marahfreedom

Archive for the ‘cult of personality’ Category

22 Articles from Malaysia : Anwar’s Empty Challenge, Love vs Law, Badawi’s ‘Legacy’, Police vs Politicians (who protects the people more?), Kaveas Spins Propaganda Lies For BN Ignores Apartheid, Karpal Misdirected and Foolish Or Just Cynical?, Najib Still Struggling with Simple Issues Despite So Much Power, Political Manipulation In Articles, Musa Decides To Do Some Good (Hopefully) Because There Is Nothing Else In Malaysia’s Hollowness, What’s In A Name, Preventing Vested Interest in EC (How To), A Case For Polygamy, The Real Enemy of Malaysians Is Bad Politicians, Normal Citizens And Entire Industries Labelled Criminal Simply Because of Different Tastes in Entertainments, Robert Phang’s Duplicity, Malaysia’s Islamists and Datuk Wong Chun Wai’s Candidacy (we hope), Malaysia’s Top Gorean PM Najib Out of Touch AGAIN – Won’t End Apartheid To Save Own Coalition Or Avoid Altantunya/Scorpene/Deepak Case, BN Won’t Use Mandate To Save Self, Jalleh ‘Cucuks’ Najib (in the wrong way), How To Avoid Malaysian Racism Issues With Technology, Malaysian Islamists Persecute Couples – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 13th December 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, advice, amendments to law needed, Apartheid, bad laws, best practices, better judgments, better laws, Bumiputera Apartheid, checks and balances, collusion, conflict of interest, conscientious objection, Conscription, critical discourse, cult of personality, Democracy, democratisation, demogoguery, dishonest academia, domestic terrorists in the political sphere, drug laws, equitable political power distribution, equitable wealth distribution, Ethics, feminist saboteurs, Forced Conscription, Forced Military Conscription, freedom of choice, Freedom of Expression, freedom of speech, gambling, gaming, gender politics, government, haram zones, homosexuality, if not contrived, individualism, Informed Consent, intent, intentional omissions, Invasive Laws, lack of focus, Malaysia, meaningless platitudes, media, media collusion, media sabotage, media traps, media tricks, misplaced adoration, misrepresentation of facts, mob mentality, non-Muslim rights, non-Muslim Rights in a Muslim country, PDRM, political correctness, Political Fat Cats, politics, pretentious, propaganda, psychiatry, quorum, racism, red light district legalisation, secularism, self policing, separation of powers, sneaky proselytization methods, social freedoms, spirit of the law, spiritual abuse, spirituality, undemocratic, unprofessional behaviour, waste of mandate on December 12, 2012 at 8:52 pm

ARTICLE 1

MAN UP TO YOUR POST & FACE ME IN THE RING – Anwar tells Najib – by  Anwar Ibrahim – Tuesday, 04 December 2012 17:17

As the 13th General Elections draws near, UMNO has been showing signs of being increasingly insecure and uncertain about its future hold on power.

Being unable to counter our ideas and policies in a constructive way, it has instead launched a relentless campaign of hate and fear mongering. With the mainstream media at its complete disposal, UMNO is using every trick in the book to sow racial discord and instil fear among the people of the consequences that will befall them when Pakatan Rakyat comes to power.

Lies and May 13 scare-mongering

The just-concluded UMNO General Assembly provided yet another pretext to go on overdrive in this offensive of lies and intimidation led by Prime Minister and UMNO President Dato’ Seri Najib Razak. We condemn his reckless statement that Malaysia will lose its sovereignty in three years after Pakatan Rakyat takes over. The idea is sow the seeds of distrust among the people that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are traitors who will pawn the nation’s sovereignty for political power. Citing no facts nor providing any evidence, Najib’s scurrilous suggestion is therefore totally unfounded and can only be made by someone who has neither respect for the truth nor any sense of moral rectitude.

As a prelude to this loss of power scenario, delegates were also falling over each other in raising the spectre of a repeat of May 13th riots if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power. We understand that Wanita chief Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Jalil is trying to revive her political career having been forced to resign as minister by the multimillion ringgit NFC scandal. But to resort to such low hand tactics is inexcusable. To bring back the ghost of May 13th is to attempt to sow animosity among the races particularly between the Malays and the non-Malays and to spread fear among the people of violence and bloodshed if UMNO loses power. This is not only reckless but highly seditious and therefore criminal.

REAL THREAT

It is clear that Pakatan Rakyat has emerged as a real threat to the UMNO-Barisan Nasional hegemony and this has caused guns for hire to make blatant allegations about our leaders acting as proxies for foreign powers with me being singled out as proxy apparently for both the United States and China at the same time! While we may laugh away this non-sensical allegation, the fact is that with the nation-wide print and electronic media completely under its control, UMNO is spreading this lie with the intensity and ferocity that would make Goebbels proud. Employing the method of spreading ‘the big lie’ by constant repetition, the media attempts to paint a scenario of the country facing financial doom and under the control of foreign powers if Pakatan Rakyat takes over.

The UMNO media is also stoking the fire of communal and religious discord publishing the inflammatory racist statements of delegates. The fear mongering in this regard centres on making Muslims feel that Islam will be undermined if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power. According to UMNO, only they are the champions of Islam, not KEADILAN or even PAS. Thus, they spread the lie that apostasy cases will increase and that Malaysia may be turned into a Christian state if UMNO loses power.

Low caliber personal attacks

Najib’s keynote address in the UMNO General Assembly was full of vitriolic against Pakatan Rakyat and personal attacks against its leaders, me in particular in language totally un-befitting a statesman. Should the rakyat continue to bear with leadership of such caliber? What is the policy of the Umno president going forward for the nation? Where are the blue prints for the economy and social justice, for health care, housing and education? Najib must stop this campaign of lies and intimidation.

If he has valid issues with Pakatan Rakyat, then he should accept my invitation for a debate so that all Malaysians will be given the opportunity to see for themselves who is lying and who is telling the truth. Stop hiding behind the protective wall of your propaganda machinery and taking potshots at Pakatan Rakyat and me.

Man up to your position as Prime Minister and face me in the ring!

Anwar Ibrahim is the Leader of the Malaysian Opposition & PKR MP for Permatang Pauh

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Najib just needs to grant the below 3 items :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;to make the opposition disappear. If the opposition makes clear on the above as well though, Najib indeed will have a tough time and who knows be on that slippery Scorpene and Altantuya slope to political and social oblivion . . . as for Anwar, the Rakyat should know that ccording to some sources, only 8% of PKR members vioted for the current PKR Committee. This means that 92% of the PKR members which might not even want some people in the committee (the whole of Anwar’s family is in the committee btw – NEPOTISM) either were not given time to select the committee or were intentionally left out or worse still, did not care at all. On PKR’s part, no attempt was made to ensure that the members voted, possibly because if 92% of those left out voted, Anwar, family blocs and Anwar cliques in PKR might not even make it to the PKR committee which uses the undemocratic practice of CHOOSING who gets to run in what constituency. If no honest attempt is made to revote at at least 66.6% quorum, PKR might as well be deregistered as a political party or the ROS could penalise PKR for having a committee which was not voted at a 66.6% quorum as per democratic principles recognized worldwide. PKR is a very slipshod run political party. Man up and face in the ring? Tak a look at that 8% quorum backyard first . . . what are the 92% saying?

ARTICLE 2

Child marriages: Rethinking the issue — Art Harun – December 04, 2012

DEC 4 — Child marriage has somewhat become something of a phenomenon in Malaysia.

In a New Straits Times report dated June 13, 2010 (republished by asiaonenews), the following was published:

“….according to the 2000 Census, there were 11,400 children below 15 years of age who were married — 6,800 girls and 4,600 boys. Of the 6,800 girls, only 2,450 were Malay. This means that the syariah court gave its consent to each of these 2,450 underage girls to get married.

“The remainder of 4,350 girls were non-Malays comprising 1,550 other Bumiputeras, 1,600 Chinese, 600 Indians, and 600 others. It is not known whether they had got their licence from the relevant minister, but even if they did, it would have been illegal, since there are no legal provisions for a non-Muslim under 16 years to get married.”

The report added:

“Last year,(2009) 479 children under 15 years, two of them boys, were getting ready to tie the knot. And 32 of them were below 10 years. None of them were found to be HIV-positive.

“This is based on Health Ministry statistics of premarital HIV screening for Muslims, a compulsory requirement for those wanting to get married.

“However, it is not certain if any of these applications for marriage were approved by the state religious department.”

The legal age for marriage for non-Muslims in Malaysia is 18 years old. For Muslims, however, the legal age is 16 years old. However, in the case of Muslims in Malaysia, the syariah courts are empowered to allow marriages of children who are under 16 years of age.

There are alarming and disconcerting reports about child marriages in Malaysia. In early 2010, there were reports of two marriages involving 10- and 11-year-old girls married off to men in their 40s in Kelantan. The 11-year-old was later found in a state of shock. The syariah courts later ruled the marriages illegal. The ground for illegality however was not based on whether there was adequate consent from the children or on their respective age but was rather based on procedural non-compliance.

Child marriages, particularly among Muslims in Malaysia, although not a societal norm, are however a socially acceptable practice among a section of the society. Mass weddings involving children are, for instance, carried out. The state lends its approval and sanction either by publicising such weddings on the front page of its mainstream newspapers or by its leaders attending such weddings. In December 2010, for instance, a 14-year-old girl participated in such wedding by marrying a 23-year-old teacher. This was widely reported.

Recently, the syariah court granted permission to a father to marry off his 12-year-old daughter to a 19-year-old boy. In the application for permission, it was cited that the girl had run away to stay with her boyfriend and refused to come home. Marriage was, apparently, the only solution to solve the problem and to protect the family’s honour and reputation.

If only life was that simple.

Let’s consider what the laws of this country say about children under 18 or 16. They can’t enter into a binding contract save for those which affect their necessities. They can’t even buy tobacco products and alcohol. They can’t have a driving licence. They can’t watch movies of certain types without an adult accompanying them. They cannot be contractually employed. They surely can’t vote in a general election. They also cannot enter clubs. Generally, a boy or man can’t have sexual relationship with any girl of 16 or less even with her consent. That would be statutory rape.

Why is that? That is because the law assumes that a girl or any person, regardless of gender, of less than 18 year old (or 16 in the case of statutory rape) is not able to give free consent. For the uninitiated, free consent is a necessary element in a contract or in sexual acts in order to determine whether the acts constitute rape or otherwise.

Regardless of the above, strangely, sexual acts involving girls of 16 or less will be all right and completely legal if she is legally married! The law is indeed an ass!

If children under 18, or as the case may be 16 years of age, are presumed by law not to be able to give free consent to enter into a contract or to have sexual relationship — or to exercise proper judgment whether or not to buy tobacco products or alcohol — on what premise does the state legalise such sexual acts through a state-sanctioned marriage?

What is most unsatisfactory about the marriage of the 12-year-old is the blatant transfer and absolution of parental responsibilities by the parents and the courts to the 19-year-old groom as well as the 12-year-old bride. Reading the case, the first question which crept up in every reasonable person would be, “how can a 12-year-old girl have a boyfriend?” And “how can a 12-year-old run from home to be with her 19-year-old boyfriend?” Then, we would ask “what will happen to the 12-year-old after her marriage?” “How is she going to cope with all the responsibilities that come with a marriage?” “Can she be a good mother?” “Can the 19-year-old support his family?”

On July 19, 2012, Malaysia ratified the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child with the following reservations:

“The Government of Malaysia accepts the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child but expresses reservations with respect to articles 2, 7, 14, 28 paragraph 1 (a) and 37, of the Convention and declares that the said provisions shall be applicable only if they are in conformity with the Constitution, national laws and national policies of the Government of Malaysia.”

The Convention defines a child as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.”

Article 18 provides:

“States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child. Parents or, as the case may be, legal guardians, have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. The best interests of the child will be their basic concern.”

Article 19 provides:

“States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.”

In view of the aforesaid provisions, which we as a nation have chosen to accept without reservation, it is thus with a degree of perplexity that child marriages, even involving girls as young as 12, are taking place without nary a thought on the welfare of the child and the responsibilities of her parents.

Corrigendum

In “Secular on Non-secular — what history tells us”, I have reproduced a section of the Reid Commission report with a sentence unintentionally omitted. I wish to take responsibility and apologise for that omission. The particular section should read as follows (with the omitted part in bold):

“We have considered the question whether there should be any statement in the Constitution to the effect that Islam should be the State religion. There was universal agreement that if any such provision were inserted it must be made clear that it would not in any way affect the civil rights of non-Muslims. In the memorandum submitted by the Alliance it was stated — ‘the religion of Malaysia shall be Islam. The observance of this principle shall not impose any disability on non-Muslim nationals professing and practising their own religion and shall not imply that the State is not a secular State’.” — art-harun.blogspot.com

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Law is artificial and is not higher than the law governing 2 individuals in what they decide with each other. Sama suka sama (this is Malay for consensual and mutual) is more important than all of the above and can overrule the mere word of law being as aspect of law via spirit of law. A mob of hantu in British smocks (i.e. judges – being rhetorical here) have no right to pressure the young lovers who’s young tender minds doubtless will be impacted by the sheer pathos of society and the false ethos of Syariah or Civil court over emotions between 2 people. The statuary rape concept is nonsense so long as there was genuine love between any persons in any cases. And this is the law of ‘god’ or ‘nature’.

Much like sexuality, attraction is natural or god given, and a whole mob of adults in society should never have any say. As for finance etc.. the state can easily handle that instead of enriching politicians and cronies. The funds should go to allowing these very young couples to set up home etc.. As in normal adult cases, sometimes there will also be divorces, but divorce or even break ups is a mechanism of the environment and people around them influencing them. Without any external influence whatsoever, normal marriage ages should drop drastically which looks like that is what nature intended.

The issue is to ensure the instance education begins for a child that relationships especially life relationships like marriage are taught to them and even citing good yet very clear negative and positive examples of marriage and what entails so that a few months after your child can read and write they will know all the basics but yet also not be influenced. That is why we have PUBLIC EDUCATION, to ensure the insanity of the parent’s marital lives or society’s sexual taboos do not colour the children’s ability to be independent.

The use of the law as above is vicious and manipulative and needs amending.

ARTICLE 3

Pak Lah’s kin linked to power meter supply storm – by Mohd Farhan Darwis – UPDATED @ 03:26:48 PM 04-12-2012

PETALING JAYA, Dec 4 — The family of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was linked today to a company that supplies the controversial digital electricity meters to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) alleged to have hiked up energy consumption bills and gained the national utility company billions of ringgit in profit.

According to PKR’s investment bureau chief Wong Chen, Noor Asiah Mahmood, who is the younger sister to Abdullah’s (picture) first wife, the late Tun Endon Mahmood, owns Ombata-Ambak Holdings Sdn Bhd, which has a 15 per cent share in Malaysian Intelligence Meters Sdn Bhd, the latter which is one of five companies contracted by TNB to supply the new digital meters.

Wong alleged that the programme to switch analogue power meters for digital ones had showed consumers would be contributing RM6.88 billion to TNB’s profit over the course of 10 years. The programme has been stopped temporarily on the orders of Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui since October.

“Our research shows TNB has 8.03 million consumers now and the average price for each meter is RM250, therefore this programme had the potential to reach RM2 billion.

“For the financial year 2012, TNB’s revenue from all consumers is RM34.4 billion, if the electronic meter had given a conservative raise of two per cent, the additional burden on consumers would be as much as RM688 million a year.

“Seeing as the life expectancy of this meter is only 10 years, consumers would ultimately have to pay as much as RM6.88 billion to TNB for that duration,” Wong told a news conference at the opposition party’s headquarters here.

PKR strategy director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who was also present, said the issue was not a small matter as consumers would have to pay up to 50 per cent of the cost of their power bills.

“Therefore, PKR urges TNB to be transparent and responsible in this matter to reveal who are the electronic meter suppliers, the price paid for the meters and whether it was competitively priced at local and international standards, and whether an open tender had been called or was it a direct negotiation?” Nik Nazmi asked.

The Seri Setia state lawmaker also called for TNB to fund an independent body to investigate consumer complaints on the new meters and to act on the findings that bind the utility company to consumers.

Last October, Chin said TNB had halted the replacement of analogue electricity meters with electronic meters until a standard operating procedure could be fixed.

He had made the decision after receiving public complaints saying power consumption had spiked after switching to the new digital meters, causing them to be also billed “retrospectively”.

“This operation will go on but our main task is to educate people on the new meter,” the minister had said then.

However, Chin had said replacing the analogue devices with the new meters would continue for households where the electricity meters were damaged or suspected to have been tampered with, resulting in losses.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The B*!@#$%s had everything, society gave them all the power to help the nation, believed in their goodness, yet greed still could reach these spiritually weak willed and corrupted men :

i) political power in the (greedy?) bid for PM, cost perhaps B*!@#$%’s mother

ii) perhaps greed for wealth and corruption cost B*!@#$%’s wife (and we won’t go into the Hadhari stuff which Al Azhar would doubtless scuttle as potentially offensive, unintellectual vainglorious, rehash of Islam if properly examined . . .)

Those who keep taking and never regarding those who help them, will never be have enough to pay from places where they have never and do not deserve to work, when time to collect comes. Some of us ‘work’ harder than most, some of the worst just take the efforts, and give away the nation’s treasures and harm the country despite everything. Only the deserving should be given high position – on a net tally, B*!@#$% has harned the nation and done less than what the lowliest street sweeper does for a living . . . and I won’t even get into KJ (and the 4th floor boys) as well . . . Forced Military Conscriptions btw were implemented during B*!@#$%s watch, this is the classic example of the smiling crocodile politician, very disappointing and hopefully not characteristic of the Malays as a race.

ARTICLE 4

GO ON LEAVE, Hisham told – Monday, 03 December 2012 16:06

Former inspector general of police Musa Hassan’s claim of interference by Home minister Hishamuddin Hussein in police affairs has been described as serious, and as such PAS Youth said the latter must go on leave pending a probe.

“Hishamuddin should be a gentleman and emulate Shahrizat (Abdul Jalil, Wanita UMNO head) who took leave following the National Feedlot Corporation scandal,” said PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan.

Musa last week dropped a bombshell ahead of the 66th UMNO general assembly accusing Hishamuddin of violating police protocols by giving instructions to junior police officers and a district police chief without his knowledge.

“So, I highlighted to him (Hishammuddin) Section 4 (1) of the Police Act (1967, which says) that the command and control of the police is by the IGP and not the minister. Of course, I cannot be rude to him as (he is) a minister. I talked to him nicely. He didn’t like it,” said Musa.

Hishamuddin sidestepped the allegation saying it was Musa’s ploy to divert attention from the UMNO meeting.

Musa however dismissed Hishamuddin’s claim as a personal opinion.

Nasrudin meanwhile called for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate Musa’s allegation.

He hoped the police would protect the people “based on law instead of protecting (a) political party by following its instruction blindly”.

-Harakahdaily

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Good. ‘Rule-of-law’ is taking out the political-bureaucracy as well. The judiciary should learn from Musa and take out the obvious among politicians who have harmed the nation – by Human Rights principles, an ex-Police Chief could by popular revolt overturn a government (presumably in Malaysia’s case to grant the below 3 items) as per the Human Rights Charter and Islamic principles of non-discrimination and non-disenfranchisement – to ah . . . ‘protect the minorities’ Human Rights‘ and ‘dignify properly practiced Islam‘ . . . ahem.

The international community is behind both police and judiciary if such actions were taken, and that makes Bar Council a farce for not acting before I posted this and several earlier comments. What happened in some of our lives really? Decades long audits of the system? Looks like the political bunch had better be serious in the future, in any case term limits as well. Perhaps the police could turn the tables on the REAL criminals of the country.

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

PAS should know that every ethical act they do is being cancelled by every Islamist action of abuse against especially non-Muslims PAS makes. PAS is not moving forward at all and confirms PAS’s use of ethics as an expedient (PAS seems to have no love or understanding of ethics and principles, but knows the value of using the same.) counter-apologist actions to balance Islamism, which is not what almost all Malaysians want. Perhaps PAS is not a political party and more a religious organisation that should go to Al Azhar at Cairo to learn about separation of faith and state.

PAS Islamists Abuse non-Muslims, deny non-Muslim activities :

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/18/nation/12474892&sec=nation

Sultans know the difference even as Sultans themselves have most probably tacitly approved Malaysia’s other great flaw . . . the APARTHEID OF BUMIPUTRA by not taking initiatives in starting a Royal commission to grant the above 3 items :

http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2012/11/countries/malaysia/selangor-sultan-sharafuddin-idris-shah-supports-separation-of-mosque-and-state

Malaysia is STILL a 3rd world country . . .

ARTICLE 5

‘PERCEIVED’ discrimination is why people shun BN – Kayveas – Monday, 03 December 2012 07:10

KUALA LUMPUR – People’s confidence in Barisan Nasional (BN) has eroded as they are affected by perceived discrimination and prejudice under the coalition’s rule, PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas cautioned today.

He said this is why, despite various transformations introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, some groups still support the Opposition “blindly”.

“The transformed government of BN must eliminate the feeling of prejudice and discrimination among the people.

“We should make the people feel that there is fairness, justice and equality,” he said in his speech at the party’s annual general assembly today.

He added that the BN administration should facilitate every citizen and eliminate any form of frustration.

When met on the sidelines of the event, he said: “It’s not an easy task (but) the PM is working on it, he needs time but he is already showing so much of improvement.”

-thesundaily

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Perceived? The fact is that we do not have the below 3 items which is not PERCEPTION but FACT as opposed to Kaveas’ DECEPTION. This shameful article is mere apologism for lack of :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Keep selling out human rights principles and accepting inequality as normal, and in the end Kaveas will not deserve to be a HUMAN. (Hate to sound ‘spiritually racist’, but caste stature cannot be erased apparently even with all the wealth and stature in the temporal world that Kaveas has) to accept such status as 2nd class citizens is surely a sign of lower caste ancestry . . . only equality is acceptble . . . ) Traitor to the UN and traitor to the idea of equality and ‘The Enlightenment’ which would never accept the APARTHEID of BUMIPUTRA.

ARTICLE 6

Karpal says touched by Pandikar’s apology – Sunday, 02 December 2012 08:25

KUALA LUMPUR- DAP chairman Karpal Singh is deeply touched by the apology made by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to him on Thursday, the last day of the August house sitting.

Karpal who is Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament said this in a statement here today.

In reciprocal, he also asked for forgiveness for the many transgression in which an apology was due from him to Pandikar Amin.

On Thursday, Pandikar Amin apologised to Karpal over his spontaneous remarks that the MP might have been suffering from pain for not raising his hand when taking oath as an MP.

The incident happened at the beginning of the 12th parliament session on April 28, 2008 and Pandikar Amin in his apology said that he only found out later that Karpal could not raise his hand.

Pandikar Amin also said the remarks was made when he was still new and had no intention to hurt anyone and he would feel bad if he did not apologise to Karpal.

— BERNAMA

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Whats ‘touching’ (being sarcastic here) is that Karpal’s physical pain is more important than the meaning of the MP’s post, and the fact that Pandikar Amin is effectively on the side of those that will not grant :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

A$$ hurting? Aww poor baby. Remember we still live under apartheid and not be swayed by sweet nothings . . . Karpal is getting old and weak no? Replacement time . . . No need to ‘sayang’ whatever injuries . . . the best apology would be to END APARTHEID and a timely snap back along these lines from Karpal would have been better for the Rakyat than this maudlin sentimentality. Term limitless, nepotistic colluding MPs on BN and Pakatan sides who care more about this sort of sandiwara are the worst kind of politician. Politicians are disposable, get in there for your 1 term and 23K x 4 years of salaries (thats near 1 million btw), amend some laws and get out, we don’t need this sort of old friends among term limitless dictators and nepotists pathos to muddy the voter’s minds with regards the above 3 items.

ARTICLE 7

Waning popularity a message from the people, Najib warns BN – by Zurairi AR December 02, 2012

Najib asked voters to give BN more time to execute the changes it has planned for the country. — Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 ? Again calling for change in Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today voters are choosing Pakatan Rakyat (PR) because they want to send a message to the ruling coalition.

“The message is for us to change as a party,” the BN chairman said while launching the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) annual general meeting (AGM) here.

“They want BN as a party to be more fair, inclusive, and so that every citizen of Malaysia will receive equal treatment and benefits from BN.”

The prime minister’s remarks came after PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas’s address, in which the latter said voters are flocking to PR because they are “worried” by perceived discrimination and prejudice under BN’s rule.

Fresh from closing Umno’s annual assembly here yesterday, Najib again called on voters to give BN more time to renew itself by supporting it in the polls.

“We’re in the process of renewal. Real changes are taking place in Malaysia.

“Real changes are taking place while the same party is in power in Malaysia,” the Umno president said.

Najib also criticised the “Ubah” (change) slogan touted by DAP and PR, comparing their call for change to the recent “Arab Spring” revolution.

“If we change, are we sure we’re getting something better?

“(The people involved in Arab Spring) are not enjoying the ‘spring weather’. They’re still in the winter of discontent,” Najib said.

The prime minister said that the revolutions in the Middle East had caused the countries involved to lose out on tourism and currency exchange, as well as suffer declines to their security.

But Najib also confessed that winning the next general election will not be easy, saying that voters’ opinions were now easily swayed by current issues.

“Before this, we can just put a songkok (to contest) and we would still win.

“Now we need to read the desires of the public, understand the wishes of the people.”

Najib then appeared to criticise grassroots leaders for failing to disseminate the aspirations of the BN administration effectively, leading to problems with perceived discrimination and prejudice.

“The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground.

“These people must try to understand what the government wants. If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system … must do that,” Najib added to applause from the floor.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Najib then appeared to criticise grassroots leaders for failing to disseminate the aspirations of the BN administration effectively, leading to problems with perceived discrimination and prejudice. The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground.

These people must try to understand what the government wants. If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system … must do that,” Najib added to applause from the floor.

Politics should be about bettering civilian lives regardless of faith or ethnicity via honesty, and civilisational Islam (or any other religion), is not about crony laws and racial privileges. As mentioned elsewhere, were a screen applied to ensure meritocracy (to mask race), a translation machine (to mask language), and a voice modulator and distortion screen (to mask gender) applied at a job interview, we’d be surprised at the choices we make based on POLICY rather than race or religion.

Then the concept of NATION would be real. Right now the ‘needs basis’ is based around wrong things like religion and race or even gender ‘quotas’,  which is very backward and insulting to the host race the Malays, disenfranchises the minorities, and men in general wherever quotas for women occur. Let the best people lead irrespective of faith gender or ethnicity, and let them be limited in terms AND chosen with the above tech applied so that the above racial or gender or religious cues will not affect choices. A first world ‘Meritocracy’ of logic and ability (as opposed to mob minded and pathos based DEMOCRACY of majority where the minority loses the rights to majority much like Morsi described – why can’t ALL RIGHTS be included in that sickening draft resolution that favours Islam so much?!? Egypt is NOT Islamist-Arabist, Egypt is Polytheistic AND uses Hieratic . . . Egyptians INVENTED BEER and also ate pork, Egypt was not Islamic UNTIL the Arabs militarily subjugated and conquered the Egyptians and destroyed and forbade Egyptian culture . . . ) must include :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system BN must ensure the above 3 items with that mandate BN already has. If BN does not grant the above 3 items, there is no point giving that mandate to BN again in GE13. BN can make the choice to as PM Najib said, ‘. . . treat every citizen equally . . .’.

ARTICLE 8

Is interracial integration more possible under convergence or divergence? — Boo Cheng Hau – December 01, 2012

DEC 1 — The recently announced National Education Blueprint contains nothing new. And it shows the powers-that-be have no real intention to listen to the public or make any bold reforms to our ailing education system.

It is a repetition of the sad old story about racial prejudice, not much different from the so-called “National” Education Policy which was largely based on Umno’s Malay nationalist belief that the national language should be the sole medium of instruction.

Proponents of the Malay-medium-only policy also emphasise the Malay nationalist perspective of history that having one common language — such as in our neighbours Indonesia and Thailand — can save Malaysia from disintegration.

Racial prejudice and political demagoguery as the basis for our nation’s education agenda of true unity will not get us far. Let me prove how discriminatory is our education system and the false impressions that it projects.

How my friend succeeded in the US

I had a taste of victory for what it means to have “equal opportunities” in education about 30 years ago when I argued for admission, on behalf of a schoolmate, into an American university which has produced some Nobel laureates.

My friend was originally from Taiwan but studied in a Chinese independent secondary school in Malaysia. She did not sit for the SPM or UEC. To my surprise, the admission officer of the American university requested for UEC results in lieu of SPM qualifications.

She did not sit the UEC because the exam was still new at that time. After a long discussion, the admission officer agreed with my proposal that she be admitted conditionally on producing evidence of completing 12 years of primary and secondary education — a standard which almost all American universities and colleges go by.

She was then admitted “under probation” for one semester, meaning she would be considered a regular student after the period of study with a GPA of 2.0 and above (an average of C and above). She graduated eventually without any impediment.

Her experience goes to show how democratic, liberal and flexible the American education system is. This is one of the key factors that allow the United States to become the most technologically advanced country, and one to which many talents from other parts of the world choose to emigrate.

The value of the UEC

In the 1970s, nobody in Malaysia took the UEC exams seriously except for the powers-that-be which attempted to ban it on account that the exam was (perceived to be) “anti-national”.

Nonetheless besides Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore where the UEC was recognised, many American universities and colleges had already begun accepting it as a gateway for college admission. As far back as exactly 30 years ago, one of my classmates was admitted to the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology based on her UEC results and Chinese independent school coursework assessments.

Would our public universities and UiTM open its admission policies and welcome UEC holders by integrating them into the mainstream higher education institutes rather than discriminating them? Some top American universities even admit Chinese independent secondary school students based on school results and class ranking without referring to standardised examinations such as SPM, UEC, GCE, SAT and the like.

Yet after 30 long years, our own Malaysian government still despises the UEC as “anti-national”. In fact, except for respective language subjects, all UEC subjects are offered in three languages, in other words, one can opt to have his maths, science or other papers tested in English, Malay or Chinese.

Chinese independent school graduates are barred from using their UEC results as a means of admission to local public universities and teacher training colleges. This discrimination is deemed necessary to maintain Umno’s self-righteous “National Education Policy” for the promotion of “interracial unity”.

How can political demagoguery such as Umno’s ever help in promoting national unity and interracial integration? One could argue that the party is actually more interested in maintaining its tight grip on power by continuing to mislead the country that vernacular schools somehow pose a hidden threat.

STPM and matriculation — apple and orange?

The powers-that-be have since declared that racial quotas are no longer applied in local public universities. Instead, they claim a “merit-based” admission system has been put in place.

However, at the same time, university admission standards are “diversified” into two separate entry points — STPM and matriculation.

After years of protests by the non-Malays, only 10 per cent of matriculation programmes has been opened up to the non-Bumiputeras, and even this percentage is described by the Malay nationalists as a “sell-out” of Malay rights.

Non-Malays are supposed to be grateful for this small “kindness”, like once upon a time coloureds were supposed to thank their white masters for allowing them to go to schools in apartheid South Africa despite great disparities along racial lines in school facilities.

Almost all the non-Malays who managed to gain a seat in local public universities are students who sat the STPM. Many rue this blatant division of university entrance assessment — de facto along racial lines — as comparing apples and oranges.

Satu Sekolah’s inherent contradiction

The authorities contradict themselves by professing a single-language system to promote national unity through putting children under one roof but at the same time segregating them either at Form 1 or when they finish Form 5.

There is an obvious discrepancy between the teaching facilities provided to the vernacular schools which sorely lack government aid and support and the residential schools and Mara junior science colleges as well as the elite schools catering for Malays — e.g. the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) and Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC).

Institutional racism practised in public university admission routes gives rise to an added dimension of polarisation. The racial distribution of students is further exacerbated when non-Malays, erroneously seen as well-to-do, are enrolled in private higher institutions of learning. Most people seem to forget that privately funded education, whether locally or abroad, comes at a heavy cost to their parents.

The indirect makings of apartheid

To generalise most Malays as “poor” and all non-Bumis, particularly the Chinese, as “rich” is just as good as apartheid.

The Malay ultras believe they are above being associated with the apartheid system in South Africa created with the ostensible excuse of helping the “poor”, Dutch-speaking whites of that country.

But then what should the international community make of UiTM — Malaysia’s biggest public university with campuses in every state — where almost all its students belong predominantly to a single race?

In the former apartheid of South Africa and during the 1950s in the Confederate states of the American south, physical segregation was made visible by the sign saying “No Coloured and Dogs allowed”.

In Malaysia, there are no signs to say “No Non-Bumis and Dogs allowed”. However, de facto apartheid still permeates through the fabric of the Malaysian public education system. It is de facto racial segregation in its utmost hypocritical disguise without leaving any physical evidence.

Therefore, I see no difference between those poor whites in the former Confederate states of the American south that once held demonstrations against university admission of black students and those Malay ultras that hold demonstrations barring “non-Bumiputeras” from entering local public institutions.

UiTM students did after all demonstrate against their university opening its door a crack when Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim proposed relaxing the admission just a tiny bit to the so-called “non-Bumis”.

America’s highest court ruled for equality

In Brown vs Board of Education (1954), the US Supreme Court unanimously decided that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”.

It stinks of double standards if not a glaring blind spot when vernacular schools keep getting blamed for institutional racism in Malaysia. If mother-tongue vernacular schools (open to all students) are incorrectly termed as racist, then the one-race UiTM is nothing but apartheid.

The old, presumed poverty line along the race divide is no longer valid, not when Malaysia has endured discriminative policies predicated on ethnicity since 1970, which is all of 42 years or almost half a century.

There are very few Malay intellectuals willing to tackle the truth of the matter but Dr Azly Rahman is one of them. At least he’s been honest and bold enough to speak out on the “bankrupt Umno ideology” of race supremacy in his article “Dismantle Our Apartheid Education”.

What is required is for more members of the Malay intelligentsia to question the veracity of a “moral” claim in the perpetuation of a quota system that amounts to apartheid. The only difference is that segregation, like that perpetuated by residential schools, Mara junior colleges and UiTM, is couched using terminology portraying a righteous morality.

The other difference is that Chinese schools are accessible to any non-Chinese but UiTM does not welcome the non-Malays. In some Chinese independent secondary schools, non-Chinese are given a blanket free tuition.

Are Malays courageous to re-evaluate?

The Malays are a strong majority in numbers and without doubt politically dominant. Why should Umno cling tenaciously to the view that preferential treatment based on race is the “affirmative action” that Malays still require?

Professor Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi in “Memories of Unity” vividly describes his confidence to compete in his science class and how he emerged one of the top students among his almost all Chinese classmates back in the 1970s.

I had a Malay classmate who went to the same Chinese independent school as I did. He graduated as one of the top students and went to a local public university, and he is currently a lecturer at another local public university.

It is a myth that Bumi students are unable to compete with non-Bumi students on a level playing field. This misconception is wrongly used to justify the institutional racism imposed on the public education from top to bottom.

There are tens of thousands of Malays who have made it in local and prestigious foreign universities and thrived in adverse sociocultural settings. There is no moral justification for segregating Malaysian post-secondary students into STPM/ matriculation except for satisfying Umno’s racial imperatives.

NEP and education apartheid

A few successful Malay billionaire cronies do not mitigate the failure with regard to certain protectionist areas of the NEP. This includes educational apartheid. The rejuvenation of the vernacular schools since the late 1970s when NEP went into full swing is a consequence of our race policies, and not the chief cause of racism.

The NEP was based upon the empirical generalisation that Chinese and Indian Malaysians were all well off and should be “positively discriminated” against in order to help the “poor Malays”.

It’s a different story today as the civil service has become Malay dominated and this is empirical truth. The tables have been turned as Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent are marginalised.

The original purpose of the NEP to eradicate the identification of race with profession — Malay farmer, Chinese shopkeeper, Indian clerk — is sidetracked when the civil service has become wholly identified with the Malay race. The racial traits along professions, as reflected in the hiring practices of both the private and public sectors, have been deepened by the NEP.

When I recently requested some documents to be certified by a government department, the Malay clerk gave me a jealous one-eye wink knowing that it was for the purpose of applying to colleges in the US. The one-eye wink might perhaps have been nothing more than the coded message that all you “Chinamen” are rich and can afford to send your children overseas to be educated. This only goes to show up the failure of the NEP in correcting the racial prejudice among races in Malaysia.

How the Chinese prioritise education

The fact is that I told my children I would sell our house and live in a smaller one if we needed funds for their education. I mean education is where they would learn something new and be happy including getting away from institutional racism. We neither hope for JPA or any other government scholarships after hearing so many sad stories of racial degradation.

Selling homes and other property for the sake of children’s education among the lower and middle-class Chinese Malaysians is not a new practice. I remember my mother decided to sell off the six-acre rubber plantation left by my deceased father to put me and my sister through university.

She later worked as a babysitter to cover all our expenses studying overseas. We always thought that there might be more Malays who did not have land to sell. Nonetheless, our good reasoning has not helped many Malays to get rid of their own ingrained racial prejudice both against themselves and other races.

As I write this article, coincidentally, my 17-year-old daughter has just received news that a high-ranking American university has agreed to admit her into their Fine Arts programme based on her multiple talents, multilingual skills and ability to play the Chinese zither and flute. Some universities already made it clear, admitting her by waiving the requirement of her SPM or UEC results.

On the contrary, her talent in playing ancient Chinese musical instruments is definitely not a criterion for admission into any local public university. On the contrary, it may even work against her favour as it could be looked at as a form of Chinese chauvinism and clinging to our ancestral roots.

Deserving of places in local universities

I am not trying to boast about my daughter’s academic achievement. She is actually a B-average student but it sure makes a parent proud when one’s child deservedly gains recognition for her talents, and more importantly she will be able to further develop her talents without being labelled as a non-Bumi.

I am glad that her dedication to social work and extracurricular activities, including organising a joint concert of Chinese orchestra and western bands, won her recognition from some highly ranked American universities.

One of her recent achievements is receiving a gold medal in an international Chinese essay-writing contest in Taiwan. Instead of chucking her unique credential aside, an American university admission director gave great words of encouragement, such as “your family must be very proud of you (for the gold medal received) …We would like you to be with us, and I hope you will continue to contribute to the international programme here if you decide to join us”.

I was surprised that she was offered admission and given a partial academic scholarship before we even sent out applications to other American colleges and local private universities.

Some universities are amazed that our students can master two or three languages. They usually give positive encouragement like: “Considering English is your third language, your English is really good.” No parents will send their kid to a college where he or she faces the possibility of being humiliated and degraded on account of race, creed and “non-native status” when my daughter is actually a native-born fourth-generation Malaysian.

As a matter of fact, most UEC holders have a greater proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, which is their second language, compared to English, which is their third language. If the UEC holders can do well in universities overseas that teach in English, why can’t they be given the same opportunities by our local public universities?

It might be true that their Bahasa Malaysia may not be as good compared with SPM/STPM holders just as their English may not be as good as the Americans, British or Australians when they enrol in American, Australian or British universities. However if they are given the opportunity to enrol in local public universities, they will be able to polish their BM just like how when given the opportunity to study abroad they are able to polish their English.

More importantly, such openness is needed in order to “converge” the vernacular school alumni into the local higher education institutions and complete an education integration process than forcibly “diverge” them to local private institutions and overseas colleges.

We have to be fair and realistic in assessing our students’ language ability based on what is the best they can do in their learning environment. In fact, cultural immersion is the best method to improve Malay language or any other second language proficiency instead of educational segregation like what has been practiced here.

Some 30 years ago, it was rare to encounter Americans learning an Asian language. Today there are American reporters who insist on interviewing me in perfect Mandarin or Bahasa Indonesia. It is a fast-changing world out there but it seems our Umno elites — with the exception of Najib Razak whose son is a fluent Mandarin speaker — are lagging behind time.

The very first step for the Malay ultras to take in the right direction is to cease making a scapegoat out of Chinese and Tamil primary schools. It is an unfounded charge that little children are responsible for racism and racial disunity in Malaysia.

It is, on the other hand, our fear to embrace cultural diversity and true interracial integration that has left us lagging behind many other countries. It is time for the Malay ultras to open their eyes and correct their ingrained prejudice that has worked against their own competitiveness. — CPI Asia

* This article was originally published by CPI Asia.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Is interracial integration more possible under convergence or divergence? — Boo Cheng Hau

How about stopping with the inculpation of hegelian dialectic Orwell state b.s. and understanding that EITHER / OR in this issue should be replaced with :

1) convergence persons
2) divergence persons
3) none of the above types (status quo)
4) ALL OF THE ABOVE TYPES

Don’t inculpate a lack of choices in political culture. Each and every group listed above deserves their own spaces. As for interracial integration, first grant :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;and all groups will fall into the new line of EQUALITY. Without equality, there will be no integration much less INTERRACIAL integration.

. . . The very first step for the Malay ultras to take in the right direction is to cease making a scapegoat out of Chinese and Tamil primary schools. It is an unfounded charge that little children are responsible for racism and racial disunity in Malaysia. . . .

That is NOT a first step, that is LIP SERVICE because not scapegoating does not mean policy which scapegoats minority changes, a REAL furst step is granting the above 3 items and if the scapegoating continues at that point the policy of equality would easily overtake scapegoating which will just be bad form that Malaysians will not even care about that will mark the politican as a bad citizen instead. ctual policy is more important than what politicnas say to occupy the people. Looks like BN’s propagandists have exposed BN’s intentions – never to grant the above 3 items. If 3rd force doesn’t make GE13 in time, 3rd force had better be prepared for GE14 where the threat of NEPOTISM and LIMITLESS TERMS, and STATE COLLUSION in GLC and crony contractors in Pakatan Rakyat will be the greatest threat EVEN as the above 3 items are not even granted by Pakatan’s discussions so far. End the APARTHEID of BUMIPUTRA and give freedom of religion to the Malays. Going apostate in Islam IS NOT PUNISHABLE and should not mean Bumi Privileges will be withdrawn from the Malays even as these same rights should be the rights of ALL Malaysians regardless of faith or ethnicity but rather economic status ONLY. Ask the Al-Azhar Islamic University if apostasy was punishable in the prophet’s time or liable for ‘Islamic Re-education’ to keep followers, Malaysian Syariah laws on apostasy are all ILLEGAL in Islamic jurisprudence!

ARTICLE 9

Musa: Political interference in police work is REAL – Hornbill Unleashed – Tuesday, 11 December 2012 08:49

PETALING JAYA – Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan (pix) has called on the police and Home Ministry to publicly disclose all crime statistics so as to not confuse people about the actual crime situation in the country.

“The police should disclose all statistics as the people would like to know why there are street crimes around when the NKRA (National Key Results Area) showed that the crime is dropping.

“We do not say that they (government) are manipulating the statistics but the people might be confused if they don’t reveal all the reports,” he told a press conference here today.

Expressing his backing for the Malaysian Crime Watch Group (MyWatch), a non-governmental organisation which aims to educate and increase awareness on the preparation and prevention of crime, he said a public awareness campaign is important in helping the government and police combat crime at the grassroots level.

Musa claimed that the police now not only heed the IGP but also have to report to government servants outside the force.

He said the police should remain apolitical and not let any political influences seep into the force.

“I’m not hitting at the government. Nobody called me personally (to discuss) and there’s nothing on the paper (reporting change). I want to see police force improved. I don’t want things to be politicised because the police force needs to be improved for the sake of the people,” he said.

“If you want proof, you have to read it in the (news)papers, there are enough proof (of government interference). Now even the police are confused when the chief secretary of the KDN (Home Ministry) directs the police and the police complain to me.

“Perception comes from a real person’s action. So it (interference) is real,” he added.

-thesundaily

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Arrest all corrupt politicians (guess who was the MOST CORRUPT . . . )  in some Ops not amounting to a police coup. The Dewan should be emptied by the next session and most of the corrupted MPs and Assemblymen should yield a nice fat purse for Malaysia with those frozen accounts’ monies. What say you independent among judiciary and good cops? The international community and goodly among our top institutions and citizens would applaud. Perhaps a stint as interim PM as well since most of DAP are too nepotistic and Mubarak-like to qualify for the Pm’s post? Heck, pull together a few generals and consult Susilo (not for a ‘ganyang’ of Malaysia but a precise ‘ganyng’ of Malaysia’s WORST citizens . . . most Malaysians wouldn’t miss corrupted politicians and racists anyway.

ARTICLE 10

FROM CHILDHOOD TO TERRIBLE PRESENT: Sultan launches Rosmah’s BIOGRAPHY – Monday, 10 December 2012 17:23

Sultan at Rosmah's book launch.

Sultan at Rosmah’s book launch.

KUALA LUMPUR- “Rosmah Mansor”, a book which chronicles the life of the prime minister’s wife, was launched today by the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Yayasan Amanah Perdana Malaysia chairman Shamsulbahrin Ludin, the book’s publisher, said the new biography will allow readers a well-rounded glimpse into Rosmah’s life from her childhood to the present.

“Some of the facts presented in this book have never been told to anyone before.”

Its highlights, he said, include her marriage to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak – in particular, the challenges she faced first as the wife of a cabinet minister, deputy prime minister and now the country’s leader.

Written in an informal and relaxed tone, the book features stories from her school days at Tunku Kursiah College, Negeri Sembilan, and includes interviews with her closest friends.

“Many would want to know what life was like when she was a child, in primary and secondary schools.

“In addition to her life in campus and in the workforce, her life at the TKC was filled with interesting events which will certainly draw special attention,” Shamsulbahrin said.

The book also includes a special chapter in which Rosmah addresses the public rumours surrounding her life, whether regarding her family or her involvement in current events.

“Most importantly, we expect this book to provide answers in response to slanderous comments leveled at (Rosmah).

“In other words, it is a small effort by us to show her best attribute, that is her humility, through this book,” Shamsulbahrin said.

The 164-page biography also details her involvement in community work, especially her efforts to develop the Permata Negara programme, her engagement with non-government organisations as well as her participation in Bakti and in various international programmes.

It also showcases a collection of old and recent photographs.

The book’s soft launch was held as part of Rosmah’s birthday celebration, which included performances by singer Misha Omar and students from the Permata Seni programme.

Present at the ceremony were the Royal Consort of Pahang Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom, Najib and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

-NST.COM

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Names which turn out especially bad in another language might be the cause of some of the antipathy between races. Won’t mention which but those who know English and Hokkien dialect should easily figure which one . . .

ARTICLE 11

HOW TO BE NEUTRAL? EC officers have right to join political parties – chief – Monday, 10 December 2012 17:11

KUALA LUMPUR— Election Commission (EC) officers are within their democratic right to join political parties but they must not be partisan in carrying out their duties, says its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

The EC chairman disclosed this when responding to accusations by PAS that a senior EC officer in Sabah was holding a key post in the Kinabatangan Umno Youth chapter. The EC’s impartiality has been continuously questioned by the opposition and activists over the past years.

“There is nothing wring for any EC officer to join political parties. It doesn’t matter if they are in PAS, PKR or Umno.

“It is their democratic right,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted over the issue.

But Abdul Aziz said that EC officials should not side with any parties or abuse their powers when carrying out their duties.

He also stressed that the EC welcomed reports from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) if the commission officials abused their powers, saying the opposition parties should lodge complaints and provide proof of wrongdoing.

“If there is proof to show the officer is in the wrong, please submit the proof. If possible, give the name, position and pictures.

“We will investigate without favour no matter who the officer is,” Abdul Aziz said.

The former top civil servant agreed that EC officials who are in political parties should not mix their duties with political ideology, saying it went against the work ethics of those in government service.

The EC chairman pointed out there were no regulations or laws that prevent government officials from joining political parties, except that those active in politics must apply for permission from the Public Service Department (PSD).

Sabah PAS Youth chief Lahirul Latigu had asked the EC to explain how its officials can hold posts in political parties, saying the silence would affect the commission’s credibility to ensure the democratic process is carried out in the country.

“If the EC still chooses to keep silent on this issue, PAS Youth will not hesitate to expose details about the officer who is in politics,” he had said.

Reports of EC officers holding posts in Umno have surfaced over the years, including allegations that Abdul Aziz and his deputy, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, are members of the ruling party.

Following such reports against the top two EC officials last May, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz denied that Abdul Aziz was an Umno member as alleged by PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He disclosed that Abdul Aziz had registered as an Umno member more than 30 years ago in the Ampang Umno division but had since left the party.

“The EC chairman has already clarified that he isn’t an Umno member. He has also made sure about it,” Nazri had said.

-The Malaysian Insider

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Simple. Make laws that disallow EC officers from joining political parties.

The EC postholders and salaries jobs must ALL be people with no political party memberships, no business links to any politicians or even with businesses WITH links to politicians (the more distant the better and should be the criteria for EC posts). We can’t have family blocs like in the Pakatan family nepotism party. This way VESTED INTEREST can be avoided. So anyone who fulfil the above criteria ready to offer themselves for 1 term jobs? This will ensure Malaysia is a clean country. The ROS (Registry of Socities), MACC (Acnti-Corruption Agency), PAC (Public Accounts Committee) and Bar Council btw, should also be staffed in a similar manner.

ARTICLE 12

I can’t keep it up! My hubby loves sex too much – Monday, 10 December 2012 17:05

Dear Coleen,

I’m having trouble with my husband.

We have three kids and have been married for five years, so we’re well out of the honeymoon period.

We’re both in our mid-30s and have been together since we were teenagers.

I really thought as men got older their sex drive declined, but it’s the opposite with my hubby!

Basically, if he had his way we’d be at it three times a day, every day.

I thought he might be insecure so I talked to him about it, but it turns out he just loves sex!

I love him to pieces, but I can’t keep up!

I’ve tried telling him all this, but the words “No, love, not tonight” just don’t register with him.

Help me!

Coleen says..

First the good news: it’s better to work out a compromise from this position than be in the situation where you’re having no sex.

It’s really fantastic that he still desires you so much after all those years together – for a lot of couples it’d be the other way round – but it’s only great if it’s what you both want.

Right now you’re feeling under pressure, but it’s a delicate situation and you don’t want to put him off ­altogether or embarrass him.

Tell him how much you love him and fancy him, but that physically you cannot have sex that often and you don’t want to either.

The most successful relationships are the ones where both parties can compromise and that’s what he’s going to have to do now. And you’ll have to do the same.

But don’t let it become a massive issue that affects your otherwise great relationship.

-mirror.co.uk

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

A second wife should do the trick. that is why polygamy exists. This article hosts a gay NLP btw – a woman does not need to ‘keep it up’, the writer if female, has penis envy or wants to be a man, otherwise is subversive of men hoping men become gay. Reading too many NLPs of this sort results in gayness, not that gayness per se is bad, but CONTRIVED gayness resulting ftom, NLPs IS bad . . . Malaysian Chronicle should not abuse their readers like this.

ARTICLE 13

BE WARNED DR M & POLITICIANS LIKE SHAHRIZAT: The next May 13 will be very different from 1969 – by Victor Lim – Monday, 10 December 2012 12:08

YES. I couldn’t agree more with Koon Yew Yin (see story reproduced below), a respected Chinese community senior citizen.

In fact, I have also blogged on this earlier: http://victorlim1982.blogspot.com/2012/12/may-13-bogey-umnos-archaic-bid-to.html and http://victorlim1982.blogspot.com/2012/12/umno-must-be-buried-politically-to-save.html

I wish to add two very pertinent points which Mr Koon and I overlooked.

Point No.1: The majority of Malays, I believe some 90% of them, don’t pay taxes to the federal government.

They pay what is known as zakat (tithes), a form of Islamic tax.

This means Malaysia has been developed for the past 55 years with contributions from the non-Malays or non-Muslims and the corporate sector.

Therefore, if the business climate is ruined by the super corrupt, evil and racist Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) because it wants to remain in power at all costs, including the propagation of the May 13 violence and bloodshed, who will suffer more? Who is the majority race in Malaysia?

The cousins … the real danger Malaysians’ face

Point No.2: However, should violence really break out after BN-Umno loses the next general election, it will not be the same May 13, 1969.

In 1969, the majority of Malays were really living in abject poverty. They were envious of others who were better off economically.

Today, it is an entirely different scenario. That was the 20th century. We are now in the 21st century.

The Malays today are more informed and are therefore able to make wiser judgments politically.

Unlike 1969, the issues today are not about race. Only BN-Umno, for reasons only known to them, stubbornly refuses to change with the times to remain relevant with the rakyat (people).

Politically Bankrupt

All BN-Umno can focus on is its divide-and-rule archaic political strategy to remain in power at all costs.

BN-Umno uses money and its blind-loyalty supporters to stir emotions and violence at Opposition ceramah (political rallies) or to disrupt peaceful public protests.

BN is just unable to think out of the box and is obviously unable to react rationally after the March 8, 2008 political tsunami shock which saw BN losing its traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament and five states.

Blinded by corruption

Over the past four years, as the BN continued to try to impose their brute political might and power on the people with the aim of intimidating the rakyat into submission and subservience, the peoples’ political restlessness grew enormously.

Now, at its own doing, the BN is living in fear of losing its mandate to govern after the 13th General Election. The dissolution of the 222-seat Parliament is automatic on April 28, 2013.

BN has only itself to blame for failing to use the four years to implement reforms that would endear the rakyat and win back their hearts and minds after March 2008.

It refuses to see the rakyat’s demands for justice and clean socio-economic development policies – not continuing with its culture of enriching its families and cronies.

They are the poorest in Malaysia, so the BN-Umno federal government needs to give all the multi-billion ringgit projects to them.

Where has our natural wealth GONE?

It refuses to discard its race and religious political cards for more practical and reforming policies to fast track the progress and prosperity of Malaysians and Malaysia.

Yes! The people are asking: “Where have all the trillions of ringgit in natural resources, including oil and gas, gone?”

Is it also too much to ask the BN government to account for it’s more than RM800 billion federal debt? This, the BN has remained mum.

No wonder, the Opposition is gaining ground

The Opposition PR’s nationwide political rallies are seeing bigger and bigger crowds by the day and the audience comprises all races.

They break into rounds and rounds of thundering applause whenever Parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim touches on issues related to the need to do away with non-race based policies in governance to stimulate and fast track Malaysia’s healthy socio-economic growth.

They break into rounds and rounds of applause whenever Anwar explains and proposes people-centric fiscal measures aimed at reducing the financial burden of the people in a fast rising cost of living environment.

Anwar also stresses on the need to provide a higher standard of education for Malaysians, not race, as the impetus for economic and technological excellence. This, he has proposed free education for all, from primary level to tertiary education.

If BN-Umno really resorts to the use of violence when it loses the next general election, it will be the minority Umno Malays fighting with the PKR-PAS Malays backed by the Chinese and Indian communities.

My dear fellow rakyat, it will be very much unlike May 13, 1969.

Friday, 07 December 2012 23:58

If there is another May 13 riot, the MALAYS WILL BE THE BIGGEST LOSERS

Written by Koon Yew Yin

If there is another May 13 riot, the MALAYS WILL BE THE BIGGEST LOSERS

As the countdown to the general election begins in earnest, we are getting more and more calls from desperate and irresponsible politicians drawing attention to the possibility of a repeat of the infamous May 13 violence if the election results should go against the expectations of various political parties and interests.

The fact that these calls are directed towards the Bumiputera component of our population, are expressed in the national language, and are widely carried in the Malay mass media and Internet world makes me suspicious of the intentions of these politicians who claim that they are simply doing Malaysians a favour by warning of the backlash should the election outcome not bring about a continuation of the present power structure.

To my mind, these politicians are not only applying crude pressure on the Malay electorate to vote for them but they are also blatantly revealing their trump card – that violence, chaos and political instability will automatically erupt in the event that the opposition parties win the elections.

This blackmailing of our electorate as well as incitement of disruptive and hooligan elements in our society is totally unacceptable. Various academicians and politicians from the opposition have spoken up against such fear mongering in the recent past. However, not enough has been done by members of the business community and other professional organizations to speak out against these warnings and threats although they will be the main losers should another May 13 episode take place.

Much more needs to be done by key stakeholders to condemn the individuals and organizations making the threats as the risk of these threats becoming self-fulfilling prophesies increases by the day.

Shahrizat’s not-so-veiled threat

The latest invocation of May 13 took place at the Umno general assembly held recently. In that meeting, the Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil warned that the May 13 tragedy might be repeated should Umno became weak and not be able to overcome its challenges. That this warning was not made obliquely but was served up as part of her opening speech text testifies to the way in which this kind of desperado thinking has become the mainstream in certain political circles.

What is more worrying is that both Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin as Umno president and deputy president, and more importantly as the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, failed to repudiate or rebuke Sharizat for fear mongering. Instead the Deputy Prime Minister attempted to defend the speech by explaining that chaos will be inevitable under Pakatan Rakyat rule.

Other Umno leaders, notably its vice-president Hishamuddin Hussein have even gone so far as to dismiss the attention brought by Shahrizat’s May 13 statement as a case of “spinning” and to put the blame on a pro-opposition media and other opposition elements.

“Shahrizat has already told me that this will be another matter that will be used for spinning by certain quarters, just because it coincides with the general assembly”, the country’s minister in charge of internal security is reported to have said in his dismissal of public concern when questioned about it.

Even if it is a case of over-reaction by the media and a fearful public, it is hoped that Shahrizat and her colleagues will not play with fire or pander to the psyche of insecurity found in Umno party members by constantly harping on the possible recurrence of 13 May and even worst, by condoning or justifying violent and catastrophic racial riots as they appear to be doing in the run-up to the elections.

Aftershocks of electoral violence

Should there be bloodshed and violence arising from the next elections, it will not be non-Malays primarily who will lose out or be hurt by the collapse of the share market and the larger economy as we see a rush to exit the country by local and foreign businesses and investors. It will be all Malaysians especially those who are now enjoying the good life.

Malays must bear in mind that while in 1969 they may have had less to lose, today the situation is completely different. There is Malay control of a major part of the commanding heights of our economy such as the banks, manufacturing, hi-tech industry, etc. and the largest listed companies. These gains which have given birth to the creation of a sizeable Malay middle and upper class will be put at great risk should there be another May 13. They may even disappear as the economic aftershocks and loss of economic confidence spiral out of control.

Another May 13 is unthinkable and unforgivable except to those who are so blinded by ambition and their lust for power that they need to keep reminding themselves and their supporters of that horrific possibility. However, should it happen, unlike in the first May 13 incident, it will be clear as to who are the instigators.

Conclusion:

I trust this article will encourage more stakeholders – bankers, business leaders, academicians and leaders of all political parties – to speak out and condemn those who are using the threat of another May 13 if there is a change of government. The Malays must remember that even if Pakatan Rakyat wins control of the government, there will be more Malay Members of Parliament than from any other races.

The Malays will be the biggest losers if there is another May 13 riot. – cpi

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

All Malaysians likely are friends with the real enemies being MPs and Assemblymen on either BN or Pakatan’s side (especially the extreme wealth types, term limitless, or nepotistic) are the ones who pit Malaysians against Malaysian, then pretend to solve problems while making laws worse and fines higher, cost of living higher, but raising their own 23K MP salaries, asking for 750K funerals, having crony businesses and giving crony licences (like the recent Syed Mokhtar’s Puncak Semangat granted by MCMC twice the bandwidth spectrum above all other contractors – vestedinterest and anti-trust or anti-monopoly laws any Judges? No? All legal BEAGLES, not a single legal NGO made a peep . . . ). Guess who instigated the riots? Only those minority citizens directly involved should be subjected to Bumiputra Apartheid. So who should be punished for instigating riots? (hint : the extreme wealth, term limitless, or nepotistic . . . collecting 1 million of YOUR tax monies every 4 year term . . . ) . . . Vote 3rd Force!

ARTICLE 14

Musa: Good, honest men victimised – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – by Teoh El Sen, FMT – Monday, 10 December 2012 Super Admin

Ex-IGP speaks out against transfers, saying that crime syndicates are now operating freely with ‘blessings from the top’.

Good, honest, hardworking police officers are being transferred from their divisions for doing their work with integrity, claimed former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan.

Musa suggested that these moves are now allowing more and more criminal syndicates to operate freely with “blessings from somebody on top” and also involved politicians at the highest levels.

Musa gave several examples of such transfers, and spoke out against the nationwide enbloc transfer of D7 officers in early 2011.

“After I left, there was an enbloc transfer of D7 officers, right? Not everybody is bad in the D7, why must you change the whole team?” he asked.

On rumours that the transfers were part of a exercise to facilitate syndicates changing hands, Musa said that was not the case, but said it was “because these officers are taking action, because they know a lot of things.”

“…. they were afraid that they couldn’t direct these people from D7,” he said, without explaining who “they” were.

Musa admitted that many of these people given transfers were those he had promoted at one point, but denied that they were part of his ‘camp’.

“I promoted people because of their capabilities and have done a good job…they were transferred out and not given any ranks.

“[During the D7 redeployment], the whole country, all the IPK contingents  headquarters, some were transferred to the field force.”

“See… they were all good officers, when they were under me they arrested quite a number from the syndicates, but now there are no arrests anymore.

Musa said D7 is the division tasked with cracking down on vice, gambling, loansharks, prostitution and also to investigate syndicated crime.

“So they have all the intelligence about them, especially the bosses. These are the ones [D7 officers] who actually go after the [crime syndicate] top [guns].

‘Politicians involved in transfers’

FMT: Why such transfers under [current IGP] Ismail Omar’s time?

Musa: To make it easier for them to operate-lah, because when I was the IGP, most of them went away, they left the country.

When you say “they” you are referring to?

Musa: The syndicate bosses.

So are you then saying the current IGP is openly allowing syndicates to operate?

ARTICLE 15

Ex-IGP’s influence was bad news for Umno – Monday, 10 December 2012 Super Admin

The home minister had to interfere to stop the then IGP Musa Hassan from promoting and transferring his men who would continue working with criminal elements, claims Raja Petra.

(FMT) – Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, before his retirement, had allegedly promoted and transferred the “right” police officers who will continue to work hand-in-hand with the triads, claimed popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin today.

However, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had interfered in this exercise, and this has caused a lot of problems for the Chinese underworld and crime syndicates.

“And that is why Musa recently gave his interviews – alleging interference by the politicians in the running of the police force. It is true that the minister blocked Musa’s every move,” said Raja Petra in his latest blog posting in Malaysia Today.

Raja Petra said that Hishammuddin had decided to act as he feared that a continuation of Musa’s influence in the police force would have had a backlash on Umno in the coming general election.

“They know that the voters are unhappy with the police force and that may cost Umno a lot of votes.

“Hence if the minister does not rein in the police, then there is a danger that Umno could lose a sizeable number of votes,” said Raja Petra.

In recent weeks, Musa had claimed that during his tenure as the IGP from 2006 to 2010, there had been political interference and inflitration of criminal elements in the police force.

He said that he had raised these issues through the “proper channels” to the prime minister and home minister, but to no effect.

He had also lashed out at his successor Ismail Omar, claiming that he was a weak police chief.

Musa’s detractors, however, had responded by saying that it was Musa who had allowed the triads to take control of the police force, of his alleged corrupt practices, and of his underhand tactics to “fix people up”, including his former boss Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) chief Ramli Yusuff.

Adding to the list of Musa’s detractors, Raja Petra claimed that the former top cop has many grievances against the government, the present IGP Ismail and Hishammuddin.

Musa’s role in Bersih violence?

Raja Petra said Musa’s bitternes was due to the government’s rejection of his request for a further extension as the police chief.

“He then asked to be made the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei and that too was rejected. Instead, he was given just a teaching job, which, to him, is a great insult when other retired IGPs before him were given ‘good’ posts,” he said.

The blogger also claimed that many suspected Musa’s role in the manner police acted violently against Bersih 3.0 rally-goers on April 28 this year.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Oh dear RPK is a racist! Or should I say fundamentalist? Crime cyndicates? They’d all rather have legal RLDs, Gambling Outlets (non-4D but all regular casino types) and OPZs which the idiot BN government simply refused out of racism and hatred for non-Muslims. RPK, I am disappointed. The above activities are CRIMINALISED there are no criminals among the Chinese community, the entertainment industry was driven underground then labelled as ‘criminal’ or underworld. Legalise and see how many ‘criminals’ there are. The Chinese by nature are always law abiding but will try to screw those who prevent them from having fun. These Human Rights abuses have been affliting the Chinese community long enough in Malaysia and probably every other non-Muslim tin the Middle East as well. How dishonest and selfish can a race or faith get?

ARTICLE 16

Musa reveals more, implicates businessman – Monday, 10 December 2012 Super Admin

The ex-IGP claims that former MACC advisor Robert Phang was involved in a communication devices deal for the police which did not meet specifications.

Teoh El Sen, FMT

Several senior policemen were transferred out of the Bukit Aman Logistics Department (Communications Division) and put in “cold storage” for refusing to approve a technically unsound project involving walkie talkies worth almost RM1 billion.

It is learnt that the project was mooted towards the end of 2008 and involved the replacement of more than 30,000 new walkie-talkies for beat policemen, stations and vehicles nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak.

However, problems arose a year or two after the project, which was a direct negotiation contract, took off as the implementation of the devices were allegedly not according to specifications.

One of the problems was the apparent lack of coverage or “black spots” in certain areas around the country such as in certain buildings, and in one case very little coverage along the East-West highway despite being promised otherwise.

The other issues, which “deviated from the agreed specificaitons”, include a recording system which sometimes records when nobody speaks and vice versa; and also incidents where the walkie talkie transmits by itself.

However, despite the flaws, sources said that those within the Home Ministry and top ranking policemen were constantly pressuring a team of technical experts to sign the acceptance of the equipment before the issues were smoothed out.

“[Former inspector-general of police] Musa Hassan did not agree to a project that was not done properly but they used KDN [Home Ministry] to force the technical team to do whatever the company wanted. They were under tremendous pressure,” said a source with direct knowledge of the deal.

“By mid 2010, when the first phase was being put out in the Klang Valley, we already noticed that all these problems were surfacing, but they were swept under the carpet.

“They realised that if they signed the project, we will go to jail. So better transfer,” added the source.

Investigate Ismail

Speaking to FMT on this, Musa said when he was still IGP, he kept a close watch on the project to ensure that the equipment was what the police needed. However, he claimed, other parties’ interests crept in after he left.

Musa said that prominent businessman and former MACC advisor Robert Phang was a consultant for the project and acted as a go-between the police and the provider, a multinational telecommunications company.

“Because he was close with the police. So at that time, I believe that there were some government officers in the ministry who was involved in the company.

“Since it was approved by the government, I had to carry it out. But I made sure that the technical team that overseeing the project does not compromise to ensure that it is up to specifications and to ensure that this communication can be used throughout Malaysia without any hiccups.

“So after I left… I was not quite happy because it was still not up to specifications. I was informed that it would not work well and that is why the technical team refused to sign the commission so that money can be paid,” he told FMT.

However, Musa alleged that even Phang threatened the team. “The team received a call from him saying that if you don’t sign it, you will be transferred out.”

True enough, he added, at least three officers ranked DSP, Supt and SAC were then given letters of transfers out of the department.

“So the team refused to sign, and they were called by the IGP. The present IGP [Ismail Omar] asked them to commission it… because they need the government to pay the money… I don’t know how many million. So they got transferred and now it actually went through.

“Officers who have the capability and technical expertise in communication are being put in cold storage by this businessman. That’s how good his connections are. He is very close to the IGP now… very friendly with the home minister,” said Musa.

Musa said that he wanted the authorities to investigate Ismail for possibly abusing his powers and Phang for allegedly abetting the former.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Robert Phang had neglected to address Bumiputra Apartheid, in this case at least from this, I believe Musa’s accusation of duplicity and complicity on Robert Phang’s part. Meanwhile, perhaps Musa had not thought in terms of BEING CHINESE when accusing the so-called syndicates of being ‘criminals’ in the above response. Where synthetics are involved, I am on Musa’s side as well, but everything else labelled criminal by Musa should be dropped as mere entertainment and oppression of Chinese by jealous Muslims who are not supposed to have fun.

The current IGP’s links in the RLD, OPZ or Gambling outlet is Human Rights CORRECT so long as no Muslims are allowed to use the same, and Malaysia’s laws are in fact oppressive and inapplicable. MCA, Gerakan and DAP of course are criminal minded enough to not address these problems while hiding behind a veneer of ‘morality’ but know this, a MAN who cannot tell the difference between Voltarian Freedoms and Fundamentalism expressed Political Expedience are but mere CHILDREN living moralistic fantasies in the childhood. Those who are moral evidently do not under stand civil society and the ETHICS that allow for civilisation by allowing so-called ‘criminal activities’ which are simply entertainments tarred with demogogues and fundamentalists, orwellian minded politicians intent on control by suppression of entertainment.

Adults and free citizens (think Amsterdam’s OPZs, adult zones (RLDs) and various ‘Gambling Districts worldwide, Playboy Clubs, Hustler Clubs, Penthouse Clubs or just the Zona de Tolerancia) who’s faith permits enjoy RLDs, OPZs gambling and what not – NO PERSON OR GROUP IN THE WORLD has the right to prevent another group from having  access or to set up such entertainments, though ‘pushing fun’ on the non-consenting is another thing.

The above response describes the sick immatured/oppression-intended pathos of the ethos reliant/blinded Chinese and Indians who are non-‘criminal’, and I am sure the TRULY EDUCATED can relate to and will stand by what this response means. Citizens are not chattel of the state or their faiths or their retarded neighbours, and the CIVILIAN LAWS *MUST* reflect the reality of FREEDOM, Human Rights and Democracy, MUST protect such rights, Muslims or no Muslims, fundos or no fundos of whatever faith or cultlike sect.

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

And then the above, which ALL politicians have neglected to implement so they can profit off strife and oppression of the libido or the saporific effects of Organic psychedelics! Freud should take up this cause even from beyond the grave . . .

ARTICLE 17

Non-Muslims feeling the heat – by Wong Chun Wai – Sunday December 9, 2012

We are merely kidding ourselves if we think the rules by PAS only apply to Muslims.

THERE they go again. The PAS-­controlled Kelantan state government, which has yet to resolve the controversy over the gender segregation ruling on hair salons run by non-Muslims, has now found itself in another explosive issue.

Four non-Muslims – two men on a plane-spotting outing and a couple in a park – have been issued with summonses for khalwat.

The summonses were for “indecent behaviour” but the four have denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the municipal council enforcement officers were “merely abusing their position”.

The first case involved two men in their 30s who were in a car parked beside the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. They claimed they were watching planes land in the night when they were issued with the summonses by these Taliban-style officers.

This writer can only deduce that Kota Baru must be so boring – the result of a ban on entertainment outlets – that the two young men have to watch planes landing at the airport for entertainment. How these officers can consider their action an offence is mind-boggling.

But we know that the PAS politicians have a great sense of imagination and can conjure up fantasies out of seemingly ordinary situations. They think that getting a haircut from a person of the opposite sex can lead to moral decay and watching concerts can lead to hedonism or excessive pleasure, whatever that means.

Malaysians know that these cranky politician-theologians also frown upon the mixed company of males and females, but two non-Muslim men being punished for being in a car together, that’s a new one. Are they telling us now that two men together can lead to immoral activities or that watching planes at the airport can be sexually arousing? Even if they had committed a “gay act”, does the council have any jurisdiction over non-Muslims?

The other case involved a 17-year-old boy and a girl aged 15. They were together at the Tengku Anis Park in the town centre, in broad daylight, when they were arrested. They were approached by the enforcement officers and issued summonses on the spot for purported indecent behaviour.

Nothing seems to be safe any more for non-Muslims in Kota Baru. You get fined for having a hair cut by a hairstylist of a different sex, you get fined for being in love and sharing private moments in a park in broad daylight, and you also get summoned for being in a wrong queue in a supermarket check-out.

Before anyone accuses this writer of filing another PAS-bashing piece, it is important to point out that the protest over the latest controversies was started by the National PAS Supporters Congress president Hu Pang Chaw, who is known for his apologist stand for the Islamist party.

Interestingly enough, Hu has also revealed that the male victims had complained to him that the officers had even sought RM500 “to settle the matter”, which means that these holier-than-thou officers were open to corruption.

Hu added that “as far as I know, the council has no right to issue summonses to non-Muslims for close contact with their girlfriends in the dark or out in the open”. But Hu shouldn’t plead ignorance now because the PAS rules have always infringed upon non-Muslims. This is not the first time and it won’t be the last.

Don’t blame PAS either because they have consistently told Malaysians that their objective is to turn Malaysia into an Islamic State. Barisan Nasional tells us that we are already an Islamic State, but they still keep intact the secular laws and the British-style courts.

But for political expediency, and for selfish political ambitions, there is now a deafening silence from allies of PAS. The only exception seems to be DAP chairman Karpal Singh, who has also consistently spoken up against the hudud laws pushed by PAS. However, his party comrades have decided to keep silent and, worse, are encouraging us to elect more PAS leaders into Parliament and the state assemblies.

It is also pertinent to note that during The Star’s interview with the Sultan of Selangor, the Tuanku had revealed that there were politicians who tried to prevent the opening of cinemas in shopping malls in Shah Alam! This is in Selangor and not even in Kelantan. We can also assume that this must be the work of PAS elected representatives.

We know for a fact that the PAS state assemblyman for Bangi, Dr Shafie Abu Bakar, has prevented a cinema from being set up by a non-Muslim, and that the Kuala Selangor PAS wants to stop unmarried couples from watching movies in a cinema there.

We are merely kidding ourselves if we think the rules by PAS do not affect non-Muslims. Despite the promised intervention by PAS’ top leaders over the hair salon ruling, nothing has changed until today.

In an interview with The Malay Mail on Friday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was quoted as saying “even Chinese wives don’t agree with (unisex) salons”.

He seems out of touch with reality, or pretending to be.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

So sue the government or run for politics to get political immunity to make known to the world what is happening here in Malaysia. Have the respect and ethos, the cash to fund proxy candidates? Don’t talk here from behind the media.

ARTICLE 18

Najib launches Ah Jib Gor fan club – Updated: Sunday December 9, 2012 MYT 6:50:39 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the Ah Jib Gor Fan Club Sunday to feel the pulse of the people, especially the Chinese community, in the country.

Najib launched the club at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) via tele-conferencing with club members from SM Yu Yuen, Sandakan, Sabah.

The Prime Minister, when interacting said the setting up of the club in Sandakan was a testimony that the people in the country, including the people of Sabah, are confident with the 1Malaysia concept and the transformation agenda of the country.

He said the club can become a bridge for communication between him (Najib) and the people in Sabah to understand the feelings and expectation of the people towards the Government.

“Thank you for your confidence and support. I believe we can use this line of communication to exchange ideas and to make comments from time to time.

“I feel this is a very positive development because this will create not only good communication but also interpersonal relationship between all of you and the governor,” he said.

Najib said he hoped the trust of the people towards the Government would continue with the commitment of the Government to establish transformation as the main agenda of the country.

“We believe we are a strong government that can lead the country towards fulfilling the vision of becoming a developed nation. Malaysians are our responsibility and we must strive to promote harmony and stability among the various ethnics in Malaysia,” he said.

Najib said 1Malaysia was not just a slogan but rather an overarching philosophy to the principle of the nation, including policies and transformation agendas.

“1Malaysia is about forming, unity and harmony…it is based on fairness, inclusive and moderation…all that are part and parcel of the 1Malaysia philosophy.

“1Malaysia will be our overarching philosophy and with your support this nation will transform to be the first red nation and a nation that we can all be proud of,” he said. – Bernama

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The lowest of the apartheid accepting ‘slaves’ KTK par excellence have just confirmed their pariah status. Good job Najib! You’v helped identify which Chinese and which Chinese families are no longer Chinese! Those that are lower than the MCA bunch here will not even be MCA members but who join out of sheer cluelessness. Say ‘Massa’ or ‘Tuan’ yer Goreans! How masochistic and unaware of equality can overseas (Malaysian) Chinese get!

ARTICLE 19

NAJIB AN INCREASING LIABILITY: Umno’s war-cry sunk by Altantuya & Deepak bombshells Featured –  written by  Maria Begum, Malaysia Chronicle – Monday, 03 December 2012 07:26

Umno’s much-touted 66th general assembly ended with a whimper, its cries of being able to snatch two-thirds of the seats in Parliament downed by missiles that emanated from its own base boomeranging badly on its top leader – the scandal-plagued and embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Despite acknowledging that Umno’s notorious corruption was its own worst enemy, Najib failed to speak up against graft, introduce serious pre-emptive reforms or to even promise a new horizon where transparency would be the rule and not the exception.

His political rivals were not surprised, attributing this in large part due to at least 3 major pieces of shocking news that erupted just days before the Umno assembly started.

“What is there to say. It is so clear Umno cannot change. Its leaders can order the mainstream media, the TV and newspapers to black out the news. They can shout at how confident they are to win the 13th general election but Umno delegates and members have that sinking feeling in their hearts,” PAS MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad told Malaysia Chronicle.

“Inwardly, many grassroots are disappointed and disgusted by the dishonesty and corruption of their leaders but they won’t do much because this is the nature of Umno. It has always been. Those who can’t stand it will leave, those who stay will hang on and hope for a piece of the gravy train even though they know it is corrupt.”

TRIPLE bombshells, more to come?

The first news break that shocked the country came from French lawyers, who revealed that the investigative judges hearing the RM7.3bil Scorpene case in Paris had decided that, contrary to the Malaysian government’s claims, murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu was involved in Putrajaya’s acquisition of submarinnes from naval giant DCNS and would be requesting for full records of her murder trial.

This news set tongues wagging as Umno members thronged the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur where their annual congress was held. Perhaps the news reverberated all the more because Najib had foolishly refused to allow the French lawyers to come to Malaysia to brief Members of Parliament on the latest status of case, thereby increasing the suspicion against himself and his wife Rosmah Mansor, both of whom have been accused of involvement and whose former bodyguards were sentenced to hang for the murder.

Next were the twin bombshells dropped by carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan, a former close friend of Rosmah’s. According to Deepak, the first couple enlisted his help in overturning a statutory declaration that implicated them in the Altantuya murder. The news sparked calls for a re-opening of the Altantuya murder trial which has been questioned for its ‘quality’ of justice, with the court accused of ignoring evidence that the bodyguards may have been merely the hired killers and that the people who gave the order to murder still at large.

As if that were not enough and Umno members were not already reeling at the alleged misdeeds of their president and his wife, Deepak went on to accuse a “member of Najib’s family” of taking millions of ringgit for his approving the RM100 Puspahanas project, a research centre commissioned by the Ministry of Defense which despite being privatized in 2005 remains only about 20% built today.

“Umno’s ‘war’ 66th General Assembly has ended with UMNO leaders confident and euphoric, with the Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and other Umno leaders declaring that Umno will not only triumph in the next general elections, but will win back the two-thirds parliamentary majority as well as all the four Pakatan states including Kelantan and Penang,” DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said in a statement.

“However, ‘Man proposes, God disposes’. Although the  just-concluded Assembly was painstakingly choreographed and orchestrated, with a lot of do’s and don’t’s for those who spoke at the four-day Umno Assemblies to optimise Umno’s appeal in the 13GE, the ineluctable conclusion of rational and thinking Malaysians  is that despite all the talk of “transformation”, Umno leaders and Umno are incapable of change so long as Umno remains corrupted in the corridors of power.

“Umno and Barisan Nasional have become synonymous with corruption in Malaysia and the 44 months of Najib premiership have shown that Najib is only good at mouthing anti-corruption slogans but totally lacking the political will and commitment to root out corruption, especially grand corruption involving political and government leaders.

“This is why the 66th UMNO General Assembly presented the sad spectacle of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, successfuly performing the “disappearance” act despite valiant efforts by the media representatives on a look-out for him to respond to demands by Sabah UMNO delegates that Musa explain the scandal of the RM40million “political donation to Sabah UMNO” which involved him and the Sabah timber trader Michael Chia.

“Also most disturbing is the backing out and silence of the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi  coupled with the failure of Najib to respond to the serious allegations of integrity about a RM100 million defence ministry project in 2005 raised by businessman Deepak Jaikishan implicating the Prime Minister’s family and which is also related to the high-profile and long-running Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case. Haunting Najib at the 66th UMNO General Assembly was the ghost of Altantuya Shaariibuu. Why couldn’t Altantuya’s ghost be appeased?”

Malaysia Chronicle

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

BN has the mandate still and can grant :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Even the UMNO Malays might concede on the above 3 items than let Pakatan win.

UMNO will be torn apart after the Judiciary is replaced by Pakatan cronies. we all know how Malaysia works (too many legal beagles too few legal eagles), and the people might be displeased enough with UMNO too that Pakatan need not even ‘do the dirty work’, many terrible things probably happened by some faction’s hands in the past and who knows the aggrieved are just waiting for BN to be politically destroyed . .

BN REALLY should use the mandate to grant the above 3 items, that way at least they MIGHT have some places to run to avoid those they have hurt since independence or may yet turn the 40%+ minority and possibly majority of Malays to their side again. The above 3 items are rightful Human Rights, why risk losses in GE13 by not granting something so basic? Is racism and greed so much fun that GE13 is worth losing? For all the faults the article above points at, the chance to win is still there, IF Pakatan does not confirm the above 3 items and BN grants the above 3 items BEFORE GE13. As they say, ain’t over till over . . . but so long as BN does not use the mandate to grant the 3 items, BN with a record of abuses and failures and racism will indeed fail.

ARTICLE 20

THINK NAJIB! If you can’t even sort out Dr M or reform Umno, HOW CAN YOU RULE M’SIA? – Hornbill Unleashed – Martin Jalleh – December 10, 2012

The General Elections beckons and it looks as though the Prime Minister (PM) has gone berserk. He is making comments most bizarre! He blurts out statements beyond human logic!

Soon after the last General Elections he had warned his political party that either it changes or the government that it so dominates will be changed by the people.

He now surprisingly admits that Umno needs to change (The Malaysian Insider, 7 Dec., 2012). In other words, his party has not changed – which in fact clearly contradicts what he and his cohorts have been saying!

For instance the Sun Daily reported on 1 Dec. 2012: Following up on his apology for Umno’s past wrongdoings, at the opening of the party’s 66th general assembly…Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today closed the annual event by exuding optimism that the people’s confidence for Umno is well on recovery mode.

“There is such tremendous response,” he told a euphoric crowd of delegates who seemed charged-up to defend the party’s hold over Malaysia in the upcoming general election.

“Not just from the Malay people…. The non-Malays also see Umno more positively than in the earlier times.

“They see that with each passing day, Umno is recovering even more… With each passing day, they see that Umno is qualified even more, to rule this country.

“We have shown that we are capable to remedy our condition. We are closing ranks and displaying an extraordinary spirit,” he said in his presidential speech at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

“Indicating to the party faithful – and voters at large – that Umno has indeed transformed and improved from what it was in the 2008 general election when the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition it led lost four states and its two-thirds majority in Parliament, he proceeded to dish out warnings at those in the party who may hamper it in the next election.”

Mandate from the people to reform Umno? But what if Umno still resists after Najib gets the mandate?

First you say Umno has changed. Yet in your latest comment you admit that it has not changed! Alas dear Mr PM are you not being a chameleon which you so often accuse Anwar Ibrahim of?

What is most preposterous is that Najib says “he needs a mandate from voters in order to reform Umno” (The Malaysian Insider, 7 Dec., 2012)!

“If I want to reform the party, I need a mandate from the people. Without the mandate from the electorate how can I reform the party?” he told the Malay Mail in an interview published recently.

The Malaysian Insider commented: “Reforming Umno has proven to be a monumental task despite the party’s and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) flagging popularity, particularly in urban areas.

“The Umno president has been pushing a reform agenda which included the repeal of security laws considered draconian and the push for a more multi-racial agenda.

“But conservative forces within the party, especially those linked with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have resisted change and have pushed a more Malay-centric platform.

“Mindful of Dr Mahathir’s continued influence, Najib has been careful not to alienate the former PM who had contributed to BN’s worst electoral performance in Election 2008 when he campaigned against the administration of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“But ahead of key national elections due next year, Prime Minister Najib said he was pleading for voters to grant him the mandate to continue his reform policies that can spur Malaysia forward for the greater good even as he acknowledges his party and the ruling BN coalition’s sluggishness towards change. (The Malaysian Insider, 7 Dec., 2012)

“With this mandate, a strong mandate from the people, I will deliver what I promised. This is not just about GE13, it’s about transforming the nation and I’m committed to it.”

Don’t be over-ambitious, Najib: Sort out Dr M first before you seek to rule the WHOLE nation

Why don’t you try to change your own party before you try to transform the whole nation, Mr PM?

“If I want to reform the party, I need a mandate from the people. Without the mandate from the electorate how can I reform the party?”

The mandate given by the people (the electorate) in the General Elections is to transform the country and not to reform your party! That’s Umno’s and your job!

Please get the mandate from your own party members to reform your own party! It appears that either you have failed to get the mandate from Umno members to change the party or in spite of the support given to you, you have failed to reform it.

And since you have failed to reform Umno, the party will be an obstacle to your plans to transform the country. It would not make any sense for you to continue as Umno president and as the PM.

And if you cannot even change your own party are we to expect that you are going to bring about change in the country?

Alas, perhaps it is time to change the president of Umno and the Prime Minister of this country!

MAILBAG

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Shut up Jalleh! I like what Najib is saying here IF thats sincere (doubtful but we’d never know but so long as the below 3 items are actually concretised, the voters couldn’t care less and will give PM Najib a second term) and relates to the below 3 items. What is Jalleh doing? Trying to goad Najib into the arms of those racists being berated? If BN grants :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;even the Chinese would vote BN over Pakatan which has never made clear on the above. Of course BN would be unlikely to grant the above given the number of racists, but Najib is indeed thinking and should not be hammered. Are you an UMNO disinfo agent Jalleh? Or just angry in a way that your articles are skewed in a manner that makes impossible the above 3 items?

ARTICLE 21

Waning popularity a message from the people, Najib warns BN – by Zurairi AR – December 02, 2012

Najib asked voters to give BN more time to execute the changes it has planned for the country. — Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 ? Again calling for change in Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today voters are choosing Pakatan Rakyat (PR) because they want to send a message to the ruling coalition.

“The message is for us to change as a party,” the BN chairman said while launching the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) annual general meeting (AGM) here.

“They want BN as a party to be more fair, inclusive, and so that every citizen of Malaysia will receive equal treatment and benefits from BN.”

The prime minister’s remarks came after PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas’s address, in which the latter said voters are flocking to PR because they are “worried” by perceived discrimination and prejudice under BN’s rule.

Fresh from closing Umno’s annual assembly here yesterday, Najib again called on voters to give BN more time to renew itself by supporting it in the polls.

“We’re in the process of renewal. Real changes are taking place in Malaysia.

“Real changes are taking place while the same party is in power in Malaysia,” the Umno president said.

Najib also criticised the “Ubah” (change) slogan touted by DAP and PR, comparing their call for change to the recent “Arab Spring” revolution.

“If we change, are we sure we’re getting something better?

“(The people involved in Arab Spring) are not enjoying the ‘spring weather’. They’re still in the winter of discontent,” Najib said.

The prime minister said that the revolutions in the Middle East had caused the countries involved to lose out on tourism and currency exchange, as well as suffer declines to their security.

But Najib also confessed that winning the next general election will not be easy, saying that voters’ opinions were now easily swayed by current issues.

“Before this, we can just put a songkok (to contest) and we would still win.

“Now we need to read the desires of the public, understand the wishes of the people.”

Najib then appeared to criticise grassroots leaders for failing to disseminate the aspirations of the BN administration effectively, leading to problems with perceived discrimination and prejudice.

“The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground.

“These people must try to understand what the government wants. If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system … must do that,” Najib added to applause from the floor.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Najib then appeared to criticise grassroots leaders for failing to disseminate the aspirations of the BN administration effectively, leading to problems with perceived discrimination and prejudice.

“The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground. “These people must try to understand what the government wants. If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system … must do that,” Najib added to applause from the floor.

Politics should be about honesty, and civilisational Islam (or other religion) is not crony laws and racial privileges. As mentioned elsewhere, were a screen applied to ensure meritocracy (to mask race), a translation machine (to mask language), and a voice modulator and distortion screen or camera (to mask gender) applied at a job interview, we’d be surprised at the choices we make based on POLICY rather than race or religion or cult of personality (which harms the accuracy of content via sheer pathos via inverse civility). Then the concept of NATION would be real. Right now the ‘needs basis’ is based around wrong things like religion and race or even gender ‘quotas’,  which is very backward and insulting to the host race the Malays, the minorities, or men in general. Let the best people lead and let them be limited in terms AND chosen with the above tech applied so that the above racial or gender or religious cues will not affect choices. Finally, a first world ‘Meritocracy’ of logic and ability (as opposed to mob minded and pathos based DEMOCRACY of majority) must include :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

ARTICLE 22

Teen summoned for frolicking in park upset and embarrassed – by SYED AZHAR newsdesk@thestar.com.my – Tuesday December 11, 2012

Islamist Bullying in Malaysia . . . http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/11/nation/12441781&sec=nation

It is NOT a piggy-back ride, but Islamist Bullying in Malaysia must be addressed against . . . http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/11/nation/12441781&sec=nation

KOTA BARU: The 17-year-old teenager, who was issued a summons for allegedly giving his girlfriend a “piggy-back ride” at a public park, is upset and embarrassed following the incident.

The teenager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had a tough time explaining to his mother that he was innocent and that he and his 15-year-old girlfriend did nothing indecent.

The teenager was given the summons for allegedly “piggy-backing” his girlfriend while jogging at Taman Tunku Anis at about 5.30pm on Oct 20.

“The incident was traumatic for me and my girlfriend because although I am not an expert in council by-laws, I think what I did was merely having fun with my girlfriend. It was far from an offence.

“We were just fooling around in broad daylight like any other teenager but the officer who approached us said it was improper for us to act like that in public.

“He continued giving us a lecture on morality and when I thought that we would be let off with a warning, he issued us with the summons,” he said yesterday adding that he was now in Kuala Lumpur after completing his SPM examinations.

Summonses had also been issued to two non-Muslim men were for allegedly embracing each other when they were found in a car parked near the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport at midnight on Oct 31. Both have denied the allegations.

The action against the four led to an outcry by various groups which likened it to imposing the Syariah law of close proximity or “khalwat” on non-Muslims.

The teenager also claimed he had argued with the officer as it was unfair to penalise someone when a verbal warning would suffice.

“When I got home that day, I showed the summons to my mother.

“She was very upset at first but when she saw the nature of the offence written in the summons, she believed that I had done nothing wrong.

“My mother thinks I should not have been issued with the summons and that is why she has brought up the matter with lawyers to ask their opinion on the matter,” he added.

He said the news about the incident spread and many assumed that he was involved in “hanky-panky business” with his girlfriend.

“All my friends wanted to know what happened in the park. But when I told them that my girlfriend was merely on my back, they did not believe me and after seeing the summons, my friends will now think twice about hanging out with their girlfriends anywhere.

“They are now afraid to even go to the park with their girlfriends,” she added.

He said he had been under some stress during the SPM examinations because of the incident.

“But I believe I did okay because my conscience is clear and my family is with me,” he said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Let all Malaysians vote only for MPs who believe in dropping the entire Syariah Court system in favour of the civil court system. Also :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

If there are no such MPs running for election, please run for candidacy so that Malaysia will not become an Al-Qaeda or fundo-type-Taliban country.

19 Articles From Around the World : Poseur Article with NLPs Incuplating Specific Mindsets, Ethical View on Diaoyu, Subtle Islamisation Agenda Article?, Fundos Everywhere, Psychiatry A Tool of Control – Think For Yourselves and STand For Your Rights to Be Who You Are, The Media Outlet Which Cried Wolf, Names Not Permanent, Spaces for All, A Good Example of Forms and Blogospheres Littered with NLPs, Degrees A Trap And Tool Of Control, Celebration of the Nudists of the 2010s, Who Gives Birth To Who?, Medvedev’s Warnings, US StateGovernments Saving Money, Whale Skin Cocktail, Nursing And The Education Requirement Problem, Singapore’s Doomsday Oriented Construction Activities, China Continues Massive Scale Construction – Fengshui to Diffuse or Harness Energy, EU Flexes Muscles from Brussels at Independent Minded Scotland, Names Chosen by Parents are Not Names Chosen by the Individual, Reuters Slips In Manipulative MSM Article, Various Commentators’ Justification of Beginning A Civilisational War on Islam, Removal of Mubarak is for Egypt, Egyptian Culture, Egyptian Religion and an Egyptian Pharoanate But NOT for Arabist Islamists – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 13th December 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, Abuse of Power, advocacy, Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, amendments to law needed, Animal Rights, animal welfare, as close to original as possible, bad laws, best practices, better judgments, better laws, checks and balances, collusion, colonialism, conflict of interest, Constitution, cost saving, critical discourse, criticism, cult of personality, cyborg, Democracy, democratisation, demogoguery, diversity, domestic terrorists in the political sphere, education as a spiritual weapon, Equitable Distribution, equitable political power distribution, equitable wealth distribution, Ethics, extra-territorial, FGM, freedom of choice, Freedom of Expression, freedom of speech, gender politics, Health, healthcare, Imperial Europe, Imperial Persia, individualism, Informed Consent, Invasive Laws, Iran, Islam, land distribution, land sequestration, Legal Junta, LGBT, meaningless platitudes, media collusion, Media Neutrality, media sabotage, media traps, media tricks, misrepresentation of facts, Muslims, nature reserve, neglectful functionaries, neo-colonialism, neutral spaces, NLP, non-Muslim rights, nudism, Pharoahnate, political correctness, Political Fat Cats, politics, preventing vested interest, proselytization, public spaces, Riot, Riots, secularism, separation of powers, sex positivism, Sexuality, sneaky proselytization methods, social freedoms, spirit of the law, spiritual fifth columnists, spirituality, taxation method, taxpayer funds, taxpayer monies, undemocratic, unwanted gentrification, vested interest, word of the law, wrong priority on December 12, 2012 at 7:57 pm

ARTICLE 1

Truth By Consensus – How To Control Our Thinking – by Zen Gardner – Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

Funny how this works. People actually think they can arrive at the truth by averaging what they hear. Seriously. That’s how most people are taught to think. I get this argument all the time. It totally explains the power of the mass media. Just think about this dynamic. How do people arrive at conclusions? What information or lack thereof are they deriving them from? Pretty stark reality if you’re willing to look it in the eyes. People are incredibly similar in their outlook and understandings. And hence behaviors. Incredibly so. Like we’re following a script. Look at yourself. How you dress, the expressions you use, what you’re into. No matter what segment of society you’re living in, it’s pretty freaky. I remember when I decided to grow out my facial hair and looking in the mirror thinking, “Am I following some meme being broadcast by these bastards?”

Paranoid? Totally. It’s the only way on this planet. Completely healthy. If you’re not, you’re not awake yet. Truth is Never Popular. While a defined consensus gets established and reaffirms the status quo, “contrary” eddies of thought and realization make their way through the public psyche. These are carefully ferreted out by the watchdog media cabal and portrayed as “fringe” ideas and “conspiracy theories” of course. Carefully and dutifully packaged and sublimated into a negative subconscious arena for the mainstream unawakened. Anything contrary is now anathema, resented; spuriously thrown overboard as wing nut conspiracy talk. Typical. And more importantly…very effective and very efficient.

Getting To the Point

I’ll take Truth over BS fairy tales any day of eternity. No matter the pain and seeming loss of emotional or otherwise investments, bring on the Truth. 9/11 is always the standard reminder of how duped the world can be. Plain as the nose on your face those towers were brought down by some sort of exotic and carefully planned out demolition technique, but what the hell. No one cares. Or very few. At least that’s the portrayal we get and it seems to hold way too much water. People are even afraid to discuss the subject. That’s when you know society has been seriously hemmed in and headed for dismemberment. As obvious as it is, the Truth can just be right there without people being able to see it. It’s the condition of our “race”…we want to believe what we want and will cloak it in “positive thinking” or “idealism” or imposed bottom line security needs whenever we can for peace and comfort. Very, very sad from the Truth perspective, but oh so understandable. Blindness until awakened. What a tale. But behold the awakening in spite of all this!

Enter Psycho-Sexual Addiction

This psychological pandering we’re witnessing is simply a ploy to keep the masses asleep. The populace has been duped, hypnotized, seduced. It no longer can contain, maintain or control itself. It must have the savories and goodies of the system or it will go berserk.  This addiction is firmly established. Football, advertising, game shows, reality dramas, zombie and vampire horror and sci-fi movies while sucking down addictive, poisonous foods………”Please bring it on! We want more! We want another reality, not our own!” Scantily dressed young girls, sculpted effeminized men, cross sexual weirdness of every type and genre…. …bring it on. Chaos is our new middle name–in fact, their manipulated shifting world is apparently our New Normal. ‘Chaos is the new normal’ is as cognitively dissonant as the ‘war on terrorism’. Orwell, you must be howling!

Summary

Know what you “believe” about not only their false structure, but our true reality, to the point it’s not a belief. Please know each of those as facts…not an emotional extension of some hope or sense of idealism. Be sure you’re deciding for yourself and not following anything unconsciously. We’re not used to that kind of truly independent thought, having been taught all our lives to just follow, obey and repeat, so it’s a lot of work and a set of muscles that have to be developed. You’ll see what I mean as it goes along. Affirming our conscious awakening in spirit, word and deed is our primary purpose and most potent weapon. Not only against the usurpers and the ignorance and darkness that seems to rule our current paradigm, but for the development and realization of the true conscious reality that is there to be expressed into this dimension. Get busy being and doing what you know is right and the rest will follow, I guarantee. Because that’s how it works. And do it in love. If we can wake up, anybody can. Love, Zen

“If you’re not free to follow life’s signs and live in synchronicity, you’re not free.” – Zen

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

. . . It must have the savories and goodies of the system or it will go berserk. . . . Chaos is our new middle name–in fact, their manipulated shifting world is apparently our New Normal. . . .

Actually savouries or goodies MUST not be considered such. Chaos is not ‘our’ new middle name, Chaos is not mainstream, Chaos is going to take a proper place WITHOUT punishment. There is no way ‘Chaos’ can co-opt you unless you are Chaotically inclined, and given the need of Chaos in evolution per se, I’d say Chaos is the very most important thing to ANY species which wants to move on, even as older structures become increasingly exotic and rarefied to the point of gaining value (in retarded areas of the 3rd world, the rare are villified much like LGBT, in the right places, the rare’d be exotic and invested in to ensure survival . . . ).

Religion would have taken the role of rare, but the overproliferation and low quality of followers, obvious internal rot and abusive nature of religion says that religion is already over-proliferated and people being subconsciously sick of religion, acting whatever in the only way they can, to sabotage religion much like pedo-priests protesting celibacy, Islamists protesting no alcohol and no pork rules by being violent, Buddhists acquiring car collections and much trappings of wealth and gold all around the temple (Temples to rampant-Capitalism and Greed), even as Buddha said to not be materialistic, can we see that the highest ranked in the faith actually do the most opposite? I wonder if I do enough ‘opposite’ I’d be the Ecclesiarch Primifex of the Planet . . .

. . . So get busy being and doing what you know is right and the rest will follow, I guarantee. Because that’s how it works.  . . .

Don’t accidentally co-opt what is already known as your own!

@Zen appears to be quite fused with whatever mass mind or community hive @Zen is from (@Zen is less hive minded overall but still enough to identify that the mindset is still hivelike). Truth By Consensus problems as describe above are however correct. Subversive article with a good NLP positive article that disparages ‘Chaos’? Hard to say, but whatever we gravitate to, that is what we truly are, everything else is just nonsense, regardless of whatever laws or social trends, though spaces appropriate to size and facilities must be available to all and sundry in either case.

mini-ARTICLE 1.5

China opposes U.S. bill concerning Diaoyu Islands (Xinhua) 09:09, December 04, 2012

BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) — China has expressed serious concern and firm opposition to a U.S. bill that regards China’s territory as under the authority of a U.S.-Japan security pact.

At a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters, “The Chinese side expresses serious concern and firm opposition to the U.S. Senate’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which involves the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets.”

In the bill, which the U.S. Senate passed last week, the United States reaffirmed that it “takes no position” on the ultimate sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands. However, the bill notes that Japan has the rights of administration over the territory and that “unilateral actions of a third party” would not affect its position.

Hong said the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have always been the inherent territory of China since ancient times, and China has undisputed sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.

According to the U.S. bill, any armed attack “in the territories under the administration of Japan” would be met under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

Hong called the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan as a “product of the Cold War era”, saying it should not go beyond bilateral scopes, nor undermine the interests of a third party.

Hong said the U.S. side has repeatedly stated that it will not take sides on territory disputes between China and Japan.

He said the U.S. side “should not send out signals that conflict with each other.” He expressed the hope that the U.S. side would “proceed from the general situation of peace and stability of the region”, “keep its words” and “do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in the region.”

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The islands were part of Chinese territory with an indigenous people that accepted vassalship under the Chinese Emperor until the 8 Foreign Powers invasion and later Japanese expansion in WW1 and 2. USA should understand that sovereignty loss during war cannot have legal continuity under occupiers or aggressors when the war ends. How would USA like for the Native Ameri-Indians to kick them back to Europe?

ARTICLE 2

Ooh Baby It’s a Wild World – by Daniel J. Flynn on 11.30.12 @ 6:08AM

It’s a jungle out there for transanimals.

The humans called Dennis Avner “Stalking Cat.” His kind referred to him as “meow.”

The cat-like Avner, who held the Guinness Book of World Records mark for body modifications — including a bifurcated lip, extensive tiger-stripe facial tattooing, surgically pointed ears, and silicone injections in the cheeks, chin, and forehead — died earlier this month.

The human authorities suspect he killed himself. I suspect humans, threatened that one of their own had defected to the cat community, killed him.

Human nature, alien to Stalking Cat, remains quite familiar with suicide. The dearth of documented cases of self-inflicted felicide raises suspicions. Only an Ace Ventura could definitively answer this whodunit. The one certainty here is that it’s a jungle out there for a person who realizes he, she, or it is an animal trapped in a human’s body.

Dennis Avner never found acceptance among mankind as a felid despite the plastic surgeries, the tattoos, and the silicone injections. He was, in a loose sense, a real-life Philip Nolan — a manimal without a species.

Biology is the new racism. The phobia against transanimals recalls the societal obstinacy regarding transgenders. We exiled them to the “third bathroom,” inscribed pesky reminders of their physiology on their driver’s licenses, and imprisoned them with criminals of the opposite gender. Some men still won’t consider dating a woman who was born a “man” — whatever that antiquated designation means. One surmises that Stalking Cat encountered similar prejudices among potential dating partners of all sexes and species.

Society’s rejection of transanimals results in their rejection of themselves. When a man splits his tongue, amputates his arms, and fuses his legs together to realize his inner serpent, society calls him crazy, a freak, and troubled — instead of what he is: a snake. We will become as sane as they are only when we finally see transanimals as they see themselves.

All this recalls the dark ages when we denied that one biologically born a male who surgically remade herself as female was as much a woman as your mother. Dennis Avner was as much a cat as Chastity Bono is a man.

Yet, many landlords won’t rent to transanimals. Their contracts stipulate “no pets.” Restaurants still post “no dogs allowed” signs. Public parks demand that you keep animals on a leash. Dennis Avner served in the Navy. But he did so in the form of a human being. The ban on transspecies soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines persists despite the obvious intimidation factor that a battalion of tiger-men would impose on the enemy.

What was Stalking Cat supposed to make of the many restrictions, formal and informal, that civilization imposed upon his wild spirit?

Transanimals face a gross double standard vis-à-vis transgenders. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decrees that the Affordable Care Act forbids discrimination against transgendered patients within federally funded programs. U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf, a Reagan appointee, has ordered Massachusetts taxpayers to fund gender reassignment surgery for Michelle Kosilek, an inmate convicted of murdering his wife after she caught him in her clothes. Sixteen state governments find a compelling interest in forbidding employers from taking into account a man’s metamorphosis into a woman, or vice versa, when hiring and firing.

By what logic do these states, the federal judge, and HHS, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, then permit discrimination based on animal identity?

In fits of self-absolution, tormentors conveniently maintain that the extinction of Stalking Cat, along with a transgender suicide rate 25 times the general population’s, proves that self-mutilation begins a slow self-destruction that ends in one’s ultimate destruction. Society has dysphoria over sexual, and species, dysphoria. We lose some of our humanity when we don’t extend it to gharials, capybaras, and narwhals. Cats are people too.

Mourn Dennis Avner’s tragic demise. But celebrate the miracle of his longevity. While most house cats survive to about 15, Stalking Cat lived to 54. If you last that many years more, you will surely meet others of his kind.

It’s a bestial domain we inhabit. Or, as Cat Stevens — no relation to Stalking Cat — told us, “Ooh baby, baby it’s a wild world.” It’s getting wilder.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Cat Steven became a Muslim. Please don’t use Cat Stevens (now aka Yusuf Islam) as an example if you value your NLP-free/’accidental-proselytization-neutrality’ credentials Daniel. People might wind up thinking you’re a subverted Xian fronting for Muslets hiding behind the controversial topic of bestiality.

mini-ARTICLE 2.5

4 Bodies Found Face-Down Outside California House – by DAISY NGUYEN Associated Press – LOS ANGELES December 2, 2012 (AP)

The bodies of four people who had been shot to death were found face-down Sunday outside a suburban Southern California home that apparently served as an unlicensed boarding house, authorities said.

Los Angeles police were seeking a motive for the attacks at the house in Northridge, in the San Fernando Valley.

Lt. Terri Brinkmeyer said a 911 call led police to the large house around 4:30 a.m. Cmdr. Andrew Smith said the bodies of two men and two women were found face-down on a side yard of the property.

Investigators were questioning several people who were on the property at the time of the shooting, but no one has been detained or arrested.

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who represents the area, said the house was split into several units for rent. He said at least a dozen people lived in the house, which contained several bedrooms, kitchenettes and mattresses on the floor.

“It appears from the nature of things that this was an unlicensed boarding facility,” Englander said from the crime scene. He noted that one bedroom was only accessible through a window.

The house was on street lined with houses, schools and places of worship.

“This is a very safe neighborhood. This type of thing doesn’t normally happen here,” Englander said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Places of worship is the keyword here perhaps. Fundo alert. Or religion contrived sense of entitlement that caused strife with possible secularists.

ARTICLE 3

‘Asperger’s disorder’ being dropped from psychiatrists’ diagnostic guide by Lindsey Tanner, The Associated Press

CHICAGO — The now familiar term “Asperger’s disorder” is being dropped. And abnormally bad and frequent temper tantrums will be given a scientific-sounding diagnosis called DMDD. But “dyslexia” and other learning disorders remain.

The revisions come in the first major rewrite in nearly 20 years of the diagnostic guide used by the nation’s psychiatrists. Changes were approved Saturday.

Full details of all the revisions will come next May when the American Psychiatric Association’s new diagnostic manual is published, but the impact will be huge, affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. The manual also is important for the insurance industry in deciding what treatment to pay for, and it helps schools decide how to allot special education.

This diagnostic guide “defines what constellations of symptoms” doctors recognize as mental disorders, said Dr. Mark Olfson, a Columbia University psychiatry professor. More important, he said, it “shapes who will receive what treatment. Even seemingly subtle changes to the criteria can have substantial effects on patterns of care.”

Olfson was not involved in the revision process. The changes were approved Saturday in suburban Washington, D.C., by the psychiatric association’s board of trustees.

The aim is not to expand the number of people diagnosed with mental illness, but to ensure that affected children and adults are more accurately diagnosed so they can get the most appropriate treatment, said Dr. David Kupfer. He chaired the task force in charge of revising the manual and is a psychiatry professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

One of the most hotly argued changes was how to define the various ranges of autism. Some advocates opposed the idea of dropping the specific diagnosis for Asperger’s disorder. People with that disorder often have high intelligence and vast knowledge on narrow subjects but lack social skills. Some who have the condition embrace their quirkiness and vow to continue to use the label.

And some Asperger’s families opposed any change, fearing their kids would lose a diagnosis and no longer be eligible for special services.

But the revision will not affect their education services, experts say.

The new manual adds the term “autism spectrum disorder,” which already is used by many experts in the field. Asperger’s disorder will be dropped and incorporated under that umbrella diagnosis. The new category will include kids with severe autism, who often don’t talk or interact, as well as those with milder forms.

Kelli Gibson of Battle Creek, Mich., who has four sons with various forms of autism, said Saturday she welcomes the change. Her boys all had different labels in the old diagnostic manual, including a 14-year-old with Asperger’s.

“To give it separate names never made sense to me,” Gibson said. “To me, my children all had autism.”

Three of her boys receive special education services in public school; the fourth is enrolled in a school for disabled children. The new autism diagnosis won’t affect those services, Gibson said. She also has a 3-year-old daughter without autism.

People with dyslexia also were closely watching for the new updated doctors’ guide. Many with the reading disorder did not want their diagnosis to be dropped. And it won’t be. Instead, the new manual will have a broader learning disorder category to cover several conditions including dyslexia, which causes difficulty understanding letters and recognizing written words.

The trustees on Saturday made the final decision on what proposals made the cut; recommendations came from experts in several work groups assigned to evaluate different mental illnesses.

The revised guidebook “represents a significant step forward for the field. It will improve our ability to accurately diagnose psychiatric disorders,” Dr. David Fassler, the group’s treasurer and a University of Vermont psychiatry professor, said after the vote.

The shorthand name for the new edition, the organization’s fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, is DSM-5. Group leaders said specifics won’t be disclosed until the manual is published but they confirmed some changes. A 2000 edition of the manual made minor changes but the last major edition was published in 1994.

Olfson said the manual “seeks to capture the current state of knowledge of psychiatric disorders. Since 2000 … there have been important advances in our understanding of the nature of psychiatric disorders.”

Catherine Lord, an autism expert at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York who was on the psychiatric group’s autism task force, said anyone who met criteria for Asperger’s in the old manual would be included in the new diagnosis.

One reason for the change is that some states and school systems don’t provide services for children and adults with Asperger’s, or provide fewer services than those given an autism diagnosis, she said.

Autism researcher Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer for the advocacy group Autism Speaks, said small studies have suggested the new criteria will be effective. But she said it will be crucial to monitor so that children don’t lose services.

Other changes include:

—A new diagnosis for severe recurrent temper tantrums — disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Critics say it will medicalize kids’ who have normal tantrums. Supporters say it will address concerns about too many kids being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and treated with powerful psychiatric drugs. Bipolar disorder involves sharp mood swings and affected children are sometimes very irritable or have explosive tantrums.

—Eliminating the term “gender identity disorder.” It has been used for children or adults who strongly believe that they were born the wrong gender. But many activists believe the condition isn’t a disorder and say calling it one is stigmatizing. The term would be replaced with “gender dysphoria,” which means emotional distress over one’s gender. Supporters equated the change with removing homosexuality as a mental illness in the diagnostic manual, which happened decades ago.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

People are weird and different. The Victorian Era destroyed LGBT and butchered half the world’s indigenous cultures, many of which were LGBT friendly. The Victorian Era also propagated Christianity, which subsumed and destroyed many native faiths as well as subverted many world citizens into colonial mindsets that still persist this day. The English were expelled from the USA, sadly the Christian faith still is afflicting many populations worldwide. The English incidentally were the Angles, a group of GERMANIC outcasts that murdered the Celtic and Nordic cultures of the Isles, occupied thier lands, and butchered all the way through Africa, India and later China destroying lives, cultures and native religions for mere ‘paganism’ (those who didn’t want to belive in ‘god’ were heathens and ‘soulless’ needed to be murdered in those days . . . no end.

ARTICLE 4

Onion: We just fooled the Chinese government! – by the CNN Wire Staff – November 28, 2012 — Updated 1015 GMT (1815 HKT)

Onion editor: Tricking China has a “certain delightfulness”
A Chinese news site takes an Onion satire for a real story
The Onion declares North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “sexiest man alive”
People’s Daily Online runs portions of the Onion story and 55 photos of Kim

(CNN) — China, as one Twitter user wrote Tuesday, has been fooled by the “mysterious Western art of satire.”

The merciless comedy website The Onion has declared North Korean leader Kim Jong Un the “sexiest man alive for 2012.” And it appears China’s People’s Daily Online has taken the story seriously.

“I love this one,” Onion editor Will Tracy told CNN. “It has a certain delightfulness to it.”

The Chinese story reprinted satirical comments describing Kim’s “air of power that masks an unmistakable cute, cuddly side,” his “impeccable fashion sense, chic short hairstyle, and,” the story says, “that famous smile.”
A Chinese state-run site was fooled Tuesday by a satirical story that declared North Korea\’s Kim Jong Un the \
A Chinese state-run site was fooled Tuesday by a satirical story that declared North Korea’s Kim Jong Un the “sexiest man alive.”

The story on People’s Daily Online on Tuesday illustrates the mutual backscratching that China and North Korea exercise through their government-run media. The incident also shows foreign media outlets’ difficulty in navigating The Onion’s brand of satire.

The Chinese website had underscored its story by including its own 55-page photo gallery to accompany the text, which was published in both English and Chinese. But the pages and the images were no longer available Wednesday.

A woman responding to a call Wednesday to the office of the website said it was “impossible that the People’s Daily will quote from any unreliable media — we do verify our news and sources.”

The woman, who declined to identify herself, noted that the item had been removed.

The People’s Daily Online has a separate office from the print version of the Chinese Communist Party’s main newspaper.

Tracy said he’s not surprised when legitimate news sites fall for his high-level tomfoolery, but this was the first time The Onion had named a “sexiest man alive.” “We knew it would get a response,” he said “but we didn’t expect it would get life from abroad.”

A satirical post on The Onion congratulated the People’s Daily for its coverage.

The site “has served as one of the Onion’s Far East bureaus for quite some time, and I believe their reportage as of late has been uncommonly fine, as well as politically astute,” said The Onion’s Grant Jones in a e-mail statement. “May our felicitous business association continue for centuries to come.”

Earlier Tuesday, The Onion pointed readers to the Chinese website: “please visit our friends at the People’s Daily in China, a proud Communist subsidiary of The Onion, Inc. Exemplary reportage, comrades.”

Twitter users went wild over the editorial faux pas. “It makes me cry from another room!” Tweeted Francesca Ulivi @fraubass.

“Not sure they know this was a joke,” wrote @loweringthebar.

“Curse of the #Onion again,” said Colin Freeman @colinfreeman99.

Yes. Again. If this scenario sounds familiar it’s because The Onion is no stranger to fooling government-run news outlets.

In September, an Onion satire fooled Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency. Fars published an Onion story claiming that a Gallup poll found that rural white Americans preferred Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over President Barack Obama.

On the Chinese microblog Sina Weibo, netizens made their own teasing comments about People’s Daily.

“Foolish foreigners, the party paper was born to be funny,” wrote @sheldon-BaiBai.

“The world was fooled by the People’s Daily, because no Chinese believes this paper,” wrote @Hai_Dao_Wu_Bian.

The Onion never writes its stories with the intention of fooling government agencies, Tracy said. But “it’s great when it happens. We hope it happens more often.”

This prank, he said with obvious glee, may turn out to be the legendary Onion fake story that veterans will talk about for years to come. “We essentially just fooled the government of China.”

CNN’s Jethro Mullen and CY Xu contributed to this report.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Remember the boy who cried wolf? And if this is intended to harrass the foreign media, The Onion is just inviting the Chinese to do the same to foreign media portals. If this becomes rampant, then news on the internet will become rubbish or manipulative unreadable agenda laden nonsesne, and the MSM papers which will still remain propaganda, become more influencial and manipulative of the citizens locally until the dark pre-info-ages take hold again through sheer contrivedness and agenda loaded inaccuracy of articles. The Onion is opening a can of worms that could down all online media or online media accuracy if not careful . . . If the CNN, BBC and Peoples Daily or whatever online media do not remain strictly accurate in reporting, above the fray of b.s., the world will be poorer for the lack of ethics for preference of manipulation to bad ends.

ARTICLE 5

Don’t name your kid Siri – by Dean Obeidallah, Special to CNN – December 2, 2012 — Updated 0502 GMT (1302 HKT)

Sometimes a highly individualistic name for a baby is not good news for a kid, says Dean Obeidallah

Dean Obeidallah: A new list of popular 2012 baby names includes Siri, Mac, Luna
He says it’s not just celebrities with offbeat baby-naming now; it’s spreading to the rest of us
He says studies show distinctive names can spur teasing and mistreatment
Obeidallah: Parents, think twice on names; it could have long-term effect on your child

Editor’s note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is a political comedian and frequent commentator on various TV networks including CNN. He is the editor of the politics blog “The Dean’s Report” and co-director of the upcoming documentary “The Muslims Are Coming!” Follow him on Twitter: @deanofcomedy

(CNN) — Siri, Mars, Mac and Luna. I’m not talking Apple products or planetary terms. These are baby names. And not just any baby names but ones that have jumped in popularity in 2012, according to Baby Center.com’s just released list.

Baby Siri? Seriously, who would name their bundle of joy after a frustrating Apple product that hardly ever works? And speaking of Apple (see daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin,) that name moved up a whopping 585 places on the list of names for girls born in 2012. So there could conceivably be a family out there with a daughter named Apple and a son named Siri. (Hope that entitles the family to a discount on an iMac.)

There was a time when bizarre baby naming was something only celebrities did to their kids (as if being the child of a celebrity wasn’t challenging enough). There’s Beyonce and Jay Z’s Blue Ivy, Penn Jillette’s son, Moxie Crimefighter, Bono’s daughter Memphis Eve, actor Jason Lee’s son Pilot Inspektor, and the list goes on and on.

But now this “condition” is apparently spreading to the rest of us. In addition to the offbeat names above, 2011 saw babies sporting such names as: Moo, Draper, Graceland and Tequila.

There are even media reports that this past weekend some parents allegedly named their newborn daughter, Hashtag. That one may turn out to be an Internet hoax, but after last year’s story of a child in Egypt being named Facebook (in praise of the role Facebook played in the Egyptian revolution), we can’t be too far from babies named Retweet and Spam Blocker anyway. It truly is only a matter of time until you meet a kid named DVR or Playstation 3.
Become a fan of CNNOpinion
Stay up to date on the latest opinion, analysis and conversations through social media. Join us at Facebook/CNNOpinion and follow us @CNNOpinion on Twitter. We welcome your ideas and comments.

Apparently some parents believe that giving their child a jaw-dropping name will make him or her more distinctive. News flash: it’s not the name that makes your child stand out, it’s his or her achievements.

While I don’t want to rain on creativity, let’s be honest — these weird names are more about parents showing off their “cleverness” than about finding a name that fits the child. It’s not like the parents got to know the child first for a few months and then said, “You know this baby really is a little Siri.”
Beyonce, Jay-Z welcome baby Blue Ivy
Jolie: We are all Malala

And do these parents even consider that a baby’s name can cause consequences for the child that the parents never imagined, and in many areas of the child’s life? When I reflect upon my own name, I realize that my life could have been far different if my parents had followed their initial instincts when naming me.

My Palestinian father wanted to name me Saladin after the famous Muslim leader, while my Sicilian mother wanted to name me Dino. Instead they compromised on Dean.

Growing up in North Jersey, Dean was not a common name. But it actually made me feel different in a good way being the only Dean in my class. And even today in looking at the list of baby names for 2012, I was actually happy that Dean was not in the top 100.

Still, the truth is, if I’d been named Dino, I would have certainly been viewed as more ethnic by teachers, potential employers and co-workers. I would have been required to continually overcome cultural stereotypes.

And if I’d been named the very Arabic Saladin Obeidallah, you could just imagine all the “fun” I would have had in post-9/11 America. I would have likely volunteered for “random” security checks at the airport to make it easier for all involved or simply got used to taking the bus cross country.

But there’s a difference between a name that isn’t overly common and naming your child after your favorite appliance. A name is a big part of a kid’s identity. It can trigger impressions about a child even before we meet him or her — a particular problem among the closed-minded of the world, but this is the world your child will have to navigate.

For example, studies have found that children with names that linguistically sound like they come from a lower socioeconomic status are less likely to be recommended by school officials for gifted classes and actually more likely to be labeled as learning disabled.

Other research has revealed that boys with feminine sounding names — such as Shannon or Ashley — have had more disciplinary problems in school because of their response to teasing. Still other studies have found a link between how much people like their own names and their level of self-esteem.

So, parents, keep in mind that your choice of name will have a lasting impact on your child — both for good and bad. And if you insist on picking a bizarre name for the baby, then I propose that your child be empowered to rename you with any name he or she chooses. At least then it’s fair that a child named Hashtag has parents named Angry Birds and YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter @CNNOpinion.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

In the past there were in some cultures NAMING CEREMONIES AT ADULTHOOD. The child would choose a name LATER, and all children knew their names when young were TEMPORARY and that parents chose those names. Sometimes what the child did that was most unique would also decide what that child was RENAMED at adulthood. So ‘Hashtag’ away and legalise/normalise name changing at the age of 21. Knowing that names are temporary and chosen by parents, kids would not be affected by teasing because they knew they were going to change that name, or the teasers would not bother to tease knowing the name would also change by then.

ARTICLE 6

‘If it was offensive then God wouldn’t have given us genitals’: Naked jogger wins High Court appeal after conviction – by Eddie Wrenn – PUBLISHED: 11:29 GMT, 3 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:06 GMT, 3 December 2012

Shocked complainant said she would never walk her dog in Oropi Park, New Zealand, again
Andrew Pointon, 47, was charged with offensive behaviour for his naked runs
But appeal judge agrees that naked body by itself is not offensive

Freedom to jog naked: Andrew Lyall Pointon, 47, won his appeal against offensive behaviour (stock picture)

The right to go jogging in the nude has been upheld by the High Court in New Zealand.

Andrew Lyall Pointon, 47, was wearing only a pair of shoes when he was spotted by a woman while running at 8.30am in a forest near Tauranga in August last year.

She called police and he was arrested during another nude run.

Pointon was charged with offensive behaviour and found guilty in Tauranga District Court last December.

An appeal was thrown out in June, but a second appeal has just been upheld by Justice Paul Heath in the High Court at Tauranga.

‘If it was [offensive] then God wouldn’t have given us genitals,’ Mr Pointon told The Dominion Post.

‘It is a win for all libertarians and a setback for all conservatives in the country.’

The judge, Justice Heath, compared the situation to passing ‘gang members’ walking through the park.

He said: ‘It would not be surprising for a person in the position of the complainant to be concerned and discomforted by their presence, and even to feel threatened.

‘However, on any view, their behaviour would not be regarded as offensive behaviour.

‘Should the sight of a naked man, in the circumstances in which the complainant found herself, be treated any differently? I think not.’

He added that he felt Pointon was ‘a genuine naturist’ who had taken measures to avoid disturbing others – such as choosing a time when children would be unlikely to be on the track.

But Family First spokesman Bob McCoskrie said he was disappointed and said Justice Heath’s decision shows ‘double standards’.

He asked: ‘Is it okay for someone to streak through his courtroom? He’d be the first one to put them in the cells.’
Picturesque: The jogger was spotted close to Tauranga harbour in New Zealand

Picturesque: The jogger was spotted close to Tauranga harbour in New Zealand

Naturist Mr Pointon said he enjoyed the freedom of not wearing clothes and began running naked about 18 months ago.

The complainant, who was out walking her dog when she spotted Pointon, said she was so offended that she did not wish to ever return to the Oropi Bike Park.

But Pointon lashed out at the woman who complained.

He said: ‘It’s just ludicrous. Has this person got nothing better to do than wasting everyone’s time?

‘All she saw was a naked man running through the bush. It was just a fleeting moment, which has cost us all.

‘It just shows that it was a stupid decision by police to go ahead … and charge me for something totally irrelevant.’

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Perhaps a nudist’s track to keep the 2 different groups seperate.

ARTICLE 7

A Good Example of Forms and Blogospheres Littered with NLPs : 2012, I am tired – Topic started on 9-12-2012 @ 02:48 AM by TheAlmo – reply posted on 9-12-2012 @ 03:00 AM by xxshadowfaxx

I just want the date to come. Lots of mystery surround it, lots of theories, but no one knows a damn thing.

If anything is going to happen, its going to be something we haven’t seen before. Something the ancients tracked 25000 years ago. No one alive today can possibly know what it is. We don’t even know for sure if we have the right date. All the math is very precise and it seems that dec 21 is certainly a good possibility, but we may be off by hundreds of years. All we can do is wait and see.

Soon you won’t have to worry about it anymore because it is only 12 days away now. Whatever happens, happens, theres nothing anyone can do about it.

Also, its definitely possible to be love. Love is a state of being, and beneath all your problems, all your thoughts, is a state of love. When you can learn to silence the mind, and learn how to move energy through your chakras, you will find yourself in a state of love. It is beautiful to experience. All the people that talk about are trying to tell you something, and most of us ignore it completely. But the answers to all questions truely do lie within us. Once you be love, once you attain that state, you are given knowledge about who you are, what you are, and what your purpose is. You will experience the divine.

Commentator Response

I am tired you guys. Enough. This is insane.

The amount of 2012 topics on ATS and everywhere is staggering. It seems everyone takes a shot at it. Everyone. You guys turned the year 2012 into a prostitute year that everyone can buy and f*** for a while.

The problem is that I go through phases. Sometimes, I just really don’t pay attention at all and I don’t even try to rationalize or criticize the material I am exposed to. Other times, I find myself so angry about it and digging deep to find every logical fallacy there is. You know why this happens to me? Because:

1- My mood changes from time to time
2- The 2012 shower is an everlasting one that never ever stops.

Therefore, my reaction to the eternal 2012 shower varies depending on my mood.

What do you mean when you say things like:

“The change is coming, embrace it”
“All you have to do is be love”

Why does it have to be so astonishingly ambiguous? Why?

What do you mean if I don’t “embrace” the change I won’t feel anything and December 21 will be just another day?

Can this lunacy get anymore vile and degrading to our intellect? I am sorry, but even the most spiritual practices can be “practicalized” if you know what I mean. You can ask me to actively stop thinking about people that I hate or that I even hate them. I can do that. But what do you mean when you say “Be Love”? How can someone be love? Can you be Batman? A sandwich? I don’t know. Be love? Embrace change? This all reminds me of an incident when I was a kid walking by a public swimming pool and a guy was teaching his 6-ish years old son to swim by saying: maintain your balance… don’t drown.

Yeah… the best thing to say to tell someone who’s drowning: yell at them: don’t drown. dude, not cool, you’re gonna die, maintain your balance. work physics to make it happen.

I am tired of this nonsensical spiritual masturbation.

What about doom and gloom?

Are you gonna tell me where to go? What to do? Or just scream around and run all over the place like a fuc*** moron? What? No place to go? Nothing to do? Where is the warning then? It’s not like you’re gonna say “told you so” later.

I am tired of this. It’s too much. It’s everywhere. Everywhere I go.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Thats the problem with the people. The laws written cause this, so vote for a candidate not of the 1% (plutocrat or political nepotist) or run as candidate yourself if there is no such candidate. Write and ratify laws to distribute national wealth and unused national land (the country belongs to all citizens so why should a handful of GLC cronies get everything, even the land and wealth from natural resources belong to the people and must be shared to reserved for a handful of politicians who can be easily identified if mega-wealthy), and end the raison d’etre for NLP articles. This way there will be enough harmony so that the world need not end, or if the world ends, everyone was happy anyway.

ARTICLE 8

How The Cost of a Degree is Now £100,000 – Posted on December 9, 2012 by Zen-Haven – Author: Paul Gallagher

The true cost of a university degree will rocket to up to £100,000 for today’s students, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.

Thousands of people currently studying at university will end up paying that amount over their career because of interest charges and other fees – several times the £27,000 or £36,000 in fees that most three- and four-year courses charge.

The landmark figure, revealed in the Government’s own documents, is far higher than the £70,000 in repayments that it was previously thought students would end up paying over their lifetimes. The Government figures confirm that graduates who find well-paid jobs – in finance and law, for example – will be able to save tens of thousands of pounds by paying off their loans more quickly than the vast majority of their counterparts on middle incomes.

Even before they started in September, every student was hit with a hidden charge: for repayment purposes, the total cost of tuition is backdated to day one, meaning that the majority of the 300,000 three-year students and 117,000 four-year students currently studying will graduate with an extra £3,300 or £5,000 bill respectively, according to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) website. Many students will repay up to four times the cost of their tuition during the 30 years following graduation, after which any remaining debt is written off.

Add in other living costs and average student debt is now predicted to hit £53,000 by graduation. Accountants say billions of pounds of student debt will never be repaid, leaving “a massive tax time bomb” for generations to come.

Based on the Government’s figures, almost 300,000 students – 70 per cent of those studying – who started university in the autumn will repay between £65,000 and £85,000, while those in the highest income bracket pay back less because they will start to pay off their debts sooner. About 10 per cent who are in the “squeezed middle” could end up paying back between £85,000 and £100,000. The 20 per cent of graduates with the lowest lifetime earnings (a group dominated by women) will never come close to repaying their fees and the debt will be written off after 30 years.

The Government’s own projections lay out details of what students and graduates would owe at the start of each year in interest and repayment charges. What graduates pay back each month depends on their earnings: 9 per cent of income above £21,000 a year, independent of both the interest rate and the size of the loan. The amount due increases with time because interest is added. A 28-year-old male beginning a three-year course and whose starting salary of £21,000 quickly rises to £60,000 in year four, and is a six-figure salary by year 15, will settle his bill in 13 years, repaying just over £42,000. A woman who earns less than a third of that in her lifetime and who begins work a few years after graduating repays almost £62,000 over 28 years. A woman in her twenties who earns less than £1m in her career and takes time out to have a family will pay back less than £20,000, leaving an unpaid debt of almost £60,000. Scottish students in Scotland have their fees paid, while students in Northern Ireland pay a maximum £3,575 a year tuition.

Peter West, financial director at Portal, a computer company in Bracknell, Berkshire, said: “No one is aware of the long-term implications of this accounting wheeze. Higher education reform is a victimless crime and a massive tax time bomb. The Government has simply shifted all the debt off the accounting sheet for now – but, my God, will it come back and hit us in 30 years’ time.”

Susan Cooper, professor of experimental physics from the University of Oxford, said: “If the £21,000 repayment threshold doesn’t increase with inflation, the requirement for repayment can become much more onerous over the 30-year period. And maybe the 30 years could be increased as well. The higher the costs, the more the Government has to write off 30 years later. One could have wished for a more thorough thinking through of the consequences before being launched into this experiment.”

The University and College Union general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “The Government rushed through higher fees without properly considering the financial consequences. We warned at the time that fees close to £9,000 a year would be the norm and that the calculations for repayment by graduates were flawed.”

A spokesperson for BIS said: “Extending the write-off period to 30 years was fully costed as part of the whole repayment system. The new system helps reduce the deficit, is affordable and sustainable for the Government, while offering protection for those who may not go on to high-paid employment.”

Chuka Umunna, Labour business spokesman, said: “Students will never forgive this government for hiking up the costs of going to university. This figures show that, as ever, it is middle- and lower-income families who are being hit hardest.”

The NUS president, Liam Burns, added: “It is shocking that politicians treat the potential of a generation before they have even started their working career with such nonchalance.”

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The problem is that the establishment (or NWO) has already decided which people friendly to the regime of the day will get the top jobs that can actually influence policy or social culture. So even before enrollment or payment, those who are not on the same wavelength of the Education-STUDENT-DEBT-Financiar Complex (nominlly fused with the dominant religious institutions of the region – if these are not insane or hated or indulging in pedophilia) had better not even bother with ‘Education’ and instead learn how to vote and educate others on how to vote. The system is stacked EVEN at  education level and hardly neutral. Identify this and act accordingly by refusing to spend anything on education. Free spirits beware, the mob mentality of society comprised with useless eaters only enriches the 1% term limitless plutocrats and political nepotists.

ARTICLE 9

Celebration of the Nudists of the 2010s : Ai Weiwei investigated over nude art – Chinese artist says he is under investigation for spreading pornography, after pictures including One Tiger Eight Breasts

Jonathan Watts in Beijing – The Guardian, Friday 18 November 2011 15.54 GMT

The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei poses with nude women in Beijing

Ai Weiwei and female nudists.

Ai Weiwei and female nudists.

Ai Weiwei is under investigation for spreading pornography, the Chinese artist has said, as the authorities turned their attention from political subversion and tax evasion to online images of nudity.

He said police had questioned his cameraman Zhao Zhao on Thursday over pictures Zhao had taken of the artist. “They clearly told him this is an investigation, now, they are doing on me, on pornography,” Ai told the AFP news agency.

One of the pictures, One Tiger Eight Breasts, shows Ai posing nude on a wooden chair flanked by four naked women who are giggling and smiling.

“Netizens came to take photos with me, so we said why don’t we take nudity photos, then everybody agreed so we did it and they were put on the internet, and that’s it, we forget about it,” Ai said.

This year Ai has been held for 81 days in a secret location, questioned about subversion and then accused of tax evasion and given a fine of 15m yuan. Several of his assistants have been detained for lengthy periods and interrogated about Ai’s political beliefs, business and personal life.

His lawyers say the investigations are politically motivated to silence Ai, who has used his high profile to speak out on police brutality, official corruption and human rights violations.

Police have been reluctant to discuss his case and there has been little or no coverage in most domestic media outlets. But the Communist party newspaper Global Times said on Wednesday that dissidents such as Ai could only exist because of the support of the west.

“For 30 years Ai Weiweis have emerged and fallen. But China has kept rising despite their pessimistic predictions. The real social trend is that they will be eliminated in the rising process of China,” said a comment article in the paper.

Ai has attempted to turn the tables by mounting an internet campaign against his accusers. He says 30,000 people contributed a total of more than 8m yuan to his online appeal for loans to challenge his tax fine.

A pornography or obscenity charge based on the pictures revealed so far is likely to incur ridicule and anger among Ai’s supporters. Many Chinese contemporary artists have appeared naked in their work.

Ai said police had previously questioned him about the images, but he doubted they understood art. “If they see nudity as pornography, then China is still in the Qing dynasty,” he told Associated Press.

Ai Weiwei with EVEN MORE nudists.

Ai Weiwei with EVEN MORE nudists. The CPCC and PLA need not fear this wall of human flesh led by a scruffy semi-geezer, fear is in the mind China!

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

This is not for everyone BUT, this is an acid test of human rights and civil society. Hey frumpOs, if you had the aesthetic, you’d be as sex positive and body confident enough to use nakeness and beauty as weapons to shame the ugliness of society and the establishment instead of attacking nudism and snarking on morality. So stop victimising naked persons, that counts for MALE body parts too . . . so about a decade ago there was this activist who really didn’t know why until now . . . WHOS STILL WRITING TO END APARTHEID . . . Nudism is COURAGE and PETA is not exactly at the level of anti-apartheid activity.

PETA Nudists.

PETA Nudists.

Perhaps Nelson Mandela should visit Ai Weiwei and learn something missed, though this does not make for mainstream just yet but we early birds are the most well loved birds, so see Israeli women have taken a nude group photo to express solidarity with Aliaa Magda Elmahdy . . . and look at non-Muslims getting arrested for Khalwat in Muslim countries. Monyet dan Anjing! Hunga bunga! Bulaklak!

Duh.

QUOTE Lursa : ‘Human (nudist) females are so revolting . . . ‘ UNQUOTE – Star Trek Generations 1994, David Carson

Ladies, if you’re a Lursa or a B’etor everyone will understand why the preference to stay covered is there, BUT no understanding will be offered to those who hate on all of the above people who dare to be nudist or go nude for their cause. Same to the narrow gents. What’s YOUR cause Frumpos? Snarking at people who try to change the world? Who try to end apartheid? Who challenge status quo?

Nudists in Russia marching against Putin's 3rd term??? . . .

Nudists Nuns in Russia marching against Putin’s 3rd term??? . . .

The more ‘faithful’ they are the more brittle the faith . . . hence the term ‘cracker’ . . . so go hide your daughters and get out your shotguns. (this is intended to remind those without 2nd amendment rights to know how good hillbillies live in the USA, no other reason . . . ). Aight back to surfing porn and drinking horse, pork and beef flavoured beer . . .

Nudists in Paris.

Nudists in Paris.

Israeli Nudists for St.Alia.

Israeli Nudists for St.Alia.

Pussy Riot - Russia.

Pussy Riot – Russia.

Nudist Zones in China (at least zones exist . . .)

Nudist Zones in China (at least zones exist . . .)

This is not a nudist gathering but rather an English advert.

This is not a nudist gathering but rather an English advert.

So the next time someone is dressed like this, just keep the mouth shut. Bikini's are skimpier and even if out of context, nudism is not even sexual activity per se. The clothes on this woman are actually kinda wholesome, even with the neons . . .

So the next time someone is dressed like this, just keep that mouth shut. Bikini’s are skimpier and even if out of context, nudism is not even sexual activity per se. The clothes on this woman are actually kinda wholesome, even with the neons . . .

mini-ARTICLE 9.5

Woman Has Baby At Upstate New York Zoo : There was no time to get the expectant mother to hospital after she suddenly went into labour on Friday. – 8:33pm UK, Saturday 08 December 2012 – Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York

A New York state zoo has had a surprise visit – from the stork.

A woman went into labour on Friday and gave birth on a path at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse.

The 21-year-old woman, who was visiting the zoo with a group, had a baby girl with help from keepers not far from the bear exhibit.

Zoo worker Liz Schmidt told The Post-Standard that she heard about the situation and rushed to find the woman already pushing out the baby.

“I honestly didn’t expect her to deliver at the zoo,” Ms Schmidt said. “I thought we’d pop her in a wheelchair and she’d be good to go to the hospital.”

Other workers arrived with blankets to keep the mother and baby warm, and the zoo’s elephant expert herded away curious visitors.

An ambulance soon arrived to take the newborn to a hospital. A hospital representative declined to discuss the mother or baby’s medical conditions for privacy reasons.

Zoo Director Ted Fox said the attraction plans to send a gift to the family.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Nice . . . so Penang gets another beast among their ranks what was being snatched? Zoo animals conceiving? Now we understand why cheaters never prosper and why (some) Asians REALLY do not have Human Souls. That which is not one’s may never belong by theft or strength in numbers, more so on the spiritual level. How about another invasion of the 3rd world before the pariahs get too strong. Those who play by the rules need not worry, by now most of the ‘invaders’ should be able to identify the whos who among pariahs and among the rich and politically connected are plenty of pariahs.

ARTICLE 10

Medvedev Makes Strange Off-Air Comments : The Russian prime minister expressed bizarre views on Father Christmas and aliens when the cameras were still rolling. – 9:43pm UK, Friday 07 December 2012

Dmitry Medvedev has been caught making some unusual comments off-air after failing to realise television cameras were still rolling.

The Russian prime minister let his guard down after an interview with five Russian television stations – offering his strange views on Father Christmas and aliens as well as taking a pot shot at President Vladimir Putin and the federal police.

“I believe in Father Frost. But not too deeply. But anyway, you know, I’m not one of those people who are able to tell the kids that Father Frost does not exist,” he said in a jovial reply to a question about Russia’s equivalent of Santa Claus.

He went on to take a jab at Mr Putin for his frequent lateness for meetings after he was more than hour late for an event in southern Russia.

“Colleagues, somebody should be extremely punctual, while somebody else is exhausting all the limits for being late,” he said.

The comments invited a satirical reaction on the Internet which is unlikely to help Mr Medvedev, whose power has been ebbing since Mr Putin took over as president.
RUSSIA-GOVERNMENT-POLITICS-MEDVEDEV The prime minister speaking to the TV stations that caught him off-air

In the interview itself, Mr Medvedev underlined his allegiance to the president in a likely bid to dismiss rumours he is about to be fired.

In an unexpected move, the liberal-leaning prime minister defended Kremlin-backed laws which critics say will be used to stifle dissent.

But in the off-air comments, he was more frank.

When a journalist complained about federal investigators arriving to search the home of a witness in an inquiry early in the morning, Mr Medvedev said: “They are just jerks, so they come at eight in the morning.

“It’s just their set of habits. I know many people who work in the police. They think if they come at seven in the morning they will get everything in the world.”

Another of the journalists asked whether the president is handed secret files on aliens when he receives the briefcase needed to activate Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

“Along with the briefcase with nuclear codes, the president of the country is given a special ‘top secret’ folder. This folder in its entirety contains information about aliens who visited our planet,” Mr Medvedev answered playfully.

“Along with this, you are given a report of the absolutely secret special service that exercises control over aliens on the territory of our country…

“More detailed information on this topic you can get from a well-known movie called Men In Black… I will not tell you how many of them are among us because it may cause panic,” he said.

None of the television stations that interviewed Medvedev broadcast the off-air comments.

Russians mocked the prime minister on the internet.

“It’s sad when the former president and current prime minister of your country is simply a pathetic person,” Yekaterina Kudinova wrote on Twitter.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Not strange at all but with the kind of Russian subtlty that bore Russia a Marx. Medvedev has a OCCULT (or Techno advanced derived) CONSCIENCE which could be tranlated into OCCULT (or Techno advanced derived) ETHICS which can translate into (or Techno advanced derived) MORALLY AFFLUENT LAWS. This is my strange response to Medvedev’s strange off air comments. Expositions on methodology will lead to spiritual cleanliness and less hive mindedness and less mob mindedness, these many headed “non-individuals” Medvedev is referring to are the true criminals of Humanity that need to have the worst happen to them.

A one-on-one between exes is not the same as mass parasitisation, and we all know where spiritual parasites are going, those who do not produce and only take, as “Useless Eaters” are bound for the Auswictzs’ of the future (and past). In other words, do your own work or (spiritual homework) and choose your fights carefully and with respect, millions of spirits will be seeking their payment for their untimely deaths and that will be the ‘hell’ everyone keeps talking about . . . vote Medevedev for the next Sec. Gen. of the UN and we might see a better world if Medevedev applies entirely such principles within the SPIRITUAL update of the UN Human Rights Charter. Here’s one for the morally affluent non-cops and non-parasites . . . lets shine a light on all degenerates who won’t even think for themselves . . .

ARTICLE 11

Rotting whale in Malibu likely left to nature – by RAQUEL MARIA DILLON | Associated Press

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — No government agency is taking action to remove the decaying carcass of a whale on a California beach, making it appear the job will be left to Mother Nature.

The corpse of the huge fin whale created a spectacle on Friday as people wandered down the narrow Malibu beach to look at the remains — white bones, rolls of blubber and the tail flukes trailing along the water’s edge.

The homes of movie stars, celebrities and others line the cliffs high above the slender beach.

Looking over the whale, Malibu resident Ben Dossett suggested there was now no need to try to remove it.

“You look at the difference between what it was on Tuesday to what it is today. I think they can just leave it and let nature take its course,” he said.

The smell had largely faded away, but still attached to the shoes of those who came near. Some people took pictures, a boy poked the bones and dogs sniffed it.

“It’s really sad that this is my first time seeing a whale,” said Ingrid De La O, a Malibu resident. “It’s mind-boggling to see this immense huge thing that lives in the water.”

The 40-foot-long, 40,000-pound juvenile male washed ashore Monday near Point Dume, which marks the western end of Santa Monica Bay, about 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

“From the evidence that we have so far, it appears that it was hit by a ship,” said Jonsie Ross, marine mammal coordinator for the California Wildlife Center.

James Respondek, a real estate agent who lives in the area, worried that the carcass would draw sharks that could pose a threat to his young daughter, who swims in the cove, and to his favorite surfing spot down the beach. He said he was frustrated that no agency would remove the carcass.

“There seems to be no readiness to take responsibility, to take action, just a lot of excuses. ‘I don’t have a boat, I don’t have the money, I don’t have the resources,’ they all told me,” he said.

Fin whales are endangered, and about 2,300 live along the West Coast. They’re the second-largest species of whale after blue whales and can grow up to 85 feet, weigh up to 80 tons and live to be 90 years old.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Austerity leads to political caution? Cost saving and avoiding use of crony contractors (in this case whale cleaning crews companies which the government cleverly decided not to pay with taxpayer funds by, or where the links were so obvious they did not want to expose their political flank for) is good for the taxpayers and respect of tax fund access, and who knows a clever reference to Kim Schmidt that MSM should play on . . . the cleanup might cost a few thousand which could go to the starving or homeless, instead of  a crony company. The local bars could take a look at the below article btw, a potential money making and indirect clean up courtesy of the local oceanside bars, though killings of mostly endangered whales intentionally by ship owners should be very carefully watched for . . .

mini-ARTICLE 11.5

‘Whale Skin’ Cocktail: London Bar Raided – A ‘Moby Dick’ cocktail allegedly containing illegal whale skin is removed from a trendy Hoxton bar’s menu after a police raid. – 9:43am UK, Sunday 09 December 2012

There is a Europe-wide ban on the sale of whale meat

A London bar has been raided by police for allegedly serving cocktails flavoured with illegal whale skin.

The Metropolitan police targeted the Nightjar bar in Hoxton, East London, where a drink called the Moby Dick was listed in an online menu.

It was described as containing Laphroaig whisky, Drambuie, ale and bitters, along with a “whale skin infusion”.

There is a Europe-wide ban on the sale of whale meat and products, except under strict restrictions in Greenland and Denmark.

Police were tipped-off in October that the bar was serving whale skin illegally, and raided the City Road premises on December 3.

It was carried out by officers from the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit and an officer from the United Kingdom Border Force.

“One item from the premises was seized,” said a police spokesman. “This has been sent for analysis.”

No arrests have been made.

No-one from the bar was available for comment, however the Sunday Times reported that the bar’s management was unaware the drink may have contained an illegal ingredient until the raid.

The drink no longer appears on the bar’s online menu.

'Muktuk' Whaleskin, fresh from Kenai Peninsula, Soldotna, Alaska.

‘Muktuk’ Whaleskin, fresh from Kenai Peninsula, Soldotna, Alaska.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Mix, shake it cold and pour into an icecube-filled highball glass, top with soda. Drop the soda and use a smaller glass with crushed ice to get a fuller taste. Drape whale skin on edge.

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 parts Dark rum
1/2 part Galliano
1 part Triple sec
3 parts Lemon juice
2 parts 7-up
wedge of Lemon
whale skin infusion

ARTICLE 12

I wanted to burn down the hospital that let my husband die like a battery hen: MP’s heartbreaking account of NHS neglect – by Frances Hardy – PUBLISHED: 00:50 GMT, 8 December 2012 | UPDATED: 10:28 GMT, 8 December 2012

Owen Roberts was an Oxford graduate, a man of dazzling intellect and gentle wit, who met Ann when they were both young broadcast journalists

Ann Clwyd had presumed that when her husband was admitted to a flagship teaching hospital, the staff charged with caring for him would do just that. It was not an outrageous assumption.

She did not imagine that he would die ‘like a battery hen’, squashed against the bars of his bed.

She did not anticipate that he would deteriorate catastrophically because, she feels, those entrusted to look after him were guilty of ‘indifference, contempt and callousness’.

She had expected that her gentle and genial husband, Owen Roberts, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, would be accorded care and kindness.

Instead, six weeks ago, he died, aged 73, of pneumonia he had contracted while at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, as she sat helpless at his side.

This week, Ann, 75, the Labour MP for Cynon Valley, and a redoubtable campaigner for the rights of the oppressed, steeled herself to make her private grief public.

She did so not for political aggrandisement but to try to spare others similar suffering.

Ann spoke out shortly after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt admitted that poor standards of care are one of the biggest problems facing the NHS; that in the worst cases, hospital staff are overseeing ‘a kind of normalisation of cruelty’.

And she wept in the House of Commons this week when she asked the Prime Minister what he intended to do about nurses who fail to show compassion for their patients.

When I met her in her parliamentary office later, she was composed and softly-spoken. Occasionally her eyes blurred with tears, but aside from grief, the emotion that overwhelms her is a quiet, simmering fury.

‘I felt it in the hospital,’ she says. ‘I can’t really remember what happened immediately after Owen died — it’s a blur — but I do remember my anger. Owen did not die from MS. He died from hospital-acquired pneumonia, and from lack of care and attention.

‘I’m still angry, and the anger gets fiercer. I think at one point I felt I’d like to burn down the hospital.

‘I know that people meet in rooms and discuss things and promise it will never happen again. But you know very well that it does. Again and again.

‘Owen was a tall man, 6ft 2in, and he died cramped and squashed against the bars of his bed like a battery hen. He had an oxygen mask that didn’t fit properly and cut into his chin. When I asked for a better fitting one, they said, “Oh, we don’t think so”.

Almost every request I made was ignored or dismissed. His lips were very dry and I couldn’t understand why nobody was moistening them. I used my own lip salve on them.

‘I saw a nurse in the corridor and asked her why my husband wasn’t in intensive care. She just said, “There are lots worse than him”, and walked on.

‘Previously, I had asked another nurse if a doctor had seen him that day, and she said: “No, but we know what to do.”

To me, that meant “We’ll do nothing”. It was almost as if someone, somewhere, had decided they weren’t going to do anything more for Owen, although he was obviously very ill.
Six weeks ago, Owen Roberts died, aged 73, of pneumonia he had contracted while at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, pictured

Six weeks ago, Owen Roberts died, aged 73, of pneumonia he had contracted while at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, pictured

‘He was very cold, because a patient in the next bed had a fan that was blowing cold air over him and Owen had only thin cotton blankets on his bed.

‘There was no one observing him. You ask yourself: “Where is everyone? Where are the nurses? Why is no one doing anything?”

‘You kick yourself that you didn’t stand in the corridor and scream, but when you’re an MP, you’re concerned about throwing your weight around. And you think, “I’m in a specialist hospital, with people who’ve been professionally trained” — and you assume they know what they’re doing.

‘But a basic element of good care was missing: compassion.

‘Owen lived with great dignity and fortitude, but when he died, he was treated with contempt. And I believe the fact that the nurses and doctors failed in their duty of care contributed to his death.’

Owen Roberts was an Oxford graduate, a man of dazzling intellect and gentle wit, who met Ann when they were both young broadcast journalists. He went on to become a distinguished director and producer on Welsh television.

They had no children and Ann entered politics — and became MP for her Welsh constituency in 1984. She later became Tony Blair’s special envoy on human rights in Iraq.

When Owen died in October, they had been married for 49 years.
Ann Clwyd was the UK special envoy for Human Rights in Iraq from 2003 to 2010. She is pictured during a visit to the Welsh Guards in Iraq

For 30 years he had suffered from MS, but had borne adversity with courage. Two years ago, in 2010, he fractured his leg in a fall and had a partial hip replacement, which left him confined to a wheelchair. But he lived at home in South Wales with Ann, who combined her parliamentary duties with looking after him.

He was ‘spirited, aware and intellectually curious’ and had enjoyed a visit from an old friend, an Oxford professor, just days before he collapsed on October 10 and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

At the hospital, Owen was allocated a bed in an open area of the A&E department, near the nurses’ station. Ann was told he would be kept in for observation, but she did not want to leave him until she had established that he would be sent to a ward.

She recalls: ‘Every time I tried to talk to one of the nurses, they were either on the phone or talking to one another. I know they were busy, but it did not explain how they could completely ignore a patient.

‘Whenever I asked when we’d see someone, the answer was always: “In a minute.” There was busy-ness, laughter, joking?…?but nobody addressed our concerns.

‘A doctor arrived with a tick list. He was brusque, arrogant and rude — he didn’t even introduce himself. When I asked, “What’s your name?”, he looked at me as if I’d said something impertinent. After he’d asked his questions, he just went off.

‘All this time, I hadn’t been offered a chair or a word of explanation. I’d expected at least some reassurance. But it was as if the nurses were in their little world. There was a feeling of total isolation’

Faced with this, Ann sent a text message to her PA, begging her to ask for help on her behalf.

Two-and-a-half hours later, a doctor arrived and assured her that Owen would be sent to a respiratory ward. Ann duly went home — but 24 hours later, her husband was still in A&E.

Meanwhile, Ann became ill herself, with a chest infection, and was unable to visit her husband — who’d now, finally, been transferred to a ward — for fear of infecting him and other patients.

Instead, friends and family popped in every day and she sought reports on his condition by phone. Often, she was thwarted. ‘I’d be told his nurse wasn’t there, or was on a tea break. I asked to speak to him on the phone, but they told me it was a facility they didn’t offer.’
The MP wept in the House of Commons this week when she asked the Prime Minister what he intended to do about nurses who fail to show compassion for their patients

The MP wept in the House of Commons this week when she asked the Prime Minister what he intended to do about nurses who fail to show compassion for their patients

Owen was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, a treatable disorder characterised by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep. He was, Ann was told, to be given a mask to wear at night to help regularise his breathing. It never materialised.

However, she spoke on the phone to a staff nurse, who offered a hopeful and cheering prognosis, predicting that Owen should be able to return home the following week.

The next day, however, Ann had a call from a consultant, telling her that he was very worried. “We think he’s got pneumonia,” he said.

‘I was stunned; panicked. I rushed in with my niece, and they told me he was not responding to antibiotics.’ Owen’s condition deteriorated sharply. Ann recalls the eight hours she spent at his bedside on the day before he died, on October 23.

‘I took in a catalogue of shirts and ties that had arrived in the post because he loved colourful ties and I thought he’d find it a bit of a joke. I showed it to him and he said, in Welsh, “Tomorrow”. It was the last word he said to me.’

‘I sat by his bed and he was breathing with his oxygen mask on. One of his eyes was inflamed and watering, so I asked for a nurse to wipe it. But no one came. So I got a tissue from my bag.

‘I sat at his bedside from 2.30pm until 10.30pm and, as far as I recall, no one said anything to us. No one asked me if I wanted a cup of tea. It was as if I was invisible.

‘There was one ward round, and I stood in a corridor while they pulled the curtains around Owen’s bed. They were gone in a flash, and I’ve no idea what went on.

‘I tried to reassure him, so that he didn’t feel abandoned. He was very cold — as he had been all the time he was in hospital. I put red socks on him — he always liked red socks — and I sat and held his hand.’

When Ann returned home, she texted a friend: ‘No doctor has been since this morning. Very few nurses around either. Not very happy with the set-up.’ That night, she slept fitfully for a few hours, and was called back to the hospital at 5?am.

‘I was in a state of shock. I got dressed very quickly and put on a red coat that Owen loved.

‘My neighbour Geraldine came with me, and when we got there and found Owen’s knee squashed against the side bars of the bed. We pushed a pillow in between to make him more comfortable. His feet were sticking out of the end of the bed and he was cold. Geraldine got a towel and put it over his feet.

‘I’d once got a bill through parliament to improve the welfare of battery hens, and I remember thinking he looked so cramped and squashed he was just like one.

‘I just sat there and stroked his arm. I was afraid to do anything — but I was in a university teaching hospital and I thought they must know what they were doing.

‘It was all a bit of a haze, but I remember thinking: “Why aren’t they doing anything?” I tried to say encouraging words. I wanted to reassure him, to let him know that I was there.

‘I’d never seen anyone die before, but when I saw the blood draining from Owen’s face, I just knew that he was dead.
As Ann’s husband died, there was a sudden flurry of activity. ‘People rushed in, tore his mask off – but it was too little too late. And I suspect it had been for some time’

As Ann’s husband died, there was a sudden flurry of activity. ‘People rushed in, tore his mask off – but it was too little too late. And I suspect it had been for some time’

‘Just at that moment, a nurse came in with a trolley crying out: “Anyone for breakfast?” It was only a four-bed ward, and she showed indifference bordering on callousness. It was, for me, a very emotionally draining time — and I believe care and dignity were not there. Owen was treated with contempt.’

As Ann’s husband died, there was a sudden flurry of activity. ‘People rushed in, tore his mask off — but it was too little too late. And I suspect it had been for some time.’

A few days after her husband’s funeral, Ann returned to work. Friends had told her that work was the best therapy — but six weeks on, sleep eludes her.

For her, solace comes in the form of campaigning so that others do not suffer as her husband did. ‘This is why I’ve forced myself to speak out. I’ve had hundreds of supportive emails, and one retired GP wrote: “I felt ashamed of my profession and I cried at your distress.”

‘I don’t want any redress for myself, but I want to start a campaign. I just want to flag up the lack of compassion.

‘We all know nurses work under huge pressure, but so many now have degrees, and it seems to me there is more interest in their qualifications than in the qualities they should show to their patients.

‘Care, compassion, concern: this is what is needed. This is the message I want to get across.’

Mr Adam Cairns, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Chief Executive, said he was keen to meet with Ms Clwyd.

‘I would, of course, like to offer my sincere condolences to Ms Clwyd on the loss of her husband. I have been very concerned to learn of her experiences but, unfortunately, to date, and despite repeated efforts, Ms Clwyd has not responded to our offers to meet with her.

‘As a health board, we always accept responsibility when things don’t go well, which is why we really need Ms Clwyd to help us get to the bottom of what happened in the case of her late husband and to allow us to investigate fully the very serious concerns she has raised.

‘I’ve asked for a review of the case to be undertaken, a process which would be much improved by having information first-hand of the circumstances surrounding this case.’

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Any person can be a nurse without the degree after an informal internship. Somehow, working so hard and saving so much for a degree sucks the very compassion and humanity necessary to be a good nurse and a good citizen. Modern education is EVIL but in a very subtle way. Thats another reason to avoid those who swear by education, especially HIGHER EDUCATION. I had a dozen or so friends that ‘died’ (dehumanized to point of non-viability as friends) after getting educations.

They never seemed the same. As for hospitals, I’d say that my parents who had some reason to be interred, ALSO ‘died’ and became ‘different’ after their stays. Education and healthcare, even working on a salary in general somehow fracture the souls of those they come into contact with or those working at such places. Try talking to people with less education and compare, while the conversations are mostly less interesting or more limited, the sense of humanity is more intact. There might be some sort of ‘contract’ that the spirit seems to be affected by when using such institutions, not easy to place this occult sort of thing, but most of society excepting the people denouncing or untouched by the overall system make for a very difficult case to put forth, yet we still try and the closing thing to a key I’d say is to study Socialism and Marxism FIRST before getting into the Capitalist and Consumerist world. That is all I can offer to those who are afflicted with what I just described. Modern society is a spiritual sickness of sorts. That and high density living which fosters hive minds ad mob mindedness . . . the other thing that changes a person’s objectivity and ‘true self’, is marriage and family, but that will be for another response . . .

ARTICLE 13

Doomsday Plans? Or forewarned of terror by terrorists (and hence complicit)? – Jurong Rock Cavern – Published April 17, 2009

“Jurong Rock Cavern, South-east Asia’s first underground rock cavern for oil storage, with its two access shafts almost completed, will begin its first phase of proper construction at year end, with the first two caverns providing 480,000 cu meters of storage. JRC is located more than 100 meters below Jurong Island’s Banyan Basin and it will provide safe and secure storage for liquid hydrocarbons such as crude oil, condensate, naphtha and gasoil. Locating the JRC just beneath Jurong Island will add more infrastructural support to the major chemical companies operating there such as Chevron Philips, ExxonMobil and Shell. Phase 1 of the project will free up about 60ha of usable land above ground and it will create 1.47 million cu metres of storage space, equivalent to 580 Olympic-sized pools, when completed by 2014. The cavern itself will be up to 27 m high – equivalent to a nine-storey building. This first phase will consist of 8km of tunnels and five caverns housing a total of nine storage galleries. The caverns will be built using a technique that drills and blasts sedimentary rock and for greater stability, the inner wall will be lined with rock bolts. A planned phase 2 of the project will double JRC’s storage capacity. GK-JCPL Consortium, a Jurong International partnership with French engineering firm Geostock, has previously been awarded the contract to in providing basic engineering design and construction management services for the caverns and associated facilities. Jurong International is also previously responsible for many of the heavy infrastructure and engineering projects associated with Jurong Island including its initial formation via reclamation and amalgamation of seven islands.”

Why we need such a deep storage in granite…300 feet below the surface? Just hoping its not for nuclear plant or weapons storage.

Hyundai clinches $890m Jurong Rock Cavern contract – by RONNIE LIM

CONSTRUCTION proper of Singapore’s underground oil storage project is finally set to start with South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction clinching the main $890 million ‘design and build’ contract this week from JTC Corporation.

Actual building under this contract, for the first phase of Jurong Rock Cavern (JRC), begins at year- end, with the first two caverns providing 480,000 cubic metres of oil storage when ready in the first half of 2013.

The entire phase one, comprising five caverns, will offer a total of 1.47 million cu m when completed by 2014.

This will make the JRC slightly larger than the $470 million, 1.24 million cu m tankfarm of Horizon Terminals, but about two- thirds that of Hin Leong Trading’s $750 million, 2.3 million cu m Universal Terminal – Asia’s largest commercial storage.

The project had earlier run into some delays, although Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry S Iswaran last month gave the assurance that Singapore was committed to the JRC which would help alleviate the land shortage on Jurong Island.

Investors have not been able to get land there to build more above-ground oil terminals needed by oil refiners and traders to store their oil and petrochemical products.

So despite being behind schedule and slightly above cost, the JRC will provide necessary infrastructure for Singapore’s oil hub, especially once the rebound comes.

The cost for phase one of JRC – being built under Banyan Basin – has run up by about one-third to $940 million from an earlier estimate of $700 million.

This includes the $50 million for two access shafts and start-up galleries – which are almost completed – to facilitate construction.

The chosen operator of the JRC – earlier expected to be announced at the same time as the main construction award – will, however, only be made known by mid-year, JTC officials indicated yesterday.

Existing terminal operators here such as Royal Vopak of Holland and Emirates National Oil Company are known to be vying for this.

The main construction award came 11/2 years after the tender was first called by JTC in late-2007.

Asked why it took that long, given that there were only two bidders (the other being South Korea’s SK Engineering), the spokesman explained that ‘it’s a huge tender which involved a lot of detailed work and is very complex’.

The work is being done 130m below the seabed, and Hyundai – which has experience with such projects in Taiwan and Korea – has to carry out ‘drill and blast’ excavation using explosives, he added.

The entire phase one will involve eight kilometres of tunnels, with five caverns made up of two storage galleries, with each gallery being 340m long, 20m wide and 27m high. (About nine-storeys high, each gallery is large enough to contain water from over 64 Olympic-sized pools).

‘The water pressure will keep the oil contained within the generally unlined rock caves,’ the spokesman said.

The higher project cost arose due to improvements made to the cavern designs to enhance operational flexibility, he explained.

A planned phase two of the JRC could add a further 1.3 million cu m of storage, doubling its capacity.

Asked if this could cost more than phase one, the spokesman said that ‘the complexity is similar, so it depends on the timing (of when the project is done)’.

Commentator Comments :

Default Re: Jurong Rock Cavern To Store What? Scary Thought…Nuclear Plant?

I have a sneaky feeling its for something nuclear. It was mentioned before by our MIWs that Singapore may go nuclear in the future. Since when they tell u the truth about anything until TOO LATE or that we manage to ‘DIG’ things up trawling the internet. I have a real sneaky feeling about this ‘cavern’. Anyone have a map where this 8km cavern is located precisely? Dont want to live above it just in case. It’s in Jurong but where EXACTLY?  “You can fool some of the people some of the time….BUT, you cannot fool ALL the people ALL of the time…

WHICH PARTY’S SLOGAN IS……We Aim To Fool The Majority All The Time?”

Re: Jurong Rock Cavern To Store What? Scary Thought…Nuclear Plant?

Quote Originally Posted by red amoeba View Post

the location for sure will be top secret. No lah, the big lobang is for oil. For weapons or ammo, it would be somewhere else. Instead of hving thse giantic tanks like big targets for terrorist, safer to store them underground. The MIWs have been telling too many lies that its hard to believe them anymore. Even if for oil, there must be air-vents to the surface. i like to know where these air vents are so as not to visit the area too frequently. These air vents should be spewing out invisible chemicals  “You can fool some of the people some of the time….BUT, you cannot fool ALL the people ALL of the time…

WHICH PARTY’S SLOGAN IS……We Aim To Fool The Majority All The Time?”

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Kiasu at the taxpayer’s expense? MM 4 million+ yearly, SM 4 million+ yearly, ON TOP of the President and Prime Minister’s posts . . . which 99% of Singaporeans said those salaries were legal? Obama earns 400K a year and USA is 1000s of times more than Singapore? Meritocracy or Institutionalized/Legalized Corruption?

ARTICLE 14

China to flatten 700 mountains for new metropolis in the desert – Lanzhou new area plan to begin with ‘mountain-moving project’, but financial and environmental wisdom of project questioned – Jonathan Kaiman in Beijing – guardian.co.uk, Thursday 6 December 2012 17.48 GMT

A long, long time ago, an old Chinese peasant named Yu Gong decided to move two inconveniently located mountains away from blocking the entrance to his home. Legend has it he struggled terribly, but ultimately succeeded. Hence the Chinese idiom “Yu Gong moves the mountains.” Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Now Chinese developers are putting old Yu to shame.

In what is being billed as the largest “mountain-moving project” in Chinese history, oneof China’s biggest construction firms will spend £2.2bn to flatten 700 mountains levelling the area Lanzhou, allowing developers to build a new metropolis on the outskirts of the north-western city.

The Lanzhou New Area, 500 square miles (130,000 hectares) of land 50 miles from the city, which is the provincial capital of arid Gansu province, could increase the region’s gross domestic product to £27bn by 2030, according to the state-run China Daily. It has already attracted almost £7bn of corporate investment.

The project will be China’s fifth “state-level development zone” and the first in the country’s rapidly developing interior, according to state media reports. Others include Shanghai’s Pudong and Tianjin’s Binhai, home to a half-built, 120-building replica of Manhattan. China’s state council, its highest administrative authority, approved the Lanzhou project in August.

The first stage of the mountain-flattening initiative, which was reported on Tuesday by the China Economic Weekly magazine, began in late October and will eventually enable a new urban district almost 10 square miles in size northeast of downtown Lanzhou – a small, but important part of the Lanzhou Nnew area project to be built.

One of the country’s largest private companies: the Nanjing-based China Pacific Construction Group, headed by Yan Jiehe, is behind the initiative. The 52-year-old former teacher is portrayed in China as a sort of home-grown Donald Trump – ultra-ambitious and preternaturally gifted at navigating the country’s vast network of “guanxi”, or personal connections.

Yan was born in the 1960s as the youngest of nine children. After a decade of working as a high-school teacher and cement plant employee, he founded his construction firm in 1995 and amassed a fortune by buying and revamping struggling state-owned enterprises. In 2006 the respected Hu Run report named Yan – then worth about £775m – as China’s second-richest man.

His latest plan has evoked a healthy dose of scepticism. Lanzhou, home to 3.6 million people alongside the silty Yellow River, already has major environmental concerns. Last year the World Health Organisation named it the city with the worst air pollution in China. The city’s main industries include textiles, fertiliser production and metallurgy.

Liu Fuyuan, a former high-level official at the country’s National Development and Reform Commission, told China Economic Weekly that the project was unsuitable because Lanzhou is frequently listed as among China’s most chronically water-scarce municipalities. “The most important thing is to gather people in places where there is water,” he said.

Others also pointed to the financial risk of building a new city in the middle of the desert. “All this investment needs to be paid back with residential land revenue, and I don’t see much on returns in these kinds of cities,” said Tao Ran, an economics professor at Renmin University in Beijing. “If you have a booming real estate market it might work, but it seems to me that real estate in China is very, very risky.”

In an email interview, a China Pacific Construction Group spokeswoman dismissed criticisms of the project as unjustified. “Lanzhou’s environment is already really poor, it’s all desolate mountains which are extremely short of water,” said Angie Wong. “Our protective style of development will divert water to the area, achieve reforestation and make things better than before.”

Yan’s plans could be considered “a protective style of development, and a developmental style of protection”, she said, adding: “I think whether it’s England or America, or any other country, no one will cease development because of resource scarcity caused by geography.”

A promotional video posted on the Lanzhou new area website shows a digitally-rendered cityscape of gleaming skyscrapers and leafy parks. Against a driving operatic score, the camera zooms out from a large government building to reveal features of the area’s imagined urban topography: a clock tower, a new airport, an oil refinery, a light-rail system, and a stadium packed with cheering fans.

The new area “will lead to an environmentally sustainable economy based on energy-saving industries” including advanced equipment manufacturing, petrochemical industries and modern agriculture, wrote Chinese Central Television on its website.

The Lanzhou city government could not be reached for comment.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

There is no such thing as ‘real estate’, this has tremendous occult significance instead. Note the location and surrounding quake zones. This is a fengshui confluence city that looks set to be  filled with life energy if not mistaken or even able to somehow harness the energy at the safe point. Concept of money and real estate is a farce btw. Save for allodial titles backed by force of arms, real goods and real labour/services, or the whimsical entertainments of the RLD, OPZ or Casino city, there is nothing on this planet but evil politicians term limitless and nepotistic, along with plutocrats (those who are BOTH politician and plutocrat are the worst) that sequester wealth and pollute the environment.

ARTICLE 15

Brussels says it would block independent Scotland automatically joining the EU – by Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor – PUBLISHED: 08:57 GMT, 6 December 2012 | UPDATED: 09:02 GMT, 6 December 2012

European Commission letter to House of Lords says Scotland’s membership will ‘cease to apply’ if it breaks away from the UK / Spanish government would block entry, fearing it would embolden Catalonian separatists

First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted an independent Scotland would automatically join the EU – something Brussels disputes

Brussels will refuse to let Scotland automatically join the European Union if voters back Alex Salmond’s plans for independence, it emerged today.

Officials at the European Commission have revealed Scotland’s EU membership will ‘cease to apply’ if it is no longer part of the UK.

The Spanish government has made clear it would ‘veto’ any attempt by Scotland to join.

It is a major blow to claims made by Mr Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, that Scotland would automatically continue to be in the Euro bloc.

He was ridiculed after claiming in a TV interview that he had obtained legal advice on EU membership but it had to remain secret. He later admitted no advice had been sought.

Now it has emerged that a letter sent to a House of Lords committee warns that that independence ‘would not have a neutral impact’.

Scotland would become a ‘third country’ – outside the EU and have to apply to join the 27-member union, the European Commission told the Lords economic affairs committee.

‘If a territory of a member state ceases to be part of that member state because it has become an independent state then the treaties would cease to apply to that territory,’ according to the letter reported by The Scotsman.

If Scotland did lodge an application it would need to ‘fulfil the usual obligations’ and be ‘accepted unanimously by the members of the council [member states]’.

In a recent debate, Lib Dem Lord Wallace revealed the UK government was clear that any attempt for Scotland to join the EU would meet with difficulties.

‘On the question of Catalonia and Spain, it is entirely clear that the Spanish Government are opposed to any idea of secession and would be likely to veto a Scottish application to join the European Union under current circumstances.

There have been exchanges between the Spanish Government and the European Commission on this exact issue.’

The Spanish government fears that if an independent Scotland gained membership it would bolster calls for Catalonian independence.

It directly contradicts claims made by Mr Salmond’s SNP, who have repeatedly suggested Scotland would automatically join the EU as a new state.
The Scottish independence referendum is being held in autumn 2014, when Mr Salmond hopes to capitalise on a patriotic mood marking 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn

The Scottish independence referendum is being held in autumn 2014, when Mr Salmond hopes to capitalise on a patriotic mood marking 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn

SNP MP Pete Wishart told the Commons last month: ‘Scotland is a constituent part of the United Kingdom. We are currently a member of the European Union. After independence, we will continue to be a member of the European Union.’

But Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire told the same debate that ‘everything would change’ if Scots vote to go it alone in the referendum due in autumn 2014.

An independent Scotland would not automatically be a member of the EU and would have to ‘start afresh’, he added.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘Immediately following a Yes vote in Autumn 2014, Scotland will still be part of the UK. Negotiations will then take place on the transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament along with negotiations on the specific terms of an independent Scotland’s continued membership of the European Union.

‘Ministers have always been clear that these negotiations will be needed – but the crucial point is that they will take place from within the EU.

‘Scotland has been an integral part of the European Union for almost four decades and an independent Scotland will continue in EU membership. As legal, constitutional and European experts have confirmed, Scotland is part of the territory of the European Union and the people of Scotland are citizens of the EU, and there is no provision for those circumstances to change upon independence.’

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

I wouldn’t worry if I were Salmond or Scotland. When Scotland becomes a sovereign state and possibly banking or hub for BRICS, Brussels will change their tone to the effect that automatic joining will be forestalled by going through the motions of ‘starting afresh’. This is terribly manipulative but a face saving necessity.

Scotland presents a great opportunity for BRICS by being sidelined in this manner by EU. BRICS well needs a friendly point to the EU by and if the EU has decided to distance from Scotland then BRICS would certainly find Scotland that much more attractive, not that EU and BRICS are in any spat that Scotland is already not aware of. UN can even drop Scotland, but so long as BRICS is around the multipolar world will balance things out.

An independent Scotland would not automatically be a member of the EU and would have to ‘start afresh’, he added. Well thats just pretentious. And if by some impossibility that Scotland fails to join EU, the BRICS will be very happy to have a new member EVEN IF Scotland becomes the North Korea of the EU. Like a trust fund under guardianship and insulting as hell to Scotland to the tune of a deflated bagpipe gasping a sour note of contrived control. I’m not Scottish but already feel offended on the Scots’ behalf. Incidentally, try the CGI “Brave”, the settings make the Scots into a circus, main characters are ‘fractured’ as hell and an unhealthy role model . . .

ARTICLE 16

Don’t name your kid Siri – by Dean Obeidallah, Special to CNN – December 2, 2012 — Updated 0502 GMT (1302 HKT)

Sometimes a highly individualistic name for a baby is not good news for a kid, says Dean Obeidallah

Editor’s note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is a political comedian and frequent commentator on various TV networks including CNN. He is the editor of the politics blog “The Dean’s Report” and co-director of the upcoming documentary “The Muslims Are Coming!” Follow him on Twitter: @deanofcomedy

(CNN) — Siri, Mars, Mac and Luna. I’m not talking Apple products or planetary terms. These are baby names. And not just any baby names but ones that have jumped in popularity in 2012, according to Baby Center.com’s just released list.

Baby Siri? Seriously, who would name their bundle of joy after a frustrating Apple product that hardly ever works? And speaking of Apple (see daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin,) that name moved up a whopping 585 places on the list of names for girls born in 2012. So there could conceivably be a family out there with a daughter named Apple and a son named Siri. (Hope that entitles the family to a discount on an iMac.)

There was a time when bizarre baby naming was something only celebrities did to their kids (as if being the child of a celebrity wasn’t challenging enough). There’s Beyonce and Jay Z’s Blue Ivy, Penn Jillette’s son, Moxie Crimefighter, Bono’s daughter Memphis Eve, actor Jason Lee’s son Pilot Inspektor, and the list goes on and on.
Dean Obeidallah

But now this “condition” is apparently spreading to the rest of us. In addition to the offbeat names above, 2011 saw babies sporting such names as: Moo, Draper, Graceland and Tequila.

There are even media reports that this past weekend some parents allegedly named their newborn daughter, Hashtag. That one may turn out to be an Internet hoax, but after last year’s story of a child in Egypt being named Facebook (in praise of the role Facebook played in the Egyptian revolution), we can’t be too far from babies named Retweet and Spam Blocker anyway. It truly is only a matter of time until you meet a kid named DVR or Playstation 3.
Become a fan of CNNOpinion
Stay up to date on the latest opinion, analysis and conversations through social media. Join us at Facebook/CNNOpinion and follow us @CNNOpinion on Twitter. We welcome your ideas and comments.

Apparently some parents believe that giving their child a jaw-dropping name will make him or her more distinctive. News flash: it’s not the name that makes your child stand out, it’s his or her achievements.

While I don’t want to rain on creativity, let’s be honest — these weird names are more about parents showing off their “cleverness” than about finding a name that fits the child. It’s not like the parents got to know the child first for a few months and then said, “You know this baby really is a little Siri.”
Beyonce, Jay-Z welcome baby Blue Ivy
Jolie: We are all Malala

And do these parents even consider that a baby’s name can cause consequences for the child that the parents never imagined, and in many areas of the child’s life? When I reflect upon my own name, I realize that my life could have been far different if my parents had followed their initial instincts when naming me.

My Palestinian father wanted to name me Saladin after the famous Muslim leader, while my Sicilian mother wanted to name me Dino. Instead they compromised on Dean.

Growing up in North Jersey, Dean was not a common name. But it actually made me feel different in a good way being the only Dean in my class. And even today in looking at the list of baby names for 2012, I was actually happy that Dean was not in the top 100.

Still, the truth is, if I’d been named Dino, I would have certainly been viewed as more ethnic by teachers, potential employers and co-workers. I would have been required to continually overcome cultural stereotypes.

And if I’d been named the very Arabic Saladin Obeidallah, you could just imagine all the “fun” I would have had in post-9/11 America. I would have likely volunteered for “random” security checks at the airport to make it easier for all involved or simply got used to taking the bus cross country.

But there’s a difference between a name that isn’t overly common and naming your child after your favorite appliance. A name is a big part of a kid’s identity. It can trigger impressions about a child even before we meet him or her — a particular problem among the closed-minded of the world, but this is the world your child will have to navigate.

For example, studies have found that children with names that linguistically sound like they come from a lower socioeconomic status are less likely to be recommended by school officials for gifted classes and actually more likely to be labeled as learning disabled.

Other research has revealed that boys with feminine sounding names — such as Shannon or Ashley — have had more disciplinary problems in school because of their response to teasing. Still other studies have found a link between how much people like their own names and their level of self-esteem.

So, parents, keep in mind that your choice of name will have a lasting impact on your child — both for good and bad. And if you insist on picking a bizarre name for the baby, then I propose that your child be empowered to rename you with any name he or she chooses. At least then it’s fair that a child named Hashtag has parents named Angry Birds and YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter @CNNOpinion.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

In the past there were in some cultures NAMING CEREMONIES AT ADULTHOOD. The child would choose a name LATER, and all children knew their names when young were TEMPORARY and that parents chose those names. Sometimes what the child did that was most unique would also decide what that child was RENAMED at adulthood. So ‘Hashtag’ away and legalise/normalise name changing at the age of 21. Knowing that names are temporary and chosen by parents, kids would not be affected by teasing because they knew they were going to change that name, or the teasers would not bother to tease knowing the name would also change by then.

ARTICLE 17

Michigan weakens union rights in home of auto industry – Michigan passes anti-union law amid protests – by Bernie Woodall – LANSING, Michigan | Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:28pm EST

An anti right-to-work protester is seen outside of Michigan’s state capitol building in Lansing December 11, 2012. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

(Reuters) – Michigan enacted a ban on mandatory union membership on Tuesday, dealing a stunning blow to organized labor in the state that is home to U.S. automakers and the symbol of industrial labor in the United States.

As more than 12,000 unionized workers and supporters protested at the Capitol in Lansing, the Republican-led state House of Representatives gave final approval to a pair of “right-to-work” bills covering public- and private-sector unions.

Republican Governor Rick Snyder signed the bills into law as soon as they reached his desk, completing in a few days a campaign to make Michigan the 24th U.S. state to prohibit unions from requiring employees to join and contribute dues.

“I view this as an opportunity to stand up for Michigan’s workers, to be pro-worker,” Snyder told a news conference after he signed the bills.

The laws will take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which means they will probably come into force sometime in April. Existing union contracts will not be changed until they expire, according to a provision of the laws.

In a rapid turn of events, Michigan moved from being a bastion of union influence to joining states, mostly in the South, that have weakened local protections for unions.

The Teamsters union national president, James Hoffa, whose father, Jimmy Hoffa, was one of the nation’s most famous labor leaders until he disappeared in 1975 in Michigan, denounced Republican leaders in a speech to the protesters.

“Let me tell the governor and all those elected officials who vote for this shameful, divisive bill – there will be repercussions,” Hoffa said, adding the Republicans could be defeated in the next election.

Unions have accused Snyder of caving in to wealthy Republican business owners and political donors such as the Koch brothers, owners of an energy and trading conglomerate, and Richard DeVos, the co-founder of Michigan-based Amway.

Snyder, a former computer company executive who had said “right-to-work” legislation was too divisive for Michigan, changed course last week and announced his support for it.

While labor leaders decried the legislation, Republican Representative Lisa Lyons said during the debate in the House that such laws were not an attack on unions.

“This is the day Michigan freed its workers,” she said.

Opponents argue that the measures undermine a basic union tenet of bargaining collectively with employers for better wages, benefits and working conditions. They also allow workers to opt out of a union, potentially reducing membership.

By weakening unions, Republicans also could hurt the Democratic Party, which traditionally receives a significant portion of its funding and grass-roots support from unions.

Supporters of right-to-work measures say some unions have become too rigid and workers should be given a choice of whether to join. They also say a more flexible labor market encourages business investment, citing “right-to-work” states where some foreign automakers have put plants rather than in Michigan.

CRIES OF ‘SHAME’

The measures were approved to cries of “shame” from protesters inside the Capitol building, which was closed to visitors when it reached capacity of 2,200, Michigan State Police Inspector Gene Adamczyk said.

An estimated 10,000 more people demonstrated outside in cold and snowy conditions, including members of the United Auto Workers union, and teachers, who shut down several schools in the state to attend the rally.

A few protesters were ejected from the Capitol after they chanted slogans from the gallery during the debate. Protesters tore down two tents set up for supporters of “right-to-work” on the grounds of the Capitol. Adamczyk said six people were arrested after scuffling with officers.

A mixture of pepper spray and tear gas was used on one person, Adamczyk said, although Reuters journalists also saw protesters sprayed with a substance at a government building near the Capitol.

The protests recalled big rallies in Wisconsin nearly two years ago when Republicans voted to curb public-sector unions. Wisconsin never tried to pass “right-to-work” bills.

But Indiana earlier this year became the first state in the industrial Midwest to approve “right-to-work” legislation and several other states are watching the Michigan action closely.

LEGAL CHALLENGES LOOM

Republicans in Michigan were also emboldened by the defeat in the November election of a ballot initiative backed by unions that would have enshrined the right to collective bargaining in the state constitution.

Michigan is home of the heavily unionized U.S. auto industry, with some 700 manufacturing plants in the state. The state has the fifth highest percentage of workers who are union members, at 17.5 percent

The Detroit area is headquarters for General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler, which is majority-owned by Fiat SpA.

The UAW was founded in Michigan after a 1932 protest at a Ford plant in Dearborn left five people dead, increasing public sympathy for industrial workers during the Great Depression and leading to national legislation protecting unions.

Major automakers, which secured concessions from the UAW after nearly going bankrupt during the recession of 2008-09, were careful not to take sides publicly in the fight.

All of the so-called Big Three domestic automakers said they were “neutral” on “right-to-work,” even though the Michigan Chamber of Commerce strongly supports it.

“At Ford, we are focused on working with all our partners, including the UAW,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Democrats and unions have vowed to challenge the new laws in the courts, to try to overturn them in a ballot initiative and possibly oust through recall elections some Republicans who voted for the measures.

Democratic Representative Douglas Geiss said “right-to-work” laws would lead to a resumption of the battles surrounding the creation of unions decades ago.

“There will be fights on the shop floor if many workers announce they will not pay union dues,” Geiss said.

(Additional reporting by Robert Carr, David Bailey and Deepa Seetharaman; Editing by Greg McCune and Peter Cooney)

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Reuters?!? A ban on mandatory union membership *IS NOT*, dealing a stunning blow to organized labor in the state that is home to U.S. automakers and the symbol of industrial labor in the United States. This protects the workers from mob mindedness or being forced into what become SECRET SOCIETIES that also collect yearly dues or other fees that mosy workers who need a union cannot and would rather not pay! Work unions are powerful and goodly when CONSENSUAL, but when EEVERY WORKER IS FORCED TO JOIN, we end up with ‘Satrapies’ run by tyrants, especially if term limits in the COMMITTEE are not a fact or part of the constitution of the Union in question. This law protects the individual worker by giving OPTIONS. How could Reuters write such news?!?

‘Supporters of right-to-work measures say some unions have become too rigid and workers should be given a choice of whether to join. They also say a more flexible labor market encourages business investment, citing “right-to-work” states where some foreign automakers have put plants rather than in Michigan.’ This says everything.

“There will be fights on the shop floor if many workers announce they will not pay union dues,” Geiss said.

Oh yea? So what if they don;t join or don’t pay. If they don’t want to pay the union mafia, thats their choice. Why should there be any fights at all. Are these unions thugs?

ARTICLE 18

Various Commentators’ Justification of the Civilisational War on Islam : Somewhat censored and telling comments found on : http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=32211602&postID=115475218932378014

Blogger mike obrien said…

i fuckin hate this religion ,i grew up in muslim majority country and i can say muslims are full of shitt even though i don’t hate muslims i hate islam “To Muslims it is always a just war if the end goal is to spread Islam. If the war is waged by non Muslims to stop Muslims from marching in to spread Islam inside their land, it is an unjust war…Many Muslims call for da’wa in the West, which technically means “an invitation to Islam.” They present it as a “peaceful” invitation, but they do not tell the West that this is the first step before outright war if their da’wa is rejected. So when Muslims say da’wa, the West should be warned, because they do not want you to know that da’wa is merely the “make nice” first step before preceding outright jihad.” 7:56 PM

Blogger Gabe Del said…

I’m a witness to the ignorance that is Muslim . I’m a US Marine forward deployed on my 5th combat deployment. Four in Iraq and now one in afghanastan . These guys are illiterate and simple minded. The ten percent that can read will twist young Muslims minds to make them believe what ever they want them to believe in their Gods name. Kill, kill, kill is what they teach them against anyone not Muslim. There Koran teaches peace and good will, but I agree, history tells the truth of what kind of people they really are. No need to swear or lower yourself to their level. Muslims are the infection this world so desperately needs a cure for. 10:19 AM

Dead Ted said…

So your saying that the sneak attack on our towers, the pentagon, and the White House is a way to protect their land and people? Good plan worked wonders…some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever read 2:38 PM

Blogger Red_Rooster said…

Their minds are f***ed, memorizing the fucking Koran. Their ‘thinking’ part of the brain has gone redundant. They hate the Jews but do everything the Jews do; do not eat pork, cut their dicks, bleed a poor animal to death and call it ‘Hallal’ instead of ‘Kosher’, write backwards and wash their dicks before they start praying. In fact, the dumb muslims, follow the Jewish calender! The first day for the muslims is ‘Yom al Ahed’, meaning the first day. It is the Sunday; the first Jewish day after the Sabath. Yom al Itneen, Yom al thalata, Robo, Khamis and Juma, stand for the second, third, fouth, fifth and sixth day. The muslims 7th. day, is ‘Yom al Septh’; literally meaning, the seventh day. In fact, the Sabath; the day the Jews were told to rest. The muslims only differ from the Jews, is in their day of rest. They rest a day before the Jews. In prayer, physically they are the same, except the Jews literally tell you they are fucking somebody, while the muslims tell you, “Fuck Me!”

samy said…

to Jihan

I know what is written in Quraan , i was forced to read and even memorize it at school when I was living in my mother country before migrate to canada ( thank God), the true islam relegion is violence .. force other people to convert otherwise they will be islam enemy and should be killed .. this is what written in Quraan and you knw it and can not deny it… even in here in canada they are trying to force the stubid islamic belives on other people and their ultimate goal is to take over north america and europ .. I hope that our government to wake up and realise what is going on … WAKE UUUPPPP.., islam is evil , muslims are twisted minded and hate everyone simply because he or she is not muslim !!!! they will be in everlasting HELL.. this is the simple plan truth, so what ever you or any muslim try to say otherwise .. it is a BIGGGGG LIE.!! 10:45 AM

Event_Horizon said…

They are so backward in all aspects of life including commerce, infrastructure or technology. They are a brainwashed nation thirsty for the blood of other successful nations. And the worst part is their fucked up religion acts as a catalyst. It inspires them to wage was over the world. For how long will the world continue to tolerate these freaks of religion? The muslims sole mission in life is to create terror in the world. That is what they live for, that’s what their religion teaches them. They are jealous of the developed countries . . . P.S. Muslims smell bad…..True Story! 12:38 PM

Blogger Pris said…

I love all other religions except islam. Muslims are truly f***** up, but don’t know any better because they are brainwashed and left with no brains. Watch all the muslim countries in the world, none of their economies are doing well. The ones that have oil may have money, but they have no infrastructure, no scientific manpower etc. These assholes come to the west for a better life and then try to force their evil religion, customs, traditions and damn sharia law on the free citizens of the world. If left to thrive these guys will make our western nations deteriorate to the abysmal level of the muslim countries they came from. Their goal is to dominate the world and so they multiply like rats to increase their numbers. Before they become a sizable population in the west we should send these guys, including the ones that were born or converted in the west, to muslim countries and contain them there. Let them over populate muslim countries . . . are contaminating the west and so should be stopped before it is too late. To start off, we need to prohibit building of mosques and islamic schools, and publishing of the unholy koran. We need to unite and end this evil.

Blogger TheDeathBird said…

I know a family who left Lebanon to flee Muslim persecution. One of their grandsons returned to visit. On this trip there was a man yelling on the TV set in his hotel room. The man was protesting being fined a cow for shooting his wife for being outside the house. She had crossed a field and a man on a horse said something to her, since he didn’t get a clear shot at the man. Since he could not prove the man was really talking to his wife they fined him a cow. This is Muslim law this is what the Koran teaches. Also, in the Koran a woman told her husband to stop following Mohamid or she would leave She believed Mo was a bad evil monster. Her husband begged her to not talk bad about Mo but since She wouldn’t stop talking bad about Mohamid and She was Pregnant he cut his unborn child out of her belly. He went to Mo and told him and Mohamid said ” I can find no fault with this man” OK people this Story is in the Koran! can you imagine any other spiritual leader like Jesus or Krishna saying something like that! Only the spawn of hell the son of Satan the true Anti Christ would say such a thing Muslims worship the devil their God lives in hell and eats the faithful Muslims for dinner. While pretending to be God. Let any Muslim tell us that story isn’t in the Koran I read it! they follow this monster Mohamido the vile and say he is good. Anyone who reads the Koran who has any love inside them or spirtuality will be sad such a vile work of hate can be considered a work inspired by God. 7:48 PM

sexyharry said…

these guys(muslims) when small in numbers behave as if they are good (we respect other religions,and our god is tolerant etc.) but reality is there quran teaches to hate,kill people who doesn’t believe in islam, some of muslims are good as they doesn’t follow islam properly…….as muslims number increases they will be no more friend of urs ,they will take the side their muslim brothers and try to implement the shariah law’s,blasts,killing who leaves islam……so,i am a guy from sanathan dharam,in our religion we respect every other religion and our religion doesn’t believe in conversion bcoz god resides in us not by simple conversion…..so,i love all religions except islam ………4:02 AM

Blogger vsindia said…

Thes muslims are really lowly creatures. all the terrorists in this world are muslims. how can screw muslims ?

– stop giving them jobs
– shun them publicly
– make separate , stricter laws for muslims
– lets convert all their kids after killing the men
– lets creat gas chambers once again – only for muslims/

I hate them so much that my fist clench and jaws go tight when i think of these bastards. They have forcibly thrown out hindus out of kashmir and christians out of bosnia.

4:42 AM

mark said…

not all muslims are bad but I am sick of them. I am sick of them coming to the west and demanding that shariah law be implemented in western nations. if muzzies think shariah law is so great then they should piss off and go live in a muslim nation.

sick of their fantical hate and terrorism.
sick of their demands and sick of their backward ways.
muslims should go and live in muslim nations and keep their shit ways in muslim nations.

10:08 PM

Blogger marine corps captain said…

JIHAN,

I have taken significant time to read your Koran. And I would rather wipe my ass with a dirty, dime store novel than waste another minute reading, or listening, to that complete pile of pig cum.
Thank GOD I had the opportunity to kill 19 of your brethren while in Iraq. 19 less jihadists on the move.
It’s not ignorance my camel fucking friend…I completely understand your beliefs, motives and wants for this world. And if given the chance I would end your life as well. And your family’s and friend’s lives if possible.
And please refrain from the old tag line of “That’s not true Islam.” Any individual with a 3rd grade education has the ability to understand your religion of hate, murder, suppresion and penchant for death. Watch your back, Muhhamed…you won’t have a second chance with me. 8:23 AM

Fighting to live said…

Hi guys . I am married to a moslem but I am Greek Orthodox. This is a quite funny mix. Our kids are Christian I made sure . But the Moslems all jokes aside have made and continue to make efforts to convert me. That is quite frightening. My husband offered to convert. So I decided to make him sell everything in Pakistan and the next step is to convert him. Wait and see. Keep up the great work

8:50 PM

Blogger Uncle_Sam said…

this maessage is for the fucking muslims

Long gone are the days when you used to blow yourselves up in the middle of the streets in the countries that you infest with your presence.You forget that we are the ones who created and adopted this so-called human rights but we can also break em! you call yourselves warriors ? Com on up and fight you stinckin’ cowards! we’ll show you what a war means…We’ll show you what everyone felt 65 years ago!We’ll show the Nazi style bitches…we will behead all of your stinckin’ children and your masked-shit-pushed-in wifes… Can u all spell together HOLOCAUST? 3:10 PM

Blogger Red_Rooster said…

sdlfihsdiulkgh54;kuy5b4jgrehthredyth said… This man talks of porn … Tell him to go to Yemen. He can fuck 12 yr. old girls there for free! Three times a day! Free!

I lived in Yemen and I know. All the women go out around noon to eat Kat at their friends’. You just pick these Burka clad women and boy, when they enter your home, the Burka is off in a jiffy! Just like that! Pot luck but fucking lucky evertime I had. I must have fucked over 300 muslim cunts in my 5-year stay there. No worry of husbands. They are all in working in Saudi Arabia; coolies there and their 12 year old brides are getting fucked back home. By the way … all their women have inserted in them, the ‘Copper T’. A muslim Female gynacologist I knew, made a roaring business from inserting these things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device

4:35 PM

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The ruder parts of the above have been edited out. The acts of terror are clear enough, but just from a woman’s angle, one doesn’t need to be a woman to want Islam to end in some places, to see how horrible Muslimahs lives are in some places . . . combine with a chastity belt (Christianity) and wallah, a semi-Cyborg . . . how much do some of the very worse among Muslets hate life or procreation that makes them treat women like this, makes the ‘no condoms’ Catholic lot seem humane even though abortion IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chastity_belt_(BDSM). . .

In 1998, racial riots against the ethnic Chinese in West Java prompted the production and sale of “anti-rape corsets” (things have cooled off since as China gains further traction in ASEAN . . . ).

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/10946622/ns/today-entertainment/t/anti-rape-devices-stir-debate-metal-museum/

ARTICLE 19

Egyptians suffer buyers’ remorse as Morsi drives toward Islamicization – by Araminta Wordsworth | Dec 12, 2012 8:30 AM ET | Last Updated: Dec 12, 2012 8:43 AM ET

Full Comment’s Araminta Wordsworth brings you a daily round-up of quality punditry from across the globe. Today: It’s the statistics, stupid!

There are more than 83 million people living in Egypt, the Middle East’s most populous nation; 90% of them are Sunni Muslims. More than half dwell in small towns and villages in the countryside and tend to be deeply conservative, attached to tradition. There is a small, urban, educated upper-middle class of liberals and left-wingers.

If these people get the vote, guess who the majority would go for? Under these circumstances, the dramatic swing from dictatorship through democracy to dictatorship is all too sadly predictable.

Now, Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood member who was elected Egyptian president in June, is showing his true colours — he’s like Hosni Mubarak with a beard. He wants nothing less than an Islamic state, with sharia law and Muslim clerics empowered to render legal opinions.

His idea of reaching out to the opposition is to restate his position, as he did in last week’s speech. This was so devoid of anything resembling reconciliation or fresh ideas, the BBC cut off the live feed after about seven minutes.

Instead, Morsi is calling on the military to do his dirty work, arresting and trying civilians. Brotherhood members have also resorted to torture and the kind of vigilante “justice” that was a feature of the ancient regime. In their view, opponents are Mubarak supporters and/or paid troublemakers.

The Economist for one has seen the writing on the wall.

[Morsi’s actions have polarized Egypt’s exhausted people. The most populous and politically pivotal Arab state stands on the brink of prolonged civil strife, or a descent into a form of veiled dictatorship not unlike the one so recently overthrown, only this time in drab Islamist garb …
The abruptness of the Islamists’ lunge for control has ignited Egypt’s hitherto fractious opposition in outrage, prompting protests on the scale of those during the revolution. A group of former presidential candidates has picked Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel peace prize-winner and former UN official, as their leader, and threatened strikes and continued protests until Mr. Morsi relents. The judges, who usually run such things, plan to boycott the referendum. But he shows no signs of backing down. Tired, impoverished and apprehensive, ordinary Egyptians may be tempted to let the  Muslim Brotherhood have their way.

Reporting for Der Spiegel from Cairo, Matthias Gebauer describes Morsi as the Brotherhood’s poodle.

Morsi remains intent on strictly following the course of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Islamist group wants to see their man, who won a narrow victory in summer elections, to put Egypt on the path to fundamentalist Islam. And the Muslim Brotherhood is in no mood for compromise. After more than 80 years in the political underground, Brotherhood leaders have decided to seize their chance. And Morsi increasingly looks the part of a fainthearted Brotherhood puppet. He appears to have accepted his country’s descent into violence, making more clashes on the streets of Cairo inevitable.

At The National Review, Andrew C. McCarthy says Egypt’s unravelling was inevitable.

Here’s the late-breaking news: The Muslim Brotherhood is the enemy of democracy. … the Muslim Brotherhood is an innately, incorrigibly Islamic-supremacist outfit. Wherever it establishes a presence, it seeks — as gradually as indigenous conditions require, and as rapidly as they allow — to implement its repressive construction of sharia. Wherever it gets the opportunity to rule, it uses its power to impose this sharia, despite resistance from the society’s non-Islamist factions.

This is not a mere theory. Egypt, the world’s most important Arab country, is violently convulsing before our eyes in direct reaction to the suffocation that is Islamist rule. So, will we finally take the lesson? Will we finally come to understand why democracy and Islamic supremacism cannot coexist? Ebrahim Moosa, an Islamic studies prof at North Carolina’s Duke University, believes the Egyptian president and his Islamic allies badly misjudged the situation.

Mr. Morsi seems to have forgotten the sensitivity that a country freshly freed from decades of despotism might feel towards anything with an odour of dictatorship. Secretive and inward-looking, the Brotherhood appears surprised by the depth of mistrust that many Egyptians, including pious Muslims of every social class, feel towards them. The Islamists’ constituency remains large and their organising power formidable. “They will rally the poor with the slogan: to be a Muslim, vote yes for the constitution and confound the infidels,” predicts Muhammad Nour Farahat, a law professor at Cairo’s Zagazig University. Yet even if Mr Morsi and his Brothers manage to pull this off, a heavy cloud will remain over their rule.

Egypt 2012 Const-Referendem (Note the true culturists wearing their subtle NPPs . . . )

Egypt 2012 Const-Referendem (Note the true culturists wearing their subtle NPPs . . . )

compiled by Araminta Wordsworth
awordsworth@nationalpost.com

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Why not the military just take over and do away with the Islamist b.s. and revive a BENEVOLENT Constitutional Pharoanate via DNA testing to determine the closest Royal Egyptian bloodline? A BENEVOLENT Grand Vizier from the military would well be tolerated even for LIFE (if all unused state land is redistribited to the landless or homeless in Egypt) while the country RE-EGYPTIANISES. This would be preferable to this potential threat of the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist imposition of Hudud or Syariah under Morsi which does not need to be written into the constitution and instead remain seperate from the State. Religion and State are not to be confused into a single item under any Islamist leaning Constitution. Let the Muslets impose their own laws on theselves, LEAVE THE SECULARITY OF STATE ALONE.

WHERE IS THE Pharoah’s Brotherhood or Amon-Ra’s Brotherhood to counter the Muslim Brotherhood? Freemasonry across the world could accept no less!

This is EGYPT and Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, the central symbol of the Egyptian civilisation is THE PYRAMID OF THE PHAROAHS . . . NOT ARABIA and Mecca or Medina,  the central symbol of the Arabian civilisation is THE CUBE OF KABAA.

Egypt is nt Arabia.

Egypt is not Arabia.

Adopt EGYPTIAN NAMES not keep using those ARABIAN NAMES (the wealthier can trace their DNA down to the nobility or even Kings if they try hard enough). Pray and worship at EGYPTIAN Temples. Respect a revived Egyptian Priesthood not a Foreign Priesthood that answers to a foreign Arab King. Wear Egyptian garb. In Egypt, if the Egyptian people have the will, an Egyptian King is even possible (Constitutional Monarch), or an Egyptian Pharoah rather.

Learn Hieratic instead of Arabic and remember that EGYPTIAN culture and polytheistic EGYPTIAN religion (well if the people are as lazy as Akenathan, worship Amon-Ra instead for a while NOT the Kabaa – even as the Aabakian Octohedron Cult arises on the Mecc(h)an Antipode) are well loved the world over, as opposed to Islamism’s monotheistic malaise and penchant for association with oil and terror, rampant disrespectful proselytization and sometimes forced conversions.

Some Egyptians remember who they are . . .

At least some Egyptians seem to remember who they are . . . the Egyptian Pantheon’s first High Priest perhaps? Imhotep! Imhotep! Imhotep II rather . . .

10 Articles on Malaysian Politics : More Meaningless Point Scoring and ‘abuse of power’ mindset by DAP Lim Oligarch Family, Astro the Indicator of Bad Society and Bad Politics, Bar Council can Defend Foreign Funds But Refuses to Challenge Apartheid, Sex Starved And Unthinking Bureaucrats, DAP’s Propagandists, Aliran a Hudud Accepting NGO that Does not Even Try To End Apartheid – Does Not Deserve ECOSOC Status, 3rd Force The Only Choice?, RPK’s Demanding Website Rules, Erma Turns Propagandist – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 3rd October 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, Abuse of Power, Apartheid, cult of personality, Democracy, democratisation, demogoguery, Ethics, flawed judgments, franchise, freedom of choice, Malaysia, meaningless platitudes, media tricks, Nepotism, Pakatan Rakyat Coalition, sex negativism, strawman NGOs on October 2, 2012 at 7:30 pm

ARTICLE 1

BN abusing school exams to force on students its propaganda – by  Lim Kit Siang – Friday, 28 September 2012 14:04

Would the Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his two deputies, Puad Zarkashi and Datuk Wee Ka Siong give their tacit approval or close their eyes and shut their ears if any of the following questions had appeared in a SPM trial examination paper for Moral Education:

Is it appropriate for the police to use tear-gas or chemically-laced water cannon or used physical violence against peaceful demonstrators comprising all races, religions, age and gender who merely wanted to send a clear and unmistakable to the government that they want free, fair and clean elections?

Is it appropriate for any government to misuse public funds for political party purposes especially in the run-up to a general election?

Is it appropriate for voters in a general election to support candidates from a political coalition which is responsible for Malaysia having the lowest Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ranking of No. 60 as well as lowest CPI score of 4.3 in 2012?

Is it appropriate for any Minister or MP to go against national unity efforts as publicly dissociating from the 1Malaysia policy, declaring that he or she is Malay first and Malaysian second?

Up to the ‘rakyat’ when it suits them!

Of course not. There can be no shadow of doubt that if such questions had appeared in any school SPM trial examination paper, there would be an orchestrated howl of protest and condemnation in the mainstream mass media of Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times, Berita Harian and the Star as well as on government/Barisan Nasional radio and television channels, followed by a witch-hunt to expose, penalise and even criminalise those responsible for setting the questions.

Surely, Puad would not say: “As long as it does not affect the racial or religious sensitivities or malign any individual, I feel (the question) is not a problem…It is up to the rakyat to decide”.

This is what Puad said when commenting on a question in a school SPM trial examination on Moral Education in Johore Baru, which featured two photographs of the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, and asked: “Is it appropriate for a citizen to participate in an illegal assembly?”

A photograph of the question referring to the Bersih 3.0 rally from a an SPM trial examination paper at a school in Johore Baru appeared on Facebook, which showed that the answer given by the student – “tidak wajar (not appropriate)” – was ticked as correct.

Citizenship revoked

Would Muhyiddin, Puad and Wee take the position that there is nothing wrong with the setting of questions like the four above for students, just as they now strike the posture that its “not a problem” for such a Bersih question to be posed in the SPM school trial examination?

In fact, in another trial examination for STPM General Paper in a school in Johore Baru, there is a clear insinuation that those who supported the Opposition could have their citizenship revoked?

Would Muhyiddin, Puad and Wee agree and approve if STPM General Paper school trial examination poses the question whether a person who supported corrupt political leaders have failed their citizenship responsibilities?

Clearly the politicisation of education has reached a new low with the Education Minister and his two deputy Ministers failing to condemn in the strongest possible terms the setting of these tendentious and misguided questions – which amounts no less to an irresponsible attempt to indoctrinate and brainwash schoolchildren to parrot the views of the ruling coalition.

With such continued politicization of education, there can be very little public confidence that under continued UMNO/Barisan Nasional government, the education system could unite rather than divide Malaysians or that the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025 recently launched by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak would be able to make any fundamental difference to the problems of politicisation and deterioration of educational standards in Malaysia.

Lim Kit Siang is the DAP adviser & MP for Ipoh Timur

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Repeat the below 3 items at the Dewan then talk :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Why does smiling and smug big mouth Kit Siang feel so pleased here? Dare not say APARTHEID to the faces of the racists and keep arguing about non-issues? Can propaganda be quantified? Senile already? Apartheid is worse than unquantifiable propaganda. Picking an argument that cannot be made into policy or anything useful for the Rakyat. Term limitless nepotist who is also a COWARD.

Why should anyone vote this old Mubarak Lim farce again and again? 2 terms over so GFTO of Dewan old man! And take your dumb kid installed without quorum CM with yer! The whole of UN accessible to this illogical farcical and argumentive idiot but not a peep on apartheid? Whats the MP’s seat for? So that the taxpayers can fund lame non-amendment careerist lifestyle to argue semantics at Dewan? Voters kick out this USELESS MP for someone ready to challenge APARTHEID!

ARTICLE 2

Me, corrupt? Apologize or I’ll sue – Guan Eng tells Gerakan Youth leader – Monday, 01 October 2012 22:02

GEORGE TOWN – Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has sent a legal notice to state Gerakan Youth deputy chairman H’ng Khoon Leng for allegedly calling him corrupt.

Lim’s political secretary, Ng Wei Aik, said the notice to H’ng was sent through Karpal Singh and Co on Sept 26 calling for H’ng to retract his statement and apologise within seven days.

“The retraction and apology, of course, must contain words to be approved by us and must be published prominently in the electronic and mass media, including the internet,” Ng said.

The legal notice was issued after H’ng on Sept 24 accused Lim of being corrupt in connection with his rented house in Jalan Pinhorn here.

When contacted, H’ng said he had yet to receive the letter.

-thesundaily

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Me me me huh? Moron of a quorumless and nepotistically INSTALLED CM. Asking for 750K funds off the taxpayers is a corrupted mindset. Enuff said. No need for apologies Gerakan! Lim Guan Eng the nepotist, fail to keep campaign promises DAP liar, and term limitless intended MP, is unforgivably CORRUPTED! Corrupt! Corrupt! Corrupt! NO APOLOGIES! There yer go yer DAP loser!

. . . must contain words to be approved by us and must be published prominently in the electronic and mass media, including the internet,” Ng said. . . .

Apologies MAY NOT be pre-scripted as per any democracy, this desire to even script an apology which is already undeserved and unreasonably demanded, displays a pontificating dictator’s mindset. Finally unscripted statements are not even admissable in court, this ‘demand’ of ‘must contain words to be approved by us‘ shows total ignorance of ethical principles, democratic practices in communication between persons in court cases (apology is a form of communication that cannot be scripted), and disregard of civilisational principles. Non convenit scriptum in consequenza! (Original latinic ‘quasi legalism’ by moi . . . )

Pakatan GTFO Dewan! Unvotable and very dangerous to have in politics considering the farcical DAP is considering Hudud! If only Gerakan would get BN to grant :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;and prevent the Rayat from voting the ugliest political coalition in the history of mankind. Such is the cost of Gerakan’s ambivalence and choice to be an apartheid accepting lapdog that inflicts such choices on the Rakyat. Well, there is always 3rd Force . . .

ARTICLE 3

Astro institutional offer 20 times oversubscribed-sources – Friday, 28 September 2012 16:29

KUALA LUMPUR – The institutional offer of Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s US$1.5 billion initial share sale has been oversubscribed by more than 20 times, two sources with knowledge of the deal said on Friday.

The institutional offering of up to 315.75 million shares, or 20.8% of the total offering, has been mostly subscribed at the higher end of an indicative price range of RM2.70-RM3 per share, the sources said.

Based on the indicative range, the total 1.52 billion shares offered could be worth RM4.1 billion to RM4.56 billion, according to Reuters calculations. The institutional book is expected to close on Oct 3, with listing scheduled on Oct 19, according to its prospectus.

Astro is controlled by Malaysia’s second-richest man Ananda Krishnan, who has investments in telecom and energy assets.

The deal is being handled by CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd and RHB Capital Bhd. Several foreign banks are also advisers, including UBS AG, Credit Suisse Group AG, Goldman Sachs Group Inc and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

– Reuters

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Hey idiot consumers and voters, one doesn’t need to pay monthly protection money style cash to Astro, then have Astro pretend to give that same money back later via stock options later. If Satellite dishes are legalized by the collusive farce MPs, there will be no paying of anyone at all or handing back of money via stocks and still the peopke will have limitless access to Satellite TV channels WORLDWIDE. Vote properly by studying the response to the wordpress Article 18 (don’t confuse with Article 18 of the UNHRC) in the link below :

18 Articles on Malaysian Politics : Guan Eng’s B.S., RPK’s B.S., RPK’s Indirect Apology to LGBTs? (Article ‘Soft on LGBT appears on Malaysia Today), Potential Anti-Intelligensia Alert, Anwar’s Intent to Continue Institutionalized Bribery and Racism, Suggestions for BERSIH Capers and the Judiciary, Karpal Not Alone in Denouncing Hudud After All, RPK’s Authoritarianism and Flawed Logic (more of), Hegelian Dialectic Shows Extent of Affliction in Mindsets, Talk But No Action Conformist Academics (Another KTK writes?), Greedy Pakatan Pushes The Failed Vehicular AP System As If Viable, Malaysian Legal System Fearful Or Abusive . . . Arrests Painball Gun Owners, Honest Look At Malays (if the title is an NLP do warn . . . ), One Man’s Vice Is Another Man’s Consensual Right to Adult Industry Services, Baubles And Accessories Are Not Weapons, DAP’s Selfish Attitudes in Media Towards Their Own Indian DAP Leaders, Adultery and Structural Issues In Islam, RPK Pulls A ‘Barbarisation’ on Islam, Freedom Of Information By Scrapping Communications and Multimedia Act Section 239 (No More Astro Bills!) – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 29th July 2012

Who needs to pay a single cent to Astro or even apply to Astro’s stock options?

ARTICLE 4

‘Nothing wrong with receiving foreign funds’ – Bar Council – Wednesday, 26 September 2012 16:47

KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee said there was nothing wrong to receive funding from abroad.

Malaysia government, he pointed out, had received foreign funding before and Malaysian individuals as well as organisations had also given money abroad.

“So long, it complies with the law of the country. It is as simple as that.

“Today, there is no legislation prohibits foreign funding…there is nothing sinister about foreign funding,” he said at the launch of the 2012 Malaysia International Law Conference today.

Lim was also asked on Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan’s claim the media reports alleging that civil society groups were receiving foreign funding in a plot to destabilise the government could be a prelude to a crackdown on them.

In respond, he said the government should encourage the growth of civil society, so long they acted within the confine of the laws as a registered company or society.

On the status of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Lim said he was aware of it as a registered company (known as Suara Initiatif Sdn Bhd).

Lim also urged the government to consider forming a permanent and independent law reform commission tasked to undertake research and advise Parliament on law reform.

Lim said, the commission, which would be accountable to Parliament and the public, must engage in inclusive, open and transparent consultation.

“Commission should be drawn from judges, lawyers (both private and government), academics and members of the civil society, in order to provide the necessary depth of knowledge and experience.

“The law reform commission can and should obtain assistance from the International Centre for Law and Legal Studies, which is undertaking excellent research at the moment,” he said at the launch of the 2012 Malaysia International Law Conference yesterday.

He also urged the government to improve the present nominal sum paid to the National Legal Aid Foundation (NLAF) volunteers so that it could attract more lawyers.

– New Straits Times

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Taking money is easy but doing the right thing is difficult. So Bar Council gets money, yet ignores apartheid. Does Bar Council deserve the money then? The foreign embassy might as well fund independent political parties to end the apartheid or fundos here instead of wasting funds of Bar Council. ‘Nothing wrong with receiving foreign funds‘ – Bar Council. BUT something very wrong to not file lawsuit against the Fed Gov to END APARTHEID. Whats the use of the Bar Council if Bar Council can’t even end apartheid?

ARTICLE 5

Oral sex on 4 occasions to get deals worth $ 640k – Wednesday, 26 September 2012 16:35

SINGAPORE – IT manager Ms Cecilia Sue Siew Nang allegedly performed oral sex on former Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) chief Ng Boon Gay on four occasions in exchange for $640k worth of deals.

Shin Min Daily News reported today that while Ms Sue’s company did not engage directly with the CNB in these deals, her company did profit from the sales of computer systems to CNB by another company System Integrator.

Ms Sue was hired by Sun Microsystems for her experience in dealing with government agencies. She had first met Ng in 2009, before she joined the company in 2010.

On March 3 , 2011, Ng authorised the purchase of computer systems through an official online government purchase system.

13 days later, CNB purchased the tendered computer systems from National Computer Systems for $320k.

Six months later, Ng again authorised the purchase of more computer software from a company called Jardine for another $320k.

Contemplated suicide

The Chinese daily also said that Ms Sue contemplated suicide on the day Ng was charged in court. She allegedly sought medical help for her mental conditions for six months.

She reportedly told investigators that she loved Ng and was willing to divorce her husband for him.

However, Ng’s lawyers pointed out that she later changed her story, saying that what happened between the two of them was merely business and that there was no true love between them.

-AsiaOne

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

What an idiot. With 640K, one could support at 1 personal mistress like a movie star, or 2 personal mistresses with a pleasant relaxed life, who could give blowjobs or sex all year round for a lifetime or a decade at very least. Who needs to risk job and future to give some lame deals for just 4 lousy blowjobs?

ARTICLE 6

Are they forcing us to like them? — Chris Lee – September 27, 2012

SEPT 27 — It saddens me that politics in Malaysia has descended to a point that it has become an international joke these days. The antics of the ruling coalition have reached a point that it is difficult for any logical or sane person to comprehend their motives. The politics of fear employed by the ruling coalition seems to now border on the “if we can’t win, no one will!” school of thought, and that is akin to uncivilized politics.

On Friday the 14th of September, the DAP Penang headquarters was splattered with red paint along with the service centres of Jagdeep Singh, Koay Teng Hai and our Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. The Parti KeADILan Rakyat (PKR) bus was also splattered with red paint and rocks were hurled at them as the party’s leaders embarked on a nationwide tour of the country. What is the justification of doing all these things, may I ask?

The only way I see it, is that these actions are meant to intimidate the party members as well as the populace. Their modus operandi is that if they are unable to win the people’s hearts, they will then use fear to win the elections. Fear is, after all, what kept the populace voting for the ruling coalition throughout the years. The fear of racial clashes, the fear of being left behind, the fear of different religions and races are the exact reason why the current ruling coalition of Malaysia is the longest ruling elected government in the world.

In these times of political intimidation, we must remain calm. The ruling coalition is launching their attack in an attempt to divide us, a strategy that has kept them in power all this while. The 2008 elections blindsided the ruling coalition as we voted across racial lines, dealing them their biggest setback in our nation’s history.

This scenario makes one wonder about the priorities of a ruling party. Is the ruling coalition interested in actually serving the people or merely trying to retain and consolidate power? They know they are already unable to compete with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) governed states when it comes to performance (Penang has been hitting surpluses with high FDIs since PR took power). It seems that in their desperation, their motives are becoming clear; they are campaigning on selfish principles by attempting to cause racial division amongst the people. It seems that the welfare of the country and the unity of Malaysians as a whole are not at all considered.

Malaysians must not fall into their trap. Our peaceful coexistence and eventual unity must never be bartered for any short term gains. If we retaliate to their actions, we are already playing right into their hands. Desperation has gripped those who walk the corridors of Putrajaya and these acts of vandalism are the proof of that.

Our beloved nation has lost over a trillion ringgit through illicit cash outflows and our competitiveness is definitely going down due to rampant corruption. To hide the self-enrichment and the incompetency of the ruling coalition, the bogeyman of racial threats must be created as distraction. This bogeyman has succeeded in hoodwinking the populace into voting the ruling coalition in the past, while they plunder the nation dry.  Let us not fall into this trap again and save our beloved nation.

Chris Lee is a member of the DAP and currently serves as the Deputy Youth Chief of DAPSY Penang and DAPSY Bukit Bendera Division Chief.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

What is the justification of doing all these things, may I ask?

Ooo, disigenuous. I repeat as per the TRUTH ad nauseum. Want justification? How about DAP has failed to keep 90% of the campaign promises that won DAP GE12? No local council elections, no declaration fo MP assets, toying with t he idea of Hudud, perhaps the Rakyat and not BN or UMNO did that. The rudeness and ingrate-like behaviour of DAP is enough to cause this. Stop talking as if DAP were faultless, for pretending on DAP’s behalf, Chris Lee will be branded as a liar as well. What is the justification of doing all these things . . . idiot propagandist insulting the people by acting innocent.

It saddens me that politics in Malaysia has descended to a point that it has become an international joke these days.

So says the ‘politician’ or political coalition who wants to accept Hudud and cannot speak up against BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID (which is illegal in Islam as well . . . ).

Our so-called Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’was GIVEN the CM’s post – NEPOTISM par excellence style – without quorum nor vote and is asking for 750K funerals off the tax payers’ backs and terrorized small traders and even home owners, distributed tax funds without permission of the Rakyat to the poor and old insulting their sense of pride, when DAP should be changing laws to lower taxes that effectively does the same in a Rakyat dignity preserving manner than giving money like bribery to look good. I’d say DAP deserves what DAP gets and worse for this sort of corrupt and money throwing bribery instead of amendment of policy mindset.

Malaysians must not fall into Pakatan’s trap. Our peaceful coexistence and eventual unity must never be bartered for any short term gains that DAP and Pakatan offers. To hide the self-enrichment and the incompetency of the ruling coalition, of Penang and Selangor, they get a bare faced LIAR like Chris Lee to foul the articles readeers read on internet. Shame on you Chris! Uf you hate the Rakyat so much arte are so selfish that to lie in this manner, Pakatan only shows an ability to corrupt the morals of writers involved in DAP. Down with Pakatan and DAP, and do not vote for apartheid BN either! Vote for 3rd Force!

Deputy Youth Chief of DAPSY Penang and DAPSY Bukit Bendera Division Chief? More like propagandist in chief. The Rakyat wants 2 term people to amend laws not waste time and glorifying with taxpayer monies by goving taxpayer monies away. 1.5 terms up, Pakatan and DAP can GTFO of the Dewan and take along their corrupted and immoral propagandist liars that accept Hudud and Apartheid. Pakatan has not kept 90% of GE12 campaign promises but has taken tax monies to give out and look good like Santa Claus instead of amending a single policy.

ARTICLE 7

How is govt’s military cooperation with the US ‘halal’? – Saturday, 29 September 2012 09:03

Penang-based Aliran Kesedaran Negara has questioned the accusations by the government that rights group Suaram was in cohorts with foreign powers to undermine the country.

Citing details on the website of the United States embassy in Malaysia, Aliran said it was ironic that the Barisan Nasional government talked about Western funding for pro-democracy projects when it had embraced US military cooperation.

Among others, Aliran said the US’s Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) alongside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the US Pacific Command, cooperate with the government to manage Foreign Military Sales cases for equipment, services and training, military exercises and conferences, as well as US military education and training programmes.

It noted that every year, ODC supported bilateral and multi-lateral exercises with the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysian Police “to promote interoperability and cooperation”, which included such exercises as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), Cope Taufan, Keris Strike, Air Warrior, and Joint Combined Exchange Training.

“Perhaps those who are investigating and condemning Suaram might care to explain why such dealings with the US military are considered halal while Suaram’s relative minuscule foreign funding is deemed haram.

“Given the US military record in sponsoring dictators and intervention from Vietnam to Iraq, surely such military cooperation between the United States and Malaysia, which aspires to be a leader of the Third World, is indefensible,” said Aliran in a statement.

Suaram, Malaysia’s pioneer human rights group registered as Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd under the Company Act 1965, has come under attack from BN leaders and their media for receiving funds from Western think tanks to carry out its activities.

Leading the charge against the group, which spearheaded the ongoing French probe into alleged mass-scale corruption involving Malaysia’s purchase of the Scorpenes submarines, is Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who said investigation found that “something suspicious and confusing” about Suaram.

Aliran is among the groups who have joined a campaign called ‘Stand up for Suaram’, aimed at mobilising support for Suaram.

“What is the group’s real crime apart from the technicalities of operating as a registered company instead of as a society?” it asked.

Aliran added that there were more pressing matters affecting the country’s sovereignty.

“There is tremendous pressure on us to implement the EU-Asean FTA and to come on board the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which could result in MNCs gaining the power to sue sovereign governments,” it said, referring to the heavily criticised US-led regional pact which Malaysia is part off. Critics argue that the pact would remove Malaysia’s ability to regulate cooperations within the country.

“Surely we should be more worried about these transnational flows and trends. Some of them might be unavoidable and even beneficial. Others we might be better off shunning e.g. the rare earth refinery,” Aliran added, pointing to Australian-based rare-earth refinery in Pahang which the government has defended despite strong protests.

-Harakahdaily

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Would Aliran prefer that Malaysia hang around with Islamist governments instead? Suaram is an apartheid accepting NGO and a fundo sympathiser with not real scruples of their own. ECOSOC really should delist Suaram – the self serving ‘power of the day toady’ that appears in a Hudud supporting online mag is a cynical outfit . . . the implications are of what Aliran could allow are shocking . . . , much like MCA/MIC/Gerakan/PPP have no compunction about not ending apartheid and preferring to stay in BN. Politicians in Malaysia are as detestable as the apartheid accepting NGOs that prop them up.

ARTICLE 8

Why the US prefers Najib to Pakatan – Friday, 28 September 2012 Super Admin – Raja Petra Kamarudin

Is the United States really supportive of democracy and fundamental rights or does America’s interests come first? In this 12th May 2008 secret communiqué between the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Commander of the Seventh Fleet, it is clear why the United States prefers Najib Tun Razak rather than Pakatan Rakyat to lead Malaysia. And let this communiqué speak for itself.

Malaysia is hardly an ideal democracy, but it can still serve as a reference point for evolving Islamic societies elsewhere. The Malay people, traditionally known for their social tolerance, have become more religiously conservative in recent years, but Prime Minister Abdullah has enshrined the Malay political elite’s continued preference for moderation in his “Islam Hadhari” or “Civilizational Islam” policy. Abdullah’s key message is that Islam can become a leading world civilization again only if it embraces economic development, education, innovation and tolerance.

Observers are wary of a longer-term trend toward greater divisions between the Muslim Malay majority and other ethnic groups, and religious minorities increasingly complain of growing Islamization, as highlighted by the controversy surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Najib’s comments last year that Malaysia is an “Islamic state.” Nevertheless, Malaysia has kept inter-ethnic tensions well under control by regional and world standards for almost 40 years.

Malaysia is important to us because it is an economically successful, stable, predominantly Muslim country that, over the longer term, may be able to support us more strongly in places like the Middle East. It is strategically located on the Straits of Malacca, through which one quarter of the world’s trade flows, and it borders five of the other nine ASEAN countries.

Military-to-military cooperation is improving, with 9 US Navy ship visits to Malaysian ports thus far in 2008, 22 visits in 2007, and 23 in 2006. This is up from only five ship visits in 2003. Recently initiated engagement with the Royal Malaysian Navy’s developing submarine force has successfully forged a relationship in this critical warfare capability. Our security relationship also finds expression in regular high level visits and counterpart visits.

Behind the scenes, Malaysia has been a good partner in the war on terror. The overall tone in Malaysian-American relations has improved considerably since Abdullah Badawi became Prime Minister in late-2003, and we seek to translate this into substantive improvements. Bilateral relations eroded under Abdullah’s vituperative predecessor Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, but Abdullah brought with him a friendlier style and an interest in projecting a more moderate image, both for himself and for his country.

While the surprise results of the March 2008 election have remade Malaysia’s political landscape and severely shaken the ruling coalition, our bi-lateral relations have remained on an even keel. Malaysia is our sixteenth largest trading partner, and many major American companies have invested here. We have increased senior-level exchanges since Abdullah came aboard, for example conducting our first ever Senior Dialogue with the Foreign Ministry at the Assistant Secretary level in May 2005. Malaysia has acceded to the IAEA Additional Protocol, and participates as an observer in PSI exercises. Malaysia has played a positive role in helping to stabilize Aceh, Mindanao, and East Timor.

Malaysia’s traditional approach to global issues, which Abdullah has continued albeit at a lower decibel level, remains an impediment to closer bilateral cooperation. Malaysia actively participates in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), often adopting distinctly third-world positions on issues of importance to us.

Our public affairs environment is also challenging. The Malaysian public is strongly opposed to our policies in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. A strong “post-colonial overhang” also colours Malaysian attitudes toward the U.S. role in Southeast Asia. With Abdullah we have nevertheless been able to pursue a set of broad common interests, and pragmatism generally rules in bilateral security relations.

The bilateral military interaction remains strong; and we, along with Embassies in Jakarta and Manila, are implementing the Regional Security Initiative (RSI) concept through a maritime policymakers’ conference in Sabah. The objective is to encourage the three nations to share information, data and intelligence on a national interagency level and tri-laterally to create a common operational picture to enhance their effectiveness in maritime enforcement.

These visits, and the relationships developed, have fostered strong military-military cooperation between the United States and Malaysia, and have not been adversely impacted by recent leadership changes. Ship visits have significantly increased and received greater visibility. Security-related training sponsored by  the United States for military and law enforcement participants, including Malaysia’s new coast guard, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, has also been on the rise.

The Malaysian-initiated coordinated surface patrols and “Eyes in the Sky” program, a regional aerial monitoring of the Straits of Malacca, have been more effective in creating a perception of security than actual operational capability. Malaysia concluded a new 505 agreement in 2006 that will allow us to utilize 1206 funds to put CT equipment into the vulnerable Sulu and Sulawesi Seas border areas of Sabah where terrorists are known to transit. Congress has approved funds for building and installing coastal radars in eastern Sabah and the first sites have been identified and contracted.

A joint forces command and control center funded under 1206 is planned for this year to functionally link the various radar sites. Malaysia has not signed either a PSI or Article 98 agreement. In general, Malaysia remains open to bilateral cooperation that strengthens its own defense capacity, but the GOM will quickly raise the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity when discussing international security regimes and coordination, such as for the Straits of Malacca.

We have been pleased by the overwhelmingly positive media coverage our ship visits have received, in contrast to the quiet arrivals of past years. The flip side to this is that our visits could attract increased attention from ideological foes on the Islamist right (PAS), and from some mainstream politicians pandering to the conservative Islamic vote.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib has stoutly defended our cooperation before Parliament, and we do not see that our engagement is under threat. However, we do need to be cognizant of our increased military visibility and sensitive to GOM concerns, particularly with high tensions in the Middle East. The GOM cited concerns about the growing visibility of training in eastern Sabah and, in 2006, decided to review on a case basis proposed training events involving foreign military forces in that region.

In May 2007, Malaysia hosted the annual Bilateral Training and Consultative Group (BITACG) meeting in Port Dickson. BITACG is a forum used to promote and strengthen military-military relations through discussions of bilateral exercises, intelligence exchanges, C4 issues, logistics engagement, and defense cooperation. Malaysia also hosted a BITACG mid-year review in Kuala Lumpur in November 2007.

Additionally, Malaysia co-hosted an annual conference for military intelligence chiefs in the Asia-Pacific region (APICC) held in September 2007. In September 2006, the U.S. Navy initiated annual Submarine Staff Talks, which have been successful in fostering a close relationship with the Royal Malaysian Navy as they develop their Scorpene submarine program.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

PM Najib is closer to to Judea, at least spiritually. Najib IS Netanyahu (in a very vague phenotypical/spiritual sense – they at least speak in the same manner like Jeffrey Tambor’s character Director Tom Manning – ‘Director of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense’ – Hellboy 2004 Guillermo del Toro . . . ), or to be less complimentary, compare the way the nation is run to Robocop 2’s ‘The Old Man’ OCP President though instead of Japan taking over, China has instead in the real world. While Pakatan is a bunch of uncharismatic, power mad fundos posing as democratic saviours that need a second stint in the ISA. Unfortunately USA needs to be and is not firm with apartheid in Malaysia and Najib’s faction, and that very unpleasant apartheid-streak in UMNO . . . yet, preferably before GE13. All achieved is a ‘neuteral ground’ handful of individuals less than 1% expected to run the gauntlet of insanity that 3rd world minded Malaysian society and the lunatic fringe among fundos and apartheid purveyors and acceptors have shown themselves to be.

Yet if BN granted with the mandate they currently have  :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

I’d actually vote for BN.

Unfortunately all we have is idiots and nepotists in PR who can’t even keep promises for Local Council Elections and are 3rd world minded as hell and undemocratic to the extreme, refusing to share the political arena with activists who are on their side because they are too greedy (and some out of touch grandees who should know how far back this puts Malays and Malaysia). Pakatan in this respect is the same as BN but for one difference, the appeal to Israel and deeper alliances to fundamentalism than corruption. USA prefers corrupt to fundo, and sadly/frightfully has not been too clear (unless the media is filtering) on demands to end apartheid . . . and with the ‘all mighty’ Israel factor thrown in, Pakatan with ‘Guan Eng’s nepotistic Christian-fundo par excellence Cat Stevens = Ahmadinejad’ and Anwar’s nonsensical attitude towards politics in Malaysia, PR becomes mere trash even as BN is unvotable because of apartheid. Let Malaysia vote for 3rd force instead.

Proposed 3rd Force Coalition that should endorse with intent to grant the above 3 items.

ARTICLE 9

This is how it works – Malaysia Today –  Tuesday, 02 October 2012

Now, if you want to whack Islam I have no problem with that. Just send me an e-mail with your details and I will register you to comment in Malaysia Today. Once you are registered your comment will automatically get published without needing to wait for the moderator to approve it. If you refuse to register then what more can I say? That would be your fault, would it not?

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

No. But this is how it works. So many websites do not need registration to comment. that includes CNN. So being far much smaller than CNN, Malaysia Today should not expect the effort from the readers. Some of us wouldn’t even waste time or energy to register to comment on CNN (CNN neeeds no registration for some sections at least), what makes RPK think we’re going to drop an iota of effort to register anything to merely comment? We’d be better off in vesting time and effort on our own blogs instead or posting comments that will not waste our time requiring regestration. Authoritarian and finicky web administrators get no comments. Take example from Malaysia Chronicle, though that online mag’s selective omitting of comments is just as bad as registration. Good article below though RPK, but being both Islamist Hudud supporter and Secular needs clarification. Turkey does not support Hudud, much like seculars cannot support oxymoronic hudud purveryors who claim secularism and may end up branded liars and being manipulative to no good end.

ARTICLE 10

No quick fix for East Malaysia – Malaysian Insider – October 03, 2012

OCT 3 ? “All you East Malaysians need to do is vote out BN!” I hear that time and time again from various people in Peninsular Malaysia and it’s getting frankly tiresome.

I apologise to Sarawakians in advance for having to explain things on your behalf, but I have lived in your state so am not totally clueless. Unlike the many who think that all that is needed is a Braveheart-like uprising where the united peoples of Sabah and Sarawak rise up against tyranny and all that jazz.

It’s not that simple. And that’s my biggest beef with opposition rhetoric. It oversimplifies things, forgetting context and ignoring the complexities of East Malaysia.

One challenge both Sabah and Sarawak have is geography. We’re far removed from West Malaysia, quite literally, and in some ways it has worked out for the best but has also made integration tricky. There are far too many assumptions on each side about the other and “getting to know” each other requires a two- to three-hour flight.

Sarawak is a huge state and its terrain makes traversing it prohibitively expensive. The Penans and other interior-dwelling folk have it worse; they are forced to trek hours to the nearest transport stop to get to the nearest city. They do not have ready access to the things we city dwellers take for granted: piped water, electronic and physical media, hospitals and decent schools.

Even on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, there are schools that are little more than glorified shacks with crowded classrooms and malnourished children. Don’t get me started on the West Malaysian teachers who refuse their postings to Sabah and Sarawak or clamour to be sent home as soon as possible.

Racial tolerance is more pronounced here. Yet, the reality is that despite the “peace” between the various races in East Malaysia, it isn’t easy to get them on the same page politically.

Sabah, for instance, has various splinter parties that are also quite clearly delineated by race. SUPP is predominantly Chinese, PBS is mostly Sabah Bumiputera with a few Chinese people, the Muslim Bumiputeras once mostly congregated in USNO, but the BN-friendly now are in Umno.

It’s not much different in Sarawak. The various communities may get along better but dig down and their politics is the same old selfish Malaysian politics. It’s never about what’s best for the state or the country; it’s about what’s best for their own communities. Let the Penans rot in the jungles so long as my community gets first pick of lucrative contracts.

That is the reality of the Malaysian mindset; the preoccupation with what’s best for your own kind to the detriment of everyone else. Malaysians don’t seem to believe in “win-win.” It’s “I take everything and everyone else can go die-lah.” Which explains our love for monopolies.

PKR’s already shot itself in the foot by refusing to co-operate with local parties in Sabah and Sarawak. How am I, as a native from Sabah, supposed to place trust in a party that made Azmin Ali Sabah PKR chief? How am I supposed to believe that Anwar Ibrahim and his cohort won’t do the same thing and just hand out division chief titles to people from the peninsula as “rewards” to the faithful once the state is won?

What Pakatan Rakyat should be doing is forming alliances with local opposition parties. Instead, it intends to compete against them. Of course, BN will probably end up winning because of split votes.

Don’t get me started on people harping on about how Sarawakians should all unite and toss its current chief minister out. Here’s news for you: The reason he’s still in power is because the people who have benefitted from his position like him where he is. Ponder that for a moment.

It took Bruno Manser to come in and unite the various Penan tribes. It will take more than a well-meaning Swiss to unite the various factions in the two states. Sadly the people trying to play catalyst are not altruistic crusaders but those with an eye on Putrajaya.

By the way, because I have to keep reminding you, Sabah did vote against BN. But BN “convinced” PBS MPs to jump ship in the biggest “frog” incident in Malaysian history. Back in the day, Anwar Ibrahim was proud to be seen as “delivering” the state back to BN.

It’s not that simple; it was never that simple; it will never be that simple. So word of advice to Pakatan: When three words can sum up your campaign (“BN is bad!”), you need to do a lot better.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Erma turned against the people? Simple, just vote for anyone who is not GLC or political party linked that intends to ensure Sarawak and Sabah get their 100% due to disbursement as well as all stolen lands returned, or secession will be started at the UN. And Erma goes all propagandist on the Orang Asli who deserve so much more. Malaysia can fall apart for all any of the right minded care, that wealth is not Peninsular Malaysia’s to disburse or those lands for anyone but the Orang Asli regardless of what illegal and farcical or UN non-compliant or non-commonsense laws applied against the Orang Asli by our LEGAL JUNTA Bar Council which has refused to address apartheid and refused to amend bad laws and constitutional articles.

It’s not that simple; it was never that simple; it will never be that simple. . . .

BECAUSE of Pakatan’s own unpleasant nature even as BN is worse. Orang Asli had better think clearly and demand FULL EQUAL CITIZENSHIPS as well as 100% disbursement rights of any wealth from East Malaysia. Otherwise no point being part of Malaysia when even Native land is being given away or Orang Asli proselytized to disregarding their native faith. No more ‘harsh apologism’ propaganda for Pakatan ok Erma? O really lost alot of respect for you in your article – Malaysian Insider is consistent and professional BUT wrong minded and obstructive, pro-BN’s wrong values and all about expediency much like BN is. Smoke screens that disregard the facts as above mean nothing in real policy and real vote (well barring the ‘dumbed down’ or ‘on the take’ voters).

So word of advice to Pakatan: When three words can sum up your campaign (“BN is bad!”), you need to do a lot better.

Erma need to do a lot better too, criticism based on partial fact designates Erma as a (gasp!) pro-BN writer.

16 Articles on Malaysian Politics : Pretentious, Statuatory Rape, Child Marriage, Undemocratic Pakatan loses an MP, Flawed Malaysian Political Characteristics, Racism Hidden As Bias?, Description of Malaysia’s Flawed Mindset, Pontificating Pakatan Refuses to Engage Rakyat – Bad Politics of Nepotism, Apartheid Worse Than Untried, Neurotech Assassination With Ruminents, Cynical English Infleunce Plagues South East Asia Againm Shyok Sendiri Points Scoring, Najib Out of Touch, BRICS Should be Offended By Malaysian Apartheid – reposted by @AgreeTodisagree – 3rd September 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, amendments to law needed, Apartheid, better judgments, better laws, Bumiputera Apartheid, cult of personality, demogoguery, Freedom of Expression, Nepotism, Neurotech, oligarchy, orang asli, politics, preventing vested interest, racism, spirit of the law, spirit of the word, unprofessional behaviour, vested interest on September 2, 2012 at 8:53 pm

ARTICLE 1

Of devils and angels – Posted on 29 August 2012 – 04:41am – Oon Yeoh

FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad created quite a stir when he remarked “Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t.”

This is a well-known saying which means that it’s better to deal with an entity you are familiar with, even if they are not ideal, than take the risk of dealing with an unknown entity, who could end up being worse.

He was, of course, referring to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat and urging the public to stick with the former, which has ruled the country since independence.
Politics being politics, PR leaders were quick to make fun of his choice of idioms and claim that Mahathir was admitting that BN was the devil and PR the angel.

In retrospect, he probably should have used a variation of that idiom which goes something like “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”, which is commonly used as well. That way, his detractors would not be able to claim that they were the angels.

People fluent in English will know exactly what he means though. He’s saying that BN, while not perfect, has done a pretty good job so far so it’s better not to change course. He’s also saying that PR, which says all the right things but which has no experience, would be worse for the country.

Let’s examine, not his choice of words but the context of what he’s saying. Does it make sense? Let’s start by looking at the first part. Has BN done a good job so far?

Of course supporters of BN will say yes while detractors will say no. Objective observers will probably say that while BN is far from perfect, it hasn’t exactly driven the country to the ground either. Malaysia doesn’t score particularly well in global indexes relating to economic competitiveness, human rights, free speech and so on. But it’s a far cry from the banana republics.

In other words, things are not too bad. People have jobs, roofs over their heads and no one is starving. As a country, we could have turned out a lot worse. So, yes, there’s some merit in the first part of Mahathir’s quote. What about the second?

Is PR the angel that we don’t know? For sure, PR is promising a lot of things that are popular with civil society. Stuff related to freedom of assembly, free speech, freedom of the press and so on. It has also promised lots of populist measures like cutting petrol prices, offering free education and reducing car taxes that would see a considerable lowering of car prices.

Is all this too good to be true? Probably. For sure if PR were to come to power, it would not be able to fulfil everybody’s expectations. But is it a newbie that will totally disappoint?

This is where the idiom doesn’t apply. PR might be newish but it’s hardly an unknown quantity. Since the March 8, 2008 general election, it has governed four states, two of which are probably the most prosperous states in the federation: Penang and Selangor.

I’m from Penang (and visit there frequently) and live in Selangor. I can safely report that the two states have not gone to the dogs since PR took over. Some would argue that things have improved considerably. Of course there are those who will say there’s still plenty of room for improvement, and they would be right. But it would be laughable to suggest that things have become worse.

Ironically, given that the incumbent in those two states is PR, the idiom would apply in PR’s favour. The so-called devil that you know, in this case, would be PR, which has governed these two states for the past four years. The angel, meanwhile, is BN, which was decimated in those states, to the point that it is no longer recognisable.

BN was destroyed in Penang. Who knows what the new Penang BN would be like? BN was not as badly trounced in Selangor but it has no clear leader in the state. With Khir Toyo no longer in the picture, who is the mentri besar-in-waiting? No one knows. The BN government-in-waiting in those states might or might not be angels, but we certainly don’t know much about them.

For voters, the next general election will not be about familiarity, or the lack thereof, because it is clear what BN and PR stand for.

Oon Yeoh is a new media consultant. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

If BN grants :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

BN might be worth voting. Otherwise stagnation will occur and PR will be a risk to the Rakyat when PR gains power.

ARTICLE 2

Statutory rape is SERIOUS: Future of victims just as important as perpetrators’ – Eli Wong – Friday, 31 August 2012 01:28

Like all concerned Malaysians I am very disturbed by the recent two court decisions on statutory rape offenses.

First, national bowler Noor Afizal, who was convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl, had his jail sentence reversed by the Court of Appeal.

It was then compounded by Tuesday’s Sessions Court decision in the case of Chuah Guan Jiu, who was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl, yet freed on a bond.

Statutory rape isn’t something to be taken lightly. To consider “consent” in the sentencing, as both courts did, is to make a mockery of the very point of the law–to protect minors, deemed incapable of giving free and informed consent.

This is especially true in cases where the perpetrator is an adult, which is true in both these cases. These incidents should not be confused as young children letting their hormonal urges get the better of them.

Both Noor Afizal and Chuah Guan Jiu were adults who took advantage of children far younger than themselves. The former was 19 when he committed the offence with a 13-year-old girl, while the latter was 21, nine years older than his victim.

Future of the perpetrators, what about the victims?

Disappointingly, the courts were more concerned with the future of the perpetrators and not the victims.

The written judgement in Nor Afizal’s case specifically states that the decision should not be taken as a precedent. However, by not imposing the mandatory five-year minimum jail sentence for rape, the courts are sending a very unfortunate message to women and children–that their rights cannot be protected by our judiciary.

Worse, potential child rapists might think it is possible to escape the punishment the crime deserves.

I urge the public prosecutors to appeal both decisions on these grounds. Malaysians will be watching very closely, hoping for justice to finally be done.

YB ELIZABETH WONG is Executive Councillor, Selangor State Government & PKR assemblywomen for Bukit Lanjan

***Commentator Comments :

What I think by Joan Lau – August 29, 2012

I am all for personal freedoms but when it comes to children and sex, well… all bets are off. Chuah Guan Jiu was 21 when he had sex with a 12-year-old girl. But the judge gave him a break because he did not have a criminal record, is not well educated and the sex was  consensual. So what is the

message here? If you have never committed an offence before and did not go to college, you are “poor thing, give chance”? Come on.If this were a drug or firearms offence, the same “considerations” would not be given.Having sex with a child is wrong. Pure and simple.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Elizabeth Wong should know that far more serious is the inability to tell the difference and even attempt to blur the lines between the difference between Statuary Rape AND Consensual Sex NOT AMOUNTING TO RAPE between biologically viable adult women that Statuary Rape Laws Brand as

Women, preventing the right to bear children to younger women. Perhaps, in a certain spiritual theory, there is an occult reason to prevent the ‘masses’ from having young brides having children at young age. And the Fundos are in on this? Is the quality of children by older women different?

Some things should not be used as ‘weapons’ and this intentional inculpation of inability to tell the difference between biological viability and QUALITY of birth could well be the make or break factor in the ascension of a country spiritually . . . these are theories that no nation can ignore. Perhaps all great leaders and spiritually powerful people were borne by the youngest mothers, though again  remember that the planet can only host so many people and that everyone including non-humans have a right to live on the planet and cannot ‘own’ anything on the planet, though having an equitable birth rate that at least replaces deaths is alright – there are too many people for a single species btw, out of 100s of 1000s of species, humanity taking up near 40% of the world’s land area is obviously too much . . .

Biological maturity and psychological-emotional maturity are not statuary age. And statuary age does not take into consideration biological age and psychological-emotional maturity. Are Joan or Elizabeth sure they are aware of the difference between WORD of law or SPIRIT of law? Hegelian dialectic AGAIN. Joan and Elizebeth entirely miss the spirit of the law of this case. Having sex with a blindly legalistic statuary age defined ‘child’ is not wrong if the above biological and emotional maturity fact is considered because the final result is actually a mature person in reality – even as age by blindly interpreted ‘word of law’ for statuary consideration, does not recognize reality. ‘Pure and simple’ is not supposed to be fundo and simplistic. And here the display of lack of understanding of the spirit of the issue, or perhaps intentional focusing only on the ‘word of the law’ shows up another 2 of the country’s supposed educated as agenda intent if not uneducated, much like apartheid is accepted by those who no sense of pride as persons as given by the UN Human Rights Charter.

We must remember that before Victorian era, many child brides lived fulfilling lives with their husbands and many of this generation have had a great(or any number of greats)-granny who was a child bride that turned out fine. Who is Joan to say what 2 individuals decide on their own and at their consent? These are private lives and if consensual, and because the child did not suffer and wanted to, especially if the manipulation from the adult was non-existent or within decent limits (thrill of chase etc.), no person or even the court has a right to punish any as no suffering was inflicted except upon the narrow minded or with a certain religious outlook.

This ‘If you have never committed an offence before and did not go to college, you are “poor thing, give chance”?‘, is pure ‘old aunt’s’ demogoguery in quite an uneducated manner. You see one can have a degree yet not be educated in mindset. And mindset wise Joan IS uneducated, as much as Elizabeth is insulting the readers by inculpating hegelian dialectic thought via demogoguery upin the suffering of victims for political points.

Come on.If this were a drug or firearms offence, the same “considerations” would not be given.

Drugs or firearms offences (private carry or use specifically, not smuggling or sale to fundo or 3rd world states) as of now are also more word of law than spirit of law, the premise for existence and application not particularly PC as in a similar manner as the above statuary age case. See the next article below on differences between positive child marriage AND negative child marriage, considered against statuary law and ACTUAL biological age.

ARTICLE 3

By whose interpretation? – Thursday, 30 August 2012 Super Admin (Raja Petra Kamarudin)

Why does the age of the person determine which court has jurisdiction over cases involving illicit sex or zina? Do you mean to tell me that if you are not yet 18 then you are not yet a Muslim? Only when you reach 18 you become a Muslim? Can those under 18, therefore, drink and eat pork and go to church since you are not yet a Muslim and the Sharia court has no power over you until you touch 18?

You may have noticed that I have not written a thing regarding former national youth squad bowler Noor Afizal Azizan’s statutory rape case.

First of all, I thought that since every man and his dog was already talking about it you don’t really need me to comment as well. I mean it is not quite the untold story that I normally like to dabble in. It is more like the ‘over-told’ story.

Furthermore, do you really need more ‘noise’? There is such a thing called overkill and flogging a dead horse (an idiom). There is also such a thing called information overload, which makes people lethargic and sometimes immune to the issue. Hence ‘too much’ can be counter-productive.

Secondly, this appears to have turned into an opposition crusade, which is bad. Once it is perceived as a political issue rather than an issue of justice, people become divided on the issue based on political leanings and not because it is either the right thing or the wrong thing. People will oppose right or support wrong if the criteria is politics. Take crossovers as one example.

Anyway, what is my take on the issue?

Okay, are you outraged about the court’s decision because you are an opposition supporter or because it is morally (or legally) wrong to not classify the case as statutory rape instead of consensual sex? (Note that even some of those in government feel the same way as you do although they speak ‘gentler’ in expressing their view and without the venom).

I think a more important question would be are you capable of setting aside politics when you talk about this issue — or any issue for that matter that involves justice, civil liberties, etc? Can we leave our Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat hats outside the door and come to the table as Malaysians of common interests and concerns?

That is the one thing we find most difficult to do. It is always politics first and everything else second, even in matters such as Hudud, which is supposed to be above politics but is not.

Okay, so a man (or boy) has sex with an underage girl. My first question would be: are the men/boy and girl Muslims? If they are then this is zina (illicit sex or sex outside marriage). And is not zina a crime under the Sharia (Islamic law)? Hence should not the boy and girl be tried under the Sharia?

If the man/boy and girl were both above 18 they would have been brought to the Sharia court. Why are they not brought to the Sharia court just because one or both are below 18?

In Islam, the ‘age of consent’ would be the age of puberty. For girls that would be once she gets her period and that could even be when she is nine years old. According to the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad married Aishah when she was six but did not ‘take her’ until she was nine. And aren’t Muslims supposed to believe in and strictly follow the Hadith and Sunnah or else they cease to be Muslims and would become kafir (infidels).

Hence if the girl is 13 and she already has her period, is she legally (in Islam, that is) a woman who can consent to sex or is she still a child? And hence, also, since she is a Muslim and ‘legally a woman’, is she accountable for her ‘crime’ of consenting to sex or is she blameless? In other words, if the Sharia court were to try them, would both be on trial or only the man/boy?

Okay, we can argue that the Sharia court does not come into play here. This matter does not involve the Sharia court.

Why not? If Muslims above 18 ‘get caught’ for illicit sex they get dragged to the Sharia court. The common law court has no power to try Muslim adults who have sex outside marriage. In fact, sex outside marriage is not a crime under common law (even for Muslims) unless it is same-gender or gay sex.

Why does the age of the person determine which court has jurisdiction over cases involving illicit sex or zina? Do you mean to tell me that if you are not yet 18 then you are not yet a Muslim? Only when you reach 18 you become a Muslim? Can those under 18, therefore, drink and eat pork and go to church since you are not yet a Muslim and the Sharia court has no power over you until you touch 18?

Okay, what if the church or Christians preaches Christianity to Malay boys and girls of 13 or 14 (in short, below 18). Is this a crime? A crime under which law? Common law? Under common law it is not a crime to preach Christianity to Malay children. It is only a crime according to the Religious Department.

But the Religious Department does not have power over us until we are 18. Islam recognises 9-year olds as adults. Common law does not. We are adults only at 18. And common law decides whether we are adults. Not the Religious Department.

So how?

The question is: who has power over Muslims? The common law courts or the Sharia courts? And why does the common law court have power over us until we are 18 and then the Sharia court takes over after that? Is age 18 the ‘legally adult’ age in Islam? And if 18 were the legal adult age under Islam, can Muslims below 18 get married?

Yes, Muslims below 18 can get marriage on condition they are ‘adults’ (meaning reached puberty) and they have their parent’s consent. Hence at that age they are already responsible for their own actions, even in crimes of illicit sex.

But then we are not talking about the Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah or Islamic law here. We are talking about common law. Hence common law overrides the Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah or Islamic law and will decide at what age you are an adult and at what age you are still a child. And you will face the common law court when you are legally a child and the Sharia court once you are legally an adult. And although Islam has decided the age of adulthood, Islam has no power over Muslims because the laws of the land and Islam do not work in tandem.

Crazy or not? In Islam, religion decides when we become an adult and hence can get married and have sex. But Islam does not have the power to decide at what age we would be considered as having consensual sex outside marriage. That the common law decides. And that age is 18.

Now, who decides when we cease being a child and legally become an adult although at the age of nine we already discovered the difference between a boy and girl and knew what to do with that thing between our legs? Well, the 222 Members of Parliament, of course. They pass all the laws and they have decided that only at age 17 we can drive and at age 18 we can have sex and at age 21 we can vote.

But why at age 17, 18 and 21 respectively?

Queen Isabella of Valois married Richard II when she was 6 years, 11 months and 25 days old.

David II married Joan, the daughter of Edward II, when he was 4 years and 134 days old.

Louis XIV of France became King at age 5 and took over full control at 23.

Joan of Arc led the French against the English at age 17.

And of course we have that story regarding Aishah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad.

In those days, you married as soon as you legally became a woman, which was when you got your period, and would have been around age 9-11. At age 10-13 boys joined the army and fought and died for their country. These were ages when you were no longer children.

I know, times have changed and we no longer consider girls of 10 or boys of 13 as adults. That may be so when it comes to common law but not if we consider religion.

So, are we outraged about the case of Noor Afizal Azizan because we perceive it as him having sex with an underage girl and the law says a girl of 13 cannot consent to sex and hence he broke the law? Okay, so it is the law that we are concerned about, am I correct?

The law says that a girl of 13 cannot consent to sex. This is a law passed by Parliament, the body that can legally pass laws, which we all must follow. And since Noor Afizal Azizan broke the law passed by Parliament we are outraged.

Okay, I can accept that. The law must be followed. After all this is a law passed by Parliament. But hold on, Parliament also passed a law that says we must get a police permit if we want to hold a demonstration. Should this law not also be followed since we are extremely concerned about the law?

Was Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim therefore correct in that the law must be followed?

Hmm…touché or not touché?

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Amend laws that make no sense, stop talking about Tunku this and that. If a writer uses keeps using any person as a point of reference in matters of common sense instead of consideration of facts, they are dishonest writers involved in inculpation of cult of personality mentality rather than logic based judgments.

Drugs or firearms offences (private carry or use specifically, not smuggling or sale to fundo or 3rd world states) as of now are also more word of law than spirit of law, the premise for existence and application not particularly PC as in a similar manner as the above statuary age case. Good exposition on child marriage issues and examples of ‘child’ marriages in either case.

ARTICLE 4

Two come to Tuan Tat’s defence over forgery accusations – Saturday, 25 August 2012 Super Admin

(The Star) – Ex-Sepang DAP parliamentary liaison committee member Tan Tuan Tat, who was accused of forging 149 membership forms, has produced two former party supporters to back him up.

Mahful Wahid said he had collected membership forms from some 100 people in Kampung Teluk Manggis and Taman Kedidi as they were interested in becoming DAP members.

“I approached Tan for help to submit the forms to Selangor DAP. Why was he accused of forgery?” he said, adding that he, too, had been interested in joining DAP.

Such accusations, added Mahful, had caused him to lose confidence in Pakatan Rakyat.

DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai said that Tuan Tat, who had been in the party for 18 years, had been charged with forging the membership forms to set up three pro tem branches in Sungai Pelek, Sepang.

He also claimed that the MyKad of people from Sungai Pelek were used without their knowledge to enrol them as DAP members.

Former Pantai Sepang Putra DAP chief R. Veerasamy echoed Mahful’s views, saying that he had also approached Tuan Tat for help to forward the forms to the state DAP’s office.

“In the end, I was found guilty of falsifying the applications and sacked,” he said during a press conference here yesterday.

Denying the accusations, Tuan Tat said it was meant to slander his integrity and credibility.

“Don’t defame me. I did not forge any forms.

“The forms were genuine and came from people who wanted to join DAP,” he said.

Tuan Tat, who used to be Taman Sri Sungai Pelek branch chairman before leaving the party last week, said DAP had deviated from its original spirit and essence.

He also disputed Tan’s charge that he was sacked from the party.

“How can I be sacked when I resigned first?” he said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

3rd Force needs you Tuan Tat! BN is corrupt and racist. PR is nepotistic and undemocratic!

ARTICLE 5

BN, PR: dua kali lima – THE CORRIDORS OF POWER – Friday, 31 August 2012 Super Admin – Raja Petra Kamarudin

But the political parties that they belong to will not allow this. Although they are called Wakil Rakyat, in reality they are Wakil Parti. They have to represent their party, not us, the voters. And when they try to do what they are supposed to do, the party will pounce on them. Hence they have to toe the party line or else they will be suspended, or worse, sacked.

No, this is not an anti-government article. It is not an opposition-whacking article either. This is an article about why we vote for 222 Malaysians to represent us in Parliament — never mind whether you voted (or will be voting) for Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. That is not important. What is important is: why do we vote?

We vote for 222 Malaysians to go to Parliament (and another almost 600 State Assemblypersons for the State Assemblies as well — known as ADUNs) so that they can become our representatives or wakil.

The Malays have the correct term for this. These people we vote for (both MPs and ADUNs) are called Wakil Rakyat in Malay, which means Citizen’s Representative (or People’s Representative).

And, as the name implies, that is exactly what they are supposed to do — represent us, the voters.

But the political parties that they belong to will not allow this. Although they are called Wakil Rakyat, in reality they are Wakil Parti. They have to represent their party, not us, the voters. And when they try to do what they are supposed to do, the party will pounce on them. Hence they have to toe the party line or else they will be suspended, or worse, sacked.

Why call them Wakil Rakyat then? They cannot function as Wakil Rakyat. We might as well call them Wakil Parti. And in the coming general election, 10 million Malaysians can go to the polling stations to vote for the Wakil Parti.

Both Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Rakyat are equally guilty of this. And since we do not have a ‘third force’, so to speak — unless the rakyat can be regarded as that third force — that is how things are going to be for a long time to come.

But, no, I am not going to talk about the third force. Malaysians are too dumb to understand the meaning of ‘third force’. To most people, ‘third force’ means three-corner contests. Then they will say I am trying to sabotage Pakatan Rakyat so that Barisan Nasional can retain power.

So what if some Members of Parliament (never mind BN or PR) go against their party stand? If it is for the good of the rakyat why can’t they break ranks and not toe the party line? That is why we sent them to Parliament (or the State Assemblies) in the first place.

In America, the Congressmen or Senators from the President’s own party can vote against the President while those from the other side will vote in support of the Bill that the President is proposing. On more than one occasion the President’s Bill had been defeated by his own party while those from the other side actually voted in support of it. No one was suspended or sacked because of this.

I know, some of you are now going to argue that we follow the British Westminster system and that this is how they do things in the UK. They have the Parliament Whip whose job is to ensure that no one breaks ranks.

Okay, if we are so concerned about what they do in Britain, and hence we need to follow the British model, then what about the written constitution? Britain does not have a written constitution. Why not follow Britain and abolish our Constitution?

I have no problems with that. Then no longer will Islam be the religion of the Federation or Malays have special privileges or the Agong be the Supreme Head of the Federation and all that. Britain’s ‘laws’ do not allow a Prime Minister not from the Church of England. You must belong to the Church of England. You want to follow that as well since it is very important that we follow the UK?

Some things we say we MUST follow. Other things we don’t want to follow. Apa ni? Gay marriages also allowed in England, mah! Want to follow or not?

This sorry state of affairs can only be corrected by you, the voters. If you, the voters, insist that the Wakil Rakyat speak for us and not for their party, only then can it happen.

I am going to tell you a story about why Ali is my favourite of the four (Rightly-Guided) Caliphs of Medina. And, no, it is not because I am a follower of the Shia sect of Islam.

Ali was the last of the four Medinan Caliphs. The Shias, however, allege that Ali was robbed of his right to be the First Caliph. I am not going to talk about that. What I want to talk about is he almost became the Third Caliph. And according to the story this is what happened.

As Omar, the Second Caliph, lay dying, he told the people of Medina to form a committee to decide on who should succeed him when he dies. A few candidates were selected and finally it was short-listed to just two, Osman and Ali.

A few interviews were conducted and during the final interview Osman was asked how he would rule if he was chosen as Caliph. Osman replied he would rule according to tradition and by following the example of the Prophet.

Ali was asked the same question and he replied he would rule according to his conscience and with God as his guide.

Osman got the job and some historians say that that was the beginning of the decline of the Islamic Empire. Osman appointed his relatives to important posts in the government and corruption soon emerged. One of Osman’s blunders was he appointed his cousin Muawiyah as the Governor of Syria. When Osman died and Ali took over, Muawiyah declared war on Ali, the first ever war where Muslims fought Muslims (and have been fighting ever since)

I know many Islamists will disagree with my analysis of events, although these events did take place. Nevertheless, my interpretation of this event is Osman said he would follow tradition while Ali said he would follow his conscience. And we have seen how tradition may not always be the best thing to follow.

And the same goes to the issue of our Wakil Rakyat. Forget about tradition, especially Westminster tradition. Follow your conscience. Did we, the voters, or your party vote you into office? And if we voted you into office then serve us instead of your party.

ARTICLE 6

S’gor DAP branches reject Ganapathirau – Sunday, 02 September 2012 – Athi Shankar, FMT

Selangor DAP branches warn the party leadership that DAP would lose the Kota Alam Shah seat if Ganapathirau, a former ISA detainee, is fielded.

KLANG: Eight DAP branches here have called on the party leadership not to field V Ganapathirau (photo) as candidate in Kota Alam Shah state seat in the next general election.

The branches, all from the state constituency, warned the party leadership that the DAP would lose the seat if Ganapathirau, a former detainee of now repealed Internal Security Act, was fielded.

The DAP eight branches, with collectively some 500 members, openly opposed Ganapathirau are Taman Gembira, Klang, Teluk Pulai, Bayu Tinggi, Taman Chi Liung Indah, Southern Klang, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa and Ehsan.

The group spokesman Ivan Ho said they were all against Ganapathirau because he was not a local familiar with the party grassroots leaders and members, or constituents in the area.

Ho said Ganapathirau does not have close rapport with party grassroots in the constituency, a winning factor so crucial for a potential candidate.

He urged the party leadership to respect grassroots sentiments and not to force in parachute candidates like Ganapathirau in Kota Alam Shah.

“DAP members and constituents don’t know him much.

“The party should not push us to accept Ganapathirau.

“We don’t want him,” Ho, the Taman Gembira branch head, told FMT.

Kota Alam Shah incumbent assemblyman is M Manoharan, a protégé of DAP national chairman Karpal Singh.

It’s learnt Selangor DAP leadership under Teresa Kok planned to replace Manoharan, also a former ISA detainee, with Ganapathirau.

Ganapathirau is a staunch confidant of deputy secretary general and Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.

Not an Indian hero

Taman Chi Liung Indah head K Yogasigamany reminded the state party leadership that time had lapsed to promote the Ganapathirau as a former ISA detainee and his so-called involvement in Hindraf Makkal Sakti.

He said DAP grassroots members and constituents know that Ganapathirau, who now leads NGO Malaysian Indian voice, was not a Hindraf leader.

“Constituents have realised that Ganapathirau was never the Hindraf leader or Indian hero.

“He is no more relevant for Indian community.

“It will be futile and fatal for party leadership to field Ganapathirau in Kota Alam Shah.

“The leadership should drop the idea altogether,” Yogasigamany told FMT.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

How about Ganapathirau run as an independent candidate? Who needs DAP’s nepotism and crony capitalism? Be a Wakil Rakyat not a Wakil Parti.

ARTICLE 7

About the next government – Saturday, 01 September 2012 Super Admin – Raja Petra Kamarudin

This is not about whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat is worse. This is about doing the honest thing. When you do party work the rakyat must not be made to pay for it. And when Parliament and the State Assemblies have been dissolved you are committing criminal breach of trust by

continuing to use the government facilities for your personal political campaigns and party work.

First have a look at the Google Analytical graphic below. Those are Malaysia Today’s figures for the pre-Raya, Raya, and post-Raya period.

On Friday, 17th August 2012, Malays began to leave town to return to their kampung. That was when the figures started declining. By Saturday, more people left town (even many non-Malays) and the figures dropped even further.

The non-Malays did not return to work until Wednesday last week, and that was when the figures started to increase again. Most Malays, however, stayed away the entire week until Sunday. On Monday this week, the figures returned to normal when everyone was back in town.

Now, while the figures over last week were down quite a bit because many people were still back in their kampung, the comments, however, did not suffer. And even when the figures went up again this week, the comments more or less remained the same.

From these figures I can only assume two things. First is that Malaysia Today’s Malay readership is quite large. And that is why the figures drop when the Malays are away. Secondly is that most of those who comment are non-Malays. And that is why while the Malay readership declines the comments do not.

Of course, thirdly, based on the type of comments posted, we can also assume that most of those who comment are not yet of the age of maturity. And that is why many comments are very childish. (You should read the ones we deleted. They will shock you).

Anyway, what I want to talk about today is regarding the next government. You see, when Parliament is dissolved to make way for the next general election, in principle Malaysia no longer has a government. What we have is merely a caretaker government and a caretaker Prime Minister.

Now, even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this back in 2006. Dr Mahathir explained that in principle there is no longer any government but just a caretaker Prime Minister. But he could not understand, Dr Mahathir said, why no one realises this and never challenged it.

In short, the Cabinet no longer exists, as everyone would have already been ‘sacked’, so to speak. Parliament has been dissolved so technically we no longer have any Members of Parliament. Hence, if we no longer have any Members of Parliament, then we no longer have a Prime Minister or Ministers.

Can the Prime Minister still use his office and other facilities such as the private jet, helicopter, etc., which are for the use of the Prime Minister? What about all those Ministers who still use their office, government car, etc?

Many Malays regard our First Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, as fasiq (bad Muslim) because of his drinking and gambling. But did you know that the Tunku took six months no-pay leave to campaign for the general election? He handed the government to his Deputy, Tun Abdul Razak

Hussein, to take over as Acting Prime Minister.

Whatever you might say about the Tunku, at least he was honest enough to separate his party post from his government post and he did not abuse his government post to do party work. Has any Prime Minister since then taken no-pay leave when they campaign for their party? Even the Merdeka celebration is treated as a party campaign.

And please don’t start screaming ‘that is why we need to get rid of Umno’. Many now in the opposition — not only from Umno but also from MCA, Gerakan and MIC as well — did the same thing when they were in government. They talk only now that they are with the opposition. When they were in government serupa saja.

Take the Menteris Besar from the Pakatan Rakyat states, as an example. Would these MBs take no-pay leave whenever they are campaigning for their party or would they use their post as MB to campaign for Pakatan Rakyat? Of course Umno also does this. That, I don’t deny. But do two wrongs make a right?

Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, the MB of Kelantan, switches of the ‘government’ light when he prays (which is a personal duty and has nothing to do with the government). And how much electricity does his light bulb consume when he prays?

This is not about whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat is worse. This is about doing the honest thing. When you do party work the rakyat must not be made to pay for it. And when Parliament and the State Assemblies have been dissolved you are committing criminal breach of trust by continuing to use the government facilities for your personal political campaigns and party work.

Do you remember when Datuk Ramli Yussuf, the Director of the CCID, faced charges in Sabah for using a police plane to fly over his land? He was alleged to have taken a detour while on official duty to fly over his land. Just a slight detour in a government plane and he was arrested and charged.

No doubt he was eventually acquitted of that charge but the fact he could he sacked, arrested and charged for taking a ‘joyride’ in a police plane was enough to show the difference between personal and official work. What makes the Prime Minister or Ministers immune from this same ‘crime’?

Once Parliament is dissolved it should be hands-off all public property. No more using public facilities for your personal or party work and campaigns.

I do not know how better to explain this point without sounding cheong hei but understand one thing: once Parliament is dissolved you are now sacked from your job. Hence we no longer have a government and you can no longer use what belongs to the government — meaning, of course, what belongs to the rakyat.

Now, in that same spirit, since we no longer have a government, when we go to the polls we are choosing a new government. Whether we choose Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat does not matter. Both are new governments. The old government no longer exists. Everyone has been sacked from his/her job.

Okay, so we no longer have a government and we go to the polls to choose a government. Never mind that Barisan Nasional has ruled Malaysia for 55 years. That was before. For all intents and purposes, if they win the election they are going to be a new government, jut like how Pakatan Rakyat would be if they win the election.

Hence we need to ask both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat what type of new government they are going to be. We do not care what they did in the past. Don’t try to impress us with what you have been doing over the last 55 years (actually it’s 53 years because the First General Election was in 1959, not 1957). That government no longer exists. We are about to choose a new government so we want to know what type of new government we are going to choose.

Let’s look at it this way. We wipe the slate clean and start from scratch (not to include any corrupt acts, of course, which should still be on the slate). Then we are giving both a level playing field (or else Barisan Nasional can boast about what they have done over 55 years compared to Pakatan Rakyat who never ruled at federal level). Let’s assume Malaysia never had a government before. So now tell us why we should vote for you.

And that would mean we would need to look at so many unresolved issues and hear from both sides what they have to offer us. As I said, there are just so many issues but maybe for purposes of this article we can talk about some of the more pressing ones. And my list is certainly not in order of priority. And I am addressing this list to both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

1. Will Malaysia adopt in its entirety the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations on 10th December 1948?

2. Will Malaysia practice meritocracy to replace the system of quotas and preferential treatment and will Article 153 in the Constitution be abrogated?

3. Will fundamental liberties be respected and will it include the right to choose your religion, the right to have no religion, the right to your sexual preference, the right to a civil partnership, and much more?

4. Will Malaysia remain a Constitutional Monarchy or will it opt to become a Republic?

5. Will the oil royalty for those states that have oil and gas be increased to 20% or more or will it remain at 5%.

6. Will Sabah and Sarawak be given autonomy and will Federalisation in those states be reduced/limited in line with the 20- and 18-Point Agreements?

7. Will the Human Rights Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Force Commission, Judicial Commission, Election Commission, etc., be restructured so that the appointments can be made by Parliament and so that they can be responsible to Parliament and will include Commissioners from both sides of the political fence in equal numbers?

8. Will the Constitution be amended to make Malaysia more Secular with the removal of Islam as the religion of the Federation?

9. What is the position of the Sharia — Hudud included, of course — and which legal system will be supreme and will Malaysia remove the dual system, which appears to be running parallel, in favour of a single legal system?

10. Will the anti-hopping act, freedom of information act, freedom of association act (to include students), anti-discrimination act, anti-racism act, freedom of religion act, etc., be introduced and will the death sentence be abolished?

Those are just ten points that both sides need to tell us about. Of course there are many more and some of you may want to add to that list. The bottom line, however, is that we want to hear from all those who are going to offer themselves for election what their position about all these issues are.

We can’t accept the ‘vote first and talk later’ argument. We need to know before we go to the polls the stand of all these people who want our vote. Hence no shocks and surprises later once we choose our new government.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

BN has the mandate for granting all of the above or condensed form of the 3 items below :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;but does not act. Pakatan looks set to be worse with Hudud and Nepotism and backward crony capitalist mindsets, who knows gangsterism as well? A nice article that challenges unnecessary structures in government.

ARTICLE 8

I believe, hence I am right – Sunday, 26 August 2012 Super Admin – NO HOLDS BARRED – Raja Petra Kamarudin

Not even a priest or an imam will ‘serve God’ if they are not being paid a salary. It’s all about money, even those who claim to be serving God. So get off your high horse and stop all this self-righteous bullshit. Every single one of you does things for money. So stop slandering this person and that person as doing things for money. You too are as much money-motivated as the other person you are accusing.

I can’t understand why Malaysia Today’s readers are foaming at the mouth and whacking Hudud. Some have even gone beyond just attacking Hudud and have even whacked Muslims and Islam. A police report has already been made against Malaysiakini. Do you also want a police report to be made against Malaysia Today?

Most of you may think that Malaysia allows freedom of expression. Well, Malaysia may allow freedom of expression up to a certain extent but that freedom is not absolute. There are limits. And that is why Malaysia has many laws that are aimed at ‘ensuring the peace and stability’ of the nation, the Sedition Act being one of them.

This means you cannot simply say what you like, not even in America or Britain. For example, if you start talking about Muslim terrorists, Jihad and bombs while in a plane you can get into trouble anywhere in the world. You might argue that it is your fundamental right to talk about whatever it is you want to talk about. The police, however, will not agree with you as they drag you away in handcuffs. Try it if you don’t believe me.

So perish the thought regarding absolute freedom of expression. It does not exist. There are boundaries and you must navigate within these boundaries. I, for one, can tell you that this is absolutely true. I, too, have learned that you cannot say everything that is on your mind. There are some things you can say and there are many things you cannot say. And if you violate this rule you will get vilified like hell. I am speaking from experience here.

Look at what happened to Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim. His party expressed support for the Bersih 3.0 rally while he said that although he is for clean elections he does not feel that breaking the law is the way to send the message to the government. And for saying that he was whacked kaw-kaw until he felt so hurt he left the party. I suppose anyone who is called foul names would feel the way he felt. I mean people do have feelings, even Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

In the first place, Tunku Aziz should not have joined a political party. He is not a politician, period. And he should have realised that once you join a political party you must toe the party line. You cannot do what the people would view as breaking ranks. They will kill you, figure of speech, of course. And once you join a political party and then resign, you will be accused of being bought off, of selling out, and all sort of foul things. It is better you had not joined in the first place. Then you can say what you like.

Once you join a political party you need to sacrifice certain freedoms for the sake of party unity. Even when you talk in closed-door meetings or unofficial meetings you need to watch what you say. In politics everyone is an enemy, even the person sitting next to you in the meeting. And what you say will be leaked to embarrass you. And the Penang PKR chief, Datuk Dr Mansor Othman, has found out the hard way what damage these leaks can do.

Of course, Dr Mansor has denied saying what he is alleged to have said. The minutes, though, appear to prove otherwise. But minutes can be forged. After all, only those who attended the meeting would know.

No doubt, none of the others who attended that meeting have come forward to reveal that they had attended the meeting and that the minutes had been forged and that no such thing was ever said in the meeting. Nevertheless, whether the people believe that denial is another thing. After all, politicians deny allegations all the time. Clinton denied. Nixon denied. And in the end it was proven that these denials were all lies. In fact, Najib Tun Razak has also denied the allegations against him but we all don’t believe his denials — am I not correct?

The golden rule in politics is when cornered deny or say ‘no comment’. Of course, most people are of the opinion that when politicians deny it then it must be true and when they say ‘no comment’ that means they are admitting the allegation. But the most important thing is no one can prove it.

And this is what matters in the end. Can you prove the allegation?

What you need to do, before they even deny it or say ‘no comment’, is to challenge them to prove that the allegation is false. Under normal circumstances one is assumed innocent until proven guilty. But if you want to corner a politician you twist it the other way. You ask them to prove that the allegation is false. That is actually quite impossible to do.

Anwar was convicted and sentenced to a total of 15 years jail because he could not prove his innocence. The Federal Court later overturned that conviction on grounds that the Prosecution failed to prove his guilt. Nevertheless, Anwar had already served six years of the 15 years before he saw freedom. Thus, sometimes, the guilty until proven innocent rule does work in certain cases.

New laws are being introduced in Malaysia where you will need to prove you are innocent or else you are presumed guilty. We had 52 years of the Internal Security Act where an estimated 10,000 people had been detained without trial on that same assumption — guilty until proven innocent. They detain you first and then later you need to convince them that you deserve to be released. It is impossible to prove you deserve to be released when your detention is on the basis that one man, the Minister, believes you are a threat to national security.

I mean how do you prove a belief wrong? You have a belief, and that belief is I am a threat to national security. How do I prove this belief wrong? How do I prove any of your beliefs wrong? You believe that Hudud is God’s law and is mandatory. You believe that the Qur’an came directly from God and is God’s word. You believe the Bible is the Holy Book of God (in fact, you swear an oath on the Bible although it may have been printed by a printer in Jalan Chan Sow Lin). You believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was crucified and died for our sins. How do I prove all these beliefs wrong?

So, I can’t prove any of your beliefs wrong, even the belief that I am a threat to national security. And that means I will remain under detention without trial until your beliefs change and you now believe that I have reformed and have turned over a new leaf and am no longer a threat to national security.

Such are beliefs. And beliefs are impossible to prove wrong. If you had to prove your belief right, that would be another thing altogether. To prove your belief right you will need evidence, which you may or may not have. But for me to prove your belief wrong is a non-starter never mind what that belief may be. Beliefs do not require evidence. Hence you can believe something even if there is no evidence. And for me to prove your belief wrong when your belief is void of evidence would mean I would not have the evidence to prove your belief wrong.

Can you see how it works?

Many friends have been in touch with me to ask me to clear the air on what people are saying about me. These friends tell me that people believe I am this or I am that or I have done this or I have done that. But that is just it. This is what people believe. How do I prove this belief to be false?

Most of those people who believe these things about me also believe in God and believe in a religion. Is there any basis for these beliefs? Is there any evidence to support these beliefs? Can they prove that their beliefs are facts and not myths?

Of course they can’t. They just believe it, that’s all. There is no basis for these beliefs. They heard stories and they believe these stories. These are all stories without evidence. Then they support these stories and justify their beliefs by showing us a Holy Book, which they said came from God but was printed by a printer in Jalan Chan Sow Lin who himself does not believe in God and is printing this ‘Holy Book’ just to make money from the printing contract

Thus this is the mindset of these types of people. They are susceptible to believing things that cannot be proven. And these same people also believe certain things about me. So how do we talk to such people when they are already prone to believing things that they imagine to be true even when it cannot be proven true?

Can you see the futility in trying to turn these people? It is as difficult as trying to convince a Catholic that Prophet Muhammad is a Prophet of God or trying to convince Muslims that Jesus is the Son of God — or trying to convince readers of Malaysia Today that Hudud is God’s command and is mandatory for all Malaysians.

The best would be to just let people believe what they want to believe. Most of these people believe that they are sincere and noble while all the rest are scumbags anyway. Only they are true. All others are false.

Look at the party hopping issue as one example. Most believe that it is wrong for people to leave their party to join the other side. But it is not wrong for those from the other side to leave the other side to join their party.

If they leave the other side to join their side then it is a sincere and noble gesture. But if they leave their side to join the other side it cannot also be because of a sincere and noble gesture. It can only be because of money and for no other reason.

This is the belief.

You do things out of sincerity and for noble reasons. Others are not noble or sincere and do things merely for money. You do not do things for money.

As I said, this is the belief and they believe that their belief is right. But is it?

Their parents sent them to school to receive an education. I have Chinese friends who tell me that education is at the top of the Chinese priority list. Education comes first and everything else comes after. This is what my Chinese friends tell me and since so many seem to tell me the same thing I am inclined to believe it.

Then I ask them, why? To the Malays, religion comes first. That is way at the top of the priority list of the Malays. Go ask the Malays and see what they say. But why do Chinese put education and not religion at the top of their priority list?

And they tell me it is because you need a good education to be ensured a good future. Only a good education can ensure a good future. And many Malaysians, after they have received that good education, choose to stay overseas to work. They have spent so much money on their education that they need to work overseas because the salary they will earn back in Malaysia would be too low and they will never be able to recover the cost of their education.

So people get an education. But they go and get an education not because they seek knowledge. They go and get an education so that they can get a good job that pays good money.

Everybody works. And they all work because they want money. Only with money can they buy things and live a good life. They want a house. They want a car. They want to get married. They want power, position, prestige, recognition, and whatnot. And all this requires money.

Why do they want all these? Are these not all for selfish reasons? You can go live in a jungle and not starve. There is food everywhere. You can live off the land. You can build a roof over your head from what you find in the jungle. You can use the streams and rivers to wash and bathe. You do not need money. You do not need a job. You do not need to spend so much money getting educated.

So, yes, everyone does things for money, even those of you who believe you are sincere and noble. Do you need money? Actually you do not. You don’t need money. You just want money. And you want money because you want the good things in life.

Are you prepared to resign from your job and go work in one of the African countries for no salary? They will provide you a tent to sleep in and three meals a day. They will also provide you with khaki uniforms. But other than that you will receive no money.

Is that not a noble and sincere thing to do? You work for no money but only to serve humankind. You get to eat and sleep in a tent, that’s all.

Not even a priest or an imam will ‘serve God’ if they are not being paid a salary. It’s all about money, even those who claim to be serving God. So get off your high horse and stop all this self-righteous bullshit. Every single one of you does things for money. So stop slandering this person and that person as doing things for money. You too are as much money-motivated as the other person you are accusing.

At least a prostitute is honest about what he or she is. That is more than I can say for you.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

1) Most of you may think that Malaysia allows freedom of expression. Well, Malaysia may allow freedom of expression up to a certain extent but that freedom is not absolute. There are limits. And that is why Malaysia has many laws that are aimed at ‘ensuring the peace and stability’ of the nation,

the Sedition Act being one of them. This means you cannot simply say what you like, not even in America or Britain. For example, if you start talking about Muslim terrorists, Jihad and bombs while in a plane you can get into trouble anywhere in the world. You might argue that it is your fundamental right to talk about whatever it is you want to talk about. The police, however, will not agree with you as they drag you away in handcuffs.

Then attempts will be made to change the law so that the police will focus on real criminals like corrupted politicians or those who sequester the funds of the nation by writing Vehicular-AP type laws so their daughters and son-in-laws can lounge around writing pro-1% rubbish instead of changing bad laws. The police, however, will agree to fair mindedness instead of chilling effect bad wishes on people via bad or racist laws, who at least bother to engage the country/public in effecting meaningful change. No word on apartheid yet? Still defending hudud? Why does RPK seem to support chilling effect laws?

2) It’s all about money, even those who claim to be serving God. So get off your high horse and stop all this self-righteous bullshit. Every single one of you does things for money. So stop slandering this person and that person as doing things for money. You too are as much money-motivated as the other person you are accusing.

Those who claim to be serving God would think that everyone is EQUAL and that the wealth of the nation and the land belongs to everyone. That means space for living, as well as oil wealth etc.. This is what makes a nation a nation, not 1% of people holding 99% of the wealth while 99% of the people have to work. “God’ provided the land that grows food and has materials for life and civilisation. There is no such thing as money which is man made and a mere tool or yardstick for reprsentation of goods and services.

3) The golden rule in politics is when cornered deny or say ‘no comment’. Of course, most people are of the opinion that when politicians deny it then it must be true and when they say ‘no comment’ that means they are admitting the allegation. But the most important thing is no one can prove it.

And this is what matters in the end.

When a 99% person’s life looks set to be an endless and hopeless rehash of days till old age, ‘no comment’ is not an option.  And this is what matters in the end. The 99% will vote for political power distribution via term limits and nepotism prohibitions, then also wealth and land distribution. The plutocrats and oligarchs and nepotists can GTFO of Parlaiment.

4) Such are beliefs. And beliefs are impossible to prove wrong. If you had to prove your belief right, that would be another thing altogether. To prove your belief right you will need evidence, which you may or may not have. But for me to prove your belief wrong is a non-starter never mind what that belief may be. Beliefs do not require evidence. Hence you can believe something even if there is no evidence. And for me to prove your belief wrong when your belief is void of evidence would mean I would not have the evidence to prove your belief wrong. Can you see how it works?

Muslim thought mode imprinting. Manipulative inculpation of ‘thought/sentence’ structures/pattersn is not engaging the readers but insulting the readers. If I am wrong about this being a Muslim NLP, then apologies in advance when I go ‘Blah, Muslims . . .’ . . . NO, all non-Muslims refuse to see how ‘it’ (Islam by my reading of what RPK is pushing with ingenuous references to it, it might as well be the whore of Babylon or Moloch or every non-Muslim’s collective !@#$%^& . . . )

5) Can you see the futility in trying to turn these people? It is as difficult as trying to convince a Catholic that Prophet Muhammad is a Prophet of God or trying to convince Muslims that Jesus is the Son of God — or trying to convince readers of Malaysia Today that Hudud is God’s command and is mandatory for all Malaysians.

There is even less proof of God yet people believe. Futility to ‘turn these people’ is far easier than to believe in God. Also laws are man-made, wealth distribution is biased. The 99% would believe that and the 1% as RPK and by extension RPK’s wife Marin or Mahathir’s ill-gotten billions would prefer th 99% to not think about.

6) Everybody works. And they all work because they want money. Only with money can they buy things and live a good life. They want a house. They want a car. They want to get married. They want power, position, prestige, recognition, and whatnot. And all this requires money.

This is a materialistic view. There are many views. Also there are systems that do not require money.n The Capitalist system is abusive and enslaves people with money. Figure out the rest on how to vote to change the system to do away with money.

7) If they leave the other side to join their side then it is a sincere and noble gesture. But if they leave their side to join the other side it cannot also be because of a sincere and noble gesture. It can only be because of money and for no other reason. This is the belief.

Shame on RPK for preaching corruption. Kaffir mindedness if anything and tainted by promotion of hudud’s violence based justice.

8) Are you prepared to resign from your job and go work in one of the African countries for no salary? They will provide you a tent to sleep in and three meals a day. They will also provide you with khaki uniforms. But other than that you will receive no money.

Any and everone would if land and wealth were distributed equally. In fact there would be no ‘African countries’ either if migration prohibitions were done away with up to limits of population supportable by a country at least.

9) At least a prostitute is honest about what he or she is. That is more than I can say for you.

One man’s ‘honesty’ is another man’s resignation and apathy, giving up on a better life. That is what a prostitute does, which is more than I can say for RPK’s inactivity and b.s.ing from England instead of returning to Malaysia to prove so called ‘enemies’ wrong.

Fostering apathy via weak logic so that plutocrats and nepotists or propagandists get to abuse and parasite off the 99% is pitiful and reprehensible. Belief with logic is and expecting to be questioned and responding always makes right. As mentioned before, some people use their intelligence for good causes, others use their intelligence to suppress the truth and every man’s right to equality instead of entitlement. Being around for decades within privilege allows one to never feel empathy for the problems people face. The 99% however are ready to vote in a manner that will end such socialised insanity. Money is an invention. The sooner everyone realises this, the better a place the world will be. Also the sooner Marina and RPK endorse the below 3 items :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;the sooner will the Malaysians have a real chance of reclaiming their place as equals with other races in the world instead of hiding behind corrutpting tacit approvals by Marina or pernicious articles by RPK.


written by Dr Syed Alwi, September 02, 2012 14:20:43
Dear RPK,

It doesn’t matter whether its BN or PR – the mentality of the average Malaysian is very backwards. It will be another 50 years before you can see the kind of changes that you want. You’ve got a vast majority of Malays still believing in magic etc ! You’ve got the Chinese who are still pushing for parochial interests ! To change Malaysia – is to change minds. You need a mental revolution. Malaysia is Third World in terms of mentality. Still medieval and still feudal. Its still 1511 as far as Malaysians go !

If you are serious about these changes – then you should focus on Education. The educational system must change to produce better minds in the future. No major changes can be expected in the short term. Just focus on education and in 20 to 30 years time – it will bear fruit. But for now – you won’t see much changes.

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

ARTICLE 9

Merdeka belongs to ALL M’sians, not just to BN or to Pakatan – by Lim Kit Siang – Thursday, 30 August 2012 22:03

Merdeka Day should be an overarching national celebration uniting Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region or political affiliation in a common purpose to develop a more democratic, just, competitive and prosperous nation – and any partisan attempt to hijack the Merdeka Day which can only result in greater division, dissension and disunity must be deplore

It is sad many Malaysians feel depressed by this year’s 55th Merdeka Day not only because they have never felt so unsafe in public places and the privacy of their homes, but also because of the increasingly negative and discordant voices sowing distrust and hatred in our plural society and seeking to polarise and divide Malaysians particularly along race and religious lines.

For ALL Malaysians

Merdeka Day is a national celebration not just for any individual, group, community or political party. It is not for Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. It is for all Malaysians.

Let all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region or political affiliation rise above their differences to celebrate the 55th Merdeka Day as one Malaysian people to forge a common national destiny where freedom, justice, integrity and good governance flourish in our land and enjoyed by all our citizens.

Lim Kit Siang is the DAP adviser & MP for Ipoh Timur

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Whats really sad is the 90% failed campaign promises by DAP, Kit Siang talking shop here as if those seats were fairly won. All DAP seats were won by lies of unkept campaign promises. The Rakyat loses respect for politicians who cannot keep their word, especially after being rewarded in advance with votes. Merdeka belongs to ALL M’sians . . . blah blah blah . . . campaign promises first, otherwise don’t talk rubbish here on internet. Pakatan OWES the Rakyat all unkept promises Mr.Undemocratic-TermLimitless-Nepotist . . .

Voters, don’t depend on Pakatan so much. Pakatan has said nothing about ending the Bumi/Non-Bumi difference, or PAS’s Hudud so far. Look at the lack of engagement hiding behind the ethos of that MP’s seat intent on being term limitless. Voters, if Pakatan will  in such a belittling manner, not respond fairly and clearly to questions as blogs like these pose, Pakatan will indeed favour and collude with cronies in the same way BN has. Pakatan is UNVOTABLE simply by the uncommunicativeness and even attempts to destroy would be competing 3rd force politicians, groups and activists by.

The voters are no fools and can see what has happened. Pakatan is a danger and perhaps even part of the hegelian dialect, at least in all term limitless family nepotistic types. Again I present the unvotable within Pakatan so that the Rakyat can think clearly enough to vote correctly :

OFFENDING TERM LIMITLESS/NEPOTISM CLIQUES in PAKATAN

Three of the below limitless term MPs must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :

Lim Kit Siang (MP Ipoh Timur – Perak)
Lim Guan Eng (MP Air Puteh – Penang)
Chew Gek Cheng (Assemblyman Kota Laksamana – Malacca) Guan Eng’s wife
Lim Hui Ying Guan Eng’s sister (Vice-Chairman)

Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :

Karpal Singh (MP Jelutong – Penang)
Gobind Singh (MP Puchong – Selangor) Karpal’s son
Jagdeep Singh (Asssemblyman Dato Keramat – Penang) Karpal’s son

Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :

Anwar Ibrahim (MP Permatang Pauh, Seberang Prai)
Wan Azizah
Nurul Izzah Anwar(MP Lembah Pantai – Kuala Lumpur) Anwar’s Daughter who won only because (as per RPK’s report on article) only 7% of the voters in the constituency Nurul stood in turned up!

Also either Ngeh (Pantai Remis) or Nga (Sitiawan) must go to prevent 2nd degree nepotism and the kind of environment that caused DAP’s Kulasegaran to be kicked out possibly an act of racism but more likely at the order of the Lim family clique and their dogs like Chow Kon Yeow and Ng Wei Aik.

For even stronger consideration, I also list seats that HRP demands from the unethical Pakatan cliques, note that PAS is the least problematic party in Pakatan though more authoritarian and Islamically inclined (Hudud should be applied on a signatory by signatory basis, not summarily imposed, to not drive away Malay voters) :

1. Padang Serai (Incumbent: PKR – N Gobalakrishnan)
2. Batu Kawan (DAP – Ramasamy)
3. Sungei Siput (PSM – Dr D Jeyakumar)
4. Ipoh Barat (DAP – N Kulasegaran)
5. Bagan Datoh (BN – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)
6. Cameron Highlands (BN – SK Devamany)
7. Hulu Selangor (BN – P Kamalanathan)
8. Kuala Selangor (PAS – Dzulkefy Ahmad)
9. Klang (DAP – Charles Santiago)
10. Kota Raja (PAS – Siti Mariah Mahmud)
11. Rasah (DAP – Anthony Loke)
12. Teluk Kemang (PKR – Kamarul Baharin Abbas)
13. Alor Gajah (BN – Fong Chan Onn)
14. Tebrau (BN – Teng Boon Soon)
15. Lembah Pantai (PKR – Nurul Izzah Anwar)

HRP might very well be aware of some things we are not aware of to list some surprising choices as well, do not discount their reasons.

ANOTHER THEORY ON WHY VOTE 3rd Force Over Pakatan or BN

Introducing all readers to the high tech world of hidden surveillance and mind altering electronics like Passive Millimeter Wave Technology or EMF based wave weapons. Half of the wealthiest and most influencial non-Muslims in Malaysia could get thrown into jail for if that law is passed. Afraid if the government makes owning such things illegal?

ALL READERS. Rais Yaatim was manipulated into raping the maid via sub-aurals and EMF and possibly certain drugs that made him unable to control himself the combination is very effective on most people unless they have the luxury of becoming extremely anti-social to compensate.

Also like Anwar and Saiful, the 2 guys were probably drugged and manipulated with the same method. Do you think dr.Evil had no hand in causing the cases to be used as a weapon to ensure their obedience?

Neuro-linguistic programming also could have played a strong part in grooming targets with dr.Evil’s resources, he could get any number of people to ‘say things’ to manipulate Anwar, Saiful’s or Rais Yaatim’s mental state, then drug them. The combination is quite lethal.

A law against use or ownership of such electronic weapons should be immediately put in place and all who are in ownership of such devices should immediately be investigated and any complaints or evidence corroborated by the legal system which should be made aware of these obviously criminal methods and weapons. Watch out for the Wiifi, 4G or 700 Hz YTL lines. These and the telecoms towers will ensure whatever government will be able to manipulate voters as well INCLUDING extracting/inserting thought memories.

In time these weapons or stalking activities will be illegal and the legal system updated on these weapons, and anyone who has used these will likely be dragged up on charges for victimising citizens with criminal intent to harm. They should watch out for YTL’s 4G or the Telecoms Towers as well, Nautilus Bay Penang looks like a G.W.E.N. Tower too.

4G or 700 Hz will literally end all freedom of thought, so start understanding that we are living in high tech times even though the infrastructure is still quite bad. In the hands of private contractors like YTL we will literally lose control of free thought. Oppose any 700 Hz, 3G or telecoms towers, otherwise we will be quite finished even before GE13.

Anwar and Saiful, Prince Saud Abdulaziz Bin Nasir Al Saud of Oman, the Catholic Priests overcome with lust for children, I strongly believe that due to your strong religious and family upbringing and even some of us due to our station, political beliefs and political alignments, or threat of presenting too powerful a social or psychological, even psychic competition, or even intelligence, or even failed relationships with people having access to such devices – have been groomed into paedophilia, LGBT or even simulated mental illness specifically to weaken our voice by society’s worst who see nothing except political power and wealth not a nation of citizens.

Let us seek justice and reclaim our reputations.

ARTICLE 9

Buckle up – and beware of strays – by REGINA LEE – Friday August 10, 2012 regina@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The usual road safety tips apply along the North-South Expressway buckle up and obey the speed limit. Then watch out … for cows?

Signs urging motorists and other road users to be wary of cows have sprouted up at 29 locations along the expressway as recently as three weeks ago, according to highway concessionaire PLUS Malaysia.

“There has been an increasing number of animal sightings along the expressway and we want to warn people to be wary of cows and other strays, especially at certain locations,” corporate communications senior manager Mohd Nizam Ismail said yesterday.

“Most of the strays sighted are cows, water buffalos, tapirs and wild boars. But other animals such as dogs, monkeys and goats have also been seen.”

A woman and her son were killed early on Sunday when their car collided with a cow near the Simpang Ampat toll plaza in Malacca.

Ngatinah Kemin, 47, and her 10-year-old son Habib Firdaus were travelling back from the KL International Airport to their home in Simpang Renggam together with her husband and daughter when the accident occurred at 1.20am.

The Road Transport Department said that such incidences were rare and that it was not usual for cows to cross a highway.

“In the rural areas, yes, it happens a lot. But this is the first case that I’ve heard of in my two years in the Transport Ministry,” said deputy director-general Datuk Ismail Ahmad.

A cow died on the spot after being hit by a car at Persiaran Utara in Putrajaya while crossing the road. The driver was unhurt.

The driver was unhurt.

He explained that a road retained heat at night making it warm and “nice” for cows to lie on.

Ismail hoped cattle farmers would keep their cows fenced up, especially at night.

In July 2008, three people were killed in two separate accidents on the same 772km-long expressway within days of each other in Rembau and Jitra after crashing into cows.

Pahang Umno secretary Datuk Abdullah Rahmat died when his car hit a cow in Temerloh on the East Coast Highway on Dec 12, 2008.

PLUS urged members of the public to call its hotline 1800 88 0000 whenever they see stray animals on the expressway.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

PAP’s Neuroscience Institute at Biopolis has been busy equipping Pakatan? Neurotech assassination? Get a cow to saunter onto the road at an inopportune moment to kill political opponents. Earlier that was neurotech dogs savaging and killing people, but too dramatic and suspicious.

ARTICLE 10

Man gored to death by wild buffalo – September 01, 2012

IPOH, Sept 1 — A man was gored to death while his friend was injured after they were attacked by a wild buffalo while on a fishing trip at the Royal Belum Forest Reserve in Hulu Air Pasir, Banding near Grik yesterday.

Musa Ismail, 56, died after he was gored in the stomach while his friend Isa Abdullah, 24, broke a leg and hand. Two other friends of theirs, however, escaped injury.

Grik police chief Supt Abdul Manab Baharum said in the incident happened between 3pm and 6pm when the four entered the forest reserve via a trail at Km68.4 of the East Coast Highway.

“As they were walking towards the location to set up their fish traps they were attacked by a wild buffalo which appeared out of nowhere,” he told Bernama.

He said after the animal ran away after attacking them, one of the friends who was not injured used his handphone to call up other friends for help.

He said they (friends) alerted the police who immediately mobilised a search-and-rescue team which included members of the Fire and Rescue Department, Rela, Civil Defence Department and local villagers.

“Because of the mountainous terrain, the team only managed to reach them at 1am. We also had difficulty bringing them out and only managed to do so at 6.30am today.

“The dead and injured victims were sent to the Grik Hospital,” he said.

Abdul Manab advised the public not to enter the reserve to fish or gather herbs without a valid permit from the authorities for their own safety. — Bernama

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Looks like this method of assassination will be the newest method employed in Malaysia. ‘ . . . beware of strays . . . ‘ goes Regina . . . so does that mean dogs and cats will also be used to kill car driving people in the same way? A neurotech dog or cat rushes out across the road, a ‘caring’ driver dies avoiding the animal . . . or at least get injured if said driver hits  the animal and crashes . . .

ARTICLE 11

I’m not returning to Barisan, says Lajim – Saturday, 01 September 2012 Super Admin

(The Star) – KOTA KINABALU: Beaufort MP Datuk Lajim Ukin has denied talk that he is returning to Barisan Nasional.

“I have not met any Barisan leaders either at the state or Federal level to talk about returning to Barisan,” he told reporters here on Thursday.

Several bloggers have claimed that he was returning to Barisan because he was not given any “incentives” promised by the Opposition and that he failed to deliver more crossovers.

He believed such bloggers were trying to discredit him and make people lose faith in him.

He reiterated that his July 28 move to align himself with Pakatan Rakyat was done without any “incentives”.

“Let me make it clear that I joined the Opposition not because of monetary gains. That is not how the Opposition works, they do not buy anyone,” he added.

Lajim, who has formed non-governmental organisation Coalition for Change in Sabah, claimed that there would be more Barisan members leaving at the “right time”.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Lajim, just drop nepotistic PR and racist BN! Join 3rd Force!

ARTICLE 12

PR has lost direction, says Noh Omar – by Mohd Farhan Darwis – September 01, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar today took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat (PR), saying the opposition bloc has started to lose its direction in wanting to replace the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang.

The Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman also said it was impossible to do so as the flag is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“They have started to lose direction… until they even want to change the flag. I want to remind them that we cannot change matters enshrined in our Constitution such as the flag; whoever rules it is still our symbol. And the national anthem ‘Negaraku’, it is the song of whoever is in power.

“They are not yet ruling (but) already want to do extraordinary things,” Noh (picture) told reporters at the Selangor BN open house at the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) in Sungai Buloh here.

The Tanjung Karang MP also expressed sorrow at the way PR celebrated National Day.

“I feel very sad at the attitude and the way they celebrate Merdeka Day, we should raise flags, but they make other flags,” he said, in apparent reference to a group of individuals who were spotted waving flags sporting alternative designs to the Jalur Gemilang during the massive public countdown to the country’s 55th National Day in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday.

“They are rude, not yet in power but they are already power crazy, their supporters and followers don’t respect our rules.”

The individuals were spotted carrying flags sporting the familiar crescent moon and 14-pointed star against a red-and-white striped background — similar to the national flags of neighbouring Singapore and Indonesia — which were alleged to be the alternative to the Jalur Gemilang.

Some of the street party-goers were also reported to have stepped on or tore posters bearing the images of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife and the Election Commission chairman that night.

However, the organisers of the Janji Demokrasi rally — which took place at the same venue at Dataran Merdeka — has distanced themselves from the individuals who had allegedly demanded the national flag be replaced.

Noh also commented on Selangor PR ignoring the Sultan of Selangor in its National Day celebrations, saying that it shows that the federal opposition bloc did not uphold the Rukun Negara principle of “Loyalty to King and country”.

“Before BN carried out today’s programme, the organiser informed the Sultan of Selangor that the prime minister will come to celebrate with the people.

“Not like the opposition, their state-level Merdeka Day celebrations ignored the Sultan and turned this celebration into a political arena,” Noh said, adding “we practise the Rukun Negara principle of loyalty to King and country.”

Noh said: “In this life there are two things, morals and laws. Morally, they have to respect our culture, other people’s functions, but they try to take advantage to carry out politicking activities including in the programme on Merdeka Day eve”.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Better than BN’s WRONG DIRECTION – continuing apartheid is wrong. Pakatan is still excusable for not having 2/3rds to end apartheid. We’ll know 100% for certain if Pakatan wins and does not end apartheid or 3rd Force takes over.

MCA meanwhile should leave BN with, PPP, MIC and Gerakan to form a viable 3rd Force with Tunku Aziz as head of 3rd force on the below 3 items as a rallying factor :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Voters, BN is apartheid, corrupt and refuses to use that mandate to better Malaysia, PR is self serving non-pro-active, self glorifying, unable to keep their campaign promises, also very nepotistic, so vote instead for 3rd Force Parties such as : KITA, JATI, MCLM (whats left of MCLM), PCM, Borneo Front, MoCS Sarawak, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM, ABU, PRS, STAR etc.. to END APARTHEID.

ARTICLE 13

SHOCKING: ‘Suspected criminal’ Musa Aman swings meeting with William & Kate – by  Sarawak Report – Saturday, 01 September 2012 17:44

Today’s confirmation by the Office of the Attorney General in Switzerland that it has opened a criminal prosecution against the banking group UBS, over suspected money-laundering on behalf of Musa Aman, looks set to cause an awkward diplomatic upset for the UK.

After all, the royal couple Wills and Kate are right now packing their bags to give Musa a friendly visit!

Sarawak Report first exposed back in May the evidence that the Sabah Chief Minister has taken tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks for issuing licences to chop down what remains of Sabah’s rain forests.

And we have laid out damning details of the money laundering operation conducted by the Musa and his associates through UBS accounts in a number of articles.

Details of bank statements and of the official investigations by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission and also the Hong Kong authorities into the affair were made public in our series of exposes and the evidence was sent to Switzerland, where the Bruno Manser Fund requested the prosecution against UBS.

Yet, despite this mounting evidence, UK officials have refused to heed warnings against the planned visit to the state by the British heir to the throne and his new wife.

The visit is due to take place between September 11-19th, as part of a Royal Tour of the Commonwealth in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60th year on the throne.  They will also be visiting Singapore and the Solomon Islands.

Photo-opportunity?

Great publicity – but could it now all backfire?

To begin with the choice of Sabah might have seemed perfect publicity for the environment conscious Royal Family.  After all the trip is being promoted as an “exotic visit to the Borneo Jungle”.

Just in the past few hours the British press has printed exciting details of plans to feature the Prince and his wife looking daring in lush forest canopies and cuddling up to cute baby orang-utans.

Given Musa’s energetic ‘greenwash’ PR of recent months, the objective has been to praise Musa for ‘slowing’ Sabah’s rate of deforestation, according to UK officials.  They are accepting claims that he now wants to protect what is left of the jungle.

However, for months Sarawak Report has been warning the Royal Palace and the British Foreign Office against becoming associated with Musa Aman’s new campaign to present Sabah as an eco-friendly state, when in fact the Danum Valley Reserve which they will be visiting is a small oasis in one of the world’s worst environmental disaster zones and the Chief Minister is still selling concessions for kickbacks throughout the state.

Sarawak Report has also warned that proof of Musa Aman’s timber corruption is now in the public domain, showing how the destruction of Sabah’s jungle since the early 1990s has largely been driven by his own greed, first as the Head of Yayasan Sabah (The Sabah Foundation which is the trustee of its national forests) and then as the Chief Minister.

There is evidence that over US$90million dollars have been money-laundered through accounts associated with Aman and his key conspirators, a family friend Michael Chia and the Sabah lawyer Richard Christopher Barnes.

For these reasons Sarawak Report has repeatedly pleaded against the Royal Couple being encouraged to endorse a man whose criminality has ruined the jungle that they say they want to see protected!

This is a photo-opportunity that could go badly wrong.

Why endorse a suspected criminal?

Musa and his forest Chief Sam Manan altered the contour maps to allow logging of these once protected steep mountain areas of the state

Despite warnings from Sarawak Report just last week that Switzerland was about to launch its criminal prosecution over Musa’s money, the British High Commission is allowing this visit to proceed!

This opens the Royal Couple to charges of complete hypocrisy.  They will of course be staying in pure luxury in the jungle resort in Danum Valley (a project sponsored by the world’s largest palm oil company, Malaysia’s government-controlled Sime Darby), while all around them millions of hectares of oil palm plantations are still being rolled out by their corrupted hosts.

The questionable judgement of such a visit is made even more severe by its timing, just as Malaysia approaches a crucial election.

What business has Britain to give such an endorsement to a notoriously corrupted and autocratic government, which has remained in power for longer than almost any other in the world?

After 50 years, who can still argue that BN has not cheated or bribed its way to its various ‘election successes’? Furthermore, evidence shows that more money is being stolen from the public in Malaysia and secreted out to foreign bank accounts, like Musa’s, than in practically any other country in the world.

Yet, it seems the royal advisors on this tour are preferring to present a lie rather than cancel the trip or upset their corrupted host, the Chief Minister of Sabah. They would rather the Royal Couple shake the hand through which a hundred million dollars of timber corruption money has passed than take a stand against the forces of corruption that are destroying Borneo!

Eco-friendly? Musa has just signed over 1/3 of Sabah’s forest reserve to ‘mosaic plantations’. He is selling off the licences in return for kickbacks. Most of that money has been stolen from the poor people of the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, whose natural resources have been filched by their politicians, while they have been left in the deepest poverty.

At a time when Malaysia is at last waking up to these shocking truths and when the opposition parties are defying persecution and abuses against them to present for the first time some kind of real challenge to BN’s forces of oppression, is it right for Britain to prop them up with such a high profile visit by its as yet untainted young royal couple?

The cries in Malaysia and even in Musa’s own BN party in Sabah are now becoming deafening for his removal and his position is more precarious than ever.

How he will thank William and Kate, for stretching out their hands and offering him just the lifeline he needed with this visit and their silly praises for his greenwash PR about the ‘eco-friendly’ policies of Sabah.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

William and Kate are not new in the world conquest ‘game’, but England is now a viper’s nest of Orwellian and self serving liars. If East Malaysia demands independence for the  lack of :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;England will want to ‘recolonise’ again ahead of all other local powers. So here come William and Kate are here to prepare to cash in or even prep these UMNO-BN guys (who despite all the unfairness of policy, will never hear a word for the Rakyat, justifying their bad behaviour, disenfranchisement, ill written and greed intent based policies . . . ) if not consolidate the Commonwealth while entirely overlooking the Apartheid system of unequal citizenships. This is one of those times where being proven wrong is good, but knowing the platitudes likely to overshadow the entire meeting, no word would likely pass on granting the above. Such is the cynical nature of the 1/4 German ancestry supposed future heads of the Commonwealth. If Commonwealth is so ‘common’ why is England and an SCG ALWAYS the Head? Do other Royals not deserve to head the Commonwealth?

ARTICLE 14

People’s happiness important, says Najib – September 03, 2012

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 3 — Per capita income and the people’s well-being are the two main criteria used to measure the success of a country’s development model, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said that while per capita income was the conventional yardstick used elsewhere, Malaysia put forward a one-of-a-kind and unique development model which took into account the “happiness index of the people”.

Both these aspects had to be scrutinised as the correlation between the two may not necessarily be positive, because there may be other factors or constraints which could cause dissatisfaction despite an increase in income, Najib (picture) said.

He cited factors such as traffic congestion and crime as examples, saying the two were definitely taken into account in determining the well-being or satisfaction index of the people.

“We try to formulate a one-of-a-kind and unique development model for this country. We do not copy 100 per cent from the west or east, but must have the ability to come up with our own model suitable for the people,” he said during the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department here today.

From a macro indicator, this year the second quarter of the economy grew by 5.4 per cent compared to 4.9 per cent during the first quarter, and Malaysia emerged as the third biggest initial public offering (IPO) centre after the United States and China, said the prime minister.

Malaysian companies FELDA Global Ventures Holdings and IHH Healthcare ranked the second and third largest IPOs on a global scale, he added.

Najib noted that the international media had also been covering Malaysia in a more positive light, with those who were previously critical appearing to be changing their tone and admitting that there were many positive changes and real development taking place in the country.

“I mention this because we have actually gained world recognition. But what’s the message here? The message is we must maintain the momentum and not let the transformation agenda lose steam; we must redouble our efforts,” he said.

Najib said civil servants played a very important role in implementing strategies to ensure the government’s development agenda was carried out as scheduled, was felt by the people, achieved its objectives and reached the targeted groups. — Bernama

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Apartheid, extreme religion, very bad wealth distribution, nepotism and oligarchy all make the people unhappy. BN represents all of this, Pakatan some. Political coalitions in Malaysia hence make the people unhappy until all of these problems are corrected. Vote 3rd Force political parties or indie candidates!

ARTICLE 16

Umno’s land thievery & refusal to share profits: Why the deafening silence – Guan Eng slams Gerakan – by  Lim Guan Eng – Tuesday, 04 September 2012 17:10

Penang BN Chairman Teng Chang Yeow must explain why 2 UMNO leaders who claim to defend the rights of the Malays chose to profit as land brokers but refused to share their RM 5 million profits, earned within a mere three and a half months, with the 31 Malay landowners.

Today, Teng has chosen to defend both Umno Penang deputy chairman Dato Musa Sheikh Fadzir and BN Penang general election strategy director Dato Omar Faudza for profiting RM 5 million from sale of land owned by 31 Malay landonwers in Kampung Terang, Balik Pulau, as a private business transaction.

Teng clearly forgets that as political leaders, public interest demands that the private business transactions of these 2 UMNO leaders must also conform with their public political positions. Is this how UMNO leaders defend the rights of Malay landowners by buying their land cheap and then selling it high, pocketing 100% the profits from the sale? I regret that Musa has refused to explain why he refused to share the RM 5 million profit with the 31 Malay landowners and instead behaved emotionally and irrationally by attacking me as a racist for bringing up this issue of public interest.

Racist to share RM5mil profits with the 31 Malay landowners?

How am I a racist when I asked Musa and Omar to share the RM5 million profits with the 31 Malay landowners and not with non-Malays? Clearly BN and UMNO are so bankrupt of political ideas that a racist party is calling a multi-racial party racist!

Teng’s irresponsible refusal to explain is similar to dishonest tactics of spreading lies after lies without proof against PR leaders. Beginning with falsifying Google photographs of hillslope projects to run down the PR state government, Teng has still not shown evidence that myself, 4 EXCO members Chow Kon Yeow, Phee Boon Poh, Wong Hon Wai and Danny Law together with ADUN Komtar Ng Wei Aik has a personal interest in the Taman Manggis private hospital project.

Suddenly, new conditions emerge

Now Teng tries to explain BN’s failure to fulfill their promise to buy the Taman Manggis 1.1 acre piece of land at RM450 per square feet to build Projek Perumahan Rakyat(PPR) by saying that the state government has not written officially to BN. This is a new condition which was never mentioned earlier by BN.

To ensure that Teng does not try to run away again from making unsubstantiated allegations and promises, I have directed my Political Secretary Ng Wei Aik to write an official letter to be handed over to Teng’s office that BN can buy over the land at RM450 per square feet to build PPR.

Profits from proceeds from the sale to BN will be used to fund the building of affordable housing by the state government in the island, especially in Jalan S.P. Chelliah.

The question is will BN come up with the over  RM22 million  before the next general elections to buy the land to build PPR or this is another sandiwara to get cheap publicity?

Lim Guan Eng is the DAP sec-gen & Penang Chief Minister

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Guan Eng has no right to demand anything of Gerakan.

Penang BN Chairman Teng Chang Yeow must explain why 2 UMNO leaders who claim to defend the rights of the Malays chose to profit as land brokers but refused to share their RM 5 million profits, earned within a mere three and a half months, with the 31 Malay landowners.’ . . .

;is something for the Chambers of Commerce or a commerce or law based NGO to take up on. Guan Eng being CM should address apartheid instead much less ask for 750K funeral funds. Always sets sights so low and mostly on commercial interests, but not human rights and equality interests. Guan Eng is a mere greedy wannabe CEO type, who only sees the money issue but never the quality of life (i.e. NO APARTHEID) issues, is  argumentative and keeps demanding apologies of all supposed opponents instead of fighting for the rights of the Rakyat. Not CM material at all. Does shame to the CM’s post and is no leader of the oppressed dhimmified Chinese community who still suffers from lack of :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

1.5 terms as CM used up and 90% of campaign promises still unkept, (i.e. MP assets undeclared, Local Council Elections still not implemented formally or otherwise . . . and not a word on apartheid) let 3rd force take over fool. PSM how about taking over from this product of nepotism?

ARTICLE 16

Najib to lead delegation to Apec meeting in Russia – Published: Tuesday September 4, 2012 MYT 8:09:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will lead the Malaysian delegation to the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders Meeting in Russia on Sept 8 and 9.

The foreign ministry said in a statement here that Najib would be accompanied by wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, several Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

The annual summit, themed ‘Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper’, to be attended by heads of state and government from the 21-member economies, will be preceded by the 24th Apec Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on Sept 5 and 6, and Apec Senior Officials Meeting on Sept 2 and 3.

Najib, who is Finance Minister, would speak on wide-ranging issues, covering the liberalising trade and investment and expanding regional economic integration, strenghtening food security, establishing reliable supply chains and fostering innovative growth, the statement said.

The prime minister will also explore new and innovative ideas to further enhance cooperation among the 21 Apec member economies in these areas.

Najib is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several Apec leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The outcome of the leaders’ meeting will be documented in a Joint Leaders’ Declaration while the 20th AMM outcome will be documented in the Joint Ministerial Statement.

Apec, a forum set up in 1989, for 21 Pacific Rim member economies to discuss issues on regional economic cooperation, trade and investment, accounts for 55 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product and 49 per cent of global trade.

Apec’s 21-member economies comprise Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. – Bernama

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Najib is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several Apec leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin should note that if a Russian migrated to Malaysia, the APARTHEID currently affecting all non-Muslims and non-Malays would also be applied upon the migrant Russian. This means that the BRICS and effectively 40% of the world’s population, if migrating to Malaysia, would face 2nd class citizenships while Malaysians migrating to BRICS countries will face no such apartheid. I hope that President Putin will raise this issue with Malaysia’s PM Najib and remind APEC that UN Human Rights are to be respected by all and that APARTHEID in Malaysia via the Bumiputra Special Privileges are against the spirit of the UN premise of equality among all mankind, and illegal because Malaysia is a signatory of the UNHCR as well the fact that Islam disallows somthing like Bumiputra APARTHEID. Again, the 3 items this blogger has lobbied for, for near 2 decades . . .

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

15 Articles on Malaysian Politics : Apartheid Accepting MCA Issues Threats for BN’s Racists, Mahathir’s Corruption Pathos, Pakatan’s Cybertroopers’ One Sided Views, Backhand Insults Against the People In the Form of Manipulative False Praise, Point By Point Counter of ‘RPK Propaganda’, Natives Start Storming Government Buildings For End of Apartheid, Pakatan Pot Calls Barisan Kettle Black, Marina Mahathir’s Out of Touch Insincerity, Najib Suffers Mahathir and Potential Loss of 2nd Term PMship For Not Ending Apartheid and Not Using Mandate, Despite Having Resources RPK Stricken With Stagnation Or Intent to Hoodwink Rakyat Talks in Circles, A Good 2nd Hand Idea, More DAP Politicians Quit Nepotistic DAP Party, Ending the Hegelian Dialectic By Dropping BN and PR, 2 Articles on Hudud – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 5th August 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, Apartheid, Assemblymen have not declared assets, best practices, better laws, Bumiputera Apartheid, collusion, conflict of interest, corruption, criticism, cult of personality, Democracy, democratisation, dishonest academia, Equality, Equitable Distribution, equitable political power distribution, equitable wealth distribution, government, hegelian dialectic, if not contrived, lack of focus, meaningless platitudes, Media Neutrality, media traps, media tricks, misplaced adoration, misrepresentation of facts, neurolinguistics, non-Muslim rights, non-Muslim Rights in a Muslim country, orang asli, PDRM, police, Political Fat Cats, politics, pretentious, preventing vested interest, Riots, wrong priority on August 24, 2012 at 11:40 pm

ARTICLE 1

Chua: ‘Do not take nation’s harmony for granted’ – Published: Friday August 24, 2012 MYT 9:50:00 PM By DERRICK VINESH

SUNGAI PETANI: The people should not take the country’s racial and religious harmony for granted as it can change overnight.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Friday that Malaysians of all races enjoyed various types of freedom such as religious and education freedom, apart from the nation’s peace, stability and economic growth.

He, however, cautioned that the harmonious situation should not be regarded as ‘automatic’.

He said that after the March 2008 General Election, it was obvious that racial and religious relationships seemed to be under tremendous stress because of intense politicking.

“This is further aggravated in PAS-led states such as Kelantan and Kedah, where there is no alcohol, no gambling, no cinema, no live concert, and male and female segregation,” he said before opening MCA Sungai Petani’s Merdekaraya dinner gathering at Dewan Beng Siew here Friday night.

Dr Chua said that despite all these, PAS’ ally in Pakatan Rakyat, the DAP, would continue to assure non-Muslims that PAS would not implement hudud and that it would not impose its values on them.

“But, this is happening right before us. Even if DAP objects to hudud, it is only (DAP national chairman) Karpal Singh who opposes hudud. The rest are so quiet about it,” he said.

Dr Chua said it was a big lie by the DAP that it would not allow hudud to be implemented and that hudud would not affect the non-Muslims.

“Hudud will definitely affect the whole nation and everybody,” he said.

Dr Chua noted that hudud would reduce foreign direct investment, affect tourism and the service sector, cause lack of confidence among local investors and affect the economic sector as a whole.

He said if PAS were to amend the Constitution and say it would be according to its religious teachings, then all Muslim Members of Parliament (MP) would have to support it.

He said the situation would be similar to when PAS amended the State Constitution in Trengganu, all Umno state assemblymen there had to support it.

“So, there is no such thing as that hudud cannot be implemented because it can be implemented.

“MCA’s stand on hudud is very clear. This is a multiracial country and religion should not be politicised,” he said.

Dr Chua said hudud would divide Muslims and non-Muslims, adding that it might cause friction and turn racial.

And this, he said, was contrary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s racial inclusiveness policy under the 1Malaysia concept.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Is that so? This is as much everyone’s country as the government’s. Do not threaten the Rakyat and end apartheid instead. Do not take Rakyat’s silence for harmony or think the people accept apartheid and extreme religion. Overnight on GE13, the Rakyat will change any offending politician instead of being threatened with ‘change’ as MCA dares now. So BN can keep being a lapdog or a racist and be removed by the people instead. People! Lets change ALL the racists and lapdogs or obscenely rich, term limitless or fundo MPs and politicians overnight . . .

ARTICLE 2

‘Better the devil you know’, Dr M tells voters – August 22, 2012

Dr Mahathir said BN needed only to be prodded before it will give the people what they want. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 ? Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today Malaysians were better off with the “devil [they] know” in Barisan Nasional (BN) than a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) federal government he said was likely to bankrupt the country with its populist promises.

“The BN has listened to the people and has changed many laws and policies. All that the people need to do is to urge the BN to carry out whatever change the people desire.

“Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t,” the former prime minister wrote in a posting on his popular blog today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to call for a general election soon, but attacks from PR and a number of scandals involving his administration have delayed such plans.

The Najib administration has also introduced a number of new policies as well as reversals in an attempt to blunt PR’s promises for reforms if the latter takes power.

The prime minister was forced to establish a royal commission to probe the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah following a number of minor defections there to PR.

He has also promised to repeal the controversial Sedition Act, after abolishing other security laws earlier this year.

But PR has made dents in the BN armour with recent revelations involving a national cattle farming project scandal and by highlighting possible government interference in a contract for the city’s LRT extension project.

The federal opposition has also promised cheaper cars to Malaysians in return for support.

Writing in his blog today, Dr Mahathir appeared to compare PR with US President Barack Obama, and suggested that the opposition parties’ promises for change were just that — promises.

“In his campaign to become President of the US, Barack Obama promised change. He promised to close down Guantanamo Detention Camp. He promised to stop trials of detainees by Military Courts. He promised to pull out from Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, four years into his first term, he has failed to keep his promises.

“Now the opposition in Malaysia have copied Obama and is promising change.”

While he acknowledged that BN has ruled Malaysia for long, he pointed out that the coalition had a good track record.

“Five years to give (PR) a trial as government is dangerous. Many things can be destroyed in five years. Besides, the opposition as government will ensure there will be no return for the BN. Officers in the government will be used to ‘gempar’ (threaten) whoever tries to change government.

“Already we see this person who claims to fight for free speech suing and resorting to the courts to shut the mouth of his critics. Other powers of the government will be similarly abused.

“Nepotism and cronyism will be employed as indeed they are in the party he now heads,” he said in an apparent reference to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Mahathir forgets APARTHEID. Try neither BN the devil, nor PR the sea, support and vote for 3rd Force non-GLC and non-term limitless types instead.

ARTICLE 3

The online dirty war — Hwn Yaul Len – August 23, 2012

AUG 23 — A few days ago, a Facebook account profiling itself as “Umno Youth Malaysia”, published a seditious poster “If you agree to make Christianity the official religion of Malaysia, carry on supporting Pakatan Rakyat. God bless you”.

Many Internet users were not happy with the poster and left comments condemning Umno Youth. The posting has also angered Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers and they demanded an explanation from Umno Youth. Although the poster was later deleted, the damage has been made to Pakatan Rakyat, as well as Umno Youth.

Some issues, such as racial and religious issues, are very sensitive in our country’s political arena. Those who talk about the issues, as well as those who listen to them, must be very rational. If someone deliberately provokes sentiments, it could lead to a situation not easy to be cleaned up.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin promptly responded and claimed some people had planted “stolen goods” on the party’s wing and that the Facebook account was not the official site of Umno Youth, adding that a police report had been lodged.

If the social networking site that published the dangerous messages and seditious content that could incite emotions was really a fake, the intention of those who made it is indeed very obvious.

A few days ago, there was another similar incident. A rumour claiming that Kedah MCA chairman Datuk Chong Itt Chew had paid RM500 to dismiss an injured woman in a car accident was spread across Facebook.

The woman later stepped forward to refute the rumour. She and Chong had also lodged police reports respectively.

The two incidents are just the tip of the iceberg. Any politician, regardless of which party they are from, might become victims of online framing. It is believed that the number of fake news and messages online would increase because of the approaching general election.

It is not easy to judge whether a scandal is true or false. Even if we are not able to verify, we should at least be suspicious instead of blindly believe them all. Some messages, after all, are deliberately created by some people and some photos have been edited to attack political opponents.

Some people just blindly believe all information online and share them with others. This is also why much information is widely spread before it is confirmed to be authentic.

As the general election is approaching, it is foreseeable that various scandals involving politicians would continue to emerge. Regardless of whether it is on Facebook or other online media, there would be so-called “exposed” news and photos involving politicians.

Faking Facebook accounts to smear political enemies is expected to become one of the dirty tricks in the forthcoming election’s online warfare.

It is a test to the maturity of netizens whether to believe and spread them or not. — mysinchew.com

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The dirtiest single event in Malaysian political history apart from Ops Lallang, is DAP promising to declare MP assets THEN refusing to declare assets, and even daring to ask EXCO to declare instead in an insulting bait and switch method. This is compounded by EXCO being INSTALLED not elected via Local Council Elections which DAP promised to implement but did not and now uses the EC to pretend they cannot implement Local Council Elections with. 90% of DAP’s other campaign promises have failed. Not so great PAP mentors DAP has . . .

ARTICLE 4

People now better at judging government, says Husni – August 20, 2012

IPOH, Aug 20 — The people have become more mature in their assessment of the government’s initiative to introduce various facilities for their benefit, noted Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Describing the opposition’s pledges as merely a populist strategy to gain political mileage, he said: “Inevitably, in the political arena, there is always a segment of society that has a tendency to align itself to the opposition.

“Nevertheless, the people’s support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) is growing and they are now more aware of the government’s earnestness to chart a future for them.”

Speaking to reporters at his Aidilfitri open house here today, Ahmad Husni said the government was constantly seeking ways to assist the people.

He said the newest initiatives in that regard were the 1 Malaysia Privilege Card for policemen and soldiers and the KDS1M discount card for students.

“Our focus is on alleviating the people’s burden in the face of rising global food prices.

“It is during crises such as these that the people will realise who they can trust, and who they can count upon,” he added. — Bernama

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

NO support is NOT increasing, perhaps support for PR is decreasing, but that does not mean that support for BN increases either. Hegelian dialectic AGAIN. BN has the mandate to grant :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;but does not use that mandate, preferring to allow the Rakyat to suffer. Equality is about not being insulted not those crutches offered by government. The government has no earnestness to chart a future for the Rakyat but lots of bribe paradigm methods. This is merely equality and BN refuses to give the Rakyat what they want. Causing social crises such as these, people realise who they can trust, and who they can count upon. BN certainly CANNOT be counted on unless the above 3 items are granted refusing to use that mandate as per the Hadiths or the UN Charter which Malaysia is a signatory of. People now better at judging PROPAGANDA as well Husni. This is shameless spin and pandering to the ego of the Rakyat. The Rakyat need good policy like ending apartheid and ending crony capitalism not false praise of the people’s ability to identify falsehood or bad governance.

ARTICLE 5

Behind the veil of hypocrisy – Raja Petre Kamaruddin – Sunday, 19 August 2012 Super Admin

Malaysians by and large are hypocrites who only talk but will do the opposite of what they say. They demand that others do what they themselves refuse to do. They are very fast with their mouth and freely swear and curse others while they will not tolerate any disagreement.

What irks me is not criticism. I can take criticism. What irks me is hypocrisy. And there is much hypocrisy behind that veil that hides the face. And that hypocrisy comes in many forms.

How do I despise thee? Let me counts the ways.

One form of hypocrisy is regarding Hudud.

I respect the right of Islamists to advocate the Islamic Sharia law of Hudud, as is the right of anyone in a democracy to advocate whatever they want, including more Chinese schools or more Hindu temples or gay rights or whatever.

It is therefore hypocritical, in a democracy, for anti-Hudud proponents to vilify pro-Hudud proponents by calling them barbarians just as it is hypocritical for pro-Hudud proponents to vilify anti-Hudud proponents by calling them infidels (whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims).

1) Hypocritical to try to justify amputation of people’s limbs PERIOD. If amputation is not villainous for a mere snatch theft for example, RPK needs to get his head checked. What does stealing national funds get? Beheadings? Why does RPK even bother to argue this?OBVIOUSLY amputation is barbaric. Call a spade a spade, call an Islamist apologist an islamist apologist. RPK is a fake among intelligensia for even trying to counter that Hudud is not barbaric or that Hudud does deserve respect. Extreme punishment deserves no respect.

In a democracy everyone has the right to advocate whatever he or she want to advocate without being ridiculed and vilified. And both sides — the pro-Hudud proponents as well as the anti-Hudud proponents — demonstrate a lack of democratic spirit. This is hypocrisy when you shout about democracy but you refuse to allow democracy.

2) This is being the devil’s advocate and argument for argument’s sake. There is NOTHING democratic about amputating people’s limbs.

Whether the Federal Constitution of Malaysia allows the implementation of Hudud is a matter open to debate.

3) NO. The world over, to all non-extremists amputation for any crime is MORALLY WRONG. RPK worries, this myth about blood thirsty Muslims is not being helped by advocating Hudud.

Whether Malaysia is a fully-fledged Secular State considering that Islam is stipulated as the religion of the Federation, whether Malaysia is already an Islamic country (not quite meaning Islamic State) as declared by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and whether the Constitution allows or forbids the implementation of Hudud does not take way the right of anyone who wishes to propagate or oppose Hudud.

You can propose or oppose Hudud. That is your right. You can’t take away that right to propose or oppose it. And in this instance both sides are guilty of not respecting the democratic right to argue Hudud and hence both sides are hypocrites.


written by Admiral Tojo, August 19, 2012 20:06:34
There is NO such thing as Hudud laws in Quran. We should use the Quran to argue with these hudud junkies. The Arabs, who invented this hudud laws of the desert themselves as labelled ‘MUNAFEEQUNS – HYPOCRITES” as in 9:97 Quran. So, if you follow them and create institutions to propagate this disbelieve, you yourself become a hypocrite and will practise hypocrisy willfully. For further reference and hopefully the riddance of hypocrisy please visit mentalbondageinthenameofgod.wordpress.com

Malaysians complain that Malaysia does not respect the right of its citizens to criticise the government or the country’s leaders. Doing so would result in you facing charges under the Sedition Act, they lament. However, Malaysians have a very low tolerance level when you criticise the government they love, whether state or federal, and when you criticise the leaders they love, whether from Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. This is not in the spirit of a democracy and is hypocrisy from both sides of the political divide.

4) Then RPK ducks behind the pathos of bad politics in Malaysia. Take a break ‘Princey’ this writing is BAD and getting worse. Thats all. Don’t even write anymore, I can’t believe RPK wrote this . . .

Muslims talk about Islam almost non-stop. And if you say anything negative about Islam they will scream and accuse you of insulting Islam and will demand your blood. These Muslims say we must follow the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the Hadith and if we do not then we are not Muslims but will, in fact, become an infidel or kafir. However, these same Muslims elect their government through a kafir system of Parliamentary general elections modelled after the kafir Westminster system of government. How can Muslims who scream Islam, Qur’an, Sunnah and Hadith adopt a system that does not follow the Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah? Is this not hypocrisy? “But if we do not comply with the kafir system then how would we get into power?” these Muslims will argue. Would cleansing yourself in the toilet bowl purify you?

5) Prophet Muhammad NEVER mentioned amputation or hudud. That was probably a Bedouin punishment, NOT Islam which was derived from Christianity after all. 600 years to reach the Middle East from Aramea seems fair enough. Then, pathos punctuation with the ‘below waist’ reference. Dear me, RPK sure RPK  had a Royal upbringing? Maybe still viable for streetfighter politics with the pottier mouthed political animals, but RPK my man, you sure ain’t no leader or statesman . . .

Muslims refuse to accept that they are saying one thing but doing the other. And that is hypocrisy. If Islam is supposed to be supreme, then everything else that is placed above Islam must be rejected, the general elections included. If not then Islam will not be supreme since Islam will come under the system. Are Muslims prepared to place Islam supreme by rejecting everything that is not Islam, the general elections included, even if they can’t get into power? The Muslims believe that the Four Caliphs who came after Prophet Muhammad were the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, meaning God or Allah guided them. Hence what they did is not what they did but what Allah guided them to do. When the First Caliph after Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakar, was about to be chosen, the citizens of Medina asked him how can they be assured that he would be a fair, honest, just, etc., leader? Abu Bakar took out his sword and placed it on the ground before him and told the crowd that if he deviates and is not true to his word then they are to take his sword and cut off his head. That was the example of Abu Bakar, which Muslims are very proud to tell us.

6) . . . Abu Bakar took out his sword and placed it on the ground before him and told the crowd that if he deviates and is not true to his word then they are to take his sword and cut off his head. . . . Who is RPK chanelling? Auda Ibn Tayi? (pun intended, if offended do warn, that purifying toilet bowl might just work here . . . ) . . . Lawrence of Arabia 1962, David Lean . . . This was before the invention of the UN Human Rights Charter and MODERN LAW. Inapplicable example. In the past there was also ‘Trial By Combat’ in which the victor was right regardless of circumstances. Does this response make how bad your example and premise of that para clear to you RPK?

At the moment we have not even taken a sword to cut off the heads of our leaders yet, which Abu Bakar said we must do and as reported in the Hadith. At the moment we only criticise them in the Blogs and in the Internet and everyone is foaming at the mouth and curse us and call us all sorts of nasty names. This is hypocrisy, especially those Muslims who are so proud of Islam, the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the Hadith, Prophet Muhammad and the Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs as well as those non-Muslims who say they want to change the government because they want more democracy and freedom of speech.


written by din, August 19, 2012 16:42:56
Hello RPK, chopping off hands is it not barbaric in this modern year, are you trying to tell you agree by chopping off hands, you have forgotten what you (RPK) have gone thru…………

7) . . . after the total ‘pandering to fundos’ nonsense in the earlier half of the article, sympathy and correlation with bloggers, to what ends . . .

Malaysians are so passionate about the political parties that they support, both sides of the political divide. They will vilify and curse those who criticise the party they support and will call you all sorts of nasty names. However, less than one-third of registered voters are card-bearing members of political parties. They are so passionate about ‘their’ political party and will not tolerate an iota of criticism against ‘their’ political party. And they love ‘their’ political party so much that they will not even spend RM1 to become a member of ‘their’ party. This is hypocrisy. And they will demand that others who are neutral and are not members of any political party to show loyalty to ‘their’ party. And if we do not they will condemn us like hell for not showing loyalty to the party that they did not even pay RM1 to become a member of.

8) Who needs a political party? Anyone who amends laws and GTFO of Dewan after 2 terms will do. This sort of scavenging behaviour for the wealthier candidates or term limitless ‘careerists’ that become nepotistic is shameful at best, detestable at worst.

Readers of Malaysia Today call me a coward for refusing to go back to Malaysia to ‘face charges’ when there are no pending charges against me. And they make this allegation using false names and false e-mail addresses while cowardly refusing to register to comment in Malaysia Today because they want to remain anonymous. This is hypocrisy. One million Malaysians live overseas and these people are demanding a change of government because they are fed up with the same government for the last 55 years. They want us to sacrifice for the good of the nation. But they refuse to sacrifice their time and money to go back to Malaysia to register as voters or go back to Malaysia to vote during the by-elections or general elections. Sacrifice is what they want others to do, not what they will do.

9) Hey! We’re not a Raja who could get ‘daddy” (Sultan) to pardon in case things get too hot, or holding degrees and being well fed and rested, well thought of for DECADES instead of the extreme abuse some of us had to endure for lack of patronage or wealth. Most of us do not have Assange-like networks and a high profile to bail ourselves out IF something goes wrong here in the 3rd world. If there are no charges, get back here and make good on all your b.s.. You want to complain because there is no change? Well run for candidacy to put forward bills for change or at least fund a candidate or few. Tengku Razaleigh term limitless to boot as is is 20+ years senior to RPK, this refusal is not about having a thin skin or insufficient finances? One million Malaysians who live overseas that cannot afford to fight here or do not have a strong network are justified, RPK is not, because of all the above advantages . . .

This is hypocrisy. Malaysians by and large are hypocrites who only talk but will do the opposite of what they say. They demand that others do what they themselves refuse to do. They are very fast with their mouth and freely swear and curse others while they will not tolerate any disagreement.

10) . . . and being married to Marina Mahathir living off the BILLIONS stolen why don’t you ask Marina for being a beneficiary of that wealth to offer to start hudud being such a promoter if hudud? NO EXCUSES or comparisons to 1 million Malaysians from where RPK stands. I’m beginning to believe that those who call RPK a vile whatever seem true, with the addition of HYPOCRISY if not extreme cowardice or just being a lapdog counter propaganda man. There is no need for disagreement here as this RPK writer is proving to be most undemocratic and disagreeable in support of obviously undemocratic hudud (ask the 1st world how many think amputating limbs is democratic or worthy of respect, might as well bring back ‘Trial By Combat’ and say that is respectable . . . one to seek justice, the other to dispense justice, BOTH involving maiming or bloody solutions . . . ) and round condemnation of the overseas Rakyat. Well that makes clear what RPK and possibly People’s Parliament part of the problem not the solution. C’mon write better RPK, I’m sure you can, and by not returning to Malaysia, be branded a coward and a flatulent fart of a armchair blogger instead if a real 2 term intent politician . . .

ARTICLE 6

500 natives storm police station – Hornbill Unleashed – August 17, 2012 Filed under: Human rights,Politics — Hornbill Unleashed @ 12:00 AM – by Joseph Tawie

Sarawak police raided a village and detained five people whose names were not even in the report filed by a plantation company for allegedly burning a bridge.

Some 500 angry villagers with their children from Melikin and nearby longhouses in Serian and Simunjan stormed the Serian police station yesterday, demanding the release of five individuals who were detained on Sunday night for allegedly causing a fire.

The villagers learnt that the five – Sanjan Ambol, 58, Musit Ngawing, 52, Tuai Rumah Nyalu Tampa, 55, Samad Junna, 41, and Singa Unsit, 58, – were to be charged at the Serian district court. All five were villagers from Melikin, Danau Melikin and Ensebang Plaie.

The villagers first went to the Serian district office, but on hearing that they were still being detained at the Serian police station, they rushed there and demanded that the detainees be released immediately.

The police had to restrain the angry villagers from entering the police compound and even threatened to arrest them, but they ignored the warning.

The five detainees were released at about 11am without any charge being framed against them despite being remanded for three days.

Freed detainee longhouse chief Nyalu Tampa expressed surprise to see so many people had come to support them.

“Their support gives us strength and makes us more determined to defend our NCR [native customary rights] land,” he said.

The detainees’ lawyer, See Chee How, said that they were arrested on Sunday night after representatives of United Teamtrade Oil Palm Company lodged a report that a bridge to the plantation was burnt.

“My clients should not have been arrested in the middle of the night when the police have not carried out investigation first.

“They simply arrested them based on a report lodged by the company, and without concrete evidence. Moreover, this is not a serious crime.

“Why can’t they wait until the next morning? I can even ask my clients to surrender themselves to any police station,” said See, who is also Sarawak PKR vice-Chairman and the Batu Lintang assemblyman.

See said that he received a call on Sunday night from one of the villagers telling him that the police were at the village to arrest the five persons.

Illegal arrest

He said he spoke to Inspector Azlan Abdul Wahab who led the police party and asked him why they were arresting the villagers for a minor act.

He told Azlan that they could have just asked the individuals to surrender themselves in the morning.

“But he told me that his instruction was for him to arrest them immediately. I asked him who was his superior so that I could talk to him.

“Azlan told me that his instruction was very strict, and could not tell me, ” said See.

He added that he informed Azlan that the police action was malicious and illegal.

“Moreover, no one has been identified in the police report made by the company.

“It is very malicious on the part of Azlan [to arrest the villagers]. I hope that he was not instructed by a senior police officer because it is bad.

“You have not done any investigation and yet you arrest them. That is illegal,” he said.

Besides questioning the legality of the arrest, See also questioned the rationale for bringing the five detainees all the way to Tebedu sub-district for the application of a remand order.

He said when he went to Serian on Monday, the application for the remand order was not done in Serian because the district officer who is also the magistrate was not in Serian.

The police, he said, could have asked the Tebedu Sarawak Administrative Officer come down, but they did not do it.

“Why did the police want to make it so difficult? They could also have taken the five villagers to the Balai Ringin sub-district which is a stone’s throw from Melikin.

“But when you apply for a remand order, you must first carry out an investigation and tell the magistrate why you need it.

“The police should have investigated the detainees during the night, but they did not do it,” said See.

Legal action against cops

See said the five detainees have instructed him to take legal action against the company and the government for taking away their land as well as against the police for arresting them without proof.

The dispute between the company and the native landowners has reached a critical point after the company issued a notice demanding anyone riding a motorcycle using the company’s road will have to pay RM5 per entry.

For cars, the drivers have to pay RM30 and for 4WD vehicles, the drivers will have to pay RM50 per entry.

The toll has angered the people who have lands and farms at the other side of the plantation and in retaliation, the native landowners mounted a blockade to stop the company from using their road to the plantation.

***Commentator Comments :

Sabah & Sarawak are a total tragedy, swindled and sucked dry Taib, PBB, & by Putrajaya. Not even a proper trunk road! The natives lack electricity and drinking water while Criminals bought submarines and built twin towers costing multi-billions for kick-backs. All cronies live in palaces. Outrageous! Just compare: Scotland in Great Britain and Quebec in Canada had an open, honest & fair national referendum on cessation/separation. Any talk of independence and your ex CM Tun Faud Donald Stephen died in a crash. BN’s evil is earth-shaking. Finish them off now!

Comment by alan newman, new zealand — August 17, 2012 @ 9:12 PM

500,000 natives should have already taken to the streets demanding for the thief minister, Taib mahmud, to be investigated and prosecuted for abusing his authority and position in grabbing NCR lands and alienated more than one million hectares of state lands to his own family members and close cronies under the cleverly engineered “payments in kind” policy of the thief minister

Under the payment in kind policy, the Sarawak State Government would approve and award mega projects to his children’s group of companies at a highly inflated cost and then alienated huge tract of state lands with high valued timbers in lieu of payments. The premium calculation for such lands would usually be only RM300.00 per acre.

For every RM10,000,00.00 the Sarawak State Government “owed” Titanium Management Sdn Bhd which is owned by Taib’s son and its subsidiaries, his son’s company would gain 33,333 acres of state owned lands.

All Dayaks must vote out UMNO controlled BN led by the master grand thief in Putrajaya and the grand thief in Sarawak.

Comment by Mata Kuching — August 17, 2012 @ 2:01 PM

We must applaud the police for being very very ” prompt” in their action in arresting innocent villagers. They came in the cover of darkness,ill prepared to do an improper arresting job. That Tuan Azlan fella must be very very nervous by now for being a stooge of the Oil Palm Company and “tricked” to do their dirty job for them. Good for him to simply take orders without determining the legality and ramifications of his ill intended actions. Wonder whats going to happened to him next with such a lousy KPI? I wonder too, what is to happen to the father and son who were battered by land grabbing thugs a few months back? Why the so so very slow police action and no arrests done on that case which have evidents as clear as the blue sky. Perhaps the police only work in dark places where evidents are hidden and fuzzy? To the tuan azlan,if you want to spice up your KPI,go arrest the thugs who beat the father and sons. Thats easier then to simply follow orders form your Towkay Sawit without any inkling of what you are doing! And do not simply barge into the kampongsn at night and arrest inocent villages unless you intend to arrest the whole village population when they come to meet you in your office for an explanation! Now how to hide your bias towards your Oil Palm towkay. Presumably your second pay cheque is from the land grabing towkay?

Comment by Brian — August 17, 2012 @ 11:36 AM

FELLOW COUNTRYMEN,I HOPE U HAVE AWAKENED NOW.VOTE BN OUT IN GE13 IF U WANT BETTER LIVES.

Comment by VINCENT AK PAUL — August 17, 2012 @ 10:13 AM

THANKS MALAYAN FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We congratulate Malayans on their 55 years of independence from some 150 years of British rule on 31 August.

Also on 16 September having not learned anything from British colonization and plunder, the Malayan UMNO annexed Sabah and Sarawak on this date 1963.

Sabah and Sarawak have been Malayan colonies for 49 years and suffered more than in the past 150 years from colonial misrule and looting of our resources.

The famous storming of the 500 Dayaks is just the beginning of our people’s march to taking back our country from Malayan colonial rule.

If you support us in our cause please spread the news!

Comment by ANGRY DAYAK — August 17, 2012 @ 11:59 AM

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Sabah and Sarawak could almost go independent . . . Cameron and Noda are a bad joke in their home countries with as many incongruities in policy. Whats wrong with Alan Newman? Propaganda?

ARTICLE 7

Apologize for fumbling on Internet law, Guan Eng tells BN ministers – Wednesday, 15 August 2012 17:10 – by  Lim Guan Eng

Last night, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak tweeted that he has asked the Cabinet to review the controversial Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950. This is another back-flip by Najib and his BN government seeking to reverse what is undoubtedly a grievous error that is unjust and irrational piece of legislation following outrage and popular protest by civil society movements and opposition parties.

Yesterday, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia successfully organised the Malaysian Internet Blackout Day initiative which received full support from various news portals, activists such as Marina Mahathir, various NGOS such as the Bar Council and also opposition parties including the DAP.

This Internet Blackout Day initiative was organised to oppose Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950, an ignominious amendment passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara earlier this year, which effectively enables law enforcement officials to hold one accountable for publishing seditious, defamatory, or libelous content online, as long as the allegedly defamatory content is traced back to one’s username, electronic device, and/or WiFi network.

Guilty until proven innocent

One is also presumed to be guilty of publishing illicit content on the Internet unless one can prove otherwise. In other words, Section 114A goes against the basic principle of law by laying the burden of proof on the accused instead of the accuser. Anyone can make an accusation without showing proof, it is the accused that must show proof that he or she is innocent. This is typical BN mentality where they can make simply make wild and even false allegations against opposition PR leaders who then have to show proof that they are innocent

The Prime Minister’s flip-flop also follows statements by BN lawmakers such as Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and an MCA senator who apparently now oppose a law which they had voted for.

Why is it that Khairy and others are now so keen to show Malaysians that they oppose the law when the could have easily chosen not to vote for it when it was tabled? Is it not merely duplicity for them to speak out now to claim credit for an popular initiative by the rakyat?

This proves that BN leaders are complete frauds, and that the supposed Government Transformation Programme is nothing but a sham. The undeniable fact is that without the protest by civil society and opposition parties, there would not be any talk of a review. For Khairy and others to claim credit now is nothing less than opportunism.

The only way out now for Najib and the Cabinet is to prove their sincerity is by apologising and revoking not reviewing Section 114A of the Evidence Act immediately in the coming session or risk being exposed as duplicitous.

If no apology is forthcoming from the Prime Minister, then the people will see this as nothing more than a political stunt.

All BN MPs Must Prove Their Sincerity By Immediately Apologising For Their Complicity In Passing Section 114A Of The Evidence Act And Revoking not reviewing It At The Coming Parliamentary Meeting Beginning On 24 September 2012 Or Risk Being Exposed As Political Fraudsters To Deceive The Voters During The Coming General Elections.

LIM GUAN ENG IS THE PENANG CHIEF MINISTER & DAP SEC-GEN

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

No locus standi to demand. 90% of campaign promises unkept. Promised Local Council Elections failed with undemocratically installed EXCO instead. BN would not apologize to those who also do the same. Pot calling kettle black. PR and Guan Eng (2 terms as CM nearly up, more than 2 terms as MP, with family members throughout the political party . . . ) should apologize for failing to keep campaign promises instead before even trying to ask BN to apologize for something as inconsequential as internet law when APARTHEID exists, we we do not even have :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

ARTICLE 8

‘You walk the talk first’ but shouldn’t Marina tell this to her DAD first & foremost – Written by  Marina Mahathir – Thursday, 16 August 2012 21:21

REPRINT The Government wants us to change our lifestyles to cope with inflation.

It is easier said than done since most people were having it difficult even before the hikes. The Government must first set an example by doing things it should have done long ago.

WITH the recent hike in fuel prices and the Government’s exhortations for us to change our lifestyles in order to cope, may I provide here some suggestions for the Government and those who work for it to “share our burden”.

1. Stop having meetings, especially out at resorts, far enough away to be able to claim transport allowances. Have online meetings instead or teleconferences. Use Skype or chat.

2. No need to order special pens, bags, T-shirts, notepads and other goodies for those same meetings.

3. No need to order kuih for mid-morning or teatime meetings in government offices, or nasi briyani lunches for those meetings that happen to end just at lunchtime.

4. Cancel all trips for government servants to conferences overseas unless they return with full reports of what they did there, who they met and what they learnt and how they mean to apply what they learnt at home. Ask them to do presentations to colleagues who did not get to go, on the most interesting and important papers that they read.

5. Scrutinise invoices for contracts to make sure they are truly reflective of what those projects or supplies cost.

6. Stop elaborate launches for government programmes. In particular, stop the buying of souvenirs, special batik shirts, corsages, bouquets and caps.

7. Make all civil servants and politicians travel economy class. That means really travelling at the back of the plane and not buying full fare economy class tickets that allow them to be upgraded to Business Class.

8. Stop having the full complement of police escorts to cut down on petrol costs. If they need to be somewhere by a certain time, start earlier like the rest of us. Wouldn’t be a bad thing for them to also experience a traffic jam.

9. Once a week (or more), have ministers use public transport so they know what everyone else has to suffer. This might provide them with the incentive to improve them.

10. Once a week, let ministers go to a market to buy food for their families with instructions to not spend more than RM100.

11. Get ministers to carpool. They might get more work done just by being able to talk to each other to see what can be coordinated between their ministries. For instance, the Ministers of Health and Women could discuss what to do about women’s health issues in the car on the way to work. Maybe have a secretary to travel in the front seat to take down notes on what was discussed. By the time they get to their offices, things can get implemented.

12. Once a month, get civil servants to work with one disadvantaged group in order to be better able to appreciate their problems. It could be blind people one month, hearing disabled people the next, orang asli the following month andpeople living with HIV/AIDS after that.We could start buddy systems which pair one civil servant with one disadvantaged person and at the end of it, ask each pair to make recommendations on how to make life better for each other. This might get rid of the problem of desk jockeys, people who never stray very far from their desks yet make policies for people they know nothing about.

13. Have PA systems that shout out the name of the officers who have to serve people at government offices so that people get the services they came for and don’t have to keep coming back just because the officer was out having coffee. No counter should be left unmanned for more than five minutes before the officer is paged to go back to their stations. This should cut down waiting time for the public and save them transport costs in having to keep returning just to get one thing done.

14. Government officers who lose people’s files should be fined and have their names publicised for being careless and causing inconvenience to the public. Instead of making the public travel to their offices several times to deal with their problems, they should travel to go see their client and deal with it right there and then. And every officer who goes out of the office should be given a reasonable time to get his work done after which he is expected back in office so he doesn’t waste time doing something else.

15. And newspapers should save paper by reporting real news rather than non-news that they carry, particularly nonsensical utterances by politicians. As they say, we need to do this all together in order to make a difference. So if the Government and politicians make these lifestyle changes, I will do my part and change mine.

Thank You.

Marina Mahathir is the daughter of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad

Mailbag

***Commentator Comments :

Friday, 17 August 2012 08:48 posted by U Trust Her?

Can u trust the offspring of a snake? An evil one too, lying through his teeth?
The greatest looter, deceiver, is still loose and still stir up irritants through the world “Malay” and “Islam” but earning billions out of it! The Kerala outcast becomes the king maker in malaysia through lying cheating and deceiving and evil intents.Even now, prospective MP have to be vetted by him for election!! How powerful – in this ??? country!
No wonder R Tee is salivating and quickly turned himself into Malay hoping to jump on the bandwagon to dirty, illegal riches! Too late R Tee, u will end up in shit. The curtain of this lying art is falling and u just appear on the show. Watch out the s*** is falling down on all the actors including in Marina and his whole family. And u r in it too!

Thursday, 16 August 2012 23:47 posted by dickhead johnnie

I never trusted this lady. I suspect she’s just daddy’s test balloon to see which direction the wind is blowing. She is part of a family which is not unlike Shahrizat’s lembu family. Only problem is the cows in Sharizat’s stay in luxury condos whereas the cows of the Mamajutty resides in offshore bank vaults like airconned Swiss cows. She is Mahathir’s alternate weapon like Rocky Bru and RPK, Be wary of her and her writing,,,,she carries a double edged pen mightier than the parang,

Friday, 17 August 2012 02:10 posted by PR voter

No lah Marina, don’t waste time telling all these nonsense. These are kacang putih. You should tell your father to return to national coffer all the money he had stolen through bailout, 10% contracts he received as commission, Ali baba businesses etc…. Sick of her hypocritical essays. Marina, actually you are in no position to say anything, comment about anything about other people as long as you keep silent on your father’s misdeeds to this nation. Your comments are all bias as long as you don’t mention a word about your father, understand? We don’t buy your message.

ARTICLE 9

Dr M & the Sabah RCI: ‘Mother of all gambles’ that Najib has already LOST – Written by  Joe Fernandez, Stan Lee, Malaysia Chronicle – Monday, 13 August 2012 09:53

As the saying goes, you can fool some of the people some of the time but not all the people all the time. And this is evident in the much-panned 8-point Royal Commission of Inquiry into the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah unveiled by Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday.

Not only has Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim slammed the RCI as being another political “gimmick”, he has accused Najib of deliberately designing the RCI’s scope so as to protect the culprits behind the citizenship-for-votes scam at the heart of the issue. This scam has been blamed for many of the problems prevalent in Sabah including overcrowding, rising crime, violence, poverty and social tensions between the locals and the illegals.

“These are major criminal acts, particularly when it involves corruption and cheating and falsifying documents. These are serious flaws, but of course, these are not part of the RCI’s terms of reference,” Anwar told reporters after a huge rally in Kota Marudu on Sunday.

Najib had empowered a 5-member panel to probe if foreigners in the state were unlawfully awarded Malaysian ICs or citizenships and included in the electoral roll. But the panel’s terms, as Anwar and other Pakatan leaders including DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang have pointed out, do not include an investigation to identify those involved in handing out citizenships unlawfully.

“Yes, it seems Dr Mahathir is clearly nervous about the RCI,” said Anwar, referring former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

“But they must have given their assurance that they will not pick at who is at fault, who are the people taking money or falsifying documents and why. So that means the entire RCI is just flawed.”

Dissatisfied Sabah leaders continue to leave BN

In a bid to counter the Opposition’s arguments and to defuse Anwar’s growing clout in East Malaysia, the Umno-controlled mainstream media has tried to drag him into the illegals fray, arguing that he was Mahathir’s deputy during the 1980s and the one responsible for establishing Umno in Sabah.

But as Anwar’s aides pointed out, setting up Umno in Sabah and formulating a “treasonous” scheme to grant citizenship to illegals so that they would vote for BN and ensure it stay in power are 2 different issues. Anwar himself has denied any knowledge or involvement in the Project IC or as many call it Project M (for Mahathir), saying that he was “kept out of the loop” in this matter.

Indeed, the counter-propaganda and Najib’s RCI have failed to discourage fed-up Sabah leaders from leaving the Barisan Nasional fold. Sunday’s rally was to announce the crossing over of another senior BN leader Senator Maijol Mahap over to Anwar’s side of the political divide.

Maijol, a former Upko vice president, is the 3rd senior Sabah BN leader to switch allegiance and the exodus is expected to intensify after the Hari Raya celebrations.

While Maijol has not announced joining any particular Pakatan Rakyat party, he joins Tuaran MP Wilfrid Bumburing and Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin as members of a newly set-up movement to fight for change in their impoverished state. This movement is aligned to the Pakatan, which is the federal opposition and is tipped to have a better than even chance of wresting the federal government from Najib’s BN at the next election.

“On whether we expect more crossovers, my answer, of course, is yes,” said Anwar.

Sabahans know Project M was Mahathir’s baby, not Anwar’s

Even Maijol said as much during the rally, that Sabahans can forgive Anwar for bringing Umno into Sabah but not Mahathir and other henchmen for allowing the illegals to trample over the rights of the locals.

Reflecting the view of many Sabahaans, Maijol credited Anwar for bringing political change to Malaysia. He said that while during the 2008 general election, the wind of change had bypassed Sabah, it would not do so in the next general election widely expected to be held within the next few months.

“To me, all this happened and has continued to occur because of one factor and that factor is Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He has created a new spirit for change in Malaysia and these changes will lead to a new political system for the country – a two-party system and I support this,” Maijol told the rally.

Courting disaster

Najib courts disaster if he doesn’t mean what he says and is not saying what he means as far as the RCI goes because the Sabahans are dead serious over this issue. He will be dismissed for what he has so far turned out to be i.e. a fulltime professional bullshitter, for want of a better term. The state will turn in frustration to the Opposition and the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

Sabahans will suspect the worst if the RCI goes through the sham of a Public Inquiry.

There’s no need for over-emphasis on a Public Inquiry since nothing can come out of it except piecemeal solutions which will simply increase the political frustration level in Sabah.

Instead, what’s needed is for the Home Minister to take the cue from the Prime Minister and direct the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) and Election Commission (EC) in Sabah and Putrajaya to allow the RCI to access their respective data banks.

Too many things can go wrong in ‘blood-thirsty’ Sabah

Too many things can go wrong in Sabah especially when the people in the state are baying for blood.

For example, it will come as “the mother of all shocks” if the Federal Government claims via the RCI that most of the foreigners given out “citizenships” in Sabah are in fact stateless people and therefore “there’s no problem” This would be politically unacceptable. No foreigner in Sabah can be given citizenship without the prior recommendation of the state government as the initiating party on a case-by-case basis. If the federal Government by-passes the state government, the people affected would not be considered Sabahans but Peninsular Malaysians subject to the Immigration Act unless they acquire permanent residence which would be politically impossible to grant. The lack of permanent residence status however would not prevent such people from voting in the state.

Forensic ICT experts will be needed to help the RCI to determine and weed out all JPN MyKads which are a nullity in law from the very beginning. The RCI’s 8-Point Terms of Reference may be vague on such help.

The 1st Generation of the MyKads held by those ineligible to hold them is those which don’t carry any details on the parents of the holders but yet have been issued the document under the category of operation of law which doesn’t require the actual physical possession of a citizenship certificate. The application for such MyKads would have been facilitated by a false Statutory Declaration (SD) giving Sabah as the place of birth. The SD would have been followed by a late registration of birth certificate to be used to apply for the MyKad.

One problem is that many holders of such documents may have moved to Peninsular Malaysia, even back to their home countries or passed away.

In that case, the passage of time would have worked in favour of the JPN to cover its tracks. However, the infamous cases of Salman Majid and Majid Kani in Court – Google it – are something that the JPN cannot explain to the RCI. Salman’s lawyer, Karpal Singh, and Majid’s lawyer, P. J. Perira, can be subpoened by the RCI.

The constant change of ICs in Malaysia from Blue to Bunga Raya to MyKad and the latest smart MyKad has played further havoc with the date base and has reportedly allowed the JPN to conceal its tracks from yesteryears.

Secret Unit in Putrajaya: Lost cause for Sabahans especially Orang Asal

Still, the information on the 1st Generation of illegal MyKad holders should be available on the JPN database unless it had deleted such information citing the passing on of the holders or their return to their home countries or leaving the state.

The children and grandchildren of the 1st Generation of MyKad holders cannot be exposed as ineligible and weeded out unless the information on the latter (1st Generation) is available. The data base on the 2nd Generation of ineligible MyKad holders is likely to show that everything was above board, indicating parents’ details.

From then on, the cause is lost for the people of Sabah especially the Orang Asal.

In the absence of the required data at JPN, the Immigration Department may be able to provide the back-up date to piece together the picture on the 1st Generation of ineligible MyKad holders.

Much of the problem, according to the grapevine, is in Putrajaya where a secret unit under the direction of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stepped up the issuance of Malaysian personal documents to illegal immigrants in Sabah in contravention of the Federal Constitution. The suspicion is that the secret unit was initiated during the administrations of Mahathir’s predecessors but it’s known whether the problem goes back as far as 1963.

Widespread suspicion that electoral rolls have been tainted

Equally worrying for Sabahans is the suspicion that details from such documentation entered the electoral rolls in the state to tip the odds against the Orang Asal in particular and keep Chinese seats at a bare minimum.

Further compounding the problem of MyKads which are a nullity in law from the very beginning is that its holders apparently, as stated, had the tendency to keep moving to Peninsular Malaysia or return home. The result, according to the grapevine, was that the secret unit was forced to continue its operations and even step it up from time to time – operating even from jungle hideouts — to ensure that replacement voters entered the electoral rolls.

It was the JPN which, among others, refused to co-operate with the Federal Cabinet Committee on MyKads headed by Bernard Giluk Dompok during Mahathir’s premiership. It was rumoured then that the JPN and other departments were acting on Mahathir’s directive. Dompok promptly resigned his chairmanship when he discovered Mahathir’s double game.

Najib’s RCI, which Mahathir has delayed for so long while he fought a rearguard action tooth-and-nail to kill the idea, has brought the MyKad problem in Sabah full circle to where Dompok left off with very little accomplishment. If Najib has ignored Mahathir’s objections, it’s because he’s fighting for his political life in Sabah, an electoral Fixed Deposit state for him along with Sarawak. If Sabahans unite, they can beat the illegal immigrants allegedly on the electoral rolls.

Mahathir’s statement a red herring designed to mislead RCI

Mahathir’s recent statement that illegal immigrants in Sabah who have stayed a very long time in the state and can speak Bahasa Malaysia are entitled to citizenship may be a red herring.

It’s not possible to issue citizenship certificates – naturalization for example – to illegal immigrants. If the illegals re-entered the state legally, it would be a different matter.

Again, they would not be able to qualify for citizenship by naturalization as a matter of right.

They would need to hold an Entry Permit from the Immigration Department, work permits, and run the gauntlet of clearance by the Special Branch, police clearance by their home countries, temporary residence MyKads, permanent resident MyKads, apply for naturalization, pass the Bahasa Malaysia test, collect their citizenship by naturalization certificate and produce this to obtain a MyKad issued to citizens.

Citizens by registration are the children of naturalized citizens born in Malaysia but they too, like their parents, would have to apply for a citizenship certificate, failing which they would considered citizens of the home countries of their parents and issued a permanent resident MyKad.

The EC, it’s said, has two kinds of voters on its electoral rolls i.e. the first whose MyKads, whether the holder is eligible to hold or ineligible, are listed in the JPN databank; and the second with MyKads which don’t exist in the JPN databank. The EC, the last time that it issued a statement on MyKads, admitted that it was not online with the JPN and was not in a position to check whether the MyKads of those on its electoral rolls are in the JPN databank.

Sabahans will bay for blood if the RCI turns out to be another dud

The EC doesn’t even remove the deceased on its electoral rolls unless a death certificate is presented to it. In the past, it had been alleged that the MyKads of the dead were being used to vote by phantom voters hired for the job from among illegal immigrants.

Uncollected MyKads, if not destroyed, can similarly be used by phantoms to vote.

The RCI can in fact begin its work by putting the cart-before-the-horse i.e. ensure that the EC is online to JPN to do a verification exercise of its electoral rolls.

It can also begin its work by persuading the Federal Government to offer a general amnesty to those holding MyKads to which they are not eligible under the Federal Constitution and those complicit in the commission of acts of treason.

If Sabahans get what they expect from the RCI i.e. leaner, meaner electoral rolls, among others, Najib can expect to win the state at the forthcoming 13th General Election which has to be held by April/May next year. But no one is holding their breath.

Needless to say, the GE has to be delayed until the work of the RCI has been completed in six months and subsequently translated into action and the electoral rolls cleaned up. But will it?

The fact is most Malaysians expect Najib to call for GE-13 before the conclusion of the RCI and the shit hits the fan. Irate Sabahans will surely bay for blood at having been made fools of yet again by the BN federal government.

Malaysia Chronicle

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Najib can still win *IF* Najib implements the 3 items below immediately with that mandate BN has :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;anytime Najib confirms the above 3 items BN will win, or else PR will step on BN, if not 3rd Force . . . which may not step on both BN (apartheid and corruption) and PR (nepotism and 90% failed campaign promises) but still take over the Dewan . . . Proposed 3rd Force Party below :

3rd Force. BN is racist and corrupt. Pakatan Rakyat is nepotistic and wants hudud. Vote for 3rd Force Coalition to avoid problem coalitions like BN and PR.

ARTICLE 10

It is not about the government, it is about us – Monday, 13 August 2012 Super Admin Raja Petra Kamarudin

So we end up with a better government. And we achieve this by voting in a new government. Then what? Has society changed? Do we now live in a better society? We may now have a progressive government. But do we also now have a progressive society or are Malaysians all still backward thinking and narrow-minded and feel that apostates should be put to death and gays should be sent to jail?

Chua exposes another spin by DAP to sow hatred

(The Star) – Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has exposed yet another DAP political spin aimed at sowing hatred among Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak and their peninsula counterparts.

A Facebook posting had the MCA president’s photograph with him supposedly saying “Sabah and Sarawak cannot compete with the peninsula”.

Next to it was a picture of Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong Pamg.

Dr Chua stressed that what he had actually said was “while MCA supports the awarding of scholarships based on meritocracy, we also support the Government’s efforts to help the socially and economically disadvantaged groups in Sabah and Sarawak”.

“What I had said is we cannot expect the people of Sarawak and Sabah to be able to compete with the people in, say, the Klang Valley.”

“The reason is that, education facilities in many places in Sabah and Sarawak are still below par as compared to those in the Klang Valley,” he said after opening the Sabah MCA convention here yesterday.

He accused DAP of being unethical and misleading, adding that it was typical of the Opposition.

Dr Chua said political parties, despite their differences, should pursue the policy that “we are one Malaysia”.

“Sabahans and Sarawakians should realise that MCA will always support any special assistance for them,” he said.

*******************************************

There are two ways to get people to support you. One would be to get them to love you. The other would be to get them to hate the other person.

Getting people to love you is harder. Getting them to hate the other person is easier. Hence a hate campaign has a better chance of success than a love campaign.

Religionists do this all the time. And they have been doing it for thousands of years. I have read articles on anti-Islam sites that raise all sorts of negative issues about Prophet Muhammad, Islam, Muslims, Islamic countries and so on. Basically, it is a campaign to sow hate and to turn people into Islam-Muslim haters.

And the Muslims are not innocent either in their anti-Christian/anti-Jew campaigns.

Do you know that many Malays, meaning Muslims, cheered when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait? What is the rational in celebrating one Muslim country invading another Muslim country? Well, the rational, if you can rationalise an invasion, is as follows:

Kuwait and the many other small sheikhdoms and emirates were all once part of the great Islamic Ottoman Empire. Then, soon after the First World War, the evil Christian colonial empires from the west broke up the great Islamic Empire into smaller nations. Basically, this move was aimed at weakening Islam. Since then, the Islamic countries have been brought under the control of the Christian imperialists and all those ‘new’ nations are lackeys of the west.

And for that reason the Malays or Malaysian Muslims rejoiced when Saddam invaded Kuwait and they were very disappointed when Iraq lost the war.

The same happened during 911. Muslims all over the world danced in the streets when the New York Twin Towers was brought down. Osama Bin Ladin T-shirts were selling like hot cakes, even in Chow Kit Road in Kuala Lumpur. Even some PAS supporters were using those T-shirts during the election campaigns.

The fact that, out of about 3,000 people killed in that attack, there were around 60-70 Muslims amongst the victims seems to have escaped these people. And this did not include the 19 or so hijackers, who were also Muslims.

Hate, therefore, can cloud rational thinking. And if you can sow enough hate people are able to celebrate the killing of innocent people, even if those murdered are women and children.

In Malaysia, politics is played the same way. You have to make the voters hate the other side to get them to vote for you. Hence race and religion need to be played to the hilt because there is nothing more potent than race and religion, and a combination of both makes it a very explosive concoction indeed.

So, Barisan Nasional raises all sorts of issues against the opposition leaders while Pakatan Rakyat does the same regarding the Barisan Nasional leaders. It is no longer about policies, good governance, sustainable development, protecting the environment, ensuring that the young are prepared to face a most competitive future in a globalised and borderless world, improving the quality of life, respecting fundamental liberties, breeding a civil society, etc.

Many regard these issues as idealism. This is not the time to be idealistic. They say we need to be realistic.  And the realistic thing would be we would not be able to change anything unless we first kick out the political party in power and replace it with another political party.

When I say I do not agree with this argument there would be many who will foam at the mouth and accuse me of saying that I am asking them not to vote for Pakatan Rakyat but to keep Barisan Nasional in power instead.

What has this got to do with Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat? I am not talking about the elections. I am not talking about changing Prime Ministers. I am talking about reforms, and the reform I specifically have in mind is regarding reforming the thinking of Malaysians. It is no use changing governments or even abolishing the Constitutional Monarchy and turning Malaysia into a Republic if we ourselves have not reformed.

Let’s not talk about a revolution, which is what we are talking about here — a revolution through the ballot box. What good is changing the government  (which is what you are talking about) if we have not changed our mentality (which is what I am talking about)?

We must first decide what type of society we want to live in. The government we choose is merely the implementers of our aspirations. They are our trustees and nominees that we send to Parliament or the State Assemblies. But do we, in the first place, have any aspirations?

There are many unresolved issues that will remain unresolved even if we change the government. And the new government cannot resolve these unresolved issues because society itself has not changed its mindset.

Okay, maybe I need to run through a few examples to help you grasp the point I am trying to make. One example would be the status of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Is this community welcome in Malaysia? Are Malaysians ready to respect the right of every citizen to live the life of his or her choice?

What about civil partnership? Can Malaysians accept two people living together as civil partners and accord them the same rights as a married couple, even if they are same-sex civil partners?

Are Malaysians ready to discard discrimination based on race, religion and gender and allow full meritocracy to prevail, even to the extent of accepting a non-Malay-non-Muslim Prime Minister?

Are Malaysians, especially Muslims, prepared to allow absolute freedom of religion, which will include the freedom not to have any religion or to embrace atheism?

This is merely the tip of the iceberg and there are so many other issues that are preventing the country from moving forward.

Can ‘grass’ be legalised? After all, you can still get it easily enough and by outlawing it you are just making the underground syndicate extremely rich — like what happened during the Prohibition in America when by banning liquor it just allowed the gangsters to make money.

Can prostitution be legalised? You can find prostitutes on every street corner in Malaysia, even in Kota Baru, and by making it illegal, it not only helps the underworld make tons of money but it turns the Malaysian police force into a very corrupted organisation.

And the same goes for gambling and money lending. In the UK, the underworld can’t make money from gambling and money lending because it is not illegal, and neither is prostitution or grass (as long as it is for personal use and you are not trafficking).

The real problem is not the political parties. What they want is merely to get into power. The problem is whether we know what we want. And I know you are going to reply: we want an end to abuse of power and corruption.

But is this all we want? It is a good start, I know. But a corrupt-free government is about the government. That is not about us. I am asking: what does society want? What kind of society do we want to live in, not what type of government do we want?

So we end up with a better government. And we achieve this by voting in a new government. Then what? Has society changed? Do we now live in a better society? We may now have a progressive government. But do we also now have a progressive society or are Malaysians all still backward thinking and narrow-minded and feel that apostates should be put to death and gays should be sent to jail?

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

As good a backtrack and withdrawal if not pointed enough in reference to the earlier offending articles. This shows at least some Malaysians are up to par where ‘Freedom of Humanity ‘ is concerned. At least someone had the iron clad guts to digest AND smarts to reconcile what some of us write! How about one more article on :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;after which return to Malaysia to try for PM (2 TERMS ONLY!) and displace the nepotism and clique paradigm running in our supposed ‘saviours’ in Pakatan?

Lead 3rd force with Tunku Aziz and any would be reformists ready to ditch BN’s racists and lapsdogs. These guys have the ethos (well fractured as is), so how about using the logos of the above and destroying the pathos of hegelian dialectic and backwardness of Malaysians, where colluding governments and term limitless oligarchs and nepotists, also plutocrats, are identified as bad for country and removed? With the above 3 items as raison d’etre, the next PM and any assenting MPs will be the true father of modern Malaysia, is that not worth a shot given the free time and wealth and networks put to no good use as of now that some of us have? . . .

BOTH BN and PR . . . GTFO of Dewan! 3rd Force is best!

Hence, seperation of state and religion (to prevent Theocracy), state and military (to prevent Junta), state and police (to prevent Nazi-like SS State) and state and term limitless politicians (to prevent Oligarchy-Feudalism-Term limitless Nepotism) is needed.

***Commentator Comments


written by panca, August 13, 2012 21:15:33
Pete, I think you ve got me wrong here. What I was saying is how are we supposed to change from a constitution that is far from freedom of choice which isn’t conducive nor democratic that I prefer not than to one that encompasses individual rights which do not hate other individual different from another individual’s preference! Therefore my point how can we have this freedom as it sounds that it boils down to us, the people and not the govt as you put it while it could not simply be us when we are not the law-makers to amend the constitution except them!

I did not promote hate, not in any instance about the rights of individual and I stand corrected that the parliament consists of MP or Monkey playing to the gallery of Race, Religion and Royalty!


written by Admiral Tojo, August 13, 2012 20:53:58
You know Pete, I am totally at peace with LBGT, freedom of Belief, The differences in our colors and languages, cultures, food and what have you. Then again my mind was set free by the Quran, which is categorically against those who defy commonsense and religions. I am afraid that most Malaysians, including those so called learned ones, are slaves of their minds, pagans (unsophisticated), put there by their self appointed GOD representatives. They are still unable to totally obliterate the reference BOX that they have. They are incapable of thinking WITHOUT a box. All we can do is keep on trying to free these SLAVES.

Shalom


written by jacko2012, August 13, 2012 20:51:46
Please have some patience. People’s mindset will not be able to change overnight but government can. Many aunties uncles still living in the fear of 513. That doesn’t change overnight.
For more than 50 years, Rakyat is living in the concept of TOP-DOWN approach. TOP being the government and DOWN being to Rakyat. The information is being feed from the TOP to DOWN. Other words, Government talk and Rakyat have to listen.

With the new government and perhaps with loosen press act, people able to access to unbiased main stream media, people able to be much more vocal without fearing of ISA. When there’s too much noise from the BOTTOM, the government have to listen. That’s when Rakyat kick off BOTTUP-UP approach.
When the perception change, mindset change. It just takes some time.


written by loh333, August 13, 2012 20:24:50
The government molds the thinking of the people. Article 153 was supposed to make Malays competitive. But the government made NEP short-cut to wealth for the people in power, or connected to those in power. Corruption is rampant and politics is now the most rewarding occupation. UMNO has perfected government functions to enrich the leaders. There will be no change to their method of operation. A new government gives hope.


written by tom73my, August 13, 2012 20:17:18
Admittedly not many Malaysians have first class mentality like RPK who is now more British than Malaysian. But that’s not my point today.

My point is, changing the government is part of the process of changing the mindset of the people. Changing the gov is the first step towards the change of mindset, which is the goal, the end game. If we keep getting rid of the more corrupt, over a period of time, we will have a clean gov. It’s the natural process of elimination of the weakest. As the gov gets cleaner, they will provide better leadership, better policies towards achieving first class mentality of the people. Don’t believe me? Just think what Biro Tatanegara has done to Malaysia.


written by Veritas Aequitas, August 13, 2012 18:59:06
If one were to do a survey of hate and anti-religion sites against the following;
1. Islam
2. Christianity
3. Judaism
4. Hinduism
5. Buddhism
6. Taoism
7. Janism
8. Zoroastrianism

One can be confident 95% of hate sites are against religions 1 to 3. These sites are associated with the secular community, ex-believers or between themselves.
The condemnation of the other religions 4-8, are mostly from Christian or Islamic sites.

Why are the religions 1-3 hated so significantly in contrast to the the religions of 4 to 6?
I think the answers to the root causes can be found within those religions themselves. But due to cognitive bias, they will never look inward to see their own faults.

As for progress, there must be real changes in brain neuron connectivities and more activation in the higher human brain. Using PC as an analogy, the majority of humans brains are operating like the IBM XT-5160 @4.77 MHz. The majority of human brains are being more primate than being human. To facilitate progress we must expedite to increase the power of human consciousness via greater brain connectivities.

..
written by katak, August 13, 2012 18:48:11
Policies and laws are set by the government-of-the-day. A progressive government tends to set progressive policies and laws. Such progressive laws and policies will enable a more progressive learning environment and a more progressive education. A progressive education can lead to a progressive mindset and thus resulting in a progressive society.

This is what we want our society to be. So, for the first step, BN/UMNO has to be kicked out.


written by Orang utan, August 13, 2012 18:32:58
We are talking about super structures – individual and societal mindset, education, religion, politics. All of these are buggered – selfishness and divisiveness largely brought about by narrow minded parenting and selective interaction with fellow countrymen; lack of lateral thinking, prejudicial and opportunistic deeds brought about by inept and tampered education, selfishness and mental corruption brought about by individual’s personal interest and mindless media (including international). What do we have here? A society with stunted mental growth exacerbated by religious doctrines and mumbo jambo politics.

It would take years, decades even for the country’s mental state to be liberalised and key to this is originality and creativity but mindful of reason and decency. Science is allowed to be taught and practised freely, religion stay out of this.

ARTICLE 11

How about LIFE-LONG driving licenses, Pakatan asked to consider – Saturday, 25 August 2012 09:11

Malaysians have long questioned the wisdom of having to renew driving licence every year, and wary of this, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan today proposed that driving licence be issued for life.

According to Nasrudin, Pakatan Rakyat could mull this proposal if it assumes Federal power at the next general election.

“I propose that if Pakatan Rakyat rules, just issue a permanent driving license without the need to renew,” he remarked on his Twitter.

Nasrudin said renewal of driving license was another of a long list of costs that burdened the public.

When contacted by Harakahdaily on how the plan could be realised, Nasrudin said a frequent traffic offender could be denied life-long licence and be made to renew it periodically.

One way to do this is by issuing different colours of driving licences where bearers would have to renew periodically until “they behave for certain period of time”.

Saying the mechanism need to be further detailed, he stressed that the main focus should be to reduce people’s burden.

“Every year, we pay road tax and car insurance. When there is a summons, we can’t renew the road tax and will be suspended and the vehicle cannot be used.

“This makes renewing driving license redundant… So long as the driver behaves, the licence should not expire,” he explained.

-Harakahdaily

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Hey there PAS, purloining ideas? But since I do not have an official political platform or MP’s seat to claim credit by, I won’t waste time fighting about something so useful. Remember voters, this was initiated/inspired by moi’s posting/comment, not PAS’s ingenuity . . .

ARTICLE 12

Two come to Tuan Tat’s defence over forgery accusations – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Saturday, 25 August 2012 Super Admin

(The Star) – Ex-Sepang DAP parliamentary liaison committee member Tan Tuan Tat, who was accused of forging 149 membership forms, has produced two former party supporters to back him up.

Mahful Wahid said he had collected membership forms from some 100 people in Kampung Teluk Manggis and Taman Kedidi as they were interested in becoming DAP members.

“I approached Tan for help to submit the forms to Selangor DAP. Why was he accused of forgery?” he said, adding that he, too, had been interested in joining DAP.

Such accusations, added Mahful, had caused him to lose confidence in Pakatan Rakyat.

DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai said that Tuan Tat, who had been in the party for 18 years, had been charged with forging the membership forms to set up three pro tem branches in Sungai Pelek, Sepang.

He also claimed that the MyKad of people from Sungai Pelek were used without their knowledge to enrol them as DAP members.

Former Pantai Sepang Putra DAP chief R. Veerasamy echoed Mahful’s views, saying that he had also approached Tuan Tat for help to forward the forms to the state DAP’s office.

“In the end, I was found guilty of falsifying the applications and sacked,” he said during a press conference here yesterday.

Denying the accusations, Tuan Tat said it was meant to slander his integrity and credibility.

“Don’t defame me. I did not forge any forms.

“The forms were genuine and came from people who wanted to join DAP,” he said.

Tuan Tat, who used to be Taman Sri Sungai Pelek branch chairman before leaving the party last week, said DAP had deviated from its original spirit and essence.

He also disputed Tan’s charge that he was sacked from the party.

“How can I be sacked when I resigned first?” he said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

3rd Force needs you Tuan Tat! BN is corrupt and racist. PR is nepotistic and undemocratic! Join 3rd Force!

ARTICLE 13

M’sians may not be financially ready to retire: survey – Saturday, 25 August 2012 Super Admin (RPK)

(Bernama) – A study on retirement trends in East Asia has revealed the increasing vulnerability of Malaysians due to early retirement age as well as low rates of pension receipt under the Employees’ Provident Fund and the lack of old-age poverty floor.

The study report, “Balancing Tradition and Modernity: The Future of Retirement in East Asia”, is based on a survey that the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conducted in Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, according to Prudential in a statement on the survey findings.

The CSIS East Asia Retirement Survey reveals that an astonishing 92 per cent of current retirees in Malaysia report that they had already left the workforce by age 60 and suggests that Malaysia’s pattern of premature retirement will likely persist. Malaysia is the only country in the survey whose fertility rate is above the 2.1 replacement level and the only one that will have a growing population and workforce in the coming decades, the report said.

“In China, the elderly share of the population will be approaching 30 per cent by 2040 -– and in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan it will be approaching 40 per cent. In Malaysia, it will still be under 20 per cent,” it said.

Malaysia’s early mandatory retirement age, however, offsets its demographic advantage in building an adequate and sustainable retirement system, it added.

Co-authored by Richard Jackson and Neil Howe, it is part of the multilayer Global Ageing Preparedness Project, which was launched by CSIS and British insurance giant Prudential plc in 2010.

The survey found four out of five of today’s retirees in Malaysia worry about “being poor and in need of money,” becoming “a burden on their children,” and being “in ill health and having no one to care for them” – much larger shares than in any of the other survey countries.

Their vulnerability is attributable to Malaysia’s unusually early retirement ages, which leaves retirees at risk of outliving their savings, as well as to low rates of pension receipt under the EPF and to the lack of an age-old poverty floor, the survey said.

Retirement prospects are improving for the younger generations, who expect to be less dependent on the extended family than today’s retirees are and to rely more heavily on their own savings, it said.

But with one in five current workers still expecting to receive no pension benefits of any kind, the outlook for many is far from secure, it added. Donald Kanak, Chairman of Prudential Corporation Asia, which is part of Prudential plc, said: “Responding to the challenges caused by an ageing population is critical to Asia’s future.

“It is critical that policy makers and the industry work together to address this vital question.” Charlie Oropeza, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd, said: “The findings of the CSIS Study reinforce the need for Malaysians to better plan and secure their financial position towards retirement.

“While the policymakers as well as the Malaysian Government have been introducing frameworks such as the Financial Blueprint to provide greater length and breadth of financial products and services, Malaysians need to be more aware and make themselves financially ready through prudent investment decisions.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Vote moi or anyother who intend that wealth limit of 20 million and land distribution thing, for MP and ensure EVERYONE has an equal share of Malaysia, not makes shares smaller by giving out illegal citizenships. Meanwhile grant :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;we’ll send the plutocrats packing with some useless fiat ‘compensation’ (lots of zeros on useless banana scrip for their land and properties) to plague other nations with ‘Wealth Sequestration’, meanwhile Malaysia becomes that much richer because of fewer citizens. Think citizens! We are going to set a precedent for human civilisation and economics by removing plutocrats and basing wealth on population number to land size ratios instead!

ARTICLE 14

There is no reason to suspend Hudud, says Nik Aziz – Saturday, 25 August 2012 Super Admin

Kelantan Chief Minister said that, the reason that people understand first before implementing Hudud laws should not be accepted.

(FMT) – Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat insists there is no reason to defer implementing Hudud laws in this country.

Kelantan Chief Minister said that, the reason that people understand first before implementing Hudud laws should not be accepted.

“For me there is no principle of law and on the basis of logic needs to hang about the implementation of Hudud is partly kerana than sharia law mandated in Islam.

“It kerana no law or legislation in the world, just under the democratic system Want even communist ideology waiting folk and agreed first, and implemented.

“On his deep, what other features the laws in Malaysia, he created and implemented without waiting for all parties to understand or agree.

“Termasuklah Pertubuhan the United Nations itself was a menguatkuasakan formation of the state of Israel in Palestine opposed the earth by the great Palestinian people themselves.

“Hatta U.S. President Barack Obama participated agree with the regulations ‘similar kahwin’ though majoriti the world reject it,” he said in a reality today.

Choppy seas

Add Mursyidul Am PAS, legal issues may be something there Kefahaman and are implemented after the approval of all parties, he was something not right in kaedah legislation to oversee and educate people towards goodness.

Moreover, the issue of Islamic law (Hudud) instead of the option to refuse or accept the human family. The task of the authorities in the name of Islam is kewajipan and responsibility. Thus the need for a conducive atmosphere is not a barrier to the implementation of the law of God.

He said, until when was any reason without faith and reasonable argument was always an excuse to rescind the acceptance and implementation of Allah’s law?

What is certain, the law of Allah SWT still in harmony with natural laws and His creatures.

“Even if waiting for the sound waves subside, until when the fishermen will be out to sea? When it’s choppy seas, fishing boat may be rolled into the sea to catch fish, “said Nik Aziz.

Hudud: PAS will join channels like democracy
NEWS / COMMENTS

Sunday, 26 August 2012 Super Admin
E-mail Print PDF
Digg! Del.icio.us! Google! Live! Facebook! Technorati! StumbleUpon! MySpace! Yahoo! Twitter! LinkedIn!

(Harakah) – PAS president Datuk Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang said PAS would implement hudud law through democratic processes available there.

In fact, he said, the effort has been dimulakan since the 90’s anymore when Enakmen Jenayah Kelantan Syariah II 1993 and Enakmen Jenayah Terengganu Syariah-2003 was introduced in both the two country.

Before that again he said, they have introduced draft legislation that the NGO Islam and non-Muslims and has raised the suggestion that the issue of hudud perlaksanaan dealt in parlimen.

“PAS hudud positively received and hudud is kewajipan Muslims.

“We will continue langsungkannya through democratic space,” he told the media after the hearing mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Political Bureau and Options Kingdom Supreme official PAS in parti it this afternoon.

Asked since Pengerusi DAP Carpal Singh issued a fact that often oppose hudud perlaksanaan, PAS president said It is not something that is complicated for PAS.

“The issue is not complicated Carpal opponent. Therefore Allah revealed Surah Al-Maidah which Jews and infidels are not in favor of Islam and Allah sent down the verse.

“What we are opposed to the severity of UMNO. Fact take steps to insulate,” he said.

He helped give a sample letter that dihantar warnings from the center to the Kelantan royal Want an expressed desire to implement hudud in the country.

In fact, he said Umno able to ration foreign kempen not to come whitewash this country will kerana hudud laws are implemented.

“Carpal no kingdom, no power, existing power ni Umno controlled BN. Entitled berhujah DAP and PAS mendokong democracy.

“Even if PAS is no power (to rule) now sorts Umno, PAS will not shut up Anybody who scolds son including royal accomplices,” he said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Kelantan Chief Minister said that, the reason that people understand first before implementing Hudud laws should not be accepted. – BUT Nik Aziz forgets that Hudud does not exist in Islam at all and also forgets the minority Muslims who do not want to be affected by Hudud. Hegelian dialectic!

Using democratic methods of implementing undemocratic laws that will affect minorities is a sign of authoritarianism. Must be terrible being a Muslim when such dichotomies and oxymorons in the use of the word ‘democracy’ exist. If a minority of Muslims did not want Hudud, a TRUE DEMOCRACY will cater for them by allowing abstention clauses. This is undemocratic as hell . . . a shadowy hell . . .


written by Bernard, August 26, 2012 04:01:50
Nik Aziz has the right to push for the implementation of hudud laws for the Muslim. He has expressed clearly that the Non-Muslim are not affected. Karpal Singh has the right to oppose Hudud laws for the Non Muslims. He should not oppose the Hudud laws for the Muslim. Both have to agree to disagree on this issue. – I am most concerned about the rights of minorities. As of now Muslims cannot be apostate without becoming 2nd class citizens. Does hudud not compound the current issue without imposing hudud as well?

written by jcsh_04, August 25, 2012 16:28:11
A nightmare indeed! They dont need 2/3 vote to change the constitution. If PR in power everthing is possible.

PKR had choose wrong partners. Time to look better partner from Sabah & Sarawak.

Let the Mad Mullah and the Idol worshipper fight each other…
“Our knowledge of the historical worth of certain religious doctrines increases our respect for them, but does not invalidate our proposal that they should cease to be put forward as the reasons for the precepts of civilization. On the contrary! Those historical residues have helped us to view religious teachings, as it were, as neurotic relics, and we may now argue that the time has probably come, as it does in an analytic treatment, for replacing the effects of repression by the results of the rational operation of the intellect.”

Sigmund Freud


written by Ang V Qiong, August 26, 2012 15:38:51
Takkan Tok Guru nak bawa kami balik 1500 tahun dahulu? Kita sekarang naik kereta, naik kapal terbang, ada kilang buat kereta baru. Takkan nak balik ke masa tamadun dulu untuk naik unta?

ARTICLE 15

When different yardsticks are applied
NO HOLDS BARRED

Saturday, 25 August 2012 Super Admin
E-mail    Print    PDF
Digg!Del.icio.us!Google!Live!Facebook!Technorati!StumbleUpon!MySpace!Yahoo! Twitter!LinkedIn!

If I were a non-Muslim, I would not get involved in the Hudud debate, knowing that the Malays-Muslims themselves will never come to an agreement on the matter. Once I get involved, then we face the danger of the Malays who oppose Hudud agreeing with those who propose Hudud merely because they want to defend Islam from what they view as an attack by the non-Muslims.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

When we apply two different approaches to a subject, invariably, we will not be able to reconcile the answer we seek. For example, seeking the answer to our existence would not give us the same result when one is guided by theology and the other applies sociology, anthropology, history and archaeology.

Why do we exist? Is it by accident or is it by design? And is our existence the ultimate purpose, which will end when we expire, or is it merely a temporary step to a final destination, which will be determined by how we live our life in this world?

Such a basic question but not one that can be answered that simply. The answer, invariably, will be determined by what ‘logic’ we apply. And is the logic we are applying really logical? How, in the first place, can we define logic when different yardsticks are being applied? And when should logic be discarded for a higher discipline, that of the word of God, which is above logic and requires faith?

No, it is not a simple puzzle to solve. Even the matter of freedom of expression falls victim to many different viewpoints. Is name-calling and labelling someone Keling Pariah, Mamak Tongkang or Cina Mata Sepet, exceeding the boundaries of freedom of expression and falls within the classification of racial slurs or is this what freedom of expression is all about?

Try calling a British of Pakistani origin a Paki here in Britain and see what will happen to you. Is not a British a Brit and an Australian an Aussie and an American a Yank? So what’s wrong with a Pakistani being called a Paki? It is not that a Pakistani is not a Paki but the fact that it has been ‘agreed’, by whom I do not know, that the word Paki is a racial slur.

And it is not just that society accepts the word Paki as a racial slur. It is also how you say it — the tone of your voice and the look on your face. A Malay is certainly a Melayu, there is no denying that. But it is how you use the word Melayu that counts. Using the ‘correct’ tone of voice and with the ‘right’ look on your face, the word Melayu can be turned into an insult.

So how do we resolve the matter of Hudud, the punishment for crimes under the Islamic laws known as the Sharia? Before that, can this matter even be resolved in the first place? Well, not if we apply two different yardsticks in arguing the case for or against Hudud. No issue can be resolved when two different yardsticks are applied and both are considered logical to the proponents as well as the opponents of Hudud.

A Pakistani is a Paki to a non-Pakistani but an insult to a Pakistani. Both are right. Yet both can never come to an agreement as to whether it was meant as an insult or not. Maybe it was a statement of fact. Maybe it was an insult. The only way to avoid the crosswire would be to call a Pakistani a Brit and leave it at that.

After all, Britons no longer exist anyway. Every Brit is a son or daughter of an immigrant. The only thing is did they migrate to Britain 100 B.C. or 2,000 years after that? Invariably, every Brit, if the roots are traced, came from somewhere outside Britain. That is the reality of the whole thing. At best, they can claim some British blood but can never lay claim to a thoroughbred Brit. Hence, the Pakistani is as British as the Royal Family or the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

When would we consider the cut-off date? If the year 100 were the cut-off date then the Italians would be Brits. If 300 were the cut-off date then the Scandinavians would be Brits. If 500 were the cut-off date then the Germans would be Brits. If 1100 were the cut-off date then the French would be Brits. If 1990 were the cut-off date then those from the Indian subcontinent would be Brits. If there is no cut-off date then everyone is a Brit. There are no Pakistanis in Britain, and hence no Pakis as well.

See how simple it is in Britain. Britain never saw independence because it never lost its independence. Britain was conquered by one power after another over more than 2,000 years and the conquerors became Brits, even when they spoke French and not a word of English. So everyone in Britain is a Brit and there are no pendatangs. If there are pendatangs, then every single person in Britain is a pendatang. It is as simple as that.

But in Malaysia it is more complicating. Malaysia never existed until 1963. From 1957 it existed as Malaya. Before that there was no Malaya. The British created Malaya. And in creating Malaya they also created Malays, who also never existed until the British created them. And the British declared that Malaya belonged to the Malays and everyone else is an immigrant.

But what is the cut-off date? The cut-off date is not clear. If the cut-off date were 1700 then the entire Selangor Royal Family would be pendatang. If the cut-off date were 31st August 1957 then only those born outside the country after that date would be pendatangs. Those born outside Malaya before 31st August 1957 and those born in the country after 31st August 1957 would be Malaysians.

Nevertheless, the British had decided that Malaya would be given independence on 31st August 1957 and with independence we would receive a written Constitution, something that the British themselves do not have. And in this written Constitution it would be stated plus implied that the Malays own the land. And to reinforce this ownership, Islam would be the religion of the land, Malay would be the official language, and Malays would be accorded certain privileges.

This was the agreement, whether stated or implied. And it was an agreement that all the races in Peninsular Malaysia agreed to adopt. It was not unilateral. It was bilateral. Was this a mistake, especially on the part of the Chinese and the Indians? On hindsight it is always easy to talk. Everyone is an expert on hindsight. It is foresight that matters. Did the Chinese and Indians not have the foresight to see that an open-ended agreement with no expiry date would be binding to future generations of Chinese and Indians who would still be regarded as Chinese and Indians and ‘secondary’ Malayans?

And this is why we are currently facing a problem regarding Hudud. To Malaysians who are not Muslims, Hudud is viewed as a legal matter. It involves the punishment meted out for certain crimes. Hence Hudud needs to be discussed under the ambit of the legal system.

They are, of course, correct.

To Muslims, however, Hudud is not about the law. It is about what God has commanded. And God’s command is beyond discussion. It is about acceptance without argument. To reject God’s command is like the Catholics rejecting the Trinity or the Jews rejecting the Ten Commandments. It is a matter that cannot be compromised.

They are, of course, also correct — at least as far as each religious faith is concerned.

So both are correct, no one is wrong. So how do we resolve a situation where both are correct and no one is wrong but the ‘correctness’ of their views places them at odds?

As long as the Muslims in Malaysia believe that Islam is the religion of the land and hence whatever is mandatory in Islam becomes mandatory for the whole country then this is not a matter that will see a solution.

All other religions will be allowed, but Islam is the religion of the land, not the other religions. The Malays are masters of the land. Non-Malays will be allowed a place under the Malaysian sun but will be secondary to the Malays. This is what the British intended for independent Malaya. And the British made sure that this intention was clearly stated in a written Constitution.

Basically, we are faced with a belief system here, the belief that the Malays are the masters of the land and Islam is the religion of the land. And belief systems are not easy to eradicate. Can we convince the Christians that Jesus Christ was a mere man and not divine or the Son of God, hence the Trinity does not exist? Can we convince the Muslims that the Qur’an was not the word of God because it was compiled by a ‘committee’ years after the death of the Prophet and ‘strengthened’ by the Hadith, which was a creation of ‘spin-doctors’?

I fear that would be an impossible task. Both the Christians as well as the Muslims would never change their belief system just because you say so. Belief systems are carved in stone. And the belief that the Malays are masters of the land and Islam is the religion of the land is not a belief system that the Malays or Muslims will readily reject.

So what do we do about Hudud? What can we do about it? As long as the Malays believe that the Qur’an is God’s word and that Hudud is God’s command and that Islam is the religion of the land there is nothing we can do about it.

Can we resist or oppose Hudud? Well, can we resist or oppose the law that forbids Muslims from leaving Islam to become Christians, Hindus or Buddhists?

The only ‘good’ thing about the Hudud issue — if you were the eternal optimist who always tries to see good in everything, like the ‘blessing in disguise’ thing — is that Hudud has been reduced to a political issue. Hence, when it becomes a political issue, one side will oppose when the other side proposes. And this would mean that even amongst the Muslims the Hudud issue would never be resolved.

If I were a non-Muslim, I would not get involved in the Hudud debate, knowing that the Malays-Muslims themselves will never come to an agreement on the matter. Once I get involved, then we face the danger of the Malays who oppose Hudud agreeing with those who propose Hudud merely because they want to defend Islam from what they view as an attack by the non-Muslims.

Let me put it another way. When the Chinese are of the opinion that Chinese education is ‘under attack’, even the MCA and DAP people can sit at the same table under the umbrella of Chinese education to hammer out an issue of common interest. And this is what can happen when Hudud is viewed as ‘under attack’ — the Malays will share a common platform in the interest of ‘mempertahankan kedaulatan Islam’ (in defence of the sanctity of Islam).

So be careful with what you say. Calling a Pakistani a Paki may be kosher to you. The Pakistani, however, may view it as an insult and you can go to jail in Britain if you pass racial slurs. In that same spirit, labelling Hudud as barbaric and those who propagate it as stupid is certainly your right under freedom of expression. To the Muslim, however, that is an insult to God and freedom of expression does not include insulting God.

So what do we do then? Do we just shut up and accept the fact that we must lose certain freedom of expression? Or do we speak our mind whatever the consequences in the interest of freedom of expression?

Honestly, I really do not know. When two different sets of values are applied I am at a loss. My solution would be to just let the two sides argue and we see where the cards fall. Most likely they will continue to argue into the next generation without any resolution. In that case nothing will happen so we do not need to address anything.

Is this a solution? Maybe not! It is more like ignoring it and hoping it will go away. But that is how I sometimes handle the common cold and it does go away. Then, sometimes it may become pneumonia, who knows? But next month I will be 62 and I am still alive. So maybe I have not come out the worst for ignoring the common cold and just allowing it to run its course after all.

But, yes, I know, we all want to speak and say something. We do not want to allow the ‘other side’ to speak unchallenged. So we speak even when what we say is not going to achieve anything. And we will all scream and oppose or scream and defend Hudud when we know nothing is going to happen in the end. And we will find out that loose lips sink ships. But never mind if the ship sinks as long as we can talk while it sinks.

Such is the folly of mankind. And aren’t wars fought in defence of national pride and dignity when all that is merely another word for ego? And who am I to take away your right of free speech, never mind what is being said will see no light at the end of the tunnel? That, in the end, is what will prevail.


written by Pollux, August 27, 2012 00:56:47
Ok RPK, we will not debate about hudud. We could, however, set one condition, which would be fair in light of this topic about yardsticks.
If hudud laws are to be implemented then it must coincide with the right to bear arms, without licences or permits just as it was back in the good old days. Then we will all be using the same yardstick and, if I may, mentality. Then everything will be back as it was in the medieval days. No right to bear arms, no hudud. Let’s all go back to the time when hudud came about and was first practiced. The right to bear arms was after all taken away by those colonialists Brits who needed to control the masses.


written by Azman, August 26, 2012 23:47:14
Hudud law is Muhammad law ! Muhammad used Islam to get politic power ! Why Muslims have to suffer so much Islam law which effect their life, work and business ? Why non-Muslim no follow but Allah no punish them ? That mean Allah like non-Muslim more then Muslim ! Actually all human is equal only religious make human difference !


written by azm, August 26, 2012 23:36:13

Lesley Hazleton (born 1945) is an award-winning British-American writer whose work focuses on the intersection of politics, religion, and history, especially in the Middle East. She reported from Israel for Time, and has written on the Middle East for numerous publications including The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, Harper’s, The Nation, and The New Republic.[1]

Hazleton was born in England, and became a United States citizen in 1994. She was based in Jerusalem from 1966 to 1979 and in New York City from 1979 to 1992, when she moved to her current home in Seattle WA, originally to get her pilot’s license. She has two degrees in psychology (B.A. Manchester University, M.A. Hebrew University of Jerusalem).[2]

She has described herself as “a Jew who once seriously considered becoming a rabbi, a former convent schoolgirl who daydreamed about being a nun, an agnostic with a deep sense of religious mystery though no affinity for organized religion”.[3] “Everything is paradox,” she has said. “The danger is one-dimensional thinking”.[4]

In April 2010, she began blogging as The Accidental Theologist,[5] focusing on religion, politics, and existence.[6] In September 2011, she received The Stranger’s Genius Award in Literature. [7]

She is currently working on a new biography of Muhammad,[8] to be published by Riverhead/Viking in spring 2013.


written by Zaiton, August 26, 2012 23:29:08
PAS is a fanatic religious party ! If Malaysia rule by them sure will be like Afghanistan during Taliban rule ! If Allah help them sure they always won in election but they always defected ! Politic involve religious that will no fair to others faith !


written by azm, August 26, 2012 23:11:06
these are not stated by muslims..

Despite all of the ills of Muslims everywhere, Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion on earth. Professor Huston Smith of the MIT in his book, “The Religions of Man” says, “In some areas where Islam and Christianity are competing for converts, Islam is gaining at a rate of 10 to 1.”

Ambassador Herman Ellis, in a testimony in front of the committee on Foreign Affirs of the House of Represntatives of the United States Congress on June 24th, 1985, said, “The Muslim community of the globe today is in the neighbourhood of one billion. That is an impressive figure. But what to me is equally impressive is that Islam today is the fastest growing monotheistic religion. This is something we have to take into account. Something is right about Islam. It is attracting a good many people.”

Many distinguised Western historians have attested this fact– foremost among whom is Sir Thomas W. Arnold in his book, “The Preaching of Islam”. Also there is Marshall G. Hodgson in his book, “The Venture of Islam”, Albert Hourani in his book, “A History of the Arab People”, Ira Lapidus in his book, “History of Islamic Societies”, L.S. Starorianos in his book, “A Global Hisotry, the Human Heritage” and many others


written by JRA, August 26, 2012 22:32:48
The first thing we need to do when Hudud is implemented in Malaysia is to ‘potong the Lan Chiao’ of these kurang ajar chinaman making all these kurang ajar comments here!


written by miya, August 26, 2012 20:55:28
same old issue every time
long long way to Putrajaya smilies/sad.gif


written by Wan Kembang, August 26, 2012 19:37:54
I feel really angry when Karpal oppose hudud, in which I think he did in a very rude way and disrespecting majority of muslim… but even though I am a Muslim I dont see this as a very big issues for PR as a promising political coalition (but a bit suprised with the reaction from non-Muslim). Honestly if happened I have to vote in Karpal constituency, I definitely vote him even against UMNO-BN Malay Muslim candidate, as UMNO-BN is too rotten to be choose!


written by Morris, August 26, 2012 19:07:28
It’s a waste of time debating Hudud. All Malays – ians are against it as i see it. from my point of view, they knew that most of the criminals are Malays -ians and I don’t think they like that laws to be used against them. What is most appropriate is, the existing laws should be done without fear or favour.


written by Alice, August 26, 2012 17:52:28
We should stand up for truth and justice as universal values .Leave religion out of everything. Religion is personal . Hudud I totally oppose. We have enough headache already and confuse us with more religious stuff. Show us your religion through your actions . Show us Islamic countries living happily ever after with hudud laws. After all it will be men who will implement these laws if passed . History has shown us that man has always failed to be just and fair. Look at our own judiciary and the pathetic state it is in.


written by anakipoh, August 26, 2012 16:36:36
bumi non malay, please just comment on the issue of PAS trying to implement hudud. The moment you skew off tracks and started criticising islam, like calling it flawed, you earn the wrath of all muslims alike, whether those who oppose and those who propose. This is what RPK is trying to warn that non muslims should stay out of this. If you must say something, direct it to the people that are flawed, not the religion itself.


written by bumi non malay, August 26, 2012 14:54:11
….meanwhile apparently a down syndrome girl is facing death in Pakistan for burning Koran and his brother apparent mutilated….. First because they are christian, 2nd its Islam Great justice systems, 3rd no wonder the Brits hates the “pakis”…..whoops Pakistani.

Bring on hudud…and make sure Hudud can be back tracked to just after Merdeka 1957……. If the punishment is chopping hands for corruption……then please make sure the Defender of islam is Kosher with that…… How many have accepted money for Datuk??…. Off with the Defender of Islam hands… But what if Defender of islam convert to another religion to escape this punishment? Can hudud and melayu terima this??…will they then foam like the Pakistani over a burnt Koran?? There lies the flaw and credibility of Islam!!


written by zhang he, August 26, 2012 14:36:25
In the Pro-hudud camp = PAS (30 MPs)

In the Anti-Hudud camp = DAP, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and scores of other party (inc those from East Malaysia) – 82 MPs

In the “I am not sure” camp = UMNO and PKR (110 MPs)

Even PAS + UMNO + PKR MPs were to say aye to Hudud = 140, we are still short of the 2/3 to amend the constitution. And we know that even UMNO and PKR is still undecided about Hudud.

Great, now in the PRU-13, let the people decide by their vote.

At this moment with the political make up, Hudud is a non starter. It is a perrenial red herring.


written by Siudi, August 26, 2012 12:18:11
It still seems that Malaysians are more united under DUIT, not Hudud or whatsoever. Just look at BN, they still stick to each other under CRONYISM. Meanwhile DAP and PAS are still at each other necks over Hudud. So I guess the 2013 election will be just like 2004 all over again


written by chinois, August 26, 2012 08:57:38
Muslims have been in disagreement with one another for ages. Muslims have been killing one another for ages. I say let muslims settle their problems themselves, if ever. Even if the intention of the non-muslims is to try to talk sense into muslims, it gets perceived as an attack on muslims and Islam. How to help the muslims like that? They don’t want to be helped, they don’t want to listen, they don’t want to be a part of modern society. Better just shut up till they’ve exhausted themselves then say “I told you so”. It’s sad really, but there is just nothing that can be done, by muslims no less what more non-muslims.


+26

vote up


written by Jamie, August 26, 2012 08:42:44
Our political parties are in a state of deep slumber.

Instead of focusing on pressing issues, day in day out they keep harping on trivial issues like this Hudud lah, tokongs lah, blah blah blah.

What are their ideas on overcoming or at least insulating us the rakyat, from the effects of the financial crises? Banks rigging LIBOR rates, a 50 to 1 ratio of derivatives liability, a great whirlpool waiting to turn into a black hole. What has PAS proposed to do? Or is it that Hudud will miraculously save us?

What have they done about Syria and Iran? Western powers are hell bent on turning these countries into living hells and what has Malaysia done to help these people?

Eco crises – so what is the stand on Fukushima? Does anyone realize that Fukushima has been spewing out radiation that has reached the US West Coast? Think Malaysia will not be part of the fallout? Where are the contingency plans?

Freedom of speech – Our freedom of speech is under attack everywhere in the world. UK threatening to storm an embassy for granting asylum to Julian Assange, Brandon Raub sent to a mental hospital for questioning the events of 9/11, Quebec banning student protests (that’s more draconian than 42smilies/cool.gif, Evidence Act 114A, ISA in Singapore, ad nauseum. So is PAS joining the anti-free speech crowd too?

Just a few things mentioned above already shows our world is in a state of deep crisis. But for PAS and sundry to do all these kind of clownish antics, deeply convinces me that they are not concerned about Malaysia’s future, they only care about living in their own shell which will be blast open by external forces eventually. As one famous person says, by their fruits you will know them. You say left and right that you will go to heaven. Sorry, you want to rush headlong into destruction go ahead, I’m going to do what’s right.


written by Admiral Shin, August 26, 2012 07:17:34
Well, YM, I have never whacked Islam/ Hudud per se. I have written against Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and other religious bigots in the past.
I know many comments about Islam and hudud are unwarranted; I call upon other MT readers to desist. However, sometimes what you have written begs ” tongue in cheek ” replies!smilies/wink.gif


written by Pro-arte, August 26, 2012 07:11:20
“Pro-arte, I asked you about the crimes of rebellion, murder and robbery and you talk about rape. Apalah ni. Benci Islam sangat-sangat sampai dah sasul terlajak! ”

The pertinent issue was about whether women can be witnesses in Hudud. The simple answer is No.

I mentioned Pakistan’s Hudud Ordinance which excludes women as witnesses. Similarly , the Kelantan and Terengganu Hudud enactments exclude women as witnesses.

You may have a different understanding of Hudud or Islam for that matter, but the pertinent issue is what PAS concept of Hudud is.

Can you categorically state that the PAS Hudud bills allow women to be witnesses, yes or no?


written by Super Admin, August 26, 2012 06:47:10
Admiral Shin, when I whack Pakatan regarding many issues, the disunity issue being one of them, you all whack me and allege that I have been bought off. Why are you anti-Hudud/anti-Islam wankers making so much noise? For the sake of Pakatan, for the sake of kicking Umno out, for the sake of making sure that Anwar becomes the next Prime Minister, why don’t you all shut the fuck up? Have you all been bought or what? Are you all trying to sabotage Pakatan? HIDUP HUDUD!

I’m just loving this ‘I told you so’. I hope PAS and DAP choke on Hudud. Then let’s see what you all have to say after that.

RPK


written by Gift4ever, August 26, 2012 06:20:29
Religion & race is a piss off thingy. Malaysia must not classify a person according to religion and race. When you fill any form there must not be a question on religion and race.
I am no longer in Malaysia, here in Australia not once I have to fill my religion or race on any form. In fact when you ask an Aussie what is your race? The answer will be “Eh?” They thought you are talking about 100 meter race.
My eyes maybe sloppy and skin a bit yellow but who cares when my wallet is bigger than yours.


written by Super Admin, August 26, 2012 06:19:39
Supercally, yeap, and a good political strategy, don’t you think so? And you wankers are falling for it on top of that. Brilliant! That’s why we have to take our hat off to Umno. They are so clever to get you all to foam at the mouth while they steal the election.

RPK


written by Super Admin, August 26, 2012 06:15:53
Pro-arte, I asked you about the crimes of rebellion, murder and robbery and you talk about rape. Apalah ni. Benci Islam sangat-sangat sampai dah sasul terlajak!

RPK


written by Super Admin, August 26, 2012 06:12:12
Lord Jim, actually the only hope for BN in the next election is for the Malays to not vote Chinese DAP and for the Chinese to not vote PAS Malay. I think this Hudud thing might yet achieve the desired result. Hence this unrestrained Islam-whacking is necessary.

RPK


written by Admiral Shin, August 26, 2012 05:44:19
Perceived insults are generally due to an inferiority complex, insecurity, intransigence as well as ignorance. Many years ago whilst showing a new varsity junior around KL, we were almost bashed up by a ketuanan type bigot because we mentioned the word ” Jalan Melayu “. What he heard was only ” Melayu ” and he took great offence at that. He swung his helmet at us besides levelling kicks our way. We fended off his attacks all the time protesting loudly that we were talking about the street “Jalan Melayu “; he refused to back off uttering expletives all the time until he exhausted himself, after which he was told by one goreng pisang seller that we did indeed talk about the nearby street. He made off with a huff with nary an apology or any sense of guilt.

As a digression, I wonder if our ” body snatchers ” are going to jet off to the US to carry off Neil Amstrong’s body now that the famous astronaut just passed on. There was a real ” shiok sendiri ” belief that Amstrong converted to Islam after hearing the azan on his ear phones whilst prancing on the lunar surface. This is not to ” perli ” anyone, but to show up what ignorance, belligerence and irrational thinking can befall the self appointed religious guardians of faith.

We all should practise good human values which are never at odds with religious tenets. Remember, religions are the tools of the shadowy ruling elites to control the human population through fear, insecurity and idolatry. These psychological states provide immense psychic forces that feed the entity the ruling shadowy elites serve. Humans must take their birthright of freedom, spiritual sovereignty and universal love away from this diabolical control.


written by Pro-arte, August 26, 2012 04:51:37
RPK said: “Pro-arte, I read through the Hudud law application and I can’t find that part that says they only accept male witnesses for the crime of rebellion, murder, robbery and so on. Maybe you can help me by quoting the title of the book and author so that I can brush up my reading on Hudud. ”

Perhaps you can start by brushing up on the Hudud Bill drafted by the Terengganu state government which was actively promoted by Hadi Awang:

1) A woman cannot be a witness.

2) A woman who reports she has been raped will be charged for qazaf (false accusation) and flogged 80 lashes if she is unable to prove the rape.

3) An unmarried woman who is pregnant is assumed to have committed zina.

The Terengganu Hudud bill in this respect does not appear to be different to the Kelantan Hudud Bill formulated in 1993 where women are not allowed to be witnesses. The Hudud Ordinance of Pakistan also rejects females as witnesses.

I rest my case.


written by Lord Jim, August 26, 2012 04:51:31
(contd…)

Islam is on its deathbed anyway, there is no problem waiting for an Iran in Asia with our monkeys totally unable to make it last due to its blessed stupidity and primitive mentality, more than one major power would vie to wipe out the monkeys as a favour to themselves – what do you expect, a bunch of wealthy Middle-Eastern monkeys forking out to make Malaysia an Islamic stronghold?

When the mullahs came to power in Iran, those veil and burqa types were desperate getting their hands on rather sexy lingerie and underwear items (worn under their Stone Age fashion) A couple of my (Jewish) Iranian friends made their fortunes supplying sexy clandestinely. I have more faith in our Muslim women keeping their bollocks-swinging men’s “religious” zeal in check. I also have vast confidence in our beer-swigging Muslims to maintain sanity.

Non-Muslims – don’t panic! Whatever happens you will always get your beers and pork and whatever else back! I can even help out with sexy if you want to control the “religious” nutters while waiting for Malaysia to collapse!


written by Lord Jim, August 26, 2012 04:48:13
“Let me publicly tell the Non-Muslim … blah blah … where PAP welcomes you !!”

Singapore would not welcome “you”, though it would stoke the flame. I would publicly urge non-Muslims to switch off the economy. It would work better than in Palestine, the Israel look-alike in the Malaysian government would be shafting itself stupid if just this happens.

Cronies and those who are into baksheesh would be forced to expose their monkey allies in government, they have their blackmail card. This has been done before in other countries in Southeast Asia and has worked. The non-Muslims have the better reputation in the international economy.

Only card of the monkeys would be the balik Cina/India one and these days you cannot really use that (even if backed by violence and murder) Unlike in the past, China has dropped hints of involvement if it gets dragged into anti-Chinese rows. It is only a few hours to arrive at Malaysia via Thailand at the worse case scenario if our monkeys would provide that excuse. Whereas in the past it is left to the US to do regime change, these days China and India would want a hand too. Nothing better than to help our monkeys destablise Malaysia and killing themselves off! For me, balkanising Malaysia is the best way to get rid of Malaya from Sarawak.

(Cont…)


written by bpchan, August 26, 2012 04:37:53
Aiyoh… I think the Chinese or non Muslim should comment about illegal 4d , drugs sold in almost every Chinaman Disco , prostitution in massage parlors and etc instead of Hudud , these are the serious social problems happening around us, don’t tell me you guys are not aware .

So many Chua Soi Leks here . Seek help from Cesar Millan please.


written by Super Admin, August 26, 2012 03:39:02
Dr Syed Alwi, I suppose you are right. If one side will not compromise and back down why should the other side do that? Both sides should stick to their guns come hell or high-water. Eventually something is going to break anyway and that will break the deadlock.

RPK


written by Super Admin, August 26, 2012 03:30:10
Pro-arte, I read through the Hudud law application and I can’t find that part that says they only accept male witnesses for the crime of rebellion, murder, robbery and so on. Maybe you can help me by quoting the title of the book and author so that I can brush up my reading on Hudud.

By the way, the Islamic law of khalwat (close proximity) already applies in Malaysia. So you do not need Hudud for that since it is currently already the law.

googoodools, some would disagree with you. Some would argue that Chinese education affects all Malaysians since it breeds racism. So I suppose it is one opinion against another.

RPK


written by Nice n Simple, August 26, 2012 02:56:47
Well, good luck to the Malays who are not born free.

EDITOR: I can see that you are very concerned about the Malays, that’s all. Yeah, right.


written by Supercally, August 26, 2012 02:21:56
The problem is the non malay (MCA) and the Malay (UMNO) are manipulating the issue to deceive the non malay and malay for their selfish aim


written by Pro-arte, August 26, 2012 01:57:56
I think people should speak their mind on the Hudud issue. Why are we assuming that Malays are not willing to apply logic? Is it wrong to point out the truth? Hudud only allows males to be witnesses. This immediately conflicts with the Constitution which guarantees equality. Any right thinking person in 2012 would draw the conclusion that Hudud is primitive and outdated in applying this stipulation of having male witnesses only. If a witness can bring a criminal to justice, why should the sex matter?

Malaysians are not entirely stupid and full well know the Hudud issue has surfaced to show Malays that PAS is more true to Islam than UMNO because it supports Hudud. The truth is PAS doesn’t want any discussion on the details and ramifications of implementing Hudud as the reality would make Malays realise that Hudud is no longer relevant in 2012. It is justice for the victim which matters and not the sex of the witness.

I think it is foolhardy to assume that most Malays support the imposition of Hudud in Malaysia because any right thinking Malay even if he supports Hudud would only do so when we have independent Shariah courts, a police force which is not corrupt and a high level of integrity in society. Otherwise Hudud will be abused and atrocities like chopping innocent victims hands and stoning to death innocent couples accused of adultery will occur. Any miscarriages of justice cannot be redressed because limb amputation is permanent and devastating. Similarly raising someone from the dead after being stoned is not an option!

written by Pro-arte, August 26, 2012 01:51:53
Hudud will most definitely lend itself to abuse and corruption because individuals wanting to escape from having their their limbs amputated will offfer huge bribes if they had the means. The whole legal system would be corrupted in an instant by theiving billionaires. One has to look at the pronouncements of the State Mufti Harussani to realise that these religious scholars can so easily pervert the Koran and Hadiths to justify lies and corruption.

This is our experience of religious politicians as well. They speak with forked tongues. Not so long ago Hadi wanted to ‘muzakarrah’ with UMNO and Tok Aziz opposed it. Now Hadi says he will not ‘muzzakarah with UMNO but Tok Aziz says he wants to ‘muzakarrah’ with UMNO, But when Nasha Mat Isa is seen ‘bermuzakkarah’ with UMNO, they both oppose it !

Malays are watching the antics of these politicians and are making calculations. Of course Malays aspire to be good Muslims but they are no longer so beholden to politicans and religious leaders. The internet has revealed a whole new world of ideas and opinions to them and as a result has opened their minds and exposed the lies and hypocrisy of religious leaders and politicians.


written by slash, August 26, 2012 01:17:29
jcsh_04, have you seen your god before?have you talk with him ? no? why? so is this called is INSANE too ?


written by EnoughIsEnough, August 26, 2012 00:59:11
DengXiaoPing the father of modern China applies this approach as well, to leave the problem to the next generation (read indefinitely) on the following issues:
1. The claim to Taiwan
2. The claim to the disputed islands in the Pacific & the South China Seas
Wise man indeed. RPK, you are right on the button!


written by M, August 26, 2012 00:25:19
I have to agree with RPK, t makes sense. Now on nothing will be said, we shall leave this issue to the Muslims.


written by santi vardhana caitanya, August 26, 2012 00:21:48
Dear RPK,
if you are actually suffering from cold, I suggest you take “Indian Gooseberry” aka “Amalaki or “Amla”. It has 3000 mg of Vitamin C per fruit, making it the most powerful fruit in the world.


written by Romeo2, August 26, 2012 00:14:00
Every new child comes with the message that God is not discouraged by man – Rabindranatha Tagore. How true! And we are still fighting over religions since civilization.


written by poyo moyo, August 26, 2012 00:05:10
I am wondering why this minister jamil khir supposed to be incharge of national islamic affair is keeping quiet on this noisy issue. Is he not interested in his job and makan gaji buta or Is he busy doing private business or doing his ‘puasa 6’


written by Dr Syed Alwi, August 25, 2012 23:55:34
Dear RPK,

This time you are very wrong ! This time RPK – you salah ! Are you telling me that the Non-Muslims have no say in the future of Malaysia that they cannot comment on Hudud ? RPK – please man – to make Hudud work, PAS will be forced to change the social climate of Malaysia into something like Saudi Arabia. Hudud only works when you have such a social climate.

And now you are telling me that the Non-Muslims of Malaysia cannot comment on this ?

Let me publicly tell the Non-Muslim Malaysians – lu migrate sudah – jangan buang masa dengan sebuah negara yang tak terima kamu…Come to Singapore where PAP welcomes you !!

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi


written by farcry, August 25, 2012 23:36:04
I have been wondering IF PR took over Putrajaya, will Malays and Chinese become even more divided? It will be a real battle between PAS and DAP at that time.


written by Lord Jim, August 25, 2012 21:58:52
“Paki” is a racial slur in Britain so is even “Chicken Curry” for the Indians.

“Chinaman” is also a racial slur – but that does not stop our deculturalised, Sambo-ised monkeys from accepting it and happily using it even on themselves.

Our bananas among the Chinese would use “Chinaman” on other Chinese as if he is himself a white man! Somehow some Chinese are “Chinamen” while others are not! Somehow our Chinese monkeys seem to feel they are different and more “superior” to other Chinese. Given that the majority of Malaysian Chinese are from coolie and peasant stock, the need to feel “superior” shows more inferiority than anything. Seeing themselves as inferior, many Chinese like to pick on Malays to make themselves feel better. Invention of slurs like “metallic black” from even our supposed progressive democrats is not surprising.

Only very recently it is claimed that the Brits originally came from Turkey, the country. If anything, St George of the Brits was from there.

I have yet to see someone write and lay out good reasons why we should have hudud. But, please, you monkeys who rely on dogma and unquestioning “faith” had better not apply to do this!


written by Voice of Reason, August 25, 2012 21:55:04
Maybe this is true for Malayans. But the East will oppose it to the bitter end. Just impose it on West Malaysians if you must but keep the secular East out of this. There’s a reason why West Malaysians of all races refuses to return to the peninsula once they’ve lived in Borneo. Where else in Malaysia can a Malay own or manage a pub?


written by earthman, August 25, 2012 21:53:36
If one can see then one would notice the hypocrisy that some Malaysians would quote the Malaysian constitution for their own interest instead of for all Malaysians. When challenged they would quote the constitution that Malaya belongs to the Malays and Islam is the official religion. But these Malays would ignore the constitution when challenged on the freedom of faith and worship and equal justice for all .
Did the constitution say that a Malay cannot believe in Jesus and the Bible? Or did the constitution say that non Muslims cannot built their place of worship like the Muslims built their mosque? Or did the constitution say that the government can applied the NEP for the benefits of the Malays alone? You see many policies and laws in Malaysia are against the constitution but the Malays ignore it for their own interest . Is this not hypocrisy?
If the Muslims would unite because they feel threatened and ignore the facts, truth, injustices and hypocrisy before them , no one can stop them but they will have to answer to God Almighty Who gives this land for all to live and work together.

written by googoodools, August 25, 2012 21:53:24
If Hudud doesn’t apply to non muslim/non malays, than yes i agree that they should not get involved in the Hudud debate. However, this is completely different from the example you quoted regarding chineses education. The chinese education issues merely affect chinese only but Hudud would probably have impact on all malaysian, not just muslims/malays.


written by Saint, August 25, 2012 21:24:34
RPK is right, let the Muslims decide what they want first, and as history has told us, we as humans as such will not agree to anything that easily and Muslims are no exception.


written by cty, August 25, 2012 21:10:25
I believe too that the hudud question be settled by Muslims just as long as non-Muslims are left out of its implementation. This is easily said then done when there are disagreements, altercations, murders etc that involve both parties. Which law should be followed? Hudud or Man’s Law. When non-Muslims do not make their objections now, hudud will definately be applied to them when implemented despite promises made otherwise. To digress, each time W Msians argue about hudud, some how or rather they forget about E Msians as if they do not matter quantitatively, is this not seer colonistic arrogance?


written by EU, August 25, 2012 21:07:25
If the Malays see that hudud is under attack, then, all the malays will vote PAS including the UMNO supporters. Maybe this is a good thing.


written by jcsh_04, August 25, 2012 20:50:55
Dear Temenggong,

I agree with your ‘prognosis’ regarding this damn christia* freak, they never learn from history. I can smell they are now try to be ‘Hollier than thou’

Hey freaks remember Spanish Inquisition?

Worshipping invisible god and worshipping idol can be considered as INSANE


written by temenggong, August 25, 2012 20:32:25
The Chinese under DAP have made a serious strategic mistake in thinking they can ride to Putrajaya on their own. Hijacked by christian religious bigots, for the last 4 years they have demonised everyone who criticised their shortcomings, and refused to make course corrections, inspite of several early warnings patiently for 4 years. Now is our turn. Two can play this game.

We cannot send Pakatan to Putrajaya in its current setup. There has to be a leadership and policy change in Pakatan first. This is final. Hence the demonisation of islam and hudud will continue, and increase, until Malays see the light. A list of vocal christian evangelist DAP MPs and Aduns outside Penang will be published to assist Malay voters in GE 13. But admittedly, we expect all Chinese majority seats to increase their majorities due to increased chinese swing and new voters.

Did you see how the stupid melayu Mansur Othman grovelled and collapsed in political servility? I enjoyed it.


written by Veritas Aequitas, August 25, 2012 20:32:03
Eventually the finer truths of reality will prevail. The religionists had already conceded many of the lies and falsehoods that they had held dearly, e.g. acknowledging the truth that the Sun do not revolves around Earth, and others.

Emmanuel Kant had argued that God, as a being than which no greater can be conceived, is a transcendental illusion that cannot be proven empirically, but it is a notion that is necessary, i.e. as a ‘white lie’ for various psychological reasons and soothe an existential crisis manifesting from the maturing mental states of the majority.

Certain people may have some vested interests against hudud, but imo, the majority who voice against hudud are doing so as concerned individuals of humanity to ensure humanity’s progress is not put into reverse gears. It is difficult for any rational person to accept ‘backward’ laws on a wholesale basis that is supposedly commanded from something based on a transcendental illusion and faith.

If there is anything good from hudud or any other sources, they should be dealt on a piecemeal basis and be deliberated for adoption as a secular law on a constitutional parliamentary basis. In this case, if it is later found not to be effective due to changing reality and circumstance, it can be amended, changed, or make void via parliament. In the case of religious based laws, once it is implemented, being immutable and that God cannot not make mistakes, it not likely to be changed.

For the sake of the progress of humanity, religion and politics should not be mixed at all.


written by albert zacharias, August 25, 2012 20:25:37
It all depends who, how, when and where it is spoken. In the bar everything goes. In the court every word counts and at home it does not matter. If nothing to say to another keep quiet lah. Politicians like soiled leg likes to put his big leg everywhere and get everybody soiled.

Don’t be like that lah.


written by jcsh_04, August 25, 2012 20:24:03
Mein Fuhrer,

You are right sir! will follow your advice…thanks for the enlightement.


written by nanakassim, August 25, 2012 19:58:11
I’m saying this with my mouth closed:
A wise man opens his mouth because he has something to say; a fool opens his mouth because he has to say something


written by Tompodus, August 25, 2012 19:57:48
Dear Tuanku RPK,

I may correct on this one! “Those born outside Malaya before 31st August 1957 and those born in the country after 31st August 1957 would be Malaysians.”

The correction is, “Those born inside of Malaya before 31st August 1957 and those born in the countries (Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak) after 16 September 1963 would be Malaysians.”


written by eternal flame, August 25, 2012 19:54:14
Why dont we talk about the welfare and well being of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban,Kadazan & Orang Asli
why are we still a developing country, Houses, Cars & prices of goods & services so expensive these days. Why are our salary so low yet we want to be a developed country come 2020, Our security guards salary is around rm 1000 per month can we put enough foods on the table compare to UK say 1000 pounds per month, Tell that to all the poor people in Malaysia, why cant we do something for them can Hudud solve all the problem for the poor people in Malaysia


written by An Observer, August 25, 2012 19:27:27
Thank you RPK for articulating this issue in a sensible way. I will have no more say in this Hudud issue. Whatever that can be said has been said, ad nauseum. Hopefully when everyone’s tired and done talking, we can move on.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

As mentioned before, hudud is not something a majority of Malays want, just like the right to apostasy is something a minority of Malays do want. Hudud can be applied on a person to person basis but why anyone wants to allow the Syariah Court to amputate their limbs via consent to hudud will be just as unbelievable. There is no need to suspend Hudud but Hudud can be only applied on a case by case consensual Muslim basis, hudud however cannot be roundly applied on non-consenting Muslims in Malaysia as per the UN Human Rights Charter. Perhaps PAS is a part if the hegelian dialectic and cynical political control system the 99% just don’t need. There are fines and common sense punishment or jail terms in lieu of Hudud’s extremes, and now PAS wants hudud for all consenting or non-consenting Muslims regardless of choice and with RPK egging PAS on? Bad politics and invasive of personal freedoms. How could an ‘educated’ person like RPK keep at this b.s. promotion of hudud? We do not even have :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

; and now Hudud is to be implemented?!? 3rd World Malaysia makes ‘Orang Utans’ look civilised! Even animals do not maim each other in this manner!

14 Articles on Malaysian Politics : More Meaningless Words by Plutocrat Politicians, Platitudes and Mediocrity, Gamer Watcher Has No Game, Lies About LGBT Neutrality and Fair Treatment, Old Fogey Stretching ‘Coolness’ Factor To Limit By Misusing Words like ‘Anarchist’, Unethical Nepotistic Tyrants That Bully Media Are A 3rd World Thing Of The Past, Pot Calls Kettle Black, BN Out of Touch With Members of Meritocracy Minded Business Community, Extreme Reliance on Ethos Nepotism Better Than Nothing But . . . , Taxi Drivers Bribed With Good Policy To/Only To Ignore Apartheid?, PTPTN-BN Display of Ethical Intransigience, DAP Takes Voters for Fools, Taxes and the Election Deposit, Liars Get No Respect – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree

In 1% tricks and traps, 99%, Abuse of Power, amendments to law needed, Assemblymen have not declared assets, asset declarations, Bad By-Laws, bad laws, best practices, better laws, Bumiputera Apartheid, candidacy, cult of personality, freedom of choice, Freedom of Expression, freedom of speech, lack of focus, meaningless platitudes, media, Media Neutrality, media sabotage, out of context, pretentious on June 23, 2012 at 9:54 pm

ARTICLE 1

Young voters will be kingmakers in elections, says Khairy NEWS/COMMENTARIES Saturday, 16 June 2012 Super Admin

(The Star) – Young voters will be the kingmakers of the next general election, as they make up almost 40% of the electorate. Barisan Nasional Youth chief Khairy Jamalluddin said the support of the youth would “make or break” the party’s future, and called for the youth movement to continue engaging their peers.

“Calculations and projections show that the result (of the election) will depend on new voters, and many of the new voters are young voters. They will be kingmakers,” he told reporters after launching the PPP Youth convention here on Saturday.

He said that research conducted early this year indicated that 62% of young voters have yet to decide on whom to vote for and Khairy called on youth leaders to reach out to them.

“Many young voters are still neutral, and we must engage them. Not through traditional political programmes like ceramahs, as most who attend ceramahs have already decided.

“We can have outreach and community projects through institutions of higher learning and non-governmental organisations,” he said.

There are some two million new voters out of a total of 13 million, and Khairy said it would be a challenge convincing them as they “have a mind of their own”.

“They still read the mainstream newspapers, but they also read the online portals and are active on social media. They will read everything and decide which argument they believe in,” he said.

To drive the point home, Khairy, who is Rembau MP, used his constituency as an example.

“In 2008, there were 60,000 voters in Rembau, and now there are 73,000. I won by a 6,000 majority.

“If all 13,000 of new voters are against me, I can close shop,” he said.

While he admitted that it was tiring to remain in a constant state of preparedness, Khairy called on Barisan youth members to continue their hard work to win over the people.

“It is very tiring with a moving election date,” he said, referring to speculations which predicted the general election would be held late last year, and early and middle of this year.

He said Barisan Youth have been ready since last year and had been “sprinting a 100m race since”.

“But in reality we are running a marathon at a sprinting pace,” he said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

No kingmakers will be kingmakers at all as long as they are racists. There is nothing kingly about wanting to keep an apartheid system in place. And a true Maker never would accept apartheid. Those who have had their 2 terms and done nothing except generate bad feelings in near 2/3rds of the world’s populations should step aside. Those who have never raised racism before will be better choices as ‘kingmakers’.

ARTICLE 2

UMNO and its hijacking of an Ancient Covenant – FROM AROUND THE BLOGS – Saturday, 16 June 2012 Super Admin – SAKMONGKOL AK47

Nizar jamaludin, former MB of Perak is in a pickle nowadays. We can’t leave him alone though because he represents the people. What happens to him could also happen to us later when we, out of public spiritedness raise an issue involving the royalty. So, the rakyat must continue to speak because, we actually do remember the tenets of Malay customs and etiquette.

I can’t offer Nizar Jamaludin any ideas on how to resolve his predicament with the Johor Monarchy. Perhaps he may have to offer momentary lapse of memory as defense. He has simply forgotten an important ingredient in Malay custom. He will not suffer embarrassment if he adopts this defense because others more prominent than him have chosen to adopt selective recollection. Mahathir forgot so many things when faced with the issue on the VK Lingam tapes. Or Nizar embraces humility and admits that he is stupid in this area.

But which part of the Malay custom are we talking about? This article seeks to explore the corruption of a very important component of the Malay customs and etiquette – his relationship with the Malay ruler. That relationship is represented by a code of conduct expressed in the avowal Pantang Melayu Derhaka! This is probably the part of the Malay customs and etiquette which is referred to. This is the underlying and awe-inspiring code of conduct that regulates the relationship of the Malay subject with his ruler. Pushed to its extreme form, this code of conduct leads to the blasphemous deification of another human being. That however is a separate matter best left to Islamic theologians to debate as the deification of another human being, means making the human equal to the Almighty.

This subject has recently come to the fore when Nizar the former MB of Perak tweeted his discomfort on the amount of money spent to acquire a car number plate. His tweet invited the ire of Johor youths. UMNO youth Johor was quick to exploit the issue. What was it that Nizar said that raised so much venomous response from the axe to- grind UMNO youths?

Can the unease of one person upset the whole institutional structure that has always upheld the position of Malay Monarchy? Nizar’s grumblings were not directed at the person of the ruler or at the institution. What Nizar did was to raise the issue of indecent spending. This wasn’t a case of disputing whose money it is. Even if it’s your money, if it’s applied in a controversial manner, ownership of the money is irrelevant. Nizar said out loud his opinion against the `idea’ of indecent spending. The better idea on such a large amount of money would be to apply it to socially beneficial ends.

When the late Zakaria built his mansion amidst the squalor of Pandamaran a few years back, the issue was the building of a palatial home amidst the hovels in Pandamaran. The behavior was indecent.

Since the issue has been politicized, we will take it from there. So, now we are interested in the politics behind the avowal. The Malay Monarchy is the symbol into which is invested special meanings which are sometimes operated as tool for political expediencies. In the hands of UMNO, the special meanings invested are mostly used for political convenience as exemplified in the recent gathering of the so called absolute loyalists before the Johor Monarch.

Would anyone subscribe to the view that behind the pretentious display of undying loyalty, it’s only UMNO that upholds the institution of the Malay monarch? If anyone does, then he has forgotten that in 1993, it was UMNO which mobilized the whole nation into a frenzy demanding doing the King Philip and Marie Antoinette thing on the Malay Monarch.

Because in the hands of manipulative UMNO, the primordial code of conduct is now being used as the measure of one’s Malayness, loyalty and patriotism all at once. The Malay who appears as straying from the measure is to be taken as someone who has violated the meaning of being Malay. In UMNO’s twisted political lexicon, unconditional loyalty to the institution of the Malay monarch forms an indispensable and mandatory cultural DNA. Without which, one ceases to be Malay enough deserving of support and communion with fellow Malays.

The avowal can universally be translated to mean, the people shall never be disloyal to the king. The term disloyal is used in its most general forms. The common man never trespass the king in any way and form; never shall he insult the king in mind, never speak evil and more so does not commit trespass of the person upon the king. The term treason is also a close description. Used in these terms, UMNO and its surrogate NGOs can then brand Nizar, his party and all those who support Nizar as unMalay, unpatriotic and disloyal. It is this vicious use that we are now objecting. UMNO cannot now claim to be sanctimonious when what they attempted to do to the Malay Monarchy in 1993 was clearly worse and disloyal.

We turn to the venerable Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals to search for the origins of this avowal. It is there, that this covenant which was to form the basis to measure the Malay’s cultural affinity and ethnic oneness originated.

Commentator Comments :


written by malsia1206, June 16, 2012 17:49:02
The Johore Sultan was reported to be angry with Nizar for having made his comments which HRH said Nizar knew nothing much. If that be so, why did HRH not take upon himself the opportunity to come out with his explanation where and how Nizar had erred?
HRH has the right to a rebuttal. Instead, he took a swipe at Nizar. Next, we see this rally of thosands gathering to support the Royalty.
These do not get us anywhere nearer to how, why and whether it makes sense to spend RMxxx on a certain specific car plate number. To each his own, yes, that I can agree. But remember when you are holding that special prerogative of a high-end position, your personal action is naturally and nevertheless subject to scrutiny as long as it was not done mala-fide or with any ill-intention.
Nizar was quick to extend his apology if his remarks were taken to hurt any one. But, for his good unexplained reason(s), HRH seemed to have gone for the jugular. That’s my impression, anyway.
+12


written by singhkris, June 16, 2012 17:12:05
We hear all kinds of edicts from Their Royal Highnesses – Malays must unite, dont take part in assemblies, dont politicise water. Malaysia fares very badly in the corruption index every year. Can we hear something from Their Highnesses regularly to condemn corruption?


written by Aku, June 16, 2012 14:43:08
The question is do the royalties know that the rakyat accorded them special privilege to rule with justice and kindness? They are under the sovereignty of the Almighty, just like everyone else, and the rakyat trust the Almighty. When a royalty does something indecent, he is to be judged according to the privilege, with the same condition of justice and kindness, the rakyat accorded him, and his position is not absolute. When they are not aware of this special privilege, and take it upon themselves to abuse it, the rakyat have every right to question.
+33

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The common man never trespass the king in any way and form; never shall he insult the king in mind, never speak evil and more so does not commit trespass of the person upon the king. True . . . EXCEPTING, the UNCOMMON man, and also anytime where unkingly behaviour is displayed by a king needing reminder that the behaviour (in most cases neglect of Asabiya and UNHCR Article 1 non-compliance for Malaysia’s case) must be corrected. This is part logos (the only criteria) versus ethos of ‘Kinghood’ and the ability of the incautious or undiplomatic (i.e. those who communicate offensively) to escape to proxy countries. And those who resort to pathos have no standing on issues that clearly demarcate what is civilised behaviour and fair treatment.

ARTICLE 3

Let’s ban ‘em all! – FROM AROUND THE BLOGS – Tuesday, 12 June 2012 Super Admin – by ART HARUN

I quite like the way people in authority attempt to solve various problems in Malaysia.

A long time ago, safety helmets were made compulsory for every motorcyclist and pillion rider. Thereafter, some smarty-pants wore helmets with visors to rob banks. Although I was still in school at that time, I remember the so-called solution which our authority came up with to solve that problem. They simply banned helmets with visors. Problem solved, right?

Many years ago there were concerns over deaths caused by accidents involving water-scooters in Penang beaches. Of course, before everybody could finish saying “water-scooters”, I remember some hot-shots proposed that water-scooters be banned. Fortunately that did not happen..

Baby dumping? Oh well, that’s easy. Ban, among others, Valentine’s Day celebration.

The best of the lot is the efforts taken by some of our so-called ulamaks to sove the problem of Muslims having very weak “aqidah” or faith.

Muslims in Malaysia must be among the weakest when it comes to “aqidah.” After all, a Parliementarian readily told the Parliament last year, if I am not mistaken, that Malaysian men cannot “tahan” to see their wife (or wives) cooking in the kitchen when they come back from work. The wife (or wives) must thus be ready to have sex with the men there and then. This was, and is still, of course readily agreed to by the Obedient Wives Club which also advocates, among others, spiritual sex. (I think the OWC took the idea of spiritual sex from the cyber sex or phone sex phenomenon).

Sorry, I digress.

Yes, Muslims in Malaysia are very weak in their “aqidah”. Solutions, anybody? Yes, ban the poco-poco dance. Ditto Valentine’s Day celebration. In Bangi, someone actually said cinemas should not be built. What else ya? Oh, yes. Electronic Bible. Ban it please. While we are it, why don’t we ban the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia as well, right? That would be a hollistic approach. Yes. Superb.

If those were not enough, we should then have a seminar titled “Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?”.

Of course, recently, we have the Erykah Badu banning. All because of some art work on her body. The most recent is Irshad Manji’s book. Over in Indonesia recently, they went gaga over a Lady Gaga concert. You all know the result, right? Yes. What else but a ban.

Looking at the trend, the enemies of Islam are not just the Israelies, the Jews, the United States and their allies. The most potent poison one could unleash against us, Mulims, is nothing but women, apparently. Send Irshad Manji and that’s it, 15 million Muslims would lose their faith soon. Send in Lady Gaga and hundreds of millions of Muslims would be out of their Islamic mind sooner than one could spell “Gaga.”

Malaysia is, however, not alone when it comes to banning things. China, which coincidentally invented paper, started banning books on philosophy which came from anywhere other than the state of Qin in the 3rd century BC. In fact, China is still leading the way in this area of socio-illogical move. Most recent is its banning of Kate Winslet’s breast in Titanic 3D movie for fear of the men reaching out to touch them in the cinema. Classic.

Books seems to be the favourite for this activity. In this regards, Islam is not the only religion in whose name books were banned. The Catholic Church had forced Peter Abelard to burn his own book, which consisted, among others, his interpretation of the Trinitarian. There was also a time when the Bible was prohibited from being translated into the vernacular. And guess what? The Catholic Church also used to have issues with Greek plays as well as Arabic and Jewish texts. Hmm…déjà vu?

In England, Henry VIII led the way. He actually did not like William Tynedale’s version of the Bible and had it, of course, banned. Not enough with that, he burned him at the stake.

Meanwhile, the “greatest nation on Earth”, aka the US of A, is not spared with this desease as well. In Masachussettes, the Quaker texts were banned. And of course, they also hanged witches at Salem. Boston saw the imprisonment of Ann Austin and Mary Fischer for texts which offended the then acting-Governor.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Apartheid staring in the face and Art talks about Valentines . . . diverting attention from apartheid again, eh Art? What a fart. Obscurist sympathies for apartheid huffed obliquely are cowardly and meaningless.

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

ARTICLE 4

No religious or gender bias in Constitution, says Mashitah – Wednesday June 20, 2012

THE Federal Constitution is not biased against the religious belief or gender of any citizen but does not say anything about one’s sexual orientation, the House heard.

“While Article 8 protects one from gender discrimination, the word ‘gender’ should not be interpreted as a person’s sexual inclination, such as being a lesbian, gay or bisexual,” Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said.

“The protection given by the Federal Constitution is meant for men and women,” she told Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Beruas) who said the Government should not use religion when dealing with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) issues and should have laws applicable to all.

Dr Mashitah said following an edict by the Fatwa Council that sex change is haram (forbidden in Islam), the National Registration Department does not allow a man who had undergone sex change to be described as a woman.

She added that the person is also not allowed to make changes to his name in his identity card.

“The Fatwa Council, which had discussed the issue, had said any surgery undergone by a person to change his or her sex is against the religion.

“Only those born with two sex organs can undergo an operation (in favour of either gender).

Therefore, the NRD will have to adhere to the decision made by the council,” Dr Mashitah said in reply to Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee (BN-Setiu).

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Oh yes there is bias. Try a UN Human Rights angle and Malaysia gets thrown out of the Human Rights Council

“The Fatwa Council, which had discussed the issue, had said any surgery undergone by a person to change his or her sex is against the religion.

However what about non-Muslim Malays AND Muslims Malays who have gone apostate? What is the NRD’s view on these persons who might want to be registered as a 3rd gender as per their given Human Rights? See below link for unresolved LGBT issues :

6 Articles on Malaysian Politics : ISA lessened in severity, still unacceptable by Human Rights Council standards, LGBT Hate NGOs need that to be reported by UN bodies, PM Najib’s Old (Indian 1 Word Pickupline) Hat, Pretentious Federal Government Feigns Weakness when working for Human Rights, Platitudes from the Propaganda Minister, Suaram Outs Security Offences Bill like the any blogger or commentator on blogs can, but takes no ACTUAL legal action to make changes for Human Rights in Malaysia, 2 articles showing the danger and opacity of DAP – posted by @AgreeToDisagree – 18th February 2012 – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 14th April 2012

ARTICLE 5

I am an anarchist and proud of it – NO HOLDS BARRED – Thursday, 21 June 2012 Super Admin – Raja Petra Kamarudin

Do you know what people like me are called? They would call me an anarchist. Anarchists are opposed to all forms of government. Anarchists are against all forms of domination and control. All governments are bad. All forms of domination and control are bad. So I am an anarchist and proud of it.

‘You miss the point, RPK’.

‘Don’t turn this into a racial issue, RPK’.

‘You need to look at the big picture, RPK’.

‘We need to focus, RPK’.

‘We first need to change the government, RPK’.

‘The corruption in BN is much worse, RPK’.

‘BN is racist, RPK’.

‘What choice do we have? We have been oppressed for more than 50 years, RPK’.

‘We are not against the Malays, just against the Umno Malays, RPK’.

‘What do you expect? The Chinese have faced discrimination for more than 50 years, RPK’.

‘Compare things with the Chinese-run Singapore or Penang and you can see the big difference, RPK’.

‘When we had a Chinese Finance Minister like Tan Siew Sin things were much better, RPK’.

‘The Chinese got rich through hard work, RPK’.

‘The Malays want a shortcut to wealth, RPK’.

‘Criticising the opposition is helping Barisan Nasional to stay in power, RPK’.

‘You are confusing the voters, RPK’.

‘We should talk about all this only after Pakatan Rakyat takes over, RPK’.

‘After Pakatan Rakyat takes over we can clean out the rot in Pakatan Rakyat, RPK’.

‘If you do not support Pakatan then you must be a Barisan stooge, RPK’.

That and much more are the arguments that many readers normally put forward to justify and defend their stand. This is called ‘working backwards’. You take a stand and then you defend that belief with an argument. Religionists use this same method and considering that 80% or so of the world believes in a religion means that this method is very effective.

How do you prove that God exists? God exists because we are here. The fact that we are here means some higher power must have created us. Hence that higher power has to be God. So, since we exist, then God must also exist. If God did not exist then we would not be here.

Does this make sense? It certainly does to those who believe in a religion.

So and so is our Prophet sent down by God. And our Prophet told us that he is the true Prophet and that his religion is the true religion. How do you know this? The Holy Book says so. Where did this Holy Book come from? It came from our Prophet and was written by the followers of our Prophet more than 100 years after he died.

Does this make sense? It certainly does to those who believe in a religion.

So you see, any argument is a good argument if you already believe in something. Your belief is intact. It does not waver. It is only that you need to justify and defend this belief. So the argument is not to help you believe. You already believe. The argument is to explain and justify your belief and make it sound sensible and credible.

You already believe in your religion. You already believe in your Prophet. You already believe that there is a God. Your arguments are to make sense of a belief that would not normally make sense unless you can argue your belief. In that same spirit, you already have a political belief. And to make sense of this political belief you also need to put forward various arguments to defend this belief.

This is called arguing in circles. Arguing in circles would be as follows. My religion is correct because my Prophet says so. My Prophet is correct because the Holy Book says so. The Holy Book is correct because it came from God through my Prophet.

Okay, let’s stop arguing in circles. Today I am going to be blunt and brutal. Today I am going to call a spade a spade. And if you don’t like that then you had better stop reading at this point and go to another Blog or website. Malaysia Today is not for the faint-hearted. Malaysia Today is not for those who like to read nice things and things that dovetail with their belief system. Malaysia Today is not for those who live in denial syndrome. Malaysia Today is no holds barred.

Politicians need businessmen to finance them. Businessmen need politicians to make money. This is so in America, in Japan, in Malaysia, and in most places in the world.

In Malaysia, however, business is the domain of the Chinese while politics is the domain of the Malays. There are, of course, Chinese politicians as there are Malay businessmen. But the Chinese politicians need to kowtow to the Malay politicians just like the Malay businessmen need to ‘Ali Baba’ with the Chinese businessmen.

Hence we need to see ‘unholy alliances’ between the Malays and Chinese. The Chinese have to help the Malays get into power and the Malays need to help the Chinese get business deals. The Chinese need to use their money to help the Malays get into power and the Malays need use their political power to help the Chinese get business deals.

Money is the route to political power and political power is the route to making money. They both need each other. One can’t live without the other. This is so in America, in Japan, in Malaysia, and in most places in the world.

So it does not matter whether it is Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, just like it does not matter whether it is Islam or Christianity. Both Islam and Christianity apply the same ‘logic’ of arguing in circles. And both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat need the same politics-business alliance formula to make it. Business fuels political power and political power fuels business. Whether in the United States, Japan or Malaysia, it is all the same.

So, yes, we do want to see a two-party system in Malaysia. So, yes, we do want to see a ruling party without hegemony in Parliament and a strong opposition that can keep the ruling party in check. But we need a third force. We need an ‘auditor’. We need a ‘police’ system. And this role must be played by us, the people, the rakyat, the voters.

What is religion? Religion is a system of domination and control. Now, please, I repeat, please do not discuss this in the context of theology. Let us discuss it in the context of history. Theology does not make sense. History does. So I do not want to discuss theology but history.

What was Jesus Christ’s mission? Did Jesus introduce a new religion? Did Jesus tell his disciples, “God sent me to you so that I can introduce a new religion to humankind called Christianity”?

Jesus Christ’s mission was to break down the system of priests and temples, the religious hierarchy, which was a political system. Jesus wanted to end the domination and control that the system had over the people. The religious system was created to control the people. And Jesus wanted to end this control and give power back to the people. Before that power was in the hands of the system.

Hence Jesus Christ was merely a leader of a reform movement, a political movement of that time. And that was why they turned on him. Jesus was a threat to the political system of priests and temples.

Then, 325 years later, the system took back this power and what by then was identified as Christianity again dominated and controlled the people through the creation of a doctrine. And those who resisted were put to death so that eventually only those who embraced the doctrine remained.

Islam went through this same process 425 years later in 750. First the Umayyads grabbed power in 661, 29 years after the death of Muhammad. Then, the Abbasids ousted the Umayyads and grabbed power. Hence Islam went through the same process that Christianity went through 425 years earlier. And to justify things, doctrines (such as Hadiths) were created and those who resisted were killed off, just like what happened in Christendom earlier.

In the end it was all about political power and control over the people. But in those days it was political power through religious doctrine. That was what motivated Emperor Constantine in 325 and also what motivated the Umayyads in 661 and the Abbasids in 750 — political power.

So, how different is it today? Today we have Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. In those days we had the Umayyads and Abbasids and, earlier, the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. The Abbasids created doctrines to justify the ousting of the Umayyads and the Eastern Roman Empire created doctrines to justify the ousting of the Western Roman Empire.

And is not Pakatan Rakyat also creating ‘doctrines’ to justify the ousting of Barisan Nasional?

Ultimately, it was all about control and political power. It still is. So we must make sure that neither Barisan Nasional nor Pakatan Rakyat controls us. Instead, we must control them. And to do that we must reject their doctrine. We need to decide that doctrine.

And that is why politicians are scared of people who are independent-minded, just like religionists are. If we are independent-minded they cannot control us. And politics, just like religion, is about control and power. In fact, religion is power, power over the minds of the people. And is not politics the same?

So, let us look at your arguments again.

‘You miss the point, RPK’.

‘Don’t turn this into a racial issue, RPK’.

‘You need to look at the big picture, RPK’.

‘We need to focus, RPK’.

‘We first need to change the government, RPK’.

‘The corruption in BN is much worse, RPK’.

‘BN is racist, RPK’.

‘What choice do we have? We have been oppressed for more than 50 years, RPK’.

‘We are not against the Malays, just against the Umno Malays, RPK’.

‘What do you expect? The Chinese have faced discrimination for more than 50 years, RPK’.

‘Compare things with the Chinese-run Singapore or Penang and you can see the big difference, RPK’.

‘When we had a Chinese Finance Minister like Tan Siew Sin things were much better, RPK’.

‘The Chinese got rich through hard work, RPK’.

‘The Malays want a shortcut to wealth, RPK’.

‘Criticising the opposition is helping Barisan Nasional to stay in power, RPK’.

‘You are confusing the voters, RPK’.

‘We should talk about all this only after Pakatan Rakyat takes over, RPK’.

‘After Pakatan Rakyat takes over we can clean out the rot in Pakatan Rakyat, RPK’.

‘If you do not support Pakatan then you must be a Barisan stooge, RPK’.

What point is that that I have missed? What big picture? Focus on what?

What choice do you have? You have a choice, a choice to determine your own destiny.

You faced oppression and discrimination for 50 years? Who voted for the same party for 50 years?

No lah, stop justifying and raising lame excuses. You are a victim of your own creation. Nobody did anything to you. You did all this to yourself. For thousands of years, people have allowed themselves to be manipulated, controlled, dominated, oppressed, suppressed, etc. They even created religion and doctrines to legitimise it. And then they scream blue murder.

I can’t see the big picture? Yes, I can. The big picture is very clear to me. It is about not giving anyone power. It is about taking back power. It is about power must be in the hands of the people.

Do you know what people like me are called? They would call me an anarchist. Anarchists are opposed to all forms of government. Anarchists are against all forms of domination and control. All governments are bad. All forms of domination and control are bad. So I am an anarchist and proud of it.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

An anarchist does not say that the OBVIOUSLY APARTHEID AND STRUCTURED (Anarchists do not abide by any structure and apartheid is structured around inequality . . . ) ‘Merdeka Social Contract’ is to be retained. RPK is a FALSE Anarchist who supports apartheid.  A crypto-racist par excellence and who knows a self-hating half blood prince. Some of us can live with a REASONABLE amount of laws. Why does RPK subvert the stability and sense of proportion of any would be leaders in the making by lobbing this ‘anarchist’ NLP? Law abiding citizens can also be against all forms of domination and control.

Who needs to be an anarchist? Chipping away from awareness of the hegelian dialectic again I see? Or just parasiting of 99%ter problems to ‘look cool’? Well don’t. Very base and subversive method of destroying the awareness of political opponents of hegelian dialectic, or disrupting the sense of proportion and political bearings of newbie champions from the masses here (so that they cannot navigate the minefield that is Malaysian politics?). Not that RPK is in any viable position to be in politics than some of us are so severely persecuted. Get back to Malaysia RPK, and run for candidacy!

ARTICLE 6

Guan Eng justifies ban on Umno-linked newspapers – by Shannon Teoh – June 22, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng appeared to justify today his administration’s decision to ban Umno-controlled newspapers instead of suing them for defamation, saying they continue to publish false reports without giving him the right of reply.

Lim (picture) was speaking to reporters in George Town just after the High Court there found Utusan Malaysia guilty of defaming him for the second time in six months, a decision he called “a victory for press freedom”.

“We welcome all newspapers including those controlled by Barisan Nasional (BN) on condition they report truthfully and give me the right of reply. But the New Straits Times and Utusan refuse me the right of reply.

“There might be upcoming suits but there are false reports by Utusan every day. I cannot sue them every day, only major cases,” the DAP secretary-general said.

A copy of the audio recording was made available to The Malaysian Insider.

Lim has previously defended Penang’s decision to ban Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, accusing it of being a party organ rather than a newspaper.

This came after reporters protested against the ban on May 3, which is World Press Freedom Day, and the Centre for Independent Journalism said a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government could not guarantee media freedom.

But the Bagan MP said he could not sue the Malay daily “every day” for its “false reports”, so he was left with no option but to bar its reporters from covering any proceedings in Penang in an act of “self-defence.”

The Penang legislative assembly adopted a motion in May 2011 barring the newspaper following unverified reports on the renovation costs of Lim’s rented residence, and an alleged plot by the DAP and the church to turn Malaysia into a Christian state.

The Penang High Court today found Utusan Malaysia guilty of defaming Lim and ordered the Umno daily to pay him RM200,000 in damages and RM250,000 in costs.

The Penang CM had claimed a March 12, 2008 article headlined “Tiada Lagi DEB (No More NEP)” in the Malay-language newspaper which said he would abolish the New Economic Policy was inaccurate.

He added he had merely said his administration would be free from the “cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency” stemming from the policy.

The ruling follows the December 2011 judgment by the Penang High Court that an Utusan article titled “Kebiadapan Guan Eng” had “maliciously defamed Lim, and made him and the DAP look as if they are anti-Malay and anti-Islam.”

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

There is only censorship or freedom of speech. There is no justification for selective persecution that has occurred here against the media. Hating UMNO’s racism is one thing but Guan Eng and hence DAP (which should have DAP members dissociating with Guan Eng’s tyrannical decision to show they are better) is no better than UMNO for trying to justify away the right to free speech. We don’t need CMs like that (especially term unlimited and quorumless installed by their parents) as much as we don’t need UMNO’s racists.

ARTICLE 7

Monday, 25 June 2012 23:13 – ‘Pendatang’ slurs: Don’t downplay issue to escape taking action – Kit Siang tells Najib – by  Lim Kit Siang

In trying to downplay the “pendatang” (immigrants) slur oft made against non-Malay Malaysians, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is admitting to two things:

Firstly, the failure of his 1Malaysia Policy which he announced when he became Prime Minister 39 months ago with the objective to create a Malaysia where every Malaysian regard himself or herself as Malaysian first and race, religion, region and socio-economic status second;

Secondly, his inability and impotence to do anything to counter and wipe out this divisive and insidious mindset which perpetuates a false, mischievous and anti-national division of Malaysians, which is particularly ludicrous when the first-generation local born of one community could call on a fourth, fifth or sixth-generation local born of another community to “balik China” or “balik India”!

In his dialogue with Chinese youths at University Malaya yesterday, Najib urged the Chinese community not to be offended by people who call them pendatang (immigrants) because such remarks are made by a handful of “lunatics” with “loose screws”.

He said those who utter such remarks intentionally say so to hurt the feelings of the Chinese community and that his administration does not share such views.

He said: “I hope we are not too hurt by one or two comments. In every community, there are always one or two individuals whose heads are not quite right.”

Is it true only one or two loose screws?

Najib’s answer would be most assuring if it is true that it is only “one or two lunatics” with “loose screws” who made such offensive, insidious and anti-national remarks.

However, this is not the case.

In actual fact, the “pendatang” slur is most potent proof of the failure of Malaysian nation-building in the past five decades as well Najib’s 1Malaysia policy, as it is not confined to “one or two lunatics” but infected the highest levels of politics and government because of decades of Biro Tata Negara (BTN) indoctrination of civil servants and public officers.

Najib’s own special officer to the Prime Minister, Datuk Nasir Safar for instance had labeled Indians and Chinese as “pendatang” and added insult to injury in declaring that “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially women came to sell their bodies”.

Two years ago, at the launch of the Merdeka celebrations of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Kulai, the school principal Hajah Siti Inshah binti Monsar said:

“Pelajar-pelajar Cina tidak diperlukan dan boleh balik ke China ataupun Sekolah Foon Yew. Bagi pelajar India, tali sembahyang yang diikat di pergelangan tangan dan leher pelajar nampak seakan anjing dan hanya anjing akan mengikat seperti itu.”

Malaysians of course still remember the incident in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election in August 2008 where an UMNO division chief referred to the Malaysian Chinese as pendatang orang tumpang and totally untrustworthy Malaysians.

The “pendatang” slur is not the result of “loose screws” of “one or two lunatics” but the result of decades of the poison of anti-national indoctrination by state agencies like the BTN perpetuating Malaysians into two classes of people.

Will Najib do anything concrete

What has the Najib administration done under its 1Malaysia policy to develop an official policy backed up by a national consensus that only “lunatics” with “screws loose” would make the “pendatang” slur, and classifying it as a divisive, treacherous and anti-national point of view which must be condemned by all patriotic and rational Malaysians?

Malaysia will be celebrating our 55th National Day on August 31.

Is Najib prepared to send out a clear and unmistakable message that in line with his 1Malaysia policy, those who continue to regard the Chinese and Indians as “kaum pendatang” are lunatic, positively anti-national who must be condemned by all rational and patriotic Malaysians in unequivocal terms and who should have no place in Malaysian politics or public service?

Lim Kit Siang is the DAP MP for Ipoh Timur

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Writing laws that remove politicians that do not keep campaign promises will be a good start, Mr. Unable-to-Keep-Campaign-Promises and ‘places’ own children in CM’s posts without votes or quorums will be concerete. Removal of term limitless politicians from Dewan will also be concrete. Well Najib, time to give LKS the concrete LKS is asking for. Najib in these statements appears to be targetting the racist lot, good show Najib but for the lack of concrete . . .

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;should out the Opposition quite nicely and laws against limitless term MPs should shut LKS and ‘Family Bloc’ DAP, up once and for all. Legislate the above now Najib, for certain that 2nd term will be yours and we will be rid of nepotists on all sides (especially the quorumless CM types placed in power by their fathers), and being such a good guy to protect the Rakyat with teh above from term limitless creeps, could even be  a good buffer against that Altantunya case . . .

Is Najib prepared to counter ‘Nepotist’ and ‘Limitless Term’ Mindset FIRST? (Start with DAP’s cliques and dynasties, would be very good for the Rakyat to be aware, of course after that second term as PM – if even possible – end nepotism WITHIN BN also, but do start with Pakatan, or 3rd Force will have to lead the way . . . )

ARTICLE 8

BN leaders want quick polls, tired of pushy businessmen, unions – by Jahabar Sadiq – June 25, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — Fatigue and the constant threat of being under the gun from special interest groups, businessmen, unions and warlords are making the prospect of a longer wait for polls unpalatable for Barisan Nasional (BN) ministers and leaders.

Sources told The Malaysian Insider that the consensus among ministers and BN leaders is that they want the polls sooner rather than at the end of the year. The reason: voters know that the polls are going to be a tough one for Umno/BN, so ministers are under pressure to give out contracts, licences, approved permits (APs) and other concessions.

If the ministers don’t appear keen on meeting requests from party warlords and special interest groups, the sources say the ministers are told not so subtly that they could lose votes to Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which is gunning to capture Putrajaya in the next elections after its success in Election 2008.

“Sooner is better than later for the next elections. BN leaders cleared June and July for polls but now it seems it will be after the Budget, putting more pressure on them,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.

The budget will be tabled on September 28. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (picture) has not indicated when the polls will be held but said it could be called during the pilgrimage season around the haj on October 26.

BN ministers and leaders feel that if elections are called soon, the ruling federal coalition will win, not with two-thirds majority but better than Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government in 2008.

Waiting till the later part of year is fraught with own risks of a slowing economy and the possibility of more infighting for seats and position, apart from more “threats and demands” from power brokers and unions, said another source.

He said that what was clear is that no one in BN, not the ministers or strategists, believes that the polls will be a walkover although Najib has said the coalition can get back its two-thirds majority and win in all 13 states and the Kuala Lumpur federal territory.

BN lost four states — Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor and failed to win Kelantan in 2008. It got back Perak in February 2009 after several PR lawmakers quit their pact, giving BN the majority.

The Malaysian Insider has learnt that the BN leaders privately agree it is tricky to get urban seats especially in the west coast of the Malay peninsula. The blunder over using what is seen as excessive force during the Bersih rallies in the past year has also reduced support for BN.

There is also concern over the fight to be the mentri besar in Johor, Kedah and Perlis. Umno is hoping to win back Kedah with deputy minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir as the top choice for the post although he doesn’t hold a state party post while Johor MB Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman has been in office since 1995.

“Many are jostling for the MB posts and that is a headache for Najib,” said a source, adding an initial list of MBs has already been prepared.

An election must be called by next April 28, otherwise Parliament will be automatically dissolved and a general election held within 60 days.

Those familiar with Najib’s thinking say he is cautious and meticulous about ensuring an emphatic victory so as not to share Abdullah’s fate of losing his office despite getting a simple majority in 2008.

Many have blamed Abdullah for the shock loss, especially the influential Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Najib has been working hard to revive and regain support for the country’s only ruling coalition since Merdeka, when it had been called the Alliance.

“Najib has said an election is war and one has to be prepared for war. That [the election is] not being called shows they are not as prepared as he wants them to be,” a BN strategist had told The Malaysian Insider.

The strategist pointed out that while Najib remains popular with the public, receiving a 65 per cent approval rating in the last Merdeka Center poll, the government is not as popular — securing only a 48 per cent approval in a survey done after the Bersih rally on April 28. The results for Najib’s Umno were not revealed but are said to be even lower.

A BN leader recalled that even when Dr Mahathir grew unpopular for sacking Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998, Umno and BN were well-accepted enough to carry the vote and form the federal government with a two-third majority, although the ruling coalition lost Terengganu.

He also pointed out that Abdullah had a 71 per cent approval rating going into Election 2008 but still lost the supermajority and four states.

Some 12 million are eligible to vote if elections are called this year, up from the nine million in 2008. According to Election Commission (EC) statistics, around 40 per cent of these are young voters.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

So-called ‘leaders’ are mere citizens who should GTFO of Dewan after 2 terms whatever political group they are working from. The nepotistic and term limitless, also racist MPs and assemblymen are not viable candidates. Businessmen should see fit to take down their bloated citizens posing as leaders, kick these ‘leaders’ out of the system and who knows, even create a more ethical environment instead of benefit crony capitalism which has destroyed and indebted the West.

‘He also pointed out that Abdullah had a 71 per cent approval rating going into Election 2008 but still lost the supermajority and four states.’

This is because of political capitalist nepotism that Abdullah ignored and grew into after gaining power, and also Khairy’s lack of political savvy and arrogance, also greed. Family blocs tend to cause this sort of effect. 3rd world politics should be done away with.

ARTICLE 9

Tunku’s son joins think-tank to revive dad’s vision – June 25, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — The son of Malaysia’s first prime minister has joined the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) as its special adviser, boosting the local think-tank’s bid to revive Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj’s vision for the country.

“Tunku Nerang (picture) and his wife Datin Seri Liliana have been long-standing supporters of IDEAS’s commitment to revive the vision of Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra,” the think-tank’s president, Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, said in a statement today.

“To have the son of Bapa Kemerdekaan join us as a Special Adviser will give us even more impetus and inspiration to further discover, research and share the forgotten legacy of the Almarhum Tunku and his colleagues,” the Negri Sembilan prince added.

IDEAS was founded two years ago by Tunku Zain and two others, to promote market-based solutions to public policy challenges. It was ranked the world’s 18th best new think-tank by the University of Pennsylvania and the United Nations University in a joint 2010 Global Go-To Think Tank Report.

The trio were inspired by Tunku Abdul Rahman’s proclamation of independence in 1957 for Malaysia to “be forever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations”.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Takes more than looking like someone to make a difference. And Malaysia is full of limelight loving copycats and liars . . . Tunku’s relation to Abdul Rahman actually ‘normalizes’ nepotism though ever so obliquely, but ESPECIALLY so when the common voter’s lack of understanding of the dangers of nepotism is an issue and rampant in government causing great harm against democracy, should IDEAS set a good example. IDEAS seems to be treading a fine ethical line here, that IDEAS doubtlesss will be too lazy or ‘bodek’ to want to address. Lets hope  Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz could start by giving views on :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Issues-wise, IDEAS has floundered and tiptoed about clearly speaking about the ‘Merdeka Social Contract’s’ failure via the Reid Commission, and acknowledgment that Bumiputra Special Privileges are indeed a form of apartheid. One wonders if Tunku’s presence here means a change for better in propagating truth of Malaysia’s fundamentally flawed state (due to Bumiputr Apartheid and Malay Reserve Land) or just another limelighter who will make no changes but bask in the ethos an NGO like IDEAS provides.

The trio were inspired by Tunku Abdul Rahman’s proclamation of independence in 1957 for Malaysia to “be forever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations”. But without acknowledgement of the above facts and 3 items, IDEAS is just another lame outfit filled with possible beneficiaries of Bumiputra Apartheid who are likely cryptoracists at heart. Address the above 3 issues honestly . . . end the apartheid . . .

Private NGOs are not publicly accountable on their stand on nepotism, so there can be no case for criticism except on the moral and ethical angle – but not legalistic  (yet).

ARTICLE 10

PM says will end monopoly of taxi licence ownership – UPDATED @ 05:37:02 PM 24-06-2012 – by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal – June 24, 2012

The PM today called the leasing of taxis “a form of modern-day slavery” that he abhors. — file pic
BUKIT JALIL, June 24 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak moved today to woo the country’s 70,000-strong contingent of taxi drivers by pledging to phase out the current practice of awarding taxi licences to companies.

The prime minister promised a “new model” for all taxi drivers, saying the government will award individual licences to them instead.

“In one or two years’ time, we are moving to introduce a new taxi model (system). We are in the midst of framing it.

“I don’t like it when I hear that companies get too many taxi licences. The era where we give taxi licences to individual companies will end,” Najib said today, to cheers from a 10,000-strong audience mainly comprising of taxi drivers.

“We will provide individuals with a new system. The interests of the individual taxi driver will be taken care of as best as possible.

“The leasing of taxis is a form of modern-day slavery which I do not like,” the Barisan Nasional (BN) chief stressed.

Plans to revamp the licensing system of taxis will be included in the government’s new programme titled TR1MA (Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia) — a collaborative effort between the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture as well as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Najib said 1MDB has pledged to allocate RM35 million a year to subsidise the purchase cost of car tyres for all taxi drivers.

“Each taxi driver will receive a subsidy voucher for tyres totalling RM520 per year…whereby every taxi driver will get one set of free tyres every year at predetermined outlets.

“They can be obtained from about 300 tyre service centres nationwide,” the PM added.

Besides that, he said the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry will provide a RM1 million insurance fund for all taxi drivers throughout Malaysia.

“Taxi drivers have to be satisfied, their welfare needs to be looked after,” Najib stressed.

He pointed out that taxi drivers played a major role in shaping the opinions of tourists who came to Malaysia.

“They are an important group in forming the image and perception tourists have of the government and country.

“We gather here to express our gratitude to a group within society who have a big role,” Najib said.

The Umno president urged taxi drivers to help the government shape a good reputation for the country.

“If a tourist gets in a taxi and see a nice smile on the driver instead of an angry face, then they will assume that all Malaysians are like that,” he said.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

A taxi driver with a private licence AND freedom from apartheid will be twice as smiley. This is also btw a 1960s socialist change in laws that China could probably have already implemented WITHOUT retaining apartheid. But thats good to hear, great for the taxi drivers. And yet taxi drivers should know apartheid has no place, private licence or not. Don’t mistake the trees for a forest . . .

ARTICLE 11

4,430 top students need not repay PTPTN loans – June 23, 2012

JOHOR BARU, June 23 — Those who scored first-class honours in their bachelor’s degree before 2010 need not repay their Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan.

This follows the government agreeing to widen the policy to convert the loans to scholarships.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (picture) said the move to convert loans to scholarships for students who scored outstanding results was decided on June 15.

He said 4,430 students, comprising from both private and public universities, who obtained excellent results had their PTPTN loans converted to scholarships since July 1, 2005. This involved a total amount of RM116.2 million.

“These students are required to submit their official offer letters to PTPTN, together with a copy of their certified first-class degrees, examination results, student declaration and accreditation certificate from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency,” he added.

Mohamed Khaled was speaking to reporters after launching the National Education Savings Scheme and handing over cash advance loans to 255 students in the Pasir Gudang constituency here today.

The Pasir Gudang MP said the decision to extend the convertible policy was made to acknowledge outstanding students, besides encouraging others to obtain excellent results. — Bernama

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

30-100K times 4 thousand+ students loans stolen from the taxpayers courtesy of the BN government! Fail! How unprofessional can BN get? Debts MUST be returned, this is NOT BN’s money, this is the TAXPAYER’S MONEY. That money is not to go to people who cannot keep their word about returning debts! 1-4+ billion loss for 4K+ unethical people who should be marked as criminals instead of being let loose in society with bad ethics! Even if they take 20 years to return, no problem. But to write off is the laziest and most mediocre option possible. BN wants votes and BN will throw away tax payer monies without a care for people who did honestly return PTPTN loans or pay their taxes on time. Could the Bar Council or the Judiciary challenge this decision? Ridiculous and  offensive BN government, even as PR is nepotistic and clique centred as well as term limitless. GTFO of  Dewan, terrible and worse than jaguh kampung or whatever tempurung mindset! Too unprofessional and unstatesmanlike. Answer to the Rakyat!

BN is corrupt and racist, Pakatan is ethically corrupt and unprincipled, has not spoken against racism. Vote instead for 3rd Force Parties like : KITA, JATI, MCLM (whats left of MCLM), PCM, Borneo Front, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM, ABU, PRS, STAR etc..

Malaysians need :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Not this self serving hegelian dialectic b.s. from BN and PR.

ARTICLE 12

DAP councillor accused of diverting legal job to fellow party member – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Friday, 29 June 2012 Super Admin

There is proof: Ching answering a question during the press conference. Also present was Selangor BN coordinator Datuk Seri Ir Mohd Zin Mohamed.

(The Star) – A DAP councillor from the Petaling Jaya City Council has been accused for allegedly diverting a legal job to a law firm belonging to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng after it was initially given to another legal firm via a tender process.

Klang MCA Youth Chief Ching Eu Boon who showed documents as proof of his claim, said the contract which involved litigation work for a debt case was initially given to Messrs Daim and Gamany for RM15,000 via tender on Mar 26, 2011.

In June 16, last year the MBPJ legislative sub-committee met and decided to offer the job to Lim’s law firm which goes under the name of Messrs Stella, Lim and Co, which charged a fee of RM55,000.

“It is believed that MBPJ councillor and DAP party member Tiew Way Keng, who chaired the meeting had misused her powers by awarding the job to Lim’s law firm despite quoting a fee three times higher than the initial fee of RM15,000,” he told a news conference in Shah Alam.

Although the sub-committee consists of 17 members, Ching named Tiew, Chan Chee Kong and Derek Fernandez as the only three councillors who attended the meeting.

“According to MBPJ Audit Department’s records, Fernandez was quoted as leaving the meeting early due to personal matters while Chan claimed ignorance on the appointment of a law firm that was linked to Lim, a DAP party member.

“How could the decision to award a contract be decided by only two members?” Ching asked.

He alleged that the incident only reflected that DAP practises dirty politics while its councillors were only interested in obtaining contracts for the sole purpose of making money for themselves.

He added that the details he received on the case was given to him by sources from DAP.

“Many DAP members are unhappy with their leadership. They (DAP members) tell me that their leaders say one thing and do another,” Ching claimed.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Just like the ‘bait and switch’ method used against the voters, saying that MPs will declare assets BEFORE elections, THEN only having EXCO (appoionted intead of elected at quorum to boot – another campaign lie) declare assets instead of MPs. Can any citizen vote for people who lie within lies in this manner? Nepotism and culture of entitlement based on oligarchy and limitless terms typified DAP’s undemocratic culture. Vote for 3rd Force instead, and not BN still, as BN is racist, while PR is corrupted and a liar filled with undemocratic practices.

ARTICLE 13

Should we continue paying taxes? — Lucius Goon – June 30, 2012

JUNE 30 — My wife and I pay our taxes on time and we are assessed at the highest tax bracket. We never avoided or evaded taxes and viewed it as a moral duty.

But let me put in a caveat. I believe the time has come for us taxpayers (and this excludes 90 per cent of civil servants, Umno politicians and their nominees as well as rent-seekers) to consider a campaign of civil disobedience against paying taxes until the government of the day can show that it can utilise this revenue in a responsible way.

I am not talking about the world record holidays/trips abroad taken by the prime minister and the first family or his cabinet ministers. I am referring to the over-the-top spending by the Barisan Nasional government to stay in power.

It seems like every day is Christmas for this prime minister. Tyres for taxi drivers, cash for Malaysians, a few million for this group and another few million for that group.

And then there is the never-ending slush money for BN MPs, the latest being RM1.5 million for every one of those jokers in Parliament. Yes, you and I are sponsoring Mohamed Aziz of Sri Gading.

If that were not enough, we have an MRT project that seems to get more expensive by the day and which is being parcelled out to the rich and connected.

Oh, I forgot, we have an LRT that also gets more expensive by the day and which is being parcelled out to the rich, unqualified and connected.

And then are the billions being spent on infrastructure projects that the country does not need, just so that Najib can make some powerful Umno politician happy.

Basically, my wife and I are working like crazy to pay taxes, which are then used by a corrupt, racist and morally-bankrupt regime to stay in power. Not only that, our hard-earned money is being lavished on people who are allergic to work: Umno politicians and cybertroopers.

I am interested to hear from right-minded Malaysians on whether the time is right for a campaign to stop paying taxes until we can put in place a government that understands it is a steward of our money.

At present, the people in Putrajaya are behaving like feudal lords, “taxing their subjects and spending as they see fit.”

* Lucius Goon reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Ask the MPs to find out which of them intend to lower taxes to decide who is votable. Then ask about changing election deposits too. The system as is disallows the poorest in society from joining politics. This is undemocratric and low minded wealth and greed oriented of the government. Anyone should not be prevented for running for candidacy simply because they are too poor. I propose that a flat 1 month’s salary or 1% of total liquid asset of any person be imposed on any and all people who want to run for election – then also impose 2 term limits.

ARTICLE 14

Lim slams Penang police – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Sunday, 01 July 2012 Super Admin

The Penang police did not act fast enough when the chief minister was harassed yesterday. Lim wonders if the same would have happpened if the prime minister had been harassed.

(FMT) – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has taken the Penang police to task for failing to provide adequate protection for him and not taking stern action against the Perkasa member who harassed him in Teluk Bahang yesterday.

Lim was brushed hard over his shoulder area by a Perkasa member yesterday while he was in the wet market complex for a ‘meet-the-people’ session.

The young man who harassed Lim had to be pushed away by some local village security and development committee (JKKK) members before Lim could be escorted to his car. Lim was uninjured but expressed shock over the incident

Earlier in the day, some 10 Perkasa members had gathered at the market to protest against Lim. They had also thrown posters at Lim just as he arrived at the market.

Lim said today that although the police were informed of the event and were present, they failed to take any quick action when the incident had occurred.

“Dragging the Perkasa member away from threatening my safety should have been the duty and responsibility of the police, not Pakatan Rakyat local leaders.

“The failure of the police to offer adequate protection was followed by the failure of the police to immediately arrest the Perkasa member involved.

“Just imagine how harsh police reaction would have been if this had involved the prime minister and not the Pakatan chief minister,” he said today.

He added that the lack of action against Malay right wing group Perkasa will only serve to embolden the group. The police, he said, should have immediately arrested the young man.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Thats what happens when enemies are emboldened by clique and nepotism based party MISRULE and false election promises. They lost respect for LGE who could not even hold a single unbiased Local Council Election or seperate family from faith from state work from democracy. LGE and the Lim family bloc are a blight on DAP that emboldens this sort of behaviour. TERM limitless, excluding and parrots and self serving copycats. Would be allies of DAP are inclined to beome enemies, existing enemies of DAP are inclined to reseort to increasingly vicious treatment of DAP. ‘Great’ b.s. leadership DAP! The police should slam Lim instead! Drag off the old sod to court and prison for LIMITLESS TERMS and NEPOTISM!

3rd Force, ready to take over where DAP has failed?

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

BN has the mandate but will not act, so UNVOTABLE. PR wants the mandate but does not speak as well as has a slew of failed promises, so unvotable. 3rd Force is the only way forward.

BN and PR fail. Vote 3rd Force . . .

12 Articles : 6 Articles on Throwing Taxpayer Money vs. Value added policy writing for Votability, and Upgrading Outdated Voting Methods, 4 Articles on Rethinking Society and the dated ‘Education’ method of Raising One’s Stature, 2 Articles on Stars – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 26th May 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, advice, age is in the mind, amendments to law needed, Bad By-Laws, bad laws, best practices, better judgments, checks and balances, cost saving, critical discourse, cult of personality, Democracy, democratisation, Education, education as a spiritual weapon, Equality, equitable political power distribution, equitable wealth distribution, feminist saboteurs, gender politics, hegelian dialectic, media, media traps, media tricks, mindless consumerism, mob mentality, moving up, neglectful functionaries, neutral spaces, one level up, out of context, Plutocracy, political correctness, preventing vested interest, social class distinct programmes, social freedoms, spirit of the word, Technology, unprofessional behaviour, women, word of the law, wrong priority on May 25, 2012 at 6:55 pm

*************************************************************************
6 Articles on Throwing Taxpayer Money vs. Value added policy writing for Votability
*************************************************************************

ARTICLE 1

Cut tax to flat 30% rate, axe stamp duty and ditch national insurance: An expert’s plan to boost the economy – by Political Correspondent – PUBLISHED: 00:08 GMT, 21 May 2012 | UPDATED: 09:48 GMT, 21 May 2012

George Osborne has faced calls for a flat rate of income tax. The Chancellor should introduce a flat rate of income tax and abolish levies such as national insurance, stamp duty and inheritance tax to boost the economy, experts have said. They are calling for a single income tax rate of 30 per cent and the abolition of eight major taxes, including corporation tax and air passenger duty. The 2020 Tax Commission, a joint project from the Institute of Directors and the TaxPayers’ Alliance, says the changes would lead to a tax cut of £3,400 for the average two-earner household. A 400-page report from the group concludes that the measures could lead to an 8.4 per cent increase in the UK’s gross domestic product after 15 years – the equivalent of lending £5,000 to each family.

Allister Heath, chairman of the commission, said: ‘It is time for Britain to make a vital choice between tweaking the status quo and letting our economy continue to be crippled by complex and punitive taxes, and drastically changing course with a radical but realistic plan for a tax system fit for the 21st century.’ Under the plans, both employee and employer national insurance contributions would be scrapped and replaced with a single 30 per cent rate of tax on income, with a £10,000 personal allowance.

Plans: Allister Heath, the chairman of the 2020 Tax Commission, says the current tax rate is ‘crippling’ the economy

Corporation tax and capital gains tax would be replaced with a 30 per cent tax on dividends, interest and rent, and inheritance tax and stamp taxes on land and shares would be dropped, as well as air passenger duty. Fuel duty would be cut by 5p.

Overall, taxation would be limited to a third of national income – as would public spending. The proposed flat-rate income tax would increase the budget deficit by £49.1billion in its first year if the changes were not phased in, or if there were no further cuts to public spending. However, the commission predicts that the boost to the economy would result in a £35billion fall in annual borrowing after 15 years. It says the measures would result in a tax cut of around £3,400 for a two-earner household with an income of £28,000.

¦ Collecting taxes costs as much now as it did 50 years ago, figures show. Despite technological advances, bureaucracy accounts for £1.14 of every £100 collected, compared with £1.16 in 1958. A report from the TaxPayers’ Alliance, based on data from the Paris-based Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development, revealed that since 2001 the annual cost has been less than 1 per cent of tax income just once.

Commentator comments :

Is the DM stupid or what… I’d quite like to live in la-la land where tax is zippo %… There is Bob Hope, no hope and envelopes chance of the government making the average person £3k better off. Purely because it’s 3k they wouldn’t have!

– silvertail, midlands, 21/5/2012 12:12

Once again, a proposal to stick it to families that scrimp and save to allow one parent to stay home with the children. Traditional families are apparently evil and must be stopped. Such a statement about this country.

– anon, uk, 21/5/2012 12:11

So, a two-earner household benefits, and pensioners pay 50% more tax than at present. There seems to be a concerted effort to solve the aging problem by starving the elderly to an early death. In a few years time they will wonder why they have thousands of old people on the streets begging for coppers. Oh, but those who don’t retire until 2016 will get bigger pensions, so it’s just those of us who got caught in the middle who will suffer. Thanks a lot!

– PAJ, Sussex, 21/5/2012 12:11

Angy Anderson 11.50 Who really knows where our money goes and what it is used for. When I began work at seventeen I was told I would pay tax and national Insurance. I would be entitled to a weekly payment if I lost my job and I would receive a pension at sixty. I would also receive treatment on the NHS and dental treatment on the NHS. I am not getting a pension at sixty so the government has broken a contract with me and thousands of others like me. Tax and National Insurance is all the same, forced to pay but get little out of it.

– Mrs Iri-Tated, UK, 21/5/2012 12:11

Until the suits understand the simple concept of *sharing* things will never change.

– june, bedworth, 21/5/2012 12:08

And the rich get richer.

– Barking Mad, Lancashire, 21/5/2012 12:05

The suffering 99% should all be given a course in basic economy . Atleast their mind will not get agitated and confused when they suffer . Unless the rich and the wealthy get richer and wealthier , how can the 99% pick up more crumbs from under the table, silly ? It is for the good of the 99% only that it is important that the rich and the wealthy should become richer and wealthier . For the orderly existence of the universe we all should have an all- powerful God , for the orderly existence of the world we should have one superpower. Similarly, for the orderly existence of the superpower , we should have a 1% or even less number of the super-rich ! It’s Nature’s Law…Elementary , dear Watson!

– Zeitgeist, London , uk, 21/5/2012 12:05

Looking at the worst comments, I see a lot of people don’t understand how percentages work…

– Sres, Chorley, 21/5/2012 12:02

THis is an EXCELLENT IDEA and has been mooted more than the ONCE. THis type of scheme WORKS as the rate of tax is low enough to not AVOID or EVADE. THus everyone will pay as it is not worth avoiding. It will be easy to collect and thus we can get rid of a lot of Tax Collectors!!! This has happened in some of the Eastern Eurpoean countires and they soon found that they were running a positive budget and had to cut the rate of tax so as too not build up too much SURPLUS. It will take a TOUGH GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS and iMPLIMENT but it would be fantastic !!! LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY not the fools in charge !!!!

– Tel BOY, Bromley Kent, 21/5/2012 11:58
Rating   2

Bill Crawley West Sussex. I don’t agree with the proposals but you have forgotten that you will stop paying NI contributions that are currently around 12% of earnings above £146 per week.

– Puzzled, Southampton UK, 21/5/2012 11:57
Clic

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Politicians (2 terms only, or no votes for the Oligarch MP in question) could try this below tax strategy for ‘winnability’ in politics :

Profit margins of Telecommunications companies (also ALL companies) may not exceed 10 times overhead costs once the CEO has reached wealth level of 20 million. All excess profit must be returned to the state for re-distribution. Maximum sequesterable funds by a company is at a quantum of 10 times whatever the total invested by shareholders. Excess may not be sequesterable if insufficient.

Penalties may not be levied by banks for early repayment. Interest is waived from point of early payment.
Housing Developers may not be affiliated to lawyers or financing firms.

ARTICLE 2

‘Cut interest rate to zero’: IMF calls on Bank of England to go below 0.5% to boost Britain’s faltering economy – By James Chapman – PUBLISHED: 11:11 GMT, 22 May 2012 | UPDATED: 11:41 GMT, 22 May 2012

Christine Lagarde has said that the move will be good for UK homeowners and businesses
A zero rate would be the first in the Bank of England’s 300-year history

Tough: Christine Lagarde has told the Bank of England to cut the record rate even lower to help Britain’s ailing economy. The head of the world’s economic watchdog today delivered an extraordinary call for the Bank of England to slash interest rates even further to try to boost the economy. Christine Lagarde, of the International Monetary Fund, said the Bank should ‘reassess the efficacy’ of cutting rates below the current record low of 0.5 per cent to reduce the cost of borrowing for businesses and homeowners. Her intervention raises the prospect of the first zero per cent interest rate since the Bank of England was founded in 1694. Japan cut rates to zero in the 1990s when it suffered a decade-long depression. Mme Lagarde also suggested that the Bank considers a fresh round of money printing — so-called ‘quantitative easing’ – to stimulate growth. Both measures would be grim news for savers, who have already been hit hard by low interest rates and earlier rounds of QE.

The IMF boss, in London to deliver her annual assessment of the UK economy, delighted Chancellor George Osborne with a strong endorsement of the coalition’s deficit reduction measures. She said that when she looked back to the last election in May 2010, and tried to imagine what would have happened to the British economy without the Government’s austerity programme: ‘I shiver.’  Pressure: The Bank of England has held interest rates at 0.5% for several years but is being asked to go further.

Mme Lagarde backed a suggestion by David Cameron that the Government should consider using hard-won credibility on the international money markets, which mean Britain is able to borrow at record lows, to do more to underwrite infrastructure and housing projects and loans to small businesses. The IMF also suggested there was scope for the Government to boost growth through higher spending on infrastructure projects, which would increase employment and demand within the economy and could be funded within existing budgets by imposing further public sector wage restraint or reforming property taxes. If the UK recovery fails to take off, ministers must be prepared to use temporary tax cuts and more infrastructure investment to give the economy a shot in the arm, even if this means reining in the Government’s austerity programme, the watchdog added. Chancellor George Osborne says the IMF report is backing the Coalition’s economic strategy

Welcoming the report, Chancellor George Osborne said: ‘The IMF couldn’t be clearer today. Britain has to deal with its debts and the Government’s fiscal policy is the appropriate one and an essential part of our road to recovery. ‘I welcome the IMF’s continuing support for the UK deficit reduction plan. They agree that, in their words ‘reducing the high structural deficit remains essential’ and make clear in their statement that they consider the current pace of fiscal consolidation to be appropriate. Mr Osborne said the eurozone was reaching a ‘critical point’ and confirmed that Britain was preparing to deal with the shock of a failure in the single currency. ‘In the UK, we have a flexible exchange rate and an independent monetary policy which allows us to ease the process of fiscal adjustment with a lower exchange rate and supportive monetary policy,’ he said.

‘But in the eurozone, indebted countries have to deal with high budget deficits without that support. ‘It is clear that we are now reaching a critical point for the eurozone. ‘Eurozone countries need to stand behind their currency or face up to the prospect of Greek exit, with all the risks that that could involve. ‘The British Government is doing contingency planning for all potential outcomes. It is our responsibility to ensure that while we work for the best, we prepare for something worse. ‘The IMF must also prepare for the consequences if members in Europe don’t follow its advice.’

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Interest rates based on earnings :

ARTICLE 3

Microbloggers post Locke’s assets online – by Xu Tianran (Global Times) – 08:22, May 16, 2012

Chinese Web users have posted details of US ambassador to China Gary Locke’s personal assets to their microblogs after a Beijing newspaper demanded Locke disclose his personal assets. Richard Buanga, spokesman of the US embassy in China who uses the Chinese name Bao Riqiang, also responded to the newspaper yesterday by uploading the foreign services salary table issued by the US Department of State. The Guangdong-based New Express Daily first reported the episode Monday, saying many Web users are encouraging the Beijing newspaper to make the same demand of officials in the capital. Beijing Daily, official newspaper of the municipal Party committee, demanded on its Sina Weibo that US ambassador to China Gary Locke announce his personal assets on Monday.

“Gary Locke, please declare your assets,” the microblog post commented, after reposting a microblog user’s opinion that read, “Gary Locke lives in the US embassy which costs billions of US dollars. He commutes in a bullet-proof Limousine…can this be called modesty? And why does Gary Locke not announce these facts to the public? …So cut the show of incorruptibility!”

The newspaper ran an editorial early this month criticizing Gary Locke for traveling in economy class and using coupons to buy coffee, among other things that drew the attention of the Chinese public, as a way of promoting his image. However, the newspaper’s latest Weibo posts immediately became a new focus for the Chinese online community. Despite the fact that the newspaper’s microblog filters comments, tens of thousands of Web users managed to make sarcastic remarks by reposting the original content. Observers said a foreign ambassador’s residence or expenditure has nothing to do with the host country’s taxpayers in the first place. But Web users showed more interest in why the practice of asset disclosure has not been applied to Chinese officials. A Central Party School newspaper said yesterday that China needs 10 years to implement asset declaration by officials. Government officials in China are now required to submit annual reports about their incomes, assets and information about their spouses and children. But the information is kept within related government departments. The Beijing Daily deleted its original post yesterday without elaborating on the reason. The Sina Weibo also began to manage the information flow yesterday by encrypting Web users’ comments.

Though the government is pushing forward the idea of making officials’ assets more transparent, it still needs years to be fully realized. And obviously Chinese people are more interested in the wealth of Chinese officials than that of foreign officials, said Lin Zhe, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Though the government is pushing forward the idea of making officials’ assets more transparent, it still needs years to be fully realized.

Years? This would mean all assets would have been spread out to relatives, hidden or transfered to easily moved items like diamonds and gold by then. I really hope this is the last generation of plutocrats that have benefited from being in government. Otherwise, if honest, all declarations should be done in as soon as 1 week voluntarily on public sites. A disappointing reality that could still be identifiable and corrected. How about just declaring then re-distributing immediately if above USD$ 20 million? China is Communist Red not Capitalist Green. No plutocrats until the rest of the nation catches up.

ARTICLE 4

Levitating cars already here – Note the below advert :

http://www.1ststoptravelstore.com/Astronomy/Venus_levitating_globe.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.1ststoptravelstore.com/Astronomy/Venus_Levitating_globe.htm&usg=__CqGy5Bjyu0zmKMFeFHQfvOR6_bA=&h=512&w=384&sz=23&hl=en&start=13&zoom=1&tbnid=7vVMlm3rgGFO6M:&tbnh=131&tbnw=98&ei=-YS_T57xG8yqrAegk73KCQ&um=1&itbs=1

Levitating Globe on Stage – Innovative levitating world globe continuously rotates in midair.
May 2012 Sale       $99.99     Free shipping & handling         Retail $109.00
Featuring a 3” globe that is awash in the brilliant  light of 8 LED lights, this handsome desktop decoration will transform your workspace at home or the office. Developed with the latest Levitron Anti Gravity technology. Electromagnetic base uses minimal power to create Real Levitation with continuous rotations of the globe. Suspended in mid-air, this globe defies gravity – inspiring wonder and amazement.

Platform can levitate up to 3 ounces. Low voltage adapter included. Observe Earth levitate and revolve in space – only touching air! Dimensions: Globe Diameter:  3″ (10 cm)

Conclusion?
– to levitate 3 oz costs USD$99
– to levitate 63493.131 oz (or 4000 lbs the reegular weight of a car) the cost will b 6 million +
– consider the use of (hellium infusion augmented) bamboo and rattan entirely in the vehicle to lower to 10% of the weeight and hence price = 600,000 million

For 600,000 a FRICTIONLESS ‘REVERSE LEVITATING’ vehicle (probably powered by limitless Fusion) will be possible.

Consider the height of levitation and we could actually get a FLYING CAR. I really hope those governments will stop oppressing and start redistributing. Imagine caravans (or evenlarge craft) of people flying off to wherever has the laxest laws or is not governed by any government. Barring the MOST BASIC and common sense of religious laws (Self applied 10 comandments type laws, I am not referring to Hudud or whippings here, nor pedophile priests, not forced national service etc.. . . . ), WHO NEEDS GOVERNMENT OR LAWS? The only last issue will be overpopulation and redistribution of wealth and ownership of goods or food. Exciting times? But only if the best of Marx and Capitalism is used  . . . Utopia is within reach via – Capitalism with Socialist Limits . . . with the identification of phenotypes and adherence to ‘Growth Outside As You Are Inside Spiritual Laws’ . . .

Ending big society via Aero-Nomadism . . .

ARTICLE 5

Privacy is being turned into a privilege that only the rich and right-on may enjoy – by Brendan O’Neill Politics Last updated: May 21st, 2012 CCTV

Keep ’em trained on the council estates, never the suburban semis Is privacy being turned into a privilege that only the moneyed and the well-connected may enjoy? Two striking stories in the news last week suggest that it is.

In the first story, it was reported that activists and hacks are heaping further pressure on Mark Zuckerberg to improve the privacy settings on Facebook, so that they might update their statuses and post photos of their social shenanigans without having the world and its mother peering over their shoulders. In the second story, we were told that social workers, backed by much of the media, are calling on the prime minister to get rid of “red tape” so that they might more easily interfere in – I’m sorry, intervene in – so-called problem families. There are a lot of damaged families out there, the social workers hinted, and thus we need to rip up some of the rules governing when it is and isn’t okay to stick our snouts into their business.

That these two stories could appear in the same week, and not be considered contradictory, suggests we have a pretty screwed-up attitude to privacy today. Indeed, sometimes the very same members of the political and media classes who believe that their private lives must remain absolutely private will think it is perfectly logical that other people’s private lives – the lives of Them – should be thrown open to state snooping.

So ours is an era in which the media goes mental when it is revealed that Sienna Miller was once photographed in an alleyway, yet raises barely a peep of protest when David Cameron says he plans to interfere in the lives of 120,000 allegedly “chaotic” families. Indeed, liberal commentators say we should be “less squeamish about intervening in chaotic families”, especially “impoverished” ones. Ours is an era where we are expected to weep upon hearing that Steve Coogan’s bins were rifled through by a tabloid hack, yet we brand as Right-wing crackpots those who question the right of their local council to police their bins to make sure they are recycling correctly.

This is an age in which civil-liberties types go ballistic over the fact that they must click a button saying “Private” when they use Spotify, but there’s little controversy when every ordinary man or woman hoping to become a schoolteacher or a youth worker must first submit to an intrusive criminal-records check. Things have come to such a pretty pass that Labour MP Tom Watson can expect sympathy for the fact that he was once followed around by a tabloid reporter, despite the fact that Watson’s own political party introduced rafts of legislation that permit the following, filming and collar-feeling of ordinary people across the land. Meanwhile, the New Statesman provides space to Hugh Grant to bleat about the “egregious abuses of privacy” suffered by the likes of him (posh people), while its star columnist, in a debate about the right of parents to smack their kids, says: “I don’t think sovereignty in people’s own homes is something we should be striving for.” No, apparently it is only right-minded celebs, not plebs, who deserve personal sovereignty.

Today there are shrill demands for a privacy law to protect celebs and other decent folk from the prurient gaze of dumb tabloid readers, alongside constant calls for better policing of the antics and habits of “chaotic” people, the impoverished. We are witnessing the emergence of a privacy hierarchy, where it is assumed that the decent class deserve a proper private life but the impoverished do not. Why? Because where Our lives are important and good, Theirs are potentially bad, certainly unpredictable, definitely “chaotic”, and thus we must pry into their bins and send social workers ir ‘moral police’ or narrow communalists to rap on their front doors in order to sort them out.

Whatever happened to the outlook of the 16th-century jurist Edward Coke, who said, “The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as for his repose”? In other words, every man’s home, be it an actual castle or just a two-bedroom flat in Hackney, should be treated as a fortress that state snitches have no business barging into. These days, it seems you really do need to own a castle – or at least a plush flat in Kensington or Islington – in order for your privacy rights to be taken seriously.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

This should be applied against plutocrats who send national monies to tax havens or sequestering funds that should be circulating in local communities instead of being used to prop up foreign commodities and foreign stock markets to the demise of the global supply chain system. THAT sort of nation destroying (think riots and occupy moements due to uncontrolled Capitalism) chaos propagated by plutocrats  is far more dangerous than the odd dogging couple or organic drugs grower or adult industry indulger, adult industry worker and organizer.

ARTICLE 6

Internet voting still faces hurdles in US – Posted on 25 May 2012 – 05:33am

WASHINGTON (May 24, 2012): Shop online. Bank online. Why not vote online?

Pressure is building to make Internet voting widely available in the United States and elsewhere, even though technical experts say casting ballots online is far from secure. In the 2012 US elections, more than two dozen states will accept some form of electronic or faxed ballots, mostly from military or overseas voters, according to the Verified Voting Foundation. But there is a growing expectation that online voting will expand further.

“The number one question I’m asked is when we will get to vote on the Internet,” Matt Masterson, Ohio’s deputy election administrator, told a Washington forum this month. “When you are doing everything else on the Internet and your comfort level is high, people expect to do that… You can adopt a child online, you can buy a house online without ever seeing it.” But computer security specialists say any system can be hacked or manipulated, and that unlike shopping and banking, the problem cannot be fixed by giving the customer a refund. “You have computer systems such as those of Google, the Pentagon and Facebook, which have all fallen victim to intrusion,” said J. Alex Halderman, a computer scientist at the University of Michigan.

Halderman, who gained notoriety by hacking into a test of an online voting system in the US capital Washington in 2010 — forcing the system to be scrapped — said the technology is not yet secure enough. “It’s going to be decades, if ever, before we are going to be able to vote online securely,” he told the forum at George Washington University’s Cyber Security Policy and Research Institute.

Some other countries are forging ahead on Internet voting. French citizens living abroad will for the first time this year be able to vote in a parliamentary election over the Internet, an experiment that could be extended to other elections if successful. In Estonia, an early adopter, a record 25 percent of voters cast Internet ballots in 2011. But Halderman, who has consulted with European governments and studied other attempts at online voting, said: “I don’t believe any of them are secure.” In 2010 Halderman and his students accepted a challenge from the local government and were able to penetrate the Washington voting network, change all the votes and prompt the system to play the University of Michigan fight song.

Masterson said election officials are grappling with how to make voting more accessible and looking at the costs of the technology. Internet voting from that perspective makes some sense, he said. Masterson said online voting can also help boost participation and address the issue of voters who cannot get to a polling station. “It kills an election official to find out you can’t get a ballot back,” he said. “These people are being disenfranchised.” But Halderman counters that US elections provide a tempting target for hackers, nation-states and others who might want to destabilize or disrupt the US political system. “If everyone voted online today, I think the probability of substantial fraud would be 100 percent,” he said.

Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, of the Overseas Vote Foundation, works to make ballots more accessible, but remains uneasy with online voting. “It’s horrible to say this,” she said. “I come out of the software industry and push automation and technology for streamlining voting processes all day long, but right now, with the security issues that exist, there is no way I could advocate for Internet voting.”

GWU computer scientist Michael Clarkson said it’s not yet clear if online voting can be extended to national elections, where the risks of intrusion are high. “After 30 years of research, we don’t yet know how to do that in a way that scales to national elections, but we continue to make progress toward the goal,” he said.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, an arm of the Commerce Department, said this month its research had “concluded that Internet voting systems cannot currently be audited with a comparable level of confidence in the audit results as those for polling place systems. Additionally, malware on voters’ personal computers “poses a serious threat that could compromise the secrecy or integrity of voters’ ballots,” NIST said.

Richard Soudriette, head of the Colorado-based Center of Diplomacy and Democracy and a consultant on election issues, said he believes the technical and security problems of online voting have largely been resolved. “Over the past 10 years Internet voting firms have developed encryption and cryptography software tools that make voting much more secure,” he said. “I believe that within a decade most developed countries will conduct national elections via Internet.” – AFP

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

District by district, then a ‘monthly audit’ by publishing in the newspaper who voted and for who. Indiscrepencies can thus only last 1 month at most, at least for diligent voters.

*****************************************************************
3 Articles on Rethinking Society and the ‘Education’ method of Raising One’s Stature
*****************************************************************

ARTICLE 1

Britain 2012: Masters degree graduate resorts to advertising himself with sandwich board after failing to find full-time work despite sending out 15,000 applications – By Emma Reynolds – PUBLISHED: 11:37 GMT, 22 May 2012 | UPDATED: 13:05 GMT, 22 May 2012

A desperate jobseeker who applied for 15,000 jobs with no success in the past ten years has resorted to advertising himself by wearing a ‘hire me’ sandwich board. Robin Norton, from Birmingham, has a Masters degree in history and several NVQs but has been overlooked by an endless slew of employers. He has now taken drastic action, spending an entire day wearing a sign reading ‘hire me please’ and walking up and down the M5 slip-road at Bromsgrove junction in Worcestershire.
Extreme move: Robin Norton stood by the motorway wearing a sandwich board for a day in the hope of finding employment

Mr Norton said: ‘I have applied for around 25 jobs a week for the past ten years without getting anywhere. ‘Sometimes I have applied for as many as 50 in one week. It is never-ending. Mr Norton, who worked for the Royal Mail for seven years, was a self-employed footcare technician until 2002 when his business went under. Since then he has had odd-jobs including cleaning, gardening and building work, but craves the stability of full-time employment.

Reaching his limits: Mr Norton has a Masters degree in history and several NVQs but has been overlooked by employers He said: ‘Things were bad before but have become worse since the recession. Now I don’t think there is any chance of me getting work. ‘It is partly down to the recession but also my age. Companies don’t want to hire anybody in their 40s. All the jobs go to the young up-and-coming jobseekers. ‘I’ve got the qualifications but I can’t get the work. As soon as they see how old you are, they don’t want to know. ‘It’s against the law to be ageist but in the real world, my world here today, it’s still here and it’s wrong.’ Despite all his efforts, Mr Norton has had no job offers – and only a handful of interviews – and he said hitting rock-bottom convinced him to try a new tactic.

‘Wearing the sign is a last-ditch attempt for me to get work, a real last resort. I spent a couple of months working up the guts to go down and do it. ‘It was not an easy step but things have become that desperate for me. I feel physically sick having to stoop to this but I have no other choice.’
Jason Fruen found a job after advertising his skills on a sandwich board beside the M60. Mr Norton has set up an email address – hire-me-pleeaase@hotmail.co.uk (sic) – so potential employers can get in touch. Latest statistics show unemployment in the UK now stands at 2.63million, falling by 45,000 in the three months to March this year.

Mr Norton is not the first recession-hit jobseeker to try such dramatic measures after struggling to find work. Earlier this month, unemployed Bennett Olson, from Minnesota, put his face on an electric billboard with the words: ‘Hire Me!’ He shelled out $300 for his face to rotate with other adverts for 24 hours. Last year, frustrated U.S. jobseeker Alisha Madkins, from Boston, walked around the city centre wearing a sandwich board saying ‘hire me!’ on one side and ‘college grad’ on the other. But the strategy did work for one lucky Briton, who managed to impress would-be employers with his spirit and dedication. Father-of-one Jason Fruen gained a job in 2009 by standing for four hours at Junction 9 of the M60 in Manchester wearing a sandwich board.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Money cannot buy breeding, but education cannot get either money or breeding. ‘Educated fools with money on their mind . . . ‘ (Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise, 1995) should not spend money that has no guarantees and that indebts one in the first place. Add the age factor, and ALL young graduates had better prepare to retire by 40. That means not getting a loan for education, and focusing on that loan for housing which is already overpriced as is. Then consider against the response in Article 2 below.

Congrats to proud owners of a 30,000 to 500,000 loan for a TICKET THAT ALLOWS WORK but has no guarantees except to enrich the financial institution in collusion with the state education apparatus and their pro-party jobsworths.

ARTICLE 2

‘Occupy Graduation’: Student activists broadcast debt owed with ball and chains – by Liz Goodwin | The Lookout – 3 hrs ago

Everardo Gonzalez protests his student debt at San Francisco State’s graduation ceremony. …A handful of student activists are expressing their displeasure at the rising cost of college by wearing inflatable ball and chain accessories over their graduation robes. The props state the amount of debt with which they’re graduating. The silent commencement protest, dubbed “Occupy Graduation” by its organizers, is taking place at seven universities around the country.

Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben & Jerrys ice cream, is helping pay for the protest and has raised about $400,000 to fund Occupy-related projects.

“A college education is so important and now it’s only available to people who have a lot of money or to people who end up going into debt for the rest of their lives,” Cohen told Yahoo News. The entrepreneur never completed college, but he thinks it’s crucial to job success today.

Everardo Gonzalez, a 23 year-old criminal justice graduate of San Francisco State University, said he received “a bunch of positive feedback” from parents and fellow students for his participation in the quiet protest last Saturday at the graduation ceremony.

Gonzalez is graduating with $26,490 in federal loans and another $10,000 in credit card debt that he racked up while trying to make ends meet. His parents couldn’t afford to help him pay for college, so he worked at a local IKEA, struggling to balance his class schedule with his job.

During Gonzalez’s college career, San Francisco State University cut faculty salaries across the board, laid off staff, dramatically reduced the number of classes offered, hiked tuition and trimmed enrollment, all in response to the reduction in California’s higher education budget. Gonzalez was forced to spend another year at school–and take out more loans to do so–after he couldn’t find a way into the classes he needed for his major to graduate. (The crowded classes would fill up online within seconds.) The experience spurred him to join a group of student protesters linked with the Occupy Wall Street movement, who demonstrated against the cuts and other issues this year.

Gonzalez has landed a paid internship for next year, and plans to get a master’s degree in political theory after that to become a teacher. Gonzalez’ debt load is actually about average for graduating college students who took out loans. By attending an in-state school, qualifying for grants and relying solely on federal–not private–loans, Gonzalez has a manageable amount of loans with comparatively low interest rates.

“I’m not the poster child of student debt,” he says, but adds that many of his friends are in a worse position. He believes college education should be free, and that existing student loans should be forgiven. Seeing his parents lose their home after the recession hit also made him passionate about advocating for more opportunities for middle class and poor people. “The entire system is set up for people to fail unless they’re privileged,” he says.

Ivonne Quiroz, another San Francisco State University protester who graduated with a degree in biology last weekend, was also forced to stay at college for an extra semester after the immunology class she needed to graduate filled up. She’s now walking down the aisle with about $21,000 in federal loans. Quiroz said the budget cuts also fueled her protest. “We’re paying so much more, but we’re getting so much less,” she said.

Various Occupy movements have advocated for changing the law so that student debt can be discharged in bankruptcy, forgiving student loans altogether, and having zero percent interest loans for education. Interest rates on subsidized federal student loans are expected to double to 6.8 percent this year, unless Congress passes a law to extend the grace period. (Private loans have higher interest rates.) Still, on average, college graduates make far more money and enjoy lower unemployment rates than their peers with only a high school diploma.

Student protesters at the University of Southern Maine. (Occupy Graduation)

Another protest is planned for Hunter College in New York at the graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Monica Johnson, a 35-year-old Hunter College graduate student who’s helping to organize the demonstration, borrowed about $15,000 in federally secured loans 15 years ago to pay for college. But in 2007, she decided to move to New York to get a masters of fine arts degree at Pratt, a private school. She took out an additional $60,000 in loans, which ballooned to $88,000 after she dropped out of the program, dissatisfied. She now has a full-time job at an arts non-profit and is enrolled at the much cheaper Hunter College, where she’ll receive her MFA in December.

Johnson recently paid off $18,000 of her debt over a period of eight months, by subsisting on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and only paying for things in cash, which she said helped her resist buying anything unnecessary. She’s encouraging indebted graduates to form a union and negotiate with lenders to get lower rates or income-based repayment.

“What really pisses me off is I should never have been given those loans,” Johnson said. “It honestly was the worst money I ever spent.”

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Some of us would look at the figures and decide not to bother with the aggravation of education and the debt caused. The clever would become estate owners or landlords instead, and have an income from sale of REAL PRODUCE and REAL GOODS cultivated from the land if not a slumlord via rental of properties to tenants. With that kind of money, one could buy several units of low cost housing (which do pay themselves off) and RETIRE at the ripe old age of 16 or 18 while those who opted for education would be indebted and if they do not ‘bend’ enough to their future bosses and toe ‘company lines’, pay monthly rentals instead of collecting rentals, will remain homeless and potentially could be bankrupt (depending on jobs market) instead. Consumerism is at an end, population growth cannot be sustained by the planet, meaning population growth cannot sustain consumerism.

ARTICLE 3

The fashionable hostility towards social mobility is just another way of saying ‘know your place’ – by Brendan O’Neill Politics Last updated: May 22nd, 2012

Loadsamoney: how the liberal elite view “social mobility”

Is there anyone the great and the good hate more than an upwardly mobile member of the working classes? A raft of abusive terminology has been created to diss these strange creatures. They’re seen as “yuppies” or “Loadsamoneys”, waving their wads of cash around with a sneering look of self-satisfaction on their faces. They’re always described as “grasping” and “ruthless”. They are treated like fish out of water, such as when The Guardian snottily said that wealthy working-class footballers labour under “the misapprehension that drinking champagne is a symbol of class”. And they are always depicted as soulless, as lacking in community spirit, as so selfish that they would rather escape the poor communities they grew up in rather than stay put and muck in. Watch the movies of Mike Leigh. Almost every one of them contains such a character: the grasping working-class man or woman who runs away from his or her council estate to live in a big but heartless house in the suburbs. How middle-class moviegoers love to laugh at such specimens!

Now Ed Miliband has weighed into the discussion about social mobility. It is always a pleasure to hear what someone who was brought up in Hampstead and babysat by professors thinks about “the assumptions behind social mobility”. According to Miliband, in a speech he gave yesterday, there is too much focus on creating the conditions to allow smart, ambitious working-class people to get ahead, and not enough focus on ensuring that inequality is not “handed down generation to generation, like the colour of our hair”. It sounds radical, but in truth Miliband is implicitly demonising, or at least problematising, the exercise of individual initiative to move on in life, since this leaves untouched the structural underpinnings of inequality. He is, in effect, playing off “grasping” members of the working classes against less fortunate members of the working classes, as if the social mobility of the former is somehow responsible for the social predicament of the latter.

His criticisms of social mobility have struck a chord with Leftists who have long felt uncomfortable with ambitious, materialistic working-class people (primarily because they don’t conform to the Full Monty model of less well-off people being hard-done-by but happy). One Labour blogger spoke for many when he applauded Miliband’s comments by saying, “The politics of social mobility has always left me cold”. Labour MP Hazel Blears has gone further, saying: “I’ve never understood the term social mobility because that implies you want to get out of somewhere… And I think there is a great deal to be said for making who you are something to be proud of.”

Blears’ comments cut to the heart of the modern Left’s discomfort with social mobility, whether it is expressed through crude, comical stereotypes of money-mad former council-estate dwellers or through seemingly radical speeches that ask “What about the rest of the working class?” What is really being expressed here is a disgust with poor people who don’t know their place, who aren’t proud of “who they are”, as Blears puts it, and who insist on leaping from one class into another. The reason these individuals make people like Miliband and Blears feel uncomfortable is because they are a stark reminder of the failure of the modern Left, and of Labour in particular, to make good on its 1960s promise to create an egalitarian, more prosperous society. The fact that working-class individuals who want to get ahead must play the same game as the upper classes of society – that is, be spectacularly self-possessed, individualistic, ruthless – is a powerful reminder of Labour’s failure to create a society in which all classes could equally pursue their ambitions. That is why so much bile is heaped on those “Loadsamoneys” who hail from working-class communities: their very existence, their attitudes and antics, expose Labour’s failure to improve the living conditions and raise the expectations of all sections of society.

And so the Left sneers at these socially mobile workers, because it would prefer that they stayed put rather than unwittingly shining a light on the fact that the Labour Left’s historic talk of boosting everyone’s fortunes has been so much flimflam. Their ambition is slated because it is too much of an uncomfortable echo of the kind of life and drive that Labour once promised to deliver to all. These people should stop focusing on “getting out of somewhere” and instead, in the embarrassing words of Leftist author Owen Jones, celebrate their “working classness”. That phrase suggests that being working class is an innate trait, like sex or hair colour. But it isn’t. It’s a social condition, or a social predicament if you like, and like all social conditions it can be overcome and transformed. Ambitious working-class people shouldn’t be made to feel bad about their material desires just because they make socially accomplished people like Miliband, Blears and Owen Jones feel awkward.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Clear definitions of social types and levels, clear methods of raising in stature are needed, AND incentives associated with values based instead of cash based social mobility (capitalist plutocracies are NOT ethical or moral societies incidentally) should counter the ‘hostility to social mobility (i.e. here is what needs to be abided by, these are the classes etc.. instead of money rules all which eventually degenerates into dirty money politics and hired hitmen of the materialist plutocrat method – a person who will bribe their way into power,  use the Judiciary as a weapon, will also kill their way into power, returning to the dark ages).

ARTICLE 4

U.S. Army General: The Whole Northern Hemisphere is at Risk of Becoming Largely Uninhabitable – Mac Slavo – May 25th, 2012 – SHTFplan.com

You may have entertained the idea of an improbable civilization ending events such as a ‘global killer’ asteroid, earth crust displacement or massive solar storms, but what if there existed a situation right now that was so serious that it literally threatened our very existence?

According to a host of scientists, nuclear experts and researchers, were are facing exactly such a scenario – and current efforts may not be able to stop it.

When the Fukushima nuclear plants sustained structural damage and a catastrophic failure of their spent fuel cooling systems in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, it left the government of Japan, Tokyo Power and nuclear regulatory agencies around the world powerless to contain the release of deadly radiation. A year on, the battle for control of Fukushima continues to no avail.

It’s estimated that tens of thousands of people in Japan and the whole of North America have been affected, with reports indicating that children in Japan and the U.S. are already being born with birth defects, as well as thousands who have already succumbed to radiation related illness. As we initially followed the breaking news during the first thirty days of the accident, we suggested the Fukushima disaster would be worse than Chernobyl. Not even we could have imagined how much worse it would be.

If current estimates are correct, Fukushima has already released as much radiation into the atmosphere and Pacific Ocean as Chernobyl, and the potential for a disaster at least ten times worse is highly probable in the event of another earthquake or accident that leads to a collapse of the cooling structures which are above ground and have already suffered significant damage. According to U.S. Army General Albert N. Stubblebine (ret.) of the Natural Solutions Foundation, the situation is extremely serious and poses a significant danger to our entire civilization. Since TEPCO and the Japanese government have refused the entombment option (as the Russians did with Chernobyl) the world is at the mercy of nature. A mistake here would cause the deaths of tens of millions of people across the globe. If there ever existed a threat that could cause the end of the world as we know it, it’s the ongoing and unresolved nuclear saga in Japan:

When the highly radioactive Spent Fuel Rods are exposed to air, there will be massive explosions releasing many times the amount or radiation released thus far. Bizarrely, they are stored three stories above ground in open concrete storage pools. Whether through evaporation of the water in the pools, or due to the inevitable further collapse of the structure, there is a severe risk. United States public health authorities agree that tens of thousands of North Americans have already died from the Fukushima calamity. When the final cataclysm occurs, sooner rather than later, the whole Northern Hemisphere is at risk of becoming largely uninhabitable.

Fact. On March 11, 2011, Fukushima Daichi nuclear power station with six nuclear reactors suffered cataclysmic damage that some believe was a man made event,and the resulting Tsunami. Hydrogen explosions…at least one nuclear explosion… and then subsequent deterioration of the visible plants at five of those reactors have created a threat situation unparalleled in human history.
Fact. Despite denial and cover-up, the reality has emerged, that enormous amounts of radioactive material has been spewing into the atmosphere, polluting the groundwater, and the food of Japan, and entering by the tens of millions of gallons the waters of the Pacific.

There’s no way to sugarcoat these facts. Denying them, blocking them out, pretending that they are not real is of no help to you and your family, and it leaves you totally unprepared for a danger that the Natural Solutions Foundation has been warning about since the first day. As of three weeks ago the levels of radiation inside of the spent fuel pools of unit no. 2 are too high to measure. Get that… too high to measure. And, the water there is evaporating, meaning that heat and radiation could easily build to very high levels.

Very simply put, if this much Cesium 137 is released, it will destroy the world environment and our civilization. This is not rocket science, nor does it connect to the pugulistic debate over nuclear power plants. This is an issue of human survival.

We can play the denial game all day long and pretend that, because the mainstream media is not reporting on it, there is no threat, but the facts are quite clear. This is, without a doubt, the most immediate threat faced by the world. It’s so serious, in fact, that the Japanese government has considered and put into place evacuation plans for the whole of Tokyo – some 40 million people. Reports are also emerging that suggest a collapse of the spent fuel pools would be so serious that the entire country of Japan may have to be evacuated. The entire country – that’s 125 million refugees that will cause an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Before you argue that these are the ravings of just alternative media conspiracy theorists and fearmongers, consider the assessment put forth by Robert Alvarez , a senior policy adviser to the Secretary for National Security and the Environment for the US Department of Energy: The No. 4 pool is about 100 feet above ground, is structurally damaged and is exposed to the open elements. If an earthquake or other event were to cause this pool to drain this could result in a catastrophic radiological fire involving nearly 10 times the amount of Cs-137 released by the Chernobyl accident. The infrastructure to safely remove this material was destroyed as it was at the other three reactors.  Spent reactor fuel cannot be simply lifted into the air by a crane as if it were routine cargo.  In order to prevent severe radiation exposures, fires and possible explosions, it must be transferred at all times in water and heavily shielded structures into dry casks.. As this has never been done before, the removal of the spent fuel from the pools at the damaged Fukushima-Dai-Ichi reactors will require a major and time-consuming re-construction effort and will be charting in unknown waters.

The total spent reactor fuel inventory at the Fukushima-Daichi site contains nearly half of  the total amount of Cs-137 estimated by the NCRP to have been released by all atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, Chernobyl, and world-wide reprocessing plants (~270 million curies or ~9.9 E+18 Becquerel). It is important for the public to understand that reactors that have been operating for decades, such as those at the Fukushima-Dai-Ichi site, have generated some of the largest concentrations of radioactivity on the planet. Regulatory agencies all over the world are warning of the potentiality of a further degradation of the Fukushima nuclear reactors and spent fuel pools, and the subsequent nuclear fallout that would follow. If these reactors go – and they could at any moment for any number of reasons – we’re looking at a situation for which you simply cannot stock enough food, or water, or supplies. Radiation would spread across the entire northern hemisphere and would be impossible to contain. While we’ve argued in the past that there is no place we’d rather be than in the United States of America in the event of a socio-economic collapse or global conflict, if these spent fuel pools collapse, then an international exit strategy may be the only option. Because details are sparse and research limited, it is difficult to predict what nuclear fall out from Japan may look like. The following map may be of some help, as it details the estimated fallout pattern resulting from a nuclear war between Russia and the United States. You’ll note that, while most of the world would be irradiated, the southern hemisphere would be your best bet to avoid the brunt of it:

Copyright Information: Copyright SHTFplan and Mac Slavo. This content may be freely reproduced in full or in part in digital form with full attribution to the author and a link to http://www.shtfplan.com. Please contact us for permission to reproduce this content in other media formats.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The capitalist-consumerist paradigm is over. The peoples of the planet are at a cultural-conservatism, wealth-redistribution phase. A report said that solar panels covering the size of Nevada can power the whole of the USA. To protect the environment, shut down all those nuke plants and decommission all nuke warheads, Bury all of the nuclear material in a NON-QUAKE ZONE and go non-GMO. Distribute the land equally to everyone for subsistence farming, end of the food stamp and distribution or labour and work problems.

As for financing . . . Need to eat? Grow own food. Need materials for house? Grow materials from trees and build your own with some carpentry, quarry your own stones or bag up compacted soil or even compacted TRASH. Education? Based from internet FOR FREE and marked on ability to think critically (a handful of questions on ethics and logic, nominally COMMON SENSE morality (not the length of skirt or sexual orientation, if they they gamble or drink or use organics, but if one will be a corporate raider, accept golden parachute bonuses – instead of amending company policy to be fair to stockholders – when a company collapses taking out ordinary 401K type stockholders, or write a law lowering election deposits instead of assigning taxpayer finds to one’s own funeral which has not occurred by sheer skewed sense of entitlement, raising bureaucrat salaries many times above GDP growth and inflation, holding on to power after 2 terms effectively preventing the rest of the nation from participating in policy making (sometimes generationally like so many Arab Spring type dictators) . . .

The above . . . will decide who has the ethical balls, rather than being a greedy, lazy and mob minded, yet cowardly pack of followers afraid to step out of line to make a point, or simply spineless and going along with ‘the flow’ (the fundo-psyche-politico-sycophant establishments decided to punish some of us ‘activists’ and critical thinkers for making a point and a stand . . . ), to insist on the need of TERM LIMITED bureaucrats) joins the army or police, or is best suited for research and trend studies law amending studies etc., or entirely unsuitable for anything – meaning subsistence sponsored by government or their family (mainly those who ask for near 2 times 401K for their funeral funds simply because they were some bureaucrat in the past) . . . not rote, learn, memorise and toe authoritarian political lines, there are no such lines, humanity is as free as the next bacterium excepting the civilising effect of laws that prevent abuse or parasitisation of others.

The earth belongs to everyone right (99%!~)? So everyone has the right to a piece of land enough for their own families (thats right no 2nd 3rd or 10th homes for plutocrats or law makers that allow vast swathes of arable or liveable land to be unusable while the homeless who could be growing their own food or building their own homes are stuck in cities disallowed from using that same land . . . or insisting that accreditation bureaucrats and boards and buildings, building materials suppliers, building contractors or stationary and book supply contractors, bureaucrats, then canteen suppliers and food preparers who want to value add to their profits (20% to 300% increases?) sweepers and gardeners and security guards (who all would possibly rather prefer to be growing their own food on land distributed from unused land banks of ‘state land’ if given a choice) to be needed to qualify an education, instead of anyone who doesn’t mind sitting in an empty parking lot to ‘educate’ then allow those who attended to claim a degree to start working . . . a degree could cost nothing well at most everyone collectively could give the lecturer minimum wage (100 students per open air class divided by 7.50 per x10 hours = 75 cents per student per day . . . 273.75 per year of ‘University’) . . . students do you know why your degree costs so much now? Because of Education-Financier Complex described above . . . ). The cities earlier built needn’t even be abandoned though different rules could apply (Capitalist non-distribution Zones?) since those are supposed to be ‘prime territory’. WTF is UN or NAM doing?

Earth has 36.48 billion acres. However, there are only 12 million square miles (7.68 billion acres) of arable land. In 2006, there were 1.15 acres of arable land per person, world-wide (i.e. 7.68 billion acres / 6.68 billion people). With irrigation and forestration work (think Gaddafi’s GMRP Nubian Aquifer system -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Manmade_River), this could be 100 times more in as soon as 10-20 years.

Now, think 3 dimensionally in existing arable areas, where up to 3 to 20 times the amount of arable land could be created (with 15 storey high , or 50 perhaps added modularly, if needed, via the corkscrew form structures seen in link below) . . .

See Response to Article 7
https://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/category/planet-earth/

See responses to Articles 3 and 4 :

3 Articles on Local Malaysian News, 1 Article on Indonesian Survivability/Innovation from a Spartan Landscape (among the highes rates of deforestration) : KYY’s Back and Forth (Commit to candidacy already . . . BN and PR in some districts are horrible . . . ), Abuse of Gambling Rights in Malaysia, Dr.Mahathir’s Disinfo and More Platitudes, 1 Acre Can Support 1000-4000 People If Need Be – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 4th March 2012

Finally,  voters should not vote self serving plutocrats, or fundos or undemocratic minded nepotists, into power who do not respect term limits or understand ethical prohibitions in creating blocs of relatives (much less term limitless ones) in government. Whats wrong with everyone? Too stupid? Who have you been voting for? Check the background or run for election yourselves!

*****************************
Stars and Cults of Personalty Section
*****************************

ARTICLE 1

Chivalry isn’t dead! Jennifer Lopez holds hands with Casper Smart as the toyboy lugs bags – by Leah Simpson – PUBLISHED: 02:19 GMT, 21 May 2012 | UPDATED: 16:20 GMT, 21 May 2012

He may only be a spring chicken at the age of 25. But despite the wide age gap, Jennifer Lopez’s new flame has all the qualities of a traditional and perhaps older gentleman. The 42-year-old’s backing dancer beau, Casper Smart, accompanied his lady on a shopping trip to the Grove in West Hollywood today. Age gap love: Jennifer Lopez locked hands with her boyfriend Casper Smart as the pair shopped at The Grove in West Hollywood, California today. And while a retail outing with their partner sounds like a nightmare for many men, Smart seemed perfectly happy to be at Lopez’s beck and call as she picked out fashionable items.

They emerged from the celebrity-favourite shopping centre showing no signs of bickering between the clothing rails as they held hands and walked thought the parking lot.

The young man even lugged his partner’s bulging bags as she simply carried her bag over her shoulder.
Bagsy this one! Jennifer looked smug her man carried her Zara bags around

Bagsy this one! Jennifer looked smug her man carried her Zara bags around

Nothing but a number: The performer’s younger man is 25 while she is 42

Trendy boy: Smart dressed stylishly in a trilby hat and sunglasses

While trendy Casper donned a trilby hat and sunglasses with his white T-shirt and black trousers, his girlfriend stood out as they made their way to the car.

She drew attention to her shoulders as she wore her hair in a bun on top of her head and blue jumpsuit embellished with a waist belt.

Cream gladiator sandals graced her feet and white framed sunglasses shielded her eyes.
Making a fuss: He even opened the car door for his woman showing chivalry isn’t dead

Making a fuss: He opened the car door for his woman showing chivalry isn’t dead

Casper was quick to open the passenger door for his older woman as she approach the vehicle so it’s no wonder, she has been singing his praises recently.

She unleashed a cringeworthy PDA when she performed on American Idol earlier this season with her lover also on stage with her.

In a moment that saw Casper pick confetti out of J-Lo’s hair after the performance ended in a flurry of ticker tape, she immediately said to the audience: ‘He’s so cute!’

Additionally, last month People magazine reported that he sees the star as royalty.

A source said: ‘There is a lot of love between [them], he treats her like a queen.’
Passion for fashion: J-Lo looked great in a blue jumpsuit with light-coloured bag, shoes and belt

Passion for fashion: J-Lo looked great in a blue jumpsuit with light-coloured bag

what because no other man anywhere has ever carried his womans bags? tell ya what come take pics of me day to day, opening doors for women, carrying bags for my partner, women first etc etc but i dont have a news article do i?

– Michael Smith, Pontefract, 22/5/2012 10:47
Rating   3

wish my man would treat me like that! lol am i right ladies??

– jennyfromtheblock, Sheffield, UK, 22/5/2012 00:12
Rating   16

There is nothing like a hot, fit, young stallion for some fun and rejuvenation! 🙂 Enjoy it, JLO! good on you!

– a., England, 21/5/2012 23:58
Rating   24

Will she snap off his thing if he tries to leave?

– wondering, Canada, 21/5/2012 23:21
Rating   8

Same type of pictures as LeAnn Rimes, so is she pay DM too? lol ……….. selective indignation.

– Jullou, Glendale, AZ, 21/5/2012 18:35
Rating   5

Well, she’s his BOSS & his sole source of income, right? I’m not sure he’s such a fabulous gentleman, maybe just a good employee– sorry!

– jenisoutherngirl, Bham, USA, 21/5/2012 18:14
Rating   60

And man servant is all he really is. I give it one year. Meanwhile her two kids suffer all this and will be in rehab by the time they’re 18.

– Doug Smart, New York, USA, 21/5/2012 17:49
Rating   38

HA! I love it. One photo signifies his character and their relationship entirely. If he was snapped putting it down I wonder what the article would be about….zzz

– Michelle, London, 21/5/2012 16:23
Rating   17

It’s amazing what extensions can do to Jeniifers hair, but when they come off, theres litteraloy just a small amount of hair. love her though

– Tino, Brighton, United Kingdom, 21/5/2012 15:49
Rating   29

J-Lo is millions times better than Kim

– Genevieve, bristol, 21/5/2012 15:39

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Both of them should hire a footman, maid, or few for this sort of thing if Casper wants to raise his status to that of an equal.. IDK but some cynical feminists could well be thinking how they got all the guys under control. Carrying bags or opening doors is not chivalry, this is the work of footmen glorified as chivalry. Chivalry is a mindset and for the poor who cannot afford footmen, yes this would count. But to do a high profile MSM on a couple at this level of wealth who could hire an entourage of servants and footmen, this ends up potentially (I stress potentially, so will the psychoanalysts lay off whatever presumed smartsauce – theirs or others), as a farcical take on the concept of chivalry per se to manipulate the masses with a feminist agenda instead. In fact a PA designated as a PA who has any pride of self, would (especially if pointedly asked) REFUSE to carry bags, open doors, or carry umbrellas, these sorts of jobs are decidely menial in nature, money is one thing, but job description and the ability to REFUSE to do such work, is another. The bosses who do fire for such refusals are despots and no respectable members of society.

Of course if you want to say, these are your mere ‘Sudra entertainer’ class, and to not take them seriously, we could well just ignore all MSM (and MSM manipulation) as well.

ARTICLE 2

Geri Halliwell hints of Spice Girls reunion in time to perform for Jubilee and Olympics – by Katie Nicholl – PUBLISHED: 01:56 GMT, 20 May 2012 | UPDATED: 01:56 GMT, 20 May 2012

Geri Halliwell has offered a glimmer of hope to Spice Girls fans desperate to see the Nineties group reform for the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. ‘It would be unfair of me to reveal anything now,’ Geri, 39, hinted with a wink at the Heather Kerzner and Marie Curie Cancer Care dinner.

Melanie ‘Mel C’ Chisholm, 38, added to the intrigue, saying: ‘I think we need to get our skates on and do it before we are too old!’ Sparking rumours: Geri Halliwell has dropped a hint that the Spice Girls could reform in time for the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics. Reunited: Fans of the 90s group the Spice Girls may not have to wait long to see them back on stage. Party girl Kate adds a twist of glamour. Kate Moss pictured with Heather at the event.

Hosting a glamorous fundraising party at Claridge’s in Mayfair last week for Marie Curie Cancer Care, socialite Heather Kerzner tried to persuade pal Kate Moss to get up and sing with music legends Ronnie Wood and Sam Moore. Kate, pictured with Heather at the event, has been known to have impromptu singalongs – once joining in with Primal Scream and on another occasion duetting with Boy George – but this time insisted her singing wasn’t good enough. But she did jump on stage to dance and help at the auction. ‘It was amazing to see her on stage with Ronnie and Sam,’ said Heather. Kate turned up with husband Jamie Hince and Heather said: ‘It was lovely seeing them so happy.’ The party raised more than £620,000. Charlotte Church is turning to Florence Welch for inspiration as she prepares to relaunch her singing career.

The 26-year-old is making her comeback next month at the philosophy and music festival How The Light Gets In, which is running alongside the Hay literary festival at Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh border. Charlotte, who rose to fame as a classical singer before crossing over to pop music in 2005, will perform live for the first time in two years. ‘Her sound is a cross between Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush,’ said a spokesman for the festival.

Charlotte said: ‘It’s a great festival and I’ve missed playing live. The music is different  to anything I’ve done before, so I recommend people come with an open mind.’ American Pie actress Tara Reid has been canoodling in Cannes with 60-year-old gems tycoon Fawaz Gruosi. The blonde Hollywood star, 36, was spotted at a Raffles boat party that the founder of de Grisogono luxury jewellery was hosting with Eva Longoria for the film festival. ‘Tara and Faraz could not keep their hands off each other,’ a source says. ‘She sat on his lap and he ran his hands all over her. They left together and he certainly seemed to be her sugar daddy.’ Fawaz counts Naomi Campbell among his many younger female admirers.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Has been ‘time out’ for a decade or more for these married mothers. Come on girls, look for and even FUND replacement lookalikes and give some younger kids a chance in the spotlight. Spicegirls can live on but don’t make a Mubarak or a Gaddafi out of the girl power. Some memes just don’t grow better when their creators get older. Burnt out vs fresh faced! Try the below charts for ‘rating’ stars :

Rating Stars (or any public figures like television hosts, though a programme with a target demogrphic that consists of married people can ignore the marriage factor)

+2    Unattached Bisexual
+1    Unattached Hetero
0    On and off with someone not too unpopular
-1    Attached (+1 for the ‘loves to break up relationships type’ but this isn’t exactly healthy to promote . . . )
-2    Married (+1 for the ‘cast eyes on wives type’ but this isn’t exactly healthy to promote . . . )
-3    Married with children (+2 for the ‘MILF chaser type’ but this isn’t exactly healthy to promote . . . )

+2    Plays typical heroes / real historical heroes (may backfire if entirely off casting expectations)
+1    Plays cartoon/fiction(cosplay)/fuzzy-animals(furries)/heroes
0    Plays typical characters
-1    Plays atypical characters/atypical-non-fuzzy animals
-2    Plays villians

+2    extreme good looks
+1    good looks
0    average looks
-1    bad looks (but if matched with the corrct film ideal for such looks can be +1 memorable)
+2    extreme bad looks (but if matched with the corrct film ideal for such looks can be +2 memorable)

+1    consistent character depictions/style type (i.e. ken-barbies stay ken-barbies, or goths stay goth, not turn into corporate types then switch again etc.
baldies stay bald, hairstyle types stay consistent (even if unsuitable which in itself can be an identifier and consistency)
0    average people do no stand out or perhaps have no chance to
-1    inconsistent character depictions/style type

+1    represents largest class of society
+1    ethnic appropriate / ethnic accurate or neutral modern
+1    regular job very high ranked (spouse is high ranked)
extra-dramatic
(not necessarily useful or helpful – robbers who got away without killing anyone)/popular or helpful-useful-luxury day job
(religious figures not part of scandlised faiths, military)
recreation related jobs, sports related (recreation) jobs
0    regular job
-1    unpopular, unpleasant or unhelpful day job (menial work, scavenging small business types, corporate raiders, robbers who were caught – those who don’t become ‘cool’)

6 Articles on Malaysian Politics : Bersih 3 (drop the point 0, Sid 6.7 sez this is Bersih 0.3 BETA, nothing was achieved haven’t even reached version 1.0 . . . ), East Malaysian Secession amidst Hudud cautionary, LGE too sheltered and stupid to be real politician – kicks wrong ass, Pro-Bersih Commentery by Pro-Establishment Propaganda Ministry Wannabe Shill (Hegelian Dialectic Alert), Rather heartless (but nicely expressed) Rhetoric on ‘Gesture’ (pro-apartheid outfit attacks pro-nepotism outfit), Bar Holding EGM About Inconsequential Issues While APARTHEID Ravages Entire Social-Legal-Economic Framework- reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 30th April 2012

In 1% tricks and traps, 99%, Abuse of Power, Apartheid, Assemblymen have not declared assets, Constitution, criticism, cult of personality, Democracy, dhimmitude, dishonest academia, domestic terrorists in the political sphere, equitable political power distribution, Ethics, failed asset declarations, freedom of choice, Malaysia, Nepotism, oligarch, oligarchy, Organic Psychedelics Zone, Pakatan, Pakatan Rakyat Coalition, PAS, PDRM, Political Fat Cats, politics, spirit of the law, strawman NGOs, vested interest, Wealth distribution, word of the law, wrong priority on April 30, 2012 at 9:41 am

ARTICLE 1

Bersih 3.0: Two visions for democracy? – by Kevin Soo – April 30, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Studying abroad last year, I missed Bersih 2.0 and felt a sense of regret each time I listened to the stories my friends had to tell of their experiences that day. Providence permitted my attendance at Bersih 3.0 last Saturday.

In the past few years, this is a story that has been unfolding at an accelerating pace: the story of Malaysia striving to grow as a democracy.

As legitimate as Bersih’s demands are, what drives people to brave the crowds and the inherent risks of such a gathering? Mere intellectual assent to Bersih’s demands shouldn’t be enough to bring thousands to the city streets.

I suggest a major reason for the decision of most people to flood the streets of KL on Saturday was a desire to be a part of the story. For those who agree to Bersih’s demands, along with it is the recognition by many that they must themselves be the agents working for the desired outcome.

Alternate stories

I must first confess that I left soon after Datuk Ambiga called the rally a success and advised people to disperse slowly before 3pm. I headed home, reflecting on my part in the story, ready to write out my thoughts when I arrived home. Of course, everyone now knows that the rally drastically changed — but I only found out after getting text messages on the LRT and checking the news myself upon reaching home.

This put me in the unique position of having lived out one version of the story in my mind (based on what I had experienced up to that point), before having it rewritten as I learned of the actual outcome of Bersih 3.0.

Thus, I had two sets of reflections: one based on the alternate history I had thought would transpire, and one based on actual history. Instead of scrapping one and presenting the other, I felt that together they would offer a glimpse into the yearning for democracy by Bersih supporters.

An ideal world

As I reflected on the parts of Bersih 3.0 I had been a part of — the sense of belonging I got from seeing so many like-minded people, the sense of cheer that grew along with the crowd’s size and the euphoria at chanting together — I realised that the most powerful moments were those where significance was distributed to all people present. In contrast, the speeches of leaders could not give us a fraction of courage that singing “Negaraku” together did. In other words, the power comes from the collective — when democracy is at its strongest.

Democracy, in its (ideal) goal of distributing power to all individuals, satisfies what the philosopher Hegel called the “struggle for recognition”. Along with the humbling realisation that one plays only a small part in the whole comes the terrifying revelation that one is at last playing a part.

Paradoxically, the way to significance is to take on that small role, not necessarily losing yourself in the masses, but involving yourself in the part that every citizen in a democracy is called to play. Many present at Bersih 3.0 would have seen it as their civic duty for the country they love — even though their individual voices would not have been heard.

This contrasts with the archetypal literary vision of the hero, where significance is derived from individual acts of heroism. But as is evident in Bersih, the power of the movement lies in its numbers and not in any one person — the large turnout was the crucial reason Ambiga called it a success before advising us to disperse. The government and Election Commission need not listen to a few solitary voices no matter how valid their arguments are, but they cannot ignore thousands of citizens merely showing up in Kuala Lumpur even if all they do is sit down and chant slogans.

This is why it is crucial that Bersih remains a civil society movement — hijacked by personalities and politicians, it may get more sound bites at press conferences and visibility but it will lose all legitimate power.

So why the push for democracy? So that citizens can finally attain significance by taking on the role they are all called to in society. In a rally like this, each plays only a small part but it is nonetheless the appointed cross to bear. Nothing more, but also nothing less. We are not merely spectators, but agents bringing about genuine democracy in Malaysia.

The real world

I had left believing that democracy, the sharing of power, was good for Malaysia because it brought the most good for its people in their struggle for significance. If this account sounds overly idealistic, reality hit me hard and fast when I heard of how the rally ended.

I won’t speculate much here on the causes of the chaos that transpired, except to say that amidst the theories of involving provocation and saboteurs, there were undoubtedly Bersih supporters who acted with violence. Many friends of mine are outraged that our contribution will be tainted by the senselessness of these individuals.

This could not bring me further from the (brief) vision I had of my ideal world. Bersih was meant to showcase the best of us, and make a case for why democracy should work. Even those who were cynical and expected a harsh police presence would have remembered the accounts from Bersih 2.0 of the collective spirit and people helping one another in the face of danger. But to have violence instigated and perpetuated by those pushing for democracy went contrary to what many hoped for and expected.

But even as my optimism gave way I maintained my belief that democracy is what Malaysia needs and what we must continue to fight (peacefully) for. However, while I briefly saw democracy as a vehicle to Malaysia’s good because if fulfils people’s drive for significance, I now see it as necessary for a different reason.

The end of Bersih 3.0 showed that the line between good and evil runs not across party lines or those for/against a cause. The line runs down the middle of every human heart. Without diminishing the culpability of the government and police, even earnest supporters of Bersih were shown to be capable of violence and hatred. The writer C.S. Lewis said that democracy was necessary because “no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows”.

In other words, we need democracy not because we are good, but because we are fallen and imperfect. The dilution of power amongst a nation’s people is necessary to avoid any one person or group to have the platform for unleashing the evil that potentially lies within. This doesn’t void their potential for good, but it is naïve to believe that we are each not capable of the slow descent to corruption.

A single vision

But this also means that those seemingly on the side of evil and corruption must still know what goodness is. Just like Bersih supporters revealed their worst when provoked, perhaps the best of those leaning towards violence lies deep within, conditioned and numbed into impotence but waiting to be redeemed.

The sobering events of April 28 (leading to my opposing reflections) need not leave us in a state of hopelessness. The best and the worst of human nature were showcased — but both make a strong case for the need for democracy in Malaysia.

What we must remember is that the fight for democracy lies not just on a national level to combat corruption and injustice — it lies within as we struggle each day to do the right and moral thing. So for all of you who went peacefully and courageously, who didn’t throw the first stone (literally) and who turned the other cheek (figuratively): blessed are you peacemakers.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Evil is when a property ‘investor’ holds 10s to 1000s of units of unusable and crumbling shophouses and offices when truly productive business are destroyed by loansharks part of the local business cartels, and simple lower income families who are homeless or severely indebted, due to, or unable to access those half million so-called ‘shophouses’ which are a minimum when educations cost 10s to 100s of thousands.

This is the flaw of uncontrolled Capitalism and the need for aspects of Soacialism/Marxism in governance. Capitalism only creates collusion and greedy loophole writing MPs and plutocrats sequestering extreme wealth to the demise of wealth distribution and the rise of anarchy from extreme poverty of the 99% who will doubtless be pushed towards a French Revolution, with the plutocracy now being the ‘Bastille’ of today and the anarchists/Marxists (moderate Marxists, again extreme anything will never work, and we arein extreme Capitalism conditions as of now) being the guillotine.

‘I must first confess that I left soon after Datuk Ambiga called the rally a success and advised people to disperse slowly before 3pm.’ . . .

More Bersih c0ckt3451ng. IMHO Ambiga is a tool of the establishnent to waste the energies and the funds of protesters who could be better off running as candidates to challenge theestavlishment. As noted earlier, Bersih amounts to nothing without lawsuits by trhe so called leaders. Angry crowds do not gather for nothing. And the youth would be better off forming NEW political parties that should remove corrupt and racist BN and also nepotistic and clique political power sequestering, term limitless mentality (ala Mubarak) PR.

Bersih was a failure and waste of youthful energy and bail out fund resources, the so called leaders ‘masturbating’ the people to no purpose except to defuse energies that could form new political parties and coalitions as the proposed 3rd force to displace useless coalitions BN  and PR. 3rd forcers and youthful protesters should run for :

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

;and GTFO of parliament after 2 terms of doing some good, not parasiting off the Rakyat for decades, holding term limitless MP seats and throwing hegelian dialectic nonsense instead of ENDING taxes or Vehicular AP (took ‘Family Bloc’ Nurul near 3 years to act on this) or Tolls (PAS pulled off 1 bulldoze but that seemed to be the all of Pakatan’s action against government-GLC collusion-encroachment upon the regular citizen’s ‘Freedom of Navigation’ ON LAND – in their own country to boot . . . ), National Service  Bill’s forced military conscriptions (illegal by any interpretation of the UNHCR), or the all important 3 items listed above.

ARTICLE 2

‘Hidden hand’ behind SWP’s entry – Monday, 23 April 2012 Super Admin – Joseph Tawie, Free Malaysia Today

KUCHING: While Chief Minister Taib Mahmud has welcomed the registration of the Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP), which is linked to “buddy” Sng Chee Hua, insiders in both the state Barisan Nasional and the opposition are wary.

Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian urged the people to examine SWP’s policies and gauge for themselves which way the party will lean towards.

“Is SWP inclined to support BN or is it inclined to support Pakatan Rakyat policies for Sarawak?

“The people must examine whether this party is built on the basis of fighting or defending the rights of Sarawakians such as the native customary rights land, employment and the 18- and 20-point agreements.

“This are the things we want SWP to answer,” said Bian, who is the Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.

“To me it is obvious that SWP is inclined towards being BN-friendly. So it is clear that it is not with us.

“These things can assist voters in the villages to make a good judgment, and I know they are fully aware of the party’s policies.

“I am confident they will make a wise decision. This coming election is crucial to Sarawakians who want change. And this is our bigger mission,” he said.

SWP aiming for PRS seats

Santubong MP Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, questioned the motive of the party to contest in the coming election.

“It risks becoming a mosquito party. It will only appear during the election season, but disappear when the election is over. This would only confuse the people.

“If the party really fights for the people, it must make sure that it continues to work for the interests of the people before and after the election,” Wan Junaidi said.

Sng had said that SWP would target only six constituencies which are allocated to PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak), a member of the BN coalition.

The constituencies are Julau, Selangau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang, Lubok Antu and Sri Aman.

Lately Sng, who was the former Julau MP, has been seen mobilising support for the party in Julau, Selangau, Kanowit and Hulu Rajang.

PRS vice-president and Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh said that his party is not perturbed by the emergence of SWP, describing it as an “old wine in a new bottle”.

‘Old wine, new bottle’

“We are not worried about the new party because it is old wine in a new bottle, and those who had drunk the wine would know its taste,” he said, referring to Sng’s previous records as Julau MP and assemblyman for Pelagus in the days of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).

“SWP may be a new party but certainly it is no stranger to us. I don’t think it can win any seat,” he said.

But what puzzled him is that the party, while claiming to be BN-friendly, is fighting PRS, a member of the BN.

“It is very funny and there is no logic,” he said.

“Why is it targeting PRS? What does this mean?” Mauh asked.

State BN secretary-general, Stephen Rundi, who is also PBB secretary-general, regarded SWP as the BN’s opponent.

“We will treat every opponent in the same way. Similarly if the new party wishes to oppose us, we will fight back,” Rundi reportedly said.

But his boss, Taib seems to have a different view. He has welcomed SWP into the political scene with gusto, saying “the more the merrier” as the state practised democracy.

Comments

written by Vincenzo, April 24, 2012 23:39:44
@Alan Newman

Yes, Sarawakians are relenting and forgiving people. It is our culture. We are a likeable, peaceful and hospitable people although we are slowly changing due to circumstances forced upon us. It’s a shame we have to change to be nastier in order to fight for what are rightfully ours. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense – why do we have to fight for what are already ours?

So, I need to ask you why your kind put us in this position where we have to fight to keep what are ours. Why did the Cobbold Commission not undertake a referendum for the people of Sarawak in the early 1960s to determine whether we want to help form Malaysia or not? It is because of Malaysia that we are in the shit that we are in today. Why did the Brits ( Aussies and Kiwis included in the 1960s then ) abandoned us to the wolves?

Alan, your kind cannot claim any moral high grounds and tell us that it is ” zero tolerance & striking back with the greatest force ” time when it was your kind who left us in this shit in the first place. What are you going to do to right the wrong that your kind left us with?

To call us gutless, pathetic, tragic, you have to remember that our once proud people took heads and waged wars even on the White Rajahs and took the heads of quite a few Whites. If the need arise again, I doubt if we will ever hesitate.

And if you send us a lot of money, then many of us will go to BERSIH which will be held in KL some 600 miles across the South China Sea from Borneo Island. Aiya, some 50 years of being Malaysian have left us Sarawakians very poor since much economic development and stimuli do not reach our people. Until today, we only have one coastal road going from Kuching to Miri. There are no other roads in the interior of Sarawak and more than 1 million people live in the jungles in the interior off-grid and with no piped water.

You further wrote that that ” Politicians are the roots of all the problems in the world ” . Well, I respectfully disagree. In a democratic system, the systems and institutions that are put in place must be adequately independent of each other. The checks and balances provided for in any constitution must be cast in stone for any democratic society to function effectively. It is when the independence of these democratic systems and institutions are curtailed that democracy begins to fail us. Therefore for a democracy to function effectively, there must be adequate independence and checks and balances on the institutions and systems of a democratic society.

On the other hand, for a person to be truly fair, that person must have impeccable integrity but if we agree that every man has his price, no matter where they are, obviously, any democratic political system will fail sometimes since they are made up of people. What is important is that when the system fails, there must be effective agencies to remove the compromised part from the system.

Alan, I know you meant well and on behalf of us Sarawakians, I want to thank you for the concerns that you have for us. However, let me assure you that the winds of change are blowing as it is also in Sabah and in Malaya and I am confident that we will see a change in government in the future. There is only so much nonsense that the people of this country can take for so long. Enough is enough. However, I must remind you that we are in this shit mainly because of British (Australian and Kiwis included) highhandedness.


written by alan newman, NZ, April 24, 2012 17:03:29
Why are you so forgiving & relenting? Have they- PBB, BN got a trace of the people’s interest at heart? NO! It’s endless tricks, acrobatics & deception to stay in power. Not after 55 years of BN & UMNO! It must now be zero tolerance & striking back with the greatest force. If you research globally & think thoroughly: Politicians are the roots of all the problems in the world: pillage & plunder; cronies; in-equality of races & incomes; apartheid; hardship & grief turning to crime & tragedy; trillions of $$$ wasted worldwide on corruption, thefts, land-grabs, resource-grabs, amassing of projects, money outflow & laundering, white elephants & kickbacks; abuses, mismanagements, misuses, crime-fighting, strife, riots, wars. In the end, to cling to power & luxury, they will kill. Look at Idi Amin, Africa, N. Korea, Arab Spring.


written by alan newman, NZ, April 24, 2012 17:00:10
If you research globally & think thoroughly: Politicians are the roots of all the problems in the world: pillage & plunder; cronies; in-equality of races & incomes; apartheid; hardship & grief turning to crime & tragedy; trillions of $$$ wasted worldwide on corruption, thefts, land-grabs, resource-grabs, amassing of projects, money outflow & laundering, white elephants & kickbacks; abuses, mismanagements, misuses, crime-fighting, strife, riots, wars. In the end, to cling to power & luxury, they will kill. Look at Idi Amin, Africa, N. Korea, Arab Spring.
So why are you so forgiving & relenting? Have they – BN, UMNO got a trace of the people’s interest at heart? NO! It’s endless tricks, acrobatics & deception to stay in power. Not after 55 years of BN & UMNO! It must now be zero tolerance & striking back with the greatest force.


written by alan newman, NZ, April 24, 2012 16:55:05
In New Zealand, Taito Philip Field, an MP was jailed for corruption (eg using new immigrants to paint his houses), and after 31 years! your Sarawak Chief Minister is still walking and talking proud and stealing billions from you. In NZ He would have been in jail 30 and half years ago. Why are you so gullible & forgiving? For me, NOT ANOTHER HOUR! None of you have any guts. Pathetic. Tragic…. And how many are going out to BERSIH gathering?


written by Vincenzo, April 24, 2012 11:57:43
Excerpts from the story,
“The constituencies are Julau, Selangau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang, Lubok Antu and Sri Aman. ”

Brian Pirit,
Do these look like Chinese-based areas to you? Chinese-based party? To replace SUPP? You’ve got to be joking. Why must you look at anything from a racialist perspective? SWP is supported and most likely financed by the Sng Family. But, I know George Lagong the assemblyman for Pelagus is Larry’s uncle. So it is not entirely a Chinese affair. But you seem to see this as a Chinese plot. I think BTN has gotten to you. But you are right about. This exercise is about splitting Dayak votes.


written by John Rimbau Sarawak, April 24, 2012 09:54:47
When SNAP was strong in the 70s and early 80s, it was split right down the middle by the emergence of PBDS. But when PBDS in turn became stronger, it was split in the same manner as SNAP was. The same old stry was replayed once again with the SUPP which is now split between the SIbu and Kuching/Miri factions. This is the same for PRS with the formation of SWP. And who is behind all these shenanigans ? The Thief Minister of Sarawak of course, Taib is his name.


written by brian pirit, April 24, 2012 01:05:09
The Divide and Rule master destroyer at his game again. Another chinese base party to replace the out of favour SUPP perhaps? Sng said he has the dayaks at heart but why divide the Dayaks with this chinese base party? Certainly a conspiracy between a fake dayak and a melayNOW to further split the dayaks. Why esle would he approve of the registration of SWP? Lets wipe that stupid grin off his face this coming GE!


written by malsia1206, April 23, 2012 21:26:53
When you have an ally by your side, he better stay weaker than you.
When your ally gets too strong for comfort, your own position is at risk.
Both PRS and SPDP are getting to unravel the nerves of the CM. Both have a strong support rural base. Should either or both play the u-turn, the CM may languish in the newly-built prison in the Kuching outskirt.
So welcome abroad, SWP. I need a checkmate.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

More fail. This is intended to impose Hudud eventually, and as mentioned elsewhere, Hudud can only be applied on a case by case person by person acceptance. This is illegal and should be challenged by democratic Islamic scholars as ‘there can be no compulsion in religion‘ (Quran verse, Al Bakara 2:16). Such fatwas will be issued in a manner that compels. Islam if used as a political tool of control will damn any who do not follow the spirit of the Quran, especially more so for affecting non-Muslims.

ARTICLE 3

Guan Eng rebukes Tunku Aziz: It’s your remarks that are “irresponsible”, not Bersih – by Lim Guan Eng – Friday, 27 April 2012 16:08

With a politically-motivated Elections Commission (EC), Malaysians face the dirtiest general elections in history. As all other efforts to clean up the electoral process has failed, civil society has no other choice but to group under Bersih to involve all Malaysians to press for clean elections in the Bersih sit in protest tomorrow.

I am therefore compelled to publicly chastise Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz’s irresponsible remarks opposing Bersih’s right to assemble peacefully and conduct a sit-in protest at Dataran Merdeka at 2pm 28.4.2012 to press for clean, free, fair and independent elections.

Alone on his stand

Tunku’s remarks is not the DAP stand but his own personal view. Senator Tunku is alone amongst the entire DAP Central Executive Committee in his stand on Bersih 3.0 at Dataran Merdeka.

Tunku has not notified the party leadership that he would be making his position publicly. By making his stand public, Tunku has contradicted the principle of collective leadership and decision-making where whilst one can disagree, but as leaders we all have to abide by the majority decision made by the party leadership.

This has placed the party in an embarrassing position of being criticized by our own Senator for fully endorsing Bersih’s sit-in protest as an exercise of a basic human right of peaceful assembly.

By opposing Bersih when so many Malaysians are working hard to effect change for a clean electoral process, Tunku has undermined their efforts and given a gift to BN and the tainted EC.

Time has come to ensure a bright and clean future for our kids

I have conveyed to Tunku Aziz the party’s rebuke and the unhappiness of almost all DAP members at the public expression of his personel views against Bersih’s sit-in protest. I have also impressed upon him that whilst DAP allow differences of opinion within the party, publicly opposing a policy decision taken by the party in the manner Tunku has conducted himself does more harm than good.

For the electorally abuses by a politically inclined EC, where its top officials were UMNO members that has allowed itself to be used as a tool by BN, DAP fully supports and will mobilize its members for the Bersih sit-in protest for clean elections on 2pm 28 April 2012 nation-wide. DAP urges all Malaysians to join the Bersih rallies nation-wide, especially at Dataran Merdeka.

DAP strongly condemns the actions and warnings by the government, especially Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, to ban this peaceful sit-in protest by instilling fear of untoward incidents. The use of fear tactics only betrays the real character of the BN government as dictatorial and tyrannical. As American President Thomas Jefferson said,

When a government fears the people, there is liberty;

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The most fearful thing is term limitless Oligarchs and NEPOTISM in political parties that destroy activists instead of welcoming them so that they can be afforded some protection for ‘services rendered’. I do not agree with Tunku’s tacit approval of apartheid or lack of Article 18 UNHCR by a glaringly obvious non address of the issues (thus rendering the lack of address by LGE on the same apartheid issue even more obvious), but a political party that has no principles or ethics deserves no support from ANYONE.

For the neglect that near caused and has caused deaths, I am 100% with Tunku if that will remove product of nepotism LGE’s quorumless nepotistic golden parachute beneficiary mouth shooting off here on the media and online. Replacing the devil BN with the DAP deep blue sea (red ocean type to boot I warn), if not an option. How about Tunku lead the 3rd Force and drop these bunch of unethical nepotistic and uninclusive Pakatan losers who steal and parrot ideas instead of giving credit where is due. Have at Pakatan! And BN is an apartheid party so corrupt that the Human Rights Council should be shamed for allowing Malaysia to be a member of the Human Rights panel. Idiot politicians! 3rd Force when are you making your move? Get together and start organising yourselves, we had enough of the family blocs and selfishness of Pakatan and the apartheid-racism and corruption of BN!

How about this below social contract?

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

All family bloc and apartheid and fundo 3rd world countries deserve no respect or UN standing. UN should boycott and condemn  Malaysia at every turn hereon. LGE is one Tunku short of getting his a$$ canned by the BN, but pushes for idiotic face gaining, point scoring b.s. by arguing instead of Ending Apartheid or obtaining the above 3 Items with Tunku Aziz’s help. As mentioned before, LGE is the worst so-called ‘leader’ ever. File that lawsuit yet? Ready to resign as CM over apartheid? No? Then GTFO of Penang, there is no quorum to justify that CM’s seat with, and dad is just a Mubarak style term limitless MP that deserves to be booted for destroying democracy with cult of personality. Without address of apartheid, arguing with Tunku makes for a meaningless political party.

ARTICLE 4

Bersih: The negotiation for freedom — Zara Kahan – April 27, 2012

APRIL 27 — Umno’s old guards have called (their) Malaysia’s version of democracy a “guided” democracy, as if we are a nation of brain-damaged children who need our hands held at the polls.

Label it however you like. In actuality, the democratic nature and state of freedom in every nation in the world is not a static thing; it is a continuous negotiation between those in power and the people who have decided to give them that power.

Governing a nation is no easy thing, and certain limitations to freedom are necessary to maintain stability and security. The fairness of these limitations, however, depend on the nature of the people we elect, and human beings are corruptible creatures, susceptible to greed, fear and gross errors in judgment.

Even in the oldest democracies, such as America and Britain, the extent of freedom enjoyed by every citizen is not a static concept. The Patriot Act has allowed extreme infringements on individual liberty, and a sizeable number of these individuals accept it because it is done in the name of keeping bomb-wielding jihadis away from them.

Similarly, from the very conception of Malaysia, we have accepted several trade-offs. Want a stable economy? Shut up. Want a safe nation? Let us jail men who criticise the government.

Malaysia as we know it is a result of silent negotiations done over the years, in which the inaction of the majority of people signified that this is an acceptable bargain.

Is Bersih a sign that the majority opinion has changed? It’s hard to quantify since both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat love exaggerating the amount of support they have while most folks will keep their opinions to themselves.

Numbers aside, this is simply another turn in a cycle of pushing and pulling for more freedom, and Bersih will not solve everything. Neither will a new government, no matter what Anwar Ibrahim may promise you.

There is no big cure that will save us; even if all 22 recommendations of the Bersih committee replaced our national anthem, our freedom will never be guaranteed infinitely.

Sorry people, but our mechanism relies on human beings and the flesh is weak.

On a more positive note, the dialogue between Us The Rakyat and Kerajaan Yang Dikasihi has definitely gone beyond the silence and grudging consent that plagued the years of the generation before us.

There is a voice that will ring in Dataran Merdeka tomorrow, and no matter what you think of it, as Malaysians we must appreciate the quality of that voice; strong, clear and unyielding.

This is a tone that will create a difference in this ongoing negotiation to protect our rights as free men and women.

* Zara Kahan reads The Malaysian Insider

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Zara sounds like she’s from the generation that she labelled ‘before us’. This makes this response writer’s (moi) generation earlier than Zara’s as evn contrasted by those evidently younger than moi. Hey old lady, stop speaking for the establishment and pretending top be the YOUNG VOICE of Bersih. Freedom is INFINITE, and these punks will be wild. But perhaps limited by zones – FOR NOW . . . you beneficiary dreamer or post-beneficiary shill!

We’ll uncover how your dad and your family got their wealth or if they are involved in orphanages as a certain Mokhtar character might be, behind her corrupted older generation beneficiary of cronyism dad (if not true, please ignore). Sickening.

Aged, middle aged and young. Got it? Zara belongs to the ‘RPK Old’ bunch even if actually a young person. So stop talking as if ‘this generation’ is to be limited in acquisition of social democratic protections. We’ll abolish taxes and apartheid, as well as make apostasy legal in a single election as well as establish nudist and RLD, OPZ,  zones in international cities Insyallah (for non-Muslims of course). REAL PEOPLE first not, the aged and the stuffy or the establishment or establishment fette-er. The negotiation for freedom is unending and absolute, as anything less means authoritarianism at worst (though overpopulation can ruin everything . . . ).

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Proper Method and Why ‘Bersih’ (0.3 Beta) May Be A Strawman

This group of leaders can file a lawsuit that is legally binding that international observers can watch. Then IF the leaders get arrested, a ‘March for Freedom of the Arrested (that peacefully filed lawsuits)’ becomes appropriate. Not the leaders march amidst media fanfare without a lawsuit and people induced to join getting hurt. AND the ‘leaders’ got away scot free, which indicates possible collusion with BN ! See article on Ambiga and Khairy sitting doesn for a ‘tete-a-tete.’ This achieves nothing and shows there is no risk to the so-called Bersih ‘leaders’ (. . . now we know why Onsokumaru landed on that water bottle . . . ).

EPIC SMILING (Crocodile) FAIL. People were beaten and tear gassed causing several to faint. From reports 1 person died, 2 others crushed by a car. Though fortunately for the rest, no worse than temporary detentions occurred. Smiling broadly again eh? File those lawsuits like real leaders to avoid this sort of thing. Stop being strawmen clowns!

Understand what’s going on Rakyat? Hegelian Dialectic! Run for candidacy as independents or join 3rd Force Parties on the below 3 items!

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

Read up on what Hegelian-Dialectic is :

http://dont-tread-on.me/?p=1444

Article 5

Anwar’s ‘gesture politics’ raises eyebrows – Bernama – Friday, 04 May 2012 17:14

KUALA LUMPUR– Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim often likes to portray himself to the world as Malaysia’s great crusader, peaceably agitating for change against a seemingly unbending, authoritarian regime.

After Bersih 2.0 last year, he played the victim quite persuasively, mobilising his friends in the foreign media to attack the government for taking “brutal action” against peaceful protesters.

But after his questionable role in Bersih 3.0, Anwar’s star appears to be waning. In fact, things have gone downhill that — far from heralding him as a democrat — many are now accusing Anwar of inciting violence.

Video footages from Bersih 3.0 posted on YouTube shows Anwar making a curious rolling gesture with his hands to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. Within seconds, PKR supporters breached the police barricades and charged into Merdeka Square, prompting the police to respond with tear gas and water cannons to prevent a stampede.

In an interview with Radio Australia on Tuesday, Anwar denied that his hand gesture was a signal to protestors to breach the barricades, instead claiming implausibly that it meant, “negotiate with the police”.

People will make up their own mind about the truth, but so far, few outside observers appear convinced.

“Mr Anwar has some explaining to do”, was The Economist’s verdict – and, here in Malaysia, Anwar’s role in Bersih 3.0 has been similarly criticised by people from many ends of the political spectrum.

At a PKR press conference on Monday, independent filmmaker Benji Lim accused Anwar of endangering the lives of protesters, as well as jeopardising Bersih’s cause. The protest “was completely hijacked by the opposition,” he exclaimed, before being bundled unceremoniously out of the room.

Even Bersih 3.0 chief organiser Ambiga Sreenevasan has lamented Bersih’s politicisation by opposition leaders, telling journalists that she “cannot control what they say”.

Anwar has dismissed any criticism of his conduct. Instead, at the press conference, he launched a bizarre attack on the government, accusing the Barisan Nasional leadership of behaving like Stalin and Hitler.

He went on to suggest his fate was comparable to a Nazi concentration camp victim – a claim made even more appalling because he was speaking on the exact anniversary of Hitler’s death.

This episode, whichever way you cut it, also raises broader questions about Anwar himself, and his opposition allies.

Can persons who hijack a peaceful rally for their personal political ends be fit to lead a nation of 28 million people?

Do they have a steady, prudent hand that we need to guide our country’s burgeoning economy?

To those who know the opposition politicians well, say that what happened on April 28 was unsurprising.

This time round, the opposition politicians have been caught on film footages, which will bear witness to their actions.

Political observers say that Anwar has often been seen indulging in “hand gesture politics”, revelling in grand spectacles but offering voters little in terms of a detailed blueprint for transformation.

Finally, many would say, Anwar’s “hand gesture politics” appear to have backfired.

Don’t be surprised to see him spend much of the coming weeks and months explaining what his Bersih hand gesture really meant.

— BERNAMA

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Try 2:02 for some ‘hand gesture politics’ – which nepotistic dynasty’s throne got shot up? Was Azmin the signal boy? Note the ‘Khinzirim’ . . . 100 million I♥U for those deserving if not careful . . . Kano says, ‘hello baby’ . . . ( . . . btw listen to – 0:07 to 0:22 – without video –  is for ‘bears’, ah directors and producers, know you not what you present us? . . .)

Heres a ‘hand gesture’ for all ‘careerist’ term limitless, nepotistic ‘reserve political posts for family bloc and run political party like family business’ politicians . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_%28gesture%29

ARTICLE 6

Bar to hold EGM next week on Bersih 3.0 – May 04, 2012

Lim labelled as “incomprehensible” the police force’s failure to take stock of its previous mismanagement of public assemblies. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Bar Council chief Lim Chee Wee today called for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next Friday to discuss the storm of issues surrounding last Saturday’s Bersih 3.0 rally for electoral reforms, two days after accusing the authorities of human rights violations and widespread brutality.

Notice for the May 11 EGM was issued on the Malaysian Bar’s official website earlier this afternoon, to discuss a motion “in relation to the events of and surrounding the public rally on 28 April 2012 organised by Bersih 3.0, and matters in connection therewith”.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak earlier today labelled last Saturday’s demonstration an attempt by certain quarters to overthrow the elected Barisan Nasional (BN) government, as he hardened his administration’s position towards the electoral reform movement.

Lim had previously said that the Bar’s monitoring team found more instances of police brutality compared to last year’s July 9 Bersih event.

He previously said the authorities failed to take heed of criticism and recommendations outlined by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) with regards to police conduct during Bersih’s first two rallies, and lamented on how “little has changed.”

“It is incomprehensible, if not a reflection of the sheer incompetence or arrogance of the police force, that it has not learnt from its past mistakes in the management of assemblies of people exercising their constitutional right, so well documented and analysed by Suhakam in its two reports and the pending ongoing inquiry.

“Police brutality this time around has been magnified; there is more police brutality (compared to last year.) There was arbitrary use of tear gas, water cannons,” Lim told a news conference last Tuesday.

The lawyer said that last weekend’s events showed an “urgent” need for the police force to undergo a “transformation programme”, to be changed by force of statute through the establishment of the recommended Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

He said the Bar’s interim report on the Bersih 3.0 rally had found that the rally was peaceful until around 3pm when the police unleashed water cannon and tear gas on the crowd; the use of force by the police without any obvious provocation or cause, was far worse, indiscriminate, disproportionate and excessive; and police brutality more widespread.

It also noted a concerted effort by the police to prevent and stop any recording of their actions and conduct. Such actions included firing tear gas directly at the crowd and in such pattern as to box in the participants rather than allow them to disperse quickly.

According to the council, this was found to elicit pockets of retaliatory behaviour by some participants of the rally. The police were also observed taunting and mocking the crowd. When items were thrown by some of the participants at the police, the police responded in kind.

Lastly, the report highlighted that not all police personnel were wearing and displaying their police identification number on their uniforms.

Lim also said that the authorities had disregarded provisions within the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (UNBPUFF), the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (UNCC), and Amnesty International guidelines.

The Bar EGM will take place at the Sunway Putra Hotel (formerly the Legend Hotel) in the city at 3pm next Friday.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Hold  an EGM about APARTHEID and EXTREME  RELIGION in Malaysian Law, and Malaysian Constitution first, Strawman (Bar) Council.

1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)

7 Articles from around the World, 2.5 Articles on the ‘Cult of Personality’ issue (1 East, 1 West) and the reason why Term limitless Oligarchs are harmful to Democracy, Glaringly Semi-Professional Companies, 2 Articles on Bad Judgments : Uncle Onyango vs DHS capers and a word on Immigration, Ridiculous Rulings out of touch with a sense of equitable justice, Gay-tising Article Alert, Wiz Khalifa AND Snoop Dogg to Challenge Archaic Laws (if they have MLK type guts), Ongoing Colonial Occupations Around the World – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – 27th April 2012

In 3rd Force, Abuse of Power, advocacy, amendments to law needed, better judgments, better laws, cult of personality, drug laws, drugs, equitable political power distribution, Migration, organic psychedelics advocacy, Organic Psychedelics Zone, spiritual abuse, spirituality on April 27, 2012 at 8:57 am

ARTICLE 1

Betrayal of a war hero: Why did the Army pursue Para through the courts for two years at a cost of £300,000… just for stopping a Taliban suspect fleeing? – by Ian Drury – PUBLISHED: 22:57 GMT, 25 April 2012 | UPDATED: 22:57 GMT, 25 April 2012

Paratrooper: Corporal C (not pictured) was pursued by the Army for punching a Taliban suspect in the face

A paratrooper who was dragged through the military courts for hitting a Taliban suspect – in a case that cost more than £300,000 – was finally cleared yesterday.

A judge threw out the Army’s case after describing the evidence against the soldier as ‘weak and tenuous’.

The alleged victim couldn’t even be bothered to turn up.

The 31-year-old defendant, known only as Corporal C, punched the prisoner once in the face as he interrogated him in Helmand Province.

The Special Forces soldier had been desperate to discover the possible location of improvised explosive devices.

Cpl C, who served for nine years before quitting in disgust at his treatment, admitted hitting the captive, whom he insists was trying to escape.

But the military refused to drop the case – even though the captive, Ahmed Wali, did not want to make a formal complaint, and there were no witnesses to the incident.

The case is estimated to have cost the taxpayer more than £300,000 and it plunged the military into a political correctness row.

The Service Prosecuting Authority even paid tens of thousands of pounds to retain Sarah Whitehouse, one of the country’s most eminent barristers, to fight its case.

Last night Tory MP and former infantry officer Patrick Mercer said: ‘I always thought that Cpl C had acted with remarkable courage, restraint and professionalism in the circumstances.

‘He was operating deep in enemy territory with a real threat of losing life and limb. Now it seems that a judge has finally agreed.
‘This has been a scandalous waste of public money and it is dreadful that a good soldier has had to live with the threat of this hanging over him for so long’
Patrick Mercer, Tory MP and former infantry officer

‘This has been a scandalous waste of public money and it is dreadful that a good soldier has had to live with the threat of this hanging over him for so long. It seems political correctness has been put ahead of the welfare of our troops.’

Cpl C, who is originally from Glasgow, had spent nearly two-and-a-half years with the charge hanging over him.

But Judge Advocate Alistair McGrigor, sitting at the Portsmouth Naval Base court martial centre, yesterday slung out the case halfway through the hearing.

(The judge) said: ‘My ruling is that the prosecution case is so tenuous and so weak that I will stop the trial at this stage.’

Last year three judges, asked to review the evidence at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London, branded the case ‘unfortunate’ saying it was a ‘large hammer (to deal) with a relatively minor matter’.

Cpl C, who had risked his life serving with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was a qualified tactical questioner when the incident happened on March 1, 2010.

The shameful saga

He was section commander of a joint British and Afghan patrol which set up a vehicle checkpoint in Babaji, a Taliban stronghold strewn with IEDs.

The patrol, which had been on duty for eight hours, was aware that insurgents were planning a vicious attack and had faced a near constant barrage of small arms fire.

The court martial was told that at about 10am, the patrol stopped a motorbike carrying two men who were ‘acting suspiciously’.

British troops believed they were acting as ‘dickers’ – spotters – for Taliban fighters. As a member of the Afghan Territorial Force waded across a canal to approach the men, the rider pulled out a pistol and pointed it at him.

The insurgent was shot and Wali, the pillion passenger, was taken into a nearby compound for questioning. The prisoner was held in plastic handcuffs and made to squat – standard Army practice – during the interview.

Wali, who was carrying a list containing the names of senior Taliban, was left alone with Cpl C for about a minute while an interpreter and another serviceman were called away.  When they returned, they found Wali had ‘a swollen lip and blood on his face’.

When questioned by the Royal Military Police, Cpl C said he punched Wali as insurgents were firing at the compound and laying down IEDs. Explaining that the pair were squatting about one foot from each other, Cpl C said Wali had suddenly raised his arms.

He responded by striking out with his left fist. He said: ‘I thought he was going to hit me or run away, or worse-case scenario he could have taken my weapon off me. At that time I thought it was the correct decision.’

Cpl C, who has seen close comrades killed and injured in battle, added that he was carrying his full kit and could have easily been pushed over by the detainee. Mark Aldred, defending, said the soldier’s action was ‘a proportionate response to a perceived risk’.

He added: ‘This is of course Afghanistan. In the context of what goes on there, the fact that a detainee made a brief attempt to escape and was being faced with minor force would barely register on the Richter scale.’

Miss Whitehouse, prosecuting, said the Army doubted Cpl C’s claim that he acted in self-defence because he did not mention the Afghan’s escape bid until he was formally interviewed by the Royal Military Police three months later.

It also emerged during legal arguments that Wali did not want to make a complaint against Cpl C. After he was released, efforts to track him down in Helmand failed.

Critics believe the Army was trying to repair its reputation in the wake of the scandal over Baha Mousa, the hotel receptionist who was beaten to death by British troops in Iraq in 2003.

Suspicious: Face-covered militants who they say are Taliban fighters, pose with RPGs and AK47s, in Zabul province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan

Last night, Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded British forces in Afghanistan, said: ‘I think the person who pressed for this to be brought before court martial really does need to have their very, very poor judgment questioned.

‘The judge has very quickly come to the conclusion there is no case at all to answer. It is quite right that if there are allegations of ill-treatment to prisoners they must be investigated. That is absolutely correct. But if it cannot be proved that there is evidence of wrong-doing then it is disgraceful that it goes to a court martial.

‘The soldier must have spent the last two years under terrible pressure when what he was doing was fighting for his country and putting his life on the line.

‘It appears that no one has had the common sense to look at the context, which was that he was on a battlefield in very real danger.’

Major Charles Heyman, who edits the British Army handbook, added: ‘It’s good that this case has been thrown out. It is shocking that a soldier who was doing his duty has been hauled before the courts on such flimsy evidence. Sadly this is all too familiar because there are over-zealous prosecutors who are unwilling to think anything other than the worst of our soldiers.’

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. The comments below have not been moderated.

Lots of things happen during a war – people get killed as well as a fat lip! Whoever sanctioned this prosecution should be sacked!!

– Will, Bangor, 26/4/2012 10:21
Rating (0)

Why didn’t the PM step in and stop this farce! He is quick enough to read out names of fallen soldiers in the house of commons which I find hard to stomach that these people say this to try and make us believe that they care.

– sick of all the waste, Leeds, 26/4/2012 10:20
Rating   1

you can use lethal force in self defence namely yours that of those around you or private property, where is the case against this man?

– simon, hogwash, 26/4/2012 10:15
Rating   1

Perhaps our forces personnel should be supplied with special uniforms which keep one arm permanently tied up because that often seems to be the result of the regulations under which they have to operate.. Our forces were sent to Afghanistan in 2001 in what was supposed to be a peace-keeping role but it’s been out and out war which the Taliban and Al Quaeda recognise even if of our top brass don’t.

– Marie , England, 26/4/2012 10:13
Rating (0)

Please stop calling all servicemen ‘heroes’ who fight and serve in these illegal wars, its insulting to the intelligent readers. The last heroes we had fought and died in WW2.

– Dr Do Little, small little island next to Europe, 26/4/2012 10:11
Rating   6

This is not new! Back in the 1970s, open fire in NI and the investigating branch and the civil police would be all over you trying to make out you ‘fancied shooting at something’. I witnessed one soldier threaten the military policeman trying to belittle a fellow infantryman had the soldier not calmed down when I told him , I honestly believe the MP would have got one round the back of the head from me too on his way down! Have my doubts that this was reported by a regimental NCO or or officer. Despair at the anti officer nonsense that I read, having started at the bottom and worked up I saw that most regimental officers are superb – and they come from all walks of life, there were very few public schoolboys in my last mess. Since 1914 the British army officer corp – pro rata has taken greater casualties than the rank and file it saddens me that the heavy sacrifice is never given recognition.

– Bill, Venta Belgarum, 26/4/2012 10:09
Rating (0)

This soldier, like the rest of the country, has been betrayed! firstly by Bliar then by the buffoons who prosecuted him!

– horseboi, Oxford UK, 26/4/2012 10:06
Rating   7

Good to see the armchair critics out in force. The nearest they get to experience someone trying to kill them is when they play a computer game. Easy sat at home telling our guys and girls out there what to do.

– steve, wrexham, 26/4/2012 09:59
Rating   6

Illuminati….

– Craig , Kent, 26/4/2012 09:59
Rating   3

Absolutely right that this matter should be pursued – The Army beat a man to death in Iraq “conditioning” him for interrogation. There is no place for violence in interrogation – and this was not in the interrogators manual or training – Thomas, Newcastle, 26/4/2012 5:34=====That’s right Thomas, they should just behead people with rusty knives and film it instead! To all you army/country hating traitors, were you born this way or is it something you have morphed into in your slither through life? I just hope and pray for all our sakes that you/we never have to call on the services of the army you seem to hate so much.

– Lancastrian, Yorkshire, 26/4/2012 09:58

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Humanity has, since developing past the low density tribal era (at least in tribes where everyone was an important individual in their own right) been in a war of psychic imprinting where FREE CHOICE of one’s favourite person to be imprinted by should be CHOSEN FREELY, instead of being forced upon by a dictator or (forceful, aka psychologically manipulative – psychiatry is viewed as a branch of the ‘secret police’ in the 3rd world, not medical professionals to help genuinely ill persons – or abusive ‘personalities’ (ask about the rapes and murders that have and continue to occur in these parts, compounded by lies and rumours by vicious cronies out to get their opponents or even bad relationships intentionally soured, sometimes to gain access to wealth by a burgeoning class of manhaters who form a backbone of insane that hide behind ‘male abuse’), perhaps a sick minded or older relative.  Manipulative use of billboards, NLPs and placards pasted all over the place with a politician or less so though ‘inadvertant’ fans or converts occur alot more in actor-star imprints. All of the above is a form of this abuse, especially when non-consensual and should also be illegal. Perhaps a chapter in that ‘Spiritual Education Charter’ the UN has yet to print and require all schools to distribute and teach from?

Some imprints dominate entire nations due to cults of personality again spiritual criminals, much like term limitless politicians making b1tches of people who enter their political parties by imprinting upon them a certain faith, mindset or meme-set. Finally, though it is uncivil to copy uniqueness rather than develop one’s own unique look or phenotype without permission, or if the person is unaware of the implications of ‘stardom’ or ‘public personality’ (which ends up wtih hordes of disguusting cheap copies of the imprinter in question. The mass of generally formless faceless types can be thus be respected for ethics and awareness (less likely as people do have some sense of direction though not necessarily personality), if not pitied for inability to create a unique facial form of their own (more common).

As for the way the above case was handled, out of a pathological love for micromanagement, and refusal to allow pro-active behaviour and critical thinking to prevail (despite saying how democratic ‘the West’ is), in another few more decades of this, and the ‘West’ will have dug their own grave and buried the ‘West’ without need of any wars, not to mention that as of now they are already bankrupt and PARASITING off the productive middle class, keeping funds from circulating due to plutocrats’ sequestered wealth, and imposed dependency and hand out culture of the lower classes from bad laws to enrich crony suppliers.

Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2135275/Betrayal-war-hero-Why-did-Army-pursue-Para-courts-years-cost-300-000–just-stopping-Taliban-suspect-fleeing.html

ARTICLE 2

T-shirts investigated for borrowing Wen’s popularity – Updated: 2012-04-26 14:34 (Xinhua)

BEIJING – A Chinese online fashion retailer is being probed for cashing in on Premier Wen Jiabao’s popularity to promote its latest T-shirts — an act that might have violated the country’s law on advertisement, Beijing commerce authorities said.

Vancl, popular for its pop culture apparel, stirred up controversy on Tuesday by advertising on its website a new series of T-shirts printed with Premier Wen’s signature quotations like “Forget About Me” and “Self-Reflection.”

Both quotes were picked from Wen’s emotional press finale this March when he addressed a press conference after the conclusion of the annual parliamentary session.

The 70-year-old premier’s term of office is slated to end in March next year. Since he took the post in 2003, Wen has become popular among the people and is sometimes fondly nicknamed “Grandpa Wen.”

The series of T-shirts is named “Look Up At The Starry Sky,” the title of a poem written by Wen and published in the People’s Daily in 2007.

One of the Vancl T-shirts actually features “Look Up At The Starry Sky” and “Step On The Concrete Ground” in Chinese calligraphy, in reference to a couplet Wen gave to students of Peking University in 2010.

The couplet was a metaphor for telling young students to hold high ambitions but take a step-by-step approach to achieve their dreams.

Pictures of Wen waving to journalists and taking questions, though not printed on the T-shirts, were splashed on the advertisement web page at http://www.vancl.com.

But the page was taken down by the company only hours after its appearance as many Internet users accused it of cashing in on the premier’s popularity to promote its products.

“Vancl’s online advertisement is suspected of violating the Advertisement Law which stipulates an advertisement shall not involve using the names of State organs or their functionaries,” a spokesman of Beijing municipal industry and commerce bureau told Xinhua.

The bureau would soon take actions in accordance with the law, he added.

While it is not unusual to see the faces of Chairman Mao and other late state leaders on souvenirs, it is rare to see images of incumbent leaders or officials being borrowed by pop culture.

Jiao Hongyu, a Vancl spokeswoman, told Xinhua the advertisement was designed out of respect for Wen, hoping the premier’s messages might have a positive influence on today’s young people, who are Vancl’s back-bone customers.

“We did a Lei Feng (a late heroic Communist soldier) series before and it was very well received,” Jiao said. “So when we planned this series, we did not foresee any negative impact it might bring.”

T-shirts of the “Lei Feng” series are sold ranging from 29 yuan ($4.6) to 59 yuan a piece. The “Look Up At The Starry Sky” T-shirts, however, have been pulled off from Vancl’s online purchasing platform.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Inappropriate for public officials. After the public official has retired, MAYBE because that official’s influence can still affect and make non-neutral policies. After the public official has passed on AND if there are no relatives of that official in government as well, t-shirts become and other memorabilia quite appropriate. Profiteering should not be at the expense of the stability of the nation.

Source : http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-04/26/content_15150818.htm#

ARTICLE 2.5

Benetton founder steps down for son – April 22, 2012

MILAN, April 22 — Luciano Benetton will hand over the helm of the Italian fashion clothing company he helped found 47 years ago to his son this week, he said in an interview published today.

Benetton and his family turned the company into one of Italy’s best known brands with more than 6,500 stores in 120 countries and a reputation for controversial advertising and bold colours, but it has struggled against new competitors.

“The baton passes to my son Alessandro, who will become chairman,” Benetton, who turns 77 in May, said in an interview published in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

“After a run of 47 years, on Tuesday I will resign from the duties I hold in the company I founded with my siblings.”

A company spokesman confirmed the remarks made in the interview. Alessandro is currently deputy chairman.

Benetton has suffered from the emergence of more-flexible rivals such as Inditex’s Zara and Sweden‘s H&M . In January the family announced it would delist the company after a buyout of minority shareholders.

An industry source told Reuters in February that Alessandro was set to take charge and that the buy-out would give him room for possible asset disposals or alliances and help revamp the group to accommodate other family members.

In the interview, Benetton said his 48-year-old son had shown in the two years as deputy chairman he had the passion needed to run the group, now more than 90 per cent controlled by the family.

Benetton scrapped its 2011 dividend after sluggish consumer demand in Southern Europe and the rising cost of raw materials such as cotton led to an almost 30 per cent fall in net profit. — Reuters

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

The corporate ethics issue arises. Not enriching all citizens, but 1 family. Leads to extreme plutocracy and doubtless golden parachute cronyism at the expense of the stockmarket and the stock holders. Nepotism is uncool. Benneton or any other ‘semi-professional’ companies posing as ‘corporate’ outfits based around family ties, are blood diamonds among corporate gems. In the world of political parties where laws that can imprison and fine are involved (i.e. faith vs. faith, narrow ethnic communalism etc..) this sort of behaviour of course is absolutely unacceptable and quite 3rd world-like in nature.

Source : http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/22/us-benetton-idUSBRE83L07420120422

ARTICLE 3

DHS Sued For Records Regarding Obama’s Illegal Alien Uncle – OpEd – written by: Jim Kouri – April 24, 2012

An “Inside the Beltway” public-interest group that investigates government corruption reported on Friday that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit — Judicial Watch v. Department of Homeland Security (No. 1:12-cv-00346) — against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for records related to President Barack Obama’s illegal alien uncle, Onyango Obama, who was arrested in August 2011 on drunken driving charges in Framingham, Massachusetts as first reported by the Law Enforcement Examiner.

On March 27, 2012, Onyango Obama admitted to the Framingham District Court that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, meanwhile, indicated that the agency would continue deportation proceedings against Obama, as reported in the Boston Herald.

“Now that [Mr. Obama’s] criminal case has completed, ICE has communicated, in accordance with standard procedure, with his attorney regarding his removal pursuant to a previous final order by an immigration judge,” agency spokesman Brian P. Hale said.

Onyango Obama reportedly was first ordered out of the country in 1992 but refused to leave.

After Onyango Obama was released from federal custody at the Plymouth County House of Correction on September 8, 2011, via an “order of supervision,” JW filed a second FOIA request, seeking access to “all records of communications, contacts and correspondence” between ICE and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department,” as well as the other organizations listed in the previous FOIA request.

By letter dated September 20, 2011, ICE acknowledged both FOIA requests. A response was due by October 19, 2011. However, after six months, DHS has failed to turn over any records, explain why they should be withheld, or indicate when a response will be forthcoming.

Obama, who, upon his arrest, said his one phone call would be to the White House, has indicated that he will fight ICE’s efforts to deport him in a high profile proceeding that the Boston Herald conjectured could “drag on for years.”

While he fights deportation, Obama will be allowed to drive a car. He was supposed to lose his license for 45 days, but received a “hardship license,” from the Massachusetts’s Department of Motor Vehicles so that he could drive back and forth to his job at a liquor store. (Typically, illegal aliens cannot lawfully work in the United States.)

“Onyango Obama has already escaped deportation once. And given his family relationship to President Obama, the American people must be assured that the law is being impartially followed in this case. The Obama administration’s decision to flout FOIA and stonewall our records request suggests that there is something to hide,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

Special thanks to Judicial Watch’s Jill Farrell, director of public affairs, for her continued assistance and valuable information.
About the author:

Jim Kouri

Jim KouriJim Kouri, CPP, formerly Fifth Vice-President, is currently a Board Member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, an editor for ConservativeBase.com, and he’s a columnist for Examiner.com. In addition, he’s a blogger for the Cheyenne, Wyoming Fox News Radio affiliate KGAB (www.kgab.com). Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

One wonders if the whole issue is due to racism. Leave the old ‘black’ guy alone. Consider allowing Onyango Obama to stay in USA on compassionate and family grounds. Stop bullying. Dya think he’s a criminal? Or that there is no space in USA for 1 more illegal alien? Last I remember, Uncle Onyango was supposed to give a ‘Black Power’ speech in Malaysia following the death of a ‘black youth’ by the local paramilitary (junta?) who are also paid off the taxpayer’s funds without assent by any majority quorum of taxpayers to boot, so please stop trying to deport the guy. Onyango will be out of the USA giving seminars (which is more than what you might be doing) soon enough for quite awhile if Pres. Hussein’s (Obama) people know how to save face. You can’t deport someone who willingly left the country to be a respectable figure in educating 3rd world apartheid states about anti-racism . . .

Source : http://www.eurasiareview.com/24042012-dhs-sued-for-records-regarding-obamas-illegal-alien-uncle-oped/

ARTICLE 4

‘Dog Whisperer’ host finalizes divorce, must pay ex-wife $23,000 a month – by Wendy Carpenter | The Upshot

“Dog Whisperer” host Cesar Millan might need some consolation from man’s best friend after his divorce was finalized.

TMZ is reporting that the self-taught expert dog trainer must pay his ex-wife, Ilusión, a one-time amount of $400,000, a monthly spousal payment of $23,000, and another $10,000 for monthly child support.

That may seem like a huge sum for a basic cable reality TV personality, but Millan can afford it.

The recently filed divorce documents, which were obtained by TMZ, show that Millan makes $170,000 a month — which is over $2 million a year.  Though he is best known for hosting the National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Whisperer” for eight seasons — it has millions of viewers and is broadcast to over 80 countries — the 42-year-old has also authored several best-selling books and runs a Dog Psychology Center. The latter, according to the New York Times, is a 43-acre mecca he calls “Disneyland for dogs.”

Cesar Millan and then-wife Ilusión Millan at the Imagen Awards on Aug. 21, 2008 in Beverly …

And then there is Cesar Millan Inc., which accounts for all of Millan’s ventures outside of his TV show. According to the New York Times, that includes “speaking engagements; executive leadership seminars; a line of organic dog food, fortified water, shampoos and toys … and the charitable foundation financed by an undisclosed percentage of the company’s revenue.”

Ilusion, a Mexican-American who married Millan when she was 18 and he was 24, was very involved in her husband’s career. She helped him run Cesar Millan Inc. and designed the Illusion Collar, which helps control difficult dogs.

The couple, who filed for divorce in June 2010, had been married for 16 years and have two boys together.

The New York Times says the pair separated after the birth of their first son but reconciled. It quotes Ilusión as saying “We’re what I call Mr. Talent and Mrs. Brains. You can’t have one without the other.”

To which Cesar said: “My wife rehabilitated me.”

It is unclear what role Ilusión has had in the various business ventures since the divorce filing, though the charitable Cesar and Ilusión Millan Foundation has been since renamed the Millan Foundation.

People reported that Millan “famously came to the U.S. as a young man from his native Mexico with $100 in his pocket and a dream of becoming a famous dog trainer.” Now his client list includes Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith and director Ridley Scott, all of whom needed help with their canines.

Millan, who lives in Los Angeles, became a United States citizen in 2010. He is known for rehabilitating troubled dogs, largely because he “lives in the now and maintains a sort of über-balanced mien,” according to the New York Times.

And he apparently values his privacy. TMZ reports that the divorce documents stipulate that any “intimate, personal and/or private information about the other party … including details of their personal and/or sexual relationships” must remain confidential.  Any “photograph, film, videotape, recording … which is not commercially available” must remain private.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Nonsense. This woman needs a single 401K at most to retire on LIKE ALL OTHER *NORMAL* AMERICANS. Twice that amount would already be excessive. A typical family needs only 1-3K in support to get by. Challenge the ruling moron plutocrat. Having money does not mean one can sequester wealth, nor also be abused by stupid rulings that are inequitable. A nation of strong individuals need to also consider critical thought and challenging the bad law or bad judgment when bad judgments occur, or when encountering bad laws.

Source : http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/dog-whisperer-host-cesar-millan-finalizes-divorce-193255265.html

ARTICLE 5

Five unusual turn-ons for men – by Bob Strauss

Marcel Proust wrote, “Let us leave the beautiful women to men with no imagination” — and if you’re loath to take dating advice from a French author who wrote a 10,000-page novel about a guy eating a cookie, well, you’ve clearly been brainwashed by decades of movies, TV shows and magazine ads. Me? I empathize more with all those less-than-perfect single women out there. I’m talking about those ladies who may not know that most ordinary guys are attracted to the quirks and so-called “flaws” they’re terrified will doom them to a lifetime of singlehood.

Now that I’ve opened that door, there’s no way to avoid the one supposed “imperfection” that keeps women awake at night above all others — their weight. Allow yourselves to be reassured by Dr. Judy Kuriansky, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Dating, who says that “many men like plus-sized women with soft bellies. This often happens when they had a mother or nanny who had that kind of body and they felt comforted and enveloped by the mother figure — protected from the world or the insults of other children. Also, men like women with large hips for anthropological reasons — it used to mean that the woman was fertile.” And in my own experience, the vast majority of guys (at least, the ones who aren’t on TV shows or in movies) don’t care much about a few — or even 20 or 30 — extra pounds.

So what other surprising things do a significant number of men find attractive about women? Here are five for your delectation:

1. Glasses. Says Jeff, posting on the Yelp.com message boards: “Every guy loves a girl in glasses, but women never seem to know that. It’s not like we’re keeping it a secret — why would we? It’d mean fewer girls in glasses! Some glasses-lover needs to infiltrate Cosmopolitan magazine and get the word out!” For some guys (mostly the lazy ones who grew up watching teen gross-out comedies), glasses connote a nerdy personality and a high IQ, which can have their own intrinsic appeal; others appreciate them as fashion accessories, while still others have a natural affinity for them because spectacle-wearing women remind them of their mothers or early childhood crushes.

2. Freckles. Just as the deodorant-producing industrial complex has created legions of denatured, pheromone-free men (it turns out that plenty of women like guys with an earthy, musky scent), the powers-that-be in the cosmetics industry have convinced women that their natural freckles need to be buried under thick slabs of spackle and bronzer. Tonja Weimer, writer of the syndicated “Savvy Dating” column, says this is all based on a huge misunderstanding: “Freckles represent being unaffected, natural and relaxed. To some men, they also make a woman appear somewhat ‘innocent’ and less jaded.” If you don’t have freckles, try wearing less makeup, which many men also appreciate.

3. An independent streak. In my own experience, the worst thing a woman can do — whether it’s on a first date or after 20 years of marriage — is subsume her naturally ebullient personality in an effort to be more “accommodating” to her partner and avoid making waves. Most guys like a brisk, good-natured argument, and if you nip this possibility in the bud by constantly replying “I agree” or “Yes, you’re right,” the relationship (not to mention the conversation) will go absolutely nowhere. On the other hand, though, playing devil’s advocate in every conversation just makes you seem combative. So if you find yourself disagreeing more than not with your date, maybe it’s time to look for someone that’s a better fit for you, personality-wise.

4. Plain Janes. Standards of beauty in today’s media-saturated world have become so artificially elevated that many otherwise attractive women are convinced they’re “homely” because of a slightly bigger nose or a crooked smile. The good news is that most guys don’t care about this stuff; the bad news is that a small minority of men have self-esteem issues of their own and will take advantage of yours when given the opportunity. Eric Weisholtz, cofounder of GetOnTheCouch.com, says that “a man may see a woman who is kind of attractive, a bit awkward, unrefined and — whether she knows it or not — in dire need of someone to coach her toward virtue. It’s like finding a ‘make your own girlfriend’ kit.” Don’t feel like being part of a science experiment? Find a guy who likes you for who you are, not what he can make you change about yourself.

5. Assorted quirks. Fran Drescher, star of The Nanny, had a piercing, snorting, abrasive laugh — and all it did was send the ratings of her show through the roof and make her a millionaire many times over. That laugh also unmasked a secret crush that most guys didn’t even know they had: the hot girl with an unexpected quirk. Says Lisa Steadman, author of If He’s Not the One, Who Is?: “You know you’ve met someone who’s a keeper when he or she compliments your quirks. Whether it’s the snort in your laugh or the way you twirl your hair when you’re thinking about something — or the fact that you have to double-check that you hit the alarm button on the car when you get home at night — the right person will think your quirks are adorable.” Remember this the next time you’re feeling self-conscious about slurping your straw three times as you finish your iced latte. You might just have the guy next to you entranced instead of annoyed!

Men, get the women’s perspective on this issue by reading 5 unexpected female turn-ons.

Bob Strauss is a freelance writer and children’s book author who lives in New York City. He’s also written the Dinosaur guide on About.com, the online information network owned by the New York Times.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Sounds like a gay person who is a nerd to me. Maybe the author meant to title this, 5 things that make homosexuality and nerds special.

http://www.match.com/magazine/article.aspx?articleid=11876

ARTICLE 6

An offensive couple! Rapper Wiz Khalifa is cited for marijuana possession while fiancee Amber Rose commits fashion crime – by Mike Larkin – PUBLISHED: 23:53 GMT, 25 April 2012 | UPDATED: 00:52 GMT, 26 April 2012

It seems Wiz Khalifa and his fiancée Amber Roser are well matched.

While the 24-year-old rapper was handed a citation for alleged marijuana possession, the model was busy committing a crime against fashion.

Wiz was collared at a Holiday Inn hotel in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday after investigators were called to his hotel room.

Cited: Wiz Khalifa admitted possessing marijuana in Nashville at the weekend and was served with a court citation

The star, whose real name is Cameron Thomaz, was due to headline a show in the city, but his night was ruined when the police showed up at his room.

Front desk staff at the hotel called police after received several complaints about marijuana use in his room.

Police claim that when they arrived they smelled marijuana, and when the door to his room was opened, they saw him throw a marijuana cigar out of the window. Not-so-sheepish: Wiz is open about his use of the drug and is starring alongside Snoop Dogg in an upcoming stoner movie

Not-so-sheepish: Wiz is open about his use of the drug and is starring alongside Snoop Dogg in an upcoming stoner movie

They also allege that when they asked if there was any more marijuana in the room he denied it,  but they later found more on his companion.

Both suspects later admitted to having the drug and were cited for the misdemeanor possession.

They have until May 14 to show up at the Davidson County courthouse for booking on the charges.

He left Nashville on Sunday and has been in New York this week.

Call the fashion police: Amber Rose was in danger of being taken away in handcuffs due to her awful outfit in New York today

Rearly awful: The model’s outfit looked terrible from every angle

It will come as no surprise to his fans however, as he is open about his use of the drug and is even starring alongside Snoop Dogg in upcoming stoner comedy Mac and Devon Go to High School.

But the rapper was not the only one in his social circle committing a crime recently.

For his fiancée Amber Rose, who he proposed to last month, was in danger of being put in handcuffs by the fashion police in New York today.

Even by the 28-year-old’s outlandish standards her latest outfit was beyond the pale.

However her grey hooded top, baggy shorts, white sports socks, converse shoes and the red handkerchief she wore on her head was still not enough to stop fans asking for photographs.
A pair of poseurs: However his friends will surely be chuckling at her fashion disaster

A pair of poseurs: However his friends will surely be chuckling at her fashion disaster
Better in the shade: At least the glasses would have kept her in the dark about her ensemble

Better in the shade: At least the glasses would have kept her in the dark about her ensemble

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Her worst look to date and I normally love her body but I have to say she looks a bit fat in these pictures.

– OnlineGirl , Town , 26/4/2012 02:14
Rating   44

You’re right this time DM. This is DEFINITELY a fashion crime! I had a good laugh at her get up. Hahahah

– Ana, Canada, 26/4/2012 02:09

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

Wiz should use this opportunity where Snoop Dogg failed, (also with all that wealth Wiz has) to challenge the unconstitutionality of the charges, of the unconstitutionality of the ban on all organic psychedelics which are after all freely given in nature.

No group of people have a right to forbid anyother group (this is the essence of democracy and civilisation, protection of minority rights) from using what is freely available or growing in nature, especially with threats of incarceration or extortion (fines) via ‘words on a piece of paper that have no bearing on reality and freedom laws‘. If the case to challenge bad laws against generally harmless organics fails (doubtful) as so many people do use organics, Wiz should demand that he be allowed to renounce the US citizenship and seek asylum in a country of his choice where organics are legal.

Do it Wiz, fight for democracy, for the right to use what Nature has given us for free! Don’t be a victim or a legal-system wuss Wiz, challenge the system on a Human Rights angle to use what nature has freely given mankind ! USA! USA! Pull a MLK on the system Wiz! Make them regret even daring to target you!

https://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/in-the-dogg-house-snoop-is-arrested-for-marijuana-possession-after-sniffer-dog-weeds-out-stash-by-mike-larkin-last-updated-at-133-am-on-10th-january-2012/

ARTICLE 7

The Right to Sacrifice the Other: The American Genocides – by Munir Akash, Beirut: Riad El-Rayyes Books, June 2002. – REVIEWED BY Abdullah Mohammad Sindi, Ph.D. International Relations:

The American Genocides is a 200-page paperback book in Arabic and the latest scholarly work by Munir Akash who is a well-known Arab-American writer. Educated in his native Arab world, Europe, and the US, Akash authored, edited, and translated many articles and books in Arabic, French, and English on many subjects ranging from politics, to revolution, to poetry and sex. A recipient of several awards and honors both in Europe and the US, Akash also edited several scholarly periodicals in Paris, London, and the US including Jusoor, founded and published by him with the cooperation of Syracuse University’s publications in New York.

Written in a lucid style with a great deal of passion and courage which captivate the reader, The American Genocides contains a table of contents; an introductory chapter; seven main chapters documented by footnotes and sources; two appendixes on Native Americans; and two indexes, one on proper names and the other on places. The book also contains a small section about the author and his accomplishments.

Utilizing his expertise in Native American affairs, Akash wrote a profoundly shocking book. He did an excellent job in documenting the European genocides and other crimes against Native Americans from the time of the so-called “discovery” of so-called the New World in the late 15th century to the present. In this largest and longest holocaust in the history of the world, Akash estimated that 112 million Native Americans perished over the last 510 years both in North and South Americas. The invading Europeans destroyed over 400 North American Native Nations, such as the Iroquois, the Apache, the Navajo, the Cheyenne, the Cherokee, the Spokane, the Mohawk, and the Sioux.

Although some of these Native American victims (or so-called “Indians”) such as the Mayas, the Incas, and the Aztecs had great civilizations centuries before Europe, often superior to those of Europe at the time, the Europeans still claimed that their “divine” mission was to bring “civilization” to the New World and they brazenly referred to these natives as “savages” and “barbarians”. Also, despite the fact that the Native Americans initially welcomed the invading Europeans, were generous with them, and taught them how to survive in a new land, and how to plant food in an alien environment to them, the Europeans still have looked down, from the start, on these indigenous people and have called them such racist names as “brutes”, “vermin”, “wild varmints”, “devils”, “devil worshipers”, and “animals”. Not only uneducated Americans but also their political, religious, and social leaders have uttered these ugly and vulgar adjectives throughout US history.

Of the 112 million murdered Native Americans in the New World, Akash estimated that 18.5 million have been wiped out in what is known today as the United States.

He detailed how these horrific genocides and other crimes in the US have been committed by the “super race” WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) at all governmental levels throughout US history as well as by common settlers who brutally settle-colonized North America. From the very beginning of their colonization in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the WASPs have acted like real wasps with potent venom. They have savagely stung Native Americans by various methods of genocides from outright slaughter; to intentional infection by deadly diseases such as small pox, cholera, and plague; to forced brutal deportations known as “Indian Removal”; to confinements in horrible conditions in concentration camps and reservations; to intentional sterilization of Native American women without their own knowledge.

Ironically, some American Christian churches, which supposedly believed in “Thou shall not kill” and “Thou shall not steal”, openly condoned and supported at all levels these barbaric acts and slaughters of Native Americans as well as the thefts of their lands, resources, and properties.

Naturally, as Akash indicated, the US government and its agencies have carefully covered up these long series of genocides and ethnic cleansings against Native Americans. In fact, today’s standard American history textbooks and official documents throughout the US totally ignore these massacres and horrible crimes committed against Native Americans. According to the official American point of view, North America was “empty” of native people when the WASPs started to colonize it in the early 17th century, or at best “sparsely” inhabited by “primitive” or “uncivilized” tribes.

Nevertheless, being an Arab writer writing in Arabic for Arab readers, Akash then proceeded to make a brilliant analogical comparison between the WASP’s brutal racist colonization of North America and the ancient Hebrew’s gruesome colonization of Canaan (old Palestine), as well as the current savage colonization of Arab Palestine since 1948 by the Western Zionist Jews. In order to replace the native people and steal their lands and properties, both the WASPs and the Hebrews/Zionists had to commit genocides and brutal racism against the rightful owners of the lands. Both of these two racist colonizers have justified their massacres and thefts as “doing God’s work on earth”.

In fact, as God’s warriors and devout faithfuls, the WASPs and the ancient Hebrews as well as the modern Zionists have used the Old Testament for their own purposes to justify their extermination of the native peoples and the theft of their lands and resources. For example, in Joshua 6:21 we read: “And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.” And in Joshua 24:13 we read: “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat.”

Next, Akash articulated his analogy further by drawing a perfect parallel between the WASPs and the Hebrews/Zionists. As the ancient Hebrews fled the brutality of the Pharaoh in Egypt, so did the WASPs from their king in England. As the ancient Hebrews crossed the Red Sea in a dangerous sea voyage, so did the WASPs across the dangerous Atlantic Ocean. As the ancient Hebrews got lost in their voyage to the “promised land”, so did the WASPs on their “Mayflower” across the Atlantic. As the ancient Hebrews considered themselves to be “the chosen people of God”, so did the WASP “pilgrims”. As the ancient Hebrews made a “covenant” with “God” during their wandering, so did the WASPs. And as the ancient Hebrews finally arrived in the “promised land” of Canaan, so did the WASPs in the “promised” New English Canaan.

Both the Hebrews and the WASPs wanted to establish “a city upon a hill”, a biblical notion of supposedly “a utopian society”. In fact, the WASP “pilgrims” referred to their settled-colonies in North America by such names as “Israel”, “God’s new Israel”, “Zion”, and “the promised land”.

Akash then eloquently argued that the “biblical Jewish/Zionist” philosophy, espoused by the American founding WASP fathers, has naturally evolved into the following 5 basic doctrines, which have guided American policies from the earliest blood baths in Plymouth to the current butchery in Afghanistan:

1. The Israeli meaning of the US (the Hebrew mythology that created the nation).

2. The Divine Election doctrine, “Chosen People” imagery, and the superiority of the WASP race and culture.

3. The right to lead and “save” the world (errand in the wilderness).

4. The predestined expansion (the divine right and ability to expand US domains endlessly).

5. The right to sacrifice the other.

Accordingly, as a direct result of these 5 ingrained doctrines in the American political and social psyches, the author correctly concluded that the intentional annihilation of Native Americans by the “super race” WASPs was not a unique or abnormal occurrence in American history. Rather, “the right to sacrifice the other” has always been a constant and systematic American norm from the dawn of the American nation to the present. In fact, many others groups and races throughout the world, both in past and current US history, have also been brutally killed en masse for a variety of reasons. Among these victims are millions of innocent Black Americans who died during the long history of the American brutal slavery system and the Jim Crow laws that followed it; hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese who were horrifically incinerated by Atomic bombs in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the final days of W.W.II at a time when Japan was already too weak to continue the war and was actually willing to surrender; and millions of innocent Latin Americans, Filipinos, Koreans, Vietnamese, Arabs, Asians, Africans, and other groups throughout the world who have lost their lives as a direct or indirect result of America’s military interventionism World-Wide to promote US national (i.e., corporate) “interest”.

It should be indicated here that Akash is one of few scholars in the US who had the courage to expose in details the hidden history of these crimes against humanity. In researching his excellent book, Akash meticulously consulted many valuable sources, both primary and secondary, including documents, books, periodicals, and websites.

He quoted such important scholars and specialists on Native American studies as Professor David E. Stannard who authored: The Conquest of the New World: American Holocaust; and Ward Churchill, a Native American Professor and author of: Indians Are Us? Culture and Genocide in Native North America.

I do not have many negative remarks on Akash’s book. However, in few cases throughout his book one found some Western proper names written only in Arabic as they were mentioned for the first time but without the easier identification of their names by Latin letters next to the Arabic ones. In addition, although the title of the book (The Right to Sacrifice the Other: The American Genocides) gave the impression that each chapter might be devoted to specific racial victims of American genocides, the authored concentrated in the 7 chapters of his book on Native Americans. The author made only passing remarks about the American holocaust against Black American slaves, Filipinos, Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s civilians, Vietnamese, Latin Americans, Iraqis, Afghanis, and other victims throughout the world many of which were subjected to biological warfare. For example, in page 151 of his book, The American Holocaust, David Stannard stated that during the American slave trade “… at least 30,000,000 – and possibly as many as 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 – Africans were killed … before they even had a chance to begin working as human chattel on plantations in the Indies and the Americas”.

The American Genocides by Akash is an excellent book for all readers especially those interested in US history and in the plight of the New World’s indigenous peoples.

I recommend Akash’s book without any reservation whatsoever to all Arab readers, young and old. In fact, all Arab readers will be highly intrigued by Akash’s eloquent analogy between the WASP “pilgrims” in their brutal invasion of North America and the savage Hebrew/Zionist invasion of Palestine. The similarities between the brutal actions of the WASPs towards Native Americans and the actions of the Hebrews/Zionists towards the natives of Palestine (both ancient Canaanites and modern Palestinians) could also easily explain to all Arabs – especially those who still pin their hopes on the US to be fair – the current American unconditional support for Israel’s brutal policies in Arab Palestine. Also, those few Arabs who are still puzzled by the American total blind support of the Zionist entity should read this book.

In brief, Akash’s book is powerful and captivating. It is a good and informative reading, well researched and well written.

[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]

We will support Yauch’s work by asking the government of the United States to relinquish all political and military power to the Native Americans (drop all Governorships hand over top military posts, etc..) in exchange for China granting sovereignty to Tibet.

After all there were no WASPs in USA and government should be held by the Native Americans – AFTER reparations for Holocaust style Native American Genocides (for being Pagans and having an organic culture not typified by Capitalism) by the Protestant Xians, German style apologies for Nazism and repatriations of ALL ethnically Caucasian persons who had derived wealth from enslavement of NAs, or sequestered NA lands (especially native ancestral burial grounds and sacred grounds) have been returned to the remnants of the tribe in question.

China will have no excuse to continue holding Tibet IF the Native American peoples are given their sovereignty starting with the Republic of Dakota, and then the Republic of Aztlan (which could either rejoin Mexico or become a sovereign state), and finally the Republic of New Africa (in conjunction with the NA tribes in the original area if assenting).

Do the Caucasians in USA love Tibet enough to take the moral high ground and even recommend their fellow Caucasians who had held NA slaves or butchered NA’s in the early Protestant migrations for their own living space be repatriated, as well as relinquish all military and political power to the Native Americans to make a point that China cannot ignore? Otherwise consider Yauch’s work a failure and Tibet’s secession an impossibility.

There is no moral high ground otherwise for USA or any ‘American’ to pursue Chinese issues when glaring occupations of entire peoples to the point of near extinction lacking political and military control. More currently enacted violent occupations, occupations of subversion are listed below :

1) Native Americans in USA (Oppressing nation is England via Freemason-Illuminati cultists and WASP groups)
2) Aboriginese in Australia (Oppressing nation is England via Caucasian convict colonies)
3) Various First Nations Natives in Canada (Oppressing nation is England and less so France)
4) Maori people in New Zealand (Oppressing nation is England)
5) Inuit people in Greenland (Oppressing nation is Denmark)

;without UN Ambassadorial representation at the New York based (but soon to be based on an aircraft carrier) UN? If all of the above occupiers, which are considered 1st World Nations, relinquish control over their colonies, then only will China (a second world country for all purposes) willingly relinquish control of Tibet, though Tibet looks set to become a Buddhist Theocracy if care is not taken to ensure freedom of the populace which China presumably protects the population from. Please see below link for a skewed and one sided campaign by USA’s WASP propaganda weapon :

http://www.freep.com/article/20120504/ENT04/120504058/From-archive-Late-rapper-Adam-MCA-Yauch-talks-Tibetan-causes-role-Beastie-Boys-more?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Sindi is a native of Saudi Arabia where has was a Professor of Political Science at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. He now lives and works in the US where he has also taught at 4 universities and colleges in Southern California: The University of California at Irvine, California State University at Pomona, Cerritos College, and Fullerton College. Dr. Sindi has published several articles in different scholarly periodicals both in Arabic and English.