Stolen bikes? Do I see an impending rise of motorbike insurance coverage charge or some other ventures?

In a 'safe' haven like Malaysia, I am not the least surpsied to note that Almost 50 Motorcycles Stolen Everyday! What else is new?

The impending new thing that I foresee from this announcement would be some subtle moves by the The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM - Persatuan Insuran Am Malaysia) to advice the Bank Negara and the government to put an increase to the insurance coverage. He he he! Very excellent suggestion, NOT!

But the PIAM is there to make money, so, they need to keep on making money, however it might be.

What did the police have to say to all these rubbish? Crimes are increasing alarmingly. We have robberies, kidnaping, hijacking, snatch thieves, rapes etc commited routinely daily. What are the policemen doing during their work? Are they understaffed? Are they not doing their work?

Policeman in Malaysia are more known for the dilligent effort in taking bribes from ever-ready-to-give motorist, who would rather part with some 'duit kopi' rather than going through the hassle of the juducial delays. The same policeman are also im-famously known to wait in secluded areas to ambush motorist doing a 75 on a 70kph-limit stretch, with flags to stop them or cameras ready to 'saman ekor'. They are not known to go on a beat to be a prohibitive force to deter would be criminals.

'Kasihan' Polis Diraja Malaysia.

However, I am more sorry for the Malaysian law-abiding citizen like me who have to keep on facing these kinds of ills.

Quit all the talks, what about the solution?

What about these?
01 Better public transport system so that people could make do without all the environmentally-harzardous 2-strokes bikes?
02 Increasing the number of police in public presence. If they are under-staffed, recruit more.
03 Create a new policing force, a-la the 'gendermarie'-thinngy in France. They could help in checking the power and 'abuse' of normal police, thus helping to mprove the image and perception of public of the normal police force.
04 Improve further with the delay at the judicial courts, penalising criminals as fast as they appear.
05 Return the power to the people, not the bullies, gangsters and criminals by protecting the law-abiding citizen at all times, especially against threat of retaliation (by the perpetrator of crime) when reporting crimes.

Allah help us. By the way, Islam is the only solution to all these problem, IMHO.

====
If you missed the article, here's the pasted text below.
Business

---

March 24, 2005 13:22 PM

Almost 50 Motorcycles Stolen Everyday!

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) announced a 59 percent jump in motorcycle thefts reported to insurers last year.

In a statement here Thursday, PIAM said there were 17,762 reported cases of motorcycle thefts last year compared to 11,142 in 2003.

This meant almost 50 motorcycles were stolen everyday last year!

The three most popular targets were Honda motorcycles of various models (7,802), followed by Yamaha (6,294) and Modenas (2,039).

Selangor recorded the highest number of motorcycle thefts (6,001), whilst Wilayah Persekutuan (3,069) and Pulau Pinang (1,673) came in second and third respectively.

PIAM's executive director Lim Chia Fook said the insurance industry incurred claims amounting to RM67 million for motorcycle theft losses last year. This was almost double the theft losses in 2003 which amounted to RM34 million.

In view of the escalation in the number of motorcycle thefts, PIAM has advised motorcycle owners to adopt enhanced security measures.

Among the measures to reduce the risk of motorcycle thefts, owners should apply extra locks such as dual-lock system, fork lock and wheel lock on their vehicles, it said.

Parking should be always also in a well-lit area or with a group of other motorcycles.

"Beware of persons offering to sell motorcycles or motorcycle spare parts and accessories at very much below prevailing market prices. You may be buying stolen property," said Lim.

PIAM is the national association, representing all 35 licensed general insurance companies in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA

My proposed solution to the national education malaise

Yesterday, while discussing on the education malaise in Malaysia, I promised to come back with some solutions.

So, what could be done to stop the rot? Really, the first and foremost is to kick most of the political masters in ruling. Get the right representative who have no material obsession into power.

These are the way that I foresee could help improves Malaysia's education system and output.

01. National Education System needs to be strenghten to produce thinkers, not memorisers.
02. Free education to the highest level possible. Aim is to produce graduates of our education system that would be of asset to the country and the whole wide world.
03. Schools needs to be re-organised and re-structed, for the better.
04. Non-academic inclined candidates should be allowed avenues to find alternative education for a living at better vocational and technical institutions.
05. Local universities should be made to produce more advanced studies and be among the leading ones in the whole universe, not just saying that they are one. They have to be mentioned by their foreign counter-parts as one.
06. Relevant researches for the country and the world, not just researches for the sake of researches to increase publication portfolio. Relevent to the nation first, other parts of the world, 2nd.
07. Speak out against the ills to remind others of any mistakes that might have been committed out of ignorance. FREEDOM AFTER SPEECH!
08. Those guilty of all the heinous crimes in education failures thus far should realised their folly and resign. These should include the politicians handling education ministry, the weak administrators there for "kow-towing" to the ill-informed or 'with-other-intention-directives' from the top as well as all the non-committed teachers (universities lecturers included).
09. Better transperancies in government policy-making, REAL democracy and the likes.

We can do it, if we all put our mind and effort to it.

Sejahtera Malaysia, insyAllah.

Malaysia's Definition of creating history

I want throught this feature at BERNAMA about Najmil Creates History By Presenting Studies In British Parliament.

Congratulations, and also to this other chap, Ahmad Harraz, who did something very advanced for his age;Ahmad Harraz juara pertandingan sains AS, not a normal 11-year old Malaysian Malay kind of feat, if he is studying at a Malaysian SRJK, Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan, IMHO!

This starts people talking, everywhere, and this also include at Jeff Ooi's Screenshot.

The Jeff Ooi's blog permalink is here, while some conversations related to it there, is here. Good reading of comments there!

Which bring us all to my points of contentions, namely:-
01. What is wrong with national education if an 11-year old Malaysian, Ahmad Harraz can do it in the US of A, but not locally in Malaysia.
02. Why can't Malaysian universities' faculties do the same as the faculty at Universiti Wyoming did to Ahmad Harraz.
03. Why did Najmil, when asked about his resolution, said "he hoped to produce more graduates who are capable and confident in KUiTHHO to enable them to continue their studies overseas and taste the experience of being away from home just like him." Can't he keep teaching them at KUiTHHO to the highest and advanced level instead?
04. Following that, can't you just take vacation to a foreign land if you just need to experience being away from home?
05. How long still do Malaysian have to keep going abroad for advanced technology, as well as when do local universities be able to offer advanced technologies to those foreigners instead?

Okay, enough questions for the time being, any answers? Feedbacks appreciated. I do have some answers of my own, I'll talk about it the next time around.



In any ways, if you missed the Bernama's article, as well as the Utusan's, below are the pasted documents:-
====================

Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

Najmil Creates History By Presenting Studies In British Parliament
Features
March 23, 2005 01:00 AM
By Roslan Ariffin

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Najmil Faiz Mohamed Aris is an example of a young intellectual who raises Malaysia's image at the international level.

Having been selected as among Asia's best students, Najmil, 25, who is studying for a doctorate in engineering at the Leeds Metropolitan University, opened the eyes of the industry in the United Kingdom (UK) on the capability of a Malaysian through his innovation.

At the same time, he became the first Malaysian student who was given the honour to present his studies to the Members of Parliament (MPs) in London on March 14.

Najmil did not disappoint his audience who were very interested in his ideas and also encouraged him to continue with his studies about the Nano and Micro-Machine Process.

After presenting his high quality studies, British Industry Minister Brian Edden gave him a once-in-a-lifetime offer to present his studies at the House of Commons, the Lower House of the British parliament.

The Ipoh-born Najmil went to the UK in 2000 to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering and is undergoing a post-graduate study.

He is expected to return home in March next year with his PhD and begin his career as a lecturer at Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn (KUiTTHO) in Batu Pahat, Johor.

Najmil, when met after receiving an excellent academic award from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Manchester recently, said he was selected to present his studies to the MPs on the recommendation of his university.

"I used that opportunity to prove that Malaysians are comparable with students from other countries, in fact in certain cases, we are better than them.

"That opportunity made be proud and I did not waste it to enhance the country's image," said Najimil who is the second of six siblings.

He said his studies, which had won the Best Research of Good Prospect award, was about a technology that reduces friction and able to reduce costs and enhances efficiency in the manufacturing industry.

Less friction would minimise wear and tear in machines used in industry, hence enabling industry to reduce costs by billions of ringgit worldwide.

"Many manufacturers are interested in the idea as it saves operational costs and time, enhances machine lifespan and gear efficiency," he said.

It could also be used by the health sector in helping to raise the success rate of spine and hip bone surgery, he said.

In carrying out his studies, he received the support and advice of the teaching staff of the university and other students.

He wished to share the knowledge and technology he had obtained with other Malaysians including KUiTTHO students upon his return as a lecturer.

"What is important to me is to learn in-depth the technology used in Britain especially in the fields of friction and lubrication. After this, I will compile all the technologies to be brought home and share them with the students back home," he said.

When asked on the possibility of him not returning home like other good students who had opted to stay back after completing their studies, Najmil said he had not thought of following in their footsteps.

"I will not forget my country of birth. It has been very good to me, including the government who sent me here," he said.

"Although there are many offers here, I will return home as soon as I have completed by studies."

When asked about his resolution, Najmil said he hoped to produce more graduates who are capable and confident in KUiTHHO to enable them to continue their studies overseas and taste the experience of being away from home just like him.

-- BERNAMA

Copyright © 2005 BERNAMA. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form except with the prior express permission of BERNAMA. Disclaimer

===
Ahmad Harraz juara pertandingan sains AS

Oleh SAIFUL HAIZAN HASAM

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Mac - Seorang rakyat Malaysia, Ahmad Harraz Mohd. Reza, 11, murid sebuah sekolah rendah di Amerika Syarikat mengharumkan nama negara apabila muncul juara pertandingan sains melalui penyelidikannya bertaraf universiti, 7 Mac lalu.

Murid pintar dari Sekolah Rendah Spring Creek di Laramie, Wyoming itu menghasilkan penyelidikan mengenai kunyit sebagai agen untuk mencegah kanser ovari.

Penyelidikan peringkat junior kategori Perubatan dan Kesihatan itu bertajuk Can Curcumin, an Ingredient Found in Turmeric, Inhibit the Growth of Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line SKOV-3 in Vitro?

Bapanya, Mohd. Reza Razali berkata, pada pertandingan itu, Ahmad Harraz berjaya menewaskan 12 peserta yang lain dalam kategori tersebut.

Ahmad Harraz, 11, dipilih menyertai pertandingan itu di bawah Program Kecerdikan dan Berbakat (G.A.T.E) sekolahnya.

Katanya, kemenangan Ahmad Harraz itu amat membanggakan kerana dia adalah peserta termuda dalam kategori yang dikhususkan untuk peserta berusia antara 11 hingga 14 tahun.

``Penyelidikannya telah dibantu oleh dua orang kakitangan Universiti Wyoming iaitu Pengarah Jabatan Biologi Molekul, Prof. Dr. Dale Isaak dan Penyelia Makmal di jabatan yang sama, Carole Hertz.

``Isaak juga membenarkan Ahmad Harraz menggunakan makmal peribadi beliau malah turut membantu mencari dan menyediakan sel kanser ovari bagi tujuan penyelidikan tersebut,'' katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia, di sini hari ini.

Berikutan kemenangan itu, Harraz telah menerima pencalonan untuk menyertai pertandingan peringkat nasional Cabaran Saintis Muda Discovery Channel di Washington pada Oktober ini.

Kata Mohd. Reza, pencalonan itu hanya diberikan kepada 10 orang peserta peringkat junior bagi seluruh negeri Wyoming.

``Ahmad Harraz yang mempunyai cita-cita untuk menjadi pakar bedah otak juga aktif di dalam sukan renang dan ski.

``Baru-baru ini, dia memenangi tempat kedua di dalam acara renang 50 meter gaya bebas dan kuak kupu-kupu untuk kumpulan B peringkat Wyoming dalam satu kejohanan yang disertai 600 peserta dalam kumpulan umur lapan hingga 15 tahun,'' ujarnya.

Katanya lagi, dia tidak berniat untuk bermegah atas pencapaian Ahmad Harraz tetapi beranggapan kejayaan itu sebagai bukti anak Melayu mampu untuk cemerlang dalam pelbagai bidang tidak kira di mana dia berada.
© UTUSAN MELAYU (M) BHD., 46M, Jalan Lima Off Jalan Chan Sow Lin, 55200 Kuala Lumpur.
E-mail: online@utusan.com.my

Who wants to remain counted in Malaysia?

Who wants to remain counted in Malaysia? - "A new Malaysian blogger targeted for policing"

Now, I have always stressed this fact. There's no freedom after speech in Malaysia. Am I right, or am I right?

I sincerely hope that you all would appreciate the reason for me writing using a pseudonym.


==================================
If you missed the document, or can't accessed it, here the are pasted below:-

Threat-Alert- Malaysia
22 March 2005

Source: Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), a leading advocate for free expression in Southeast Asia, expresses grave concern over a perceived trend of official harassment being waged against Malaysian bloggers.

Citing news reports that yet another blogger was “cordially” quizzed by Malaysian police recently, SEAPA said Kuala Lumpur’s policing of the Internet is reaching a critical stage that needs to be recognized and confronted by rights and media advocates.

According to reports filed by Malaysia’s only independent online news provider, “Malaysiakini.com”, Mack Zulkifli, a blogger for a new weblog called brandmalaysia, was visited by a four-member team in his house in Subang Jaya on 14 March.

Two police officers and two unidentified government officials asked the writer to help them "understand the latest development of weblogs", Zulkifli said.

The blogger then spent the next three hours answering questions about blogs and how its contents can be controlled. He said he was also asked about his motivations for maintaining his site when he appeared to derive no income from it.
The site that Zulkifli rin is non-political and non-religious weblog that receives about 2,000 to 3,000 hits a day.

SEAPA said this incident was but the latest in a string of developments suggesting that Malaysia is backing down from earlier commitments to keep state hands off Internet content.

On 28 February, another blogger, Jeff Ooi was questioned by police over an allegedly blasphemous comment posted on his Screenshots website by an anonymous user. Ooi was threatened under Section 298A of the Penal Code—which prohibits actions or conduct that could cause disharmony in society—despite the fact that he immediately took down the offensive comment and banned the user from posting again.

On 14 March 2005, a student of the Science University of Malaysia, Ali Bukhari Amir, and his personal weblog was summoned for another investigation by the university investigative committee. In a one-hour session, the university committee also questioned Ali over his involvement with the Federal Public Students Movement (GARAP) and over two cheques he received for his articles. One cheque came from local NGO Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and the other from Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia.

“Malaysiakini” reported that during the session, Ali was urged by the university authorities to use his writing talent to support the Malaysian government instead.

Ali was first grilled by the committee in December 2004 over articles he wrote for other publications. The investigation expanded into his personal website and his involvement in forming the writers’ association.

The latest move against Ali prompted a protest from a local free expression advocate, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), saying any punitive action against Ali over his website is tantamount to Internet censorship which contravenes the Bill of Guarantees set to protect Malaysia’s Multimedia Super Corridor project.

In a bid to position Malaysia as an info-tech and e-commerce power and center in Southeast Asia, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad had pledged to never censor the Internet. In a country where print and broadcast mass media have long been under the thumb of the state and the ruling political parties, that left cyberspace as the most promising medium for independent, free-flowing news and information.

“The recent developments in Malaysia, however, now suggest that this is one promise the Malaysian government is finding hard to keep,” SEAPA said in a statement.

“Bloggers and independent online news sites like Malaysiakini have been testing the government’s sincerity and pushing the edge of what they can freely report and say over the Internet. Now the Malaysian authorities appear to be pushing back, and looking to make examples of bloggers for starters.”

Copyright@ 2003 Southest Asian Press Alliance. All rights reserved