MCA main masak-masak?

What, the warring leaders of the MCA sat down and smoked the peace pipe suddenly? What an anti-climax! You all "main masak-masak" kah?

Ong Tee Keat fights back

The President of Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA),Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, found his old form back again. Ever since he was elected as the President during the party election in 2008, he has been stumbling along losing his directions in his fights to consolidate his position in the party. Being at the top, he was out of his comfort zone because he was not used to handle a fight where he has the upper hand. He fights best as an under dog in all his previous struggles within or outside the party. In his fight against his deputy, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek, he oddly discarded the power and resources available to him as President of the party and instead adopted a stance of an under dog. He accused his opponent of receiving outside helps and he has been isolated from the Barisan Nasional (BN) main stream. He even warned that MCA will be replaced by a Chinese based party from East Malaysia! In the eyes of the others he has become a "cry-baby" and not a capable leader. While Ong was trying hard to pose as an under dog, but he made his arch rival Chua a bigger under dog by expelling him by using an old issue (the sex CD scandal) as an excuse. But after the October 10 EGM, Ong has become a true under dog again. See how fiercely he fights back back now. I am eager to see how he wins again under adverse situation. Should be interesting to watch. But how about the future of MCA, am I not a bit concerned? That never cross my mind, hahahaha...

The sorry state of MCA

What is happening? Not that there was no in-fighting within MCA before, but this time is different. The EGM which was the hope of bringing an end to the quarrel has strangely being seen as just the beginning of a new round of fighting. A fresh EGM has been scheduled, how many EGMs can a party host in a year? What is the objective of calling yet another EGM if it serves no purpose, because nobody takes note of the message conveyed in the results of the EGM? Let MCA split into 3, each with its own happy leader and loyal supporters. Won't you agree?

Science and maths subjects will be taught in mother tongue

Deputy Prime Minister cum Education Minister announced that science and mathematics subjects will use the mother tongue of the students as medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools starting from the year 2012.Currently the two subjects are taught in English since 2003 in a move to enhance the standard of English language.After implementing this policy for 6 years the English language standard does not show any significant improvement,while the performance of the students in the Science & Mathematics subjects had seen a drastic drop. Faced with the growing criticism from the public,the Government decided to revert back to using mother tongue as medium of instruction for these 2 subjects. Of course,there are also people supporting the use of English as medium of instruction, notably the so called "banana people" who speak English at home.Their children naturally have a very clear advantage over the children who speak their own mother tongue at home.With the abolishing of this policy they will lose the advantage over other children. Another group of people who supported teaching science and maths in English are those who give English language tuition classes. They are worried that their market will be affected if the English language is not given the same importance as before. The Government's aim to improve the standard of English language in schools is right,but I feel they moved too hasty and the action too drastic. They could have asked the teachers concerned to learn the proper technical terms (scientific names and mathematical terms)in English for the respective subjects then pass on to the students.This way,the sudents will grasp the principles of the subjects taught and also master the "jargons" at the same time. The teachers themselves will be less burdened because they need not learn a whole new language (for many of them I guess) but only need to memorise some short phrases.This would be much easier. A little joke here: A maths teacher told the class,"ten push seven equals three".Got it?

"Selema babi" = tactics of fear?

Information,Communication and culture Minister,Datuk Rais Yatim advised the media to use the name "selema babi" (swine flu) instead of A(H1N1) influenza. He explained that it is because he worried that the RTM news readers may find difficulty in reading A(H1N1) influenza accurately hence conveying the wrong message to the public. Since when it is misleading to use the right name and since when it is accurate to use a misleading name? I wonder based on what study and statistics Datuk Rais concludes that the news readers are more proficient in saying babi than saying A(H1N1)? As a minister he has the power and responsibility to send any staff in his ministry to go for retraining if he thinks that his performance is questionable, not by insulting them in the public. He further added that,by simply saying the word "babi" it will instill fears in the public and they will be more careful. What kind of logic is that? Is pig so fearful in the eyes of the Malaysians? Why must he involve the poor animal in the first place? What will happen if the public is made to believe that A(H1N1) influenza is connected to pigs, everybody will stop eating pork (poor pork hawkers!) then feel very safe and hence do not take the proper precautions laid down by the health authority? Chaos will reign man!

Adding this blod to MyBlogLog

If you are a member of MyBlogLog,you can read this blog there direct at this link: Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Public Service Department Scholarships

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said 280 Chinese students who scored straight 1As in the 2008 SPM examinations and are refused scholarships by the Public Service Department(PSD), had submitted their appeals to the MCA. Dr Wee is also the MCA Youth chief and party national education bureau chairman had been handling education and scholarship issues since 2001. This really proves what I claimed in my previous post just last month. This is a classic case of the policy implementers abusing their powers,these are what being called the "little Napoleons" in the government departments. The Deputy Prime Minister cum Education Minister of Malaysia,Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, tries to side track the issue by saying that it is due to some schools limit their students to sit for maximum 10 subjects only,therefore can not compare with those who sit for 14 subjects or more.To be fair these students should be considered for scholarships too. On the surface it sounds fair, but when think deeper,one realizes it is pure b.s.,it is blatant insult to the intelligence of the Chinese community.Even if you take away the extra subjects from the students who obtained 13A1s,they still definitely have 10A1s, still on par with those who are limited to sit for 10 subjects.Why are those who sit for less subjects are awarded the scholarships and not those who sit for more subjects? Be honest,be frank, admit that it is discrimination,period. If this is the idea of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's "1Malaysia", it is only good for a laugh.

Removal of the 30% bumiputra equity policy

The new Prime Minister of Malaysia,Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, announced on 22 April 2009 that the 30% bumiputra equity policy will be removed from 27 sectors in the service sector with immediate effect. Datuk Seri is also the Finance Minister of Malaysia. It shocked more than cheered people because it was such a bold move that it already treads on the baseline of the bumiputra supremacy. No Prime Minister has dared to do it before, not even a leader as powerful as Tun Dr. Mahathir himself. Although Tun Dr. Mahathir had pleaded with his followers to discard the "tongkat(walking stick)" many times and even shed tears in some occasions while doing so. But he stopped there , that is as far as he would go. Not only that,Datuk Seri Najib further liberalized the financial sector 2 days ago. What is the underlying reason that drives him to take such drastic measures immediately after he took over from his predecessor, Tun Abudlla Badawi? Is because the sound of the footsteps of globalization drawing near and wake him up? Is he feeling the heat of the financial crisis already? Is it because it is evident that the 30% equity policy (NEP)is ridden with ills? I really want to know. Actually,non bumiputras in Malaysia would not be as resentful towards the NEP as they are now if it was implemented properly. The greatest ills in the NEP is the huge disceptpencies between the implementation and the original definitions of the NEP. The NEP policy implementers calculated in a strange way,either due to their lack of mathematical ability or they did on purpose.They stick to the policy of 30% faithfully during recruitment of public service staff(civil servants), intake of students to public universities, allocation of low cost housing units, allocation of shares applications of government-owned companies,allocation of public transport permits,development projects,etc; but 30% of what? That lies the core of the problem. Take the recent intake of 1st year students into the oldest university of the nation,Universiti Malaya, as an example. It was reported that there were 27,000 students applying for the 3,500 seats available. So, how many seats should be alloacted to bumiputra students for this particular intake in accordance with the NEP's 30% policy? 5,100 seats should be allocated to the buminputra kids, therefore all 3,500 seats available should be reserved for bumiputras and still falls off target by 1,600. Why? Because 30% of 27,000 applicants is 5,100 students. Simple, right? Ok, if you protest, let's calculate another way. Supposing the total number of students in UM is 12,000. 30% is 3,600. Still there is no room for non bumiputras. Sorry lah, policy is policy. Of course if you got jalan, you still can come in. That is why you see a sprinkle of non bumiputra students as decorations inside. Anyone who has gone through primary 4 knows that 30% of 3,500 is 450, still plenty of seats left for fair competition. If this is the way they implement it, who will ever bothers about the 30% thing? Therefore, 30% is not the keyword, the keyword is 30% of WHAT?

Pakatan Rakyat shows sign of cracking

Malaysians' hope of seeing the formation of a 2-party system in Malaysia may be dashed if the barely one year old coalition called Pakatan Rakyat or People’s Alliance disbanded due to crossing over to BN by elected assemblymen. From the very beginning I had predicted this "marriage of convenience" among the 3 component parties will not last due to the following reasons: (1) The vast differences of ideology between the component parties - PAS only wants to establish an Islamic State, DAP champions for the Chinese community, PKR only exists to fulfill Anwar Ibrahm's dream of becoming next Prime Minister of Malaysia.Their only common denominator is the enmity towards Tun Dr Mahathir and BN. (2)The combined pressure of administrating a state government and maintaining smooth cooperation between member parties demands great tolerance from the party leaders. (3)Their most fatal drawback is their lack of experience of running a government because their are so used to criticize others instead of doing the tasks themselves. It is easier said than done. They have been playing the role of fire flamers for too long and find it difficult to play the role of fire douser now. (4)They are beginners in state administrative protocol and communication systems, many members are frustrated and want to leave the party as a result of this. Let's hope leaders of Pakatan will face up to their short comings and over come them in order to make it a reality for Malaysia to have a 2-party system.

Happy Chinese New Year

To all my Chinese friends: Happy Chinese New Year!

Teach English as a language

The politicians in Malaysia have lost their sanity in the quest of positions and powers.They messed with the education system of the country in order to gain attention and supports. The argument whether English should be the medium for teaching science and mathematics subjects in schools still rages on.This really puzzles one,what is there to argue about? Use BM in Malay medium schools,use Tamil in Indian medium schools,use Mandarin in Chinese medium schools and use English in English medium schools(if there is still any left).Simple and straight forward. If you want to ungrade the standard of English language in schools,fine and you have my whole hearted support,but do it in a sensible and logical way. Increase the English language periods per week,send teachers for proper,specialised training.Do not ask teachers who are physics,maths or engineering majors and who received their degrees after attending courses conducted entirely in B.M. as a medium of instruction. The only purpose in attending a science or maths class is to learn the concept or principles of the subject,not the medium of instruction itself.Young children, especially those in primary schools,have problems in mastering their own mother tongue already, it is placing undue pressure on them asking them to master the subject matter in science or maths and a second language at the same time.Don't you agree? Do you realise that in order to phrase a question clearly the vocabulary,grammar and sentence structures used have to be at least of the level of a year 5 or 6.How do you expect a year 3 or 4 student to fully understand the question and answer it accordingly? "Use the correct tool for the correct job".This principle was drilled into my mind when I was a young engineer long time ago.In countries like Germany,if you are caught using a pen-knife screwdriver (flat slot) on a Phillip screw(cross slot),you will received a warning letter.If you repeat the same mistake you will be sacked.This emphasises the importance of doing the right thing the right way in a developed country,we should learn from them if we really want to achieve our "2020" vision. Sometimes you are thirsty but not hungry,while sometimes you will be hungry but not thirsty.You need not do both things always when you are in a coffee shop.You order the right thing for right need. When you are thirsty,drink water or other drinks,you don't order a "sup tulang".Similarly,when you are hungry,eat some thing solid,you don't try to fill you stomach with gallons of water. When you want to carry heavy goods, use a truck not a bus. When you want to carry passengers, use a bus not a truck. Do not try to carry both passengers and goods together with either a bus or a truck. It is an offence to do so, isn't it? So I beg everyone to put politics aside for a while and think clearly with logic this time. Teach language in a language class,teach maths or science subjects with the language which the students know best for the maximum academic benefits.

Saddest day for the Chinese educationists

The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) had voted not to extend the contract of New Era College principal Dr Kua Kia Soong during an emergency general meeting. Sad because the running of the icon of Chinese medium education in Malaysia,New Era College, is now decided by a group of businessmen who know nothing about education and who are only interested to gain cheap publicity for themselves.Gone are the days when concerned persons who would only donate huge sum of money and lands without interfering with the running of the Chinese medium education activities.They did not seek glory they only sincerely wanted to see the Chinese medium education strive and flourish. Sad because there are news that most of the senior staffs of the College are also leaving the College.Yes,life goes on in the College.But what standard of teaching will be given to the students by the junior staffs who stay back? Will the Chinese community have confidence to employ them upon graduation? I suspect that there are some among Dong Zong who sit in the committee with ulterior agenda.Now that the Ministry of Higher Education is eagerly trying to intervene and take over the running of the Chinese medium education functions,which the government had been trying very very hard for the past 50 years.This seems a golden opportunity for them to succeed finally. Those who join Dong Zong with the sole purpose to destroy Chinese medium education are successful in their efforts too. I FEEL LIKE CRYING NOW!

No blog today

It is really disheartening nowadays,the nation seems to be filled with liars and deceivers.Really one does not know what to believe and who to believe.I do not want to help spread these lies through my blog,so NO BLOG TODAY!

Crazy price hike

This is Malaysia 2008: Cost of living is going up,up,up! Standard of living is going down,down,down!

Think before you speak

QUOTE: Sharon Stone: Not real popular in China While on the red carpet at Cannes, Sharon Stone made one of those comments that was both insensitive and just plain dumb. When asked about the recent Chinese earthquake that killed thousands of people, Ms. Stone suggested it might be karma for China's treatment of Tibet. Not surprisingly, China took umbrage at the insinuation and Stone apologized faster than you can say "Basic Instinct 3." Unfortunately, the apology may be too late—Cristian Dior already dropped her as a spokesmodel. Now that's karma. (Oh, and for those who are interested, HowStuffWorks explains how karma really works.) UNQUOTE Can't blame Miss Stone,because she is only popular for her body not her brain.

Hishammudin apologises for wielding Keris

Malaysia Education Minister - Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein apologised in a press conference for waving the keris (traditional Malay dagger) during his speech at the Umno Youth annual general assembly for 3 consecutive years. This act of Hishammuddin's, who is also the chairman for UMNO Youth wing, is cited as one of the major factors for causing Barisan Nasional to perform poorly during the just concluded 12th general election on 8th March.His action has created great uneasiness and resentment among the non Malays and some Malays. Although he offered his apology out of political considerations,Hishammuddin was obviously not convinced that he had done any thing wrong.He insisted that the keris is part of Malay culture and expressed his doubts why should anyone be offended by it.He used the big "IF" to add some uncertainty in his apology. But to the older generation,especially the Chinese,there were frightening and painful memories connected to the keris.In the early days of Malaya Federation's independence racial conflicts were common.There were rumours that gangs of Malays formed what was then known as the "Big Knives Squads", members of which worn white head bands and wielding huge knives patrolling the villages.The leader of such a squad only held a keris in front of his face and chanting continually. I heard such stories more than once at after-dinner gatherings as a kid in the kampung.Imagine their shock when the older folks saw in the TV screen someone waving a keris at them! Maybe Hishammuddin has heard such stories before but he only remembers the part of being a leader waving a keris and forgets the rest,which prompts him to do such a stunt and stirs the past memories buried deeply in the minds of old folks. What a tragedy! Or,was it just a big hoax? If not,why didn't somebody stop Hishammuddin for doinng it 3 years in a row? Now that it back fires,and everybody starts pointing the finger at him,poor Hisham!

People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) of Malaysia

The results of the 12th Malaysia general elections have rekindled the hope of forming an accountable opposition front.The 3 major opposition parties in the country namely, Democratic Action Party(DAP),Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia(PAS), are forced by the prevailing circumstances to join hands and form coalition governments in 5 states - Kedah,Penang,Perak,Selangor and Kelantan (although PAS is able to form the state government on its own in Kelantan). They officially named the front as Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance),the state governments of the 5 said states will form a common secretariat known as People's Alliance Secretariat. It is not the first time the 3 parties had formed an united front,they had formed the Alternative Front in 1999.It ended in a dismay failure when PAS went ahead to fullfll its dream of establishing an Islamic state in Kelantan disregarding the feelings of other component parties.DAP was swift to cut itself off the alliance to save itself from being abandoned by its core base of supports.PKR was also starting to distant itself from this fundamentalist action.So the alliance was sadly disbanded. The formation of Alternative Front was at least carried out with some planning prior to the general election,yet it failed.However, the current front was fromed hastedly to cater for the prevailing situation, that is they need each other in order to form the government in the 5 states. It is just a "marriage of convenience". Many predict that if the PR did not win any state control in the next general election,it will just die a natural death.Some even predict it won't have to wait that long because soon the "honeymoon" period of the PR will be over and differences between the 3 parties will soon surface. Each of them has distinct ideology different from each other.Pas has its dream of an "Islamic State of Malaysia" since the day of its inception; DAP though a namesake multi-racial party defends the interests of the Chinese voters and PKR is a Malay party which caters to the less fundamentalist Muslims. How long can each of them hold off the demands from their core groups of supporters? It is everyone's wonder. On the other hand, it is the first time in the history of Malaysia the oppositions has a working "prototype" of an alliance for them to experiment on. If they can get the knack of running a real government and have sampled the sweet taste of power,they might try harder to blend together and establish a realistic 2-party system in our nation? My personal take on this is: as far as there are enough state goverments for PR to run,it will survive. Otherwise it will be the same old sad story again, the component parties in PR will go their separate ways, each on its own lonely trail of searching for a way to rule Malaysia alone.

An ordinary man's view on the 12th general election results

The results of Malaysia's 12th general election on March 8 were stunning,at least it is to me. The Barisan National no longer command 2/3 majority of the Parliametary seats which it did and was taken for granted for so long.It also lost control of 5 state governments which is unimaginable in the 50 years existence of Malaysia! I'm still in a daze up to this minute.After reading the analysis of many political observers I still can not fully comprehend what happened. Their theories on ideology,political leaning,religious preferences,economy,etc instead of clearing my mind but makes me more confused. As a simple Malaysian,I look at things like any ordinary man.Here are some of the things taking place lately that bothers me: (1)Rising crime rates:

• Snatch thieves: This category of crime was used to be considered minor case because the theives usually snatched neck-laces and the victims are not hurt except for minor scratches around their necks.Usually the victims did not report because they rather not go through the hassle of making a police report and forget about it. But now the thieves go for the victims' handbags slung over their shoulders.When they attack they pull suddenly at the victims' sling bags,causing the victims to fall flat on the floor,sometimes down staircase or from motor-cycles.Some of them sustain head injuries and lost not only their valubles but also their lives. These snatch thefts occur in busy streets in broad day light,and they got away and were never caught. The law makers have increased the punishment for this crime, but punish who if the wrong doers are never caught? The government seems helpless or plain indifferent towards this situation and offers the opportunity for the opposition parties to harp on this issue.Slowly the people start to believe the opposition parties have the solution and are tempted to give them a try.
• Unsolved murder cases:There were several well publishised rape cum murder cases remain unsolved.Some arrests were made but the suspects were soon released and not produced in court and no further follow ups are reported.The people begin to question the capablility of the police force to deal effectively with the crimes in this modern days.At the mean time there is a nagging question in everyone's mind,"Who will be the next unlucky one?" The fear is real and we Malaysians are living like herds of deers or rabbits wishing not to be picked by the predator to be their next prey!
• Murder cases involving public figure: (i)The Mongolian girl case in KL.This case links to an adviser to a very very prominant public figure in this country,the judicial system is dragging its legs right through the 12th general elections and is still going on.Maybe untill eternity,when it will be forgotten by the people. (ii)The fish monger vs ex-state mininster case in KK.It is an undenialble case that the ex-minister shot dead a person,yet he is still walking about freely on the street.This is really beyond everybody's reasoning power.Maybe this is another drag and forget case. (iii)The boy drowned in a swimming pool.This boy who came from China to live with his uncle,who is a Datuk, while furthering his study in KL, was found drowned in the swimming pool in his uncle's house.But autopsy revealed that it was no simple drowning accident,the boy sustained internal injuries before he was killed and thrown into the pool to appear as a drowning case.The uncle was arrested but was acquitted soon afterwards,another huge judicial puzzle.

(2)Judicial system losing credibility:

• A video clip showing a well known lawyer in the country speaking over the phone bragging that he has the influence over the outcome of the promotion of a senior feredal judge.This video clip has made the Malaysian judicial system the laughing stock of the international community.
• Increasing numbers of acquittal of serious cases.Several serious cases like murders,drug trafficing,fire arms and armed robberies are acquitted due to various reasons like improper prosecuting proceedures,insufficient evidence,etc.Sometimes it is the results of the negligence of the prosecuting officers or sometimes due to the exceptional leniency of the presiding judges.It may seem fair to the suspects,but is it fair to the victims or the families of the victims? Why are not these careless officers brought to courts for obstructions of justice? Barring them from promotions is not a punishment at all,in fact it is a reward for them.It is hundred times more lucative to stay in these posts than a promotion.

(3)Corrupted politicians:

• Zakaria's Istana:Datuk Zakaria Deros was the assemblyman for Port Kelang.He spent more than 10 millions ringgits to build a luxurious spacious istana-like bangolow in a low-cost housing estate,of all places,which irked his new neighbours.This quickly came into the national limelight,and more improprieties surfaced. How did he amass this kind of money? He had no proof of inheriting it from any rich relative,he was a poor railway gate watchman before joining politics. He was summoned by the Sultan of Selangor to explain in front of His Majestice and some how managed to get off the hook without a scratch,amazing! Then the Anti Corruption Agency called Datuk Zakaria for questioning and subsequently wanted to bring him to court for 39 charges.When the whole nation was eagerly waiting to see Datuk Zakaria to be thrown into jail,suddenly all 39 charges against him was dropped.Not a single token charge was brought against him,this guy was a real magician! He did not obtain any approval from the Town Council before starting constructions on this new house,but he quickly settled this problem because he himself,his son and his son's wife all sat in the Town Council! Can you beat it? And the question is: how can a Datuk,a State assemblyman qualify for a lot(few lots to be accurate) in a low-cost housing estate,which is reserved primarily for low income group? Besides, he owned a shop selling satay which is also built without obtaining approval from the Town Council.This structure was subsequently demolished by Town Council workers under public pressure.But the construction works on the "Istana" went on despite all eyes were on it. To top it all,it was reported that 60,000 quests attended his house warming party when the "Istana" was completed! The faces of many prominant political figures of the nation were seen in this party and the pictures were splashed all over the internet,what a launch(or rather,a downfall)! Many people pointed out that this sort of news would never be allowed to appear in the news during Tun Dr Mahathir's time.If it ever managed to sneak into the news,it would be quickly sniffed at its bud,unlike Datuk Seri Abdullah who allowed it to grow into a colourful full blossom over a period of more than 8 months.It is simply unbelievable.
• Said Yusof vs the Customs Department:Jasin Member of Parliament,Datuk Mohd Said Yusof, was reported in the news to have asked the Melaka Customs officers to "close one eye" while discharging their duties.Datuk Said admitted that he had interests in 2 barter trading ports namely,the Sungai Rambai and Kuala Linggi barter trading ports in Melaka.He was also operating a forwarding and shipping company through these ports.Therefore he asked the Customs to bend the rules in order for him to make handsome profits.When the officers reused to listen to him, Datuk Said blasted the Melaka Customs office in the Parliament for various alleged poor performance.The Customs responded by going to the press exposing Datuk Said's harassment of the officers.On the surface it seems a simple quarrel between 2 parties,but people suspected there were more untold stories behind this.

(4)Racial Dissatisfactions:

• This is no new story.The main source of dissatisfactions of minority ethnic groups namely, the Chinese and the Indians, is the New Economy Policy(NEP).The NEP appears a bit crazy in the eyes of people of other nations,because it divides the people of our country into 2 distinct categories,the Bumiputra and the Non-Bumiputra.
• The Chinese have come to terms with this segregation over the years, but not the Indians.They formed a group called HINDRA which claimed to champion the cause of the Malaysian Indians.They protested in processions and attracted worldwide attentions.
• Whereas the Malaysian Chinese are ultra sensitive over the education system of their children,especially their mother tongue.When they are tolerant over the abuses by some government leaders on other areas like business opportunies or employment in the civil services,but they will fight back in unison without hesitation if the survival of their mother tongue is threatened. They demonstrated this anger when a Chinese medium primary school was closed and moved to a new location because the original location was in a prime commercial area.The authority gave the reason for shifting the school was for the sake of the school children's safety,but nobody believed it.The Minister of Education promised to re-open the said school just weeks before the general elections,again not many believed him.

(5)Rising prices of commodities:

• The price of crude oil has sky rocketed thanks to President George Bush's attack on Iraq.This in turns has caused petrol prices all over the world to shoot up,Malaysia can not escape it too.The increase has being kept low by subsidy from the government,but the government had warned that the petrol price would have to rise soon because the country can not afford to subsidise it forever.However,the opposition parties, on the other hand, promised to bring the petrol price back to its original level if they were elected to form the next government.The temptation is hard to resist!
• The price of sugar has also gone up,the factories owners as well as retailers started hoarding in the hope of gaining a bigger profit in face of a bigger price hike.The result: nation wide shortage of sugar.And nobody heeds the government's warning against hoarding,and the authority is again helpless.
• The situation is the same with cooking oil and worse.
• Then the flour price sky-rocketed and subsequent shortage.
• Finally, the effect spreads to all commodities which are essential in everyone's life:bread,cakes,noodles,the list goes on....The leaders of ruling party couldn't do a thing,all they could say is,"it's a global thing".The opposition, on the other hand,promised the people a maricle,"bringing petrol price back to its old level,free university education for all,introducing a minimum wage at RM1,500.00.." The BN leaders just brushed it off as silly ideas.But the people bought it,and that is what counts.

The above mentioned incidents may appear to be insignificant taken individually,but the impact is tremendous if taken collectively. As a simple analogy: a loose nail on a zinc roof is no cause for alarm; but a loose nail here and a loose nail there,the whole zinc roof may be blown off one day! Look at what happened to the zinc roofs of Kedah,Penang,Perak,Selangor and Kelatan? Our PM was confident that his personal charimas will over shadow these "minor issues",but the eletions results proved how wrong he was. Pak Lah should make some adjustment to his "wait and see" policy on issues arising in the country.If he waits too long, small insignificant issues will grow into unmanagable big issues.

Polling Day : To-morrow!

The 12th Malaysia general election polling day is March 08 2008. All registered voters should exercise their most important right as a citizen in a free democratic country.Don't deny yourself this very important right.Go and vote. If you don't,all your hours of arguement in kedai kopi,living rooms and online forums are just waste of time and breath! This is the time for actions,not mere talks.

Minister of Helath Resigns

Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek,the Minister of Health of Malaysia, resigned this afternoon just 24 hours after admitting that he is the man in the video clip showing him having sex with an unidentified woman. Datuk Seri Chua was very vocal for a minister in the Malaysian government,especially in matters under the jurisdiction of his ministry. It is obvious that this is a plot to disgrace him because these VCDs were not sold for monetary gain but were distributed free of charge. Many believed that this was the work of the Opposition,but isn't it kind of stupid to pick on someone who spoke his mind and is liked by the people instead of someone else? Moreover, the Opposition would not be contended with only bringing down a Minister who is not that high in ranking, they would rather go for bigger fish if they want to.