Latest Malaysia

Nuclear energy – a no go for malaysia

2011-04-03T00:33:00.000+08:00

In thestar 19.03.11 article ‘time for nuclear review’, I noted there are some points pointed out by the Pemandu that nuclear plan is in fact more beneficial than harmful. However I’m quite sceptical on this as Pemandu says that Malaysia is not in an earthquake belt so housing a nuclear reactor in not problem. I would like to link this situation in Thailand as the country was not located on the earthquake belt but its island – Phuket was hit by tsunami in 2004. So it’s quite irrelevant so say that Malaysis is a safe country, not affected by earthquake or tsunami. But bear in mind that coastal areas are most vulnerable if the earthquake or tsunami strikes. Besides, the nuclear reactor needs a lot of water for its cooling system and the nuclear plant has to be stationed near the coastline which has abundant of water. Apart from location, there are external forces that might disrupt the electricity supply by the nuclear plant like flood, earthquake, or even tsunami. One of the examples is the back-up generator to the water pump in Fukushima Daiichi plant damaged by tsunami, causing the nuclear reactor to overheat, forcing the engineers to vent the nuclear core, thus releasing radioactive into the air. Besides, the crops surrounding the plant have also been exposed to radiation, not fit for human consumption. Furthermore, our land is fertile and we just can’t afford to allow any radioactive contamination on our soil as it would cause harm to our plantation and forest. So there is too much uncertainty on the safety of the nuclear plant even if all the security measures are taken into consideration in constructing and operating the nuclear site.

Another comment by pemandu is that renewable energy is not always available and is constrain by natural forces like solar is only available on daytime. However there is one article on wikepedia which states that there in fact storage for electricity like molten salt which is low cost and can deliver heat at temperatures compatible with conventional power systems. Another alternative is storing excess electricity generated from the solar in rechargeable battery for off-grid photovoltaics (PV) or to transmission grid for grid-tied systems just like our electricity transmission grid.

Besides I would like the government explore more avenue to generate electricity using natural gas. As we know our country has abundant gas reserve – 2.35 trillion cu m compared to oil reserve of 2.9 billion bbl. Why not more gas-powered plant being built to utilise the abundant gas reserve we have had rather than exporting the gas for higher profit margin.

Besides I noted oil palm residue like empty fruit bunch or tree trunk could be used for biomass. The government should give incentives in the form of grant to get the biomass power plant going. Besides this is one of the ways to cut carbon emission rather than letting the residue emitting the greenhouse gas to the environment. This measure is in-line with the government’s economy transformation programme (ETP) and the government have to allocate more funds rather than private funding by the independent millers and plantation companies.

Sex Tape Anwar's Defence against Sodomy Charge?

2011-04-03T00:19:00.000+08:00

Once more PKR and their allies have failed to show any sense of leadership or resourcefulness in the face of allegations that a tape purportedly showing Anwar having sex with a woman is in fact Anwar.

If this tape purportedly showing Anwar Ibrahim having sex with a woman (a foreign prostitute as the article in the Star Malaysia claims her to be) then there are two scenarios the first of which would go in favour of Anwar in his trial on the charge of sodomy.

If Anwar is a closet homosexual then surely any half baked psychiatrist will tell you that his propensity to willingly perform a sexual act with a woman prostitute or otherwise would be next to nil.

In this video the report claims he was engaging in sex in various positions for a considerable period of time. If that were the case it would further go to show he was actually enjoying the encounter which would be repulsive to a homosexual or someone with the propentsity to engage in anal sex with males.

Anwar's defence though may not succeed in having this tape admitted into evidence in the sodomy trial for the simple fact they have allowed themselves in their vanity to walk into a trap of their own making.

By opposing the admissibility of more cogent and real evidence in the DNA which they claim was improperly obtained (and perhaps so) they now cannot seek in their client's defence against the charge of sodomy to admit evidence favourable to his case because it is also improperly obtained.

Herein lies the problem of Malaysia's opposition. None of Anwar's lawyers have demonstrated to date the requisite skills for good robust litigation.

In the end Anwar iss the victim of the vanity of those around him. And in truth that is perhaps also the case of "Birds of a feather". A sorry sage in Malaysia's political history.

A question though that remains to be answered is this. How does anyone know such details of the woman on the tape having sex with the male purporting to be Anwar if the provenance of the tape is hiterhto unknown? Clearly someone knows more than is being admitted.

BENEFITS of Having a Nuclear Plant

2011-04-03T00:17:00.000+08:00

What benefits can a normal citizen derive from nuclear power?

I know.

1. CHEAP Electricity....MY FOOT, Did anyone hear ANYONE said that? Can I be the First person to say this: Maybe 0.02 sen per MW/h?

2. CHEAPER PRODUCTS from factories due to LOWER Electricity COST... MY FOOT Again, solve Item 1 first before you can even talk about the word 'CHEAP'.

3. LESS BLACKOUTS....wah, I DARE NOT SAY. Maybe MORE.

4. LUCRATIVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES...Parents, Start sending your kids for Nuclear Education overseas, LOCAL education institutions also can, No Problem.

5. MORE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES...hey otyew, get ready for your burger stall. I want to sell minced meat too.

6. PLENTY OF JOB OPENINGS when Ground-breaking commences....Ya, BUT NOT for you locals. Contractors GO RECRUIT MORE FOREIGNERS FOR THE HARD LABOUR. NO NEED any resume at all. Filthily Handsome Profits.

7. CHEAP Bungalow land around NUKE vicinity. Where? HOW Cheap? Who want to buy?

8. DRIVE MORE LUXURIOUS HYBRID-CARS, because of lower electricity charges, EVERYONE CAN DRIVE. Back to Item 1.

9. NO FEAR OF NUKE DEPLETION.....ARE YOU SURE?. How do they dig for Uranium? Any different from China's coal mines? Imagine living on a piece of land burrowed by Uranium mine-channels.

10. WE NEED TO GO SOLAR. Dump all import duties on Solar products, I will be the FIRST one to disconnect from TNB's power grid (and greed). Next on the list, dozens of my friends and relatives.

Interlok

2011-04-03T00:16:00.000+08:00

Interlok is not just any book...it has sparked so much of controversy and yet the government wants to continue publishing it. The opinions and the stand of the Indian community has been simply shoved aside; showing great disrespect to the community. I do not think this is how anyone would like to be treated. If there is going to be changes (which means reprinting), there is obviously no harm in getting another novel that does not have such controversies. Is there ulterior motives? Our country is a multiracial country and of different religion. We lived in harmony for so many years; why stir up racial sentiments now?! We are 1Malaysia...not 1Race!

RON97 up by 20 sen tomorrow to RM2.70 a litre

2011-04-03T00:06:00.000+08:00

Well, according to a report, the pump price for RON97 petrol is to be hiked by 20 sen a litre effective midnight, bringing it back to the RM2.70 per litre mark.

This makes it the fourth increase in four months for RON97, which has its price determined by a market float, with the jump to RM2.30 on December 1 last year followed by a 10 sen increase to RM2.40 per litre on January 5 and another 10 sen to RM2.50 on February 1.

The report in The Malaysian Insider quotes that an industry source said that the confirmation notice was sent out this evening about the 20 sen rise. No surprise with the hike happening, given that the price of crude oil has rocketed of late.

Update: It’s confirmed that the pricing of RON95 will remain unchanged at RM1.90 per litre – RON95 and diesel were last hiked on December 4 last year.

New body proposed to monitor new drivers

2011-04-03T00:02:00.000+08:00

What is the use of those 25-30 hours of classes before a person is given P license? Oh right, they allow us to do our own thing and even sleep in class. Now they want to spend more money? Why not evaluate the effectiveness of our current system and improve on that?

Mr Bung (BN-Kinabatangan), why not monitor the classes and the teachers 1st?

The extracted news this morning:-

KUALA LUMPUR: A lawmaker proposed that the government set up a special body to monitor newly licensed drivers over a certain period to ascertain whether they are competent and safe drivers.

Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said having such a body might help reduce fatalities from road accidents which were currently on the rise.

"Let them (new licensed drivers) know the responsibility of driving a vehicle, as our own family members, relatives or ourselves can be the victims of road accidents.

"But there is no monitoring, so when people get their licence, some think they are champions and drive any way they like.

AirAsia chief conferred CBE

2011-04-02T23:51:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes has added another feather to his cap – he received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) award from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Congratulations Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes! Keep it up and may you be blessed with many more successes. Our country needs more people like you to show others that we too have such brilliant and capable entrepreneurs amongst us.

Street beggar - ask for $$$ will you give?

2011-01-26T01:51:00.001+08:00

Like some time some stranger might approach you and ask u whether can give some money?

It happens to me a few times, i got give a few times la..

This one latest, is when this auntie ask 10 cents from me. At first she ask from another girl, but the girl shun her off.

Then she ask me, but i gave 20 cents and she said thank you and walked away.

Seriously, i don know what can she do with the 20 cents anyway?

Have u ever give money to strangers in the street b4?

Somali pirates to be handed over to our police (news headline)

2011-01-26T01:48:00.000+08:00

Dear fellow bloggers: Have you read today's papers? It seems that our BN-led govt. is so humanitarian to accord Somali pirates a wonderful "5-star hotel" stay on our shores, courtesy of the M'sian police and prisons' authority. I can understand the terrible conditions in Somalia, where in M'sia conditions are much, much better here. I guess they will be so thankful to be in M'sian prisons that our prisons will be like hotels to them, compared to their own war-torn country. So, fellow tax-payers, our money is feeding such scums as these pirates... spending their time in our prisons... Any comments

PROTON vs TEAM LOTUS

2011-01-26T01:44:00.001+08:00

The Star Online. Published: Tuesday January 25, 2011 MYT 12:55:00 PM. Proton vs. Team Lotus: UK trial starts March 21, first round to Tony.

“KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Tony Fernandes' Formula 1 team, Team Lotus, has won the first round of the UK court battle with Proton.

Proton, the national car manufacturer which owns the Lotus-Renault team, had claimed that Fernandes' group had no right to use the Lotus name.”

Malaysian Vs Malaysian - This case is just a stun to a put Malaysia’s F1 Team in the limelight; in the international arena.

This is a clear case of Malaysia Boleh! Anything can happen; in a race for supremacy. It is not uncommon where the rich and famous uses their wealth to square off with the ignorant and hard-headed bunch.

Whatever the outcome will be come this March I hope to see 2 Malaysian F1 Team at the starting box. Either looser may use Water Lilly to their name.

What’s in a name hah?

Public Transportation: Singapore vs Kuala Lumpur

2011-01-13T01:12:00.000+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq3FqnIDx8k&list=PLF82DC22675EB84E7&index=11&playnext=10

Compare the rankings. Compare the scores. This video speaks it all.

The moral of the story: Just like George W. Bush, RapidKL deserve a pair of shoes from every single passenger in this world.

Agree??

MyKad Fraudulent - Easier nowadays??

2011-01-13T01:07:00.001+08:00

LEE of Petaling Jaya, who lost his original MyKad seven years ago.

"Over the past two years, I have lodged four police reports on fraudulent usage of my MyKad which I believe has been cloned or tampered with," says LEE who, however, cannot rule out it could have been perpetuated with the misuse of his lost card.

"The first incident came to my attention in 2009 when I was informed by a bank officer I had an account with another bank at its branch in my hometown of Taiping, Perak. The bank in Taiping, after investigating, confirmed my MyKad was used illegally."

LEE says early last year, he received a letter from a lawyer representing a telco reminding him to settle payments for two handphone numbers.

"Those two numbers were subscribed without my knowledge and so I filed a second police report."

In the middle of last year, his father in Taiping informed him someone came calling there to collect rental which LEE allegedly owed to a property owner in Bukit Antarabangsa, Kuala Lumpur, again something he has no knowledge of. That led to a third police report.

Most recently, LEE received a call from an officer from the telco in which he had supposedly subscribed two mobile numbers, to inform him that his name had been blacklisted by another telco.

Why is it so easy for MyKad to be used illegally ? Can’t the officer in charge verify the validity of the fraudulent MyKad used by irresponsible person ?

Will Malaysia Ever Stop Playing Racial Cards?

2011-01-13T01:04:00.000+08:00

Mahathir set a good example by 'NOT' playing racial cards?Why some still play racial cards? Why some want to stir racial hatred in an indirect way?

Is anyone hoping the abolishment of affirmative action will be delay so they can continue to enjoy the cronies benefit at the expense of poor people, regardless of ethnic?

"This would have made it impossible for Malays to own business or residential properties. “Perhaps the non-Malays can, but if the property is developed for sale to non-Malays, Kampung Baru will disappear as an area for Malays.” he said.

To ensure that Malays stayed in Kampung Baru, one condition imposed on developers was that they were required to not only pay for the land but also to provide residents with business premises and housing in the newly-developed Kampung Baru. “This once again would increase the development cost.”

Malay developers could not undertake such a project and non-Malay developers were not interested as the purchasing power of Malays was low, he said.

Dr Mahathir said that even today, many Malays were not able to buy houses and shops allotted to them.

He hoped that the Government would be able to rebuild Kampung Baru so visitors would not see Malays in poverty in their own country."

CHIA BUANG HING - This guys was lucky...or else will part of statistics in Malaysia

2011-01-12T02:25:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Four police constables claimed trial at a Magistrate's court here Tuesday to charges of causing hurt to businessman Chia Buang Hing.

The four constables charged were Mohd Azwan Hassan, Norzali Rosle, Ahmad Saifullah Osman and Alizulhafiz Abdul Ghafar.

Another policeman, Lans Kpl Mahadi Adam, also claimed trial in the same court to a charge of disobeying an order under the Police Act 1967, relating to the same incident.

No bail was imposed on all five men.

Chia, 34, had alleged that he was beaten up by policemen who also took RM13,000 of his money, after they stopped him at a roadblock, at 11pm on Dec 18 last year. He was travelling from his home in Tropicana to Kota Damansara.

He alleged that the policemen also ordered him to make a false report that he had been injured in a car accident and that, if he refused, they would plant a blood-stained machete or drugs in his car.

The businessman was remanded Dec 19-22 over two offences possession of drugs and machete and he was allowed to see his lawyer.

Points to all, base on all the aggresive behaviour, unfair treatment, double standards of response, double standards of prosecution, poor-discipline, poor manners, arrogant leadership and poor performance.

Lets make a questionaires, on how and what is your perception on Malaysia's Polis DiRaja Malaysia:

a) Do you trust the police in solving your problem?

b) Do you think PDRM is efficient and capable?

c) Do you think PDRM is biased?

d) If you are robbed, hand bang snatched or house break-in, do you think your local PDRM can solve the problem?

e) Do you think, PDRM can stop gangsterism and triad activities in school or your localities?

f) Whenever you are stop for traffic, what do expect/intention of the policemens?

g) Gamblings and prostitution exist, is there any concerntrated effort to prevent these activities? Raiding these dens is not the only solutions. If PDRM is able to be force which works with citizen/society and respect civilian, to stop vices.

h) Do you feel any respects from Policemens towards citizens?

i) Do you feel like, to respect our Police or you feel insulted with such force?

j) Can they be a person/force which Malaysian feel proud and honoured?

k) Is the PDRM around, when the time, citizen needed their presence?

Above shall be enough to gage Malaysian's perception towards PDRM and it's personnel.

Penang Boleh...syabas..We are proud of you Tuan Lim Guan Eng!

2011-01-12T02:22:00.000+08:00

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 11 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng touted today his administration as proof that Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) 100-day promises would not bankrupt government coffers.

He said that since PR took over Penang in 2008, it had executed various welfare programmes but still achieved record budget surpluses.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had scoffed at PR’s 100-day reform programme, saying it was “too good to be true.”

But Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended the plan today, stating that it would only cost RM19 billion that would come from cutting out corruption.

Lim echoed this by claiming that Penang had hit a record RM88 million surplus in 2008 and RM77 million in 2009 through “the dividends of anti-corruption” measures.

At a press conference this morning, he pointed out that the state’s administration had been praised by both Transparency International and the Auditor-General who had also rated Penang as the best managed state.

The DAP secretary-general also said that it was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala who had first pointed out that Malaysia would go bankrupt in 2019 under current economic practices.

Lim also listed a number of programmes under his administration which he said was paid for through the budget surplus:

• RM11.3 million in allocations in 2010 for religious, Chinese and Tamil schools;

• RM100 water rebate per family costing RM17 million in 2008 and 2009;

• Elimination of hardcore poverty by ensuring each household had an income of at least RM500 a month;

• RM100 per year in special payments to senior citizens above the age of 60 costing RM20 million a year;

• Funeral allowance of RM1,000 for Penang residents.

The chief minister claimed that these programmes “were never executed under BN’s 51-year rule but was done in the three years that PR has governed.”

He said that no PR-governed state had gone bankrupt.

PR has promised that if it takes over federal government, it would implement a number of reforms and initiatives within the first 100 days of taking power.

These include an RM500 per month incentive for teachers, maintaining fuel subsidies and eliminating toll for highways.

This is a short sentence. We are proud of you Mr.Lim.

We promised, we will deliver the votes to you, for the good things you've done for Penangite. You've made Penang so much systematic, cleaner and proud among the Malaysian.

Good-bye and rest in pieces to those Kaki Bodeks.

Penang Boleh...I'm proud of Penang and all Penangite that made the changes. Keep the right person in office and good riddance to the Patung-Patung.

PM: Government will not tolerate anyone making racist remarks

2010-08-29T00:36:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has warned the people against spreading “half-truths” on racial issues and said the Government has zero tolerance of racist remarks.

“We are aware of some SMSes that have been going around, (in which the content) is not accurate and is intended to raise (racial) sentiments,” he said.

Najib emphasised that action would be taken against those who made remarks that were racist in nature and unlawful, and also against those who vandalised places of worship such as churches or surau.

“Let’s not have people who spin the issue racially, as if we practise selective prosecution,” he said after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at PWTC here yesterday evening.

Earlier in the day, Najib said the Government had zero tolerance for racist remarks by anyone.

“Our stand is not to tolerate racist remarks by anyone. Unity is very important as part of our nation building,” Najib said during a dialogue session with youths at the Barisan Nasional Youth Lab programme here.

Najib, however, added that alleged racist remarks must first be investigated before action was taken.

He was responding to concerns from the floor of recent racially-based remarks made by two school principals against the Chinese and Indian communities.

Barisan Youth chairman Khairy Jamaluddin presented the Youth Lab report. More than 7,500 youths had been engaged in formulating the ideas since March.

On calls to amend the Internal Security Act (ISA) to ensure it was not abused, Najib said the days of “scare politics” or using the ISA to wield power and show that one was in full control were gone.

He also agreed to the lab’s suggestion for a special 1Malaysia Fund to support youth programmes that encouraged inter-racial relationships and also supported the idea of having have minimum wage for certain sectors.

To a question on press freedom, Najib said the media had more latitude today and was given more space.

But he said they must be very careful in their reports to ensure the truth was not twisted and racial flames were not ignited.

On his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Najib said some were out to “divide” them although they were “one government.”

Teo to apologise to Sultan over surau gaffe

2010-08-29T00:32:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Serdang Member of Parliament Teo Nie Ching said she would seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to apologise and explain her presence at a surau in Kajang on Sunday.

Her presence at the Al-Huda Surau in Kajang Sentral where she allegedly gave a talk in the prayer area has come under fire from various quarters.

Teo said in a statement that she had gone to the surau with the intention of handing over a Selangor government donation for repair of the fencing and to join in the breaking of fast with the surau committee and congregation.

"As I was invited to say a few words, I sincerely explained an education programme of the state government for the benefit of the people of Selangor.

"I regret that this matter has caused anxiety among Muslims and that the issue has been played up by certain quarters for political reasons," she said. Teo stressed that her visit to the surau was not politically motivated and she had no intention to cause the sanctity of mosques and surau to be questioned.

She welcomed the advice and suggestions from all quarters on the matter and vowed to exercise greater caution so as not to create discomfort and misunderstanding among Muslims in the future.

Teo's presence at the surau led the sultan to direct the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (MAIS) to take immediate action against the surau committee which, according to a report, has been suspended.

In SHAH ALAM, Selangor Umno Youth Saturday sent a memorandum to Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim on the matter.

Its information chief, Safarizul Mustafa, said what Teo did should not be taken lightly because it went against the sultan's stated desire to uphold the sanctity of mosques and surau.

"We take seriously the matter of non-Muslim politicians and other individuals giving speeches at mosques and surau in Selangor as it is tantamount to ignoring the sensitivities of Muslims and can undermine public order and security," he told reporters.

Safarizul said the memorandum, among other things, called on the Selangor government to expel Datuk Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali as the chairman of the State Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Committee for having allegedly failed to advise a non-Muslim elected representative of the DAP accordingly.

It also called for the chairman and members of the surau committee and the imam who had invited Teo and allowed her to give a talk to be expelled immediately.

In YAN (Kedah), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom today advised mosque and surau committees to refer to the respective state Islamic affairs councils on the matter of permitting non-Muslims into Muslim houses of worship.

He said every state had its guidelines in the matter and the mosque or surau committee or management should adhere to these regulations and not act arbitrarily.

Other houses of worship also had guidelines on allowing people of other religions into the premises, he told reporters after presenting tithes to poor people.

"We have no problem allowing people of other religions into mosques or surau. Some of our mosques allow non-Muslim tourists to enter their premises but have guidelines, such as women having to wear a headscarf and so on," he said.

In KEPALA BATAS, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said all elected representatives should be more sensitive in matters concerning religion to avert tension among the races.

They should have an understanding of religious and racial harmony so as not to cause ill-feelings which could undermine it, Abdullah, who is the MP for Kepala Batas, told reporters after presenting Aidilfitri aid for the Pinang Tunggal state constituency.

In BESUT, the Religious Advisor to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin, asked Muslim leaders in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat to advise their colleagues from the DAP to observe the rules on the use of Muslim houses of worship such as mosques and surau.

He said Islam required that women entering houses of worship should use a headscarf.

He also said that people of other religions should not enter the prayer area but could present donations or give speeches outside of it.

In IPOH, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said houses of worship should not be used to spread political influence in the personal or party interest.

He spoke to reporters after addressing a multi-religious prayer session attended by about 600 people of various religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism and Taoism, in conjunction with the 53rd anniversary of independence on Tuesday.

Azmin takes over as Selangor PKR chief from Khalid

2010-06-27T19:57:00.000+08:00

SHAH ALAM: PKR vice-president Azmin Ali has been appointed as the party’s Selangor chief replacing Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Azmin’s position as a Federal territory party chief has been taken over by PKR supreme council member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

Although the move is seen by many as a compromise to stop the attacks against Khalid by Azmin’s purported supporters, party leaders said it was to allow Khalid to concentrate on the state administrative and economic development.

PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who announced the change said Khalid had asked not to be burdened with party responsibilities so that he could concentrate more on state affairs.

DAP wins Sibu with majority of 398

2010-05-16T23:49:00.000+08:00

A crowd of 3,000 gather outside the main tally centre at Dewan Suarah to celebrate DAP's victory in Sibu. They shout, "Dacing tipu".

Independent Narawi Haron forfeited his RM10,000 deposit for failing to obtain at least one-eighth of the total vote cast.

The Election Commission has revised the voter turnout. It now says the turnout was 70% instead of 59.86% (which is higher than the 68% in the 2008 general elections).

Votes cast - 37,919 votes
Turnout - 70%
Spoilt votes - 395 votes
Majority - 398 votes
Postal votes - 2,429 votes

MCA Polls: Live updates - Soi Lek is new MCA president

2010-03-29T00:37:00.001+08:00

7pm: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is the new MCA president.

The former MCA deputy president polled 901 votes. His nearest challenger was Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who received 833 votes while incumbent party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat garnered 578 votes.

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek celebrates with his wife Datin Seri Wong Sek Hin after winning the MCA presidency.

Dr Chua says he would be “inclusive” and practise collective leadership as the new party president.

Deputy: In the straight fight for the deputy presidency, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai won over Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. Liow received 1,171 votes to Kong’s 1,106 votes.

Vice-presidents: Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen (1528 votes), Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai (1469), Datuk Chor Chee Heung (1202) and Gan Ping Sieu (1202).

Central Committee Members
1. Lee Chee Leong - 1,430
2. Hou Kok Chung - 1,312
3. Heng Seai Kie - 1,267
4. Wee Jeck Seng - 1,175
5. Toh Chin Yaw - 1,142
6. Tee Siew Kiong - 1,141
7. Gan Tian Loo - 1,117
8. Tan Chai Ho - 1,114
9. Ong Ka Chuan - 1,104
10. Lee Wei Kiat - 1,100
11. Loh Seng Kok - 1,086
12. Hoh Khai Mun - 1,077
13. Liew Yuen Keong - 1,059
14. Tan Cheng Liang - 1,054
15. Koh Nai Kwong - 1,040
16. Por Choo Chor - 1,037
17. Tan Ken Ten - 999
18. Kong Sing Chu - 981
19. Chong Itt Chew - 975
20. Yoo Wei How - 974
21. Tan Ah Eng - 969
22. Wong Koon Mun - 953
23. Ti Lian Ker - 929
24. Teh Kim Poo - 864
25. Chuah Poh Khiang - 851

6.30pm: Incumbent MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat arrives at Wisma MCA to await the election results.

6pm: Candidates start arriving at Wisma MCA. Presidential candidate Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting arrives with deputy president hopeful Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai arrive at about 6.10pm.

5.45pm: There is a tie for the 25th Central Committee post (only 25 seats are available). Gan Hong Su and Datuk Alex Chuah Poh Khiang are called to the stage. They ask for a recount.

5.15pm: MCA delegates file back into Wisma MCA to await election results.

Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen arrives at the party Hq to say thanks to her supporters, an indication that she may have won her bid for a vice-president’s post.

5.10pm: Vote-counting for vice-president posts ends, counting for the deputy president post begins. Some scrutineers also start counting votes for the keenly contested three-way fight for the president’s post.

Some candidates for the 25 Central Committee posts are seen shaking hands with their supporters, who applaud, shortly after CC vote-count completed. There were 86 candidates who contested for the posts.

4.30pm: Vote-counting for Central Committee members end. Tallying for the four vice-presidential posts begins.

3.40pm: Scores of supporters are at the second and third floors of Wisma MCA witnessing the counting inside Dewan San Choon via live telecast. The crowd is expected to grow as results time draws near.

2.00pm: Counting begins.

1.50pm: 2,315 ballot papers were given out. This means that three delegates out of the 2,318 who registered did not collect the ballot papers. The ballot papers are now being given out to the scrutineers

1.30pm: Ong Tee Keat and his team leave Nikko Hotel. He is limping, not fully recovered from his Achilles' heels operation. He has skipped physiotherapy for two weeks.

1.25pm: Ballot boxes being opened and the ballot papers being separated by MCA staff

1.20pm: MCA administration chief Lim Chin Hai says scrutineers have been divided into 24 groups. They are not allowed to leave the hall until counting ends. The counting will start with central committee posts. The tally for the president’s post will be the last one.

1.15pm: Yik goes up to the stage

1.00pm: Scrutineers asked to put their handphones in envelopes. MCA staff will hold the handphones for them until counting ends.

12.40pm: Chua Soi Lek, Loh Seng Kok, Tee Siew Keong and Chong Itt Chew leave Nikko Hotel after lunch. Kong Cho Ha has just left. Donald Lim is still in the hotel. So are Ong Tee Keat and his people.

12.30pm: EGM is adjourned.

12.15pm: Voting process ends. The ballot boxes are being sealed. Counting to begin after 1pm.

12.05pm: Central delegates have finished voting. Now the scrutineers, who are also central delegates, are voting.

11.30am: Ka Ting says MCA elections are smooth and orderly and that he is happy with the delegates’ turnout. He says it shows that all delegates value unity and harmony.

Hundreds of campaigners who thronged the hallways leave, leaving the party HQ seemingly deserted.

11.10am: Ka Ting leaves the hall after casting his vote. He will return after the tally to hear the results later today.

10.31am: Voting begins.

10.30am: Registration ends. 2,318 (97.52%) out of 2,377 central delegates have registered.

10.08am: Yik calls party general assembly to order. Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon appointed Chief Scrutineer by the election steering committee. There are 48 scrutineers.

10.06am: Yik said 2,316 (97.43%) out of 2,377 central delegates had registered to vote by 10am.

10.05am: Media asked to leave the voting hall. Speaker Datuk Yik Phooi Hong takes the stage to start the EGM and polls.

10.00am: Central delegates taking their seats.

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA elections is on today and all eyes are on the three-cornered fight for the presidency that is too close to call.

Today, 2377 delegates will make the decision that will chart the future course of the party.

Sodomy II: Pakatan MPs join Aussie counterparts, want charge dropped

2010-02-18T16:24:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat MPs will be
submitting a memorandum to the Government
calling for the sodomy charge against their
leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be dropped.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Pakatan MPs
were united with their Australian counterparts.
"The memorandum will ... call for the Prime
Minister, Government and the Attorney-
General to drop the charge against Anwar," he
told reporters at the Jalan Duta Court
Complex Thursday.
Lim also called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Tun Razak to convene an emergency
Parliamentary meeting on the sodomy charge
as the matter involved the country's
reputation.
"We need to be clear on Parliament's position
on the matter. The charge needs to be
dropped," said the Ipoh Timur MP.
PAS vice-president and Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz
Omar claimed the case was an "evil
conspiracy," hence the need for the
memorandum.
Batu MP and PKR strategic director Tian Chua
said MPs had a universal responsibility in the
democractic system to defend justice and
human rights.
DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the
memorandum would most likely be sent to the
Attorney-General.
"The AG should drop the case. In my mind, the
charge is groundless. The medical evidence is
clear. Three doctors from the KL Hospital have
reported that there is no conclusive findings of
penetration," he said.
About 50 Australian MPs from both sides of
the political divide had recently lodged a formal
protest urging Malaysia to drop the sodomy
charge in the interest of building "confidence in
the impartial rule of law in Malaysia."
The chairman of the Australian Parliament's
foreign affairs sub-committee, Michael Danby,
had delivered the letter to the Malaysian High
Commission in Canberra last Friday.
On Wednesday, about 500 people protested
outside the Australian High Commission in
Kuala Lumpur against alleged interference by
the Australian MPs.
Leading the protest was Umno Youth chief
Khairy Jamaluddin, his deputy Datuk Razali
Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club
deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin,
Perkasa president and Pasir Mas MP Datuk
Ibrahim Ali, Makkal Sakhthi's R. Thanenthiran
and MIC Youth chief T. Mohan.

Kelantan prince to seek legal recourse in Indonesia

2010-02-11T00:28:00.001+08:00

The Tengku Temenggong of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Sultan Ismail Petra plans to initiate legal action against his estranged wife Manohara Odelia Pinot and her mother Daisy Fajarina in Indonesia.

His lawyer Mohd Haaziq Pillay said he intended to do so if Manohara and her mother still did not respond to the three court judgements passed by the Malaysian syariah and civil courts last year.

Mohd Haaziq said this after he and two other lawyers, Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar and Abdul Halim Bahari, submitted documents containing the court judgements to the Indonesian Embassy here so that it could pass them on to Manohara and Daisy and advise them to abide by the judgements.

“The embassy would use its own channels to serve the papers, and a government agency’s word would carry more weight,” said Mohd Haaziq, adding that it would also facilitate their intentions of commencing further proceedings in Indonesia.

Mohd Haaziq said that the embassy would play an advising role as it had no enforcement rights and foreign laws did not apply in Indonesia.

The lawyers were met by Indonesian Minister Counsellor for Information, Social and Culture to Malaysia Widyarka Ryananta and the documents were received by Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs Amiruddin Pandjaitan.

On Tuesday, the lawyers also handed copies of the judgements to the US Embassy as Manohara’s father is a US citizen.

The lawyers said they were told that Manohara also held US citizenship.

Zainul told reporters that the embassy did not have a deadline to deliver the documents.

Both Manohara and Daisy have not responded to the judgements from both courts delivered to them in mid-November and early January.

On Nov 5 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Tengku Muhammad Fakhry a judgment-in-default in his RM105mil defamation suit against Manohara and Daisy.

On Dec 13, Kota Baru Syariah High Court judge Mohd Yusof Awang ordered Manohara to return to her husband and pay him the RM1,112,250 she borrowed from him.

The judge said the 18-year-old Indonesian former model had 14 days to return to her husband and had 30 days to return the money after Tengku Muhammad Fakhry took the Yamin Istizhar (explicit promise) oath.

The order was enforced after he took the oath in court on Jan 3.

Pakatan Rakyat - Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling

2010-02-11T00:26:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Opposition party leaders have expressed disappointment over the Federal Court’s unanimous decision to declare Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak’s rightful Mentri Besar.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng urged Barisan Nasional to dissolve the Perak state assembly and hold fresh elections.

Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, said Barisan has to restore democracy and the constitutional right of the people to determine their government.

“Any government that does not have any directly elected mandate violates the democratic principle of people’s power,” he said in a statement yesterday.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who was also at the press conference at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya yesterday, described the unanimous decision as shameful.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Pakatan Rakyat would continue its political battle to wrest Perak from the Barisan despite the Federal Court’s ruling.

He said PKR regarded the decision as a black mark in the history of the country’s judiciary.

“It definitely will not break Pakatan’s spirit in its efforts to ensure its victory in Perak in the next general election,” he said.

The party’s political bureau chief Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said the court has decided that the principles of constitutional law, parliamentary democracy and justice were subservient to political wishes.

“It means that the Malay Rulers now have an absolute power over the Chief Executive of the State.

“The Sultan now not only has the power to refuse the appointment of anyone proposed by the government of the day as the Mentri Besar that he disapproves of, he also has the power to dismiss the said Mentri Besar if he so wishes,” he said.

He said it seemed that the constitutional requirement that a constitutional head only acted on the advice of the Mentri Besar or the Prime Minister was now no longer applicable.

PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat called on the people to reject the Federal Court decision.

He said in Kota Baru that it was not wrong for the people to reject the decision because people have recently demonstrated their displeasure over a High Court decision.

He said it was not wrong to demonstrate against the decision as it was part of democracy.

Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham claimed that if fresh elections were not called, the rights of 54% of the people of Perak whom he claimed supported Pakatan, would be denied.

Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)

2010-02-11T00:25:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh accused the judge presiding over the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial of being a liar.

Karpal on Wednesday argued that trial judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah was lying when he said that evidence in relation to a bed in the Desa Damansara condominium had been given in open court.

The judge had said last Friday that he did not find any indication of contempt of court in a photograph showing Anwar’s accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan pointing to a bed that was published in a Malay daily.

Karpal is asking Justice Mohamad Zabidin to recuse himself for not cautioning the newspaper for publishing the photograph.

The defence maintains that the visit to the bedroom and condominium was part of proceedings held behind closed doors.

“There is nothing in the notes of proceedings or audio before this court to show that this detail was ever mentioned in open court.

“With much respect, your lordship did not tell the truth. We translate, you are lying. You lied and it can and has been proven that you are not being honest in court. You can’t be impartial and you can’t be unbiased.

“On those grounds, you have no alternative but to step down. It is not a mere perception but a reality. You stand condemned by your own ruling,” Karpal submitted in the recusal application before a packed courtroom Wednesday.

Anwar had on Monday applied to recuse the trial judge on the grounds that his two rulings concerning news reports of the case had raised an element of bias.

The Opposition leader, 63, claimed trial to sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful, 24, at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

Karpal said: “In this application, what is fundamental, I say without mincing my words, you are guilty of not having stated of what is the truth.”

“It is not the truth and it is a lie,” he said firmly, shocking the courtroom.

He said his role was to defend his client to the best of his ability, adding that justice must “manifestly, expressedly and undoubtedly” be seen to be done.

“It is no point blaming the foreign press for (writing about) our legal system if a judge does not deliver what is expected of him in a trial. The judiciary of this country must redeem itself in the eyes of international (observers),” he said.

He said there was no blanket immunity for judges.

“You have forfeited the right to sit down on that chair and proceed to hear the trial,” he said, stunning everyone in court.

On the trial judge dismissing his application summarily and ruling that the two articles with allegedly misleading headlines published by Utusan did not have the intention of being mischievous or to disrupt proceedings, Karpal said the judge could not come to such a conclusion on behalf of the newspaper.

Citing the Judges Code of Conduct 2009, enforced on July 1 last year, Karpal said the judge could also be subjected to disciplinary proceedings if he was found to have contravened the ethical requirement to perform his judicial duty without bias.

Lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, however, submitted that no one should carelessly argue about impartiality of a judge.

DPP Mohd Yusof said the concerned party should prove that a judge had a pecuniary interest in order to disqualify him from further hearing the trial.

“The real danger of bias has to be examined in the context of the complaint. There is real danger of bias when the public concludes your lordship will be unfair to the parties by not deciding based on evidence adduced in court, or your lordship decides on erroneous grounds,” he said in asking the court to dismiss the disqualification application.

On the photograph caption, DPP Mohd Yusof said it only referred to a room where the offence allegedly took place and that there was no dispute that the complainant went there.

“To say your lordship lied is a very strong word. You (lawyers) have to be polite. Certain ethics must be preserved,” he said.

On the contention that there were two misleading headlines in Utusan over the sodomy trial, DPP Mohd Yusof said it was “proven” through the notes of proceedings that the concerned reporter had reported the truth and that the defence owed an apology.

Justice Mohamad Zabidin set Feb 18 to deliver his decision on the recusal application, saying that he needed time to study the submissions and case law provided by both parties.

Blow-by-blow account of today's proceedings:

11.25am: Court is adjourned. Justice Mohamad Zabidin will deliver his decision on recusal application on Feb 18.

11.12am: Justice Mohamad Zabidin said he is unable to decide today. Court stands down as judge wants to see both parties in chambers to discuss on a date to deliver a decision on recusal application.

11.01am: Karpal begins responding. “If you are referring to a room, why are you pointing to a bed?” he questioned.

11.00am: Mohd Yusof describes the Utusan Malaysia "blunder" as remeh (frivolous) and expresses hope that the application to recuse the judge will be dismissed.

10.39am: He said the caption for the photograph, “Menunjukkan katil di mana tempat kejadian berlaku” does not mean alleged sodomy took place on the bed. He added that the caption meant to refer to the master bedroom where the alleged incident happened and not the bed.

10.37am: He said the Utusan Malaysia “blunder” was not committed in court and subsequently, the judge not responding to it, was not an outright dismissal. He added that it was erroneous to give an impression to the public that the judge had dismissed the motion. Quoting from the court transcript, Mohd Yusof said: “Apa sebab sebab kamu berhenti kerja?” “Sebab sebenar, saya tidak mahu diliwat lagi.”

10.20am: Mohd Yusof said reasons to disqualify the judge must come from the trial itself and not over minor things like newspaper reports adding that the complaint against Utusan Malaysia is not an issue.

He said a decision, which is adverse to one party, is not grounds to disqualify the judge. He added earlier that personal bias is when there is personal friendshp or animosity by the judge with anyone involved in the case.

“That is not the case here,” he said.

10.10am: Lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden starts addressing the court.

10.05am: Karpal said complaints in Anwar’s affidavit is over a photograph which appeared on the frontpage of Utusan Malaysia and was captioned as Mohd Saiful pointing out to the judge the bed where he was sodomised.

Karpal added there was nothing in the proceedings which mentioned “bed” as a detail during the trial.

He added that Justice Mohamad Zabidin needed to step down as he was quoted as saying that the details of the bed had been made in open court when the actual proceedings never mentioned anything about a bed.

He also questioned Justice Mohamad Zabidin’s conclusion that the Malay daily was not attacking Anwar with its headline: “Berhenti kerana tak mahu diliwat lagi”.

9.55am: In addressing Justice Mohamad Zabidin, Karpal said that impartiality must exist when presiding over a case and a judge must be honest and beyond suspicion. "Judges have the fundamental duty to be impartial, regardless of race, religion and ethnicity," he said.

9.45am: Karpal said the prosecution has replied to Anwar’s application to recuse the judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah from presiding over the trial, which in turn has been replied by the defence on Wednesday.

“Let us not waste time with the proceedings. We want to go ahead,” he tells the court.

9.40am: Court is in session.

9.21am: Anwar Ibrahim’s lead counsel Karpal Singh arrives at court. Earlier, the courtroom was slowly filling up as police checked those who wanted to enter.

RM 50 - Low quality notes!!! Pity dear fellow

2010-02-11T00:23:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: A mechanical engineer had RM200 literally “washed away” when the print on his new RM50 notes disappeared after he accidentally left his wallet in the laundry.

Yeoh Jit Shiong, 25, was shocked to find that the damaged notes were almost unrecognisable on Saturday evening.

What remained were the security threads and watermarks.

Pity to the good fellow Mr.Yeoh, arrgh CNY at the corner, end-up with some low quality water soak MYR.

In another words, MYR soak sui and lat sek. Memang malulah, papernote also can diluted by soap.

Imagine, banjir at BNM, then our notes inside there also gone teruk-teruk.

Where too find, countries with such similar notes quality like Malaysia? Maybe Zimbabwe, maybe Cuba, maybe Haiti and some low class country.

Yah, pencapaian yang hebat, duit tulen pun boleh rosak kena air.

Tak tahulah, syiling 20sen pun boleh karat nanti.

Come on, notes is a denomination of a countries economy and financial. All notes, must be able to withstand waters and trampling, as the notes has to endure trampling in pocket, bags, wallets and rain.

Yet, now!!! Just like toilet paper.