Archive for April, 2005

Diesel and its MINISTER

Wednesday, April 27th, 2005 | 10:38 pm @ SK
Diesel is running low, extremely low. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shafie Apdal is unperturbed. Worse, he “reminded” people not to blame on him. Quote:

“They shouldn’t blame us. They should blame the culprits.”

Back to the issue, more than 6300 lorry, factory bus and school bus drivers will stage a week long strike, beginning on May 1, if the minister is unable to “resolve the diesel crisis” by then.

President of Pan-Malaysian Lorry Owners Association (PMLOA) Er Sui See said the situation was so bad that “up to 30% of lorries were not moving”. Quote:

“If nothing is resolved by Monday, then we will have to stop work. The drivers are spending so much time and diesel looking for diesel; it’s a waste of resources.”

He even proposed to Shafie Apdal ways on how to overcome the problem, when they met in March.

But, interestingly, immediate response by the minister? Calls in the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to probe the rampant sales of subsidised diesel by petrol station operators.

Yes, you’re right, that’s his LAST THING FIRST measure.

I’m kind enough not to brand him as a lameduck, but he must aware that, if there is no proper decision by him or whoever his boss by next Monday, the strike might kick-off (you see, I’m trying to make this strike looks professional), at least 6300 Malaysians that I don’t know of will have a long Labour Day break.

Definitely, economy cripples, that’s it.

While all-kind of media-hype is surrounding him, one possible self-conversation might be repeating in his mind now: “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t shit, and worse, I can’t admit what I had done wrong, because I’m a MINISTER.”

What, another new issue? The infamous UNTOUCHABLE?

Merry goes around.

***************

Meanwhile, ShinShin shared this with me. Quote:

“Many thinks the heavy subsidy is the culprit. But, as long as it is heavily subsidised and only allocated to related people, there will always be shortage.”

“In fact, diesel as a commodity is more expensive than petrol in open market.”

An ordinary Malaysian has this thought.

Mr. Minister, what you think?

Khir Toyo: Saya BERSIH

Monday, April 25th, 2005 | 10:40 pm @ SK

Today, Selangor State Opposition Leader Teng Chang Khim questions MB Khir Toyo over the allegation in the book "Khir Toyo antara Amanat dan Khianat". His reply?

"Saya tak nak layan. Nanti sibuk nak menafikan kenyataan orang pula. Kerja kami cukup banyak. Semua anggota BN bersih daripada rasuah termasuk saya kerana sudah ditapis polis dan Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) sebelum pilihanraya Umum tahun lalu."

Yes Khir Toyo, we know you kerja amat banyak.
Yes Khir Toyo, we know you amat bersih.
Yes Khir Toyo, we know Semuanya OK?

Yes Yes Khir Toyo, we only know shit.

Even a state legislative assembly too can go that far, another backward milestone, achieved.

Koizumi: A personal confession or whole?

Friday, April 22nd, 2005 | 10:38 pm @ SK

Japan’s Prime Minister Junichioro Koizumi said on Friday that with feelings of "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" over its wartime atrocities engraved in mind, during the ongoing opening ceremony of the ongoing Asian-African summit in Jarkata, with China’s President Hu Jintao looking on. Quote:

"Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility."

His confession was greeted with mixed reactions. Spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Koizumi comments that he made in such a forum and to express such an apology while China’s ambassador to South Korea dismissed the remarks by saying that "actions are more important" than words.

Speaking after making the apology in front of world leaders, Koizumi said he would meet Hu on the sidelines of the summit, in a bid to repair ties between the Asian giants, at their worst in over 30 years. Quote:

"Nothing is produced by antagonism."

"Friendship is most important. I would like to hold the meeting from that perspective."

Meanwhile, Korea’s Digital Chosunilbo questions the sincerity of Koizumi in apologizing to China.

SOURCE: Digital Chosunilbo

Outside Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed deep remorse for Japan aggression against neighboring Asian countries at the Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta on Friday.

At the same time, however, 80 Japanese lawmakers visited the Yasukuni Shrine to pay homage to the Japanese war criminals from World War II.

For context, read here.

While I applause Koizume for the confession, the act of Japanese lawmakers visiting the "infamous shrine" (to borrow a quote from Killarkai) is no difference with painting a huge contradicted image in the air. Like what Chinese proverb says: A cat cries for a dead rat.

I believe for certain group of people, especially China’s Chinese, this confession is too trivial and they can’t agree more with that well-depicted image.

Anti-Japan Rally: Necessary?

Thursday, April 21st, 2005 | 9:09 pm @ SK

"Anti-Japan" rallies worldwide to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War and the liberation of the city, as well as protest Japan’s distortion of World War II history in the country’s school textbooks and also oppose its attempt to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is totally unnecessary.

LF Ng, strongly believes that Anti-Japanese rallies should not provoke, in order to avoid more chaos. Quote:

Although history has time and again taught humankind many lessons, old wounds never heal or can even be reopened after provocation.

Many adults today have no idea what World War II meant and the suffering and cruelty it brought with it. The few septuagenarians and octogenarians from both sides that are the survivors of this assault on human dignity will soon be gone.

There is a saying that the first casualty of war is truth. Enthusiasts of history should aim to pursue the truth. Emotionally-loaded statements against any country where the majority of the population are of the post WWII era will cause bewilderment and guilt.

Back to Malaysia, since the turmoil happened, I received endless notification over messenger, spreading anti-japanese messages, preaching the bad side of Japan and subsequently escalate needless sentimental, which I perceive as very irresponsible and its no difference with a "war-provoker".

We may not experience the WWII tragedy, but we did learn the consequences and its terrible impacts through our early education. By all means try to pursue the truth, but to rub salt on healed wound or to try to inflict a wound on someone, who is in all likelihood not guilty, is totally inappropriate.

I hope with this, my fellow peers will realise this well, no less than that.

Are you Malaysian?

Thursday, April 21st, 2005 | 12:42 am @ SK

TV Smith is conducting a test to determine your Malaysian identity.

Are you a “REAL” Malaysian?

Fuel surcharge, again?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 | 11:55 pm @ SK

Due to high oil prices, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will increase fuel surcharge on international flights and also impose a levy on domestic flights for the first time from May 1, said Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy.

Now, I’m wondering how AirAsia manage to survive the same scenario without increment but not MAS ya?

MPs not ready for prime-time TV yet?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 | 11:41 pm @ SK

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi briefed MPs on the pay rise and reminded them that higher pay must be associated with better service. Quote:

“A 10% pay rise for MPs and Senators will help them serve the people better.” […]

“I have been a wakil rakyat for a long time and I understand their predicament when people approach them for help.”

“Sometimes people ask for donations for unforeseen circumstances like deaths and accidents, and the MPs have to fork out their own money.” […]

Meanwhile, are our MPs not ready for prime-time TV yet?

Datuk Khalid Jafri

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 | 11:20 pm @ SK

I never realise that, author Khalid Jafri, who was found liable for defaming ex-deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim through his 50 Dalil Mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM (50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Become PM), was made Datuk last year.

"Khalid, who was awarded a datukship by the Malacca state government last year, also faces a criminal charge of sedition which is ongoing."

Again, I never realise that writing such a pariah book can land oneself with a Datukship. Hows the Datukship conferment policy lookalike nowadays? By producing such masterpiece?

Reason: Contribution towards promoting literature advancement among Malaysia Society?

Probably, I can come out with a book titled 50 Dalil Mengapa Malaysia Tidak Boleh Jadi Maju and who knows, I might be bestowed with a Datukship too?

Yes Nazri, we know shit …

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 | 10:38 pm @ SK

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the ACA "has taken note" of the recent allegation by Templer state assemblyman Ahmad Bahari Abdul Rahman.

The action comes after the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) cleared him of another alleged corrupt practice in distributing land in Mukim Dengkil and Kampung Lanjut.

For your information, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Khir Toyo tops the list of 25 high-profile corruption cases in the country, with the highest number of reports lodged with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against him.

Recently, he is "real famous" with his semuanya OK? but botak punya Bukit Cahaya Agriculture Park.

Believe me, after a few months, Nazri will once again announce in the Parliament that, "After looking at the overall statement, there was no evidence to show that Mohd Khir was guilty".

Yes Nazri, we don’t know this.
Yes Nazri, we don’t know that.
Yes Nazri, we don’t even heard of this too.

A softer PAS?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 | 9:36 pm @ SK

Barely three months ago, PAS Youth Chief Salahuddin Ayub said the party will revert to the Barisan Alternatif’s common manifesto adopted for the 1999 general election, meaning it will no longer stress on forming an Islamic state. Short say, PAS would like to soften its stance on the controversial Islamic state policy.

However, the party has recently gone on the another way round by holding demonstrations and locking horns with human rights groups on several issues, one of them being the proposed inter-faith commission.

Last month, PAS came under fire for proposing a strict dress code for non-Muslim women in Kelantan, the only state it controls. Some of its MPs had also joined their Barisan Nasional counterparts in condemning the ‘sexy‘ uniforms of Malaysia Airlines stewardesses.

Meanwhile, the Youth Chief insisted that the party had not backtracked but requires more time to change its policy. Quote:

“It’s quite difficult in a short time for us to convince the public we are going to soften the image. We are not in a conducive situation, it’s quite difficult for me to explain." […]

"The Malays can realise our change, but I understand that the non-Muslim community still has a very bad perception about us." […]

"It’s two different issues on our decision to soften the party’s stance on the Islamic state policy and our reactions towards those issues, the latter are our concerns. We are steadfast on religious issues, those are our core business, we cannot tolerate." […]


Source: Malaysiakini

Let me re-quote and ask, what means by "softer stand"? Why non-Muslim community still has a very bad perception towards PAS? What means by "steadfast on religious issue, those are our core business, we cannot tolerate"?

Now, Mr. Youth Chief, you really don’t know WHAT and WHY?

Please, RTFM!