Archive for June, 2007

Nazri Aziz: You have no brains. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Friday, June 22nd, 2007 | 3:23 pm @ SK

When the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz, who is also the Padang Renggas MP hurled "Why are you so stupid? Where are the allegations? You have no brains. Stupid, stupid, stupid!…" towards Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, that’s not the best from Parliament yet.


Now, let’s take a look at the good and the best, via Malaysiakini.

The good? Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib refused to make a ruling against Nazri for using improper language in the house and admitted that improper language is being used all the time in the parliament.

Improper language is used all the time in Dewan Rakyat. If I make a ruling every time it happens, we will not have any time for debates.

The best? Let’s read Nazri’s brain, a smart one.

"We were ranked 39th in 2005 and last year we were ranked 44th. However, more countries were included in the study last year compared to 2005," he said.

"Furthermore, the report is based on perception and is contrary to the real situation. Nevertheless, the negative perception must be treated as a lesson by everyone in order to work harder to fight graft," […]

"Singapore is not a real country, it is a small island. Singapore’s population is just three to four million and there are no opportunities for corruption, unlike in our country."

"As for Vietnam and Indonesia, I understand that they received lower rankings last year. But being among the first 200 is not difficult. But once we get to be among the first 40 or 50, it is difficult (to improve) as we have reached a bottleneck." […]

"We have a freer media now that allows many voices to be heard. That is why we have many people making unfounded allegations in the media,"

If our Bapa Kemerdekaan Tunku Abdul Rahman lives long enough to witness Nazri’s antic, he would have cried and kicked Nazri out of the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, another 2 months into 50 years of nationhood, let us accept the fact that this is the Malaysia for us and the rest of us.

A lesson from Uncle Zorro

Friday, June 22nd, 2007 | 12:55 am @ SK

I was born a few decades after the May 13 incident, hence I can never understand either the kind of racial riots or hardship faced by grandparents during the crisis.

Nevertheless, when blogger Uncle Zorro shared his experience on the May 13 itself, I feel compelled to share with every Malaysian the importance of racial unity which seems to be taken for granted.

During May 13 we hear of many stories of how Malays and Chinese protected each other.

In this current situation and in such a polarised environment I wonder if the same protection will ever take place.

I pray it will but I have become very pessimistic of late.

Thirty-eight years may have passed since the infamous riots, but the ghost of this bloody episode in Malaysian history remain alive, forever entrenched in national psyche.

Learn from the history, not to take peace and racial unity for granted and this new sense of confidence that Malaysians feel and which outsiders now regard us is not only about us, it’s about one nation.

The crime land … (2)

Thursday, June 21st, 2007 | 5:22 pm @ SK

The Government is a passive lot.

After a few crime cases were reported, thousands of signatures were collected, anti-crime demonstration was held, two protesters were detained, finally the Cabinet approved more police headquarters, more cops and more patrol cars in Johor Baru.

Meanwhile, while the new system is being put in place, blogger Lim Kean-Jin blogged about latest gang-raped and rape case on two separate incidents. Let’s hope the immediate measures taken would at least create a certain impact in helping to fight crime and subsequently instill the confidence in the Johor community towards the police force.

By the way, should we listen to more of Deputy Tourism Minister Donald Lim or his staff’s media statement?

Friends from Cuban Communist Party

Thursday, June 21st, 2007 | 12:32 am @ SK

When the infamous Cuban Communist Party hails Umno-led Barisan Nasional’s government, Umno VP Mohd Ali Rustam is so proud of it, what’s more when they intend to send representatives to attend the Umno general assembly.

"The fact that we could co-exist peacefully and together develop the country is what has particularly impressed the Cuban communist party."

"They congratulated us on the smooth running of Umno. This year too, they will send their representatives to the Umno general assembly.

Meanwhile, blogger Midnite Lily is perplexed and sensed something is amiss with the "good news".

Is this the same Malaysia who fought against the Malaya Communist Party? And exiled the communist sympathizers? And banned Amir Muhammad’s film, Lelaki Komunis Terakhir? What is our government doing allowing "its representatives as observers to the Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur"?

Communication is a two way street.

My question is, what Umno members think about the friends from Cuba? Is Ali Rustam the only person in jovial mood?

Sorry lah Amir, it’s NOT OK to show your damn bloody movie but it’s OK to have Cuba friends in Umno general assembly. You got to feel damn bloody proud of showing more of communist element in your movie (that’s why your movie is banned!) compared to our friends from Cuban Communist Party.

Niamah!!

MCA: Past, present and future

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 | 12:52 pm @ SK

Finally, MCA president Ong Ka Ting is on the newspaper to show his concern.

"MCA leaders will continue to give feedback and the views of the community to the Government through the proper channels to ensure that effective measures will be carried out to combat crime," he said.

Malaysians aren’t stupid. Johorians aren’t stupid either.

If giving feedback through proper channels would have solved crime cases in Johor Baru, why 2,500 people reportedly showed up to sign a petition (more than 60,000 signatures) calling for a safer Johor? Why is there a need for anti-crime demonstration being held outside the Johor MB Abdul Ghani Othman’s official residence?

I’ve a feeling that MCA was born yesterday, hence without any previous understanding on the JB’s crime rate.

But really, if after 10 years of remark by our neighbour and 3650 days of feedback from the community not being taken seriously by the police force, please forgive this blogger if he is too skeptical to believe how MCA can help to "ensure that effective measures will be carried out to combat crime".

Malaysia bodoh?

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 | 11:50 am @ SK

Indonesia based blogger Unspun blogged about the latest article by columnist Michael Backman, who has a new term for Malaysia in which he calls it "Malaysia Bodoh". But why?

In the column, I said that Malaysian government waste wasn’t "Malaysia boleh" (the national slogan that means "Malaysia can") but "Malaysia bodoh" ("bodoh" translates as stupid.) […]

Many in Malaysia have taken to referring to government waste and poor decision making as coming from "Bodohland".

But really the term is too strong because there’s a lot that is good in Malaysia. And besides, Malaysia is still a developing country. Allowances need to be made for that, but then the Malaysian Government needs to be careful that allowances do not become excuses.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi came to office in 2003 claiming he would tackle corruption. His efforts have been less than "boleh".

That’s not about it, click here to read more of revealing story of the Malaysia Bodoh. The article is being published on Australia’s The Age too, with the title With this cash I thee wed: here comes the bribe.

The crime land

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 | 3:11 am @ SK

If Kuala Lumpur is the flood capital, Johor should be given an equal status too - the crime land.

But, what truly amuse this blogger is how ironic the real situation is in Johor.

On one hand, we’re showing off the RM382 billion Iskandar Development Region (IDR), putting in extra effort to convince worldwide investors that the new development is the ideal place to invest. Sounds great, no better place than the piece of land in Johor, right at the bottom of West Malaysia.

On the other hand, the reality kicks in. While we’re boasting the investment opportunity, one can find endless types of crime cases in Johor, namely from kidnapping and rape cases (a woman gang-raped and robbed last month, one involving a 19-year-old girl on June 12 and the other involving a 35-year-old woman the next day).

Subsequently, an anti-crime demonstration was held outside the Johor MB Abdul Ghani Othman’s official residence to express dissatisfaction over the rising crime rate. Two protesters were detained for investigations.

While MCA dismissed of the allegation of its members taking part in the protest, the MB advised those behind the illegal assembly "not to play with fire" because it could get out of control.

Malaysiakini reported Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yew as saying that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should step down from the internal ministry minister post and gets someone else to become a full time minister in that portfolio.

"He is too busy. He holds too many ministerial portfolios and chairmanship of various cabinet committees that he could possibly handle," he added.

Meanwhile, 10 years after the crime slur from Singapore’s Mentor Minister Lee Kuan Yew who described Johor as a crime-ridden place, it’s unfortunate that not only Johor isn’t moving forward to become a safer state, it’s getting worse and the crime rate is notoriously bad now.

"Like it or not, investors will not put money into the project if they do not feel safe. That is a fact," The Star’s EIC Wong Chun Wai said in his Sunday column.

Unfortunately, things changed, but we do not change and this country is not going to change too.

SMS Scam: Help Jeff Ooi, help yourself

Monday, June 18th, 2007 | 6:17 pm @ SK

When Screenshot’s Jeff Ooi exposed a series of SMS scam, he put himself in hot soup.

What does he get? From http://unclerp.blogspot.com/ to http://www.antijeffooi.com/

Now, it’s time to help Jeff Ooi, help yourself. Like Jeff said, it’s a case not about WHO is right, but WHAT is right.

Talk is cheap.

We need two persons who have NEVER requested
for any SMS content but were scammed, billed and
charged by the Celcos
— Maxis, Celcom or DiGi.

The Press wanted to talk to you, urgently.

We want to study your phone bills, especially those for
the months between January - May 2007.

This invitation is also extended to the dozens of readers
who have given me their itemised bills - here, here, here
and here. Tell us if you are ready to speak to the Press.

We need to get the interview done in the next two days.

A consumer awareness campaign will kick off after that.

At the moment, we could only look at the post-paid users
as there’s no itemised billing for prepaid users to cross-
check their SMS charges, except DiGi’s.

If you are willing to help us to help others, please SMS
me at
+6019-3761397.

We will have legal advisers to protect you.

Let’s do WHAT is right.

Thank you.

From Awang Adek Hussin with love

Monday, June 18th, 2007 | 3:25 am @ SK

Yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin said the federal government is ready to help providing financial aid to pay the salary increase for civil servants, with a condition that the state government must officially write to the Treasury for additional funds.

"We want to see the letter and what are the conditions (by the state government). We cannot make a decision merely based on press statements," he said when asked to comment on the recent appeal by Kelantan Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for financial aid from the federal government to ease the state government’s burden to pay the salary increase to civil servants.

Interesting, while going through Rocky’s latest entry Can’t pay your civil servants?, blogger Sheih who recently returned to Kelantan assuming the duty of Kelantan Chief Minister’s Corporate Information Officer under the Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan (PMBK) Group of Companies leaved a comment refuting the financial woes claim.

Bro,

I was in Kuala Lumpur when the Fed. Gov announced the increase in salary. The next day I was informed that the Kelantan state also followed.
So far we yet to have problem with our salary. In fact, we received our salary every 23rd of each month. Dato’ Husam who is the Chairman for the Finance and Civil Administration also did not mention about any problem regarding the pay rise.
In fact this is news for us.

Meanwhile, I was looking around the news archive but unable to find the report reporting about the plea for extra funding.

Hehehe, is that "news" or "new" doctored spin?

Happy Father’s Day

Sunday, June 17th, 2007 | 12:27 pm @ SK

There is no better time than now to tell your dad how much you love him.

Happy Father’s Day!