Ibrahim Ali Fumbled in White Packets

The picture of Ibrahim Ali distributing white money packets to the Chinese people in conjunction with the first time Perkasa open house drew either question marks and brickbats saying that Ibrahim Ali is giving the Chinese community a death wish, since a white packet means for funeral money. I've been through three to four funerals enough to see how it is like.

I must say that Braheng had fumbled in dealing this aspect because some may consider it as a bitchslap from Perkasa to the non-Malay community since it is their attempt to show the moderate face whereas it has been noted since its inception that this one of the NGOs apart from those noted to be making broohas on racial, religion and royalty matters. The picture there says it. 

If Perkasa were to live to the claim that they mind the sensitivities of the other races, they could have at least serve a dish of roast pork, as to round up the meals served, lest because they still want to show that they are holier than thou that they will not do that? Isn't that even defeating the idea of showing how "moderate they are". There are people out there who still remembered what Braheng Ali who accidentally tell the Chinese people to stock up and stay home prior to the 9 July Bersih 2 rallies.

It should have been $10000 of hell's money BTW. But I found it funny and sarcastic to say things about this man who likes to rant about Ketuanan Melayu, jaguh kampung yet fumbled in this thing.

So the research which I read the other day turns out to be true. There are many people out there who likes to make nonsense rants, very very conservative views and unwilling to change, adapt and reform. The research reveals that people have prejudice views because they have a very low intelligence level IQ.

You can read the excerpt below, the rest here:

There's no gentle way to put it: People who give in to racism and prejudice may simply be dumb, according to a new study that is bound to stir public controversy.

The research finds that children with low intelligence are more likely to hold prejudiced attitudes as adults. These findings point to a vicious cycle, according to lead researcher Gordon Hodson, a psychologist at Brock University in Ontario. Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, the study found. Those ideologies, in turn, stress hierarchy and resistance to change, attitudes that can contribute to prejudice, Hodson wrote in an email to LiveScience.

"Prejudice is extremely complex and multifaceted, making it critical that any factors contributing to bias are uncovered and understood," he said.

So you see, Ibrahim Ali is a living example of those with prejudice, exhibiting low level IQ (hence his bragging of Jaguh Kampung). I could have said "churn choi" but hey, I ROFL over to at the antics of Pak Pandir of the day! We can even break out our foot in his John Brown hind pants to make him run a mile for fumbling - at the risk of his heart problem.

Welcoming Lunar New Year 2012

Gong Xi Fa Cai, Gung Hee Fatt Choy  Happy New Year to readers, friends and colleagues alike!

What They Dare Not Speak Its Name

Pay close attention to what conspiracy theory man David Icke said about the clear distinction between Jews and Zionism. One is a religion and another is about how they act and think. Hishamuddin Rais mentioned this several times in writings that even Jews stand up to against the brutality of the Palestinians, which was never reported in the western press.

Having a Jew friend or someone who is Zionism associated is two different matters. Recently local football fans booed Youssi Benayoun just because he is an Israeli. This has clearly revealed that we've misunderstood and unaware of the clear distinction of the two things mentioned.

At least Mahathir, who have been attacking George Soros during the Asian Financial Crisis was right to a certain point here, from this video.

Anyhow, since I am in a write block, I thought this video can be stimulating at times, since I have enjoyed watching some of the videos. And I started to have a feeling about Najib Razak and a possible connection to the content discussed in there.

Dr. Ravi Zacharias Answers On Freedom in Islam

Malaysia is referred twice in the video. First one is at 2:15.

Pay attention to the second reference at 4:33 onwards. He said: "There are people in Malaysia today who were misidentified at birth according to parentage and listed as followers of Islam who are now asking to be removed from that because one of them is a Buddhist from a Buddhist family. He doesn't even have the right to go to court to ask for his rightful claim of his parent's religion.

Tim Howard's Bizarre Goal

"For the back four and the goalkeepers at both ends, there was an awful wind swirling. You could see everybody was mistiming balls. Defenders were missing clearances that normally they would put up the field. I think the wind is the hardest condition to play in. Snow, rain, sun doesn't matter, but the wind really does play tricks on you." - Tim Howard on the goal

There's More Than Just What Petra Says Plainly

I had seen many people who have either bashed or expressed total frustration in light of Raja Petra's (RPK) interview with the New Straits Times early this week. He did underline that he would only grant interviews if any media is willing to take word by word (whatever is said from his mouth), not twisted or manipulated by any other means apart from him. And when this was published in the papers, people and the now opposition, Pakatan Rakyat keeps bash him left and right since to them, Pete was considered a double-dealing son of a bitch, to an extent PKR Sec-Gen called him a blogger hired by UMNO.

First thing, I wanted to retrace some history way back.

Frankly speaking, since I started writing in 2007, right after I started having my own internet connection and the confidence to write and blog, I started to love the present habit of cussing and whacking United Malays National Organisation kingdom come for their shear arrogance and blunders. I got to admit that it happened when I started reading his series of things he writes in both columns, and then later during the Permatang Pauh by-election, the funny writings of Hishamuddin Rais even raised my anger up and along the way I started to feel cynical about that damn bloody political party. Along the way, I wanted to meet the man in person so whenever there were any functions or parties just to say how I really enjoyed reading his material, that has occasionally full of wit and sarcasm at times. 

And so by chance, I was invited to some soirees / parties / dinner by a mutual friend that from that on, I happened to have some encounters with the man himself. At times the group of people had some food, listening to some interesting things he had to say and it was kind of interesting and great to remember some moments. This went on until the last time I encountered him in person was during the 2009 New Year's party (he remarked how I was so hungry that I was eating my meal that mad, as I just finished work late) - the next month he left - as I learned of what could happen had he not left. At least from meeting a part of the man's personality can show what's said plainly and what's said indirectly.

In the last three months (or you can go back further if you want), Petra keeps quoting things from Sun Tzu's Art of War. The first chapter alone had a few things that were quoted. For instance, 1:18-22 says:

All warfare is based on deception. #

18

The truth of this pithy and profound saying will be admitted by every soldier. Col. Henderson tells us that Wellington, great in so many military qualities, was especially distinguished by "the extraordinary skill with which he concealed his movements and deceived both friend and foe."

19

Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. #

20

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. #

All commentators, except Chang Yu, say, "When he is in disorder, crush him." It is more natural to suppose that Sun Tzu is still illustrating the uses of deception in war.

21

If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. #

22

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant

Here we are right now.

If Pete quotes things like that above, then I was certain that there is a definite hidden reason of why he would eventually do the interview with News Straits Times in Singapore. The interview, having read most of it is a duality in nature. 

It can be a real weakness in Pakatan Rakyat. Many have forgotten that a party can function well with stinging and nudging criticism even from their own supporters. As if a person is walking on a tight beam, a hand counterbalances the other hand and if the other hand is not put out, a person is high likely to fall off balance. PKR is always since the last three years remain the weakest link of the coalition, particularly because it still carries the relics of the UMNO mentality. And if you are in the party, you will need to understand (read: sizing) the clear relationship between Azmin and Anwar during their heydays in the Finance ministry. While some ex-UMNO men have already turned into a new leave, there are still things that are remain the same as the opposite.

I don't want to repeat or summarize whatever Petra has said in the papers. Of course this has given the UMNO-owned media ammunition to whack the opposition again and again, resulting in many of fans calling him a sell-out. There are people who have tried to tell you of holes in your turf, but you turned them away. There are people who are offering help to make it better, but you turn them away. There are people who want to air grievances to alternate media to let you know, but you don't bother...so where can the people turn to, huh?

But along the way, if you can picture how an pro-UMNO supporter (we're referring to the butter-boys as a case in point) think and feel with that you would notice how some things that Petra quoted from Sun Tzu comes into the fore.

No sooner later when he did say in "Which Category Are You In?", where he did pointed out that "I expect to get whacking", I have a good idea and a reason why Pete would be up to that. If I am to look at the opposite of the coin, there's a feeling and false sense of relief. The underlying theme in the game of poker is deception. It's really up to us to use our heads well and think where the game of politics is like cards on the table. Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington was also noted to be a master of the game to outsmart his opponents including Napoleon, which was why he was an integral person in fighting the Napoleonic Wars.

Until today I didn't really buy into the feeling of others about the man their idol double-crossing and selling himself out to the enemy. For instance, I read a few comments in Facebook of some people expressing their disgust and they being let-down from the event. Or even someone, like Paula, (a.k.a Masterwordsmith) whom I've met many times before was giving an interesting expression of frusration title a few days ago - "Why....RPK?". So it turned out to say there are some people who don't really understand clearly what's the intended statement, apart from you need to maybe read a few rounds to get the drift and the other meaning, if you're aiming for the advance level of mindset thinking.

The enigmatic Snape, from the Harry Potter series was also a clear literary case study of a character playing both sides of the game with deception. But along the way it has an ugly side of making your friends feeling cheated and unhappy along the way. Since Pete has made it clear from the beginning, then I don't have anything to whine about but at least can figure a few ways to pick up from the trail here. 

I've repeated many times that I am no fan of Anwar Ibrahim although there are things in Pakatan that I like about. But right now, I am in very sarcastic and cynic mood to see how UMNO, their partners, party-related NGOs, Perkasa, Braheng Ali making a fool of themselves with their almost immature nonsense statements and blunders. True, we got to move on and Petra's statement indirectly nudges everyone to go on the goal of Anything But UMNO. At Melewar last month, the message relayed was not to be afraid of BN or UMNO but to bury them 6 feet under. 

Since these mob groups spend their money like if it's nobody's money but theirs, we might as well ask them to pay us up to $50 million if the lose in the GE, ain't so?

UPSI Scuffle: "Media, Tangkap Gambar!"

One of my friends told me to look specifically into certain portions of the video. Just to allow all of us to refresh our mind, I will put up the video for you all to review the thing again.

There are two interesting segments to pay attention to.

At 3:02 onwards, the undergraduate is making a statement to the police:

"Jangan ingat kita langyak. Jangan ingat kita senang ditumpas. Jangan sekali-sekali ingat mahasiswa lemah semangatnya. Kita hadir pada malam ini bukan untuk berjenayah tapi untuk menyatakan solidariti kita pada Afdli dan kebebasan akademik. Polis jangan layan kami sebagai penjenayah.."

This means that there was a clear statement to the police that the undergraduates who were there that night was never intended to commit any criminal act. Why would a sane and intellectual person would commit such thing apart from it's against moral conflict or it's against an act of lunacy?

At 4:00, look at the cops rushing from the left which resulted in the start of the scuffle. Did anyone started insulting any police officers prior to the scuffle? Eight seconds later at 4:08, a voice on the background said "Media tangkap gambar!" when the cops start arresting the 17 people off away.

Of course later on the scuffle happened and with 17 people arrested that night, Dr Juanda later was quoted saying at Malaysian Insider: “Yes, you have power, but let the people respect and appreciate your power, not stoke (more anger) with hate.”

The police have repeatedly denied of any violence done, but the Safzwan - who was knocked unconscious was saying otherwise, base on his account. And here's a danger part: sometimes, the police can misuse their privilege and power - if proven - to cover their tracks of wrong doing. Either way, the video, if reviewed over and over again seems to say otherwise of what the cops said. If there happens to be any further material or evidence put in Youtube that sheds more light on that matter, then it seems that our state police has lied in the skin of the teeth. 

The video as it was shot on that day from AntaraPos:

Happy New Year 2012!

The Imaginarium of Ibrahim Ali

Author's note: This is the first posting to be written via the iPad way.

Ibrahim Ali has been making headlines, foolish statements and embarrassing himself over the past few weeks with many wild allegations and fever dream statements. It was about 3 weeks ago that when he made the imaginary enchanted dagger statement. It was very very funny to hear a ranting madman with wild delusions said that while many of us have accepted the reality that mythical objects like the Excalibur are just myths and not a real fact.

Braheng's Imaginarium not only consist that selection above but instead contains relics of the Cold War mindset. Maybe there are a few in the world who apart from him who still has the Cold War mindset. By right, that kind of mindset was already gone more than 20 years ago right? Isn't the fall of communism in 1990 means that the people can move on with the new way of thinking instead of sticking in there? The statement that "Malays lose power or Malays will be left out" is still the same root but variant branch of the Cold War mindset apart from the Communist thing that was already gone in Malaysia over the last 50 years.

No doubt this Jaguh Kampung's figment of imagination has already stirred up a lot of the butter boys (kaki bodek) and apologists from BN in pursuing things that are really non-existent. Take for instance of when Bersih announced of doing it's 9 July protest, he was the first one apart from Muhyiddin Yassin to make a wild allegations that it would be another 13 May problem when there's modern technology to relay information that there's not going to be another bloodbath. What is actually true is that the bloodbath thinking and who did it was originally started by the hardcore UMNO people themselves! It's pretty hard to understand the perverse logic of having protests. There are many who foolishly say it's Anwar's fault, Anwar Ibrahim's this and that whereas the real motive behind it is that people have started to realize the rights of a citizen bestowed upon them by the Supreme law of the land - the Constitution of course.

The reality is that a man has the right to know, the right to ask anything when in doubt and it is a job of other persons to clarify a person's questions whenever possible, not to put out a brick and a direct full stop without answering a question to an inquisitive person like that Christian pastor. In fact this is identitcal to the people product of the present education system: they were never taught to think, be curious and asking things but instead were told things are written on stone and cannot be questioned. Does that mean in our view that a normal person can recruit God and speak in his name although it is debatable. Is it taking credit of speaking with name of God a big thing that cannot be questioned apart from the prophets recognized in the major religious books?

If there is one thing I recalled from Malaysia Today 3 weeks ago was this:

Ibrahim Ali and those of his ilk need to come into the modern world. They have to extricate themselves from this imaginary world of Hang Tuah and Taming Sari and all that bullshit. The English do not live in the world of King Arthur and Excalibur. It is time the Malays did the same.

It's true that he's ranting like a madman who believes of end of days or bad things to happen only to find out that nothing really happened. Funny to believe that he being an American university graduate to see him talk shit and act with a before 1990s mentality. If you look back at the Kampung Baru video in June featuring him, his speech gets too emotional barely less than 5 minutes of speaking in the public. Apart from hating people like him, I find it very cynical to say that these madmen deserve to lose millions of dollars to a poker game and shitting themselves in front of the public right now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012

As I will be unavailable until after 27, I would like to wish friends, family Christmas greetings.

This post has is set to post at the time below, so while this was writing, I was leaving for holidays.

Thanks!

Jangan Takut / Don't Be Afraid.

I was busy on Saturday and I was tuning in to the student demonstrations on the Twitter networks. At the end of the day, I happened to find out that there were few students lowering najib's flag at UMNO headquarters and replacing it with the Bebas flag. The image below was a daring thing to do. A revolutionary thing to do, not the those that Najib claimed to say recently.

There have been claims from UMNO Youth (you can see Arman and Reezal in the video below) that the students insulted Najib but it can be two ways to answer: one is that they are unintentional or this means that many people now don't really like Najib nor respect him anymore.

When Arman said that "of spitting at the undergraduates", I thought wow, these fellow there are more of a mob group behavior, as what UMNO is right now. But if we are not to be afraid of these groups then, there is a big chance Malaysia will change to the better future.

Last Thursday at the ABU event in Gombak, Haris was on the stage telling people "not to be afraid of them", in order to bury UMNO and BN. That's the answer to the problem and overcoming fear. And it's the way these people will panic around is what I would love to see.

Jangan takut kepada UMNO. Jangan takut pada Barisan. Berganding bahu. Kuburkan UMNO dan BN!

Come Tonight At Gombak!

LIVE: #PA2011 Debate Edmund Bon vs Tan Keng Liang

This started from a tweet suggestion and it became an event. At 2 pm today, it will be lawyer vs lawyer. LoyarBurok's Edmund Bon will be debating with Kedah Gerakan Youth Chief Tan Keng Liang over the controversial Peaceful Assembly bill 2011.

As already known, Keng Liang is a proponent of the bill while Edmund is against it. Moderating this event will be Wan Saiful Jan from IDEAS. The event will start between 2 to 2.30 pm.

Since this will be live from the event location, please watch this space as we will go live at around 1.45 pm.

Click Here for Wordpress Link

 

For those who are using RSS feeds, use this link: 

Blame Ourselves For The Mistakes We Made

The following excerpt was what the late Tunku Abdul Rahman said in 1988.

"Janganlah ikut apa yang didakyahkan oleh pihak pemerintah hari ini di serata-rata kampung yang mereka pergi membawa berbagai-bagai dakyah segala-galanya apa yang mereka buat mesti turut. Fikirlah sendirilah betul atau tidak betul perbuatan mereka itu. Jangan ikut mereka begitu sahaja, gunalah akal gunakan fikiran. Apa yang berlaku yang baik mereka semua buat, yang tak baik pihak lawan semua buat dan apa yang mereka buat tak baik mereka sorokkan dan buruk salah atas orang-orang lain yang menentang mereka. Jadi inilah keadaan yang berlaku pada hari ini. Akhbar-akhbar tidak ada suara. Suruh akhbar tegur, perbuatan ini ditutupkan. Jadi sini tunjuk pihak orang yang menentang mereka itu tak nak bersuara langsung, segala-galanya diperintah oleh kerajaan hari ini. Jadi sesiapa yang memegang kuasa di negeri ini ialah rakyat jelata sekalian. Jadi kalau tak timbang apa yang sebenarnya dan mengunakan akal fikiran untuk menimbang satu perkara tersebut itu saja, negeri ini akan rosak. Kalau rakyat boleh faham segala-galanya itu pada akhirnya mengundi di tangan rakyat"

What does this mean above? This really shows that we have forgotten ourselves that we have to think, not blindly follow what the government of the day will say, even if they are wrong. This is the problem that many of us have failed to acknowledge. That we often submit that their word is authentic, true and cannot be questioned. 

What we are not aware of is that the mistakes that they do would be hidden and fingered it on the those who opposed or stood up to correct what is wrong. For instance, in Bersih, NGOs and civil societies have pointed out mistakes that were ignored by the government of the day. Ignorance and self-denial have forced them to go out in protest to make the point. And to harsh police actions are meant to cover up their mistakes.

The 13th general election is considered the mother of all elections in Malaysia. There is a spectre of whack looming over UMNO and they will attempt to bank on the naive and the Malay votes as the main key to retain their power. But having seen all the wrongdoings and the misery we suffer from inflation, price increments, etc..aren't we suppose to do the right thing of kicking out those who have been squeezing our money for their own whim? 

Yes, we will be tempted by them to give them another 5 years, but if we are stupid to cow before them, then we should blame ourselves for the mistakes we made when we see more suffering for the wrong choice we made, not listening to Najib's statement of making the wrong choice of not voting BN. After all, it's proven that they have been involved of tons of wrongdoing for the past 30 years or so, right? And there are people who are still unwilling to believe of what is happening and will continuously support the corrupt party. But what happens when Malaysia is in disaster but the government of the day still remains that party? What and how will they answer?

Which is why going back to what Tunku said in 1988 is worthwhile to remember that we have forgotten things easily. 

The Malays Decides The Nation's Fate

Because Malays form at least 60 percent of the total 28 million Malaysians, the bulk of the votes will decide the fate of the nation in the next 50 years or so. The following comments taken from Malaysiakini's Your say segment says it all:

PM: Malays in peril if Pakatan rules

Cloudnine: For years Umno had promoted the narrow financial and corrupt interests of the few leaders from Mahathir onwards to Badawi and now to Najib. Knowing their weaknesses, they pretended to promote the interests of the Malays, throwing the crumbs every now and then and the Malays fall for the same trick over and over. At the same time, they are robbing and plundering the nation's coffers.

Now they cry the same cry - calling on the Malays to unite to protect their own interests. Khairy let slip that Umno needs power to protect the nikmat. Ha ha ha. See, the real objective here is to protect the nikmat of the elite ruling families. It's a very small family. Najib came from Tun Abd Razak. Hishamuddin from Hussein Onn. Both Najib and Hisham are related.

Then there is Mahathir, who is keen to prop up his son Mukhriz. Khairy is the son-in-law of Badawi. Same game played by same few families.

Bluemountains: Getting the troops ready for a showdown? Come what may, it is ABU (anything but Umno).

P Dev Anand Pillai: So what this PM is telling the Malays is that their future only lies in the hand of Umno and only Umno knows what is best for the Malays. So, whether they are corrupt or not is not an issue, whether they cheat and plunder is not an issue, the only issue is that no other concern can rule this country except Umno!

So if the Malays buy this crap, they will be doomed for the next 54 years. If nothing else works, the herd and siege mentality, which they keep deeply embedded, will be unleashed to threaten the non-Malays. This time, we will not be bullied into submission. We are ready and waiting. Come rain or storm, we will vote.

fairplayer: Dear Malaysian Malays, it is now in your power to choose Umno or Pakatan... the fate of Malaysia is in your hands...

Sadirah: The sheer desperation. Where is the intellectual honesty? Saying different things to different people, all for the cause of votes. A fragmented and confused mind that does not have the capacity to really understand what ‘1Malaysia' means. For him it is merely a slogan towards an end - winning the forthcoming elections. Can we trust such a leader who is all things to all people and has no substance of value to Malaysians?

He and Umno do not need to represent the Malays. There are many Malaysians who will ensure that their deepest aspirations will be met, Malaysians who are not racist but guided by equity and fairness. The Malays will themselves see through such drama.

ranjit singh: Malays have never been in peril. If so, how come we, the non-Malays, have condoned everything Umno had done to enhance this race and hoodwink the rest of us with their mandores for the last 54 years to serve only Umno? It is only Umno that is in peril. Malays and non Malays have lived side by side to enhance each other, for Malays or non-Malays will not harm one another because we are Malaysians.

Chegubard Pwns Pontian Maslan!

Malays would lose power if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) won more seats in the next general election - Ahmad Maslan

Even way before Ahmad Maslan says such rhetoric and illogical statements, this video by Chegubard (recorded in Penang on 12 June 2011) dispels such notion. There is no such thing as Malays losing power, only UMNO will. Simple, there are 18 million of total 28 million Malaysians are Malays and you can't simply amend the constitution alone.

Thus, Chegubard pwns Pontian Maslan!

Pwahh...So Terror Meh?

 "Under DAP, Malays have become "baruas". I won't mince my words because I mean what I say. Anyone who supports DAP is a "bangsat" (bastard)." - Shaik Hussein Mydin (Penang UMNO Youth Chief - see pic above)

Wah..so terror meh that statement from this Orang Eee here, which was part of the UMNO Youth bashing session on Pakatan Rakyat. It's definitely one statement to make that they expect all Malays to unite under one banner called United Malays National Organization. But the thing is not all are stupid as they think. Some are smart to see that to see that only those who are willing to be cheated over and over again or refusing to change are those willing to sing in chorus to their tune.

With that kind of statement from this Mamak ultra, I pictured that as insulting other people. On the other hand, there are some people that can't understand the underlining statement of the "village champion" like Shaik Hussein - which is that it can be translated as a blackmail to the people on voting - a voting offense if this fella decides to contest in a state seat anyhow. Were this is Russia, the person would have been considered a persona non grata or if we're still in World War 2, he would have been shot on sight for disobeying Order #227.

It is already a little too late for our dear Khairy to admit of "foul language remarks" as through cyberspace, people who read it is considered that an insult, especially when the man above said that he won't mince his words anyhow.

This of course reminds me of something else along the way. You see concurrently with the speeches, the UMNO Youth has been pushing for all of their members to defend Sharizat at all costs in the NFC spill. And the person who says that is none other than Reezal Merican, another Orang Eee to protect another Orang Eee. Sarcastically I start to think that it's now a fact that it's already United Mamak National Organization. 2 weeks ago, my retiree friend wrote a comment on (Mahathir The Uniting Factor) that rings true:

Being the first Mamak UMNO President & PM in the history of Malaysia Who divided UMNO "further" with the 3rd Force? By accident or by "Design" as is always in Politics! Who brought in KIMMA as direct members of UMNO, when they should have been component parties of BN?

Not surprised SOON Mamakutty's words will come true "By Design" Afterall he wrote the book about the "Malay Dielemma"

We have already seen our "Financial" mess created by MM, his cronies including his Macai, Md Nor Yacob & gang. UMNO will soon be taken over & be referred to as United Mamak National Organisation. The Ketuanan UMNOputras with their "Bonsified" brains & Mentality will continue selling themselves "short" with their "Ali Baba" mentality (By Design of MM!)

To answer that problem, is very simple. You just need not listen to them that's all. All we have to do is to wisen up, don't be so stupid and subservient. If Malaysia is to progress and to catch up what was lost since the 1997 financial crisis, then we just have to do the unthinkable and considered taboo: kick them out. But this thing lies on the 15 million Malay Malaysians, who form the big pie of the population, for they are the majority that decides the fate of the country for the next 40 years: same feudal age, mentality landscape in a digital, future technology era or moving past the superstition and bringing new enlightenment and advancement.

This excerpt testament by Ikhram Merican actually confirms what Hishamuddin Rais has been saying all along that Orang Eee uses those provisions and privileges entitled to masquerade as a Malay. (the phrase "menyamar Melayu")

I have no disrespect for the Malay culture which is beautiful. We can all learn a thing or two from Malay adat. However, I do hold a grudge against the deliberate extermination of one’s own heritage. I further find it offensive when Indian Muslims, in their eagerness to convert, use Machiavellian means to identify themselves as Malay. It demonstrates a lack of dignity and self-worth.

Naturally, I feel sick when I read of the charades of UMNO politicians, academicians, and community leaders masquerading as Malays, spewing hatred against other races, sometimes against their own roots. Even when they’re challenged as to their real identity, they shamelessly defend their false Malay roots. For some, Tamil is still spoken in whispers, in the privacy of their homes, like it were a “dirty” parlance.

Why? For special rights? For economic handouts? My grandfather worked very, very hard for providence. So did the men of his generation. The early Indian Muslim traders who came to these shores were an industrious lot who earned their bread. They contributed to Malaysia’s rich heritage without becoming cultural orphans. They cherished their roots. Hardship and experience polished them. It earned them monopolies in certain trades that last till today. 

This legacy is being destroyed. A culture and heritage is disappearing only to be replaced by a false sense of security. In the process, the Indian Muslims are offending not only their own race and the Chinese, but many Malays too. In the long run, we as a community will isolate ourselves from our roots and the nation in which we want so much to assimilate with.

Read also: Wahai Bani Ketuanan Melayu by Hishamuddin Rais

The Real School of Hard Knox

Rajasthan, India, an extraordinary school teaches rural women and men -- many of them illiterate -- to become solar engineers, artisans, dentists and doctors in their own villages. It's called the Barefoot College.

Freysinger's Warning

Swiss MP Oskar Freysinger has issued a warning that of a dogma that is plaguing Europe unless further action is required. Speech from Berlin (with English subtitles)

Peaceful Assembly Act 2011 - Caveats and Thoughts

Thankfully, there was an online scanned copy of the draft act which appeared in Malaysiakini, in which I managed to scrutinized the entire bill. Though it was entirely in Malay language, I was able to understand the contents and identified some of the content in which drew the ire of many civil societies and opposition parties. Having read that, there are some caveats from the existing bills that continues to go on and if the bill is being bulldozed just because of the numbers factor (passed by simple majority), then the fears of many parties would be true.

The Caveats:

1. Almost everything is impossible and not permitted. 

Many have forgotten of the history of how UMNO came to existence in 1946. It required a street demonstration led by the late Onn Jaafar (Hishamuddin's very own grandfather) against the English to get their attention and subsequently the cancellation of the Malayan Union. By saying that street protests are not allowed in this case, it also implies that UMNO has also forgotten how it came to existence. Were such laws in place came in 1946, the party will not have existed and subsequently, we would not be in the current landscape as of now. 

Section 4(1) and 4(2) mentions elements of what is not allowed in an assembly including specific participants and restricted locations. The problem on locations is how do you consider a location, base on the geographical factor to be considered as a restriction area? That is one. Another one is dealing with on the case of an arrested person being from a country that ratifies the UN human rights declaration. For instance, if an European is arrested over a case of participation of an assembly, does that mean that as part of the welfare of the citizen arrested, will they have to interject and fill in the paper work to say that he / she is protected in the native country's rights?

Does going to the embassy or the palace to make a statement considered as a street rally? I find it a little illogical to call that as an act of offense under 4(2). Rather than making things tedious in section 4 and since it goes against the intentions of the Reid Commission-drafted Constitution, it might be more appropriate to say that street demos are alright with exceptions to (insulting the Agong, challenging the official religion, etc), whatever that has been defined in the basic articles and establishments of the constitution.

2. It's not about the permit. It's the hassles and restrictions

Reading sections 9, 10 and 14 was somewhat related to this caveat. To say that to notify someone from the police office of an event 30 days ahead is somewhat hints of the inefficiency of the police side. It also contradicts one of the police slogans of "Mesra, Cepat dan Betul" we used to here many years before. In other countries, similar scenarios will only take between 5 to 10 days for arrangement. Myanmar has just beat us to it. 5 days instead of 30..what does that mean?

The main doubt on Section 10 is primarily about the time taken to make the arrangement. It's like the time taken for Frodo to journey from the Shire to Mount Doom rather than the time taken to walk into a 7-Eleven store and buy ice-cream. Apart from filling up the details, well it may take a few hours at the police station / snails pace to have the officer in charge fill in the details, ask this party, ask the other party and so forth before saying yes to your thing. Since we also face complaints of a slow response like for example after filing a complaint, we might as well do it away with Section 14.

3. At The Whim of Minister and Superior Police officer

If I am to summarize the whole thing after reading 15(2), 20 and 21, the thing is that if uncontrolled, the police - with certain zealous officers in particular - can act at their own whim. It's nothing more or less the same situation as seen in the Bersih 9 July rally. First hand accounts of how the police handled the case on the ground would tell you that. 

There also have been cases where a permit has been issued but due to pressure from the other political parties, the permit was cancelled either at the last minute or cases of a permit refused for an excuse of security of safety but instead it is merely a ruse to score brownie points in NKRA.

Someone asked me recently why not of the bill and this is one caveat I would say it.

Likewise, as for the Minister, being the custodian of the bill, he / she at whim can decide, amend or change whatever locations that are considered to be forbidden to be used if the bill comes to effect. For this, 25(1) and 27 is somewhat inter-related in context to Sections 8 and 9.

Some Thoughts

1. Someone told me of quote from AC Grayling that "people are cowed into giving up their individual freedom rights (as enshrined and empowered by the Federal Constitution) to the authorities as part of giving them more authoritative powers in the name of national security". This is what is happening and a big fear for many civil societies particularly when the bill comes into effect soon. It's worse when it's being bulldozed all the way to gazetting phase.

2. The view of freedom and civil liberties to some people are pretty narrow. In fact Malaysia still remains in the guided-democracy state. This means that only a select group decides what is acceptable and can be said and what cannot be said / done. I often notice how some people talk like in that manner, I would think that they are foaming in their mouths.

3. Actually there is nothing new and substantial of having this bill It's merely a separation of Section 27 of the Police Act, expanded to become an independent bill but the difference is that of permit requirement. As I have said earlier, permit or not is not very important but the restrictions are. I often see the new restrictions like being in school. For instance, in the past, if you are to go to the washroom, you would ask the teacher permission to go at anytime you feel uncomfortable. Suppose if there is a ruling that students are only allowed to go to toilet from 3.15 pm to 3.30 pm, does that sound more restrictive to you or what?

4. I don't understand why there are certain quarters so hasty of having the bill. It's not about the argument of "we know best" or fulfilling your goal of reform, but as the bill will be debated next Tuesday, there should be more time for potential stakeholders to say yes or no. As of now, we have almost many societies that say no, so I was thinking, why they desperate in their hidden motive of whacking the those who oppose them kingdom come? I often think that the ulterior motive of the bill is to strip a person's individual freedom entitled rather than seeing the real civil liberty that should be.