Hop, Hop, Hop, Hop to The Top?

Aiyoh, so many hoppers nowadays: no, no not grasshoppers, frogs or even kangaroos! I'm talking about political party hoppers...yeah just recently one UMNO State Assemblyman 'hopped' over to PKR but now there's talk of two 'hopping' the other way!

I cannot say for sure what their motives and intentions are but it certainly does not bode well for the people; come on, if you are to busy thinking where to hop to, the last thing on your mind would be the people who put you there in the first place right?

I strongly believe if someone wants to change alleigances, he or she should be honourable enough to resign and leave it to the people to choose either them again, or another to represent them.

Heck, with all these hoppers everywhere I won't be surprised if there's another general election soon!

KT Votes

As I write this now, voters in Kuala Terengganu are going to polling stations to vote for their new MP. It's PAS vs. UMNO, PR vs. BN, change vs. status quo. It's a neck and neck race, too close to call. PAS has got a lot going for them - well-liked candidate, issues galore, the 'change' momentum; BN as usual has to rely on bribery and money politics. 

Wonder how the result will turn out...guess we will find out in about 11 hours.

Update. 11.00 p.m.: PAS wins by 2,631 votes!!

Really?

He says it's not an issue anymore! But...


Definitely something doesn't jive here... It was already wrong the moment it was taken away from the Terengganu people in 2000!

Where's the accountability? Or is there going to be any?

Another Test

Well at least Anwar has decided not to set further dates for his so-called takeover of the Government...in my opinion they should just get down to concentrate on governing the states already in control and wait for 2013. Hopping MPs just does not inspire confidence!

Sad as the death of Kuala Terengganu MP and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail was, the vacancy of his seat would prove another testing ground for Malay grassroot support for the contenders - PKR/PAS (not PR here) and UMNO (not BN!!). What will succeed? Ketuanan Melayu vs. the Malaysian Agenda?

I guess we will know come January 17...for better or for worse...

Change!

Seems to be the theme worldwide for 2008. Congratulations to Mr. Obama - the first Afro-American President of (used to be) most powerful country in the world. Proves that American democracy is still alive, and kicks racists in the b****!

So when is Malaysia's turn?

Pak Lah - Packed and Ready To Go?

Well, the expected has happened - belatedly: Pak Lah is ready to go by March 2009. Of course this is not unexpected; his tenure had its writing on the wall ever since the historic March 8th election 'tsunami'. Good riddance?

Well the change of government did not happen as promised. Now we have the spectre of Muhd Najib taking over...for better or for worse? I think a lot of Chinese have not forgotten nor forgiven for his 'keris' incident as UMNO Youth Leader in 1987 - so obviously there's 20% of votes BN will have to miss the next election! As for me, I'm more concerned on whether he is capable enough to take over the reins of the Government...no doubt he is more alert than Sleepyhead, but how about economically? He is the Finance Minister, no? As it is he has already shown his economic naivety by declaring that Malaysia's relative 'solidity' in the midst of the worldwide economic financial meltdown...wonder what he will say next?

He still has the Altantuya murder case hanging around his neck, despite his Mosque swearings in late August; I don't think he will ever shake off the impression that he is somehow involved in the murder. I believe it too, after all there's no smoke without fire. Apparently there is a rumour that the PI Bala has been paid RM 5 million to 'disappear' by his wife...well only God knows the truth. And to think if he had gained so much from Defence contract commissions when he was Defence Minister, how many fingers would he have in Bank Negara's pot? Scary thought isn't it?

Despite this 'orderly' transition of power in UMNO, there lies more uncertainty ahead for the country. Falling oil prices means lower inflationary pressure but reduced income too. And with palm oil prices falling sharply, two of the main income generators for the country would be sharply blunted. Exports? We can forget about that since the world is about to enter a global recession. Consumer spending? Have you seen the 1998 Asian Financial crisis? Who was spending then? Government pump-priming? Err, where is the money coming from?

But till then Pak Lah is still in power...will he lay silently, or take the last five months to do something he can be remembered by? He can forget about the five things he wants to change on his list...it won't come to fruition, not in his time anyway. But there is one thing he could do! Repeal the ISA of course! Wishful thinking? Maybe...but stranger things have happened in Bolehland!

Quotable Quotes

Like I said, the election rhetoric is coming on fast and furious now. I won't bore you with all the things that is said in the mainstream media, but I just wanna point out some comments I find to be very amusing...

With regards to the collapse of the incomplete Kilim bridge in Langkawi:

Nawawi noted that the 2m-wide bridge did not have physical support at the centre and the investigating team would also check if this contributed to the collapse.

Wonder what physical support he was talking about? Hello, this is an arch bridge!! There is no physical support in the centre. Please read up on your physics and history before you speak!

Moving on, the PM opened his mouth again...

The big turnout at the MCA and Gerakan open houses caught the eye of the Prime Minister.

“I see that there is more celebration this year compared to previous years at the MCA or Gerakan open houses.

“This is a very good sign as it shows the harmonious relationship between Malaysians is getting stronger and closer.

“Regardless of race, people have come together to wish their Chinese friends a happy Chinese New Year, which makes the celebrations even merrier,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Gerakan open house.

This is an easy one. Food prices are going up, price of essential items are going up; people are less inclined to cook or eat outside. An open house means...free food! Can he put one and one together? He actually thinks that people actually go there for anything else apart from the free food (and angpows too - wonder whether how much it is this year?)? Geez...

Oh, here's another...

“Some of you can say that I’m not good, you can say whatever. But don’t say that I don’t work.

“I work very hard. I really mean it and you know it,” he said to applause from those who attended the Chinese Assembly Hall’s Chinese New Year open house yesterday .

Yeah, right... Perhaps he mistook the jeers for cheers?

This one's from the MCA President:

“It is tradition for Malaysians of all races to come together to celebrate Chinese New Year and other festivals.

“We will continue to fight for all Malaysians regardless of race. The Malaysian spirit must be strengthened.

“Barisan Nasional will continue to guarantee fairness and equality for all under the Federal Constitution,” he told reporters at the MCA open house.

I wonder why he didn't open his mouth when the UMNO General Assembly was held on Deepavali...none of his business? So much for coming together and celebrating the festivals, huh? And oh, fairness and equality and even the word Malaysian doesn't seem to jive with the oft used Ketuanan Melayu now don't you think? Hypocrites...

From the Trade and Consumer Minister:

Ten items, including sugar, flour, cooking oil and petrol, will not be allowed to go out of the country to ensure the millions of ringgit the Government spends annually on subsidies is enjoyed by Malaysians, and that supply of these goods remain ample always.

I wonder how he is going to ensure such control. Perhaps he meant illegal smuggling. Otherwise all those Singaporeans busily shopping in Johor Baru for their provisions every weekend are gonna stop coming - that's gonna put a damper on business... One more thing, since when is 2 - 3 million legal and illegal foreigners living in this country Malaysians?

This one's hot off the press!

Malaysia’s per capita income rose by 40% in 2007 compared with 2004, said Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He said the per capita income was now RM22,345 (US$6,452) compared with RM15,819 (US$4,163) previously.

“If we compare in terms of US dollar, the per capita income has risen by 55% due to the depreciation of the dollar against the ringgit.

Wowzers...I must be in the wrong profession. My income has not increased to that extent...has anyone else's? Hmm, maybe it got a boost from the civil service's 15 - 40% pay rise last year, huh?

Yeah, I'm sure there are more...but you get my drift...

Election Rhetorics

You know that it the election is drawing near when the mainstream media starts the ball rolling on the usual election rhetorics, exclusively of course by the ruling party. And I find it quite funny that such news is even more pronounced this time around...we have to thank BERSIH and HINDRAF for that.

I also find it quite amusing that when the PM, DPM and the UMNO kuncus speak to mainstream media, they talk about Malaysians...but to the Malays in the ceramahs, or the UMNO gatherings they talk about Malay rights. Political double speak which disgusts me. Blatant almost, but one they know which will win them votes in the elections...and the right to continue to plunder and rape this country.

Just look at the following news:
Abdullah promises to consider needs of all Malaysians
Yeah, right...
Najib promises orderly relocation of temples
Hello, shouldn't it have been done properly in the first place?
Adnan: Opposition free to hold activities in Putrajaya
ROFL...and who would issue the police permit?
‘Inspired’ Pak Lah can sense Kelantanese want Barisan state government
Let's just hope that they don't lose the seats they already have

Adding to the usual rhetoric is the fanning of racial flame in the wake of the HINDRAF rally. This is a tried-and-tested UMNO tactic, which unfortunately worked each and every time. Perhaps with greater education and dissemination of proper information, the Malays would see through the charade and make a better decision when it comes to the choosing their representatives in the Parliament. After all we do not want bozos (read the three jokers) debating pointless topics and/or making unsavoury comments during parliament time!!

So we wait for the inspired Mr. Sleepyhead (must've been a dream...) for his call on the election...just wonder how long more we have to wait?

Expected-lah!

Resignation! So, what did you expect? His position politically was untenable once the admission was made. He should have announced his resignation yesterday, but chose to cling to the vain hope that he might have held on to his positions. Guess common sense got to him, before he got the boot instead!


Give him credit for one thing though - at least he has the balls to accept responsibility for what he has done, unlike so many other politicians. That everyone can learn from.

Now I'm sure the attention will turn to the individual(s) involved in bringing our disgraced Health Minister to his knees. Well, whether this is an internal set-up, or an external one...we'll wait for the drama to play itself out. No point making conclusions, although the finger points to an inside job.

On another note, this is big news worldwide...this is one instance Malaysia Boleh! doesn't apply!

So soon?

Just barely into the 2008, and we have this: I am the one in the sex DVD, says Chua ! Well whatever that happens behind closed doors is their own business, I guess... Wonder who'd set him up and trying to bring him down? No wonder there was some hint on Screenshots on New Year's eve!

But he doesn't have the right to say anything about marriages and family values now does he? Even after having support from his family - more for the media than anything else...

Let's see how the story unfolds...

Keepsake

I'm putting this here as a keepsake...articles like this should be saved for posterity...

Father-in-law and Son-in-law Berhad

Sweep Away, Kick Away, please!

Finally when someone tries to do something productive for a change, he gets brickbats instead of bouquets! Whatever his underlying intention, Selangor Menteri Besar's broom award is a step in the right direction. Well, maybe it is not in the Malaysian psyche to be publicly 'humiliated' but I believe the individuals involved should look beyond and improve the services rendered instead of making hue and cry in the media!! What more with other parties joining the witch-hunt fray, which includes our sleepy PM for a change...

But after drawing the latest round of flak, he decided to take one step back and two steps forward: to give the boot! Of which I think would be even more effective than the broom!

So congratulations Mr. Toyo...you may not be so toyol after all...but please walk the talk!!! We will all be watching your next move...

Confused

After the successful 10/11 rally last week, UMNO must be falling over themselves trying to limit the damage (why UMNO? because there's hardly a peep out of MCA, MIC or Gerakan!) First the quarter-hearted fiasco by Zam Zam Alakazam...then 101 East interview with SIL and Naz(r)i (who seems not to know anything...), and the latest this denial from the Istana. Well the headlines screamed "No Consent" but there are a few things we need to ask for ourselves:

1. Did we ever ask for any consent for the rally? As far as I know, the rally was to call for electoral reforms, and the memorandum for reforms was to be handed to the Agong; at no point was the Agong's consent asked for. And the only consent I know of was that the Agong 'consented' to receive the memorandum via palace officials!

2. Who is this Comptroller of the Royal Household joker anyways? This is the first time I've heard of him! Again, as far as I know, announcements from the Agong is issued via the Royal Keeper of Seals (something like that la!)...so why the sudden change in protocol?

3. Another break in protocol: the media was called in for a press release instead of the usual release-by-fax...is the peaceful rally so serious as the Comptroller made it out to be? And serious to who: the Agong, the people, or to UMNO?

RPK came out with a twist though, lightning quick: Silap mata

While I think his version is more believable (he is of royal blood after all), we must always take care not to be easily hoodwinked (like most Malaysians!??) and used for some different agenda. It can easily be confusing - on one hand we can totally write off the mainstream media, but while blogs can be useful sources of truthful and up-to-date information, we have to discern!! Not all blogs and writings have the people's interests at heart...

Anyway today is a Saturday - so out with the royal colours everyone!!

Are We Surprised?

Are we surprised at such repeat offenders? It was less than a month ago after his remarks about the disabled in the Parliament caused an uproar, and now we have this! Perhaps we are too lenient with these people...after all, just by apologising they think it gives them the leeway to continue on with their misdeeds. Oh, probably I'm old-school: thinking that apologies are meant to atone for some grave error, never meant to be repeated again.

In Malay, we have a word to describe this indviduals: biadap. In the past such rebuke would be thought-provoking, but I guess nowadays such people are too thick-skinned! And to think there are Malaysians who vote this individuals to be a Member of Parliament...what were they thinking?

Here's the other two amigos:

Mr. close-one-eye: Jasin MP - Datuk Mohd Said Yusof

Monkey King (no offence to the smarter species, OK?):
Kinabatangan MP - Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin

It just sickens me to see their faces: there should be a wall of shame for them!

News of such behaviour should filter down to the people, so that they know how unbecoming their MPs are, and that they should effect a change in the next election! Unless our sleepyhead PM decideds to wake up and do something about them...but don't hold your breath.

Until then, we will continue to see more such shenanigans from these shameless individuals...

10/11

What 4,000 people??

I hope this day would mark a turning point in Malaysia; a day when at least 40,000 Malaysians irrespective of age, race or religion came heeding the call for concrete electoral changes, participating in a peaceful rally in Kuala Lumpur...it was so unfortunate I could not join them as I was away. Nevertheless, my spirit was with them all the way.

As expected the police (aka Government, aka Barisan Nasional, aka UMNO) tried scare tactics to dissuade people from joining the rally...but came they did. On that day, not even water cannons, chemical water or tear gas made any difference; the people made their point. The memorandum was delivered to the Istana Negara as planned. Now the Government has to sit up and listen...

What irks me the most is that the local media hushed the whole event up, with minimal mention of the rally. Is this how journalism has degenerated over the years in this country? Is there no journalists with balls left? So much for press freedom in this country... Thank God for the Internet - now every Malaysian can see for themselves the real news that matters to us!

Let us see for ourselves how the event was carried by the local and foreign media:

The NTV news footage

The Al-Jazeera news footage

And as usual you have those certain individuals who has their foot-in-their-mouth while trying to explain the whole situation (OK, not explaining...more like berating the news channel), and making the country the laughing stock of the international community...

Zam, oh Zam

He did mention that Malaysians are laughing at the reporter for being an actor (maybe what he means is that he is over-dramatizing the whole police action?)...more like Malaysians are laughing at him for his stupidity...

"We are Burma, we are Myanmar?" He also does not know that Myanmar and Burma is the same country now...back to school for Geography lessons?

And hello, the rally is for electoral reforms...everyone knows that it is not about whether elections are held regularly or not...aaaaaaaaaduh!!

Finally, if the police cannot disperse demonstrators in the future, they will compromise and allow the demonstrators to do what they intend to do in the first place!!?? Hell yeah!

Bodoh! Bodoh! Bodoh!

Anyway, here's a link where you can get the pics of the historic day!

P.S.: And I wonder which 10,000 people went for this gathering?

From The News Desk

Hmmph...as if those publicity crazy people have had enough! I just wish these two would go back to what they have been trained to do, and serve the people!! But let me guess: they would probably need not work for quite sometime, with all these publicity stunts...meanwhile their overworked colleagues would have to bear their share of the work while they get all the attention. Then again, who said life was fair?

From around the UMNO General Assembly:

He also revealed that Russia has offered to sell the Soyuz spacecraft, which carried Dr Sheikh Muszaphar to space, to Malaysia.

Dr Jamaludin said he was in the midst of gathering feedback from people on whether the spacecraft should be bought before presenting the proposal to the Cabinet.

He told the MPs to support the proposal and discuss the issue in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I would gather feedback first to see whether the people are for it and whether the price offered is good before making any proposal to the Cabinet,” he said.

Who is he trying to kid? Isn't there enough colossal wastage of money in this country without some lame-brained idea such as this? Feedback of the people? Try doing that with cost of living rocketing (sic!), and the last thing they'd be interested to see is a chunk of metal. That is if they don't throw it at you first!

The foundation would also take care of the welfare of the two Angkasawan who were regarded as national treasures, he said.

National treasures? Ooookayyy...

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein described deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s opening speech as touching on the foundations of the party’s struggle and how Malays could further improve themselves.

“For me, the most important point now is how to interpret the messages into action,” he said of Najib's speech at the opening the Wanita, Youth and Puteri assemblies.

His deputy Khairy Jamaluddin said Najib’s message was not one of Malay-bashing but one that “gives us confidence and to tell us that there is no challenge that we cannot overcome.”

Puteri chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said the focus had to be on the youth as expectations from them was very high in these times.

Hmm, the boot-licking culture is alive and well in UMNO...but only worth it if Najib becomes DPM!!

For the first time, Wanita Umno is presenting gold medals and a RM1,000 award each to non-Malay university students in recognition of their academic excellence.

Well, if it's not an election gimmick, then there should be awards next year right? We'll see...

To update its membership roll and thank its 3.2 million members for their loyalty, Umno has started a mobile community programme that offers discounted call rates and free phones.

I guess bribes are getting cheaper and cheaper...maybe the UMNO warlords are feeling the pinch too?

Rocket Clubs will be set up in schools to instil interest in aerospace and astrophysics, Umno Youth vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin said.

Maybe Rempit clubs will be more appropriate...after all it seems to be their favourite past time... I'd think that SIL would do better creating appropriate activities to first promote Science and Mathematics before going into something as advanced as Aerospace and Astrophysics. Why run before you can walk?

That's this edition for today...stay tuned for the news tomorrow!

More Entertainment?

I just wonder how true this report is: Gone beserk

I mean would an UMNO leader, invited to speak at a fellow coalition members' meeting utter such comments about the member? And then go beserk insulting his fellow UMNO members? And what of the poor victim...keeping quiet while this maniac turns the whole event into a farce? Of course there is very little publicity in the the mainstream media...but I guess this joker is trying to play the 'Malay hero' card with the UMNO General Assembly just a few weeks away.

Well the sleepy PM has decided to investigate the reports...which would probably end up 'tak ada apa-apa - case closed'.

Now we have another twist to the story: another coalition member wants this hapless party expelled!

There's no shortage of entertainment in this country, now is there?

Everyone Can Be A Datuk

Here's an interesting take on this subject: Datuk, Datuk, Datuk

I guess everyone knows that Datukships carries minimal value these days, if any at all. Much has been written about the Datuk-for-sale fiasco a few years back and of course whether Datukships were the prerogative of the conferring Ruler, or as certain quarters suggested, at the behest of the ruling government. I always thought that these titles were conferred to individuals whom have done much for the betterment of society and state - but then again, I always wondered why my ex-boss in Sabah never got any titles despite almost single-handedly improving health delivery for children there! Who am I kidding?

Nowadays unfortunately Datukships can not only be bought, it can be used to pay off, bribe or coerce 'recalcitrant' individuals - well it may be a bit cheaper than paying cold hard cash. It becomes a 'come join the club' membership programme. And the members of this once exclusive club are getting bigger - once it becomes too large, it cheapens the whole. But these people don't give the least of a damn; to the poor and poorly-educated, a Datuk is like God to them - instead of being in a privileged position to help them, the power is more oft than not used to abuse and subvert these people to their own benefit, be it for publicity or in kind. That is the sole reason why it is in such good demand.

Oh, this is again truly Malaysia Boleh!

Shooting from the a@#

Well, that's another loud-mouth Minister talking for you... Sometimes it is very irksome to see prominent figures to shoot off from their a@# of a mouth, such stupid remarks, in an area I am sure she is no expert in! Who does she think she is? A former women's world champion to make such comments? Sheesh...

Of course this was not reported in the mainstream English papers, so people would not give a hoot - after all readers of the Malay papers are mostly of the lemming mentality and follow these people off the cliff if they have to (obviously the leaders would get out of the way at the very last minute to save their skins!)

And this coming in the wake of another shoot-from-the-a@# politician: the wheelchair punishment from God and his humble apology (sic!)

Well I guess we are always entertained in this country...

Funnies...

Don't bother me...you've got your sleep, let me have mine!

That's our Mr Sleepy Head at a visit to the Kepala Batas Hospital, which is the pioneer Traditional and Complementary Medicine' government hospital, services of which would then be expanded to include other hospitals. I am still divided whether this is a positive development, or a step backwards...

And it's a new hospital too! Wonder when it would start leaking and its roof fall down....