Fashion Dress in The Present: politics

Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts

Philanthropist Mike Mann Estabilishes New Political Party

The adage goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” This is one of the beliefs of philanthropist Mike Mann’s new political party, the Better Government Party. He created the party for people who believed the current two party system is corrupt and doesn’t represent today’s people. This new party and government will be based on transparency, trust, and accountability.

Mike Mann Mann acknowledges there are other options for voters, other independents and third parties. Voters don’t take them seriously because “they aren’t educated on their brand”. People don’t have faith or confidence in their current options. Mann knows all about branding. Even though charity and volunteerism are his priority, he realized he couldn’t afford to do just charity work. He made his first million in business online. His corporations, Phone.com, DomainMarket.com, and SEO.com were listed among the 2012 Inc 500 fastest growing companies. Mann is also the author of Make Millions, Make Change, a book showing people they can make money in order to better serve people.

Mann is a Washington DC native and former lobbyist. His mother worked for the EPA and his father defended cases before the Supreme Court. “I know a lot about politics and how politics work,” he said. What might separate Mann from any other millionaire venturing into politics is his wanting to support the weak, poor, and sick. “Everything bad goes back to not enough job training and good education,” he says. If people are trained well, they’d be able to support themselves. He’d change education so people would graduate with more hands on experience and job training.

The Better Government Party wants a highly internet based and electronic government. This would lead to more interaction and more accessibility, for example, real time town hall meetings. They would leverage modern ideas using social media. This does cater to a younger generation. “There is a growing class of concerned young people who feel dismissed by the current two parties,” Mann says. Change takes time and Mann is realistic about his goals. He has a twenty year plan in place. He’s garnering interest from people in Hollywood, Washington DC, and several business leaders. One of the next steps is holding a convention where they can establish their core ideals and create a constitution. Mann hopes the Better Government Party will have the majority in Congress after twenty years.

Our dear Mickey Mouse Club neighbour

The case of three Singaporeans from their High Commission office taking part in Bersih 3.0 is actually quite funny to me. There's no denying that they were there. High Commissioner Ong Keng Yong even said they were there in their personal capacity. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs had on the other hand issued a statement that that the trio were at the Bersih 3.0 as "impartial observers" as " part of their normal professional diplomatic duties".

Hmmm...which one of these explainations is true? Very wierd that the usually sharp Singaporeans behaving this way. I tend to believe that they were really caught in a fix this time. You see, Singaporean officials are mostly smart and efficient but there is something not very mature about them. They tend to blush and behaving awkward when caught with their hand in a cookie jar. Well, I hope my Singaporean friends would not get angry with me for saying that. It's just my personal observation from years of going in and out of their country via the Causeway. I'm not saying that they are not good but I always feel that there is something mickey mousy behaviour about the way they carry themselves.

Actually, I don't really blame the Singaporeans for being who they are. I mean, it's their own business if they want to hire some Ghurkas and place them at their CIQ checkpoint at the Causeway...which is kinda childish in my opinion. Afterall, their country is more like a gated housing area of rich people more than anything else. So, every little excitement should be treated with maximum due care, I guess.

So, that's why I think those ladies from their embassy should be excused for getting over excited over the Bersih nonsense. That's of course provided that they were not real instigators and were at the rally just for fun la.

What we shouldnt excused is when Malaysians trying to behave like the Singaporeans. I mean the childish side of the Singaporeans. Also the kiasu side of the Singaporeans.

If you can't figure what I meant by that, then you should just observe the way Guan Eng behaves and carry himself...and then imagine what if he become the role model of the rest of us all. Scary isn't it?

BN's cin cai and freedom

So, PKR wonder boy Rafizi said he stepped down from his post in the Selangor government because he wants to concentrate on party work with the election around the corner. So noble of him.

He also said his resignation got nothing to do with the power tussle between MB Khalid and Azmin Ali. Yea, right.

The thing with the Pakatan people is that they are good at hidding their own petty internal politics. And the best part of it, people tend to believe them.

Umno and the gang on the other hand are all too willing to go public with their squabbles. All in the name of transperency.

It's exactly the same case with pro-Umno and BN blogs and newsportals as compared to those on the other side of the political divide. BN cyber gang almost always never shy from writting about issues deemed negetive about the caolition. The Pakatan side on the other hand are as devious as rats when something blew up on their side. Anyone ever see pro-DAP blogs posting about the hillside destruction on Penang island?

You could hardly see Pakatan blogs and websites attacking any wrong doings of their political masters. They talk so much about freedom of these and that yet their practices were completely heading the other way around. Prime example is Guan Eng lah. Now, not even the usually pro-DAP Chinese Press people are spared his tantrums if they write something not so pleasant about Guan Eng such as that beautiful rainbow episode.

Guess, that's how it will be once Pakatan takes over Putrajaya. No more simply simply talk. Sure kena sue one. Me - I will blog about food and fashion once Pakatan rule this country. Not worth it to take the risks leh. Now under BN can still fool around a bit. BN can cin cai cin cai la with these sorts of thing. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Anwar not so cock sure anymore

Things seems to be not going well for DS Anwar Ibrahim in his Rm3 billon troubles.

Today NST and BH carried an exclusive interview with Abdul Razak Idris, the former official of ACA (now MACC) who produced a statutory declaration which cleared Anwar of allegation of stashing the RM3 billion when he was the DPM and finance minister.

Razak said he was instructed to produce the SD by Anwar.

The SD was the crucial evidence used by ANWAR in his suit against NSTP in 2003 which denied his guilt in the case. Anwar won the case and received a substantial amount of money after the BN-bias court found in his favour that NSTP had defamed him with the Rm3 billion allegation.

Razak was interviewed by phone by NST hotshot journalist Farrah Naz Karim who is also the newspaper Putrajaya bureau chief.

Razak was in Indonesia and his exact location seems to be unknown.

The Anwar's camp was reportedly taken by surprise when informed about the interview. They must have been cock sure the guy was in their pocket.

Anwar was so sure he got everything under control that he had earlier yesterday in parliamet said that he was ready to be investigated.

I don't think he is so sure now, as MACC, I was told by friends in Putrajaya, has reopened investigations into the 13 year old case following the discovery of new evidence.

These are indeed gripping stuff. Hopefully we get to know some of the outcome before the coming general election.

Murad to put Anwar in deep crap

Saw somewhere that the former Bank Negara assistant governor Abdul Murad Khalid today issued a statement that he is willing to help in any investigation into his 1999 statutory declaration about Anwar's Rm3 billion.

This is indeed bad news for Anwar.

MACC will now have to investigate and all the dirts will come up to surface. You can just google to find Murad's SD in full. It's all over the place. Quite sordid actually.

The Rm3billion is indeed a lot of money for a political war chest. All those talks about money politics of Umno... well, Anwar was then the deputy president of Umno. Sure can buy lots of votes, isn't it. Now he talks about corrupt Umno...sheeessh....

Oh, ok, some may says he is now a changed man. Well, give me Rm3 billion and I probably can changed too. Changed my foot la. Just look at the PKR people these days, especially in Selangor, do you really think they are angels ka?

Well, lets see how this whole thing developed, ok? Told you already, Pakatan should put Guan Eng as number one leader. Anwar got too many baggages. Guan Eng only got one serious trouble only - flying ashtray....or was it a file? Well, that one also he can just overcomed if he can get Soi Lek to be his sifu in handling women folk. Sure can one.

Piggy excuse (UPDATED)

UPDATED

For dinner we went out to have some congee at a quite nice Chinese restaurant. He said it's ok, no pork there. So, he ordered la. One side dish looked quite delicious. What is it? He said "Oh, that one very nice, frog legs fried with chili. Err, don't tell me you can't eat frog legs..." Siow la!!!

Well, I'm not a religious expert but I know as a Muslim I can't eat pork, and meat of dog, predatory animals, those which are poisonous, amphibians....errr, maybe all ugly looking mamals.

I can eat everything with gills except those which are poisonous.

I can eat grasshoppers.

I'm not sure if I can eat panda...or elephant.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Another Sunday...I'm always lazy on Sunday. Feel like sleeping off the whole day. But, got to see him today. He said he wants to cook lunch for me. So romantic and all, but looks like I have to bring over my pots and pans to his place. I suspect he still cooks pork in his kitchen. So don't want to use his stuff. I don't think I will ever get used to his pork eating and hope he quit one day. His excuse has always been that "I'm Chinese la...must eat pork leh."

Whatever lah...but really, he never even seen a live pig, let alone been to a smelly pig farm. Looking at the animal, I don't know how anyone could eat it.

See, how can we eat an animal which looks like a lawyer ? Don't be angry arrr...really, just look at the face of the pig. Doesn't it reminds you of one particular lawyer?

Hmmm...btw, BN seems to be on the offensive of late. A lot of statements about Anwar's wheelings n dealings. Anwar's defence remains the same - Muhyiddin asked about my Rm3 billion? Tell him to declare his assets instead. These are all Umno's conspiracy!!!!

Real babi la that sorts of excuse. You explain first la about the Rm3billion, before accussing others of corruption.

Real mangkuk....how to become PM like that? You tell me lar.

General election now only at year end

Sitting in the office, don't know what to do. Finished work but can't go back home. Need to wait for a meeting with a bollywood-looking friend. Decided to do this posting for the time being.

I heard the general election will only be at the very end of the year. Definitely after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidil Adha. There goes my perdiction of it to be held in September.

Can come up with all sorts of theories about the delay but honestly I think I'm getting tired of waiting. Don't know lah. Najib is smarter than me, so, he probably have a good reason for it.

Whatever it is I think I don't want to hold back on my plans just because of the election. If I want to go on a travelling break, I think I will just go. Johor BN simply have to do without me. Taiwan....dreaming of Taiwan....

I hope he can come along. Need him as my translator. I know it will not likely happened. Today also he never called. Yesterday, he said got big reunion dinner tonight but can't takes me with him. Make me sad only. Useless fella.

By the way, in case I'm in Taiwan and suddenly the parliament was dessolved, I think I can still rush back to vote.

Ya, I think I will celebrate my birthday this year in Taipeh. He better pay for my flight tickets. What? Tickets to Taipei are not very expensive la. It's not like I'm asking him to pay for my way to London, ok?

Garang wife essential liao

Just woke up. It's 4.58am. Didn't sleep well. Fallen asleep about 2.30am. I don't think that's enough sleep. Feels like calling him up....but cannnot, sure kena marah disturbing his sleep.

Never mind, I just do this posting instead and pretend you all who read this are my friends and listening to my ramblings.

What? U don't want to be my friend because I'm pro-BN? What la you, don't want to be friend just because of politics. That's silly. Relax, ok? We Maaysians are really not much different from each other, ok?

You think just because I'm BN, l'm evil lah ya? Corrrupted corrrupted lah ya? Eh, stupid la like that. I'm just like you also la. Just trying to earn a living and fulfill my responsibilities and do the right thing, ok? I like Najib, you like Anwar...what? You think Najib is the devil, and Anwar an angle? So simple ka? Come on la...let's use our brain, can?

Ok la, you don't care about Anwar, but love and want Guan Eng instead to become PM...eh, that guy also a man lar...and men are all bastards...remember? Guan Eng also can get horny ok? Any man who can get horny, can get corrupted also, ok? Just that Guan Eng is lucky that Pretty Betty is garang. Almost all Chinese women are like tha one. A little sign of him getting itchy, and she threw that ashtray...or as it a file? Heard like that lah.

Compare that to Anwar...Wan Azizah really hopeless lar...just let the bugger do as he pleases. That's why he ended like that...everything also, he sapu.

Well, considering that, I do think Pakatan need to consider putting Guan Eng as their number one leader. He try to be funny, Betty will be ready with that ashtray...or is it a file?

BN better in that sense...no need to change leader...Najib got Rosmah, what :-)

Eh, enough lah of my nonsense...need to do the necessary and get ready for work. You all, have a good day, ok.

Bitching again about irritating BN people

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand why so many BN people find it difficult to realize that the coming general election is a do or die mission for the coalition.

Not being a member of any BN component party, I often observe how BN people still behave as if things are still the way they were back before the disastrous 2008 election.

Many were still very much engrossed with petty internal squabbles, and spend much time and energy jockeying for positions in the hope of furthering their own personal vested interests.

Don't they realise that if BN falls they will lose everything and that this country will be no more what it used to be? Have they not learned any lesson from the losses of 2008?

The Pakatan people may say that the country will be better if they take over, but despite my intense dislike of many BN people, I still believe that Pakatan are much worse and if they were to be given the power, will tear this country apart. BN, despite some unsavoury characters within it, has proven itself capable of steering Malaysia to the right path over the years. Yes, it was not perfect, but I don't think we are doing too badly considering our complicated multi-racial, multi-religion and other multi-this and that society. It's just a matter of improving the system, instead of replacing it with some other dubious set-up.

Back to those distasteful BN characters, I think DS Najib Razak really need to do something to get rid of them. Not only they cause disruptions within their party but they also cause people to loath BN. Worse of all, they cause people who sincerely want to fight for BN to give up in disgust.

I had many encounters with these sorts of BN people. Arrogant for no reason, think so highly of themselves, demanding for things which were not theirs etc. They sometimes made me wonder what am I doing supporting BN.

The only thing which help makes me want to continue on this path is the presence of the good BN leaders whom I have the privilage to know quite closely. My favorite was of course Johor MB Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman whom I found to be a decent and proper man.

Ghani's political enemies had tried to cast doubts about him, accusing him of all sorts of things. I tried my best to check them out but could not find anything rotten. It would be sad to see him going on his retirement after the next general election. Hopefully there will be more good leaders among BN people so that people not subscribing to any political party like me find it appealing to side with BN instead of being put off

Nizar's belated remorse

Just saw a report by Bernama that Pas' fomer Perak MB DS Nizar Jamaluddin is now seeking an audience to apologise to Sultan of Johor. He also said he wanted to explain to the Sultan about his offending twitter posting about the Sultan's WWW1 car plate number.

Well, on Sunday, when told that more than 30,000 Johoreans gathered in support of the Sultan at Istana Pasir Pelangi, Nizar was quoted by NST as bravely saying that he will continue to speak up against anyone, including the royal families on issues which affect public interests.

Here are Nizar's quote in verbatim -

"If it is an issue which is totally unimaginable, like irrational spending or behaviour, I will continue to speak up...but I will do it in the most polite manner."

Hmmm...I wonder what makes him want to apologise now.

Personally, I think it's a bit late now for him to say sorry.

The Sultan of Johor was clearly offended, judging by what he said to NST on Sunday. Here is the Sultan's statement about Nizar's initial apology via twitter -

"If he really wants to apologise, he must seek an apology from my people first because he was disrespectful to them.

"He should engage his brain before he shoot off his mouth."

I'm not sure where Nizar got the idea that he can apologise to a Sultan by merely twitting it, but I suspect he may be following the lead of DAP's Penang chief minister Guan Eng who simply issued a statement of apology last year when Sultan of Johor remarked that he was offended when Guan Eng told foreign journalists while in Singapore that Johor is not a safe place.

Guess, only now that these Pakatan leaders are learning that their 2008 electoral gains do not give them the licence to be kurang ajar with just anybody.

Pas' yoga exercise

Kelantan MB Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has today lifted the ban on female Quran reciters from taking part in competitions. The ban has been in place since Pas took over Kelantan in 1990. The reason given at that time was that women's voice is part of their aurat (body) and therefore should not be displayed in public. Nik Aziz probably thinks it is different now.

I guess, Pas people are quite flexible afterall, as even Nik Aziz seems to be capable of changing what he used to interprete as haram (forbidden) in Islam then into something halal (allowed) now. Normally these sorts of things were really a no no.

Well, then again, I'm not a really religious person. So, I wouldn't claim to know any better. Who am I anyway compared to all those ustaz and ustazah who proclaimed themselves to be ballot box Islamic warriors of Pas. They surely havea good excuse for their Tok Guru's change of heart concerning such a fundamental element of Islamic principle.

Anyway, I do wonder if the lifting of the ban on the female Quran reciters has anything to do with Pas' effort to soften its image to make the party more acceptable to their allies, especially the Chinese-based DAP. Pas seems to be doing that a lot of late. They have even agreed to shelved their aspiration to set-up an Islamic state so that Karpal Singh don't have to die and has his body being step over by Pas people. This bending backward for DAP thing has actually been sorts of a yoga-like exercise for Pas.

Maybe, one of these days, Nik Aziz may proclaims that yoga is not haram after all. Wah, sure can get lots of votes for that one.

I do however wonder if Pas will ever revert back to it's true self. Probably they would one day. Yoga is afterall just an exercise only. Can be like this, can be like that liao.

Kedah beating Kelantan towards theocracy

So, Pas-ruled Kedah is moving ahead towards theocracy, surging even ahead of Nik Aziz's Kelantan.
Now, all fatwa issued by the Mufti and fatwa council in Kedah can't be objected.

Here is a bit of the story from The Star :

ALOR SETAR: Future fatwa issued by the Kedah mufti or Fatwa Committee cannot be challenged in court under an amendment to the Mufti and Fatwa (Kedah Darul Aman) Enactment 2008 passed by the Kedah State Assembly on Tuesday.
A new section - Section 22A - inserted in the enactment states that a fatwa decided by the mufti or Fatwa Committee, whether gazetted or not, cannot be challenged, appealed, reviewed, denied or questioned in any civil court or syariah court.
The insertion was among the amendments passed unanimously by the House on Tuesday.
In tabling the bill for the amendments, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said it was to clarify the membership of the Fatwa Committee and to give conclusiveness to any fatwa decided by either the mufti or Fatwa Committee.

That one even got the extremely pro-Pakatan Bar Council screaming bloody foul. Now they know lah what Pas is all about.

More to come I am sure. Just wait till they all take over the federal government.

Do all those smart lawyers of Bar Council anticipated this when they throw their support behind Pas and their allies? I think they do/ Just that they were so blinded with arrogance and hatred that they tried to ignore the obvious about those Taliban wannabes.

Well, you reap what you sow.

At the time I'm writing this, I haven't heard anything yet from DAP and PKR about the issue. I think they are really in a tight spot on this one. Probably laying low until things blow over.

This is when Guan Eng's media banning comes handy. See no evil, hear no evil, speaks no evil.

Well, even if they say someting against Pas on this one, what would be the effect?

I'm quite sure Pas will not back off from this. They have to stand their ground or risk being seen as a lame duck partner in Pakatan.

I'm really looking forward to what Nik Aziz has to say about this one. Would he sacrifice whatever little credibility Pas still have as an Islamic party or would he value the non-Muslims votes more?

The need to win the cyberwar

The biggest problem with Johor BN's campaign to win the hearts and minds of the people is that they simply do not have enough resources. I know, you all think I'm bullshitting, but this is the truth.

Never mind, I know that most of you all will still never believe me, so I'm just putting it here for the record.

On the cyberwar front for instance, Johor BN were mostly dependent on volunteers to provide the coalition's arguments with some semblance of credibility in the cyberspace. They have no specific allocation to wage war on the cyber-front. Yup, you may not want to believe it, but its true, Johor BN do not hire cybertroopers.

As for pro-Umno Johor-based bloggers you saw roaming around the cyberspace, they were mostly those aligned to certain divisional warlords and not the party itself per se. As far as I know, the State liasion committee and the MB do not bankroll specific bloggers to do their biddings. I did asked Johor Umno media handlers why this was so, and the simple reply was that they do not have any allocation for such things.

It's a direct contrast to the Penang DAP which employ a squad of cybertroopers based at the Komtar. They were well funded, trained and coordinated. You can see them in action at any credible pro-BN blog which post anything against DAP. They would hog the comment space to neutralise or divert the readers to other issues favouring DAP.

Maybe Johor Umno/BN should seriously consider this weakness of theirs and do something about it. I'm not suggesting them to hire cybertroopers like Guan Eng did, but at least do something la to encourage pro-Umno/BN bloggers to be more prolific and provide them with the necessary equipments and a common platform for better coordination. Its something if done is going to be all win and no lose. Afterall, almost everyone goes to the cyberworld for information these days.

I hope this humble suggestion of mine could be seriously considered, and considered fast. The general election could be held within the next few months and Johor BN/Umno will need all the help it could muster.

I'm not hoping much for BN/Umno people in KL to understand why I need to do this posting as I know they were flush with fund for cyberwarfare. But hopefully, if someone at PMO is reading this, he/she will deem it necessary to suggest to the PM for an additional allocation to be channeled to Johor and other States for this purpose.

Pas' Monkey Blur and black magic

Being not well for the past few days. Too sickly to do any postings.

Today feeling better. Need to restart the engine of thoughts...man man liao.

Seems that Nizar the laser mouth really got Johor Pas in trouble. Simply simply insult the Sultan for what. Even Salahuddin Ayub know this. Well, Salahuddin actually should thanked Nizar. At least now he has an excuse when Johor Pas fail to deliver in the coming general election. In all probability, Johor Pas is going to fail anyway as support for Umno and BN among the Malays is on the rise of late, according to the Merdeka Center poll.

Actually, Johor Pas should not be too disheartened. I think they are better being losers than being mere stooge of Johor DAP which is the real king of Pakatan in the state. I don't think Salahuddin wants to be the puppet MB to DAP like Nizar was. He may not want to say it, but being a Johorean Malay, I believe he does have some amount of dignity left in him. Nizar's MB title back then actually stands for Monkey Blur...as far as I'm concerned la.

Anyway, Johor Pas campaign here are really going nowhere. This was evident when they started to come up with perposterous excuses, the latest beng the claim by their youth chief Suhaizan Kayat that Umno people are using black magic to sabotage Pas. Really, I'm not kidding you. He made the claim during the recent Johor Pas meeting at a hotel in Skudai. He said Pas leaders tend to get sick when they were about to go for their ceramah rounds and he blamed it all on Umno's doing black magic stuff. Well, really fancy excuse isn't it?

In another news, my favourite chief executive in Johor, Encik Ismail Ibrahim is now Datuk Ismail Ibrahim. Congratulations. Surely Irda will be a better organisation with a Datuk at its helm...I think...

Err...that day also someone asked me whether its true that Datuk Lim Kang Hoo aka Datuk Ghost is now a Tan Sri. Since I'm not that close to him, I can't say for sure. Anyone knows?

Nizar's little barking at Sultan of Johor

So, the Pakatan's former Perak MB Nizar Jamaluddin said it's ok to tell Sultan of Johor what to do and what not to do with his royal highness' money. He seems to think that the Sultan should not spend the half a million ringgit on a car number plate. He said he will only apologise if the Sultan makes it known that he was offended by what he said.

Well Nizar, first of all, the money belong to the Sultan. So whatever he do with his money is his own business. The Johor royal family is rich. So if the Sultan want some luxury items using his own money, who are we to say he shouldn't. Since your are not a Johorean, then let me tell you Nizar that the Johor royal family have done good for the people of Johor. They do not live on the stipend paid by the State government. That money actually go to royal foundations and to be benefited by the rakyat.

Secondly, the money paid by the Sultan for the plate number go to the government's coffer. The money is for the government to use for the benefit of the people. So, what's wrong with that? It's not like the Sultan was paying for some foreign stuff causing an outflow of our money.

Nizar, being a former MB should know all these. But why does he deem it necessary to make such noises about the Sultan of Johor? Would he made noise if it was a Chinese tycoon who bought thar WWW1 plate number?

The last time he made his complaints known against the royalty was against his own Sultan of Perak, That I can understand lah, as he was pissed because he lost his MB seat and need to lash out at something. Having seen Nizar in action during one of those Pas' ceramah, I know he is very capable of going rabid at those he doesn't like.

But why does he want to bite the Sultan of Johor this time?

The only answer to that question I can think of was that Nizar was actually unhappy with the Sultan of Johor because of his highness' habit of supporting development projects in Johor being attacked by Pas and its Pakatan allies.

The latest being Petronas' RAPID petroleum hub project in Pengerang. The Sultan, while launching the project earlier this month delivered a strongly worded speech, admonishing those who were opposing the project, describing them as "anti-development instigators".

It was really a royal slap across the face of Johor Pakatan leaders who were opposing the project and trying to turn it into another Lynas issue for the coming general election. From what I understand, the Sultan had went out of his way to deliver that message across, not because he wanted to dwell in politics but rather he was angry that there are those who are out to deny the benefits of development for the rakyat of Johor.

Well, I don't think the Sultan of Johor will lower himself to demand an apology from some biadap Melayu like Nizar.

So, Nizar in his infinite stupidity may think he won this one just because the Sultan is not saying anything. But just wait and see how Johoreans will punish Johor Pas in the coming general election because of this. I know, not all Johoreans are pro-royalty, but I am quite certain the overwhelming majority of them are also not pro-kurang ajar outsiders who think they can spit at a Johor institution...the Sultan of Johor, of all institutions at that.

Note: Seditious comments are not allowed here. Thank you,

Nik Aziz is not the father of Guan Eng

Today there was a story about Pas' Nik Aziz planning to sue NST and former IGP Rahim Noor. It's about an NST article last week where Rahim was quoted as describing Nik Aziz as "bapak kafir" (father of infidels). Looks like Pas has learned from DAP's big brother PAP - sue your enemies to bankruptcy if you don't like what they say about you.

The problem here is that Lee Kwan Yew's PAP never called anyone kafir. And even if they did, I very much doubt they will sue the people whom they called kafir if those people returned the favour by calling them kafir too. PAP may be a lot of unpleasant things, but I think they do have some sense of shame. Ok lah, PAP probably would not mind people calling them kafir, but that's beside the point. The point is, you don't cry foul when people called you names which you yourself had used to describe others. It's like a kid who throw a stone at another kid only to run crying to his mommy after the other kid started to throw the same stone at him.The law may allow it, but this shows how low class Pas really are.

Remember Amanat Hadi? Pas actually lumped ALL Umno people as kafir back during that period in the 1980s. It's at the height of Pas' fanaticism. Pas members at that time actually avoid praying with Umno people in a surau or mosque. They even regarded meat of livestock slaughtered by Umno members as not halal because due to the Amanat Hadi, they were regarded as non-muslim.

Well, I don't know what got into Rahim Noor or the NST editor who allowed the story to be published, but personally, I think it was more of a political pun than anything libellous. Come on lah, who would really believe that Nik Aziz is the father of infidels. Everyone know what that Lim Kit Siang is the father of Lim Guan Eng. Ok, I know Nik Aziz once call Guan Eng Khalifah Umar Abdul AZIZ. But that doesn't mean he is the father of Guan Eng. He may love Guan Eng very much and want to adopt him as a son but that only make him the "bapak angkat kafir". True or not?

A towering Malay's fistful of ringgits

I do wonder what went through Guan Eng's mind when he decided to offer Tunku Aziz that RM50k a year job as "compensation" for not extending the latter's senator-ship following the DAP's Bersih row.

Would he had made the offer if Tunku Aziz was a respected "towering" Chinese or Indian?

Somehow, I suspect that he would not dare to make that offer if not because Tunku Aziz is a Malay.

Anyway, I think RM50k a year is rather stingy leh. That's just over RM4k a month. What la you Guan Eng, want to bribe, bribe properly la. Tunku Aziz is a towering person, ok?

Maybe to Guan Eng, Tunku Aziz's towering is just of the Melayu variety only...but still la Mr Chief Minister, the guy is still towering, ok? You all DAP people who gave him that label, what. Whatever it is, his honor and dignity should worth more than that, I think

I wonder how much is the price of honor and dignity of these other DAP's towering Malays in this picture here with Guan Eng..

This whole thing actually reminds me of an incident several years ago. A good friend, who works for a rich towkey called me up just a few days before Hari Raya asking for my bank account numbers. He said his towkey wants to give me duit raya. I tried very hard not to get angry as I didn't want to lose a friend just because he went stupid for awhile. I politely told him I can't do such a thing, upon which he immediately said the money was not a bribe. Just duit raya, what, he said. Furthermore, he said his towkey will get angry if he fails to give the money to me. At that point, I lose my patient and quietly told him to bank in the money into his own account. I then hanged up.

A bribe is a bribe, ok? I don't think the towkey would want to simply simply give me duit raya if not because of my professional position. And being offered a bribe while fasting during Ramadhan, was actually quite insulting.

However, I tried to reason with myself that the towkey and my friend (who happened to be an Indian) didn't mean any harm as they may had thought it's normal for Malays to receive such "gifts" due to their duit raya tradition. After all the towkey and my friend are really nice people. They may probably be just mistaken about the Malays' tradition and their sense of values. Maybe, they have come to believe that the Malays had developed a sense of justification for that sorts of things and accorded a certain degree of acceptance to the culture of corruption.

Well, my friends, you all got it wrong, ok? Only corrupted Malays are like that. Not all Malays, ok?

Anyway, what is this duit raya thing in the first place? Where did the Malays learn to give money to the visiting children (and later on adults) during Hari Raya? I do believe the Malays, at one point in time adopted this "tradition" from somewhere, probably from the ang pow giving practice during Chinese New Year or giving of gifts during Christmas.

By the way, I never give duit raya during Aidil Fitri celebrations because I don't believe in the practice. I think it teaches kids to be materialistic. That's why I am not a big hit among my nephews and nieces.

Giving way from Johor Umno

As preparations for the coming general election are now entering the last lap, Johor Umno are in the process of vetting their list of potential candidates.

I was made to understand that a lot of new faces will be introduced based on the need for winnable candidates to represent the party.

The big question now is, who among the current Johor Umno wakil rakyat will make way for the fresh faces.

Who among these wakil rakyat are willing to give way for the sake of Umno and Johor's future?

Who among them will be willing to not only give way but help the new Umno candidate to retain the constituency? Are they willing to let go of their seat without causing problems to the party?

These are questions which need to be considered by Johor Umno chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman before making the necessary recommendations to party president DS Najib Razak.

My personal opinion on who among Johor Umno wakil rakyat who should gracefully give way to new candidates are as follows -

1. Buloh Kasap (Segamat) - Osman Jais. He has been there forever and rakyat in Segamat were said to be getting tired of him.

2. Sekijang (Sekijang) - Baharum Mohamed. Said to be spending more time in public conflict with his division deputy than looking after the interest of his constituents.

3. Bukit Serampang (Pagoh) - Tahir Taat. Should consider making way for a younger, more energetic candidate.

4. Serom (Ledang) - Abdul Ghani Othman. He wants to retire peacefully...but I heard the PM has other plans for him..

5. Bukit Naning (Bakri) - Abdullah Ali. His performance is simply not up to expectation.

6. Sungai Balang (Muar) - Robiah Kosai. Not a winnable candidate. Sure kalah if fielded again.

7. Semerah (Parit Sulong) - Ariss Shamsuddin. Failed to add value to his constituency. I had to google to get his full name.

8. Sri Gading (Sri Gading) - Mohammad Aziz. Errr....how many terms already aaaa? Lost count leh.

9. Senggarang (Batu Pahat) - Jaafar Hashim. Not performing. Promises not delivered.

10. Layang-Layang (Simpang Renggam) - Onn Mohd Yassin. Also failed to add value to his constituency. I don't even know what he looks like.

11. Kukup (Tanjung Piai) - Md Othman Yusof. A good businessman but a poor leader in politics.

12. Bukit Permai (Kulai) - Kamaruzaman Ali. No charisma and not performing as a wakil rakyat. Simply cannot handle the Kulai division warlords.

13. Nusajaya (Gelang Patah) - Aziz Sapian. Not good in handling issues of his constituency. Too confrontational.

14. Kempas (Pulai) - Osman Sapian. He is under too much pressure from within his own Pulai division.

15. Johor Bahru (Johor Bahru) - Shahrir Samad - Like Ghani, he wants to retire peacefully (but I don't think there is anyone to replace him in JB for now).

16. Endau (Mersing) - Zainal Abidin Osman. Has been a wakil rakyat for too long and need to give way to new face.

17. Kota Tinggi (Kota Tinggi) - Syed Hamid Albar. Been around too long. Should play the role of mentor to younger leaders.

18, 19, 20. (Pengerang) - Azalina Othman of Pengerang, Hamimah Mansor of Penawar, and Harun Abdullah of Tanjong Surat. All three should be replaced. They can't seem to work together as a team. For the interest of Johor Umno, Pengerang constituents and divisional unity, a new united team should helm Pengerang.

Malays' arrogance

Smart people tend to get arrogant.

When they get arrogant they tend not to be smart anymore.

It's always like that...especially among Malays. It's my personal observation of my own race.

Malays tend to lose their head once they attain a certain level of success.

Got a bit smart and extra money, want to buy big car. Even more money, want to have a new wife. Always like that one.

Some time, they only think they are smart and already they become so arrogant. Know some Quranic verses, and already want people to call them ustaz. Already want to have a new wife. Give counseling to other people's wife some more. At 3am in a hotel room some more.

Don't know lah why my race like that one. The really good and smart Malays somehow were never really appreciated.

Ok, I know I'm more venting than anything else here, but really la, why do Malays always find it hard to be smart and successful without getting arrogant and stupid in the end?

Other examples that I know -

Malay boy from a poor family. Study hard and become smart. Given scholarship by the Malay-led government mainly because he is a smart Malay. Came back from some US university. Got nice high ranking job in some GLC. Start thinking he was so smart that he was better than those of the Malays running government. Want the Malay-led government to be toppled. Replaced with anything also, he don't mind.

Malay boy from a poor family. Relatively good in his studies. Got into university but basically due to the Malay quota. Got a study loan some more. Later on think so highly of himself. Mahasiswa la katakan. So clever that he think everyone must listen to him including those Malays in the government who made it possible for him to get into university and be financed with a study loan. Go around kicking traffic policeman to show off himself as being smart.

Malay boy from a relatively rich family. Not so smart but family rich enough to finance his studies overseas. Came back smart and became part of the Malay liberal elite. Want the Malay-led government replaced. No class la Malay kampung party leading the government. His smartness made him forget that his family became rich and can finance his studies to be smart because of all those government contracts given out to help the Malay companies such as his family.

Malay girl, daughter of a former PM. Silver spoon fed from a baby till an old lady. Became so smart, but now want to become so cool...and end up became so stupid.
Eh, I think you all know the story of this last example of stupidly arrogant Malay lah.

Ok. Cheers everyone...especially you all Malays.

ADDITIONAL

Someone commented here that 10,000 people turned up at a Pakatan demo at Plaza Angsana in JB last Saturday.
This is the picture of that gathering I took from

The Unspinners blog. Does it look like 10,000 people?

The enduring image of Bersih 3.0 as life goes on

After all the commotions over the past week, things do not seems to change much for most people in this country. Life still goes on and it's back to the grind for everyone.

The ordinary folks looked back at what happened wondering whether it was all worth it - the injuries, damage to property, disrupted businesses, tarnished image of the country etc.

The rioters went back to their normal life too albeit a probable sense of pride that they had achieved something - managed to throw a rock and almost killing a policeman, kicked an injured traffic policeman, shouted obscenities at policemen etc.

The policemen, many of whom were from outside KL had gone back to their routine of patrolling the neighborhood, trying to catch criminals, saving lives (of some who maybe had shouted obscenities at them or had even assaulted them during the riot).

The politicians on their part are counting the scores. Was the whole thing beneficial for their efforts to gain or maintain power? Those were up to each of their own interpretations.

The injured, some still in hospital, will take some time to recuperate from the cuts and bruises as well as the emotional trauma.

Me, I looked at the violence of the riot with disbelief. Being a veteran of the riots of the Reformasi era in the late 1990s, I found that the carnage this time was unbelievable. It was definitely much worse than those during the height of Reformasi.

The rioters were definitely out for blood this time.

Yes, the police may had rough up a few defiant rioters who broke the barricade at Dataran Merdaka and in the process some, including journalists were caught in the melee. But what beggars belief was the ferocious violence committed by the rioters on the policemen and those who stood in the way of their rampage.

The incident where a police car was pelted with objects and later on the injured policeman beaten by the mob and the car toppled over will forever be the enduring image of the so-called Bersih 3.0 "peaceful demonstration".

Back during the riots of the Reformasi era, it was the FRU chasing down the rioters, but this time, it was the rioters who charged the police line as can be seen at Dataran Merdeka and near the KLCC.

Has the government's softly softly approach to appease these criminals failed? Was it the case of the government being tolerant and ended up emboldening those who were bent to break the laws for their own selfish political agenda?

Maybe not. Maybe all the carnage last week taught us peace-loving Malaysians an important lesson.

Maybe we learned that those who claim to know the laws but went hell bent to break them have no place as opinion leaders for us all.

Maybe we learned that self-proclaimed leaders who were willing to instigate the people to break the laws need to also be rejected as they will bring nothing but destruction upon our beloved Malaysia.

Fashion Dress in The Present