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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!

Malaysian Politicians May Take Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore as Example!

Singapore’s Minister Mentor and founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, has always been very smart and popular with his excellent leadership quality. The Singapore cabinets consist of dedicated and intelligent technocrats whereas Malaysia has only weak cabinets. Singapore is a respected nation worldwide especially among ASEAN countries for being outstanding in various sector including education, economy, health care, security, transport system, governing competency and so on. But nothing much I can be proud of Malaysia.

With that kind of composition, that is very brainy, naturally Singapore, with no natural resources could outstrip Malaysia in every aspect of development. Malaysia, on the other hand, was too much preoccupied with its irrelevant and outdated policies such as NEP and few others. Why look East to Japan and Korea (Dasar Pandang ke Timur) to follow their principles? I would advise them to emulate Singapore and invite Lee Kuan Yew to teach them what is good governance in reality.

Whenever Kuan Yew utters anything that deemed to be a slight on Malaysia, voices were raised admonishing him. Malaysia would never dare to face reality. That Singapore had proven that it could survive, it was a slap on those who believed that Singapore would bankrupt up once it left Malaysia. Therefore it was natural that these kind of people would try to rationalise their comments although they know its irrelevant just to combat on whatever Kuan Yew's opinions about Malaysia. In an interview in Singapore, Kuan Yew said that Malaysia could have done better if only it treated its minority Chinese and Indian population fairly. Instead they were completely marginalised and lots of best brains professionals left the country.

Malaysia is now more than 51 years old nation full of scandals and dilemmas haunting around its citizen. The racial divide has become more sensitive. The number of Malaysian graduates unemployed is on the increase. And this aspect can be very explosive. But I haven’t seen any positive actions have been taken to address these social ills. Various excuses were given by Malaysian leaders why Singapore had far outstripped Malaysia in all aspects of social and economic advancement. Singapore was small, they rationalised and therefore easy to manage. Singapore was not a state but merely an island. Malaysia has abundance of natural resources but none can lay claim to have used all these resources to benefit the people. Poverty in rampant and self-government had not brought in any large benefits to the people.

Tiny Singapore without any resources at all managed to bring development to its citizens. It had one of the best public MRT transport systems and airlines in the world and it is a very clean city state. Their universities, health care, ports are among the best in the world. I hope the best from my Malaysia too; I think I have my rights to dream so. Some of my friend always says that I'm not being patriotic since I condemning Malaysia by comparing to other nations especially Singapore.

It is impossible to compare what Singapore has achieved to what our nation had so far achieved. It was actually poor administration and corruption, and nothing more that effected Malaysia. Singapore ousts Malaysia in the governance systems/policies and serious fights against corruption, that’s their secret to be an economy powerhouse in this region. Stop critics on Singapore and let’s take them as model to shape up Malaysia as better place to live.

25 November.... Malaysian Indian Awakening Day

Malaysian Indians are treated like third-class citizens. The community has been suffering in silence for decades. On the 25 November 2007, Malaysian Indian bravely voiced out that there are something wrong in the community and need serious attention from government. Lack of education opportunity, economic status, uncontrolled abolishments of temples and thousands of problems haunting Malaysian Indian from time to time thus these problems should be addressed immediately.

Tear gas and water cannon were used to disperse a crowd of over 30 000 people as Malaysian Indian rallied on several places around Kuala Lumpur on 25 November 2007. The protesters are calling for reparations from the UK for sending Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers a century ago. The activists also demand measures to improve the living standards of Malaysian Indian. Ethnic Indians gathered in Kuala Lumpur carrying Malaysian flags and placards. Some demonstrators were beaten and bundled into police vans, as tear gas and water cannon were fired into the crowd.

Malaysian Indians are increasingly being marginalized, economically as well as socially. More than 30% of Indians do not own a house; over 300,000 Indian poor have been evicted from their plantation livelihoods and residences; and there were 21.1 suicides per 100,000 Indians a year 2005, the highest rate amongst all communities. Indians also have the lowest life expectancy at birth amongst the major races.

Until now, the problems faced by the Malaysian Indians are not being attended by the Malaysian Government. One wonders whether Malaysian Indians belong to the third major race or to a third class race in own country. Government should have new plan to end the marginalization of Malaysian Indians as well as other marginalized groups in the country, whether Kadazan-Dusun-Murut in Sabah, the Ibans, Penans, other minorities in Sarawak and Orang Asli.

Yoga for All

Yoga is not a religion. Rather, it is a set of techniques and skills that enhance the practice of any religion. A French author named Jean Déchanet discovered this in regard to his Catholic faith and wrote the book ChristianYoga (New York: Harper, 1960). In Malaysia Muslim’s case, I have found that Islamic yoga is a reality. It is possible to employ the skills of yoga to worship god better and to be a better human.

Yoga arose from the matrix of the Hindu world, although according to Mircea Eliade it is of pre-Hindu origin and can be traced back to prehistoric shamanism. Like India's other gifts to world civilization, for example the system of place notation on which all mathematics depends, yoga is not tied to the Hindu religion but has a universal applicability. It helps one to follow one's own religion better whatever that may be. Yoga is no substitute for any Islamic requirement, it just as a valuable addition to the spiritual path of one’s religion.

Vesu (a blogger) commented on my post entitled 'Islam and Yoga' before. He said: yoga plus mantra chanting is a complete exercise. you have a choice -do yoga minus mantra, still apllicable. that is hinduism. hinduism never impose restriction, its the most flexible and approachable teachings. muslims,christians etc can take up yoga without any fear of being converted into hinduism because hindus do not believe in converting people of other believe. enjoy yoga !!!

I totally disagree Yoga banned for Muslims in Malaysia by Fatwa council. Such act is more to the mockery of human rights, definitely not to protect the Islam as official religion. I think it’s nothing wrong if write about Islam although I'm a Hindu.

Pioneer Warrior of Makkal Sakthi - P Patto

My personal thanks to Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar bin Jamaluddin who in his speech declared his support for naming a road in Ipoh to honour the late P. Patto for his contributions and sacrifices for the welfare of Malaysians in the service of Ipoh, Perak and Malaysia. P Patto was the pioneer warrior of Makkal Sakthi who had dedicated his life to “People’s Power” for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.

He was indeed a great man who could speak fluently in all four languages, Malay, English, Mandarin and of course Tamil. He would be very proud of the achievements of PR if he still alive until today. Another person to be remembered along with P Patto is the late V. David truly gave opposition a more multi-racial look. It’s sad that these great Malaysians are not around anymore to champion a more vibrant democracy in Malaysia and voicing the minority rights in Parliament especially Malaysian Indian.

P. Patto was one of the more than hundred detainees that was detained under the Internal Security Act during Operasi Lalang 1987. Then he served detention in Kamunting for 15 months. Other DAP MPs who “graduated” from Kamunting Detention Centre included Karpal Singh, Lim Guan Eng, Dr. Tan Seng Giaw, Lau Dak Kee and the late V. David. Malaysian opposition lost an outstanding leader and the people a great Parliamentarian and a true Malaysian son when he suddenly died of a heart failure at the Ipoh General Hospital on 12th July 1995.

Let us Malaysian together fully honour Patto whether by naming a road, a memorial park, a school or a scholarship after him so that his contribution, dedication and sacrifices will forever be an example to future generations. Malaysian especially Indian must always remember P Patto as the warrior of Makkal Sakthi.

Rais Yatim's hope for Guatanamo, Malaysian's hope for Kamunting

Rais calling for fair trial and release of the two Guantanamo detainees, while on the other hand denying the rights to trial of hundreds in our own country. The Kamunting camp and Guatanamo are similar camps which allow detention without trial. Minister must to stop practicing double standards and Kamunting detention camp in Malaysia should compare to Guantanamo Bay camp. They must close down the camp. Many are detained arbitrarily and without trial under the ISA for so many years.

A lot of detainees are being held there for more than 2 to 6 years. Five alleged JI members who have been held under the ISA for seven years - Yazid bin Sufaat, Suhaimi bin Mokhtar, Abdullah bin Daud, Mat Sah bin Mohd Satray and Shamsuddin bin Sulaiman. Just like those held in Guantanamo Bay, the Kamunting detainees have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention without trial, with the conditions of their detention kept well away from the eyes of the public.

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim: “The government is hopeful that two of its citizens being held at the Guantanamo Bay camp will be released and sent home after Barack Obama is sworn in as US president”He also added that “No charges have been brought against them (Mohamad Farik Amin and Mohammed Nazir Lep), and this is worse than the ISA (Internal Security Act) “.

Rais Yatim knows that Guatanamo detentaion camp is worst than Kamunting. If he appeal for the release of Malaysians there, than he also should support the release of all ISA detainees. I think the time now for ISA detainees to get fair treatment from government. Government should either charge them in proper manner or free them immediately.

Love or Hate?

There are reasons why I love or hate my nation, Malaysia. There is a lot to complain about my country, and there is a lot to love too! I always hope the best from Malaysia.

I would like to start from the negative causes:

Horrible Public Transportation

• The Light Rail Transit is overcrowded, dirty and smelly (I prefer walk though far)

• Buses arrive late (sometime even no at all)

• Dishonesty of taxi drivers (meter rate problems)

Racism

• There was a visible divide among the Malays and non-Malays. Friends that used to be close wont really speak to each other and gangs were formed. The tension was so high that a small spark would trigger of a fight.

• I once was personally involved in a fight when I was in secondary school with a Malay boy, then i was trying very hard to settle the problem, but my friends made it big and lead to a huge gang fight.

Bad Service Culture

• I even could not get a smile from most of the Malaysian. Some time even worst, my smile replied with a horrible look.

Enough negativities, lets see why I love Malaysia:

Cheap race tracks

• I can speed all the way from north to south in the highways. It’s a cheap race track that I am able to 'fly' unlimitedly at all the time.

Food

• We have the perfect combination of Malay, Chinese and Indian list of options. There’s even food that you cannot find anywhere else in the world namely Roti Canai, Tosai, Nasi Lemak, Bak Kut Teh, Char Kuey Teow, Banana Leaf Rice, Nasi Kandar and much more.

Corrupt Cops

• When you are stopped over by the police while driving, the standard procedure is to slip a 50 Ringgit note in their notepads when they ask you “Macam mana?” (Which translates to “So what do we do now?”). No expensive fines!

Pirated Movies

• I can enjoy 3 Tamil movies for only RM10.

Night Life

• Seems that Malaysians has forgotten how to sleep. Even at 4am I can go outside and find some friends or food.
  

It’s my home

• I born here. This is the place that I experienced everything from the beginning.
  

And I am not going to leave my beloved Malaysia. I wish to stay here and try my level best to correct the situations. Not much I able to deliver, but I will do my part. I love Malaysia vary much and I do hope that it grows in an excellent path to a better surrounding and efficient economy for my future generation.

"என்னைப் பெற்றெடுத்த என் தாய் மண்ணே மலேசியா, உன்னை நான் என்றும் என் இதயத்தில் சுமப்பேன்"

The Longest Surviving Pop Band in Malaysia, Alleycats

The best band that I have ever seen in my life, Alleycats! The Alleycats is a Malaysian band which was formed in 1969 , and gained popularity in the late 1970s. They comprise of musicians from Penang, and gained popularity in their home state earlier on in their career. Band members Members include: David Arumugam on vocals, Loganathan Arumugum on vocals, Tan Chin Hock on drums, Shunmugam Arumugam on lead guitar, Chester Anthony Passerella on saxophone, Khoo Fook Sin and Grenville on keyboards, and Frank Ong on bass guitar.

Alleycats' music is said to be influenced by Air Supply, Phil Collins, Bee Gees, Billy Joel, David Gates & Bread, Santana and Paul McCartney. Most of Alleycats albums were produced by Eric Yeo. Most of their hit songs were penned by music supremo M.Nasir with the lyrics most done by S.Amin Shahab. M.Nasir/S.Amin combination were most noticed with hit songs such as Hingga Akhir Nanti, Andai Aku Pergi Dulu, Sekuntum Mawar Merah Sebuah Puisi, Setahun Sudah Berlalu, Seribu Bintang, Nota Terakhir.

There were earlier line-ups of this band but the line-up mentioned was the one that granted an opportunity for a higher level of achievement in music. The Alleycats were always on top of the musical stage in Malaysia even before they were signed up as recording artistes. This line-up secured a performance contract in the Mocambo club situated in Central, a business sector on Hong Kong island in 1976. It was supposed to be a three-month contract but their success in wooing the crowd earned them three yearly contracts bundled with TV and concert appearances as means of promoting the band. They became a hit with the locals in Hong Kong. It was not until they left Hong Kong to start a new performance contract in Singapore that they were spotted by major recording companies.

The Alleycats started out in 1978 by signing a contract with Polygram Records-Philips to produce an album. They went to Hong Kong to record their album in Dragon Studio. Later, Lion Studio in Singapore was responsible for mastering Alleycats' albums. The Alleycats' first released album was Terima Kasih ("Thank You"), with their first single Senandung Semalam ("Yesterday's Serenade"). The existence of this band was vital to the Malaysian music industry.

They had contributed to the development of the Malaysian music industry and till today are still regarded as one of the legendary Malaysian pop music bands of all time. Even with changes in the line-up, they are still active in performing and recording. The Alleycats have a strong fan base from all walks of life in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The band also won many awards, notably among them are the Muzik-Muzik winners award and the Malaysian Book of Records award for being the longest surviving Pop band in the country. The most upsetting incident happened when Loganathan Arumugam, vocalist of the Alleycats, passed away on June 4, 2007 following an 8 month battle with lung cancer. His death is deeply mourned by Alleycats fans as seen in the press and media.

FORMER ALLEYCATS VOCALIST- THE LATE LOGANATHAN ARUMUGAM (1953 - 2007)

Sincere thanks to Alleycats band for their marvelous songs and wonderful voices!

TERIMA KAAASSSSIIIIHHH................!!!!!!

Lack of Accountability in Government Servants... Why?

Decades ago, Malaysian government sectors were one of the best in this region. From time to time, the quality of government sectors declined terribly, immediately draw criticism from various groups of citizen especially NGOs. A state government in Malaysia knowing that Malaysian is lack of accountability in governance, it has introduced some populist measures and claimed to be the first to implement the CAT (competency, accountability, transparency) policy in the country to form a 'government for people'.

There are a lot of factors leads to the plunge of accountability among government servants. At once, Malaysia has best system and our government servants always committed to their responsibility. But now our government sectors full of corruption, misuse of power and mismanagement of the authorities and so on. Corruption rate in Malaysia mount to its worst performance ever which released by Transparency International shows that we lack of accountable government servants.

During 50s, 60s, and 70s, government sector’s servant most of them were Malaysian Indian. They worked hard to fulfill their responsibility to the people. Malaysian Indian very committed with their works during those days, the process of every works was very quick and on time. But what’s happening now? We can’t get our works complete fast and on time. We required waiting for hours for pay our bills and other official matters. Even at some of the time, the officials delay simple matters. Such difficulties that faced by people are standard incidents in their daily lives.

Another most fundamental issue that destroys accountability of government servant is corruption. The corrupted officers will make the things finish early just because they have received money from the people who corrupting them. So they often ignore ordinary people that never give any ‘incentive’ to them. Such behaviour spoil the governance system. By giving enough salaries to government servants, we can stop such irresponsible act.

Another factor which also effect the governance system and shows no accountability in government is lazinesses. In many occasion, I witness there are counters closed for customers even though at the peak hours. The customers stand for a long queue to wait but still the counters are not operating for them. Some government servant take their breakfast, and lunch in 'overtime', but I haven't seen any of them working overtime for the people. Peoples are facing difficulties to meet the officers solve their problems during this hours.

I hope government take efficient steps to improve accountability of government servants or should emulate Penang state government's CAT (competency, accountability, transparency) policy. If they seriously want the improvements, they should also bring more Malaysian Indian back to the government sectors in order to restore the peoples believe. More opportunity should given to the in this sector, so that the era of 50s, 60s and 70s which Malaysian government sector were praised by peoples can be reformed immediately.