Maybe the Home Minister has forgotten that he is not in charge of Foreign Affairs anymore.
How else can he explain the absence of any police action as detailed in this malaysiakini article, against the 500 protest Israeli air strikes outside US embassy? This is located in a prominent part of KL and allowing 500 protesters to protest for an hour appears to be an irresponsible act as KL struggles to attract foreign investments.
I do not think any permit to hold this gathering was approved so why do the police act so inconsistently?
Furthermore they are not in charge of foreign relations.
Consider this appeasement with the actions given to the candle-lit vigils and the Jerit bikers who numbered not more than 50 and it is a clear indication that the police do have practice a fair implementation of their unknown rules.
Political expediency perhaps?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
malaysiakini and the KT BY-ELECTION
I concur with this malaysiakini article that any fuel price reduction will not affect voter sentiments much. In the article 'Petrol price cuts won't help BN ', the writer suggests that the Pro-opposition trend will continue.
Perhaps the more important factor would be the "bribe" of paying the oil royalty directly to the state once again but even that has limited value as the state has not yet developed programs like granting scholarships and grants to ALL poor students and families.
The usual mode of distribution is development(?) projects that enrich the few cronies via over-priced contracts.
The other aspect of fuel price adjustments is that most Malaysians know that the government is profitting from the high prices now and any miniscule adjustment is considered by the citizens as getting back a little of what is due.
BTW have you heard of any major plans to improve public transport like for JB? The new CIQ plan for bus passengers is a major disaster as they could not even provide a basic shelter for passengers who disembark at the so-called Central Bus stop.
Perhaps the more important factor would be the "bribe" of paying the oil royalty directly to the state once again but even that has limited value as the state has not yet developed programs like granting scholarships and grants to ALL poor students and families.
The usual mode of distribution is development(?) projects that enrich the few cronies via over-priced contracts.
The other aspect of fuel price adjustments is that most Malaysians know that the government is profitting from the high prices now and any miniscule adjustment is considered by the citizens as getting back a little of what is due.
BTW have you heard of any major plans to improve public transport like for JB? The new CIQ plan for bus passengers is a major disaster as they could not even provide a basic shelter for passengers who disembark at the so-called Central Bus stop.
Monday, December 29, 2008
malaysiakini and the TOP News for 2008
I have not read their list as detailed in this article Top 10 News of 2008 but here are the things I consider the most significant:
1.The beginning of the end of the USA as a world superpower. With its economy failing, the USA will lose much of its influence and will make a hasty retreat from Iraq; just like how they withdrew from Vietnam.
2.The pending demise of the BN coalition in the next elections as more moderate Malaysians realise that the BN has been in power for too long for the well-being of the nation.
3.The failure of local authorities to safeguard the safety and security of neighbourhoods as shown by the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide.
4.The rise of NGOs registered or otherwise like JERIT and the candle-lit vigils against the ISA as a sign of growing awareness among ordinary citizens to demand change in Malaysia.
5.The failure of the Prime Minister to execute the necessary reform programs for the Judiciary and the Police.
6.The inability of the federal authorities to respect and work together with states controlled by the opposition; thereby damaging the federal-state relationships.
If you have any item you consider of significance, please put in the comments section.
1.The beginning of the end of the USA as a world superpower. With its economy failing, the USA will lose much of its influence and will make a hasty retreat from Iraq; just like how they withdrew from Vietnam.
2.The pending demise of the BN coalition in the next elections as more moderate Malaysians realise that the BN has been in power for too long for the well-being of the nation.
3.The failure of local authorities to safeguard the safety and security of neighbourhoods as shown by the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide.
4.The rise of NGOs registered or otherwise like JERIT and the candle-lit vigils against the ISA as a sign of growing awareness among ordinary citizens to demand change in Malaysia.
5.The failure of the Prime Minister to execute the necessary reform programs for the Judiciary and the Police.
6.The inability of the federal authorities to respect and work together with states controlled by the opposition; thereby damaging the federal-state relationships.
If you have any item you consider of significance, please put in the comments section.
Friday, December 26, 2008
malaysiakini and the PROBLEMS of the NEW CIQ
After spending more than RM1bil on a new CIQ (the famous crooked bridge) project, it is a downright shame that we still read of basic problems that affect thousands of travellers who use the facility every day.
This letter in malaysiakini highlights the problem. In Traffic solutions needed for Johor's CIQ complex the writer suggests that the old complex should still be used for bus passengers and other pedestrians.
There are some advantages to this such as:
1.Perhaps 60% of passengers will disembark at the old checkpoint and walk to the town; thereby generating more revenue for the shops in the area.
2.There will be less congestion at the new CIQ.
I wonder if the authorities actually made any studies on how many actually left the buses at the old CIQ and how many walked the Causeway to/from Singapore.
The main problem with more passengers being handled at the old checkpoint is the flow of traffic and some security/safety issues.
For pedestrians, the new CIQ appears to be a traveller's nightmare.
I guess the old checkpoint will be converted into commercial space as part of the Crooked Bridge Project.
This letter in malaysiakini highlights the problem. In Traffic solutions needed for Johor's CIQ complex the writer suggests that the old complex should still be used for bus passengers and other pedestrians.
There are some advantages to this such as:
1.Perhaps 60% of passengers will disembark at the old checkpoint and walk to the town; thereby generating more revenue for the shops in the area.
2.There will be less congestion at the new CIQ.
I wonder if the authorities actually made any studies on how many actually left the buses at the old CIQ and how many walked the Causeway to/from Singapore.
The main problem with more passengers being handled at the old checkpoint is the flow of traffic and some security/safety issues.
For pedestrians, the new CIQ appears to be a traveller's nightmare.
I guess the old checkpoint will be converted into commercial space as part of the Crooked Bridge Project.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
malaysiakini and the SEASON of GOODWILL?
We all know that the NEP has been successful but mainly in making mostly BN cronies fabulously rich and other Bumis getting something from the trickle-down effect of mega-projects.
Meanwhile many tens of thousands of Malaysians are living close to the poverty level and many in Sarawak and Sabah don't even enjoy basic amenities.
So it is surprising that according to this malaysiakini article Gov't offers to help minority Malays in other countries and one wonders what is the rationale and purpose of such generosity?
Our own citizens are struggling to cope with rising costs and the government is so generous with taxpayers' monies.
I suggest that they should use UMNO funds if they want to start such a program.
Meanwhile many tens of thousands of Malaysians are living close to the poverty level and many in Sarawak and Sabah don't even enjoy basic amenities.
So it is surprising that according to this malaysiakini article Gov't offers to help minority Malays in other countries and one wonders what is the rationale and purpose of such generosity?
Our own citizens are struggling to cope with rising costs and the government is so generous with taxpayers' monies.
I suggest that they should use UMNO funds if they want to start such a program.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wishing ALL malaysiakini READERS "MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR"
OK the next year looks gloomy for at least another 9 months as the USA economy struggles with slow or negative growth.
You can read more details in this malaysiakini article Complacency comes at a price.
But there are many things we could be thankful for, such as:
1.We have established the basis of a 2-party system in Malaysia, though a little more work is necessary.
2.If you have a job and can service your loans, you are much better off than millions who are jobless and homeless.
3.If you are healthy enough to celebrate a little with your friends and family, that is a major blessing.
So as Christmas draws near, I wish all those who celebrate Christmas many blessings and a Happy New Year.
Thanks to YouTube friscochristmas.com
malaysiakini and the LESSONS from BUKIT ANTARABANGSA
The latest reports of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide make for grim reading. According to this malaysaikini article, 1,000 barred from returning home as homes in the vicinity of the landslide are still considered unsafe.
There are many important lessons we can learn from such a landslide. These include:
1.It is just as dangerous to live at the top as at the bottom of any hill-slope.
2.Drainage systems must be in place and properly maintained.
3.Those buying property in hilly areas must learn of the risks involved and take precautionary measures.
4.Local authorities must ensure common areas are properly maintained with annual inspections of such homes for which a fee is payable.
5.No development of hill-sides allowed unless safety issues are properly enforced.
6.All those negligent persons should be brought to justice.
There are many important lessons we can learn from such a landslide. These include:
1.It is just as dangerous to live at the top as at the bottom of any hill-slope.
2.Drainage systems must be in place and properly maintained.
3.Those buying property in hilly areas must learn of the risks involved and take precautionary measures.
4.Local authorities must ensure common areas are properly maintained with annual inspections of such homes for which a fee is payable.
5.No development of hill-sides allowed unless safety issues are properly enforced.
6.All those negligent persons should be brought to justice.
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