How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Friday, March 07, 2008

On the Eve of 12th Malaysian General Elections, 2008

After some business in Butterworth, my wife and I took the ferry to Penang Island. It was comparatively quiet at the terminal and in Penang too.

At an antique shop in Chulia Street, we asked the boss about the election sentiments in Penang. It seems DAP attracted a huge crowd last night and the general sentiments seem to favour the opposition.

One particular point he highlighted was, at a recent function, when Koh Tsu Koon (Chief Minister then) was publicly humiliated by some demanding banners put up by Umno Youth leaders, in the presence of Pak Lah (I think) with the usual reporters and possibly television crew. Yet he was extra nice when talking to them. It might be Koh's usual gentlemanly ways but to Penangites it was nothing but humiliation. I think this could be the deciding factor as to whether Penang stays with BN tomorrow.

On our way back, I saw a huge poster beside the new Jelutong Expressway, of Pak Lah and Koh waving, with the Penang bridge as backdrop. I quipped to my wife, "Are they waving goodbye to Penang?"

I will be on duty as a polling agent early tomorrow morning, with the following quotes as my guiding principles:

I am only one
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything.
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something
That I can do.

- Edward Everett Hale

“You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power; maybe not in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing.”

- Mahatma Gandhi.


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