Last year in Parliament, Wan Ahmad Farid, then deputy home minister, told the Dewan Rakyat that there were 1,535 deaths in prisons, rehabilitation centres and detention centres between 2003 and 2007, averaging 383.75 deaths per year. That is 383.75/365 = 1.05 deaths per day, slightly more that 1 custodial deaths per day. It means in Malaysia there is someone dieing everyday. That is too much.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former prime minister, admitted that 108 persons died in police custody between 2000 and 2006, the majority of whom were Indians.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Teoh Beng Hock murder - MACC downfall
MACC Officer: We already have the fabricated documents to prove Khalid Ibrahim guilty. We will surround Khalid Ibrahim at his home like how we arrest Anwar Ibrahim.
Ahmad Said Hamdan: Yes, and we have made the boy confess that the Selangor Government misappropriate the government allocations.
MACC Officer: Err... Sir...Er... The boy didn't agree to sign the false statement, our man throw him out of the building after some struggling with him
Ahmad Said Hamdan: All of you who were not in the room when the interrogation took place. Leave now!
(all except 3 left)
Ahmad Said Hamdan: Why the hell did our man throw him out? We have planned to topple the Selangor Government for more than a year. Doesn't he know that this will ruin our plan to topple Pakatan Selangor? We have circulated the Exco nude photo, fabricated the documents to nail the MB and now the whole plan is ruined. Someone will find out that we throw the boy out of the building and that is the end of us.
MACC Officer: Sir, we will cover it up just like the Kugan case.
Ahmad Said Hamdan: Cover up my foot, the body was found under our building.
MACC Officer: Sir, we can make up the story that he committed suicide.
Ahmad Said Hamdan: No way people will believe he committed suicide, he is going to get married tomorrow. And his fiancee was pregnant for 2 months, there is no reason for people to believe he jumped down. Najib has planned this for so long and you bloody guys threw him out of the building and made a big mess. Why can't you guys do a simple job? Interrogate him and make him sign the false statement, is that too difficult? In 1998, the police forced Sukma sign a false statement to charge Anwar. Why can't MACC make the poor boy sign the false statement? Najib will be furious with this development. He will have a tough time to answer the public. Najib will stop funding us. Who is going to pay our salary? Do you think Pakatan Rakyat will fund us? They don't bloody hell have money.
MACC Office: Don't worry, we still have Khir Toyo.
Ahmad Said Hamdan: We might as well tell people the truth. Lim Kit Siang is flying here tomorrow. First flight of the day. Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Khalid will be here too. There will be a huge demonstration. Tell Hishamuddin to send the FRU here first thing in the morning. We are screwed.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Justice for Teoh Beng Hock at Stadium Kelana Jaya
19 July (Sunday)
4.30 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering (organized by Selangor state government)
Stadium Kelana Jaya
Please come join us in full force to show the corrupt and useless BN government that we are serious in wanting a better Malaysia.
Location Map for Kelana Jaya Stadium
Click to enlarge:For those taking public transport, take the Kelana Jaya LRT line, get off at Kelana Jaya. I believe there is a feeder buss to the Kelana Jaya stadium as I have seen buses passing by before.
A commentator at Lim Kit Siang's blog to take the feeder bus from the Taman Bahagia LRT station. I believe that is an error as I often take feeder bus at Taman Bahagia LRT station and the feeder buses there are T625 which goes to Kelana Jaya Giant, FAM and SS3, and T626 which goes to Damansara Jaya, Damansara Utama and SS2. I have never seen any bus going to the Kelana Jaya stadium from Taman Bahagia LRT station.
Other events to press for justice for Teo Beng Hock
20 July (Monday)
10 am: Funeral Beng Hock’s family home, Alor Gajah
21 July (Tuesday)
10 am: Memorandum to Prime Minister to demand for Royal Commission of Inquiry (Pakatan Youth Wings)
PM’s Office, Putrajaya
21 July (Tuesday)
8 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang, Jalan Utama, Penang
22 July (Wednesday)
8 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering Malacca DAP Headquarter
23 July (Thursday)
8 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, KL
Monday, July 6, 2009
Judge BN Najib by action?
Najib Abdul Razak has made some noise pleasant to the ears plus has gone on to action in liberalization of previous restrictive sectors and policies. A visitor made a remark - Najib not bad eh?
My response. Yes perhaps we should judge by Najib's action and not the dismal picture that some Malaysians have painted of him. However, actions are relatively easy to change and to fake, but I think we still have to try to look deep into the person, his character. A person's character is not as easy to change as action and anyone previously associated with the corrupt UMNO/Barisan will likely have a flawed character and we should be watchful and careful not to be deluded by a few shallow moves to right past wrongs.
My response. Yes perhaps we should judge by Najib's action and not the dismal picture that some Malaysians have painted of him. However, actions are relatively easy to change and to fake, but I think we still have to try to look deep into the person, his character. A person's character is not as easy to change as action and anyone previously associated with the corrupt UMNO/Barisan will likely have a flawed character and we should be watchful and careful not to be deluded by a few shallow moves to right past wrongs.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Job function of a Member of Parliament
I will first use a commercial or industrial corporation as an example as that is what most people can relate to the easiest.
Each job has its function, or job description or whatever you call it. Essentially, it defines what each person holding the job is supposed to do. A janitor's job function is just to keep a place clean and tidy and no more. At the other end is a member of a board of director whose duties are to attend board of directors meetings, discuss, make policy and other very important decisions, and set the direction in which the company is to go. These decisions made by the board of directors are very important and can either set a company to great success or send it to bankruptcy. Because their job function is so important, they are normally very highly paid. A member of board of directors does not stoop down so low as to go do the job of a janitor. They have different job functions.
Similarly, Members or Parliament are like members of the board of directors of a very huge company. In this case, the company is the country. What they do in the Parliament can make a country great or send it down the gutters. Their most important job is in the Parliament, not taking care of clogged drains and pot holes. These are jobs for the City Halls or Municipality Councils. These are important, but more important are crucial issues that affect the future of the country. These matters can only be settled in the Parliament.
One more important thing. When a Member of Parliament first enters the Parliament, he or she has to make an oath to uphold, defend and preserve the Constitution. The Constitution of a country is its supreme law and is a sacred document. It is not meant to be amended just so someone, for example, the Chairman of an Election Commission, can continue to serve another term.
Now in this coming election, when you cast your vote, you must keep these in mind. You must see if the candidate, if he or she was the former Member of Parliament, have he or she fulfilled that most important job function and have uphold, defend and preserve the Constitution, something which he or she had taken an oath to do. For greater details, refer to Interview with Billi Lim, independent candidate for Kelana Jaya (click BACK button to get back to this page). How many times our Constitution had been amended was discussed in that post. In another post Haris Ibrahim's speech at the SS2 Petaling Jaya ceramah (click BACK button to get back to this page), Haris said "BN (Barisan Nasional) has been dismantling our document (Constitution) systematically. In the process, taken away our rights. In the process, taking away our Constitutional Institutions.
The statement below was taken from PJ Utara: A choice between local service and parliamentary voice:
Chew (Chew Mei Fun) remains unperturbed by Opposition claims that she is more concerned about drains than speaking up on her constituents’ behalf in parliament. “They can say things which sound very ideal but in the end can they deliver?” she says. “I believe that with hard work and my track record, I have set a strong foundation and the support for me is there.”
The question we need to ask ourselves is, what Chew Mei Fun did when all those bills to amend the Constitution were tabled at the Parliament. Did she take into the consideration of whether her Constituent wants it? What about the future of the country? Deliver? Deliver what? Do we want better roads and drains or a better future for the country? Roads and drains can only last so long. What happens after that? Malaysia had been blessed with oil and plantations and thus had been cushioned from the flawed policies that can bring ruin to the economy. What happens when we run out of oil? I asked this to a person who claimed to be an assistant of our caretaker Deputy Prime Minister. His answer - "we will cross the bridge when we come to it." Can we afford that? Is that the way to run a country. Solve a problem only when we are faced with it? Is not wiser to take that into account when we make long term plans for the country?
The Barisan Members of Parliament are all allocated millions of ringgits to spend on their Constituent. The opposition Members of Parliament are given none. Is that fair?
We have to ask ourselves, which is more important - the future of the country, the reputation and independence of the Judiciary, or the roads and drains? When we have a problem which can only be solved in the court, we want to go to a court where we have confidence the judge's decision will be based on the Constitution and on the law. Do we have that? I do not know. But I have heard that when foreign investors draw up contracts, they specify that disputes should be settled in Singapore or United Kingdom. True or not I do not know. You will have to do your own research.
Think very hard these few days before polling date when we cast our vote. Vote for the candidate who will uphold, defend and preserve our Constitution and not let it be amended to suit the political situation.
Each job has its function, or job description or whatever you call it. Essentially, it defines what each person holding the job is supposed to do. A janitor's job function is just to keep a place clean and tidy and no more. At the other end is a member of a board of director whose duties are to attend board of directors meetings, discuss, make policy and other very important decisions, and set the direction in which the company is to go. These decisions made by the board of directors are very important and can either set a company to great success or send it to bankruptcy. Because their job function is so important, they are normally very highly paid. A member of board of directors does not stoop down so low as to go do the job of a janitor. They have different job functions.
Similarly, Members or Parliament are like members of the board of directors of a very huge company. In this case, the company is the country. What they do in the Parliament can make a country great or send it down the gutters. Their most important job is in the Parliament, not taking care of clogged drains and pot holes. These are jobs for the City Halls or Municipality Councils. These are important, but more important are crucial issues that affect the future of the country. These matters can only be settled in the Parliament.
One more important thing. When a Member of Parliament first enters the Parliament, he or she has to make an oath to uphold, defend and preserve the Constitution. The Constitution of a country is its supreme law and is a sacred document. It is not meant to be amended just so someone, for example, the Chairman of an Election Commission, can continue to serve another term.
Now in this coming election, when you cast your vote, you must keep these in mind. You must see if the candidate, if he or she was the former Member of Parliament, have he or she fulfilled that most important job function and have uphold, defend and preserve the Constitution, something which he or she had taken an oath to do. For greater details, refer to Interview with Billi Lim, independent candidate for Kelana Jaya (click BACK button to get back to this page). How many times our Constitution had been amended was discussed in that post. In another post Haris Ibrahim's speech at the SS2 Petaling Jaya ceramah (click BACK button to get back to this page), Haris said "BN (Barisan Nasional) has been dismantling our document (Constitution) systematically. In the process, taken away our rights. In the process, taking away our Constitutional Institutions.
The statement below was taken from PJ Utara: A choice between local service and parliamentary voice:
Chew (Chew Mei Fun) remains unperturbed by Opposition claims that she is more concerned about drains than speaking up on her constituents’ behalf in parliament. “They can say things which sound very ideal but in the end can they deliver?” she says. “I believe that with hard work and my track record, I have set a strong foundation and the support for me is there.”
The question we need to ask ourselves is, what Chew Mei Fun did when all those bills to amend the Constitution were tabled at the Parliament. Did she take into the consideration of whether her Constituent wants it? What about the future of the country? Deliver? Deliver what? Do we want better roads and drains or a better future for the country? Roads and drains can only last so long. What happens after that? Malaysia had been blessed with oil and plantations and thus had been cushioned from the flawed policies that can bring ruin to the economy. What happens when we run out of oil? I asked this to a person who claimed to be an assistant of our caretaker Deputy Prime Minister. His answer - "we will cross the bridge when we come to it." Can we afford that? Is that the way to run a country. Solve a problem only when we are faced with it? Is not wiser to take that into account when we make long term plans for the country?
The Barisan Members of Parliament are all allocated millions of ringgits to spend on their Constituent. The opposition Members of Parliament are given none. Is that fair?
We have to ask ourselves, which is more important - the future of the country, the reputation and independence of the Judiciary, or the roads and drains? When we have a problem which can only be solved in the court, we want to go to a court where we have confidence the judge's decision will be based on the Constitution and on the law. Do we have that? I do not know. But I have heard that when foreign investors draw up contracts, they specify that disputes should be settled in Singapore or United Kingdom. True or not I do not know. You will have to do your own research.
Think very hard these few days before polling date when we cast our vote. Vote for the candidate who will uphold, defend and preserve our Constitution and not let it be amended to suit the political situation.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Transcript of podcast: Evaluating the DPM
Here is the transcript of the podcast from The Edge featuring Onn Yeoh and Ong Kian Ming title "Evaluating the Deputy Prime Minister":
Oon Yeoh: I think it is about time maybe we have a look at Muhyiddin Yassin, how well he has performed as the Deputy Prime Minister and as the Education Minister.
Ong Kian Ming: Yeah, I think it is about time we evaluate his performance vis a vis the larger picture of what we expect a Deputy Prime Minister to be and to do you know. So we should talk about him in that light.
OY: Yeah, also we should touch on his role as Education Minister as well, with the English for Science and Maths controversy, he is still doing ....
OKM: Oh yeah, definitely, I mean you know that education is an issue that keep track of very closely. Right, we were all expecting some sort of announcement from the Government. But it seems that they some sort, like eh, delay it once again, because eh, you know, you have a new minister coming in and he doesn't want to sort of like step on any toes. And it seems that he is reevaluating the situation and perhaps even start from scratch, you know
OY: OK we'll talk about that later. But let's first look at him from the context of him as a Deputy Prime Minister. First start with the big picture. Overall has he been a good DPM for Najib for the first three months of his administration?
OKM: The word I would use is UNDERWHELMING.
OY: Ha ha ha ha
OKM: He has actually been underwhelming.
OY: Now why do you say
OKM: Well Muhyiddin is some sort like kept under the radar, perhaps all his career. And it is actually very surprising because he's always been seen as one of the top leaders in UMNO, but someone who doesn't really have a very distinct personality or style. So I didn't really know what to expect of him. But he basically came out I think a little bit ... if you will, you know
OY: Well he's been saying the wrong thing at the wrong time
OKM: Yeah and not only that. He said things, not only wrong things, but things which seems to go against, eh, what Najib was trying to say, you know. I think, if you recall, he came up to say something in regard to the 1Malaysia concept. He said he didn't really know what it meant. He wasn't sure what it meant...
OY: .... the same thing as well
OK: Yeah, exactly. So given the fact that, you know, it is, eh, you are supposed to back up your boss, your Prime Minister, you know, seems a little bit surprising. And of course, recently we have this, eh, there was this big U-turn about how he said, you know, there is no need to talk to PAS. And then he made a big U-turn and said we should have these talks immediately, something like that you know...
OY: But that's not the only U-turn, er, if you recall, remember in Terengganu when those 10 rebels decided to, er, boycott the state assembly. First he sort of indicated like, you know, that's OK, you know, they have a right not to attend. And then Najib ordered all of them to attend. And then he changed tack. But at first he seems to be, er, a little bit on the side of those 10 rebels. The other one which I recall very early on, which proved to be a bit of an embarassment for the Najib administration, was when, I think it was right after the Bukit Gantang by-election, where he said something like the Chinese... I think he didn't say the word ungrateful, but he said something like, they didn't appreciate the BN, and then it was translated as ungrateful. And then he scolded the Chinese press and eh, can you read Malay?
OKM: I guessed he felt a bit frustrated. But that was not a very politically savy way to express his frustration.
OY: Well, I don't see what he gained from hitting out at the Chinese, you know
OKM Yeah, exactly
OY: Well he sort of, you know, eh we gave you goodies and you didn't vote for us. Well that is (laughter) basically what .. ha ha
OKM Yeah, exactly
OY: In a way it is kind of er ironic that early on, he was seen as been hitting out at the Chinese. He really not had a record of being an ultra , you know, you can say Khairy was an ultra, you know, Mukhriz was and Mahathir had been an ultra before for many different phases of his career. Even Hishammudin you can say was an ultra, he insisted on waving the keris and all that. And Najib was, there are lots of speculation about how ultra he was in 1987 when he was an UMNO youth leader. But Muhyiddin he never really seen as an ultra kind of guy was he?
OKM: No, I think, given the statement about the Chinese being ungrateful, you know, I think that is a very very mild statement however you translate it. So I wouldn't think, so I don't think that he would be one that sort of eh stirr up the Malay ground
OY: No, no, that is not his style and neither is he a kind of er leader that people just hate, you know there are some leaders that some people cannot stand..
OKM: Oh Because they are arrogant
OY: Yeah exactly. You know, nobody invide the kind of scorn, from the non-Malay that, for example, Khairy
OKM: Yeah exactly, so I think there is both good and bad in the sense that he wouldn't stir the water and create controversy. But at the same he probably wouldn't be the sort of person to have the kind of charismatic leadership to stir the ground among the Malays for example. So you know, it is sort of like er a safe pair of hand perhaps a little bit like Pak Lah
OY: Not very dynamic. I would say although it is very very early days it doesn't look like he is the kind of guy that would clash with his boss in the way that Musa Hitam clashed with Mahathir or in the way that Anwar clash with Mahathir
OKM: I think it is going to be a good number 2 in the sense that he will follow what Najib tells him to do. If Najib tells him to do something, he will follow that. Whether he would, you know, do things that are politically savvy or strategic. On his own, you know, I think we have seen that that probably wouldn't be the case
OY: Let's turn his role as Education Minister. That is a very important portfolio and the hot potato right now is the English for teaching Science and Maths. He is new at the role but do you think he will be able handle this English for teaching Science and Maths well?
OKM: Well I have my reservation. Because this issue. No matter what the resolution is, you are going to anger people from er. one side or the other or how many different sides there are you know. My sense is that because he is new to this, because he has not met the different stakeholders in this process. Whenever he comes out with a decision it would anger some people and I think because he doesn't have the experience in handling this education issue, he wouldn't be able to handle it well
OY: What are your thoughts on it?
OKM: My sense is that, it's probably a policy that washes up like the net effect is actually neutral I would say
OY: So you think it should continue?
OKM: My sense, I think it should be continued because we haven't actually given it enough time. You need to give it a little more time. At least another 5 years or 6 years cycle. So that better teachers can be trained and the people can get used to it. And I think that once you sort of like institutionalize it within the system, it should be something that people will accept over time. But my sense is that the political reality would be such that there will be a policy change
OY: Why the political situation calls for a change
OKM: Because the people who are really against this policy are the ones that are very vocal, you know, either on non-Malay or Malay side. People who are for this policy. They are sort like a little bit luke warm. A lot of them are middle class parents whose kids actually speak decent English already so they don't really need this policy to continue. It is sort of like imbalance of resources as well as, savings if you will, on the side of those who really want this change
OY: You think the angry voices are getting too loud
OKM: Exactly, too loud and some of the silent majority who may prefer the policy to continue, they are not too worked up to make a big deal about this
OY: I mean that is quite true. A lot of middle class people who, the parents speak good English, don't think that they necessary want it to stop. They may not be crazy about it, they are not going to go to the streets and demonstrate, you know, in order for the policy to be retained. But if given the choice, I think they are fine with having Maths and Science in English
OKM: Yeah I think they will want it to continue
OY: So how do you think it is going to be resolved?
OKM: It will either discontinue the teaching of Science and Maths in English at the primary level. But when you start in the secondary level, or you only start in the primary 4 instead of primary 1. There will be some....
OY: You know it is still very early early days, but I think it will grow in the row
OKM: He has held various portfolio, he is a very experienced administrator. But the challenges in the Ministry of Education will definitely test his administrative capabilities to its full extend.
Oon Yeoh: I think it is about time maybe we have a look at Muhyiddin Yassin, how well he has performed as the Deputy Prime Minister and as the Education Minister.
Ong Kian Ming: Yeah, I think it is about time we evaluate his performance vis a vis the larger picture of what we expect a Deputy Prime Minister to be and to do you know. So we should talk about him in that light.
OY: Yeah, also we should touch on his role as Education Minister as well, with the English for Science and Maths controversy, he is still doing ....
OKM: Oh yeah, definitely, I mean you know that education is an issue that keep track of very closely. Right, we were all expecting some sort of announcement from the Government. But it seems that they some sort, like eh, delay it once again, because eh, you know, you have a new minister coming in and he doesn't want to sort of like step on any toes. And it seems that he is reevaluating the situation and perhaps even start from scratch, you know
OY: OK we'll talk about that later. But let's first look at him from the context of him as a Deputy Prime Minister. First start with the big picture. Overall has he been a good DPM for Najib for the first three months of his administration?
OKM: The word I would use is UNDERWHELMING.
OY: Ha ha ha ha
OKM: He has actually been underwhelming.
OY: Now why do you say
OKM: Well Muhyiddin is some sort like kept under the radar, perhaps all his career. And it is actually very surprising because he's always been seen as one of the top leaders in UMNO, but someone who doesn't really have a very distinct personality or style. So I didn't really know what to expect of him. But he basically came out I think a little bit ... if you will, you know
OY: Well he's been saying the wrong thing at the wrong time
OKM: Yeah and not only that. He said things, not only wrong things, but things which seems to go against, eh, what Najib was trying to say, you know. I think, if you recall, he came up to say something in regard to the 1Malaysia concept. He said he didn't really know what it meant. He wasn't sure what it meant...
OY: .... the same thing as well
OK: Yeah, exactly. So given the fact that, you know, it is, eh, you are supposed to back up your boss, your Prime Minister, you know, seems a little bit surprising. And of course, recently we have this, eh, there was this big U-turn about how he said, you know, there is no need to talk to PAS. And then he made a big U-turn and said we should have these talks immediately, something like that you know...
OY: But that's not the only U-turn, er, if you recall, remember in Terengganu when those 10 rebels decided to, er, boycott the state assembly. First he sort of indicated like, you know, that's OK, you know, they have a right not to attend. And then Najib ordered all of them to attend. And then he changed tack. But at first he seems to be, er, a little bit on the side of those 10 rebels. The other one which I recall very early on, which proved to be a bit of an embarassment for the Najib administration, was when, I think it was right after the Bukit Gantang by-election, where he said something like the Chinese... I think he didn't say the word ungrateful, but he said something like, they didn't appreciate the BN, and then it was translated as ungrateful. And then he scolded the Chinese press and eh, can you read Malay?
OKM: I guessed he felt a bit frustrated. But that was not a very politically savy way to express his frustration.
OY: Well, I don't see what he gained from hitting out at the Chinese, you know
OKM Yeah, exactly
OY: Well he sort of, you know, eh we gave you goodies and you didn't vote for us. Well that is (laughter) basically what .. ha ha
OKM Yeah, exactly
OY: In a way it is kind of er ironic that early on, he was seen as been hitting out at the Chinese. He really not had a record of being an ultra , you know, you can say Khairy was an ultra, you know, Mukhriz was and Mahathir had been an ultra before for many different phases of his career. Even Hishammudin you can say was an ultra, he insisted on waving the keris and all that. And Najib was, there are lots of speculation about how ultra he was in 1987 when he was an UMNO youth leader. But Muhyiddin he never really seen as an ultra kind of guy was he?
OKM: No, I think, given the statement about the Chinese being ungrateful, you know, I think that is a very very mild statement however you translate it. So I wouldn't think, so I don't think that he would be one that sort of eh stirr up the Malay ground
OY: No, no, that is not his style and neither is he a kind of er leader that people just hate, you know there are some leaders that some people cannot stand..
OKM: Oh Because they are arrogant
OY: Yeah exactly. You know, nobody invide the kind of scorn, from the non-Malay that, for example, Khairy
OKM: Yeah exactly, so I think there is both good and bad in the sense that he wouldn't stir the water and create controversy. But at the same he probably wouldn't be the sort of person to have the kind of charismatic leadership to stir the ground among the Malays for example. So you know, it is sort of like er a safe pair of hand perhaps a little bit like Pak Lah
OY: Not very dynamic. I would say although it is very very early days it doesn't look like he is the kind of guy that would clash with his boss in the way that Musa Hitam clashed with Mahathir or in the way that Anwar clash with Mahathir
OKM: I think it is going to be a good number 2 in the sense that he will follow what Najib tells him to do. If Najib tells him to do something, he will follow that. Whether he would, you know, do things that are politically savvy or strategic. On his own, you know, I think we have seen that that probably wouldn't be the case
OY: Let's turn his role as Education Minister. That is a very important portfolio and the hot potato right now is the English for teaching Science and Maths. He is new at the role but do you think he will be able handle this English for teaching Science and Maths well?
OKM: Well I have my reservation. Because this issue. No matter what the resolution is, you are going to anger people from er. one side or the other or how many different sides there are you know. My sense is that because he is new to this, because he has not met the different stakeholders in this process. Whenever he comes out with a decision it would anger some people and I think because he doesn't have the experience in handling this education issue, he wouldn't be able to handle it well
OY: What are your thoughts on it?
OKM: My sense is that, it's probably a policy that washes up like the net effect is actually neutral I would say
OY: So you think it should continue?
OKM: My sense, I think it should be continued because we haven't actually given it enough time. You need to give it a little more time. At least another 5 years or 6 years cycle. So that better teachers can be trained and the people can get used to it. And I think that once you sort of like institutionalize it within the system, it should be something that people will accept over time. But my sense is that the political reality would be such that there will be a policy change
OY: Why the political situation calls for a change
OKM: Because the people who are really against this policy are the ones that are very vocal, you know, either on non-Malay or Malay side. People who are for this policy. They are sort like a little bit luke warm. A lot of them are middle class parents whose kids actually speak decent English already so they don't really need this policy to continue. It is sort of like imbalance of resources as well as, savings if you will, on the side of those who really want this change
OY: You think the angry voices are getting too loud
OKM: Exactly, too loud and some of the silent majority who may prefer the policy to continue, they are not too worked up to make a big deal about this
OY: I mean that is quite true. A lot of middle class people who, the parents speak good English, don't think that they necessary want it to stop. They may not be crazy about it, they are not going to go to the streets and demonstrate, you know, in order for the policy to be retained. But if given the choice, I think they are fine with having Maths and Science in English
OKM: Yeah I think they will want it to continue
OY: So how do you think it is going to be resolved?
OKM: It will either discontinue the teaching of Science and Maths in English at the primary level. But when you start in the secondary level, or you only start in the primary 4 instead of primary 1. There will be some....
OY: You know it is still very early early days, but I think it will grow in the row
OKM: He has held various portfolio, he is a very experienced administrator. But the challenges in the Ministry of Education will definitely test his administrative capabilities to its full extend.
Phishing alert: email requesting Yahoo account details
After a long time being protected from phishing by the very efficient spam filter, I finally received a suspicious email asking me to verify my Yahoo account by giving my personal details including the password. The giveaway is the email address from which I obtained the message. It is yahoo-account-services-us@cc.yahoo-inc.com which is not the yahoo.com proper. Always turn on the full header for your email account.
Here if the scam email:
Dear User,
We are sorry to inform you that we are currently working on securing our server, during this process account which is not manually verified by us will be deleted, Please confirm and submit your information for manual verification by one of our customer care.
Information which is to be provided is below:
User Name:
User Id:
Password:
Date Of Birth:
Country (At Sign up):
Upon confirmation of information from you, we will manually verify your Yahoo! Account and reserve it not to be deleted, We are sorry for any inconveniences this might have cause providing your information over the email.
Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his/her account after two weeks of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently.
Here if the scam email:
Dear User,
We are sorry to inform you that we are currently working on securing our server, during this process account which is not manually verified by us will be deleted, Please confirm and submit your information for manual verification by one of our customer care.
Information which is to be provided is below:
User Name:
User Id:
Password:
Date Of Birth:
Country (At Sign up):
Upon confirmation of information from you, we will manually verify your Yahoo! Account and reserve it not to be deleted, We are sorry for any inconveniences this might have cause providing your information over the email.
Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his/her account after two weeks of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Scam alert: Mid-Valley Megamall carpark
Please whenever your car is stationary and is occupied, remember to keep the door securely locked. Preferably the occupant/s should have a working handphone to call for help when necessary:
Near tragedy at Mid-Valley Megamall
Near tragedy at Mid-Valley Megamall
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saiful Bukhari made calls to MINDEF
Translation of an article at Suara Keadilan:
A website registered with title PahangDaily.blogspot.com reported that Saiful Bukhari Azlan (the former aide of Anwar Ibrahim who accused Anwar of sodomizing him) frequently communicated with a certain party at Kementerian Pertahanan (MINDEF or Ministry of Defence which was then headed by Najib Abdul Razak) before he made a police report regarding his accusation of sodomy (against Anwar).
According to that blog, Saiful made at least 6 calls to MINDEF before the police report was made on June 2008.
Those records of calls exposed Saiful communicated directly with certain party at the Ministry of Defence sence February last year, that is, one month before he worked with Anwar Ibrahim, according to that blog.
That calls record also detected Saiful as communicating with certain party at MINDEF everyday while he worked as Anwar's aide.
This strengthen the argument that there are hidden hands that planed the repeat of the 1988 conspiracy at the highest level to bring down Anwar.
The blog PahangDaily said Saiful should not be too arrogant in the belief that he is protected by that certain party.
"Truth will emerge eventually. Even the swearing that Saiful played with also seen by many to swallow he himself and increase the muddle with regards to this case" ejaculated the blog.
arrogant, form, appearence
A website registered with title PahangDaily.blogspot.com reported that Saiful Bukhari Azlan (the former aide of Anwar Ibrahim who accused Anwar of sodomizing him) frequently communicated with a certain party at Kementerian Pertahanan (MINDEF or Ministry of Defence which was then headed by Najib Abdul Razak) before he made a police report regarding his accusation of sodomy (against Anwar).
According to that blog, Saiful made at least 6 calls to MINDEF before the police report was made on June 2008.
Those records of calls exposed Saiful communicated directly with certain party at the Ministry of Defence sence February last year, that is, one month before he worked with Anwar Ibrahim, according to that blog.
That calls record also detected Saiful as communicating with certain party at MINDEF everyday while he worked as Anwar's aide.
This strengthen the argument that there are hidden hands that planed the repeat of the 1988 conspiracy at the highest level to bring down Anwar.
The blog PahangDaily said Saiful should not be too arrogant in the belief that he is protected by that certain party.
"Truth will emerge eventually. Even the swearing that Saiful played with also seen by many to swallow he himself and increase the muddle with regards to this case" ejaculated the blog.
arrogant, form, appearence
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Huan Cheng Guan: Pakatan Rakyat should be wary of him
Photo of Huan Cheng Guan courtesy of Malaysiakini
On May 29, Gerakan (PGRM or Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) Vice-President Huan Cheng Guan had said he would quit Gerakan and join a party of Pakatan Rakyat in 3 weeks time taking with him lots of Gerakan members. A short while later, he said he will remain loyal to Gerakan and will accept whatever decisions Gerakan made regarding his position in Gerakan. Now that Gerakan has given him a 3-year suspension, Huan Cheng Guan is crying foul. What kind of man is Huan? What was his reason for his criticism against his party and wanting to quit Gerakan? It was merely regarding positions. Look like he in into politics not to serve but to get positions. Even if he make applications to join Pakatan Rakyat, I would say, be careful.
Friday, May 29, 2009
PKFZ fiasco - why Malaysians so easily believe rumours of BN's wrongdoings
Long long before the Price Waterhouse report on the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco, there were many "rumors" of such happenings which were brushed aside by the Barisan Nasional government. Now the release of the Price Waterhouse report confirmed that such "rumours" are true. Little wonder why we Malaysians so easily believe "rumors" of BN's wrongdoings.
Pakatan Rakyat should be careful about accepting Huan Cheng Guan
Malaysiakini reported that Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan intends to quit Gerakan to join Pakatan Rakyat in three weeks time together with thousands of supporters. I hope Pakatan Rakyat will be cautious about accepting Huan Cheng Guan and his supporters. This is because the stated reason for the move is Teng Hock Nan (Gerakan Penang Chief) and several state leaders who overlooked Huan's supporters for positions in the constituency committees of the implementation coordination unit (ICU).
My opinion is, it is OK to be a political frog to shift your political allegiance if the reasons are because one support what Pakatan Rakyat are fighting for (no racism, no corruption, etc.), but to change party because one is denied positions in the old party means one is in the political game because of positions and not to serve. We have to be very careful with such politicians because if such frogs don't get positions in Pakatan Rakyat, they may just jump back to their old party.
My opinion is, it is OK to be a political frog to shift your political allegiance if the reasons are because one support what Pakatan Rakyat are fighting for (no racism, no corruption, etc.), but to change party because one is denied positions in the old party means one is in the political game because of positions and not to serve. We have to be very careful with such politicians because if such frogs don't get positions in Pakatan Rakyat, they may just jump back to their old party.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Public institution used to promote Barisan Nasional's sloganeering
Rais Yatim speaking to civil servants: "The slogan is meant to portray a more inclusive Barisan Nasional (BN) and to win back the support of non-Malays in the wake of the March 8 political Tsunami last year."
This is Barisan Nasional using public institutions to promote Barisan Nasional's sloganeering. There must be some law regarding such misuses. I hope the Pakatan Rakyat's Members of Parliament will bring this matter up in the next sitting of Malaysia Parliament.
This is Barisan Nasional using public institutions to promote Barisan Nasional's sloganeering. There must be some law regarding such misuses. I hope the Pakatan Rakyat's Members of Parliament will bring this matter up in the next sitting of Malaysia Parliament.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Zambry Kadir is a liar?
Well, either that or Najib is not telling the truth. Some time back, when news filtered out that UMNO is going to consult Queen Counsel regarding the power grab in Perak, Zambry denied it (Zambry denies Umno engaging QC:
Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir denied today Umno was seeking the services of a Queen’s Counsel in Britain to break the constitutional deadlock in Perak.
“No one has gone to London and we are not engaging any QCs,” he said
Now Najib has admitted consulting Lord Lester, a Queen Counsel:
Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir denied today Umno was seeking the services of a Queen’s Counsel in Britain to break the constitutional deadlock in Perak.
“No one has gone to London and we are not engaging any QCs,” he said
Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir denied today Umno was seeking the services of a Queen’s Counsel in Britain to break the constitutional deadlock in Perak.
“No one has gone to London and we are not engaging any QCs,” he said
Now Najib has admitted consulting Lord Lester, a Queen Counsel:
Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir denied today Umno was seeking the services of a Queen’s Counsel in Britain to break the constitutional deadlock in Perak.
“No one has gone to London and we are not engaging any QCs,” he said
Friday, May 22, 2009
Extraordinary judges with extraordinary ability
Malaysia has extraordinary judges with extraordinary ability, according to Nizar's counsel Sulaiman Abdullah after 3 judges ruled that Zambry is still the Mentry Besar of Perak and there is no need for a vote of confidence in the Perak State Assembly against Nizar.
Those wrongfully arrested should sue police
Latest regarding the 5 lawyers who were wrongfully arrested for trying to see their clients who were also wrongfully arrested for attending candlelight vigils and for showing support to the arrest of Wong Chin Huat, have been freed. This clearly showed that their arrests were unnecessary and unlawful and they should now proceed to sue the police for wrongful arrests.
Civil disobedience via posters banners
Here is a good idea proposed by a commentator at Malaysiakini. Instead of holding candlelight vigils and getting arrested, why not start a campaign to encourage households especially those in Perak to hang up banners or posters in their homes calling for fresh elections in Perak. Police cannot arrest you for that.
How Barisan Nasional rob Malaysia
From a comment describing how Barang Naik (alluding to BN or Barisan Nasional, literally {prices of) things increase) rape and rob the country:
I think you know how the Barang Naik coalition does business. You were there at NSTP.
Let's use the Bakun Dam as an example of how UMNOputras with the connivance of some Chinamen screw the rakyat.
In 1996 Ting Pek Khiing asked his good friend Mamakthir (now your Emperor) for the rights to build Bakun and transport the power to Mersing via a submarine cable of 560km. Never mind that a cable of this length has never been done before. Never mind that the cable has to be embedded in coral reefs around the Natuna Islands, owned by Indonesia.
Of course the real agenda wasn't about selling electricity; it was about the size of the contract for building the dam. Ting cleared an area the size of Singapore,and sold the timber - even before the EIA was approved. In 1998 with the financial crisis, Ting gave up the project - but the government still compensated him RM800 million for "work done". Work done referred to the clearing of pristine jungle.
So after clearing the jungle, the gomen decided that they should proceed with the project, so they went ahead to resettle the people, the local tribes. Sime Darby took over the project, found it to be unviable, and they too returned the project to the gomen.
Now the gomen has a RM8 billion hole in the ground, and the only way this hole is going to make money is to connect it via submarine cable to peninsular. How much is the cost of the submarine cable now ? US$4 billion for double circuits. Who pays for this money ? TNB - but they can't borrow this amount, so now the money can only be borrowed by JBIC of Japan with the federal government guarantee.
So now the pristine jungle has become a hole in the ground, which has become a RM8 billion dam, and which needs US$4 billion to make it work.
This is the BN gomen that the New Yorker is talking about - idiots that drive the country surely into the ground.
WE ARE NOT STUPID, NOR BLIND.
Godfather
I think you know how the Barang Naik coalition does business. You were there at NSTP.
Let's use the Bakun Dam as an example of how UMNOputras with the connivance of some Chinamen screw the rakyat.
In 1996 Ting Pek Khiing asked his good friend Mamakthir (now your Emperor) for the rights to build Bakun and transport the power to Mersing via a submarine cable of 560km. Never mind that a cable of this length has never been done before. Never mind that the cable has to be embedded in coral reefs around the Natuna Islands, owned by Indonesia.
Of course the real agenda wasn't about selling electricity; it was about the size of the contract for building the dam. Ting cleared an area the size of Singapore,and sold the timber - even before the EIA was approved. In 1998 with the financial crisis, Ting gave up the project - but the government still compensated him RM800 million for "work done". Work done referred to the clearing of pristine jungle.
So after clearing the jungle, the gomen decided that they should proceed with the project, so they went ahead to resettle the people, the local tribes. Sime Darby took over the project, found it to be unviable, and they too returned the project to the gomen.
Now the gomen has a RM8 billion hole in the ground, and the only way this hole is going to make money is to connect it via submarine cable to peninsular. How much is the cost of the submarine cable now ? US$4 billion for double circuits. Who pays for this money ? TNB - but they can't borrow this amount, so now the money can only be borrowed by JBIC of Japan with the federal government guarantee.
So now the pristine jungle has become a hole in the ground, which has become a RM8 billion dam, and which needs US$4 billion to make it work.
This is the BN gomen that the New Yorker is talking about - idiots that drive the country surely into the ground.
WE ARE NOT STUPID, NOR BLIND.
Godfather
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Najib's power grab
Najib Abdul Razak: "Widely seen as the man who engineered the takeover, he maintains that BN did nothing wrong in claiming control of the Perak state government from the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition coalition on Feb 4."
Nothing wrong? Kidnapping 3 former PR ADUN (Ahli Dewan Undang Negeri) of whom 2 are facing corruption charges and 1 who hankers after better treatment and a Camry car, and enticing them with money is nothing wrong? Think again.
Nothing wrong? Kidnapping 3 former PR ADUN (Ahli Dewan Undang Negeri) of whom 2 are facing corruption charges and 1 who hankers after better treatment and a Camry car, and enticing them with money is nothing wrong? Think again.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Deputy Prime Minister lucrative position
Want to become a billionaire? Join UMNO and aspire to be the Deputy Prime Minister. According to Anifah Aman, the post of Deputy Prime Minister is a very lucrative position. How lucrative? A billion, a trillion? That is UMNO politics for you. Join UMNO to become rich, not to serve your country, but yourself.
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