Thursday, August 28, 2008
Det's Comment on 16th Sept 2008
"The other bidders have more money" TV3 Buletin Utama 27/08/08. Who says that? It proves that money politics has been around for years and the government leaders aware about it and most likely did nothing. It also could explain Sabahan politics especially when PBS turned obsolete....
No Telecast???
Today is an important Thursday. Today is not like the other thursday. Today is the day that marked the history of Malaysia. The return of someone who has been in "exile" for 10 years. Six years of imprisonment and another 4 years of political alienation. Now, he returns to a place that he belongs...... But how come no live telecast???? How petty you Shabery!! Shame on you... I just don't undestand why these people really afraid of him? Is he some kind of ghost?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
2nd Tsunami - 26th August 2008
It was really the mother of all by-election!!!! Spending 3 nights in Permatang Pauh makes me realize how powerful the role of media, especially mainstream media. It's interesting to see how media can portray something differently from what we have experienced. So, it explains the popularity of alternative media in Malaysia in comparison to the mainstream which clearly on the wane.
Permatang Pauh was in the mood of celebration. It was really moving to see people from all walks of lives and races gathered waiting for winning to be made official. These are normal people who dream big.... to have better life in a more integrated society.
Last night I heard an expected comment from a leader of the losing party saying the winning of the opponent proves that Malaysia is democratic. Wow... he has his own unique definition of democracy! Yeah democracy in his point of view comprises all these elements, manipulation of government agencies (include ACA), abuse of mainstream media, political money, phantom voters, slanders..... and as long as there is a periodic election (and by election if needed).. we are democratic enough.
This morning, this retired leader of UMNO, Sabarudin Chik says that democracy is about freedom but you can't do things as you like. I agree with him.. In democracy, the competition must be made fair....
Permatang Pauh was in the mood of celebration. It was really moving to see people from all walks of lives and races gathered waiting for winning to be made official. These are normal people who dream big.... to have better life in a more integrated society.
Last night I heard an expected comment from a leader of the losing party saying the winning of the opponent proves that Malaysia is democratic. Wow... he has his own unique definition of democracy! Yeah democracy in his point of view comprises all these elements, manipulation of government agencies (include ACA), abuse of mainstream media, political money, phantom voters, slanders..... and as long as there is a periodic election (and by election if needed).. we are democratic enough.
This morning, this retired leader of UMNO, Sabarudin Chik says that democracy is about freedom but you can't do things as you like. I agree with him.. In democracy, the competition must be made fair....
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Something that we don't know
I woke up this morning and Khoo Khay Kim was on TV1.. Selamat Pagi Malaysia.. I always perceive him as a scholar who doesn't answer question... but as a historian he impressed me with many historical facts that you can't find in most history texts... but you can find them in his head.
He said, the first racial unrest in Malaysia was held in Singapore and not in KL.... the 13th May 1969 is actually the second one.... and Banjarese and Chinese had a hostile relationship back in 1945... Many incidences involving both communities occurred... Kuantan to Pantai Remis... Interesting...
KKK further said communalism grips Malaysia due to our way looking at our history... Our history is too political. Because of that our society today is still not prepared to think and decide on our own. We are still malleable.... easily gets influenced by the politicians.
He said, the first racial unrest in Malaysia was held in Singapore and not in KL.... the 13th May 1969 is actually the second one.... and Banjarese and Chinese had a hostile relationship back in 1945... Many incidences involving both communities occurred... Kuantan to Pantai Remis... Interesting...
KKK further said communalism grips Malaysia due to our way looking at our history... Our history is too political. Because of that our society today is still not prepared to think and decide on our own. We are still malleable.... easily gets influenced by the politicians.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Graduation 11/08/08
This is an important date for me. My graduation ceremony was held on 11/08/08. I hate symbols and symbolism. Due to that, I initially hesitant to attend. For me ceremony is merely a wasteful tradition. Wasting all the resources like money and time just to celebrate something. People always say that it should be a big day for me, but I think otherwise. I have many big days... an ordinary normal day can be a big day for me. That's the reason why I have many big days. I don't want to elaborate further..... To cut short, I did attend and I am glad was there. It became a family day for me. My three sisters and my lovely nieces and nephew were there for me. Because of that, it became another big day for me..... Thanks to everyone who has been there for me
A mother of by election
I have to remember this important date for my future usage. As I am in the midst of writing papers, dates, events are really important for me. Yeah 16/08/08, another date, another day in my life and it fell on Saturday. What is so significant about the mentioned date? I believe those people who embrace and believe in democracy share the same feelings like me. It's not merely a competition in partisan politics... it's about change... It's about hope and dreams... I pray this mother of all by-election which will be held on 26th August 2008 will produce a desireable result.
Another date... 15/08/08.. Saiful Bukhari sworn in Masjid Negara
19/08/08.. DNA bill 1st hearing in Dewan Rakyat....
Both are politically driven right??? Those goons try to fool us again!!! I saw from the news AAB said this has been quite awhile. It is already 7 years impending to be presented in Parliament. Wow!!! In Malaysia everything is coincidence... Swearing one day before penamaan is a concidence, DNA bill is also a coincidence, announcing that gas price can be restructured soon.. is another coincidence
Another date... 15/08/08.. Saiful Bukhari sworn in Masjid Negara
19/08/08.. DNA bill 1st hearing in Dewan Rakyat....
Both are politically driven right??? Those goons try to fool us again!!! I saw from the news AAB said this has been quite awhile. It is already 7 years impending to be presented in Parliament. Wow!!! In Malaysia everything is coincidence... Swearing one day before penamaan is a concidence, DNA bill is also a coincidence, announcing that gas price can be restructured soon.. is another coincidence
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
IS IT REALLY A WASTE?
I've read and heard somewhere that having a by-election in this near future is wasteful. It is claimed to be a waste of public fund... It is a waste of time.... blah... blah and blah.... As I am "trying" to believe and convince myself that Malaysia is really practicing democracy, it leaves me with no option. I have to appreciate opinions other than mine. After all, democracy is about agreeing to disagree. Democracy is about appreciating diversity and differences.
However, this particular issue forces me to really question back what is democracy? What are the institutions or elements of democracy? Or what is "lay-man's" definition of democracy in Malaysia? And what is people's perception towards democracy in this country? Nowadays people keep on saying about perception.... (Actually I hate bandwagoning, but this time I don’t have much option.)This is my perception. This is how I look at the way majority of Malaysians perceive democracy, the way they define democracy and the reasons to see Malaysia as a democracy.
In my point of view, people’s perception is rather a top-down process than otherwise. As the people or masses are malleable, people’s perception is something that can be easily constructed, deconstructed and reconstructed. Obviously it's the roles of ruling elites who are well-equipped with authority and apparatus. They have all the tools needed to shape and control people's mind. It is a fact that mainstream media is controlled and being fully utilized to serve this purpose. Thus, for all these years people have been made to believe that this country is indeed a democracy.
As what we have been told, being a democracy is so simple. As if u have election every 4 or 5 years.. then u r qualified to be labeled as a country that practices democracy. This kind of thought justifies the existence of some quarters who simply define democracy as election. In other words, democracy is equivalent to election or democracy is election! It's pathetic, but this is the reality. Perhaps we just have to face the fact that masses are apathy, ignorant and malleable. That's the reason any discourse on democracy has always been "election-centric". As if election is the only element of democracy. It's either the people don’t know, they refuse to know or being denied their rights to know that democracy is more that a periodic election. A country that never have held any election could be more democratic that a country that has election every 4 or 5 years.
At the moment, half of Malaysian population has probably realized that democracy is not only about election. Democracy touches everything concerning the life and matters of the state. It is about good-governance, press freedom, impartiality, equality and many more. Hence, it hurts to accept the fact that election is the ONLY option available to exercise democracy. To make it worse, the opportunity that we Malaysians can enjoy every 4 or 5 years itself is far from being FREE & FAIR. As most of the scholars said, the playing field is not level.
So, what a big deal when an MP vacant her seat to allow her husband contests in that impending by-election? If you appreciate democracy, you wouldn’t see it as a waste. Permatang Pauh electorates are lucky as they've been given with more than one time (in a year) to have an opportunity to participate in decision-making process of this country. In a more serious tone, this by-election is not only important for the Permatang Pauh electorates but also for all Malaysians. The voters from that constituency will probably represent to the voices of Malaysia (IF AND ONLY IF THE IMPENDING BY-ELECTION IS FREER AND FAIRER).
Thus, how can we say that having this by-election is a waste? It may be a waste if we are in America or in Switzerland. In which there are 3 types of elections (federal level) in the USA. Namely, presidential election (definitely every 4 years), Congressional (every 2 years) and Senatorial (every 6 years). Elections are continuously being held in that particular country. In Switzerland, at average there are more that 80 referendums being held annually! Alas there's no such thing as wasteful when it comes to exercising and practicing democracy.
When the other avenues of democracy are not in placed... Then the by-election in Permatang Pauh is definitely significant. It is one avenue that may open the other avenues....
However, this particular issue forces me to really question back what is democracy? What are the institutions or elements of democracy? Or what is "lay-man's" definition of democracy in Malaysia? And what is people's perception towards democracy in this country? Nowadays people keep on saying about perception.... (Actually I hate bandwagoning, but this time I don’t have much option.)This is my perception. This is how I look at the way majority of Malaysians perceive democracy, the way they define democracy and the reasons to see Malaysia as a democracy.
In my point of view, people’s perception is rather a top-down process than otherwise. As the people or masses are malleable, people’s perception is something that can be easily constructed, deconstructed and reconstructed. Obviously it's the roles of ruling elites who are well-equipped with authority and apparatus. They have all the tools needed to shape and control people's mind. It is a fact that mainstream media is controlled and being fully utilized to serve this purpose. Thus, for all these years people have been made to believe that this country is indeed a democracy.
As what we have been told, being a democracy is so simple. As if u have election every 4 or 5 years.. then u r qualified to be labeled as a country that practices democracy. This kind of thought justifies the existence of some quarters who simply define democracy as election. In other words, democracy is equivalent to election or democracy is election! It's pathetic, but this is the reality. Perhaps we just have to face the fact that masses are apathy, ignorant and malleable. That's the reason any discourse on democracy has always been "election-centric". As if election is the only element of democracy. It's either the people don’t know, they refuse to know or being denied their rights to know that democracy is more that a periodic election. A country that never have held any election could be more democratic that a country that has election every 4 or 5 years.
At the moment, half of Malaysian population has probably realized that democracy is not only about election. Democracy touches everything concerning the life and matters of the state. It is about good-governance, press freedom, impartiality, equality and many more. Hence, it hurts to accept the fact that election is the ONLY option available to exercise democracy. To make it worse, the opportunity that we Malaysians can enjoy every 4 or 5 years itself is far from being FREE & FAIR. As most of the scholars said, the playing field is not level.
So, what a big deal when an MP vacant her seat to allow her husband contests in that impending by-election? If you appreciate democracy, you wouldn’t see it as a waste. Permatang Pauh electorates are lucky as they've been given with more than one time (in a year) to have an opportunity to participate in decision-making process of this country. In a more serious tone, this by-election is not only important for the Permatang Pauh electorates but also for all Malaysians. The voters from that constituency will probably represent to the voices of Malaysia (IF AND ONLY IF THE IMPENDING BY-ELECTION IS FREER AND FAIRER).
Thus, how can we say that having this by-election is a waste? It may be a waste if we are in America or in Switzerland. In which there are 3 types of elections (federal level) in the USA. Namely, presidential election (definitely every 4 years), Congressional (every 2 years) and Senatorial (every 6 years). Elections are continuously being held in that particular country. In Switzerland, at average there are more that 80 referendums being held annually! Alas there's no such thing as wasteful when it comes to exercising and practicing democracy.
When the other avenues of democracy are not in placed... Then the by-election in Permatang Pauh is definitely significant. It is one avenue that may open the other avenues....
Monday, August 4, 2008
Puzzled...
I am not feeling well. I think I have chikugunya. All the symptoms say that I am having it. May be that's the price that I've to pay because of using its name..chikugunya. I did't respect one's trademark or pattern probably.
On Friday, I watched that TV program aired on TV3.. The Exchange. The guess was 2nd Minister of Finance.. I don't remember his full name, but certainly his look is noticeable. He is such a funny guy. Gan Ai Ling (the host) asked why Malaysian government claims that Malaysia won't experience any recession meanwhile Singapore which we all know has a better economic foundation admitted that they gonna embrace recession by next year. He was simply said that Singaporean economy is not diversified. I am puzzled..... Is Malaysian economy more diversified than Singapore? Then, what makes us be more diversified? In what term? Based on both track record, in 1997-98 Financial Crisis, it shows that Singaporean economy is more resilient than ours. So, what makes us better after 10 years in comparison with our small neighbor? There should be a benchmarking.
Talking without giving any solid evidence or reliable proof is becoming apart of our lives today. Prior to this, increasing the price of petrol by RM0.78 sen has been portrayed as unavoidable. As if there is no alternative at all. The ministers like Shabby and Sherri keep on saying this is the best for the country. But recently they announced that we gonna enjoy new scheme of pricing. People can enjoy lower price of petrol. Why can't they come out with the ideas long before. Why they announced it just after Wan Azizah vacant her seat in Parliament????? Why??
Then, Najib today claimed that petrol price at RM2 per liter is undoable. Again I am puzzled. He mentioned 3 reasons... again another lame excuses.. Firstly, government expenditure for subsidy will be enormous. Second, there are negative side effects when we fail to follow world's price. Third, there will be a wastage because people do not appreciate this resource. In other words, he says that high price of oil is important to "educate" people. People need to realize that oil is irreplaceable.
At a glance, all these are acceptable. It is easy for us to comprehend. However after few glances then we can realize that all these are crappy talking. First, enormous subsidy means the heavy burden to the government. This is certainly the responsibility of the government.. giving subsidy... helping people... if the government fails to perform their job then it's better not to have any... If Najib refuses.. then step down. Secondly, negative side effect... suddenly, he sounds like he is an IMF's president. So, neo-liberalists... everthing must be determined by the market. Let the forces of demand and supply determine the 'right' price. This is really contradict to the many measures and policies of the government... like bail-out policies of sickening companies and incentives to foreign investors. Finally, how dare u say about educating people when you do not show proper examples... dont talk about being trifty when your wife is a shopperhollic..
This is so sickening... I am about to throw up...
On Friday, I watched that TV program aired on TV3.. The Exchange. The guess was 2nd Minister of Finance.. I don't remember his full name, but certainly his look is noticeable. He is such a funny guy. Gan Ai Ling (the host) asked why Malaysian government claims that Malaysia won't experience any recession meanwhile Singapore which we all know has a better economic foundation admitted that they gonna embrace recession by next year. He was simply said that Singaporean economy is not diversified. I am puzzled..... Is Malaysian economy more diversified than Singapore? Then, what makes us be more diversified? In what term? Based on both track record, in 1997-98 Financial Crisis, it shows that Singaporean economy is more resilient than ours. So, what makes us better after 10 years in comparison with our small neighbor? There should be a benchmarking.
Talking without giving any solid evidence or reliable proof is becoming apart of our lives today. Prior to this, increasing the price of petrol by RM0.78 sen has been portrayed as unavoidable. As if there is no alternative at all. The ministers like Shabby and Sherri keep on saying this is the best for the country. But recently they announced that we gonna enjoy new scheme of pricing. People can enjoy lower price of petrol. Why can't they come out with the ideas long before. Why they announced it just after Wan Azizah vacant her seat in Parliament????? Why??
Then, Najib today claimed that petrol price at RM2 per liter is undoable. Again I am puzzled. He mentioned 3 reasons... again another lame excuses.. Firstly, government expenditure for subsidy will be enormous. Second, there are negative side effects when we fail to follow world's price. Third, there will be a wastage because people do not appreciate this resource. In other words, he says that high price of oil is important to "educate" people. People need to realize that oil is irreplaceable.
At a glance, all these are acceptable. It is easy for us to comprehend. However after few glances then we can realize that all these are crappy talking. First, enormous subsidy means the heavy burden to the government. This is certainly the responsibility of the government.. giving subsidy... helping people... if the government fails to perform their job then it's better not to have any... If Najib refuses.. then step down. Secondly, negative side effect... suddenly, he sounds like he is an IMF's president. So, neo-liberalists... everthing must be determined by the market. Let the forces of demand and supply determine the 'right' price. This is really contradict to the many measures and policies of the government... like bail-out policies of sickening companies and incentives to foreign investors. Finally, how dare u say about educating people when you do not show proper examples... dont talk about being trifty when your wife is a shopperhollic..
This is so sickening... I am about to throw up...
Friday, August 1, 2008
Ask question
I just came back from the program. It is tiring. The presentation was okay I guess. I only stressed up the importance of being critical. I hope the participants get the idea. I told them, the first step to be critical is by being inquisitive and ask questions. I want to inculcate this kind of attitude to these youngsters. Do not accept thing as it is....
Today is a bit startling for me. Last night I heard that the infamous Sodomee Part II case investigation has come to its end. My colleague told me the anouncement means that Anwar is now a 'total' free man. However, after reading Harakahdaily and YB LKS's blog I found out that Anwar may be arrested soon. This is so confusing... I've got to find the answer ASAP......
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