Have gone to 2 ceramah's this week and I think I've fulfilled my quota for this week. On a weekday it gets quite tiring....especially after the DAP Ceramah with Hannah Yeoh and Guoburne Loh I suddenly feel very old :< - I think it is really good that we have an opportunity to vote some young blood with energy and restlesness.
One thing I am more convince off is that we need to see an end to race based politics. Communal politics - using race issues to incite or create negative emotions between the races. According to Lee Wah Beng MCA Kelana candidate; a multi racial setting will always have a majority malay representation. Therefore we need MCA (him) to represent and voice the needs of the chinese people.
Firtsly the MCA has been doing a lousy job if that is the rationale for its existence. It is subservient to UMNO and very carefully threads on issues which may deem sensitive. Loh Seng Kok found himself cut off when he raised issues that were "sensitive".
Secondly; Lee Wah Beng's premise is that a malay will never look after chinese interest and a chinese will never look after malay interest. This maybe true for the BN leaders, but I would like to think that as our dark side as Malaysians.
Thridly; We spent so much energy and time working fighting for "the struggle" in each of the communal parties. UMNO's struggle, MCA's struggle etc. We forget that there is a Malaysian agenda and that we are slipping economically. Who then looks after Malaysia as a whole?
50 years of thinking this way is certainly not going to be easy to change. However we need to start somewhere and I think that somewhere is in our young leaders. Idealistic and naive as they may seem; they come with little baggage and their voices in government will be a fresh perspective on the future of Malaysia.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat has publicly stated that they will work towards an end to racial politics and DAP has consistently called for the Bangsa Malaysia concept.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Anwar Ibrahim has a message and you can find it here:
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8665011592312376468&hl=en
The wonders of the internet, this is made available to all at anytime you want.
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8665011592312376468&hl=en
The wonders of the internet, this is made available to all at anytime you want.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A new Malaysia for the next generation
I cannot imagine a Malaysia that is free of racial politics but I can celebrate when that day comes!! We can take on the world and be among the most progressive and competitive country when we cease to play petty little racial politics.
Anwar vows to dismantle racial politics
Feb 26, 08 7:19pm, Malaysiakini
Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to end race-based discrimination policies in Malaysia, making it one of the major planks of his party's manifesto ahead of March 8 polls.
Anwar, who was deputy prime minister until being sacked and jailed in 1998, said long-running policies favouring majority Malays had only benefited cronies of the ruling Umno.
"The New Economic Policy has been abused to enrich the family of Umno leaders and their cronies," said Anwar who is campaigning for the PKR formally led by his wife.
"If you really want to deal with the issue of poverty, why can't we just say we have an affirmative action policy helping the poor and the marginalised. It should not be racially based."
Malaysia has pursued an affirmative action program for Malays and indigenous groups known as bumiputeras since the 1970s to close a wealth gap with the minority Chinese community.
However, it has been criticised for failing to pull a large number of Muslim Malays out of poverty, and of ignoring the minority ethnic Indian community, which is also disadvantaged.
Battling rising inflation
The manifesto entitled 'A New Dawn for Malaysia', centred on battling rising inflation, which has triggered public anger and rare public protests as the prices of food and fuel edge higher.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said the government cannot afford to continue spending RM43.4 billion annually to subsidise essential items.Anwar said Abdullah was "in denial" over the state of the economy.
"PKR promises to lower the price of petrol ... as well as manage the prices of basic goods to ensure a consistent supply. Tolls and tariffs will also no longer be raised," he said.
Anwar vows to dismantle racial politics
Feb 26, 08 7:19pm, Malaysiakini
Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to end race-based discrimination policies in Malaysia, making it one of the major planks of his party's manifesto ahead of March 8 polls.
Anwar, who was deputy prime minister until being sacked and jailed in 1998, said long-running policies favouring majority Malays had only benefited cronies of the ruling Umno.
"The New Economic Policy has been abused to enrich the family of Umno leaders and their cronies," said Anwar who is campaigning for the PKR formally led by his wife.
"If you really want to deal with the issue of poverty, why can't we just say we have an affirmative action policy helping the poor and the marginalised. It should not be racially based."
Malaysia has pursued an affirmative action program for Malays and indigenous groups known as bumiputeras since the 1970s to close a wealth gap with the minority Chinese community.
However, it has been criticised for failing to pull a large number of Muslim Malays out of poverty, and of ignoring the minority ethnic Indian community, which is also disadvantaged.
Battling rising inflation
The manifesto entitled 'A New Dawn for Malaysia', centred on battling rising inflation, which has triggered public anger and rare public protests as the prices of food and fuel edge higher.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said the government cannot afford to continue spending RM43.4 billion annually to subsidise essential items.Anwar said Abdullah was "in denial" over the state of the economy.
"PKR promises to lower the price of petrol ... as well as manage the prices of basic goods to ensure a consistent supply. Tolls and tariffs will also no longer be raised," he said.
Vote for the next generation
Was at SS 19 last night to listen to the Keadilan candidate GwoBurne Loh and DAP's Hannah Yeoh. Anwar Ibrahim arrived at 5 minutes to midnight. It was worth the wait. Anwar gave a passionate speech that had his 2000 + listeners leave feeling that the country needs change as it is going down hill. As I talked to people leaving they said, discontent is everywhere and many agreed change is what we need.
A good thing is a year ago many could not even understand that there is a difference between the government and the poltical party, the BN. They could not imagine another government except the one we have. Today, we talk about the BN being in the opposition....afterall is that not what emocracy is really about? Real choices for the people!
A good thing is a year ago many could not even understand that there is a difference between the government and the poltical party, the BN. They could not imagine another government except the one we have. Today, we talk about the BN being in the opposition....afterall is that not what emocracy is really about? Real choices for the people!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
PKR's Manifesto
PKR manifesto: 'New dawn for M'sia'
Feb 26, 08 3:44pm, Malaysiakini
Opposition PKR today unveiled its election manifesto for the 12th general election with the slogan a 'new dawn for Malaysia'.
If elected into power, the party promises:
1) A constitutional state for all - upholding unity, integrity and human rights
2) A vibrant, prosperous economy for all - equitable distribution for better competitiveness
3) A safer Malaysia for all - a cleaner police force for safer streets
4) An affordable Malaysia for all - better control of prices for petrol and basic goods
5) Better education for all - universal access to higher quality education
Feb 26, 08 3:44pm, Malaysiakini
Opposition PKR today unveiled its election manifesto for the 12th general election with the slogan a 'new dawn for Malaysia'.
If elected into power, the party promises:
1) A constitutional state for all - upholding unity, integrity and human rights
2) A vibrant, prosperous economy for all - equitable distribution for better competitiveness
3) A safer Malaysia for all - a cleaner police force for safer streets
4) An affordable Malaysia for all - better control of prices for petrol and basic goods
5) Better education for all - universal access to higher quality education
PKR's New Dawn - Ceramah in Subang
Tonight February 26 2008No. 135, SS19/6, Subang Jaya
Official time : 9pm but if you wanna catch Anwar...its probably a bit later as he has 4 stops to make in Kelana.
The "forgotten" ANWAR IBRAHIM is speaking tonight in Subang!
He has been deemed irrelevent ever since 1998, but yet remains a thorn in the side of the establishment.
It won'tbe covered by mainstream newspapers - perhaps Malaysiakini will cover it?? Malaysiakini afterall is reporting only "the news that matters."
Tonight, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be introducing our very own local boy for Seri Setia and fellow La Sallian; Sdr Nik Nazmi and for Parliament; GuoBurneLoh made famous by the Lingam case.
If you are around the area and a fellow Subang-ite...come hear Datuk seri and meet the candidates.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The flip flop PM
PM BAdawi yesterday said Parliament won't be dissolved tommorrow. Then in the afternoon on the next day he decides to dissolve parliament. 5 possible reasons for his flip flop decision:
1) He is a liar and makes empty promises
2) He doesn't know his plans from day to day and makes decisions on the move
3) He received urgent news which caused him to change his mind over night
4) He received inspirition last night which caused him to change his mind
5) He was misquoted
Whatever it is this PM loves to go back on his words...flip flop, u turns and all stcitches..
Parliament won’t be dissolved today, says PM - report : The STAR
BANGI: Parliament will not be dissolved today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi put an end to such speculation, telling reporters here yesterday: “Esok tak ada (No, it won’t be tomorrow)”.
He also denied that today’s Cabinet meeting would be the last with his present team of ministers before Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for the next general election.
“What makes you think that? How do you know it’s going to be the last Cabinet meeting (before elections are called)?” he asked when responding to a question.
Asked if there would be more Cabinet meetings with the present team, Abdullah said: “Yes, there will be more.”
The Cabinet meets every Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s comments yesterday means it is still a guessing game as to when the polls would be called.
Abdullah, who is Barisan Nasional chairman, also said there would be no compromise in picking only clean candidates.
“In the last elections (2004), there were some people who were potential candidates, but they were being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA). Their files were with the ACA, so I did not choose them,” he said.
1) He is a liar and makes empty promises
2) He doesn't know his plans from day to day and makes decisions on the move
3) He received urgent news which caused him to change his mind over night
4) He received inspirition last night which caused him to change his mind
5) He was misquoted
Whatever it is this PM loves to go back on his words...flip flop, u turns and all stcitches..
Parliament won’t be dissolved today, says PM - report : The STAR
BANGI: Parliament will not be dissolved today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi put an end to such speculation, telling reporters here yesterday: “Esok tak ada (No, it won’t be tomorrow)”.
He also denied that today’s Cabinet meeting would be the last with his present team of ministers before Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for the next general election.
“What makes you think that? How do you know it’s going to be the last Cabinet meeting (before elections are called)?” he asked when responding to a question.
Asked if there would be more Cabinet meetings with the present team, Abdullah said: “Yes, there will be more.”
The Cabinet meets every Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s comments yesterday means it is still a guessing game as to when the polls would be called.
Abdullah, who is Barisan Nasional chairman, also said there would be no compromise in picking only clean candidates.
“In the last elections (2004), there were some people who were potential candidates, but they were being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA). Their files were with the ACA, so I did not choose them,” he said.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!
Thak goodness CNY celebration last for 15 days....perfect for procrastinators...
The spin has begun....
Tis the season of "spin" and we need to discern truth and propoganda. Here is an example as highlighted by blogger Jeff Ooi at http://www.jeffooi.com/
Your per capita income up 40%, now at RM22,345? 5:37pm, February 9.
I immediately connected with Tony Pua, DAP Sec-Gen's Economic Advisor, moments after the Star SMS Alert reached me.Bank Negara's rogue forex speculator, now Second Finance Minister, Nor Mohamed Yakcop was quoted as saying in Penang that Malaysia's per capita income rose by 40% in 2007 compared with 2004.
He said that per capita income was now RM22,345 compared with RM15,819 previously.
In other words, Nor Mohamed was implying that Malaysians from all walks of life are better off now than four years ago, when Abdullah took over from Mahathir.
Tony has this response:
Nor Mohamed Yakcop must either be completely out of his mind, or can no longer perform simple Mathematics or worse, attempting to insult the intelligence of ordinary Malaysians.
Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.0%, 5.9% and an estimated 6.0% in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively according to the Government's official statistics. (Source available here)
Based on the above growth rates over the past 3 years, Malaysia's GDP grew by approximately 17.9% from 2004 to 2007.
Income or GDP per capita is calculated by dividing the GDP with the total population. Therefore, it is completely inconceivable that our per capita income increased by 40% when our GDP grew by only 17.9%. Unless of course, the honourable Minister believes that our population shrunk by some 16%!
To achieve 40% growth, Malaysia must be growing in excess of 12% per annum. Hence, to grow by 40% over 3 years, with a population growing at just under 2% per annum, that will actually make Malaysia the fastest growing economy in Asia, outstripping even China and India.
The Second Finance Minister should refrain from getting intoxicated by the general election fever, in the attempts to paint a heavenly picture of the Malaysian economy. He must instead make an official public apology for his outrageous claims.
Your per capita income up 40%, now at RM22,345? 5:37pm, February 9.
I immediately connected with Tony Pua, DAP Sec-Gen's Economic Advisor, moments after the Star SMS Alert reached me.Bank Negara's rogue forex speculator, now Second Finance Minister, Nor Mohamed Yakcop was quoted as saying in Penang that Malaysia's per capita income rose by 40% in 2007 compared with 2004.
He said that per capita income was now RM22,345 compared with RM15,819 previously.
In other words, Nor Mohamed was implying that Malaysians from all walks of life are better off now than four years ago, when Abdullah took over from Mahathir.
Tony has this response:
Nor Mohamed Yakcop must either be completely out of his mind, or can no longer perform simple Mathematics or worse, attempting to insult the intelligence of ordinary Malaysians.
Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.0%, 5.9% and an estimated 6.0% in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively according to the Government's official statistics. (Source available here)
Based on the above growth rates over the past 3 years, Malaysia's GDP grew by approximately 17.9% from 2004 to 2007.
Income or GDP per capita is calculated by dividing the GDP with the total population. Therefore, it is completely inconceivable that our per capita income increased by 40% when our GDP grew by only 17.9%. Unless of course, the honourable Minister believes that our population shrunk by some 16%!
To achieve 40% growth, Malaysia must be growing in excess of 12% per annum. Hence, to grow by 40% over 3 years, with a population growing at just under 2% per annum, that will actually make Malaysia the fastest growing economy in Asia, outstripping even China and India.
The Second Finance Minister should refrain from getting intoxicated by the general election fever, in the attempts to paint a heavenly picture of the Malaysian economy. He must instead make an official public apology for his outrageous claims.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Equity Conditions for Investment into Malaysia
This set of conditions taken out of the Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) Foreign Investment Committee. In other words this is the document meant in providing guidelines for foreigners who wish to invest in Malaysia. If you had a million ringgit would you put it in Malaysia given these "guidelines"....
Equity Conditions
13.1 Companies which do not have any Bumiputera equity or having less than
30% Bumiputera equity, are required to have or to increase the
Bumiputera equity to at least 30%. The remaining equity shareholding
can be held either by local interest, foreign interest or by both;
13.2 Companies with Bumiputera equity shareholding of 30% or more, but
less than 51% are required to maintain at least 30% Bumiputera equity at
all times;
13.3 Companies which already have Bumiputera equity shareholding of 51%
or more, will be required to maintain at least 51% Bumiputera equity at all
times;
13.4 The requirement of at least 30% Bumiputera equity participation will be
applied uniformly except if expressly stated otherwise by the
Government; guidelines:
Go to:
http://www.epu.jpm.my/new%20folder/fic/GP_Properties.pdf
How attractive......emmmm
Equity Conditions
13.1 Companies which do not have any Bumiputera equity or having less than
30% Bumiputera equity, are required to have or to increase the
Bumiputera equity to at least 30%. The remaining equity shareholding
can be held either by local interest, foreign interest or by both;
13.2 Companies with Bumiputera equity shareholding of 30% or more, but
less than 51% are required to maintain at least 30% Bumiputera equity at
all times;
13.3 Companies which already have Bumiputera equity shareholding of 51%
or more, will be required to maintain at least 51% Bumiputera equity at all
times;
13.4 The requirement of at least 30% Bumiputera equity participation will be
applied uniformly except if expressly stated otherwise by the
Government; guidelines:
Go to:
http://www.epu.jpm.my/new%20folder/fic/GP_Properties.pdf
How attractive......emmmm
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