Zaid Ibrahim - CHANGE

I am most impressed with this speech from Zaid Ibrahim and became a fan of his the minute he walk his talk during his time in Pak Lah's administration.

As Malaysian, reading the political news and development in Malaysia is actually very energy consuming. So much so that after reading, one would feel a sense of helplessness without any recourse given the abuses, the absurdity of how the various law enforcement agencies handled law and order and silly statements made by the Ministers and politicians alike. Worst of all are the Little Napoleons and the civil servants who do not know where their places.

I've tried to reduce my various RSS feeds and have even told my Malaysian friends here in Jakarta that I might want to stop reading and follow the stories altogether save for my favorite being Malaysia Today. However, I was still drawn to it despite trying and I don't really know why. Perhaps it is the easy sharing tools available and my interest in social media.

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Zaid Untuk Rakyat - Updates via kwout

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Having said this, I suppose in order to effect CHANGE for a better Malaysia and a better tomorrow for ordinary folks like you and me, Malaysians must have the basic ingredients to change and that is the capabilities and willingness. This 2 basic words applies to all, from the people who cast their votes to the political parties and candidates selected as the people's representatives.

This is followed by what Zaid Ibrahim mentioned in the quote above, 25% of the parliament seats in the August house. Another key ingredients will be from the rural and kampungs folks in the Peninsula whereby 1 parliament ticket is allocated to constituencies with less than 20,000 voters.

And the most crucial ingredients comes from Malaysian Malays themselves. However one may cut the cake, there is no way Malaysian Chinese, Indians and the "Yang Lain Lain" (actually, I hate to use this term) can capture Putrajaya even they group together as 1unified unit, no two ways about this as seen in the many analysis done by RPK. Obviously, there are many more factors than this and if only Malaysia can find a true leader who has vision and is most inspiring in breaking all the differences, then Malaysians can stand tall and be proud.

With this, one can do is probably pray very hard for a better Malaysia for our future generations to come.

To report or not to?

As a follow up to what I have clipped on May 20, 2010 - Is this a HOAX? Or is it for real? Here is another clip and it is from Shanon Shah of The Nutgraph which I would like to share.

clipped from www.thenutgraph.com Najib’s call to the media "BUT to shape society's knowledge, so that we are more intellectual, critical, and can think objectively, this is also the role of the press. You can't report only stories that are sensational, hot or about conflicts only." These were Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's words during the 20 May 2010 groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Utusan Melayu (M) Ltd's new headquarters. Najib also said, "[The] integrity of your reports is important, because there is no point if you constantly need to apologise for your news." Reporters from some other independent media outlets have characterised this as Najib "reprimanding" Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia, or "calling for change". Najib seemed to be making a general assessment of the national media. But his remarks are certainly pertinent as president of the party that owns Utusan Malaysia, Utusan Melayu's flagship publication.

A center-spread ad costing US180K to US230K

Why in the world would the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister wanted to place an ad in the center-spread of a US newspaper? Who is paying for the hefty bill? Reading the headline, we all know where the money is coming from.

Rosmah ad placed on govt’s behalf

11 May 10 : 8.00AM

By Koh Lay Chin
kohlaychin@thenutgraph.com
PETALING JAYA, 11 May 2010: A recent two-page spread in the New York Times, costing thousands of US dollars and featuring the prime minister's wife, was placed on behalf of the Malaysian government.
In an e-mail response to questions from The Nut Graph, the New York Times said: "The advertisement was placed by an ad agency on behalf of the Malaysian government."
The response from New York Times executive director of community affairs and media relations, Diane McNulty, reveals that the ad was not placed by private individuals, as suggested by the last line in the ad's congratulatory message.



There is so much more the money can do for the poor and needy in Malaysia, why blew it in just an ad. Anyway, who in the USA would want to have a second look at the ad? It boggles my mind!

Malaysian man in blue just cannot change

Will the police shooting of Aminulrasyid Amzah be another case of NFA being stamped on the case file with the so called 'high powered" police inquiry? Or will it be another threaten the foreign pathologist inquiry of the Teoh Beng Hock case , And what happened to Kugan in the "die in jail" police beating case?

The MO seems all too familiar and it is hard to even believe a word the police have to say in their defense. The police just do not seems to understand the concept of upholding the law and justice of the country entrusted to them and it is the 'big brother' attitude of some of the senior officers starting from the IGP that is giving law enforcers a bad name. Can we then equate the man in blue as a licensed and organized crime outfit? And the police seems to be getting away with ..... all the time. Shhhssssh!

clipped from www.freemalaysiatoday.com The arrogance of police power NEW A week after schoolboy Aminulrasyid Amzah's death by police shooting, Malaysians have been treated to the ghastly spectacle of a government withdrawing into itself in the face of public outrage, and seemingly intent only on finding grounds for justifying its actions. Left in abeyance is the fact that governments exist in democratic nations to ensure the safety of all its citizens, and to ensure equal justice for all, no matter what their station in life.

1st Speaker's Corner in Malaysia and it is in my home state

I am glad to hear that today in Penang, the Speakers' Corner was launched.  "The Speakers’ Corner fulfills the aspirations of empowering the people by encouraging citizens to exercise their constitutional rights under Article 10 (1)(a) of the Federal Constitution of freedom of speech and expression and Article 10 (1)(b) where all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably." MT

I especially like point No.7 in Penang Chief Minister's speech in launching the Speakers' Corner.

" I have always said that a good government must do three things: listen to the people, do the people’s work and give hope to the people. The Speakers’ Corner serves as a catalyst to the growing spirit of democracy throughout Penang and the willingness of the state government to listen to the people to be a good government" You can read the rest of the speech here posted in 'My Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.'

Now, how many more states in Malaysia will follow this small step in recognizing the peoples' right to free speech? This small step will hopefully generate many more bigger steps in the long road for democracy.

Well done, Penang.

A very powerful article that speaks on my behalf in Malaysia

Why is it after 53 years of independence in Malaysia, they are still debating on nationality?

I for one, when asked by my Indonesian friends about my nationality is very proud to say that I AM MALAYSIAN. 'Fortunately or unfortunately', I am born in an ethnic Chinese family (my father was born in Malaya while my mother who has since passed away came from China at a very young age) and I carry a Malaysian identity card and passport. This is enough for me to get all my legal working permits, travel visas and reporting documents for a foreigner to work in Indonesia and as such, this makes me a Malaysian citizens and not Chinese citizen. Simple as that.

Like it or not, with an ethnic Chinese DNA, I still do make an effort to understand the culture, wisdom and teachings on the Chinese philosophy and way of life. Having said so, I will take and practice what is good and discard what is deemed to have clash with my principles. As a citizen, I take it upon myself to learn and acquire the necessary knowledge of the other ethnic races in Malaysia so as to live with my neighbors harmoniously and not to show any disrespect. In my mind, the question of nationality and loyalty to the country is a non issue, unlike some of the politicians who kept harping on it like an old trumpet.

What then is all the fuss about in Malaysia as advocated by some of the politicians (and recently the author from Utusan Malaysia newspaper) whether or not I am grateful or otherwise? My advise to all those racist politicians is to INTROSPECT and as the Indonesian will say "Ngaca donk!" and "Jangan bagai katak dalam tempurung".

From Free Malaysia Today, an article by Kee Thuan Chye prompted me to penned the above thoughts and hopefully get the message to those who are still debating on such issues.

Just Do it vs. Just Du-it (Duit = Money)

This is an interesting take from an UMNO man Sakmongkol AK47 .  I personally view Dato Mohd Ariff Sabri is one the few UMNO man who makes a lot of sense in what he writes in his blog, perhaps one of the few no-nonsense gentlemen.

Now, the brand story of UMNO after the Hulu Selangor so called 'buy-election' have certainly implanted the new proposition into the minds of most Malaysian. "Just Du-it" has in fact sealed the perception that UMNO is all about money, forget about the welfare of the people who deserves help irrespective of race, religion and creed.

I believe this  brand proposition will spell the end of the RAHMAN prophecy in the history of Malaysia.

1Malaysia F1 Team

Wow... a 1Malaysia F1 team for 2010 season. What a great idea! (but my jaw dropped)

I am a keen F1 fan and would not miss a live telecast on any given weekend whenever there is one. But the question I have in mind after reading about this 1Malaysia F1 team is "Does Malaysia really need an F1 team?" Besides, what is 1Malaysia anyway?

I wonder what is the budget needed to run the F1 team apart from having a state-of-the-art F1 facilities complete with wind tunnel at Sepang. My estimates is in the hundreds of millions USD. And I kept wondering.....anybody know?

Given that today is the 46th Malaysia Day, what a nice present the current administration has to offer to her people and yet, there are still poverty in the country. I guess only the rich and powerful in Malaysia can dream of having such an idea.
And along with it, I fear for my tax money being flushed down the toilet. Damn it!

On the one hand, I sincerely think that having a F1 circuit in Sepang billed as "The HOTTEST race" is good enough in getting all the "positive" international media coverage. On the other hand, there are also news from Malaysia that manages to get international media attention but all for the wrong reasons.

I still love to watch F1, but I think Malaysia can do away with such luxury of having a F1 team for the time being. Use the money to reduce the suffering of poor and needy instead.

Update Sept 17 - I found the answer in Malaysia Insider here.

Merdeka - 52nd Malaysia Independence

Wishing all Malaysian a Happy Merdeka!

After 52 years of independence, the political elite are still talking about racial harmony in a country who boasts herself as being Truly Asia, how ironic.

As I see it, the problem lies not among the ordinary Malaysian as they will go about with their daily routine in work, family, friends, leisure, food and how they want to improve their life. Simple analogy but this is the case for most ordinary Malaysians.

Why Malaysia is still talking about racial harmony after 52 years? What is so wrong?

Darn! If only Dr. M was right.

If only I am the master in Malaysia, what the heck am I working in Jakarta for? I could have easily stay home with my family, spend quality time, sip my favorite coffee and watch over my girls.

Damn, I have to work in Jakarta away from my family and to provide for my uni going daughter, save for my other slow learning daughter for her future and save enough money for my wife and me to retire when I am not able anymore.

As far as I am concerned, I am Malaysian. Why is the old man still talking on racial lines where his roots are also from an immigrant family? Shy lah!

EPF & Valuecap

My posting on November 12 on the same subject matter refers.

I suppose the truth will eventually comes out but for now, I'll give it the benefit of doubt. But coming from the DPM who seems to have a credibility issue, my perception on this is rather negative.

Having said this, my money is still stuck in the EPF. Damn, I can only withdraw 1/3 at 50 and the balance until I reached 55. I would rather splurge it on my own then to leave it in EPF to let someone else 'blown' it.

There goes my EPF savings

Damn, they are going to use the little money that I have left in my EPF for my retirement in a stock broking company. Why is the government toying around with my money? EPF itself has an investment team who has been doing a pretty decent job investing my money giving me between 5% to 8% yearly interest returns. I have no complaint about that.

But when the government is using my EPF money to put into some 'not transparent' company with the shareholders apparently owned by the government themselves, then I have a big problem.

If ValueCap is so good with their investments promising better returns, why take EPF money? take Petronas money lah. Being ignorant about stocks and investment, this deal certainly smells fishy.

Damn it!

If only I can withdraw all my EPF savings now, you bet, I will do so.

Abused of authority, power or what?

Grab this from NST online today, Nov 11, 2008.


Is the Home Minister saying (Police work is police work) and that is to be brutal by charging and bashing upon innocent people?
Isn’t the police being disrespectful of the country and King when they moved in to disrupt and brutalized the people while singing the national anthem?

As far as I am concerned after watching the videos in youtube and photos in some of the blogs, the Home Minister, IGP and the state police chief can say whatever they want, in my books, they are guilty as hell! They are just like little boys playing ‘masak-masak’ with the little girls and can’t ‘own up' to their mistakes.

Now, can I really depend on the Malaysian Police to protect and serve ordinary folks like you and me?

Either way, the “rakyat rugi” big time with the current bunch of so-called man in blue. Sad but true!

What's your perception?

Grab this image from Zorro-unmasked.

Now if Ku Li did not pay a single RM and can only secure 1 vote from his own division, what does this imply?

How ironic that the UMNO President and PM designate will be decided by just 191 division heads! What a 'pow wow' demoCRAZY concept!

Sickening, isn't it?

Real Idiots are proud of the ranking

Grabbed this image from "the Malaysian Bar" website and I almost fell off my chair laughing when I read what this 2 clowns have to say about the ranking of the Malaysian University. What is alarming is that it came from the Higher Education Minister and the Vice-Chancellor of UKM.

One said "So while we won't stop any of our universities from being evaluated, we must remember that their criteria is not exhaustive" and the other said "How do I feel? There's no feeling here," she told the New Straits Times. To her, the world ranking is just that; a ranking."

Now, I wonder which country and university where they send their own children to? Tell me how you feel when your own child came in No.1 from the bottom!

With such mentality of the people entrusted to do their jobs, now we know why the ranking of our local universities are very much left to be desired. Shame on these people, or there's no shame!

Defying the law of gravity

CPO today went down below the USD90 mark. However, prices of goods are still on the upward trend. Why is it that when these prices went up, it never seems to come down? The argument was the high cost of fuel and the government cannot be ‘subsidizing’. In whichever case, the real deal is that the consumers like you and I are the real losers, the ordinary wage earning masses.

Whatever happened to the much talk about price mechanism? All talk and no action, as usual.

Is it only me?

Why is it that every time when I read the speeches/statements made by the PM, DPM and in fact the entire cabinet ministers and their deputies, it just makes me want to puke? It seems to me that it is only all talk without any substance, just like the standard answer from any Air Asia’s check-in counter staff when asked if there would be any flight delay upon checking in.

My guess is that after 50 years of unchallenged rule, systematic control on the flow of information and perhaps power play has moved them into their comfort zone so much so that they take the goodwill of the people for granted. This by-product must have led them to be what they are today despite the signs of change sweeping the entire country after the March election.

Still suffering from the denial syndrome? When will they ever LEARN to CHANGE along with time in order to stay relevant? I wonder.

This is just a random thought that crosses my mind on 916. Happy Malaysia Day.


Update at 6.47 p.m. Pick this up from theStar online just moments ago of what Zaid Ibrahim said “But I could not translate what I wanted to do, particularly on issues such as equal rights for everyone as stated in the Constitution. I think I have failed to convince those in authority and positions of power to effect those changes which will allow this Government to move forward.”

This insights from the man who tried to change from within among the people who walk in the corridors of power confirms that the current UMNO/BN government just CANNOT change.

I personally admire Zaid Ibrahim for his courage and principles. A man who can walk with dignity which is so lacking in the current administration.

Please spare me the red face, Mr. Minister.

It was a rather an eventful Saturday, in a sense for commenting on several blogs about the arrest or RPK, Tan Hoon Cheng and Theresa Kok in Malaysia in one swoop under the orders of the Minister of Home Affairs using the all powerful, all mighty ISA.

Further reading just wanna make me laugh out loud, puke, geram, gemas, stressful, emo and what have you based on the reasons given by the Minister to justify his action. Funny, how the hell did I get the feeling that nobody in the right frame of mind will ever agree with the minister!

Please lah Mr. Minister, I am trying to make a living overseas and don’t lah make me a laughing stock for being a Malaysian. Don’t lah, don’t be like that lah! Malu tau?

Malaysian Politicians, STOP IT!

I have been following and reading the RSS feed on the latest development in Malaysia and the whole of this week is just CRAZY. And I wonder what's happening to my country with both side of BN and PR politicians having a field day slugging at each other just like what one would expect to watch the World Wrestling Ferderation match on TV, for now without the violence, YET!

Reading all the bulls, claims, accusations and what have you, I felt anger, frustration, cheated, fear and uncertainty, all at one go. Where am I to direct this bad energy and feeling of hopelessness to? All this is happening day in and day out with no end in sight.

It has been 4 months since the last election and it seems that the country is on an auto pilot mode moving in the wrong direction. And now with recession looming over our heads, I find my hard earned money shrinking as the days gone by and these politicians are still bickering over their positions, power and personal interest. What happened to the oath they made after their swearing in?

I am sick and tired of such stand-up political comedy act, it’s a big joke! And the world is laughing at Malaysia. It’s actually SINFUL. What I need are real politicians who can act and perform their duties without fear or favor in tackling the economic woes of the country. For all I care, do the politicking at your own time BUT not on mine. Stop all these nonsense and stand up to be counted, you damn bloody politicians!

Vote on 080308, I will

As I scrolled through the numerous websites and blogs over the last few days catching up on the latest election news in Bolehland before deciding who shall I vote for, boy oh boy, it was full of information, comments, news and what have you. For starters, I can be classified to fall into the typical “silent majority” Malaysian category who would once in every 5 years exercise the voting rights enshrined in the Malaysian constitution.

After having lived almost as long as Malaysia being an Independent country, I was never at all interested in politics neither do I care about who governs the country as long as there is peace, security, jobs, economic stability and all that has blue skies and everything nice. As it was then, the only source of news I got about the well-being of the country is through the main stream media. And guess what, I concluded that I have been systematically fed with information which I would call ‘biased journalism and editorial’ political brain-washing by those who walk in the corridors of power. How naïve of me, but then again, I reckon it was never too late to learn and move on. This lasted until the past 3 to 4 years or so when I started to get more information from the internet, both local and international sources, so that I can make a learned decision.

Come March 8, I am going to vote with an objective mind-set and with learned information to who can best addressed the issues facing the country and formulate actionable action plans to address the problems. Even though this is just my 1 vote, it is important to me as I am voting for my children (and their children too) for a better and brighter future in our beloved country, Malaysia.

1) Inflation, my hard earned money seems to be getting smaller and smaller with the rising prices of essential commodities, goods and services, like wise spiral cost of living
2) Corruption, Cronyism and Nepotism, I would want to see transparency, accountabilities and responsibilities of those who served as a public servants in the government. The roots to all evils begin here
3) Judiciary, I have no faith in the current system and I will vote for Judiciary Independence that does not “kow-tow” to the Executives
4) Security, I would want to have peace of mind when people closest to me can safely take a walk down the street. The crime rate now is at the highest ever in the history books. A total revamp of the Malaysian Police Force will be needed, those who really know how to protect and serve the public and not the political (note: I did not use PDRM, to me using the word “Di Raja” is an insult to our beloved Agung)
5) A big NO NO to racism and race based politics. Gone are the good old “muhibbah” days, but now, I see a lot of pretentious faces among Malaysians wherever I go
6) Real democracy, not for the one and only reason I am allowed to vote once in every five years or so as implied by some of the Ministers. What a shame!
7) Freedom of expression and religion enshrined in the constitution. We enjoyed this before the last 2 administrations took over the governance of the country. Look at what is happening today!
8) I am saying no to ISA, the authority of this act lies in the hand of just one man who can only abused, manipulate and oppressed
9) A total revamp of the EC, total transparency needed ensuring fair play

The list would have been longer, but this is what concerned me most for now. However, I am worried come voting day or the day after, it’s just a personal thought, will there be a racial disturbance in the making? I sincerely hope and pray my feeling is unfounded.