Joke of the Year (2008)

Some 1,500 people including 400 children from a group of 20 Malay organisations joined the two-hour gathering which kicked off at 9am in Polo Ground, outside Sri Mutiara, the official residence of the Penang governor. They called on Malaysians to defend Islam as the nation’s official religion, the granting of immunity to the Malay royalty and the upholding of the draconian Internal Security Act to protect national security.

Initially, the stated purpose of the ISA was to defend communist activity in Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency. Since 1960 when the Act was enacted, thousands of people including trade unionists, student leaders, labour activists, political activists, religious groups, academicians, NGO activists have been arrested under the ISA. Although the ISA is draconian and undemocratic. Malaysia are the first nation which some of its citizen support the law.

Besides that, some Malays fear that their rights will be taken away by others. What a joke? Its seems like they are the majority here, so no chance their rights been take away. Since independent, history tell us that only minority struggling for their rights. No Malaysian questioned Islam as official religion so far. No one act to threat immunity to the Malay royalty so far. These people who gather are political motivated.

Many teenagers at the gathering carried banners with slogans written in both Malay and Jawi such as 'Kesabaran Melayu Ada Batas' (Malays' Patience Has Limits), 'Jangan Hina Nabi Muhammad SAW' (Don't Insult Nabi Muhammad), 'Jangan Pertikaikan ISA' (Don't Dispute ISA). 'Kekebalan Raja Raja Dipertahankan' (Defend the Royal Immunity), and 'Jangan Pertikaikan Hak Orang Melayu' (Don't Dispute Malay Rights). Other banners included 'Melayu dan Mamak Bersatu' (United Malays and Indian Muslims) and 'Jangan Ulang 13 Mei' (Don't Repeat May 13).

What you say? Some banners are very seditious, provoking other races too. They are the real 'threat' to nation's security, not the HINDRAF detainees who fights for minority rights without touching any religious or race sensitivities. The protesters of HINDRAF not even have a single banner of seditious words. But Malaysian government 'locked' HINDRAF leaders in Kamunting camp. If HINDRAF is a threat to the nation, how about these protesters?

Malaysia is fast becoming a sick nation. Everything is wrong in every aspects. From bad to worse! I think there are better things to do than protesting for nothing. Some people making very 'frustrating jokes' around. The year 2008 meet an end, hope in the coming year there will be no more such shameful incidents.

Remembering Benazir Bhutto (21 June 1953 – 27 December 2007)

SUPPORTERS OF BENAZIR DURING A RALLY AFTER HER DEATH

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto occurred on December 27, 2007 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Bhutto, twice Prime Minister of Pakistan (1988–1990; 1993–1996) and then-leader of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January 2008. She was shot at after a political rally at Liaquat National Bagh; a suicide bomb was detonated immediately following the shooting.

When audiences around the globe hear Benazir Bhutto's dramatic story of democracy and deposal, they are awed by the tireless strength with which she struggles to bring freedom to the people of her country. As the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto is a living icon of the battle for democracy, and stands with only a handful of female executive leaders who have shaped the global events of the last century.

First elected Prime Minister at the age of 35, Ms. Bhutto became the youngest Chief Executive Officer in the world and the first female Prime Minister in the Muslim world. After just 20 months in office, her government was unconstitutionally dismissed by a rival political party. Undeterred, she was reelected as Prime Minister in 1993. During her terms of office, she was faced with an enormous challenge: how to effectively govern a poor, politically fractious, and ethnically diverse nation.

Served as first female prime minister of a Muslim country, Prime Minister Bhutto was praised for moving swiftly to restore civil liberties and political freedom, suspended under military rule. She launched a nationwide program of health and education reform. She was named one of seven winners of the UN human rights prize. She has also been mentioned as "The world's most popular politician" in the New Guinness Book of Record 1996. The "Times" and the "Australian Magazine" (May 4, 1996) have drawn up a list of "100 most powerful women" and have included Benazir Bhutto as one of them.

Remembering Asian Tsunami (December 26, 2004)

TSUNAMI MAP - 2004 ASIAN TSUNAMI

The most powerful earthquake in 40 years ruptured the sea floor off Indonesia's westernmost island, Sumatra, displacing billions of tons of water and sending towering walls of water roaring across the Indian Ocean at jetliner speeds into fishing villages, luxury resorts and bustling coastal towns.

2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is known by the scientific community as the Great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, and the following tsunami is known as the Asian Tsunami or the Boxing Day Tsunami.

The earthquake was caused by subduction and triggered a series of devastating tsunami along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing more than 225,000 people in eleven countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (100 feet) high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.

The countries most affected by the tsunami are listed below (in alphabetical order):

• Bangladesh
• India
• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Malaysia
• Madagascar
• Maldives
• Myanmar
• Seychelles
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Tanzania
• Thailand

With a magnitude of between 9.1 and 9.3, it is the second largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph. This earthquake had the longest duration of faulting ever observed, between 8.3 and 10 minutes. It caused the entire planet to vibrate as much as 1 cm (0.5 inches) and triggered other earthquakes as far away as Alaska.

The plight of the many affected people and countries prompted a widespread humanitarian response. In all, the worldwide community donated more than $7 billion (2004 U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid.

Watch this memorial videos:

Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Just for you:

I Support Hudud Law!

Hudud is the word often used in Islamic literature for the bounds of acceptable behaviour and the punishments for serious crimes. In Islamic law or Sharia, hudud usually refers to the class of punishments that are fixed for certain crimes that are considered to be "claims of God." They include theft, fornication, consumption of alcohol.

Hudud offenses are one of four different kinds in Islamic Penal Law:

• Qisas - meaning retaliation, and following the biblical principle of "an eye for an eye.

• "Diyya - compensation paid to the heirs of a victim. In Arabic the word means both blood money and ransom.

• hudud - fixed punishments
• Tazir - punishment, usually corporal, administered at the discretion of the judge

Hudud offenses are defined as "claims of God," and therefore the sovereign was held to have a responsibility to punish them. All other offenses were defined as "claims of [His] servants," and responsibility for prosecution rested on the victim. This includes murder, which was treated as a private dispute between the murderer and the victim's heirs. The heirs had the right to compensation and to demand execution of the murderer, but they could also choose to forgive.

Hudud offenses include:

• Drinking alcohol
• Theft
• Highway robbery
  
• Illegal sexual intercourse/zina
  
• False accusation of zina
• Rebellion against the rule
• Apostasy includes blasphemy. (Unlike the five offenses listed above, not all jurists consider apostasy to be a hudud offense).

The punishments vary according to the status of the offender - Muslims generally receive harsher punishments than non-Muslims, free people receive harsher punishments than slaves, and in the case of zina', married people receive harsher punishments than unmarried.

In brief, the punishments include:

• Capital punishments - by sword/crucifixion (for highway robbery with homicide), by stoning (for zina' when the offenders are mature, married Muslims)
• Amputation of hands or feet (for theft and highway robbery without homicide)
• Flogging with a varying number of strokes (for drinking, zina' when the offenders are unmarried or not Muslims, and false accusations of zina')

Only eye-witness testimony and confession were admitted. For eye-witness testimony, the number of witnesses required was doubled from Islamic law's usual standard of two to four. Moreover, only the testimony of free adult Muslim males was acceptable (in non-hudud cases the testimony of women, non-Muslims and slaves could be admitted in certain circumstances).

A confession had to be repeated four times, the confessor had to be in a healthy state of mind, and he or she could retract the confession at any point before punishment. However, while these standards of proof made hudud punishments very difficult to apply in practice, an offender could still be sentenced to corporal punishment at the discretion of the judge, if he or she was found guilty but the standards of proof required for hudud punishments could not be met.

Malaysia with the rising crime in society and immoral behavior of youngsters must look forward to implement Hudud law. I think no one fear of Hudud if he or she doesn’t break the law. Those who fear on Hudud law consider as fear on truth and justice.

Swimmer Khoo Cai Lin Shattered Three National Records

KHOO CAI LIN WITH HER MEDAL

She trained for an average of five hours a day. Her strategy was ate healthily, not too oily or fatty foods. The youngest of three girls, Khoo said swimming was in their blood, but she was the only one who followed through and took it up seriously. When she was 13, she started winning competitions and that has driven me until today.

Her place in national sporting history was sealed when she won the 400m freestyle at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil recently in Asean University Games. Khoo won gold in the 100m 200m, 400m, 800m freestyle and other several events. In total, she broke six meet records and three national records.

National swimmer Khoo Cai Lin could not have asked for a better gift for her 20th birthday. With great ease and elegance, the young athlete swam her way to three gold medals at the 14th Asean University Games (AUG). But, more significantly, she smashed the 400m freestyle national record held by Nurul Huda Abdullah for 20 years. She could not have asked for more for her birthday. How many young people get to experience this? She is going to celebrate her birthday on Christmas Day.

Malaysia succeeded in mission to become overall champions for the first time in the Asean University Games, which ended yesterday. Definitely we need more athletes like Khoo to make us proud and lead Malaysia to shine in the major sports games such as SEA Games, Asia Games and Olympics. Congratulation to all Malaysian athletes! Read here and here.

Whats Wrong With Malaysian?

In Malaysia, some group of people are politicising various type of issues including the pig farming. I don't know whether who hung wild boar head on school gate few days ago and propagandise the issue. Whats wrong with Malaysian nowadays? Why Malaysian easily influence by the propaganda?

We Malaysian must build up our understanding among each other. Try to sit together and discuss about the pig farming issue, we can settle the problem in more civilised way. Sensitive banners and racial incitements are not our Malaysian culture, definitely not going to solve our problem.

Government must take proper action against this issue, bring local residents to sit face to face to settle down this issue. Why keep quit? Don't wait till this issue become more sensitive and uncontrollable. We need a responsible government to solve this problem!

WHY RELATING PIG ISSUE AND DEB?

IS THIS CIVILIZED WAY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM?

SO WHEN YOU GOING TO TALK ABOUT MALAYSIAN UNITY?

SOLVE IT AS MALAYSIAN'S ISSUE NOT MALAY'S ISSUE!

MALAYS TOO BENEFITING FROM THE MONEY (DISTRIBUTION OF PIGS IN MALAYSIA)

Poll Result : What Malaysian Say About the Ban of HINDRAF?

The ban of HINDRAF by Home Ministry drew various types of reaction among Malaysian, and it is still a hot topic to discuss since months ago till today. Some Malaysian agree with the ban and some deny the government’s action. In order to get some response from the Malaysian, I have created a poll to get know what is actually in their mind. A total of 157 voted in the poll on whether HINDRAF should be outlawed or shouldn’t.

Based on the results, we can see 49 out of 138 voted that they are agreeing with government’s action to ban HINDRAF. Its around 31% agreed that the banning of HINDRAF was relevant step by government to end the marginalisation of Malaysian Indian. And there are large number of them voted that government shouldn’t stop the HINDRAF movement. They believe that it’s not a good solution to deal with the Malaysian Indian that claiming that they have been marginalized for more than half century. 108 voters or 68% are those oppose the ban of HINDRAF.

In my opinion, majority of Malaysian supports HINDRAF to be a human right movement to defend the Malaysian Indian from continuously marginalised. This totally rejected accusation of government that HINDRAF is causing racial tensions. Multiracial Malaysia mostly voted to support HINDRAF movement; it’s a clear message that something wrong with the governance system and its policies. Rather than accuse HINDRAF, I believe Malaysian wants government to look at the issue once again and find out what’s wrong in the system.

I think we need a brand new systems or policies that help every Malaysian regardless of race and religion. It’s better to change the government policies that failed to uplift the Malaysian in various sectors. It’s important to satisfy everyone including the race based movements like HINDRAF, ABIM, Dong Jiao Zhong and others. Lets we strive together in same vision and mission. No one can be left out from mainstream development in order to form a competent nation under one umbrella of Malaysian flag.

Hope my messages reach the government. By banning HINDRAF movement, they can’t solve the Malaysian Indian community dilemmas and so to satisfy the non-Indian wish. Then if government doesn’t want to make the U-turn to re-legalised HINDRAF then it must set new plans to end the marginalization of Malaysian Indians as well as other marginalized groups in the country including Malay, Chinese, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut in Sabah, the Ibans, Penans, other minorities in Sarawak and Orang Asli of course.

Thanks for the vote!

"JERITAN RAKYAT" Shaked Parliament!

Congratulation to Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) cyclists for bringing Malaysian peoples aspirations to parliament house from north and south. During more than two weeks of journey, JERIT cyclist faced a lot of tests from various group of people along their journey.

Here are some demands by JERIT cyclist:

Must watch video:

Fishermen End Protest, Government Yet to Respond

FISHERMEN PROTESTING TO REDUCE DIESEL PRICE

With the international oil price having gone down to US$40 per barrel, fisherman around nation want the diesel price to go back to RM1. The strike, which started last Friday and initially for three days, reportedly involved some 45,000 fishermen from seven states. On Monday, the fishermen decided to extend their protest and now its over.

They hope the Government will bring down the price of diesel supplied to fishermen to RM1 per litre. Their livelihood was affected when the diesel price jumped from RM1 a litre to RM1.43 in June. The fishermen said that their monthly costs increased by at least RM5,000 and its make them hard to survive.

Fishermen from Selangor and southern Perak go back to the sea today after six days away to press their claims for a lower diesel price. The decision came following a dialogue that Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai and Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Chuan had with some 100 fishermen yesterday. Hope the government listen to fishermen plights to reduce the fuel price.

Malaysian parliament going to debate on the fishermen's diesel protest today. This issue are accepted to be debated in Dewan Rakyat yesterday because its specific, of public interest and with urgency. Lets hope good news for suffering fishermen!

Suddenly, Everyone Starts Blogging.....

TUN DR MAHATHIR'S "CHEDET"

Malaysia's political leaders are rushing to set up blogs and increase their postings on existing ones after recent polls showed how effective the Internet has been. The move signals a dramatic turnaround because until recently, senior political leaders dismissed bloggers as rumour-mongers and even described some as 'stupid' and 'monkeys'. The authorities have also detained some bloggers for allegedly libelous or seditious postings.

Former Selangor MB Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo started his blog towards last March, another colleague of his started one. This is the Malacca Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. The two must have gotten over their fear of being described liars, and monkeys. It's early days yet, but Dr Khir's blog appears to have received tremendous response since he started. He said that it's impossible to respond to every query but he read every single comment that has submitted by the readers. For sure, don't forget Tun Dr Mahathir's Chedet, and Datuk Seri Najib's new website that had been launched just few months ago.

The bloggers joined several Opposition bloggers who have been writing much earlier. They include Jeff Ooi, Tony Pua, Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang. The opposition party leaders have much more experience in blogging field. The blog turned to an important source of information in our nation even before March 8 political Tsunami.

MPs and ADUNs would be in a better position to try and convince voters to vote for them through blog. These people did not blog just for the fun of it but they blog because they want to engage their voters, and blogging give the voters direct access to their "wakil rakyat".

BN/MIC Admit that They Have Contributed Little to Malaysian Indian

MIC party President Dato S Samy Vellu tries to restore the party’s popularity among Malaysian Indian by pressuring it's own party, BN. He released press statement that Barisan Nasional (BN) should do more to Indian community. Read here- Do more for Indians.

Samy Vellu wants Malaysian Indian to support MIC again; he said BN has started some efforts to uplift social and economic status. But I haven’t seen anything yet. How about you? Is it another lip service akin to frequently they do? Or anyone can tell me how they started their initiatives.

After huge defeat in the March 8 political Tsunami, I can hear the MIC rebranding workshop everywhere. But there are no clear evidences on what they are rebranding on! They are not showing honesty and seriousness to strengthen Malaysian Indian in every aspect including social, economic, education and politics.

He also said that there are 50 million allocations for Tamil schools. Until today I have not see any schools received the fund. Hope MIC not again mishandles the allocation like it happened in MAIKA Holdings and Telecom share scandals. Make sure the money reach right places! Most of the Tamil schools now are partially aided; I think MIC should have made the schools fully aided long time ago. Not now after the damages has been done.

BN/MIC knows that they are contributed too little to Malaysian Indian; 25 November 2007 (HINDRAF rally) showed that this statement is extremely undeniable. Glad to hear that Samy Vellu admitted that, but please don’t wait until next election to make empty promises again. We are awakened after more than half century of marginalization, solve all our problems immediately!

Let University Students to Exercise Their Political Rights

Malaysian government should restore democracy on campuses by repealing or amending the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA/AUKU) . Students must be given opportunity to take part in democracy processes since universities are supposed to be the place where intellectuals and future leaders are educated.

Higher Education Ministry should have upheld democratic principles are in the campuses rather than tie up students from involving in politics. Be open on student's view and criticism on the politics. The education ministry must function professionally, be transparent, and not use its position to advance a certain political agenda in the universities. University administrations should not allow it to be controlled by any political hidden agendas by operates independently. It’s important not to sacrifice the integrity of the university through the different thought and views of politics among the students and administration.

Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA/AUKU) has been haunting Malaysian University students for such a long time, it's the right time now to repeal or amend the law. Restoring the rights of students will allow students to give their view and opinion on the progression of nation and the administration generally. Let students top train themself to be capable leaders in future. Freedom to voice their opinions on both local and international political issues lead students to build their leadership qualities.

Malaysian parliament must amend the UUCA/AUKU to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of university students. Most of the nation that practice democracy processes tolerate and support the university students to involve in the politics. Why not Malaysia?

Bukit Antarabangsa Hillside Developers Should Learn from Orang Asli

Last week, when I was on the way to Cameron Highland from my hometown (Tapah). I saw a lot of houses built by Orang Asli in the hillsides. When I asked a resident of the Kampung Orang Asli, he said that the houses were built more than a century. He also explained that the base of the houses are very strong, even the movement of earth can't make the houses collapse. Some of the houses built more than 45 degrees gradient on the hillsides. The resident even said that he never heard any of the house destroyed by nature or because of the housing developments of Orang Asli which carry by themselves.

He said that Orang Asli will first choose proper and suitable sides before start building their houses. The soil which with water flow inside not suitable for building houses. And the next step is the base of the houses must strong to face movements inside the earth. The Bukit Antarabangsa developers may learn from the orang Asli on how to build house in the hillsides. I don't know how the developers choosed the Bukit Antarabangsa Hillside to start the housing projects? The approval of the project done blindly without proper supervisions. May be corruption exist here. Who knows?

Orang Asli have more qualification than the engineers experts and developers of Bukit Antarabangsa. The pictures below I taken along my journey to Cameron Highland:

Pictures from Bukit Antarabangsa:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha to All My Muslim Friends!

Nomination: Jan 6, Election: Jan 17

P36 KUALA TERENGGANU

The election commission announced Kuala Terengganu by-election held on Jan 17 (Saturday) while the nomination day would be on Jan 1 (Tuesday). This undoubtedly will become another great contest election in the Malaysia’s politics history. The moment will soon change the politics agenda of our country once again, more like a new revolution in the political agendas in our country. Kuala Terengganu constituency 80 299 registered voters. This is the second election after March 8 General Election.

Today, the Election Commission announce the date of a by-election in Terengganu, which was called after Umno MP Datuk Razali Ismail died last Friday The polls will be seen as a bellwether of the Malay heartland vote. The Kuala Terengganu constituency is 88.2 % Malay, with nearly 11 % Chinese. Indians 0.6 % of the electorate, and other races such as the Orang Asli are the remaining.

This by-election will reflect the believes of Malay voters towards the party politics whether BN or PR. Hope clean tactics used by the party politics that contesting in the election in order to respect people's rights to vote and protect the democracy system in Malaysia.

Joke From Kuala Terrengganu For You!

MAIMUN BINTI YUSUF

At 89, Maimun Yusuf was Malaysia's oldest candidate in the March 8 General Election. I heard that she is considering to stand for the by election that will be held in near time after the death of Kuala Terengganu Member of Parliament Razali Ismail.

Maimun contested in the strong constituency which is witnessing a three cornered race. She has spent around RM30 000 of her savings on the deposit and posters. The 89-year old independent candidate in Kuala Terengganu stood against bigwigs Dato Razali Ismail of UMNO and Mohamad Sabu of PAS.

She secured enough votes to deny Mat Sabu the victory in the area;helped BN to win the constituency for the second consecutive times. And she may caused BN lost. We don't know actualy where the votes came from. Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Razali Ismail who polled 32,562 votes won the seat with a 628-vote majority, beating Maimun and Mat Sabu who garnered 31,934 votes. In order not to lose a deposit, a candidate must obtain 1/8 of the total votes cast. So its clear that Maimun lost her deposit too.

685 votes out of more than 60 000 votes was not an achievement. The votes that she obtained only from the sympathy of the local residents, not because she fit to represent them in the parliament. I don't think she will win the one of the biggest constituency in the nation with sympathy votes. Do you think? Even if she win in the Kuala Terengganu, she not able to stand firm against the BN and opposition MPs in parliament to deliver her opinions and speeches. Hahahaha... Even young MPs are having troubles to deal with the issues around, and she is going to settle it?

I think in her old age, she should stay at home and take care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren rather than stressing herself and the contesting candidates too. Nothing much she can contribute to Kuala Terengganu constituency specifically and the people of Malaysia generally. I hope she is not out once again to make everybody laugh!

MAIMUN'S ELECTION POSTER

She is Telling What I Feel As a True Bangsa Malaysia

She is a true Bangsa Malaysia, my heart sincerely touched with her speech in parliament. I'm glad that our parliament has such politician to deliver a quality speech for minority rights. Minorities in Malaysia especially Chinese and Indian always labeled as Bukan Bumirutera despite they born here, grown up here, contributed for this nation in every aspect of development. What is Ketuanan Melayu actualy is? I admit that it's only for Yang Dipertuan Agong as a leader of nation, but what's happening now? The politician using it for personal agenda. I feel discriminated and intimidated by the word. Why I can't question for my rights in Malaysia? What's wrong? Each time when I eager to voice out my opinion, I worried about the feedback from my Malays friends, fears haunting me from time to time.

Watch this video:

Seal The Tamil Schools (Vernacular Schools) With Conditions (Part Two)

Before I start writing on this issue again, I know that there will be a group of people to attack my view. I welcome them to discuss but no personal attacks please. Let us make a healthy discussion in order to exchange our view to create a better Malaysia. In my first part of this post, I have only written about the significant obstacle to form the one education system is the different dialects of Malaysians. If the demand of vernaculars fulfilled, then the forming of one national school will be easier. So, make the Tamil and Mandarin as compulsory subject to Indian and Chinese students. Read my first part- Seal The Tamil Schools With A Condition (Part One)

I become more interested to write about second part of this issue after Jerlun MP Mukriz released statement that the vernacular schools must be closed down. (malaysiakini) He was of the opinion that the disunity in the community arose from the different education system and proposed that a single education system is implemented to foster greater unity. I’m glad to hear that young leader like Mukhriz has such a good thought. Yes, he is true at this point.

Mukriz’s suggestion to close down vernacular schools is only welcomed by some Malaysian. It’s because most of the Malaysian fearing that their identity and dialect may lost due to the one education system. Before that, there are few things to emphasis on and needed to reform before new education system introduced.

Please allay the fear on Malays by removing ketuanan melayu ideology. It can be done by restructuring the syllabus stated that everyone has equal rights in Malaysia. Eradicate the policies in schools that only favour to one group students. Mara should open to all Malaysian regardless of race and religion. The universities and government job intakes must be given on merit not by quota system or based on the race or religion.

Some parents are worrying that their children will be a victim of racial abuse in national schools. This excuse are acceptable, there are numerous cases that highlighting our local dailies that shows the teachers misbehave to the non-Malays students. In such cases, the teacher that inciting racial sentiments in class should be suspended; education ministry must take firm action on these teachers.

Muslim students in primary and secondary schools attend compulsory Islamic-studies classes several times a week, while non-Muslim students are divided out to study secular-based morals. As results, non-Muslim student never get the opportunity to increase their awareness in their own religion. Let the students from various religions and believes attend their own religious classes.

The role of vernacular schools are undeniable, however the schools are not relevant for current and future Malaysia. As we know the gaps between races are far more worrying. We must bring one system which only with national schools. This will make our education system become competent. All races combined in National schools striving towards one direction and vision with unity guaranteed.

Yes, it's a great effort to unite all Malaysian under one education system. This system even supported by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, few other NGO leaders and politicians. We Malaysian should think rationally and look the reformation in positive factors. It’s doesn’t matter if the suggestions comes from UMNO, MCA, PAS, PKR, DAP or others, as long as it bring unity among the peoples of Malaysia and generate a competent education system.

Any Malaysian Linked to Mumbai Attacks?

Former CNN reporter, Maria Ressa, has quoted unnamed Indian intelligence sources as saying that one of the gunmen, now under police custody, has said that the terrorists pretended to be students, stayed in Mumbai apartments and allegedly carried Malaysian identity cards. They were also believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda. The Times of India reported that the terrorists posed as Malaysian students.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar explained that there are no Malaysian linked to Mumbai attacks. Malaysian IC found in Mumbai, the card could belong to a Malaysian tourist as a number were staying at the hotels affected. But we sure don't want to hear another Malaysian appear as world terrorist such as Azahari Husin (2002 Bali Bombing) and Noordin Mohammed Top ( 2002 Bali bombing, the 2003 JW Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta, the 2004 Jakarta embassy bombing and the 2005 Bali bombing).

If yes not any Malaysian involved, so why the terrorist using the Malaysian travel document? Malaysia was before linked to few terrorist organization for example, al Ma'unah, al Qa'eda and Jemaah Islamiah. So no doubt if any Malaysian involved in the attacks. May be the travel document found in Mumbai is a single mention but certainly it is a serious allegation indeed. Malaysia should give full cooperation to Interpol in order to prove that its a false allegation.

Malaysia Struggling With Financial Crisis

At least 18,000 Malaysian factory workers have been retrenched this year. Malaysian those working in factories around nation making up more than 20% while foreigners from Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Philippines and few others are the rest which is almost 80% of total workers.

The retrenchment of workers is due to the shutdown of factories, restructuring of production line, trimming workforce, reducing operational cost and so on. It's no doubt that Malaysia facing tremendous economic crisis due to this retrenchment. Some of our ministers and economic experts including governor of Bank Negara Zetty Aziz are claiming that Malaysia is not facing economic crisis, and we are save from the next years crisis that predicted by world analyst to be a disaster.

Zeti Akhtar Aziz: “We have no large-scale retrenchments. We are creating jobs. We are in an economy where there is no asset burst."- malaysiakini Nov 28. NST Nov 30 - KUALA LUMPUR: At least 18,000 Malaysian factory workers have been retrenched this year. Just compare both, his statement and the news released in the New straits times. Can you see that some Malaysian can't accept the reality that we are financial crisis. They are try to cover up the issue so that there will be no pressure on them to face the issue.

As a true Malaysian, I hope government take effective measures to fight the financial crisis that we are facing today. It will be more worst situation in the coming year if we keep on relax and satisfied on what we have now. Even the American leaders are worried about world, but Malaysian leaders able say that 'everything is fine in Malaysia'.

P36

Deputy Education Minister Razali Ismail, 59, died today after collapsing while playing badminton at the teachers training college, Aminuddin Baki Institute, in Genting Highlands at about 6.30pm. He was at the college for a Terengganu Umno retreat. Due to his death, the by election will be held within 60 days for Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat.

His body was subsquently brought to Hospital Bentong. The deputy minister left behind his wife, Nooraini Lob Yusoff, and five children.Razali, who was a two-term Kuala Terengganu parliamentarian for Umno, defeated PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu and 89-year-old Maimun Yusuf in the March 8 general elections. He won with a slim majority of 628 by bagging 32,562 votes against Mohamad’s 31,934 and Maimun’s 685.

Malaysian still can feel the heat of March 8 General Election and Permatang Pauh by-election which generated 'Tsunami' in local political arena. March 8 indicated the break of BN's 2/3 domination in parliament and lost of 5 states to opposition while Permatang Pauh brought Opposition stalwart Anwar Ibrahim back to the parliament after decade of absent. Next Kuala Terengganu will be the Barisan Nasional's most important test ground whether they are still relevant enough and acceptable by the people of Malaysian.

Barisan Nasional, the incumbent of the Kuala Terengganu will strive hard to defend and protect the seat from the Pakatan Rakyat. As we know, BN are loosing their popularity among Malaysian. After Kelantan, Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak, now the spotlights is on Sarawak and few other states. Thousands of people in Sarawak had joint PKR recently. I wont surprise if Pakatan Rakyat able to form a new government right after next general election.

PAST ELECTIONS RESULT

Ban the Sales of Alcohol in Malaysia

The people who drink are also more likely to get into suicide, divorce, fights and commit crimes than those who don't. These incidents are more rampant among Malaysian Indian than others. Statistics shows that Malaysian Indian is leading the chart of suicide and crimes too. Besides poverty, alcohol is another key factor which drowns Malaysian Indians into social problems. People who drinks regularly often have problems with family members and society.

Alcohol puts our health at risk too. People who continue drinking heavily well into adulthood risk damaging their organs, such as the liver, heart, and brain. Malaysian Teens that drink is more likely to be sexually active and to have unsafe, unprotected sex and resulted to pregnancies that we are witnessing in local dailies often. The risk of injuring yourself, maybe even fatally, is higher when you're under the influence of alcohol. One half of all drowning deaths among teen guys are related to alcohol use especially among Malaysian Indian.

Students who drink always have problems in schools, universities and colleges. Drinking can damage a student's ability to study well and get decent grades, as well as affect sports performance. Now, Alcohol is something that cannot be encouraged. A solution to this problem is through the process of education, starting from children, teaching them about the badness of alcohol. We should create awareness in them about the dangers related to consumption of alcohol so that when they grow up they will naturally stay away from alcohol.

Besides the education, enforcement by authorities is significantly important. The politician must enact new laws that allow alcohol to ban for sales. Although I’m a non-Muslim, I agree the first move of Sham Alam municipal council restrict the sales of alcohol in Selangor. The next step should be the total ban of the alcohol. Other states administrations and municipal councils must follow PAS act to restrict the alcohol sales.

To all non Muslims, think rationally and see the harm alcohol can do and do not reject just because it comes from PAS. It’s doesn’t matter if it comes from PAS, BN, PKR, DAP or others, as long as it bring harmony to the peoples of Malaysia. We clearly know that alcohol bring harm to various stratum of Malaysian citizen. So don’t hesitate to support the restriction of alcohol. For the sake of our future generation, I think it’s better to ban than restrict alcohol!