The Idiots with Powerful Influence in Malaysia

From The Straight Times (Malaysia Today) -Ibnu Hakeem: Read HERE

Quote:

".....while the rest of the world is contemplating post-modern development, Malaysia is still stuck with idiots who prescribe chastity belts for women, prizes for Mat Rempit snatch thieves, and drinking holy water to cure diseases.

In Malaysia, the immoral, the ignorant, the cheats and the lowlife have been put in high places.

....in Malaysia there is no shortage of Muslims with high moral values. But very few are hoisted to their real position in society.

As a result, the Mat Rempits and brain-dead ulamak rule the day. Idiots rule.

Confucius said that a leadership is defined by its language (or something like that). High values, high morals, high standards of manners and breeding should all be expressed by the leader. This will then set an example for the community as a whole. In the Quran this Confucian concept is known as ‘uswatan hasanah’ or a good example. The Muslims are also encouraged to become an ‘uswatan hasanah’ or an exemplary people for all of mankind.

But in Malaysia the Muslims presently have a zero chance of becoming even half baked ‘uswatan hasanah. It is just not going to happen."
-Ibnu Hakeem

Excerpts: Read here for more

While Vietnam is moving forward with its own fantastic version of a communist production model, and while the rest of the world is contemplating post-modern development, Malaysia is still stuck with idiots who prescribe chastity belts for women, prizes for Mat Rempit snatch thieves, and drinking holy water to cure diseases.

And all these idiotic ideas are found under the larger umbrella of Islam Hadhari - the brainchild, or maybe brainless-child of another idiotic religious adviser who sold the idea quite easily to our mentally-challenged Prime Minister.

A. The Mufti of Perak

The Mufti of Perak, who is officially appointed by the Royal House of Perak, is a total contradiction and an irony to the Royal House whose members are exemplified by their impressive academic achievements and cultured traditions.

His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak was once our Lord President while the Crown Prince, Raja Nazrin Shah, is a graduate of Oxford and holds a doctorate from Harvard.

In sharp contrast, the Mufti of Perak, Harussani Zakaria, is a graduate of a 'sekolah pondok' or village religious school and holds a 'sijil sekolah menengah agama' or secondary school certificate in religious studies.

It is no wonder then that from time to time Harussani makes totally stupid pronouncements that are a complete embarrassment not only to the State of Perak but to all Muslims.

Not too long ago, Harussani was questioned by police for inciting racial hatred when he carelessly repeated a false accusation over the baptising of some Indian estate children at a church in Ipoh. (However, due to the fact that Harrussani is also the Mufti who is appointed at the pleasure of the Sultan, the Inspector General of Police had to satisfy himself with seeking an audience with the Sultan to seek his counsel first.)

Prior to that, Harrussani had said that ‘kongsi raya’ or the dual celebration of Deepavali and Hari Raya was against Islamic teachings.

Even prior to that he had said that it was good for Muslims to write Arabic writing in bowls, dissolve the writing in water, and then drink the solution to improve their memory, examination results, cure ills, and so on.

This is the type of stupidity which masquerades as the Mufti of Perak. How does such an obviously deranged intellect still hold the post of Mufti? The answer is red tape.

The Law and the Power of the Muftis

According to the law, Harrussani is only legally responsible for his ‘fatwa’ or religious decrees in his official capacity as the Mufti of Perak.

His personal pronouncements, no matter how stupid they may be, are just his personal opinions and beyond reproach.

Under the law, Muftis can make fatwas, which then must be accepted by a sitting of the State Legislature or Dewan Undangan Negeri.

After that it must be officially gazetted. Only then does it become an official, legal fatwa of the Mufti.

So Harrusani Zakaria is careful. He makes his silly statements which are not officially gazetted.

If anyone takes issue with the Mufti, the simple retort is: ‘Those are not officially gazetted fatwas of the Mufti but only the personal opinions of Harrusani’.

By this simple trick, no one can hold Harrusani Zakaria legally responsible for any of his ludicrous pronouncements.

This is the main reason why the IGP could not take action against him - it was not an official fatwa. On the other hand, even his official fatwas bear the approval of the State Legislature - placing him beyond reproach yet again.

Harrussani is in an unassailable position of ‘heads I win, tails you lose’. Idiots rule.

B. The Chief of UMNO Putera

Then we have the Government in the wings that is now really ruling this country.

The chief of the Umno Putera, the Tamil-speaking Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, has suggested that the Mat Rempits should be roped in to catch snatch thieves.

Mat Rempits, who have been known to be involved in snatch theft and gang rapes, are now reported to be acting as pimps for their girlfriends.

Azeez also suggested that any Mat Rempit who catches 30 snatch thieves will be given a motorbike.

Azeez had also suggested once that the police close certain stretches of public roads so that the Mat Rempits could have their street races.

This particular moron is closely identified with another Oxford graduate a.k.a. the SIL or Son-In-Law (capitals intended).

Just like Harrusani Zakaria, his distinct lack of intellect has NOT reached its bottom yet.

Idiots rule.

C. The Religious Officer

Now we have the latest brain-dead pronouncement by Abu Hassan Din Al Hafiz.

Abu Hassan was once the Religious Officer to the Agong (the King) in the Istana Negara.

His brother was none other than the other brain-dead 'ulamak jin', Dato Harun Din, who was a professor at University Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Abu Hassan Din, who enjoys much respect among the kampong folks, has jokingly suggested in public that his female family members start wearing chastity belts to protect them from sex perverts and rapists.

Abu Hassan said that as a husband he would also ‘feel more secure’ if his wife wore a chastity belt.

These are the foolish pronouncements of idiots who still have a large following among the simple-minded.

How are our people ever going to crawl out of their ignorance if we have leaders and public personalities espousing such ridiculous ideas in public? Idiots rule.

Confucius said that a leadership is defined by its language (or something like that). High values, high morals, high standards of manners and breeding should all be expressed by the leader. This will then set an example for the community as a whole.

In the Quran, this Confucian concept is known as ‘uswatan hasanah’ or a good example. Abraham is cited as an ‘uswatan hasanah’ or good example for the Prophet and for all the Muslims.

The Muslims are also encouraged to become an ‘uswatan hasanah’ or an exemplary people for all of mankind.

But in Malaysia the Muslims presently have a zero chance of becoming even half baked ‘uswatan hasanah’. It is just not going to happen.

In Malaysia, the immoral, the ignorant, the cheats and the lowlife have been put in high places.

What is most saddening and sickening is that in Malaysia there is no shortage of Muslims with high moral values. There are plenty of them all around us. But very few are hoisted to their real position in society.

As a result, the Mat Rempits and brain-dead ulamak rule the day.

Idiots rule.

Chinese, Malays and Islam: NO Separate Mosques Allowed for Chinese Muslims

From Reuters: Read here article by Jalil Hamid

Read HERE related article: "Chinese, Malays and Islam: What the Perlis Mufti Said."

Quote:

"They (the Malays) want us to become a Malay. Three or four years after conversion, my father passed away. They didn't allow me to go back, they say if I go back, I will revert to become a Chinese but I defied them."
- Mohamad Ridhuan Tee Abdullah,
Vice-president of the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association

There is the popular notion that becoming a Muslim means "masuk Melayu" (becoming a Malay), adopting the Malay culture at the expense of his or her Chinese identity. The converts also have to take on Arabic names, such as Abdullah, and change identity cards to reflect their new religion.

Some Chinese Muslims have also been rebuked by Malays for celebrating Chinese New Year.

Excerpts: Read here for more

"... Chinese Malaysians who have embraced Islam are testing the government over a mosque issue that analysts say highlights a racial divide in the multi-ethnic country.

Malaysian authorities has spurned applications by Chinese Muslims to open their first mosques.

The authorities argued that having separate mosques would segregate Muslims. This could anger the majority Malays, who by definition are Muslims.

Mohamad Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, marriedl to a Malay and a convert championing the cause of his fellow 70,000-strong Chinese Muslims, said Malaysia must show that Islam transcends race and culture.

Ridhuan, 42 year-old Islamic scholar told Reuters:

"We have to change the perception that Islam only belongs to a particular race, for example the Malays and the Arabs.

We have to show the universality of Islam by allowing Chinese mosques.

The authorities have to do away with the stereotypes."

The issue goes to the heart of what Islam means in Malaysia, and shows how race continues to shape life in Malaysia 50 years after independence, analysts said.

"There is fear that the Malay identity will be lost if Islam is practiced in languages other than Malay," Canadian Muslim, Moaz Yusuf Ahmad, wrote in the New Straits Times recently.

Islam is the official religion in Malaysia, but other religions can be practiced.

Malays form just over half of Malaysia's 26 million people. The sizeable Chinese and Indian minorities are mostly Christians, Buddhists or Hindus.

Malaysia has no shortage of mosques, many with Moorish-styled domes and minarets. Mostly funded by the government, the mosques cater almost entirely to the Malays and provide Friday sermons in the Malay language.

There is not a single mosque for Chinese Muslims, although Indian Muslims are allowed to have their own mosques.

Ridhuan said his association was proposing to build mosques that would reflect Chinese design.

"We would like to portray mosques that are based on Chinese architectures," he said. "It's to show that we are still Chinese but the mosques will be opened to all Muslims."

The mosque issue is not the only problem, Ridhuan and other Muslims said. There is the popular notion that becoming a Muslim means "masuk Melayu" (becoming a Malay), adopting the Malay culture at the expense of his or her Chinese identity, they said.

The converts also have to take on Arabic names, such as Abdullah, and change identity cards to reflect their new religion.

Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin, a young firebrand Muslim cleric, has came out in support of the Chinese mosque proposal despite the government's reservations. Asri, himself a Malay, said in a commentary published in the New Straits Times:

"Malays assume they are the only pure Muslims, although Chinese Muslims may have stronger faith."

Some Chinese Muslims have also been rebuked by Malays for celebrating Chinese New Year.

Ridhuan, married to a Malay, also had a painful experience. He said:

"They (the Malays) want us to become a Malay. Three or four years after conversion, my father passed away. They didn't allow me to go back, they say if I go back, I will revert to become a Chinese but I defied them."

The Un-elected Son-in-Law Speaking on Behalf of Malaysian Government:"No General Election Anytime Soon"

From "Kuda Ranggi" -Syed Imran: Read Here

The Sunday Times reported:

The government is unlikely to call for a general election anytime soon, said Deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, (note: Khairy Jamaluddin is a non-Parliamentarian and the son-in-law of the Prime Minister. )

He said various factors had to be taken into account, not just the current strong economic situation."Other factors such as politics, the country’s development and issues outside the party have also to be considered," Khairy said yesterday.

Commentary by "Kuda Ranggi" - Syed Imran: Read HERE for MORE

"... Malaysians can be rest assured, there will be no elections anytime soon.

It is confirmed by none other than the great son-in-law of the great leader himself.

I wonder whether the son-in-law was advised to say so by the country's editor-in-chief, the ex-mullah from Kroh (now Pengkalan Hulu) .

The son-in-law was quoted by the media as saying that the Government, yes the Government, is unlikely to call for a general election anytime soon.

1. On what capacity is the Son-in-Law speaking on behalf of the Government?
   
   
2. Is he a member of the Administration?
   
   
3. Umno Youth is NOT the Government, so can the Deputy Umno Youth chief issued statements, verbally or in print, to the media on behalf of the Government?
   
   
4. WHO is in charge of the Government?
   
   
5. What is the status of the Cabinet so much so that a non-member can freely speak on behalf of the Government on such an important issue like the general elections?

The Prime Minister cannot blame those who criticises his leadership if he allows the Son-in-Law and his cronies to dictate things on behalf of the Government.

It is a mockery of democracy."

PAS Members Joining Malaysian Chinese in Celebrating the Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur

Read here article by Azamin Amin in Harakah Daily



Excerpts: Read here for more

Semalam, sebelas 11 petugas PAS termasuk Unit Amal Kawasan PAS Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur yang diketuai Mazlan Aliman berinteraksi dengan kaum Tiong Hua di samping menyerahkan bungkusan limau dan naskhah akhbar kepada mereka.

Penyerahan limau dan naskhah akhbar tersebut merupakan salah satu program tradisi Lajnah Perpaduan Nasional di bawah pimpinan Ustaz Mujahid Rawa yang dijalankan saban tahun di seluruh negara sempena Sambutan Tahun Baru Cina sebagai tanda ingatan PAS kepada kaum Cina disamping menghargai komitmen kaum ini dalam menjana pendapatan ekonomi negara.




Pengerusi Lajnah Perpaduan Nasional Pemuda PAS, Mazlan Aliman menyerahkan sebungkus limau mandarin dan senaskhah akhbar berbahasa Mandarin PAS, Ren Min Shi Shi(Berita Semasa Rakyat) kepada S.K.Wong di Restoran Tim Kee Seafood, Cheras.



Kata S.K.Wong, 46, berbangsa Cina, yang fasih berbahasa Melayu ketika sedang menjamu selera bersama keluarga di restoran tersebut:

"PAS is more muhibah than Barisan Nasional.

Ini satu tindakan positif,supaya PAS dikenali dan difahami oleh kaum Cina dan mengubah persepsi bahawa PAS bukanlah parti ekstremis.

MCA pun tak buat macam ni.

Sejak akhir ini MCA buat orang Cina semakin marah!"

Beliau menjelaskan secara terbuka, beliau sudah dua kali memangkah PAS pada dua pilihan raya yang lepas. Beliau yang bertugas di Beijing, China baru sahaja pulang ke negara ini bagi menyambut perayaan tradisinya itu.

Manakala seorang wanita yang mahu dikenali sebagai Angeline, 40, sedikit terharu dengan pendekatan PAS yang tidak pernah melupai kaum lain sempena perayaan tahun baru ini. Katanya:

"Saya banyak-banyak terima kasih dan bangga sama PAS.

You Melayu banyak baik sebab ingat sama kami, kaum Cina." .

Yap Kee Ping, 60, yang ditemui di Restoran Cyca turut menyatakan sokongannya terhadap PAS.

"PAS banyak baik.

Tengok itu Kelantan sudahlah!"

Dengan sapaan 'Nee Hau Ma' (Apa Khabar?), bermula jam 9.00 malam dalam renyai hujan, kumpulan petugas ini berjalan ke serata premis perniagaan sekitar Jalan Cochrane, Taman Maluri Cheras bagi mengagihkan sejumlah 100 bungkusan termasuk 40 kotak berisi limau mandarin dan mengedar akhbar Ren Min Shi Shi kepada masyarakat Tiong Hwa sempena sambutan Tahun Baru Cina.

Sebelum mengedarkannya, Mazlan telah memberi sedikit taklimat kepada petugas-petugas tersebut kaedah menyapa kaum cina mengikut adat resam mereka di samping menunjuk ajar isyarat tangan yang sesuai dan memastikan setiap bungkusan tersebut berisi dengan lapan biji limau, bukannya dengan angka ganjil iaitu sesuatu yang kurang disenangi oleh kaum Cina.

Selain pemberian limau dan naskhah akhbar yang telah pun dilancarkan awal bulan ini, turut diedarkan kad ucapan kepada para pemimpin komuniti kaum Cina manakala sesetengah tempat umpamanya di Gombak, pemberian 'Ang Pau' diedarkan kepada golongan yang memerlukan,kata Mazlan.

Mazlan turut menyata:

"Kita turut menghargai sumbangan kaum Cina dalam mencapai perpaduan sehingga mewujudkan keamanan sesama kaum yang dikongsikan bersama.

"Alhamdullilah, respon yang sangat baik diterima dan rata-ratanya mengenali PAS dan diharapkan akan mengubah landskap politik negara yang mana kaum Cina sudah mahu menerima PAS kerana yakin parti ini dapat mengubah kemelut ekonomi yang menghimpit mereka ketika berada di bawah BN."

Turut menarik perhatian ketika kumpulan petugas mengedarkan bungkusan, apabila sebuah kenderaan pacuan empat roda yang dinaiki sepasang suami isteri Cina membunyikan 'hon' sambil menunjukan isyarat ibu jari (tanda bagus) sebagai sokongan terhadap aktiviti yang dijalankan PAS pada malam itu.

Tidak kecuali seorang pemuda cina yang tidak lekang telefon bimbitnya di telinga yang mengekori kumpulan ini sejak dari mula sehingga ke akhir program seolah-olah lagak seperti 'informer'(pemberi maklumat) kepada individu, parti, pihak berkuasa ataupun kumpulan tertentu.

Dia sempat menghampiri penulis lalu bertanya:"Itu lu punya ketua nama apa?"

Setelah mendapat jawapan beliau pantas menghubungi seseorang, antara faham dan tidak bahasa Cina pemuda itu, penulis tertangkap beberapa kalimat yang difahami:"Oo Mazlan...(bahasa cina)PAS...PAS, good...very good...(bahasa cina)" lalu penulis dan jurugambar meninggalkannya setelah sejam bersama ekspedisi muhibbah ini.

Believe It Or Not !: "NEP Will NOT Last Forever", Says the PM

From 'The Aisehman' -iNEPt : Read here for more

Background. Read here from The Star

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the New Economic Policy (NEP) is not permanent and hopes its objectives will be met before 2020.

“Once the objectives are met, there is no reason for the continuation of the policy. The faster we get to the objective, the faster we will be able to throw away the crutch,” he said.

Commentary by "The Aisehman":

".... A glimmer of hope?

You wish!

Even without going into the abuse of the NEP, the thinking behind Pak Lah’s hopes that the NEP’s objectives will be met before 2020 is flawed.

Why? Because it does NOT take into account global competition, and the factors that affect it, such as the increased mobility of labour, cross-border investments and trade liberalisation in general.

Our economy is a much more open economy than it was at the time of the NEP’s formulation. Today, more than ever, we draw our lifeblood from the global economic system. And that system is not going to stop for anyone.

You know it. I know it. And believe it or not, even the top Umno leaders know it.

When these people speak of the NEP, they merely mouth throwaway, standard lines that they no longer have any real faith in. They say it without thinking.

That’s why they always sound stupid saying it.

But the shit keeps UMNO in power. And that is the true function of the NEP today.

Any other benefits are purely incidental...."

Disgruntled Chinese and Concerned Malay Voters in the Next General Election

From Malaysiakini -Letter to Editor.- by "Nan" : Read here for more

Quote:

"... Politics is the art of the possible and may the winds of change which have caused several corrupt governments in the world to fall blow to our shores.

No government in the world can remain in office forever if they are corrupt to the core.

...Vote wisely, folks, in the next polls and don’t fall for the government propaganda that all is well in this country...."

Excerpts: Read here for more

"....How times have changed !

... In the 2004 and 1999 elections, the Chinese tended to vote for the present regime as they were uncomfortable with PAS and their Islamic principles.

The 1999 polls also showed that the Malay voters had voted against Umno due to the Anwar Ibrahim factor. ... and (if not for ) the Chinese votes then, the BN would have lost more seats and may even not have got to form the government.

NOW the tide is changing.

The Chinese-majority parties in BN will suffer the most if their members abandon them.

The likely winner will most probably be the DAP . In recent Sarawak polls, the Opposition Party won additional state seats in Chinese areas where the electorate were dissatisfied with the Sarawak state government.

... Why are the Chinese angry with the government?

The ‘kris-wielding show’ by an important Umno member and racists remark by delegates at the last Umno assembly has hurt their feeling.

Contrary to what the mainstream papers are saying, business is bad and many Chinese who are in business are suffering.

....not only the Chinese will vote for Opposition in the coming polls but also decent Malays, Indians and other races whose wallets are thinner due to rising inflation.

But rural Malays will still vote for the present regime as they have been brainwashed by the present regime into believing that only Umno can fight for their birthright. ... and Government machineries and elections funds are at the disposal of Umno and BN come every general election.

Politics is the art of the possible and may the winds of change which have caused several corrupt governments in the world to fall blow to our shores. No government in the world can remain in office forever if they are corrupt to the core.

.... all indications are that the people are fed up with price increases, endemic corruption and abuse of power by the political elites who only work for themselves, their families and cronies.

But changing the present regime in the coming polls is wishful thinking.

One can only hope that the aging and corrupt ministers will step down for the coming polls and make way for new blood. Voters, however, should vote them out of office if they still want to run.

Vote wisely, folks, in the next polls and DON'T FALL for the government propaganda that all is well in this country.

News from Kelantan: Pride versus Economics

Reported by AP on Yahoo.News

A Malaysian farmer from Kelantan has won custody over a 3-year-old cow after DNA tests ended months of dispute with another farmer over its ownership, a news report said Thursday.

Zulkifli Setapa was deemed the rightful owner after blood samples from the cow matched with those of two other cows that belonged to him, national Bernama news agency said.

Zulkifli and farmer Isa Mohamed, both from northeastern Kelantan state, had filed police reports in November for custody of the animal estimated to cost around RM 2,000.

They jointly paid for DNA tests that cost about RM 3,200 (US $914) to settle their dispute, in the first such case in Kelantan.

State veterinary official Zaimi Mohamad Daud told farmers to mark their herds to prevent future disputes, Bernama said.

State veterinary officials could not be immediately reached for comments.

Must Read Article: Malaysia's Racial Politics Revisited - Govt's Racial Fear of 'Pan-Asian Faces' in the Media

by Farish A. Noor - Published in Khaleej Times Online (14 February 2007)

UPDATE (16th Feb.) : Read here Commentary by "KTEMOC Konsiders" on Farish Noor's article

Excerpts: Read Here for MORE

".... DESPITE the often-repeated cliche that Malaysian society is a multiracial melting pot, mixing between the races has always been minimal. ...it would appear that the Malaysian authorities would like to keep it that way.

No matter how high the political temperature rises in the country, the racial groups in Malaysia remain distinct.

The latest piece of evidence: The Information Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Zainuddin Maidin, called for a set of guidelines to ensure that the media and advertising agencies in Malaysia would lower the number of ‘Pan-Asian faces' seen on TV and in the ads of the country.

Datuk Zam's call to have such race-based guidelines sums up the moral and ideological morass that Malaysia is in at the moment.

Fearful that the Malaysian media and entertainment scene would be dominated by hybrid mongrels, Zam's belated call for the defence of racial and ethnic essentialism is symptomatic of the political uncertainty of the times.

But there is nothing new about Zam's statement.

Since the 1980s and 1990s there have been similar calls, uttered by successive Information Ministers, to the same effect:

Mohamad Rahmat, who served under the Mahathir administration, had uttered a similar complaint when he too noted that there were too many ‘hybrid, pan-Asian' faces on TV.

Mohamad Rahmat had attempted to ‘clean up' the Malaysian entertainment and media scene, with the spectacular gesture of actually cutting the hair of long-haired heavy metal rockers, caught on national television.

What is worrisome about this latest knee-jerk reaction is that it comes at a time when Malaysian society seems on the brink of slipping into yet another political crisis, with racial and ethnic overtones.

1. Last year witnessed the shameful spectacle of the ruling UMNO party's leaders taking to the podium, brandishing their kerises (Malay daggers) and talking (or rather shouting) at length about the notion of blood and belonging.
   
   
2. Last year we had UMNO leaders rubbishing the notion of a ‘Malaysian Malaysia', dismissing the concept of a plural society as one that was confused, hybrid and mixed-up.
   
   
3. Last year we read of right-wing ethno-nationalists taunting and challenging their leaders to use those very same Malay daggers that they had unsheathed in public. All talk has been on blood and belonging; an ideological discourse replete with shallow and narrow essentialist understandings of what constitutes the Malaysian nation and who deserves to be seen as essentially Malaysian.

It is against this context of rising right-wing mobilisation that Zam's latest utterance was made. No, it CANNOT and should NOT be excused as a legitimate appeal for the defence of racial difference.

Malaysians are more hybrid, more inter-dependent and inter-linked than ever before. Racial, ethnic, linguistic and even religious horizons have come to overlap in this contested nation, and such inter-penetration is likely to be a permanent feature of a Malaysian society that is bound to change and evolve.

Zam's statement is that it shows the extent of ideological-discursive displacement of the current establishment installed in Putrajaya:

At a time when practically all of Asia is on the move and Asian nation-states are caught in the mad rush to celebrate multiculturalism as their main selling point, our own leaders are bent on doing the opposite.

Malaysia's selling point is precisely the fact that it is a multi-racial melting pot where millions of Asians have come together, inter-married and produced a nation that defies ethnic and racial compartmentalisation.

If Malaysia wanted to advertise itself to the world as a model of multiculturalism in action, it is precisely those ‘hybrid, mongrel' faces the country should be showing to the world.

And one can even go back in recent history and foreground the myriad of mixed hybrid faces that have graced the corridors of power in the country:

From Onn Jaafar to Hussein Onn to Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's leaders have exhibited an uncanny proclivity to be multiracial themselves.

.... In time the Information Minister's statement will be forgotten and life will carry on at its usual inebriated pace in Malaysia.

Some have already begun to dismiss this latest call for ethnic and racial Puritanism as a crank call from a politician with little else to do.

But set against the overall picture of a Malaysia that is slipping towards a more communitarian and sectarian register, Zam's statement can and should be read as a warning sign of things to come.

Broken Promise to the Rakyat : A Government That Cannot Be Trusted

From Cuit Sikit - Kerajaan Yang Tidak Boleh Dipercayai? Read here for more

Background: Read here for more on MageP's Lab

The Star reported earlier that Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy has directed the department to stop the contest with immediate effect due to possible abuse some quarters who wanted to profit from such contests.

But why it’s being offered to the public at first place, Minister Chan knows.

Now, the interesting question to ask is: Has Minister Chan being consulted on the "Press, Send and Win" by the Road Safety Department, which is directly under the purview of the Ministry of Transport?

If Yes why his consultants never come across the view of many quarters that lead to the cancellation of the contest as of now?

If NO , why not being consulted as Road Safety Deparment is directly under his purview? Was he being kept in the dark over the contest? Minister Chan needs to answer those questions.

AND today, Home Minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad called off a lucky draw which was offered by the Home Ministry 18 months ago with the objective to encourage more Malaysians to change their identity cards. "Silly and rubbish," he said.

Describing the Jom Tukar dan Menang (Let’s Change and Win) lucky draw as "silly and rubbish", Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said it was the responsibility of Malaysians to get their MyKad without having any carrot dangled at them.

When pressed by reporter that it was his predecessor who made the announcement, Radzi replied, "That was the former minister."

In August 2005, the then Home Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid had announced the lucky draw to get some two million Malaysians to change their identity cards to MyKad before Dec 31 that year.

The Finance Ministry-sanctioned draw was also open to 16 million MyKad holders.

Three lucky draws were supposed to be held in September, November and December that year, offering a total of 80 prizes every month with the RM50,000 MyVi as the grand prize.

Excerpts: Read here for more

"..... Hari ini tercatat lagi satu rentetan sejarah bahawa Kerajaan Malaysia sudah setaraf dengan kerajaan negara-negara yang kacau-bilau, penuh anarki dan negara mundur.

Janji dan kata-kata kerajaan Malaysia sudah tidak boleh dipegang lagi.

Hari ini, Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad menarik balik janji kementerian tersebut untuk mengadakan cabutan bertuah kepada pemilik MYKAD.

Alasan beliau ialah rakyat Malaysia sepatutnya tidak memerlukan sebarang saguhati atau faktor pendorong seperti cabutan bertuah untuk memohon MYKAD. Saya amat bersetuju dengan pandangan ini.

Cuma yang Radzi TIDAK faham ialah sebarang janji dengan rakyat yang dibuat oleh kerajaan hendaklah ditunaikan kecuali mempunyai alasan yang cukup munasabah untuk menarik balik.

Malangnya alasan Radzi bahawa janji tersebut dibuat oleh Menteri sebelumnya bukan oleh dirinya mencerminkan sikap tidak bertanggungjawab kerajaan hari ini.

Janji boleh diubah sewenang-wenangnya hanya kerana pertukaran menteri.

Siapakah lagi yang akan mempercayai kerajaan Malaysia jika perkara ini berterusan?

Apakah selepas ini sebarang komitmen kerajaan terhadap pinjaman dan sebagainya akan diklasifikasikan sebagai "high risk"?

P.S.
Datuk Seri Radzi, janganlah bawa "pergaduhan politik" Perlis dalam keputusan kerajaan. Jangan malukan kerajaan Malaysia dan Barisan Nasional!

A Blunt Message for Opposition Parties: From a 16-Year Old Malaysian

From theCicak.com. Read here

Prosperity vs. Ignominy, And How The Opposition Isn’t Really Helping Malaysian Politics

by

John Lee
(John Lee is a 16-year-old Malaysian with a passion for reading and writing about current events on the local and global scene. Currently an A-Level student at a local college, he hopes to pursue an economics degree in the United States. Visit his site. )

Click below John Lee's other related articles:

• "The Fundamental Failure of the Political Opposition".
  
• "Resurrecting a Dead Malaysia"
  
• Analysing Politics in Malaysia: Playing the Racial Game

We, the Malaysians of this generation, the generation of all Malaysians currently living, are at a crucial crossroads in our country’s history.

The decisions we - and by extension our leadership - make today, will either set our country on the path to permanent prosperity or infinite ignominy.

Malaysia Today

After 50 years of independence, Malaysians remain shackled by racial politics and by the denial of political equality to almost half of the country.

And the Opposition is NOT helping; I believe they are dooming this country to failure as well – because being unable to change government policy, they are completely worthless.

After 50 years of independence, we remain in the shadow of our southern neighbour, even though God has granted us every conceivable advantage over them.

What’s most disheartening about all this utter bullshit is that after 50 years, we are no closer to changing this situation than before. How will we ever see a change that can alter our country’s path from the road leading to infinite ignominy to the highway of permanent prosperity?

I believe that the present government, at the rate things are going, is dooming the country to failure. The “Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah (clean, efficient and trustworthy)” policies of our government have only seen us plumbing new depths of wastage and inefficiency.

The Pathetic Opposition Parties

As for the Opposition, they’re so pathetic they can’t even be bothered to brand themselves as the future leaders of Malaysia.

All they know to do is talk about denying the government a two-thirds parliamentary majority. All they’re capable of doing is organising rallies and demonstrations and boycotts which have zero effect whatsoever on government policy.

Their leadership is old - just as dinosaur-like as the present slate of Barisan Nasional leaders. Their image, even amongst opposition supporters, is that of a party aiming to become a stronger, more effective opposition - not a party aiming to become an effective government.

I DON'T want an effective Opposition, I WANT an effective government.

I don’t want to vote for a party that’s only interested in being in the Opposition.

Being in the Opposition forever is meaningless for any political party in any country. The purpose of a political party is to win power, and nothing less.

Why should I support a political party that’s not interested in the power it needs to make its goals for the country a reality?

For decades, all the Opposition has been capable of is pandering to its hardcore base of supporters. While this is good for staying in the Opposition, it will never be good enough for actual change.

For the sake of our country, the Opposition needs to get serious about becoming the government. Our only hope of joining the highway to permanent prosperity is a Government that understands the need for change and the needs of the country.

1. Can the Opposition pull through on this?
   
   
2. Can it win the votes of the average voters, instead of only those of the hardcore Opposition supporters?
   
   
3. Can it develop a clear, insightful, innovative and sensible policy plan that will at least begin to undo the damage that has been done by the Barisan Nasional government’s complacency?
   
   
4. Can it build up a slate of candidates with clearheaded ideas and principles and the energy to carry through the plans that have been drawn up?
   
   
5. Can it truly focus on what most of the people want, instead of what a few hardcore Opposition partisans want?

My verdict so far is a resounding NO.

The Opposition’s history in Malaysian politics is one of infinite ignominy itself.

The Opposition seems wholly incapable of fielding more than a handful of competent and able candidates. It is utterly unable to develop a coherent, clear and sensible idea of what its policies will be when it comes to power.

And - most depressingly - the Opposition isn’t even able of conceiving of itself in power. It can’t even cast its campaigns in incremental terms, for example: “First we increase our share of seats, and in the next election, we go for the government.”

All it knows how to do is talk endlessly about that insane two-thirds majority which Barisan Nasional has, while making increasingly shrill and ineffectual noises about BN’s incompetency and corruption.

I’ve got news for you, folks in the Opposition: we know BN is incompetent and corrupt. The question now is: What are you going to do about it?

We Malaysians know what we want:

1. We know we want a country where our children can grow up in peace, prosperity and pride; a country they can call home - a country that’s always there for them.
   
   
2. We want our children to grow up feeling a sense of pride, achievement and accomplishment in being able to call themselves “Malaysian” - in being able to flash their red passport at any airport terminal around the world with a sense of honour.
   
   
3. We want our children to grow up knowing that they have a real opportunity to make the most of themselves and maximise the potential they have been blessed with by God, without any discrimination, whether from the political or business establishment.
   
   
4. We want them to hold to the principles that can and will make this country great if only we truly apply them: the principles encapsulated in our Rukunegara.

What is the Opposition going to do about this?

All I can say is, looking at the Opposition’s inefficacy, I have this funny feeling that my children are probably NOT going to grow up being Malaysian at all.

And that will be a loss, for both me and my country. Keranamu Malaysia (Because of You, Malaysia), yes - but will there be a Malaysia to speak of in my children’s time?

Or will the Malaysian nation be a long-dead concept, having collapsed into a squabbling rabble of different races fighting for an ever-shrinking economic pie?

It is incumbent upon all Malaysians, especially those seeking to change our path from one of infinite ignominy to permanent prosperity, to push political change now - because, literally and in all seriousness, it’s now or never.

The window of opportunity is closing fast.

If we wait, we will soon find ourselves a backwater in an up-and-coming region of economic superpowers. We must seek change now, and we must change this ineffective government.

In our 50th year of independence, we must move to set our country on the path to permanent prosperity by setting the gears in motion for a new and effective government.

It’s our move.

Can we save this country for our children?

-John Lee

Module for University Course on ETHNIC RELATIONS: The Imprints of the DIRTY Hands of the Government

From Malaysia Today - Ethnic Relations Module: Death Knell for University Autonomy: S. Husin Ali.

Quote:

"... The process of Cabinet determining the content of and approving a module or syllabus cannot and should not be tolerated by any university worth its name.

This time it is Ethnic Relations. Next it could be Development Studies or maybe even History. Where will this end, then?

I consider Cabinet interference in and approval of a fully academic matter, such as this, to be the final nail driven into the coffin of University Autonomy."
- S. Husin Ali

Background

In October 2004, The Government decided to make Ethnic Relations a compulsory subject for all university students beginning with the 2006/2007 academic session.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) developed a teaching module on Ethnic Relations.

The MCA deemed UPM's course book on ethnic relations as unsuitable teaching material as the facts were incorrectly presented and unbalanced. MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the country's independance was achieved by all races and any references or textbooks used for the purpose of teaching ethnic relations must be balanced and take care of the sensitivities of all races. "The book must also take note of all contributions by the communities in working together to achieve independance," he told reporters after the party's presidential council meeting today (July 18, 2006).

The controversial Ethnic Relations module taught at Universiti Putra Malaysia was withdrawn.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Cabinet felt that sensitive racial issues should not be incorporated in a book used by students.

Excerpts: Read here for more

".... The Minister of Higher Education recently announced that the Ethnic Relations Module (23 January 2007 Version) for universities had been finally approved by the Cabinet.

The Erosion of University Autonomy

On the withdrawal of the Universiti Putra module:

Would it not have been better if it was withdrawn by the University itself?

Would it not have been more appropriate and pertinent for the University to correct and improve its module, taking into account all views and criticisms expressed inside and outside Parliament?

These are important questions that touch on the fundamental principle of University Autonomy.

Traditionally, the University has been regarded and guarded as a leading light and centre for free pursuit of knowledge and truth. To fully succeed in this pursuit a university needs Academic Autonomy.

The University CANNOT and should NOT allow interference, what else domination, by any vested political and economic interests.

But this does not mean the University should not consider and adopt views from the government or business community that can help its search for knowledge, truth and development.

.... in Malaysia, for some time, University Autonomy has been systematically eroded.

University of Malaya, which, during its early days enjoyed autonomy, has now joined younger universities, that are directly controlled or strongly influenced by the Government.

(These Universities) are totally dependent financially on the Government.

The academic staff is subjected to different Government Acts and Regulations (e.g. UUCA and “Akujanji”).

The main officers, from the Chairman of its Board and Vice-Chancellor, down to Deans and Heads of Department are now almost all direct or indirect appointees of the Government.

Democratic processes belong to the past.

Basic freedoms of university staff and students have been so effectively curbed that:

most of the university staff have imbibed servile government servant mentality, while

almost all of the students are reduced to be no more than high school students.

It is not surprising, therefore, the quality and standards of local universities have been deteriorating.

The process of Cabinet determining the content of and approving a module or syllabus cannot and should not be tolerated by any university worth its name. This time it is Ethnic Relations. Next it could be Development Studies or maybe even History. Where will this end, then?

I consider Cabinet interference in and approval of a fully academic matter, such as this, to be the final nail driven into the coffin of University Autonomy.

The Cabinet-Approved Module on Ethnic Relations

".... the module must satisfy certain important criteria, such as being at least objective, balanced and critical.

1. Many terms and concepts introduced (in the Module) are NOT adequately discussed; in many cases the authors depend on “Kamus Dewan” for explanation.
   
   
2. There is NOT a single reference to any well-known theory or finding that can help students to understand the nature and problems of ethnic relations.
   
   
3. There is NO effort to make even elementary comparative study of different countries with multi-ethnic or multi-racial composition and problems.
   
   
4. There is NOT even a satisfactory introduction to the social and cultural milieus of the various ethnic groups in the country.
   
   
5. In describing history, the module unfortunately EXCLUDES the roles of groups and individuals outside the government or pro-government circle. There is NO mention of such historical parties like the Kesatuan Melayu Malaya (KMM), Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Parti Buruh Malaya (PBM), their coalition the Barisan Sosialis (FS), and of course the Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM).
   
   
6. Whether we agree or not, the positions and roles of these parties and their leaders, like Ahmad Boestamam, Dr Burhanuddin, Ishak Hj Muhammad, Abu Bakar Bakir, Abdullah CD and even Chin Peng vis-avis ethnic relations cannot be ignored, but need to be evaluated. The module does not appear to give any opportunity for this.
   
   
7. Many pages are devoted to contemporary parties, surprisingly more for Sabah and Sarawak than the Peninsular. Their roles in politics and ethnic relations are prominently outlined. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) manages to get a few lines of mention. But there is NOT a word on Parti Keadilan Rakyat. The module could be more up-to-date and less selective.

We get details in every chapter regarding government policies and plans of action in various fields.

On the Political Process

The concept of the Malays as political masters (“Ketuanan politik etnik Melayu”) is accepted as a matter of fact. These are presented unquestioningly as being aimed at and effectively contributing towards national harmony and unity.

They are summed up in the following sentence (translated from the original in Malay):

“The concept of power sharing, fair distribution of national income, equal opportunity in education inter-ethnically, freedom of religion guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, protection of minority groups, and now Islam Hadari as well as other policies, have been able to guarantee multi-racial and multi-ethnic harmony in our country” (p. 152).

While accepting these, contrary views should not be set aside.

The contribution of the Opposition in general is referred only twice, even then in very damning terms.

The module claims that Government formula and efforts to promote ethnic unity is attacked by the Opposition, which tries to create disunity (“pembangkang yang cuba memecahbelahkan”) (p.32).

In another instance, this Module insinuates, avoiding giving names, that the Opposition was responsible for the May 13 Incident (“Ini dijelmakan melalui pencapaian parti pembangkang …… Bibit-bibit pertentangan …….akhirnya mencetuskan suatu pertentangan terbuka lagi berdarah”) p.50.

Is it sheer coincidence that the tragic date is mentioned immediately after this sentence?

Even ignoring the above, we find that there is LITTLE evidence of the module being evaluative or critical.

Let us confine ourselves to specific aspects in three areas, namely, economy, education and religion.

On Economic Development

In the economic sphere, admittedly there has been much progress since Merdeka, although not as impressive as in Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. Many aspects of Government policies aimed at promoting unity have caused much ethnic strain. One such policy is the DEB, adopted in the wake of 13 May Incident.

The Module strongly reflects the official position in defending the DEB and Malay Special Position.

But it is not sufficient to continue reproducing old rationale and arguments that were used over 36 years ago.

Now the scenario has changed and it needs to be taken into account.

True, the economic conditions of the Malays have improved. Incidence of poverty has decreased substantially; but it may be shown statistically that socio-economic inequity has increased. A greater number and percentage of Malays have succeeded in different professional fields.

There are more Malays in business and industry. But there is great uneasiness that the DEB has been used to enrich only a selected few.

These have implications on ethnic relations. The implications become more serious when government leaders defend it in the name of “Ketuanan Melayu”.

On the other hand, there is growing demand for a new agenda of economic development that does NOT discriminate ethnically, but favour the poor and marginalized from all ethnic groups.

Surely there should be an attempt for the Module to draw attention to these scenarios.

On Education

In the field of education, National Schools with Bahasa Malaysia as medium of instruction were aimed at creating a united nation.

Ironically, existing language and education policies have divided instead of unite. They have led to ethnic polarization in and among schools.

The module touts “Sekolah Wawasan” for promoting unity. But Government has almost scrapped this idea, after protests from non-Malays and Malays.

According to government figures, only seven percent (7 %) of students in National Schools are non-Malays, while about the same proportion of students in National-type Schools are made up of Malays.

Most of MARA schools are confined to Malays, although there is an attempt now to admit non-Malays up to 10 percent.

But this percentage does NOT reflect the composition of population ethnically or economically. It creates ethnic dissatisfaction.

There is also ethnic polarization at university level. The majority of undergraduates in public universities are Malays not so proficient in English, while in private universities the majority is non-Malay more proficient in English.

At the same time, we have growing number of universities that cater almost exclusively for an ethnic group.

The module does not touch on these rather dangerous trends.

On Religion

Religion can be a thorny problem for ethnic relations.

The module makes an attempt to provide the essence in the teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. Together they take up ONLY TWO pages.

THREE pages are given to Islam Hadari (not the teachings of Islam as such), as a basis for understanding, harmony and peace for Malaysia and the whole world. (Strangely, more than five pages are devoted to the National Service).

Recently many issues and incidents relating to conversion and apostasy have sparked inter-religious tensions and suspicions. These issues have to be handled with great wisdom and care.

There should be no problem in discussing Islam Hadari and its role, objectively and in balanced and critical manner.

But it becomes a problem when the Module appears to turn a blind eye to real issues that threaten ethnic harmony and national unity.

In conclusion, it must be emphasized that University Autonomy demands to be cherished.

The University must be free and independent to evolve its own modules, courses and other academic matters.

This is almost the LAST bastion.

Borrowing the words of the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore on another matter, the university should genuinely be a centre “where knowledge is free and the head is held high”.

Toll Concessionaires: Samy Vellu's Doctrine of Parliamentary Supremacy

From Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin - Read here for more

From NST (11 Feb.2007):

"Consent would have to be obtained from the concessionaires of tolled roads before their agreements with the government could be made public, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said. Even if the agreements were declassified, those unhappy with the terms would not be able to change them, he said here yesterday.

The minister was commenting on calls for toll concession agreements to be removed from the ambit of Official Secrets Act (OSA)."The agreements are an understanding reached between the two parties. Approval for them to be made public has to come from the Cabinet and then we have to get the concessionaires to agree," he said.

Opposition politicians... claimed that the government had, in the agreement, guaranteed profits to the concessionaire." Read here for more

Samy Vellu revealed that the government will need the consent from the toll-road concessionaires before the agreement can be made public.

It's the greatest shock anyone can apprehend.

..... parliament is the highest authority in any country and that parliament is always supreme and no one can, not even the past legislators can bind the future legislators.

.... NO law can bind the parliament - Parliament can make any law or change any law as they so wished. That's the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy.

What Samy is saying is that, a term in the contract betwen the parties to an agreement, government by the Act of Parliament, ie Contracts Act 1950, can be binding absolutely, even can bind the parliament, ie the legislators.

If we Malaysians are asked to accept this statement, then we are either so stupid or incapable to understand the rule or law, or that the country is now ruled under a new set of laws reflecting the feudal system or tartan system.

... NO one and NO law can bind the parliament. So long as the parliament decides on what they wanted to make as law or to unmake a law, it can be done.

The NST's Government-Sponsored Spin on Malaysia's "Feel-Good" Economy - Setting the Stage for a Snap General Election

From The Straight Times (Malaysia Today) - Ibnu Hakeem : Read HERE for more

Excerpts:

".... The NST of 9/02/07 quotes the Second Finance Minister (Nor Mohamed Yakcop) saying

“The feel good factors are very clear now. Retailers are seeing an increase in business, the shops are quite packed now and so are the eating places and so on.

We are very confident that the good times are here.”

.... a Finance Minister taking the pulse of the economy by looking at people eating in restaurants. The Minister did not say if they were eating ‘nasi lemak’ or ‘roti canai’?

There seems to be an orchestrated attempt to falsely project this feel good image.

The Second Finance Minister does NOT seem to understand business and industry very well.

.....The NST of 8/02/07 quotes Prof Dr Mohd Ariff, the Executive Director of the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research in solid capitals “INFLATION UNDER CONTROL, COUNTRY ON SOLID GROUND”. The Professor is quoted as saying ‘The economy is on solid ground and doing well on all fronts. . . Budget deficit and inflation is also under control’.

The Professor is a mamak whose wife probably packs him a nasi kandar lunch everyday.

He does NOT know that:

a simple nasi campur lunch in Kuala Lumpur (rice, chicken and sayur) now costs at least RM5.00.

A drink of mineral water to go with the lunch costs RM1.50. That is RM6.50 just for lunch.

Just a year ago one could have a good lunch for under RM4.00. The ordinary people are now reduced to eating rice, sambal and telur masin to keep their lunch bill to about RM4.00.
The toll from Awan Besar to Subang Jaya alone has also increased from RM3.00 to RM4.40 – an inflation of almost 50%.

Surely the Professor cannot be riding a kereta lembu to work to not notice that fuel prices have gone up tremendously?

Then the NST has a picture of a grinning Bank Negara Governor Zeti lauding that the Ringgit has soared to a nine year high against the US Dollar.

The NST’s front page of 7/2/07 screams “Better Days – These Malaysians certainly think so” with a picture of a Malay contractor and a smiling Chinese architect. The third person however is a non Malaysian who runs an electrical business in Kuala Lumpur and remits about RM500 per month to his wife in India.

The NST has compared the economic health of these two Malaysians and the non Malaysian against the Financial Crisis years of 1998, when the financial crisis was at its peak.

Why not just compare them with the Great Depression years of 1929 – surely we have all done much better compared to 1929?

A day later on 8/2/07 the NST’s headlines screams ‘Delivery’. There are 23 thumbnail pictures of people picked by Nor Mohd Yaacob to sit on a ‘Task Force’ committee to improve the Government’s delivery mechanism.

The next day on 9/2/07 the headlines shouts out ‘It’s A Record - RM 1,069,000,000,000 - Malaysia’s annual total trade breaks RM1 trillion mark for the first time’

But the reality on the ground is otherwise.

In Section 15 of Subang Jaya many shops are closing down.

On Pulau Langkawi whole sections of Kuah town are dead.

In Putrajaya the Anjung and Lanai commercial areas have been shut down completely and now the Alamanda commercial area is also slowing down.

In Kelana Jaya a nasi kandar restaurant will be closing down soon because a LimKokWing campus nearby has also closed.

People who own apartments in Selayang and Subang Jaya cannot find tenants to rent them for over one year. They remain empty.

Recovery policies put in place by Dr Mahathir in his last years in office saw the economy growing from 4.5% in 2003 to 5.7 % in 2004 and finally topping off at 6.2% in 2005.

That was the last bit of momentum leftover from Dr Mahathir’s management of the country.

Economy on Downhill Since Badawi Became PM

Ever since then it has been downhill all the way.

Badawi’s sleeping on the job since 2003 is taking its toll on the Malaysian economy.

Economic growth went down to 5.8% in 2006.

For 2007 the official forecast by the Treasury is that the economy will go down again to 5.2%.

Three straight years of slower economic growth.

Dr Mahathir has said that even these figures cannot be trusted. The real scenario could be worse.

And now Abdullah Badawi has given this ‘Delivery’ Task Force six months to show results. And here is the real non starter - the Task Force is headed by two chairmen one a Malay representing the Civil Service and the other a Chinese representing the private sector.

This task force is NOT going to work. It is just for show.

The feel good spin is also being boosted through the KLCI which has reached 1,245 by 8/2/07 – up from 970 in November 06, a fantastic surge of almost 30% in just three months.

Artificial Propping-up of the Stock Exchange

A senior stockbroking CEO says that money is being pumped into the main ‘Index Counters’ (about 17 of them) that are heavyweights on the KLCI.

If you push up these heavyweight counters, the whole KLCI will move. Other than these Index counters, other blue chips and non blue chips and second liners have not seen any surge in price at all.

Also a lot of money is being used to prop up the KLCI. Government owned institutional investors are obviously being roped in to boost the feel good factor.

The Bursa also announced recently that short selling will be allowed. Short selling can make you a lot of money if you know for certain that the market is going down.

Hypothetically if all the Government owned institutional players decide to dump their shares at the same time, the stock market will hit the floor.

And if the ‘players’ have sold ‘short’ they will make a double killing i.e. from selling their shares at a high price and shorting the market at a low price. This can only happen when you control both the buying and the selling of shares. And of course this is a hypothetical case only.

Forex traders of the 1990s will recall the tactics used by Bank Negara to speculate the Ringgit against other currencies. Since Bank Negara was the caretaker of monetary policy which determined the value of the Ringgit, they wanted to use this ‘inside’ knowledge at that time to make some money on the side.

We all know what eventually happened. We lost RM27.0 billion.

So if there is a snap election when will it be? A KLCI at 1245 is artificial.

How do we know this?

The non Index and non blue chips are NOT moving. They CANNOT boost the KLCI forever. It has to find its natural level – it may come down hard.

Snap elections may be held before this event takes place – much sooner than expected. Get out your voting shoes.

What Other Bloggers Are Talking About ......

1. Too Many Warlords in Malaysian Government Departments: Read HERE for MORE

   ....There are far TOO many warlords in the various government departments and they are wielding their own powers and setting terms and conditions at their own whims and fancies and giving out notices in the name of the Director.
   
   ....One such Department is the Veterinary Service Department Clinic located at Jalan Cheras Kuala Lumpur. This department also observes “Thursday prayers” - no work on Thursday afternoon!. You will be LUCKY if they observed these stated hours.
   
   It is the ONLY government clinic in the whole of Kula Lumpur providing the much needed services for the animals. But look at their working clinical hours. The notice further shock you, supposed to be from the Director, the Seperti Biasa (common hours) in the afternoon is from 2.15 pm to 3.30 pm and NOT up to 4.15 pm....
   
   ... And it is no better in Dewan Bandar RAYA KL. Even if you need to pay a summons, you MUST wait sometimes. There are TWO counters (and if one staff is on sick leave) the other need to take his lunch and was back at 2.20 pm.
   
   ...Go to Traffic Police HQ in Jln Tun H S Lee and they would NOT accept your fines at 8.30 am sharp, the stated opening hours. Apparently, they need to have the computers “warm up”. So how will the delivery system be improved if the working hours are not adhered to? ..."
   
   
   

2. New University Course Proposed by Govt: Read HERE for MORE
   

   "....the government is planning to get certain public universities to teach Toilet Management and Care.....this move was necessary to ensure the Malaysian toilets are properly maintained and clean.
   
   The courses will teach Malaysian graduates about the suitability of toilet cleaning tools, soaps, deodorant and tissue paper, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew Robert told Bernama.
   
   ....It is probable that the course will also include teaching the under-graduates the techniques on how to sit on toilet bowls as most Malaysians are still squating on the pedestal WC.
   
   It is most likely that the government would be very selective in the process of selecting the right universities to conduct the course to ensure that only the highest quality universities are only allowed to teach this specialised course to ensure high quality toilet graduates and to ensure that the graduates would be able to serve the society effectively when they managed the public toilets.
   
   ...The government will also ensure that more non-bumiputeras will be given opportunity to enroll in the course and if the response are good, the government would even consider a Master Degree course in Advance Toilet Management..."

   
   
3. Why Cost of Middle Ring Road Bloated from RM 20 Million to RM 70 Million? Read HERE for MORE

   "....How did the repair bill on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) balloon from some RM40 million, as reported a year ago, to RM70 million now?
   
   The answer from Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu yesterday is that this amount includes the fee for the German consultant appointed to do the repair early last year. "That is why the repair cost had increased to RM70 million....(covers) the pay for the appointed German consultant," he told reporters.
   
   ....Samy Vellu did not give a breakdown of the RM70 million bill, although in a Bernama report dated Feb 22 last year, he was quoted as saying the repair of the 31 pillars would cost more than RM40 million...."



4. Immigration Office: All Done Under 2 Hours !! Read HERE for MORE

   "....I am in shock today. I’d had an experience in a government office, which I never thought was possible. My visit to the Jabatan Imigresen, Cawangan Wangsa Maju to renew my international passport was actually a no-fuss and stress-free and pleasurable experience.When I set off this morning I was frankly quite skeptical.
   
   ... All done within 2 hours. And the air in the office was cool and fresh and they even have a room set aside for nursing mothers.
   
   Now when was the last time you experienced a customer friendly, service-oriented government department?.."
   
   
   

5. Don't Talk Cock-Lah! - Read HERE for MORE

   "....If there was one thing I learnt from Decision Making & Statistics, it was Anchor & Adjust (A&A) as a common form of decision making.A&A can hide incompetence and mask sub-par analysis. All you do is anchor to the most recent point of reference and adjust up or down according to available data.
   
   While that is not wrong, it is a chicken-shit way of analysis or offering an opinion. A bit like "after the horse has bolted", and all the expert is saying is "well, I think he went that way, and should continue doing so".
   
   For someone to come out this week and saying "Bursa Malaysia is expected to surpass the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index’s (KLCI) all-time high of 1,332.04 in Januray 1994 based on the current rally, underpinned by the increased liberalisation of economy, accommodative fiscal and monetary policies and improving corporate returns on equity (ROE)" ... is pretty much talking cock-lah.
   
   ....These so called experts will A&A their predictions and think of new reasons to justify their existence and the desired levels, but will not stray from the pack, cause it is safe.
   
   Part of the reason why there is so much talking cocks and b.s. is also due to the very average journalistic ability and integrity exhibited in most Asian papers.
   
   To parrot opinions without "sifiting out the chaff from the wheat" give rise to empty headlines and little-value-add information in an era of information overload.
   
   Besides just reporting news (biz news in particular), to move from being mere reporters to journalists requires investigative journalism, thought-provoking commentary and hard line questioning. Need to move up the ladder, y'all.
   
   Seriously, a good analyst will be able to come up with a decent thesis for the KLCI to be at 900 or 1,200 or 1,500 ... all within 15 minutes.
   
   Give me a level and I will tell you a story, usually its called b.s. but if I do it persuasively well, you will nod along in agreement.
   
   Hence to sift out the really good opinions from mere stuff that smells of ammonia is to seek out...."
   
   
   

6. PAN-ASIAN PROTESTATION: Read HERE for MORE

   ".... It was with a sense of deja vu that I read the discussion on ads using Pan Asian faces yesterday.
   
   Many Ministers of Information ago, the same directive was issued. Malaysians memang mudah lupa (Malaysians forget easily).
   
   We were in a throes of nation-building then.(We still are, but there are delays and missed datelines and cost overruns etc. You know what I mean).
   
   Being a rojak nation, in a way, we really do NOT have a face that is instantly recognizable as Malaysian.
   
   ....Much as I like Brad Pitt, Brittney Spears or recently the EPL stars, I would want Malaysians working in the advertising industry to keep on working, with or without Pan-Asian looking personalities. ..."
   
   
   

7. The REAL meaning of DAP's "The Rocket": Read HERE for MORE

   " The DAP website explains the meaning of the Rocket symbol as:
   
   a) The blue circle stands for the unity of the multi-racial people of Malaysia.
   
   b) The white background stands for purity and incorruptibility.
   
   c) The red rocket symbolizes the Party’s aspiration for a modern, dynamic and progressive society.
   
   d) The four rocket boosters represent the support and drive given to the Party objectives by the three major races and others.
   

That was in the 1960s.

It’s the 21st Century now and the party convention may vote to give the Rocket a more comtemporary meaning.

(i)The blue circle = singing the blues and going around in circles.

(ii) The white background= the virgins in the background who have yet to score politically.

(iii) The red rocket = the colour of the Party’s balance sheet.

( iiii) The four rocket boosters = four decades of liftoff problems getting real support from outside one community.

Houston, we have a problem !!!"

MUST READ ARTICLE !!: Chinese, Malays and Islam: What the Perlis Mufti Said

Read HERE article by Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, The Mufti of Perlis

Quote:

"...Sometimes we as Muslims should praise the Chinese.

Their children can still do well in their undertakings with neither high education nor paper qualifications. They either inherited the skills from their parents or from practical learning.

Many successful Chinese businessmen are masters in their respective fields without having official paper qualifications. This trait is highly regarded by Islam.

The religion urges its followers to rely on Allah and to increase their knowledge. In Surah Taha (verse 113) God says: "(Say Muhammad) Oh Lord, increase my knowledge."

... The Chinese businessmen are better managers and portray strong positive traits compared with their Malay counterparts — to the extent that many Malays have more confidence in Chinese businessmen than their own.

Where are people like Abd al-Rahman bin Auf, a Muslim role model of doing business? Maybe the Chinese, the majority of whom are non-Muslims, have a keener insight into Abd al-Rahman’s business acumen than the Malays.

.... I am inclined to think that if the Malays were NOT Muslim, there would be little else they can be proud of. If the Chinese can receive Islam in its true form, they will have much to offer."
-Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, The Mufti of Perlis

IN my observations, among the serious misunderstandings involving religion is the use of the term "Malay" as synonymous with Islam and "Chinese" with infidel.

There are Malays who describe a new Muslim convert as masuk Melayu (becoming Malay) or sometimes say that he is "not Muslim but Chinese!" For them, the Chinese represent the infidels and Malays embody the Muslims.

To make matters worse, some Malays label the converted Chinese as mualaf and, more disparagingly in the northern Peninsula dialect, Mat Loh.

Malays assume they are the only pure Muslims, although Chinese Muslims may have stronger faith.

To some Malays, Chinese Muslims are NOT authentic and are seen merely as hitchhikers.

However, many Chinese who have converted to Islam are more pious, while many Muslim-born Malays are of questionable devotion.

Malay attire such as kain pelikat, baju melayu and samping are NOT the garments worn by the Prophet. But Malays perceive their clothing as Islamic because it is from Malay culture.

Islam does not impede a culture which is not against its teachings.

In the past, Malays perceived the use of chopsticks as wrong because it was associated with Chinese culture. Actually, there is NO difference between eating with one’s fingers or using cutlery, or chopsticks.

The Prophet called on Muslims to invoke Allah’s name, use their right hand and only eat permissible food. The Prophet once told a young Umar Abi Salamah when the latter was about to eat: "Dear child, say Allah’s name, eat with your right hand and consume what is close to you." (Hadith of al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Malays will normally ask Chinese Muslims to change to Arabic names, as if the name Ah Chong, Ah Seng, Lim or Koh would mean they were unIslamic.

Maybe because such names do not sound Arabic, the Malays feel awkward about them.

Sadly, the Malays do NOT feel the same way about names such as Awang, Leman, Seman and others which are NOT Arabic either.

In reality, there are many Malay names which do not have any meaning in Arabic and some have bad meanings if they are translated.

Still, it is all right for the Malays because they are, after all, Malay names.

Again, are Malays Islam and Islam Malays? The Prophet did not ask those who embraced Islam to change their names as long as they did not have bad meanings.

For instance, the name Umar was used during the pre-Islamic Jahiliyyah period and remained when the person became a Muslim.

I do not stop any Chinese Muslim from changing his name, especially if the new name will make him feel closer to the Muslim community.

Still, they must be given the choice to do so. If the changed names only make non-Muslim Chinese afraid of embracing Islam and fearful that their families will disown them, is it wrong for them to maintain their Chinese names?

If Awang can keep his name, why NOT Ah Chong?

An assumption that Islam mirrors Malay characteristics has dire consequences in many areas, especially when some Malays themselves act against the teachings of Islam.

Fortunately, most Malays still adhere to the teachings of Islam. A strong faith is the saving grace in the hereafter.

However, we cannot ignore the fact that many Malays practice syirik (polytheism) and ridicule Allah’s commandments and the Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet). These Malays are only Muslim in name.

From the perspective of history, the majority of the Chinese in Malaysia are non-Muslims.

The call of Islam does not seem to reach them. Perhaps this is because the Malays have not effectively imparted the correct form of dakwah (missionary work).

Instead, MANY Malays portray an attitude that is AGAINST Islam.

Although the Malays can discuss many things with the Chinese, including the political party they should vote for, the Malays do not seem capable of presenting the greatness of Islam and inviting the Chinese to follow their religion.

Since many Malays contradict the teachings of Islam, the majority of the Chinese have misconceptions about Islam or abhor the idea of embracing Islam.

Islam is against negative traits such as laziness, apathy, envy and the like. Unfortunately, many Malays possess such attributes.

For instance, many Malay students are left behind in their studies. If they are set against the Chinese, either at school or university, many of the Malays will lag.

Also, most Malays are NOT interested in acquiring true Islamic knowledge. They would rather listen to Israiliyyat stories (derived from the Bible and Jewish folklore, used to help "fill in" the details especially when the passage is a narrative piece, which were traditionally deemed helpful or at least not harmful but could cloud the meanings of the Quran), fables and advice which are not founded in the Quran and Sunnah.

They prefer easy instruction WITHOUT research and thought. At public libraries, the number of Malays using these facilities is still small. Chinese students diligently acquire knowledge, whereas many of their Malay counterparts are distracted by other things.

Some Malay parents will seek out blessed raisins and water for their children just before sitting for examinations to bring on good results. In the end, only those who study hard will excel, NOT the ones relying on blessed raisins and water.

The non-Muslim Chinese will reject Islam when they witness the Malays’ dependence on such practices but still fail to do well in their examinations.

Academically strong Muslims will not rely on water that was blessed with the Surah Yassin (one of the most important chapters in the Quran). Previous generations excelled because they stressed the importance of knowledge and were sincere in their efforts to acquire it. They were not merely focused on getting a certificate. Such qualities led to the creation of a powerful civilisation of knowledge in Islam.

Sometimes we as Muslims should praise the Chinese.

Their children can still do well in their undertakings with neither high education nor paper qualifications. They either inherited the skills from their parents or from practical learning. Many successful Chinese businessmen are masters in their respective fields without having official paper qualifications. This trait is highly regarded by Islam. The religion urges its followers to rely on Allah and to increase their knowledge. In Surah Taha (verse 113) God says: "(Say Muhammad) Oh Lord, increase my knowledge."

Based on what I have mentioned above, how can the Malays bring the non-Muslim Chinese closer to Islam and convince them that Islam has shaped the Malays to become noble human beings?

The Chinese businessmen are better managers and portray strong positive traits compared with their Malay counterparts — to the extent that many Malays have more confidence in Chinese businessmen than their own.

Where are people like Abd al-Rahman bin Auf, a Muslim role model of doing business? Maybe the Chinese, the majority of whom are non-Muslims, have a keener insight into Abd al-Rahman’s business acumen than the Malays.

There is much else that I can say, to the point that I am inclined to think that if the Malays were not Muslim, there would be little else they can be proud of. If the Chinese can receive Islam in its true form, they will have much to offer.

- Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Mufti of Perlis.

COMMENTARY by "The Aisehman". Read here for more

".....The Perlis mufti is certainly a courageous man.

I am heartened by the fact that he speaks his mind and does not sugarcoat his opinions.We need more Muslim Malays like him.

However, such articles would have a much, much larger impact if they were published in the Malay, or even Chinese, newspapers, rather than the likes of NST, The Star or The Sun.Still, it’s better than nothing.

If the mufti’s article was originally in BM, could you guys at the NST send me a copy of it? Email’s aisehman@gmail.com

Or at least tell me whether the original was in BM, so I can translate the English?

I’d like to put up the BM version on my blog, and encourage other blogs and websites, especially the Malay ones, to post it as well.

I know, I know … how many of the people who should read the mufti’s article read
It’s a long shot, yes, but if no one else is gonna do it, I will.You never know what might happen.