From Myopic Lenses

Tough Teacher

2011-12-01T00:52:00.001+08:00

Had to repost this!!! Joke from an email~

A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work.
When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest.
Discipline was not a problem from that day forth!

Facebook Madness

2011-11-28T23:03:00.000+08:00

I must have been stressed out when I wrote in reply with this on my friend's Facebook wall....
Kinda reminds me of DOS.

LOL...

The Wall Post:
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Welcome, User "ProfA"

File "load of hugssss" Selected for Download
Initializing sequence.....Please do not press any key.
.....Downloading 51%
.....Downloading 74%
Download 100% Complete.

Select action for File "load of hugssss". [1] Unzip [2] Reboot [3]Delete
[1] selected. Running Command....Please do not press any key.

Unzipping Files from File "load of hugssss".....Please do not press any key.
File "Hug1" Extracted Successfully
File "Hug2" Extracted Successfully
File "Hug3" Extracted Successfully
File "Hug4" Extracted Successfully
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File "Hug100" Extracted Successfully

File "Thank youx100" selected.
Zipping File "Thank youx100"
File"Hugx1000" selected.
Zipping File "Hugx1000"

Select action for Files "Thank youx100" and"Hugx1000"
[1] Send [2] Add files [3] Unzip [4] Delete 1 file [5] Delete multiple files

[1] selected. Running Command....Please do not press any key.
User: ProfM

Confirm send to User "ProfM"? [1] No [2] Yes

[2] selected. Running Command....Please do not press any key.
Sending Files.....Please do not press any key.

Files sent to User "ProfM"

Thank you for using Facebook Wall.
Please log out and get back to work.

Pink Elephants and Asian Kids

2011-11-19T00:12:00.000+08:00

Some days ago, someone made an observation about kid from the West and the East:
"Kids of the West tend to be more confident and talkative cos their parents will let them say anything. For instance if the kid says the elephant is pink, the parents will agree. But if an Asian kid said the same thing as the Western kid, the parent will scold the kid, "Are you stupid? the elephant is GREY!" That's why Asian kids don't talk as much and have low self-esteem."

After pondering awhile (As I was taking a break from writing a research paper), I have to say that that observation was rather incorrect.

I think that the reason why Asian kids tend to talk less and seem to have lower self-esteem, is because if the Asian kid had stated that "an elephant is pink", the typical Asian parent will hiss at the kid to "shut up you idiot", then proceed to apologize for the kids to no one in particular for the kid's perceived 'stupidity'. The typical Asian parent will then usually continue the show by chastising the kid on his/her outburst of "stupidity" and leave the scene where the "pink elephant" happened.

To top it off, the typical Asian parent will leave the poor kid to find out on his/her own why the parent said that elephants are not pink, only to find out that elephants are actually grey. If the kid is a first-time 'offender', he/she will, in all probability, bound up excitedly about the now-known fact, and happily shows the fact that elephants are grey to the parent.

However, instead of "smart kid" the kid might've anticipated, the typical Asian parent (probably busy, as many typical Asians parents are usually) shooes the kid away saying, "Don't trouble me with this kind of trivialities."

Hence, the typical Asian kid grows up learning mostly to shut up, for fear of saying stupid things (and insure self against verbal abuse and belittlement by own parent/teacher/friends). Thus the seemingly less talkative and low self-esteem (which also tends to be very true) Asian kid is born.

Repost: A Courageous Beauty Queen

2011-11-16T23:48:00.000+08:00

A Courageous Beauty Queen
Sharon Jaynes
November 16, 2011

Today’s Truth
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God … (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Katie was born in Wichita, Kansas, a petite blond-headed pride and joy to the Signaigo family. In the following years, two more baby girls were born, and the Signaigo quiver was full. Katie grew up enjoying all the frills and thrills of childhood. She loved school and church activities, swimming and running, and most of all, she loved her friends.

Katie was only nine years old when she noticed a lump by her left ankle that wouldn’t go away. The soreness would come and go, but the lump remained. For more than a year she and her mom were in and out of doctors’ offices trying to figure out what this mysterious lump was all about. Two years later, eleven-year-old Katie was diagnosed with cancer, and her leg was removed just below the knee. She felt as though her life was over.

“No one will ever love me or want to marry me!” young Katie cried to her mom. “My life will never be the same. What am I going to do? People will laugh at me and make fun of me. I’ll never be able to walk or run again. I’m going to have to live the rest of my life in a wheelchair!”

“Oh, precious,” her mother spoke in assuring tones. “You will get married one day. You are a beautiful girl. You will run and swim and do all the things you’ve always loved doing. You are not going to be in a wheelchair, but have a prosthetic leg that will allow you to do all the things you did before. No, your life will not be the same, but it will be great. You’ll see. We’ll get through this together.”

As a precaution, Katie went through chemotherapy for one year. Besides losing her leg, Katie also lost all of her beautiful blond hair. “When is this ever going to end?” she cried.
Eventually, Katie’s hair grew back, she learned to walk with a prosthesis, and life returned to a new kind of normal. However, no one—absolutely no one but her immediate family—saw Katie’s leg. She kept her prosthesis hidden from the world.

But then God began nudging Katie to return to the hospital where she had her surgery to talk to other children facing similar ordeals. She put her fears aside and visited the cancer ward and showed her leg to a girl named Amanda.

“Here, go ahead and touch it,” Katie said. “It’s okay.” And Katie saw something flicker in
Amanda’s eyes. It was hope.

Since that time Katie and her mom have made many visits to the hospital, telling children and their parents about what to expect and sharing hope. Together they are taking their scars, both physical and emotional, and investing in others.

Katie graduated from high school and attended the University of Central Arkansas. While there, she watched an Oprah program that featured Aimee Mullins, a double amputee who had become an athlete and a model. This amputee even showed various prostheses she used for different occasions.

So Katie decided it was time to stop hiding her leg from the world, and she did it in a big way.

She entered the Miss University of Central Arkansas pageant! She participated in the talent, evening gown, and interview competitions. But Katie won the hearts of the crowd when she proudly walked down the catwalk in the bathing suit competition. There have been many tearful moments as pageant sponsors have placed the crowns on a winner’s head, but I dare say there was never a more precious moment than when Katie Signaigo was crowned Miss UCA.

“We are all cracked pots in some way or other,” Katie told a group of ladies at a women’s gathering. “We all have our unique flaws. Don’t be afraid of your flaws. Look for the positive things in life. Don’t let yourself dwell in the bad things. This has been the greatest blessing in my life.”

Like with Katie, often God uses our biggest struggles as a springboard for ministry. Listen closely. Is God calling you to use what you’ve gone through to encourage others with the hope and healing of Jesus Christ?

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, sometimes I get stuck when life doesn’t turn out the way I thought it would. Help me to be a woman who refuses to say, “Why me?” but rejoices in saying “What now?” Show me how to turn my pain into purpose and my miseries into ministry.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
What does 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 tell you about how God wants you use what you have gone through to help other people. Are you willing to do that? I hope so!

Where to cross the border...???

2011-10-14T19:27:00.000+08:00

Reposting from a friend:

Know where to cross the border...,

If You Cross The North Korean Border Illegally
You get 12 years Hard Labour.

If You Cross The Iranian Border Illegally
You Are Detained Indefinitely.

If You Cross The Afghan Border Illegally
You Get Shot.

If You Cross The Saudi Arabian Border Illegally
You Will Be Jailed.

If You Cross The Chinese Border Illegally
You May Never Be Heard Again.

If You Cross The Venezuelan Border Illegally
You Will Be Branded A Spy And Your Fate Will Be Sealed.

If You Cross The Cuban Border Illegally
You Will Be Thrown Into Political Prison To Rot.

If You Enter Britain Illegally
You Will be Arrested, Prosecuted And Sent To Prison And Deported

If You Are An Indonesian AND ILLEGALLY CROSS THE MALAYSIAN BORDER

YOU GET:

MyPR (Permanent Residence / Pemastautin Tetap)
A Driving License,
Voting Rights
Job Reservation,
Special Privilege to be Consider as Bumi,
Credit Cards,
Subsidized Rent Or A Loan To Buy A House,
Free Education,
Free Health Care,
and if you are a clever dickie, you can be a Menteri Besar or even Prime Minister!

Oh Malaysia, what a great country, The Boleh Land !

Freedom of Religion is a Basic Right. Let's uphold that.

2011-10-06T13:08:00.002+08:00

Iranian Christian pastor accused of 'apostasy' must be released

Christians have faced increased persecution in Iran since the election unrest of 2009
© AP GraphicsBank
30 September 2011

Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities to release a Christian pastor at risk of execution for “apostasy” for refusing to renounce his religion.

Yousef Nadarkhani, whose trial ended yesterday, is facing a possible death sentence if convicted, despite the fact that “apostasy” is not criminalized in Iranian law.

His lawyer told Amnesty International he is expecting a verdict within a week. Nadarkhani would have the right to appeal against any conviction and sentence to the Supreme Court.

"It is shocking that the Iranian authorities would even consider killing a man simply for exercising his right to choose a religion other than Islam," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran’s Supreme Court, in a earlier ruling on Yousef Nadarkhani case, said religious edicts (fatwas) by senior clerics could be used as the basis for a conviction, despite the fact that Iranian law is silent on “apostasy”.
Nadarkhani's lawyer submitted three edicts from senior clerics in his client's defence. Two seen by by Amnesty International cast doubt on even the religious validity of the idea that someone could be executed for wanting to change his or her faith.

"Yousef Nadarkhani is being held solely on the basis of his religious beliefs. He is a prisoner of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

Naderkhani, born to Muslim parents in the northern Iranian town of Rasht, was arrested on 13 October 2009.

He turned to Christianity at the age of 19, becoming a member of the Only Jesus Church, before being ordained as a pastor in Rasht. He says he was never a practising Muslim.

His arrest may have been linked to the fact that he protested against his child being given mandatory lessons on Islam in school.

Naderkhani refused to recant his beliefs during his four-day trial this week, reportedly telling the judge: "I am resolute in my faith and Christianity and have no wish to recant."

A session on Wednesday was Naderkhani's final opportunity to save himself from execution by renouncing his Christian faith.

The pastor's lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, hopes the court will acquit Naderkhani of the charges. Dadkhah, a prominent defence lawyer, is himself facing a nine-year prison term and a fine for his human rights activities.

"Yousef Nadarkhani is one of many lawyers, students, human rights activists, protesters, other dissidents and members of religious and ethnic minorities who are persecuted by the Iranian authorities for expressing opinions or beliefs which diverge from official viewpoints," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

"Freedom of expression and belief are guaranteed under international human rights treaties that Iran has ratified. All prisoners of conscience held for their beliefs, including those from the Christian, Baha’i and dervish communities, must be freed."

Christians have faced increased persecution in Iran since the disputed presidential election of 2009. Senior officials – including the Supreme Leader - have repeatedly made statements about the need to combat “false beliefs”, believed to refer to evangelical Christianity, Baha’ism and Sufism.

Farshid Fathi, a 33-year-old Christian, has reportedly been held at Tehran's Evin Prison - apparently without charge, trial or access to a lawyer - since he was seized by police at his home in September 2010.

Earlier this month, an appeal court upheld a one-year prison sentence imposed on six members of the Church of Iran. They had been convicted in April 2011 of "propaganda against the state", reportedly for proselytizing.

P LEASE SEND APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info_leader@leader.ir
Twitter: "Call on #Iran leader @khamenei_ir to release Yousef Nadarkhani and to allow for individuals to be able to practice the religion of their choice freely.” Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
[care of] Public relations Office
Number 4, 2 Azizi Street
Vali Asr Ave., above Pasteur Street intersection
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject line: FAO Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani)
Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:
Head of Hamedan Judiciary
Sayed Nasratollah Etemad
Dadgostari Koll-e Hamedan,
Bu Ali Ave.,
Hamedan
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: rayaneh_dad@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2011 Amnesty International Malaysia, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you registered as member of Amnesty International Malaysia.
Our mailing address is:

Amnesty International Malaysia

A-3-3A, 8 Avenue, Jalan Sungai Jernih 8/1, Seksyen 8

Petaling Jaya, Selangor 46050

A...uh...Sheep Dog?

2011-10-06T11:56:00.001+08:00

Nice one kiddo!
---
Years ago, when our daughters were very young, we'd drop them off at our church's children's chapel on Sundays before the eleven o'clock service.

One Sunday, just as I was about to open the door to the small chapel, the minister came rushing up in full vestments. He said he had an emergency and asked if I'd speak to the children at their story time. He said the subject was the Twenty-third Psalm.

But just as I was about to get up from the back row and talk about the good shepherd, the minister burst into the room and signaled to me that he would be able to do the story time after all.

He told the children about sheep, that they weren't smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd's job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.

He pointed to the little children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance.

Then the minister put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, "If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?" He was pretty obviously indicating himself.

A silence of a few seconds followed. Then a young visitor said, " Jesus, Jesus is the shepherd."
The young minister, obviously caught by surprise, said to the boy, "Well, then, who am I?"

The little boy frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug,
"I guess you must be a sheep dog."

GE13: Know your voting rights!

2011-09-12T09:52:00.000+08:00

Dear friends,

To help you enforce your rights as a voter, Tindak Malaysia has come up with the below to ensure compliance to the Election Laws so that you are not misinformed and the information you know will give you the confidence to stand up for yourself (at least).

So, please take the time to read and safe this mail for the time when you need to print out the section relevant to bring along with you.

Please forward this to as many people as possible.

For free and fair election,
Jasmine

Tindak Malaysia does NOT advise voters to bring erasers along...

If for some reason you see some pencil marks of numbers or markings on the front or back of the Ballot Paper or Kertas Undi other than your own mark, do NOT erase.

Just ask for another Kertas Undi to exchange for the rejected Kertas Undi.

Make sure your rejected Kertas Undi is stamped “BATAL” (cancelled) by the Ketua Tempat Mengundi (“KTM”) {Presiding Officer}.

If the SPR uses special chemically-treated Kertas Undi, rubbing/erasing can cause smudges to the Kertas Undi, thereby renders your Kertas Undi spoilt, causing it to be rejected.

If the KTM refuses to give you a fresh Kertas Undi –– show him the relevant Law & Regulation –– READ below on how to handle this...

Tips on HOW to protect your vote and the role you can play

The Crucial GE 13... Your Vote is Priceless...

1. Barung (Booth):

As you enter the school, you approach a verification centre known as the Barung (Booth). They will verify that you are a voter in that school and the Barung Clerk will issue you a Slip directing you to the correct polling station (or classroom). This slip has a reference number known as “Bil” (Bilangan or number) at the top corner written by the Barung Clerk.

2. Kerani 1:

As soon as you enter the polling station, you approach Kerani 1 and pass her your Barung Slip, who will check your identity against your Mykad. She will read out your Bil and locate your Name in the SPR Electoral Roll. She will then read out your NRIC number and name from your MyKad (and not from the Electoral Roll). Once verification is made and there are no objections from the PACAs (Polling Agents and Counting Agents), Kerani 1 will pass your MYkad to Kerani 2.

3. Kerani 2:

Here, Kerani 2 will proceed to tear a serialised Ballot Paper (Kertas Undi) from the top of the Ballot Paper Booklet. This procedure will enable your name to be matched to the serial number. Doing so violates the following Election Laws and Regulations:

ELECTIONS ACT 1958 ELECTIONS (CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS) REGULATIONS 1981 CONTESTED ELECTIONS

19. Manner of voting

and, because the SPR staff are bound by their Oath of Secrecy, they also violate:

Election Offences Act 1954, Part II ELECTORAL OFFENCES

5. Maintenance of secrecy at elections,

6. Offences against this Part.

See Appendix below for full details.

You are entitled, under Election Law, in order to protect the secrecy of your vote, to ask for a different Kertas Undi, i.e. from a different page of the same book. Stop the clerk and say: “Encik/Puan, saya minta Kertas Undi dari bawah.” (If they object, show them the APPENDIX that you have brought along. At this point in time, the PACA will also step in to support you.)

Once the issue of the ballot paper is randomized, the secrecy of your vote is assured. (Make sure that Kerani 2 does not try to record your voter Bil on the counterfoil). You will have helped the next voter also as the whole sequence is randomized and cannot be traced) Kerani 2 will hand the Kertas Undi to the next officer, Kerani 3.

4. Kerani 3:

Kerani 3 will use a embossing tool to perforate the ballot paper at the lower left hand corner. Then see that it is folded into half before she hands it to you. Examine the ballot paper to ensure it is clean (free of smudges or writing), perforated properly and has a serial numbrt on the top left hand corner. If any of the 3 conditions are not met, immediately demand for a replacement ballot. Once satisfied, you now proceed to the voting booth.

5. Voting Booth:

Inside the voting booth, mark with an X in the right hand box corresponding to the candidate of your choice. Fold the paper neatly and drop it in the appropriate box (there will be separate boxes for State and Parliament constituencies).

You can read more here: http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/showthread.php/3794-SPR-How-to-protect-the-secrecy-of-your-vote?p=10856#post10856.

Better still, attend our regular Polling Agent, Counting Agent or a Booth Agent (“PACABA”) Training conducted every Saturday at MBPJ 1^st Floor, Bilik Bunga Mawar.

Check here for the schedules: https://sites.google.com/site/pacabatraining/

Dear friends,

Remember that the conduct of free and fair elections is not just the responsibility of the SPR (and whoever can trust them to be free and fair), but the responsibility of every voter.

Two other important things that you can do, irrespective of your political inclinations:

1. Get everyone who has not registered as a voter to register immediately. You can do this at any post office. It’s a simple 5 minutes procedure. If necessary, drive the person there and make it happen. Or refer to the FAQ here: http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/showthread.php/1629-Voter-Registration-FAQ or contact the Assistant Voter Registration Officers (ARO) for help. They are based in Selangor and are nice, lovely people:

Jasmine Ng ; jasmineng@dosomethingepic.net; –– 016-3177788

Syed Harun ; syedsyedharun@gmail.com; –– 016-9786641

2. Volunteer to be a Polling Agent, Counting Agent or a Booth Agent (“PACABA”) for whichever party that you choose to support. Tindak Malaysia is spearheading this training for anyone so that we can ensure that on election day, the process is as fair as humanly possible.

Come for the PACABA training conducted free so that you know why and how... https://sites.google.com/site/pacabatraining/

Please my friends, take the GE13 seriously because the destiny of Malaysia is in your hands.

You hold the authority to decide on who will hold the reins of power in Putrajaya.

Your vote is even more imperative, if the rumours that many Permanent Residents (“PRs”) and Illegal Immigrants have suddenly been given citizenship and the right to vote.

Whether or not that is true, your vote is priceless.

Remember that on election day, in fact after Parliament is dissolved for new elections, there are no opposition parties/ ruling parties anymore. After Parliament is dissolved, there is only a caretaker government, and BN is no longer in power.

So please do not refer to Pakatan Rakyat (“PR”) as an opposition party, or BN as the ruling party anymore from thence. It’s a mindset that has to change, so that we do not relate certain parties being the opposition, even before election day.

"Thoughts have a way of becoming Reality."

Thanks for your attention, and please do send this mail out.

The power is internet and networking is here to be used for good.

APPENDIX: Print this out and bring along to the polling station in case of dispute.

ELECTIONS ACT 1958 ELECTIONS (CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS) REGULATIONS 1981 CONTESTED ELECTIONS

19. Manner of Voting

(1) Each voter shall be given one ballot paper and shall be entitled to one vote.

(2) As each voter applies for a ballot paper, the number and name of the voter as stated, in the electoral roll shall be called out and a mark, without indicating in any way the particular ballot paper to be issued to him, shall be placed in the roll against the number of the voter to denote that he has been issued with a ballot paper.

(3) The ballot paper shall be perforated or stamped with the official mark or initialed by the presiding officer on the margin of the ballot paper and the ballot paper shall then be issued to the voter by the presiding officer or a person acting under his authority.

Election Offences Act 1954, Part II Section 5 –– Maintenance of Secrecy at Elections

(1) Every officer, clerk, interpreter, candidate, agent and any other person (hereinafter in this section referred to as an “authorized person”) authorized to attend any proceedings connected with the issue or receipt of postal ballot papers, or at a polling station, or at the counting of the votes, shall, before so attending make an oath of secrecy substantially in Form A in the First Schedule.

(2) Every officer, clerk, interpreter, candidate, agent and authorized person in attendance at a polling station shall maintain, and aid in maintaining, the secrecy of the voting in such station, and shall not communicate, except for some purpose authorized by law, before the poll is closed, to any person any information as to the name or number on the register of electors of any elector who has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at that station, or as to the official mark, but the total number of voters who have voted at any station at any time before the poll is closed may, in the discretion of the presiding officer, be divulged to a candidate or his agent or a police officer authorized to attend or on duty at the polling station.

(3) No such officer, clerk, interpreter, candidate, agent, police officer or authorized person and no person whosoever shall attempt to obtain in the polling station information as to the candidate for whom any voter in such station is about to vote or has voted, or communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the candidate for whom any voter in such station is about to vote or has voted, or as to the number of the ballot paper given to any voter at such station.

(4) Every officer, clerk, interpreter, candidate, agent, police officer and authorized person, in attendance at the counting of the votes shall maintain, and aid in maintaining, the secrecy of the voting, and shall not attempt to communicate any information obtained at such counting as to the candidate for whom any vote is given by any particular ballot paper.

(5) No person except a presiding officer acting for a purpose authorized by any written law relating to any election or a person authorized by the presiding officer and acting for such purpose as aforesaid, shall communicate or attempt to communicate with any voter after such voter has received a ballot paper and before he has placed the same in a ballot box.

(6) Every person attending any proceedings in connection with the issue or the receipt of ballot papers for persons voting by post shall maintain and aid in maintaining, the secrecy of the voting and shall not without lawful excuse ––

(a) communicate, before the poll is closed, to any person any information obtained at those proceedings as to any official perforation, stamp or mark to be used in connection with any ballot paper;

(b) communicate to any person at any time any information obtained at those proceedings as to the number of the ballot paper sent to any person;

(c) attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of ballot papers the number on any ballot paper; or

(d) attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of the ballot papers the candidate for whom any vote is given in any particular ballot paper or communicate any information with respect thereto obtained at those proceedings.

(7) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding three thousand ringgit or to both such imprisonment and fine.

Election Offences Act 1954, Part II Section 6 –– Offences against this Part

(1) Every person who abets the commission of or attempts to commit an offence specified in this Part shall be liable, on conviction, to the punishment and disqualifications prescribed for that offence.

(2) Every offence under this Part shall be a seizable offence within the meaning of the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593].

(3) In a prosecution for an offence in relation to a nomination paper, ballot box, ballot paper or marking instrument at an election, the property in such nomination paper, ballot box, ballot paper or marking instrument, as well as the property in the counterfoil of any ballot paper, may be stated to be in the returning officer at that election.

(4) A prosecution for an offence under this Part shall not be instituted without the sanction of the Public Prosecutor.

Note: Section 6 (4) is a fall-back protection for the SPR staff as no prosecution can be conducted without the sanction of the Public Prosecutor.

That is why sometimes a corrupt SPR Officer will dare to act with impunity, knowing that the system will not allow him to fall.

That is provided there is no change in the Ruling Party.

--
Regards,
pywong
Mobile: +6012-214 9322
Skypeid: pywong1950
http://tindakmalaysia.com
Facebook: Malaysians4Change

Save Malaysia for Our Children!

(I cannot bear to face my children if they ask me in future:
Why didn't you do something when you had the chance?)

AHMAD ZADID HAMIDI @ "HOLE IN THE RECTUM"

2011-09-05T22:14:00.002+08:00

Here is the truth of 54 years of Independence, and how the non Malays were treated because of their race and religion though they were the most highly educated class of people.
Tell me, what is wrong with this country!!! ONE MALAYSIA? My FOOT!

My salute to you Major Swam (rtd).

AHMAD ZADID HAMIDI @ "HOLE IN THE RECTUM" - A Good One, Must Read Carefully!!!!

Hi there folks - I salute the Major who wrote this. It's about time the public should know who has been more patriotic than as claimed by the so called Defence Minister from you know where. How a person of his calibre can be given such an important ministry. If he wants to know how patriotic an ethnic Chinese Malaysian had been let me take him back to l941 when the Japanese was coming down our Country from the North East and I was a scout of the 4th Selangor troop at about age 13 carrying messages from the Chinese Assembly Hall to the old Chartered Bank at the Secretariat while iup in the sky a dog fight was going on between the Brisitsh Baffalo fighter and a Japanese plane. Probably our Minister was running around in his diapers then. Hence don't run us Non Malays down as many of us have done our part for the country. It's sad we have such racist Ministers running the country. Do read through what Major(Rtd) D. Swam has taken his precious time to put them on paper. I am sure many of us do know the part we all played for the well being of oiur beloved Country. We did a lot too during the Confrontation. Cheers.

Let it be known to all. The dirty game they play and we can tolerate no more!

M'sia Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Friday, November 12, 2010

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is a "hole in the rectum"....and I am being extremely polite, for his statement that "non-Malays shun a military career because they lacked patriotism". His sense of history and the contributions of the Chinese, Indians and our brothers from East Malaysia towards the sovereignty of Malaysia is being actively abrogated by him. That is a racist and bigoted view, pure and simple. Go here to look at the winners of valour awards, not including those who had laid down their lives, are maimed, not forgetting the Non Malay Police Officers. Use the drop down menu in the archives on the top right column.

Guess when the Chinese and Indians were bleeding and dying for this nation, he might just have been a "dirty glint in his father's eyes" or just "swimming in his father's cojones". I will not allow my emotions get to me by being vulgar talking about our Defence Minister who cannot construct a decent sentence in English, I will not dwell on that.

I am not insulting this dull fellow, just so that this dimwitted, crass and shallow minded individual needs some input, who was the first Malaysian to be awarded the "Pingat Gagah Berani"? He was a Chinese! Sergeant Chong Yong Chin PGB of the First Federation Regiment, dey Zahid I guess you did not know that. Insults have to be politely reciprocated with civility, I am doing just that.

Did you not know who was the first recipient of the "Pingat Gagah Berani" in the Congo? Hey you dingaling , that person too was a Chinese, Lt Lee Ah Pow PGB , read about how shoddily he was treated too! There was another young Chinese Officer, Lt David Fu Chee Meng, who too was awarded the PGB at the Battle of Tanah Hitam.

So those guys were not patriotic enough for you? Here is my favourite, someone I know personally, Sergeant Choo Woh Soon PGB, my wife's uncle. The short guy in the centre is Sergeant Choo Woh Soon PGB. This guy, patriotic enough for you? How about this Indian Officer and Chinese soldier dying together to save your sorry butt from the Commies? ,Captain Shanmuganathan PGB and 207770 Ranger Mat Isa bin Hassan PGB, do not be deceived by the name Mat Isa, he was a Chinese.

How about this Indian Officer who laid down his life at the "ripe old age of 24"? Captain Mohana Chandran al Velayuthan (200402) Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa . Not patriotic enough for you? How about this where a sorry excuse, for an officer, caused the death of 13 Italian airmen in the Congo, Malaysia's name had to be salvaged in this incident by 2Lt N.H. Siebel PGB and Captain Maurice Lam PGB, notice their names, they were Non Malays. How about the time in Bosnia where soldiers desecrated a Catholic Cross, again the situation was salvaged by the Non Malays. For posterity I have another link here. I will not even talk about the vandalising of the Hoba Meteorite in Namibia. Okay continuing some more, here is another Indian who got the PGB, 2Lt Panir Chellvum al Velaithan PGB. Still not patriotic enough for you?

Here is another Indian, who after serving a total of 29 years in both the Police Force and the Army is denied his pension. The reason being he did not attend the weapons course and tactics course. What weapons and tactics course, when he and his men wiped out the remnants of the enemy in Selangor, what would his unshaved instructors teach him? Read about him, Captain Courageous aka Mukhtiar Singh s/o Sodagar Singh. In any other Army in the world today, they would have cited him for courage and piled honours on him without any questions asked, unfortunately he is an Indian in Malaysia, get that Zahid?

Here is a picture of an all Chinese group of Kinta Valley Homeguards who fought the Malayan Communist Party.

More pictures hereThe problem with people like Zahid Hamidi is he does not know about people like these Chinese and Indians who were willing to die for Malaysia unconditionally, they only wanted to be treated fairly. The cunotice the minorities were significant in numbers in the forces when Malaysia was in danger, from the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the Emergency, Confrontation and the subsequent Emergency until the cessation of hostilities by the MCP.

Remember the Communist Party of Malaya, did not surrender. It was a treaty for the cessation of hostilities. Freeing our Great Leader to push his agenda of Ketuanan Melayu, subsequently his achievements were these , he could not do it when the MCP was on the warpath as it would increase their numbers. Zahid being an ardent fan of this old goat, is still playing to the gallery.

Soldiers who have served, the Non Malays know what it is to be discriminated against, because of their race and religion. Even the Bumiputras of Sabah and Sarawak are discriminated against, as most of them are Christians. While at this, being an ex- soldier and all, I have seen many East Malaysian Officers serving in combat units, why did not any one of them make it to General? Not good enough? Look at how brave, loyal and patriotic they are. Go to the archives. After seeing the results of the Sibu "buy elections", where the BN lost, I guess they saw the writing on the wall and recently promoted an Iban Officer to become the first Iban who made it to General, Stephen Mundaw, in September this year. Anyway that is peanuts, East Malaysians should demand and expect at least a 4 star General from amongst the Ibans, whose bodies have been littered across the battle fields in Malaysia. Their courage and ferocity in battle is unmatched.

After having served many years and plodding along, being bypassed by juniors and incompetents. There so many grievances, not enough space to write at one go, is it not heart wrenching? Even your children, who are brilliant are discriminated by virtue of race and religion, you expect patriotism to burn brightly in the hearts of the Non Malays? Treat everyone equally on a level playing field, you will not need to ask for the Non Malays to defend this country, the numbers would be so huge that you would have to send most of them back.

In the military the Non Malay is ridden like a horse, for the greater benefit of the majority. No rewards, when it comes to promotions and benefits, they forget you. You know that old race horse, it runs until it drops dead or put out to pasture. Most Non Malays make it to the rank of Major, I am sure you have heard this before, about the "infamous glass ceiling". That is the rank you have to be happy with. You are not promoted on merit, I know of guys who can barely speak English, but become Generals. During my time all the courses were in English. Ask the ex and serving Non Malays, not forgetting the subtle hints to convert. They do not even respect your faith by suggesting that, they look down on you. Relgious and racial discrimination go hand in hand together. I have also had the privilege of seeing a General's knees tremble, when he stepped out of my Infantry Fighting Vehicle, as I helped him down, this was after an exchange of fire. I was the escort commander and he was riding in my IFV in Somalia.A hundred Non Malays would without hesitation and asking questions, charge a hill of 10,000 enemy, if you treated them and their offspring, as Malaysians and not as Dhimmis and second class citizens to defend their country, Malaysia.
rrent situation is like "some people are more equal than others". People like him are WIND BAGS, full of foul air and all empty talk. If you

I could continue shellacking Ahmad Zaid until the cows come home, it is us who are to be blamed. He is the MP for Bagan Datuk, those of us who continue supporting MCA and the MIC, are actually getting him elected year in, year out. Your votes have made him arrogant. If you notice his majority is actually shrinking. So the strongest message for that dimwit, would be to boot this racist UMNO supremacist out of Parliament in the next general elections. Never forget. Of course all of you out there can post your comments, feel free to use this post.

Posted by Major (Rtd) D.Swam

*****Please help to spread the message if you wish to see changes for a better Malaysia. Forward to everyone in your email contacts list, asking them to send out via their email list too, so that more people will come out to vote wisely in the 13th General Election for the sake of your present and future generations.

Open And Shut Case By Mariam Mokhtar...

2011-09-05T22:11:00.000+08:00

During the Raya celebrations at his home in Pekan, the Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak, encouraged us to hold open houses and receive guests irrespective of race and religion to foster national unity based on '1Malaysia '. He said that an open house would be more meaningful if “we also open our hearts to our guests”.

The PM should also include an open mind. A willingness to listen to other people's opinions should promote greater understanding and harmony.

If only Najib was aware of the level of intolerance some Malays have for non-Malays and non-Muslims. I don't expect him to know what happens at the ground level and I doubt if his advisers and close associates tell him the truth.
Fewer Malays visit non-Malay open houses for the various festivals. The issue is not just with food. Some object to visiting places where there is a shrine. A few refuse to eat off crockery and cutlery that has 'touched' pork. Others worry about the content of the soap with which to wash their hands. Many Malays are oblivious to how their non-Malay colleagues go out of their way to accommodate Malay sensitivities. Sometimes, even the best efforts are in vain.
When it comes to pot-luck or giving food as presents, non-Malays express frustration that their contributions are refused, even if the non-Malay took great pains to ensure the use of halal ingredients. Rejection of their unappreciated and wasted efforts, is hard to accept.
Official functions are also dominated by Malay intolerance. Recently, the Malay organisers of a parent-teacher association dinner at a school in Malacca arranged for a restaurant which had the 'Halal' accreditation, to cater the function. It would have been a halal Chinese dinner. Unfortunately, the arrangement was cancelled as a few of the Malay parents and teachers objected, because the restaurant owner and his staff were Chinese.

Earlier in the week, Najib told us to fight extremism. By his definition, I am probably an extremist. We can't deny that each one of us harbours some extremist or radical beliefs, even racist views. The difference is that we do not use these to subjugate others.

When Najib says that extremist groups or individuals reject the '1Malaysia' concept, he is wrong. Many of us embraced what he calls '1Malaysia', at school, home and work, long before this slogan was engineered. True Malaysians don't require a sound bite to live in a multicultural society.

I am appalled by the aggression of some Malays who show a shocking intolerance towards non-Malays and non-Muslims just so they can retain their 30% bumiputera quota, university admission quotas and other perceived 'special rights'. Some individuals have even accused the Chinese of being 'too greedy' and 'controlling the Malaysian economy'.
Increasing slurs go unchecked
The increasing racial slurs from the Malays go unchecked. It has little to do with maintaining racial interest but more to do with safeguarding personal interests.

Najib may defend his '1Malaysia' concept, claiming that it had not failed but was merely “work in progress”. He said it needed the help of all segments of society before it could be realised.
Is he aware that in our schools, racial interaction is limited? Malay teachers actively discourage Malays from mixing with or even sharing their food with the 'kafirs' - the non-Malays. Parents are reluctant to report racist teachers because children will be victimised.

How can Najib excuse the terrible religious intolerance of the holier-than-thou Muslims who have no qualms about disrespecting people of other faiths? When they fall short of rational arguments, Malays tend to fall back on religion and then claim that they cannot compromise on their beliefs.
Thus, it is extremists like Ibrahim Ali (right) and Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who succeed in making Malays indolent and lose their competitive edge.

If ' 1Malaysia ' is working; why has Najib failed to entice overseas Malaysians home? The non-Malays are worried about the future of their children. They lament the lack of equal educational opportunities. Overseas Malays resent the patronising extremists' tone. They prefer to be acknowledged for their hard work and not through being sycophants or because they are entitled to grab.
If the collective cabinet responsibility is to adopt Najib's ' 1Malaysia ', then why are some members of his cabinet excluded? Why are the extremists, who force their feelings onto others, not silenced?
BN's policies have only stifled growth, stunted creativity and slowed productivity. Malays who are swayed by the voices of extremism do not attempt to make a better life for themselves or their kids. Why should they take personal responsibility when they can depend on the state?
Debilitating effect
It is like the RM15 million slush fund to help Muslim single mothers and divorced wives who fail to receive maintenance from their ex-husbands. It may help the women in the short term but its debilitating effect is to make the man irresponsible because he knows the state will pick up his responsibilities.

So why should right-minded Malaysians approve of a horde of people who contribute little to society yet believe it owes them a living? What kind of future does any child have whose parents believe that the world owes them a living, rather than working to earn a decent living?

Malays are entitled to substantial discounts for house purchases, university places, scholarships and public sector jobs. '1Malaysia ' means nothing if privileges are reserved only for the Malays.
The system the extremists espouse isn't working. Why should good-for-nothing scroungers deserve anything which they did not work to achieve, never have to take responsibility for and don’t have to live by the rules, the rest of us do ?

Like many concerned Malaysians, I do not support a theory which compromises my values, integrity and conscience. Najib's message to the Malays should be to embrace change, and open their minds.
Furthermore, why should we refrain from sensitive issues? A reasonable and intelligent dialogue helps create a bedrock of trust and understanding. Bottling things up is dangerous. Forget about the open heart, it is our minds that should be opened.
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In 'real-speak', this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.

2011-08-14T23:56:00.002+08:00

Not sure how true this is, but it seems plausible... :(
-------

Just to share

Linda Chew (Malaysian) & Mike Plascow (British) are friends of mine at SIBKL church. The following is a true incident that befell Linda. It is fortunate that nothing happened to her and that the "plot" by these bastards failed to trap her, praise the Lord !!!

Lesson learned here ..... do not take things for granted in any minor accident. Do the needful like in any other major accident. Remember, take as many photos as you can with your hand phone (vehicle, driver & accident site ) after all it's digital and free. It may not seem important to you at that point in time but you never know how useful they (photos) will be one day, like in Linda's case. Please read on.

From: Mike Plascow
Date: Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 5:52 AM
Subject: Just to share

Dear Friend

This is a true story that happened to my wife – it just shows one has to be very careful these days. Also – although Malaysia is a wonderful country – how an incident like this could happen is unbelievable. Could not happen anywhere else in the world. Crime unfortunately is on the increase.

Motorbike hit Linda's car driving on the wrong side of the road outside Sri Penaga Condo in Bangsar to avoid lots of water due to heavy rain. Linda got out of the car – took photos on her handphone – few scratches on her car – nothing on the motorbike. Motorbike was coming fast down hill. Linda driving up hill with indicator flashing – turning left into Sri Penaga.

Linda went to the police station to make a report – then went to Japan on business for 7 days. Whilst she was away – motorbike rider makes a police report with a hospital report showing he had substantial back injuries ( but he never fell off the bike).

Police send Linda a letter asking her to come to the police station for further questions – as she did not answer for 48 hours ( she was overseas) – sent her a summons. I was in China so saw nothing.

Summons was to attend court – reckless driving.

She consulted the lawyer of Tokio Marine ( her insurance company) who told her this was a scam between the police sergeant, motor bike rider and the motor bike rider seeing a Chinese Woman in a two door Mercedes to make money. Fine in court was RM 10,000. Three way split between the Sergeant, Lawyer and Motor Bike Rider. Charge reckless driving. Because of Linda's no claims for years – they would defend Linda FOC.

Linda went to court – the court asked for someone to stand bail RM 5,000 with court case postponed by one month till this week. Family not allowed to put up bail. Her office GM had to go to her own bank account – withdraw her money and take cash to the court to set Linda free.

Been praying every day for a month.

Linda has just been in court for two days this week because you have to wait your turn so it takes a long time. Judge was a Malay Lady.

Linda's lawyer tore the testimony of the police sergeant and motorbike rider apart. He demonstrated they were trying to make money – Judge had no choice but to reprimand both of them in court and allow Linda to go with an apology.

The motorbike rider had obviously paid someone in a hospital to fabricate the report. The police sergeant got the time of the incident wrong – part of the road where the accident occurred wrong and the lawyer tore him apart for being unprofessional.

Lawyer took photos printed out from Linda's handphone and stuck them in front of the motorbike rider and asked him why his bike was not damaged. In his testimony he said his bike went under Linda's car and was a write off. Also said according to the hospital report he had to be off work for months. He actually never fell off the bike and there was not a scratch on it so it was all fabrication to make money and the police sergeant should have seen this straight away – not allowing it to go any further instead of wasting public money and time.

One has to be very careful these days – that’s why I shared this with you as friends.

Kind regards

Mike

Race, Religion and Nonsense

2011-07-06T06:12:00.000+08:00

Many "leaders" of today can't talk about about issues pertaining to the organization/country, so what can give them an "edge"?

Why .... the answer is simple. It's race and religion.

Race and religion are the very things that people without much substance use in order to gain attention and power. The reason is because it's something everyone can not only relate to, but feel superior/threatened, depending on how the other party uses it.

I somehow find the use of race and religion to be rather disturbing. I mean, haven't we learned anything from our history books? I have an example from history books for both race and religion.

RACE:
Remember Adolf Hitler? The SOB from Germany started WW2 with the premise of wiping out the Jews, who were flourishing and became wealthy at the expense of the original citizens of Germany. He eventually came up with the idea of a Master race and eugenics, stating the idea of the blond and blue eyed race of Caucasians are the superior race that should not be tainted (which later helped form the idea of White Supremacy). Thus Hitler and his fanatics decided to "clean up" Germany and the rest of the world of the "inferior" beings. In fact, I believe he had called the rest of the world "rats".

Fast forward to the present day, Hitler committed suicide, America the melting pot of races is the current King of the World, and we all love our mixed blooded celebrities. In fact, most of us want to hook up with a person of foreign descent just so our kids might grow up to be beautiful people.

RELIGION:
The Crusades for God's sake (pun intended). For the expansion of their own kingdom, envy at the Arabs' wealth, and the thought of Jerusalem being in the hands of "pagans", the Pope and various Kings in Europe waged a "Holy" war, and eventually lost. the 3Gs was the Key things that fueled the war.

God: The pope gave "indulgences" - Sin Discounts - to those who participated in the Holy War.
Gold: Arab = Riches = GOLD!!
Glory: Recapturing and thus saving Jerusalem from the pagans.

Fast forward to the present day, they are STILL fighting. I think Jerusalem is pretty much in shambles. The Holy City of Jews, Muslims and Christian is actually a Bloody City.

'nuff said.

Procrastination, Apologies and What not.

2011-07-03T22:41:00.000+08:00

SHOOOOOOOOOOOTTT.

I never realised how long since I last post in this blog until I posted up some stuff a few minutes ago. I just thought it was sometime I last posted stuff over here :(

Anyways, I'll try to pick up the pace here again, however I must say that I'm currently more active at Twitter. So...add me on Twitter lah~ look for Adeliyn.

Thanks! and hope to write here again soon. :)

Bar Stool Economics

2011-07-03T22:09:00.001+08:00

Got this from an email and thought it might be cool to share :)

Bar Stool Economics

A professor of economics put this together to show how our current tax system works based on each segment of our population.

~~~~~~~~

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1.

The sixth would pay $3.

The seventh would pay $7.

The eighth would pay $12.

The ninth would pay $18.

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).

The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25%savings).

The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

'I only got a dollar out of the $20,' declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'

'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I did!'

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'

'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics, University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.

For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Positively Wrong

2011-07-03T21:54:00.002+08:00

From an email~

A linguistics professor was lecturing his class.

"In English," he explained, "a double negative forms a positive. In some languages, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative."

"However," the professor continued, "there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."

A voice from the back of the room piped up. "Yeah, right."

2011-03-28T23:58:00.000+08:00

Holy Scriptures desecrated | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha
Sometimes I wonder if how does our country continue to get foreign investors when issues on competent governance crops up every now and then.

For this issue, PM Najib said it was to be released but look how blatantly his words are disregarded! Whatever happened to the hierarchy of power? and since when Home Affairs became the Islamic board?

At the end of the day, it just boils down to heart. If you are not willing, you can sit there til the cow come home, yet still nothing will be done.

Are Christians making an unnecessary fuss over the stamping of the Alkitab?

2011-03-24T11:16:00.001+08:00

Xavier Gomez said (and I agree):

the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein acknowledged that the Bibles were stamped, and insists that this was standard practice and not meant to deface the books. his statement is incorrect, untrue and misleading.

the Christian community and its representative bodies have never agreed to any wording to be endorsed on Bibles to say that it is only meant for Christians. it is an escalation, interference and subjugation of Malaysian Christians and their right to conduct religious education and worship freely.

Malaysian Christians of both Protestant and Catholic persuasions are deeply hurt and outraged at the Malaysian Home Ministry’s action of desecration of over 5,100 copies of the Al-Kitab (Bible) stamped with serial numbers, government seals and warnings that the books are meant for Christians only.

it is a violation of Article 8 and Article 11 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution and the enshrined rights of Malaysian Christians to practice their faith. this is the first time in Malaysian history that Scriptures of Christians have been deemed illegal and a security threat.

any person who respects the Holy Scriptures of any religion would be appalled by such action. The Christian community in Malaysia has always acted in good faith and with great patience to find amicable solutions without compromising their fundamental beliefs.

that good faith has not been reciprocated by the Government. “it is the government that has moved the goal posts over the years through a systematic imposition of unreasonable conditions and restrictions.” (CFM). Christians are horrified by the arrogance of the Home Ministry and its officials and the contemptuous act of defacing the Alkitab is both sacrilegos and a step towards subjugation.

such conditions that belittle Christian faith and religion and which contravene religious freedom and the federal constitution should not be allowed to become a precedent. Christianss should not be made subject to accept Muslim views on Christianity and its practice and matters of faith as normative, or link the Alkitab row to the Catholic Church’s court case on the right to use “Allah” — the Arabic word for God — in its newspaper.

the Alkitab and the “Allah” court case are separate issues; and the federal government is unauthorised to ban the Alkitab under the law. Such developments as Christianity being singled out as a threat is unacceptable, as there are no such conditions imposed on the holy books of other religions, including Islam.

the Bible detentions are not the only difficulties which churches face in resolving key religious liberty issues with government authorities. we have repeatedly encountered restrictions that ran contrary to the guarantee of religious freedom provided in the Federal Constitution.

furthermore, under the 18 Point Agreement for Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia, it is clearly stated that there is no official religion for Sarawak. therefore the detention of the Bibles at the Kuching Port is not only unconstitutional but it also violates the spirit of the agreement for Sarawak to participate in the formation of Malaysia.

it must be borne in mind then that the matter is first and foremost a matter of law. I am glad that the church in Malaysia is stirring and speaking up against what is clearly unfair and unconstitutional.

followers of Jesus Christ will never respond with violence. but we can speak up for what is true and right.Christians are called to think and act clearly, and these are times not to ‘spiritualise’ such issues, but to walk faithfully and to be unapologetically, the church.

The bible calls us to: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;defend the rights of the poor and needy.(Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV).

as Dr Soo Inn Tan had recently asked in his commentary on ‘graceworks,’ “Has the church been stirred to merely speak up for her own concerns or are we committed to being agents of the Kingdom of God, speaking up on behalf of all deprived of their basic rights? “Is the church as excited about speaking up for tribal groups who have been cheated and bullied?

how about the many refugees in the land? do we even see them?” the only reason for evil to prevail is for those who know the truth to be apathetically politically-correct. now is not the time to remain silent or play church.

I want you to take a look at: Are Christians making an unnecessary fuss over the stamping of the Alkitab? | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

Check out A day of scandalous shame for Malaysia | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

2011-03-24T11:10:00.001+08:00

I want you to take a look at: A day of scandalous shame for Malaysia | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

Straight Talk: Reader's Feedback on the Recent Sex Video

2011-03-23T22:10:00.000+08:00

Straight Talk: Reader's Feedback on the Recent Sex Video: "PKR, PR AND THE SEX VIDEO Just like the current sodomy trial, this latest Anwar sex video episode shows how polarised and close-minded peo..."

Check out I did not speak out | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

2011-03-22T19:37:00.001+08:00

I want you to take a look at: I did not speak out | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

Just wanted to share with you all, cos i found this to be especially true. We have to use our right to speak even though some component try to shut us up. Because if we don't start now, we will wake up one day and suddenly realize we cannot voice out anymore.

PLEASE USE YOUR GOD GIVEN- AND CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT TO VOICE OUT AGAINST INJUSTICES.

A collection of news articles on the Malay Bible issue.

2011-03-18T00:42:00.001+08:00

Hmm... that's just low of the government to do something of this sort no?
Seems immature to me. But what do I know? I'm only a 20-something.

Unless someone's not been weaned off fluids.

Malaysia

1. Alkitab defaced, says Bible Society

By Debra Chong

Mar 16, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) was told today that its shipment of 5,100 Malay bibles seized at Port Klang had already been stamped with the home ministry’s official seal without its prior permission.

“At 5pm today, KDN informed Bible Society of Malaysia that they had already chopped the bibles and asked Bible Society of Malaysia to come collect the bibles,” the importer said in a statement to The Malaysian Insider, calling the home ministry by its Malay initials.

“Bible Society of Malaysia is alarmed by the defacement of the Christian bible by non-Christians chopping it with words that the Christians have not accepted or agreed to,” it added.

The BSM had earlier today refused to collect its cargo of holy books that had been detained for the last two years after the home ministry imposed two conditions for their release.

The society was stunned that home ministry officials had moved to act on their own and only notified BSM after the act, and called on the ministry to immediately put a stop to it.

“As the bible is the holy book of the Christians, due respect should be given to it by consulting the relevant Christian representative organs before any external text is inserted into the bibles.

“Bible Society of Malaysia calls upon KDN to stop chopping the copies of the Alkitab detained at Port Kelang [sic],” it said in the statement issued today.

Church leaders have stressed that they cannot follow the conditions imposed by the ministry, as it would mean desecrating their own holy book.

A separate shipment of 30,000 Malay bibles worth RM78,000 imported by the Sarawak branch of global Christian group, The Gideons, was also seized at Kuching port.

The Malaysian Insider understands that its cargo has been untouched, unlike BSM’s consignment, after the Sarawak importer told the home ministry state director to wait while it consults national Christian leaders.

The Sarawak importer had said it too was refusing to collect the Alkitab for the same reasons as the BSM.

The Malaysian Insider understands Sarawak home ministry officials had earlier contacted the importer to collect their holy books and carry out the stamping on their own.

Both importers are seeking advice from national church leaders on the matter.

BSM reminded the home ministry of its previous agreement made with the Christian community and repeated in an official letter dated December 22, 2005 “that Christians are permitted to have access to their holy book in the Bahasa Malaysia language provided that the sign of the cross and the words ‘Penerbitan Kristian’ are respectfully imprinted by Christians themselves”.

The society urged the home ministry to honour that agreement.

Yesterday, the importers each received a notice from the home ministry’s Publications Control and Quranic Text Division secretary, Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad, informing them of the two conditions imposed for the release.

The first requires the importers to directly stamp on the cover of each of the 35,000 copies the following words: “Peringatan: ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ ini untuk kegunaan penganut agama Kristian sahaja. Dengan perintah Menteri Dalam Negeri.”

[In English: “Reminder: This ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ is for the use of Christians only. By order of the Home Minister.”]

The cover of the Alkitab would be stamped with the department’s official seal and dated as well.

The second condition requires the importers to stamp a serial number on each copy, as if to demarcate copies from the released shipment and to enable the book to be traced back to the port of import.

Malaysia

2. Church leaders accuse Putrajaya of religious bigotry

UPDATED @ 11:12:16 16-03-2011

By Debra Chong

Mar 16, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — Church leaders in Malaysia are alarmed over the home ministry’s latest directive for the conditional release of 35,000 Malay bibles and have refused to collect the holy books for the time being.

Hours after learning that Putrajaya had agreed to release their shipment of the Alkitab — as the Malay bibles are called locally — yesterday, the importers each received a notice from the home ministry’s Publications Control and Quranic Text Division secretary, Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad, informing them of two conditions for the release.

[In English: “Reminder: This ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ is for the use of Christians only. By order of the Home Minister.”]

The cover of the Alkitab would be stamped with the department’s official seal and dated as well.

The second condition requires the importers to stamp a serial number on each copy, as if to demarcate copies from the released shipment and to enable the book to be traced back to the port of import.

A copy of the faxed letter was made available to The Malaysian Insider.

The Malaysian Insider understands the Sarawak importer has refused to claim its cargo of 30,000 books seized from Kuching port and has notified the home ministry’s state director.

“It says it’s for ‘Christian use only’. But in Sarawak, we have family who are of all religions — Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist ... If we pass the Alkitab to our brother or sister who is not Muslim, if we do that, then it means we are in the wrong,” said a source close to the importer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We cannot deface our holy bible,” the source added.

When contacted, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) said it was seeking advice from national leaders in the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) before taking any action.

The CFM is an umbrella body that represents over 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia.

“BSM has requested CFM to study KDN 15/3 release letter which has additional conditions like marking serial no. /5100 and getting Cop Rasmi Jabatan KDN and dated,” its general secretary, Reverend Simon Wong replied in a text message.

Wong added that the society will not be making any further comments and that related queries should be directed to the CFM instead.

CFM executive secretary, Tan Kong Beng, said its executive council is holding a meeting to “review the situation” and will issue a statement once it has decided what to do.

Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) secretary-general, Dr Hermen Shastri, was outraged by the ministry’s letter and conditional release, describing it as an act of “high-handedness”.

“They are mixing up religion and policy ... It’s getting worse and worse. They are acting very high-handed. There is no more respect for other religions,” he said, and slammed Putrajaya for treating the Alkitab “like a communist book”.

“We do not accept any such conditions that belittle our religion. We are talking about the holy book here. The government has no right to impose its views of one religion on followers of another,” he told The Malaysian Insider, repeatedly.

“Who gave the order? Why do we have to put ‘Dengan perintah Menteri Dalam Negeri’ on the cover of our holy book?” he demanded, adding that the very act was a “desecration of the holy book”, which contradicted the Federal Constitution’s guarantees on freedom of religion.

“It’s as if their agenda is ‘We are telling you, you are using the Bible to convert Malays,” he said.

Shastri also slammed the de facto law minister, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, for imposing Muslim views on Christianity; and for repeatedly linking the Alkitab row to the Catholic Church’s court case on the right to use “Allah” — the Arabic word for God — in its newspaper.

The man of the cloth said the Alkitab and the “Allah” court case were separate issues; and challenged the federal government to prove the Alkitab had been banned under law.

Shastri said the ministry’s conditions showed that Christianity was “being singled out” as a threat as there were no such conditions imposed on the holy books of other religions, including Islam.

“Imagine if such conditions were imposed on the Al-Quran. I wonder how Muslims worldwide would take it?” he said and reminded the Najib administration about the incident of an American pastor who threatened to burn the Muslim holy book last year, in protest of a mosque being built near New York’s Ground Zero.

Shastri also questioned the Najib administration on its sudden move to impose the conditions requiring that the shipment bear the stamp and serial numbers.

He noted that it was the first time such an order had been given.

The home ministry had released an earlier consignment of 10,000 copies in Sarawak last Christmas Day without imposing conditions.

The Najib administration had made the order yesterday, bowing to pressure from Christian churches and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) politicians.

The Cabinet was set to discuss the issue on Friday but with the seizure of the bibles drawing protest from Christians nationwide, a majority of whom live in Sabah and Sarawak, the federal government was forced to take action ahead of Sarawak polls set to take place next month.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia, which represents 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia, has said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made a decision to release the Alkitabs but so far, the home ministry, which controls customs, has refused to hand over the bibles.

Nazri said the 30,000 copies of the Alkitab in Sarawak will be allowed into the state.

Christians, who make up close to 10 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population, use Bahasa Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak churches to preach to a multi-ethnic congregation who each have a distinctive tribal language.

But evangelical churches there, such as Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB), have crossed the South China Sea to preach to the growing number of Sarawakians and Sabahans who are settling down in the peninsula after furthering their studies or finding work here.

Yesterday, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a Sarawakian Christian, said the government had decided on the release of the Alkitab in line with a 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act which allows its limited and controlled importation and circulation on condition that the books are stamped: “For Christians Only.”

“Since 1982, with this gazette, there have been no problems in its implementation. As such, taking into account this fact, the government has decided to apply the 1982 gazette and release the bibles accordingly,” the statement said.

Jala said that after a careful and thorough review, the Attorney-General confirmed that the release of the bibles did not prejudice the ongoing court case of the “Allah” issue.

The minister also noted that the Sarawak government had categorically expressed its view that the impounded bibles should be released.

3. Port Klang's BM Bibles 'violated', decry importers

Aidila Razak
Mar 16, 11

The 5,100 Malay-language Bibles which have been impounded at Port Klang for about two years, have been stamped with a Home Ministry reminder on its front pages without the consent of the importers.
According to the importer, the Bible Society of Malaysia, the Home Ministry had stamped the Bibles with words that were different from what was agreed upon between its representatives and the ministry, as stated in a letter on Dec 22, 2005.

Also stamped onto the Bibles were areas to print serial numbers.

In a statement issued late this afternoon, the importer said that it was informed that the ministry had done so when a ministry representative called them to collect the shipment.

"At 5pm today, KDN informed Bible Society of Malaysia that they had already (stamped) the Bibles and asked Bible Society of Malaysia to come collect the Bibles," it said.

According to the society, the ministry had stamped spaces for the serial numbers into the Bibles and the words "Al Kitab Berita Baik ini untuk kegunaan penganut agama Kristian sahaja" ('This "Al Kitab Berita Baik" is only for use by Christians only.")

'We should have been consulted'

In the 2005 letter, the society added, the ministry had agreed to allow the import of Malay-language Bibles provided that the sign of the cross and the words 'Penerbitan Kristian' (Christian publication) be embossed onto the covers by the Christians themselves.

"As the Bible is the holy book of the Christians, due respect should be given to it by consulting the relevant Christian representative organs before any external text is inserted into the Bibles," said the society.

It added that it was "alarmed" by the notification and is now urging the ministry to stop stamping the Bibles with such wordings.

An urgent letter was also faxed to the Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam urging for a negotiation of the terms of the Bibles' release that will not "mencerobohi maruah (violate the dignity) of the holy books".

Putrajaya had decided to release the Bibles from impoundment yesterday, claiming that it is upholding an 1982 Internal Security Act gazette allowing the import of Malay-language Bibles.

It also claimed that the decision was made upon advice by the attorney-general, who said the Bibles would not impact the government's appeal against the ruling on the use of the word 'Allah' by Catholic publication The Herald

4. Bishop Paul denounces conditional release of BM Bible

Terence Netto
Mar 16, 11

Catholic bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing has denounced the two conditions imposed by the Home Ministry for the release of detained consignments of 'Al-Kitab' as "crass forms of censorship redolent of the communist era".
The president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, speaking to Malaysiakini in his capacity as titular head of the Malacca-Johor diocese, said the news of the government's release yesterday of the detained consignment was "welcome but the two conditions are plainly unacceptable".

The two conditions, conveyed by the Home Ministry to the importer of the copies in Kuching, were that each copy should carry a serial number and should be stamped 'For Christians Only'.

"The two conditions smack of crass forms of censorship redolent of the communist era when reading material was the monopoly of the reigning oligarchy," decried Bishop Paul.
"The two conditions are flatly unacceptable to Christians who are duty bound to bring the good news of salvation to all who want to listen.

"In Malaysia, we draw a line on this dissemination where Muslims are concerned because the law of the land prohibits proselytising among Muslims.

"In this respect, we defer to Caesar what Caesar has legislated but the two tacked on stipulations in this instance are egregious and flatly unacceptable."

Bishop's analogy

The shipment arrived at Kuching Port on Jan 11, but the consignee was advised against taking it out the following day as the copies contain the word 'Allah'.

The 30,000 copies, costing US$26,400, were printed in Indonesia for distribution to churches, schools and longhouses mostly in Betong and Saratok areas.

Bishop Paul described the two conditions as akin to releasing a prisoner who has been unjustifiably detained and then slapping him with a restricted residence order.

"After telling the prisoner that he is free, you tell him that he has to stay indoors between dusk to dawn," he said.

"You may as well put him back in prison," chided the prelate.

IMPOUNDMENT OF BM BIBLES

Bishop Paul denounces conditional release of Malay Bible
Consignee won't collect Malay Bible shipment yet Nazri: BM Bible only for East Malaysia
DAP says 'No' to serial number on Malay Bible
Bibles released: BN's interests override values
Do not confuse religion with

5. Nazri: BM Bible only for East Malaysia

Hazlan Zakaria
Mar 16, 11

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the authorities in Sarawak should not have withheld 30,000 copies of the Bible in Malay language.

Met at his office in Parliament today, Nazri said unlike West Malaysia, East Malaysia does not have state laws which bars the holy book.
Nazri, who is the de facto law minister, said that in West Malaysia, except Penang and Federal Territories, all states have laws which prohibits the use of 'Allah' and 24 other terms in any publication or printed matter that are not Islamic in nature.

Asked why the Bible in Sarawak were detained in the first place, he professed that he himself is in the dark.

"I don't know. It shouldn't have been (like this). To me la because there are no laws there in Sabah and Sarawak, no enactment. In Peninsula Malaysia cannot. Because there is an enactment," he said.

"The bibles in Sarawak shouldn't have been confiscated," he said, but stressed that the 5,100 copies of the same holy book held by customs at Port Klang were in violation of the law.

"To me if you allow the bible in port klang to be released, then what you are doing is against the law because these are Indonesian bibles and I know for sure they use the word Allah as a reference to God, which is against the enactments in the Peninsula states except for Penang and Federal Territories," argued Nazri.

Conflicting statements to be clarified Friday

Nazri clarified that his decision is not prejudiced in any way, but is in accord with his reading of the law.

"I'm not talking about what I think, I'm saying what the laws are in the states... Well you have laws and how can you go against them? These are all laws you know, it's not just a practise," he reasoned.

Nazri warned that the laws cannot be compromised nor questioned even if some in the Christian community are unhappy with it.

"You cannot use sentiments and say 'oh certain Christian groups are jittery and unhappy'. That doesn't mean you can break the law," said the minister.

He reasoned that even the federal government can't override the law, especially since this particular concerns Islam which is under the exclusive purview of the state.

"So when it comes to this, the state Islamic enactments are the laws that should govern this issue. You cannot in one instance follow the law and if it doesn't suit you, you don't follow the law," reminded Nazri.

Quiized about the recent conflicting comments by the home minister that the Bibles were not released because it may be subjudice to a pending court case and the attorney-general's dismissal of any relation between the bibles and the ongoing government appeal against the use of the word "Allah", Nazri said he was "confused" himself.

"This Friday (I'll find out during cabinet meeting). I want to know because I read the statement from (Home Minister) Hishammuddin (Hussein) saying that the bibles were not released due to a pending court case so it's subjudice.

“And then the AG made a statement saying it's not subjudice so I don't understand," said Nazri, adding that the cabinet shall meet to resolve the issue this Friday.

6. Consignee won't collect Malay Bible shipment yet

Stephen Tiong
Mar 16, 11

The consignee assigned by a church organisation to collect the 30,000 copies of the Malay-language Bible has decided not to do so, because of the two conditions imposed by the Home Ministry.

The church leaders have advised the consignee not to collect the copies for the time being, as they want further clarification from the ministry on conditions imposed for the release of the shipment.
The ministry, in deciding to release the copies now stored at its office in Kuching, had ordered that the words 'For Christians Only' and a serial number be stamped on the inside cover of each copy.

The consignee received a letter from ministry secretary-general Zaiton Abdul Samad, faxed to him at 6.26pm yesterday.

The letter directed him to collect the copies today, and stated the two conditions.

The consignee said he had sought the advice of the church leaders this morning.

“They told me not to go ahead as they wanted to seek clarification of the two conditions,” he told Malaysiakini.

“While they agree that the Bible is not for Muslims, they are of the view that non-Christians who are not Muslims can get themselves or the church into trouble if they have the Bible in their possession.

“With the restriction, we cannot share God's words with non-Christians who are not Muslims."

Missionary work 'hampered'

He said the restriction would hamper Christian missionaries in their work.

The consignee said there are thousands of non-Muslim Dayaks in rural Sarawak waiting to hear God's words from the missionaries.

“This is the point that the church leaders want the Home Ministry to explain,” he said.

The consignee said the church leaders also questioned the rationale of stamping a serial number in each copy.

“The church leaders are in the dark about this serial number,” he added.

The consignment arrived at Kuching Port on Jan 11, but the consignee was advised against taking it out the following day as the copies contain the word 'Allah'.

The 30,000 copies, costing US$26,400, were printed in Indonesia for distribution to churches, schools and longhouses mostly in Betong and Saratok areas.
Minister in the Prime Minister Department Idris Jala (left), in a statement yesterday, said the federal goverment had decided to release the copies of the Bible in line with the 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act, which allowed limited and controlled importation and circulation of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia.

He had stated that the law, in force since 1982, required such books to carry a stamp that reads 'For Christians only'.

“Since 1982, with this gazette, there have been no problems in its implementation," Idris, a Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) follower, had said.

“As such, taking into account this fact, the government has decided to apply the 1982 gazette and release the copies of the Bible accordingly.”

He had also stressed that the federal government is committed to resolving any inter-faith conflict by way of dialogue.

“This (the release of the copies) is a reasonable compromise in managing the polarities of views between Christians and Muslims in the country,” he had stated.

Two days ago, the Sarawak Ministers Fellowship had demanded the immediate release of the Bible.

Its chairperson, Daron Tan, had said that the grouping views the impoundment as another blunt violation and unconstitutional curtailment of the religious liberty of the Christians, who make up of 43 percent of Sarawak's 2.6 million population

Treat us in the way we have treated you, please.

2011-03-18T00:16:00.002+08:00

This is the Christian Federation of Malaysia's stand against the desecration of the Holy Bible.

We Christians have been in this country and although we have been frustrated time and again in Malaysia because of all these things the government have tried to do, we have not done anything to the country in bad favor.

Is this how the Malaysian Government treats its citizens?

If so, keep your 1 Malaysia slogan, because you obviously can't walk the talk.

_______________________________________________________

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

17th March 2011

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT

HOLY SCRIPTURES DESECRATED

The Christian community in Malaysia is deeply hurt that the Government has desecrated and defaced the Bible.

Initial news that the Government had agreed to release copies of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia which had been impounded in both Port Klang and Kuching was greeted with joy.

However, this joy soon turned into grief and mourning when it was discovered that the release was subject to certain conditions. Each copy has to be stamped with a serial number, the official seal of the relevant department of the Bahagian Kawalan Penerbitan Dan Teks Al-Quran, and the words “by order of the Minister of Home Affairs”.

This means that the Bahasa Malaysia Bible is now treated as a restricted item, and the Word of God has been made subject to the control of man. This is wholly offensive to Christians. Any person who respects the Holy Scriptures of any religion would be appalled by this action.

The Christian community in Malaysia has always acted in good faith and with great patience to find amicable solutions without compromising our fundamental beliefs. But that good faith has not been reciprocated by the Government. It is the Government that has moved the “goal posts” over the years through a systematic imposition of unreasonable conditions and restrictions.

We have never agreed to any wording to be endorsed on Bibles to say that it is only for Christians. The 1982 order issued under the Internal Security Act 1960 did not state that any form of words had to be endorsed on any copy of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia.

The latest letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 15 March 2011 is therefore a set of new conditions imposed on the release of the impounded Bibles which is wholly unacceptable to us. We will never accede to any desecration of the Bible since the Word of God to us is sacred.

We also wholly reject the Government’s contention that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia is prejudicial to the national interest and security of Malaysia, and treated as a subversive publication.

As Christians we wonder how our Holy Scriptures can become a national security threat where countless number of us find it helpful in bringing hope and healing to broken lives and homes which we can testify to. Besides it commands us to be better citizens of our beloved nation.

We therefore insist that the Government withdraw the conditions imposed on the release of the Bibles impounded in Port Klang and Kuching. Given that copies may already have been endorsed, we will NOT take delivery of those endorsed copies.

We call on all Malaysians, from Semenanjung and in Sabah and Sarawak, and from all walks of life, to come together in unity to reject any attempt to restrict the freedom of religion in our beloved country.

We invite all Christians in Malaysia to remain calm and to continue to pray for a dignified and respectful resolution of this issue. As Sunday 20 March 2011 marks the 2nd anniversary of the impounding of the Bibles at Port Klang, we call on all those in Malaysia and elsewhere to dedicate themselves to a day of prayer and quiet reflection.

Yours sincerely,

Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia

A clarion call to the Christians in Malaysia

2011-03-15T18:27:00.002+08:00

From an email

Enough is enough! The usually docile, meek and temperate Christian community in Malaysia has had enough, and has exploded in anger over what they perceive as their human, civil and constitutional rights being denied and rendered illusory, with the latest seizure of 30,000 Malay Bibles from the Kuching Port in Sarawak.

Several such incidents over the last few years are nothing less than an assault on their God-given rights to worship, and to practice and propagate their faith in their own national language, without any legal restriction or political oppression.

There should no place for such evil bigotry and discrimination towards any religious belief in our country which is founded on the fundamental human right basis of freedom to worship and to practice and propagate one’s faith without hindrance, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Article 8 of the Federal Constitution states that “All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law”, and “there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in any law ….”.

Article 11 provides for every person to have “the right to profess and practice his religion”, and that every religious group has the right (a) to manage its own religious affairs, (b) to establish and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes, and (c) to acquire and own property and hold and administer it in accordance with the law.

The refusal to allow the Christians in the country to use certain Bahasa Malaysia words in their publications is a direct infringement of their constitutional right to freedom of religious worship and practice. As patriotic citizens of the nation, the Christians in Malaysia should automatically have total access to use the complete vocabulary of the national language. There is no such thing as the monopoly of certain words by any particular group.

The seizure of the Malay Bibles on the contention that they contain several Bahasa Malaysia words deemed incongruous for use by the Christians is an infraction of their constitutional rights as legitimate loyal citizens, and a direct transgression of the universal human right provisions of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on 10 December 1948.

It is definitely wrong, unconstitutional, even immoral, when a certain section of the citizenry is denied and deprived of their human and constitutional rights based on the unilateral action of some bias and racist extremist civil servants.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), an umbrella body that represents over 90% of churches in the country, is surely justified in publicly challenging the Barisan Nasional federal government to explain the latest seizure of the Malay Bibles at the Kuching Port, and questioning its sincerity and integrity in dealing with the fiasco and other similar related issues over the last few years.

What then should the Christians in Malaysia do in the face of such an oppressive political tyranny, in which their freedom to practice their faith is being undermined?

First of all, as Christians, we believe in the power of divine intervention, so we must unite in unceasing prayer before the throne of grace to seek God’s help. A nationwide non-stop prayer vigil should be organized by the various churches to pray for the nation and its leaders. Individual Christians on their own should also set aside a day each week to fast and pray.

Secondly, the Christians must be united in their stand to defend their human and constitutional rights, to curb and prevent any breach or dilution of such fundamental rights. They should give steadfast and strong support to the CFM and church leaders in their negotiation with the authorities on the matter. At the same time, the CFM and its leadership should be resolute and unwavering in their stand, without fear or favour. Those who are afraid and not willing to risk the prospect of being detained for standing up should step down from the leadership positions.

Thirdly, the churches should start holding talks and forums to inform and educate their members on the issues affecting them. Pastors should preach and teach on biblical subjects such as Christian responsibility in society. For too long, the Christians, including the pastors and church leaders, have been basking in their comfort zone within the four walls of their churches, with nary a concern about their rights being eroded or tramped on. The time has come for the Christians to emerge from their spiritual slumber to play a more vocal and visible role as loyal citizens of the nation. They should mobilize themselves to campaign and vote for those who are righteous, just, honest, fair, humble, competent, and incorruptible to serve as their representatives in Parliament and the various state assemblies.

Finally, Christians who are qualified and willing to serve the nation in the socio-political arena should offer themselves as candidates for election to Parliament and the various state assemblies. We need Joseph who became the prime minister of Egypt and saved the country from famine and economic disaster, Moses who fought for the liberation of those oppressed slaves of Egypt, Daniel who stood firm for his faith in the face of religious persecution, David who served as King and unified the nation, Nehemiah who served as a high government official and used his position to help rebuilt Jerusalem, John the Baptist who was beheaded for exposing and condemning the immorality of Herod, and the apostle Paul who exercised his citizenship rights to stand up for his faith. Of course, the prime example is the Lord Jesus who challenged and spoke out against the hypocritical Jewish religious leaders and the oppressive Roman political authorities, and was crucified.

The clarion call to the Christians in Malaysia today is to join with all other Malaysians of like vision and mission to partcipate in an active national service to bring about the transformation of the nation to a new and better Malaysia.

Liberal Headlines: Just for Laughs

2011-03-03T00:14:00.000+08:00

From Crosswalk
Liberal Headlines

If Biblical Headlines were written by
Today's Liberal Media

On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed

On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock

On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed

On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple

On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior

On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy

On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost

On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed

DNA suggests China Chinese originated from Southeast Asia

2011-03-03T00:05:00.000+08:00

Honestly I don't give a damn where we come from, cos at the end of the day if we can't see each other as human beings worthy in everyone's eyes,
it does not change a damn thing.

DNA suggests China Chinese originated from Southeast Asia

Azan Controversy

2011-01-29T20:59:00.000+08:00

I just watched the news and this one guy (couldn't catch his name) was talking about racial tolerance, how beautiful the chiming of the church bells and the ringing of bells for the Hindu prayers, therefore, he reasons, the complaints about the Azan in the wee hours in the morning was uncalled for.

I cannot agree with that statement, simply because, the issue here isn't about the Azan at all! It's about the sound level!

Whether they like it or not, the mosques are generally situated in residential areas, therefore it's only fair that they do not use such high decibels, especially in 5.30 to 7.00 in the morning, as most people are still in bed.

Another thing I have to say is, shouldn't be the Muslims be more responsible in their own prayer lives? Not meaning to offend, but if the Muslims are not willing to wake up at that time to do their prayers, why should the mosque try to wake them up? All I ask is that the decibels be lowered down enough for interested parties who are awake to hear it, instead of jolting everyone up from their beds.

I also find it ridiculous that the Azan is played at such high volumes that it disrupts sleep, regardless of creed or color. Plus, unlike the church/Hindu prayer bells ringing which lasts less than a minute, the Azan goes on for AT LEAST a minute, and in some ~~disrespectful~~ places, the azan on loudspeakers are continued by the morning prayers, lasting over ten minutes. This is a personal experience as I once lived near such a mosque and had to complain to the bilal there several times. Several times because after a short while of lower decibels, it comes back with a vengeance.

If this was about the other religions and there were complaints about the sound levels, I would be saying the same thing as well. The problem is, the other religions rarely do this kind of things, and if they do, it is because of an annual celebration, which to me, we should turn a blind eye to since it's not on a regular basis.

Last thing, religion cannot be forced down the throats. If they want to, they will find a way to a way to do something about it. As the Malay saying goes, “hendak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih" - If you want something done, you'll find a thousand methods. If you don't want to do something, you'll find a thousand excuses.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country. If everyone is sincere in doing things to promote unity and harmony among the peoples, this issue would not have existed in the first place.

Let's be sincere in doing things. Don't just talk.

Why Malaysians do not take Pride in Meritocracy

2011-01-15T23:46:00.000+08:00

Let's see...

Our universities are on race quota basis.
Our cabinet have many politicians without merit.
Our politicians are elected not based on merit, but.....heaven knows.

It's not to say all Malaysian politicians are without merit, but unfortunately the Malaysian politicians we have today aren't the creme de la creme.

The most recent is the comment made by Ng Wei Aik against the MPPP. His sense of professionalism as a Political Secretary was not on par. What power has a political secretary over the city council? Don't try to "do good".

Regarding the same matter, is the professionalism of those who accuse Ng for making the racist statement of "Indians go back to India" and making it national news. Really, if these people have the balls to accuse through "phantom channels", can't these people just grow a backbone and prove to everyone else through their own merits?

Yet, the nation's "leaders" continue to ponder why the Malaysian people don't trust our own politicians and scoff at national university graduates.

Jew haters of the world, please DON'T BE IDIOTS.

2011-01-14T00:06:00.000+08:00

No offense to the Muslims, but this email was probably written in retaliation towards some Muslim leaders who wants to deny evil deeds in World War 2.I'm just copy and pasting.

Note to all: It doesn't matter whether you hate Jews, or you don't. Fact = FACT.

SUCK IT UP AND LIVE WITH IT.

~~~~~~~~~

When I was a kid, I couldn't understand why Eisenhower was so popular. Maybe this will explain why.

General Eisenhower Warned Us.

Mother and Child have guns pointed at them

It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said in words to this effect:

Prisoners in torture camps

'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened'

After experiments on children

This week, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as yet.. However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it.

Mass of dead bodies

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians, and 1,900 Catholic priests who were 'murdered, raped, burned, starved, beaten, experimented on and humiliated' while many in the world looked the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets.

How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade Center "NEVER HAPPENED', because it offends some Muslim?

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE...SOMEONE HAD TO PAY FOR IT!

Malaysian Must see!!! Namewee 1Malaysia story 黃明志要見首相!

2010-12-02T17:41:00.000+08:00

Vengeur de la Justice

2010-11-19T21:44:00.004+08:00

This is a collaboration paper between yours truly and her friend Miranda from Canada. (Hey, it rhymes!)

Had to share cos I'm damn proud of it. Best part is that you can choose how YOU like it to end.

And YES, it has nothing to do with what I usually write on this blog.

Disclaimer: All the characters are FICTIONAL and has NOTHING to do with real life people or events. If they sound like someone/something, it is purely coincidental.

Happy reading! Bonne lecture!

Avec l'amour,

Adeliyn and Miranda

__________________________________________________________________

Name: Mark Salling
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 8”
Charge: Embezzlement of $5.38 million from his own business partners but was acquitted of all charges for lack of evidence.
Verdict: Guilty
Execution method: Induced cardiac arrest by introducing potassium to the axillary vein.
End Location: Grizzly Bay.

It leaves me with great satisfaction to see another one of these trashes who litter the world with the crimes they commit, go and meet the Great Judge in Heaven (or Hell). “They” might have needed a little help in getting these jokers where they belong, but I accept that. After all, you cannot always expect the angels to clean up all the messes we leave behind.

Yes, it’s we. No one is a saint. No one is born innocent. We’re all corrupt; it’s just a matter of degree. And dear Mr. Salling was corrupt beyond redemption.

-----

It was 5.30 on a Saturday morning. Detective Vincent Lim stood at Port Costa looking towards the San Francisco Bay Area, sipping his coffee.

“Why must these dead bodies keep turning up at the most ungodly hours of the day? Why can’t these murderers just keep to regular humane working hours, like the rest of us?” he grumbled. His partner, Detective Benedict Aden passed him a croissant.

“What do you expect? If they had kept to the regular hours, they would have two problems. One, no food on the table. Two, they wouldn’t be proper murderers already. Not to mention they’d be too easy to catch, and we’d find ourselves out of a job.” Vincent chuckled at Benedict’s remark and rubbed his eyes.

The coroner, Schmidt, walked toward them. “Bad news boys, he’s going to our hotel for a few nights. We need to open him up.”
Lim cursed under his breath. “Isn’t the sucker just drowned? Why on earth were we called here in the first place? It’s a complete waste of time!”
“Procedures, kid. Take it out on the asshole who set it up and said detectives must be present when we do our job,” Schmidt replied, giving Vincent a hard look.

Sensing that Vincent was about to pick a pointless fight, Benedict pulled him aside. “Vincent. Go home and sleep.”
“What about you?”
“I’m not the one who’s trying to bite Schmidt’s head off. And your eyes are bloodshot. I’ll handle things here. No buts. Shoo.”
“What about the…”
“I’ll cover for you”

Lim raised an eyebrow. Benedict also looked haggard from the workload they both had been receiving for the past 3 months.

“Go,” urged Benedict. “I’ll drop by in the evening with the file. The initial report will be done then anyway.”
“Fine,” Vincent huffed as he turned around to walk away. He paused mid-step and said just loud enough so that Benedict could hear him, “Thanks partner, I owe you one.”

-----

Vincent awoke to the smell and sight of Benedict brewing coffee, and a spread of boxes of Chinese takeout.
Benedict looked up from the coffee, and seeing that Vincent was awake, said, “Hey sleepyhead, time for dinner.”

Vincent yawned. “I regret the day I handed you my keys. And why must we always do overtime at my place?”
“Because you decided that my place is in a perpetual mess after comparing the pictures of our places and we don’t want to risk more work by working in the station.”
“Right,” Vincent nodded as he looked at the boxes of food. “Which one’s mine?”
“All for the two of us. I got us rice and some stir fries.”
“Great, thanks Benedict. So, what’s the story so far?” Vincent asked as he opened the boxes of takeout.
“It’s Salling.”
“The one that got away from the DA?”
“Same guy. Died of heart attack, not drowning.”
“So, simple enough. Case closed then.”
“No,” Benedict simply said as he started eating his dinner. A few moments passed by, and they both ate in silence.

Tired of the silence and lack of an explanation, Vincent said, “Are you going to elaborate and tell me why not?”
Benedict looked up from his food. “His medical records said he was perfectly healthy. He couldn’t have had a heart attack.”
Vincent snorted, but Benedict ignored him and continued, “The DA’s office made sure he was healthy enough to go for the proceedings and had him do a complete body check. “
“What about his toxicology report?”
“Initial findings indicate that the only thing he had in his system was some steroids from his asthma tablets. Not enough to kill him.”
“No alcohol, no coke or marijuana? He must be some kind of saint.”

Benedict sighed in exasperation. “Anyway, they also found a note in Russian in his pocket and a cheque for 2 million dollars. It traced to Mikhailov.”
“The Solntsevskaya? Now that’s interesting. What kind of business was he in?”
Benedict put down his chopsticks and gave Vincent a light slap on his forehead. “That’s what we detectives are for, stupid. It’d be no fun if the criminals were too easy to catch.”
“Don’t we have some guy in custody that’s related to the Solntsevskaya? Spichak? Maybe we can go grill him and cut a deal with him.”
“We aren’t the FBI, you know.”

Vincent groaned. Damn feds, those guys were coming next week for the guy. Then, Benedict winked at Vincent. “But we sure can give it a shot before they come, can’t we.” Benedict got up from his seat. “Come on, let’s get back to the station.” He whirled around and strode out the door without waiting for a reply from his partner.
“Couldn’t we at least finish dinner properly for once?” Vincent mumbled to himself as he stuffed his mouth full, before following Benedict out the door.

-----

Name: Irena Salling nee Karanovka
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 5”
Charge: Abetting her husband Mark Salling in the embezzlement of $5.38 million.
Verdict: Guilty
Execution method: Blood draining via two punctures in the jugular vein.
End Location: Own Bedroom.

I felt a little miffed by the fact that Mark’s body was found a little more downstream than where I had intended. I guess Mother Nature decided Grizzly was not a good place. Well, this time it will not happen, unless someone messes with the place. Her body will be found just the way I planned for it.

"Sometimes I feel like a vampire."

Ted Bundy said this in one of his infamous interviews. I really had wanted to feel exactly how he did when he said that, but blood and the soft, raw flesh repulses me. Irena was by no means fat, but I’d rather have Alba over Simpson any day. So, I thought that I could simulate it by draining her blood with two punctures about an inch apart. That’s the distance of my two canines. The effect was quite good, except for the fact that my calculations was off by about half a liter. That went on the bed.

Ah well. The coroners will have a simple puzzle to solve. The sun is going down, and the maid will be coming in an hour’s time. Goodbye, Irena. May your soul burn in hell.

-----

Vincent and Benedict arrived at the station a mere 15 minutes later after leaving Vincent’s place. As they approached their desk, someone hollered, “Hey Lim, Aden! Line 3!”
Vincent scowled. He and Benedict were already having trouble solving the Salling case and this new one comes up. Grumbling, he picked up the phone and jabbed the number.
“Lim, Homicide.” He paused to listen and took a seat. “What?... Really? ...that’s bizarre, definitely sounds like a homicide...we’ll see if the two cases are related...yeah I know I shouldn’t assume...okay whatever. Leave it to me and Aden.” Vincent hung up without saying goodbye.

Benedict seated himself in his chair, leaned back, and raised one eyebrow expectantly.
“Well?” Benedict asked.
Vincent sighed and rubbed his temples lightly. “Turns out Salling’s wife is dead now, too. I have a feeling the two cases might be connected, but we can’t say for sure right now. We’ll have to dig into that. It seems that our unsolved murder might have just become a lot more complicated.”
Benedict grinned. “You don’t really dislike it all that much. I know that. You like complicated.”

His statement elicited a chuckle from Vincent. “Of course. I enjoy my job.”
“Let’s get on this. Do we have any leads?” Benedict asked.
“Nothing really concrete yet.”
“How’d she die then?”
“Punctures in her neck. There was almost no blood left in her body,” Vincent said as he wrinkled his nose in disgust.
“That’s one sicko we’re chasing after, then,” Benedict said quite flatly.
“Oh yeah, definitely.” Vincent sat quietly at his desk, thinking about the possibilities and where to start. He could hear Benedict typing something on his laptop. “Hey Vince, I got something. I punched their names into the database. Mark Salling’s clean, nothing on him. But something turned up on his wife, Irene Salling. Not a criminal record though. There’s a report filed two days after Mark Salling’s death, just a day before her own death. Filed by...an Officer Gherardi.”
“Efficient. That’s a lead, let’s follow it. Let’s go talk to Gherardi, after our chat with Spichak.”

-----

“Look, we all know that you’re going to be convicted of money laundering and drug possession. But if you cooperate with us, we can probably help you out and lighten your sentence. You scratch our back, and we’ll scratch yours,” Benedict said coolly.

Spichak looked down at his hands nervously. “What do you want to know?”
Vincent quickly scanned through the file in his hand containing the details of Mark Salling’s murder. He pulled out a photo of the deceased and placed it in front of Spichak. “This is Mark Salling. He is related in some way to the Solntsevskaya, like you. Did you know this man?”

Spichak glanced at the photo and fidgeted in his chair. “I’ve seen him around before,” he said vaguely with a wave of his hand.
Benedict rolled his eyes. “You think this is some half-assed attempt get into some chick’s pants? Don’t play hard to get.”
Vincent gave him a look. “We’re going to need more than that if you want our help.”
Spichak rubbed his hands together nervously.

Benedict slammed his file onto the table and cursed under his breath. “You can choose to help us or we’ll get you into jail, 20 years easy.” Spichak stared at Benedict, ashen-faced. Benedict smiled back. “We know there are people who’d loved to meet you again.”

Spichak was clearly sweating. Benedict picked up his file.
“Whatever, maybe you just don’t know anything. By the way,” Benedict pointed into Spichak’s face before continuing, “That doesn’t qualify you for our help, since you didn’t give us anything to work with.” Benedict began to walk towards the door. “Let’s go V, he’s got nothing.”
Spichak panicked immediately. “Wait, wait! I know about him, but not closely. I know what he was doing for Solntsevskaya! I know! I swear I know!”

Benedict paused and slowly turned around. “We’re listening.”
“I need you to first reassure me that I’m going to get a deal out of this.”
“That depends on what kind of information you have,” Vincent said.
“It’s valuable, trust me.”
Vincent rolled his eyes. “That’s what they all say. Fine, Scout’s honor. We’ll help you out if you give us valuable information.”
Spichak took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. “...he was responsible for human trafficking in Solntsevskaya.”
Benedict raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? That news is so old, your mother just gave birth to you.”
“You’re lying. Salling would have been in jail, not dead.”
“Son, ever heard of lack of evidence? We were working our butts off to get this man and his bimbo when someone decides to off them. I want to know where to get the evidences, what we’re getting and who to meet.”
“I need a smoke.” Vincent dug a pack out of his pocket and gave him a cigarette and lit it. Spichak inhaled deeply and exhaled. “Okay. Listen carefully...”

-----

Vincent and Benedict came out of the room grinning like a pair of Cheshire cats.
“That news is so old, your mother just gave birth to you? That’s the best line I heard so far. And Irena as Salling’s accomplice? How the hell did you guess that?”

Benedict laughed. “I thought since she was dead she must have been in anything Salling was in. And I was right. I just needed some confirmation.”
Vincent shook his head in amusement. “If this was some kind of drama, you’d probably get an Emmy or something. That complete change of character and those lines you throw out, sometimes I wished I could get into your head and see what goes on in there.”
“Haha. Trust me, you won’t like what you see.”

-----

“Hey Gherardi, Aden and Lim for you!” Gherardi grumbled. He looked up and saw a Chinese man of average build with a dark-haired Caucasian of a tall, lithe build he recognized immediately.
“Homicide for Salling-Karanovka right? Hang on.” Gherardi pulled out a file from the pile. “Here you go.”
Vincent took it, scanned the report and passed it to Benedict, who did the same thing. Vincent put out his hand. “Detective Lim, and this is my partner Detective Aden.” Gherardi ignored the offered handshake and leaned back in his chair with crossed arms.
“What do you two want?” Gherardi asked roughly.

Vincent put the hand back into his pocket. Benedict remarked, “You sure are anti-social. Demotion to administration from Vice put a bullet through your pride?”
Gherardi bristled. Vincent whacked Benedict’s chest. “Zip it.” He turned to Gherardi. “How did Irena Salling find you?”
“The usual. She comes in the station, talking her head off about her husband being dead, that she just knows she’s going to die next and then demands police protection.”
“She wasn’t given any.”
“Of course she wasn’t. If every woman who comes in here demanding protection and getting it, the police station will be empty.”

Benedict snorted. “Like the Smith case huh?” Gherardi’s face twisted with rage and he jumped out of his chair, grabbing Benedict’s collar with both hands.
“Hey, HEY! Stop it, both of you!” Vincent shouted. The station became quiet all the sudden. Gherardi and Benedict continued to stare each other down.
“Let go of each other,” Vincent continued. After a long pause, they let go of each other.

“Aden, wait for me outside,” Vincent ordered. Benedict flinched. Vincent never called him by his surname since they graduated from the academy seven years ago. He whirled around and left.

Vincent watched Benedict head out and turned to Gherardi. “I don’t give a damn about the Smith case, whatever that is. All I care about is the Salling case.”
“Just read the report.”
“It just says she came in, and demanded protection. What else? I get the feeling that something is missing here.”

Gherardi look hard at Vincent. “She had no evidence of being blackmailed, or threatened in any way. You have to show some sort of proof before we can give you that can give you anything, even if you’re a Karanovka.” Vincent looked at him. “What do you mean?”

Gherardi closed the file he was working on and threw it into the pile. “Karanovkas’ are one of the biggest human trafficking families around, linked since the Cold War to the Solntsevskaya for that purpose. As far as I am concerned, the two got what they deserved. I’ve been digging around for years for evidence to convict them, but never got any. It’s about time they got some justice served to them.” Gherardi grinned to himself, looking a bit too pleased with the two deaths for Vincent’s comfort.

Gherardi glanced at Vincent. “I’m guessing you are new to homicide too. Don’t look so shocked kid. Ten years in hard crime sector and you’ll be hardened like me too.”
Vincent turned to go when Gherardi spoke again. “And next time, don’t bring that devil Benedict with you.”

Vincent chose not to respond and strode out the door.

-----

Vincent emerged out of the building with the Salling file. Benedict grabbed his arm and hissed, “What was that for?”
Vincent spun around and shouted, “What was what? I should be the one asking that! What’s with you and Gherardi? What’s the Smith case? How did he know your name?”
Benedict let go of Vincent’s arm. “Nothing.”

Vincent sighed, unsurprised. He already knew Benedict wasn’t much of a talker. His head was spinning. The thought “I’m exhausted.” flashed through his mind.
“Hey, are you okay?” Benedict asked concerned.
“Yes. No. Definitely not. Drive me home so I don’t hurt myself trying to get home. You owe me that much.”

Benedict steadied him. “Give me your keys.”

-----

Benedict slowed the car to a stop as he arrived at Vincent’s apartment.

“Thanks,” Vincent said, but did not move. “I’m going to try this again, and you’re going to actually tell me this time. What’s the Smith case? How do you know Gherardi?”
Benedict scowled at Vincent. “Can’t this wait ‘til tomorrow?”
“No.”

Benedict sighed and gripped the steering wheel. “Gherardi was someone I knew before you became my partner. We were working on a vice cum homicide case, also known as the Smith case.”
“So?”
“The case had a lot of glitches. Turns out that Gherardi was messing around with some people, getting them to give false testimonies and fake evidences, in order to get a conviction. That guy is messed up, messing with the law like that. Schmidt found him out.”
“So why does Gherardi hate you so much?”

Benedict looked Vincent in the eye. “Because I was the one who suspected him and reported him. It wasn’t right for him to do that, even if those people were obviously guilty.”
Vincent stared straight ahead, surprised. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Of course, you’re my partner.”
“Haven’t things just gotten more complicated? Gherardi looked way too pleased that the Sallings were dead. If Gherardi took that call, maybe he didn’t provide protection to Irena Salling on purpose?” “That wouldn’t be beyond him. He’s messed around with these kinds of things before,” Benedict replied.

-----

They reached the Salling apartment at the next morning at 9.
“Hey Schmidt, care to brief?” Vincent strutted over with Benedict trailing behind.

Schmidt started his report, “Salling’s heart and liver were the only organs that were damaged enough to kill him, although the liver was due to alcohol abuse. It’s most likely that he died of an induced heart attack, through potassium overload into his system. There weren’t that many toxins in his body and his potassium levels were rather high. His wife was drugged, was given a dose of anticoagulant and was subsequently drained of her blood. Although the killer didn’t expect her to have more blood than the average Joe. Left a huge patch of blood on the bed.”
“Any witnesses?” Vincent asked.
“Kind of. There were some who testified seeing a man from SFPD going into the house but that’s it.”
“Any guess towards inside job or impostor?”
Schmidt looked at them. “I don’t know, but I’ll go with the inside job story. It’s more logical to me, because she could probably guess who’s the real deal.”
Vincent clucked his tongue. “Really.” He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his pants and huffed. “That’d be interesting.” Vincent’s mind instantly flew to Gherardi and his past history with tampering. “Could it be…?” he muttered under his breath to himself.
Benedict gave him a look and asked Schmidt, “Could I get the names of the witnesses? I want to talk to them myself to gauge how reliable they are. Saying someone from SFPD is pretty vague, since she called the police beforehand and all.”
“Yeah sure, let me get you his information.” Schmidt turned around to grab his notebook. “There’s a homeless guy around here, who goes by the name of Gary, and there’s a friend of the Sallings’, Jay.”

He scribbled something on a page of his notebook and tore it out, handing one copy to Benedict and another to Vincent.
“Thanks,” Benedict said. He looked towards Vincent. “I’m going to go check these guys out, I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, sure thing. I’ll check out the house, see if I can find anything or put my genius brain to work,” Vincent replied.
Benedict chuckled. “Of course. Genius.”

Schmidt interrupted, “Hate to break you two lovebirds up, but I’m going to head back to the lab. You have my number, call if you need something.”

-----

Vincent wandered around the Salling house while the forensics was still snapping and placing markers on everything they found. It was richly decorated, and he felt a tinge of jealousy. He could never afford anything so luxurious with his salary, yet those who are involved in criminal circles could. And then he remembered their fate, and chuckled to himself. At least he’s still alive.

He navigated his way around the house until he arrived at the bedroom, where Irena Salling’s body was found. Slipping his hand into his pockets, he pulled out a pair of gloves and put them on. Looking around the room, there was really nothing that stood out. Pictures of the couple were on table tops and on the walls. Everything was meticulously placed, and there didn’t even seem to have been a struggle of any kind. Nothing was knocked over. Besides the patch of blood on the bed, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

He walked slowly around the room, keeping an eye out for anything peculiar. Finding nothing, he sighed. “Of course there wouldn’t be anything,” he muttered to himself. If the killer had the time to drain her blood, he wouldn’t have been so careless to have left something behind in the crime scene.

Desperate for any sort of lead, Vincent made his way around the house, until he eventually found the study. From his past experience, the study was a place where one could find out a lot of information about the victim. He made his way to the desk that was situated at the end of the room. Opening the notebook on the desk and judging by the handwriting, he realized that this study belonged probably belonged to Irena Salling. Just to make sure, he turned on the computer in hopes of finding a user name. Sure enough, the computer flashed IRENE as the user name, and asked for the password.

Feeling as if he was at the top of the world at the moment, he sat down in the desk chair and began rummaging around. An hour later, he found a variety of things but nothing incriminating yet. He found some documents in Russian, but he was confident that it was not going to be anything there as it was too easy to find. The secret drawers he managed to find contained two semi-automatic Brownings and a 357 Derringer for self-defense.

He sighed and hoped Benedict had a better time in interviewing the Jay guy. He stood up and stretched when he notice there was something under the carpet. He picked it up. There was a riddle written on it.

“Merciful death, how you love your precious guilt. - Anne Rice.

Look behind the quilt and a pool of blood, the key is above what you see.

Avec l'amour, Vengeur de la Justice”

He flipped the card over. To his surprise, he saw that it was Aden’s business card. Whoever the killer was, he knew Aden was working on this case.

Vincent felt intrigued. It seemed the killer wanted to help the case in this case, yet not give a direct clue. He walk around the house and looked around leisurely, absent-mindedly playing with the edges of the card. The forensics team had left a few minutes ago and littered the place with those little number markers. He walked towards the bedroom.

“Salling, where do you hide your dirty secrets?” he said aloud in a sing-song voice. He eyed the ornate Victorian-styled four poster bed. Vincent thought to himself, “This “Vengeur de la Justice” can’t be that literal, right?”

He pulled his gloves tighter and ran the tips of his fingers over the tester on the side of the deceased. He was prodding a flower motif when the glove caught on something near the flower. He pulled his hand away and was irritated to see there was a small hole on the index finger. He took out his flashlight and shone it on the area. A zipper shaped motif was the culprit. Annoyed, he touched the motif. He found a groove, and scratched at it. To his surprise, the zipper motif flipped. Curiosity took over and he pulled the zipper-like thing. It revealed a hidden drawer, and in it were a key and a note.

“Félicitations!

Avec l'amour, Vengeur de la Justice”

Vincent stared at the items in his hands and shouted, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Congratulations, with love from the Avenger of Justice? Vincent was feeling rather insulted at the note when he realized that Benedict didn’t know much French even though he was of French origins, but he himself took pride in scoring As for French back in his high school years. This guy was not aiming at Aden, but both of them! Vincent looked at the card again. “Look behind the quilt and a pool of blood, huh?”

Vincent stared at the blank wall. He chanted “Behind the quilt and a pool of blood. Behind the quilt and a pool of blood. Behind the quilt and a pool of blood.” Suddenly it occurred to him that he was doing was wrong. “You should have said ‘below’ not ‘behind’ to make it obvious, dammit.” He flipped open the skirting of the bed. Voila, a key hole!

Vincent got excited and quickly tried the key. It turned smoothly. Vincent opened the drawer and saw stacks of files. He flipped a file, and another one. Whatever fatigue he felt for the fruitless search the previous hour, was cured immediately. He flipped open his phone. “Hey Schmidt, get your guys here now. I found a serious stash. Seems like all the files on trafficking are here.”

-----

Vincent walked out after briefing Schmidt and his staff, when he saw a guy rummaging around the trash area. He calls out, “Hey, are you Gary?”
The homeless guy looks up, “Wha? How did you know my name?”
“Just a hunch. I’m Detective Vincent Lim.”
The homeless guy’s eye’s narrowed. “A few of your guys came by already, what do you want?”
“Just wanna chat with you. Coffee sounds good?”
“Only if they come with donuts.”

-----

After they ordered their food, Vincent began “So, tell me about what you saw on the night of the murder.”

“Jesus, I already told…”
“I want to hear it from you, Gary.”
“Okay. I saw a guy who was a similar build and hair color as the guy who came by earlier to talk to me. The guy said his name was Ben.”
“And…”
“I told him what I’m going to tell you. Just saw the guy go into the house, and then leave awhile later. I had nowhere better to be, so I stuck around to sleep under the tree outside the house.”
“You said he was wearing a SFPD jacket?”
“Yes. Looked real, too. Carrying a gun in a holster and all.”
This startled Vincent. If it were an impostor, it would have been unlikely that they would carry a gun in a holster. Was it an inside job after all? Perhaps Gherardi, as he first suspected?

-----

Vincent saw Benedict coming through the door with dinner again. “So, did you get to see any of the witnesses?”
“I saw Jay but not Gary.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Benedict didn’t notice Vincent’s reaction and continued, “Jay was a real head spinner. It was so hard to get information out of him because he was trying so hard to prove he didn’t kill Salling.”
“Why didn’t you go and see the homeless guy?”
“Couldn’t find him. I’m not sure if a crazy homeless guy would be a reliable witness. No one’s going to take his word in court anyway.”
“Yeah, but still it might give us a chance to find out who this ‘Vengeur’ is.”
“Who cares about ‘Vengeur’? He’s helping, he’s not a priority.” Benedict sighed. “I’m too tired to do any real work. I’m going to skip dinner and head home. See you tomorrow.” Benedict said as he strode out of the office.
Vincent looked down at his hands. In all the time he had known Benedict, this was the first time Benedict had lied to his face, and he didn’t like it. Benedict was hiding something, but what? And how did he know about “Vengeur” anyway?

-----

Vincent couldn’t get Benedict’s behavior about the “Vengeur” out of his head for a few days and decided to do a stake out at Benedict’s place since he couldn’t make any progress with the Sallings’ deaths. He headed out of the station and went across to the bookstore, waiting for Benedict to head home. Vincent browsed through the magazine rack, second guessing his decision to stalk his own partner. For the last eight years he had known Benedict, especially since the past year as he was paired up with Benedict, he knew for a fact the Benedict usually was able to tell when they were being followed. He was still second-guessing his decision when he saw Benedict walk out the station. He put down the magazine he was flipping through and followed Benedict.

As he followed him, Vincent noticed that Benedict was unusually unobservant. He thought to himself, “Either he has too many things on his mind right now, or my shadowing skills have gotten better.” Benedict arrived at what was apparently his apartment building. Vincent ducked behind a tree. A few moments later, he saw the curtains on the 3rd floor open. It was Benedict.

-----

Vincent finished his dinner at a nearby establishment. It was a good spot, as he could still keep an eye out on Benedict’s unit. He could see Benedict seated by the window reading a book. Vincent waved the waiter for his bill, deciding that the whole expedition was really just waste of time. As he walked out of the restaurant, he saw Benedict threw his keys into his mailbox and emerge from the building in jogging gear.
Vincent felt his jaw drop open and looked in disbelief. Leaving one’s keys in a mailbox was one of the stupidest acts and was like an open invitation for burglars to rob your house!

“How could Benedict be that stupid?” Vincent wondered.
Benedict got on his bicycle and rode off. Vincent instinctively knew that Benedict was going to Golden Gate Park, which was easily 25 minutes per way, which meant he had about 50 minutes to snoop around Benedict’s place. Curiosity got the better of Vincent. After he saw Benedict’s bicycle took a turn and disappeared down that lane, he sprinted over across the street, grabbed the keys and ran up the stairs. He used the keys and let himself into the apartment.

He stumbled in surprise. Benedict’s place was the cleanest, most organized and spacious apartments he had ever seen. It certainly did not match the photo he had shown Vincent when they were comparing places. Unconsciously, Vincent slipped on his gloves. He wasn’t sure what was he looking for, but with the lies he had heard from Benedict, something was going on, but he didn’t know just what was it.

Vincent walked over to Benedict’s desk. He opened the top drawer and saw a leather-bound journal. He picked it up and opened it in the middle. Recognizing the name, he read the entry.

Name: Olivier Gherardi
Ethnicity: Mediterranean
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 6”
Charge: Faking documents and producing false witness
Verdict: Guilty
Punishment method: Demotion to administration

He doesn’t deserve to die yet. I hope his 4-5 years in administration will tone down with his methods of getting the job done. After all, the system is human made, obviously there will always be loopholes for these bastards to crawl through. You rely on the system to punish someone, but the system doesn’t always guarantee justice. If you want change, do it yourself. Don’t need to be Machiavellian about it.

Vincent wasn’t sure how to feel about this yet. He agreed that Gherardi should be punished, and he too believed that Gherardi deserved it. He continued to flip towards the back and saw many names, some of which he recognized in previous cases and many more which he did not recognize. Then, he saw Salling’s name, and the entry was as such.

Name: Mark Salling
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 8”
Charge: Embezzlement of $5.38 million from his own business partners but was acquitted of all charges for lack of evidence.
Verdict: Guilty
Execution method: Induced cardiac arrest by introducing potassium to the axillary vein.
End Location: Grizzly Bay.

It leaves me with great satisfaction to see another one of these trashes who litter the world with the crimes they commit, go and meet the Great Judge in Heaven (or Hell). “They” might have needed a little help in getting these jokers where they belong, but I accept that. After all, you cannot always expect the angels to clean up all the messes we leave behind.

Yes, it’s we. No one is a saint. No one is born innocent. We’re all corrupt; it’s just a matter of degree. And dear Mr. Salling was corrupt beyond redemption.

Shocked, Vincent turned to the first page on the journal. It read,

“Si vous lisez ceci, bienvenue dans mon monde de la justice.

Avec l'amour, Vengeur de la Justice

Bénédict Aden”

which meant,

“If you read this, welcome to my world of justice.

With love, the Venger of Justice

Bénédict Aden”

Vincent put the journal back into its original position. Dazed with the revelation that his partner was a murderer and orchestrator of many events for his sense of justice, it overwhelmed Vincent. He struggled internally, as he couldn’t decide whether or not he supported Benedict’s actions. On one hand, he was disgusted by the crimes of the Sallings. Yet, on the other hand, could he truly accept Benedict’s actions in privately giving out what he deemed to be justice? Wasn’t an instituted system just as important?

Unsure and overwhelmed by his new findings, Vincent straightened the area, stumbled out the door, locked it, went down the stairs and put the keys back into the mailbox. Half-aware of his surroundings, he saw an available taxi, waved it down and went home. He had a lot to think about tonight. What was he to do now?

-----

Epilogue

I rode the bicycle, circled the block and came back. As expected, Vincent thought that I had gone to the park and went into my apartment. He’ll probably think I had really fallen behind in my skills when all I did was to lead him on. He took it hook, line and sinker.

I could see him at my desk. He found the journal and reading it. I lit a cigarette. It would probably be my last one as a free man. I wonder which prison I’ll be spending life in. It’s really too bad that the state of California outlawed capital punishment. My time there will be a real waste of taxpayers’ money.

Vincent put back the journal and walked around the apartment. He came out of the building soon after. The poor guy looked like he got sucker punched. He hailed a taxi and got on. I took one last drag of the cigarette, snuffed it out and threw it into the bin. I’m guessing I won’t be arrested tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I went across the street and back into my apartment.

Fin.

Appendix B

2010-11-17T01:04:00.003+08:00

A reference in article: Race and Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

Appendix B

This blog post is taken directly from Johari Ghani’s blog (http://joharighani.blogspot.com/2010/10/youtube.html). Without his approval, obviously.
Taken on Oct 29, 2010.

Youtube

Thursday, October 28, 2010

In these days and age of the internet, real time communication and interaction, I always make it a point to ensure that my children are up to date with the latest development in the IT world so as not to be left behind and be able to compete with people of their generation.

With technological advancement, comes the downside. There will be people who are unscrupulous and will not have any qualms in using the same technology to manipulate a perfectly innocent situation into that which will suit their own agenda; regardless of the effect it may have on the individual person whom they are targeting.

That happened to me recently. A video of an extract of the speech which I have given at a recent closed door discussion amongst the members of UMNO Bahagian Titiwangsa was posted up on Youtube. As a result, I received so many negative comments and unsolicited e-mails condemning me in respect of the speech I have given which clearly was taken out of context.

I publish below one of the unsolicited emails, which represents the general tone of the backlash which I have received as a result of the said video and my reply to the same. I hope that the readers of this blog will use their best judgment in seeing clearly how, in the wrong hands, technology can be used to manipulate the general public thinking.

Email from Melinder;

Hello,

I was watching your speech on youtube regarding votes. You said that the malay votes are more important than the chinese and the indians. I will like to share my points about your racist point of view of the malays being the most important people in malaysia. Sadly barisan national have not kicked you are and your followers out. By allowing you to speak against the non malays, it shows that the government really is not focusing on 1malaysia but more on segregation. The disgusting approach your taking is bringing malaysia down, mahatir had his share of fault but he was a man of his words. He took the country from being crippled to a country that I am proud of. Your approach however is taking 20 steps back. Instead of showing a good example to malaysians, your promoting racism and thus allowing the non malays to be looked under. The lord name you take before you do sins does not actually wash away the sins, its more like you will get what you deserve when time is right. This is honestly not a threat from me for I believe in unity. I do hope that we will one day get rid of your racist mentality and change it to a mentality that have ONLY respecting the people of Malaysia as one. Do you think that malays/muslims are better than everyone else? Because of people like you, we have terrorist. Or more like you are the terrorist. One day, our country will cripple and on that day I want you to look at yourself and your despicable follows and think, did I do this? The answer is YES. YOUR TO BE BLAME.

Do reply me back with your beliefs of Malaysia because I will love to laugh about it with my NON MALAY FAMILY & FRIENDS

Thank You,
Melinder Kaur

My reply:

First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to write to me and for expressing your views on the extracts of my speech on Youtube.

The video recording of the speech, or rather the extracts of it, was made during a closed door discussion among members of UMNO in July 2010 which discussion was part of a series of discussion following the 2008 General Election where, as we all know, Barisan National suffered the lost of an unprecedented number of seats and five states. Obviously shaken, UMNO began an almost immediate post-mortem and detailed analysis of the results and the trends of voting amongst the various races in this Country. The post mortem led to one major conclusion – the lost of the Malay support for the ruling Barisan Nasional. This is especially so in the Constituent of which I am now in charged, the Parlimen Titiwangsa, which was lost to the Opposition. Parlimen Titiwangsa has always been a Barisan Nasional stronghold; therefore, the loss was shocking to say the least.

Thus the closed door discussion was centred mainly on the Malay votes and the approach needed by UMNO to regain the Malay trust and support. Seeing the racial composition in Parlimen Titiwangsa which was a Malay Majority and based on a simple mathematical analogy, if UMNO can secure 70% of the Malay votes in Titiwangsa, Barisan Nasional can win Parlimen Titiwangsa.

If you notice, prior to the segment which was conveniently repeated again and again so as to make me out as a racist in the said video, I also said that as far as the Chinese and Indian voters in Parliament Titiwangsa are concerned, the Barisan Nasional Election Machinery is capable enough in engaging them in order to regain the lost votes. It was not that I could care less about the Chinese and Indian voters, it was that my main focus was the split in the Malay votes and how, based on simple analogy as said above, 70% of the Malay votes could secure the win. The speech was taken out of context and had you heard the entire speech during that closed door discussion, you would have arrived at a very much different conclusion and you will see that I am not a racist as I was made out to be.

I believe in 1Malaysia. As far as I am concerned, 1Malaysia is not just a concept or an ideal. It is something that I practise in my everyday life. You see, I am the Managing Director and a Major Shareholder of a Public Listed Company. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company is an Indian. The Director of Sales is a Chinese, so is the Head of Finance, the head of Production is Indian, and the various heads of department are a mix of Malaysian, born and bred in this country of ours. I recognise and reward talents and performance when I see it. I live in 1Malaysia.

Nevertheless, I would like to sincerely apologise to you for being offended by the extract of my speech and I wish to assure you that my interest is to serve the people in the Parlimen Titiwangsa specially and Malaysian generally. The Pusat Khidmat Barisan Nasional Titiwangsa in Desa Pandan in which I opened last 16 October 2010 and attended by representatives of MCA and MIC, welcomes all Malaysian, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation. Despite losing the Parlimen Titiwangsa to the Opposition, I felt that it was necessary to continually provide services to the people especially since the Opposition till today, has no such equivalent centre in the constituency.

Again, I apologise and hope that you will understand that it was never my intention to discriminate anybody based on race or beliefs.

Yours sincerely

Johari Abdul Ghani

Appendix A

2010-11-17T01:01:00.003+08:00

A reference to article: Race and Ethnic Relations in Malaysia.

Appendix A

Translation of page 5, 1Malaysia booklet

Downloaded from

http://www.1malaysia.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/1MalaysiaBooklet.pdf

The 1Malaysia Concept

The basis of all this is the principle of fairness toward all races that takes into account the level of development of each race, which means that the fate every rece will be defended and no one will be marginalized. This sense of fairness will take into account the level of development of the races at different stages. That is why government policies and constitutional allocations will go on in order to defend for those who are in need

1Malaysia is the continuation of the agenda in nation building. In order to achieve progress for the country, the citizens should be developed first, and this starts with the attitude of acceptance between all races, which will then lead to a strong sense of unity. When unity is achieved, then developmental matters of the state will go on smoothly.

Race and Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

2010-11-17T00:57:00.003+08:00

This paper will probably land me in trouble, but I think....what the heck.

Term paper for Race and Ethnic Relations.

Introduction

Malaysia is a plural society where racial differences have been the focal point of politics in Malaysian each having their own fundamental differences in their main political causes. However, the Malaysian government is now saying that Malaysians should stand united and make Malaysia a nation that is forward moving by focusing on national unity and ethnic tolerance under the concept of “1Malaysia”. In this paper, I would like to take a closer look at the concept of 1Malaysia, and the concept’s feasibility in Malaysia’s future. This paper will attempt to discuss the concept through 3 items:

1. The concept of 1Malaysia and race

2. Hindrances and issues pertaining to 1Malaysia

3. Current state of ethnic relations and pertaining events

The Concept Of 1Malaysia And Race

1Malaysia is a concept born in September 16, 2008 by Dato’ Seri Najib bin Abdul Razak (here forth, Najib bin Razak or Najib) the current Prime Minister of Malaysia. The concept which speaks of “a principle of fairness toward all races that takes into account the level of development of each race” and “continuing the agenda of nation building”.

In the first part of this concept, as explained in page 5 of the 1Malaysia booklet (Appendix A), speaks of equality for all races in Malaysia and no one will be marginalized. It takes into account the progress of each race at different levels, therefore government policies and constitutional allocations will be given out to protect to those in need.

In the second part of the concept, it speaks of building the citizens by forming an attitude of race tolerance, which will lead to a stronger sense of unity; because when the people are united, nation-building would be a much easier task.

Fields (1990: p.117) opines that “Race is neither biology nor an idea absorbed into biology by Lamarckian inheritance. It is ideology, and ideologies do not have lives of their own. Nor can they be handed down or inherited: a doctrine can be, or a name, or a piece of property, but not an ideology. If race lives on today, it does not live on because we have inherited it from our forebears of the seventeenth century or the eighteenth or nineteenth, but because we continue to create it today.”

Hindrances And Issues Pertaining To 1Malaysia

“No unity means no political stability, and no political stability means we’re all in trouble. All the races would be in trouble. The Malays would be in trouble, the Chinese would be in trouble and the Indians too, would be in trouble.”

“Some people forget the struggle our forefathers went through to make this country a success story today. We must defend this success and not risk destroying it, for the sake of our future generation. We must not take racial harmony and unity for granted. It has taken us a long time to strengthen this racial fabric.” –Najib bin Razak

(New Straits Times, 12 January 2009, in New Image Bank)

The main problem in Malaysia is not so much of race relations of its citizens itself alone, but rather the politics of identity/ethnicity which then manifests as the state of race relations in Malaysia. The reason is that Malaysia has an issue of contradiction at the higher political level. Issues regarding race relation in Malaysia, such as religion and special rights, are often sung out by the nation’s leaders who came up with the concept of 1Malaysia in the first place. Gerakan[1]-turned-PKR[2] politician Dr Tan Kee Kwong said it best with, “BN[3] on one hand is promoting 1 Malaysia, it is a good concept but on the other hand, they are promoting Perkasa[4] – their group was registered in six months.” (Malaysian Insider, 8 July 2010:http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/a-small-chip-off-the-old-opposition-bloc/)

In her column “1Chameleon” (Malaysiakini, 25 October 2010), Mariam Mokhtar noted that the current Prime Minister, Najib bin Razak, has spoken a message at the recent UMNO[5] general assembly which contradicts his brainchild, 1Malaysia. She remarks that Najib’s “leadership and professionalism are questionable” on his remark “Even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost, brothers and sisters, whatever happens, we must defend Putrajaya.” I concur with her. In my opinion this remark reflects his insecurity in the UMNO’s leadership which led to his recycling of old and proven-effective tactics, that is through playing up the people’s insecurities which are economic, religion and race. Tunku Abdul Rahman’s (Malaysia’s first prime minister), comment on the White Paper in the 1980’s put it succinctly:

For the Prime Minister (Dr.Mahathir) to repeat [the story of] the violence of the May 13 Affair as a warning of what would have happened if the government had not taken appropriate action immediately is like telling ghost stories to our children to prevent them from being naughty. This is not a childish matter, but a matter of national importance. The tale should not be repeated because it shows us to be politically immature. (Das, 1989:p.5)

To people outside of Malaysia, Najib’s statement on Putrajaya may seem to be just another political exhortation, but this carries rather serious consequences in Malaysian society because it raises racial hackles. How so?

By saying that UMNO needs to defend Putrajaya in the recent UMNO general assembly, he was stirring a hornets’ nest also, because it implies that Malaysia belongs exclusively to the Malays. If he had said this in a BN meeting, the focus of criticism would have been centered on the Opposition. It was aimed to the sense of insecurity in some of the Malays, who believe that it is their sovereign right to rule in Malaysia, although it is not in the laws of Malaysia to do so. This remark has also irked many Malaysians, regardless of race as it may pose as a threat to their personal safety as the church burning[6] and cow head incident[7] are still fresh in their minds.

Prior to Najib’s remark, UMNO Division Chief Johari Abdul Ghani said in a closed door UMNO meeting in July 2010 that the Titiwangsa constituency does not need the votes of the Chinese and the Indian communities. (YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5sYVZTTKQ, Free Malaysia Today, http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/politics/barisan-nasional/12212-non-malay-votes-not-needed-umno-bn-leaders-see-red) This has again shown that the nation’s leaders’ (or more appropriately, UMNO, the ruling coalition’s main power) insincerity in committing to the concept they touted since its conception. It certainly did not help when Johari Abdul Ghani responded in his blog (please refer to Appendix B for his whole response) to the backlash he received though email feedback that “There will be people who are unscrupulous and will not have any qualms in using the same technology (internet) to manipulate a perfectly innocent situation into that which will suit their own agenda; regardless of the effect it may have on the individual person whom they are targeting” and “I would like to sincerely apologise to you for being offended by the extract of my speech”.

In a separate case, on the 19^th of October 2010, the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia sent out a circular to all universities to postpone reschedule the examinations because some parties had complained that it clashed with the Deepavali celebrations . The question posted by the students across the universities was: why didn’t the universities anticipated this? What happened to the “principle of fairness toward all races” as proclaimed by under the concept of 1Malaysia?

Current State Of Ethnic Relations And Pertaining Events

The current state of relations between the races is not clear. On one hand the relations seem to be antagonistic while on the other hand, the citizens show that the situation is not as bad as some have portrayed it to be. What are the evidences?

In “March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up”, Mohammad Khairie (Kee, 2008:p. 84-87) noted that the walk for BERSIH rally in November 10, 2007 consisted of Malaysians from different races and all walks of life for a single cause: the demand for a free and fair election. Malaysia has also seen candlelight vigils by Malaysians for causes such as the abolishment of the Internal Security Act on 1 August 2010 and 13 September 2008, and against the cow head incident 5 September 2009. In more recent news (Malaysiakini, 22 0ctober 2010, Malaysian Chronicle 26 October 2010), Malaysians of all races and walks of life united again for another cause: a safe and continuous virtual protest against the building of Menara Warisan estimated to cost MYR 5 billion via the social networking site, Facebook. The site (http://www.facebook.com/#!/NoMegaTower) has garnered 250413 members at the time of writing. It has been featured on AlJazeera (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zuXp0iP8vU ) on the 21^st of October 2010 and the result of the first virtual “march” on Sunday, October 24^th, can be watched on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpLfwMHZblk).

Apart from that, the mushrooming blogger community has also implied that many Malaysians of all races are not playing to the tune of racial politics. In fact, they have been rather critical towards the politicians and policy-makers. Bloggers like Haris Ibrahim (author of “The People’s Parliament[8]”), Khoo Kay Peng (author of “Straight Talk[9]”), Sivin Kit (author of “Sivin Kit’s Adventures[10]”) and Amutha Ramadas (author of “tulipspeaks[11]”) speak out against the politics and hope to promote understanding in minds of their readers through their writings.

This shows us that although Malaysians have their various differences in both physical and cultural characteristics, they will unite for the cause they believe in. This has been shown to us in the peoples involvement in the causes mentioned regardless of race. It seems that Malaysians, especially those from the middle class background, is starting to use their state-given rights to voice out against racism in politics, criticize its effects on Malaysian society and also the Malaysian government’s inability to keep to the concept conceived by them.

Conclusion: Is 1Malaysia Feasible?

From the above mentioned issues and public reaction toward certain issues show that the concept is already in place within the hearts of many Malaysians. I believe it would be safe to say that the concept was always there without the need to give it a fancy name like 1Malaysia. As long as issues such as religion and superiority of whoever’s race are not touched, ethnicity and race are very much an identity the individual associates with culturally.

Having said that, certain current political leaders’ tendency to continue their use of the old tactics of race privileges in their rhetoric, it most certainly stirs doubt about the realization of the concept at the national level. However, it is my personal belief that the 1Malaysia concept is already within the hearts of Malaysian society, and one day will come into fruition, provided that the Malaysians themselves do not lose hope and continue to work together for changing, until change they hope for in the political climate comes. Therefore, the concept of 1Malaysia is still feasible.

Bibliography:

Das, K. 1989. Introduction. The White Paper On The October Affair And The Why? Papers. Compiled and Edited by K. Das and SUARAM. Kelana Jaya: SUARAM KOMMUNIKASI.

Fields, Barbara Jeanne. 1990. Slavery, Race & Ideology in the United States of America. New Left Review. I/181, May-June 1990 p.95-118. London: New Left Review Ltd.

http://www.nib.com.my./archives/text/view/16906033?pos=29&hide_header=1&resultset=nstpec%3Awww/cross-search/search.php%3A_1288609054%3Aresultset [Accessed: 28 October 2010]

Kee, Thuan Chye. 2008. March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up. Shah Alam: Marshall Cavendish Editions.

Mariam Mokhtar. 2010. 1 Chameleon. Malaysiakini. http://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/146301 [Accessed: 25 October 2010]

New Straits Times. 12 January 2009. Racial unity essential for stability, says Najib. News Image Bank. http://www.nib.com.my./archives/text/view/16906033?pos=29&hide_header=1&resultset=nstpec%3Awww/cross-search/search.php%3A_1288609054%3Aresultset [Accessed: 26 October 2010]

Electronic Resources:

http://www.1malaysia.com.my/

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/index.php

http://joharighani.blogspot.com/2010/10/youtube.html

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/

http://www.malaysiakini.com/

http://www.thenutgraph.com/

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/

http://www.ukm.my/e-pelajar/index.htm

http://www.youtube.com/

[1] Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia or “Gerakan”: A component party in of Malaysia’s ruling political coalition, Barisan Nasional. Also known as the Malaysian People's Movement Party.

[2] Parti Keadilan Rakyat: the opposition political party also known as the People’s Justice Party.

[3] Barisan National: the ruling political coalition since Malaysia’s independence consisting of communal parties, also known as the National Front.

[4]Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia or Perkasa is a non-governmental Malay Supremacy organization that was formed by Ibrahim Ali in the aftermath of the Malaysian general elections in 2008. They claim to be "protectors of Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia" and to defend the rights of Bumiputera from being eroded by certain quarters. Perkasa is said to be fighting and defending the rights of the Malays which they feel are being challenged by non-Malays in Malaysia.

[5] UMNO: United Malays National Organization

[6]The church burning incidents (on Metro Tabernacle and attempted burning of Assumption Church and Life Chapel in the Kuala Lumpur) on Malaysian churches in early January 2010.

[7] The cowhead incident happened in August 28, 2009 where some 50 Malay residents enraged with the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple to their area staged a noisy protest with a severed cow's head.

[8] http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/

[9] http://khookaypeng.blogspot.com/

[10] http://sivinkit.net/

[11] http://www.tulipspeaks.com/

Three Simple Things the PM Can Do to Win Our Support for Mega Tower

2010-11-08T14:55:00.000+08:00

by 1M Malaysians Reject 100-storey Mega Tower

Due to overwhelming public discontent including those coming from this page, proponents and supporters of the Mega Tower have now tried to dismiss public opinion by claiming that this is a private investment after the PM announced it in his Budget Speech in 2011.

On one hand, they want to "privatise" the issue that only PNB investors can talk about this. On the other hand, they try to appease the public by making vague claims about "multiplier effect" - meaning the money invested in the Mega Tower will create more jobs and increase GNP because everyone who can pay will further spend.

They want to sound sophisticated and dismiss ordinary Malaysians as emotional, misinformed, lost and even jealous.

Here are the three simple arguments - (a) public fund; (b) national priority; (c) town-planning - that we ordinary Malaysians can easily debunk their propaganda. And we are showing the PM what he can do to win us over.

1. Public Fund

The Private Investment argument implies first and foremost that the private investors will bear the loss should their investment fail. But so often Malaysian Government-linked Companies (GLCs) have been privatising profits and socialising losses. Do we need another Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)?

Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) is wholly owned by Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputera (YPB) whose Trustee Board Chairman is none other than Prime Minister Najib Razak. It manages the politically critical Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN).

Will PM Najib allow PNB to suffer loses and ASB and ASN holders to have their hard-earned money burnt should the Mega Tower becomes another Plaza Rakyat?

To make this private investment argument credible, the least the PM can do is announce that Government will not bail out PNB and PNB and whoever it partners with will be investing on their own risk.

It's a simple pledge of "no bail out". Do this and you have one third of the objection gone. But will you dare, Datuk Seri Najib Razak?

2. National Priority

PNB is a GLC and by its name, its task is to invest for the nation. The DPM said, almost every Malaysian including the non-Malays is a PNB investor. Correction, Mr DPM, it's every single Malaysian, not almost every. All Malaysians are PNB investors because PNB was set-up and is still supported by the tax-payers' money in many ways.

PNB is a not a private company owned by its investors. The Government is its immediate boss and we the people, being the boss of the Government, its ultimate one. Stop talking about pure business decision. In the language ordinary Malaysians use: "It's not your grandfather's propertylah!"

PNB must be economically patriotic and talk about national priority. If you want to be selfish, cease to be a GLC. Period.

That's why most ordinary Malaysians are protesting: If we have RM 5 Billion, why don't we use it in other better ways: building more roads in Sabah and Sarawak; investing to mitigate floods in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu; taking over the PLUS highway so that Malaysians can pay less when traveling; or improving the public transport system to reduce jam in KL?

PM and PNB talk about "multiplier effect". Now, will investing in East Malaysia or the Northern States not create more jobs there? If jobs and growth are needed, aren't those poorer states deserving more stimulus in economy?

Mr Najib, show us a benefit-cost analysis that demonstrates that RM 5 Billion should be best used in building the Mega Tower and why this will not crowd out development funding in more deserving areas than downtown Kuala Lumpur, and the second 1/3 of our objection will be gone.

3. Town Planning

Even if the Mega Tower is to be built by YTL or Berjaya or any private company, you still can't bulldozer it with a simple line, "this is a purely business decision!"

Why? Because there are externalities. Mr PM, you studied economics and surely you understand what all first-year Economics students are expected to know.

Externalities, which may be positive or negative, refer to external effects suffered by the third parties when a transaction is made or activity carried out. Why can't heroin be sold on the market if there are willing buyers and wiling sellers? Because it negatively impacts others.

Externalities are basically the reason why market fails and governments are needed. In the case of Mega Tower, externalities are regulated through town planning. Every development project needs to be examined on the ground of town planning - traffic jam, pollution, population density, living quality to name a few aspects. And the losers in development need to be fairly compensated.

Now, have the local communities been consulted? Have the parents, students, teachers and alumni of the five schools (Victoria Institution, Methodist Boy School, Confucian Private High School, SM Confucian and SRJK (C) Jalan Davison been consulted? Have the traders and others who make their living at both sides of the Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Jalan Pudu been consulted? And what about the architectural integrity of the oldest part of Kuala Lumpur?

PNB or any company cannot just build any building because they see profit. Again, in simple language that ordinary Malaysians use, "This country is not owned by your grandfather!"

Dear PM, present a feasibility report, do a proper consultation with the local communities, convince them that the project is good for them and have their concerns addressed, and you can win the last 1/3 of objection.

People First, Accountability Now

We, a quarter million of Malaysians on Facebook and many more out there who oppose the construction of Mega Tower are reasonable people. We love our country therefore we speak up.

Don't talk down to us. Don't dismiss our objection as misunderstanding or jealousy. Only colonial governments did that. There can be no greater irony if a tower named Merdeka is to be built in a colonial manner of governance.

We may speak humbly but we are ultimately your boss.

We are glad that you have recovered and hope you are now strong enough to lead. We request you to hold public meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and all other state capitals to convince us why this Mega Tower project is well-though and justified. Facing the public and winning them over is what democratic leaders are expected to do when they have an unpopular policy or project to go ahead.

Mr PM, give us three things and we may turn out to be the most passionate supporters of the Mega Tower:
1. a pledge of no-bail-out for PNB;
2. a macro-economic benefit-cost analysis; and
3. a town-planning feasibility report.

We want to hear you, Mr PM. Please hear us.

People First. Accountability Now.

RPK'S Bodoh Sombong Article

2010-11-05T09:56:00.000+08:00

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's father is one example of an English language teacher from India who came to Malaya and eventually married a Malay woman, resulting in the birth of Dr Mahathir. Many Indian and Chinese immigrants married in Malaya, sometimes to fellow Indians and Chinese and sometimes to local Malays (that is why many Malays look more Indian and Chinese compared to their Indonesian cousins). And understandably they sired children born in Malaya. And these local born sons and daughters of the immigrants are those Malaysian Indians and Chinese of today, many who have never stepped foot in India or China since the day they were born. Their parents and grandparents (some are third or fourth generation Malaysians while some, like the Melaka Chinese, have been 'locals' since 500 years ago) came to Malaya to serve the country and died in this country. And some of these 'immigrants' have been in the country longer than even Malays who are only second or third generation Malaysians.

The question of who came first is an arguable issue. There are Indians and Chinese who have been in Malaysia for hundreds of years and there are Malays who have been in the country less than 100 years. Nevertheless, this articleis not to argue about who is more Bumiputera - the Malays, Indians or Chinese. Everyone - Malays, Indians and Chinese alike - are sons and daughters of immigrants. It would be very difficult to dissect the three different races based on generalising. You would have to look at it on a case-to-case basis. My family came to Malaya in the mid-1700s. Tian Chua's family came to Malaya much earlier than that. Dr Mahathir and Khir Toyo are merely second generation Malaysians although one became the Prime Minister and the other the Chief Minister of a State.

Okay, the purpose of this article is not to argue who is more Bumiputera as we can argue till the cows come home and will never reach a consensus...What I want to talk about is who has served this country and, therefore, can be considered a true patriot. The railway, roads, bridges and buildings, right up to maybe the 1980s or so (that means for more than 100 years), were built by the Indians and Chinese (not the Malays). I still remember even as recent as the 1970s when Indians would work in the hot sun building the roads and laying the railway lines. They also worked in the estates and plantations. And the same goes for the tin mines and the construction industry, which were mainly a Chinese affair. And many died. There were numerous cases where entire Chinese communities were wiped out by disease and war and they had to bring in fresh loads of Chinese workers from China to replace those who had died. And the living conditions of these workers were pathetic.

Trust me when I say detention under the Internal Security Act in Kamunting is luxurious compared to what these Indians and Chinese had to endure. The Malayan civil service, legal system, education system, and whatnot, depended on the English educated Indians brought in from India. It was not until the 1920s or so, when the immigration policy was tightened, that the Malays were educated enough to start filling the ranks of the civil service. Even by the time of Merdeka the country still depended on the immigrants because there were not enough seducated Malays to serve the country. And almost all these people died in this country (only some went home to die) and their Malaysian-born children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are those Indians and Chinese you see in the country today.

To sum up: this country was built by the non-Malays. What we see today is the result of the contribution by the non-Malays. Initially, Malay's economy depended on rubber and tin, long before we had factories and heavy industries. And it was because we had immigrant Indians and Chinese is why we saw a thriving rubber and tin industry. If not because of rubber and tin, Malaysia would be amongst the poorest countries in this world. Then we had three wars - the Second World War, the Malayan Emergency, and the Konfrantasi with Indonesia. And not just Malayans, but many foreign 'Mat Salleh' (white skins), as well as Africans, Fijians, Gurkhas, Indians, Punjabis, Bengalis, and many more, died in these wars. Of course, Malays died as well. But Malays were not the only ones who died in these three wars. But is the contribution of these patriots ever remembered? The Malays scream, rant and rave that this is a Malay country. They declare that this is Tanah Melayu (Malay land). But we might not even have a country, at least not in the form that we see it now, if not for the fact that many not of Malay origin laid down their lives for this country. If the non-Malays, including the 'Mat Salleh', had not died for this country, Malaysia would no longer be an independent nation but just a small province of Indonesia.

When Malays talk about dying for your country, they just look at the three wars. But the death toll for these wars does not even come close to the death toll of those who died serving this country in other ways. Some died defending the country in wars. But many more died in the effort to build this country to what it is today. And many also died of mere old age after serving this country their entire life and then retired here as citizens. But how do we repay these patriots or children and grandchildren of patriots not of Malay origin? We insult them. We threaten them. We discriminate against them. We oppress them. We persecute them. We treat them as second-class citizens. We refuse to recognise the patriotic contribution of their parents, grandparents or great grandparents in defending this country and in building this country to what it is today. So, these people feel hurt. So, they feel that the sacrifices and contribution of their forefathers are not remembered and appreciated. So, they decide to leave the country and go to another country that can better-appreciate their talents and skills instead of threatening and subjecting them to screams of "go back to your own country".

Who are the traitors here? Are the traitors those who hijrah in search of a better life like what the Prophet Muhammad did? Or are the traitors those who ignore the patriotic contribution of Malayans from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s?
The Umno Ministers should be made to pass a history test before they can be appointed as Ministers. And they should also be made to pass a lie detector test every time they make a statement. As the Malays would say : bodoh (stupid) is bad enough. Bodoh sombong (arrogantly stupid) is unforgivable.
And Umno Ministers are just that - bodoh sombong.

Hitler on Mega Tower issue

2010-11-04T23:36:00.000+08:00

Straight Talk: PM Najib Should Create More Towering Malaysians an...

2010-10-25T23:04:00.000+08:00

Straight Talk: PM Najib Should Create More Towering Malaysians an...: "The 100-storey building under the Warisan Merdeka mega project will have a multiplier effect on the economy and generate business opportuni..."

Starhill, YTL and the Force Behind Them

2010-10-05T17:23:00.000+08:00

Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur prides itself as the centre of luxury retailing-home to prestigious (and pricey) brands such as Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Jaeger La-Coultre, Armani and Van Cleef & Arpels, just to name a few.
So it may surprise you, as you browse through the exclusive offerings in this posh mall, to come across a Christian bookstore. Glad Sounds Bookstore opened its 12th outlet on the ExploreFloor of Starhill Gallery last December, selling its books, Bibles, CDs and DVDs on very prime real estate.
This sounds unusual because we're so used to Christian bookstores tucked away in obscure comers of shopping centres. Such was the experience of one Malaysian businessman, who decided to do something about that.
"When I want to go to a bookshop in Singapore, I go to Suntec City," says Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.
"The Christian bookshop there is very popular. But it's next to a toilet, and it always puzzles me
how the Christians are always relegated to spaces right at the wrong ends-the smelly ends. Can't they afford a prime space in any shopping centre?"
He lamented the price of progress. When, several years ago, a church had to move from Wall Street, the newspaper headlines screamed, "Even God cannot afford Wall Street."

This burdened Yeoh, 56, so much that he earmarked valuable retail space in his shopping mall for the express purpose of opening a Christian bookstore and searched for the right people to run it. After two months of meetings and prayer, Starhill Gallery welcomed Glad Sounds as its newest tenant.

"It's truly a miracle in God's wonderful plan," Yeoh tells Asian Beacon in an exclusive interview.

"This is a mighty big event. Glad Sounds is now in Starhill with all the Louis Vuittons of this earth. And why not?"

The Morning Star and Calvary's Hill

Why not? Well, one might ask, "Why would something as seemingly trivial as a Christian bookstore be high on the priority list for a tycoon who heads a RM33 billion business empire?" It doesn't make much business sense, but then again, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh is not your typical businessman.

Besides his tremendous corporate success and passion for arts, culture and the finer things in life, the other much-touted fact about Yeoh- one that probably sets him apart-is his unapologetic, unwavering faith in God.

It's hard not to find him mentioning God when he is being interviewed, be it by The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. Recently, Yeoh unabashedly declared in The Star, "Without my Lord, I am nothing!" and "My personal goal is always to walk in the footsteps of God."

Yeoh is renowned for his contrarian investment approach, embarking on buying sprees while others are shying away. In the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, he swooped down on
98 acres of Bukit Bintang prime real estate, including Starhill, Lot 10 and JW Marriott, for a song, and transformed it into a luxury and lifestyle destination.

Unknown to many, Yeoh had dedicated the entire stretch to God when he took stewardship of those properties a decade ago. "People often forget the meaning behind Starhill," he says. "Jesus is the Morning Star, and the hill is the Hill of Calvary."

Thus, it seems very apt for a Christian bookstore, promoting God's word, to be sited in Starhill Gallery. Yeoh had also allocated space on the same floor for Shalom Cafe, which complements the bookstore and allows book lovers to lounge in.

Yeoh, an avid reader, opines that many Christians are not well read and that reading is a way of loving the Lord with our mind. He is frustrated that the devil seems to know more Scripture than most Christians. Through Glad Sounds' literature ministry, believers can arm themselves with the sword, God's Word.

"God's love is not quacky," says Yeoh, who recommends books by CS Lewis and Lee Strobel.

The latter wrote The Case for a Creator. “A well-read Christian would be able to intelligently defend the truth. It's a big mistake for Christians to cop-out!"

The Turning Point

The YTL Group bears the initials of Yeoh's father, Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, who had set up a small construction company in 1955. Big brother Yeoh and his six siblings grew up at construction sites and started supervising projects in their teenage years.

The family business was badly hit during the 1970s oil crisis. Yeoh, then 16, wanted to drop out of school to help his father but the offer was declined.

Much burdened, Yeoh wandered around Kuala Lumpur and stumbled into the Kuala Lumpur Baptist Church, located along Cangkat Bukit Bintang.

"On that Friday, I vowed that I would dedicate my life to the God who could help me, whichever that was," says Yeoh. The pastor, to whom he had poured out his woes, comforted him by telling him that his problem would be gone by Monday. "True enough, my problem miraculously vanished on Monday! I believe Jesus directed me towards Him and found me worthy to be His servant."

Yeoh went on to study engineering in the UK and returned to take the helm of the company at age 24, growing it into the conglomerate it is today.

Jesus Will Pay the Bill

The YTL Group grabbed international attention in 2002 when it beat a consortium of major contenders in the bid for the UK utility company, Wessex Water.

To celebrate the company's first major foray into the international energy industry, Yeoh decided to throw a free concert in 2003 in Bath, England. He invited his good friend Luciano Pavarotti to sing. The tenor's only available date was August 7; unfortunately, August was also the wettest month, and there were concerns that the open-air concert would be a wash-out. Yeoh, however, believed that the Lord would not rain on His own parade; he decided to up the ante by getting Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras to team up as "The Three Tenors" at a cost of 1 million pounds per singer.

The Yeoh 'Cabinet', comprising Yeoh's father and siblings, baulked at the expense and the need for three tenors. Finally, Yeoh said, "Don't worry, Jesus will pay the bill."

As it turned out, August 2003 was the hottest and driest month in Bath's history!

The concert was a success. On top of that, the heat drove residents to use extra water, and
Wessex's profits shot up by 3 million pounds-the exact cost of the concert! "My faith was proven right. Jesus did pay the bill," Yeoh recounts.

From Royalty to Fishermen

Yeoh, who has rubbed shoulders with prime ministers, royalty and other high-profile VIPs, doesn't hesitate to share his faith with them. "Jesus Christ is the coolest God; we need to articulate God's love to everyone!" he says. He doesn't delve into theology as he believes the key to reach hard hearts is to share God's love. "Melt the stone with God's love."

Yeoh recalls his burden, many years ago, for the fishermen in Pangkor Island. His staff had shared the Good News with them but with little success.

Subsequently, God told Yeoh to speak to them directly. In obedience, he befriended the fishermen, speaking in his own Hokkien dialect; soon they were won over by his love for them. "There were also wonderful testimonies from Ah Longs and gangsters," Yeoh adds.

"The Methodist Church in Pangkor started 20 years ago with only 5 "persons" – the pastor and his wife, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit," Yeoh quips. "But today, it has a 300-strong congregation. God's business is to multiply!"

Having fulfilled his desire to open a Christian bookstore, what other plans does Yeoh have up his sleeves?" I don't want to talk about my future plans," says Yeoh. "I'm just a 'midwife'."

Well, it'll definitely be interesting to see what more God can do through such a willing instrument.

Glad Sounds Bookstore and Shalom Cafe are located at Lot F25 6- F42, Explore Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

I'm Single and Married.

2010-10-03T22:32:00.001+08:00

"Huh? What the ****?" was probably the first thing that came to your minds.

Heads up: Today's topic is about I, Me and MY... religion. :D
~~I'm single and available by the way.~~

What did I just mean by saying I'm married?
I'm a Christian, and I'm a part of the Church. And the Church, is known as the bride of Christ. (Revelations 21:9-10* , Ephesians 5:24**, 2Corinthians 11:1-3***)
So in that aspect I am married to Christ, thus the statement "Single and Married" becomes true.

Post comments , questions....whatever. Happy to answer. And like I have already stated.
Brickbats are welcome. Haters can have teh tarik.

* - Presentation of New Jerusalem (the Church) as the Bride
** - Submission of Church to Christ, as wives submit to husbands
*** - Paul speaking to the people in Corinth about presenting them to Christ as a pure virgin, just like a father would present to the groom a virgin bride in the old days. (Now of course, this aspect is unappreciated by some people)

Message to Muslims: I'm Sorry

2010-09-21T14:51:00.002+08:00

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
September 18, 2010
The New York Times

Many Americans have suggested that more moderate Muslims should stand up to extremists, speak out for tolerance, and apologize for sins committed by their brethren.

That’s reasonable advice, and as a moderate myself, I’m going to take it. ( Throat clearing ) I hereby apologize to Muslims for the wave of bigotry and simple nuttiness that has lately been directed at you. The venom on the airwaves, equating Muslims with terrorists, should embarrass us more than you. Muslims are one of the last minorities in the United States that it is still possible to demean openly, and I apologize for the slurs.

I’m inspired by another journalistic apology. The Portland Press Herald in Maine published an innocuous front-page article and photo, a week ago, about 3,000 local Muslims praying together to mark the end of Ramadan. Readers were upset, because publication coincided with the ninth anniversary of 9/11, and they deluged the paper with protests. So, the newspaper published a groveling front-page apology for being too respectful of Muslims.

“We sincerely apologize,” wrote the editor and publisher, Richard Connor, and he added :
“We erred by at least not offering balance to the story and its prominent position on the front page.”
As a blog by James Poniewozik of Time paraphrased it : “Sorry for Portraying Muslims as Human.”

I called Mr. Connor, and he seems like a nice guy. Surely his front page isn’t reserved for stories about Bad Muslims, with articles about Good Muslims going inside. Must coverage of law-abiding Muslims be “balanced” by a discussion of Muslim terrorists?
Ah, balance — who can be against that? But should reporting of Pope Benedict’s trip to Britain be “balanced” by a discussion of Catholic terrorists in Ireland? And what about journalism itself?

I interrupt this discussion of peaceful journalism in Maine to provide some “balance” . Journalists can also be terrorists, murderers and rapists. For example, radio journalists in Rwanda promoted genocide.

I apologize to Muslims for another reason. This isn’t about them, but about us. I want to defend Muslims from intolerance, but I also want to defend America against extremists engineering a spasm of religious hatred. Granted, the reason for the nastiness isn’t hard to understand. Extremist Muslims have led to fear and repugnance toward Islam as a whole. Threats by Muslim crazies just in the last few days forced a Seattle cartoonist, Molly Norris, to go into hiding after she drew a cartoon about Muhammad that went viral.

And then there’s 9/11. When I recently compared today’s prejudice toward Muslims to the historical bigotry toward Catholics, Mormons, Jews and Asian-Americans, many readers protested that it was a false parallel. As one, Carla, put it on my blog :

“Catholics and Jews did not come here and kill thousands of people.”

That’s true, but Japanese did attack Pearl Harbor and in the end killed far more Americans than Al Qaeda ever did. Consumed by our fears, we lumped together anyone of Japanese ancestry and rounded them up in internment camps. The threat was real, but so were the hysteria and the overreaction.

Radicals tend to empower radicals, creating a gulf of mutual misunderstanding and anger. Many Americans believe that Osama bin Laden is representative of Muslims, and many Afghans believe that the Rev. Terry Jones ( who talked about burning Korans ) is representative of Christians. Many Americans honestly believe that Muslims are prone to violence, but humans are too complicated and diverse to lump into groups that we form invidious conclusions about. We’ve mostly learned that about blacks, Jews and other groups that suffered historic discrimination, but it’s still O.K. to make sweeping statements about “Muslims” as an undifferentiated mass.

In my travels, I’ve seen some of the worst of Islam : theocratic mullahs oppressing people in Iran; girls kept out of school in Afghanistan in the name of religion; girls subjected to genital mutilation in Africa in the name of Islam; warlords in Yemen and Sudan who wield AK-47s and claim to be doing God’s bidding. But, I’ve also seen the exact opposite : Muslim aid workers in Afghanistan who risk their lives to educate girls; a Pakistani imam who shelters rape victims; Muslim leaders who campaign against female genital mutilation and note that it is not really an Islamic practice; Pakistani Muslims who stand up for oppressed Christians and Hindus; and above all, the innumerable Muslim aid workers in Congo, Darfur, Bangladesh and so many other parts of the world who are inspired by the Koran to risk their lives to help others. Those Muslims have helped keep me alive, and they set a standard of compassion, peacefulness and altruism that we should all emulate.

I’m sickened when I hear such gentle souls lumped in with Qaeda terrorists, and when I hear the faith they hold sacred excoriated and mocked. To them and to others smeared, I apologize.

Nik Aziz said: "I KNOW YOU..." rofl

2010-09-07T17:59:00.001+08:00

Commenting on Malaysiakini article: Nik Aziz: 'I know you', Ibrahim Ali

There had been a furor recently about a certain non-Muslim in Malaysia giving some well-wishes in a mosque. Apparently some Muslim saw it as an unholy thing invading into their holey territory.

Big thumbs up to the Muslims who found no evidence in the Muslim holy book for these people's claims.

Nik Aziz, the Mursyidul Am (basically translates to Chief Religious Leader) of PAS, was spot on in remarking some parties are using the issue to spark political unrest.
He had said that the issue should not be used as a political tool as not only there is no mention in the Quran that non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the mosque, but non-Malays have also contributed to the building of the mosques. Note: Most mosques in Malaysia are built on Malaysian taxpayer's money.
He mentioned that some of the building materials for the Masjid Bara'ah at Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kota Baharu, were provided by non-Muslims.

In a previous statement, he defended Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, who had contributed to surau Al-Huda in Kajang, but was used by unscrupulous parties to create tension amongst Malaysian peoples.

However, big hats off to Nik Aziz for looking Ibrahim Ali in the eye and telling him in a cynical voice, "I KNOW YOU." when the former was asked by the latter to prove his words by quoting the Quran.

Ibrahim Ali, the great yapping Pomeranian ~~of UMNO~~. Need I say more?

Yong Vui Kong

2010-09-02T00:38:00.000+08:00

Ok, I'll be frank about this.

I don't give a damn about the guy's sob story. It's not that I'm some heartless guttersnipe who doesn't feel a thing about a man who was impoverished and not well-educated, complete with a complicated family background. I get it.

But was there no other way out? Really?

Was it really worth the risk, taking drugs to a place notorious for drug crackdowns like Singapore?

Was he ignorant to the fact Singapore punishes this offense by death?

My condolences to Yong Vui Kong's family and friends, but I have to agree with Singapore's Law Minister Mr K. Shanmugam.

“Yong Vui Kong is young. But if we say ‘We let you go’, what is the signal we are sending?”

I understand that Singapore has it's own issues regarding nationality and what not, but the core message to the kids out there.

DON'T GET INVOLVED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING

DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID YOU KNOW YOU WILL REGRET.

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. Part 3

2010-09-02T00:16:00.004+08:00

I was reading Khoo Kay Peng's blog (Straight Talk).

I read about Najib's indecision when it comes to the zero tolerance thing.

For starters, I would say that Namewee had it coming. He said he loves Malaysia and wants to make it a better place for ALL Malaysians, but honestly, after watching his videos I can't find anything in myself to agree with the way he conducts himself in a video. Sure, bad words attract crowds, but really, is it the way you foster good will?

I sometimes agree with the messages he tries to preach, but the presentation would have been so much better if he had practiced more tact.

About the headmistresses case please refer to Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. I've said everything I wanted to say there.

Anyway, Pak Najib. Play your cards well, but let as far as I can see, it's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't/ telan mati bapa, luah mati emak" problem. Easiest way out I can see is to prosecute both parties. As I said, Namewee had it coming. He just couldn't express himself better. And the 2 headmistresses should be used as a warning to the other civil servants.

Just as Yong Vui Kong might serve as a warning to the other teens of the reality of drug trafficking.

If Ibrahim Ali, Chua Soi Lek and Bung Mokhtar are thrown in, it'll be a real sweet deal.

I was also unpleasantly surprised by the mention of Dr Ridhuan Tee's name as one of the guys who are named as instigators of racism, 'cos I did have a great deal of respect for him. Until, of course, I found out that he HAS a blog and read it. My respect for him was unceremoniously diminished, somewhat.

I used to have a lot respect for the guy cos he was this Chinese guy who dared to convert into Islam when it was such a taboo thing to do at the time. (Still is for some reasons) He was on tele doing a few series of talks about Islam and seemed (to the young, impressionable me) to be really knowledgeable about Islam, more than some of the so-called ustaz. He was a charismatic speaker, fluent in Malay, yet held on to his Chinese roots.
Or so I thought.

Some years later, I saw his name and read his blog. The crystal cracked.

"My God, he lived in a bubble??!" was my first reaction. What was this "ultra kiasu" thing he's spewing? Yeah, I do admit that some Chinese are real bastards, but isn't it the same for all? In every group that makes up the population, there are bound to be good and bad people.

Let's talk about stereotypes.

Malays are lazy.

NOT TRUE. At least not all of them. Some of my Malay friends are extremely hardworking. In fact, I actually get very disappointed by Chinese people in group work cos they don't pull their own weight.

Chinese are rich.

NOT TRUE. Why the heck do you think there are Chinese laborers. For KLites, go to Jalan Alor and Sam Peng Flats to see the POOR Chinese, and Bangsar to see the RICH Malays.

Orang asli are poor.

NOT TRUE. One of the settlements in Dengkil area has reasonably higher paid Orang Asli (Temuan, if I'm not mistaken). They own tar roads, concrete houses, running water and electricity and cars (not Proton, Perodua or Naza, mind you). I've a Semai friend whose family is pretty well off.

Indians are stupid.

NOT TRUE. Who do you think are the real kings of Silicon Valley and Hospitals? Who came up with THAT stereotype anyways?

So anyway, Dr Ridhuan, come out of that bubble and look at all of us Malaysians in the fairer manner.

Oh, and please get your facts straight. The Malays are not the indigenous people of Malaysia. The Orang Asli are. The Malays are just as immigrant as the Chinese and Indians. Only difference is that they were here longer than the others. Where did you think Parameswara, orang Bugis, orang Minangkabau, Adat Perpatih Adat Temenggong, etc. came from?
Did you know that the chillies synonymous with Malay cuisine was introduced by the Portugese?

Bet you didn't.

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. Part 2

2010-09-01T10:22:00.001+08:00

From a guy named Lau Chee Kin.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/note.php?note_id=432073840741&id=586500176
Hadn't got his permission but i don't think he'd mind :)

------

The typical Merdeka Eve night started with an urge to watch the fireworks celebration in KLCC ended up in a racist attack by a group of teenagers. So, me and a friend of mine thought of a good solution to avoid the traffic jam in that area by walking from the office in Jalan Imbi through Pavillion, to Jalan Kia Peng through Convention Center to KLCC.
Sounds like an ideal plan as the path is a frequent walkway and is even advertised in Pavillion as 'Bridge to KLCC'. (Just to note that we didn't go into any dark alley)

At 10.15pm, we started walking towards Pavillion, stopped to get a drink at Starbucks and proceeded ahead. As we walk, we came across people from various races and foreign tourists along the way.

On Jalan Kia Peng, we walked past Novotel Hotel, Hakka Restaurant, Menara HLA and was reaching the junction of Jalan Pinang when a group of about 10 teenage Malay youngsters walking from the opposite direction. They looked like typical youths, giggling and talking to each other.

As we walked past them, suddenly one of them turned around and started to make a flying kick to my friend. Noticing the 'fun' he is having, his other friends started to do the same to me. It was so sudden and all I was thinking at the moment was, "What the hell did we do to them?"

Both of us ended up kneeling on the ground for a moment before more kicks and punches came flying in. Even though both of us had our tripod strapped across our shoulder, we were too shocked to react to it. Eventually one punch landed right on my right forehead and I started to bleed profusely. Seeing that they eventually stopped and walked away.WALKED AWAY, damn it. They were not even afraid to run but just WALKED AWAY like winning a game or something.The last thing I remember hearing from one of them was "Baliklah ke negara asal"
Imagine hearing this statement on Merdeka Eve.

I knew I was bleeding but I didnt know how bad. I could feel the right side of my head swollen and wet but I did not try to look at myself through a mirror. My friend also suffered bruises on the body and face. By that time there were more people walking around us but they did not stop to see what was wrong. I don't blame them, it was a poorly lit area just in front of Menara Pinang. We recovered and continued walking towards the Convention Center. The guards were symphatetic to let us in to use the washroom to clean up. It was then I saw my bloody face.

I did not take a picture of myself then as it is not my intention to send a horror message. This is not a message of sympathy. It's a account of a random person walking on a street.

Eventually after cleaning up, we walked back to the Police Booth in Pavillion to relate the incident. The response from the officer: "This cannot happen, we have all our men on the streets" (Well, not on the street we got beaten up ...)

Apparently informing the police booth stationed in a public area is NOT MAKING A POLICE REPORT. WTF? Apparently we have to go to a Hospital, get some treatment and make a complain/report at the police counter there. I would be dead by then, ain't I?

Is this how the police maintained that they have improved street crimes? By not noting down petty crimes like gang bang which did not result into hospitalization? Would we be taken seriously if only we landed in the hospital?

What we did was, we went back to the office, rested til this morning, went to a nearby clinic to get some bandages and medic.What else to do? I can't identify my assailants, and my wounds are not death-threatening.

If I had not wanted to celebrate Independence Day, would I walk or drive to the venue?
If I was not thirsty would I stop for 5 mins to get my drink and missed them completely?
If I had held my tripod as a defensive weapon earlier, would I save myself or get more beating instead?
If I'm not Chinese, would I get the same 'treatment'?

All I want to say in the end is ...
Forward this to your friends (so that they will be careful on the streets)
Forward this to your 'friendly police' (so that they know the procedure is wrong)
Forward this to any politician/newspaper (so that he/she can be the champion for highlighting this to the government)

1Malaysia MY HEAD!

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST.

2010-08-26T16:23:00.001+08:00

In regard to the cases where one principal in Kedah and another in Johor told their students of a race/ethnicity other than theirs are less than human.

Principal Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Selambau, Kedah, scolded 10 Form 3 students who were eating outside the canteen for not respecting the Muslim community. My question is why can't they when the school decided to shut off the lights in the canteen? Are the Students supposed to eat in the dark. Besides, since when it was necessary to not eat in front of a Muslim? If you are a Muslim, please check your Qurans/Sunnah. The fasting month is meant for the Muslims to feel the pain of those who are destitute and often go hungry. It was meant to create empathy, not as an excuse to do these kinds of things. In fact, you should be thanking these people who do this unknowingly to you! Plus, there is no law that tells us we can't eat in front you.

Excerpt for Islam for Today, "Ramadan Rules and Regulations" compiled by Ishaq Zahid.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory on every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm is used for fasting. The word sawm (plural siyam) literally means 'to refrain', but as an Islamic term, it means refraining from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. Allah says in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2-183):
'O you who believe, siyam is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become self-restrained.'
The importance of Siyam in Ramadan is clearly expressed in several sayings of the Prophet(S.A.W.). It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:
'He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.'
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Fasting in Ramadan is practiced by Muslims all over the world. The most significant aspect of Siyam is the development of Allah-consciousness (Taqwa) in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. One must abstain from immoral behavior and attitude as well. Refraining from food and such is essential during fast but it is not sufficient. The Prophet of Allah is reported to have said:
'If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.'
(Al-Bukhari)

Principal of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Johor, Siti Inshah Mansor, was quoted in police reports saying, "Chinese students are not needed here and can return to China or Foon Yew schools. For the Indian students, the prayer string tied around their neck and wrist makes them look like dogs because only dogs are tied like that.” All I can say is hari akhirat nanti, sendiri jawablah. Best part is that this joker actually had someone open a facebook page to rally support for her racist claims. The sad part? I got to read a lot of racist comments.

Another thing I found really funny is that after all the bigoted speech she gave, she was actually labeled "VICTIM OF POLITICS". Blaming it all on politics. It's, umm..., really "original".

Note to all, when you say something stupid and later try to cover your ass by feigning innocence and BLAMING it on dirty politics, it really shows you never used your brains. EVER.

Kudos to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for promoting zero tolerance to racial disharmony.

He said, in regard to Hishammudin's comments about that two are the minority,

“Minority? That is not the point. I don't care about that. It’s not about whether it is a minority — not even one person in the education service should be a racist."

and kudos to Nazir Razak for recognizing that we as Malaysia need to grow ourselves economically together, and also for recognizing how NEP-type affirmative action policies had been abused by Malay and Bumiputera businesses. For slightly more than 5 decades Malaysia has seen independence, it's really unfortunate that we are no where near where our predecessors wanted us to be.

Ibrahim Ali is an uncouth man who is given free rein to do whatever he wants. I don't know what his credentials are, but obviously he does not know much about banking, economics and, I suspect, politics. Since he loves our dearest Tun Dr. Mahathir so much, he really should adopt the venerable Tun's "Dasar Pandang Timur" and read "The Swordless Samurai" handed down by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who unified Japan.

Unfortunately UMNO seems to back him up on his unfounded rabid barking. How other else can he stay as the MP of Pasir Mas?

Senior Citizen's Outrage: Open Letter To Sharizat.

2010-08-14T08:51:00.000+08:00

from an Email. True or not, I don't know but letter's good.

Open letter to Sharizat.

Many senior citizens are outraged by your uncalled for comments about the RM100 given to them by the Penang state government in appreciation of their contributions to the development of Penang .

Your comments indicate how uncultured you are, totally unbefitting of a cabinet minister. You said you are ashamed and offered your sympathies to Penang ’s senior citizens because they are worth — according to your absurd calculation — less than RM10 a month in the eyes of the state government.

Can I ask you how much a senior citizen was worth when the BN ruled Penang ? Absolutely nothing, Yes Nothing at all.
You went on to say that you thank God that there is a federal government and a Barisan Nasional government to take care of the people’s welfare without which the poor in Penang will be starving. Yes, the BN government looked after the people of Penang so well that on 8 March 2008, they kicked the BN out of Penang!

As a senior citizen, let me tell you this. It is not the money that matters. It is the thought, the appreciation and the caring attitude of the state government that senior citizens value most.

Did you say that the BN government looks after the people’s welfare? Let us examine the BN’s track record. The NEP has been in existence for almost 40 years and during this period about 1 trillion ringgit was allocated supposedly to help Malays through ASN, ASB and numerous other government programmes involving many government agencies.

Umnoputras hijacked the NEP and by masquerading as champions of the Malays siphoned off a sizeable amount of the funds to enrich themselves, their families and their cronies. These Umnoputras live in palatial houses and live opulent lifestyles. Look at the posh cars they and their cronies drive and the designer clothes they wear while the poor Malays continue to languish in poverty, even after 52 years of Umno’s total dominance in Malaysian politics. How much have these Umnoputras, their families and cronies invested in high-end properties overseas? How much of the loot is stashed away in overseas banks?

A Morgan Stanley analyst estimated that between 1984 and 2003, RM360 billion was siphoned off by Umnoputras and their cronies. The Auditor-General’s Report bears ample testimony to the plunder of the nation’s wealth.

After more than 52 years of Merdeka, many kampungs do not have basic amenities like piped water and electricity while Umnoputras are wallowing in wealth and luxury. No wonder the income differential in the Malay community is the highest among all ethnic groups in Asia .

You were defeated in the last elections and came into the cabinet through the backdoor. We are ashamed of you No wonder Rafidah poured scorn on you. As minister of Women, Family and Community Development, you did little to genuinely empower Malaysian women, especially Muslim women whose problems — marriage, divorce, custody of children, alimony, property rights etc,etc have remained unresolved. Your failures in this regard are well documented by women NGOs and Sisters in Islam.

You had the audacity to offer your sympathies to the senior citizens of Penang . Let me tell you this:

Shut your face, honey. Guan Eng is making money (for Penang , of course), unlike you and the rest of umno gang.

My advice to you is this:

Don’t open your mouth to make a bloody fool of yourself. Do us a favour; disappear from the political scene.

Stop monkeying around.

Orang Lama Malaysia

Dating Tips? The what-not-to-do's.

2010-08-13T19:44:00.003+08:00

Diverging from the usual sarcasm on issues to a personal matter which occurred within the week.
This is (I believe) an education to all.

Class in session.

Lesson 1:

When someone says "I don't like you in a romantic way.", it really means "I don't like you in a romantic way". It's a no-brainer, unless of course, you, or the other party, is mentally and intellectually retarded.

FIY, there is no such thing as "he/she's just shy." That so-called shyness only happens in fictional work, especially animes.

Lesson 2:

Suggestion for a "one on one" date can only happen IF you have known each other for quite some time, which can defined as 2-4 weeks (for frequent meetings) til 200 years (for constant meet-ups).

Suggestions for such dates after only knowing someone within the hour of meeting that person strongly suggests that you're not really into the person. It says you're DYING to GET LAID.

This is especially if the suggestion was made after dark.

Lesson 3:

In any case you suggest having a meal together, for Pete's sake, EAT. Watching someone else eat when you suggested that unnecessary meal is downright RUDE.

Lesson 4:

When the person avoids eye-contact and gets you to talk a lot, without giving out much info about his/herself, take the hint.

THAT PERSON IS NOT INTO YOU.

Lesson 5:

When the person declines every single offer to go out the next time, with or without a plausible excuse, take the hint.

THAT PERSON IS NOT INTO YOU.

Lesson 6:

Thou shalt get the number of the person thou art like, but thou art not allowed to ask what time is most convenient to call that poor soul.

Unless you two are officially a couple.

Then again you wouldn't have to ask anyways.

Good endings in these kinds of setting only happens:

When both are mutually VERY attracted to each other.
Animes
Movies
Fictional works in general
In your dreams.

Lesson 7:

Do not touch unnecessarily. Be it hands, feet or anywhere else, really. It's spells lewdness. Accidents are accidents, but full on grabbing at least half of the hand every single time isn't.

Last but not least:

Lesson 8:

Chivalry/ Politesse/General courtesy is NEVER lost on anyone.

An unrefined soul may find it odd, even offensive at first, but I think it's quite obvious why Neanderthals don't exist anymore, no?

End of class. You're dismissed, hopefully with the lessons intact in your mind and actions.

Thank you.

From Myopic Lenses

Tough Teacher

Facebook Madness

Pink Elephants and Asian Kids

Repost: A Courageous Beauty Queen

Where to cross the border...???

Freedom of Religion is a Basic Right. Let's uphold that.

Iranian Christian pastor accused of 'apostasy' must be released

A...uh...Sheep Dog?

GE13: Know your voting rights!

AHMAD ZADID HAMIDI @ "HOLE IN THE RECTUM"

Open And Shut Case By Mariam Mokhtar...

Race, Religion and Nonsense

Procrastination, Apologies and What not.

Bar Stool Economics

Positively Wrong

Are Christians making an unnecessary fuss over the stamping of the Alkitab?

Check out A day of scandalous shame for Malaysia | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

Straight Talk: Reader's Feedback on the Recent Sex Video

Check out I did not speak out | The Micah Mandate : Mandat Mikha

A collection of news articles on the Malay Bible issue.

Treat us in the way we have treated you, please.

A clarion call to the Christians in Malaysia

From an email

Liberal Headlines: Just for Laughs

DNA suggests China Chinese originated from Southeast Asia

Azan Controversy

Why Malaysians do not take Pride in Meritocracy

Jew haters of the world, please DON'T BE IDIOTS.

Malaysian Must see!!! Namewee 1Malaysia story 黃明志要見首相!

Vengeur de la Justice

Appendix B

Appendix A

Race and Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

Three Simple Things the PM Can Do to Win Our Support for Mega Tower

RPK'S Bodoh Sombong Article

Hitler on Mega Tower issue

Straight Talk: PM Najib Should Create More Towering Malaysians an...

Starhill, YTL and the Force Behind Them

I'm Single and Married.

Message to Muslims: I'm Sorry

Nik Aziz said: "I KNOW YOU..." *rofl*

Yong Vui Kong

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. Part 3

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. Part 2

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST.

Senior Citizen's Outrage: Open Letter To Sharizat.

Dating Tips? The what-not-to-do's.

Nik Aziz said: "I KNOW YOU..." rofl