[UPDATED VERSION] Here you go, press statement by Jeff. Click here for (English) version and here for (Chinese) version.

[ORIGINAL VERSION] It’s now official that Screenshot’s Jeff Ooi joins Democratic Action Party (DAP).

(SOURCE: TV Smith, 31 July 2007)
"Beratnya mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul," that’s how he started his speech.

"As a Malaysian, as a parent for a school-going child and as an advocate of New Media who blogs, monitors, and analyses the trends in digital governance and global competitiveness, I’ve grave concerns for Malaysia," he said.

Among the few highlights he mentioned:

• Think "Malaysian First"
• Foster Real Racial Integration
• Give us good governance
• Wake up to knowledge-based economy
• Overhaul education system
• Upholding democracy
• Equitable distribution of national wealth
• Enrich the joe public

Jeff mentioned the primary reason for joining DAP is to help DAP and fellow Opposition Parties right the wrongs of Barisan Nasional.

He is aware that it’s a tough struggle for Opposition Parties, as they’re up against the might of Barisan’s 3M - Money, Machinery and mainstream Media.

Also, he called upon all Malaysians not to give up on this country and urged every Malaysian to bring in new talents and new ideas to run this country.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you’re doomed if you don’t try," he said before he ended his speech with Hidup Malaysia!

I’ll publish the official press release statement by tonight and meanwhile, click here to read Jeff’s latest political blog.

The first price tag: RM382 billion, which is meant for Iskandar Development Region (IDR) located at down-south Johor.

Now, here comes the second price tag: RM177 billion. This time, it’s for Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) which covers Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak.

With a combination price tag of RM559 billion, what’s that to compare with RM2 billion on the Petronas Twin Towers, which has become a global landmark, or RM10 billion for the KLIA, which will last us for quite a while, so to speak by  blogger Aisehman?

I know our PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is trying so hard to impress Malaysians with "his version" of Vision 2057 and idea, but ain’t that too early, Mr. PM?

[UPDATED VERSION] Here comes the official invitation to everyone!

[ORIGINAL VERSION] This morning, while I was having breakfast, I received an invitation SMS from blogger Tony Pua.

You’re cordially invited to join the a tea party at Food Foundry, Jln 17/13, Petaling Jaya on Tuesday (July 29) at 10.30am

Good news? Announcement?

Hmm.

Forget about parasitic politicians, let’s talk about Bangsa Malaysia.

Farida, Jayanath and Ben have put into motion a glorious opportunity for us, Bangsa Malaysia, to come together.

In one heart and one spirit to celebrate Merdeka, to break the shackles of ‘tribal think’ and to re-ignite and relive the spirit of 1957.

Again, I ask that we not make the mistakes of the past by remaining silent.

Farida, Jayanath and Ben, I would like to call on you to lead in the organising of this Bangsa Malaysia get-together.

Click here to read the idea of Bangsa Malaysia Hari Merdeka get-together by blogger cum lawyer Harris Ibrahim and co., as well as to find out how you can participate too.

When the Japanese wake up later, it’s going to be the first day where its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s continues the administration with his conservative party Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) losing grip on upper house of Parliament, in which LDP suffered a heavy defeat in the election on Sunday.

Despite the huge loss, Abe said he would not step down as prime minister, even though his approval ratings plummeted as he appeared out of touch with anxieties about everyday issues.

However, it’s worth highlighting that ministers and high government officers either apologize or resign, being held accountable for their actions. (E.g. Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma resigned over atomic bomb remark, Minister for Administrative Reform Genichiro Sata resigned amid allegations of irregular funding, Administrative Reform Minister Genichiro Sata resigned over a political funds scandal, chairman of the Tax Commission Masaaki Homma resigned over a scandal, Japan’s agriculture minister Norihiko Akagi made a public apologize for filing the same expense claim twice and etc.)

Unlike in Malaysia, well, things goes absolutely well and most of the time, you’re either being perceived as an idiot or one with malicious intention to destroy the Government (worse, the society) to even suggest that something is wrong with the Government and …

Meanwhile, I found this particular comment appears on a article published by the IHT, no less than intriguing.

"Last time, I voted for the Liberal Democrats under Koizumi," Takeshige Iijima, 53, said after voting in Yokohama, referring to the popular former prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. "I can’t support the present Liberal Democratic Party. Japan can’t go on under Abe’s leadership."

Once again, as I said yesterday, it’s your call.

[UPDATED VERSION] The we-know-who Zainuddin Maidin joins the fray too, I mean, how interesting a bash can be without ZAM, isn’t it?

The people must wise up to "goblok" (political bloggers) because some of them were willing to become tools of others to destroy the nation.

[UPDATED VERSION at 8:02am, 29 July 2007] The latest comes from the PM and his SIL respectively.

The PM:

"It is wrong for bloggers to go overboard, especially if they post slanderous articles against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Islam on the website." [The Star]

The SIL:

"There are no laws in the cyberworld except for the law of the jungle. As such, action must be taken so that the "monkeys" behave." [Bernama]

Click here to read a monkey story by blogger Ruhanie Ahmad: Wahai Bloggers Malaysia Sekalian Benarkah Kita Kumpulan Monyet?

[ORIGINAL VERSION] Here comes the echo chamber.

#1 - Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister cum Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin

"If they go overboard and insult, slander and break the laws, they will not get away scot-free. No one is above the law.

"Whether in the alam maya (cyberworld) or the alam nyata (physical world), people cannot simply write whatever they want, especially if it touches on religion, culture, the Rulers’ position or the Constitution. These will be monitored." […]

"For postings that insult (religion and the King), there are laws that can be used against the culprits. [The Star]

#2 - Home Minister cum Umno secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad

Lies and distorted facts levelled by certain bloggers in their blog sites will not in any way affect Umno’s chances of winning seats in the next general election. [Bernama]

#3 - Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nazri Aziz

The government could use three current laws, including the harsh Internal Security Act - which allows indefinite detention without trial - and the Sedition Act, to take action.

The government was also looking at formulating new laws to allow it to monitor and act against offending bloggers.

Nazri said the proposed legislation was not intended to stifle the freedom of the Internet but "to put a stop to the freedom to lie in the blogsphere." [Malaysiakini]

#4 - Economic Bureau chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican

"Those found guilty of insulting the king must be brought to justice." [Bernama]

#5 - Johor Baru MP Shahrir Samad

"No one should insult the Royal institution and Islam and Umno’s action in lodging the report brought about the desired results and has since been withdrawn." [Bernama]

#6 - Energy, Water and Communications Minister Lim Keng Yaik

(SOURCE: China Press, 27 July 2007)
#7 - Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow

(SOURCE: China Press, 27 July 2007)
Meanwhile, AG Gani Patail cleared IGP Musa Hassan and former Anti-Corruption Agency director-general Zulkifli Mat Noor of allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

"ACA investigations revealed that there was no evidence to implicate Musa," he said.

As a result, Musa Hassan is happy. Zulkifli Mat Noor is happy. PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said case closed. Bloggers are liars. Bloggers are being used to post slander. Bloggers like to break the law. Bloggers insult religion and the King.

As we’re ready to stage the country’s 50th nationhood celebration, Malaysians of all ethnicities must now decide where they will stand, if it’s best to leave nation-building primarily in government hands, or if now is the time to become more active stakeholders in the country’s future.

It’s your call.

Remember Nam, the ex-US Navy serviceman complained he was treated inhumanely which made him felt like a dog?

Now he is back to Malaysia. Not to visit Malaysia, but to consider suing the Tourism Minister headed by Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

"So much is going to happen in this one week. If the Tourism Ministry does not respond to my demands, I will publicise the issue in America," he said.

"I will go to the American press and make this episode known there. That will affect Malaysia’s tourism industry and reduce the number of American visitors." [Malaysiakini]

Hears it well, Datuk Seri?

The Star SMS alert at 1:19pm

Former Indonesian Olympic cham and now Malaysia’s national badminton doubles coach Rexy Mainaky and his family have been awarded PR status.

For those who are uninitiated, Rexy is one of the most gifted coup and most successful foregin coach hired by Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

He inherited the doubles squad which were stagnant in 2005 but his focus in instilling discipline and improving the work ethics of the players has started to bear fruits.

It’s his uncanny ability to form effective partnership saw the birth of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (currently ranked world number 2 at the latest world ranking release), who in their first six months, took the doubles scene by storm as they went on to win the Doha Asian Games gold in December, the Malaysia, All England and Swiss Opens.

Rexy said the PR status came as a "surprise" and that he was indebted to the nation.

"I had at one stage denied Malaysia from winning the men’s doubles title at the Olympics but now my target is to ensure Malaysia wins the title. We would start by winning the World Championships (to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 13-19)," he said.

Congratulations to Rexy and Malaysians too!