Ahad, 11 Mac 2012

i n t a n h i j a u

i n t a n h i j a u


Shahrizat sah undur bulan depan

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 03:11 AM PDT

Selepas kontoversi panjang isu Perbadanan Fidlot Nasional (NFC), Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil hari ini mengumumkan akan berundur sebagai menteri selepas tempoh pelantikannya sebagai senator tamat bulan depan (April).

Menteri pembangunan wanita, keluarga dan masyarakat itu bagaimanapun akan kekal sebagai ketua Wanita Umno.

"Saya dengan ini nak shahrizat taman desa pc resign resignation step down 110312memaklumkan bahawa pada 8 April apabila tamatnya penggal saya sebagai ahli Dewan Negara saya akan berundur diri sebagai menteri pembangunan wanita, keluarga dan masyarakat," katanya.

Beliau mengumumkan keputusan itu dalam sidang media di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Berhubung jawatan sebagai ketua Wanita beliau berkata, keputusan mengekalkan jawatan itu dibuat setelah berfikir panjang kerana Wanita Umno sudah seperti keluarga baginya.

"Dan semasa jadi satu powerful force, Wanita BN kini powerful force yang bawa perjuangan untuk rakyat Malaysia.

'Nantikan hasil siasatan NFC'
Ditanya tentang isu NFC, Shahrizat menegaskan beliau tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan kes itu dan hanya berkahwin dengan pengerusinya.

"Tetapi sebagai anggota kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab, saya rasa ini tindakan tepat untuk berundur dengan baik.

"Saya ingin jelaskan, ini keputusan saya sendiri. Dan saya mahu pastikan apabila saya berundur, siasatan akan diteruskan mengikut lunas undang-undang dan kita semua nantikan hasilnya," katanya.

Shahrizat yang dilantik sebagai senator pada 9 April 2009 akan tamat tempoh penggal sebagai Senator pada 8 April ini.

Isu peletakan jawatan timbul apabila beliau terpalit dalam isu National Feedlot Corporation yang diterajui suaminya Datuk Dr Mohamed Salleh Ismail yang terlibat dalam projek lembah daging di Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.

Selain desakan pembangkang, beberapa individu dalam Umno seperti bekas ketua Wanita Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz dan Ketua Umno Cheras Datuk Syed Ali Syed Abas Alhabshee juga menggesa Shahrizat melepaskan jawatan untuk mengelakkan menjadi bebanan parti.

Malah, bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad juga dilaporkan menasihatkan bekas anggota parlimen Lembah Pantai itu agar "jangan sayang kepada jawatan.(malaysiakini)

Comments for Wee Choo Keong

Comments for Wee Choo Keong


Comment on AJ & Rashdan: What “COST CUTTING”? – Part 1 by MAS Manager

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Recalcitrant & Musa

What with both of you and the other readers. The fact that Azhari from AirAsia being handpicked to head MAS Engineering and that Rozman Omar from AirAsia to head Finance were enough evidence for everyone to know that MAS is now a toy for the Pariah and the Amok’s crony to play around.

If you all are in doubt, Azhari was place to look after Engineering Department of MAS to serve AirAsia and AirAsia X planes and service them all the way including special treatments, rate and last but not least Azhari will apply the principle “Everyone Can Owe Airport Tax” mah!

For the Finance side, Rozman will take care. Special treatment for financial obligations for AirAsia. So the first case is let the 30,000 AirAsia X Sdn Bhd’s passengers that have bought ticket but AAA X stop flying to London, Paris and India can fly MAS using the existing ticket booked on AA X. Most probably, he will apply the principle that “Now Everyone Can Fly Now on MAS and Pay Later” mah!

This is how AirAsia is helping MAS so that MAS will be saved from the brink.

Don’t you know that this is what the share SUAP and the CCF are all about.

Aiyo! Please don’t complaint anymore. AJ and Amok crony, Rashdan, are doing their best to bring MAS into profits again by doing all the above and that’s why the TRIO had to make provision of RM1.277 billion as losses then 2012 MAS will be profitable. Just like Amok and Rahsdan did under WAU.

Now is WAU 2. Selling more “NON CORE” assets like MAS Engineering, MAS simulator, MAS Academy, MAS other landed properties, if there are any, Then Rashdan and Amok will tell us this is WAU 2 mah! TO HELP MAS!

I am fed up and sick of this country. Hw can such things can happen in daylight.

Comment on TRIO’s actions endorsed by Khazanah & Tune AIr by malaysia maju kerana RAKYAT

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 09:22 AM PDT

Dear yb,
Gud luck for tomoro battle.majority rakyat n staff counting on u.orang yg teraniaya pasti akan dilindungi..

Comment on AJ & Rashdan: What “COST CUTTING”? – Part 1 by Recalcitrant

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 08:02 AM PDT

Samsul of MAS

By now surely we all can guess whose payroll Jasper is on, just like many more similar worms creeping around MAS.
Talking about the 30,000 pax, we have seen tickets issued to pax uplifted from Mumbai to KUL, and it says NO FARE. Only a fuel surcharge of RM390 is seen on the ticket!
As mentioned in an earlier posting, if not for the alertness of one of the senior finance managers who insisted on seeing a Bank guarantee, all of those 30,000 would have had the same NO FARE deal. Sources say that this was brought to the Board, and a very “attractive” rate has now been agreed upon.
Well, at least it is something , or else AA will have a great ride on MAS again.
Now they are puliing out of Christchurch, it will be interesting to see if they can get the same “attractive” deal on ANZ or not, or if they can worm their way out of the penalty imposed by the Christchurch airport authorities.
Reminds me of Tajuddin Ramli’s time. He had no hesitation to remind us that,
“for every ringgit, 32 sen is mine”! But as history has shown, he took more than 32 sen. Now this fella will say, “for every ringgit 21sen is mine”, only difference now is , 21 is followed by a decimal and many more zeroes AFTER it……..

Comment on AJ & Rashdan: What “COST CUTTING”? – Part 1 by Samsul of MAS

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 05:35 AM PDT

Jasper Bloodstone

The truth always hurt. more often than not, MAS routes to Vancouver, New York and others were decided by Government. I hope that you understand the word “bilateral”. Please don’t use it without the proper understanding of the word. Just in case you still do not understand because of your obsession for that Pariah or master, if you like, bilateral mean G to G.

Why are you not addressing the issue of getting subsidy of RM250 million for RAS for a two period and prematurely terminated it. Don’t you think that the AirAsia X Sdn Bhd should pay back half of it to the Government. Unless the 4th floor Government said it was ok and it was meant for AirAsia X working capital.

Was it not due to the emission tax that AA X cannot afford to pay and cannot owe like what AA owed to MAHB to the tune of RM10 million for years?

Which Government in the world that will specially build an airport initially cost RM125 million for a private airlines? Only the 4th Floor government will do it. LCCT costing RM125 million but it was just a warehouse type of structure. Fajah Baru was the builder from a special place known as REMBAU ok. Do you know where is Rembau? If you don’t know please ask the SIL.

Scout, you are try very right. MAHB could not take action because the Pariah and his set up were protected species. Hope that someone in MAHB could speak up and tell us who instructed them not to take action. Was it from Khazanah or the 4th Floor? MAHB under Khazanah and Khazanah is under the control of Amok. Perhaps Amok should tell us why MAHB didn’t take exaction to recover such a huge sum of RM120 million.

Having received special treatment and concession and recently that person has the audacity to protest against MAHB on all kinds of things including aerobridges and airport taxes, when we are amongst the lowest in the world. A decent person would not have done that only a PARIAH would do such thing.

YB please don’t forget to check on the 30 AA X passengers that MAS had to take over. Did AA X pay for all the passengers? This is an important question because this will contribute to the losses for MAS. Further, why should MAS do charity for them.

The truth always hurt! The facts speak for itself. We all know the Pariah too well. Only the Khazanah Dunggu, to borrow the word from other readers, pretend not to know.

Comment on TRIO’s actions endorsed by Khazanah & Tune AIr by weechookeong

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 05:02 AM PDT

Time Traveller

I am sorry to have got it wrong. Please rest assured that no ill thought intended. As long as it is for good cause it should be ok.

Thank you for your understanding.

With kindest regards

wee choo keong

Comment on TRIO’s actions endorsed by Khazanah & Tune AIr by Time Traveller

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 04:49 AM PDT

Dear YB, refering to the first sentence of your article, can’t recall if it was me of made the suggestion. But never mind.

Comment on AJ & Rashdan: MAS or MAS management is in crisis? by Scout

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 04:33 AM PDT

Olek

On the subject of the non-payment of airport taxes by AA to MAHB and the alleged “inaction” by MAHB, surely YOU of all people cannot be so NAIVE as to think that dealings with AA is just “business as usual” and above board?
I urge someone in MAHB who is privy to the kind of “instructions” they get, and from whom, to treat AA with kid gloves, to speak up.It’s open knowledge, man.
And to see TF and his full-blown sandiwara “protesting” the increase in airport
taxes, do you know how puke-inducing that is to many of us? Puh-leeze.

Comment on TRIO’s actions endorsed by Khazanah & Tune AIr by Hafiz MAS

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 03:11 AM PDT

YB you must round up other MPs to speak against the share suap and what the Trio and that pariah are doing to MAS. This is the best time to think him a lesson. We have enough of his nonsense of spinning and publicity stance.

Press MYCC, SC and Bursa KL for actions. If Australian authority can take such quick action why can’t MYCC and the rest. Kasih si Pariah cukup2 YB. Terima kasih banyak-bnayak sebab menyuara bagi semua perkerja MAS.

Comment on AJ & Rashdan: What “COST CUTTING”? – Part 1 by Jasper Bloodstone

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 01:18 AM PST

Samsul of MAS

Now you are talking absurdities!

MAS did not fight for the rights to fly from KL to Vancouver and New York? Get your facts straight – MAS lobbied for these traffic rights with the Malaysian government, which then negotiated in bilaterals with the Canadian and US governments.

Note that Canadian and US airlines did not find it viable then to fly to KL. A pure business decision. Still is now.

So, when MAS stopped flying to Vancouver and New York, was it because the routes were unprofitable?

Don’t dodge the question by making asinine remarks about “pariahs” and such. That may resonate with those who know no better, but would find no support from any knowledgeable airline industry analyst.

Another question – where were you when British Airways and Qantas stopped flights.to KL? I don’t recall the MAS unions demonstrating in front of the British and Australian High Commissions in KL!

Comment on TRIO’s actions endorsed by Khazanah & Tune AIr by Anonymous

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 11:19 PM PST

The infiltration is across all levels of strategic position starting at the Board.

The positioning of AA personnels or AA-friendly people into the MAS Snr Management positions is not about MAS learning from AA. It has more to do with positioning of people that who owe their allegience to TF so that TF can control the outcome. His control is almost complete.

Direct Free Kick

Direct Free Kick


11 Mac 2012 - Pelancaran mengecat semula Pangsapuri Julia, Selayang di bawah Program Baikpulih Negeri Berkebajikan atau CERIA.

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 03:39 AM PDT

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Posted: 11 Mar 2012 01:00 AM PST

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Nurul Izzah Anwar

Nurul Izzah Anwar


Meneruskan “Agenda Pemulihan Demokrasi”

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 01:39 AM PST

KENYATAAN MEDIA
UNTUK SEBARAN SEGERA
11 MAC 2012

Sebagai seorang Ahli Parlimen, adalah menjadi tugas, amanah, dan tanggungjawab saya kepada rakyat Malaysia khususnya penduduk Lembah Pantai untuk memastikan bahawa hasrat dan suara hati rakyat didengar dengan jelas di dalam setiap debat dan perbincangan penggubalan undang-undang di Parlimen.

Oleh itu, agenda utama saya di Parlimen ialah Agenda Pemulihan Demokrasi menerusi mekanisma Rang Undang-Undang Ahli Persendirian. Agenda ini telah saya lancarkan pada 23 Disember 2010, dan ia bermatlamat untuk:

  1. Membatalkan semua Pengistiharan Darurat;
  2. Memansuhkan semua undang-undang Anti-Demokratik seperti ISA, AUKU, PPPA;
  3. Menunaikan Perjanjian Kemasukan Sabah dan Sarawak ke dalam Malaysia;
  4. Menjaminkan Keadilan dan Ketelusan Pilihanraya Umum;
  5. Mengembalikan Pilihanraya Kerajaan Tempatan;
  6. Mewujudkan Kebebasan Media.

Usaha awal saya yang bermula dengan Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) Ahli Persendirian (Private Member's Bill) bertajuk "Akta Pemansuhan Darurat" pada 9 Mac 2011 telah ditolak. Namun, tujuh bulan selepas itu – pada 24 November 2011 – Perdana Menteri pula telah membentangkan usul yang sama yang telah diluluskan oleh Dewan Negara pada 20 Disember 2011 yang lalu.

Ini membuktikan bahawa usaha memulihkan demokrasi melalui Parlimen mampu mendatangkan kesan dan hasil, terutamanya dengan menarik perhatian Kerajaan Persekutuan terhadap sesuatu agenda untuk manfaat rakyat; Perdana Menteri sendiri pada 16 September 2011 telah mengumumkan hasrat beliau untuk meminda beberapa akta seperti AUKU dan ISA yang akan digantikan dengan RUU baru.

Maka dengan itu, saya meneruskan usaha memperkukuhkan demokrasi dengan cadangan membentangkan tiga RUU Ahli Persendirian di Dewan Rakyat yang akan berlangsung mulai 12 Mac 2012. Tiga RUU Ahli Persendirian tersebut adalah:

1) Pindaan kepada Akta Pembangunan Petroleum 1974 (Petroleum Development Act 1974), di mana saya mencadangkan agar kuasa Perdana Menteri ke atas Petronas dibataskan, dan Petronas mestilah membentangkan akaun perbelanjaan tahunan di Parlimen yang akan menjamin ketelusan dan penggunaan khazanah bumi terhad negara secara seimbang dan mengutamakan kepentingan dan manafat rakyat;

2) Pemansuhan Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan 1984 (Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984), di mana saya mencadangkan agar akta drakonian dan lapuk ini dimansuhkan sama sekali demi memastikan media bebas dan adil dalam menjalankan tugasnya sebagai pelapor berita dan saluran maklumat yang seimbang; dan terbentuknya sebuah Suruhanjaya untuk mengawal selia urustadbir media. Rakyat mahukan laporan yang menjana budaya ilmu dan maklumat berteraskan kebenaran lagi terpisah daripada fitnah dan kepalsuan propaganda. Ini seterusnya akan membuka ruang demokrasi, langsung menjadikan negara lebih menarik untuk pelabur yang memerlukan maklumat tepat dan cepat.

3) Akta Perlembagaan (Pindaan) 2012, di mana saya mencadangkan satu pindaan di buat kepada Perkara 121 Perlembagaan Persekutuan agar institusi kehakiman negara menjadi benar-benar bebas seperti keadaan asal selepas Merdeka. Ini juga akan mengembalikan prinsip perpisahan kuasa (separation of powers) dan menjadi timbang-tara semakan (checks and balances) agar tidak ada salah guna kuasa dan pecah amanah oleh setiap cabang kerajaan.

InsyaAllah, dengan sokongan Ahli-ahli Parlimen dan dokongan rakyat Malaysia, saya yakin kesemua RUU Ahli Persendirian di atas akan dibentangkan, demi Malaysia yang lebih baik.

YB Nurul Izzah Anwar
Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai

DUN BUKIT PAYONG

DUN BUKIT PAYONG


Konsert BIG JAM 2012: Sejauh mana mendidik jiwa?

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 10:02 AM PST


Dewan Pemuda PAS Negeri Terengganu (DPPNT) terpanggil untuk mempersoalkan sejauhmana sebenarnya Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu serius dan mengambil berat dalam menangani permasalahan sosial yang melanda anak-anak muda di Negeri Terengganu pada hari ini.

[Gambar - Konsert Monsson Cup di Dataran Shahbandar Tahun 2007 ]

DPPNT melihat akhir-akhir ini pelbagai program berbentuk Konsert Hiburan diadakan hampir di seluruh negeri. Terbaru BIG JAM 2012 yang akan diadakan pada 10 Mac ini di Dataran Shahbandar, Kuala Terengganu.

Penganjuran sesebuah konsert, bukanlah menjadi satu kesalahan. Malah jika kena dengan caranya, ianya boleh mendatangkan manfaat.

Bagaimanapun, berkenaan dengan BIG JAM 2012 ini, DPPNT melihat ianya hanya bertumpu kepada hiburan semata-mata. Malah dibimbangi menjurus kepada hiburan melalaikan memandangkan konsert ini bermula seawal jam 2 petang dan berakhir sehingga jam 12 malam. Di sana juga dibimbangi berlaku pergaulan bebas, pendedahan aurat, perlakuan sumbang dan sebagainya.

Kita baru sahaja meninggalkan 'bulan Maulud'. Hampir setiap hari di sana-sini berselawat, tidak kurang juga yang mengambil kesempatan berarak. Pelbagai sepanduk, kain rentang diusung bagi menunjukkan semangat. Semuanya dilakukan bagi menunjukkan cinta dan kasih kepada Rasulullah S.A.W. Apakah cinta dan kasih kita sebagai Umat Muhammad hanya untuk sebulan?

DPPNT juga mempersoalkan sejauh mana garis panduan sesuatu program hiburan dibenarkan diadakan di Negeri Terengganu. Apakah tiada peraturan yang boleh mengawal atau memandu sesuatu program hiburan yang ingin diadakan supaya lebih bermanfaat dan lebih sihat untuk dinikmati?

Akhirnya, DPPNT mencadangkan supaya program-program umum yang melibatkan kehadiran muda-mudi seperti konsert ini diasingkan tempat penonton lelaki dan wanita. Ini bagi mengelakkan pergaulan bebas dan memastikan wanita yang hadir dapat menjaga dirinya dari diambil kesempatan oleh individu-individu yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

Muhammad Zaidan Abdullah
Setiausaha
Dewan Pemuda PAS Negeri Terengganu

:: cina islam | 2011 ::

:: cina islam | 2011 ::


2 terbunuh, 10 cedera kemalangan di PLUS

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 04:06 AM PDT

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

Dua terbunuh, manakala sepuluh cedera apabila dua kenderaan pelbagai guna (MPV) terbabit dalam kemalangan di Km 181. 5 Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan dekat Parit Buntar hari ini.

Ketua Polis Daerah Kerian, Supt Mat Fauzi Nayan berkata, dua penumpang dalam kenderaan yang sama, yang dikatakan berhenti di lorong kecemasan, mati di tempat kejadian dan mayat mereka dihantar ke Hospital Parit Buntar untuk dibedah siasat.

Sepuluh lagi penumpung kedua-dua buah kenderaan termasuk seorang pemandu salah sebuah kenderaan itu cedera dan dirawat di hospital yang sama, katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Beliau berkata, kejadian berlaku pada 7.10 pagi apabila kereta jenis Toyota Estima yang dikatakan berhenti di lorong kecemasan dirempuh dari arah belakang oleh sebuah kereta jenis Toyota Alphard.

Ketika kejadian kedua-dua kenderaan itu dalam perjalanan dari Selatan ke Utara.

Katanya identiti mangsa yang meninggal dunia dan yang masih dirawat masih belum diketahui dan polis sedang menyiasat.

- Bernama

Umno Cheras anggap drama 'Makcik Bollywood'

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 03:23 AM PDT

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

Ketua Umno Cheras Datuk Syed Ali Syed Abas Alhabshee menganggap kenyataan Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil untuk berundur sebagai menteri selepas tempoh pelantikannya sebagai senator tamat bulan depan satu 'drama'.

NONESyed Ali (kanan) berkata, sebagai seorang menteri, Shahrizat sepatutnya menunjukkan sikap bertanggungjawab terhadap parti dan negara dan bukan bermain tarik tali.

"Kalau berhenti, berhenti sahajalah. Tapi kenapa macam nak main tarik tali. Kenapa perlu kumpulkan wartawan hari ini sedangkan esok ramai wartawan akan buat liputan di Parlimen.

"Ini semua Bollywood punya cerita. Saya boleh katakan dia ini sebagai makcik Bollywood," katanya ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini.

Selepas kontroversi panjang isu Perbadanan Fidlot Nasional (NFC), Shahrizat sebentar tadi mengumumkan akan berundur sebagai menteri selepas tempoh pelantikannya sebagai senator tamat bulan depan (April).

Menteri pembangunan wanita, keluarga dan masyarakat itu bagaimanapun akan kekal sebagai ketua Wanita Umno.

Syed Ali berkata, tindakan Shahrizat itu seolah-olah ingin menunjukkan bahawa beliau tidak bersalah dan peletakan jawatan itu bukan disebabkan rasa bersalah, tetapi kerana tempoh sebagai senator sudah tamat.

NONE"Dia nak tunjuk glamour kot supaya esok ada Wanita yang datang menangis, merayu pada dia supaya jangan letak jawatan.

"Saya bersyukur dia nak berhenti, tetapi kecewa kerana dia nak berhenti bila tamat tempoh senator. Saya tak faham kenapa. Ini menunjukkan dia tidak komitmen dan tidak berintegriti kepada parti," katanya.

"Kalau saya jadi dia, saya akan berhenti serta merta."

Umno Cheras antara bahagian paling lantang membuat desakan itu sebelum ini selain bekas ketua Wanita Umno Tan Sri Rafizah Aziz supaya tidak menjadi beban kepada parti.

Malaysiakini/-

Shahrizat sah undur bulan depan

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 03:13 AM PDT

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

Selepas kontoversi panjang isu Perbadanan Fidlot Nasional (NFC), Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil hari ini mengumumkan akan berundur sebagai menteri selepas tempoh pelantikannya sebagai senator tamat bulan depan (April).

Menteri pembangunan wanita, keluarga dan masyarakat itu bagaimanapun akan kekal sebagai ketua Wanita Umno.

"Saya dengan ini nak shahrizat taman desa pc resign resignation step down 110312memaklumkan bahawa pada 8 April apabila tamatnya penggal saya sebagai ahli Dewan Negara saya akan berundur diri sebagai menteri pembangunan wanita, keluarga dan masyarakat," katanya.

Beliau mengumumkan keputusan itu dalam sidang media di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Berhubung jawatan sebagai ketua Wanita beliau berkata, keputusan mengekalkan jawatan itu dibuat setelah berfikir panjang kerana Wanita Umno sudah seperti keluarga baginya.

"Dan semasa jadi satu powerful force, Wanita BN kini powerful force yang bawa perjuangan untuk rakyat Malaysia.

'Nantikan hasil siasatan NFC'

Ditanya tentang isu NFC, Shahrizat menegaskan beliau tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan kes itu dan hanya berkahwin dengan pengerusinya.

"Tetapi sebagai anggota kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab, saya rasa ini tindakan tepat untuk berundur dengan baik.

"Saya ingin jelaskan, ini keputusan saya sendiri. Dan saya mahu pastikan apabila saya berundur, siasatan akan diteruskan mengikut lunas undang-undang dan kita semua nantikan hasilnya," katanya.

shahrizat jalil jatuh bangun 110312Shahrizat yang dilantik sebagai senator pada 9 April 2009 akan tamat tempoh penggal sebagai Senator pada 8 April ini.

Isu peletakan jawatan timbul apabila beliau terpalit dalam isu National Feedlot Corporation yang diterajui suaminya Datuk Dr Mohamed Salleh Ismail yang terlibat dalam projek lembah daging di Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.

Selain desakan pembangkang, beberapa individu dalam Umno seperti bekas ketua Wanita Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz dan Ketua Umno Cheras Datuk Syed Ali Syed Abas Alhabshee juga menggesa Shahrizat melepaskan jawatan untuk mengelakkan menjadi bebanan parti.

Malah, bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad juga dilaporkan menasihatkan bekas anggota parlimen Lembah Pantai itu agar "jangan sayang kepada jawatan."

Malaysiakini/-

14 pejuang Palestin maut, 20 cedera

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 07:09 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

ANGGOTA polis Hamas memeriksa bangkai sebuah kenderaan yang menjadi sasaran serangan udara Israel di Bandar Gaza kelmarin.

BANDAR GAZA, Wilayah Palestin - Sebanyak 14 pejuang Palestin terbunuh manakala sekurang-kurangnya 20 orang cedera dalam beberapa serangan udara Israel ke atas Genting Gaza, kata beberapa pegawai perubatan Palestin semalam.

Tentera Israel berkata, tentera udara rejim Zionis melancarkan 13 serangan udara merangkumi pelbagai sasaran termasuk ke atas seorang ketua militan Palestin.

Serangan tersebut berlaku selepas pihak Palestin membedil puluhan roket dan mortar ke selatan Israel bermula pagi kelmarin dengan menyebabkan empat orang cedera, seorang daripada mereka parah.

Serangan balas yang dilancarkan tentera udara Israel meragut nyawa ketua Jawatankuasa Penentangan Popular (PRC), Zohair Al-Qaisi dan seorang anggota kumpulan berkenaan, Mahmud Hanani.

Susulan kematian mereka, PRC mengancam akan membalas dendam. Sekitar 45 roket dilancarkan tidak lama kemudian ke arah selatan Israel.

Pada masa yang sama, Briged Al-Quds yang merupakan sayap tentera kumpulan Jihad Islam menyatakan siri serangan udara rejim Zionis itu membunuh sepuluh anggota mereka.

"Beberapa pesawat menyerang dua fasiliti pembuatan senjata dan dua tapak pelancar roket di utara Genting Gaza, sebuah kilang membuat senjata di tengah Genting Gaza dan tapak aktiviti keganasan di selatan Genting Gaza," kata tentera Israel dalam satu kenyataan semalam.

"Serangan dilancarkan bagi membalas bedilan roket terhadap komuniti Israel," jelas kenyataan tersebut.

Menurut kenyataan sama, sistem pertahanan peluru berpandu Kubah Besi Israel memintas sepuluh peluru roket yang disasarkan ke bandar Beersheva, Ashdod dan Ashkelon di selatan Israel yang secara keseluruhan dihuni lebih 500,000 penduduk. - AFP

Pecah tembelang kahwin dua kerana Facebook

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 07:07 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

SEATTLE, Amerika Syarikat (AS) - Tembelang seorang lelaki beristeri dua di AS pecah selepas kedua-dua isterinya menjadi kenalan di laman perkongsian sosial Facebook.

Undang-undang AS melarang lelaki memiliki lebih daripada seorang isteri pada masa yang sama.

Susulan pembongkaran tersebut, seorang pegawai pemulihan akhlak, Alan L. O'Neill didakwa kerana mengamalkan bigami atau beristeri dua.

Menurut kertas pertuduhan yang difailkan Khamis lalu, O'Neill mengahwini seorang wanita pada 2001, berpindah pada 2009 dan menukar namanya sebelum berkahwin lain tanpa menceraikan isteri pertamanya.

Isteri tua pertama kali menyedari O'Neill berkahwin lain apabila dia menjadi kenalan madunya melalui pautan "Orang yang mungkin anda kenali" di Facebook.

"Isteri pertama kemudian melihat laman Facebook isteri kedua dan melihat suaminya bersama kek perkahwinan," kata pendakwa raya daerah Pierce County, Mark Lindquist kepada agensi berita Associated Press (AP)

Isteri pertama kemudian berkunjung ke apartmen madunya dan berulang kali menyoal suaminya sama ada mereka sudah bercerai tetapi dia menjawab: "Tidak, kita masih suami isteri.,"

O'Neill, 41, sebelum ini menggunakan nama Alan Fulk. Dia yang dihadapkan ke mahkamah Khamis lepas boleh dipenjara lima tahun jika didapati bersalah. - Agensi

Remaja belasah pelajar Malaysia dijel 7 tahun

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 07:03 PM PST

16 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -


Beau Isagba

LONDON - Seorang remaja Britain dipenjara tujuh tahun kelmarin kerana membelasah sehingga mematahkan tulang rahang pelajar Malaysia, Asyraf Haziq Rosli ketika bandar raya ini dilanda rusuhan tahun lalu.

Beau Isagba, 18, mengaku salah pada perbicaraan sebelum ini kerana mencederakan pelajar tajaan Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) berusia 21 tahun itu dan menyamun basikalnya di Barking, timur bandar raya ini pada 8 Ogos tahun lalu.

Rakaman selepas Asyraf diserang yang menunjukkan dua lelaki mencuri beberapa barangan di dalam beg sandang mangsa dengan berpura-pura membantunya telah mencetuskan kemarahan orang ramai selepas ia tersebar di laman perkongsian video YouTube.

Hakim Witold Pawlak memutuskan di Mahkamah Diraja Wood Green, utara bandar raya ini bahawa Isagba akan ditahan di sebuah institusi pemulihan belia dan dijangka dibebaskan secara bersyarat selepas menjalani hukuman selama 42 bulan.

"Saya harap hukuman ini akan mendorong mereka yang berniat jahat seperti kamu, berfikir dua kali sebelum bertindak di samping meyakinkan orang awam dan pelawat ke negara ini bahawa perbuatan seperti ini akan diberikan balasan setimpal," kata Pawlak.

Seminggu lalu, barisan juri di sebuah mahkamah di sini memutuskan dua lelaki berusia 22 tahun, John Kafunda dan Reece Donovan bersalah kerana mencuri barang-barang milik Asyraf. Hukuman terhadap mereka akan diputuskan Selasa ini. - AFP

Menteri EU tolak penyelesaian di Syria

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 07:03 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

COPENHAGEN – Menteri-Menteri Luar Kesatuan Eropah (EU) menolak penyelesaian menggunakan tentera diambil ke atas Syria dan mengulangi gesaan supaya Presiden Bashar al-Assad menghentikan pembunuhan dengan segera.

"Syria bukan Libya. Apa yang paling kami bimbangkan adalah risiko tercetusnya perang saudara di negara itu dan jika ia berlaku, Assad perlu bertanggungjawab," kata Menteri Luar Perancis, Alain Juppe dalam satu mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Luar EU di Copenhagen, semalam.

Qatar menggesa penempatan pasukan tentera pengaman Arab dan antarabangsa di Syria, tetapi Juppe bersama rakan sejawatnya dari EU menolak gesaan itu. – AFP

145 dikhuatiri maut dalam kejadian salji runtuh

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 06:58 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

KABUL 11 Mac – Sekurang-kurangnya 145 orang hilang dan dipercayai maut akibat insiden runtuhan salji yang melanda wilayah Badakhshan, timur laut Afghanistan minggu lalu, menurut Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB), semalam.

Pegawai Afghanistan awal semalam meletakkan angka korban akibat siri runtuhan salji sejak 4 Mac lalu itu seramai 56 orang di daerah Shekay, Badakhshan.

PBB dalam pada itu turut memberi amaran banjir mungkin akan berlaku dalam tempoh beberapa minggu akan datang ekoran pencairan salji.

Afghanistan dilanda musim salji paling buruk dalam tempoh 15 tahun yang telah meragut banyak nyawa. – AFP

Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah layak suku akhir Piala FA

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 06:49 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

KUALA LUMPUR 11 Mac - Juara bertahan Terengganu, Kelantan dan Kedah merupakan antara lapan pasukan yang menempah tiket ke peringkat suku akhir Piala FA selepas menumpaskan lawan masing-masing, malam tadi.

Penyerang Terengganu Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin muncul wira pasukan apabila menjaringkan gol tunggal perlawanan pada minit ke-49 di Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, Kuala Terengganu.

Juara dua kali pada 2000 dan 2011 itu bagaimanapun berhadapan laluan getir pada suku akhir selepas dijadualkan bertemu dengan pendatang baru, Lions XII yang mengalahkan NS Betaria, 2-0 di Stadium Jalan Besar, Singapura.

Jiran mereka, Kelantan yang juga naib juara Piala FA turut layak setelah mencatatkan kemenangan tipis, 3-2 ke atas Kuala Lumpur di Stadium Sultan Muhamad ke-IV, Kota Baharu.

Tiga gol skuad Kijang dijaringkan oleh Mohd Norfarhan Muhammad pada minit ke-30), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (minit ke-43) dan kapten pasukan, Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi (minit ke-65).

Manakala dua gol Kuala Lumpur dijaringkan oleh Muhd Afiq Azmi pada minit ke-39 dan Fazuan Abdullah pada minit-minit akhir permainan.

Kelantan akan bertemu dengan SPA FC pada perlawanan suku akhir selepas pasukan kelab dari Lembah Klang itu mengalahkan kelab dari Kemboja Preach Khan Reach FC, 1-0 di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil. Mengikuti jejak langkah dua pasukan dari Pantai Timur itu ialah Kedah yang turut mencatatkan kemenangan 3-2 ke atas jiran mereka, Perlis di Stadium Darul Aman.

Tiga gol skuad Kenari dijaringkan oleh Mohd Khyril Muhymeen pada minit ketujuh dan 37) serta Amar Rohidan pada minit ke-24 manakala dua gol pasukan pelawat dihasilkan oleh Mohd Rizal Ghazali pada minit ke-21 dan pemain import dari Sierra Leon, Henry Lewis pada minit ke-66.

Skuad bimbingan Wan Jamak Wan Hassan itu akan bertemu dengan pasukan kelab dari Terengganu, T-Team yang menumpaskan Pahang 3-2 di Stadium Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah semalam.

Sementara itu, hajat juara lima kali Piala FA, Selangor untuk melangkah ke peringkat suku akhir tidak kesampaian apabila mereka kalah 4-5 kepada Johor FC menerusi sepakan penalti selepas terikat 2-2 dalam masa penuh perlawanan.

Dua gol Selangor dijaringkan oleh Azidan Sarudin pada minit ke-30 dan Mohd Asrarudin Putra Omar pada minit ke-55 manakala dua gol Johor FC dihasilkan oleh Ahmad Fauzi Saari pada minit ke-58 dan penyerang import dari Brazil Arthur Henrique Bernhardt pada minit ke-64.

Peringkat suku akhir Piala FA yang menggunakan format timbal balik akan berlangsung pada 24 dan 27 Mac ini. — BERNAMA

Muslimat PAS pertikai dana PM lawat seluruh negara

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 06:46 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -

Dewan Muslimat PAS hari ini mempertikaikan wang dana yang digunakan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak bagi mengadakan lawatannya ke seluruh negara.

Timbalan Ketuanya, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud berkata, sebagai seorang perdana menteri, Najib sepatutnya dapat membezakan bila beliau turun sebagai seorang ketua negara dan sebagai ahli politik.

"Dia seorang perdana menteri, dia juga presiden Umno. Rakyat tak dapat bezakan dia pergi ke setiap negeri-negeri itu sebagai apa?" soalnya dalam satu sidang media hari ini.

"Sebagai perdana menteri, dia turun menggunakan perbelanjaan rakyat tetapi membuat kerja-kerja untuk parti," katanya yang mendakwa ianya satu penyelewengan dan menyalahgunakan kedudukan sebagai perdana menteri dan berkempen untuk Umno.

Selain itu, Mariah turut membidas tindakan Najib yang menurutnya dengan mudah membuat keputusan untuk membatalkan skim Saraan Baru Penjawat Awam (SBPA) dan menyifatkannya sebagai satu pembaziran.

Jelasnya, tindakan itu juga menunjukkan Najib tidak serius untuk mentadbir negara.

"Keputusan SBPA dimansuhkan begitu sahaja sedangkan sudah berapa banyak dana kerajaan digunakan untuk membuat perbincangan, mesyuarat dan perbentangan. Ini pembaziran," tambahnya

Sementara itu, dalam sidang media sama, Mariah juga berkata, Muslimat PAS mensasarkan 50 peratus calon dewan itu daripada golongan muda untuk bertanding pada pilihan raya umum akan datang.

Menurut Mariah, beliau yakin bahawa sokongan daripada golongan muda adalah penting bagi menentukan kemenangan PAS.

"Tumpuan Muslimat ialah di kawasan yang ramai pengundi wanita kerana undi wanita adalah penting untuk tentu kemenangan selain daripada undi golongan muda.

"Bagaimanapun, kita akan bekerjasama dengan wanita DAP dan PKR bagi memastikan kemenangan pilihan raya akan datang," katanya

Menurut Mariah, pihaknya telah mengemukakan lebih 30 senarai nama calon kepada pimpinan tertinggi parti bagi memilih calon yang mampu memberi kemenangan kepada PAS.

Beliau berkata, pada masa sama, Muslimat tidak sesekali mengenepikan calon-calon lama yang berpotensi di samping memberi nama baru.

"(Calon) Yang lama kita masih akan kekalkan yang mana ada tempat-tempat tertentu pada pilihan raya dulu mereka bagus. Tetapi nama-nama baru dari golongan muda pun ada. Ia merangkumi semua kawasan. Luar bandar, dalam bandar. Semua ada.

"Muslimat telah 80 peratus bersiap sedia untuk menghadapi pilihan raya umum yang akan diumumkan pada bila-bila masa. Kami yakin, jika Muslimat di beri peluang, kita boleh dapat sokongan rakyat," katanya.

Malaysiakini/-

Rafizi minta PM kemuka bukti biayai anak bertunang

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 06:43 PM PST

18 Rabi'ul Akhir 1433H. [MOD] -
Malaysiakini/-

Sambil menegaskan bahawa tidak timbul soal beliau memohon maaf, Pengarah Strategi PKR, Rafizi Ramli sebaliknya meminta Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menjawab lapan perkara dengan mengemukakan dokumen rasmi sebagai bukti perbelanjaan pertunangan anak perempuannya tidak dibayar oleh rakyat.

- Pertama, Najib perlu mengesahkan sama ada perbelanjaan yang tertera seperti dokumen Hotel Shangrila itu adalah perbelanjaan majlis pertunangan anak beliau;

- Kedua, Najib perlu mengesahkan sama ada dokumen Banquet Event Order (BEO) yang dikemukakan olehnya (Rafizi) adalah dokumen yang sah dan bukannya palsu;

Nooryana Najwa Najib and Daniyar Nazarbayev- Ketiga, Najib perlu mengarahkan Pejabat Perdana Menteri
mengemukakan kepada rakyat salinan Purchase Order (dokumen tempahan) yang dihantar kepada Hotel Shangrila untuk menentukan pihak manakah sebenarnya yang bertanggungjawab membuat tempahan tersebut;

- Keempat, Najib perlu mengarahkan Pejabat Perdana Menteri mengemukakan rekod perakaunan dari sistem perakaunan Kerajaan Malaysia yang merekodkan Purchase Order tersebut, bagi menentukan sama ada tempahan direkodkan sebagai tanggungan Kerajaan Malaysia;

- Kelima, Najib perlu mengarahkan Pejabat Perdana Menteri mengemukakan kepada rakyat salinan invois yang dihantar oleh Hotel Shangrila kerana ia boleh menjadi bukti bahawa ia dicaj kepada Perdana Menteri atas kapasiti peribadi beliau ataupun ditanggung oleh Kerajaan Malaysia;

- Keenam, Najib perlu mengarahkan Pejabat Perdana Menteri mengemukakan rekod perakauan dari sistem perakaunan Kerajaan Malaysia yang merekodkan invois tersebut, bagi menentukan sama ada bayaran akan dibuat oleh Kerajaan Malaysia;

- Ketujuh, Najib perlu mengarahkan Pejabat Perdana Menteri mengemukakan baucer bayaran yang dibuat kepada Hotel Shangrila untuk menentukan siapakah yang mula-mula sekali menyelesaikan tanggungan belanja majlis tersebut; dan

- Kelapan, Najib perlu mengemukakan bukti bayaran yang dibuat oleh beliau dan keluarga beliau untuk menanggung perbelanjaan tersebut; termasuklah salinan cek, penyata bank atau dokumen-dokumen lain dari akaun bank peribadi beliau.

"Sekiranya perdana menteri berjaya mengemukakan dokumen-dokumen tersebut dan membuktikan tidak pernah sekalipun caj tanggungan berjumlah hampir setengah juta itu direkodkan sebagai tanggungan Kerajaan Malaysia, barulah rakyat Malaysia boleh berpuas hati bahawa majlis mewah untuk pertunangan anak beliau itu tidak ditanggung rakyat Malaysia," tegas Rafizi dalam satu kenyataan.

Jika tidak, tambahnya, perdana menteri akan berdepan dengan persepsi rakyat bahawa beliau pun tidak ubah seperti menteri-menteri lain di dalam kabinetnya yang didakwanya, menggunakan wang rakyat dengan sewenang-wenangnya untuk bermewah bagi tujuan peribadi.
Menurut Rafizi, beliau menyambut baik kenyataan rasmi yang pantas dikeluarkan oleh PMO menafikan bahawa perbelanjaan majlis pertunangan anak Najib pada 17 Jun 2011 lalu dibiayai oleh wang rakyat melalui Pejabat Perdana Menteri, walaupun dokumen dari Hotel Shangrila yang mengendalikan majlis secara jelas menunjukkan semua urusan tempahan dan bayaran dibuat melalui PMO.

"Persoalan saya memohon maaf tidak timbul kerana kenyataan dua perenggan itu hanyalah satu penafian, tanpa ada sebarang bukti atau fakta yang boleh menafikan kesahihan dokumen atau tuduhan yang dibawa terhadap Perdana Menteri.

"Dalam suasana kepercayaan rakyat terhadap iltizam BN memerangi rasuah adalah sangat rendah, penafian semata-mata tidaklah mencukupi. Apatah lagi apabila dokumen yang dibawa menjadi bukti kukuh bahawa Pejabat Perdana Menteri mengendalikan urusan tempahan dan bayaran bagi majlis itu," tambahnya.

NONE

Lim Kit Siang

Lim Kit Siang


Lynas: Why in Malaysia, not in Australia?

Posted: 11 Mar 2012 03:28 AM PDT

— Rama Ramanathan The Malaysian Insider Mar 11, 2012 MARCH 11 — Previously I said that the root cause of the Lynas controversy is our 'need' for things that need rare earths. These things include cellphones, disk drives and television sets. I also said that China supplies over 95 per cent of the world demand [...]

Are Najib and Cabinet Ministers going to keep quiet about the serious allegations of corruption and subversion of the rule of law in 2007 involving the three topmost officers of the land, the AG, IGP and DG of ACA?

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 11:12 PM PST

Today, Malaysiakini followed up on the revelations and serious allegations by former Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) Chief Datuk Ramli Yusuf during his 60th Leap Year birthday celebrations last month that he was a victim of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s abuse of his constitutional powers with new information on the "bizarre five-year-old case [...]

SBPA Flip-flop a Blow to Transformation

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 06:18 PM PST

By Kee Thuan Chye Malaysian Digest 10 March 2012 Najib Razak has just committed another major flip-flop, showing once again that he is the most indecisive prime minister we have had so far. He has cancelled the proposed revamp of the civil servants' remuneration scheme and reverted to the old one, the Malaysian Remuneration System [...]

Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar Ibrahim


Chandra And the Umno Game of Devious Politics

Posted: 10 Mar 2012 07:54 AM PST

Malaysia Chronicle

A political scientist should understand better what Machiavellian politics is. Altruism has never been the moral fibre of most modern day politicians. Altruism is utopian as far as politics is concerned these days. Non-altruistic politicians are those opportunists seeking power or would want to remain in power to sate their personal ego. These self-serving politicians harp on trivial and sometimes irrelevant matters with the sole aim of achieving the ends. To them the end justifies the means. They criticise and argue endlessly – in most cases deceitfully – but veto others from doing the same.

A fiery critic

Chandra Muzaffar (with due respect to him) must be aware that he had once 'soiled' his hands and his intellectuality by going into politics. So happened that he was leading the Just NGO prior to that and he decided to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) (then known as Parti Keadilan Nasional). At that time Chandra was a fiery and emotional critic of Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad's administration. Chandra then was all out for social justice and had no tolerant for corruption in the country. In his political ceramah he was unwaveringly despising the policies of the government of the day. However, despite his intellectual background he failed to win any seat in elections to represent PKR at the state or national level. His stint in real politics did not last long though – lasting for only two years when he left the party in December 2001. Most academics are too idealistic are usually not born or cut to become good politicians.

As a matter of fact, most academics are more tailored to become political observers or armchair politicians. They may know a lot on the art or theories of politics but may not be good political "practitioners". Academics are idealistic creatures and can never adjust to the robust game of politics on the ground. Chandra, in fact, failed as a politician partly for this reason. Regrettably, his departure from Opposition politics put himself in a strop and he still stores in him a cavernous and intense dislike for the de facto Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim. Of course, those in PKR have a lot to say about his approach to politics then – pleasant and bitter. Some felt that he was too intellectual to be in politics. One of those bitter comments is that he could not lead but was more towards the authoritarian type of leadership and this failed him as a politician in an new-fangled political party at the time.

But after going back to academic life and as a prolific scholar Chandra should be seeing the country's political landscape from the perspective of an academic – objective, impartial and true-heartedly. He may be good at the detail but at times cannot see the forest for the trees. The people on the ground are now clamouring for a two-party system and this should bode well for the country and every right-thinking citizen. They are no more interested in looking into the viability of having a one-party system where people are forced to sing praises and say 'all is well' with the incumbent government. Neither are they concern whether Anwar would become the next prime minister or not. They just need a choice in politics.

Unfortunately, most of Chandra's recent observations on the political situations in the country tend to consciously favour the serving government possibly out of hatred for Anwar, his former close aide in politics. He has now almost forgotten the many scandals and mismanagement affecting the country. Rightfully a true academic is trained to be objective in his analysis of any issue he is confronted with and he should not be prejudiced when presenting his thesis on any issue unless he decides to wriggle out of his "academic Hippocratic Oath".

Has earned less respect

Of late, Chandra has turned a blind eye on the many wrongdoings of the incumbent government unlike his eventful days with Aliran – a multi-ethnic social reform group founded in 1977, which he led for 14 years. That was when he had many of his plausible thoughts on social justice and good governance published. He was then well respected among his academic peers and students. Corruption was one issue he never failed to raise during that time. How the society now wish if he could still comment on the unbridled corruption, financial loss and abuse of power that have been going on in the country since 1981.

Beyond that, the people also wish to hear his opinion on the many other issues wreaking the government of the day such as financial leakages, mismanagement, abuse of taxpayers' money, cronyism, negotiated tenders and failed multi-million dollar projects. The RM250 million NFC fiasco has been highlighted almost to the point of perpetuity but the society hears not a word from Chandra on this issue. Supposedly, it is the duty of an academic to appraise the country's overall performance critically to bring awareness to all politicians and people that the government has to be more accountable for what they are entrusted with.

Sadly, Chandra has decided not to utter any criticism against the weaknesses of the present government. Supposedly, he has chosen to ignore all this because of his new political stand. For his new stand he has consequently earned less respect from the people who knew him before and the majority of the people today would not listen to his sullied rhetoric anymore. At times he deliberately skew his comments to despise the Opposition but the people are not that naïve to buy his lopsided views on the many real issues affecting the nation. The people are aware of the Malaysian government's stand on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian, they are also aware of Anwar's and Mahathir's stand on this issue. Apparently, they all see a similar stand on this issue.

The US has a role to play in this world despite what her foes say about this powerful country. The Sunni-Muslim countries fear the Syiah-Muslim Iran and they need the US and Israel to protect them. The Sunni-Muslim Arab countries do not mind having a strong Israel as this helps them fend off Iran's influence in the region. Ambitious Iran cannot be contained and neither could North Korea be tamed without the US. Taiwan, for instance would succumb to China without the US. World War 2 would possibly not have ended too soon without US intervention.

People change, so has Chandra

The US may be the most powerful country in the world and it will remain so for many more decades. We would never know China's ambition until it takes over as the most powerful nation in the world. It's still unpredictable. As they say the true character of a country will only be seen when it wields absolute regional power, just like Iran of today. Anyway, hope that peace will prevail in this region immaterial of which country –US or China – ultimately puts on the king's crown.

Back to the Malaysian setup, we are still hoping for more critical views from Chandra on the many other basic issues affecting the nation. He must be aware that after 54 years of independence, we cannot see politicians debate freely on fundamental issues affecting basic human rights and needs on television, unlike the political scenarios in some developed countries – for fear that the incumbent politicians would loose their popularity. Politics in the country is solely left to be debated and defended in the public through ceramah and the cyber media – particularly for politicians in the Opposition. Only the serving government could use the government-controlled media to articulate their viewpoints.

Chandra's thoughts and ideals as a politician then were always against the incumbents for well-founded reasons. People change and so has Chandra. His new ideals, however, may not save the country from denying the country a two-party system. He must be aware that academic idealism may not exist in modern day politics. Idealism is more for the academics and is meant for the academia.

Chandra must have realised the fact that some politicians are just opportunists for want of power, as he was once an active politician. Throughout the world, with the exception of a few leaders, political aspirants go all out to get the support of the masses to the extent of justifying whatever devious means they can think of in order to achieve their goals. Many have known to be tricky to garner votes from the ignorant and hopeful. Many have been bribed to vote for them. Some politicians scheme on all sorts of devious strategies just to secure and retain power including the use of taxpayers' money to bribe voters. They use conniving strategies to outmanoeuvre their opponents, in some instances giving the latter almost no chance to confute.

Game of devious politics

They also go out of control character assassinating their opponents with the hope that the naïve voters are convinced with their high jinks. When they have achieved what they desire, they start thinking of how to enrich themselves and protract their power. Unfortunately in this game of devious politics. the hopeful among the socially marginalised in society and the poor would only remain browbeaten and doomed forever. The undeserving politicians will remain in power to be more corrupted to enrich themselves and their cronies. The rich will get richer and the poor become poorer.

Chandra must have realised how imperfect politics can be on the real battle front, as he was once actively involved in politics and Aliran. Obviously, he is a changed man now. Was it his intellectual prowess or the emotional part of him that had dragged him into the "dirty" world of politics? As an intellectual, he should know better.

The people may have high respect for him as an academic and an intellectual. Nevertheless, with his present social standing it would be wise of him to become a fair observer of politics – giving sensible and objective comments on issues currently affecting the country rather than becoming a partisan critic out vengeance. A true academic and a man of principal even when drowned in the world of politics out of necessity will not 'kiss-and-tell'.

He lives by his own principle and seeks respect from many fair-minded observers by giving non-judgemental but constructive comments on affairs they observe around them. Be it on the important role of the US in the international political scenes, China's role in the modern economic scenario, Iran's ambitious plans to wipe out the Sunni majority states in the middle-east, the right of the Jews to have a state of their own as ordained by the Holy Scriptures or issues on endemic financial scandals and corruption ruining the nation now.

Braiding a net of pretence will make an academic non the wiser. The Chinese will not be easily swayed to vote Barisan Nasional (BN) by just having someone praise China. India is also one of the biggest trading partners of Malaysia and this does not mean that the Indians in the country will all vote for BN. Seemingly, as for China she is now engaging more with Indonesia partly because of Malaysia's bigoted policies and race and religion bashing politics.

The politics in him should be removed

The US cannot contain the rise of China unless there is an all-out war between countries allied to these two nations. Neither can the US go all out for a regime change in Malaysia without the support of all Malaysians. Regime change in this country – if the people aspire for it – will be decided by her own people not the US, China or the Jews. Remember that the US is still a democracy while China is not. The human rights atrocities is China is still a subject of concern for many neighbouring countries. Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Kampuchea, Malaysia and Singapore are equally wary of China’s possible "threat" when it takes over the US as the world's most powerful nation. This can already be seen in the tussle for the many disputed and resourceful islands in the South China Sea.

Malay votes for the Opposition will not be affected by calculatingly smearing Anwar's image as the US or Jewish tool. A two-party system in the country is more than an Anwar-Najib political tussle. It is not necessary that Anwar becomes the prime minister if the Opposition could wrest power for BN in the next general election. Chandra also must be aware of Anwar’s acquaintance with Paul Wolfwitz and US vice-president Al Gore, as that was when he held the post of deputy president of PKR. Why the fuss now?

If Chandra seeks to raise public consciousness on the moral and intellectual basis of global justice the politics in him should be removed. The society, in truth, expects Chandra to say more on the number of critical issues closer to home rather then harping on external issues with the intention to deride the Opposition. The move towards creating a two-party system for the country, freedom of speech, fair media coverage for both the Government and the Opposition, the poor quality of education, bribery, corruption, financial leakages, lack of financial accountability, the NFC (National Feedlot Corporation) gaffe, the MAS (Malaysia Airlines) bailout and financial loss, the Lynas project and the many other abuses currently affecting Malaysians must also be of his concern as a non-partisan academic and intellectual.

Nuffnang