'KPI' minister Tsu Koon unfazed by quit call

UPDATED 2.30PM The Gerakan leader is unfazed by the call from an Umno MP for him to step down as minister in the PM's Department for...

BN like PR...sama saja.

Troubled waters...

Good lah. Like Wan Azizah who said there were problems in PKR, now Koh admitted there were problems not only within Gerakan but also within all component parties of BN and within BN itself.

Confession is good for the soul.

;)

Ezekiel 47:1-5, ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep

(Image source)

Ezekiel 47:1-5 (King James Version)

¹Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

²Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

³And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

⁴Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

⁵Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

A day in a life of a taxi driver

(Image source)

Today, chatted up with a taxi driver.

He shared with me stories of 'a day in a life of a taxi driver'.

He related to me one incident that happened to his fellow taxi driver who picked up two passengers with a box of goods. It was put in the boot. Upon arrival at the destination, the two passengers told the taxi driver that they needed to go the ATM to withdraw money. Thinking that the box was a form a 'security', the taxi driver let them alight. After a few minutes of waiting, the taxi driver felt something was amiss. So, he went to check the box in the boot. He found two big stones in the box!!

Nizar vs Zambry: Nov 5 is D-Day.

The Federal Court on Nov 5 will not just decide who rules Perak, but also its future.

At a press conference in Ipoh after the first Pakatan Rakyat convention, Nizar said that if the court ruled in his favour then the he would seek the consent of the Sultan of Perak to dissolve the state assembly and call for fresh elections.

Earlier in his opening speech at the Pakatan convention, Nizar outlined the teething problems faced by the three coalition parties in forming the Pakatan Perak state government after winning the general elections on March 8 last year. He recalled the many tempting offers of state posts and monetary gains if PAS was to join BN to form the next state government.“They played the psychological game of race, religion and monetary benefits running into the millions for each of the six PAS assemblypersons if we were to join them in the new state government.
(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

nizar: Chua's camp wants fresh polls NOW, no need EGM - nizar nizar nizar nizar

BREAKING NEWS Supporters of Chua Soi Lek have challenge the party’s CC members to resign en mass to pave way for fresh polls rather than calling...

The resignation of two-thirds of the 42-member central committee will immediately trigger new leadership elections while the application for an EGM can be made via three ways - on the order of the party president, request by one-third of the CC or one-third of central delegates.

Aiyo...Which is better (or worse!) - another EGM after an EGM that did not solve the problem or fresh polls that may solve all the problems of camp A, camp B or 'third force'?

MCA is a living proof that Chinese can never unite.

They will only unite to fight against each other like the kongsi gelap.

Court allows Kedah gov't to challenge EC

UPDATED 5.35PM The Kuala Lumpur High Court grants leave to the state gov't after the EC rejected its request to hold a by-election in Kota Siputih...

Exhumation application to be heard Nov 4

UPDATED 12.35 PM The application by the late Teoh Beng Hock's family to exhume his body for a second post-mortem will be heard on Nov 4.

This application is being made after Thai forensic expert Dr Porntip Rojanasunand's testimony last week that 80 percent of the political aide's death could have been due to homicide and 20 percent suicide.

Badrul quits PKR, now BN-friendly Independent

UPDATED 6.40PM Port Klang state assemblyperson Badrul Hisham Abdullah today said that he is quitting PKR with immediate effect to become a BN-friendly Independent.

Badrul is the fifth 'KATAK' to have 'defected' to BN, joining three Perak state reps (two PKR and one DAP) and one Kedah PKR state rep to become BN-friendly Independents.

Keith Green - You Are The One - THE WAY! THE TRUTH! THE LIFE!

How I love you,
You are the one,
You are the one.
How I love you,
You are the one for me.

I was so lost,
But you showed the way,
'Cause you are the way.
I was so lost,
But you showed the way to me.

How I love you,
You are the one,
You are the one.
How I love you,
You are the one for me.

I was lied to,
But you told the truth,
'Cause you are the truth.
I was lied to,
But you showed the truth to me.

How I love you,
You are the one,
You are the one.
How I love you,
You are the one for me.

I was dying,
But you gave me life,
'Cause you are the life.
I was dying,
And you gave your life for me.

How I love you,
You are the one,
You are the one.
How I love you,
You are the one,
God's risen Son,
You are the one for me.

Hallelujah,
You are the one,
You are the one.
Hallelujah,
You are the one for me.

How I love you,
You are the one,
You are the one.
How I love you,
You are the one for me.

TM: DO NOT RELY ON POLICE ALONE

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Oct 28 — Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) expects to incur losses of almost RM3 million by end of this year due to cable theft, which is becoming more rampant, in Penang.

Its Penang general manager, Ir Lai Hook Kian, said that until September this year the company had recorded losses of RM2.7 million.

“The losses involved 465 cases of cable theft reported in Penang, especially in North Seberang Perai,” he told reporters at a function here today.

He said last year, the Penang TM recorded losses of RM2.5 million due to cable theft.

Lai said various initiatives had been taken by TM to address the problem, including the laying of underground cables, introduction of the wireless service, and installation of the alarm system.

He called for public cooperation to help reduce cable theft and not to rely on the police alone to do the job. — Bernama

(Source: The Malaysian Insider)

Yes, even TM is a victim of theft. Yes, even the police can't do much. The job of the police is to combat crime, thus reducing it! Well, supposedly but it looks like the police cannot do the job.

So, TM has to call for public cooperation to HELP reduce cable theft. In other words, TM is calling the PUBLIC to HELP the POLICE.

Aiyoh...why the police so weak ah???

Ir Nizar: ASAS Jambatan Maut JELEK dan CACAT

Read the article in Sun2Surf that reported MP Nizar who personally went to the site to inspect the suspension bridge. He said from the aspect of the materials used for constructing the bridge, it was satisfactory but the foundation on which it was mounted appeared shoddy and flawed.

Frankly, I didn't know what 'shoddy and flawed' were in Malay. So, what did I do? I went to Google translate!

So, if the translation of 'shoddy and flawed' to Malay is 'shoddy and flawed', blame Google translate!

Jambatan Maut JELEK dan CACAT


(Source: Sun2Surf)

Check your facts and get to work, Mr Home Minister

Irene Fernandez, Tenaganita director, gives Hishammuddin Hussein a lecture on the rising number of abuse cases among domestic workers.

Fernandez lambasted the home minister for claiming that the recent case of domestic help Mautik Hani who died as a result of abuse by her employers was the first of its kind in the country.

According to her, over the last three years, Tenaganita handled 273 cases with over 2,184 human rights violations committed by the employers and the recruiting agencies

1Malaysia Tragedy - Third victim of bridge collapse found

UPDATED 1.11PM The body of the last of the three victims of the Monday bridge collapse at Sungai Kampar here was found today.

Meanwhile in a related development, a Perak Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) spokesperson said that an investigation has been opened on the construction of the suspension bridge...

"We will investigate the matter thoroughly. The MACC feels there could be a strong case (for either corruption or wrongful procedure)," the MACC spokesperson told Malaysiakini.

1Malaysia Tragedy: Search continues for missing two schoolgirls

Search continues for missing two schoolgirls

KAMPAR, Oct 28 – The search and rescue operation is continuing, except for a brief spell from 6.30pm when it was stopped due to heavy rain, for the two primary schoolgirls who went missing in the Kampar River after a suspension bridge collapsed on Monday night near Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Dipang near here.

Kampar police chief Supt Aziz Salleh said more than 300 personnel were taking part in the operation.

The girls, V. Divyahshree, 12, of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tamil (SRJK) Gopeng and M. Davadharshini, 11, of SJK Tamil Mambang Di Awan, went missing after they and 20 other pupils fell into the river when the bridge collapsed as they were crossing it.

Nineteen of the pupils were plucked out from the swift-flowing waters but N. Dina Deve, 11, of SJK Tamil Mambang Di Awan, drowned. They were among almost 300 pupils from about 60 primary schools who were to have participated in a unity camp near the school.

The parents of Divyahshree and Davadharshini offered prayers and sprinkled flowers near the collapsed bridge.

The parents waited by the river as the search and rescue team extended their operation up to 30km downriver to Sungai Galah near Batu Gajah.

Six officers from the Public Works Department in Kuala Lumpur were also at the scene today to study the structure of the collapsed bridge. – Bernama

CAN 100PLUS CURE DENGUE?

Can 100Plus cure dengue?
Husna Yusop

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21, 2009): Can 100Plus cure dengue?

That was the question posed by Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Ind-Pasir Mas) during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said he heard some people were cured of dengue after drinking the isotonic drink but in some cases, it did not leave any effect.

Expressing concern that the widespread belief could endanger the life of certain people such as diabetics, he asked Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin the measures taken by the ministry to give the right information to the public.

"What is the method used by the ministry to create awareness among the people so that they consume medicine not based on belief but based on medical reference?" he asked.

Rosnah said she was aware of it herself, but to date there was no scientific analysis which could support it.

"However, I’d like to share my experience here that one of my relatives too had consumed the drink when he was infected by dengue. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), so far he is healthy, has recovered and it (100Plus) did not do him any harm," she said, adding she would consider Ibrahim’s suggestion and will get a good answer for him later.

She added that the ministry had set up special hotlines to give information and explanation to the public on certain diseases.

Earlier, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) asked whether dengue was an endemic in Malaysia and what were the efforts taken by the government to combat the rise in cases.

Rosnah said it was an endemic disease in the tropical and sub-tropical areas, including Malaysia, but the number of dengue cases hds been on the decline this year.

"In the first week of this year, 1,633 cases were reported with an average 1,176 cases reported every week until March.

"However, thanks to the government's prevention and control efforts and with public cooperation, in the 41st week (from Oct 11 – 17), only 563 cases were reported," she said.

Until Oct 17 also, she said, the number of accumulated dengue cases was 33,123 compared with 36,234 in the same period last year – a fall of 3,111 cases.

She said the number of dengue-related deaths also fell from 80 cases last year to 72 in the same comparative period.

In the same period, the number of dengue cases in nine states also fell, except for Selangor, Penang, Sarawak, Perlis, Malacca and Sabah, she said, adding the government spent RM12 million on promotional activities through the media.

(Source: Sun2Surf)

'Passed': Perak budget by BN, 3 motions by Pakatan

LIVE REPORTS UPDATED 12.55PM In a noisy 2-in-1 assembly, the BN passed its state budget, while Pakatan reps passed three motions.

The three motions passed were:

1. Suspen all national service camps and other outdoor programmes pending investigation of the Kampar tragedy;

2. Recognition of the findings of the 2008 of the Auditor-General's Report on Perak, during Pakatan's tenure; and

3. The appointment of PKR state chief Osman Abdul Rahman a senator.

Court allows torture evidence against MACC

Court allows torture evidence against MACC
By Debra Chong

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 28 — The Court of Appeal dismissed today the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) bid to expunge the “torture” evidence by witness Sivanesan Tanggavelu in the ongoing inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

Sivanesan, an assistant company manager, had claimed that Selangor anti-graft officers had beaten him when he was taken in for questioning in a separate case last year.

The MACC had previously argued that Sivanesan's case had nothing to do with Teoh's and his evidence should not be allowed on record.

Teoh, 30, was found dead on a 5th-floor landing outside the Selangor MACC's office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam on July 16, a day before he was to register his marriage with his pregnant fiancee.

The political aide to a Selangor state lawmaker had been taken in for questioning by graft busters the day before to aid investigations into abuse of state funds.

His family and employer claim foul play was involved even though the pathologists who carried out his autopsy have said that the signs point to suicide.

MORE TO COME

'Gang of 3' wants fresh CC meeting on peace deal

UPDATED 11.11PM Ex-Ong loyalists Liow, Wee and Chew say the peace plan was not discussed at the CC level and want a meeting to be held.

The two out of the three and 12 others in CC pointed out that they do not have vested interests as alleged by party colleagues and members of the public. To clear their name, they outlined the chronology of developments since the EGM.

Cute racoon - raccoon pet - only in Japan

nizar najib altantuya: Teoh's family files exhumation application

UPDATED 5.05PM They want an exhumation so that a second post-mortem can be carried out by renowned Thai pathologist Pornthip Rojanasunand.

The application was made under Section 335 of the Criminal Procedure Code and filed by lawyer Gobind Singh at the Shah Alam Magistrates' Court registry at 3.35pm. The application was supported by an affidavit by Teoh's brother Meng Kee.

Gobind said that several questions had cropped up following Porntip's testimony last week, especially on matters relating to injuries to Teoh's neck and anus, adding that only a fresh post-mortem could clear all doubts relating to Teoh's death.

Yes, 80% likelihood that Teoh was strangled and sodomised to death! Click here to read 'Teoh Beng Hock - most likely sodomised and murdered!' at *SUSAN LOONE's Blog*.

Ganesan tightens screws on Pakatan

BN-appointed speaker R Ganesan moves to circumvent attempts by Pakatan to take control of the state assembly sitting tomorrow.

Tighten all you want, R Ganesan.

So, screw all you want BN. What you sow, you shall reap.

Dr M says Perak grab unlawful.

As for Pakatan wakil rakyat, forget about grabbing power back from BN reps who are the 'illegal squatters'. Just wait for the next general election. The rakyat will screw BN kaw-kaw.

1Malaysia camp: 1 drowned, 2 missing after bridge collapses

UPDATED 12.12PM One pupil drowned and two others are feared missing after a newly-built suspension bridge collapsed into the Kampar River last night.

@ Sun2Surf
1 pupil dead, 2 missing in Kampar bridge tragedy

KAMPAR (Oct 27, 2009): A pupil drowned and two others are missing after a newly built suspension bridge collapsed into the Kampar River as pupils participating in a 1Malaysia camp were walking across at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Dipang near here last night.

Nineteen other pupils feared missing at first had been accounted for and were safe, police said.

The accident happened after 298 pupils from 60 primary schools in Kampar, Tronoh and Batu Gajah had arrived to participate in a 1Malaysia camp organised by the Kinta Selatan District Education Department.

Perak Deputy Chief Police Officer Datuk Zakaria Yusof said the body of the drowned pupil, identified as Dina Deve Nathan, was recovered at 8.30am and had been sent to the Kampar Hospital.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, arrived at the scene of the accident at 10.55am.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir visited the scene last night and ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident.

"The suspension bridge was newly built. We want to know if it was built to specifications as it collapsed after a metal pillar got ripped off the ground," he said.

A metal pillar and its concrete block foundation got ripped off the ground in the incident and part of the bridge walkway was afloat on the river.

The Kampar River is known for extreme water sports. The part of the river where the bridge collapsed is about 30 metres wide and 1.5 metres deep.

Villagers have joined in the search and rescue operation mounted by 222 personnel from the police, Royal Malaysian Navy, Fire & Rescue Department, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), Civil Defence Department and other agencies.

Zakaria said the police had asked the Education Department to furnish a list of names of the participants of the camp.

Parents of the pupils rushed to the school last night upon hearing news of the accident, and several of them became angry when they could not confirm the safety of their children even as late as 3am.

The bridge collapsed when groups of pupils were walking to and from the campsite to the school for dinner.

According to reports, most of the pupils managed to hold on to the ropes of the collapsed bridge and save themselves while several others were pulled out of the swift-flowing river by a teacher and a guard of the school in the incident at about 10.30pm.

A pupil, K. Mathivanan, 12, said the bridge collapsed all of a sudden when about 30 to 50 pupils were on it, some walking to the school and others returning to the campsite.

He said the bridge had swayed a lot before it collapsed as several of the pupils were jumping about and playing with one another.

"All of a sudden, we found ourselves thrown into the river. I managed to hold on to a rope. The current was swift but I managed to drag myself out of the water," he said.

The bridge, about 50 metres long, was built about two weeks ago to replace an old one which had collapsed, said a member of the school's Parent-Teacher Association.

A teacher, Mohd Safri Abdul Rafar, said he was not far from the bridge when it collapsed and quickly jumped over a fence and dived into the river in the attempt to rescue the pupils.

"I managed to pull out three or four pupils. The current was swift and I almost got dragged away," he said. Safri said he went into the river again and pulled out five more pupils.

A guard of the school, who identified himself as Idris, said he pulled out six pupils from the river.

Safri said he was sad that he could not rescue a pupil who had held onto a metal cable before being dragged away by the current.

Twenty-three teachers were involved in the camp, the second to be organised by the Kinta Selatan district education department after the first one held at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Raya last week.

Similar camps were to be held simultaneously today in the Larut, Matang and Selama as well as Manjung district, said Safri, adding that the pupils were from all races and the aim of the camp was to foster unity and interaction through activities such as traditional cooking, cultural training and games. -- Bernama

Youth chief NO respect for BN chief and MCA chief

Malaysiakini reported:

Youth chief tells Ong to respect EGM decisions

Youth chief Wee Ka Siong is far from satisfied with the situation in MCA, despite the truce declared between the party’s feuding leaders.

Terror lah Wee ni.

Ong and Chua already reunited with the blessing and support of Najib. (Read The Star Online here)

Now, Wee berani suruh Ong respek EGM decisions.

Respek lah, Wee ni!

Dr M: Mega projects are good for the economy

Dr M: Mega projects help stimulate economy

FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad defended mega projects, saying they have a big spin-off and help tostimulate the economy.

"When the government build mega projects, the spin-off is very big. All contractors get business as well as sub-contractors, suppliers, workers and eventhe nasi lemak sellers get business as they have something to sell to the workers," he told reporters after attending the National Asset and FacilityManagement Convention here today.

"They stimulate the economy and somewhere along the line, they will have topay taxes, even the nasi lemak sellers because they have to source a lot ofthings from wholesalers who also pay taxes," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the country's revenue has been going up every year becausethe economy is stimulated by the government as well as the private sector.

"So, when the government spends money, it gets back the money. Otherwise,how do you explain the government having more money every year," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the private sector and not the government should beresponsible for building mega projects as businessmen always know how to makemoney from their investments.

"Business means you get some capital, do business and make a profit. If youwant to expand, use the money or borrow from the bank," he said, adding that thegoverment should go for privatisation exercises.

On the 2010 Budget, Dr Mahathir was reluctant to make any comment.

"Before you can make a comment, you have to study the budget very carefullybecause my experience is that the first-day comment is always very good andeverbody is happy. But later when they begin to study the hidden agenda, thenthey feel very unhappy," he said.

"So, I'm still trying to find the hidden agenda," he added. - Bernama

RM50 for credit card not a big deal for PM

HUA HIN: Describing Budget 2010 as “painless”, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the people should not complain about the Government’s decision to impose a RM50 annual service tax on principal credit and charge cards.

Instead, the Prime Minister said they should look at the overall benefits offered by the Govern-ment in the Budget.

“They are getting the RM1,000 tax relief and those paying tax at 27% will now pay 26%.

“So, they get two (relief measures) and only have to pay RM50 (per credit card). Don’t tell me they cannot pay RM50?” he said after a meeting at the 15th Asean Summit here yesterday.

Najib, who arrived here on Friday after tabling the Budget in Parliament, had earlier asked the media on the reaction back home to his maiden Budget.

(Source: The Star Online)

Teoh's family wants post-mortem by Thai expert

UPDATED 9.15PM Teoh's family will apply for another post-mortem to be carried out by renowned Thai pathologist Pornthip Rojanasunand.

Malaysiakini was told by Teoh's sister Lee Lan that the family hoped that the post-mortem will "reveal the truth" behind her brother's death.

Yes, hope against hope.

Hopefully, justice will be served.

Teoh Beng Hock's death is the death of an innocent life.

80% murder. So easy to murder but so hard to own up to one's crime.

Forgive them for they know not what they do - www.phrases.org.uk

Interestingly, you can find the phrase 'Forgive them for they know not what they do' at The Phrase Finder.

This phrase was prayed by Jesus when He was crucified on the cross at Calvary.

Luke 23:33-35 (King James Version)
23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Pakatan losing public confidence: Kit Siang

KUALA LUMPUR - Veteran lawmaker Lim KIt Siang warned Sunday the opposition alliance was suffering from a "bout of loss of public confidence" after it enjoyed unprecedented success in national polls last year.

The Pakatan Rakyat alliance seized control of a third of seats in parliament in the 2008 elections, dealing the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition its worst results in the half-century it has governed Malaysia.

However, the three parties in the unlikely opposition alliance - the conservative Islamic party PAS, the liberal Democratic Action Party (DAP) and multi-racial Keadilan - have each been hit by infighting since.

Lim Kit Siang, the DAP supremo, urged the alliance to "impose discipline among their leaders" to protect the opposition's image, especially after its defeat in a by-election earlier this month.

"Pakatan Rakyat had been suffering a prolonged and unceasing bout of loss of public confidence... to convince the Malaysian electorate in its credibility, cohesion, integrity and common sense of purpose," he said in a statement.

Lim cited BN's recent Bagan Pinang by-election victory as an example, saying the opposition "cannot take the setback lightly and must not be in denial about its weaknesses and faults".

Trouble brewing in PAS, PKR

BN had lost seven out of eight special votes held since 2008 polls but it ended the opposition winning streak with a thumping victory in the latest vote, although it was criticised for fielding a popular but graft-tainted candidate.

The main Islamic party PAS is dogged by infighting after its spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat called for a special party vote to remove several top party leaders he described as "problematic".

Nik Abdul Aziz, a highly respected figure in PAS, made the proposal over his unhappiness that some of the party leaders were keen on pursuing a pact with Umno, the largest party in ruling BN.

The Keadilan party was also divided after Zaid Ibrahim, a former cabinet minister who quit last September and later joined Keadilan, recently announced his plan to go on a six-month leave from the party.

Zaid reportedly said he did not want to be "distracted by any internal party politics", fuelling speculation on the growing discord within Keadilan, led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. - AFP
(Source: Malaysian Mirror)

Pak Hailam Kopitiam @ Tesco Extra Cheras - www.pakhailam.com

Another one of those 'new' kopitiams like Old Town...


Hot coffee tasted so-so only.


Hot Coffee: RM2.40


Fried rice - too oily...otherwise, not too bad...
That piece of sotong was from my wife's Tom Yam Meehoon


Fried rice: Rm5.90


Tom Yam Meehoon: RM7.90


Blackcurrent Lychee: RM6.50


Peanut Butter & Kaya Toast: RM1.80

Didn't get to take more pictures of food and drink...

Felt warm inside the kopitiam. Just wanted to finish eating and ciao!

Overall rating of my first-time experience at Pak Hailam: so-so only and slightly better than Old Town...

Councillor cries foul over MACC's conduct again

Among others, Tan Boon Hwa claims he was prohibited from speaking in Mandarin to a friend while under interrogtion.

Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Hwa's latest complaint was based on de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz's statement in the Dewan Rakyat that witnesses or suspects who were not arrested could not be treated like detainees.

In his statement made on Oct 20, Nazri said witnesses should not be "controlled" or have their movements followed by MACC officers.

In Tan's case, MACC officers followed him wherever he went, even to the pantry and toilet!

MACC officers are very caring indeed! Tan should be happy!

nizar najib altantuya: Post-MCA crisis: Quo Vadis Liow? - nizar nizar

UPDATED 10.30PM Now called a 'betrayer' after his attempted coup, Liow finds himself sidelined in the new MCA peace plan

I guess for Liow, he is learning the painful lesson of 'you reap what you sow'.

All the MCA CHINA men really sad lah.

Nizar alleges plot to attack PR lawmakers - nizar nizar nizar nizar

UPDATED 10.05PM Ousted MB Nizar Jamaluddin has appealed to the Perak sultan to put off the budget sitting as he fears that there may be violence.

Ok, just click here to go to The Malaysian Insider to read all about it.

MK reported the news as 'Thugs-for-hire' in Perak assembly sitting.

This 'thug' thing related to BN is not surprising lor.

Look at the way Sivakumar was dragged out of the assembly.

Soi Lek disagrees with Hisham over ROS

UPDATED 4.50PM The Registrar of Societies is empowered to decide on the rightful deputy MCA president, insists Chua.

Chua, told a press conference today that was ostensibly held to share his views on Budget 2010 as MCA's government policy monitoring bureau chief that he begged to differ with the minister. He explained that the constitution for all political parties are approved by the ROS. Thus, ROS had the power to intervene.

Moreover, Chua said that should the ROS have no power to intervene, it would then be not necessary for organisations to subject their constitutional amendments to ROS scrutiny.

BUDGET 2010: Quick facts

Quick facts

• Malaysia economy to grow 2-3 percent in 2010.

• Per capita income to increase by 2.5 percent to RM24,661.

• Budget 2010 allocations totalled RM191.5 billion, of which RM138.3 billion is for operating expenditure and RM53.2 billion for development expenditure.

• Federal government revenue in 2010 to decline by 8.4 percent to RM148.8 billion.

• Budget deficit at 5.6 percent of GDP compared with 7.4 percent in 2009.
  
  Taxation

• Maximum income tax rate to be further reduced to 26 percent from 27 percent effective from the 2010 year of assessment.

• Personal tax relief will be increased to RM9,000 from RM8,000 effective from the 2010 year of assessment.

• Individual taxpayers to be given tax relief on broadband subscription fee up to RM500 a year from 2010 to 2012.

• Income tax for 2010 based on income derived from 2009 will be allowed to be paid in instalments in five years.

• 
• Employees EPF contributions will be raised again to 11 percent on a voluntary basis with immediate effect. However, from Jan 1, 2011 employees' EPF contribution will revert to 11 percent.

• The government proposes existing personal tax relief of RM6,000 for EPF contributions and life insurance premiums be raised to RM7,000.

• Civil servants are eligible to apply for computer loans once in every three years and up to a maximum of RM5,000 from the government once in every five years.

• A five percent tax to be imposed on gains from disposal of real property from Jan 1, 2010.
  
  Credit cards

• There will be no more free credit cards which are currently being used extensively. The number increased from more than two million in 1997 to 11 million as of August 2009, excluding 285,000 charge cards.

• 
• To promote prudent spending, a service tax of RM50 a year will be imposed on each principal credit card and charge card, including those issued free of charge.

• There will also be service tax of RM25 a year imposed on each supplementary card.
  
  Fuel subsidies

• To ensure fuel subsidies only benefit targeted groups, the government will implement a fuel subsidy management system in early 2010.
  
  Goods and Services tax

• Government is in the final stage of completing a study on imposing Goods and Services Tax (GST). The rate will be lower than the current sales and service tax.
  
  Approved Permits (AP)

• RM10,000 to be imposed for each AP to open AP holders effective Jan 1, 2010. A portion of the collection will be channelled to the bumiputera development fund in the automotive sector.
  
  Permanent residency

• Simplify permanent residency (PR) applications for those who possess high talents, expatriates will be issued visas within 14 days while male expatriates who marry locals will be automatically conferred PR status.

(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

Diwali Deepavali Dance @ Open House

Janson's first time to a Deepavali open house!

A milestone for Janson: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Janson repeated after mommy saying every alphabet from A-Z this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You Jesus!

PM slashes spending in Budget 2010

UPDATED 9.25PM Next year's allocation totalled RM191.5 billion - 11.2% lower than the revised allocation of RM215.7 billion for 2009.

The slashing in spending is a move to rein in a fiscal deficit swollen by stimulus measures aimed at pushing the economy out of recession. Although Najib provided few clues as to how the reductions would be realised, he promised an ambitious cut in the budget deficit in 2010 from its highest level in more than 20 years that would come from reduced "operatingexpenditure" (-13.7 percent), lower food and fuel subsidies (-14.7), a sensitive political issue for an unpopular government, and less money for development spending (-4.5 percent).

A move towards high-income economy

UPDATED 6.10PM The PM seeks to lay down a firm foundation to drive the nation towards embracing a high-income economy in the 2010 budget.

I remember first time reading about this high-income economy thingie when Dr M mentioned it.

So, did Najib just ride on Dr M's great idea? Personally, I believe so. ;)

Click here to read 'Dr M confident economy can move to high income'.

altantuya Najib dares not come clean. Mahathir wants to come clean - nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar

The former premier is disappointed that he has been robbed of the chance to take the stand in court and clear his name.

Dr M wants to come clean but Najib dares not come clean over the scandal that linked him to the murder of Altantuya.

Tengku Razaleigh in his post 'We should all come clean' said:
Swearing on the Al-Quran is not the way out. Scoundrels have been known to do that. The truth, established through the rigorous and public scrutiny of the law, is the only remedy if an untrue story has gained currency not just internationally but at home among a large section of the people. Najib should voluntarily offer to testify at the trial of the two officers charged with killing Altantuya Sharibuu. He could also write to these newspapers and if necessary he should take legal action against them to clear his name and that of our country.

NAJIB hired APCO Worldwide. TUN hired JEW

@ The Malaysian Insider
Government admits spending to boost Najib's administration

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (picture) confirmed in Parliament today that the government had engaged Apco Worldwide, an international public affairs and media relations company, to boost its image overseas.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the contract is worth some RM20 million but Koh, in a written reply to a question from DAP’s Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, did not divulge the exact amount.
“Apco Worldwide was tasked with promoting and improving Malaysia's image overseas,” said Koh, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
He justified the appointment by asserting that a foreign firm would ensure that the country's communication practice was in line with international standards.
To justify the hefty fees it is charging, The Malaysian Insider understands that Apco Worldwide staff are now generating press releases and conducting media training for the government.
Because of the value of the contract, Apco Worldwide has set up an office for the first time in Malaysia. Its personnel are mainly from the United States, and the main focus of their job remains to improve Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s image.
It is also understood that the government has hired a separate firm in the United States to act as its lobbyist with the Obama administration.
“Appointing an international communication firm is a common practice by governments of other countries,” Koh said in his written reply to Parliament today.
He also said that inaccurate reports in foreign media had affected the international community's confidence in the country as a stable investment, trade and tourist destination, resulting in the need to appoint Apco.
“Apart from Apco, the ministry and government agencies also appoint other local and international firms, for short and long term to provide communication services,” he said.
“Because the expenses for this service depend on the implementation of the programmes and communication projects planned from time to time according to needs, the total cost cannot be determined for the time being.”
The Malaysian Insider had reported in July that Apco was also tasked with promoting Najib's image for his first 100 days in office and later to boost the administration's standing worldwide.
Najib is not the first prime minister, however, to use expensive foreign help to boost his image and that of his administration.
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also used a foreign-based public relations firm to help project a positive image of himself as a progressive Muslim leader, and Malaysia as a modern Muslim nation.
The Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration had used disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Just exactly who is Jack Abramoff? Interestingly, Wikipedia said:
Jack Abramoff was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey into a wealthy and prominent Jewish family^[9]. His father, Franklin Abramoff, was president of the Franchises unit of Diners Club.^[10]

w1max vs streamyx: P1 better? Potong Now? Wait!

Before I left my friend's house last Sunday, I asked him, 'Eh, should I go for P1?'

He said, 'WAIT...not now...maybe later...'

'Oh why?' I asked. He answered, 'Now cannot cope with the demand..'

'So now if I get it, I will surely have to call you and complain lah...' My friend gave me a grin.

Well, this friend of mine is at the second-level support at P1.

I've another friend who is a consumer himself. When I asked him how P1 was, he gave me a not-so-satisfactory answer. So, I wasn't convinced. I guess you will have to test it for yourself. P1 should let potential customers 'test drive'! If good, I will surely sign up on the spot! How about that!

Sharp criticism on 'no action' against VK Lingam

Lawyers and politicians roundly condemned the dropping of the case against VK Lingam, predicting a further slide in public confidence in the judiciary.
For chairperson of the constitutional bar law committee Edmund Bon (right), the decision was rather "surprising because we have spent so much money and time during the royal commission inquiry".

"The royal commission also came up with recommendations saying that some individual may have committed an offence and requesting the police and AG to take further action.

"...but I am very disappointed the government has closed the file...even the commission had identified the offences and yet no further action," he added.
(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

An answer to a prayer: Nothing is too small for God

Last Thursday, after much probing and still couldn't find the answer to a problem, I prayed.

Very shortly, I SAW the answer to the problem. It was the small 'Bill Once' box that was checked.

So, I just unchecked it. Presto!!! IT worked! The problem was resolved.

Next day, my colleague commended, 'Wah good, you solved the problem...G is son of the support but you are son of the God.' (G refers to my senior who has vast experience in troubleshooting). My colleague said what he said because G was normally the person who could find out the cause but in this case, he could not.

I was happy to hear my colleague glorifying God. Yes, I am son of the God. Thank You, Jesus! 8DD.

Najib heeded Dr M's advice and helped MCA???

On Oct 12, Dr M suggests Najib help MCA resolve leadership crisis.

In Dr M's own words:
“I must confess that when I was BN chairman I did interfere but quietly behind the scene, not openly, as some people may be sensitive. As BN chairmen we can intervene in component parties.”

When the news first broke out, Malaysiakini reported 'PM's peace plan ends MCA crisis' but now the same report is entitled 'Soi Lek: We've no choice but to hold hands' (Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/115616)

So far, there's no news headline talking about PM's peace plan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Najib's unseen hands were in this crisis. He should. After all, Dr M did too.

PM's peace plan ends MCA crisis

BREAKING NEWS Under Najib's peace deal, Chua is likely to make a comeback as deputy president while Ong shall remain as No 1.

That means the BN chairperson has the power to veto any decision or vote reached at the EGM???

najib altantuya Family mulls exhumation for fresh autopsy - nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar

UPDATED 7.52PM This is to allow Thai expert Dr Pornthip to reach conclusive evidence pertaining to the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

Dr Pornthip told the Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas in the afternoon session of the inquest that
if she had chance to do the second post mortem, she could find the final conclusion.

She disagreed with a suggestion by counsel Tan Hock Chuan, who is representing the Malaysian government, that it was not appropriate for her to conclude that there was an 80 percent possibility of homicide since she did not conduct the post-mortem, did not inspect the crime scene and did not furnish the post-mortem report by herself.

"I tried to come to the conclusion based on the limitations of the evidence before me. My final objective is to take the final evidence based on the second autopsy.
"You have to understand the limitations that I face here. It is my work and I believe in that. It is more scientific," she said.
(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

Better than PKFZ: RM290k for 'non-existent projects' - nizar nizar nizar nizar

Auditor-General's Report A committee under the Finance Ministry should also explain why the two projects had been certified as completed, when no work was done.

Both projects are located in Taman Danau Desa (Seputeh) and Kampung Pasir (Segambut Luar) in Kuala Lumpur with RM270,116 paid in full for the cost of an indoor court and a recreation centre in Taman Danau Desa and RM22,676 paid for 'road works' in Kampung Pasir, bringing the total payment to RM292,792.

Wow!!! This is People First! Performance Now!

Sucking money out of the people first and do it now!

Research confirms that drinking gives you the same benefits yoga does !!!

I really find these yoga vis-a-vis drinking positions funny!

MACC '80pc' THE MURDERER!

Needless to say, the Internet is now abuzz with the testimony of Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand aka 'Dr Death'. She told the coroner’s court this morning that there was an 80 per cent probability that Teoh Beng Hock’s death was homicide.

Half of the LATEST UPDATES @ Malaysia-Today.net talks about the '80pc':
Malaysian Aide's July Death 'Probably Homicide'
Death at MACC: My CSI XV
SUICIDE - they cried!!!
Startling revelations on Teoh Beng Hock’s death
Thailand's fearless 'Dr Death'

The question right now is WHO will be the scapegoat if indeed homicide is established?

Teoh inquest: 80pc chance of homicide, says Thai expert

Published: Wednesday October 21, 2009 MYT 10:24:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday October 21, 2009 MYT 12:20:56 PM

Teoh inquest: 80pc chance of homicide, says Thai expert (Update)

SHAH ALAM: There is an 80% chance that the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock was caused by homicide, the coroner’s court was told Wednesday.

Based on her examination of the autopsy reports and pictures of the site, Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand said she believed there is only a 20% chance that Teoh had committed suicide.

Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand

Testifying at the inquest into Teoh’s death, Dr Pornthip said that not all injuries on the body were consistent with a fall from a height.

She said that marks around his neck could mean that he was strangled, while the injury to his anus was caused by penetration with an object before his fall.

His skull fracture was not typical of an injury from a fall but was more compatible with blunt force being applied directly to the skull, she said.

She said that Teoh was probably alive when he hit the ground but may have been unconscious before the fall.

Dr Pornthip told court she has conducted more than 10,000 autopsies, of which about 100 dealt with fatal falls from a high place.

She put the time of death at between 6am and 8am, July 16.

The renowned and flamboyant Dr Pornthip is the director and co-founder of the Thai Justice Ministry’s Central Institute of Forensic Science.

She is well-known for her prowess in cracking open complicated homicide cases and is a celebrity of sorts in her homeland.

She is the author of Investigation of Corpses which sold 100,000 copies in Thailand, and also led a group of international forensic scientists in 2004 to identify the remains of the Asian tsunami victims.

Her life and work was narrated in a National Geographic documentary entitled Crime Scene Bangkok in 2004.

Teoh, the 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, had been summoned to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office at the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam to be questioned over the irregular disbursement of state funds on July 15.

He was found dead on the fifth floor service corridor of the building the following day.

Education Ministry given harsh lesson on spending

Auditor-General's Report The ministry was found to have paid up to eight times more for a tree planting exercise, and this is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

WOW! 8 times more!

Where has the money gone to...or specifically, to WHO?

I think again, all these questions will be unanswered.

No probe and no one will be punished.

Pua asks MACC to probe auditor-general's findings

According to Tony Pua, development allocation in BN states goes directly to the MPs while in Pakatan Rakyat states it is channelled via the Finance...

The funds are channelled via the Finance Ministry Implementation and Coordination Unit through the local district office.

No surprise to know that the federal government is practising preferential treatment!

1Malaysia for BN states only!

No doubt over MACC's impartiality to probe! I believe the dead will rise if MACC probes!

(Image source)

Janson bring the book, daddy read to you. Come...

Janson, 1-year-5-and-a-half-month old
In this video, Janson's right leg stuck...then, daddy asked him to bring the book!

Thank You Jesus that Janson is growing in wisdom, stature, in favour with God and men!

Three more called in for psychiatric interviews - nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar najib altantuya

Three more members of the Selangor government were called in for psychiatric interviews in connection with investigations into the mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock.

Malaysiakini has been informed that the three individuals instructed to appear before the panel are Ean Yong's confidential secretary Hiew Kim Boon, Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah and DAP MP Teresa Kok's assistant Mandy Hui.

Ok, so this is first ever use of forensic psychiatry in the country...now, I know.

Najib fails human rights test

The premier has a poor score after 200 days in office, based on a report issued by watchdog Suaram.

Human rights watchdog Suaram has indicted premier Najib Abdul Razak for his administration's "blatant disregard" of human rights during his first 200 days in office.

In a just-released report, it cited such "serious violations" as:

• Continued use of emergency laws and those dealing with detention without trial
• Racial and religious intolerance
• Crackdowns on assemblies and peaceful civil disobedience
• Curbs on media freedom and attacks on the alternative media
• Abuses by law enforcement agencies

(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

Ti: There was evilness in the air during CC meeting - nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA central committee meeting last Thursday was the most fiery, rough and crude meeting that the party ever had, said CC member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

In a hard-hitting blog entry yesterday, Ti wrote how there was “evilness in the air” during the Oct 15 meeting.

He described how some other CC members, had, during the course of the meeting, spoke in an unbecoming tone when addressing president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, without even bothering to seek permission to speak.

“People who used to boot-lick suddenly showed their ugly faces. They have no respect for the chair of the president.

“The central committee meeting was the most fiery, rough and crude one we ever had. Individuals who were beneficiaries of the president’s office turned into vultures seeking for dead bodies and the intended corpse was the president’s body,” he said on his blog http://tilianker.blogspot.com/ yesterday.

He added that the siege from within – surrounding and attacking the president – was too much for some of the central committee to stomach.

“People who were known to be in the other camp could not stomach the evilness in the air. Some came to the president’s rescue not out of goodwill but strictly out of good conscience,” he said.

Ti said the central committee members were morally obliged to resign together with Ong based on the outcome of the party’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

He added that the presidential council and central committee members who had pushed for the dismissal and subsequent suspension of former deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, must resign to account for the rejection of their decision based on the outcome of the EGM’s second resolution.

During the Oct 10 EGM, the central delegates voted to reinstate Dr Chua as a party member.

“The president may have spoken publicly but that does not mean the central committee or presidential council had been absolved of their collective responsibility,” said Ti.

He added that Ong had articulated on the spirit of collective responsibility regarding the decision of the disciplinary action over Dr Chua.

Ti said the rightful status of Dr Chua must be established by making reference to the Registrar of Societies.

“The president abstained from voting at the central committee meeting as he was of the opinion that the legal status of Dr Chua ought to be clarified,” he said.

He said Ong and Dr Chua commanded more than 90% of the total number of central delegates’ votes they gathered at the EGM.

“Any solution towards settling the quandary of the party now requires political consensus.

“Thus the third force is only marginal; and is not morally or politically able to take over the party based on the central committee support alone, consisting of people who have vested personal interests at heart,” he said.

(Source: The Star Online)

nizar najib altantuya: Of Liow, H1N1, BiNi, Car, Axis! - nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar nizar

These are the allegations contributed by one of the commentors in Malaysia-Today.net in the post 'Tee Keat clings on, Liow is No 2 and MCA heads for implosion':
written by onnetline, October 15, 2009 21:13:46
From a contributor yesterday .....

Posted by admin
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 07:14

Dear Health Minister YB Dato Liow,

You have the wrong priorities since taking over the ministry.

Instead of taking care of H1N1 you are taking care of your BiNi ( Lee Su Loo )!

Half million Ringgit worth of birthday presents you bought for your wife in January 09!

A Toyota Alphard costing 574,884.10 Ringgit. (Car number plate WSB 15)

Alas!!! Who paid for it? Axis Construction Sdn.Bhd, the company that always appear in your Ministry's winning tender list. God sent or dirty hand?

Mr. Health Minister, take care of the public's health not your bank account. You are no different from the rest of the corrupt officials that dip their fingers in the piggy bank.

Please tell us why your ministry's contractor paid for your wife's car down payment?

There was a cheque on January 2009, HLB 373727 ($ 324,884.10) from Axis Construction to the car dealer for the car WSB 15. Another cheque HLB 373727 paid to the seller. ($ 9,299.90).

Where is your clean heart? Gone to the Cigarette companies?

You also squeezed your contractor to pay for the Monthly instalments for that expensive gift to your BiNi!!

On the 19th of each month, Benny Ho of Axis construction will deposit $4,730 to your BiNi's bank account (Public Bank Saving Account Number 4487469902). Some of the check numbers are HLB 359666 and HLB 383393!

Our country is the worst hit country of H1N1 in the world, you have no idea what to do and all you care for is taking a cruise in your BiNi's ill gotten luxurious car!

........ God help us.

Car gift to Liow's wife: Case passed to MACC

UPDATED 6.48PM In another development Liow has lodged a police report over the allegations made against his wife.

Police refer reports on Liow’s wife to MACC

2009/10/19

Police have referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) the report lodged against the wife of Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai pertaining to allegations contained in a letter published on the Internet.

MACC's deputy chief commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed confirmed today that police had referred the case to the MACC and that the commission was looking into it.

"We have received the information from the police. We are studying the report and will investigate the matter," he told a news conference.

He declined to elaborate on the issue, saying there was a need to protect confidentiality in the investigations.

"Be patient and don't speculate on anything. Let us do our job," he said.

Yesterday, Segambut Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng lodged a police report against Liow's wife Lee Su Loo pertaining to allegations in the unsigned letter that she received a multi-purpose vehicle from a company often involved in the ministry's projects. - Bernama

More and more twists!

Mental tests put off over lawyers' presence

BREAKING NEWS Teoh's family members decided not to go ahead with the scheduled psychiatric interview sessions after doctors objected to the presence of their lawyers.

Why must get a psychiatrist to question the witnesses?

Why not get a neurosurgeon or neurologist or if only there were such a thing as a brain-dead specialist?

Is there no forensic scientist in Malaysia who can determine Teoh's state of mind?

Public holiday for Sept 16

BREAKING NEWS UPDATED 11.55AM From next year, Hari Malaysia will be a national public holiday, says Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Populist PM is doing all the things right.

Personally, I've told 10 people in office the 'good news'. Out of the ten, 7 of them asked, 'Why?', 2 asked, 'How about August 31?' and 1 asked, 'Oh...because of Anwar Ibrahim...?' HAHA

Recovery of economy expected next year, says Deputy Finance Minister

KUALA TERENGGANU: The country’s economy is expected to recover next year by recording a positive growth that will create employment opportunities, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin.

He said the confidence and projection hinged on the growth of the world economy as it was heading towards recovery.

“In the first and second quarters, the country’s economy had registered negative growth like the world’s economy.

“However, the contraction of the country’s economy at the end of the second quarter was smaller at 3.9% against between 6% and 7% in the previous quarter,” he told reporters after opening the Islamic College of Science and Technology’s second convocation here on Sunday.

Awang Adek said for Malaysia, the retrenchment experienced during the economic slowdown was a temporary experience.

“As the economy picks up, the investment will increase, definitely more jobs will be created. Retrenched workers will be rehired.

“The export earnings had declined by 20% but with factories resuming operations, they will re-employ the retrenched workers,” he said.

Awang Adek said most of the retrenched workers attended skill courses conducted by the Human Resources Ministry during the period of their unemployment.

A total of 568 students received diplomas in medical assistance, nursing, diagnostic radiography, psychology and syariah studies at the convocation.-Bernama

Deficit Manageable If Budget Well Structured - Dr Mahathir

PETALING JAYA, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes the government will be able to manage the budget deficit if the the budget is well-structured.

According to him, 7.6 per cent budget deficit is nothing new.

"The US budget deficit is 100 per cent but they can still manage it. As long as our budget is well structured, it is manageable," he told reporters after officiating the Menara Mustapha Kamal-PJ Trade Centre here on Friday.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) has stated that Budget 2010 is expected to have a bigger deficit than the 7.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) projected by the government.

Its executive director Datuk Dr Mohammed Ariff Abdul Kareem said the deficit was likely to exceed the projection because "this year's tax collection will fall short of the government's target".

According to him, the government will need to adjust its expenditure rather than make adjustment to revenue in order to contain the budget deficit.

"Having government revenue just barely enough to cover operating expenditure is a dangerous sign," he said.

On a hypothetical basis, Mohammed Ariff said the deficit could grow to 15.2 per cent in 2015 if the government was doing nothing to curb its expenditure.

As such, he lauded the government's intention to cut 15 per cent of its operating expenditure in 2010 even though he said "it could be a tall order to be done in one year".

-- BERNAMA

Economy will pick up next year but at the same time there will be a bigger budget deficit?

I don't know much about the economy or economics but I certainly know that those in business say that things are slow - business owners of retail shops say can see a lot of cars but no customers...