War against political funds!

My fellow bloggers - shall we launch a war against POLITICAL FUNDS? This has led to many people - politicians, senior government officials, contractors, lawyers, doctors and others - plunged into lots of difficulties. Some public figures were sent to jail just to take care of such funds. Even contractors were not spared. Malaysians are aware of this going-on. For decades, political funds were applied as a pre-requisite to government contracts. Even those running a Kelas F were squeezed into paying 'tokens' to those who awarded them the projects. I personally would like to request Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to comment on this issue and make a stand as to whether political funds derived from government contracts are 'legalised' by the standard of Malaysian politics. I believe many people want to know about this political funds' nonsense. We have been coming hard on those involved with graft. However, political funds were never categorised by the MACC. If such is the pattern, the whole country could take a tumble. Who are the propagators? OUR OWN POLITICIANS!

Throw this former sec-gen in jail!

It was less than a year ago when I wrote on this blog about a ministry's sec-gen who was known for his cronyism, giving out projects to his friends and family members.

Now that he has retired, his wrongdoings will be unraveled. The MACC officials are now questioning him. I hope he goes to the cage!

This is the 'common' things that take place in the government. Some secretary-generals and his high ranking officials are running their office like a stock exchange. Those with highest under-table bid will win and not the other way round when open tenders will go to among the lowest bidders.

This is not supposed to be the 1Malaysia where those with money and having the right connection with the top guns will get something via limited tender or 'direct nego'. In some cases, the projects were offered to them.

Its still going on, says friends at the top.

Lemme ask this - is it a common idea for politicians like ministers offer projects to contractors who, in return were asked to 'take care' of them in the form of 'political funds'? If the answer is no, I know a few cases and I personally believe there are many more. If the answer is yes, then up to what limit can such projects be issued out?

How do we describe this? If its not graft of high-density, then what?

Before writing this, a few friends asked me to plant this question - if a deputy minister earns about RM25,000 per month over the last six months, from where did he get the money to purchase a Merc and a BMW and a bungalow?

Even a non-Exco state assemblyman can afford all this after winning in the last general election!

Nothing's wrong with Malaysia-Indonesia ties

Nothing's wrong with Malaysia-Indonesia relations, says Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Kohilan Pillay at the Dewan Rakyat (read h e r e...).

Well, hope everything is fine. The bruhaha about a planned attack by a group of Indon vigilante last month was just a threat although it took the Malaysian security forces to be on high alert.Like it or not, we have been like India and Pakistan, China-Japan and England Argentina - loved and hatred relations that somehow has engaged the respective parties into more serious cooperation dialogues.

The trouble with storms in tea-cups is that they tend to spill over, at least a little.Indonesia and Malaysia have the same kind of relationship that the UK and France have had for centuries: a little rhetoric here and there but nothing ever happens.

For example, there's a continuing spat over maids: there are a lot of Indonesian maids in Malaysia. Every so often, something kicks off and gets far more attention than it deserves. For example, in 2003, some Indonesian maids employed by Chinese families decided that they were being treated disrespectfully because the families had dogs which the maids had to walk and ate pork which the maids had to cook.

No one thought to say that, if the maids considered either to be a real problem, they should not have taken the jobs. The fuss passed, but not until questions had been asked in Parliament and suggestions were made that work permits should be made available to Indonesian maids only to work in Muslim households. That didn't suit the maids: they feared loss of opportunity and lower pay (but produced no evidence to support either). The end result was that Indonesia stopped complaining and a diplomatic and commercial issue simply went away.

Long ago, Indonesians claimed that Malaysia's national anthem is a copy of an Indonesian song: music historians have said that the passages complained of are not Indonesian, either but from the middle east, centuries ago.

Earlier this year, Indonesia accused Malaysia of entering its territorial waters when a warship went to Ambalat - an area off the coast of Borneo that both countries claim: it is thought to be rich in oil and gas, products that shore up the economies of both countries. Indonesia claimed that it drove "the Malaysian fleet" away. The incident hardly made the news in Malaysia.

The irony is that the two fleets work together in anti-piracy and anti-terrorism patrols in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea, particularly the notorious Melacca Straits. The border dispute has been rumbling on for about five years since both Malaysia and Indonesia awarded exploration and drilling concessions in their own waters, but with some parts overlapping and some in the disputed waters.

Indonesians are still smarting over a 2002 International Court of Justice decision which decided that two bits of barren rock called Sipidan and Ligitan belonged to Malaysia: previously, they had not belonged to anyone. But so far as Indonesia is concerned, the islands were not just land-masses but also brought territorial rights over sea that Indonesia had, in effect, annexed.

Several weeks ago, Indonesians noticed that a promotional video for Malaysia included an Indonesian dance in its "Malaysia, Truly Asia" campaign. They claimed that Malaysia was trying to steal tourists from Indonesia, and that Malaysia has no culture of its own to display.

Again, ministers from both countries got involved. Malaysia said that the video had been produced by a foreign company and that it had simply confused similar dances in both countries. But, honestly, the dance is almost a generic dance across the whole of South East Asia where there is Hindu influence - and that means everywhere there is Buddhism.

Then there were calls to declare batik (painting onto silk) to be defined as an Indonesian craft. That, too, belies the fact that the craft, in one form or another, is practised across dozens of civilisations. It suddenly became an issue in the middle of this year when several European design houses featured batik in their collections.

And then actress Jessica Alba was photographed in a dress made from batik said to be of a traditional Indonesian design from the district of Jogjakarta (sometimes spelt Yogyakarta), the city that was once Indonesia's capital.

But amusing as these issues seem to outsiders, they are providing a fertile ground for anti-Malaysian sentiment amongst some Indonesians. And new media is enabling mass communications to create ill-will on a rapid and startling scale. One widely read blog made much of the warship incident, making a thinly veiled call-to-arms to defend the territory but to stop short of war. It ended that Malaysia would not go to war "as it'll cost them a lot more."

Neither government considers the issues of the border to be "a dispute." They merely say that there is an issue that needs to be resolved and, in time, they will come to an agreement. Neither government is, seemingly, in any rush to resolve it and infrequent meetings are held at which something is discussed but little or nothing is decided.

But some Indonesians are not prepared to wait: some consider the whole of Borneo to be Indonesian territory and resent the fact that it is partitioned. Indeed, in the 1960s, Indonesia formally invaded the Malaysian part of Borneo in a series of bloody incursions but were defeated.

There was also a small and easily frustrated attempt to invade peninsular Malaysia in 1963, when Indonesia sensed that Malaysia was potentially fragmenting as Singapore left the Federation after a brief membership. The Indonesians were led by Sukarno, widely regarded as a despotic leader. Indonesia entered a period of relative domestic and regional peace after a coup by General Suharto displaced him.

Following the fuss over the pendet dance, an Indonesian group calling itself BENDERA started a PR campaign that was taken up by bloggers, and responses in blogs from both sides came thick and fast.

BENDERA stands for Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat and it claims that its mission is to "avenge all the wrongs done to Indonesia." It claims to have a slogan of "Kill Malaysians" and reportedly set up illegal roadblocks in parts of Jakarta last month, saying that they intended to "sweep our streets clear of Malaysians."

The group claims to have built a stock of Samurai swords and pointed bamboo poles, plus bows and arrows ready for their invasion of Malaysia.

And they have fixed a date: it's going to be today, they say.

Both the Malaysian and Indonesian authorities have said that the whole thing is stupid. Unfortunately, sufficient people think it's a real threat that the police in Kuching in Malaysia's Sarawak state have increase patrols. And both sides have increased border and sea patrols in a show of unity that belies the suggestion of genuine tension.

BENDERA said that it intended to invade by "land, sea and air."

However, it subsided when Datuk Najib Tun Razak met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently. The fire has been put off.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry is livid that the country's reputation is being tarnished by what it calls "an unregistered group." They described the supposed invasion as "ridiculous," pointing out that their stated intention to send 1,500 people armed, largely, with sharpened sticks would be defeated as soon as they arrived at a border crossing.

That might be right if the border was strictly policed but running, as it does, through hilly jungle terrain, border security is not absolute.

It was giving too much coverage to the story and that it was giving publicity to the group, causing concern amongst populations in both countries and, worse, might encourage people to think they should join in.

Again, Malaysia took the initiative by inviting senior Indonesian journalists for a dialogue in Kuala Lumpur this month, thus clearing the air. But, for how long?

Consider this to reduce toll rates... BACA LA!

Highways concessionaires have been urged to offer discount on toll fees during festivals and the independence day in line with the 1Malaysia spirit.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor praised Plus Expressway Berhad (Plus) for offering a 20 discount on toll fees to the North-South and Elite expressways users from midnight to 7am during Aidilfitri and Deepavali holidays recently (read Bernama h e r e...)

NOW, this is what the Cabinet should consider:

First, toll discounts should apply to all users of SmartTag and Touch & Go, at all times as (I believe) they are the ones who are the frequent users of the highways. This will encourage more commuters to subscribe to such applications, thus enhancing toll collection in the long run.

Second, the Cabinet should try to regulate this - all National Cars, especially Proton makes should be given a 50 per cent discount at all toll plazas throughout the year. This will help boost the sales of our National Car towards meeting the challenges of globalisation. Why not?

And third, highway concessionaires should consider 'opening up' areas of interest along their highways. For instance, fruit orchards. I have seen this in South Korea, Iran, Romania and Uruguay. During harvest, commuters may stop by, pluck their own choice of fruits, pay and leave. Dont you think this is impossible?

Let's not brag about how to encourage more people to use the existing highways, We should instead find solution to attract them to ply this highways more often, with considerable toll rate and more attractive 'packages' for them.

I remember a highway stretch from Seoul to Kyongju (120km), we could stop at 6 fruit and flower orchards. It became popular tourist attraction.

We should use our brain, not just the head which houses the brain!

Umno should accept Brahim Ali

Let Ibrahim Ali come back to Umno! That's the general perception and views of those following the Pasir Mas parliamentarian's saga.

From an independent MP, Ibrahim joined Umno in 1982 but was removed from the party when the old Umno was declared illegal. He then joined Semangat 46 in 1989 and represented the party in the 1990 general election when he defended his Pasir Mas parliementary seat.

He later resigned from positions in Semangat 46 in 1991 and rejoined Umno the same year before being sacked from the party after contesting as a independent candidate in the 2004 general election (read Bernama h e r e).

Many says everyone deserves a second chance, except for this third for Ibrahim.

Whatever it is, his position was being reviewed by Umno and many hoped the largest Malay party will accept him as this will open the passage for thousands of his supporters to do so, including those in Pas and other parties.

I personally believe Ibrahim can contribute a lot to Umno's effort to strengthen its position as the pillar of Barisan Nasional. Its president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had also emphasised the need for more Malays to join and rejoin the party, regardless of their background as long as they can help boost its morale and image.

Even as an Independent in the Dewan Rakyat, Ibrahim has proven his quality in voicing out his parallel stand with the government, and as such he sometimes doesn't look to be somebody from outside the boat.

Used to be called 'a frog' for his leaping games, Ibrahim has centralised his focus on 'everything-about-Melayu' and this has given him a better platform to make a comeback.

Musa Hitam is right

Former deputy premier Tun Musa Hitam said the Malays are still lack of confidence in their own capabilities although many of them are well-educated and are master in various disciplines.

I share this view and agree totally with what he said yesterday at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam (read h e r e).

The on-going Umno general assembly at the PWTC has discussed and debated various issues pertaining to the Malays' achievement in economics, politics and other areas. Even there were suggestions for the government to abolish all subsidies and grants to the Malays and Bumiputras.

Umno should consider making any wrong moves before coming to conclude that the Malays are ready for everything. Some delegates even went to the extreme opinion that the government should liberalise all sectors and let the Malays compete in the open market, without having to resort to any government's incentives.

Yes, the Malays can compete in the open market. However, many would not agree to suggestions that the government should stop 'pampering' the Malays with too many incentives, grants and other sorts of assistance.

Musa was concerned for the fate of the Malays in five or ten years to come should they are let to doing things on their own without ample assistance from the government.

Lack of confidence, too can lead the Malays be laggards for a long time.

Musa said the negative mentality clearly showed when Malay thinkers and proponents kept saying things like "habislah Melayu" (finish lah the Malays) and "apalah nak jadi pada Melayu?" (what will happen to the Malays?" when faced with national issues.

The solution suggested was "ketuanan Melayu" (Malay supremacy), but modern history had proven that the master race concept had failed, especially when faced with competition from those with a high level of knowledge and expertise in various fields, and are advance in science and technology, he said.

"To me, if we are looking for a slogan, "keterasan Melayu" (Malay vanguard) is a better and more suitable choice," he said.

Oooppssss... KJ!

KJ! You may be right, you may be wrong. Those 'Melayu' whom you mentioned in your speech at the PWTC may agree while the others may have wondered why...

To ask the Malays, especially Pemuda to get out of their 'seige mentality' was something the last thing a leader would say in such a big party gathering. I would rather correct you and replace it with 'superficial mentality' which all this while has deprived many Malays of their legitimate rights to step forward in many areas.

Yes, you are still young. I have been very supportive of you not because you are somebody I knew much earlier but merely my clear hope and intention to see Umno could see the birth of charismatic and potential political wallaby that might change the socio-political atmosphere of the country.

Please get the right political advisers to assist you. Being young may eventually turns you into a corker. You can become much better than some of the veterans in Umno now. Regardless of how you jumped into politics (when many hated you for that but I was there since the very beginning without you knowing it), you need to go on. Why? Because you are already THERE!

I dont know who are the people around you but do beware of the cahood to bring you down. As Pemuda members are already rallying behind you (that's what Datuk Seri Najib asked you to do after the party elections in March), it will be wise that you employ the right people. Nothing to be shamed of as Barack Obama himself employs 16 advisers in various categories.

It wont be precise to ask the Malays to get out of their seige mentality. They have to keep some. Benefit of the doubts has proven worthful in many aspects of life.

You may have your own reason or points to proof but you could have overlooked the points of contention there.

The Malays have been well-known for being credulous. Many of them are good macaws too. The also possess the proclivity to be ignoramous in many things. As such, they need to habituate with the political evolution around them. And in doing so, they cannot simply indulge on the passion to learn. Instead, they must be able to distinguish the good values without having to take it from others who tend to play chummy with you.

I am not saying you are TOTALLY wrong. Najib, Muhyiddin and others are not faultless. They, too, used to fumble in their words. However, coming from a extrovert like you, many would wonder what are the kind of results you would like to churn from such a statement.

No! You were not being anomalous either. Just that when you are about to make headways, this 'minor error' will demand you 1001 answers.

Or was it just to fit it into our 1Malaysia? I think its too soon. Such a statement may augur well in 5-10 years to come should the Malays are still laggards. I believe that from now on, you should be well-prepared with polemics that will take place. However, I am convinced you can overcome it.

Many Malay politicians come to the crossroads when they became mavericks of issue. Some issues may pervade the hearts of the Malays too deep. Sometimes the medicament are too hard to find.

So, bro. As support for you is increasing, do observe more cautious the next time you want to speak. Having the 'seige' feelings toward your advisers will ensure you a smoother political platform.

You got years ahead. I would like to 'advise' you to become somebody whom others had failed to grab. Be a STATELY politician.

Dr M says Ong and Chua should resign... and Samy too!

Our warlord, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it would be better off if Ong Tee Keat and Chua Soi Lek resign and let MCA choose a neutral leader to lead and reshape the party (read here).

Both leaders, he said from a moral aspect "must relinquish their posts. MCA must pick a leader who is not tainted so that he can gain the support of everyone. Then MCA can be united under one leadership."

The party EGM on Saturday passed a vote of no-confidence against Ong's presidency and only approved Chua as an ordinary member.

Dr Mahathir also reiterated his calls for MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu to step down.

"If he steps down, MIC will be given a new lease of life."

It takes Isa Samad to win

Barisan Nasional retains the Bagan Pinang state seat by-election in Negri Sembilan today when its candidate, Tan Sri Isa Samad beats Zulkefly Mohamad Omar by 5,435 votes, an improved majority to the 2,333 in the 2008 general election.

The former Mentri Besar polls 8,013 votes to 2,578 of Zulkefly who is also the state’s Pas commissioner.

Voters turnout is 11,157 or 81.65 per cent of 13,664 registered by the Election Commission. A total of 4,604 soldiers and policemen cast their postal votes on Thursday. There are 435 spoilt votes.

It was a long-awaited victory in BN’s eight outings in a series of by-elections since the general election, which saw the ruling party securing only one win in Batang Ai, Sarawak.

The polling took a slow start due to the morning rain. However, it gained momentum shortly after mid-day as more voters turned up at poll stations.

It was also marred by a few incidents when supporters of both side were involved in small scuffles. However, the police was quick to put things under control.

All losers at MCA EGM

Who will replace Ong Tee Keat as MCA president and Chua Soi Lek as his deputy? The party is in disarray after the EGM that passed a vote of no-confidence on Ong and barred Chua for the No.2 post (read here...)

Whatever it is, the party needs to find replacement soon as the Barisan Nasional will have to boost members' confidence in preparing for the next general election, which some analysts said would take place as early as 2011.

Ong-Chua episode has spinned a lot of speculations since Chua was removed during a Central Working Committee meeting about a month ago.

About 2,307 delegates attending the EGM and Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur have shown their maturity in their decision, symbolising their blase at such a leadership crisis.

Kit Siang, Karpal can become MB Kelantan too!

Its time for the Chinese in Pakatan Rakyat to consider Nik Aziz Nik Mat's assurance that should any of them embrace Islam and follow its teachings diligently, their chance to become Kelantan's next Mentri Besar is wide open.

Anwar Ibrahim may as well usher his partner Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng or Chua Jui Meng to think deeply of becoming a Muslim convert and create history, not only in Kelantan but in Malaysia as a whole.

Why not? In his ceramah in Bagan Pinang last night, Nik Aziz was serious and 'sincere' enough in making such a statement.

I also know a Chinese convert in Kuala Krai (who operates a cafe in Kota Bharu) whom I think would like to offer himself as a candidate. His name was Lee Wat Yu before changing it to Mat Bonet Abdullah.

I dont know what name will Kit Siang use if he is a Muslim but I would like to propose Lim Bizkit Abdullah.

By the way, Nik Aziz should also include that other members who embrace Islam, including from the Indian and Sikh would also stand equal opportunity. Why not? PR got quite a number of Sikh leaders whom I believe would do anything to make their dreams come true.

Nothing's wrong with the idea, right? Afterall, religions are becoming tools of politics for PAS.

Obama gets Nobel Peace Prize? Shit!

The guy who has been contemplating a strike on Iran has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today.

US President Barack Obama, 48, must be chuckling after the announcement was made by the Swedish Committee in Stockholm.

I wonder what was the set of criteria applied by the Committee members in making such a bad pick. However, 'peace after war' might be one of it.

Born in August 1961, Obama is the 44th president of the United States. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, he served three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004 and as a U.S. senator from 2005 to 2008.

He won the presidential election in November 2008 and was inaugurated in January 2009. The winners of Nobel Prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry and literature have been announced in the previous days and the economic prize will be announced next Monday.

The Nobel prizes have been awarded annually since 1901 to those who "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind during the preceding year.

"The prizes are usually announced in October and are handed out on Dec. 10, the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialist and the inventor of dynamite.

Each prize consists of a medal, a personal diploma and a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (about US$1.4 million).

BLOGS POWER!

I totally agree with a Bernama survey that blogs are gaining the upperhand in the 'war' against conventional media. Blogs are getting popular with regard to unvealing lots of hidden and discreet events (read here...).

Conventional media, especially the newspapers and television are still popular. The only problem with them is their strong 'binding' to the government. Their editorial policy which supports the legitimate government is tying up their hands.

The editors of the mainstream newspapers and televisions have to safeguard their business interest. Most important is not to lose their permit. Such a policy will deter them from telling the public the whole truth about certain events.

So, they became the 'ball-guards' for certain political figures, including the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the rest of the administration. They tend to forget the fact that the cyberworld offers exclusive news without hiding anything.

Its not a surprise to see most of the mainstream newspapers and other new print media are losing heavily in their circulation and other revenue. To some extents, they have to conduct revamp after revamp to resolve such setbacks.

Of course, blogs come in many forms. Some are good read while the rest are just nasty. Readers are getting more choosey nowadays when it comes to getting what they termed as 'the right information' on the Internet.

Bernama says, the emergence of streams of blogs has reflected the society's awareness on the importance of having information but unfortunately this 'leeway' has provided the room for manipulation by irresponsible quarters.

Such a situation gives rise to a poser.

"To what extent that the trials and tribulations created by this new media has its impacts on the society and nation, and what is its repercussions on the people's thinking?"

While there is no actual competition between blogs and mainstream media, the impact will be more adverse on the commercial aspect of the conventional media businesses, in general. How many newspaper readers have stopped buying it and how many have not read it for years since the birth of weblogs and other new media?

So, its not a new phenomenon nowadays to see some bloggers are more prominent than that of some senior journalists and their editors.

Najib's popularity takes a dip

Amid efforts by Barisan Nasional to register a second by-election win in 9 outings, the popularity of its chairman and Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak takes a dip, according to a survey by the Merdeka Centre (read here).

In Bagan Pinang, Port Dickson, issues such as the selection of Umno veteran Tan Sri Isa Samad as BN candidate has subsided but national issues such as the Kugan case, Hindu temple and cronyism within Umno are rife as the Opposition tries to make headway in the campaign, prior to polling on Sunday.

The BN, as usual, clings on the fragile PKR-DAP-Pas political partnership, the continuous development under the current government, Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case, Pas 'unIslamic' fatwas and the graft which hovers Pakatan Rakyat's government in the states of Penang, Kedah and Selangor.

The independent Merdeka Centre said in a statement to AFP, Najib's fails to uphold his popularity despite having introduced some 'attractive measures' under his 6-month 1Malaysia government.

The research firm said that 56 per cent of 1,027 people surveyed were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with Najib's performance as premier, down from the 65 per cent support he enjoyed in June.

The boost in his polls numbers in June had been attributed to a series of economic reforms, and an olive branch extended to ethnic minorities in the multicultural nation during his first 100 days in office.

"People are settling down after the initial euphoria over a new prime minister when he made a lot of announcements," Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said, adding that the ruling coalition now needs a boost from a victory in a by-election this weekend, when it is seeking to break a winning streak by the opposition which has won seven out of eight special votes held over the past year.

Soldiers cast their votes today

Bagan Pinang state by-election begins with 4,602 soldiers casting their votes at the Army Basic Training Centre (Pusasda) today, which also saw members of the media are allowed to cover the event for the first time in history.

Postal votes, which draw much attention as this particular state seat holds the most of it, started at 8am and is expected to finish at 5pm.

Only one agent is allowed to represent both candidates, namely Tan Sri Isa Samad of Barisan Nasional and Zulkefly Mohd Omar of Pakatan Rakyat.

PR, in its campaign since the nomidation day on Oct 3, has manipulated the issue of postal votes, accusing the government of votes rigging and other voting discrepancies. During the last general election, PR managed to garner about 1,700 postal votes.

Election Commission officials said if voting is not completed by today, it will be extended to tomorrow to enable all soldiers to cast their votes.

All ballot bags must reach the returning officer by 5pm on Sunday or it will not be counted.

Indon vigilantes to attack Malaysia Thursday?

Whether its gonna happen or not, the news is that about 1,500 Indonesian vigilantes from a group called Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat will ATTACK Malaysia tomorrow (Thursday).

Bukit Aman, however, advised Malaysians not to panic as it was only a provocative action taken by the group, which was already being 'outlawed' by Jakarta.

BDR or Benteng, a group of vigilantes, with about 1,500 members, vowed to "crush" Malaysia to avenge a series of wrongdoings allegedly committed by Malaysia such as the abuse of Indonesian workers, claims over Ambalat and the purported claim of the pendet dance (Bernama reports, here...)

Malaysian police, however, will keep surveilance. Its intelligence unit will monitor the situation closely.

In Port Dickson, rumours are that Benteng is believed to have connection with certain political groups in Malaysia.

"If they want to attack Malaysia, the nearest point is Tanjung Tuan near Port Dickson, where we are preparing for Bagan Pinang by-election on October 11," according to security sources.

"It could be the Opposition as they have strong relation with similar groups in Indonesia. I dont want to point at any political figure but we should know who and who."

WHO?

Bangkok opts for ISA...

Thailand will apply the Malaysian-style Internal Security Act (ISA) during the 15th Asean Summit on its two southern resort towns of Cha-am and Hua Hin beginning 12 to 27 October.

The Oct 23-25 summit is expected to draw protest from various parties in the country, including the pro-Thaksin group and the Pattani Islamic Movement.

Thailand has been marred with pro-Thaksin demonstrations over the last two years. In its four southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Satun, communal violence continues to rage despite efforts by Bangkok to contain it.

I personally believe the ISA will bring about peace and stability during the 3-day summit. While some quarters in Bangkok were opposing it, the move is seen as one of the best options to secure the safety of head of states and their delegations, expected to arrive a few days before the summit starts.

more news here...

The new sewage man!

Meet the new chairman of Indah Water Konsortium, Datuk Ibrahim Mahaludin Puteh.

According to Bernama, this former deputy sec-gen of the Finance Ministry replaces Haniffah Hassan who retired on Aug 31.

Welcome, Dtk! Let's see how you manage this company which manages more than 5,000 sewage treatment plants throughout the country for 18.2 million consumers who expect the best service for their money.

IWK, a wholly-owned entity of the Ministry of Finance, commenced operations in 1994, operating about 14,000km of sewage pipelines.

Spice up at Dailychilli

This is perhaps one of the most attractive blogs I've seen. Well-presented, news-compact, colorful and it comes with varieties.

Dailychilli.com offers you almost a comprehensive segmentations of news, sports and other items, plus plenty of spicey photos of celebrities and others.

I dont know who the blog-owner is but I can just guess...

Good job, bro!

FED UP... FED UP!

I dont like to do this but I HAVE TO!

We bloggers are in PD on our own accord and expenses to help Umno wins the Bagan Pinang by-election on Oct 11. We are not being paid as we never asked for anything from you top guns of Umno, except to treat us like professionals. Most of us bloggers are volunteers.

When you asked us to attend a meeting with Rais Yatim at the Thistle Resort Hotel in Teluk Kemang, you said it would be at 3pm. Bloggers, journalists and photographers waited for you people for ONE AND A HALF HOUR but Rais didnt show up.

None of his officials or anybody from the government agencies came to us to apologise or to inform about any delay or whatsoever.

We were pissed off! What are you people trying to proof? That having Isa Samad as our candidate is already a sure win for BN, and as such there is no need for you to honour the appointment with us?

Where is your punctuality? Pak Lah era is over. This is Najib's. If you cant be punctual, at least have the courtesy to inform us of any delay. We bloggers are not cheapskates! We are pro-government, just like you but your actions didnt reflect your seriousness in your slogans!

I pity my fellow bloggers who were all red. Some went on waiting, some left in disgust. I liken the situation to that of Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election in January where we lost. We were then taken for granted.

Whether its Najib, Muhyiddin, Rais or anyone else, please make an effort to quash away mounting perception from the masses that the current administration is indeed, SOMBONG!

Altantuya follows Najib to Paris

Malaysia Today has done it again... and I dont think it will stop just there.

Just as Datuk Seri Najib arrives in Paris for his 4-day official visit, the Altantuya Shaariibuu issue resurfaced again.

Najib may not be unfazed by this but the fact that Malaysia is looking forward to the Bagan Pinang by-election on Oct 11 has somehow brought embarrassment to the premier's entourage.

This time around, an organisation called the Altantuya Shaariibuu Foundation has issued a statement to embarrass Najib and his family (read here...).

I'm just wondering where RPK is right now...

Of political jokers and a 'Rasul'

Lim Guan Eng and Koh Tsu Koon have both agreed to a nationally televised debate on Kampung Buah Pala. Looks like neither would emerge a winner. Let 'em.

A Kelantanese friend of mine asked: "Buoh palo? PALO GAPO?"

Then, this Senator Murugiah also took centerstage when announcing his intention to join any of BN's multiracial party, and that the party has offered him a deputy president chair.

After being expelled from PPP, the deputy minister has been finding ways to 'hit back' at Kayveas, claiming full support from the party's 170,000 members who would join him in his new platform.

Which party is making such an offer, anyway? Gerakan? YENNEY SULDRAK!

Its good to have jokers likes this. They really know how to enlighten us.

Wait! The story about this Rasul Melayu also claimed some highlites over the weekend. This Melayu from Keramat just loves the attention he got from the media, especially TV stations as he smiled all the way.

Again, this Kelantanese friend of mine said: "Buke ko kito ado doh ROSOL di Tganu?"

Oopppssss...

I want to create history: Hatoyama

Good day everyone. I am Yukio Hatoyama.

We have recently realized a change of government, and on September 16, we formed a three-party coalition government. This is an expression not of our strength, but of the desire of the Japanese people, who seek to change conventional politics.

Is it not true that the people have developed a sense of dissatisfaction over the ineffectiveness of politics? The people feel that politics thus far have failed to address various issues that Japan faces, including concerns about the future and growing disparities.

We will fundamentally change the politics of Japan in order to restore it to the possession of the people. We will realize a government led by politicians who connect with the minds of the people and who will directly reflect the people's voices in the administration of the national government.

That is, we will create a government that is led by the people of this country. At the root of this is the spirit of "yu-ai," or fraternity.

Our goal is to achieve a society in which we as individuals who aim to stand entirely on our own two feet can overcome our differences, respect others, and provide mutual support to each other. Nothing will change if one is bound by precedents and focuses solely on foreseeable difficulties.

I will create a government which pushes forward, even if but a step at a time, in order to realize that which should be realized -- an ideal. Soon after assuming office, I visited the United States and spoke at the United Nations Summit on Climate Change and the United Nations Security Council Summit.

I also delivered an address at the 64th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and attended the Pittsburgh G-20 Summit.

I engaged in fruitful discussions with leaders of nations, including US President Barack Obama, and with them, built relationships of mutual trust. Each of these experiences was new to me, but I am confident that I have made the first steps in diplomacy for the "new Japan" that I aspire to realize.

Today, I will head to Copenhagen to promote Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Summer Paralympics at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session. I will give it my best.

Last but not least, it is our sincere desire to change politics and make history together with the people. To make this possible, I wish for each of you to offer your views to the government and thus participate in the administration.

Opinions via e-mail will be much appreciated as well. I should think it can be said that the degree to which the thoughts of the public can be solidly encapsulated into public policy depends upon the participation we have from the general public. I call on you for your understanding and active participation in this regard.

Thank you.