JG WISHES ALL A BLESSED 2007!

THOUGH WE ALL LIVE IN DIFFICULT AND UNSURE TIMES - I PRAY ALL OF US HAVE A BLESSED AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR 2007!

ONLY A FOOL WILL REJOICE AT THIS POLITICAL MURDER!

Even at death’s door he showed courage and a strange sense peace and calmness!

Yes I mean it!

One fool in Washington says it was a “political milestone!” Another across vast ocean in England says it was for democracy- what democracy I ask?

A kangaroo court orchestrated with the verdict all politically prepared!

The trial puts to shame all what democracy and human rights stands for!

Why could they not let him live instead and show the world the meaning of true love and forgiveness!

Instead they taunted him to his public murder on the eve of a holy day!

And paraded the scene for the world to see!

Some Arab governments denounced the timing of the 69-year-old former president’s hanging just before the start of the most important holiday of the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha.

Libya announced a three-day official mourning period and canceled all celebrations for Eid.

And the world and all Iraqis awoke today to television images of a noose being slipped over

The former president’s neck and his white-shrouded body, the pre-dawn work of black-hooded hangmen.

Yes indeed they went to bed as new video emerged showing President Saddam exchanging taunts with onlookers before the gallows floor dropped away and the former dictator swung from the rope.

As expected in Baghdad’s Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, victims of his three decades of autocratic rule took to the streets Saturday to celebrate, dancing, beating drums and hanging Saddam in effigy.

Celebratory gunfire erupted across other Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad and other predominantly Shiite regions of the country.

For the moment there was no sign of a feared Sunni uprising in retaliation for the execution, and the bloodshed from civil warfare was not far off the daily average — 92 from bombings and death squads.

Outside the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, west of the capital, loyalists marched with Saddam pictures and waved Iraqi flags.

Yes they defiled curfews, hundreds took to the streets vowing revenge in Samarra, north of Baghdad, and gunmen paraded and fired into the air in support of Saddam in Tikrit, his hometown.

Several nations that include Libya have anounced national mourning as a sign of respect!

I am no head of state but a commoner, I have not met him but as a law student in England during the invasion of Kuwait I did write an appeal letter on behalf foreigners who were held captive then.

I do not know what ever happened to that letter!

But then, the events that followed and the international conspirasy under various guises from allegations of linkages to terror groups to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) none of which were found to this date after the invasion of Iraq and its total destruction and possible fragmentation in the near future!

I feel a strange sadness at the manner he was murdered!

I wish his wife, daughters and grandchildren - GOD”S PEACE AND MY SINCERE AND HUMBLE CONDOLENCES!

Now the battle lines are drawn - whose interests was met by this ‘political assasination’ I humbly ask?

In my country we call such acts - ‘kerja kejam dan bodoh!’ ( a cruel and stupid act!)

JG UPSET THAT CERTAIN IRRESPONSIBLE ELEMENTS WANT TO DRAG TUN M INTO BOAT CONTROVERSY!

Tun M - a leader par excellence!

JG says:

In response to the many e-mails and phone calls I have received on this matter, please find herewith a statement by Saudara Sufi Yusoff who represented YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad.

I think it is adequate!

But I pray that ‘certain people’ would not stoop so low as to maliciously defame a man who led this country for over 22 years in a fashion unheard and unseen of after his departure!  

Please spare this great man such disfavor and unpleasantaries! 

THE LETTER:

Dec 28, 2006

Sufi Yusoff
for Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

SPARE SADDAM SAYS JG! THIS MAY INITIATE A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RECONCILIATION!

 Deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein’s death warrant was signed today by the nation’s two vice presidents, and execution witnesses gathered in the heavily fortified Green Zone, according to an Iraqi official with knowledge of the proceedings.

Maryam Rayis, a legal advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, said that Hussein will likely be put to death early Saturday (in Los Angeles late Friday afternoon or early evening) for his role in the deaths of 148 Shiite men and boys nearly a quarter century ago.

But I ask what is to be gained by this execution?

We have so far seen a kangaroo court in action with defence lawyers been murdered and others intimidated!

Where is the due process when the script is already written? Where is justice when decisions are allegedly made by ‘black hands’ to kill this former president of a once very well developed and prosperous state?

Why not spare his life and send the signal of national and international reconciliation instead?

Thats what JG asks all the ‘puritans and hypocrites’ who are seated on judgement seats today over this man!  

I still say spare his life!

ANOTHER RESTRUCTURE AT EPF?

REMEMBER ITS STILL ‘SIMPANAN TUA ANDA!’

True, that certain quarters feel that the much talked about ’ Employees Provident Fund (EPF) restructure’ will restructure its members’ accounts from Jan 2 2007 in a move to enable them increase their savings for retirement.

I am told that with the said proposal the number of accounts will be consolidated from three to two, comprising Account 1 (70 per cent of members’ savings) and Account 2 (30 per cent of members’ saving).

As you are aware currently, there are three accounts, which are Account 1 (60 per cent of members’ savings), Account 2 (30 per cent) and Account 3 (10 per cent).

In the proposed move the savings currently in Account 3, which are used for critical illness related withdrawals, will be incorporated into Account 2 initially.

Subsequent contributions after Jan 2 2007 will be channelled into Account 1 and Account 2 in the proportion of 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

The result - members will have larger amount for housing, education, 50 years or medical withdrawals.

But the catch is members must prioritise their pre-retirement withdrawals carefully. This is because these withdrawals will be made from the same account.

Though the story or ‘cerita’ is that with the restructuring of members’ accounts from three to two will bring a multitude of benefits to members in the long run in the form of increased funds for retirement and greater flexibility and control over the management of funds for their current needs I pour caution to the scheme.

For the record anyway - Account 1 cannot be withdrawn by members before they reach 55. However, members can invest a portion of their savings in Account 1 in investments managed by approved external fund managers.

And effective Jan 2 next year also, for age 55 withdrawal before the actual dividend for 2006 is announced, the EPF will pay the minimum dividend of 2.5 per cent first on the withdrawal amount.

The balance will be paid when the actual rate of dividend is announced where members will receive dividend payment based on the actual rate.

Previously as you know dividend payment was paid based on the last declared rate.

My advice is please before policy changers are effected organize discussions of how to safequard the long term interests of contributers and take them on with briefs which will keep them informed of any moves to safequard their interests!

DENGUE ON THE RISE AGAIN!

 Health Officials spraying pesticides to address the dengue woes! 

It was disturbing news to consumers when we learn that Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang saw an increase in suspected dengue cases while the other states recorded a decline in the past week.

Deputy director-general of Health (Public Health) Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat has stated that Selangor recorded 441 cases over one week ending Dec 23 (329 cases previously), Kuala Lumpur with 276 cases (242), and Penang with 93 cases (88).

We are also told that Perak, Johor, Kedah, Sabah, Pahang and Terengganu recorded between seven and 49 cases last week, a drop of between six and 30 per cent compared with the previous week!

He also said that of the 1,167 suspected dengue cases last week, some 290 cases were positive. No death was reported.

The suspected cases were reported in Setapak, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Cheras, Petaling Jaya, Kajang, Kelang, Ampang Jaya, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur city centre, Jalan Kelang Lama, Johor Baharu, Kepong, Hulu Selangor, Kuantan, Melaka Tengah, Damansara, Selayang and north-east and south-west Penang.

To check the problem, the Health Ministry has distributed mosquito larvae killers, educate the public and conduct activities to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes.

What disturbed me again was that several close friends and relatives of mine who worked in Bukit Aman were also alleged to be down with dengue!

It all boils down to keeping our environment clean which is all our responsibility!

JG AND THE CASSA TEAM WISH ALL A BLESSED CHRISTMAS 2006!

JG AND THE CASSA TEAM WISHES ALL A BLESSED CHRISTMAS 2006!PLEASE DO UPHOLD US AND THE NATION IN YOUR PRAYER DURING YOUR RESPECTIVE CHURCH SERVICES AND PRAYERS! A SPECIAL PRAYER TOO FOR ALL FLOOD VICTIMS AND THOSE IN PRISON, HOSPITALS AND OTHER POSITIONS OF TRAUMA!

From the Malaysiakini Report- ‘Open Season’ on disc peddlers irks CASSA!

FLOOD IN THE KLANG VALLEY - PLEASE NO SAYS JG!

  

The news and reports that southern Selangor and Klang Valley are likely to be affected by the heavy rainfalls should the conditions persist, the Meteorological Department has caused panic and discomfort all around!

The department has also advised people to prepare and brace for the worst conditions.

A forecaster said heavy rainfall and thunderstorm was expected to persist in the Klang Valley until next Tuesday.

We are told that heavy rainfalls and wind condition that are currently affecting states in the east coast and Johor are expected to bring heavy downpour to the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas.

There is fear among many especially among those of us who suffered massive economic and financial loss in Taman TTDI Jaya Shah Alam in the massive floods in February 2006 and the constant fear everytime it rains!   

Now we are told that the intermittent but occasionally heavy rain occurring over Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang is expected to persist until this Sunday.

However, East Johor is likely to experience intermittent rain until next Wednesday.

I am advised that all these could cause flooding over the low lying areas and areas by the river banks.

We are told that strong wind with sustained wind speed of at least 60 kmph could also cause thatched and zinc roof to be blown off.

Meanwhile, North Easterly Wind was now moving at a 60 to 70 kmph, with the wave height between 4.5 to 5.5 metre.

And to add to caution - sea condition is very rough and dangerous for all marine activities, including small and medium size fishing boats!

So guys, please watch out even those who have bought million ringgit luxury boats! 

JG WISHING ALL A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS IS JUST NOT ABOUT CHRISTIMAS TREES AND ALL THE COMERCIALIZATION YOU SEE IN THE MARKET PLACE WHICH IS A SAD ABUSE! CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST IN BETHELEM IN NAZARETH! I SINCERELY WISH ALL OF YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

JG QUOTED IN MALAYSIAKINI’S SPECIAL REPORT ON TOLL HIKES!

Dr Jacob George, president and legal adviser, Consumer Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa)

The nightmare begins.

We will see a snowballing effect on the prices of goods and services where private agencies affected by the toll hike will pass on their costs to consumers.

It confirms the fears of all consumers that the secret contractual agreements between the government and the highway concessionaires have been totally one-sided.

The increase has been dictated to consumers without their interests being taken into consideration.

The hike also clearly shows that the government is not practising what it preaches.

The government has told enterprises not to increase prices, but they do the same themselves.

It once again raises a lot of questions on the need for transparency in terms of the government’s contractual agreements.

This is becoming a comedy of errors. The governments is allowing the fat cats, the highway concessionaires, who until today have not done any service to the nation, to get away with this.

SULTAN MIZAN SWORN IN AS MALAYSIA’S 13TH KING! DAULAT TUANKU says JG!

 

Beloved Sultan Mizan Was Sworn In As Malaysia’s 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong

For the record,  Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah of Terengganu Wednesday took the oath of office as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in tradition at the Istana Negara here yesterday!

Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah also took the oath of office as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Both the Sultans were elected Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong at a special meeting, the 208th of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Nov 3, for five years beginning yesterday!

MY GOD NO! NOT ANOTHER INSENSITIVE HIKE IN TOLLS!

Malaysians of all walks of life will be affected says JG!

As expected the government has announced a whooping increase in toll rates of between 20 to 60 percent along five major highways in the Klang Valley.

Let us examine them together:

1. Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong:

Here at the (LDP) we saw its toll rate rise from RM1 to RM1.60, an increase of 60 percent.2. As for the Kesas Highway, the rate increased from RM1.50 to RM2.20, a 46.7-percent hike.

3. Interestingly again, at the Cheras-Kajang Highway’s Batu 9 toll increased from 70 sen to RM1, while the Cheras-Kajang Batu 11 toll went up to 90 sen from 60 sen - a hike of between 42.9 and 50 percent.

4. The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway’s Gombak toll is now at RM5, an increase of RM1, while the highway’s Bentong toll will increased by 50 sen to RM3.

The increase along this highway are the lowest, between 20 and 25 percent.

5. Not to be out shined the Guthrie Corridor Expressway toll rate went up from RM1 to RM1.40 - a 40-percent increase.

So consumers can begin to prepare for a snowballing of prices of essential goods and services and I pity Malaysian civil servants who will be hard hit again!

And I expect stupid spinmasters and others to play down or even ignore this massive increases that will burden all in the Malaysian environment!

HAPPY 61st BIRTHDAY YOUR HIGHNESS!

 

Beloved HRH the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah celebrated his 61st birthday today and I his humble servant wish him a blessed 61st birthday!

DAULAT TUANKU!

MALAYSIA MUST ADDRESS RACIAL DIVIDE AND POLARISATION IMMEDIATELY!

I am indeed glad to read that dear friend, Dr Syed Ali Tawfik of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) came out strong stating that narrow viewpoints affect unity, confuse the public and bring about the perception that Malays are not fair in his interview with a local newspaper. 

Important to initiate a Race Relations Act to protect therights and interests of all groups says JG!

Dr Syed Ali indeed stated that the action of certain Muslims who make narrow-minded statements or enforce rules that were not taught by religion was disturbing race relations in the country. And like millions others in Malaysia I could not but agree more!

He said issues like not being allowed to wish Selamat Deepavali to Hindus and the ban on bringing in non-halal food to school were causing the Malays to be alienated from non-Muslims. 

He specifically asked:

“What is the problem with a non-Muslim bringing in food that contains pork? The food is specifically for them.” 

“If this attitude persists, later someone will say that Muslims cannot live next to non-Muslims or that Muslims cannot socialise with non-Muslims.”  herightly added!

Dr Syed Ali added that there were so many instances these days of things that were considered haram or halal.

In fact some NGO’s and consumer groups too have got on this strange band wagon trying to be the ‘champions of the Haram and Halal debate!’

But they are silent on issues of corruption, fanaticism, racism, accountability, transparency, good governance and the like!

But like Dr Syed Ali, I am equaly confident that in Malaysia the  majority of Malays are rational in their relations with other races and did not accept ignorant statements as the truth. 

We must always remember what happened to the great Yugoslavia of old the site of the great games and tourist attractions!

But people, especially ignorrant and stupid politicians, tend to forget!

THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO TREAT A KING SAYS JG!

‘time for national reconcialiation says JG’ Reports are plenty that King Gyanendra of Nepal and his son, Crown Prince Paras, have been forced to pay tax - for the first time in the history of the monarchy.Officials at Kathmandu’s international airport say the king and the prince were charged customs duties on imported goods this week. The king, revered as a Hindu god by many followers, had his powers stripped away by the government this year. He was forced to surrender absolute power after weeks of street protests. Previous constitutions have exempted the king from paying tax. But in May, parliament removed the exemption. I am told that the  customs office at the Tribhuvan International Airport charged a total of 130,893 rupees ($1,817 dollars) as duty and tax to release 50 torches and a hunting trophy,” Lok Darshan Regmi, the head of the airport customs department stated. After the payment I am told that palace officials took away the parcel after paying the amount. I feel that the tax payment is the latest in a series of humiliating blows for the king. There are also claims that the Kings extensive lands are to be nationalised. To make things more cloudly - Parliament has also taken on the right to decide who succeeds to the throne if the monarchy survives. For the record - King Gyanendra seized power in a royal coup in 2005, saying that the civilian government was failing to deal with the Maoist insurgency. But the Maoists and a seven-party opposition grouping formed an alliance to end his rule. A constituent assembly is due to be established next year that will decide on whether the monarchy should be abolished! I sincerely pray that there will a national reconcialiation and that all will work towards a lasting peace and in uplifting the quality of life and development in Nepal instead of going into a “political witchhunt!”

BILL ON SAFE DRINKING WATER COMING AFTER 50 YEARS!

 Conservation and preservation of our source of water/environment must be always safeguarded! But are they in Malaysia?

It is quite humourous but then again it is better late than never so the much talked about bill on safe drinking water is being drawn up to protect consumers our Dewan Rakyat was told!

And the man who made the statement was our deputy Health Minister, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad who stated that the Bill would ensure a monitoring system backed by a law to be more effective.

I believe that the agenda or implication from the Bill is that Malaysian consumers would receive water supply whose quality is better guaranteed and it will give the confidence to consumers on the quality of water supplied to them - technically speaking but the reality based on Malaysian examples may be far from betweens!

Actually the issue came up when questions were raised whether the Government was prepared to enact a law on safe drinking water.

Interestingly again we are told that the water quality level adopted now was based on the guidelines set by the Geneva-based World Health Organisation and the water quality standards of several countries but in reality we know that this is rubbish because the quality of the water we get today is muddy, smelly, colored and what ever else and certainly not “value for money!”

Will the Bill take in cognizance and be divided into four main groups — physical, bacteria, chemical (organic and non-organic) including heavy metal and insecticide residues when dealing with water?

Dr Latiff tells us that the present benchmark is that the physical and bacteria levels were checked every week at water treatment plants and every month at water distribution centres, while the chemical levels (non-organic) were taken monthly at water treatment plants and every six months at the distribution areas.

And that currently, control and supervision were done by the water regulatory body in every state under the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, while the Health Ministry only acted as a monitoring agency by carrying out sampling and providing advisory services to the water supplier!

But then why is the water that ends up at the consumers taps mudy, smelly, colored - no one can answer?

Of course statistically, the powers that be can state that they conduct frequent checks every week to ensure the water we drink is clean and that for the year 2005 they carried out 115,000 water samplings.

But Minister, the question of the quality and safety of the water at my tap is still questionable!

AS JG PREDICTED CHAVEZ WINS VENEZUELA RE-ELECTIONS FOR THIRD TERM!

As expected, dear friend and  Venezuela President Hugo Chavez (see pix above) has won a third term in office, securing a clear lead over rival Manuel Rosales. With most of the ballots counted, I am advised that Mr Chavez had taken more than 60% of the vote! Brillant! The president, who has secured the support of the poor by using oil to fund welfare, told crowds his left-wing “Bolivarian revolution” had triumphed. I am certain his third term in office will see more reforms and people orientated projects! Well done President Sir!

ANOTHER RELA CONTROVERSY? BUT WHO REALLY CARES?

 

ANOTHER RELA CONTROVERSY?

We are told that police are investigating claims from five factories that Rela members had detained 64 foreign workers, assaulted others and stole their cash and valuables during raids.
Yes, we were also notified that senior management staff of the five factories in Klang Selangor, Malaysia had alleged that at 1.30am on Saturday, a team of 30 to 40 Rela members turned up to look for illegal foreign workers. Half of the Rela members were not in uniform.
Saturday?
Interestingly, the same day where some of the ‘powers that be’ were in Singapore?
Interestingly, all the company spokesmen condemned the way Rela members conducted their search for illegal workers. 

Now who were these five companies?

We are told that they were:
1. Rhong Khen Industries Sdn Bhd,
2. Golden Components Industries Sdn Bhd,
3. Hsin Foong Manufacturer Sdn Bhd,
4. Latitude Tree Furniture Sdn Bhd and
5. Lam Yam Furniture Sdn Bhd.
All had lodged reports at the Klang police headquarters over the incident.
Representatives for the factories held a press conference at one of the factories yesterday.
Actually we were asked by certain quarters to be there but we abstained as it was in the best interest of justice that managements themselves did the above!

In the incident among the allegations were that a zinc fencing was allegedly torn down by Rela members who then entered their hostel.

They also claimed that hand phones and cash belonging to their workers had gone missing after the raid.

In fact - Rhong Khen Industries Sdn Bhd management staff Lim See Keong is reported to have claimed that 18 of his foreign workers had been detained during the raid. 

It is clear that all five factories are unhappy with the method used to search the premises as all had legal workers! 

The alleged thefts of personal belongings and cash (not new!) also put fear in workers!

Another company, one Golden Components Industries official Khoo Chong Kai is reported to have stated that seven of his Nepalese workers were detained, while a Hsin Foong Manufacturer Sdn Bhd staff said 16 foreign workers from his company were detained.

It is reported that all workers had valid work permits but at 1.30am it was difficult to produce the documents as they were kept in the office. 

If these are true then once again common sense has not prevailed though we preach to have one and it is common knowledge that detaining the workers is not a proper thing to do as it only disrupts operations of all companies/factories!

The companies now claim that their workers had been detained at the Semenyih Detention Camp.

What upset me was that the allegations by the workers of Latitude Tree Furniture Sdn Bhd who claimed that Rela members had beaten them with canes and iron rods, leaving welts on their bodies when they refused to open the doors.

According to a factory supervisor, 23 of his workers were detained while two Bangladeshi workers sustained head injuries and were given outpatient treatment in Klang! 

I am glad that journalist and pressmen were shown plywood doors with gaping holes and knobs missing, which the Rela members had allegedly damaged in their effort to get into the workers’ rooms. 

This is important for independent verification!

I am informed that in the meantime, Klang acting OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof has confirmed that five factories had lodged reports over the matter. 

So what happens now is anyone’s guess but the incident has already made its ‘international rounds’ damaging further what is left in ‘our tattered and smeared image’ pertaining to the handling of foreign workers issues?

One senior member of the ILO called me to inform that he was personally ‘preparing a dossier’ on all these and ‘other allegations’ for discussion in their meetings soon!
Perhaps, the ‘added publicity’ will help our ‘Visit Malaysia 2007 - if you get my drift!

CLINTON IN INDIA TO HELP AIDS EFFORTS!

Bill Clinton with some of India’s child sufferers of HIV/Aids It was heartwarming to see former United States President Bill Clinton in India assisting the Aid’s cause! There he stated that India was now the epicentre of the global HIV/Aids epidemic. He went further to describe that the challenge to control the spread of HIV in India as a “breathtaking” but said there was still time to limit the impact of the virus. Mr Clinton, whose foundation is active in fighting HIV, made his comments in a BBC interview to mark World Aids Day. According to the United Nations estimate - India has the highest number of HIV infections of any nation which is about 5.7 million people! But we must compliment the Malaysian Health Ministry and especially proactive Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (see pix below) for all efforts taken to address this issue in Malaysia!