GOVT’S WINDFALL TAX PROPOSAL GETS MY SUPPORT!

‘Minister Shahrir plans to introduce it and I fully support the move!’  

Look at it as another form of national service!

And therefore, I am all for the government’s plan to impose windfall tax on industries making huge profits! 

Operative words – huge profits! 

But I understand that certain quarters accustomed to ‘bourgeoisie lifestyles and high profits’ are not happy as they claim that it would burden companies in the sector which are already subjected to two different taxes.

I believe they are referring to the cess and supporting the COSS (cooking oil stabilization scheme). 

And another argument is that why tax them now when they are enjoying the windfall when during the ‘hard times of the past’ they did not have any assistance! 

They also refer to the over head cost of diesel, labor and fertilizers which have all gone up. 

What really irritated me was when they asked whether they were not allowed to enjoy abnormal profits? 

Operative word – abnormal! 

But let me sincerely ask the same individuals – is it not justifiable to share some of their present ABNORMAL PROFITS at a time it can be used elsewhere and in needy situations by the government? 

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MALAYSIA – WHERE ARE WE HEADING? (Part 3)

To be charged for rioting or attempted murder is at worst, one’s worst nightmare?  

He (see pix left) is in the center of this controversy! Now lying on a bed with severe injuries!

This must be a joke of the worst kind! Did the press get it right?

But, if true, it is going to be a field day in court and you do not have to be a rocket scientist or to have a PhD in Law to know who is going to look ‘rather stupid’ in the eyes of the nation and the world!

We saw it happen post Hindraf rally when the same chargers were filed - only to be withdrawn!

But some people do not seem to learn, despite adequate precedence in the country! 

This time with more than 82 MPs in parliament it is going to be simply smashing IF the 4 onlookers who in public opinion were caught unaware in the Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) scuffle on May 27 night are either charged for attempted murder or rioting!

Of course, I stated, when asked to comment by several international and local journalist that the 4 can be charged under Section 148 (for riot) and Section 307 (attempted murder) of the Penal Code or any other penal sanctions BUT the chargers will be challenged in a court of law by the defendants with a high powered group of civil liberty lawyers pro bono and the case well attended by hundreds of thousand of residents and members of the public in an atmosphere that will only further ridicule and embarrass the powers that be!

It will be a field day for both local and international press.

The news will be carried around the globe and Malaysia will be mentioned all over! It will be brilliant news coverage but a coverage that we can do without!

It must be understood that the days when people are afraid of such action is over! More so those who know they are after all innocent!

The earlier we all realize this and ‘come to our senses’ and walk the talk in honest dedication and service to our beloved nation – the better!

Instead of winning over the people with love, charity and goodwill, some quarters think the ‘big stick method’ is better!

I sincerely wonder - who really needs ‘psychiatric evaluation’ to put it rather mildly!

It is your call!

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MALAYSIA - WHERE ARE WE HEADING? (Part 2)

BANDAR MAHKOTA CHERAS INCIDENT – AN EMBARRASEMENT TO THE NATION!

I am surprised at the rather high level of incompetence glaring at us in the public sphere!

I am rather disturbed that ‘lessons have not being learnt’ from the national backlash seen March 8^th this year!

I am totally confounded that we have members of law enforcement agencies, civil servants, politicians and even Ministers making statements that are far from the truth and many a time, prior to having hard facts and intelligence collated after pain taking investigations without fear or favor!

The end result always being the ‘official version’ being challenged resulting in further controversies and culminating in anger and disappointment by all peace loving and law abiding Malaysians who cannot tolerate half truths, blatant lies and administrative and political cover ups!

A case in point would be two recent cases that are troubling:
1.      The statements on the tenure and legality of Hindraf Chief P. Waythamoorthy’s passport.
2.      The alleged assault of four individuals, among them a woman by more than 20 FRU at the fracas at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras incident on Tuesday.

What is the official statement and present position in regard the first?

As far as the Bandar Mahkota Cheras incident was concerned who was in charge of the police operations?

What was the scope of their duties that night?

Was there excessive force used? Were paid thugs also participating in this fracas and assault?

If so who financed them?

It is incidents like this that makes peace loving Malaysians to begin to question the neutrality of the law enforcement agencies!

We have seen this on countless occasions, be it when squatters are demolished, places of worship torn down by brutal force, during public interest demonstrations, or grouses between developers and members of the public!

Perhaps, somewhere in the last 27 years of our nation’s history, many people seem to have forgotten the oath they have taken as public servants – operative word PUBLIC and perhaps, the word PUBLIC has been replaced with PRIVATE to mean PRIVATE INTEREST?
How else can you explain rationally the alleged assault on one Chang Jiun Haur (see pix above) who was with his sister and two other men in a car who were allegedly dragged out of their Proton Wira and repeated kicked and beaten by 20 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel armed with shields and batons!

Chang was subsequently hospitalized for injuries to his face and other parts of his body.

This incident coming so soon in a venue of a similar alleged assault on an elected representative!

Put mildly, this is plain hypocrisy and utterly disgraceful for a government that continues to take a high religious, moral and ethical stand!

A continued ‘black mark’ on a nation and at a material time when another national controversy and shame emerging from the ‘infamous Lingam Tapes’ hardly resolved!

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MALAYSIA – WHERE ARE WE HEADING?

MALAYSIA – WHERE ARE WE HEADING? 

In football, we were a force to be reckoned with several decades ago – where are we today? 

We used to beat the likes of South Korea and Japan but while our national team stays on the sidelines and in gracious obscurity both South Korea and Japan have appeared credibly in the World Cup! 

In Hockey we used to a serious threat – among the top four in the world – where are we today? Even China (see pix) has done superbly in comparison to us! 

Again – South Korea, China and Japan have clearly outclassed us! 

Of course – lets us talk about Badminton or should we not? 

From the last count – a relatively unheard South Korea displaced mighty Indonesia and went on to take on Giants China – only to lose to the latter! 

Squash – we are indeed doing well because it is not a team sport and neither our present crop of politicians, politician wane-bees or the bored VVIP desperate housewives were/are behind it! 

But there are again allegations that there are moves among a group of political predators wanting to for reasons that are certainly dishonorable! 

Of course I can go on to talk about bowling and others but the truth is – sports in Malaysia is highly political today more so with millions in sponsorships deals to be harvested and utilized! 

Yesterday – I met a dear friend a football coach par excellence over tea and I spoke highly of several Malaysian coaches who will be going abroad to learning various coaching curves in England! 

But what he told did not take me by surprise. 

Let me quote him directly: 

“Chief what is the use of going overseas when we are not allowed to introduce the new thoughts and waves on return? 

Our pre-historical guardians and politicians of Malaysian soccer do not want change so we are down in the dumps and all they care about is managing the millions in sponsorships and spinning stories!” 

The truth is sport is just not the only arena where there is abuse and a total lack of governance, accountability, transparency and meritocracy! 

Look at the way we manage our GLCs. 

Look at the way corruption rears its ugly head in PLCs and government agencies! 

I overheard this last night from the next table as I was dinning. 

A says to B: “My construction company is in trouble as I have no projects lately.” 

B says to A: “Go renovate my company and give me a bill for RM700, 000.00 - we share the difference!” 

Yes, having maintenance companies in tow is the way many are bleeding financial resources! 

I can cite other examples but will hold for the moment. 

So the sad part this Saturday morning is to acknowledge while corrupt and power greedy past and present politicians fight it creating racial and economic tensions, many a time using slogans that mean absolutely nothing to modern day concretized Malaysians (see pix) from all races but no doubt their political maneuvering creates anxieties, turmoil in the country as they misinterpret and lie blatantly in an obsession to destroy each others political careers! 

This creates a vacuum in visionary planning, vigilance, accountability and good governance to take the nation forward. 

This distraction also facilitates others (since no one is monitoring) to actively rob the nation of its wealth and potential in fast changing and challenging global village!

It is also depressing when unfair business and trade practices are used to covet anothers business ventures.

I remember the case of an unknown, a bag carrier for a Prime Minister (as he was then known among us Kedah folks) who became a multi millionaire - thanks to the way business is done in Malaysian!

I remember how a well known businessman cried out to me decades ago when he was forced out of his life long achievement and business entity when this politically connected individual ’forced him’ out by purchasing his shares for eventual control at RM18.00 per share then!

I advised my friend to walk away and he did at RM18.00 per share!

He is smiling and happy today!

Or where is morality when only four Malaysians are given a monopoly on APs - 50,000 to be exact in a country of 26 million making them instant multi billionaires even if one AP is sold at RM30,000 each!

The irony is even the government will have to then buy an AP from these four if they want to purchase a vehicle and such is the ‘foolishness of this whole process and political decision!’

No wonder we are in the economic state we are!

Today, the share of the first case I cited is worth a mere RM5.10 and that politically connected businessman is dead as is the other, with the APs!

If my dear friend in the first case wants, he can now buy back the shares at RM5.10 and still have a fortune to fall back on!

GOD certainly works in ’strange and different ways’ to ensure justice!    

Then there is the case of – our politicians which includes, Ministers saying the wrong things in Parliament as they are misinformed, being not on the ball, loop and on top of things personally relying heavily on updates prepared by others. 

This makes many look rather amateurish and in worst cases, rather stupid! 

Worst still - most do not have an independent individual intelligentsia to provide confirmation and a second expert opinion as is the case in many foreign countries! 

To move forward – we need to focus on real issues. We need to stop the bickering, the snarling the continued politicking along race and racial lines. We need to initiate change – a change that we all can believe and invest in. 

We need to right past wrongs! 

We SHOULD START FIRST with declassifying all the highway concession agreements! 

What is there to fear?

After all - it is not national security that is at stake but the political positions of those who made the stupid decision to assure a business interest of profits to a group of politically connected politicians and others hiding behind proxies!

Where is the economic sense of this entire project?

As one indicated - certainly this can only happen in ‘bolehland!’

This will give an indication to others how we manage the nation’s finances and whose felt needs are being protected in such schemes! 

If we have any honor left in us - we must initiate a ‘buy back policy’ on our concessionaires and other privitization projects using the EPF so that these public utilities belong to the people of Malaysia and generate funds for all Malaysians not be the ‘golden goose’ and avenue for ‘profiteering’ for the politically connected, proxies, corrupt and despicable individuals who ever they may be at the expense of public interest!    

The nation – MALAYSIA must come first not personal and private interest but then again, who is listening?

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NO TO USING AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR HOUSING - KEDAH TAKES THE LEAD!

‘housing a need but there should be a clear ‘hands off policy’ on agricultural land usage for it as a quick fix!’

I am happy to be advised that the Kedah state government has taken the stand that it will not allow any more agricultural land to be converted into housing areas although demand for housing is increasing in the state.

It is a wise move inrelation to the issues at hand in view food security!

But in the same vein, I am advising Kedah’s Local government and housing committee chairman that there is no necessity to study every application to change the status of agricultural land as the issue of food security cannot be compromised for buildings and for housing needs there as there are certainly other alternatives!

We should look at the bigger picture!

Developers wanting a “quick fix” should stay clear of fertile agricultural land!

And the state has to ensure this in the public interest!

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PETROL BAN TO FOREIGNERS – WELL DONE DOMESTIC TRADE & CONSUMERS AFFAIRS MINISTRY!

PETROL BAN TO FOREIGNERS – WELL DONE DOMESTIC TRADE & CONSUMERS AFFAIRS MINISTRY!

As usual there are always individuals who make statements that test not only the intelligence of other Malaysians, but also raise the question whose interests they are feasting to!

I raised this question more than two decades ago when the controversial subject of Singaporeans buying up Malaysian properties below the price of RM300, 000.00 directly, indirectly and through proxies was debated!

It was a ‘full fletch war’, a “gang-up” in the electronic and print media against me and the issue a heated topic a several in the state EXCO took on this writer!

Of course then – whole hell broke lose and I was attacked from many corners and certainly also from certain consumer associations whose leadership then were a total disgrace and some still are!

We did not know whether they were actually consumer activist or individuals using consumer associations and press releases to plot their entry into politics!

Time will tell!

But such was a fury unleashed against me but thanks to the grassroots support that I had throughout the country and in Johor – I survived!

Even the country’s then Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad was roped into the argument!

So I am again revisiting a rather contentious issue when I ask a simple question as to whose interest are Malaysians serving when they ask the government to reconsider the apparent decision to ban the sale of petrol and diesel to foreign registered cars in border states!

For the record I am referring to about 30,000 Singapore cars daily utilizing Malaysia’s subsidized petrol?

Why is that “hasty?”

It is foolish to state that the decision by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to bar petrol stations from selling diesel and petrol to foreign registered vehicles as “killing the goose which lays the golden eggs”, especially in the Johor context.

Hello – “what goose and what egg?”

In view present global circumstances and the pressures exerted on the Malaysian consumers and the nature of the subsidies provided to Malaysians in this matter – the move by the domestic trade and consumer’s affairs ministry and minister Sharir Abu Samad (see pix) is to be lauded!

We must remember that ultimately the rights and interests of Malaysians need to be protected and what better ways to than to initiate and plug this seepage which has been going on for decades along our border towns of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Singapore!

In fact, I urge the government to now position special petrol pumps with a different price calibration at all our petrol stations in the country so that foreigners can get accustomed to this new reality that there is no subsidy for foreigners in Malaysia!

And if certain politicians and other Malaysians cannot accept this move they are welcome to go live in Singapore! 

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TIME WE REDUCED ITEMS THAT THE GOVT SUBSIDICED!

TIME WE REDUCED ITEMS THAT THE GOVT SUBSIDICED!

It is about time and news that the Government is studying the possibility of shortening the list of subsidized controlled items by focusing on specific items only is a powerful message that needs to be fast tracked in view present changes in global and national economic conditions!
I am glad to hear that Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad has confirmed that the number of controlled items stood at nine after the list was slashed from 11 items.

I am certain that the decision on this was taken to ensure the price control and subsidy is only for specific items.
As a back-up should the prices of these items surge, the effects will be felt particularly by the low-income earners and efforts are being made to cushion this effect!

I think the answer as the minister stated in comprehensive efforts to improve:

1.  The management of the subsidy system
2.  To reevaluate the distribution and delivery of goods to the people in particular reference to the lower income bracket.

The move certainly to ensure low-income earners really received the essential items, like the controlled price and subsidized goods!

As far as the subsidy system is concerned – it is also vital that the government needs to implement a holistic subsidy policy – one that does not result in the kind of high powered abuse that we have seen from the various tiers that had such subsidies allocations!

The chief rascals being the politicians and political warlords! It is time we exposed them in full exposure in the media – so- the ‘raayat’ can see who the real traitors are!

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NEW UK CONSUMER ACT CLOSES IN ON UNETHICAL AND UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES!

‘consumers must be adequately protected!’ 

NEW UK CONSUMER ACT CLOSES IN ON UNETHICAL AND UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES! 

It is interesting to note that a new law aimed at protecting consumers against rogue traders has come into force in the UK. 

Interestingly – the change is going to be where for the first time in UK law there will be a duty on all businesses not to indulge in ‘unfair and unethical trade practices!’

In Malaysia, we did have an attempt several years ago led by a group that has vanished in thin air after very many a spin!

They called it – “self regulation” or so rubbish like that!

But in this UK module, I am advised that the said legislation aims to tackle everything from aggressive sales tactics by rogue builders to bogus closing-down sales!

A wide spectrum, a tall order but that is what this new law is attempting to do! 

And you will find it interesting when told that a wide cross section of people are also going to be drawn into this net and among them - fortune-tellers, astrologers and mediums! In the Malaysian version we can bring in the ‘bomohs!’

For the record, I am advised that some 31 specific practices will now be banned and the law’s wider duty not to trade unfairly is intended to avoid the need for a new law to cover every new scam which is brilliant.

But there is a slight twist in UK law – namely unlike in Ireland, the rules do not extend so far as allowing disgruntled customers to claim compensation when businesses treat them unfairly.

I always felt – punitive sanctions are the way forward – not kid gloves treatment!

So we will have to wait and see how this set of new legislation is enforced and whether it will have a wide ranging effect on companies not to trade unfairly, to avoid misleading statements or omissions, not to conduct aggressive sales practices, such as harassment, coercion and undue influence!

I think it may be useful for us to monitor this new development and see if a similar act can be foreseeable in Malaysia rather soon! 

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HILLARY NOT ONLY DESPERATE BUT BLATANTLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND SICK FOR ASSASSINATION REMARK!

‘ irresponsible & sick statement’ 

HILLARY NOT ONLY DESPERATE BUT BLATANTLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND SICK FOR ASSASSINATION REMARK! 

I had so much respect for her more than a year ago but sadly she has disappointed millions around the world including me by her continued obsession that only she was right to the oval office – only – a Clinton has the right to be President! 

And like what is practiced in many others countries – more so – in Asia – where the children take over from the father – the mandate – as if no one else has the right so is the way Hillary argues her case! 

But in this case – if the Super delegates and other patriarch of the Democratic Party do not move fast enough to put a stop to this nightmare scenario – where Hillary is destroying and daily chipping away at their best chance on more than a decade to put a democrat in the White House I wonder who would! 

In the past the Clintons commented on race and if that was not bad enough this is simply unacceptable! 

That is the view of this Asian! 

So once again - Hillary Clinton has triggered a firestorm after bringing up the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy to justify her decision to prolong her long-shot White House campaign. 

How pathetic and sick! 

And more a day after a top supporter of hers suggested Clinton was getting desperate! 

If this is not enough I wonder what is!

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PULAU BATU PUTEH - ICJ DECISION MUST BE ACCEPTED IN CORDIAL SPIRIT!

ICJ DECISION ON PULAU BATU PUTEH – SHOULD BE ACCEPTED BY ALL PARTIES IN FAVORABLE LIGHT!

In all fairness, I thought the statement itself was ‘quite strange’ when you read that Malaysia and Singapore have agreed not to cause trouble or problems in bilateral relations after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its ruling tomorrow pertaining to the controversial Pulau Batu Puteh!

Since the matter has been handed over to ICJ at The Hague and each party has had its say in the legal proceedings what is there to fear?

But all the same, the fact that  foreign minister Dr Rais Yatim states that if the decision favors Malaysia, Singapore would continue to be friendly and would not raise prejudice and vice versa.

I have no doubt on that!

That virtually all parties - will respect the decision and continue to realize international friendships and neighborliness.

And more so as ‘neighbors’ where we have also friends and families at both end of the causeways that  all parties must accept the verdict in the spirit of cordiality and openness.

But if the ‘decision does not go our way’ - I fear more the ‘political predators and fanatics from Malaysia’ and there are many and in multiple ‘shapes and colors’ all wanting to start demonstrations, and out pour their pent up feelings which have no basis in law and fact but just utter madness and perhaps being petty and out of jealously!

I fear that certain parties, especially the ‘intelligence bankrupt’ vernacular press and their ‘die hard fans’ - those whose ‘brain functions’ are below the belt line may go ‘amok!’ since some want a distraction again, from the ‘Mahathir fiasco!’ 

So I expect certainly ‘some form of demonstrations’ engineered by Malaysia’s political/religious desperadoes though I am certain our security boys are well equipped to control any such untoward behavior!

Otherwise, Malaysia will look pretty foolish in the ‘eyes of the world’ as unable to control ourselves and accepting whatever decision on a matter already deliberated by an independent court!

I am certain that once we have the awaited decision read – the next step would be for a technical committee being set up and instructed to administer the decision according to international administrative principles!

In view of the close proximity of the said land to both countries, I am certain others issues to be looked at would be to determine matters like who takes control of the island and questions on fishery areas.

For the record – the ICJ heard arguments from both Singapore and Malaysia from Nov 6 to 23 last year and tomorrow we will know ‘fact from fiction and political rhetoric’ and who actually has sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, which is 7.7 nautical miles off Johor.
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FAST TRACK CHILDRENS CASES PLEADS JG!

‘Minister Yen Yen’s call valid!

JG SUPPORTS MINISTRY’S PLEA FOR FAST TRACK COURTS CASES FOR CHILDREN!

In 1976 – this matter was deliberated ‘a great deal’ after my pastor, friend and mentor, the late Rev Butwan Manikam shared with me his many concerns on this as he was also an adviser and court volunteer in Butterworth on this matter!

I took it up again in the 80’s and 90’s!

It is like a seasonal plea made but no comprehensive response!

So I cannot but join forces with Women, Family and Community Development Minister,  dear friend, Dr Ng Yen Yen, who like we articulated before wanting  the courts to speed up cases involving children to prevent them being in foster-care centers for too long!

It is not rocket science not to know that having children in various tender ages in ‘half way houses’ or in care centers  would  cause a child’s emotions to deteriorate and lead to loss of self-confidence!

Though some have indicated the cost factor – I do not think that is relevant as I find that a duty of the state to perform!

But I find it hypocritical if we complain on the said costs when there are far greater seepages and wastages in the public delivery system that we should in our self righteousness attend to rather tan ‘picking on this one!’

I am aware of the huge back log of cases but I appeal again today for a high powered select committee to be set up to spearhead fast tracking of the cases!

If necessary we should expand and seek the support of ‘experts’ outside to assist to address this matter!

It is time again that we use the media to highlight the various problems of physical abuse, sexual abuse and social problems of children with hotlines for response!

More so since the ministry has gone on record to state that there has been an increase in child abuse cases to 754 from the statistics of 2007 where only 670 were noted!

But in my analysis, I maintain like in all other cases which includes rape – for every one case that gets reported 10 are not!

Once we take that as a benchmark we cannot but get off our backsides and do something right and fast!

After all, these are children we are talking about! Got my drift?
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DR MAHATHIR FAILS AGAIN TO READ THE POLITICAL MOOD!

DR MAHATHIR FAILS AGAIN TO READ THE POLITICAL MOOD!

If he thought his ‘resignation claim’ will score an avalanche of desertion from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) he was sadly mistaken!

The problem is for far too long many of us, including this writer had given undue ‘over ranking’ to the former premier after he ruled the country with an ‘iron fist’ resulting in many a controversy and the resignation of a deputy, the defeat of another in party elections and the sacking of the third under what was popularly believed to be ‘trumped up chargers!’

And during his tenure we have had a series of controversies unheard and unseen in the nation’s history which made nonsense of the slogan that his administration started with – ‘Besih, Cekap dan Amanah!’

And sadly after retiring instead of playing a role of a statesman he continued a series of outright and public attack against his successor which in my mind was sadly unkind!

When his attacks blatant and serious as it was did not result in unsettling the premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi he continued even on the eve of the last general elections!

When that too failed and the BN was returned to power despite a reduction he reenergized his attacks on all fronts and when all things did not work – and – worst still after the ‘Lingam tape controversy’ findings were made public which clearly named him among others - Mahathir decided to urge mass resignations at a forum and when challenged by a participant to ‘walk the talk’ he was in my mind ‘forced’ to follow through, while calling on others to follow through!

But he miscalculated!

The truth is - UMNO MPs have all now closed ranks behind Malaysia’s premier ignoring calls by former
premier to quit the party.

The irony is - even his son had decided to stay put!

As Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Shahir Abdul Samad stated - nobody was moving out of UMNO!

Incidentally, one senior Minister even criticized Mahathir for out rightly blackmailing the party!

He felt that nobody, no matter how big he is, can use dirty tactics to bring down somebody who is democratically elected the exact argument I stated in my earlier blog!

It is now pertinent that the government make certain that no party’s attempts to create unrest or chaos in view these happenings!

The government has to also deal with any party that attempts to use ‘racial overtones and undertones’ in their deliberations for their political agenda.

The government has a mandate to govern – and – govern she should in the light of both domestic and global challengers!

It is vital that ‘the speeches made’ by Mahathir in Johor and Kedah be studied as it is alleged they contained statements which was seditious and one that could undermined ‘race relations’ in the country!

The nation respects him as a former premier but that is certainly not a ‘cart blanche’ to undermine the political fabric of the country as was done in 1968/9 and again in 1988/9!

 ‘No one is above the law’ not even a former premier if he threatens public order – more so, if national security and inter racial relations are concerned!

We need to concentrate on our economy, spearheading growth and attracting foreign investments while spearheading major reforms that will result in accountability, good governance, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practice, abuse of power, racism and fanaticism!

The challenge is heavy and we need to focus and not be diverted by the ‘illogical frantic grouses, bickering and snarling of an individual who is not relevant to the future political alignment and direction of the nation!’

Let us stay calm and focused and work diligently to address the nation’s needs! 
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STUDIES ARE GOOD BUT THEY MUST RESULT IN ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THOSE ABUSING OUR HIGHWAYS!

STUDIES ARE GOOD BUT THEY MUST RESULT IN ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THOSE ABUSING OUR HIGHWAYS!

I have always felt the result of million ringgit studies, research and other investigation funded by tax payers must be for the public interests!

Not to be bound up in colorful leather covers and to be displayed in libraries, meeting halls or in the X-File Archives of our prestigious national buildings!
So while I welcome the study by the Traffic Safety Department of Plus Expressways Berhad on the cases of accidents on our highways I must reiterate that the findings must be followed through by a comprehensive plan of action to address the problem!
It is no point if studies or investigations are done but there is no moral or ethical response to address the findings resulting in making our highways safe for all consumers!

For that we also need a political will – something that has been absent in this country for a long time!

In its place we have had lip service, political rhetoric and ‘utter bullshit!’

For one – you do not need to spend millions to find out what is already known that heavy vehicles are the main violators of our roads!
Just look at the road carnage and public transport vis a vis -  buses and heavy vehicles!

Despite the promises, despite the reassurances after each bus and heavy vehicle carnage – we have the same rubbish and political rhetoric!

But whatever stated, once again a study has reiterated that negligence on the part of lorry drivers like falling asleep at the wheel, speeding, and losing control have been identified as the major causes of accidents involving heavy vehicles plying the North-South Expressway (NSE).

The study states that 38 per cent of the accidents was due to sleepy drivers, 33.4 percent because of speeding and 14 percent because they lost control of the vehicles with only 13.5 percent of the accidents due to technical problems like brake failure and tyre puncture.

I am not the lest surprised that accidents involving heavy vehicles had also increased to 1,134 cases last year, 11 more than the 1,123 cases in 2006!

So what now – will we see a rapid course of action taken on our roads and highways to address these woes or will it await another road carnage and subsequent report?

You do not have to go far – park yourself with a camera on federal highway and photograph how our public transport (read buses) and heavy vehicles conduct themselves and you will get my drift!
That reminds me – that – I am due for my next ‘teh tarik session’ with dear friend Minister, Noh Omar (see pix left) on this matter! 

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MONDAY NITE TREMOR!

It was a ’strange feeling’ but then initially I thought I was unwell!

I felt it because I think I was on my chair bloging at that material time!

But it is good to receive confirmation that there was indeed tremors felt in several parts of the Klang Valley following an earthquake off North Sumatra at 10.26pm!

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has now confirmed that the earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale did not pose a tsunami threat.

And it was indeed an earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra!

But, we need to be vigilant and hope that our contractors do not manipulate and shortchange building guidelines for obese profits resulting in less steel being used in construction resulting in a disaster like the one we saw in China!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!  

PM ABDULLAH MUST WARN TROUBLE MAKERS – ‘NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!’

 PM Abdullah as Prime Minister of ALL MALAYSIANS must warn past and present leaders not to indulge in any actions that will hurt our beloved nation!  

PM ABDULLAH MUST WARN TROUBLE MAKERS – ‘NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!’

I did not want to comment on Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement that he has quit Umno as in all fairness, it is his right to quit the party he founded twenty years ago after many a controversy!

But I find it unpalatable when I read reports that he is also asking other party members to follow suit.

This is unfortunate!

His comments may have shocked many in the country but his consistent call asking Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to quit was also very ungraceful when the former had been given a mandate by the nation to lead and it is not for Mahathir to pervert!

This is not 1968/9 neither is it 1988/9 as the political landscape has changed drastically!

Those who played ‘political mischief’ then and wanting to recycle the same will fail miserably today because first they do not have locus, second the nation of all nationalities know only too well that this is not the call of the nation but of one man who ran the country with a iron fist and whose administration caused irrevocable damage to all the countries’ institutions as the recent ‘Lingam tape scandal’ showed!

We have to thank Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for facilitating the return of the democratic space and for promising further reforms in the country!

We must allow him time to see through these changes, in all fairness!

This is not the time for rabble rousing, for infighting, for individuals to highjack the nation into chaos for their own political agendas at the price of destruction to the nation!

But I am really disturbed that prior to his statement he had made several statements that can be deduced as racists – his statement that Malays are losing their Malay rights and non-Malays are demanding more is one such foolish statement!

This is certainly not true!

One can easily ask those in UMNO, PKR and PAS!

It is sad that a man that I held so high in my thoughts and respect is practicing ‘utter gutter politics’ and clearly shows that all he is interested in is to run Malaysia as he wants to – not as constitutional democracy dictates!

Even at this late stage in his life – does he want to see Malaysia in chaos?

It is precisely for this reason that I condemn him fully for being irresponsible and creating a situation that can be manipulated by undesirable elements to destroy the nation’s unity and harmony!

And it is precisely for this reason that I call upon PM Abdullah as Prime Minister of ALL MALAYSIANS to warn past and present leaders not to indulge in any actions that will undermine the peace and security of this multi racial nation Malaysia!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!  

A BLESSED WESAK WISH FROM JG!

To all my dear friends and others celebrating this religious day - HAVE A BLESSED WESAK! AND GOD BLESS!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!  

HOLY KORAN AS TARGET PRACTICE - A STUPID, INSENSITIVE AND RECKLESS ACT!

 ’we need to respect all religious beliefs!’

HOLY KORAN AS TARGET PRACTICE - A STUPID, INSENSITIVE AND RECKLESS ACT!

We have had numerous examples the world around reaffirming the need to respect and be sensitive to the religious sensitivities and belief of all religions!

Only an absolute idiot totally devoid of any sense of right, wrong, moral values and human dignity would have done what was done in Iraq!

For that matter in relation to any religion or religious beliefs!

I am referring to the insensitive act by an American soldier when he used the HOLY KORAN - Islam’s holy book — for target practice!

I just cannot fathom why on earth he did so after all he comes from a nation which is a multi racial and religious and certainly taught values and of human dignity at school!

The vast number of Americans are certainly very sensitive and would certainly reject such irresponsible behavior!

But the fact remains, that yet again, an insensitive act has been committed as efforts are initiated to right a wrong and return this region to peace – a hope that seems so far away in view such foolish and reckless acts!

In all fairness, I respect the efforts of the U.S. commander in Baghdad to issue a formal apology on Saturday!
I am advised that one Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond (see pix above) commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, flanked by leaders from Radhwaniya in the western outskirts of Baghdad, apologized for the staff sergeant who was a sniper section leader assigned to the headquarters of the 64th Armored Regiment who did that insensitive act!

Maj Gen Hammond read a letter of apology by the shooter!

It was the first time the incident - which tested the relationship between U.S.-backed Sunni militiamen and the military — was made public since it was discovered May 11.

The commander sought forgiveness in front of tribal leaders and kissed the Holy Koran as a sign of respect and in mitigation!

It was followed by an act of restitution of the presentation of another Holy Koran to the tribal elders!

The tribal leaders in all magnitude accepted the apologies and I pray that the matter is put to rest!

I am certain all of us do not want to see this issue further manipulated for ‘political mileage’ resulting in  massive demonstrations, destruction of property and even the death of other innocents civilians unrelated to this insensitive and reckless act in Iraq!

To err is human and to forgive divine and it is moments like this we need to show the world that we have the capacity to forgive when one sincerely apologizes and seeks forgiveness!
 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!   

ONLY PRODUCTIVITY WILL SAVE MALAYSIA NOT POLITIKING, BICKERING AND SNARLING!

ONLY PRODUCTIVITY WILL SAVE MALAYSIA NOT POLITIKING, BICKERING AND SNARLING!

It is a pity - a real pity that ‘lessons have not been learnt’ by a wide cross section of those who are in positions of power and decision making in Malaysia!

If you thought lessons had been learnt after the March 8^th thumping – no it was not, as the same embarrassed politicians in denial refuse to accept the verdict!

Instead, the strategy seems to finger-pointing, bickering, snarling, verbally abusing, creating discontent, and indulging in all ways to frustrate and fetter the victors of the people’s mandate at each and every corner!

Some are using racist and fanatical tendencies playing up emotions of those who are emotionally and mentally vulnerable!

Or trying to bring down each other from positions of power rather than allowing the party members to do it in an arena of free and fair elections!

You see it in parliament, you see it in the states that were lost and now you see in the self righteous denials of the Election Commission Chief In the ‘blame game!’
‘Tunku was a political icon loved by all!’

It is a pity that we have not had ‘leadership icons’ who would have taken a ‘statesmen kind approach’ in congratulating the victors and apologizing for past failures and initiating a ‘fast track change’ – a change that we can all believe in and win back lost support during the next elections!
‘Malaysia’s second prime minister - Tun Abdul Razak - we miss his clear and consistent analysis!’

It is the times like these that I miss the thoughts and advice of political icons like the late founding fathers - Malaysia’s first and second Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak or the dedicated and caring Tan Chee Khoon! (see pix above left)

After more than 50 years of ‘boasted independence’ we still have not departed from race, religion and communal based politics, where threats and counter threats are issued, where each group manipulates the electorate for a political and personal agenda which does absolutely nothing for the country!

And sadly, in these games we have a biased and racist vernacular media playing up sentiments creating the perfect recipe for disaster!

It is sad when even those who have led the nation once and in whose tenure there were absolutely no short of controversies, scandals, cronyism and nepotism lend the chorus of discontent to the rising bickering.

And whose rights and interest do all these serve?

As I write this blog – there is no shortage or lack of controversies, neither the continued bickering nor snarling looking at this morning’s media reports!

As several diplomat friends with whom I had my ‘morning tea’ post church stated – we have a beautiful country, rich in all kinds of resources but the question was posed whether we were managing them in the highest standards and benchmarks possible?

Or are we going the distasteful and disgraceful path of Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and South Africa during the apartheid?

It is a fact that while we play this ‘diversion games’ in denial, allow ‘political chameleons’ to make policy decisions or make speeches that they personally do not believe in, countries in the region are moving up the development and investment ladder, countries making their nation more productive, competitive and attractive for foreign investments!
These are countries that are adopting a more liberal style of governance, of transparency, good governance, accountability, zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of power, racist and fanatical sentiments in policy!
I am referring to countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, countries that we need take a serious look at!

But no – we rather challenge one another – politically, racially, religiously forgetting the pain, sacrifice of our caring and dedicated founding fathers!
And sadly no one is listening to the ‘cry in the wilderness’ urging ‘all and sundry’ in the Malaysian political sphere to stop, reflect, take stock and initiate a ‘plan of action’ that will steer us as a nation to move towards more progress and economic growth – a growth to be shared by all in unity!

That all of us will say no to disunity, chaos, racism, fanatical tendencies and disharmony that will only destroy all that we have so painfully worked for all these years!

Enough politicking, bickering, snarling, racist and fanatical tendencies – let us move forward!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms! 

HAS MAKING POLICE REPORTS NOW BECOME OUR FAVOURITE HOBBY?

‘with the number of backlog cases running into a million - will police reports made ‘in haste or for reasons political’ cause further a miscarriage of true justice in Malaysia?   

IN MALAYSIA MAKING POLICE REPORTS IS OUR WAY OF LIFE!
If you ask a questions that upsets certain individuals or a dominating political bodies private agenda, they will file a police report against you, if you raise a point of law already deliberated in a high powered case they will file a report against you and ‘other idiots’ will take it upon themselves to throw petrol bombs your office without considering its implication nationally or in the international media!

If that was not bad enough - if you raise issues pertaining to an abuse of power, corruption, nepotism, cronyism they will file police reports against you, if you ask pertinent questions that are troubling in  high powered murder trials they will file police reports against you and if you even fight against irresponsible developers, they file police reports against you!

Basically, in Malaysia police reports have become ‘a way of political life’ and ‘fashionable to many and to their personal political greed and agenda!’

In my humble opinion, it is a total abuse of the system when our police could be better managed to address the unprecedented rise in all forms of heinous crimes in the Malaysian society!
So I find it certainly in ‘poor taste’ when a police report was lodged by the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department against a number of newspapers for publishing the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip before the cabinet decided yesterday to make the report public.

According to reliable sources, a police report was made by a senior officer of the division on the request of the Royal Commission to find out how its inquiry findings could be released earlier as the report was still secret.

But the operative word here is – ‘on the request of the Royal Commission’ so all those who are now bashing the PM’s department need to get their facts straight!

But the reality is – it is reported that Putrajaya district police Chief Supt Abdul Razak Abdul Majid, when contacted, confirmed that the police report was lodged yesterday.

For the record however, a number of newspapers had on May 10 and yesterday published some of the findings of the Royal Commission’s inquiry into the video clip case.

The newspapers had also mentioned former Tourism Minister, Tengku Adnan Mansor and tycoon Vincent Tan as having direct influence on the appointment and promotion of judges, as purportedly implicated in the report.

It was also revealed by the newspapers that the Royal Commission had suggested action be taken against the identified individuals in its inquiry report, under the Official Secrets Act, Sedition Act and Penal Code.

I have stated this before and I am doing this again – our intelligentsia from all the various tiers of the government must take into cognizance that each and every of our actions is being interpreted by the grassroots and in this case and certainly of others!

Why?

It is because on one hand we have had the commission initiated after a great deal of ‘reluctance and verbal exchange’ and the man and women in the street is overjoyed with the decision of the government to firstly set up the commission and secondly the decision to release the findings to the members of the public!

But that is only part of the issue!

The nation also waits if a comprehensive, transparent, free and fair investigations will now commence against those whom the commission recommended under a slew of laws - Sedition Act, Official Secrets Act, Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act and the Legal Profession Act!

We cannot deny that there is ‘widespread skepticism’ that this will be initiated and it is pertinent that PM Abdullah spearheads this drive as part and parcel of his REFORMS FOR MALAYSIA!

And we cannot blame the people for this perception rightly or wrongly, after all in the last 28 years many things have happened in this country of ours that really hurts and embarrasses and in many cases ‘tests our intelligence’ as well!

So against this ‘back drop’ the police report was unnecessary – for – it gives the feeling as usual of ‘heavy handedness’ – where on one hand you give a little and in the next you remove!

A ‘circus in motion’ – and that was the ‘real reason’ we had the verdict of March 8^th this year!

The ‘news’ NOW from the Elections Commission Chief on the ‘ink issue’ is another case in point!

It is certainly ‘embarrasing’ put midly, and it also smears what ever ‘good image’ certain Malaysian institutions/agencies have left!

And this ‘kind of news’ does not help in our claims about initiating REFORMS!

The bad news and reality is – nothing seems to have changed!

We should not think these ‘political adventures’ and ’charade’ is not noted on the ground as it fuels more anger, resentment and discontent!
Let me just cite two recent cases that has got the grassroots all upset namely the charge under the Sedition Act against Malaysia’s leading blogger par excellence, Raja Petra Kamarrudin who in my humble opinion, should face a private civil action IF THERE WERE GROUNDS (?) and taken by those who felt their rights and interests were infringed upon! But that was not what happened!
   

Secondly, the arrest of PKR information chief Tian Chua who is charged with intentionally causing injury to a police personnel on duty under Section 32 of the Penal Code is another case in point!

If Tian Chua is found guilty he can be fined, jailed up to three years or both! He will have to vacate his place in Parliament and the cost is great!

The irony is we have testimony in court that Tian Chua could not have entered the Parliament compound to participate in a planned gathering on Dec 11 last year.

This was done under cross-examination by Chua’s counsel where it was agreed that the accused could not have proceeded to Parliament because the car he was traveling was blocked.

Counsel had also suggested that the accused could not have gone to the Parliament compound because reporters and police personnel had surrounded the car.

He also suggested that police were armed and there were further roadblocks and police personnel near the entrance to Parliament.

In the same cross examination, it was ascertained from the Chief Inspector who gave testimony that Tian Chua was outside the restricted area!

The court then postponed the matter indefinitely after one and a half hours of hearing.

A new date had yet to be fixed.

You do not have to be a rocket scientist let alone a ’space tourist’ to know the ‘implication of that testimony’ and the message it sends to the Malaysian grassroots.

Or whether ‘in the light of the legal discourse’, Tian Chua will now file a multi million ringgit suit against the government?

My sincere advice to you - the next time if you are considering a police report – think carefully, think intelligently and remember not to abuse the system that was put into place for a purpose not to abuse!
 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!  

GOVT DONE WELL TO RELEASE COMMISSION FINDINGS!

THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE LINGAM VIDEO CLIP: 

And this certainly says it all: 

“We are of the view that there was conceivably an insidious movement by VK Lingam with covert assistance of his close friends Vincent Tan and Tengku Adnan Mansor to involve themselves actively in the appointment of judges, in particular the appointment of Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim as Chief Judge of Malaya, and subsequently as the Chief Justice.” 

So in all fairness, I have the right to ask PM Abdullah if he would instruct with immediate effect UMNO Secretary General and Putrajaya MP, one Tengku Adnan Mansor to resign from both positions in the public interest!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!