Replying Johan Jaaffar : The law and the art of being popular

I blog to disagree with the contention by Johan Jaaffar. Though I agree that everybody including the Royals are below the law as all men are equal below the law and that simply mean the Rule of Law in our Rukunegara.

As for me, I am a strong believer of a moral attachment in society and I also view that law is just a secondary attachment to provide order for the people to follow. As such between public morality & safety and the law, public morality outweigh that of the law. That means, those in authority such as the police, state assemblyman and parliamentarian owe a higher duty of care to see to the public needs and that outweigh the supremacy of the law. This means morality has the force of law to determine fairness and justice. I am not saying that the law must be broken but that the law must be seen in continuation with the desire of the people. Justice must NOT ONLY be done but must be seen to be done. The law MUST run in tandem with the everyday life of the people.

If things and situation becomes unfair and unjust, than fairness and justice must be manifested by the people in authority. If the law is 'unlawful' and 'unjust', then there must be a strong moral attachment to amend or change that piece of legislation or policies. Take the Internal Security Act, the Police Act, the Official Secret Act, the University and College Act, Printing and Presses Act, Sedition Act and a whole lot more of laws that need to be reviewed, amended and abolished altogether.

Can we say that these laws are justified and fair? Can we say that these laws reflects the views of the people and the freedom stipulated in the constitution? My gut feeling says 'NO'. Are we trying to say that the police officer hoisted by the people want to be popular? Or that the state assemblymen arrested in Malacca for what the Chief Minister of Malacca dubbed as 'mencuri besi buruk' wanted to be popular?

In the past one month, many people have asked me, what do I think about YB Lim Jack Wong's case and the case affecting the other YBs i.e. YB Sim Tong Him and YB Goh Leong San who are all arrested together. I thought of writing an article about it but I was just so malas to pen down my opinion and views. Some are influence by the writings in Sin Chew (or Nan Yang) recently by a fellow member of the Malacca Bar and a close friend of mine, Mr. Chia Cheng Wee who opined that their act were in short foolish and set a bad example or precedent to members of the public to take the law into their own hands.

As such, this compel me to write a short note here to state my mind the need for some clarification about the acts of our YBs. There is a fine distinction between the law and morality. My opinion is simple, that the YBs owed a higher degree of morality and obligation. And that higher degree of morality and obligation outweigh that of the strict nature of the law. The law must be read in tandem and togetherness with the voice and the majority of the people. That is what we called democracy or makkal sakti.

There is indeed a higher degree of morality attached to the Malacca state assemblymen to do what's best and right for the people. The people complain to them and the abandoned project was laying for almost a year and yet nothing was done to cover the area by the authorities or the private company. Now that posed a significant danger for everybody especially school children walking pass. Worst still as school children the idea of danger is never registered in their mind. As such, that justified the acts of the state assemblymen to do what is morally right. Are we to wait for somebody to just fall and injured himself or worst still, died and then quickly do something about it. Who are we to blame or point our finger then?

The second argument of course is whether an offence has being committed by our YBs. In all criminal law every law student will know the fact that for an offence to be established, all elements of crime must be satisfied i.e. the guilty act (actus reus) and the guilty mind (means rea).

The prosecution will definitely have a hard time establishing an offence because of the lacking of the intention stated under the Penal Code. Compare that to the then OCPD of Melaka Tengah (whom I believe was promoted) who did intentionally kick the state assemblyman, YB Lim Jack Wong (ADUN Kesidang), coupled with the knowledge that his act will cause hurt inflicted to YB has committed an offence under the law. In what law or morality give the right to that OCPD to do likewise. That exist a criminal element that must be investigated and prosecuted by those in authority.

It is also in my view that the rakyat must be proactive to correct the wrong. That is why the Criminal Procedure Code gives power to the public to make a citizen arrest. The question of course is what are the ways and the channels of complaint. Do not do it yourself or take the law into your own hand but take charge of the complaint and report to us or any government agencies.

Please read here and here on YB Lim's arrest.

Now back to Johan's article which he says "WATCHING the images of a senior police officer being hoisted on to the shoulders of the so-called "Cheras barricade breakers" saddened me". To my mind, that police officer did what is best for the people that is to make the law (Police Act) practical to the people so that no untoward incident happened. There is no anarchy or public disorder if emotions are controlled and the voice of the people are heard. In fact the only wrong committed is that the slow paced by the government and the ministry concerned to intervene. Should the Minister acted accordingly and immediately, the problem would have been solved earlier.

So Johan Jaafar, though I respect your view and that may be the conventional view, maybe you should just explore the beauty of morality.

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Johan Jaaffar: The law and the art of being popular

Saturday, 31 May 2008 09:19am

©The New Straits Times (Used by permission) by Johan Jaaffar WATCHING the images of a senior police officer being hoisted on to the shoulders of the so-called "Cheras barricade breakers" saddened me. According to reports, the barricade was demolished "peacefully" by the crowd in the presence of policemen watching "to maintain peace and order". I wonder if anyone questions how many laws have been broken by the boisterous yet agitated crowd or whether the gathering is even allowed by the Police Act. Should anyone care to listen to "the other side" -- the highway concessionaire Grand Saga who maintained that the barricade was erected "on an indisputable portion of the concession area"? I have no love for Grand Saga and I empathise with the residents if at all the barricade had caused so much misery to them. But I believe we have to be fair to all parties -- the people affected and to the company, too. No one is above the law. That is the principle that we have upheld all these years. That is the Malaysian way of doing things. If we take the law into our own hands, we are heading towards anarchy. If you have been following media reports in Taiwan and Hong Kong over the Cheras issue, you will understand how much it has dented our reputation. There is another worrying element to the reports -- hints of racism. Why, I wonder, has a matter pertaining to the setting up of a barricade protested by residents of all races become a racial matter? The way I look at it, the country's image is one thing, but the maintenance of law and order is another. It is easy for anyone to say that they stand by the people on matters like this. Toll highways have never been popular with Malaysians, anyway. It hurts the pocket. But people have no choice but to pay to go places. Shall we do away with tolls on all our highways? An enticing prospect needless to say, and indeed one that will get wholehearted support from everyone, except of course the operators of those highways. But does anyone in his or her mood of irrational exuberance remember the matters pertaining to concession agreements, the funding and its necessity? In the name of popularity, should the present government pronounce as null and void all those concession agreements signed so far? Taking a populist approach is easy. Side with the people over everything. One can never go wrong. Just give the people what the people want. But things are not that simple. So the only logical thing to do is play the underdog. It is always the Goliaths over the Davids. The little people are victimised by "the system". The Big Guys motivated by nothing but greed make life miserable for the masses. These people make tons of money while the highway users endure ever increasing rates. In an economic system like ours, there is no law against making money. Playing to the gallery is good politics. Just imagine how one becomes popular siding with hawkers and every conceivable petty trader who has no regard whatsoever for the law, safety or cleanliness. Stand by them, and presto, you're the folk hero. Some of today's MPs and state representatives were social activists before. But they, too, are on the side of law and order now. Behaving like saviours of the little people is one thing, but the burden of being elected representatives is another. There are members of parliament and state representatives who would love to label themselves as orang yang ditakuti (the dreaded ones). They want the image of a no-nonsense, hard talker and a gunslinger, ever willing to spray bullets on hesitant and bumbling politicians. They build their notoriety on acting tough. Some even make it a point to provoke, condemn and humiliate others. The Dewan Rakyat sadly has become one big arena for bertikam lidah (sabre rattling). Some of the scenes are not too pleasant. Harsh words are exchanged and proprieties take a beating. Do we have to go to that? Do we have to witness our politicians behaving like spoilt schoolchildren in the so-called Dewan yang mulia? Why can't they just get into the business of representing the people? They have tons of problems to begin with. The people want their representatives to bring forth their grouses, argue their cases and help them find ways to improve their livelihoods. Why can't they do just that, rather than perfecting the art of throwing mud at each other? Why can't they be like what they are supposed to be -- ahli-ahli yang berhormat (the respectable ones)? I fear the day when fist fights will actually happen in the Dewan Rakyat. Good, rational arguments win hearts and minds. Take the case of Datuk Ibrahim Ali's maiden speech in the recent sitting. He has been called many names. But he gave one of the best speeches at the Dewan Rakyat. He has nothing new to sell, actually. But it was his calmness, research and eloquence that won the day. If only there are more like him than the noisy interrupters and perennial table bangers. Why, I wonder, do parliamentarians need to waste time on semantics and dubious rules of the House or lambasting fellow MPs when they should be making suggestions and contributing ideas? That will differentiate the men and women from the boys and girls. Brute force without wisdom fails by its own weight, someone famously said. Little wonder we forget most of the questions and statements made in Parliament. But is our society being reflected in what happens at the Dewan Rakyat today? We need a responsible government, and equally responsible representatives to play the role of check and balance. The very people who were elected on the mantra that the ruling government at the time was ignoring and disrespectful to the rakyat, practising cronyism and succumbing to racial politics, must now prove themselves as the harbinger of change. They must now show the way for the betterment of the people, to ensure the emergence of a civil society and more importantly to respect the law. That applies even to the supporters of the demolition of the Cheras barricade among them. They must also work together to heal a divided nation. Is that too much to ask from our Yang Berhormat?

Will it take Another 50 years?

YB Salahuddin Ayub (MP for Kubang Kerian) says it's ok with the present school uniforms from an Islamic perspective. Sense and maturity prevails over lack of understanding and emotional outburst. Nevertheless an atmosphere to agree to disagree on issues.

Malaysians lack openness and maturity in debating and talking issues that are sensitive such as race relations, religious tolerance and even difference in ideology. Though we have with us a small issue on school uniform, I know and everyone here knows that there other bigger and hotter issues that are still under the rock. Time can only tell when it will explode. As such it is of importance a detailed and open discussion on those matters.

As such I am all for an open discussion and forums so that Malaysians of all walk of live can have a dialogue. But as far as I can see, this will take another 50 years.

©News Straits Times (Used by permission)

KUALA LUMPUR: The baju kurung worn by schoolgirls is not sexy, Pas said yesterday.

Pas Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said there was no problem with the present school uniforms from an Islamic perspective.

"As long as the baju kurung is tailored according to the traditional interpretations of the garment and not too tightly, I don't see any problem," he said.

On Wednesday, National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari reportedly said the school uniform worn by schoolgirls was sexy.

Her comments caused a furore among teachers, students as well as various women groups, who said that her claims were baseless.

Munirah said: "The white blouse is too transparent and it becomes a source of attraction", and that it could encourage "rape, sexual harassment and even premarital sex".

Salahuddin said, however, said it was unlikely that the school uniform contributed to such social ills.

"Cases of rape and free sex are not caused by one or two simple factors. Teenagers today are exposed to all kinds of influences, including all sorts of pornographic material because of the borderless nature of information."

No Big Deal Budget

I did not expect much in the budget because there is actually nothing to expect. No new news except (i) that for the first time nothing mentioned on the rise of taxes in alcoholic drinks and cigarettes, (ii) no civil servant bonuses and (iii) something good for education.

However I have this to say. So what if you have schools and examination fees abolished when good and high achievers do not have places in the University of their choice. They may have free text books in schools so that people in the lower income group and yet when these high achievers scores in the examination they are sidelined by those in authorities for a degree which they seek. Reason given, short of place. And when a complaint is made to the authorities, leaders from government parties would just say "Be patient" or "Be happy when you have a place in the University". This is when you are given to do some stupid course which you do not actually asked for. And this is what the government says that they are thinking of the rakyat. I hope that the government will open the doors for more non malays to get a place in these public universities.

On health, I welcome the government effort to improve quality of hospital services, purchasing medical supply and health equipment, however health and medical care is relatively still expensive especially for those who can't effort. That being of course those in the majority group. The cost of medical services and health gets expensive day by day. In fact the government should spend more on research and development to enable Malaysia to be importers of medical products and services around the world. There must be improvement in general hospitals across the country. We cannot afford to hear medical negligence against our rakyat.

I hope much is done for our youth today. Even though much money are put into youth development, however I wish to state, that there are more Rempits in our highway than our Rakan Muda projects. They are the future generation of this country and them behaving like what they behave right now, Malaysia will be doomed to failure. I saw more young ones in drugs, rempiting, illicit sex, indulging into alcoholism and other unnecessary activities.

So in short...nothing so new in our budget.

950 cases of racial cases.... I'm so sad

Come August 31, 2007, Malaysia will reach 50 years old. From the days of agriculture and horticulture industry into an almost a modern nation where we are able to compete with our neighbouring countries as well as the countries in the west. We are seen to be competitive and able to produce excellence within our commercial and corporate spheres. And I believe as at to date our founding fathers like Tunku and the early alliance are proud of.

However after all the praises above, our country after 50 years seems to fail miserably in terms of understanding one another of different race and religion. I read in the Star recently of the 950 racial clashes this year and my heart cries for Malaysia that we have a 15% increase of cases reported. This is not progressive. So the issue is are we living in harmony or are we living tolerating one another. It is so unfortunate that in reaching 50 years we are still called our race first, what about being Malaysian first.

I remember when I was very young, my best friend is Azrul. We are the 'bestest' of friend. Literally we love and care for each other. Well, sad to say we have lost contact (and I'm hoping he reads this). BUT we knew even we of different race, culture and religion but we know how to live together in harmony. However all these change when one goes to the university. I remember in UM, whilst doing my CLP, I met an Indian friend of mine and had lunch together almost everyday. He was from another faculty. AND was shocked to find that the his Indian friends were not talking to him because he was close to me. I find this so difficult to believe. What is this nonsense?

When we were younger we are colour blind, but as we grow older we became to take sides. How sad we are? Instead of growing older and more mature, we become childish.

make us instead of being progressed, this into We grew stronger I find it hard to believe that reaching 50 this issue of Islamic state

The Truth Shall Set Malaysia FREE

A good book once said "the Truth shall set us free." Once a lie persists, doom will be on the road and one can never come back to the truth. It is a long road unless there is a true repentance, no one will ever tell the truth. Simply, ego. Human by nature tend to always stand by his ego. It is his ego that will either destroy him or make him a man that he hope he will be proud of. Yes, I'm talking about the NEP. Good or bad, it was introduced by the government purportedly to strengthen the stakeholdership of the bumiputra.

A couple of days ago the issue surrounding the NEP raised it's ugly head again. This time by the European Commission delegation to Malaysia, Mr. Thierry Rommel an outsider. In 2006, a major dispute arose when the Asian Strategic and Leadership Institute (ASLI) issued a report calculating Bumiputra-held equity at 45% — a stark difference from the official figure of 18.9%. The report's publication triggered a relatively vocal public debate about the status of the NEP and its related policies, with many from UMNO questioning the methodology used by ASLI. Although ASLI later withdrew the report, citing unspecified errors in its methodology, the debate did not die down. One political analyst suggested that "If Bumiputra equity is 45 per cent, then surely the next question is, why the need for Bumiputera rights? It has implications for government policy and it (removing indigenous rights) is one thing UMNO will never accept. The turn of event causes former Researcher of ASLI , Dr Lim Teck Ghee to resign immediately for the differing stand he takes.

Now, it comes from an outsider, and this is what was reported,

“Rommel attributed Malaysia’s slowdown in drawing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to a lack of a level playing field for foreign companies “even when they are in a partnership with bumis”.

Together with an inefficient public service, corruption and the questionable and unchecked practices of Malay preferential treatment, it had also dampened the business environment and economy of the country, he added.

While the public service delivery system lacks efficiency, responsiveness, transparency and accountability, corruption as well as the questionable and unchecked practices of Malay preferential treatment also plague the business environment and economy of the country, he added.

In urging Malaysia to re-look its pro-Bumiputera policies to attract European investors, Rommel warned that opening up a public debate on the NEP would incur short-term political risks. However, Rommel said such risks can be managed through transparency, dialogue and education.”

After going through Rommel's thought, I find it difficult to understand DPM's statement about the above report. Nothing in the above report at any point of time asking for an immediate 'termination' or the abolishment of the NEP. It basically suggest that in order to see a strong economic growth for Malaysia's future, the NEP has to be reviewed so as to enable a new change of policy to meet the demands of competitiveness and globalisation.

What Mr. Rommel uttered is nothing new and in fact an opinion that is generally common knowledge to the views expressed by the general public including the Malay. The NEP does not benefit the very hard core poor Malay but in fact only benefitting the classes of Malay that is dominated and connected to UMNO.

Malaysia cannot deny that the NEP is hurting the economy of this country and as such it has to be done away with. Or to at least help the general poorer bumiputra that seriously need to be aided. It is dishartening to see after 50 years of merdeka and yet we still hear of the hard core Malay, Chinese or Indian do not have simple amenities to live in. This is indeed very embarrassing. How are we achieve vision 2020 or the Malaysia dream of 2057 and yet problems like this remain unsolved.

As such there must be a re-look to consider and to review the totality of the current policy that will in some way or another damage the economic growth of the country. Definitely the truth always hurt. As the Malay saying goes, "Siapa makan cili dia rasa pedas"

Is it LOVE?

I find it hard to chew when our PM says that our national unity is like love. It has to be cultivated. I feel that his definition is a little way out when he described it on National Building. However I beg to differ with his opinion. Not love BUT, we the non-bumiputra was just being tolerating with what happening around us. From the NEP to Malay rights to freedom of religion, we have been tolerating much.

During the recent dialogue on Lina Joy organised by the DAP, Leonard Teoh, legal advisor for the MCCBHCST went further to say that we, all Malaysian regardless of race and religion co-existed together as Malaysian not because we tolerate one another but because we desire harmony and that is what Malaysians in general wants.

What is the point if the PM declares his love about national building and promising the people with goodies and yet the basic notion of bias, inequality and injustice are found everywhere in every area of our civic society. What happen to sincerity and balance ideas as promised and promoted by the PM before the 2004 election and his pronouncement on Islamic Civilisation?

In recent days, Malaysia saw the grave injustice on the attack of the Constitution which regards to Article 11 and the social contract that binds the heart of all Malaysian. We exists together because of the promises by our fore fathers. The case of Che Omar Che Soh in 1988, confirmed and declared that Malaysia is a secular state and not an Islamic State. The Lord President then, Tun Salleh Abas, states very explicitly ruled that the Syaria Laws are not basic laws of the land but the Constitution. Unless there is an amendment to the constitution declaring so, Malaysia is and never an Islamic State. Following that Our first PM and Bapa Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman appealed to Malaysian not to turn Malaysia as an Islamic State. This my view is the first important ingredient of national building that has to be adhere strictly.

The other element of national building is to do away with discriminating policies and laws, that will hinder the economic growth of Malaysia. Recently, Malaysia saw bright and intelligent students who were unable to have a place in the University. I find it hard to understand, the system and policy employ by the Administration. Malaysia is already dying in the field of science and technology. There is a dire strait of professionals in the country. We are in the period of brain dead and yet we have educational policy that is making Malaysia very very sick.

Malaysia also saw policies that goes against the basic notion of equality. The non Malays, like me feel even though born and breed in this country, feeling lack of security as though as I am a second class citizen with the implementation of the NEP. Nobody is talking about MERITS and everybody is talking about "I know Datuk so and so". This is an existing racial discrimination and social injustice that is so prevalent amongst us.

With new challenges, globalisation and competitiveness coming our way, there must be a paradigm shift by people in authorities. Malaysians will have to be prepared that in the years to come, if we are not changed, then we will be wiped out and never to survive as we will all see a colonisation of Malaysia's economy not by Malaysian but by people that are against us. AND if that happened, it will definitely be a survival of the fittest.

Part 2 of National Education Plan... the real story

All roads lead to Akademi Fantasia, true or not, you decide. Anyway come the never ending stories of the real thing. This have gone year in and year out about University applications. We have almost 10-15 Universities, public, semi and private and yet we have young and the up coming even though results are good yet there is no place for them in the Universities. With CGPA scores above 2.8 to 3. plus, hmmm maybe I should advise forget about studying and let us work and make money, since there are no places in the University. Why study hard, knowing that you will be forcefully drop-out by the Administration. And that is SO VERY sad.

After reading articles in the Star online articles "Not All Joy For University Applicant" here and "Accept the Course you get, says MIC Man" here. I get more sad and disturbed with such policy especially when statements like that comes from people in the government. To achieve development status and first class mentality, education must be prioritised. It has to be seen on the merit. These are real people who sees education as a stepping stone of something greater in the future developments in their life and to make their parents proud. But sad to say these good graders will not be able to achieve what they desire in life because of failed education policy in this country. These young good graders are unfortunate people who will be deprived of their basic degree of their choice.

I think it is so true to say that all roads lead to Akademi Fantasia. Reading news like this, makes Malaysia a sad place to stay especially for her people. These are ordinary people from every walk of life, who all wanting to please their parents and to show them that THEY CAN DO IT.

What is Chua Soi Lek taking about?

How could he distant himself and call the peaceful demonstration as IRRESPONSIBLE? Hello, these are civic minded people who are just afraid of the high rise in crime. We are not talking about just the Chinese community but every walk of life of all Malaysian people. I think they (the demonstrators) are a responsible lot of people who believes that they are stakeholders of this land. So what that Datuk Seri just said is more IRRESPONSIBLE than any Malaysians. Please there is nothing to do with racial BUT Malaysians wants security and demanding the Menteri Besar to act for and on the behalf of the people.

©The Star (Used by permission)

JOHOR BARU: MCA has distanced itself from the recent demonstration held outside the Mentri Besar’s official residence and said that it was organised by “irresponsible” parties.

Johor MCA chief Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who categorically denied the party’s involvement in the demonstration, accused those responsible of “playing with fire.”

“These irresponsible people have turned crime into a racial issue and if they are not careful, it can get out of control,” he said, adding that the entire Chinese community should not be blamed for the actions of a few irresponsible ones.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hospital Permai site in Johor Baru.

Dr Chua, who is also party vice-president, said an SMS meant to incite the public was also making the rounds and that he would appeal to the police to investigate where it originated.

On Sunday, police stopped an anti-crime demonstration outside the Mentri Besar’s official residence here and picked up two protesters who resisted a police order to disperse.

About 100 people had gathered there at 10am to stage their protest in response to two violent rapes reported over the past week, one involving a 19-year-old girl on June 12 and the other a 35-year-old woman the next day.

Johor Baru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Shafie Ismail said the protestors, aged 24 and 27, have been remanded until today.

“We will investigate their role in the protest,” he said.

Is it suppose to be En bloc

Interestingly I saw this in theStar with a headline,

"Write in to request funds, Kelantan govt told

BACHOK: The Kelantan government must officially write to the Treasury for additional funds for the salary increment of its civil servants.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the Federal Government was willing to consider the request. "

Now, I thought that when the Prime Minister announced the salary increment it is supposed to be an en bloc thing. Meaning it applies across the board, regardless of whether the state belongs to the opposition or not. I'm so curious. Anyway it's politics. And it is a political policy. Barang Naik (Things Up), wang pun Naik (Money also Up) only before the election.... after that your pasal (problem).

If my prediction is right with such goodies, the General Election is near, very near... probably I should read some Nostradamus's prophesy to check on the timing of the election.

AND Will the federal government consider. NEVER. Why? C'mon, Barisan wants Kelantan back, so it will definitely be a manifesto for Kelantan Only "that there will be a increment".

Of course in view of that, the people in Kelantan will vote for BN just for the increment. Opposition cries MONEY POLITICS and bribery and lodge official report and complaint to SPR and wahlah.... BACK TO SQUARE ONE. BN 1 Opposition 0. Nothing is ever done. Again it's Malaysia Boleh....hip hip Malaysia Boleh (3x)

University Malaya..... For Sale?

Guocoland (M) Berhad offered to buy the land that housed University Malaya in KL for the purposes of development worth RM10 Billion and to relocate it to Sepang is definitely out of mind. As Ungku Aziz, the Royal Professor and former Chancellor of UM says in Utusan, that such acts are "gila dan kurang ajar" meaning a crazy act and rude. He further remarked that the University is a national heritage that ought to be preserved and protected.

The University grew out of tradition of service to society. Its predecessors, the King Edward VII College of Medicine established in 1905 and Raffles College in 1929 had been established to meet urgent demands one in medicine and the other is education. When the two come together to form University Malaya in October 1949, this was so that they might perform together an ever greater service, to help lay the foundation of a new nation by producing a generation of skilled and educated men. Hence, the University Malaya was established on 8th October 1949 as a national institution to serve the higher education needs of the Federated Malay States and Singapore.

The growth of the University was very rapid during the first decade of its establishment and resulted in the setting up of two autonomous Divisions in 1959, one located in Singapore (later became the National University of Singapore) and the other in Kuala Lumpur, retaining the name University of Malaya. In 1960, the government of the two territories indicaated their desire to change the status of the division into that of a national university wherein legislation was passed in 1961 founding the University of Malaya on 1st January 1962 via the University Malaya Act.

In all these years the University has established itself as a pioneer to many local graduates all over the country and beyond. As such taking away that right would seem to be an act of defiance and should not be tolerate at all. I may go further to say that acts such as this, is unnecessary coupled with greed.

Education must be prioritised and protected. The government must be seen serious in protecting not only national heritage but to be seen serious to cause a first class institution and mentality of higher learning that Malaysian of all walks of life can be proud of. Seeing statistics dropping drastically in Malaysia top university is sad but to see the Malaysian Government denying is another. The government should not just deny but indeed the reality can be a little frustrating, but that is the truth.

The government must be serious in showing to the world at large that we too can compete in the international arena. Funding in research and development has never been satisfying. Areas in medical science, biotechnology and information technology are so necessary requiring funds and aids. The future of Malaysia are depended upon this new generation of young minds. It is in this University, that intellectual minds are developed and new ideas are formed for the good of this country. As such this has to be protected at all times.

Maybe the government must remember the dream of the Prime Minister 2057 which he exclaimed, "Our students and professors will dominate Ivy League universities and our own universities will be citadels of excellence for international scholars." Will this continue to be a dream, let Malaysian speak.

Crime Going Down? The IGP must have been dreaming.

Recently the Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan announced that crime rate in Johor has dropped to 8% in the first quarter of the year compare with the same period the last year. A total of 9,175 cases were reported from January to April this year - 788 cases fewer than the total number reported during the same period last year.

Unfortunately, we are hearing crimes of crimes more heinous than before. Three cases of raped/abduction and robbery hit Johor within this month. Modus operandi of the gang was striking similar. True or not, I received an sms from a friend that they are now in Malacca. And yes I am afraid that they will strike again. Last two days, there were a road block held not outside of my Taman BUT in the Taman in itself. I was troubled and surprised. Police with machine guns manning the road block. I asked one of the police and he told me that there were many cases of 'Pecah Rumah'. This is sicko. Worst still it is done in the morning, no more at night. "Malang memang tidak berbau"

I was even shocked to know that the police refuse to accept reports even though they are duty bound to do so. This happened when the 19 years old 19-year-old girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend in Johor Bahru on Monday, attempts to make report on the oncoming crime was shunted from Larkin Police Station to Tampoi Police Station and again to Johor Baru Tengah Police Station. This is so unnecessary and is definitely putting the police in a very bad light. Something has to be done or nothing will be dome at all.

The crime these days are getting more daring. The last couple of month, Malaysian also saw robbery involving ATM machines, snatch thieves are getting more bold, rape is happening everyday, babies found in rubbish bin, drugs are found everywhere, prostitutions found in hotels, criminal intimidations and the Mat Rempits are still in on the loose. I now wonder what is happening to this country. Is the police doing anything about it. Why are they not accepting reports? Who can then a complaint be referred to, if the police refuse to accept it?

So is the IGP correct to just rely on statistics. I believe there are more unreported cases of such crimes. Statistics are just Mathematics, they are not facts per se. Facts means what does the news in the papers and the TV are telling. AND it gets more. More bad news. The public's confidence in the police shattered until more and more housing developers are coming out with the 'gated community' concept that hires private security company to give and provide security services.

Malaysians are worried. Malaysian are also getting very impatient. The time has come for a more RELEVANT police force. Police that are responsible and accountable for their actions. Sound too scary to note that members of triads are having 'relationships' with OCPD and/or OCS or even CPO. This is a worrying trend. And it is a FACT.

The only consideration is to have an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) as suggested by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Police. The government must be reminded to establish a police force that is free from tainted activities. Through the IPCMC public confidence on the police will soar high as it allowed public scrutiny of the police force. IPCMC is not a place where the police gets bombarded but the purposes of it is to enhance the image of the now battered police force. Corruption in the police has become an eye sore even though they wear a batch saying "Saya Anti Rasuah".

So is CRIME going down? I doubt it.

Samy Vellu embarrassed? Maybe a Post as Minister without Portfolio will be GOOD

I saw this in Utusan and I am surprise to note that Samy Vellu is embarrassed. And I always thought that the mighty Samy is untouchable even to the extent blaming God for some of the problem. I remember an embarrassing moment when there is a blackout in Malaysia and he immediately comment that it was an act of God. I was told immediately after that, India came out in their headlines about Samy and it became a joke of the day in the hectic life of the Indian people.

Samy Vellu as far as I read and seen in the TV and press is never a shy person. An Architect by profession, he uses his profession blaming everything except himself. And this is a known fact. Like in the news below still blaming his officers, which he is always good at. Why can't he take responsibility and be accountable, doesn't he know that he is the Boss in his own ministry. More so he has been there for donkey years. Maybe he should take up constitutional law and study individual and collective responsibility of Ministers. Just step down.

Maybe it's time for him to come to his senses for him to just take responsibility and resign from his portfolio. Or maybe an appointment as Minister without Portfolio. The PM should appoint another who can do the job and I believe there are many more people who are willing and capable to make Malaysia a better place. A lot of money has been spent in building and millions are spend for repair work.

What about the promise by the PM to have good delivery standards in government departments? Are these just promises? All Malaysians want to see a walk the talk government. With the recent flood, the collapse of government buildings, leakage etc has not cause the Minister concern an embarrassment, but I believe it causes Malaysian in general even greater embarrassment of such substandard in our quality of construction. We have the best airport. We have the tallest twin tower. We have many super structures and yet we hear news of government building falling apart. I simply don't get it.

The Utusan online taken are as follows:-

Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu yang malu dengan beberapa siri kerosakan di bangunan kerajaan sejak akhir-akhir ini mengeluarkan arahan tegas agar kejadian tersebut tidak berulang serta memulihkan maruah Jabatan Kerja Raja (JKR) (The Minister, Samy Vellu is embarassed with the many damage in government building recently as such gave strict orders so that such incident will not be repeated and at the same time to restore confidence of Public Work Department (PWD)

Beliau berkata, maruah JKR tercemar teruk di mata orang ramai dan dunia yang menyebabkan kontraktor dari negara ini sukar mendapatkan kontrak baru di luar negara.(Samy says, PWD's credibility has been shattered by the public and also in the world as contractors in this country finds difficulty in getting contracts outside of Malaysia)

‘‘Saya perlu mengeluarkan arahan-arahan tegas dan keras ini memandangkan saya malu untuk berhadapan dengan Kabinet, rakan-rakan di luar negara dan orang ramai yang kini memandang rendah terhadap keupayaan JKR,’’ katanya. (I have to give strict order as I'm embarrassed to face the Cabinet, friends in overseas and many who frowns against credibility of JKR)

Amazing Fact by Ali Gostan

I read this with the amazement of my 'friend' Ali Rustam aka Ali Gostan. This is the most outrageous statement of the year. He says and I quote "It is easy to become a Malay" and he continues, "Even if that person is Chinese or Indian or Kadazan, if they are Muslim or have converted, converse in Malay and follow the Malay tradition, then they are Malays." I find it amusing because the religion and the race are always kept distinct and separated. It has always being the case. So with his exclamation, it is to mean that as a Malay wouldn't it be the same as being a Malay bumiputra and thus accord the privilege as stated in the Constitution of the Federation. I have friends who had converted and yet do not have the privilege of being a Malay even though they converse in Malay, accepts the Malay custom and culture and yet the law refused to accept them to be a Malay under the Constitution. Weird?

----

©Daily Express (Used by permission)

Kota Kinabalu: Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Rustam said a person who is a Muslim, converses in Malay and follows the Malay traditions is considered a Malay.

"It is easy to become a Malay," he told a Press conference after Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman opened the Dunia Muslim Dunia Islam (DMDI) seminar, here, Saturday.

Elaborating on why Musa had said that more than 50 per cent of the State's nearly three million population are Malays, Mohd Ali, who is also DMDI president, said:

"Even if that person is Chinese or Indian or Kadazan, if they are Muslim or have converted, converse in Malay and follow the Malay tradition, then they are Malays."

"The Kadazans if they are a Muslim, we considered them as Malays, and if they have not embraced Islam, they are Bumiputeras. It is easy to become a Malay."

Wedding....congratulation Pak Lah and Dr Nazrin but Siti, hmmm

Prime Minister weds Jeanne Abdullah yesterday at 2.50pm attended only about 50 family members and relatives. A simple wedding that finishes in a couple of minutes. The PM remarks the day before that he prefer a simple wedding as this is his second marriage (His beloved wife Kak Endon pass away in October 2005 after fighting a long battle with breast cancer).

A couple of weeks ago the nation saw yet another beautiful wedding between Raja Dr Nazrin (son of Sultan of Perak) and his beautiful wife, also in a very modest yet elegant wedding. The Raja refused public funds for His Highness wedding even though he is entitled to. This is yet another excellent example of a man who is 'jiwa rakyat'. He definitely walks the talk.

Hmmm I tempted to compare the above two marriages to none other than the wedding between Datuk Siti Norhaliza and Datuk K. Not royal, nor politicians but spend as though they were royals. With TV3 live telecast the wedding reception, my goodness, maybe I hope they can just give to those that really need the money. There are so many homes that require lots of money in maintaining it. Most homes are relying on aids and donations from the government and private sector. Maybe she ought to channel her funds there instead of wasting unnecessary money. For TV3, it is just a foolish act of stupidity.

Only WAY...work harder

After reading this....see my comment below:

©Berita Harian (Digunakan dengan kebenaran)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia akan berdepan lambakan graduan perakaunan Bumiputera yang serius jika isu firma akauntan Bumiputera yang dipinggirkan gagal diselesaikan.

Presiden Persatuan Firma Akauntan Bertauliah Melayu Malaysia (PFABMM), Mohd Noh Jidin, berkata lambakan graduan Melayu yang menganggur akan menyebabkan kerugian besar dengan kehilangan bakal akauntan profesional Bumiputera.

“Jika ia terjadi, perkara ini akan menjadi satu episod menyedihkan buat profesional Melayu. Sekarang ini pun, graduan perakaunan Melayu berdepan kesukaran mendapat pekerjaan di firma akauntan bangsa asing mahu pun firma antarabangsa.

“Firma akauntan Bumiputera tempatan pula tidak mampu mengambil mereka kerana kami sendiri tidak mendapat peluang tugasan pengauditan. Kini, ada graduan perakaunan Melayu terpaksa mencari pekerjaan lain selain jumlah yang meninggalkan industri perakaunan selepas mendapati peluang mereka membina kerjaya adalah terbatas,” katanya kepada Berita Harian semalam.

Berita Minggu 13 Mei lalu melaporkan firma akauntan Bumiputera sering dipinggirkan daripada dilantik sebagai juruaudit untuk syarikat besar dan agensi kerajaan serta kredibilitinya dipertikaikan walaupun sebahagian besar mereka pernah memegang jawatan penting dalam syarikat perakaunan antarabangsa.

Mohd Noh berkata, PFABMM akan berusaha memastikan nasib bakal akauntan Melayu terbela di samping peluang mendapat pekerjaan di tanah air sendiri terbuka luas.

PFABMM katanya juga kecewa apabila Setiausaha Parlimen, Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi (MECD), Datuk Samsu Baharun Abdul Rahman baru-baru ini meminta persatuan itu menulis kepada Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi, Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin supaya isu firma akauntan Bumiputera yang dipinggirkan dapat diselaraskan pada peringkat kementerian sebelum dibawa kepada Kabinet.

“PFABMM sudah bertemu MECD sejak 2004 lagi untuk menyelesaikan isu sama. Jadi, apa keperluannya MECD membawa isu ini kepada Kabinet?,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Mohd Noh berkata, PFABMM tetap mengikuti saranan Samsu dengan menyediakan laporan lengkap termasuk mengadakan pertemuan dengan Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin yang dijadualkan akhir bulan ini.

My comment :

Survival of the fittest. In the present world of globalisation and competitiveness, I work hard for the money. Do I receive any help? My answer is NO. Am I afraid? Yes. But my mind is so focus that when I run, I make sure I finish the race. My eyes and my mind is focus on the mark and that mark is nothing short of VICTORY. My survival is base not on who I know but what I know and learnt from Law School, nothing short of MERITS. If we are lazy or deemed to be lazy, then we will be slaughtered without any compassion. As there is no short cut for success except to work hard.

SO... my suggestion to them, PFABMM work hard, nothing short of it.

Bolehland at Syariah Court

I think Malaysia is the only country in the whole wide world experiencing cracks and ceiling crashing down in government buildings. This time the Syariah Court in Johor Bahru. The NST reported that the court complex was open early this year at a cost of RM27 million. Gosh another wasted expenditure. I got the strong feeling that our tax will go up by next year. Countless time government building falling apart and countless times repairs that got to be done. I bet you staff working in those government building will never work peacefully since things like this happen. Events like this should not have happened in the first place. First it was Putrajaya pipe leakage, then you had the Court complex (which a friend of mine pass by and says wow it's awesome), then you have hospitals going hay wire, back to the courts again in Jalan Duta and now JB syariah Court, all happen in the past two months. And all buildings are suppose to be new. Hello?? Anybody listening?

I'm not talking about shabby work. I'm talking about corruption and misappropriation of public funds by some contractors who simply have good connection with the people at the top. In this country it's not about the merit but who knows who. What is the country becoming? I call upon the sacking of all stupid and irresponsible contractors and engineers under the pay roll of the Ministry of Works, Finance Ministry and Public Works Department. I also call upon all involved especially the Ministers and Director General of Public Works to be accountable and take the responsibility to resign from their portfolios as what they have done is wasting public funds and at the same time causing such embarrassment to the country we once loved.

To make matter worst, a Minister did say that government building need not have a Certificate of fitness. This is somewhat surprising to the ordinary people. There must be some form of certification in enabling occupation. For the past months, we heard of so many mishaps, but we have yet to hear any injured or died as a result of being hit by falling ceilings. But the time will come and who is to be held responsible for the priceless life.

Enough is enough, there must be a change for the better.

I bet you cost of repair on the mishap that happen in the syariah court is RM2.7 million. What say you?

Bahasa Malaysia eh Bahasa Melayu eh Bahasa Malaysia

“The Malay language belongs to Malaysians of all races and not just the Malays. The term Bahasa Malaysia would instil a sense of belonging,” Zainuddin told The Star yesterday.

Then why the change at the first place. Blame on Anwar Ibrahim. Why now after 20 years? There are many Education Ministers after Anwar, who could have thought about it. Not only that, but there are so many cabinet ministers in the past 20 years who should have thought the idea at the first place. So please do not pint point at others. True he make a mistake due to Malayism which is a step backwards but at the same time for the sake of this country a Malaysian Malaysia is definitely good for this country. It is healthy among all Malaysian to have a Bahasa Malaysia. AND I'm for it.

The Malays, for example, must not see Bahasa Malaysia as a language used (solely) by themselves. If Malays truly want to promote the language regionally or globally, they should not be worried if others use it for religious reasons such as their books and sermons in the Bahasa Malaysia language such as the Bahasa Malaysia Bible but ban, I wonder, now who is the one that contradict.

Similarly, non-Malays would also should not see the language as a Malay language but a language that belongs to them for being Malaysian. As such it is to show that the language does not belong to just one race. As Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the move is for national unity.

well let us see how unified, we can established. Let us see.