No toll hikes for now

Yesterday the Gov't said they were increasing toll rates by 33% along 5 highways. Today, the Gov't said no toll rates hike. The hikes are postponed till December 2009. Why the sudden u-turn ? Its obvious, that the Gov't is facing two by-elections (Bukit Gantang & Bukit Selambau) and another one coming in Sarawak. And the situation in Perak looks shaky. If the Pakatan Rakyat gets to dissolve the state assembly, a whole state election looks possible. The toll hike will not make the BN gov't popular. Of course, Pak Lah and Najib will surely deny that is the reason for postponing the toll hikes.

Pak Lah's achievement

Pak Lah takes pride in his 'achievements' such as judiciary reforms and the formation of the Malaysian anti-corruption commission (MACC). He told some businessmen at a dinner held in his honor. There were more 'failures' in his resume, which he did not want to mention. He did take a swipe at 'bloggers' and the media who he said should be more responsible when disseminating information. He said he has a higher level of tolerance than the previous PM Mahathir but the people must be responsible.

Use cops to catch truants

The Kelantan education department is enlisting the police to nab school truants. Truancy is rampant in the urban areas and looks like its catching up in the rural areas. This truancy problem exists in all the states, so the various education departments should follow what the Kelantan education dept. is trying to do. Malay students are the majority of the truants seen at the shopping malls and other public places. This is real, not racist. This is a major Malay problem, as well as national.

Law for Invasion of privacy

The Malaysian Bar Council wants the Gov't to implement specific laws to curb invasion of privacy. Existing laws are too general or lenient. The Council's Human Rights Committee chief Sonya Liew said : " Many past cases and the recent one involving assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong have proven how inadequate our laws are in protecting us from getting our privacy violated." " Currently we don't have a specific law to charge anyone taking a photo or videotaping someone in a compromising situation. All the relevant sections under the Penal Code are related to the distribution and possession of the material." " In former minister's Dr Chua Soi Lek sex DVD case, the police were only able to arrest those caught in possession or distributing it. They could not prove who installed the hidden camera in the hotel room and they could not take action against the hotel for trespassing as we have no privacy law." Recently in Johore, a man was fined only RM100 for photographing a young girl urinating in a public toilet, with his handphone camera. " Unless there was an Act which recognises the right to privacy, it would be difficult to deal with the intrusion of privacy" " Privacy was not even recognised in the Constitution."

Pak Lah's selective hearing

Once upon a time, Pak Lah the PM of Malaysia told us Malaysians " I'm listening to you. I have big ears you know. I can hear your complaints." Now he says these things (on the Perak political crisis) : Asked if the political twists and turns can be resolved by going to the polls, since that's what the people of Perak want. He said : There is no need for elections. BN should continue ruling Perak to ensure stability. When the Pakatan Rakyat won in the 2008 elections, BN gave way to them to form the state gov't. Now the situation has changed and BN is deemed as the legitimate state gov't so it should function as " demanded by the people." Whose people Pak Lah ? Only your people, not the people's people. You are not listening to the Perak people, Pak Lah. You stuffed your ears with I don't know what so you can't hear their complaints, their wishes.

Eli Wong, you done no wrong

I'm really sorry and disappointed that some people would stoop so low to bring down a dedicated and popular state assemblywoman like Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan - PKR). The scum who posted those MMSes of her 'exposed' body to the public, must have made some money from her political enemies. Elizabeth, don't listen to those wolves and hounds baying for your blood,wanting you to quit. You done nothing wrong. You are the innocent victim. Be strong, take them on, kick ass , stand up for your rights. Show those goons you won't be cowed. My very best to you Eli, you deserve better.

Dr M : Pak Lah, THINK !

Pak Lah is willing to accept anybody who wants to join Umno. That is Umno's policy. Tun Dr Mahathir said : The two PKR reps Jamaludin Radzi and Osman Jailu are guys with problems because they are involved in corruption cases. (Jamaludin and Osman are charged with accepting bribes and sexual favors for approving a RM180 million housing project in Sri Iskandar,Perak Tengah. At the time, Jamaludin and Osman were state exco members). The trial begins 10th February. Is Umno so desperate that it cannot wait for the court's decision on the two accused, before accepting them as Umno members ? If they are accepted now, and should they get acquitted by the courts, you know what people are going to say ? They are going to say that the government ( led by Umno) influenced the courts. Whether justified or not, is not the question. The people's perception will not change. This will have an impact on the next general elections (GE13). Umno is already assumed to be deep in corruption, always breaking promises, and favoring the PM's cronies in Terengganu. (Yeah, Dr M's cronies lost out). If that is not enough, you want to bring in people accused of bribery and sexual favors, to soil further Umno's already tarnished image. So, Pak Lah think properly before you eagerly accept such people.