THIS SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSIONER IS AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT!

I would have thought diplomats are taught to be highly sensitive and diplomatic but then, this fellow who goes by the name of Dr D D Ranasinghe surprisingly, failed where it mattered most!

He gave new meaning to the meaning of ‘diplomacy’ when he called over 7000 Malaysians of all walks of life who protested last Sunday over the predicament of minority Tamils in Sri Lanka as “jokers”.

You are shocked – don’t be!

For that was what High Commissioner to Malaysia, the arrogant Dr D D Ranasinghe stated when asked to respond to the Malaysian version of the anti-Sri Lanka Rally in Batu Caves, Selangor!

The innocent question prior was whether his government would take the protesters’ concerns into consideration.

He is reported to have remarked with arrogance a plain and simple question!

An elementary question, which even my 12 year old daughter, could answer with tact and diplomacy, if necessary even with a ready ’spin!’

His remark - “It doesn’t matter to us. We won’t take any action. Why should we? They are jokers!”

He forgot that the said rally was a reflection of what peace loving Malaysians always do – “address injustices all around the world be it in Bosnia, Palestine or Rwanda, Somalia or this state terror that was nothing but a well coordinated massacre of political opponents with the precise, detailed logistics and information given by a traitor!

And this was what we Malaysians were addressing – and at a rally organized by the World Tamil Relief and the Coalition of NGOs movements that drew several thousand people.

Perhaps, the High Commissioner was so very excited that finally (?) the Sri Lanka government had declared victory over the armed separatist group called the, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) with the alleged death of its leader V Prabhakaran?

The LTTE has been fighting to establish an independent state in the north of the country.

In the process, thousands have been killed and about 100,000 made homeless, almost all of them being Tamils.

My call is to the United Nations – for – once again they have failed miserably to address this genocide and massacre and the question now lingers whether they will now address the world’s call to bring war crimes chargers against the Sri Lankan government and its leaders!

And I cannot but support the following resolutions called for:

1. The immediate lifting of all restrictions on the international community so that they can assess the catastrophe and offer relief.

2. The establishment of an independent Tamil state, pending which a UN peacekeeping force should be deployed to maintain peace; and

3. The Malaysian government to offer assistance to Sri Lankan Tamils, and to withdraw support for Sri Lanka’s draft resolution before the UN calling on member-nations not to interfere in internal affairs.

But right now, there must be an open apology from this man who represents the government of Sri Lanka in my country – Malaysia!

If he fails to do so – he better get out of my country!

Malaysians does not tolerate such self righteous and insensitive fools masquerading as diplomats!

In the meantime – I call upon the all Malaysian to boycott all goods and services from China and other nations who support this terrorist government of Sri Lanka!

I call upon the EU and the UN to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations of rape and torture that is coming out from the IDP camps that girls are being raped and youths are being taken away by the Sri Lankan army to be tortured and killed.

If this is indeed true – it will mean only one thing and you do not have to be a rocket scientist to state that this is not the end of the struggle of the LTTE but the just beginning of a new front that will eventually emerge to right the continued wrongs done to the Sri Lankan minority Tamils!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

CREDIT CARDS - WILL MALAYSIA FOLLOW THE US?

CREDIT CARDS - WILL THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT DO THE SAME?

I am sure you are aware that the US Congress on Wednesday sent to President Obama a bill that makes it tougher for credit card issuers to raise fees and interest rates.

The move caps a years-long crusade by consumer groups and Democrats to rein in what they say are abusive practices that prey on consumers.

Of course, the approval came despite strong objections by banking industry advocates, who say it could result in tightened credit to Americans.

But all the same the House voted 361-64 in favor!

I am advised by sources in the US that President Obama will sign the bill on Friday!

The implication of this will be felt in February 2010!

Basically, the said bill is moderately tougher on banks and card issuers than are new Federal Reserve rules set to take effect July 2010.

Interestingly, the said legislation makes it harder for people under age 21 to get credit cards. It would also ban rate hikes unless a consumer is more than 60 days late — and then restore the previous rate after six months if minimum payments are made.

The bill marks a major loss for the banking industry.

Financial services representatives have decried the bill, saying it would exacerbate the credit crisis and force banks to drop some risky credit card holders.

For example I cite the American Bankers Association who stated that the legislation would prompt banks to reinstate annual fees and higher interest rates for all card holders, an outcome that would penalize those with good credit who pay their bills on time.

In the US in recent months, credit card companies have been raising fees and interest rates.

From November 2008 to February 2009, rates increased from an average to 13.08% from 12.02%, according to a Federal Reserve Board report.

At the same time, more people are not able to make their credit cards payments and are walking away from debt, according to a Federal Reserve report.

What concerns me more is whether our Bank Negara would initiate something similar or is the ‘home grown lobbyists and other peddlers of the banks untouchables?’

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

KEEPING THEM HONEST SERIES - A TRAGEDY IS IN THE MAKING AND CRONIES IN MALAYSIA WANT TO MAKE A FAST BUCK?

‘accountability and good governance seriously undermined by politically connected cronies, scumbags and predators in these times!'’ - Jacob George

Echoing my early pleas now United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon is urging people to remain vigilant against A (H1N1) flu as the number of cases around the world shot up to almost 10,000!We must remember that pandemics had shown flu outbreaks could start mild and worsen and this is why a concerted effort must be played by all stakeholders! Interestingly, my question why there was no announcement of a total ban on any air travel in the days after this episode was not answered by both the WHO and UN Chiefs! Perhaps, it is all to do with politics but common sense is if a ‘lock down on air travel was announced internationally for a week to 10 days – perhaps, just perhaps we may have contained some of the tragedies! Meanwhile reports indicate that cases had soared by more than 1,000 since Monday with 9,830 infections now in 40 countries, including 79 deaths! Again for reasons only known to the WHO – they have remained indifferent and so far resisted pressure to declare a full-fledged A (H1N1) flu pandemic, despite anxiety about the spread of the virus - especially in Asia and the Americas - is growing. For the record - Japan reported 193 A (H1N1) flu infections on Tuesday and closed more than 4,000 schools, colleges and kindergartens for the rest of the week to slow the spread of the virus! It is now important for the UN and the WHO to both play a meaningful role in working alongside several of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies on the development of a vaccine. I am advised that about 30 vaccine makers from 19 industrialized and developing countries are being invited by the WHO to the discussions! I trust among the issues discussed would be what consumers really want – a focus on the cost of the vaccine and its availability in the most vulnerable poor countries! Basically I am calling for a worldwide partnership with the private sector and real solidarity in the face of this particular outbreak! Players must now work together and virus samples and data need to be shared! Apart from 72 deaths in Mexico, A (H1N1) flu has killed six people in the United States, and one each in Canada and Costa Rica. While this tragedy unfolds another is making its mark in certain countries where ‘fat cats’ - the ones who pretend that they are corporate men - ‘Orang Korporat’ but basically just scumbags, predators and cronies use this tragedy to make financial gains by selling various equipments from thermal scanners to other surveillance gadgets at inflated prices without open and accountable tenders! RM10 Million in one Asian country! And what happened to the old thermal scanners bought again at great expense? Don’t ask - instead ‘heads should roll!” And among them, some heads like that of the health minister, many of whom based on news reports and their conducting of affairs which show ‘how stupid they really are’ when they make statements that are not tenable or plainly ridiculous! Which country? Your guess is as good as mine!

SELANGOR IN MALAYSIA RECORDS ITS FIRST CASE OF SWINE FLU - A (H1N1)

‘JG has volunteered to join the task force!’

BREAKING NEWS!

BY ALL MEANS BE VIGILANT BUT DON’T PANIC!

So as expected, Malaysia was not spared the presence of the notorious swine flu epidemic which had topped the 1,000 mark elsewhere!

My ’sources’ tell me that we have had our first case in Selangor and I have just received confirmation!

I am advised further that the MOH has confirmed Malaysia’s first case of A(H1N1) infection after tests were conducted on a student currently warded at the Sungai Buloh hospital.

The 21-year-old youth was warded on May 14 after suffering fever, sore throat and body aches, after returning home from the United States a day before.

Having said this I am really pleased to know that MOH is being all transparent and accountable in handling this matter leaving nothing to speculation or rumor.

Credit goes to the ‘no nonsense and proactive’ Director General, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Ismail Merican who has gone on record to state that the public has no reason to panic as his department was collaborating with all relevant agencies to ensure that monitoring works were intensified and other proactive measures were taken to protect public health.

As of 8am today, at least 34 countries have reported more than 7,457 cases of swine flu worldwide, with 70 deaths.

According to World Health Organisation, the pandemic alert level is at phase 5 - out of a possible 6 - which means a global outbreak is ‘imminent’.

It is really the time to put into action a high powered select committee to address all issues!

I have told the Ministry of Health (MOH) that I can be roped in if the need arises!

YOUNG REUEL’S FEEDBACKS FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

My son Reuel (16) (pix below)while researching on several topics for school came upon this article and thought it would be helpful to his consumer advocate dad!

I thought so too and herewith load it up in my blog for consumer discussions.

I will appreciate your thoughts and views on this posting afterall - if the claims are true - we need to follow in the interest of our health!

Read on:   

Please do not turn on A/C immediately as soon as you enter the car.

Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the air-conditioning after a couple of minutes.

According to a research done, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emits Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take note of the
Heated plastic Smell in your car).

In addition to causing cancer, it poisons your bones, causes anemia, and reduces white blood cells.

Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer.

It may also cause miscarriage.

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft…

A car parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.

If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level…. & the people inside the car will inevitably inhale an excess amount of the toxins.

It is recommended that you open the windows and door to give time for the interior to air out before you enter.

Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver, and is very difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.

I trust all of us will take note of this interesting read!

And thank you Reuel!