I am God, said the Pharaoh

The more than 26 million Malaysians are paying the 798 Malaysians, employed as servants of the people during the elections, to do a job. Their job and the salary that comes with it comes from the people. The people are digging into their pockets to pay these 798 elected Malaysians their salaries.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Sultan Pahang mahu rakyat terus sokong kerajaan Barisan Nasional

Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah mahu rakyat negeri itu terus menyokong kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) agar lebih banyak pembangunan sosial, ekonomi dan pendidikan dapat dilaksanakan untuk faedah mereka.

Baginda bertitah, rakyat perlu terus bersama kerajaan kerana agenda pembangunan yang dirancang dalam jangka pendek dan panjang bakal memberi manfaat berterusan kepada mereka.

Sambil memberi contoh pembinaan jambatan Kuala Krau merentangi Sungai Pahang yang berharga RM64 juta, baginda bertitah usaha itu merupakan agenda pembangunan mampan bagi memberi keselesaan kepada penduduk yang tinggal di kedua-dua belah sungai berkenaan.

"Jambatan Kuala Krau berfungsi memendekkan perjalanan di antara Bandar Tun Razak, Jengka dengan Kuala Krau 20 minit berbanding satu jam sebelum ini yang jaraknya sejauh 55 kilometer.

"Di samping itu, jambatan ini juga akan menjadi pemangkin kemajuan ekonomi kepada penduduk di sekitar Bandar Tun Razak, Jerantut dan Temerloh di mana ia memendekkan perjalanan menjadi 22 kilometer sahaja dengan memberi manfaat kepada 60,000 orang penduduk dari daerah Jerantut, Temerloh dan Maran," titahnya kepada pemberita selepas melawat tapak jambatan Kuala Krau di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir Menteri Besar Pahang Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Anggota Parlimen Kuala Krau Datuk Ismail Mohamad Said, Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri Jenderak Datuk Mohamad Jaafar dan Pegawai Daerah Temerloh Datuk Dr Salehudin Ishak.

Dalam pada itu, baginda turut meminta Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) membina laluan motosikal bagi menjamin keselamatan penunggang yang melalui jambatan berkenaan.

Terdahulu, Pengarah JKR Pahang Datuk Ir Rosman Yahaya dalam taklimat ringkas kepada baginda berkata, jambatan yang mula dibina pada Ogos 2007 itu dijangka siap pada Februari tahun depan di mana kini ia sudah 82 peratus siap.

Katanya jambatan empat lorong sepanjang 490 meter dan lebar 13.9 meter itu mempunyai reka bentuk yang menarik dan bakal menjadi mercu tanda bagi kawasan Parlimen Kuala Krau. - BERNAMA

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I am God, said the Pharaoh.

You are not God, replied Moses.

And why do you say I not God? asked the Pharaoh.

Because God can give life and God can take life, was Moses’s reply.

Okay, I now sentence you to death, said the Pharaoh.

But before the palace guards could drag Moses away and cut off his head, the Pharaoh added, and now I withdraw the death sentence.

So you see, said the Pharaoh, I have just taken your life and then I gave you back your life. So, since I can give life and I can take life, that means I am God.

Barisan Nasional is the ruling party, says Umno. Barisan Nasional brings development to the people. Barisan Nasional builds roads, schools, hospitals and whatnot. So the people must be grateful to Barisan Nasional. And, to demonstrate this gratitude, the people must vote for Barisan Nasional.

Barisan Nasional is just like the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh used warped logic. Barisan Nasional also uses warped logic. So Barisan Nasional has the same mind as the Pharaoh. And all those people beholden to Barisan Nasional for whatever reason, the Rulers included, who also argue that the people must support Barisan Nasional because of the development that Barisan Nasional brings, also have the mind of the Pharaoh.

Barisan Nasional does not bring development to the people, just like the Pharaoh was not able to give life. It is the people who bring development to the people. And the people bring development by paying taxes and by voting in a government to manage their tax money.

If the people refuse to pay taxes and if the people refuse to vote Barisan Nasional into office then not only will Barisan Nasional not have any money to develop the county but Barisan Nasional will also not have the power to develop the country, even if it had the money, because only the government in office can develop the country, assuming, in the first place, the people give them the money to be able to do so.

The system works like this. The people give the government money. Then the people go to the polling station to give the mandate to 222 Malaysians at federal level and another 576 Malaysians at state level to manage the people’s money. That is a total of 798 Malaysians out of more than 26 million Malaysians being given the mandate to manage the people’s money.

So these 798 Malaysians have to be grateful to the more than 26 million Malaysians. The more than 26 million Malaysians do not have to be grateful to the 798 Malaysians elected into office.

The more than 26 million Malaysians are paying the 798 Malaysians, employed as servants of the people during the elections, to do a job. Their job and the salary that comes with it comes from the people. The people are digging into their pockets to pay these 798 elected Malaysians their salaries.

The more than 26 million Malaysians are also paying for the development of the country. The more than 26 million Malaysians pay taxes to the government, which the government then uses to build roads, schools, hospitals and whatnot.

Every year, around November, the government presents its budget in Parliament for the approval of 222 elected Malaysians. These 222 elected Malaysians will have to look at the budget and on behalf of more than 26 million Malaysians tell Parliament whether this is what the people who paid that money really want. If it is not what the more than 26 million Malaysians want then the budget has to be rejected and redone to the people’s satisfaction.

If the 222 elected Malaysians do not look carefully into the budget and into how the people’s money is being spent then the more than 26 Malaysians will have to sack these 222 elected Malaysians. And this will be done during the elections every five years when the 798 elected Malaysians at federal and state levels have to go back to the people and beg the more than 26 million Malaysians to employ them for another five years with a salary attached.

That is how the system works. And let no one, even if he may be the Ruler of the land, tell you otherwise. The Pharaoh also tried to be funny. He thought he was God. And the Pharaoh was a most powerful man indeed who was matched by no one, not even the greatest dictator in history. But God smite the Pharaoh down. And the more than 26 million Malaysians are not Gods but they too have the power to smite down the 798 elected Malaysians who have the mind of the Pharaoh and expect us to be grateful to them for doing the job they are being paid to do and using our money to do it on top of that.

The Sultans had better be very careful. They are not as powerful as the Pharaoh. Heck, they are not even as powerful as the 798 elected Malaysians whom the people voted into office. The people do not want to show gratitude to Barisan Nasional. The people do not need to show gratitude to Barisan Nasional. Barisan Nasional should instead be grateful to the people. Heck, even the Sultans should be grateful to the people. Without the people’s money they would be eating sand (makan pasir, the Malays would say). And the day the people stop paying their taxes and stop voting for Barisan Nasional will be the day that those who think they are in power will realise that the people are more powerful, more powerful than even the Pharaoh and all those Malaysians who have the mind of the Pharaoh.

P.S. To Muslims, being called the Pharaoh is the greatest insult. So I urge Malaysia Today’s readers to NOT call our elected leaders, and unelected leaders like the Sultans, Pharaoh. They would get extremely upset.

Political thuggery between Dr M and Samy

The recent back and forth political bickering between former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu is nothing short of political thuggery.

The high drama involves two equally unscrupulous men trying to paint a demonic caricature of the other, when both must simply learn to fade away gracefully.

I am sure my sentiments are shared by most Malaysians.

Samy Vellu and Mahathir have not lifted their dainty fingers to ease the socio-economic burden of poor Indians or Malays. Instead, both helped their cronies get richer and stifled dissent in their respective parties.

Mahathir, during his tenure as premier, fractured the political dynamics of the country. Samy Vellu played his flunky by shutting up the Indian community while jealously guarding his political empire.

Clearly Mahathir does not have much face value to tick off his once-upon-a-time BN lieutenant for the current woes faced by the Indian community. He certainly did nothing to stop Samy Vellu's bully boy tactics against a minority community which was already discriminated upon by the UMNO-led ruling government.

I would not be all that wrong if I said that the strongest impulse in Malaysia's politics is characterized by racial politics and sliding ethnic relations, which is threatening to divide the society even further.

One does not have to go far to figure out who propagated this tradition of racism. I quote Mahathir - "It's only when my own people hurl insults at me that I feel slighted" - this must be former Prime Minister's most telling remark.

It clearly sums up the man for who he is - a racist. In sharp contrast, Mahathir said the "slipper-garland" comment by a MIC member is like pouring water on a duck's back.

The octogenarian leader, clearly, has only considered himself as the Prime Minister for the Malays. Are Indians and the Chinese not his people when he was the premier?

Samy Vellu, to stave off the humiliation of rejection by the Indian community, claims that the people have not rejected him but the ruling BN coalition government. Mahathir, on the other hand, laments that he had overstayed his welcome and thus incurred the wrath of the people.

The current political reality in Malaysia is not a dusty road map. The simple truth is that Malaysians are fed-up with Barisan Nasional, its component parties and their leaders. The people are aware that the country's wealth has not been shared with the poor and marginalised groups but sucked dry by the elite and their cronies.

Therefore, the playground jibes and public spat which pits leaders of the component parties amongst themselves only succeeds in crystallizing the rift between them and may very well mark an end to their regime.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang

Dr M: PR partners moving in different directions

(Bernama) - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday described the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition as an informal arrangement where member parties moved in different directions after last year’s general election.

“The opposition is not an alternative, unfortunately. So, it will be a disaster for this country if the opposition wins and forms the (federal) government,” he said when asked to comment on the current infighting among PR members in Selangor.

“They will not be administering the country but they will be fighting each other. PAS will fight against DAP, DAP fights against Keadilan (and so forth),” he said when visiting NGV Tech Sdn Bhd’s dockyard at Sijangkang near here.

When asked whether the Selangor Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) enquiry into alleged corrupt practices was destructive to Barisan Nasional (BN), Dr Mahathir said: “They can enquire... if Barisan does something wrong, it should be exposed. I know there was an enquiry about me some years back after I stepped down to find out whether I stole money or not, but they didn’t find anything.”

He added: “If they want an enquiry to find out whether past leaders had been doing wrong things, it is the right thing to do.”

Otherwise, the former prime minister said, when past leaders did something wrong and nothing happened to them upon their retirement, then a crop of new leaders would be led to believe that if they did something wrong, nothing would happen to them later because there would be a cover-up.

The Selcat enquiry had also questioned district officers on how allocations of RM500,000 for each state assemblyman by the previous state administration were disbursed within the first two months of 2008 before the 12th general election in March last year.

On the forthcoming Bagan Pinang by-election, Dr Mahathir stressed that the quality of the candidate was very important.

Asked whether he was upbeat on BN’s chances in Bagan Pinang, he believed that BN could retain the seat if it fielded a candidate who was generally accepted by the people.

Kartika tells govt, NGOs to butt out

Kartika and her husband,Muhammad Afandi Amir at her family's Aidilfitri open house party at Camp Lang Buana. – Picture by Choo Choy May

By Debra Chong - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA KANGSAR, Sept 24 – It has been three months since she was sentenced to six strokes of the rotan and a RM5,000 fine for drinking beer in a Pahang nightclub.

And now. Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, the Muslim mother of two whose sentence made headlines all over the world, hopes the authorities will just get on with the whipping which had been put off till after the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Her lawyer had written recently to the Pahang Syariah High Court in Kuantan, asking for the date when the whipping is to be carried out but have yet to receive a reply, reporters were told today.

Lawyer Adham Jamalullail Ibrahim, who was also present at an impromptu press conference here today, appealed to the various parties that had been making public statements over Kartika's case to stop interfering in her personal life.

The lawyer included in his list of “meddlers” the federal government and non-governmental organisation, Sisters in Islam (SIS), which had recently filed for a judicial review against Kartika's sentence.

He pointed out that Kartika had repeatedly and clearly stated she would not appeal against her sentence and asked the parties to respect his client's decision.

He added that they may take legal action against these parties for trying to force his client to do something against her wishes.

“We may sue Sisters in Islam for damages,” the lawyer said, adding that Kartika had not given her permission to them to act on her behalf.

Adham, who is an Ipoh-based Syariah lawyer, had recently taken over Kartika's case from the previous lawyer appointed by the Kuantan Syariah High Court to act for her during the trial.

He told reporters he had also applied to the court on Sept 16 to be included in any legal action involving Kartika, and asked for a copy of the court papers to find out what had taken place during the trial itself as the trial lawyer could not be contacted.

Speaking to reporters today at her family's Aidilfitri open house party at camp Lang Buana, a scenic homestay camp owned by her father near here, Kartika said this year's celebration has been no less enjoyable.

It overlooks the Perak river in Karai, somewhere in between the road from here to Sungai Siput.

“I just wants to get on with my life”, she said, reaching for her younger child who had ambled out from back verandah.

But until the sentence is executed, she is unable to move forward, Kartika related, aided by her father and elder sister who hovered at her elbows.

The 32-year-old was previously reported to have voiced plans to further her studies. But asked today about her plans for after the caning, Kartika dressed in a demure olive green head scarf and floral baju kurung only smiled.

Elder sister Ratna Seri Dewi, 34, swooped in to her rescue, telling reporters that Kartika was unable to make plans when her future was murky – she could not even say when she could return to Singapore, where her husband works and her two children, a boy and a girl aged seven and five respectively, go to school.

The petite lady with the big smile said she had been preparing for the whipping ever since receiving the verdict from the Pahang Syariah High Court in Kuantan last July.

“I pray,” she answered in a soft voice, her big eyes framed by spectacles cast downwards when asked how she has been “preparing” for the punishment.

Ratna jumped in to elaborate, saying her sister has been performing extra prayers, mostly at night, in addition to the compulsory five times daily prayers required by Islam.

The lush green surroundings have also helped her calm and focus her mind, which had been under stress from the sudden international spotlight over her case, Kartika added.

The controversy over her sentence has drawn the world's attention on Malaysia’s dual-track justice system which provides for separate and additional punishment for Muslims under Syariah laws.

Asked if she thinks the sentence meted out was fair, she paused, drew in a deep breath and said: “I can't say.”

Najib finds new Indian allies, bypasses the MIC

Former Hindraf national co-coordinator Thanenthiran is president of Makkal Sakti. — File pic

By Baradan Kuppusamy- The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — The invitation card is glossy, in gold colour and of superior quality, in keeping with the VIP who is guest of honour at the Oct 10 launch of the new kid on the block — the Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia.

The VIP will be Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who appears to be signalling that he is not going to solely depend on Barisan Nasional (BN) stalwart parties like the MIC and MCA to reach out to the non-Malay communities.

He will launch the new Indian-based party formed by former leaders of Hindraf at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang next month in a strategy which bears similarities to his father Tun Razak Hussein's move in the 1970s to welcome more political parties into the establishment fold.

For this reason, it is significant that Najib is launching the party which received recognition from the Registrar of Societies in a “matter of weeks” on May 11.

His presence indicates that in the changed political landscape after March 8, 2008 which saw BN allies like the MIC, MCA, Gerakan and PPP fall like tenpins, Umno is finding and creating new allies.

Leaders of the new party have already pledged to campaign for BN in the upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election.

With MIC's and even the PPP's failure to reform and reinvent under Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Datuk M. Kayveas, Umno may well be searching for new partners. The Makkal Sakti party could well play such a role.

A lot is riding on the party formed by former Hindraf national co-coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran, 47, who is president.

The party has yet to make an impact but Thanenthiran said it has been working quietly to recruit over 50,000 members, getting the divisions established and setting up best practices.

“We made an impact at Kampung Buah Pala trying to save it from demolition. The Indian community knows about it,” he said.

He says Najib’s presence is an honour but claims that the party is independent and only wishes to serve the people.

“The Prime Minister is launching our party and we are honoured but it does not mean we have lost our independence,” Thanenthiran told The Malaysian Insider.

“We are working together with him as partners… we walk together for the benefit of the Indian community,” he said.

“It is true the BN did not do much for us in the past 52 years but the Pakatan Rakyat has done even less for us in the past two years,” he said.

“BN under Datuk Seri (Najib) is beginning to do for the Indians in major areas and we welcome it. We want to work with him to get a fair share of the nation's resources,” he said, giving reasons why Najib was invited to launch the party and open the annual general meeting.

“We invited Selangor Chief Minister (Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim) to open a culture night the same day but he declined,” Thanenthiran. “We tried… you can’t blame us.”

Najib’s decision to launch the Makkal Sakti party is a milestone in Indian politics in Malaysia.

It not only suggests the increasing irrelevance of the MIC, but also sidelines the many Indian-based NGOs that claim to be offshoots of the Hindraf movement, including the yet-to-be registered Human Rights Party headed by lawyer and Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar.

Having the ear of the Prime Minister is a major boon for the Makkal Sakti Party which has asked Najib to act on three main areas of concern for the Indians.

These are turning all 543 Tamil schools into fully-aided schools, 10 per cent Indian recruitment in the civil service and at all levels and socio-economic help to uplift the Indian urban poor.

Thanenthiran said Najib told them to give him two years to act on these issues. “You all watch what I do,” Najib told them, according to Thanenthiran.

The MIC for them is already irrelevant.

“We won’t be here if the MIC had delivered,” said A. Waythamoorthy, the former Perak Hindraf co-ordinator who is deputy president.

“If they had delivered there would not have been a Makkal Sakti movement in the first place, no 2008 tsunami and we won’t form a new party,” he said.

The party would also actively campaign for the Barisan Nasional in the Oct 11 Bagan Pinang by-election because leaders feel it is a BN-ruled state and another PR or independent win would not make any difference for the Indians.

“In Bagan Pinang we want to show we can bring Indian voters for the Barisan… it is an acid test for us,” Thanenthiran said.

Tanjong Tokong (Malay Village) Kg.Buah Pala-Double standards by Pakatan Rakyat

Guan Eng: Only federal government can declare Buah Pala heritage site

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng continued his offensive over the Kampung Buah Pala controversy today by pointing out that only the federal government had the power to declare the village a heritage site.

In a statement today. He said that the federal government had the sole right under the National Heritage Act 2005 to designate any site a heritage.

“The State Legal Advisor Datuk Faiza binti Zulkifli and the Penang Town and Country Planning Department have stressed that the Penang state government has no powers to accord any site such status.

“Unlike other states such as Malacca, Penang has no heritage laws. Accordingly, to declare any site a heritage site, the National Heritage Act holds sway.”

He said that only the Heritage Commissioner under the Minister of Information, Communications, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, could designate any site to be a heritage site under Section 24.

Section 30 requires the consent from the relevant state government before any designation can be made.

“Clearly BN or Gerakan and its allies were barking up the wrong tree when they tried to blame the state government for refusing to designate certain sites such as Kampung Buah Pala as a heritage area,” said Lim.

Yesterday, Lim challenged former Barisan Nasional (BN) state executive councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan to show proof of his claim that the Pakatan Rakyat state administration had finalised the deal to acquire Kampung Buah Pala.

He also accused the previous BN state government of selling the Kampung Buah Pala land cheaply and without consulting the residents.

Lim and Teng have been trading barbs over which party is responsible for the land transaction which resulted in a standoff between residents and the state over the issue of compensation.

In his statement today, Lim said “there was nothing for me to sign as the previous BN administration led by Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had signed away all the rights of the Kampung Buah Pala residents.”

“BN, Gerakan and its allies have spread lies claiming that I have signed documents, finalised the deal and transferred the land to the cooperative. Until today I have not signed a single document in favour of the developer or the cooperative. The deal was finalised by the previous BN administration.”

He added that his government was powerless to legally stop the transfer of the land as this was a consequential administrative action following the approvals given by the previous BN administration.

The only recourse left was to improve on the offer of a RM75,000 flat unit offered to the residents by BN on the basis that they were illegal squatters, he said.

Lim said the PR government had succeeded in compelling the developer to offer a double-storey house worth RM600,000 on the basis that they had a right to a 99-year legally-binding lease to own land in Kampung Buah Pala.

Setiawan Indian cowherds both P.R and BN state government cheated Indians

Indians should be given land to near cows in Sitiawan says long time cowherds since 1967 says Sarbil MIC branch chief. Other Malays have been given up to 150 acres of land. We have up to 500 cows but not given land. Note: both the P.R and BN Perak state governments have cheated these Indians by merely wanting their votes.

Is Malaysia heading for the worst Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ranking and score in 15 years?

By Lim Kit Siang,

Is Malaysia heading for the worst Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking and score in 15 years, when the TI CPI 2009 is released next month?

When launching the country report in the TI Global Corruption Report (GCR) 2009 yesterday, Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and other “reforms” introduced by the government have so far been ineffective in fighting corruption.

These measures have not produced the desired results and so the public perception of corruption remains unchanged.

Pointing out that Malaysians are fed up with the status quo and the unbearable effects of corruption in the country, Low said the Global Corruption Barometer 2009 surveyed released in May showed that 70 per cent of Malaysians believe that the government is ineffective in fighting corruption.

In contrast, although Indonesia has a far worse position in the corruption perception index than Malaysia, 76% of its people believe their government is effective in fighting corruption.

The public perception position for Malaysia is likely to be even worse than the Global Corruption Barometer 2009 survey in May after two further developments:

• the mysterious death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock on July 16, who went to the 14th floor MACC headquarters as a healthy, vigorous, idealistic young man to give his co-operation as a witness but ended up as a corpse on the 5th floor of the building; and

• the MACC role as Umno catspaw to declare war on Pakatan Rakyat instead of declaring war on corruption, going all out to harass Pakatan Rakyat over alleged constituency allocation improprieties involving RM2,400 (even costing a human life) while being totally blind to corruption and abuses of power against Barisan Nasional leaders running into tens or hundreds of millions or even billions of ringgit!

Transparency International will be releasing its CPI 2009 report next month, which will be the 15th in its annual series since 1995 in the ranking of countries based on their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.

The TI Malaysia president is pessimistic about Malaysia’s rating for the TI CPI 2009 expecting it to remain static or even worsen despite (or more correctly, precisely because of) the revamp of the Anti-Corruption Agency to become the MACC and the setting up of the much watered-down Special Complaints Commission in lieu of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) proposed by the Royal Police Commission in 2005.

A survey of the 14 annual reports of the TI CPI from 1995 to 2008 shows that Malaysia occupies dubious company, sharing with Philippines the dishonour of being two of the 12 Asian countries first surveyed in 1995 which had ended with both lower CPI ranking and score in CPI 2008 as compared to CPI 1995 (See table, CPI score in bracket with “10” highly clean and “0” highly corrupt).

Country	CPI 1995 (out of 41)	CPI 2008 (out of 180)
Malaysia	23 (5.28)	47 (5.1)
Philippines	36 (2.77)	141 (2.3)

In the first TI CPI 1995 report, the last two of the 41 countries surveyed were all from Asia, viz: China (No. 40) and Indonesia (No. 41) but both have made significant strides in anti-corruption efforts as illustrated as follows:

Country	CPI 1995 (out of 41)	CPI 2008 (out of 180)
China	40 (2.16)	72 (3.6)
Indonesia	41 (1.94)	126 (2.6)

In the first TI CPI 1995 report, Malaysia was fourth top-ranked Asian country, behind Singapore (No. 3), Hong Kong (No. 17) and Japan (No. 20), but 14 years later, Malaysia has slipped to sixth place when ranked No. 47 in the CPI 2008 report, behind Taiwan (No. 39) and South Korea (No. 40).

Even Thailand and India made significant strides in combating corruption in their CPI scores if not in ranking, as follows:

Country	CPI 1995 (out of 41)	CPI 2008 (out of 180)
Thailand	34 (2.79)	80 (3.5)
India	35 (2.78)	85 (3.4)

It will an enormous shame and great infamy for Malaysia if in the TI CPI 2009 report, Malaysia slides further in both indicators of CPI ranking and score.

Lessons from Kg Buah Pala

After years of tussle ,Kampung Buah Pala, popularly known as the High Chaparral of Penang, was finally destroyed and it will soon become just a name in the history of Penang. It is to be replaced by RM200 million luxurious condominiums ironically called "The Oasis" that is expected to give Penang a more pleasant, modern and luxurious outlook to boost its image as a tourist destination.

t is a well known fact that evicting long-term occupants of public land had always been a vIery thorny problem that is closely inter-twined with emotional, social and human rights issues which are easily sensationalized by the media and exploited by political opportunists. Kampung Buah Pala was not any different, where the controversial acquisition and sale of the land, negotiations for compensation and the subsequent forced eviction of the residents were handled in a very high handed and inhumane manner that leaves much to be desired.

Unreasonable promises by certain parties raised the hopes of the residents to emotionally high levels that led to the unpleasant encounters between them, the government, developer and finally the demolition team and police. The whole saga revealed that in business and politics there is no place for compassion and humanity towards the underprivileged even by the state.

The issue of Kg.Buah Pala is not something that cropped up overnight but has been going on for some years from the time of the previous government. I am sure the government, owner and developer were well aware of its ramifications, yet the way it was handled and finally demolished does not speak well for a government that puts the people's welfare above all others.

The villagers were accused of being too greedy in not wanting to accept the quantum to be paid in compensation. By the way in our materialistic society who is not greedy these days? Who doesn't want a better deal? Why was the land sold to a third party in such a controversial manner when it should rightly be offered first to the occupants? What was the reason for the erecting the luxury condominiums in that place? Is that what Penang needs most now? If these were not done out of greed what is it then? It is ironical that in a society where everything is driven by greed, these poor villagers and cowherds are being branded as greedy for not willing to give up their homes.

This should be a lesson for all to prevent the repeat of such incidences in the future. The government should be more accountable and forthright in its dealings with the people. The truth must be revealed and not submerged by false promises made for political gains. The truth, that the residents will have to finally vacate the premises, may be bitter but will eventually be accepted by the people if it is handled with tact and care.

The government must review all development projects in the state and stop all unnecessary ones. Over development has resulted in the unnecessary loss of beautiful beaches, hills and recreational parks and fields that were once the attractions of Penang. The so-called development projects should not be carried out solely for the sake of spinning money for the state and big co-operations but for the benefit off the people at large. It must strike a balance between development and the all-important preservation of natural resources, the environment and our heritage.

Meanwhile occupants of government land should realise that they are only temporary occupants who may be required to vacate one day and they must plan their own developments and activities in advance and not wait till forcefully evicted. They must understand that developments are inevitable with time and negotiations for compensation and relocation must be carried out well in advance in accordance with the laws of the land.

The feelings of the residents can be summed up by the comments of a 84year old resident that was quoted in the NST: "My children were born and bred here. Now, I have to live to see the day everything that we built being smashed to the ground" said the elderly man with tears in his eyes as he watched his partly wooden house being pulled down by the workers.

Dr.Chris Anthony

CALON PILIHANRAYA

1. Saya akui calon yang bersih pun boleh kalah dan calon yang kotor pun boleh menang. Di Bagan Pinang, saya percaya siapa juga yang dilantik sebagai calon, besar kemungkinan dia akan menang.

2. Sudah lupakah kita akan pilihanraya kecil di Permatang Pasir di mana calon Barisan Nasional terdiri daripada seorang peguam yang dikatakan terlibat dengan melesapkan duit pelanggannya dan berbohong berkenaan dengan jumlah isterinya? Kempen BN mudah dipatah oleh parti lawan. Apabila ia kalah ramai yang berkata BN harus selidik dahulu latarbelakang calon. BN tidak harus letak calon yang mempunyai latar belakang yang mudah dijadikan isu oleh parti lawan.

3. Imej UMNO sekarang sudah banyak tercemar dengan politik wang semasa pemilihan Majlis Tertinggi. Boleh dikatakan hampir semua yang dipilih terlibat dengan rasuah.

4. Sesungguhnya orang ramai tidak lagi hormati UMNO. Dan besar kemungkinan mereka tidak akan undi calon UMNO dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-13.

5. Imej ini boleh diubah jika UMNO secara serius cuba bertindak membersihkan dirinya. Yang rakyat lihat ialah janji akan terus bertindak terhadap yang terlibat dengan penggunaan wang dalam pemilihan Majlis Tertinggi tidak dikotakan. Sebaliknya banyak tanda-tanda yang menunjuk yang kotor diterima juga. Jika yang dipilih sebagai calon di Bagan Pinang tidak bersih maka persepsi rakyat terhadap UMNO sebagai parti rasuah tidak akan berubah. Ia akan mempunyai kesan buruk dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-13.

6. Memang benar saya disingkir daripada UMNO dan kemudian diterima balik dan dicalonkan dalam Pilihanraya Umum 1974. Tetapi saya tidak disingkir kerana jenayah rasuah. Saya disingkir kerana saya telah suarakan pendapat ramai ahli parti yang tidak senang dengan dasar Presiden ketika itu.

7. Demikian juga beberapa orang ahli Semangat 46 telah diterima balik, dicalon dan ada yang dipilih menjadi menteri. Mereka bukan diambil tindakan disiplin kerana rasuah atau politik wang. Kesalahan mereka bukan satu jenayah. Sebaliknya tindakan mereka disebabkan perbezaan pendapat politik dengan kepimpinan parti.

8. Tidak ada persamaan di antara kes saya dengan kes tindakan tatatertib keatas seorang yang menggunakan wang untuk mendapat jawatan dalam parti.

9. Jika ahli UMNO utamakan orang tertentu lebih daripada parti dan penerimaannya oleh masyarakat, janganlah hairan jika UMNO sekali lagi ditolak dalam pilihanraya umum.

10. Sebenarnya penolakan UMNO dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-12 disebabkan kebanyakan ahli UMNO terus menyokong pemimpin yang tidak disukai oleh rakyat. Oleh kerana ahli UMNO tidak bertindak menukar pemimpin yang tercemar dengan rasuah dan nepotisme, maka rakyat sebagai pengundi terpaksa bertindak mengalahkan BN dan UMNO di banyak kawasan.

11. Kalau sayang pada parti, janganlah begitu utamakan individu tertentu sehingga imej parti tercemar lagi. Korbankanlah sedikit supaya akhirnya parti dapat dipulih semula.

Wee: Let Representatives Resolve MCA Internal Crisis

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- MCA Central Committee member Wee Jeck Seng said Thursday any internal crisis facing the party should be resolved by the delegates at its emergency general meeting (EGM) on Oct 10.

He said it was unfortunate that suspended deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's sex scandal video had resurfaced and those responsible must have their motive but the investigation should be left to the police.

"What matters now is the decision of the delegates (at the EGM) on Oct 10 so let the MCA delegates resolve the MCA crisis," Wee, who is Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, told a news conference on Malaysia's first Outstanding Youth Conference here.

He was asked to comment on a report that the sex DVD which caused the downfall of Dr Chua had resurfaced, sparking a fresh round of controversy.

The EGM is being called following Dr Chua's sacking from the party on Aug 26 but the MCA Central Committee last Saturday revised the presidential council's decision and suspended him for four years.

Wee said he was happy to note that the number of youths taking part in entrepreneurship had risen from 51.6 per cent in 2006 to 63.2 per cent in 2008, attributing the greater success to the Ministry's take on developing entrepeneurship, leadership and skills.

The Outstanding Youth Conference, organised by the Universiti Utara Malaysia student body, will be held at its Sintok campus on Oct 9.

Experts Pleased With 2010 Delhi Games Security Plan

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Several participating nations are so far satisfied with India's security arrangement for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Delegates from Commonwealth countries attended a two-day international security conference ahead of the games where Indian organisers managed to convince them of its capability to host the event and fend off any security threat.

"As of now there is no specific threat to the Commonwealth Games, or to India or to any (participating) countries. By and large, security experts are impressed with security and traffic arrangements," India's home secretary G. K. Pillai told the media Thursday.

India's Home Ministry formed the International Security Liaison Group to coordinate security arrangements, as several participating nations pressured the country to shape up its security for athletes and officials.

"Not a single country said they were not satisfied with our arrangement. Overall they are satisfied with our presentation but they want us to manage the perception of threats being played up in the media," added Pillai.

He said 76 delegates from 28 countries, mostly security professionals, who attended the meeting in Delhi, also assured India that they would share any information on any sort of threat to the Commonwealth Games, which is being held in the Asian region for the second time.

Malaysia hosted the games in 1998.

Najib: OIC A Stage To Launch Defence Against Extremism, Islamophobia

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is not only a platform for cooperation among the Ummah, but also a stage to launch a defence against extremism and Islamophobia at international level, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The prime minister said that the growing negative perceptions and insults against Islam had exacerbated hostilities against Muslims, especially those living in the West.

"It is for the Ummah to project and promote the true image of Islam by highlighting the universal values, the rich heritage and achievements of this sacred religion that teaches its followers tolerance and respect for others," he said in his message on the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of establishment of the OIC Friday.

The message was released here.

Najib also said that after 40 years, the OIC had evolved into a body that served and safeguarded the interests of the Ummah.

The prime minister is pleased to note that the organisation has actively involved in the promotion of activities to further enhance cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the 57 member states with a population of more than 1.5 billion.

Najib said however that the world was a vastly different place today than it was 40 years ago, and that many new challenges had emerged.

"For the OIC to remain relevant in the globalised, technological and a borderless world, it must move with the times," he said.

"Members must work together, maximise the use of their combined resources for the collective good and benefit of the Ummah.

The OIC must recognise the new challenges in the post Sept 11 era not only in the political and security areas but also in the economic and social sphere."

Najib said the OIC must play the role of catalyst and provider for the economic and social development among the least developed members of the organisation.

"As the world moves on, we cannot afford to be left behind. Joint and concerted efforts are needed to remove the shackles of poverty still afflicting millions of our fellow Muslims around the world.

"It is for us to shape our own destiny and therefore we must aim to grow through self-reliance. Poverty, hunger and disease are the common enemies of mankind," he said.

The prime minister said while the international community was addressing these problems, the OIC must play its part.

"While the challenges are many, they cannot be ignored. Members must close ranks to address them for the benefit of the present and future generations," he said.

On the Palestinian issue, Najib said despite international efforts to resolve the matter, "we are disheartened and dismayed over the grave and volatile situation that continues in the occupied Palestinian territories."

On Malaysia's role in the OIC, Najib said as a founding member of the organisation, Malaysia played an important role in its establishment.

He added that while holding the OIC chairmanship from Oct 2003 until March 2008, Malaysia had reoriented the focus of the organisation from solely deliberating on political issues to one that also emphasised on economic issues.

"To this effect, the government of Malaysia remains committed to enhancing economic cooperation among the OIC member states and promoting intra-OIC trade.

"Despite the potential, intra-OIC trade currently stands at 16.7 per cent of total world trade," he said.

Pakatan MPs for UNGA

Malaysian delegates. They'll be in New York for 2 weeks. Not a holiday, mind you. They will have to sit in for meetings of UNGA, its sub-committees, envoys, etc. "It's a great chance for me to represent my country," one YB was overheard saying.

A move on the part of Najib's government certainly to raise eyebrows on both sides of the political fence. Read HERE.

CORRECTION: The MM got 2 out of 3 right. The New York-bound DAP man won't be Chong.

PAS should give Hasan Ali a pass. Sack him, if it isn't too late.

By Jeff Ooi,

Months ago, a non-partisan lawyer friend SMS-ed me that if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) didn't rein in Hasan Ali, PAS Commissioner for Selangor who leads the party's representation in the state government, the fledgling coalition will ultimately pay a hefty price in the next general election. Selangor, or even Malaysia, will eclipse and escape PR when push comes to shove.

Of late, there had been more Hasan Ali headlines in the local press, all for the wrong reasons.

From his holier-than-thou stance in fanning the beer-banning self-campaign to his recent unilateral empowering of non-enforcement officers from mosques to nab Muslims for consuming alcohol, and now, openly ordering the dissolution of Selcat (Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency) that was formed via the very legislative process he took part in and approved at the Selangor Legislative Assembly -- these are indisputable proofs that Hasan Ali belongs philosophically more to Umno than PAS and Pakatan Rakyat combined.

Look. Klang District Officer (DO) Bakhtiar Husin overtly reared his ugly warlordism by accusing Selcat of political opportunism and shaming him in an inquiry into misused state allocations.

Look. Hasan Ali swiftly jumped in to lend his support to Bakhtiar.

Embolden, Bakhtiar and a few other DOs collectively boycotted the state government’s Malaysia Day celebrations last Wednesday.

To put Selcat in context, its recent deliberations involved the ongoing public inquiry into the misuse of state allocations by former Barisan Nasional state assemblymen where a year's annual allocation was used up within weeks ahead of the March 8 general election.

Through the testimonies of five Selangor DOs called up at the Selcat inquiry, it has been established that Barisan Nasional state reps had used up RM500,000 annual state allocations in two months before the March general election last year.

Evidently, in attempts to rid Selangor of corrupt political practices, Hasan had misadventured to protect the corrupt.

It's now a foregone conclusion that Hasan Ali is not a solution but a part of the problem for the PR state government.

Nobody will discount the possibility Hasan will help Umno stage a Perak-like coup d'etat that Najib had openly called for.

Why Hasan must go

Hasan Ali's superficial but over-indulgence in the Islamic State overtures will do nothing to resolve the after-effect of a corruption-ridden government under Khir Toyo, which now continues to fester even the top echelon of the civil service.

Hasan Ali's Islamic overtures, be it a munāfiq posturing or otherwise, has even aroused the anxiety of the investor and the non-Muslim communities. A large cluster of the electorates who voted in PR -- lock, stock and barrel -- to deliver total revamp of BN-styled governance is feeling rudely unsettled. Can PR can't rule the Selangor state, can it do the whole country?

If Hasan Ali thinks he can be made the BN-plus menteri besar by bringing the 8-member PAS representation in the Selangor state assembly to cross-over to join Khir Toyo, he must have had wet dreams. Nobody would ever think local PAS leaders like Saari Sungip shared Hasan's wavelength.

Even PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar said Hasan should not have kicked up the matter in the open as it was tantamount to attacking the principle of separation of powers enshrined in parliamentary democracy.

Here, we should ask a pertinent question: What and who is Hasan manoeuvring for if not to destroy the new political baseline PR has garnered against BN?

What should DAP and PKR, and even PAS leaders, do when we find ourselves no longer able to condone Hasan's misdemeanour, and we refuse to be associated with him in the coalition?

The options are limited for a runaway train who defies the spirit of Pakatan Team that aspires to wrest Putrajaya in the next general election. Hasan has to be asked to leave Pakatan Rakyat for the larger good.

Hasan Ali is not an asset for PAS nor PR. He is neither a trained ulama, a technocrat, nor a economist. He but camouflages himself as a motivational speaker who rode on the political tsunami of GE2008.

Hasan Ali is not indispensable. He is not even a consequence of Pakatan Victory in Selangor. Talking about political baseline, Hasan Ali only managed to return a meagre 8-seat contingent into the state assembly, whereas PKR delivered 15, and DAP 13.

The 28-seat collateral secured by PKR and DAP combined shouldn't be cowed by a minion that Hasan leads with dissents from within his rank.

A recalcitrant bent on destroying the fledgling PR like him should be sacked if welcome is overstayed.

PAS chief Hadi Awang should rest in comfort that the Gombak Setia seat can be retained if the cancer of Hasan Ali is to be ridden off.

A by-election forced in Gombak Setia willbe the next best thing to appease the angry electorates who colossally supported PR.

Nothing less than that.

HINDRAF challenges LGE for a televised lived debate on Kg Buah Pala issue.

HINDRAF believes that the opposition party that it had supported during the GE12 had not lived up to the expectation of the public at least in the Kg Buah Pala Issue.

HINDRAF is not looking for a political solution but a people’s solution to live in harmony without the spin and propaganda that have outlived our community for fear and favor.

LGE has his state machineries, media and the political power at his disposal whereas HINDRAF has only its conscience and truth on its side for the people.

UMNO led government produces a lot of rhetoric, diagnoses, denunciation of injustice and proposals to address it. That has been the nation for the last 52 years as the public continued to suffer and deteriorate even further. HINDRAF took a stand in GE 12 to mobilize its grassroot supporters to support the opposition to seek a change and the change appeared in the five states that the opposition won for a people’s cause.

Now with the Kg Buah Pala issue, there seems too be many mismatches in the the CAT principal that the opposition had spoken about. Rather than taking on the past government that we all know who have been misleading the community, we call upon LGE government to address us in an open forum to revive the democracy between the administration and the people.

Collapse or survival of an administration or a society is on the truth in their action rather than placating for a political survival that means nothing for an ordinary man on the street for his or her survival in an unjust system that had prevailed.

HINDRAF is for the people for what is truthful and just and the failure of the very opposition that we had supported to disregard us in engaging in a dialogue, discussion on their competency, accountability and transparency to safeguard public interest will only reflect another Trojan Horse in the guise of UMNO against public benefit.

The altered landscape that HINDRAF brought against the might of UMNO is not about politics but the public and the well being of the community for what is truthful and just. If the opposition, the so called flag bearer of the community is unable to comprehend this and continues to spin and simulate UMNO’s position, then it is nothing but a change of guard without any actual benefit for the public and community that we live in.

If LGE government is all about CAT, then enlighten us and the the public with us on a televised live debate based on facts, evidence and truth on what really transpired in Kg Buah Pala issue.

As far HINDRAF is concerned, Kg Buah Pala is far from being a closed chapter until and when the actual truth is transmitted to the public. The public shall be the judge, not media, hypothesis that serves a political intention will as oppose to the public need.

Whether LGE has run a spin or not is no the issue, but this would be a excellent opportunity for the public to gauge only if he is ready to face up to it. Running against the obstinate UMNO led government is pretty futile as we know how it is going to against brickwall that bounces itself.

Here HINDRAF, being an NGO offers an opportunity to LGE to show that that the opposition really is set out to address the community issues under the change that the community seeked.

It is a clarion call for LGE, nothing more nothing less for CAT to survive for the communities will as oppose to political will.

Thank you.

R.Shan

Hindraf

International Coordinator (New York)

Lim Guan Eng Transffered Buah Pala Land on 27 March 2009

Referring to the Press Statement Issued by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Georgetown on 23.9.2009.

The Rakyat (People) has chosen Pakatan Rakyat to take over the administration of the 5 states in the hope that they will solve all the pending issues and mess created by the Barisan Nasional Government since the era of my grandfather. I will not defend the Barisan Nasional Government for any of their act and political crimes, since they are the main culprit on many pending issues in the state taken over by the Pakatan Rakyat Government. We consider Pakatan Rakyat as our Hero who came to save the people that are discriminated for a long long time. They came, they promised and we cast the vote on their field and then the whole and old games started. Why in the first place we voted for Pakatan Rakyat? We want to see changes, we want our rights to be respected, we want to clear the mess created by the Barisan Nasional Government, and we want them to correct the pattern drawn wrongly by the BN government, we want to erase the act of Corruption and delete the Cronies Chapters!. Am I right here?

Ok, now we see the way Kg.Buah Pala issue has been handled by Lim Guan Eng and his Mandores, Ramasamy and RSN Rayer@Liar!, I am well verse with the chronology and manipulation in the case of Buah Pala, from the stripping by the Gerakan Government to the Raping moments of Lim Guan Eng and his sex partners(Ramasamy,Rayer,Nusmetro and Koperasi), from the time the Land was marked for development to the processes involved on the ground and underground. Let’s not waste our time looking at the processes, you can check on my blog on the processes, discrimination, brutality, injustices etc. (www.cryingvoices.webs.com). Now, the historical Kg.Buah Pala, the Indian Heritage Village is a History and today, there is only one house standing not fully but after being molested! And left remained there for few more days for the owner’s source of income and pride, cattle and goats!

Lim Guan Eng's statement :

"Why Has Gerakan’s Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan or BN Not Repented By Apologising For His Part And BN’s Role In Selling Out The Kampung Buah Pala Residents Of Their Land At Such Cheap Rates Without Consulting Them?"

He knew very well that the Land has been sold so cheap, RM10 per sq feet (market price is more than RM50 per sq ft), and he knows there is something is not right in this dealing.

Lim Guan Eng's statement :

The PR state government worked hard to compel the developer to offer a double-storey terrace house with 99 years lease to the residents worth RM 600,000. This successful compensation by the PR state government to gain recognition for Kampung Buah Pala residents to remain as legal rightful landowners and not as illegal squatters to be given a RM 75,000 flat unit which is widely recognised as the best in Malaysian history.

Double storey house worth RM600,000 ?? Oiii Lim Guan Eng Lu Gila Kah?? I was there in Kg.Buah Pala for about a month, and there is not a single 'legal' document or agreement from the state government or Koperasi the Land Owner, addressed to the villagers stated about the RM600,000 double storey house! I can challenge anyone to prove this! There is only one illegal, incomplete, and injustice offer letter which has not been stamped and no proper signature and trap conditions from Nusmetro Ventures, stated that they will build a double storey house for the villagers in exchange with ; 1. All the pending cases in the Court to be withdrawn, and they have no rights to file any case against the developer or any one involved in the development of the Kg.Buah Pala land.

2. No time limit stated, when the house will be ready? God Knows! What Material used? Papan? Plywood? Palm leaves? God Knows...

3. In any case the development at the Land, Halt, Stopped or Freezed.. this agreement will be void or cancelled. Or Invalid.

4. The house will be built in the land determined by the developer! Where? God Knows..

5. Size of the house to be built? 1400sq ft, 600 sq ft lower floor, 600sq ft upper. 200sq ft outside space. hmm.. good deal? Current approx size of each house in the village now : 13,000 sq ft.

6. Read more on the Nusmetro Agreement on cryingvoices.

Lim Guan Eng agreed and stated that the Villagers are not squatters! But have you guys seen the way villagers were treated during demolition? Where was Lim Guan Eng when the Developer's man harassed the villagers? watch video and photos at http://thecryingvoices.blogspot.com.

Lim Guan Eng's statement

Once the decision of the BN state EXCO has been conveyed by approval letters for land alienation and development orders sent out to Koperasi and the developer, the state government is legally bound. There is nothing the new PR government can do as it is bound by the decisions approved by BN. This was also affirmed by the Federal Court decision. The order for eviction and demolition was issued to the developer and not initiated by the state government.

There is nothing the new PR Government can do as it is bound by the decisions approved by BN???

Then why are you talking about ISA? It is also a legal term and stated in the Federal Constitution and decided by the BN Government! If you can’t change the decision and rules set by the BN Government, then what the hell are you here for and why the hell did we chose you to sit in the Administration? To get your allowance and stay in your private residency peacefully with all the luxuries and claims?

If you are telling that we are bound with and affirmed by the Federal Court Decision and we wash our hands, then Did your Pakatan Government Boss Anwar Ibrahim a real sodomiser? Coz court decision has been made. and you went to ISA for instigating Racial Sensitivities, you are real culprit? I am talking from your point of view. This shows that you are a leader that respects the courts decision, aren’t you? Good then Perak State Government belongs to BN, why are you appealing again and again? court decision has been made! You said that Order for Eviction and Demolition was Issued to the developer? DEMOLITION?? The Developer only has the right for the vacant Land! and no demolition orders from the court have been acquired! This is a lame statement by you Lim Guan Eng.

Lim Guan Eng's statement

In contrast, the new PR state government had never issued a single letters of eviction to the residents of Kampung Buah Pala. Similarly until now BN or Datuk Dr Teng can not show proof that I had promised that I would return the land back to the Kampung Buah Pala residents during the general elections as I did not even campaign there.

This is the real classic case of “the thief shouting thief”. Hello Mr.Chief Minister, wake up la! In a school, when a teacher tells the class that it is holiday tomorrow that means it is the instruction from the higher authority, can be from the Headmaster or higher authorities! You are the headmaster and your teachers has promised to return back the land of the Villagers as soon as they win the election and they repeat the promises even after they won the election! Worse was, they promised for an appeal to the State Government to give allocation to the village for the Yearly Ponggal Festival! Facts and Evidences? RSN Rayer Adun Seri Delima and DCM 2 Ramasamy, watch their promises at http://thecryingvoices.blogspot.com. You want to hear shocking news? Your Higher Authority Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made a promise right in the centre of the village before the election, want prove? Ask The-Star or ask Muhyiddin Yasin and I will reveal my copy at the right time. Suggestion and Ideas from an election candidate or an elected representative could be a painting on an Ice Cube and will or will not be referred in the Parliament or State Assembly, but promises and assurance made by an Elected member of the State Assembly or the Member Of Parliament will be taken as the voice of the Assembly or the Parliament! The Chief of a state is responsible for the promises made by his executives! Lim Guan Eng did not campaign in Kg.Buah Pala and did not even make a single effort to visit the villagers when they were suffering and longing for the support from the Chief of the State! "Heritage? Bullshit! The place is just covered with Cow sheds and Cow Dungs!" .. remember these words? Pemimpin berjiwa rakyat? Delivering an outstanding speech is not the only criteria of a leader? he must do what he promised on the stage and take full responsibility of the errors made by his crew, just like the captain on a ship! and not passing the fireball to others to avoid burn and pain!

Lim Guan Eng's statement

If BN And Gerakan Are So “Innocent” Of Their Guilt In Robbing Kampung Buah Pala Residents Of Their Land, Why Is It That Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon Dare Not Take Up His Own Challenge Of An Open Public Debate With Me On National Television?

Why must Koh Tsu Koon waste his time debating this issue and what is the point and outcome? he is not in the state of making any differences, he is not in any position in the state government and he can’t reverse the decision or the development, You can! but you are trying to hit around the bush, and not trying to solve the matter! You are saying about helping the villagers and you are their best friend and you are negotiating with the villager and met them 5times for a solution, What solution have you suggested to them on every meeting? Saving the village? No! You were negotiating to the villagers on behalf of Nusmetro and trying to make the Villagers accept to the amount and compensation thrown to them. Prove to the public and release the discussion minutes to the press that you have helped the villagers to solve the problem in Buah Pala! You have only helped the developer to negotiate and persuade the Villagers to move out the Village on behalf of Nusmetro Ventures!

Lim Guan Eng's statement

BN and Gerakan were wiped out in the 2008 general elections because of their refusal to honor their promises and failed governance that bred inefficiency, cronyism and corruption. This has proven costly to the people of Penang who face losses of hundreds of millions of ringgit in land scams and sweetheart contracts that benefit the few at the expense of Penangnites.

I hope Lim Guan Eng has to re-read his statement here, we can see clearly, everything that is stated above is happening in Penang today, especially in the case of Kg.Buah Pala!

Lim Guan Eng's statement

Even though the land was transferred by the present government on 27 March 2009, I was advised by the State Legal Advisor and also DAP National Chair and MP for Bukit Glugor Karpal Singh that the Pakatan Rakyat state government was powerless to legally stop this as this was a consequential administrative action following the approvals given by the previous BN administration. This is just like the Jelutong Expressway concession agreement. The state government is bound to allow land reclamation and issuance of land title based on the previous BN government approvals

"Even though the land was transferred by the present government on 27 March 2009" The defenders of Lim Guan Eng, please take note of this statement! Thank You! Don’t you ever repeat that the land was transferred by the BN or the Office staff without Lim Guan Eng's knowledge and etc.

If on every instances, a contract or projects or a guideline that has been drawn by the previous government and you as the Chief Minister and the future Federal Government Ruling party cant make any differences or amendments or improvement or to take care of the welfare of the Citizens, Why the hell are we as voters work day and night and elect you to be our representative when there is going to be zero changes in the way Discrimination, Corruption, Development, Favoritisms are handled? Are you admitting that you can’t do much even if one day the Pakatan Government takes over the Federal Government? I think you are agreeing to my point here. Why Mr.Karpal Singh, the leading Guru of Law in Malaysia, did not open his mouth and give a clear statement on the Issue of Kg.Buah Pala until today? I guess he knows law better than anyone in the Nation and himself setback with the way Lim Guan Eng handles this issue and does not want to disappoint people like me who think he is the master of Law and he will not jeopardize his position by commenting on a case which is being handled unfairly by his party.

Lim Guan Eng's statement

The only solution to saving Kampung Buah Pala is to forcibly acquire the land. However this would cost the state more than RM 100 million.

Lim Guan Eng repeated this statement many times, but he never had explained why the State Government has to bear the cost of an Illegal Land transaction and transition with that Cost?

This project is a clear picture of an Illegal Land Transition from a Housing Trust to TOL status to a private development! It is Clearly Stated in the Grant of TOL that these land cannot be developed, mortgage, pawn, or transformed unless the with the State Governments Concern! Who is state government now? Gerakan or DAP? Koh Tsu Koon or Lim Guan Eng? then.. why do you need to spend RM100Million as the cost to stop a development project which is illegally transacted? You filed a case in MACC on this Land matter! Don’t you? So, you knew that this land cannot be developed under the state Government! Why? Why? Why? What’s your personal interest???

Lim Guan Eng Failed to explain :

In the statement by Lim Guan Eng, he spoke about many things but failed to prove more than what he has said.

-He did not mention anything about the expiry of the Terms and Contract between the State Government and the Developer.

-He failed to mentioned about the Visit by the Buah Pala Villagers on the 13 March 2008 in his office in Komtar and the remaining sum (RM2.2Mil) from the developer was collected on the next day after the visit, 14th March 2008, which directly mean that the contract is on and not expired and the developer is legally blessed and endorsed by the DAP Government to go ahead with the project.

-He also failed to explain why a project which cost RM157Mil has been given to a company which is ONLY RM125,000 paid up capital!

-He failed to explain the involvement and the interest of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the project.

-He failed to explain and take responsibility on the promises made by his executives from his office and State Assembly!

-End-

Conscious and Unconscious

Rwindraj@Cryingvoices.webs.com

Bagan Pinang By-Election Strong support for ex-MB

(NST) PORT DICKSON: Despite objections from certain quarters, including from within Umno, Teluk Kemang Umno division chief Tan Sri Mohamad Isa Abdul Samad continues to receive strong support to contest the Bagan Pinang state by-election.

Voicing support for Isa was Seremban Umno division chief Datuk Ishak Ismail, who said Isa would be Umno's best bet for a landslide victory as he was an exemplary leader who had since reformed following his earlier suspension.

They believe that the former menteri besar is a popular figure with the non-Malays as well because he has been serving the Teluk Kemang community for a long time.

"Even when he was suspended for his involvement in money politics, he did not raise any objection nor counter the allegations against him. He continued serving the community and did not let the suspension get the better of him. That is Isa; he is always focused," Ishak said.

Isa served a three-year suspension after the party's disciplinary board found him guilty on six counts of vote-buying and political corruption during the party elections in 2004.

He was originally suspended for six years or two terms but served a reduced penalty after an appeal.

"I would be greatly disappointed if Isa is not picked, bearing in mind that I was once his strongest opponent. He has always placed the party above self and these are the kind of leaders we need," Ishak added.

He said the party leadership should pay heed to what the grassroots wanted as they were constantly in touch with the locals and knew their likes and dislikes.

Jempol Umno division chief Datuk Lilah Yassin agreed with Ishak, saying that Isa had struck a personal chord with the Bagan Pinang folk during his long political career.

"He began his political career here and has been serving the Teluk Kemang community in the same service centre for the 22 years when he was menteri besar.

"The people know him very well because he lives there with his family and he has many relatives and friends."

Lilah also said Isa had an advantage as he was a local in the constituency and voters in Bagan Pinang were in favour of Isa as the Barisan Nasional candidate.

Nomination for the Bagan Pinang by-election has been fixed for Oct 3 and polling for Oct 11.

The seat fell vacant after the death of BN's Azman Mohammad Noor on Sept 4.

Virgins for suicide bombers?

Noordin Mohd Top, Asia's most wanted terrorist, was shot dead by a crack Indonesian anti-terrorism squad during a shoot-out in a village in Central Java.

The 41-year-old Malaysian-born Noordin, who had eluded the authorities for nine years, was gunned down along with three others in an ambush at his hideout in Solo. He was said to be responsible for a string of deadly bombings in Indonesia, including those in Bali in 2002 and two luxury hotels in Jakarta recently.

The above incident reminds us of a cartoon which appeared once in the West, depicting a small suicide bomber approaching the gates of heaven. He has his explosives around his waist. The angel, looking at his register on the rostrum, informs him, “Sorry, your name is not here, only the names of your victims”.

How can we and our leaders lost sight of the sanctity of the human life? How can we all have lost sight of the meaning of “…He who takes life out of death and takes death out of life”? Allah does these things, no one and nothing else.

Any effort by Muslim or non-Muslim to correct this tragic misconception that suicide has a role in our modern religious life deserves our close attention.

If you are concerned about the infiltration of this false legitimising of suicide into the life of our ummah, no matter how much you may tend to hate America, McDonald's, or the many other manifestations of globalisation that America carries, you must understand that the real enemy, an enemy that has been fought on many fronts throughout the 20th century, is fascism.

The simplest definition of a fascist is someone who believes that he can, without your permission or cooperation, completely take over your life and do with it as he so pleases. The misguided Muslim suicide bombers and their teachers, are no less fascist for imagining they are serving Islam. All fascists are criminal fanatics.

Men get virgins, what about women?

Noordin Top is widely known as a bomb maker and his explosives have been implicated in various suicide attacks. The young Muslims who take their own lives are promised virgins when they are received with triumph in heaven. What about the muslimah? What about the young Palestinian mother who killed both herself and her unborn baby on a Tel Aviv bus some years back?

Was she expecting something in heaven? We do not know. What we know is that her sponsoring group was a heretical organisation calling themselves 'Islamic Jihad'. This name reminds me of George Orwell's “double-speak”, a fascist tool for calling something its opposite, thereby changing its ethical position from negative to positive.

Fascist Muslims nowadays use the term “martyrdom operation” in such a way. As a military tactic, suicide bombing has undeniable advantages. Its victims can be pin-pointed to great accuracy – all the bomber has to do is walk among them. No warning is possible. It is the ultimate surprise attack.

This suicide-nik is trained to walk in a confident way, as if he belonged there. How to walk is one part of the suicide bombing course. Although he is carrying a weight in his explosive vest, including nails and broken glass to increase the suffering of his innocent victims, he must walk in a nonchalant way, without attracting any attention to himself. He must look healthy and normal in his eyes, although he is in fact totally psychotic. It appears to be a bit of an art.

And what about motivation? These bombs that Noordin Top engineered must be certain to detonate once the bomber is cut loose from the motivational experts who accompany him almost to his bomb site. What sane ustaz, or even doting girlfriend for that matter, would be so foolish as to want to commit suicide along with him?

So the handler sends the bomber further toward his destination with some companion to whisper in his ear that the virgins are waiting. Finally, even the last motivational expert in the chain abandons him and he walks alone, with a well-known smile on his face (is he already imagining his virgins?) into the midst of his victims.

Without engineering, these attacks become merely crazy shots-in-the-dark. It is Noordin Top's body-bombs that make these attacks controllable and as precise as any weapon could be.

And now, here comes Malaysia's Home Ministry wanting to repatriate Noordin Top's alleged body from Indonesia back to Malaysia.

One is sickened by the very thought of expressing any vestige of honour or respect to the body of a man who has mutilated hundreds of other bodies, most of whom are not even known enemies of his or any other Muslims.

Nevertheless the Indonesians are quite understandable in wanting to return this excrescence back to its origins, that is, the family cradle of this criminal. He is most certainly not an Indonesian, they say.

Latest chain in fascist devils

Noordin Mohd Top is the latest in a chain of fascist devils that have appeared throughout history, but especially in the past century or so. To the extent that George W Bush was responsible for the death-agonies of thousands of Iraqis and their children, wanting to impose his western ideals upon them, he had veered close to being a fascist himself.

But perhaps Bush was less of a fascist than monster Saddam, who was no more the “president” of anyone than Hitler was a priest. “President” is an honourable title designating someone who has been freely chosen by his people. We have many such phony “presidents” in the world today. These are the gangsters who always win their so-called “free elections” by at least 90 percent.

Alas, if even the American governing systems, which at least choose leaders by a small margin rather than an unbelievable 90 percent-plus, cannot protect us from fascism, what can we expect from the much less effective Muslim governments? It is an ongoing struggle.

As one American patriot observed, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”. Let us begin as Muslims by, at the very least, disowning someone like Noordin Mohd Top and sending his body back to the Malay family psychosis that spawned him.

A major battle on the cards in Bagan Pinang

By Baradan Kuppusamy - The Malaysian Insider

PORT DICKSON, Sept 24 — The upcoming Oct 11 by-election for Bagan Pinang, a narrow coastal strip in Negri Sembilan with about 14,000 voters, is an acid test for the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially for Umno and the MIC.

With estimates showing nearly 80 per cent of Chinese voters nationwide backing Pakatan Rakyat (PR), how the majority of the Chinese voters here will vote is almost a foregone conclusion.

The battle between challenger PAS and incumbent Umno is for the Malay voters who account for 66 per cent of the electorate, with many of them smallholders, farmers and armed forces personnel, and the 19.9 per cent of voters who are Indians.

The Indian voters, who number 2,834 and are mostly estate and factory workers outside Port Dickson, will be kingmakers if the Malay votes are divided.

But there is as yet no sign of a deep division among Malay voters, especially with the 5,000 postal voters, the majority of whom are expected to vote BN.

In the previous election, about 30 per cent of postal voters backed PR, debunking opposition arguments that postal votes are all marked for BN and stuffed into the ballot boxes by their bosses.

Unlike the other by-elections since March 8, 2008, Umno is defending its stronghold against challenger PAS/PR and therefore the outcome is an acid test for Umno — whether it is able to retain Malay voter support in the numbers it had enjoyed pre-2008.

Although just an hour’s drive from the state capital Seremban, Bagan Pinang is still categorised as rural, Malay and traditionally Umno.

It would be interesting to see whether this assumption is really fact or just a myth.

PR is the underdog in this battle and hoping for an upset victory and if that happens it could mean that Negri Sembilan is a state ripe for a takeover by the federal opposition.

The current distribution of seats in the state legislature is 21 seats for BN and 15 for PR (DAP has 10, PKR four and PAS one).

The ethnic composition of the state is almost like Perak with a high non-Malay percentage, making it possible for a combination of Malay-Chinese-Indian voters working together to overthrow the BN.

(Malays account for 54 per cent of voters in the state with the Chinese having 24 per cent and Indians 15 per cent)

Umno is confident of corralling the majority of the Malay voters in Bagan Pinang, with or without the controversy surrounding the potential candidacy of former Mentri Besar Tan Sri Isa Mohamad Samad.

Isa is a tainted, old warhorse and if Umno fields him, it is a tacit admission the party has no better candidate except for those who have seen better days.

It does not keep with the new image of a young, vibrant and reform-minded Umno that Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants to portray.

Like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, the consequences for Umno are bigger than just winning Bagan Pinang.

For the MIC it is a make-or-break situation in Bagan Pinang with such a large concentration of Indian voters.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has already made two trips to the constituency to meet grassroots leaders.

He has also appointed his newly-elected deputy Datuk G. Palanivel as the election director for the MIC tasked with cornering the Indian vote.

He has also divided the MIC team into three streams each headed by one of the three newly-elected vice-presidents — Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Datuk M. Saravanan and Datuk S.K. Devamany.

It is a tough challenge for the MIC to convince the Indian voters to support BN not because of any outstanding issues but because the MIC itself and Samy Vellu are the reasons why Indian voters have shied away from the BN.

Leaving the Indian voters to the MIC alone and to Samy Vellu is risky and foolhardy, political observers said.

“Najib has to go down himself to win over Indian voters… he is the Barisan leader and Indians want to see him and hear him speak,” said a former MIC division leader now supporting PR.

Like him, other observers also say that the Umno tradition of leaving by-election battles to the Umno deputy president is no longer a wise strategy with Indian voters.

“This is a major do-or-die battle and we Indians would like to see the leader leading us into the battle… not just the deputy,” said one local observer.

“We consider the MIC and Samy Vellu as lame ducks. It would take some convincing for us to back Barisan.”

PR parties will be hoping they can exploit the “cow head” protest as an issue to win over the Indian voters but they will also have to explain why it did not “save” Kampung Buah Pala in Penang.

Among the Indian community, the “cow head” issue has not caught on as a major cause compared with the Kampung Buah Pala incident which has sparked anger among the Tamil intelligentsia.

A host of Indian political parties — registered and unregistered — and Indian-based NGOs are expected to descent on Bagan Pinang to relate how PR allegedly “betrayed” the Indians in Penang.

Video CDs are being manufactured and pamphlets being printed to show the alleged “double standards” practised by PR leaders.

The by-election promises to turn this sleepy hollow into a major battle ground for the hearts and minds of the voters.

Pakatan still needs to prove it can rule, says Zaid

Zaid did not hold back his criticism of PR. - File pic

By Debra Chong- The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Lawyer Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the man charged with formalising the fledgling three-party Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance before the next general election, has laid bare the issues holding them back.

PR has been wracked with controversies, differences and disputes especially in Selangor, Penang and Kedah, which are led by chief ministers from each party, despite the pronounced rise in votes in last year's general election.

The former de facto law minister, who quit the Cabinet last year, noted the public's increasing scrutiny of the opposition bloc's ability to live up to its many promises made in its manifesto, in light of its first national convention due to be held at the end of the year.

“They seem to want to know realistically, the extent that PAS, DAP and KeADILan can find common ground in sensitive and divergent issues,” he wrote in Bahasa Malaysia on his website yesterday.

“The rakyat want to know how far Pakatan Rakyat is willing to implement their promises in their manifesto,” he added.

Zaid admitted that it would be an uphill climb.

A recent poll of likely voters also showed the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) still holding a slight edge over PR.

In the poll, two of the top key concerns voters have about PR is its constant bickering and the fact that it is perceived as having no viable candidate to be prime minister.

The ex-Umno man did not hold back in his criticism.

While he ticked off his own party and the DAP for their hesitation in pushing forward key policies, Zaid seemed especially critical of PAS.

He noted several instances where the Islamist party had repeatedly thrown a wrench in PR's works.

“What is the point of PAS promising in its manifesto to become a transparent government, that wants to abolish the Official Secrets Act (OSA), that wants to draft new laws [like the] Freedom of Information Act, if the early genuine efforts of Selcat in Selangor have already been opposed and challenged by PAS,” Zaid demanded.

He noted that state party commissioner Datuk Hassan Ali had objected loudly when the body was first moved to be headed by the Selangor assembly speaker, who coincidentally happened to be an ethic Chinese from DAP.

On a roll, Zaid pointed out several other occasions when PAS's promises collided with real-life situations, such as the PAS Youth's vehement protests against public concerts and support for “moral policing”.

“It is as if for PAS Youth, the effort to fight corruption, oppression, abuse of power and inciting racism is less important compared to the efforts to make sure the young who are just learning to love and wish to be entertained freely are obstructed from enjoying a little freedom,” he wrote.

He noted that the biggest rock in PR's way in becoming a formidable force against the government bloc is its continued hesitation to set in stone its beliefs.

“That's the difference between promises and implementation,” Zaid wrote.

“Promises are easy to say but implementing it requires a strong political will and stand. This is the real challenge for parties in Pakatan,” he stressed.

And with the ninth by-election coming up in Bagan Pinang, an Umno stronghold, PR's prospects in surviving till the next elections will once again be subject to the microscope.

Women still fall prey to foreign drug syndicates

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — They come from all corners of the world, plying their trade using various ploys and deception. But their trade is drugs, a business where the money is big and they are willing to resort to anything including student visit passes. Some arrive in the country posing as businessmen or tourists to camouflage their scams.

The foreigners, members of international drug rings, are on the move most of the time.

Malaysia's open sky policy as well as globalisation and latest technology made it easier for these drug syndicates to operate, making the country a “transit point”.

Based on the findings of the police's Narcotics Department, many of the foreigners involved in the drug trade came from South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, India and Iran.

The trend of these foreign syndicates is to get Malaysian women as “drug mules” or couriers.

To bait the women, the foreign men would be charming and good looking, and live in posh condominiums.

Most of the time, women would fall to these sweet-talking foreign men who made them false promises.

According to the authorities, West Africans made up a high number of these perpetrators who tricked local women into becoming their couriers or drug mules.

These women were usually swept off their feet by offers of money and a luxurious lifestyle including trips abroad. There was also the lure of sex.

Cases where Malaysian women were tricked into being drug mules have turned into a national issue for the country as some were caught by the authorities in South America and Europe.

Police Narcotics Department deputy director (Operations) Datuk Othman Harun said in 2007 alone, 127 Malaysian women were held by the authorities abroad for possession of drugs.

Due to this, the department set up a task force to deal with the issue. It worked with Interpol and police of other countries to track down members of the drug rings.

These measures by the Malaysian police had resulted in a drastic dip in the drug mule cases where only 54 Malaysian women were caught in foreign countries last year.

"For this year, as of May only eight (women) have been conned into being drug mules," Othman said recently.

Last year, the authorities arrested 34 foreigners — seven from Nigeria, Peru ( 11), South Africa (three), India (10), China, the Philippines and Bolivia (one each). The drug haul was heroin (4kg), cocaine (2kg) and ketamine (18kg).

From January to June this year, 17 foreigners were detained — two from Singapore, Nigeria (six), Iran (one), Pakistan (three), Thailand (two) and Indonesia (three). The drug haul was 786g of syabu and 14.64kg of heroin.

From June until August this year, authorities detained 10 foreigners for smuggling and trafficking drugs.

A Filipino woman was held on Aug 28 on the suspicion of being a drug mule.

Othman said close police surveillance had forced the foreign syndicates to switch their attention to women from neighbouring countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.

According to the Filipino authorities, 111 of women from the Philippines were arrested for drug offences in China, Hong Kong and Macau in 2008 compared to only 16 the year before.

Their modus operandi was the same, to ferry the drugs from South American countries like Peru, Argentina and Brazil into the country before using the women to ship the drugs to other countries.

Othman said cocaine from South America was not for local consumption as addicts in the country did not use this drug.

Hence when their cover was blown, these drug rings resorted to using the Filipino women as drug mules to ship the drugs out.

Apart from the Africans, the syndicates had also used men from other countries like India, Pakistan and Iran.

Othman said ketamine was the most common drug smuggled into Malaysia by nationals of India while Pakistanis were more inclined to carry heroine and syabu.

Iranians also smuggled syabu into Malaysia before the drug was moved to other countries particularly Japan.

The approach was the same, to win over Malaysian women before making them drug couriers. — Bermama