Sunday, December 16, 2007

titles on a slice of bread.

1.Mokhzani calls on motor sports community to work harder
2.COMMENT: A gem of a read for every Malaysian
3.A gem of a read for every Malaysian
4. Malaysian PM defends arrest of activists: report
5.Malaysia's Anwar condemns use of security law
7.15/12: What now, Pak Lah?
8.Johan Jaaffar: When politicians get creative... and write poetry
9.Proxy and Proximity
10.Malaysian PM defends arrest of activists: report

azmi khalid talking environmental.

Malaysia Ready To Share Experience In Forest Conservation - Azmi


By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

NUSA DUA (Bali), Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is prepared to share its experience in tropical forest conservation with the countries taking part in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC) here.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said despite its development strides, Malaysia managed to conserve 60 per cent of its virgin jungles which played an important role in reducing the release of carbon dioxide (Co2) and green house gasses.

"Malaysia is among a handful of countries which have managed to conserve their tropical forests. If we are to include areas planted with oil palm and cocoa, our land mass which is capable of absorbing carbon dioxide accounts for 70 per cent of the country," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the conference which is being attended by nearly 190 countries.

Azmi heads a delegation of 40 senior officers at the 12-day conference.

bernama.

Note: A friend was mentioning about 60K lost in 18 drivers. I have no idea.

a house, a room.


Greg Constantine for the International Herald Tribune

About 20 ethnic Kachin from Myanmar, many of them illegal, share this apartment in Kuala Lumpur.

Migrants in Malaysia

A Growing Source of Fear for Migrants in Malaysia


By SETH MYDANS
Published: December 10, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — When his turn comes to stand watch, Kang Long posts himself at a window, peering into the dark streets outside the tiny apartment where his fellow migrant workers sleep 10 to a room.

“We always fear, especially at night,” he said. “Maybe there will be a raid. Where will we run? I worry for my wife and children. I’ve been thinking of moving to the jungle.”

Mr. Kang Long, 43, is an ethnic Chin refugee from Myanmar, one of as many as three million foreign workers whose labor on farms, factories and construction sites and in service industries supports the economy of this bustling Southeast Asian nation. About half are estimated to be here illegally.

Like foreign workers elsewhere, they are resented by many local people and demonized by politicians. Here in Malaysia they have become the targets of an expanding campaign of harassment, arrest, whippings, imprisonment and deportation.

In 2005, the government transformed a volunteer self-defense corps, created in the 1960s to guard against Communists, into a strike force deputized to hunt down illegal immigrants.

This force, called Rela, now numbers nearly half a million mostly untrained volunteers — more than the total number of Malaysia’s military and police in this nation of 27 million. Its leaders are armed and have the right to enter a home or search a person on the street without a warrant. By an official count, its uniformed volunteers carry out 30 to 40 raids a night.

As it takes over more police and prison duties, Rela is drawing the condemnation of local and foreign human rights groups. They accuse the volunteers, some as young as 16, of violence, extortion, theft and illegal detention.

“They break into migrant lodgings in the middle of the night without warrants, brutalize inhabitants, extort money and confiscate cellphones, clothing, jewelry and household goods, before handcuffing migrants and transporting them to detention camps for illegal immigrants,” Human Rights Watch said in a report in May.

They often fail to honor legitimate documentation and sometimes destroy documents in order to justify their actions, the group said.

In an interview, Rela’s director-general, Zaidon Asmuni, dismissed the concerns of human rights groups, saying the nation’s security was at stake, and demanded an aggressive defense. “We have no more Communists at the moment, but we are now facing illegal immigrants,” he said. “As you know, in Malaysia illegal immigrants are enemy No. 2.” Enemy No. 1, he says, is drugs.

Illegal immigrants, if caught, are brought before a judge for a trial. If convicted, they face up to five years in jail and a whipping, then deportation.

Some of the migrants, like Mr. Kang Long from Myanmar, are refugees registered with the United Nations, but Malaysia has not signed the United Nations refugee convention. So those migrants are also caught up in the sweeps.

According to the accounts of a dozen migrants, things can get even worse once they are deported. After serving time in a detention center, they say, many are taken to a no man’s land near the border with Thailand where human traffickers await their arrival.

If they can pay about $450, the migrants say, the traffickers will smuggle them back to Kuala Lumpur. If they cannot pay, they may be sold as laborers to fishing boats or forced into the sex trade.

Irene Fernández, a Malaysian who heads a local migrants’ rights group called Tenaganita, said victims sometimes called from the border begging for money to pay the traffickers. “It’s a conflict for us because we cannot support any form of trafficking,” she said. “At the same time, protection of life is equally important.”

The best she can honorably do, she said, is to notify the immigrant communities in Kuala Lumpur, where people often barely have enough money to feed themselves, and hope they can find the means to save their friends.

Terrorized by Rela, many of the migrants have left their apartments in the city and built shacks of leaves and branches in the surrounding jungle. But Rela pursues them there as well, the migrants say.

“Some jungle sites are periodically cleared by local authorities, the inhabitants are displaced, valuables taken away, and at times shelters are burned to the ground,” the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said in a recent report.

Despite the criticisms, Rela — an acronym for the Malay words for People’s Volunteer Corps — has been expanding in numbers and in law enforcement powers. As of November, it had screened 156,070 people this year and had detained 30,332 for not having travel documents, according to the home affairs minister, Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.

In the interview, Mr. Zaidon, the Rela director general, said his organization was expanding so fast that it was impossible to train most of the volunteers or to carry out background checks before deputizing them to make arrests.

“We cannot train half a million just like that,” he said. “It’s an ongoing process. It will take time, 5 or 10 years.”

If Rela members were overly scrupulous about human rights, he said, they could not do their job. “To stop a person by the roadside, that is also against human rights,” he said. “But if you talk about human rights, you cannot talk about security.”

The volunteers cast a wide net as they stop and search people who look like Asian foreigners. Most migrant workers come from Indonesia, while others come from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Vietnam as well as from Myanmar, formerly Burma.

In October, the Indonesian government protested when Rela detained an Indonesian student and the wife of an Indonesian diplomat. In both cases, Indonesia said, the victims produced documents that the volunteers ignored.

Most of Rela’s targets, though, are people like Ndawng Lu, 59, an ethnic Kachin refugee from Myanmar who shares an apartment with 20 other people.

Her neighbors fled and she remained alone when Rela made a daytime raid earlier this year, she said. “They shouted at me, ‘Where’s the money?’” she said. “I got down on my knees and begged them. ‘I don’t have any money.’ But they wanted money. They pulled stuff from under the bed. They looked here, they looked there. They opened all our bags.”

Her documents were in order, she said, and the search party left her with the mess.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/world/asia/10malaysia.html.

ANWAR is such a darling.

Malaysia's Anwar condemns use of security law

By Clarence Fernandez
Fri Dec 14, 5:54 AM ET

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Five ethnic Indians held under a Malaysian law that allows detention without trial should be charged in court immediately to avoid the risk of rights abuse, Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday.

Authorities have said the activists, members of a group that staged a massive anti-government protest last month, were detained on Thursday for up to two years on the grounds that their actions had threatened national security.

The group, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) alarmed the government by bringing more than 10,000 ethnic Indians onto the streets of the capital to complain of racial discrimination.

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister who was once himself locked up under the colonial-era law originally designed to fight communists, said the legislation was easy to abuse.

"We are, as a principle, against the Internal Security Act and the use of the Act against anyone," he told reporters.

"We have evidence, we have experience of the abuse of the Act against political personalities and civil society leaders throughout the years after independence."

Anwar was himself beaten by the then police chief during his own detention under the Act in 1998, for leading anti-government protests demanding political reform in the wake of being sacked by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government had been very patient with the Hindraf group, and acted only after having given it a sufficient chance to conform to the law.

"The public wanted the government to take a stern action much earlier but we were very patient and tolerant," state news agency Bernama quoted Najib as saying. "When the ISA was invoked, it should not have come as a surprise to anyone."

MASS PROTESTS

Thursday's arrests aimed to curb the political space for debates on economic policy, corruption and other social challenges, Amnesty International said in a statement.

"We assert that the ISA is the biggest symbol of torture and injustice in Malaysia and we hereby call on the executive to abolish the Act," the rights group added.

The Bar Council, which says its represents all of Malaysia's 12,000 lawyers, urged the government to free the five men or charge them in court.

"The Bar Council once again reiterates its call to the government for immediate repeal of the Act," it added.

The Hindraf rally was one of two mass protests last month. A separate crowd of around 10,000 people had earlier turned out on the streets of the capital to demand electoral reforms, amid expectations of a snap poll by March 2008.

But the Indian rally, though largely peaceful, aroused deep concerns within the government, and also among many ordinary Malaysians, because of the country's history of tense and sometimes explosively violent race relations.

In 2001, five people were killed and 37 wounded in riots between majority ethnic Malays and Indians that began after an Indian kicked over a chair at a Malay wedding. In 1969, hundreds were killed in rioting between Malays and ethnic Chinese.

Anwar said he believed more arrests could follow, because Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi appeared to have decided to take a hard line against the protesters.

"I am extremely -- not only disappointed, but appalled -- by the manner in which Prime Minister Abdullah is acting right now," he said.

"He has just succumbed to pressures of extremist hue. From the rhetoric of the government, the prime minister and the leaders, I wouldn't be surprised if more arrests were made."

(Reporting by Clarence Fernandez; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Faces of demonstrators

everybody demonstrates once awhile. we demonstrate anger, sadness or feelings. I choose 2 photos here. Look at the faces.






which one was real.?
which one was merely acting.?
arent we all actors on the big stage?

Monday, December 10, 2007

Anwar melambai.

Anwar seringkali tahu dimana lensa kamera. Anwar cepat dan cekap.



Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (C) waves during a banned opposition rally demanding changes to the electoral system, outside the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur November 10, 2007.



Anwar Explains Why He Is In India
By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had been invited to attend some conferences on democracy in India and that he had only raised genuine grievances faced by minority groups in Malaysia during his current lectures.

"These conferences were planned five months ago, I gave my commitment and I attended," he told Bernama when asked what made him come to India at this time.

"The lectures were about the state of democracy and I gave my honest answers."

When asked about demands from certain ethnic Indians in Malaysia, he claimed that the Malaysian government's response had been unwise.

Anwar arrived in New Delhi yesterday to present a special lecture entitled "India and Worldwide Movement for Democracy: What India Can Learn From Others and What It Has To Give".

Last Saturday he attended the Islamic Peace Conference in Mumbai.

Earlier, Hindraf leader P.Wayatha Moorthy met Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani here but failed to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Malaysian lawyer also delivered a lecture on human rights at a law symposium.

Curious crowd:

A large number of people gathering around a black Naza Ria at Sunway City in Ipoh at about 5pm on Sunday. Mohamad and his family members were believed to be in the vehicle.






The star online.

Prime Minister Abdullah defended the arrests.

"They ignored the law and still wanted to protest ... of course police have to take action. This (protest) is not our culture," Abdullah was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Few photos here for memories, not as evidence in court.





This can easily be the best photo. Thanks to whoever is the photographer. Some of us; the photographer, journalist, man or woman prefer not to be known or well known. But some are crazy for news or exposure.










I dont like Monday!

Malaysia: Police Detain 21 People For Illegal Rallies

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysian police detained 21 opposition members, lawyers and activists Sunday (9 Dec), including nine people who joined a banned human rights march, officials said, in a widening crackdown following a series of anti-government protests.

Twelve members of an opposition coalition were among those rounded up in nationwide raids for taking part in a banned rally on Nov. 10 demanding electoral reforms, coalition spokesman Syed Azman Syed Ahmad told The Associated Press. The coalition plans to hold a second demonstration on Tuesday (11 Dec) outside Parliament.

The arrests are part of a growing crackdown on disgruntled Malaysians who have held a slew of anti-government protests and demonstrations, jolting the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ahead of elections expected soon.

The Nov. 10 rally _ which drew some 30,000 people _ was followed by an equally large street protest by minority ethnic Indians on Nov. 25 to complain of racial discrimination and economic deprivation from government policies.

Earlier Sunday (25 Nov), eight people, including four lawyers, were detained for taking part in a march for human rights by about 40 people in downtown Kuala Lumpur, defying a ban on assembly and an order to disperse, local police chief Che Hamzah Che Ismail said.

Bar Council President Ambiga Sreenevasan told reporters another lawyer was detained later after he tried to stop police from tearing down banners marking International Human Rights Day.

"I am in a state of utter disbelief at the heavy-handedness of the police ... these tactics are bullying tactics," Sreenevasan said. "This is a sad day for human rights in Malaysia."

Prime Minister Abdullah defended the arrests.

"They ignored the law and still wanted to protest ... of course police have to take action. This (protest) is not our culture," Abdullah was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Among those arrested for the Nov. 10 rally were Tian Chua, a senior official of the opposition People's Justice Party, and 10 members of the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party. The two parties are the main groups in the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, known by its Malay acronym Bersih, which organized the rally.

Despite the arrests, Bersih will go ahead with its second demonstration on Tuesday outside Parliament to hand over a memorandum to the speaker to demand free and fair elections, Syed Azman said.

He said the 12 are likely to be formally charged in court on Monday (10 Dec). Also Monday, ethnic Indian leader P. Uthayakumar, who organized the Nov. 25 rally, will appear in court where prosecutors will seek permission to charge him with sedition.

The government has also charged 31 Indians with attempted murder after a policeman was injured during the rally.

Sunday's arrests came amid complaints by Uthayakumar that the charges were racially motivated because police did not arrest anyone from the Nov. 10 rally, which was mostly participated by Malays.

Syed Azman said by arresting Bersih activists, the government "is trying to balance it out so that it won't look racially biased."

"The heat is on the government because of the (Indian) issue. The government is under tremendous pressure because the whole world is watching now, so they are trying to divert attention," he said. (By EILEEN NG/ AP)

MySinchew 2007.12.10

Ethnic Indian leader lodges police complaint against Malaysia's PM, other officials

By VIJAY JOSHI,Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, December 9KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - An ethnic Indian leader filed a police report Saturday against Malaysia's prime minister, the attorney general and police chief for claiming his protest group has possible terrorist links.

"These allegations? I just laugh at them," P. Uthayakumar told reporters after lodging the criminal report against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the others at a police station in a Kuala Lumpur neighborhood. Also included in the complaint are Law Minister Nazri Aziz and the state-controlled media.

Abdullah, Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan have claimed in public statements that Uthayakumar's Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf, is being investigated for possible ties to terrorism, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. The LTTE has been branded a terror group by the United States and European Union.

"We have got zero links with terrorism. We have got zero links with LTTE. We do not support violence. We are a nonviolent group," said Uthayakumar, a human rights lawyer, outside the police station. A dozen supporters gathered around him holding portraits of India's independence leader and icon of nonviolence, Mohandas K. Gandhi.

"I have never met anyone from LTTE in my life," he said.

The government has stepped up its crackdown on Hindraf since it organized a rally by Malaysia's ethnic Indians on Nov. 25 to protest the community's economic plight and alleged racial discrimination by the Malay majority government.

At least 20,000 people participated in the unprecedented protest, which has triggered fears of ethnic unrest in this multiracial country.

On Friday, the government revoked the license of Hindraf Enterprise, a company set up by the group to receive donations. The state Companies Commission of Malaysia said Hindraf Enterprises was conducting unlawful business "prejudicial to national security and public order."

Indians form 8 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people and are at the bottom of the social and economic scale. Malays make up about 60 percent and control the government. Ethnic Chinese are 25 percent and dominate business.

Hindraf is demanding equality and fair treatment for Indians, saying an affirmative action program that gives preferential treatment to Muslim Malays is tantamount to racial discrimination.

"They have gone overboard when they say we have links with terrorism. They are trying to divert the issue" of Indian grievances, Uthayakumar said.

He said he feared the government would use the allegation to arrest him under the Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.

In the police complaint Uthayakumar accused Abdullah and the four other parties of making "false, malicious seditious, criminally defamatory, racially inciting and inflammatory statements."

Such a complaint is usually followed by a police investigation. Criminal charges are then filed by the police against the accused if necessary.

Uthayakumar said he does not expect the police to take his complaint seriously. But he said he did it as a symbolic gesture, and challenged the government to produce evidence within 24 hours to show he has terrorist links.

Uthayakumar has also threatened to sue the government leaders for defamation to seek 10 million (US$ 2.9 million; ?1.98 million) ringgit in damages.

6 dead, 4,000 evacuated after flash floods hit Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Heavy rains caused flash floods throughout Malaysia leaving six people dead and leading to the evacuation of more than 4,000 others, police said Sunday.
Four people, including a 3-year-old boy, drowned in northeast Kelantan state, and 1,671 others were placed in temporary shelters, said police official Mohamad Rizal.

In southern Johor state, police recovered the body of a 13-year-old boy early Sunday who was swept away while bathing in a river. More than 1,160 people were in relief centers in the state.

A 15-year-old boy died after falling into a river while fishing in neighboring Pahang state, said police spokesman Rahimi Rais. A total of 1,495 people in Pahang were evacuated.

Northern Terengganu state was also affected by heavy rainfall, but flood waters receded and all evacuees returned home, police said.

The Meteorological Department said heavy downpours had eased but warned moderate rainfall would continue over the next two days in flood-prone states, a statement on its Web site said.

Malaysia increased flood mitigation efforts after suffering one of its worst periods of monsoon flooding last year. The government estimated losses of 1.2 billion ringgit (US$343 million; ?233 million) to repair roads and schools, and in aid to flood victims.

AP - Monday, December 10

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Election is nearing.

preludes:

bersih -
hindraf -

Locating Hindraf in the spider web.

Hindraf 'has links with Tigers'
The New Straits Times - Dec 07 4:15 PMSHAH ALAM: Hindu Rights Action Force leaders may face criminal charges over their links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said police had started their investigation following a report lodged by a member of the public.


Connecting a country or a group with terrorism has been done before;
Al muamunah,
tigers,
and of course the famous Osama ben Laden.

It is simple and effective. Drastic action can then be legalised with jails, deaths and bombs. Even UN cant do anything about it. Whats more with little guys from Ijok, Telipok, Santubong, Sungai Mati, Batang Berjuntai, Pekan Nenasi, Kuala Sawah, and Ketereh.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

kelangsungan kepimpinan




"You appear at the wrong time"

Itulah yang berlaku kepada Chin Peng, Bustamam, Pak Sako, Dato Sagor dan berpuluh yang lain. Mereka hadir pada waktu yang salah. Keadaan ketika itu tidak mengizinkan kehadiran mereka.

Tamadun manusia bergerak dengan senario begitu. Kemenjadian kepimpinan tidak mampu beradu tenaga dengan ancaman. Ada orang yang harus pergi. Bila ada orang pergi, ia menjadi tauladan kepada yang lain. Helai-helai sejarah menyediakan rujukan penting tentang kelangsungan kepimpinan.

Secara umum, sesebuah negara atau tamadun tidak rugi dengan kehilangan beberapa orang. Ramai yang tetap bersedia tampil dan membantu. Negara tetap dapat bergolek kedepan. Bila saya sebut begini, bukan bermaksud saya rela melihat taktik memangkas setiap ancaman dengan gelojoh dan brutal.

Tetapi sejarah juga sering menunjukan kejatuhan sesuatu era. Era Moghul, Chinese, dan Pharaoh Dynasty memaparkan dengan jelas saat akhir kejatuhan sesuatu dinasti. Di situ ada pengajaran tertentu bagi menentukan tahap kepimpinan negara kita.

Pun begitu, wajar juga kita lihat kepada Akhbar. Beliau muncul atas timbunan ratusan ribu mayat untuk menerima title "the great".

Dunia kekal sebagai pentas.

Selamat Maju Jaya.


(for Ron)

Friday, December 07, 2007

Hindraf dengan kerumitannya

Dato berjaya menyelami Hindraf dengan meneliti siapa orang India yang datang ke Tanah Melayu. Dato melebarkan penelitian hingga ke Ceylon atau Sri Lanka, walaupun berlainan negara, tetapi orang di sini melonggokan kaum dari benua sana sebagai hanya orang "India".

Orang India tidak dinafikan hidup dalam kejayaan dan kesengsaraan. Yang ada di negara ini adalah replika kepada apa yang ada di negara India. Yang kaya di satu hujung, manakala yang melarat disatu hujung yang lain. Di negara India, yang miskin itulah yang paling ramai, kita difahamkan.

Orang Melayu pun begitu, dengan spektrum kesejahteraan yang extreme iaitu Miskin dan Kaya.

Orang Cina di benua China pun begitu. Kekayaan dan kejayaan sentiasa berpusat di bandar. Luar bandar kekal sebagai lubuk kemiskinan. Tidak pulak dinafikan wujudnya "poverty pockets" di bandar-bandar, yang menjadi perangkap bahaya.

Tindakan keras terhadap hindraf, boleh dilihat sebagai usaha membanteras budaya demonstrasi jalanan yang sering mudah menjadi riot.

Beberapa siri demonstrasi sudah berlaku dalam negara kita. Ketika Rice santai bermain piano didalam, diluar ada perarakan besar dengan Khairy sebagai jaguh. BERSIH turun mencorak KL dengan warna kuning, menyembahkan sesuatu kepada orang Istana dan Anwar sempat melambai kepada kamera. Hindraf menanti hadirnya orang British untuk mempamirkan gelora masyarakat mereka.

Dalam demonstrasi sebegini, wajar dilihat hasrat demonstrasi dalam dua perspektif;
Pertama - yang ketara.
Kedua - yang terselindung.

Kemudian ada yang akan bertanya, apakah hak orang yang berarak? Akan ada pula yang bertanya, adakah Hindraf mewakili hasrat orang India di Malaysia?

Apapun wajar kita akur kepada hakikat bahawa kita rakyat Malaysia, yang berjumlah lebih dari 20 juta ini, berkongsi hak keatas sebuah negara kecil, yang lembab, panas, sering hujan dan sering banjir.

Setiap suara adalah bermakna dan kita juga harus faham bahawa "api bangsa dan agama", adalah api yang mudah merebak dan memusnah. Api itu sering disalahguna.




(for scribe)

tabir kuning, biru dan hijau.





Rakyat umum dan kepimpinan negara sering terpisah. Walau seribu kali berjumpa dan bersalaman, rakyat umum dan kepimpinan berjalan dalam lorong yang berbeza.

Lorong yang berbeza itu boleh bercantum dimana-mana simpang. Komitmen dan tanggungjawab akan membawa pemimpin dan rakyat di lantai papan yang sama, duduk dan memahami apa yang dirasai oleh rakyat.


Senyum ketawa, jenaka, sentuh bahu dan tangan, makan, ole-ole, duit raya, kain pelikat, kain batik dan lain-lain lagi hanyalah sesuatu yang superficial. Semua itu sekadar tabir nipis kemesraan yang senang direntap.

Memahami rakyat adalah menginsafi rentak, dan rumitnya rakyat umum mengharungi hidup seharian. Saya sangat khuatir kemampuan pemimpin menginsafi kehidupan rakyat jelata. Berjuta kali salaman dan jamu makan bukan petanda konkrit keluhuran itu.

Memang hidup kita sering bertabir. Adalah menjadi harapan ramai, supaya wajah dan keluhuran pemimpin masih kekal bersih dan baik bila tabir kuning, biru atau hijau direntap.




(for Ron)

driving force of synergy drive




Bila ada ketua dan pekerja dalam mana-mana setup, sama ada bisnes atau sektor awam, ruang sentiasa diberikan kepada pekerja supaya kreativiti dan komitmen dapat dicernakan sebaik mungkin. Setup itu akan kekal relevan dan berdaya saing.

Apa pun sistem yang digunakan, konsep "planning" dan "monitoring" tidak boleh diabaikan bagi merealisasikan matlamat.

Saya yakin Musa dengan kepercayaan tinggi dari PM, dapat melaksanakan tanggungjawab dengan baik. Pasukan beliau juga terdiri dari mereka-mereka yang berkaliber.

Saya sangat berharap, dalam tindak tanduk mereka, tidak ada usaha ketara untuk memadam aspirasi, nostalgia masyarakat, komitmen, rancangan menyeluruh yang disediakan oleh Tun. Jika itu ada, mereka masih mengekalkan sifat kanak-kanak yang selalu disebut sebagai "bad loser".

Saya percaya synergy drive yang diurus dengan baik akan mengukuhkan ekonomi dan meluaskan potensi Malaysia dalam ekonomi global. Selamat Maju dan Jaya.

(for scribe)

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Kata-kata yang kasar menjadi pilihan.

Nostalgia;

Teringatkan alam persekolahan dulu. Ada guru yang mukanya bengis dan ada pula yang manis dan sejuk. Guru pelbagai wajah itu ada tanggungjawab mendidik anak muridnya. Ada yang garang dan ada yang tidak. Ada yang celupar dan berbahasa kasar manakala ada pula yang sangat tinggi budi bahasanya. Guru penyampai atau pembimbing kearah ilmu.

Baru-baru ini sambil bersantai depan kaca TV mengikuti berita jam 8, saya tersentak dengan gaya dan bahasa Nazri, seorang menteri kabinet. Beliau mengulas perarakan Hindraf.

Budi dan Bahasa;

Kalau Nazri menganggap beliau berbudibahasa dan berhemah, sebenarnya ramai lagi yang lebih baik darinya di bumi bertuah ini. Kalau Nazri menganggap beliau garang, bengis dan tegas, tentu boleh dikumpulkan beribu-ribu lagi yang lebih celupar, lebih garang, bengis dan brutal!

Adalah adil untuk melihat dan menerima rakyat seadanya, kalau tidak rakyat tidak lagi mahukan kita. Bukankah kita berkhidmat untuk mereka. Bila rakyat mula bangun, sebelum segera melatah, relakan sedikit masa untuk muhasabah diri. Itu langkah terbaik sebelum cermin jatuh pecah ketika kita masih membetul posisi untuk CERMIN DIRI.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Keterbukaan yang mengundang celaka.

Awal dulu dimaklumkan bahawa kerajaan era AAB adalah terbuka, berbeza dengan era Tun. Menteri-menteri tertentu pun segera ke media mengiakan, kononnya mereka kini boleh bersuara.

Kerajaan yang terbuka bukan terhenti dengan kenyataan begitu saja. Dalam keterbukaan itu, mesti ada konsep penggunaan pandangan untuk "kemakmuran dan kesejahteraan".

Keterbukaan bukanlah bermaksud ruang untuk pandangan kosong tanpa erti, seperti ramai kawan kita yang berlenggang dari buggie ke lubang no 18, sambil mendengus kerana RM60K akan terbang dalam 'betting'. Keterbukaan bukannya disahkan dengan suara dari Kinabatangan dan Jasin.

Kritikan Tun, kekal begitu saja malah diherdik. Kritikan Sang Kelembai dibedal macam keldai tercampak keluar kandang. Kritikan Ahirudin Attan dan Jeff Ooi, mengheret kedua-duanya ke Mahkamah. RPK juga tidak terkecuali.

Sementara kita mengaku terbuka, kita mudah terperanjat dan pantang dicabar.

Dato menyentuh tentang agama dan bangsa. Tidak dapat dinafikan sememangnya kita terpisah dengan garis Bangsa dan Agama. Itu cara kita hidup. Itu cara kita bersekolah. Itu cara kita makan di kedai. Itu juga cara kita tinggal di kampung dan bandar. Sering terpisah.

Rentetan peristiwa akhir-akhir ini adalah ujian penting terhadap terbukaan kerajaan seperti yang sering dilaung-laungkan. Dicelah-celah itu ada persoalan penting, tinggikah kefahaman tentang kenegaraan di kalangan pemimpin kini. Dimanakah silapnya?

(untuk scribe)

Friday, November 23, 2007

BATU PUTEH: jangan putih mata.

Arm twisting atau Kilas tangan:

Perundingan dalam hidup seharian bukan semuanya lurus. Pelbagai taktik boleh digunakan.

Selagi ada tangan sempat direntap, buah kilas tangan boleh digunakan. Selagi ada sarang boleh dijolok, galah akan dihulurkan.

Dalam dunia perniagaan, taktik kilas dan taktik jolok bukan perkara baru. Apatah pula untuk rundingan antara negara.

Pemerhatian Dato tepat sekali. Singapura turun dengan pasukan terbaik. Kita seolah turun dengan myTeam3 yang lahir di sebalik lonjakan busines dan reality show. Seolah kita turun bukan untuk menang.

Pertelingkahan batu puteh jika dikait dengan SJER, macam ada kerumitan dari segi strategi dan fokus. Kita mahu batu putih, tetapi kita merayu Singapura segera melabur dalam SJER. Macam ada konflik.


Pada saya, bukan satu dua lengan yang telah dan akan terkilas dengan isu Batu Puteh. Juga dalam soal ini, relevankah ungkapan "biar putih tulang jangan putih mata" ketika mereka menghunus keris di PWTC tempuh hari. Adalah menjadi harapan ramai, agar pejuang-pejuang “tulin” Melayu tidak melakukannya semata-mata untuk menang sorak manakala kampung, tanah, udara, air, selat, laut, pasir dan BATU dibiar terus tergadai.



(as posted in the scribe)

Sunday, November 18, 2007

when eagles fight in the air

An interesting sight. Eagles fight in the air. That is their natural arena for fights as lawyers do in courts and as politicians do on platforms.

When eagles fight, feathers fall.

As i watch the feathers fall and make their way to the ground, few faces come to my mind;

Ramli,
Musa,
Ghani,
Lingam,
Fairuz,

And as i look at the eagles soaring high, i see these images;

AAB
NAR
KJ
TDM
King
Tengku Mahkota

Sunday, November 11, 2007

being sick.

Tiga pemimpin terkenal negara kita sakit suatu ketika dulu. Mereka perlukan rawatan sewajarnya.

Anwar sakit tengkuk atau sakit belakang. Dia pakai brace warna putih di leher. Kena pakai wheel chair. Tempat berubatnya ialah Germany.

Abdullah difahamkan sakit resdung. Dia dapat rawatan di Australia.

Mahathir sakit jantung. Dia dibedah dua kali di Kuala Lumpur.

Timbul tandatanya. Memang betul-betul ke sakit ketiga-tiga pemimpin negara ini. Kes mahathir senang disemak sebab berlaku di negara sendiri. Doktor, jururawat pun orang tempatan. Kita boleh tanya mereka. Kes Anwar dan Abdullah susah sikit untuk dibuktikan sebab rawatan dibuat di negara luar.

handball.

handball!!. jeritan biasa tepi padang, bila tangan pemain menyentuh bola di padang. Jeritan itu bertukar nada jika pengadil TIDAK tiup wisel dan TIDAK beri sepakan percuma. yang berkuasa tetap pengadil. yang membayar dan terus jadikan bolasepak kekal relevan adalah penonton.

segala-galanya bermula ketika myTeam ditubuhkan. Nampak mudah saja. Satu pembaharuan dalam permainan bolasepak. Ada pendekatan segar dalam menjana minat dan penyertaan. Pada satu ketika orang hairan, negeri mana yang diwakili oleh myTeam.

tentunya ada Raja yang tak selesa dengan trend ini. ini teka saya saja.

kemudian Raja Muda mengosongkan jawatan yang disandang sekian lama, dan tak nak bertanding lagi dah.

lepas itu ada orang baru masuk. orang itu namanya Khairy.

sebelum itu ada lagi peristiwa lain, seorang anak bekas PM tarik dari bertanding dalam UMNO. lepas itu ada baru masuk. orang itu namanya Khairy.

saya kata benda ini, handball. Foul! Kalau dalam padang, bila pemain dah naik geram, ada teknik kasar yang boleh dilakukan tanpa dapat dikesan oleh Pengadil. Ada masanya tempurung lutut boleh tercabut. Ada ketikanya tulang boleh patah.

a foul invites another foul.

talk about NEGARAKU.

Talk about NEGARAKU, our national anthem.

Assuming that we sing Negaraku 40 times a year, with 6 years at primary, another 5 at secondary, then most us have done 440 times during school assemblies. Monday morning. Remember? White shoes, white socks and white shirts.

I am not trying to be funny, but can anybody guess how many times Khairy, Datuk Patrick Lim and Datuk kalimullah sing NEGARAKU during schooldays when hearts are as white as the shirts we were wearing on monday morning assemblies.

the many angles to see

Gelombang Kuning beri signal yang sangat hebat kepada Kabinet. Silap Presiden UMNO menyentuh tentang "demonstrasi jalanan" dan "pantang dicabar" masa berucap 20 minit dalam Dewan. Patutnya jangan sentuh langsung. Barulah nampak aloof dan statesmanlike.

Saya rasa terpegun bila baca truck FRU tak dapat gerak, tersekat dalam ribuan insan.

Mengurus ribuan manusia dalam gelombang begitu bukan benda main-main. Ribuan manusia yang bernyawa, ada anak, ada bapa dan berkongsi ibu pertiwi, punya hak yang sama seperti orang di Sepetang, seperti orang di Parit Botak, Kampung Sireh, Kuala Berang, Tanjung Lumpor dan juga yang duduk dalam Kabinet.

Mengurus kerajaan dan negara juga bukan mudah. Bagi yang sudah veteran, mengurus anak dan menantu juga bukan senang. Lalu betullah ungkapan "telan mati anak, luah mati menantu". Tidak dinafikan, ramai yang pernah berhadapan dengan situasi serba tak kena. Rasa lemas!

Boleh juga kita rujuk dengan ungkapan "malu bertanya, sesat jalan". Soalnya, siapa yang patut kita tanya? Tanya budak pun boleh, tanya orang tua pun boleh. Tanya orang berpengalaman boleh, tanya orang tak berpengalaman (atau kanyiaq) pun boleh.

Kita berkongsi hak dan tanah air. Ia memberi signal besar kepada Kabinet, bahawa selepas diberi mandat memerintah, bukan bermaksud Kabinet boleh buat apa saja. Bila rakyat sangsi, bimbang dan terkeliru apatah lagi suara sumbang semakin berkumandang tentang gangguan dalam pemerintahan. Ada pulak yang kata negara kita dalam auto pilot mode.

Mungkin rakyat tidak faham. Kalau bagitu, ceritalah baik-baik, dalam bahasa mudah. Rakyat perlu faham banyak perkara, tentang SJER, tentang petrol, tentang espionage yang disebut-sebut.

Mengandaikan bahawa, orang Melayu tidak akan memangkah yang lain, sangat bahaya! Dalam keadaan tersepit, orang akan berfikir sejenak sebelum memangkah; antara anak dan menantu, antara Bola dan Koridor, antara 880 billion dan 880 projek, antara orang tua cerdik dan budak berhingus, antara jual dan sayangkan negara, antara terbela dan tergadai!

Gelombang Kuning ada mesej besar! Lets do some soul serching and soul cleansing. Kita diajar dari sekolah lagi, bila menyanyi NEGARAKU, nyanyilah dengan penuh semangat. Semangat itulah yang diperlukan untuk menjamin kesejahteraan tanah air tercinta.

(as in Ron's)

Thursday, November 08, 2007

gelombang kuning

dimaklumkan, KL jadi kuning esuk lusa. KL juga boleh berubah merah. Dulu 1969 warnanya merah.

a report in November 2007

3001: searching for Patrick LIM

Patrick Lim - Chief Financial Officer Mr. Lim joined the Company in 2005 and currently manages the Company's accounting and financial departments. Mr. Lim is a CFA, a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in UK and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. http://www.forbes.com

Datuk Patrick Lim Soo Kit is a substantialshareholder of the Company(Equine Capital) with indirect interest of22.63%. He is the husband of Datin Wong Mun Yee and nephew to Lim Ah Yee and Lim Ah Chai. DatinWong Mun Yee, Lim Ah Yee and Lim Ah Chai are alsosubstantial shareholders of the Company with indirectinterest of 22.63%.(Equine Capital Bhd, 2004 Annual Report , page 16-17)
http://sahathevan.blogspot.com

The Star today reports Equine executive chairman Patrick Lim highlighting two aspects of the project, which will be officially launched on 12 September 2007:

1. Two new flyovers that Equine associate Abad Naluri will build to connect the PGCC to the Penang Outer Ring Road (another controversial project); and

2. The green credentials of the PGCC - 40 per cent of PGCC to be allocated to “green and open spaces”, carbon-free city
http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/index.php?itemid=7792


Terengganu Heritage Bay director Datuk Patrick Lim said there were tremendous benefits that Malaysia could derive from the project including breeding a new generation of sailors, infrastructure development, transfer of technology in boat building, sports tourism and entrepreneurship in support services.
http://www.cupineurope.com/NewsEN/2007/Malaysia.htm

wajah dan tabir



Politik yang serius bermaksud memanjat tiang licin kepuncak. Rata-rata kejayaan adalah diusahakan, bukan kebetulan.

Seharusnya Najib berada di atas, bila tiba waktunya. Nasib yang menimpa beberapa TPM sebelum ini, adalah peringatan kepada Najib, bahawa seseorang boleh naik bila dijulang dan ditolak keatas. Namun jika ditarik atau diterjah, seseorang boleh jatuh menggelungsur.

Kes Ramli dan Musa memaparkan konflik. Insiden seperti ini jarang berlaku, jadi Orang akan buat tanggapan. Hanif Omar awal-awal lagi sudah beri amaran wujudnya dua kem dalam polis. Rakyat menunggu usaha berdamai. Rakyat kekal kecewa. Kabinet suka Koridor bukan selesaikan Konflik.

Jangan sangka Ramli mesti jatuh. Jangan terus kata Musa boleh senyum. Kalau Khairy cuba sesuatu, jangan terus mengiakan bahawa Najib akan turun. Belum tentu.

Khairy mungkin selamat dibelakang wajah ulama Mertuanya. Sepertimana Musa menjangka dirinya selamat dibelakang wajah ulama Bapanya. Najib juga menjangka dirinya selamat dengan prestasinya, dengan penyokongnya dan wajah pembangunan Bapanya.

Akal dan budi bukan berada pada wajah. Wajah sekadar tabir yang mampu menutup apa jua didalam. Isi durian tidak semestinya sedap seperti harum baunya.

Setakat ini, hasrat Khairy adalah pengetahuan umum. Yang belum dewasa pun dapat mengerti apa muslihat Khairy. Tapi yang dewasa sering bertanya, apa ada pada khairy? Yang veteran pula menggeleng kepala kerana sejarah kerap memapar kisah sedih betapa yang gelojoh sering jatuh tersembam!

Terima kasih.

the like of Rasputin




Pertama kali dalam dekad ini, seorang yang rapat dengan PM sering disebut dengan nada meluat.

Beliau tetap berpengaruh dalam banyak hal. Dari sekecil bola ke sebesar Koridor.

Meninjau sejarah Russia, ada seorang bernama Rasputin. Beliau juga berpengaruh.

"It has been argued that Rasputin helped to discredit the tsarist government, leading to the fall in 1917 of the Romanov dynasty."

Ada yang mengatakan Rasputin telah mati dibunuh.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

To a person I know,

Yes, you are so familiar with disgrace. Your early exit is clouded with shame and disgrace. You may want to question it on the angle of fairness, but fate is God’s jurisdiction. To be fair, lets see the disgrace done on Rahim Thamby and Muhamad Taib. Now we see Fairuz. Cant we leave people alone and let people live in peace. Of course that 6 bladed in your pocket is always on the lookout for the next victim.

Do I care?. I don’t. I am not the recepient of millions of Lira, Bath and Peso thrown during the grand days. Remember?

Patrick LIM

a lot has been said about patrick lim. i will try to find out as much as i can, and try to do a mental jigsaw puzzle.

Espionage, war and security:

Men are always at war. Though countries are not perpetually at war, they try to outmanouvre others, most of the time. In most cases is about economic expansion and security.

Pemimpin yang kuat dan tidak friendly akan disediakan saingan yang sesuai untuk diterjah keluar. Mahathir hampir di sula. Suharto dipaksa turun. Taliban pula perlu dilanyak. Kita boleh jengah negara amerika selatan untuk meninjau benda yang sama. Pemimpin yang lemah boleh ditunggang macam keldai. Ada yang kata Malaysia ingin menikmati perkembangan ekonomi Singapura.

Dalam perspektif espionage, war and security, apakah wajah pemimpin kita?.. Pemimpin yang kuat yang perlu diterjah, atau pemimpin yang lemah yang mudah ditunggang?

Monday, November 05, 2007

Menjengah Sang Kelembai

Tadi saya jengah Sang Kelembai. Satu blog kecil, penulisnya seorang yang dipecat dari UMNO tidak berapa lama dulu.

Saya turunkan satu perenggan dalam entri beliau. Saya harap beliau tidak marah.

::<<<: Kumpulan Sahabat itu mendakwa ini sebagai think tank Abdullah Hj Ahmad dan sebilangan besarnya pencacai dia dan bila tidak tertahan dengan beberapa percakapan orang ramai terhadap menantunya. Bila dibangkitkan oleh kumpulan sahabat maka Abdullah Hj Ahmad dengan bengis dan marah berkata “Kalau you all tak hendak sokong saya tak pa” biar saya dengan Khairy. :>>>::

Kalau saya jadi Mr President's Men, tentu saya dapat memahami maksud kata-kata berikut;

Kumpulan Sahabat
Think Tank
Pencacai


Apa pun, saya sukar mengelak dari mengikuti peristiwa-peristiwa tanpa membuat sebarang ulasan walaupun ianya tidak lebih dari mental exercise. Saya melihat MyTeam sebagai keadaan dimana kuatnya PM bersama Khairy. Kalau saya PM, saya tidak akan hadir football game melibatkan Myteam. Ia bukanlah lucah, tapi tidak manis. Ia menjadi terlalu murah.

Tapi saya bukan PM, apakan daya.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Gelombang Kuning

Melahirkan rasa bimbang, atas usaha menggerakkan gelombang kuning dan tindakan dari pihak pemerintah serta kesan kepada masyarakat umum.

Siapa bilang memerintah negara perkara enteng, macam taukeh restaurant nasi kandar petik jari pada pekerjanya. Rakyat umum tidak faham tentang 138 billions atau 880 projek. Rakyat umum masih hidup dengan gaji/upah yang dibawa pulang setiap bulan. Rakyat biasa tidak pernah merasa rugi beratus ribu ringgit kerana ada yang dengki dengan pemilikan saham bersahaja.

Lupakan isu saudara OSU. Kini kita dipersembahkan dengan usaha membanteras rasuah, lalu akhbar menonjolkan insiden siasat dan lepas. Ada juga yang terlekat, tetapi mereka adalah manusia malang.

Mungkin semua pemimpin yang dipilih oleh tinta pena rakyat jelata di musim pilihanraya adalah bersih-bersih belaka. Kalau tidak, tentulah sudah ada yang disiasat, diheret dan disumbat dalam penjara. Dalam keadaan hari ini, mesej yang ingin disampaikan ialah semua pemimpin dan sanak keluarga mereka adalah bersih semata-mata. Pemimpin-pemimpin tersebut termasuklah PM, TPM, Menteri, Timbalan Menteri, Menteri Besar, Ketua Menteri dan pemimpin politik setempat.

Kalian masih ingat bagaimana Arkam dilanyak? Soal akidah itu satu hal. Usaha menjana kekuatan ekonomi yang mampan memang kita kena tabik pada Arkam. Dalam keadaan bangsa kita malu-malu berniaga dan menonjol diri, Arkam berjaya mengujudkan suasana yang memberangsangkan. Anak2 berserban berkeliaran di tempat orang ramai, menjual majalah, akbar dan kalendar adalah satu pandangan yang menakjubkan. That's Marketing at its best!

Mara dan institusi kerajaan selama ini juga berusaha kearah itu. Tetapi Arkam ternyata lebih berjaya. Sayang, Arkam perlu dirobek, ditalkin dan dikuburkan. Dulu mereka bising kerana sheikh arkam kaya raya, tetapi siapa peduli semuda KJ juga boleh jadi kaya!!

Saya beri contoh Arkam bukan bermaksud kecenderungan fahaman, cuma mengupas dari sudut social engineering sahaja.

Thanks.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

on Johari and Ramli

Sementara itu, Timbalan Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom, yang dihubungi mengaku mengarahkan Ramli memerangi jenayah di Johor yang dikatakan ada hubung kait dengan beberapa Datuk termasuk Jaksa Pendamai (JP).

Katanya, sebagai Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembanteras Peminjam Wang Haram (Along), beliau mempunyai kuasa mengarahkan polis mengambil tindakan itu.

"Saya ada arahkan siasatan mengenai seorang ahli perniagaan yang dikaitkan dengan Along kerana itu adalah tugas jawatankuasa ini.

"Bila fail berkaitan ahli perniagaan itu diserahkan, saya menelitinya dan mengambil tindakan berdasarkan langkah serta prosedur biasa yang ditetapkan," katanya.

Berita Harian

updates on Nazri Aziz

"Kabinet sentuh isu Ramli"


KUALA LUMPUR: Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial (JSJK) Bukit Aman, Datuk Ramli Yusuff sepatutnya menggunakan mahkamah bagi mempertahankan diri dan bukan membuat kenyataan secara terbuka kepada media berhubung siasatan Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) terhadapnya.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, berkata kenyataan Ramli kepada media kelmarin dibincangkan dalam mesyuarat Kabinet, semalam, tetapi tidak ada sebarang keputusan dibuat mengenai perkara itu.

"Kita ada bincang tetapi tak ada keputusan. Kita rasakan Ramli kena pertahankan diri di mahkamah dan bukan bagi PC (sidang akhbar)," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis sambutan Aidilfitri Amanah Raya Berhad (ARB) di Wisma Amanah Raya Berhad di sini, semalam.

Nazri mengulas tindakan Ramli yang mengadakan sidang media mengesahkan beliau adalah pegawai kanan polis yang dilaporkan media memiliki aset sebanyak RM27 juta.

Ramli dilaporkan kesal dengan tindakan BPR membocorkan maklumat kepada media berhubung siasatan terhadap dirinya sedangkan ia sepatutnya dirahsiakan memandangkan penyiasatan itu belum lengkap.

Bagaimanapun, Nazri berkata beliau tidak tahu apa sebenarnya dimaksudkan Ramli apabila menuduh BPR membocorkan maklumat kerana beliau mendapati BPR tidak membocorkan sebarang maklumat mengenai nama orang yang disiasat.


'Kesahihan klip video mesti dibukti'


KETEGASAN kerajaan supaya klip video VK Lingam dibuktikan kesahihannya terlebih dulu bertujuan memastikan individu yang dikatakan terbabit dalam skandal itu mendapat pengadilan saksama, sekali gus mengelakkan mereka menjadi mangsa tohmahan.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, berkata kerajaan tidak ada sebab untuk melindungi sesiapa dalam siasatan itu dan memberi jaminan akan mengesyorkan hasil siasatan didedahkan kepada umum.

"Selagi tidak bukti kesahihannya dan selagi tiada saksi tampil memperakui bukti sedia ada, klip video ini tidak lebih daripada surat layang. Bagaimana panel yang diketuai Tan Sri Mohd Haidar Noor boleh melaksanakan tugas tanpa bukti.

"Kerajaan tidak boleh menyiasat semua tuduhan tetapi saksi enggan tampil memberi bukti atau bersedia disoal siasat. Ini perbuatan sia-sia yang merugikan.

"Perdana Menteri sendiri sudah memberi jaminan pemberi maklumat akan dilindungi. Jadi, saya tidak tahu kenapa mereka yang berkenaan masih sangsi," katanya ketika menggulung perbahasan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan 2008 di Dewan Rakyat.

Nazri, yang tidak menang tangan melayan pelbagai persoalan Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) dan Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), menyuarakan keyakinan kerajaan akan menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja jika klip video itu terbukti sahih.


"BPR cari langkah halang kakitangan swasta rasuah"

KUALA LUMPUR: Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) akan meningkatkan kerjasama dengan sektor swasta bagi membantunya melaksanakan pelbagai langkah yang boleh menghalang daripada berlakunya rasuah dalam sektor berkenaan.


'BPR laksana tugas ikut prosedur'

KUALA LUMPUR: Institut Integriti Malaysia (IIM) menyifatkan Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) menjalankan tugas mengikut prosedur, termasuk tidak mendedahkan identiti seorang pegawai kanan polis berhubung dakwaan penyalahgunaan kuasa serta memiliki aset bernilai RM27 juta sepanjang siasatan mereka

The chamber: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and his men

Permohonan bersara awal Mohd Yusof dibatal
Oleh Anwar Hussin

KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan membatalkan permohonan Ketua Unit Pendakwaan di Pejabat Peguam Negara, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, untuk bersara pilihan, minggu lalu, kerana masih memerlukan khidmatnya.

Ketua Setiausaha Negara, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, berkata persaraan awal bukanlah satu hak untuk mana-mana individu, ia terpulang kepada kerajaan untuk menerima atau menolaknya.

"Dalam kes ini, kerajaan berpendapat perkhidmatan Mohd Yusof masih diperlukan," katanya ketika dihubungi Berita Harian, semalam.

Beliau berkata, jawatan terbaru yang akan diisi Mohd Yusof akan ditentukan kemudian oleh Jabatan Peguam Negara selepas Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, pulang dari perbicaraan kes tuntutan bertindih Pulau Batu Putih yang diadakan di Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa di The Hague, Belanda.

Jawatan lamanya sebagai ketua unit pendakwaan sudah diisi oleh Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, 1 Oktober lalu.

Pada 11 September lalu, Abdul Gani mengesahkan spekulasi Mohd Yusof, 52, dan Ketua Unit Kes Berprofil Tinggi, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Sallehuddin Saidin, 44, akan bersara pilihan, selepas menghantar surat berkaitan, Ogos lalu.

Abdul Gani juga berkata, permohonan kedua-dua pegawai kanan itu diluluskan kerana menerima tawaran dari luar dan sudah bercuti sebelum bersara. Bagaimanapun, difahamkan permohonan Mohd Yusof dibatalkan, minggu lalu.

Mohd Yusof sepatutnya memulakan tugas barunya di Suruhanjaya Sekuriti (SC), kelmarin.

Salehuddin pula sudah beralih bidang dengan menjadi peguam dan membuka pejabat guamannya di Shah Alam.

Mohd Yusof ketika dihubungi semalam mengesahkan sudah menerima surat pembatalan persaraan pilihannya yang dilakukan pada September lalu.

"Saya mengesahkan kebenaran untuk bersara pilihan sudah dibatalkan. Saya tidak ada sebarang ulasan berhubung perkara itu," katanya tanpa mengulas lanjut.

Mohd Yusof berkata, beliau kini masih dengan Jabatan Peguam Negara, sama seperti sebelum beliau mengemukakan permohonan bersara pilihan.

Mohd Yusof, lepasan undang-undang Universiti Malaya, menyertai perkhidmatan guaman dan badan kehakiman pada 1981 sebagai majistret di Melaka dan dilantik mengetuai Unit Pendakwaan Pejabat Peguam Negara pada 2002.

On Norza

SETIAUSAHA politik kepada Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Tan Seri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Datuk Norza Zakaria, 40, kini semakin dicemburui dan sesetengahnya berusaha untuk menjatuhkan anak muda yang mula menonjol ini, konon dia naik terlalu cepat dan sedang mengintai satu daripada kerusi Parlimen di sekitar Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.

Namun, Ketua Pemuda Umno Wangsa Maju itu yang juga ahli Majlis Tertinggi (MT) yang dilantik menganggap perkara sedemikian sebagai asam garam dunia politik tetapi hakikat yang tidak boleh disembunyikan ialah generasi muda perlu diberi peluang memikul tanggungjawab, dididik dan dipersiapkan.

Beliau memberi contoh, Bobby Jindal, 36, yang akan menjadi gabenor Louisiana apabila memulakan tugas rasmi Januari depan, menjadikannya gabenor di Amerika Syarikat yang termuda dalam sejarah negara itu.



"Pemimpin di Singapura kebanyakannya juga berusia bawah 40 tahun. Kita tidak boleh kata orang muda tidak bersedia, tetapi berilah peluang. Bagi kita, umur 40 tahun dah tua... dah jadi pak cik dan saya tidak percaya mereka yang berusia bawah 40 tahun tidak bersedia, sedangkan anda sudah menyediakan mereka dengan pendidikan di universiti selain keperluan yang lain.

"Mereka tahu apa itu kepemimpinan yang baik dan sistem penyampaian lebih baik daripada orang lain. Itulah ironinya untuk memahami cabaran masa depan. Pemimpin muda hari ini adalah pewaris Umno," katanya dalam satu pertemuan di pejabatnya, di Putrajaya baru-baru ini.

Mungkin bagi Norza, masa memang begitu cepat berlalu dan inilah juga hakikat bahawa lebih separuh ahli pergerakan Pemuda yang memegang pelbagai jawatan pada peringkat negeri dan bahagian kini sudah tidak layak lagi untuk kekal dalam pergerakan itu apabila had umur melebihi 40 tahun.

Berita Harian

Khairy said this?

Mungkinkah sesetengah wakil Pemuda menggunakan perhimpunan kali ini untuk melobi jadi calon memandangkan selepas ini akan diadakan pilihan raya umum.

Saya rasa tak adalah, sampai kita nak menggunakan pentas yang keramat ini untuk melobi menjadi calon. Tetapi kalau ada pembahas yang dapat menunjukkan prestasi yang baik, sudah tentu pemimpin atasan akan take note, akan melihat potensi mereka. Tetapi perhimpunan agung ini, yalah tradisinya ia menjadi gelanggang bagi kita menguji bakat. Orang politik ini, bakat bercakap hanya satu daripada aspek kepemimpinan. Aspek kepemimpinan ini bukan hanya pandai bercakap, tetapi keikhlasan, kejujuran, komitmen, wawasan, pelaksanaan, kerajinan dan sebagainya. Banyak lagi, jadi kita tidak boleh hanya melihat yang pandai bercakap itu sebagai orang yang ada masa depan yang cerah. Untuk menjadi pemimpin mesti lebih menyeluruh.

on Annuar Musa

Kelantan is resilient. Without Annuar Musa, progress in Kelantan will not be in jeopardy. Anyway does he care to check this with his tribal community?

On Ramli

Dia orang ni nak buktikan apa sebenarnya?

Saya rakyat biasa sangat berharap pendakwaan ini bukan untuk buktikan siapa lebih hebat dan kuat.

Juga saya harap ia bukan sebab-sebab balas dendam.

Juga saya harap ia bukan petanda kepada power struggle yang tidak akan tamat sampai bila-bila.

Saya teringat insiden Dato Jo disiasat suatu masa dulu. Kemudian Ketua Polis Negara pula disiasat. Tetapi kedua-duanya disahkan bersih.

Kini giliran Dato Ramli pula. Mereka perlu menunggu pada saat-saat beliau akan bersara. Seolah mereka ingin nafikan farewell yang sesuai untuk three star general.

Kita diberi peluang melihat macam-macam hal kebelakangan ini. Tadi terbaca dalam akhbar, KJ menyebut tentang "protection" sebagai menantu PM. Beberapa hari yang lalu, Dato Ramli menyebut tentang dia tidak dapat protection sewajarnya dari polis.

Saya rakyat biasa, melihat ini sebagai percakaran dalam sebuah keluarga. Ianya tanda kepada kemusnahan kepada sebuah keluarga kecil.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Tell me please

Tell me please....

A sad cry indeed. It depends on who we want to listen to... while doing so, i meant listening to remarks, comments or gossips for that matter, always be aware of the old malay proverb.

Gajah di seberang nampak
Kuman depan mata tak nampak.

Huh... all of us need self cleansing from time to time, soul servicing!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

spy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espionage

Espionage (a word from [[Latin language|Latin espionnage) or spying is a practice of obtaining information about an organization or a society that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Unlike other forms of intelligence work, espionage involves accessing the place where the desired information is stored, or accessing the people who know the information and will divulge it through some kind of subterfuge.[citation needed]It also can be used as a general term to describe spying activities.

Espionage is usually part of an institutional effort (i.e., governmental or corporate espionage), and the term is most readily associated with state spying on potential or actual enemies, primarily for military purposes, but this has been extended to spying involving corporations, known specifically as industrial espionage. Many nations routinely spy on both their enemies and allies, although they maintain a policy of not making comment on this. In addition to utilizing agencies within a government many also employ private companies to collect information on their behalf such as SCG International Risk and others. Black's Law Dictionary (1990) defines espionage as: "...gathering, transmitting, or losing...information related to the national defense."

A spy is a person employed to obtain such secrets. The term intelligence officer is also used to describe a member of the armed forces, police, or civilian intelligence agency who specialises in the gathering, fusion, and analysis of information and intelligence in order to provide advice to their government or another organisation. In general, intelligence officers travel to foreign countries to recruit and "run" intelligence agents, who in turn spy on their own governments. These agents can be moles (who are recruited before they get access to secrets) or defectors (who are recruited after they get access to secrets).



History
Incidents of espionage are well documented throughout history. The ancient writings of Chinese and Indian military strategists such as Sun-Tzu and Chanakya contain information on deception and subversion. Chanakya's student Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya Empire, made use of assassinations, spies and secret agents, which are described in Chanakya's Arthasastra. The ancient Egyptians had a thoroughly developed system for the acquisition of intelligence, and the Hebrews used spies as well, as in the story of Rahab. Feudal Japan often used ninja to gather intelligence. More recently, spies played a significant part in Elizabethan England (see Francis Walsingham). Many modern espionage methods were well established even then. [1]

The Cold War involved intense espionage activity between the United States of America and its allies and the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China and their allies, particularly related to nuclear weapons secrets. Recently, espionage agencies have targeted the illegal drug trade and those considered to be terrorists.

For three decades the United States has cultivated its best and brightest to pre-eminence in what is now known as the field of communication and control. As technology has advanced, the means and methods of espionage have advanced from Nixon era wire tapping, through Reagan era programs like ECHELON and Carnivore, to surveillance of all electronic transmissions including cell phone logs, voice mail, email, packet sniffing, trace routing and wireless transmissions.

However, the Soviet Union has been said to have had fielded the largest and most advanced spy networks during its time, infiltrating some of the most secure places on the planet, which has caused many scandals.

Since January of 2000, a long list of agencies have been data mining the world's stock exchanges; this program was formalized on October 26, 2001, in the form of the Patriot Act. This helps track the financing of people who might be laundering money. This is done without warrants.

In order to gather political and economic information that might be of advantage to the United States, foreign communications are routinely subject to surveillance. In 2002, new programs of satellite surveillance and unmanned low level drones armed with missiles made it possible not only to perform surveillance in real time, but to respond with force.

Risks
The risks of espionage vary. A spy breaking the host country's laws may be deported, imprisoned, or even executed. A spy breaking his/her own country's laws can be imprisoned for espionage or/and treason, or even executed, as the Rosenbergs were. For example, when Aldrich Ames handed a stack of dossiers of CIA agents in the Eastern Bloc to his KGB-officer "handler," the KGB "rolled up" several networks, and at least ten people were secretly shot. When Ames was arrested by the FBI, he faced life in prison; his contact, who had diplomatic immunity, was declared persona non grata and taken to the airport. Ames's wife was threatened with life imprisonment if her husband did not cooperate; he did, and she was given a five-year sentence. Hugh Francis Redmond, a CIA officer in China, spent nineteen years in a Chinese prison for espionage—and died there—as he was operating without diplomatic cover and immunity.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

kaya

on rocky

Kalau KAYA itu ada rupa dan wajah, memang ia sangat pelbagai.

Di satu hujung kita ada al bukhary, manakala di satu hujung yang lain kita ada seperti yang dipaparkan. Dari gambar tertera sangat ternyata KAYA memang berwajah. Wajah jika di make-up keluarlah serinya, bercahaya dan bergemerlapan.

Rumah atau istana adalah pernyataan terhadap Kekayaan. Albukhary memilih untuk menderma dalam senyap lalu ternyata berkesan dan dihargai. Ramai yang rasa terhutang dengan budibaik Albukhary. Namun dia memilih untuk bersepi dan bersyukur. Ini sekadar persepsi saya. Mungkin yang lain turut rasa begitu, mungkin tidak.

Harta bukanlah dosa. Harta halal dan terurus bersih, tentu memberi pahala. Tetapi pahala bukan datangnya dari poket kita macam angpau. Pahala dan dosa dibawah jurisdiction Tuhan.

Tentu bukan sedikit keringat tercurah untuk mengumpul harta sedemikian banyak. Harta adalah permata hati dan memberi ketenangan.

Tentu kita juga boleh jejak langkah-langkah yang diambil oleh orang-orang kaya. Disebalik semua ini, ternyata apa yang sering disebut ramai, "be at the right time, at the right place, and with right people", seringkali benar. Jadi kaya selalunya bukan fluke atau by accident.

Tahniah pada Zakaria kerana sudi menderma di hari mulia. Tidak ada apa yang harus dimalukan....

Thursday, October 11, 2007

linggam

as for AKJ

Anwar and his friends waited patiently to release the said video. Then suddenly Lingam became the most talk about person, second to Muzaffar i would say.

Anwar needs publicity badly. If this is one of the many in his list as run-up to election, then personally i will not care too much what happen to Lingam and Fairuz.

The release of video lacks sincerity, it is tainted with intended character assasination.

I react angrily with Najib's statement on foreign maids. Now we may have a gurkha maids! They really look at the activity of importing human capitals in the eye of a businessman and yet at the same time they claim they are real statesman. I could be wrong here, i dont know.

I find the latest statement from Najib with Radzi by his side, the most worrying...... Lingam, Fairuz and Anwar can now rest and enjoy their RAYA.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

when politicians are wooing students...

UIA... Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, is the playing field. Players are students. Sponsors are politicians.

Penamaan calon semula UIAM: Satu tragedi dan aib besar dunia pendidikan
Intan Abdullah

Fri | Sep 28, 07 | 3:03:59 pm MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Sept (Hrkh) - Angkatan Muda KeADILan mendesak pihak pentadbiran Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) supaya memecat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Pilihan Raya Kampus (PRK) kampus tersebut ekoran proses penamaan calon dibuka semula.


Syed Arabi Idid menikam dalam diam!
Alumni Aktivis Kampus

Fri | Sep 28, 07 | 2:06:24 pm MYT
Setelah hari penamaan calon berakhir semalam, calon-calon pro-mahasiswa telah memenangi 9 kerusi percuma kerana kumpulan GPMS-Aspirasi tidak berjaya menemui calon-calon yang sesuai dan berkelayakan untuk dipertandingkan dalam pilihan raya kampus (PRK) kali ini.

Reezal Merican dalang kontroversi penamaan calon UIAM?
Ahmad Lutfi Othman
Fri | Sep 28, 07 | 10:51:44 am MYT
Harakah sudah mendedahkan pelbagai taktik muslihat Hal Ehwal Pelajar (HEP) institusi pengajian tinggi awam kita - yang sepatutnya bertindak sebagai pengendali pilihan raya kampus yang adil, bersih dan tidak memihak - bagi menggagalkan percubaan calon-calon bukan Aspirasi-Umno, termasuk menafikan hak mereka untuk bertanding dalam PRK.

Universiti unggul: Kepimpinan IPTA dipersoal
Dr Shafie Abu Bakar
Thu | Sep 27, 07 | 3:06:55 pm MYT
Sudah setahun 'ranking' mutakhir universiti dunia dikeluarkan. The Times of Higher Education Supplement (THES) bagi tahun 2006 (Oktober) turut menyenaraikan universiti-universiti terkenal tanah air.

Taktik keji gagalkan kemenangan bukan Aspirasi: UIAM buka pencalonan semula
Intan Abdullah
Thu | Sep 27, 07 | 5:55:38 pm MYT
Proses penamaan calon pilihan raya kampus Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), seperti juga bagi institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) lainnya, telahpun disempurnakan semalam, 26 September, namun pengumuman terbaru petang tadi mengejutkan semua pihak.


Calon bukan Aspirasi-Umno di UPM, UM mula ditekan
Intan Abdullah
Thu | Sep 27, 07 | 4:36:44 pm MYT
Setelah tamat proses penamaan semalam, semua calon yang terlibat dengan pilihan raya kampus(PRK) telah memasuki fasa kempen yang akan berjalan selama enam hari sehingga 2 Oktober akan datang.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

News on Nurin.

I just clicked Nurin at Yahoo News. I am always fascinated by the choice of words by media. They are always catchy even for a mundane issue, whatsmore for a case that achieved national status and followed by almost everyone in Malaysia.

1.Cops take statements from Nurin’s parents
The Star Online - Sep 24 6:43 AMKUALA LUMPUR : Police recorded statements from Jazimin Abdul Jalil and his wife Norazian Bistaman at their home in Wangsa Maju over the kidnap-cum-murder of their eight-year-old daughter Nurin Jazlin.

2.Police May Consider Psychic Assistance To Solve Nurin's Murder
Bernama - Sep 24 4:01 AM KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- A "psychic witness" might be considered by the police as part of efforts to solve the brutal murder of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin.

3.DNA Result On Hair Strands Found On Nurin's Body Out Soon
Bernama - Sep 24 1:31 AMKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The result of the DNA test on hair strands found on eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin's body would be known this week.

4.Parents confirm body of girl is not that of their daughter Nurin
New Straits Times - 25 minutes agoKUALA LUMPUR: The parents of missing Nurin Jazlin Jazimin were at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary minutes after the body of a child was sent there.

5.Nazri: Law allows Nurin's parents to be charged for negligence
The Star Online - Sep 23 12:13 AMKUALA KANGSAR : The law allows for Nurin Jazlin Jazimin's parents to be hauled up for negligence, an offence punishable under Child Act 2001, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

6.Negligence Charge On Nurin's Parents Within The Law - Nazri

Bernama - Sep 22 10:01 PMKUALA KANGSAR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- The possibility of the police charging the parents of senseless child murder victim Nurin Jazlin Jazimin for alleged negligence is in accordance with provisions in the Child Protection Act.

7.Ibu bapa Nurin mungkin dikenakan tindakan
Harian Metro - Sep 22 9:12 PMKUALA KANGSAR: Kemungkinan polis mengambil tindakan mendakwa ibu bapa Nurin Jazlin yang meninggal dunia akibat deraan seksual adalah berdasarkan peruntukan undang-undang, kata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz

8.Nurin Tragedy: Need to study cause of violent sexual acts
New Straits Times - Sep 22 7:37 PMPETALING JAYA: The hunt for the perpetrator who committed the violent sexual acts on Nurin Jazlin Jazimin should not end with the capture and conviction of the murderer.

9.First and last time Nurin went out alone
The Star Online - Sep 22 4:59 PMKUALA LUMPUR: When Nurin Jazlin Jazimin ventured to the pasar malam on the night of Aug 20, it was the first and only time she had done so by herself.

10.Nurin tragedy: Her name still on class roster
New Straits Times - Sep 22 12:21 AMKUALA LUMPUR: At SK Taman Desa, Nurin Jazlin Jazimin is still marked absent

Monday, September 24, 2007

War

war is ugly.

button is always in the hand of politicians

boys fight for a cause they never know for sure

within war, there is money to be made.

and that is the motivating factor.

Hiroshima: toning down

Oita town seeks A-bomb apology from U.S.
Japan Today - Sep 22 10:51 PMOITA — The Usa municipal assembly has adopted a resolution calling on U.S. President George W Bush to apologize for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, officials said Sunday.

Hiroshima Navigator Recalls History Making Flight
KARK Little Rock - Sep 19 7:43 PMIt was a turning point for our nation, when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima . Wednesday night Arkansans went along on that bombing run, a mission that ended a world war and ushered in the atomic age

Why we had to use the bomb on Japan

Daily Mail - Sep 17 5:17 PMMuch blame for Hiroshima has been laid at the door of the West...but Japan’s refusal to surrender gave us no choice says MAX HASTINGS

Deliberate Lies, Strange Deaths and Aggression to the World Economy
Adelante - Sep 19 2:40 PMIn one of my reflections I made reference to gold bars deposited in the basements of the Twin Towers. This time the subject is quite a bit more complicated and hard to believe

Vietnam war: a forgotten one

A diary looks at the Vietnam War from the other side
Baltimore Sun - Sep 23 12:51 AM

Echoes of Vietnam
Kokomo Perspective - Sep 22 3:55 AM"Where others called on us to settle on any terms, you had the courage to stand for the right kind of peace so that those who died and those who suffered would not have died and suffered in vain, and so that, where this generation knew war, the next generation would know peace," President Richard Nixon on Jan. 27, 1973, announcing the end of the Vietnam War two years before the war actually ...

Vietnam experience invades this account of the Korean War
Miami Herald - Sep 23 12:08 AMThe Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War. David Halberstam. Hyperion. 736 pages. $35. Despite its accuracy, there's a deadly irony in David Halberstam's new book when he scathingly observes that what little Americans think they know about the Korean War is mostly derived from the film and TV series M*A*S*H, both nominally set in Korea but actually thinly disguised parables of the Vietnam ...

Iraq: destruction

Iraq sees "security vacuum" without Blackwater
Reuters via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 54 minutes agoIraq will not rush to expel U.S. firm Blackwater, under investigation over a shooting which killed 11 Iraqis, because it would leave a "security vacuum" in Baghdad, a government official said on Sunday

United Nations considers a greater role in Iraq
CNN.com - Sep 23 12:00 AMBolstered by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's assurances that there's been "substantial improvement" in security and stability in Iraq, the United Nations is considering boosting its presence in the country

Bush to ask 195 billion to fund Iraq, Afgan wars: report
AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 22 11:08 PMThe White House will ask Congress next week to approve another massive spending measure for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan totaling nearly 200 billion dollars, The Los Angeles Times reported on its website late Saturday

US dismisses Iranian pledge to help unite Iraq

AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 22 7:55 PMIran pledged at UN talks Saturday to help national reconciliation in Iraq but the assurance was immediately brushed aside by the Islamic republic's archrival the United States

Iraq Neighbors Urged to Help
Washington Post - Sep 22 6:20 PMUNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 -- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a gathering of 19 foreign ministers and senior diplomats Saturday that peace in Iraq "will not be obtained through military means alone" and that Iraq's neighbors must do more to prevent extremists from crossing into the country

U.S. toll in Iraq San Francisco Chronicle - Sep 23 1:25 AMAs of Saturday, at least 3,795 members of the U.S. military had died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The latest identifications reported by the military: Hoffmaster, Roselle M., 32, Army Capt.,...

Two million displaced inside Iraq since US invasion: report AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 22 4:11 AMNearly two million Iraqis have fled their homes for other parts of Iraq since the US invasion, creating a "unprecedented human tragedy," the country's Red Crescent said in a report.

Saudi Envoy Weighs In on Iraq
NPR - Sep 22 3:39 PMWith the Middle East in flux, Saudi Arabia has seen opportunities to increase its own influence in the region. In an NPR interview, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, outlines his country's ideas for peace in Iraq.

iran on the brink of war

Defiant Iran warns West against attack
AFP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 43 minutes agoIran on Sunday bluntly warned the United States against launching an attack on the Islamic republic, saying that American forces in the region were well within the reach of Iranian missiles

Iran says no obstacle for French FM visit
Reuters via Yahoo! News - Sep 23 5:31 AMIran said on Sunday there was no obstacle for French Foreign Minister to visit Tehran to clarify his comments that raised the specter of war over the country's atomic work, which the West fears is a cover to obtain atomic bomb.

Ahmadinejad wants 15-year-olds in Iran to vote
AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 23 3:59 AMPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said he wanted to restore the vote in Iran to young people aged 15 and upwards less than a year after parliament raised the minimum voting age to 18

Iran's Ahmadinejad leaves for US
AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 23 1:59 AMPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left Tehran on Sunday for his third trip to the United States, saying the visit was a good chance to present Iran's solutions for the problems of the world.

Iran confirms shelling Kurdish militants in Iraq
AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 23 1:14 AMIran has confirmed for the first time it has been firing artillery shells on camps of Kurdish militants inside northern Iraq, saying the local authorities had not listened to its warnings.

Military chief: 'No war' with Iran
AP via Yahoo! News - Sep 23 2:07 AMThe commander of U.S. military forces in the Middle East does not believe current tensions with Iran will lead to war and urges for greater emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy

Iran leader warns West over perils of attack
AFP via Yahoo! News - Sep 22 11:47 AMIran on Saturday warned the West of the "serious consequences" of launching any attack against the Islamic republic after showing off a new longer-range missile in public for the first time

Iran closes key border crossing with northern Iraq
IANS via Yahoo! India News - 2 hours, 39 minutes agoBaghdad, Sep 23 (DPA) Iranian authorities closed Sunday an important border crossing between its territories and northern Iraq after US forces arrested an Iranian citizen, almost causing a diplomatic rift between Iran and the autonomous Kurdish region

No Iran war, says admiral
Financial Times - 47 minutes agoThe head of US forces in the Middle East has warned of the risks of mounting tensions between Washington and Iran, even as President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad and the west square off for a confrontation at the United Nations this week

Iran smuggling missiles into Iraq: U.S. military

Global TV Winnipeg - 1 hour, 2 minutes agoBAGHDAD -- Iran is smuggling advanced weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, into Iraq to be used by extremists against American troops, the US military charged on Sunday.

Iran parades missiles in show of might
Seattle Times - Sep 23 12:55 AMThreats and economic sanctions will not stop Iran's technological progress, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Saturday at a large parade...

U.S., France agree on Iran sanctions
Chicago Sun-Times - Sep 23 2:20 AMWASHINGTON -- The United States and France agree on how to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday.

Germany opposes Sarkozy Iran sanctions idea: report
Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News - Sep 23 5:33 AMGermany opposes a French call for the European Union to impose a new round of sanctions against Iran if world powers fail to agree on fresh punitive measures next week, a German magazine reported on Saturday.

Iran's Leader: U.S. Wants New Opinions
The Columbian - 13 minutes agoTEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that the American people are eager for different opinions about the world, and he is looking forward to providing them with "correct and clear information," state media reported

Defiant Iran warns West against attack
AFP via Yahoo! Canada News - Sep 23 1:36 AMTEHRAN (AFP) - Iran bluntly warned the West on Sunday against launching an attack after a defiant display of its military prowess, including a new longer-range missile that could reach Israel

Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline talks resume Monday
IANS via Yahoo! India News - Sep 23 12:48 AMTehran, Sep 23 (IANS) A new round of talks on the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project will resume here Monday, a special envoy at Iran's oil ministry has said

Iran enjoys necessary deterrent power to confront any threat
Islamic Republic News Agency - Sep 23 4:37 AMIran - Nuclear - Threats - Spokesman The Iranian Armed Forces enjoy the necessary deterrent power to confront any threat, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said on Sunday.

Iran, China, Malaysia near deal
AME Info - Sep 23 2:56 AMMahmud Zirakchianzadeh, the MD of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company, has said Iran, China and Malaysia should reach an agreement on the development of the Ressalat oil field in the near future, reported the Tehran Times.

Secret US air force team to perfect plan for Iran strike
Times Online - Sep 22 4:04 PMTHE United States Air Force has set up a highly confidential strategic planning group tasked with “fighting the next war” as tensions rise with Iran

Top U.S. diplomat: Iran gas not crucial to feed European markets
The Star Online - Sep 22 5:26 PMISTANBUL, Turkey (AP): A top adviser on foreign economic policy to the U.S. Secretary of State said Saturday that the Caspian region can provide Europe's natural gas without help from Iran

high noon raid.

Three hedge funds plan Northern Rock raid: paper
Sunday September 23, 7:27 am ET


LONDON (Reuters) - Three leading hedge funds are planning a break-up of beleaguered British bank Northern Rock (LSE:NRK.L - News), according to a newspaper report on Sunday.

The move could generate hundreds of millions of pounds in profits but would leave shareholders with virtually nothing, the Sunday Telegraph said.

The plan is to acquire the bank's mortgages at below face value and make a big profit by holding them until they mature. The proposed deal would see the funds divide up the mortgage book, worth more than 100 billion pounds ($200 billion),

The paper said Chris Flowers, the former Goldman Sachs banker who made a fortune from the rescue of Japan's Long Term Credit Bank in 2000, was among the group, along with the funds Cerberus and Citadel.

The funds, however, have yet to approach the Northern Rock board. A Northern Rock spokesman declined to comment.

Britain's fifth-largest mortgage lender has been seen as a likely takeover target after being engulfed by a funding and customer confidence crisis, triggering the worst run on a UK bank in living memory.

Rival banks, though, have been slow to show any interest on taking over the troubled business. The Sunday Times reported that at least a dozen of the biggest financial institutions in Britain and Europe had snubbed pleas from the authorities and Northern Bank's adviser Merrill Lynch to rescue it.

Northern Rock shares closed at 185.2 pence on Friday, valuing the business at around 960 million pounds ($1.93 billion), down more than 80 percent since the start of the year.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

A massive social engineering project.

Multibillion developmental programs.
minus
social engineering treatment.

what would a boy understand.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Bad Taste

1. House on fire.
We just stand there watching the house burnt down. Everybody else are busy helping. Some run up and down carrying water in pail. Some run in and out salvaging furnitures, clothes etc. Some will console the victims.

Then we are asked by reporters. We say why the house catch fire is more important. Police and fire department should investigate further. If it is pure negligence then the house owner should be dragged to court.

2. Pickpocket.
You sit on a bench at the bus station. You see many people; school kids, women, men in all sort of dress. You may also policemen walking around patrolling. Then you hear a shout. Pick pocket!!!
You see a few running about.

Then, at no time, should you say to the victim..., Jane, you are to be blamed, you are being careless.

3. Failure.
You are somewhere. A student appears distressed. He/she fails her semester's exam.

Dont be too quick in saying things like this; - you dont read the questions well. - you dont study hard enough. - you yourself to be blamed.

4. Tun Mahathir.
He commented something. He has every right, because he has gone through it for years and he thought he was doing something something right. He understood about transparency. He understood nation building so well.

You dont say things like... hey old man, your time is over. Stay put and shut up.


HOWEVER CORRECT YOU MAYBE, PAUSE A WHILE BEFORE YOU SAY THINGS THAT HURTS. IF YOU THINK YOU ARE A SMART HERO BY SAYING SUCH A THING, YOU COULD BE WRONG, IT WILL BE HURTING TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE SIMPLAY LOOK AT YOU AS BEING PLAIN HEARTLESS AND STUPID.

ARENT WE ALL PUBLIC FIGURES?. A RESTAURANT OWNER UNDERSTANDS ALL THIS. A SALESMAN IS ALWAYS CAREFUL. CAN WE BE DECENT AND HONOURABLE MOST OF THE TIME?

you and me. SHALL WE?