Budget 2011

1. The first and foremost thing about the 2011 budget is that though there are some interesting points mentioned that touches on an individual, it didn't really addresses more on people-centric despite it being billed "people's budget" by Najib. For instance, the minimum wage matter that trade unions have be clamoring for countless of times, only for the government to say "at a later date", which means that the government has no solutions at this time to address the problem by middle and lower class workers. Secondly, it is not compatible with the NEM, giving that the NEM that Najib himself taked about is mere lip service and talk only.

2. It seems that there are signs of the Big Mama's demand inside the budget, which includes RM 111 million for PERMATA, and the abolishment of the import duty for selected goods. The latter, a lot of people know of Rosmah's tendencies to go shopping for expensive items when on overseas tour. At one time, we remembered her buying a lot of expensive watches for a huge astronomical sum of people's money. We too loved the sarcasm that the MPs belted out when Najib mentioned that. "Aha, Rosmah!" that's what the PR MPs would exclaim about.

I recalled that in the past no wife of a Finance Minister would come in and interfere with the shape of the Budget. Not even Mahathir, Anwar, Ku Li (the previous Finance Ministers) and others. The Treasury people too, (as reported last year) admitted that they are uncomfortable of Rosmah running things around, acting as if she is a government official, whereas her capacity is only being the wife of the PM.

3. I have viewed through some highlights of the budget. Not much on dealing individually. Among some notable points of interest:

a) Highway tolls - Rates on hold for the next 5 years. Expect an increment more than 10 percent by 2015 as to compensate the compensation paid to PLUS and other toll concessionaires . It seems that Khazanah is not willing to let its competitors (Mahathir's business partners, e.g Syed Mokthar or Halim Saad) MMC or Asas Serba win the buyout of UEM although their offer is great and the sweetener to the deal - no increase of toll rates until the end of the concession period in 2038. 

Skepticism would be on how they are willing to finance their money for the buy out. Now that Khazanah and EPF wants to buy out UEM at $23 billion, is it possible for the other two to stop that and increase their bid higher than 23 billion? Or another way to win that bid that Najib cannot refuse? One good reason that people can figure it out is that Nazir Razak (CIMB CEO) is not likely to get the pot of gold - projects if Mahathir's partners gets most.

b) First time house buying - Buying house in Klang Valley is a bit difficult. Due to the fluctuation of property prices from speculation, most house prices would be at the median of RM 400K which means that still young and middle-income people will have the difficulty of buying houses there. The maximum estimate price of RM350 K mentioned would fit properties within suburban areas - outside Klang Valley / Penang island for example. Yet it still lacks the solutions to handle this dilemma. In the economic turbulence of 2008, the rental rates in Klang Valley dropped by at least 20% only to rebound back recently. Unless, (by some stupid idea) - they sell to young people at half price.

c) Exemption of sales tax for handphones - Does that mean that all prices now will be 10 percent less? Maybe we need to tell the merchants that you will be paying 10 percent less because of the exclusion of sales tax. 

d) Removal of import duty for goods - The budget did not mention the complete list of what goods that fall under that action. It is hoped that there would be a complete list of items that fall under that case. And what about consumer technological items? It would be a good idea to have those fall under that removal of duty because this would increase the rate of affordability for people to get an item at a good price as well as catching up with the technology. Singapore and Australia, among our Aisan neighbours are technologically far advanced ahead of us. 

e) Service tax increment to 6% - This is obvious to compensate the GST that is put on hold. It is also another way to increase revenue to the government coffers. But to have 6% in this current times of low income and hardly any increment means that it could create more trouble for people to pay in places where service tax is applicable, unless Customs Department (which Sales Tax 1975 is under their purview) increases the income cap to RM 750K or RM 1 mil per month. 

4. The budget is built on assumptions that the GDP for 2011 will be at 7%. However, Malaysia still has a huge amount of deficit since the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. When calculating total cumulative debts with reserves available, Malaysia has no more reserves already. Yet, to go ahead with the such budget with tons of mega projects is like staking a country in the house of cards. And a house of cards is not stable. It can collapse with a sneeze from elsewhere. Where can Malaysia get money if income tax revenue, FDI investment drying up and corruption still rampant? The one possible solution is like the US to print money. In turn, printing money means of borrowing money from other countries, increasing the national debt. The U.S's national debt stands at $1.6 trillion US as of now. The more money being printed, the higher the debt the nation would be plunged into. 

5. Let's look at the slew of mega projects proposed under the budget:

• Mass Rapid Transit System: RM 43 billion transportation system for Kuala Lumpur and surrounding. Question: How is this project being funded and will the federal govt guarantee the funding?

• Kuala Lumpur International Financial District: This is a RM26 billion 34 hectares development in the Jalan Davis bordering the Imbi area which was earlier mistaken for the old Sungei Besi airbase project. A 1Malaysia Development Berhad joint venture with the Abu Dhabi Mubadala group.

• Warisan Merdeka: Another iconic landmark mega-development of RM 5 billion to be completed by 2015. Another project to be undertaken by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB). This project covering an area of 15 hectares in the old Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara surrounding will include the 100 storey tallest building in Malaysia.

• Sungei Buloh development: Land privatization development owned by the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) of an area of 1350 hectares to be develop by EPF Employees Provident Fund with a value of RM10 billion.

• Nexus Karambunai, Sabah: An integrated eco-nature resort development at a cost of RM 3 billion. Question: RM3 billion to build a resort is a huge sum, is the federal govt providing the funds?

Now we also look at the slew of budget allocations:

Education: For Restructuring and Strengthening RM 29.3 billion to the Education Ministry. RM 10.2 billion for the Higher Education Ministry and RM 627 million for the Human Resource Ministry.

·        Education: Another RM 6.4 billion to build and upgrade schools and etc.

·        Health: RM 15.2 billion for new hospitals and etc.

·        Defence: Allocated a total budget of RM 9.1 billion which is a reduction from RM 10.5 billion.

·        Corridor: RM 850 million for infrastructure support to the corridor and regional development.

·        1Malaysia Training Program: Allocation of RM 500 million. What’s this?

·        RM 1 billion allocated for the launching of the Bumiputra Property Trust Foundation. (No details provided).

  

Don't forget the slew of projects started but in incubation or in hangover:

• 160 hectares old Sungei Besi air base with an estimated value of RM 20 billion which has generated much stories of Jho Low, the bright young man seen as companion to Paris Hilton having had a hand in this much coveted mega multi billion project.

• Another mega-project of the 150 hectares of Kampung Baru land within the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, and PNB is again undertaking the redevelopment of over RM 20 billion in value.

• Riverside Garden City a 25 hectares redevelopment of the former Pekeliling Flats with the proposed futuristic revolving 60 storey skyscraper with a value of RM 12 billion.

• 9 hectares of government land in the Cochrane and
  Peel Road
  area with an estimated value of RM 10 billion to be develop again by 1MDB and EPF.

More multi billion projects that have been approved and about to be started or in progress like:

• MATRADE centre with 25 hectares of land in the Jalan Duta area to be undertaken by the Naza Group estimated at RM 15 billion value.

• Platinum Park in KLCC also by Naza Group that will incorporate the new iconic Felda Towers and a new Naza Towers. This is a development of RM 5 billion now under construction.

• Old Pudu Prison of 8.5 hectares with a value of RM 5 billion scheduled to start work by early 2011 to be developed by UDA Holdings Berhad.

• Eco City with 10 hectares of DBKL land next to Mid Valley City with a value of RM 6 billion to be jointly developed by another GLC of SP Setia Bhd and DBKL.

• On going KL Sentral of 30 hectares land with a value of RM 12 billion being developed by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad.

With the number of hangover projects in hand, the Najib administration is going a bridge too far. Past projects was never taken into account, probably because of kickbacks, red tapes and etc. When you count together the amount of allocations and project costs coupled the amount from the hangover project, the cost is more. And yet the Najib administration is still going for it, making whatever they are doing a very huge gamble. Like in a high stakes poker game, the risk of losing is very high, meaning if there is another global economic bubble bang happening soon, the house of cards would collapse and Najib's mega projects would go under the drain.

5. Brazil Finance Minister Guido Mantega declared on 27 September that a world currency war has broken out already. America is facing the trouble of a weakening US dollar and on the worst case scenario, expect dollar devaluation. In fact the problem could start as early as December. The US dollar could drop as low to $45. In addition to that, expect higher inflation and collapse worse than the 1929 Great Depression in the scope will hit worldwide. Malaysia has no reserves to cushion the impact of such scenario but is still pushing for those projects. It is high time for Malaysia to start reducing its dependence on Western investment as to cushion the possible hit. All those measures like preferential programs and the protectionist fees in buying cars will likely have to go if government does not want people to get economically injured more when the time comes. 

6. The 100-story Warisan Merdeka project is a very foolish idea to do it. It also takes billions of ringgit, which in turn can be used to help the people. These remarks below:

“We take pride in our national icon, the Petronas Twin Towers. It signifies the spirit of Malaysia Boleh. Another landmark to be developed by PNB is Warisan Merdeka, expected to be ready by 2020″ -  Najib

“…everybody wants a tallest tower. Shanghai and Taiwan want more, so why should we hold back?…The most important thing is that we can do it. Why should we hold back?…The building serves to balance Malaysia’s traditional cultures and pursuit for modernity. This will put Malaysia on the tourist map” – Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen

“The nation must have a dream. We had the Twin Towers and KLCC. Now, the 100-story building will be the new ‘Malaysia boleh’. This is good because we all need to dream. All these projects that are coming under the Great Kuala Lumpur plan and other mega-projects will bring in foreign investors that will spur the economy,” – Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department SK Devamany

Don't these people have better idea to handle that 5 billion rather than building another landmark that we already have in place like KLCC and KL Tower? I find that whoever says yes to that thing is like ala zombies, follow the leader only, yes man..as what these two are indirectly showing. 

7. Summary and conclusion - Malaysia's ambition of going for more mega projects at the time of turbulence is a very unwise move. As what John Perkins said in his book, only an economic hitmen would advise them to go for more mega projects. Subsidy reduction is another measure that they would suggest. But people do not know that this measure means cheating people of their hard-earned money. And in the end, if the country falls economically, the people will lose big and the economic hitmen wins with the swindled money. Najib is gambling high stakes poker here.

Aye, For Nurul!

I could have written this a few days back, but I deliberately waited until today to see whether Nurul Izzah can get to contest as Deputy President of the PKR party. I know that there is a bloggers support for Nurul campaign that Bernard and a few others have been actively campaigning now. But the wait also allowed me to think through on whether to say yes or no to that idea.

Having thought for that long, I tend to notice the internal squabbling between Zaid and Azmin. What they may or they might not know is that the squabble can give ammunition to the enemy, or in this case, the Barisan Nasional to put in the "see I told you so" message to the people that voting for PR is a wrong move - which is a false fact, whether you accept it or not. 

If there is a criticism that I wish to hurl at Zaid, in which a few friends agreed with me, is that Zaid, though he joined for about two years or so, fell short of learning the entire history of PKR, and there is a lack of understanding of the friendship between Anwar and Azmin that started way long back before the Reformasi days. Azmin is a family friend of Anwar's and with a Americana-educated background, it is not that easy to get rid of a person of such manner. 

It would be useless if neither Azmin or Zaid wins, but even if a faction, wins, the party will get spoiled from outside. The wreck will have to be stopped, in and out if they really want to live up with the talk of taking over Putrajaya. I once attended an indoor meeting with a few people including Nurul with it and she was warned of such possible problem of internal bickering in and there.

Now that she has already at least two nominations for deputy presidency, I would throw my hat behind with others to support Nurul. The reasons are among:

1. First and foremost, people from both camp Azmin and Zaid have the respect for this young lady. She neither takes sides and she insisted that she's own her ownself.

2. Khalid Ibrahim has too many jobs in hand, juggling many balls. Perhaps it is better for him to concentrate on his duties as Selangor MB.

3. She insisted that it is not a family legacy behind her participation. That should set the ball rolling of young people leading the party.

4. Chances are in order to solve the bickering between Azmin and Zaid, Nurul can get votes from both sides, if she can play her cards well.

And yes, I'd put that picture on this blog from now on!

A Frog That Has No Bloody Manners!

One of my dad's friends at times will sarcastically said to other friends "no manners" if you refuse his offer to pour wine / liquor. Today, the Parliament reconvenes for the third session of the year. Due to the death of Batu Sapi MP, Edmund Chong, the Parliament observed a minute of silence to mark his passing.

What impressed me is that all the 23 MPs from PAS, in particular stood up to show its respect, despite being a clear-cut Islamic party. Maybe it lives up to its billing of being the actual moderate party, not as big mouthed as UMNO do. But what caught the interest is the antics of Ibrahim Katak Ali who is seen to be answering on the phone all the time and while in Parliament is in session.

Sure, my friend would say "no manners" to the Katak and it is something not right given that they complained of being whacked all the time yesterday, do they?

Another By-Election Coming in Sabah!

As if it is not enough, another by-election is coming in Sabah, and it's a Parliamentary seat.

BN will no doubt try to spend more money that what Najib was saying used to be from cutting subsidiaries from consumer products just merely to win that seat at all costs.

You ain't see it coming yet. But, it can be fun to go there on a political election fever!

You What!? Dr Ayam Coming To The Fold?

Pre-2008 election campaign period, I always have a disdain towards Dr. Ayam that got a Parliament seat by luck and without fighting it (only within the 1995-2000 period where Wee Choo Keong was disqualified). Everyone said that this guy is a pure example of a running dog of MCA. In the last three editions of the GE, he lost to DAP. I used to say that it's better to have a used-car dealer to be MP rather than a machai in Bukit Bintang.

PKR though speaking have been bringing ex-BN men into the fold, and the trend recently has raised eyebrows whether opportunists are brought in to serve as Trojan horses or otherwise. This also speaks that there are not enough qualified and real candidates pool that can contest well in the next General Elections (could be in concurrent with the Sarawak state election) or later in 2012.

The detoxification process in PKR already started should be intensified. As Syed Husin Ali said, Chong Meng's entry into the fold will have be scrutinized carefully. In the opinion column of Malaysiakini, many have clearly said no to Dr. Ayam coming in. Lately, we know that BN will do many things, even violent ways to make havoc in PR.

Some of people in PKR surely do not want him in because of the history - almost 15 to 20 years in MCA but many rejected him, and surely the business community in Bukit Bintang have clearly shown their dislike for this fat man there.

Yes, thread this guy at your risk, lest the same thing happens to those two assholes in Perak.

Flawed Policies and Laws: Human Psychology Factor Missing In Account Like The Proposed Copyright Act Amendment

KUALA LUMPUR: Buyers of pirated DVDs and VCDs will be fined five times the price of the genuine products once the Copyright Act is amended.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Ayah Dafi) said the ministry was hoping to table the proposal for first reading in Parliament, in the coming sitting beginning next week.

"Currently, the Act only allows us to take action against pirated DVD sellers but not those who buy these products.

"We hope that with the amendment to the Act, we will be able to curb the piracy issue in the country," he told reporters after attending the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia Hari Raya open house here Thursday.

On how the ministry would carry the enforcement once the Act was amended and whether house-to-house raids would be conducted, Ismail Sabri said the details were being planned.

He said the ministry would also work with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to stop illegal downloading from the Internet.

"We will work with MCMC to see if we can bar those involved in illegal downloading from accessing the Internet," he said.

Ismail Sabri said another amendment of the Copyright Act would also involve the collection of royalty.

"The Act will be amended to make it compulsory for all companies which collect royalty payments to register with our ministry.

"There must also be an agreement between these companies and the artistes involved to allow the former to collect the royalty," he said.

He said other intellectual property related laws like the Industrial Design Act, Patent Act and Trademark Act were also scheduled to be tabled for first reading in the coming Parliament sitting.

In April, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said the amendments would not only tighten the enforcement of intellectual property rights but also protect small and medium enterpreneurs as well as the creative and entertainment industry. - The Star (7 October 2010)

***

Note: In this article, I will refer Sabri Yaakob as Ayah Dafi since Dafi is his son who won AF5 reality show. 

I have seen a few articles on how the Malaysian authorities would use hard-man, hard fist style tactics like that above to combat problems in the country.The article above is an example of how a hard-fist approach is used to deal with the problem that is besetting Malaysia. After a while if you seat down and think hard on this situation, you would realize that it is virtually impossible to combat such crime. Some people would come to realize that such approach and policy to be implemented is deeply flawed because there is one key factor that is missing in the writing of law: human psychology.

Failure to Understand Human Psyche

It is very essential to understand the human psyche and the reason of them acting when dealing those problems. In this case of the piracy problem, there was a lack of viewing from the perspective of the person who would be buying a product labeled "pirated" by authorities and the entertainment industry. In this case, Malaysia is not a high-income country yet. Poverty rate is still above the actual norm lines. Some people don't like censorship. Some people could afford even RM50 to buy a movie title or music CD (genuine) from shops. Video shops might not have that title they are looking for and so forth.

We can go through one or two examples to illustrate why human psychology factor was missing in the approaches of solving problems in this country. For example:

1. Why are there phone booth vandalism?

Answer: Some people who are poor who wants to dig up coins to buy food to feed their hunger. Money collectors don't come routinely and on time to collect the money in the box, instead it is left to go overflow.

2. What is the genesis of a mat rempit?

Answer: Youngsters who have motorbikes who have the desire and the yearning to be free from the shackles of controls of old paranoid men and parents who do not understand them at all. These young men, are not rich people, and mostly they are not able to afford money to buy even a single car due high protectionism amount included into the final cost of car sold in Malaysia. If they can't get a car, motorcycle would be the next best thing of mode of transport. The national economy state also forms part of the genesis. If they do not buy motorcycles, sales from manufacturers of motorcycles would be abysmal. A weak public transport system also forms part of the reason and in fact forms the biggest reason such existence. Lack of public transport planning in both city and rural areas tends to frustrate many people in as a resort.

Many come from poor environments. Not the kind of comfort houses, but hut style houses (e.g Pantai Dalam) , getting out from stuffy environments, lacking the chance to compete in real proper motorcycling races. Or perhaps from jobs that don't give them much income - that's the problem of not having minimum salary clauses.

Therefore, it is wrong for the police and the IGP to say that all mat rempits are violent and behave like gangsters. This means, you cannot simply do a hard-fist action on them at all times hoping that will solve the problem. No, it is a 50-50 likelihood that starting a hard-fist action can make them do it again and again that will disregard the law at all. Notice that from their point of view and feelings, that they do not take kindly into police as like parents putting a brakes into something that they are in the middle of doing something.

If there is a better way to solve the problem, Hishamuddin Rais proposed this: (and Subramaniam the Human Resources Minister has to do it immediately, no excuses!)

Apakah betul kerajaan ada keinginan untuk memperbaiki hidup mereka?

Jika jujur dan berniat baik maka : Susun dan tubuhkan kesatuan pekerja di semua pasar raya. Tubuhkan kesatuan sekerja untuk semua pekerja di Seven Eleven, di Giant, di Tesco , di MacDogal, di Burger King, di warong-warong Rehat Lebuh Raya Utara Selatan. Pastikan mereka yang memburuh ini bukan hanya menjadi kuli batak untuk pemodal antarabangsa. Pastikan anak anak muda yang merempit ini dibayar selumayan mungkin. Pastikan mereka tidak ditindas dengan gaji yang kecil. Wujudkan gaji minama untuk seluruh buruh pekerja.

Ini baru langkah tepat yang mendahulukan warga. Bukan mendahulukan keuntungan untuk pemodal.

Jangan hanya pandai menghina anak anak muda yang merempit sebagai wabak. Mereka bukan penyakit. Mereka adalah sebahagian dari kita. Mereka adalah anak semua bangsa. Jangan hanya pandai mengutuk dan menangkap.

Coming back to the Copyright Act amendment, it is virtually impossible to eradicate technology piracy completely. No matter what are the measures to be taken, even if they want to sent buyers to jail, in Malaysia, it will only serve to anger more people, particularly the poor. True, it will anger other parties as well. A few months ago, vice-president of Universal Music International, Francis Keeling, clearly admitted of such impossibility.

Quote from BBC (18 May 2010):

"We've got markets like Spain and Italy, where [people say] 'You buy music? What are you doing buying music when you can get it for free?' 

"Clearly those markets are in the situation where, unless we can turn those markets around, we're going to have a major problem having a music business there."

 

Proponents of anti-piracy laws even including Ayah Dafi blame much of the piracy from P2P clients used such as bit torrent. However, what Ayah Dafi does not know about it is that by saying that is tantamount to declaring chairs as illegal. He also doesn't know that it is also a new way of companies doing content distribution, selling software via digital download without having the need to produce hard-copies and CDs to be sold and distributed to their customers.  

At this point of time, it is unrealistic to go busting illegal downloaders unless other problems that cause this phenomenon are solved first before going for the last. 

Dinesh Nair wrote a view in The Malaysian Insider date 15 June 2010, in which I concur with the rest which augments one of my arguements. Excerpt:

Both the ministry and the minister fail to see that bittorrent and P2P can instead be put to better use. Flood it with legal content not otherwise available through normal channels. Independent film and music producers and directors have long faced barriers in getting their films to viewers, no thanks to the middlemen and channels which control the distribution chain now. Read: aforementioned recording and movie companies. Releasing a film to be seeded on bittorrent is one such way of bypassing this control, and it is no wonder the MDs of these companies are worried. They do not want to lose their mojo in deciding what you and I get to see or hear.

Blocking P2P on the network or even banning P2P users from accessing the network is not going to work either. It would be trivially simple for people to utilise servers outside the country to download P2P content, and then hop it back into Malaysia using regular web or FTP connections. This would make the bandwidth asymmetry much worse in addition to making any such ban ineffective. Given the cost of internet access now, this scenario would possibly make it worse.

Reversing content download from outside the country is paramount, and P2P helps in that if used correctly. Banning the technology for what some people do on it is myopic, but instead we need to look at the real reasons why piracy happens and address those. The short and curly of it is that the content is just priced too high and people do not see the value in it. However, by giving viewers a better experience (saw Avatar in 3D didnt you?), content producers can recover any revenue they may have lost. But innovation is important in achieving this.

One cannot keep shovelling the same drivel and expect the consumer to keep paying more for it. Nor blame a useful technology in order to retain control over a distribution system which has gone stale.

I truly appreciate efforts of some parties to have open source technology since it is free of charge, and it can be improved by everyone. Everyone is welcomed to contribute and add to the existing content. Which is why, many technological solutions are now leaning towards open source and it is favored by companies who do not have the big amount of budget and resources to develop and manufacture their solution / product. The problem is that big brand products licensing fee (annually) is very expensive, especially in a big organization and when you convert US dollars to ringgit, which at this point of time, still unfavorable even though it is just above the 3.00 level.

For example, Adobe Flex, single license costs $700 USD, or RM 2200 approx. The amount would be exponential if 100 (no bulk special price) units are ordered and to be used by a medium-level organization. If such budget is unacceptable, but requirement of working mandates that use of product, having to use a pirated copy is the very last resort that companies will have to do.

Putting a block or regulating Internet is equivalent to against Mahathir's assurance of no Internet control when the MSC started at the end of the 1990s. A sinister agenda that some believe about such moot for regulation (mentioned a few days ago by Rais Yatim) is that of identifying content that do not speak the same language as the government even though there is a valid reason of not saying the same thing.

Outdated and inflexible Malaysian censorship

Even if the government wants to block connections to ISP over an offense of illegal downloading, people would still find other ways to get what they want. Even pirates would find another way to around without facing the music.

The censorship laws in Malaysia remains unrealistic and people who do not like the censorship (since it disrupts viewing with mute sounds, sudden cuts etc) would definitely look somewhere else outside official sources to get the uncut content. 

The one that suffers mostly from unrealistic Malaysian censorship would be independent mediamakers themselves. Their artistic vision will be chopped down due to inflexible rules, outdated ones or otherwise and things that do not make sense at all. I am told recently that tax breaks were not given even though if a movie is shot entirely in Malaysia largely because of the Bahasa Malaysia requirement. Language condition should be secondary, it should instead be given as an additional tax break, not a clause that people might not agree upon. Also, independent films were not given opportunity for proper marketing. The bulk of media marketing would be hogged giant international studios. When this happens, coupled with unrealistic censorship laws and ratings, Malaysia can never showcase its unique media to real giants even though they get attention from other international circuits. India, whose income is lower than us also gets spotlight in Hollywood due to its Bollywood culture craze.

Did Malaysia give tax breaks to the studio that produced Anna and The King since it's shot in Batu Gajah and Penang?

An article titled The Price of Censorship sums up what I too wish to convey.

Hard-Fist Approaches Won't Work, Ayah Dafi

Recently, having returned from holiday in Australia, the cigarette packs there adopt a different and more positive approach in tackling smoking problems. Instead of displaying all the negative signs of smoking (showing damaged organs in autopsy sessions), smokers are coerced and get to call the quit smoke hotline and counseling that can encourage them to gradually go away from smoking (a more positive and humane approach). It is also a win-win situation, where counseling also creates jobs for people who like to do sweet talk but can't get a job in sales outside.

One way to combat that piracy is to have more video and music rental shops all around town. You can rent a title for a small amount of money, also beneficial that those who don't want to buy but want to listen / watch. There should be a chain of such shops that should be operated by those who have the unique business skill, not those who only know basics only, which in turn can help reduce the problem in a more better approach.

When I was in Singapore, I asked a family friend of mine, of such low prices in purchasing televisions (brand new) and media players. My first answer was maybe because manufacturers have their factories there as well, reducing the cost, but what was missing is that

Now what Ayah Dafi may or may not know is that in that process, if Ayah Dafi wants to send little fishes to prison, government may have to build a bigger prison and indirectly, the volume of little fishes, instead of hardcore criminals who commit more violent crimes are put into prison over crimes deem petty in moral grounds. The bottom line is that any social-related policy or law that is to be implemented cannot simply go on without taking human psyche factor and understanding it into account.

In short, many policies and laws like Police Act, UUCA Act and even this proposal are flawed and outdated because ministers and politicians didn't take human psyche and psychology into consideration. There was a saying, to manipulate a man is a careful project. Move a man lightly, and he moves at his whim. Move a man harder and he would turn against you. 

Flayed: Ngeh and Nga

The Ngeh and Nga cousins, to some people in the Perak state level DAP can be irritating at times. In the period of one year of the Pakatan running the state before the coup by the BN last year, many have whisper murmurs of both of them, not Nizar calling the shots everywhere. And that leads to them indirectly giving enemies in and out ammunition to whack them to kingdom come. Look at the result such as Hee jumping out and Keshvinder Singh, cashing out to becoming independent first and then wishing to join PPP. 

If you look carefully, on some occasions these two people who jumped out are at times unhappy over how these two cousins call the shots. Of course, we previously heard of Hee asking for a brand new car, this and that, then Keshvinder was saying no money here and there = all tons of grouses. And that's why I found some sympathy and sorry for Kulasegaran. But there are bigger things to be handled rather than the feud. There is still the need to shed this perception of DAP being called the Chinese party and instead pursue the objective of becoming another multi-racial party in case PKR packs up or when Gerakan implodes right now (as evident as Keng Yaik quitting as advisor and Koh Tsu Koon get whacked for becoming ostrich). UMNO and its media loves to call DAP as "traitor" to the chinese due to its alliance with PAS and still sees them as "Parti Cina", which also gives them a reason to hate them because they are opposition.

Ngeh and Nga will have to forget about calling the shots. DAP and Gerakan were originally once setup to be a true multi-racial party, if according to history they were setup by intellectuals from all races. They will need to start convincing non-Chinese to come into the party. If there is one who wish to join either of the three are disgusted by the PKR polls right now, or they are a little uncomfortable of PAS' party line, then perhaps the DAP can be considered as the middle of the three. That will be a good starting point to demonstrate its original inception of being a multi-racial party replacing Gerakan.

The sorry statement by Ngeh, will not work and hold for long.

The Australian Diaries #11

Well, I am at the end of the Aussie adventure. Busy packing up and taking care of the last details before going back to KL. Man, it's worth the trip here. It's better to go back rather than on Sunday, which leaves no time to prepare to go back to work.....

After back, back to the usual posting stuff. :)

The Australian Diaries #10

Well, my adventure is almost to the end here and in the last two days, I have been on tour to other spots outside Melbourne, and today was another wine tasting adventure in Yarra Valley. But I would come back to that shortly.

It was very windy and very very cold in the Twelve Apostles at Great Ocean Road. The first and last two hours is a little dull, since you need to go to Geelong (the second largest city in Victoria). On the way, there were obviously a few stops to visit like Urquhart's bluff, Apollo Bay (for lunch as well), Gibson's point and of course Port Campbell. I am told that Great Ocean Road is in priority worth visiting over Phillip Island. On the visit to Loch Ard Gorge, there was a hailstorm, though minor, it hits people when visiting the first marker.

Great Ocean Road took me nearly a whooping 12 hours until I got really tired, when getting back home.

Yarra Valley was the opposite. From the city, it took roughly 90 minutes to go to the first wineyard. But the morning was ruined by rain, which eventually stopped after mid-noon. A little story at Yearing Station was that the biscuit that I bought for munching later was the last one to be priced at an unusual price. The e-tag was reading $12 while the sticker tag reads $9.50, which the price paid would be the sticker price. There was a mistag incident, the store manager said. 

The wine tasting there was a much better experience than what I had in Hunter Valley given of two main reasons, one being the guide - who was discussing his KL visits with me and foodwise and another being having the chance to go to Domain Chandon, which has the best sparkling wine in the region. I got a bottle of the vintage 2002 for a dinner which I threw later in the night. 

One thing about Melbourne is that it is much colder and sometimes freezing my fingers in the morning and night that I thought Sydney would be better in climate wise. But Melbourne was much better in the sense of how the transaction system works and more efficient than in Sydney. Melbourne and Sydney has pros and cons really. 

Just got back from a visit at Crown Casino, the only one in the city. A fire broke out in Melbourne Central, not sure what is happening now, since there isn't any news item on that being reported at the time of writing.

Well, time to cover some missing spots tomorrow.

SABM Melbourne Launch

The SABM Melbourne chapter has debuted tonight in Flinders Lane with a talk by the Penang CM, Guan Eng. He has an entourage accompanying him including Mansor Othman, Kit Siang and two MPs, the Bukit Bendera MP Chin Tong and Kon Yeow.

I noticed that this is more for those who have no idea at all, given that Guan Eng talks about Penang's CAT thing following by the federalism issue that is mentioned by Kit Siang. Rounding up the event is a question and answer session among the people there.

The session started 30 minutes later. But the turnover was double than the projected amount of 80 persons as initially planned. The turnover is pretty encouraging. 

I was fortunately to be invited by a mutual friend, John Khoo and in turn gave assistance in providing pictures from the event for the organizing team of the chapter. 

Extra thanks to David and Lutfi from SABM Melbourne for additional help.

The Australian Diaries #9

Melbourne was quite packed on Friday and yesterday. That's because there's the AFL final between two clubs within the state - St. Kilda against Collingswood. The match between the two ended with a draw, 68 a piece, and under the current AFL rules, there would be a rematch next week, so the hype is still on to determine who would win this season once and for all.

The net connection here is slow because there was a technical problem happening in the network that I am using here right now, hopefully would be back to normal in the next few days or so. A technician told my friend that a possum has bitten the outside line, making things real slow. In this case, in the morning, it was pretty slow.

On Friday, there was a parade in Federation Square, making most streets closed off. I went to visit the Victoria Market first. It was cleaner than our markets back home and there's this famous donut store there which produces freshly made jam donuts or so. As a food kaki, I was brought to a few other places including a Brother Baba Budda coffee store, famous for its lattes, and Nam Loong in Russell Street, for its famous buns.

Of course, Friday was my friend's birthday, so there's a trip and a yummy meal of Korean BBQ in Chinatown and a drinking party at the famous Asian Bar called Cho Gao, drinking all the way until after midnight. The food adventure still goes on, with Saturday lunch at Lygon Street, a street full of Italian shops and of course a must have visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol. If you have read the history of the Australian Robin Hood, Ned Kelly, surely there's a story to be told in the gaol.

And of course, a few places to cover around including the Immigration Museum, Melbourne Museum, Shrine of Remembrance and the historic St. Paul's Cathedral makes the first two days trip quite eventful.

For today? We didn't really go to town, apart from exploring the Shrine (including the crypt, the Changi flag that has Lady Edwina's signature on it), the Camberwell flee market, the St. Kilda's beach (which has die hard St. Kilda supporters there) and some shopping on Chapel Street, before some home cooked dinner.

Tomorrow's self-exploring day - jumping down to town and covering the remaining places there. Seems that the Penang CM Guan Eng is showing up in town, as I am told. But until now, here's a picture of me in town.

Signing off now....

The Australian Diaries #8

Here we are in Melbourne, the second half of the Australian adventure here.

I made it to Melbourne by 1 pm, with a 90 minute flight from Sydney and in bunking with my best friend Adrian in one of the city's suburbs. Real tired, so I had a nap before dinner.

Of course, since it's Adrian's birthday, so we had a drinking party with him all night long.

It's gonna be a good day tomorrow, AFL parade is tomorrow, with I see covering Melbourne in a few days.

Shits all about the pocket money...

The Australian Diaries #7

This would be the end of the first half of the Australian adventure. 

I was mostly in Darling Harbor, covering the last three spots including the Maritime museum, Power house museum and the chinese garden. Unfortunately, the insuffficient time means that I didn't really cover thefamous shopping arcades in George Street, nor exploring the spots in down town or even visiiting Elizabeth Bay House in Kings Cross.

I realized that it is also possible to spend one more day (if planned before coming), but I find that I can cover at most three to 4 spots per day, as it would take a few hours being at one place at a time.

Sadly, this means that I am not able to see those places until the next time in town.

Well, I would have to sign off for now, as I will need to pack up and be readyfor the flight to Melbourne. Need to reach the airport by 10 am...really.

The Australian Diaries #6

Let's call this as a double-bill posting since my internet credit was over before I could post this. 

Sunday morning, I was with a friend going past the Rocks, in which he told me Observer Hotel has famous names, big names coming in there particularly on Friday / Saturday nights. So I decided to go there for some booze - includes a pint of beer and a shot of rum. Of course, the atmosphere is good but well under control. At least there is a policeman monitoring so that the people in there don't get rowdy due to alcohol or something.

The next day, I intended to cover the missing part of the Rocks by venturing into some essential parts of the place. However, certain venues, like Sailor's House, National Trust centre and Susannah's Place were closed by the time I arrived there (Sailor's was closed for renovation).

I wanted to see how Sydney Theatre is compared to our KL PAC, so I went to get a ticket for a show tomorrow night called The Trial (from Franz Kafka's novel). When I ordered one, the ticket man asked me whether I'm under 30. When I asked why, he said that I am entitled to a discount since Sydney Theatre is encouraging more young people to come and watch by giving a discount. (I was given 1/2 price). 

Speaking of a surprise, I told a few people how I saw someone famous by accident while going back to Circular Quay, awaiting for a cab.

When I covered almost all of the Rocks and finally a few places in around Botanical Gardens, I realized that
I've still got more places to go. Some museums have yet to be covered, famous places and I've got Manly and Darling Harbour to cover. I could only go to see the Sydney Tower before ending my day with a decent meal and writing this up.

*

So this morning, I decided to cover those ocean world and animal stuff. I started by taking a ferry to Manly, a 30 minute, 11km ride across the harbor. Although there are a few spots to watch, but when you start to compare Ocean World there with Darling Harbour's Aquarium, you would notice that Darling's is bigger there. Still that didn't stop me from exploring The Corso (main path heading to the beach) and having a proper fish and chips lunch.

I find going to Darling is like going 270 degrees. First you have to go back to Circular Quay and then moving westwards to Darling. Paramatta is also on the way but longer, but I realized that it is virtually impossible to cover that place, given of tomorrow I intend to cover up more places and then spending the last third of the day for some window shopping. Anyhow, those in the Gardens have been completed, and now, just only a few places downtown, the Powerhouse and Maritime Museum and so forth.

Kafka's The Trial is I'd say is okay, you'd understand the story if you have read the book or go through its article over Wikipedia. But the trek back to Central is long and I eventually forego a second round of drinks at the Observer Hotel.

It's 1 a.m and I'm still writing this. Shit. I think 1 week, is not enough really, but hey, there could be a second round, if you are lucky around the time next year. I thought I was lucky because the opera season is usually done in the winter. In Sydney, it could go on until mid-next month.

5 Simple Sentences For Malaysia

The sayings of Norman Rockwell

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read:

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.
5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

When the mob refuses to do this, that will be part of the makings of a failed state.

The Australian Diaries #5

John, whom I met during a candlelight vigil in PJ sometime last year and family were hosting me out for today, since I told him that I would be in town. I happened to be in contact through one of our mutual friends and I managed to cover some places that it will be slow to reach. Mostly in the eastern suburbs, where the rich rub their places there.

First morning was on the Gap, which is the north and south points where the army would monitor for Japanese intrusion into the city. And then we had lunch at one of the restaurants there. Man, there are tons of seafood there that it can be used as lunch, but instead it's "yum cha", which he was thinking about. I said no problem if they want that.

We got delayed due to the closure of the bridge for Sydney Marathon today so I went visiting other places including the art museum and of course Mrs. MacQuarie's point. Bondi Beach was another place hard to reach but worth to see the crescent shape of the beach really. Finally, there's a proper rice and che chow (chinese cooking food) at Chinatown which was pretty good really.

I find that I've still got more places to cover within the next three days. Every direction. I am simply worried that I might not be able to cover it. One place, Manly will take at least half a day to be there. At least there's a check list that I have in hand. Might want to start early tomorrow.....

The Australian Diaries #4

It's mainly taste wine, munch something, taste wine and back forth.

Today was getting out of town and to Hunter Valley for wine tasting sessions. I was only told while picking up people in Star City that the guide who's driving me round is one of the best. From there, it was a hectic 2.5 hour drive to Hunter Valley via the town of Cessock.

So we were taken to five of the best wineyards in the valley and having a decent gourmet lunch. There was a wine that stands out of the rest that I've tried, but I learnt that they don't export it. Shame, I could have been buying one back for Dad to try, but before I left for Australia, he said no need at all. Correct, the problem will be on international flights customs thing wrangle.

Pretty tired really, so I was wandering around George Street two hours ago looking for a place for dinner. But I ended up in MacDonalds for something simple. In truth, I was supposed to finish posting #3 yesterday, but the credit ran off and having to be ready before 7am today was prompting it.

I need to cover The Rocks tomorrow, and whatever places surrounding it. The Friday thing is making things a little difficult to plan.

The Australia Diaries #3

Figaro was a roaring success last night.

I came back from watching the funny, comic 3 hour opera - The Marriage of Figaro featuring Mozart's signature overture and one of its arias, No More Gallivanting (end of act I or called orignally as Non Piu Andrai). At the end of the opera, the applause was continuous and the cast members performed a lap of honor three times. I must admit that everyone was doing well, but the only appearance that I was not comfortable was Cherubino the page - to my view.

Actually the food serving was big and I felt full after only having bread, cereal, and juice. While in afternoon, a slice of pizza 7up was good enough.

In the morning I went to cover Hyde Barracks and the state government house before spending 2 hours alone collecting my ticket booking at the opera house and doing its tour there. Circular Quay was full of street performers, even one guy did a 12-feet unicycling and there's a mime. Only problem is to get familiar with the train routes. I wanted to cover Botanical Gardens and a few places but the timing won't permit it :(

I took a long walk from Circular Quay / Pitt Street all the way back to the Town Hall, out of curiosity. The Pitt / Hunter Street intersection was interestingly the place where Smith and Neo brawled.

It's gonna be a full day at Hunter Valley tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm leaving you with a pic of me with the bridge.

"Hello Daddy, Hello Mum, I;m A Cherry Bonb" - The Runaways - Cherry Bomb

P.S: While visiting the opera house, the guide was telling us of Ms. Bryce's (Aus' Gov. General) official residence on the other side of the bridge. I just thought of changing that line to first names e.g Julia /Quentin as to say I got arrived in town. Nah, but I thought the Eagles song New Kid in Town fits better.

Shit. The post comes one day late. Credit is out.

The Australian Diaries #2

Hey family,

Man, if it's 6 pm in Sydney, it's like 8 pm back in KL. Once reaching airport, there was a strict quarantine check due to the HFM outbreak and true most shops are closed before 7 pm so I would go somewhere near Dixon Street Chinatown for a quick meal.

Sydney's at 16 Degrees Celcius, like in a room of air-cond set at the lowest. The guy who was to pick me up got held to a meeting so I had to pay $15 to go down Central. Well, the internet prepaid is chewing up the credit remaining so this will be my posting before late night.

Tonight it's Figaro in the Opera house and I am making sure that I ain't going to miss it.

For now, it's a bit tough to decide which place to visit. Maybe the gardens will do.

It's the credit that I've got to cut here.

The Australian Diaries #1

I'm just putting up a series of entries since I am on some a holiday, backpacker style, to Australia. Well, this is plainly just in case for some family members and friends to assure that I am alright all the time there.

Right now - at the airport for some breakfast.

It was fortunate though that the flight was delayed by 30 minutes due to some other passengers transiting to this flight as well. Man, I haven't been to the KLIA airport for more than 10 years. The last was being on a return holiday trip to Singapore.

I was bit nervous thinking that I would not be able to wake up and catch the cab which I booked a few days earlier. Weary, I was watching a late night movie, having a small bottle of Red Bull and on the computer to keep myself awake. I would lie in the bed or in the worst case scenario, I had an alarm clock set to 5 am to help out. 

I am likely to go incommunicado in the next 12 hours or so thus, this is me until here now, on a wireless network. If I am still able to keep myself awake after reaching Sydney, I hope to find time to update. 

Hishamuddin Rais: AA UU AA UU

Continuation over part 1 by Hisham Rais titled: Negara Ciplak.

You be the judge.

Malaysia Day

This is the first time ever in 47 years that Malaysia gets to celebrate its own day - in the proper fashion.

A few hours ago, I went to collect a package that I ordered from a shop near home. As I was waiting for the package, a girl asked the shopkeeper, what is Malaysia Day? And the assistant said, "1 Malaysia". The girl went to ask another shopkeeper next door to get the answer. No one was able to answer exactly.

That's the problem. People in the Peninsular can hardly know what is Malaysia Day, except those in Sabah and Sarawak. In fact, it is the day where these two states joined the peninsular to form Malaysia. If you remember history, the original date was supposedly to be on 31 August 1963 but was delayed pending ratification by the United Nations before its declaration today.

In fact it just come too late to have Malaysia Day declared as a national holiday. If you ask this question during Madey's time, he'd say there's too many public holidays already in the annual calendar!

Here's one problem. In the past 47 years, Sabah and Sarawak are just starting to realize that Federal government is forgetting about honoring the 20 point agreement that was made prior to the joining of the federation. And where has both states grown from 1963 onwards? Not much really. Poverty level in both states are still in poor. Sarawak, despite having vast natural resources, remains poor because those were robbed by the wealthy barons including the state's first family. Sarcastically, I'd say that it's nice to see an anti-Taib or Taib Must Go campaign to tell the CM that 30 years plus is enough and the plundering has gone to the peak point already.

The one common myth that we're told is that the struggle to form Malaysia is done without bloodshed. That is not true. In fact, there are some left-wing parties, even including KMM, AWAS, API that started the struggle of forming Malaysia way earlier than United Malays National Organisation. In fact "Merdeka" slogan was first uttered by KMM (notable figure was Ibrahim Yaacob) Read more here.

Malaysia is already 47 years in formation, almost half of my age. And to commemorate this, read the join statement here.

Spat and Failure As From History

The heat between UMNO and Perkasa still goes on with both sides squabbling one another.

Once, in the 18th century, the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (the Musical King) tried to implement various policies for the advancement of mankind. His philosophy was largely influenced by Enlightenment but he was ultimately failed by the subjects whom rejected most of his policies. In this context of history, it can be applied to Najib himself. Again, NEM, 1Malaysia and his various projects will never hit at the top because of pressure from the other face of UMNO: Perkasa and some of the NGOs. As the result, he has to roll back some of the things that are supposed to be implemented.

It is very interesting to note that UMNO and Perkasa will end up getting whacked one another with the more and more shouting matches going on and on. But in reality, they need one another for their own survival, so says Azmi Sharom:

“Umno needs Perkasa,” he said. “It is uprooted from the ground which makes it difficult to dismiss the fact that Perkasa is filling the void it has left. From this point of view, Ibrahim is absolutely spot on.

In the case of Mahathir, despite having a blog and a good amount of visitors, he still needs Perkasa which serves as a platform for him to speak out his stuff. Obviously, he can't do that in UMNO himself as previously when he criticized Pak Lah, he did not get to represent the Kubang Pas. If Mahathir tries to speak out as UMNO member, other people including those in the AJK level (e.g, Nazri) will whack him up and down. But sometimes you have to watch out of Mahathir particularly to the point where he might no longer need Perkasa.

It seems that Mahathir right now is trying to do the same thing he did with Pak Lah, that is to plan and take off Najib. Sure, Najib is split into doing the right way or keeping Mahathir's legacy of work and style intact after all the 22 years of work as PM. 

Being the head of BN is no easy job having to juggle with 22 other component parties. And there's the pain of treading the fine line of commuting for other people vs Ketuanan Melayu thing. If there's one thing that I can say about this that the surface of Perkasa is showing a side of people that merely wants fish but does not know how to fish.

Having read the first part of Malaysian Maverick book, it shows a prime example of a Malay man who unlike a typical normal heartland person who works very hard to achieve to the top of the society. There are certain Malay Malaysian icons that goes under the same category defined above. In turn, Mahathir tries to get his fellow Malays to emulate the model of a successful hardworking man but the attitudes including complacency and inability to pick up from what was taught would eventually be the greatest failure for him (evident in his poem, "Melayu Mudah Lupa").

Perkasa and those who would vouch for Ketuanan Melayu are akin to people who were taught to fish once but simply are not able to fish out themselves to feed themselves. That is why whenever people want to engage in healthy discussions, there are those who would wave cliche card (including warning of never questioning rights, threats of this and etc..) . It's more or less the expectation of spoon feeding to the end of time.

It's the history that mirrors what is happening. Same pattern of spat and failure but at a different time setting.

Dropping The Self-Dignity = Kow Tow

This is the classic case of kow tow: Pornstar Chua said that he has never heard of any leaders being racist.

On to Muhyiddin. In the days of him being the MB, from what I understand via history, Chua used to be his bagman back in Johor. Right now, in the spat between Perkasa and UMNO, we have notice the characters like Najib, KJ, Kunan, Nazri and a few people who have been opening their mouths in their opinions against Perkasa vs those from there like Ibrahim Ali and Mahathir himself.

A few hours ago, I read the second half of the FMT interview with Ong Tee Keat, since his post-MCA president fallout there. What Tee Keat foresaw should he get bumped out is that instead of MCA bouncing back, MCA ends up digging the grave deeper and deeper into the ground. And whatever happens after Ong left the presidency hit true like PKFZ swept under the carpet. There was a joke on OTK, with a friend calling him Superman Grounded in conjunction with the current Superman story called Grounded.

I also used to meet one of my friends. He was in fact a close neighbor of Chua during the Batu Pahat days and he told me of the many things that allude to such personality that Chua embodies. Despite decent qualifications and rank including the holding of a ministerial post previously, what Chua did recently is enough to spell that people aren't keen to look at MCA anymore because of what they doing. I too share the opinion of some people who see MCA in newspapers everyday as something that people are getting fed up off.

I mean, for Chua to say that he has never heard of any of UMNO leaders being racist is somewhat something absolutely wrong and stupid. Recently, Mahathir made a confession that if there are no bumi quotas in public institutions of higher learning, the number of Malays with degrees will be much lower. And this was against the common principle of giving opportunity by merit. First thing that came across my mind of having Chua said such thing is one word: "useless". 

MCA is still in the muck. There is still no race relations yet. An act would do good. There are bigots and people out there who call non-Malays as immigrants. Why not Chua go and whack this Ridhuan Tee fellow? Why not show everyone that MCA also has the par footing / strength as UMNO? Why not Chua show people that MCA should be a class A party whereas right now, they are being branded by UMNO as class B?

Read this part from Kuan Yew:

“Malaysians saw it as a Malay country, all others are lodgers, “orang tumpangan”, and they the Bumiputras, sons of the soil, run the show. So the Sultans, the Chief Justice and judges, generals, police commissioner, the whole hierarchy is Malay," Kuan Yew had said in an interview earlier this month..

"All the big contracts for Malays. Malay is the language of the schools although it does not get them into modern knowledge. So the Chinese build and find their own independent schools to teach Chinese, the Tamils create their own Tamil schools, which do not get them jobs. It’s a most unhappy situation."

Isn't this Ketuanan Melayu in front of our own eyes? And Chua Soi Lek chooses to defend it? It's puke!

Looks like we all have to invent another name for the pornstar.

Hari Raya Eid Murbarak

Could have been done earlier but the Internet line here was down.

Wishing my Muslim friends, colleagues and fellow readers of this blog a brand new Eid Murbarak and may God that we, the humankind share in common bless us all.

Pete: We're Under Severe Attack

Free Malaysia Today and Malaysia Today including Anwar Ibrahim's blog was constantly blocked by DDOS (Distribute Denial of Service attacks) - a technical jargon where anonymous, huge amount of requests go into the website as to block and slowdown traffic coming from other places. In other words, we simplified this as hogging.

"We are under severe attack," Raja Petra said in an email from London, where he now lives. "We've been down for the last 12 hours and a day before that for 24 hours. Looks like someone is spending a lot of money to keep us off the air." The website's technology personnel restored access, only to have it disappear again.

The definite association to why the site is being attacked by this DOS is that Malaysia Today published two articles, one that links to United Malays National Organisation in a deal brokered to cover up the wrong doings of former MAS chairman Tajudin Ramli, and another in which a tycoon involved for the Gemas / Johor Bahru that said that of the RM 500 million cost of that was balked by the Chinese government, 40 percent goes to Najib / Rosmah (Read the rest here at Asia Sentinel)

Out of here, I can see that it is a mischief that is caused by a cell within UMNO. Remember the cybertroopers division thing that Pete used to talk? Whatever happens above shows one thing that UMNO is pinned in the butt or if I am to see from Pete's point of view - spot on. From there, all the delusions of losing power and so forth began to emerge from the demented and warped mind of the mob group called UMNO. 

And consider this: suppose if I am someone that absolutely hates Raja Petra Kamaruddin and could not touch him physically, the next thing I would do is to get someone to spoil his thing, in other words I would pay someone to spoil the website like doing this DDOS attack thing. Let's say that I don't even know about technical computing, I would pay someone to do the dirty work. Makes my hands clean...and a gives a good excuse to say that I didn't do it. 

Won't that makes sense in this situation?

Although the DDOS has impacted a lot of people visiting Malaysia Today, this doesn't stop RPK from releasing an article via an anonymous blog called: "Why is BN buying pistol, grenades from underground sources"

Having read that, I certainly believe that it is similar to the conspiracy stories that I've read. Conspirators, some in and out, attempt to stop the rightful from becoming the government by throwing everything, including instigating a.l.a. Black Ops to make the one doing it. Consider as if framing the CCID chief or some people with false charges as to cover up but in the bigger scale.

My hypothesis is simple: it takes one national emergency to do the master plan. It is a repeat of 1969. They instigate it, the other side falls for it by retaliation and finally it gives an excuse to suspend the Constitution. Najib's father was the head of the National Security Council so it is a familiarity and ease to slip into the shoes that is the NSA. 

That's right..where's Kit Siang, Anwar and the gang when this problem comes out? Anyone there?

Hisham Rais: Bonsai

The above Malaysiakini video is from the KLCAH talk featuring Hisham Rais yesterday that refers to this article: "UMNO has shrunk the Malay mind"

See What Happens If You Don't Read!

If there's one thing I can see why these people particularly those from the Malay NGOs would criticize, it's plainly because of one simple thing: they don't even read that much. Or they tend to misunderstand or could not distinguish the difference between one word and another.

In Free Malaysia Today, Syed Husin Ali stated in defense of Nurul Izzah that UMNO leaders are already narrow-minded despite promoting the 1Malaysia concept. Of course, the key statement by Syed Husin is in regards to the affirmation that in the Constituition, there is no such thing as "special rights", but instead "special position". When you compare between rights and position, there is a significant meaning between the two words. Rights means "a claim to a title, by means", while position means "situation / condition". In other words, if you re-read the line of Article 153 in two languages, you will notice that it is really spells out as "special position" meaning, condition - not entitlement.

It is very simple to see the difference by going to an online dictionary site and see the meaning of the two words.

Since this is in reference to the Federal Constitution, I too concur with the Bar council that it is silly for this Malay NGO to 1 Malaysia Youth Graduands Club to say that the campaign of knowing the Federal Constitution is seditious. Look, the campaign has been ratified by certain people including the Parliament Speaker, a Federal Court Judge and a minister. From what I've read after the Bar Council responded to the police report saying it is baseless, this guy, Ezaruddin Abdul Rahman is a perfect person that doesn't read a book to get the facts, mostly actions are from heresays and false facts.

Unfortunately, when I came to know that why people act like those two moreons above, I came to attribute such examples to what Hisham Rais was talking about. Yesterday, at the KLCAH, Malaysiakini and a few other online dailies reported of Hisham saying: the Malay mind has been "bonsified" (shrunk and distorted, like a bonsai plant) by Umno's political agenda in order to perpetuate the culture of fear against non-Malays. Sadly, I must concur with Hisham's opinion because there are still many of us who have no clue of what is actually happening and still kept in the blue by inaccurate and spinning reporting by pro-mob dailies.

Quote from Malaysiakini:

"This process that 'bonsifies', nullifies and stupefies (Malays) goes back to the British time. (Malays) are led by lazy leaders and lazy thinkers," Hishamuddin (middle in photo) said at the 'Malays are muted too!' forum at the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall last night.

The controversial activist noted that Malays have been indoctrinated to fear new ideas and 'ghosts' of Chinese supremacy, to the point that the Malay public believe that the 'ghosts' are real threats to their existence.

Taking the example of bomoh or witchdoctors, Hishamuddin claimed that Umno employs the same tactics to convince the Malays that they are constantly battling against hantu (ghosts).

"In Malaysia it is very simple. The hantu for the Malays are the Chinese. The Malays are made to believe that there are all sorts of hantu, to encourage the public to be thankful for Umno (to save them).

"It's just like (the tactics of) the bomoh in the kampung, where kampung folk will be told that there are all sorts of hantu to deal with... Umno uses the same modus operandi," he said.

Playing up fears

Hishamuddin claimed that just like the colonial British in Malaya, Umno realises that a liberated Malay mind is a threat to their existence, hence the ruling party's efforts to stop the liberalisation of the Malay mindset.

He alleged that Umno would never agree to free the Malay mind as it is all about maintaining the ruling party's power and control over Malaysia's wealth.

In order to get out of the "shrunk and distort" syndrome, the act on hearsays has to be toned down and more reading must be encouraged. In addition to that, there is a need to do the lab-work style of investigating factual elements. Until the syndrome is reduced significantly, don't expect Malaysia to reach vision 2020, NEM to achieve and whatever things that the leaders come out would eventually become mere lip-service and things failed because of the syndrome.

DO you also see that if you do not read, this is what is happening?

There must be some drastic action by ourselves that at times we cannot depend on others.

Say Sorry Day

Today marks the Say Sorry Day where everyone forgives one another and move on.

Yesterday there was an event to commemorate that in form of art.

Music, recitals and comedy skits you name it.

Here are some pics from yesterday's show:

Hisham Rais's comedy skit

Amir Muhammad

The Brand New Malaysian Classic Comedy Uncensored!

So it's proven that our education system is creating so many zombies and people who can't even think beyond the box. Even with Muhyiddin as the minister, it still doesn't do much to change the product mould of people out from our education system.

And here's a perfect case of somebody who gets mocked by everyone. The MACC lawyer himself.

The series of videos can be a double-edge sword..a classic Malaysian comedy uncensored or a subject of ridicule in the eyes of the world. This time, Hishamuddin Hussein is not able to say bad mouth to the country, because MACC has already been shooting their own feet over this.

And this is C-Span video style dude! And it should be a online blockbuster!

One phrase: KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH KAH!

More from here (part 1 is below, you can see the rest at youtube):

If We Don't Have Freer Media, Can We Trust MSM?

KUALA LUMPUR: The public should trust the mainstream media as it is fact-based, compared to the opinion-based alternative media, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said some of the articles published on the alternative media, such as websites and blogs, were "half truths and inaccurate".

"The mainstream media has one strength which cannot be found in the alternative media, and that is the mainstream media can be considered fact-based.

"If we read the mainstream media, we intuitively regard it as an authoritative report, where its facts cannot be questioned," he said at a breaking of fast ceremony at the New Straits Times Press headquarters here Thursday.

"There must be a discerning public who can see the strength of the mainstream media," he added. - The Star

By law, if you are to print a daily newspaper, you have to acquire a permit under the PPPA. Look at Nurul Izzah, see how she has to submit her application to get the annual printing permit and wait until the application is passed. Chances are that while Barisan Nasional remains in power, the act is unlikely to be abolished, lest it faces the wrath of Madey himself.

Ask ourselves whether whatever Najib says that MSM tells the truth, despite being authoritative and facts that cannot be questioned.

Wrong. Utusan, for example has been playing and fanning racial sentiment with its distorted inaccurate.

And what happens if you try to put the truth out to the rest of the world press?

No prize for guessing: editors get persecuted, like today where the editors getting persecuted by the newspaper owned by Taib Mahmud's family. Or perhaps look at how Nurul Izzah was blindly accused  and branded by hardcore nationalists and UMNO men like Hishamuddin and Zahid Hamidi as traitors and bad-mouthing Malaysia.

If the MSM here is not free, where else can people reveal the truth? No brain..this mob group!

The part where the ruling regime screaming of bad-mouth is proving that the truth really hurts and in fact what they said as lies is actually truth. That is their achilles heel.

And for that reason, as to appease the regime, is why people, particularly those in the rural land are still kept in the blue out of the real thing. I had a friend who tried asking her fellow nurses about the Teoh Beng Hock case, and nobody except her knows about the TBH case.

Is this the stupidity project that goes around Malaysians?

And you're saying that the MSM is trustworthy, Jibby?

That's pretty ridiculous, Mat Mongol!

How Many More People Must They Be Conned and Lied To?

Picture work of vicious serial liars - Guan Eng

According to Malaysiakini, PAS has filed a police report against an apparent UMNO cybertrooper called "PAS Beruk" over a doctored picture that featured Guan Eng. However, it is not real. The real picture was actually Nizar participating in the ceremony.

Which leads to one conclusion: How many more Malays must UMNO cheat and lie?

Reeducating Children and Youths Via New Routine

I find what Ibrahim "Katak" Ali said about things that cannot be debated as somewhat reminded me of how teachers would teach kids in school right now, leaning more to the shut up and listen routine. The shut up and listen routine is somewhat making children somewhat stupid, incapable of creativity, improvisation, making choices of their own. If they are to ask something to the teacher of something that attracts their curiosity or something that do not understand, whatever they ask are immediately shot down.

AUKU / UUCA act is the "shut up and listen" law that makes Malaysian students - becoming more or less incapable of thinking of themselves - something that should not happen in the modern society that requires working people to have a proper amount of creativity, thinking and soft skills.

By refusing to debate against Nurul Izzah, Katak Ali has stated indirectly of still adopting the shut up and listen mentality in the teaching perspective. Or in an another way, we put it like shoving something that is questionable, disputable into a person's mind disregarding of the consequences. Do you have the slightest idea that by saying that it means you are not showing fairness to the rest?

For instance, like we study Malaysian history (say in Form 3 or in Form 5), we came to realize that whatever that is written in the history text books only shows one side of the Malaysian history (pre-independence period). There are indeed missing pieces of information that forms part of the complete picture of Merdeka.

Need to say more? You just watch this video by Hishamuddin Rais and you judge for yourself.