Malaysia loses a truely creative Malaysian

Film producer Yasmin Ahmad laid to rest

Yasmin, who gave us those heart-rending and guilt-raising Petronas ads has died of a stroke at an early age of 51. Who can forget her ground-breaking and race-blind movie "Sepet" in which she showed us who are the true Malaysians?



A retrospective of Yasmin's work

A friend to everyone

"I am so kampung"

Death at the corridors of MACC

DAP's Political Secretary found dead after a fall at MACC HQ



He was being questioned as a witness to a corruption case involving RM 2,400. Yes two thousand and four hundred ringgit as opposed to the RM 4 billion (PKFZ) and many more millions exposed cases involving the ruling party (Khir Toyo) which the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) has chosen to conveniently ignore.

For RM2400 the MACC questioned Teoh Beng Hock, 30, an aide of Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, throughout the night and the next morning he was found dead apparently after falling from some floors up the MACC building. Now, a lot of questions are being asked. Who is responsible? What drove him to jump if he did jump?

In The Sun today, MACC advisory panel member Tan Sri Robert Phang, who revealed that the panel will meet on Thursday to discuss the case, said: "If a person has been detained and interrogated for more than six hours, past midnight and right up to early in the morning, I view this is abuse of power.

Teoh's family has also been reported to distrust any investigation results by MACC and by the Malaysian Police. How can you not side with them with the overwhelming evidence of the selective prosecution by MACC and our Polis whom have always gone after the opposition members, and even more so recently as the Malaysian government try their utmost best to bring down the present Selangor state government which is under opposition rule. (Perak being the other state recently won back by the ruling party using highly questionable tactics).

Call for Royal Commission? What good would it do as even the last RC resulted in no action taken against the infamous "king-maker" Lingam despite obvious evidence to prosecute him.

One could only see all this happening in a country where politics have become the be-all and end-all and freedom and justice is just another dirty word for the public as like most foul-words they are often said and never seen.

And for once can we see our Polis actually catch the real crook (instead of the usual suicide classification), or the MACC actually catch someone from inside the government?


A Prayer for Teoh

Aliran: Polis beat up demonstrators outside MACC building

Malaysian Politician Builds His Palace

Ex-Selangor Mentri Besar pays RM3.5 million for his mansion
With (only) a RM3.5 million loan Selangor's ex-Mentri Besar (Chief Minister), Dr Khor Toyo has build his "presidential palace" (worth RM24 million).



Fresh from utilising his free trip vouchers which took him around the world Selangor's ex-MB now returns to build his presidential palace.


"I have a lot of time in my hands..."

The double-storey mansion is nestled among manicured lawns with a swimming pool and playground and occupies two lots at the end of Jalan Suasa 7/1L.

An extract from the Land and Mines Department named Mohd Khir and his wife Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik as the owners of Lot PT 65 (0.189ha) valued at RM900,000 and Lot PT 62 (0.30ha) valued at RM2.9 million. The lease is for 99 years.

The lots were transferred from Ditamas Sdn Bhd to Mohd Khir and his wife in July and September 2007. However, Shah Alam City Council records show that Ditamas is still the owner. Annual assessments on the property total almost RM9,000.

Not much could be seen from the outside except for rooftops of four blocks, palm trees, several air-condition compressors and closed-circuit TV cameras along the high walls. A man inside what looked like a guardhouse quickly shut the door behind him at the sight of reporters.

Reporters were given a first hand view of his impressive property yesterday.

Read more from The Star

The Passing of Idols

What a sad day this is when 2 of your TV/pop idols pass away...

Remembering Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett:


Michael Jackson


Farah Fawcett

Michael's last concert footage recorded for AEG Live

Penang's backwardness due to Ex-CM Koh Tsu Koon

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Head slammed Dr Koh - David Tan reports for The Star, 21st June 2009 (online version unavailable)

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping has come out in support of CM Lim Guan Eng saying that Ex-CM Dr Koh had realised NONE of the plans in the Penang Master Plan formulated by Dr Lim Chong Eu when he was CM.

"Dr Koh did have his own plans, but NONE of the projects spelled out in those plans materialised" Tan Sri said.

"As a result of Dr Koh's inaction (for 18 years) the development of Penang had been slow, with no major structural changes visible" he added.

Tan also described the recent remarks by Singaporee's SM Lee Kuan Yew as fair and objective and urged the current administration to focus on current issues rather than to dwell on the past.

Dr Koh could not be reached for comments.

Penang Truly Lagging Behind

SM Lee Kuan Yew isn't so smart after all

SM Lee Kuan Yew recently remarked that Penang has not developed at all for the past 20 years while we Penangites have known it all this while - that's why we kicked Koh Tsu Khoon out!


ERIC C MANUEL writes in The Star today:

-Quote-
THE Mentor Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew made an honest and fair comment on Penang after a visit. There is no reason for Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to go into denial and make accusations.

Dr Koh was the Chief Minister of Penang for 18 years with the full backing of the ruling party BN but what he contributed to the development of Penang to first world standards remains hazy.

Let’s start with the Penang airport. There is little development and the airport is only a shade better than the Pudu Raya bus terminal. Comparatively, there are several airports in the country which make the Penang airport look like a poor cousin.

The railway station and bus station in Butterworth have remained the same as they were 20 years ago. They are dilapidated with poor infrastructure and a poor feeder transport system to towns and the island.

It was during this period that the Sentral Railway Station in Kuala Lumpur was built. What a disparity between the two railway stations within one country and within the development scope of the same government.

Looking at the state’s inland transportation systems and the bus terminal, one would think that the state government stopped work for 20 years. Compare this with the Jalan Duta bus terminal. Had Penang embarked on an MRT or LRT project 18 years ago, Dr Koh would have left behind a legacy in the form of an effective transportation system that would resonate his name.

Now head to the ferry terminal of Penang. It is like getting into a time machine and cranking the wheels of time back into the 1960s. A historical and busy port, it could have been turned into one of the most modern sea terminals and gateways to the East. Its cousin terminal at Port Klang is way ahead in all the makings of a modern facility.

I could go on and on. But all said and done, Penang is about 20 years behind in comparison with Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak and Johor.
-Unquote-

JR: I couldn't have said it better. Let's see if Ah Khoon or his secretary cares to reply!

Is the Proton Exora worth it?

Proton's new MPV has everyone lining up to...bail them out?

I know I am side tracking from my usual topics but I just can't get the idea why Malaysians are so exalted over Proton's new MPV the Exora.



Read blogger Azwan's gushing review of Proton's new kid on the block

Read blogger Paul Tan's unbiased test drive review

I know looks are subjective, but does the Exora look better than the Grand Livina or the ubiquitous Avanza? The Exora does seem to have the edge in features (read Azwan's review) over both the Avanza and the Livina, but then looks and features aside.... the price!


Look who's leading??

The Exora is RM70k. I mean this Malaysian MPV is RM70k! I don't know about you guys but I don't mind plonking for a Nissan or a Toyota for that amount of money... but for a Proton quality car/mpv? You must be joking!

For RM70k or the equivalent you could buy the Toyota Prius Hybrid in Japan!

And don't get me started on what you can buy with RM70k in the US or the UK!

From the price list the nett selling price is stated as RM68,784.50 including tax.
So how much did the total tax (excise/sales/whatever) come up to?
If my reckoning is correct I think Proton would still make a profit if it sold the Exora at RM40k!

So why are we paying RM70k? Is this another case of getting the public to bail-out Proton?

And don't get me started on how Proton managed to launch this car from development in only 2 years! (My God, what kind of research did they do - or was there any??)

Anyway to those whom have already bought the Exora, this country (or is it Proton) is indebted to you!

Proton's profits up due to Exora and Persona (Thank you, suckers!)

Latest: Proton Exora - the good, the bad and the ugly

PKFZ RM4 billion scandal finally lands in MCA's backyard

Persons responsible reads like a Who's Who list from MCA top brass



The Star reports on 22 December 2008:

The total amount paid by the PKA to KDSB for the land eventually amounted to RM1.088bil, to be paid over 15 years.

A letter supporting the project was issued later by the then Transport minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Ling Liong Sik to Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Bhd and Pacific Trustees Bhd confirming the land purchase.

Former Transport Minister Datuk Seri (now Tan Sri) Chan Kong Choy also issued three supporting letters to the Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd at each stage where PKA signed agreements with KDSB.

These agreements were for KDSB to develop PKFZ and amounted to RM2.25bil.

Read The Sun's latest uptake on their 5-year old investigation

Over the years, we have written dozens of stories on the wrongdoings. Today, five years after theSun broke the story and after denials, clarifications and the lot, we stand vindicated. The report prepared by PriceWaterhouse-Coopers is testimony to why we chose to pursue the issue relentlessly – taxpayers’ money was involved but there seemed to be neither transparency nor accountability – the cornerstones of good governance. The figures quoted in our reports may not have been spot-on but the facts remain.

PWC's Report

PKFZ audit report

Najib losing the plot, washes his hands

Ong Tee Keat on the run as scandal looks set to skyrocket to RM12.5 billion

How it all started (The Sun's report dated 13 Aug 2007)

Forbes: Why the PKFZ issue is important to potential investors

WHAT IS PKFZ? The Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) started as a joint venture between the Port Klang Authority and the promoters of the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in 1999 to attract foreign investment and promote Malaysia's main ports situated near Kuala Lumpur...

JR: MACC.. err have you finished reading the report?? I mean the one reported to you 5 years ago...

MCA and BN still struggling to serve the nation

MCA's new president struggles with old unresolved issues:

MCA president and minister wants PKFZ to reveal audit report on RM4.6b fiasco but PKFZ doesn't want to

PSD will still not give scholarships to those deserving


Najib's Ministry continues to sow seeds of discontent among the youth:

1Malaysia Najib's officers continue to preach racial hatred among youths

JR: ...and they wonder why everyone is rejecting BN?

Shahrizat: Don't say BN not ready to face by-elections, say we boycott

PAS: BN should avoid all by-elections for the good of the nation

"Barisan will surely lose. So it might as well not bother to contest"

JR: BN should avoid more elections to "save cost" or AND to "save face"?

A black day for all Malaysians, Najib

Ride and Surf on Penang Buses

Penang buses (some, not all) equipped with WiFi capability

Rapid Penang is believed to be the first bus company in the country to roll out a high-speed WiFi service which will be useful to passengers, especially during a traffic congestion.

Its chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad launched the free service in two buses here yesterday for a trial period of three months to gauge the public’s response.

“The service is not password protected. Now, our passengers can surf the Net, check e-mail, Facebook or watch videos on YouTube with their laptops or handphones while on board.

“A lot of people think that public transport is only for the lower income group, but we’re offering services that private car owners don’t have – hands-free and Internet access at 3.5G speeds to entertain you in traffic jams,” he said while taking press members on a bus ride around town to try out the new service.



Read more

A Win For The Malaysian People (and of course the citizens of Perak)

Najib makes a mockery off the Perak State Assembly, gets a slap in the face...


“This is a great day for the rakyat (people) because the Law and the Constitution are the true winners,” - Nizar.

The High Court today declared Datuk Nizar Jamaluddin as the legitimate Menteri Besar of Perak and his bid to regain office will come sooner than expected after the same court denied the application of rival MB, Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, for a apply for a stay pending an appeal.

In his ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim stated that a new Mentri Besar could not be appointed as the office had not been vacated. A mentri besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence, one in which Aziz noted that the Perak Legislative did not carry out.

Court said the fatal Barisan Nasional mistake was despite the majority of 31 against 28, the coalition failed to take a no-confidence vote against Nizar in the state assembly.

The Judge said once appointed as chief executive of the state, the Menteri Besar is only answerable to the state assembly.

JR: Er... so who gets the Toyotas now? On a more serious note it does look like Pakatan can intepret the law much better than BN!

Bloggers take on this issue:

Court decides on Nizar, Zambry to vacate his seat

Perak Sultan must get it right this time

On whose side will the Police stand next?

Tan Sri Ramon V Navaratnam: Police behaviour unacceptable

Tengku Razaleigh: BN has brought shame to the monarchy

Malaysian Bar Council: The answer lies not in the courts but in the hands of the people.

The Star: UMNO eats humble pie for its 63rd birthday

Latest: Najib retaliates... Zambry gets his seat back!

JR: Here we go again!

Najib wrestles his way into Perak

Perak Opposition's Speaker forcefully removed from his seat

Is this Najib's brand of politics? A constitutionally elected Speaker dragged out from the state assembly so that Najib's men can rule Perak. Wow! We are in for a new form of democracy now here in Malaysia!





JR: I hope this is not Najib's solution to save money by not holding any more elections!

More videos here

Najib: Now the world can see the new Malaysia

NST: BN has brought unprecedented shame to Perak

Radio Australia: Najib's shows off his power by arresting MPs and activists

Latest: Court rules PAS' Nizar is THE legitimate MB

Latest: Najib to wrestle off High Court judge next?