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As mentioned in this blog's 7th Sept article titled "Racist Statement, Or Freedom Of Expression", racism has been deeply rooted in many of us, if not all. The question is not whether we're racist, the question is to what extent we are.
The below article was posted by a blogger who goes by the nickname "jebatmustdie". His point of view is that it is Pakatan Rakyat, and not BN, that are the perpetrators of racism.
How interesting that most people share the same moral values yet provide opposite justifications to the actions of those that they support, and those that they do not.
The article bellow was posted by "jebatmustdie":
One of the flaws that Pakatan Rakyat have which they themselves do not see is that, when they speak, they think they are representing every Malaysian in this country.
I have to disagree with many PR supporters' accusations that the Government is racist by nature.
We need to alert ourselves against the racist tactics of the Pakatan Rakyat politicians and their loyalists. Their divide-and-conquer tactic is very subtle, yet not foolproof.
This tactic is even more profound when they zoom in on the Umno leaders and their speeches, i.e. the Datuk Ahmad Ismail case. But when their own leader, Zulkifli Nordin shouted racist remarks during the Bar Council forum last month, everyone was very quiet and the matter died off quickly.
Even the MCA leaders, who were very vocal in the case of Ahmad Ismail, had been surprisingly quiet on the Zulkifli Nordin incident. No accusations of racism were hurled towards Zulkifli. Which led me to believe that MCA themselves have fallen to the PR's racial politics. Did they even lodge a police report against Zulkifli Nordin? I doubt it.
Among the Pakatan Rakyat leaders, it is only about power and perception. Their motto - destroy the BN with accusations of racism and we the Pakatan Pakyat will seize power by hook or by crook.
To me, to play the racial card in the guise of justice and equality is the most heinous act of all. And some quarters are now arguing that the rakyat have begun to realise the government's racial approach after 51 years of ruling.
However, prior to the 2008 general election, even the ultra chinese DAP did not accuse the government as racists. Have we read any news on them accusing Barisan Nasional as racists in the general elections of 2004, 1999, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978 and in 1974?
In fact, it was DAP and Gerakan who were the main hate mongers in the 1969 general election. Did they go on hibernation mode after that? And did the rest of the opposition parties and Malaysians accuse the BN as racists after 1969?
To say that the rakyat had only realise that after 51 years of prosperous livelihood is only a political ploy to gain support and to throw the people off balance. I know it. They know it. And the rest of Malaysians should know it too.
True that Ahmad Ismail is an idiot. His galactically stupid statement damaged Umno’s credibility even further. It dumbfounded me on why he would even utter those words. Same goes to Zulkifli Nordin and his followers. And we had not even venture into all the racist statements in the blogs of Pakatan Rakyat supporters. It is just that they have not been highlighted to the masses.
Indeed, Pakatan Rakyat is very fortunate that the Malay masses do not read those internet blogs and their foul comments. As I have said time and again, the BN leaders, especially the ones from Umno, should be more elegant in their speeches. They should know the words that could cause anxiety and be perceived as insensitive.
The BN has got no problems before this. Maybe it’s due to the lack of leadership from the top. Or perhaps, they themselves are a bunch of buffoons who could not put together a proper sentence to save their own lives. Good leadership qualities are sorely lacking in Umno nowadays. But my point is, are all Umno leaders racist by nature? Do all the BN leaders practise racism?
As I said before, there is a huge difference between a racist policy and an affirmative action. Racist policies had been practised by the Apartheid regime in South Africa and the Nazis in Germany and by the early-Americans against the Red Indians.
What we have here is a positive discriminatory policy called the Article 153 and the NEP. It is not racist in nature. But the enforcement is tainted with corruption. I can live with the opposition calling the government corrupt. I do not deny the fact that most Umno leaders are exposed to corruption. But to call the government as racist, is an insult to the multi racial population that had thrived since 1957 under the same government policy.
Tian Chua, upon Anwar Ibrahim’s victory in Permatang Pauh had the nerve to even say - “the overwhelming victory showed that the prime minister’s racial politics are bankrupt”. He said that with the background of Pakatan Rakyat accusing Datuk Seri Najib as a Hindu! This is the modus operandi of the Pakatan Rakyat. The real perpetrators of racism.
Posted by jebatmustdie
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Calm Like A Bomb
by AW
While Malaysians are currently preoccupied with all things political , the rest of the world is going through one crisis after another. First it was the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, then soaring oil and commodity prices followed by food shortages, and now the starting of a US financial meltdown.
Note: At the time of writing, I just received the news that another political ideology in the form of "Ketuanan Telur" is now emerging. A police report has been lodged by the UMNO Youth of Seputeh Division against Teresa Kok for her comment that the egg served to her during her ISA detention is fit for dogs.
The author foresees that some Malaysians may soon be waving the keris on one hand and holding the egg on the other while shouting the words "Hidup Telur!".
Now back to my intended subject.
As I mentioned in my August article titled "My Economic Perspective", this decade is cursed with 9/11 attacks, terrorisms, wars, global warming, draughts, floods, haze, bush fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, SARS, bird-flu, energy crisis, food crisis, dollar crisis, commodities depletion, over-population, you name it.
I fear we are only at the tip of the iceberg. Among all the crises I mentioned above, SARS is probably the only one to have been fully wiped out. But this is not to say that another similar epidemic would not happen. In fact, scientists are not entirely ruling out an epidemic the scale of the black plague occurring sometime in the near future.
But such a pandemic is the least of our concerns right now. Malaysians are “talking, eating and sleeping” local politics over the last few months. And most, including the nation’s leaders, are turning a blind eye to the latest world economic problems.
Note: I've just received an sms saying that UMNO is now shamelessly using the "egg issue" to divert attention from public outcry against the recent ISA arrests and subsequent calls to abolish it. Now this certainly reminds me of the deceptions I wrote about in my recent article "Anwar vs Abdullah in Malaysia's Casino Royale".
Back again to my intended subject.
I believe the world economy is experiencing the beginning of the biggest financial meltdown of our generation. The purpose of this article is not to elaborate on the anticipated meltdown, but rather to express a genuine concern over our lack of effort to prepare for that eventuality.
Maybe Malaysians have great hopes that everything will turn out fine. Or maybe we are just plain ignorant. Hopefully, this article is nothing but another false alarm on doomsday scenario. In that instance, I would be so happy to be proven wrong. But what if, I’m not wrong? What if, what we are experiencing now is only the "calm before the storm"?
While Malaysians are currently preoccupied with all things political , the rest of the world is going through one crisis after another. First it was the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, then soaring oil and commodity prices followed by food shortages, and now the starting of a US financial meltdown.
Note: At the time of writing, I just received the news that another political ideology in the form of "Ketuanan Telur" is now emerging. A police report has been lodged by the UMNO Youth of Seputeh Division against Teresa Kok for her comment that the egg served to her during her ISA detention is fit for dogs.
The author foresees that some Malaysians may soon be waving the keris on one hand and holding the egg on the other while shouting the words "Hidup Telur!".
Now back to my intended subject.
As I mentioned in my August article titled "My Economic Perspective", this decade is cursed with 9/11 attacks, terrorisms, wars, global warming, draughts, floods, haze, bush fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, SARS, bird-flu, energy crisis, food crisis, dollar crisis, commodities depletion, over-population, you name it.
I fear we are only at the tip of the iceberg. Among all the crises I mentioned above, SARS is probably the only one to have been fully wiped out. But this is not to say that another similar epidemic would not happen. In fact, scientists are not entirely ruling out an epidemic the scale of the black plague occurring sometime in the near future.
But such a pandemic is the least of our concerns right now. Malaysians are “talking, eating and sleeping” local politics over the last few months. And most, including the nation’s leaders, are turning a blind eye to the latest world economic problems.
Note: I've just received an sms saying that UMNO is now shamelessly using the "egg issue" to divert attention from public outcry against the recent ISA arrests and subsequent calls to abolish it. Now this certainly reminds me of the deceptions I wrote about in my recent article "Anwar vs Abdullah in Malaysia's Casino Royale".
Back again to my intended subject.
I believe the world economy is experiencing the beginning of the biggest financial meltdown of our generation. The purpose of this article is not to elaborate on the anticipated meltdown, but rather to express a genuine concern over our lack of effort to prepare for that eventuality.
Maybe Malaysians have great hopes that everything will turn out fine. Or maybe we are just plain ignorant. Hopefully, this article is nothing but another false alarm on doomsday scenario. In that instance, I would be so happy to be proven wrong. But what if, I’m not wrong? What if, what we are experiencing now is only the "calm before the storm"?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Malaysian Political Oscars!
by Wide Angle – Huzir Sulaiman
Here are the nominees and winners.
Best Supporting Actor
It is a crowded field this year, with many stellar performances from both veterans and newcomers.
The nominees include private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in Missing; Pusrawi’s Dr. Mohd Osman in Rear Window; Zaid Ibrahim in Gone in Sixty Seconds; and Raja Petra Kamaruddin in An Inconvenient Truth.
But the Best Supporting Actor Oscar goes to Penang Umno leader Ahmad Ismail for his controversial performance in Pride and Prejudice.
Despite his recent success, which led to him being cast in Under Siege and Raging Bull, Ahmad has flatly refused roles in the films Anger Management and Atonement.
Best Supporting Actress
For her critically-acclaimed performance in Minority Report, this year’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar goes to Sinchew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
Interestingly, immediately after that film completed principal photography, Tan was the unwitting star of Catch and Release, a film that may or may not have been directed by Syed Hamid Albar, depending on which version of the studio press kit you read.
Tan spent just 18 hours on location, before quitting, citing creative differences.
Best Cinematography
For his impactful camera work in the V.K. Lingam vehicle The Conversation, the Oscar for Cinematography goes to Gwo Loh Burne.
(Although The Conversation was shot some time ago, due to his refusal to be credited for many months, Gwo Loh Burne could not be given the award earlier. When he finally came forward, this legal thriller was re-released in some markets as The Burne Identity.)
The Conversation beat out Entrapment, starring Chua Soi Lek, which also features an anonymous cinematographer.
Best Foreign-Language
FilmAgricultural Study Tour, a Taiwanese sleeper hit, was shot entirely by coincidence, supposedly with no director and no funding.
Nonetheless, a sequel, Exile on My Taiwanese Farm: Peeling my Taugeh might be filmed next year with some of the original cast.
Best Original Screenplay
Jumper, written by Anwar Ibrahim, wins this year’s award. Although the film suffers from a cast of unknowns, whose number seems to fluctuate from scene to scene (though always at least 31), the script is undeniably original and exciting. It also has the potential for numerous sequels, which will prove profitable for the actors.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Written by a team of in-house screenwriters from the Attorney-General’s Studios, The Accused, starring Anwar Ibrahim, is allegedly adapted from instructions given by political superiors. A remake of the 1998 flop, but with many of the same actors and production team.
Best Actress
Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok was competing against herself this year with sterling performances in a slew of releases: Election; Woman on Top; Supergirl; and, in cinemas until last Friday, the black comedy Enemy of the State.
She wins the Best Actress Oscar, however, for her most famous role, Miss Congeniality, which has earned her praise from audiences and critics alike.
Best Actor
The big stars of yesteryear dominated the Best Actor category this year.
Nominees include S. Samy Vellu in Gone With The Wind; Dr. Mahathir Mohamed in V for Vendetta; and both Najib Tun Razak and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the comedy Trading Places.
The winner, however, of the Malaysian Political Oscar for Best Actor is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his flawless, nuanced, masterful performance in Eyes Wide Shut.
Best Picture
The nominees for Best Picture in the Malaysian Political Oscars are all gripping epics.
They include the moving story of the many members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, The Magnificent Seven; the Khairy Jamaluddin biopic Million Dollar Baby; the Hindraf saga, Out for Justice; and the tale of Gerakan in the Barisan Nasional, The End of the Affair.
The winner for Best Picture, however, is the story of the MCA’s struggle against the Internal Security Act, Look Who’s Talking Now.
Lifetime Achievement Award
For his astonishing film career spanning many decades, and including both commercial hits and small but critically-acclaimed art-house movies, Anwar Ibrahim wins the Lifetime Achievement Award.
His roles, in chronological order, include: Wild at Heart; The Young Guns; The Great Debaters; Sleeping With The Enemy; The Insider; The Sweet Smell of Success; Reversal of Fortune; Cast Away; The Accused; The Cell; Cry Freedom!; Into the Wild; Back to the Future; Mission: Impossible; The Perfect Storm; and, most recently, Eastern Promises.
Depending on the outcome of contract negotiations, Anwar’s next movies may include The King and I; Top Gun; and Great Expectations.
Alternatively, he may take roles in Crash; The Departed; and The Forgotten.
That’s the thing about show business - you never know what the big stars will do next!
That’s all for this year’s edition of the Malaysian Political Oscars. See you on the red carpet next year!
Here are the nominees and winners.
Best Supporting Actor
It is a crowded field this year, with many stellar performances from both veterans and newcomers.
The nominees include private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in Missing; Pusrawi’s Dr. Mohd Osman in Rear Window; Zaid Ibrahim in Gone in Sixty Seconds; and Raja Petra Kamaruddin in An Inconvenient Truth.
But the Best Supporting Actor Oscar goes to Penang Umno leader Ahmad Ismail for his controversial performance in Pride and Prejudice.
Despite his recent success, which led to him being cast in Under Siege and Raging Bull, Ahmad has flatly refused roles in the films Anger Management and Atonement.
Best Supporting Actress
For her critically-acclaimed performance in Minority Report, this year’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar goes to Sinchew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
Interestingly, immediately after that film completed principal photography, Tan was the unwitting star of Catch and Release, a film that may or may not have been directed by Syed Hamid Albar, depending on which version of the studio press kit you read.
Tan spent just 18 hours on location, before quitting, citing creative differences.
Best Cinematography
For his impactful camera work in the V.K. Lingam vehicle The Conversation, the Oscar for Cinematography goes to Gwo Loh Burne.
(Although The Conversation was shot some time ago, due to his refusal to be credited for many months, Gwo Loh Burne could not be given the award earlier. When he finally came forward, this legal thriller was re-released in some markets as The Burne Identity.)
The Conversation beat out Entrapment, starring Chua Soi Lek, which also features an anonymous cinematographer.
Best Foreign-Language
FilmAgricultural Study Tour, a Taiwanese sleeper hit, was shot entirely by coincidence, supposedly with no director and no funding.
Nonetheless, a sequel, Exile on My Taiwanese Farm: Peeling my Taugeh might be filmed next year with some of the original cast.
Best Original Screenplay
Jumper, written by Anwar Ibrahim, wins this year’s award. Although the film suffers from a cast of unknowns, whose number seems to fluctuate from scene to scene (though always at least 31), the script is undeniably original and exciting. It also has the potential for numerous sequels, which will prove profitable for the actors.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Written by a team of in-house screenwriters from the Attorney-General’s Studios, The Accused, starring Anwar Ibrahim, is allegedly adapted from instructions given by political superiors. A remake of the 1998 flop, but with many of the same actors and production team.
Best Actress
Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok was competing against herself this year with sterling performances in a slew of releases: Election; Woman on Top; Supergirl; and, in cinemas until last Friday, the black comedy Enemy of the State.
She wins the Best Actress Oscar, however, for her most famous role, Miss Congeniality, which has earned her praise from audiences and critics alike.
Best Actor
The big stars of yesteryear dominated the Best Actor category this year.
Nominees include S. Samy Vellu in Gone With The Wind; Dr. Mahathir Mohamed in V for Vendetta; and both Najib Tun Razak and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the comedy Trading Places.
The winner, however, of the Malaysian Political Oscar for Best Actor is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his flawless, nuanced, masterful performance in Eyes Wide Shut.
Best Picture
The nominees for Best Picture in the Malaysian Political Oscars are all gripping epics.
They include the moving story of the many members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, The Magnificent Seven; the Khairy Jamaluddin biopic Million Dollar Baby; the Hindraf saga, Out for Justice; and the tale of Gerakan in the Barisan Nasional, The End of the Affair.
The winner for Best Picture, however, is the story of the MCA’s struggle against the Internal Security Act, Look Who’s Talking Now.
Lifetime Achievement Award
For his astonishing film career spanning many decades, and including both commercial hits and small but critically-acclaimed art-house movies, Anwar Ibrahim wins the Lifetime Achievement Award.
His roles, in chronological order, include: Wild at Heart; The Young Guns; The Great Debaters; Sleeping With The Enemy; The Insider; The Sweet Smell of Success; Reversal of Fortune; Cast Away; The Accused; The Cell; Cry Freedom!; Into the Wild; Back to the Future; Mission: Impossible; The Perfect Storm; and, most recently, Eastern Promises.
Depending on the outcome of contract negotiations, Anwar’s next movies may include The King and I; Top Gun; and Great Expectations.
Alternatively, he may take roles in Crash; The Departed; and The Forgotten.
That’s the thing about show business - you never know what the big stars will do next!
That’s all for this year’s edition of the Malaysian Political Oscars. See you on the red carpet next year!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The 916 Double Bluff
by The Dandelions (posted by jingoisticbuthornydesperado)
Ok, ok, I opine that September 16 was not meant for Malaysians to take the bait, but for UMNO. September 16 was a double bluff specifically designed for UMNO to take the bait. Why the heck would Anwar want to expose his battle plan for UMNO, so that UMNO has time to defend itself? Why the hell does one play chess and then tell his opponent what his next move is going to be?
September 16 was an empty threat. UMNO took the bait (or is it Najib and his cohort, Hamid Albar, as my fellow dandelions first concurred?). UMNO began to put RPK, Teresa and Tan into ISA in the hopes of maybe instigating all-out protest to have a reason to declare martial law. It will then be bye, bye opposition. But that didn’t materialise. Instead, the past few days have successfully swung the political wind to PR’s favour.
People were appalled by the actions of UMNO. Legitimacy of cross-over becomes less of a question even amongst PR supporters who frowned on cross-over. I don’t like cross-over but after the events of the past few days, hell yeah, I am for cross-over. Anwar doesn’t have to be malicious to get his goals. Anwar force UMNO into showing its inner-most demons (we have already seen the outer-demons). Many people say, inner true colours are only shown when one is tremendously stressed, an act of great goodness or great controversy……
September 16 or the recent events surrounding September 16 serve to unify PR supporters, split into for cross-over and against cross-over to a unanimous for cross-over movement. If DSAI succeeds, heck it will be a legitimate, democratically popular cross-over, the first in Malaysian history.
Heck, the September 16 event only further destroys what’s left of UMNO’s unity. (As my fellow dandelions have concurred way before me) If Najib and Hamid are behind the ISA not Abdullah, well it is a sign that Najib the backstabber is beginning to be less subtle and more desperate. Abdullah can’t tell the press that he didn’t use ISA but his minions did, as this will have disastrous consequences to the little leadership credibility that AAB has managed to retain. Najib is not going to be left unpunished, AAB “rewarded” Najib with the post of Finance Minister 4,5 months before UMNO elections (again my fellow dandelions have concurred before me). With the recent chain of events striking US financial giants, first and foremost, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merill Lynch and AIG, we have not heard the last of economic kerfuffle. Malaysia is not going to escape unscathed, and there is little Najib can do to conjure a financial miracle that will help save the US financial system in return, help Malaysia. Economy is going to be worse off, and Najib will bear the brunt.
September 16 was an ‘empty’ threat. UMNO made September 16 into an enemy UMNO itself feared most. If UMNO had not done anything, UMNO would not be in such a conundrum it is in today.
RPK took a gamble to be a willing pawn to the event leading to September 16. RPK has given UMNO a lot of ‘reasons ‘to apprehend RPK under ISA. RPK is now seen as a martyr for Malaysians who want justice, swing it to PR’s favour. Whether his martyrdom is to be converted to success in toppling UMNO remains to be seen.
I don’t know who has better chess playing strategy, but the set-pieces are already moving. Whatever result it may be, it will be preposterous to say that one got lucky winning. Politics is a high-stakes game to be left to lady luck. Has anyone ever won a chess game by luck?
Ok, ok, I opine that September 16 was not meant for Malaysians to take the bait, but for UMNO. September 16 was a double bluff specifically designed for UMNO to take the bait. Why the heck would Anwar want to expose his battle plan for UMNO, so that UMNO has time to defend itself? Why the hell does one play chess and then tell his opponent what his next move is going to be?
September 16 was an empty threat. UMNO took the bait (or is it Najib and his cohort, Hamid Albar, as my fellow dandelions first concurred?). UMNO began to put RPK, Teresa and Tan into ISA in the hopes of maybe instigating all-out protest to have a reason to declare martial law. It will then be bye, bye opposition. But that didn’t materialise. Instead, the past few days have successfully swung the political wind to PR’s favour.
People were appalled by the actions of UMNO. Legitimacy of cross-over becomes less of a question even amongst PR supporters who frowned on cross-over. I don’t like cross-over but after the events of the past few days, hell yeah, I am for cross-over. Anwar doesn’t have to be malicious to get his goals. Anwar force UMNO into showing its inner-most demons (we have already seen the outer-demons). Many people say, inner true colours are only shown when one is tremendously stressed, an act of great goodness or great controversy……
September 16 or the recent events surrounding September 16 serve to unify PR supporters, split into for cross-over and against cross-over to a unanimous for cross-over movement. If DSAI succeeds, heck it will be a legitimate, democratically popular cross-over, the first in Malaysian history.
Heck, the September 16 event only further destroys what’s left of UMNO’s unity. (As my fellow dandelions have concurred way before me) If Najib and Hamid are behind the ISA not Abdullah, well it is a sign that Najib the backstabber is beginning to be less subtle and more desperate. Abdullah can’t tell the press that he didn’t use ISA but his minions did, as this will have disastrous consequences to the little leadership credibility that AAB has managed to retain. Najib is not going to be left unpunished, AAB “rewarded” Najib with the post of Finance Minister 4,5 months before UMNO elections (again my fellow dandelions have concurred before me). With the recent chain of events striking US financial giants, first and foremost, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merill Lynch and AIG, we have not heard the last of economic kerfuffle. Malaysia is not going to escape unscathed, and there is little Najib can do to conjure a financial miracle that will help save the US financial system in return, help Malaysia. Economy is going to be worse off, and Najib will bear the brunt.
September 16 was an ‘empty’ threat. UMNO made September 16 into an enemy UMNO itself feared most. If UMNO had not done anything, UMNO would not be in such a conundrum it is in today.
RPK took a gamble to be a willing pawn to the event leading to September 16. RPK has given UMNO a lot of ‘reasons ‘to apprehend RPK under ISA. RPK is now seen as a martyr for Malaysians who want justice, swing it to PR’s favour. Whether his martyrdom is to be converted to success in toppling UMNO remains to be seen.
I don’t know who has better chess playing strategy, but the set-pieces are already moving. Whatever result it may be, it will be preposterous to say that one got lucky winning. Politics is a high-stakes game to be left to lady luck. Has anyone ever won a chess game by luck?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Rage Against The Machine
Admin
RENEGADES OF FUNK
No matter how hard you try, you can't stop us now
We're the renegades of this atomic age
- Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
V FOR VENDETTA
"Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-g... Read Moreuarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition."
- The Wachowski Brothers
Free RPK. Free ALL political detainees and charge them in the court of law. I.S.A. should only be used for terrorists, and not for terrorizing the public.
SETTLE FOR NOTHING
If we don't take action now
We'll settle for nothing later
We settle for nothing now
And we'll settle for nothing later
FISTFUL OF STEEL
Something about silence makes me sick.
Cause silence can be violent
Sorta like a slit wrist
Yeah...and mad mad boy grips the microphone
Wit' a fistful of steel
'Cause I know the power of the question
TAKE THE POWER BACK
See right through the red, white and blue disguise
With lecture I puncture the structure of lies
Installed in our minds and attempting
To hold us back
We've got to take it back
Holes in our spirit causin' tears and fears
One-sided stories for years and years and years
I'm inferior? Who's inferior?
Yeah, we need to check the interior
Of the system that cares about only one culture
And that is why
We gotta take the power back
WAKE UP
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
How long? Not long, cause what you reap is what you sow
- Zack de la Rocha
RENEGADES OF FUNK
No matter how hard you try, you can't stop us now
We're the renegades of this atomic age
- Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
V FOR VENDETTA
"Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-g... Read Moreuarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition."
- The Wachowski Brothers
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Anwar vs Abdullah in Malaysia’s Casino Royale
by AW
Here's a light moment to share with you after all the intense build-up to September 16.
In a no-table-limit poker game between two players, the winner is not necessary the one with the best cards. It could also be the one with the highest amount of chips, or the one with the biggest bluff, or both.
This paragraph may look redundant, but let’s re-visit the rules of the poker game. When a player is challenged with large amount of chips, but believes that he holds the strongest card, he can either “up the ante” or place a “call”. That is provided he has enough chips to do either one. Otherwise, he has to “fold” and the opponent who challenged him wins, despite having inferior cards.
So in the case of Anwar Ibrahim vs Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is Anwar the one calling a bluff? Does he even have enough chips to call the bluff? Or does he really have the strongest card to win the game?
In the author’s opinion, a good poker player does not only want to win, but win with the highest possible margin. That means you have to play the game until you have all three. Even if you have the strongest card and challenge your opponent with the biggest stake, you still give the impression that you are calling a bluff to entice your opponent to follow with a “call”, or even better, “to up the ante”.
But what if you haven’t even played the final card? What if your opponent’s position improves after drawing the final card?
The current situation in Malaysia is even better than the movies “God of Gamblers” and “Casino Royale”. The game is played as though both sides do not even have the ability to see their own cards!
To make matters even more complicated, what if this is a no-holds-barred poker game that is played by many in convoluted levels of deceptions? Perhaps there is no end-game and no singular winner? Certainly the real con in the game is the game itself, which convinces us that there is a con, when the con might not be what we think it is and the revelation may not explain anything.
In that case, we may have infinite levels of deceptions. The thing is, no one knows for sure. Perhaps the quantum theory of abstract mathematical object that allows for the calculation of probabilities of outcomes of experiments will better explain the above situation. Can someone please call Stephen Hawking!
Note:
This article was published in Malaysiakini on 17 Sept under the title "Abdullah vs Anwar: Who Will Fold First".
It reached no. 2 on the day's most read letter.
...and no.3 on the week's most read letter.+-+Anwar+vs+Abdullah+-+Alex+Wong.JPG)
Here's a light moment to share with you after all the intense build-up to September 16.
In a no-table-limit poker game between two players, the winner is not necessary the one with the best cards. It could also be the one with the highest amount of chips, or the one with the biggest bluff, or both.
This paragraph may look redundant, but let’s re-visit the rules of the poker game. When a player is challenged with large amount of chips, but believes that he holds the strongest card, he can either “up the ante” or place a “call”. That is provided he has enough chips to do either one. Otherwise, he has to “fold” and the opponent who challenged him wins, despite having inferior cards.
So in the case of Anwar Ibrahim vs Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is Anwar the one calling a bluff? Does he even have enough chips to call the bluff? Or does he really have the strongest card to win the game?
In the author’s opinion, a good poker player does not only want to win, but win with the highest possible margin. That means you have to play the game until you have all three. Even if you have the strongest card and challenge your opponent with the biggest stake, you still give the impression that you are calling a bluff to entice your opponent to follow with a “call”, or even better, “to up the ante”.
But what if you haven’t even played the final card? What if your opponent’s position improves after drawing the final card?
The current situation in Malaysia is even better than the movies “God of Gamblers” and “Casino Royale”. The game is played as though both sides do not even have the ability to see their own cards!
To make matters even more complicated, what if this is a no-holds-barred poker game that is played by many in convoluted levels of deceptions? Perhaps there is no end-game and no singular winner? Certainly the real con in the game is the game itself, which convinces us that there is a con, when the con might not be what we think it is and the revelation may not explain anything.
In that case, we may have infinite levels of deceptions. The thing is, no one knows for sure. Perhaps the quantum theory of abstract mathematical object that allows for the calculation of probabilities of outcomes of experiments will better explain the above situation. Can someone please call Stephen Hawking!
Note:
This article was published in Malaysiakini on 17 Sept under the title "Abdullah vs Anwar: Who Will Fold First".
It reached no. 2 on the day's most read letter....and no.3 on the week's most read letter.
Friday, September 12, 2008
UMNO Hatred Rather Than Racial Hatred
by AW
(written on 12th Sept and updated on 15th Sept)
Ahmad Ismail's divide-and-rule strategy has not only failed miserably, it has created more animosity towards UMNO.
Malays and non-Malays are not divided. It is BN that is divided. UMNO is now standing on one side and holding on to their racist agenda, while the rest of the BN component parties are on another side contemplating whether to crossover to Pakatan.
Once Pakatan has enough MPs to form a new government, an exodus of the remaining MPs is widely expected. No one wants to stay on a sinking ship. The first batch of crossover is the most difficult part. Once it starts, a domino effect is widely expected.
UMNO must now be trembling with fear over the above scenario. Their position is further agravated by the Ahmad incident. Even my Malay friends were shaking their heads in disbelief over the furore caused by UMNO Penang. Some staunch UMNO supporters that I talked to are still longing for a return to the Mahathir-era.
But the Mahathir-era is long gone. The country has grown out of the trenches of authoritarianism into a new era of hope. We are now not only a developing country, but a developing democracy as well.
Note:
The above article was posted in the morning before the recent ISA arrests. My further comments are:
Updated 14th Sept
UMNO is using the ISA as a desperate and malicious attempt to instill further anger amongst the communities in the hope that racial reactions will escalate to the level viable for UMNO to declare an emergency rule.
Although the 16th of September may now pass by without the anticipated crossovers, consider that a postponement rather than a failure of the crossover plan.
Meanwhile, do your job as a citizen and sign the below petition for the release of Teresa Kok:
http://www.petitiononline.com/freetkok/petition-sign.html
Updated Sept 15
Photos of Kelana Jaya rally
(written on 12th Sept and updated on 15th Sept)
Ahmad Ismail's divide-and-rule strategy has not only failed miserably, it has created more animosity towards UMNO.
Malays and non-Malays are not divided. It is BN that is divided. UMNO is now standing on one side and holding on to their racist agenda, while the rest of the BN component parties are on another side contemplating whether to crossover to Pakatan.
Once Pakatan has enough MPs to form a new government, an exodus of the remaining MPs is widely expected. No one wants to stay on a sinking ship. The first batch of crossover is the most difficult part. Once it starts, a domino effect is widely expected.
UMNO must now be trembling with fear over the above scenario. Their position is further agravated by the Ahmad incident. Even my Malay friends were shaking their heads in disbelief over the furore caused by UMNO Penang. Some staunch UMNO supporters that I talked to are still longing for a return to the Mahathir-era.
But the Mahathir-era is long gone. The country has grown out of the trenches of authoritarianism into a new era of hope. We are now not only a developing country, but a developing democracy as well.
Note:
The above article was posted in the morning before the recent ISA arrests. My further comments are:
Updated 14th Sept
UMNO is using the ISA as a desperate and malicious attempt to instill further anger amongst the communities in the hope that racial reactions will escalate to the level viable for UMNO to declare an emergency rule.
Although the 16th of September may now pass by without the anticipated crossovers, consider that a postponement rather than a failure of the crossover plan.
Meanwhile, do your job as a citizen and sign the below petition for the release of Teresa Kok:
http://www.petitiononline.com/freetkok/petition-sign.html
Updated Sept 15
Photos of Kelana Jaya rally
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Who Is The Mastermind?
by AW
Don't be fooled. The recent furore surrounding UMNO Penang may not be the sole creation of Ahmad Ismail.
Let's recap events of the past 2 weeks. After the Sin Chew article was first published, Ahmad dissapeared for nearly 2 weeks even though he was required by the police to give a statement. At the meantime, Najib did an unexpectedly kind and heartfelt gesture by publicly apologizing to the Chinese community.
Then all of a sudden, Ahmad burst into the scene with his guns blazing, and with the help of his UMNO Penang committee members, started another round of racist statements and threats. Threats implying another May-13 outcome have been mentioned several times. Even Khir Toyo has jumped on the bandwagon with his recent posting on his blog.
The big questions are: Is Ahmad given intruction by a higher authority to act in such a way? Is this another desperate attempt to press for the resignation of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi? Is there a conspiracy to implement a state of emergency should Pakatan Rakyat form the new goverment? And if so, who is the mastermind behind all these?
After the riots of May-13 1969, Tunku Abdul Rahman resigned. And his replacement was a certain prime minister by the name of Razak. Is history about to repeat itself?
Don't be fooled. The recent furore surrounding UMNO Penang may not be the sole creation of Ahmad Ismail.
Let's recap events of the past 2 weeks. After the Sin Chew article was first published, Ahmad dissapeared for nearly 2 weeks even though he was required by the police to give a statement. At the meantime, Najib did an unexpectedly kind and heartfelt gesture by publicly apologizing to the Chinese community.
Then all of a sudden, Ahmad burst into the scene with his guns blazing, and with the help of his UMNO Penang committee members, started another round of racist statements and threats. Threats implying another May-13 outcome have been mentioned several times. Even Khir Toyo has jumped on the bandwagon with his recent posting on his blog.
The big questions are: Is Ahmad given intruction by a higher authority to act in such a way? Is this another desperate attempt to press for the resignation of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi? Is there a conspiracy to implement a state of emergency should Pakatan Rakyat form the new goverment? And if so, who is the mastermind behind all these?
After the riots of May-13 1969, Tunku Abdul Rahman resigned. And his replacement was a certain prime minister by the name of Razak. Is history about to repeat itself?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Racist Statement, or Freedom of Expression?
by AW
7 Sept 2008
With all the recent brouhaha over Penang Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail's racist description over Chinese as squatters in the country and his refusal to apologize, the author is of the opinion that it is Ahmad Ismail's right not to apologize.
What is the point of apologizing if one does not mean it but only does so from political pressure?
If Malaysia is to become a truly democratic country that adhere to the universal declaration of human rights and freedom of expression, then whatever Ahmad Ismail said is within his rights, whether we agree with his views or not. That said, we should also have no-holds-bar discussons on abuse of affirmative action, complications in inter-religious marriage, etc.
In fact, worse statements have emerged from Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim, who said that "the Sin Chew journalist deserved to be shot if her article causes another May 13", and former Bayan Lepas assemblyperson Mohd Zain, who said "don’t disturb and push the Malays too much. Don’t think we are quiet. We can retaliate very aggressively." These two statements amount to direct threat to the life of the journalist and to the non-Malay communities respectively. If police action is to be taken, it should be against the two persons above, rather than against Ahmad Ismail.
Has Malaysia all of a sudden become a country where every citizen has turned racist? Not really. Racist views have been more freely expressed recently due to the nation's new-found freedom... freedom of expression that is. And outspoken racism is the price we're paying for becoming a more liberal country.
Let's face it, racism has been deeply rooted in many of us, if not all. The question is not whether we're racist, the question is to what extent we are. There is no point in using the sedition act to punish those who have expressed their so-called seditious views, as it does not solve the problem of racism in our country.
It is hope that our new-found freedom of expression does not translate into violent retaliation. Let us pray that Malaysia is finally maturing as a nation who can tolerate each other's controversial views. Only then can we dream about racial unity.
Note:
This article was sent to Malaysiakini.com on 8th Sept. It was published under a different title the following day and reached No. 3 on the day's most read letter.
7 Sept 2008
With all the recent brouhaha over Penang Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail's racist description over Chinese as squatters in the country and his refusal to apologize, the author is of the opinion that it is Ahmad Ismail's right not to apologize.
What is the point of apologizing if one does not mean it but only does so from political pressure?
If Malaysia is to become a truly democratic country that adhere to the universal declaration of human rights and freedom of expression, then whatever Ahmad Ismail said is within his rights, whether we agree with his views or not. That said, we should also have no-holds-bar discussons on abuse of affirmative action, complications in inter-religious marriage, etc.
In fact, worse statements have emerged from Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim, who said that "the Sin Chew journalist deserved to be shot if her article causes another May 13", and former Bayan Lepas assemblyperson Mohd Zain, who said "don’t disturb and push the Malays too much. Don’t think we are quiet. We can retaliate very aggressively." These two statements amount to direct threat to the life of the journalist and to the non-Malay communities respectively. If police action is to be taken, it should be against the two persons above, rather than against Ahmad Ismail.
Has Malaysia all of a sudden become a country where every citizen has turned racist? Not really. Racist views have been more freely expressed recently due to the nation's new-found freedom... freedom of expression that is. And outspoken racism is the price we're paying for becoming a more liberal country.
Let's face it, racism has been deeply rooted in many of us, if not all. The question is not whether we're racist, the question is to what extent we are. There is no point in using the sedition act to punish those who have expressed their so-called seditious views, as it does not solve the problem of racism in our country.
It is hope that our new-found freedom of expression does not translate into violent retaliation. Let us pray that Malaysia is finally maturing as a nation who can tolerate each other's controversial views. Only then can we dream about racial unity.
Note:
This article was sent to Malaysiakini.com on 8th Sept. It was published under a different title the following day and reached No. 3 on the day's most read letter.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
In Anwar's Own Words
Admin
3 Sept 2008
Below are snippets of Anwar's anwers to recent interviews and Q&A sessions. Cynics may argue that Anwar's rhetorics are opportunistic in nature, but if he can implement half the things he says, Malaysia will be a much better country than we are today.
1) Anwar on our current economic policy:
"Malaysia has been stuck with an obsolete economic programme, which has led to the loss of competitiveness, the diminishing attractiveness of the nation for foreign investments, which is further worsened by the lack of transparency, accountability, and good governance."
2) Anwar on our current economic situation:
"Malaysia is generally a very rich country. We are an emerging economy with a wealth of natural resources, and we are also a net exporter of petroleum. However, a Morgan Stanley report has stated that around RM300 billion has been lost due to corruption over the past 30 years. And PEMUDAH (the government-appointed task force commissioned to look at means of improving efficiency) has also made reference to the fact that RM10 billion is wasted a year from public funds. This cannot be tolerated. No country can be sustained with this sort of incompetence and negligence."
3) Anwar on his economic vision:
"We'll embark on a new Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA), based on market economic principles and driven by Malaysians working together to enhance economic competitiveness. All Malaysians, must play a part and be part of this new direction."
4) Anwar on the effect of his policies on Malays:
"Market growth is not a zero-sum game at the expense of the poor and the marginalized. But instead of a race-based affirmative action policy, what we should have is a needs-based policy. In doing so, the majority of the Malays will still be taken care of, and at the same time so too would the needy and marginalized among the other communities in the country, such as the Indian estate workers."
5) Anwar on the dilemmas of Malays:
"I am a Malay. A very committed and concerned Malay. But I cannot see my relevance if I cannot think as a true Malaysian, and show enough concern for the welfare of all Malaysians. I am convinced that pursuing an obsolete agenda, including race-based politics will ultimately lead, not just to a breakdown of the social fabric, but will adversely affect the morale, confidence and resolve of the Malays."
"How many non-bumiputra can understand the feelings of self-doubt that has been engendered by being told for two generations that you are not capable of standing up on your own two feet, that your achievements are not based on merit alone but on other more insidious factors? How terribly confidence-sapping it must be to have such thoughts always hovering in the background like a nagging doubt at the back of the head."
"Take my daughter for example. She is currently studying mathematics in Georgetown University in the United States. And she is happy because she knows that she managed to get in because of what she did and not because she happens to be of the right race."
"I want to bring about that sense of confidence in the Malays through the New Economic Agenda. Now, at the same time, we would need - at first - to reassure the Malays that they would not be marginalized by it. And this is important because for the past 30 years, they have been subjected to incessant propaganda, which tells that without the NEP they would not be able to survive."
6) Anwar on religion:
"Within the Pakatan Rakyat leadership, we have already spelt out a clear agenda. And this is based on the Constitution, where Islam is the religion of the Federation with guaranteed freedom of practice for other religions. Because Malaysia is a multi-religious nation, and we cannot have and should not have had high-handed and unjust incidents such as the demolishing of temples."
7) Anwar on Bahasa Malaysia and English Language:
"As a developing nation, it is important to have a national language and everyone should be encouraged to be proficient in Bahasa Malaysia. But we should not do this at the expense of English. We should, be committed to enhancing the proficiency of English in Malaysians because it is the international language of business and trade. Otherwise Malaysia will lose out in economic and human development."
"Take for example Indonesia and Thailand. Back in the 1960s, they were far inferior to Malaysia in terms of English proficiency. But today they are catching up and in some ways have even surpassed us."
"We need to have more serious efforts in the teaching of English in Malaysian schools. We cannot afford to continue on in the haphazard and directionless manner of today."
8) Anwar on his chances of taking over the government:
"I am an incorrigible optimist! People said that it was impossible for the Barisan Nasional (BN - the ruling coalition in Malaysia) to be denied a two-thirds majority. They said it was impossible for three parties to work together in five states, but that’s happening despite them not receiving any support from the federal government."
"The country, cannot afford to wait the next four to five years for a general election before the agenda for change is implemented."
9) Anwar on his past as a student activist:
"I was part of a generation that was seeking legitimacy and identity in the turbulent days of the 1970s when the country was in a state of flux - lacking vision and direction. And for a long time the political choice was to be either on the right-wing or the left-wing."
"So a group of us began to study and re-look at Islam’s position in the socio-political context. I am not going to deny that I was very Malay and Islam-oriented in my youth. But what has not been pointed out was that when I was the President of the Malaysian Youth Council, I worked closely with non-Malay and non-Muslim organisations. Also, growing up in my hometown in Penang meant that I had many non-Malay neighbours. So that was a very important experience."
"However, the issue here should not be what I did at sweet seventeen."
10) Anwar's pledge to Malaysians:
"I want to promise a new dawn for all Malaysians. We must have a sense of confidence and trust that this is a great country, which will be able to provide for all. And in order for that to happen, we must demand changes in the system."
3 Sept 2008
Below are snippets of Anwar's anwers to recent interviews and Q&A sessions. Cynics may argue that Anwar's rhetorics are opportunistic in nature, but if he can implement half the things he says, Malaysia will be a much better country than we are today.
1) Anwar on our current economic policy:
"Malaysia has been stuck with an obsolete economic programme, which has led to the loss of competitiveness, the diminishing attractiveness of the nation for foreign investments, which is further worsened by the lack of transparency, accountability, and good governance."
2) Anwar on our current economic situation:
"Malaysia is generally a very rich country. We are an emerging economy with a wealth of natural resources, and we are also a net exporter of petroleum. However, a Morgan Stanley report has stated that around RM300 billion has been lost due to corruption over the past 30 years. And PEMUDAH (the government-appointed task force commissioned to look at means of improving efficiency) has also made reference to the fact that RM10 billion is wasted a year from public funds. This cannot be tolerated. No country can be sustained with this sort of incompetence and negligence."
3) Anwar on his economic vision:
"We'll embark on a new Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA), based on market economic principles and driven by Malaysians working together to enhance economic competitiveness. All Malaysians, must play a part and be part of this new direction."
4) Anwar on the effect of his policies on Malays:
"Market growth is not a zero-sum game at the expense of the poor and the marginalized. But instead of a race-based affirmative action policy, what we should have is a needs-based policy. In doing so, the majority of the Malays will still be taken care of, and at the same time so too would the needy and marginalized among the other communities in the country, such as the Indian estate workers."
5) Anwar on the dilemmas of Malays:
"I am a Malay. A very committed and concerned Malay. But I cannot see my relevance if I cannot think as a true Malaysian, and show enough concern for the welfare of all Malaysians. I am convinced that pursuing an obsolete agenda, including race-based politics will ultimately lead, not just to a breakdown of the social fabric, but will adversely affect the morale, confidence and resolve of the Malays."
"How many non-bumiputra can understand the feelings of self-doubt that has been engendered by being told for two generations that you are not capable of standing up on your own two feet, that your achievements are not based on merit alone but on other more insidious factors? How terribly confidence-sapping it must be to have such thoughts always hovering in the background like a nagging doubt at the back of the head."
"Take my daughter for example. She is currently studying mathematics in Georgetown University in the United States. And she is happy because she knows that she managed to get in because of what she did and not because she happens to be of the right race."
"I want to bring about that sense of confidence in the Malays through the New Economic Agenda. Now, at the same time, we would need - at first - to reassure the Malays that they would not be marginalized by it. And this is important because for the past 30 years, they have been subjected to incessant propaganda, which tells that without the NEP they would not be able to survive."
6) Anwar on religion:
"Within the Pakatan Rakyat leadership, we have already spelt out a clear agenda. And this is based on the Constitution, where Islam is the religion of the Federation with guaranteed freedom of practice for other religions. Because Malaysia is a multi-religious nation, and we cannot have and should not have had high-handed and unjust incidents such as the demolishing of temples."
7) Anwar on Bahasa Malaysia and English Language:
"As a developing nation, it is important to have a national language and everyone should be encouraged to be proficient in Bahasa Malaysia. But we should not do this at the expense of English. We should, be committed to enhancing the proficiency of English in Malaysians because it is the international language of business and trade. Otherwise Malaysia will lose out in economic and human development."
"Take for example Indonesia and Thailand. Back in the 1960s, they were far inferior to Malaysia in terms of English proficiency. But today they are catching up and in some ways have even surpassed us."
"We need to have more serious efforts in the teaching of English in Malaysian schools. We cannot afford to continue on in the haphazard and directionless manner of today."
8) Anwar on his chances of taking over the government:
"I am an incorrigible optimist! People said that it was impossible for the Barisan Nasional (BN - the ruling coalition in Malaysia) to be denied a two-thirds majority. They said it was impossible for three parties to work together in five states, but that’s happening despite them not receiving any support from the federal government."
"The country, cannot afford to wait the next four to five years for a general election before the agenda for change is implemented."
9) Anwar on his past as a student activist:
"I was part of a generation that was seeking legitimacy and identity in the turbulent days of the 1970s when the country was in a state of flux - lacking vision and direction. And for a long time the political choice was to be either on the right-wing or the left-wing."
"So a group of us began to study and re-look at Islam’s position in the socio-political context. I am not going to deny that I was very Malay and Islam-oriented in my youth. But what has not been pointed out was that when I was the President of the Malaysian Youth Council, I worked closely with non-Malay and non-Muslim organisations. Also, growing up in my hometown in Penang meant that I had many non-Malay neighbours. So that was a very important experience."
"However, the issue here should not be what I did at sweet seventeen."
10) Anwar's pledge to Malaysians:
"I want to promise a new dawn for all Malaysians. We must have a sense of confidence and trust that this is a great country, which will be able to provide for all. And in order for that to happen, we must demand changes in the system."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Final Countdown
Admin
As Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar is expected to implement the following:
1) A new open tender system for government contracts. All tenders shall be made competitive, open and transparent by 2015.
(The rights of the Malays and Bumiputras will not be compromised. A few Malay companies may lose, but the majority of the Malays will not)
2) Lower income taxes and increase national productivity. Downward adjustment of the fuel price, which aim is to reduce inflation to less than five percent.
3) Revamp the widely abused New Economic Policy (NEP) into Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA), which is to help and assist the poor and the marginalised, regardless of race.
(Wealth distribution will stop being limited to a group of BN cronies)
4) Revamp the Approved Permit (AP) system, through the introduction of an auction of APs to the highest bidders.
(Based on an estimated 70,000 APs issued per annum and a conservative RM25,000 market price, the auction will provide an additional RM1.75 billion to government coffers. Previously, it went into the pockets of a select few)
5) Build closer ties with other countries and get more foreign direct investment into Malaysia.
6) Make Malaysia a more globally competitive country by wiping out the current system that encourages corruption, cronyism and nepotism.
As Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar is expected to implement the following:
1) A new open tender system for government contracts. All tenders shall be made competitive, open and transparent by 2015.
(The rights of the Malays and Bumiputras will not be compromised. A few Malay companies may lose, but the majority of the Malays will not)
2) Lower income taxes and increase national productivity. Downward adjustment of the fuel price, which aim is to reduce inflation to less than five percent.
3) Revamp the widely abused New Economic Policy (NEP) into Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA), which is to help and assist the poor and the marginalised, regardless of race.
(Wealth distribution will stop being limited to a group of BN cronies)
4) Revamp the Approved Permit (AP) system, through the introduction of an auction of APs to the highest bidders.
(Based on an estimated 70,000 APs issued per annum and a conservative RM25,000 market price, the auction will provide an additional RM1.75 billion to government coffers. Previously, it went into the pockets of a select few)
5) Build closer ties with other countries and get more foreign direct investment into Malaysia.
6) Make Malaysia a more globally competitive country by wiping out the current system that encourages corruption, cronyism and nepotism.
Let the defection process start NOW!
The BN ship is sinking. A new dawn for Malaysia is beginning.
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