Thursday, October 4, 2012

Anwar's letter to the French lawyers


Monday, October 1, 2012

Food for thought - the New Education Blueprint

Can someone please tell me this.  If our education system is so good as claimed by certain UMNO leaders and our students are getting 'As' by the basket loads, why do we still need the New Education Blueprint?  After all, some UMNO leaders even claim our education system was the best there is compared to others in the world.  Or is it because, the UMNO leaders have finally come to their senses that our education system was in the pits and therefore needed a blueprint?  If this is the case, can I safely then say, prior to the introduction of the blueprint, our system was bad or at best, mediocre?  Which leads to one conclusion, that the students who have been scoring straight 'As' are not what it seems.  The 'As' by international standards could be a dud? That, my friends, it is then safe to surmise that all children who received their education prior to the blueprint, have their future compromised.  Many parents must be feeling sore as I do.  Now I wonder how good is the New Education Blueprint.  Can it turn out world beaters at best or continue to produce 'jaguh kampongs' at worst?

Are we being bribed?

KEE THUAN CHYE writes :



I don’t know about you but I got practically nothing from the 2013 Budget. I don’t qualify for the BR1M payout of RM500 for households with a monthly income of not more than RM3,000. I also don’t qualify for the 50% discount on passports for senior citizens.
 
But that’s all right. I don’t want anything from the Budget. It comes from the people’s money and should be spent wisely on developing the country. I should not expect to get something directly from it.

The way it looks, though, Prime Minister Najib Razak doesn’t seem to think the same way. His 2013 Budget is a lot about giving money away to people. It seems this is to make them happy, and perhaps this feeling of happiness could translate into votes for his Barisan Nasional (BN) government at the upcoming general election.

What worries me is that Najib is spending money like there is no tomorrow. That seems the right way to put it because his Budget does not address the future. Maybe except for education, especially in boosting vocational training and encouraging small entrepreneurs.

There’s hardly anything about enhancing the country’s economic growth, spending prudently or reducing the national debt.

In fact, of the projected amount of RM252 billion to be spent, a whopping RM202 billion will be used for operating expenditure. Only one-fifth left is for development expenditure.

Najib is gung-ho about the global economy despite the uncertainties predicted by financial analysts. He said, “In 2013, based on the prospects of an improved global economy, the Malaysian economy is forecast to expand strongly between 4.5% and 5%.”

Is that predicated on a 'DR1M'?

Meanwhile, the reality, according to online news website Free Malaysia Today, is that this year the national debt has risen 10.1% to a new high of RM502.4 billion or 53.7% of the GDP. That is only 1.3% short of the 55% debt ceiling the country is allowed to reach.
And according to The Malaysian Insider, this debt figure “does not include hidden liability of RM117 billion (12 percent of GDP) in the form of guarantees issued against commercial loans to government agencies and GLCs (government-linked corporations)”.
Is our fiscal future already in the pawnshop?

In the social media, people are calling Najib “an illusionist” for throwing so much money around when Malaysians are wondering where it is coming from. They’re calling this Budget “the biggest bribe Budget of all time”.

The main targets appear to be the low-income groups, youths and civil servants (who will be getting one-and-a-half month’s bonus).

BR1M is back. It has even been extended to unmarried individuals aged above 21 who are earning not more than RM2,000 a month. These people will get RM250.

I don’t understand the rationale for this. In fact, I think it’s rather silly. Perhaps the minimum age is too low. A newly graduated employee who earns, say, between RM1,500 and RM2,000, which is about what a lot of fresh graduates get these days, would be entitled to the BR1M RM250 even if he or she doesn’t need it.

And what if this person has lost both parents and is therefore a household of one? Does he or she claim the RM250 plus the BR1M RM500, which in principle he or she should also be entitled to?

Even more mind-boggling is the RM200 rebate for those aged between 21 and 30 earning not more than RM3,000 to buy smartphones. Why smartphones? It’s a non-essential item. Besides, many may already own one.

Consider this: A 20-something who earns RM2,900 and has no dependents, therefore no commitments, would be flushed with cash and already own a smartphone. Why give him or her that aid?

As someone pointed out on Facebook, it may transpire that some of them will make a deal with the smartphone dealers and get the cash instead. “Just give me RM150, you keep the other RM50” or something like that.

We saw signs of such a tendency when the Government gave tertiary students book vouchers earlier this year only to see them put up for sale on the Internet. Not having learned from that experience, it is still giving out more book vouchers, worth RM250, through the new Budget.
Indeed, the range of goodies dished out to youths seems to show desperation on the part of BN to secure their goodwill since many of them will be voting at GE13. The Budget even offers a 20% discount to borrowers who pay back in full their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans by the end of September next year.

This was, to be sure, taking a leaf from the Opposition’s Buku Jingga. It just falls short of Pakatan Rakyat’s proposal to do away with the loans totally and therefore giving free education to everyone. Nonetheless, the Government was not bashful about appropriating the basic theme.

That’s not surprising. This is not the first time the Government has taken ideas from Pakatan and used them. Besides, with the general election coming up, any populist idea has to appear a great idea.

Skeptics, however, are not persuaded. Neither are those who are capable of seeing beyond the temporary gratification of the handouts they are given.

As one Netizen wrote on Facebook: “Ini semua secara ‘pinjaman’ saja (This is all just a ‘loan’). Payback time will come after GE13. The people will have to pay back with interest if BN wins. Wait and see.”

Indeed, when the Government has to give money out like this, something must have been wrong with its administration of the country. Has it not done the right things to improve the economy of a country blessed with a wealth of natural resources in order to ensure that its people enjoy a high per capita income arising out of a huge GDP?

Why are we at this point in our development still trying to become a high-income nation? Why is our average national wage still so low? According to CIMB, in 2010 it stood at only RM1,804.43.

I was recently reminded by a friend about ‘Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah’ (Clean, Efficient and Trustworthy), the tagline of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s administration. What happened to its promise? Did it turn out to be the opposite instead? And thereby led to leakage and wastage of public money
and corruption in high places that sucked away our resources and rendered us poorer than we should be?
Ironically, then, the 2013 Budget shows us even more clearly the failure of the BN government over the decades in taking the country’s economy to a higher level. Compared to Singapore, which has no natural resources, Malaysia is a laggard.

And yet, to make doubly sure that Malaysians got the message that his goodies were meant to secure their votes, Najib stressed: “With… support from the rakyat, God-willing, we will see six more budgets tabled by the BN government before Malaysia transforms into a nation with high-income status” (meaning in 2020).

He then proceeded to bash the Opposition.

It prompted someone to post in Facebook: “This is the first time in the history of Malaysia that a PM shamelessly tells us that we need to vote for him after he gives out the goodies. Tak malu ke? (Not embarrassed?) Does he think the Government coffers belong solely to BN?”

Yes, lest we forget, the money is not BN’s. It is the public’s money. Yours and mine.

Blogger Sakmongkol AK47 puts it aptly, “The Budget is about the PM asking for our money and telling us how he wants to use the money he is asking from us. It is not a gift from him, not ehsan or hadiah.”

This connotes that we need not be grateful for getting the handouts because it’s our own money. Nonetheless, we still need to ask: Is the PM doing the right thing with our money? Is he bribing us? And if he is, will we allow ourselves to be bribed?

These are questions we also need to answer.

Monday Humour

Dying

Husband texts to wife on cell..
"Hi, what are you doing Darling?"

Wife: I'm dying..!

Husband jumps with joy but types "Sweet Heart, how can I live without U?"

Wife: I'm dying my hair..U idiot"


Angry wife to her husband

An angry wife to her husband on the phone:
"Where the hell are you ...?"

Husband: Darling You remember that jewellery shop where you saw the diamond necklace and totally fell in love with it and I didn't have money that time and I said "Baby it'll be yours 1 day ... "O:)

Wife, With A Smile & Blushing: Yeah I remember that my Love!

Husband: I 'm in the pub just next to that shop.


A Special Package for Business Men.

An Airline Introduced A Special Package For Business Men. Buy Ur Ticket Get Ur Wife's Ticket Free. After Great Success, The Company Sent Letters To All The Wives Asking How Was The Trip.
All Of Them Gave A Same Reply..."Which Trip?"

An intelligent wife

''An Intelligent Wife Is One Who Makes Sure She Spends So Much
That Her Husband Can't Afford Another Women"


New SIM to surprise her husband

Woman Buys A New Sim Card Puts It In Her Phone And Decides To Surprise Her Husband Who Is Seated On The Couch In The Living Room. She Goes To The Kitchen, Calls Her Husband With The New Number: "Hello Darling"

The Husband Responds In A Low Tone: "Let Me Call U Back Later Honey, The Dumb Lady Is In The Kitchen..


Wife treats husband

A Wife Treats Hubby By Taking Him To A Lap Dance Club For His Birthday ..

At The Club: Doorman Says: Hi Jim How R You?

Wife Asks: How Does He Know You?
Jim Says: Oh Dear, I Play Football with Him

Inside Barman Says: The Usual Jim ?
Jim Says To Wife: Before You Say Anything, He's On the Darts Team in My Local Club.

Next A Lap Dancer Says: Hi Jim , do You Crave for the Special Again?

The Wife Storms Out Dragging Jim With Her & Jumps Into A Taxi..

Driver Says "Hey Jimmy Boy, You Picked Up An Ugly One This Time.."

Cool message by a wife

Dear Mother-in-law,
"Don't Teach me how 2 handle my children, I'm living with one of yours & he needs a lot of improvement"


Sweet demand by kid

A kid was beaten by his mom. Dad came n asked - what happen son?
Kid said-I can't adjust with your wife anymore, I want my own.


Who is guilty ?

Wife is dreaming in the middle of the night and suddenly shouts: "Up! Quick! My husband is back!" Man gets up, jumps out of the window, hurts himself, and then realizes: "Damn, I am the husband!"


Why women starts with W

Because all questions start with "W".. !
Who ?
Why ?
What ?
When ?
Which ?
Whom ?
Where ?
&
Finally Wife..!!!


NATURAL DISASTERS JUST HAPPEN

Nobody teaches Volcanoes to erupt,
Tsunamis to devastate,
Hurricanes to sway around &
no one teaches How to choose a Wife,
NATURAL DISASTERS JUST HAPPEN.


Difference between Friend & Wife

Difference between Friend & Wife

U can Tell your Friend "U r my Best Friend"
But Do u have courage tell to your Wife "U r my Best Wife?"


Dream of receiving jewellery & cloths

Wife: Yesterday-night I saw a dream that u were sending me jewellery and clothes!
Husband: yeah, I saw your dad paying the bill!!!


Recently fired stock trader

A recently fired stock trader said ...

"This is worse than divorce... I have lost everything and I still have my wife..."


Message of the year

Message of the year:-
Women live a better, longer & peaceful life..!!
Why? Very simple...
A woman does not have a wife..!!!

Why did u shoot ur wife?

Judge: Why did u shoot your wife instead of shooting her lover?

Husband: Your honour, it's easier to shoot a woman once, than shooting one man every week.


Your husband needs rest

Doctor: Madam, your husband needs rest and peace, so here are some sleeping pills.

Wife: Doc, when should I give them to him?
Doctor: They are for you.!!
 

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Our Sunday Girl - CARRIE ANNE


Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play
Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play

When we were at school our games were simple
I played the janitor, you played the monitor
Then you played with older boys and prefects
What's the attraction in what they're doing

Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play
Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play

You were always something special to me
Quite independent, never caring
You lost your charm as you were aging
Where is your magic disappearing

Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play
Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play

You're so, so like a woman to me
Oh like a woman to me
So, so like a woman to me
Like a woman to me

[Music Interlude]

Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play
Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play

People live and learn but you're still learning
You use my mind and I'll be your teacher
When the lesson's over you'll be with me
Then I'll hear the other people saying

Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play
Hey Carrie Anne
What's your game now, can anybody play

Carrie Anne, Carrie Anne, Carrie Anne .....