Foreigners are not the only ones who find it difficult to learn Mandarin Chinese. Even me, a person of Chinese origin, seem to be suffering from a mental block on the language.
I spent the first two years of my primary schooling in a Chinese school. The results were a zilch, and a big one at that. I was so relieved that when it came to my third year, I was sent to an English school. Later on, in Form 4, I decided to enrol myself in a Mandarin class under the POL system. After four months, I was told by my 'lao tzu' not to attend class anymore. I admit, I am totally hopeless and I simply can't seem to remove the mental block in my head. Strangely, I don't find it difficult to learn Japanese. After all they use almost the same characters as Mandarin which is known as 'Kanji'. Thank God, at least I am able to write my Chinese name in Mandarin. I can see now my ancestors shaking their heads in Heaven.
So, Michael (Phelps), you are not alone.
Monday, July 18, 2016
It is time this Joceline Tan is shown the door. She has gone one article too far and deserves a slap on the face.
The following is an email despatched by the Chief Minister of Penang, YB Lim Guan Eng, to The Star Publications.
In the past 4 months, the BN-controlled print and broadcasting media had gone into overdrive with their systematic campaign of character assassination against me by hurling unfounded allegations of corruption involving the sale by open tender of 1 acre of Taman Manggis land. Despite nightly TV reports and acres of newsprint on Taman Manggis land, no corruption charge was filed against me relating to Taman Manggis.
Instead corruption charges were filed against me on another unrelated matter where Ms Phang, the seller of my house, was alleged to benefit from having her land rezoned from agriculture to housing. To date Ms Phang’s land remained zoned as agriculture, following the rejection of her application by the local authority. Clearly, BN intends to create history by finding me guilty of corruption even though Ms Phang did not gain any benefit. On the other hand, BN considers those who have benefited with billions of US dollars in their personal bank accounts innocent and not guilty of corruption.
Such dirty tricks continue with more false allegations on other matters. I have instructed my lawyers to send a legal notice of demand for defamation against “The Star” and its columnist Joceline Tan for its false and misleading report today, “Snap Election for Penang?”. BN-controlled media like The Star had persistently demonised and continued their character assassination against me after 2 trumped-up charges of corruption were filed against me by the Attorney-General on 30 June 2016.
Whilst there is nothing new with these repeated attempts to disrupt
party unity and the Penang state government with serial lies, this
column by Joceline Tan
clearly “crossed the red line” and was made in bad faith to smear my
reputation and image with fresh and baseless allegations of impropriety.
This is not the first time that Joceline Tan and The Star had defamed me. I had filed a defamation suit against her and The Star in 2012, which was finally resolved when an apology was published in The Star on 27 October 2013 that states, “The Star fully and unconditionally withdraws the false contents and extends to YAB Lim Guan Eng unreservedly its sincere apologies for any embarrassment caused to him.”
Lim Guan Eng is secretary-general of the DAP and chief minister of Penang.
In the past 4 months, the BN-controlled print and broadcasting media had gone into overdrive with their systematic campaign of character assassination against me by hurling unfounded allegations of corruption involving the sale by open tender of 1 acre of Taman Manggis land. Despite nightly TV reports and acres of newsprint on Taman Manggis land, no corruption charge was filed against me relating to Taman Manggis.
Instead corruption charges were filed against me on another unrelated matter where Ms Phang, the seller of my house, was alleged to benefit from having her land rezoned from agriculture to housing. To date Ms Phang’s land remained zoned as agriculture, following the rejection of her application by the local authority. Clearly, BN intends to create history by finding me guilty of corruption even though Ms Phang did not gain any benefit. On the other hand, BN considers those who have benefited with billions of US dollars in their personal bank accounts innocent and not guilty of corruption.
Such dirty tricks continue with more false allegations on other matters. I have instructed my lawyers to send a legal notice of demand for defamation against “The Star” and its columnist Joceline Tan for its false and misleading report today, “Snap Election for Penang?”. BN-controlled media like The Star had persistently demonised and continued their character assassination against me after 2 trumped-up charges of corruption were filed against me by the Attorney-General on 30 June 2016.
This is not the first time that Joceline Tan and The Star had defamed me. I had filed a defamation suit against her and The Star in 2012, which was finally resolved when an apology was published in The Star on 27 October 2013 that states, “The Star fully and unconditionally withdraws the false contents and extends to YAB Lim Guan Eng unreservedly its sincere apologies for any embarrassment caused to him.”
Lim Guan Eng is secretary-general of the DAP and chief minister of Penang.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Uh oh, this is not good, not good at all.
FINALLY: US NAVY DEPLOYS STRIKE GROUP TO SOUTH CHINA SEA TO CONFRONT CHINA
The United States Navy has deployed a naval fleet equipped with most advanced weapons in South China Sea in what is considered a show of force as tensions rise over China's construction of artificial lands and militarization of the area.
Quoting US military officials, the Navy Times reported that the aircraft carrier, John C Stennis; the destroyers, Chung-Hoon and Stockdale; cruisers Antietam and Mobile Bay along with the Blue Ridge, command ship of the Japan-based 7th fleet, set off recently for the South China Sea, where Beijing has installed surface-to-air missiles and built an airstrip on reclaimed area.
For rest of article, read HERE.
By the way, Malaysia has also lay claim to these islands. Why the deafening silence?
The United States Navy has deployed a naval fleet equipped with most advanced weapons in South China Sea in what is considered a show of force as tensions rise over China's construction of artificial lands and militarization of the area.
Quoting US military officials, the Navy Times reported that the aircraft carrier, John C Stennis; the destroyers, Chung-Hoon and Stockdale; cruisers Antietam and Mobile Bay along with the Blue Ridge, command ship of the Japan-based 7th fleet, set off recently for the South China Sea, where Beijing has installed surface-to-air missiles and built an airstrip on reclaimed area.
For rest of article, read HERE.
By the way, Malaysia has also lay claim to these islands. Why the deafening silence?
Shahrir Samad to quit poltics. A loss to us???
After more than 40 years in politics, Umno veteran Shahrir Samad is thinking of calling it quits.
Asked if he will contest in the next elections and stay active in politics, Shahrir said: “I hope not.”
“You think this is my only life?” he added when asked what he would do if he wasn’t a politician.
“I cannot be like Lim Kit Siang, go on and on,” he quipped.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby today, the Johor Baru MP said he wants to make way for young leaders.
“My pledge is that you must trust the young. If you cannot show that, then what’s the point of talking,” he said.
Shahrir said the fact that his former political secretary Khaled Nordin is now the Johor menteri besar is a testament of his own track record and what the young can achieve.
The 66-year-old first notable role in politics was when he became former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam’s political secretary in 1973.
Shahrir then contested and won the Johor Baru parliamentary seat in 1978.
He briefly served as Domestic Trade and Consumerism Minister from 2008, but resigned in 2009 after failing to get a spot on Umno’s supreme council.
Asked if he will contest in the next elections and stay active in politics, Shahrir said: “I hope not.”
“You think this is my only life?” he added when asked what he would do if he wasn’t a politician.
“I cannot be like Lim Kit Siang, go on and on,” he quipped.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby today, the Johor Baru MP said he wants to make way for young leaders.
“My pledge is that you must trust the young. If you cannot show that, then what’s the point of talking,” he said.
Shahrir said the fact that his former political secretary Khaled Nordin is now the Johor menteri besar is a testament of his own track record and what the young can achieve.
The 66-year-old first notable role in politics was when he became former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam’s political secretary in 1973.
Shahrir then contested and won the Johor Baru parliamentary seat in 1978.
He briefly served as Domestic Trade and Consumerism Minister from 2008, but resigned in 2009 after failing to get a spot on Umno’s supreme council.
Zakir Naik on the run?
Listen to this video about this preacher as India dares him to return to his home country for a showdown.
View video.
View video.
Broad opposition bloc most important thing now, says Saifuddin.
Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah said that the most important issue, following yesterday's announcement of a new party, is the need for a wide platform that would be able to unite anyone who is against BN.
This, he said, should be the main takeaway from the meeting yesterday between opposition leaders, former Umno leaders and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"The real shape of the platform can be borne in several ways. What should be prioritised is creating a huge opposition bloc that is united and strong so that we can achieve what the rakyat wants, which is one-on-one fights between the opposition and BN," Saifuddin said in a statement today.
Those who are against BN are many, such as Pakatan Harapan, other opposition parties like PAS, PSM and Saksama, NGOs as well as individuals like former Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir and former Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal, he said.
Saifuddin also noted that even though Pakatan Harapan had hoped that "certain individuals who are now without a party" would join them, they also understood that a new party might be needed due to certain dynamics.
Citing the example of Sabah which has a political dynamic which is unique, he said they would understand if Shafie, who is from Sabah, wanted to form a new party.
"What is important is that Pakatan Harapan work together with him (Shafie) in Sabah," he added.
Saifuddin also stressed that yesterday's meeting was not a statement or attack against any opposition party.
"This is the kind of spirit that's important.
"Opposition parties do not necessarily have to agree today to form a new coalition or expand Pakatan Harapan.
"Let's stop attacking each other first. Let us discuss to (our) heart's content," he said.
Saifuddin also noted that the main goal – a broad opposition bloc that is united and strong – does not necessarily have to exist formally.
It could also, he said, be in the form of "Pakatan Harapan consists of more than just the three parties", "Pakatan Harapan Plus", "Pakatan Harapan & Co" or others.
Yesterday, after the meeting, Mahathir had confirmed there are talks to form a new party to be part of the Save Malaysia movement where he will be "first among equals", though not necessarily the president, arguing that this is necessary as existing opposition parties are "sometimes not attractive" to others.
[Source: Mkini]
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