Losing faith in Dr Koh?

The Star (27 August 2007): Barisan Nasional component parties have forgotten that the coalition was set up to reduce politicking, encourage development and bring benefits to the people, Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said.

“Thirty-three years on, the component parties have forgotten this,” he said, adding that each party now only takes care of itself.

He was speaking at the annual state Gerakan delegates conference here yesterday.

Dr Lim said Gerakan should steer Barisan back to its original objective.

He also advised acting party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was also present at the event, to move the Federal Government to quickly implement the state’s infrastructure projects such as the Second Penang Bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road and the Monorail.

“You have announced all these projects and if nothing happens for a long time, you will be blamed.

“Things must move for the people of Penang to have faith in you,” he said.

Have faith in him? Well Dr Lim is right in having doubts though!

Malaysia is neither this nor that

The Sun (Aug 27, 2007): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the application of Islam Hadhari does not mean Malaysia is a theocratic country.

Abdullah said the government always paid attention and implemented what is best to preserve unity and the people's interest including ensuring each Malaysian is free to practise their religion.

"All quarters receive aid from the government, whether they are Mosques, Surau's, Temple or Churches. The country's development has been implemented fairly, without any ethnic community or religious community being oppressed," he said.

Abdullah said this was what was meant by his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, when he said that Malaysia was an Islamic country.

He reminded all that the Federal Constitution was formulated and undertaken in an understanding and cooperative manner by the three largest communities during their struggle to achieve independence and only contains articles which take into account the the needs of various communities to live in a peaceful manner.

In a written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), Abdullah reiterated that Malaysia is neither a secular nor a theocratic country.

"Malaysia is an Islamic country which is administered based on the principles of Islam and at the same time holds strong to the principles of Parliamentary democracy guided by the highest law of the land - The Federal Constitution," said Abdullah.

So one day we are an Islamic country, the next day we are not! I guess it depends on whom is speaking and what is the topic of the day! As for the official version... who knows?

Read the full article

Blogger Jeff Ooi Joins DAP

DAP 's rocket launching into cyberspace

DAP recently welcomed renowned Malaysian blogger Jeff Ooi into its fold

DAP is taking its campaign to cyberspace by launching an e-campaign – believing that the net-savvy community will be a force to reckon with in the next general election.

"DAP believes that properly channelled, the Internet community can shape the outcome of the general election, and even reach non-Internet users," said party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

He said new party recruit and regular blogger Jeff Ooi had been appointed as the general election e-campaign director.

Check out his newly created webspace

Check out this highly entertaining campaign video for Jeff with compliments from Kenny Sia

Better Things In Store For Penang?

The Star, August 1 2007:-

THERE is little doubt that Penang is about to be transformed, thanks to the projects lined up under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) initiative.

But when the Prime Minister arrived for the launch of the NCER, a number of those present noted the somewhat “transformed look” about Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi himself.

Abdullah was sporting a pair of rimless glasses and was much slimmer.

And it was no illusion. Abdullah has shed 9kg over the last couple of months and looks fitter and more energetic.

Some attributed it to the homely influence of Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, who was a picture of understated elegance in her printed beige baju kurung featuring a mandarin collar and cream coloured shawl.

His aides say he has been keeping a healthy diet and exercising and planned to continue with his health regime.

But looks and transformation aside, there was definitely a sense of homecoming for the Prime Minister during the launch.

First, Penang is his home state. Second, the genesis of the NCER is said to have begun somewhere up in the air over Seberang Prai.

During the great flood of 2003, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had surveyed the flood-damaged area from a helicopter. He was very affected by the destruction and told people how water does not respect state boundaries. It is likely that the seed of the NCER was sown then.

There was also little doubt in the minds of many of those present that the Penang sector, especially, is as much a political project as an economic plan.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who speaks fluent Malay, amused many by the way he buttered up the Prime Minister in his speech. But most of all, they noted that parts of his speech could easily be used again during the general election.

This is the best thing to happen to Penang in decades and Koh was very upbeat, describing the projects as “a gift” from the Prime Minister.

Yes, Dr Koh, this is what you do best - buttering up the PM every time he visits Penang. Is there no shame in you? After 15 years at the helm you only have a bus service to show for! Maybe we will have to wait another 15 years for a taxi service now??

Dr Koh Willing To Quit

The Star, August 3 2007 :-

PENANG Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said he would quit as Football Association of Penang (FAP) president if there was a better candidate to replace him.

He said he concurred with the opinions of several other mentris besar that they would quit their executive position in sports associations if they were asked to do so.

“I personally like football. It (the FAP) is for Penang and for the younger generation, so (that is why) we support it,” he said.

Dr Koh said that he was willing to give up the post to a person who was more qualified and capable of securing financial fundings for the association.

There are definitely many whom are more capable than Dr Koh if he is only willing to let others lead as well. Please don't think that you are the only capable person around in Penang, Dr Koh, as otherwise we are all doomed... just like what is happening in Penang now - which is so developed that today (in this 21st century on 1st August 2007) we actually have a bus service in Penang!

Penang Traffic Forced Sultan To Take A Walk

The Star - July 3, 2007:-

Kedah is sore with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) because of its oversight that forced Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah to walk 2km to the Batu Kawan Stadium for the FA Cup final on Saturday night.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahd-zir Khalid said FAM should have foreseen the anticipated massive jam and make the necessary ar-rangements for invited dignitaries to arrive at the destination without any hassle.

“We are deeply hurt because Tuanku, who was invited by FAM to give away prizes, had to walk such a long distance to the sta-dium,” he told a press conference yesterday.

About 20,000 vehicles were caught in a jam on the road leading to Batu Kawan Stadium as 50,000 people turned up to watch the match between Perlis and Ke-dah. The capacity for the stadium in South Seberang Prai is only 37,000. It took the Sultan 45 minutes to walk to the stadium.

Even the Regent of Perlis, Tuan-ku Syed Faizzudin Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, had to ride pillion on a police motorcycle.

Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had apologised to the Sultan of Kedah for having to leave his car and walk to the stadium.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah said many spectators left their cars on the road when they could not enter the stadium.

“Because of these cars, other vehicles were unable to move in or out,” he said after launching the upgraded railway gate near Bandar Tasek Mutiara yesterday.

Penang Traffic Management Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the organisers should have made alternative transport arrangements as there were no public buses servicing the route.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Koh Hong Sun visited the stadium at 4pm yesterday but he left without speaking to the press.

Is there no end to Penang's miserable traffic and transportation problems? This is not the first time massive jams have happened at this stadium but it is NOT surprising anyway looking at the replies given by our present state govt officials...

"May 13" available at a Penang book store

I got a copy of May 13 by Dr Kua Kia Soong from a "popular" bookstore in central Georgetown today. It is not displayed on the open shelves so you have to ask the counter for it.

My advise to you is to get it before it is officially banned!



Read a blogger's review

Half a year to ‘polish’ Penang

The Star, 6 June 2007 - Half a year to ‘polish’ Penang

PENANG: A six-month target has been set by Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman to return the island – once dubbed the Pearl of the Orient – to its original lustre.

Zainal, who was appointed to the post last month, said those who dubbed the island Darul Sampah would soon have to change their tune. He suggested Darul Indah or Darul Mutiara instead.

“Keeping the island clean will be my top priority.

“We want to brighten up areas frequented by tourists such as Gurney Drive, Macalister Road and Little India.

“We may also do more landscaping in areas that tourists pass to get to their destinations,” he told newsmen during a media tour to see how rubbish was collected from high-rise buildings, factories and private residences. "

Why ONLY 6 months? - Penang definitely needs more than 6 months to clean up!

VW rejects "Old Maid" Proton - Is the dowry too much?

The Star, 1 June 2007:
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked Proton Holdings Bhd to start talks with other carmakers on a partnership because Volkswagen AG is not interested.

“I have made the decision that since Volkswagen is not interested in the proposal that Proton wants in terms of the equity participation but they want cooperation in some other form, Proton can begin to talk to others,” the Prime Minister told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting last night.

Read more

Other news:
Proton posts RM591mil loss

Poor attitude or no enforcement in Penang?

Beaches in Penang dirty due to poor attitude

Is Penang dirty because of the people's attitude or is it because there is no enforcement?

- How many times have you seen MPPP staff cleaning up a beach?
- How many times have you seen MPPP staff cleaning up your neighborhood playground?
- How many times have you seen MPPP enforcers issuing a summons to a litterbug?
- How many times have you seen MPPP administrators actually on the job, somewhere?

It is so easy just to blame it on the public. Have they checked to see if rubbish bins are easily available in major tourist spots or practically anywhere else where the public is prone to discard rubbish?

Any person walking around Penang can see that rubbish is strewn whenever there is no proper rubbish bin in sight. Can you blame the public for this?

Yes, sometimes there are those who throw rubbish everywhere especially out of their cars and on the sidewalks. So where are the enforcers? Why is MPPP so interested to enforce the meter car park system (I think there must be over a thousand summons each day on the island alone, this can be easily verified looking at the QUE system in place at the payment counter in Komtar) but there is hardly any fines on littering?

Is our meter car park system a tourist attraction?

Penang Stinks! - Comments by Arab Tourists

The Star, 3 May 2007: Malaysian Tourism Minister Gets First Hand Account From Tourists

Overcharging by taxi drivers and traders, stinking cabs and poor knowledge by unsmiling frontliners have marred Malaysia’s image among Arab tourists.

This feedback from Arab travel agents has left Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor red in the face.

He lamented that taxi drivers, sometimes, could not answer basic questions, like what the weather was like and queries on exchange rates.

“Sometimes, the taxis even stink!” he said, adding that he also received complaints from tour agencies here that the beaches in Penang and Kota Kinabalu were polluted with rubbish and sewage.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Malaysia has won an award as this year’s top choice summer holiday destination for United Arab Emirates (UAE) residents. (???!!)

Muslims - By Force

Al-Jazeera reports:-

Islamic authorities in Malaysia have removed a baby girl from her father's home and placed her mother in a religious rehabilitation centre in what has become the latest case to highlight the country's fragile racial and religious balance.

The case of 15-month-old Divya Darshini, and her mother, Revathi Masoosai, has cast light on the conflict between two parallel legal systems – civil and shariah - in multi-ethnic Malaysia.

Born as Siti Fatimah to a Muslim family, Revathi initially sought to legally change her name before deciding to marry the man she loved, Suresh Veerapan, in a Hindu rite in 2004.

Divya, was born about a year later.

But Malaysian law does not recognise marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims and in March religious officials, acting within Malaysian law, removed the child from Suresh's home and handed her over to Revathi's family.

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