"Four Thousand Years of Feudal Politics from Majapahit to Malaysia today."
Hosted by:
The Annexe, Central Market
Type:
Education - Lecture
Where:
The Annexe Gallery, Central Market Annexe
When:
Sunday, June 29 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Friday, June 20, 2008
Vernacular Education System and the Left (Part 1)
Lee Ban Chen Sep 14, 05 5:51pm
"...That is why Russian Marxists say that there must be no compulsory official language, that the population must be provided with schools where teaching will be carried on in all the local languages, that a fundamental law must be introduced in the constitution declaring invalid all privileges of any one nation and all violations of the rights of national minorities...".
Is a compulsory official language needed? By Lenin
Introduction
One fundamental and yet unresolved agenda of the left is language. Beyond being a tool of communication languages had developed to become icons of identity and culture. This paper addresses on language as the unresolved national question and attempts to explain a case for vernacular languages.
Kamus Dewan defines vernacular as "relating to or a language or dialect commonly spoken by the members of a particular group or a community in a society. (yang berkaitan dengan atau yang menggunakan bahasa atau dialek yang dipertuturkan oleh sesuatu golongan atau kaum dalam masyarakat)
Oxford Fajar Advanced Learner's English-Malay Dictionary defines vernacular as: "language or dialect spoken in a particular country or region, as compared with a formal or written language. (bahasa atau dialek yang dituturkan di negara atau kawasan tertentu berbanding dengan bahasa yang formal atau bahasa bertulis).
The term vernacular therefore refers to a non-formal language (commonly spoken) used by a particular group or a community in a society. During the British occupation, the language system (involving language, school and education system) for the Malays, Chinese, Indians and other minorities were considered to be vernacular whereas the formal language was English. After independence, Bahasa Melayu became the national and official language of the country forming the official language system. The language system (involving language, school and education system) of the Chinese, Indians and other minorities became vernacular.
A simple analogy from the above is that language system is function of power. The one in control of power imposes the choice of his language over the others. Therefore whether a language is treated as formal or vernacular is dependant on the choice of dominant power ruling the country.
During the British occupation, the anti-colonialist left-movement had no problem in supporting the vernacular language/school/education. The multiracial left stood against the English language system alleging it to be discriminatory and oppressive against other languages. Similarly, during the Japanese occupation, the use of Japanese language system (involving language, school and education system) was opposed by the Left, based on the same reasoning.
The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) issued a Nine Point anti-Japanese Manifesto in 1943. Item 6 of the manifesto stated that the development of a national culture should be through a multilingual system of free education. (p.77, alias Chin Peng: My Side of History, Chinese version) The CPM announced an Eight Point Programme in August 15, 1945. Item 6 of this programme stated that a democratic education system must be placed in lieu of the existing system and the development of national culture shall encompass multi languages. (p.105, alias Chin Peng: My Side of History, Chinese version)
The left view, on the equality of the languages and culture as contained in their Anti-Japanese Nine Point Manifesto in 1943 and the Eight Point Programme in 1945, was surprisingly dropped.
In 1947, through the combine effort of two progressive forces comprising Malay nationalist group Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (Putera) and the All-Malayan Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) a document called The People's Constitutional Proposals for Malaya was formulated. In this document the earlier left views on equality of languages and culture were compromised and replaced with the Malay nationalist views advocated by Putera. Thereafter, the post independent Malaya saw the replacement of the Malay language as the national and official language replacing English. The Chinese, Tamil and other languages of the minorities took a back stage.
The Alliance and Barisan Nasional governments claiming to be racially representing the races did not promote the growth of other languages. In fact the Chinese, Tamil and other minority languages faced official discrimination hampering its development in the post-independent Malaysia. Arguably the left movements can be said to have failed in its role to reach a consensus on this sensitive and controversial issue of language. Perhaps it is time for the left movements to review its position and make a firm stand through democratic debates and discussions with relevant groups. The ensuing perspective is an outline for an open discussion on this issue.
People's constitution and Malay nationalism
The People's Constitutional Proposals for Malaya was drafted jointly by Putera and AMCJA. The AMCJA was formed in Dec 22, 1946. It then had about 400,000 members representing political parties, workers unions, women organisations and youth groups from all races and all classes. Its formation was based on six principles.
1. Consolidate Singapore with Malaya
2. Election of a central government and state councils
3. Malay rulers shall have vested power and responsibility to the people through the Council Meetings.
4. A new constitution for Malaya with special provisions for the development of Malays in politics and economy.
5. Malay traditions and Islam fully protected by Malays through a special council.
6. Citizenship for all who adopts Malaya as the land of permanent residence and declares undivided loyalty.
On the other side, Putera, which was formed on Feb 22, 1947, was made up of about 150,000 members. Its membership was represented by Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Kesatuan Tani, Angkatan Wanita Sedar (Awas) and some 80 other smaller organisations. It had 10 principles, in addition to the six form the above and the following four were added.
- Bahasa Melayu shall be made the national language.
- Defence and the state affairs shall be the joint responsibility of the government of Malaysia and the British government. -
The citizens of Malaya shall be named as Malays.
- The national flag for Malaya shall have red and white colours as the background.
Undeniably the four principles of Putera represented Malay nationalism. With an open mind AMCJA compromised and accepted these, which had the support of the CPM, the influential partner of both teams.
The attack on the vernacular system
Often it is stated that the vernacular system is a ‘divide and rule' policy of the British. Not denying the British intent to divide and rule, one report of the British on education in 1951, i.e. Barnes Report failed to affirm that it had such intention with regard to vernacular education
"… Chinese and Indians are being asked to give up gradually their own vernacular schools, and to send their children … to schools where Malay is the only oriental language taught…"
There were objections raised by the Chinese and Indians. This prompted the tabling of the Fenn-Wu Report in the same year. It defended the vernacular system: "… any restrictive imposition of a language or two languages upon the people of Malaya would not provide a healthy atmosphere for community understanding and national unity".
Somehow this put a stop to any effort to implement the proposal contained in the Barnes Report.
The minister of education of the Alliance government, Abdul Razak headed a committee and formulated the education policy for the soon to be free country. The Razak Report 1956 stated: ".. the ultimate objective of educational policy in this country must be to bring the children of all races under a national education system in which the national language is the main medium of interaction."
The ‘ultimate objective' policy faced tremendous opposition from Chinese educationalist movements, in particular the Dong Jiao Zong. The policy intended to close down Chinese and Tamil schools was temporarily disbanded. The lesser controversial Education Ordinance 1957 was well received by all races. But, it was not too long before the controversy erupted in the form of the Rahman Talib Report in 1960.
The ‘ultimate objective' tune was replayed again and this time it was to close down secondary schools which used mother tongue languages. The reason given was to promote national unity. The mono-language and monoculture policies became very evident in the Alliance government when the Education Act 1961 was introduced. The Act gave vested power to the minister to convert mother-tongue based secondary schools to national secondary schools and to convert in suitable time any SJKC or SJKM to national schools. The ‘ultimate objective' policy continued its existence in the Education Act 1996. The Act exempted the application of the policy to schools existing prior to 1996 or that established under the direction of the minister.
In addition to that, the 1971 National Cultural Policy was based on a mono-cultural concept of assimilation. For example, it states:
a. National culture must be based on the Malay culture
b. Suitable elements of other cultures may be incorporated
c. Islam shall be an important component in the National culture Principle of equality of races
"….Whoever does not recognise and champion the equality of nations and languages, and does not fight against all national oppression or inequality, is not a Marxist; he is not even a democrat. That is beyond doubt…" In theory, this statement of Lenin on equality of nations and languages i.e. races is readily acceptable in any rational and fair debate. But reality in a multicultural society is different.
A ruling race seldom accommodates the interests of other races for equality without discrimination in their society. This is true for even in certain socialist countries. Often the situation is that of a chauvinist or a narrow nationalist goal to oppress others in the name of assimilation. On the basis of equality of all races, Malaysia being a multicultural society should have embraced a language system of all races on equal footing. There should not have been a classification of official and unofficial languages or formal and vernacular systems. All languages have a right to exist and developed to the needs of the relevant races.
The main characteristic of a multiracial society is its plural identity. Unity in diversity is the strength that should be harnessed to forge a distinct national unity and not by an assimilated uniformity through forced integration. Confronting oppression is the most important principle to defend a race.
In this context recalling Lenin; "…What we do not want is the element of coercion. We do not want to have people driven into paradise with a cudgel, for no matter how many fine phrases about "culture" you may utter, a compulsory official language involves coercion, the use of the cudgel…"
Therefore if national unity becomes a pretext to deny rights of affected races and their vernacular system, then what is achieved cannot be termed as unity. It is fragmenting the socio-cultural fabric, which is oppressive and unfair. In a multicultural society, the characteristics of diversity must be promoted and valued as the strength of the society. Any compelling action to unify the natural diversity judicially or administratively will tantamount to racial oppression, however noble is the intention.
In short, the principles of equality of races need to be the leading principle in dealing with the relationship between races and its vernacular language system. Every race has a right to develop and promote its mother language and culture freely.
"...That is why Russian Marxists say that there must be no compulsory official language, that the population must be provided with schools where teaching will be carried on in all the local languages, that a fundamental law must be introduced in the constitution declaring invalid all privileges of any one nation and all violations of the rights of national minorities...".
Is a compulsory official language needed? By Lenin
Introduction
One fundamental and yet unresolved agenda of the left is language. Beyond being a tool of communication languages had developed to become icons of identity and culture. This paper addresses on language as the unresolved national question and attempts to explain a case for vernacular languages.
Kamus Dewan defines vernacular as "relating to or a language or dialect commonly spoken by the members of a particular group or a community in a society. (yang berkaitan dengan atau yang menggunakan bahasa atau dialek yang dipertuturkan oleh sesuatu golongan atau kaum dalam masyarakat)
Oxford Fajar Advanced Learner's English-Malay Dictionary defines vernacular as: "language or dialect spoken in a particular country or region, as compared with a formal or written language. (bahasa atau dialek yang dituturkan di negara atau kawasan tertentu berbanding dengan bahasa yang formal atau bahasa bertulis).
The term vernacular therefore refers to a non-formal language (commonly spoken) used by a particular group or a community in a society. During the British occupation, the language system (involving language, school and education system) for the Malays, Chinese, Indians and other minorities were considered to be vernacular whereas the formal language was English. After independence, Bahasa Melayu became the national and official language of the country forming the official language system. The language system (involving language, school and education system) of the Chinese, Indians and other minorities became vernacular.
A simple analogy from the above is that language system is function of power. The one in control of power imposes the choice of his language over the others. Therefore whether a language is treated as formal or vernacular is dependant on the choice of dominant power ruling the country.
During the British occupation, the anti-colonialist left-movement had no problem in supporting the vernacular language/school/education. The multiracial left stood against the English language system alleging it to be discriminatory and oppressive against other languages. Similarly, during the Japanese occupation, the use of Japanese language system (involving language, school and education system) was opposed by the Left, based on the same reasoning.
The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) issued a Nine Point anti-Japanese Manifesto in 1943. Item 6 of the manifesto stated that the development of a national culture should be through a multilingual system of free education. (p.77, alias Chin Peng: My Side of History, Chinese version) The CPM announced an Eight Point Programme in August 15, 1945. Item 6 of this programme stated that a democratic education system must be placed in lieu of the existing system and the development of national culture shall encompass multi languages. (p.105, alias Chin Peng: My Side of History, Chinese version)
The left view, on the equality of the languages and culture as contained in their Anti-Japanese Nine Point Manifesto in 1943 and the Eight Point Programme in 1945, was surprisingly dropped.
In 1947, through the combine effort of two progressive forces comprising Malay nationalist group Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (Putera) and the All-Malayan Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) a document called The People's Constitutional Proposals for Malaya was formulated. In this document the earlier left views on equality of languages and culture were compromised and replaced with the Malay nationalist views advocated by Putera. Thereafter, the post independent Malaya saw the replacement of the Malay language as the national and official language replacing English. The Chinese, Tamil and other languages of the minorities took a back stage.
The Alliance and Barisan Nasional governments claiming to be racially representing the races did not promote the growth of other languages. In fact the Chinese, Tamil and other minority languages faced official discrimination hampering its development in the post-independent Malaysia. Arguably the left movements can be said to have failed in its role to reach a consensus on this sensitive and controversial issue of language. Perhaps it is time for the left movements to review its position and make a firm stand through democratic debates and discussions with relevant groups. The ensuing perspective is an outline for an open discussion on this issue.
People's constitution and Malay nationalism
The People's Constitutional Proposals for Malaya was drafted jointly by Putera and AMCJA. The AMCJA was formed in Dec 22, 1946. It then had about 400,000 members representing political parties, workers unions, women organisations and youth groups from all races and all classes. Its formation was based on six principles.
1. Consolidate Singapore with Malaya
2. Election of a central government and state councils
3. Malay rulers shall have vested power and responsibility to the people through the Council Meetings.
4. A new constitution for Malaya with special provisions for the development of Malays in politics and economy.
5. Malay traditions and Islam fully protected by Malays through a special council.
6. Citizenship for all who adopts Malaya as the land of permanent residence and declares undivided loyalty.
On the other side, Putera, which was formed on Feb 22, 1947, was made up of about 150,000 members. Its membership was represented by Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Kesatuan Tani, Angkatan Wanita Sedar (Awas) and some 80 other smaller organisations. It had 10 principles, in addition to the six form the above and the following four were added.
- Bahasa Melayu shall be made the national language.
- Defence and the state affairs shall be the joint responsibility of the government of Malaysia and the British government. -
The citizens of Malaya shall be named as Malays.
- The national flag for Malaya shall have red and white colours as the background.
Undeniably the four principles of Putera represented Malay nationalism. With an open mind AMCJA compromised and accepted these, which had the support of the CPM, the influential partner of both teams.
The attack on the vernacular system
Often it is stated that the vernacular system is a ‘divide and rule' policy of the British. Not denying the British intent to divide and rule, one report of the British on education in 1951, i.e. Barnes Report failed to affirm that it had such intention with regard to vernacular education
"… Chinese and Indians are being asked to give up gradually their own vernacular schools, and to send their children … to schools where Malay is the only oriental language taught…"
There were objections raised by the Chinese and Indians. This prompted the tabling of the Fenn-Wu Report in the same year. It defended the vernacular system: "… any restrictive imposition of a language or two languages upon the people of Malaya would not provide a healthy atmosphere for community understanding and national unity".
Somehow this put a stop to any effort to implement the proposal contained in the Barnes Report.
The minister of education of the Alliance government, Abdul Razak headed a committee and formulated the education policy for the soon to be free country. The Razak Report 1956 stated: ".. the ultimate objective of educational policy in this country must be to bring the children of all races under a national education system in which the national language is the main medium of interaction."
The ‘ultimate objective' policy faced tremendous opposition from Chinese educationalist movements, in particular the Dong Jiao Zong. The policy intended to close down Chinese and Tamil schools was temporarily disbanded. The lesser controversial Education Ordinance 1957 was well received by all races. But, it was not too long before the controversy erupted in the form of the Rahman Talib Report in 1960.
The ‘ultimate objective' tune was replayed again and this time it was to close down secondary schools which used mother tongue languages. The reason given was to promote national unity. The mono-language and monoculture policies became very evident in the Alliance government when the Education Act 1961 was introduced. The Act gave vested power to the minister to convert mother-tongue based secondary schools to national secondary schools and to convert in suitable time any SJKC or SJKM to national schools. The ‘ultimate objective' policy continued its existence in the Education Act 1996. The Act exempted the application of the policy to schools existing prior to 1996 or that established under the direction of the minister.
In addition to that, the 1971 National Cultural Policy was based on a mono-cultural concept of assimilation. For example, it states:
a. National culture must be based on the Malay culture
b. Suitable elements of other cultures may be incorporated
c. Islam shall be an important component in the National culture Principle of equality of races
"….Whoever does not recognise and champion the equality of nations and languages, and does not fight against all national oppression or inequality, is not a Marxist; he is not even a democrat. That is beyond doubt…" In theory, this statement of Lenin on equality of nations and languages i.e. races is readily acceptable in any rational and fair debate. But reality in a multicultural society is different.
A ruling race seldom accommodates the interests of other races for equality without discrimination in their society. This is true for even in certain socialist countries. Often the situation is that of a chauvinist or a narrow nationalist goal to oppress others in the name of assimilation. On the basis of equality of all races, Malaysia being a multicultural society should have embraced a language system of all races on equal footing. There should not have been a classification of official and unofficial languages or formal and vernacular systems. All languages have a right to exist and developed to the needs of the relevant races.
The main characteristic of a multiracial society is its plural identity. Unity in diversity is the strength that should be harnessed to forge a distinct national unity and not by an assimilated uniformity through forced integration. Confronting oppression is the most important principle to defend a race.
In this context recalling Lenin; "…What we do not want is the element of coercion. We do not want to have people driven into paradise with a cudgel, for no matter how many fine phrases about "culture" you may utter, a compulsory official language involves coercion, the use of the cudgel…"
Therefore if national unity becomes a pretext to deny rights of affected races and their vernacular system, then what is achieved cannot be termed as unity. It is fragmenting the socio-cultural fabric, which is oppressive and unfair. In a multicultural society, the characteristics of diversity must be promoted and valued as the strength of the society. Any compelling action to unify the natural diversity judicially or administratively will tantamount to racial oppression, however noble is the intention.
In short, the principles of equality of races need to be the leading principle in dealing with the relationship between races and its vernacular language system. Every race has a right to develop and promote its mother language and culture freely.
Petronas a victim of its own success.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/20/focus/21599981&sec=focus
the link is to a well written article about our national petroleum company. Read it and give it a deep thought. Personally i liked it very much.
the link is to a well written article about our national petroleum company. Read it and give it a deep thought. Personally i liked it very much.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Critical Thinking Discussion
ARE VERNACULAR SCHOOLS DETRIMENTAL TO THE PROCESS OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION?
National unity vs. Vernacular Schools?
Do you think if the education system helps in this matter?
What say you?
Come join us to discuss about this topic!
Saturday, 21st June 2008
2.00 – 4.00pm
Articles about this topic can be found at:
http://educationmalaysia.blogspot.com/2007/02/national-schools-and-national-unity.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/1362435/Minority-Hindus-in-Islamic-Malaysia
http://sangsuria.blogspot.com/2008/04/where-is-carrot.html
http://sangsuria.blogspot.com/2008/04/chinese-school-non-arguments.html
For more information, please email
Amy: amy2kyo@yahoo.com
National unity vs. Vernacular Schools?
Do you think if the education system helps in this matter?
What say you?
Come join us to discuss about this topic!
Saturday, 21st June 2008
2.00 – 4.00pm
Articles about this topic can be found at:
http://educationmalaysia.blogspot.com/2007/02/national-schools-and-national-unity.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/1362435/Minority-Hindus-in-Islamic-Malaysia
http://sangsuria.blogspot.com/2008/04/where-is-carrot.html
http://sangsuria.blogspot.com/2008/04/chinese-school-non-arguments.html
For more information, please email
Amy: amy2kyo@yahoo.com
Friday, June 6, 2008
Oil Price Hike according to Tun M
Dr M on Fuel Subsidy
The government, given the amount of profit made by the national petroleum company (Petronas), can actually afford to maintain the fuel subsidy, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister who is also advisor to Petronas said in his blog posting today that a gradual subsidy reduction would have been a better option considering the burden of the increase that people have to cope with.
"Roughly Malaysia produces 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We consume 400,000 barrels leaving 250,000 barrels to be exported. Our 250,000 barrels of export should earn us RM27 billion."
But Petronas made a profit of well over RM70 billion, all of which belong to the government. I feel sure that maintaining the subsidy and gradually decreasing it would not hurt government finances," wrote Mahathir.
Following the increase, he reasoned that all other consumer goods, services and luxury goods would increase in price as well. This will be followed by the increase in the cost of living, then increased inflation and the drop of people's standard of living.
"The increase hurts but the pain is greater not just because of the increase percentage-wise is higher than in developed countries but because of the manner the increase is made," said Mahathir.
Floating ringgit a bad decision
Mahathir also said that the government's decision to float the ringgit was a bad one as the subsequent rise of fuel price by the government has placed the people in a more rough position."
In the first place the government should not have floated the ringgit. A floating rate creates uncertainties and we cannot gain anything from the strengthened ringgit.
"Certainly the people have not experienced any increase in their purchasing power because of the appreciation in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the ringgit," he said.
Explaining further, Mahathir said had the government retained the fixed rate system and increased the value of the ringgit presumably at 10 per cent at a time, the cost of imports, in ringgit terms can be monitored and reduced by 10 per cent. This will lead to a 20 per cent decrease in the cost of imports.
"But we know the prices of imported goods or services have not decreased at all. This means we are paying 20 per cent higher for our imports including the raw material and components for our industries," he added.
Govt bowing to IMF and World Bank
The government, Mahathir claimed, instead wanted to please the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank by floating the ringgit and as a result had merely increase the cost of exports without giving the people the benefit of lower cost of imports.
"This is not wisdom after the event. I had actually told a minister not to float the ringgit three years ago. But of course I am not an expert, certainly I know little about the international financial regimes," he said in his usual trademark sarcasm.
The world, Mahathir said, is currently facing economic turmoil due to the depreciation of the US dollar, the sub-prime loan crisis, rising oil and raw material prices and food shortages.
"Malaysia will not escape these problems. I wonder if the government is prepared to face it," he wrote.
He however said there must be ways to mitigate the problems so that the people will not bare the entire burden following the steep rise of fuel price.
"I am sure the government will not just pass all these problems to the people as the review of oil prices every month seems to suggest," Mahathir added.
Mukhriz: Shocking decision
Meanwhile, Umno Youth exco member Mukhriz Mahathir today became the first party member to break ranks by criticising the government over its fuel hike.Calling the move "shocking and drastic", Mukhriz said he was shocked over the sudden fuel price hike.
"All this while, the indication was that the price increase would only take place in August," said Mahathir's youngest child in a statement today. "For me the timing of the rise was not suitable. We should have taken a smarter action in trying to counter the increasing price of crude oil and the needs of the people," he added.
The Jerlun member of Parliament said that the government should have sought the views of everyone in reaching a formula that was more appropriate in countering the need to cut down the government subsidy on oil.
"I think the price rise should have been done in stages to give time for the people to adjust to the changes."Now, with the sudden big jump in price, the people are burdened with the need to quickly adjust to the new requirements which creates unnecessary tension and uncertainty for them," he said.
He also said that he was bemused with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call for the people to change their lifestyle to adapt to the price rise."The rural folks, including those in Jerlun, do not live extravagantly. How else can the alter their lifestyle now?" he asked.
Taken from www.chedet.com (Tun M's own blog!!!! Check it out)
The government, given the amount of profit made by the national petroleum company (Petronas), can actually afford to maintain the fuel subsidy, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister who is also advisor to Petronas said in his blog posting today that a gradual subsidy reduction would have been a better option considering the burden of the increase that people have to cope with.
"Roughly Malaysia produces 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We consume 400,000 barrels leaving 250,000 barrels to be exported. Our 250,000 barrels of export should earn us RM27 billion."
But Petronas made a profit of well over RM70 billion, all of which belong to the government. I feel sure that maintaining the subsidy and gradually decreasing it would not hurt government finances," wrote Mahathir.
Following the increase, he reasoned that all other consumer goods, services and luxury goods would increase in price as well. This will be followed by the increase in the cost of living, then increased inflation and the drop of people's standard of living.
"The increase hurts but the pain is greater not just because of the increase percentage-wise is higher than in developed countries but because of the manner the increase is made," said Mahathir.
Floating ringgit a bad decision
Mahathir also said that the government's decision to float the ringgit was a bad one as the subsequent rise of fuel price by the government has placed the people in a more rough position."
In the first place the government should not have floated the ringgit. A floating rate creates uncertainties and we cannot gain anything from the strengthened ringgit.
"Certainly the people have not experienced any increase in their purchasing power because of the appreciation in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the ringgit," he said.
Explaining further, Mahathir said had the government retained the fixed rate system and increased the value of the ringgit presumably at 10 per cent at a time, the cost of imports, in ringgit terms can be monitored and reduced by 10 per cent. This will lead to a 20 per cent decrease in the cost of imports.
"But we know the prices of imported goods or services have not decreased at all. This means we are paying 20 per cent higher for our imports including the raw material and components for our industries," he added.
Govt bowing to IMF and World Bank
The government, Mahathir claimed, instead wanted to please the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank by floating the ringgit and as a result had merely increase the cost of exports without giving the people the benefit of lower cost of imports.
"This is not wisdom after the event. I had actually told a minister not to float the ringgit three years ago. But of course I am not an expert, certainly I know little about the international financial regimes," he said in his usual trademark sarcasm.
The world, Mahathir said, is currently facing economic turmoil due to the depreciation of the US dollar, the sub-prime loan crisis, rising oil and raw material prices and food shortages.
"Malaysia will not escape these problems. I wonder if the government is prepared to face it," he wrote.
He however said there must be ways to mitigate the problems so that the people will not bare the entire burden following the steep rise of fuel price.
"I am sure the government will not just pass all these problems to the people as the review of oil prices every month seems to suggest," Mahathir added.
Mukhriz: Shocking decision
Meanwhile, Umno Youth exco member Mukhriz Mahathir today became the first party member to break ranks by criticising the government over its fuel hike.Calling the move "shocking and drastic", Mukhriz said he was shocked over the sudden fuel price hike.
"All this while, the indication was that the price increase would only take place in August," said Mahathir's youngest child in a statement today. "For me the timing of the rise was not suitable. We should have taken a smarter action in trying to counter the increasing price of crude oil and the needs of the people," he added.
The Jerlun member of Parliament said that the government should have sought the views of everyone in reaching a formula that was more appropriate in countering the need to cut down the government subsidy on oil.
"I think the price rise should have been done in stages to give time for the people to adjust to the changes."Now, with the sudden big jump in price, the people are burdened with the need to quickly adjust to the new requirements which creates unnecessary tension and uncertainty for them," he said.
He also said that he was bemused with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call for the people to change their lifestyle to adapt to the price rise."The rural folks, including those in Jerlun, do not live extravagantly. How else can the alter their lifestyle now?" he asked.
Taken from www.chedet.com (Tun M's own blog!!!! Check it out)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A token of appreciation and thanks
I know this is not the right channel to post this but anyway i still post this anyhow. :p Hehe. Any of you want to share how u feel or say thanks to Dr Carmen. You're free to do so here too. If you dont, then send her a personal msg lo.
Dear Dr Carmen,
You've been my saviour for 2 consecutive semesters now. If it weren't for you, my results wouldn't have turned out to be like this. Critical thinking and Academic writing were a breeze because you're teaching them. Couldn't imagine if it was someone else. Thank you for that.
You're no longer teaching us anymore. I won't have a surety anymore from now on. Haih~ My guarantee has gone flying out the window. Sobs.
Dear Dr Carmen,
You've been my saviour for 2 consecutive semesters now. If it weren't for you, my results wouldn't have turned out to be like this. Critical thinking and Academic writing were a breeze because you're teaching them. Couldn't imagine if it was someone else. Thank you for that.
You're no longer teaching us anymore. I won't have a surety anymore from now on. Haih~ My guarantee has gone flying out the window. Sobs.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Of World War II and IG Farben
Here's a new concept behind World War II that I have never entertained before [well, maybe it's not new to you people, but it certainly IS to me]. I don't know about you guys, but I am...unsure as to how to go about this thing.
http://www.profit-over-life.com/about/historic_failure.html
Do try and browse through the site if you have the time, but if you don't - here's a summary:
Apparently, the world's current concept/knowledge of World War II is wrong - very much. We know World War II as a consequence of Hitler's manipulation of the German's desire to be stronger and to be top of...um...the world[?]. Anyhow, that is MY basic knowledge. Here, a certain Dr Rath and his foundation [Dr Rath Health Foundation] brings another view to the war - he says that Hitler was only one man. Not strong/powerful enough to cause such a historical mutiny. His opinion is [note, present tense because Dr Rath is alive; not dead] that the real culprit responsible for such upheaval of change was IG Farben, a major pharmaceutical player. IG Farben is a cartel of Bayer, BASF and Hoechst [which I believe are originally minor pharmaceutical companies].
Please take note, however, that Dr Rath is a man who is very much against the current pharmaceutical industry. Hence, I would say that it is hard to determine if he is proposing such an idea because of his own ideals or other reasons. But I must also say again that I have read his book "Road Map to Health" [a printed version of the website above], where there are pictures and statements claimed to be from people involved in this whole affair.
The main page is: http://www.profit-over-life.com/ [Just in case if there's anyone who's interested]
http://www.profit-over-life.com/about/historic_failure.html
Do try and browse through the site if you have the time, but if you don't - here's a summary:
Apparently, the world's current concept/knowledge of World War II is wrong - very much. We know World War II as a consequence of Hitler's manipulation of the German's desire to be stronger and to be top of...um...the world[?]. Anyhow, that is MY basic knowledge. Here, a certain Dr Rath and his foundation [Dr Rath Health Foundation] brings another view to the war - he says that Hitler was only one man. Not strong/powerful enough to cause such a historical mutiny. His opinion is [note, present tense because Dr Rath is alive; not dead] that the real culprit responsible for such upheaval of change was IG Farben, a major pharmaceutical player. IG Farben is a cartel of Bayer, BASF and Hoechst [which I believe are originally minor pharmaceutical companies].
Please take note, however, that Dr Rath is a man who is very much against the current pharmaceutical industry. Hence, I would say that it is hard to determine if he is proposing such an idea because of his own ideals or other reasons. But I must also say again that I have read his book "Road Map to Health" [a printed version of the website above], where there are pictures and statements claimed to be from people involved in this whole affair.
The main page is: http://www.profit-over-life.com/ [Just in case if there's anyone who's interested]
Monday, May 12, 2008
Warning! Strong words by a tough cookie!
NAJIB PEMBAWA ZAMAN GELAP - by Hishamuddin Rais
Mahathir Muhamad telah memerangkap Tengku Razaleigh untuk membuka tirai – dengan mesyuarat agung tergempar - untuk mengetepikan Abdullah Badawi. Untuk entah ke berapa kali Razaleigh Hamzah telah dijadikan batu loncatan oleh Mahathir Muhamad. Razaleigh adalah perwakilan politik lama – politik era Tungku – politik ‘ the British clubby gentelman’ – di mana setiap kata adalah untuk di kota.
Era dan zaman itu telah lama selesai. Kita sekarang dalam era peralihan dari zaman gelap ke zaman cerah. Bahayanya, Mahathir Muhamad inginkan kita rakyat Malaysia kembali ke zaman gelap, ke zaman ketakutan dan ke zaman autokratik. Justeru, Mahathir Muhamad sedang merancang untuk menobatkan Najib Razak.
Seyogia perlu kita sama berwaspada dan mengetahui kenapa/mengapa Mahathir Muhamad memilih Najib Razak? Kita wajib memahami sebab musababnya agar kita semua akan bersedia menghadapi zaman gelap yang akan dibawa oleh Najib Razak.
Kenapa Mahathir kini bermati-matian, dengan licik lagi penuh tipu muslihat sedang merancang untuk menaikkan Najib. Malah minggu lalu media arus perdana juga ‘terjerat’ dengan tipu helah Mahathir apabila melaporkan Najib Razak bukan lagi satu pilihan. Kenyataan Mahathir ini bertujuan untuk menaikkan syahwat Razaleigh Hamzah dan Muhyiddin Yassin agar mereka terus berkomplot menentang Abdullah Badawi. Sebenarnya ini ialah tipu helah jenis Kitul.
( Siapa Kitul ? Sila rujuk Sejarah Melayu kitab naratif kesejarahan oral orang-orang Melayu Melaka. Kita merujuk Sejarah Melayu untuk melihat yang lampau , memahami yang kini dan pedoman ke hadapan.)
Untuk memahami siapa Najib Razak, kita melihat dan memahami kembali bagaimana Mahathir Muhamad memilih menteri- menteri kabinet dan para rottweiler yang mengelilinginya. Mahathir dengan selesa akan memilih orang-orang yang dikelilingi masalah besar. Lebih besar masalah itu lebih baik untuk Mahathir. Contohnya Rahim Thamby Chik dengan kes pecah pendaraan cinta berahi anak gadis di bawah umur adalah orang kepercayaan Mahathir. Arwah Megat Juned seorang kaki judi yang terlibat dalam kematian wanita pemilik kedai video adalah menteri setia Mahathir Muhamad. Shahidan Kassim terlibat dengan kemasukan beras secara gelap di Perlis adalah menteri besar Mahathir Muhamad yang setia.
Rais Yatim sekor bangkai bernyawa telah diberi nafas oleh Mahathir hinggakan sanggup meminum air basuh kaki Mamak yang pada satu ketika dahulu dikutuknya. Rafidah Aziz rottweiler betina terlibat dalam agihan AP, manakala rottweiler jantannya ialah Nazri Aziz. yang terlibat dengan 600 permit teksi. Mereka adalah menteri setia dalam kabinet Mahathir. Para rottweiler–rottweiler ini akan terus menderam dan menyalak jika ada sesiapa yang cuba menghampiri Mahathir Muhamad.
Lihat pula badan kehakiman dan badan kepolisian yang dirasuk rasuah dari hujung rambut hingga ke hujung kaki. Aktiviti rasuah ini dibiarkan oleh Mahathir kerana si perasuah ini akan terus bersetia kepada Mahathir.
Apa sangkut paut semua ini dengan Najib Razak?
Najib Razak ialah ibu kepada semua rasuah. Najib Razak ialah ibu kepada semua masalah. Najib Razak terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan Altantuya. Ini bukan tohmahan, Dalam mahkamah seorang saksi dari Mongolia telah menerangkan bahawa Najib pernah berjumpa dengan Altantuya.
Najib Razak lebih bangkai bernyawa dari Rais Yatim. Najib Razak lebih banyak menyondol dari Rahim Thamby Chik. Najib Razak berjuta-juta kali menerima rasuah dari Rafidah Aziz dan Nazri Aziz. Manusia seperti Najib Razak ini adalah model ( bukan model Mongolia) yang terbaik dalam bacaan politik Mahathir Muhamad. Manusia Najib ini akan menjadi sekor rottweiler yang paling setia kepada Mahathir Muhamad.
Dalam congak politik Mahathir, Najib Razak akan meneruskan dinastinya. Sesudah Najib akan dimasukkan Hishamuddin Hussein, rottweiler katek si pembawa keris yang lidahnya belum sanggup menjelir panjang. Akhirnya, Mukhriz Mahathir akan muncul. Pada ketika ini si Mukhriz sedang belajar untuk menjadi rottweiler dengan salakan-salakan kecil menyerang Abdullah Badawi. Mukhriz inilah klon asli yang di cita-citakan oleh Mahathir Muhamad.
Jadi siapa sebenarnya Najib Razak?Najib Razak ialah pembawa zaman gelap ke dalam budaya politik Malaysia. Najib Razak akan memadamkan semua lampu-lampu pencerahan yang baru ingin menyala di Malaysia. Dari segi pembudayaan Najib pasti akan lebih Islam dari Pas. Lebih lebai dari Lebai Kulup. Dengan latar belakang keilmuan yang cetek, Najib untuk membuktikan keislamannya akan melakukan apa sahaja yang ‘dianggapnya’ Islam. Najib Razak yang tidak memahami inti dan falsafah Islam akan hanya berjaya melihat pinggiran dan kulitan Islam.
Ini bermakna Islam garapan Najib akan lebih kolot dan lebih menyusahkan hidup kita semua. Kulitan Islam a la Najib ini bukan lagi jantan di barisan lain dan betina di barisan lain, ia akan lebih dari itu. Keislaman Najib ini bukan hanya membuang patung-patung penyu seperti di Terengganu tetapi akan lebih dari itu.
Buktinya: Tiga tahun dahulu ketika Hari Raya dan Deepavali berjalan serentak, seorang insan yang mengakui dirinya sebagai ‘ ilmuwan Islam’ telah mengeluarkan ‘fatwa bahawa orang Melayu/Islam TIDAK boleh berkongsi Deepavali degan penganut agama Hindu. Kenyataan yang kononnya fatwa ini telah di sambut dan di sokong oleh Najib Razak. Hanya tiga hari kemudian fatwa karut ini telah di sangkal oleh Abdullah Badawi. Ini contoh Islam kapal selam.
Seorang insan yang terlibat dalam kes satu pembunuhan akan melakukan apa sahaja untuk membuktikan bahawa dirinya lebih suci dari Kaabah dan lebih putih dari sabun Breeze. Sila ingatkan kembali kenyataan-kenyataan Najib beberapa bulan dahulu. Hujan tidak guruh pun tidak tiba-tiba Najib menjadi Lebai Najib telah mula mengeluarkan ayat-ayat Furqan untuk membuktikan dirinya lebih Islam dari kapal selam.
Rasuah? Rasuah itu adalah nama timang-timangan dan nama manja Najib Razak.Kalau polis menahan kita dan meminta baksheesh sepuluh dua puluh ringgit maka ini dianggap rasuah. Tetapi jika Najib membeli senjata, membeli kapal selam dan membeli jet pejuang ini bukan rasuah, mengikut kitab Najib. Duit berjuta-juta ini bukan duit rasuah tetapi mengikut fatwa Najib Razak ini wang komisen. Inilah dia susuk yang sedang di rancang dan sedang uli oleh Mahathir Muhamad untuk dijadikan perdana menteri.
Kenapa Mahathir Muhamad mahukan Najib Razak?Mahathir Muhamad adalah kepala perompak yang mewakili Daim Zainuddin, Vincent Tan, Eric Chia, Ting Pek King, Ananda Krishan dan Lim Kok Wing antara nama-nama lanun besar. Ada ramai lagi lanun dan penjarah yang berpayung di bawah Mahathir. Mereka dengan bantuan kuasa Mahathir Muhamad telah merompak dan menjarah harta negara selama 22 tahun.
Seperti filem seram Rosemary Baby semua orang yang diharap-harapkan memberi bantuan rupa-rupanya adalah sebahagian dari jaringan lanun. Polis, kehakiman, media, badan pencegah rasuah, imam-imam – semuanya bersekongkol.
Perompak dan lanun-lanun ini tahu jika era pencerahan yang di bawa oleh Abdullah Badawi ini dapat diteruskan mereka semua akan di dakwa di mahkamah. Polis dan para hakim, politikus rasuah, dan sesiapa yang menyalah gunakan kuasa akan juga di hadapan ke mahkamah.
Adalah salah anggap jika kita percaya Mahathir mahukan Abdullah undur kerana legacy sedang di lupuskan. Menaikkan Najib tidak sangkut paut dengan legacy. Adalah salah bacaan politik jika menganggap bahawa Mahathir lebih sayangkan United Malay National Organisation. Mahathir mengharamkan United Malay National Organisation yang asal. Sejuta kali silap jika menganggap bahawa Mahathir membuat semua ini untuk orang Melayu.
Mahathir Muhamad mahukan Najib Razak kerana Najib Razak akan menjadi bangkai bernyawa dan TIDAK akan membuat apa dakwa dakwi terhadap Mahathir Muhamad dan para lanun-lanun yang lain. Dua puluh dua tahun zaman ganas dan zaman gelap Mahathir akan di teruskan oleh Najib Razak.
Kepada sesiapa yang memiliki ilusi tentang Najib Razak sebagai pilihan tepat Mahathir Muhamad, sila tanya diri sendiri. Sudah sampaikah masanya Malaysia menerima perdana menteri baru yang terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan? Apakah pembunuh boleh menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia?
Mahathir Muhamad telah memerangkap Tengku Razaleigh untuk membuka tirai – dengan mesyuarat agung tergempar - untuk mengetepikan Abdullah Badawi. Untuk entah ke berapa kali Razaleigh Hamzah telah dijadikan batu loncatan oleh Mahathir Muhamad. Razaleigh adalah perwakilan politik lama – politik era Tungku – politik ‘ the British clubby gentelman’ – di mana setiap kata adalah untuk di kota.
Era dan zaman itu telah lama selesai. Kita sekarang dalam era peralihan dari zaman gelap ke zaman cerah. Bahayanya, Mahathir Muhamad inginkan kita rakyat Malaysia kembali ke zaman gelap, ke zaman ketakutan dan ke zaman autokratik. Justeru, Mahathir Muhamad sedang merancang untuk menobatkan Najib Razak.
Seyogia perlu kita sama berwaspada dan mengetahui kenapa/mengapa Mahathir Muhamad memilih Najib Razak? Kita wajib memahami sebab musababnya agar kita semua akan bersedia menghadapi zaman gelap yang akan dibawa oleh Najib Razak.
Kenapa Mahathir kini bermati-matian, dengan licik lagi penuh tipu muslihat sedang merancang untuk menaikkan Najib. Malah minggu lalu media arus perdana juga ‘terjerat’ dengan tipu helah Mahathir apabila melaporkan Najib Razak bukan lagi satu pilihan. Kenyataan Mahathir ini bertujuan untuk menaikkan syahwat Razaleigh Hamzah dan Muhyiddin Yassin agar mereka terus berkomplot menentang Abdullah Badawi. Sebenarnya ini ialah tipu helah jenis Kitul.
( Siapa Kitul ? Sila rujuk Sejarah Melayu kitab naratif kesejarahan oral orang-orang Melayu Melaka. Kita merujuk Sejarah Melayu untuk melihat yang lampau , memahami yang kini dan pedoman ke hadapan.)
Untuk memahami siapa Najib Razak, kita melihat dan memahami kembali bagaimana Mahathir Muhamad memilih menteri- menteri kabinet dan para rottweiler yang mengelilinginya. Mahathir dengan selesa akan memilih orang-orang yang dikelilingi masalah besar. Lebih besar masalah itu lebih baik untuk Mahathir. Contohnya Rahim Thamby Chik dengan kes pecah pendaraan cinta berahi anak gadis di bawah umur adalah orang kepercayaan Mahathir. Arwah Megat Juned seorang kaki judi yang terlibat dalam kematian wanita pemilik kedai video adalah menteri setia Mahathir Muhamad. Shahidan Kassim terlibat dengan kemasukan beras secara gelap di Perlis adalah menteri besar Mahathir Muhamad yang setia.
Rais Yatim sekor bangkai bernyawa telah diberi nafas oleh Mahathir hinggakan sanggup meminum air basuh kaki Mamak yang pada satu ketika dahulu dikutuknya. Rafidah Aziz rottweiler betina terlibat dalam agihan AP, manakala rottweiler jantannya ialah Nazri Aziz. yang terlibat dengan 600 permit teksi. Mereka adalah menteri setia dalam kabinet Mahathir. Para rottweiler–rottweiler ini akan terus menderam dan menyalak jika ada sesiapa yang cuba menghampiri Mahathir Muhamad.
Lihat pula badan kehakiman dan badan kepolisian yang dirasuk rasuah dari hujung rambut hingga ke hujung kaki. Aktiviti rasuah ini dibiarkan oleh Mahathir kerana si perasuah ini akan terus bersetia kepada Mahathir.
Apa sangkut paut semua ini dengan Najib Razak?
Najib Razak ialah ibu kepada semua rasuah. Najib Razak ialah ibu kepada semua masalah. Najib Razak terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan Altantuya. Ini bukan tohmahan, Dalam mahkamah seorang saksi dari Mongolia telah menerangkan bahawa Najib pernah berjumpa dengan Altantuya.
Najib Razak lebih bangkai bernyawa dari Rais Yatim. Najib Razak lebih banyak menyondol dari Rahim Thamby Chik. Najib Razak berjuta-juta kali menerima rasuah dari Rafidah Aziz dan Nazri Aziz. Manusia seperti Najib Razak ini adalah model ( bukan model Mongolia) yang terbaik dalam bacaan politik Mahathir Muhamad. Manusia Najib ini akan menjadi sekor rottweiler yang paling setia kepada Mahathir Muhamad.
Dalam congak politik Mahathir, Najib Razak akan meneruskan dinastinya. Sesudah Najib akan dimasukkan Hishamuddin Hussein, rottweiler katek si pembawa keris yang lidahnya belum sanggup menjelir panjang. Akhirnya, Mukhriz Mahathir akan muncul. Pada ketika ini si Mukhriz sedang belajar untuk menjadi rottweiler dengan salakan-salakan kecil menyerang Abdullah Badawi. Mukhriz inilah klon asli yang di cita-citakan oleh Mahathir Muhamad.
Jadi siapa sebenarnya Najib Razak?Najib Razak ialah pembawa zaman gelap ke dalam budaya politik Malaysia. Najib Razak akan memadamkan semua lampu-lampu pencerahan yang baru ingin menyala di Malaysia. Dari segi pembudayaan Najib pasti akan lebih Islam dari Pas. Lebih lebai dari Lebai Kulup. Dengan latar belakang keilmuan yang cetek, Najib untuk membuktikan keislamannya akan melakukan apa sahaja yang ‘dianggapnya’ Islam. Najib Razak yang tidak memahami inti dan falsafah Islam akan hanya berjaya melihat pinggiran dan kulitan Islam.
Ini bermakna Islam garapan Najib akan lebih kolot dan lebih menyusahkan hidup kita semua. Kulitan Islam a la Najib ini bukan lagi jantan di barisan lain dan betina di barisan lain, ia akan lebih dari itu. Keislaman Najib ini bukan hanya membuang patung-patung penyu seperti di Terengganu tetapi akan lebih dari itu.
Buktinya: Tiga tahun dahulu ketika Hari Raya dan Deepavali berjalan serentak, seorang insan yang mengakui dirinya sebagai ‘ ilmuwan Islam’ telah mengeluarkan ‘fatwa bahawa orang Melayu/Islam TIDAK boleh berkongsi Deepavali degan penganut agama Hindu. Kenyataan yang kononnya fatwa ini telah di sambut dan di sokong oleh Najib Razak. Hanya tiga hari kemudian fatwa karut ini telah di sangkal oleh Abdullah Badawi. Ini contoh Islam kapal selam.
Seorang insan yang terlibat dalam kes satu pembunuhan akan melakukan apa sahaja untuk membuktikan bahawa dirinya lebih suci dari Kaabah dan lebih putih dari sabun Breeze. Sila ingatkan kembali kenyataan-kenyataan Najib beberapa bulan dahulu. Hujan tidak guruh pun tidak tiba-tiba Najib menjadi Lebai Najib telah mula mengeluarkan ayat-ayat Furqan untuk membuktikan dirinya lebih Islam dari kapal selam.
Rasuah? Rasuah itu adalah nama timang-timangan dan nama manja Najib Razak.Kalau polis menahan kita dan meminta baksheesh sepuluh dua puluh ringgit maka ini dianggap rasuah. Tetapi jika Najib membeli senjata, membeli kapal selam dan membeli jet pejuang ini bukan rasuah, mengikut kitab Najib. Duit berjuta-juta ini bukan duit rasuah tetapi mengikut fatwa Najib Razak ini wang komisen. Inilah dia susuk yang sedang di rancang dan sedang uli oleh Mahathir Muhamad untuk dijadikan perdana menteri.
Kenapa Mahathir Muhamad mahukan Najib Razak?Mahathir Muhamad adalah kepala perompak yang mewakili Daim Zainuddin, Vincent Tan, Eric Chia, Ting Pek King, Ananda Krishan dan Lim Kok Wing antara nama-nama lanun besar. Ada ramai lagi lanun dan penjarah yang berpayung di bawah Mahathir. Mereka dengan bantuan kuasa Mahathir Muhamad telah merompak dan menjarah harta negara selama 22 tahun.
Seperti filem seram Rosemary Baby semua orang yang diharap-harapkan memberi bantuan rupa-rupanya adalah sebahagian dari jaringan lanun. Polis, kehakiman, media, badan pencegah rasuah, imam-imam – semuanya bersekongkol.
Perompak dan lanun-lanun ini tahu jika era pencerahan yang di bawa oleh Abdullah Badawi ini dapat diteruskan mereka semua akan di dakwa di mahkamah. Polis dan para hakim, politikus rasuah, dan sesiapa yang menyalah gunakan kuasa akan juga di hadapan ke mahkamah.
Adalah salah anggap jika kita percaya Mahathir mahukan Abdullah undur kerana legacy sedang di lupuskan. Menaikkan Najib tidak sangkut paut dengan legacy. Adalah salah bacaan politik jika menganggap bahawa Mahathir lebih sayangkan United Malay National Organisation. Mahathir mengharamkan United Malay National Organisation yang asal. Sejuta kali silap jika menganggap bahawa Mahathir membuat semua ini untuk orang Melayu.
Mahathir Muhamad mahukan Najib Razak kerana Najib Razak akan menjadi bangkai bernyawa dan TIDAK akan membuat apa dakwa dakwi terhadap Mahathir Muhamad dan para lanun-lanun yang lain. Dua puluh dua tahun zaman ganas dan zaman gelap Mahathir akan di teruskan oleh Najib Razak.
Kepada sesiapa yang memiliki ilusi tentang Najib Razak sebagai pilihan tepat Mahathir Muhamad, sila tanya diri sendiri. Sudah sampaikah masanya Malaysia menerima perdana menteri baru yang terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan? Apakah pembunuh boleh menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia?
Friday, May 9, 2008
No toll Free road!
The tranquil suburb of Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) descended into chaos last night when police doused some 500 residents with water cannons and fired dozens of tear gas canisters into the crowd. During the melee, Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng and BMC Open Road Committee chairperson Tan Boon Hwa were allegedly assaulted by plainclothes police officers.
The incident occurred shortly after Lim arrived at the scene at about 10pm to lend support to the residents who had gathered at the Bandar Tun Hussien Onn intersection of the Kajang-Cheras Highway. The highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd was in the midst of erecting a concrete barrier - for the third time - aimed at thwarting the BMC residents from entering the intersection and thus bypassing a toll booth on the highway.
This resulted in commuters having to travel an additional six kilometres and pay Grand Saga 90 sen toll for every trip!!
At the time when Lim came to the area, the police were keeping a close watch on the residents who were gathering around Grand Saga employees working on the concrete barricade. Lim had approached Grand Saga workers and the police to find out who was in charge of the construction work. After failing to get answers, he decided to remove the wires from the machines used by construction workers to weld the steel rods to reinforce the concrete barrier (left).
'I was maced, beaten' he said.
Without the welding machines, Grand Saga workers withdrew, prompting residents to surge past riot police cordons and destroying the partly-completed barrier with their bare hands in a matter of minutes. The jubilant crowd later tossed Lim into the air several times but the mood soured seconds later when the riot police issued warnings for the crowd to disperse. Suddenly some 50 riot police took up attacking positions and there was a brief stand-off with the residents with only what remains of the barrier separating the authorities and the residents. What followed was utter chaos when Lim tried to stop a water cannon truck from advancing by standing in front of the truck.
According to Lim, several plainclothes officers forcibly removed him and a melee ensued.
"They dragged me aside and sprayed mace on my face. I couldn't see. Then they punched me and kicked me," he told reporters about two hours after the incident. His shirt was torn during the scuffle.
Selangor state executive councilor Ean Yong Hian Wah who was also at the scene told reporters that the Lim's beating only stopped when the police were told he was a parliamentarian. Beaten in front of reporters, Lim, a trained lawyer, is a well-known figure among the residents as he has been serving as the legal advisor for the BMC Open Road Committee.
Meanwhile, committee chairperson Tan was among the crowd at the time of the fracas. Upon seeing Lim being assaulted, he rushed forward to aid him. For his efforts, Tan too was allegedly assaulted and later arrested. Eyewitnesses claimed that he was punched at least once by a plainclothes officer in full view of a group of reporters and photographers. Tan was bundled away in a police patrol car while a resident drove Lim and Ean Yong to a nearby clinic for medical treatment.
By this time, the police had already fired the water cannon once, but when it failed to break up the crowd, three rounds of tear gas were fired. The crowd eventually dispersed.
When approached by reporters last night, Kajang district deputy police chief Supt Toha Abdullah claimed that he was unaware of the police beatings. He also said that the police had to disperse the crowd because they were "menggangu tugas keselamatan pihak polis” (interfering with police security duties). In all, three residents and Tan were arrested.
When Kajang district police chief Shakaruddin Che Mood was contacted shortly after midnight, he said that the police had yet to decide what charges would be slapped on the detainees. All four were released on bail early this morning. According to Tan, as of 7pm today, Grand Saga had yet to re-erect the barrier and commuters are using the disputed access road without hindrance.
The incident occurred shortly after Lim arrived at the scene at about 10pm to lend support to the residents who had gathered at the Bandar Tun Hussien Onn intersection of the Kajang-Cheras Highway. The highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd was in the midst of erecting a concrete barrier - for the third time - aimed at thwarting the BMC residents from entering the intersection and thus bypassing a toll booth on the highway.
This resulted in commuters having to travel an additional six kilometres and pay Grand Saga 90 sen toll for every trip!!
At the time when Lim came to the area, the police were keeping a close watch on the residents who were gathering around Grand Saga employees working on the concrete barricade. Lim had approached Grand Saga workers and the police to find out who was in charge of the construction work. After failing to get answers, he decided to remove the wires from the machines used by construction workers to weld the steel rods to reinforce the concrete barrier (left).
'I was maced, beaten' he said.
Without the welding machines, Grand Saga workers withdrew, prompting residents to surge past riot police cordons and destroying the partly-completed barrier with their bare hands in a matter of minutes. The jubilant crowd later tossed Lim into the air several times but the mood soured seconds later when the riot police issued warnings for the crowd to disperse. Suddenly some 50 riot police took up attacking positions and there was a brief stand-off with the residents with only what remains of the barrier separating the authorities and the residents. What followed was utter chaos when Lim tried to stop a water cannon truck from advancing by standing in front of the truck.
According to Lim, several plainclothes officers forcibly removed him and a melee ensued.
"They dragged me aside and sprayed mace on my face. I couldn't see. Then they punched me and kicked me," he told reporters about two hours after the incident. His shirt was torn during the scuffle.
Selangor state executive councilor Ean Yong Hian Wah who was also at the scene told reporters that the Lim's beating only stopped when the police were told he was a parliamentarian. Beaten in front of reporters, Lim, a trained lawyer, is a well-known figure among the residents as he has been serving as the legal advisor for the BMC Open Road Committee.
Meanwhile, committee chairperson Tan was among the crowd at the time of the fracas. Upon seeing Lim being assaulted, he rushed forward to aid him. For his efforts, Tan too was allegedly assaulted and later arrested. Eyewitnesses claimed that he was punched at least once by a plainclothes officer in full view of a group of reporters and photographers. Tan was bundled away in a police patrol car while a resident drove Lim and Ean Yong to a nearby clinic for medical treatment.
By this time, the police had already fired the water cannon once, but when it failed to break up the crowd, three rounds of tear gas were fired. The crowd eventually dispersed.
When approached by reporters last night, Kajang district deputy police chief Supt Toha Abdullah claimed that he was unaware of the police beatings. He also said that the police had to disperse the crowd because they were "menggangu tugas keselamatan pihak polis” (interfering with police security duties). In all, three residents and Tan were arrested.
When Kajang district police chief Shakaruddin Che Mood was contacted shortly after midnight, he said that the police had yet to decide what charges would be slapped on the detainees. All four were released on bail early this morning. According to Tan, as of 7pm today, Grand Saga had yet to re-erect the barrier and commuters are using the disputed access road without hindrance.
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