Napping on dangerously

If you think being a rubbish collector is a safe and no-brainer's job, then you're half-wrong.

If you can't see him, try clicking on the picture.

I was driving along Jalan Kuching today and caught this picture with a guy napping dangerously on a moving Alam Flora's rubbish collection truck. I pity this guy. Not only his poor guy had to suffer the stench of the rubbish (and what not) and lowly paid scheme, he has to sit/squat dangerously on a truck that is not meant for such. Not to mention the heat generated from the truck's engine and exhaust, there are some mechanical movement that is part of the engine that can rip a body to pieces at where he was sitting.

It is an accident waiting to happen, clear as a day. I hope Alam Flora buys insurance for their employees especially for this course of work. I hope there's a union to fight for these guys, otherwise, i think they ought to form one. Else, go to this ministry to seek for these worker's justice.

I don't know if this applies to this situation but try to check out Malaysia's National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health website.

My experiences going to 7-11

Seven good reasons why going to 7-11 is such a pain.

1. they don't initiate the effort to greet you.
2. they don't have the energy to smile to you.
3. they don't know the meaning of being courteous with good manners that goes together.
4. they don't have the mood to answer your questions.
5. they don't answer your questions intelligently.
6. they don't make you feel that you are welcomed.
7. they don't like doing business with you.

These are good reasons enough for me to make a u-turn.

Orders for new cars cancelled but there was glut elsewhere...

TheStar reported that the new Penang government has cancelled an order for five new Perdana V-6 cars worth RM623,000 which were ordered by the previous administration for its exco members.

That's RM623,000 for 5 new Perdana V-6, which means each Perdana would cost about RM124,600. The Proton website listed the car at RM101,500.25. That's RM23,000 difference for each car!! That is a lot of money to 'refurbish' the car!!

These order were cancelled but there was more glut elsewhere...

I drove by DBKL's HQ at Jalan Raja Laut and there were at least 25 brand new Nissan XTrail 2.5 liter under DBKL's vehicle fleet. The local Nissan website listed each of these 4WD SUV at RM144,000. With 25 brand new SUV, these fleet would easily cost RM3.6 million. That's crazy!

Here are my questions to DBKL.

1) Why would DBKL need such luxury SUVs? Why SUV in the first place? Why not just plain Perdana or any national car so that there will be less monetary outflow from the country?
2) Why do they need to purchase a 2.5L car when a 2.0L or less will be much more better choice for efficient use of fuel consumption?
3) How does these SUVs fits in DBKL's or Government's role and responsibility when these government agencies are asking city folks to take public transportation and car pooling to lessen traffic on the road?



I am not against upgrading or modernization of DBKL's vehicle fleet, but the manner and choice of these expenses that could have been better managed on assets that have lower maintenance and fuel consumption cost. Don't you think so?

Law enforcers breaking the law

I was in Bukit Bintang area last Saturday morning and I drove pass this truck while looking for a legitimate parking near KL Plaza. What I don't understand is why does a truck from DBKL parked on a walkway? Is that walkway made specially for DBKL truck to park?

It's not really like life-and-death situation that these law enforcer were in anyway. You can see these men in uniform were just chatting around and take a peek at who was walking by. And this person in the second picture below was forced to walk on the roadside instead of the walkway, away from the truck, possibly to avoid any potential accident coming from the truck.

Are there any provisions in the local by-law that allows DBKL to be exempted from 'any' laws while on 'official duty'? Is this a case where the priority of discharging 'official duty' are placed above the law? And now I know why 10 out of 11 parliamentary seats in the city are from the opposition parties. The public is just frustrated with DBKL inefficiencies!!

If I am a tycoon...

My colleagues and I were just discussing over lunch on what if one of us is a tycoon.

With the talk of BN MP hopping to the opposing parties, one of the colleague suggested that this tycoon to back the PM-to-be financially and pay each of these MPs RM5million to hop over. With 30MPs needed to form a new government, a pay off of RM150million would be needed to 'buy over' these MPs. These MPs can then use this monies for their constituencies welfare services etc. Not legal and no moral etiquette you may say? Yeah, the last time I remember was that Umno used federal funds/taxpayer's monies of RM 600 millions windfall for 191 Umno divisions. Two wrongs doesn't make one right? Hey, this is politics we're talking about and politics always involves money and power :P

Anyway, with 30 MPs in the 'bag', a new government will be formed and a new Prime Minister will be appointed. I'm pretty sure the tycoon's investment in RM150million will be well spent on. Not only the tycoon business interests are protected, the tycoon's business could probably be expanded. Not a bad deal right?

Keep a look out for these tycoons who were sidelines by the current administrative ;)

Still bitter or just being sore... ?

The NST carries this insignificant news, "Si Pin still bitter over loss".

This first timer in this election as a candidate also said, "I hope they see what type of MP they have voted in. I doubt he can serve the people well." He said this in response to PKR's approach to Gerakan for assistance in certain land dispute.

In the same article, he also said he just took over the party's service center in Sentul. Wait a minute, what was that? He hasn't served before?? Not only he is a first timer, he is also inexperienced. This is like the kettle calling the pot black.

The people knew what type of the previous Gerakan MP was. He was simply ineffective. In addition to that, the people doubted Si Pin because they think that Si Pin cannot stand on his own without his father around. According to my mom, when Si Pin campaigned through his visits to the local pasar, both of his hands were held close towards his navel, seems uninterested to make handshakes or contacts with minders around him watching closely like fearing some bacteria outbreak might break this boy-boy. Smiles were the only thing he could afford to give and to many locals, they felt that this was nothing more than just a lip service, a speciality like any other politician gleefully do. Yes, that was what Si Pin's campaign was projected upon, spineless and unapproachable. To be fair and frank, Gerakan failed to serve and address the constituency's issues, needs and interests.Those were the reasons why Gerakan was voted out. Now, the people has spoken and it is time for another elected MP to be given the opportunity to solve the problems.

Yes, this inexperienced guy who tried to ride on his father's shadow in this election failed to win. The article by NST was nothing more than a cheap publicity. I am sure there are more quality news to write about than this. Who cares if Si Pin is bitter? Unless Si Pin has impressive CV on his communal achievements in this constituency, I doubt Si Pin has the right to say anything about someone else's achievements. Action speaks louder but maybe an empty cans do more. Like father like son. The newspaper went on saying that politics was in his blood. I think the newspaper also forgot to mentioned that both Lims have really got big mouth (and big head) and are just plain sore loser. Don't you think so? Si Pin has no interest on the people except his own interest. Otherwise he would have checked out who were the locals and help them to resolve on the land matters. So please stop whining like a cry baby, and dare I say, it runs in his blood too.

No Surprises

Taken from theSun newspaper, Selangor Umno Youth Chief Abdul Shukur Idrus asked Khalid Ibrahim (Selangor Chief Minister) not to even consider a non-Muslim for the number 2 post in Selangor Deputy Chief Minister.

What more can I say, what a racist bum.

Even the highly respected figure from Umno that I used to hold up high, I didn't expect he was so tainted. You can read more about him* here.

It just goes to show that the interest of this bunch of group is nothing more than self-serving with personal agenda.

* Anyway, did you realise that the house of this respected figure is almost a carbon-copy of the White House? Not just the exterior but the interior as well.

Only new cabinet ministers and deputy ministers?

Taken from theStar online report:

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants all ministers in the new Cabinet and deputy ministers to declare their assets publicly. "I want their assets to be known to the public, that is important," Bernama reported him as saying.

Hey, what about present ministers? So Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the old dogs don't need to declare?

Hmmmm.... fishy isn't it?

Anyway, so what if they declares? ACA is already a non-functioning body, almost like gaji-buta job. Someone said, even if you make a report to ACA and if they don't follow-up on it, there's nothing you can do about it.

What about police report you may asked? It's the same. Someone made a report against the finance minister and a reports against Prime Minister, and you still don't get any results out of it.

Someone even submitted a report directly to the PM with evidence that a minister used company funds to payoff debt amounting RM 30 million, still there is no action about it. The minister was retained as cabinet was announced, unchanged from his previous portfolio.

Yes, not surprising that all these reports... everything just went "soundly asleep".

So what have we learned? Police and ACA are under the Prime Minister's portfolio... and there are no accountabilities as to what happened to, if any, investigations.

Yes, we're back to square one... We're got to admit we're one corrupted nation unless something credible and drastic action happens. An ex-president of BN component party, with a title of Tun, said this,"When the fish rots, the rot starts from the head."

And rot stinks! You can recognize the scent, even if it is miles away.

Release Hindraf 5

Someone should start some online petition for their release.

Now that he has got one big task done by announcing his full cabinet lined up, I hope he will release the Hindraf-5 soon. Afterall, didn't he say that he has ears of all Malaysians? By the way, when I heard over the radio on his announcement on the cabinet, did you notice that our PM seems to be out of breath? It was just 27 ministerial names + 27 or so deputy ministers' name. Someone should recommend him brands' essence of chicken or ginseng chicken soup... and also some candle ear wax.. you know, to clear the ear tunnel...

Anyway, back to the topic. Honestly, I think the Hindraf-5 were made out as scapegoats. If there are serious and tangible links to terrorism, I'm sure there's will be more than one country screaming out for their heads. There's even no complimentary hurrahs-pat-on-the-back from the Big Brother. We all know, they're keep 'in there' because of political reasons. It's time someone should own up. Hopefully, the new minister in Syed Hamid Albar will have good advisers to advise him and have courage to speak up. Otherwise, he'll be just another lame duck like the predecessor. I do really feel for the Hindraf-5. Away from your family, especially tough on the kids.

Anyway, this is what Syed Hamid Albar has to say, "I have to learn fast to regain public confidence in security related matters. Judging from the election results, Malaysians expect some things to be done."

Someone should start some online petition for their release now.

A good article by Malik Imtiaz Sarwar on Hindraf-5.

"priceless moments" of being short changed

Have you ever been denied to use that visa/mastercard credit cards of yours although these establishments (restaurants, whole sellers, coffee shops, etc) has these card logo stickers welcoming the use of these cards as a acceptable payment mode?

So, as long as you hold that normal, gold, platinum or whatever your-ass-high-up-in-heaven cards with whichever premium or normal banks, you can be denied to use these cards if your payment is below a sum which is unacceptable to the establishment.

For instance, I went to Caring Pharmacy. Their acceptable sum to transact payment over these plastic cards is RM30 and above. Anything less than RM30, cash payments it will be. Same goes to this Japanese restaurant in Desa Hartamas, The Green Room accepts payment with credit cards only with sum above RM40. Eu Yang Sang accepts credit card if your final sum is above RM50.

And you know what, they only tell you this requirement when you ask for the bill or when you make your payment by the counter. There is no notice or heads up of any sort of this requirement when you enter the premise.

Kinda absurd isn't it? The last time I remember was I paid annual fees to use these cards. Who are you going to blame? I wonder if it is legal for any establishment that has credit card facilities to deny or restrict you with condition to use of credit card as payment. Instead of being a convenience to use these cards, it turned out to be plastic butts. So next time when you go out, make sure you'll have extra cash in your wallet to save you from a possible 'priceless moment' of embarrassment.

Post-GE 2008 Quotable Quotes

(click on the picture to see larger version)

"I'm hearing words from old Umno members saying 'Aku meluat', 'Agkuh' and 'Sombong'. These are some of the words being used, so Umno has to change. No more spin. We don't need spin doctors like Zam (Zainudin Maidin) anymore." - Zaid Ibrahim.

"It’s just that when the EC chief (Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman) speaks, he is provocative. He's like a Barisan Nasional fellow.He likes to show that he is so loyal to Umno. He says things like "Nobody else can rule the country" and other ridiculous things like that. So when you talk like that, people don't trust you." - Zaid Ibrahim.

"The BN and Umno suffered because there were too many leaders who were hungry for power. They forgot about service to the people." - Prof Mohd Zainul Fithri, vice-president of the Management and Science University.

"Umno leaders were engrossed with tenders, wealth and corruption issues, cronyism and weak leadership, outdated ideas and implementation of projects that did not have a positive impact on people." -Prof Md Shukri Shuib, a lecturer with the college of law, government and international studies at Universiti Utara Malaysia.

"He remained silent (on many important issues) when people expected him as party president to speak up for the community. All he would say is that he would discuss this behind closed doors. A silent politician is no politician. Silent politics is equivalent to zero politics. We paid for that big mistake he made," - Chua Jui Meng attributed MCA poor election results to Ong Ka Ting.

"Ong Ka Ting has accused DAP’s Lim Kit Siang of being power crazy. But by holding on to MCA presidency now, he is viewed as lacking integrity and credibility himself." An urban voter, TM Lee, 28, remarked.

“When Ong Ka Ting promised the party a new era in 2003 following his first 100 days as president, we did not know it would be the start of the Ong dynasty." - A MCA Penang insider reveals.

"BN had underestimated the political education that voters were receiving through news websites and blogs. In the last few years, the Malaysian public was being educated and informed of happenings and scandals through the Internet, which was blanketed out of the mainstream media. Governments all over the world, including Singapore, will do well to realise the power of the Internet and flow along with it." - Dr Ooi Kee Beng, a Penang-born fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

"People began to think that BN was not serving the interest of the people, be they Malays or non-Malays. The issue of rising prices was very serious but the BN government pretended they did not know about it and kept saying that this is a global trend. Many of the BN leaders are wealthy, so who is suffering? That's why the anger was there." - Associate Prof Dr Ariffin Omar, political science lecturer with UUM.

"There are infighthing in UMNO and BN coalition parties. There were so many factions within UMNO who are juggling for power... It's disunity within UMNO and BN." - Associate Prof Dr Ariffin Omar

"The special Malay rights is just a beautiful word. Who enjoys these previleges? No deserving Malays. I don't think Malays question the policy but how it's implemented."- Associate Prof Dr Ariffin Omar

"They were so taken up with their own newspaper reports that they couldn't hear anything else. They dismissed everything they didn't like... They have been so arrogant that they have suppressed any opinions they don't like and believe in their own reports which are not consistent with what is really happening in the country." - Tun Dr Mahathir commented on BN's poor election results.

"This is a historic crisis, and we must face it without further denial, self-deception or media spin." - Ku Li.

"I think the Japanese would have committed harakiri. But I think the Malays are not up to this yet." - Tun Dr Mahathir.

"The people have observed that this government is run by one family for the family. As long as you have that kind of arrangement where family takes precedence over cabinet, over the government itself, I think the people would want to go against them" - Tun Dr Mahathir.

"Politicians should never believe their own propaganda. Politicians who do are apt to commit political suicide. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi did just that last Saturday. He and others in the ruling coalition believed their own propaganda, they smiled at their own press releases, and they duly submitted their necks to be wrung by an electorate only too anxious to throttle them." - Janadas Devan writing for NST.

"MCA grassroots immediately started 'whispering' their grouses after the president Ka Ting appointed his brother Ka Chuan to replace Dr Ting Chew Peh as secretary-general... Those not in 'good books' of the president got wind that many of their leaders would be dropped as candidates." - Ng Kee Seng and Giam Say Khoon's analysis with TheSun newspaper.

"The main issues were feeling of unfairness and hubris of power.... compounded by raising cost of living and crime rate, the people were in the mood for change or at least show displeasure. Unfortunately, BN leaders and candidates were unable or unwilling to rebut or counter such accusations, hoping for them to disappear as mistakes." - Goh Ban Lee for TheSun newspaper.

"For instance, the mass-media including newspaper failed to highlight the criticism. Worst, they tend to give BN candidates glowing reviews. These lopsided reports and commentaries lulled them in to believing that all went well." - Goh Ban Lee for TheSun newspaper.

"Good thing about election is that they are not permenant. Four to five years later, DAP/PKR/PAS will have to account for their promises."- Goh Ban Lee for TheSun newspaper.

"He won or lost? Oh, he lost. Well, the way he was campaigning was really funny, telling people to look at his face and how it doesn't change. But I think that a face that doesn't change can be very boring. Sometimes you must laugh, sometimes you must cry. He was telling everybody 'Ini muka tak bertukar, tak bertukar'. Who is interested in his ‘wajar’? If he was Britney Spears, then…." - Tun Dr Mahathir commenting on Zam's campaign results.

"They have their constraints. Some of them are my friends and supporters too and they apologise say that they can't help. 'It's all this Kali. This Kali,' they tell me." - Tun Dr Mahathir commenting on press editors to resign following a poor feedback and analysis to the government prior to election day.

"The Indian community is not questioning the special rights and the privileges accorded to the Malays, but just want their due rights and equal opportunities as citizens of this country,"Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar.

Utusan and Bernama

Reproducing from Jeffooi.com blog:

March 14, 2008

YAB Sdra Lim Guan Eng
Chief Minister of Penang
28th Fl, Komtar
10502 Penang

Dear YAB,

On behalf of my colleagues in BERNAMA, I would like to congratulate your team and you for the recent victory in Penang.

I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise for the sloppy editing in the news story of March 12, 2008, which we mistakenly quoted you as commenting on the May 13 incident as well. The inclusion of the fact was intended to give background on the establishment of the NEP in 1971. Nevertheless, upon a thorough review, the inclusion of that fact along with your quote may have been inappropriate.

As we move forward, I would like to ensure you of BERNAMA's co-operation for your newly-formed government and shall always endeavour to help you promote the well-being of Penang and its people.

Yours sincerely,

YONG SOO HEONG
Editor-in-Chief

Don't you hate it when other people put words in your mouth and makes you look like a donkey?

Negative Propaganda Spins

It has begun. The hidden hands are at work. The political propaganda wheels are spinning in overdrive. It is putting fears to the man-on-the-street and it's objective is to destablised the nation to a possible chaos. The ultimate goal is to achieve a new political agenda.

1) Utusan screams that Ketuanan Melayu is at risk and the paper links this with BN losing five northern states in the peninsula. It's no secret that Utusan is Umno's mouth piece.

2) Zaid Ibrahim, who was not picked to defend his Kota Bahru parliamentary seat, revealed that he had received a lot of SMSes lamenting that the Malays had lost political power. He also said that that the mainstream media are not helping matters either when they say that the Malays have lost the Ketuanan Melayu. He further added that TV3, the newspapers and the radio stations must also stop pitting the Malays against the non-Malays as this caused political instability especially in this just concluded election period.

3) Waves after waves, there were calls of resignation towards the PM especially within Umno. Some of these calls were made from grassroots (they don't usually do so unless they have tremendous backing from prominent figures), and notably from Mukhriz Mahathir. Some even put up anonymous posters with Umno logo's on it. Tun Dr Mahathir recently said the only way to topple PM, it has to be through the channels of Umno hierarchy.

4) Tun Dr Mahathir has opened up suggestions that Najib is the capable successor to Abdullah Badawi. Najib has since pledged allegiance to Badawi. Mahathir has always maintained that Najib was his first choice to replace him when he stepped as the PM in 2003.

5) Calls to gather for illegal protest gatherings/marches were made in areas where states had fallen to PKR-DAP-PAS alliance. There were one in Penang today, one in Perak yesterday and another made in Shah Alam.

6) Sore losers from MCA and Gerakan, Umno's partners in BN are telling voters of doomsday ahead for those states governed by new alliance PKR-DAP-PAS.

7) Unsettling events in Perlis and Terengganu Menteri Besar posts and the state royalties has caused some disaffection among Umno supporters. The present Agung is from the state of Terengganu. It was widely known that the Sultans have rejected the Mentri Besar candidates recommended by the PM. In fact, the Sultan of Perlis has appointed another assemblyman in Isa Sabu whom he believed enjoyed the confidence of the majority of state assemblymen.

Thus far, he is definitely standing on a shaky ground. Let's just hope he's not on quicksand.

And there are more.

All said and done, there is a shadowy figure and he has made his moves. He wants the PM seat but he can't be seen as one. He has waited long enough and he creates an opportunity to seize the day. His plans were executed as he expected. Many were used as pawns in his moves. Some even didn't know that they were used. He created the push and now his plans were to ride along these waves, one after another, gathering momentum. He had planned for a grand political entrance and there he will be. He will then presents himself as the saviour of all these dirt. His goal is to rally and unite his party, form a new political agenda and to deliver the states which has been lost. But it will not be pretty. He will rule with iron fist because he has learned from the best. He will then cut loose to those who threatens his position.

Blink and you might lose your focus. I hope it is not him.

Some just dont get it

Nazri Aziz, Umno supreme council member said, "It looks like the educated Malays do not care about Malay rights anymore."

And then we have some loud mouth from UMNO Penang to recommend to the Federal Government to stop all proposed mega projects in the state, include those planned under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the second Penang Bridge, the light monorail transit system, the Penang Outer Ring Road, the Penang Sentral and the RapidPenang bus service.

I think they just don't get it. They don't even know why are they rejected by the rakyat. They think they have this smart ass attitude and perfectly accepted rationale. It is exactly these stupid statements they made that got them five states taken by new PKR-DAP-PAS alliance. Yeah, if these continues, I think the new alliance will take over a few more states too. These people who made these statements are a real selfish lot and that is why the rakyat has rejected them.

The voice of the rakyat has spoken. It's time for BN to accept the verdict. If PM has said that he has accepted the verdict of the people, and so be it. It is those who are still in hallucinating keeps on hallucinating.

Take a peek on this blog on why the new alliance was chosen. Yes, blog doesn't necessarily mean rubbish, Nazri. It is your advisers that are feeding rubbish to you and you don't even smell it.

Samy says no to senatorship

It was reported that MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will not accept a senatorship because he does not want a backdoor entry into Parliament.

"I don’t want to become a senator. I don’t want to be a minister through a senatorship. " he said.

Hahaha, like any bollywood real drama lah. Muka tebal to the max!!! In the first place, he wasn't even offered!!

Where is Damai Malaysia?

Now, where is Damai Malaysia?

This organisation supposedly made up by 395 NGO representing 1.5million members and its representatives include those from 75 Chinese-based and 20 Indian groups and associations. This organisation also presents itself as supposedly representing the silent majority, has gone silent over the election results. Especially with the ever dismal election results produced by our PM.

I'm surprised that this supposedly silent majority organisation has not spoken up and make a big hu-ha press conference to pledge their support to our 'ever excellent and hard-working' PM who has been hit by calls of resignation.

Meanwhile, Tracy Yeoh who writes for TheSun SpeakUp column pointed out, "What was most surprising was significant reduction in percentage of popular election votes received by BN coalition from 63% in 2004 to 51.2% nationally, and 49.8% excluding east Malaysia."

If I read it correctly, BN coalition garnered less than 50% of popular vote from Peninsula Malaysia for this 2008 election campaign. Yes, by any yardstick, the election results showed that the silent majority has indeed spoken.

* Reality check on Damai ?

In shambles

Today marked the fourth day after election polls results were announced.

1) There is still no word on who-is-who and who-is-where on the cabinet line-up.
2) Perlis, Terengganu, Johor and Pahang Mentri Besars are yet to be appointed.
3) Perak, Selangor and Kelantan Mentri Besars are yet to be appointed.

Kinda pressing, isn't it?

Meanwhile, I am wondering if this is all the new opposition from Selangor can do?

After 'hiding' for last three days when the state of Selangor fell on to PKR-DAP-PAS loose coalition, Khir Toyo said this, "The first BN offensive will be to register all 62-year-olds in Selangor in the government hospitals as the new government had promised that those above the said age in the state will receive free healthcare." And then he further added, "Secondly, we will register all children to childcare centres in Selangor as the new government had promised to provide free childcare services."

You know when you see someone who has nothing to offer but bankrupt of ideas. And these were the words that came from a man who 'developed' the state of Selangor. What a sad man he is. Robin Z is no longer around to back him up anymore.

Perhaps he should learn from Koh Tsu Koon, who has been a praiseworthy gentlemen in handling over of power and even offered to give advise to the new government.

* Read more about Tajol Rosli's locked-himself-up crybaby incident on the stunning loses in election results.

Pak Lah: We've learned our lesson

"We've learned our lesson."

This is what he said. But what he didn't say was what lessons he had learned. But wait.
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Just hold on...
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z
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I'm sorry to keep you on holding, I think he as just fallen asleep on the chair again.

Hmmmm.. if Pak Lah have indeed learned his lessons, then why do he need to set up an independent body to do a post-mortem on the elections? Sometimes I do wonder if he is sincere for making the statement "We have learned our lesson" claims.

And then he goes on down playing the failure of obtaining two-thirds majority in the Parliament.When first asked about it, he retorted, "In what way is it so vital? As far as we are concerned, we are not so crazy to be wanting to get two-thirds. We have a strong majority, just short of eight seats to secure a two-thirds majority. So it's not something we are worried about."

Saturday's results mark the first time since 1969 that the government failed to meet that mark.

So has he learned? You decide.

* Here's some election facts:

1) BARISAN NASIONAL'S (BN) lost five states to opposition - up from one in 2004 - and a staggering 28 per cent drop in the number of parliamentary seats held, from 198 to 140.

2)A tally of the actual votes cast for the ruling coalition shows that though it had seized 63 per cent of the 222 parliamentary seats, it had won barely half the 7.9 million votes cast on Saturday - 51 per cent. The only thing that helped BN inch past the halfway mark was the votes from Sabah and Sarawak.

Losing the plot

The Sin Chew Daily reported the following:

"MCA president Ong Ka Ting is believed to have decided to give up his ministerial position but will remain as party president.

The front-page report, which quoted sources, said Ong would not offer himself as a minister because he wanted to take responsibility for the party's disastrous outing in Saturday's 12th General Election.

Instead, he will propose to the prime minister that his brother and party secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan to take over the Housing his Local Government Ministry."

If you are watching a movie, you'll definitely sees through this plot. Yes, he has a personal agenda. It is very disgusting for him to 'act honorable' but yet promotes nepotism within the party's hierarchy. I think MCA is due to doom.

An urban voter, TM Lee, 28, remarked "Ong has accused DAP’s Lim Kit Siang of being power crazy. But by holding on to MCA presidency now, he is viewed as lacking integrity and credibility himself."

A MCA Penang insider reveals, “When he promised the party a new era in 2003 following his first 100 days as president, we did not know it would be the start of the Ong dynasty,"

More so, when Tun Dr Mahathir has this to say, "As long as you have that kind of arrangement where family takes precedence over cabinet, over the government itself, I think the people would want to go against them."

So please do the right thing and heed from the old man's wisdom. And please, stop acting like you're some angel coz you're not!

Another "Tak Tau" Classic.

Here's another from our PM infamous "Saya tak tau" (cluessless mindset).

"The rout the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) suffered on Saturday was due to a number of factors, many of which are still unclear. But at the top of the list has to be the coalition's gross misreading of the electorate's mood. Datuk Seri Abdullah and his senior colleagues had no idea they were unpopular." writes Janadas Devan for NST.

Yes, it's infectious and it is getting a hang on to his party members.

* Rashid's ungentlemanly response when he was asked how did the opposition fared in the GE results.

Thank you, Nazri!

You gotta thank this big arse mouth for waking up Malaysians to go out and vote!

He said these in an interview:

"No. It’s not important to address of these people. Why do you put so much importance on bloggers? You know what rubbish has been written in the blogs? I don’t read blogs. I don’t waste my time. The few pieces that people print for me are just rubbish."

"I’d rather spend my time to do things that are constructive; that go down directly to the people who are really in need of the help of the government."

"You don’t have to have millions of people marching in the streets. Let the people decide, whether there is a crisis or not, through the legal means of sharing your dissent or anger — through the ballot box."

If it's not for 220,000 postal vote, possibly more via double voting or some random-detected irregularities, I'll bet you'll be joining Samy in his official retirement. Anyway, you have done great service to Malaysia, hope to see you around when PM forms his cabinet.

Now, with 4 new states joining Kelantan under opposition's rule especially with Selangor (konon the most developed state), I don't know if this is crisis or not. Nazri, can you please give us a thought or two?

Nazri, Nazri, are you there?

Soul-searching?

You read a lot of BN leaders during this post-GE2008 says that there is a need to do some kind of soul searching, find out reason why they lost, etc.

I wonder if they ever read newspapers these days especially during this post-general election. There were countless analytical articles by reporters that provide good insight. Reporters are a good source of information because they are there on the ground. They mingle with common folks like you and I and this is where they feel the sense of the general mood of what is happening. Instead good reporters are shunned out and replaced with lap dogs.

I guess that's why ZamZam went out. He stopped listening. He stopped others from listening. He only wanted to hear what he wanted others to hear. He got it wrong. The people stopped buying his propaganda crap. Instead, the people showed him and a few of his colleagues the door out.

Tengku Razaleigh got it right. He said, "This is a historic crisis, and we must face it without further denial, self-deception or media spin."

* Listen to the Zam the rapper here.

Will he be the No2 again?

Abdullah Badawi succeeded Tun Dr Mahathir and became the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia on October 31 2003. He did not have a deputy for slightly more than 2 months. Later, Najib was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister in January 7, 2004. It was part of the package arranged by Tun Dr Mahathir and it was pre-conditional upon Abdullah's appointment as UMNO president. Tun Dr Mahathir further reinforced this succession by putting very broad hints in the media that Najib was the most capable person to become Abdullah’s deputy. Hence, Abdullah's hands were tied and due to public's respect towards Tun Dr Mahathir, Abdullah obliged and appointed Najib as his running mate.

Fast forward to 2008, post general election. Will Najib be appointed as the no2 again this time around? We'll find out more soon ;)

GE 2008 Quotable Quotes

"It would be a disaster if Malaysia loses its opposition." - Tun Mahathir Mohamad.

"I do not want to form a government that is made up of only one race," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said of the indications that the Chinese and Indian parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition could be hit on Saturday.

"Once you lodge a formal report with ACA, you cannot bring up the issue again. You cannot talk about the issue anymore after you made a formal report.... I can't even raise it in parliament, I can't raise it in DUN, I can't raise it outside.... Just like what happened to See Chee How of PKR. They go and lodge a police report and with ACA, they go and get themselves sued by the Chief Minister, and now you cannot talk about the Japan Times logging issue anymore. " - Chong Chieng Jen commenting on the flaws of ACA.

"No, we are not buying all these election gimmicks this time. Do you think we Indians are stupid? Hindraf - the Hindu Rights Action Force - has opened the eyes of the community to several government policies that it claims discriminate against Indians."said resident Rajagopal Muniandy, 43, a businessman from Buntong in Ipoh. Indians make up 46 per cent of its 23,000 voters.

"Why the discrimination? I just want to earn a decent living.A Malay had no problems securing a licence although the application was only made three months ago", said Mr Anthonysamy when his numerous license application to operate a sundry shop for years but had always been rejected.

"After 50 years, finally we have a leader from our own community. Malays better vote for Sayuti or the seat may go back to the MIC,” said an Umno leader, portraying that communal politics and a candidate’s race are pertinent factors in every election whether one cares to admit it or not.

"You know Indians are very political. Tunku Abdul Rahman used to say if there is one Indian, there is one political party. If there are two Indians, there are two political parties." - Tun Mahathir.

"These elections are not about trusting Anwar cos the Opposition is not strong enough to win anyway. These elections are about waking up Pak Lah when BN loses 50 seats. Pak Lah can't be trusted cos he has already broken his promises to fight crime, corruption and racism." - Tian Chua.

"Such a plot to undermine the vote is unlikely to come from the opposition because it will only be to their disadvantage." says Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, who teaches sociology at the National University of Malaysia, was commenting on the withdrawal of the use of indelible ink by EC.

"People have been saying, 'Anwar, boycott the elections. They promised indelible ink and they cancelled at the last moment, it's shameful'. India with its one billion people can conduct free and fair elections with indelible ink and nobody was hurt. Indonesia used indelible ink. Turkey had elections with indelible ink. But not in our case." - Anwar Ibrahim

"Malaysia saying with 10,820 people over 100 years old, it has the highest number of old people in the world while there were 65,535 cases of “overcrowded addresses.” - Anwar Ibrahim

“EC is colluding with BN to allow cheating in the coming general elections. Despite all assurances and false gestures, it is now clear the (EC chairperson) Abdul Rashid (Abdul Rahman) is content to conduct the 12th general election in an atmosphere completely bereft of integrity” - Dr Syed Husin Ali in his statement made following Election Commission's decision not to use indelible ink for this coming polls.

“The EC has also destroyed its credibility, integrity and independence by cancelling the use at the last minute when it had earlier touted the use of indelible ink as a sign of its commitment towards ensuring free, fair, clean elections,” - Lim Kit Siang's reaction.

"They misled all Malaysians, not only yourselves, the voters of Malaysia and us, that they would implement the (use of) indelible ink - they also issued numerous statements about how much indelible ink would cost and they said they would buy it." - R Sivarasa, the candidate for Selangor's Subang made his statement known.

"I am very disappointed with the report which spins (this) so negatively... ‘Penang bribes Motorola’. It is most regrettable, most regrettable" Tsu Koon comments in a press conference on why the government is spending RM1billion tax payer's money in exchange for the multinational to stay put in Penang and pump in an additional investment of RM350 million over the next five years.

"The Selangor government has increased the price of water by 15% and it is expected to go up even further to 37% by January 2009." - Charles Santiago further added that it was BN's policy to privatise water.

"I'm surprised that MCA are absent today." - Tsu Koon commented after launching of Penang-level BN-Gerakan's manifesto in the presence of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I think if you follow them, it will be disastrous for the party." - Tun Dr Mahathir's response when asked about the possibility of Hishammuddin or Khairy to play a bigger role in Umno after the elections.

"I thought the NEP has already ended." Chew Mei Fun replied in a Q&A with Malaysiakini.

“If there is NO sufficient Chinese representation in the Barisan Nasional, it is not a good thing, the Chinese community cannot afford another May 13 incident.” Chew Mei Fun made a implicit warning to her Chinese voters.

"Come to Sentul and stand next to me for a debate. Face the voters and explain your manifesto for Batu. Debating is the job of Members of Parliament (MPs). If you dare not face me, how are you going to face Lim Kit Siang (incumbent Ipoh Timor MP) and Fong Po Kuan (imcumbent Batu Gajah MP),” Tian Chua said in his ceramah while referring to Si Pin, attended by about 300 people in Sentul.

"Debate is a waste of time and energy." - Lim Si Pin (son of Lim Keng Yaik) , Gerakan candidate for Batu Parlimentary Seat commented on the challenged by the opposition candidate to a public debate.

"If you vote me in, judge me not whether I can service your drains and have more tarred roads, but judge me whether I can defend the rights of Malaysian. If I don't, please kick me out." - Tony Pua, DAP candidate for PJ Utara Parlimentary Seat spoke at SS2 Ceramah recently.

What does this looks like to you?

During this election campaign period, some seems to have financial backing to do almost anything. Seems perfectly fine to put up the candidate's profiles on anything and everything that they can get hold on to the extend of overdoing. However, overdoing it is one thing...



Doing it wrongly is another. If you look closely, check out the following picture. What does this picture looks to you?
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Tell me what does this picture looks to you?


By the way, there's confirmation that Tian Chua won Batu's parliamentary seat. Congratulations.

One-race based government?

"I do not want to form a government that is made up of only one race," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said of the indications that the Chinese and Indian parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition could be hit on Saturday.

Well, it could be true. Isn't the government civil service is already made up under 'one race'? When this PM shout out that he will be PM for all Malaysians, does this mean it is conditional? Where does this PM really stand out from all the statements he has made?

If/When the government turns out to be one-race, would it be this one-race biggie's interest when irrelevant minorities parties disengaged with the current coaliation and form a new coalition with another alternative-one-race-based party? If so, then what makes one-race biggie's relevant and attractive in this multi-ethic society?

What goes around, comes around.

How do you vote?

Check out the pictorial guide on voting processes especially when you are a first timer.

Watchdog says postal voting secrecy compromised.

Excerpt from MalaysiaKini website:

During his observation, Mafrel northern region coordinator BK Ong discovered that all the army and police personnel were required to fill up a separate identity declaration form consisting of their name, identity card number and ballot paper' serial number prior to voting.

Although voting was carried out privately, each voter was compelled to enclose together both his ballot paper and identity declaration form inside the postal vote envelope before putting it into the ballot bag.

Upon checking the postal vote envelope, the identity declaration form will clearly reveal the identity of the voter and who he had voted for.

"Voting secrecy is among the most fundamental principles of the democratic process. It should not be compromised," Ong said.

Under provisions stipulated in Section 5 Part II of the Election Offences Act 1954, one is prohibited from obtaining or revealing the identity of voters and their votes, such as names, identity card numbers and ballot paper serial numbers.

The country has 220,000 postal votes.

Another serious flaw noted in the election process for army and police personnel is that the voting was managed and conducted by police and army officers themselves.

Although EC officials and appointed agents shall handle the voting process, Ong expressed shock that this did not happen in the army and police bases.

"EC officials and agents were nowhere around," he claimed.

Vote without fear or retribution? Think again.

How Barisan National Cheats Their Way To Victory

Excerpts from quaintly's blog:

I’m sure many people are already in the know of the many shrewd ways our government cheats and cons their way to a victory, but i just thought i’d compile a list for the benefit of those who aren’t aware of the foul play and deception that goes on during the elections.

yes yes i’m biting my lip as i write this post, trying not to SCREAM at the unfairness of it all. it is for good reason that activists and the Human Rights Watch say that this will be Malaysia’s ‘dirtiest election ever’.

so! how our elections are rigged to unfairly benefit the government.

Read those 7 points from her website.

Boy-boy Si Pin

Excerpt from this blog:

When I arrived at the Dewan Rakyat (Community Hall) at about 9.30pm, Si Pin was speaking to about 50 people in the half-filled hall. Under the dull glow of the flourescent lights, the already bland son of former Gerakan president Lim Kheng Yaik just added to the despair that permeated the air. Lim is 38 but is youthful looking, to put it politely. He looks like a small boy to me and speaks like one. It’s the curse of privileged children, I think, to be softies compared to their parents. After boy-boy finished speaking, residents took turns to scold him and the previous MP’s alleged non-performance. Boy-boy was lost. Kheng Yaik would have charmed and handled the situation well.

Lim Si Pin is no Lim Guan Eng. Guan Eng can hold press conferences on his own. In the one that I attended, Si Pin is still very raw and is much removed from the needs of the Sentul poor. I also really don’t know what he has done for the rakyat or in politics to deserve a parliamentary seat.

Anyway, after being verbally abused by the residents, boy-boy rushed off without even asking the residents to vote for him. He was escorted by a team of about five and looked annoyed. And this is nothing. It’s was like a brief swim in a storm in a teacup and hardly a baptism of fire.

Carol Chew, wasted!

A friend of mine attended Carol Chew's ceramah at Taman Desa last night. Approximately 100 people turned up. She began with her ceremah with an apology for targeting her opponent in her campaign by using sexist posters. Read them here and here. And from that moment she lost her 'charm'. Why? Here's the brief:

1) She said the sexist posters was actually criticizing her opponent Teresa Kok for contesting two seats, the Seputeh parliamentary seat and Kinrara state seat. She further said that Teresa will not able to concentrate in serving two consistencies. Well, if I remember correctly, our Prime Minister holds 3 full fledged ministerial positions - PM, Internal Security Minister and Finance Minister for 4+years. Additionally, her own MCA president holds two portfolios too - Housing and Local Gov Minister and Acting Health Minister. Seriously, does she know what she's saying?

2) the locals who turned up for her ceramah, started asking about local issues. She seems lost. One of the questions that she was asked, "Why does the local residents need to employ private security guards to look over the residential area?". Afterall, isn't BN manifesto proudly proclaimed that BN will provide better security. This caught her off guard and she started jotting down the notes (as if lah).

3) Another local asked, "Why does the pondok police closes at 12midnight?" She again has no answer and started jotting down some notes.

4) Another local asked, "Do you know where the pondok police is?". Again she had no answer.

Well, I'll say if Carol really WANT this seat, this Carol better start to learn to know the area/people/issues. Coming unprepared is really going to bring no good. These locals are not idiots and gullible person. I'll bet my last penny, she will be gone within no time. All the monies spent on campaign posters, I'll wonder who's laughing to the bank ;)

* Click here to watch how Chew Mei Fun 'confidently' answered "I thought NEP was ended". None of her answers ended with a confident statement even when the questions are with simple Yes/No answer. Mostly, "I I I I", "We We We", "Er Er Er", "I can't remember" or "I thought so". Just simply put it, she has no principles or conviction to her statement given.

* Click here to watch to RPK's fiery speech at PKR Ceramah at Brickfields recently.

* Nurul Izzah rocks! Click here to watch her speak.

RM 2.4 million indelible ink for nothing

The Malaysian Election Commission wasted RM 2.4 million on buying 47,000 bottles of indelible ink from India but these inks will not be used for this Saturday's poll. Read more here.

Spend RM 1 billion to get RM 350 million

Koh Tsu Koon asked the PM (and he approved it) to spend taxpayer's money of RM 1 billion on the Motorola products in exchange to have the MNC reinvesting RM350 million on it's Penang operation over the next five years. Does this sound right to you? Read more about it here.

Missteps of Chew Mei Fun

These are what she said recently:

(1) “If there is insufficient Chinese representation in the Barisan Nasional, it is not a good thing. The Chinese community cannot afford another May 13 incident.” Read more here and here.

(2) "I thought the NEP has already ended." Read more here.

Even going head-to-head Q&A with Tony Pua, you can see how short and evasive (sometimes dumbfounded) Chew's answers are. Maybe it's time to goreng her. You know, chow-mai-fun.