Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Selamat Hari Raya

Saya ingin mengucapkan
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf Zahir Dan Batin
kepada semua rakyat Malaysia, terutamanya bagi merka yang beragama Islam.
Daripada: Charlie Soong
*********

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Indecent Portfolio Exchange

I’m puzzled and angry with what the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did to ensure that his position in UMNO is secured. What the hack is the need for Abdullah to exchange portfolio with Najib? Is this in the best interest of the country? If Abdullah really see the need, I’m supportive of the swap. But it seems to me that Abdullah does this just to silence the calls for him to step down earlier. He simply put his personal interest above everything.

Finance Minister is an important portfolio because the minister is managing the country’s wealth. Is Najib really the best candidate for Finance Minister’s post among all the UMNO MPs? What kind of logic to arrange Najib to take up the Finance Minister portfolio just because of Najib is the PM in waiting (or will this ever happened)? Why not just pass down the baton to someone who is more capable?

In the corporate world, the head of a big corporation is hardly double up as the head of Finance or Chief Financial Officer simply because they need someone to dedicate his/her time into the financial aspect. PM’s work load should be very heavy, if the PM is also assumes the finance portfolio, he will be less effective compared to the person doing it full time. Enlighten me, which country’s President/Prime Minister taken up both PM & Finance Minister portfolios?

I can see one big problem in UMNO is, they like to do things the traditional way be it right or wrong (for instance, the party chairman will automatically be the PM). If UMNO can not find a suitable candidate among their own peoples, they can be more open minded by reaching out to other component parties in BN to find the best candidate for the post. It is also hard to believe that, there is no one capable of the job other than those from UMNO. The UMNO leadership should be more open minded in matters that concerning the well being of the country, not to benefit UMNO only.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

16 Sept, Nothing Happened

I thought I will hear something refreshing today from PR leaders as today is the D-Day for PR to form the new government. To my disappointment, I keep hearing the same old tune, “We have the number”. I wonder how DSAI is going to regain his reputation now. As each day goes by from this moment, DSAI’s reputation will going downhill if nothing happen. So, UMNO leaders can have a big relief after today? I guess for one or two weeks before the next round of power struggling within the party. I don’t mind there is no change in government. UMNO leaders should have learnt some lessons from this episode and realise that UMNO can also be defeated one day if they do not change their attitude.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

ISA Arrest, Pak Lah's Desperate Moves

12 Sept is the darkest day in journalism history, where the Sin-Chew reporter who reported a racist remark by the UMNO plitician beeing arrested under Internal Security Act (ISA). Beside the reporter, the prominent blogger, Raja Petra and Teresa Kok-DAP MP were also arrested on the same day. This rendered the decision by MCMC to lift the ban on political blogs meaningless.
It is easy to find an excuse to arrest RPK & Teresa Kok as both of them are "politicians". But what has the Sin Chew reporter ,Ms Tan Hoon Cheng done wrong? She merely put together what Ahmad Ismail has said into black and white for the readers to consume. She did not even give her opinion or said something that is consider provacative. The police, instead of inviting her to assist in investigation, they detained her under ISA. Why so high handed?
In contrary, Ahmad Ismail who quoted the racist remarks over and over again remain untouched? Ahmad Ismail repeatly calling the chinese as squatters and the UMNO ultimately granted him is 3 years "honey moon" (he is banned from party post for 3 years but keeps his UMNO memebrship). Furthermore, the 13 division heads from Umno Penang who have openly supported Ahmad Ismail were also walk free as if nothing happened. Aren't this bunch of peoples also culprit of the current racial tension?
It is clear that Pak Lah is desperate now as he faces many problems the initiated by the disgruntled UMNO members. He is facing a fresh demand from leader like Muhyiddin to call for the PM's early retirement. At the same time, the DPM, Najib Tun Rasak loyalty to Pak Lah seems to be shaken.
In view of the imminent UMNO party election, I foresee that the show will be getting dirtier as day goes by (more arrest maybe) . Not only Pak Lah, the other potential candidates for party posts will try their best to be the "Malay hero" so as to garner more support from the ground. I'm interested to see how today's Malay react to UMNO politicians old dirty tactics.

Friday, September 12, 2008

FREE Raja Petra Kamarudin

Jangan Jadikan Papan tanda Isu Politik

Saya mengalu-alukan kenyataan Ketua Pengarah DBKL, Datuk Salleh Yusup bahawa DBKL hanya akan meluluskan penggunaan Bahasa Kebangsaan bagi semua papan tanda jalan di sekitar ibu kota. sekiranya terdapat pihak yang tidak mengikut peraturan dengan menaikkan papan tanda yang “terlarang”, DBKL akan menurunkannya dengan segera.

Memang betul kenyataan Datuk Salleh yang orang lain tidak sepatutnya senang-senang pasang papan tanda mengikut hasratnya sendiri. Ini adalah tugas pihak berkuasa tempatan. Kalau tidak, papan tanda pastinya nampak macam papan rojak.

Tujuan sebenar papantanda adalah untuk membantu orang ramai menentukan destinasi. Jika ditambah dengan bahasa-bahasa yang lain, ia amat mengelirukan para pengguna. Biarlah saja Bahasa Malaysia yang digunakan diatas papan tanda, tiada bahasa cina, tiada bahasa tamil dan tiada bahasa jawi.
Saya harap semua pihak berkuasa tempatan diseluruh negara guna hanya Bahasa Malaysia saja diatas papan tanda. Tiada kira tempat itu majoriti penghuninya cina ke melayu. Inilah identity negara kita sebab semua rakyat Malaysia faham Bahasa Melaysia dan ianya bahasa kebangsaan kita semua. Justeru itu, DBKL perlulah mengkaji semula penggunaan papan tanda yang bertulisan jawi yang pakai di kawasan Kampung Baru, Bandar Tun Razak dan Datuk Keramat.

Demi perpaduan rakyat negara kita.

Khir Toyo Stirring Up Racial Tension

Malaysiakini.com today reported that police report has been lodged against the former Menteri Besar of Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (Left) who alledged of spreading “malicious slander” and “lies” about certain quarters within the Selangor government lobbying for directives against azans in the state. As usual, Utusan Malaysia will carry the report.

I think Khir Toyo is now politically bankrupted. He has no more bullet to fire at the Selangor PR government and hence, resorted to stirring up racial issues for his own political gain. It is clear that what he is doing is to prepare himself for the UMNO party election in December 2008. What a despicable tactic. They may be some Malay fall into his trap but fortunately majority are still concious, as concious as on the day that they voted BN out of Selangor on 8 March 2008.

Dr Khir Toyo may have suffered from serious brain damage until he think that Selongor folks are stupid and he can emerge as hero in this case. The accomplice Utusan reporter, Zaini Hassan, quoted in his article that his "rakan" told him this, told him that about Teresa Kok's involvement in this issues. I can tell that Zaini planned his story well but I seriously in doubt about his integrity. Swear to god that you did not lie!
Whatever the two of you said, Allah is always watching you from behind.

For a seasoned politician like Teresa Kok, she is more sensitive than anyone when come to religious matters. She is killing herself politically if she does those things. I fully support Terasa's legal action againts these irresponsible parties. Sue until their sarong drop!

Racism will be deserted by the peoples but some just don't seems to see it yet.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Ahmad Ismail Should Be Expelled From UMNO

3 years party post suspension for Ahmad Ismail ? Oh my god! he caused such a serious racial tension in this country? Is this what Abdullah Badawi called a "stern action"? That's not all, why no mention about the 13 divisions (Include Kepala Batas, the division headed by Abullah) who throw their support behind Ahmad Ismail? I wonder what is Abdullah's definition of "stern".

I'm dissapointed with UMNO Supreme council's verdict. I strongly feel that the punishment should have been a more servere one for this type of serious wrong doing. Furthermore, the defiant politician is still refuse to admit his mistake. I think Ahmad Ismail should be expelled from UMNO and action should be taken against the leaders of the 13 devisions who support Ahmad Ismails racist remarks.

Now, Ahmad still walk with his head up and tells people that he is not apologising because it is not his fault (it means UMNO supreme council's fault lah) in his inflammatory remarks by describing the chinese as squatter. Ironically, right after UMNO supreme council's decision, Ahmad vowed to return to politic 3 years later. The punishment doesn't seems to borther him very much. To him, this could be just a 3 years break. After the 3 years break, it is just nice for him to run for a position again in the UMNO party election in 2011 (I hate to think that this is the deal between Ahmad Ismail and Abullah Badawi in their meeting yesterday).

This is how arrogant the UMNO leaders can be. They still protective againts their own people. They haven't changed.

I'm fully support the SMS (I read it in Jeff Ooi's blog) that circulating around which call for all Penangite to stop patronising a petrol station which is owned by Ahmad Ismail's family. The alledged petrol station, under the Shell brand, is identified as the one located at Island Glades, Penang. It cannot be missed as one drives out from the tunnel heading along Green Lane towards George Town. It's located on the left of the road, in front of the Gembira Parade supermarket. I think the boycott should extend to all Ahmad Ismail's business interest. Nevertheless, we should be careful so that the action do not victimised the innocence.

By the way, I also wish I could have the license to run a petrol station, Is there a proper procedure to obtain one? How Ahmad Ismail got it?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Umno Backed Ahmad Ismail To Provoke?

One press conference after another, for the same purpose. Ahmad seems had not have enough of attacking the chinese yet. I don't think this useless fellow (whose tenure in MPPP was not extended due to his poor performance) will be so daring unless he got a strong backing. Who ever behind this, we can see that UMNO is now resorted to their old tricks again, provoke racial tension. If we look back the story line since the 25 August, you can see how UMNO handles this issue the wishy washy way. UMNO did not stop this thing from getting worst.
  1. Najib was at the scene on 25 August seminar but he choose to keep quiet even the day after.
  2. Ahmad Ismail kept everybody guessing his whereabout by playing hide and seek with the police. By doing this, he let the issue brewing when protests from chinese started rolling in.
  3. Abdullah merely asked Ahamd to be more careful in giving his opinion.
  4. Najib then apologise on behalf of Ahmad Ismail, make people feel something is missing as in why the culprit can just get away with this.
  5. Ahmad called a press conference and refused to apologise in a high profile manner, clearly challenging the chinese community.
  6. Ahmad called a second press conference to reiterate his stands and warn the chinese community (He really mean to blow this issues up).
  7. Ahmad started to twist the issues, accusing Chinese pushing Malay to a corner. The actual fact is the Chinese community wants only Ahmad Ismail to apologise for what he said. No one has challenged Malay in any manner.
Umno has started the show. Lets not fall into their trap. We should just keep quiet for now and teach these peoples a lesson later. Ahmad Ismail and the gang can't run away, we just have to be patient...

P.s. dear PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, please prove that I'm wrong.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Justify The Overseas Agri Study Trip, Datuk Tiong!

The BNBBC Chairman Datuk Tiong King Sing keep denying that the study trip is to thwart the 916 threat. If that is the case, I suggest that Datuk Tiong release the trip itinerary/agenda to all Malaysian and explain the objectives so as to clear everyone's doubts and to proof his innocence. Of course, he has no obligation to do so currently.

While other activities in the country has been scaled down in the month of Ramadan, it is strange to see BNBBC organised such an event that involves all 78 BN backbenchers. Datuk Tiong should clarify the following which I think is important to clear our doubt, regardless who pays for the trip.
  1. Why is it in such a hurry? Is the trip properly planned?
  2. Why Taiwan? According to Bung Mokhtar, Taiwan is choosen because the advance Agriculture techenology poses by the Taiwanese. If Taiwanese technology is really that good, why then Malaysia government do not recognise the scroll conferred by the Taiwanese Universities?
  3. Why the trip can not be postponed to after the Ramadan month?
  4. What is the schedule for the trip as most of the MP's are muslim and hence, a pact schedule of visit is not suitable for them.
  5. Why all BNBBC MP? Do we really need all 78 of them in this study trip? If all of them are crucial in order to make the study trip a successful one, then why give them the option whether to join or not?

If the purpose of the "study trip" is to prevent a massive cross over of BN's MP to PR, I feel that the BN leaders' are too simple minded. The reason is simple, in order for PR to topple the government, the defect MPs need not be presence. They are many other things that Anwar Ibrahim can do to achieve their 916 plan. Furthermore, the defectors can always buy a ticket and fly back to Malaysia anytime, where ever they may be. Be it 916 or 926 doesn't really matter to me.

I 'm more incline to think that BN is worried now and started to get panic. They will go all out and do whatever they can to make sure PR 916 plan is not going to happen, whatever silly thing it may be. I have a mixed feeling about the current state of BN. They were once a strong coalition but end up like what it is today.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Farewell To Pak Samad

My heartfelt condolences to the family of A.Samad.
His departure is the loss of the country. Pak Samad will always be in our memories.

Rest in peace.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Don't Twist & Turn, It is Too late!

At yesterday's press conference, Ahmad Ismail received the backing from all 13 Umno divisions from Penang for calling the Chinese in Malaysia immigrants during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign. It is a bad news for Malaysia as these peoples can twist and turn and made good of what Ahmad Ismail has said. I wonder why Ahmad Ismail remained silent for so long if he did not say or mean it? Was it very difficult to clarify immediately after he realised that his statement had been misinterpreted? The truth is probably Ahmad Ismail has to wait until the by election is over so that Umno can win the support from malay by playing up racial topics. Hence, he couldn't afford to apologize then.

Now, the Sinchew reporter has said that she stand by what she heard; and Najib, who was at the seminar has also apologized on behalf of Ahmad Ismail. I don't think the DPM apologized if Ahmad Ismail did not say it. So, has Umno become so arrogant until they can twist and turn in such manner? They can also openly white wash Ahmad Ismail's racist remarks and blaming others for misinterpreting what he meant. Worst still, they can freely come out with all sorts of threatening remarks (even more racist), including shot the sin chew reporter. This is totally an act of animal.

Even is Ahmad Ismail were to apologize now, it is just too late. The apology will be viewed as not sincere and do it under pressure. The harm is in fact can not be undone because the remedial action for the problem is time sensitive.

From this episode, we can tell that Umno's ideology is the thing of the past and they are no longer relevant. These bunch of peoples (those who have the same mindset as the 13 divisions) will speed up the downfall of the Umno empire.

KeBiadapan Umno Pulau Pinang

Apabila PM and TPM memohon maaf pada masyarakat bukan Melayu, bahagian-bahagian Umno di Pulau Pinang pula menyuarakan sokongan mereka terhadap pendirian Ahmad Ismail yang degil dan enggan meminta maaf walaupun didesak oleh PM dan DPM.

Perbuatan biadap Umno PP ini umpama bermain dengan api. Mereka nyata nak cabar kedudukan kaum lain di negara ini. Mengapa Umno PP begitu berani bermain dengan isu perkauman? Ini sebab mereka tidak bimbang dengan apa-apa tindakan yang akan diambil terhadap mereka kerana pucuk pimpinan Umno kini ini agak lemah.

Saya amat bersimpati dengan AAB. Mana maruahnya bila orang kampungnya sendiri yang tidak mengikut arahannya? Adakah AAB masih berkuasa hari ini? Kenapa bahagian-bahagian Umno di PP boleh buat keputusan yang bertentangan dengan Nombor 1 and Nombor 2 dalam parti?

Rupanya, Umno PP masih percaya bahawa bermain dengan isu perkauman masih dapat menolong mereka untuk mencapai sesuatu, walaupun Umno telah kalah teruk pada pilihanraya kecil Permatang Pauh degan kempen yang paling”racist” sekali.. Tengoklah sikap Mohd Zain yang buat macam macam ugutan dan kata-kata yang berbau perkauman pada sidang akbar hari ini (5 Sep) di PP. Pemimpin yang berkualiti begnilah Umno mampu melahirkan.

Saya menyeru supaya semua rakyat Malaysia terutamanya orang bukan melayu boikot Mohd Zain. Jelas sekali dia ini “racism”. Kita perlu bersatupadu untuk memastikan makhluk seperti ini tiada tempat di negara ini. Tengoklah saja, bagaimana kumpulan 13 ini nak menetang 5 juta bukan Melayu! Saya rasa kumpulan 13 inilah yang bakal menyebabkan kejatuhan bangsa melayu di negara ini

Yang buat saya terkejut sekali adalah kenyataan daripada Dr M, insan yang telah menjadi PM Malaysia selama 22 tahun. Beliau kata di dalam blognya (bertajuk "Pohon Maaf" yang bertarikh 4 September):

“Apabila orang yang bukan Melayu mengeluar perkataan atau catitan yang boleh ditafsir sebagai racist, orang Melayu tidak pernah tuntut supaya pihak berkuasa memohon maaf”

Saya rasa Dr. M betul-betul mudah lupa. Sepanjang pemerintahan beliau, kaum lain telah pun lama berdiam walaupun dihina. Demi mencapai matalamat diri sendiri (memperkukuhkan kedudukan masing-masing di dalam parti Umno), isu-isu kecil yang ditimbulkan oleh masyarakat bukan Melayu boleh diputar belikkan oleh Umno tanpa dikawal. Ingatkah Tun dengan kumpulan SuQiu?

Saya juga nak mengingatkan Dr. M bahawa keadaan Umno hari ini bukannya sesuatu yang berlaku sejak semalam. Malah, ianya satu “legacy” yang diwarisi oleh pucuk pimpinan Umno sekarang.

Adakah hanya orang Umno saja yang boleh menyentuh isu sensitif dan menyakitkan hati kaum minoriti? Adakah kaum lain kena terima semua ketidakadilan ini sebab “Ketuannan Melayu”? Adakah kaum lain hanya boleh berdiam diri sahaja walaupun dihina?

Saya harap orang melayu tidak lagi terpedaya dengan muslihat yang jahat kumpulan 13 itu. Penderitaan orang melayu hari ini adalah akibat pemerintahan Umno, bukannya disebabkan oleh kaum lain.