Island man he is.

Taken from theSun page2 article and this is coming from the man chosen as the candidate from Umno, he said;

"He admitted that the BN machinery was conducting the campaign in a way that was not in line with his own but he could not do anything about it. Arif Shah, in the end, set up his own election machinery and used his own funds to print posters... The most glaring sign was that despite having a by-election operations centre, Arif Shah was found operating from his home base in Seberang Jaya... He said he did not have any access to the election machinery at all and that “it operated on its own agenda and strategy”... It was a difficult campaign for the amiable Arif Shah. It is learnt that while the Umno by-election machinery was up and running and many BN posters and streamers were printed, none of these were accessible to the candidate."

It is obvious that even Umno own by-election machinery is not in 'taking terms' with it's chosen candidate, what makes people think that this candidate will have the ears of the biggest party in BN?

I can put it, in another words, he was 'sodomised' by his own party. No?

What logic is this fler trying to articulate?

Taken from theStar article,

Penang opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim caused an uproar in the House when he accused the Pakatan Rakyat state government of “embezzling” RM30mil.

“The state says that it is trying to save money by flying economy class and implementing austerity measures but it is actually embezzling the people’s money by not collecting the illegal hawking and parking compounds issued before March 8,” said the Penaga assemblyman who twice described himself as a “good guy” in his debate on the motion of thanks on the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas’s speech.

I have a serious time trying to 'konek' the logic, and i doubt the revenue from these compounds can even get the Penang Government 14 luxurious Mercedes E200 Kompressors which the Terengganu Government just purchased at the cost of RM3.43million.

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.

Anwar was anti-Chinese?

Yes, TheSun newspaper reported that former Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik said that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim was anti-Chinese when he was an Umno minister for 12 years.

My wife told me how stupid that statement was. It was a double edge sword statement. While LKY tries to discredit AI, the statement also questions:

(1) why LKY was as silent as a grave for all these 12 years!?!!
(2) are there still such racist bums around? What is LKS going to do about it? Elegant silent again?

And then check this...
The photo was captioned as fatherly advise. I think it only shows lack of passion and confidence in that person when facing issues and matters relating to the constituency he is contesting. The father and incumbent MP are no longer in government circle, therefore why consult them? The persons Si Pin should be consulting are the people in his constituency. If Si Pin are lacking tactics, strategies and experience, perhaps Si Pin should serve as a volunteer (or dues) within his parties means/hierarchy first before going for a parliamentary seat. This constituency wants a MP who is a LEADER that speaks out the rights of Malaysians, confidently and passionately. This constituency wants leaders to prove themselves, over and again. This constituency doesn't not want a lackey boy. No, this constituency doesn't want his father to watch over his son's lampin.

"This is a ‘buy one free two’ package. If you vote for Si Pin, you will also get two veteran leaders to serve the people in Batu." If you believe that hard-to-believe bargain package, then you might as well believe everything Samy said are true!

Si Pin said in his ceramah, "People want an MP who can deliver and we need to a blueprint, a vision and a direction to make Batu an international business centre like Bangsar." Yeah right, talk is cheap. Where's the plan? Wanna go ask daddy again?

Meanwhile, Mukhriz Mahathir said "No" when he was asked if he consults his father's advise on his campaign strategy. There was also no hand holding going on (unlike Si Pin) when meeting the folks at his constituency in Jerlun too. Now, he's a fighter and a survivor.

Gov clinic at RM1. Yes, it's true!

I stumbled upon this paid political advertisement when I logged on to one of the free emails website. No, there is no full story when you mouse over it. Instead, I'll tell you my story :P

I don't know if this is the right strategy to promote government clinics. Yes, government clinics are still at RM1. I remember years ago, maybe around 20 years, when I was little, my parents used to bring me to HBKL whenever there was a need to. It was RM1 then, and today, it's still RM1. But did you know that you'll probably need to wait for at least 2 hours or more to see the doctor? You'll be lucky if you get to see an experienced doctor.

Unless you're really kiamsiap. No parents or persons in the right mind would make the sick to wait for 2 hours! And did I say you'll probably need another hour's wait for the pharmacy to dispense your medication? That's a good 3 hours lost for a small price to pay.

Yes, there are other choices out there when you opened up your mind.

* Here are some interesting articles about state of government hospitals.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Only 40 turned out?

TheSun newspaper reported there were about 60 people attended a ceramah by BN MCA's incumbent Wangsa Maju parliamentary candidate Yew Teong Look. It also reported that 20 of the 60 people were from Umno's Gerak Gempur (aka Mat Rempits?).

When I first saw the news, I couldn't help to notice that there were only 40 people turned up. His colleague did slightly better. PJ Utara parliamentary candidate from MCA, Chew Mei Fun had around 50 people turned up on her ceramah in SS2 recently. DAP Tony Pua, however, drew around 200 people (3-4 times) in his ceramah held just 50 meters where Chew had hers.

I don't know if this is a case of being his skin thicker than an elephant's sole. Yew highlighted that some of the development that he brought to Wangsa Maju for the last four years. One of his highlights was, and i quote from the newspaper "With the help from the Federal Territories Ministry and City Hall, two CCTVs have been installed in Wangsa Maju .This has somewhat reduced the crime rate in that area." Kinda laughable isn't it? All these four years and he is bragging about installing 2 CCTVs!!! What more, he gives out a perception that there were reduced crime rate! If you read further on the article, a lot of it has "will do this and do that" sort of a report card. That is not what he did for last four years. He did almost nothing! MCA reported (in their own words) they are going to build a soon-to-be-constructed Chinese school in Wangsa Maju as announced by the Education Ministry in January 2008. Again, what took it so long? The school will not be in operation for about 2-3 years?

According to Sentul OCPD ACP K. Kumaran, he said in October 2007 in referring to Wangsa Maju crime index, "There was approximately 15% increase in crime index in the first nine months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year." But Yew said there was somewhat reduced crime. Yeah, do you believe what he said? Just google "Crime Rate Index Wangsa Maju" and you'll find that there are some killers out there that are yet to be caught by the law. This Yew guys is just beating around the bush.

Take a look what this guy has to say about Yew. http://hygen.net/blog/?p=135

To debate or not

Lim Si Pin, son of Lim Keng Yiak, is a BN candidate from Gerakan running for Batu parliamentary seat. He was recently quoted by TheSun newspaper that debate is a waste of time and energy. He was also quoted that debate is a western culture. He quoted this as a response to his opposition Tian Chua of PKR on holding a public debate.

I find his reply odd. I read that he is a double degree holder in economics and law from Yale University, and holds masters in finance and banking from Wales University. I thought debate exists as long as language does. Even in my secondary school, we all had debates. Not to mention in university too. Debates can sharpen one's mind. To say debate is a waste of time is wrong. How many degrees does this guy holds? Does this mean that he'll going to sit quiet in Dewan Rakyat and be a 'yes' man? It is either this guy is (1) too arrogant (2) his manhood is smaller than my 2B pencil (3) no idea where he stands (4) all the above, to present himself and argue his point across intelligently. A person as 'intelligent' as he, should know better. To say that debate is a waste of time and energy is really an insult to voters' intelligence, at least that is how i felt. To say debate is a western culture is also wrong. Television comes from western culture too, does this mean that we shouldn't watch the idiot box? What about handshakes?

To reject a public debate is to deny public access to his person's thoughts/direction for the voters in this constituency.

On another hand, MCA candidate for Bukit Bintang parliamentary seat, Dr Lee Chong Meng agrees to hold a public debate with incumbent DAP candidate Fong Kui Lun. Taken from TheEdgeDaily, Dr Lee said debate is not publicity seeking but a forum for voters to judge the candidates based on their ability, achievements and ability to tackle tough issues. He added, “The debate will not only save people’s time but it will also provide an avenue for the candidates to answer all questions raised by their opponent."

Now Si Pin, that is what I call leadership. One that doesn't shrink on responsibility. No one said election is a smooth-sailing-walk-in-the-park even though this seat seems to be a shoe-in for you. Now please go all out and be the man of the hour and stop hiding behind someone's shadow.

Bapak's Country

Another stumping incident when i read this article.

I always thought that the role/responsibilities of a wakil rakyat were among the following :
1) represent the wishes of the people who elected you.
2) takes care of the welfare of the constituency that you elected upon.
3) solve problems and issues relating to the Government policies and constituency that you represent.
4) ensure public order and make laws that benefits the people who elected you.

But to say your job as a wakil rakyat is to make life miserable for the opposition is a real shallow thought. It is like 'I've got nothing else better to do, so I'll go mess up opposition's life and make them miserable.'.

I just find it a case of misplaced priorities. Even so, when the father-in-law doesn't rebuke him and remind him the roles/responsibilities of a wakil rakyat. His father was after all a diplomat and the father in law was a foreign minister for many donkey years. Yet, diplomacy manners is in non-existent.

If this dude really want to be the 'popular', go out and win the minds of the critics. Otherwise, this dude is just another Mat Rempit wannabe. This guy doesn't even dare to sky jump at the north pole.

I'll say if this dude really want to make life miserable for the opposition, try contesting a hot seat against any opposition leaders in Kelantan/Terengganu/Penang. This dude made a heck of a noise about these states. Why contest in that safe seat in Rembau and make noise like a spoil child?

He must be thinking that this country belongs to his adopted bapak. He thinks that the country is his backyard playground. He believes he does, and it's no laughing matter.

* check this youtube out.

All Portable Line(s)?

Got this page from SPR website.Although my english is bad, but this is something else.

"All Portable Line(s)"? I was kind of stumped when I read that.

*Anyway, remember to go out and vote! Check your eligibility and polling center by entering your IC here.

CNY Greetings

(click at the picture to see a larger version)

Which of these two posters is sincere in greeting you on this auspicious CNY festive occasion? The only time i see a poster with many faces is when direct-selling companies bragging about their millionaire sales team. Certainly turns my stomach upside down.