The Site About Anything & Everything

While You Are Sleeping

2008-03-09T07:25:00.004+08:00

Pak Lah While You Are Sleeping.....

THE BARISAN NASIONAL LOST 5 STATES!!!!

Election Day

2008-03-08T06:09:00.000+08:00

It is Election Day Today.

VOTE WISELY

Our Suspicious Election Roll

2008-03-06T17:12:00.000+08:00

The latest revelation by 'Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections" (Mafrel) chairperson Abdul Malek Hussin as reported by Malaysiakini that there are 46 Ismail Ibrahims - all born in the year 1962 but registered as having different identity cards (IC) and living in 46 different localities - who have been registered to vote in various places throughout the country. Similarly, 14 Ismail Jusohs, all born in the year 1966 but hold different identity card numbers (IC) and registered as living in 14 different localities, have also been slated to vote.

Now this is too much, there are too many irregularities in the election roll. First we hear of many people over the age of 100 eligible to vote, than we have dozens of people all registered at the same address. Next come the revelation that soldiers have two identity cards - the army IC and mykad, thus the army is eligible to vote twice as a civilian using mykad and as army using the other IC. They are registered at two places. (Read about this here)

Now there are many Ismail Ibrahim and Ismail Jusoh born in 1962. I wonder what other names are popular in other years.

No wonder the use of indelible ink has bee shelved. This is maybe to make sure that some people are allowed to vote two or three times. Wow this is Malaysia really boleh.

Malaysiakini Free For A Week

2008-03-04T19:12:00.003+08:00

Great news Malaysiakini is free for a week. Readers will be able to access all Malaysiakini reports and articles without having to log in until March 10.

This is good as then more people will have access to the alternative news and not be dependent only on the Government controlled media.

Go to Malaysiakini here.

Penjelasan Isu Orang Utan

2008-03-04T19:00:00.003+08:00

Read this about the orang utan isu that has been exploited by the government and its controlled media. This video clarifies alot of things.

Six Days To Election

2008-03-03T06:43:00.000+08:00

Yes folks it is the last week for campaining before the elections. Every candidate will be busy trying t garner the votes. There are a few seats that I am eager to watch to see who wins. Especially those with 'famous' opposition candidates making their first attempt in elections like Nurul Izzah Anwar and Jeff Ooi. Me, I will be voting for the boring Segambut seat where the two candidates are GERAKAN Ma Woei Chyi and DAP Lim Lip Eng. The incumbent was Gerakan Dr Tan Kee Kwong who had previously won with a majority of 16,968. I really have no idea who Ma Woei Chyi and Lim Lip Eng are, let alone theirr track record. This is the first time I have heard their names. For the previous MP Dr Tan Kee Wong I often saw him as he often attend the functions at open houses and school functions. He is of course the son of the illustrious Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon also known as ‘Mr Opposition’. However for some reason he was dropped from the seat. I wonder why.

It is sad that PKR is fielding Nurul Izzah at Lembah Pantai, as it will be an uphill task for her going against three-term Lembah Pantai member of parliament Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Read the story in Malaysiakini here.

However, let's hope that there will be a lot of upsets of the big guns.

Interesting Election Videos

2008-02-28T19:50:00.002+08:00

Here are three interesting Malaysiakini videos.

Promises, Promises, Promises

2008-02-26T07:41:00.000+08:00

What is it with the Barisan Nasional and particularly Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, making promises that we have heard before and showing statistics that is utterly confusing. No point showing us those statistics as we know what you have done for the past five years. What is glaringly obvious is that prices have gone up, crime rate has gone up, corruption is also on the up.

Pak Lah has no idea how to manage the economy, prices are spiraling up and this is confirmed by the Central Bank. Read the report on what Bank Negara says about inflation in Malaysiakini here.

As for the promises, BN did not do it when they had five years of power they are unlikely to do it in the next five. It is pehaps apt that we follow DAP's tagline "Just Change It"

PAS In Front At Kelantan

2008-02-24T17:30:00.001+08:00

PAS had just won its first state seat in Kelantan. PAS' woman candidate Wan Ubaidah Omar secured the Kijang state seat in Kelantan when the BN candidate Mustopha Ahmed was disqualified for having been declared a bankrupt.

Read the latest at Malaysiakini here.

How stupid of Barisan Nasional to try to field a bankrupt. Mustopha Ahmed obviously did not declare that he is a bankrupt when picked by BN. But why did Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin who is slotted to be the Mentri Besar if BN wins not check the background of Mustopha first? He was after all the ex-deputy Governor of Bank Negara. This is indeed a slap on him and BN Kelantan. Good for PAS though.

ISA Detainee To Contest State Seat

2008-02-23T20:14:00.002+08:00

An Internal Security Act detainee, M Manoharan will be contesting in the Kota Alam Shah state Assembly seat. Manoharan is a lawyer and Hindraf leader.

You can read the full story at Malaysiakini here.

It will be interesting to see how this one develops. What happens if he wins? Will he be freed? or will he just be released to attend the state assembly and be put back to detention each night.

I sure hope he wins. If the voters voted for him than it is a clear sign that the people are against the ISA.

A Child Recites The Quran

2008-02-23T13:51:00.002+08:00

Video Promoting PAS

2008-02-23T13:35:00.000+08:00

PAS Buktikan Agenda Kebajikan dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat

Hooray Fong Is Back

2008-02-22T22:59:00.003+08:00

I am glad that DAP MP for Perak's Batu Gajah Fong Po Kuan has changed her mind and will be contesting the seat after all. We should not lose good people like her.

You can read the full report at Malaysiakini here or at her blog here.

Latest Demand From Islamic NGOs

2008-02-21T19:46:00.003+08:00

This is the latest demands by Islamic NGOs taken from Malaysiakini.

Ini merupakan tuntutan Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia sempena Pilihanraya Ke12 kepada Calon-Calon Pilihanraya (Parlimen & Dun) Pertubuhan Parti-Parti Politik Malaysia Kerajaan Yang Bakal Dibentuk (Pusat & Negeri)Pemimpin Masyarakat & Rakyat Malaysia.

You can read the full document at myislamnetwork.net here

I agree with most of the demands.

Anwar Should Answer This

2008-02-20T21:58:00.001+08:00

I AM NOT AN ADMIRER OF Khairy Jamaluddin, but in the speech that he made at Kampung Kerinchi, he was quoted in Malaysiakini as saying ""He (Anwar) acts like he cares about the rakyat. What has he ever done for the rakyat when he was in Umno and as finance minister?".

You can read the full story here

I think a lot of people will agree to this and Anwar should give an answer to this question.

Khairy also said that something which I find quite amusing. "DAP main PAS dari kanan, PAS main DAP dari kiri, PKR main dua-dua dari belakang!"

Phantom Votes Again

2008-02-20T14:36:00.003+08:00

It is surprising that the issue of phantom votes always surfaces during election time and it seems that the Election Commission cannot and will not do anything about it.

The latest case is in Penang where 500 voters are registered at a derelict building.

Read at Malaysiakini here.

How could this continue to happen, and the Election Commission always gets away with it on an earlier feeble explanation that these cases of voters providing the same addresses are because when they don't have a home address and a common address was used for convenience.

This is ridiculous to say the least.

Never Neglect Your Prayers

2008-02-18T18:55:00.005+08:00

This man is praying even when he is underwater. What excuse do we have for missing our prayers?

More Goodies For Indians And Chinese

2008-02-18T18:40:00.000+08:00

Why is it the Government is only now approving the goodies worth more than RM100 million that have been promised for the Chinese and Indian Communities.

You can read the link at Malaysiakini here.

This clearly shows that the Government is doing it just so that they can garner more votes from the electorate. Why is it that promises are made only when election is near.

It is up to the voters now to decide whether or not the Barisan Nasional is sincere or merely an election gimmick. It is indeed good when there are elections or by-elections as that is when all the goodies will be distributed. Voters should take full advantage of it.

Don't Go Yet Fong

2008-02-17T19:16:00.003+08:00

What a shock it is to read in Malaysiakini that the DAP member of Parliamnent for Batu Gajah had announced that she would not be contesting in the coming general election. Read the story here.

Fong is one of those hardworking MPs that often bring up issues in the parliament. She quitting would be a lost to the nation and DAP. Fong has cited development of internal party events in the DAP Perak over the last few years as well as currently” made it “impossible for me to continue serving effectively, efficiently and wholeheartedly”.

“Under such circumstances and in the best interest of all concerned, I have arrived at this unavoidable and difficult decision,” she said.

It is sad that it happened now, when the Barisan Nasional government seems to be weak under Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and it is the best chance for the DAP to gain more seats in the coming election.

DAP should get its act together, enough of internal squabbles. If it cannot even be united in the party how would it be under Barisan Alternative.

I hope that this issue can be resolved soon, and that Fong will be persuaded to stay, as she has a lot more to do as MP.

Pictures Of Our PM

2008-02-16T22:38:00.007+08:00

These are old pictures of Pak Lah. It is just a reminder to all of us of the Prime Minister that we now have.

No Rose For Pak Lah

2008-02-16T17:18:00.001+08:00

It seems that you cannot even give a rose to Pak Lah, without being teargassed, water cannoned and nabbed.

See videos from Malaysiakini below.

PM To Decide On Her Future

2008-02-16T11:02:00.001+08:00

Why is is politicians like to say, "I am leaving it to the Priome Minister to decide my future." The latest one to say that is Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz. She was quoted in the New Straits Times as saying that she wants to continue serving as an elected representative. However, she is leaving her future to Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Rafidah has been an MP since 1978, that's 30 years. Yes 30 long years. Rafidah and others like her should step aside and give the seat to other younger candidates who can inject new ideas into the lethargic government. No need to use the oft repeated statement, I have still a lot more to contribute. Maybe it is true but give the chance to someone younger a chance who can definitely contribute lots more. And stop also saying I leave it to the PM to decide, Just leave.

Tian Chua Arrested Again

2008-02-16T06:27:00.001+08:00

This is a video clip from Malaysiakini on the Bersih presih that was disrupted and where Tian Chua Was Arrested Yet Again.

Will Samy Vellu be Dropped

2008-02-15T07:38:00.002+08:00

This has been the talk of town for many weeks now, and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi coy answers when asked about Samy Veel has also added fuel to the speculations. Read report in Malaysiakini here.

But truth be told. I do not think that Samy Vellu will be dropped. Tradition in the Barisan Nasional is always that leaders of the MIC and MCA will always contest the polls. Furthermore if during the reign of Tun Dr Mahathir he is not able to drop Samy Vellu, it is not possible that our weak Prime Minister will be able to do so.

Samy Vellu confidently said "I don’t think there will be a swing of votes from the Indian community. Indian voters are those at home and not on the streets so I don’t believe that there would be a vote swing coming from the Indian community in this country."

It is up to the voters now to prove him wrong.

Lagu Mengundi Klasik

2008-02-14T22:13:00.001+08:00

This I think is the song for the first general election.

Election Flags In Terengganu

2008-02-14T21:34:00.003+08:00

We will definitely see more of this throughout the country soon.
This video from Malaysiakini.

Where Will Pak Lah Get Honest Candidates?

2008-02-14T15:09:00.000+08:00

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said today that Barisan Nasional would ensure only able candidates who can serve the people with honesty, integrity and efficiency are fielded in the coming general election.

Read the Malaysiakini story here.

My question is where is he going to get all these people. He should also rule himself out as he is not honest as he lied on Tuesday that Parliament will not be dissolved on 13 February.

Well, I think like everything else that Pak Lah has said, this is merely a statement that is not to be believed, as chances are he will bring back the corrupt jokers and all. Just wait and see on Feb 24 nomination day.

DAP, Don't Be Bogged Down By Petty Issues

2008-02-14T09:17:00.000+08:00

I do not know why Lim Kit Siang is making an issue on whether or not Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had actually obtained the consent of the King to dissolve the Parliament. He even dared the Prime Minister to show the consent letter.

Read the article at Malaysiakini here.

His son Lim Guan Eng has also expressed his unhappiness with RTM. Just accept that Parliament has been dissolved and that the media will not be doing you any favours.

Come DAP, forget about this petty issues. There are plenty of things that you can and should highlight like the rising corruption, rising prices, increase crime rate, the weakness of the PM, the deterioration of our education system and so on. These are things that everyone would agree with you. So please focus on these issues instead of the petty stuff.

What Is The PM Thinking?

2008-02-13T14:25:00.001+08:00

I wonder what the Prime Minister is thinking. Yesterday, he said that Parliament will not be dissolved today. Then today he made the announcement that Parliament has been dissolved, paving the way for the 12th general election. Even making the decision for the all important election he seems to be dithering and indecisive.

Read full report in Malaysiakini here.

Anyway, I am glad that all these speculations have come to an end and the actual date of the election will be announced tomorrow.

I love elections, listening to all the campaigning, propaganda from the government media, and every available space is filled with posters and banners. This year I will also be monitoring the blogs to get the 'alternative views'.

The next few weeks will be interesting times. Just can't wait for the election carnival to begin.

Can't Get Any Worst Than This.

2008-02-13T09:38:00.000+08:00

The three revelations that was made by Lingam's former secretary, G.Jayanthi is very bad and I don't see how the judicial system can recover from this.

The three revelations are:

1. That Lingam wrote the judgment for the RM10 million defamation suit for former High Court Judge Datuk Mokhtar Sidin.
2. All flight tickets for the New Zealand holiday Lingam, former chief justice Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin and their families took in 1994 were arranged by Jayanthi.
3. ACA officers gave Jayanthi RM3,000.

You can read the full story at Malaysiakini here.

I do not think that it can get any worst than this for Malaysia. If what Jayanthi said is true, than it is absolutely true than what people have been thinking all along that the judical system in Malaysia is corrupt is certainly true. Not only that but the Anti Corruption Agency that has been entrusted to eliminate corruption is themselves corrupted. What is happening?

Dropping Veterans, Very Unlikely

2008-02-12T08:17:00.000+08:00

Samu Vellu has been urged to drop veterans from contesting in the next general election as reported in Malaysiakini here. What has been suggested should be followed by all parties including UMNO. It is time we had more young blood in the parliament.

The sad thing is with the exception of Negri Sembilan MIC deputy chairperson Dr L Krishnan, not many will follow in his footsteps. All would rather cling on to power even though they have long past their sell by date. Some use the excuse that there are a lot of things left that they have to do. Come on, if there were things to be done they should have done that when they were in office. If they are not able to do it during their nearly 10 years in office (two terms) they are unlikely to do it in the next five or ten years.

Some would say that they are willing to step down if the party president ask them to do so. What the heck? Just step down. Period.

But I think that veteran MPs willingly stepping down will not happen happen as most of them will be following the leader of UMNO and MIC, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, who even though are veterans themselves will be unlikely to willingly step down. Not for this coming general election anyway.

Furious With CIMB

2008-02-11T18:43:00.000+08:00

I am really furious and fed-up with CIMB Bank. This morning my wife received a letter from CIMB dated 5 February 2008 which I reproduce as below:

"According to our records, your account is in arrears as detailed below:

Installment due as at 02/02/2008 RM 604.48
Overdue Interest RM 00.00
Miscellaneous Charge RM 56.91
Total Amount Due RM 661.39

Kindly settle the above amount immediately to avoid any additional charges and further action."

Please note that my wife was never late in paying her car loan. But this month since Feb 1 falls on Hari Wilayah and a holiday, she was unable to pay on that day. Saturday (2/05) and Sunday (3/05) the bank is closed. So she was only able to pay on Monday , 4 February.

The bank sending her this letter is totally unjustified. Pray tell, CIMB how could she pay any sooner seeing that the bank is closed from 1 to 3 February. Why send her the letter? And to add insult to injury, there was a RM56.91 miscellaneous charge. The miscellaneous charge was not explained. What is it for? For sending the letter that was not supposed to be sent in the first place?

I give up with CIMB, after this car loan is paid off, we are not going to take any other loan from CIMB. I am also advising my friends and relatives to stop banking with CIMB. And if they are thinking of taking a loan with CIMB, they should forget it!

On another note, I also have a housing loan with Affin Bank, and I have no such problem with them.

A Dare To Suhakam Chief

2008-02-11T08:03:00.000+08:00

The five year old daughter Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy invites Suhakam chairman Abu Talib Othman to accompany her and other children on February 16 to give Valentine's day roses to the PM.
Let us see how this develops.

Read the Malaysiakini report here

The video clip is below.

Talk By South African Mufti

2008-02-08T06:53:00.000+08:00

There will be a Special Lecture by Syaikh Seraj Hendricks, the Head of Mufti, Cape Town, South Africa: on the topic Building A Muslim Family in the Modern World: Lessons from Islamic Spirituality on Friday, February 8, 2008 (Malam Sabtu) at 7.30 pm. at the Masjid Al-Bukhary, Jalan Hang Tuah. Kuala Lumpur.All are invited.

Synopsis of the Talk
Muslim families are living in a time where values tend to be turning upside down, and family life as the very heart of society is being attacked just as much as many other traditions. Almost everything around us today tends to minimize positive family values and principles.

Our families are a part of an increasingly immoral society; they have been attacked and polluted as well – whether we like it or not. Even though our values and principles may have helped us to resist these changes, like others in our society, we are still vulnerable to the negative influences around us.

Those weak in their Islamic practice and those lacking wisdom and judgment are
particularly likely to succumb to the today's mental poisoning. This lecture will examine the role of Islamic spirituality in overcoming the challenges, and how it can help in building a strong and resilient Muslim family in the modern world.

Please pass this information on to your friends. Thanks.

Spotted "Looks Like Me, Sounds Like Me"

2008-02-07T05:55:00.000+08:00

I was having lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel yesterday when I spotted lawyer VK Lingam. At least I think it is VK Lingam as "it looks like him and sounds like him.":)

Anyway I got this from youtube, a funny VK lingam hip-hop remix.

Jail Criminals Not Doctors

2008-02-05T08:01:00.000+08:00

It is indeed a sad day when a doctor has been jailed for three months for not registering his clinic under the new Private Health Act.Dr.Basmullah Yusuf became the first victim of the Act that was enacted under the previous Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The website Malaysian Medical Resources is running a campaign against jailing doctors called the "Don’t Jail Doctors Blog Campaign". It Says: "The Government has begun to arrest and jail doctors on a technicality - not registering their clinic with the PHFSA. This act treats doctors like common criminals. These are community doctors who have not committed a serious crime but instead face an incredibly harsh sentence for their technical lapse.

Dr Basmullah Yusof, a family practitioner, is the first victim of this legislation. He was sentenced despite not having legal counsel representing him, despite pleading for leniency (he had wanted to sell the clinic anyway and is in financial trouble) and as he could not pay the hefty RM 120,000 fine, he is now in Kajang prison."

Demonstrations Does Work

2008-02-05T07:46:00.000+08:00

Suddenly the Indians are getting all the attention in the run-up to the polls. The New Straits Times front paged Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak giving all sorts of assurances and doing more for the Indians. Among the benefits that have been promised are:

Greater employment and promotional opportunities in the civil service;
Better educational opportunities in public universities, especially in critical courses;
More scholarships;
Greater access to entrepreneurship training and micro-credit loans;
Equitable participation in the share market;
An effective urban poverty- eradication programme; and,
A dedicated mechanism to monitor public-delivery services.

The question is why now? But as they say better late than never. This has also definitely got to the do with the demands and demonstrations that were done by Hindraf. Just goes to show that demonstrations does work and sometimes it is the only avenue that one has for the government to take notice and do something.

You can read the story at NST here and Malaysiakini here.

15 March Elections?

2008-02-01T06:24:00.000+08:00

Speculations are rife that the elections will be held that on 15 March 2008, with parliament being dissolved on 1st March 2008. Everybody will be bracing themselves for the announcement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

I for one am looking forward to the elections, as it is good to see the MPs going back to their kawasan, and lying through their teeth and start preaching that they have done a lot for the people they represented. Then there are all sorts of propaganda in the Media, how the opposition statements will be twisted and quoted out of context, so that they will be made to sound like a fool with no avenue to answer back except for the PAS newspaper Harakah. Hopefully more people would also turn to the internet to get a more balanced coverage of the news.

Then there is of course the poster war, where every empty space, be it walls, trees or lamp posts will be plastered with posters. The question is are people really influenced by the number of posters out there. I for one never based my decision to vote by who has more posters. I wonder if there are anybody who will say, I see there are more posters of this candidate so I must vote for him. I don’t think so.

There is also one interesting development, Tun Dr Mahathir had said that there is a gentlemen agreement between him and Pak Lah that Pak Lah will only serve for one term as Prime Minister. Pak Lah says that there is no such agreement. Nobody knows who is telling the truth. But it looks like Mahathir had made another mistake. Firstly for appointing Pak Lah as PM, and secondly for thinking Pak Lah is a gentlemen.

Even Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who would benefit the most if there was such an agreement says that he is not aware of any such agreement and that he will remain loyal to Pak Lah. Well, what else can he say?

You can read the story in Malaysiakini here.

Has Pak Lah Ignored The Indian Voice?

2008-01-31T06:42:00.000+08:00

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?

2008-01-30T20:28:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-30T07:41:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-29T19:38:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-29T19:36:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-28T18:58:00.000+08:00

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?

2008-01-27T14:10:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-27T08:00:00.000+08:00

Protest Against Price Hike

More Footage

From Malaysiakini (Malaysiakini reporter arrested)

A Friend Arrested At KLCC

2008-01-27T00:23:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-26T18:29:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-26T10:22:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-25T11:17:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-24T22:19:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-23T18:30:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-22T10:35:00.000+08:00

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

Faizal Without A Shirt

2008-01-21T22:00:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-20T22:37:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-19T23:18:00.000+08:00

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....