Md Yusoff Othman: Surrealism Within Realistic Photographic Art

I have been searching extensively for some Malaysian artwork which would fit my taste. There are many but this particular artiste really caught my attention.

His name is Md Yusoff Othman, an artiste-lecturer in University Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor.

For more detailed information about him, please view it here:
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/

Let's take a look at some of his pictures of a recent exhibition here:
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/work331.html
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/work330.html

I particulary like this piece themed "Gelora Sebutir Batu" taken at Sungai Pisang, Gombak:
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/work332.html

There is a big stone in the middle of the picture surrounded by water. By the side of the water is the trees.

Looking at this image, It feels real to see the colour tone of the stone and the trees.

Perhaps it is the colour scheme of the waters, or maybe the position of the stone makes it surreal. The edge of the waters meeting with the land at the middle right of the picture resulted in the effect as if the stone is actually not on water but floating in clouds.

But, how can we have trees above the clouds?

The trickery of mind somehow blurs the distinction between real and surreal. The mind believes it is real but bordered on "suspect" upon second look. However, the piece still stands a realistic piece.

An example of a good selection of scene with both features in mind before photographing.

Hope to see more from him.

Bangsa Malaysia: One Nation or One Race?

Comments based on article in Malaysia Today:

M'sia's continued survival hinges on Malay Agenda

Link:

http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=701

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Article describes: "Rioting erupted because of the imbalance economy due to the divide and rule policy by the British before independence and led to formulation of the NEP in 1970. "

I hope that UMNO will take a mirror and reflect it upon themselves. The Eyes of Truth looks back at you. Aren't UMNO applying the "divide and rule" policy on us, the Malays and Chinese as well?

DUA KALI LIMA. POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK.

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Article describes: "The constitution only mentions the Malay race and other races and does not say about the creation of one race called "Bangsa Malaysia"."

I HOPE THAT UMNO WILL STOP SPINNING THIS WORD. Do they know what they are REALLY talking about?

Bangsa Malaysia is NOT THE CREATION OF ONE RACE. It is the creation of the mentality of ONE NATION.

A Nation where races can integrate seamlessly (according to personal choice) without unnecessary hassle and the revoke of unfair standards that have, by now "divided" Malaysians and "ruled" by BN/UMNO.

I am talking about standards that is benefitting only UMNOputras while the rest of the poor Malays, Chinese and other races feeling marginalised. Hence, Bangsa Malaysia (One Nation, not One Race) is only but a fairy tale ...

Bear in mind that ONE NATION and ONE RACE concept differs. America is an example of ONE NATION with many races and religions living together (plural society) in a country with standard practises for all.

It is true that the Constitution did not state the creation of one race, but every race being citizens in a single country is binded in the "ONE NATION" concept automatically.

Every nation AUTOMATICALLY has its own "bangsa". In United Kingdom, there must be a "Bangsa British" while "Pelbagai keturunan/kaum" can be maintained. Likewise in Switzerland and elsewhere in the world. The difference in Britain is, there is no unfair standards to differentiate the race of its citizens. Hence, people will think of British first, then only their own race.

In Malaysia, The NEP was made by UMNO to be an unfair standard benefitting only UMNOPUTRAS while Malays are still poor. It began as a policy, but it has turned into a standard. A "double" standard which cannot be changed to really help the bumiputras.

It began with good intentions to help the MAJORITY (the bumiputras), but in return, with poor implementations, only the MINORITY (UMNOputras) benefitted. In fact, MALAYSIANS as a whole (that includes Malays, Chinese) are not getting anything good out of it, ONLY ROTTEN FRUIT AND BITTER FEELINGS.

Perhaps with so many negative connotations, such unfair standards must now decidedly be scrapped.

Yes, Malays must be brought up, but using other NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES or EXTRA QUALITY EDUCATION to bring them up. This should be the basis. Giving them "Unlimited Free Food" is not the way. In fact, they don't even get the food. UMNOputras and Ali Babas got it. Is this good and fair?

Without the concept of "Bangsa" mentality (Nation, not race) embedded in the mind of the citizens in relation to their country, the country is Weak on its foundation and will not be able to move to a better stage. The country without such concept will not be able to become a FIRST WORLD, FULLY DEVELOPED NATION. It is a first step that cannot be skipped.

So, ladies and gentlemen, is UMNO sincere in its intention of developing the nation? Perhaps, partially yes. Perhaps, it is somehow or rather a tiny little bit sincere, but its MEMBERS ARE TOO BACKWARDS IN MENTALITY that IT IS NOT CAPABLE of seeing the big picture and formulating plans around it.

Can we depend on such person to lead the nation towards prosperity? Is this their fault?
Maybe not, after all, we are the ones who voted them into power. Grow up, will you ...

Special Regards to "Task Force 101"

:-D

Outstanding NST report: Mongolian Model Murder Case

Comment based on article from NST: Love Affair That Went Horribly Wrong

Link: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Saturday/National/20061111094053/Article/local1_html

To quote from Screenshots: "Is this NST reporter, and the editor who cleared the copy, worms in the analyst's intestines?"

Link: http://www.jeffooi.com/2006/11/prejudice_subjudice.php

1)"They were in love but the woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, wanted a lasting relationship. She wanted him to marry her. She wanted him to take on a second wife. "

- Wah, NST reporter, who told you this? Altantuya or Abdul Razak? Other related people?

-----
2) "Faced with her insistence, he decided to end their affair last March.
And that was when the badgering began. He was flooded with text messages and e-mail."

- Goodness, who told you that? Did Abdul Razak Baginda tell you this? NST reporter, do you have special access to his e-mail account or something? Otherwise, how would you have known?

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3) "Then, he changed his mobile phone number, Investigators believe that this led the Mongolian beauty to visit Malaysia "

- Wow, NST reporter knows the number change is related ?! FROM SOME ASSUMPTION or FROM SOME RESOURCES? How do you know that Abdul Razak Baginda change his number because of her? I mean, it could be of other reasons like he does not like the current telecommunications company, or he wants a more "auspicious" phone number.

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4) "The alleged harassment from Ms Shaariibuu, however, continued. In one of her telephone calls, she masqueraded as his daughter's friend, claiming she had a parcel for him."

- Seeee, does the police investigation unit knows about this too? How does this NST reporter know? From what I gather disclosing evidence or making up stories regarding a person is punishable by Law the last I recall.

However, with very high confidence, (I am not sure why I am imbued with this strong unparalleled feeling :-D ), this NST reporter is abiding the Malaysian Law and will not do anything against it. After all, I am very sure NST is very professional, anyone disagree with me? No, right?

:-D

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5) "He did not want them to know what was happening."

- Wooi shoh, NST reporter, seriously how do you know that? Did Abdul Razak or someone told you Abdul Razak's decision?

-----

BIG HIGHLIGHT:

Another serious note, aren't those information CLASSIFIED INVESTIGATION INFORMATION? Classified means it cannot be exposed? Can legal action be taken by the court if this is found against the Law?

I am impressed... NST reporter, by the wealth of information provided.

How do you know so much? Who are you?

Anyone here knows?

2 PERHATIAN dan 7 JANGAN untuk Malaysia

Komen berdasarkan artikel

Ekuiti korporat bumiputera melepasi 30%

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/beritankom.php?itemid=643

PERHATIAN PENTING 1:

"Nampaknya kalau boleh, pemimpin-pemimpin Umno termasuk Perdana Menteri mahukan DEB diteruskan sambil bila-bila.

Jika DEB diteruskan, kaum Melayu, Cina, India, Kadazan dan Iban di akar umbi akan terus di pinggirkan."

Dipinggirkan = Marginalised. So, to all of you Malaysians out there, we are in the same boat. So, please do not condemn each other. UPROOT THE ROTTEN TREE/CULTURE.

PERHATIAN PENTING 2:

"Ia suatu rahsia terbuka bahawa pemilikan saham hanya tertumpu di tangan segelintir kecil, kelompok Umnoputera.

Kelompok Umnoputera dan kroni-kroni mereka tidak boleh dibiarkan memunggah kekayaan negara untuk diri mereka sendiri dengan alasan perpaduan nasional."

Orang Malaysia, tolonglah berpadu secara nasional, jangan hentam kaum lain. Kita dalam satu bot. Undilah kerajaan yang akan mengagihkan kekayaan negara untuk rakyat sekalian.
Undilah dengan betul untuk masa depan negara yang cerah.

JANGAN undi kerajaan yang konon berjuang untuk bangsa, tapi sekadar CAKAP, tapi TAK SERUPA BIKIN.

JANGAN biarkan parti yang mengamalkan "DIVIDE AND RULE" tetapi dalam akhbar kata menggalakkan perpaduan kaum.

JANGAN biarkan budaya buruk yang guna nama Melayu untuk Tipu Melayu, guna nama Cina untuk Tipu Cina, guna nama India untuk tipu India. "Ali Baba" semua tu jangan sokong. Kata juang untuk kaum, tapi guna nama kaum untuk kepentingan diri sendiri, jangan sokong.

JANGAN biarkan pemimpin yang tidak mematuhi PRINSIP RUKUNEGARA untuk memberi pengajara kepada anak anda yang bersekolah untuk mengikut prinsip Rukunegara. Bolehkah orang yang tidak mendaulatkan undang-undang, tidak taat setia kepada RAJA (SULTAN) dan negara, tidak luhur kepada perlembagaan, tidak sopan dan tiada kesusilaan. Boleh tak kita harapkan pagar kalaulah pagar itu makan padi? Eh, parti manakah yang tak ikut undang-undang?

JANGAN biarkan orang-orang durjana yang tidak CEMERLANG dalam tugas, tetapi GEMILANG dan TERBILANG dengan skandal-skandal yang memang TEMBERANG berkuasa. Eh, parti manakah yang cakap tak serupa bikin?

JANGAN biarkan pihak penipu yang tidak MESRA rakyat, tidak CEKAP dari segi pemerintahan dan tidak AMANAH dengan duit dan tugas. Eh, parti manakah yang cakap tak serupa bikin?

Amat penting untuk kita tahu siapa penipu. Penipu ialah orang yang selalu cakap sendiri "bersih" tetapi sebenarnya "kotor". Cakap "Tak Tau" tetapi sebenarnya tahu segala-galanya. Cakap-cakap tetapi tak serupa bikin.

Bersatulah Berjuang untuk Malaysia yang kita cintai. JANGAN biarkan budaya ini berlarutan sehingga memusnahkan Malaysia DAHULU, KINI DAN SELAMANYA.

Jangan, kawan-kawan, oh jangan.

Yang di petik dari artikel yang asal hanyalah pandangan penulis itu sendiri. Adakah Barisan Nasional bertindak dengan tidak adil?

Saya tidak mahu memberitahu anda. Fikirlah mendalam. Fikirkanlah dengan betul sebelum mengundi sebarang parti, tak kira pembangkang ataupun BN.

Sekian, terima kasih.

Poor Classification Method: What is Bumi Company and What Isn't?

Comments based on article posted on Malaysia Today:
Govt reveals how bumi share is calculated

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=597

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HIGHLIGHT 1:
"Opposition Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng criticised the use of par value calculation and said market value gave a more accurate picture. "

In economics, par value would mean the original price of the companies.

The value of a company fluctuates according to the market value.

Normally the par value of a company is very Low.

As business production of the company increases over time, the market value of the shares and profits increases, therefore this should be the basis of calculation.

------------------
HIGHLIGHT 2:
"As for GLCs, he said shares held by the Employees Provident Fund, Khazanah Holdings and Minister of Finance Inc are not classified as held by any particular ethnic group."

MAS, Telekom, TNB etc. not considered although more than 60% of its shareholders are BUMI companies, more than 60% of its board of directors are BUMIs, and I personally believe maybe 50% or more of their staff are BUMIs? Aren't they private companies?

Maybe EPF and Minister of Finance should not be counted.

What makes Khazanah different is, it is created to fully function as an investment arm. However, Khazanah is not classified as held by any particular ethnic group, it is true, but maybe we can check, how many per cent of its shareholders, Board of Directors and staff are Malays? Can you believe this?

------------------

My goodness, this is what we call the Malaysian governance.

The government has very poor Classification method. Perhaps they should come out with a Standard Classification of what is deemed as Bumiputra company so that the public can view and discuss it.

Maybe they are right, those are UMNOputra companies, not Bumiputras. We are not sure but the government can be sure of that.

------------------
Given 20 years and with huge amounts of money from Petrols and Foreign Investments, this government is still unable to bring up the BUMIPUTRAS. Perhaps, as a Malaysian, I think it is high time to change. Ask yourself, Malaysians, what is it that make the country suffer. Ask whether it is because of Corruption? Whether it is because of incompetence? Whether it is "Harap Pagar, Pagar Makan Padi"?

This is the government you want to vote?

Think about it dear BUMIs and NON-BUMIs. Think of your children and the future of your motherland.
And I meant it for both Malays and Non-Malays.

Isytihar Lah! Apasal Tak Boleh? Tak Logik Ni

Petikan dari Malaysia Today: "Tidak perlu keluarga saya isytihar harta"
Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/beritankom.php?itemid=471

"Menurut Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, tidak timbul soal keperluan bagi ahli keluarganya mengisytiharkan harta kerana beliau sebagai perdana menteri tidak pernah menyalahgunakan kuasa bagi kepentingan keluarga."

Ohh, logik yang dipakai Abdullah tak betul ni!

Pengisytiharan harta adalah untuk membuktikan sama ada wang yang diperolehi adalah melalui cara yang betul atau tidak betul (mengikut undang-undang).

Malahan, dalam konteks etika, ada dinyatakan yang Rakyat Biasa juga mesti mengisytiharkan harta dan pendapatan masing-masing. Kalau seseorang dapat harta secara haram, boleh dihukum.

Adakah ahli UMNO atau Perdana Menteri akan mengamalkan kod etika? Perdana Menteri boleh menyuruh sesiapa sahaja di Malaysia untuk mengisytiharkan harta secara sah. Siapa pula yang boleh menyuruh PM secara sah? BPR? Rakyat? Sultan?

Jadi adakah terdapat apa-apa sebab yang lebih munasabah Pak Lah tidak mahu mengisytiharkan harta?

Mulut Rakyat ternganga. Sama-sama kita renungkanlah.

The Polar Bear and Walking Sticks Story: Am I Guilty? How Can That Be?

Original Mandarin text from Tay Tian Yan, Sin Chew Daily

Translation based on Bahasa Malaysia text from Malaysia Today:

"Adakah saya bersalah? Bagaimana pula begitu?"

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/beritankom.php?itemid=434

----------------------

Am I Guilty? How Can That Be?

"I am not the person behind the 'Clone AP'. Maybe my son did it."

"Besides, I do not think it is possible for my son to be behind the 'Clone AP'. He is not intelligent enough. He does not learn from me otherwise I would have given him a few tips."

Those are the statements of Senator Datuk Muhammad Abdul Ghani.

There is truth that 'Clone AP' comes out from the Senator's company. However, he claimed that they had nothing to do with it based on the reason that the company is managed by his Son.

So with that, is it true that his Son is responsible for all the 'Clone AP'?

The senator denies, saying that his Son does not have the skills to do it.

So, does that mean all this disgusting business means have nothing to do with both Father and Son?

Are they guilty? How can that be?

----------------------

Member of State Parliament (ADUN) Zakaria Md Deros had built a palace for himself on a low cost housing area.

It covers more than 40,000 square feet land there, which is worth about RM1.5 million in the market. Zakaria had bought the land through special connections on a price of a few hundred thousands ringgit only.

Without a plan of the building, the construction cost can been estimated as much as RM8 million to RM10 million.

Local and state government had seen the house being built from the first floor to the fourth.
Zakaria and his family also hold three positions in the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

Their appointment is based on the recommendations of the party, the MPK president told.

Is he guilty? How can that be?

----------------------

Member of Parliament Jasin Mohammad Said wanted the custom officers to "close one eye" regarding his mistake in importing Logs.

He had admitted that he had done it. In fact, he had sent SMS to the custom officers requesting them to release him

Is he guilty? How can that be?

----------------------

Have you all ever heard of the polar bears?

This is the way the Eskimos use to catch a polar bear.

They kill a sealion and take its blood. Then, they place a knife in the pail filled with the blood. Due to the low temperature, the blood will freeze quickly with the knife in the middle, creating something similar to ice-cream.

Polar bears like blood. When a polar bear sense smells catches the blood, it will come and lick the ice-cream.

As soon as the polar bear licks, its tongue will start to become numb. With every single lick, its tongue gradually turns more numb. However, that will not stop the polar bear. Not long after that, the blood becomes more and more appetizing, what more, it is hot. So delicious!

What the polar bear does not know is the blood it is tasting is its own.

That is because the hidden knife in the frozen blood had sliced its tongue during the licking. Due to the numbness of the tongue caused by low temperature, the polar bear does not realise that its tongue had been hurt and was oozing blood.

It continues to lick and consume its own blood.

Not long after that, the polar bear faints because of blood loss and Eskimo hunters will drag it to their home.

Is the polar bear guilty? How can that be?

----------------------

We had seen people crying openly and said: "citizens must learn how to be independent and not rely on help."

In the beginning, probably you will be touched with such episode. First step for someone to move towards excellence is by realising his/her own mistake and the problems faced by himself/herself.

However, as time goes by, you will realise that the "walking sticks" can still be seen in various places. Some "walking sticks" have been too accustomed to their Masters until they can replace the real legs of their Masters. Meanwhile some sticks have become so automatic, they can bring their Masters to wherever their Masters desires quickly, even defeating the pace of wheelchairs. In fact, there are some "walking sticks" that gleam with diamonds while their bodies covered with gold and silver.

You will find yourself feeling curious, asking: Didn't they say that they want to be free of "walking sticks"?

Am I wrong/guilty? How about that?

----------------------

Syabas, Kerajaan: Air Mula Mahal, Saya Masih Bingung, Rakyat Kena Fikir

Komen berdasarkan artikel Malaysia Today:

Harga air naik 15%, kerajaan masih perlu bayar RM125 j

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/beritankom.php?itemid=428

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Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekalian,

Pertama sekali, ingin saya katakan, Kerajaan adalah dipilih oleh rakyat, untuk rakyat.

Sebagai orang Malaysia yang menggunakan air dengan JIMAT serta membayar cukai, saya merasakan diri saya ini sungguh bodoh dan bingung dengan pelbagai kejadian yang menghairankan baru-baru ini.

"Menurut Lim, jika kenaikan tarif bermula November tahun ini, kerajaan perlu membayar Syabas RM125 juta pampasan. Jika ia dimulakan dalam bulan Januari tahun hadapan, pampasan menjadi RM152 juta."

Ada beberapa soalan yang ingin saya kemukakan supaya rakyat Malaysia sekalian boleh sama-sama berfikir dan berbincang tentang penjelasan yang saya memang tidak faham-faham ini.

Perlu diingatakan bahawa, pada bulan Februari 2006 (tahun yang sama), kerajaan BN telah menaikkan tariff airnya sebanyak 15%.

Link: http://www.jeffooi.com/2006/02/post_5.php

Link: http://www.nccc.org.my/

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/beritankom.php?itemid=255

Alasan yang diberi pada masa itu:

"Menteri berkenaan juga mengatakan kenaikan tarif pada ketika ini adalah wajar kerana Syabas berjaya mengurangkan ‘Non Revenue Water’ (NRW) daripada 42% dalam tahun 2004 kepada 37% dalam tahun 2006. Keuntungan Syabas juga menunjukkan kenaikan dari RM900 juta ke RM1.1 bilion."

Soalan (1): Pada bulan Februari, "Ia amat pelik bagi Syabas menaikkan tarif air sedangkan keuntungannya sudah bertambah dan NRW sudah dikurangkan dengan begitu ketara. Apakah kadar keuntungan bagi Syabas jika ia tidak menaikkan tarif air?"

Ok, yang penting sekali, kita lihat di sini yang tiada unsur "Pampasan kepada Syabas" yang dibangkitkan.

Namun, pada bulan November, tahun yang sama barulah isu "Pampasan" dibangkitkan untuk menaikkan harga sekali lagi sebanyak 8%.

Yang menjadi persoalannya:

(2) Mengapakah isu pampasan tidak diambil kira/dibangkitkan oleh kerajaan BN semasa kenaikan harga pada bulan Februari tahun ini?

(3) Mengapakah dengan kenaikan harga bulan November, kerajaan perlu lagi membayar pampasan RM125 juta? Perlu kita ingat di sini, sebahagian duit yang kerajaan guna untuk bayar adalah duit hasil kutipan cukai pendapatan rakyat. Duit hasil kerja susah-payah.

(4) Mengapakah kerajaan tidak mengambil kira pampasan dalam Perancangan (bulan Februari), di mana salah silapnya?

Bahagian (4) yang membuat saya bingung tak sudah-sudah.

(5) Bolehkah kita kata ini adalah kesalahan Perancangan Kerajaan? Kita tahu, yang sudah pasti kena tanggung ialah rakyat sendiri. Yang bertanggungjawab pula siapa? Menteri, Kementerian atau syarikat air?

(6) Dengan semata-mata terus-menerus memberi alasan yang sebegitu tidak cukup. Akaun-akaun yang JELAS, TERPERINCI dan boleh dikaitkan antara satu sama lain DENGAN LOGIK patut diberikan untuk tatapan umum. Adakah kerajaan mengamalkan dasar "Transparency" dan "Accountability"? Untuk soalan ini, tidak payahlah jawab secara terbuka. Jawab dalam hati. Tepuklah dada tanya selera. Hati tahu, perut faham.

(7) Kalaulah ini adalah kesalahan perancangan, adakah kerajaan BN boleh menjanjikan yang rakyat tidak payah menanggung pampasan hasil kesalahan tersebut pada masa akan datang?

Rakyat sekalian.. Fikirlah sejenak.. Kita cintakan Malaysia.. Janganlah kita bingung, janganlah kita bodoh.. Kita perlu mencari jawapan. Kita perlu mencari penyelesaian yang hakiki.

Sekian...

UMNO MP and Illegal House on a Bad Feng Shui Plot

From The Star 31st October 2006:
"He was tight-lipped on the issue but said: “I’m not arrogant, and it is unfair for people to brand me that way.”

I told him that it could be the Gucci sunglasses that he was photographed with when he met Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Saturday that could have portrayed him as being a hostile person. Zakaria said: “I wore the glasses on that day because an insect entered into my eye a day earlier and the eye was watering.”

I opened the subject of Vasthu and offered to give Zakaria my analysis on his problematic house, work on which has stopped.

I drew the flag-shaped plot where his new house was being built and pointed out the faults. One major affliction is the main entrance located in the south-east and facing a road spearing into his house, which is very inauspicious in Indian feng shui. I told him that he was already experiencing the effects of the defect and such an unfriendly plot would invite unwanted trouble and would defame the owner. He nodded his head in agreement and when I told him that his present east-facing house, although small, was better, he agreed.

The only way to correct the T-junction fault is to disallow traffic from using the road, as there is no other remedy. Zakaria appeared worried and scratched his head and offered me black coffee.

Kampung Idaman was an unheard of village two decades ago and since Zakaria rose in politics, his presence brought development, including a community hall and the construction of a welcome arch."

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=413

----------------------------

First of all, I would like to highlight that developing a village/community is the JOB of an MP. They are paid salary by the Rakyat to do it. If the MP did not do their job, they should be fired.
Abuse of power and rights is Immoral in any country. Doing something against the Law is Prohibitted in the Constitution of any country. Prinsip Rukunegara: Kedaulatan Undang-undang.

Not only MP, but even the normal Rakyat should not do something which is Illegal.
If a person breaks the law (e.g. MP), He/She should not only be fired from his post. He/She if found guilty should be penalised (jailed, fined) according to provisions in Malaysian Law.

----------------------------

I am wondering what points "The Star" are trying to emphasize here?

1) The Islamic MP is experiencing Bad Luck because he did not build his "Illegal" House according to Indian Feng Shui? Is The Star trying to say, if the "Illegal House" is built according to Vasthu, it will not invite trouble because people will overlook or take it for granted?

2) The MP is not a hostile person?
a) even though he looks intimidating with the Gucci glasses?
b) even though he has a bunch of followers who behaved violently during the infamous gathering?
c) even though Klang people in general regards him as BONGKAK and rude?

What is The Star trying to do? Anyway, who is the LARGEST SHAREHOLDER of The Star to allow them to write such story? Weird isn't it?

Regards...

God-In-A-Box: Religion, Institution and Prophets

Comments based on discussion of "Do You Believe in God" topic in Malaysia Today.

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/reports.php?itemid=110

Religion is an Institution to put God in-a-Box. We categorise God, we say our Institution is the Best, the other Institutions are Not Praying to God.

The truth is No One will know except God Himself.

We use God to justify our actions. We may use God to make money, we may use His Name to condemn others by hiding behind our Institution.

However, "How Deep is Our Understanding of God?". "How Worthy Are We in the Eyes of God to Condemn Others, to make decisions in His Name?".

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Prophets merely describe or write down their encounter and understanding of God.Even Buddha did not seek people to pray him as a God. He describes himself as a teacher.

There is only so much limited that can be spoken with words and writings. I believe understanding of God is complex as it deals with our spiritual/sixth sense. The understanding is hard to be conveyed with speech, what more through the writing interpretations of age-old mere mortals in the past.

Their mortal followers institutionalise it and set about standards, rules, way of life and approaches according to their own common human understanding.

If knowing God is so easy, this world would definitely be a much better place to live in, don't you think?
Besides that, isn't that what your Religion told you?

So, I believe God is a personal communication that can only be understood by personal means. No one is worthy to judge, control the faith of others. No matter what title you claim (priest, monk, mufti), you are only mortals in seek of superior knowledge from God.

Do you believe in God?

Comments based on a discussion in Malaysia Today.

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/reports.php?itemid=110

I do believe there is God.

I believe it connects with us through our sixth sense if we are willing to listen.

I believe it connects with us by method of sixth sense whether something is right or wrong, good or bad. but sub-consciously. It may seem illogical at times, sometimes not easily explainable by Science but you would understand the concept when you are able to link.

I believe, No matter what religion you are, it it is a personal communication that can be understood through derivation, through personal means.

Prayers and praisings are to open the mind, open the sixth sense, open the soul to establish the personal connection/communication with God.

He can help us when we are sick, soothe us when we are sad.

This is my understanding of GOD, the Almighty. I, personally believe, it is the Concept. You may disagree with me, but reflect upon the God of your religion, isn't that what all of you are practising?

Regards...

Culture of Malaysia: Rots and Scandals

In a Malaysia Today newspage, a person by the name "aa" said: "U dont expect everybody in UMNO to be clean. In any pertubuhan there is bound to be some suckers/cheats. So dont blame the whole UMNO just because there are a few rots inside it....the party should purge these rots and retain its relevance... "

This is my reply to "aa":

Well "aa", the problem is with the CULTURE. Look at the CULTURE that UMNO is purported to be practising?

There are SCANDALS about Politik Wang, Politik Ugut, Abuse of Power, Abuse of Bumiputra Rights, Disrespect of Human Rights, Cronyism, Nepotism, Freedom of Press Suppression, Misuse of ISA to Silence People, Bribery, Racism, Religious Discriminations, Ali Baba, Incompetence, Defying Law and Order, Unfair Court and Election System, Misuse of Islam, Disrespect towards Sultan .. the Cultural list goes on...

We all know culture runs for generations. Culture is taught and handed down to the next generation using various means. We all know, culture gets richer and thicker as time goes by. The older the culture, the more ingrained it is.

If the culture is of good nature, then it should be encouraged. If the CULTURE IS BAD, we should not let it ingrain into A MASSIVE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CRUSH SYSTEM, don't you think?

Everyday there is negative news regarding BN members and you still think there are JUST ONLY A FEW ROTS? It is hard enough to persecute a Small-time So-called Rot in UMNO (look at the most current scandal), what can we do with the Big Rots? Even now, the System is already quite tough. Its workings simple but stealthy.

What kind of cultural values are they going to pass down to their/our next generation, their/our children? What will these people teach them? Will this bring about A DOOM TO THE MALAY RACE having such ROTTEN LEADERS? Where will this bring the non-bumis, may I ask? Do you think the non-bumis WANT TO LEAVE THIS COUNTRY TO ITS DEATH? Do you think everyone can or wants to leave Malaysia?

Let me tell you... NO, As Malaysians, we all stay and FIGHT TILL THE END!

IF THE TREE IS ROTTEN, WE UPROOT THE TREE !

Plant a new one. May suffer a while, but better than preserving a poisonous tree that is leading us to ETERNAL DOOM.

MALAYSIANS WAKE UP. See you next election !!!

Australian Mufti Issue with Cats and Rapists with Uncovered Meats

Comments based on article in The Autralian (News site):
Mufti's Remarks Totally Unacceptable

Link: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20647684-1702,00.html

COMMENTS by Australia's Mufti blaming immodestly dressed women for sexual assault have been branded as "totally unacceptable" by Treasurer Peter Costello.

Mr Costello wants Muslim leaders to condemn the comments by Sheik al-Taj al-Din al-Hilaly, disassociate themselves from them, and pull their leader into line.

Sheik al-Hilaly's comments were delivered in a Ramadan sermon to 500 worshippers in Sydney last month, The Australian newspaper reported.

He blamed women who "sway suggestively" and who wore makeup and no hijab (Islamic scarf) for sexual attacks.

"If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside on the street, or in the the garden or in the park, or in the backyard without a cover, and the cats come and eat it ... whose fault is it, the cats or the uncovered meat," he said.

"The uncovered meat is the problem.

"If she was in her room, in her home, in her hajib, no problem would have occurred."

============================

Poor example... Cats are animals, they do not have religion and LIMITED intelligence. They did what they had to do. They eat the uncovered meat to survive. Besides, the tomcats do not simply rape pussycats? Well you see, the cats are not dressed in any clothes. (The last two statements are placed in intentionally .. :-D )

Human are HIGHLY INTELLIGENT CREATURES. They can think and perform magnificent works unachievable by cats or dogs. They have religion. If an intelligent human saw an uncovered meat, they will first think why the meat is uncovered. For Islamists, they will think whether the meat is pork. If they feel it is pork, they will refrain from eating.

Human have a mind of their own. They can choose to refrain from doing bad things which is against their religion. If they cannot resist temptation, who do you think should be blamed? They themselves are supposed to be blamed, or the temptation factor itself?

For example, stealing is a crime and abhorred by all religions.

If let's say there is RM10000 placed on on a table uncovered. As a human being, when you are tempted and take the money, who is to be blamed? Do you blame the money? Ustaz oh Ustaz, can you say, yeah it is the money's fault to be uncovered. I steal it, it is not my fault? Who ask the money to be uncovered? Is this the right way to justify your action?

And, please, God DID NOT SAY that uncovered money can be taken. Similarly, God DID NOT SAY women who do not cover themselves can be RAPED.

If you cannot resist the temptation, it is your own fault, don't blame others or simply use God's holy name to justify such immoral criminal actions.

You do not deserve to be ustaz. Many will be misled by you to succumb to temptation (against Islamic teaching).

Please resign, you are not up to standard!

THE OTHER SIDE: THE UGLY NON-MALAYS

Comments based on article in Malaysia Today:
The “Ugly Malays” becoming the norm

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/guests.php?itemid=379

There are non-Malays that
1) support Ali Baba-ism, "Makan Suap",
2) support corrupted ways of getting licences and projects by trading in their community rights,
3) challenges the special position of bumiputras and Sultans,
4) have ideas of making lots of money by all selfish means and leave for other countries, letting Malaysia rot to its own doom (such irresponsible unpatriotic act, good riddance),
5) think that a USA direct control of Malaysian economy is good for them,
6) curses, disrespects and steps on Malays, their culture and religion,
7) have idiotic notions of voting only for their own race in elections can save the nation and community.

Let me assure you, these "Ugly Non-Malays" with the above criterias are not representative of the entire non-bumiputra race. They are also somehow partially responsible for the mess in Malaysia today.

After all, for "makan suap" to work, require 2 parties. The person who "makan" and the other who "suap". They condemn others of nepotism, but some of them practise it as well. Of course, there are those who "makan" alone, but this category includes all Malaysians.

Such "Ugly non-Malays" are also fast becoming a norm in Malaysia. Self-centred and egoist, they do not view things in big picture but think only of themselves and their race, disregard who they are going to leave behind in the development of the country. They do not care if Malaysia will be downtrodden and people of their own race that is still in Malaysia will suffer because of their own attitude.

However, the non-Malays also have their own fair share of the hard-working, progressive and dynamic, the tolerant and respectful, the honest and concerned. Disregarding the fact that some "Ugly Malays" may treat them like foreigners, they persist and fight for the nation. They love Malaysia as their own, and they know, they must work together with the "Progressive Malays" to weed out these "Ugly Malays".

They know, with the Culture of "Ugliness" permeating in Malaysia, the Malay race will stay at its status quo of being trampled upon and they themselves will forever be treated as foreigners.
Therefore, Mr Bakri Musa, it is good to acknowledge weaknesses and do the best in seeking of ways to improve one's race. It is our duty as a Malaysian to educate and campaign for the best interest of the Nation.

Thank you Mr Bakri Musa, together with the Sultan, the Progressive Malays and fair-minded Non-Malays AND ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS, it is our responsibility to clean up this ROTTEN MESS...

I feel it is in the best interest of the Nation to change a government if it is incompetent and saddled with continual scandals of promoting an "Ugly" culture.

We shall not let any PARTY which encourages "Ugliness/Rottenness" in moral values to destroy our beautiful Malaysian culture of respect and deep sense of togetherness. Only with such culture, Malaysia will be able to grow from a country of nothing to a prosperous, significant and developed nation.

CERITA "HARAP PAGAR, PAGAR MAKAN PADI"

Komen berdasarkan artikel Malaysia Today:
29/10: Isu Istana Zakaria : Tuanku murka, rakyat marah, Khir Toyo celaru

Link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/beritankom.php?itemid=366

"Baginda menerima aduan dari orang ramai bahawa Zakaria selaku pemimpin adalah seorang yang bongkak, angkuh dan sering menganiaya dan menyakitkan hati dan perasaan orang-ramai."

Prinsip Rukunegara: KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN
PARTI MANAKAH yang kebanyakan pemimpinnya berkelakuan sebegini, BONGKAK , ANGKUH , ANIAYA dan TIDAK SENSITIF?

===============================

"Kata pemimpin Umno nombor dua di Pelabuhan Kelang itu, bukan beliau sahaja malah ramai lagi ahli majlis di MPK yang membina rumah mewah tanpa kelulusan MPK! "

Prinsip Rukunegara: KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG
PARTI MANAKAH di mana ahlinya boleh MELANGGAR UNDANG-UNDANG TANPA DIDAKWA? Adakah orang yang TAHU UNDANG-UNDANG tetapi melanggarnya hanya disuruh untuk letak jawatan dan kemudian bebas dari segala tindakan mahkamah? Apa itu bersih, cekap dan amanah?

===============================

"serta perlantikan beliau anak-beranak sebagai ahli majlis MPK (Majlis Perbandaran Kelang)"

Adakah apa-apa SISTEM "TRANSPARENCY" yang boleh membuktikan anaknya dilantik dari perspektif meritokrasi, bermaksud BERDASARKAN KEMAMPUAN? Kalau bukan atas dasar tersebut, apakah dasar yang diamalkan?

PARTI MANAKAH yang mengamalkan dasar NEPOTISME?

===============================

"Tidakkah itu 'DURHAKA' dalam bahasa istana? Takkanlah MB yang duduk bernaung di bawah istana tak tahu? "

PARTI MANAKAH yang derhaka? Apakah itu SIKAP BERTANGGUNGJAWAB, "ACCOUNTABILITY"?

===============================

"Sebelum ini akhbar melaporkan Sultan Salangor dilaporkan murka kerana Zakaria, enggan mengadap ke istana bagi menjelaskan isu berkenaan terus kepada Tuanku."

Prinsip Rukunegara: KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA
PARTI MANAKAH yang lebih berkuasa dari Sultan? Semua pegawai yang bertugas mesti menghormati dan mengikut arahan Tuanku sebagai taat setia menurut Perlembagaan Malaysia.

Prinsip Rukunegara: KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN
PARTI MANAKAH yang tidak luhur perlembagaan? Adakah "Keluhuran Perlembagaan" salah satu ayat dalam prinsip Rukunegara Malaysia? Dalam konteks PERLEMBAGAAN MALAYSIA, ada dijelaskan, Sultan adalah Ketua Negeri masing-masing.

===============================

Prinsip Rukunegara: KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN
Kalaulah kita melakukan segala-galanya yang bertentangan dengan agama kita, adakah kita masih percaya kepada Tuhan.

Kepada semua rakyat Malaysia, adakah kita mahu anak kita mengikut teladan yang tidak baik? Fikirkanlah sejenak. Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, PRINSIP RUKUNEGARA ADA 5 BARIS, pergilah tengok dan KIRA berapa prinsip yang dipatuhi dan berapa yang tidak dipatuhi. Cakap serupa ke tak serupa bikin, sendiri renung je lah...

PARTI MANAKAH yang tidak patuh kepada PRINSIP RUKUNEGARA? Apakah itu Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan?

Diharapkan kerajaan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional akan bertindak ke atas Parti yang tidak ikut undang-undang ini... hahahaha......

Enigma 6: A Posteriori

NOT ENOUGH SOUL: E6 - A POSTERIORI

For me the Soul of Enigma consists all of the following:

1. Mysterious Sensual Ambience - I would say that this feature is still present in E6.


2. Tribal (or Inspired) Dance Beats / Sounds of Aliens / Classical Music - Something old, something classical, something folk. This feature is important as it is part and parcel of what makes Enigma sound strange in a unique and exceptional way. There is not much of Tribal (or Tribal Inspired) Dance Beats in this album. The only song with such feature is "Dancing with Mephisto" and "Hello and Welcome". Give and take "Sounds of Aliens" is present in "Message from IO" and "Northern Lights".


3. Operatic/Folk singing, Whispers - Somehow, they are present in "Dreaming of Andromeda" and "Dancing with Mephisto", "Eppur Si Muove"4) Pop ballads - "Sitting on the Moon"

So, if all the items above are somehow present, one wonders what is missing? Why does it not meet my requirements of what is considered an excellent album?__________________________________________________________________________________________

Perhaps we should look into the details of the mixing and arrangements of the album.

1) Flow arrangement of tracks: The flow from one track to another is not as clean. In fact previous albums and E5 has a better flow than E6. Most of the tracks in E6 sound as if they start and end on their own disregarding the nature of music in the next track.

2) Operatic/Folk singing do not cleanly "gel" and somehow their presence is limited in every song: They are not formed as important indispensable fabric/background to the songs as evident in past tracks "Gravity of Love", "Sadeness", "Beyond The Invisible" and "Return to Innocence". Forgetting the chants/operas/folk, at least the alien quivering sound in E5 is prevalent throughout most of the tracks such as "Incognito", "Page of Cups" etc.

3) It is hard to catch the conceptual connections between the male vocals in certain tracks with the female opera singer, the eastern folk singer in "Goodbye Milky Way", the Heavy Beats and the Space. Some of the tracks in LSD Remix Collection sounds more Spacey and Edgy than E6

4) Therefore, this leads to the consistency of the album. If you listen carefully most of the tracks will not have feature (2), (3) and (4) (of "Soul of Enigma") together in a single song, which is unlike all previous albums where most tracks will have at least two to three of the combinations. The only two tracks having the combined nature are "Dancing With Mephisto" and "Goodbye Milky Way".

5) The album concept is not rich enough. I would always have a preference of E5 over E6. At least E5 has more tribal inspired electronic beats, more tribal inspired backup vocals (listen to "Incognito"), eerie quivering alien sampled voices ("Page of Cups" and other tracks), Bollywood (The Indian Hollywood) music inspired tracks (Boum Boum), Chamber music-Electronica fusion in "From East to West", "In The Shadow, In The Light", "The Piano". Overall theme, it gives the feeling of Aliens visiting the ancient world before there was a civilisation. Forget about the real samplings of chants/operas, at least E5 has some techno-dance works, chillout tracks and more unique pop songs, which the latter two is clearly missing from E6.

Generally, this album is considerably OK. After all, disregarding the mentioned points, the beats and music is still enjoyable and good. It still does contain the elements of a successful Enigma album only to a much lesser extent. However, from a creative standpoint, I would have preferred an album with items above.

Enjoy !!!

Sarah Vaughan: The Essential

The CD contains some of her best works of which she employs her big vocal range (soprano to baritone), sweet, sassy voice and excellent signature vibrato (as evident on "Speak Low") on various styles of music. As a Great American Songbook interpreter, her technique is good and musicians treat her as a part of their own due to her creativity in music improvisation and utilisation of her voice as a musical instrument (scat-singing).

Typically most of her songs are of jazz. However, the other variants are:

1. Doo-wop - All of Me
2. Oldies - Broken-Hearted Melody
3. Classical - My Man's Gone Now (Written by Gershwin)
4. Bossa Nova - Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Latin version sung by Astrud Gilberto)
5. Blues - No Count Blues

This CD is good, especially for starters. Sarah Vaughan is quite a diverse artiste. If you find any of the styles above is good, try getting her CDs, which is of the same genre that you like:

1. Doo-wop - Count Basie & Sarah Vaughan (collaborative work)
2. Oldies - *
3. Classical - Sarah Sings Gershwin
4. Bossa Nova - I Love Brazil , Copacabana
5. Blues - *
6. Swing - Sarah Swings Tivoli, Swingin' Easy
7. Broadway - Sarah Sings Broadway
8. Cool Jazz - Crazy and Mixed Up

It should be taken note that, in a quirk of nature, her voice "dropped" in her later years of her career. In the late 70s to 1990, her range increased "downwards" significantly (to the baritone level). At that point of time, her voice becomes less sweeter, but she sounds fuller. At this point of time, her voice has certain deep smoky quality. Her vocal technique is at her best and deserves recommendation, as evident in these albums:

1. Crazy and Mixed Up - Cool jazz
2. Send In The Clowns
3. How Long Has This Been Going On? - The smokey voice is more evident here

The only album that I will not recommend is Sarah Swings The Beatles. The production of the songs will not appeal to listeners who like her singing. The mixing of the music is poor as well.
* Still searching for the appropriate album. Will update once I get it [Songs are present in this album but I have yet to know which album they belong to]

In overall this CD is Highly Recommended for New Listeners of Jazz. Serious Jazz Listeners can opt for more well-defined CDs that I have mentioned.

The Impossible Absolute Democracy: Malaysian Racist and Extremist Eyes

Referring to a link from Malaysia Today:
http://www.malaysia-today.net/Raja_Petra/2006/09/monkey-and-flower.html

MALAYSIANS IS A SELFISH LOT
Majority of Malaysians like to blame other races or religions for anything bad that happens to their own community without thinking and going into detail of the reasons of the happenings.
There are plenty of resources that can be read/discussed but not being approached, or rather being approached with a one-sided thinking.

A lot of Malaysians think themselves as Malaysians First. However, from a conclusive research made, it is very obvious that many still do not exactly think that way.
http://www.fnfmalaysia.org/opinion_polls/docs/Ethnic%20Relation%20Perceptions%20Poll%20March%202006.pdf#search=%22malaysian%20chinese%20survey%20ethnic%20integration%22

We are still deeply binded by the concept of race and religion (both are Self Interests) rather than National Interest as a whole in priority.

As Malaysians, generally, now, we still do not think of the other races/religious practitioners as our brothers. We think only of our own priority, we do not care which race will get left behind in our pursuit of development and riches. For some, we do not care which communities will get hit if hardcore laws were to be implemented.
__________________________________________________________

ABUSE OF SPEECH PRIVILEGE
In terms of criticism, many of us tend to slam the religions and races of others when we do not like what was being said instead of slamming on the person that we disagree with. Besides that, nasty names were called and abuses were hurled disregarding the results of the remarks made.
Imagine if those nasty remarks were to be made on national television. Pictures speak louder than words. Pictures combined with nasty words speak even louder. What would be the impact of it?

Will it further divide the races/religious practitioners? Will we cause civil war? Will this do any good to our Beloved Malaysia, our Motherland. Will this enable certain parties to "Divide and Conquer" us for their own benefit?

Does hurling profanities make people change their mind or make them reject us even further?

This is one of the reasons on why Absolute Democracy is not possible here. Sadly, Dr M is absolutely right in this context.
__________________________________________________________

THE MIRROR AND THE EYES
Perhaps, we should use a mirror, reflect upon ourselves whether we are in the same categories before we call other racists or religious extremists. More often than not, we are ...

I recall this from a lyrics of a song:
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror,
I'm asking him to change his ways,
And no message could have been any clearer,
If you wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change"

Bless you Malaysia, Pluralism is your strength as well as your Deep Inherent Weakness when exploited.

"When you Look into the Mirror, the Eyes of Truth is Always Watching You".

God Bless our Malaysia, please do not kill Malaysia by ourselves. Think about it. Thanks and Regards...