No Way DBKL is Forcing This Into Little China

Chinatown hawkers against 94 new stalls

By FAZLEENA AZIZ

HAWKERS in Petaling Street are irked over the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to add 94 new stalls in the area.

The DBKL has given licences to members of Pengasih to do business there. (Pengasih is a a non-profit organisation that runs a drug rehabilitation centre)

An old timer at the market who did not want to be identified is against the idea of having new stalls.

“I do not like the idea because business here is already slow. If they add these stalls, the place is going to become cramped and tourists will have difficulty moving about or even just stand.

“Also, DBKL did not even inform us or distribute flyers on the move,’’ he said.

A hawker, who wanted to be known as just Simon, said that fewer people came to the area now.

“Business here is bad and if they add more stalls, we can’t survive. With the present economic situation, this addition is just not right.’’

He said that DBKL should have consulted the hawkers before even putting up the banners stating the opening of the stalls.

In response, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan questioned Kuala Lumpur Hawkers Association vice-chairman Datuk Ang Say Tee for being indecisive on the matter.

He said Ang had sent a letter to the DBKL endorsing the new stalls in May but was now against the idea.

Hakim added that the new stalls would not affect the situation as the DBKL would rearrange and coordinate the market.

A special meeting has also been scheduled for Oct 16 with DBKL, Bukit Bintang MP Fung Kui Lun and the hawkers association.

Fung wants the mayor to show the letter of support from the association.

“There are foreigners and illegal hawkers operating at the market. This is a clear example of the failure on DBKL’s part in implementing its enforcement.

“Putting up these new stalls is going to mar the image of Chinatown as well as cause congestion.

“We are not sure how many Pengasih members are involved and what kind of business they plan to conduct.

“The KL traders and hawkers association have even lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency because they feel there are elements of corruption involved,’’ he said.

*****

My friend actually pointed out this matter last Saturday. Simply put, there is no way that DBKL can force its way into setting up shop for Pengasih / Malay traders in Petaling Street. You can actually guess that there is an ulterior motive of DBKL to put those things in motion. And if they were pushing to force that into Petaling Street, blood could be spilled. See, there are some dark things there like this small part of town has connections to the Hong Kong underworld (as murmurs from the dark would say) - which could spell trouble if word reaches them about this problem - robbing their business.

You see Chinatown is the hub of Chinese people and to put that in there shows the lack of consideration, apart from tourist attraction. Half of the identity is gone when you have many foreign workers working there. 

One more thing that caught my attention is that everytime Chinatown is in the media spotlight, the person who always speaks on behalf is the vice-president, the MCA man called Ang Say Tee. But where is the president? Ah...if you remember MP Wee's press statement, the president is one Chan Kai Mun, lording over Petaling Street and has well, connections. Read Wee's archive press statement at the old Blogspot page.

Anyhow, DBKL has recently incurred the wrath of many citizens, particularly those in Kepong, Cheras and Setapak over the parking meter affairs. Many people think that it is cumbersome to charge them almost RM5 per day - that is $130 per month when economy is a bad turn. They are turning the screws at Hakim Borhan and his motley crew.

So therefore, DBKL better beware for people can be as dangerous as those shadow figures in Petaling Street!

Ok, Now What? It's Whack Botak Time!

Pic by Bodohland

Omnimous rumors of HINDRAF being banned which has been circulating around for weeks finally come true when Botak Albar issued a notice that HINDRAF is illegal and branded a menace, a threat to society and whatever bad names UMNO wish to call them - refer to Malaysiakini for the piece.

First of all, no one makes the fuzz out of HINDRAF, only UMNO leaders did that. There are many of them who could not have the sufficient WISDOM to understand the motives of HINDRAF. If you remember, the dirty three - Shafie, Botak and Azalina Lesbian made those remarks at PWTC,  Most merely think that they pose a threat to everyone with their kind of rowdy behaviour. MIC still has not helped much to improve the Indian friends of the country and that's why they still go on their own knowing that MIC won't do much help to them.

I'm going to make this simple. UMNO media and the partisan entity called as Utusan has make choked things upside down. UMNO may silence HINDRAF with such band but it might make the Hindus more angrier than ever. If you idiots want a repeat of 1988 where UMNO is declared illegal, be my guest! If I am Lord President, I can say UMNO Baru is illegal! Sooner, more ordinary people might even turn against you and declare that UMNO is illegal. In fact the original UMNO ceased to exist in 1988 by court order.

HINDRAF's ban is not from a court order, but an order by Botak Albar. If I remember correctly, only the court has the power to do so, not a politician minister. When Shafie Apdal said the other day that open houses security needs re-evaluation, indirectly UMNO is instructing the police, now as political lapdogs to screw HINDRAF.

Ok, now I am deviating from my point. The bottom line? Everyone will say that it's Botak Albar's fault. Fine, Botak can win for now. But if I say that one day Botak Albar get's thrown into the lion's den that is HINDRAF, he might not survive at all. He gets beaten left to right. 

Denizens at the Wharf echoed one main point: if Pakatan Rakyat takes over the government, the first casualty of the BN is definitely Botak Albar. I could be the one starting the ball rolling tonight on this matter, and don't be surprised in the next few hours if my blog buddies like Zorro and others start whacking Botak and Wan Farid (that joker!) left and right.

Right now, while almost 63 percent of Malaysian citizens or 17 million people await for the change of government with bated breath, devilry still rules the roost in Malaysia - I mean crime rates, bad economy, this thing..bla..bla..bla 

Hey, those people affected could be sharping their weapons in retaliation.... :D

Also, an acquitance of mine, Helen wrote this comical truth of Hindraf.

You Don't Want To Hear or You Don't Understand? - Ref Malaysiakini

Apart from stories that Najib doesn't show up on the debate on Budget 2009 (maybe he's totally afraid of seeing face to face with Anwar, I think it seems that Najib lied at all) the one thing that caught my attention is that during yesterday's debate the A block (comprising of government ministers) was almost empty. All of the ministers, deputies and even Najib and Abdullah never had the guts to show up against Anwar in the debate. 

The only Minister that remained was Sharir Samad, who was to face his younger brother Khalid in a question and answer session later on. Unfortunately, Khalid was on sick leave and was unable to attend the session. Khalid reminded me of Canadian snooker player Alain Robidoux.

Back when Anwar made his speech, some of the BN MPs were unattentive, seems that most of the 20 BN MPs in the hall could not really understand or caught off guard by the solid facts presented by the opposition. The disappointing thing though is that most of them were seen drinking and chatting at the cafeteria. 

On the 20, it seems that they had a hard time to understand of economics. So this implies that they do not have a strong education background. If you give the nation to these people who have a weak education background or thinking backwards, the country won't progress. Another double no no is looking at the remaining. The other people who do so tells us, the people that they are not interested in improving things in our country. 

So what Ronnie Liu told me that last time round, way before general elections ringed true. Ronnie once told me about 'longkang MPs' - MPs who offered their services to their area but bound and forced against their own conscience to agree to the party stance. When I learned that many don't want to hear, I surmised that these jokers are 'longkang MPs' and people are hoodwinked to vote for them.

Here's my warning to those longkang MPs, in which I quote from the Earl of Chesterfield: sometimes an advice that you take from is something that is least eager to be heard of. Yes, advice can be a bitter pill to swallow. If you don't then the country becomes like another Indonesia. 

I don't want another Indonesia and a repeat of 1998! 

The Drop Doesn't Help Much Again - Ref Malaysiakini

Today, it was announced in all news media formats that the petrol price tomorrow would be reduced by another 15 cents to $2.30 for the standard RON 97 grade petrol. With that it means consumers would get to save at least RM10 of petrol for each fill. 

Still it doesn't do really much to soften the damage done on June. Abdullah Badawi and his advisers lacked the foresight to see beyond the space of three months from that month. Moments after the petrol went to $147, the price fell roughly 45 percent to the current range price of $80 to $85.

Even though the price has dropped three times already, food prices have already gone up. A check to most shops in the Setapak neighborhood reveals that some shops have increased their food prices by another 30 cents. This though excludes drinks.

Another way to improve the chances of drop is of course focusing on the exchange rate. With the fact from many people that the U.S monetary value is facing the risk of losing the value, there would present a realistic opportunity to have the ringgit as equivalent as strong as the dollar, more or less matching the Sing dollar. At the same time, Bank Negara and the finance ministry must consider dumping the US reserves and replacing it with either the yen and euros. It is one way to cushion the fall. The measures to address the recession is but a temporary reprieve. It might happen again either next year or as someone said that the Second Great Depression could hit in June 15 2010. 

At Kg Baru, It's Respect, But At PWTC, Kutuk!

A friend of mine whom I met at the Star sometime back, now an associate of Sivarasa, called me over for Anwar's open house in Kampung Baru yesterday. I was there early from 1.30 p.m with the free food. I knew some of the policemen there including our ASP Sydney Jeremiah.

When I spotted my friend at around 3.15 p.m, I was at the main doors to the club. But the interesting at that time was that HINDRAF group came to the club to say their greet the PKR people. It was a different reaction in contrast to what happened at PWTC. 11 days ago. There, they accepted well of people coming over to wish Anwar and the PKR guys Selamat Hari Raya. They tried to repeat the feat and got a better reaction to them.

Click the picture at this link.

I was really wondering why UMNO reacted in cold mood towards them whereas it was the other way round at Kampung Baru. Maybe they are like the Republicans, any dissent represents the form of opposing their policies. I think what Bush said previously, "Either you're with us or you're against us" rings true.

As If The SD Isn't Enough, The SMS is Making Its Rounds!

If you remember the last time there was an SD by RPK that says Rosmah did it. If that is not enough, there is now a SMS transcript that is making the rounds on cyberspace. This SMS text took place between 8 November to December 2 2006 and it is between Najib and Shafee Abdullah.

The SMS-Chat Begin ....

Wednesday 8/11/2006

Shafee to Najib (S2N) Date: 8/11/2006 02:59:31

--> Dato Seri, The Razak Baginda thing is troubling me.Can I help? Salam, Shafee

Najib to Shafee (N2S) Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:05

--> I will speak with u later tonight.

S2N Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:31

--> Thank you

S2N Date: 8/11/2006 06:28:56

--> Met the investigating officer today.Position is serious for RB.The 3 are highly implicated.RB's case can be fought.There are redeeming features for him.But we need to meet Dato Seri as there are other looming issues at large.But not to worry. Salam > Shafee

N2S Date: 8/11/2006 21:06:11

--> I have spoken to IGP. U can represent n meet RB in court.

Thursday 9/11/2006

N2S Date: 9/11/2006 12:45:30

--> If RB's remand is upto Sunday, does it mean that he has to be charged by Fri or be released? i hope it is looking better for him.

S2N Date: 9/11/2006 13:11:23

--> 3 things can happen.Firstly, they can ask for more time for detention.We will resist.Second,they have to release him by Friday or thirdly charge him by Friday.Police took him to his office for document search.Nothing incriminating found.Now they are recording stmt from him.Later search in house.Under control so far Dato Seri. Salam, shafee

S2N Date: 9/11/2006 14:09:03

--> Dato Seri, Re RB need to meet up with you today. shafee

N2S Date: 9/11/2006 14:17:47

--> 630 pm at my house in PJaya this evening.

S2N Date: 9/11/2006 14:18:21

--> Thank you

Friday 10/11/2006

N2S Date: 10/11/2006 15:14:31

--> Any news about RB ?

S2N Date: 10/11/2006 15:19:40

--> Dato Seri, Negotiating for conditional release.If not police need 2 or 3 more days extention.I suspect its an exercise in public relation as they do not want public to think a VIP was given an easier time.Being a vip under these conditions is a liability.Otherwise we are on track according to plan. Salam, Shafee

N2S Date: 10/11/2006 15:27:01

--> Thanks, he is very stressful according to his wife n would be a huge help if he could get a conditional release latest by sun.

N2S Date: 10/11/2006 21:35:52

--> Saw the news on tv. RB was sent for DNA. Not sure it was neccessary.

S2N Date: 10/11/2006 21:40:19

--> Unnessasary.But I think its on his lung infection.He has just been sent again to HUKM.Will know more later from inside contacts.

Saturday 11/11/2006

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 03:17:56

--> Dato Seri, I was at ghkl ccu 4th floor.RB was admitted due to lung infection:mild pneumonia and asthmatic.This was the pain he was suffering in the chest and unexplained coughing for months.He is under an able physician Dato Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai(head of Dept of Medicine)Its good he is resting there than in the lockup.Dna was done to eliminate that he was at scene of crime(paternity can be ruled out as well).Need to see Dato Seri on some concerns. Salam. Shafee

N2S Date: 11/11/2006 08:54:17

--> ANy chance of a release by sun ?

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 08:58:14

--> Police should release him by then except that I think the police is disturbeb by Media and public pressure.Other factors need be coomunicated to Dato Seri in person. Investigation wise we are on track for release.

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 09:26:52

--> It is clear that the Police will ask for extention t'row.I will resist strongly in view of the fact that the last few days investigation on RB have completed investigations that require RB's presence in custody.Secondly, from yesterday the Police has done nothing much with him except to do the dna.Thirdly, I am concerned with the Police carelessness yesterday in allowing the 3 other suspects to be freely mixing and therefore tainting their subsequent stmnts as they could be 'group coached'.But it also show Police no longer need to isolate the suspects.Even RB was handcuffed to the C/I. Salam . Shafee

N2S Date: 11/11/2006 11:46:48

--> I Can see u today at my Taman duta hse at 6 pm.

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 11:59:08

--> OK Dato Seri.Insyaallah I will be there.

Sunday 12/11/2006

S2N Date: 12/11/2006 13:53:41

--> 2 days extention to Tuesday.They must release him by then maybe conditionally.Police asked for full 14days.He has message.

S2N Date: 12/11/2006 14:06:23

--> Will give Dato Seri in a while

S2N Date: 12/11/2006 15:10:17

--> 0320949418

Monday 13/11/2006

S2N Date: 13/11/2006 15:53:36

--> Am in his office now.Another search. AG will be unwilling to charge and lose a case yet again.It is agood idea to suggest to AG to hood on and let investigtion proceed with Razak Released on Bond.

N2S Tel: 60122143177 Date: 13/11/2006 16:23:29

--> How was the search ?

S2N Date: 13/11/2006 16:25:56

--> We provided them everything,including old pda and note books and a couple of bills.Nothing incriminating.

Wednesday 15/11/2006

S2N Date: 15/11/2006 13:21:32

--> Things going as expected.2 male officer charged for murder in common intention.Razak's name not in. Lady officer released but rearrested under Emergency Ordinance to be used as Crown witness(exactly as predicted). I am expecting RB to be released on Bond.4 of my lawyers are watching brief the proceedings in the murder case.Rb matter prob t'row. Pl call. Shafee Ps coming back now from Taipei.

N2S Date: 15/11/2006 23:31:09

--> So hopefully he will be released tmrw?

S2N Date: 15/11/2006 23:34:38

--> Dato Seri, I am driving up from S'pore ,no more flight to KL tonight.Hope for th best.Any indication? Shafee

N2S Date: 15/11/2006 23:36:52

--> Not heard anything untoward yet.

Thursday 16/11/2006

S2N Date: 16/11/2006 10:52:43

--> Anything Dato Seri? I am already in Court.

N2S Date: 16/11/2006 10:53:50

--> Pls do not say anything to the press today. i will explain later. RB will have to face a tentative charge but all is not lost.

S2N Date: 16/11/2006 10:54:30

--> OK, TQ

Friday 17/11/2006

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 10:50:30

--> Dato Seri, Its important you speak toYusoff Zainal Abidin as he knows the law a lot better in the Chambers.I am confident he is concerned with the negligible evidence agst Razak.The Raja Mahani and Tengku Ariston cases ought to be the guiding critera for AG.They cannot afford another scandallous loss by the Prosecution as in Norita, Ariston,Dato Balwant etc.

N2S Date: 17/11/2006 11:39:46

--> OK will try. Meanwhile try to console the wife. She is hysterical.

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 11:41:29

--> I know Dato Seri.I will do everything I can.Salam, Shafee

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 12:57:49

--> Dato Seri, Razak has not been sent to Hospital.He is clearly not well.He is refusing to take Prison's medicine for fear of sabourtage.The chief Physician of GHKL Dato Dr Jaya Sinnadurai is shocked that they have not brought Razak back to GHKL.I have spoken to Haji Darussalam,Sg Buloh's Prison Director.Can You sound this to Dato Radzi Shek Ahmad?Need to see you of s'thing that I think had happened that led to her death.Utterly shocking if I am right. Shafee

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 15:45:34

--> Dato Seri, I am at Sg Buloh Prison.I have organised Razak to be in HUKL,He is on his way there now. The Pengarah Hj Darussallam and deputy Supt Gunasegaran very helpful. Shafee

N2S Date: 17/11/2006 21:27:02

--> My regards to him. He Is always in my thought.

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 21:34:44

--> Will tell him

Sunday 19/11/2006

S2N Date: 19/11/2006 16:25:08

--> Dato Seri, I need Dsp Musa ,your ADc to call me to clarify a point.He is not answering Shafee

Monday 20/11/2006

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 13:02:33

--> Any developement Dato Seri? Shafee

N2S Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:20

--> Not yet.

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:38

--> Thank you

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 21:05:17

--> Dato Seri.Razak is being transfered to Sg. Buloh t'row.Can Dr. Jaya do anything?

N2S Date: 20/11/2006 23:04:50

--> When is he being transffered?

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 23:05:48

--> T'row

N2S Date: 20/11/2006 23:07:01

--> What time?

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 23:08:01

--> Probably late morning

Thursday 23/11/2006

N2S Tel: 60122143177 Date: 23/11/2006 13:46:51

--> Your message read" Najib released on personal bond!".

S2N Date: 23/11/2006 13:50:00

--> Razak released on Bail of 1 million. On personal bond undertaking. Shafee?I am terribly sorry for that mistake.Whole night tak tidur preparing. My profuse apologies Sir. salam. shafee

N2S Date: 23/11/2006 14:00:25

--> ALhamdullillah , at least he is on bail.Big relief for him n family.

S2N Date: 23/11/2006 14:02:02

--> Dato, I need to brief you urgently b4 you speak to him.Shafee

N2S Date: 23/11/2006 14:12:32

--> OK but not intending to speak to him as yet.

Saturday 2/12/2006

S2N Date: 2/12/2006 18:59:15

--> Dato Seri, Got some info that are troubling.Quite serious.Are you in Taman Duta?Can we meet? Salam, Shafee

... those who know more, please come forward!

Of course this has put the stress on Najib and The Malaysian Insider has picked up the news on this. True, many do not want Najib to be the next PM.

What Should We Do With Him?

This is the man that is known as one of Khairy's proxies. This is the man that reads mails on behalf of Khairy before it goes to Abdullah Badawi. In other words, he is unofficially Abdullah Badawi's gatekeeper.

Many UMNO people shared his sentiment that Hindraf came to the PM's open house in PWTC to create havoc and mess. Unfortunately, they were also being played as well into that by Utusan's sentiments and inaccurate facts on the coverage of the open house. And so, this is the man that said that Hindraf must be brought to the book. A politician instructing the police force to hunt Hindraf down like animals. In the process, the police has become the government's cannon fodder. Hindraf only came to say hello and hand greeting cards to Pak Lah. Period. Nothing else.

Back before the March elections, PAS man Mat Sabu had a clear conviction, that this man above, Wan Farid Salleh is the man that instructs the special branch guys from the police force to spy on the opposition under the pretense that an illegal gathering is underway. And while listening to Mat Sabu's recordings, I must concur on one point that under his instruction, the police have misused their human resources. Instead of working hard on stopping real, serious crimes and hunting down hardcore criminals, robbers and gangsters, the police were instructed to look at the other end of the pole.

That's why if you people have been following in tune with the recent events, if you happen to be at every candlelight vigils or protest marches you will see hundreds of police officers standing at sealed place for nothing. I think that you do not need to have hundreds of them to monitor a candlelight vigil? I think that's ridiculous.

I was nearby the anti-ISA group on that open house day when the police at first blocked entry into the main doors to PWTC. When my blog buddy Haris asked ASP Sydney Jeremiah why, ASP Sydney said that "they had instructions from above to not allow anyone dressed with those three color shirts entry into PWTC." So my immediate suspicion is that this joker Wan Farid could be the one instructing the policemen on this thing in the name of security. Seems that example alone paints the picture and possibility of the man himself instructing the police to stamp and suppress freedom of expression, no?

I remembered someone told me that if Anwar and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition takes over the government, the possible person who could be the next Home Minister after Botak Albar is being ousted could be Mat Sabu. If that is the case he could 'throw these corrupt monkeys to Kamunting (assuming they freed the ISA detainees first) and he personally administer special treatment on this guy' the guy remarked and chuckled at me.

Well, then. If you are a very important person in the Pakatan or a rakyat Malaysia who has been given the power to decide like a king, what should we do with this guy? I would really love to find out...

No Wonder I Couldn't Go In!

I think this is why I couldn't log to the net back home for the last two days or so!

Web traffic jam as people search for financial news (AFP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - The financial crisis has people flocking to the Internet for the latest money news along with tips on how to salvage investments and save on the routine costs of living.

Visits to websites such as the business-centric Wall Street Journal and economy-focused Yahoo Finance set new records as the US Congress grappled with its 700 billion dollar plan to stop credit markets from imploding.

Internet tracker comScore says visits to www.gasbuddy.com, which steers drivers to stations featuring low fuel prices, are up nearly 30 percent and it expects to report spikes in traffic to finance and bargain-hunter websites when September statistics are calculated later this week.

"Investment pages are just red hot right now with people wanting to know what is going on with stocks," Yahoo Finance general manager Mark Interrante told AFP.

"We have been impressed by the traffic. People are not just diving down into stocks but asking what is going on, how it affects them and where it is all going."

Activity is up 40 percent at Yahoo Finance message boards where people chat online about cash, finance and other personal money matters and the website's Tech Ticker video news programme is getting millions of daily visitors.

"The editorial team at Tech Ticker is working around the clock to find the right stories for people to understand the crisis," Interrante said. "This is going to be a record month for us."

Yahoo Finance stock quotes and other features popular in the United States began being rolled out Tuesday at the California firm's websites in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain.

"We pre-launched a couple of pages in France and got very positive customer feedback and moved forward with the rest of Europe," Interrante said. "You will see a lot more stuff rolling out in Europe in the next six weeks."

Google queries regarding "stocks" nearly tripled in September, according to data posted this week at the Internet search king's website that tracks trends in what people seek online.

US-based Akamai Technologies, which handles online traffic for major news outlets such as NBC and the BBC, reports visits to those websites surged to record levels as the dramatic events played out in money markets.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported an unprecedented two million visitors in a single day.

Meanwhile, penny-pinchers website SavingAdvice.com says it has seen "a significant amount of traffic" for information about shopping coupons, deals on gasoline and troubled banks.

"That increase in search engine traffic may indeed have something to do with the economic issues," said Jeffrey Strain of SavingAdvice.

"The forums have had some change in focus with the changes in the economy as well. Questions about the stock market and changes taking place there have increased as the financial meltdown has taken place."

Self-help startup PeopleJam.com has seen interest in personal finance tips multiply nearly eightfold in the past month as people seek ways to save money or find reliable investing advice.

"Our audience is clearly worried about their retirement savings or waking up in the morning wondering if they can put gas in the car, pay their mortgage or cover a child's tuition bill," PeopleJam chief executive Matt Edelman said.

"They want ways to eat healthy on a budget; ways to exercise for free as opposed to joining a gym... day-to-day activities that people want to keep in their lives but don't have the money to afford."

FindHow.com, a website created as a resource for people that want to fix or build things themselves instead of paying for professionals, sees a tsunami of interest heading its way due to the financial markets meltdown.

"If I were a betting person, right now I would bet that do-it-yourself is going to get very big in the coming months," FindHow president Dave Smith said.

Anwar and Komathy's Dilemma - Ref Malaysiakini

Today, Anwar Ibrahim will find out whether the sodomy trial will be transferred to the high court or otherwise. The presiding judge for this trial would be Komathy Suppiah.

However, the upcoming decision will have several repercussions.

Before going on, read my previous posting on this sodomy trial.

If you remember one part of Malaysiakini that quoted "court has no choice", then I believe there is a hint of what is to come. The dilemma is that if Komathy decides that trial will remain in sessions court, it will be a psychological victory for Anwar but the repercussion is that Komathy could well earn the wrath of the 'warlords and tyrants' who walk the corridors of power. As mentioned previously, Komathy could be transferred because of the unfavorable decision.

If Komathy says the trial is to be transferred, she might keep her posting in KL.

So it's fingers crossed for people out there.

Festival With The Nine Emperors

Pic by AP

Back in Ipoh last week, there was the famous 'Nine Emperor Gods Festival' which is held in October. The festival lasts for nine days before the Emperor Gods are sent back to the sea. This is the festival where many devotees would make their offerings and wishes to the gods.

In Ipoh, the festival is held at the Tow Boo Keong in Jalan Kampar.

While making my wishes to the deities, I had the chance to try shaking the 'chim', which gives you a number base and tells you what you encountered this year. I won't reveal here, but it is once a year thing that can be done. I must admit that the deities knew what I feel this year, given my focus is on health and career.

For foreign readers, offerings are made in the form of red turtle buns. It costs $1 each for a small size type. Some are left as offerings, while you can take some back to steam and eat it.

Musings of RPK's Sedition Trial - Ref Malaysiakini

Tomorrow, Pete Kamaruddin will start his sedition trial at PJ Sessions court at 9 a.m. Expect great amount of support for the man himself.

But there are a few musings and questions that could be arising up from tomorrow's trial.

1. I have a hunch that the trial could be dragged longer and longer just as similar to how Kalimullah dragged the Jeff Ooi / Rocky's case against NST. Now that Najib is slated to become the next Prime Minister, my feeling could be that the trial could be dragged as long as Najib wants. In other words, he would want to be buying time until he takes over as Prime Minister. If this doesn't happen, Najib could be dead meat: Pete will have nothing to loose and let everything slip which means the end of him.

2. Notice how Najib felt relaxed in the last few weeks. It seems that with Pete in solitary confinement, I think it is a sense of relief for him. While Pete is running around with his no holds barred commentary, Najib was very stressed. But the wife still remains stressed. If you were at the open house in PWTC, she wasn't there, especially, when the anti-ISA group still in the vicinity of the building. Back to Najib, the person behind me in the queue while meeting with the ministers told me how the reaction of Najib there. He just didn't shake a person's hand well and his hand gesture gave the impression he wasn't interested. In fact his face went flat because those 'RPK people' were at the hall.

3. It is a waste of time and fuel for the detention authorities to take Pete back and forth between Kamunting and Petaling Jaya. Consider this: it would take roughly three hours to leave the detention camp to the court house. Let's say that the charges are read out and all the formalities are done, that could take an hour. Then after that, what? He goes back to the detention camp. So it's six hours wasted for the prison guys on duty and for Pete. But anyhow, he gets to see the greens while on the way back and forth.

4. According to the Star, the PR government is against the ISA and just now, they wanted to have the land where the detention camp was built back. So the message is sent to the UMNO-led government. They have been warned.

Sadly I am unable to be at the court house tomorrow but my support for Pete is with them.

Koh, Gerakan and 'Guan Dao'

Back in April, there was an interview between Malaysiakini and Lim Keng Yaik. One of the passages of the transcript reads: (by Lim himself)

But what the PM says in cabinet, the fellow down on the ground has no blooming idea about what is going on and does the opposite. How are we going to deliver with that kind of behaviour, who do we blame? Who are fighting for the projects? Who gets most of the projects? Who showed arrogance?

Do I bring my ‘guan dao’ (a traditional Chinese weapon) in my assembly and say it is our symbol of unity based on my experience as Wushu Malaysia president? (Laughs) Don’t lah. It is only displayed insensitively. Yes you might be promoting your heritage but the people don’t understand and it brings fear to others.’

In Chinese houses, you can see 'guan gong' statues. That is a believe of having a god of war to protect and ward their houses from evil.

Now, then, Koh Tsu Koon has been elected officially as Gerakan President yesterday. Koh has an easier job to do now that he only holds one post. Gerakan must be able to stand on their own feet rather than showing the master-servant relationship that most parties do right especially pre March-8.

Keng Yaik's excerpt caught my attention since the 'guan dao' matter presents a metaphor.

If UMNO waves the dagger at the assembly and Gerakan as a component party of BN doesn't do anything, then they have deviated from the original purpose of its inception. A wishful thinking that crossed my mind is that 'being able to stand on their own feet and have their own voice' for them , they might want to do the same as UMNO do -that is lifting the 'guan dao' in the assembly.

Of course, given of the 'holier than thou' thing, the Malay community especially the UMNO and the hardcore ones will start making noises and more police reports of sedition and insulting Islam would pour in against Gerakan. That's a dilemma that has been long for now. But if I remembered correctly, once you take out the keris, you cannot put back, or as RPK said 'kalau keris dicabut, tidak boleh disimpan.'

I met a friend of mine last week. He was previously a grassroot member of Gerakan. I asked him about Gerakan and he told me that he had already jumped to PKR's camp, moonlighting with MP Sivarasa and Elizabeth Wong. Told me that he was sick of how things turn now for Gerakan.

So for Koh, it's thinking real hard and act fast. First agenda is on leaving BN or not.

Der Untergang Parody

I remembered watching a clip of Der Untergang (The Downfall), a film that documents the last days of the Reich starring Bruno Ganz. The clip that I watched has some subtitles specially modified for the Singaporean audience.

Note though that it is a parody.

Later, I was told that the Malaysian parody version of the subtitles is out on Youtube, and I was forwarded the link that you see here.

Enjoy.

Dollah Macam Tak Nak Jumpa....But...

Hindraf and the civil-conscious group of people who opposed the ISA today grouped together to go to the PWTC for the PM's open house.

They came into PWTC with a message to be delivered to Dollah Badawi personally: release" all ISA detainees. We mean business."

I was tagging along with fellow bloggers and a few activists. I met them at Secret Recipe opposite The Mall before going there. Everyone is already dressed in red, black or orange T-shirts to express the message of rejecting the misuse of ISA. A little info from Malik Sarwar indicates that a second habeas corpus was filed. The first one was because of the police recommendation, while the second one is against the signing by Botak Albar.

Bloggers and some people gathered at Secret Recipe before going.

The Hindraf Group

At 11.15 a.m we started to move to PWTC. While we were moving, we saw many in orange, the HINDRAF group. They were intending to reach there with the same message. Compare to a dozen or two of civil-conscious group, the number of orange people was around 500.

At 11.30 when we reached there, the group was met with resistance from the men in blue. There, it was the same man, ASP Sydney Jeremiah that was telling them they were under instructions to not allow those wearing the shirts to enter into the building.

Of course this has attracted the attention of reporters and other passer-bys. Haris and Amarjit was haggling with the police and some of the officials. It took them 30 minutes and by intervention of some officials before they were allowed to enter in. As soon as we entered in, Hindraf came in a big group and tried to enter as well. They did.

Amarjit and Haris saying thanks to ASP Sydney Jeremiah after much of haggling.

You're going to have a hard time lining up.

As usual like last year, the crowd swelled, eager to meet Dollah and the ministers. But it seems that the PWTC people are trying to play a game of diverting the HINDRAF and the group from meeting them. I remembered at the point where there is a live feed, you usually take an escalator to go up - that's the route of going to the 4th floor. But going right just takes you to the food, and nothing else. Everyone went right. I think at that time, the VIP period wasn't over yet.

Of course it ended up as a false end. And we ended unable to go up to the 4th floor.

Anyhow, the crowd decided to try one more time using a different route. They used the staircase and discovered the VIP route. The routed ends up at Dollah and his entourage shaking hands with guests.

Of course, the HINDRAF group was caught in the melee. But I managed to sneak past them and followed behind someone. Thankfully, a PWTC guy allowed me - since I was tagging with a guy behind him to go inside the hall.

Finally, I managed to shake hands with a few ministers. Of course, it's Dollah, Jeanne, Najib, Nor Yackop and of course finally Hisham Hussein. Among them Kerishamuddin was the most cheerful of all, besides exchanging pleasantries, he asked me where I was from. I merely told him, "We're La Sallians!" He chuckled.

The anti-ISA activist who was with me told me how Dollah's face went plume the moment he saw HINDRAF and those wearing anti-ISA T-shirts. From the way the party was diverted it seems that he doesn't want to see them. The Malaysian Insider has one interesting line that was quoted from him that said: "I cannot have a special meeting with anyone. It is an open house." I thought it means it is against forgiveness that he emphasized the night before.

When he shook hands with Najib, the hand moves in a way of saying "go away". As for me, his head was turning away before he looked at me. I thought it's like saying no interest in meeting.

After a while, Haris and other people of the Hartal event met Dollah Badawi and told him: "Datuk Seri, please release all ISA detainees immediately. Please, please please." Hindraf would also come in to present gifts and a card for Dollah. Dollah reluctantly gave his Mr. Clean smile.

As a sign of protest, they did not touch food served to visitors in PWTC.

Mission Accomplished (pic by Malaysiakini)

We gathered at one corner after they entered. Mission accomplished.

They have sent a message to him. Now the ball is at his corner.

One Last Pic Before I Left

Haris has his posting up at his blog plus pictures.