My older sister Noraida would have been 60 today. But she is not here with us. She died on March 8, 2007 after battling breast cancer.
Kak Eda was only 15 months older than me. We were very close. In fact we were in the same class in primary school - standard 5 and 6 and in form one in secondary school.
In the beginning, people thought we were twins because we were in the same year throughout school. This was because I was in express class and jumped to standard two in the middle of my first year in primary school in 1963.
Kak Eda is survived by her husband, Aziz and their four chidden - Safiya, Umar, Hajar and Maryam.
I wrote this the day she died
Al-Fatihah
My sister, Noraida Samad, passed away about 2.55pm today. I was with her. I held her hands. I saw her go.
Kak Eda had cancer. She was 51.
She leaves behind Aziz (her husband) and their four children - Safiyah 16, Umar, 14, Hajar, 13 and Mariam, 10.
Farewell, my sister.
May Allah SWT bless her soul.
Al-Fatihah.
We miss her very much.
Not a day I do not think of her.
She is in my every prayer.
Al Fatehah
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Wednesday, May 06, 2015
Mendailing And Me: A Journey Of Rediscovery
This is a posting specially for today May 6 - a day Zaharah Othman of Kak Teh's Choc-a-Blog and Ailin Abdullah chose to have what they have called #blogreviveday. They were part of a group of women who were actively blogging more than 10 years ago but had in the last few years stopped blogging due to the more exciting lure of Facebook et al. I was not part of this "Mak Cik bloggers" but Zaharah - a dear old friend and classmate in college - has included me in it.
Horas horas horas. It's usually said more than once. I'm beginning to like the sound of it.
This is a language of my ancestors on my mother's side. It is a greeting like hello.
It is the language of the Mendailing people.
My mother is Mendailing of the Lubis clan.
And so it has been for me this past couple of weeks, being in a whatsapp group "Kombur Halak Hita" (loosely translated as Chit-chatting with/of Our People - although there are no prepositions) or in Malay "Sembang Orang Kita". The whatsapp group is run by fellow Mendailing Ramli Abdul Karim Hasibuan, also a journalist.
But this is not my first foray in rediscovering my Mendailing roots. I joined the Facebook group Mendailing Malaysia and Ramli's Halak Mendailing much earlier.
Even before that, I took the journey of rediscovering my mother's ancestry and heritage by delving deep into the documented literature of the Mendailing people.
There are many things that I remember about the Mendailing told to me by my late grandfather (Haji Hassan Idris Lubis) whom we called "Ompung" and my late mother that have remained etched deep in me.
Most people, because of my late father, know me as Javanese. I am proud of my Javanese heritage which is rooted in Banyu Mas in Central Java. My late father was not pure Javanese, well at least not on his father's side that was part Persian. His mother, though was of pure unadulterated Javanese stock and, we were told, was very proud of it.
My curiosity about my mother's ancestry piqued about 10 years ago although my fascination began way back as a child because I was very close to my Ompung.
There is a lot about my Javanese side that I know because of stories told not only by my late father but by my aunts.
All that know about the Mendailing when I was young, was from my mother who had 3 sisters and Ompung because all their close relatives are in Medan, Sumatera. My mother and her younger sister are survived by their 2 sisters who live in Kuala Lumpur.
My grandfather came to Singapore from Medan with my grandmother, Habibah who was of Burmese descent in the early 1920s. But they would go back to Medan occasionally during their early years in Singapore. Two of their 4 daughters were born in Medan.
So, my siblings - except for my (late) eldest sister who visited Medan years ago - had very little contact with our Medan relatives.
In the early 60s, we had a relative - my mother's uncle, Om Hakim who lived in Petaling Jaya. Some time in the 70s, an aunt, Tante Ida, visited us.
There was also a grand-aunt - Ompung's sister (of a different mother) who visited us some time before "Confrontation" from Medan, Sumatera. We called her Nek Biah. She came with her niece (my mother's cousin), Chairani Nasution. We call her Tante (which means aunty).
Nek Biah left for Medan in time before Confrontation erupted. Tante wanted to stay on a little longer and when Confrontation started, she was stranded in Malaysia -- and did not return to Medan until 30 years later. She lived with us until she got married (in 1968, if I remember). She settled in Petaling Jaya and has four children and several grandchildren.
It had been a ravenous and hungry journey for me. But I am so heartened to know that it has not been disappointing.
I remember of Ompung's travel to Chemor, Perak during his regular visits to our home in Petaling Jaya in the 70s. After staying a few days at our home, he would tell my mother that he was taking a taxi or bus to Perak to visit his relatives. I remember that although it seemed so insignificant then..
So many mundane things that happened in our life when we were young would grow to be meaningful and significant as we get older. As we begin to appreciate who we are, it becomes a bursting fascination.
Later, it became clearer why Ompung traveled to Perak. There is a large population of Mendailing in the state as it was where they migrated to from Sumatera in the early 19th century. I also found out that there is a large Mendailing community in Selangor scattered around Klang, Hulu Langat and Gombak and also in Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur. I was told that names like Raja Bot and Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur were those of Mendailing royalty - the early settlers of Kuala Lumpur.
And in my whatsapp group, many are from Perak.
I was also told that former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Harun Idris was a Mendailing. Malaysia's R&B queen Sheila Majid is also a Mendailing.
I remember a television personality back in the 60s through the 70s, Rubiah Lubis, who would catch my mother's attention every time she came on screen.
"Dia Lubis tu," Mak would squeal in delight.
It continues to be a journey of rediscovery.
My siblings and their children are sharing this exciting ride with me.
In our last gathering at our family home in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, I told them about the whatsapp group and this "new' language I am learning. I must confess that I am a silent participant because I am still a little reticent to participate in conversations. But let me say that I am a passionate learner.
I gave them a heads-up -- telling them it may sound very very strange to them. Hardly any Malay-sounding words and one that is familiar to them - "mangan" which means eat and has a Javanese equivalent.
I showed them a print-out of the words I learnt -- their eyes almost popped out.
"Assalamualaikum koum sudena, biado hobarna? Madung minum manyogot hamu?" (Assalamualaikum, my brethren/kith&kin, how are you? Have you had your morning drink?"
koum sudena: saudara sekalian
biado hobar na : apa khabar
madung: sudahkah
minum : minum
manyogot : pagi
hamu: kalian
"It is a strange language," Ellysha, my niece remarked.
It is, I suppose, to the uninitiated. But it grows on you.
I told my daughter (who is studying in the US) about this in our Skype last week. She, a language lover, was excited.
So, now every time before we end our conversation, Shaira would say: "Salamat borngin, Inang. Au marsitundu, Au giot modom. Ancogot hita dope markombur."
(Good night, mother. I am sleepy. I want to sleep. Tomorrow we chat again.)
I tell her the words are correct but I am not certain of the sentence structure. I would need to refer to my whatsapp group teacher.
It is a good try. It will get better.
I know one thing -- there is more to learn in this journey of mine. Of ours.
(N.B : My first blog was named Sri Mendahiling - a tribute to my Mendailing roots. At that time (August 2006, I think) I was not quite ready to blog - it was uncharted territory for me. It was daunting. I was intimidated by its sheer power. I posted a one-liner and stepped back, convinced myself that I'd return. After all, writing was my passion. I did return but when I wanted to resume posting on it, I forgot my password. Ergo 3540 Jalan Sudin was born.)
Horas horas horas. It's usually said more than once. I'm beginning to like the sound of it.
This is a language of my ancestors on my mother's side. It is a greeting like hello.
It is the language of the Mendailing people.
My mother is Mendailing of the Lubis clan.
And so it has been for me this past couple of weeks, being in a whatsapp group "Kombur Halak Hita" (loosely translated as Chit-chatting with/of Our People - although there are no prepositions) or in Malay "Sembang Orang Kita". The whatsapp group is run by fellow Mendailing Ramli Abdul Karim Hasibuan, also a journalist.
But this is not my first foray in rediscovering my Mendailing roots. I joined the Facebook group Mendailing Malaysia and Ramli's Halak Mendailing much earlier.
Even before that, I took the journey of rediscovering my mother's ancestry and heritage by delving deep into the documented literature of the Mendailing people.
There are many things that I remember about the Mendailing told to me by my late grandfather (Haji Hassan Idris Lubis) whom we called "Ompung" and my late mother that have remained etched deep in me.
Most people, because of my late father, know me as Javanese. I am proud of my Javanese heritage which is rooted in Banyu Mas in Central Java. My late father was not pure Javanese, well at least not on his father's side that was part Persian. His mother, though was of pure unadulterated Javanese stock and, we were told, was very proud of it.
My curiosity about my mother's ancestry piqued about 10 years ago although my fascination began way back as a child because I was very close to my Ompung.
There is a lot about my Javanese side that I know because of stories told not only by my late father but by my aunts.
All that know about the Mendailing when I was young, was from my mother who had 3 sisters and Ompung because all their close relatives are in Medan, Sumatera. My mother and her younger sister are survived by their 2 sisters who live in Kuala Lumpur.
My grandfather came to Singapore from Medan with my grandmother, Habibah who was of Burmese descent in the early 1920s. But they would go back to Medan occasionally during their early years in Singapore. Two of their 4 daughters were born in Medan.
So, my siblings - except for my (late) eldest sister who visited Medan years ago - had very little contact with our Medan relatives.
In the early 60s, we had a relative - my mother's uncle, Om Hakim who lived in Petaling Jaya. Some time in the 70s, an aunt, Tante Ida, visited us.
There was also a grand-aunt - Ompung's sister (of a different mother) who visited us some time before "Confrontation" from Medan, Sumatera. We called her Nek Biah. She came with her niece (my mother's cousin), Chairani Nasution. We call her Tante (which means aunty).
Nek Biah left for Medan in time before Confrontation erupted. Tante wanted to stay on a little longer and when Confrontation started, she was stranded in Malaysia -- and did not return to Medan until 30 years later. She lived with us until she got married (in 1968, if I remember). She settled in Petaling Jaya and has four children and several grandchildren.
It had been a ravenous and hungry journey for me. But I am so heartened to know that it has not been disappointing.
I remember of Ompung's travel to Chemor, Perak during his regular visits to our home in Petaling Jaya in the 70s. After staying a few days at our home, he would tell my mother that he was taking a taxi or bus to Perak to visit his relatives. I remember that although it seemed so insignificant then..
So many mundane things that happened in our life when we were young would grow to be meaningful and significant as we get older. As we begin to appreciate who we are, it becomes a bursting fascination.
Later, it became clearer why Ompung traveled to Perak. There is a large population of Mendailing in the state as it was where they migrated to from Sumatera in the early 19th century. I also found out that there is a large Mendailing community in Selangor scattered around Klang, Hulu Langat and Gombak and also in Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur. I was told that names like Raja Bot and Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur were those of Mendailing royalty - the early settlers of Kuala Lumpur.
And in my whatsapp group, many are from Perak.
I was also told that former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Harun Idris was a Mendailing. Malaysia's R&B queen Sheila Majid is also a Mendailing.
I remember a television personality back in the 60s through the 70s, Rubiah Lubis, who would catch my mother's attention every time she came on screen.
"Dia Lubis tu," Mak would squeal in delight.
It continues to be a journey of rediscovery.
My siblings and their children are sharing this exciting ride with me.
In our last gathering at our family home in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, I told them about the whatsapp group and this "new' language I am learning. I must confess that I am a silent participant because I am still a little reticent to participate in conversations. But let me say that I am a passionate learner.
I gave them a heads-up -- telling them it may sound very very strange to them. Hardly any Malay-sounding words and one that is familiar to them - "mangan" which means eat and has a Javanese equivalent.
I showed them a print-out of the words I learnt -- their eyes almost popped out.
"Assalamualaikum koum sudena, biado hobarna? Madung minum manyogot hamu?" (Assalamualaikum, my brethren/kith&kin, how are you? Have you had your morning drink?"
koum sudena: saudara sekalian
biado hobar na : apa khabar
madung: sudahkah
minum : minum
manyogot : pagi
hamu: kalian
"It is a strange language," Ellysha, my niece remarked.
It is, I suppose, to the uninitiated. But it grows on you.
I told my daughter (who is studying in the US) about this in our Skype last week. She, a language lover, was excited.
So, now every time before we end our conversation, Shaira would say: "Salamat borngin, Inang. Au marsitundu, Au giot modom. Ancogot hita dope markombur."
(Good night, mother. I am sleepy. I want to sleep. Tomorrow we chat again.)
I tell her the words are correct but I am not certain of the sentence structure. I would need to refer to my whatsapp group teacher.
It is a good try. It will get better.
I know one thing -- there is more to learn in this journey of mine. Of ours.
(N.B : My first blog was named Sri Mendahiling - a tribute to my Mendailing roots. At that time (August 2006, I think) I was not quite ready to blog - it was uncharted territory for me. It was daunting. I was intimidated by its sheer power. I posted a one-liner and stepped back, convinced myself that I'd return. After all, writing was my passion. I did return but when I wanted to resume posting on it, I forgot my password. Ergo 3540 Jalan Sudin was born.)
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Second Chance For Kiddie Porn Convict?
"Any individual who repents for a mistake should be given a second chance after being punished especially among gifted students who can become national assets,"
Are you kidding me?
Convicted by an English court for 13 offences of possessing more than 30,000 pornographic images and videos of children.
You want to give him a second chance? Are you mad or are you stupid?
Are you kidding me?
Convicted by an English court for 13 offences of possessing more than 30,000 pornographic images and videos of children.
You want to give him a second chance? Are you mad or are you stupid?
The person in question is 23 year-old Imperial College student Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin who was a Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) loan student. He was because when he was convicted Mara rescinded his loan.
But now, Mara has second thoughts and will be giving him a second chance to continue his studies in a eny Mara institution in Malaysia.
Mara council member Nazir Hussin Akhtar Hussin was quoted by mStar to have said that the offer was a second chance and a show of support for him.
"In unofficial discussions, council members and the Mara chairman have agreed to give him a second chance after he serves his sentence.
"We will support him in any way possible to help him rebuild his character and one way is to give him a chance to study in any Mara institution," he added.
Oh dear oh dear. What are you thinking, Mara?
I suppose they're being compassionate seeing that he is a smart student.
By Nazir's own admission, "It is a pity to waste someone who can be an asset to the country.'
Seriously?
I just don't get these people.
And yesterday, a moronic statement from Ministry of Rural and Regional Development Mohd Shafie Apdal : His ministry will consider whether to appeal to the Southwark Crown court in London to reduce the sentence imposed on Nur Fitri.
Nur Fitri was sentenced to five years in prison.
"We can appeal (to reduce the length of the sentence), the problem is we are subjected to the prevailing laws of the country. We have to respect the laws that other countries practise," he told reporters after attending the Mara programme with Rompin entrepreneurs in Kuala Rompin on Monday.
What kind of statement is that?
I think neither Mara nor Mohd Shafie knows or realises the gravity of Nur Fitri's crime.
That is a tragedy,.
Lessons Learnt : MyVi speedsters Against The Rest of Malaysia
Like so many people I am enraged that people are still happily racing and speeding on our highways and expressways with, well, I will say it - with impunity.
Accidents happen on roads, we know it. They happen due to carelessness and recklessness. And of course, speeding.
And people are killed.
All these are unacceptable .
Last Saturday, speeding cars, allegedly involved in illegal racing, caused the deaths of 3 people - a young couple and their baby girl.
According to news reports businessman Fairuz Nizam, his wife Nova Safitri and their seven-month-old daughter Nur Firuza Annisa were killed when their Mitsubishi Pajero was hit by two Perodua Myvis on the DUKE Highway last Saturday morning.
The two Perodua Myvis were said to have been involved in a 6-car illegal racing. The driver have all denied it and in fact blamed Fairuz for swerving into the lane of one of the cars.
Yeah . The gall, the cheek, the audacity of it.
Public outcry was swift -- fast and furious. People were unforgiving, venting their anger in social media..
For many people, it was not just another accident. The accident was caused by racing cars.
No matter what anyone says -- people are convinced that these Myvis were responsible.
The drivers have already been tried and judged.
What got to people was not only that Fairuz was killed on the spot but that his wife and baby were thrown out onto the road. They died on the way to hospital.
Simply, it is the illegal racing. That hit a nerve in everyone. Nobody likes illegal racing. Just like no one likes the antics of Mat Rempits on the road.
So many people were saddened by this tragedy. And the fact that the couple left behind two young daughters - Nur Firuza Amira, 7 and Nur Firuza Akila, 3.
Police arrested the two drivers over the weekend - including a woman - but released them on bail on Sunday evening.
The other drivers, in their police reports are said to have denied that they had caused the accident.
The police, already investigating the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless driving, have given an assurance that they will be thorough.
Meanwhile, The Star report:
The Malaysian Consumers Association has urged the Government to introduce a law making it compulsory for child seats to be installed in cars carrying infants and young children.
Accidents happen on roads, we know it. They happen due to carelessness and recklessness. And of course, speeding.
And people are killed.
All these are unacceptable .
Last Saturday, speeding cars, allegedly involved in illegal racing, caused the deaths of 3 people - a young couple and their baby girl.
According to news reports businessman Fairuz Nizam, his wife Nova Safitri and their seven-month-old daughter Nur Firuza Annisa were killed when their Mitsubishi Pajero was hit by two Perodua Myvis on the DUKE Highway last Saturday morning.
The two Perodua Myvis were said to have been involved in a 6-car illegal racing. The driver have all denied it and in fact blamed Fairuz for swerving into the lane of one of the cars.
Yeah . The gall, the cheek, the audacity of it.
Public outcry was swift -- fast and furious. People were unforgiving, venting their anger in social media..
For many people, it was not just another accident. The accident was caused by racing cars.
No matter what anyone says -- people are convinced that these Myvis were responsible.
The drivers have already been tried and judged.
What got to people was not only that Fairuz was killed on the spot but that his wife and baby were thrown out onto the road. They died on the way to hospital.
Simply, it is the illegal racing. That hit a nerve in everyone. Nobody likes illegal racing. Just like no one likes the antics of Mat Rempits on the road.
So many people were saddened by this tragedy. And the fact that the couple left behind two young daughters - Nur Firuza Amira, 7 and Nur Firuza Akila, 3.
So now, the police say they are determined to stop illegal racing. And the Transport Ministry has ordered the Road Transport Department to step up enforcement against illegal racers.
Yesterday, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi was quoted to have said: “We do not want illegal racers to spill more innocent blood,”
He said he would ensure that JPJ was firm in enforcing traffic laws and that it increased its operations against illegal racing, especially during weekends.
Well and good, I say. But really really really. That is often the case, isn't it?
It takes such a tragedy for the authorities to take notice and wisen up.
I'm not saying that it's a lot of bull .But I wish they had done all this as a matter of routine or part of their business to keep the roads and highways safe.
You know -- there were times when I am driving on Jalan Damansara (that runs along Phileo Damansara) at night and four or five cars would be zooming at breakneck speed past me. Not always Myvis.
Why these drivers are even allowed to do so without any highway patrol catching them is perplexing.
That is exactly why this has been rampantly happening -- people know they can get away with it.
There has probably been action but it has not been deterrent enough.
Never mind racing - that is clearly illegal. The speeding and reckless driving. The weaving in and out of cars and so many other traffic no-no's. The running and beating of red lights.
And the mat rempits and other motorcyclists who have no regard for traffic rules.
What about not wearing helmets.
I can go on and on.
I have said many times before, some Malaysian drivers deserve to die on the road because they speed, they are reckless and have no regard for safety - theirs or other people's.
But then, as in the DUKE Highway case, the tragedy is that the ones who should, don't (die).
We don't have a "road safety" culture in this country. There are just too many motorists who are selfish, reckless and who have no regard for road safety.
If we all do not change our mindset and attitude on the road, nothing will change.
Yes WE. You and I and the enforcement agencies.
You cannot change overnight. So if the police and the RTD want to stop illegal racing - DO SO NOW.
Meanwhile, work on road safety.
If things don't change because we don't want to -- then don't get all worked up when you keep seeing accident fatalities increasing.
********
On the DUKE Highway case :
The other drivers, in their police reports are said to have denied that they had caused the accident.
The police, already investigating the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless driving, have given an assurance that they will be thorough.
Meanwhile, The Star report:
The Malaysian Consumers Association has urged the Government to introduce a law making it compulsory for child seats to be installed in cars carrying infants and young children.
Well, I support this. I have always supported this.
See how terrible some Malaysians are -- the part on people driving with their children on their laps - well, I have seen it many times. And when I do, I will drive along the car and honk at the driver and then point to his child.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Not Pretty : Tun Dr M Vs Najib
The heat is getting more intense now. The knives are out. All this in the wake of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's relentless attack on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak not only to answer those nagging questions surrounding1MDB (where has the money gone?) and so on but for Najib to step down as PM.
It seems to Dr Mahathir, Najib has no choice but to do so because he has failed the rakyat. He has failed to perform as PM.
Dr Mahathir has also resurrected the ghost of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu by urging Najib to reopen the case following a declaration by her murderer Sirul Azhar that he and his partner-in-crime Azilah Hadri were instructed by someone to kill her.
Sirul, inexplicably escaped to Australia where he now is. So, Sirul -- just tell us who instructed you, will you? For crying out loud!
So, really. All's not pretty about the whole thing. If you are not depressed about the whole thing and about where is taking the country and how it's going to end, you can switch on your sense of humour and laugh out loud. Only that is not funny.
You have those questions and you have Najib's response that it is all being investigated by the Auditor-General, an external auditor and the Public Accounts Committee.
So, we'll just have to wait.
But Dr M has no confidence in them -- he wants a totally independent body to investigate 1MDB.
This is all so hot that on social media - Facebook, twitter and the blogs - people are having a field day. Dr Mahathir has his ardent and loyal followers and so has the Prime Minister. In fact, Umno Youth only the other demonstrated their open support.
One person I feel so bad for is Datuk Mukhriz - Kedah MB and Dr Mahathir's son. Talking of knives -- those pesky politicians are now turning their knives and guns on him.
Support the party president or step down as Kedah MB. they yell. Talk about fishing in muddy waters and seeing opportunity in calamity.
But we worry where and how this will all end.
Not pretty at all right now.
And then there is that ubiquitous Jho Low. For heaven's sake -- Was he or was he not involved?
Hey. Don't look at me. I have no freakin' idea..
I just want a happy ending.
It seems to Dr Mahathir, Najib has no choice but to do so because he has failed the rakyat. He has failed to perform as PM.
Dr Mahathir has also resurrected the ghost of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu by urging Najib to reopen the case following a declaration by her murderer Sirul Azhar that he and his partner-in-crime Azilah Hadri were instructed by someone to kill her.
Sirul, inexplicably escaped to Australia where he now is. So, Sirul -- just tell us who instructed you, will you? For crying out loud!
So, really. All's not pretty about the whole thing. If you are not depressed about the whole thing and about where is taking the country and how it's going to end, you can switch on your sense of humour and laugh out loud. Only that is not funny.
You have those questions and you have Najib's response that it is all being investigated by the Auditor-General, an external auditor and the Public Accounts Committee.
So, we'll just have to wait.
But Dr M has no confidence in them -- he wants a totally independent body to investigate 1MDB.
This is all so hot that on social media - Facebook, twitter and the blogs - people are having a field day. Dr Mahathir has his ardent and loyal followers and so has the Prime Minister. In fact, Umno Youth only the other demonstrated their open support.
One person I feel so bad for is Datuk Mukhriz - Kedah MB and Dr Mahathir's son. Talking of knives -- those pesky politicians are now turning their knives and guns on him.
Support the party president or step down as Kedah MB. they yell. Talk about fishing in muddy waters and seeing opportunity in calamity.
But we worry where and how this will all end.
Not pretty at all right now.
And then there is that ubiquitous Jho Low. For heaven's sake -- Was he or was he not involved?
Hey. Don't look at me. I have no freakin' idea..
I just want a happy ending.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Samad Ismail : Of Friends & Foes
I read something about my late father yesterday. He was mentioned in an article written by a former Singapore Minister Othman Wok in a tribute to the republic's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who died on Monday.
I reproduce it (in bold) from (excerpt) of Othman's piece that was published in the Straits Times (Singapore).
It is a nice tribute to Singapore's founding father. But the bit on my late dad - not so nice.
For reasons, perhaps known only to Othman who considers my father "a good friend", he chose to repeat and publish a false allegation made decades ago against my late father - that he was a "card-carrying member" of the Malayan Communist Party. A charge my father had denied following his release in 1981 after four-and-half years in detention under the ISA.
I write, on behalf of my sisters and brothers, to say that - with due respect to Othman, we find the reference made of our father despicable and a deliberate act to malign him.
We will not be drawn into further remarks to set the record straight or to clear our father's name for obvious reasons. Individiuals (from both sides of the causeway) responsible for the detention of our father are all dead and gone.
We will let it rest but we must register our protest and to express our regret and that we are deeply saddened by Othman's invocation of our father's name - by resurrecting and repeating a false accusation - a false narrative - that had been put to rest decades ago.
Below is part of Othman's article.
We will not be drawn into further remarks to set the record straight or to clear our father's name for obvious reasons. Individiuals (from both sides of the causeway) responsible for the detention of our father are all dead and gone.
We will let it rest but we must register our protest and to express our regret and that we are deeply saddened by Othman's invocation of our father's name - by resurrecting and repeating a false accusation - a false narrative - that had been put to rest decades ago.
Below is part of Othman's article.
"I told him my concerns were about how we were going to cope with the communist threat in an independent Singapore. He said to me: "You don't worry. I will handle them."
He made good on this promise, dealing firmly and deftly with the communists after Independence. Some have expressed disagreement with Kuan Yew on his subsequent actions, since many of those detained continued to insist for many years that they were not communists.
This is a misunderstanding of how the communists worked in that era. They did not admit they were communists then because communist organisations had been declared illegal from the time of the Malayan Emergency. So it became their strategy to go underground and to secretly infiltrate groups throughout society. My good friend Samad Ismail, also an Utusan Melayu newsman, did not admit to being a communist at the time, but he turned out to be a card-carrying member of the Malayan Communist Party.
Samad was detained in Malaysia in the 1970s. I have no doubt there were detainees in Singapore who, like him, were underground communist members or strong communist sympathisers who fought for the same violent cause. Kuan Yew fought the communists vigorously and Singapore is better off because of it."
You can read Othman's piece published by The Straits Times (Singapore) - "Remembering Lee Kuan Yew: Trusted Friend and Political Comrade" HERE .
Othman Wok, 90, served in Lee Kuan Yew's Cabinet as Social Affairs Minister from 1963 to 1977.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Flip Flop On Fares Hike
I kinda don' get it.
One day you announce "adjustments" (hike) in train & bus fares.
And a couple of days later, you announce that the increase was being postponed.
I call that a clear case of flip flop. Brings back memories.
A decision is made, stick to your guns-lah. Then deal with the effects in the best way you can. GST (goods & services tax) or no GST.
The grounds for fare adjustments seem fair to me. Justified. After all, the last review was in 2009.
Why had there been no review from 2009 until today? Baffling. Unacceptable. You know the dire straits of public transport. The ongoing MRT project aside, our public transport is a sad affair. There has been improvement here and there, but overall, it is in quite a mess.
Is there a disconnect between the decision-makers, political masters and the situation on the ground that improving public transport is not considered terribly urgent.
The (fare) adjustments would spur an exercise to improve the taxi services in the Klang Valley. This decision follows a thorough study of what needs to be done to improve our public transport services overall.
The decision to increase fares by SPAD (The Land Public Transport Commission) certainly was not going be popular.
Any decision to increase goods and services is never popular. Nobody likes price hikes. That's the way we are.
And of course, the spectre of the GST is hovering, compelling the government to postpone the fare hike.
Personally, I felt it was justified and about time too seeing how this could fix some really bad problems in our public transport services and system. You have to start somewhere.
So what if it is unpopular. Besides, the decision to postpone ain't gonna make you popular, let me tell you that.
It is therefore, status quo.
I know consumers and commuters got really upset by the announcement to increase the fares.
I am so politically incorrect when I say that it is a mistake to postpone the hike.. In the long-term it benefits no one -- not the regulators, not the operators and certainly not the consumers.
Perhaps, they are waiting for the MRT to begin operation before any increase is affected.
Let me express my concern -- the last review was in 2009. Don't wait too long. It's not going to be a pretty picture.
Meanwhile - good luck!
One day you announce "adjustments" (hike) in train & bus fares.
And a couple of days later, you announce that the increase was being postponed.
I call that a clear case of flip flop. Brings back memories.
A decision is made, stick to your guns-lah. Then deal with the effects in the best way you can. GST (goods & services tax) or no GST.
The grounds for fare adjustments seem fair to me. Justified. After all, the last review was in 2009.
Why had there been no review from 2009 until today? Baffling. Unacceptable. You know the dire straits of public transport. The ongoing MRT project aside, our public transport is a sad affair. There has been improvement here and there, but overall, it is in quite a mess.
Is there a disconnect between the decision-makers, political masters and the situation on the ground that improving public transport is not considered terribly urgent.
The (fare) adjustments would spur an exercise to improve the taxi services in the Klang Valley. This decision follows a thorough study of what needs to be done to improve our public transport services overall.
The decision to increase fares by SPAD (The Land Public Transport Commission) certainly was not going be popular.
Any decision to increase goods and services is never popular. Nobody likes price hikes. That's the way we are.
And of course, the spectre of the GST is hovering, compelling the government to postpone the fare hike.
Personally, I felt it was justified and about time too seeing how this could fix some really bad problems in our public transport services and system. You have to start somewhere.
So what if it is unpopular. Besides, the decision to postpone ain't gonna make you popular, let me tell you that.
It is therefore, status quo.
I know consumers and commuters got really upset by the announcement to increase the fares.
I am so politically incorrect when I say that it is a mistake to postpone the hike.. In the long-term it benefits no one -- not the regulators, not the operators and certainly not the consumers.
Perhaps, they are waiting for the MRT to begin operation before any increase is affected.
Let me express my concern -- the last review was in 2009. Don't wait too long. It's not going to be a pretty picture.
Meanwhile - good luck!
Friday, March 20, 2015
BN Leaders Support PM
Bikin serupa cakap, ya.
Here's the NST report today:
KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders of all 14 Barisan Nasional component parties yesterday expressed their full support for Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the prime minister and BN chairman.
Speaking on behalf of the leaders, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said they also backed Najib’s leadership in implementing the national transformation programme to drive the nation and achieve its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2020.
“We will stand behind him and have confidence in his leadership. We are confident that the national transformation programme will achieve its target before 2020,” he said at Parliament yesterday.
Present were BN leaders, including MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Kiong, PPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas, PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, LDP president Datuk Teo Chee Kang, UPKO acting president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, SPDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing and SUPP president Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui.
Liow said the decision to express their support for Najib was made by all the component party leaders following a meeting earlier yesterday.
“All of us decided to voice our support for the prime minister. “It is important for us to be united and strong to face challenges, especially in the years ahead when we are transforming BN.”
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the statement of support was unanimous and there were no dissenting voices.
“This includes all BN component parties in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.” He said the support was made “to avoid any unnecessary speculation on BN”.
***********
Let's Talk Hudud
Most people say if you are no Islamic scholar or have no expertise in Islamic law and jurisprudence, you should shut the F up and not comment on Hudud.
This issue has been the subject of heated debate in the wake of the Kelantan Hudud.
It is also the source of discontent in the Pakatan Rakyat with PAS at loggerheads with its partners DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Ugly politics here but pure unadulterated show of conflicting ideologies. And everyone is saying - "See, I told you so. All this marriage of convenience is bound to fall apart because they differ in fundamentals".
Siapa nak makan humble pie?
Back to this subject of Hudud.
So, why can't I talk about Hudud? It affects me directly.
Can't I just do some plain talking about whether I agree to Hudud or not. I am no scholar but I know what the Shariah (Syariah) is.
In my beloved country, Malaysia, there is a dual legal system in force in which Muslims are subject to the laws of Islam pertaining to family, marriage&divorce, inheritance and apostasy and other Islamic practices.
(Crimes such as theft, rape , sodomy and murder come under the Malaysian penal code.)
The shariah laws are established in state laws and in each state they differ in practice and enforcement.
If you ask any Muslim, he or she will most likely not reject the Hudud which we all understand to be God's laws and God is fair, just, compassionate and merciful.
Even if they do, most will not be open about it. This, I have found to be the case because there are too many holier-than-thou people out there ready to demonise their Muslim brothers and sisters with differing views.
In my simple view, if God's laws are in force, heaven is on this earth. There should be no poverty and no inequality. There should be peace for mankind. And women will be protected and respected. And there will be no teen pregnancies or baby dumping.
How ideal is that?
Under Islamic law, when a man steals, he does not lose his limbs just like that. No sireeee.
The accused will be tried and his background will be scrutinised. Is he too poor? Why is he poor that he was pushed to steal? And so on and so on. Mitigating factors are serious considerations. That is justice.
So, to me how wonderful IF we can enforce the Shariah to a T as God ordains it.
My problem is that I have little confidence in the enforcers of Hudud.
These enforcers are no saints. They are not infallible.They are not perfect .
How do we check against abuse? Like I said I am not going to debate the Hudud.
I have trust issues.
Having seen how our moral guardians have shown themselves to be.
I speak in general terms here because I am sure there are good people in that institution. But what we have witnessed so far (without my going into details) does not convince me that we are ready for Hudud.
Besides, the issue is outrightly so politically-infused, it is embarrassing.
Be that as it may, let me say here that I'd like to see a better and more effective enforcement of shariah laws that are now in place in THIS country. Strengthen that first and then we can do Hudud.
For now, let's just talk about it.
This issue has been the subject of heated debate in the wake of the Kelantan Hudud.
It is also the source of discontent in the Pakatan Rakyat with PAS at loggerheads with its partners DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Ugly politics here but pure unadulterated show of conflicting ideologies. And everyone is saying - "See, I told you so. All this marriage of convenience is bound to fall apart because they differ in fundamentals".
Siapa nak makan humble pie?
Back to this subject of Hudud.
So, why can't I talk about Hudud? It affects me directly.
Can't I just do some plain talking about whether I agree to Hudud or not. I am no scholar but I know what the Shariah (Syariah) is.
In my beloved country, Malaysia, there is a dual legal system in force in which Muslims are subject to the laws of Islam pertaining to family, marriage&divorce, inheritance and apostasy and other Islamic practices.
(Crimes such as theft, rape , sodomy and murder come under the Malaysian penal code.)
The shariah laws are established in state laws and in each state they differ in practice and enforcement.
If you ask any Muslim, he or she will most likely not reject the Hudud which we all understand to be God's laws and God is fair, just, compassionate and merciful.
Even if they do, most will not be open about it. This, I have found to be the case because there are too many holier-than-thou people out there ready to demonise their Muslim brothers and sisters with differing views.
In my simple view, if God's laws are in force, heaven is on this earth. There should be no poverty and no inequality. There should be peace for mankind. And women will be protected and respected. And there will be no teen pregnancies or baby dumping.
How ideal is that?
Under Islamic law, when a man steals, he does not lose his limbs just like that. No sireeee.
The accused will be tried and his background will be scrutinised. Is he too poor? Why is he poor that he was pushed to steal? And so on and so on. Mitigating factors are serious considerations. That is justice.
So, to me how wonderful IF we can enforce the Shariah to a T as God ordains it.
My problem is that I have little confidence in the enforcers of Hudud.
These enforcers are no saints. They are not infallible.They are not perfect .
How do we check against abuse? Like I said I am not going to debate the Hudud.
I have trust issues.
Having seen how our moral guardians have shown themselves to be.
I speak in general terms here because I am sure there are good people in that institution. But what we have witnessed so far (without my going into details) does not convince me that we are ready for Hudud.
Besides, the issue is outrightly so politically-infused, it is embarrassing.
Be that as it may, let me say here that I'd like to see a better and more effective enforcement of shariah laws that are now in place in THIS country. Strengthen that first and then we can do Hudud.
For now, let's just talk about it.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Did Nurul Izzah Utter Seditious Remarks In Parliament?
Maybe she did.
Even if she did, should she be slapped with sedition charges. Is there another way of dealing with this MP?
Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah was alleged to have made seditious remarks in Parliament when she delivered a speech on behalf of her father, jailed Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
She is now freed on bail.
Nurul Izzah attacked the judiciary - specifically the five Federal Court judges who upheld Anwar's conviction under Section 377A.
Her supporters are defending her legal right saying that she enjoyed parliamentary privileges as her her remarks were uttered in parliament.
Others who are pissed with her have cited a section under the Sedition Act on parliamentary privileges.
Whether or not Nurul Izzah as an MP, is subject to or is exempted from this privilege is an issue of debate.
Perhaps, her remarks were excessive. And offensive. In fact, they were meant to attack the judges. After all, that was Anwar's speech.
Frankly, I think there are "better" ways to deal with this kind of situations. Censure her, perhaps. Debate it in the august house, perhaps.
That was clearly very political, on Nurul Izzah's part. So, deal with her on the same turf even if it is in the House.
You can explain it all you want. Justfify it all you want. You know that this ain't looking good from wherever you are standing.
You and I may disagree with her remarks but they were were uttered in Parliament. She did not touch on the Rulers and all that are forbidden.
And you still wonder why?
Even if she did, should she be slapped with sedition charges. Is there another way of dealing with this MP?
Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah was alleged to have made seditious remarks in Parliament when she delivered a speech on behalf of her father, jailed Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
She is now freed on bail.
Nurul Izzah attacked the judiciary - specifically the five Federal Court judges who upheld Anwar's conviction under Section 377A.
Her supporters are defending her legal right saying that she enjoyed parliamentary privileges as her her remarks were uttered in parliament.
Others who are pissed with her have cited a section under the Sedition Act on parliamentary privileges.
Whether or not Nurul Izzah as an MP, is subject to or is exempted from this privilege is an issue of debate.
Perhaps, her remarks were excessive. And offensive. In fact, they were meant to attack the judges. After all, that was Anwar's speech.
Frankly, I think there are "better" ways to deal with this kind of situations. Censure her, perhaps. Debate it in the august house, perhaps.
That was clearly very political, on Nurul Izzah's part. So, deal with her on the same turf even if it is in the House.
You can explain it all you want. Justfify it all you want. You know that this ain't looking good from wherever you are standing.
You and I may disagree with her remarks but they were were uttered in Parliament. She did not touch on the Rulers and all that are forbidden.
And you still wonder why?
Damn If They Do, Damn If They Don't
SPAD: Higher Taxi & Bus Fares
There is never a good time to raise fares because consumers are directly affected.
I say it is about time.
If I hadn't known about how little cabbies in the is country make a month in earnings, I would have responded as anyone would to price increase -- in anger.
And it is easy to only see one side because we see and hear from only one side -- the consumers whom we have always regarded to be the aggrieved party.
I mean, haven't we heard of errant taxi drivers who do not use their meters and cheat not only tourists but Malaysians? Time and again.
How could they have got away with their shenanigans all this while?
What about the rogue cabbies at KLCC who make life hell for people and other cabbies?
Where is the enforcement?
What have the enforcement authorities been doing?
This was not happening just yesterday. It's been happening for decades.
People feel that the way our taxis operate is like a Third World country. You can't trust them. So we need to have coupons and tickets at the airports and train stations.
We should have overhauled and cleaned up the taxi services along with taxi ownership and fare structure a long time ago so that today we have a system that we can be proud of.
That being said, I must confess that I am among people who do not need to take taxis to move round the city. I used to during my pre-car-ownership days in the mid 70s.
My complaint then would be that cabbies were selective of destinations and many refused to use meters during peak/rush hours.
Anyway, today, I would have ordinarily been rather caustic in response to the announcement by SPAD (The Land Public Transport Commission) today of taxi&bus fare increase but after looking from their side, I empathise and sympathise.
Most cabbies make less than RM2,000 - many as little as RM800 - a month. They have to make daily payments for their taxis to companies or individuals. It is tough. How to live like that?
For details read the latest posting by Another Brick In The Wall "Plight of Cab Drivers".
The last taxi & bus fare increase was in 2009.
Let's face it. Prices of so many things have gone up. The cost of living is madness today -- so seems only right and fair that these fares go up. And it is not was though they are going be 100 times richer.
As for SPAD -- obviously they will be brutalised by angry consumers/commuters and well, political machais.
But it is true -- damn if they don't, damn if they do. Te devil and the deep blue sea,
Now here's where I would like to rant.
When I began working back in the late 70s, the first thing I wanted to own was a car. I dreaded having to take cabs to move around to get to work, assignments and home. It was the way the taxis operate.
Then when the call-a-cab operations came into being, it was a bit better.
I didn't like take buses because of their schedule.
The moment I could afford a car, I bought one.
And then there was the taxi system at the airports. So Third World until today. I don't know the rationale but I understand it is an ugly legacy or baggage from an era gone by.
Here's the thing - there are more than 30,000 cabbies in the Klang Valley. People still need them. Even with a fantastic bus or rail transport system, people will still need taxis for convenience.
With the first phase of the MRT to be in operation by end of next year, taxis will face some stiff competition for sure.
I'd like to see the authorities overhaul the taxi operation system/structure. Clean it up. Raise it. Enhance it. Make it profitable for cabbies and of value to commuters.
Listen. The last time taxi&bus fares were raised was in 2009. That is so cavalier.
Why did the government NOT review the fares since then?
That is so sloppy and negligent. Inexcusable to neglect this sector.
But let's not gripe and bitch. Let's mvd forward.
Let's look at some workable models from other countries that we can adapt and use.
If we have this lethargic mindset to not want to change, we deserve all that's not going right for us.
I'm no transport expert but even I can say that there surely is a win-win system.
There is never a good time to raise fares because consumers are directly affected.
I say it is about time.
If I hadn't known about how little cabbies in the is country make a month in earnings, I would have responded as anyone would to price increase -- in anger.
And it is easy to only see one side because we see and hear from only one side -- the consumers whom we have always regarded to be the aggrieved party.
I mean, haven't we heard of errant taxi drivers who do not use their meters and cheat not only tourists but Malaysians? Time and again.
How could they have got away with their shenanigans all this while?
What about the rogue cabbies at KLCC who make life hell for people and other cabbies?
Where is the enforcement?
What have the enforcement authorities been doing?
This was not happening just yesterday. It's been happening for decades.
People feel that the way our taxis operate is like a Third World country. You can't trust them. So we need to have coupons and tickets at the airports and train stations.
We should have overhauled and cleaned up the taxi services along with taxi ownership and fare structure a long time ago so that today we have a system that we can be proud of.
That being said, I must confess that I am among people who do not need to take taxis to move round the city. I used to during my pre-car-ownership days in the mid 70s.
My complaint then would be that cabbies were selective of destinations and many refused to use meters during peak/rush hours.
Anyway, today, I would have ordinarily been rather caustic in response to the announcement by SPAD (The Land Public Transport Commission) today of taxi&bus fare increase but after looking from their side, I empathise and sympathise.
Most cabbies make less than RM2,000 - many as little as RM800 - a month. They have to make daily payments for their taxis to companies or individuals. It is tough. How to live like that?
For details read the latest posting by Another Brick In The Wall "Plight of Cab Drivers".
The last taxi & bus fare increase was in 2009.
Let's face it. Prices of so many things have gone up. The cost of living is madness today -- so seems only right and fair that these fares go up. And it is not was though they are going be 100 times richer.
As for SPAD -- obviously they will be brutalised by angry consumers/commuters and well, political machais.
But it is true -- damn if they don't, damn if they do. Te devil and the deep blue sea,
Now here's where I would like to rant.
When I began working back in the late 70s, the first thing I wanted to own was a car. I dreaded having to take cabs to move around to get to work, assignments and home. It was the way the taxis operate.
Then when the call-a-cab operations came into being, it was a bit better.
I didn't like take buses because of their schedule.
The moment I could afford a car, I bought one.
And then there was the taxi system at the airports. So Third World until today. I don't know the rationale but I understand it is an ugly legacy or baggage from an era gone by.
Here's the thing - there are more than 30,000 cabbies in the Klang Valley. People still need them. Even with a fantastic bus or rail transport system, people will still need taxis for convenience.
With the first phase of the MRT to be in operation by end of next year, taxis will face some stiff competition for sure.
I'd like to see the authorities overhaul the taxi operation system/structure. Clean it up. Raise it. Enhance it. Make it profitable for cabbies and of value to commuters.
Listen. The last time taxi&bus fares were raised was in 2009. That is so cavalier.
Why did the government NOT review the fares since then?
That is so sloppy and negligent. Inexcusable to neglect this sector.
But let's not gripe and bitch. Let's mvd forward.
Let's look at some workable models from other countries that we can adapt and use.
If we have this lethargic mindset to not want to change, we deserve all that's not going right for us.
I'm no transport expert but even I can say that there surely is a win-win system.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
B for Billionaires
The world has 155 new billionaires, pushing the worldwide total to 2,325.
That's a 7% jump from 2013, according to the 2014 "Billionaire Census" from Wealth-X and UBS.So who is your standard billionaire? According to the report, the typical billionaire has about $3.1 billion, is 63 years old, and did not reach the $1 billion threshold until their late 40s.
Almost 90% of them are married, and on average, have two kids a piece.
They like to hang with other billionaires: They have relationships with nine ultra-high net worth individuals, three of whom are billionaires.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Hello 2015!
The less said the better about how 2014 has been for us all.
Still -- all I can say is we have to make the best of what we have, move on, move ahead, learn from the dark episodes, be grateful and so on... you know what I mean...
So, everyone -- Let's hope and pray for a Happier and Better New Year!
And resolutions? What resolutions?
Still -- all I can say is we have to make the best of what we have, move on, move ahead, learn from the dark episodes, be grateful and so on... you know what I mean...
So, everyone -- Let's hope and pray for a Happier and Better New Year!
And resolutions? What resolutions?
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Sedition Act Is Here To Stay
Not only that, it will be strengthened, said PM Najib Razakin his keynote address as Umno president at the party's annual general assembly in the PWTC in Kuala Lumpur today.
Najib said that he, as the Prime Minister, decided that the Sedition Act 1948 should be retained to safeguard national security.
He said the government would also strengthen the Act by inserting two special provisions, one of which is to protect the sanctity of Islam and other religions.
The second provision allows action could be taken against anyone who attempted to rouse sentiment to cede Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia.
He got a standing ovation and rousing applause for this announcement.
Today is the start of the three-day assembly.
You know, I can hear the boos among well -- that group and the cheers as well from that side.
For me, personally -- well, for one this is not my favourite subject. As someone said -- it is something we, journos and bloggers love to hate.
Some say it is a necessary evil. Much like the ISA..
Some say it is a necessary evil. Much like the ISA..
I'll ask this-- will it curb freedom of expression? Yes. But so what? The fight for this freedom will not end. It sure will not with the Sedition Act.
I'll ask another - which part of that expression will the Act curb? All those nasty inciting of hate and hatred against Islam and other religions , and on Sabah and Sarawak that is covered under the Act.
Isn't that a good thing? Because if you ask me -- I've seen a lot of nasty things flying around. Really nasty things.
Aah.. only a right-wing Malay will say that? That's always the easiest to say.
Wait a minute -- what about you? You -- people - naysayers, racists who are denying the foundation this country was built on?
That's why you shouldn't label people.
But I know what that nagging feeling is -- fear that the Act will be abused.
I'll tell you one thing -- in this day and age , that comes with a huge price. Abuse - that is.
It goes viral. Supported by social media. Redress in social media. Pressure from social media.
And that's not seditious, you know.
In this day and age -- really -- you can run but cannot hide.
The fight for freedom of speech and expression will relentlessly continue.
I am not afraid of a strong Sedition Act. Why should you? Don't you think it will strengthen your resolve to fight for a better Malaysia... or whatever it is we are all crying for.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Azmin's Selangor
All I can say is that the whole Selangor Menteri Besar drama was an anti-climax. Not complaining. Just, so relieved all this has been resolved with the appointment of PKR's Azmin Ali as MB.
It had been too exhausting and made so unbelievably convoluted by all the personalities and characters involved . This has got people to be so numbed, almost dismissive. What will be, will be-lah, many seemed to say. So farcical and comical, this whole thing.
That is why I am so relieved. And glad, for now.
But I reckon there is a sequel to this. You can see it as continuing or just beginning. I mean you don't have to be a political scientist to guess that. And we will just have to see things unfold. However, being a voter of Selangor, I want Azmin to prove everyone wrong -- that he can administer Selangor. That he has learnt from the mistakes of his predecessors. No c'est la vie this round.
So today, after he was sworn in, Azmin told reporters that the new Selangor executive council line-up will be decided on Thursday and sworn in on Friday.
Here's a report:
Azmin said the three component parties in Pakatan Rakyat will have a discussion this evening regarding the composition of the exco.
"The Sultan has decreed that it should be solved quickly and God willing, the swearing-in ceremony for the excos will be carried out on Friday," he told reporters after he took the oath as Menteri Besar at Alam Shah palace, here, today.
Whether any of the old exco members will be maintained will be subject to the discussion later, he added.
When asked whether PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be included in the line-up, Azmin said the discussion process had not started and any news will be informed later.
He also denied rumours that a deputy Menteri Besar will be appointed, saying that such an issue did not arise.
In referring to his predecessor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Azmin said Khalid had set a good foundation in administering the state.
"My duty is to continue the policies that prioritise the people and to ensure the state is free of corruption," he said.
Selangor Sultan Played "A Most Delicate Non-Partisan Role"
This is the opinion of Lukman Sheriff , a lawyer, of the Sultan's role in the whole drama about who was going to be the new Selangor Menteri Besar after Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
He posted this on his Facebook wall.
Daulat Tuanku
As the news developed, HRH has made the most wise decision in appointing AA under the circumstances.
AA may not be the best candidate for Selangor but HRH's decision has managed to avoid my dear state, Selangor, being a stooge of the most daring arrogant political machination our country has seen or will ever see. And for this I have nothing but acerbic criticism of the architects of Kajang Move, PKR and its strategist Rafizi Ramli for taking us on a merry go round of pure lies and wanton lust of power.
As written many times, we cannot have for the first time, if I must say, in modern democratic history, a de factor leadership or in normal parlance "remote control MB" for Selangor. This is against any semblance of good or proper governance lauded strangely by DAP as the new politics.
From the inception, Wan Azizah's admission of Anwar's role in the State administration and inability to stand on her own was clear enough to the thinking public that she is just a "puppet" for an unelected leader. This impression was cast to stone when it was Anwar and not her, as a legal elected political party leader, who sought permission to seek an audience with the Sultan for her appointment. Anwar and Azizah's utter inability to differentiate the positions can only point to a doom state full of abuse of positions. HRH saw this and out of this concern and love of the State, put a stop to this mess.
For the record, Azizah's, PKR's and PR's allegation that she has the majority by SD and the HRH must recognise this has no basis in law. It is a spin to me of a deliberate misrepresentation. There is no precedent that HRH must recognise the SD. HRH may still interview one by one the ADUN as in the Perak's case and each may deny their support of Wan Azizah. In fact the acceptance by AA of the MB position which must surely include a few other PKR ADUNs clearly shows the SD method is not tenable and cannot be relied in law. The SD from my read was never made public and no one knows what the content is. In fact, as the law stands, whatever the house decide will prevail despite the SD. Aziz Bari is again spewing baseless opinion on this. TMI FMT are merely printing what they wish to propagate. Really sad state of affairs we are in as many are simply misled on this issue.
As for AA's appointment, there won't be enough majority in the house anymore for a vote of no confidence. Azizah does not have the 30 and PR allege. HRH in his infinite wisdom I believe appoint a a person with a majority. He would have consulted PAS and UMNO who would stand by his decision. With AA and his supporters that would be an easy calculation of a simple majority.
I would like to make a small clarification. Though I think there are other more competent ADUNs than AA and that AA may still make Selangor admin worse than TSKI's, I do think that under the circumstances and the legal provisions, AA is the most appropriate candidate.
Daulat Tuanku. You have indeed played a most delicate non partisan role. It shows the relevance and need of a constitutional monarch to keep politics and its evil machination in its rightful place.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Blog Posting Not Defamatory - Judge
From The malaymailonline
THE High Court has struck out a defamation suit filed by a lawyer against a journalist on grounds the case was an abuse of the judicial process.
The ruling was made by judge Datuk Yeoh Wee Siam in chambers yesterday.
The suit was filed by Datuk Mohamad Bustaman Abdullah against Malay Mail executive editor Haresh Deol on August 15, 2012, over an article posted on the latter’s blog Foul! (www. hareshdeol.blogspot.com).
Haresh had in the posting “Judge Walks Out” on June 27, 2012, republished a Malay Mail article “Judge walks out as question turns personal”, a hyperlink to an article “Ethics vital for lawyers” published in The Star Online on June 27 and a YouTube video clip titled “Hooligan lawyer assaults client”.
Mohamad Bustaman, had claimed the Malay Mail article, which was a court hearing between National Sports Council (NSC) and Mesuma Sports Sdn Bhd, was defamatory to him.
He had acted for the NSC in the matter involving a trademark dispute over the tiger stripe design on the national jersey.
Mohamad Bustaman claimed The Star Online article, by way of juxtaposition, bore the meaning he was an unethical lawyer and the video, by way of juxtaposition, bore the meaning the plaintiff was a hooligan lawyer.
He had on June 2012 sued Malay Mail and its former journalist, T.K. Letchumy Tamboo, for defamation over the article. He had claimed the article was defamatory, not true and had affected his reputation as a solicitor.
Yeoh, who presided over the case against Malay Mail, had on November 2013 dismissed the suit saying the defendants were not liable for defamation.
Mohamad Bustaman appealed against Yeoh’s decision but the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision.
Haresh’s lawyer, Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, said Yeoh had struck out the suit in chambers and also ordered Mohamad Bustaman to pay RM5,000 in costs.
Jababerdeen said: “The judge said the plaintiff should have withdrawn the matter against the defendant immediately after the Court of Appeal’s decision as the suit by the plaintiff is a relitigation of issues of an earlier suit and was an abuse of the court process.
“The judge also said the hyperlink to the article in The Star Online and YouTube posting in the blog did not refer to the plaintiff.”
Mohamad Bustaman was represented by B. Mahendra Kumar.
The ruling was made by judge Datuk Yeoh Wee Siam in chambers yesterday.
The suit was filed by Datuk Mohamad Bustaman Abdullah against Malay Mail executive editor Haresh Deol on August 15, 2012, over an article posted on the latter’s blog Foul! (www. hareshdeol.blogspot.com).
Haresh had in the posting “Judge Walks Out” on June 27, 2012, republished a Malay Mail article “Judge walks out as question turns personal”, a hyperlink to an article “Ethics vital for lawyers” published in The Star Online on June 27 and a YouTube video clip titled “Hooligan lawyer assaults client”.
Mohamad Bustaman, had claimed the Malay Mail article, which was a court hearing between National Sports Council (NSC) and Mesuma Sports Sdn Bhd, was defamatory to him.
He had acted for the NSC in the matter involving a trademark dispute over the tiger stripe design on the national jersey.
Mohamad Bustaman claimed The Star Online article, by way of juxtaposition, bore the meaning he was an unethical lawyer and the video, by way of juxtaposition, bore the meaning the plaintiff was a hooligan lawyer.
He had on June 2012 sued Malay Mail and its former journalist, T.K. Letchumy Tamboo, for defamation over the article. He had claimed the article was defamatory, not true and had affected his reputation as a solicitor.
Yeoh, who presided over the case against Malay Mail, had on November 2013 dismissed the suit saying the defendants were not liable for defamation.
Mohamad Bustaman appealed against Yeoh’s decision but the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision.
Haresh’s lawyer, Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, said Yeoh had struck out the suit in chambers and also ordered Mohamad Bustaman to pay RM5,000 in costs.
Jababerdeen said: “The judge said the plaintiff should have withdrawn the matter against the defendant immediately after the Court of Appeal’s decision as the suit by the plaintiff is a relitigation of issues of an earlier suit and was an abuse of the court process.
“The judge also said the hyperlink to the article in The Star Online and YouTube posting in the blog did not refer to the plaintiff.”
Mohamad Bustaman was represented by B. Mahendra Kumar.
Of Najib, ISA, ex ISA Detainees
From the blog of Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin - Zamkata.
"Dalam menghapuskan ISA, Najib bimbang penerusannya akan menyebabkan berlakunya lagi penyalahgunaan kuasa atau ketidakadilan . Beliau tidak mahu menanggung dosa. Apakah kesilapan Hussein Onn menjadi dorongan besar kepada tindakan popularnya menghapuskan ISA? Polis yang senantiasa mengikuti perentah tidak boleh disalahkan dalam penyalahgunaan ISA kerana pucannya adalah kepimpinan politik yang tidak bijak dan tidak berwibawa.
Barangkali Najib hendak membasoh kesilapan besar bapa saudaranya tetapi menghapuskan ISA berasaskan kepada tekanan politik dan cita- cita politik untuk kelihatan demokratik dan liberal mengikut citarasa kuasa besar Barat dan juga untuk mencari populariti dalam negeri adalah juga suatu perbuatan yang tidak ikhlas yang mementingkan kepentingan diri.
Lebih buruk lagi hal ini dilakukan ketika negara berada dalam keadaan tidak stabil dari segi perpaduan dan keselamatan dan bangsanya sendiri sedang dalam kelemasan.ISA lebih banyak jasanya dari aspek negatifnya.
Najib memikirkan bahawa Malaysia akan lebih diyakini dunia dengan transformasi politiknya sedangkan kekukuhan keselamatan dan kestabilan Singapore di bawah ISA dan Akta Hasutan lebih menjamin masa depannya. China yang melakukan reformasi ekonomi tanpa reformasi politik,mencapai kemajuan yang menakjubkan dalam masa yang singkat di bawah displin komunisme berbanding dengan Soviet Union yang perpecahannya mengakibatkan kekacauan yang terus menerus hingga sekarang.
Dan inilah yang sedang berlaku di Malaysia sekarang .Setelah lebih 50 tahun merdeka,perpaduan negara dan rakyat tergugat ,pihak keselamatan tidak dapat bertindak untuk " prevention better than cure" terhadap anasir anasirdeviant dan pemisah Sabah dan Sarawak tanpa ISA sekalipun pendedahan telah dibuat. . Sebelumnya Sabah telah dicemarkan oleh peristiwa berdarah Lahad Datu.".
In his latest posting "Kesilapan Hussein Onn Dorong Najib Hapuskan ISA", Zam - journalist, writer, former Utusan Malaysia editor and former Information Minister - says that Hussein's action during his premiership in the use (or abuse) of the ISA had pushed him to make that decision for he feared abuse of that piece of legislation.
Zam wrote on Hussein's term of office including his orders to arrest and detain under the ISA senior journalists and close aides of his predecessor (and brother-in-law) Tun Razak Hussein.
"Penahanan Tiga Abdul yang terdiri dari Abdullah Ahmad, Abdul Samad Ismail dan Abdullah Majid di bawah ISA dibuat dengan arahan Perdana Menteri Hussein Onn setelah dipengaruhi oleh Lee Kuan Yew(LKY) Perdana Menteri Singapura yang dikunjunginya setelah kematian Tun Abdul Razak.
Tujuannya untuk memulakan suatu perhubungan baru setelah hubungan LKY dengan Tun Abdul Razak penuh dengan prasangka."
He elaborated:
"LKY tidak selesa dengan Tun Razak yang disifatkannnya sebagai tidak boleh dipercayai dibandingkan dengan Hussein On yang katanya" He was open and direct when he dealt with me,coming straight to the point,unlike Razak, I liked him"(muka 271 buku Memoirs Of Lee Kuan Yew From Third World To First)
Dalam buku ini di muka yang sama Lee Kuan mendedahkan dalam pertemuan empat mata dengan Hussein , beliau telah mempengaruhi Hussein On supaya menangkap anasir anasir komunis yang berada disekeliling Tun Razak.
Kata Lee Kuan Yew " I told him my fears of Malay communists and their sympathisers penetrating Malaysia's mass media and their radical Malay students and trade union leadership.We talked freely and frankly about the Malay communist infiltration of his media,including the activities of Samad Ismail,an MCP member from his time in Singapore in the 1950s,and his group.
"When Razak was Prime Mninister,he worked his way into UMNO and became a powerful figure in the New Straits Times, building up a coterie of supporters. Hussein agreed this was a danger but said that the communists and student radicals could not be arrested without upsetting the Malay ground".
Kemudiannya dalam bulan June 1976 "The Malaysian Special Branch arrested Samad and his Kuala Lumpur group (halaman 271 dan 272)" setelah namanya dilibatkan oleh seorang wartawan Berita Harian yang di tahan di Singapura. Cerita wartawan ini adalah cerita lama tentang Pak Samad.
LKY memuji Hussein Onn kerana "had the courage to act against a pro -communist Malay intelligentsia although this was likely to cost him some support".
Read the whole article HERE.
Because I am his daughter, do read this episode of Tuesdays with Bapak
and maybe THIS, or THIS and may as well THIS
"Dalam menghapuskan ISA, Najib bimbang penerusannya akan menyebabkan berlakunya lagi penyalahgunaan kuasa atau ketidakadilan . Beliau tidak mahu menanggung dosa. Apakah kesilapan Hussein Onn menjadi dorongan besar kepada tindakan popularnya menghapuskan ISA? Polis yang senantiasa mengikuti perentah tidak boleh disalahkan dalam penyalahgunaan ISA kerana pucannya adalah kepimpinan politik yang tidak bijak dan tidak berwibawa.
Barangkali Najib hendak membasoh kesilapan besar bapa saudaranya tetapi menghapuskan ISA berasaskan kepada tekanan politik dan cita- cita politik untuk kelihatan demokratik dan liberal mengikut citarasa kuasa besar Barat dan juga untuk mencari populariti dalam negeri adalah juga suatu perbuatan yang tidak ikhlas yang mementingkan kepentingan diri.
Lebih buruk lagi hal ini dilakukan ketika negara berada dalam keadaan tidak stabil dari segi perpaduan dan keselamatan dan bangsanya sendiri sedang dalam kelemasan.ISA lebih banyak jasanya dari aspek negatifnya.
Najib memikirkan bahawa Malaysia akan lebih diyakini dunia dengan transformasi politiknya sedangkan kekukuhan keselamatan dan kestabilan Singapore di bawah ISA dan Akta Hasutan lebih menjamin masa depannya. China yang melakukan reformasi ekonomi tanpa reformasi politik,mencapai kemajuan yang menakjubkan dalam masa yang singkat di bawah displin komunisme berbanding dengan Soviet Union yang perpecahannya mengakibatkan kekacauan yang terus menerus hingga sekarang.
Dan inilah yang sedang berlaku di Malaysia sekarang .Setelah lebih 50 tahun merdeka,perpaduan negara dan rakyat tergugat ,pihak keselamatan tidak dapat bertindak untuk " prevention better than cure" terhadap anasir anasirdeviant dan pemisah Sabah dan Sarawak tanpa ISA sekalipun pendedahan telah dibuat. . Sebelumnya Sabah telah dicemarkan oleh peristiwa berdarah Lahad Datu.".
In his latest posting "Kesilapan Hussein Onn Dorong Najib Hapuskan ISA", Zam - journalist, writer, former Utusan Malaysia editor and former Information Minister - says that Hussein's action during his premiership in the use (or abuse) of the ISA had pushed him to make that decision for he feared abuse of that piece of legislation.
Zam wrote on Hussein's term of office including his orders to arrest and detain under the ISA senior journalists and close aides of his predecessor (and brother-in-law) Tun Razak Hussein.
"Penahanan Tiga Abdul yang terdiri dari Abdullah Ahmad, Abdul Samad Ismail dan Abdullah Majid di bawah ISA dibuat dengan arahan Perdana Menteri Hussein Onn setelah dipengaruhi oleh Lee Kuan Yew(LKY) Perdana Menteri Singapura yang dikunjunginya setelah kematian Tun Abdul Razak.
Tujuannya untuk memulakan suatu perhubungan baru setelah hubungan LKY dengan Tun Abdul Razak penuh dengan prasangka."
He elaborated:
"LKY tidak selesa dengan Tun Razak yang disifatkannnya sebagai tidak boleh dipercayai dibandingkan dengan Hussein On yang katanya" He was open and direct when he dealt with me,coming straight to the point,unlike Razak, I liked him"(muka 271 buku Memoirs Of Lee Kuan Yew From Third World To First)
Dalam buku ini di muka yang sama Lee Kuan mendedahkan dalam pertemuan empat mata dengan Hussein , beliau telah mempengaruhi Hussein On supaya menangkap anasir anasir komunis yang berada disekeliling Tun Razak.
Kata Lee Kuan Yew " I told him my fears of Malay communists and their sympathisers penetrating Malaysia's mass media and their radical Malay students and trade union leadership.We talked freely and frankly about the Malay communist infiltration of his media,including the activities of Samad Ismail,an MCP member from his time in Singapore in the 1950s,and his group.
"When Razak was Prime Mninister,he worked his way into UMNO and became a powerful figure in the New Straits Times, building up a coterie of supporters. Hussein agreed this was a danger but said that the communists and student radicals could not be arrested without upsetting the Malay ground".
Kemudiannya dalam bulan June 1976 "The Malaysian Special Branch arrested Samad and his Kuala Lumpur group (halaman 271 dan 272)" setelah namanya dilibatkan oleh seorang wartawan Berita Harian yang di tahan di Singapura. Cerita wartawan ini adalah cerita lama tentang Pak Samad.
LKY memuji Hussein Onn kerana "had the courage to act against a pro -communist Malay intelligentsia although this was likely to cost him some support".
Read the whole article HERE.
Because I am his daughter, do read this episode of Tuesdays with Bapak
and maybe THIS, or THIS and may as well THIS
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