More racist leaflet circulated in Merlimau

The leaflets, found in residents' mail boxes around Kampung Ayer Merbau yesterday, made to look like the front-page of Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia, carried the words "Keling tak sedar diri" (The keling - a derragotary term for Indians - don't know where they stand).

This is the second such incident in the Merlimau campaign, following leaflets two days before nominations that called the Chinese 'traitors'.

If the Chinese and Indians still continue to vote for the UMNO fella, what more can we say?

The next attraction : A Lenggang by-election

Just screened: Tenang

Now Showing : Merlimau and Kerdau

Next Change : Lenggang

Lenggeng assemblyman Mustafa Salim (left) was found guilty Friday of accepting a RM2,000 bribe from a contractor as an inducement to issue a supporting letter to mine sand, more than two years ago.

The 51-year-old, first-term assemblyman from Barisan Nasional was, however, acquited of two counts of soliciting bribes from one M. Manimaran for the same purpose.

Mustafa was charged under Section 10(a)(aa) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 with accepting the money at a restaurant in Mantin on Aug 31, 2008.

The charge carries a jail sentence of between 14 days and 20 years, and fine of five times the bribe amount or a minimum of RM10,000.

Seremban Sessions Court judge Amran Jantan has adjourned proceedings and will deliver judgment at 2.45pm.

[Source: MC]

The Selangor Times - March 4 2011 edition

Selangor Times 4 March 2011

The Swan Lake, as never seen before

I don't think Tchaikovsky had this choreography in mind when he wrote "Swan Lake." How could anyone imagine the performance you are about to see!

With a population of nearly 1.5 billion, the Chinese had to locate one great dancer ... and they did!

Anwar, an anti-Christ???

When I read the news report that Anwar was branded as the anti-Christ by Ummi Hafilda Ali, I was totally taken in by her profound knowledge on such a matter especially when one is not a Christian and more so, a Muslim. I first learn about the anti-Christ matter when I saw the movie, "The Omen" which starred Gregory Peck as the US Ambassador to the UK. The sign of the anti-Christ, the triple six (666) appeared as a birth mark on his son's scalp. This is the significant sign of the anti-Christ, the triple six (666). Now if Anwar is the anti-Christ as claimed by Ummi Hafilda Ali, would there be such a sign on Anwar's scalp or any part of his anatomy? Anwar is a Muslim, so how could he be an anti-Christ, which runs contrary to what is mentioned in the Book of Revelations. If the triple six do not exist on Anwar, then alternatively, did he personally harm any Christians so as to bring about the anti-Christ in him. Ummi addressed the issue to a Malay Muslim audience. I wonder how these kampong folks relate this issue to scriptures of the Holy Quran? Does the Holy Quran mention anything about the anti-Christ? This I would love to find out. Now if Anwar, a Muslim, is an anti-Christ, then how about the following:

• Najib who banned the use of "Allah".
• Najib who allowed a demonstration to take place after a Friday prayers, just because of the 'Allah' issue
• The owners of Al Islam who allowed two of their reporters to conduct covert operations in a Catholic Church.
• The two Al Islam reporters who spat out the holy Host on the ground and then to have it photographed.
• The people who burned the churches
• Hardev Kaur who requested the church to remove all crucifixes and crosses, and not to sing any hymns during the Christmas gathering hosted by the Catholic Church with Najib as the guest.
• Najib who ordered the confiscation of the Holy Bibles in Sarawak.

So by all logical reasoning, who do you think is more of an anti-Christ, Anwar or BN?

An overview on Sun Tzu's Art of War

(The Art of War by Sun Tzu) All military leaders around the world would have at least read once in their lifetime “The Art of War” by Chinese military strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu.

Written in the late sixth century BC, the book continues to be read today by soldiers, generals and academicians interested in the art of war.

It is perhaps the most successful of China’s seven military classics. The other six, according to some war experts, are Taigong’s Six Secret Teachings, Three Strategies of Huang Shigong, Wei Liaozi, Wu Qi’s Wuzi, Sima Rangju Art of War and Questions and Answers between Tang Taizong and Li Weigong.

There is an often told tale about how Sun Tzu proved to the Chinese Emperor that military strategy must be accompanied by an unshakeable mental commitment.

One day Sun Tzu asked the emperor for permission to turn part of his retinue of concubines into soldiers. The emperor had a good laugh but allowed Sun Tzu to prove his point.

Included in the group of concubines for the little experiment was the emperor’s favourite concubine. Sun Tzu got down to serious training at first light.

He instructed the concubines to form straight lines and march according to orders. Naturally, being ladies of the royal court, there was much laughter and giggling.

After the initial fiasco, Sun Tzu issued a dire warning. The first person caught taking the entire exercise lightly will be executed. The same result ensued.

This time, Sun Tzu singled out the emperor’s favourite concubine for punishment. He ordered her immediate execution despite the emperor’s objection.

When Sun Tzu explained that the emperor himself had given him full permission to do whatever he could in any eventuality, the execution was carried out.

The next day, marching by the remaining concubines was carried out without a hitch. This is perhaps the first important principle in The Art of War.

Fundamental principles

To achieve victory, all matters relating to battle must be taken seriously. Any disobedience will not be condoned.

There are 13 chapters in Sun Tzu’s magnum opus. Briefly, the 13 chapters are Preparations or Calculations, Waging War, Plan of Attack, Tactical Moves, Energy or Control, Identifying weaknesses, Engaging the Enemy, Moving the Troops, Tactical Positioning, The Nine Situations, Attack by Fire and the Use of Intelligence.

Some of Sun Tzu’s strategies are no longer relevant in modern times because the weapons of war have changed dramatically. However, the fundamental principles are still applicable in any theatre of conflict.

These include using of spies, knowing the kinks in the enemy’s armour and movement of army and thorough preparations.

In China’s recorded history of thousands of years, warfare had been waged, won and lost repeatedly. But the art of war and how its strategies had been employed to deadly effect were seen during the era of the Warring States which took place between the Third and Fourth Centuries.

Students of Chinese literature know that strategies of The Art of War were best demonstrated in the Three Kingdoms and The Water Margin.

One of the most memorable quotes from The Art of War is in Chapter Three where it is said that to know your opponent thoroughly, you will not be imperilled in a hundred battles.

Although there have been some academic debate over whether Sun Tzu was the actual author of The Art of War, there is universal agreement that the art of war strategies is definitely worth learning and remembering.

Compulsory reading

It is safe to assume that throughout history, leaders from across the globe have taken to heart the text in The Art of War. Among these national leaders were Napoleon Bonaparte, General Douglas McArthur, Mao Tse-tung and Vietnamese general Nguyen Van Giap.

Even though Sun Tzu’s Art of War has differing scenarios to Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings, the underlying theme is similar.

Both books hammer home the principle that for victory to be a reality, certain fundamentals cannot be ignored.

The Art of War only found its way to Europe in 1772 when a French Jesuit named Jean Joseph Marie Amiot translated it into his native language. Then in 1905, British military officer Everard Ferguson Calthrop brought it to England when he translated it into English.

Since then, Sun Tzu has become one of the world’s most well-known military strategists. Whether or not, the1,500-year-old The Art of War, if studied in earnest, will boost an army’s chances of achieving victory in the 21st century is debatable.

But it is undeniable that for any aspiring military leader to ignore this treatise is to reduce his chances of victory in the battlefield.

To accentuate the significance of Sun Tzu’s contribution in the field of ancient Chinese warfare, this volume was made compulsory reading among top military brass during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The understanding of The Art of War will be incomplete if the study of other Chinese literary and military classics is excluded.

Thus to fully appreciate Sun Tzu’s work, it is also essential that there is a thorough awareness of past circumstances that influenced the creation of this ancient text.

[The blogger is also a trainer in the above topic, highlighting how Sun Tzu's strategies can be applied in Sales and Marketing]

Daniel Li, what do you think of MACC today?

Below is the news report from The Star, dated February 25 2009, in which the Deputy Commission and Head of Operations of ICAC Hong Kong, complimented the Malaysian government on the formation of the MACC. I wonder, after two years, with all that have happened, will he still express the same views or will he be shocked at the way MACC is operating today.

The creation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was lauded by a top official of the anti-graft body that it was styled after – Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Its deputy commissioner and head of operations Daniel Li said it is a good start for Malaysia to battle graft.

Li, who was among those consulted by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in the drafting of the MACC Act, said there was a lot of hard work ahead and it would take time to train the 5,000 investigating officers that would be recruited over the next few years.

“It is not something that can be done overnight. For the long term, you need to invest in people. It is a good start and sustaining the effectiveness of the agency relies on the people,” he said after the launching of MACC.

Interpol Group of Experts on Corruption chairman Barry O’Keefe believes it is a “marvellous thing” to have the MACC and it showed that the country is committed publicly to fight corruption. “If people support the fight against corruption, it would succeed. I think it is quite spectacular for the Malaysian Government to dedicate itself in a fight against corruption.

“It is a reason for many Western countries to be ashamed how little they have done,” said O’Keefe, who was a former Commissioner of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption in Australia.

He noted that when dealing with politicians, an anti-corruption agency would always be faced with criticism and this should not deter them from their duty as the court would decide.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there is a need for MACC to “not only be fair and efficient but seen to be fair and seen to be efficient.

“Now the challenge is not only to be independent but seen to be independent,” he said.

Deputy commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammad said Commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan had acted within the law when he commented about the Selangor Mentri Besar.

The Act says that information of a report can be disclosed with the consent of the public prosecutor or an MACC officer ranked commissioner or above.

Ahmad Said had said that MACC had strong evidence against Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim over matters involving the maintenance of his personal car and distribution of cows for slaughter in his Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency.

Mr Shahbaz Bhatti is dead

On February 21 2011, I blogged about the appointment of Shahbaz Bhatti, as Pakistan's Minister for Minorities, looking after the affairs of the non-Muslims in the country. Today, Mr Bhatti is dead, shot dead by a group of Pakistan Talibans. He was 42.

May his soul rest in peace.

Who's disrespecting the King here?

Let’s get one thing straight. The Agong or any of the Malay Rulers may have a special position under the Constitution but they are not God.

For God-fearing Malaysians, only the Almighty is infallible. With that concept set out (for the benefit of Utusan Malaysia and its English cousin, The Star) I would like to address the current debate on whether Teoh Beng Hock’s family have disrespected the Agong by not being party to the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Former judge Shaik Daud says the family has disrespected the institution. I don’t think so because it was always going to be possible for them to walk away from a commission hearing they did not institute (done by government) or agree with.

If we are to accept Shaik’s argument, should we also say that the governments of Abdullah Badawi and Najib Razak have disrespected the Agong because they did not implement fully findings of the royal commission on the police or the findings of the VK Lingam commission?

In fact, it seems to me that the Agong should be angry with the government because whenever they find themselves in a bind, they go for an RCI but are very lame-willed about implementation.

By doing so, they have made the RCI a laughing stock. In the Teoh case, the RCI is stocked with judges and government officials.

So I do wonder who is really disrespecting the Agong?

[Source: Jacob Sinnabathy/The Malaysian Insider]

HINDRAF march :Why double standards?

The mass arrest of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists who were trying to hold a rally on Sunday has raised questions over police treatment of peaceful demonstrations.

Coalition of Malaysian Indian Associations secretary G Gunaraj said the arrest of 108 Hindraf activists smacked of double standards because pro-government activists were allowed to demonstrate unobstructed.

“I recall the day when Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin (right) led some 8,000 people to protest Israel's attack on the mv Mavi Marimara in front of the United States Embassy last year.

“Instead of being detained for questioning, Khairy was given police escort. However, in Hindraf's case, they applied for a permit, but this was rejected on the eve of their peaceful march,” he said.

Gunaraj said the activists were all behaving in a peaceful manner and the amount of force used against them was disproportionate.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) human rights committee chairperson Liaw Kok Fah expressed shock that the police arrested Hindraf legal adviser P Uthayakumar at his home.

“How could the police do that? At Uthayakumar's home? I mean, the police should at least wait until he attended the march… pick him up there, with the rest of the crowd,” said Liaw.

MIC leader: Police colour blind

Liaw said that such arbitrary arrests showed that the authorities did not respect individual rights and echoed Gunaraj's views about the double standards of the police force.

“Back in 2009, protesters with a cow's head hurt the feelings of the Hindu community. They were spitting and kicking it but no one was handcuffed or shoved into police trucks.

“Was that what (the authorities) call a peaceful demonstration, as compared to what Hindraf was trying to achieve yesterday?” he asked.

However, two MIC leaders contacted both believe that the police acted appropriately.

“Police had given their warning earlier for them not to carry on with the rally as Hindraf is illegal. Hindraf does not respect the police or the rules and regulations in Malaysia.

“The police force is blind, it does not see colour, race or religion,” said MIC information chief V Mogan.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minsiter's Department T Murugiah said the police had acted appropriately and did not manhandle any protester.

Murugiah said the protest had tarnished Malaysia's image.

'Interlok should be withheld for now'

On Sunday, Hindraf had initially planned a rally from KLCC to the Dang Wangi police station to lodge a police report against the Form Five Malay literature textbook Interlok.

The group, along with other critics, has been arguing that Interlok portrays the Indian and Chinese communities in negative light and should thus be withdrawn.

Gunaraj said the authorities should rightfully withdraw the book completely, instead of continuing to discuss the matter.

“I do not see any point in the novel still being used in schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

"What is their (BN government's) motive? What is their agenda? What are the benefits for these three states to continue using that novel?

"The government had better do something fast about this matter as it has been months. Even their own MIC partners are not agreeing with themselves on this issue,” Gunaraj pointed out.

Mogan said the MIC has taken steps to “remedy the matter” and that the party's proposal would be forwarded to the prime minister and education minister.

[Source: Mkini]

Monday Humour

My son celebrated his 15th birthday and I got him an iPhone.

He just loved it. Who wouldn't?

My hubby celebrated his birthday in July and I made him very happy when I got him an iPad.

My daughter's birthday was in August and I got her an iPod Touch.

September came and it was my birthday, so for my present my hubby got me an iRon.

Then the fight started!!!

Martin Jacques: Understanding the rise of China

LATEST: HINDRAF rally: Stand-off at the Pudu police headquarters

Police arrested Human Rights Party (HRP) leader P Uthayakumar and erected roadblocks around Kuala Lumpur in the bid to stop an 'anti-racism' rally organised by it and its affiliate Hindraf in the city centre today.

The rally is also aimed at protesting the controversial 'Interlok' novel by national laureate Abdullah Hussain, which has been criticised for containing racial slurs and stereotypes against the Indian and Chinese communities.

Uthayakumar (right), who has been arrested numerous times, including as Hindraf leader, and spent 18 months in detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA), was today intercepted by the police as he left his apartment in Pantai Hillpark, Kuala Lumpur, at 8am.

“He was handcuffed and taken in a white van,” said Uthayakumar's younger brother, Waythamoorthy from London in an SMS message to Malaysiakini.

According to HRP information chief S Jayathas, Uthayakumar was been brought to the Sentul district police headquarters for questioning.

It is understood that the march is to begin now from the Renaissance Hotel, which is located about one kilometre away from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).

In addition to Uthayakumar, scores of other persons suspected of being participants in the rally have also been taken in by the police this morning - seven at KLCC and 10 at the Renaissance Hotel.

Their identities have not yet been ascertained.

As at 10am, it has been estimated that about 100 people have been arrested in various parts of Kuala Lumpur.

The police appeared to be stopping and arresting anyone suspected as Hindraf supporters, especially Indians, who were found walking in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Many by-passers have complained that they have been stopped and their bags checked despite having nothing to do with the rally.

Kuala Lumpur locked down

Meanwhile, the police have locked down Kuala Lumpur city centre ahead of the planned demonstration.

Roadblocks, some set up as early as 5.30am, were reported on Jalan Ampang, Jalan Kepong, Jalan Cheras, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Duta–Sungai Buloh Highway, among others.

The march was supposed to have begun at the KLCC, but plans were apparently modified following the large presence of police personnel this morning.

An estimated 200 uniformed and plainclothed police officers - including four trucks with Light Strike Force (LSF) personnel - have been stationed on Jalan Ampang between Avenue K and the Petronas Twin Towers.

Reporters have been told to stay put near the bus stop on the KLCC side, but such directions are intermittently broken when a commotion breaks out elsewhere.

Around 9.15am, about 80 in groups of 10 to 30 HRP/Hindraf supporters marched from Renaissance Hotel towards KLCC, shouting "Makkal Sakthi" and other slogans - were arrested in front of Maya Hotel.

Two Malaysiakini citizen journalists (CJs) Mathavan Velayutham and Thiagarajan Marrapan were arrested while shooting footage of the protest. This was despite the CJs producing their press tags to the cops and wearing their 'Citizen Journalist' T-shirts.

A reporter from Tamil daily Makkal Osai was also among those taken in while reporting on the event.

Kedah HRP chief Ramu Ramasamy and a Penang HRP leader were among those arrested. Both have been brought to the Sentul district police headquarters.

HRP information chief Jayathas was arrested around 10am and brought to the Jinjang district police headquarters.

According to a police source, 78 people had been arrested.

Amidst the commotion, a small group of students belonging to the Association of Tamil Students Malaysia, held a small demonstration on Jalan Mayang, off Jalan Ampang, near the Australian High Commission against the Interlok novel. They were dispersed without any arrests.

By about 10.20am, activity at the KLCC area appeared to have died down considerably with police personnel standing down.

The action by this time had moved to the Kootu Malai Pillayar Temple on Jalan Pudu near the Pudu bus station, where about HRP supporters and members have gathered and shouted 'Hindraf Velga!' 'Haramkan Interlok!' and 'Jangan hina kaum India' (Don't insult the Indian community!)

March proceeds to Pudu IPK

They carried banners supporting their anti-racism and anti-Interlok campaign.

After chanting for about half an hour, they proceeded to march towards the Pudu district police headquarters.

They included about six disabled persons and Kota Alam Shah state representataive M Manoharan.

By about 11.45am, the crowd had swelled to a procession of about 200 moving towards the Pudu police station.

Water cannons were seen on standby at the Pudu headquarters.

During the march, the police drove two patrol cars into the crowd, forcing the HRP/Hindraf supporters to break up into two lines and onto the sidewalks flanking the road.

Upon arrival at the Pudu police station, the demonstrators demanded that Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Amar Singh the for release of those arrested within the hour. Malaysiakini was informed that at least 183 have been arrested over the aborted HRP/Hindraf rally.

Or else, said the demonstrators, they would camp outside the Pudu police station. They made the assurance, however, that they would not block traffic.

[Source: Mkini]

Nostalgic Weekend - The Tidbits

Step aside Susan Lim [The Crescendos]. Naomi Suriya, The Quests, Sakura, Veronica Young and The Thunderbirds. Well, that's what we would have said when these three girls who went by the name of The Tidbits, emerged in the local music scene, to give those guys and gals a run for their money. The group comprised of Marina Wee, Serene Wee and Bernedette de Souza. They were teenyboppers who made a name for themselves in the local music scene. The Tidbits recorded their debut album in Singapore in 1967 but it was during one of my record shopping trips at Yan Kee Record Shop in Chow Kit Road that I saw this EP with a picture of three very young girls (probably early teens) on the record sleeve. Out of curiosity, I requested the shop attendant to play the album. The track was "I believe" and the one thing that impressed me most was the tight harmony of this threesome.

Here is one of the tracks from The Tidbits, "Never My Love" made popular by The Associations.

Other tracks on the EP included the New Faces' "Lace-covered Window" and the inspirational song "I believe".

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
Sharifah Aini, Kuala Lumpur
Sudirman Arshad, Kuala Lumpur
Tracy Huang, Singapore
Kathy Ibrahim, Kuala Lumpur

Elaine Kang, Kuala Lumpur