The Selangor Times : August 26-28 2011 edition

Selangor Times Aug 26-28, 2011 / Issue 39

Funny Interpretative Dance featuring David Armand

The is the TV programme that is making waves in UK. You just got to watch the following four clips to see what I mean. There are many but I have chosen these four because of the tune we are familiar with. My pick of the crop - Queen's "Don't stop me now." Enjoy and laugh your blues away.

This is how a political spin being done, the Australian way

No matter what side of the political fence you're on, THIS is FUNNY and VERY telling! It just all depends on how you look at the same things.

Judy Rudd an amateur genealogy researcher in south east Queensland , was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that ex-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s great-great uncle, Remus Rudd, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Melbourne in 1889. Both Judy and Kevin Rudd share this common ancestor.

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows at the Melbourne Gaol.

On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription:
'Remus Rudd horse thief, sent to Melbourne Gaol 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Melbourne-Geelong train six times. Caught by Victoria Police Force, convicted and hanged in 1889.'


So Judy recently e-mailed ex-Prime Minister Rudd for information about their great-great uncle, Remus Rudd.

Believe it or not, Kevin Rudd's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:

"Remus Rudd was famous in Victoria during the mid to late 1800s. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Melbourne-Geelong Railroad.

Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad.

In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the Victoria Police Force. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honour when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."


NOW That’s how it's done

That's real POLITICAL SPIN.

The contrasting views of Lim Guan Eng and Koh Tsu Koon

MCA founder’s granddaughter lauds Guan Eng’s policies in Penang

Lim Guan Eng received praise from an unexpected source today when the granddaughter of the MCA’s first president and daughter of the country’s longest-serving finance minister said the Penang chief minister should be given his due for the state’s prudent management of public funds.

Tan Siok Choo, the daughter of Tun Tan Siew Sin and granddaughter of Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock — both of whom were former MCA presidents — told BFM radio this morning that it was good that Lim had shown what could be done by eliminating waste and implementing open tenders.

“For my father... he was always very particular that government funds should be looked after like your own funds. I think it is in a way, currently, very good that Lim Guan Eng(picture), Chief Minister of Penang, has shown what can be done if you eliminate waste and if you have an open tender.

“The fact that he has been able to run Penang without much contribution from the federal government and yet turn in, yet attract one of the highest rates of investment, I think speaks for itself.

“And this is barring the fact that when my father was in politics, Kit Siang never had a good word to say about my father. So there is history between our two fathers but I think one must give Guan Eng his due,” she told the radio station’s Morning Grille programme.

Siok Choo’s father Siew Sin was finance minister from 1959 until 1974. Guan Eng’s father Kit Siang became an MP for the first time in 1969 and eventually became parliamentary opposition leader.

Her remarks today come as the DAP is increasingly being seen as the party of choice for the country’s Chinese community while the MCA, the party founded by Siok Choo’s grandfather Cheng Lock, appears to be floundering.

Recently, international news magazine The Economist also praised Guan Eng’s open tender policies and credited his administration with helping Penang regain its lustre as a “global city” by lifting the state’s economy to beyond that of a sweat shop industry.

The international weekly dubbed Penang “the first custom-made city of globalisation” and credited Guan Eng for boosting the port city’s revival by axing a racial special treatment economic policy in the state to create a more level-playing field that appeals to foreign investors.

Speaking about the MCA this morning, Siok Choo said the party needed to understand what its constituents wanted if it was to stay relevant.

“I think the good thing about the current situation is that the ethnic lines are getting blurred. You can see this in how Malaysians react to issues... look at issues like Bersih, the call for better and cleaner electoral process, it is being championed across the board, sought by Malays and Chinese. So therefore in terms of civil liberties and soft issues like law and order, no longer seen as Malays vs Chinese... seen as an issue that all Malaysians want.

“I think the party has to realise that if that is what your constituents want, that they don’t see as us and them situation anymore in terms of Malays and Chinese, if the party wants to be relevant and if it wants to move forward, that is the direction it has to go.”

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Go gracefully, Jui Meng advises Tsu Koon as Umno, even Vincent Tan attacks

PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng has advised his former colleague Koh Tsu Koon to "go gracefully" from the BN coalition of which the 62-year Gerakan president been a member since the 1980s.

"If I were Tsu Koon, I would go gracefully. But I must also say it is not right for BN treat Tsu Koon this way. After all, he did contribute to their coalition in the past, no doubt in his own way and also in the way that they required him to," Jui Meng, a former Health minister and MCA vice president, told Malaysia Chronicle.

"The thing is, if you don't want him, just tell him so. Don't make a circus of it all and tar him until he has no dignity left. I think Tsu Koon should leave a heartless coalition like the BN. He should become an Independent or else join Pakatan. Whichever his decision, the point is, don't allow yourself to be kicked like this. It's not worth it."

Berjaya's Vincent Tan fires a rare salvo

The move to unseat Tsu Koon began a year ago. Slowly but surely it gained pace. In the past weeks, the UMNO-instigated momentum spearheaded by its twin newspapers Utusan and Berita Harian has been tremendous, reaching eruption point.

Tsu Koon, who headed the Penang state government for 18 years, has given hints that he will not contest any seat in Penang . This was seen as a move to placate the state UMNO, widely suspected to be the prime-mover against him.

But it looks like UMNO, the BN's boss, wants him out completely and before the next general election, widely expected to be held by the end of this year. They have continued to fire salvos at him mercilessly.

Adding to the commotion was Vincent Tan. The billionaire tycoon is among the latest to join the chorus of criticism against the flailing Tsu Koon.

Vincent's property flagship Berjaya Land Bhd issued a statement on Wednesday that the group withdrew from the Penang hill project during the 1990s due to Koh's indecisiveness.

“Owing to such delay and uncertainty and the non-committal attitude of Dr Koh towards the Penang Hill development, Berjaya reluctantly made the decision to withdraw from the project,” BLand CEO Francis Ng said in the statement.

Praises for his replacement

Hot on Vincent's heels was Tan Siok Choo, the daughter of Tun Tan Siew Sin and granddaughter of Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock both of whom were former MCA presidents.

It may have been coincidental, but taken together with the recent Tsu Koon-bashing, their comments raised eyebrows.

Siok Choo did not run down Tsu Koon but she praised his successor DAP Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, which given Koh's current situation may be worse than any insult Vincent or UMNO could hurl.

“The fact that he has been able to run Penang without much contribution from the federal government and yet turn in, yet attract one of the highest rates of investment, I think speaks for itself. And this is barring the fact that when my father was in politics, Kit Siang never had a good word to say about my father. So there is history between our two fathers but I think one must give Guan Eng his due,” Malaysian Insider reported her as saying.

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And here comes the shark ......

The key for the BN to regain the state of Penang in the next general election is for it to promise to place an Umno member as the next chief minister, says Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia.

“If all are agreed to give the chief minister's post to Umno after the next general election, I am confident that Penang will be retaken,” read Zaini Hassan's column in today's edition of the Malay language daily.

He pointed out that the tally of seats at the moment is 11 for Umno, one for PAS, 19 for DAP and nine for PKR.

“If all are in agreement (for Umno to hold the CM post), the Malay votes that were given to PKR shall be returned to Umno and the party will return to rule the state in the future.

“While some may say that this idea is like a daydream or an impossibility as the Chinese will not allow it, in politics anything is possible,” he argued.

Zaini also hit out at Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon, who is also Penang BN chief, for making much noise of late, though he is himself puzzled why the mainstream media, accused of being in cahoots with the government, have decided to attack Koh head on, day in and day out.

“Penang BN should not create a ruckus. The focus is to re-take the state. The only troublemaker is Penang CM Lim Guan Eng. Why is everyone silent about him? The discussion now should be to rotate the CM post to Umno which won all the seats that BN have in the state assembly right now.

“No need to make noise. Gerakan shouldn't create trouble. Shut up and focus on the polls,” lashed out Zaini.

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SO WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? WILL UMNO BE ABLE TO GRAB PENANG IN THE COMING GE?

Sinar Harian apologise to Christians

Malay language daily Sinar Harian today apologised for publishing an information text box accusing the 'Christian movement' of, among others, permitting prostitution and encouraging free mingling between the sexes.

The apology issued by the management and editorial department ofSinar Harian was published on page 8 of today's issue.

"We admit the error in the publication of 'Objectives of the Christian movement' in the Info column on page 9, edition Aug 23, 2011, yesterday.

"The information published is not accurate.

"Therefore we retract the Info and apologise to all Sinar Harianreaders, especially Christians, over the error committed."

The daily this weekgave extensive coverage to a so-called "apostasy movement" in its regular Monday column Bicara Isnin.

In the second part of the column published yesterday, scathing allegations were levelled against the 'Christian movement' and these were listed in an information text box titledMatlamat gerakan Kristian(Objectives of the Christian movement).

Sinar Harian listed four items that it said are among other programmes afoot "to destroy Muslims":

1. Social movement: encouraging free mingling between the sexes;

2. Moral degradation: damaging moral values with wild activities;

3. Permitting prostitution as a service occupation; and

4. Films and music: inserting negative or extreme elements and excessive music that leads to heedlessness and negligence.

The daily did not elaborate on these allegations.

[Source: Mkini]

It really boggles one's mind to see how the local media can resort to sewer journalism to increase circulation. What has happened to the code of ethics which journalists strongly adhere to? A journalism lecturer once told me, "Facts, facts. Nothing matters but facts!" Apology or not, the damage is already done and I am wondering whether people like Wong Chun Wai and Joceline Tan of The Star will have the conscience to vote for the BN come GE13 as both of them are Christians too. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

The latest on the Chinatown MRT project

Amidst tremendous pressure from the Chinese community and intervention by the MCA, the government has backtracked from its decision to acquire the land around Jalan Sultan for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) mega project.

MCA president Chua Soi Lek (left) said it follows a meeting he had earlier this afternoon with Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairperson Syed Hamid Albar at the commission's office in Kuala Lumpur.

According to Chua, the compromise will see the government acquiring only the strata title for the property 100 feet below ground required for the MRT tunnel, while the building and land above ground will remain in the current owners' hands.

However, the residents may have to vacate their property during the six months or so of tunnelling works, while the government will also be required to strengthen the heritage buildings should they be affected by the works underground.

[Source: Mkini]

Our students did it again

The top Malaysian student from each of the three universities in the State of South Australia (SA) is a woman.

At a gala dinner here on Saturday night, the trio received awards from the Australia Malaysia Business Council, South Australia (AMBC, SA) chapter.

The 'Women power' comprised Fan Yee Mun, from the University of Adelaide, Elysia Chin Low Pei (Flinders University), and Lim Shu Yi (University of South Australia).

Fan, of Petaling Jaya, was adjudged overall best student. She received the Patron's Award, laptop computer and A$1,500 (RM4,654) from former SA governor, Sir Eric Neal.

AMBC SA president Sathish Dasan said, in the 13-year history of the awards, it was the first time all three prizes went to woman.

Come to think of it. After all the money that have been spent sending mediocre students to study overseas, I am sure many Malaysians would be interested to know how many of these students came back with flying colours and how many dropped by the way side.

Election Commission, the Indian model

The following article was contributed by Mr Jacob George.

The Election Commission (EC) in some countries are mere brainless stooges. They confirm it the moment they open their mouths and issue statements sounding like politicians rather than statesmen selected to uphold honour and justice.

They are worse than parasites and simply the political hatchet men specially selected by the powers that be, for their long sustained benevolent and unflinching servitude to their political masters. Some may call them 'mere running dogs' but I will not be that vulgar.

But in some countries the ECs do justice to their selection and appointment and to the merits and tenets of democracy. One such is the Indian Election Commission.

I had witnessed them in action not only in the last election in 2011 but also in 2004 and the manner in which they carried out their task was just superb.

Whether you know it or not there is a model code of conduct and its values are universal provided your intentions are noble, ethical and serving the free and fair election module. And the code forbids rule by acts of betrayal, treason and worst fraud. How does this code operate?

As an illustration, in 2004 Deputy Indian Prime Minister L K Advani flew in an Indian Air Force helicopter from Bangalore to Tumkur in Karnataka to address an election meeting?

By the time Advani had completed his speech, the EC had announced the dates for the general election and enforced the Model Code of Conduct for parties and candidates. Advani was thus compelled to send the helicopter back and return to Bangalore by car.

Such is the power of the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission through its Code of Conduct monitors the behaviour and actions of the political parties and their candidates in any elections.

1. What is the Model Code of Conduct?

It is a set of guidelines laid down by the Election Commission to govern the conduct of political parties and candidates in the run-up to an election.

2. What is the need for such a code of conduct?

It is intended to provide a level playing field for all political parties, to keep the campaign fair and healthy, avoid clashes and conflicts between parties, and ensure peace and order. Its main aim is to ensure that the ruling party, either at the federal level or at state level, does not misuse its official position to gain an unfair and vulgar advantage in an election. That there will be no institutionalised fraud and worst treason.

3. When does it come into force?

The Model Code of Conduct comes into force the moment an election is announced and remains in force till the results are declared.

In 2000, in India there was a tug of war between the central government and the Election Commission on the Model Code of Conduct.

The government went to the Supreme Court against the Commission's ruling that the code of conduct comes into force the moment elections are announced. The government insisted it should be enforced only from the date of formal notification of each phase of election.

The Election Commission called an all-party meeting to settle the row. Eventually all parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, agreed unanimously to support its stand on the Model Code of Conduct.

That was democracy, people-power, and statesmanship in action.

4. To whom does the code apply?

It applies to all political parties, their candidates and polling agents, the government in power, and all government employees.

5. So what does the Model Code of Conduct mean for a ruling party?

In 2004 in India's ministers, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, were not allowed to combine their official visits with electioneering work. They also cannot use official/government machinery or personnel for electioneering work.

Public places for holding election rallies and helipads for flights in connection with elections are to be made available to all parties on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power.

Government institutions and enforcement agencies were expected to play a neutral role and not as active participants for the incumbents as in some countries.

6. Can ministries sanction grants out of the government's discretionary funds during election time?

No. Ministers and other authorities cannot sanction grants and payments out of discretionary funds from the moment the elections are announced.

7. Can the government run an advertising campaign in the mass media?

Advertisements at the cost of the public exchequer or in some countries using the Ministry of Finance and misuse of official mass media for partisan coverage during an election have to be scrupulously avoided.

8. What are the other guidelines for ministers and other government officials?

Ministers and other government authorities should not announce or promise any financial grants to the people; they should not lay foundation stones for or inaugurate any projects; they should not promise public facilities like roads; and they should not make any ad hoc government appointments.

9. How do candidates and parties campaign when the code of conduct is in force?

Parties can issue their manifesto detailing the programmes they wish to implement if elected to government, the strengths of their leaders, and the failures of parties and leaders opposing them. They can use slogans to popularise and identify parties and issues, and they can distribute pamphlets and posters to the electorate.

They can hold rallies and meetings where candidates can persuade, cajole and enthuse supporters, and criticise opponents. Candidates can travel the length and breadth of the constituency to try to influence as many potential supporters as possible.

10. Can parties/candidates hold meetings wherever they want?

Yes, but the party or candidate has to inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any proposed meeting well in advance to enable them to make necessary arrangements for controlling traffic and maintaining order.

11. Can parties call for votes on communal lines?

No. The Model Code of Conduct strictly prohibits parties and candidates from making any appeals to caste or communal feelings, on race, religion, or pitting communities one against another aided by a racist vernacular media as in some countries for securing votes.

Mosques, churches, temples, and other places of worship also cannot be used for election propaganda. No party or candidate can indulge in any activity that may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension among different castes, communities, religious or linguistic groups.

12. Can parties criticise their opponents?

Yes, but the criticism of other political parties should be confined to their policies and programmes, past record and work. Parties and candidates should refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortions should be avoided. Worst they should not use third parties to orchestrate all forms of allegations and gutter politicking.

13. What happens if a candidate or party does not obey the Model Code of Conduct?

The Election Commission has warned that any breach will be dealt with sternly. The Commission has the power to disqualify a candidate if s/he refuses to follow the Model Code of Conduct.

I salute the Indian Election Commission again for their commitment to democracy, fair play, accountability, good governance, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices and not succumbing to direct and indirect attempts by the powers that be to manipulate and taint them.

They are unlike others 'hunting with the hounds and running with the hares'- milking all the business advantages and perks from the incumbents domestically, then inexplicably they trade the shades in other forums putting on the face of reformers, which is the height of hypocrisy.

So was it Anwar?

This is really cool! And yes, I got up off my chair to try it! Sometimes, you don't have to believe what you see.

This is the craziest thing I've seen in a long time.. You also have to get out of your seat and walk away from Your computer. People may think you're crazy. But it's well worth it.

When you look at this picture you see it's Albert Einstein..

But if you stand 15 feet away it will become Marilyn Monroe..

Now what do you think of the reliability of eyewitness testimony?

15FEET = ± 4.5M

So basing on the above visual test, is it for a fact that it was Anwar that many people saw entering the apartment building when they viewed the CCTV? Food for thought, though.

Monday Humour

Looks of Disappointment

A man was just waking up from anaesthesia after surgery, and his wife was sitting by his side. His eyes fluttered open and he said, 'You're beautiful.' Then he fell asleep again.

His wife had never heard him say that before, so she stayed by his side. A few minutes later his eyes fluttered open and he said, 'You're cute..' The wife was disappointed because instead of 'beautiful,' it was now 'cute.'

She asked, 'What happened to beautiful?'

The man replied, 'The drugs are wearing off.'

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Senility

An elderly man went to his doctor and said, 'Doc, I think I'm getting senile.. Several times lately, I have forgotten to zip up.'

'That's not senility,' replied the doctor. 'Senility is when you forget to zip down.'

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Marriage Humour

Wife: 'What are you doing?'

Husband: Nothing.

Wife: 'Nothing...? You've been reading our marriage certificate for an hour.'

Husband: 'I was looking for the expiry date.'

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Stress Reliever

Girl: 'When we get married, I want to share all your worries, troubles and lighten your burden.'

Boy: 'It's very kind of you, darling, but I don't have any worries or troubles.'

Girl: 'Well that's because we aren't married yet.'

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A wife asked her husband: 'What do you like most in me, my pretty face or my sexy body?'

He looked at her from head to toe and replied: 'I like your sense of humour!'

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A man was sitting reading his papers when his wife hit him round the head with a frying pan.

'What was that for?' the man asked.

The wife replied 'That was for the piece of paper with the name Jenny on it that I found in your pants pocket'..

The man then said 'When I was at the races last week Jenny was the name of the horse I bet on' the wife apologized and went on with the housework..

Three days later the man is watching TV when his wife bashes him on the head with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him unconscious.

Upon re-gaining consciousness the man asked why she had hit again.

Wife replied.. 'Your horse phoned'

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Suspicious Wife

Wife was sure that her husband was having Sex with the maid so she laid a trap.
One evening she sent the maid home for weekend & didn't tell husband.

That night when they went to bed, the husband gave old story.
Excuse me my dear, my stomach is aching & went to bathroom.

The wife promptly went into the maid's bed. She switched the lights off.

He came in silently, he wasted no time on words but quickly started having Sex. When he finished, Wife said, you didn't expect me in this bed, did you? & switched on the light .........
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No Madam, said the Watchman.

MORAL: Sometimes getting too smart can get you screwed!