think of it. Despite the hammering in the last general elections, Umno still rules the roost in the BN henhouse.

I don't know how this issue will play out over the next few days or weeks but I can confidently say that the opposition, especially PAS, has come out looking stronger because of its measured response and moderate stance. In the long term, Umno and the BN will have to face the consequences and fallout resulting from the shit stirring that Umno has done in this controversy.

Funny isn't it? After fifty years of corruption, cronyism and nepotism, it took Allah to finally bury Umno, the fake defender of bangsa, agama dan negara!

The Sad State Of English In Malaysia

2009-07-31T09:37:00.000+08:00

Please read the letter below which is self explanatory.

Subject: Letter by a director in Universiti Teknologi Mara - A Classic

4th UiTM INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FIESTA
19 – 23 November 2009 FUTSAL-RUGBY 7- TENPIN BOWLING-BADMINTON

Dear Sport Friends,

Regarding about the global issue H1N1 happens around the world, sadly to be informing that our UiTM International Sports Fiesta will be postponing to 19-23 November 2009.

For all teams which have been confirm to participate in our events, we have to say sorry for this announcements and our Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health also advise to us to change the date for this current situation.

By the date have been confirm incoming this November hopefully your teams still can participate in our event and don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

And again, we would like to say sorry about the date change for the sake of our health among us.

See you in this November at UiTM Malaysia !!

Regards,
Mr. Mustaza Ahmad
Director
Sports Centre
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Malaysia

Disclaimer: The above was received by e-mail and I cannot vouch for its authenticity.

Perak Imbroglio: Zambry Granted Stay Of Execution

2009-05-12T13:35:00.002+08:00

“The momentous High Court decision, declaring that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak, is a victory for the people of Perak, democracy and justice.” -- DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

It is also in a way a partial victory for the judiciary where there seem to be still at least a few men of conviction willing to place their honor and oath of office above the selfish expectation of great reward.

That personal view was somewhat marred by the latest news that the Appeals Court has just granted a stay of execution of the KL High Court ruling that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the righful mentri besar of Perak. Thus the musical chairs charade continues with Dr Zambry as mentri besar until his appeal is heard.

Looks like Umno has much more influence than anyone else in the higher courts and not to forget in the palace too. However try as they will, in the end in the court of public opinion, all of them, the fawning members of the judiciary and the increasingly out of touch royal family must all answer for the mess this has turned out to be. Time will come for that. Of that we can be sure.
Image - Source

Nizar Is Rightful MB Of Perak, Rules KL High Court

2009-05-11T16:00:00.000+08:00

The High Court here ruled rule on Monday that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful Perak Mentri Besar, and NOT Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

In his ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim said that a mentri besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence, and he upheld the Stephen Kalong Ningkan ruling.

He noted that the Perak State Legislative did not hold a vote of no confidence.

Nizar had filed for a judicial review on Feb 13, seeking a declaration that he is the rightful mentri besar of Perak and an injunction to bar Dr Zambry from discharging his duties as the mentri besar.

On March 6, Justice Lau Bee Lan had ruled that there were constitutional issues involving the interpretation of Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution and later referred four consitutional questions to the Federal Court for determination.

However, on March 23, the Federal Court ruled that the case of who the rightful mentri besar is should be heard by the High Court.

Meanwhile Zambry has applied for a stay of execution on the High Court's decision.

The rollercoaster ride goes on!

Now let us see what the Perak palace has to say. Is it going to play politics and come out bruising itself further or will it accept the court's decision and act accordingly? We'll know pretty soon.

Tone Deaf Prime Minister Touts 'Spirit Of 1Malaysia' In Vesak Day Message!

2009-05-09T00:01:00.001+08:00

In what must be one of the most egregious examples of hypocrisy and disconnect, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, today called on Malaysians not to focus on differences between one another, but instead to actively look for similarities and common ground. "In the spirit of human progress, in the spirit of developing this great country, in the spirit of 1Malaysia," sermonized our dear leader!

Has the PM been cocooned in some store room at Putrajaya for the past two days? In the aforementioned period, his so-called '1Malaysia' concept (if we can call it that) has been ripped to shreds, along with the complete ruin of his political credibility and near bankrupt reputation.

Apart from the BN controlled mainstream media, there has been almost universal condemnation of the Umno-police-gangster nexus unleashed by on high in Putrajaya, resulting in the shameful invasion of the Perak State Assembly with the active connivance of the state civil service while the Regent of Perak cooled his heels in a nearby facility for five hours! Was His Royal Highness clueless to what was transpiring nearby? Oblivious to the fact that Umno was indulging in constitutional rape of his state's legislature? One wonders.

But at least one person was all tuned in to the flagrant abuses taking place in Ipoh. The same pemimpin who now sends this Vesak Day message! What cockiness. What thick skin! Having inflicted maximum damage to the country's political institutions in the past forty-eight-hours, one would have thought that he would at least have the decency to shut up while continuing to pretend that he is above the fray and not involved in the disgrace that took place in Perak. But no! He had to demonstrate how tone deaf he really is and at the same time assert his determination to lurch from scandal to bloody scandal virtually unscathed and blissfully unconcerned about repercussions while piously preaching unity and consensus building. And oh yes, touting the 'spirit' of 1Malaysia!!

Perak State Assembly Chaos: Najib's Reputation, Credibility & 1Malaysia Flushed Down The Toilet

2009-05-07T15:02:00.000+08:00

It didn't take long for the vicious beast to reveal its true colours. A leopard, they say, does not change his spots. Neither will a dictator very easily change his evil ways. What better illustration of that theory than the disgraceful goings on over the past few days, culminating in the numerous arrests and disproportionate show of force by the totally discredited Umno-owned 'Loyal' Malaysia Police, in the run up to the controversial Perak State Assembly proceedings.

This whole episode leading to the fall of the legally elected state government was masterminded from day one by the present PM. A few days prior to the palace assisted coup, Najib took over the position of Perak Umno state chairman from Tajol Rosli. The only reason for such a maneuver was that Tajol was too small a guy to discuss and clinch a quid pro quo deal with the Perak palace. Najib on the other hand had the requisite political stature to negotiate a 'mutually satisfying and rewarding' arrangement with the sultan. The consequence of that royal kau tim was a succession of unconstitutional and blatantly illegal steps taken by Najib and his minions in government, judiciary, police and others.

A majority of the nation is still shell-shocked over all that has occurred. The ease with which the state and federal Constitutions have been defiled, national institutions laid waste by the wayside and lofty principles, plain morality and decency trampled upon by ruling party savages, has left the populace stunned and distressed. And history will blame one man for all that has happened and is happening - Umno president Najib Razak. All the other characters in this sordid drama - the palace, Zambry, the defecting assemblymen, the genuflecting senior and junior judges, the servile police and kowtowing civil servants are but minor players in a political chess game set up by the PM.

Najib is the puppet master who behind the scenes is actively directing the continued assault on the democratic fabric of the nation or what little is left of it after fifty years of wear and tear. He should certainly make Dr Mahathir proud. But alas the end of this story may not be to Najib's liking. Yes he could get away with grabbing Perak with a veneer of legality by way of the current state assembly proceedings and resolutions. However the people are watching with understandable awe, fear and more importantly, anger. And most of them are not fools or blind to the Machiavellian machinations being inspired from Putrajaya and its head honcho.

Among the biggest losers in the current debacle is the reputation, credibility and the nonsensically opportunistic 1Malaysia policy of Najib. The above are rapidly heading their way to Indah Water's sewers where they rightfully belong.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Hopes To Form 'Islamic Space Agency'

2009-01-12T09:43:00.001+08:00

National astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said today his main mission this year is to gather all the nine Muslim astronauts worldwide to form an Islamic Space Agency.

He said he had already met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to discuss how to form the agency when he performed the haj in Mecca last year.

Prince Sultan is a retired officer in the Royal Saudi Air Force and a former astronaut. He is a grandson of King Ibn Saud and is the only Saudi citizen to travel in space and the first Muslim to do so.

"I hope more Muslim astronauts will travel in space and more Muslim aerospace experts can meet and contribute in the fields of science and technology," he told Bernama after a Batek Modelling exhibition in conjunction with Chinese New year 2009 at the Galeri Seri Endon.

On another related matter, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he had also met the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, Fadillah Yusof to clarify on the allegation that he had amassed wealth from giving talks on his space experience and was waiting for a response whether his contract with the ministry would be continued.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was alleged to have charged a fee of RM8,000 per hour for his talks and had amassed RM1.2 million from 150 companies upon his return from the International Space Station (ISS) in October last year. (Bernama)

***** How much of islamising everything in sight will suffice? Lawyers have the Muslim Lawyers Association and doctors have to contend with the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM). Now Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor wants to take this religious fervour to space!

Of course this lofty talk of forming an Islamic Space Agency could be just an attempt to divert attention from the accusations that he had capitalised on his space trip to make huge sums of money. Stranger things have happened.

Police Lockups - Malaysia's Mini Guantanamos Where Cops Beat, Abuse & Splash Hot Water On Suspects

2009-01-11T11:37:00.000+08:00

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or individuals should not politicise the issue of police personnel allegedly abusing and pouring hot water on carpark attendant B. Prabakar.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Director Datuk Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin made this appeal after 35 people from certain NGOs and political parties came to the Brickfields police headquarters with Prabakar to lodge another report this morning.

He said the man complained that police had not taken action on his earlier report and did not inform him of the development of the case.

"Today, Prabakar submitted 10 names said to be involved in the incident and we will call them to give statement.

"Yesterday alone the police had called him to make six identification sessions involving hundreds of police personnel," he said at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters.

He said that so far, the police had recorded 22 witness statements regarding the case including from two doctors, one from a government hospital while the other a private hospital.

Bakri said the allegation by some NGOs that police had their own agenda was not true because the police had to fair in their investigation and they must be given space to conduct the probe.

"If Prabakar has new issues, he can see the investigating officer but he does not need to bring along NGOs and politicians," he said.

Prabakar was picked up by police at his work place in Sri Hartamas about 9.30pm on Dec 23 to assist in the investigation into a robbery and taken to the Brickfields police headquarters for questioning.

While in custody, he was allegedly beaten up and splashed with hot water by 10 police personnel including a sergeant.

Two days after his release on Dec 28, he lodged a police report, claiming among others that he was offered RM500 to keep his mouth shut but he did not take the money. (Bernama)

***** How does the government expect the average citizen to have any respect or trust for the police as long as torturers and thugs are part of the force?

Malaysia Muslims Urged To Shun U.S. Goods Over Gaza. Colgate, Starbucks, Coke Targets

2009-01-09T19:45:00.006+08:00

A Malaysian Muslim group began a boycott of top U.S. products on Friday as protesters demanded a halt to the Gaza conflict amid growing anger in the Muslim world over Israel's 14-day offensive.

The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia said Muslims in the Southeast Asian country would not buy goods produced by U.S. toothpaste manufacturer Colgate-Palmolive Co, soft drink maker Coca-Cola and coffee chain Starbucks to protest U.S. inaction against the attacks.

"We urge Muslim consumers internationally to unite so that we can teach a lesson to Israel and its allies," Ma'amor Osman, an official with the association, told reporters in the compound of the national mosque after Friday Muslim prayers.

"This is to object to the arrogance and cruelty of Israel and its allies towards the Palestinians."

He urged the Malaysian government to end all its contracts with U.S.-owned firms.

The United States is among Malaysia's single largest export markets, absorbing more than a tenth of its total shipments.
Read the whole story HERE.

***** What about the employees of the above companies, both Muslims and non-Muslims? Aren't they the ones who would be really affected by the boycott move if it ever succeeds? Why should this consumer group try to flex muscles it does not have? After all our government has already pressed the UN as well as the OIC for action over the Gaza issue. We can however be sure that the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia's protests would not have even the remotest of response from the Israeli aggressors. So why announce boycotts which won't work and have the end effect of hurting our own people? Perhaps the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia could not be bothered with such consequences as long as their religio-political agenda gets its fifteen minutes of fame.

As it is many of our workers are being laid off due to the economic downturn in the US. Why stupidly invite more trouble for ourselves?

Hindraf Accuses Malaysia Of Racism At International Conference. MIC Says "Semuanya OK!"

2009-01-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

The banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which had distributed pamphlets smearing Malaysia's image at an international conference attended by thousands of overseas Indians here, was flayed by MIC leaders today.

MIC secretary-general and Malaysian Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said he would raise the Chennai incident in the Cabinet next week, and added that he had also briefed several top Indian leaders about the status of Malaysian Indians during his visit to New Delhi last week.

"I will bring this to the Cabinet. I have also explained to several Indian leaders about the situation in Malaysia. All of them are committed to the good relations with Malaysia. They are aware of the tremendous progress achieved by Malaysian Indians," Subramaniam told journalists on the sidelines of the 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference in Chennai.

Subramaniam met Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayal Ravi last week.

Several Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders and Hindraf leader P. Waytha Moorthy are in Chennai to attend the three-day conference which started today in this southern Indian city.

Several Hindraf members distributed their annual report to the local media and conference delegates at the Chennai Trade Centre where the meeting is being held.

A few local television stations also interviewed Waytha Moorthy who had flown in from London. It is believed that he does not hold a Malaysian passport anymore.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu described some of Hindraf's claims as "utter lies" and said the group disseminated incorrect information about the welfare of Malaysian Indians.

"That the 150,000 Malaysian Indians of the fourth and fifth generations are stateless is an utter lie. There are only 21,000 without birth certificates, and the Home Ministry has ordered that they be issued the birth certificates.

"Demolition of one temple a day is an old tune which he (Waytha Moorthy) is still singing. If one temple a day (is demolished), it means in the last 25 years there won't be any Hindu temple," Samy Vellu told Malaysian journalists.

On the calls by Hindraf to the Indian government to stop bilateral trade with Malaysia, Samy Vellu said the group failed to understand how two nations do business and that Indian leaders were wiser in dealing with such issues.

"We will reply to the Indian government on these utter lies. Indian leaders are very wise and they will not listen to this rubbish. They will go ahead with their arrangements," he retorted.

About 1,500 Indians from over 50 countries are attending the conference. (Bernama)

***** Who would you believe? MIC bosses who paint such a rosy picture of our country or Hindraf which got banned and had its leaders incarcerated for raising the evil practice of racism in Malaysia?

Muslim NGO Seeks PAS’ Help To Stop Pig-Rearing Project In Malacca

2008-12-30T10:50:00.002+08:00

About 300 members of a non-governmental organisation, Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), gathered in front of the Bandar Baru Bangi Stadium, near here Monday night to hand over a memorandum seeking PAS’ assistance in efforts to stop the pig-farming project in Masjid Tanah, Malacca.

A minor commotion broke out when the Pewaris members were initially prevented from entering a talk on abolishing the Internal Security Act organised by PAS.

However, after negotiating for more than 10 minutes, the organisers allowed five Pewaris members to enter the stadium to hand over the memorandum.

Pewaris deputy chairman Rahimuddin Md Harun later handed over the memorandum to PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu and PAS Youth head Salahuddin Ayub.

Pewaris and the Gabungan Gerakan Melayu Muda (GGMM), representing the residents of six villages in Malacca, want the PAS leaders to assist them in resolving the problems regarding pig-farming.

About 30 police personnel from the Kajang District Police Headquarters maintained security at the stadium. (The Star Online)

***** By submitting this memorandum to PAS, Pewaris and the Gabungan Gerakan Melayu Muda have essentially put the Islamic party on a sticky wicket. If PAS comes out in strong support of this demand, it will immediately alienate the very crucial Chinese vote and put a damper on PAS' national aspirations. If it simply ignores the memo then its sincerity (and credibility) takes a hit. A damned if they do, damned if they don't situation.

ISA Stays Despite Strong Protests

2008-12-29T13:10:00.001+08:00

Despite deafening calls to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA), there was no indication at all in 2008 that it will be abolished or replaced with a new law.

The detention of several individuals under the ISA sparked debate on the act, with many claiming it restricted freedom as enshrined in the federal constitution and was misused for political interest.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has also proposed that the ISA be replaced with an anti-terrorism law, stressing on the rights of detainees like appointing lawyers and the right to judicial review.

Calls to abolish the ISA gained momentum after several Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders were detained on Dec 13, last year for demonstrating in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 and making slanderous statements against the government.

The Hindraf leaders include lawyer M. Manoharan, state assemblyman for Kota Alam Shah, lawyer P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and former bank officer K. Vasantha Kumar.

Efforts to get them released from Kamunting Camp, Taiping, proved futile when their habeas corpus (writ) application was rejected three times by the Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur high courts.

Their appeals have yet to be heard by the Federal Court.

Matters came to a head when Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng were detained under the ISA on Sept 12.

Raja Petra, who is also a blogger, was detained for an article with elements deemed insulting to Islam that could spark anger and affect the peace.

Kok, who was detained under section 73 (1) of ISA for sparking racial and religious conflict over the controversial mosque azan issue was released a week later.

Tan was detained by police in Penang for her report on a speech by Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail who had allegedly said "the Chinese are passengers." She was released, a week later.

Their detentions, particularly Tan's, were strongly criticised by various quarters prompting Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to say she was detained to "protect her from death threats".

The Bar Council Malaysia held an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and passed six resolutions, asking the government to abolish the ISA and other laws allowing detention without trial.
Read the whole report HERE.

***** It looks like the ISA is here to stay until the day the people decide to abolish Umno once and for all.

Hudud Laws Only For Muslims, Says Pas President

2008-12-28T12:10:00.000+08:00

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today non-Muslims should not feel apprehensive about the implementation of "hudud" laws in the country because the Islamic penal code was meant only for Muslims.

He said non-Muslims could opt for the law they wanted, for example as provided for in the Syariah Criminal Code of Kelantan and Terengganu.

"It is unnecessary for PAS to give an explanation (on the hudud laws) because the laws have nothing to do with non-Muslims," he told a news conference after launching the "Jom Sertai PAS" (Let's Join PAS) campaign at Dataran Shah Alam here.

Abdul Hadi was asked whether PAS would provide an explanation on the hudud laws to the leaders of DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) -- the other component parties -- in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) as they were uncomfortable with PAS's idea of wanting to implement the hudud laws if the PR came to power in the country. (Bernama)

***** Now that the top man in PAS has given his assurance, how many of you non-Muslims are relieved by his words? Can we now proceed with its implementation?

IJN Collected RM3 Million In 2008 From Private Donors. How Much Has Sime Darby Given?

2008-12-26T13:55:00.002+08:00

The National Heart Institute (IJN) Foundation has collected RM3 million this year from charitable organisations, private companies and the society to help fund heart treatment for the poor.

IJN Foundation manager Alawiyah Yussof said six private companies had been making regular contributions annually while organisations and individuals contributed from time to time.

Contributors to the IJN foundation include Pfizer Malaysia, AirAsia and the Tenaga Nasional Foundation.

"The contributions were not only in monetary form but also as partners in our programmes," Alawiyah told Bernama recently.

Formed in 1995, the IJN Foundation collects funds to treat poor heart patients and to fund IJN's research programmes.

She said the foundation was never short on funds when called upon to help and last year funded 85 patients costing over RM2 million.

"Sometimes, we also help to buy additional equipments for patients."

IJN treats three categories of patients namely government staff or retirees, patients who could afford to pay and those who could not afford like farmers and fishermen.

She the foundation did not receive any complaints on lack of equipments or poor service from patients or their family members.

On the deferred plan to privatise IJN, Alawiyah said the privatisation of IJN would drive away donors.

"This is because the society regards private companies as profit-driven and wholly dependent on capital expenditure," she added.

Sime Darby Bhd was recently reported as planning to buy a 51 percent stake in IJN Holdings Sdn Bhd, the operator of IJN.

IJN, the leading medical heart centre in the region is 99.99 percent owned by the Ministry of Finance.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Dec 19 the privatisation of IJN had been postponed pending an indepth review by the relevant ministries. (Bernama)

***** If the greed merchants in Sime Darby genuinely have the best interests of IJN and its patients at heart (pun intended), then instead of trying to 'help' by taking over the heart institute, they should donate generously as other private groups have done. Najib too should lean on the Sime Darby corporate vultures to part with more cash for the needy instead of attempting to assist his brother Nazir Razak and reward cronies by engineering a backdoor economic coup.

Live TV Coverage Brings Parliament 'Circus' To The Bedroom

2008-12-25T15:10:00.001+08:00

The Dewan Rakyat session has never been the same since Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) started live coverage showing government backbenchers in a war of words with the opposition.

The key players are oldtimers like Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan), Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) and Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur).

The new kids on the block include Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau), Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (BN-Jerlun), Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak), Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang).

The high temperature in parliament was due to the political tsunami from the last general election where Barisan Nasional (BN) only won 140 seats of the 222 seats with 82 going to the opposition, thus losing the two-thirds majority.

Veterans Karpal Singh and Datuk Bung Moktar turned parliament into a circus when they traded barbs, calling each other names like 'bigfoot' and 'big monkey', resulting in only three questions answered during the question and answer session.

Karpal: "I hope that the 'bigfoot' from Kinabatangan will not disturb me. 'Bigfoot' sit down".

Bung Moktar: "I dare you to stand. If I am 'bigfoot', you are 'big monkey'," he told off Karpal who kept questioning the manner a member of parliament (MP) had taken his oath.

The name calling did not end there as Karpal then dragged seasoned politician Ibrahim Ali into the fray calling him 'frog' for contesting on a PAS ticket but remaining an independent.

It all broke loose on the first day of the parliament sitting where RTM1 made live coverage for 30 minutes, keeping many Malaysians glued to the TV sets.

After this episode, several quarters called on the government to review the rationale of the live coverage aimed at proving its media transparency with some calling for it to be scrapped.

The Cabinet then decided that the live coverage should continue while the MPs were advised to behave properly and choose their words carefully.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and his two deputies Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Datuk Ronald Kiandee had been likened to headmasters trying to control a bunch of schoolchildren.

Some of Pandikar Amin's decisions had caused dissatisfaction to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), Chong Chieng Jan (DAP-Bandar Kuching) and Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) who were ejected and suspended from questioning them.

The entry of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into parliament replacing wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail as opposition leader in August only served to crank up the heat in the Dewan Rakyat.

Anwar, who won the Permatang Pauh seat vacated by Wan Azizah, wasted little time in making his presence felt by claiming that some BN MPs would switch to the opposition enabling him to form the federal government on Sept 16.

His claim that at least 13 BN MPs from East Malaysia would jump ship fueled talks of a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, prompting calls for an anti party-hopping law.

It turned out to be a bluff as no BN MPs had defected except for Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (BN-Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (BN-Tawau), who quit Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) to become independents.

The Dewan Rakyat was also at the centre of a boycott by the media as pressmen were barred from making coverage in the lobby area.

The boycott was called off after government backbenchers stepped in by cutting the ribbon put up to prevent pressmen from entering the lobby. (Bernama)

***** While we cannot expect a C-Span type of coverage in Malaysia, the present live telecast is a good first step.

Malay Writers Associations' Dec 31 Deadline To Govt On Teaching Maths & Science In English

2008-12-24T00:18:00.000+08:00

The Federation of Malay Writers Associations (Gapena) has given the Government until Dec 31 to decide whether to continue the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English.

Otherwise, it will act, including taking the matter to court.

Gapena wanted the Government to be firm and decide on the issue soonest possible, said its deputy president Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Abu Bakar.

“The Education Minister can say we are being emotional. Yes, we are emotional (over this matter) but it is only to protect the position of Bahasa Malaysia as provided in the Federal Constitution,” he told reporters at a Gapena dinner with the media here on Tuesday night.

Gapena has been pressuring the Government to revert to the teaching and learning of Maths and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.

***** It's a lose-lose situation for the government. Apparently there is an unbendingly firm view among language lovers of all the major communities that it is better to ditch English. On the other hand some experts feel that English is the way to go for the future competitiveness of our citizens to be enhanced.

Whichever way the government leans it is in for strong criticism. But given the way our pemimpin usually decide, we can be sure that politics will play a crucial role.
Image - Source

Social Contract Must Be Kept And Honoured, Says Rais

2008-12-20T12:44:00.000+08:00

The social contract among the founding fathers should be kept and honoured, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said it would be tumultuous to unravel the understanding that had been reached among them and succeeding generations since independence.

"With strict observance and enforcement of the laws, our nation has been able to keep itself intact for half a century in spite the dire predictions of many word-twisting pundits.

"It has been said that a people who ignore the lessons of history are bound to repeat the same mistakes," he said in his speech at a United Nations Association of Malaysia (UNAM) dinner to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the United Nations (UN), here, Friday night.

Rais said there was no traditional mechanism, educational or otherwise that "educates the people on the rudiments of the Malaysian social contract".

"Due to this lack in educational guidance, some have even said that there is no such thing as the social contract in this country. This is frivolous and dangerous talk.

"The social contract is there. It is there through the laws of the land. It is there through the history pages of our country. It is there through the substratum of our cultural innates."

He said Malaysians tended to take for granted the peace and harmony that they enjoyed today.

"But peace and harmony did not come automatically. They were the result of painstaking efforts, sacrifice and compromise on the part of our founding fathers, particularly the UMNO leaders and the Malay Rulers who had the wisdom of sharing power instead of governing on their own.

"Many had preferred that UMNO could govern on their own but they didn't. Many ultras have harangued our leaders by saying that we hold power but we are not the majority rich," he said.

Rais said rather than taking one another for granted, Malaysians should work assiduously to strengthen inter-ethnic relations at all levels, from school to the work place, from the private sector to the civil service and beyond.

"Of course the stumbling block is that we still think and behave in racial or ethnic terms as Malays, Chinese, Indians and as Ibans, Melanaus or Murut-Kadazans and other ethnic groups that make up our blessed land.

"In such a milieu, the importance of showing respect for our people's cultural and religious values and heritage is of the utmost importance.

"There is a place for everyone of us under the Malaysian sun irrespective of racial, cultural or religious background. We should constantly remind ourselves of the vital importance of these ingredients which have guaranteed our political stability and have enabled us to achieve since we came together as a nation," he added. (Bernama)

***** "The stumbling block is that we still think and behave in racial or ethnic terms as Malays, Chinese, Indians and as Ibans, Melanaus or Murut-Kadazans," says Rais. But pray tell who is to blame for this? Which group of power hungry racists has been assiduously sowing the seeds of division for decades and ruling by wielding the strategy of fear and prejudice? Which political party has been demanding loyalty from those they have discriminated against repeatedly, in the name of a policy which is morally reprehensible and repugnant?

In practical terms isn't this frequent alluding to a 'social contract' merely an attempt to justify racial discrimination? What say you?

IJN Doctors Prefer Status Quo. So Why Are Najib And Sime Darby Lying?

2008-12-19T17:30:00.004+08:00

National Heart Institute (IJN) doctors are happy to serve the institute in its present form and do not want to be made a scapegoat in the proposed privatisation of the institute.

In a statement signed by 33 of the 35 medical consultants working for IJN, they stressed that the proposed privatisation was not a response towards their demands for better pay.

“We would like to reiterate our commitment to serve IJN in its current form and want to stress that the move must not be seen as a response to our demands for better pay,” it said.

The doctors added that the medical personnel were not at all involved in the negotiations for the proposed takeover. (The Star Online)

***** Yesterday Najib said that the proposal would have some advantages for IJN as funding would not be a problem for Sime Darby and doctors would also receive better remuneration and that Sime Darby must pledge its commitment that the poor would not be marginalised if IJN is to be transferred to it. That statement was meant to allay fears about the poor being ignored while throwing a sop to the doctors there.

It is abundantly clear that the IJN doctors themselves smell a huge rat in the whole deal which in reality is meant to enrich a few Umno cronies as is customary in this once fair land of ours.

With Najib holding the finance portfolio and his impending rise to the PM's post, this particular episode does not boost our confidence in him. On the contrary, with all the political baggage and scandals he has already amassed, this highly suspicious proposal merely adds to our worry about the slippery slope this country will be on under his leadership.

Let us not forget that it was this same Najib in cahoots with former sports minister Azalina who was hell-bent on splurging hundreds of millions of taxpayer money under the pretext of building a sports center in the UK despite near unanimous public objections. That crooked scheme fortunately came to a screeching halt when the local authority there gave Najib and Azalina the 'up yours'.

Makes one almost regret why we allowed Pak Lah to be hounded out of office.

IJN To Be Sold To Sime Darby. Who Will Suffer And Who Will Make Millions?

2008-12-18T14:30:00.002+08:00

The government has no objection in principle for Sime Darby Bhd to acquire a stake in IJN Holdings Sdn Bhd but the conglomerate must ensure high priority for the poor, said the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.

"We are in the process of finalising the matter with the Ministry of Health although in principle we have no objection to the proposal," he said after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on AIDS in Parliament, Thursday.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said Sime Darby must pledge its commitment that the poor would not be marginalised if IJN is to be transferred to it.

"Whatever the position of IJN, it is important for the social programme to be given high priority," he added.

It was reported that Sime Darby had written to the government proposing to acquire a stake in IJN Holdings as the operator of the national heart institute.

IJN is currently the leading medical heart centre in the region and is 99.99 percent owned by the Ministry of Finance.

When asked if there were other parties interested in acquiring a stake in IJN, he said: "Not, as far as I know,".

Najib said the proposal would have some advantages for IJN as funding would not be a problem for Sime Darby and doctors would also receive better remuneration.

"Given the need for better treatment of heart diseases and the competition from new hospitals coming up, it is possible to pinch doctors from IJN," he said.

It was reported that Sime Darby is expected to pay a premium price above the typical hospital valuation of 16 times the price to earnings (PE) ratio as IJN is a reputable heart specialist centre in the region. (Bernama)

***** I can't think of a single logical reason for Sime Darby's interest in acquiring IJN other than profit, profit, profit. You can be sure that altruism is not a motivating factor. Having plundered everything in sight, the umnoputeras' avaricious hunger for easy money has not spared even the IJN.

Do you for a minute think that charges would go down after these buggers take control of IJN? The rich and middle class will have to cough out much more while the poor will slowly die at home, unable to afford even a fraction of the fees that will inevitably and surreptitiously be increased skywards. 'There's tons of money to be made in people's suffering' should be Sime Darby's working motto from now on.

Greed merchants laughing all the way to the Swiss Banks.

Yoga: A Conflict Of Religion?

2008-12-17T13:39:00.000+08:00

I came across the following article which may be of interest to you.

Avondale's Kim Mason is a Christian who takes her faith seriously. She also practices yoga several times a week.

Conflict?

No way, said Mason, who scoffs at the notion that yoga is an overt or subliminal homage to ancient Indian gods or spirituality.

"You don't have to worship anything" during yoga, Mason said. "You can worship a Gucci purse if you want to - you have to look at your motive."

Mason's motive? Glorifying Christ.

"It is a form of praise and worship, in my opinion."

Given that nearly 16 million Americans practice yoga and spend $5.7 billion a year on classes and related products, Mason isn't alone in embracing the practice. But there are also many who view it as spiritually suspect at best and spiritually corrupting at worst.

The issue was thrust into the spotlight in November when an Islamic religious council in Malaysia banned Muslims there from practicing yoga because it includes postures, rituals and chants with ancient Indian origins.

That ruling mirrors the concern of some Jewish and Christian leaders who warn their followers against participating in any activity violating the biblical prohibition on idolatry and that tends to claim that all religions are equally valid paths to salvation.

And the issue is on the minds of studio owners and others as doctors, psychologists and other health professionals are increasingly recommending yoga as a way to combat everything from depression to stress.

Is yoga a religion?

Yoga teachers and studio owners draw a distinction between "spiritual" and "religious" when describing the practice: It's spiritual because it can do as much to strengthen existing faith as it can muscles, they said.

"It's a spiritual path," said Shri Hamilton-Hubbard, owner of Bliss Yoga in San Marco. "It works very well if you practice a religion along with it."

Yoga postures are more effective in both the physiological and spiritual realms if a practitioner is focused on what is most sacred to them during a session, whether it's Buddha, Jesus, Ganesh or simply "spirit," she said.

Spirit?

"Spirit for you can be connecting with your breath," said Kate Cordell, director of Ocean Yoga in Atlantic Beach. "Spirit could be connecting with a particular deity - maybe you're a Christian, and Jesus is who you honor."

Hamilton-Hubbard, Cordell and other teachers and studio owners said they never push a particular deity or agenda in their classes - just the principle of connecting with the sacred through practice.

Clergy advice: 'Be careful'

Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov said he's no yoga expert, but he knows for Judaism some forms are acceptable and some are not.

Kahanov, spiritual leader of Mandarin-based Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida, said he's often asked if it's OK to participate in yoga. He reminds people that Judaism prohibits worshipping or honoring other deities in any form.

"I tell them it's OK when it's just trying to help people focus and meditate properly," Kahanov said. "But when it starts becoming religious in any way, I advise them not to be involved in that."

The Rev. Pradeep Thorat said he advises people to stay away from the practice, period.

Even yoga that's completely devoid of Sanskrit spiritual terms should be avoided because some of the postures originate from Hindu worship.

"If it comes from a spiritual background, it does carry some sort of spiritual effect," said Thorat, pastor of First Baptist Church of India in Jacksonville.

Read the whole report HERE

Angkasawan Will Get To Defend Himself

2008-12-16T21:10:00.000+08:00

National astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will be given the opportunity to defend himself before any action is taken if he is found guilty of amassing RM1.2 million from a series of talking engagements, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said Tuesday.

"We will follow the normal government procedures and see if there is a breach of contract or certain provisions. We have to allow him to defend himself (first)," he said when asked what the government would do if he was found guilty. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is currently in Mecca for the haj.

"We are waiting for him to come back. There are a few things he has to explain," Ongkili told reporters after opening the Confederation of Scientific and Technological Associations' conference.

He said that if Dr Sheikh Muszaphar were found guilty, the government would "guide" him and allow him to decide if he wanted to "stick" to the space programme or go back to his medical practice or further studies.

On astronaut Mejar Dr Faiz Khalid, Ongkili said he was doing his Masters in the United Kingdom under the National Science Scholarship.

He said Dr Faiz would continue his physical training so that he would be prepared when Malaysia decided to embark on the second space programme. (Bernama)

***** "The government would 'guide' him." What the devil does that mean? So if he's found to have received appearance fees he might have to leave the space programme? Some would say that he deserves the fees while others may opine that he should make appearances for free. In all fairness, a judicious balance between both these opinions (as the angkasawan is in fact said to be following) should be a win-win situation. There's nothing wrong in him being rewarded for his fame if done moderately.
Image - Source

Third World Mentality Often Produces Third World Results

2008-12-15T15:04:00.001+08:00

From THE EDGE DAILY

Does Malaysia still want to lay claim to having first world infrastructure despite being stuck in third world mentality, particularly after the tragedy that struck Bukit Antarabangsa two Saturdays ago?

Or isn’t it about time that the country woke up to reality and constantly challenged and raised standards in all aspects — social, economic and political?

For that to happen, the country badly needs proper political leadership.

Recall when former Works Minister Datuk S Samy Vellu got an avalanche of brickbats after he proclaimed the landslide near Genting Highlands in 1995, which claimed 21 lives, to be “an act of God”.

The Almighty’s name has not been invoked in the aftermath of the latest disaster, but at least one politician — Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan — has proclaimed no early evidence of any human negligence.

Were adequate standards exacted out of developers as well as the local and central authorities to absolve humans of any blame?

If regulations are found wanting, standards should be made as tight as humanly possible to ensure that hillside development projects are safe, and in the event of breaches, the heftiest of penalties be imposed.

The authorities and engineers do not have to reinvent the wheel, but could learn from other jurisdictions that have proven to have successfully tackled hillside developments.

Safety must be guaranteed according to the strictest of standards at whatever cost, not only for those living on the hillslopes but also those at the foothill and surrounding areas.

There is no reason to deprive the well-to-do and not risk-averse the privilege of building their homes on hillslopes. Attacking the rich for their choices is uncouth. Making it as stringent and as costly as possible, more green lungs and catchment areas may even be saved from humanity’s destructive nature. The benefits of these will outweigh any opportunity cost.

Incidentally, the disaster claimed four fatalities comprising the country’s three major races, while a Sri Lankan maid is missing. That is no coincidence.

Politicians need to face up to the reality that the country is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society, where people share the same resources and the same plight.

The Gift Of Death (GOD) is colour and creed blind. Given the racial tension in recent times, the bar too needs to be raised in the country’s social agenda.

Political parties must make it the national agenda to purge racism and make anti-racism a conscious effort for everyone, as part of the protection of human rights.

How the economic agenda, specifically the National Development Policy that stipulates affirmative actions, even for well-to-do politicians, fit into this social agenda has to be meticulously worked out and proper standards applied.

Speaking of standards, most quarters have welcomed the tabling of the bills to form the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Yet, lastly but the most important is the need to bring back the Rule of Law to the country’s political structure, particularly the restoration of the principle of separation of powers. Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has said it. Former UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Param Cumaraswamy has said it.

Regardless of whatever legislation, however welcome, no meaningful independence of the judiciary can be achieved unless the original Article 121 (1) of the Federal Constitution is restored.

As it is now, the judiciary is subservient to parliament and the executive branch.That forms the basis of many aspects of people’s lives.

Many positives can be had from exuding self-confidence and beating the chest, but when reality is not what it is made out to be, it is time for further self-examination.

Third world mentality will more often than not produce third world results. Will the country rise to the challenge in raising standards, or will our social structure and existing policies continue to be stumbling blocks?

The country badly needs political leadership that will do not only the right thing, but also think out of the box in doing so.

***** If we truly want leaders who think out of the box, then the current group at the helm of Umno is absolutely the wrong lot. They are still employing four-decade-old strategy of dividing the people and ruling by exploiting fear and prejudice while actively flaming racial distrust and tension. For only in such circumstances can these opportunists thrive.

It'll take a completely different mold of politician who can rise above the mediocrity which has seized us in a deadly stranglehold, to lead us out of the quagmire. An Obama-like figure emerging onto our political landcape now would be extremely useful. But alas.

Original Star Wars Light Sabre Sold For $240,000. How Much Would Hishamuddin's Umno Keris Be Worth?

2008-12-14T14:38:00.000+08:00

The light sabre used by Luke Skywalker in the movies 'Star Wars' and 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' has sold for $240,000 at a Hollywood auction.

The item topped the bidding at a Profiles in History auction held Thursday, according to a press release Friday. In total bidders paid around $3.5 million for more than 500 items of Hollywood memorabilia.

The second most expensive item in the auction was a droid helmet from 'Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi' which sold for $120,000.

Other major items included an original handwritten manuscript of the James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice', and a full-sized animatronic primate from the movie 'Mighty Joe Young', both of which sold for $96,000 each.

A Wolverine black leather battle-suit from 'X-Men' sold for $90,000 and a custom-built version of a 1937 Mercedes German staff car from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' went for $76,000.

The costume worn by Marlon Brando when he played Jor-El in 'Superman: The Movie' went for $72,000.

Light sabres were the weapon of choice for Jedi knights of Star Wars fame. They were constructed for the movies by adapting an advanced camera flash attachment to a handle that was made from rubber windscreen wipers from a British WW II tank, according to the Star Wars website.

***** So how much would Hish's notorious 'ketuanan keris' fetch in a lelong? Any guesses?
Image - Sabre
Image - Keris

"I Have Great Faith In BN," Says Pak Lah. Do You Believe This Hype?

2008-12-13T15:24:00.001+08:00

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today the spirit of consensus among Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties has contributed towards making the coalition strong.

He also called on component members to take stock of events in the past which had weakened the BN, and work towards strengthening the coalition.

"If we can learn from this experience, God willing, we will do better in the future. I have great faith in BN," he said when opening the 21st delegates' conference of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) at the party's headquarters here.

Abdullah, who is BN chairman, said BN was a strong coalition as it had the combined strength of all component members which were united in fulfilling common manifesto and contesting under one banner during elections.

"BN is strong because of the spirit of consensus and because we practise democracy, power-sharing and tolerance and we refrain from raising sensitive issues which can lead to problems among us.

"We must emphasis more on what is common to us and avoid the differences that can cause trouble," he said. (Bernama)

***** It's surprising that even after the smaller BN component parties have publicly lamented about Umno's arrogance and lack of respect for them, the PM can still openly tout the 'spirit of consensus'! Has he so quickly forgotten that the Umno leadership was only a few months ago experiencing 'testicular shivers' over the rumoured mass defections to PKR?

The truth of the matter is that the BN is a one-party Umno show while the rest of the other parties are in it only for the personal gain of their leaders. The rest of us meanwhile, get shafted as usual and are unable to express the strong faith that Pak Lah has in the Barisan Nasional.
Image - Source

No Leave To Challenge Commission's Findings On Lingam Clip

2008-12-12T14:12:00.001+08:00

The five individuals implicated in the controversial "Lingam video clip" failed in their bid to obtain leave from the High Court here to challenge the Royal Commission of Inquiry's findings.

Justice Datuk Abdul Kadir Musa accepted the preliminary objection raised by senior federal counsel Azizah Nawawi, for the commission, that the findings were not reviewable because they were not a decision in the context of Order 53 Rule 2(4) of the Rules of the High Court.

The five-member panel of commissioners, in their report, had found the video clip showing senior lawyer Datuk V.K.Lingam in a telephone conversation with former chief justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim over judicial appointment to be authentic.

The commission also recommended that appropriate course of action be taken against six individuals -- Lingam, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and two former chief justices Ahmad Fairuz and Tun Mohd Eusoff Chin -- for misconduct.

It found that there was sufficient evidence to investigate the six men for offences under the Sedition Act, Official Secrets Act, the Penal Code and the Legal Profession Act 1976.

Except for Dr Mahathir, the other five filed for leave for a judicial review in an attempt to quash the inquiry's finding.

The commissioners -- chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor, former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, retired Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former solicitor-general Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim -- sat for 17 days to inquire into the 14-minute video clip. (Bernama)

Ministry To 'Carefully' Study Historical Facts For Textbooks To 'Instill Patriotism'

2008-12-11T19:04:00.001+08:00

The Education Ministry will carefully study the facts and information to be entered into history textbooks to instill patriotism among the young generation.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the step was among the ministry's efforts to change the education curriculum at the primary school level by having history as a special subject by 2010.

"What is important is noble values like patriotism, loving the country, comprehending the sacrifice of national heroes and understanding that the present state of the country did not come about just by being still but through blood and sweat.

"We must not be satisfied by our present position what with a world that is now smaller. Such efforts must be continued and intensified through how we stress our history to our children while they are still in school," Hishammuddin told reporters .

Earlier, in his speech, said Hishammuddin said the book could be a reference for students and also parliamentarians to further understand the processes and events that shaped Malaysian history.

He said the book could also bring about greater appreciation of independence leading to love, loyalty and patriotism in defending the country's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, his speech reminded people not to forget the country's history while the country progressed.

"To learn the future, look at the past. I believe in that English phrase," he said. (The Star)

***** Oh dear! I've a strange feeling that this so-called effort to 'carefully' study the facts and bring 'changes' to the education curriculum will be the harbinger of more distortions and untruths to further cement the place of Umno in our 'unique' interpretation of history, while adding the present crop of our 'pemimpin' to the list of our nation's warriors who have 'sacrificed' everything in the 'struggle' for Merdeka and the nation's subsequent progress. When the word 'patriotism' is carelessly thrown around, one may lose sight of the fact that Umno's definition of patriotism usually refers to our unreserved loyalty to the party and its 'yeoman' service to the nation.

As with previous attempts to tinker with our history, the current effort too will involve the selection of a group of ultra-nationalist wingnuts who will give a highly slanted version which will further trivialize the contribution of the non-Malays while downplaying the substantial influence of China and India on the tradition, culture, language and heritage of the Malays. (Perhaps the bit about Proto Malays and their origins from Yunnan Province could be quietly edited out?) You can also expect the highlighting of unsubstantiated and unproved 'age old' connections with the Middle East. I wouldn't be surprised if there are claims of general ancestral blood ties which may just stop short of calling ourselves Arabs.

Perhaps I'm being overly cynical, but given our past attempts in rewriting history to fit Umno's grand designs, can you blame me?
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Proton To Be On Par With World's Top Carmakers

2008-12-11T13:38:00.000+08:00

Though still a long way to go for Proton Holdings Bhd to be considered a successful carmaker in the world, it is albeit on the right track to be on par with the world's top car manufacturers.

The national carmaker has proven its sceptics wrong by doing what it should do best, and that is the business of making and selling cars.

Launching of the highly-popular Proton Persona and the new Saga models has changed the company's dwindling fortunes.

The company is now present in 24 countries including in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

Analysts feel the company can double its overseas shipments to 40,000 units next year, aided by new models such as Persona, Saga and its latest edition, new multi-purpose vehicle, due for launch by March next year.

Currently, the company exports 2,000 units a month, working out to 24,000 units a year.

The crucial "ingredient" for its current success has been "offering the right car at the right time and at the right price." Credit should be given to managing director Syed Zainal Abidin Mohamed Tahir, who since taking over the helm in 2006, has been working tirelessly to push forward such a strategy that has thrust Proton on the right track to regain its share in the local and foreign automotive markets.

***** A very optimistic analysis indeed, isn't it?

Read the whole report HERE.
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Bukit Antarabangsa Residents Slam Shabery Cheek's Insensitive Attempt To Spread The Blame

2008-12-10T14:43:00.000+08:00

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek should be more sensitive towards the feelings of the residents who have suffered so much as result of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide tragedy last Saturday.

Residents action committee chairman Datuk N. Muneandy said his statement Tuesday was uncalled for in light of the recent tragedy and only served to add fuel to the frustration and dismay already felt by the victims.

Ahmad Shabery reportedly told residents not to point fingers solely at the Government as both developers and housebuyers who chose to live in highland areas were equally to be blamed and should accept responsibility for what happened.

“Are you saying we should blame the mother for giving birth to the thief?” he told reporters Wednesday, adding that residents had invested millions of ringgit to purchase homes there.

Muneandy said there had been many signals over the years to indicate that the soil structure was unstable but complaints to the local authorities had fallen on deaf ears.

He said the complaints for the past five to 10 years have touched on various issues including cracks in drains and falling rubble and trees at the current landslide site.

“We want the authorities to do something to safeguard the future safety of residents there. The buck must stop here,” he said.

Muneandy said the committee would be bringing in their own geo-technical and legal experts to look into the soil structure at the landslide area which killed four people and resulted in nearly 3,000 being temporarily evacuated from their homes.

“We will collect evidence on what exactly happened and who is responsible. Then, we will consider whether to sue those responsible,” he said.

The committee, which represents the residents of four streets in Taman Wangsa, Wangsa Heights and Antanium, also told the Government to provide more information to the residents’ committee, claiming they were being kept in the dark over plans to alleviate problems caused by the landslide.

“We have not been told about what is happening. We are left wondering what to expect next,” he said.

Read the whole story HERE

***** Did we really expect any thing different from a government minister? If Shabery had his way he'll totally absolve the kerajaan and place the blame solely on the residents and the developers. MBs, Exco members and Majlis officials will be exonerated and described as completely honest and dedicated public servants. Malaysia Boleh!!

No More Permits For Hillside Projects Says Najib. How Many Times Have We Heard This Same Bullshit?

2008-12-06T15:15:00.000+08:00

The Government will not be issuing any more permits for hillside developments following the landslide tragedy at Bukit Antarabangsa early Saturday morning.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this on Saturday at a press conference after visiting the tragedy site.

He also told developers not to lobby or pressure the Government for any building permits for hillside development projects.

He said preventive measures must be taken to avoid hillside tragedies.

At about 4am Saturday, a landslide occurred at Taman Bukit Mewah in Bukit Antarabangsa that buried at least 14 houses.

***** As a people, Malaysians must be sick and tired of the government's assurances every time such a tragedy occurs. After a short period of mourning it is back to business as usual - The MBs keep enriching themselves by influencing the doling out of permits and the local authority bigwigs keep filling their private coffers by allowing development wherever the developer wants, as long as they pay the considerable bribes. One feels such a sense of helplessness amidst all the corruption and unwillingness of the government to at least do something about it. Terrible.

Among the many earlier posts:
1) DBKL - Another Greedy Bungler.
2) Bungalow Development At Bukit Gasing - Can We Believe DBKL?

Speech By Bill Clinton On Behalf Of Malaysian Entrepreneur Vinod Sekhar Irks Investors

2008-12-06T11:27:00.001+08:00

Former President Bill Clinton visited Malaysia on Friday to deliver his first paid speech since his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, was selected Monday by President-elect Barack Obama to be secretary of state.

Mr. Clinton spoke before nearly 3,000 people in Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of Vinod Sekhar, a Malaysian businessman whose foundation paid Mr. Clinton $200,000, according to several people with knowledge of the fee. The figure is on the lower end of the scale that Mr. Clinton usually commands for his speeches.

“You should be proud of this man,” Mr. Clinton told the audience, pointing at Mr. Sekhar, the 40-year-old chief executive of the Petra Group, a privately held rubber technology company.

But several angry investors in Britain and Malaysia say they disagree with the former president’s glowing assessment of Mr. Sekhar, whose company has suffered a rough few weeks.

“I believe he is using Bill Clinton — this is what he does,” said Abdul Azim Zabidi, a former board member of Petra Group who claims Mr. Sekhar broke numerous promises to him and still owes him $100,000. “He just wants to get new investors.”

Another investor, the actor Bruce Willis, recently settled a lawsuit with Petra over the return of $900,000. The company called it a “misunderstanding.”

And this week, after a 10-year partnership, a member of the Malaysian royal family quit as Petra chairman, saying he was tired of the many “surprises” during his affiliation with the company.

“Enough is enough,” the former chairman said.

Mr. Sekhar declined to comment. A spokesman for the Petra Group, Andrew Murray-Watson, said that Mr. Zabidi’s assertion that he was still owed money was “utter rubbish,” and that the Clinton event was held as a memorial for Mr. Sekhar’s late father, a scientist who invented an environmentally sound way to recycle tires.

“The idea that Vinod organized this event purely for public relations purposes is frankly ludicrous, and insulting to the memory of his father,” Mr. Murray-Watson said.

Officials with the Obama transition team said they did not vet Mr. Sekhar’s background before Mr. Clinton’s speech. The speech was one of the last Mr. Clinton will deliver without being reviewed by a State Department ethics panel, a requirement he has agreed to follow if Mrs. Clinton is confirmed by the Senate as secretary of state. Mr. Clinton also agreed to have his fees from business dealings and foreign speeches reviewed by the White House counsel’s office, if necessary.

Read the whole report HERE

Pak Lah Wants 'To Do The Right Things' Before Leaving Office

2008-12-04T15:00:00.000+08:00

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Thursday he wants to do the right things despite any challenges before leaving office after five years rendering his services to the nation.

"I don't know if it's about leaving a legacy or just doing the right thing while you have a chance to do so. This is what I am doing," he said in an interview with The Sun newspaper.

Abdullah said he would let the people be the judge.

"If the people say what Pak Lah (Abdullah) is doing is good, well and good," he said.

Abdullah said when he decided on the development of soft infrastructure - the heart, the human being - a long time friend had told him to chose something tangible.

However, he said he was unfazed by this as he believed that 2020 could not be achieved without quality and dynamic human capital.

"I hope everyone as human beings just remember to do what is right, no matter how difficult it may seem," he said.

On freedom of speech, Abdullah said he had given the space but wanted it to come with responsibility.

"If you want to exercise your right to speak, yes, go ahead but you must be mindful of your responsibilities. You claim the right to speak, you must also listen to others," he added. (Bernama)

***** Ironic isn't it? Pak Lah achieved diddly-squat for the five years he'd been in power and now just when he's being shown the door by his own party he wants to 'do the right things'! Pitiful bugger. Indecisive till the end.

Thai Court Dissolves Ruling Party, Bans PM From Politics For 5 Years

2008-12-02T14:20:00.000+08:00

Thai judges ordered Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's ruling People Power Party (PPP) disbanded on Tuesday after it was found guilty of vote fraud.

The Constitutional Court also barred the party's top leaders, including Somchai, from politics for five years, raising the risk of clashes between his supporters and anti-government protesters who are blockading the capital's two airports.

The yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators at the airports have been seeking to topple Somchai, whom they accuse of being a pawn for his brother-in-law, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup and is now in exile.

A grenade was fired from a flyover near the domestic airport hours before the court hearing, killing one anti-government protester and wounding 22 people.

The electoral fraud case was scheduled to be heard at the Constitutional Courthouse in Bangkok on Tuesday, but authorities moved it after hundreds of red-shirted government supporters surrounded the building.

The ruling on allegations of vote fraud in the December 2007 election will not necessarily mean a snap election as many PPP MPs will simply switch to a new "shell" party already set up.

Fears of violent clashes, or worse, are growing.

"It now seems that violence cannot be avoided. Some even predict what has been unthinkable for 700 years: a civil war," the Bangkok Post said in an editorial.

It also asked: "Does Thailand have a functioning government?"

That question could be even more pertinent after the court ruling forcing the PPP to disband.

Several thousand PAD supporters have occupied the prime minister's offices since August but the PAD has said it would hand the compound back to the authorities on Tuesday.

A Reuters reporter said only a handful of PAD activists remained at Government House early on Tuesday. There were no police present, but cranes had arrived to remove the shells of six buses used to barricade surrounding roads.

The PAD leadership apparently intends to move more supporters to the international airport, which has been blockaded for a week, adding to the pain of a tourist- and export-dependent economy already suffering from the global financial crisis.

Thousands of foreign tourists have been stranded and the air cargo industry has ground to a halt.

Finance Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech told Reuters on Monday the economy might be flat next year, or grow by just 1-2 percent, after earlier growth forecasts of between 4-5 percent.

The chaos has worried Thailand's neighbors, due to meet in the country in two weeks for a regional summit. The Thai cabinet is expected to approve a delay to March when it meets in Chiang Mai on Tuesday. (Reuters)

***** Any chance of our own supreme court doing the same thing to Umno?

MAS CEO Idris Jala Named Orient Aviation Person 2008

2008-12-01T14:35:00.000+08:00

Datuk Seri Idris Jala, managing director and chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), has been named Orient Aviation Person 2008 for being the driving force behind the national carrier’s amazing comeback.

While many wrote off the airline when it made its biggest losses ever of RM1.3 billion in nine months in 2005, Idris joined the airline and turned MAS’ record losses into record profits and rebuilt confidence and morale among its 20,000 employees, all within two years.

“MAS recorded RM851 million in the financial year 2007, its highest profit in 60 years of operations, and is only one of the six airlines in the world recognised as a “5-star airline” by Skytrax, United Kingdom, an accolade it has won for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008,” said MAS in a statement.

Idris said he was pleased and honoured to accept the award as he and his team worked hard to turnaround MAS. Now, they are embarking on a business transformation journey in pursuit of their vision to become the World’s Five Star Value carrier. Idris said he is blessed with a great team of people who are passionate about the airline.

Orient Aviation chief executive Barry Grindrod said Idris acted speedily and decisively. In the last three years, he has slashed US$500 million costs at MAS.

Idris is on target for additional cuts of US$280 million in operational costs this year. Significantly, he has also restored morale in the carrier which was rock bottom when he joined the airline, Grindrod said.

He has quickly become one of the most highly respected chief executive officers in the industry worldwide, he said.

Previous winners of the award, which was established in 1999, include Chew Choong Seng from Singapore Airlines; Geoff Dixon, Qantas Airways; Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines; Kanok Abhiradee, Thai Airways International and David Turnbull, Cathay Pacific Airways. (Bernama)

***** Our congratulations to Datuk Seri Idris Jala. It is hoped that the government has learnt valuable lessons from the earlier debacle and will in future not treat the airlines as the personal property of Umno.
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Letter To A Concerned Citizen

2008-11-30T16:30:00.001+08:00

Received by e-mail. For a little Sunday laughter.

A lady Canadian libertarian wrote a lot of letters to her government, complaining about the treatment of captive insurgents (terrorists) being held in Afghanistan National Correctional System facilities. She received the following reply:

National Defense Headquarters
MGEN George R. Pearkes Bldg,
15 NT, 101 Colonel By Drive Ottawa,
ON K1A 0K2 Canada

Dear Concerned Citizen,

Thank you for your recent letter expressing your profound concern for the treatment of the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists captured by Canadian Forces who were subsequently transferred to the Afghanistan Government and are currently being held by Afghan officials in Afghanistan National Correctional System facilities.

Our administration takes these matters seriously and your opinions were heard loud and clear here in Ottawa . You will be pleased to learn that, thanks to the concerns of citizens like yourself, we are creating a new department here at the Department of National Defence, to be called 'Liberals Accept Responsibility for Killers' program, or L.A.R.K. for short.

In accordance with the guidelines of this new program, we have decided to divert one terrorist and place him in your personal care. Your personal detainee has been selected and is scheduled for transportation under heavily armed guard to your residence in Toronto next Monday.

Ali Mohammed Ahmed bin Mahmud (you can just call him Ahmed) is to be cared for pursuant to the standards you personally demanded in your letter of complaint. It will likely be necessary for you to hire some assistant caretakers. We will conduct weekly inspections to ensure that your standards of care for Ahmed are commensurate with those you so strongly recommend in your letter.

Although Ahmed is a sociopath and extremely violent, we hope that your sensitivity to what you described as his 'attitudinal problem' will help him overcome these character flaws. Perhaps you are correct in describing these problems as mere cultural differences.

We understand that you plan to offer counseling and home schooling. Your adopted terrorist is extremely proficient in hand-to-hand combat and can extinguish human life with such simple items as a pencil or nail clippers. We advise that you do not ask him to demonstrate these skills at your next yoga group. He is also expert at making a wide variety of explosive devices from common household products, so you may wish to keep those items locked up, unless (in your opinion) this might offend him.

Ahmed will not wish to interact with you or your daughters (except sexually) since he views females as a subhuman form of property. This is a particularly sensitive subject for him and he has been known to show violent tendencies around women who fail to comply with the new dress code that he will recommend as more appropriate attire. I'm sure you will come to enjoy the anonymity offered by the burka over time. Just remember that it is all part of 'respecting his culture and religious beliefs' as described in your letter.

Thanks again for your concern. We truly appreciate it when folks like you keep us informed of the proper way to do our job and care for our fellow man. You take good care of Ahmed and remember, we'll be watching.

Good luck and God bless you.

Islamist Militants In Mumbai Terror Attack Pretended To Be Malaysians!

2008-11-29T10:31:00.000+08:00

Several of the Islamist militants who attacked Mumbai this week visited the city a few months ago and lived there for a while pretending to be students, the Times of India reported on Saturday.

Quoting from interrogation reports of one of the militants taken into custody, the newspaper said nine militants rented an apartment in the Colaba area of downtown Mumbai, near where the attacks were carried out.

The group often visited the two luxury hotels that were among the city landmarks attacked on Wednesday night, it added.

The militants, who were mainly Pakistanis, pretended to be Malaysians during their reconnaissance visit, the newspaper said.

At least 10 militants slipped into Mumbai this week after hijacking an Indian fishing trawler in international waters and killing the four crew, it said. They came ashore in rubber dinghies and the trawler was found abandoned off Mumbai.

In all, 16 militants took part in the attack, the newspaper said, but it did not give details on how the others may have entered the city.

At least 144 people have been killed and more than 280 wounded in the attacks. Indian commandos were still trying to flush out two or three militants holed up in the Taj Mahal hotel. (Reuters)

***** For a live coverage of the ongoing commando operation and gunbattle, click HERE.

DBP To Get More Powers Under New Legislation To 'Enforce' Use Of Bahasa Malaysia

2008-11-28T13:46:00.002+08:00

The Education Ministry is studying the best way to give more powers to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in enforcing the use of Bahasa Malaysia, the Dewan Rakyat was told Thursday.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong said the DBP Act 1959 would be amended to realise the plan but the draft was still at the ministry's legal adviser.

"It will involve many parties and has something to do with several matters including the appointment of DBP director-general and provisions to strengthen DBP's administration," he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2009 on the ministry's behalf.

He said the Bill was expected to be tabled in Parliament soon.

On the appointment of new DBP director-general, Wee said the candidate had been identified and the appointment would be made soon. The ministry was also paying attention to solving several matters affecting DBP, he added.

Wee said the supposed crisis in DBP was due to opinion differences in selecting a suitable candidate to bear the big responsibility of dealing with issues regarding the national language and DBP's role.

"Maybe, the board and the administrator have different views. It is important that we pick the right candidate who can bring them together and reach a consensus for common benefits in dignifying the national language.

"When we have made the final decision on the matter after looking at the candidate's suitability to carry out the responsibility, I am sure the candidate appointed can honour the responsibility and understands DBP's functions to explain particular concepts," he said.

On a suggestion for the setting up of a National Language Implementation Commission, he said the ministry did not have plans for it but was committed to putting DBP, presently under the Education Ministry, on a platform where it could dignify Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.

Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) had earlier suggested that DBP be placed under the Prime Minister's Department to enable it monitor language issues more effectively.

On the closure of Sri Inai private school, Wee said the school must first ensure the students had completed their examinations and arrange the students' transfer to other schools systematically. (Bernama)

***** Bahasa Malaysia is the medium of instruction in national schools, the language of Parliament and the courts, the sole language of official government communication, is given prominence on banners and signboards, dominates the government television and radio networks and has without doubt evolved into the undisputed lingua franca of Malaysia. One cannot pass a government school exam without a pass in BM and a credit in the language is essential for entry into our varsities and the civil service.

What more can they expect to achieve by empowering DBP to 'dignify the national language'? As it is the national school and tertiary education system in the country is at a dismally low level after the government, pandering to 'nationalists' and Malay language fanatics, downgraded English at great expense to our competitiveness. What more 'enforcing' is being conceived? Compelling every citizen to publicly and privately speak BM? Systematically reducing vernacular content in advertisements, entertainment programmes and events? Abolishing Chinese and Tamil medium schools?

More importantly can any language truly attain a 'dignified' status by the legislative fiat of Parliament?

Mayhem In Mumbai - Coordinated Terror Attack. At Least 82 Killed

2008-11-27T11:00:00.001+08:00

Teams of gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded train station in coordinated attacks across India's financial capital Wednesday night, killing at least 82 people and taking Westerners hostage, police said. A group of suspected Muslim militants claimed responsibility.

Parts of the city remained under siege as dawn approached Thursday, with police and gunmen exchanging occasional gunfire at two hotels and an unknown number of people still held hostage, said A.N. Roy, a top police official. Soldiers also took up positions across the city.

A raging fire and explosions struck the landmark Taj Mahal hotel shortly after midnight. Screams could be heard and black smoke billowed from the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront. Firefighters sprayed water at the blaze and plucked people from windows and balconies with extension ladders.

The attackers specifically targeted Britons and Americans, witnesses said. Officials said at least 200 people were wounded.

The motive for the onslaught was not immediately clear, but Mumbai has frequently been targeted in terrorist attacks blamed on Islamic extremists, including a series of bombings in July 2006 that killed 187 people.

State home secretary Bipin Shrimali said four suspects had been killed in two incidents when they tried to flee in cars, and Roy said two more gunmen were killed at the Taj Mahal. State Home Minister R.R. Patil said nine more were captured. They declined to provide any further details.

An Indian media report said a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for the attacks in e-mails to several media outlets. There was no way to verify the claim.

Police reported hostages being held at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, two of the best-known upscale destinations in this crowded but wealthy city.

Gunmen who burst into the Taj "were targeting foreigners. They kept shouting: "Who has U.S. or U.K. passports?" said Ashok Patel, a British citizen who fled from the hotel.

Authorities believed seven to 15 foreigners were hostages at the Taj Mahal, but it was not immediately clear if hostages at the Oberoi were Indians or foreigners, said Anees Ahmed, a top state official. It was also unclear where the hostages were in the Taj Mahal, which is divided into an older wing, which was in flames, and a modern tower that was not on fire.

State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said U.S. officials were not aware of any American casualties, but were still checking. He said he could not address reports that Westerners might be among the hostages.

"The United States condemns this terrorist attack and we will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy," White House press secretary Dana Perino said. "President Bush offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured in the attacks."

Johnny Joseph, chief secretary for Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, said 82 people had been killed and 120 had been wounded.

Officials at Bombay Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a Japanese man had died there and nine Europeans were admitted, three of them in critical condition with gunshot wounds. All were brought in from the Taj Mahal, the officials said.

At least three top Indian police officers - including the chief of the anti-terror squad - were among those killed, said Roy, the senior police official.

Blood smeared the floor of the Chhatrapati Shivaji rail station, where attackers sprayed bullets into the crowded terminal. Press Trust of India quoted the chief of the Mumbai railway police, A.K. Sharma, as saying several men armed with rifles and grenades were holed up at the station.

Other gunmen attacked Leopold's restaurant, a landmark popular with foreigners, and the police headquarters in southern Mumbai, the area where most of the attacks took place. The restaurant was riddled with bullet holes and there were blood on the floor and shoes left by fleeing customers.

Officials also reported that terrorists attacked the city's Cama and Albless Hospital and G.T. Hospital, but it was not immediately clear if anyone was killed in those places.

A British citizen who was dining at the Oberoi hotel told Sky News television that the gunmen who struck there singled out Britons and Americans.

Alex Chamberlain said a gunman, a young man of 22 or 23, ushered 30 or 40 people from the restaurant into a stairway and ordered everyone to put up their hands. He said the gunman spoke in Hindi or Urdu.

"They were talking about British and Americans specifically. There was an Italian guy, who, you know, they said: 'Where are you from?" and he said he's from Italy and they said 'fine' and they left him alone. And I thought: 'Fine, they're going to shoot me if they ask me anything - and thank God they didn't," he said.

Chamberlain said he managed to slip away as the patrons were forced to walk up stairs, but he thought much of the group was being held hostage.

Early Thursday, several European lawmakers were among people who barricaded themselves inside the Taj, a century-old seaside hotel complex and one of the city's best-known destinations.

"I was in the main lobby and there was all of a sudden a lot of firing outside," said Sajjad Karim, part of a delegation of European lawmakers visiting Mumbai ahead of a European Union-India summit.

As he turned to get away, "all of a sudden another gunmen appeared in front of us, carrying machine gun-type weapons. And he just started firing at us ... I just turned and ran in the opposite direction," he told The Associated Press over his mobile phone.

Hours later, Karim remained holed up in a hotel restaurant, unsure if it was safe to come out.

The British Foreign Office said it was advising all British citizens in Mumbai to stay indoors.

Britain's foreign secretary, David Miliband, strongly condemned the attacks. "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists," Miliband said in a statement.

India has been wracked by bomb attacks the past three years, which police blame on Muslim militants intent on destabilizing this largely Hindu country. Nearly 700 people have died.

Since May a militant group calling itself the Indian Mujahideen has taken credit for a string of blasts that killed more than 130 people. The most recent was in September, when a series of explosions struck a park and crowded shopping areas in the capital, New Delhi, killing 21 people and wounding about 100.

Mumbai has been hit repeatedly by terror attacks since March 1993, when Muslim underworld figures tied to Pakistani militants allegedly carried out a series of bombings on Mumbai's stock exchange, trains, hotels and gas stations. Authorities say those attacks, which killed 257 people and wounded more than 1,100, were carried out to avenge the deaths of hundreds of Muslims in religious riots that had swept India.

Ten years later, in 2003, 52 people were killed in Mumbai bombings blamed on Muslim militants and in 2006 a series of seven blasts on railway trains and at commuter rail stations killed at least 187.

Relations between Hindus, who make up more than 80 percent of India's 1 billion population, and Muslims, who make up about 14 percent, have sporadically erupted into bouts of sectarian violence since British-ruled India was split into independent India and Pakistan in 1947. (Huffington Post)

***** I'm sure that the influence of yoga on people had nothing to do with the terrorist bombings in Mumbai. Since some of the extremists have been captured we can expect that over the next few days and weeks, details about the groups responsible for this senseless violence will come out.
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Kedah MB Says He Doesn't Want To Know About Yoga Issue

2008-11-26T18:41:00.001+08:00

Amidst the polemics over the yoga fatwa, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said he was simply not interested in the yoga issue and left it to the state Mufti to make a decision.

"I don't know what yoga is. I'm not interested to know about it. If people want to sit cross-legged and think deep like Gandhi, it's their business," he said when asked to comment on the National Fatwa Council's ruling of yoga as "haram" (forbidden) for Muslims.

Last Saturday, the National Fatwa Council ruled that systematic yoga practice comprising physical exercise, chanting of mantra and the aim of oneness with God are against Islamic teachings.

Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS' Spiritual Leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said yesterday that he accepted the fatwa and that Kelantan would have no problem gazetting it.

However, Azizan who was met at Wisma Darul Aman Wednesday after chairing the state executive council meeting, and repeatedly asked by reporters, declined to comment on the matter other than saying:

"I'm not interested and I don't want to know about yoga as there are many other things to think about.

"We have a Mufti, so let him do the job." (Bernama)

LATEST: Malaysia backs down from yoga ban amid backlash

Transfer Of Defamation Case To Sessions Court - Raja Petra Objects

2008-11-24T12:24:00.000+08:00

The transfer of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin’s defamation case from the magistrates court to the Sessions court was “illegal, void and contrary” to provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), the Sessions court heard on Monday.

Raja Petra’s lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon said that Section 117 of the CPC did not permit the transfer of a case by a magistrate’s to the Sessions Court where the case was properly before the magistrates court.

“The said order of the magistrate, which exposes the accused to an unequal and potentially higher punishment, is unconstitutional in that it breaches the equality provisions of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Raja Petra is alleged to have defamed the Deputy Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor by making a libelous statement in the declaration, which he affirmed on June 18.

He also faces two similar charges against Kolonel Norhayati Hassan and her husband Acting Kolonel Abdul Aziz Buyong.

He was charged with the three counts of defamation in the Kuala Lumpur magistrates court in July this year.

On Aug 15, the Attorney-General Chambers had applied to the magistrates court to transfer the cases to the Sessions Court on grounds that it “involved public interest”, and the cases were transferred.

Manjeet submitted that Sessions Court judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat could either send the case back to the magistrates court, or order a stay of proceedings and transmit the record to the High Court to determine if the transfer was valid.(The Star Online)

***** Can RPK expect real justice from the courts or is he banging his head against a brick wall?
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How Wise Is This Felda Investment?

2008-11-23T11:43:00.000+08:00

Felda Group Chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusoff Noor on Saturday said that Felda had acquired three floors in a 20-storey hotel in Mecca for the convenience of Malaysians while performing the haj or umrah in the Holy Land.

He said the acquisition of the three floors was made after much considerations on the group's financial capacity.

"We have bought the rooms in the hotel according to our capability. What matters is the customer's satisfaction. We cannot afford to follow the other industrial players," he told reporters at the launch of the Felda Residence Hot Springs Hotel and Spa in Sungai Klah.

Mohd Yusoff said although the acquisition involved only three floors of the hotel, the returns from the investment was higher than what Felda had imagined.

He said the investment would also enable various Felda products to be promoted in Mecca through a display area which could be set up on one of the three floors.

Prior to this, Felda was reported to have invested RM200 million in the construction of a hotel and a restaurant in Mecca for the convenience of Malaysians while performing the haj or umrah.

A board member, Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail was also reported as saying that the project was managed by Felda Global Venture, a subsidiary of the Felda Group, with the cooperation of the Pilgrims Management Board (Tabung Haji) and the Saudi government.

Both the hotel and restaurant, to be located in Bab Al Aziz, Mecca, was among Felda's biggest projects.

Meanwhile, Mohd Yusoff said about RM9 million had been spent to upgrade the facilities at the Felda Residence Hot Springs in Sungai Klah, comprising the construction of a 64-room hotel, a restaurant and a spa centre which was officiated today.

Since it was opened in December 2003, Felda Residence Hot Springs had received overwhelming response from all quarters with over one million tourist arrivals recorded so far. (Bernama)

***** Congratulations to Felda. With credit drying up for even mega businesses worldwide, Felda apparently is bucking the trend and daringly investing in the already visibly nervous, profit-challenged hotel industry. Holy cash cow Batman!

Malaysia's Fatwa Fad - After Fatwa On 'Tomboys' Yoga Gets The Boot Now

2008-11-22T15:11:00.001+08:00

Worried that Muslims could be swayed by Yoga's elements of Hinduism, Malaysia's top Islamic body banned the community from practising the ancient physical exercise.

The National Fatwa Council issued a religious decree telling the Muslims, who comprise two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million population, that practising Yoga was 'haram' or prohibited in Islam.

Apart from the physical movements, the yoga practices contain worshipping and chanting, which were prohibited for Muslims, it said.

The ruling came after an Islamic studies lecturer recently advised Muslims, who had taken up yoga, to stop practising it as they could deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Meanwhile, the Sisters in Islam (SIS), an NGO, has hit out at a recent ruling on 'Tomboyish behaviour' by the National Fatwa Council, saying it was concerned with the continuous sexist and discriminatory approach towards Malaysian women, especially those who were Muslim.

"The fatwa on 'tomboys' can lead to arbitrary arrests and undue harassment towards our Muslim women and girls. How do the authorities define a tomboy? A woman with short hair? Wearing pants? Wearing shirts? No make-up?", SIS Programme Manager, Norhayati Kaprawi, was quoted as saying by 'Star' newspaper.

She said the women who did not dress or behave as what certain quarters perceived as not feminine were not a menace to society.

"In fact, many of these women hold respectable positions and actively contribute to our society," she said. She also asked why the fatwa was only imposed on women, saying it was yet another example of "selective prosecution".

"SIS believes it is not Islam's obsession to police people's morality, find people's faults or spy on its followers," Norhayati said.

The Council last month issued the edict saying that 'tomboyishness' where a girl behaved or dressed in a boyish manner, was forbidden in Islam. (Agencies)

***** A religious decree by the National Fatwa Council is a serious matter that cannot be simply ignored. However some Muslims may feel that this particular fatwa could be too much of an unwarranted intrusion into their personal lives and that the choice of practising yoga or not should have been left to the individual to decide. After all there have been no reports of yoga-practising Muslims who have become closet Hindus.

I suppose T'ai Chi Ch'uan is next on the National Fatwa Council's hit list.

Allah Controversy - High Court Sets Feb 27 For Mention Of Case

2008-11-21T14:35:00.000+08:00

The High Court set Feb 27 for mention of the case to hear the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Herald-The Catholic Weekly, a Christian publication.

Judge Lau Bee Lan said that the date was set to allow all parties time to file their affidavits.

The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur has applied for a judicial review of a Home Ministry directive forbidding the Herald publishers from using the word ‘Allah’.

The Archbishop’s counsel Porres Royal said that the directive was unlawful under the Federal Constitution and that the word not exclusive to Islam.

On Dec 5, the publisher filed a writ of summons in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to seek a declaration on the use of the word.

The respondents are the Home Ministry, the Government and the state Islamic Councils of Federal Territory, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Johor, Malacca and the Malaysia Chinese Muslim Association.

Mubashir Mansor, counsel for the Terengganu, Penang and Malacca Islamic councils said on Friday that they would file an affidavit in two weeks to the Federal Court saying that no court of law could hear this case. (The Star Online)

***** The die is cast and let us hope that common sense prevails. The issue involving the Herald-The Catholic Weekly is incidental. What is more important is which will triumph - the insecure, homegrown, narrow, Umno Malay interpretation of Islam or the more universal worldview of the religion.

Qur'ān In Malaysian Hotel Rooms Soon

2008-11-20T16:19:00.000+08:00

A copy of the Quran and its intepretation will be made available in most hotel rooms in the country to allow both Muslims and non-Muslims to have “access” to the Holy book.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the department had embarked on a pilot project recently where a copy of the Quran’s intepretation was placed in several five-star hotel rooms in the Klang Valley.

He said the move received positive response from guests and members of the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO) have asked the Islamic Development department (Jakim) if they too could be part of this project.

“This move is not only because of the high number of visitors and tourists from the Middle East, but also because there are people of other beliefs who are keen to know more about what is said in the Quran, just as they are interested to know more about the teachings of other religions.

“We are pleased that our effort is accepted positively by the public. Soon, one can expect to see a copy of the Quran in rooms of three-star hotels and above,” he told reporters Thursday after launching the latest Bahasa Malaysia-version of the interpretation of the Quran.

Ahmad Zahid said Jakim would be printing another 50,000 copies of the Quran’s interpretation for the purpose, costing some RM1.3mil, adding these books were in English to cater to foreign visitors and tourists. (The Star)

***** In the US, for more than a century the Gideon's Bible has been placed in hospitals, prisons, military bases, and schools as well as hotels. This particular Bible is now found in more than 180 countries and in over 80 languages. I suppose that some good must have come out of giving such easy access to a holy book. Therefore placing a copy of the Quran in hotel rooms is on balance a good idea.

Syariah Judge: Islam Defends Everybody. Non-Muslim Fears Unwarranted

2008-11-18T15:30:00.004+08:00

Islam does not discriminate against any race or religion so non-Muslims do not have to fear if common law and syariah courts were to be merged as suggested by a former Chief Justice.

Syariah Court Judge and Syariah Judicial Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Lembut said such fears among non-Muslims were unwarranted.

“Islam will defend everybody. The impression that merging the two court systems will override the rights of the non-Muslims is wrong,” he told reporters after attending the International Seminar on Comparative Law at Marriott Hotel here on Tuesday.

“However, we still have a long way to go before we can merge the two court systems although we have held talks on the possibility of harmonising civil and syariah laws,” he said.

He said Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had also given his views on the matter during such talks.

Some civil lawyers who had attended these talks had refused to even consider harmonising the laws between the two systems, Ibrahim said when commenting on a statement by MCA legal bureau chairman Datuk Leong Tang Chong.

Leong had said that any merger would subject non-Muslims to syariah jurisdiction on all legal matters, including inter-faith cases relating to marriage and divorce.

Read the whole report HERE

***** Does the assurance by the learned Syariah Court Judge and Syariah Judicial Department director-general calm your doubts and worries about the future of our justice system if there should be a merger?

Make History Lessons More Interesting, Urges Malaysian Historical Society. Also Keep It Truthful

2008-11-15T15:30:00.001+08:00

Educationists should fully utilise modern facilities to make history lessons more interesting and able to capture the students' imagination, newly-appointed Malaysian Historical Society fellow Tan Sri Dol Ramli said, Saturday.

He said that during his university days, one of his professors was able to turn history into such an interesting topic that none of his classmates ever missed a single lesson.

"How history is presented is important. The education department, teachers, professors and lecturers should conduct history lessons in an interesting way.

"My professors could do it during my school days and they did not have many audio-video aids then. What more now with all the modern gadgets," he said at the PSM Fellowship Awards presentation at the society's headquarters here.

Dol, who was one of RTM's pioneers and a former Bernama general manager, received the fellowship from Heritage of Malaysia Trust president Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid.

The other two recipients were former Education Services Commission Tan Sri Sheikh Hussein Sheikh Mohamed and UKM Borneo Studies Centredirector Datuk Zainal Abidin Abdul Wahid. (Bernama)

***** Tan Sri Dol Ramli is a highly respected individual (His son Aziz Dol is a contemporary of mine and a very talented person) and he is absolutely right about the need to make history lessons more interesting.

However where the problem comes in is the spin that our history books give. It doesn't take a genius to quickly deduce after reading our history texts that the liberal interpretation and licence taken by our 'authors' is heavily skewed to promote Malay heroism and Umno propaganda while openly downplaying non-Malay involvement. Perhaps the good Tan Sri should also urge the government to keep historical 'interpretations' to a realistic and believable level.
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Prosecution Not Appealing Razak Baginda's Acquittal.

2008-11-14T18:56:00.001+08:00

Political analyst Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda, who was acquitted of abetment in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, can breathe easy after the prosecution confirmed Friday that it will not appeal the decision made by the Shah Alam High Court two weeks ago.

Deputy public prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, who is leading the prosecution, said in a statement today that there would be no appeal because the trial judge had made a finding of fact in acquitting Abdul Razak.

"(There will be) no further comments in view that the case is continuing with the defence of Azilah (Hadri) and Sirul (Azhar Umar)," he said.

Justice Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin acquitted and discharged Abdul Razak, 48, without calling for his defence on Oct 31.

Abdul Razak was alleged to have abetted Chief Insp Azilah Hadri, 32, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 36, who are charged with murdering Altantuya, 28, in Mukim Bukit Raja between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006, and 1am the following day.

The two Special Action Unit operatives are scheduled to enter their defence on Jan 15 next year.

***** The prosecution confirmed Friday that it will not appeal the decision because the trial judge had made a finding of fact in acquitting Abdul Razak! Incredible logic, simply unbelievable. But then again did we really expect anything different?

Yoga Exercise Deviates From The Teachings Of Islam? Fatwa Council To Announce Ruling

2008-11-07T13:15:00.000+08:00

The National Fatwa Council has deferred announcing its ruling on yoga exercise scheduled to be made Friday, as the council chairman is abroad.

The Islamic Development department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the announcement would have to be made some other time as fatwa council chairman Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin is in Jordan on an official trip.

“We will check when he (Shukor) is able to make the announcement once he returns home from his trip. The media will be informed when we have a confirmed date from the council chairman,” Wan Mohamad told The Star on Friday.

It was earlier reported that the National Fatwa Council would come out with a ruling on yoga exercise on Friday. The ruling is related to the faith of Muslims who practised yoga where Jakim had carried out an in-depth study on the issue over six months.

Recently, lecturer Prof Zakaria Stapa of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic Studies Centre advised Muslims who had taken up yoga to stop practising it for fear that they could deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Yoga, related to health, has been practised since 3,000 BC and is said to help slow down ageing, reduce risk of diabetes, asthma and heart-related diseases.

Asked if the council would need more time to dissect the issue, Wan Mohamad said the matter had already been discussed and deliberated at length and it was prepared to address the matter.

Wan Mohamad however declined to reveal if the fatwa would prevent Muslims from practising yoga, saying any announcement would have to come from the council. (The Star)

***** With the world economy in shambles and a million important issues the nation is preoccupied with, a fatwa on the practice of yoga isn't something the people are waiting for with bated breath. But it does speak of the pathetic pettiness to which the religious authorities have sunk to over the past few years.

Muhyiddin's Bangsa, Agama Dan Negara Recipe For Our Varsities

2008-10-21T16:57:00.001+08:00

Universities in Malaysia have been urged to create a new co-curriculum to explain issues regarding the social contract which has often drawn the attention of various parties of late.

Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said explaining the issues to the younger generation especially university students was important so as to avoid confusion.

"The important thing is not to question the social contract but to give an explanation so that they understand what the social contract is all about especially among the younger generation, because not all of them understand the social contract.

"Therefore, giving the explanation with proper methods and linking it with the country's history are important," he told reporters after delivering a lecture on "Malay-Muslim Politics - Crisis and Solution" at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

The lecture, organised by the Centre of Islamic Development Management Studies and Nurul Yaqeen Foundation, was attended USM students and lecturers.

Besides, he said, university lecturers should play a crucial role in giving the explanation.

"An effective explanation is important because when the students leave and mix around with the community, it will be easy for them to understand the concept of democracy and the constitution that we have," said Muhyiddin who is International Trade and Industry Minister.

He said the social contract issues had been solved long ago and all parties should accept it. (Bernama)

***** As with other government attempts to 'explain' inter-communal issues, you can bet that this social 'contract' co-curriculum hoopla will be another exercise in tilting to one side and the adding of more fiction than fact. If past experience is any guide, as usual some fanatic wingnuts with rabid pro-Malay leanings will be selected and fully expect them to mess up the whole idea by including unsubstantiated 'facts' and unnecessary Umno propaganda into the syllabus.

You can safely dismiss this proposal as just another bangsa, agama dan negara hype. Consider it as a stillborn Muhyiddin idea.

BN Leaders Agree With PM Umno Not A Bully

2008-10-18T20:07:00.000+08:00

Leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties today agreed with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Umno was not a bully.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Umno as the mainstay of the BN had never bullied other component parties and in fact, listened to their views before making any decision.

"This culture does not exist in the BN. If it had, the coalition would have fallen apart a long time ago," he told reporters after attending MCA's 55th annual general assembly here.

PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said it was not true that BN component parties were bullied by Umno but people's perception that this was happening should be corrected.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this perception was being exploited by the opposition for political mileage.

"When(BN) leaders make negative statements, it will be exploited by the opposition and cause people to believe that there is a bullying culture," he said.

Outgoing MCA deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said BN leaders should take the responsibility to correct the perception situation to preserve BN harmony.

Abdullah in his speech when opening the assembly had said Umno had never resorted to bullying its partners in the coalition and allegations that it did were the creation of the opposition in trying to erode the people's support for it. (Bernama)

***** Even after getting the short end of the stick for so long, the slaves of the BN component parties still cannot bring themselves to admit the fact that they have been relegated to second class status. With such a state of denial existing can we honestly expect them to fight for the rights of the average non-umnoputera? Not in a zillion years. Boot them all out at the earliest. They are merely opportunistic, self-serving politicians who don't have the interests of the common man at heart. How disappointing.

Parliament: Cops Scared Of Crooks, So Police Beat Base Closed! Malaysia Boleh!

2008-10-16T18:53:00.002+08:00

A police beat base in the Chow Kit area of downtown Kuala Lumpur was closed down because it was in a location that was considered unsafe, said Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

In a written reply to Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohamad Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa), Syed Hamid said the beat base was located in a dirty area where there was a possibility of being exposed to contagious diseases.

The presence of criminals also posed a threat to the safety of police officers, he said.

Lo’ Lo’ had asked why the beat base on Jalan Haji Taib was closed considering the high number of vice-related activities in the area, as well as what kind action had been taken by the police to curb such activities.

Syed Hamid said that the police were looking for a new location to build a police beat base that would be able to give “guaranteed and continued service to the public.”

Lo’ Lo’s was the 30th question in the Order Paper and hence did not get a mention in the House during the daily one-hour Question Time. However, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) managed to raise it when he interjected during Azmin Ali’s (PKR-Gombak) speech during the debate on Budget 2009.

Dr Mohd Hatta said that if the police themselves felt unsafe in a beat base, then it would be even worse for the public.

“The minister has to resign if he is worried about the safety of police in that area. Maybe it would be better to put the beat base in army barracks,” he said.

Dr Mohd Hatta then managed to raise the issue again during his own debate on Budget 2009 saying that Syed Ali’s response was not rational.

“The police are there to make a place safe. If they themselves are scared and run away, then how can we hope for others to want to be there?

“It is embarassing and that is why the criminals will always be there,” he said.

Dr Mohd Hatta said if the place is dirty, then it is up to the police to organise gotong-royong activities to clean it up or if they did not want to then they should move to Putrajaya or Parliament.

“And what is this about contagious diseases on Jalan Haji Taib? The only kind of contagious diseases that are present there are sexually-transmitted ones.

“Is the minister scared that his charges will contract such diseases? That kind of thing is a matter of choice. In any case, if this is what he is worried about then we are worried that the police are not above this.”

Dr Mohd Hatta added that the police had to be brave people and that they were a different breed altogether when facing demonstrators. He said he hoped that the minister would clarify his written answer in the House as this is not the kind of police that the people want. (The Star Online)

***** A totally idiotic explanation by Syed Hamid. I wonder if he's been smoking anything strong lately. Will the cops agree with his findings? Or are they too busy trying to demonize Hindraf? Or perhaps they simply don't care what the public think of them anymore. Pathetic.

Keep Race Out Of Business In Private Sector, Says Najib. What About Government Sponsored Racism?

2008-10-14T14:59:00.001+08:00

The Government does not want business in the private sector to be conducted along racial lines.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak however said that all private companies were encouraged to build up a local vendor system to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises.

“So, all big non-bumiputra companies, particularly those which have received licences or contracts from the Government, should give priority towards the development of local small firms, including those owned by bumiputras.

“Goverment-linked companies (GLCs) also have a role in giving opportunities and guidance to all bumiputra and non-bumiputra businesses,” he told Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid (BN - Padang Besar).

Najib, recently appointed Finance Minister, also said that he had recently met with a few small businesses involved in the local furniture industry, particularly those contracted to supply furniture to the Government.

“They have asked for the tender system to be reviewed so that they will be considered later when awarding contracts,” he said. (The Star Online)

***** When will we here from Najib that the government wants to halt race discrimination in the public sector? Not in a hundred years if he can help it. His prescription is simple - "Do what I say, don't do what I do." This man is never going to change. He's just as bad, perhaps even worse than some of the other umnoputeras who have led the country till now. Enough already.

Gerakan Will Not Join Opposition Even If It Pulls Out Of BN

2008-10-12T14:56:00.001+08:00

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia will "in no way" join the opposition even if it pulls out of the Barisan Nasional (BN), Selangor Gerakan chief and Central Committee Member A. Kohilan Pillay said Sunday.

He said Gerakan was looking at all possibilities, including becoming an independent entity, but stressed that the party would not join the Pakatan Rakyat.

Whatever decision the party leadership made, it must be acceptable to the grassroots in unison, he said.

"This matter concerns our status and future and it would be dealt with in depth. We don't want to become another SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) or MDP (Malaysian Democratic Party, a splinter of the DAP), where a crucial decision had caused a split in the party," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Gerakan national delegates conference, here.

After suffering a massive defeat in the March 8 general election, Gerakan saw many of its members quit or defect to the opposition, and this put tremendous pressure on the leadership to take drastic action for the betterment of the party.

Kohilan Pillay said the issue would not hamper the party's efforts at revitalisation.

"Those who quit were disappointed as they could not fulfill their personal agenda in the party. But now the ground sentiment on Gerakan is improving and I believe we are doing the right thing and heading in the right direction," he said. (Bernama)

***** With this kind of half-hearted disposition and lily-livered, cowardly attitude there is little hope for Gerakan in the future. It looks like they are trying rather foolishly to straddle the divide while attempting to threaten Umno and hoping that the racist party would throw a few large size crumbs for the Gerakan leadership to enjoy.

Shah Rukh Khan Award Fiasco - Pathetic Lies From An Ambitious Bluffmaster

2008-10-11T18:53:00.002+08:00

The Malacca Governor’s 70th birthday title award ceremony here was abuzz with excitement with many expecting to see popular Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan receive his Datukship on Saturday.

However, the international star and heartthrob was not to be seen at the Dewan Seri Hall in Ayer Keroh. Efforts are still being made to get him to come to Malaysia to collect his award.

The Datukship award has been questioned by various parties, including politicians and diehard fans.

Some say the actor did not deserve the award as “he hardly knows where Malacca is” while others say he “promoted Malacca in his songs and movies.”

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the decision to confer the title on the actor was based on a suggestion by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin to Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob recently as a means to further promote Malacca owing to the fact that the actor had shot a movie scene here several years ago.

He said the movie One 2 ka 4 was shot at the A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah in 2001.

“This resulted in many people visiting Malacca since then. The award is given in recognition of this,” he said after the awards presentation ceremony on Saturday.

Mohd Ali said awarding international artistes was also a good way to promote the state and country as a location for movies.

“Phuket Island is famous as an international tourist destination because of a James Bond movie,” he said, adding that Shah Rukh Khan’s movies have penetrated the European, US and Middle Eastern markets.

He said Daim is making arrangements to bring the actor here to receive the award in a special ceremony. (The Star Online)

***** Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam must take us all for fools. The cavalier manner in which this award was decided upon is appalling. How can he claim to have listened to the words of a known crook like Daim? And the idiotic justification that the actor had shot a movie scene in Malacca several years ago!!

Do you think that the umnoputeras will ever change? And to know that Ali Rustam is on his way up in the party hierarchy is frightening. God bless Malacca, Malaysia and Shah Rukh Khan.

*** Bollywood news - Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan hospitalised

Anwar Ibrahim Sets New December Deadline To Seize Power. End Of Umno?

2008-10-11T14:28:00.000+08:00

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said that the country's beleaguered Barisan Nasional government could fall by December, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

Anwar has insisted he had won over enough defectors from the government to form a new administration. But an earlier self-imposed deadline of September 16 passed and his calls to recall parliament for a confidence vote were denied.

The former deputy premier's move to set a new deadline by the Eid al-Adha festival, which falls on December 8, comes after Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi announced this week he will not stand in a party election next year, effectively handing over to his deputy Najib Razak.

"We have built our base to go forward, if it (taking power) does not happen this week or next week, it can possibly happen before Eid al-Adha festival," Anwar said late on Friday in comments reported by the mass-selling Berita Harian newspaper

"On the way it will be done, I can't say. We will choose the peaceful way," Anwar, who was touring the northeastern state of Kelantan, said.

Eid al-Adha is Islam's most important feast at the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage. In mainly-Muslim Malaysia, the holiday coincides with the last few days parliament will be in session for the year.

Anwar has to get 30 government MPs to walk over in order to have a majority in the 222-seat parliament. At present the opposition coalition, made of Anwar's Keadilan party, the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia and the Democratic Action party, has 82 seats.

"A momentum for a no-confidence vote could build up when parliament starts next week and this may happen during the debating of the budget or any bill for that matter," said Ginie Lim, spokesperson for Keadilan party.

One of Malaysia's best-known political figures, Anwar made world headlines when he was dismissed in the late 1990s by then premier Mahathir Mohamad and later imprisoned on what he says were trumped up sodomy and corruption charges.

He was in court again this week on new sodomy charges which he says is another ploy to stymie his challenge against the government that has ruled the Southeast Asian nation for more than 50 years. (Reuters)

***** Better late than never.

UMNO's New Clothes

2008-10-10T12:30:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's ruling party, UMNO, made a bid to reinvent itself this week, as Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced his intention to resign in March. Party leaders apparently hope that removing their unpopular leader -- who led UMNO to a dismal election performance earlier this year -- will boost popularity and help unify the party.

UMNO's problems are greater than Mr. Abdullah, however. After being in power for more than 50 years, the party hasn't been able to deliver the reform voters want. Efforts to tackle corruption and reform the judiciary have stalled. The party too often relies on racial preferences and fear to maintain its grip on power.

Mr. Abdullah promised Wednesday that before he leaves office he will pass an anticorruption bill and establish an independent Judicial Appointments Commission. There's a lot more he could do, starting with repeal of the Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detentions without trial. A prominent anti-government blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin, was recently arrested under the ISA; he remains in jail.

But the biggest service Mr. Abdullah could perform for his country is to ensure that the democratic process works. On Monday, Parliament will reconvene for the first time since opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was elected as an MP. Mr. Anwar has said he will use his seat to unseat UMNO and push broad-based reform. UMNO needs to show that it welcomes this challenge and take the opportunity to engage the opposition in policy debate. What happens next week will say a lot about how much UMNO is really willing to change. (Wall Street Journal)

***** I doubt if many in Malaysia realistically expect any meaningful change to come from these very same discredited polticians who have all these years actively contributed to the overt racism and corruption which has taken our country to the precipice. Wolves in sheep's clothing comes to mind.
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