Malaysia's Culture Minister speaks his mind

Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim shows the world how graceful and polite Malaysian ministers are



If this is how a minister talks (Culture Minister, no less!) I am sure many visitors will think twice before they ever visit Malaysia again! Thanks Rais for showing everyone how nice Malaysians can be!!

JR: I am sick... and its not swine flu

On a lighter note, watch this video on what could have happened to Teoh Beng Hock, you don't need to understand another language (German), unlike our esteemed Culture Minister.

On another note, the world watches if Malaysia will cane Muslim woman caught drinking beer

Explosive Letter Reveals The Truth Behind Beng Hock's Death

Letter purpotedly by MACC officers reveal the truth behind Beng Hock's death

The mysterious letter which derailed the Teoh Beng Hock inquest on Wednesday purportedly implicates the Deputy Director of Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer and an Ex-Mentri Besar of Selangor in the mishap.

The letter, which was published in several news portals, was allegedly written by lower-ranking MACC officers, accusing the two men of having conspired to topple the Selangor government by conducting a witch-hunt of its leaders, which indirectly resulted in Teoh’s tragic death.

It also accused the MACC officer of having protected the politician when he was in power before the Pakatan Rakyat coalition took over Selangor.

According to the letter, the officer had received many kickbacks as payment for his service to the politician.

One incriminating accusation in the letter is about the method the officer used as his interrogation technique – by holding the front portion of a person’s belt and lifting him several times before shaking him.


MACC chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan with his good friend Nazri - can Malaysians expect MACC who are so palsy-walsy with UMNO politicians to show some balls?

Ahmad Said: We are under a lot of pressure

NST: Molotov cocktails hurled at MACC vehicle

Malaysiakini: There is hope in a few good men in MACC

Permatang Pasir By-Election: BN serves up a lame duck

Nazri: MACC under BN's order to investigate Penang state government as by-election hots up

Berita Malaysia: MACC is in an all-out war against corruption Pakatan.

Natural defence against swine flu

Swine Flu is all over the media right now - and with good reason. Over the past few years, viruses are getting more resilient and harder to fight off. As the military prepares troops and supplies for an upcoming battle - you too need to prepare your body and supply it with what it needs to fight this potential pandemic.

Get Your Sleep

Sleep is the body' s biggest immunity booster. During the sleeping hours is when our body repairs and restores itself from the stresses of the day. Long known by experts, sleep is essential to good health .... and now sleep is essential to a healthy survival. Get as much sleep as you can and listen to your body. When you are tired, hit the lights and catch some zzz's. (See resources section below on ways to get better sleep).

Drink Green Tea

Known as a tea with one of the highest antioxidant levels out there, green tea is a super food for good health. With the Swine Flu looming, try and drink a cup (or more) of green tea a day and you will help ready your immune system for battle.

Take Garlic

Garlic is another ancient super food that wards off viruses. As everyone knows, too much garlic can be odor offensive. A much nicer version is to take odorless garlic pills. Take at least 3 a day (I like the brand Kwai - you can find it on any health food website) with a meal.

Don't Freak

Yes, Swine Flu is all over the news. But you don't need to follow the story every second of the day. Anxiety and stress will lower your immune system and right now you need to build it up! Limit your exposure to stress and when you begin feeling anxeity about potentially contracting this flu, do something for yourself that relaxes you...(take a walk, chat with a friend, take a long bath, etc.)


Latest: Transfer factors may be the best defense your body needs against swine flu

BN using Gestapo tactics on Opposition

TV clip shows shocking manhandling of Pakatan representative

RM4 Billion PKFZ scandal - does MACC investigate? NO!
RM25 Million mansion of Ex-Mentri Besar - does MACC investigate? NO!

RM2 Thousand alleged bribe involving Pakatan representative - does MACC investigate? YES!

OK, to be fair MACC does actually investigate BN politicians, however they tend to get acquitted

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang today slammed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as the Gestapo for its high-handed manner in targeting Opposition members.

The special assistant to Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu for the Barisan Nasional-held Sungai Pelek constituency was injured during a scuffle with MACC officers outside his office yesterday.

NTV7 today showed shocking moments when MACC men mishandled Pakatan representative Wong Chuan How outside his own office. After struggling Wong was seen falling and had to be stretchered away from his office.



I suppose now every Malaysian can guess what happened to Teoh Beng Hock.
It looks clear now how Najib's 1Malaysia works.

Watch this video to see how it could have happened!

Latest: MACC blasted by Hishammuddin for not investigating top BN leaders (is he talking about OTK or Ex-Mentri Besar?)

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...