Friday, October 31, 2008

Is Racial Relations stronger than Political?

DAP and MCA have clearly ignored the advice of the Council of Rulers to not question what's stated in the Constitution. The 30% bumi equity in public listed companies is now the hot topic for debate on the pretext of 'liberalizing the markets', as stated by Tony Pua yesterday (can you please fix the pot hole at Tmn Bahagia LRT first before you lecture us about capital market liberalization?). Liberalizing the markets does not completely translate to competitiveness and economic enhancement. The US protects its farmers and steel millers from direct competition with produce from South America and steel from Japan. It is no different with Malaysia where social imbalance is astonishingly lopsided to the chinese. If we're so uptight about racial polarization, why can't the Chinese let go of their vernacular school system?

To add salt to the open wound, both political coalitions are embroiled in internal disputes. MCA thinks they deserve a deputy prime ministership (after getting a strong beating in the last GE) and that the 30% equity should be dismantled. DAP keeps assaulting their partner for wanting to establish an Islamic state in Kedah and on other issues. DSAI can't seem to have a handle of the coalition anymore after crying wolf on the MP hopping exercise. His leadership is in question. Because of this, attempts have been made to reconcile his relationship with Ku Li knowing well enough that his support within Pakatan is dwindling.

Expect this gap in both the coalitions to widen. Now that we've seen both sides governing, I can understand why things never get done in this country.

Coalition cracking
KJ on kahwin muta'ah


28/10/2008 6:07pm

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Okt. — Bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tidak bersetuju dengan cadangan MCA supaya kerajaan menghapuskan syarat pemilikan 30 peratus ekuiti bumiputera dalam syarikat-syarikat senaraian awam kerana ini bukan masa yang sesuai dan syarat itu juga belum dicapai sepenuhnya.

“Waktu ini saya tak setuju. Kalau capai 30 peratus bumiputera, 40 bukan bumiputera dan 30 peratus orang asing, kalau capai itu kita boleh mansuhlah.

“Kalau tercapai matlamat ekuiti itu patutlah kita hapuskan (ekuiti pemilikan bumiputera itu). Sekarang belum tercapai... banyak lagi nak kena buat. Kalau (kurangkan) 20 peratus hari ini (dan) tak berkembang, sedangkan ekonomi berkembang, (maka) 20 peratus itu akan kurang, jadi ini semua kena ambil kira,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas majlis rumah terbuka Aidilfitri Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim) di sini hari ini.

Dr Mahathir, yang juga Yang Dipertua Kebangsaan Perkim, berkata walaupun ekuiti itu boleh diubah, tetapi matlamat pemilikan bumiputera itu perlu dijaga.

- Bernama

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

After trousers, Malaysia Muslim body targets yoga

>>I can understand banning gay sex and all that. It is of catastrophic proportions if you were to find out that your fearless leader favors anal sex. Having said that, I won't even attempt to make the impression that I'm an expert in Islamic theology but surely there's some element of common sense that we need to use and banning yoga doesn't seem like a logical thing to do (supposedly it damages your faith). Might as well ban heavy metal music and other artistic likings. The key issue is niat (intention) and that should be the cardinal principle behind any act. I understand that yoga has a certain sense of spiritual commitment and concentration that one indulges in, but if your intention is for greater health, what's wrong with that?

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters Life!) - Not content with banning women from wearing trousers, Malaysia's top Islamic council now wants a ban on yoga, according to a report on state news agency Bernama.

The National Fatwa Council's Deputy Director-General Othman Mustapha told reporters after a seminar on Islamic jurisprudence on Thursday that the announcement would be made soon.

Some references:

"This is not a case of syncretism between two religions (which would be spiritually invalid). Yoga is not a religion. Rather, it is a set of techniques and skills that enhance the practice of any religion. A French author named Jean Déchanet discovered this in regard to his Catholic faith and wrote the book Christian Yoga (New York: Harper, 1960). In my case, I have found that Islamic yoga is a reality. It is possible to employ the skills of yoga to worship Allah better and to be a better Muslim".

"Yoga originally stems from polytheist beliefs and worship rituals. I think it is Hinduism. However, many martial arts, languages, foods and other cultural acts have some sort of background to them. This doesnt mean that they are forbidden to Muslims".

"Interestingly, for the millions of people enrolled in yoga classes, the Islamic form of prayer has provided Muslims for fourteen centuries with some of yoga’s same (and even superior) benefits. This simple form of “yoga” offers physical, mental, and spiritual benefits five times a day as Muslims assume certain positions while reciting Qur’an and athkar (remembrances)".


Umno Youth race keeps getting hotter

"On Sunday, Mr Khairy Jamaluddin - the son-in-law of retiring party president and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi - received a severe setback. The Umno Youth division of Pekan nominated Mr Mukhriz Mahathir, son of ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, for Umno Youth chief - a post that has been a springboard to higher positions of leadership. Pekan is the stronghold of Deputy Premier and party No. 2 Najib Razak".

"Dr Khir now has 43 nominations, while Mr Khairy has 47.
Mr Mukhriz has a healthy lead - though it is one that has shrunk - with 66 nominations, but no one is taking things for granted".

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Mansuh ekuiti bumiputera

Apakah muslihat MCA untuk menggesa kerajaan memansuhkan ekuiti bumiputera dalam syarikat2 awam di Malaysia? Dan apakah bukti ekuiti itu mengurangkan daya saing syarikat2 Malaysia? Jika ini mengurangkan daya saing syarikat2 Malaysia, sudah lama syarikat2 kita lingkup dan muflis akibat polisi yang tidak munasabah. Jika itu gesaan MCA, wajarkah kita membuka peluang kepada syarikat2 kongolomerat antarabangsa untuk membuka cawangan di Malaysia tanpa ekuiti syarikat Malaysia? Sudah tentu lingkup semua syarikat2 kecil dan sederhana jika pasaran dibiarkan bebas terbuka. MCA sekarang memain rancak DAP, bukan sebagai sahabat Barisan Nasional. Kalau begitu, MCA patut memansuhkan perlunya kemahiran Bahasa Mandarin untuk bekerja di syarikat2 yang dipegang orang2 Cina.

Ketidakstabilan pegangan ekuiti masyarakat kita perlu dihalusi. Kalau begitu kehendak MCA, lebih ketinggalan orang2 lain yang tidak berkeupayaan dari segi ekonomi atau kedudukan sosial.


Bukan sahaja itu, malah MCA juga baru2 ini ingin Barisan Nasional memberi kerusi Timbalan Pengerusi Barisan Nasional kepada parti itu. MCA sekarang lantang bersuara meminta pelbagai kehendak. Bukankah perkara2 ini boleh dibincang di mesyuarat Barisan Nasional? Nampak sangat mereka sudah tidak endahkan perpaduan dalam Barisan Nasional dan lebih rela bermain sentimen (mungkin kerana marah kepada Ketua Bahagian Bukit Bendera).

Nah, inilah senario yang orang Malaysia mahukan sangat, senario masyarakat terbuka. Memanglah nampak telus demi perpaduan, tetapi hakikatnya rata2 ekonomi dipegang oleh orang2 Cina. Hasil2 tani, ternakan, produk2 kilang dan sebagainya semuanya dimiliki oleh orang2 Cina. Jika tiada ekuiti ini, habislah semua dikebas oleh orang2 Cina atas konteks 'daya saing'. Maka bermulalah perkembangan jajahan Singapura ke atas negara kita.

Datuk Liow Tiong Lai cekap politiknya, maklumlah baru dinobatkan sebagai Naib Presiden MCA. Perlulah nampak beliau berani bersuara untuk mempertahankan hak2 orang Cina.

>>KUALA LUMPUR 27 Okt. – MCA meminta kerajaan menghapuskan syarat pemilikan 30 peratus ekuiti bumiputera dalam syarikat-syarikat senaraian awam bagi memastikan ia terus bersaing.

Naib Presidennya, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai berkata, ini kerana elemen penting dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi negara kini adalah daya saing yang kuat bagi membolehkan negara berhadapan dengan kesan buruk ekonomi dunia.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER by Bakri Musa


"UMNO’s biggest structural impediment to adopting reforms is its inability to attract new talent. This is due to three major factors. First is the concentration of power within the party, made worse by the coupling of party with governmental positions. State party leaders are also division heads, Supreme Council members, and heads of the party’s many wings. In addition they may be in the cabinet or holding senior government positions. Such a concentration of power not only breeds corruption in the party as well as in the government but it also inhibits the nurturing of fresh leadership talents".

"If the American Democratic Party had UMNO’s nomination system, it would not have discovered Barack Obama to be its presidential nominee".

>> UMNO is dire need of reform. After the severe whiplash from Malaysians on March 8th, which by the way was Samy Vellu's birthday, the party has yet to take dramatic steps to ensure that the next general election would not have the coalition Barisan Nasional put to bed. I may not agree with Bakri Musa's opinion most of the time but this article was right on the money. Although boasting with 3 million members, UMNO is in danger of losing more ground in the next election because it has failed to to prepare the next gen to take over the party helm. This is ostensible by virtue of the average age of the leaders in the party. Though I dare not undermine wisdom and experience in politics, we do have to acknowledge that UMNO's struggle would fail in the long run if it continues to cling on to power and fails to prepare the next generation of leaders to take over.

The party structure also frustrates aspiring candidates, whom normally face blockades if the they do not abide to the sordid culture of patronage and money politics. The election process must be reformed to ensure that delegates do not use their positions as bargaining chips to impose influence and demands. This is the only to elevate talent in the party, lest UMNO will be jinxed for decades with leaders with absolute ineptness to operate as such and who are plagued with scandals and corruption.

It has to reminded again that the next general election will feature 2,000,000 new voters from the internet, facebook and you tube generation. UMNO must ensure that the party is in touch with these individuals and the other millions of voters. Changes must come, lest UMNO will be swept away.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Higher Oil Prices Weren't Caused By Supply & Demand

Steve Forbes 10.22.08, 6:00 PM ET
Forbes Magazine dated November 10, 2008

For decades the prices of gold and oil have closely paralleled one another. In 2003 an ounce of gold would have bought you 12 barrels of oil. Today that ounce will buy you about 11 barrels, even though the nominal price of oil is almost three times what it was in 2003. Thus most of the oil increase is a result of dollar inflation, not traditional supply and demand.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Big Bubble Popped

Wall street recently crashed and banks folded. The biggest injection of funds from the Feds is arguably ineffective to put the brakes on recession. It is looming in the horizon or maybe it has arrived. Hedge funds exited from their gambling ventures. The big bubble from overspending, securitizing debts and unregulated speculations popped. Now oil is back in the 60 dollar-range. America drove 15 billions fewer miles last month. OPEC is cutting their production to optimize prize. Is the market stabilizing? Expect oil companies in the service sector to get hit especially those who have not secured long-term contracts. Massive investments have been channeled to build rigs and ships. If the oil price continues to go down and oil operators chew slower on their development projects, this would render the new-builts useless.

US college admission is plumetting. This is because thousands of American kids depend on financial aid and loans from banks and other institutions. If money is being channeled to fill in the holes left by the subprime mortgage and bankrupt banks, I gather there won't be much money left for kids to go to college. Doesn't help that tuition cost increases at 6.6% for the last 20 years. It is pricey to go to school in the US. Also, universities generate a huge chunk of their revenue from admission of international students. Because of the recession, expect a lower admission rate for the next few years. Students might choose a better destination the likes of Australia or Singapore.

Meanwhile, people are losing jobs especially in the financial sector. Expect low recruitment of fresh grads in the US for the next few years. Same thing across the causeway.

Back home, Bursa is getting killed and is now below 900 points.

Anwar is still trying to figure out how to get 30 MPs to jump the BN ship and still retain >60% Muslim MPs in Pakatan. By the time he figures that out, it'd be 2013 already, in time for the next election. Take your time Dato' Seri.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

YB J

I have yet to read the article about YB J in Utusan, but DAP is taking a fictional short story too seriously. After filing a lawsuit for RM30M against Utusan for the article about YB Teresa's demand to lower down the Azan volume, now she's suing the author of the infamous YB J article for RM100M. She is set to become the best fund raiser in the history of DAP politics.

PKR and PAS are in a bind because the actions make them appear to look lightweight. Their silence or lack of support indicate their reluctance to close in ranks with their partner. It is only a matter of time before their coalition collapses (yet again). My guess is that PAS will refocus their effort to enhance Kelantan's revenue after being advised by DYM Tuanku Ismail Petra. Kelantan's deficit grew from RM155 to RM 326M last year.

Meanwhile back in UMNO and Barisan Nasional, delegates are urged to rejuvenate the party by giving way to young blood. Seniors especially those with exposed skeletons from the big closet should just retire and support the new leadership from the back office. Tun Musa Hitam agrees with this.

DSAI is still adamant to sway 30 odd members of parliament to Pakatan Rakyat's side. However, by getting monumental support from Sabah, the composition of Muslim MPs would be less than 60%, which makes partner PAS uncomfortable and willing to withdraw from the coalition if such a scenario happens. So the defection date should not be on Deepavali or Hari Raya Qorban, he should just wait for the next general election. A lot of voters I know voted against Barisan Nasional not to cast them out but to reduce the majority, hence the results of Parliamentary seats compared to State. Voters didn't vote for Pakatan to stage a defection.

What's next...

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Second National Oil Company

Recently, the Malaysia Malay Chamber of Commerce (Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia) suggested the creation of a second national oil company to meet the soaring demand in the middle east and other hot spots for oil exploration, development and production. The demand for manpower in the oil patch is not new. It is a worldwide phenomena especially with the coming 'change of guards', whereby the crew with more than 25 years of experience would soon retire. This would leave a big gap for people with between 10-25 years of experience in the field. The gap was developed immensely when a severe downturn in the business in the 80's forced companies to use attrition to lower down operating cost.

Now that oil price is in a very profitable range between USD60-80 per bbl, projects that were deemed uneconomic are now being reactivated and reassessed by hordes of reservoir and drilling engineers. 3rd party services such as Schlumberger are getting their feet wet in field development projects, something unheard of 10 years ago (field development are normally conducted by oil operators, not service providers).

The creation of a second national oil company would not solve the problem of manpower shortage as it would only create a new vacuum. Pinching from other companies would be required to get operations started up and the only incentives it could throw at new prospects is higher salary. Eventually, a higher operating cost would make projects uneconomic if oil companies indulge in a 'bidding' exercise for expertise.

Several new setups like coiled tubing services are being formed locally. The challenge is the same: shortage of manpower. Consultants are celebrating with champaigne and caviar, as their demand for astronomical pay as much as USD2000 per day for an engineer with 20 years of experience is being met without opposition from major operators.

The hysterical hype of oil price surge which started a couple of years ago initiated a massive effort to manufacture rigs and vessels at every yard available. This created another problem. We realized that experienced manpower cannot be manufactured. Because of that, companies pinch manpower from each other and this was rampant. Some rigs are even being supervised by inexperienced personnel. When hiring from manpower companies, some operators unluckily get the bad apples from the crop (anyone with horrendous work ethics and zero initiative but with experience is taking advantage of the situation).

The short term solution is to reprioritize opportunities. It is impossible to evaluate and develop everything under the sun. Management must prioritize opportunities and refocus effort to the most profitable projects. The long term solution is obviously to start educating university students about the industry and recruit more students on campus.

So to the Malay Chamber of Commerce, I really think it's a bad idea.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Obama set to break fundraising records

Barack Obama has raised more money for his presidential bid than all candidates combined raised in the open 2000 presidential race and is on track to top the joint sum raised by President Bush and John F. Kerry in 2004.

The Illinois Democrat’s September haul of more than $150 million brings his overall contribution total for the 2008 raise to more than $600 million. Republican rival John McCain has raised about $250 million.

Monday, October 20, 2008

From Across the Causeway

Extracted from Singapore Straits Times on 10 Aug 2008.

By Nur Dianah Suhaimi (ndianah@sph.com.sg)


As a Malay, I've always been told that I have to work twice as hard to prove my worth. When I was younger, I always thought of myself as the quintessential Singaporean. Of my four late grandparents, two were Malay, one was Chinese and one was Indian. This, I concluded, makes me a mix of all the main races in the country. But I later realised that it was not what goes into my blood that matters, but what my identity card says under 'Race'.

Because my paternal grandfather was of Bugis origin, my IC says I'm Malay. I speak the language at home, learnt it in school, eat the food and a lesser Singaporean than those from other racial groups.

I grew up clueless about the concept of national service because my father was never enlisted. He is Singaporean all right, born and bred here like the rest of the boys born in 1955.
He is not handicapped in any way. He did well in school and participated in sports.

Unlike the rest, however, he entered university immediately after his A levels. He often told me that his schoolmates said he was 'lucky' because
he was not called up for national service.

'What lucky?' he would tell them. 'Would you feel lucky if your country doesn't trust you?' So I learnt about the rigours of national service from my male cousins. They would describe in vivid detail their training regimes, the terrible food they! were served and the torture inflicted upon them - most of which, I would later realise, were exaggerations.

But one thing these stories had in common was that they all revolved around the Police Academy in Thomson. As I got older, it puzzled me why my Chinese friends constantly referred to NS as 'army'. In my family and among my Malay friends, being enlisted in the army was like hitting the jackpot. The majority served in the police force because, as is known, the Government was not comfortable with Malay Muslims serving in the army. But there are more of them now.

Throughout my life, my father has always told me that as a Malay, I need to work twice as hard to prove my worth. He said people have the misconception that all Malays are inherently lazy.

I was later to get the exact same advice from a Malay minister in office who is a family friend. When I started work, I realised that the advice rang true, especially because I wear my religion on my head. My professionalism suddenly became an issue. One question I was asked at a job interview was whether I would be willing to enter a nightclub to chase a story. I answered: 'If it's part of the job, why not? And you can rest assured I won't be tempted to have fun.'

When I attend media events, before I can introduce myself, people assume I write for the Malay daily Berita Harian. A male Malay colleague in The Straits Times has the same problem, too.

This makes me wonder if people also assume that all Chinese reporters are from Lianhe Zaobao and Indian reporters from Tamil Murasu.

People also question if I can do stories which require stake-outs in the sleazy lanes of Geylang. They say because of my tudung I will stick out like a sore thumb. So I changed into a baseball cap and a men's sports
jacket - all borrowed from my husband - when I covered Geylang.

I do not want to be seen as different from the rest just because I dress
differently. I want the same opportunities and the same job challenges.
Beneath the tudung, I, too, have hair and a functioning brain. And if anything, I feel that my tudung has actually helped me secure some difficult interviews.

Newsmakers - of all races - tend to trust me more because I look guai (Hokkien for well-behaved) and thus, they feel, less likely to write critical stuff about them.

Recently, I had a conversation with several colleagues about this essay. I told them I never thought of myself as being particularly patriotic.
One Chinese colleague thought this was unfair. 'But you got to enjoy free eduation,' she said.

Sure, for the entire 365 days I spent in Primary 1 in 1989. But my parents paid for my school and university fees for the next 15 years I was studying.

It seems that many Singaporeans do not know that Malays have stopped getting free education since 1990. If I remember clearly, the news made front-page news at that time.

We went on to talk about the Singapore Government's belief that Malays here would never point a missile at their fellow Muslim neighbours in a war.

I said if not for family ties, I would have no qualms about leaving the country. Someone then remarked that this is why Malays like myself are not trusted. But I answered that this lack of patriotism on my part comes from not being trusted, and for being treated like a potential traitor.

It is not just the NS issue. It is the frustration of explaining t non-Malays that I don't get special privileges from the Government. It is having to deal with those who question my professionalism because of my religion. It is having people assume, day after day, that you are lowly educated, lazy and poor. It is like being the least favourite child in a family. This child will try to win his parents' love only for so long.

After a while, he will just be engulfed by disappointment and bitterness.
I also believe that it is this 'least favourite child' mentality which makes most Malays defensive and protective of their own kind.

Why do you think Malay families spent hundreds of dollars voting for two Malay boys in the Singapore Idol singing contest? And do you know that Malays who voted for other competitors were frowned upon by the community?

The same happens to me at work. When I write stories which put Malays in a bad light, I am labeled a traitor. A Malay reader once wrote to me to say: 'I thought a Malay journalist would have more empathy for these unfortunate people than a non-Malay journalist.'

But such is the case when you are a Malay Singaporean. Your life is not just about you, as much as you want it to be. You are made to feel
responsible for the rest of the pack and your actions affect them as well.
If you trip, the entire community falls with you. But if you triumph, it is considered everyone's success.

When 12-year-old Natasha Nabila hit the headlines last year for her record PSLE aggregate of 294, I was among the thousands of Malays here who celebrated the news. I sent instant messages to my friends on Gmail and chatted excitedly with my Malay colleagues at work.

Suddenly a 12-year-old has become the symbol of hope for the community and a message to the rest that Malays can do it too - and not just in singing competitions.

And just like that, the 'least favourite child' in me feels a lot happier.
Each year, come Aug 9, my father, who never had the opportunity to do national service, dutifully hangs two flags at home - one on the front gate and the other by the side gate.

I wonder if putting up two flags is his way of making himself feels like a better-loved child of Singapore.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Latest Nomination Figures

Click here for the latest numbers.

Mukhriz - 61; KJ - 38; KT - 28

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Latest From Putrajaya

Nomination for UMNO Youth Chief:
Dato' Mukhriz 33; Dato' Seri Khir Toyo 32; KJ 22

Nomination for UMNO Deputy Chief:
YB Razali 54; Dato' Reezal 34

UMNO Putrajaya Youth Chief:
Dato' Zaki with 46 votes (defeated Tun Faisal with 43)
UMNO Putrajaya Deputy Youth Chief:
Hisamudin Yahya @ Yop (Former Press Secretary to Minister of Tourism, Dato' Seri Adnan Mansor)

Friday, October 17, 2008

Daulat Tuanku

  • The Conference of Rulers issued a special statement today on the Malay special rights and other constitutional provisions. Let's just put this case to rest for now:

“The Malay Rulers hold the constitutional role to safeguard the special privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay Rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the National Language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia".

"Therefore, it is appropriate for the Malay Rulers to remind that there should never be any attempt ever to test and challenge issues related to the Social Contract."


  • Hindraf has been categorized as an illegal grouping, therefore warranting arrests should they conduct any form of activity in the future. I cannot fathom a reason why they would appeal the Prime Minister to take action against Dato' Seri Syed Hamid. Wasn't it a collective decision by members of the Cabinet? Why not take action against the Prime Minister? Oh, their fearless leader is in exile. I take it as a closed case. What's next.
  • YB KJ is expected to gain minimum nominations of 38 to qualify him to contest for the post of Ketua Pemuda. Dato' Seri Khir Toyo is also expected to reach that mark this weekend.
  • This weekend will show case a straight fight between Prime Minister's special officer Dato' Zaki Zahid, the incumbent Putrajaya Division Youth Chief and Tun Faisal, Special Officer to the Minister of Education. I expect this contest to be closely scrutinized by many.
  • Gerakan Wanita Chief, Datuk Tan Lian Hoe definitely has a short-term memory. Although the Gerik parliamentary seat encompasses a malay-majority constituency, the Malays gave their full support to their non-Malay Wakil Rakyat unlike the total opposite in Penang where we had witnessed a total annihilation of Gerakan support. This is a clear demonstration of weak judgement when she decided to convince Malaysians that she is a luminary fluent in the subject of History. Unfortunately, even at her level of power in the party, one does not make such statement without clearance. Her 'datukship' should be revoked, along with other undeserving tourists and actors.
  • The famous 14-yr old who kicked her teacher was suspended for a week. Time has definitely changed. Students clearly lack respect for teacher these days. It used to be military punishment or expulsion if it were the Royal Military College (nowadays, officers get called in if they lay a finger on the Puteras, especially Generals' kids). The punishment will be seen as inappropriate and ineffective to refrain other kids from throwing a punch in their Biology teacher's face in the future.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Zaki sedia hadapi cabaran

Petikan dari Harian Metro

PUTRAJAYA: Persidangan perwakilan Pergerakan Pemuda Umno Bahagian Putrajaya, di Pusat Persidangan Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC), Sabtu ini, bakal menyaksikan pertembungan antara penyandang jawatan Ketua Pemuda yang juga Pegawai Khas kepada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid, dengan Pegawai Khas kepada Menteri Pelajaran, Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.

Kesediaan Tun Faisal Ismail menentang Ahmad Zaki memang sesuatu yang mengejutkan berikutan beliau baru dilantik sebagai ahli jawatankuasa pergerakan itu April lalu.

Biarpun begitu, Ahmad Zaki berkata, beliau sedia menghadapi cabaran itu kerana apa yang penting baginya ialah ahli Pemuda Umno Putrajaya boleh menilai sendiri kemampuannya sebagai pemimpin mereka sejak empat tahun lalu.

“Selepas dipilih sebagai Ketua Pemuda Umno Putrajaya pada 2004 lalu, saya bertekad untuk menjadikan Pemuda Umno Putrajaya dihormati dan disegani Pemuda Umno bahagian lain,” katanya.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

KENYATAAN MEDIA MENGENAI PENURUNAN HARGA RUNCIT PETROL DAN DIESEL

DATO' SERI ABDULLAH BIN HAJI AHMAD BADAWI
PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIA
Venue : PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI
Date : 14/10/2008
Title : KENYATAAN MEDIA MENGENAI PENURUNAN HARGA RUNCIT PETROL DAN DIESEL


Pejabat Perdana Menteri

Kerajaan hari ini telah mengambil keputusan untuk mengurangkan harga runcit petrol dan diesel, berkuatkuasa 15 Oktober 2008.

Sebelum ini, Kerajaan telah melaraskan harga runcit petrol pada 23 Ogos dan 24 September 2008. Oleh kerana harga minyak dunia telah menurun secara ketara akhir-akhir ini, Kerajaan telah membuat keputusan untuk mempercepatkan pengurangan harga runcit bagi membolehkan orang ramai menikmatinya dengan lebih segera.

Sehubungan itu, Kerajaan ingin mengumumkan penurunan harga runcit seperti berikut:

- Petrol RON97 akan dikurangkan sebanyak 15 sen seliter iaitu daripada RM2.45 seliter kepada RM2.30 seliter;

- Petrol RON92 akan dikurangkan sebanyak 10 sen seliter iaitu daripada RM2.30 seliter kepada RM2.20 seliter; dan

- Diesel akan dikurangkan sebanyak 20 sen seliter iaitu daripada RM2.40 seliter kepada RM2.20 seliter.



DATO` SERI ABDULLAH HAJI AHMAD BADAWI

Perdana Putra
PUTRAJAYA

14 Oktober 2008

Winds of change in Umno Youth

Analysis
By JOCELINE TAN


The Umno Youth contest has become the race to watch as the underdog candidate has clinched the coveted nomination count to contest while the once mighty are struggling to catch up.

DATUK Mukhriz Mahathir was probably as surprised as many others in Umno to have zoomed ahead of the assumed strongman candidate Khairy Jamaluddin.

By the end of the first weekend round of Umno Youth divisions meetings on Sunday, he had 40 nominations, more than the minimum 38 he needed to contest the Umno Youth leadership.

Getting the requisite nominations is a key psychological milestone and that he got there before Khairy and Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been pretty stunning.

Just a week or so ago, he was placed in second or even third place after Khairy and Dr Khir. But it has been a long and dramatic week in politics for Umno and as the new Subang Umno Youth head Harrison Hassan pointed out it, “everything has changed.”

It is clear even at this early stage that the winds of change are blowing through the Youth wing.

Otherwise, how does one explain the way the underdog is now leading the nomination count while the once mighty are struggling to catch up.

Khairy, who is the incumbent deputy Youth chief, has secured 20 nominations so far, Dr Khir 12 and the fourth aspirant Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin only one.

Mukhriz’s leading trend is likely to continue this weekend and Khairy should be able to secure the requisite nominations by then.

But the picture is a bit gloomier for Dr Khir although his aides insist he will get there.

He thought he had steady support from the Youth wing in Selangor but he has had to struggle against Mukhriz and Khairy in the state where he had been a two-term Mentri Besar.

The cool reception to Khir in Selangor is also sign of how Umno feels about his role in the loss of this premier state in the general election.

He reckoned he had put the defeat behind him by taking responsibility and resigning as the Selangor Umno chief but it looks like all has not been forgiven.

But the question everyone is asking now is what has gone wrong with the Khairy’s political juggernaut?

Is it simply because his father-in-law is on his last leg as Prime Minister or is it something more complex?

He has campaigned extensively the last few months, he has tremendous access in his capacity as the incumbent deputy Youth leader and he has the funds.

He even has a “war team” comprising of some seasoned faces including a former journalist and a couple of bright, young individuals.

“The change is coming from the bottom. The grassroots are reasserting their voice. They are telling us who they want rather than we telling them who to choose. It’s been the trend after what happened in the general election,” said Harrison.

A total of 72 of the 191 Umno Youth divisions have met so far and the rest will hold their meetings this weekend.

Khairy, who has a stronger standing in the rural divisions, has had a tough time in the urban division meetings where members are more informed and critical.

In Setiawangsa, there were jeers from the floor when Khairy’s name was proposed and few were surprised when Mukhriz won with 53 votes against 29 for Dr Khir and 7 for Khairy.

“The wind for Mukhriz is very powerful this time,” said Zulflida Tahmali, an Umno Youth politician from Setiawangsa.

Khairy had an even tougher time in Johor although he secured three nominations there.

In Tenggara, delegates shouted tak mahu! when his name was proposed.

In Batu Pahat, he got only three votes compared to 95 for Khir and 186 for Mukhriz.

That is the kind of scenario he is facing in some places.

Johor has been outspoken about the party leadership and Khairy’s alleged influence in the present administration.

It is possible he is now feeling the full impact of the party’s discontent.

The last time the Umno Youth leadership was contested was in 1996 and the fight is turning out to be a top ticket match.

Some view it as a proxy fight between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Others claim it is a mini referendum on the Abdullah administration.

Such metaphorical analogies do not cut much ice with the average Umno Youth member.

But they do realise that Umno is in dire straits and that the Youth wing has lost support among young Malays.

They are looking for a sincere and capable leader who will lead them out of the mess.

But the battle for nominations is just the first stage or a race up the hill. After that comes the race up the mountain and that is the tough one.

Terasa Trying Out PAP tactics


Today, the NST reported that the high court in Singapore ordered the opposition party to pay S$610,000 in defamation damages to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father Lee Kuan Yew. The charges are expected to bankrupt the opposition party according to its leader Chee Soon Juan. Soon Juan said that it is unlikely the payment would be made since they are still catching up on payments from previous suits and legal costs. Critics suggest that the suits are intended to deter the opposition from doing what it does; oppose. The ruling party suggests that the suits are needed to protect their image against damaging remarks.

Teresa Kok, a Member of Parliament from the Democractic Action Party; a splinter cell from the PAP of Singapore, is suing Utusan Malaysia for RM30M over the publication of an article about her request to lower the Azan volume in her constituency. She claimed that the article labeled her as 'a bad politician, racist and anti-Islam' while not opposing or denying what was done. This move clearly negates Pakatan's ideals of freedom of speech. Concurrently, she is not denying the alleged demand to lower the volume of the Azan.

What's more interesting is the silence by PAS. After getting lambasted for their idea to install an Islamic state model in Kedah by DAP, PAS is clearly not defending their coalition partner on the azan issue. PAS was also furious about the BAR council's forum on Islam. YB Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-Kulim) was involved in the demonstration and he said that religion comes above party. Is the coalition breaking up sooner than expected?

Oh, perhaps not, since Anwar is getting MPs to hop later this year.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Extensive Work Ahead

1. Come March 2009, there will be a long list of to-do items for all newly elected UMNO leaders. The newly elected President of UMNO has a mammoth task to commence reparation of the party and the coalition if it has not begun.

2. The deadline will be the next general election, set to have more than 60% of voters below the age of 40. The young professionals in Wilayah Persekutuan have unanimously rejected Barisan Nasional. Barisan Nasional also lost the wealthiest state in Malaysia, Selangor. Pakatan's biggest advantage was figuring out how to krazy glue a loose coalition and make it work. DSAI played a crucial role to marry both PAS and DAP. This will be their Achilles' Heel, hands down.

3. It might not be half-bad to consider courting PAS. Not only it strengthens the coalition by increasing the number of Malay votes, but it solidifies BN's position in Kedah and Terengganu. Not only that, Kelantan will be under BN's belt for the first time in 23 years come 2013. In the spirit of coalition, a few federal portfolios should be given to PAS.

4. In ensuring strong racial tolerance and integration, the idea of streamlining our education system must be forwarded. The National Service for our kids at age 17 might be an acceptable module for motivational purposes, but would fail miserably if our kids have been exposed to systematic segregation in their early age. The idea of a one-race party system is acceptable but not at this moment when the house is not in order.

5. UMNO must continue to champion the Malay rights as enshrined in the Constitution and guard the tradition of the Malays. Concurrently, UMNO must ensure that the rights of Malaysians are not in jeopardy and not taken for granted.

6. Membership process must be revamped to attract talent into the party. The idea by Gerakan is not quite practical. Online registration of individual parties should be studied and implemented in the best manner possible.

7. Scores of post-mortems were conducted post-election to dissect the cause of the losses in several states. The findings must be executed to ensure a stronger win in the next general election. The Youth Chief and the young ones must play a bigger role to attract the young voters and understand their wants and needs.

8. UMNO and Barisan Nasional must also be prepared for an all-out PR exercise to counter blogs, internet media and video streaming sites. They fumbled for taking this lightly in the last election.

ps: on a different note, I respect Cheras Division Chief's initiative for creating the funds for Azan and in defence of Utusan Melayu. Clearly Pakatan's push for freedom of speech has been negated by this act by one MP.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Do you want to vote for the US presidental election?


Interesting simulation of the US presidential election.

When the author cast his votes, there were 222 votes from Malaysia with 92.8% for Senator Obama.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Perjumpaan Penting di Seri Perdana?

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mengadakan satu perjumpaan penting selama tiga jam - mulai 11.00 malam 7 Oktober 2008 hingga 2.00 pagi 8 Oktober 2008 - di Sri Perdana, Putrajaya, untuk memuktamadkan keputusan sama ada beliau akan bersara atau terus mempertahankan jawatannya selaku Presiden UMNO dalam pemilihan parti Mac 2009.

Keputusannya: ?

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Hindu Rights Action Force

So Hindraf gate crashed PM and Cabinet Minister's open house on the basis of celebrating Hari Raya, but wanted to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. So they decided to hand a memorandum for the release of all ISA detainees including their brethren and abolish the legally enacted law, instead of just having free lunch. Because of their total rejection of the BN-led government and especially MIC, they not only insulted the cabinet ministers but they indirectly insulted Muslims alike by handing a memorandum at an open house. How childish could they get? I don't see Muslims passing a memo to Dato' Nalla at his open house on Deepavali (oh, he has left Pakatan).

Their own organization is filled with flaws. The name in itself is an insult to the Indians. How about the Indians who are not Hindus? Are they covered under their banner? Or Indians who converted to Islam. Surely this organization does not have a strong support base among the majority of rational Indians unless the Indians do not see a bright prospect in the current BN-led Government. I'm surprised that they are still around, seeing that the Malaysian Government has been allegedly conducting systematic ethnic cleansing of Indians in Malaysia. Then again, some of us chose to even vote for Socialists because of the much hatred of Barisan Nasional (concurrently not appreciating the true meaning of socialism), especially some candidates in specific parliamentary seats. Fair enough.

Even after proven track record of over 50 years by the Barisan Nasional government, a lot of Indians are still unhappy with how things are being run in this country. Most blame the lack of effectiveness in MIC leadership over the last few decades in delivering results. Some accuse MIC of trying too hard to please UMNO political masters. Most are still unhappy with the failure of Maika Holdings and lost of savings without guarantees or reimbursements. Maika raised RM108 Million in 1981 and not much dividends have been paid ever since (can't seem to find their annual reports anywhere). Others are furious about the Malay Rights for entry into universities and calling foul when straight A students are denied entry into the Medical faculty, the no. 1 favorite among the Indians.

Push came to shove, shove came to stampede, Hindraf was born. It's a bit of an extreme revolution, but surely blaming the Government for ethnic cleansing and extreme racial discrimination against the Indians are uncalled for. Especially when successful doctors and lawyers in this country are mostly Indians. Demanding RM20B a year from the government is also a bit on the extreme side, but who could blame them. However, insulting Muslims would further damage their reputation, not strengthen it.

Taken from Hindraf's website:

"Over the last 50 years since independence on the 31st day of August 1957, the United Malays Organisation (UMNO) controlled Malaysian government with their majoritarian might, and backed by police, Attorney General’s Chambers, Judiciary, civil service and the media continuously violated the Malaysian Federal Constitution by their racist and Islamic extremist policies and which in effect have created an apartheid system ala Malaysia and especially resulting in the degeneration of at least 70% of the ethnic minority Indians to become the underclass of Malaysia who end up in the poor and hardcore poor category".

"The plight of the Indians have been made worse by the racist UMNO mindset having spilled over to even almost all of the Opposition parties, NGOs’, Civil society, Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), Bar Council, the media etc who do not take up the Indian plight for they are deemed to be lacking “political mileage” (race based) and/or no funding". (Isn't the president who got molotov-cocktailed earlier an Indian?)

"To this effect the UMNO controlled government allocates RM100 Billion at RM20 Billion per annum with effect from 2007 and implements successful strategic schemes in investments for the Indians as implemented for the Malay Muslims with the view to the Indians acquiring at least 10% of the nation’s equity".
>>It wasn't in front of Seri Perdana genius.

'International Oil Companies Are the Real Dinosaurs'

The international oil companies are the real dinosaurs, not we at OPEC. The multinationals have changed their philosophy in recent years, but they still have a long way to go. They need to hire and train more local people. And they should invest more in the exploration of fields and in new technologies. They also have to be very gentle with the production profile of every country.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

No. 2 In The Country

The US Vice Presidential Debate kicked off featuring a veteran democrat politician against a one-term Governor whose winks and choice of words ranging from 'you betcha' and 'darn right' might have further disconnected her from middle-class American women. Senator Biden consistently attacked Bush's financial policy and supported the withdrawal of US troops in Iraq, which is costing US tax payers USD 20B a month (btw Halliburton established a Private Military Contractor company and was awarded security contracts in Iraq). Governor Palin lacked substance in her debate and made some false accusations about Obama. She didn't score much but people expected her to be worse. Unexpectedly, she performed well for someone who lacks the 36 years of experience in the form of Biden. Gov Palin's biggest blunder was her shallow understanding of US foreign policy and failed miserably in answering touch US policy questions.

The big question US voters must answer is whether they see Gov Palin fit to be the Commander-In-Chief in case McCain's health declines due to his age? 8 Presidents in the past died in office, 4 of whom due to assasinations (Lincoln, Garfield, Kinley, Kennedy), 4 of whom died due to health (Harrison, Taylor, Harding, FDR).

Back in our beloved Country, Datuk Zahid recently announced his intention to contest for the hot UMNO Deputy President seat. If DS Najib takes over as President, others may follow suit to join Datuk Zahid including Tan Sri Muhammad Md Taib and DS Ali Rustam. TS Muhyiddin has yet to officially announce which seat he is contesting for.

Datuk Zahid might have scored points when he lambasted BAR council about their open forum on Islamic issues. Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib's past history that took place at an Australian airport may discredit his race for the title despite the fact that he has a seat in the current Cabinet. Eventually, each candidate's resources would be a huge factor in affecting voters decision.

We may not have a Vice Presidential debate here but I sure bet it'd be one hell of a debate with topics such as Ketuanan Melayu, race-based politics, oil revenue, UMNO reform, education and many more. Then we can confidently judge the best candidate (assuming we're all delegates).

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister requested RM59M for personnel, CCTV installation and other security features. Wow, imagine how many CCTVs he's trying to install on that relatively small island. What's his rational to mobilize 10 GOF platoons (General Operations Force is a subset of the Royal Police trained and tasked for border patrols, maritime security, anti-smuggling operations, guerilla warfare and other general security details during peace time)? Doesn't Johor have the worst crime rate in Malaysia? Is this another way to channel funds from the cancelled Penang City center project?

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Lion and the Fly


It was reported that a ransom was paid to the pirates for the release of 2 MISC tankers and her crew, even though it was against company policy. How much, we don't know. Is it the right thing to do and doesn't this encourage further engagement with pirates alike?

After the release of Bunga Melati Dua and Bunga Melati Lima, the Somali hijakced a Ukranian ship. To their surprise, her cargo included 33 T-72 tanks, heavy ammunition and other light weapons. They hit the jackpot. This aggravated the US for a response and the 5th Fleet was immediately mobilized to the scene (the US 5th fleet includes a carrier battle group, destroyers, attack submarines, cruise missiles, amphibious ready group, expeditionary strike group). A shootout was then reported between Navy SEALS and the pirates who were celebrating Eid on the vessel.

Russian, French and Malaysian warships then joined the international blockade to avoid the ship's cargo to be unloaded in Somalia. Here's a classic example of the lion and the fly. The Somalis are also armed with light weapons and RPG, yet they have stronger bargaining power because of the hostage situation and on top of that 33 tanks. The super power and developed nations can build all the war ships in the world to escort tankers, but terrorism in this fashion is still favored because of the low cost, nothing-to-lose scenario and high reward. The loose coalition of their organization and 'allies' also makes them hard to be detected and destroyed, similar to Al-Qaeda and their network of terrorists. What we need is to have covert operatives in Somalia and dismantle their group from within. The lion can project fear in the enemy, but with all that awesome power, can't swat the little fly that flies around and annoys the lion at best.

When Harry Met Fannie

"All I want is the government to help me lower my interest rate. I can’t afford it, I need a normal rate. But when I tried to get one the FHA, FNMA, they all told me no, my house isn’t worth what I owe on it. All the banks said the same thing. I couldn’t refinance without a huge down payment. And I’m stuck. Then I heard the government was going to bail out the people who created this mess with 700 billion dollars, it made me real angry. I can’t get a few hundreds dollars a month of help on my own home for my family, but the richest people in the world who got a bunch of people like me over the barrel are going to get 700 billion dollars of our tax money? Disgusting".

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The Collapse of Capitalism and Free Market

1. USD1.2Trillion was wiped off from the US stock market 2 days ago. Main street was furious about the proposed USD 700B bail out plan and the plan was voted out by both Republicans and Democrats. This is the sign of the collapse in America's capitalism and free market built by the super class and untouchable hedge fund managers controlling trillions of dollars worldwide.

2. Unfortunately, the fall will be cushioned by tax payers money eventually because of the Fed's intention to help save the market and avoid another major recession. The super class continues to enjoy their martinis on a 100-ft yatch in Spain.

3. The top 250 companies in the world makes roughly USD14Trillion, more than the US GDP of USD13.2Trillion and EU at USD13.7T. Policies and trade agreements will continue to be dictated by major corporations and congolomerates, not governments. Unlike governments whose authority has boundaries, corporations can pack and leave in this borderless world.

4. Rockefeller, the famous US oil mogul, built an enormous oil monopoly in the form of Standard Oil which was broken up to several companies including Exxon, Mobil, Chevron and others after the US courts charged him for violating the Anti-Trust Laws. The major oil companies were then identified as part of the Seven Sisters. Because of the enormous influence in the cartel, the Arabs decided to form OPEC in 1961 to curb that influence. Now Exxon has 'merged' with Mobil 10 years ago and is raking in almost USD400B of revenue. Lee Raymond retired with a golden handshake of USD357M. Chevron merged with Texaco in 2001.

3. The top 5 oil companies have spent almost USD200M lobbying between 1998 and 2005. Exxon has ties with powerful people in Washington including Former speaker of the house, Illinois rep Dennis Hastert, who later pushed for drilling in the Arctic. Now Sarah Palin, the governor from Alaska and Senator McCain's running mate for the VP race, also is pushing for drilling in the sacred Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

4. In the months prior to 9/11, Dick Cheney was tasked to re-evaluate the US energy policy. Roughly 300 meetings were held between him and reps from Exxon, BP, Duke Energy, other industry groups including Enron Chairman, who happens to be a strong Bush supporter (Enron filed for bankruptcy in 2001). Cheney then became Halliburton CEO and Halliburton was awarded multi-billion dollar contracts in Iraq for logistics and military supplies. Condolezza Rice was director at Chevron for 10 years before becoming the US Secretary of State.

5. The top 7 companies with more than USD500k political contribution are Goldman Sachs, Citi, UBS, Meryll, Morgan Stan, Lehman, Bear Stearns. We saw earlier the collapse of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers. Warren Buffet pumped in capital into Goldman Sachs.

6. Goldman Sach has been a world renowned investment bank since 1889. Its revenue was close to the US70B mark and the average employee salary was USD600k a year. Its CEO has been taking pay checks worth USD 54M and the top 20 executives have been withdrawing close to half of that each. At Lehman Brothers, the average employee salary was close to USD 300k/year.

7. Because of the recent subprime mortgage crisis, Wall Street greed, unregulated hedge funds playing up the market and manipulating oil price, over-compensated CEOs and top executives and other political and business interests, we are seeing the collapse of an intricate global network of investment banks, military-industrial complex, oil companies and politicians (who have background in the same companies involved whether in the board or as CEO).

8. Senator Obama wants to regulate the market if he becomes POTUS and does not believe in the invisible hands that 'correct' the market.

9. We are also seeing a shopping spree by Middle Eastern and Asian funds which are cash-rich. Singapore's Temasek pumped in US5B into Meryll Lynch to keep her afloat. China invested US 3B into Blackstone, a renowned private equity firm in the US and the second biggest in the country.

10. The US and IMF criticized Malaysia for its pegging initiative and strict forex control in 1998. Now they are replicating exactly what Tun Dr Mahathir did by regulating hedge funds (a bill was passed in Congress a few months ago to control the oil price due to speculations) and bailing out drowning companies.

11. It will be interesting to observe how this chain of events will affect us all.