Why bother attending the Christmas gathering anyway?

Catholic church officials were told to remove crucifixes and to avoid hymns being sung when Prime Minister Najib Razak attended the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur’s Christmas tea party last Saturday.

The overzealous bid to protect the prime minister’s Islamic credentials was described by sources familiar with what happened as “paranoid” and done without Najib’s knowledge.

The sources also noted the actions of officials from the prime minister’s office could have jeopardised warming religious ties.

Najib’s men may have been spooked by the National Fatwa Council’s recent repeated announcements over Muslims at non-Muslim celebrations and had tripped over themselves to ensure his attendance at the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur’s Christmas Day high-tea passed without a hitch.

It was Najib’s first time attending a Christian function in his official role since taking over power in April last year.

The PM had been invited to last year’s open house hosted by the Mar Thoma church in Brickfields here, but did not attend.

Najib has been instrumental in bringing the heads of different creeds to the same table earlier this year to try and peacefully resolve the long-standing interfaith disputes after a series of attacks against houses of worship nationwide.

The violence erupted following a controversial court ruling allowing Christians to also use the word “Allah” to refer to God beyond the Muslim context.

Sources disclosed that this year, the PM’s aides had issued a list of instructions to Archbiship Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam to facilitate Najib’s attendance on Christmas Day.

Among the directives given were:

. To remove any overt Christian symbol, such as crucifixes, from the party premises

. That carollers not belt out hymns

. Not to quote from Scriptures or say any Christian prayer during the visit.

Similar conditions have been laid in previous Christmas celebrations, including those graced by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong himself, said a member of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), the umbrella body representing the various denominations.

The instructions usually came from the staff without the knowledge of the dignitary, said the insider who has been on the organising committee on more than one occasion.

“Previously, the carollers even sang some Christmas hymns. The King was there. No one made a fuss. I don’t think they heard.

“I suspect the PM would not have objected either,” he had observed that a member of Najib’s office had conferred with Pakiam and made a quick circuit of the party grounds at Bukit Nanas shortly before the PM dropped in.

The Archbishop could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

But another member of the CFM echoed the observation.

“No conditions from PM. Only from his staff. That resolved by ABP very quickly,” the source told The Malaysian Insider in a text message, calling the Archbishop by initials.

The sources noted that Najib’s aides had little to be anxious about as the party was held outdoors where several marquees had been set up, where religious paraphernalia were the least likely to be fixed.

Grace was said before Najib turned up.

There were two groups of carollers serenading the crowd – one from Africa, the other a local outfit – but the guests were too caught up in their chatter and did not appear to be paying them any attention.

“They were overly fearful but there was nothing for them to be fearful about,” a source pointed out, dismissing Najib’s aides as too “paranoid”.

[Source: The Malaysian Insider]

And is this what you called "1Malaysia"? Oh, puhleeeeeeez ....

Yes, I agree with you, Hannah. It is SABOTAGE alright, plain and simple!

Inspired by the tweeting rampage of PKR member of parliament N Gobalakrishnan and the appointment of pro-UMNO official Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the new Selangor state secretary, Subang Jaya state representative Hannah Yeoh has concluded that the word 'sabotage' summed up the challenges faced by Pakatan Rakyat.

"If I have to choose one word to sum up the challenges faced by PR it will be SABOTAGE," she posted on Twitter in response to internal and external attacks against Pakatan Rakyat.

Since last week, Gobalakrishnan, once a staunch supporter of Anwar Ibrahim, has been attacking his party comrades over the microblogging site, accusing them of ignoring Indians and the poor in the state.

Yesterday, the Chief Secretary to the government Mohd Sidek Hassan announced controversial director of the Selangor Islamic Department Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the new state secretary from January 1.

The state administration however said the decision was not final as menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim had not been informed about the appointment, but had instead sent three names as candidates to choose from.

[Source: Harakahdaily]

An UMNO sex maniac in the Malaysian Cabinet!

Why am I not surprised?

By day, he is the epitome of discretion and good manners, fielding questions on the economy and responding to the concerns of his constituents. By night, when he is safe behind the high walls of his gated community, this man‘s sexual prowess and outbursts is his stock in trade.

Who is this man whose identity is being kept secret and who allegedly raped his Indonesian maid three years ago?

After the recent Wikileaks disclosures about Malaysia’s ‘incompetent’ politicians and Najib’s reputation tarred by ‘that murder’, the latest revelation is that former Prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi covered up a rape case involving one of his ministers.

Another popular blog, Rocky's Bru, also claimed that an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) had reported that the alleged rape happened in Kuala Lumpur.

Copies of this report were sent to the United States and Indonesian embassies here, and it contained a transcript of an interview with the alleged victim from Central Java.

It is believed that a copy of the report was also submitted to the Prime Minister's Office.

The maid, a mother of two, had been employed by the minister, a veteran Umno politician, for eight years.

Another site allegedly said that when the maid told the wife of the politician what her husband had subjected her to, the maid ended up being verbally abused and slapped, in a further act of humiliation. Needless to say, the wife did not report the incident to the police.

There have also been claims that at the time, Najib Abdul Razak had seen the file.

According to the NGO's report, the maid’s husband was aware of the rape but because of fear and shame, they were reluctant to press charges. Vicitims and those closest to them often bear the pain and hurt in silence. No one knows the true extent and damage of both the physical and psychological scars of the victims.

The WikiLeaks revelations also showed that Abdullah decided to keep silent because he feared that the issue would affect Malaysia-Indonesia ties.

Malaysian politicians and in particular its leaders, have failed its people and also its neighbours, yet again.

In order to protect both the reputation of his cabinet and of himself, the Prime minister of the day refused to act in accordance with the law so that proper investigations could be started, to establish whether a crime had been committed, or not.

Abdullah cited national security and was prepared to break the law. This is irresponsible of him and shows the lack of morals and sense of justice in him. He is selfish and would sacrifice truth and a woman’s desire to seek justice, over his cabinet’s image, at all costs.

Is this symptomatic of the quality of our leaders? Are there no more decent men left in Malaysia who have high principles and integrity?

If it is not sex scandals or violence in various forms, our sense of trust is eroded with having to deal with corrupt politicians. A few days ago, Najib Abdul Razak, announced that a former politician, Mohd Isa Abdul Samad would become the Chairman of FELDA. Mohd Isa had been convicted and punished for money politics in 2005.

The Malaysian government will never learn, will it? It will continue to ride rough shod over its citizens.

Nevertheless, when asked to comment on this case, PKR Wanita vice-chief Haniza Mohd said that those who flouted the law had to be dealt with, irrespective of their position.

She said, “Although the credibility of the WikiLeaks disclosure could be questioned, if the rape really happened, it would tarnish Malaysia's image and affect bilateral ties. I am not talking specifically about this case, but in general, we cannot have two different legal approaches for VIPs and ordinary citizens. Whoever is accused must face the due process of law, especially when the said offender is a leader who has been given the mandate and trust by the people.”

Haniza stressed that everyone was equal before the law and added, “If the WikiLeaks disclosure is true, then I condemn the crime and urge that legal action be taken against the perpetrator and that the victim be given adequate protection.”

The Jakarta based NGO, Migrant CARE, issued a press release dated August 1st 2007 regarding the case involving Indonesian maid, Robengah and said that it was under investigation. They also said that their findings would be submitted to the relevant authority.

Although the name of the Senior Minister was not mentioned, a PAS blogger claimed that it is possibly connected with the withdrawal a month earlier by a Senior Minister from contesting for a significant position in an international body.

Malaysia Chronicle appends below a press release found on the Tenaganita website:

Migrant Care: Maid Raped by Malaysian Senior Minister

We are extremely concern about the alarming increases in number of such rape and physical abuses incidents happened in Malaysia. Two years ago, we failed to advocate for an Indonesian maid who was raped by a Minister from Kedah.

We wish to express our gratitude towards the concern of the Civil Society and bloggers community in Malaysia with regards to the recent Maid Raped by Malaysian senior minister.

This case involved Malaysian Politician from the ruling party whose Indonesian Maid name Robengah is currently under Migrant Care investigation.

The nature of the case is highly sensitive and involve the national interests of both countries, we hope all the concern parties will be very patient with us because Migrant Care is as concern as the other stakeholders of this loving nation of Malaysia.

As an NGO Migrant Care shall have no political interests to tarnish the image of the politician and political party involved, nor denying the rightful justice of the raped victim.

We cordially request the interested parties please do not create any untruthful speculations before the results of final investigation of which we will officially submit to the relevant authority for their further actions.

Failure of such, then we shall seek justice through international communities.

RELA, in their national missions, has already caused significant hatred feeling among the people in the Republic of Indonesia against Malaysia despite of very cordial diplomatic relationship at the top government to government level. The role of RELA as Indonesian undocumented migrant bounty hunter has become significant security threat to the regional security in the years to come.

It is timely that Malaysia – Indonesia think tank groups seriously study the migrant workers that impacted the social, political, economy and regional security.

We believe justice will be done in accordance to the law of Malaysia through the proper channel and positive constructive engagement with the authorities involved.

Jakarta, 01 August 2007

Wahyu Susilo

Policy Analyst

Anis Hidayah

Executive Director,

Alex Ong

Country Director

Christmas Greeting to All

Here's wishing all my friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Peace on earth and love to all Mankind.

Love at Christmas

Chistmas, although is the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, is also a season of LOVE and peace to all Mankind. Here are some candid responses given by some children, aged 4-8, of what they think LOVE means to them. Believe me, it will pull a string in your heart as you read on.

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
[Terri - age 4]

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
[Danny - age 7]

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."
[Emily - age 8]

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas and if you stop opening presents and listen."
[Bobby - age 7 (Wow!!)]

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."'
[Nikka - age 6 (We need a few million more Nikkas on this planet)]

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday'.
[Noelle - age 7]

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
[Tommy - age 6]

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
[Cindy - age 8]

'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
[Clare - age 6]

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
[Elaine - age 5]

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
[Chris -age 7]

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
[Mary Ann - age 4]

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
[Lauren - age 4]

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' [What imagination!}
[Karen - age 7]

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'
[Mark - age 6]

'You really shouldn't say, 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.
[Jessica - age 8]

-------------------------------------------

And the final one -- Author and lecturer, Leo Buscaglia, once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four-year old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly man who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry.'
------------------------------------------------

I can't help but agree with what Elaine [age 5] said because my wife does exactly that at every meal time whenever chicken is being served. I am truly blessed.

What?? Santa Claus was an Indian??

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

This is what Art Harun thinks of Harry

Dear Mr Lee

I am Malaysian. And a very proud one at that.

While my former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has apparently, and suddenly, agreed with you on what you had apparently said about Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his alleged dalliance with an ass — “ass” here refers to the anatomy of a human being, not the animal, although sometimes in your country, that word could also refer to members of your government — I, on the other hand, could not give a rat’s ass to what you or any of your colleague say about my country or its people.

I will be blunt because I am not a politician. Nor am I a diplomat or a member of my country’s civil service. So, here goes. Neither you, nor any of your colleagues, have any moral standing, or any standing at all, to pass judgement about my country or my fellow Malaysians or any other country for that matter.

If what was reportedly said by you and your colleagues about my country and our leaders was in fact said by you and your colleagues, than I just have one word to say to you and your colleagues. Buzz off! (Well, they are two words actually, but I don’t give a hoot!)

I am not bothered by what you and your colleagues think about my country or my leaders simply because I have always known that you and your government have always suffered from chronic and almost incorrigible Napoleon Complex (to borrow a phrase from Mariah Carey’s song about someone who has a small appendage).

All those chatters over golf matches with Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, warm embrace between your son and prime minister Najib and nice tete-a-tete over some scones and tea between you and our prime minister’s wife are just for show. I have always, in my heart of hearts, doubted your country’s sincerity in almost whatever you do, whether on a private or even more so, governmental basis.

In short and plain language, I have never trusted you or your government. You and your government, to me, had pioneered and perfected a “cocktail diplomacy” that had, over the years, defined your external policies in South Asia.

To say that I have no respect for you or your government would be, Mr Lee, an understatement. I laugh at the nakedness of the cold and wrinkled anatomy of your cocktail diplomacy.

Unlike many of your citizens, I am not stupid to swallow hook line and sinker your heavily masked political assurances of neighbourly goodwill and co-operation. I don’t believe you or your government because I have always known — from your actions and deeds — your condescending and patronising views about everybody else in this world, save for probably, your masters, the United States of America and, probably too, Israel.

You think you are the best. When in fact you are nothing but an amalgamation of flesh and bones without any semblance of a soul. Your country is consumed by and obsessed with what your neighbours intend to do and the ways and means to defeat your perceived competitors — which, in most cases, only exist in your tiny little mind — and procure a perceived victory over them. In short, you and your colleagues suffer from multiple phobias over nothing.

You boast of economic success. May I ask, at what price? Your people have traded their souls, their freedom and liberty, their right to even think of what is right and what is wrong for just a slice of economic and material gains. How shallow can one be?

Your society is exactly what Herbert Macuse was describing in his “One Dimensional Man”, when he says, finally, under the condition of a mass society, shaped and moulded by the State:

“the multi-dimensional dynamic by which the individual attained and maintained his own balance between autonomy and heteronomy, freedom and repression, pleasure and pain, has given way to a one-dimensional static identification of the individual with the others and with the administered reality principle.”

That is what I think of you and your colleagues, Mr Lee.

You and your colleagues huddled together in cafes, holding whiskies and passed judgment on my country. My country is, apparently, “declining.” And the cause of that decline, apparently, is “incompetent politicians.”

Well, who exactly are you or your colleagues to pass judgment on us? Incompetence, you say?

You and your colleagues boasted that Orchard Road will never ever be flooded. Remember? And this was what happened.

What do you say about that? Competence? Go and fly a kite, Mr Lee.

And true to your government’s multi-phobic affliction, you even arrested, handcuffed and detained a reporter who was photographing the flood. Read about it here.

And what was your people’s explanation for that incident? Your Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim had even copied and used the answer given by our former home minister in explaining why a journalist was arrested under our Internal Security Act a couple of years ago, in trying to explain that incident.

This was what he said (as reported here):

“From what we understand, the photographer was warned because of safety issues, not because of privacy issues.”

Yes, apparently, that guy was arrested, handcuffed and detained because of safety issue. Your minister can’t even be original in his reply! He has to copy what our minister said!

Incompetence you say? Go and stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself. You can’t even predict a flood in the middle of your commercial district!

And what about a certain guy by the name of Mas Selamat? Remember him? Yes. He escaped from your maximum security detention centre.

What do you call that? Excellence?

Who, dear Mr Lee, managed to track him and re-arrest him? Who was the kind soul who, in the spirit of good neighbourliness and goodwill, surrendered that guy back to you? Who else but your incompetent neighbour, eh?

Frankly, would you do the same for my country? Well, don’t answer. That is a rhetorical question. I know the answer already.

You have and know of no other way to deal with public grievances and opposition than to arrest them, harass them with defamation suits and utilise your executive might and power. Your country would think of nothing about utilising your pliant judiciary to mask your purely political actions against your opposition in order to lend a semblance of judicial justification for their extermination.

Democracy you say? I laugh and I laugh. And I laugh at you and your government’s shenanigans, Mr Lee. It is the idea that everybody is stupid that makes me laugh so hard. The stupidity of thinking that every other people could be hoodwinked makes me want to die laughing!

Under the guise of good governance and security, your government would go out of its way to silent critics. What did you do to a web site called Temasek Review, Mr Lee?

You cringed at the thought of intellectual discourse in cyber space. Because really, you are not equipped to deal with it. That is because your society has been shaped and moulded to comply and follow, and not to question and demand. So, Temasek Review had to be stopped.

Because of that your agency, Temasek Holdings, claimed that it had the intellectual property right to the name of Temasek Review. How very convenient? And Temasek Holdings then, apparently, sold the right to use that name to an unknown party for S$1.00.

Sorry, but I have to laugh again. Hahahahahahahha... you think the people are as stupid as your government? You have always had the ability to mask your political moves with commercial dress ups. And that move was so you, so Singapore, Mr Lee.

Speaking of Temasek Holdings, what were they doing in Indonesia so much so they were found liable for breaching anti-monopoly laws there?

What do you call that?

The truth is, Mr Lee, you, your colleagues, your government and your country are not perfect. Nobody is.

So please. Take your smug pimply face away and mind your own business.

Malaysia can survive without you. Can you survive without Malaysia? —

This time, Guan Eng is the star of the show

The initial signs were inauspicious.

Despite the patient and persistent prompting of the emcee, the crowd took its time to file into the spacious Millennium Hall to fill rows and rows of neatly arranged seats.

It looked like the second annual convention of the Pakatan Rakyat in Kepala Batas today was not going to match in enthusiasm and brio the first edition which premiered exactly a year ago at the Shah Alam town hall.

Then, the keenness of large contingents of PKR, PAS and DAP faithful that showed up and early too, was plainly evident, if only to assure themselves that the Common Policy Framework that was to be endorsed at the inaugural convention was not a figment of their imagination.

Students of politics as the art of the possible could be expected to believe that the secularity of the DAP could blend with the theocratic inclinations of PAS - with Anwar Ibrahim's PKR prompting the fusion – to issue a common agenda.

But ordinary folk are not students of the conjuring arts, which explained the awed enthusiasm of the crowd last year at Shah Alam: they wanted to see in the flesh what their imaginations could only perceive - and dimly at that.

In the event, in Shah Alam last year, they were buoyed by what they witnessed, and came away believing that coalition politics not only makes for strange bedfellows, but can generate affection between partners over time, especially if the time was spent enduring adversary-imposed trials.

A tumultuous year on, after the departure of five MPs from PKR, the exit of a principal architect of the CPF (Zaid Ibrahim), and the relentless attacks of Umno-BN, the shock troops of DAP, PKR and PAS appear a little worn from the troubles they have endured, but a lot more astute.

The way they quickly filled up the Millennium Hall the minute the arrival of coalition grandees was announced by the emcee suggested that they were people who can react expeditiously to the main fare, even if they are a little casual with the entrees.

Penang CM pumps up the adrenalin

However, there was this difference: last year the main fare was Anwar Ibrahim. This time it was Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

As the putative host of the convention, he spoke first. His content and the reception it received showed what a difference a year makes for the Pakatan.

If, in the past, they were overly dependent on Anwar for the rhetorical fireworks, they are now less so. Guan Eng can pump up the adrenalin with panache.

Guan Eng's speech today was a nice blend of invective, aimed at Umno-BN, and inspirational returning of Pakatan's rallying principles of justice and equality for all, and its agenda of race-blind poverty alleviation.

Whereas last year, Guan Eng had resorted a little too much to Islamic tropes that went on to draw fire from exclusivist Umno, this time the chief minister restrained himself to choice bits, like 'amar maaruf nahi mungkar' (enjoin the good and prohibit the bad), that have now passed into the common coin of public discourse.

Whereas last year, he had declaimed in Mandarin a good length of time, this time he did not say a word in the language, leaving no room for national language chauvinists to target him.

He trumpeted the frugal virtues of his administration, acclaimed by no less than the auditor-general and Transparency International, and held that a vote for Pakatan was a vote for the material betterment of the person at the bottom of Malaysian life's totem pole.

A social democracy in which Malaysia's underclass would be rewarded for their labour and talent was what the DAP secretary-general said was in prospect if at the fast approaching 13th general election, the vote goes the way of Pakatan.

Anwar stays on the sidelines

When PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail rose to espouse the virtues of 'Ketuanan Rakyat' ('People's sovereignty), and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang sang the praises of the universalism of Islamic ideals, it appeared all three leaders were vocalising complementary notes from a symphony of hopeful dreams and mutual trust.

The man - Anwar Ibrahim - who set all these notes playing in the breast of Pakatan did not speak at the convention's overture today, perhaps wanting to show the audience that the coalition would not be bereft if, because of Sodomy II, he is temporarily displaced.

If nothing else, today's gathering subliminally signaled that Pakatan is no longer the lengthened shadow of one man.


[Source: Mkini]

Pete has the last laugh ...

Raja Petra Kamaruddin or better known as RPK or better known as Pete has this to say :

Hah! 40% true and 60% lies, said Mukhriz Mahathir. When the Sultan of Perak worked hand-in-hand with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to topple Pakatan Rakyat and hand the state back to Umno, Malaysia Today pointed to the fact that the Sultan was going to be rewarded super-big time. Of course, Malaysia Today was accused of lying. But all we had to do is to wait and allow the lie to be proven fact.

(Bernama) - MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, which has been appointed the project delivery partner (PDP) for the Mass Rail Transit (MRT) project, will be allowed to tender for tunneling works.

"The government felt the exception should be made as the PDP is the only local construction company that has experience in major tunneling works such as in the SMART Tunnel project in Kuala Lumpur and the Kaohsiung MRT project in Taiwan," said Prime Minister Najib Razak today.

However, MCC-Gamuda will not be allowed to tender any of the work packages in the massive project, estimated to be around RM40 billion - the largest infrastructure project in Malaysia's history.

Najib was speaking to reporters at the RMAF base in Subang before his departure to Kuala Terengganu for a one-day official visit.

Nevertheless, Najib said the PDP would still have to compete for the work package with other companies and the award would be given on the basis of merit.

The prime minister also said the cabinet has decided that Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, would be the infrastructure owner of the project while the Land Public Transport Commission would be the supervising authority for the project.

On the appointment of MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture as the project delivery partner, Najib said it was based on the financial standing of the two public listed companies which make up the joint venture and their strong track records and experience in the field of construction and in undertaking huge and complex rail and tunneling projects.

"The PDP will assume the role of a project manager but with the added responsibility of having to deliver the project within an agreed time and cost.

"Any cost over-run and delays in project completion, which are basic common risks in projects, will be borne by the PDP," he added.

Najib said the PDP was not a turnkey contractor and the project would be divided into work packages which would be awarded individually through open tender.

"The government will make the final decision on the awarding of contracts," he added.

[Source: MT]

Nostalgic Weekend - Sharifah Aini

Sharifah Aini hit the local music scene in 1968 with her release of "Seri Dewi Malam", a traditional Malay folk song, but then her works were confined to the Malay community. Her fame started to spread a little wider when she released her first English album, "Forever and Ever" in 1977. Another six English albums followed. Here are my three favourites from this songbird.



"I Only Have Eyes For You", a classic by Billie Holiday


"Have you ever seen the rain", another classic, by Creedence Clearwater Revival


Previous Features:

The Saints, Kuala Lumpur
The Quests, Singapore
The "Little" Falcons, Kuala Lumpur
The Crescendos, Singapore
Rose Iwanaga, Sarawak
Naomi & The Boys, Singapore
Rocky Teoh, Ipoh
The Surfers/October Cherries, Singapore
Janice Wee, Sarawak
Roy Chew & The Merrylads, Kuala Lumpur
The Checkmates, Singapore
Terry Thaddeus and The Teenage Hunters, Kuala Lumpur
The Thunderbirds, Singapore
The Straydogs, Singapore
The Strollers, Kuala Lumpur
The Western Union Band, Singapore
Frankie Cheah, Kuala Lumpur

Latest Issue of Selangor Times

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Selangor Times 17Dec2010

UMNO, party of honourable men???

“What they did was shameful, despicable and a disgrace to our parliamentary democracy. We are all honourable, don't cheat la. They are not honourable, they are dishonourable. They are cheaters and liars,” he said. [Nazri Aziz's comment on the ruckus caused by the Opposition during the December 16 Parliament session].

This reminds me of the speech made by Mark Anthony at Julius Casesar's funeral where he described Brutus [and his conspirators] being honourable men.

"Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest,
(For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all; all honourable men)
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral ...
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man….
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man."

I particularly love the way in which Mark Anthony was able to turn the word honourable around to in fact mean dishonourable. In fact, I always find it amusing when I hear British Members of Parliament [including ours] talking about their Honourable Friends.

Ruckus and placards in Parliament over suspension debtate - December 16 2010

The morning that was in Parliament - December 16 2010

Pandemonium erupted in Parliament this morning ahead of the motion to suspend four opposition MPs, including Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar and House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia got into an argument with the opposition leader demanding the right to respond to charges that he had misled Parliament on the issue of Apco, a Washington-based public relations agency hired by the government.

Pandikar said that Anwar was given a week to respond to the charges, sparking heated protests from the opposition bench.

Gombak MP Azmin Ali was seen wagging his finger at Pandikar as his colleagues denied that Anwar was given the opportunity to defend himself.

Today is the final day of the current session of the Parliament and 11 bills to be debated have been postponed to the next sitting, expected to be in March.

An unusual number of police are guarding Parliament's gates where at least five patrol cars and more than a dozen officers were seen.

LIVE REPORTS

10.25am: Opposition MPs start chanting "Apco" as they thump the tables in protest. Pandikar has effectively lost control of the House as MPs shout at one another.

N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Abdullah Sani (PKR-Kuala Langat) get into a shouting match against P Kamalanathan (BN-Hulu Selangor).

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will table a Co-operative College (Incorporation) Amendment Bill 2010 before Minister in Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz tables the double motions to censure Anwar (PKR-Permatang Pauh), Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) and Sivarasa Rasiah (PKR-Subang).

However, the oppositon sparks off an argument when it raised the House's standing order issue.

10.40am: Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) brings up the issue of the pay-cut motion with Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor that had been rejected earlier.

Khalid refers to a letter from the minister regarding the troubled Shah Alam Hospital issue, that shows that the minister has misled the House but the speaker stops him from continuing.

10.49am: Anwar refers to Hansard records quoting the speaker as saying that he would be given the opportunity to defend himself at the rights and privileges committee meeting.

"When I attended the (committee) meeting it was only to decide whether I was allowed a counsel... After that, I was never called. please explain"

Speaker Pandikar (left) wants to respond but Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) interrupts. On a point order, he argues that he wants to say something relating to Anwar's speech.

Referring to 7(1) of the standing orders, he says "the speaker has a conflict of interest and it is best you withdraw yourself”.

Karpal argues that Pandikar was the chairperson of the committee which recommended Anwar's suspension to the House and now chairs` the House session.

“You have lost your moral authority to sit in the chair," said Karpal.

Pandikar defends himself, saying:

"I was just a chair of the rights and privileges committee... I didn't vote. The motion was brought to the committee to vote on the letter (from Apco). There was a motion from the committee member, saying that there was no need to listen to the defence. The letter was good enough. And then, I put it to vote. That was all. I didn't vote in the committee."

10.55am: Protests from the opposition continue, prompting Pandikar to tell them to file a motion if they are dissatisfied with his decisions and interpretation of the standing orders.

To this, Azmin stands up and says:"But you will not accept our motions."

Opposition MPs shout “Apco-Umno” repeatedly, flashing make-shift placards to display their displeasure.

11am: BN parliamentary leader Mohd Nazri tables the motion to suspend Anwar amidst strident protests from opposition MPs, who repeatedly chant "Apco, Apco". This forces Nazri to lean closer to the mic to be heard over the din, in response opposition MPs shout even louder.

11.04am: Nazri moves that Anwar be suspended. But he is inaudible as the shouts of “Apco-Umno” continue. He says that Anwar has misled the House on the Apco matter.

11.08am: House speaker Pandikar calls on Khairy Jamaluddin (Umno-Rembau) to kick off the debate. But he is inaudible. All the opposition MPs hoist their placards - with words like "kangaroo", "BN Sokong Apco", "Apco", "Selamatkan Dewan, Hidup Ketua Pembangkang."

11.17am: Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) urges speaker Pandikar to “undur diri” (step down) due to obvious conflict of interest.

M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) supports Sivarasa, saying that Pandikar has the option to “undur diri”, but asked whether he is staying on because of "other interests".

11.20am: Pandikar urges Khairy to start off the debate on the Apco motion, but the "Apco-Umno" chant continues.

The placards are whipped out again, with some MPs shouting "mentaliti buruk" (rotten mentality).

11.25am: Pandikar instructs the Dewan Rakyat secretary to list down all MPs disobeying his orders to bar them from debating the motion.

11.28am: Pandikar threatens to call for a vote without debate. Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) demands to know under which point of order that the speaker is calling for a vote without debate.

Speaker proceeds to call for a vote without debate. The motion to suspend Anwar is adopted through voice majority.

11.29am: Opposition MPs chant "Bohong, Bohong!" Anwar walks out from the Dewan followed all opposition MPs.

11.30am: Nazri moves second motion to suspend three other MPs - R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang), Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) and Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) - to an empty opposition bench.

11.32am: Debate starts on second motion with Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno-Kota Belud).

He accused the three MPs of interpreting the House's standing orders to suit their political agendas.

11.33am: Rain begins to fall outside Parliament House.

11.43am: PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar says there will be a march from Parliament to Suhakam, about 2km away in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

However, about 40 police officers are already stationed outside the Parliament complex.

12.11pm: Ibrahim Ali (IND-Pasir Mas) debates motion to suspend Azmin, Sivarasa and Karpal.

He claims that the political upheaval in Malaysia is the result of Anwar's unrelenting ambition to become prime minister.

The nation will never be peaceful until he becomes prime minister," he said, adding that Pakatan Rakyat will achieve its goals either through "the front or back".

Responding to an interjection by Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud), Ibrahim said if Anwar was truly a "gift from Allah", he would not end up in this kind of situation.

12.30pm: Wee Choo Keong (IND-Wangsa Maju) said that the opposition coalition does not practice what they preach.

"That is why I could not stand it and resigned (from PKR)," he said when debating the suspension motion to thumps from backbenchers.

12.30pm: Ten PKR Youth members led by the movement's deputy chief Khairul Anuar have gathered outside the gates of Parliament and have been refused entry by the sentries.

Suspended opposition leader Anwar joins them.

12.41pm: The motion to suspend Azmin, Karpal and Sivarasa for six months has been passed through a voice vote. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz, who tabled the motion yesterday, said it was not necessary for him to deliver a winding up speech as the opposition bench was empty.

12.45pm: At press conference held later, Karpal said that he will look into legal remedies for Anwar.

"We will see how we can take this matter to court. Gobind Singh Deo's (suspension) had set a precedence.

"We may take him (Pandikar) to court... the rules of natural justice was not upheld... we will take this to court.

"We don't want this incident to be turned into a precedence," said Karpal.

12.55pm: Speaking to reporters later, Khairy denies allegations that the government had no intentions of debating the motions.

"We are worried that some news report will claim that we just want to suspend them without any debate.

"This is not true. We were prepared to debate the two motions but its the opposition who are causing the disruptions and are refusing to debate," he says.

Khairy adds that he was the first MP to debate the first motion but was unable to continue due to the disruptions.

He also chides the opposition for bringing placards into the Dewan Rakyat and for shouting non-stop. He said that they were mocking the August House.

1.27pm: Around 20 Pakatan supporters march away from Parliament towards the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) headquarters which is about 2km away.

1.32pm: The police tries to prevent the supporters from marching, resulting in the arrest of PKR Youth exco member Lee Khai Loon and Padang Serai PKR division secretary G Pravin.

They did it again!

After Celine Dion, the Americans have done it again, this time pairing Martina McBridge to sing alongside Elvis Presley, to the song, "Blue Christmas". The film was shot during the "Elvis' Come Back" Concert in 1968 when Martina was only 2 years old.



And this is how they did it.



Elvis Christmas duets with other contemporary female artistes



Elvis duets with my favourite country singer, LeAnn Rimes on "Here Comes Santa Claus"

Do you know why the wedding ring is worn on the fourth fingter?

I have been married for many years now and never knew the significance of why I have to wear my wedding ring on my fourth finger, until now ......

There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese.

Thumb represents your -- Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& Last (Little) finger represents your Children

Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back.

Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
(As shown in the figure Above)

Now, try to Separate your Thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong (Sorry but its the Truth), and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)... ., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)... ., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day...

Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).

You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT ..,

'Cos Husband &Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin.. !!

ISN'T THIS A LOVELY THEORY.. ??

Nostalgic Weekend - Frankie Cheah

The sixties came to an end with a terrific send-off with the hosting of Woodstock in the States. For Malaysians, we had a fulfilling era as many groups and singers were there to entertain their fans whether in concerts or via their recordings. The groups/singers mentioned in this post so far are those who made it to the studio, but there were many more who preferred the stage than the studio. Names that came to mind are:

• The Ghost Riders
• The Strangers
• The Mysterians
• The Grim Preachers
• The Yap Brothers
  
• The Skylarks
• The Blue Jeans [the only rock group that plays a double bass]
• Jeffrey Moey
• Argus Salim

One common feature of these artistes? All play and sing in English.

With the advent of the seventies, the music scene started to change. Artistes started recording in either Mandarin or Malay and very few in English, save for one new-comer, Frankie Cheah, our local boy from Segamat, Johore. Singaporean artistes continue to record and perform solely in English.

When I first heard Frankie Cheah, a Malaysian Chinese, singing *Woman In My Life for the first time, I didn't believe he was local. He has perfect diction that is practically non-existent amongst singers in this region, with a strong and clean voice to match, one that suits the ballads he sings. His interpretation of this lovely song has an appeal that is still fresh today. It will definitely be a big hit if released again and is one of very few songs by a local singer that I appreciate.

Frankie Cheah was a mathematics teacher from Segamat, Johore Bahru, Malaysia and recorded with giant EMI. His other big hit, Cheryl Moana Marie, also won accolades and Cheah is as much a household name on both sides of the Causeway. During pop concerts in Singapore, Cheah's performance usually draws a full house at the National Theatre (Tank Road), the Early Bird and Musical Express gigs at cinema halls in Singapore.

In the early 70s, besides recording in EP and LP format in English (produced by Reggie Verghese of The Quests), he has also recorded some Malay songs. His English selection includes popular ballads like, Chotto Matte Kudasai, It's Impossible, You've Got A Friend, Lovers, Help Me Make It Through The Night and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

The above image shows a bootleg EP which has My Name Is The Wind, Love Story, Song Of A Sad Man and Why. Because his records sold well, as they were all number one in the Malaysian Top 20 in the early 70s, the pirates took advantage as usual.

Even with his Malay album Cheah sings with feeling and conviction keeping to the difficult rhythm of the Malay 'asli' beat. The selection includes one very popular EP with Amalan Suci (ReggieVerghese/Ismail Haron). The other three songs are Putera Putri (Jimmy Boyle/Dol Baharin), Putus Sudah Kasih Sayang (P. Ramlee) and Syurga Pura Pura (Ismail Haron).

*Cheah has since retired but his achievement in the pop music field did not go unnoticed as he was recognised by the Malaysian music industry and awarded the Anugerah Sri Wiramar (2004). He was at EMI (UK) in 1977, headhunted by Warner Music, Malaysia and managed it a year later. When he left, he started Pacific Music which was bought by BMG Malaysia/Singapore where he rose to Chairperson.

Note: "Woman in my life" has been recorded by international artistes such as Bobby Vee and Engelbert Humberpinck.

Previous Features:

The Saints, Kuala Lumpur
The Quests, Singapore
The "Little" Falcons, Kuala Lumpur
The Crescendos, Singapore
Rose Iwanaga, Sarawak
Naomi & The Boys, Singapore
Rocky Teoh, Ipoh
The Surfers/October Cherries, Singapore
Janice Wee, Sarawak
Roy Chew & The Merrylads, Kuala Lumpur
The Checkmates, Singapore
Terry Thaddeus and The Teenage Hunters, Kuala Lumpur
The Thunderbirds, Singapore
The Straydogs, Singapore
The Strollers, Kuala Lumpur
The Western Union Band, Singapore

Starting from next week, I will be featuring the cross-overs, artistes who recorded in Mandarin or Malay, then switch over to record their works in English. Stay tuned!

Student protests - it is the sign of the times!

STUDENT PROTESTS IN LONDON


Britain's seeing its biggest protest yet against the deep cuts the country faces to tackle its massive debts. Tens of thousands of students are protesting against a planned hike in tuition fees which could see them treble to 9-thousand pounds a year. Violence flared briefly during the overwhelmingly peaceful protest as a handful of people smashed windows in a high-rise building that houses the headquarters of the Conservative Party, part of the governing coalition. Britain's Liberal Democrats, who are part of the coalition, pledged during the country's election campaign to abolish fees. During the protests, the car carrying Prince Charles and his wife, Carmelia, was also attacked, with some of the attackers shouting, "Off with their heads!" Treason?

STUDENT PROTESTS IN ROME


And finally, our own students protesting the rise in commodity and utility costs.

Khir Toyo's corruption charges, it's not over yet

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has been urged to look into possible tax evasion by former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo in relation to his lavish Shah Alam mansion.

Faekah Husin (left), political secretary to the present Selangor menteri besar, said this was necessary because Khir had been charged with buying two plots of land at a substantial, and thus suspicious, discount.

“Investigations (by the IRB) are necessary to ascertain whether taxes paid on the property were based on the actual cost of the land... this includes the stamp duty.

“This matter cannot be viewed lightly because avoiding taxes by under-declaring (property) is a serious offence,” she said in a statement today.

On Monday, Mohd Khir, 45, pleaded not guilty to charges of accepting two plots of land for RM3.5 million when the said lots were bought by Ditamas Sdn Bhd managing director Shamsuddin Haryoni for RM6.5 million.

Khir was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code for knowingly accepting a bribe. Shamsuddin, 52, was charged under the same law, and they can be jailed up to two years each if convicted.

Shamsuddin was also charged with abetting Khir in the property deal.

Umno trying to 'cleanse' itself

Faekah also claimed that the criminal action brought against Khir was merely "a political ploy" for Selangor Umno to reclaim some credibility.

However, she said, this would not work because Selangor Umno would not be able to redeem itself after 50 years of alleged corrupt practices and failure to administer the state effectively.

“Dozens of development projects were approved despite them not adhering to guidelines. The result is that only crony companies have benefitted, and the (results) are abandoned projects.

“(For example) thousands of house buyers in the Bukit Botak project were cheated and many became bankrupt. The Alam Perdana project that involved 7,000 acres was also abandoned,” she said.

According to Faekah, other alleged wrongdoings by the previous BN administration included the Talam Corp Bhd debt of RM391 million and the Green Revolution Project for Felda settlers.

“Charging Khir does not mean that Umno is in the process of cleansing itself and that the new leaders who would helm Selangor Umno should be given a chance.

“Their sins and corruption were exposed after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state government, and is working hard to clean up their mess.

“It is a difficult process, but half of the problems have been resolved despite the administration being less than three years old,” she said, adding that the new administration had vowed never to repeat BN's mistake.

[Source: Mkini]

Our present day educators

Came across this email message to FreeMalaysia Today by one Clarence Kesak. The remarks made are certainly worth noting :

You can count how 'professional' our teachers are by their lack of moral education. Blame it on the Education Ministry who select these teachers during interviews where the criteria is based on race and religion rather than on merit.

In the end the whole generation suffers simply because the quality of our teachers are sub-standard.

A doctor makes mistake and may lose one patient but a stupid teacher taints a whole generation.

[In the sixties, we looked up to our teachers for their guidance and brilliance. Even long after we have left school, we still remember them and kept in touch through our re-unions. But can we say we feel the same for our present crop of so-called educators today? The day my kids left school, one thing they said was, "Good riddance to bad rubbish!" The school my children went to was my alma mater. So how could it be bad? But then, times have changed. As a former member of the school's Board of Governors, I could see the changes taking place and it was not encouraging at all].

Khir Toyo's corruption charge, another 'sandiwara'?

How low will Umno-BN go in order to win the upcoming 13th general election? Perhaps if there are enough Malaysians who make their anger against the injustice to Altantuya known, and Umno-BN realises how desperate the electoral situation is for them, they may consider the ultimate move of winning in perception contest by charging the one perceived to be linked with the case.

The history is clear. On Feb 12, 2004, the then Land and Co-operative Development Minister, Kasitah Gaddam, was charged in court for corruption. On Mar 31, 2004, Umno-BN called for 11th general election (and it won Abdullah Badawi a landslide victory). On Aug 12, 2009, after dragging on for more than 5 years, Kasitah Gaddam was acquitted when the court decided that the prosecution has failed to prove a prima facie case against the ex-minister. Note that the case has even failed at the prima facie stage, and yet it attracted (or rather, should I say, being played up with) such an unprecedented publicity. All for the positive perception of Umno-BN.

Likewise is the case of Khir Toyo yesterday. And it's an insult to the intelligence of the rakyat. To think that by merely charging the ex-menteri besar of Selangor with corruption is enough to rid the long-established culture of corruption associated with Umno-BN is like slapping on the wrist of a child and think that he/she would grow up a well-behaved adult. Worse, charging Khir Toyo now only after he has been arrogantly roaming about freely for years even after his disastrous defeat in 2008 is only raising our anger level. It is reminding us of how criminals of political class are even more privileged and protected than ordinary, law-abiding citizens. And the show put up by Khir Toyo himself worsens it. Look at how he came to the sessions court in his black luxurious SUV guarded by another car load of security detail. And his wearing his insulting smile at all of us. If Najib's administration could spend RM36 million of public money on American consultancy firm McKinsey and Co to make it look good, it should consider spending a few millions to hire a Hollywood director to make the 'Khir Toyo' show more convincing.

I would imagine putting Khir Toyo on the orange colour 'lokap' uniform, with a little make-up on his face for some injury usually suffered by victims of Polis Raja Di-Malaysia. And remind Khir Toyo not to wear any smile but to bow his head all the time. Better still, cover his head with a paper bag. He should feel so ashamed of himself that he must act like he wants to hide his face.

No, Khir Toyo's performance yesterday morning just gave everything away. His look of confidence and 'business as usual' is telling us the disgusting reality: he would just be another 'Kasitah Gaddam' in a few years. He would keep his mansion (and all other dirty fortune that he has amassed for himself over the years). The 'deal' must have been struck within Umno: you are now useful to put up a show of anti-corruption and we guarantee you a safe retirement. Interestingly at the session court yesterday, a minor show was also played out, between the subordinate (the sessions court judge) and the boss (the attorney-general).

The truth is, a session court judge is a civil servant reporting to the attorney-general. For him to bypass the convention by taking on the case directly himself, the attorney-general has created undue pressure on the judge and left the case in the hands of himself effectively. In case you naively think that it means the prosecution will win the case and thus convict Khir Toyo, the reverse is more likely the case - to ensure the case goes the way the 'deal' has determined.

While the show is on and the mainstream media goes on its high gear of spinning in the days to come, we must not forget that the agency responsible in the investigation of this case is MACC, which has had its hands tinted with blood of Teoh Beng Hock. The highly controversial 'suicide note' and the performance of its lawyer in the recent rounds of inquest proceedings come to mind. We can already see a body of judiciary interested in selective justice. And we also must not forget the infamous lawyer, VK Lingam, who continues to roam free despite the damning report against him by the Royal Commission of Inquiry. And those who squandered billions of public funds from the PKFZ scandal. And so on and so forth.

And on the other extreme of things, we have the continued persecution of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim through the trumped up charges of sodomy. About the idea of parading on stage, perhaps the right sequence, in the order of usefulness for perception, might go like this: MCA president Chua Soi Lek for being caught on video having unnatural sex and watching porn (not that I am condoning the law against unnatural sex), Sarawak chief minister Taib Mahmud for corruption, and chief of it all, prime minister Najib for the allegations of a connection between him and the Altantuya murder.

Poor Namewee, given the run around

See how the little "Napoleons" in FINAS and CIF treat Namewee, and all the latter wanted was to make a film, "1Malaysia".



Since the grant have been rejected by the authorities, Namewee next step is to see the prime minister. I guess it should be a cinch. After all, if the prime minister has the time to meet up with Saiful over a scholarship matter, I guess there is nothing more important now than his "1Malaysia" thingy.

The Memorandum from the Selangor State Government to the King

Below, is the full text of the Selangor government's memorandum to the King.

From: The people and the Selangor state government

To:

Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Tuanku Al-Wathiqu Billah Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al Muktafi Billah Shah
Yang Dipertuan Agong, Malaysia

Dengan nama Allah s.w.t., Tuhan Yang Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang.

Selawat dan salam buat junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w., pesuruh Allah s.w.t. yang sangat mencintai dan menggesa umatnya berlaku adil.

Assalamu'alaikum w.b.t.
Ampun Tuanku beribu ampun, sembah rakyat harap diampun.

i. With the knowledge that basic human living is dependent upon access to clean and affordable water,

ii. With the realisation that people's expanding costs of living are steadily increasing in comparison with their incomes,

iii. With a firm opposition to misappropriation, abuse and mismanagement of power,

iv. With a commitment towards building a leadership that is transparent, responsible, efficient and respectful of the spirit and practice of Federalism;

We, the people and the Selangor state government, hereby gather together seeking the humble permission of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku to deliver our concerns towards the issue of restructuring of the water services industry in Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Ampun Tuanku beribu ampun, sembah rakyat harap diampun.

1) Return the rights of water to the people

We, on behalf of 150,000 people of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, plead that justice is given to us by correcting the past mistakes of water privatisation, resulting in poor quality of water and water services, and with water tariff increases at unreasonable rates.

We hereby seek clean and good quality of water and water services at reasonable and affordable prices, taking into consideration the poor and low-income groups of Selangor. We call upon Tuanku to return the rights of water to the people.

2) Uphold the Water Services Industry Act 2006

We humbly request for Tuanku to uphold the spirit and aim of the Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) 2006, that is to restructure the water services industry into one that is holistic and managed by the Selangor state government.

The WSIA 2006 was originally enacted for the purpose of reversing the errors made in privatising the water industry. We call upon Tuanku to remind the federal government of this.

3) Empower the people

The concession agreement signed in 2004 between Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), the federal dovernment and the Selangor State Government contains a number of ambiguities that show SYABAS is not concerned with the people's welfare, namely the water tariff increases at alarmingly high rates (37% in 2009, and 25%, 20%, 10% and 5% in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021).

The agreement should have been discussed with the people originally as it affects them primarily. We call upon Tuanku to empower the people by ensuring that any new agreement must be discussed with the people before it is finalised.

4) Restore state government's powers

Water services falls under the 'Concurrent List' in the Federal Constitution 1957, giving both the federal government and state government shared jurisdiction over the matter.

We urge the federal government to uphold the spirit of federalism and the powers of the state in the issue of water services, instead of using coercion tactics against the Selangor government. We call upon Tuanku to restore the state government's powers.

5) End cronyism

It is the perception of the people that the federal government sides with the private sector, in this case a particular company, which is equivalent to cronyism.

It is evident that to ensure concessionaires' profitability, they were allowed high tariff rates and more than adequate federal government guarantees to loans that the rakyat has to ultimately pay for.

The rakyat has to now pay high water rates, and Malaysian taxpayers are forced to underwrite the risk of Syabas' business. We call upon Tuanku to remind the federal government of their promise to end cronyism.

With the mandate that is given by the people, the Selangor state government is committed to ensure their interests are protected. The Selangor state government ensures that the water services industry will be managed in the best manner possible for the benefit of the people through its taking over of the water services industry.

Thus the Selangor state government together with the people have placed their hopes in supporting this important motion.

It is the people's hope that this issue will be given serious attention by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku. The people thank Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku for the attention that has been given.

Thank You
Daulat Tuanku
Dec 5, 2010

Your credit card - welcome to ePickPocket

What you are about to see concerns you and everyone who has a credit card in his wallet, handbag or purse. The data on your card can be stolen electronically without you even knowing it, and the person doing it could be standing beside you in a crowded place. Welcome to ePickPocket! I hope our thieves here don't get wise to the idea.

Click the following link to see video:

http://www.wreg.com/videobeta/?watchId=8ba6f8fc-90a2-4711-90ea-1884ec348310

Our PDRM and Hong Kong Police - the difference

From the pictures below, you tell me which police force shows more professionalism in crowd control, especially when it involves street protesters.

THE HONG KONG POLICE: The police personnel would line the route to be taken by the protesters and not only to ensure orderliness of the participants but are there to provide any assistance that may be required. Special attention will be given to female protesters and the ageds.

The people of Hong Kong protesting against the Chinese government for confiding Nobel-prized winner and Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobu. Notice the position of the police personnel.

The people of Hong Kong stood together with their Palestian friends in the "End Gaza Seige" march. Again, notice the position of the police personnel.

OUR POLICE DIRAJA MALAYSIA: What more can we say that have not already been said?

They clobber you

They drench you with chemical laced water

SEE THE STARK DIFFERENCE????