The Name's Bond, James Bond

I just watched clip of a recent proceeding in Parliament. Apparently, if we were to go by what our Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Abdul Latiff Ahmad, has to say apparently our country's doctors are equivalent to the famous '007' British spy.

Take a read from Malaysiakini, dated May 26:

Deputy Health Minister Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad sparked an uproar in the Dewan Rakyat when he described medical doctors as having a “licence to kill”.

MCPX

Replying to Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN-Kapit) on the shortage of doctors in remote areas of Sarawak, he explained that local universities are not producing sufficiently skilled doctors.

As a result, he said, the ministry is unable to approve their employment, adding: “As you all know, doctors have a licence to kill and a licence to cure.”

On hearing this, Dr Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) demanded a retraction of the statement as “it could send a negative signal to the public”.

“I am a doctor myself and I demand that (you) retract your statement. It is not wise to say that doctors have a licence to kill. What kind of message are you sending the public?” he asked.

Dr Lo’ Lo Mohd Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa), another medical doctor, also criticised Abdul Latiff. Several of her Pakatan Rakyat colleagues then added to the barrage of calls for retraction.

Speaker Pandika Mulia Amin tried to control the commotion and ordered Abdul Latiff to retract his statement. The unrepentant deputy minister refused to do so, only saying that he would not repeat it.

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) pointed out that, under Standing Order 243, Abdul Latiff had to comply with the Speaker’s instructions.

Abdul Latiff remained adamant, explaining that he did not mean any harm by his words.

“It was just a figure of speech. I had no intention of denigrating anyone. What I meant to say was that we cannot allow unskilled medical graduates to practise because lives are at stake,” he clarified.

The Speaker accepted his explanation and directed him to continue with his reply.

Abdul Latiff said the government has introduced measures to tackle the shortage of skilled personnel, such as re-hiring retired medical officers who have served with the health ministry.

“We also have increased medical education opportunities and work closely with the human resource ministry to encourage skilled workers working abroad to return and work here,” he added.

The article stops there, no idea why. It left out the part that Abdul Latiff, who is also the MP for Mersing, saying "Saya tidak minta maaf tetapi saya tarik balik kenyataan itu." ("I do not apologize (for my earlier comment) but I will retract my statement.") You can get the details of the proceedings in Parliament on this issue (in Malay) from both http://mppas.wordpress.com and HarakahDaily.

To the Deputy Minister of Health:

Okay, first of all, what do you mean by "license to cure" and "license to kill" that caused this whole argument in Parliament that lasted for a good 25 minutes or so? From what I understand from the term 'license' it means 'to have permission to do or not to do something'. Are you telling me that doctors have permission to heal or not heal someone? Or to kill or not kill someone? Do you mean that when a person goes to a clinic seeking medical aid, a doctor has the privilege of saying "no"? What the... of all the moronic things I've heard in my life!

I have doctor friends, I have friends who are studying medicine, and according to my understanding of their noble field, garnered from the multiple sharings during teh tarik sessions, a doctor is required by medical ethics to help anyone and everyone that is in need of their expertise! No "but", no "if", not even "maybe". They don't have a so-called 'license to cure', it's what they sacrifice 7 or more years of their lives studying to do! And then, what is this bullshit of doctors having the "license to kill"? A doctor's mission is to SAVE LIVES! How can you be a doctor when you can't even comprehend something that simple, which they tell you on the first day of enrollment in any medical institution? And you're the Deputy Health Minister? Awesome!

You know you made a mistake in your statement, or if you didn't (which means you probably graduated at the bottom of your class) your fellow doctors in Parliament were trying to make it clear to you that it was a mistake! Yet you can still say that you're not sorry. I will never understand you. Perhaps 'pride' really is man's greatest weakness after all.

Well, here's hoping that one day you choose to use that "license to kill" on yourself, or that you choke on air and die! You've just disgraced your own profession and your fellow peers, and if one day you were to find yourself in need of their help, I hope in the spirit of proving that you were right,

THEY DON'T GIVE TWO FUCKS!

Island Wars - Round 2

So after Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Putih, what other territorial disputes are there? Apparently, it's highly likely that another island will be involved, this time around it will be the island of Pulau Pisang, situated just off the west coast of Johor.

(Photo courtesy of Malaysiakini)

Taken from Malaysiakini:

Pontian parliamentarian Ahmad Maslan from the ruling Barisan Nasional said in a statement that the government should now act swiftly to protect the sovereignty of Pulau Pisang, situated about 15km off the Johor coastline in the Straits of Malacca.

In 1900, Sultan Ibrahim of Johor handed the island to the British colonial administration based in Singapore.

A 16-metre lighthouse was built on the highest peak of the island and has been managed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Pas Youth chief Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil, in a separate statement, urged Malaysia to meet with Singapore to determine ownership over the island.

He pointed out that:

• The Marine Department of Malaysia does not list the Pulau Pisang lighthouse as one of the 14 lighthouses managed by the government.

• Data from the University of North Carolina states that the lighthouse is owned and managed by Singapore.

• The Lighthouse Depot website recognises Singapore’s authority in managing the island, so long as the lighthouse is in operation, even though the island is located in Malaysian territory.

• MPA has indicated that Singapore is still managing the lighthouse.

Suggesting the bilateral talks should be held to enable Malaysia to take over management of the lighthouse, Khairul also said development and management activities should be established to mark Malaysian authority over the island.

In addition, the government should ascertain that no agreement was ever made to hand the island to Singapore.

“The government should act quickly resolve this situation so that the rakyat will not have the nightmare of twice losing an island,” added Khairul.

Here we go again. Another island (a real island this time, not just 'pebbles' and 'rocks'), another lighthouse, the same two sides. Let's hope this one can be resolved outside of the ICJ.

Keep an eye out for future developments on this issue!

Win-Win? We Got Pebbles, They Got A Lighthouse!

It's about time I touched on what I would like to think of as "The Battle of Pebbles, Rocks, and a Lighthouse". By the way, I just have to say that it'll suck to have to memorize the facts of this case in schools, when they eventually add this into the history text books. So kids, be afraid! (kidding)

I have to admit that I had not been following the development of the case from the beginning. I did however hear about it from a few people, that there was an on-going case between Malaysia and Singapore regarding some islands, and that a lighthouse was involved. I only knew that the islands had no other worth than to expand the fishing territories and airspace of both countries and that the lighthouse was a major asset. That's all I knew.

So when I just so happened to be at the right place at the right time (I had gone out to have tea, not knowing that the decision was due that day) to watch the live telecast of the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), I was quite shocked to hear Rais Yatim say that it was a "win-win situation". Hearing that Singapore had won the rights over the main island (the one with the lighthouse), while Malaysia got Middle Rocks, with the decision on South Ledge yet to be decided at the time, didn't sound like a "win" to me at all. At that point I really thought I had missed out on some important facts, and that maybe those small "rocks" did carry some worth after all. So I went back and got busy surfing the web and reading the comments and posts from all over the blogosphere on this issue. This is what I got out of it.

Singapore won this:

Malaysia won the outcropping islands that you see in the picture above (top left and top right) and this:

(Both photos taken from http://muststopthis.blogspot.com with credit to Singapore Memorial)

After what I've read, I fail to see how this was a "win-win situation". We got a few pebbles (2 of which can only be seen during low tide), while they got a freakin' lighthouse! And those islands are closer to Johor than to Singapore! How close? Take a look:

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia : the '+' is the location of Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh)

Excuse me, but that seriously doesn't look like it is close enough to be deemed 'claimable' by Singapore. Alright, they've been maintaining the lighthouse and have been claiming it as their territory since at least the early 1960's, but geographically I would still consider that more 'Johor' than 'Singapore'. I bet anyone with a brain can see what I mean. Heck, I'll even give Riau (Indonesia) a better claim than Singapore! So with our highly confident legal team going to the ICJ to present Malaysia's case, how did we end up "winning" only 2 out of 3 'rocks'?

This turned out to be the ball-buster, Singapore's trump card:

(Picture taken from http://no2umno.blogspot.com)

Malaysian Legal Team: "...fuck!"

Well, I finally understand the importance of good filing.

That letter was all it took to give a 12-4 ruling towards Singapore having legality over Pulau Batu Putih, or Pedra Branca as it should be known now that it's officially theirs. I'm left wondering, how was it that knowing Singapore had this letter, the best the Malaysian team could come up with was an excuse that "it was written at the time by the State Secretary of Johor, who had no rights to give away state land except with mandate from the Sultan of Johor, so the letter is insignificant"? That's just lame. I have no degree in law, but even I would know that that excuse alone won't be buying you enough 'brownie points' to overwrite anything in black-and-white! It's either these 'clowns' that were sent to The Hague were too lazy to do the extra 'assignments' that came with the 'homework', or worse; they weren't even aware of the existence of this letter!

Today, the reality is that we've lost something that is supposed to be ours, to another country. What's worse is that we lost it not because we were cheated out of a deal or anything of the like, but we practically GAVE IT AWAY around 55 years back, signed, sealed, delivered! And our legal team were more inclined to be mistaken as Malaysian tourists than ministers representing the country at the ICJ. There are calls for those ministers to apologize over their lack of preparation, calls for the facts they presented to be made public to determine whether they really did present a strong enough case, and even calls by some for the state of Johor to apologize to the rest of the country for giving Singapore that letter 55 years ago.

I say: It's too late. There's no point in doing all that, especially the calling for the state to apologize. What's done is done. Whatever the people want to say about the ruling, there isn't any way for them to appeal or overrule the ICJ's decision. The only way we'll ever get that island back is if Singapore writes us an almost similar letter that hands us back the sovereignty of that island. Too bad, I think Singapore wants all the space they can get. The rocks might not mean much, but the extra airspace and the waters surrounding that lighthouse will do them wonders. Now all Malaysia can do is buck up. There are other similar territorial disputes that we still haven't solved. Learn from this experience and make sure there are no stones left unturned the next time we go to court over such matters. Make sure our claims are valid and strong. And bloody hell, make sure there aren't anymore letters that states we gave away those territories and makes us look like fools! Else, the next time something like this happens,

THE RAKYAT WON'T GIVE TWO FUCKS!

Karpal Wants A-G To Drop Death Threat Charge Against Student

I'm reproducing this article from The Malaysian Insider, in case there are those who are following the case and happened to miss this a few days ago.

PENANG, May 24 ─ DAP chairman Karpal Singh wants the Attorney-General (A-G) to drop a death threat charge against a college student who had posted it on a PAS Youth website.

Karpal, who received the death threat, said this was because he had accepted the apology from the 19-year-old and the fact that he was still young.

"But the court process has to go on because my statement has been recorded. I only want the A-G to drop the charge.

"His apology was sincere and I have accepted it," he told a press conference at his office here today.

On April 26, the teenager turned up at the Johor Baru South police headquarters to assist police with investigations into the posting of the death threat.

Accompanied by his father and a PAS supporter, the student had also handed a letter of apology to Karpal through Johor DAP deputy chairman Norman Fernandez.

In the letter, he had also asked the DAP stalwart to withdraw the police report.

The youth was investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.

Karpal also said police recorded his statement this morning on his comments on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks that some judges lobbied for positions during his tenure as prime minister.

The statement was recorded by ASP Sidambaram Arunasalam of the Penang police contingent.

Meanwhile, Karpal who is also MP for Bukit Gelugor, said the DAP was saddened over the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) verdict in handing over sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore.

"Pulau Batu Puteh is only 10km from Johor but 65km from Singapore... the island should be owned by Malaysia," he said.

He said, however, the ICJ decision was binding and not subject to appeal. ─ Bernama

The Good, The Bad, And The Funny!

The Good

If you've been following some of the news lately, besides the Mahathir-Pak Lah Saga and the whole Pulau Batu Puteh deal, this would've caught your attention in the news:

Govt Has No Plans To Increase Fuel Prices - Shahir

MELAKA, May 24 (Bernama) -- The government has no plans to increase fuel price despite the price hike of petrol by 30 per cent in Indonesia beginning Saturday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said.

On the contrary, he said the government was now focusing on managing the subsidy system to prevent leakage and smuggling.

"For the time being, we are not considering increasing the price of petrol and diesel although we are aware of the impact of the crude oil price hike in the world market.

"We will see how the subsidy system is being managed to encourage saving and ensure that there will be no detrimental effects (to the country)," he told reporters after attending a consumer forum and dialogue at Ayer Keroh here Saturday.

Shahrir said, with the fuel price reaching AS$135 (RM434.18) a barrel, it had put the government under more pressure in managing the subsidy system.

Now that's good isn't it? I mean, if there's anything to be thankful for, it's that the fuel prices in this country won't be increasing tomorrow! Then again, those leading the Govt are known to change their minds as often as the price of crude oil changes these days, so I won't be singing praises just yet. Give me a year, and if it still remains, I might compose a song for them, to be sung throughout the ages! Speaking about the price of oil, I picked up today's edition of the NST and I found something 'amusing'. Did you know that 30 years ago, the price of crude oil was around USD1.80 a barrel? Today, the price is USD140 a barrel! It's just so unbelievable that oil was ever that cheap that it just made me laugh!

Anyway, moving on...

The Bad

Alright. This just pissed me off when I read it. Taken from Fong Po Kuan's blog, the MP for Batu Gajah:

I tried but failed. None wants to take responsibility for cancelling the decision to use the indelible ink, four days before the recent general election.

This evening, a few opposition MPs tried hard to find out more about this issue when Datuk Seri Nazri was replying on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Department but we were more confused after hearing Datuk Seri Nazri replies. In fact, I found more inconsistencies.

Nazri blamed it on Election Commission (EC). Also, Nazri kept repeating the “concern” of the Cabinet and stressed that the Cabinet wanted to ensure that none would be denied the right to vote under Art. 119 of the Federal Constitution. He did not deliberate much on the police reports lodged related to “smuggling of ink.” (I will put up the complete details when the Hansard is ready.)

Read more on that here. My say on it: This is just bullshit! You guys fucked up! A few days ago the damn Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed that there was "no evidence of any indelible ink being smuggled in from neighbouring countries as alleged by the EC chairman". Then after that, on the 17th of May, the SPR chairman issued a statement to the contrary and said he had been instructed by the Cabinet to cancel plans to use the indelible ink. In short, you fucked up! Big time! Now not only can't you explain how it is that the Cabinet had a say in the matter at all, especially four days before the elections, you're pointing fingers that it's the EC's fault for the whole mess.

Hasn't the 12th GE taught you guys anything? THE PEOPLE DON'T TRUST YOU! The rakyat know that you guys just lie through your teeth and you guys just never give us a reason to give you the benefit of the doubt! Come on! Show a bit of humility, be humble enough to admit that you guys fucked up and you won't do it again, that you'll start playing nice, and we might just let you get off on a lighter sentence! Else, the hammer will strike, and you will definitely hear the fat lady sing! So cut the crap, stop lying or hiding, and just come out and be responsible adults, we want the TRUTH! After all, it's not like we don't already know that you guys fucked us up during the last GE in someway, so it won't be anything that'll cause heart attacks nationwide.

Enough of this shit.

The Funny

UMNO = Sarkis (circus)? I stumbled upon this while reading Rocky's Bru. Apparently the comedian, among other things, that was P. Ramlee had quite the balls in his day! The movie 'Bujang Lapuk' has to be one of my favourites of that era and like most, this scene had escaped me as one that was actually poking fun at UMNO.

To understand the joke better, redirect yourself to another post by OpEd, P.Ramlee - Umno = Circus!

Hilarious! Now try imagine any current local movie doing something like this and getting away with it! Ha ha.

Hats off to you Tan Sri! You certainly were quite the joker!

PM Charged

Another interesting piece of news that was out a few days ago:

Indelible ink fiasco: Police report against PM, 3 others

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 – Looks like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has another headache to add to his expanding cluster.

At 11.30am today, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI) lodged a report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters against the government over the cancellation of the indelible ink at the March general elections.

Faisal Mustaffa and Amin Iskandar, from Bersih and NIEI respectively, in their joint report named the prime minister, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Ab Rashid Ab Rahman and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan as the parties responsible for causing the cancellation of the indelible ink, bought at a cost of RM2.4 million from India.

The two non-profit organisations, which have been keeping a close watch on the proceedings of the electoral process and maintain that the last general elections were conducted unfairly, want the

named individuals investigated for what they allege was a conspiracy to tamper with the electoral process.

"Bersih and NIEI are of the opinion that the conflicting statements among the four parties need to be investigated and action taken. Based on media reports, it's clear that there was a plot among the four parties named," said Faisal in a statement to the media.

The police report was made following the shocking statement issued by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar in Parliament on May 5.

Four days before the March 8 election, the EC had announced that it was cancelling the use of the indelible ink, which it had been touting as an additional safeguard against the phenomenon of phantom voters which is believed to have long plagued the Malaysian electoral process.

The EC claimed that there had been efforts to smuggle in indelible ink from neighbouring countries, which would interfere with the exercise. The IGP also claimed that several police reports had been filed in Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan between February 16 and 21 and that the police had conducted investigations regarding the ink smuggling incident.

"In a written reply to Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed that in actuality, there was no evidence of any indelible ink being smuggled in from neighbouring countries as alleged by the EC chairman.

"On 17 May 2008, the SPR chairman issued a statement to the contrary and said he had been instructed by the Cabinet to cancel plans to use the indelible ink," said Faisal.

He also accused the EC chairman of being under the Cabinet's manipulation and rebutted the latter's statements that the electoral process was free and fair were untrue.

"EC failed to amend the Constitution to allow or enforce the implementation of the indelible ink. This actually frustrates the citizen's right to a free and fair elections,” Faisal explained, referring to the commission's failure last year to get Parliament to pass the laws allowing the use of the indelible ink.

The EC had overlooked the legal aspect altogether when it received approval from the National Fatwa Council to use the indelible ink.

"Rashid, as EC chairman, must take responsibility and resign immediately for the disappointing unprofessional attitude demonstrated by EC officials in handling this matter so that the next time round, such things won't happen again," said Faisal firmly.

Again, this post is for all those whom I know personally, who would rather wait for me to tell them of such news, rather than go around the blogosphere or the alternative media websites updating themselves. See, I do care for you guys! Oh yeah, I've bold the part of the article that I think would get you up to speed on why the PM, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Ab Rashid Ab Rahman and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan are being charged.

Interesting. Will post the updates as I get them. For now, I thank God we have groups like Bersih and NIEI still attentive to issues such as this, that most would deem 'water under the bridge', and that they still continue fighting for the rights of the rakyat!

KUDOS BERSIH! KUDOS NIEI!

Parliament Unites In Condemnation!

Why is it when I decide to take a break, the 'interesting' news just never stops flowing? This is the first of a series of posts on issues I would like to bring to attention, and hopefully I don't run out of stamina before the posts are made!

Anyway, a few days back, this was on The Malaysian Insider:

Threat to Karpal unites parliament in condemnation

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat today temporarily buried their differences over Karpal Singh and jointly condemned the death threat against him. On Tuesday afternoon, a man wearing a full-faced helmet, dropped off an envelope at the veteran lawyer’s office in Kuala Lumpur.

The letter contained a live bullet and a note warning him not to question the special rights of the Malays and the constitutional powers of the sultans. It said that if he persisted, the bullet will be lodged in his forehead.

Karpal, the DAP MP for Bukit Gelugor and one of the most recognisable politicians here, has been at the centre of controversy after he questioned the powers of the Perak Sultan to override the Menteri Besar and reinstate the head of the state’s religious department.

He has been criticised heavily by BN politicians, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Attorney-General’s Chambers is mulling bringing charges of sedition against him.

But all that baggage was left behind today as MPs condemned the death threat against DAP chairman Karpal Singh.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the act went against how Malaysians resolved disputes.

"If there is any unhappiness about his (Karpal's) statement, we have proper channels in the Malaysian system to deal with this," he said during a press conference attended by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Opposition leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP MP Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong), Karpal's son.

Lim said the DAP opposed any form of violence. “We believe in the ballot, not the bullet," he said, hoping that the police would offer protection to Karpal.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein, who has crossed swords with Karpal on a number of occasions, said: “We want the police to investigate and take action. Although there were racial sentiments in statements made by Karpal, we do not condone death threats. We do not support anyone who sends bullets."

Wow. It's nice to see that our Members of Parliament are human beings after all, that despite their differences, they have it in themselves to actually condemn the threat that was made towards him (Karpal).

It's the right thing to do, and these people actually knew it! I'm flabbergasted! For once party politics were pushed aside! Did you ever thought it was possible in your lifetime? There might be hope still.

Well, kudos to you, both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat MPs! Let's just hope that this puts an end to the whole issue, and that those responsible (the man in the full-faced helmet and his accomplices) are caught. I don't think Malaysia is that bad, that we have to resolve to 'barbaric' ways to end conflicts. That is not the Malaysia that I would want to live in, and its definitely not the Malaysia that we are all fighting for.

So once again,
KUDOS TO OUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT!

There Is A God... And He Is A DEVIL!

Well, I did say this blog is not entirely political.

To all Chelsea fans...

So as you dwell with your famous Russian,
On your trophy-less, crisis-plagued season,
Do remember the lesson:
You might have the money,
But we have the GLORY!

Dedicated to the bunch of Chelsea fans,
who were sitting behind me at the mamak and just couldn't shut up!
(that is, 'till Terry screwed up!)

CONGRATULATIONS TO
THE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND
THE KINGS OF EUROPE
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
The Red Devils!

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!

Who Said Life Wasn't Like The Movies?

*APPLAUSE*

*CHEERS*

People's Magazine rates it as "one of the best plots of all time!"

Entertainment Weekly rates it "two-thumbs up!"

"Completely brilliant!" the Daily Mail

Alright, I probably got you curious didn't I? If you want to know more, read RPK's post here found on Malaysia Today.

Cast your mind back to 2002. Now that you've done that, read this excerpt of that post:

Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak and not Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is Dr Mahathir’s real choice as successor, said an extremely nervous UMNO insider whom I met at a secluded coffee shop on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. And Mahathir had really intended to go at the end of this year, not next year.

Intrigued? Want to know more? I'm not going to ruin the 'movie' for you!

Go on... read it!

I just finished my last paper for the semester.
So, I think I'll take a rest and start out fresh tomorrow!

My comments on the post?

Coming Soon!

Additional Updates (23 May 2008):
I have to apologize as I'm too tired to comment on this post. Besides, I thought it best that those who have actually read the article through the link would have their own view on the matter. Would love to hear your comments though, so feel free to place them in the comments section of this post! Thanks.

Live Bullet Sent To Karpal

(Photo courtesy of http://makkalsakti.blogspot.com/)

What do you think about this? I can't afford to subscribe to Malaysiakini so this are some of the excerpts of the report from other blogs around the blogosphere:

DAP leader and parliamentary Karpal Singh received a live bullet in an envelope at his law firm in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

The live bullet was accompanied with a note warning him against speaking out on the controversial issues of Malay rights and the constitutional powers of the sultans.

The wheelchair-bound politician lodged a police report over the death threat at 5pm at Dang Wangi police station.

Met at the police station later this evening, Karpal told reporters that the envelope was hand-delivered to his receptionist at 12.30pm.

“The man was wearing a helmet and he had his visors drawn down. He left hurriedly,” he said, adding that the police have confirmed that bullet was a 9mm ‘live bullet’.

Over the past week, the renowned lawyer has had 20 police reports lodged against him after he had said the Sultan of Perak had acted unconstitutionally in the transfer of a religious department official and criticised Regent of Kelantan's message at a forum last month.

Karpal, who is member of Parliament for Bukit Gelugor in Penang, added that he would consider asking for police protection in the future “if necessary”.

Asked if the incident would change his stand on the Perak Sultan’s recent order for the Religious Department Director Jamry Sury to be reinstated, Karpal said he issue had been deemed settled.

He said that he and other quarters have all voiced their arguments and that there was no need to prolong the debate any further.

I don't think there's much to comment on as of yet, plus I don't have much time right now on my hands even if I wanted to, but this is one story that is definitely bound to make headlines for the next few days at least. Developments on this issue will be all around the blogosphere soon enough, so do keep an eye out for them.

Oh, in case you haven't noticed, I've just recently subscribed to Nuffnang. So please do spend some time on the survey on the right of this blog. It'll be nice to know the type of people that actually stumble across my blog, besides those that I've personally invited. And as always, feel free to leave comments and suggestions on ways to improve this blog (or myself). Tips on add-ons to get for this blog are highly appreciated. Thanks!

(No 'usual sign-off' again today. Am I losing it?)

"Here In My Home"

Getting inspiration for new shit to write on, can seriously be a pain at times. Especially when you're having a hangover or some other burgeoning issue (like a personal financial crisis) taking center stage in your head. Add to that equation, an internet connection so fucked up that it can sometimes take 5 minutes to load Google!

Despite all that, I just couldn't resist producing a write up about this, considering the amount of crap that's being said about 'race' these days. What kind of crap you ask?

How about an ex-premier's view that "if we don't speak up, if we choose to keep quiet, we will lose our rights and the other races will take over", and the never-ending comparison between Malaysia and Singapore and how Singapore "is dominated by other races". He is, of course, talking about the Malay race. Anyway, just so you know, as of 19 May 2008, this less than vocal "Bapa Malaysia Moden" has left UMNO. You can read more on his reasons on his blog here. My opinion on the matter: He wants the publicity, especially when he knows nowadays people are either calling him senile or they're just losing interest in the dis-harmony his many comments are stirring up. That's my opinion anyway. Else, why would he start a blog and once its gained in popularity, announce something like this to the 'fans'? He could've just left the party quietly if he really did not have anymore faith in it, couldn't he?

Or if you believe some stories, it could be the initiation of a coup against the current leaders of UMNO. I don't know, you can judge for yourself on what you think it is, but my say on the matter is that he just can't get used to not being in the limelight after two decades of having power.

Dear sir, as much as I respect you for all your accomplishments in 'modernizing' this country that I will always call 'home', I expect you at your old age, to spend whatever time you have left with your family and loved ones. And as much as you don't like it, this is not the same Malaysia that was under your iron-fist rule for 22 years. We, the rakyat will not be bullied or threatened with racial politics and such sentiments anymore! Despite what you believe, the Chinese, Indians, and the 'Lain-lain' in this country are not out for the heads of the Malays, or for any other race for that matter. We want to be treated equally and with respect, especially after 50 years of striving together to make this country into what it is today (despite all the crap that still exists). I would like to think that after 50 years of nationhood (or 45 years really, considering that 'Malaysia' only came into existence after the addition of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore into Malaya), the rakyat are no longer worried about having a fellow MALAYSIAN, regardless of his/her race, representing them and taking care of their concerns. Wasn't this the point of 'Bangsa Malaysia' that you were so frequently preaching about during your last decade in office, or has old age caught up with you that you can't remember half the things you said to rebut claims that the non-Malays were being treated like second or third-class citizens? Please, take a rest and enjoy the show. After all, some of this mess is thanks to you.

Anyway, enough of this shit. I really didn't want to post anything related to politics this time 'round, but I guess it's hard to stray from it if you've been reading the news these past few days. Carrying on, the reason I wanted to write today was because of this:

A big thank you to Puvanan for sharing this with me, as it really made my day! Simply entitled "Here In My Home", a collaboration of Malaysian artistes have, independently, shared their talents in coming up with an anti-racism song and music video! And the best part is, the whole budget for this project was... wait for it... RM0.00!

How about that? No sponsors, no government grants, no nothing! Nada! Zip! An excerpt from their webpage:

it included filmmakers, dancers, singers, producers, musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, designers, footballers, activists, celebrities, students and a florist. nobody would be paid. yet they were enthused. not because they were high on speed. only because they love Malaysia.

They're giving it out to anyone and everyone, to download, to share, to "spread the love", for free!

My favorite part of the song would have to be the rap. The way they managed to integrate the Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English languages into a small section of the video, to me represented just how harmonious all the races can be, and that racial politics can and should be thrown out the door!

[Malay: TRANSLATED]
Years of fears and years of tribulation
The heart keeps searching for that endless devotion
[Chinese: TRANSLATED]
Hand in hand we’ll march like blood brothers
I speak for my people hope we’ll find peace forever
[Tamil: TRANSLATED]
May the road ahead quench my thirst for success
May the road behind echo a song of the blessed
[English]
So I will let it be known yes I feel it in my bones
No matter where I roam this is home sweet home
Sing!

It's just great that people have joined together to bring such a message to all Malaysians, to remind them that we're all here together, that this land is OUR home! I don't think I have anything else to say for a while, I'm still 'high on all the lauuu (love)'. So I'll leave you all to go visit the links I have included in this post, especially the website of this project! And in tribute to these rakyats' efforts, I'll not end this post in my usual way.

Cheers, and Kudos to the MalaysianArtistesForUnity!

Whose Land Is This Anyway?

I didn't think I could go more than a few posts before I touched on this topic.

My ancestral state.

My heritage.

My Sabah.

(Pictures courtesy of www.mysabah.com and Wikipedia)

Those were only some of the pictures that I managed to find on the web. The first picture is of the infamous Mount Kinabalu at dawn as seen from Kundasang, the second a picture of the Kadazan Papar people in their traditional costumes during a festival, and the last one a map of the state itself. To those who have yet to visit Sabah, I suggest you make it your next holiday destination. Or should I?

In recent times, Sabahans have been making headlines in the mainstream media. Wait, maybe I should be more specific. Sabahan Members of Parliament (MPs) have been making headlines in the mainstream media. Yup, that definitely sounds better. Anyway, for the first time since I can remember, I'm finally seeing our electorates making some noise in Parliament over the realities of Sabahans, the issue of the constant blackouts we have, at least on a weekly basis with the recent major 24-hour blackout of the whole state, to the issues of illegal immigrants in Sabah. The MPs are finally speaking out! For the people they serve!

However, I am not so naive or disillusioned to think that they have finally decided to do the job they were elected to do. That is a mere cover. It is common knowledge in Sabah that the most corrupted buggers are those who are involved in politics, especially those that win. And I have seen first hand on how corruption plays its dirty hand in everyday communal living in the kampungs and towns, and even to some extent in the cities. No, there is still a lot to do before I will be allowed to believe that they have finally changed. As far as I'm concerned, nothing has changed about them. The political situation on the other hand, has.

Pakatan Rakyat needs ministers to 'jump ship' to turn the slight majority of Parliament, currently held by Barisan Nasional to form the Federal Government, their way. As such, Pakatan Rakyat has offered Sabah and Sarawak a rise of 15% in oil royalty of both states, from the current 5% to 20%. Another offer on the table is to add two more Deputy Prime Minister posts to the current one, with the additional posts being filled one each by Sabah and Sarawak. The oil royalty issue, for quite some time now, has been an issue for both State Governments with the Federal Government, but with both states having very little say in the Federal Government and all the while being treated with little respect, or as 'second-class citizens', all they could do was be quiet else they lose more of what they have. Now, with Sabah and Sarawak clearly having a bigger role in BN's hold of the Federal Government the importance of these two states have risen drastically. And the MPs know this. Hence the reason they're demanding from BN what PR is prepared to offer them, else they might just "resurrect a dormant Sabah political party and join the Pakatan Rakyat".

Another issue that is currently being raised is the illegal immigration issue. This has been an ongoing struggle for Sabah for decades. The number of illegal immigrants, mostly from nearby Indonesia and Philippines, in Sabah is on the rise, and some of these illegal immigrates are already of the second or third generation, meaning they are gaining more with each generation a liable claim of actually being Sabahans. Quoting Wikipedia once more:

The official population estimate for the year 2006 is put at 2,997,000.^[14] The composition of the population are^[14]:

• Kadazan-dusun: 17.8%
• Bajau: 13.4%
• Malay: 11.5%
• Murut: 3.3%
• Other bumiputra: 14.6%
• Chinese: 9.6%
• Other non-bumiputra: 4.8%
• Non-Malaysian citizen: 25%

1/4 Non-Malaysian citizens. A quarter of an entire state belongs to illegals. They are a bigger composition than any other ethnic group in the state! What makes this more scary than it already is, is that these were the statistics in 2006. And it is a fact that more are landing on our shores than the authorities are deporting back, which to me is pointless because with the current system, all they have to do is catch the next boat back to Sabah!

If there's anyone out there that is of the opinion that we should 'let it be', let me give you this scenario:

What if you were to find out one day, in your home, there is a stranger that you never invited in? And this stranger takes up your space, takes a cut from your earnings, and is eating your food? How would you feel? Would you still just 'let it be'? Would you allow for your home to be invaded by someone that is taking your resources, your earnings to support another home somewhere else, simply because he gets more with less effort from your home? And when you know very well that they weren't meant to be there, you make a report to the local authorities of the invader, only to be told that he is a member of your family that they have legalized?

That is what the Sabahans are fussing about. Instead of supporting the locals, some authorities have taken the opportunity to provide these 'uninvited guests' with Malaysian ICs, whether it is to make a quick buck (after all, 1/4 of the population is wanting it, so it's high in demand) or to increase a certain ethnic group's 'slice of the population pie', so they deserve to have more say in matters of the state! Corruption. Politics. It's a loss for all Sabahans. Now, West Malaysians, you understand why the fuck illegal immigration is a huge issue for us. But if I ever have to hear another West Malaysian poking fun at the illegal immigration problem in Sabah and how we're just making a big fuss out of nothing, so help me God I'll give him or her more than an earful!

Going back on the issue of oil royalties, it's a big issue, simply because it would help a person more to have RM2 in their pockets than to have 50 sen. Especially with the inflation of every damn thing nowadays! I'm not going to just say that Sabah has the WORST poverty in the country, but heck let me show you something I got from Jeff Ooi's Screenshots:

He further states that,

About 23% of households in the state are still living below the national poverty line income, while child poverty rates stand at 42%. More than one fifth of the population aged six and over has never been to school.

So now, with the oil royalty at 5%, which is equivalent to around RM500million per annum, can you imagine how much an additional 15%, to RM2billion per annum will make a difference?

Here's a picture of what hardcore poverty looks like:

(Photo courtesy of www.fotothing.com)

Now, ask yourself, is this something that should still happen in Malaysia, when we can have mega projects in like the Twin Towers, the SMART (or STUPID) Tunnel, and even our very own Putrajaya? Mind you, those in hardcore poverty are mostly the non-Muslim Bumiputeras, who are supposed to be protected of such things through the special privileges given to all Bumiputeras through the New Economic Policy (NEP). Right. Now do you still think that 'joke' is still relevant and working?

As I conclude this lengthy post, I'd like to link another post from Screenshots. When you have the time, I encourage you to read about Isrin Basitul and husband John Leesa's lives living in hardcore poverty.

Oh and by the way, to those who still think the NEP is "working and is still needed", well, I've seen enough that I can say, of that opinion...

I DON'T GIVE TWO FUCKS!

Additional Updates (18 May 2008):
I stumbled upon two more articles that I feel have good points and are great additions to this post. Do have a read:
The Kingmakers: Sabah, Sarawak and the 12th Malaysia General Elections
Winning Over Sabah and Sarawak

Stop This Shit!

With previous blogs, I had the tendency to lose interest with blogging once the initial excitement got diluted with time. Hence the reason I told myself I will not create another blog. However, I'm back, willing to go back on my word, if only because of her and people like her:

18-year-old, Too Hui Min.

The National Service trainee who died of a colon infection.

I am shocked. No, not 'was', I still am! I am shocked that an 18 year old is allowed to just die while undergoing training in a program that is deemed 'necessary' by a Government that had already experienced casualties and other such unwarranted incidents during current and previous NS programs!

And no, I'm not talking about casualties sustained while at war and defending the country, dying with honor.

I'm talking about kids dying and falling sick due to diseases, diseases which are treatable, which you just shouldn't hear of young healthy teenagers dying of these days!

My sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of the late Hui Min, and I can only imagine the agony of having raised a child for 18 years only to have her die the moment they took their eyes of her for a moment, trusting she was under the protection and care of others who deemed her in need of some bullshit 3-month summer camp that is supposed to be for the sake of instilling semangat muhibah dan patriotik in our country's youths! And in that time, they get to learn how to shoot a few rifles and some basic survival skills if they were to one day end up with no jobs and had to live off the land in some forest somewhere.

Well that's not how they promote it, but heck that's the way I see it! Come on, you expect me to believe that these kids, who are mostly there simply because it's compulsory that if their names get 'picked out of the hat' they have to attend this so-called National Service training program else they could be charged in court, are expected to learn and remember all these 'survival skills' after only 3 months of most likely going through it for the first time? Really? Whatever you say, I'm not buying it.

More importantly, why have a fucking National Service program that is based on similar programs run by other countries? I mean, it's not like we'll ever need our rakyat to take up arms to defend the country anytime soon. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the key job description of our local police officers and military personnel? And other countries like Singapore and Switzerland makes it compulsory that this program is undertaken by ALL citizens of the country, once they reach a certain age, for at least 2 years! Now there's something! I mean, I would rather trust people who had undergone 2 years of training to defend my homeland rather than kids who only shot a few rounds in 3 months, wouldn't you? And these countries have a justified purpose of doing such programs, mainly due to their small population which can't support or depend on their limited military personnel!

In short, this 3-month summer camp that the Government tries to pass up as "National Service" is a fucking joke to me! It's also another way they get to feed their cronies more tax-payers' money! Hey, I smoke, I pay the damn taxes for my cigarettes, so I have a fucking say in the matter of what I want my money to be used for! And killing innocent 18-year-old kids IS NOT ONE OF THEM!

The death of a trainee in April, now another one dies in May, while another camp, Semanggol, is under quarantine for having some 100 trainees affected by an unidentified fever! Now, with all these happening, we should scrap or at least put a hold on the program and send all the unaffected trainees back home right? This is an excerpt from the NST Online on 10/5/2008:

National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kecil reiterated that the training programme will not be scrapped "just because of one or two deaths (this year)".

"It is our policy that the NS camps go on. What we are doing now is to rectify the problem," he told the New Straits Times.

He was commenting on calls by bloggers for the scrapping of the programme following the death of 18-year-old Too Hui Min on Wednesday. She was the 16th NS trainee to have died during training since the programme began four years ago.

16 deaths in 4 years. That means an average of 4 deaths a year. And he has the audacity to say this program won't be scrapped "just because of one or two deaths (this year)". How many deaths does it take to figure out there's something wrong?

Words fail me at this point. I could only imagine if it was his son or daughter that was killed in one of these 'death camps' he would be singing a different tune. I pray that these people, who have the lives of thousands of innocents in their hands, would come to their senses and that needless incidents such as that which has befall the family of Too Hui Min will never happen again.

For the moment though, I won't be encouraging anyone I know to attend these death camps! As for the penalties of that, well...

I DON'T GIVE TWO FUCKS!

Once Upon A Time...

A few days ago, a friend asked me:

"So Matt, you're now anti-Government eh?"

I replied:

"No, I've never been anti-Government. I've always been anti-Idiots-and-Morons."

That is the truth, and that is how I will start this new blog, clearly stating that I am not against anything or anyone that deserves the respect, praise, and gratitude of a job well done, whether you are a Malay, Chinese, Indian, or 'Lain-lain'; a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, heck even if you believe that an alien race decided to take a stroll in space one day, bumped into this third rock from the sun and had the bright idea to jump start the human race! I give credit when credit is due, but not a moment sooner!

My opinions, comments, and criticism in this blog will be on what I wish to say, or speak out if you will, on things right and wrong which I feel affects me and all that I hold dear.

Yes, politics in Malaysia, to me, is turning out to be very interesting as of late, but this is not a political blog therefore it will not be limited to the scope of politics alone. However, in future should someone wish to bring to my attention that I have breached this condition of my blog, you can at this very moment skip all the way to the bottom of this post and take the very last line to heart, because that is all you will ever get from me regarding such issues. I am just one of the many bloggers out there who have concluded that keeping my feelings suppressed will only serve to kill me faster than my daily pack of Dunhills will.

The language or tone of this blog will be to my discretion and will definitely depend on the mood of the day, so to those that have managed to stumble upon this blog, I apologize in advance should anything said currently or in future be deemed "out of character" on my part, but in all honesty I really couldn't care less. To be more blunt, "I don't give two fucks on what you think about my 'character'!"

So, with the unwritten-custom of 'introductory posts' concluded, I begin my life as a third-time-blogger, or as an "unemployed", a "monkey", and a "liar" if you were to believe what some Government Ministers would have you believe. However, whatever you believe me to be:

I DON'T GIVE TWO FUCKS!