As 2009 draws to a close, malaysiakini's readers have responded to their selection of the Newsmaker of 2009.
It is a tragic case for both the family and all Malaysians for a young man died while in the custody of the MACC who had detained him for interrogation in a minor corruption probe.
Even the inquest has been delayed for unknown reasons and one reason given is that the second autopsy report has not been completed. This happened after the famous Thai forensics expert Dr. Porntip testified that in her expert opinion the chance of homicide and not suicide was 80%.
TBH was just an ordinary citizen going about his young life, trying to eke out a living when his existence was so cruelly snuffed out.
According to the online poll on this blog,
53% of voters believe "The Truth Will Never Be Revealed".
31% think "They were holding him outside the Window and his Pants Tore"
10% believe "The MACC Allowed a Third Party to Kill Him".
3% feel "He Committed Suicide to Protect Others"
1% are ready to "Accept the Official Version".
As malaysiakini readers respond to its choice of the 2009 Newsmaker, 'Beng Hock will have his triumph in death' there is both anger and hope. Anger that the culprits have not been caught and hope that they will bring change in the near future. Let us all pledge that cases like TBH do not recur.
I wish all readers a Happy and Healthy 2010.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
malaysiakini and the MOST LUDICROUS CLAIM of 2009..
They don't give awards for this category of news items but maybe Malaysia can start one in the concept of 1Malaysia?
The Selangor police chief is drawing a lot of public flak from malaysiakini readers in this article Ean Yong, police - 'Who is intimidating who?' after the politician made some remarks about the police in a speech.
We all know that some superficial changes were made to the police after the government baulked at the implementation of the IPCMC following the protests of some senior police officers.
We also know that many signs and badges were made against corrupt practices but I just wonder what really has changed to make the police any better compared to pre-IPCMC proposals - for one, death in police custody has not been stopped and the case is still ongoing for the TBH murder.
Surely the police have not changed from being bullies of detainees to becoming sissies?
Malaysia must be the first and only country where a senior police officer can feel intimidated by a speech from a politician. We all know the saying "The pen is mightier than the sword" - maybe the Selangor police chief fears that the truth will finally prevail and the misdeeds of many senior officers will become public knowledge.
Yes, the errant police officers should fear the public's cry for justice in Malaysia. We owe ourselves and our children that much.
The Selangor police chief is drawing a lot of public flak from malaysiakini readers in this article Ean Yong, police - 'Who is intimidating who?' after the politician made some remarks about the police in a speech.
We all know that some superficial changes were made to the police after the government baulked at the implementation of the IPCMC following the protests of some senior police officers.
We also know that many signs and badges were made against corrupt practices but I just wonder what really has changed to make the police any better compared to pre-IPCMC proposals - for one, death in police custody has not been stopped and the case is still ongoing for the TBH murder.
Surely the police have not changed from being bullies of detainees to becoming sissies?
Malaysia must be the first and only country where a senior police officer can feel intimidated by a speech from a politician. We all know the saying "The pen is mightier than the sword" - maybe the Selangor police chief fears that the truth will finally prevail and the misdeeds of many senior officers will become public knowledge.
Yes, the errant police officers should fear the public's cry for justice in Malaysia. We owe ourselves and our children that much.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
malaysiakini and Do YOU Trust the GOVERNMENT ANYMORE?
The brickbats have been flying fast and furious with the belated discovery and reporting of the missing aircraft engines.
Readers of malaysiakini claim 'AG has no credibility to promise full probe'.
Based on past experience, it seems the AG's office acts as a major damage control center cum PR for the Prime Minister's office in the manner in which major scandals are processed.
The most glaring case is the Lingam tapes scandal in which a lawyer was video-taped fixing up judicial appointments with a senior judge. The inquiry decided that enough evidence was available to take criminal action but the case ended up as a NFA file.
In case you are not familiar, NFA stands for "NO FURTHER ACTION".
I was discussing with my sis-in-law about the English to BM switch in a few years and she told me her daughter would have to make the switch in Form 4 and parents are very concerned about the disruption and are making appeals for a change in government policy.
I told her that instead of making strenous efforts to make the government change, all the parents should channel their efforts to change the government.
Vote for the opposition in the next elections.
Readers of malaysiakini claim 'AG has no credibility to promise full probe'.
Based on past experience, it seems the AG's office acts as a major damage control center cum PR for the Prime Minister's office in the manner in which major scandals are processed.
The most glaring case is the Lingam tapes scandal in which a lawyer was video-taped fixing up judicial appointments with a senior judge. The inquiry decided that enough evidence was available to take criminal action but the case ended up as a NFA file.
In case you are not familiar, NFA stands for "NO FURTHER ACTION".
I was discussing with my sis-in-law about the English to BM switch in a few years and she told me her daughter would have to make the switch in Form 4 and parents are very concerned about the disruption and are making appeals for a change in government policy.
I told her that instead of making strenous efforts to make the government change, all the parents should channel their efforts to change the government.
Vote for the opposition in the next elections.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
malaysiakini and ANUS HORIBILIS in Malaysia....
I know that Queen Elizabeth described the year as "annus horibilis" a few years back but in Malaysia, we have a case of "anus horibilis" with the Anwar sodomy case being reflective of what has gone horribly wrong with Malaysia's progress as a nation.
As we look back on the year, there have been so many problems that indicate a systemic failure in government.
If you consider that familiarity breeds contempt, it appears that the BN has become too familiar with the power of government for so many years that it treats ordinary citizens with contempt.
How else could one explain the following which is a sample of the articles in malaysiakini:
1.'Umno-linked contractors to blame' for the many building failures soon after completion. In most cases, contracts were awarded without competitive tenders. Expect some fatal injuries anytime soon - it is not a question of "if" but "when".
2.AG vows full probe on missing engines but how many of us really believe that the real masterminds will be charged in court and convicted of a serious crime? Stealing military hardware should be a case of treason and not treated like stealing a car.
As we are soon headed to a new year, I hope that 2009 has not been an "annus horibilis" for you. Make sure you register as a voter and prove to the political parties that that cannot continue their "business as usual" mind-set. If you do not change your attitude towards participating in the political process, don't expect the political parties to change.
Best wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
As we look back on the year, there have been so many problems that indicate a systemic failure in government.
If you consider that familiarity breeds contempt, it appears that the BN has become too familiar with the power of government for so many years that it treats ordinary citizens with contempt.
How else could one explain the following which is a sample of the articles in malaysiakini:
1.'Umno-linked contractors to blame' for the many building failures soon after completion. In most cases, contracts were awarded without competitive tenders. Expect some fatal injuries anytime soon - it is not a question of "if" but "when".
2.AG vows full probe on missing engines but how many of us really believe that the real masterminds will be charged in court and convicted of a serious crime? Stealing military hardware should be a case of treason and not treated like stealing a car.
As we are soon headed to a new year, I hope that 2009 has not been an "annus horibilis" for you. Make sure you register as a voter and prove to the political parties that that cannot continue their "business as usual" mind-set. If you do not change your attitude towards participating in the political process, don't expect the political parties to change.
Best wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
All I Want for CHRISTMAS is ......
It's that time of the year and having such a nice present will certainly brighten up my Christmas holiday.Just imagine what the neighbours will think. Definitely a hard act to follow. All I need are the rest of the parts of the plane as the main part, the engine is available. Maybe it was put for sale on mudah.com.my.
With a headline like Stolen jet engine 'tip of the iceberg' we should be worried about the rest of the Defense Ministry.
Maybe our tanks have been replaced with card-board models with recorded sounds of the engine so that anyone who checks it out will decide that it sounds like a tank engine.
Anyone looking for a missing submarine? Since we bought the "silent" type you won't be able to detect it using listening devices.
And the authorities are still thinking about using nuclear power? I'm OK with that if it is located within one mile of the PM's residence.
Friday, December 18, 2009
malaysiakini and BANK NEGARA'S Complicity in MONEY LAUNDERING?
The headline says it all in malaysiakini Why action against money changers only?.
BNM(Bank Negara Malaysia) has suspended money changers for sending money overseas for various VVIPs but thus far the only action has been to suspend the money-changers.
Sadly this is the usual scheme of things in Bolehland as the Attorney-General appears unwilling/unable to take action against some untouchables in Malaysia.
Also BNM does not have a squeaky clean image as the bank was heavily previously involved in foreign currency speculation against George Soros in the 80s.
George won and BNM lost hundreds of millions of ringgit.
Soros is now a billionaire and the Malaysian who was running the BNM currency scheme is now in the Finance Ministry. Is that not shocking?
Will the MACC be able to investigate BNM for not taking the necessary action against those who have broken the nation's exchange rules?
BNM(Bank Negara Malaysia) has suspended money changers for sending money overseas for various VVIPs but thus far the only action has been to suspend the money-changers.
Sadly this is the usual scheme of things in Bolehland as the Attorney-General appears unwilling/unable to take action against some untouchables in Malaysia.
Also BNM does not have a squeaky clean image as the bank was heavily previously involved in foreign currency speculation against George Soros in the 80s.
George won and BNM lost hundreds of millions of ringgit.
Soros is now a billionaire and the Malaysian who was running the BNM currency scheme is now in the Finance Ministry. Is that not shocking?
Will the MACC be able to investigate BNM for not taking the necessary action against those who have broken the nation's exchange rules?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
malaysiakini on the FOOL (or FUEL) SUBSIDY...
The previous Minister wanted to restrict the amount of fuel sold to drivers of foreign vehicles but the idea was shelved after they realised the problems in implementing such a scheme.
So this malaysiakini article comes as somewhat of a shock when it is reported Fuel cap on foreign vehicles starts tomorrow. So far there has been no advertising campaign to advise motorists of the proposal and it seems the government is really short of both ideas and money.
Never mind that the new toy submarines will cost about RM300mil a year just to chase a few smugglers on the high seas.
This new fool subsidy scheme creates many problems for both petrol stations and motorists.
1.Since most petrol stations operate with self-serve pumps, they need to either employ more workers to prevent over-pumping. This restriction is redundant as the Customs also want to enforce the 20-litre tank rule when you exit.
2.Singaporean motorists will be hard hit as they have to leave Singapore with 3/4 tank of fuel and that could be some at least 40 litres in the larger cars.
I expect if this rule is enforced, hundreds of business owners will suffer like shopping malls, restaurants, car washes and even petrol stations.
JB could turn into a ghost town and places like Kulai and even Malacca will be adversely affected.
In order for such a scheme to work, the ministry needs to devise a "zero gain" petrol plan for motorists. The stategy is that you will leave the country without any gain in the petrol quantity.
What the customs needs to do is to enforce the 3/4 tank ruling for vehicles entering the country at all borders to make enforcement simple as that already covers the thousands of Singapore registered cars.
So there is then no need to restrict the fuel sold to motorists at petrol stations.
When the motorists leave the country, the customs will then check (or spot check) the 3/4 tank to ensure that no surplus petrol is taken out.
To the enforcement authorities, I would advise the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) Asking petrol stations to be part of a hare-brained scheme is not tenable.
So this malaysiakini article comes as somewhat of a shock when it is reported Fuel cap on foreign vehicles starts tomorrow. So far there has been no advertising campaign to advise motorists of the proposal and it seems the government is really short of both ideas and money.
Never mind that the new toy submarines will cost about RM300mil a year just to chase a few smugglers on the high seas.
This new fool subsidy scheme creates many problems for both petrol stations and motorists.
1.Since most petrol stations operate with self-serve pumps, they need to either employ more workers to prevent over-pumping. This restriction is redundant as the Customs also want to enforce the 20-litre tank rule when you exit.
2.Singaporean motorists will be hard hit as they have to leave Singapore with 3/4 tank of fuel and that could be some at least 40 litres in the larger cars.
I expect if this rule is enforced, hundreds of business owners will suffer like shopping malls, restaurants, car washes and even petrol stations.
JB could turn into a ghost town and places like Kulai and even Malacca will be adversely affected.
In order for such a scheme to work, the ministry needs to devise a "zero gain" petrol plan for motorists. The stategy is that you will leave the country without any gain in the petrol quantity.
What the customs needs to do is to enforce the 3/4 tank ruling for vehicles entering the country at all borders to make enforcement simple as that already covers the thousands of Singapore registered cars.
So there is then no need to restrict the fuel sold to motorists at petrol stations.
When the motorists leave the country, the customs will then check (or spot check) the 3/4 tank to ensure that no surplus petrol is taken out.
To the enforcement authorities, I would advise the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) Asking petrol stations to be part of a hare-brained scheme is not tenable.
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