I will miss my aerobics class tomorrow at the Taman Kiara Park. But that's ok. I'll be working out around the National Press Club, instead, with fellow practitioners from the old and new media.
It's all for MEDIA FREEDOM !
The walk and talk is tomorrow, Sunday, June 1 2008, from 9.30am to 10.30am at the NPC, Jjalan Tangsi, KL.
The event is is being jointly organised by media activists, including Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Writers Alliance for Media Indepdence (Wami), National Alliance of Bloggers, and BENAR, a cyber group for "free and fair media".
Giving support to this initiative are the National Press Club (NPC) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Please read T H I S from Rocky's Bru.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Buckle Up Your Rear Seat Passengers...
....from tomorrow (Sunday) June 1.
This is the new RTD ruling.
Passengers will be given a 3- month "grace period" during which rear seat passengers who don't buckle up will be warned. From Sept 1 2008 onwards, they will be fined. Seatbelts help to reduce injuries by preventing the wearer from hitting hard interior elements of the vehicle or other passengers during collision or emergency break.
Passengers who buckle up will have better chance to survive from accident.
Researches have shown that car drivers and/or front-seat passengers are 5 times more likely to die in a crash if their back-seat passengers are unrestrained.
However, for the time being, this ruling in Malaysia only applies to cars manufactured from January 1 1995.
It is a temporary waiver for a 3-year period for vehicles manufactured before January 1 1995, After that owners of these vehicles will be liable if the breach the ruling.
The grace period is to enable all vehicles to be equipped with rear-passenger seatbelts.
Vehicles manufactured before January1 1995 are not equipped with rear-passenger seat belts and not all vehicles manufactured after this date are, either.
Perodua Kancil and Kenari cars manufactured between 1998 until mid-2004 will also be exempted from the ruling until 2011..
This ruling is expected to impact on the total number of passengers allowed in a vehicle. A 5-seater will be limited to a passenger load of 5 persons including the driver, all fastened up. And a 7-seater is limited to 7 persons.
So far, the RTD has not indicated whether or not the buckling-up ruling covers 3rd row seats.
(Source: The 8th Voyager).
Be Safe and Buckle up!
This is the new RTD ruling.
Passengers will be given a 3- month "grace period" during which rear seat passengers who don't buckle up will be warned. From Sept 1 2008 onwards, they will be fined. Seatbelts help to reduce injuries by preventing the wearer from hitting hard interior elements of the vehicle or other passengers during collision or emergency break.
Passengers who buckle up will have better chance to survive from accident.
Researches have shown that car drivers and/or front-seat passengers are 5 times more likely to die in a crash if their back-seat passengers are unrestrained.
However, for the time being, this ruling in Malaysia only applies to cars manufactured from January 1 1995.
It is a temporary waiver for a 3-year period for vehicles manufactured before January 1 1995, After that owners of these vehicles will be liable if the breach the ruling.
The grace period is to enable all vehicles to be equipped with rear-passenger seatbelts.
Vehicles manufactured before January1 1995 are not equipped with rear-passenger seat belts and not all vehicles manufactured after this date are, either.
Perodua Kancil and Kenari cars manufactured between 1998 until mid-2004 will also be exempted from the ruling until 2011..
This ruling is expected to impact on the total number of passengers allowed in a vehicle. A 5-seater will be limited to a passenger load of 5 persons including the driver, all fastened up. And a 7-seater is limited to 7 persons.
So far, the RTD has not indicated whether or not the buckling-up ruling covers 3rd row seats.
(Source: The 8th Voyager).
Be Safe and Buckle up!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Why Has Ezam Re-joined Umno?
I am so curious because the former Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth leader has been so critical of Umno, the government and Pak Lah.
In fact, Ezam Mohd Nor founded the Civil Movement Against Corruption (GERAK) in 2005, and as its chair had, (in his own words in February 2007) said:
".... I have been repeatedly lodging police reports against the Umno president [...] how can he accept me as a member? I think the speculation of me joining Umno should not arise at all."
Rumours of him re-joining Umno surfaced last year when there was talk that he had met with Umno Youth deputy chief and the Prime Minister's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin.
Ezam - Anwar Ibrahim's one-time confidant and right-hand man - swiftly denied these rumours and speculations which came about following his reported fall-out with Anwar's other right-hand man, Azmin Ali.
So, does it mean that he is distancing himself from those GERAK reports about corruption in Umno, the government as well as about the PM et al?
What do those reports now mean?
Yesterday when he re-joined Umno, Ezam quit as GERAK chairman though I am not sure whether he is still with the movement.
GERAK's new chairman Nazri Yunus will be holding a Press conference at its office in Kelana Jaya tomorrow.
So, what is GERAK all about then? Who did it exist for?
Ezam -- politician turned member of a civil movement, and back to being a politician.
I can't blame anyone for being suspicious of his intentions in re-joining the party he has been so utterly critical of.
An Umno leader, when asked about Ezam's re-entry, said: "I think he is up to no good alongside his buddy, KJ".
Heavy stuff that. I'm not sure whether this sentiment is his alone.
But clearly, Pak Lah and other Umno leaders are more forgiving, and welcoming. No?
What they say about Ezam's return to Umno:
"He wants to come back to Umno and he will continue with the struggles of Umno according to the party’s goal and direction, and not Parti Keadilan.
"So I accepted him." - Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"We cannot be choosing who we want in the party. If we do so, we will lose many people. There have been others who also bitterly attacked the party when they left, but after they realised Umno was the best platform to serve, they returned.
"It is up to Ezam to win back the confidence of the other Umno members." -- Umno deputy president Najib Razak.
"What is the benefit for Umno? Is he willing to struggle alongside Umno? What is his role?" - Umno Youth chief Hishammudin Hussein.
The stories here, here and here.
In fact, Ezam Mohd Nor founded the Civil Movement Against Corruption (GERAK) in 2005, and as its chair had, (in his own words in February 2007) said:
".... I have been repeatedly lodging police reports against the Umno president [...] how can he accept me as a member? I think the speculation of me joining Umno should not arise at all."
Rumours of him re-joining Umno surfaced last year when there was talk that he had met with Umno Youth deputy chief and the Prime Minister's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin.
Ezam - Anwar Ibrahim's one-time confidant and right-hand man - swiftly denied these rumours and speculations which came about following his reported fall-out with Anwar's other right-hand man, Azmin Ali.
So, does it mean that he is distancing himself from those GERAK reports about corruption in Umno, the government as well as about the PM et al?
What do those reports now mean?
Yesterday when he re-joined Umno, Ezam quit as GERAK chairman though I am not sure whether he is still with the movement.
GERAK's new chairman Nazri Yunus will be holding a Press conference at its office in Kelana Jaya tomorrow.
So, what is GERAK all about then? Who did it exist for?
Ezam -- politician turned member of a civil movement, and back to being a politician.
I can't blame anyone for being suspicious of his intentions in re-joining the party he has been so utterly critical of.
An Umno leader, when asked about Ezam's re-entry, said: "I think he is up to no good alongside his buddy, KJ".
Heavy stuff that. I'm not sure whether this sentiment is his alone.
But clearly, Pak Lah and other Umno leaders are more forgiving, and welcoming. No?
What they say about Ezam's return to Umno:
"He wants to come back to Umno and he will continue with the struggles of Umno according to the party’s goal and direction, and not Parti Keadilan.
"So I accepted him." - Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"We cannot be choosing who we want in the party. If we do so, we will lose many people. There have been others who also bitterly attacked the party when they left, but after they realised Umno was the best platform to serve, they returned.
"It is up to Ezam to win back the confidence of the other Umno members." -- Umno deputy president Najib Razak.
"What is the benefit for Umno? Is he willing to struggle alongside Umno? What is his role?" - Umno Youth chief Hishammudin Hussein.
The stories here, here and here.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Selangor's Concern For ISA Detainees' Families
The Selangor Government promises to help families of Internal Security Act detainees by providing welfare assistance.
For now I say good for you, PKR!
Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said several steps could be taken to help the wives and children while their husbands or fathers were being detained.
The Star report H E R E.
For now I say good for you, PKR!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Waiting For Ezam....
...to re-join Umno.
The signal seems to indicate Ezam Mohd Nor's impending re-entry into the party.
If this is true, then, there's no question that anything can happen in politics. Rather, in Umno.
Why, only last February (in 2007), Ezam denied speculations and rumour that he was re-joining Umno following his decision to step down as Parti Keadilan Rakyat Selangor deputy chairman and Shah Alam division chief. He was also PKR Youth chief.
(Ezam who left Umno after former DPM and Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the government and the party, is head of GERAK, the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption he founded in 2005.)
Ezam who was Anwar's confidant and right-hand man quashed rumours of his soured relations with (the other Anwar's right-hand man) PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.
Ezam also dismissed rumours of relations with Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
He was quoted as saying (in 2007):
"People love to speculate [...] and there must be some mischievous people in the party out to discredit me.
“But it (the allegations) is very illogical. If you want to join Umno, you should go for the highest post in the party (PKR). That way you can have more bargaining power before crossing over".
And on rumours of his re-joining Umno (in 2007), he had remarked:
"Secondly, over the past few months as Gerak chair, I have been repeatedly lodging police reports against the Umno president [...] how can he accept me as a member? I think the speculation of me joining Umno should not arise at all.”
Okay. This is 2008. We're done with the general election.
Ezam has to move on.
Can't see him doing so in PKR. Wounds are deep.
Back in Umno, to welcoming arms?
Let's wait and see. Stranger things have happened.
Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein has something to say H E R E.
The signal seems to indicate Ezam Mohd Nor's impending re-entry into the party.
If this is true, then, there's no question that anything can happen in politics. Rather, in Umno.
Why, only last February (in 2007), Ezam denied speculations and rumour that he was re-joining Umno following his decision to step down as Parti Keadilan Rakyat Selangor deputy chairman and Shah Alam division chief. He was also PKR Youth chief.
(Ezam who left Umno after former DPM and Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the government and the party, is head of GERAK, the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption he founded in 2005.)
Ezam who was Anwar's confidant and right-hand man quashed rumours of his soured relations with (the other Anwar's right-hand man) PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.
Ezam also dismissed rumours of relations with Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
He was quoted as saying (in 2007):
"People love to speculate [...] and there must be some mischievous people in the party out to discredit me.
“But it (the allegations) is very illogical. If you want to join Umno, you should go for the highest post in the party (PKR). That way you can have more bargaining power before crossing over".
And on rumours of his re-joining Umno (in 2007), he had remarked:
"Secondly, over the past few months as Gerak chair, I have been repeatedly lodging police reports against the Umno president [...] how can he accept me as a member? I think the speculation of me joining Umno should not arise at all.”
Okay. This is 2008. We're done with the general election.
Ezam has to move on.
Can't see him doing so in PKR. Wounds are deep.
Back in Umno, to welcoming arms?
Let's wait and see. Stranger things have happened.
Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein has something to say H E R E.
What Constitutes Patriotism?
Let's see -- to me patriotism is the opposite of any act of betrayal to the country, which, of course, can mean a host of things.
I'd ask myself some questions although the answers are far from perfect. One question I could never really firmly answer is whether I would I die for my country, because it seems an unfair question.
Does it mean that I'd go to war for my country?
I don't know. I do know that I'd want to defend the sovereignty of my country. Very high-faluting but, oh, you know what I mean.
I know I'd not want terrible things to happen to my country. Can't quite specify what though.
I was thinking about patriotism because I read in Bernama that Youth and Sports Minister Ismail Sabri finds the patriotic spirit among Malaysian youth to be "not up to expectation".
Here's the rest of the story:
Ismail gave the index on patriotism among youths at only 68.2 per cent as many of them still questioned the social contract when the country achieved independence.
"As such, elements on civic consciousness will be included in all youth programmes," he said when opening the National Youth Consultative Council annual conference near here Saturday.
He said the approach on youth programmes should also be changed to suit current needs to instil self-identity, enhance creativity and understanding among youths.
There is also a need to evaluate the impact of youth programmes to avoid wastage, he added.
I'd ask myself some questions although the answers are far from perfect. One question I could never really firmly answer is whether I would I die for my country, because it seems an unfair question.
Does it mean that I'd go to war for my country?
I don't know. I do know that I'd want to defend the sovereignty of my country. Very high-faluting but, oh, you know what I mean.
I know I'd not want terrible things to happen to my country. Can't quite specify what though.
I was thinking about patriotism because I read in Bernama that Youth and Sports Minister Ismail Sabri finds the patriotic spirit among Malaysian youth to be "not up to expectation".
Here's the rest of the story:
Ismail gave the index on patriotism among youths at only 68.2 per cent as many of them still questioned the social contract when the country achieved independence.
"As such, elements on civic consciousness will be included in all youth programmes," he said when opening the National Youth Consultative Council annual conference near here Saturday.
He said the approach on youth programmes should also be changed to suit current needs to instil self-identity, enhance creativity and understanding among youths.
There is also a need to evaluate the impact of youth programmes to avoid wastage, he added.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Narrow, Narrow, Narrow....
and sometimes dangerous too -- to have this kind of view : that the uniform (white baju kurung and turquoise sarong) worn by girls at government schools, encourages rape and pre-marital sex.
Not my view. And I hope it is not yours. But it is that of Munirah Bahari who is vice-president of the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia.
Goodness, girl! You think everyone in this country is a pervert!
The story is H E R E.
Not my view. And I hope it is not yours. But it is that of Munirah Bahari who is vice-president of the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia.
Goodness, girl! You think everyone in this country is a pervert!
The story is H E R E.
What Will Umno Do To Mukhriz?
So we know that Mukhriz Mahathir is staying on in Umno to fight the good fight. And we also know that he's told Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to immediately step down as PM, Umno president and BN chairman.
You think he is kurang ajar and out of line?
Or you think that he was left with little choice but to be blunt because that's the sentiment on the ground?
What does Umno think? Will the party take disciplinary action against Dr Mahathir's son?
You know what I think?
I think that Mukhriz will set the stage and the pace for what's to come.
And...oh. I can hear the sharpening of knives already.
You think he is kurang ajar and out of line?
Or you think that he was left with little choice but to be blunt because that's the sentiment on the ground?
What does Umno think? Will the party take disciplinary action against Dr Mahathir's son?
You know what I think?
I think that Mukhriz will set the stage and the pace for what's to come.
And...oh. I can hear the sharpening of knives already.
Balkis' And Their Lavish Spending..
According to the Sun:
Balkis, the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs Charity and Welfare Organisation, spent RM158,000 on clothes for its members to wear to a sporting event and RM121,000 on similar apparel for their spouses of members of the state assembly.
Balkis, the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs Charity and Welfare Organisation, spent RM158,000 on clothes for its members to wear to a sporting event and RM121,000 on similar apparel for their spouses of members of the state assembly.
This "questionable" spending was in the list of expenditures that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim read out to the Assembly yesterday, in answer to two questions on Balkis from Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) and Dr Shafie Abu Bakar (PAS-Bangi).
These clothes were bought Galeri Balkis Sdn Bhd. Other expenditure pertained to the organising of charity events.
He also told the assembly how much state investment arms and companies like PKNS, Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) had contributed to Balkis.
Abdul Khalid also said PNSB had contributed a total RM5,186,948 to Balkis.
The accounts of PNSB showed the company forked out RM50,000 for the officiating of Kompleks Wawasan Balkis and a majilis korban, and another RM50,000 for orphans.
H E R E for the full story
Will Someone Please Check The Rising Prices of Food...
Are you feeling the pinch of everyday living?
And, ouch...the price of rice has almost doubled.
So, Najib, I hope you have some good news H E R E.
And, ouch...the price of rice has almost doubled.
So, Najib, I hope you have some good news H E R E.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Let's Not Involve The Agong, Please.....
Undoubtedly, Dr Mahathir Mohamad quitting Umno has drawn mixed responses. His detractors and critics have hit him real hard, saying that he's just seeking attention (the mildest), desperate, irresponsible and out to destroy the party.
Whatever.
His supporters think that that was the best course of action for him to take given that he has had enough of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's incompetent and weak leadership of the party and country.
No matter how you want to look at the issue, Dr M's leaving Umno is an internal problem. Whether it is serious or catastrophic to the party, or whether it is a sandiwara or wayang kulit or whatever..the point is, this is an internal party problem.
What is needed is for Pak Lah to deal with it, the best way he knows how. Perhaps, this is the tricky part.
So, with all due respect to party veteran Aziz Tapa who suggested that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong intervened to bring peace between Dr M and Pak Lah, I'd like to say here that we ought to leave Sultan Mizan out of this.
Really. I'm pretty sure that Umno can deal with it...
By the way, Dr Mahathir who is in Tokyo for the Nikkei International Conference, thinks that Umno shouldn't bother His Majesty with this triviality.
Read it H E R E.
And oh, remember the "duri dalam daging" remark by former DPM Musa Hitam in response to Dr Mahathir's quit decision?
You didn't think that Dr M was going to take it lying down, didja? What are blogs for, huh, Che Det!
Wanna know Dr M's two cents worth? Read it H E R E.
(The English version in the Star H E R E)
Whatever.
His supporters think that that was the best course of action for him to take given that he has had enough of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's incompetent and weak leadership of the party and country.
No matter how you want to look at the issue, Dr M's leaving Umno is an internal problem. Whether it is serious or catastrophic to the party, or whether it is a sandiwara or wayang kulit or whatever..the point is, this is an internal party problem.
What is needed is for Pak Lah to deal with it, the best way he knows how. Perhaps, this is the tricky part.
So, with all due respect to party veteran Aziz Tapa who suggested that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong intervened to bring peace between Dr M and Pak Lah, I'd like to say here that we ought to leave Sultan Mizan out of this.
Really. I'm pretty sure that Umno can deal with it...
By the way, Dr Mahathir who is in Tokyo for the Nikkei International Conference, thinks that Umno shouldn't bother His Majesty with this triviality.
Read it H E R E.
And oh, remember the "duri dalam daging" remark by former DPM Musa Hitam in response to Dr Mahathir's quit decision?
You didn't think that Dr M was going to take it lying down, didja? What are blogs for, huh, Che Det!
Wanna know Dr M's two cents worth? Read it H E R E.
(The English version in the Star H E R E)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Waddya Say, Dr M?
..won't you join PAS? Or Parti Keadilan Rakyat?
I know that that would be the last thing you'd ever want to do. But, who knows... stranger things have happened.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail have asked the good doctor to join their respective party.
Don't know whether it's "ajak-ajak ayam" but they're on record extending the invitation.
Here's the Bernama story:
PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have asked former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to join them, now that he has decided to quit Umno.
PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR President Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail extended the invitation to Dr Mahathir.
Abdul Hadi said he always welcomed Dr Mahathir or other Umno members to join PAS.
Dr Wan Azizah said PKR's doors were always open for Dr Mahathir if he was interested in joining the party.
Dr Mahathir Monday announced his decision to quit Umno, saying he had lost confidence in Umno President Datuk Seri Abdulla thah Ahmad Badawi and that he would only rejoin the party after Abdullah had stepped down as party president and prime minister. -Bernama
I know that that would be the last thing you'd ever want to do. But, who knows... stranger things have happened.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail have asked the good doctor to join their respective party.
Don't know whether it's "ajak-ajak ayam" but they're on record extending the invitation.
Here's the Bernama story:
PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have asked former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to join them, now that he has decided to quit Umno.
PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR President Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail extended the invitation to Dr Mahathir.
Abdul Hadi said he always welcomed Dr Mahathir or other Umno members to join PAS.
Dr Wan Azizah said PKR's doors were always open for Dr Mahathir if he was interested in joining the party.
Dr Mahathir Monday announced his decision to quit Umno, saying he had lost confidence in Umno President Datuk Seri Abdulla thah Ahmad Badawi and that he would only rejoin the party after Abdullah had stepped down as party president and prime minister. -Bernama
But Older Brother Mokhzani Quits...
...and expresses the hope that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would step down as the party president before more Umno members leave the party in protest.
On Monday, his dad, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit the party, calling on other members to follow suit to show their vote of no confidence in Abdullah’s leadership.
Yesterday, younger brother, Mukhriz who is Umno Youth exco member and MP for Jerlun announced that he was staying to be, well, that thorn in the flesh.
Heck....somebody's got to stay and fight. No?
Meanwhile, you would all have read and heard the comments from Umno leaders and members about Dr Mahathir's decision to quit and be a pain outside the party.
I'm just waiting to see what happens next...
On Monday, his dad, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit the party, calling on other members to follow suit to show their vote of no confidence in Abdullah’s leadership.
Yesterday, younger brother, Mukhriz who is Umno Youth exco member and MP for Jerlun announced that he was staying to be, well, that thorn in the flesh.
Heck....somebody's got to stay and fight. No?
Mokhzani, a member of the Sungai Layar Hujung Umno branch for 22 years, submitted his letter of resignation to the Merbok division yesterday.
Mokhzani said mass resignation has created a ripple in Umno.
Read the Star report H E R E.Meanwhile, you would all have read and heard the comments from Umno leaders and members about Dr Mahathir's decision to quit and be a pain outside the party.
I'm just waiting to see what happens next...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mukhriz Stays....
...but strongly urges Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down immediately as Prime Minister, Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman.
Mukhriz, who said that while he understood and agreed that this father's action was because he cares for the party, he believed that he (Mukhriz) should remain in Umno and as Jerlun MP.
"I remain loyal to the party and will be the loud voice in criticising the weaknesses of the leadership," he told the Press conference at the Pan Pacific in Kuala Lumpur this evening.
Read Big Dog H E R E.
Mukhriz, who said that while he understood and agreed that this father's action was because he cares for the party, he believed that he (Mukhriz) should remain in Umno and as Jerlun MP.
"I remain loyal to the party and will be the loud voice in criticising the weaknesses of the leadership," he told the Press conference at the Pan Pacific in Kuala Lumpur this evening.
Read Big Dog H E R E.
Will Mukhriz Be Quitting Umno?
We will know in about an hour whether or not he will be joining his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in leaving the party.
Mukhriz will hold a Press conference at the Meranti Room, Pan Pacific Hotel, at 5.30pm.
Check the blogs ...
Mukhriz will hold a Press conference at the Meranti Room, Pan Pacific Hotel, at 5.30pm.
Check the blogs ...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Dr M Quits Umno
By now, everyone is talking about former Umno president and PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's announcement to quit Umno.
He announced his decision in Alor Star today before 1,000 people, mostly Kedah Umno members at a talk.
He said he was quitting because he had no confidence in the current leadership.
Dr Mahathir has explained his decision in his blog, saying that his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah has also quit the party with him.
In his posting, Dr Mahathir said Umno today is not the party that he joined 62 years ago but one that exists only to support Abdullah and his family and policies that are not consistent with the interest of the race, religion and the country.
Read more H E R E.
Dr Mahathir's decision must have taken many by surprise. Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was shocked at this unexpected development.
Abdullah is far from pressured. In fact he is staying put and intends to continue fighting for the party.
Dr Mahathir told other members who feel the same way to also quit the party to pressure Pak lah to make that exit, but said that they should not join any other party.
He said he will rejoin Umno when Pak Lah steps down.
Umno veteran Sanusi Junid also quit the party today.
And I agree with many many people -- Dr Mahathir outside Umno will be a BIGGER pain (for Pak Lah et al) than inside.
Read the Star story H E R E.
Also Rocky's Bru has his take on this Vesak Day bombshell while a blogger friend Apanama wants to know what Umno is made of today!
I was quite shocked when I was told of his decision during lunch today but, then I figured, that is Dr Mahathir. You really would not know what he'd do next.
One thing, though, this was not an impulsive decision, which now makes me wonder what else does Dr M have up his sleeve!
Interesting to see the development(s) following this. Will he bring with him an "exodus"?
And will his "exit" impact on the upcoming Umno branch meetings, and subsequently the party elections?
We'll just have to wait and see.
I, however, would like to see who else will follow suit.
He announced his decision in Alor Star today before 1,000 people, mostly Kedah Umno members at a talk.
He said he was quitting because he had no confidence in the current leadership.
Dr Mahathir has explained his decision in his blog, saying that his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah has also quit the party with him.
In his posting, Dr Mahathir said Umno today is not the party that he joined 62 years ago but one that exists only to support Abdullah and his family and policies that are not consistent with the interest of the race, religion and the country.
Read more H E R E.
Dr Mahathir's decision must have taken many by surprise. Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was shocked at this unexpected development.
Abdullah is far from pressured. In fact he is staying put and intends to continue fighting for the party.
Dr Mahathir told other members who feel the same way to also quit the party to pressure Pak lah to make that exit, but said that they should not join any other party.
He said he will rejoin Umno when Pak Lah steps down.
Umno veteran Sanusi Junid also quit the party today.
And I agree with many many people -- Dr Mahathir outside Umno will be a BIGGER pain (for Pak Lah et al) than inside.
Read the Star story H E R E.
Also Rocky's Bru has his take on this Vesak Day bombshell while a blogger friend Apanama wants to know what Umno is made of today!
I was quite shocked when I was told of his decision during lunch today but, then I figured, that is Dr Mahathir. You really would not know what he'd do next.
One thing, though, this was not an impulsive decision, which now makes me wonder what else does Dr M have up his sleeve!
Interesting to see the development(s) following this. Will he bring with him an "exodus"?
And will his "exit" impact on the upcoming Umno branch meetings, and subsequently the party elections?
We'll just have to wait and see.
I, however, would like to see who else will follow suit.
Celebrating Vesak!
To all my Buddhist brothers and sisters -- Have a blessed Vesak day!
And to all Malaysians -- have a good holiday!
Peace!
And to all Malaysians -- have a good holiday!
Peace!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Inquiry Report On V.K Lingam Case To Be Made Public
The Cabinet today agreed that the contents of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the Datuk V.K. Lingam clip be made public and copies made available for sale.
It has also agreed that the Attorney-General's Chambers investigate the allegations in the report against individuals including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The others (against whom allegations were made) are V.K. Lingam, business tycoon Vincent Tan, former Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor, retired Chief Justice Eusoff Chin and former Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.
(The Star online quoted Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim.)
But, hey! Read Rocky's Bru H E R E.
It has also agreed that the Attorney-General's Chambers investigate the allegations in the report against individuals including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The others (against whom allegations were made) are V.K. Lingam, business tycoon Vincent Tan, former Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor, retired Chief Justice Eusoff Chin and former Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.
(The Star online quoted Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim.)
But, hey! Read Rocky's Bru H E R E.
Poor, Poor Terengganu....
I tell you, if I were a Terengganu-an, I'd be really, really mad.
And I'm not but I feel so angry that about RM3.3b (in oil royalty) did not reach Terengganu from 2004 to 2007. Or did it? If so, how come it's not accounted for?
Read this and this.
Whatever the picture is, it is not pretty.
Can you imagine how much could have been done for the rakyat in those 3 years, even if a small percentage of that amount had been used to develop the state?
I was with a Terengganu "native" this entire morning and he said he was "very very angry".
"It's daylight robbery", he said, holding back his emotion.
He said any Terengganu Member of Parliament worth his salt should demand for answers in the Dewan Rakyat!
I'd like to know too!
And I'm not but I feel so angry that about RM3.3b (in oil royalty) did not reach Terengganu from 2004 to 2007. Or did it? If so, how come it's not accounted for?
Read this and this.
Whatever the picture is, it is not pretty.
Can you imagine how much could have been done for the rakyat in those 3 years, even if a small percentage of that amount had been used to develop the state?
I was with a Terengganu "native" this entire morning and he said he was "very very angry".
"It's daylight robbery", he said, holding back his emotion.
He said any Terengganu Member of Parliament worth his salt should demand for answers in the Dewan Rakyat!
I'd like to know too!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Najib Replies To Allegations..
In the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, in his winding-up speech, denied that commission was paid to a consultant for the procurement of two Scorpene submarines and 18 Sukhoi fighter jets.
Malaysia had direct negotiations with the countries involved. The submarines were from France and Spain while the jets, Russia.
On allegations implicating him and his wife, Rosmah, in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu, Najib said they were all "fitnah" (slander) and were made to sully his name.
He reiterated that he had neither met nor knew her.
Najib did not wish to make further comments as the case was on-going.
"....please allow the court to serve its role and responsibility in upholding justice in this country without any disturbances from any quarters.
Malaysia had direct negotiations with the countries involved. The submarines were from France and Spain while the jets, Russia.
On allegations implicating him and his wife, Rosmah, in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu, Najib said they were all "fitnah" (slander) and were made to sully his name.
He reiterated that he had neither met nor knew her.
Najib did not wish to make further comments as the case was on-going.
"....please allow the court to serve its role and responsibility in upholding justice in this country without any disturbances from any quarters.
"At the same time, I pray that this case be tried in the best way possible and that the truth will come out for the sake of the supremacy of the laws that we all uphold."
Najib further said:"Thank God, I have until now withstood all kinds of accusations and slander that have been cast against me with the intention of sullying my name."
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