Has Pak Lah Ignored The Indian Voice?

See the video from Malaysiakini.



The Indians in Malaysia though they are a minority would still be very important when it comes to votes. Ignore them at your own peril.

Muhibbah…. What Muhibbah?

I have been tagged by cakapaje to write on Muhibbah. I have not really given much thought on Muhibbah, as actually I am a product of a mixed marriage, so in a sense I have Muhibbah in me :)

But I do recall my school days, where there is absolutely no thought of what race we were, we all mixed around without any care in the world. I remembered my best friend then was a Chinese, he was my friend because of the fact that he sat next to me in class.

We all played sports, football, badminton and others together. We went to each other houses and they came to mine.

During Hari Raya friends will come to the house, I always look forward to going to my Chinese friends house, for no other reason than to collect ang pows and to my Indian friends for the Indian sweets. Back then we had no problem with eating and drinking at friends house (nothing haram of course).

Fast forward to the present day, Malays seems to have developed a very conservative and insular approach to Islam, where everything to do with non-muslims are not allowed. I know Malays friends who forbid their children to be friends with non-muslims. If they were to go to non-muslim houses they will not eat or drink because to them the utensils used are not clean.

Our national schools too have become Malays schools where more than 95% are Malays, with Chinese and Indians going to Chinese and Tamil schools. If as children we do not integrate, how do we expect them to mix comfortably as adults. Our politicians too are very much to blame, both the Barisan Nasional component parties and also the opposition parties always uses the race card at every opportunity. To them (maybe it is true) that is the way to attract votes.

We continue to be identified with our race, For some reason Malaysians seems to be very preoccupied with race. Every time I am introduced to a new person, the first question they will ask me is where are you from, or what race am I. Some would also ask how long I have been a Muslim.

Every form that I have filled would ask for the race. Even recently I wanted to subscribe to a business magazine, there was a column for race, which I think is a totally irrelevant question, but then this is Malaysia.

We cannot have the Muhibbah spirit, if we continue to be suspicious of the other races. I will have to conclude that we are more prejudice now than we are years ago. Just look at the universities, they are definitely not mixing around.

However, having said all this I really don’t know what the solution is. Perhaps it is best that we turn to the Quran as the Quran does provide the answer.

In Surah Al-Hujurat, Surah 49, verse 13, it says:

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).


Well there you have it, ALLAH MADE US INTO DIFFERENT NATIONS AND TRIBES (RACES) SO THAT WE MAY KNOW EACH OTHER. There is nothing more clearer than that, so fellow Muslims please take heed.

Mahathir Mudah Lupa

The former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a few statements in an interview ahead of the launch of his book on Wednesday.

There were many interesting points that he made to criticize of Abdullah Badawi. Some of the them are as follows:

He feared vote-buying would be deployed to stem its losses in upcoming general elections.

Must get rid of deadwoods in coalition "But there are certain people whose contribution is negative. These people should not be chosen as candidates," he said.

He disagrees with the detention of the Hindraf 5. “There are occasions when there is a need for protest, when (the people) see that the government is repeatedly doing the wrong thing or they see the government is being weak, then they resort to protest,” Mahathir said.

How easy it is for the ex-premier Mahathir to say these things now, hen he is no longer in power. Don't Mahathir realise or has he forgotten that vote-buying and money politics did not start with Abdullah Badawi, it also existed during his time. Deadwoods? Mahathir also put a lot of deadwoods up for election and some were in his cabinet. And detention witout trial... Mahathir did his fair share of detaining people without trial.

Mahathir Memang Mudah Lupa

You can also read the report at Malaysiakini here, and in reuters here.

Bomohs Proven Wrong On Sharlinie

So the bomohs have been proven wrong. It has been a week, and Sharlinie is still not found. The group of bomohs have a week ago predicted that the missing girl will be returned safe and sound. Sadly, this did not happen. While all of us would had fervently hope that she will be found safe, we should not be diverted into believing bomohs. A lot of bomohs with their wacky acts and mumbo jumbos have managed to convince a lot of people especially Malays that they are genuine.

Perhaps the newspapers could do a follow up story and interview these bomohs and ask them, how come their predictions were wrong. It is about time that we expose them as the fraudster that they really.

Please note however that I am not condemning all bomohs, only those whose practices are against Islam.

On Sharlinie, we should continue with our prayers for her safe return ,and be very vigilant and on the look out for any clues that will lead to her recovery.

DAP Uses Youtube To Reach Voters

Kudos to the Democratic Action Party (DAP) for using the internet and specifically youtube to upload election promotion videos. This is one way to counter the heavily pro-government media. Hope that other opposition parties too will follow this example.
However, the first promotional video that they have placed on "Klip Promo Pilihanraya Kebangsaan Ke-12 DAP [2008] - Jenayah" criticizes the Barisan National for the crime rate. While everyone will not dispute that. I would like to hear what will DAP do to reduce crime. It is no doubt easy to criticize, but what are the solutions. This DAP will have to address.

Anyway it is a good start and I am looking forward to more.

You can view the promotional video below.

Anwar Releases Lingam's Latest Video

I do not know why Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is releasing the video tapes in stages. He should just release all that he has, so that the whole charade can be exposed and that a thorough investigation can be done.

However, this latest tape does not really expose anything new.

You can also read the story at Malaysiakini here.

Malaysians Reading Outdated Books?

Reading the latest top 10 books for fiction and non fiction as published in today’s Star newspaper made me realize that Malaysians are actually reading outdated books.

How else do you account for “Who Moved The Cheese” by Spenser Johnson, and “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” by John Gray, making it in the top 10 bestsellers list.

Come on, those books came out ages ago, and a lot of Malaysians are still buying it? I do not know how many copies are actually sold to make it in the top 10, but I presume a lot.

The Malaysian reading public seems to be trapped in a time warp. There are many new and interesting books that Malaysians should be buying, and it still puzzles me that Malaysians are still buying and reading old books. Has anyone got any answers?

Video Of Protest Against Price Hike

Protest Against Price Hike



More Footage


From Malaysiakini (Malaysiakini reporter arrested)

A Friend Arrested At KLCC

I am in shocked that one of those arrested at the KLCC demonstration is a friend who I knew from London Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad. We were in London together, I was doing my first degree and he was completing his Phd. He is one of the nicest and harmless person I know.

It saddens me when I saw the picture in Malaysiakini and Harakah daily of Dzulkifli with Mat Sabu being 'escorted' by the police. To arrest someone like Dzulkifli is uncalled for.

He is such a nice guy that I remember his house is always open to anyone. We used to call his house at London Bridge, the London Hotel. I hope that he will be freed immediately, and no charges should be brought against him.

You can read the Malaysiakini story here and the Harakahdaily story here.

Police and Demonstrations

Where are the police when we need them? This is a statement that is often repeated by people. The police have always used the excuse that there are not enough resources.But somehow they will have will have more than enough resources when there are demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur. Like the report in Malaysiakini where about 100 uniformed police personnel are presently patrolling around the KLCC area in anticipation of a banned rally organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes).

Read the Malaysiakini report here.

If the police show the same determination and enthusiasm towards demonstrators as they are towards fighting crime than definitely the crime rate will be lowered. Though it is to be admitted that we need more people in the police force, the police must however get their priorities right with the limited resources that they have.

Catching the real criminals like the rapist, snatch thieves, robbers, kidnappers should be their priority and not preventing and arresting those who would want to have their voices heard through demonstrations.

With Or Without Demonstration, Govt Should Take Heed

I do not know if the demonstration scheduled today (Saturday, 26 January) will take place as planned. The demonstration organised by Coalition Against Inflation (PROTES) is to protest against the government's failure to control inflation. Police have issued several warnings for people to stay away from the demonstration.

The report in Malaysiakini says that the organiser vowed to carry on despite a stern warning from the police that the gathering would be illegal.

Read the Malaysiakini report here.

Whether the demonstration goes ahead or not, the government should realise that most Malaysians are feeling the pinch of the rising prices of goods. Inflation is rising and the government does not seem to have a clue on how to remedy this.

We need more measures than merely stock piling goods. The economy should be better managed. With the elections coming, it is more urgent for the government to control inflation.

The fact that a demonstration is being planned shows that there is discontent among the rakyat with the present government handling of the economy. It is sort of a warning that the government should heed, if it does not they will see the consequences at the ballot box.

Lingam's Defense

It looks like Datuk V.K. Lingam has come up with a pretty good defense in that it was up to him to ‘pretend’ to talk to whomever he wanted to. He was only 'bullshitting and bragging' in his own house.

Heck, I think Lingam might just get away with it, unless some new evidence comes up to prove that he was talking to somebody important at the other end of the phone. Thus it is to be expected that we are back to square one. The Royal Commission is merely a farce that will end up with Lingam being cleared of everything. That is Malaysia Boleh for you.

Read about it at Malaysiakini here

And at the Star here

Anwar Ibrahim And By-Election

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wanting to contest in a by-election if he is not allowed to contest in the general election is fine. If a by-election happens to be because of a death of a member of parliament, I have no qualms with that.

Read the full story in the New Straits Times here.

In the report it says "Opposition politician Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would contest a by-election if he was not allowed to be a candidate in the upcoming general election. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser said he would ask one of the party's elected representatives to vacate his or her seat to enable a by-election to be held after April. "I have enough friends who are willing to surrender his or her seat to allow me to contest a by-election," he said.

I find it odd that Anwar is insisting that an elected member vacate his or her seat to let him contest the by election. With all due respect to Anwar, I find this ridiculous to say the least. He is making a mockery of the people who has voted for the PKR person as MP.

Why should we be vote for an MP who is just keeping the seat warm for Anwar?

Bomoh Says Sharlinie Still Alive

A group of 50 bomohs was unanimous in saying that the five year old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar who has been missing for two weeks is alive and would be found within a week.

You can read the full story in the star here.

What nonsense, pity the parents they have enough sufferings already without being given predictions by bomohs. I am prepared to take back my words if indeed Sharlinie is found within a week. But I would like to see the bomohs being prosecuted if she is not found within a week for lying, giving false hopes, interference with police investigations, practising without a license or whatever.

In the Star report it says :

The followers of the bomohs circled the playground while Sharlinie’s family knelt on a red cloth and prayed for her safe return. Sharlinie’s sister, Sharliena was asked to call out to her sister while her parents held a pigeon in a cage which was later released. A coconut was also cracked.

Well I don't know what is the ulama’s fatwa on this but I do believe that this is bordering of syirik.

The best thing the family and friends in fact the whole of Malaysia is to have sembahyang hajat to pray for her safe return. And please forget about the bomohs.

Working With Idiots Can Kill You

I have always believed this to be true. (Click on image to read full story)

Faizal Without A Shirt

I wonder why there is all this fuss about the rock singer Faizal Tahir bearing his chest at a live performance that was shown over 8TV. I mean what is the big deal? Are Malaysians so naive that they have never seen a man without a shirt on.

Some people have called for a more severe punishment for Faizal. Come on... let's get real. In the Malaysian drama shown on TV there are plenty of bare chested man. In sports, weight lifters and swimmers wears less clothing than Faizal. Somehow we are alright with that. Why the hypocrisy?

If it is so distasteful and offensive why does all the Malay papers published the photo in their newspapers. Is it wrong to show it on TV but alright in the print media?

Give this issue a rest please.

On another note, Faizal seems to be a fan of Superman, His chest was painted with a superman logo, and look at these two photographs of him with superman t-shirts.

Thaipusam Is A Holiday

Good News.... This Wednesday, 23 January 2007 is Thaipusam, and the Prime Minister has declared it is a public holiday. This is the first time that Thaipusam has been made a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur.

This is certainly good news for those working in Kuala Lumpur, as we used to envy those working in Selangor when they have a day off for Thaipusam. Not that I celebrate Thaipusam or anything, but a holiday is a holiday right.

Now those living in Kuala Lumpur have an extra holiday, as come 1st February it is another holiday Hari Wilayah Persekutuan, or City Day. That is better still as it falls on a Friday, so we will have an extended weekend.

The first two months of the year have a total of six days which are holidays.
1 January - New Year
10 January - Maal Hijrah (Islamic New Year)
23 January - Thaipusam
1 February - Hari Wilayah
7 & 8 February - Chinese New Year

My First Post

Well, I have finally started a blog. A thing that I have always wanted to do but somehow never gone round to it. Until today that is. So congratulations are in order as I have finally defeated my procrastination habit. I just hope that I can update my blog often, as this I am told (or read somewhere) is the key to getting a lot of readers and getting good page rank etc. etc.

Since this is my first posting for this blog, it should be an introduction of some sort. What is this blog going to be about? Truth be told, I am not exactly sure but like it says in the heading it will be about anything and and everything. So we will see how it goes.

So continue reading and check back often. You are in for an interesting ride....