Don’t learn NOT to pay your debts

The prime minister said that Pakatan Rakyat are teaching people bad things, very bad things, such as debts are not to be settled.

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http://www.nst.com.my/latest/opposition-teaching-people-bad-things-pm-1.103610

Opposition teaching people bad things: PM

PEKAN -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today opposition political parties in the country seem to be teaching people bad things, even matters contrary to religion.

 Evidently, three bad things were that debts do not have to be settled, good deeds can be forgotten and promises need not be fulfilled, he said.

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Well growing up in a country that is administered by Alliance-BN administration for more than 50 years, whereby we live and learned from education system, judicial system and kepimpinan melalui teladan set by one of the longest political alliance in power, I wonder where the bad teachers learn from?

Let’s look at some fine case studies which serve to “teach people” not to repay debts.

A Fool? Or Mere Posturing?

Firstly, thanks to Wee Tak for carrying my request to be a writer on this blog and also my thanks to resident.wangsamaju for believing that I can contribute worthy thoughts to be published in this blog. Its been sometime since I last wrote and I find it horribly tiring to maintain a blog and realize that it is indeed a full time job! Now come to think of it, which nincompoop that said that blog writers are unemployed and housewives?

Over the last few months, blogosphere in Malaysia has evolved tremendously. From mere rantings and sharing of opinion and views, they have become a major tool to get their message over to the masses in a very short time. Also since the so called "political tsunami" that hit Malaysia in March 08, the ancient and obese BN has also come to recognize that blogs and the internet has played a major role in their humiliatingly slim victory in the last general election, hence the machinery was started and "major overhaul" was made to make their presence felt in the blogosphere. To BN, its simple really.. dangle the $$$ in front of some bloggers and wallah! They now have a bunch of famous bloggers that will do their bidding.. have they succeeded? I think time will tell. I do not visit those blogs that often but once in a while I still do.. its good really food for thought to see where these people are heading.

Anyway, my thoughts today are not that ancient as March 08 but on some events that happened in our country lately, from the Perak fiasco, to Terengganu and to Selangor, spins, counter spins and further spins may have either left the people trying to make sense of what is happening to be in a state of being dizzy to being right down feeling completely hopeless that the country's politicians are beyond help and reproach.

There have been many articles pinned on how our Home Minister continues Umno's efforts to drive the wedge further between Malaysians through religion and racism from the recent cow head demonstration. Those articles have expressed enough on what needed to be said.

No, today, I would like to focus on the one man that has got no shame whatsoever. Implicated in various matters but never investigated or manage to get off the hook because he has been buddy buddy with the DG of Selangor's MACC. From shady land deals to working hand in glove with MACC in trying to bring down the current state government. From staying in a 24mil bungalow to his shiny botox-ed face.. from holing up in his office post March 08 shredding documents to his escapades to Disneyland on public funds... he is the famous MAT "BOTOX" TEMPE!

While the Home Minster was sent scurrying to contain his "extreme" defense of the cow-head demonstrators, this idiot of the same kind seem to want to continue to rant about it!

Among the gems of his quote (taken from Malaysiakini)

"The reason (the cow's head) was brought was to show that the (state government) had acted without thinking as the site (for the Hindu temple) was ready (in Section 18), so why relocate (to Section 23)?"

To show that the state government acted without thinking? Huh? So, does it mean that the non-Muslims can take a pig's head to show that the state government had acted without thinking as well?

"I don't know who brought it (the cow's head)... but for me, there is no sensitivity (involved) or link to the animal being holy for the Indians (Hindus)," he added.

No sensitivity involved.. because its to show displeasure to the state government? I really wonder how would a pig's head imply?

"That is up to him. I am not involved in that one. I am just commenting on it (the issue) because people have turned it into a racial issue and that is not right," he said.

His comments on Hishamuddin flopping to charge the demonstrators.... equally baffling. So, let me see, its okay for Umno leaders to have differing views, while if Pakatan members have differing views, (beer issue) then there is a disunity in Pakatan, but when Umno leaders have differing views... err.. its up to him? And nothing else? Hypocrite? A fool? or is it mere posturing to gain political mileage?

I simply do not understand how Malaysians can put up with these people! Can we as Malaysians, put a stop and say NO to these sort of politicians? Will the people of Sungai Panjang do the right thing next time out? Kick Mat Tempe out for good!

A note on the Selangor State Government

Politics and state management is a learning process. Many people have not done it before. If one fails now, it doesn't mean one will fail in future. PR has a lot to learn still. Temptation lurks in every corner. And often, it is difficult to distinguish what are facts and what is perception.

I applaud every commenter who has and who will place their thoughts here, and elsewhere, on this subject matter, because 'good' comments or 'bad' comments, it shows everyone is in an engaged state.

You must remember, we power this country and not the other way around. Many of us here did decide, in 2008, whom was to run Selangor. We decided on accountability and transparency in good faith, but sometimes things do not run as expected.

But it's ok. Even if the scenario doesn't look good now; this is check and balance in action, something we all sought for when we went to the ballot box in 2008. Check and balance doesn't mean looking good all the time, unlike how we are groomed to think otherwise for the last 50 years. When things are wrong we need to fix it and not sweep it under the carpet.

Even if PR doesn't look good now so what. Check and balance is our code as rakyat and we live by it.

Cops probe report against Exco member with "underworld connections"

Maria J.Dass

The Sun

SHAH ALAM (July 16, 2009) : Police have begun investigations into reports against a Selangor executive council (exco) member following allegations that his office was being used as a base by underworld figures to conduct their activities.

Wangsa Maju PKR parliamentarian Wee Choo Keong, who made the allegations in a July 11 blog posting, was today questioned for two-and-a-half-hours by officers from the D7 (Anti-vice and gaming division) of the Selangor Police Contigent headquarters here.

Emerging from the building he told reporters that he was interviewed by two officers who recorded his statement and collected all documents relating to his allegations against the executive councillor.

At a press conference later Selangor CPO Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said investigations were being conducted under Section 233 of the Multimedia Act.

"The Commercial Crimes Department and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) have been tasked to work on this case," he said.

Asked why Wee was questioned by D7 officers, he said the Section 233 of the Multimedia Act allows the police to initiate investigations which are now being conducted by the CID and Commercial Crimes Investigations Department, but the case will be reclassified if the need arises.

"We will be calling more witnesses," said Abdul Khalid.

Wee told reporters that he had named the exco involved when he gave his statement to the police.

"I have given them all the relevant documents," he said but would not confirm if these included picture and videos.

"It is best you ask the police about this," Wee said, while declining to reveal the identity of the exco.

He said he had given a few names of informants and complainants to the police and they may be called in soon to provide more leads into the case.

Wee said he had been "advised" by friends not to play with fire (by raising the allegations against a fellow Pakatan Rakyat politician) but said these were risks that politicians had to take.

Asked about DAP's Selangor exco for local authorities and research and development Ronnie Liu’s challenge to him to ‘be a man’ and name the person concerned, Wee said: "Don’t push me too hard, I am a man that’s why I’m here speaking to the police."

"Why is he worried? I never named him and the other eight excos have not said anything either," he added.

Meanwhile, Liu at a press conference earlier said that he was ready face any interrogation from the police and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) pertaining to the allegations.

"What do I have to be afraid of, I am ready if they come, I have not done anything wrong so what do I have to be afraid of?" he told reporters.

He said he had yet to be contacted by the police or MACC officers on the matter.

"I have not taken any commissions, and all the expenditure of my allocations are stated in my blog- colourblind.org," Liu said.

"I am very transparent," he added.

It's shaken, not stirred

Is there a difference between a martini being shaken or stirred? Well, according to James Bond, there is; and here's the answer according to the Wiki:

Scientists, specifically biochemists, and martini connoisseurs have investigated the difference between a martini shaken and a martini stirred. According to a study at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Western Ontario in Canada to determine if the preparation of a martini has an influence on their antioxidant capacity, the shaken gin martinis were able to break down hydrogen peroxide and leave only 0.072% of the peroxide behind, versus the stirred gin martini which left behind 0.157% of the peroxide. The study was done at the time because moderate consumption of alcohol appears to reduce the risk of cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, none of which afflict the fictional James Bond.

Andrew Lycett, an Ian Fleming biographer, believed that Fleming liked his martinis shaken, not stirred because Fleming thought that stirring a drink diminished its flavor.

Lycett also noted that Fleming preferred gin and vermouth for his martini. It has also been said that Fleming was a fan of martinis shaken by Hans Schröder, a German bartender. Some connoisseurs believe that shaking gin is a faux pas, supposedly because the shaking "bruises" the gin (a term referring to a slight bitter taste that can allegedly occur when gin is shaken). Others contend that Bond was only shaking because of the vodka it contained.

Prior to the 1960s, vodka was, for the most part, refined from potatoes (usually cheaper brands). This element made the vodka oily. To disperse the oil, Bond ordered his martinis shaken; thus, in the same scene where he orders the martini, he tells the barman about how vodka made from grain rather than potatoes makes his drink even better. This does not explain why Bond in the films still preferred his drink to be shaken rather than stirred, because beginning mostly in the 1960s vodka refined from potatoes was virtually replaced by vodka refined by grains such as corn and wheat or by other ingredients such as grapes and soybeans. Other reasons for shaking tend to include making the drink colder or as Bond called it, ice-cold.

Shaking allows the drink to couple with the ice longer thus making it far colder than if it were to be stirred. Shaking is also said to dissolve the vermouth better making it less oily tasting.

Now there you have it, the reason James wants it shaken and not stirred. You know, back in March 2008 at Wangsa Maju, at a thanksgiving dinner organized by Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong, guest Gombak MP Azmin Ali almost said the same thing in the context of the Ian Fleming phrase. That night the rain poured, fizzling out the satay flames, as the swelling crowd pulled in under the tents. It was then Azmin said in his speech to the captivated crowd that the newly elected PR MPs would 'mengegar' (shake) the Parliament rather than just stir it.

Fast forward to July 2009, the Selangor Government is now being shaken by the same guys. Between compatriot political camps it may be, but I wouldn't call it shit stirring in this case, because it appears that the shit is shaken not stirred. Yes, I must admit that the general PR supportors are shocked with the amount of dirty linen being laundered in the open; both BN and anti-BN think that the PR won't last long with the amount of bickering that's out in the open.

But I think it's ok. Issues being thrashed in the open keep things in check and in full view of the public eye. I think it is a healthy way of doing things. Some say scandalous political matters should be settled behind closed doors- however, don't you think there are pros and also cons to this. Over the years, too many matters have been settled behind closed doors. Those doors were so air-tight shut that we wished there was more transparency to it. The toll deals, the MAS buy-over, the Scomi scandal, the Lingam judicial case and the list goes on. The Constitution has been amended over 600 times, the word 'Allah' has been patented by the Government, the keris raised many times and the NEP is still around.

We were all betrayed by the people who purported to represent us. Would I subscribe to their manner of doing things which is sweeping the dust within closed doors? I won't. If there's something wrong, let's have it out because I want to hear about it.

First Mesra Usia Emas payout in Wangsa Maju

Pakatan Rakyat's Selangor State Administration has devised this scheme whereby qualifying Selangor senior citizens can name a beneficiary to get a total payout of RM2,500 upon their passing away; with a RM1,000 initial payment and RM1,500 to follow suit in 60 days' time.

For more information, please visit here.

The scheme reaches the qualifying Selangor citizens residing in Wangsa Maju, despite it is under Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. This is made possible with the effort put in by YB Wee Choo Keong and his service centre staff as well as the staff at Rangkaian Mesra Usia Emas Sdn Bhd.

Bravo, chaps!

A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are 3.

Above: The occasion was graced by the presence of Saudara Syed Hamzah (PKR Wangsa Maju Youth Secretary), YB Wee Choo Keong and Saudara Hamdi (PKR Wangsa Maju Youth Chief)

Above: One of the first of the 10 recepients for the night. Perhaps the speech earlier made her sleepy? :-)

Below: A group photo showing the recipients pleased with the previously unavailable and unimaginable people-friendly scheme.

There are 2 schools of thoughts in Malaysia:

1) School A think it is worthwhile to hand out some money in differing forms after a death with a by-election necessary thereon; and

2) School B think it is worthwhile to have a proper scheme whereby when a family's qualifying elder has passed away, a beneficiary previously approved by the demised would get a pre-determined amount, by-election or general election not withstanding.

Antara Boros Nasional dan Pilihan Rakyat

According to Malaysian Insider, http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/27964-dap-wants-pkfz-to-close-shop , RM7.5 billion has already been lost while if PKFTZ continues, it stands to make future losses of RM8.6 billion. That makes a total loss of RM16.1 billion.

Maybe 16.1 is not impressive enough...RM16.1 billion typed out in full is

RM 16,100,000,000 (short form, written in America) or

RM16,100,000,000,000 (Long form, written in UK)

Source:http://mathforum.org/~sanders/geometry/GP10BillionEtc.html

Since we have been following the Brits all this while, I suppose it is the latter? Either way, that is a lot of our money! I wonder how many JPA scholarships RM16.1 billion can provide, how many families in poverty or how many sick people in need of funds for treatment can be assisted. Well, at least some people are very happy and laughing all the way to offshore banks I imagine.

In business, when there is a “loss” (expense), there is always a corresponding party who makes a “gain” (revenue/consultancy fees/sales/commission etc). Any accounting students, qualifying for scholarships or not, can probably figure this one out).

During the run up to elections, big or small, BN fall back on its claim of “having the track record and experience of governance”. If this is the way it manages our money then to HELL with it; I rather give it to some green horns that, according to Hannah Yeoh, “does not have the experience of corruption.”

In the effort to “merakyatkan ekonomi” the Selangor State Government has this "Program Tuisyen Rakyat Selangor".

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/teonieching/21061548

Big deal, corporate big wits or people with macro-level views might not be too impressed with it but these simple and ground level amenities are the things that impress me the most. Come think of it:

1) State governments control much, very much, smaller revenue source than the federal government (think income, sales, service taxes as well as customs and approved permits etc)

2) Tuition has a very big market in the current pressure cooker school environment, how many school children you can name that does not get extra tutoring?

3) NEP is suppose to assist poor families in social re-engineering and uplifting but at the expense of arresting the potential and opportunities of the brighter and more capable groups, giving free tuition to less economically advantages Malaysians achieve the first objective above without giving rise to the opportunity cost thereof.; and

4) This “one small step for Selangor State Government; but one big step for the Selangor below RM2K per month families” shows an administration that is caring, creative and relevant.

Bravo! It is the simplest things that count for the moment!