One real shock is not enough, probably Pak Lah need another one. Another Semuanya OK scenario?

To accommodate a theme park cum international youth village cum eco-housing project, by claiming that was what the city folk had apparently wanted, Melacca CM Mohd Ali Rustam claimed that Bukit Beruang Forest Reserve had de-gazetted.

Feeling that something is amiss, DAP Secretary-general Lim Guan Eng went through the Melacca’s state’s gazettes but found nothing on Bukit Beruang reserve.

Besides, to his surprise, another forest reserve Sungei Udang was de-gazetted, too.

The CM, when questioned by the media over the weekend, saying that it was part of the so-called “master-plan” dating back to 1980s.

Today, by responding to it, Lim was quoted as saying that:

“The CM must reveal what the master-plan is. Why is he refusing to spell-out the details? What type of development are we talking about? Will it benefit one person or the community as a whole?” […]

“Why does it have to be a case where the DAP must dig up such issues and only then the CM admits to it. How many more projects are out there that have been undertaken without the knowledge of the people?” […]

Good questions asked. Good answers in waiting? Tunngu jerrrrrrr la.

Semuanya OK? Langsung tak OK pun. :-(

Now, the decision is on Pak Lah’s hand.

National Physical Plan Committee, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, needs to approve the proposed RM100mil Tioman airport project before any work can begin.

This new airport, which is to replace the present airstrip in Kampung Tekek, is designed to accomodate bigger aircraft like the Boeing 737.

WWF-Malaysia scientific officer S. Saradambal said the authorities should not allow any major development along the coast of Tioman until a macro EIA study was carried out to assess the impact of such projects on the island’s fragile eco-system.

Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences coral biologist Affendi Yang Amri, who has done extensive research in Tioman, said that the sea around Tioman was important and was home to many species of marine life and a thorough assessment of the impact from major projects on the island must be carried out. Quote:

“We have 4,006 sq km of coral reefs in the country. Of this, only 7% is classified as marine protected area.” […]

“If the airport and marina project are allowed to proceed, they will chip away what little marine protected area we have.” […]

Mind you, this project has received approval for their Environment Impact Assessment(EIA), which is contradicted as what Affendi said.

Besides, what is the need to create a bigger airport, just to accomodate the so-called BIGGER aircraft? Not enough of destruction been done? Not enough rubbish on the island? Too many of virgin islands that destruct a current one won’t bring any harm to tourism industry?

Pak Lah, probably you might be interested to have a recap on these photos.

Like the author said, “Malaysians NEVER LEARN!”.

Now, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail denied that he had directed the police to investigate malaysiakini for publishing a April Fool’s joke. Quote:

“I did not say that…no. That wasn’t exactly accurate.” […]

“All I said was that you (the media) have to be more responsible. We take prosecution very seriously. We don’t ‘joke’ about it. I take offence if it is turned into a joke.“

“When I say I take offence, I mean that I take it seriously. I feel bad that sending people to jail or hanging them become jokes.“ […]

A big U-Turn of what I had heard and known of so far.

Related links:
- New Straits Times: A-G outraged over prank
- Screenshots: AG furious with “a prank by a marginal entity”
- Brand New Malaysia: Malaysiakini pulled a fast one for good intent

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak launched the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) official website.

Now, you can send SMS to MPs and view their complete profiles with dialy activities.

Probably, we can help DPM and Joho Bahru MP to determine ministers who enjoy skipping parliament sessions.

Joi Ito will be in KL and a gathering(registration required)will be held, tentatively evening of April 18.

According to Jeff, he is fabulous with loads of ideas.

See you guys there!

Following the privatisation of water supply services in the state of Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Puncak Niaga now has to resolve three issues to ensure the success of the privatisation exercise.

The privatisation saw Puncak Niaga’s 70%-owned unit, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS), taking full control of water supply operations in the three territories, which were previously owned by Perbadanan Urus Air Selangor (PUAS).

A few immediate tasks have been highlighted, which are to ensure better quality of water, reduce non-revenue water and address grievances such as constant water disruptions, low water pressure, lack of notice of disruption and lastly, dirty water (which I always experience at Sri Petaling).

To fund the investment, Puncak Niaga would collectively invest RM1.85bil while borrowing RM4.8bil from banks and RM655mil from the Federal Government.

And now, Japan Bank for International Cooperation already channelled the $757mil (RM2.87bil) loan, which was approved four years ago, to the Federal Government, to help build a dam and a tunnel to transport water from Pahang to Selangor.

I’m not that good in doing calculation, but can someone please share with me, are these amount justify whatever wrongdoing Selangor Government and its rakyat had committed (if there is any)?

Pope John Paul II, the third longest-serving pontiff in history, has died at the age of 84.

He died in his private apartment at the Vatican at 2137 local time (1937 GMT) on Saturday, surrounded by his closest Polish aides.

The Pope has been suffering from breathing troubles, exacerbated by the progress Parkinson’s Disease, which he had been suffering for nearly a decade.

The Pope is to lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica from Monday afternoon while the funeral date has not been set but is it not expected before Wednesday.

Together, let us mourn the death of Pope John Paul II.

I have always been a very keen follower to all-pervasiveness of so-called “political jokes”, from a part time Menteri Besar, a very experienced and not that experienced Minister until an over-excited Director General. Well, as usual and to be fair, no special exception would be accorded to this fresh deputy in charge too.

Last Thursday, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin was quoted as saying on The Star that RTM still needs time to be the main actor on screen, mainly due to the ineffectiveness in updating the public of the earthquake’s status that hit northern Sumatra on Monday, March 28. Quote:

“I admit our weaknesses because we did not portray ourselves as first on scene and the first on the screen. We are working towards achieving this objective and we will get there one day.”

“We are an infotainment channel and RTM1 is not a news channel such as CNN, which has a 24-hour news coverage.”

“We provide entertainment and the news.”

Now, let’s take a ride back to RTM Golden Year. To be exact, television services were introduced on 28th December 1963 (42 years ago) while TV Malaysia started its early telecast on 1st March 1994 (11 years ago). What made the whole scenario looked so hillarious was that, for ntv7 which was launched in 1998 (5 years ago) to provide coverage on the earthquake less than 30 minutes after the quake hit, why RTM with such a long history was unable to cope with that? Also, not to mention that, ntv7 too provide entertainment and news, isn’t it?

OK, for those who still can’t get what I mean here, mind you, what Datuk wanted is MORE TIME. After all, how much time RTM needs actually to be able to reach the so-called “we’ll get there one day“? My grandchildren would probably help to observe that on my behalf.

I would only say that, RTM is incompetent anymore. Worse, a new confession bundled with another new excuse, I doubt the least possibility of Malaysia Boleh slogan will come true, at least for RTM in years to come.

Another April Fool’s joke? Maybe …

Proton’s CEO Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff said Proton expects to start car production in China later this year, not long after being speculated to come out with its own local made sports car. Quote:

“Our partner has promised that it will get the licence this year and start production.” […]

Under the new policy, China wants to become more than an assembler. Full production plant is the answer and Renminbi 2 billion ($242 million) must be made available, just to penetrate the highest population market.

Now, can someone please tell me, is this one of those jokes too?

Due to fragile condition of Prince Ranieri, Crown Prince Albert has taken over the throne of Monaco.

Meanwhile, Prince Rainier, 82, is still hospitalized for breathing, kidney and heart problems.

Rainier, has ruled the low-tax haven for seven centuries, became prince of Monaco after the death of his grandfather in 1949. His mother, Princess Charlotte, had renounced her claim to the throne in favor of her son.