Freedom After Speech - Is there any in Malaysia?

Poor retiring D-G!

2005-09-19T02:24:00.000+08:00

This is the reflection of my tot's at Lim Kit Siang's blog on the RM5 million being spent on a retiring D-G. I commented it there.
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Dear Lim Kit Siang.
Firstly, congratulations for finally getting into the bloggers bandwagon.

On Custom's DG's farewell spending, I have only one simple answer. 'Bapak borek, anak rintik'.

Elaboration? This so-called extras being given out to this out-going master is a mere reflection of the practice which has found its way into the 'new' culture of giving 'respect' to the person in power. This 'new' un-desirable culture has crept into Malaysian way of life ever-since the former Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad came into power. People flock to get to be with those in power and be associated with them. Each and every attendees have their own personal agenda, what-ever it might be. Remember the flock of people sending-off and receiving Mahathir at the airport whenever he has to go or come back from trips?

I am not surprised at all.

On Civil Service personnel, they are also now at the beck and call of the ruling elites of BN component parties, as are all the institutions which are under the tyranic rule of them, e.g. universities, information ministry, police force, etc.

The solution to all the problems of the nation? A parliament and governance of country which is properly checked and balanced! Not forgetting, freedom of speech AND FREEDOM AFTER SPEECH

Lastly, did anyone recall this 'poor' DG's personal relationship with the former prime minister MM and of the same DG's personal record of being the first diplomatic/civil administrative officer being appointed to head the Royal Customs and Excise Department?

Retirement age stays at 56

2005-09-06T13:10:00.000+08:00

There are loads of arguments about making the Retirement age stays at 56. Pro and cons.

One thing for sure is, Cuepecs, or any labour oraganisation of the country, being lead by someone with no real academic qualification, but, more on as*-licking exercise, will continue licking as*, and keep failing all the blue collar workers, as well as all general citizen of the country.

Freedom of expression can be practiced very well at this level first, then we have a more empowered citizen of the country!

Nordin. Get good advice if you don't have good ideas to work on!
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The Star Online > Nation

Tuesday September 6, 2005

Retirement age stays at 56

KUALA LUMPUR: The retirement age for civil servants will remain at 56. The Government has no plan to raise it to 58, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman said.

He said the Government was not ready to accept the proposal by Cuepacs to increase the retirement age.

“Several years ago, Cuepacs proposed that it be raised to 58, but the Government has not made such a decision,” he told reporters after presenting the 2004 Excellent Service Awards for the Federal Territories Ministry and agencies under it.

He said this when asked to comment on a news report that the retirement age for some 850,000 civil servants might be raised to 58 from next month.

According to the report, the move was to address a burgeoning pension bill that had tripled over the last decade, with the number of pensioners and pension recipients rising from 305,000 to 513,689 in just a decade from 1994.

It said the Government had to fork out RM4.96bil in pension payments last year. – Bernama

© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Would any other guys be given the same privilage to express themselves in media?

2005-07-27T08:58:00.000+08:00

Reading how this chap, Dr M speaks on Proton and APs, I am wondering whether this privilage could also be extended to anybody else? Being labeled as 'Quick-minded and sharp-tongued as ever' in this article, Tun M was also covered here, talking about this incomplete AP (Approve Permits 'for automotive imports') listing problem, and here on Mahaleel's retirement from Proton, in today's paper!

Opposition parties have always been expressing their disgust in not getting sufficient coverage by local media to express themselves, to deliver their take on matters of national interests as well as to present their parties stand to the nation!

I also have loads of things to be said to the media, but, alas, have no balls to say it without the cloud of anonymosity, yeah, with all the hypes of repercussion that might be posed due to my 'after-speech'.

This old-man is certainly one special-privilaged chap. If only he has done the correct things dusing his 22-year rule instead of now!

His full expression at The Star below:-

The Star Online > Nation

Wednesday July 27, 2005

Dr M speaks on Proton and APs

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s response to issues raised in the letter by Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz to him and at the just-concluded Umno general assembly.

I WANT to make this explanation because newspapers and TV cannot possibly report all the facts to the public.

The Proton issue is not about differences in statements made by individuals or a quarrel between a minister and a retiree. It is about a national industry. At a time when many car companies have gone bankrupt and closed shop, Proton is still alive and healthy.

It has more than RM2bil in cash and does not depend on the Government or banks for the more than the RM2bil it paid for its new Tanjung Malim plant. Surely this success has at least a little to do with efficient management, especially considering the impact of so many foreign cars being imported at such low prices.

'The Proton issue is not about differences in statements made by individuals or a quarrel between a minister and a retiree'.- Dr Mahathir

APs (Approved Permits) were first introduced in the 1970s before the existence of Proton.

At that time, not many Malays could enter the automotive business because the agents for Kah Motors (Honda), UMW (Toyota) and Cycle and Carriage (Mercedes-Benz) and others were non-bumiputras. They refused to give bumiputra businessmen a chance.

Cars assembled in the country or imported by agents, dealers or official importers could not be imported by anyone else without paying a commission to the official agent.

Therefore, APs were given to import recond cars. Although many bumiputras sold their APs, there were some who succeeded in this business. Among them is Tan Sri Nasimuddin S.M. Amin. Without APs and Proton, there would not have been any bumiputra automotive businessmen.

When Proton started, many bumiputras successfully became Proton agents to sell its cars.

Proton production has successfully reduced the import of foreign cars by non-bumiputra agents. Of course, if there was higher demand for Proton cars, there would be even more bumiputra agents and the cars would be selling like hotcakes.

On the other hand, if so many APs are given to a small number of bumiputras, and they make no preparations whatsoever to do business, then of course the number of bumiputra automotive businessmen will not increase and Proton sales by its agents, who are mostly bumiputras, too, will not sell so well.

It is clear that the giving of APs had only benefited a handful of bumiputras, caused losses to Proton agents, especially the bumiputras, and reduced the opportunity of other bumiputras to become Proton car dealers.

It is not true that giving out so many APs had increased the number of bumiputras in the car business, especially when only two or three people who have no showrooms have received thousands of APs.

In the past, open APs enabled the holder to import many car brands. When the franchise APs were introduced, the franchise holder could only import a particular car brand.

Those who in the past could bring in those cars through the open APs now can no longer import those cars. The ones who got the franchise APs are not automotive businessmen but former ministry officials.

They got thousands of APs although they did not have facilities to assemble or sell these cars. They only surrendered this (for a price) to others who had the capability to assemble and sell those cars.

The question of the quality of Proton does not arise because Proton has succeeded in penetrating sophisticated markets like Britain and Australia.

Even so, new models might still have some flaws. But even thousands of known car brands have been withdrawn. This includes Mitsubishi, Chevrolet, Ford and other brands.

She is currently accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on his visit to South Africa.

This explanation is done for the sake of the country’s dignity and interest and a national industry that has been a success. I do not hold any interest in Proton. As Proton adviser, I do not get paid even a sen. If my son received some APs (95 APs) to bring in Porsche, it was after fulfilling the conditions. To sell 50 of those cars is not easy. Please do not drag my family into this like before, when something that should not be done had been done.

I have to make a revelation in full because of the national interest of the industry, not because I did not get APs as alleged by a writer in an English newspaper.

I received the letter of explanation from the International Trade and Industry Minister. I find the contents of the letter and the annexes did not substantiate the claims the minister made:

APPROVAL for Naza Ria to become a national car;

THE number of APs that were issued from 2004-2005;

THE basis and conditions for the issuing of APs;

THE types of APs issued; and

THE names of those (whether company or individuals) who received APs and the number of APs they received.

In the Umno general assembly, the minister made several claims that were not correct. During a television interview, she also alleged that I had forgotten this and that. Although I am already 80 years old, I am not senile yet.

Initially, after replying to the minister’s letter with a copy sent to the Cabinet, I had not intended to make any more statements. It was up to the Cabinet to decide what was the truth and what was not.

However, because the minister did not make statements that were true to the Umno delegates and the public, I feel compelled to give an explanation.

When I was prime minister, there was no decision by the Government to not make public the names of AP holders. Maybe the present government had made this decision (not to make it public).

The question is whether this decision was made before or after the minister made the statement that it was government policy not to reveal the names of AP holders.

I was once trade and industry minister. The minister's explanation that there were many who were given APs without fulfilling the conditions when she took over as minister, and that her move to cancel the APs which were issued to them showed how strict she was. Who was the trade and industry minister before the current minister? If one did not mention it, one may think it was me.

Although there is no official prohibition against government officers who had just retired (by option) from being given special opportunities by the Government, there are however questions why these former officers who did not fulfil conditions were given thousands of APs.

We know many automotive businessmen, including members of the Malay Car Importers and Dealers Association of Malaysia (Pekema), had applied for APs but were not given any.

They were also not told about the franchise AP category, which would have enabled them to be given many APs. There was no widespread awareness on franchise APs among car businessmen.

This category was suddenly introduced and only certain people received many APs in this category. And AP holders who had earlier imported franchise brands were no longer allowed to import those brands.

I am not envious of rich Malays but their wealth must be obtained through correct means. I have often told off those who had sold their APs to become rich quickly. It is obvious that the sale of APs is widespread now. It is the responsibility of the minister to monitor the situation to ensure foul play does not occur.

A detailed explanation on the correspondence among the various parties will follow.

Transvestite flees in vain? What was his/her crime?

2005-07-04T17:46:00.000+08:00

Why did theTransvestite flees in the first place? What was his/her crime actually?

At least somebody should come to his/her aid, not to leave the person crying in pain, without proper attendance. Pathetic on-lookers.

Whatever the problem with the person, the least that each and every other person is to ensure that someone in pain be treated accordingly, and not left un-attended. Wht is the injury is life-treatening? Sheeeeeeeeehhhhh!

Crime aside, humanities and compasion should prevailed!

Poor the transvestite, and all Malaysians in need of help!

The Star Online > Nation

Monday July 4, 2005

Transvestite flees in vain

IPOH: A transvestite wept for half an hour after he injured his right ankle in a frantic bid to flee from the police but his cries fell on deaf ears.

Passers-by just gawked at the 34-year-old man who had long, silky hair and was wearing a dazzling pink outfit.

An ambulance called by the police eventually came to his aid.

The transvestite cried while waiting for help after he hurt himself when he jumped from the first floor of a hotel yesterday during a spot check, which was part of an operation codenamed Ops Anaconda.

INJURED: The transvestite crying in pain after jumping from the first floor of a hotel in Ipoh yesterday following a police raid.

He was in such a hurry to escape that his bag was stuck on the window ledge of the hotel in Jalan C.M. Yussuf here.

According to Perak CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Wan Mohamad Wan Abdullah, a woman in her 20s also injured herself when she jumped from the window of another hotel.

He said Ops Anaconda was conducted by the state Anti-Vice, Gaming and Secret Societies Division at several hotels here.

During the two-hour operation, a team of 36 personnel led by Asst Supt D. Subramaniam, Chief Insp Loo Thin Tien and Chief Insp Wong Poi Lin detained 33 Indonesian women in their 20s.

“We also picked up four men whom we suspected to be their guardians,” he added.

“The team also detained six suspected customers from Bangladesh and Nepal.

“Eight others from Bangladesh, Nepal and Indonesia were found to be without valid documents.”

SAC Wan Mohamad said the eight illegals would be charged under the Immigration Act.

“The checks were conducted following tip-offs from the public.”

Sky Kingdom raided? Did the authorities use angels to help them?

2005-07-04T17:43:00.000+08:00

Reading about the Sky Kingdom (being) raided raised more questions rather than answers to me.

What was the offence in the first place?

Isn't freedom of religion and faith is guaranteed under the constitution? Isn't each and every individuals are free to conduct their own personal matters within their own compound?

Being a non-muslim act, if it is indeed the reason who the raid, or propagating a different way of life, should never been a just cause for the raid!

Ayah Pin should be free to lead his life the way he deemed fit, and nobody should force him into something else!

By the way, how did they miss him during the raid? He claimed to be around, but, how did he managed to remain 'invisible'?

The Star Online > Nation

Monday July 4, 2005

Sky Kingdom raided

BY K. SUTHAKAR

KUALA TERENGGANU: The controversial deviationist cult here known as “Sky Kingdom” was dealt a severe blow when 21 of its followers, including a police inspector and the drummer of a popular rock band, were arrested in a massive raid.

However, sect leader Ariffin Mohamad, 65, better known as Ayah Pin, eluded arrest as he was missing during the raid by the state Islamic Religious Department on the sect’s commune on Saturday evening in Jertih.

The authorities are investigating whether he escaped the dragnet as a result of a tip-off by his followers who include civil servants.

Also picked up was a 33-year-old woman who is believed to be the fourth wife of Ayah Pin.

Ariffin Mohamad, 65, better known as Ayah Pin, was missing during the raid

The 7½-hour raid on the sect’s commune in Kampung Batu 13 was carried out by 21 religious enforcement personnel and 40 policemen. It started at 5.30pm and ended only at 1am.

State Islam Hadhari Development Committee deputy chairman Muhammad Ramli Nuh said those detained were aged between 30 and 60. Seven of them were women. He said the authorities also seized 20 VCDs pertaining to the sect's activities.

They failed to detain the prime target – Ayah Pin – despite searching his three houses in the commune.

“We will investigate whether there was a leak about the raid as we know that his followers include civil servants, uniformed personnel and even professionals,’ Muhammad Ramli said.

He said the raid was conducted on a Saturday evening as it was the time when the group usually held large gatherings.

Muhammad Ramli said the police inspector was based in Perak. He said four of the followers would be charged under Section 14 (B) of the Syariah Criminal Offence Enactment (Takzir) 2001 for possessing documents which humiliated Islamic teachings. If convicted, they could be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed up to two years, or both.

Muhammad Ramli said the remaining 17 followers would be charged under Section 10 (B) of the enactment for not adhering to the state fatwa which has ruled the teachings as deviant.

He said all the followers were released on a RM1,000 bond each with one surety. They will be charged in the Besut Syariah Court on Sept 23.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar said state governments should nip the problem of deviationist groups in the bud to avoid serious incidents in the future.

Ariffin was jailed 11 months and fined RM2,900 in June 2001 for humiliating Islamic teachings.

The Government had said the teachings of Ayah Pin were dangerous to the Muslim community since the group members declared themselves as apostates.

About 120 people, including children, live at the commune in a secluded part of Jertih.

Ariffin, who made a statutory declaration that he had left Islam in 1998, was declared a deviant by the national Islamic Affairs Department in the 1980s, which named his sect “the ideology of Ayah Pin.”

Freedom to express oneself? Not afraid of after--effect, any?

2005-06-21T19:06:00.000+08:00

Who is dragging their leg now?

This is what you get for voting in a parliament with almost zero opposition. Then again, some rumoured that the last election was rigged or made too difficult for the opposition to win anything.

Start working for the new representative now, don't make the same mistake in 2008!

More power to the people!

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

Original article...
Enact Freedom of Information Act, says Suhakam

6/21/2005

Beh Lih Yi
Malaysiakini.com

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to enact a Freedom of Information Act.

In its 2004 annual report, tabled in Parliament today, Suhakam said the government must recognise the rights to seek, receive and impart information.

“Suhakam is of the view that transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of a truly democratic society. Freedom of information is necessary for such accountability to be guaranteed,” read the 334-page report.

However, the commission also noted that such freedom must be balanced with the right to privacy.

Under Malaysian law, freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution but laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act impinge on this.

The annual report also compiled other Malaysian human rights records last year covering areas of child rights, women’s rights, refugee and asylum seekers, housing rights and native customary land rights.

Suhakam said it had devoted much attention to issues relating to women, such as human trafficking, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women and violence against women.

Among the recommendations made with regards to this include calling for the establishment of more shelters for domestic violence survivors, greater awareness of human rights as well as a network of cooperation between the government and non-governmental organisations.

Decision on Rohingya lauded

On refugees and asylum seekers, Suhakam commended the government’s intention to provide protection for the Rohingya community in Malaysia.

“Such protection will go a long way towards alleviating the situation of the de facto stateless Rohingya, many of whom have been residing illegally in the country for over 20 years,” it said.

On another matter, the commission urged the government to first consider whether there is enough room in prisons before amending any law to provide for increase or mandatory jail sentences in respect of any offence.

In addressing the issue of adequate housing, Suhakam reminded the authorities that adequate housing should encompass security of tenure, accessibility to essential services, affordability, accessibility to all including persons with disabilities, location and cultural adequacy.

It is unlikely the report would be debated in the House as previous attempts to do so had been in vain.

The Suhakam 2004 annual report was supposed to be tabled in Parliament in the last meeting from March 21 to April 28 as stipulated by law.

Suhakam said it submitted the report to the Parliament’s secretariat on April 6 but was uncertain why it was not tabled in the House.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazr Abdul Azizi, who oversees parliamentary affairs, refused to comment on this when asked today.

Whereas Dewan Rakyat secretary Abdullah Abdul Wahab has yet to reply to a written request, dated June 6, by malaysiakini on the matter.

Kasihan mereka ... inilah perangai kawan baik Tun M

2005-06-10T16:25:00.000+08:00

What else can I say reading this, story?

Absolute power corrupts!

How helpless these folks must have felt, and I do appreciate the feeling, being one of the opposition to the ruling regime in Malaysia!

The only solution to this issue in Malaysia as well as Zimbabwe is to have election monitors stationed before, during and after election in both country's next one. Hopefully things might change to the better.

The common folks should exercise their right to have an increased number of opposition in parliament to check the abuses of the ruling executives.

I pray, 'Help us Allah, after all our effort to save the land that we love'.

Mugabe takes his revenge on poor by destroying thousands of homes
By a Special Correspondent in Bulawayo
10 June 2005

It's sunrise on the outskirts of Bulawayo. In the orange half-light you can see the huts are little more than bare mud walls. Everything that can be salvaged has been stripped off. The contents of the meagre homes now lie a few feet away in a scrapheap of rusting sheet metal, plastic pots and broken furniture.

Amid the wreckage, entire families huddle together under plastic sheets to get some shelter from the winter chill.

Julius is the first to crawl out, his breath making clouds in the cold air. He explains that the police came on Monday and told them they were evicted and they would be back to burn their homes down. No reason was given. "We removed everything we have," he says, pointing to the plastic-covered pile where he had been sleeping. "We are scared and we can't afford to lose this."

Julius's family is one of the poorest in Zimbabwe's already poverty-stricken second city, the capital of Matabeleland and the heartland of opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Yesterday, as Mr Mugabe travelled in an open-topped Rolls-Royce to the state opening of Parliament, Julius became the latest victim of what the government, dominated by Mugabe's Shona tribe, is calling "operation clean-up", aimed allegedly at beautifying cities.

The mud huts of Julius's village lie on a disused plain, scattered among the dry husks of the failed maize crop, that has left them on the edge of starvation.

A church worker, who preferred not to be named, hands out small sacks of porridge to the gathering crowd. "This is devastating. What are you cleaning? Nothing, you are cleaning nothing," he says. "This is a punishment, these people who have nothing are being punished for voting against Mugabe."

Human rights activists, churches, unions and opposition groups have unanimously condemned the "clean-up" as a brutal crackdown on the urban poor to punish them for voting against the government in the 31 March elections. In a matter of days, the campaign has seen the destruction of street markets and the mass arrest of traders; the demolition of shanty towns and the collapse of the informal economy upon which millions of the country's poor rely.

In the centre of Bulawayo, the once thriving 5th Street market is now a solemn stretch of twisted metal and charred wood.

Last week, without warning, police trucks arrived and the demolition began. Tons of fruit and vegetables, cooking oil, salt, sugar and other basic supplies were confiscated and the stalls were torched. Those who avoided arrest sit listlessly on the pavements. The little that is left is hawked cautiously on street corners. Sweet potatoes are offered warily, as though they are drugs.

Outside City Hall, faded white squares mark the spot where traders had laid out flowers, curios and carvings for the few remaining tourists who come to Bulawayo.

Today sees the second day of a nationwide two-day strike called by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in response to the crisis. But it is virtually impossible for the "stay away" action to work in a country where only 800,000 from a population of 12 million have formal employment. There has been concerted intimidation with police saying they would be "ruthless" with strikers and going from door to door to warn employers that they face arrest if their businesses shut.

Military helicopters and fighter jets were running sorties yesterday over the poorer districts of the capital, Harare, while the police and troops were out in force on the streets of Bulawayo.

At least three members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions were arrested during dawn raids, accused of organising strike action.

A human rights activist said, on condition of anonymity, that people were scared and memories of the 1980s massacres in the opposition stronghold of Matabeleland were still fresh.

"They know that, as things stand, if they take to the streets the army or the police will shoot them," she said.

People still refer in hushed tones to the pogrom of the so-called Gukurahundi - which means the rain that washes away the chaff. During that period, Mr Mugabe unleashed the North Korean-trained 5th Brigade in a killing spree to suppress opposition protests.

Despite yesterday's protests, police continued to drive out residents of at least one of Harare's poorest townships and the mass arrests, said to top 30,000, continue unabated.

"Police are now in Hatcliffe ... rounding everyone up and piling them on lorries. Their belongings are being put on separate lorries, so they fear they will lose everything," Trudy Stevenson, an opposition MP, said. "They are not being told where they are being taken, but they have the impression it is far away."

An opposition statement urged all Zimbabweans to participate in the strike.

According to UN estimates, at least 200,000 people have been made homeless and that follows a warning from the World Food Programme that Zimbabwe faces a "humanitarian crisis" with four million people at risk of famine.

Six Roman Catholic bishops condemned the crackdown, saying: "A grave crime has been committed against poor and helpless people. We warn the perpetrators ... history will hold you individually accountable."

Yesterday, Mr Mugabe quashed three days of rumours over the state of his health to appear at the opening of parliament, which he used as a platform to defend his decision to deprive tens of thousands of people of homes and livelihoods.

"The current chaotic state of affairs where [small businesses] operated outside the regulatory framework and in undesignated and crime-ridden areas could not be countenanced for much longer," he told parliament.

The 81-year-old President said the government would introduce mandatory penalties for illegal trade in foreign currency and precious metals, which official say has thrived in shanty towns.

Mr Mugabe's critics say the real reason for the destruction is the President's desire to empty the cities to pre-empt a major uprising. By forcing hundreds of thousands of potential opposition supporters into rural areas where the government controls the food supply, hunger can be used to cement the government's grip on power. A civil rights activist said: "What we are going to see is selective starvation. What Mugabe wants is a Pol Pot-style depopulation of the cities, corralling people into the countryside. Once they are there, they will be hungry and anxious and therefore compliant. "

The tactic is working in Julius's village. At the hut next door, Thenkiwe and her seven children are boiling some water but have nothing to put in it. Her husband has already left to find a day's work somewhere.

Julius, like his neighbours, has no rural retreat to go to. So he stands around and squints in the direction of town, waiting for the police and the bulldozers to come. The children won't be going to school today, for fear of being separated from their families.

The volunteers, who have run out of sacks of porridge, offer a prayer: "Lord, hide them from the police."

Milestones

* 1980: Robert Mugabe becomes Zimbabwe's Prime Minister after independence.

* 1987: He changes the constitution and becomes executive president.

* 1998: Economic crisis sets in; riots and strikes follow.

* 2000: Zimbabweans seize hundreds of white-owned farms.

* 2001: Donors cut aid in response.

* 2002: Mugabe is re-elected. Observers declare the election flawed. Commonwealth suspends Zimbabwe for a year. State of disaster declared over worsening food shortages.

* 2005: Mugabe's party, Zanu-PF, wins a parliamentary poll, enabling him to change the constitution. The opposition cries fraud.

Legal | Contact us | Using our Content | © 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd

Is that a sub-concious admision of guilt of a senile old man?

2005-06-09T23:21:00.000+08:00

I was more interested at the staements at the end of the article, while reading about Dr M: PAS’ mindset may not have changed.

He said, “I am not there. I cannot be used as a chopping block, the dictator thing, how I beat him up, threw him in jail, all these things are no longer available,”!

Is he sub-conciously admitting to all the allegations? Hummmmm?

I have always said that this silly old man is definitely as guilty as what was mentioned by any laymen all over the country!

Poorah Cit!

The Star Online > Nation

Thursday June 9, 2005
Dr M: PAS’ mindset may not have changed

PETALING JAYA: Having a younger PAS leadership does not necessarily mean a change in terms of the party's mindset, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I don't think there is any change; they may be younger but the thinking is still the same.

“It is frozen thinking,'' he said when asked for his views on the new PAS leadership.

On whether PAS' attempt to get Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead an opposition front might work, Dr Mahathir said he did not know.

“Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. There are pros and cons; there may be some benefits, may be some downsides,’’ he added.

Dr Mahathir said PAS would have to consider all that before roping Anwar in.

“Well, the black eye (issue) is not there. It was a big asset before.

“I am not there. I cannot be used as a chopping block, the dictator thing, how I beat him up, threw him in jail, all these things are no longer available,” Dr Mahathir said after the launch of Proton Holdings Bhd’s latest five-door compact hatchback, Savvy, here yesterday.

On money politics and erosion of democracy within Umno, Dr Mahathir reiterated that he did not say it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s fault.

� 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Parti Rakyat Bebas

2005-05-27T02:23:00.000+08:00

In light of the current sorry state of the country in the hands of the ruling governance of Barisan National, I would like to advice you all of the initiative to have another political party in Malaysia.

It is in the formation stage and feedbacks and admission is invited from all Malaysian resident. The name of the new party is PARTI RAKYAT BEBAS.

So far the manifesto includes:-

Affordable housing for the masses.
Efficient public transportation at lowest cost possible.
Free education for all at all levels.
New tax regime to ease burden on civil and private sectors servants (non executive / non-share holders).
Social and community welfare (to include benevolent and un-employment benefits, food and milk coupons, etc.).
Free hospitalisation and medical benefits.
Freedom AFTER speech which includes Free media with freedom and easy access to county's essential information.

The party is also in the process of considering the proposal provided by 'Senator' Dave 'Senduk' Chiew, which includes:-

Considering that all female government servants will wear only low-cut blouses and short skirts.
To consider having all male government servants to be be replaced with more females wearing low-cut blouses and short skirts.
To pass laws to make Tmnet ( and any ISPs) to allow users to log in to their ftp server using anonymous logins.
To provide huge grants and rewards to those propagating the spread of IT technology, especially those who constantly upload e-mags.
To consider request to apply to the International Tribunal to win back the island of Singapore.

Looking forward to excellent constructive feedback and numerous request for addmision for the general public at large.

April 1st came 57 days too late...

2005-05-27T01:32:00.000+08:00

Dr M: Corruption becoming culture

Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha!

Astaghfirullah hal azeem! This chap is definetely going senile! Tahniah BAPA KORUPSI Malaysia.

Another tot?
Harakah said?

Dr M: Corruption becoming culture

By Hamidah Atan

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned today that corruption was becoming a culture in Malaysia. The former Prime Minister said corruption was almost at the "above the table" level, with a significant number being involved.

"Where are we now? We are slowly breaking through the ceiling. We are slowly emerging ‘above the table’, and when that occurs, I hope I won’t be around," he said.

Dr Mahathir said there could be no turning back if corruption becomes rampant, "because everybody, from the bottom to the top, will be corrupt".

"If we have better values, this will not happen," he said after presenting the keynote address on "Social Re-engineering", for a 10-part series of discourses at the Yayasan Kepemimpinan Perdana here today.

He said this in response to a question from an Umno Youth member who sought his opinion on the level of corruption in Malaysia.

WARNING ON CORRUPTION: Dr Mahathir stressing on the matter after presenting a keynote address on ‘Social Re-engineering’ at the Perdana Leadership Foundation yesterday. — NST picture by Hadzme Mohd Jaafar

Dr Mahathir said political parties in the Government had to act without fear or favour against anyone involved in corruption, including "even the most prominent officials or persons".

He said they had to act fast to fight corruption at all levels, and within themselves, or face a loss of credibility.

Dr Mahathir said the corrupt did not even hide that they were corrupt.

"I do not like to make comparisons with the past, but before you did not have to bribe anybody to get elected. Now, you must bribe before you can get elected."

On money politics in Umno, Dr Mahathir said: "I was told that there is a lot of money politics (in Umno). I hope it is not true but I am inclined to believe it is. If this thing emerges above the table, you cannot stop it as by then, everybody will be involved."

He said if corruption became "institutionalised", the cost of doing business would go up.

"You have to pay as everybody asks that you pay. This will retard growth and eventually, the country will suffer."

DAP: Post commission’s report online

2005-05-27T01:29:00.000+08:00

DAP: Post commission’s report online

This goes without saying. Commission report, statistics for the nation and all essential information should be made available to the public at no cost at all!

Then we would have a more enlightened, knowledgable and informed Malaysian society.

The Star Online > Nation

Thursday May 26, 2005
DAP: Post commission’s report online

PENANG: The DAP wants the Malaysian Police Royal Commission report to be posted on the Internet to make it accessible to the police and public.

Opposition leader and Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang claimed most policemen have no access to the report.

He said other countries such as Britain, Australia and Canada have posted on the Internet reports of Royal Commissions and inquiries into police reform and modernisation.

Lim said this at the roundtable dialogue on “Royal Commission to Enhance Operation and Management of the Royal Police Force”. The event was organised by the DAP at a hotel here on Tuesday night.

He said in a statement that the DAP was willing to upload the report for free if the royal commission had difficulty doing so.

“I will contact the secretary of the commission Datuk Hamzah Md Rus for an electronic copy. We are prepared to put up the report on the DAP website if a home could not be found for the report,” he said.

© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Dimana martabat Bahasa Kebangsaan

2005-04-02T07:57:00.000+08:00

Reading this article makes me wonder what is wrong with the idea of having a national language? The news, Council staff to learn Mandarin, seems to give a very bad picture all-together.

A nation needs to have a proper setup of a unifying language that should be able to be used by evryone, whatever it is.

Maybe it's time for Malaysia to adopt Bahasa Mandarin as the national language?

Did you miss the article below?:-
========================
The Star Online > Nation

Friday April 1, 2005
Council staff to learn Mandarin
BY MAZNI MUSTAFA

IPOH: In a bid to serve the people better, the city council's counter staff will be learning Mandarin.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the first batch of 20 would undergo a three-month Mandarin-speaking course starting Sunday.

“We want our staff to know how to speak at least basic Mandarin or Cantonese because 60% of our clients are Chinese.

“By learning the language, they will be able to provide better services to our clients,” he said after chairing the monthly full board meeting here yesterday.

On another matter, Hasan reminded his officers not to delay the issuance of certificate of fitnesses (CFs) with excuses that the officers in charge were on leave or that the files had been misplaced.

He said a developer had lodged a complaint about such an occurrence recently.

He added that issuing CFs speedily ensured that development was not hindered and would bring in more revenue for the council.

© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Astaghfirullah-hal-azeem-- Malaysia car thieves steal finger

2005-04-01T01:18:00.000+08:00

I read it at bbc.co.uk today, BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Malaysia car thieves steal finger

What on earth is happening in Malaysia these days?

If you have missed it, here's the captured text:-
=====

Malaysia car thieves steal finger

By Jonathan Kent
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur

Police in Malaysia are hunting for members of a violent gang who chopped off a car owner's finger to get round the vehicle's hi-tech security system.

The car, a Mercedes S-class, was protected by a fingerprint recognition system.

Accountant K Kumaran's ordeal began when he was run down by four men in a small car as he was about to get into his Mercedes in a Kuala Lumpur suburb.

The gang, armed with long machetes, demanded the keys to his car.

It is worth around $75,000 second-hand on the local market, where prices are high because of import duties.

Stripped naked

The attackers forced Mr Kumaran to put his finger on the security panel to start the vehicle, bundled him into the back seat and drove off.

But having stripped the car, the thieves became frustrated when they wanted to restart it. They found they again could not bypass the immobiliser, which needs the owner's fingerprint to disarm it.

They stripped Mr Kumaran naked and left him by the side of the road - but not before cutting off the end of his index finger with a machete.

Police believe the gang is responsible for a series of thefts in the area.

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

2005-03-25T13:53:00.000+08:00

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

2005-03-25T13:27:00.000+08:00

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

2005-03-24T17:13:00.000+08:00

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?

2005-03-24T13:15:00.000+08:00

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

Shy or gutless

2004-12-06T14:10:00.000+08:00

Shy or gutless (2004-12-05 : The Star Online : Lifestyle : Vestibule)

I nearly lost my head laughing reading this letter sent by Sylvester Goh. This guy must have been an alien.

Please tell him to read my earlier posting on "Freedom After Speech".

LOL.

For the benefit of those who might have missed this joke of the year, I've attached it below:-

The Star Online > Features

Sunday December 5, 2004

Shy or gutless?

MUCH as I enjoy the Your Say page where the letters on various topics invite all kinds of responses, I have always wondered why some writers prefer to remain anonymous. I believe that if all and sundry subscribe to the oft-quoted dictum ascribed to Voltaire: “I may disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it”, then writers have no good reason to fear or worry except to be proud of their products, especially the ones of high literary merit and substance!

Writing that is candid, impassioned and done with the writer’s full conviction without ignoring the need to strive for objectivity all the time, and not straying from, or worse, distorting the facts of the issue(s) being discussed, can only command respect and admiration. In which case, there is no need for pseudonyms or nom de plumes.

So, could some of their reasons for preferring anonymity be publicity-shyness, self-consciousness or just pusillanimity?

Sylvester Goh

New bank anyone?

2004-11-26T20:40:00.000+08:00

JeffOii managed to put 3 blogs on the prevalent banking practice in Malaysia. It's here, here and here. The tmnet.comm also had a thread on this charges by banks.

Most banks incorporated in Malaysia are operating on the same manner. How I wish that globalisation also brings International Banks freely into Malaysia. Then we'll see banks begging people to do business.

Employers need to be asked to start paying employees by cash and to avoid banks from 2005 onwards. Banks should cease to operate as middleman in paying salary.

What say you, FOMCA? CAP?

A sign of times... desperation?

2004-11-25T13:21:00.000+08:00

This is an interesting website. Dare to admit you are wrong ?

I applaud the engunueity of this person in having the website to highlight traffic offences in the country. However, this simple act of web-publication has exposed one sorry state of affairs in Malaysia.

INCOMPETENCY OF ENFORCEMENT ORGANISATION in Malaysia, in this case, PDRM, Polis Diraja Malaysia and JPJ, Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan. I am being even further upset because this silliness do not stop at this two silly organisation but it is widespread.

Thanks to the silly governance of UMNO-led BN government of Malaysia.

JeffOii's screenshot has similar coverage here and also highlited the PanduCermat.org.my website as well as the hall of shame. What's left to this effort is the question whether any submission would be dealt with properly and the offenders punished accordingly. Me thinks NOT!

Cops want annual renewal to curb road accidents

2004-11-22T09:56:00.000+08:00

I read this article, Cops want annual renewal to curb road accidents, at the star.com. The other day, 1 clearly not-too-bright senior official has admited that they are clueless about the whole thing. I personally feel that PDRM is clueless in everything except taking bribes!

PDRM sucks because it is full of corrupted people, all the way from top to bottom.

Here's the article if you might have missed it.

The Star Online > Nation

Monday November 22, 2004

Cops want annual renewal to curb road accidents

BY EMBUN MAJID AND AUDREY EDWARDS

ALOR STAR: Driving licences will only be renewed for one year and not up to five as at present.

The proposal, by the police, will allow the law to catch up more quickly with motorists who ignore traffic summonses.

Internal Security and Public Order Director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Som said the measure was needed to check blatant disregard for the law by traffic offenders.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) now blacklists traffic offenders with outstanding traffic summonses and does not allow them to renew their licences until the summonses are settled.

The authorities, however, have to wait a long time before they can force offenders holding five-year licences to pay their dues.

“We view the five-year maximum licence renewal period as too long as motorists might have committed many traffic offences in that time,” he told reporters during a working visit to the Kedah police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

He added that annual renewal of licences “would give us time to monitor the licence holder and check for traffic offences committed.”

The proposal, he added, would be forwarded to the Transport Ministry.

Comm Salleh attributed the high rate of fatal accidents to several factors, including blatant disregard for traffic regulations and people’s attitudes.

“If it’s a murder case, then it will get the attention of the media and the public, but for road accidents they don’t give a hoot even if 16 people were killed daily,” he added.

In Petaling Jaya, Road Transport Department Director-General Datuk Emran Kadir said a shorter renewal period would also help the Kejara demerit point system work more effectively.

At present, the JPJ can only update the demerit points after a driver has settled a summons.

He said the Transport Ministry and his department had been looking into the matter, including amending the Road Transport Act 1987, to reduce the renewal period.

“We have discussed it. The matter was even brought up during our meeting with the Prime Minister at Bukit Aman on Nov 8,” he said when contacted.

“He (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) also suggested that we shorten the period to one year and extend it to two years if the driver does not commit any offence,” he said.

Alhamdullilah.... Anwar Ibrahim set free

2004-09-02T13:06:00.000+08:00

I was nearly in tears reading this article, BBC NEWS Asia-Pacific Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim set free. It was also reported early at Malaysiakini.com. Star finally came up with something at 10.50 a.m.

I was at home with my child when the telephone rang. It was my wife, who called to advice me of the Federal Court decision on this case. I was talking about this matter to few friend last night, predicting the worst.

During my nite prayer before going to sleep last night, I did pray to Allah swt to release AI and to reduce his sufferings. Masyallah, Alhamdullilah! What else could I say?
----------------------------------------
For the copy of the article,
Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim set free
The jailed former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, will be set free, after the country's highest court overturned his sodomy conviction.
The decision came six years to the day after his dramatic sacking by Malaysia's then Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammed.

He was imprisoned in 1999 and had lost earlier appeal against his conviction.

He is now expected to travel to Germany to receive treatment for a back injury he says he suffered when arrested.

The country's former police chief was responsible for a beating he received when first arrested in September 1998, Anwar says.

"He is free to go, there is no doubt about it," said his lawyer Pawancheek Marican when the verdict was announced.

He is expected to leave custody later on Thursday.

Anwar was jailed in 1999 for corruption after a trial widely seen as politically motivated. It followed his disagreement with Mahathir Mohammad over how to run the country's economy.

In 2000, he received a further nine years for sodomy.

Anwar had already failed to reverse the first of those convictions.

Thursday's appeal to Malaysia's Federal Court - the country's highest - was the last legal opening for the former minister.

The court was reviewing an earlier rejection of Anwar's appeal - but decided to quash the original conviction by a vote of 2-1.

"We allow the sentence and conviction to be set aside. We find the High Court misdirected itself. He should have been acquitted," said Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamad, head of a three-judge panel.

The BBC's Jonathan Kent in Kuala Lumpur says Anwar's continued imprisonment had posed problems for the government of current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Although his star has waned since the days when thousands marched in protest at his treatment, many in Malaysia and abroad still regarded him as a political prisoner.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/3619790.stm
Published: 2004/09/02 03:15:41 GMT
© BBC MMIV
----------------------------------------------
On Malaysiakini.com;
Court frees Anwar!
Sep 2, 04 9:01am

In a 2-1 decision, the country’s highest court today set former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim free after quashing his sodomy conviction. Also freed was his adopted brother Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja who had been convicted of the same offence.

A three-man Federal Court bench - consisting of Abdul Hamid Mohamad, Rahmah Hussein and Tengku Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud - delivered the stunning decision at Putrajaya’s spanking new Palace of Justice.

Justice Abdul Hamid said that the High Court had misdirected itself in convicting and sentencing Anwar. He also said that the evidence of the prosecution's main witness Azizan Abu Bakar was uncorroborated.

“We’re not saying Azizan is an outright liar but he certainly is not the kind of witness the lower court said him to be,” said Abdul Hamid.

“He cannot be credible as he had given three different dates involving three different years (on when the alleged act of sodomy took place).

He added that Azizan was an accomplice to the alleged act because there was no evidence of protest.

Tengku Baharudin was also in favour of Anwar, while Rahmah dissented.

No deal

Anwar, upon hearing the judgment, gave his family and reporters a tired smile.

Later, he thanked Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for not interfering in the judiciary, unlike his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar also brushed aside rumours of a secret deal with Abdullah which resulted in today’s decision

Meanwhile, outside the court, Anwar’s supporters were seen hugging and shouting in jubilation.

They had been waiting outside the court building since early this morning, and reacted with joy and jubilation. A small number of police personnel kept a watchful eye on the crowd.

The 57-year-old ex-politician had arrived at 8.45am and was taken into the courtroom in a wheelchair. He came in an ambulance from Hospital Kuala Lumpur where he had been warded since July 12 due to a chronic back ailment which had worsen in recent weeks.

Fly to Munich

He is expected to fly to Munich, Germany later in the week for an urgent operation to treat a long standing spinal disc injury, which he said was aggravated by a police beating after his arrest in 1998.

Anwar’s appeal on both conviction and sentencing was made on the grounds that the conduct of the High Court trial four years ago was deeply flawed.

The High Court on Aug 8, 2000 had found Anwar and Sukma guilty of sodomising Anwar’s former family driver Azizan.

Their application to the Court of Appeal was rejected on April 18 last year.

Anwar has already completed more than one year of his nine-year jail sentence for sodomy, as well as an earlier six-year sentence for corruption.

Meanwhile, Sukma who had been serving his six-year sentence since last year, will be released from Kajang prison.

[Malaysiakini will continually update this report in the coming hours. Please click 'Refresh' or 'Reload' button in your browser for the latest news]

Click here for more news
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Anwar Ibrahim bebas!

Bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim akhirnya mengecapi kebebasan hari ini apabila Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini membatalkan sabitan dan hukuman liwat yang dijatuhkan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi empat tahun lalu.

Dua daripada tiga Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan – Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad dan Datuk Tengku Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud – membenarkan rayuan Anwar terhadap hukuman tersebut.

Seorang lagi penal ialah hakim Datuk Paduka Rahmah Hussein. Berikutan itu, Anwar dibebaskan selepas lima tahun berjuang melalui mahkamah untuk mengenepikan kedua-dua sabitan dan hukuman bagi kesalahan salahguna kuasa dan liwat.

Anwar yang kini berusia 57 tahun telahpun selesai menjalani hukuman enam tahun penjara bagi kesalahan salahguna kuasa dan kini sedang menjalani hukuman sembilan tahun penjara bagi kesalahan liwat.

Menurut Hakim Abdul Hamid, Mahkamah Tinggi telah tersilap dalam mensabit dan menjatuhkan hukuman penjara terhadap Anwar.

Di samping itu, katanya, terdapat keterangan saksi utama pihak pendakwa, Azizan Abu Bakar, juga tidak disokong.

“Kami tidak mengatakan Azizan adalah seorang pembohong tetapi dia bukanlah seorang saksi yang dikatakan oleh mahkamah rendah,” katanya.

Rakan pelakuan

“Dia tidak boleh dianggap berwibawa kerana dia telah memberi tiga tarikh membabitkan tiga tahun yang berlainan (mengenai bila perbuatan liwat yang didakwa itu, berlaku).

Malah, katanya, Azizan juga merupakan rakan pelakuan dalam perbuatan yang didakwa itu kerana tiada terdapat bukti-bukti yang dia membantah.

Tengku Baharudin juga membenarkan rayuan Anwar, manakala Rahmah dalam keputusannya menolak rayuan tersebut.

Sebaik sahaja mendengar keputusan tersebut, Anwar menguntum senyuman sambil memaling ke arah anggota keluarganya.

Manakala di luar mahkamah, para penyokong Anwar juga berpelukan sambil melaung tanda kegembiraan mereka berikutan keputusan tersebut.

Mereka berkumpul di halaman Istana Keadilan di Putrajaya seawal 7 pagi tadi untuk mendengar keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan tersebut.
Ada di kalangan penyokong Anwar yang membawa sepanduk berbunyi 'Bebaskan Anwar' manakala yang lainnya melaungkan slogan reformasi. Anggota polis, termasuk anggota Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU), mengawal di sekitar kawasan berkenaan.

Diplomat asing

Juga kelihatan hadir ialah sebilangan diplomat asing dan pemerhati antarabangsa. Wartawan malaysiakini bagaimanapun, tidak dibenarkan masuk ke dewan mahkamah kerana tidak memiliki pas akhbar rasmi yang keluarkan oleh pihak kerajaan.

Anwar dijangka melepas ke Munich, Jerman minggu ini untuk menjalani pembedahan segera terhadap kecederaan tulang belakang yang dialaminya, yang menurutnya telah bertambah teruk selepas dibelasah oleh polis sewaktu dia ditangkap pada 1998.

Ini adalah pertama kalinya malaysiakini disekat daripada membuat liputan sejak media online ini mula membuat liputan perbicaraan Anwar sejak lima tahun lalu. Bagaimanapun, ia akan terus melaporkan perkembangan terbaru berhubung kes Anwar hari ini.

Para diplomat juga tidak dibenarkan memasuke ke dewan mahkamah yang telah sesak.

Anwar tiba di mahkamah pada jam 8.45 pagi dengan bantuan kereta tolak. Dia dibawa ke Putrajaya dengan sebuah ambulans dari Hospital Kuala Lumpur di mana Anwar sedang menjalani rawatan bagi sakit belakang sejak 12 Julai lalu.

Sebelum ini, tarikh mengumumkan keputusan terhadap rayuan Anwar itu sudah dua kali ditangguhkan.

Khabar angin

Anwar merayu terhadap sabitan dan hukuman bagi kedua-dua kesalahan tersebut dengan alasan perbicaraan di Mahkamah Tinggi empat tahun lalu, tidak dijalankan secara adil.

Pada 8 Ogos 2000, Mahkamah Tinggi mendapati Anwar dan adik angkatnya, Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja bersalah meliwat bekas pemandu keluar Anwar, Azizan Abu Bakar. Permohonan mereka kepada Mahkamah Rayuan ditolak pada 18 April tahun lalu.

Sementara itu, Anwar mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kerana menurutnya, tidak campurtangan dalam bidang kehakiman.

Menurut Anwar lagi, Perdana Menteri dahulu, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, tidak akan melakukan perubahan-perubahan penting sepertimana yang diperkenalkan oleh Abdullah sekarang.

Beliau juga menafikan khabar angin mengenai rundingan sulit dengan Abdullah sehingga membawa kepada pembebasannya hari ini.
------------------------------------------------
On Star.com;
The Star Online > Latest
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Anwar Ibrahim's appeal allowed and he is freed
The Federal Court Thursday freed former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from prison.

The 2-1 ruling by a panel of the Federal Court also overturned the sodomy conviction and sentence of his adopted brother Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja.

Federal Court judge Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad sat with another Federal Court judge, Justice Rahmah Hussain, and Court of Appeal judge Tengku Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud. They had reserved their judgment on May 20.

On April 18 2003, the Court of Appeal had dismissed Anwar and Sukma’s appeal against a High Court decision on Aug 8, 2000, which convicted them of sodomising Anwar’s former family driver Azizan Abu Bakar in 1993.

Developing story... details to follow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 1995-2003 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

What's the price of healthcare?

2004-08-23T01:47:00.000+08:00

After enjoying a remarkable recovery by Arsenal in beating Middlesbrough, 5-3, I went through this Jeff Ooi Screenshots article What a turn-off! Full credits to the battling Arsenal players, zero marks to Malaysia, the citizen and the government. Well, what else can we, normal Malaysian citizen, have to say on this?

I first read about her yesterday at the USJ.com.my bulletin. It was also featured in the community's own forum board , Now, she is in the news again.

The past month have seen the un-necessary death of few toddlers, who, unfunnily enough, were already at the hospitals, places where they should be saved at all cost, in the first place. The ones with religious intuition would definitely quote that living and dying is the work of Allah s.w.t., or whoever, they difined as the Superior Being, controlling the whole works of the world. As much as I also subscribing to the former belief, I still find it hard to accept this fact lying down.

The latest child related health issue involves a two-year old girl, sufering from HLH. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disorder primarily affecting young children at a very early age and is a life threatening situation. Only Allah swt. knows what is going on through the minds of both parents.

Qin Wei is currently hospitalized in one of the mushrooming private hospitals in the country, SJMC, Subang Jaya Medical Hospital. A member of Sime Darby Group, SJMC is not the only private hospital in the country. Malaysia is full of private clinics, private hospital, private roads, private colleges, private TV stations, and the whole works. Privatisation of services in the country is the brainchild of the present ruling government. The same government who has been ruling the country since independance day. Bit by bit, essential services has been slowly taken away from the rein of the country's budget into the pocket of each paying citizen.

Even though born 10 years after independence day, 31st. of August, 1957, I guess, if given the choice I would still chose to be ruled by the colonial masters rather than the present similar-colored masters. In the early age, prior to the eventual inception of privatisation by the past prime minister of the country, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, I have seen life in a very easy and light perspective. We don't pay much for food, schooling do not cost anything except few token ringgits to cover the small budget for sports and parent-teachers association activities, people do not hold multiple jobs to cover daily expenses, night life or activities almost non existed, and automobile drivers still give way to the pedestrian and cyclist. Well, how many automobiles do you have at that time? However, I don't see a stressed-out individuals when looking at both my parents, may Allah bless both of them!

Then came the industrialization of the country, led by the same silly old man who believed that the only way forward for Malaysia is to emulate the Japanese in producing goods for the whole world. From an agricultural-based income generating country to a manufacturing nation? Little does he realized that the japanese model and the malaysian model is as similar as diamond is to glass. Malaysian goods are only suited for and sufficient for the consumption of the cleverly-manipulated locals.

Short of being a mediocre product, local products which are not associated with the major global brands could also be rated as unfit for human use. How could these be marketed globally? The product produced in the country under supervision of external parent bodies, such as Matsushita ( Japanese producer of consumer items) and American Intel processors could not be put on the same quality level as the locally produced Proton cars, Perodua multi purposes vehicles and Modenas' bikes. They are rated as the worst product to be had, but were still being used by all and sundry in Malaysia. This is due to the restrictive pricing strategy formulated by the scheming government. To get extra incentive from international media, different specifications of similar product were exported away, yet, earning scant reviews overseas. Ventures of Proton in Turkey and Great Britain are known to be a failure by normal standard of global automotive producers.

With industrialization came rushed living style, broken homes, increament of social and criminal deviationist works, and the whole works of hell-derived stuffs. Inteligence and common sense of the Malaysian citizen seems to erode in tandem with their desire to gain material wealth.

Coming back to the girl issue, as well as the dearly departed ones, as mentioned earlier. Community and social services should never be made the responsibility of the paying citizen. It should always be made a compulsory service by the ruling government. A free service to the whole humanities living in the country; legal citizen as well as the whole bunch of illegals who managed to creep through the so-called 'well-guarded' borders. Appropriate amount has to be set aside in the annual country's budget for quality health services, free but excellent education institutions (and system) from primary level to the highest possible, well-managed transportation system, affordable housing and cheap staple food supplies. One may question as to where in the hell would the country gets its fund from? Proper tax system and the eradication of corrupt practice is a good start.

Do I see this fenomena to change in my lifetime? Not, unless the citizen wakes up from their slumber zombie-like life and kick the ruling government officials up their behind!

Jalan di M'sia - a roady patch, errr, isn't it supposed to be rocky instead?

2004-08-08T19:07:00.000+08:00

The other day, I have posted on August 7, 2004 05:11 AM, my opinion of the roady issue at Sarini.net. Here it is:-

=====================================================
Hi yer.Nice entry, good weblog.
It seems that every other person next to you on the road is a pain in the a** these days. The wild riding motorcyclist, the slow moving industrial tippers, the non-law-abiding motorist and the big bullies on fast and furious driving heavy vehicles. Hey, don't forget the un-lit roads, not properly designed routes, poorly maintained surfaces or badly-timed maintenance or upgrading works.

Ooohhh, almost everything on the road is driving every other person up the wall. We don't need to be bitten by any radioactive spiders to provide us with spidey-power to do so. If I were 'a not-so-busy with politics-academician', I could easily come up with loads of phD works to address all these issues. Might win a few awards with the work as well.

What turns the situation as they are now? I have 1 simple guess. Respect of rules and regulations is non-existence in Malaysia and every other human is for themselves, forget about the right of others.

The forefathers of independence might have seen this coming. Part of the Rukunnegara have "KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG", there's a part on "KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN", and not forgetting "KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN". However, are these in place these days? I don't have to keep on guessing because all the proofs showed that it is otherwise.

What should we all do? Keep on talking about the issues in blogs? It doesn't solve the issues. Everyone has to play their part, tackled the bull by the horn. Use your contacts to deliver your dis-satisfaction and forward your suggestion(s) to mitigate the issues.

Could we do this? I cannot guess the answer to this. I have not been able to do so, all these whiles. Have no contact what-so-ever, no avenues to express my ideas without fearing for retribution to my life due to my action. So, maybe I could just share with you what I have in mind instead. These ideas of mine would slowly, but surely elemininate the problems on Malaysian roads.

a. Greater presence of enforcement officers. Maybe we need to recruit additional numbers of them, or re-allocate their duties to the areas needed most. Not just employing those enforcers just to do the donkey work for their political masters.
b. Immediate severe sentencing of corrupt practice of law enforcers and bribe-givers (attempters).
c. Overhaul of road and transport regulations to address the various factors of driving and mode of transports.
d. Park and rides to complement the exercise to improve public transport system.
e. Relocation of housing and industrial areas of the states to eleminate / reduce problems associated with competing for road space. This should include relocation of places of high traffic volumes, e.g. business parks, schools, offices etc.
f. Elemination of the practice of time recorders for workers. Instead provide flexi-timing. Rushes to clock-in could be mitagated to nil.
g. Improvement to the current road network and design.

h. Improve tele-marketting, promote non-presence selling technique with emphasise in changing the mindset of malaysian of needing sales people to be in person to sell product. Encourage teleconferencing marketing and the use of multimedia and to capitalise on internet.
i. I could carry-on with more, but I want to spare you the pain of reading a blog in a blog. He he he. :)

Loughs asides, lastly, I have a very pessimistic outlook on changes being implemented with the current ad-hoc mitigation policies of the country, all the times, when subjected to problems of any significance.

mamat.
ps: Why do we have all the problems with rules, regulations and respect? Our fellow citizen are merely looking to emulate the successful politician running the country. If those self-centred no-brainers could get away with murder, why not the others? Throw everything at other people, make sure you succeed at any cost.

I've been thinking a lot about this...

2004-07-29T13:25:00.000+08:00

There's a lot going on my mind these days. However, this one sticks like a leech hanging on dearly eating for his life. Steven Gan - Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Malaysiakini.com, said it well, " Malaysia is an illiberal democracy. We have freedom of speech, but no freedom after speech. We have freedom of movement, but no freedom of assembly. We have a plethora of publications, but no press freedom".

The escalating high cost of living aggravated by the unscrupulous business community, fear of retribution by the ruling government hindering people from saying their piece of mind, sad state of social and community services, capitalistic and materialistic chase of individuals making human beings less human etc. Oh, my, what happened to this place I call home.

The American have the First Ammendment, as we, Malaysian have the Part P of the Federal Constitution entitled "Fundamental Liberties". But do we really have those? At least the American have a website on Freedom of Speech in the U.S. We have none! Malaysians have no place to turn to.

Part P of the Malaysian Constitutions have these guaranteed:-
Article 5 - Life and Liberty of the Person.
Article 6 - Prohibition of Slavery and forced labour
Article 7 - Protection against retrospective criminal and repeated trials.
Article 8 - Equality.
Article 9 - Prohibition of Banishment and freedom of movement.
Article 10 - Freedom of speech, assembly and association.
Article 11 - Freedom of religion.
Article 12 - Right to education.
Article 13 - Right to property.

What about Suhakam? Other than some short press releases and colorful hand-outs, nothing else seems to have come out proper from this group of jokers. What else could you expect when it is being manned by people who are making their living on the ruling party's hand-out. As long as the ruling party is being led by the phantom and the living devil, my hope is as good as none.

Tommy Thomas, a leading constitutional lawyer in Malaysia, quoting from his own article ‘Human Rights in 21st Century Malaysia’, Insaf, The Journal of the Malaysian Bar, XXX, No. 2, June 2001, pp. 91 – 106; writing in Aliran online, a nice article titled 'Human Rights in 21st Century Malaysia'. This further compound my mind. Urghhhhh!

Here's some beautiful quotes that will send this people to Kamunting, if they are living in Malaysia at this time of the day.

So, what's next other that just having my grouses on this log? Well, other than praying that the Creater would help in improving things, I do hope for mankind to contribute as well. Right now, I just have no way to start. Every limb of my body seems to have paralysed.