I just got the newspapers from the newspager vendor and Seven-Eleven this morning. The headlines that stared at me in the whole of front page the Sun was "Sultan Azlan speaks out". This place is normally reserved for a full page advertisement which theSun sacrificed to put this very significant speech and thus lost advertising revenue. The Sun is a free paper which depend only on advertising revenue to survive, and perhaps to thrive.
In the front page of New Straits Times was "Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary Reform" sharing half of the front page with a report of our Prime Minister opening what I think is the Eastern Corridor.
In In the Star? I think it was something about the Eastern Corridor" or something taking up the whole front page. No sign of that very significant speech by a highly respected former Lord President, former Agong, and current Sultan of Perak.
Why only "I think"? From habits of old, I have been buying the Star, and also some of my children wants to read the printed newspapers. I have resisted the temptation to boycott the Star for a long time and have resisted it because of my children, but this morning was the tipping point. Here is the most important issue of our country today and the Star chose not to put it on its front page. Is it inside? I don't know. I didn't buy the Star as usual. I bought New Straits Times instead. I hope someone who reads the Star tells me if it is there inside relegated to a tiny obscure column or not there at all.
I would like to know so that I can update this post, but I don't want to do that by buying the Star. I want to try to make this my small contribution to making my unhappiness with the Star known to the editors and/or the owners. In fact, I am going to copy-paste this and send it to the editors of the Star and probably MCA as well if I can find the proper email address to send it to.
The Star started out like the Sun these days. It has changed tremendously since. The New Straits Times lost its readers leadership by doing about the same thing as the Star today, and I look forward to seeing the advertising revenue of the Star and its readership falls. Here is my small contribution goes towards that end.
Now on to my other tasks as I am not really a political blogger.
Update 1.01pm 30 October 2007: Someone did respond saying now the speech by Sultan Azlan is neither in
http://thestar.com.my (the Star online)
http://www.nst.com.my (New Straits Times online)
See comments.
Looks like a cat and mouse game and someone using some strategy to boost the readership of the New Straits Times. Now got to decide what I should do
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Citizens of Malaysia support Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to extend term of Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz
Here is a short report of the gathering in front of the National Mosque of Malaysia to show support to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia not to renew the term of service of the current Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz when he retire.
Here is the photo of Malaysia's National Mosque:
The gathering was a little bit further inside, after the staircase. Here is Lau Tek Hai of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party), Information Head, giving a speech using a loud hailer with others holding the banner imploring our Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act in the interest of the Rakyat (citizens) and not extend the term of the retiring Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz:
Here is the photo of Malaysia's National Mosque:
The gathering was a little bit further inside, after the staircase. Here is Lau Tek Hai of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party), Information Head, giving a speech using a loud hailer with others holding the banner imploring our Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act in the interest of the Rakyat (citizens) and not extend the term of the retiring Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz:
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Assembly at 1.45pm Friday, 26th October 2007 in front of National Mosque
There will be an assembly to press for a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the VK Lingam tape:
Place: In front of the National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur (beside KTM headquater and opposite the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
Date: Friday 26th October 2007
Time: 1.45pm (after Friday prayer)
Hope to see you there.
Place: In front of the National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur (beside KTM headquater and opposite the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
Date: Friday 26th October 2007
Time: 1.45pm (after Friday prayer)
Hope to see you there.
ACA attempt to intimidate PKR failed
I had published a last minute announcement about a gathering Support PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party) which mentioned that Officers of the ACA (Anti-corruption Agency) is expected to be present in the DSAI (don't know what this stand for) in regard to the directive of ACA to surrender the original copy of the (VK Lingam) video in FULL or face jail. Malaysians are requested to assemble at DSAI (Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim) HQ? at 10.30am
I was there this morning and if you have no time to look at the photos, etc., just scroll down to the bottom to the post and read the good news. Round 2 (actually don't know how many rounds are there) to PKR. We don't know how many rounds there will be and who the victors will be. But let it be on the side of Justice.
OK, here are the photos:
Here are some Malaysians holding up posters demanding that instead of harassing PKR, the ACA (Anti-corruption Agency) should focus on the main issues and investigate VK Lingam and Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz instead. I suppose these posters are prepared in anticipation of the arrival of the ACA officers.
What good news? Anwar Ibrahim told the press that at 11:05am, the Anti Corruption Agency officer contacted him to cancel today’s appointment with him until further notice. He said that VK Lingam confirmed Ahmed Fairuz is the man he was speaking to and the “Anwar case” was mentioned.
He told the press that on Monday 22nd October 2007, he was served a notice under section 22(1)(b) of the Anti Corruption Act 1997 demanding that he deliver to the ACA the original full 14 minute version of the video recording of the VK Lingam – Fairuz conversation. This is in spite of him telling them that he did not have the tape in his possession.
He claimed that it is clear the issuance of the notice was politically motivated to create a basis for a potential prosecution for an offence under the Act and to intimidate him, Sivarasa, Vice-President of KeADILan and Sim, his special assistant from pressing the authorities to conduct the investigation properly.
He claimed that a reading of Part IV of the Act would clearly shows that it was intended to provide such powers as given in section 22 to investigating officers to allow them to obtain evidence from persons suspected of being INVOLVED in corruption so that suspects could not hide the evidence and prevent prosecution.
The powers were never intended to be used, as the ACA was then doing, to harass and threaten persons who have voluntarily, and in the public interest, DISCLOSED offences of corruption.
By doing this, Anwar Ibrahim said that the ACA is losing its credibility and in the future no one will feel confident to lodge a report with the ACA for fear of such unjust retribution.
His lawyers have advised Anwar Ibrahim to file a legal challenge to set aside the notice so that such abuses of power be exposed.
You can read the full press statement at Anwar: ACA Cancels Appointment, VK Lingam Confirms Fairuz On Other Line.
After the press conference, holding up the thumb drive which contain the video file, announced that if the ACA officers don't turn up within 5 minutes, the thumb drive will disappear. Here is Anwar Ibrahim holding up the thumb drive:
Well, the ACA officers did not turn up even after 5 minutes. So we will not know where the thumb drive will disappear to now.
A further announcement was made asking concerned Malaysians to assemble outside the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur after the Friday prayers at 1.45pm 26th October, 2007. Hope to see you there.
I was there this morning and if you have no time to look at the photos, etc., just scroll down to the bottom to the post and read the good news. Round 2 (actually don't know how many rounds are there) to PKR. We don't know how many rounds there will be and who the victors will be. But let it be on the side of Justice.
OK, here are the photos:
 |
| Assembly in front of Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim's headquater |
 |
| "Siasat VK Lingam dan Siasat Ahmad Fairuz" or "Investigate VK Lingam and Investigate Ahmad Fairuz" |
Here are some Malaysians holding up posters demanding that instead of harassing PKR, the ACA (Anti-corruption Agency) should focus on the main issues and investigate VK Lingam and Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz instead. I suppose these posters are prepared in anticipation of the arrival of the ACA officers.
 |
| The actual poster at close range |
 |
| Anwar Ibrahim press conference announcing the good news |
What good news? Anwar Ibrahim told the press that at 11:05am, the Anti Corruption Agency officer contacted him to cancel today’s appointment with him until further notice. He said that VK Lingam confirmed Ahmed Fairuz is the man he was speaking to and the “Anwar case” was mentioned.
He told the press that on Monday 22nd October 2007, he was served a notice under section 22(1)(b) of the Anti Corruption Act 1997 demanding that he deliver to the ACA the original full 14 minute version of the video recording of the VK Lingam – Fairuz conversation. This is in spite of him telling them that he did not have the tape in his possession.
He claimed that it is clear the issuance of the notice was politically motivated to create a basis for a potential prosecution for an offence under the Act and to intimidate him, Sivarasa, Vice-President of KeADILan and Sim, his special assistant from pressing the authorities to conduct the investigation properly.
He claimed that a reading of Part IV of the Act would clearly shows that it was intended to provide such powers as given in section 22 to investigating officers to allow them to obtain evidence from persons suspected of being INVOLVED in corruption so that suspects could not hide the evidence and prevent prosecution.
The powers were never intended to be used, as the ACA was then doing, to harass and threaten persons who have voluntarily, and in the public interest, DISCLOSED offences of corruption.
By doing this, Anwar Ibrahim said that the ACA is losing its credibility and in the future no one will feel confident to lodge a report with the ACA for fear of such unjust retribution.
His lawyers have advised Anwar Ibrahim to file a legal challenge to set aside the notice so that such abuses of power be exposed.
You can read the full press statement at Anwar: ACA Cancels Appointment, VK Lingam Confirms Fairuz On Other Line.
After the press conference, holding up the thumb drive which contain the video file, announced that if the ACA officers don't turn up within 5 minutes, the thumb drive will disappear. Here is Anwar Ibrahim holding up the thumb drive:
 |
| Anwar Ibrahim holding the thumb drive containing the VK Lingam tape which he said will disappear if the ACA officers do not turn up within 5 minutes |
Well, the ACA officers did not turn up even after 5 minutes. So we will not know where the thumb drive will disappear to now.
A further announcement was made asking concerned Malaysians to assemble outside the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur after the Friday prayers at 1.45pm 26th October, 2007. Hope to see you there.
Support PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party)
Got this message only this morning, same day as the assembly is scheduled to be held so don't know if it is going to be of any help to PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party)
Pegawai-pegawai BPR dijangka akan hadir ke pejabat DSAI berkenaan arahan BPR untuk menyerahkan salinan video asal yang sepenuhnya atau menghadapi penjara.
Orang ramai dijemput menunjukkan solidariti dengan DSAI di pejabatnya pada masa dan waktu berikut. Tolong sebarkan.
Tempat: Pejabat DSAI, 17, Jalan 16/2, Section 16, PJ.
Masa: Khamis, 25 Oktober, 10.30am.
Translation:
Officers of the ACA (Anti-corruption Agency) is expected to be present in the DSAI (don't know what this stand for) in regard to the directive of ACA to surrender the original copy of the (VK Lingam) video in FULL or face jail.
If Anwar Ibrahim hands over the original tape, the Attorney-General may rule that there is no case and NFA (no further action) is required. They can then destroy it like they did the DP Vijenderan porno videotapes on some excuse. If he do not hand it over, this would be grounds to prosecute him, get find him guilty, jail him and he will be barred five more years from contesting the general election.
Currently, Anwar will be eligible to contest the general election if it is held after 14 April 2008, If Anwar Ibrahim is jailed, he will not be eligible for the election again untill 2013 or 2014. He will then either be forgotten and/or to old to be of any significance. I guess this is what the powers want.
Unless the Monarchy step in with their limited power, things look bleak for Malaysia unless Malaysians wake up, be proactive and not wait for them or their loved ones to be affected to take action.
Pegawai-pegawai BPR dijangka akan hadir ke pejabat DSAI berkenaan arahan BPR untuk menyerahkan salinan video asal yang sepenuhnya atau menghadapi penjara.
Orang ramai dijemput menunjukkan solidariti dengan DSAI di pejabatnya pada masa dan waktu berikut. Tolong sebarkan.
Tempat: Pejabat DSAI, 17, Jalan 16/2, Section 16, PJ.
Masa: Khamis, 25 Oktober, 10.30am.
Translation:
Officers of the ACA (Anti-corruption Agency) is expected to be present in the DSAI (don't know what this stand for) in regard to the directive of ACA to surrender the original copy of the (VK Lingam) video in FULL or face jail.
If Anwar Ibrahim hands over the original tape, the Attorney-General may rule that there is no case and NFA (no further action) is required. They can then destroy it like they did the DP Vijenderan porno videotapes on some excuse. If he do not hand it over, this would be grounds to prosecute him, get find him guilty, jail him and he will be barred five more years from contesting the general election.
Currently, Anwar will be eligible to contest the general election if it is held after 14 April 2008, If Anwar Ibrahim is jailed, he will not be eligible for the election again untill 2013 or 2014. He will then either be forgotten and/or to old to be of any significance. I guess this is what the powers want.
Unless the Monarchy step in with their limited power, things look bleak for Malaysia unless Malaysians wake up, be proactive and not wait for them or their loved ones to be affected to take action.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Malam Bangsa Malaysia (One People, One Nation) at Penang, Pearl of the Orient
Haris Ibrahim, Human Rights lawyer, prime mover of The People's Parliament and PELITAR plus fellow blogger has asked me to help spread this message:
Event: Malam Bangsa Malaysia
"One People, One Nation"
What: Informational Meeting
Host: PELITAR - Penyayang Legasi & Inspirasi Tunku Abdul Rahman
When: Saturday, November 3 at 5:00pm
Where: Dewan Sri Pinang
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
Facebook: Malam Bangsa Malaysia - One People, One Nation
If you have problem getting through to Haris Ibrahim for further information (don't want to sign up for Facebook, for example) make a comment, make your Blogger profile public or leave your email address in the form of
myemailname at yahoo dot com
or something like that and I will forward the message to Haris Ibrahim.
Event: Malam Bangsa Malaysia
"One People, One Nation"
What: Informational Meeting
Host: PELITAR - Penyayang Legasi & Inspirasi Tunku Abdul Rahman
When: Saturday, November 3 at 5:00pm
Where: Dewan Sri Pinang
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
Facebook: Malam Bangsa Malaysia - One People, One Nation
If you have problem getting through to Haris Ibrahim for further information (don't want to sign up for Facebook, for example) make a comment, make your Blogger profile public or leave your email address in the form of
myemailname at yahoo dot com
or something like that and I will forward the message to Haris Ibrahim.
Rally for a clean election: Dataran Merdeka, Saturday 10 Nov 2007 3pm
Rally for a clean election
Place: Dataran MerdekaDate: 10 Nov 2007 [Sat]
Time: 3pm
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) will hold a mass rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 10, Saturday at 3 pm to press for electoral reform. Representatives will be submitting a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Palace nearby to seek much needed reform. The memorandum to be submitted to the King will outline both the immediate and long-term reforms needed in the Malaysian election including the adherence of a one-person, one-vote principle. Bersih will be demanding for a thorough clean up of the electoral roll, the abolition of postal voting for military and police personnel and fair access to the mass media for all political parties to the mainstream mass media.
Friends, please join this rally to help right our OUR ELECTION PROCESS. You may read more about it at BERSIH
Many suspicious things have happened. Ipoh Timur had 8,000 over voters transferred to the Constituency suddenly.
3,000 plus new postal voters were added to the Ipoh Timur electoral list, but there are no new army barracks or police stations in the constituency.
We don't know how many more 'Ipoh Timurs' are there?
Who knows how many 'new' voters have suddenly found their way into your constituency?
The Election Commission isn't going to care if they think you don't care enough to get up and do something.
Please join me at the rally as we don't want the next elections to be rigged, and if we just sit at home and do nothing, things will not change.
We can't just leave other fellow Malaysians to take on this struggle to reclaim our democratic rights and do nothing our self. Think of the future of Malaysia. Think of your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren.....
Our oil money is running out and our country cannot continue to squander public funds and still expect to be as prosperous and peaceful as it is now. There will be many people struggling to survive, forced into a corner if our country is not managed properly without the luxury of the oil money cushioning the siphoning off of public funds. What will people do when forced into a corner? We may end up like Myamar (Burma) one day if we are not careful.
Please join us at the rally and help to try to make this country we and our children will to live in. Please don't let Malaysia down.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Malaysia Space Program: How to make Malaysians feel good yet speak the truth
Retired NASA astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson, somehow was persuaded to come to Malaysia to share his experience and make statements about Malaysia Space Program.
In the Star, Nation, page 8, Thursday 18 October, 2007, he was reported as saying "Malaysia made a sound move in sending a man into space although millions of ringgit were spend on it". Makes Malaysians feel good about the program despite many negative comments and people poking fun of it, especially when the tasks for our spaceman should do are stuff like pulling teh tarik (boiling hot tea cooled by successive pouring the tea from a pot held high to another pot held lower), etc.
However, I used that example to explain to my son about reading between the lines, for further down the report, Gibson was reported as saying "Although there are smart ways to send people to space without spending RM100 million for each mission as there are partnership ways of doing it or one could just walk up to the Russians, offer to pay RM20 million for it, the space program should be continued" (rephrased to make the statements into one and shorter).
What does that say? Essentially, it says the Malaysian public have paid extra RM80 million for sending one Malaysian to space. Where did the extra RM80 went? Wish there are brave investigative journalist willing to follow the money trail.
In the Star, Nation, page 8, Thursday 18 October, 2007, he was reported as saying "Malaysia made a sound move in sending a man into space although millions of ringgit were spend on it". Makes Malaysians feel good about the program despite many negative comments and people poking fun of it, especially when the tasks for our spaceman should do are stuff like pulling teh tarik (boiling hot tea cooled by successive pouring the tea from a pot held high to another pot held lower), etc.
However, I used that example to explain to my son about reading between the lines, for further down the report, Gibson was reported as saying "Although there are smart ways to send people to space without spending RM100 million for each mission as there are partnership ways of doing it or one could just walk up to the Russians, offer to pay RM20 million for it, the space program should be continued" (rephrased to make the statements into one and shorter).
What does that say? Essentially, it says the Malaysian public have paid extra RM80 million for sending one Malaysian to space. Where did the extra RM80 went? Wish there are brave investigative journalist willing to follow the money trail.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Act now or forever be silent: Dataran Merdeka, 3.00pm on Saturday, 10 November 2007
Please forget about your less important task and be at Dataran Merdeka, 3.00pm on Saturday, 10 November 2007, and show the Agong that you want him to do something for our country.
If you have been following developments, you would know that something is not right with our country Malaysia. I have lots of things to do plus I am not a political blogger, but if you ask for it, I will have to lay down my other tasks, do some research and tell you what is going wrong with Malaysia. Or you can do some searching, subscribe to Berita Malaysia (free), read or subscribe to Malaysia Today (also free), subscribe to Malaysiakini (some news free, some by subscription). They are more concerned with spreading the true message but need subscriptions or donations to survive) and many others. If you want more, request for them in the comments.
But something is brewing at Dataran Merdeka, 3.00pm on Saturday, 10 November 2007 and I am praying that you are concerned enough to be there and lend the Yang di Pertuan Agung your support and help make a Malaysia we would like to call our home. I will be there and fervently hope you will join us. You can read about it at Tuntut pilihan raya adil - Perhimpunan Rakyat 10 November ini di Dataran Merdeka. If you can, wear yellow, or tie a yellow ribbon around your arm to show your support for the Monarchy.
According to Raja Petra (who has Royal blood), there is a battle between the Agong and the Prime Minister. The Agong has refused to sign the Chief Justice's extension and Pak Lah is threatening retaliation. It is now up to us, the Rakyat to show that we will not abandon the Agong and leave His Majesty at the mercy of Pak Lah and gang. Our oil money is running out and we cannot continue to do what we had been doing before and still hope to be comfortable. If we are not careful, we may end up like Myamar (Burma).
Do not wait till something happens to you or your loved one and you need to go to the court to get justice, for by then, it may be too late.
I am going to send the URL of this post to all my contact and request them to forward it to their contacts. I hope you will do the same. Please.
Do not just complain and leave the others to do the dirty job. Do something now or forever be silent.
If you have been following developments, you would know that something is not right with our country Malaysia. I have lots of things to do plus I am not a political blogger, but if you ask for it, I will have to lay down my other tasks, do some research and tell you what is going wrong with Malaysia. Or you can do some searching, subscribe to Berita Malaysia (free), read or subscribe to Malaysia Today (also free), subscribe to Malaysiakini (some news free, some by subscription). They are more concerned with spreading the true message but need subscriptions or donations to survive) and many others. If you want more, request for them in the comments.
But something is brewing at Dataran Merdeka, 3.00pm on Saturday, 10 November 2007 and I am praying that you are concerned enough to be there and lend the Yang di Pertuan Agung your support and help make a Malaysia we would like to call our home. I will be there and fervently hope you will join us. You can read about it at Tuntut pilihan raya adil - Perhimpunan Rakyat 10 November ini di Dataran Merdeka. If you can, wear yellow, or tie a yellow ribbon around your arm to show your support for the Monarchy.
According to Raja Petra (who has Royal blood), there is a battle between the Agong and the Prime Minister. The Agong has refused to sign the Chief Justice's extension and Pak Lah is threatening retaliation. It is now up to us, the Rakyat to show that we will not abandon the Agong and leave His Majesty at the mercy of Pak Lah and gang. Our oil money is running out and we cannot continue to do what we had been doing before and still hope to be comfortable. If we are not careful, we may end up like Myamar (Burma).
Do not wait till something happens to you or your loved one and you need to go to the court to get justice, for by then, it may be too late.
I am going to send the URL of this post to all my contact and request them to forward it to their contacts. I hope you will do the same. Please.
Do not just complain and leave the others to do the dirty job. Do something now or forever be silent.
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