Hindraf leader back in Malaysia! Good or Bad?

Found this article online from The Star. So s this good or bad for the nation? I hope he really does what he say, which is to help the Indian community; and not just cause more political instability to our beloved nation.

Hindraf leader home after four-year exile

By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

JOHOR BARU: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Waythamoorthy has returned home after his self-imposed exile in London since November 2007.

Waythamoorthy, who was all smiles, said he did not have much problems getting through immigration although his passport was briefly taken away by officials at around noon at the Sultan Iskandar Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (CIQ) complex here.

“I asked the official if there was a problem because I was on the wanted list and the official said yes,” he said, adding that several officials then asked him to head to their office but when he declined, the officials later allowed him to pass.

He said he was happy to be back.

Back for good: Waythamoorthy showing his passport during a press conference held at Austin Hill Golf Resort in Johor Baru.

“My smooth entry and the issuance of a passport to me shows that the Government recognises our struggle,” he said during a press conference at a resort here.

Waythamoorthy said he wanted the Government to recognise Hindraf.

“We want the Government to recognise our efforts. We want to engage with both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to highlight the issues faced by the Indian community,” he said.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had shown sincerity in his initiatives to help the Indian community.

“We are happy with this matter but would like the Prime Minister to make good on his promises,” he said, adding that he was planning to conduct meet-the-people sessions soon.

He said he did not plan to join any political party as his main priority was to help the poor in the Indian community.

Khalid Samad: Video: Perjuangan DAP atau MCA Yang Anti Islam

Khalid Samad: Video: Perjuangan DAP atau MCA Yang Anti Islam: Video ihsan Signal On -Pejabat YB Khalid Samad-

After 55 Years of Merdeka - Where to we go?

I found this interesting letter from MsiaKini. I am posting this letter below and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have and maybe this can be an eye opener for those supporting the government and those supporting the opposition. Is Anwar really fit to be our leader? Where do we go from here?

Where does Anwar go from here (or there)?

Hammurabi 4:44PM Jul 23, 2012

The letter Anwar, be brave, say no to discrimination which resembles a reaction to the opposition leader's apparent endorsement of certain discriminatory laws, presents the writer
as amateurish in taking Anwar to task.

Perhaps as the letter suggests, Anwar was misquoted or more likely quoted out of context.

However, does the writer honestly expect the leader of the opposition to embrace a more liberal and/or secular view and therefore invite brickbats from the conservative and religious segment of society and even from his supporters?

In deriding the government that "knows not the difference between a democracy and a theocracy", the writer should note that there are many western/secular states which are democratic that do in fact have similar "discriminatory laws" in their books, instituted and maintain by means of popular legislation.

Being either a democracy or a theocracy has little to do with the writing of such laws although they are more prevalent in many theocratic states for obvious reasons.

The man-made laws of the land are to a far extent, the sum of views and values of the majority populace/electorate, for much of our world, even in some pseudo-dictatorships.

The letter goes on to pontificate on the promises of Anwar and prescribes the ideals of a true unifying leader of all Malaysians.

Does the writer not have a clue on the life and times of this Anwar Ibrahim?

Given Anwar's track record, can any Malaysian be confident in this person leading a formidable opposition to form a regime that respects neither race nor religion?

He is a "proponent" and a "champion" for sure, a proponent of political Islam and a champion of the Islamist, in my humble opinion.

His heyday as the glorified leader of Abim, of which many current and former members form his support base, should be a fair indication of his persuasions and hence his ulterior goals.

It is simply baffling to know how Malaysians can be so politically naïve after being played for fools time and again for so long.

One must understand the vicious forces that are at play, the volatile dynamics between the various political parties that traditionally function along the lines of race and religion, and our feudal culture of patronage and appeasement.

The point is, Anwar is caught between a rock and a hard place.

His disapproval, or the lack thereof, of any forms of legislation that purportedly discriminate against homosexuals or any other "marginalised" groups, is sure to cause a stir come what may.

This in spite of the simple fact that homosexuality cuts across all racial, ethnic, and religious lines.

The writer may do better by questioning PAS' on-and-off plans of instituting Syariah rule and for that matter, Islamic statehood, should he/she want to clamour for a "Malaysia for Malaysians" of which the letter has been extrapolated to suggesting that Anwar has completely abandoned this concept.

A more constructive argument may include nudging Anwar to make good on his "plans" to establish a shadow cabinet to rationally present "superior" alternatives to all that is formulated, modeled and instituted by the BN system.

Above all, convince Pakatan Rakyat to carve out a common manifesto by which all parties shall pledge their honour by, in order to at lease placate any concerns of internal struggles and external disputes.

This rebuttal is not to condone any discrimination or of any particular minority group or to belittle the writer's efforts to uphold fairness.

But to invest any hope in Anwar to be the engine of "change" and "progress" is grossly imprudent.

Perhaps, a more realistic approach would have seen Anwar asserting genuine leadership by tackling the many "sensitive" issues head-on, instead of mitigating existential threats by avoiding the many political hot potatoes that be.

Given what a colourful orator he is, it is simply a matter of political will.

On the other hand, Malaysians need not be blindly obsessed with national unity to the point of muting our diversity and/or adapting western style liberal ideas.

Successful multicultural countries do not predicate unity upon the glossing over of differences among groups but instead establish strong and equitable frameworks that simply do not favour any one entity over another but instead provide for individual rights and liberties within the bounds of the law.

In a nutshell, attaining harmony through mutual respect.

There is simply no need to consult with the most prominent of clerics in faraway lands in our discourse of nation- building.

Our southern neighbour is a sterling example worthy to emulate.

One may believe that Anwar may lay claim as having been "reformed" by his very fall from grace and the ill treatment meted out to him by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

We can only hold our breaths as only time will tell, as the Malay saying goes, a tiger will never lose its stripes.

Once again my fellow Malaysians, after 55 years of having more of the same, where do we go from here?

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Just as the author stated WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Can we change the government and expect the opposition to do better? Really? I have my doubts with Anwar leading them, and then again can we maintain our government? which we all know have many many flaws. So we are stuck between between rocks!

PETRONAS has never made any losses in commercial ventures, says PM

PETRONAS has never made any losses in commercial ventures, says PM
Date: 08/07/2008

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Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has never made any losses in any commercial ventures that the national oil company has embarked upon, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In his written reply at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday to Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur-DAP), who had asked Petronas to list out five projects in which it had suffered major losses, also said Petronas had also undertaken non-commercial projects aimed at boosting nation-building.

Among such projects is Universiti Technologi Petronas (UTP) in Tronoh, Perak, which was established in 1997 specialising in engineering and information technology. The university incurs an operation cost of RM150 million per year and has produced 3,400 graduates to date.
Petronas had also established the Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas (INSTEP) in Bukit Rakit, Terengganu where it trains technicians for the oil and gas sector. Established in 1983, it has an annual operation cost of RM80 million.

Its other project is Petronas NGV Sdn Bhd, which owns 90 stations with NGV facilities and has plans to increase the number of stations to 200 by 2010. Established in 1992, the NGV is sold at 68 sen per litre and Petronas has forked out RM500 million in subsidies.

To another question by Fong Kui Lun (Bukit Bintang-DAP), Abdullah said the national oil reserve on Jan 1, 2007 was at 5.4 billion barrel, with an average output of 666,000 barrels per day for the financial year ended March 31, 2007. The Malaysian crude oil was priced at US$68.50 per barrel in the same financial year.


Source :The Edge Financial Daily 07 Jul 2008


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This is an interesting report that I read, but it seems weird that this news was not covered by any MSM or even Malaysiakini. Maybe I have missed it due to my very busy working days. However, covered or not I sure think that is very important and everyone should understands the implications of boycotting Petronas. I state it plain and simple "without Petronas, Malaysia's economy and development will fall to the grounds". Support our own country's products and companies.

Letter From A Fellow Malaysian

Below is a letter sent to NST and they published it online. This letter is quite contrary to other letters seen on Malaysiakini or other blogs. It quite refreshing to hear and understand the experienced of some Malaysian such as C.K OOI. Please have a read below and post you opinions about this letter. I do not have time to write about my feelings of this letter. Enjoy!

2008/07/09

After the march 8 election: This nonsense has to stop
By : C.K. OOI, George Town




I AM one of those Malaysians who voted in the March 8 general election, believing a strong opposition would provide the necessary safeguards and checks and balances against the Barisan Nasional.

Since I started voting in the 1978 general election, I have always voted for the BN. But each time an election came, and we the Malaysian public returned the ruling coalition with a strong mandate, I noted that there were issues which the government dealt with arrogantly and, sometimes, without due care about the effects on the country on a longer-term basis.

I am widely travelled and I have seen many countries, East and West. Malaysia is still one of the best places in the world to live in. That is why I have always supported the BN because it has done something right and that is why we have not gone down the path of Myanmar, the Philippines, Zimbabwe or Yugoslavia.

Still, the endemic corruption which started taking root in the 1980s, the erosion of the credibility of the judiciary, the nepotism and cronyism during the growth years of the late 1980s and 1990s, jaded my belief in the BN.

In 2004, I would have voted for the opposition parties for the first time had it not been for the promise of change made by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. With renewed hope, I expected Abdullah's government to change things that had been so wrong.

Little changed. The same faces were in government. There was the same arrogance, harping on racial issues and politicking in Umno. The last straw, really, was the cockiness and do-if-you-dare challenges thrown by people such as Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein on the temple and kris issues.

My wife and I decided that we had had enough and we were resolute in seeking to put pressure on the BN, to teach the likes of Dr Khir and Hishammuddin a lesson. I believe many people thought like us and that is why our country got the results we saw on March 8.

Four months later, many of us have had time to review our decision. Some good has come out of it. Abdullah has said he has heard the message and has begun the reforms he promised in 2004, with the judiciary, Anti-Corruption Agency and the removal of subsidies. He has appointed fresh and capable faces in his cabinet, though more can be done.

But to be honest, there has been more harm than good. The opposition parties have failed to show any sign that they know how to govern.

They are still interested in campaigning although the doors of the election centres were closed long ago and we exercised our vote and asked them to prove to us that they were a suitable alternative.

What do they do to repay us? Threaten to cut down our water catchment areas in Kedah, have rallies and demonstrations every week, making us fear that riots will break out, use the Internet and statutory declarations to tell the most unsavoury lies and make our country a laughing stock, misbehave at concerts and, since March 8, try to buy or "persuade" BN politicians, elected by the people, to cross over.

Of course, we still have idiots in the BN, like that assemblywoman in Perak and the Sabah Progressive Party. But it is the lunacy of the opposition parties who have done nothing but gripe, gripe and gripe that has made me ashamed today that I voted for them.

All I can say to Lim Guan Eng, Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Azizan Abdul Razak is get on with the job. I am not going to make the same mistake again in 2013.

As for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, this is my message: You both ruled Malaysia collectively for the better part of the last 27 years and you should bear responsibility for the state of the country Abdullah inherited.

To be fair to Abdullah, his hands were also tied by the system he inherited. Now, we can see that. Nevertheless, he has the opportunity to go down in history as the man who reformed the country. He has given openness, he has allowed democracy to flourish and now he must seize the moment and act, act and act.

If the opposition parties and the BN politicians have any interest left in serving the people, they should back Abdullah and support him in reforms. Otherwise, they will go down in our history as those responsible for turning us into a basket case.

MB: Duit S'gor masuk akaun PKR

Interestingly Malaysiakini has posted the article above (link on the title to read). The article stated that they is a small amount of money going to into the PKR account and this is just for the purpose of organzing events related to party. Clearly, this is normal, because once a party have power they will try to increase thier financial status so that they can remain in power. However, it seems very odd that PKR is doing the same thing and it has only been about 100 days after they came into power. Truth be told, the opposition have the chance now to prove the the 'rakyat' that they are different and they must fully utilise this chance in order to have any chances of remaining in power for the next term.

I can't say that the Selangor state goverment (PKR) have been good or bad. At this point I am just giving them a chance with an open mind. So that I can see whether these people live up to the promises they made and whether they can get things done. But it seems like they have more internal politics/problems going on. This is clearly reflected by the suspension of Selangor's MB officer Yahya Shahri on his recent misuse of power.

If I can say one thing to all the opposition led state goverment, it would be that take this time to plan what you and this is the only chance that you are getting. If people see the opposition cannot handle the task given to them then most probably the voters will vote for BN and its coalition in the next rounds of elections.

Thirty-Nine Years Later- Malaysia Kini

May 13 2008 - Today marks the black day in Malaysia history. As many of you have heard, read and experienced the tragic day of May 13 1969. I truly feel very sad and horrifed as I learn about the events that took place that day. I cannot begin to imagine how some of you must felt that day and I truly feel that what happened in our beloved Malaysia was science fiction. But the truth is that the black day will always remain in out history regardless of preventive actions taken.

However, I must stressed that those of you who experienced that day must teach and educate the younger generations so that things like that remains in the past and does not repeat it self. We are a a proud multi-racial country, withtou one race in this country we will not be known as Malaysia. Honestly, when I tell foreigners that I am from Malaysia the first thing they usually ask is that it is true Malaysia has so many races? and then they ask how do you guys live in peace and harmony with so many different races? The only thing that I tell them is that "We are Malaysian, one proud nation that is made of many races". Obviously, the foreigners are ignorant about the events of May 13. However, I think that we must use that black day to our advantage and learn from it so that history does not repeat itself.

The country's economical and cultural stability is contributed by everyone in this country; this is a fact. Look at our neighbouring country such as Thailand, Sountern Thailand is a mess, they are fighting about themselves, killing their own brothers and sisters. I am just thankful that the situation in Malaysia does not reach that level.

WE must all work together to ensure that 'Malaysia is Truly Asia', we must put our diferences aside; be it religion, culture or political views and work for a peaceful and prospefous future; not for out sake for our childrens sake and their children. I do not want my children to endure May 13, I certainly did not go through it.

Let us put our differences aside and take a minute to pray for those who suffered on May 13 1969.

Raja Petra

SO weird things been happening in the Malaysian politics in past few days. As you all know that Raja Petra has been arrested and held for sedition charges. So there are many people saying that people are out to get him because of his political influences and further more he is anti BN. You may think and believe whatever you want. But it seems that BN is paranoid and this charge against him supports this fact. Clearly, Raja Petra wrote a very biased article about Najib and the Altantuya case. It seems odd that Najib did not make a police report or anything as such and Raja Petra is being charged with sedition.

Well whatever the reasons it seems that all his supporters have gathered around him and willing to fight along his side. But we must not forget one more possiblity that he wanted to be charged and jailed. This because now he will have credibility, because it shows that the "goverment" or whoever is affaird of him and his work. Personally I think this is all planned to give the BN goverment a bad image.

Malaysia Today

What is going on with our Politics and politicians? There are so many things happening in the world of politics in Malaysia that I feel that they do longer care or consider the public/ 'rakyat' anymore.

The blame game is still going on withing UMNO and BN, then there is Anwar Ibrahim who is trying to form a new PKR goverment by "buying" BN members from Sabah. People are showing support for Pak Lah and others calling him to quit as the PM.

What the politicans don't seem to care is that all of these act have a ripple effect in the Malaysian community. What should be done is that everyone shut up and start to work for the country and its people. There is no point in blaming each other as and acccusing each other to the outcome of recent general election. There is no point, that is in the past. BN have lost 5 states and now they are shaky, what they should do is to learn from ther mistakes and get on with it. Learn and understand how to win the support back. There is still time before the next election so build a country that puts its people's happiness at the centre. Try to do things that will gain you the support. Instead there is no unity within the BN, which shows them as being weak and will cause them to loose more support from the general public.


Importantly, they have to learn from their mistake. But NO some poeple like Samy Vellu will not learn that the only way to rehabilitate MIC is by him stepping down and retiring. That is the only way, yet he is still there and claiming that he will improve MIC to serve the community better. Urgh open you freking eyes and ears and hear the public. For those who are unaware, during the General Election recently her was in Penang, and he receive an incredible shocking support from the voters who threw shoes, rocks and many vulgar statements towards him. Yet HE STILL DOESN'T learn a thing.


Sorry to say this but I am sure that alot of poeple like myself and feelings the effects of the political instability.

Dr M

WOW I am amazed at DR. Mahathir, since the general election has has been on a war path with Abdullah Badawi our current PM. He has critised the PM on many issues and things that it is hard to remember everything. The only reason that I am amazed at Dr. M is that he is old and yet he is there telling everyone off. His voice can be heard everywhere in Malaysia and I am sure that everyon have heard him critisiing the PM, Najib and UMNO.

Way to go DR. M, he is breathing down the neck of all politicians these days and I think this might be beneficial to us because then only the politicians will act accordingly. If there is no DR M telling them off, watching and analysing every step of UMNO I don't know how corrupted it will get.