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.)

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Malaysia Today warned by PM's lawyer?


Could this be true?

"I would like to bring a very serious matter to your attention. There has been several links on your website against "NAJIB TUN RAZAK" Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia. These Links are consistently harming his reputation in a negative manner. It seems to be illegally posting under the defamation act of 1957 act no. 286 under the section 7. So, terminate these links before it moves to some large legal court action."

The defamatory links on your website are:

More:
Removal of Defamatory Links
http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/54741-removal-of-defamatory-links

Advocate Riswan Habib,
Senior Legal Advisor,
Office of The Prime Minister Main Block,
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
MALAYSIA


Comments in MT included the lack of proficiency in English and the medium of communication.
Link

Weather prediction: back to basics

There must be something mystical in ancient rites and traditions which could still influence us.

I can think of Feng Shui, relying on interpretations of old Chinese systems of geomancy, involving elements of Heaven and Earth. I can also think of present day Malay politicians using bomohs to improve their chances of success in politics. For important events, sometimes, bomohs are invited to ensure 'no rain' or during dry spell, to bring rain instead.

Generally, people treat superstitions with a pinch of salt, yet some would not disbelieve in them, if they can help it. If in doubt, why upset something you know about, which may affect your state of mind?

The following joke is quite plausible because humans have a tendency to be one up on others, in the use of secret methods, especially when they run out of ideas!


It was April and the Aboriginals in a remote part of Northern Australia asked their new elder if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild.
Since he was an elder in a modern community he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky he couldn't tell what the winter was going to be like.


Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the tribe should collect firewood to be prepared.
But being a practical leader, after several days he had an idea.
He walked out to the telephone booth on the highway, called the Bureau of Meteorology and asked, 'Is the coming winter in this area going to be cold?'
The meteorologist responded, 'It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold..' 
So the elder went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared. 
A week later he called the Bureau of Meteorology again. 'Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?' 
The meteorologist again replied, 'Yes, it's going to be a very cold winter.' 
The elder again went back to his community and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find. 
Two weeks later the elder called the Bureau again. 'Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?' he asked. 
'Absolutely,' the man replied. 'It's looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.' 
'How can you be so sure?' the elder asked. 
The weatherman replied, 'Our satellites have reported that the Aboriginals in the north are collecting firewood like crazy, and that's always a sure sign.' 



Link

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wikipedia: info can appear or disappear


The following is an excerpt from a posting in wargamarhaen:

'CASE OF THE MISSING NAME: So is Dr M the world's 2nd richest ex-leader with $ 44 BILLION?
Written by Joe Fernandez, Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

The oddest thing happened a day ago when former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's name was mysteriously removed from a Wikipedia list detailing the wealth of former and current heads of state and government in the world.

Citing 53 references, the Wikipedia page had listed Mahathir as the second richest former head of government after deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak whose wealth stands at somewhere between US$ 40 billion and US$ 70 billion.

However, while the Wikipedia page is still available in Malaysia, Mahathir’s name appears to have been mysteriously removed on Mon 17 Dec 2012 minutes after Malaysia Chronicle ran a story with the headline Mahathir now the world's second richest ex-leader with US$ 44 BILLION? Alerted by a staff that Mahathir's name had been replaced on the No. 2 spot by the late Indonesian president Suharto, the editors decided to withdraw the story pending further checks and granting that information on Wikipedia can sometimes be manipulated...'

More:
http://wargamarhaen.blogspot.com/2012/12/be-afraid-be-very-afraid-of-mahathir.html

Forbes has regular updates of the world's richest persons, but the richest are probably drug kingpins whose wealth are mainly hidden in cash form...

According to a report, the above cash hoard of a drug kingpin in Latin America when arrested, was estimated at US$18 billion, but after counting, was actually US$22 billion! (Just imagine Dr M could be worth twice this in cash form!)

We should also take it with a pinch of salt when referring to richest Malaysians, especially when names like Dr. Mahathir and Daim are not included...

Forbes: Malaysia's 40 Richest, with Robert Kuok heading the list at a mere US$12.4 billion...
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2012/84/malaysia-billionaires-12_rank.html

Realistically, wealth of politicians are likely to be held by nominees or overseas; what percentage of wealth of the richest in Malaysia are being held as nominees on behalf of present or past political leaders is anybody's guess.

Link

The reality of overseas voting procedure


'Malaysians abroad! Submitted your Borang 1B?

After the standard reply: "Permohonan anda telah diterima dan sedang diproses", we will only know if our overseas postal voting application has been approved or denied on nomination day: Anda akan dimaklumkan status permohonan sama ada dilulus atau ditolak selepas Hari Penamaan Calon. Walau bagaimanapun selepas anda menghantar permohonan melalui Borang 1B kepada Ibu Pejabat SPR, anda dinasihatkan supaya sentiasa menyemak status permohonan anda melalui laman-web SPR.'


ANNOUNCEMENT: OVERSEAS VOTING (PENGUNDI LUAR NEGARA)

The Embassy of Malaysia in Stockholm provides below information on Overseas Voting (Pengundi Luar Negara) in the form of Question and Answer (Q&A) to enable Malaysian citizens to better understand on Overseas Voting. The Question and Answer is as follows:

More:

http://www.kln.gov.my/web/swe_stockholm/ann2013/-/asset_publisher/ME2g/blog/announcement:-overseas-voting-pengundi-luar-negara?redirect=%2Fweb%2Fswe_stockholm%2Fann2013%2F-%2Fblogs%2Fborang-1b

You have to be really keen and dedicated to the cause of electing your government so as not to be put off by the details, and if necessary, make a trip back! The worst part is not knowing if your vote really got to be counted according to your wish, especially with the lack of credibility in the system.

Link

Some apt slogans for GE13




Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Malaysia-Finance Blogspot on Pakatan's Manifesto


"Can they govern? .... Of course they can, just look at the current cabinet, you tell me we cannot find capable people to replace them??? Gawd!!! As for some cynics who question as to how the missions will be funded or whether they are empty promises - seriously, I don't think they will be able to meet all that has been written in the manifesto, but I do think they can achieve at least 1/3 and maybe another 1/3 work in progress and the balance will be status quo, even then that will be 100x better than the administration we had for the past 50 years. Much of whats written below has to do with economics, but to me another key point which I am sure Pakatan can do and will do is restore credibility and independence to the judiciary ... and improve the regulatory and policing bodies - only when its fair can you live in our own country without fear or favour. Why is it that we Malaysians hesitate to talk about which political side we are aligned with??? Where did that fear come from? What are we fearful of??? Who put those things there? Why aren't things that are supposed to protect me of my rights there to protect me when I need it?"

"It’s for the good of BN that we vote for PR and for better future for the people at the same time.   What happens when PR becomes the New Government? We have a New Government with Less Experience in CORRUPTION and SCANDALS..... good for people.  We have a STRONG and RICH Opposition with 50 years Experience  in matters pertaining to CORRUPTION and SCANDALS.  They know the ins and out of corruption and scandals, so they can better check the PR government...." - Azmi Sharom

More:
Let's Get Serious - Pakatan's Manifesto
http://malaysiafinance.blogspot.com/2013/02/lets-get-serious-pakatans-manifesto.html


Link

Why can't our Election Commission be fair?

For a so-called democratic country, self-claimed to be the most democratic in the world, the people's distrust in our Election Commission couldn't be more embarrassing. Besides pointing out all kinds of 'mistakes' in our electoral roll, there are all kinds of advisories on how to detect frauds at the polling centres! It is surprising how insensitive our Election Commissioners are to the endless exposes, while playing dumb to the daily campaigning by BN leaders when carrying out their official duties as PM, DPM and Ministers; when they were seen on national television channels, dishing out monies to all and sundry (under different guises like BR1M, BL1M, etc.), and reminding the recipients to be grateful for what were given.

Malaysiakini's sticker below is an example of fair voter education because it advises people to 'read Malaysiakini before you cast your vote'. You may or may not agree with what is being published, there is no indication as to which party you should vote...



However, the following text messages sent out to people is an example of blatant abuse of the distribution of government funds to the people, with a reminder to recipients to return the favour by voting Barisan Nasional in GE 13 (PRU 13)...

Link

John Malott on Bernama, Mkini and EIU


"In its article, Bernama claimed that "the  Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which is part of the respected London-based magazine, The Economist, predicts that BN will win the 13th general election based on its successful track record, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's reform agenda, and his successful economic leadership."

Actually, the EIU report said no such thing.

In contrast to Bernama, Malaysiakini fulfilled its journalistic responsibility. It found the original EIU report and posted a link to it. Now everyone can read it and see that the EIU analysis was very balanced."

"Many people have called the Bernama report, "spin". However, once you read the original EIU report, it becomes clear that the Bernama headline and lead are more than spin - they are pure fabrication.

Malaysiakini has also discovered that the Bernama report itself was taken almost word for word from a shadowy website, whose ownership and authorship are hidden. Yet Bernama, once again fulfilling its role as a dutiful propagandist for the ruling party, never carried out its own fact-check or examined the original source."

Rest of his letter in Malaysiakini:
As expected of Bernama, Malaysiakini and the EIU
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/222265


Link

Monday, February 25, 2013

Pakatan's Manifesto - Malaysiakini's choice of Top 10


Top 10 issues in Pakatan's manifesto

1. Shutting down the Lynas plant (environmental sustainability; review oil refinery project in Pengerang)
2. Abolishing the AES (to emphasise on safer road infrastructure, education for road users and warning measures instead of the current punitive approach).
3. Putting the brakes on healthcare tax (dubbed the '1Care system').
4. Promoting media freedom (abolish all legislation that restrict media freedom, like PPPA).
5. Freeing all ISA detainees (within first year)
6. Affordable housing (150,000 affordable homes in the low-cost category (below RM75,000) and medium-cost category (below RM250,000) within its first term).
7. Policing ( reallocate to increase the size of the CID by reducing the GOF)
8. Free education, abolishing PTPTN (education as the people’s right and the government’s responsibility)
9. Lowering fuel, electricity and water charges (by cutting subsidies to IPPs and taking over toll and water concessionaires)
10. Reducing foreign workers by one million (within 5 years to create jobs for locals).

More details (available to subscribers only):
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/222299

Update:
For the full or brief version of Manifesto Rakyat, with choice of Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese, Tamil, Iban or Kadazan:
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2013/02/25/manifesto-rakyat-pakatan-harapan-rakyat/
Link

If only this graph represents our national reserves rather than debts

The graph below shows the statistics for the government's combined domestic and foreign debts from 1991 till the present. Forecasts are provided up to the year 2017.



Courtesy of CPI

Pak Sako examines the trend in our government debts...

Excerpt:


"There has been no sign of the debt accumulation reducing or levelling out since the East Asian economic crisis of 1997.

Large government deficits were first incurred in the aftermath of this crisis. Then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad justified this as part of government spending in commercial enterprises to stimulate the economy.

In reality, the loan proceeds were allegedly used for questionable purposes, such as to fund large-scale projects awarded to crony capitalists and to bail out their failing companies.

The federal government's borrowing shifted into higher gear from 2008, the year the Barisan National coalition lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority.

The deficit expenditures have been justified as a short-term tool. But they have continued for almost a decade and a half; they have become a permanent feature of the government’s financial policy.

The government's financial imprudence is therefore a primary cause of the country's indebtedness."


"When we are compelled to push our land and labour resources to new limits to produce economic growth in the attempt to surmount large debts, there will be damaging social and environmental consequences. We will have to rapidly liquidate our oil and other resources at the expense of the wellbeing of future generations.

The average citizen could be taxed more.

To free up cash to service debt, there could be cost-cutting in the provision of public services, such as healthcare... Workers might also face longer working hours for the same or lower income.

A more devious method ... is when the borrowing government increases money supply by printing money to devalue the debt. The lending citizens lose out. Inflation speeds up and the currency will weaken..."

More:
http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2484:malaysian-governments-debt-to-approach-rm1-trillion-by-2020&catid=219:contributors&Itemid=189

Link

Sabah intruders: whose responsibility is it?


                                           Pic courtesy of Facebook

That our Minister of Defence failed is obvious because a large group of armed foreigners could land on our shores so easily. Where are the expensive equipment purchased when we need them? Where are the butt-shaking veterans when we need them? The Minister of Defence has been accused of AWOL since this unfortunate intrusion.

That our Home Minister failed is also obvious because he said 'they came in sarongs and slippers and appeared under-nourished' but the picture above does not fit that description, and they are still around. Where are the water canons and tear-gas happy police when we need them? Where are the trigger-happy policemen? They are only good for fellow unarmed Malaysians?

With the continuing stand-off, it is now up to our Foreign Minister to use international diplomacy? His brother happens to be the Chief Minister of Sabah. Is he too busy counting all his money?

Can we blame our Tourism Minister for inviting foreigners to Malaysia? Psy was paid millions to perform for minutes and refused to stay and listen to instructions. Now we have a large group who refused to leave! Perhaps, we can make use of Air Asia to do national service by providing free transport for them to go back. Meanwhile, we can ask KFC and McDonald to provide them with food and drinks. Mydin in Meru, Ipoh has huge unsold stock of food and drinks too. Why not have a Ministerial Chinese New Year open house near our 'welcome, but stay where you are' intruders? Normally such open houses are overflowing with food and drinks, enough even for people to 'tah pau' or 'take away' with them.

Last, but not least, our PM's silence is deafening, more so than when he is beating a Chinese drum. He is still undecided over when to hold the next General Election. Now he has a good reason: who is going to deal with this group of invaders when Parliament is dissolved? Our ex-PMs were used to using public facilities to campaign for BN even when Parliament was dissolved, but when it comes to such highly sensitive international matters, surely our country cannot be without a legitimate PM to make decisions! But then again, even with the powers, he is undecided. I dread to think what would happen if and when there is an actual offensive by aggressive intruders.


Link

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Lim Kit Siang on Najib's TI Election Integrity Pledge


"There is no question about my commitment in fighting corruption and abuse of power for which I have dedicated nearly half a century of my life in Malaysian politics, but the question is whether my commitment to fighting corruption and abuse of power would become a joke and a mockery if I sign the Election Integrity Pledge after Najib had signed it!

Firstly, is Najib sincere and serious in signing the Election Integrity Pledge, which stipulates four principles for all signatories to observe when contesting in the 13th general elections, viz:

Truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in corrupt practices in any way;
Upholding and giving priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole;
Good governance and transparency; and
Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia.

Although the TI Election Integrity Pledge technically applies only to the future after the signing of the pledge, it is not possible for Malaysians to completely ignore the signatories’ record on corruption, crime and abuses of power.

It is most appropriate, relevant and pertinent to ask whether Najib’s signing of the Election Integrity Pledge, especially in the presence of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, the bete’ noire of international anti-corruption campaigns, has enhanced or undermined and even destroyed the credibility and legitimacy of TI’s Election Integrity Pledge.

This is after taking into consideration that Malaysia, under Najib’s four-year premiership, is most corrupt when compared to anyone of the previous five Prime Ministers in the 56-year history of the nation – according to the annual TI Corruption Perception Index (CPl).

More:
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2013/02/24/najib-has-violated-the-ti-election-integrity-pledge-at-least-five-times-during-the-chinese-new-year/

Link

Our dismal performance in Mathematics

Our trend in Mathematics Achievement is like a waterfall...



Meanwhile, for English, since our drop from compulsory pass (Cambridge School Certificate), we are still trying to claw back...

Muhyiddin: English A Must-Pass Subject When Students, Teachers Ready
http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/36-local2/264502-muhyiddin-english-a-must-pass-subject-when-students-teachers-ready.html

I believe there is a correlation between the two, and BN's responsibility for both.
Link

Friday, February 22, 2013

Tommy Thomas: 2013 - Time for a new government


"Imagine Britain being governed by the same political party, say, Labour, for 55 successive years from 1957. Or the United States by the Republican party for the same continuous, unbroken period. That has been Malaysia’s fate since Merdeka.

The 13th General Elections, which must be held before 28 June 2013, gives Malaysians an opportunity to break free from the monopoly of political power exercised by Umno, first, in the guise of the Alliance and subsequently as Barisan Nasional."

"Perhaps the most unacceptable consequence of a lengthy rule by Umno is its control over all the nation’s public institutions, like the media, the universities, the civil service and the police. Length of governance creates rulers who believe they have a divine right to rule, that,there is no longer any difference between the nation state and the ruling party – they become inseparable. Thus, Umno has behaved as if its interests are identical with those of Malaysia’s.

When genuine support for Umno ebbed over time, a climate of fear was developed, with the spectre of May 13 repeated time and time again to intimidate and frighten the electorate, especially the older generation and non-Malays.

The success of Pakatan in depriving Barisan of the much vaunted two thirds majority in Parliament, winning 10 out of 11 Parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur, and capturing power in five states in March 2008 forever demolished the myth of Umno’s invincibility.

Even if ethnic-based politics played a role in securing Merdeka and governing an infant nation, they have long outlived their use, and should be jettisoned. The next stage in Malaysia’s evolving democracy is a change of national government. As night follows day, it will inevitably happen."

More where that came from:
http://aliran.com/11506.html


Link

Be prepared for GE 13

Knowing most people (including myself) have short attention span, the many advisories to overcome possible frauds are too much to read, let alone remember.

The most important question is to ask yourself whether you are registered as a voter. If not, register now. Even if too late for the coming GE, you are eligible to vote at future by-elections and general elections.

Despite having served as election agent before, the following information is new to me:

For the above explanation in Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese:

I am afraid the information relating to those Malaysians residing overseas is quite confusing, especially on eligibility to vote; period of stay in Malaysia; and those in Thailand and Singapore are required to return to Malaysia to vote instead of using the postal voting process. Will there be any changes just before the GE?

Update on Feb 16: What Teresa Kok posted in her blog shows just how complicated and confusing postal voting can be... http://teresakok.com/2013/02/22/election-commission-is-urged-to-spell-out-details-on-overseas-postal-voting/




Though the date of GE13 has yet to be fixed, BN and especially our PM is already making full use of the mainstream media daily as propaganda tools.

This post and other relevant information should be useful for reference on the day of election.

Update: Going to the Polls:
http://visual.ly/going-polls
 Link

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Why we cannot take our national debt and its percentage of GDP at face value


According to Pak Sako,

'Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad claimed last week that Malaysia's current debt level is “healthy” compared with Greece's.

But the debt-to-GDP percentage Mahathir relied on tells next to nothing about the full extent of Malaysia's debts; the nature of these debts; or what can happen next.

The real devil lies in the details, namely:
(i) the trend in the debt level...
(ii) the causes of debt...
(iii) the types of debt, both known and “hidden”.

How much of the debt is borrowed from the savings of citizens (internal debt)? How much is borrowed from foreign lenders (external debt)? How much of these debts is government debt, and how much is private?

A big chunk of Malaysia's debt, RM467.4 billion as of September 2012, is internal debt (Bank Negara Malaysia, Quarterly Bulletin, Third Quarter 2012).

This is the portion of debt that is popularly spoken about — the debt-to-GDP percentage of 53% involves almost entirely this debt.

This is money borrowed domestically from the savings of citizens. It is money belonging to individuals taken from the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), Tabung Haji, pension funds and other social security organisations and institutions (see 'Debt growing but manageable, says MOF', The Malaysian Insider, 28 September 2012)...'

More where that came from:
http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2483:investigate-malaysias-debts-now&catid=219:contributors&Itemid=189

Link

Sabah standoff : Karma? Or paying the price for Project M?


Most people are wondering about the stark contrast in treatment between an unarmed Australian independent Senator and a group of armed Filipino invaders. The following article by Calvin Kabaron is just one of many...

Where's the logic, Hisham?
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2013/02/21/wheres-the-logic-hisham/

Could this be the real reason? ...

According to Hussein Hamid,


'There is no record of the number of Filipinos, mostly Tausogs, in Sabah.
But a friend of mine who used to be in the Philippine military intelligence estimates that one-third of the population in the Malaysian state is Tausog.
Many of the people in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have relatives in Sabah, which is just one hour by speedboat from Simunul in Tawi-Tawi.
If the Tausogs in Sabah rise up in revolt against the Malaysian government, their relatives in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will go to Sabah and fight with them.
To the Tausogs, the claim of the group purporting to represent the Sultanate of Sulu that Sabah belongs to the sultanate is legitimate...'


He was referring to the following article...

Sabah standoff: Karma
By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

'If Malaysia is clumsy about handling the Sabah standoff, it will have the same problem the  Philippine government had when it fought a Muslim rebellion in the South in the 1970s up to the 1980s.
Malaysia is in a no-win situation as a result of the standoff in Sabah.
If it uses deadly force on a small group of armed Filipino Muslims now holed up in the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu town in Sabah, members of the fiercest of Philippine Moro tribe, the Tausogs of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, will retaliate.
If, on the other hand, Malaysia compromises with the armed group purportedly belonging to the Sultanate of Sulu, it will be perceived as a weakling by its neighbors.
Which will Malaysia choose, fighting  a rebellion in the Sabah state or swallowing its pride and compromise with the Sultanate of Sulu?
Better to be perceived as a weakling rather than have a bloody civil war in Sabah.'

Source:


http://steadyaku-steadyaku-husseinhamid.blogspot.com/2013/02/which-will-malaysia-choose-fighting.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Steadyaku47+%28steadyaku47%29


Link

You're being watched when using internet


... not only by Big Brother, but more likely by search engines, social networking sites and those which offer free apps.

"...the Internet shows us “what it thinks we want to see” by serving up content that matches the hidden profiles created about us based on our daily online interactions."

'Imagine an Internet where unseen hands curate your entire experience. Where third parties predetermine the news, products and prices you see—even the people you meet. A world where you think you are making choices, but in reality, your options are narrowed and refined until you are left with merely the illusion of control.

This is not far from what is happening today. Thanks to technology that enables Google, Facebook and others to gather information about us and use it to tailor the user experience to our own personal tastes, habits and income, the Internet has become a different place for the rich and for the poor. Most of us have become unwitting actors in an unfolding drama about the tale of two Internets. There is yours and mine, theirs and ours.

Here's how it works. Advertising currently drives the vast majority of the Internet industry by volume of revenue. Silicon Valley is excellent at founding and funding companies that give you free apps and then collect and sell your data when you use them. For most of the Internet's short history, the primary goal of this data collection was classic product marketing: for example, advertisers might want to show me Nikes and my wife Manolo Blahniks. But increasingly, data collection is leapfrogging well beyond strict advertising and enabling insurance, medical and other companies to benefit from analyzing your personal, highly detailed “Big Data” record without your knowledge. Based on this analysis, these companies then make decisions about you—including whether you are even worth marketing to at all...'

More:
http://www.zcommunications.org/the-rich-see-a-different-internet-than-the-poor-by-michael-fertik

Link

Beneath the high 6.4% growth rate

According to economist Hafiz Noor Shams,


'So, the Malaysian economy grew by 6.4% from a year ago in the final quarter of 2012.

When I first saw the headline figure, I was pleasantly surprised. Upon closer inspection however, the whole growth figures appeared weird. After I figured out why it was weird, I became uncomfortable with the high growth rate.

Domestic demand growth slowed significantly (it slowed by 3.9 percentage points in fact from the last quarter). That was the first sign that something was not right. The private demand growth figure is particularly worrying. I had expected its growth to moderate slightly but it slowed by 2.4 percentage points. That is a lot...'



'The lower imports helped raise net exports. Even as exports and imports down, both can contract in a way that the difference between the two increases.

So, with domestic demand down, exports down and imports down, I would not celebrate too much. Would anybody celebrate a 6.4% growth that was caused by those contractions?'

More:
A quick reaction to Malaysia’s RGDP growth for the fourth quarter: it is ironic and there is no cause for celebration
http://maddruid.com/?p=11287


Link

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Thefts on a plane flight to Hong Kong


Since budget airline Air Asia's tagline, 'Now everyone can fly', air travellers might include thieves too. There is no discrimination... after all, how can anyone tell? In fact, so long as anyone has enough to pay for air tickets and expenses, the world is at his or her door step.

We used to think we are safe from petty thefts once we are in a plane. Terrorists and skyjackers were known well before, but thefts in aeroplanes were hardly heard of, probably unreported. Not until recently, according to this report being forwarded in an email...

"I would like to draw your attention to an attempted robbery on a flight into Hong Kong last week.
With an hour to go, during the flight, I thought I noticed my bag being replaced in the overhead locker......I wasn't sure and decided it was probably a fellow passenger, moving it to access their own bag.
I dismissed any thought of any wrong doing, but upon arrival in HK, something told to me to retrieve the bag, just to make sure nothing suspicious had occurred. When I opened the overhead locker (not above me) and saw my leather bag was the only one occupying the space I knew there was a problem.
I examined the content, only to find all of my wife's jewellery, along with some cash had been stolen, during the flight.
I raised the alarm and my wife and I quickly blocked both aisles to stop anyone at the back of the plane disembarking....there were around 120 passengers....
My wife and I both shouted for assistance from the stewards and stewardesses. Eventually a steward told me that security had been called but passengers were becoming very agitated and unwilling to show patience or understanding....they just wanted to get off the plane....my wife and I were the only people controlling the passengers.
I pleaded with the passengers to check their own bags at which point three fellow travellers reported they had also been robbed.  It was only at this point, did I see any evidence from the cabin crew that they were willing to provide any meaningful support.
I vaguely remember seeing a passenger wearing black, sporting a white base-ball cap and pleaded with the rest of the passengers to see if they could remember anyone fitting my description.
It turned out to be a passenger standing in front of me, who once identified proceeded to offload money, jewelry, camera equipment and false documents, running into tens of thousand, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stolen goods.
By this time security had boarded the plane, the Captain had been informed and was standing in the rear section watching the events unfold.
Eventually a policeman boarded the plane and I was able to explain the events leading up to my apprehending the thief. I have since been informed this criminal activity is reaching epidemic proportions and the authorities caught three thieves, just last week, (with 30 already on remand since early December) on flights into HK, with all the criminals coming from the same town in China.
It is estimated that only 5% are being caught judging by the reports of passengers contacting the police after they have arrived at their destination.
They sit in the back row of the plane observing where bags are behind or away from the passengers and systematically pull them from the overhead lockers, while passengers rest or watch movies, take them to the back of the plane and steal any valuable contents.
They prey on foreign airlines as the penalties are so lenient, the pay-off makes it worth the risk.
I naively have never thought of robbers operating on planes, but now I have experienced it first hand, there are a few takeaways:
1. Hand luggage should ALWAYS be locked.
2. Do not assume luggage under your seat is safe....last week one passenger had her purse stolen by the guy sitting next to her while she slept !!
3. If in doubt, wear or keep any valuables ON YOU at all times !!
4. Don't assume, like me, that everyone on a flight is a law-abiding citizen.
5. Do not assume business class travel is secure....robbers can be wealthy."

Note: The name of the airline was not mentioned. Just treat this as a warning to air travellers to be careful with their belongings when travelling. It could happen to any airline.

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Dogs and cats have problems too but they can be good babysitters



The love shown by these animals would put this human to shame...


Link

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Creatively designed car headlamps and rear lamps


Judging from the latest car designs, headlamps and rear lamps have become important features which can attract potential car buyers.

Before Audi came out with their eye-catching LED headlamps, BMW models were already popular with their very attractive headlamps. Now, the competition to be leader in lighting designs has given us very attractive rearlamps too. Current Volkswagen models have their distinctive designs for their Passat, Golf, Polo and other models. Manufacturers of car accessories have got onto the bandwagon too. Some local Proton Waja cars are now fitted with rear lamps which copied a particular BMW 5 series model, while many car owners of other makes have added LED lights to their headlamps too, switched on even during the day.



"Audi built a better automotive lighting system, known as the matrix beam LED headlamps. Matrix LEDs promise better, more precise lighting for the driver, less blinding light to dazzle oncoming cars, and a kind of mid-beams for roads with only a little traffic. The Matrix lighting technology is ready to go on the 2013 Audi A8 big luxury sedan, but don’t hold your breath if you live in the US — when Audi asked the National Highway Transportation Administration for a ruling, the NHTSA demurred, unsure how to fit the square peg of a variable-output, matrix headlamp array into the round hole they call low and high beams."

"...BMW is even developing laser headlamps. No, not superheated beams arcing pinpricks of light and destruction designed to the zap VWs and Fiats that won’t get out of the passing lane (though we like the sentiment), but white lighting that can be precisely modulated and, unlike death rays, hardly uses any energy."

What if regulators aren’t as sharp as the industry they watch over?


More where that came from:

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/148601-the-feds-dont-know-what-to-make-of-audis-new-headlamps


Link

Perhaps Nick Xenophon should have come wearing sarong and slippers

Most Malaysians are wondering about the double standard in law enforcement: an Australian senator was detained and deported, while a group of armed invaders are still being treated with respect and hospitality. The following report in The Star gives us a clue:

Sulu group members old, malnourished, Hisham tweets


"PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Monday that most of the members of the Sulu group holed up in Kampung Tanduo are malnourished.

“Fact: Most of the intruders old or malnourished. Wear sarongs/slippers..a few.. hv arms,” he tweeted at 9.04pm.

And that was the reason that police have shown much restraint, he tweeted..."

More:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/2/18/nation/20130218222933&sec=nation

Home Affairs Minister incapable of protecting the sovereignty of Sabah and Malaysia and the rights and safety of Sabahans?

http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2013/02/17/parliament-and-sabah-state-assembly-should-meet-in-urgent-sessions-if-home-minister-hishammuddin-is-incapable-of-protecting-the-sovereignty-of-sabah-and-malaysia-and-the-rights-and-safety-of-sabahans/

Meanwhile, others are finding us so funny...


By the way, shouldn't our Defence Minister, Zahid Hamidi, be responsible for the intrusion in the first place?


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Monday, February 18, 2013

Why I think the Registrar of Societies should resign

The accusation on national television channels and mainstream newspapers:


"The registrar was reported to have questioned if the opposition party was challenging the RoS’ authority or if was hiding something by delaying submitting the required documents over its party polls last December.

“Everyone knows the DAP had held a meeting and an election for its CEC. The DAP also know they must send a report and the thing is not that hard to do.

“This is nothing new. It is not as if the DAP has never held a meeting and election before. But why is it so difficult for them to send in a report this time?” he told Malay broadsheet Mingguan Malaysia, which published the news today.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein had yesterday reportedly said the RoS should start taking action against the DAP to submit the annual report on time.

He said the DAP was supposed to submit its report within 60 days after its CEC polls on December 12, which put the deadline at February 15.

“This is no different from Umno which was banned before. We’ll follow the existing law.

“We wait for the deadline and it was yesterday. RoS will take the necessary action,” Hishammuddin was quoted as saying yesterday by state news agency Bernama."

The apology after the damage done to DAP's reputation and integrity:

"The Registrar of Societies (RoS) confirmed today the DAP had sent in its central executive committee (CEC) polls report as requested ahead of the February 15 deadline and apologised for its mistake that had led to criticism of the opposition party.

Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman clarified he had received the DAP document on February 8, a week before the 60-day deadline for the annual report required of all registered societies in the country.


“Here I would like to clarify that my previous statement was based on information that was not updated and this has led to confusion,” he was reported as saying by The Star Online, based on a statement sent out after the upset DAP sent out copies of its letter to the RoS bearing the societies regulator’s stamp as proof of receipt, and dated February 8.

“RoS apologises to all parties concerned over this mistake,” Abdul Rahman added."

Shouldn't he at least appear on national television to apologise for being grossly negligent in not checking with his staff before accusing DAP? 

Source:

Anybody holding such a position should have been extra careful when making statements relating to a high profile case. I would put it as having malicious intent, especially in collusion with BN leaders who are bent on discrediting the opposition just before the General Election.

How can we trust future statements by heads of government institutions or BN leaders?

Link

Malaysia is afraid of free and fair elections?

Video: Nick Xenophon detained in Malaysia



This is shameful in terms of international relations and is proof of BN's insecurity in view of the forthcoming General Election.

Even within Malaysia, Bersih leaders like Ambiga and Wong Chin Huat (for free and fair elections), had been prevented from entering Sarawak!

Time is running out and there is no way Najib can avoid calling for election. Parliament will automatically dissolve by April 28, and GE has to be held within 2 months... by June 28.

Video clip from Skynews:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=305285756260577&set=vb.162138223914613&type=2&theater
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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Continuing my Maxis Home wifi experience


Just before Chinese New Year, I have guests at home. With 3 additional young adults using smart phones and iPad occasionally, my monthly Maxis quota of 3 GB (1.5 GB peak and 1.5 GB off-peak) was put the test.

Within 48 hours, I got a notice that my quota (1.5 GB) had been used up, and whether I wish to top up. How I wish this happened when I first signed up, because then I was given a 7-day trial period within which I could cancel it with full refund. It is too late now, and no matter how I dislike the package, I have to sit it out for another 10 months! Come to think of it, it is rather unfair for the service provider to lure customers with their attractive sales promotion and bound them for a year. Imagine this multiplied thousands of time!

Fortunately, my house guests were busy during CNY and they left without me having to top up my quota. Now, I am using the service under their 'throttling' speed. I can continue using my still available balance of quota during unearthly hours of 2am to 8 am. I am game for this because I am trying to wean myself off the internet. I can still use their throttled service for checking my emails, Facebook and even online banking!

Conclusion: The basic package based on limited quota is good only for old-timers who use internet in a limited way. No way can it be used to meet the needs of young users.

Link

How I found a cheap replacement adaptor for my HP printer


I have previously posted about the wastage resulting from cheap printers produced by manufacturers in China. Basically, it is cheaper to buy a new one than to replace one which is not working. But what if the machine is ok but not the adaptor?

Being one against wastage, I have looked for one in Amcorp Mall and the dealer confirmed if he had one, it would cost over Rm100. But I bought my printer from Tesco for less than Rm200! So I was prepared to continue looking and even prepared to buy another similar model to share the adaptor, provided it is as cheap as before. The dealer has one at Rm369!

Two weeks ago, I forgot to bring along the old adaptor when I was at the Sunday market in Ipoh. I found one which looked like mine but did not bother because of the uncertainty. This morning, with the sample in hand, I went to the same stall. But the specs were different. When I enquired about the price, the man quoted Rm25 and that he would refund if it cannot be used. I would not like to argue later, especially when it was not the exact model I want. As I kept looking for it at other stalls, I found to my surprise, the exact model. When asked, man quoted Rm7 only. From my experience, this could easily be bargained down to Rm5, or even Rm3. But having been quoted Rm25 earlier, and having found the 'needle in a haystack', I did not bargain. When asked, he said he did not try if it is in working order. So I bought it like buying a lottery with a 50:50 chance of striking.

When I got home, I wasn't optimistic when I connected it to my printer. But to my pleasant surprise, it worked!

Moral of my story: If not in a hurry, it is worth checking out flea markets for something similar. The dealers take the trouble to keep and display their wares, in the hope that someone is looking for a particular item. I am glad this particular dealer is honest about not having tried the adaptor but it works. I was most disappointed some time ago, when I bought a CD from the same Sunday market. When I returned it to exchange for a good one, the man just put it with the rest of his CDs! I was expecting him to at least break it because it cannot be used, but his action showed he was expecting another buyer who would not bother to return it.

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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Malaysia xenophobic?

Just a coincidence.

According to Wikipedia, 'Xenophobia is a dislike or fear of people from other countries or of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange...'

According to an AAP report:


"Nick Xenophon denied entry to Malaysia, delegation scraps visit
From: AAP February 16, 2013 2:23PM

AUSTRALIAN politicians have called off a visit to Malaysia after Independent senator Nick Xenophon was refused entry to the country and detained pending deportation.

The group, comprising Senator Xenophon, Liberal MP Mal Washer, Nationals Senator John Williams and ALP MP Steve Georganas, were planning an unofficial visit ahead of Malaysia's upcoming elections.

They were to meet opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, as well as Malaysia's minister in charge of parliamentary affairs Mohammed Nazri and members of the group Bersih, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections.

Senator Xenophon, who arrived ahead of the others, proceeded no further than the immigration line.

He was told there was a technical glitch with his passport and then escorted to an area of holding cells, although he was not put in a cell.

“I was eventually told apologetically by immigration officials that I am on a watchlist, that there are orders from above in terms of security concerns and I have to be deported on the next flight out of here,'' he told Sky News..."

More:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nick-xenophon-denied-entry-to-malaysia-expects-deportation/story-fn59niix-1226579358593

Dr Wong Chin Huat posted in Facebook:


"We have a government that welcomes Australian toxic industry but fears an Australian senator, that begs invading Filipino outlaws to leave peacefully but deports the visiting Australian lawmaker.

What more reason do you need to oust such a moronic government?"


Link

DAP being openly defiant? Updated...

I was watching Nightline on TV3 last night (just after midnight) and the Registrar of Societies was interviewed about DAP's CEC election results which he confirmed was not filed within the stipulated period, hinting at deliberate defiance of the law. Next, ex-DAP MP, Wee Choo Keong gave his opinion on why DAP should be penalised to safeguard the interests of its members.

What crossed my mind was why the RoS is particularly interested in this matter, with the Registrar himself appearing on national television. I know Wee has an axe to grind since his fall-out with some DAP leaders. But the fact that the mainstream media highlighted this matter over more important news items should have been obvious to those who are put off by such bias.

I am rather surprised and concerned, based on the televised news, that DAP has yet to file the necessary documents after their national convention, especially under the glare of publicity soon after the 'mistake' was known. DAP has probably more lawyers than other political parties, including some top legal eagles, but this administrative matter is normally left to the party secretariat. I presume there must be a reason for the delay in filing and I also believe there is a certain grace period too. But any delay is going to be bad publicity for the party and BN leaders are waiting to exploit it to maximum advantage... and any remotest possibility of technical mistake which could effect de-registration will be disastrous just before the GE. We all know the RoS is for BN, so any application for anything is likely to be made difficult.

Update Feb 16, 8.42 pm:

Thomas Su just posted an hour ago in Facebook:


"Can see that BN are really desperate now ! We've submitted our annual returns on 8/2/2013 ! Hishamuddin should stop the investigation, wasting time and public funds !

Mr Home Minister, ball in your court now !"

Update Feb 17 9.10 pm:

What good is an apology after the gross damage done through the mainstream media?

ROS concedes mistake, DAP wants apology from Hisham
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/221575

In my humble opinion, it is clear BN leaders, heads of institutions under their control, national television stations and national newspapers are prepared to lie to achieve BN's agenda of discrediting opposition parties. Their objective is to inflict maximum damage using lies spread by msm which majority of the people would assume to be the truth. The reach of national television channels, radio stations and newspapers is still very wide and powerful and hard to counter by just using the internet.

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Friday, February 15, 2013

Tony Pua on BN's lop-sided contracts galore


 "...just a shortlist of the billions of ringgit of contracts and privatisation agreements which have been signed by the Government in the last 12 months alone.  The rate at which these contracts are being dished out points to 2 things.

Firstly, there is a never seen before urgency to award large contracts before the general elections, clearly out of fear that there is a real likelihood that Barisan Nasional will lose power, hence the “Sapu Malaysia” mentality.

Secondly, in dishing out these lucrative contracts, it is certain that BN is also desperately raising funds from their cronies in return, to fight their “life and death” mother-of-all-elections to ensure its survival."

There is hence no question that the possibility of a new Pakatan Rakyat federal government is very real. However, we will have to first overcome the dirtiest of all elections as BN will spare no expenses to “buy” victory in the polls with the massive war chest it would have raised."


Rest of the article:
http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/54471-dato-seri-najib-razak-is-scrambling-to-award-multi-billion-ringgit-privatisation-and-procurement-contracts-right-at-the-final-weeks-of-his-term-clearly-out-of-fear-of-barisan-nasional-losing-power
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A bit on paraprosdokians


Paraprosdokians are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected and frequently humorous.

1. Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit... Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

9. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

10. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, Notify:' I put 'DOCTOR'.

11. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

12. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

13. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

14. I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

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Dr Kua Kia Soong's own patriotic story


"When I was a young rebel in the seventies, I received the news that my brother-in-law and eldest sister were emigrating to Australia with pious indignation. I felt that despite the injustices, Malaysians should stay and fight for our rights while helping to build the country.

It was easy for me to say as a property less and angry young man. But could I honestly feel how my brother-in-law felt as a professor of medicine in University of Malaya, watching the compromises to academic excellence in the name of bumiputeraism and suffering the indignity of being systematically bypassed in his career advancement?

His warning of the possible de-recognition of UM's MBBS degree by the British Medical Council was not heeded and this became a reality in the Eighties. The rest is history…"

"Until today, some people I meet still ask if I’ll be emigrating to the UK since my kids are studying in the UK and I have a British wife. My answer is always: "If I had wanted to emigrate, I would have done so in the seventies!"

When I finally finished my PhD, I returned to "build my homeland" in the early eighties. I could have stayed and enjoyed a good bourgeois existence in Britain enjoying the English countryside, good ale and the arts but my social conscience would have got the better of me ere too long…
Back in Malaysia at the end of 1982, apart from working I wrote profusely in response to many issues confronting our society during that time. It was a period when the press was relatively freer and while it was "owned by the MCA", it was "edited by the MIC for the DAP", as we used to say.

During Operation Lalang in October 1987.

It turned out to be a false spring. The eighties were the heyday of activism in the country which culminated in the "Operation Lalang"crackdown. The BN government showed its appreciation of my nation building efforts by arresting and detaining me without trial."


ISA 'rehabilitation'

Detention without trial under the ISA is a good test of one's patriotism. During the first sixty days of solitary confinement when the special branch was trying to 'rehabilitate' me, I remember they had a three-pronged approach to my rehabilitation programme (sic),viz.:

(i)  Why don't you emigrate since you have a British wife rather than"cause trouble" here?

(ii)  Why don’t you join the Barisan Nasional instead of always siding with the opposition?

(iii)  Why can't you be like Khoo Khay Kim instead of speaking for those Chinese educationists?

To the first question, I told them I was a Malaysian who had come home to serve the country.

To the second, I said it was against my principles to join racist political parties.

To the third, I said, "You've already got one Khoo Khay Kim, why do you want another?"

Rest of his article:
http://steadyaku-steadyaku-husseinhamid.blogspot.com/2013/02/kua-kia-soong.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Steadyaku47+%28steadyaku47%29


Link

Choice: Parkinson's or Alzheimer's?



One old guy says to his buddy,
“Ya know, the world is getting all fucked up. Every other day, you hear about someone else getting some debilitating disease. It’s too bad you don’t get a choice at which way you end up in life! What would you rather have, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's?"

His buddy quickly replies,
“Parkinson's, definitely, yep, Parkinson’s.  Better to spill half an ounce of good whisky than to forget where you keep the fukkin’ bottle!!"


Link

PSY shy to join in Lou Sang?



After repeated calls inviting PSY to join our YAB PM for 'lou sang', no sign of him!

Latest official version: according to police, there was a threat on PSY's life, that's why!
Link

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Kim Quek rebuts MACC's interpretation on election bribery


It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.  - Mark Twain

I cannot help but be reminded of the above quote when reading about how MACC defines corruption under the Election Offences Act 1954.

Excerpt of Kim Quek's article, 'MACC must not endorse election bribery' in CPI:

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) heretical interpretation of the Election Offences Act 1954 (the Act) on corruption is most alarming, and warrants an emphatic rebuttal.

In the front page headline story of Sin Chew Daily yesterday (Feb 13), MACC’s deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Sutinah Sutan was quoted as saying that for corruption offences committed during an election, our laws only deal with individuals – not political parties. As such, money or gifts given to the electorate to induce votes for a political party is not an offence. It is an offence only when the gift is given to induce votes for a specific candidate.

Sutinah further said that the Prime Minister or other Barisan Nasional (BN) leader’s announcements of allocations for projects are meant to benefit the people; such actions cannot be considered election bribery or abuse of power as they are meant to garner electoral support for BN, and not for the leader himself.
I have to differ with these interpretations of the Act taken by MACC.

Corruptly inducing votes for parties is also bribery

First, the definition of bribery is covered in Section 10 of the Act, but nowhere in the entire Section is there any mention that the object of inducement must be for an individual candidate. The Act only defines bribery as material benefit given out or pledged to induce votes without specifying whether such electoral support is meant for a political party or for an individual. Under the circumstances, how can Sutinah claim that giving out money to solicit electoral support for a political party does not fall within the ambit of the Act?
In fact, the pertinent criterion MACC should consider is the motive of the gift – whether it is dished out to solicit votes. Whether the solicitation is meant specifically for a certain candidate or for a group of candidates or for a political party is wholly immaterial...

More:
http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2481:macc-must-not-endorse-election-bribery&catid=178:yong-thye-chong&Itemid=193

Link

Thomas Fann: Really, who's for peace and stability, who's for chaos?




"One can recall the infamous May 13 riot and the not-so-famous riot in Sabah in 1986, after PBS, an opposition party then, won the state election.

Usno and Berjaya (the fore-runner of Umno) couldn't accept the result nor the court decision on it, organised a riot with mainly Filipino illegal immigrants where fish bombs were exploded and a 39-day curfew was imposed.

It was also alleged that our puppet-master who was the PM then gave backing to the riot for otherwise it could not have happened."



"Yes, there may be chaos and instability because the losing parties couldn't accept the result of GE13 but history tells us it is more likely to come from the schoolyard bully who has been around too long and cannot accept that his reign of terror has to come to an end."

More:
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/221316

Link

Will books be strange to kids of the future?

If you are thinking of writing a book, better do so soon...

Link

Upah Gangnam style!

UPAH GANGNAM STYLE: Highlights of the day!
Like and share this before Utusan or NST spread their lies!

1. The delayed PSY Performance.
RIDING on the wave of attention just before PSY shows up, Teng Chang Yeow, Najib and Rosmah consecutively put up their monkey shows to 'entertain' the audience. PSY's performance was delayed from 1130 to 1215.

2. Najib's son's speech.
This speech had only one purpose: To use Najib's son's Chinese-speaking skills to engage the audience. However, this failed miserably when all the audience could hear was: 古人常说,"一日之计在于晨,一年之计在于春"and "一分耕耘,一分收获", which by the way, had nothing to do with what he had to say.

3. Najib's attempts to engage the audience.
When Najib shouted "Satu!", many of the local UMNO youth shouted, "Malaysia!" But when Najib shouted "一个!" Nobody answered him. He repeated it thrice. And the silence repeated itself thrice.

4. Rosmah's performance
The audience, now impatient to see PSY, BOOed when Rosmah surfaced on stage to sing CNY songs. But singing was too laborious a task for our plump, pampered first lady, who could only lip-sync to the background music.

5. The FAILED impromptu attempt to trick PSY to 捞生
Teng Chang Yeow, Najib, Rosmah, Abdullah Badawi were ready with their chopsticks. But PSY, who had arrived since 6am, refused to appear on stage to 捞生with the BN leaders to preserve his neutrality. After a few minutes, all the BN leaders were ousted off the stage to make way for the Glorious Gangnam.

6. "Are you ready for BN?" "NO!"
"Are you ready for PSY?" asked the Emcee.
"Yes!" cheered the people.

"Are you ready for BN?" asked the Emcee, slipping in a trick question.
"NO!" thundered the people who were not fooled.

* CORRECTION: The 'EMCEE' is Najib himself, we have verified this fact from footage and personal accounts of attendees. Which makes it....even funnier!

7. Leaving before Najib
No group photos, no handshakes. As soon as PSY shouted, "Thank you very much!", and while Najib was still trembling in his seat, people left theirs, leaving behind piles of uneaten food. The Emcee was as quiet as a clam, knowing that it would be impossible to call the crowd back.

CONCLUSION:
Psy came for the money. The people came for the free food and performances. Who cares about BN and its bid for power?

Link

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

BN's overkill on PR (as in Public Relations or Pakatan Rakyat)


Last Sunday happened to be the first day of the Lunar Chinese New Year. Every newspaper had the front page of PM's or BN's greetings. While listening to the car radio on Light FM, we can even hear a recording of PM and his son explaining the meanings of their names in Chinese, followed by their best wishes to the Chinese on this auspicious day.

My wife's mobile phone received a CNY message from Perak's Menteri Besar! Soon after, mine received a CNY message in Chinese characters from Barisan Nasional! Then my mobile received one too from Perak's MB. Before this, as a newly registered voter, my daughter who resides abroad, received a message from PM too! Wow! Everyone of us felt important and certainly not left behind, as claimed by one of PM's slogans.

With the benefit of hindsight, Najib must have regretted he went along with PSY concert in Penang and made a fool of himself when the crowd gave him a resounding 'No' to his question, 'Are you ready for BN?'. He must have been jolted from the false sense of popularity which the mainstream media had been playing up for him. He was further humiliated when PSY refused to join him for 'Yee Sang' (for reasons which we can only speculate, and presumed to be 'not in the contract'!). To try and win over the Chinese, there is even a video of him playing the Chinese drums (well, not really him playing, just like other things which are false and insincere).

Najib must be going all out to ensure victory at the next GE. We are by now familiar with so many 1Malaysia this and that, distributing of public funds to all and sundry for his own popularity. BR1M was meant to be a sweetener for the GE, but it was too early for effect because of his own procrastination on the date. So BR1M 2.0 followed (never mind the inconsistencies of who are entitled; some by deception which was not properly checked intentionally; which proves how desperate BN is in trying to buy votes).

DPM sensed the people's wish for goodies, promised BR1M will be continued indefinitely so long as BN is voted back in power. This message has been confirmed by PM, with his usual smirk on his face, which seems like telling himself, 'after all it's your money I'm distributing'. But what about those who did not apply for one reason or other, mainly being honest that they are ineligible unlike some who deceived?

Our leaders should realize that dealing with public funds, fairness is paramount. Once the needs of the people are identified, only those who are eligible should be paid. Otherwise, those who paid taxes will feel their monies are being mishandled. A good example is the NSE toll. With the lop-sided contract in favour of the concessionaire (connected to Umno), any delay in increasing toll has to be compensated by extension of the period. Discounts during festive seasons are being exploited politically to appear generosity of the concessionaire, never mind they had already made their pile, with years more to make. Why can't our government be for the people instead of for themselves? Many people do not realize that tolls affect only motorists and they should not be equated with the public or taxpayers.

The following picture has been going viral in the internet to depict BN's perceived condition in the face of the coming GE (BN 2013). But I do not take it seriously because of the ease in digital manipulation like the car or the number plate could have been super-imposed. If this car is really going round, I am sure JPJ would be the first to stop it not only because of its rickety condition but it is bad for BN's image.



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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Pendatangs: choice between life and soul

"If you work for the ‘wrong’ boss, it could cost you your life. But then, if you work for the ‘right’ boss, you may save your life and yet lose your soul. So pendatangs, choose between your life and your soul."

It does not matter which generation of 'pendatang', what is important is whether you fit their definition to get a better way of life.

The interesting article by Ice Cream Seller, first appeared in Malaysia Today on 10 Jan 2011, now revisited by CPI ...

http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2480:efforts-by-the-state-to-make-the-minorities-halal&catid=131:Media%20Monitor&Itemid=158


"I am – in today's parlance – a 3rd generation pendatang. Let’s call it Genpentiga (Generasi Pendatang Tiga). I suppose it can't be that bad when a Genpendua became PM for 22 years. But then he metamorphosed into a Malay and cut his Indian roots only to go back to Kerala recently to see if there were any offshoots, I suppose, or perhaps some trait of mortality dictated that he visit his roots in his autumn days."

"Fuad Stephens 
I am no East Malaysian but I remember how he perished in a plane crash with a few others. What if his plane was sabotaged? What would have been if this did not happen? Would Sabah be the same as it is today, with millions of new Malaysians? Would he have stood up to the shenanigans in KL? Would Sabah be 1/4 partner in Malaysia together with the Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak instead of being colonised into 1/13 and be submissive to Putrajaya? Would Malaysia be the same today?"
"Perak heist
What played out in the ‘transfer’ back to BN control opened my eyes as to what could happen on a Federal level. If the elected Speaker can be literally dragged out of his seat, what is there to suggest they can’t drag you out of your house? Remember, you are a PENDATANG. Of course, his replacement could not be a Malay so they had to get another pendatang to be the puppet to try and even the score. The new Menteri Besar is also a pendatang but he has the right qualification as PM Genpendua if you get my drift."
"Selangor
The goings on currently in Selangor mirror Perak to some degree. The previous Menteri Besar, also a Genpendua but with the deemed suitable qualifications, ran the administration like a bandit in Java but still has not been brought to the 14th floor in Shah Alam to coerce some information from him about how he managed to have such a successful dental practice to be able to own a palace bigger than what he could have seen in Java.
Teoh Beng Hock
Pendatangs beware. If your children are getting married soon, even the next day, keep them under house arrest for their own safety. Every time my kids go out, we worry till they are back safe. If you work for the ‘wrong’ boss, it could cost you your life. But then, if you work for the ‘right’ boss, you may save your life and yet lose your soul. So pendatangs, choose between your life and your soul.
Kugan
I ask myself if the same fate would have been met if it was someone with a fairer complexion or at least the same ‘qualification’ as the ex-MB of the same state in which he died. Kugan and his type are today seen as an inconvenience, pests, scroungers and lately even christened “pariahs”. I suspect Kugan had deeper roots in Malaysia than the ex-MB. Whatever wrong he may have done, the video clips of his relatives barging into the mortuary and the outpouring of anguish left a lasting impression.
In the same vein, when one of my staff was killed in a motor accident, the records at the mortuary showed that the cause of death was “mabuk”. He was a teetotaller. On my insistence and with the timely arrival of the foreign pathologist who was employed there, the records were corrected. Just because he was of Indian origin, it was felt apt to put in “mabuk”!
History syllabus 
In the school that I went to (Victoria Institution), we were taught history only till Form 3 unless you did Arts in Forms 4 and 5. My children were both Science stream students till Form 5 but they had to do History. I had a peek at their textbooks; seems like History has changed a fair bit.
They are fed rubbish, to put it mildly. It is His Story as told and imagined by a few bigots. My daughter’s book had an image of a Sikh with a turban but with the description Orang Bengali! Don't they know that Bengalis are from Bengal and Sikhs are Punjabis from Punjab ?
I suppose this is to be expected when many wear the mantle of ‘Malay’ despite coming from all corners of Asia. They have tried to lose trace of where they originate. Turks, Arabs, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Cambodians, Thais are all re-badged Malays. We now await the Africans, Caucasians and Eskimos to join ranks and be members of Umno Baru. A relative of Obama might yet lead Malaysia . 

SPM answer scripts (I laugh so loud on this...)
When my children sat for their SPM examinations a few years ago, they had to tick a box to indicate if they were Muslim or not. Was it because they were in need of divine intervention in the event they are not Muslim? Or were the scripts marked according to whether they were halal or not?

Matriculation courses 
It is widely accepted that the successor to the HSC, the STPM, is a tough examination. But stroll into an STPM class and you will observe that the Bumi students are conspicuously less. They are doing matriculation which we are led to believe is on par with STPM for entry to local universities.
Genpempat are likewise conspicuously less in matriculation courses. The intakes to universities are then claimed to be on merit despite being based on different examinations. With all this, how does one unify a nation?



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