Tuesday, November 30, 2010

All in Umno who stripped Malay rulers of their power should ditch their titles!

Independent MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim challenged PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to give up his 'Datuk Seri' title if he believes that the society must reject the concept of 'ketuanan Melayu' (Malay supremacy).

zahrain hashim parliament 180310 Zahrain (left),  (Ind-Bayan Baru), a former PKR leader who had a fallout with Anwar, found it odd that they (PKR leaders) were rejecting Malay supremacy to show that they are Malay leaders of integrity and said that the comments made during PKR's national congress last week “affronted” the Malay rulers, whose sovereignty was upheld in the federal constitution.

Taken from a para in the article 'Mahathir vs the Malay Rulers':
The Prime Minister’s campaign continued. He silenced the Rulers over the issue of the 1987 ISA detentions; staged a hostile debate on the monarchy in the 1990 Umno general assembly after the loss of Kelantan to PAS; removed the Rulers’ immunity to prosecution following the constitutional crisis of 1992-93; stripped away their flights, outriders, and special hospital wards; and in 1994, with little opposition, finally removed the need to obtain the Rulers’ assent for State laws.

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First, Bala. Now, Mahathir. Najib says Mahathir's statement totally frivolous!

Last year, Dec 04, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak finally broke his silence regarding the allegations that his younger brother Mohamed Nazim had coerced private investigator P Balasubramaniam to hush up. Malaysiakini reported: Najib dismisses Bala's claims as 'frivolous'

Warisan Merdeka tower to proceed only if commercial viable: PM
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 30, 2010): Permodalan Nasional Bhd's proposed 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower will go ahead only if it is commercially viable, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today. He said the project must also contribute towards the larger economic development within the particular area and provide business opportunities.
"The project must satisfy these conditions and if the conditions are met, it will go ahead.
"It must provide the impetus and catalyst for a greater Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the 7th Asean Finance Ministers' Investors Seminar entitled "Discovering Tomorrow's Asean" here.
Yesterday, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there was no need for another high tower in the country yet because there were signs of property glut.
Najib, who is Finance Minister, said it was up to Permodalan Nasional to do the financial calculation.
On a perception that Warisan Merdeka would overshadow the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, which was credited to Dr Mahathir, he said: "That is a totally frivolous statement. We are talking about continuity.
"What Tun Mahathir has done is admirable but what we need to do is build on his success and move on and develop Malaysia."
Besides, he said, Warisan Merdeka was project of 10 years and beyond and the area around Stadium Merdeka, where the project is proposed to take place, was a strategic area.
"It is a long term project. It is not to be viewed 2-3 years.
"If you look at the skyline of Kuala Lumpur in 2020, it cannot be the same as today. Pudong in Shanghai has so many skyscrapers. Certainly, much much more.
"Let us try to visualise the KL in the year 2020. Let us look at the long term perspective. After all, if Vision 2020 is achieved it is about a vision that was initiated by Tun Mahathir himself," he said. -- Bernama


Case transferred to High Court, Ling seeks speedy trial

The Sessions Court in Putrajaya has agreed to transfer a case against former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

NONEDPP Manoj Kurup told the court this morning that the prosecution had received a request from the defence on Aug 30 to transfer the case, saying, "We have considered the request and the attorney-general has agreed to transfer the case to the High Court. We are making this application under Section 418 of the Criminal Procedure Code."

 Judge Suzana Hussin approved the application (under this seection, the prosecution has the discretion to transfer cases to the High Court) and ordered that the case be adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Constitution can be changed without Royal Assent, thanks to Dr Umno Dr M

The Malaysian Insider reported that MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek reminded the people not to have any thoughts of changing what had been written in the Federal Constitution as only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can change it. (Click here to read 'Soi Lek: Don’t think of changing constitution').

Obviously, Dr 'Porn' Chua lied.

An excerpt from the article entitled 'Mahathir vs the Malay Rulers' published on Sunday, 04 May 2008 11:36AM in the Star Online reads:
There seemed to be no way out of the impasse except by compromise – which is what happened. The Rulers agreed to the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 1983 on the condition that many of its provisions were modified or repealed immediately with the introduction of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1984. The new bill, passed in January 1984, meant that the King could now only delay a piece of non-money legislation for a month. It then had to be sent back to Parliament with his objections. If the King still opposed it in the form in which Parliament then passed it, he could only delay it for another month before it was gazetted as law. The King could therefore only delay legislation for up to two months before it became the law of the land.

DR 'PORN' CHUA, DON'T THINK OF FOOLING THE RAKYAT. WE ARE NOW MUCH SMARTER!

Monday, November 29, 2010

The Disney fairytale has an unhappy ending:Tangled last Disney fairy tale!

The Disney fairytale has an unhappy ending

Move over Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Jasmine: princesses are stars of the past, write Dawn Chmielewski and Claudia Eller.
Once upon a time, there was a studio in Burbank, California, that spun classic fairytales into silver-screen gold.
But now the curtain is falling on ''princess movies'', which have been a part of Disney Animation's heritage since the debut in 1937 of its first feature film, Snow White. The studio's release of Tangled, a contemporary retelling of Rapunzel, will be the last fairytale produced by Disney's animation group for the foreseeable future.
''Films and genres do run a course,'' says the chief of Pixar Animation Studios, Ed Catmull, who with the director John Lasseter oversees Disney Animation. ''They may come back later because someone has a fresh take on it … but we don't have any other musicals or fairytales lined up.''
<i>Tangled</i> . . . Flynn, Rapunzel and Pascal. 
Tangled . . . Flynn, Rapunzel and Pascal.

Catmull and Lasseter have killed two other fairytale movies that were in development, The Snow Queen and Jack and the Beanstalk.
To appreciate what a sea change this is for the company, consider that a fairytale castle is a landmark at Disney theme parks around the world and is embedded in the Walt Disney Pictures logo. Fairytale characters from Disney's movies populate the parks, drive sales of merchandise and serve as the inspiration for Broadway musicals.
But Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Jasmine and the other Disney royals were born in the 20th century. Now, different kinds of Disney characters are starring in the megaplexes and toy aisles, including Pixar's Toy Story buddies Buzz Lightyear and Woody, Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean and a platoon of superheroes from the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment.
Over the decades, Disney has benefited from the ticket sales and licensing revenue generated by such princess-driven properties as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. The studio's most recent offering, however, was a disappointment. Although critically acclaimed, last year's The Princess and the Frog was the worst performer of Disney's recent fairytales.
In the age of mega-franchises when movies need to appeal to a broad audience to justify a sizeable investment, Disney discovered too late that The Princess and the Frog appealed to too narrow an audience: little girls. This prompted the studio to change the name of its Rapunzel movie to the gender-neutral Tangled and shift the lens of its marketing to the film's swashbuckling male co-star, Flynn Rider.
The movie was reconceived as a musical with fast-paced action and witty banter. The only surviving elements, Catmull says, were ''the hair, the tower and Rapunzel''.
Disney hopes Tangled will draw boys, teenagers and adults to the cinema, succeeding where its frog-prince saga failed. But it is taking no such chances in the future. Its current animation roster includes Winnie the Pooh, a return to the Hundred Acre Wood, and Reboot Ralph - itself a restart of an older project titled Joe Jump - about an outdated video-game character who has been left behind by the march of technology.
Catmull says he and Lasseter have been encouraging filmmakers to break with safe and predictable formulas and push creative boundaries.
''If you say to somebody, 'You should be doing fairytales,' it's like saying, 'Don't be risky,''' Catmull says. ''We're saying, 'Tell us what's driving you.'''
So why has the clock struck midnight for Disney's fairytales?
Among girls, princesses and the romanticised ideal they represent - revolving around finding the man of your dreams - have a limited shelf life. With the advent of ''tween'' TV, the tiara-wearing ideal of femininity has been supplanted by new adolescent role models.
''By the time they're five or six, they're not interested in being princesses,'' says Dafna Lemish, who chairs the radio and TV department at Southern Illinois University and is an expert in the role of media in children's lives. ''They're interested in being hot, in being cool. Clearly, they see this is what society values.''
MGA Entertainment, the maker of Bratz dolls, knocked the toy industry's blonde bombshell off her stilettos by recognising how little girls' interests have morphed.
''You've got to go with the times,'' MGA's chief executive, Isaac Larian, says. ''You can't keep selling what the mothers and the fathers played with before. You've got to see life through their lens.''

Norhafizah: My son was murdered. Lawyer: Cops killed youths on purpose!

There is nothing that she wants more than to see the person who killed her child be hauled up to court to face justice. But for now, Norhafizah Mad Razali just cannot help thinking of her son's last moments before he was shot dead by police.

In tears, she said,  "I keep thinking what he was thinking, how he felt before the fatal shot. Did he plead for mercy? Was he crying in pain?"  Her husband, Shapiei Zainal Abidin who in spite of his own wet eyes tried to offer comfort.

Their son, Mohd Shamil Hafiz Shapiei who was about a week away from turning 16, was shot dead about 4am on Nov 13 on a street in Glemnarie in Shah Alam, Selangor. He

Mohd Shamil Hafiz Shapiei was shot once in the chest and in the middle of his forehead, an image which will not leave his parents' minds. When met at the low-cost flat where they live in Kota Damansara, she said, "Call it a mother's instinct...I don't know how or why, but the words just slipped out of my mouth when I saw his body: 'He has been murdered'."

Read all about the 'shoot-to-kill' case for free at The Malaysian Insider:

Cops killed youths on purpose, says lawyer

Lawyer claims cops killed youth in cold blood

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Teresa's Unity team bags win, Ronnie Liu booted out

The Unity team that comprises key players Teresa Kok, outgoing chairperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, Tony Pua, Gobind Singh Deo, Lau Weng San, Teo Nie Ching and Tiew Way Keng, looks to have maintained its hold on Selangor DAP's state committee, bagging seven of the 15 seats up for grabs in their just-concluded state polls today. All the key players made it through albeit occupying the lower strata of the voting tally.
 
Ronnie Liu, who was embroiled in a case involving the issuance of support letters earlier this year, failed to make it to the top 15. In an immediate reaction to the results, Kok said that Liu's position as a Selangor exco is not in danger despite losing badly in this state party polls. Reason being Liu's position as exco is with the Selangor government - hence, it is unrelated to his loss. Kok also said, "I think he knows why he lost."
 
Selangor DAP committee members
1) Jenice Lee (Independent), 703 votes
2) Hannah Yeoh (Independent), 644
3) Charles Santiago (Independent), 596
4) Teng Chang Khim (Rainbow), 504
5) Ng Suee Lim (Rainbow), 498
6) Ean Yong Hian Wah (Unity), 478
7) Gobind Singh (Unity), 478
8) Tony Pua (Unity), 463
9) Lau Weng San (Unity), 459
10) Teo Nie Ching (Unity), 452
11) Teresa Kok (Unity), 437
12) Tiew Way Keng (Unity), 428
13) S Ramakrishnan (Rainbow), 405
14) Lim Soo Hong (Rainbow), 403
15) T Kannan (Rainbow), 402

Genesis: The book of many 'firsts' - the life stories of human beings in Bible

In Genesis 1:27-28, God created human beings - male and  female - in His own image. He named the male, 'Adam' and the female, 'Eve'. Both of  them were commanded to be fruitful  and multiply. They were given authority over all living creatures. There was one tree that God told them not to eat from. It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They ate and sin entered the world.

Since then, many 'firsts' took place. The first blame game happened when God found Adam and Eve naked. Adam blamed Eve for giving him some fruit from the tree. Eve blamed the serpent for deceiving her. Adam and Eve did not acknowledge their sin. After that, the first anger that led to the first murder - Cain killed his brother Abel whose offering found favor with God. After this, there are many more 'firsts' that tell us about man's fallen condition. The sin of one man, Adam, brought death to the entire human race but God in His infinite mercy and grace, gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world from sin.

Romans 5:18 (New Living Translation)

 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Can Umno-led BN win back Selangor in next GE? Can it do another Perak?

Kit Siang raises fear of Selangor defeat

November 28, 2010
Lim told the state delegates to take heed of PAS’s reversal in Terengganu during Election 2004. — Picture by Jack Ooi
PETALING JAYA, Nov 28 — Lim Kit Siang warned the Selangor DAP today that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) might lose Selangor in the next general election if they are not united, reminding the state party convention to learn from PAS’s 2004 loss in Terengganu.
The DAP parliamentary leader also called on the delegates to back the party representatives in the Selangor government as a sign of unity.
“Can Umno and Barisan Nasional win back Selangor in next general election? Is [the] Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor impregnable and invincible?” said Lim when opening the Selangor DAP ordinary convention here.
“I know there are people who believe that Pakatan Rakyat cannot lose control and power in Selangor in the next general election,” the Ipoh Timur MP continued. 
Lim’s warning came just as the state DAP prepares to face its most divisive election involving a faction aligned to state chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah and another team led by State Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim.
Today, Lim reminded the convention delegates that PAS similarly did not expect to lose Terengganu in Election 2004, after an unprecedented victory in 1999.
“In the 1999 general election, PAS had never expected to win power in Terengganu state but it swept the state with a landslide 28-4 victory in the state assembly seats,” said Lim.
“In the 2004 general election, PAS never expected to lose power in Terengganu but it lost in a reverse 4-28 sweep by Umno and Barisan Nasional,” said the veteran leader.
Lim also said that ex-premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had hinted that Barisan Nasional (BN) would win back Selangor as PR “is in shambles.”
“Recently, after the Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir said Barisan Nasional is capable of wresting one or two states from Pakatan Rakyat as the opposition is in disarray, although he is of the view that BN would likely fail to regain its two-thirds parliamentary majority despite being returned to power in Putrajaya.
“It is no secret that Mahathir meant Selangor when he mentioned ‘one or two states’ which Barisan Nasional could wrest from Pakatan Rakyat in the next general election,” he added.
He repeated the call by Yong to close ranks to ensure that PR retains its control over the state government.
Lim also urged the delegates to send a message of unity and ensure the victory of DAP members of the Selangor administration in the state party election.
“This message will be marred if key DAP leaders in the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government do not receive full mandate and support from the convention,” said Lim.
He, however, gave an assurance that defeated candidates would continue to be given role in the party.
“There is a place and role in DAP for every leader and member to contribute to the historic political changes awaiting the country. For DAP, just as for Pakatan Rakyat, united we stand, divided we fall,” he said.
The Perak DAP party elections two weeks ago saw the near wipe-out of Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran’s faction by the Ngeh-Nga team. State chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham offered the defeated national vice-chairman the post of state vice-chairman but he declined.
Both Selangor and Perak have the most branches and members in the DAP.

Pakatan Rakyat had better learn from Perak even if PR succeeds in retaining power in Selangor in next GE. Even  Dr M said Perak grab unlawful although he later changed his stand and endorsed Perak takeover.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fancy eating bugs? No thanks. Not for me no matter how yummy or healthy

Saturday November 27, 2010

Bugs: Food of the future?

Stories by Joleen Lunjew
jlunjew@thestar.com.my


Fancy a Big Mac made of bugs? Don’t stick your tongue out — it could be the food of the future.
There I sat, a basket of sago worms in front of me. The critters were very much alive, happily wriggling about, oblivious to their impending fate.
It was with much reluctance that I gingerly picked one up. I resisted the urge to fling it back into the basket as its fat, soft body began to squirm between my fingers.
“Go on! You can’t call yourself half-Sarawakian if you don’t eat it,” urged my Iban friends.
My community’s pride at stake, I took a deep breath and put the wriggling creature into my mouth and bit down on it. Creamy mush started to ooze out, its texture quite similar to cottage cheese.
Care for an insect pizza of mozzarella, tomato, cumin, mealworms and zophobas worms? — AFP PHOTO
Was it tasty? I still can’t say as I was too busy getting over the ewww! factor of biting down on a live slug and the horrifying fact that bits of its hard head was stuck between my teeth.
That was my first introduction to entomophagy, the practice of eating insects. While it might not be appealing to some, consuming insects is quite common in some parts of the world.
In Asia, the Thais, Laotians and Cambodians think nothing of snacking on fried grasshoppers, crickets, locusts or water bugs. Dragonfly boiled in coconut milk is a delicacy in Bali, and hachinoko, or boiled bee larvae, is a traditional Japanese dish.
Moviegoers in South America eat roasted ants instead of popcorn, and in Mexico, it’s considered good luck if the agave worm in tequila bottles ends up in your glass. One man’s meat is certainly another man’s poison.
As food resources get more expensive due to the increasing global population, it’s not surprising that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is formally considering a policy paper to promote insects as food to the world. FAO held a conference in 2008 in Thailand on the theme “Forest Insects as Food: Humans Bite Back,” to push for greater development of insects as food sources and, in their 2013 world congress, will further discuss the subject.
Above: Live sago worms.
In the UN paper, the author, Dutch Professor Arnold van Huis, an entomologist at Wageningen University in Holland, argues that bugs have high nutritional value, use less land and need less feed, thus are cheaper to farm and would produce far less greenhouse gases than current livestock. Health risks are also lower, as being biologically different from humans, insects are less vulnerable to contagious diseases like mad cow disease.
Talk about an all-in-one solution to food security and global warming!
“There is a meat crisis,” says Professor van Huis in The Guardian. “The world population will grow from six billion now to nine billion by 2050, and we know people are consuming more meat. Twenty years ago the average was 20kg. It is now 50kg, and will be 80kg in 20 years. If we continue like this, we will need another Earth.”
In terms of combating global warming, the professor’s latest research shows that farming insects such as locusts, crickets and mealworms emits 10 times less methane than cows, pigs, sheep and chickens. They also produce 300 times less nitrous oxide, also a warming gas, and much less ammonia.
Being cold-blooded, insects don’t need to convert food energy into heat, meaning they need less food to grow. This makes farming insects a much more sustainable alternative. FAO says that there are 1,462 species of recorded edible insects, with the most common coming from four main insect groups: beetles; ants, bees and wasps; grasshoppers and crickets; and moths and butterflies.
Some insects have as much protein as meat and fish. A serving of small grasshoppers, for instance, has nearly the same amount of protein as ground beef. Some insects, especially in the larval stage, are also rich in fat and contain important vitamins and minerals.
Teoh Yew Aun enjoying a dish of stir-fried bees in Tumpat. — AFP, JOLEEN LUNJEW & TEOH YEW AUN
The argument for eating insects sounds very good on paper, but can it take off in a world that has been softened by Western cultural influences?
“Most of the world already eats insects. The first time you bite into a grasshopper might be a little hard to swallow, but there are ways to handle this. Insects can be ground industrially so they’re less recognisable, just as a fillet doesn’t really resemble a particular animal. And sautéed crickets dipped in warm chocolate make a great snack,” says van Huis in an interview with Dutch publication Ode.
Don’t hold your breath for grasshopper Big Macs with mashed crickets shaped like fries, though. Interestingly, Malaysia does have a few places where creepy crawlies are part of the menu.
Events manager Elizabeth Chan, 43, whose husband is half-Thai, frequently visits a few restaurants in Kelantan that serve these delicacies.
“There are a few restaurants that serve fried bees and sago worms as you head towards Tumpat, my husband’s hometown. We like to go to Bankok Restaurant for fried bees. It is near the police station in Wakaf Baru,” says Chan.
Chan says the bees are deep-fried before being stir-fried with onions, chilli and ginger. You can choose your bees in different stages — larvae or baby bees.
“I prefer larvae as they are creamier and you don’t see the wings. It doesn’t look so gross then. They’re crispy too. My family loves them but they’re unfortunately not always in season.”
Another restaurant that the family frequents is Ahan Thai at Pengkalan Kubur, near the duty-free area. Besides fried bees, the restaurant serves stir-fried sago worms as well.
“The restaurant staff told us to bite the heads off the worms before eating them. I like it as it’s quite creamy but my husband refuses to eat it,” grins Chan.
Chan hasn’t tried the larger fried insect snacks but she would love to when she goes to Bangkok. She is looking forward to trying more insects with her mother-in-law when she heads to Shenzhen, China, at the end of the month.
Kelantanese Teoh Yew Aun, 34, is also a frequent customer of restaurants in Tumpat that serve fried bees.
“I can’t remember the restaurant name but locals call it ‘Victoria Station’ as it is located next to the train tracks. The place is run by Chinese-Thais and their specialty is fried bees,” says Teoh.
The project manager has been eating fried bees since he was young and says that the baby bees (with wings but not stingers) are stir-fried together with the bee larvae, creating an interesting and colourful mix.
“The first sensation you feel is the squishiness of the larvae before the crunchiness of the baby bees, much like pisang goreng batter. It’s hard to describe the taste. It’s very different because of the larvae but it tastes very good. Especially with beer,” smiles Teoh.
Entomophagy is also very common in various parts of Sabah and Sarawak where sago worms and other kinds of bugs are sold at local markets. The sago worms I tried came from Satok market in Kuching, Sarawak.
“My grandfather used to buy seasonal live worms from our local market in Penampang when I was growing up. It’s supposed to have health properties,” says Kadazan John Maximillan.
The 31-year-old advertising executive describes the worms as light brown in colour with a longer body compared to the sago worms. He also eats another type of worm that feeds on tree bark when he goes into the interiors east of Sabah. These whitish worms look like maggots but are slightly bigger and can be eaten live or stir-fried.
Eating worms and insects is not strange to Maximillan as he has been exposed to the practice since young. He reveals that there is a place along the Peninsula’s East Coast that serves fried insects.
“We were travelling through the plantations and came across a place that sells toddy. We stopped for a drink and discovered that they had fried insects as well. I’m not sure what they were but I think they were grasshoppers, crickets and cicadas. It tasted all right as they were deep-fried.”
Perhaps introducing insects into our daily diet won’t be that difficult to stomach since there are already people predisposed to it, but for those who hate creepy crawlies with a vengeance, it might take a bit more effort.
“I have a horrible phobia of cockroaches so eating anything that resembles them is totally out of the question. I hate flying insects, too. Their skinny legs and large wings creep me out,” says 18-year-old student Fadilah Ibrahim.
Fadilah might consider eating insects if she really had to but they have to be in some other form.
“Maybe if it’s ground up into powder and mixed into food like herbs or mashed and shaped into meatballs. But don’t tell me what it is . . .” she says.
Teacher Ferina Chew, 25, has never eaten insects and would give it a wide berth. “I might if you gave me RM10,000,” she jokes.
But what if food became scarce and you needed the protein?
“Well, then maybe I’d consider chopping them up into unrecognisable pieces and frying them. I think it’s more psychological than anything. If you gave me fried grasshoppers in unrecognisable bits and told me it was keropok, I probably won’t think twice about eating it, but anything wormy that’s alive, no thank you. I’ll stick to vegetables and beans,” Chew says.
I guess the UN have their work cut out for them if they really want to implement this proposal successfully. I’m just thankful that normal food is still abundant in Malaysia. Now, where’s the nearest Ramly Burger stall?

Zaid, the quitter, to form a new party in January - Parti Apanama Tak Tahu!!

Nov 11, 2010, laporan oleh Malaysiakini:

Zaid mahu tubuh 'Keadilan Baru' jika dipecat

Hari ini, Nov 27, 2010:

Zaid tubuh parti baru Januari ini

Walau bagaimanpun, Zaid memberi jaminan bahawa beliau tidak akan menggunakan nama ‘Keadilan’ atau Parti Angkatan Keadilan Islam Malaysia (AKIM) dalam penubuhan parti baru itu kelak.

Friday, November 26, 2010

New Selangor Police Chief Wants To Upgrade Frontline Service: Try Only!

November 26, 2010 16:02 PM
New Selangor Police Chief Wants To Upgrade Frontline Service
SHAH ALAM, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- New Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah wants to re-evaluate work procedures to upgrade frontline service to the public.

"I will try to change the work process from time to time to overcome weaknesses. More inhouse training is required for frontline officers and staff to upgrade quality of service," he told reporters at Selangor police contingent headquarters on Friday.

Tun Hisan earlier took over duty from acting Selangor police chief Datuk A.Thaiveegan witnessed by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

He replaced Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar who was promoted as director of Internal Security and Public Order Department.

Selangor police would continue the IGP vision based on the 4P concept - Protective, Performance, Proactive and People Oriented in servicing the people.

Tun Hisan who has made crime reduction his priority said the concept needs another 3P - Personnel, Personal Interaction and Professionalism.

Heads of departments and supervising officers should also monitor their staff by practising 'supportive leadership'.

"Team training among police personnel is important to find ways to handle reports more effectively," he added.

Meanwhile, Ismail advised Tun Hisan to continue the work of his predecessor in tackling the high crime rate in Selangor.

He said this year's National Key Result Areas (NKRA) for crime reduction showed lower crime index (11 percent) and street crimes (26 percent) for Selangor.

"This success is partly due to efforts by Selangor police in setting up community police stations and increasing security in housing areas," he added.

-- BERNAMA

He said, 'I will try...'

He doesn't sound very convincing, does he? ;)

Sodomy II: Judge sets Dec 6 for decision on recusal bid

The Kuala Lumpur High Court judge in the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial will decide on Dec 6 on whether to recuse himself from hearing the case - the second time that Anwar is making his application to recuse Zabidin, the first was after the judge's refusal to cite contempt against Utusan Malaysia for a report the defence claimed was prejudicial to the case.

It is expected that after judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah announces his decision on the defence's recusal bid, the court will then proceed to determine when the trial will continue even though the court had initially fixed the whole week of Dec 6-10 for hearing.

DPP Mohd Hanafiah Zakaria had this morning argued in court on behalf of the prosecution that Anwar's application was “frivolous and vexatious” and lawyer Param Cumaraswamy for Anwar said the defence would respond to the prosecution in a written submission as lead counsel Karpal Singh was in the appellate court this morning for another case.

Bar Council views seriously the suppression of evidence: Something to hide?

Bar Council chairperson Ragunath Kesavan has joined the chorus of critics in expressing his disappointment over several recent court decisions in the Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial which denied the defence access to documents that could be used as evidence.

NONE
Ragunath said, "We are of the view it is paramount consideration for the court in determining the truth so justice is, and seen, to be served. It is the responsibility of all parties, including the judge, to ensure that the prosecution complies with full disclosure in terms of the information provided to the parties involved, and produced it in court. In addition, a witness who takes the stand in a trial, whether called by the prosecution or the defence, is under an obligation to be independent and to speak the whole truth."

According to Ragunath, the judge could make an informed decision on the credibility of the witnesses, and the weight to be given to their testimony only after all these elements are present.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

No judge, no Tun, no Sultan, no Agong is above the law - Tuanku Ja' afar, the first reigning royalty in Malaysia to have a judgement made against him in a court of law

November 25, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s lead defence counsel Karpal Singh today cautioned Sodomy II trial judge Datuk Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah in deciding on the defence’s application to disqualify him, saying that there were laws and rules in place to punish a judge for being “biased”.
Anwar claimed yesterday the presiding judge in his Sodomy II trial had “intimidated” Karpal after he moved to disqualify the judge.
In a written affidavit filed along with a notice of motion to disqualify Mohd Zabidin, Anwar said the judge had “threatened” Karpal earlier this week when the lawyer gave notice of the defence’s intentions to file an application to disqualify him.
In presenting the defence’s oral submission today, Karpal stressed that a judge was by no means above the law, and could face punishment “short of removal” of office.
“A judge can be subjected to disciplinary proceedings if he is found to be biased.
“I’m giving your lordship a gentle reminder, your lordship would have to carefully consider, if your lordship insists on carrying on, with biasness, (then) be prepared for the consequences,” said Karpal (picture).
Karpal explained that a Judges’ Ethics Committee 2010 was set up recently and the committee was empowered to look in possible cases of misconduct by trial judges as well as hand out punishments.
“A judge cannot act as he pleases, he or she is subjected to rules and laws,” he said.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Karpal added that besides the ethics committee, a judge’s actions in presiding over cases were also under scrutiny in accordance with the judges’ Code of Conduct 2009.
“If a judge rules in a manner deemed biased, the Court of Appeal can also decide whether he has been biased.
“He (Mohd Zabidin) is subject to laws which can result in punishment short of removal,” said Karpal.
The white-haired lawyer had also told the court earlier of the international repercussions of the sodomy trial.
“This trial under close scrutiny. (There have been) calls by the United States Secretary of State, European Union and others for a fair trial. Malaysia’s legal system is also under trial.
“Your honour has no alternative but to recuse,” said Karpal.
The trial is scheduled to continue tomorrow to allow the prosecution to reply to the defence’s submission.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Hanafiah Zakaria said the prosecution needed more time as Solicitor-General II Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden could not make it to court today as he was “unwell”.
It is understood that Yusof had an accident this morning and injured his leg, although his exact condition has yet to be confirmed.
Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto leader, is currently facing sodomy charges for the second time in his life.
The former deputy prime minister is charged with sodomising a former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.
Anwar has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction. The trial is taking place 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.
He was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences. He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.
He had two years ago led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.

Nine cats being cute in gifs, 9 ekor kucing beraksi comel dalam gifs









'Malaysia, don't go our way' call rings out - Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa

Malaysians were urged not to take the path of religious fanaticism and not allow politicians to exploit religious or racial issues when campaigning for votes.

In a public talk to an audience of over 200 last night at the Hussein Onn Eye Hospital, Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa concurred that religious leaders should be sincere, fair and mediate conflicts without any agenda for political advantage.

The public talk was organised by MRA/ Initiatives of Change Malaysia.

"If politicians use religion or race to sway the people's minds then the country may head for disaster. Neither should politicians use religious leaders to influence the people, and in countries which have used such propaganda have torn their social fabric and were doomed," Pastor Wuye said.

Ashafa, meanwhile, stressed that the net result of any wrong actions by politicians will be a political tsunami and governments can be brought down if religion or race is preached the wrong way to win the people's support.

Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa were once-upon-a-time bitter rivals who at one time, they each tried to have the other killed but they now consider themselves as brothers.


Parliament leaks again: Democracy leaks again - Men at work, photographers barred

Public Works Department maintenance staff inspected the roof of the Parliament building today, to trace the source of leaks during heavy rain yesterday. As a result of the leaks, the MPs' lounge has been closed for repairs and the parliamentarians are currently using the Senators' lounge.

A team went up to the top floor, trailed by press photographers who soon faced objections. They were told by the staff that they were not allowed to be in that part of the building, and should remain in the lobby and chambers of the House.

Those who had taken photographs were instructed to delete these on their DSLR cameras and to leave the area immediately but the photographers managed to restore the photos later.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Einstein, Albert: It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education

Word of the Day - crapulous

  • crapulous
  • audio pronunciation
  • \KRAP-yuh-lus\
  • DEFINITION
adjective
1
: marked by intemperance especially in eating or drinking
2
: sick from excessive indulgence in liquor
  • EXAMPLES

Most of the guests were still crapulous from the previous night's bacchic revelry.

"They were crapulous and carrying blue cans of beer, one of them with a can in each hand." -- From Paul Theroux's 2008 book Ghost Train to the Eastern Star
  • DID YOU KNOW?

"Crapulous" may sound like a word that you shouldn't use in polite company, but it actually has a long and perfectly respectable history (although it's not a particularly kind way to describe someone). It is derived from the Late Latin adjective "crapulosus," which in turn traces back to the Latin word "crapula," meaning "intoxication." "Crapula" itself comes from a much older Greek word for the headache one gets from drinking. "Crapulous" first appeared in print in 1536. Approximately 200 years later, its close cousin "crapulence" arrived on the scene as a word for sickness caused by drinking. "Crapulence" later acquired the meaning "great intemperance especially in drinking," but it is not an especially common word.

(Source)

'Trigger-happy' police make the news again! Polis Raja Di Malaysia?

Victim's family cries foul over 'trigger-happy' police
The family of 32-year-old Ho Chei Hang (above) is crying foul over what they alleged as the “trigger-happy” shooting of Ho by police on Nov 16.

NONE“This is abuse of power and trigger-happy (behaviour),” said lawyer Keppy Wong (right), who spoke at a press conference on the family's behalf at his office in Pandan Indah today. Also present were Ho's wife and parents.

Wong believed that the police action is unjustified as no weapons or contraband were found in the victim's car. Wong also claimed that the plainclothes police officers who did not identify themselves did not give Ho any warning before he was shot, and neither did they fire any warning shots or try to disable the car Ho was driving. As a result of the incident, Ho is now warded in the Kuala Lumpur Hospital where he is being treated for four bullet wounds he sustained.

Will Justice Zabidin be recused? My bet for the answer to the question: NO!

Sodomy II: Court says yes to document, no to contempt

Parties meet in Justice Zabidin's chambers after Sankara, one of Anwar's lawyers, served the recusal application papers to Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden.

The 'black-eye' history of Polis Diraja Malaysia: Fabrication of evidence!

November 24, 2010
New information has come to light over Gani’s part in the 1998 incident. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — The Najib administration has instructed two Cabinet ministers to question Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail over his alleged involvement in the infamous 1998 “black-eye incident” involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Malaysian Insider understands that the Cabinet’s decision came after former police officer Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim claimed to have new information on the 12-year-old case that implicated Abdul Gani, the current Attorney-General.
“I’ve now been instructed (as a result of the Cabinet meeting), Datuk Rais (Minister of Information, Communications and Culture)  and myself, to meet and speak to the Attorney-General and we are now waiting for him to come back from Mekah,” Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz told The Malaysian Insider today.
Mat Zain, the former Kuala Lumpur CID chief, had, in an open letter on Monday to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, called for a full closure of the alleged police assault on Anwar, volunteering information that could “restore” police image and credibility.
Nazri said Cabinet wanted to hear what Abdul Gani had to say before taking action.
“We want to hear from the Attorney-General (regarding the contents of the open letter),” he said.
“This is a serious matter. If he (Mat Zain) is telling the truth, we would have to go into the details... but until then, there is no decision yet.”
In a statement yesterday, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang said he had met Nazri on the matter.
Nazri, who is minister in charge of Parliament, had told Parliament two weeks ago that he would refer the claims against the A-G to the Cabinet as soon as possible after the Dewan Rakyat rejected Lim’s motion to deduct RM10 from Abdul Gani’s salary for “failure to discharge his duties”.
“I said to him (Lim) that I would bring this matter up to the Cabinet two Fridays ago, which I did, with the support of Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim,” Nazri (left) said.
Mat Zain, the policeman who investigated the assault on Anwar, claimed that an independent panel that cleared Abdul Gani and former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan of fabricating evidence in the incident was unconstitutional.
In his statement, Mat Zain accused the country’s top lawyer of deceiving Cabinet over the independent panel.
He said there was no need for any royal commission of inquiry on the matter as the police were capable of resolving the case themselves.
Mat Zain also revealed that there had been an agreement between former IGP Tan Sri Rahim Noor, former Deputy IGP Tan Sri Norian Mai as well as Mat Zain on October 8, 1998, at 2.30pm that there would be “complete closure” to the black-eye case.
“It is important that I note that Rahim Noor was ready to take full responsibility in the black-eye incident, and his decision was made of his own accord,” said Mat Zain. “The closure of the case had been agreed to be done professionally, above board.”
Mat Zain said that Rahim was prepared to step down after the closure of the black-eye incident.
“But I found out that about 5-5.30pm on the same day, Allahyarham (the late) Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah, along with the then Datuk Abdul Gani Patail (now Tan Sri), had met with Rahim Noor at his office. At 6pm, I was then told by Tan Sri Norian to ‘continue investigations like normal’.
“I then understood that the agreement that we had reached mere hours ago had been cancelled. I was shocked and upset, but who was I to say anything at the time,” said Mat Zain.
The former policeman also accused Abdul Gani of falsifying testimonies relating to the black-eye incident.
He said the longer the case remained unresolved, the longer innocent officers would be accused of being involved in a cover-up of the case.
In July 2008, Anwar filed a police report accusing Abdul Gani, Mat Zain, Musa (then a senior investigation officer in 1998) and Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof of falsifying a medical report on his black-eye case.
Rahim, the IGP in 1998, had admitted he assaulted Anwar following a royal commission of inquiry probe in 1999.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Why Noh no respect? Why Noh condoned violence? Why Noh like gangster?

Tanjong Karang MP Noh Omar who is also the agriculture and agro-based industries minister told opposition counterparts to stay out of the problems between him and Sekinchan state assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim and said that he has sent a letter to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and all the state's assembly representatives from both sides of the divide regarding plantation issues.
In a face-off with Batu Gajah DAP parliamentarian Fong Po Kuan in the Dewan Rakyat today, Fong demanded to know why the minister had justified the assault on Ng. Fong also asked Noh (left) to clarify why he condoned the attack and defended it by saying that Ng “deserved it” for holding a rally without a police permit.NONE

On Nov 4, Ng was warded for concussion after he was allegedly assaulted by 30 men at Sawah Sempadan which borders the Tanjong Karang parlimentary constituency and the Sekinchan state constituency.

Fong accused Noh, saying, “You are an embarrassment to the government with your gangster attitude...minister, you are lucky there is no cabinet reshuffle soon. Otherwise you will definitely be dropped.”

Why did you say the Sekinchan assemblyman deserved it? Why are you encouraging violent behaviour?” Fong asked Noh once more.

Defence to apply to disqualify judge: Malaysia 'exports' Sodomy II

Defence to apply to disqualify judge
Hospital Kuala Lumpur forensic pathologist Dr Siew Sheue Feng is being cross-examined for the second day by Anwar Ibrahim's defence team.

During yesterday's hearing, the witness was asked to bring a copy of HKL's protocol for sexual assault victims.

azlanSiew has so far avoided referring to his clinical notes despite being the physician responsible for recording the medical history of complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

The court had yesterday denied Anwar access to the clinical notes, but the defence attempted to elicit information from the notes if by getting the doctors to refer to them during their cross-examination, which they have consistently refused to do so.

The HKL doctor had also earlier testified that photographs were taken during Saiful's medical examination, but none of which had so far been produced in court. The photographs are being kept by the police.

Following Siew's cross-examination, the third HKL doctor, Dr Khairul Nizam Hassan, will be next to be questioned by the defence.

LIVE REPORTS

8.29am: All the defence lawyers and prosecutors are already in court, including solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and his DPPs, Karpal Singh, CV Prabhakaran and Sankara Nair.

Also in court is Australian forensic specialist Dr David Wells, who is there to advise the defence team.

The courtroom is still relatively empty, with no signs of the foreign reporters. Anwar has yet to arrive.
8.44am: Anwar arrives with wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
8.45am: Court called into session with High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.
8.48am: Hospital Kuala Lumpur forensic pathologist Dr Siew Sheue Feng shows samples of the HKL's sexual assault form.

The witness said he filled similar forms for Saiful.

Sankara applies for Siew to bring the forms which he filled out on Saiful to court, but the witness said he would do it orally.
8.51am: Karpal objects, he says the witness should never be allowed to testify based on his memory.

Yusof, in reply, says this is trite law. "You can ask the witness and if he so chooses, the answer will be based on memory."

Boos, thugs and cacophony at Pontian forum: Teo vs Dr. 'Porn' Chua Junior

Civility took the back seat in a forum entitled titled 'What kind of government does the people want' in Pontian, Johor last night which saw a DAP speaker being escorted out of the venue for 'safety reasons' while MCA claims that they were harassed by a group of thugs.

chua tee yong interview 110309 05The forum turned into a showdown of sorts between MCA and DAP supporters - the two groups combined, made up about 1,000 people - who filled up the hall at an independent school in Pontian.

The speakers at the event were Deputy Agricultural and Agro-Based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong (left), Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching - both Chua and Teo hail from Johor but are on opposite sides of the political divide - the former, also the MCA central committee member and the latter, DAP assistant national publicity secretary. Another speaker was prominent political commentor Koh Kok Wee.



During the forum, there were heated exchanges between Chua and Teo. The atmosphere was described as tense, but under control and eye-witnesses claim that Teo, who was formerly a lawyer and member of the Universiti Malaya Chinese debate team, had the upper hand against Chua, who was formerly a chartered accountant.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Saiful's rectum had nothing but semen after not defecating for about 54 hrs!!

UPDATED 6.40PM Semen samples were found in Saiful's rectum that was empty despite him not defecating for about 54 hours.

Semen can remain in rectum for 72 hours, court told

UPDATED @ 06:19:15 PM 22-11-2010
November 22, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — A Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) surgeon who examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan claimed today that seminal fluids can remain in a person’s rectum up to 72 hours after being sodomised.
“When a person ejaculates into the anus, how long would the fluids remain in anus area before it trickles down?” asked lead prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden.
“About 72 hours,” was the answer given by the bespectacled doctor.
Saiful had alleged that he was sodomised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 26, 2008. He went to HKL for a check on June 28, less than 72 hours after he alleged that he had been sodomised.
Dr Razali Ibrahim told the court he inspected Saiful’s anus 54 hours after the alleged act took place.
However, the doctor maintained that upon examination he found that Saiful’s rectum was empty despite the fact that Saiful had complained that he had not defecated since he was sodomised.
Dr Razali said that the likelihood of seminal fluids remaining in the rectum depended on a person’s anal functions, or when a “mass movement” occurs.
“In some cases, you can still get samples within the 72 hours as the anal canal is not straight,” said the doctor.
The general surgeon also said it was still possible for a person to pass motion and still retrieve seminal fluids from the rectum, as some samples may remain “stuck” there.
This was refuted by Anwar’s defence team, when Sankara Nair asked Dr Razali whether he had the right authority to make such a statement.
The doctor then agreed with Sankara, saying that it was based on his “readings” but he could not recall which documents he had referred which led him to make the conclusion.
“When I did the examination, I did not know what to expect or whether I would find any samples,” said Dr Razali.
He also maintained that Saiful’s rectum was faeces-free, refuting suggestions by the defence that Saiful’s rectum could not be empty if he had not defecated for two days.
“It is not necessary there be faeces in the rectum area... I agree, at that time when I examined Saiful, there was no faeces,” said the doctor.
The trial then continued with the cross-examination of HKL forensic pathologist Dr Siew Sheue Feng, who was fiercely grilled by the defence team within minutes after taking the witness stand.
Dr Siew told the court that there were no signs of injury to Saiful’s anus upon examination, saying that he took down a “detailed” history of Saiful.
Confusion occurred when Dr Siew was asked to explain the medical history of Saiful, whereby Dr Siew kept on repeating the fact that a medical examination was conducted on Saiful after he “complained” of being sodomised by a high-profile public figure.
Sankara and Karpal Singh both took turns to question the timid-looking doctor, who was unable to provide clear answers to the questions directed at him.
Dr Siew’s inability to answer the defence’s questions also prompted Karpal to accuse the doctor of being “programmed” to answer the questions with prepared answers.
The trial will resume tomorrow morning, where the cross-examination of Dr Siew will continue.
Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto leader, is currently facing sodomy charges for the second time in his life.
The former deputy prime minister is charged with sodomising Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.
Anwar has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction. The trial is taking place 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.
He was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences. He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.
He had two years ago led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

For MCA, self comes first! MCA can't even fight for Chinese, let alone the public!

November 20, 2010
PETALING JAYA, Nov 20 — Lim Guan Eng has accused Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha of favouring private companies above the public by questioning the guarantee from the Penang Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) contractor on flooding.
The Penang Chief Minister pointed out that the Transport Ministry had issued guarantee letters to private companies in the RM12.85 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
“Kong Cho Ha should explain what is wrong for MMC-Gamuda JV Sdn Bhd to give letters of guarantee protecting the public against floods when the Transport Ministry can issue letters of guarantee to private companies embroiled in the RM 12.85 billion Port Klang Free Trade Zone scandal?” said Lim in a statement today.
“Or are private companies more important than the public?” he asked.\

Last November, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had recommended that former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang must be investigated for criminal breach of trust in the PKFZ scandal.
The PAC found both Chan and Phang to have breached the Financial Procedure Act 1957 by issuing three letters of support and three letters of undertaking without the approval of the Finance Ministry.
According to the PAC, the Attorney-General had said that the three support letters issued by Chan and the three letters of undertaking issued by the general manager of PKA were an implicit government guarantee that PKA would be allowed to fulfil its obligations under the PKFZ development agreement.
Kong, however, has recently insisted that Penang should not have issued the stop-work order on the RM13 billion project in the first place, despite Lim lifting the order two days ago after receiving a guarantee letter from MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd.
Lim said the contractor had agreed in writing to bear all losses in the event of a flood caused by the project, as well as to demolish structures that caused water to overflow during floods.
“Kong’s insistence that the stop-work order should not have been issued in the first place because the contractor can give any briefings, misses the critical point of protecting public interest with written letters of guarantee,” said Lim.
“To date, the contractor has been co-operative and not protested when the stop-work order was issued. Only Kong has protested,” added the DAP secretary-general.
Lim defended his insistence on a written guarantee from the contractor, pointing out that normal flood control measures taken by the double-track railway project contractor in Kedah had failed to mitigate the impact of the flood.
“The state government has thereby chosen to adopt an aggressive pro-active approach in flood crisis management by adopting pre-emptive measures aimed at either avoiding a mitigating the adverse impact,” he said.
“Kong should realize that the peole’s homes, livelihood and billions of ringgit in investments high-tech industrial parks in Prai and Bukit Minyak are at stake,” he added.
He also denied Kong’s accusations that Penang was purposely obstructing Putrajaya by refusing to co-operate with the federal government on mega projects.
“Such attacks are baseless as the state government would not have otherwise approved this RM13 billion project,” said Lim.
The Penang chief minister then pronounced an end to the verbal war, saying: “The matter is closed when the contractor has fully complied with the state government’s requirement of a written guarantee.”

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Photocopy Romance: A Love Story Told at 325 Photocopies Per Minute

Cops killed youths on purpose, says lawyer - Street no longer safe for kids!

UPDATED @ 02:00:12 PM 20-11-2010
November 20, 2010
PETALING JAYA, Nov 20 — The families of two of the three youths shot dead on November 13 after being suspected of robbing a petrol station claimed that they were killed by police in cold blood. Mohd Shamil Hafiz Shapiei, 15, Hairul Nizam Tuah, 20, and Mohd Hanafi Omar, 22, were shot dead by the police after a reported high-speed car chase in the early morning of November 13 in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
“This was a gangland-style execution by police officers,” said lawyer N. Surendran (picture), who represented Shamil’s and Hairul’s families, at a press conference at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters today.
“We have gathered enough evidence,” he added.
The lawyer said the latest shooting underscored the importance of a royal commission of inquiry, following the case of 14-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah who was fatally shot by the police in Shah Alam on April 26.
No child is safe on our streets. Any child out early in the morning is liable to be shot by the police,” said Surendran.
Selangor acting police chief Datuk A. Thaiveegan reportedly defended his officers’ actions by describing the three suspected robbers as “seasoned criminals” who were allegedly involved in at least three armed robberies in Selangor last week.
He claimed that the police shot the suspects in self-defence as they had allegedly rushed to attack the policemen with machetes after a car chase at about 4.10am on November 13.
Surendran, however, dismissed such claims as lies.
“This is a lie by the police,” said the human rights lawyer.
He pointed out that based on the families’ observations of the bodies, Shamil, Hairul and Hanafi each sported two gunshot wounds on their heads and chests.
“All three were shot in the head and chest with bullets exiting lower,” said Surendran.
“This shows the shots were fired at close range, which is inconsistent (with police claims) that the shots were fired in self-defence,” he added.
The lawyer also said the trajectory of the bullets on Hairul’s body indicated that Hairul’s shooter had shot him from a higher position.
“This indicates that the victims were kneeling. Hairul also had a black eye,” said Surendran.
“Shamil was shot directly in the centre of his forehead,” he added.
The lawyer said the families’ legal team would seek the opinion of forensic pathologists on the case.
“We’ll ask for an appointment with forensic pathologists from Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang,” said Surendran.
Norhafizah breaks down in tears at the police station.
He added that Shamil’s and Hairul’s families are demanding for the policemen responsible for the youths’ deaths to be suspended and charged with murder. “The families want the policemen suspended and charged for the offence of murder. This was blue murder by the police,” said Surendran.
“They also want an apology for accusing them (the youth) of being criminals,” said the lawyer.
Both families filed police reports at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters today, claiming that the two boys were murdered by the police.
“Tomorrow is Shamil’s birthday,” said his mother Norhafizah Mad Razali, before breaking down in tears.
In her police report, the 36-year-old businesswoman said her son did not have any criminal record and did not know how to drive a car.
“My son was a good boy who went for religious classes,” said Norhafizah.
Meanwhile, Subang MP R. Sivarasa called for an independent investigation into the deaths and for the police officers to be charged.
“We’ll ask the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry. I’ll bring this up in Parliament,” said Sivarasa.
“But the first step is to charge those murderers. How many more cases like this do we have to see?” he asked.
Besides Aminulrasyid, a second case involving the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Mohd Afham Arin in Johor Baru on October 20 last year has also surfaced after the victim’s mother recently demanded an independent commission to investigate the case.
According to human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), 88 people died in police shootings last year.
The NGO also claimed that not even one police officer was held accountable and that the high number of deaths in 2009 was “alarming”, considering that there were only 13 such cases in the previous two years.

“We need a royal commission (of inquiry),” he added.

Will the 'Kampung WiFi' end up like the 'netbooks for rural folks' scheme??!

Cellular telephone coverage in the rural areas of Malaysia is expected to reach 97 percent by 2012 with the installation of 873 new telecommunication towers -this was part of the government's on-going effort to provide better cellular coverage in the remote areas as the technology had provided connectivity, and was changing and uplifting the socio-economic status of rural folk., said Informationn Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim.
He said in ramping up efforts to provide service coverage in rural areas, Wi-Fi Internet service is being used to provide 'Kampung WiFi' to the people to accelerate broadband take-up in the country and also to bring the benefits of broadband to the people.

Will this 'Kampung WiFi' project end up like the netbook project - the alleged USP misappropriation - that was highlighted by Malay Mail recently?

Here is the allegation made by Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim with regards to 1Malaysia Computer programme launched earlier this year under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Wednesday, November 10, 2010


BN leaders help themselves to free laptops in 1Malaysia program

Ng Suee Lin- cronyism and favoritism
A Selangor state assembly backbencher has accused BN grassroots leaders of abusing the 1Malaysia Computer programme by eating into the quota set aside for secondary school students and the needy.

Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim  said he has received numerous complaints of favouritism and cronyism in the approval of the free laptops under the programme, launched earlier this year under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Waving a list of names of people who have allegedly received the free laptops, Ng claimed that many on the list include division leaders and of the various BN component parties including Umno, MCA and Gerakan.

"All these names do not fulfil the set criteria," he said when debating the Selangor state budget 2011.

Ng pointed out that free laptop recipients under the programme need to fulfill four criteria which include household income must be under RM3,000, the family does not have a computer, the family must have children in Forms One to Five, and each family is entitled to only one laptop.

"After going through the list, it turns out that the main condition is that as far as possible it must go to Umno, MCA, Gerakan and BN members.

"I am shocked with the way in which such contributions are distributed, which does not reflect transparency, instead using the programme solely to fulfil the agenda and political interests of Umno and BN," he said. 

Bersih rally: Two MPs and 15 others acquitted: Power to Bersih people! 8D

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has freed 17 people (among the 17 were Batu MP Tian Chua, Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan and PAS central committee member Mohamad Sabu) from an illegal assembly charge for participating in the Nov 10, 2007, rally organised by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih).

bersih rally 271207 02Sessions judge Jagjit Singh Bant Singh who delivered his decision after hearing 36 witnesses from the prosecution during the trial that has taken three years, said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case that the 17 accused were participating in an illegal assembly at various locations in Kuala Lumpur.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Anwar likes September 16, Zaid likes December 16 - Zaid finally quits PKR

Former PKR Federal Territories chief Zaid Ibrahim will not be quitting the party immediately, but will do so in a month from now.
He told a packed press conference today that he has submitted his resignation letter to the PKR headquarters today, effective Dec 16.

Flanked by about 10 supporters at the press conference, Zaid was asked why he chose his resignation in one month's time - on Dec 16. Zaid said, "Why December 16? Well, if he (de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim) likes September 16, then I like December 16."

Zaid will spend the next three weeks speaking to his supporters, using the window of opportunity before he officially quits the party to go on a nationwide roadshow to meet as many PKR members as possible.

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