LONE

Saturday, February 28, 2004

No need for "Fights & Chaos" Training

There was really little need for the organised "riots", "fights" and "chaos" in Penang this weekend. The polis is definitely well trained in the art and craft of crowd control. One just had to see how efficient and effective they were at the "Hentikan Salahguna Kuasa Polis" demo in Kuala Lumpur. Within minutes it was all over, crowd dispersed and 16 arrested. All it took was one truckload of those helmeted ones and of course a water cannon. See this Bernama report.
According to Bernama, a group of about 80 protesters were present. Among them was one carrying a knife, when he was arrested, the crowd turned rowdy forcing the FRU to unleash the water cannon and arresting 16 of them.
Malaysiakini also carried a report on this. It reported a group of about 60 and quoted that there were an almost similar number of polis about. The Kuala Lumpur police chief Mustafa Abdullah defended the use of the water cannon, saying that was most effective way for a quick crowd dispersal. Why the peaceful protest group had to be dispersed, the polis chief was quoted as saying : "Things got out of control when the crowd sat down to protest and refused to move even after we told them to disperse".
Among the 16 arrested are Tian Chua, Sivarasa, Elizabeth Wong, Xavier Jayakumar and Latheefa Koya. All except one are expected to be released this evening.
The protest was organised by the Coalition Against Police Misconduct, an initiative set up under human rights organisation Suaram. Click here to see pics of the protest.

| ¶ 2/28/2004 04:40:00 PM

What's on Offer

This 11th election much would go on offer. The voters would have to decide what do they really want. More of the same or less of the same or none of the same. The past 46 years have allowed for the accumulation of plenty of corruption, lack of accountability, mega-projects with micro-useability, polis abuse, improper use of resources, environmental abuse and the list goes on.
Very soon, we the voters, would be presented with a golden opportunity to rid ourselves of this accumulated dirt and rubbish and garbage. Once again Malaysia is having the mother of mega-sales, as the bow-tied one would have said :: "The Whole of Malaysia is on Sale". But as careful, diligent, informed shoppers we should make our choice with utmost care, even though the intense sale pitch would only be for 9-10 days.
Be reminded, make your choice very very carefully, so that after this 11th election, we can have less of the complaints bombarding us now or even better none at all.
If we don't do good this time around, we are gonna end up with more of the same or as someone puts it :: "Same ol' circus, same ol' monkeys" and may i further add, same ol' acts, same ol' rubbish, garbage and all. Just remember, don't complain, whine and protest then, for essentially one gets the circus, i mean gomen one votes for and so deserve.

| ¶ 2/28/2004 11:26:00 AM

Friday, February 27, 2004

"Riots" and "Chaos" in Penang this Weekend

This weekend in Penang, there will be organised "riots" and "chaos", courtesy of the polis and the Penang branch of the National Security Department. According to the Bernama. These staged "riots" would involve some 1,400 personnel from various agencies, including the Federal Reserve Unit, district offices and the St John Ambulance.
The reasons for all these staged "riots" and "chaos" are ::
1. Police training in the run-up to the general elections.
2. To test the efficiency of the polis and several other Government agencies in facing all eventualities

As the 11th election is soon to be held, Aliran thinks there may be other reasons like to "initimidate" the voters and to ensure a victory for you know which party for the training exercises.

Can't really recall there being any election related riots recently. When there were street demos in the 1997-99 period, can anyone recall any such training, though some may say there were staged and instigated minor "chaos" and of course "beatings" of OKT (remember those Orang Kena Tahan) and Tian Chua's standoff with a water cannon.

Now those of you who are in Penang or going to be there, enjoy the "staged" shows and please do not be intimidated and panick.

| ¶ 2/27/2004 09:47:00 AM

Thursday, February 26, 2004

Reprieve for MPSJ Dog Owners

The MPSJ has been applying the squeeze on dog owners in the areas under its jurisdiction. Earlier on dog owners had to obtain and submit a veterinarian’s health certificate before they can get a dog licence. Since January this year a new requirement popped out out of the blue, dog owners were required to obtain written consent from their immediate neighbours to continue to keep their pets.
Dog owners and the DAP barked foul and the DAP submitted a memorandum protesting this latest anti-dog issue to MPSJ recently.
With the 11th election on the way soon, the MPSJ, probably mindful of this event, has decided to give the dogs and their owners, a reprieve till further more indepth feedbacks are obtained from MPSJ residents.
Why is it that in this Malaysia Boleh of ours, a lot of things are done the gostan way. Try to implement first, then get feedbacks, why not the proper manner ie studies and feedbacks prior to implementasi.
Anyway one up for the DAP and MPSJ residents till after the election and further notice from MPSJ.
For all those who think that the latest MPSJ dog ownership guideline had to do with islamisation, check this link, courtesy of wits0.

| ¶ 2/26/2004 12:08:00 PM

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Never Fear, Zam Still Here

For those of you who fear that the former DIM, Datuk Zainudin Maidin, has finally left the scene as his 2 term senatorship has expired, never fear he will still be around. This man who has, according to his very self, brought back "confidence of the public in the mainstream media had been restored through dissemination of information in a credible manner". On the credible manner utilised he had these words to say :: "We provide solid facts and also visual as proof," and "We need to disseminate solid facts to the public to preserve national peace and stability."
He may have clocked out at 4.40pm on Tuesday, the 24th but will return the very next day in his new guise as the Media Advisor to the Ministry of Info. In his new role, he will probably continue to provide us with 'solid facts', 'visual proofs' and of course, plenty of entertaining propaganda, in his mission to 'preserve national peace and stability'. Don't we all look forward to seeing what he has in store for us in RTM I & II.

DAP Lim Kit Siang has this to say regarding Zam's new role as media advisor :: "Money 'wasted' on Zam". He said that since the ex-deputy information minister’s job was to be the "hatchet man" of BN in its propaganda war against the opposition, he should not be paid from the public purse but by UMNO.

| ¶ 2/25/2004 10:46:00 AM

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Pak Lah to Skip Caracas

Pak Lah to skip Caracas Summit which is to be held from 25th to 29th Feb., according to a M'kini report this has been confirmed. This definitely will fuel spekulasi that the 11th election will be here soon. Could Parliament be dissolved prior to 8th March as suggested by Star's Wong CW.
The Parliament is to be opened on 8th March and MPs are said to have received notice of this. But Pak Lah can choose to dissolve it before that. It is less likely that he would dissolve Parliament midway like Tun M did in 1999.
The PM also said last night that the Barisan Nasional is ready to face the people in the polls. Are you voters ready with your votes, make good use of them. So why are we waiting.

For more election related news, click on links below ::

| ¶ 2/24/2004 09:06:00 PM

Do or Die

The DAP is making its often issued battle cry of 'Do or Die' and looking at the way things are, it could be for real this time around and may even turn into a 'Die and Die' cry. The new PM has made good use of his 100 days honeymoon to do plenty of sweet talking and even gone to the extent of walking the talk a little. Even though there are cries for him to slow down a little on the rhetorics and even some handbrake pulling, the 'feel good' wind is prevailiing. As the 11th election looms, the PM and the BN will always make full use of these prevailing winds, the complaint-ever-ready to praise media and other means at the goverment's disposal to gain as much support as possible.
The DAP's 'No to 929' campaign seems to have made little headway and though it may have gain some of Chinese support but it also has appeared to have lost favour with the Malays. So an uphill task looms for the DAP. This party used to provide the Opposition Leader, Lim Kit Siang, in Parliament for many years, is its political fortunes on the decline?
The DAP national publicity chief Ronnie Liu, is reported by the Star as saying that his party would face a tough time as the government’s recent move in fighting corruption had resulted in the BN gaining support. But he was quick to add that the voters should realise that even with the government’s anti-corruption agenda, it was important to ensure that there were effective opposition voices in Parliament and the state assemblies. This is probably a good battle call for the opposition, 'Deny a 2/3 majority'.
A BN government without its massive majority will be better for the nation. Having an effective opposition in Parliament will keep the PM and the BN MPs on their toes and ensure that the new agenda for the nation is carried out and the PM will implement all that he has been talking and promising as of late.
Despite saying, “The DAP does not have one safe seat in Selangor anymore,” Liu mentioned that the DAP would be contesting in six or seven parliamentary and 18 state seats in the coming elections. Among those named by him are the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary seat and Kampung Tunku, Damansara Utama (in Petaling Jaya Utara) and Bukit Gasing (in Petaling Jaya Selatan) state seats. Mention was also made by him of a document called “The PJ Demands”, which highlighted the concerns of the Petaling Jaya people, this would be launched soon.

| ¶ 2/24/2004 02:49:00 PM

Non-muslims Fear Not

In essence this is what the PM had to say to the non-muslims in his speech at the launch of the state-level Islam Hadhari (The Management of an Islamic Country) at the USM hall in Kubang Kerian yesterday.
What did the PM have to say ::

"The Government will always respect and protect the constitutional rights of non-Muslims and they are free to go about their own activities and programmes.”
"The fact that the Cabinet carried out open discussions on Islamic principles proved that the Government was very transparent."
“I found the non-Muslim ministers to be very receptive of the Government’s intentions based on their reaction to these discussions.”
“I don’t want the non-Malays to feel threatened by what is happening around them as Islam is a beautiful religion and when its principles are practised, the quest for fairness and justice for all, regardless of colour, creed or religion, can be achieved.”

Pak Lah also said the Government’s moves to make it mandatory for Muslim students in primary and secondary schools to learn the Arabic language and master the Quran were to enable them to evaluate any “confusing fatwa (edict)” issued in the language.
“When they have good command of Arabic, they can crosscheck the fatwa with the Quran.”

What can the non-muslims do when faced with equally confusing rules and regulations issued by the authorities regarding moral conduct like holding hands in public and talking to members of the opposite sex. Recently there was the matter of getting the permission or consent of muslim neighbours before one can keep dogs as pets. Who can the non-muslims run to in such instances? Will the government ensure that local authorities come out with less confusing rules too for the non-muslims and not encroach on spaces where such rules shouldn't go.

| ¶ 2/24/2004 10:40:00 AM

Monday, February 23, 2004

"Probably the most popular Malaysian leader now"

Star's Wong Chun Wai had this to say of Pak Lah. And he is probably right. Unfortunately opinion polls are not common in this country and this cannot be independently confirmed.
This present popularity is probably the best reason for Pak lah to call for dissolution of Parliament soon and the 11th election which follows.
Waiting could probably cause erosion of his popularity (there is also a probablity of enhancement, if he were to carry out all that he has promised, but a drop is more likely, as someone said recently, the handbrake appears to have been applied).
Wong CW pointed to a few observations why the 11th election wil be called soon ::

Foreign Ministry and PM Department and others appear not to know about whether Pak Lah will be attending the G15 Summit in Caracas, 25th to 29th Feb
The whirlwind tour of the nation by Pak Lah and his deputy
News that the BN component parties are ready and have almost drawn up their lists of potential candidates

Wong points to the possible dissolution of Parliament before 8th March, this is the date for the opening of the new session. A dissolution before or on 7th March would prevent opposition MPs from highlighting any potential embarrassing issues, Most embarrassing would be Pak Lah not really having walk-the-talk as much as the people would have wanted him to. The other issue is most likely the nuclear blackmarket-scope-son thing. But all those issues will eventually be brought out during the campaign period, short as it may be.
As for predicting the actual date , Wong CW has this to say ::

If Parliament is dissolved by March 7, the Elections Commission will probably fix nominations within two weeks and polls are likely to be held by the end of March or early April. The campaigning period would probably be less than 10 days this time.

So be prepared to cast your vote wisely.

| ¶ 2/23/2004 12:29:00 PM

Saturday, February 21, 2004

Abolishing the Senai Toll-what's behind it

The BN Government has decided to abolish toll charges for the Johor Baru-Senai stretch effective March 1, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. Want to know the story behind this? Read this editorial in e-sinchew.
The toll abolishing decision smells of political shenanigans and probably has to do with the fast approaching 11th election. But whatever it is, the government hasfinally really heard the Rakyat's voice and come out with a decision, even though a little too late. But is this decision any reason to rejoice and be lulled into voting a government which has taken almost 2 decades to right a wrong decision ie imposing toll on the Senai stretch in the first place.
The Senai stretch is not an expressway and there is no alternative toll-free roads, so it does not meet the requirements to collect tolls according to this e-sinchew editorial. So many local residents are still puzzled at the decision to allow PLUS to collect toll. Up till 2002, PLUS is said to have collected a total of RM120 millions. On top of this amount the removal of toll from 1st March, 2004, has resulted in the government having to pay another sum of RM331.68 millions in compensation. As a result PLUS will be having a total collection of some RM450 millions and this amount for what?
So for the use of a rural federal road, the local residents and other taxpayers had to pay PLUS that huge amounts. No wonder PLUS must be smiling, grinning all the way to the bank.
The local residents and other taxpayers can only wonder why there is a need to pay compensation when the initial decision to collect toll some 20 years ago was based on unclear criteria. Shouldn't in this case be for PLUS to return the toll already collected? Allowing such things in the future certainly won't bode well for the nation, the taxpayers must demand for accountability, the new PM wants the truth told to him; once that is done, can the taxpayers expect him to act accordingly, that appropriate action is awaited.

| ¶ 2/21/2004 06:24:00 PM

Friday, February 20, 2004

EPF Declares 4.5 % Dividend For 2003

For those who are EPF members, here is some good news, remember the 11th election is just around the corner, our EPF has declared an increase in dividend of some 5.88235% ie from 4.25% in 2002 to 4.5%.
What does in means in real terms, if you have RM10,000 in your EPF account, you will be receiving a handsome tax-free dividend of RM450.00. If you had RM10,000 in a one year fixed deposit, you will only get most likely RM300.00, so our EPF is paying you 50% more.
One has to understand that the economic environment has not improved much. The KLSE CI has only climbed some 20% to 25% during the past year, from some 660 to 815 points. The MILTL, an index-linked trust fund managed an annual return of 24%.
All EPF members must be awaiting EPF's explanation and latest statement for the 4.5% dividend payout, over to the EPF.

| ¶ 2/20/2004 06:53:00 PM

Thursday, February 19, 2004

The Perfect PAS Candidate

Not many days ago this blogger blogged regarding the The Perfect BN Candidate :: Pak Lah Style in order to bring back the government to the governed. Now Brendan Pereira writes that the search for the Perfect PAS Candidate(s) is on. He has this to say ::

If five years ago, the cleric-driven PAS fielded a sprinkling of young Malay professionals to show the electorate its less dogmatic side, this time, it wants to field former civil servants.

The aim is to create the impression that even experienced hands are willing to break ranks with the government and join the conservative Islamic opposition.

So who are these ex-civil servants PAS is after ::

Among those being eyed by PAS as potential candidates is Datuk Yeop Adlan Che Rose, former Malaysian ambassador to Mexico. He had served as deputy high commissioner to Singapore, senior officer at Malaysia's permanent mission to the UN and ambassador to Spain.

Datuk Mohamad Amir Yaakub, ex-director of the National Rice Board, is another possibility.

Other people being wooed by PAS are retired chief of Malaysian Armed Forces Tan Sri Mohamad Sany Abdul Ghafur, six former brigadier-generals, several former civil servants and a clutch of professors from a local university.

There is a buzz in the party that two former top-tier enforcement officials have paid their membership fees.

The report further adds that, PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat and other PAS leaders are coaxing retired chief of Malaysian Armed Forces Tan Sri Mohamad Sany Abdul Ghafur, six former brigadier-generals, several former civil servants and a clutch of professors from a local university to help the party.

'Do not waste your time in retirement. Come and share the stage with us. If you are not willing to do that, at least wear the PAS badge openly,' he urged them.

From the response at the session, many of the former civil servants appear to be on the same wavelength as PAS.

Will PAS be able to recruit them for its cause and how will they change possible results of the 11th election?

| ¶ 2/19/2004 06:36:00 PM

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

11th Election in April?

Bernama has quoted the MB of Perak as telling state Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to gear up for the general election as Parliament could be dissolved by April 12. This is the clearest a BN top gun has come out with the date predicition for the polls.
Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli said the date coincided with the last day for the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, it was possible that the general election could be held simultaneously with the Sabah state election. Could it be that he knows something that others don't? Or did PMwhisper into his ears when the PM was in Perak recently?
Another sign that the 11trh election may be very near is the way the stock market CI has been shooting this day. Up too lunch today, it has gone past the 850 mark!

Anyway, we all know the polls are near. This blogger has started a column :: Election Watch Roundup :: which those who are interested can click on and read all the election related news items. These items will most probably be updated daily, if time permits, to keep those interested up-to-date with the latest news.

Aliran & Charter 2000 have launched their election media monitoring weblog in the run-up to the general election to keep track of news coverage and media ethics. Its Malaysian Election Media Monitors can be found here.

Bernama also has a Pre-Election News, here

| ¶ 2/18/2004 02:06:00 PM

Zam :: Ready to Serve again

Datuk Zainudin Maidin or better know as ZAM or frequently called DIM, Deputy Information Minister, ends his term of office as senator ends on Feb 24, this being his 2nd time around as senator means he is no longer to be one. As the end nears, he says he is ready to continue to serve and contribute to the Nation. He is now ready to go into politics.
Really he had never dreamt of going into politics but now he was ready, having much experience as a two-term senator and having received so much tuition from his immediate boss, Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob, whom he described as his "teacher".

He is also of the view that his boss is a diplomat, administrator and politican who had taught him a lot, making it much easier for him to discharge his duties to neutralise people's politics against the government and Umno in particular. By why UMNO in particular, one can't help wondering.
Questioned as to whether he would contest in the coming 11th general election, Zam said, "It's alright to me...contesting is alright, not contesting is also alright."

It will be a great loss if he is not around after 24th Feb, this blogger will miss his entertaining ways and propaganda and of course he will not be able to further "contribute and serve the Nation".

| ¶ 2/18/2004 12:55:00 AM

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Liberate the ACA

All these talk talk about zero corruption and the recent arrests of a couple of not so ikan bilis for corrupt practices have made many people wonder how far our not so independent ACA can go. Being not so independent, ACA reach appears to be limited and is dependent on political will and ultimately on the PM and on how far will he go.
So what can be done to liberate the ACA? One, M'kini contributor, Wong Chin Huat has some suggestions to make in his article, entitled :: Liberate ACA! Propose private member’s bill. For those of you who are M'kini subscribers, read the article in toto, for non-subscribers, a summary (S-I-C It) is provided below ::

It is not a question of whether sharks or anchovies are being caught under the present anti-corruption dragnet. The issue here is that these catches depend on the political will of one man and not the systemic response of an institution ie Parliament.
Inevitably there will be selective prosecutions if political is the ultimate determinant.
So the obvious answer :: make the ACA a statutory body that answers to the Parliament and not the prime minister.
If this is done then the decision to charge a person for graft would not require the premier’s approval while threats to his political survival would also not have a bearing on any case.
These of course would also entail the need for an independent judiciary that cannot be purchased or commanded by the powers-that-be.
The call to statutorise ACA has been made by many quarters. It seems that Malaysians have to leave it all to Abdullah but this need not be the case.
What can the people and the opposition MPs do :: Table a private member’s bill in the coming parliamentary session next month, if it is not dissolved by then to pave way for the general election.
Under the Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Order 49, any private member of the house can introduce a bill.
Our parliament has probably never seen any private member’s bill passed, for the government backbenchers have conventionally left the legislating works to the frontbench while the opposition rarely proposes one knowing it will surely be defeated.
However, a private member’s bill that is bound for rejection would still bring attention to the issue and put pressure on the government, the famous example being PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s bill on apostasy in 1999.
A private member’s bill for an independent ACA could therefore serve two purposes ::
1.Place Pak Lah and all the other MPs and their acclaimed will to combat corruption to test.
2.Bring public input into law-making.
The opposition could do the opposite in drafting its private member’s bill by involving not only MPs of all opposition parties, leading lawyers and NGOs, but also the general public by collecting their opinions via forums and focus groups.
As the 11th election is near, even if this particular private members’s bill cannot be ready for tabling before the general election, its preparation alone will apply pressure on the BN.
By asking what the public want of an independent ACA, the opposition can bring forth the imaginations and expectations of real change. This would lead to calls on the premier to incorporate the bill in his campaign.
On the other hand, the private member’s bill could probably unite the opposition on accountability issues and help them steal the limelight ahead of the polls.
Ultimate winners will be the people with the birth of a independent ACA which is accountable to Parliament and the people.

So you have it, a means of getting zero corruption. So people prod and badger your MPs, provide your inputs and vote those who, among other things, support the birth of an independent ACA which is accountable to Parliament and the people.

| ¶ 2/17/2004 04:26:00 PM

Toilet Cleanliness Campaign, Once More

Our Toilet MINIster, i mean our Housing & Local Govt MINIster, i mean Datuk Seri Ong KT. He is back again with his "Toilet Cleanliness Campaign", this time it is for the Central Zone 2004. The campaign was launched at Berjaya Times Square here yesterday. Also present was deputy MINIster, Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, he who is also the chairman of the Housing & Local Govt Ministry’s toilet committee.The goes to show how important toilets really are.
Sometime, last year, the National Toilet Cleanliness campaign was launched and CCTVs were suggested to help keep public toilets clean, what has happened is anyone's guess for little more was heard of them. We were also told that some RM 720 millions are spent annually for keeping these loos clean, but the present state of them obviously means that those ringgit have been flushed the you-know-where.
A previous report by the said Ministry have also said that up to 90% of school toilets are in sad sad state of affairs. These toilets also double up as cigarette smoking joints.
The latest Star report on the state of our public toilets had this to say ::

The Government is set to improve the cleanliness of public toilets nationwide to be at par with the country’s level of development and progress, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said.
“Dirty public toilets are our failure,” he said, adding that it also reflected poorly on the people's culture and image.
“We are very proud of Malaysia – so modern, many attractive places and things, good food and friendly people, except our public toilets.
Ong said improving public toilets had to be a joint effort between the Government and the people – users and owners of premises who build and maintain public toilets.
He said some local authorities, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall, were already taking steps to upgrade their toilets besides coming up with new ideas like building street toilets in tourist spots.

So Boleh Malaysians, do your bit and ensure that our public toilets are clean, or else those millions of taxpayers' ringgits would just go down the drain.

| ¶ 2/17/2004 12:32:00 PM

Monday, February 16, 2004

The Busy Bees

These days the PM and the DPM, both newbees at their jobs, are busy busy like bees. Like busy bees, they are spreading their honey all around with honeyed talk and promises and all things sweet and nice.
The PM happens to be in Perak, and promises development with benefits for all races and not just cronies and certain sectors. Reasons, he and his ministers have been voted in by the people and their job, of course, to serve the people in return. Looks like finally, we will be getting a government of the people, for the people and by the people, the sooner such a government see light, the better for this nation of ours. Click here to read the Bernama report.
The DPM is in Kelantan as acting Deputy UMNO president and will hold meet-the-people sessions and to pass out some goodies. Najib will also be launching the National Service Training Programme at Sultan Mohamad Stadium in Kota Bharu.
From now till the 11th election, there will be many more busy bees, bearing gifts and goodies. My grandma used to warn us about people bearing gifts and goodies and sweet talk. There is little harm accepting these gifts, though not so honest for some, but beware and not fall for the sweet talk. When the election comes, remember this :: "There can be no meaningful democracy without an effective opposition to effect it."
The PM is coy about the date of the 11th election, see this. He says that talk that Parliament would be dissolved at the end of Feb was just a rumour. To read about more rumours and spekulasi regarding dissolution of parliament and the date of the 11th election, go here.

Oh yes, for those who think that an effective democracy does not need an effective opposition, here is one who shares your view, click Strong Govt Needed to Bring Change. Just try and remember, what has happened over the past 46 years, when we have had governments with massive majorities, the harm done is only now showing, cheers.

| ¶ 2/16/2004 02:56:00 PM

Sunday, February 15, 2004

To All National Trainees,
All the very best to each and everyone,
Wherever you may be posted,
Make the best of it,
Enjoy and be Good,
Cheers.

Click here, 2C Card

| ¶ 2/15/2004 06:32:00 PM

Tun M's three-word response

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali was at Intan Bukit Kiara for her Fellow Intan Award 2003 presentation. Along with her was fellow Tun, spouse and newly retired PM.
Recently, there were some high profiled corruption cases which were brought to light and to the courts. One was appointed by Tun M to save Perwaja, but it looks like turning into a case of :: Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi; the other case involved a MINIster appointed during Tun M's tenure.
So it was inevitable, that the accompanying reporters, popped the question to Tun M, that particular question must have gone something like this :: "Oh yes, Tun, what are your views and comments regarding the stern actions taken by the government to weed out corruption and criminal breach of trust."
If this Bernama is to be believed, the Tun's response was :: "It is good", he had only these three words. For a man who once had so much to say about corruption and money politics and cried so much tears, not just once; imagine a response of only three words.

| ¶ 2/15/2004 10:30:00 AM

Friday, February 13, 2004

Valentine's Day/Hari Memperingati Kekasih not for Muslims

Valentine's Day or Hari Memperingati Kekasih will be celebrated tomorrow. But according to the Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harrusani Zakaria muslims can be considered apostates if they celebrate Valentine’s Day. This was reported in Utusan Malaysia.
For according to the Mufti, based on a hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad), which states that “one who follows the acts of another, would belong to the other group (Sesiapa yang melakukan perbuatan yang menyerupai sesuatu kaum itu, maka ia turut termasuk bersama golongan tersebut).”
So based on this warning, muslims in Perak better not be seen celebrating Hari Memperingati Kekasih tomorrow. Will there be enforcers out tomorrow to see to this?
The English versi of this Utusan Malaysia report is carried by the Star online here
For those who want to know more about :: History of Valentine's Day, see here

| ¶ 2/13/2004 09:28:00 AM

Thursday, February 12, 2004

A bigger fish called Kasitah Nabbed

Star pic showing MINIster, Polis and ACA officers
From the Star Online ::

Land and Cooperative Development Minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Thursday morning. He is expected to be charged later today for graft in some share dealing in a company.

Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam, 56, an Umno senator from Sabah, was arrested in Putrajaya after he arrived at the ACA headquarters at 8.55am.
Before he was made a minister in 1998, Kasitah was chairperson of state-owned Sabah Land Development Board.
Previously, he was also the chairperson of Sabah Development Bank and Sabah Finance Berhad.
It would take bigger fishes still in the net to convince that Pak Lah really and truly mean business in reaching zero corruption.
So keep them coming.

Update from Star Online desk, Wasli Mohd Said charged on five counts of corruption, here. Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam, he pleads innnocent to corruption charges, here

| ¶ 2/12/2004 12:05:00 PM

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

The Perfect BN Candidate :: Pak Lah Style

While giving his address to the Cambridge Foundation, Pak Lah gave a preview of the perfect BN election candidate. In his strongest signal to date that the general election may be held soon, Pak Lah, more or less spelt out clearly that he would only choose credible candidates who could “withstand the scrutiny" of Malaysian voters. While confident that the BN would definitely garner better electoral results, Pak Lah warned that the wrong choice of candidates could easily nullify "the feel-good factor" the BN was enjoying presently.
Things which Pak Lah will look for when making his choice of election candidate would include :: accountability, trustworthiness, credibility, ability to pull one's weight, holding on and working towards vision 2020 and incorruptibility. Goodness if Pak Lah truly looks for all these during candidate selection, many of our present MPs and ADUNs would have to be left out. Not only that, he would truly have his selection abilities stretched to the limits and may find very few good men and ladies for the 11th election.
Pak Lah's call " to bring the Government back to the people." is very interesting and meaningful.

“A government that serves the rakyat better empowers the people,” he said.
“Empower this government to empower you. Work with me to work with you,” he added.

Would we like to add further to the various characteristics and abilities, these perfect election candidates should possess and help Pak Lah in the selection? And while at it, who should be the Perfect Voter, what are the stuff he should be made of.

| ¶ 2/11/2004 03:47:00 PM

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Eric finally Nabbed, more Jerung in the Net?

After a long long trail of ACA investigation since 1996, Tan Sri Eric Chia formerly of Perwaja has finally been nabbed and this after another 'chase' along the north-south highway from Kedah to PJ. This 'chase' is reported in the NST, the reason for this dramatic chase is unclear.
The Star did not report of any chase but said that Former Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Eric Chia Eng Hock was arrested at 345pm at his house in Petaling Jaya by at least 5 senior Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) officers yesterday and will be charged at the Sessions Court here today (10th Feb).
The Straits Times of S'pore in a report by Brendan Pereira has this to say ::

The prosecution brings to a close eight years of investigations and accusations of a cover-up, and removes a case that was a millstone for the Mahathir administration but is a chance for the Abdullah administration to show its willingness to walk the talk in the fight against corruption.
The Straits Times understands that this will not be the only high-profile prosecution case. Others will follow soon, sources say, and the tough action is supposed to send two signals: That the move to clean up the system is genuine and that the axe can fall on anyone, even the rich and powerful.

If what Brendan reported is true, can we expect more 'chases' up and down the NS highway in the near future.
For backgrounder to the Perwaja Saga see the article in Malaysiakini.

Update :: Eric Chia's CBT trial in August

| ¶ 2/10/2004 09:14:00 AM

Sunday, February 08, 2004

New Courses for Maids and their Employers too

Maids and domestic helpers who are new to Singapore will have to attend a safety awareness course. The course fees, $20; this course will cover subjects like precautions one should take when cleaning windows in high-rise flats. Good news for the maids and domestics who are new to Singapore, the course fees will be borne by their employers. Those who don't attend such course will not get their work permits.
In Singapore, come 1st April, there will also be new courses for new employers of maids and domestic helpers. They will be required to attend these courses before being provided with maid work permits. Again the employers will have to fork out $20 for this courses. These courses are expected to teach them the rules and regulations governing employment of a maid, dispense welfare tips, such as giving a maid a separate bedroom whenever possible, and the penalties for maid abuse.
These courses come in the wake of numerous cases of maid abuse, maids getting injured or killed in the course of their work, and repeated calls by civil society groups like The Working Committee 2 to look into maid welfare.
Malaysia also has had its fair share of maid abuse cases, see Malaysia to bar abusive employers and Widespread Beatings of Maids Shock Malaysia. Neighbours, Singapore and Malaysia are not the only countries where maid abuse occurs, see Foreign maids vulnerable to sexual abuse.
Locally, WAO (Women's Aid Organisation) has done research on this matter of maid abuse, see FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKER ABUSE. AWAM has also been concerned with maid abuse. The perpetrators of violence innmaid abuse cases are often women themselves, in fact a study by AWAM showed that 90 percent of the cases it came across involved women abusers. That's not surprising, given that it is women who usually supervise the maids at home.
WAO has been in the forefront of the fight against maid abuse and you can read more of this work, here :: What WAO is doing. WAO has been lobbying for the publication of A Guide for Employers, by the Ministry of Human Resources, outlining employers responsibilities, application processes and a list of offences and their penalties under law. Additional suggestions (by this blogger) may be to have a compulsory pre-employment course for potential employers (like the proposed one in Singapore) and not just a guide book and may be a psychological screen for potential abusive employers.

| ¶ 2/08/2004 06:04:00 PM

Friday, February 06, 2004

Pak Lah's 1st 100 Days
Agenda for a New Malaysia

The new PM, Pak Lah's first 100 days end on 8th Feb. During these 100 days, he had made numerous promises, see also Limited Transparency and Swift Justice. But apart from words and rhetorics, has there been any real aksi. Off hand, one may point to his deferment of the double-tracking rail contract and of late the setting up of the Royal Commission :: "Special Commision to Enhance the Operations and Managemnt of the Royal Malaysia(n) Police". The latter will only show any results in Feb 2005, even then the SCEOMRMP recommendations are not necessarily going to be implemented, see what has happened to the various recommendations made by another, SUHAKAM; apart from gathering dust somewhere, little else has resulted.
The new PM has to make waves as he needs to win BIG in the 11th election before he can become the helmsman in his own rights. What better way then to make plenty of promises before the next election and call them his AGENDA for a New Malaysia and get the voters to vote him and the BN in once again, preferably with more than a two-third majority. This appears to be a very very likely scenario based on what Malaysian voters have done in the past, the present feel good factors abounding, the feeling that the new man should be given a chance to prove hinself and the mammoth BN election machinery and all the 'goodies' which will definitely be provided in this pre-election period. Examples can even be seen these days :: RM4 million for Chinese school relocation, MCA explaining the importance of Chinese Education to UMNO (what was the MCA doing these past 50 years or so), eventually we are gonna get those free bicycles, ploughs, land titles which have been denied for the past many years and the list of goodies continue.
A more transparent way (transparency appears to be an opaque/hidden/nonconprehensible word at times) would be for the PM to give himself and the voters more time, after all the 11th election can wait till Nov 2004, implement his various promises and allow the voters to appreciate and appraise him and his vision and agenda more fully before calling for the all important vote. Would he, dare he?. Implement the Agenda and tehn go for the votes, will also show which of the BN MPs share his agenda and vision.
There is little doubt that the BN will once again be returned in the 11th election but should the voters, once again, provide it with the massive majority to allow it to do what it likes for the next 4 to 5 years and ride roughshod over the populace or what. The better thing to do would be to ensure that there is a bigger number of opposition MPs in Parliament to keep the BN Government on it toes and ensure that all promises and the agenda for a New Malaysia are really carried out and implemented. So all us voters should do some careful thinking before we mark that simple X on our ballot papers when the time comes. There can be no meaningful Democracy without an effective Opposition to effect it.

Further recommended reading ::

Abdullah stages 'quiet' revolution :: Lawrence Bartlett
Police Royal Commission, another whitewash :: Kim Quek
Pak Lah puts his stamp on the economy :: Malaysiakin/AFP
Abdullah's First 100 Days In Office Excellent - Najib :: Bernama
A Star Special :: Pak Lah's First 100 days
Malaysia's PM '100 days' Test :: BBC

| ¶ 2/06/2004 02:55:00 PM

US : No Record M'sian Company Supplies Centrifuge Parts

It now appears that Malaysia is not invovled in the supply of WMD centrifuge parts. Bernama reported that the AWSJ quoted a senior US official as saying that the Malaysian centrifuge components, intercepted by European security agents on a German vessel bound for Libya last October, were "dual-purpose parts that can be used in any number of applications."
So it appears that SCOMI/SCOPE is in the clear.
The NST reports that the international investigations into the components-for-centrifuge have implicated a British national and a Singapore-based company which provided raw materials. According to the Star, the PM has told the polis to probe the firm involved without fear or favour. The Star reports goes further to say ::

Confirming that the company under investigation, Scomi Group Bhd, is controlled by his son Kamaluddin, Abdullah said he was happy that the probe had revealed that neither Malaysia nor any company in the country had the capability to produce a centrifuge for use in nuclear weapons production.
Asked by the foreign press if Malaysia should be afraid of being implicated in the production of nuclear weaponry, Abdullah said: “Well, if we know the truth, we should not be worried.”
Abdullah also said he had no knowledge if the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, had been in Malaysia.
“I don’t know. The police are doing all sorts of investigations. I don’t interfere in their investigations. I know nothing of their investigations. I am not a trained investigator,” he said.

This article in the Straits Times also provide some interesting reading :: Black market for nuclear weapons covers bigger area than suspected. Interestingly, again the name Malaysia appears where the blackmarket middelmen are concerned. Maybe the polis should be focussing on these Malaysian blackmarket WMD middlemen rather than the centrifuge maker or supplier.

| ¶ 2/06/2004 12:25:00 PM

Thursday, February 05, 2004

IGP : Allegation That M'sian Company Makes WMD Component Baseless

After having been named by the foreign press as having a connection to the transfer of WMD technology by Pakistan scientist to Libya, Iran & North Korea; the Malaysian IGP, Mohd Bakri, confirmed that a subsidiary of local company Scomi Group Berhad had produced centrifuge components but they were not a complete package for developing nuclear weapons. This was reported by Bernama.

In a media statement released here, Mohd Bakri stressed that "investigations carried out so far indicate that no company in Malaysia is capable of producing a complete centrifuge unit (to produce nuclear weapons) because it requires high technology and extensive expertise in the field of nuclear weapons."
Meanwhile, Scomi Group said in a separate media statement that its subsidiary, Scomi Precision Engineering Sdn Bhd (Scope), had received a contract to produce "14 semi-finished components" for a Dubai-based company, Gulf Technical Industries L.L.C (GTI).
However, the end use of these components was never disclosed to Scope by GTI, and the contract was arranged by BSA Tahir, a Sri Lankan businessman based in Dubai.

According to an AFP report, SCOPE is a unit of listed oil and gas firm Scomi Group. Kamaluddin Abdullah, the son of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is a substantial shareholder in Scomi. Scomi said in a statement that the contract, worth 13 million ringgit, was arranged by Tahir to manufacture 14 semi-finished components to Gulf Technical Industries LLC (GTI) in Dubai. Scomi said it was never told of the end-use of these components and that it had shipped them to GTI in four consigmnents from December 2002.
The Malaysian Police began investigations as soon as its Special Branch (Police) was contacted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States (US) and the British Intelligence Agency (MI6) on Nov 10, last year, on the seizure of five containers containing components for making the centrifuge from a ship, BBC China, which was inspected in Taranto, Italy on Oct 4 last year. The components were in five containers and were bound for Libya, and the components were placed in wooden boxes marked (SCOPE).
The components were made in a factory in Shah Alam. According to the IGP, the components for the centrifuge seized from the BBC China could also be used for petrochemicals, water treatment and health applications such as molecular biology for protein separation.
For other developments on this issue of WMD technology transfer, read the following ::

| ¶ 2/05/2004 02:24:00 AM

Tuesday, February 03, 2004

WMD-The Malaysian Connection?

Reuters reported :: Pakistan Scientist Admits Selling Nuclear Secrets. The father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan, has confessed to selling nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea, but Pakistani authorities have yet to decide if the national hero will go on trial. Analysts say a trial would open a "Pandora's box" for Pakistan and in particular its powerful military, which was likely to be implicated in any case. Khan's daughter may have gone abroad with material that could compromise the Pakstani military.
The NYTimes in its report on the matter (by Rohde and Sanger) made mention of a possible Malaysian connection. The relevant paragraphs are as below ::

The Pakistani official who briefed reporters said Dr. Khan had met with Libyan nuclear scientists in Casablanca, Morocco, and in Istanbul; American officials were apparently unaware of the Istanbul meeting. He also met Iranian scientists in Karachi, Pakistan, and scientists in Malaysia, the journalists reported.
According to the Pakistani account, centrifuges came from a factory in Malaysia that had been built by a Sri Lankan identified as "Tahir", who was one of several middlemen Dr. Khan used to spread the technology.
The Pakistani official said, and American officials confirmed, that Tahir was in government custody in Malaysia. Centrifuge components made in Malaysia were intercepted en route to Libya in October, American officials said.

There appears to be an international cast of 'middlemen' involving Germans, Dutch, Sri Lankan and Pakistanis and possibly Malaysians? Is this Tahir presently in Kamunting?
Malaysia's role in the Libyan WMD programme has been reported previously, see here, here and here.

| ¶ 2/03/2004 09:45:00 AM

Demise of PM's mother

Bernama and the Star report :: Datuk Kailan Hassan, the mother of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, passed away at 5.05pm at home in Kepala Batas on 2nd Feb, 2004. She was 78 years old. She left behind the PM and his two brothers and a daughter.
The prime minister's press secretary Azhar Osman said Datuk Kailan had no prior illness.
Political leaders express condolences and surprise over her sudden demise.
The PM's mother is expected to be buried at 3.30pm, Tuesday. She would be buried next to her husband, the late Datuk Ahmad Badawi Fahim, at the Masjid Jamiul Badawi.
Condolences to the Prime Minister on the demise of his mother.

| ¶ 2/03/2004 12:57:00 AM

Sunday, February 01, 2004

No more 'Crooked Bridge'?

Bernama reports that :: Malaysia To Propose New Design For Bridge Replacing Causeway. According to this report, our Foreign MINIster said Malaysia was still very much interested in building a straight bridge to link Malaysia and Singapore but instead of the present proposed "crooked" bridge design, a new design is being looked at.

The 'crooked bridge'

The Foreign MINIster said Singapore was willing to cooperate with Malaysia on the construction of a new bridge replacing the Causeway but only if it was included in a package of bilateral issues to be discussed, including Kuala Lumpur's supply of water to Singapore post 2061.

Recently at a meet the newspaper editors session, the PM had these words to say regarding relationship with Singapore ::

Saying that he had no problem working with Singaporeans, Abdullah said: "To me, being nice to people isn't a bad thing. To me it's not a question you want to be tough, you want to be soft.
"The issue of toughness and softness is not involved here. (It is rather) an issue of creating an atmosphere where you can sit down together and talk and sort it out.
"I think the mood is good. They are ready to talk, we are also ready to talk. Let's get things organised," he said.

Is the straightening of the 'crooked' bridge, a result of this new good mood between neighbours?

| ¶ 2/01/2004 11:30:00 PM

Pak Lah's 1Q

Even before the 100 days are up, the new PM decided it was time to crow a little about his days in power. So he had a 'meet local newspaper editors session' (were the M'kini and Harakah editors there, i wonder) at Putrajaya yesterday.

Bernama reports :: PM Heartened By Rakyat's Positive Response To His Administration
Star reports :: PM: It’s my agenda for the nation
NST reports :: It’s been a good three months
Utusan Mingguan :: Berjaya bawa keyakinan rakyat

Read what the Economist has to say about Pak Lah :: Not yet out of Mahathir's shadow and the M'kini take :: Pak Lah 'happy' ahead of 100-day mark as premier

What has Lone gotta say about Pak Lah's 1Q :: Banyak Cakap, mana ada bikin apa Lah. Would we be seeing more aksi in February as promised :: He has pledged to deliver on what he had promised to deliver, he said: "Those are real stuff. It constitutes my agenda of what I want to achieve." Shall we be a little more patient? Saying that his actions and moves had created a certain "feel good" vibes among the populace and his plans for the country should not be seen as a populist approach to fish for votes. Boleh percaya kah Pak Lah?

With regards to his achievements/pencapaian during his 1Q as helmsman, the new PM has this to say when answering a question from an Utusan reporter/editor ::

Pada penilaian Datuk Seri, apakah pencapaian Datuk Seri sepanjang tiga bulan pertama menerajui negara?

ABDULLAH: Jika anda bercakap tentang pencapaian, saya fikir saya telah berjaya membawa keyakinan kepada rakyat bahawa kerajaan sedang melakukan sesuatu untuk memperbaiki perkhidmatan. Dan mereka boleh harapkan perkhidmatan yang lebih baik. Kita telah wujudkan perasaan selesa (feel good). Ia wujud dalam pelbagai bentuk termasuk pelantikan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, rombakan kecil kabinet, pengumuman tentang apa yang hendak kita lakukan dan banyak lagi.

Memang harapan yang diletakkan kepada kita amat tinggi, saya tahu itu tetapi pada masa yang sama mereka telah menunjukkan kesediaan untuk menyokong dan mengalu-alukan perubahan yang diperkenalkan.

Saya berjaya mendapatkan maklum balas positif daripada majoriti rakyat tentang apa yang saya hendak lakukan serta pengumuman yang dibuat. Ini secara dasarnya apa yang saya telah capai dan saya mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk melaksanakan apa yang telah saya janjikan.

Ini semua akan saya lakukan kerana ia bukan isu, bukan sekadar orang kata pendekatan popular untuk meraih undi, ia perkara yang sebenarnya, inilah agenda yang hendak saya capai.

Do we all agree with his achievements/pencapaian so far?

| ¶ 2/01/2004 11:08:00 PM

Bullshit & A** Kissing worth more than Hard Work & Knowledge

Why do i say the above.
From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this ::

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 127% or even more?

So what makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then...H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K = 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 =98%

and....K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E = 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 =96%

But....A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E = 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 =100%

And....B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T = 2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 =103%

And....A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G = 1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 =127%

And...B-A-L-L-S-C-A-R-R-Y-I-N-G =2+1+12+12+19+3+1+18+18+25+9+14+7 =141%

So, one can then conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, Bullshit and Ass Kissing will put you over the top but then Balls Carrying will get you even further.

Adapted from :: fullofjokes

| ¶ 2/01/2004 09:49:00 PM

Swift Justice/SSloppy Homework?

The first accused in the Nurulhuda case has been charged and sentenced, swift justice indeed. He was given the maximum sentence of 20 years and 24 strokes of the rotan.
The second accused was, surprise, surprise, released unconditionally when he was brought to the magistrate's court in Johore Bharu yesterday. According to the press report in the MMail and the Star there was insufficient evidence. The Johore CPO was quoted in the MMail as saying ::

"We (the polis) had gathered evidence that we hope would be sufficient to charge Hanger (the second accused), but unfortunately the DPP felt our evidence was not strong enough."

However, Hanger was re-arrested outside the courthouse under the Emergency Public Order and Prevention of Crime ordinance 1969.
Meanwhile the third suspect, Jojo, is still at large. Some members of the public are wondering whether Hanger is a figment of polis's imagination but according to the Johore CPO, the polis strongly believes that he exists. The public should be patient and await his eventual arrest as the polis must be working overtime just to do this. While trying to get things wrapped up swiftly, the polis should also do their homework well to get sufficiently strong evidence.

| ¶ 2/01/2004 08:58:00 AM

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