Anwar celebrated his freedom in the Black 14, White 15 event with 20,000 supporters. Well, are we going to see a new chapter in the history of Malaysia? Again I notice a great disparity in the numbers reported, Malaysiakini put the number at 20,000 while I swear I heard 7,000 over the radio this morning. Now, how can we continue to rely and trust our MSM for "accurate" news?
With the event now a part of history, Anwar also fired the salvo that he has the numbers to dethrone the current government. He also stated that he would not do it with a slim majority... hmmm... smart man... smart man...
The question now begs answer is, Whats next? He is asking us to wait 2 weeks.... an normal joe of the street like me would interprete this as, he will be seeking a way into Parliament soon. Now the question is will it be a PR man that steps down for him to contest or a BN man that steps down for him to contest? 2 weeks as we all know is eternity in politics. Average Joe expects more twists and turns in days to come. With UMNO in turmoil, I would not dare to speculate on anything. Muhyiddin posturing for Presidency... Najib still playing the loyal deputy.... Abdullah's insistence that he will stand for re-election.. Kuli has been quiet since stating his intention to challenge for Presidency of UMNO. Dr. M meanwhile is taking allcomers... currently he is in the ring with Param Cumaraswamy hence I guess he is too busy to spar with anyone else.
Pakatan on the other hand seems to have some rough edge to smoothen. Recent statements made by Tok Guru and Haron Din may have unsettled many who would have thought the Islamic State issue is dead a buried but some ulamaks in PAS just would not let it stay down... and raise the ire of DAP who has been uneasy with PAS on this matter all along, despite the fact that they had a common platform, I really wonder why these mofos are still harping on these issues. It could be to touch base with their grassroots maybe.... then again, I think Anwar has got it right in saying that his priority is building strength and unity in PR before venturing out to take on the troubled but still formidable armada led by UMNO.
Over to you Pakatan, I would love to hear what you have lined up next for Malaysians.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
What next Pakatan?
Unbriddled Joy
This morning I woke up to one of the best news I have heard, Chelsea 1 Wigan 1! It could not have come at a more crucial time. This means Manchester United is 5 points ahead with 4 games to go and they could probably wrap up the title even before they set foot at Stamford Bridge in under a fortnight's time!
Emile Heskey may have given joy to many United fans last night and it will be interesting to see Avram Grant's solemn face.. after so confidently declaring Chelsea will put Manchester United under pressure... instead the pressure got to him.
This weekend both contenders travel. Chelsea to Goodison Park, whose Everton side who looked promising enough for fourth spot faded now 5 points behind 4th spot Champions to be... Liverpool. While Manchester United face a tricky visit to Ewood Park where former United great Mark Hughes would want to make up for their 3-1 defeat at Anfield last week.
Meanwhile if results keep panning out the way it is... Arsenal may yet find themselves finishing as runners-up and gaining the spot in Champions League next season without having to go through qualification. For that they need a huge dose of assistance from Everton and Manchester United and decent performances from themselves in the last 4 matches.
I say, Lets wrap up the title this weekend.... I shall be a supporter of the blue half of Merseyside for one weekend....
Monday, April 14, 2008
Flip Flop... flip flop...
Malaysia's PM, Abdullah Badawi was so well known for his flip flop-ness. In my small memory bank (aka. my brain) can remember...
"The crooked bridge WILL GO ON!" he proclaimed.
"It will be abandoned!" he said regretfully.
'I am not getting married" he told the press.
"After getting married, I am a happy man." he said later after marrying Jean Abdullah nee Jean Danker.
"Election wont be so soon..." he said.
The next day, he announced the dissolution of the Parliament.
Today, I read in Malaysiakini... "Succession plan not so soon....."
I guess I leave it to you to make your own conclusion what is the flop... and when it will flop... now that he has flipped...
Lagi Lagi..Babi...tak habis habis...
It is hardly surprising that the one leading the "demonstrating delegation" was the lead benefactor to the pig farming project that is to be carried out. I am sure, if BN retains power and the project get the official GO, he will gladly go to ground to tell the people the "benefits" of having such a modern facility. But, as fate has it. BN did not retain power and hence his millions just evaporated.
Dr. Lee Chong Meng (famously known as Dr. Ayam) spilled the beans when he told newsmen that BN State Assemblyman for Tanjung Sepat, Datuk Karim Mansor, together with village head, were entrusted the job of forming a Bumiputra company to form a JV with their German counterparts to bring the technology to Malaysia and in the process they are to charge the farmers RM50/pig for treating the discharge. This apparently was deem way too expensive but since the state government has given the go-ahead, all was nice and dandy until 8th March 2008 that is.
Since then, Datuk Karim and his band of village people have held a demonstration in Shah Alam to "vent their anger" over the "insensitiveness" of the state government to have the farm situated in a Malay area.
Now if we catch the idea, Datuk Karim is definitely pissed. First he was denied his millions. Whats worse, its going to be built in his own backyard.. of which he was ready to have it before but not now. Coz no more money to be made la.. what else? So he huddle together a bunch of people, most of them probably clueless of the benefactor went ahead with the demonstration based on their religious morals. Either that or they are the kuncu-kuncu who are the sub-contractors for the project.
Now, lets read this against the backdrop of yet another pissed leader of BN. The Land Scam in Penang. News has it that Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Penang, also the defeated Sungai Bakap State Assemblyman is now under investigation for the huge land scam in Penang, and Datuk Abdul Rashid, according to the news, was one of the VOCAL UMNO leader in the illegal demonstration at Komtar on March 14 to champion Malay rights! Beat that! He has stolen from the people he is suppose to protect and he now raises his voice as champion?
In need of Joose!!!
Over the weekend, took the kids go jalan-jalan and instead of going to the celluloid shopping complexes, took them to the Museum! Gosh, it has been like 20 years since I stepped into the National Museum. Paid RM2/= for parking and well.... it was to see some of the nation's history... and was I in for a shock.... I need more joose... this is depressing..
Well, the entrace fee was RM2/= per person, so I had to dutifully pay RM4 for 2 adults and 2 kids and there was nothing much at ground level, some renovation was still on going.. walked up the stairs... and there you have it... pre-Malaysia and post- Malaysia. What greeted me was beyond my comprehension... I remembered way back in primary school... we studied Tawarikh... it was sort of history and I remembered quite well that the peninsula as well as Borneo had some early civilization and the artifacts that goes with it. We have also studied the history of Langkasuka.... Bujang Valley and of course the great Malacca Sultanate... what greeted me at the door entrace was.. WOW!! Portuguese 1511... then the Dutch... then we have the sword that killed JWW Birch... then we had the suit worn by Raja Tun Uda.. worn by err.. RPK's Grand-daddy.. I think... then we have a kapal korek.. of which I thought was pretty modern and is not pre independence.. studied about it in Ilmu Alam.. then the japanese occupation etc.
Sometimes I really wonder if that is all there is to our history? I guess more horrors met me at Malaysia Today! I think PRK will be really pissed that they associate his website to such poorly thought out history. Nothing much to learn here.... and I just realized that we have ditched Vision 2020.... it its place is Vision 2057! Gosh... as I walked out towards the hillock to get myself a drink and some good ol' kacang puteh.. I saw some mat salleh coming out shaking their heads... I can understand why... kudos however to the Orang Asli Museum.. it was amongst the most informative of all. Maybe because I learnt something I did not know of, the various tribe making the groups of Orang Aslis that we read in our books.
Maybe its about time they rewrite history in its actual form and have further research and make the museum more interesting with real historical artifacts than a model kapal korek and a bicycle used by Japanese army in their invasion of Malaya. There is also nothing said about the formation of Malaysia and the separation of Singapore that leads to what is called Malaysia today. All in all, I was disappointed and I have alot to rant to the person who told me the museum has improved alot. Then again, maybe its my expectation level of what a Museum should be, but I guess I should be happy that my kids get to see rubber tapping, kapal korek and some ancient swords and guns.
United in Pole Position!!
It was one of the best matches I have seen so far this season. A match where both teams displayed footballing flair of the highest quality and I was glad I witnessed it on ESPN... hahahaha... I guess I would not be too happy if it was not Manchester United that won the match.
Certainly Arsenal looked more dangerous in the first half as they showed great movement on and off the ball and threatened only for Rio and VDS to deny them time and again... sometimes sheer luck. Thus when Arsenal got the lead, I thought it was poorly defended, the defenders was guilty of ball watching and so was Van Der Sar and it was easy picking for Adebayor to nod in via his HANDS!... darn! I swear it was the HAND of Samson without his locks of hair!
That certainly woke United up and from the ensuing attack, Gallas, (by now Wenger must have regretted buying him) handed United a penalty. Nothing controversial as Gallas wilfully played his arm... :). Then, the drama when Webb called on a retake after Ronaldo slotted in the initial kick to the right of Lehman. Cheeky and to a certain extent arrogant, Ronaldo again aimed his shot to the right of Lehman but the sheer power of it saw it flew past a diving Lehman.
Next a gem of a freekick by Owen Hargreaves. If anyone were to ask me, who is the most improved player in a United shirt of late, Hargreaves would get my vote... most definitely. He showed again with his sheer quality with the freekick which dipped viciously after going above the wall and left Lehman stranded as he reeled off in delight. By now, Manchester United knows that any central facing freekick should now be taken by Owen Hargreaves. He was magnificent even before the goal and United took the lead!
Gawd! By now I was clasping my hands together in prayer for the clock to wind down asap! A few tense moment on both ends of the goalmouth but nothing came of it and the League title beckons yet again. Some tricky matches coming right up.... Ewood Park, Stamford Bridge and JJB. Nothing can be taken yet.... with everything to play for. Tonight I hope Wigan do us a small favour and hopefully we will not need another when we travel to JJB!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Blogs Blogs Everywhere!
First it was our ex Selangor MB that started his blog. (www.drkhir.blogspot.com). How refreshing. Boasting of hits in a day which will probably take my blog an eternity to attain. I guess thats what a "famous name" can do to the blog. But lately his blog is fast becoming the blog isu babi.... but its actually very interesting to see him now taking the rakyats interest to heart but his actions in the past seems to betray this very attitude of his.
Then, I "stumbled" upon Dr. Chua Soi Lek's blog (www.drchua9.blogspot.com/). Refreshing but lacks certain conviction as to what he stands for but I guess its a good avenue for him to reach out to a wider audience and he should spend more time speak on matters that has jaded MCA and issues affecting the people as a whole. I am appalled that he is still taking the stand of championing Chinese rights... well, maybe because he is still doing it within the context of MCA.
On both counts I find them quite a refreshing breath of views as the views comes from people who have been in there before and could explain more accurately what has happened and what may happen. Then again, its their ideas they are espousing but its for us to disect those statements and arrive at our own conclusions.
Well done and I hope to continue reading their write ups!
Accelerated Reforms?
Picked up a copy of The Sun from my favourite newstand as I found the headlines HPTC - THE END too delicious to miss. At last Brickendonburry is Bricks end DONE, BURRIED. Then I proceeded to read Citizen Nades 2 page column who have gone on a crusade to bring an end to this shameful episode of our ex-Sports Minister to light right in the middle of today's edition of The Sun.
Then on the same front page, a column on our PM touching on the onus to inform of one's conversion... errr.. although he touched on it.. he has not done enough... from what I understand from what he said, a letter to inform family of one's conversion is necessary to avoid confusion? What if the letter was never delivered nor sighted? Why is there no "I have read and understood the letter" thinggy for the reciepient to sign acknowledgement? PM Abdullah although is seen to be wide awake and trying his level best to appease the people but his statement still falls way short of expectations and in the process raise more concerns and confusion.
On judiciary matters on page 2 I think, he seem to want to redeem it by saying he will reveal more steps to reform the judiciary. But my question to him is why now? Why 4 years later and not 2004?
On other matters, we have the MCA now trying hard to posture themselves back into the good books of the people that has deserted them with their support for the pig farm proposal made by PR's Selangor MB. Many ways in reading into this posture really, trying to gain back the confidence of the Chinese? (Obviously they are still into fighting for "Chinese" rights) or paving the way for the historic exit? Either way, they are trying to show that they do not "bend backwards" as frequently as they do now to their political masters than in the past.
The question begs answer is, are all these things happening now because BN has suddenly realized that 8th March results is because of them doing less of all the above or is it because Pakatan's approach of equitable policies have set the standards for them to follow or else be relegated into total oblivion in future? If BN is so genuine into working for the people why arent all these done 4 years ago when they swept into power? Are they now trying to hoodwink the people into believing that they have changed? Will the people be hoodwinked?? Gee, I have more questions than I do answers but I guess GE13 will answer most of these questions... only time will tell..
Thursday, April 10, 2008
What next?
Has the entry of 3 English Clubs into Europe's most prestigious cup competition underline English Premier League status now as THE BEST? While it was only previously claimed to be THE BEST.. I think after last night's matches, I would like to believe that at last English clubs are beginning to flex their authority over the rest of Europe. Thanks to their appeal and the amount of money going into the teams in the league.
Manchester United v Barcelona
This would be the ultimate match for me. It will be a match between two of the most exciting teams in Europe. Both with great flair and tenacity. United will come up against known foe in Thierry Henry and it would be great folly not to pay attention to him. Not forgetting Samuel Eto', Barca though may not see the form they had two seasons ago, the glittering list of players that includes the likes of Victor Valdez, Andreas Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Gabriel Milito, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta cannot be taken lightly. While United welcomes back Mikael Silvestre and Gary Neville, and, probably can count on Gerard Pique to hold the fort with Rio while parading an exciting Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, this match will be too close to call. The team that takes their chances well will go through and probably most deserving of the Cup. Then again, knockout games are cruel. It favours the team that rises to the occasion. For this, we turn to the other semifinal... an all English affair and probably a permanent fixture in Champions League for the past couple of seasons.
Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool, may have seen better times but in Rafa they trust... (good for us) While Chelsea, Avram Grant may struggle and grunt through this match and although sluggish, this team has the quality to pull through based on one man's brilliance. The thing is it can come from anyone.. from Drogba, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Kalou... this team oozes quality but I still think Grant does not have what it takes to take Chelsea all the way. My money is on Manchester United v Liverpool final in Moscow. Simply because Liverpool is a Cup team. They thrive on short objectives and it will be a fitting grudge final between two of England's most successful clubs. That will be a classic!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Still Not Done with it?
In an interview with Sin Chew Daily published today, he used the Chinese proverb "Yang hu wei huan" (rearing a tiger to court calamity later) to describe the action of the two parties in forming Rakyat (PR) with PAS.
He said he is waiting to see what good the new PR government can bring to the people of Penang. He said he has yet to see the new government done anything except criticising (their predecessors). "This is as if Gerakan is still in charge of Penang and they (PR people) demand an explanation from us for everything," he said.
