Fuel Ban Chaos!

Initially it was to ban foreign vehicles from pumping fuel within 50km from the border, well its all good to stop these flers from sneaking across the border for some cheap fuel, then again, think about the framework on how this is to be implemented?

How can the goverment decide on one thing without giving out a framework how it will be implemented??? How do you control or ensure that foreign vehicles would not be entitled to buy fuel??? How Sharir?? HOW??

But, all that was good when they deferred the decision... or was it? Malaysiakini reported the decision was put off due to "The absence of several relevant Ministers......" Question, why for such an important money saving decision did so many Ministers refuse to turn up??

Wait! They claim that, "A few ministers also requested the discussions to be postponed as they have a few proposals to include subsidies for cooking oil"!

Hello.... fuel subsidies is 54billion!!! I think if you can address the issue of fuel subsidies, cooking oil and rice and whatever else could come in place much later would it not??? Please settle the 54billion issue first! I wonder what strategies you are going to put forth to ensure that the fuel subsidies are going to the "right" parties. I really wonder too... why on such important matters you are delaying on making your decision.

When you could not solve 1 issue, you want to tie another 3-4 issues to that issue.... you ministers are really peanut brain la..... unless, you have something to gain from prolonging the subsidy?

Justice at last - Cheras BMC Saga

After a 21year old youth lies in ICU and many others hurt, the cabinet has at last decided to order the removal of the barriers.

Little consolation, given the fact that two days ago, Selangor's MB was on scene to witness the removal of the barriers. What is more important now is to ensure that they investigate the case where 2o+ FRU personnel pummelled a 21 year old bloodied. Charge these FRU personnel for wilfully causing harm and intention to murder. That will teach them a lesson that their job is to "MAINTAIN PEACE" and not "CAUSING HURT".

Racist!! Racist!! Racist!!

While I do not wish to further comment nor argue with these empty vessels on their rights, I just would like to put to record as to what they are saying about the PSD's scholarship which the government recently highlighted that 45% was given to Non-Malays while 55% are for Malays.

These two Malay organizations, namely ABIM as well as PKIPM (Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia) came out frothing in their mouth claiming that non-Malays has no right in asking for scholarships as it was their birthright to receive them. Birthright as enshrined in Hak Istimewa in the constitution. GAWD! Such statements.... well dont take my word for it. Read them.... have a good laugh. What else is covered by Hak Istimewa? Are you telling me that if that student is as stupid as a buffalo (no intention to belittle a buffalo's intelligence here) he should also be given the scholarship just because of the Hak Istimewa?

To me, its just this, 45% allocated for the non-Malays and yet there are so many who seem to have great results but still deprieved off scholarships while there are no news of deserving Malays without a scholarship. Does that tell you anything?

Anyway to ABIM and PKIPM, scholarships is best given to people who can make good use of it and come back to help develop and propel the nation forward. In other words, deserving students, its not a matter of Malays... and by the way, you forgot one thing, on the birthright thinggy... it belongs to the BUMIPUTRAS not UMNOputras.

Desperate for Recognition

Penang must be a place where many would want to go and claim some brownie points these days, more so after the state government secured two sizeable FDIs from some impressive names. Japan's Ibiden Co and the famed Honeywell Aviation, USA.

While the state floundered under the previous Gerakan led state government who themselves were embroiled in a RM1billion fiasco purportedly the contract handed out to Motorola to convince them to stay on in Penang, these two other giants needed no such incentives to put money into the state now led by Lim Guan Eng's DAP and Pakatan Rakyat partners.

While all these has been happening, one smart alec by the name of Mark Ooi Swee Hing was trying to claim a minute of fame for his ex-boss Koh Tsu Koon. Mark was the former political secretary of Koh Tsu Koon. The details can be found here.

He said that negotiations to bring in FDI is not done in a blink of an eye. While that is true, any change in government would have rendered all the work done in the past to convince these people to come in to be pointless too, but kudos to LGE who managed to convince these corporates to stick to their plans. While Mark was busily arguing that they should get their share of commendations, I do not see how he can be so selective in wanting the recognition.

Mark, please acknowledge that you too would take responsibility for all the land scam, PBT's transfer of funds to BAKTI and various other projects that was handed out to cronies at inflated prices. Also, I am sure, Lim Guan Eng would love to meet your ex-boss to thank him for the initial work done on the FDI as well as raising the queries that he has been highlighting all these while which your boss has said he was TOO BUSY and IT IS NOT IMPORTANT.

So, Mark, is this FDI thinggy important? Which is more important? Receiving commendations for the FDI or answering the questions we Penangnites have been asking all these while through our new Chief Minister, Mr. Lim Guan Eng?

Chor Chee Heung - You Think We Are Stupid?

Excerpts from Malaysiakini report titled: Chor justifies police action at BMC Clash

Okay, I shall go easy and see where is the issue:

"Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung (BN - Alor Star) explained that the police initially did not interfere with the scuffle between Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents and alleged thugs because they were waiting for back-up."

In event of situation turn bloody are the police going to continue to wait for backup? Chicken?

The few police personnel present were managing traffic and were unable to act due to their numbers.

"They only managed to get the district police chief to send more enforcement to that area. By the time the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) and police officers showed up, the scuffle had already ended."

Scuffle ended? Why then the FRU surround the car like thugs? I will get to the juicy part later.

"All they could do was to issue warnings and told the crowd to disperse. In the confusion, residents were beaten up by unidentified thugs and they decided to use more force by using a car to knock police officers over."

So, it was all "confusion" that residents decided to use a car to knock down police officers... it was all the thugs fault for causing this confusion. It was also the thugs that caused the FRU officers to be "confused" and started attacking the car maniacally? Why 20 against 4? Why not against the thugs?

"Based on the report given to me from the police, two police officers were hurt - one on the hand and one on the thigh from falling down after being knocked by the said car," he said.

"I did not receive any news or report about police using too much force but I assure you that the police will always act in accordance with the law," he summed up.

Right! Two policemen were hurt one on the hand and another on the thigh.... and it justifies that 20 of your guys hammer the poor fler into ICU?

Chor, we were not there... you are so right. But we hear both news and as well as eye account and funnily it tallies... what does not tally was your report.

Why then would they jubilate when the wall came down and they hoist Kajang CPO in appreciation? When it was only the day before they were so critical of the force? Because he allowed them to tear down the wall? Part of it, but more so that the police then under the eye of MB did the right thing! Maintain order without fear or favour!

So if you ask me who was ill informed..... Mr. Chor - YOU ARE....So do something right for the people for a CHANGE.... STOP BEING A PRICK!

M

Foreign Cars! Get your Tow Trucks READY!

Here

Okay.. okay... I was pulling your leg. Apparently foreign cars will be denied buying fuel at subsidized rates. I wonder how they are going to control these petrol pumps from NOT SELLING to foreign cars?

"Last Monday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said foreign-registered vehicles from Singapore and Thailand would not be allowed to buy petrol or diesel within 50km of the Malaysian borders from tomorrow."

Tow truck operators! This is your golden chance!

"Today, Foreign-registered vehicles, mainly from Singapore and Thailand, are likely to be denied purchase of subsidised petrol and diesel anywhere in the country under a decision to be made at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow."

Hey Singapore!! We have a way to make you flers pay for Pedra Branca! Watch while we fill our inefficient Protons with cheap petrol while you and your fancy cars fill up with unsubisdized ones... hahahaha!

Trust our Government to come up with policies and measures that are rational and beneficial... Sigh...

Make it a tad easier, all petrol stations in Malaysia now accepts credit card and cash. To pump subsidized petrol one would need to swipe his/her mykard. And details in mykard would be his/her quota for the month. Example 50 litres and it will be stored and purge at the end of the month. A tad simple but I think its workable. Any amount above 50 litres, he/she pays market price!

This above all else ensures subsidy going to every Malaysian.

This also ensures the rich that drives big cars will pay more at market price.

This also ensures that Malaysians who DO NOT DRIVE or RIDE a BIKE gets to sell his quota for some money to help make ends meet!

Think my idea is stupid? Killing 3 birds with one stone? Think again.

Datuk Dr. Tan Kee Kwong

Pakatan has roped in another gem from the sinking armada in the form of Datuk Dr. Tan Kee Kwong who followed in the footsteps of Datuk Lee Kah Choon from Penang, in heading Selangor government's special task force on land management.

(Dr. Tan Kee Kwong is the son of the late Dr. Tan Chee Koon) (I am sure your dad is mighty proud of you Dr. Tan!)

Kudos to Pakatan for truly bringing in the required talents to run the States!

Malaysian Joe thinks, Gerakan may be happy and peeved at the same time.... Keng Yaik will say, "Gerakan has proven to be capable of training great leaders!!" Yet, many in the circle would want Dr. Tan out of the fray. Unfortunately, politics and the genuine desire to serve the country are two parallel lines. Dr. Tan will have to make a choice in the end. I guess, he will wait like Lee Kah Choon, he will wait for the party to make the first move.

Updates

www.malaysiakini.com

Najib said that it is only morally right for him to resign from Gerakan and BN.

Well, to the famous son of the late Dr. Tan Chee Koon, its time to rise and pick up your father's mantle and champion the rights of people "Without FEAR or FAVOUR"

Down came the wall of Cheras

The Grand Saga wall of shame came down for third time after residents under the "watchful" eye of the police tore down the 5 foot wall at 7.30pm last night. Here.

News of police and FRU brutality was splashed all over the net media last night after Malaysiakini carried reports of a 21 year old being brutally savaged by 20+ FRU officers while an Utusan reporter was also beaten up while taking pictures of the horror that unfolds.

Tan Sri Khalid, MB of Selangor, kudos to you for such swift action! I really wonder what it would have been like under the "Mat Hensum" Khir Toyo.

Updates

Teo Nie Ching, MP Serdang, DAP raised the matter in Parliament for discussion but was REJECTED by the speaker citing NOT URGENT MATTER. It seems that the term, Not Urgent Matter is a trendy phrase by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker these days.... or is it the only phrase they know?

Frog No. 1

While the hoo hahs over the hopping that is to take place would involve mass hoppers from BN over to PR, one never expected BN to pull the first one off the rug of PR in the form of disenchanted ex-PKR strongman...Ezam Mohd Nor.

He was reported to have handed his UMNO membership application form that was "happily" received by PM today and officially the head of GERAK, after years of fighting for justice and to right the wrong has found it more "rewarding" to wrong the right.

Well, so much for integrity.

FROG NO. 1: EZAM MOHD NOR

SCORE: BN 1 PR 0

Tear them walls Down!

Datuk Khalid, MB of Selangor revealed that Selangor State Govt owned 30% of Grand Saga?


Then Datuk Khalid, aint it about time you do something about it?

(Borrowed from MobsCrib without permission)

He however did not name the State organization that owns the stake. But he did mention yesterday that he gave the parties till today to sort out the matter. Datuk Khalid, we are waiting. Though I do not use the highway thesedays.... I moved... phewww... but I can imagine those folks staying in BMC.

FRU Brutality!

FRU. I suppose their job is to ensure peace and to protect their paymasters. The Rakyat. However, we have Police and FRU who does the bidding of some corporates. In this case, Grand Saga. The long standing issue over the slip road has just turned ugly. The matter simmering over the last few weeks intensified after Grand Saga re-erected the barrier to the slip road. Of course the would! Tens of thousands lost each day is too much to bear. They resorted to hiring thugs to threaten those that tried to tear down the barrier.... and yet.. they denied doing so...

What made me write this article is the fact that a group of 20+ FRU officers surrounded a car of one youth, his sister and two friends. Let me see, my maths say there are only 4 people in the car! And you have 20+ FRU baton weilding adults surrounding the car and hammered the daylights out of the poor chap.

Malaysiakini reported that,

In no time at all, however, Chang Jiun Haur was soaked in his own blood after being repeatedly beaten by 20 riot squad (FRU) personnel armed with batons and boots with steel toes.

Chang, 21, his sister and two friends were driving away from the site of the barricade about 11.30pm, when their car was surrounded by police personnel who had earlier dealt with a fracas involving BMC residents.

A high-ranking police officer at the scene claimed that Chang had run over a FRU personnel with his car, and that the police reacted to this.

Can we see the officer that this chap ran over? Oooops.... it was a clanger wasnt it?

“He asked for it. He ran over a policeman and he got what he deserved,” the officer told Malaysiakini a few minutes after the incident.

They reinforced the fact that he ran over a policeman! Well, shouldnt they just arrest him? Must they beat the daylight out of him?

Asked to identify the personnel, the officer had initial difficulty in persuading the individual to come forward. When he did so, the man claimed: “He tried to run me over...look at my baton, it is broken. What more evidence do you want?”

I was like WHAT THE FUCK! He ran over your baton and that is evidence that he wanted to run you over??? What are you? A Fucking MORON! So, if you put your baton on the road and someone runs over it and it breaks, that gives you the fucking right to round up 20 of your chums and beat the daylight out of that guy??? Evidence???? I want to see an FRU Officer with a severed abdomen or at least a severed limb!!!! Since you said he RAN OVER a FRU Officer.

It bodes ill for the country when the policemen behaved like THUGS!

As if that is not enough.... all the occupants of the car were arrested! For running over a FUCKING BATON!

Malaysiakini further reported,

Chinese-language dailies reported today that more than 10 people were seriously injured in yesterday’s incident, which saw BMC residents assaulted by ‘thugs’ allegedly hired by toll concessionaire Grand Saga. ...

About 7pm yesterday, defiant residents attempted to tear down the barricade that had just been rebuilt but were confronted by unidentified men armed with iron rods, helmets and sticks.

“They attacked the residents immediately. About 10 people were assaulted and three of them were reporters. Their cameras were confiscated as well,” claimed Tan.

Star reported that Utusan Malaysia photographer Roy Azis Abdul Aziz had been beaten up when he tried to take photos of the fracas.

Tangkap gambar pun kena....

BMC resident Chin Kee Chong’s right arm was broken (right) and he suffered injuries to his head, while another resident - Lee Ah Seng - sustained severe injuries to his head.

Pretty much in a war zone.... with these kind of injuries.

Some residents claimed that several policemen present during the incident had failed to intervene.

Kajang police chief Shakaruddin Che Mood, however, said they were only traffic policemen whom he had sent to the area for traffic control.

“They were too busy controlling traffic and could not do anything,” he told reporters, adding that five police reports have been lodged on the assault.



The policemen stationed by Kajang Police were there only to control traffic... yeah.. while their FRU counterparts beat up civilians at will.

Samy Speaketh AGAIN!

It has been a long time since Samy spoke. Here, here, here, here.

Today, he who wears a toupee has spoken!! Apparently its a squabble again with PPP. I thought he and the KVS has smoked each other's peace pipe?

Not one to wallow in his Sg. Siput defeat! Samy comes out with guns blazing or is it? Titled, MIC Sole Representative of Indians


How thick a skin he must have for him to say that! It is ironic that now he is out of the government, MIC is building schools! MIC is raising funds to refurbish schools! Hmmm... it looks like MIC performs better when they lose in the election. Tell you what, MIC should continue losing to be serving the community... eh?

But, what I want to highlight is this. I really wonder why UMNO, MCA and MIC are still playing the game of CHAMPIONS OF RACE. I thought the PM heard us loud and clear on March 8, 2008. We believed we told him we are sick and tired of their racial games... we are sick of us Malaysians being called Melayu, Cina, India DAN LAIN LAIN. We thought they heard us telling them to stop telling us lies...

Maybe these 3 parties are tuned to the wrong channel. Same Channel Mahathir. Wonder what channel is that... FM MAY13 perhaps.

NS - Target Zero Death

In his effort to keep the gravy train of NS running, DPM has come up with an ingenious statement hoping to placate us to continue sending our kids to NS. HERE

"I try to emphasise zero defects for this programme and also fatalities. Although there were one or two incidents, these should not hinder the overall success of the NS programme," he told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the camp commandants today.

How can there be one or two incidents when there are 16 wasteful deaths??

Zero deaths??? I guess, Mr. DPM, you should clearly SPELL OUT the government responsibilities and liabilities should another death occur!

Butt Hole Speaks!

Ibrahim Ali may have stood in the election on a PAS ticket. But he talks like a male who has no understanding or respect for others, let alone of the opposite gender.

His recent calls for women to accept polygamy because men over 50 wants to have fun just reeks of gender bias-ness and his myopic view of being fair and civilized.

"Such problems happen because women cannot accept polygamy. From a preventive point of view, what about doing a big campaign so that women can accept polygamy?" Ibrahim said.

The lawmaker said women who are pregnant or who have "problems" when they hit their 50s do not understand that men still want to "have fun".

Which idiot would say things like that? We have had these people in the past and yes, there are still some guilty parties in the past that still occupies a seat in the August house but Ibrahim Ali, I can bet that you will lose your seat next election.

PAS, I hope you censure this butt head as he stood under your ticket. No doubt he is an independent, if you still want our support, you will have the decency to condemn his statements and distance yourself away from him.

The Indelible Stain that Wont Go Away

In my take on the indelible ink revelation by Rashid the other day, this stain just would not go away just yet. Since this extraordinary revelation that the cabinet told Rashid to cancel the use of it because they had "intel" report that some flers actually manage to smuggle in similar inks to cause chaos in the recently concluded GE. While the police (IGP) was swift in his investigation, the use of the ink was withdrawn 4 days before the election. Poor Rashid it seems then has to take full responsibility for the fiasco. Recently he came out to say that the Cabinet on the day of dissolution instructed him to do so and be the sacrificial lamb for it.

The Government has since reiterated that it was just an "advice". I wonder in what tone was the advise given.

Yesterday, Nazri the Balachi turns the screw tighter on the fact that there was NO directive from the cabinet. He said "“We did not issue an order. I can assure you, we did not order it. I would not lie.”

So he did not lie? He would not lie? He dare not lie?

He went on to say "Nazri also said that the eventual scrapping of the indelible ink four days before the general elections was among the reasons Barisan Nasional lost many votes due to the perception that it was seeking to win through illegal means."

Err... so? The EC is actually collaborating with Pakatan to ensure BN loses more votes than they did? Is that the line of argument now, dear Nazri?

pIcTaReS!!!!

Found some pics that spoke volumes.


Sir Alex Ferguson posing with both trophies, The Old Big Ears, European Champions League and the Barclays Premier League trophy. Both won with Chelsea playing bridesmaid. I guess that is where the satisfaction lies.

While many people talk about John Terry's miskick, I think it could be summed up as below:



The kick that blew the cup away.

Drama @ Luzhniki

Date: 22nd May 2008

Time: 2:45am (Malaysian Time)

Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Champions League Final 2007/08

The Prize

The Defining Moment

THE CHAMPIONS!

Many of us waited in anticipation for the kickoff, it was as nervous as it can be, but as in all competition, there can only be one winner. Manchester United started off sprightly and should have sealed the match in the first 40 minutes but as they had done time and time again, its always the hard way. After Ronaldo headed home a Wes Brown's inch perfect cross, fate ruled that a double deflection left Van Der Sar stranded and Lampard stroked home the equalizer.

From then, it was uphill all the way for United in the second half. Luck maybe played a part then when the upright and crossbar denied Chelsea. Then when it comes to the shootout, I have lost count as to how many big names have flopped big time at this juncture and true to history, Cristiano Ronaldo of all people predictively stroked the ball to the right and Cech made a splendid block. Then when Van Der Sar got his palm to Ashley Cole's shot, it was not good enough to keep it out. At 4-4 and John Terry, Chelsea's captain marvel walked up to take the last mandatory penalty. All seemed lost and buried for United. Surely John Terry could do no wrong. How wrong! For all his heroics right up to the instintive header that kept out a sure goal in the first half, Terry slipped and his shot skewed to the left post and went OUT.

United Rejoiced! It means now its sudden death! After Ryan Giggs made it 6-5, it was upto Enfant Terrible, Nicholas Anelka to even the score. Many claimed Van Der Sar tried to unsettle Anelka with his antics, but, isnt all about making the opponent edgy? Anelka blasted to the right and Van Der Sar kept it out. Indeed VDS is now Van "The" Czar!!!! Wild celebrations ensued, Manchester United are Champions of Europe after a lapse of 9 years, and what a time to win it on the eve of their 50th Anniversary of that tragic night in Munich. Indeed, the Gods must be smiling on United. Some even commented that the Busby Babes had bananas watching the shootoff and dropped a banana skin where Terry slipped!

Well... maybe.... just maybe...

But what the heck! We have done the DOUBLE!!!!

We are Champions of EUROPE and ENGLAND 2007/08!

Daddy's Day Out!

Well, its now becoming more frequent with wifey now out to Macau since Monday, daddy has been having a whale of a time with the kids.

Monday was breakfast as usual, then the movies, then the pool, then the park... then the arcade! Yeah! Thats where the boys like to be! And that is where daddy loves them to be while I spend some time reading some magazines.

Wasnt much fun though as we need to sleep early for school and work the next day but it was a whale of a fun. But its mommy's turn to sit the kids next week as I will be out of town for some work. It would be tiring indeed but so far we are coping well with the boys.

Gonna put the boys to sleep early tonight as daddy intends to sneak out with the "Other Boys" for a wee morning out to watch the finals of Champions League between Daddy's long time love Manchester United against the most despicable Chelsea. Would love to see the constant blur face of Avram Grant sobbing and say, "I am not the special one.. boooo hoooo hoooo hooo..."

One Voice Is all it takes

(borrowed from Mobscrib without permission)

When I started reading MGG Pillai then RPK's Malaysia Today, never have I dared to say that these tiny dissenting voice could be so well heard but I really appreciated what they have done. They have galvanized a nation to listen to their heart and think with their brains. The result March 8, 2008.

Indeed when I look back, and when I listen to Barry Manilow's One Voice, it make hell lot of sense,

Just One Voice,
Singing in the darkness,
All it takes is One Voice,
Singing so they hear what's on your mind,
And when you look around you'll find
There's more than

One Voice,
Singing in the darkness,
Joining with your One Voice,
Each and every note another octave,
Hands are joined and fears unlocked,
If only

One Voice
Would start it on its own,
We need just One Voice facing the unknown,
And then that One Voice would never be alone,
It takes that One Voice.

It takes that One Voice.

Just One Voice
Singing in the darkness,
All it takes is One Voice,
Shout it out and let it ring.

Just One Voice,
It takes that One Voice,
And everyone will sing!


Thank you to that many one voices that stood without fear and favour for Malaysia to have a better tomorrow. Lets make everyone shout and let it RING!

Mukhriz defying Dad?

This may pan out to favour AAB as Musa Hitam says it, "The thorn is now out of the flesh." In his obvious reference to Dr. M's resignation from UMNO yesterday. Though many thought Mukhriz may do the same but in my discussion with one of my friends yesterday evening, I was of the opinion that Mukhriz will not resign and true enough he is not resigning.

That may be a spanner really as Dr. M would have manage to coax those who are not happy to resign thus dilute the voice of resentment in UMNO, so where will Mukhriz stand? Nazri today was quoted in The Sun as saying, "The party did not want Mukhriz to feel bad over his father's decision." when asked why he is missing from the UMNO MPs meeting yesterday that pledged boldly in most newspapers UMNO MPs back Abdullah.

Mukhriz later went on record to say that he is staying put to fight and bring change from within. Huh? Politicians these days, getting hung on cliche of heroism and idealism. Change from within... huh? Who is he trying to kid?

Anyway, me think, Dr. M may have dented his son's hopes of leading the Youth wing.

Eve @ Luzhniki, Moscow

I had wanted to write about it when we (Manchester United) clinched the BPL trophy the previous weekend with a 2-0 defeat of Wigan at the JJB, but, heck, I just got back from a holiday and was of a laze to write about it, but, nonetheless, I was happy as hell after Giggs calmed my nerves by slotting in the no.2 for the night.

Nevertheless, I felt it was fitting for Giggsy when he raised the trophy as I train my focus on the team's preparation for the biggie. Yes, tonight at Luzhniki, Moscow. Manchester United v Chelsea. Arguably the team that United would dread playing the most as the recent statistics do not favour the team, but like all United fans out there we are screaming for payback time. Yes, we lost the battle at Stamford Bridge, but we won the war in the end. We are English Premiership Champions 2007/08. For good measure too, it was our second in a row.

Now as we train our thoughts on tonight's big match, I felt the most apt quote of the day goes to....



Yes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, when he put it aptly in his recent interview, while he recalled his most famous night at Barcelona, 26th May 1999.

"But if that night taught me one thing, then it was that you should never sulk about not playing. I made a pact with myself that whenever you play, play 100% and told myself that otherwise there's no point in being there. If you sulk on the bench and you're called on, you are not ready because there is something going on in your head."

Mark of a true professional and a true legend.

Whatever it is, this team that Fergie has built around the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, stands between glory and also rans tonight but I hope the following scene is re-enacted.

What next?

Many names have been bandied around for the new party to be formed. While Dr. M could be credited for bringing UMNO down in 1988, he was also credited for forming a new UMNO Baru which hoodwinked all into believing that it is the OLD UMNO.

Yesterday he quit the party he formed. I really wonder what he will do next? Form another party? What will he call it? While I wanted to write on this earlier, I found Anil Netto beat me to it here in the name of the party. While Netto says its UMNO Baru Baru, I think Dr. M would be more keen to call it UMNO Terkini, to give it a flavour of authority now commanded by Malaysiakini.

While his S46 nemesis now ally... why I am not surprised! Politics can turn sworn enemies into allies and back to enemies in matter of minutes, swore to stay in UMNO and challenge for Presidency, Dr. M is urging those not in favour of AAB to come out. Like it or not, both their actions cancel out each other, and I would see the winner to remain AAB albeit a much weaker UMNO.

Dr. M will not bow out quietly. Over the next few days things will become clearer as to what is going to happen but ultimately, I think, the longer the nation gets stuck in this situation, the worse its going to be for the people. With escalating prices, food crisis, oil crisis, economic crisis... I would rather have a government that is seriously doing their job rather than playing the blame game and fighting for their political survival.

Mahathir - Keeping the Tradition

Dr. M's recent announcement that he has quit UMNO come as no surprise to me as it has been the tradition since Onn Jaafar days. Where the once President of UMNO will one day have to quit the party. Tunku and Tun Hussein Onn did not rejoin UMNO Baru after the old UMNO was made defunct by Dr. M and now he has quit the party he formed. How ironic. Nur Jazlan, the UMNO MP for Kulai summed it all up as a curse, when he said"I'm not surprised. It's like a curse. Almost all the Umno presidents eventually leave the party because they disagree with their successor, from Datuk Onn (Jaafar) to Mahathir. Tun Razak was spared because he died early."

My question however is, will his son Mukhriz quit too? My take is, he will trumpet that he will stay to challenge to establishment in UMNO and to remain the voice of Malays to earn some brownie points.

In all the turbulence, I find it hard to understand why Dr. M, in his last days are playing up the racial card once again. Has he forgotten that during the Reformasi days, he actually has to count on the non-Malay votes to keep him in power? Why is he now using the non-Malays again as punching bag in his effort to remain relevant to UMNO? Certainly UMNO can no longer claim to represent the voice of the people when a wide spectrum of the public across racial lines demand for greater transparency in every aspect of the government, yet there is this spec in UMNO that is unhappy that the PM of Malaysia is trying to do just that!

UMNO, your President who is also the Prime Minister of Malaysia will have to behave as a Prime Minister of ALL Malaysians and not just a President of UMNO. If UMNO really wanted their President to just be their President, then by all means let someone else be the PM of all Malaysians while you stand by the sidelines thumping your chest and raise whatever keris you want to raise.

Dr. M's last Hurrah

Dr. M showed his hand today when he announced his resignation from UMNO Baru, the party that he formed in the aftermath of 1988. It is ironic that he said this, "He said Umno now was no longer the same party that was formed 62 years ago on May 11, 1946. Then Umno fought for the Malay interests, rights and privileges."

Is he trying to tell us that the UMNO that he formed is the same UMNO of 1946? So is it desperation or genius at work? Is he being forced to play his last ace? Does he have any more aces up his sleeve? Although many will quit UMNO as a result and force Abdullah into calling for another General Election, this may play into BN's hand as they will harp on the insecurity should we "rock" the boat further... would it? Or would we now see fit for the tadpoles to turn to frogs QUICK.. PRONTO!

Dr. M for all he is worth would think that he is sacrificing his Queen for a pawn in order to force a cheqmate. Will Abdullah bite? How will he retaliate? To me, Dr. M has lost a lot of credibility, from Lingamgate right upto yesterday's racial card that he played, I would like to think of it as Dr. M is a sinking ship... but then again its a galleon with hundreds of cannons which will not go down quietly.

Mahathir - Genius or Desperado?

When the Lingam report came out, he came out with guns blazing challenging the government to take him to court.

According to him, "I want them to charge me in court. Only then will I have the opportunity to expose more conflicts faced by the judges, including those who have implicated me." He in fact welcomed the idea!

What I cant stand about this old man is, in 22 years he screwed the country proper, from the judiciary to the newspapers now he seems to have something more to say about things that ail the judiciary. Wasnt he involved in the cancer that is spreading?

On top of that, he began fanning the racial dischord. Why? Is he desperate? Is he trying to get back to the grassroot that was the bedrock of his powerbase for the last 30 years or so? Why now? Is he a genius in going back to his grassroots or is he merely desperate to deflect the glare of Lingam-gate? Will he live through to see his name drown in infamy? Will he succeed? Will the people fall for his talk again?

But, I think Mahathir has something going for him. Abdul Gani Patail! Trust a prick to do a man's job! Mahathir and the famous 5 of Lingam-gate will probably walk free.

Is Rashit still in Charge?

After spilling the beans HERE. I really wonder if he is still in charge?

While his deputy speaks about an impending snap polls?

So is Rashit still in charge? Or is it that after his sensational expose he is now being relieved off his position as the Chairman of the EC? I thought his term ends only next year after a one year extension? So if there is any snap polls to be called this year, he should still be in charge wouldnt it?

Why whould the hopping of MPs be an issue today? Wasnt BN also hoping for MPs to hop way back in a few GEs ago when PBS won by slim majority? Why is it an issue today?

Darn! I got so many questions! I hope someone provide me with some answers or at least some conspiracy theories.

Rashit taking directives from Ghosts?

source http://www.malaysiakini.com/

EC chief: Cabinet disapproved of indelible ink
May 17, 08 12:48pm
Election Commission chairperson Rashid Abdul Rahman said the cabinet did not approve the use of indelible ink during the March 8 general election.

MCPX“I was told that I was to take the responsibility for agreeing to it. It's not easy being EC chairperson. I took the whole rap over the year,” Rashid told reporters after a function today. Rashid’s comments further fueled speculations that the decision to scrap the use of indelible ink was a executive decision in light of whimsy excuses for the last minute U-turn in using the ink. Last year, the EC had agreed to use the ink in the 12th General Election to put to rest claims of multiple voting. The plan was cancelled five days before the March 8 polling day.A princely sum of RM2.4 million for about 48,000 bottles of the ink was bought from India, but Rashid had to call off the move on claims, that were never substantiated, that elements of sabotage had been detected by the police.

Gosh... so is Rashit saying the EC is not independent and that he is the lapdog of BN all these while?

By the way how can the CABINET be involved? Was there a cabinet present after the dissolution of Parliament? How can Rashit take orders from something that did not exist anymore? Wreaks more smell of shit than anything else.

Update

Further news on Malaysiakini stated that the decision was made on the day the Parliament was dissolved, but, the decision was announced only 4 days before polling... err.. to a Joe like me, it makes no freaking difference right? The Cabinet was inexistent already.

While PM trying to deflect the bombshell that Rashid delivers, he said that the decision to drop the use of indellible ink by the cabinet was merely a suggestion! Wow... tell me during the last administration, when was there any suggestions coming out from the cabinet or UMNO for that matter? Come on Abdullah, you screwed up and while Rashid realized that he has to take shit so much that people changed his name to sound alike and now he wanted to somehow come clean to tell the nation and you come out with such feeble excuses?

On other matters, Abdullah please do something about the VK Lingam case.... putting Gani to investigate is like throwing salt into the ocean while the old man is challenging your balls... show him you still have it.

VK Lingam Got Korek-ed!

With the cabinet deciding to make the report public and whereby Zaid revealed that the Commission has recommended that former PM, Dr. Mahathir to be investigated comes not much of a shock, despite the fact that the PM said that the decision will be made on Friday although the report has been submitted to the king much earlier.

Not surprising perhaps because the people implicated in the shocking video revealed by Anwar Ibrahim did not implicate Abdullah. The damage was more on the former PM and what a pleasure it would have given Abdullah to have the report made public and take the heat off his back for a while, while the court of public opinion grill the former PM. Eh?

With the spotlight now shifted to the former PM, Abdullah can breathe a sigh of relief much more so when his deputy is embroiled in Mogolian murder trial as well as the National Service debacles, Abdullah can certainly now shift his focus on some pain in the neck that would not go away. Razaleigh for example or maybe Muhyiddin.

That takes care of troubles in UMNO while his faithful son in law takes care of the Parliament as he turns the Parliament into his playground. Making unwanted remarks as well as causing an uproar when he played puppet master to Amirsham.... The opposition should know better than to play into his hands.

Its perfect for Abdullah really. He can at last return to his favourite past time... zzzzzzZZZZZZ.

National Service - Sick of it.

With school going children, many of us are indeed troubled by the deaths occuring in National Service camps every year. While we have been bringing up the issue, our DPM seems more hell bent to justify the programme that it should continue. HERE.

What I find depressing is the DPM seems to echo the excuses of the camp administrators in pin pointing the root cause of the deaths as to negligence on health by the attendees while not addressing the issues of accidents arising from it.

"Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the number of deaths was a small percentage compared to the 339,186 trainees who had benefited from the programme up to now.

He also said that 11 of the trainees had died during training and five during their holiday break. Of the 11 deaths, seven were caused by ailments and four were due to accidents, he added."

How could he just brush aside the number of death as small? We have spent almost 20 years to bring our kids up to that age. Imagine the amount of money and time spent nurturing them! Only to die in vain due to some incompetent camp administrator! I guess its easy for him to say so as his own kids are not subjected to such slack attention at the camps.

On top of that, he is trying even harder to "ADD VALUE" to his cronies when he suggested that medical check-ups to be made mandatory! So what now? We have to pay to ensure our kids health before we sent them for NS? More money to be made? How in the world can he equate deaths in our NS camps to Singapore's? Can he ensure that all the camp's personnel's credentials to be put up for scrutiny? Can he allow parents to visit their kids every now and then? Can he ensure that the kids will be sent to the nearest camp where their home is? After all its NS we are talking about not a concentration camp for convicts!

I will now dedicate my blog to fighting for the abolition of NS and will join the desired groups elsewhere to seek justice for the deaths in NS. I can imagine the agony of a parent to see their kids die in vain like drowning in toilet, die of stomach upset etc. When they cannot even ensure basic safety and health standards, I wonder what right have they got to make it mandatory for our kids to go to NS!

The frogs have mated?

With the intensity growing, I believe the frogging season is nigh. From mainstream media to the blogosphere and Malaysiakini, many are indicating that the time is ripe for the frogmen to don their frogsuit and start hopping.

Though in much earlier days, there were optimistic news of hopping from BN to PR, now there are news surfacing that in Perak, they just intend to do otherwise! HERE and HERE and HERE.

But, should the negative flow negate the positive flow, would it not?


Nevertheless, I wait with baited breath. In my opinion, the current government is still arrogant regardless of the "reforms" that they have started, many seem to have fizzled out and no concrete results arising from it. Judical Commission for example will only come under a Parliament committee according to former de-facto Law Minister. While the investigation into BALKIS and Bunga Tanjung have since fallen off the radar and if Abdullah sincerely believes in Freedom of information, he would have made the Lingam Report public without any hesitation. Death after death in NS has not deterred the government from calling for a full review of the entire program at all, while many Malaysians would perceive their desire to continue with NS is only to enrich their cronies who will have much to lose should the program be scrapped. So with all this in mind, MalaysianJoe thinks, its best to have a new government and let the old one sort themselves out... if ever they can sort themselves out without imploding.

Let us write a new chapter in our history and may it be a start of something new and good for the people and nation.

A Hoard of Issues

Came back from what was indeed a good break and many shocks too.

Arrived at Langkawi only to find out that Nargisa has hit Myanmar and to a certain extent the weather in Langkawi was affected. Sigh... but I guess that was not all. The issue of rice shortage is definitely high on the list of what went wrong in Malaysia of late.

There were certainly many plots of paddy fields in Langkawi and why was I not surprised that we are short of rice? The fields there are all overgrown with lallang. A sign that it has not been attended to for some time. But also on it you see construction that is on-going. Ahh... the farmers must have hit jackpot and are building their own lavish abode on their land. Much as I would like to believe our PM that we are 70% self sufficient, I really wonder if that is the case. Or was what I heard from Bernas not too long ago about the malady affecting our farmers who are more keen to sell their fertilizers and seedlings for easy money has caused the country to suffer the consequence of rapidly rising prices? Or are the millers hoarding the rice for better price?

Besides that, there is the nagging issue of National Service which claimed another innocent life. That is indeed sad and what makes it worse is that the authority are washing their hands clean off the issue. The bottom line is, IF they cannot ensure safety and well being of the participants, they should just scrape the whole thing altogether. I am sure many parents as I are as concerned to entrust the life of our precious young into hands of the irresponsible.

A Break!

At last am going for a short break of a week. Wont be writing anytime soon but will be keeping abreast with all the goings on around me.

But I cant help feeling the way they write the obituary of the Chief of Naza that passed away recently. My condolences to his family but arent they overdoing it? Citing him as a towering example of NEP? Started business with RM80k... buying 20APs... and he earned his first million in one year? Go figure... If I am allowed to trade APs.. I think I will also make my millions very fast.