Hantu Laut
In 1984 I attended a business conference at Oxford University jointly organised by International Herald Tribune and Oxford Analytica.Discussions and dialogues were centered on the major economies of G7 countries and other emerging economies.My point of interest at that time was the emerging economies of South East Asian countries and the Middle East.
The Asean region was the fastest growing particularly Singapore,Malaysia and Thailand.The region was growing at an average of 7.5% annually.The other important aspect we were looking at, other than the economy, was political stability.For businesses wanting to invest in a foreign country, political stability and bottom line sit at the top of the list of priorities.
Surprisingly, strange as it may sound, the political situation in Thailand today was a correct prediction made at the time we had the conference, some twenty four years ago.
Below is part of the write-up on Thailand in the booklet given to participants of the conference:
"Thai politics are at a point of stalemate.Groups opposed to the continuing dominance of the army--the urban middle class and rural peasantry--are, if anything, more opposed to each other.
Thailand has the appearance of a systemically unstable state, and it is.But paradoxically, Thailand's chronic instability gives it a unique form of long term political stability--no matter how many times the regimes change, and there have been 14 coup attempts in the last 50 years, the ultimate effect, and the type of government, is invariably the same."
The recent civil disorder in Bangkok that pit protesters against the government shows how the urban business elites, the army, the police and elements in the palace were hand in glove to remove a democratically elected prime minister.
The police refused to take orders from the Prime Minister to deal with the protesters in accordance with the law, instead, allowed the People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to break the law with impunity. The army, usually quick to react in a volatile situation only stood on the sidelines.The PAD protesters seized both airports in the city and virtually closed them down stranding hundreds of thousand of tourists.
The People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which is predominantly urban and middle class have paralysed Thai politics and the government as part of their campaign to force the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat whom they accused of being a puppet of his brother in law and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawara who was forced to resign under allegations of corruption and abuse of power.Somchai and Thaksin draw their supports from the rural poor which gave both of them convincing victory at the polls.
The sit-in protests which lasted for more than a week which have paralysed the tourism industry finally came to an end with the court ordering the removal of Somchai as Prime Minister and some of his members of cabinet from the government.Somchai was banned from politics for 5 years and his party disbanded for reason of electoral fraud by an executive of the party.
The court had done a fine job of thrashing democracy by submitting to demands of a small group of business elites and the urban middle class and ignored the wishes of the majority, the rural poor.
The political chaos and protests were only confined to Bangkok while other parts of the country were not affected.
What next for Thailand? Will Somchai and his supporters respect the court decision or will there be even bigger political upheavel in the pipeline?
Somchai and Thaksin have strong grassroots in the rural areas.Would there be an agrarian revolution?
Note:For those who are interested to read the one on Malaysia click here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Disposable Zaid Ibrahim
Hantu Laut
Malaysian politicians never stopped to amaze me, from the sublime to the ridiculous, some with amusing anecdotal concoction.
Former de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim was sacked from UMNO for going against party's code of ethics.He attended DAP victory dinner in Penang and PKR's annual national congress.
The irony is Zaid said he didn't expect to be sacked.That certainly is not an honest true to God statement.The reason he went to the functions of the two opposition parties is because he wanted to be sacked and he knew he would be sacked.Not being an elected member (MP or ADUN) he is not an asset to UMNO and is highly disposable.He should know that better than any one else and stop pretending he is only going there to visit friends and expect to get a pat on the back from his party.
Yong Teck Lee of SAPP tried the same formula but Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi refused to sack his party from the BN because he has assets in the name of 2 MPs and 4 state assemblymen with him.He eventually pulled his party out of the BN and is now aligned with Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat.
In more developed society and matured democracies it is honourable to resign than being sacked but in Malaysia it seems to be the other way round, being sacked from a political party brings prestige and seen as something heroic.
I think it sucks, if it's against your principle and you called yourself a lawyer and a gentleman, don't leave in a huff, leave like a man, a gentleman.
Related articles:Sakmongkol AK47's Thank you Zaid Ibrahim
Malaysian politicians never stopped to amaze me, from the sublime to the ridiculous, some with amusing anecdotal concoction.
Former de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim was sacked from UMNO for going against party's code of ethics.He attended DAP victory dinner in Penang and PKR's annual national congress.
The irony is Zaid said he didn't expect to be sacked.That certainly is not an honest true to God statement.The reason he went to the functions of the two opposition parties is because he wanted to be sacked and he knew he would be sacked.Not being an elected member (MP or ADUN) he is not an asset to UMNO and is highly disposable.He should know that better than any one else and stop pretending he is only going there to visit friends and expect to get a pat on the back from his party.
Yong Teck Lee of SAPP tried the same formula but Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi refused to sack his party from the BN because he has assets in the name of 2 MPs and 4 state assemblymen with him.He eventually pulled his party out of the BN and is now aligned with Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat.
In more developed society and matured democracies it is honourable to resign than being sacked but in Malaysia it seems to be the other way round, being sacked from a political party brings prestige and seen as something heroic.
I think it sucks, if it's against your principle and you called yourself a lawyer and a gentleman, don't leave in a huff, leave like a man, a gentleman.
Related articles:Sakmongkol AK47's Thank you Zaid Ibrahim
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
TROPICAL DEPRESSION ADVISORY
Hantu Laut
A tropical depression was detected very close to the western seaboard of Sabah.Whether it will turn into a big storm will only be known in the next 24 hours.This typical formation is unusually rare over these waters and can be unpredictable.The last strong one called Greg lashed Sabah West Coast on 26 Dec 1996 bringing with it wide spread destruction and loss of lives.
Those living on the sea coasts of West Sabah,Sarawak and East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia should take precautions.
Below is severe weather warning issued by Malaysia Meteorological Services
A tropical depression was detected very close to the western seaboard of Sabah.Whether it will turn into a big storm will only be known in the next 24 hours.This typical formation is unusually rare over these waters and can be unpredictable.The last strong one called Greg lashed Sabah West Coast on 26 Dec 1996 bringing with it wide spread destruction and loss of lives.
Those living on the sea coasts of West Sabah,Sarawak and East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia should take precautions.
Below is severe weather warning issued by Malaysia Meteorological Services
| DARIPADA: | KETUA PENGARAH, JABATAN METEOROLOGI MALAYSIA | |
| TARIKH: | 02/12/2008 | |
| Our Ref: | ( JMM.RML 06/599/46 Jld.5(85) ) | |
| NASIHAT LEKUKAN TROPIKA |
| Besar kemungkinan lekukan tropika akan terbentuk dalam lingkungan 150 batu nautika dari Latitud 7.5 darjah Utara dan Longitud 113.1 darjah Timur dalam tempoh 12 hingga 24 jam akan datang.Sistem tersebut dijangka bergerak ke arah baratdaya menuju Semenenjung Malaysia dengan kelajuan 8 kmsj. Sehubungan dengan ini, angin kencang selaju 60 kmsj dengan ombak mencapai ketinggian 5.5 meter akan berlaku di Perairan pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia, Perairan Sabah barat dan Perairan Sarawak. |
| |
| TROPICAL DEPRESSION ADVISORY |
| Formation of a tropical depression is possible within 150 nautical miles either side of Latitude 7.5 N and Longitude 113.1 E in the next 12 to 24 hours.This system is expected to move southwestwards towards Peninsular Malaysia with speed 8 kmph. In addition to this, strong wind of 60 kmph and maximum wave up to 5.5 meters is expected to occur over waters of east coast Peninsular Malaysia, west Sabah and Sarawak. Satellite Imagery here |
PKR's Khalid Ibrahim's Full Monty:Robbing Peter To Pay Paul
Hantu Laut
Empty promises and pretences are the forte of most politicians. Lying through their teeth is another unbearably disgusting habit they have.
In less than a year the much-touted would be squeaky clean and caring government had fallen flat on its face and is beginning to show it is not less impetuous with its decisions than the previous government that it had accused of screwing up the state.
Selangor is probably the richest state in Malaysia and being a metropolis state and the most developed industrially it has many resources and sources of revenue for the state.Taking from the poor would not be music to many ears.
Robin Hood of Sherwood robbed the rich to pay the poor.Selangor robbed the poor to pay the rich.
There is where inexperience and bodoh sombong (ignorance) reflects the results of one's action.
The Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has decided to raise the rental of 6200 low cost homes from RM124 to RM250 a month, a staggering 100% increase.For many of us the sum may look small and affordable but for those in the low-income bracket RM126 can go a long way in paying for their daily necessities.
A group of men calling themselves 'Dare To Be Nude Squad' have decided to stalk him and strip naked as and when they come face to face with him.
Go ahead boys, show him the full monty and show him what a big dick he is.
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