Sunday, June 28, 2009

New Code Of Ethics For Judges..

My heading should have a question mark at the end.

"New Code Of Ethics For Judges?"

Here's the NST front page report:

KUALA LUMPUR: If ever a judge is confused as to what he can or cannot do, the new Judges’ Code of Ethics 2009 makes it clear.

Among others, a judge cannot:

Be close friends with a lawyer;

Be involved in a case in which a family member is
involved;

Give public comment about a pending or impending proceedings that might be heard before the judge’s court;

Be involved in charitable fund raising or membership solicitation; and
Permit others to convey the impression that they are in a position to influence the judge.

Click here to read the rest of the report.

Our judges really need to be told what to do and what not to do.

I thought when anyone takes the oath to be a judge, he or she is supposed to already know all the don'ts.

Really.....

Saturday, June 27, 2009

No More Maids From Indonesia

Looks like Malaysians will not be able to get maids from Indonesia following the Indonesian Government's decision to stop its nationals from taking on such employment here.

This came about after the latest case of Siti Hajar, an Indonesian maid allegedly abused by her female employer for three years.

Hers, of course, was not the first reported case. A high-profile case before this was that of Nirmala Bonet.

Jakarta thinks that there are just too many of such abuse cases and wants to put a stop to all this.

I think Jakarta has got it wrong and is overreacting.

We all cringe when we hear of such cases. Punish the abuser, we cry. We all want to see justice served.

Of course, we understand the anger of the Indonesian Government over the abuse of their nationals.

I'd also like the Indonesian Government to understand that Malaysians are not as a people, abusive.

We are not a nation of abusers. There are abusers among us. When these abusers are made known to us, we make sure that they are dealt with accordingly.

Just ask around. Many will express their anger over Siti Hajar's case.

That is why I think Jakarta's reaction is hasty.

Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said an average of 50 cases were reported annually. There are some 300,000 Indonesian maids working here.

While the number is relatively small, any case of abuse is worrying. Still, I believe that by and large, Indonesian maids are treated well by their Malaysian employers.

I know of many cases of maids cheating their employers, abusing their charges and running away from their (good) employers. And there's really nothing that these employers could do.

I can imagine that there will be many Indonesians who will try to illegally enter the country to seek employment now that they will not be allowed to work in Malaysia as maids.

The truth is, Indonesians still look to Malaysia for a better life. The truth is, there are more good Malaysian employers than bad ones.

There are many issues (relating to employment of foreign workers) that need to be ironed out, particularly on policies and enforcement.

You cannot ensure that every employer will be good. But you can ensure that none gets away when he or she breaks the law.

We should ask ourselves if we need strict regulations in the employment of maids such as working hours and provision of off days and holidays.

Subramaniam has suggested that maids be given a day off a week. That's a fine idea. But I know that not all maids will benefit from this. Nor their employers.

I had a neighbour who would get a visit from the police every Sunday -- his (Filipino) maid would be back drunk or totally sloshed.

I had a maid who would come back from her weekend "cuti" all tired out after going to all sorts of places. I had to tell her to minimise her "bersiar-siar" and to just have a good rest over the weekend.

My current maid would have a dilemma over what to do if I ask her to go out on her off days.
She does not like car rides, much less, bus rides. She hates crowds and open places.

She much prefers to stay home and watch TV. Of course, she may be an exception to the rule. So, lucky me.

I'm not the world's best employer but to me, my maid is more my domestic assistant who helps me do what I am not able to do while I am at work.

My children are teenagers, so they're pretty independent. Still, I feel my daughter needs adult company while I'm at work.

My maid and I share the workload and chores. I won't allow her to do what I myself am not able to do. And she does not wash my car, nor clean the windows.

Her working days are actually what my days off are. Her days off are spent not washing, ironing, cleaning or cooking. Just resting.

I know that many working mothers need domestic help. Indonesians are generally hardworking and have been proven to be good as maids.

It's a pity that the Indonesian Government has taken such a stand.
I believe that they do not have to because I don't believe that Malaysians are bad employers.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Farewell, The King....


I know I have not been updating my blog. So much to do. Here, there and everywhere. So, I decided to sit down at my desk after Subuh to blog...And as I was surfing the net, I caught this shocking news that Michael Jackson THE King Of Pop had passed away of a heart attack. He was 50. He collapsed at his home and died Friday afternoon (LA time).

I was -- and am still -- shocked by this tragic news.

The guy who gave us the moonwalk, Thriller, Billie Jean, re-defined dancing bringing it groundbreaking level, and lots more, was to have re-launched, thus, resurrected, his career next month with a world tour. Tickets for his UK tour were already sold out soon after the announcement.

His fans were ecstatic since his last tour was in 1997.

"My final curtain call", he had said, when announcing his tour earlier this year.

Michael Jackson's career spanned four decades.
He began singing at the age of 6 with his older brothers. They were The Jackson Five.

MJ, during a large part of his adult life, had been a recluse but in the last few years, was a troubled figure -- dogged by lawsuits, sex allegations and money problems. But he remained iconic and a larger than life personality in the entertainment world.

MJ was married twice and leaves three children.

The world mourns his passing. A great loss many will admit!

The radio was playing his music and running commentaries of MJ all morning. Watch TV for updates.

Michael Jackson was reported to have converted to Islam last year and had recorded an album of songs in praise of Allah.

His brother, Jermaine who is a Muslim, ended his statement to the media (10am KL time) on Michael's death : "May Allah be with you always....."

Al-Fatihah.

(I'd really like to see whether he will be buried as a Muslim.)

(From the Guardian)

American pop music legend Michael Jackson died of a heart attack in a Los Angeles hospital today, just weeks before he hoped to resurrect his four-decade long career with a series of sold-out shows in London.

Jackson was taken to the University of California at Los Angeles medical centre, and paramedics administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the ambulance. He arrived at the hospital in a coma and was reported dead about three hours later.

CONTINUE READING HERE...

Also read THIS on Michael Jackson.

Indeed, it is sad day for the entertainment world. TV star Farrah Fawcett succumbed to cancer. She died in Los Angeles yesterday. She was 62.

Farrah was one of the three original Charlie's angels, known for her feathered blonde hair (everyone wanted to have a Farrah Fawcett hairstyle) and dazzling smile. A sex symbol in the 70s.

Her story HERE.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

PAS Against Sisters In Islam

Sisters In Islam must have been pissing PAS off with their "liberal" ideas.

PAS wants SIS to be banned, accusing it of carrying out activities that were found to be contrary to Islamic teachings and principles.

The party alleged that the group’s activities were “dangerous” that could cause confusion among Muslims.

Last Sunday, PAS, at the closing of its muktamar, urged that SIS be investigated by the National Fatwa Council.

The party said SIS should be declared "haram" if these "liberal elements" in SIS were found to be against the teachings of Islam.

Pas has also called for a rehabilitation programme for its members.

SIS programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi has lambasted the party for adopting what she dscribed as "scare tactics".

"This smacks of a vigilante mindset and approach," she said.

SIS has got several high-profile women, among others, on its side -- Pas' Dr Lo'Lo' Mohd Ghazali, DAP's Teresa Kok and Wanita Umno's Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

I think PAS stand smacks of prejudice. It also shows how intolerant the party is of others who may not be singing the same tune.

It's akin to saying that SIS has strayed from Islam.

That is a terribly serious accusation.

On what basis is PAS making that allegation?

It's not good enough to be making such an accusation and then ask another body to investigate.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Road Bully Who Drove A Green Avanza WRW8402

This man, in his 30s punched a 72 year-old man who had honked him for swerving into his lane without signalling.

Here's the Star report:

PETALING JAYA: A drive home from the bank turned violent for a 72-year-old retiree who fell victim to a road bully in Damansara Damai.
M. Edwards, the father of one of The Star’s journalists, suffered injuries to his head and body after he was punched several times in the 10am incident yesterday.
He received outpatient treatment at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.Edwards (pic) said he had just finished paying some bills at a bank and was driving home with his daughter when a van cut into his lane.
“I sounded my horn at the driver because he had swerved in suddenly without using the indicator,” he added.
"The man then started driving slowly and kept swerving to prevent me from overtaking.”
This continued for a while and then the van suddenly stopped and the driver got down.
Edwards said he then stopped his car and got out to see what was the problem, adding that another man seated in the van did not get out.
The driver, who looked to be in his 30s, walked straight to Edwards and, without saying a word, started punching him.
“I tried to fight back, but he was huge. He punched me in the face, head and body several times before getting back into the van and fleeing,” Edwards said.
He added that as the bully drove off he challenged him (Edwards) to report the attack to the police.
Edwards lodged a police report at a nearby police station.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed the incident and said police were investigating.

Read Rocky's Bru HERE

It surely was a traumatic experience for Mr Edwards.
Let's hope the police will get this bully.

I'd like to suggest that Mr Edwards get assistance to find out the identity of the bully and take a civil suit against him.
Obviously this bully is confident that the police will not get him.

Suing this bully is an option for Mr Edwards to get redress and see him punished. It may take time....