Fed Up of The Starry Drama

Wong Chun Wai wrote Fed up with the political drama

This is what was written ....
After all, politics is all about perception. But in Malaysia, with the credibility of the government, judiciary, police and media in question, facts and evidence no longer matter.

And who can blame Malaysians? You have a private investigator P. Balasubramaniam who made incredulous allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in a statutory declaration, which ranged from anal sex to commission for a submarine deal, and then retract them barely 24 hours later.

The man should be arrested and charged in court. The perception of Malaysians now is that a statutory declaration can be written by anyone, in the presence of any lawyer, and sealed for RM6 in front of any commissioner of oath.

The statutory declaration is in danger of becoming a piece of toilet paper. You can file a document, say the nastiest things, with no evidence except “reliably informed”. What the people choose to believe will depend on their political allegiance.
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It is necessary for me to say a few things. Yes, I am indeed sick, tired and fed up of the current political drama.

Yes, I have low confidence on the credibility of the government, judiciary, police and media in question but it has nothing to do with Mr. Bala's act of retracting the first Statutory Declaration. Goodness gracious.....

Besides, on the part of the phrase "reliably informed", to ascertain whether it can be treated as valid, one should check out Haris Ibrahim's latest post Hearsay and speaking from the grave (1) and Hearsay and speaking from the grave (2) (updated 09 July 2008 08.36 a.m.)

Now I am sick, tired and fed up of "questionable" media too ......

Officers Fumed with Steam Over "Unclean" Girl

Still recovering from a shock from an incident reported in Malaysiakini, I chanced upon this article in The Star. Marina has an entry titled "Raid First, Talk Later". Rocky Bru's entry is "Why you shouldn't go sleeveless in an entertainment outlet". Sean-the-man posted an entry, comparing the entertainment outlet singer with various Malaysian artistes.

My comments in Purple.

Singer held over dressing


IPOH: The Perak Religious Department (JAIP) has ordered a singer to appear before the Syariah Court for “exposing her body” during a performance and “encouraging immoral activities”.

Goodness, that is overdressing? I mean, seriously. I think that is a decent dress which is not too showy of "anything". What were these people thinking anyway? Do people simply get over-erected, ermmm.. over-excited just by looking at a woman's shoulder and just a tiny patch of flesh at the back? This is scary. Besides, the word "exposing her body" is so subjective. I mean the face and hands are part of the body, right? Skin is part of the body, right? Are they expecting the women in Malaysia to "cover up" like Afghan women under Taliban?

Wow, that doesn't look human to me. It looks like "how a person dresses after a nuclear holocaust". You know, that type of suit that can avoid nuclear radiation. Now, let Lil'Kim show you what is "exposing your body". Let Lil'Kim show you how you can even do it with a burqa. Way to go Lil'Kim !



However, an indignant Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin, 22, said she was wearing a sleeveless top and long pants when JAIP officers raided an entertainment outlet in Sunway City where she was performing on Tuesday.

Entertainer: Siti Noor Idayu was dressed in a white, sleeveless, top and long black pants when the officers from the religious department raided the entertainment outlet in Ipoh and detained her on Tuesday.

Bear in mind that in these two paragraphs the writer mentioned Siti's dress twice. Why? Perhaps the writer could not believe what is happening either.

“Our band had just finished and it was a little past midnight when they came in and rounded up all the Muslims.

“They asked to see our MyKad but one officer refused to touch the cards, referring to them as najis (unclean),” she said.

It is immoral to say someone is unclean before one is sure whether she has committed any offense. Furthermore, using such words towards another is downright rude.

Siti Noor Idayu said the JAIP officers later detained seven people, including four employees of the outlet, and brought them to the department office.

“They put us in a tiny room and turned up the air-conditioner. I heard one officer tell the other: Bekulah dia orang (Let them freeze),” she said.

It is immoral to torture a person you have caught.

Siti Noor Idayu also said the male officers kept taking photographs of her, adding that she was made to stay overnight in that room until 10am.

It is immoral to frantically take pictures of a female without her consent (violation of human rights) or detain a person overnight when she has not been proven guilty of anything.

She said the officer who finally came to record her statement at 8am, accused her of consuming alcohol and drugs, being involved in immoral activities, and that her MyKad was a fake.

“I took the breathalyser test twice and when the reading remained at zero, the officers looked frustrated.

“I heard one tell the other: Tapi dia tak minum lah (But she did not drink),” she said.

It is immoral and unlawful to accuse someone of something she didn't do. One is innocent until proven guilty, not the other way round. Furthermore, the JAIP officers did not state what are the "immoral activities" committed. For all we know, the harsh treatment by this bunch of JAIP officers are immoral and possibly unlawful.

Siti Noor Idayu said an officer even told her that the money she earned working in the outlet was duit haram (illicit money) and that her parents, children and future generations would all be tainted for using such money.

Why? I mean, she is not a stripper. She is not a drug dealer/pusher. Furthermore, the government of State and Country gets the expensive taxes paid by these so called "illicit" entertainment outlets.

There was a pay raise for government officers this year. So, where does government officers like JAIP get their money from? From taxes paid by the private sector. Ironic, really ironic.

Entertainment outlets are part of the private sector. Did someone mention about "generations tainted by illicit money"? "Tainted" people cannot become religious moral officers. Did I say anything wrong with that?

“They finally wrote me a notice accusing me of dressing sexily and encouraging immorality just because I sang there,” she said.

The notice ordered her to appear before the Syariah Court here on Aug 6.

When contacted, JAIP director Datuk Jamry Sury said he was confident that his officers had not acted outside of their jurisdiction in issuing the notice.

“According to Islamic laws, a Muslim woman is not allowed to serve or entertain a man who is not her husband in a place where immoral activities usually take place,” he said.

Ohh really?! That is Islamic law? Are you sure about this, Jamry? Perhaps, JAIP director can launch a so-called "moral" task force. Is Siti Nurhaliza, the most popular singer in Malaysia liable? Don't forget to take Ella, Ning Baizura, Aishah, Ziana Zain, Sheila Majid and Noraniza Idris into consideration. I mean, they do perform in the presence of men who are not their husbands.

Furthermore, what constitutes a "place where immoral activities usually take place"? I have heard some unmarried people like to make out in the toilet, public gardens and even lecture rooms. This is such a subjective matter. If that's the case, JAIP might as well say "women cannot perform" and tie it with Islam.

Is that really Islam? From what I recall, Prophet Muhammad intended to save women from suppression, not the other way round.

Is public speaking or being a stand up comedienne a form of entertainment? Then, the women cannot be allowed to speak. Oh my, I do not know what to say.

Perhaps, JAIP and certain MPs in the Parliament can stop being sexist and treat the women with more respect. They have to understand that they come to this world from a women's womb. Without the female sexual organ, they will not be able to be created.

Nuff said...

Malaysia Boleh Bodoh and the MCA Slumber

Bolehland, Bodohland Malaysia
Malaysia Today published an article by Michael Backman titled "With this cash I thee wed: here comes the bribe".

This is an excerpt of what he wrote:
"In the column, I said that Malaysian government waste wasn't "Malaysia boleh" (the national slogan that means "Malaysia can") but "Malaysia bodoh" ("bodoh" translates as stupid.) The column was emailed pretty much to anyone with an email account.

Many in Malaysia have taken to referring to government waste and poor decision making as coming from "Bodohland"."

How apt, how true. Further in his article, he talked about the various corruption cases in Malaysia and the way in which they were handled. It is really worthwhile to read his writings. After all , corruption is handled in the most ironic way in "Bolehland", I mean "Bodohland".

There is not much difference between the term "Bolehland" and "Bodohland". We "can"/"boleh" spend so much of money sending first Malaysians to space just to make "teh tarik" and play "congkak". Isn't that a "stupid"/"bodoh" approach? Other countries send scientists to space to make studies that will benefit mankind. We, Malaysian taxpayers and the government belong to the "Bodoh" category. There should not be no excuses there. After all, we are footing up a hefty million dollar bill to enable the world to laugh at our immature government and ridiculous pride.

To top it off, there were even speculations that the SMS method a la "American/Malaysian Idol" would be used to decide on who gets to be the first Malaysian in space. That has never been done in the world. Other countries choose the best candidate based on technical, health and knowledge credentials. Malaysia Boleh !!! and Bodoh too ...

Remember, we are not making our own spaceships. We are just taking another person's "bus" (Russian rocket) up to space. We are paying a very expensive "bus fee". Anyone could do that. A Japanese millionaire paid for his space vacation even before we send ours. Ohh, that would now mean that we "boleh" (can) spend money for useless escapades but "tak boleh (can't) make our own spaceships.

The world "Boleh" in Malaysia is slightly twisted as you will realise. We "can"/"boleh" do things that others have never done before (most of the time with gigantic financing) but produce products or so-called "achievements" of insignificant value to society. What is all this bull/crap about "biggest pizza" or "biggest teabag" in Malaysia? People are "stupid"/"bodoh" enough to regard it as something to be proud of.

It is utterly disappointing to have a foreigner Australian to remind us of our problems rather than realising and solving it ourselves as Malaysians. Perhaps, Michael Backman is more worthy of becoming a citizen of our country rather than our own Malaysians.

Sleeping MCA MP's
MCA said "Give feedback through proper channels to fight crime", reported The Star. There were arrests at Johor’s anti-crime protest in front of Johor Chief Minister's residence. The police arrested two SUARAM members after the demonstration. Johor Bahru (JB) citizens are living in fear. JB is now the crime capital of Malaysia.

There is even an Online Petition to pressure our "Bodohland" government to take action.

The Opposition, Lim Guan Eng has something to say about this matter. Remove DSP Leow Kian Heong from the crime prevention unit of Johor.

Excerpt:
"At the public dialogue organized by the Johor Baru Tionghua Federation on Sunday, Leow had insulted the audience and Chinese community by saying that the crime situation in Johor is not alarming but had improved instead by 8% as compared to last year. Leow blamed the Chinese press for giving extensive coverage to crime stories that gave the impression of a deteriorating crime situation unlike the English/Malay press that do not have such reports. He even called on not the public not to racialise and politicize the issue.

Johor state crime prevention unit DSP Leow Kian Heong should stop talking like Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman."

This is the latest spat of crime in Johor. Johor Criminals Chase and Ram Car, Rape Girl (and Another Gang Rape On Next Day).

This is what MCA has to say:
“MCA leaders will continue to give feedback and the views of the community to the Government through the proper channels to ensure that effective measures will be carried out to combat crime,” he (MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting ) told a press conference after the meeting."

As a representative of the Malaysian Chinese, that is the sort of "Bodoh" statement that the president has to say. Crime cases have been escalating in Johor since Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) becomes the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Johor Crimes were written as HEADLINES in major chinese newspapers all along. Everyone on the street, and I mean not only Johor knows that state is a Crime Capital.

What sort of crap is he saying that "MCA will continue to give feedback and views of the community"? Where are these so-called MCA leaders all along ? Too "busy" sleeping enjoyably in their high-class residence that they do not read the papers? Too "busy" making money? I thought MCA is a social association, not a business association? I thought MCA has a lot of MPs being voted by these eventual victims of crime? Where are they? Sleeping?

These Members of Parliaments (MPs) should know what is happening in their community. That is the "proper channel" of their job. If they are not aware, that would be they are not doing their job, therefore should be called to resign.

When is MCA going to request the police to release the SUARAM members, the brave people who fought for the rights of the Johor citizens? These SUARAM members have done something, which MCA by right, should have done ! Malaysia Kini reported that Suaram condemns police action on this matter. Criminals are the ones who should be arrested, not those who speak up against crime !

Tionghua means the Chinese race in the Hokkien dialect. The fact that Johor Bahru Tionghua association has to take matters by ways of protests and petition prove that the community no longer has confidence in MCA and the police force.

Ng Yen Yen, the representative of Chinese women in Malaysia were against the so-called "little dragon ladies" from China. Sexistly, she said, these people would wreck Malaysian families. How about this matter? Crime will wreck families too. Most crime victims in Johor are women. Women are gang-raped. This is even worse than "dragon ladies". Now where is she?

Perhaps, people like Ong Ka Ting, Chua Soi Lek and Ng Yen Yen "boleh" continue with their elegant slumber. It will definitely be a "surprise" if they win in landslides in the next election.

Sleep well, sleep tight, my fellow so-called "leaders" of the "Bodohland". MCA will pay the price.

SMART Tunnel: RM 2 Toll

According to The Star on Monday June 11, 2007

RM2 toll for SMART tunnel use

PETALING JAYA: Users of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) will be charged a RM2 toll.

The toll will be effective from 11.59pm on June 14, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said on Monday.

Related Story:
SMART toll to start on Friday
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RM2 * 2 (twice per day) * 6 (days a week) * 4 (weeks a month) = RM 96 extra per month
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The Irony of Bahasa Malaysia, Alleycats and Mister Zam

Rest in peace, Loga

Condolences to the members of Alleycats for the passing of its member Loganathan Arumugam who succumbed to lung cancer on Monday, 10.50 a.m. at Mount Miriam Hospital. He was 54, succeeded by a 23-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter, The Star reported.

I am not a fan (they were way past my time) but I would like to state my opinions and observations regarding the contributions of the band in Malaysia, be it music or nation-building.

Alleycats was particularly famous in the 1970s and 80s, with their trademark Afro big hair churning Malay pop hits such as "Sampaikan Salam" and "Andainya Aku Pergi Dulu". Group members include Loganathan Arumugam and David Arumugam on vocals, Tan Chin Hock on drums, Shunmugam Arumugam on lead guitar, Chester Anthony Passerella on saxophone, Khoo Fook Sin and Grenville on keyboards, Frank Ong on bass guitar.

The Penang-originated band is one of the great pioneers in the music progression of Malaysia. Other than producing songs sung in the national language (Bahasa Malaysia), Alleycats indirectly taught us to be blind of racial or religious "colours". The band is multi-racial (Chinese and Indians) and multi-religious. Their fans come from ALL races with a huge base in the Malay community. Ironically, the band was incepted in 1969. The same year, Malaysia experienced one of its worst period in history, the 13 May 1969 Racial Riot.

Mahaguru58 and Kay Stanford Jr Kastum paid tribute. Jeff Ooi dedicated an entry with their videos. Edmund Yeo (son of Alleycats producer Eric Yeo) wrote the article "R. I. P. Loga of Alleycats" and provided some links to their music.

Time passes so swiftly.

The success of Alleycats symbolise the potential unity of Malaysians. Despite not having any ethnic Malays in their band, they sang in Malay. Perhaps, they accept it honestly in their hearts that Bahasa Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians. I hope we are able to see multi-racial bands as such in the near future.

In memoriam, Loganathan Arumugam.

Bahasa Melayu "was" and "is" Bahasa Malaysia


Another irony on the same day that Loganathan passed away, Zainuddin Maidin, Information Minister declared that the name of the language "Bahasa Melayu" will be changed back to "Bahasa Malaysia".

“The Malay language belongs to Malaysians of all races and not just the Malays. The term Bahasa Malaysia would instil a sense of belonging,” Zainuddin told The Star

That is perhaps, the only right thing Zainuddin has done compared to his sproutings over the past months regarding bloggers (attempts of classification, registration and mind-boggling statistics).

He further added, “It was generally accepted and no one asked for a change until (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim became the education minister (in 1986). He dropped the term Bahasa Malaysia for Bahasa Melayu and it has remained that way. But now, we feel we should go back to the original term,” he said.

Or maybe I should say, near right but not absolutely right.

I am a Malaysian who has never regarded Bahasa Malaysia as Bahasa Melayu "sahaja". I have never treated Bahasa Malaysia as a language not of my own. I believe people in the Alleycats band back in the 1970s would probably think like me.

Analysis on the Logic of Language Name Change

The Star article stated:
"In a unanimous decision last April, the Cabinet felt that reverting to the term Bahasa Malaysia would help inculcate a sense of belonging for all citizens irrespective of race, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin."

That would mean, to change the name "Bahasa Melayu" to "Bahasa Malaysia" requires a decision from the Cabinet. Using Zainuddin's logic, would that mean that there should also be a decision from the Cabinet to allow the change of "Bahasa Malaysia" to "Bahasa Melayu" back in 1986?

So, may I ask Zainuddin Maidin, why did the Cabinet, of which Barisan National (of UMNO = Malay, MCA = Chinese, MIC = Indian) is the ruling party blamed Anwar Ibrahim as if Anwar is solely responsible for the situation?

Even if it was not the Cabinet's decision, why didn't the UMNO, MCA and MIC Members of Parliament oppose the move in Parliament back in 1986? BN was still the ruling party way back since 1957 Independence.

Rustam Sani stated an apt statement in his Malaysia Today article that the ministers "sounded like a Columbus who claims to have just “discovered” America – whereas the truth of the matter is that the continent had already been discovered several times over by earlier discoverers such as Amerigo Vespucci."

Is the General Erection around the corner? Will such attempts work on the non-Malays? This leaves an area to be evaluated.

Sometimes, Women are Sexist Against Women

Can We Stop Adultery ?

I have just read an article from The Star. Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen called to hold plans on ‘little dragon ladies’. Currently, she is opposing the plan of importing chinese maids to Malaysia. Chinese maids was said to cause family disharmony hence the opposition.

This is what she said:
" Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said that unless clear guidelines on the recruitment are laid out and the interests of local women protected, the political party wing is against the move. "

Seriously, I am not questioning Ng Yen Yen's intelligence but really curious with the ideas, plans and guidelines Home Affairs can produce in collaboration with Wanita MCA on...

"How to stop adultery between (local) men and (Chinese) women".

It will REALLY be interesting to read it. Hope that the plans come out in the form of a book similar to the "Dummies" series.

For your information, Adultery not only happens between Mainland Chinese women and local men. Local men and local women have extra-marital affairs as well.
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Chinese Women are Home-Wreckers?

The next verse coming from the supposed representative of the Malaysian Chinese women in Malaysia said:
“ These women are enticing local married men into having affairs with them and are causing family disharmony,” she said after chairing the wing’s central committee meeting here yesterday. "

Am I wrong to say that she is making a sexist stereotype on Mainland Chinese women?

As usual, whenever adultery happens, certain women likes to blame the third-party female as the enticers. Maybe these people should ask themselves the set of questions below before arriving at a poorly generalised conclusion:

1) In certain cases, isn't there a possibility that the man is the enticer? Why must it be mentioned only women? Whenever adultery happens, both the man and woman should be blamed. The judgment should not be one-sided.

2) Why can't they blame their man for not being able to control his sexual urge instead? It takes two hands to clap.

3) Why can't they blame themselves for choosing a man who can't stay true to the relationship?

4) Is it worth keeping a man who knows no loyalty to the woman he loves?

5) There are instances of local Chinese and Malay men committing adultery with Indonesian maids. Are we going to make such stereotypes against Indonesian women as well? Will there be maids for us if all of them are banned according to nationality?

6) Does ALL Mainland Chinese women come to Malaysia for such ill-gotten intention? Maybe majority BUT NOT ALL.

Should we blame adultery only on the women, my dear woman representative of MCA? What kind of woman are you?
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Rude Remarks

She further added:
" Ng, however, stressed to Bernama that Wanita MCA was in no way showing disrespect to women in China but was rather taking a realistic stand in looking after the well-being and happiness of local women and ensuring family values were safeguarded. "

Perhaps, Ng Yen Yen, all affected parties and Malaysians should put themselves in the Mainland Chinese women's place. Then, read and feel the words made. As a Mainland Chinese woman working in Malaysia to earn money for your family in China, you would be disappointed that others view you in such a perspective.

There is a high possibility that Ng Yen Yen, as a high-post politician would probably say that her statements are directed only against "little dragon ladies". Read the article from The Star and understand the implications carefully.

Am I wrong to say that the phrase below is the summary for the article?

" Ng Yen Yen told Home Affairs Ministry to hold on plans to import (Mainland) Chinese maids because of (Mainland) Chinese women wrecking Malaysian families "

Tell me that is not a generalised disrespectful statement towards Chinese women? Try to convince me if her words do not sound accusative and stereotypical towards (Mainland) Chinese women. Try to assure me if her words do not sound discriminatory towards Chinese nationals.

Sometimes, women are sexist against women.
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Why can't we use a more Refined Approach?

I appreciate Wanita MCA's stand against the sexist MPs from BN regarding the "Bocor" comments. Ng Yen Yen described their deeds as "vulgar and crude".

It is probably true that there are incidents of adultery concerning local men and Mainland Chinese maids. It is mostly true that Wanita MCA in the form of its chief claimed they were unable to do anything to resolve the local women's plight.

Perhaps, stopping the import of Chinese maids may be a temporary solution.

The main problem is, as a major educated leader of the Chinese community, she should have used a more refined approach to halt the plan...

1) She should have said this:

" Wanita MCA requests Home Affairs Ministry to halt the plans of importing Mainland Chinese maids due to family issues voiced by local women "

" Local women complains of adultery between their men and Chinese maids. Wanita MCA aims to voice these concerns and attempt achieve an amicable solution with Home Affairs Ministry that will be advantageous to all parties "

instead of this:

" Ng Yen Yen told Home Affairs Ministry to hold on plans to import (Mainland) Chinese maids because of (Mainland) Chinese women wrecking Malaysian families "

Whoa there!!! Would you like to be a Mainland Chinese women after that statement? I wouldn't want to.

2) Otherwise, she should have met the Home Affairs Minister and try to get him to halt the plans behind-the-scenes. Provide better reasons for halting the plan such as legal issues, etc. etc.

Bear in mind, China is fastly becoming a major trading power. Ng Yen Yen should be reminded that 2007 is Visit Malaysia Year.

As a representative of a constituency and the women community, educated politician, I am very sure that Ng Yen Yen could have issued more professional, polite and refined statements rather than using insensitive and blunt comments.

Malaysian, especially Ministers should be courteous at all times.

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Reference websites

Dr Ng Yen Yen's official site
KTemoc -Wanita MCA: "No, no, no to Suzie Wongs"

Stop the Hassle, Zainuddin Maidin ! Enough is Enough !

Zam said: Few people read blogs. Zam is Zainuddin Maidin, Malaysia Minister of Information. The Star writes.

He made a SURPRISE claim that there are ONLY 20,000 bloggers in Malaysia !

“Only that number out of the 11 million Internet users in the country are actively involved in political blogs. The political bloggers just write for each other to read; they are not a threat,” he added.

This is certainly a mind-boggling figure ! I thought Tengku Adnan (Ku Nan) said it was only 10,000 people, liars (in his exact words), of which 8,000 are unemployed women ? You can read it in a Malaysia Today article dated 13th March 2007.

That, at the end of the day Ku Nan claimed that he was 'Misquoted'. For your information "Misquoted" or "Misunderstood" are two popular words used by Malaysian Ministers. Sometimes it is surprising whenever the press was unanimous and display similarity in their "Misquoting". A problem of the information-giver or those who quote? An issue of misquoting by the press or misINFORM by the ministers? I am sure Malaysians can decide themselves on such matters.

So, who misquoted this time around? Ku Nan (10,000 bloggers) or Zam (20,000 bloggers)?

Coming back to the original story, Zam further stated that bloggers should not try to incite to disintegrate national unity. So, now bloggers are being told not to incite? Previously Ku Nan said bloggers are liars.

Zam, if you intend to maintain harmony, try to INFORM people like Hishamuddin to stop waving the keris around and the Son-In-Law to stop giving controversial remarks. These are public figures. Their words and deeds are more significant.

Judging by this situation, I would conclude that the Administration likes to create a hassle over trivial matters. 20,000 compared to the 22 million population is but a small fraction of the population. Not to mention, Zam even added that bloggers only read about bloggers as if the rest of the population will not view their articles.

If that is what you think is right, I will take it. So, Zam stop hassling bloggers.

So, please do not create a Mountain out of a small Molehill?

Stop saying that you want to "Control" the Internet because of Bloggers!
Stop saying that you want to Register Bloggers
Stop saying that you want to Classify Bloggers as "Professional" or "Amateurs"

Most of all,

Tell all ministers to STOP harassing bloggers by saying they are liars, inciters etc. All the attempts above are technically impractical.

STOP ALL THAT. Stop pulling the bull to shit all around since this is a trivial matter.

A blog is like a personal diary. Some bloggers write about daily life, cooking, gadgets, sharing pictures, their views on socio-politics. Do you seek to "control" 20,000 people's opinions and diaries that share among themselves? Is it worth "controlling" people over such matters?

It is high time for Malaysians to read and think for themselves. Stop pushing people around and tell them what to think. Aren't we living in a democratic country?

What are you afraid of Zam? Why are you so frightened? Is there anything wrong?

There are more pressing issues that encompass the whole nation, such as Corruption, Transparency, Accountability, Economic Improvement Plan, Eradication of Poverty.

For your INFORMATION, Zam, you as an INFORMATION MINISTER should know that the Administration had promised (at least four years back) to solve those issues? Time is running out. Someone's got to walk the talk?

Corruption is still rampant. Transparency is poor. Accountability, talk to "Semi Value" and Kak Fidah. Economy has stagnated. Poverty is at large. Cost of Living is going up. Zam, why didn't you talk about this?

Why do you not give attention to these?

"Cakap ada Serupa Bikin kah"?

What Actually Belongs to the Jurisdiction of Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry?

This is my remarks on the article "Rais chides museum over ghost exhibition" in Malaysia Today.

It seems like Rais say many items are not under his jurisdiction.

Museums
In this case, he said:
“The management of state museums is not under the jurisdiction of my ministry. It is under the jurisdiction of the state government."

Aren't museums a part of "Culture", "Arts" and "Heritage"? How come they are not under the "Culture", "Arts" and "Heritage" ministry?

Movies
On the 'Lelaki Komunis Terakhir' movie ban, he suggested a viewing for all ministers. A lot of us thought the movie will finally be allowed. In many countries, this movie was well received critically instead of commercially.

Our hopes run too high. At the end of the day, Rais said that areas of movie is not under his jurisdiction.

I am confused with the term "Culture", "Arts" and "Heritage" right now. Isn't a documentary about history a "Heritage"? Isn't movie a form of "Arts"? No?

He is trying to apply this stance the second time for the "Apa Khabar Orang Kampung" movie.

It makes me think over and over again, what kind of real elements or work is under the "Culture, Arts and Heritage" JURISDICTION?

Chuah Cheng Bok Mansion
Suddenly, a thought came. The Chuah Cheng Bok mansion is under his jurisdiction. Although the mansion is regarded as a heritage by many, it was demolished last year. I am not sure but I heard that it was nominated using the Heritage Act.

Then Rais said, "not all buildings is heritage" after the demolition took place. I am not sure why Rais never mentioned it before the demolition instead. I am confused on what Heritage Act is for, right now, if it can't protect nominated potential heritage buildings.

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A case of Tai Chi, lepas tangan, hands tied, inefficiency or any unseen unknown problem?

Maybe Malaysians here can try to evaluate his efficiency level.

Hmmppph.. now the jurisdiction begins..

Fairy Tales and Reality: Similarities and Differences of ALI BABA

This is my writing with regards to an article on page 26 of "Comment" column in Sunday Star.

I have also posted these writings in Malaysia Today previously .

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On The Beat by Wong Chun Wai

Title: Let us forge together to develop our tanahair

Excerpt:

1) And while there are negative connotations to the Ali-Baba business venture, it is not necessarily bad.

2) Wong Chun Wai can be reached at onthebeat@thestar.com.my

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Who is the biggest shareholder in The Star by the way?

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The Ali Baba Woodcutter

Ali Baba Partnerships and Normal Business Partnerships are entirely different.

Why?

1) Ali Baba in the business context is a system exclusively practised in Malaysia.

2) Ali Baba has a system of a Master(the customer), a Middleman(the contractor) and a Beggar-Slave(the sub-contractor). The partnership is between Mister Middleman and Beggar-Slave. Why? Read the story (item 4) below.

3) Normal Business partnerships have only a Master (the customer) and Partner(s) (equal takers/executors/contractor). Sub-contractor is not on begging or compulsion. Big contracts are awarded based on merit. Points 1, 2 and 3 are based on my own opinion and perception. Perhaps, what you can do is to evaluate the similarities and differences by yourself. Why is it that business partnerships in overseas are not termed as "Ali Baba"? Why does it not exist?

4) I believe the name "Ali Baba" originates from the story "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" of 1001 Nights (a Persian story). Yes it is the "Open Sesame! Cave Door" story. I am a stupid businessman. Do not believe all of my stories.

A poor woodcutter who becomes a thief by stealing from the 40 thieves who stole from other richer people.

The forty thieves seek revenge but Ali Baba's slave-girl Morgiana is so smart and therefore managed to kill the 40 thieves.

Morgiana married Ali Baba's son and they lived with the Stolen Gold dahulu, kini dan selamanya.

Read: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/alibaba.html

Moral of this story: One can become a thief by stealing from another thief and become successful in life. A slave can become rich by stealing from another thief to give to her master.

5) Forget about the story above, typically "Ali Baba" is "not necessarily bad although there are negative connotations" like some say. I am a stupid businessman. I can only tell and read stories. After all, Ali Baba and her "family" get to live happily ever after. God Bless Malaysia.

Other lessons learnt:
- Stealing is OK, not necessarily bad. If you are a smart slave, you can become rich by helping your master steal from "richer people" who work hard for their money.

- Woodcutter do not have to work so hard and do not have to plan his wood business. Steal from other thieves and become instant millionaires is the right thing to do.

- The "richer people" have been marginalised from the Ali Baba story. Marginalisation is OK as long as woodcutter and slave can go on stealing and live happily ever after.

Yes, everything is OK !

Ohh , I love to read stories. I will tell my children that based on this story, "Ali Baba and the 40 thieves" are all immoral characters. Do not practise what they did. Strange thing some people can consider them as something "why not?"

I will tell them to Study hard and Work Smart (not cheating). If they need money, they will have to work for it.

So, people, what are you going to teach your children?

Feel free to post comments .....

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

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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.

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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...