Sacking Muhyiddin as DPM - It's According to the Script

For many people, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's removal as DPM was not a surprise.

He had it coming, some party loyalists remarked.

Did he really?

Others, on the other side of the fence,  felt that Muhyiddin was just saying it as it is.

And  there were others who thought it was just a show because, for heaven's sake, Muhyiddin would never do Najib in.

Muhyiddin's remarks when officiating the Cheras Umno division meeting Sunday night had been met with shock, ire, despair, relief, excitement, encouragement from people - depending on where you stand in all this 1MDB- PM saga.

It created a raging buzz in and out of social media and cyberspace.
If you had been following all this -- and if you didn't, two things; either you are just so fed up or you are living in a cave - you'd know that it gets more murky and baffling and how much more,  remains to be seen

After Muhyiddin's remarks were made so public, people were all speculating that  he'd be sacked.

Because 1) it showed that he is not with the PM on all this and was only making things worse for the PM and 2) man, has he got balls to say all those things.

Of course, going by convention, decency and all that - Muhyiddin should not have said all that - according to some party loyalists.

They say that Muhydidin, of all people,  the number 2, should not feign ignorance, a confused mind, lack of understanding. It was bad enough that former PM and party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad led the chorus of fierce attacks against Najib and now his own deputy.
That is the job of the opposition.

Read Dr MiM's HERE

But really,  if you followed what he said, he did not say anything damning. If he was not able to to understand the 1MDB controversy, well, that is really his problem.

He mentioned Deputy Finance Minister 2 Datuk Husni Hanadzlah and Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan having explained the issue to their colleagues but had still left him in the dark. Which is odd because Rahman, it seems, did a good job of explaining it.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Gani Patail has had his services terminated on health grounds effective yesterday. He is replaced by federal court judge Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.

Asked to confirm this, Gani said he did not resign but "they terminated" his services.
Gani is leading the task force investigating allegations against 1MDB. It looks like he no longer is.

Others in the team are Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Aziz, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

Now, this is all going to be an explosive subject for speculation.

Gani has about 2 months more before retirement, I believe. So the questions people are asking -- why -- does Gani know something and about to do something? Is he really not well? And, of course, the task force is now under scrutiny.

Gani, it seems, needs dialysis treatment but is not a diabetic.

Meanwhile PM Najib explains the reason for dropping Muhyiddin which he said was a tough decision for him but he needed the Cabinet to be united.

I can accept difference of opinion but as a cabinet member one cannot do it in a public forum as it can create public misconception. This also affect the concept of collective responsibility,” he said when announcing the new Cabinet line-up here on Tuesday. 

Najib added that the reshuffle was also to strengthen the lineup before the 14th general election.

He said the decision to go ahead with the reshuffle took into account the political scenario and was in the best interest of the administration.

“This ensures that my administration remains committed and focused on development as promised by the Barisan Nasional government in the last general election,” he said in his speech.

He added that the Cabinet should act as a team under all circumstances. - The Star

Umno vice-president and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi replaces Muhyiddin as DPM. Muhyiddin who also lost his Education portfolio is replaced by Datuk Seri Mahadhir Khalid.

Muhyiddin, in an immediate response to his sacking, said he accepted the PM's decision to drop him from the Cabinet and thanked him for the opportunity to serve the government. He also said he will remain loyal to Umno.

"Kecuali dalam isu 1MDB, saya mempunyai prinsip dan pendirian saya sendiri dalam mempertahankan hak rakyat, namai baik parti dan kepentingan negara. Jika kerana pendirian saya dalam isu ini menyebabkan saya digugurkan daripada kabinet maka saya redha.

Saya akan sentiasa setia kepada perjuangan UMNO. Sebagai Timbalan Presiden UMNO, saya akan terus melaksanakan amanah yang telah dipertanggungjawabkan kepada saya dan mencurahkan khidmat bakti saya demi memperkukuhkan parti serta mengembalikan keyakinan orang Melayu dan rakyat kepada UMNO.
Kepada Allah saya berserah."

From now, my friends, it's Que Sera Sera. 

Salam Aidilfitri

Let me wish everyone a blessed Hari Raya. Hope for a lot of positivity this Aidilfitri. A silver lining, perhaps.

For those heading back to kampung, have a safe journey. Berjaga-jaga di jalan raya. Malang tak berbau, you know.

And those here in the Klang Valley -- stay safe.

Above all -- have a glorious celebration.

The significant of Eid

A Confession - Lester Melanyi's

Here's the first part of the video of Lester Melanyi - former editor of Sarawak Report - confessing to the bad things SR had been doing.

This has got to do with forged documents about 1MDB and PM Najib Razak.

Check it HERE at Rockys Bru.

I don't want to go into details except that I find SR rather jahat. When your objective is to bring down a government by spreading a lot of lies, you mut be ..well ..what can I say without being rude.

YOU don't have to believe him, that 's your right.

I would keep an open mind.

1MDB Money In Najib's Bank Account - True? Not True?

And that is the question I can safely say everyone wants to know. At least that is a lot fairer than already condemning the Prime Minister of stealing money and dumping it into his personal account.

It is a also a question former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had already admitted to being the man behind the crisis (in response to Datuk Seri Najib Razak's finger-pointing him) wants the prime minister to just say it.

Tun told the BBC in an interview published on its website that Najib should just reveal his bank accounts to disprove the allegations.

Yes. As easy as that. Show us all your accounts, Mr prime minister.

But you and I know that Najib is not about to do that. But does his reluctance mean that he's got something to hide. Or that he has this "why should I?" feeling because his bank accounts are after all, confidential.

Do the current circumstances change that?

I have no idea.

Should he reveal his bank accounts just because people want to know because The Wall Street Journal has published some flow chart of  funds going into the bank account of one Mohd Najib Adb Razak?

There is a lot of debate going on about this. But for sure, in the court of public opinion, the prime minister is already guilty.

This is the first time in the history of our country that a prime minister has been accused by a newspaper to have .. well to put it plainly -- stolen public funds.

The prime minister is facing the worst time of his premiership. The party he leads is surely divided.
When Umno is troubled, it has a splinter effect on everything else.

Whatever the outcome of this,  it cannot be good. It already is so ugly and to can only get uglier and more unpleasant.

The task force investigating this comprise Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Aziz, Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail, IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sr Abu Kassim Mohamed have already closed 6 accounts of banks linked to the case.

There are just so many speculations about the 1MDB funds allegedly deposited into Najib's personal bank account. And nothing is clear. So nebulous. Yet, the deeper we go into it, the more frightening the picture gets.

How this is going to be played out remains to be seen. But one thing for sure, it will not have happy ending. Because it has come to this.

 Do read  Rocky's Bru HERE on the veracity of The Wall Street Journal's documented evidence.

And JebatMustDie who thinks Najib's lawyers sent a pathetic letter to WSJ HERE

So whether there exists that personal bank account with that amount of money or not -- that is not the question. Because whether there is or not, the implications are severe and serious.

Mara Controversial Melbourne Property Deal : 2 senior Mara Inc officials Suspended

In the wake of investigations into the controversial property deal by the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) in Melbourne, Australia,  the Mara council suspended two Mara Inc Sdn Bhd senior officials from duty with immediate effect.

They are its chairman Datuk Mohammad Lan Allani, 59 and its CEO Datuk Abdul Halim Rahim, 54.
Announcing this yesterday, Mara chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa said this was to facilitate investigations and for it to be done in a transparent manner.

He pointed out that this did not mean that Mara had found wrongdoings by the two.

Mara has appointed audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct a thorough audit.

Wouldn't you think that this is the right move and a good one?

Apparently not,  according to some people. Why only them? Why not the entire board? After all, didn't the purchase of the Melbourne property go through the necessary procedure and process?

I suppose there is no pleasing everyone.

This is a serious matter and may open up a very old can of worms. Maybe not.

So, let the investigations carry on because we all want to know the truth. Mara, for many Malays and bumiputera is an institution close to their hearts because it has helped legions of young Malays and bumiputera in academic, vocational and skilled education and others in the community opportunities in businesses. Through Mara's help, thousands have come a long way - many from rural and remote areas.

Keeping Cool on Hot Ramadan Days

Fifteen days now. And it has been a real hot and dry Ramadan. So hot that people needed to have their cooling machines on all day and night,  overloading power supply in my neighbourhood, causing power failure in some homes earlier this week.

Lucky those who can remain in cool indoors.

I drive past the MRT construction site almost everyday and watch the workers toiling under the scorching sun and wish that I can magically turn the hot day into a lovely fall afternoon.

It's been so hot and probably on quite the plus side that I don't need to turn my water heater on because the water is warmed but the heat of the day.

Mornings are so hot that we make sure we hang out our laundry to dry and before noon, we can be sure it's all done.

I am sure there are so many like me who love this month of the year. I know we are supposed to do good but we are after all mere mortals and are always bound to get careless. But during Ramadan, we consciously try to not curse, swear, lie, gossip and all those things humans indulge in in their everyday life.

Which actually is not hard to do because we are just too tired to be talking or get distracted.

This listlessness is also good for feuding politicians and to an extent their supporters although you do get to read the subtle "attacks" in the form of quotes of some historical or iconic personalities.

Sometimes, resistance ain't that easy.

Still, you can say it that on the feud of local politics, the temperature has been turned down. So much so that the quirks and madness of one Azwan Ali and a local steak restauranteur make for interesting cyberspace read. 

That's for another entry.

So, on such hot Ramadan days, not a bad go at keeping cool.

Salam Ramadan, everyone.

Cuba Wins WHO certification for success in elimination mother-to-child HIV & Syphilis Transmission

Read this in the NYT. We used to hear a lot of terrible things about Cuba, courtesy of the evil US, of course. And then the internet came and we get to see and hear the other Cuba. And then Cuba opened its doors to the citizens of the world and other governments. 

A Malaysian team of medical researchers were there a few years ago and spoke of how well it provided health care for Cubans and how advanced its research in tropical diseases was. 

So, yeah. Go, Cuba!

Here's the NYT article.

Cuba became the world’s first country on Tuesday to win World Health Organization certification that it had eliminated mother-to-child transmission of both H.I.V. and syphilis. Despite its poverty, Cuba provides basic health care to all citizens. Since the 1980s it has successfully suppressed its H.I.V. epidemic, initially through forced quarantine and, since 1993, by widespread testing and treatment.

It was congratulated on Tuesday by the heads of the W.H.O. and Unaids, the United Nations AIDS-fighting agency.

However, the W.H.O. allows countries that achieve only 95 percent of elimination targets to be certified; in 2013, five Cuban babies were born with H.I.V. or syphilis. Cuba was the first country to request the certification, according to a spokeswoman for the Pan American Health Organization, the W.H.O.’s Western Hemisphere branch.

More than 20 others have since asked, she added, and those next in line are Bulgaria, Moldova, Turkmenistan and Thailand.

Rohingya Boat People : A Long Way To Go

On May 19, I wrote on my Facebook status this..

I said that Malaysia must allow the Rohingyas who were adrift at sea and had reached Langkawi on May 10 to land for refuge and shelter. It was not an option because pushing them away would mean that they would perish at sea.
So, okay.. I said a lot of things including that Malaysia had experience in handling refugees - the Vietnamese boat people who were here in transit camps before they were all resettled in third countries. We also had the Bosnians who were also later returned to their country after the conflict.

I also said that Malaysia and ASEAN must pressure the world to make Myanmar accountable and responsible for this humanitarian crisis that they have caused.

Myanmar is a disgrace. Their government must take back the Rohingyas. They must be compelled, be forced to take back the Rohingyas.

It is their burden to bear.

The next day, May 20, I was heartened to know that Malaysia was offering the Rohingyas temporary shelter.
Foreign  Minister Datuk Seri Anifah announced that this was the stand of Malaysia & Indonesia until resettlement & repatriation process was carried out within one year.
Meanwhile, the 2 countries will provide humanitarian assistance to the 7,000 migrants still at sea, he added.
He would be meeting Myanmar Foreign Minister soon to seek a solution to this in the spirit of ASEAN.
Anifah also said that Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand are urging the international community to share the responsibility and burden of this humanitarian crisis.

*****

It must be said that there, according to the UNHCR, as at the end of April this year, there are some 152,830 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNCHR in Malaysia.

Here's according to UNCHR:

- 141,920 are from Myanmar, comprising some 49,600 Chins, 45,910 Rohingyas, 12,320 Myanmar Muslims, 7,280 Rakhines & Arakanese, and other ethnicities from Myanmar.

- There are some 10,910 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including some 3,890 Sri Lankans, 1,210 Pakistanis, 1,090 Somalis, 950 Syrians, 830 Iraqis, 540 Iranians, 430 Palestinians, and others from other countries.

Some 69% of refugees and asylum-seekers are men, while 31% are women.

There are some 33,000 children below the age of 18.

There are some 7,000 Rohingyas  - declared non-citizens by both Myanmar and Bangadesh -  who have fled persecution and poverty in Myanmar in overcrowded boats. More than 3,000 have reached Malaysian and Indonesian waters.

So, you can imagine this herculean problem that Malaysia has by allowing them to land. 

Let me say that while allowing the Rohingyas to land on our shores is the human and compassionate thing to do, it is going to be a huge problem.. Adding to the already huge problem that we have.

From now after the documentation and necessary processes, Malaysia will have to decide how the refugees are going to remain in the country. Where, what and how?

I do not agree that they should be immediately assimilated into society or that that should be the objective for now.

We need to wait for Myamar's reaction to this.

For now, security, medical&health and legal teams have to be deployed. 

It is no mean task to handle thousands of undocumented people, among whom are women and children, who are not in the best of health -- physically and mentally. 

Anifah said that this would all be done within a year. The prospect of a longer period is problematic. We must expect health problems, even increase in number due to new births. 

This is the reality.

There are crucial decisions to be made as to the location to place them but the government should move away from any plans to place them in detention centres.

In fact, if the government has had minimal ties with the UNCHR and NGOs on helping  refugees and asylum-seekers in the country, it should start now for everyone's benefit.

Provide health and education facilities for them. If Myanmar does not want them, perhaps other countries will take in skilled and healthy people. 

On May 14, 2015, the UNHCR issued this statement:

We have made a global call for legal alternatives to access protection and safety. We believe that nobody should have to put their lives into the hands of ruthless smugglers.

In South-east Asia, several thousand people are believed to be stranded on smugglers' boats in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca, likely abandoned by their crews amid government crackdowns against traffickers.

We urge governments to facilitate disembarkation and keep their borders and ports open to prevent a humanitarian crisis at sea.

Once the humanitarian needs are met, agencies like UNHCR can support States to interview the different groups and target solutions to their specific needs, as those being rescued are likely to be a mix of refugees, economic migrants, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children among those being smuggled.

The current situation highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation to address the challenge of irregular maritime movements. Through the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, UNHCR has been advocating for coordinated regional responses to search and rescue, disembarkation, needs identification and solutions

Meanwhile, here's hoping that ASEAN and the international community will put pressure on Mynamar for this humanitarian crisis. And fast.

Santai With The IGP

I wrote this on Malaysia Online or The Mole about  a chat session with the IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar at a restaurant in Shah Alam on Tuesday. 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21, 2015 : You’d be silly to turn down an invitation to chat with the country’s top cop. Never mind if you’d been told that more than 40 people would also be there. You want to ask him things and you want to know his answers.

Dubbed  Santai Dengan IGP,  ( relaxing with the IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar met with  some 40 twitter users, most of whom are his online friends as well as journalists and bloggers at Pine 38 restaurant in Shah Alam on Tuesday, 

 Like many Malaysians, three issues deeply affect me - crime, education and health care - and not necessarily that order. But in the last few of years, crime has been a riveting issue  and one close to my heart. 

Crime involving children is closest to my heart. In 2007, I was part of a group of bloggers spearheading and pushing for the setting up of NURIN (Nationwide Urgent Response Information Network) Alert,  following the rape and murder of eight year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin.

Nurin was abducted near her home in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur on Aug 20 that year and her brutalised body in a gym bag was found almost a month later on Sept 17 in Petaling Jaya. Her killer was never found and remains at large.

NURIN Alert is based on AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert , an early warning alert system on missing children set up following the abduction and murder of nine year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas in 1996.

It was approved by Cabinet in 2011 as  NUR Alert (National Urgent Response Alert) although I am no sure how it is being implemented.

Then, there came a period right here in the Klang Valley about five years ago when people were jolted out of their comfortable life with what seemed like an outbreak of crime - incidents of violent armed daylight robbery and house break-in. 

It had to happen that I became a robbery victim one night in my neighbourhood of Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur in April, 2013. The perpetrators were four men - one armed with a parang. This came after my youngest sister, Nina and her eldest daughter, Sara were robbed outside their home in Section 16, Petaling Jaya by four armed men on two motorcycles in December 2012. Nina and Sara were in their car. 

Folks around me and wherever I went seemed to know of someone close or other who had been robbed or had their homes broken into. 

It needs to be said here that confidence in the police to fight crime seemed to be on the low at that time. You can see the police-bashing on social media. So much so that people were reluctant to even report crime, convinced that it would be futile to do so.

So, that Tuesday the IGP arrived on time, looking cool and casual in a short-sleeved light blu

Al Fatehah: Remembering Kak Eda

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

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.)

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?

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.

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 : 

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.

It said statistics have shown that child seats reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for children between the ages of one and five.

Maconas secretary-general Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said in a statement yesterday that making child seats compulsory could help save the lives of children in accidents.

“Thousands of vehicles are driven daily and children ranging from infants to five-year-olds are at risk because they are seated at the back of the car without proper restraints.

“There are also parents who put the child in the front seat or on their laps when the car is driven. This is not only dangerous to the front passenger but also to the child,” he said.

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. 

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.

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.

"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.

-

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!

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.

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?