A Great Stateman Has Passed Away

Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, died of heart, lung and kidney complications at 7.34am yesterday at the Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre in Jalan Ampang. He was 81 years old. Tun Abd Ghafar Baba was no ordinary politician, he was a great statemen, who was from the grassroot, for the grassroot and with the grassroot till the day he died. He worked evry hard for national unity, eradication of poverty and corruptions all his life. Tun Ghafar was not a slew and cunning politician, he was one who "shoots straight", otherwise he would have become the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Unfortunately he was betrayed by those who pretended to be loyal to him but quietly manupilated to unseat him in the party election in 1993. During the peak of his political life Tun Ghafar refused to accept any titles bestowed upon him, he preferred to be addressed as "Encik Ghafar" officially. He only accepted any title when he was no longer in the manistream of politics. What a simple but great man! Tun Ghafar's passing away will be missed by everyone who believes in good and straight ways.

The Scenic Bridge Plan is Scrapped

Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the construction of the controversal "Scenic Bridge" which were to replace the 82 year-old Johor Causeway linking Malaysia to Singapore will be stopped permanently, to everyone's surprise. The idea of building this bridge was mooted in 2003 by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir who reasoned that the Causeway was built without giving due environmental considerations to the Strait of Johor. He claimed that the Causeway was blocking the free flow of the water of Johor Strait and eventually turning it into a pond of dead water. Whereas a bridge will allow the sea water to flow freely below it. But his proposal was met with strong protests from the Singapore government, whatever for, I really don't understand. Maybe Singaporeans love dead waters. When Tun Dr Mahathir retired and Datuk Abd Badawi took over as PM, he continued to pursue the idea of replacing the old causeway with a new bridge, he even went as far as designing a curved bridge calling it the "Scenic Bridge" on the Malaysian half of the bridge. His idea was to build our portion of the bridge first while the negotiation between Malaysia and Singapore was underway. When the two countries come to an agreement finally, we would have completed our part already. And this is also to beat the ever rising costs of construction materials. On seeing this, the Singaporean government demanded unreasonable bargains like allowing their fighter jets to fly over Malaysian air space freely and allow them to dig the Johor Strait for sand, an action which will erode the Johor shore lines as well as poluting the sea water. This brought about outcries from Malaysian public, demanding the government to scrap the idea of building that new bridge. Being an elected government of a democratic country, Datuk Badawi has to listen to the people and stopped the project. The effects and implications of this decision is yet to be seen, but it is done for the best of the people's interests. I can not understand the rationale of Singapore's objections to building the bridge because I did not follow this issue over the years. I did not bother myself about this issue because I won't be using it often, I go to Singapore maybe once in 5 years. I thought there is much to be gained on both sides if the conggestion at the causeway is eased as a result of the building of this new bridge, not only Malaysia will benefit, right? From the commercial angle, it is better for Johor Port and Port Kelang's business if the conggestions situations at the causeway worsen bacause the lorries delayed there will caused great loss to the businessmen who prefered using Singaporean port instead of our own ports. When they realised this, they will switch to using Port Kelang or Johor Port. Why should the Malaysian government be so eager to improve the traffic conditions at the causeway since both Malaysians and Singaporeans are using the same causeway? Maybe the Malaysian public dare to criticise the government while the Singaporeans dare not, and also they are dumb as pointed out by the renownTaiwan author, Lee Au（李敖) recently. Therefore the Malaysian government will feel the pressure of public criticism while the Singaporean government will relax and watch because there will be no critism from Sinpagore public against their own government.

Ombudsman panel to check public services

Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in Prime Minister Department, disclosed that a body to watch over the enforcement agencies is being drafted. The body will be named Ombudsman, any complaints from the public against the enforcement agencies like police, custom, immigration, road transport, land and survey and others even the ministers can be directed to it. He said the government will push hard to make it pass through the parliament. The idea is very good in theory, but will it wotk in practice? I doubt it very much. The reason is very simple, who dare to face the consequences by stepping forward to lodge a complaint against one of the above mentioned enforcement agencies? Will they be protected from being harassed after doing so? please be real .

Pak Lah's warning to all heads of departments

Malaysia prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi warned all heads of government departments to buckle up and see that the implementation of the 9th Malaysia Plan is smooth and on target. They should ensure that everyone under their charge to perform, if anyone is found not complying with the 9th Malaysia Plan should be suspended or even terminated permanently. This also applies to the departmental heads themselves. There will be no room for sympathy for individuals in this case, because the inept performance of one person can affect the welfare of many. The PM sounds very serious this time, hope it will not fall on deal ears.

The 9th Malaysia Plan

The prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had unveiled the much aniticipated 5-year 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) yesterday. Here's the Ninth Malaysia Plan at a glance :

• 9MP to cost RM220 billions
• ECONOMY to expand by 6.0 % per annum
• RURAL Dvelopment RM10.9 billions, Finance RM9.8 billions, Transport RM9.5 billions
• POPULATION to grow to to 28.96 millions
• BUMI corporate equity share to reach 30%
• INDIAN share of corporate equity to attain 3.0%
• RM9.1 billions for agriculture
• PRIVATE FINANCE initiative for RM20 billions of projects
• PM's DEPT gets lion's share of RM29.68 billions or 13.5%
• EDUCATION RM23.19 billions or 10.5%, works Ministry RM18.9 billions
• HIGHER education RM17.6 billions, Defence RM15.75 billions
• ENERGY, Water & Communications RM12.12, Health 11.00 billions
• BUMI CONTRACTS to make up 60% of all works in civil works.

Although the proposed allocation for 9MP is quite handsome, but the plan is an anti climax. There is nothing new in the content of the plan, it still harps on old tune like 30% share for Bumi, bridging the income disparity between the Bumi and non Bumi, eradicate poverty,the 2020 Vision, etc etc. The PM even coins the new phrase for this plan - THE FIVE KEY THRUSTS OF THE 9TH MALAYSIA PLAN.

The wording part of the 9MP is excellent, only thing is that the implementation part is not. I will give it a 20%-30% success rate.

I predict more than 80% of the allocated RM220 billions will be sucked up by the small group of elite rich Malays (Cronies as the opposition called them) like a huge sponge, maybe a trickle will filter through to the hardcore poor Malays at the rural areas. The remainder will be divided among the middle-class Malays, the Chinese, The Indians and foreign investors. How to close the gap between the urban and rural areas this way? The Malays already own more 70% of the economy in monetary terms but falls far behind the 30% mark in head-count terms, because the distribution of wealth is too concentrated in a handful of elite Malays.

The Malays youths will be ushered into local universities or other institutes of higher learning, and then to a good secured job in the civil service. But over the years the giant civil service's oversized body can take in all of them no more. Some of the Malays graduates are unemployed in the end. This is a pitiful lot, much worse off than the Chinese and Indian youths.

The non Bumi youths kowing very well that getting a place in the local universities and then onto a secured job in the civil service is next to impossible for them, they will either go overseas (depending on family ability) to further their studies and do not return to Malaysia, or will take the plunge into the working place as non-graduates and learn a vocational skill. They will work and gain enough experience after some time and start their own business, so the non Bumi business community will grow bigger and bigger. Surprised, aren't you? Well, you should not be, this is a vicious circle, and the Malaysian government is not trying to put in a sincere effort to correct it.

At the mean while what happen to the unemployed Malays graduates? Well, they stay at home, grumbling, whinning and waiting for openings like the 9MP to come along. They loathe the idea of learning up the skills to do business. How do you expect them to take over the business control of the country?

Slotting 60% of all civil works to Bumi contractors will help to produce more Bumi entrepreneurs? You can allocate 100% of the contracts to them, all the contracts will be carried out by the non Bumi contractors in the end, the Bumi contractors will just sit back and enjoy the commissions. The legend of "Ali Bapa" will live on! Will they ever learn any thing? Of course they will, they will learn to drive expensive cars, learn to search out the most expensive holidays spots, learn to politics with money and eventually learn to file for bankrupcy.

The award of tenders of civil works are always seen as the pay off by political leaders to their supporters. We should not expect any different this time around. We live in a real world.

Penang, home state of the PM and Sabah which is lagging behind other Malaysian states economically are the two happiest states this time. They will both receive larger allocation of funds during the 9MP.

Tudung for all policewomen

The Inspector General of Police of Malaysia sent out a directive that all female police personnel in Malaysia have to wear the head scarf (tudung) for all march-pass, passing out ceremonies and the national parade. This was met with very unfavourable response from the non muslim community, the loudest protests are from the oppositions, as usual. Then the IGP quickly clarified that it is only compulsory for muslim female police personnel, it is optional for non muslims. Then the Prime Minister said that if tudung is part of the police uniform, then all policewomen should wear it regardless of religion backgrond. So on the recent 199th police day parade we saw almost all the policewomen wore the scarves, except for a few non muslim policewomen. It will be interesting to see what will be the fate of these few who did not comply. The question of whether should female workers who deal with the public, especially with foreign visitors wear the tudung while on duty is not a new one. Those in the service industries like hotels, tour operators, restaurants, entertainment sector as well as the media are against it for fear that the label of Malaysia being a radical muslim nation will stick. Those who are for it will argue that muslim women should be allowed to wear tudung in the workplace, otherwise it will be considered harassment of individual's religion. But in the case of the policewomen wearing tudung in official parades has taken a new twist to the issue. What would the real radical muslims inMalaysia react when they learn that non muslim women are wearing the tudung which they consider the utmost suci (holy) n the public? They will certainly take this as a very big insult to their religion. My statement is not wihout any grounds. Remember not very long ago some non muslims trying to show their friendliness to their muslim colleagues by greeting them with the muslim phrase,"Assala maliakum", and the friends took offend thinking that the non muslim guys are mocking them. And this became a big issue. They insisted that only muslims are authorised to say such phrase. Only words itself created so much troubles, what more with the holy scarf ? There is another point I wish to raise here. The Chinese youth have being accused by the government,the police department and UMNO politicians in the past that they are not patriotic because very few of them like to join the police force. And they are only interested in making money. Those who said this ought to have their brains checked or to be put through an IQ test designed specially for primary school students. Please be informed that NOT all Chinese youth are from rich families, don't look so surprised, it is an undeniable fact. They will gladly join the police force to enjoy the steady job with many not tracable side-incomes, if only you don't make it difficult for them to join and also not to create any deep unease like the case of tudung. Come on, Chinese are human too, they also do not like religion harassment. So the best way is to stay out, keep clear of all these unease. Tell me honestly, do you think more Chinese youth will wish to join the police force after reading the IGP's new directive in the news?

Dong Zhong and NFCSH End Dispute

The dispute between the two major groups of Chinese educationists in Malaysia, the Dong Zhong (United Chinese School Committees Association) and The National Federation of Chinese School Headmasters was put to an end with the help of the Jiao Zhong(United Chinese School Teachers Committees Association) in a meeting between the three groups in the presence of other concerned parties. The three groups quickly came to an agreement to end the dispute and to reconcile for the good of Chinese education development in Malaysia, after one hour and a half of discussions. They will adhere to the following four general understandings :

• To highlight to the government the importantce of the Dong Zhong in the running of Chinese medium schools in the country
• The award of tenders to canteen operators in Chinese schools should remain the provocative of the Dong Zhong
• The setting up of a committee to oversee the running of all fee-collecting matters in the Chinese schools
• The Dong Zhong should be kept informed about matters that involve fee-collection.

The above agreements seem reasonable, it is what it should be in the first place. The handling of matters involving money will be more transparent and nobody will run the risk of being wrongly accused in the future.

We are fortunate that our educationists finally come to their senses and decided to talk things over instead of exposing all the ugly matters in the media. And there is still hope for Chinese education development in the country at the end.

Dong Zhong Vs The Headmasters

While my attetion was grabbed by tensions build-up between Taiwan and China the past few days, tensions are also building up between factions of the Chinese community in my own country! Chineses are good fighters - amongst themselves,that is. The National Federation of Chinese School Headmasters is at war with Dong Zhong (United Chinese School Committees association). Traditionally all headmasters of Chinese primary schools are appointed by Dong Zhong's affiliate members, that is the school committees of individual Chinese schools. But this power of Dong Zhong has gradually but surely being eroded by the government, and the Chinese school headmasters consider themselves more as government servants than employees of the Dong Zhong nowadays. So there is not much respect left for the Dong Zhong as far as the headmasters are concern. This is not surprising to see the current dispute between the two to grow into this scale oblivious to the concerns of the Chinese community in Malaysia. And there is no sign that either side will be eager to bring this to an early stop. Apparently this dispute was started by a committee member of a School's Parents-Teachers Association in Petaling Jaya by accusing that some headmasters in Chinese primary schools are receiving hefty kickbacks from suppliers of text-books, excersie books, stationeries and computers. As a result these suppliers enjoy monopoly over the supply of these items, and parents are not allowed to source from else where. This were echoed by several parents in the press. One businessman (reported to be a member of a school committee) put up a RM50,000.00 reward for information related to any corrupted headmaster in Chinese school. To make matter worse,there are actually 40+ responses to it. The response from the furious headmasters was dramatic. The placed advertisements in the newspaper threatening to disband The National Federation of Chinese School Headmasters and also will stop conducting all tuitions (extra classes) for Bahasa Malaysia,English Language and computers beginning second half of 2006. And they will only supply text-books recommended by the Education Department, and parents will have to look for reference books for their children on their own. Wow this is quite a bomb for the parents! I don't know about other parents, I personally welcome the NFCS announcement, I would feel much relieved. I have two schooling kids, the amount they have to pay is ridiculous. And they keep changing the texk books every year, the younger child can not just reuse the books handed down from the elder one. I think something is fishy there, is there a need to change it every year? Good news is Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussien announced that less emphasis will be placed on examinations in the new education system. Text-books, reference books and tuition classes will not play such an important role then. As an after thought why can't the two sides sit down and talk, is there a third party preventing this to take place? In the case of Taiwan and China, USA is the obvious culprit; but in our case, who?

IGP Warns OCPDs

Inspector General Of Police Tan Sri Bakri Omar reminded 145 district police chiefs (Officer in Charge of Police Distrct,OCPD) that they should be more sensitive when dealing with the public, especially regarding matters that may give rise to the issue of human rights. The IGP was speaking to these OCPDs attending a 3- day human rights seminar. He reiterated these officers were being taught human rights all the times, this seminar was also conducted to reinforce their understanding of the subject. If need be,this seminar can be extended to acheive the objective. If there were officers still can not understand, then they are advised to change jobs, "We don't want stupid officers..." he said. The IGP was frustrated after a series of incidents bringing the police force into disrepute recently. Bravo, well put,Tan Sri !

Malaysia's First Online Grocery Shopping Portal

eGrocries.com.my - the first online gorcery shopping mall in Malaysia was launched by the Wah Kong group and MnEBay Technologies Sdn Bhd. They expect the portal will generate RM6 million turnover in the first year of operation. Aren't they a bit over optismatic? The general Malaysian public is still not tuned to online purchase just yet and a vast majority feel insecured revealing their credit card details online. To over come this fear eGroceries provide door-door delivery and accept credit cards at the door. Then again this will limit their coverage, and defating the purpose of being "on the net" in the first place. Their door-to-door delivery is limited to Klang Valley areas only, and to enjoy this service the minimum purchase is RM100.00 in one receipt. Also they do not make deliveries on the following holidays: New Years Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Hari Raya Haji, Labor Day, Wesak Day, Agong's Birthday, Sultan Selangor birthday, Independence Day and Christmas Day. Orders will be delivered the next working day in the above cases. Not much an online experience, right?

Full List Of Malayia Cabinet 2006

Following is the full list of Cabinet Ministers and members of administration of Prime Minister of Malaysia :

Ministry	Minister
Prime Minister	Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Deputy Prime Minister	Datuk Seri Najib Tun Hussein
Prime Minister's Department
1. Minister	Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
2. Minister	Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz
3. Minister	Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi
4. Minister	Prof Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin
5. Minister	Datuk Dr Maximus Ongklili
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk M. Kayveas
2. Deputy Minister	Joseph Entulu
3. Deputy Minister	Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Dr Masitah Ibrahim
Finance
Minister	Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Second Minister	Tan Sri Nor Mohamed YakcopMinister
1. Deputy Minister	Datukl Dr Ng Yen Yen
2. Deputy Minister	Datuk Dr Awang Adek
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya
Internal Security
Minister	Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum
2. Deputy Minister	Datuk Fu Ah Kiow
Home
Minister	Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad
Deputy Minister	Datuk Tan Chai Ho
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Paduka Abdul Rahman Ibrahim
Defence
Minister	Datuk Seri Najib Tun Hussein
Deputy Minister	Datuk Zainal Abidin Zin
Housing & Local Government
Minister	Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun
2. Deputy Minister	Robert Lau Hoi Chew
Parliamentary Secretary	Dr S. Subramaniam
Energy,Water & Communications
Minister	Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik
Deputy Minister	Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Information
Minister	Datuk Zainuddin Maidin
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
2. Deputy Minister	Chia Kwang Chye
Parliamentary Secretary	Noriah Kasnon
Works
Minister	Datuk Seri Samy Vellu
Deputy Minister	Datuk Mohd Zain Mohamad
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
Natural Resources & Environment
Minister	Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid
Deputy Minister	Datuk S. Sothinathan
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Sazmi Miah
Agriculture & agro-based Industry
Minister	Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar
2. Deputy Minister	Datuk Mah Siew Keong
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim
Foreign
Minister	Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
Deputy Minister	Datuk Joseph Satang
Parliamentary Secretary	Ahmad Shabery
Transport
Minister	Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar
2. Deputy Minister	Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas
Human Resources
Minister	Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn
Deputy Minister	Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar
Science,Technology & Innovation
Minister	Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarlis
Deputy Minister	Kong Chu Ha
Parliamentary Secretary	Prof Datuk DrMohd Ruddin Abdul Ghani
Culture,Arts & Heritage
Minister	Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputy Minister	Datuk Wong Kam HoongMinister
Women,Family & Community Development
Minister	Datuk Seri Shahri zat Abdul Jalil
Deputy Minister	Datuk G. Palanivel
Parliamentary Secretary	Chew Mei Fun
Rural & Regioanl Development
Minister	Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman
2. Deputy Minister	Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe
Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs
Minister	Datuk Mohamed Shafie Apdal
Deputy Minister	Datuk S. Veerasingam
Parliamentary Secretary	Hoo Seong Chang
Plantation Industries & Commodities
Minister	Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy Minister	Datuk Anifah Aman
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam
Youth & Sports
Minister	Datuk Azalina Othman Said
Deputy Minister	Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Parliamentary Secretary	M. S. Vigneswaran
Health
Minister	Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek
Deputy Minister	Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff ahmad
Parliamentary Secretary	Lee Kah Choon
Tourism
Minister	Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor
Deputy Minister	Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai
Federal Territories
Minister	Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique
Deputy Minister	Datuk Wira Abu SemanYusop
Entrepreneur Development & C0-operative
Minister	Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Deputy Minister	Datuk Khamsiyah Yeop
Parliamentary Secretary	Samsu Baharun Abdul Rahman
Internationa Trade & Industry
Minister	Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Ahmad Husni
2. Deputy Minister	Ng Lip Yong
Education
Minister	Datuk Seri Hishammudin Tun Hussien
1. Deputy Minister	Datuk Hon Choon KimMinister
2. Deputy Minister	Datuk Noh Omar
Parliamentary Secretary	P. Komala Devi
Higher Education
Minister	Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputy Minister	Datuk Ong Tee KeatMinister
Parliamentary Secretary	Datuk Dr Adham Baba
Last Updated On :	28 February 2006

Complaint From A Foreign Tourist

Immediately after taking up their new offices, the Minister in the Tourism Ministry of Malaysia and his deputies vowed in front of the press that they will give all they have to promote and improve the tourism industry in the country. Hope they meant what they said. I am very disappointed when a foreign tourist (judging from his comment,he is most probably a German) comments in an old post of my blog recently (21 Dec 2005). He was blasting away at me, a Malaysian, for being cheated by a Malaysian tour operator, who has no connection with me whatsover. The tour destination is in Indonesia, if I understand him correctly. I guess the complaint was not directed at me personally, maybe he could not find any proper channel to voice his complaints and he simply keyed in the search enginees the word "Malaysian" and found my blog which happens to rank high for that keyword! The Tourism minister please instruct your men to provide a channel for collecting feedback from visitors to Malaysia.

A Major Reshuffle In Malaysia Cabinet

Finally, Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has slected a team to his own liking! He had kept the original cabinet since he took over from Tuan Dr Mahatir with only minor adjustments. Everyone seems to be pleased with the new line up, praises from all quarters, except the Oppositions, of course. There were a few surprises, like those who lost in their bids for positions in their own parties are retained in contrary of predictions by political analysts. And there is Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz who was in the center of the recent "AP" controversy, was widely believed to be dropped. And to everyone's surprise she retains her profolio of Minister of International Trade and Industry. In spite of the great numbers of persons involved in the reshuffle, the key positions remained unchanged. These are:

• Internal Security
• Foreign Affairs
• Home Affairs
• Defense
• Works
• Water and Communications
• International Trade and Industry
• Education.

They are all headed by the original ministers. Hence it is quite safe to say that the core policy of Malaysia ruling coalition will be pretty the same except with Datuk Seri Badawi's personal touch added.

This demonstrates that the criteria are based on ability and experience and not on political power and popularity.

Sarawak Tribune Suspended

The English news paper Sarawak Tribune in Sarawak, the East Malaysia state, has its publishing permit revoked by the Federal Government yesterday. The order was given by Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi personally. He is also the Internal Security Minister of Malaysia. No indication of when will this suspension be lifted was given. The Sarawak Tribune republished the publication of 12 Muhammad cartoons in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten last September, which sparked off a series of violent protests from Muslims (especially radicals) all over the world. Everybody, including those in western countries where religion tolerance is unheard of, should have learned that these cartoons are meant to radicule Prophet Muhammad in particular and the Muslims in general by now. Yet the Sarawak Tribune, a news paper in Malaysia where religion tolerance is a way of life, chose to republish them really stunned all Malaysians. Really, another case of insentive minds at work.

Malaysia Police Department facing leadership crisis

Seven top ranking officers in the Malaysia Police Department will be due for retirement before end of year 2006. It is reported in the news that the police department may face a problem in finding suitable candidates to fill their positions. All 7 are holding the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP), while the highest ranking officer amongst the younger remaining officers is Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). Some of the younger officers have to be promoted soon in order to fill the gap.

Hope the reshuffling at the top of the police force will not affect the performance of the men in the field due to lack of proper supervisions.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

I wish all Malaysian Chinese a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

For all those who balik kampung for the long week-end,Chinese and non-Chinese alike, please drive with caution and patience. Remember your mission is to go home and spend a happy holidays with your loved ones and then back to work safely. Don't let this mission fail half way home.

Pandu cermat jiwa selamat!

GONG XI FA CAI

Suspects of rape murder acquitted

Just as I am afraid of, the 6 suspects arrested recently over the rape murder of factory executive Chee Gaik Yap was acquitted. The reason : DNA tests failed to link them to the case. Fortunately, they are remanded under a different clause for further investigation. We are not asking the police to simply find some scapegoats, but there must be somebody responsible for the girl's death. If they are not, then who is? The police have not made any arrest beside these group of people. What is the explaination to the stains of sperms and blood found on their vehicle,with which they were arrested? It is high time the police department upgarde their investigation skills, laboratory facilities/analysis and their level of commitment. Is it going to be just ANOTHER unsolved case?

Ministers withdrew their memorandum

Earlier of the week 9 ministers from the cabinet of Malaysia submitted a memorandum to the prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi urging him to amend the constitution in order that Malaysian Islamic Court (Syriah) will not issue injunctions to seize the bodies of deceased non Muslims during their funerals. The deceased persons in questions are claimed by the Muslim authority that they had converted to embrace the Islamic faith without the knowledge of their family members. The actions by the religion authority came as a huge shock to the deceased family adding to their pain of losing their loved ones. The 9 ministers who submitted the said memorandum are all non Muslims. However,under pressure from the Muslim components of the Malaysian National Front, and with the personal request from the prime minister himself pleading the 9 ministers to withdraw the memorandum, the momorandum was finally withdrawn. (Only 5 of the original 9 ministers were present). I strongly advise all non Muslim Malaysians to go to the lawyers and include in their wills the following clause : "I shall never be converted into a Muslim, and under no circustance shall I be buried in a Muslim cementery ", just in case.

Sorry,no handphones in school for now

The final decision by the Education Ministry of Malaysia is to withdraw its earlier announcement to allow students of all schools to bring handphones to schools. Reason : Parents and teachers are not ready (some critiques that about 5-10 years behind time). Then again, the Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin said it will be implemented later, stage by stage. Yes, begin with the secondary schools, the students of which are big enough to handle this. We cannot postpone it for ever, else people in other parts of the world may look upon us as "ulu".

6 suspects held for killing of girl

6 workers from a race horse stable were detained for investigation into the murder of a girl while she was jogging at a high class residential area in Sungai Petani. She was later dumped at the entrance of a resort. The stable was close to the scene of murder. A vehicle was retained together with the suspects. Stains of sperms and blood were found at the vehicle. Hopefully the police will not forget to send these specimens for DNA analysis. Let's hope this case be solved and not ending with the accused been acquitted due to some technical fumble up. We are seeing more and more serious homicide cases go unsolved, the accused always being acquitted due to technical mistakes. Maybe we should create a blog to record these acquitted cases, recoding the names of the prosecuting officers, court judges. At the end of the year we will name the winner with the highest score!