Mohd Khir Toyo claimed he would tell the truth

This was what was reported in the Malaysiakini, the real newspaper by Syed Jaymal Zahiid and Fathi Aris Omar on April 28, 2008 at 5:13pm:

Mohd Khir Toyo said:

As an Umno supreme council member and a blogger, I vowed in my first posting that I would tell the truth and I have been trained to tell the truth.

Let us refer to the previous post - Mohd Khir Toyo and Yee Choon Kong: Whom would you prefer to believe? (click BACK button to get back to this page). There, either Mohd Khir Toyo is telling the truth or Yee Choon Kong is telling the truth. It is impossible for both to be telling the truth. One must be the liar. Yee Choon Kong is bound by the Code of Conduct for accountants and auditors and if he told a lie, he is in serious trouble. However, Mohd. Khir Toyo professional affiliation with his dental profession would not be able to do anything to him if he told a lie.

The truth will surface in time. Let us play a little guessing game. Let us do a poll. I am going to add a poll and you can vote for either and find out later if you had voted correctly or not. However, I have no prize to offer.

Does Mohd Khir Toyo knows what he is talking about?

I remember distinctly Mohd Khir Toyo promising "zero opposition" in Selangor prior to the so called political tsumi, the 12th Malaysian General Election 2008. I am pretty sure he meant all BN (Barisan) candidates will be elected and all non-BN candidates will lose. Well, Khir Toyo almost got his "zero opposition" for Selangor, for Selangor had lots of non-BN candidates elected and we almost got a no BN successful candidates for Selangor. Khir Toyo lost his grip on Selangor and now have become the opposition in a state which he formerly controlled.

Now I read in Malaysiakini, the real newspaper a report by Syed Jaymal Zahiid and Fathi Aris Omar dated April 28, 2008 filed at 5:13pm that Mohd Khir Toyo said UMNO has lost touch with reality (and by assumption, only he is in touch with reality). He claimed that he knew well all along before the election that the BN (Barisan Nasional) would suffer heavy losses in the March 8 polls.

Now tell me, if he really knew that BN would lose heavily in the March 8 election, then how come we hear him shouting for zero opposition for Selangor prior to the election?

Does Mohd Khir Toyo really knows what he is talking about? If you ask me, I think he should take the advice of that infamous former "defacto Law Minister" Nazri to keep his mouth shut rather than speaking nonsense and making a fool of himself. Perhaps Mohd Khir Toyo would do better to keep his mouth shut while he gets his patients in his dental practice to open their wide open. That would make more sense (and sens or cents).

Mohd Khir Toyo and Yee Choon Kong: Whom would you prefer to believe?

The above question is almost the same as asking which, theStar Online or Malaysiakini, the real newspaper, would you prefer to believe. Before you make up your mind, hope you would refer to Violation against media freedom, freedom of expression, Malaysia 2007 first. Actually there is a further report on media monitoring prior and during the 12th Malaysian General Election 2008 by CIJ (Center of Independent Journalism) together with Aliran and another civil society which I hope to publish soon. Based on what I myself have read plus the reports from CIJ, I would take Malaysiakini, the real newspaper anytime.

More on Balkis and former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo

Former Balkis president Datin Zahrah Kechik husband is the former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo. According to Mohd Khir Toyo, Balkis had consulted its auditors and legal adviser before making the transfer and there was no “hanky-panky involved.

Source:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/26/nation/21076243&sec=nation

This was what was reported in Malaysiakini, the real newspaper dated April 28, 2008 at 8:58pm:

Auditor: Balkis never submitted accounts

Yee Choon Kong, a chartered accountant said he was appointed by Balkis at Balkis's annual general meeting held at the Klang Executive Club on June 30, 2007. Yee Choon Kong was reported as having said that his accounting firm had called Balkis treasurer Suraimi Haji Sapuan on a number of occasions and requested Balkis to send in its financial records for last year plus bank statements, official receipt books, payment vouchers, supporting documents, fixed deposit receipts, minutes of meetings, details of membership and subscription list to their office so that they can conduct the annual financial audit for the financial year ending December 31, 2007. They never receive any documents and thus did not do any audit. Yee Choon Kong also have not issued any signed audit report for 2007 nor did he finalize Balkis accounts before its funds were transferred. He also confirmed that neither Zahrah nor any Balkis members or Khir had consulted him on the transfer of the RM9.9 million

Further, according to Yee, before any other auditor could be appointed, under Section 210 of the by-laws on Professional Ethics, Conduct and Practice of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Yee must be consulted first. Since Yee never said he was consulted, it would be fair to assume that Yee was still the auditor of Balkis when its funds were transferred. Yee Choon Kong also confirmed that neither Zahrah nor any Balkis members or Khir had consulted him on the transfer of the RM9.9 million.

Now being an accountant or auditor is not easy. The profession and appointment carries great responsibilities and any breach can lead to very serious consequences. A politician can however make all kinds of statements and often change them as circumstances changes, frequently justifying the changes with flimsy excuses. There is no professional body to regulate the conduct of a politician. Now who would you believe, Yee Choon Kong (no title, only qualifications plus professional affiliations behind one's name) or Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Let us have your comments. I would of course prefer you to comment with a Google or Blogger or Open ID account, but if you wish, you can comment as Anonymous.

Mohd Khir Toyo and Yee Choon Kong: Whom would you prefer to believe?

The above question is almost the same as asking which, theStar Online or Malaysiakini, the real newspaper, would you prefer to believe. Before you make up your mind, hope you would refer to Violation against media freedom, freedom of expression, Malaysia 2007 first. Actually there is a further report on media monitoring prior and during the 12th Malaysian General Election 2008 by CIJ (Center of Independent Journalism) together with Aliran and another civil society which I hope to publish soon. Based on what I myself have read plus the reports from CIJ, I would take Malaysiakini, the real newspaper anytime.

More on Balkis and former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo

Former Balkis president Datin Zahrah Kechik husband is the former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo. According to Mohd Khir Toyo, Balkis had consulted its auditors and legal adviser before making the transfer and there was no “hanky-panky involved.

Source:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/26/nation/21076243&sec=nation

This was what was reported in Malaysiakini, the real newspaper dated April 28, 2008 at 8:58pm:

Auditor: Balkis never submitted accounts

Yee Choon Kong, a chartered accountant said he was appointed by Balkis at Balkis's annual general meeting held at the Klang Executive Club on June 30, 2007. Yee Choon Kong was reported as having said that his accounting firm had called Balkis treasurer Suraimi Haji Sapuan on a number of occasions and requested Balkis to send in its financial records for last year plus bank statements, official receipt books, payment vouchers, supporting documents, fixed deposit receipts, minutes of meetings, details of membership and subscription list to their office so that they can conduct the annual financial audit for the financial year ending December 31, 2007. They never receive any documents and thus did not do any audit. Yee Choon Kong also have not issued any signed audit report for 2007 nor did he finalize Balkis accounts before its funds were transferred. He also confirmed that neither Zahrah nor any Balkis members or Khir had consulted him on the transfer of the RM9.9 million

Further, according to Yee, before any other auditor could be appointed, under Section 210 of the by-laws on Professional Ethics, Conduct and Practice of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Yee must be consulted first. Since Yee never said he was consulted, it would be fair to assume that Yee was still the auditor of Balkis when its funds were transferred. Yee Choon Kong also confirmed that neither Zahrah nor any Balkis members or Khir had consulted him on the transfer of the RM9.9 million.

Now being an accountant or auditor is not easy. The profession and appointment carries great responsibilities and any breach can lead to very serious consequences. A politician can however make all kinds of statements and often change them as circumstances changes, frequently justifying the changes with flimsy excuses. There is no professional body to regulate the conduct of a politician. Now who would you believe, Yee Choon Kong (no title, only qualifications plus professional affiliations behind one's name) or Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Let us have your comments. I would of course prefer you to comment with a Google or Blogger or Open ID account, but if you wish, you can comment as Anonymous.

Funds for SEDC in PR controlled states should not be channeled via MARA

I am greatly troubled by the announcement by Noh Omar of the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry that the Ministry will stop disbursing development funds to the state SEDCs (Economic Development Corporations) in PR (Pakatan Rakyat) controlled states as reported in Malaysiakini but will now be given through MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat}.

A check of MARA's website showed the following:

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Agensi di bawah Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan & Koperasi Malaysia, ditubuhkan pada 1 Mac 1966 di bawah Akta Parlimen sebagai sebuah badan berkanun hasil daripada resolusi Kongres Ekonomi Bumiputera pertama pada tahun sebelumnya.

Adalah menjadi kewajipan Majlis bagi memajukan, menggalakkan, memudahkan serta menjalankan pembangunan ekonomi dan kemasyarakatan dalam persekutuan dan khususnya dalam kawasan-kawasan luar bandar.

Essentially, the above says MARA is for Bumiputera, not for Malaysians in general. However, from some quick enquiries, SEDCs are for all Malaysians, not only for Bumiputras.

So, in my opinion, the decision of Noh Omar of the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry that they will stop disbursing development funds to the state SEDCs but do it via MARA which is only for Bumiputeras are not appropriate and Malaysians should register a protest.

I hope the PR Member of Parliaments will bring this matter up in Parliament, if not as supplementary question, then submit it for question for next Parliamentary session.

"Independent" Malaysian Election Commission depending on families of deceased voters to help clean up electoral roll?

theStar Online reported the Malaysian Election Commission appealing to family members of registered voters who have passed away to submit death certificates to help the commission to "clean up" the electoral roll.

Come on. Does the Election Commission really have to depend on the family members? For all you know, such deceased voters may not have left any family behind, so how to clean up the electoral role?

The National Registration Department which is tasked with keeping track of birth and death of Malaysian residents is fully computerized. I know because I went not too long ago to get a copy of my daughter's birthday certificate. With a few key strokes and not more than half an hour, I have a copy of my daughter's birth certificate in my hand. Is it not easier for the Election Commission to cooperate with the fully computerized National Registration Department to clean up the electoral roll of deceased voters? They have records of all deceased residents of Malaysia in their computer system.

Why go the hard way of asking families of deceased voters to come forward? Some of them may not even read the newspapers, so how do you get your message to them, and even if they did, would they bother?

If the Election Commission is really sincere in cleaning up the electoral roll, I am sure this is an easier path.

Change Federal Government of Malaysia: Next step

It is now becoming clearer by the day. Abdullah Badawi said they have heard the message, but from their actions, they are still deaf. We are seeing how the BN (Barisan Nasional) Federal Government and its agencies are placing obstacles in the path of the PR (Pakatan Rakyat) controlled states by various means such as stopping funding to the state government agencies and channeling it via BN controlled bodies. The latest is the announcement by Noh Omar that the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry will stop disbursing development funds to the SEDCs (state economic development corporations) but channel them via MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) instead. This was announced at the annual general meeting of the Perak chapter of the Malaysia Malay Chamber of Commerce.

Photo of Noh Omar courtesy of Malaysiakini, the real newspaper

An extra component party for PR (Pakatan Rakyat)

Open letter to PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), DAP (Democratic Action Party), PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia) and sympathizers:

May I refer to my previous about forming an actual political party to replace PR (Pakatan Rakyat) (click BACK button to get back to this page), the main purpose is to have a well defined Constitution and guidelines which every component party have to adhere to. This is to prevent voters confusion when individual members of different component parties make conflicting statements.

Now there is another good reason for actually forming that political party to replace PR (Pakatan Rakyat) (click BACK button to get back to this page), the possibility of cross-overs from BN (Barisan Nasional). Some of the current component parties of PR or even the members of the parties itself may not be comfortable that. So why not ask those who want to cross over to form their own political party, registered or not. That may come later. Call it BN Baru or something similar. Now no one can object as there will not be any cross-over and no ethical issues. The BN Baru or whatever can become the latest addition to PR.

Please, decision makers of PR, consider or study this suggestion seriously.

Why I am a supporter of DAP: whip is not applied all the time

Why? very simple. DAP's policy regarding its MP (Members of Parliament), where its most important role is, not looking after longkang (drains), is as follows:

The whip (an obligation for a party's MP) is:

1. Where the issue concerns party policy, the MP must vote according to party line


2. Where the issue is in the party manifesto (a document stating what the party would do given to voters prior to an election), the MP must vote consistent to what is stated in the manifesto


3. Where the issue is a matter of conscience, for example religion, the MP is free to vote according to conscience


4. the former Parliamentary Secretary to YB Lim Kit Siang also said that in the past, where something tabled at the Parliament was in the interest of the country, they have voted with the BN (Barisan Nasional)

That sounds fair to me as if you are voted into Parliament based on something promised something in an election manifesto, you are obviously obliged to vote as per what had been promised. However, the whip can be lifted for DAP MPs to vote according to conscience.

This is a world of difference from the BN whip which is applied ALL THE TIME and never lifted. This means that the BN MP must vote for anything tabled or proposed in the Malaysian Parliament by BN and against anything proposed or tabled in the Malaysian Parliament IRRESPECTIVE OF MERITS. This is PURE NONSENSE to me and we Malaysians have seen how the whip plus their two-third majority had been greatly abused.

I put this question to the then Member of Parliament for my Constituency: "When a BN MP is under the whip all the time and not allowed to vote according to conscience, how can a BN MP act in the interest of its Constituency?"

She gave a very clever answer: "It is more complicated. Before anything is tabled in the Malaysian Parliament, it must go through a LONG PROCESS OF CONSULTATION." I of course had my doubts but kept silent. However, not long after, a bill to extend the retirement age of the Election Commission chairman from 65 to 66 was hurriedly tabled at the Parliament, I requested for an urgent appointment, kindly granted. It was obvious no meaningful consultation had taken place as lots of people who should know about it were taken by surprise and very angry.

During the meeting, I asked: "In this case, did the long process of consultation, and if it did, how long was the process of consultation and who were consultation?"

Her answer: "When I told you about the process of consultation, I was only referring to my Ministry." Well, I wanted to ask where were she and/or what did she do when a lot of controversial bills much disliked by concerned Malaysians were tabled at the Parliament in the past. To me, this Member of Parliament had clearly failed her role as a Member of Parliament, especially the pledge to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution at the first sitting of the Parliament.

Any subsequent bill hurriedly tabled at the Parliament, a bill to introduce the SCC (Special Complaints Bill), a much watered down version of a greatly needed (and promised) IPCMC. This bill was described as a "slap in the face" by Tunku Aziz, one of the member of the Royal Commission which recommended the IPCMC, and as a "post box" by Edmund Bon, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of the Malaysian. Edmund Bon described the function of the SCC as just to receive complaints, study it, then forward it to whatever department or agency it saw fit. It just adds an extra layer of bureaucracy and further waste of time and money.

Islamic state for Malaysia. The point is, non-Muslim do not want Syariah law to be the Supreme Constitution for Malaysia, etc,

MySinChew.com in an "Exclusive Interview With The Kelantan MB: Pakatan Needs Time To Understand And Accept The Concept Of Islamic State", the Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was quoted as saying he firmly believed that Pakatan Rakyat partners will eventually accept the concept of Islamic state.

The problem with many PAS leaders is that they failed to understand why so many Malaysians do not want Malaysia to be an Islamic state if the concept of an Islamic state is similar to what some says are characteristics of an Islamic state.

Wikipedia listed 4 forms in their very brief explanation of an Islamic state:

1. A Caliphate in Sunni Islam


2. An Imamah in Shia Islam


3. A Wilayat al-Faqih for the Shia in the absence of an Imamah


4. An Islamic republic; a general term for many nation states who adopt Islam as a religion

Examination of the websites did not clarify to me exactly what does an Islamic state involves, so perhaps I would just refer to what I had written before - Should non-Muslim have a say over whether Malaysia should be an Islamic state? (click BACK button to get back to this page).

I will just summarize what in my opinion an Islamic state is:

1. the Supreme law is the Syariah law, not the Constitution of the country


2. the Supreme ruler probably is the head of a group of Islamic scholars


3. non-Muslim do not have the same right as a Muslim


4. women, Muslim or non-Muslim, do not have the same right as a man


5. non-Muslim have to accept the Muslims' interpretation of morality

A PAS led Malaysia Islamic state may be relatively corruption free, non-Muslim may be more free to practice their religions, Malaysians my no longer be discriminated against along racial lines, etc. But the main point is, non-Muslim are subject to the Syariah law which originate from a religion to which they do not subscribe, they have to pay a special tax to the Islamic authorities, they cannot lead in the government or military, they cannot be a judge, morality of actions like non-married couples holding hands in public is subject to Islamic interpretation and a whole host of other issues that non-Muslim finds very hard to accept. So while Malaysians may no longer be discriminated along racial lines, the will still be discriminated along religious lines.

The only question is, will PAS be able to look at the issue from a non-Muslim point of view?

An apology that is not an apology. Hishammuddin's sandiwara

Photo of Hishammuddin's keris act by curtesy of Malaysikini, the real newspaper

Did Hishammuddin Hussein apologize for raising the keris during the previous few years of the Umno annual general assembly? Here is his "apology":

"I am sorry of it had affected the non-Malays"

"I would also like to apologise to the Malays over my failure to uphold the Malay symbol (keris)"

Further, Hishammuddin Hussein could not guarantee that the would not to do it during this year’s Umno annual general assembly.

So is this an apology or "an apology that is not an apology"? Maybe it is what the Malays would call a sandiwara, a wayang kulit, a show. Was it sincere? I doubt it.

Look at his face. Does it not show aggression? Can the non-Malays be blamed if they inteprete that keris act as a threat to spill blood for a keris (a Malay dagger) is a weapon and it had been used to kill. Can the non-Malays be blamed if they take that as a threat that if they do not act like sheeps, they may be subjected to another May 13?

Pay ERL even if you don't use it: Lop-sided agreement

This many concerned citizens had suspected all along, but because all privatization projects agreements are classified OSA (official secrets act) and the lack of a FOI (Freedom of Information Act, none of us are able to look at the terms of those agreements. OSA are normally only applied to matters related to a nation's security. How on earth Privatization projects agreements can be related to Malaysia's national security needs lots of mental conjuring.

Now the worms are slowly coming out of the cans. In the front page of theSun today, we found that in a lop-sided agreement the Malaysian Government and the Exress Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (ERLSB), all departing passengers have to pay an extra RM2 for domestic travelers and RM6 for international travelers, incorporated into the airport tax, and this extra RM2 goes to ERLSB coffers. This is for KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) as well as the LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal)

Now ERL is not the only provider of public transport to KLIA and LCCT. There are many other public buses and taxis. How about them? And how about those who travel by their own private vehicles who also have to pay toll? Sound pretty unfair to me.

Comments and opinions highly welcomed. And hopefully, sending this to Yahoo Berita Malaysia group gets through the moderation.

Is Printing Press Act history? No more need for Printig Permit?

Wong Chin Huat, an activist claimed he found a loophole in the Printing Press and Publicationss Act. Wong Chin Huat referred to Section 25 91) of the the Printing Press and Publicationss Act which says "Nothing in this Act shall extend to the publication or making of any documents or periodical by or for the Federal or any State Government or any statutory body." This implies a newspaper pulished by a PR (Pakatan Rakyat) controlled State Government is excempt from draconian Printing Press and Publicationss Act.

Wong Chin Huat proposed a PR controlled State Government grant an authorization letter to the recently banned Makkal Osai newspaper as a test case.

Note: Wong Chin Huat is the chairperson of WAMI (Writer Alliance for Media Independence) started in 2001 when as a protest of MCA taking over the Nanyang Press Holding Berhad, 90 writers banded together and stopped contributing articles to the Chinese media.

Teng Chang Khim to be Selangor state assembly speaker, the first non-Malay speaker

On Sunday, 20 April 2007, Menteri Besar of Selangor, Khalid Ibrahim made a historical announcement. He announced that Teng Chang Khim will be appointed the Selangor state assembly speaker at the next Tuesday 22 April 2008, making him the first non-Malay to hold the post.

Another histotorical event will be created by the appointment of the first woman speaker, PKR's Taman Medan state representative Haniza Takha, as the deputy speaker of the Selangor State Assembly.

On Tuesday 22 April 2008, all the Selangor state representatives would be sworn in and the first sitting of the state assembly will also take place on Tuesday.

However, Teng Chang Khim declined to comment on whether he is happy about his appointment as the Speaker after being left out in the Selangor Exco.

Mohd Ali Rustam's now a monkey blogger and received lots and lots of negative comments

Bloggers had been at the receiving end of the BN (Barisan Nasional) prior to Malaysia 12th General Election 2008 and had been labeled, among others, as monkey bloggers, female lying bloggers, stupid bloggers, etc. Now I am not sure about this, bloggers had also been called goblogs which if I remember correctly is how Indonesians call stupid bloggers, but don't take my word for it.

Now the BN after realizing the futility of depending on the now discredited and no longer trusted MSM (main stream media) have started blogging themselves. Thus BN members have themselves become monkey bloggers.

Now one of those BN monkey bloggers in none other than hugely arrogant Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam (one commentator called him Ali Rusty, perhaps seeing that this iron man of UMNO is getting a bit rusty) have also recently became another monkey blogger, female lying blogger, stupid blogger (please note these are not my words but just repeating what the BN had called bloggers prior to General Election 2008).

Ali Rustam's blogs have received overwhelming responses, but for the wrong reasons. According to a report by the independent online newspaper Malaysiakini, news and views that matter, there were comments by the hundreds, a great majority of which are attacks on him. Well, I think he deserves it, for after all, he had the gumption to insult his host at a component party assembly as an INVITED GUEST. I believe Malays had been labeled as the perfect gentlemen. How things have changed.

Post based on report by Kuek Ser Kuang Keng and Beh Lih Yi, 6.39pm April 16, 2008
Title "M'cca CM flamed over blog-post on pig farm"

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/81473

MUDA Research Study on Young Malaysians and National Unity

Malaysia is polarized along both racial and religious lines and this is possible source of serious strife for this multi-racial and multi-religious country. So it is a great and praiseworthy effort of the The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) to have conducted a study involving 1000 young Malaysians between the age of 18 and 35 years in Peninsular Malaysia regarding their opinions of National Unity over a period from July to August 2007 . Both rural and urban areas were covered. The study found that young Malaysians were generally optimistic about the state of national unity in the country, but some disturbing trends need to be urgently addressed to avoid further racial polarization.

In the email I received, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute and the National Young Lawyers’ Committee (NYLC) of the Bar Council were also mentioned, but I am not sure what are the relationship between them. Whatever it is, they will be launching the MINDA MUDA Research Study on Young Malaysians and National Unity together with a press conference. You and your representative are invited.

Details:

Date: 18th April 2007 (Friday)
Time: 11.00 am
Venue: 1st Floor, Auditorium,
Bar Council Malaysia,
13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar,
50050 Kuala Lumpur

If you need more information, you can phone call Ms. Tan Shu Yi at 03-2093 2820
or
sent an email to cpps {at] cpps [dot} org (dot) my

(change at to @ and dot to . and remove the space to get the actual email address)

Map to Lebuh Pasar Besar, Bar Council, Pasar Seni LRT Station, Masjid Jamek LRT Station

To help you get to the Bar Council quickly without wasting time, petrol, energy, below are maps to help guide you. It is best to go by LRT (Light Rail Transit) Putra line. You may get off at Pasar LRT Station, walk towards Pasar Seni and the Bar Council is just a bit further after Pasar Seni. Click on map to enlarge it:

Map to Masjid Jamek LRT station, Lebuh Pasar Besar, Malaysia Bar Council

However, if you don't want to walk too far, a nearer and more convenient place to get off is the Masjid Jamek LRT station. Lebuh Pasar Besar and the Malaysian Bar Council is just a short walk from there.



Maps courtesy of http://mapdoo.com/

PR (Pakatan Rakyat) to become political party and DAP, PKR, PAS party become component members

I hope Malaysian remember the BA (Barisan Alternatif) fiasco when DAP (Democratic Action Party), PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia) formed a loose coalition to contest against BN (Barisan Nasional). PAS were insistent on turning Malaysia into an Islamic state. For that, Barisan Alternatif paid a heavy price, the heaviest by DAP.

Now the same 3 parties have again joined force against the Barisan Nasional and on March 8, 2008, created history which saw many states falling into the hands of PR Pakatan Rakyat, another loose coalition of DAP, PKR and PAS plus took away the much abused two-third majority of BN in the Parliament. This time PAS wisely played down the Islamic state issue. However, after the successes, again some PAS members started making statements regarding Islamic state and HUDUD. This can derail the loose coalition.

I earnestly do not want to see PR unravel and BN getting the upper hand again the next General Election. For this reason, I am coming up with a suggestion. Turn PR into a real political party with its own symbol for the next General Election (and hope BN will not put obstacles in its path). Call it a different name if they want. A constitution should be drawn up clearly stating exactly what this PR or replacement stand for. DAP, PKR, PAS or any other political parties which subscribe to what is stated in the constitution become component members. Each component members retain its individual political party status. Then if anyone wants to raise issues like for example Islamic state or HUDUD law should do it via their own party and not associate it with PR or alternative. And if they can no longer subscribe to PR or replacement, they can leave that coalition political party and contest the next General Election on their own. Then Malaysians will not be confused and hopefully Pakatan Rakyat or replacement will not meet the fate of that BA (Barisan Alternatif).

I hope this message reach the decision makers of DAP, PKR and PAS and they consider it seriously for I sincerely do want them to continue to make political progress and lead the way to better governance, unity and harmony for Malaysia

Dr Karim Mansor protest pig farm project: Let the photo do the talking

UMNO and Barisan Nasional lost power in the State of Selangor and Tanjung Sepat assemblyman Datuk Dr Karim Mansor make U-turn and objected to pig farming project which he himself was instrumental in initializing

When UMNO and Barisan Nasional lost power in the State of Selangor, Tanjung Sepat assemblyman Datuk Dr Karim Mansor and former Kampung Tumbuk village head Mohd Tarmudi objected strongly to the project. (This is unverified and from memory, but if I remembered correctly there were also reports of them taking part in demonstrations against the pig farm project, but you have to do your own research as I am unable to locate the source of those reports. Not sure if it was only Mohd Tarmudi who took part in the demonstration or both of them).

MCA Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng claimed Datuk Dr Karim Mansor and Mohd Tarmudi were part of former committee for pig farming project

According to theStar Online, MCA (Malaysia Chinese Association) Traditional Agriculture and Agro Based Industry Bureau chairman, Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng, had come out in the open to disclose that "Tanjung Sepat assemblyman Datuk Dr Karim Mansor and former Kampung Tumbuk village head Mohd Tarmudi were part of the committee that went on a trip to Germany to study the technology to be used in the project.

Source:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20965895&sec=nation

It is tough to make heads or tails of going on’s in Malaysia now after the March 8 "political tsunami" with all kinds of conflicting reports, but as the saying goes, a photo is worth a trillion words (own version), so let the photo do the talking:

Photo of Selangor Umno leader and Tanjung Sepat state assemblyperson Dr Karim Mansor posing next to a pig-pen (thumbs-up sign) in Germany courtesy of Malaysiakini

Source of photo which Malaysiakini said was released by the new Selangor Government:
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/81418

Dr Karim Mansor, if I remember the reports correctly, was part of a group that went on a "study tour" to Germany and other countries. The new State Agriculture, Modernization, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman, Yaakob Sapari Yaakob even disclose they have photographs countless other pictures of Dr Karim of him in Amsterdam and also at the Eiffel Tower in France that could be made public. Now just what does Eiffel Tower and Amsterdam has to do with pig farming? Perhaps Dr Karim Mansor is speculating that rearing pigs at higher altitude may lead to healthier pigs?

Source:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20965895&sec=nation

This is another piece of information of which I am unable to trace the source, and you will have to do your research, but there had been reports of Karim telling Utusan Malaysia on April 7 that the project would cause problems because the Malay-Muslim majority district of Kuala Langat will look like a pig-farming district.

In favor of project when in power and object to project when not in power. "Head" or "tail", I don't know. You tell me.

Civil Society Forum in Penang

About two dozen of Civil Society groups will meet in a Forum to discuss and propose plans of actions on how to work with the new PR (Pakatan Rakyat) Penang State Government to implement people centered developent, to promote democratic, participatory and transparent governance.

---

Details:
Date: Sunday 13 April 2008 (may this be an auspicious day for Penang)
Time: 9am to 4.30pm
Venue: Place: Disted College (Jalan Macalister/Jalan Cantonment)
Registration: Phone 04-658 5251 from Tuesday to Saturday, office hours
by email: aliran [at} streamyx {dot] com
Fee: RM5 per participant payable on day of forum. Included is lunch and refreshments

---

All are welcomed, but you are requeste to register first. I think Aliran is responsible for that, and you should check with them. In the meantime, I will see if I can get details as to how to register. Program at the bottom of the post. Here we will briefly discuss on what the Forum hopes to achieve.

The Forum hopes to eventually come up with concrete proposals on various issues to present to the Penang State Government. Issues to be considered include the environment, transport, urban issues, governance, women, workers, disabled, youth and students, arts, heritage and culture issues. Wow - that is a mouthful. They will try to focus on "what we can do about it" rather than "what is wrong".

On Sunday, 13 April 2008, civil society groups and concerned individuals in
Penang are coming together to debate and propose plans of action on how they
can work with the new Penang state government to implement people-centred
development and to promote more democratic, participatory and transparent
governance. The Penang Forum is a step towards the production of concrete
proposals to the state government on a range of issues which concern us. It
will look at issues including environment, transport and urban issues,
governance, women, workers, disabled, youth and students, and arts,culture
and heritage. The emphasis of the Penang Forum is not so much about 'what is
wrong with Penang' as 'what can we do about it'.

The objective is to start a process that would enable concerned individuals
and civil society groups to establish their own agendas and plans of action
for consideration by the state government and its agencies. They will also
be looking to develop follow-up action (for example: the formation of
specialised working groups to further develop proposals on particular
topics) and to establish a regular official scheduled forum of exchange with
the state government so that their plans and proposals can be systematically
fed in and discussed. At the end of the day, it is hoped that those at the
forum will be able to adopt a Declaration for submission to the state
government.

Programme for the Great Penang Forum

8.15 - 9.00am: Registration


FIRST SESSION: Moderated by Loh Cheng Kooi, Women's Centre for Change
9.00 - 9.15 Opening Remarks : Ahmad Chik, Penang Heritage Trust
9.15 - 9.45 Topic 1: Environmental Issues

Speaker: Yueh-Kwong Leong, Malaysian Nature Society

Open Discussion

9.45 - 10.15 Topic 2: Traffic and Urban Issues

Speaker: S.P.Choong, CEPAT

Open Discussion

10.15-10.45 Topic 3: Culture, Arts, and Heritage

Speaker: Tan Sooi Beng, Ombak-Ombak

Open Discussion

10.45 - 11.00 Tea Break


SECOND SESSION: Moderated by Kanda Kumar, Malaysian Nature Society

11.00- 11.30 Topic 4: Women's Issues

Speaker: Prema Devaraj, Women's Centre for Change

Open Discussion

11.30 - 12.00 Topic 5: Labour Issues

Speaker: Kris Khaira, Pusat Khidmat Pekerja Tanjung

Open Discussion

12.00 - 12.30 Topic 6: Disabled People's Rights

Speaker: Lim Kah Cheng, Sustainable Independent Living Access (SILA)

Open Discussion

12.30- 1.00 Topic 7: Youth and Students

Speaker: Lau Shu Shi, Suaram

Open Discussion

1.00 - 2.00 Lunch


THIRD SESSION: Moderated by Anil Netto, Aliran

2.00 - 2.30 Topic 8: Local Government and Peoples' Participation

Speaker: Francis Loh Kok Wah, Aliran

Open Discussion

2.30 - 3.00 Topic 9: Other issues

Everyone welcome to contribute


FOURTH SESSION: Moderated by Ahmad Chik

3.00 - 4.00 Open Discussion and Adoption of Draft Declaration

4.00 Formation of Working Groups

followed by tea

The presenters in the first three sessions will introduce the topic and
highlight key areas in 10 minutes. There will be an open discussion on the
topic for another 15-20 minutes.

Violation against media freedom, freedom of expression, Malaysia 2007

Below is the report by the Center of Independent Journalism (click BACK button to get back to this page) on some serious violations against media freedom to report news as they are, violations against freedom of expression. This is for the year 2007. The words are hardly legible as it is. If you want to read it, click the button highlighted by a red arrow as well as the mouse cursor (which changed from the standard "arrow" to a "gloved hand"):

Read this doc on Scribd: Violations against media freedom and FOE 2007

UMNO stand for UM No reforms

To make it clearer, let us put it in a more dramatic manner - UMNO means UMmmmm NO reforms.

The President of UMNO plus current Prime Minister of Malaysia said, "we got your message." Have they? Many doubt it. Look at what has transpired so far. What did the new Tourism Minister Azalina do on taking office? Cut off Tourism fund to state controlled tourism body in Pakatan Rakyat ruled states. What did the new Minister of Rural and Regional Development did on taking office? Redirect funds away from Pakatan Rakyat ruled state bodies and planning to channel them via Malaysia Federal Government direct to previous village heads who have resigned as village heads. They will be given some kind of Federal posts instead. Can't remember the rest, but these 2 are enough to bring our blood to a boil again. These are the kind of actions that aroused the Malaysians to stand up and be counted in the recent election and are being repeated again. What will Malaysians do if this continue? I don't know about you. I know what I will do.

Did they get message? Someone did get the messages. But it is the wrong person. It is me who got the messages. AGAIN! Same old story.

Ant and the Grasshopper: old version and Malaysian version

Got this story through a forward and found it has a moral to teach all Malaysians, so cannot help but to reproduced it here plus a bit of addition from me, to share with all Malaysians and the rest of Earth's citizens who care to listen:

The ant and the grasshopper: old version

If I am not wrong, this was from the collection of Aesop's fables:

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The Grasshopper thinks the Ant is a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.

Come winter, the Ant is warm and well fed.

The Grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.

The ant and the grasshopper: Malaysian version

Just a note: the author of this blog do not believe all grasshoppers are the same.

Update: The rest of the post had been commented out to allow author time to study it to see if there is any possibility of it been considered seditious.

Update 2: Anonymous commented that it is not (I suppose seditious. Checked legal definition of sedition from

http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/s020.htm

SEDITION - Conduct which is directed against a government and which tends toward insurrection (rebellion) but does not amount to treason.

It don't sound like what had been commented out is directly inciting rebellion, but we will see if more comments come in.