Complete silence on bumiputera equity issue

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that Malaysians have the right to question the government or to seek answers on issues. He said, "if the people question, then we must have answers. We do not have a problem. If we are transparent, what is the problem?". Just a day earlier, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the government’s methodology to calculate bumiputra equity ownership was no secret and could be disclosed.

More than a week has passed since the Cabinet meeting last Wednesday but there had not been an official word about the controversy at all.

Well then, my question is: Why then the conspicuous and thunderous silence on the part of the Cabinet in the past week on the public release of the methodology and data used by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to compute the 18.9% bumiputra equity ownership and to rebut the 45% figure in the ASLI's report?

My question is: Did the Cabinet last Wednesday take a decision to release the methodology and data used for the Economic Planning Unit (EPU)’s figure of 18.9% bumiputra equity ownership or has the whole issue been swept under the carpet?

My question is: When a leader claims that he is in control, why wasn't he able to give an immediate response to the people's enquiry?

My question is: Why does the Prime Minister needs to "prepare answers" while everything should be on his fingertips?

Malaysians are not school kids

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the government will respond to former prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's allegations against the government and the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
FACT: The responses (so far) are just denials, unsubstantiated with no concrete proofs.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that Malaysians should stop debating on ASLI's 45% bumiputra equity issue, and that "the government’s methodology to calculate bumiputra equity ownership was no secret and could be disclosed".
FACT: Datuk Seri Najib himself had earlier said that "the government will continue to insist on the official data. We hope this will be accepted and will not be questioned by anyone".

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that "Abdullah needed time to answer all the latest allegations by Dr. Mahathir because they were only raised last Sunday".
FACT: The allegations were not raised only on last Sunday. They have been raised by Tun. Dr. Mahathir about 6 months ago. Even school kids submitted their project reports earlier and do not ask for more time.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should not treat Malaysians as school kids.

Sultan Johor makes a fool of himself

The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar al-Marhum Sultan Ismail had publicly said that former prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad should start acting like a pensioner and stop criticising the government. "If one has already been pensioned, just behave like a pensioner, what is the use of making more noise?", said the Sultan in his Hari Raya speech.

The Sultan of Johor is making a fool of himself. He must have forgotten that Tun. Dr. Mahathir had helped him so many times before. The eldest son of Sultan Ismail, Sultan Iskandar was named Tunku Mahmood Iskandar. However, as all other Sultans of Johor with the name "Mahmood" met with an uneasy end, he dropped his first name upon succeeding his father on May 10, 1981.

Sultan Iskandar is a controversial figure in Malaysia. Appointed Tunku Mahkota or Crown Prince in 1959, he was dismissed from that post in 1961 by his father after being found guilty of assault in the Malaysian courts and sentenced to imprisonment. However, Sultan Ismail relented on his deathbed and restored Tunku Mahmood Iskandar to the succession ten days before the former died.

Sultan Iskandar of Johor, a controversial figure in Malaysia

While he was Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia), Sultan Iskandar created further controversy by assaulting and killed a golf caddy. The golf caddy laughed when the Sultan missed a golf stroke, and he was murdered on the spot. The brother of the caddy, a Royal Malaysian soldier, who was badly injured, subsequently ran amok in Kuala Lumpur causing a security scare. The soldier was later arrested and sent to a mental hospital. Tun Dr. Mahathir helped the sultan and nothing happened to the ruler of Johor.

And then, the Johor sultan assaulted a hockey coach and teacher, Mr Douglas Gomez and this sparked a constitutional crisis between the Malaysian government and the Malay Rulers which culminated in the removal of the legal immunity from prosecution of all the rulers in March 1993.

Sultan Iskandar, however, continues to be immune from prosecution for his previous offences as the law which provides for the rulers to be stripped of their legal immunity was not made retroactive (eg. having a backdating effect).

If not because of Tun. Dr. Mahathir, the Sultan is probably spending his lifetime in the jail now instead of being able to speak in the public asking Tun not to make anymore noise. Indeed, "Melayu mudah lupa" (Malays forget easily).

Third world mentality

Former deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has claimed that the Malaysian government has allocated over half billion ringgit to the University of Cambridge. Anwar said that both Petronas and Khazanah Nasional have come up with over RM190 million each and the rest of the fund will be collected from some foreign banks that are based in Malaysia.

Can this be due to our hopeless local universities (but Universiti Malaya has said that "we are still the top 200 in the world"), or is it because the government wants to connect and link up certain individuals so that we can show to the world that Malaysia Boleh? This is very disturbing because we still have students who are not attending school because they are hungry and starve.

In Ulu Baram (Miri, Sarawak), the 106 Penan boys and girls at Sekolah Kebangsaan Long Lellang have been attending classes on an empty stomach for almost 2 years now. These students survive on a single meal of porridge and boiled young papayas and jungle shoots.

"Yesterday, I was very hungry and almost fainted. We didn’t get anything for dinner the previous day and yesterday we only had a single meal of porridge and boiled young papaya", said 7-year-old Vicky Ayub. Seluma Jalong, a volunteer in the Chief Minister’s office said, "how can we convince the Penan parents to send their kids to school when they are practically starve over there?".


(source of picture: NST, 20 October 2006)

A recent New Straits Times (NST) visit to the school's hostel found a shaky, 2-storey wooden structure which was built by the villagers more than a decade ago. There were no beds, mattresses, pillows or blankets.

Our government really should be proud of having this kind of third world mentality when managing the country's pool of wealth and resources. So much for PM Abdullah's "we are ready for the final assault on human capital development". Bullshit.

Menteri Besar having a field day

Not enough with the craps from Selangor's "most developed" Menteri Besar, we have another talented Menteri Besar from Pahang, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob who made obscene gestures and wriggle his buttocks in his public appearance.

PM Abdullah who had said that he is in control has once again fell asleep....

Mahathir grilled Abdullah on last "buka puasa"

Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad grilled PM Abdullah on the last day of the holy Ramadan month, just a couple of hours before the last "buka puasa" or break fast dinner began.

On the economy: The economy is doing badly. There is no foreign direct investment coming in now. Some Chinese business people came to see me and told me that they will not vote for Barisan Nasional in the next general election and will instead vote for the opposition.

On the PM's honesty: How does he get involved with the United Nations Iraq Oil-For-Food business? He says he is not involved but his name is there as a beneficiary. As far as I am concerned, you should not write letters of recommendation for your own relative.

On Zakaria's illegal mansion in Klang: As soon as the controversy blew up, he lost his temper and wanted to saman (fine) RM45,000. Then he left for umrah together with Zakaria and Zakaria was his tour leader, then came back to Malaysia and asked for RM24,000. I can tell you that he had actually visited the house because the house had been there for 3 years already. Here is a palace stuck in a poverty stricken area but he did not make a comment. He makes a comment because this time the public knows.


Zakaria was the tour leader for Abdullah's overseas trip

On Malaysia being a police state: The public is very critical of the present condition of the economy, the present system of administration, the involvement of family members, telephone calls, contracts won by his children’s company.

On Rafidah and AP: It was wrong to give (AP) to two friends of Rafidah and this constitutes abuse of authority by the Minister.

On Proton: Few years back, Proton made RM1.5 billion ringgit profit. Now, it is losing money. He has destroyed Proton.

On Bumiputera's equity: Let’s clear this up. For every criticism directed at the government, the answer is "don’t question this thing", "don’t raise this issue", "stop talking about this".

On Khairy Jamaluddin: This is someone who had just joined UMNO and who had not shown any (bakti) to Umno but won without contest and there were messages through the telephone that everyone had to vote.

On his isolation: The Menteri Besar will come and give warning. Tengku Razaleigh said Annuar Musa said “I will make sure he does not speak”. I don’t know what “making sure” means but what actually happened is that when I went there, I wasn’t allowed to speak.

Khir Toyo wanted to "teach" the rakyat

The common people in Malaysia's "most developed" state of Selangor will have to fork out extra money when they settle their utility bills after the Aidilfitri holidays. The Cabinet led by PM Abdullah has approved a 15% increment in the water tariff.

In a press conference, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd. Khir bin Toyo said:
"The new tariff is to teach the people not to waste the water. We have to discipline the people".

The people are already being burdened with the high fuel price, electricity tariff, groceries and other services. At the same time, both state and local authorities are spending millions of ringgit to build large ugly useless monuments. Don't you think that it is high time to "teach" back the Menteri Besar and his cronies who disregard and act above the law?

No, Pak Lah... you're very wrong

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad in his CNN interview has said that the Malaysian Chinese achieved what they have today because the Government provided them opportunities to be successful. Well, he's not so correct.

A 28-year-old Malaysian Chinese director, Tan Chui Mui was the big winner at the Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea on Friday 21st October 2006, bagging an international movie critics' award and sharing the prize for best new Asian filmmaker. Tan Chui Mui's "Love Conquers All" movie is a love story between a small town girl and a guy whose past catches up with him as she learns that he used to work for gangsters. The movie won the FIPRESCI prize awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics.


A scene from Tan Chui Mui’s debut feature film, Love Conquers All.

Oscar-winning Hungarian director Istvan Szabo, chairman of the New Currents jury, praised 'Love Conquers All' as "a beautiful film using a known cinematic language but in a very, very nice way". The movie was backed by the Hubert Bals Fund of the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Tan said it's difficult to get the Malaysian Government's funding and assistance for Chinese-language films because the Malaysian authorities only classify movies that have 70% or more of their script in the ethnic Malay language as being Malaysian. Tan said she will use the $30,000 (euro 23,742) cash prize to finance her company, Da Huang Pictures, which also produces movies by other directors.

So, Abdullah is very wrong to say that his half-past six Islam Hadhari government provided opportunities to the Malaysian Chinese to be successful. Sleeping again, Pak Lah?

Sleeping again, Mr. Prime Minister?

For sometime now, there have been been rumours saying that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi feel asleep when chairing meetings in Putrajaya. In anyway, we can know for sure that he was sleeping when he talks about this son's Scomi Group of companies.

At his meeting with the former premier Tun Dr. Mahathir in Putrajaya yesterday, the PM denied he favoured his son by giving him lucrative government projects. Perhaps Abdullah really wasn't aware that starting this month, Scomi Marine Bhd would be transporting coal from Indonesia and Australia under a US$50 million contract awarded by TNB in April, just before the start of the PM's problems with Tun Dr. Mahathir.

Ironically, when the tender was called, Scomi was NOT even one of the seven companies short-listed. The 7 were Malaysian Bulk Carrier, Wawasan Bulk Services Sdn Bhd, Duta Marine Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Merchant Marine Bhd, PNSL Bhd, Habib Corporation Bhd and Selayang Shipping Sdn Bhd.

The PM also probably didn't know that you can actually win a contract without bidding for it! Here's how Scomi Marine, the associate company of Scomi Group, the giant corporation owned by his only son, did it:

12 July 2005 - Tender ads appear in the media. Closing date 12 August.
22 Aug 2005 - Technical committee recommends that 5 of the seven bidders be accepted for further evaluation. Wawasan's proposed price is the lowest. Habib is disqualified.
23 Aug 2005 - Opening the second envelope. Habib is back in the running.
7 Oct 2005 - TNB Fuel Board meets to discuss recommendations made by the Commercial Evaluation Committee to award the project to 4 companies. Habib and another company to be dropped unless they matched Wawasan's proposed price.
4 Jan 2006 - TNB Fuel Board decides to award the project to ALL six companies.
28 Feb 2006 - Letter from the Ministry of Finance [the PM is the Minister of Finance, by the way] approving the awarded party as recommended by the TNB Board.
12 April - TNB Fuel issues "Letter of Intent" to ... Scomi Marine Berhad!
25 April 2006 - TNB Fuel receives "Form 13" dated 27 Sept 2005 on change of company name from Habib Corp Bhd to Scomi Marine Bhd.

The three-year contract took effect from October 2006.
Have a nice dream, Pak Lah!

"Most developed" problems in "most developed" state

In 2006 alone, the so-called most developed state in Malaysia suffered various nightmares like the "most developed flood" in Shah Alam (the state capital) on February 26 and the "most developed smelly water" incident.

The 2 state-owned companies, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd (KPS) and Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Bhd (KHSB), recorded a pre-tax loss of RM97,904,000.00 and RM188,780,000.00 respectively for the year 2005, totaling RM286,684,000.00. The financial results of both the companies were provided to the Bursa Malaysia on 28.2.2006.

Selangor had recorded an economic growth of 5.2% in 2005 and it is ironic that in such a conducive economic environment, the state investment arm itself had stumbled. The state reserves had constantly decreased from 1997 to 2004 for a total of 75%, and the further losses suffered by the state investment arm had certainly raised the alarm to the incapability of the state government. Thanks to Khir Yoyo's "most developed" administration of the state.

"Most developed" local council

After proudly declaring Selangor as the only developed state in the country, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd. Khir bin Toyo should also declare Klang Municipal Council (MPK) as the most developed local council in Malaysia.

Why not? Even when Zakaria's issue is still on the highlight, we have another MPK councillor joining the embarassing fracas. MPK councillor Mazlynoor Abdul Latiff’s mansion was also built without getting MPK’s approval.


Illegal house: Mazlynoor Abdul Latiff’s mansion at Kampung Raja Uda, Klang

When asked on what action would be taken, MPK president Abdul Bakir Zin said the councillors would be slapped with the maximum fine (but the houses will not be demolished). Mazlynoor has this to say, "as submitting the construction involved costs, I went ahead with the construction. I will submit the plans after Hari Raya".

Klang residents should emulate both of the MPK councillors when they want to build their new house or develop their land. Why submit the plans for approval when the people's representatives are not doing it? So much for the Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan (leadership by example). Everything will be OK!

"Most developed" Menteri Besar

- If you wish to meet him, you will need to meet his Special Officer, Selamat Dollah. After waiting for hours in vain, you will go home empty-handed as the Menteri Besar is already out "bermesra dengan rakyatnya yang lain".
- In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, he admitted that 2/3 of his works are related to land development and project approvals. An UMNO veteran advised him "Setiausaha Politik engkau, Dr Karim selama ini buat berkaitan permohonan tanah. Jangan terlalu golojoh sangat mahu mengaut segala kekayaan daripada tanah-tanah yang diluluskan".
- He approved 6 land development projects to 6 different companies, where all 6 companies has the same director.
- His family's vacation (inclusive of his aides) in Australia are fully funded by Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS).
- He approved the "Jalan Cross Ban 4, Sungai Panjang" road construction project valued at RM92.5 million. The contract was given to a company (Meram Holding Sdn Bhd.) that has been blacklisted by the Public Works Department (JKR). JKR also estimated that the costs for the project should be around RM20 million only.
- After becoming the Menteri Besar for 3 months, he managed to settle his BBMB loan for his semi-detached house. The house is valued at RM150,000. How did he get those money?
- He rejected the tabling of the "Enakmen Pengisytiharan Harta Milikan Wakil Rakyat Negeri Selangor" which requires all Yang Berhormats in Selangor to declare their assets.
- The son of a district officer, whose aged is 20 years old, is allowed to buy 50 acres of land.
- He suggested the ban of the sale on condoms, which are sold openly in convenience stores and supermarkets.
- He said that there's nothing wrong for 3 family members become the councillors in Klang.

Happy Deepavali

Diwali, also called Deepavali (Sanskrit: दीपावली, Tamil: தீபாவளி, Kannada:ದೀಪಾವಳೀ) is a major Hindu festival. Known as the "Festival of Lights", it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali. This is a compound of two words Deepa and Avali. Deepa means light and Avali means row or line. Thus, literal meaning of the word is 'line of lights'.



Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships.

On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and light firecrackers. The North Indian business community usually starts their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

In Malaysia, Deepavali is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a gazetted federal public holiday throughout the country. In many respects, it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent.

Selamat Menyambut 1 Syawal

Di hari yang mulia ini, marilah kita bersama-sama mendoakan kemakmuran yang berterusan untuk negara kita. Keharmonian masyarakat Malaysia haruslah dipertahankan agar kita terus bersatu-padu dan berjaya di mata dunia.

Berikut adalah lagu-lagu raya untuk dimuat-turun. Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin.

M Nasir - Satu Hari Di Hari Raya
Sanisah Huri - Selamat Hari Raya
D.J Dave - Menjelang Hari Raya
Fazidah Joned - Selamat Hari Raya
Sudirman - Dari Jauh Ku Pohon Maaf
Ahmad Jais - Selamat Hari Raya
Saloma - Aidilfitri Hari Mulia
Sharifah Aini - Hai Selamat Hari Raya
Rafeah Buang - Bila Takbir Bergema
Rahimah Rahim - Selamat Berhari Raya
Tan Sri P. Ramlee - Dendang Perantau
S. Jibeng - Musafir Di Hari Raya
Sudirman - Selamat Hari Raya
Black Dog Bone - Cahaya Aidil Fitri
Raya
Uji Rashid & Hail Amir - Seloka Hari Raya

Non-bumiputeras are compliant?

Read the below and make your own conclusion:
--Non-bumiputera top scorers are denied entry to critical courses at local universities and are offered forestry and fisheries instead.
--UMNO Youth attacking the so-called meritocracy system because there are less than 60% of Malay students in law and pharmacy, whilst conveniently keeping silent about the fact that 90% of overseas scholarship recipients are Malays and that Malays form the vast majority in courses like medicine, accountancy and engineering at local universities.
--Higher Education Minister promising that non-bumiputera Malaysians will never ever step foot into Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
--A poor Chinese teacher’s daughter with 11 A1’s being denied a scholarship, while some Malays who scored 7A’s and whose parents are millionaires being given scholarships.
--Prof. K.S. Jomo was denied a promotion to Senior Professor (not even to Head of Department), although he was backed by references from three Nobel Prize winners. His talent is recognised by a prestigious appointment at the United Nations.
--UMNO Youth accusing Chinese schools of being detrimental to racial integration, while demanding that Mara Junior Science Colleges and other residential schools be kept only for Malays.
--Malay newspaper editors attacking the private sector for not appointing enough Malays to senior management level, whilst insisting that the government always ensure that Malays dominate anything government-related.
--At our local universities, not a single Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor is non-Malay.
--In the Malaysian government, not a single Secretary-General of any ministry is non-Malay. The same goes for all government agencies like the police, armed forces, etc.
--UMNO screaming for the Malay Agenda, but accusing everyone else of racism for whispering about equality.
--A poor Indian lady having to pay full price for a low-cost house after being dispossessed from a plantation, whilst Malay millionaires demand their 10% bumiputera discount when buying RM2 million bungalows in a gated community.
--National schools becoming more and more Islamic by the day, enforced by overzealous principals.
--Form 4 World History (Sejarah Dunia) syllabus, which now contains only one chapter of world history, with Islamic history covering the rest of the book.
--Come National Day every year, non-Malays will be reminded to be patriotic.

Takaful apologised after DAP's intervention

After coming under a week of public protests, Takaful Malaysia's Syariah department head Mohd Fauzi Mustaffa today withdrew a inflammatory email circular directing staff not to convey greetings to Hindu clients during religious festivals.

Mohd Fauzi reiterated that the contents of the circular represented his personal opinion and not those of the Islamic insurance company.


Public apology statement posted on Takaful Malaysia's website

The apology statement came an hour after several NGO representatives, led by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, held a meeting with Takaful CEO Mohd Azmi Abu Bakar.

Damage has been done

Mufti (religious head of scholars) of Perak urged Muslims not to attend open houses during the Malaysian festivities of Christmas and Chinese New Year, saying that it is unIslamic. A Kedah member of Parliament described Indians as "keling" and asked all non-Malays to leave the country if they are not happy with the terms and conditions set by UMNO. Then, the son-in-law of the Prime Minister said that the Chinese will take advantage of a weak Malay unity. Takaful Malaysia stopped its Muslim staff from wishing Hindu colleagues and customers a Happy Deepavali. NO APOLOGIES FROM THE BUMIPUTERAs.

When ASLI's 45% bumiputera equity report came out and its head apologised for "incorrect assumptions being used in the report", the son-in-law of the Prime Minister said, "damage has been done". Ketuanan Melayu and Islam Hadhari mean never having to say sorry.

Are you in control?

Question: In your capacity as the Finance Minister, has his company obtained government tenders?
PM Abdullah: No, not at all. To my knowledge, he (Kamal) has not received any.
Truth: The Prime Minister's son has obtained contracts worth millions of ringgit from Petronas and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

PM Abdullah: I told Khir Toyo that besides building houses, Selangor also needs agricultural lands. So after that, he has built the Fruit Valley in Kuala Selangor.
Truth: The Fruit Valley project has been launched in 2002 during Tun Dr. Mahathir's administration.

Does our Prime Minister really knows what he is talking about?

"Just give me time… If I take the field in a football game, and after ten minutes, I am judged for my performance, how can that be? You have to wait for me to warm up, to pick up the tempo and to move around. It is difficult…" -- in TV3's interview

"No...no...no, I am still in command" -- in CNN's interview

"I am still in full control" -- in an interview in Havana, Cuba

When the Prime Minister of Malaysia felt compelled to declare that "I am in control" repeatedly after almost 3 years in office, something must be very radically wrong.

In any event, to demonstrate that he is indeed "in control", Abdullah should exercise "control" over his ass-sucking son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), who is undoubtedly the most influential and powerful person at the 4th floor of the Prime Minister's Office building, Perdana Putra.

9MP is the most embarassing Malaysia Plan

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been repeatedly asked about the criticisms from his former boss, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad. And each time, Abdullah will say, "I don't have time to address all of these. Let my ministers reply to Tun. I need to focus on ensuring that the 9MP is right on track."

The 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) is the most embarassing Malaysia Plan in the history. The tabling of the 9MP in Parliament by Abdullah was delayed for over 6 months. In Malaysia's history, the economic development plans (known as the Malaysia Plans) have been tabled in the Parliament before the phase begins. The 9MP was tabled when the country is already in the 9MP phase.

Did Abdullah really focus on the 9MP or just tried to hide his weaknesses behind it?

Few of the projects in the 9MP had actually been completed in the 8th Malaysia Plan (8MP) phase. Among those are the Shah Alam high court complex and a highway in the state of Kedah. In Perak, the Menteri Besar admitted that some funds in the 9MP have been allocated to cancelled projects.

He said, "RM796 million was allocated in the 9MP to build the double-track electric train project, but this project has already been cancelled when the Prime Minister first took over the country's administration in 2003". He also said, "In anyway, we will still take the allocated fund and channel it towards other development projects in the state". Well done, Mr. Prime Minister!

I need a financial planner

Malaysia's oil prices increased for more than 21% in 2006.
Malaysia's electricity tariff increased for over 12% in 2006.
Prices of sugar, vegetables, chicken, red chilli, cooking oil, eggs etc. have increased in 2006.
Tranportation costs have gone up.
Malaysia's toll rates in 5 major highways will be increased in earlier 2007.
Now, the water tariff will be have a 15% increment.

My salary has NOT been increased for the past 3 years.

I need a financial planner. Should I get one from ASLI whose proven economic calculations pointed out to a 45% bumiputera equity, or should I get one from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's department whose non-transparent and indefensible methodology has said that the bumiputera's equity is only 18.9%?

Family Council in Malaysia's only developed state

Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros is one of the Majlis Perbandaran Klang (Klang Municipal Council) MPK's councillors. He did not need to submit any plan for approval when he built his palace residence. Now, Zakaria's son Mr. Zainuri and daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil are being appointed councillors in MPK.

Klang residents viewed this as "building fiefdoms" within the council, with Federation of Klang District Residents Association vice-president Loo Hock Chai said, "we cannot tolerate this kind of appointments". Klang's famous Little India businessmen representative N.P. Raman said, "3 members from a family can overrule the council president in a sub-committee meeting that normally has 5 members".

Despite the people's objections, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has said that there is nothing wrong in appointing three members of a family as municipal councillors. "It is by virtue of their party positions, it is fine as long as they do not abuse their positions", he said.

This can only happen in Prime Minister Abdullah's half-past six administration.

Chinese should be grateful

"Success" stories of the Malaysian Chinese

-All stationery and rent photocopiers contracts in Perak state is given only to 100% bumiputera companies
-No new Chinese and Tamil schools to be built under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP)
-Project contracts in the 9MP to be given to the Class F (bumiputera) contractors
-Bumiputeras enter public universities thru matriculation while the Chinese do the same thru STPM (and they called it as meritocracy)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in an interview with Anjali Rao in the "Talk Asia" programme aired by Cable News Network (CNN) said, "the Malaysian Chinese achieved what they have today because the Government provided them opportunities to be successful".

No one is above the law, but there are different laws for different people

Abdul Salim Mohd Nor had a small food stall in Klang. His stall was pulled down by MPK's (Majlis Perbandaran Klang - Klang Municipal Council) enforcement unit on Aug 18 2006 (after two days notice) following a MPK councillor's directive. Abdul Salim's stall was demolished as it was competing with a neighbouring food stall, linked to the same councillor. MPK explained that Abdul Salim was given a licence only for a mobile food stall but he had built a permanent structure. Abdul Salim was supporting his widowed deaf-mute sister and her five children and is servicing a RM10,000 loan he took from Bank Simpanan Nasional to expand his business.

MPK councillor Datuk Zakaria Md Deros built his palace/mansion without submitting the required building plans. His huge house was built on a piece of state land that had been alienated to his wife Zizah Ngah. MPK council president Abdul Bakir Zin said, "our planning department had instructed him to submit the relevant plans for inspection and approval but he gave excuses. It’s a headache for me". When informed of Abdul Bakir’s revelation that Zakaria had refused to submit the plans despite being told several times, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was evasive, saying that he would only comment after reading the report.


Zakaria’s soon-to-be-completed mansion dwarfs the other houses in Kampung Idaman, Klang.

Final decision? A RM5,000 fine! MPK said that it would not demolish their councillor’s massive bungalow. MPK council president Abdul Bakir Zin said, "The bungalow will not be demolished as it is already 80% completed". Khir Toyo adds on, "this shows that no one is above the law".

2 sides of the Malaysian Government

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon to show that he represents all races following criticism that he was not doing enough for Malays in Penang. In another occasion, Datuk Seri Najib said that "we do not take away opportunities for other races in this country". Prime Minister Abdullah has said, "we will be fair to all communities, I am the Prime Minister of all Malaysians".

But in Ipoh, a government circular compelling all state department heads to buy stationery and rent photocopiers only from bumiputra companies has sparked a public outcry. DAP Socialist Youth chief Mr. Nga Kor Ming , said the policy was a “serious marginalisation” of non-bumiputra suppliers.

When contacted, state Financial Officer Datuk Jamalludin Al Amini Ahmad declined comment. Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazal said "there is nothing inappropriate in granting certain privileges to bumiputra companies". He said such dealings were considered small and would not marginalise non-bumiputra suppliers. "We gave them (bumiputra suppliers) the jobs because we know they are capable of supplying the goods to us”, said Tajol.

Systematically Marginalised

Me: Friend, do you feel that you have been systematically marginalised?
Friend: Nope, because the morons are not systematic.

Marginalisation in Malaysia

Malay community in Penang marginalised:
Penang UMNO Youth wanted a rotation of Penang Chief Minister's post. Anti-Koh Tsu Koon banner were put up at the Umno Tanjung meeting attended by the Prime Minister.

Chinese community in Malaysia systematically marginalised:
PM Abdullah said "we do not marginalise anyone in the implementation of our programmes". “I’m at a loss as to what his intention is. It is a very dangerous statement”, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar. And Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar said in Parliament that "none of the 180 schools planned under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) were Chinese or Tamil schools".

Islam Hadhari

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badwi wants the governments of the states of Penang, Sabah and Sarawak to enact laws in tandem with Article 11(4) of the constitution. According to Article 11(4), federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam (tidak boleh menyebarkan agama lain kepada Muslim).

According to the Malaysia Agreement signed in 1963, Sabah would form Malaysia only if the 20 points raised by it was adhered to. One of the most important condition imposed by Sabah in the 20 points was that there would be no state religion in Sabah and that there would be absolute freedom to profess and propagate any religion. This includes the freedom to propagate any religion to any person in the state. This was agreed to.

The Prime Minister's Islam Hadhari government is trying to violate the Malaysia Agreement?

Sedition Act 1948

On ASLI's 45% bumiputra equity report:
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said there was no need for the government to prove the ASLI institute wrong. "The government will continue to insist on the official data. We hope this will be accepted and will not be questioned by anyone." Najib also cautioned non-governmental organisations from raising "sensitive matters" that could be seen as seditious.

On Takaful Malaysia's "No Deepavali greetings" email:
Takaful Malaysia's Syariah Department head Fauzi Mustaffar sent an internal email to Takaful Malaysia staff forbidding Muslims from wishing Hindu friends "Happy Deepavali" and telling Muslim employees who have "committed the sin of extending such greetings" to repent. Takaful Malaysia public relations department head Lokman Abdul Rahman said the email was "for the purpose of internal circulation and as an advice or an opinion for our staff only." DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that Fauzi "should be sacked or be investigated under the 1948 Sedition Act".

45% Bumiputera equity

ASLI's Director resigned and stand by the 45% bumiputra equity report, non-Malay ministers kept quiet and self-marginalised themselves, son-in-law KJ said "damage is done".


Cabinet yesterday accepted the apology extended by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) for its report on 45% bumiputra equity ownership. Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar expressed satisfaction with the ASLI statement and gladness that the issue would not be dragged on further.

Minister for Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said ASLI’s apology and retraction of the controversial report, which he had earlier dismissed as “rubbish”, was proper although it was late, but this was better as ASLI itself had admitted the wrong methodology used to evaluate bumiputra equity ownership.

There is a thunderous silence by MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP Ministers and others from Sabah and Sarawak after the Cabinet meeting yesterday.

If these Ministers agree with Muhyiddin and Syed Hamid that the report of ASLI’s Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) on “Corporate Equity Distribution: Past Trends and Future Policy” was “rubbish”, let them have the courage of their conviction to speak up publicly to justify their position. If they had disagreed, having different views, let them speak up too.

Or is their silence the latest proof of their marginalization in the Cabinet and the highest decision-making councils in the Barisan Nasional government – where they dare not and cannot express their views on important national issues with far-reaching consequences for the nation and future generations!

Un-Happy Deepavali

The email below was issued by Takaful Malaysia’s Syariah department head Fauzi Mustaffar. Our Pak Lah has keep quiet about this in his Islam Hadhari government. And so does his son-in-law, KJ.


From: Mohd Fxxxx Mxxxxxxx – Jabatan Syariah, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 3:13 PM
To: TM All Internet Mail ; TM All Intranet Mail
Subject: Durga Pooja Greetings / Lakshmi Pooja Greetings / Deepavali Greeting

Tuan/puan warga kerja Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx yang dihormati,
Sebagaimana yang tuan/puan sedia maklum bahawa selain dari perayaan Aidil Fitri yang akan disambut oleh umat Islam pada bulan ini, penganut agama hindu juga merayakan 3 perayaan mereka seperti yang disebut dalam subjek di atas.

Sukacita saya ingin maklumkan bahawa kakitangan Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx perlu berhati-hati dengan ungkapan ucap selamat sempena perayaan tertentu yang selain daripada perayaan yang terdapat dalam Islam. Ucap selamat tersebut mestilah diteliti impilikasinya terutama yang melibatkan hukum dan akidah.

Antaranya ialah ucap selamat Happy Durga Pooja atau Durga Pooja Greetings. Ia bermakna selamat menyambut hari kebesaran Dewi Durga. Sambutan ini adalah festival yang paling penting bagi orang-orang Hindu. Ia menandakan ketaatan dan kepatuhan kepada Dewi Durga yang dianggap sebagai Mother of the Universe.

Untuk makluman tuan/puan, Durga Pooja mengikut kepercayaan penganut agama hindu adalah tuhan dewi yang mempunyai tangan yang banyak dan bersilang yang biasanya kelihatan di kuil-kuil hindu. Setelah meneliti ketiga-tiga perayaan tadi maka jelaslah ianya ada kaitan secara langsung dengan kepercayaan agama hindu.

Seluruh kakitangan Xxxxxxx Malaysia adalah dilarang untuk mengucapkan ucap selamat kepada ketiga perayaan di atas dan lain lain lagi yang sepertinya kerana ianya boleh menyebabkan berlakunya syirik.

Ucapan Happy Durga Pooja, Happy Lakshmi Pooja dan Happy Deepavali seolah-olah mengucap selamat buat tuhan hindu yang bernama Durga, Laksmi dan Krishna. Dan ianya jelas bertentangan dengan akidah Islam.

Allah berfirman dalam surah ali-’Imran ayat 18 yang bermaksud: “Allah telah bersaksi bahawa tiada tuhan selain Dia”. Dalam surah Muhammad ayat 1 Allah berfirman yang bermaksud: “Maka ketahuilah bahawa tiada tuhan selain Allah”.

Bagi mereka yang telah terlanjur mengucap selamat kepada penganut hindu seperti ketiga-tiga greetings di atas maka hendaklah segera bertaubat dan tidak mengulanginya lagi pada masa-masa akan datang. Semoga usaha kita untuk mengamalkan Syariat sebagai budaya korporat XxxxxxxXxxxxxxx diberkati Allah dan mencapai kejayaan yang kita harapkan.

Sekian untuk makluman. Terima kasih.


Shariah Dept
CEO’s Office
Syarikat Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Berhad (XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX)
Level 10, Main BlockDataran Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
No.4, Jalan Sultan Xxxxxxx
5xxxx Kuala Lumpur.