Friday, February 29, 2008

SECOND DPM FROM SABAH:PKR's SABAH MANIFESTO

Hantu Laut

I am not a great fan of the BN government but I would not take it lightly that some wasted politician like Anwar Ibrahim thinks Sabahans are fools, stupid and gullible enough to swallow his lies and empty promises. He can fool some of the KDM people but he must not forget not all Sabahans are KDM and not all KDM are fools. How would he expects to get support from Sabahans when even a ten-year old child knew he was lying.

A second DPM from Sabah ? You must be joking, or you are just as mad as that half-baked self-proclaimed Harvard graduate from Tambunan who can't even read and interpret a P&L Account and Balance Sheet after spending umpteen years in politics and government. That's why during the PBS tenure he and his brother completely screwed up the states finances.

Now he gets delusion of grandeur, promising the people a DPM from Sabah, which he dreamt to be himself.

Dream on Jeffery.

The DAP's manifesto make more sense. Your PKR manifesto is a piece of crap.

Please read the promises below and make your own judgement.

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
Second DPM in PKR's Sabah manifesto

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah, launched another manifesto here themed "A New Hope for Sabah and Malaysia" promising a second Deputy Prime Minister if it rules the land below the wind.

"As partners to the formation of Malaysia, the Borneo states deserve to have a Deputy Prime Minister for without the Borneo states, there would have been no Malaysia.

"Thus, under the PKR government there will be a second Deputy Prime Minister for East Malaysia," the PKR said in its 14-point manifesto launched Wednesday by State PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. State PKR head Ansari Abdullah was also present.

Other points in the manifesto included termination of any petroleum agreement with national oil company, Petronas, and replacing it with a petroleum sharing agreement apart from a review of the Petronas Act to give a fair revenue to Sabah.

PKR would also ensure that state immigration be placed under "state matter," where the movement of people in and out of Sabah would come under the purview of the state government and "the director of immigration would be a Sabahan".

The party said if it rules Sabah, Federal Territory Labuan will come under the jurisdiction of Sabah without changing the status of the island as an Offshore Financial Centre.

PKR also promised to introduce a comprehensive economic and development plan for Sabah called the Development Agenda for Sabah.

For the March 8 election, the opposition is putting up 55 candidates for the 59 states seats.

It promised to resolve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah, restore relevant State rights, see to land reforms as well as set up a comprehensive economic and development plan for the State.

The manifesto also focussed on increasing the State's per capita income from RM10,000 to RM15,000, promoting transparency in the government as well as ensuring more women participate in decision-making processes.

PKR also wants to replace the Federal Development Department in Sabah (JPPS), which it describes as a waste of public funds, with a State Development Department (JPN) to ensure development funds go straight to the State Government.

On land reforms, PKR promised to restore the role of the village chiefs (Ketua Kampung) and Ketua Anak Negeri in land applications besides setting up a Land Reform Committee to review existing land laws.

An agency known as the Sabah Native Land Development Authority (SNLDA) will also be established by a PKR government for native land and interest.

The party also vowed to democratise the appointments of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) as well as village chiefs (Ketua Kampung) and ensure these JKKKs are actively involved in the development of the respective villages. As such all projects costing RM25,000 and below will be implemented directly by these JKKKs.

PKR Vice-President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the manifesto is a supplement to the national PKR manifesto entitled "A New Dawn for Malaysia", which was launched recently by party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"I am confident the people would accept the manifesto as they have had enough of Barisan Nasional's empty promises since it come to power", he said after the launching at his residence at Bukit Padang, near here.

He claimed the BN's just unveiled manifesto themed "Security, Peace and Prosperity" was just another of its sweet promises".

"We must remember that when BN launched 'Sabah Baru' in the previous election, it promised to reduce poverty to zero, housing for all, etcÉ but today we bear witness that all their promises have not been fulfilled and for that the current government must be change," he said.

Jeffrey went on to say that the real power in BN Sabah was Umno and that the 10 component parties have little say in the State Government.

He urged the people of Sabah, especially the young voters not to be misled by the BN's promises and instead vote PKR for change.

"Sabahans have a history of making brave changes when needed and together we can do it again," he said.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

ELECTION 2008: UPDATE SABAH:ANOTHER BLOW TO PKR

Hantu Laut

The man with the fattest wallet will rule.

PKR received another blow today when its candidate for the Gum Gum state seat, Mohaspa Mohd Hassan pulled out from a straight fight with BN candidate, Datuk Zakaria Mohs Idris. This means that BN has won another state seat uncontested.

Two independents have also pulled out of Tanjung Batu and Senallang state seats.

Meanwhile, Datuk Jeffery Kitingan ( the father of all frogs) has accused his political secretary of betrayal:

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
A betrayal for not being chosen: Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic) described his former Political Secretary Kanul Gindol's pullout from the party as shameful and an act of betrayal.

"Wherever they go after this, people will knowÉ as betrayers they should be ashamed of themselves," he said in a statement, Tuesday.

He was commenting on Kanul's announcement of resignation from PKR with immediate effect stating, among others, that he had lost confidence and trust in the party's leadership.

Jeffrey was disappointed with Kanul and other friends who left the party "to sleep with the enemy just because they were not chosen as candidates".

"It is obvious they didn't know the true meaning of our struggle in the first place. Their action proves they are more interested in pursuing personal interests."

Keadilan leaders and members should know the party is more important than individuals and that they should have consistency with the interest of the people at heart, he said.

"If you believe in something you should stick with it to the end, no matter what the internal problems are and whatever incentive may be offered by the enemy," said Jeffrey.

Jeffrey, who is also the PKR State Steering Committee chairman, said the party must have a system and disciplinary control. At the end of the day, the party leaders would have to nominate the candidates and those not selected would have to accept it gracefully.

"I also know one of the BN candidates in Tuaran has been telling the people in speeches that I was going to join the BN today. They can keep on dreaming. It looks like the BN candidate there has no other valid issue, so he has to tell lies to the people," he said.

According to him, Kanul was also not telling the truth or is ignorant about the status of the Tambunan Declaration that had long been approved and adopted by the Supreme Council.

It was adopted with a slight amendment to the last item, i.e. "Membenarkan Sabah menggaris agenda pembangunan dan ekonominya sendiri" (allowing Sabah to underline its own development and economic agendas) with the addition of "selaras dengan pembangunan dasar pusat" (in line with the federal development policy).

For someone who had betrayed his own brother, Joseph Pairin, the late Mark Koding, Pendikar Amin, Joseph Kurup and God knows how many more lesser known souls and to shamelessly denounced another person as a traitor is beyond comprehension.

A man of the lowest common denominator.He has hopped from one political party to another.He is no stranger to switching political parties.He was in PBS, AKAR,PBRS and joined UMNO but was kicked out when he stood as independent in the last election.He tried to re-join UMNO but was snubbed.

Watch out Anwar Ibrahim ! You are next !

This man will take the KDM back to the political wilderness.

A MAN FOR EVERY FAT,OLD AND UGLY LADY

Hantu Laut

Is Malaysia short of writers who can present uncomplicated and condensed manifestos that the man in the street can enjoy reading and understand.

Have any of you read the BN Manifesto? If you have, and you have read the full text to the minute details, than you are a rare specie and ought to have your head examined. A voracious reader would have eaten the whole piece of paper it was written on and try to digest it through the stomach rather than the brain. All I can say it was most uninspiring and makes dismal reading.

If it comes from the 4th floor, the den of the Oxbridge nerds, than I would rather send my children to Nanyang in Singapore or Beijing University in China where academic excellence not only prevailed on the scroll but are translated into reality.

Somebody should come up with an abridged version for less intellectually challenged mortals.

To be honest, I have no desire to read the 'Excellence, glory, distinction' and the 'not so honest to God' manifesto. Aren't excellence and distinction the same (in the form it is used in the manifesto) and carry the same meaning. A 'work of distinction' could also be called 'an excellent work'. Maybe, the 4th floor geeks should have consulted the Oxford lexicon before they decide to use it as the buzz words.

Almost all the major political parties have come up with strange sounding manifesto.

PKR, in sheer desperation for supports has promised a minimum wage of RM1500 per month. The ex-Minister of Finance (de facto leader of PKR), Anwar Ibrahim has lost touch with the economic viability of such promises. Many SMIs and small businesses with high labour content would be in serious trouble if such high minimum wage were to be imposed. A figure of RM800/Rm1000 would make the proposal more feasible, economically viable and without having to kill the goose that lay the golden eggs.

Anwar may have forgotten that the biggest chunk of employees in that income bracket would be immigrant workers and most of the money would be repatriated to the home countries, unless he has no intention to include them in the scheme.

Anyway, since PKR is not going to form the next government why bother making true promises.

The strangest of the strange is PAS manifesto. Completely out of this world and very very Islamic.

PAS promised to deliver a man to every fat, ugly and old women. Women who are afflicted with a combination of all those handicaps or any one of those handicaps and those who found it hard to find a mate would get matchmaking assistance.

Unless she is Han Andersen's ugly duckling, I wonder what kind of a man would want a fat, old and ugly woman.

The following report by AFP appeared on Tuesday, 26th Feb:

Match-making manifesto woos Malaysian voters

AFP - Tuesday, February 26

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26, 2008 (AFP) - Malaysia's conservative Islamic party pledged Tuesday to provide match-making services for older women and cut the cost of dowries in an election manifesto for its stronghold of Kelantan state.

The fundamentalist Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which is hoping to retain control of Kelantan in March 8 polls against fierce competition from the government, also promised to boost development in the impoverished state.

"We are providing benefits like match-making and reduced dowry for women, but we have also come up with a plan to address the needs of all people in Kelantan," PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa told AFP.

"It's about reassuring voters in Kelantan that we are the best choice for the people," he said.

A party leader caused controversy in the past by saying that ugly women should be given priority in public service jobs because pretty women can find rich husbands to provide for them.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition government is trying to regain Kelantan -- the only state it does not rule -- with plans for a slew of new projects and investment funds if it wins.

At its peak, PAS controlled Kelantan and neighbouring Terengganu state which it won in 1999 elections.

However its fundamentalist line, including a campaign to turn Malaysia into a religious state, and prohibitions on nightclubs, skimpy clothes and alcohol, saw it lose Terengganu in 2004.

It now holds a wafer thin majority in Kelantan, a state considered a key battleground in the polls.

Well, many old ladies in this country will soon be happy to find their mating mates courtesy of PAS.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

LAND OF THE FROGS

Hantu Laut

When Agnes Keith wrote the book "Land Below The Wind" in 1939, she won $5000 award for winning the Atlantic Non-Fiction Prize Book.

Agnes Rothery
of the New York Herald Tribune, in her book review said " For every one who reads "Land Below The Wind" (Borneo) will never again be a mere name in a nursery rhyme --
whose climate where 'the warm humid air seems to promote longevity in germs'......

It was Sabah (British North Borneo then) that she referred to in her book, where she and her husband worked and stayed for almost twenty years.

Now Sabah would be better known as the 'Land Of The Frogs'. The 'Politicians For Sale' campaign has started.The three days cooling off period will surely see some candidates dropping out and giving undivided support to the BN and money in their pockets.

PKR suffered a hiccup yesterday when the political secretary to PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan resigned from the party with immediate effect.He said he has lost trust in the party's Federal and State leadership adding that more leaders and members would follow suit.He accused the leadership as untrustworthy. He further said the BN is the best choice and the only one that can bring development to the state.

Frogs abound every time there is general election in Sabah.Some will join as independents hoping to be bought by the ruling party. The price ranges from as low as RM20,000. for the 'kucing kurap' to a few hundred thousands for potential 'giant killer'. Those sure of winning will wait until after the election and offer themselves for sale if the ruling party gets less than two-third majority.

It does make economic sense for the ruling party to buy off opponents.It would worked out to be much cheaper than having to fight them and spend millions on the campaign trail.

During the Mustapha's era it was not money that stopped opposition candidates from contesting in an election, it was gangsterism. A gang of people would waylaid the candidate on his way to the nomination centre, beat him up and detained him until the nomination centre closed. It was even cheaper and most of the candidates would be unchallenged.That's why during USNO time almost all seats were uncontested.

The state seat of Pensiangan that go uncontested has now created a furor. PKR claimed there was a conspiracy involving the EC and the Returning Officer of the Nomination Centre.A police report was lodged and PKR has filed an election petition to declare the result null and void.

The Election Commission's cooling off period is the most viable project for the buying and selling of politicians. It was probably put in place for that purpose.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

ARE THE KADAZANS BACK TO THEIR OLD ELEMENTS ?

Hantu Laut

Sabah will see one of the biggest tussle between BN, PKR and DAP.The biggest headache for BN is not the Mazu issue or the Chinese voters, it is the KDM (Kadazan Dusun Murut) electorates.

The three Kadazan based parties are not expected to do well in the coming polls due to widespread dissatifactions with their leaders for failure to address crucial issues. The loss of customary rights to their land, the perennial issue of illegal immigrants and the issuance of citizenship papers to illegal immigrants.

These contentious issues of illegal immigrants have made the local populace uncomfortable and suspicious of the motives of the Federal government for its refusal to find a permanent solution to resolve the problems. The state government had little power over the matters and the thorn have been in the flesh since the days of the USNO government.All subsequent governments including PBS, the Kadazan dominated government previously, had been unable to address the problem. The natives in Sabah consider the inaction of the Federal government as an exercise to further Malay hegemonic control over the state.

The issues of large tract of land given out to big companies is not a new issue but are problems created by the Kadazan leaders when they were in power. Thousands of acres of land earmarked to be given to smallholders by the then BERJAYA government were sold to Peninsula Malaysia based companies with financial benefits taken by those in power. Economic generators started by the BERJAYA government like SFI Paper Mill, Sponge Iron Plant and many others were sold to private companies from the Peninsula.

Yet the very man who destroyed Sabah's future together with his big brother when they were running the state and reputedly stole billions is now seen as a saviour of the KDM people through PKR, a Peninsula based party.

Sabah is now the biggest producer of palm oil and most big plantations are owned by Peninsula based companies giving the state very little left in term of cash revenue and investment resources. All financial transactions relating to this trade are done in Kuala Lumpur. Most Sabahans felt left out and deprived of the chance to enjoy the economic boom of the oil palm industry.

Most of the Kadazan leaders have little integrity and principle, with aptitude for kampong cunningness, rather than political shrewdness. History would repeat itself and the KDM will return to their old element of abandoning the BN through stealthy manipulations. The October 1990 state election was reminiscent of the brand of politics inherent in this community. PKR may win some seats in Sabah but are likely to lose all of it later to katak lumpat (party-hopping) if they can't form the next state government, which is an almost impossible task given the gerrymandered electoral boundaries.

The case of Jornah Mozihim, the assembly woman for Matunggong was an example of lack of integrity and principle of its President, Datuk Seri Pairin Kitingan who has written to her and confirmed in writing her candidacy.She was kicked out the last minute without her being given prior knowledge of the last minute change. The same goes with Tan Sri Bernard Dompok who shifted his party stalwart Donald Mojuntin, the incumbent for Penampang to Moyog and kicked out Philip Lasimbang from Moyog to ensure a safe seat for himself in Penampang.

The President of PBRS, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup must be the luckiest candidate.He went unopposed due to disqualification of the other two candidates. Kurup abandoned his constituency of Sook where he won by a slim majority of 395 in 2004 to escape from being slaughtered by Jeffery Kitingan in the forthcoming polls.He kicked out Bernard Maraat and took his seat. He was expected to lose if the seat was contested.

SUPP President Yong Tet Lee may have shot himself in the foot when he said he will retain all the incumbents of his party as they have done a good job and expected to get the Api-Api seat for himself which he failed to secure. He could have forced anyone of his boys to vacate a seat for him.He has shown chivairous principle by not doing what Dompok and Kurup did.

The political soothsayers predicted almost all the Kadazan leaders from the BN component parties including Joseph Pairin will have an uphill battle to retain their seats.

The KDM are back to their old elements. PKR is expected to capture significant number of seats from the Kadazan heartland but they are also predicted to abandon PKR for greener pasture.

Monday, February 25, 2008

NOMINATION DAY UPDATE

Hantu Laut

The BN is currently leading with some uncontested seats.

Parliamentary seat candidates who won uncontested
1. Datuk Azalina Othman Said - P157 Pengerang, Johor (Umno)
2. Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh - P191 Kalabakan, Sabah (Umno)
3. Norah Abdul Rahman - P206 Tanjung Manis, Sarawak (PBB)
4. Aaron Ago Dagang - P210 Kanowit, Sarawak (PRS)
5. Joseph Entulu Belaun - P214 Selangau, Sarawak (PRS)
6. Alexander Nanta Linggi - P215 Kapit, Sarawak (PBB)

State seat candidates who won uncontested
Sabah
Datuk Ramlee Marbahan - N54 Bugaya (Umno)

Selangor
Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil – N43 Sementa (Umno)

PAS got 1 seat unoppossed in Kijang, Kelantan.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman challenged by 3 others in Sibuga, PKR, Bersekutu and 1 independent candidate.

Rafidah Aziz disqualified(yet to be confirmed).

Merotai, Sabah 7 cornered fight.

PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi straight fight with PAS candidate Subri Mat Arshad

Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz straight fight with BN/UMNO candidate Datuk Dr Nik Zain Omar in Chempaka, Kelantan.

PKR Wan Azizah against BN/UMNO Datuk Pirdaus Ismail in Permatang Pauh, Pinang.

DPM Datuk Seri Mohd Najib against PKR Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainudin in Pekan, Pahang.

Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin (BN-Umno) against Mohd Rozali Jamli Al-Hafiz (PAS) in Pagoh, Johor.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein (BN-Umno) against Lee Sang (PKR) in Semrong, Johor.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo (BN-Umno) against Mohd Fadzin Taslimin(PAS) in Sungei Panjang, Selangor.

Melaka Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam (BN-Umno) against Bakrin Sidek (Pas) in Buki Baru, Melaka.

Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Umno) against Che Nordin Che Ahmad (Pas) in Tambun Tulang,Perlis.

Sarawak CM's son, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib (BN-PBB) in 3 cornered fight
against Hussain Abg Apok (PKR) and Abu Bakar Awang Dawos (Ind) in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (BN-Umno) against Norman Ipin(Pas) in Jelebu, Negri Sembilan.

PM son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar (BN-Umno) against Badrul Hisham Shaharin (PKR) in Rembau, Negri Sembilan.

Minister Datuk Seri Samy Vellu in 3-cornered fight against PKR Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj and IND Nor Rizan Oon.

KEADILAN CONTESTING 58 SEATS IN SABAH

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup uncontested in Pensiangan, Sabah.

BN now has 7 MP and 2 State seats uncontested.

Datuk Seri Pairin Kitingan(BN/PBS) against his brother Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan(PKR) in Keningau, Sabah and against PKR Mozes M Iking in Tambunan state seat.

BN has obtained 2 more seats making a total of 9 parliamentary and 2 state seats captured uncontested.

Scary moment for Rafidah due to unsigned nomination form.She wasn't disqualified as reported earlier.

Most seats in Sabah heavily contested between BN and PKR. The opposition pact between PKR and DAP are not in place here. A number of seats are contested by both DAP and PKR against BN.

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup won the Pensiangan parliamentary seat uncontested after two other candidates were disqualified for submitting their papers late.A man supposedly PKR supporter tried to punch him but missed. PKR and 1 independent candidate were disqualified.

In Tenom BN supporters burnt BN flags to show their dissatisfaction over the choice of candidates.BN fielded incumbents for (Tenom Parliament) Tamie Unggi, (Kemabong) Datuk Rubin Balang and (Melalap) Datuk Radin Malleh.

Tanjong Kapur saw 8-cornered fight.BN,PKR,BERSEKUTU and 5 independents.

Visit this site for update on campaining in Sabah.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

MOSQUITO PARTY NOMINATED ALL NEW FACES

Hantu Laut

The smallest politicial party in Sabah, LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) formerly headed by former Chief Minister Chong Kah Kiat has fielded all four new faces. The biggest surprise was that of incumbent Liew Yun Fah, the assemblyman for Merotai, who was dropped in favour of a newcomer.Liew who is very popular with the electorates in Merotai is expected to stand as independent against the LDP choice. Due to his popularity, many has given him an edge over his opponent, if he takes up the challenge.

As reported in the Daily Express:





Contest as loners?

photo Keningau: The State Barisan Nasional faces the prospect of dropped incumbents contesting the 12th general election on March 8 as Independents.

At least two have so far hinted they would consider such alternative as an act of retaliation against their respective party presidents over their exclusions.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liew Yun Fah arrived to a rousing welcome by some 2,000 supporters at the Tawau Airport, Friday.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership had earlier dropped him from the party candidates' list for the Merotai state constituency which he won in 2004.

He had barely warmed his seat as Youth and Sports Minister several months ago. LDP President Datuk VK Liew had announced party secretary Pang Yuk Ming for the seat, instead.

While declining to specifically reveal his next cause of action, Liew said that in the event he decides to contest as an Independent, it would not mean that he would be against the Barisan Nasional, "but against any outsider trying their luck in Merotai".

Liew said he was still toying with the idea and that his fortune would depend on the wisdom of the electorates in the area.

He regretted at not being aware of the decision to drop him from the fray, contrary to a statement by VK Liew.

While stressing that he had nothing to lose for having been dropped, he regretted that the party seemingly does not appreciate the level of support accorded by the electorates in the Merotai area.

Supporters turning up at the airport displayed banners expressing their support for Liew as their elected representative. Balung candidate Datuk Syed Abbas Syed Ali, Nilwan Kabang (Kunak) and Datuk Haji Harman Haji Mohd (Sulabayan) arriving at the same time at the airport, were also given a rousing welcome by their respective supporters.

In Keningau, Pensiangan Parliamentary incumbent Datuk Bernard S Maraat declared his stand to contest both the Pensiangan Parliament and Sook State seats as an independent candidate.

Bernard, who is also Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) Secretary-General, told supporters gathered at his Taman Jutaya residence, Friday, that he would be relinquishing all positions in the party and the Government.

As speculated, the PBRS list showed party President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup contesting the Pensiangan seat, while Deputy Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin has been allocated the Sook seat. Both constituencies were secured by PBRS in the 2004 general election.

Friday's gathering included 50 local community leaders, comprising village heads and native chiefs. Bernard pointed out that his winning the Pensiangan seat in 2004 was the result of solid support from the BN component parties, his supporters and family members.

In Kinabatangan, parliamentary incumbent Datuk Bung Moktar Radin warned that the BN would not hesitate to take stern action against any BN or Umno leaders contesting as independents.

They would be dubbed as traitors acting contrary to the struggle of the coalition and party, he said.

Bung Moktar, who is Kinabatangan Umno chief, urged all members of the BN component parties, including Umno, to accept the decision of the BN leadership in the choice of candidates.

Foremost on their minds would be to ensure a convincing electoral victory for the coalition, he said.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

YES PRIME MINISTER ! I AM RIGHT.

Hantu Laut

You don't have to be an economist to get correct economic figures that have been published in economic journals.

Our PM had three attempts and came out with completely different and outrageously wrong figures. In my post 'Of Chillipadi And Buah Keras' I highlighted the mistakes. His latest figure is nearer the truth but is still wrong.

The following are excrepts from his speeches:

1.PUTRAJAYA 28 Jan. – Kecekapan kerajaan Malaysia semakin meningkat dan kini diletakkan sebagai yang keenam terbaik di dunia, kata Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.(Utusan Online)

2.“We are a population of over 20 million and we rank eighth in the world in terms of our competitiveness.(The Star)

3.
He said recognition of Malaysia in the global competitiveness index also improved from 25th position to 21st place.(Bernama)

The last one is an improvement but is still wrong. The true figure is 23rd down from 22nd in 2006.

I believe he was misquoted. Otherwise, what explanation can he gives for the inconsistency.

SABAH UMNO DROPPED 3 DEADWOODS AND KEPT BOCOR MP

Hantu Laut

Sabah UMNO has fielded 13 new faces and dropped 3 deadwoods from its list of candidates for the general election on 8th March 2008.

The three, Datuk Salleh Keruak, Datuk Amir Kahar Mustapha and Tan Sri Pendikar Amin Mulia are prime movers of USBO (United Sabah Bajau Organisation) .Salleh and Pendikar are both aspirants for the chief minister post. All three have been party hoppers.

Other notable state Umno figures excluded were Parliament Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sipitang), Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Samsu Baharom Abdul Rahman (Silam).

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal, another aspirant for the chief ministership, will be going for a fourth term in the Semporna parliament seat.

Datuk Ghapur Salleh and Datuk Abas Ali, strongly rumored to be dropped, have managed to stay on.

The biggest surprise was the retention of our famous bocor MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin.

Friday, February 22, 2008

WHO CREATED THE NEW MALAY DILEMMA ?

Rose Porteous
The New Malay Dilemma
____________________________________________________________________
Hantu Laut

The following article is an excrept from ex-Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohammed's speech at the Harvard Club in July 2002, shortly before he handed over the baton to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

When Mahathir stepped down and appointed Badawi instead of Najib as PM there was an immense feeling of euphoria among Malaysians of every race, colour and creed.The state of uneasiness of the Mahathir's era evaporated with the appointment of Abdullah, invariably seen as mild-mannered, clean and more endearing.

The general feeling of euphoria was translated into massive support for Abdullah at the polls in 2004 where he garnered 90 percent of the parliamentary seats and trounced the oppositions almost into oblivion.

His massive victory was on the premise of cleaning up corruptions and bring about a clean and transparent government.Promises he eventually failed to keep.The euphoria turned to feeling of dismay, disappointment and distrust of his character.

Mahathir, who often bashes his own people for their weaknesses and dependency on government assistance, have made himself unpopular with the Malay masses. He blames them for all the failures to achieve the objectives of the NEP.

Mahathir was at the helm for twenty two years.He was the longest serving prime minister and have had more than enough opportunity to educate the Malays the nitty-gritty of the business world and the moral principles of life. Was it fair that he only blamed the Malays and not himself for the failure of the NEP ?

Some ( those sidelined) in UMNO are now in nostalgia of the Mahathir's era.

Will Badawi takes the Malays to greater height in the forthcoming polls or destroy the Malay's political hegemony ?

Would there be a new Malay Dilemma if the Malay power base weakened ?

____________________________________________________________________
Excerpts from a speech given by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed at the Harvard Club of Malaysia dinner on 29 July 2002

The Malays are among the few people whose race is legally defined. Thus, the Malaysian Constitution states that a Malay is one who habitually speaks Malay, professes the religion of Islam and practises Malay customs. There is nothing said about the definitive culture of the Malays.

It follows that changes in culture do not make a Malay person a non-Malay.

Culture is made up largely of the value systems accepted, even if not actually practised by a people or a race. Observations have shown that the culture of a people determines whether they are successful or they fail..... .... Europeans, Asians, Africans and American Indians can all be successful and can all fail. It is, therefore, not the race or ethnicity which determines success. It is the culture.

When I wrote The Malay Dilemma in the late 60s, I had assumed that all the Malays lacked the opportunities to develop and become successful. They lacked opportunities for educating themselves, opportunities to earn enough to go into business, opportunities to train in the required vocation, opportunities to obtain the necessary funding, licences and premises. If these opportunities could be made available to them, then they would succeed. ......

.... But today, the attitude has changed. Getting scholarships and places in the universities at home and abroad is considered a matter of right and is not valued any more. Indeed, those who get these educational opportunities for some unknown reason seem to dislike the very people who created these opportunities. Worse still, they don't seem to appreciate the opportunities that they get. They become more interested in other things, politics in particular, to the detriment of their studies. In business, the vast majority regarded the opportunities given them as something to be exploited for the quickest return. ...... They learn nothing about business and become even less capable at doing business and earning an income from their activities. They become mere sleeping partners and at times not even that. Having sold, they no longer have anything to do with the business. They would go to the government for more licences, permits, shares, etc. ....

.... Why has this thing happened? The answer lies in the culture of the Malays. They are laid-back and prone to take the easy way out. And the easy way out is to sell off whatever they get and ask for more. This is their culture. Working hard, taking risks and being patient is not a part of their culture. It should be remembered that in the past the Malays were not prepared to take up the jobs created by the colonial powers in their effort to exploit the country.

Because the Malays were not prepared to work in rubber estates and the mines, the Indians and Chinese were brought in. At one time, the migrants outnumbered the Malays. Had they continued to outnumber the Malays, independent Malaya would be like independent Singapore.

But the Malays have apparently learnt nothing from the near loss of their country in the past. Today, they are still unwilling to work and foreign workers are again flooding the country. And because they are not equipping themselves with the necessary education and skills, they have continued to depend on others. Their political dominance will protect them for a time. But that dominance is fading very fast as they quarrel among themselves and break up into small ineffective groups. Their numerical superiority means less today than at the time of Independence. ....

.... The Malays, together with the other Bumiputeras, make up 60 per cent of the country's population. But in terms of their political clout, it is now much less than 60 per cent. They are now more dependent on non-Malay support, both the government party and the opposition. Economically, of course, they have less than half the 30-per-cent share that has been allocated to them. If we discount the non-Malay contribution to the nation's economy, Malaysia would be not much better than some of the African developing countries.

To succeed, the Malays must change their culture. They must look towards work as a reward in itself. They must regard what they achieve through work as the true reward. There should be some financial reward but this must not outweigh the satisfaction obtained from the result of their work. ....

.... Changing culture is far more difficult than changing the policies of government. It is easy enough to propose affirmative action but it is not easy to implement it. The recipients must have the right attitude if the results are going to be obtained. .... Unfortunately, their view is that their crutches are symbols of their superior status in the country. The sad thing is that they are not even using the crutches properly. As a result, they gain nothing or very little from the availability of these aids. ....

.... So what is the new Malay dilemma? Their old dilemma was whether they should distort the picture a little in order to help themselves. The new dilemma is whether they should or should not do away with the crutches that they have got used to, which in fact they have become proud of. There is a minority of Malays who are confident enough to think of doing away with the crutches, albeit gradually. But they are a very small minority. Their numbers are not going to increase any time soon. They are generally regarded as traitors to the Malay race. ....

.... There will be a host of protests over this generalisation about Malay attitudes. We read almost every day about blind Malay people and other handicapped Malays graduating with university degrees or driving cars or doing all kinds of work. This does not prove that the generalisation that I make is wrong. These are exceptions. They only prove that if the right attitude or culture is adopted, even the handicapped can succeed.

The dilemma faced by those few who want to build a strong, resilient and independent Malay race without crutches is that they are most likely to end up becoming unpopular and losing the ability to influence the changes in the culture and the value system which are necessary. It seems that they should not try and yet they know that without the cultural changes, the Malays are going to fail.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

GO SAMY GO

Hantu Laut

"Even an army can't stop me" he said in true Alexander the Great style.

Yesterday he changed his tone to “I will contest this term and next term I won’t go for it. This may be my last term,” he said.

On the Hindraf supporters who blocked his car in Prai last Saturday, he said they “asked me to tell Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to release the 180 people detained for taking part in an illegal assembly in Kuala Lumpur.”

“They did not talk anything about politics. This does not indicate that they hate me,” he said.

Great ! Than how the hell did Hindraf come into existence and the Indians were on the streets feeling agrieved, neglected and abandoned by the government.

Greed is the selfish desire for or pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others. It is generally considered a vice,...(Wikipedia).

Samy Vellu is the longest serving president of MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress), held the position since 1979. He is also the longest serving minister and the only Indian minister in the Malaysian Cabinet.

He was born in 1936 to rubber tappers parents at the Rengo Malay Estate near Kluang, Johor.At age 14 he left for Kuala Lumpur with his father and worked as a bus conductor with GTC transport company (now Syarikat Sr Jaya).His fortunes took a turn for the the better when he met a construction engineer who got him a job as an office boy in a well-known architectural firm. For a salary of RM9.00 a month he has also to clean the engineer's house, wash his car and water his garden.

While at the architect firm he studied English and attended night classes in draughtsmanship.In the early 1970s, Samy Vellu left for London and returned a qualified architect.

During his younger days, before becoming an architect, he and some friends formed a theatre group that staged dramas in rubber estates and small towns.The group's leading actors were Samy Vellu and V.Govindaraj.Ironically, both entered politics and stayed loyal to each other until they fell out dramatically and played out a real-life drama in 1984 that ended with Samy Vellu expelling Govindaraj from the MIC.Govindaraj, however, was readmitted in the party a few years later, and was appointed to the Central Executive Committee where he served until 2006, following his open support for Samy Vellu's opponent, Datuk S.Subramaniam.

Disloyalty, animosity,betrayal and gangsterism are indispensible commodities and trademark of MIC. Samy should know better why many poor and downtrodden young Indians are turning to crime and gangsterism.

Controversies surrounding Samy Vellu

Since holding his post as Works Minister of Malaysia, Samy Vellu is alleged to have been involved in several money scandals and work defects in several prominent construction projects in Malaysia by cover up the bumiputera contractor anc companies, which included the discovery of fungus growing in the air-conditioning system of the operating theatre in the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Bahru as well as long closure cracks on MRR2, an overpass highway in Ampang[2].

Samy Vellu is often accused of sucking up shares of many of Malaysia's companies[3]. And the MAIKA Telecom Share Scandal continues to haunt him. Samy Vellu is alleged to have siphoned off 9 million (of the original 10 million) Telekom shares that were allocated to MAIKA. He had allegedly used three companies -- Clearway Sdn. Bhd., S.B. Management Services, and Advance Personal Computers Bhd. -- linked to Samy Vellu, his son S. Vell Paari, and brother-in-law to carry out his misdeed. When the scandal broke in mid-1992, the shares were valued at RM 120 million.[4][5][6] In 1994, the then Chairman of the MIC Public Claims Committee, V Subramaniam (aka "Barat" Maniam), charged that the accounts have been fabricated to make it appear that the profits from the sale of the Telekom shares were channelled to MIED. He declared, "Samy Vellu is a thief. He has stolen (Telekom) shares from the Indian community."[7].

Some believe that Samy Vellu had sold the Indian-Malaysian community off in order to save himself from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency. They allege that he did not do enough or protested loud enough when the Indian-Malaysian situation worsened, or when the Malaysian government dissolved the South Indian Labour Fund.[8] Currently, he has committed his energy to building the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST). However, AIMST, built with donations collected from the Indian-Malaysian community, too, is riddled in controversy, as its shares are owned by Samy Vellu's associates, Tan Sri K. Ambikaipakan and Datuk Dr. T. Marimuthu[9][10].

Samy Vellu is also often criticised for his leadership style. As one critic put it, "He (Samy Vellu) is very much in control of the party (MIC), and the party's run almost [as a] feudal organisation where almost all decisions are made by the President himself. A lot of Indians are critical of MIC's role in the coalition government ... the Indian middle class does not want to associate itself in the MIC and largely making the MIC a working class party."[11]

There have also been allegations that Samy Vellu uses thugs to intimidate his political opponents, and that he uses phantom voters to win elections both at the party and the parliamentary levels[12]. A petition by Samy Vellu's challenger, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, to the election court alleging electoral fraud during the 1998 General Election at Sungai Siput constituency, however, was dismissed by the presiding judge, Justice Wan Adnan, on technical grounds.(Wikipedia)

Samy, you don't seem to get the message that you have ran out of your usefulness, the Indian community have had enough of your neglect and contempt for them and what is even more pathetic, you have forgotten your humble beginning.

Samy, least you forget, nothing is for free. You have gone through the experience of having to pay back for the help and kindness of another person. What have you given back in return for the Indians votes that kept you in office all this while?

Go Samy go, before you fall in disgrace.

Also read:

Present Point Power
Tok Mommy

Rocky's Bru
Kata Tak Nak

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE CITY OF KUALA (reprise) 'THE DEVIL'S CURRY'

Hantu Laut

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark".

Many would have thought it was Hamlet who said that.Only Shakespearean purists and those who read Shakepeare's plays as literature in school would know it wasn't Hamlet who said it.The famous phrase was actually said by a minor character named Marcellus, an officer in the palace.

There is something rotten in the city of Kuala Lumpur.



A corrupt ex-chief judge, a crooked lawyer, a greedy businessman and a dead victim.

Shakespeare would have jumped out of his grave if he could and write his next famous play that would make 'Merchant of Venice' and Shylock pale in comparison. The RM10 million awarded to Vincent Tan was the same if not worse than the pound of flesh demanded by Shylock.Judgment written by a crooked lawyer not by the presiding judge.

Why would it be the same? Because M.G.G Pillai didn't have that kind of money and Vincent Tan can make him a bankrupt just out of spite.The crooked judge knew it, the crooked lawyer knew it and the greedy businessman knew it. The only difference between 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'The Merchant of Kuala Lumpur' was -- In Shakespeare's play, Antonio was an honest merchant and the judge was upright and honest.The judge(ex-judge) in Kuala Lumpur walked, slept and ate with the devil.

The stage is set to play out Malaysia's most shameful act of political tyranny, skullduggery, betrayal, personal greed and judicial corruption.

Judgment made in the hall of justice more criminal than the crime itself. Justice for sale to those who can pay and hell to those who can't.For some unfortunate souls the Hall of Justice had turned out to be the Hell of Justice.

Day by day the dirty linens of the judiciary and politicians are being washed in public.

A plaintiff's lawyer wrote whole judgement for a lazy judge, the ACA bribed witnesses to shut their mouths and hosts of every unimaginable sins that one could possibly have not imagined happened in an establishment of such high repute and standing. A place where people seek justice and where injustices should be repaired and delivered fairly and impartially.

Only God knows how many have suffered injustices at the hand of corrupt judges and greedy lawyers.

These are people worse than the common thief who stole a pittance and paid for his crime. Shouldn't the punishment be more severe than the poor man who had no choice but to steal to put food on his table.

A Chief Judge who sold his soul to the devil and has no shame and remorse for what he did. A liar and a devil in disguise. Didn't have an ounce of guilt that he has shamed the whole institution that protects people from people like him.

Now that he is caught with his pants down would he carry on lying in his teeth and kept the pretence of innocent ?

This could be the tip of the iceberg, there could be other cases of lawyers having written judgement on behalf of lazy judges.

It is without any doubts the moral standard has gone down to the gutter level.

"No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar". ~Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

OF CHILLIPADI AND BUAH KERAS

Hantu Laut

Pak Lah says don't compare Singapore with Malaysia.Read it here.

He says you can't compare "first-class grapes(Singapore) and first-class apples(Malaysia).

In the first place, metaphorically speaking, there are no 1st class grapes and 1st class apples in both English and the Malay language.There are only sour grapes and bad apples in English.

In the " The Fox and the Grapes" fable by Aesop, the fox made many attempts to find a way to reach the grapes hanging high on a vine but failed to reach it, retreated and said "The grapes are sour anyway"

The moral of the story is, it is easy to despise something you can get.

Who should we compare ourselves with in this region, Burma, Philippines or maybe Timor Leste ? Would that be a fair comparison ? What about Zimbabwe in Africa that has a whopping inflation rate of farcical 66,000 percent, where everyone is a millionaire but poor and a loaf of bread costs over 100,000 Zimbabwean dollars.

Isn't it natural that we compare with the best or the better ones rather than with something inferior to us.Wouldn't it be natural that we chose Singapore as a model due to its thumping success and close proximity to us.

Pardon me, Mr Prime Minister, I don't think Singapore is a first-class grapes, I think it is a 'chilipadi' and a 'buah keras'. Malaysia could have been a hotter chillipadi and a tougher buah keras if there where less corruption, nepotisn and cronyism. We have bigger land area, bigger population and much more natural resources than that tiny dot south of us. They have nothing but brains that have made them the envy of many nations and one of the highest per capita income in the world. Singapore is the touchstone for other countries especially Malaysia.

Three weeks ago you said Malaysia was the 6th most competative country in the world, now you say we are the 8th in the world. Which is the correct one?

I tell you what, both of your figures were wrong, cooked up by your good-for-nothing MOF boys.Why didn't they give you the source of their information so your humble citizens can check the validity of your claim.

The correct information, if you want to know and for all Malaysians to know are shown below.These are ratings done by IMD, a leading business school in Switzerland and WEF (World Economic Forum)

Overall Scoreboard 2007 (PDF, 151)

WEF World Competative Ranking

From the chart you would notice Malaysia's ranking for 2007 was 23rd by IMD and 21st by WEF, not 6th or 8th as given to you by your MOF boys who probably did a stitch-up on you.

I do agree with you that the Malaysians economy has been doing fairly well the past few years but at the same time the costs of living has also jumped up making life difficult for the average Malaysians. It is the middle and lower income group who are taking the brunt of the higher prices.

Last but not least, the disinformation must stop.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

HINDRAF: THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS

Hantu Laut

I am not in agreement with what the government has done to stop peaceful demonstrations. On the same note I wouldn't have any sympathy for the Hindraf's organisers who used children to go on the streets to further their dangerous political agenda.



Such selfish action taken by them involving children is appalling and should not be tolerated. They try to use psychological blackmail by using innocent and clueless children to plead to the PM to accede to their demands.Even more disgusting are those parents who lent their children without any consideration for their safety. What are they trying to teach those children at such tender ago ? Learn how to protest and how to defy authority ?

The children are brought along so the police will not use tear gas and water cannon on them due to the presence of those children. They are using them as human shield and would blame the government should any harm befall the children.They underestimated the niceties of the Malaysian police.

What happened today was a clear indication that those in Hindraf are desperate and would use whatever method to get what they wanted.

Hindraf, please leave the children alone.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

THE UNKINDEST CUT

Hantu Laut

Read the following article from the Economist and see for yourself the hypocrisy of the Western nations who have been outspoken about conservation and preserving the rainforests of the world.

They blame the poor and less developed nations for extracting forest resources to generate revenues without making an effort to help those countries minimise the ecological damage.Much have been said about its conservation but very little had been done to actually conserve it.

From the jungles of Borneo to the deep lust forests of the Amazon, indiscriminate exploitation of the forests have been going on for decades without any sincere effort to minimise it other than providing lip service.

Those like the American charity, Conservation International who are prepared to finance conservation but is limited by its financial resources, wanted the cheapest price possible, which become meaningless to the host country as it does not help in any economic improvement of the country concerned.

Corporations and NGOs do not have sufficient financial resources to undertake this mammoth and non-profit endeavours.It has to be an agglomeration of rich and developed countries putting their resources together.A reasonable conservation fee should be paid to the host country that have agreed to conserve its tropical rainforests for the benefits of the global community

The best possible scenario would be to establish a new body under the auspices of the United Nations and make the top 20 richest countries as permanent members and make them contribute certain percentage of their GDP to the rainforest conservation fee.The selected forests should than be made as World Heritage Site with no commercial activity allowed other than low impact eco tourism.

Here is an opportunity for them to help poorer countries to protect and preserve pristine forests from destruction and none had taken up the offer for a chicken feed sum of US$1.6 million a year.

If the conservationists can't pay this meagre sum than they shouldn't complain if the logging company buy the rights to destroy it.

The government of Cameroon will soon have to sell the pristine tropical rainforest of 830,000 hectares to the loggers to generate revenue for the country, if no rich nation, big corporation or NGOs come forward to conserve it.

The rich Western nations especially the US, Japan and Western European countries should put their money in their mouths.



The price of conservation

The unkindest cut

Feb 14th 2008
From The Economist print edition

Cameroon wants to sell a forest, but conservationists don't want to buy it


FOR rent: 830,000 hectares of pristine tropical rainforest. Rich in wildlife, including forest elephants and gorillas. Provides a regionally important African green corridor. Price: $1.6m a year. Conservationist tenant preferred, but extractive forestry also considered. Please apply to the Cameroonian minister of forestry.

That, in essence, is what the government of Cameroon has been offering since 2001 in an attempt to make some money from a forest known as Ngoyla-Mintom. The traditional way would be to lease the land to a logging company. But Joseph Matta, the country's forestry minister, would rather lease it to a conservation group. The trouble is, he cannot find one that is prepared to take it off his hands.

The idea of conservation concessions has been around since 2000. It was introduced by an American charity called Conservation International, which realised the going rate for logging concessions was often so low that it could afford to outbid the foresters. It has since leased forests in Guyana—where it has 80,000 hectares of Upper Essequibo—and in Peru, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Mexico. But even in 2001 it reckoned that at $2 a hectare Ngoyla-Mintom was too dear. Its land in Essequibo costs a mere 37 cents a hectare.

Mr Matta, of course, thinks Ngoyla-Mintom is worth every penny. Indeed, the price has gone up. The government now wants additional money to compensate Cameroon for forgoing the jobs and local development that come with logging. The forest is pristine habitat of a sort likely to contain some extremely valuable pieces of timber. It also connects three other large protected areas (see map), and thus forms an important part of a regionally important green corridor. Mr Matta says that if one group of conservationists or another doesn't cough up soon, he really will be forced to get on the phone to the loggers.

A compromise put forward by the World Wide Fund for Nature has failed to find favour. The WWF suggested keeping an unexploited core of Ngoyla-Mintom while the rest is opened to limited “sustainable” hunting and forestry. The quid pro quo would be a lower rent. Read more.....


Friday, February 15, 2008

ELECTION 2008 - WILL THERE BE SURPRISES ?

Hantu Laut

Election Commission Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Rashid has announced nominations on 24th Feb and election on 8th March.There will be 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats up for grab.

Will Pak Lah be lucky this time around? There are mixed reactions as to what would be the result of the forthcoming polls with many still giving him a comfortable win over the oppositions.

As usual the oppositions are still disorganised and are expected to overlap in several areas where each one seems to think they have strong support.A clash between the oppositions would give clear advantage to the BN. Many Malaysians are still not comfortable with the idea of having the oppositions as an alternative. It's a Catch 22 situation and a sense of better the devil you know than the one you don't. The oppositions don't have credible manifestos to make the electorate fall head over heels in love with them.

Anwar Ibrahim of PKR lamented that Abdullah called the election sooner to frustrate him from standing as candidate.He was disbarred from standing for politicial office for 5 years due to his criminal record. The five-year period expires in April this year thus making him eligible to stand in few weeks time.There is some truth to his claim.

Abdullah should have waited and allow Anwar to participate and prove to the people once and for all that Anwar's politicial career is over as claimed by UMNO. Doing what he did would give credence that UMNO fear of Anwar is genuine.

The biggest blow and frustration would be for Hindraf and the Indian community. Most so-called Indian seats are likely to go to BN.There are no predominantly Indian constituencies, most are marginal and need support of other communities to win.

Other disadvantages for the opposition are money and machinery. The BN has a huge war chest and government machinery at their disposal. The main stream media is under their control and monopoly.Worse and most unfair is the campaign period. With only two weeks to go, the opposition would be hard press for time to get their machinery moving to get to the masses.

Some political pundits predicted BN would get less than what they got in 2004 but would still get 2/3 majority. Not good news for the opposition.

I am sure there will be some surprises in store for Malaysians come this March 8th.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

WHAT HAPPENNED TO THE PRIME MINISTER ?

Hantu Laut

This is not amusing at all.Yesterday he said Parliament wouldn't be dissolved today.He did exactly the opposite of what he said. Today he dissolved it and called for fresh election. Has he forgotten he is the Prime Minister and not a student prankster.

Can anyone get more notoriously fickle than him, it's almost like the weather, uncomfortably unpredictable.

You got me completely confused.

I hope you were misquoted, Mr Prime Minister !

SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE CITY OF KUALA LUMPUR

Hantu Laut

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark".

Many would have thought it was Hamlet who said that.Only Shakespearean purists and those who read Shakepeare's plays as literature in school would know it wasn't Hamlet who said it.The famous phrase was actually said by a minor character named Marcellus, an officer in the palace.

There is something rotten in the city of Kuala Lumpur.



A corrupt ex-chief judge, a crooked lawyer, a greedy businessman and a dead victim.

Shakespeare would have jumped out of his grave if he could and write his next famous play that would make 'Merchant of Venice' and Shylock pale in comparison. The RM10 million awarded to Vincent Tan was the same if not worse than the pound of flesh demanded by Shylock.Judgment written by a crooked lawyer not by the presiding judge.

Why would it be the same? Because M.G.G Pillai didn't have that kind of money and Vincent Tan can make him a bankrupt just out of spite.The crooked judge knew it, the crooked lawyer knew it and the greedy businessman knew it. The only difference between 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'The Merchant of Kuala Lumpur' was -- In Shakespeare's play, Antonio was an honest merchant and the judge was upright and honest.The judge(ex-judge) in Kuala Lumpur walked, slept and ate with the devil.

The stage is set to play out Malaysia's most shameful act of political tyranny, skullduggery, betrayal, personal greed and judicial corruption.

Judgment made in the hall of justice more criminal than the crime itself. Justice for sale to those who can pay and hell to those who can't.For some unfortunate souls the Hall of Justice had turned out to be the Hell of Justice.

Day by day the dirty linens of the judiciary and politicians are being washed in public.

A plaintiff's lawyer wrote whole judgement for a lazy judge, the ACA bribed witnesses to shut their mouths and hosts of every unimaginable sins that one could possibly have not imagined happened in an establishment of such high repute and standing. A place where people seek justice and where injustices should be repaired and delivered fairly and impartially.

Only God knows how many have suffered injustices at the hand of corrupt judges and greedy lawyers.

These are people worse than the common thief who stole a pittance and paid for his crime. Shouldn't the punishment be more severe than the poor man who had no choice but to steal to put food on his table.

A Chief Judge who sold his soul to the devil and has no shame and remorse for what he did. A liar and a devil in disguise. Didn't have an ounce of guilt that he has shamed the whole institution that protects people from people like him.

Now that he is caught with his pants down would he carry on lying in his teeth and kept the pretence of innocent ?

This could be the tip of the iceberg, there could be other cases of lawyers having written judgement on behalf of lazy judges.

It is without any doubts the moral standard has gone down to the gutter level.

"No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar". ~Abraham Lincoln


Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Help Stop George Bush's Belligerent Policy

Hantu Laut

The world have seen destructive wars and great loss to human lives under the Bush's administration.The rise of global terrorism and Islamic hatred for the West grew exponentially under his unjust and foredoomed foreign policy. He has little respect for the sovereignty of less developed and poorer countries.He is arrogant and a danger to world peace.Under the Geneva Convention he can be termed as a war criminal.

He has re-awakened Russia to a new cold war by wanting to put 10 missile defense interceptors in Poland and military alliance with some Eastern European countries.

Russia's President Putin said it threaten Russia's security and they are forced to take retaliatory steps and warned that a new arms race is underway.

Due to his selfishness, arrogance and belligerence, he may bomb Iran before he left office.

His policy must not be allowed to continue under the next presidency.

Please read the following circular and do your part to stop continuation of his policy.

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, the leading candidates for the next President of the United States became clear. They are Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, and the winner will decide whether the nightmare of the Bush foreign policy is reversed or continued for another 4 years.

US citizens will choose their president, but global public opinion matters to them--they know that US respect in the world has plummeted under Bush, and they want a President who can deliver change. In the next few days, our uniquely global community has a real chance to influence the finalist candidates as they develop their campaign strategy. Click below to read and endorse our letter to the candidates. We'll publish it in US newspapers and deliver it personally to the Clinton, Obama and McCain campaigns--we need at least 100,000 people to sign it this week – so please sign and forward this email to friends right away:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/us_change_course/9.php

The message of the letter is simple: we are all in this together. The world is ready to partner with the US, but we need to see a real change of course from the Bush years. The letter is based on a poll of the Avaaz community, which found that our top 3 requests for change in US policy are:
  1. Help the world stop global warming
  2. Respect universal human rights
  3. Use diplomacy to prevent war and resolve conflict
There is a real chance that the candidates could adopt this simple agenda for change, but every day brings more risk that they will commit to another direction. Sign below and forward this email to all your friends and family:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/us_change_course/9.php

American power is declining in the world, but it still has enormous ability to do good or do harm. It will take decades to undo the global harm done by George Bush's disastrous Presidency. Let's help make sure America's next leader takes a different path.

SICKENING AND SHOCKING !

Child porn pilot convicted

ANDREW DOWDELL, COURT REPORTER

February 08, 2008 03:01pm

A MALAYSIAN Airlines co-pilot has been convicted and fined for bringing child pornography into the country on his personal computer.

Hantu Laut

A shocking news.A Malaysian pilot caught with child pornography.

The Malaysian police should obtain a copy of the smut video to determine whether it was made in the country.The pilot concerned should be hauled up and the police should get the identity of the sender from him. A chain investigation should be carried out to determine the original source of the video.The pilot's background should also be investigated. This maybe the footprints that can lead to the unsolved abduction and murder of Nurin and the abduction of Sharliene.

If the video was made in this country than we can safely assume the disappearances and murder of those young girls had something to do with this despicable crime.

I hope the police would by now have the pilot in their custody for questioning.

Read more.....

Also read:

Rocky's and Tok Mommy's

Wednesday, February 6, 2008


KONG XI FA CAI TO ALL MY CHINESE FRIENDS, FELLOW BLOGGERS AND READERS.

MAY THE YEAR OF THE RAT BRINGS YOU MUCH PROSPERITY AND GOOD HEALTH.


Tuesday, February 5, 2008

6 Degrees Warmer: Mass Extinction?

Hantu Laut

The average temperature have been rising due to global warming.We are losing 50,000 sq.miles of tropical rainforests every year due to excessive and indiscriminate logging.Some of our flora and fauna are on the way to extinction.The sumatran rhinos and the tigers and many more species are highly endangered and will soon disappear from this planet.The resources from our seas are depeleting.A number of species of sharks, fishes and turtles are disappearing from our oceans.The great whales will soon be a story of the past.Our climate has changed, our weather are getting more severe and there are frequent earth quakes.

We only need 6 degrees warmer before we, the human race become extinct.

We are our own biggest enemy.We are the destroyer.

Are we going to sit down and do nothing ?

Further reading:

Scientists identify 'tipping points' of climate change

Big business says addressing climate change 'rates very low on agenda'





Sunday, February 3, 2008

BUZZ OFF ! MAHATHIR.

Hantu Laut

The ex-Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohammad appears to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. He is now a fifth columnist within is own party.He behaves more like the opposition but insisted his heart is still in UMNO.He accuses his successor of economic mismanagement, nepotism, cronyism and corruption. His determination to force out his embattled successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi whose popularity has nosedived due to failure to keep his pre-2004 election promises to eradicate corruptions and bring about some semblance of decency to the administration, may help the opposition deny the BN a two-third majority at the forthcoming polls.

The insidious roots of corruption took form and grew to detestable height during Mahathir's tenure as prime minister. Although Mahathir himself may not be directly involved in corruption, little was done during his time to control it and stop the abuses by ministers, senior civil servants and party officials. Due to highly stimulated economy with credits due to his efforts that speadheaded the nation into becoming one of the largest trading nations and help elevated the per capita income of the people and taking the nation nearer to its goal of a developed nation. With massive public sector spending on development projects , corruption and political patronage became the order of the day.

Mahathir, revered by some and feared by some, must have synthesized Niccoloi Machiavelli's principle of 'it is more secured to be feared than to be loved' into his management philosophy.A Machiavellian philosophical view that any evil action can be justified if it is done for a good purpose.

During his time, ministers, top civil servants and those within his political circle feared him.The more sins they have, the more fearful they were of him.He kept his eyes closed but kept his nose and ears closer to the ground on their corrupt practices and would use it as a weapon as and when needed. Anwar Ibrahim was a casualty of the wrath of Mahathir's resentful dislike for disloyalty.

Mahathir is down but he is not out yet.He has one last mission. To get rid of Badawi as Prime Minister, even at the expense of UMNO losing more seats to the opposition. He really doesn't care as long as Badawi is out of the picture.His disdain for Abdullah has made him acrimonious, irrational and full of contradictions.He probably forgot that he ran this country for 22 years with nothing less than an iron-fist.

He said it was wrong for Abdullah to put the Hindraf's activists under ISA. Didn't he throw more people in prison under ISA during his time? His Operation Lalang in October 1987 arrested 106 opposition leaders and social activists and revoked the publishing licenses of two dailies, the Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh.He had thrown more political opponents in prison using the ISA than all previous prime ministers.Although two wrongs don't make a right, Mahathir should be the last person to make such condemnation against his successor.It's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. He also made it clear that he only intended for Abdullah to stay one term and suggested he should stand down.He contended that the ever popular Najib was to take over from Abdullah. Najib denied of having any knowledge of such arrangement and Abdullah has come out and said there was no such gentlemen agreement.

The ex-PM seemed to have a short memory and forgot that Najib almost lost his seat in the 1999 general election. He won by a slim majority of 240 votes against PAS candidate Ramli Mohamed.The poor showing by BN in that election was due much to Mahathir's unpopularity at that time.There was high probability that Najib could lose his seat if Mahathir have stayed on for the 2004 general election. PAS would have re-captured Trengganu and made inroads into Pahang, Kedah and Perlis.

His falling out with Abdullah was not so much due to Abdullah's incompetence but was more due to the dumping of his pet projects by Abdullah. He was sore and angry as Abdullah had probably promised to continue the projects but reneged on the promises.

The straw that broke the camel's back was the stoppage of the crooked bridge and Abdullah's friendly relations with Singapore, which had testy relations with him during his time.

Following his recent heart operation, Mahathir is again rejuvenated and back on his feet and continue with his demolition expedition against Abdullah.

Abdullah may not be the best man for the job, seemingly weak, indecisive and out of touch with the masses. What Malaysians inherited in the form of Abdullah's poor leadership was due to bad judgement on the part of Mahathir. He overrestimated the capability and loyalty of Abdullah. If Abdullah had carried out all those he promised him, Mahathir will have no problem with him.

It's time for Mahathir to leave the political stage and leave Abdullah to his own devices.Let the people decide whether they want him or not.

You have had your time, Tun. Please,buzz off !

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