Friday, November 7, 2014

Anwar's Appeal Afterthought Part 1



There Are No Winners

Some of us have thought that Anwar Ibrahim’s final appeal could finish in the space of two days last week, but surprisingly lasted for nearly a week. As of today, 7 November, the trial may finish, provided if the five judges presiding the trial has reached a quick verdict. Otherwise it is likely just as with the Allah-appeal by Herald sometime back, they might reserve judgment, taking consideration of new written submissions and a period of time of careful deliberation before presenting their summary judgment at a later date.

Regardless of whether the verdict goes to either which way whether to dismiss the appeal or to set aside the Court of Appeal’s, there will be at least three definite reactions to the fallout of the trial that is definitely can be figured out by anyone who has been monitoring the news.

A.

The judiciary will definitely get whacked left and right by both opposition and ruling fronts. First, assuming that Anwar’s appeal has been dismissed, PKR and their partners, as core of their loose alliance of Pakatan Rakyat will definitely something in the tones / examples like the judiciary decided to sell out to their masters, still being manipulated by those walking in the corridors of power, and even would cite previous cases where they decided to go against although against what it should be (e.g Perak crisis, Allah Bible crisis, etc..). In this case, the slogan of conspiracy theory that is being shouted before and throughout the trial has will be made a correct hypothesis by them. Barisan will definitely say in the tones of “suckers out there”, “we have nothing to do with them”, etc… will use the opposite excuses at PR as well. On Monday, Tian Chua said that PKR wouldplan to organize a mammoth rally, hoping to recapture the 1998 Reformasi style if the appeal gets dismissed. 



So what if it is the other way round? As Zaid Ibrahim pondered, is UMNO, especially its root level members, going to do the same thing, the mammoth rally, if the conviction gets set aside? By looking at the other side of the veil or the mirror as you can say, we would notice that the responses would be the completely opposite. UMNO, considering how many members would react in emotion in contrast to logic in particular would scream, about that man (A.I), with all sorts of expletives allowed to let go. Next thing, immediately all fingers pointing at the judiciary.

Sure, you can’t please everybody and it is these five judges that will be scrutinized by everybody of whatever individual verdict that they will likely reach in the first three days after the verdict has been delivered. In any case, as to satisfy each and every of their egos including fans of their respective parties, this entity, called the judiciary is in a lose-lose situation.

By the way, don’t be surprised if Shafee Abdullah happens to replace Gani Patail as the next A-G when he retires next year when he wins the case here. This obviously was warned way back a year or two ago and not many seems to notice it. 

B.
I remembered reading a few of international reactions to Anwar’s first trial during secondary school and throughout the years in tertiary education. Many of the reactions are mostly negative in nature. No doubt that the foreign press, some international diplomats and human rights groups are getting ready to roast Malaysia upside down, if that is not enough with their attempt to show themselves being amoderate Muslim-majority country ended up with more criticism vs to the praise that is to be expected.

The common revealing the sudden emotional outburst and the inferiority complex with lack of logic defending from the certain men with suits and ties, even with songkoks from those in the federal government is not a surprising thing and is already expected. If people’s frustrations are turned away by those who are supposed to serve us, just because they do not believe of the reality they were told or shown, what are other forced-to-take alternatives to be considered including telling the outside of what is happening? 

Why not ask Rafizi Ramli and his small group of people who were in Australia recently that got Pak Shahidan jumping up and down? Why not ask or why not ask Pak Shahidan himself? 

After all, aren’t some of those people wanting to get themselves praised that they eventually get complacent as there is nothing written that is critical against themselves in nature vs the more praising and bootlicking? I’m already expecting that these groups of people are going to jump up and down, with their balls dropped if international media like Time Magazine, Huffington Post, BBC or even top international news / magazine portals will start grilling Malaysia like a raw marinated meat on the BBQ pit. They would BBQ until to the point that they would use black markers or tearing out the 3-5 pages of what they find it offensive even though they won’t admit their mischief!

C
One week ago, veteran newsman Kadir Jasin, a known Dr. Mahathir man, has stated that Barisan stands nothing to gain but to suffer more regardless of the outcome. The trial has placed (either by circumstance or deliberate design) Anwar into either he can be a martyr (in the eyes of his supporters) in jail or a saint that was framed of all charges by enemies who have hate to see him off by the crooked means. There are still some who still are angered at Abdullah Badawi for his part of releasing Anwar in 2004 after serving his first prison term.

Trust in the government has dropped a lot while mostly the naïve, the ignorant and the fools are the ones that are remaining. Maybe Dr. Mahathir was right one time previously. There are too many of them with such characteristics in his own organization while the professionals are in opposition parties even though there are some who exhibit those characteristics above.

The gist is that while both sides cheer or mock the other for whatever is happening people seem to forget about the long term and bigger problems such as the high cost of living, especially in light that the government isn’t willing to drop petrol prices in line with the falling price of crude oil. I already had seen ahead that they are not likely to be truthful and insincere of many things, as what a government deputy minister has indirectly inferred to the other day when queried about the falling oil prices.

The question is whether is it worth it to cheer while you neglect your home?

*
There are no definite winners in this trial, not even the judiciary. Each side will try to claim moral victory. Each side will try to say that they are better because something and vice-versa. What is certain is that both of them are cut from the same cloth that weaves them, with both get cut in 1998. No matter how hard each site tries to up ahead their opponent one step at a time, the only definite thing that they do not have to be in this game scenario is if that premise didn’t exist at all.

If I am asked to hazard a guess of what will be the verdict to come, I’d put it at either 4-1 or 3-2 that appeal will be dismissed. No matter how well proven the defense counsel’s arguments are here, at least three judges would are the ones deciding because the man’s a danger, full stop. I’d guess that the CJ himself Ariffin Zakaria and Raus Sharif as the ones definitely to say “No” just as what they did for the Allah Bible appeal and the one that could be dissenting is Ramly Ali, if given what of the overview of judges presiding in this appeal.        

to be continued

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

An Itch That Got Scratched Too Long

The so-called Kajang Move is over and instead of Kak Wan Azizah as MB intended by certain quarters within PKR, it's instead Anwar's protege Azmin Ali who was finally chosen as the MB after His Highness the Sultan has gone through the shortlist of candidates. At first I thought that Iskandar Samad may have a shot on it, but when he's allegedly brought up the health problem issue during the interview process, it might have saved in two-fold further bickering from PAS and the further ramifications from their other two partners PKR and DAP.

I didn't want to say anything about this Kajang mess from the beginning because I didn't stay in Selangor for that long enough to be qualified as "anak jati Selangor", despite working in the Klang Valley for some years to give a proper assessment of Selangor. Many people that I know of are indeed very angry, in summary of their rantings, that they have been taken for a ride out of nothing. Obviously, this is what most people would say if they are not playing the political games that the rats from both sides of the divide would do.

Today's current generation of rulers are no pushovers, as what is shown now, unlike their predecessors, while the old guard still remaining (Pahang and Kedah). They are mostly much more educated, and clearly understood that they will have to adjust themselves as we are now in the 21st century and they are things that may fit decades ago but not at the present time. The only time that one ruler who showed that he was a no pushover was during the Perak MB imbroglio in the mid-1970s when he famously declared that he would not shave until Ghazali Jawi vacated his post as agreed upon initially (it was his second stint as MB).

Note that I'm confident enough that these rulers are able to handle themselves that it is not required for those screaming men from NGOs to jump and make a lot of ruckus to portray themselves as sacrificial lambs for the rulers.

Ideally, to be more sure, I would have thought His Highness could have call all the 30 assemblymen who allegedly say they support Azizah and ask them one-by-one. There will be a few who would say that they signed the SD (statutory declarations) just to go along with the idea compared to their actual answer of saying "why do I need to sign that piece of paper?" Aha! He would certainly know that not all in the 30 has the confidence of Kak Wan. Fortunately for this round, His Highness played his cards well, to make sure that things are in according to his terms.

The only thing I was amused in this episode was about was how PKR and DAP gave one name to the palace instead of the explicitly stated "more than two names", meaning three or more. This is one thing that even schoolchildren who learn Bahasa and English can even understand, whereas both parties can't even understand a simple sentence of Bahasa Malaysia. My god, they can even understand Malay grammar? Keeping an open mind, it can be seen that DAP, had to play along with the ringleaders that is Anwar and Rafizi, considering that there are some, like in the respective parties didn't agree with the idea in their own heart.

As to go back to the very beginning why this Kajang Move happened in this place, base on my information set, it is possible to have it summarized in three possible reasons:

1. U.G - This problem happened way back since 2008 after GE-12 where UMNO wanted to band together with PAS to form the state government. There are some who wanted the idea while many didn't agree to the idea. According to some sources, the trigger point occurred when Anwar received intel that there are some PAS assemblymen who have been tempted to at least jump ship and band together with UMNO - a certain former PAS assemblymen as the moderator.

2. Khalid Ibrahim refused to play ball with Anwar despite the former was told from the beginning that he'd be put on the seat as a warm-up before he moves in. Khalid didn't have much of the politicking maneuverability unlike Anwar who uses the ends to justify the means.

3. Considering a mass reserve of RM 3 billion in the state coffers, you would definitely want to use it again to jump start his mini projects again in mind (you can name a few).

This takes into account that the bible confiscation and the Kidex thing didn't happen right from the beginning where they took over the state - but only at the beginning of 2014.

Anwar and Rafizi thought this time can go through without much of a hitch but this same problem they encountered was identical to the #KL112 incident where PKR did not anticipate the possibility of the other scenario that he would be acquitted (that was before the overturning of the appeal later). Anyone who clearly understands Murphy's law would mean that not all what was planned can work properly and it can go awry as this.

Anwar is not Dr. Mahathir. He doesn't have the sufficient means and tools to bulldoze through like he, Ghafar and Dr. Mahathir did during the two constitutional crisis 20-30 years ago. The ball game is not the same as it was then. As expected by other analysts, Rafizi says that Kajang move was a success, but not really at the threshold that these two men would expect. If you are one who is not from a state that has a Malay ruler, there will be a handicap of not able to understand how the rulers operate.

PAS too has a share of fault to be responsible. They come up straight that they do not want Khalid to continue before the 13th GE, but his performance in his duties was something that they could not shake it away lest people will ask why throwing someone who has done a very good job in the space of 5 years? Also according to a few friends, another bone of contention by PAS is that they keep harping the argument that because while Wan Azizah is a female, there is a "muhrim" factor, meaning that she can only go up to a certain time a day unlike their male counterparts who can sit longer and talk through with their colleagues on. It is this factor that they have an issue on while PKR and DAP do not have.  

There is saying that if you scratch too much, you injure yourself. In this case, it was an itch that got scratched for too long hoping it will go away but in the end, it was someone else that takes the next turn of the silver platter. Now that Azmin has the silver platter, there is a fallout that has to be handled, but how long will the fallout be? A few friends have even said that from the get go when Azmin starts day 1 in the office, they would be keen to get his answer about PJ Sentral or the 9 million thing that it is  hoped that he'd better start answering.

In the end, what was Rafizi and Anwar actually thinking about? Certainly when they planned the move, they have taken into account of what will happen if they decided to leave it as is. It is an open question that there can invite many answers and theories to that.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Recollections of New Hollywood Canning Garden



On 10 September 2014, The Rakyat Post published an interesting article on the subject of New Hollywood coffee shop located at a corner along Jalan Lee Kwee Foh in Canning Garden. The coffee shop is reputedly to be one of the rare Chinese-eating places in Ipoh where there’s a lot of patronization by Malays. It was born out of an experiment and request from Malay college students who enjoyed eating but asked if they can serve something else besides pork.

Anyone who grew up in Ipoh in from the 70s would definitely know of this place and well, can be said love the variety of delicacies offered, even if it is halal.

It is interesting to note that according to history, the late Sultan Idris Iskandar, one day in 1978 decided to have a meal there following a morning walk and became a frequent customer, subsequently members of the royal family too patronized this area there. : (see Excerpt)


In 1978, the late Sultan Idris Iskandar Shah II patronised the coffee shop after one of his frequent walks in the area and became a regular customer, said Chan.

“Later on, other members of the royal families and former Perak Menteri Besar Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib also became regular patrons.

“Their patronage gave the public strong confidence and, in turn, trust that the food served is indeed pork-free,” he said.


Of course with modern technology, comes social media and it helps to expand the word of mouth which makes this place a popular eating place in Ipoh. 

However, there is an interesting story on my family's side on that place.

My late grandparents were close to His Highness on a strict private capacity, having known him and a select few of his siblings since the 1950s until his death. Unfortunately, my gran was only Chinese-literate, could not speak the proper Malay language, but the market-style language. Understandably, His Highness, aware of her shortfalls and just to get along with the common people rather of making it hard for people to approach him was acceptable and open to speaking with the normal Malay style language with her as long as both understood what the other is saying.

Asides from the infamous beef noodles, the place there also serves fried koay teow, wantan noodles with chicken, lobak, rojak, chee cheong fun, while prawn mee is served in the aftenoons. On Sundays, there will be a mobile stall selling fish ball hor hee. We were also quite well acquainted with a few of the hawkers including the current coffee shop owners (the Chans).

Behind the shop is the Canning Garden wet market

The infamous beef brisket noodles, served with soup and dry.

The lobak from Mr. Khoo, my classmate's dad.

The uncle who served the beef noodles retired about two years ago. Before he and his wife moved to the coffee shop, he used to sell those noodles at a hawker stall in front of Maybank (in front of Jalan Lau Pak Khuan roundabout – the stalls were demolished down in the late 80s). He knew my gran and Annie, the 4th wife of His Highness since that time and both women would enjoy having his food.

In fact, yes, there were a few occasions within those final six years up to 1984 where both of them would join Annie and occasionally His Highness (they remained good friends for the rest of their lives) for food. Even her children would also at times tag along with her.  However, I could not recall exactly if the four of them were at that place on that fateful occasion in 1978.

This was one of our favorite breakfast places that my grandparents would visit to for the rest of their lives. On college breaks, I would go with them on one of the mornings every week, considering that it is one of the nearest coffee shops near home.

Disclaimer: pics are based on Google searches, with thanks to original pixmen.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Uber's Ruffling of Feathers

Uber arrived in Malaysia not that long ago at the end of last year and has gained popularity in the space of a few short months. It's popularity has rattled the balls of many Klang Valley taxi associations and drivers by cutting through the competition by offering much more better services than these associations. It has delighted many users in particular because of the opportunity for them to choose the car of choosing, better fare, booking and pay by mobile technology and most important of all, a complete guarantee that there will be at least one vehicle that will come to the pick up point where you will be.

Some of us have recalled that Kuala Lumpur was ranked by TripAdvisor the third in the world with the worst-taxi drivers based on observations by tourists who visit the city there. Aside from them, even locals are not even spared from the problems that ranges from:

a) Price haggling, with the cab driver would throw a huge figure to reach one place, more for tourists, especially in towns and other cities outside Klang Valley that don't use meters. From my understanding, how they count is based on the estimate distance and mentally calculated with either the rate (not sure is the latest or the one five years back) + small margin of profit. In the end, you, as the customer still overpay.

b) Some of the taxis can smell smoky (if the cab driver is a smoker) and sometimes cabs that you go in, especially the older ones are quite dirty at times.

c) Picky drivers - the bane of passengers. Some will say, I don't know where it is, or outright, no I am not going there, etc. 

d) Even there are crime-cases involved taxi drivers, especially rape and rob cases where passengers were taken for a ride and then either raped (especially females) or robbed.

Despite these issues being highlighted to the tourism industry and to the worldwide travel media, well, many of those there still couldn't take it well and may have screamed "you are bias at us" or other sorts of expletives. Then again, how the usual taxi driver attitudes act to their potential passengers was what caused the negative perception and ranking there, even if they spot a proper uniform or a proper taxi car. 

Before Uber reached our shores late last year, MyTeksi was one of the taxi apps that will allow you to book from the place you are to the place to go. It was no doubt the best avenue to go as it adheres to the meter system, during my one week of work without a car. In December 2013, I had to leave my car at a workshop for about 5-8 days for a repaint job. Knowing of how usual taxi drivers would respond when you flag them from the shoulder of the road, I decided to use that app to have a taxi sending me to my client's office or to my home or other places for that weekend itself.

It's about 80% useful. The only issue with them is that sometimes there are no responses from any potential cab drivers who are within the vicinity of the place. At one time, after work it took me about 8-10 attempts before a response was made. On one occasion, a potential taxi driver aborted the agreement when he admitted that he was unable to turn into the road leading to my office due to a bumper-to-bumper crawl in front of G Tower.

I had two friends who loved Uber so much. One even told me that by getting pick the car he wants to ride on, he gets to show off to other of his friends that he can come to some nice social event (e.g clubbing, event hosted at a hotel) in a very nice big car like a celebrity.

Another one felt that Uber was better because it will come to pick him at his working place no matter how bad is the traffic heading there, as he has to shuttle back and forth to a few branches he has to supervise when necessary like in Bangsar, TTDI, and Bukit Damansara.

Looking at the rate of Uber X and Uber Black, the cost of 0.55 per kilometer, with a base fare of RM 1.50 definitely makes people think that taking this service saves the cost by a certain margin. The diagram here (by SoyaCincau.com) shows the comparison:



The launch of Uber X has got a lot of people excited and in admission, because of it's cheaper rate, resulted in overwhelming response, Uber told its drivers in the Black-car-class category to pick up X-class customers, something that a few parties are a bit dismayed off. Note that Miami is one of the cities in the States that does not allow Uber.

According to some driver forums, UberX trips tend to be shorter and thus the per-ride fairs are lower. Further, the rates, minimum fares, and Uber commissions are different for each of these tiers. Even if the result is more trips per hour, and thus more total income, this change looks to many like a bait and switch that forces drivers to do significantly more work for the same (or marginally more) pay. 

There’s also the problem that UberX and Uber XL attract a different customer demographic than do Uber Black and Uber SUV. So for a some who chose to drive for Uber expecting a high-end experience, this new program often means something far different. However, Uber's requirement with these drivers is that the passenger acceptance rate has to be at least 80 percent or more, with the highest performers rate is at 97 percent at most.

Ah, the threshold acceptance rate could something that was missing from either SPAD or the taxi companies. In Ireland, the transport regulator had no objections to its use as long it sticks to their rule of thumb, which is that their rates cannot be more than what is permitted there. SPAD has a legit reason to be concerned with because of the past episode of "taxi sapu". In the years prior to the launch of MyTeksi, this case has been prominently spotted not just in KL but in Georgetown as well. More than ten years ago, these cabs ply their trade around Komtar, asking for passengers but without spotting taxi paint and meter that a passenger might not be aware of. Such memory like that is what regulars of taxi may be worried about.

It is also taken into account that some taxi drivers had to do it considering that they do not, at this point of time have the ability to own individual licenses to operate their own taxis. Bear in mind that they out of the total fares collected per day, a large portion has to be paid off for the daily rental of vehicles from their cab cartels. Some will have to go along with the cartel lines despite disagreeing to that on the individual capacity lest deemed insubordination by their organization. 

Uber is no doubt a double-edge sword in Malaysia. Uber should continue to have more sessions of talking and shouting with SPAD. SPAD to my opinion is more of the moderator, but the real party that Uber has to faced here is the taxi cartels.

But to scream that Uber cuts away a slice of a pie shows two things in a nutshell:

a) Our taxi cartel and service is not confident of giving a solid competition with a new kid on the block
b) There isn't any willingness to provide another option of the taxi transportation especially during desperate times.

You may want to picture yourself in the worst-case scenario when there is no taxi or bus coming in the area due to extraordinary circumstances while your mouth foams about Uber.

See also SPAD's press release statement on Uber here (29 August 2014)

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Merdeka Day Ponderings

So today is Merdeka. We're already 57 years old, or more precisely, Malaya is 57 years old, while Sabah is 51 years old. There are only two people in my life as I know of who is at the same age as of Malaya and Sabah. The Malaysian formation is only 51 by come 16 September. I don't need to repeat again about the history as every young Malaysian would have learnt a big chunk of this in secondary school whether you like it or not.

We may be 57. We already have been freed from the colonialism that was the English, Dutch and the Portugese, in cumulative, but is it completely?

Not really. We're not totally freed largely on  the aspect of of our mind. How we act and how we rule is still following what happened almost 60 to 70 years ago. The idea of independent thought, unconventional ideas and acts that are to break the existing mold, boundaries and rules are still considered alien to many Malaysians, especially those in the older generation. Having a different set of thoughts can at the extreme be considered as crime by some. Just because of that, some are thrown into the prison cells while we seem to be neglecting the bigger evil, of those who cheat,  rob and murder still runs wild. And to summarize a point to ponder from today's The Malaysian Insider editorial, even if Malaysia is viewed as a shiny apple in the postcards and images that we see, it is not what it seems to be, especially if you are observing how things are happening inside and at the surface astutely.

We still are thinking a few steps behind of the people from nations have moved a lot of their society obstacles aside. We still can't even win a single Olympic gold medal and even fell behind to our poorer neighbours in certain aspects. And some are worried that the society is starting to move backwards in social apperances and thinking towards prior the 16th century or earlier. Will this be prolonged until we reach 2057, when Malaya is officially 100 years freed from the English?
 
On that question, it is possible that it could happen as the result of the sins of the older generation and the present generation's ignorance. While we keep ignoring the signs and the cower in the threat of being hauled for saying something that is breaking the convention, the warning is that we could only live to see it regretting whenever an apocalyptic event occurs. The horsemen of Apocalypse do not know anyone by its religion or skin. It will claim whoever is on their path, regardless of a person claiming to be holier than thou. So, are you going to realize it only at the twilight of your life when you have the chance to do it right when you have able limbs to move around? I don't really like such outcome in the end, because gleefully, it can be used as ammunition for myself to rub more wounds on those who would start lamenting when that time comes.

Will you be willing take the risk to yourself if you choose to leave it as it is, even it will cost you in one way or another?   

The idea of Merdeka is not just about waving flags, heading to Merdeka Square to celebrate, seeing those propaganda videos played in cinemas and on TV. It also means independence of the soul meaning you are who you are and only you decide what you want to end up. A person should be given the chance to decide for themselves of what they wish to do and they only need to be reminded that they are responsible for their actions and be ready for their consequences. It's sad to see there are certain Malaysian friends, despite being Malaysians who are not given the chance to really think and decide, whereas are compelled to accept blindly what others authorities say and not allowed to question for themselves. That is not the proper freedom within the framework system that one is entitled for. There's no such thing as this applies to certain groups while the other group cannot have the same thing as others. To be consistent, it's all or nothing.

Let's put another example. Say there is a law introduced where it is considered bad on moral grounds, bad because it goes against the Money 101 principles, are you going to keep quiet and meekly accept it or do you start to come out and prove that they are actually wrong or something? No wonder, the famed man, the Pendita Zaaba, as well as the book Mental Revolution (Revolusi Mental) has posed a problem that was on Malays previously, but Malaysians now that we are poor in the soul and who does not have the spirit of adventure as certain Malaysians do.

Our administrators have yet to have some of the solutions matched to the current time. The solutions we had are still archaic in time and nature. Britain may no longer be our colonial master but the rules in the past have been put into their archives acknowledging that time has catched up with the old terrors like Sedition Act, the Eady Levy, etc.. Come to think in the next two decades or so, are we going to be a subject of chastising of other countries, even from our financially poorer neighbors who say that we still use obsolete things to make ourselves omnipotent but foolish?

Let's finally go back to the Merdeka history. We seem to be seeing only figures from Tunku to Najib all the time whenever we drive around the streets of KL. But what about other figures who have also contributed indirectly to Merdeka, the left-wing figures like Ibrahim Yaacob, Ahmad Boestaman and etc..? What about the anti-British freedom fighters who fought at the cost of their livelihood of the likes of Tok Janggut, Dato Bahaman or even Dol Said? Aren't their figures supposed to show up to show our appreciation for their contribution? Have we forgotten them already?

A year or two ago, people have raised the issue of our flag resembling the American flag and the tune of our national anthem resembling the Memula Moon song. They brought it up on the historical perspective and even showed the alternative flag the Sang Saka flag. Instead of getting to know the other side of our national history, other people jumped up and down like mad dogs, screaming all sorts of nonsense. Couldn't these people digest such possibility and acknowledge that these resemblances are perceived by some that we are copycats instead? And again as to repeat the earlier question, are you going to only notice / realize it when your life's at the end?

That's also some food to ponder and Selamat Hari Merdeka folks.

Monday, June 23, 2014

A Realist Implications of The Allah Appeal

The Federal Court today affirmed at a narrow 4-3 verdict of  the Court of Appeal's judgement that the "Allah" word is exclusive to Muslims of Malaya, (note that I use Malaya deliberately) because the issue has stem up from the Muslims in Malaya whereas this ruckus has never and did not occur in Sabah or Sarawak. People who either originated from either of the two first-class states or whom have worked in these two states for a certain period of time would observe that there has never been the case like in the peninsular.

It's preferred to put a realist point of view on this matter, considering that I am despised the subject of theology and religion (it was never my forte) and avoiding the common clash of comparisons between Islam and other races that others would have highlighted; and finally to look at the bigger picture of how the issue could impact on the national and worldview manner.

The affirmation of the Appeal Court's ruling and the sign of reluctance by the four judges in today's session can give several implications with some as the following (see also LoyarBurok's opinion, dated 28 January 2014):

a) On the technical aspect of the ruling, it can be a very dangerous precedent because on the execution stage of a SOP (similar to how execution of the hudud law) a Muslim religious body can simply enter and raid a place of worship of other faiths based on an alleged complaint irregardless of time or sometimes without a raid warrant. Hence, the 10-point solution that was agreed upon prior to the Sarawak 2011 state-elections is possible to be swat aside by people and authorities who feel emboldened by today's outcome. 

b) The support of argument by the COA that it confuses Muslims and can pose a security threat to them may give inference and portrayal to non-Muslims, observers and analysts that the Malays are, as depicted in the 1970's book Revolusi Mental, that they are "more often led by sentiment", that is easily prone to emotional vulnerability and mental astray. As one cynical observer said in exact words about his own race, "The court just ruled that Melayu-Islam is the stupidest bangsa yang senang ditipu."  It's not something supposed to be celebrated contrary to the reactions of the Muslim NGO-s parading outside the courthouse in Putrajaya.

c) Socially speaking, this means continuation of accepting oppression that fate is more powerful than changing oneselves, although this issue was among the issues highlighted by the prominent thinker, the late Za'aba (Pendita Za'aba) - including the poverty of soul. Another person also highlighted that the ruling also means of not giving about making Bahasa Malaysia as a language of knowledge.
"Jika kamu tidak tutup mulut kamu daripada terus memperkotak-katikkan Islam, kita akan tutup mulut kamu dan jika kamu mengkhianati Sultan, kita akan pancung kepala kamu.
"Biarkan kamu mati daripada terus menjadi parasit," katanya semasa berucap dalam perhimpunan di depan perkarangan Istana Kayangan di Shah Alam, hari ini.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/perkasa-mahu-pancung-kepala-pengkhianat-sultan-selangor#sthash.of0yz863.dpuf
"Jika kamu tidak tutup mulut kamu daripada terus memperkotak-katikkan Islam, kita akan tutup mulut kamu dan jika kamu mengkhianati Sultan, kita akan pancung kepala kamu.
"Biarkan kamu mati daripada terus menjadi parasit," katanya semasa berucap dalam perhimpunan di depan perkarangan Istana Kayangan di Shah Alam, hari ini.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/perkasa-mahu-pancung-kepala-pengkhianat-sultan-selangor#sthash.of0yz863.dpuf
"Jika kamu tidak tutup mulut kamu daripada terus memperkotak-katikkan Islam, kita akan tutup mulut kamu dan jika kamu mengkhianati Sultan, kita akan pancung kepala kamu.
"Biarkan kamu mati daripada terus menjadi parasit," katanya semasa berucap dalam perhimpunan di depan perkarangan Istana Kayangan di Shah Alam, hari ini.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/perkasa-mahu-pancung-kepala-pengkhianat-sultan-selangor#sthash.of0yz863.dpuf

d) The original ban order was from the previous minister Syed Hamid Albar. With today's incident considered, a hint has already been provided that whoever says that the ban applies only to the Herald or Sabah / Sarawak, he / she is accidentally or deliberately insincere and lying.

e) The long standing issue of dominating and selfish Muslim attitude of imposing their values on others will remain there until events that break the mold and convention (ref: highlighted by Raja Petra during Anwar Ibrahim's visit to UK in 2010) . No sooner after the decision today, Perkasa and Isma have been making selfish, imposing tone statements. For instance, Perkasa's Ruslan Kassim said as if it was in the 16th century, "Jika kamu tidak tutup mulut daripada terus merperkotak-katikan Islam, kami akan tutup mulut kamu dan jika kamu mengkhianati Sultan kami akan pancung kepala kamu! Biarkan kamu mati dari terus jadi parasit." (If you don't shut your mouth from ridiculing Islam we will shut your mouth and if you betray the sultan we will behead you! Better to die than becoming a parasite!")

There still remains a standoff as JAIS (Selangor's Islamic Department) has still yet to return the seized bibles and this outcome can make them said, "no way Jose". It's like a kid stealing another kid's toy, and never returning it back although the kid who steals it is clearly in the wrong.

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I grew up watching apocalyptic and war movies. If there's one common theme from watching those movies, the four horsemen of Apocalypse (Death, Famine, Pestilence and War) knows no bounds, whether if you have sangreal blood or not. Thus, those who claim "Ketuanan Melayu" or those who scream of blood transfusion being contaminated by the tainted Cadbury chocolates  and etc.. will need to have their heads checked and rethink again because the apocalypse knows no one special.

Ring-fencing oneself to avoid this issue will not last indefinitely until to a point where one will be thrust into making a choice to determine the life and death of a person and the country. Currently the situation right is deliberately done to make middle Malaysia to "abandon all hope" of fighting to right the wrongs and instead from comments by some people, to get people to roll over and die, submit and let them do as they please.

We seem to forget the proverb "menang tersorak kampung tergadai" - it seems to well etched in some of us that while they scream the country is having other, but bigger problems than this. By the time Malaysia gets disfigured and unrecognizable, it is too late to save, that I often mused, "sampai kiamat tak mahu sedar." If I have the last laugh when that happens, the one who starts to ramble and say all sorts of nonsense about this is deserved to get mobbed or slapped first. After all, I would say, didn't I warn you and yet you didn't listen?

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Chest-Thumping Village Heroes After Skulking In Shadows



I've already expected that as soon as Obama departed Kuala Lumpur for Manilla early in the morning, the chest-thumping heroes that I've mentioned about in my previous post (read here) have started to talk in things that can make certain people puke like a billy goat. These people made comments based on Obama's statement from yesterday's town hall meet at UM stating that Malaysia cannot succeed unless given equal opportunity.

No sooner after the President's departure, the first chest-thumping style statement comes from the Home Minister himself who refuted the president's statement and immediately said in his own way of almighty style saying that Putrajaya has been fair to everyone including non-Muslims. However, this was contradictory to what NGOs, The Bar Council and SUHAKAM have told in a one-hour closed door session with Obama at Ritz-Carlton KL. Anyone who have heard and read the myths of the lazy native would surely can figure that Zahid's statement falls under the myth of "lazy natives lack of courage to fight for truth and be truthful for themselves"


Zul Noordin should have been putting up this statement earlier rather than throwing a stone but hiding his hand as what he had shown when issuing his press statement following Obama's visit. Read here

The religious NGO ISMA is no doubt the worst offender of the lot noted claiming that Obama is handicapped thinking. However, it is imperative that one should not underestimate that the expatriates working in KL can also serve as eyes and ears for the higher global organizations, as an expatriate friend of mine have introduced me to one such person who can do these kind of  roles, especially should a their own person is threatened or intimidated. Their logic of "my religion is better than yours" apart from certain supporters from both Malay-majority parties of both divides is actually a congruent of "The religious intolerance and the dominating and selfish Muslim attitude of imposing their values on others."


ISMA's comments have resulted in a response from Zaid Ibrahim who said by three twits:

Zaid Ibrahim's comments via Twitter: (2.23 pm - 2.25 pm)

Government has been fair to Non-Muslims according to Home Minister. Fairness is subjective, equality better test. On equality there is no doubt that Muslims are treated differently. ISMA does not even recognize equality for non-Muslims. Sad thing is neither Zahid nor PM will dare contradict ISMA.

Because of the "white man from the west is always right" mentality, nobody dared to stand up and ask tough provocative questions and matters (like the foreign journalists do) while the #POTUS is in town. Either they didn't have the inspiration to question or as the myth of the lazy native points out - hesitant of asking lest inviting provocation from peers.

Also read: 


No doubt, this has shown what some of us think that these "jaguh kampung" are on the emotional fuel when at home and there's no white man outside, but should one come, they would mellow and become meek. Thus the mantle to carry on fighting what some of the people who have passed fighting for the same thing has become harder and harder each day comes. Yet they keep forgetting the adage of "menang tersorak kampung tergadai"

Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Chest-Thumping Village Heroes of Malaysia

Today, on the second day of the long-awaited Barack Obama's visit to Malaysia, he was seen and photographed by local and international photographers visiting the National Mosque in the morning before going for his list of engagements of the day here. 

Interestingly, many netizens, upon seeing the photograph have started to ask why is someone from the west who is allowed to visit mosques, suraus and etc, whereas usual non-Muslim Malaysians and other people especially Opposition politicians resulted in brickbats, and screaming from the Malay-race crusaders like Perkasa, Pekida and even from UMNO themselves, despite the fact that they are being invited by the mosque committee days ahead before then.

Is there a problem when people with different religious beliefs visit mosques or churches in other countries, especially in the more-matured-society countries? Absolutely not. All were welcome provided that those who visit are decently dressed and they do not make a ruckus in the places of worship. These are the two core and common rules that would definitely make sense whenever one visits the place of worship.

The gist of the story is that Malaysia is full of people who thinks they are better than the rest of the lot there, claiming themselves to be the race protectors. However, upon seeing a white man from the west, they cower, perhaps due to the mentality that the white man from the west is always right. Why are those chest-thumping race-champions not making a sound at all when a prominent white man walks into a place of worship? If this happens, it indeed shows, as the myth of the lazy native demonstrates, the weakness, selfishness and the negligence of the those who claim to be superior than the fellow Malaysians who do not follow their holier-than-thou claims. 

This mentality was subtly shown prominently last month. If you look at the trend of the news coverage within the first 10 days right after the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 went missing, our authorities seem to be in-adept in handling the crisis. Looking at how they take the questions, they have been conflicting statements one another. 

And there's the DCA director who's inadequate in addressing theies  international press questions, leaving to Hishamuddin Hussein to deal with it (you got to give a small compliment of how he addresses himself) whereas, whenever there's an airflight crisis, it is always the DCA first that will have to deal with it instead of the ministers and other relevant parties.

It's a norm and a reality that most international journalists and reporters would definitely pose hard and tough questions. However, many do not see the kind of standard seen in the local press, as their quality of writing give a meek and docile impression / perception that they are trained to non-critical of the government. Anything against it is a seen as a sign of capitulation to the enemy (Cold War mentality). Hence I've always been insistent that the National News Agency should display the names of the reporters who write their articles as a sign of showing real authorship and responsibility.  

The old Malay adage of "menang tersorak kampung tergadai" seems to be forgotten in the minds of those lower-level rungs supporters of political parties of both divide. However it is noted that UMNO commits more mistakes than any other Malaysian political party because they are in the political driver's seat. It is critical to be reminded that while these people scream of all sorts of rhetorics for political support, it leaves the nation and the fabrics of foundation in tatters.

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