‘Every decision is studied, considered and scrutinised with prudence for the welfare and prosperity of the people.’ – (Najib as quoted by Bernama news agency)

Najib should by now realize that nobody is questioning the way things are studied, considered and scrutinised for the welfare of the people.

What is of concern is the implementation of those projects or initiatives that, under the UMNO led BN, seem to divert the resulting benefits away from the people ….. and into the pockets of the UMNO led BN cronies!

Well, all is revealed now in the Wikileaks / Malaysia Today revelation that the Malaysian Civil Service is not only inept but totally loyal to the UMNO led government ….. in providing a stumbling block to the required reforms.

How can they not be loyal?

Upon retirement, they are provided with post-retirement benefits in the form of lucrative directorships paid for by the Government Linked Companies or the private sector e.g. directorships at Sime Darby are reportedly lucrative for a relatively sedate tenure of service.

Those at the lower echeleons therefore strive, balls-carry, lick-their-boots & make everything look merry ……. in order to be promoted to those ‘lucrative’ Civil Service posts!

No wonder they have been labelled LITTLE NAPOLEONS!

Click HERE for the Malaysia Today publication of the Wikileaks release and HERE for the Malaysian Insider follow up.

KUALA LUMPUR: Beberapa tahun yang lalu, seorang gadis berusia tiga belas tahun yang berasal dari Kampung Buayan di Penampang berasa amat gembira kerana dapat menjejakkan kaki ke salah sebuah sekolah menengah yang terdapat di daerah Penampang.

Pada waktu itu beliau amat bersyukur kerana berpeluang untuk menikmati pendidikan di sekolah menengah sama seperti budak-budak lain yang tinggal di bandar. Apa yang bermain fikirannya adalah mengambil setiap peluang pendidikan yang ada demi menjamin masa depan yang baik bagi keluarga.

Disangkakan panas hingga ke petang, tapi rupa-rupanya hujan di tengahari. Punah harapan dan malang bagi Josia Sipanis kerana terpaksa menamatkan zaman persekolahan ketika baru dua bulan berada di sekolah tersebut akibat masalah kewangan yang dialami keluarga.

Anak keempat daripada 10 orang adik beradik ini berkata, beliau dengan berat hati meninggalkan impiannya menuju ke menara gading lalu kembali semula ke kampung halamannya dan menghabiskan kebanyakkan masa dengan keluarga.

Namun, setelah beberapa tahun berada di kampung yang terletak jauh di pedalaman dan tidak mempunyai kemudahan asas yang baik, Josia akhirnya nekad untuk kembali semula mengejar impiannya.

Josia berkata, ” Semasa berumur 17 tahun, saya berminat untuk kembali belajar. Oleh itu saya mengambil peperiksaan PMR di salah sebuah sekolah swasta di Kota kinabalu.”

Keputusan PMR yang baik tersebut telah mendorong Josia untuk mengambil peperiksaan SPM. Namun sekali lagi masalah kewangan telah menyekat beliau daripada terus mara kehadapan.

” Oleh itu saya mengambil keputusan untuk bekerja sementara (dalam tempoh setahun) di Kuala Lumpur. Setahun kemudiannya saya mengambil peperiksaan SPM. Keputusan yang agak baik membolehkan saya menyambung pelajaran ke tingkatan enam di sekolah yang sama,” kata Josia yang menerima pendidikan awal di S.K Buayan Penampang daripada darjah satu hingga darjah enam.

Katanya lagi walaupun keadaan kewangannya agak bermasalah, tetapi atas berkat pertolongan saudara mara yang pemurah, beliau berjaya menamatkan pelajaran di tingkatan enam dan meraih keputusan peperiksaan STPM yang agak baik.

Namun perjalanan ke menara gading bagi Josia yang gemar menghabiskan masa dengan keluarga, tidak terhenti setakat itu sahaja. Pada tahun 2005, dengan berbekalkan kelulusan STPM yang baik, beliau telah berhijrah ke ibunegara untuk mencari pekerjaan dengan tujuan tidak lain dan tidak bukan hanya untuk mengumpul wang demi menyambung pelajaran serta ingin hidup berdikari.

Beliau, yang enggan mengalah kepada masalah kewangan, akhirnya berjaya mendapat pekerjaan sebagai eksekutif pentadbiran disalah sebuah syarikat swasta dan diberi tanggungjawab menjaga keperluan serta membantu didalam pengurusan syarikat.

Dengan adanya pekerjaan tetap tersebut, ia telah membuka semula peluang buat Josia untuk belajar. Lalu tanpa berlengah, dia mendaftarkan dirinya disalah satu institusi pengajian swasta disini.

” Sekarang saya sedang belajar dalam bidang Pengurusan Perniagaan (Ijazah) di UNITAR. Saya membiayai pelajaran dengan menggunakan pinjaman PTPTN (Separuh sahaja) dan yang selebihnya dari gaji bulanan saya, ” ujar beliau yang pernah bercita-cita menjadi seorang peguam dan kini berusia 28 tahun.

Ketika ditanya mengenai hubungannya dengan komuniti Sabah lain yang ada di Kuala Lumpur, Josia berkata, dia jarang bertemu dengan mereka kerana hanya keluar jika ke tempat bekerja atau ke kolej sahaja.

Semasa beliau berhijrah ke Kuala Lumpur enam tahun yang lepas, hati Josia menjadi berbelah bagi kerana berpisah dengan keluarganya. Tetapi pada masa yang sama turut berasa gembira kerana berpeluang untuk menyambung pelajarannya.

Pada masa itu jugalah, beliau yang sekarang ini masih belum mendirikan rumahtangga, bertekad untuk memperbaiki diri dan seterusnya membuat sumbangan yang berguna terhadap keluarga dan juga penduduk kampung.

Beliau berkata,” Saya ingin memperbaiki diri dan kemudiannya membantu keluarga. Seterusnya saya juga ingin membantu mereka yang memerlukan terutamanya penduduk kampung.”

Ditanya samada beliau mempunyai perancangan untuk kembali ke Sabah pada masa akan datang, beliau berkata:” Sudah tentu, malah tidak sabar tetapi terpaksa bersabar kerana masih belajar.”

“Saya ingin melihat lebih ramai penduduk menerima pendidikan, pemimpin yang berwibawa serta telus, dan kemudahan asas di pertingkatkan untuk kemudahan seluruh rakyat sabah terutamanya jalan raya untuk kawasan pedalaman seperti di Kampung Buayan,” katanya yang juga mengakui amat rindukan kampungnya apabila ditanya mengenai perubahan yang ingin dilihat apabila kembali ke Sabah nanti.

Kampung Buayan adalah sebuah kampung yang terletak jauh di pedalaman daerah Penampang dan mengambil masa sekurang-kurangnya lapan jam perjalanan berjalan kaki melalui lurah, bukit dan sungai.

Kampung ini yang tidak mempunyai kemudahan asas yang baik telah dihuni sejak sekian lamanya, iaitu zaman sebelum Sabah, Sarawak, Singapura dan Malaya bersama-sama membentuk Malaysia.

Kisah mengenai Josia adalah suatu contoh klasik bagaimana seorang budak kampung yang tinggal jauh di pedalaman Sabah, terpaksa berhenti sekolah diusia yang masih muda akibat masalah kewangan yang dihadapi keluarganya.

Adalah tidak mustahil jika perkara ini berlaku juga kepada mereka yang tinggal di tempat-tempat lain jauh di pedalaman Sabah selain daripada Josia.

Masalah kemiskinan adalah masalah yang tidak seharusnya dipandang mudah kerana ia menyekat peluang seseorang itu untuk menerima pendidikan yang lebih baik.

Dalam kes yang lebih teruk ialah dimana seorang kanak-kanak berusia 11 tahun membunuh diri akibat masalah kemiskinan yang berlaku di Penampang pada tahun 2007 dahulu.

Tekad dan azam yang ditunjukkan oleh Josia seharusnya dijadikan contoh oleh generasi muda masih kini, terutamanya yang berasal daripada Sabah dan yang mengalami masalah kewangan atau kemiskinan.

Tidak seperti remaja yang lain, Josia tidak berpeluang merasai saat-saat manis berada di bangku persekolahan menikmati segala-galanya yang sepatutnya dinikmati oleh seorang pelajar.

Ketika pelajar lain yang sebaya dengannya merasai keseronokkan bersekolah seperti bersukan, menelaah pelajaran dikelas, mendengar penjelasan dari cikgu, menanti debaran keputusan ujian, bergurau senda dengan rakan-rakan, mempunyai teman-teman dan lain-lain, Josia pula meluangkan masanya di kampung membantu keluarga bercucuk tanam demi sesuap nasi. Masa tidak akan mungkin mengulangi semuanya itu untuk dia lagi.

Kini, Josia masih mampu melakukannya hingga ketahap dimana dia berada sekarang dan hampir berjaya membuktikannya.

Mempunyai tekad dan keazaman adalah ciri-ciri yang baik. Tetapi persoalannya adakah seseorang yang dibelengu masalah kemiskinan dan menyimpan harapan untuk memiliki masa depan yang baik, patut dibiarkan tanpa dibantu hanya kerana dia mempunyai ciri-ciri tersebut? Fikir-fikirkan lah.

http://metrokini.com/komuniti/kemiskinan-bukan-halangan/

This is the latest from Raja Petra.

It looks that whilst having a typical English lunch pub at the Duke of York, they have also penned a Memorandum of Understanding between Malaysia Today and Wikileaks.

That should send the shudders to the Malaysian government ….. especially after their spin that Raja Petra had absolved Najib and his wife, Rosmah of any complicity in the murder to the Mongolian model, Altantuya.

The government should be especially concerned especially if information is leaked out to these individuals ……. notwithstanding having placed ‘Subservient Commoners’ to head key agencies.

Somehow evidence gets leaked out to Raja Petra …… as had been proven time and again.

Najib and gang may have to re-think their strategy in documenting their moves.

But what about those of the past?

Click HERE for more pictures of the ‘Special Collaboration’!

drama baru - Raja Petra-PDRM bermula

Drama Bangkok Raja Petra-PDRM berterusan

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• Statement from Din Merican on RPK TV3 Interview (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
• Malaysian Tragedy (godsmustardseed.com)
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Back to the original post

Talk about bad timing for Anwar…

(Once a thorn for the ruling party, RPK’s latest admission has played in favor of the ruling party and at the right time too – when Sarawak State Elections is just around the corner. Najib can breathe a bit better now, we are pretty sure. Image source: http://www.selangortoday.wordpress.com)

Always been the man with controversy, RPK’s latest admission will not only put a dent on Anwar Ibrahim who not only facing sodomy charges but also entangled with sex video, it also puts a severe creditability poser on RPK himself and Malaysia Today.

From TheStar:-

Controversial fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin had doubts about his statutory declaration (SD) implicating Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

In a sensational interview over TV3 last night, Raja Petra said he had made the allegations on the belief that the order came from PKR adviser and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Malaysia Today founder and editor said his SD in 2008 which stated he was reliably informed that Rosmah was among those present at the crime scene on Oct 19, 2006 when Altantuya was killed was based on information and demand by several individuals aimed at preventing Najib from becoming prime minister.

Ok, it somehow clears Najib and his wife from the murder allegations but it does not clear the air as why Altantuya was killed and whether there was huge commission paid unnecessarily. Perhaps we have to wait for another revelation in the future.

But for now, RPK’s latest admission is a serious blow to Anwar Ibrahim

Related articles

• Statement from Din Merican on RPK TV3 Interview (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
• Sarawak elections: Why should we be afraid asked Anwar. (komunitikini.wordpress.com)

What is wrong with these people? Why do they need to argue on little matters that have no impact on the development of the country? Or our safety for that matter? They are so occupied with attacking their counterparts that most of the time they ignore common people, like us, that they should be working for.

By Fuad Hafis

I wonder what’s wrong with Malaysian politics nowadays. Politicians from both sides, especially from Pakatan Rakyat, claim and argue on pretty much petty things such as 1Malaysia and One Israel, the 1Malaysia logo on billboard ads in Selangor, APCO, the racism issue between Utusan and Guan Eng, and most recently PAS Selising’s Drs Saipul Bahrin Mohamad who challenged UMNO to show evidence that he was caught for adultery on a train.

What is wrong with these people? Why do they need to argue on little matters that have no impact on the development of the country? Or our safety for that matter? They are so occupied with attacking their counterparts that most of the time they ignore common people, like us, that they should be working for.

Instead of arguing on the 1Malaysia concept, wherever it came from, let’s focus on say the transportation issue. Our bus drivers suck really bad. 61 bus passengers died since October. The funny thing is, only AFTER the recent incident in Cameron Highlands did the authorities decide that they will set up an independent investigation body to find out the reason.

Shouldn’t it have been done way back in October, at least? As if there is a special quota they need to reach before deciding on this matter. In fact, there’s a joke that the percentage of deaths relating to buses are 1000% higher than that of an airplane. Also, when we talk about transportation, it always reminds me of the taxis. You know the ones with the sticker on the rear doors that says “no haggling” BUT the drivers will invariably never accept passengers unless the passengers agree to a fare mentioned by the drivers. Awful lot, indeed. And JPJ never took action about that, let alone strict enforcement. And the politicians don’t even bother about it. Not to mention the always-late-on-arrival KTM commuter service, which I bet Airasia has a better reputation.

Instead of arguing about creating an Islamic state, they should work together with the government on something that contributes to a better economy, such as helping to maintain affordable food prices. Most Malaysians earn less than RM1500. I should add further that the government or the opposition should take this opportunity to work with MTUC to propose the implementation of a minimum wage policy. But they don’t. They’d prefer to talk about the next by-election.

Speaking of elections, while university and college students are not allowed to participate in politics regardless of their age, 11 years old can get married in Malaysia. Is this a joke? Come on. Does it make sense that the little girl, who has not even taken UPSR yet, is given the right to enter into an agreement that will change her life completely, while university and college students with brains that are supposed to create a better future can’t take part in politics! As for child marriages, what’s the purpose of labeling movies with 18SX or 18PL, then? Aren’t we supposed to protect kids from pedophiles? Can’t our politicians make some policies for this? As for the students, aren’t we supposed to prepare them for leading us in the future? And if so, why not let them start early? No wonder these students are not interested in politics, it is because politics didn’t care about them.

Instead of igniting and reigniting the issue of racism, they should focus instead on making sure we Malaysians can get to sleep at night, soundly, without worry of waking up tomorrow for another day. On Dec 22nd, a fresh mart owner was shot dead in his car by a motorcycle pillion rider in Jalan USJ 1/1, Subang Jaya. Another in Kuantan on the 23rd December, a contractor was found dead with slash wounds on his neck at his house in Lorong Sekilau, while in Ipoh, a sundry shop owner was killed after he was stabbed in the chest in a tussle with robber. These happen every other day. So why can’t the politicians focus on reducing crime instead? Prove to us that they are as useful as we thought (yes, thought, as we no longer think they can). Oh we can still rely on the police! Oh wait, don’t! They’ll shoot us!

I’ve just graduated, and frankly, I’m not interested in our local politics scene. Tell me why I should, because when I wake up in the morning, it’s always the same. Because maybe the saying is true: Politicians and diapers have one thing in common – they need to be changed regularly … and for the same reason, at that.

http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/37310-the-sad-things

(Before 2008, BN was beyond acceptable level of arrogance and egoism. After 2008, PR provided some hope but it simply gets too political instead of getting the job done for the benefit of the people. Hopefully the “Third Force” changes the whole political landscape for the better. Image source: The People’s Parliament)

Here is one good reason why we need better candidates for the next general election…

Selangor has banned advertisements on billboards that feature the 1Malaysia logo.

The 1Malaysia logo is a political logo, said state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu, adding that this contravenes local by-laws.

“You don’t see any billboard in Selangor carrying the PKR, PAS or DAP logo,” he told The Star, adding that the prohibition was not a new development.

(Source)

Whilst some may argue double standards on part of PR in Selangor, I think it is rather childish of PR State Government for banning the logo 1Malaysia from billboards and here is why I say so:-

1. Why now? 1Malaysia was “coined” by Najib (or APCO according to Anwar) way back in 2008 and since then to now (more than 2 years and counting), I am pretty sure thousands of billboards and notices in Selangor have the logo “1Malaysia” prominently displayed and all this time, there has been silence from the State Government. So, what triggered the ban now?

2. Where is the damage? Those who been following up on the political news would know that from day 1, the concept of 1Malaysia has been shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. BN says 1Malaysia but at the same, been linked with acts that go against our understanding of 1Malaysia. If Najib led Najib does not uphold the principles of 1Malaysia, it is damaging for BN and if he upholds it (by action), it is good for the people (isn’t that PR is fighting for all this while?).

3. It is, after all, just a slogan (yes, it is an expensive one but still…). Still remember the famed “don’t work for me but work with me” bullshit? Do I need to say more?

Well, I have supported PR in most of the embarrassing issues and “attacks” from pro-BN blogs and media but this time, PR in Selangor have gone and done something rather…childish. As RPK have mentioned in Malaysia Today (many times), PR does not need BN (or anyone else for that matter) to shove the long end of a pole into their back – they can do that just fine (and better) themselves.

Anyway, it is Christmas this weekend, so have a nice weekend and Merry Christmas. Hopefully things will get sane next week and if that does not happen, the next weekend is New Year.

Related articles

• Malaysia lawmakers suspend Anwar (bbc.co.uk)
• Malaysia’s PM hopes to forge a united nation (cnn.com)

(27 people died but what caused the accident is yet to be confirmed, at least by the right people but already fingers being pointed at the driver and the bus whilst the bodies of the dead Thai tourists being sent home. Image source: http://www.salon.com/)

Driver, Bus Blamed

At least, this is what the police are saying BEFORE the official investigation by MIROS is completed.

Police believe that the express bus crash at Km15 of the Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai road yesterday in which 27 people were killed, mostly Thai tourists, was due to driver factor and technical problems of the bus.

Perak police deputy chief Datuk Zakaria Yusof who said this, also denied that the accident could have been caused by the road’s oily patches.

And then, after making a rather “jumping the gun” statement, Zakaria Yusof says this to cover his back:-

“However, it is up to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Puspakom and Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) to determine the cause of the accident,” he told a press conference, here, today.

(Source)

What he meant by that? It is up to MIROS (now changed to independent board) to determine the cause but I am saying that it is due to the bus and the driver? MIROS already mentioned that investigations will take about 2 weeks to complete and yet, Zakaria, did not see the wisdom to wait for the investigations to be completed and jump into his own conclusions based on initial observations.

If this been said by a lay man, it would have been understandable (after all, we have seen accidents happened due to reckless drivers and defective buses and why should this be any different) but Zakaria is not a lay person – he is the deputy police chief for the state of Perak and what he says matters. It may even influence on the outcome of the official investigations.

(Uthaya after release from ISA detention was a force to reckon with. As a human rights lawyer, he was in thick of action when a number of temples was demolished in Selangor and organized the unprecedented Hindraf rally in the city. Image source: TheNutGraph)

Separate Indian Channel

Uthayakumar and Hindraf before the last general election were doing just fine – despite having 4 of the main leaders under ISA, Hindraf remained as a pressure group to both BN and PR. Hindraf sided with PR during the last general election and contributed to the tsunami that shook BN upside down.

However, things have changed a lot since then especially when you read things like this:-

THE government needs to have a separate television channel for the Indian community like the Vasantham channel in Singapore

Human Rights Party secretary-general P. Uthayakumar as making the call in reference to Bernama TV decision not to air Tamil news on Friday which left many Indians unhappy and dissatisfied.

He said Indian labourers, especially those who earned about an average of RM600 a month, could not subscribe for Astro to watch Indian programmes as it was too costly.

(Source)

Should HRP concentrate on getting a separate Indian TV channel that may only provide entertainment or should concentrate on getting those laborers (with average RM600 per month) on ways to improve their life and get them up above the level of poverty and low income? Which is more important for these laborers and their children?

Long time ago, when I visited my uncle who was staying in a FELDA settlement and worked hard in his own plantation, I noticed that they did not have TV (they were not that rich at that time) but that did not stop them from having access to information and entertainment. They had newspaper and radio in place of local TV or satellite TV. They had less time to watch TV but had plenty to watch over their children’s education and work.

At times, what is needed by these lowly paid laborers is not a TV channel for entertainment but rather a way out from the confines of poverty and hardship.

(The 2nd MCLM candidate is better than a couple PR politicians and several dozen BN politicians and share with ideals with his father, the late M.G.G. Pillai. Image source: http://alhaj.wordpress.com)

MCLM’s 2nd Candidate

If you have been following up Malaysia Today, you know about the “Third Force” and there is some positive development with the Third Force:-

The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) has named human rights lawyer Sreekant Pillai as the second person from its movement to contest in the next general election.

Sreekant said he had chosen to be independent because “the current government has nothing more it can offer to the people and the existing parties are not doing what the rakyat wants”. Sreekant is the son of the late veteran journalist M.G.G. Pillai.

(Source)

I know Sreekant Pillai personally and I dare say that if there is one candidate that worth our votes in the next general election, he would be the one. Although one would see the Third Force as a potential cause of hung Parliament and question the composition of candidates of MCLM todate (2 candidates and both are lawyers), I think it is pertinent to see what we have now. Quality of politicians that we voted in to Parliament in the last election has been todate…shameful.

No doubt the arrogance and reckless mismanagement of the country have toned down after there is stronger presence of the opposition in the Parliament, these politicians still need to be reminded that at end of the day, it is the interest of the people that matters the most (especially after certain politicians have sold off the voters trust to jump political party).

MCLM may provide that gap and enforcement of getting the right people for the job.

Related articles

• 27 die in bus crash horror: Bodies strewn on road – AsiaOne (news.google.com)

Thursday, 09 December 2010 Super Admin

”Truly I am ashamed to expose all these, especially in front of the other people, in front of the whole nation and the world. But they all already know all these. I am not exposing anything that they don’t know,” said Dr Mahathir about the Malays whom he called ”lazy” and prone to rely on ”the easy way and the quick way”.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Back in mid-2002, during the Umno general assembly, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said some very nasty things about the Malays. He was so upset about the Malays he even resigned as the Umno President — which would also mean as Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Dr Mahathir was in tears when he announced his resignation and Rafidah Aziz — who rushed forward to ask Dr Mahathir “Why? Why?” — even broke the heel of her very expensive designer shoe, either out of shock or due to a serious weight problem.

It took some time for Umno to persuade Dr Mahathir to withdraw his resignation. Finally, much to the relief of the entire world, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi came back on stage to announce that Dr Mahathir had reluctantly agreed to delay his resignation for 15 months till the last day of October 2003.

Though some say it was during a moment of temporary weakness that Dr Mahathir resigned, 2002 was not the first time he had whacked the Malays. And this was also not the first time he cried on stage during an Umno general assembly because of his extreme disappointment with the Malays.

2002 was just the last straw and he could no longer tolerate the Malays, whom he said in an interview soon after he left office he had failed to change. That was why he no longer wanted to be the Umno President or Prime Minister of Malaysia.

“What is your greatest regret in 22 years as Prime Minister?” Dr Mahathir was asked during the interview. And his reply was: my greatest regret is that in 22 years as Prime Minister I had failed to change the Malays.
Some say I appear to admire Dr Mahathir too much and they don’t like that. Others, however, say I am too critical of the Malays and they don’t like that either. Then there are those who say I am not whacking Dr Mahathir enough — as they would like to see me do — and they don’t like that.

Well, many people do not like either Dr Mahathir or what I say, but then since when was I ever concerned about what people like or don’t like about me? And why should I whack Dr Mahathir when he says the right thing? I only whack him when he does the wrong thing and I have done enough of that when he was Prime Minister — which resulted in my arrest and, later, detention under the Internal Security Act in 2001.

For example, Dr Mahathir feels that, in the next general election, Barisan Nasional should field some non-political party members from amongst the professionals and civil society movements. I too feel the same and that is what the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) will be trying to achieve.

Dr Mahathir and I never discussed the matter prior to this and it is purely coincidental that we are both seeking the same thing, although we may be doing so along different routes — Dr Mahathir through Barisan Nasional and I through Pakatan Rakyat.

Anyway, to refresh your memory, see the following news reports on the matter.
***************************************
Mahathir criticises Malay community
BBC, 16th June 2002
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, has launched a strong attack on the majority Malay community, saying it had failed to make real progress despite being given special privileges for more than 30 years.
In a newspaper interview ahead of a five-day meeting of his party the United Malays National Organisation or Umno, Dr Mahathir criticised Malays for being too complacent and unwilling to work hard.
He said that after more than 20 years in office he had failed to change what he called this culture of extravagance.
Malays make up more than half of the 23 million population but receive special privileges because the Chinese minority is seen as having disproportionate wealth.
******************************************
Mahathir warns Malays to brace for end to privileges
Kyodo News International, 20th June 2002
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday defended his country’s affirmative action policy but warned ethnic Malays that their rights and privileges are ”far from being safe.”
”The Malays are clearly far from being safe. Do not think that the power of the Malays in the political arena is permanent, that it will guarantee the safety of the Malays forever,” the 76-year-old premier said in a two-hour speech to open the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) annual assembly.
If the special status of the Malays, or ”bumiputeras” as they are also known, is challenged today, he said, Malays will not be able to survive.
”They are not prepared to face any competition at all. They are so afraid of the other communities. Without the experience of competing with others, if the protection is suddenly withdrawn, they will not be able to survive,” Mahathir, also UMNO president, said.
As head of the party that deems itself the custodian of Malay culture, Mahathir put his newly gained political fortune on the line recently when he dared to pry open the three-decade-old New Economic Policy (NEP) to provide more opportunities for non-Malays, although only in education.
The NEP, Malaysia’s affirmative action policy, guarantees Malays 30% corporate equity, easy credit, contracts and projects from the government and places in public universities.
The policy, which came about following the 1969 clashes between the poorer, rural Malays and the economically more dominant ethnic Chinese, is now called the National Vision Policy.
Recently Mahathir stirred up a controversy by changing the race-based quota system for university entrance to a merit-based one. Then he ordered 10% of places to be allocated to non-Malays in government-run colleges and that English, instead of the national language, Malay, be used to teach science and mathematics.
Malay nationalists are up in arms crying treachery. But Mahathir is adamant, saying the NEP has made Malays ”lazy” and prone to rely on ”the easy way and the quick way.”
”Because of that, when licenses are given, they sell the licenses…No work is done other than to be close to people with influence and authority in order to get something because they are Malays,” he told the 2,000 delegates attending the three-day assembly.
”Truly I am ashamed to expose all these, especially in front of the other people, in front of the whole nation and the world. But they all already know all these. I am not exposing anything that they don’t know,” he said.
Mahathir expressed his disappointment that after 21 years at the helm of the country he has failed to change the Malay mindset.
”Mostly I feel disappointed, disappointed because I achieved too little result from my principal task — the task of making my race a successful race, a race that is respected, a race that is honorable, a race that is highly regarded. I beg your pardon because I have failed,” he said.
But despite his criticism of Malays and their over-dependence on government assistance, Mahathir defended the benefits of the NEP although he said it has slowed down national development.
”What slowed down the national development was because the government had to try and try again to balance the economy of the Malays against that of the non-Malays at all levels and in all fields,” he said.
But the NEP, he said, has succeeded in closing the gap between the Malays and non-Malays.
Those who condemned the NEP, he said, have ignored the fact that government scholarships and opportunities have allowed thousands of Malay children to enter universities.
The government has also provided 3 billion ringgit as capital for the National Equity Corp. to initiate unit trusts which succeeded in making 7.28 million Malays shareholders in big corporations with investments totaling 34.89 billion ringgit.
The shares allocated to the NEC were the result of the restructuring of new companies that are required by the NEP to provide 30% of their equity for bumiputera.
”In truth, without the NEP, the unit trusts and the governmental institutions which were managed on behalf of the Malays, today the NEP would achieve only 2% of the target,” Mahathir said.

written by SoundMan, December 09, 2010 21:53:18
Mahathir is a man that lived his ‘rule’ over Malaysia without the fundamental talent of knowing what the end results will be, on the decisions he makes. He is a man that lacks “VISION”.

How can Mahathir be visionary ? He is so busy building up his and his family’s wealth – making this children instant billionaires -to think what infernal damage the iron tractor he is maneuvering over Malaysian social-economic-legislative history was doing, and continuing the sabotage to our national unity, to embed corruption, the centralising of political power, paralysis of key Government organs…MACC,PDRM,A-G Office.

He let loose from the loony fringe the jinns of a show of extreme religiosity.

He is blinded to the consequences, hell he did not care, not then nor now. The present posturing is to keep the political reins within his family for THE Dynasty….

written by michatan2000, December 09, 2010 21:53:03

Mahathir has never done anything virtuous or altruistic for the country. Malaysia would not be in the present predicament if Mamakthir had not been chosen by Husssein Onn to be the DPM. He sabotaged Hussein Onn and went on to create all the mess that is associated with the country today. Corruption and human rights violations et al. And after 22 years he admits to his own failure. Now he is at it again, championing Malay Supremacy after admitting failure. At the end of the day what ever Mamakthir does is for his own benefit or ego. If at all there was anything good for the country, that is coincidental. Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. Can we ever trust Mamakthir? NO NO NO.

written by sonofmalaysia, December 09, 2010 21:49:30

This half indian , mutant, melayu celup, is the most evil, the most despicable human that ever lived in Malaysia! It is a collosus disaster for MAlaysia to have this collosus crook around.

This mutant half Indian, not only shamelessly forsake his Indian root, is also guilty of having created and connived with another equally collosus shameless crook indian to screw the indians thoroughly. This melayu celup, so thoroughly skillful in masquerading as malay, so completely make use of the malay , fooling them at the same time , even make the melay whorship him like god !! No other people has been been so cruelly successful as mahashit . The entire race of malay, has been done in teruk-teruk, after 22 years, mahashit has created a very sick malay race, the umno lanun malay race !! corrupt, immoral ,free loaders, thieves, racists, hypocrite, lazy, cruel , moronic, completely devoid of shame and honour, just about every negative traits in human;lyou can find them in umno malay, and umno malay excel in them !!

In 22 years, Mahashit has single handedly created this incredible ‘glorious’ achievemnt , a very sick umno malay race !! Mahashit , please take a bow , shed your tear and make another act !!

http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/no-holds-barred/36549-i-support-dr-mahathir-when-he-is-right

Khir Toyo Charged with Corruption

Ha, some interesting development with fishing in the “big fish” by the MACC…

(Khir claims that this whole piece of property only valued RM3.5 million when others claims that it is about RM24 million. What do you think? Image source: TheStar)

The hands of the law could have done it better (like that costly RM1.8 million trip to Disneyland and the missing RM9.9 million Balkis fiasco) but I guess something is better than nothing…

The Star reports:-

Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been charged with accepting two land lots for RM3.5mil when the said lots were bought by Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni for RM6.5mil.

The charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code carries a two-year jail term, fine or both.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail commended the MACC for a thorough investigation into the case and the prosecution would be calling about 16 witnesses.

Whilst we will looking forward with this case rather interestingly (because charging is one thing, conviction is another – still remember PKFZ?), one have to wonder why the AG took that long to pull the man into the “cage”?

The AG have explained it – we hope that the case is water-tight – the last we want is for this case ending up as nothing but shadow play for the Government’s concerted fight against corruption. We do not want those who wasted tax-payers’ money by the millions to slither away by means of technicality and lack of evidence (we sure hope having rival groups to the “Conquer Selangor Mission” has nothing to do with it).

Samy Vellu (yes, finally!) Steps Down

(End of an era or end of a headache? Image source: http://www.daylife.com)

So, this is it? After years being a pain in a neck for the community, MAIKA shareholders and many of the highway users, we finally heard this – “The moment I leave this room, I am no longer the president” – Hallelujah!

But it sounds like it is not the end of the story. Not the end of the taxpayers’ money wasted down the drain. Free Malaysia Today reports:-

So the deal was made. Samy Vellu leaves, and in return he gets the post of Malaysia’s special envoy for infrastructure to South Asian countries. A position with ministerial status. It is also apparently to give him face, provide him a dignified exit.

But why should the MIC get another ministerial position after its poor performance at the last general election? Where is the regard for values if rewards are given when they are not deserved?

More importantly, why create a new position which would incur cost to the taxpayer? Samy Vellu’s salary, perks, claims and whatever else in the new position he’s taking will amount to a substantial amount. Why does the rakyat have to pay for it?

Does that sounds so wonderful – some kind of “rewards” for the earlier date for stepping down as the President!

Child Marriage

(A case of a wealthy Muslim cleric who took a 12-year-old girl as his unofficial wife. In Indonesia, the court was not amused with this and handed six years prison sentence. In Malaysia, it is a whole different story. Image source: http://sheikyermami.com)

For a moment there, I thought it happened some where in deep, lawless village in Pakistan but as one can say, nothing is impossible in Bolehland.

The New Sunday Times had front-paged the picture of 14-year-old Siti Marham Mahmod, and husband Abdul Manan Othman, who participated in a 1Malaysia wedding celebration at the Federal Territory Mosque on Saturday. The couple had tied the knot in July after getting the consent of the Syariah Court (Source)

It is good that the Government via the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is making a lot of noise on this but will the “noise” translate it into forceful action?

And the funny part of the whole deal is that the marriage was approved by the Syariah Court – what happened to the protection of the minor? Why the parents could not wait for a few more years until the minor is able to decisions for herself? It certainly unsettling that this is happening in a modern Malaysia. Still think we are on route to achieving Vision 2020?

And lastly…I leave you with a joke…yes, it is

(The mean big brother is no more? According to MCA supremo, everyone is equal. Image source: Blogger)

At least, that is what I thought when I read this:-

MCA made full use of today’s Barisan Nasional (BN) convention to push for equal treatment within the coalition, sternly telling its Umno allies that there should not be a “big brother, small brother” system in the ruling pact (Source)

Ya, right!

Read Also

Don’t change the country, change your government

Related articles

• Longtime Malaysian Indian party leader steps down (foxnews.com)
• Girl, 14, celebrates wedding in public in Malaysia (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Malaysia’s Indian Party Leader Resigns (online.wsj.com)

我们已经变成我们一心想消除的怪物了。我们是否要借由一个我们一无所知的魔鬼来清除我们已知的魔鬼呢？我宁愿冒着靠一个我们一无所知的天使来驱除这个魔鬼的风险。但是，如果要借由一个我们一无所知的魔鬼来驱除已知的魔鬼的话，我们还是保持留着这个我们已知的魔鬼吧！

拉惹佩特拉卡马鲁丁

当一起谋杀案在某一原因下发生时那不再是谋杀。 只要你在犯案时躲在那一原因后面，你甚至可以为你的谋杀作辩护。就好像在 513事件里的无辜受害者，他们会不会被认为是被那些1969年种族暴乱的参与者所杀呢？而当时那些参与者只不过是为了要捍卫自己的种族。

胡图族和图西族冲突事件里，对双方来说，他们并不认为他们正在杀害他们长久以来的朋友和邻居，尽管已经是成千上万的人被杀死。 不管是波斯尼亚还是黑塞哥维的死者，他们都不被视为是被杀害。 但这难道不是所谓的波斯尼亚战争，或者是波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那之间的战争，抑或者更应该是称为波斯尼亚谋杀吗？

当来到这一个所谓的原因时，任何东西都可以被合理化，就算杀害的是清真或犹太 。 而且为了确保没有人会感到不安，它并不被称为谋杀或杀害。 叫什么都可以，只要不是谋杀。

我想，当你把它称为除了谋杀以外的其他东西时，那会使你感到安心。 但是，当你把它称做为谋杀的时候，那会使你觉得你是做错了什么。 只要不把它称为谋杀，那么你会觉得不管你做什么都是为了那高尚的原因。

人类就是这样的自我欺骗。不管你怎么胡乱的标签它，只要能使到错的变成对就可以了。有了正确的标签，只要简单的一个笔划就能使错的变成对的。

我一直对在注意着Malaysia Today的评论和留言。您也许也看到了，但你并没有停下来对它们进行第二次思考。 那些词句，比如责任，透明度，问责制，善政，公正，公平竞争等等，都从留言里消失了。 留下来的只有一个重点，就是ABU-Anything But UMNO（什么都可以，除了巫统）或Asal Bukan Umno（原本就不是巫统）。

我们注重的东西什么时候已经变化得那么大了？ 什么是我们一直想要达到的？我想我们都是在努力着为马来西亚带来改变。 如果这仍是我们注重的东西，那么改变肯定是意味着一些不同的东西，特别是更好的东西。

就像穆斯林所说的：祈祷之前，你必须用纯净的水来清洗自己。 您不能用肮脏的水来清洗自己，然后认为自己已经够干净来祈祷。 你怎么能够把手伸进化粪池或下水道，并擦擦你的脸，然后说你现在已经足够干净地面对神了？

伊斯兰教是非常的讲究什么是纯洁和干净，或者什么是不干净。你不能用被污染的水擦脸，然后说你的脸已经洗了。清洗必须干净，而且那没有第二个方式。

这同样适用于改革的斗争。 我们可以以恶治恶，然后说我们是做着神的工作吗？我可以抢劫银行来筹集资金，以建造回教堂吗？ 如果我抢劫银行的动机是为了筹集资金来建造回教堂，那肯定的我抢劫银行的行为就是一种高尚的行为。如果通过这个标准，在服务神里抢劫不再是抢劫，即便是有无辜的人在抢劫过程中死亡。

许多Malaysia Today读者不再关心道德和伦理的问题，只是要把巫统和国阵踢出去， 方法并不重要。 反对党领导人的诚实和正直已经不再重要。 不管是黑猫还是白猫，最重要的是它抓住了老鼠。 就算我们让老板跟我们的妻子和女儿性爱也不要紧，只要能使我们致富。 怎么致富的方法并不重要， 重要的是我们能致富。

我们已经变成我们一心想消除的怪物了。我们是否要借由一个我们一无所知的魔鬼来清除我们已知的魔鬼呢？我宁愿冒着靠一个我们一无所知的天使来驱除这个魔鬼的风险。但是，如果要借由一个我们一无所知的魔鬼来驱除已知的魔鬼的话，我们还是保持留着这个我们已知的魔鬼吧！

原文：A matter of ethics-Raja Petra Kamarudin

PLEASE CONTINUE READING > Raja Uda Raja Muhammad – 1st Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang.