Sunday, January 31, 2010

Burning bridges

In response to Bayan Baru MP Zahrain's verbal attacks on him, Penang CM Lim Guan Eng says :

" If he wants to burn bridges with the Penang govt, that is his choice.Let us wait and see if other Penang leaders will support him."
" It is business as usual in Penang. After all he (Zahrain) is not a state assemblyman."
" Of course, the media will try to create a sense of crisis and that is what BN wants to achieve."

PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim said Zahrain's attack on CM Lim was uncalled for.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

No need for Inter Faith Commission

DPM Muhyiddin : There is no need to form an Inter-Faith Commission (IFC) to tackle sensitive religious issues.

He said continuous dialogues were sufficient, as there were not many issues, except on the High Court ruling on the use of the word Allah.

Zahrain attacked

Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow said Bayan Baru MP Zahrain is politically frustrated.

He was unhappy over his removal as Penang PKR chairman and now wants to break up the Pakatan coalition in Penang.
Zahrain was frustrated because CM Lim had refused to endorse Zahrain's decision to award the tender for the privatised management of the Bukit Jambul Golf Club to a RM2 company.

Who owns that RM2 company ?

Friday, January 29, 2010

Zahrain attacks Guan Eng

Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim called Penang CM Lim Guan Eng " a dictator, a chauvinist and communist minded".
" Lim does not like to be criticized. He is quick to label those who criticize him as BN agents.Even his own party (DAP) colleagues do not have a say once he makes up his mind."
" He is reluctant to push for local council elections because it may diminish his power."
" He also promised an open tender system, but he made the process worse by chairing the tender board."
" I am certianly not an Umno agent, I just do not want to see Pakatan going against its promises."
" Lim is not suitable to be Penang CM as he was not a local and did not understand local sentiments."

Zahrain was formerly Penang PKR chairman, but has been replaced by DCM Mansor.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Govt Transformation Program (GTP)

PM Najib Razak launches the Govt Transformation Program (GTP) Road Map.

Among its highlights :

Promoting an all inclusive media.
The 1Malaysia concept should be promoted in the media and be sensitive to the feelings of the various communities. (Tell that to Utusan especially).

Eliminating Corruption.
Monitor compliance of enforcement agencies (Police,Customs,RTD,Immigration)..
Reduce support letters asking to close one eye or both eyes.
Publish details of Govt contracts at the e-Govt portals for public viewing.
Politicians and political parties to disclose their sources of funding.
Protect whistleblowers.
Database of offenders.

Improving Education.
Increase pre-schools enrolments.
Raise literacy rate from 87% to 90%.
Develop 20 high performance schools this year.

Transport
A one card system for public transport and trains.

Higher living standards for low income households.
Eradicate hardcore poverty.
Reducing the incidence of poverty from 3.6 to 2.8 %

Monday, January 25, 2010

Kedah Regency Council

Kedah's Sultan Abdul Halim appoints a Council of Regency to handle his State functions while he is away deputising for the Agong Sultan Mizan, who has left for Germany for medical treatment.

His younger brother Tunku Bendahara Anuar will be council president.
The other members are Tunku Temenggong Sallehudin, Tunku Laksamana Abdul Hamid Thani and his daughter Tunku Putri Intan Safinaz.

Sultan Abdul Halim will be acting YDP Agong for a month, until Feb.25th.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

King Ghaz dies

Former Home minister Tun Ghazali Shafie died last night. He was 88 years old.

He had served as Information minister and Foreign minister under PM Tun Razak.

He was Home minister under PM Hussein Onn.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Sultan Ibrahim of Johore (2010)

The eldest son of the late Sultan Iskandar of Johore, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was proclaimed the new Sultan of Johore.

The eldest of 10 siblings.He is married to Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris from the Perak royalty.
They have five children.

The late Sultan Iskandar's remains was buried, a few hours  after the royal proclaimation.

Zul reports Khalid

Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin (PKR) lodges police report against Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (PAS) for sedition against the Selangor sultan and Selangor state laws.

Khalid stated in his blog that Selangor State enactment 1988 which forbids other religions from using the word Allah, was outdated.
Khalid had mentioned that when the enactment was passed in 1988, the Muslim's understanding of Islam was so low that they needed to be protected.

Zulkifli said Khalid had insulted the Sultan of Selangor, the state govt and Muslims in general.
" This is not a political issue. This is serious. I am obligated to defend Islam."

Friday, January 22, 2010

Sultan Iskandar (1932-2010)

Sultan Iskandar of Johore passed away at the Puteri Specialist Hospital in Johore Baru.
He was 77 years old
He was born on April 8th 1932.
Sultan Iskandar became the Sultan on May 11 1981, succeeding his father Sultan Ismail.
He was Malaysia's 8th King from April 26th 1984 until April 25th 1989.

Two hours before his death, his son Crown Prince Ibrahim Ismail was appointed Regent.

Sultan Iskandar is survived by his wife Sultanah Zanariah and 10 children.

May Allah forgive him for all his mistakes and misdeeds when he was alive.Amin.

Shah Alam MP meets Sultan

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad had said that non-Muslims should be allowed to use the word "Allah".

Today, he got called up for a chat with Selangor's Sultan Idris Shah.

Khalid said he is taking all the Sultan's advise in good faith.

DPM refutes Human Rights report

Deputy PM Muhyiddin said Human Rights Watch report on Malaysia not fairly assessed.

He said that the govt is constantly improving its approach to human rights issues.

His view is that Human Rights performance was based on perception and this caused misconception.

He said " We have done our best."

Oh yeah, Muhyiddin, we did'nt know that, really?

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Ibans regain NCR land

Plantation company Ladang Sawit Bintulu ordered to return an area which is NCR (native customary rights) land to a group of Iban longhouse folks in Bintulu.

The piece of land was wrongly awarded to the company by the Sarawak govt.

Judge David Wong ordered the company to leave the disputed area and return it to the Ibans.

The Ibans led by Tuai Rumah Agi Bungkong had filed the suit in 2001 against Ladang Sawit Bintulu, 4 others and the Sarawak state govt.

Counsel Baru Bian is delighted that there are judges who appreciate and understand native customary rights law.

Human Rights Watch on Malaysia

" The Malaysian Govt appears to be more interested in pursuing short term political advantage rather than safeguarding rights" : Human Rights Watch Asia director Phil Robertson.

Human Rights Watch said, when Najib became PM in April 2009 he promised to respect the fundamental rights of the people but his govt has failed to undertake the systematic reforms needed to fulfil that pledge.

The Govt harassed the Opposition, restricted the right to peaceful expression, association and assembly, and
mistreated migrants.

The govt has tried to rein in non-traditional media, putting them and bloggers under closer scrutiny.
HRW also voiced concern over continued govt control of the traditional media.

The govt failed to distinguish refugees and asylum seekers from undocumented migrants and for its use of an ill-trained, abusive civilian force (Rela) to crack down on undocumented migrants.

The HRW report also criticized Malaysia for continuing to criminalize adult consensual sexual behavior and said it is about time the govt brought its criminal code into the 21st century.

Dr M on 9/11

Tun Mahathir said that the September 11 attacks on the US that killed nearly 3,000 people could have been 'staged'..

" I am not sure now that Muslim terrorists carried out these attacks. There is evidence that the attacks were staged."
" If they can make Avatar, they can make anything."
" But whether real or staged. the 9/11 attacks have served the US and western countries well.
They have an excuse to mount attacks on the Muslim world."

Could it be possible ?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

# yorais /malaysia sniggers

After his 'advise' to Malaysian Facebook and Twitter users.
What Malaysians say about ancient minister Rais :

"... are Malaysians 12 (years old)?
" I'm Malaysian and not in any culture shock (when using the internet)"
"The West did not give you will power. If an individual cannot control what they take in, something must be wrong with him or her."
" Rais is so ancient, Parameswara asked him for directions."
" Rais is so ancient, he knew Burger King when it was still a prince."
" Rais is so ancient, he is on a first name basis with the pharaohs."
 Me : nuffsaid lol

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

FELDA pays RM11 million damages

The Federal Court (CJ Zaki Azmi,FCJ Zulkefli Makinudin & FCJ Gopal Sri Ram) ordered FELDA (Federal Land Development Authority) to pay damages costing RM11 million to 354 settlers from Felda Kemahang scheme.

Felda had underpaid them for their oil palm fruit harvest from 1996 to 2002, claiming it was of inferior quality.
The settlers had brought the suit against Felda in 2002.

Why do these officers (Felda, Felcra) like to take advantage of their fellow Malays/Muslims in the rural areas ?

Dont take these rural folks as fools anymore. they are smarter now.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Facebook Phobia

The Internet Phobia/Paranoia has struck another Malaysian Information minister.

Minister Rais Yatim warns Malaysians to be wary of Facebook and Twitter.
Malaysians who use internet services on social networking sites should be careful with what they see and hear.

To comfort himself perhaps, he said that we should not be quick to condemn or look down on those who do not use Facebook.
He said that newspapers (meaning BN controlled rags) are still relevant, so is Facebook but do not be carried away with everything and disregard the old system.

Why do all our info ministers get dumbstruck with fear by this interet/ networking phenomenon ?

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Cave man Fuad

This chap Fuad Zakarshi must have been living in a cave all these years, with only Utusan and Umno cyber punks to inform and entertain him.

This caveman really believes that Anwar Ibrahim and Raja Petra are buddy-buddy with ex NST chief Kalimullah.

Kalimullah despises both of them, and now he despises Fuad Zakarshi.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Earthquake in Haiti.

Caribbean island nation Haiti struck by 7.0 Richter scale earthquake.

Thousands of structures from schools and shacks to the National Palace were crushed.
Untold numbers are still trapped under the ruins.

President Rene Preval and his wife survived the earthquake.

The quake was also felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in eastern Cuba.

Deputy minister James Dawos

Mambong (S'wak) MP James Dawos sworn in as Tourism deputy minister.
He replaces Sulaiman A.Rahman Taib who resigned.
Sulaiman is the son of Sarawak CM Taib Mahmud.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

FELCRA pays up RM6.3 million

The Johore Bahru High Court ordered FELCRA (Fed.Land Reclaimation Authority) to pay up RM6.3 million  as compensation to 30+ settlers from a FELCRA scheme in Gelang Patah.

Each settler would be awarded RM 168,311.

The court found that FELCRA had breached the terms and conditions of its contract.

The law suit was filed in 2001.

Monday, January 11, 2010

ROS stalling BALKIS decision.

ROS (Registrar of Societies) stalling to block a suit by the Selangor state govt.

The S'gor govt had queried if ROS had the right to dissolve and de-register BALKIS ( the wives of S'gor elected representative association) on Feb.11.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Nation's first woman minister dies

Tun Fatimah Hashim , the first Malaysian woman minister, passed away last night. She was 85.
Her late husband was Tan Sri Kadir Yusof, a former AG and Law minister.
She was laid to rest beside her husband's grave at the National Mosque warriors cemetery.

The next woman minister after her was Aishah Ghani, then came Rafidah, Shahrizat and Yen Yen.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Let It Be

As a Muslim, I feel very very ashamed about my misguided and extremist Muslim brothers who had attempted to burn a few churches in KL and Selangor.

I understand that they are very angry about the recent court decision which allowed the Catholic Herald newsletter to use the name Allah in translation for the name God in its Malay language edition, for the benefit of the East Malaysian Christians who are not English language literate.

My brothers, that's not the way to show your dissatisfaction. Not by burning the places of worship of other religions.That will make people hate us Muslims even more.
The govt has already said it will appeal the decision through a higher court. So, let it be.

To my Christian friends, you should feel grateful you have won this battle.
For the sake of peace and harmony in this country, I leave it to the wisdom of your leaders.

Let it be.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Senior officers not involved

Today's big expose by AG Gani Patail.

The govt is in touch with Interpol to trace the whereabouts of the 'stolen' jet aircraft engines from the RMAF.
Our investigations conclude that no senior military officers were involved, only the lowly rank and file.

Now can you believe that. Those corporals and sergeants can pull off such a big heist all by themselves without the knowledge of their senior officers.
Come on lah Gani, try pull another fast one on me. LOL.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

My birthday resolutions

Its my birthday today.

People make resolutions on New Year's eve. I make my resolutions today.

First, how about consuming less sugar. It costs 20 sen more per kg.
Then, the perennial resolution, smoke less or give it up.
Don't miss my daily prayers.I might go for Haj this year.
Don't spend too much time playing Facebook games.
Pay more attention to the spouse and kids.
Get off my butt and start exercising.

That's not all , I might add more later or even dump some.

I was not born to be ruled and restricted. I just want to be free, could I ?

Friday, January 01, 2010

New Year Day

The Noughties decade has closed at the end of 2009. What will they call this decade 2010-2019 ?

It looks like we (Malaysians) are in for some feuds among Muslims ( the extremes and the moderates) and the non-Muslims (Christians).
All because a non-Muslim judge allowed a Catholic publication to use the word Allah in its Malay language publication, as a translation for the word God.
The editor of the publication said it was meant for the Christian natives in East Malaysia who are not proficient in the English language. It is claimed that the natives had been using the name since centuries ago.
The name Allah has and is still used by Arab speaking Christians in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and other Arabic countries.
But here, the majority Malay Muslims insist that the name Allah is exclusively for Muslims and cannot be used by other religions for fear of contradicting and confusing the Muslims.

After Friday prayers today, many groups of Muslims were seen protesting the court's decision with
shouts of Allah Akbar (Allah is Great) in front of mosques and a big group was reported protesting in front of the KL high court.

I can only say that the govt was wicked to let a non-Muslim judge (Judge Lau Bee Lan) make the decision in such a sensitive issue, which a Muslim judge dares not handle ( even if he agrees).

Today we heard about the death of Tok Mat (Mohamed Rahmat) a former minister of information in Dr Mahathir's cabinet.
It was very well known that Allahyarham Tok Mat was the best Propaganda director and spin master in the Malaysian govt.

And we also heard about the death of judge Augustine Paul. He was the judge in Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy and graft trial. He always dismissed defence lawyers arguments with the word ' not relevant'.

No matter how you personally feel about these gentlemen, remember they were people who had families and friends who love and will mourn them.

Happy New Year 2010. Ten years more to achieve developed nation status. (Remember Wawasan 2020).