Pretty kittens too.
Whether thou art from Kuching or Ipoh, Furong or Penang, this warning applies.
Kittens below the age of 18 should stop reading this Post, as some mentions may cause thee to vomit.
ALSO, those above 18 with heartly any sense of humour are advised not to proceed beyond this sentence. IF YOU CHOOSE TO READ ON, IT MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH, AND SHORTEN THY NINE LIVES. Which is fine by me, I only have one; I am an Ass-cum-poet-pirant.
Please treat this as a wickedend TeAser like the one popularised by my sifool Mark Twain publicising that his mentee, Huckleberry Finn, or izZIT Tom Sawyer? I forget-lah! "had died prematurely and had the privilege to listen to his own eulogy".
If you have not heard of this American author, it's not too late to start, as he also was responsible for the vice-crack~~
"Age is a matter of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
If Mark had not been borne earlier than Desi, I could have cooked up that cracker except some CheeCheongKai chick would've plagiarised it at the blink of an I. Lord Horatio Nelson's left one:) And if you have to ask what is this about, Desi advised that you go back&study some hiss! or hers-story!:(
Desi was rumoured to be spied caught in his birddie suit, according to an unnamed ER's goodgling. Apparelly, in answer to one Helenic DESIRE to know this poet-ass more intimidatedly. Or so I believe, after I passed on an autographed memo with exquisite lines to her via 4Fei:) Thanks to the messenger based in some Solo-woman's Isle, what was the tip?
I self-invited some Bloggers to meet for "din" last week plus at Jalan Alor to welcome this De De@seefei.wordpress.com (Why the blardy hell is everyone moved to this more expensive joint I don't know; higher status ah? Jest because you earn Cat's or Sin-dollars?:(
Mave SM indicated interest in coming, or going, but chicken he backed out once Desi asked him not2leAvehomewithouthisplatinumkad. Or BePrepared to be p(R)awned by 4f! Helen did not RSVP as expected of IpohVIP keeping Desi in suspense as to how BIG a banquet table I had to order. Finally it was a tit-A-tete between a "Kat and a Pussycat". As for pix, Helen asked 4f to show-show wan; I held 4f to his word of No-Can-Can, We only do it in Gay Paree!Howsy's waiting dare!
Now here's the Starters:
The Malay Male Sept 29, 2006 offered on page 14 this fishy art-ickle:
ART TEACHER'S
STRIP RAPPED
BEIJING: A Chinese Culture Ministry of-
ficial denounced a university professor
who stripped naked in front of students
and teachers during an art class, a Chinese
newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Mo Xiaosin, a 56-year-old assistant profes-
sor at a university in Changzhou, in easterrn
Jiangsu province, shockd students by strip-
ping during a lecture on 'body art' to empha-
sise the 'power' of the body and to 'challenge'
taboos', the Beijing News said.
"There are no taboos in the field of re-
search, but to do this directly in te course
of teaching is obviously not appropriate," the
paper quoted Tian Junting, a Culture Ministry
official, as saying.
The lecture was part of a course within a
newly established human body art and cul-
ture research institute -- China's first -- at
Jiangsu Teachers' University of Technology,
the paper said.
MO arranged for four other models, includ-
ing a man and woman in their 70s or 80s,
and a younger couple, to strip nakd in front
of the class while he lectured, the paper said.
During the nearly hour-long class, Mo also
invited students to take their clothes off.
"Professor Mo appeared emotionally excited
at the time," the paper quoted a student as
saying.
"As he was talking, he undid his belt and
took off his pants, and stood naked in the
middle of the lecture podium."
The naked lecture made many of the 30 or
so students feel "unesay", the paper said.
"Some kept their eyes trained on the ceil-
ing, some awkwardly bowed their hads and
stared at the ground." -- Reuters
DESI: AS I typed the last three paragraphs, I followed the lecturer's actions step by step. I spied Mave SM and Howsy feeling "uneasy"; Anak Merdeka trained her eyes on the ceiling, and Helen's awkwardly staring at the ground. Then Reuters chief, Joe Keeper of the Peace, yelled: CUT!
I obediently exercised the Sub-Editor's privilege to circumcise.
~~~~~~~~
Now I tll you another true story closer to home. My home. Not yours; maybe AM's!
Once upon a time in The Negeri of Nine States,
there was a household in Mambau with sirname Mo.
It was by Chinese fengsui unlucky to be born into such a family.
Everything also No. Mo Xiaosin -- my limited Mandarin says it means NO smallheart, or NO careful -- could have been a runaway from Mambau; I dunno, just my gas.
Not to digress too mush, the Mo family did not propsper until one brave son -- from among four sons and three daughters -- desided he was through with tapping rubber and selling fish.
He had run to town over the wickedends and knew all the townsfolk in Furong -- five miles away -- enjoyed Dim Sum. It means literally "Touch your heart". So if a blardy howsy wants taruk the hussy, he takes her for Dim Sum. Showing off his Pound Sterling. (And what else that's sterlin', darlin'.That's howsy's thinking allowed, but Desi's sees thru.)
Within a year, MO-sunny was grinning from ear to ear. The business was so good that people travelled from out-of-state to seek out Mambau's Dim Sum shop named Kedie Sunny Dim Sum.
Jest outside the kitchen was hung this plaque: "Englishman and Dogs Not Allowed".
It was Mo Sunny's way to do justice to avenge the sign board outside The Dog's restron in Kuala Lumpur which yelled: "No Chinaman and Dogs Allowed".
The business prospered, and allthe Mambau folks paid their respects to Mo family for making good. Making good Dim Sum. Everyone of the outsiders who enjoyed a meal at Sunny's would return the week after for more. Amore!The Dim Sum seems to spice up their sex life -- the Kwai Poh would swear by the 'holey book it's true and through.
Without fail, a group of expatriates would take leave of Sungei Ujong Club every Sunday to drive in their Hillman's and Mountwoman's to Mambau where Mo Sunny would welcome them to a special table marked "Reserved for Kwailoh!" After each satisfying meal, the Mat Salleh would debate among themselves:
"Why is the Dim Sum here so tasty? Beat even those in Seremban town and Kuala Lumpur wans!"
Another question on their minds but no one dared to speak allowed:
"Why the blardy UNFRIENDLY SIGN fronting the kitchen?
On Saturday back at the Club, the expatriates debated what "ingredients" that went into the Dim Sum that had bewitched their wives they couldn't wait for Saturday night to pass, over. The group, which comprised an Italian, a Dane, a Scot, a Canadian, an American, a Dutchman, and an Englishman, decided to run a "wager" by pooling 100 pouns and whoever guessed rightthe "prime ingredient/s" would win the total sum of 700 pounds, aprincely sum in those days, just pre-Merdeka.
So the following day, a Beautiful Sunday -- non-CON BF for these capitalist kwailoh -
the hungry bunch arrived at Mambau, greted by all the JinjangJoes&Janes, for these angmoh brought them good dollars and sense.
As they revelled on the "Touching Heart" dim sum, and summore dish after delicious dish, until it cometh the time to guess the "ingredients". All the six of the seven partakers wrote on a piece of white paper, folded it and handed it to a Witness, the prettiest gal among the spouses, who also held the 700 pounds. All the men were hoping she would become Da Dessert for half the pool.
The Englishman excused himself at tis juncture to go visit The John's. Those days it meant the Loo aka the Washroom aka the Toilet. (Off spring of toil, yes?)
The Loo had a tiny partition that allowed one doing the business to sneak a look into the kitchen, from where the smells, trhe frangarnces and oh, ah, oomp, came filtering through to titillate the Englishman, who was here to do busines, of course, But he was curious, so he told himself "One look wouldn't kill!"
He took on peep -- Strung along a few rows of wooden beams were the carcasses of dogs, bitches and puppies, with fresh blood still dripping from the dismembered bowels.
~~~~~~~~
Epilogue: The Englishman won the bet of 700 pounds which he gifted to the Frenchgal to keep -- he could not accept Dog's Money. And from that Sunday onwards, the Mat Salleh stopped their rendezvous with Mo Sunny's dim sum shoppe.
The above SS is adapted from Edgar Allen Poe's macabre tales, remember The Pit and The Pendulum?I think Orson Welles also made dim sum of his tails.
POST-logue: Rumour has it that one writer named Ming Lar of the Mo family line was so "disgusted" with the "Dog or Cat being let out of the beg", he changed his surname to Chong. Howsy said he spied Chong Ming's Lar(Go read Yesterday's Comments:) in London, yes, prospering on a Eu Dian Sin shoppe on Beggar's Street. Outside the kitchen was the sign paintd in red, the Chinoserie colour of Prosperity: "No Cats and Dogs Allowed. Chinaman and Englishman got discount".
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
Some catching up...
The People's Paper caught up with other media with page N21 today joining the rset of us at the Bar Counter, oops, Council story with this headline:
Review 1988 judicial crisis, Bar Council urges Govt
As they say, Better late than never!
Just don't make it a habit; otherwise, we may hear such nu'es from the nunnery instead of from the newsroom.
And another "government service" wing needs to do some Catch-Up.
While I can appreciate the Prime Minister's dilemma, there is no reason why the Government can not give the PDRM members an "interim pay rise", pending...
Frontpage of The Star, okay, I've got my attribution right right from the start! which translates iunto the medical fact that Desis's no more weary and feeling small...
Nation
Friday September 29, 2006
No pay rise
> Too expensive for
civil service
> Govt to consider salary
adjustments for cops
PUTRAJAYA: No salary revision for now.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Government was not prepared to consider the request for a salary revision for those in the support categories of the civil service and police personnel.
He said that if a salary review were done, it would involve the 1.1 million civil servants and 85,000 members of the police force, and this would cost an additional RM6bil.
“We have discussed their demands. At the moment, the Government is not ready to spend so much money. We need to take into account the government's finances because we need to spend money on development,” said Abdullah.
“The people need development. We cannot just say the Government does not have the money because it has gone to pay salaries,” he told a press conference after chairing a Cabinet committee meeting on posts and salaries of the civil service here yesterday. Also present was Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.
Abdullah acknowledged that for the police their basic salaries were low, but when their allowances were taken into consideration, the total amount was higher than the salaries of civil servants.
“The Government is aware of the increasing burden on the police force, so a salary adjustment is something we can consider,” he said.
Abdullah said that while a salary review was not carried out, the Government had made salary adjustments five times since 1992, including one up to 10% across the board.
The last adjustment was in 2002.
Apart from that, the Government had also given civil servants various types of allowances, including housing, critical and the cost of living allowance, and bonuses over the years.
“Taking all this into consideration, their salaries are quite high, although we have not implemented any salary review,” he said.
:
:
:
DESIDERATA:
Just let me ask this question that I have been asking since time immemorial. Okay that's exaggerating a byte, since I had been writing on socio-political and civil issues from years back.
If the majority of people were all for giving the Police personnel a decent enough pay to cope with rising costs, also an important factor in the overall picture of Fighting Corruption, the country's Enemy Number 1 since the end of the Commie threat -- how come th Government is so slow to act?
No money?
But this is for a sub-section of the Government civil service numbering 85,000 members only (out of 1.1million). And universally it is acknowledged this branch of service deserves a higher salary than norm because the members sacrifice for the security of the country and safety of the people. Speaking as a tax-payer, I don't mind if the police and armed forces were paid TWICE THE BASIC AOUNT as their fellow civil servants in the other branches, so that they can be motivated to serve with a sense of dedication and sacrifice.
Now, let's see why is the Government citing "financial burden" as a factor holding back an immediate response to raise the PDRM salaries.
* Pak Lah said the Government need to "spend money on development". Hey, this is a necessary and factored in allocation in the country's Annual Budget, come every November for Bajet tabling, so it's not an extraordinary expense. (This September was exceptional I believe in that it had been brought forward.)
**I wonder where the extraordinary profits (hence extra taxes collected) from PETRONAS went to?
For financial year ended March 31, 2005 Petronas recorded NET PROFIT of RM35.6billion.
For FYE March 31, 2006 Petronas recorded NET PROFIT of RM43.6billion.
Everything being equal, if the national oil corporation could be asked to perform some National Service by sharing its profits, I think the ordinary folks don't mind if some of these profits are spent as some "bonus" payments -- like 2 months for starters? -- payable once every six months, say June and December 2005 and 2006 respectively, to the PDRM members.
*** As long as the lower ranked members of the PDRM are being stretched trying to eke out daily living from hand-to-mouth, I believe the Fight Against Corruption would be insurmountable. As the Government drags its feet in taking corrective action speedily, the cancer will grow and grow until it passes the point of no return. I believe the country is almost there. And it does not help in the process to realising the IPCMC, dear Mr Prime Minister, as you drag ytour feet. Time is not on your side.
WoW, I didn't realise I was so-energised writHing that post a day of weariness yesterday! -- a humble Malaysian writing an Advisory (yes, that's what they call IT in diplomatic parlance! and I tasted some 12 years plus of its cocktails circult; or is it ducktails?) "Wella, neber mine," as long as this Advisory reaches the ears of the Top Dog!:)
Review 1988 judicial crisis, Bar Council urges Govt
As they say, Better late than never!
Just don't make it a habit; otherwise, we may hear such nu'es from the nunnery instead of from the newsroom.
And another "government service" wing needs to do some Catch-Up.
While I can appreciate the Prime Minister's dilemma, there is no reason why the Government can not give the PDRM members an "interim pay rise", pending...
Frontpage of The Star, okay, I've got my attribution right right from the start! which translates iunto the medical fact that Desis's no more weary and feeling small...
Nation
Friday September 29, 2006
No pay rise
> Too expensive for
civil service
> Govt to consider salary
adjustments for cops
PUTRAJAYA: No salary revision for now.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Government was not prepared to consider the request for a salary revision for those in the support categories of the civil service and police personnel.
He said that if a salary review were done, it would involve the 1.1 million civil servants and 85,000 members of the police force, and this would cost an additional RM6bil.
“We have discussed their demands. At the moment, the Government is not ready to spend so much money. We need to take into account the government's finances because we need to spend money on development,” said Abdullah.
“The people need development. We cannot just say the Government does not have the money because it has gone to pay salaries,” he told a press conference after chairing a Cabinet committee meeting on posts and salaries of the civil service here yesterday. Also present was Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.
Abdullah acknowledged that for the police their basic salaries were low, but when their allowances were taken into consideration, the total amount was higher than the salaries of civil servants.
“The Government is aware of the increasing burden on the police force, so a salary adjustment is something we can consider,” he said.
Abdullah said that while a salary review was not carried out, the Government had made salary adjustments five times since 1992, including one up to 10% across the board.
The last adjustment was in 2002.
Apart from that, the Government had also given civil servants various types of allowances, including housing, critical and the cost of living allowance, and bonuses over the years.
“Taking all this into consideration, their salaries are quite high, although we have not implemented any salary review,” he said.
:
:
:
DESIDERATA:
Just let me ask this question that I have been asking since time immemorial. Okay that's exaggerating a byte, since I had been writing on socio-political and civil issues from years back.
If the majority of people were all for giving the Police personnel a decent enough pay to cope with rising costs, also an important factor in the overall picture of Fighting Corruption, the country's Enemy Number 1 since the end of the Commie threat -- how come th Government is so slow to act?
No money?
But this is for a sub-section of the Government civil service numbering 85,000 members only (out of 1.1million). And universally it is acknowledged this branch of service deserves a higher salary than norm because the members sacrifice for the security of the country and safety of the people. Speaking as a tax-payer, I don't mind if the police and armed forces were paid TWICE THE BASIC AOUNT as their fellow civil servants in the other branches, so that they can be motivated to serve with a sense of dedication and sacrifice.
Now, let's see why is the Government citing "financial burden" as a factor holding back an immediate response to raise the PDRM salaries.
* Pak Lah said the Government need to "spend money on development". Hey, this is a necessary and factored in allocation in the country's Annual Budget, come every November for Bajet tabling, so it's not an extraordinary expense. (This September was exceptional I believe in that it had been brought forward.)
**I wonder where the extraordinary profits (hence extra taxes collected) from PETRONAS went to?
For financial year ended March 31, 2005 Petronas recorded NET PROFIT of RM35.6billion.
For FYE March 31, 2006 Petronas recorded NET PROFIT of RM43.6billion.
Everything being equal, if the national oil corporation could be asked to perform some National Service by sharing its profits, I think the ordinary folks don't mind if some of these profits are spent as some "bonus" payments -- like 2 months for starters? -- payable once every six months, say June and December 2005 and 2006 respectively, to the PDRM members.
*** As long as the lower ranked members of the PDRM are being stretched trying to eke out daily living from hand-to-mouth, I believe the Fight Against Corruption would be insurmountable. As the Government drags its feet in taking corrective action speedily, the cancer will grow and grow until it passes the point of no return. I believe the country is almost there. And it does not help in the process to realising the IPCMC, dear Mr Prime Minister, as you drag ytour feet. Time is not on your side.
WoW, I didn't realise I was so-energised writHing that post a day of weariness yesterday! -- a humble Malaysian writing an Advisory (yes, that's what they call IT in diplomatic parlance! and I tasted some 12 years plus of its cocktails circult; or is it ducktails?) "Wella, neber mine," as long as this Advisory reaches the ears of the Top Dog!:)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Iamgettingwearied byallthis...
yes,thisishowiwrite today toshow how weary and tiredI've got.or gotten,whatever,Damn,damp,dang-- amiimitatingonewhelenDEStroyofipoh onthisblogspeak?
Nevermind,receivingsumtimes is alsoGODly, as in GOoD,as gifting!
My EsteemedReaders,should Desi goforanother HI-atus,oranother Banquet,or JustQuit?
~~~~~~~~~
Nation
Thursday September 28, 2006
Salleh’s case is closed
PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed that there is no case for a review of the 1988 judiciary crisis which led to the sacking of Tun Salleh Abas as Lord President.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the Cabinet has endorsed his statement that there was no case for a review.
“The Cabinet endorsed my statement. The case is closed,” he told The Star yesterday.
Salleh had outlined his five points for a review including his meeting with the then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had asked him to step down because he was accused of being biased in the discharge of his judicial duties.
Nazri explained that Salleh's point that he was asked to leave by Dr Mahathir was a matter between the two of them.
“That is privy between them. The fact is there was no miscarriage of justice during the trial,” he said in reference to the tribunal set up to hear the misconduct charges against Salleh.
“I am more concerned if there is new evidence and facts that have emerged during the trial. I am looking at this objectively as a minister in charge of law.”
On Aug 8, 1988, the Government accused Salleh and five judges – Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Datuk George Seah, Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman Pawanteh and Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh – of misconduct.
The judges were suspended and later, Seah, Salleh and Wan Sulaiman were sacked after they were tried by tribunals.
~~~~~~~~
DESI: mydearER,didyouaskfromwhichMSMthe above camefrom?
Oh,Iforgotattriburion,will Desi suffer retribution?
FromtheStar,BUTT it has not singlewordonthis importantcall by the BarCouncil that follows,wellcovered --mayhapstoowellcoveered so that its rivalhas eyes,don't see!.Mayhaps,The socalled,selfclaimedPeople'sPaper hasnot heard of the Bar,not,no serving thewhiskey,beerandah, forlessbrave soulslike Desi,Shandy.
~~~~~~~~~
Fromsun2surf.com, theSun's WEB EDITION :: Local News
Bar Council: Are we interested (in an independent judiciary)?
B. Suresh Ram
PETALING JAYA: Whether the 1988 judicial crisis should be reviewed boils down to whether the people and the government want the truth to come out, the Bar Council said today (Sept 27, 2006).
Its chairman, Yeo Yang Poh, who recently called for the review, said the revelation of "new facts" by former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas yesterday makes the move more important and pertinent now.
Salleh's airing of five reasons for a review was in response to a recent statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz that a review can only be justified if "new and important facts" have arisen.
Nazri, in an immediate response to Salleh's "new facts", reportedly said the new information did not merit a review.
He reiterated that there must be a finality to such cases.
Said Yeo: "Are we interested, that is the question?"
He said with the new revelation by Salleh, the finality argument by Nazri did not hold water.
Yeo said there is thus a need for the government to seriously reconsider its position on the matter.
"The question is this: Does our society want the truth to come out? If so, then this exercise is all the more meaningful," he said.
Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, who is also parliamentary Public Accounts Committee chairman, said he would support the review of the 1988 crisis, which led to Salleh's sacking and that of two other colleagues, on the basis of new evidence.
"This issue is very close to me," he said.
Shahrir said the issue was one of the reasons why he stood as an independent candidate in a by-election he won in August 1988.
"It is very personal (the sacking) and it was for this reason I had refrained from commenting on it," he said.
He said that for the matter to be re-opened, the basis or the idea as to why it should be reopened must be there.
Shahrir said the best and the utmost one can do is learn from the crisis and not repeat it.
The 1988 crisis represents the darkest period in the country's judicial history and was criticised as the executive interfering in the judiciary.
Updated: 05:39PM Wed, 27 Sep 2006
DESI: BeforeI take leave tomeet Tapestry weaver CAROLE KING to leanmyheavyhead on hershoulder,canI?, I suedmGf Mave SM'scourtlywisdom,can I2??
" Maverick SM 提到...
The issue will prise open the fundamentals of jurisprudence, whether we follow positivism or natural law theory. It must be remembered that it was the Agong who removed the Lord President after the tribunal had investigated and adjudged and the law do not permit the questioning of the decisions of the King, rightly or wrongly.
In natural law theory and the rule of justice, Judicial Review would provide justice in the name of fairness and equality. But it will bring uncertainty to the rule of law and cause more uncertainties to the judicial system per se.
What should be the better course is for the Agong to decree a review as he is above the law. That would be possible.
10:54 PM fromlustnight'sCOMMENTS"
IpraySallehAbas hasgottasuchaFRIEND!
I:
S:
A:men/amin.
"
歌曲的名字 You've Got A Friend
歌曲信息 Lyrics and Music: Carole King
歌词 When you're down and troubled
And you need some loving care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend
Nevermind,receivingsumtimes is alsoGODly, as in GOoD,as gifting!
My EsteemedReaders,should Desi goforanother HI-atus,oranother Banquet,or JustQuit?
~~~~~~~~~
Nation
Thursday September 28, 2006
Salleh’s case is closed
PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed that there is no case for a review of the 1988 judiciary crisis which led to the sacking of Tun Salleh Abas as Lord President.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the Cabinet has endorsed his statement that there was no case for a review.
“The Cabinet endorsed my statement. The case is closed,” he told The Star yesterday.
Salleh had outlined his five points for a review including his meeting with the then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had asked him to step down because he was accused of being biased in the discharge of his judicial duties.
Nazri explained that Salleh's point that he was asked to leave by Dr Mahathir was a matter between the two of them.
“That is privy between them. The fact is there was no miscarriage of justice during the trial,” he said in reference to the tribunal set up to hear the misconduct charges against Salleh.
“I am more concerned if there is new evidence and facts that have emerged during the trial. I am looking at this objectively as a minister in charge of law.”
On Aug 8, 1988, the Government accused Salleh and five judges – Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Datuk George Seah, Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman Pawanteh and Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh – of misconduct.
The judges were suspended and later, Seah, Salleh and Wan Sulaiman were sacked after they were tried by tribunals.
~~~~~~~~
DESI: mydearER,didyouaskfromwhichMSMthe above camefrom?
Oh,Iforgotattriburion,will Desi suffer retribution?
FromtheStar,BUTT it has not singlewordonthis importantcall by the BarCouncil that follows,wellcovered --mayhapstoowellcoveered so that its rivalhas eyes,don't see!.Mayhaps,The socalled,selfclaimedPeople'sPaper hasnot heard of the Bar,not,no serving thewhiskey,beerandah, forlessbrave soulslike Desi,Shandy.
~~~~~~~~~
Fromsun2surf.com, theSun's WEB EDITION :: Local News
Bar Council: Are we interested (in an independent judiciary)?
B. Suresh Ram
PETALING JAYA: Whether the 1988 judicial crisis should be reviewed boils down to whether the people and the government want the truth to come out, the Bar Council said today (Sept 27, 2006).
Its chairman, Yeo Yang Poh, who recently called for the review, said the revelation of "new facts" by former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas yesterday makes the move more important and pertinent now.
Salleh's airing of five reasons for a review was in response to a recent statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz that a review can only be justified if "new and important facts" have arisen.
Nazri, in an immediate response to Salleh's "new facts", reportedly said the new information did not merit a review.
He reiterated that there must be a finality to such cases.
Said Yeo: "Are we interested, that is the question?"
He said with the new revelation by Salleh, the finality argument by Nazri did not hold water.
Yeo said there is thus a need for the government to seriously reconsider its position on the matter.
"The question is this: Does our society want the truth to come out? If so, then this exercise is all the more meaningful," he said.
Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, who is also parliamentary Public Accounts Committee chairman, said he would support the review of the 1988 crisis, which led to Salleh's sacking and that of two other colleagues, on the basis of new evidence.
"This issue is very close to me," he said.
Shahrir said the issue was one of the reasons why he stood as an independent candidate in a by-election he won in August 1988.
"It is very personal (the sacking) and it was for this reason I had refrained from commenting on it," he said.
He said that for the matter to be re-opened, the basis or the idea as to why it should be reopened must be there.
Shahrir said the best and the utmost one can do is learn from the crisis and not repeat it.
The 1988 crisis represents the darkest period in the country's judicial history and was criticised as the executive interfering in the judiciary.
Updated: 05:39PM Wed, 27 Sep 2006
DESI: BeforeI take leave tomeet Tapestry weaver CAROLE KING to leanmyheavyhead on hershoulder,canI?, I suedmGf Mave SM'scourtlywisdom,can I2??
" Maverick SM 提到...
The issue will prise open the fundamentals of jurisprudence, whether we follow positivism or natural law theory. It must be remembered that it was the Agong who removed the Lord President after the tribunal had investigated and adjudged and the law do not permit the questioning of the decisions of the King, rightly or wrongly.
In natural law theory and the rule of justice, Judicial Review would provide justice in the name of fairness and equality. But it will bring uncertainty to the rule of law and cause more uncertainties to the judicial system per se.
What should be the better course is for the Agong to decree a review as he is above the law. That would be possible.
10:54 PM fromlustnight'sCOMMENTS"
IpraySallehAbas hasgottasuchaFRIEND!
I:
S:
A:men/amin.
"
歌曲的名字 You've Got A Friend
歌曲信息 Lyrics and Music: Carole King
歌词 When you're down and troubled
And you need some loving care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
A Banquet Awaits
COMING: sunday's inter:lude:
If there is one Chinese movie my EsteemedReaders must catch for the remaining quarter of 2006, please pay RM8 to pay for The Banquet. I went at the invite of eye-catching Zhang Ziyi last night, and before I accord it its proper 'rite/s this Sunday, I urge that you see the lavish offering before then. This notice is a sort of warning of Desi serving a Spoiler-starters before the "Yeh Yan" starts, and you don't want that, do you?
Back to home-grown entertainment:
From The Star Page N26, two related items reproduced in full so that my ER can make their own discerning assessments, maybe slightly influenced by Desi's views (which you can skip if you so choose-lah!:)
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Salleh reveals new facts
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Salleh Abas has expressed his thanks to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for agreeing to a review of the 1988 Judicial Crisis should “new and important facts” emerge.
And to fulfil this condition set by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the former Lord President issued a five-page statement yesterday, “touching on five incidents only in general terms”, which saw his dismissal and that of two other Supreme Court judges.
Among the five incidents were that he had been asked to step down by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a meeting on May 27, 1988 after being accused of being biased in the discharge of his judicial duties.
Salleh :‘I hope the truth will be uncovered’
Salleh claimed he had strongly denied the accusation and refused to resign but Dr Mahathir threatened to have him removed by instituting a tribunal under the Constitution.
During the 1988 Judicial Crisis, Salleh was sacked from his post as Lord President after a tribunal had tried him.
Another tribunal sacked Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman Pawanteh and Datuk George Seah, two of five Supreme Court judges who had ordered a halt to the proceedings against Salleh.
Salleh claimed a “very important officer of the Government” had also paid him a visit on the same day as the meeting.
He said the officer tried to persuade him to resign by promising him a lucrative job in Jeddah as a director of an Islamic bank with “a high salary I could never have dreamed of, coupled with unlimited entertainment and travelling allowances.”
Salleh said the officer, who told him he had been authorised to pass the message to him by a “very important minister”, also threatened him with dismissal and “the ignominy of having to face a tribunal” after he declined the offer.
Apart from the incidents mentioned in his statement, Salleh said there were also other incidents that would emerge if the review were held.
“I hope Nazri will present the proposal to the Cabinet for a review of the 1988 Judicial Crisis so that the truth of this important episode in our nation’s history is uncovered,” Salleh said.
~~~~~~~~
Dr M: I personally asked Salleh to resign
PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had personally asked Tun Salleh Abas to resign from his post as Lord President in 1988 as he thought it was the best move.
He said Salleh had first agreed to step down but a few days later refused to do so, which prompted the Government to take the necessary action to remove him.
“He agreed first, then later on, I don’t know how many days later, he decided that he should not step down.
“Then of course the Government was forced to take action,” he said, adding that Salleh did not give reasons as to why he had decided against stepping down.
Dr Mahathir was responding to a statement by Salleh yesterday, where he claimed he was asked to resign by the former premier.
Salleh also claimed he was offered a high paying job as a director of an Islamic bank in Jeddah if he resigned.
When asked about the job offer, Dr Mahathir said since Salleh had refused to resign, it meant he did not want to take up the job.
When asked if there was indeed such a job offer, Dr Mahathir said he could not remember what he had exactly offered.
“I don’t remember exactly what I offered him but I did ask him to step down so as to prevent any scandal or necessity to take action (against him),” he said, adding that he later started the necessary process to remove Salleh as the Lord President.
“Removal of a judge requires a decision by his peers as required by the Constitution, so we have to abide by the Constitution.
“The Agong thought that it was just a matter of dismissal by me.
“I don’t have the power to dismiss anybody, any judge,” he said.
(Dr Mahathir, who is the new president of Perkim, was speaking to reporters here after breaking fast with Perkim members at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here yesterday.
At the event, 40 converts also received cash aid and goodies.)
DESIDERATA:
Yhe highlights (THUS BOLDED) are Desi's. Also, I bracketed the last two paras as they are not the subject of scrutiny in this POst, and I hope my ER will just focus of the issue of the former Lord Prsident Salleh's sacking.
This latest FACE-OFF again reprises the on-going Face-Off between the former PM and the current PM. The events are triggered by One Man's DESIRE TO MAINTAIN POWER at all costs according to his vantage point and according to his -- no one else's determination.
Now Justice must be done, and seen to be done if in the ongoing review and writing of the history of NegaraKu that we can detect any injsutices have been committed by any individual circumventing the country's law to perpetuate his DESIRE FOR POWER to be maintained at all cost.
Desi is a firm believer of justice, fair play and equal treatment of all Malaysians before the Law. I am also a Truth-seeker, like Tun Salleh Abas.
Ours is a country to be ruled by Law according to the Constitution and the laws enacted properly and constitutionally by The Parliament , NOT BY ANY INDIVIDUAL LEADER'S DECREE, be it the Minister, ordinary, or Prime, Past or present.
All God-fearing people should not be afraid of The Truth. If a Royal Commission has to be instituted to get to the bottom of the 1988 sacking of then Lord President Tun Salleh and two other senior judges, then let the Commission be set up as soon as possible. Pak Lah is urged by this humble citizen to lend a helping hand. Before any protagonists breath their last and not see the Truth before saying a GO o D bye, which will be a greater targedy, Yes?
In the final goodbye lies an all-seeing GOD. No man escapes this judgement. So we might as well get our earthly accounts closed before entering those gates of H'aven or H'll, No?
If there is one Chinese movie my EsteemedReaders must catch for the remaining quarter of 2006, please pay RM8 to pay for The Banquet. I went at the invite of eye-catching Zhang Ziyi last night, and before I accord it its proper 'rite/s this Sunday, I urge that you see the lavish offering before then. This notice is a sort of warning of Desi serving a Spoiler-starters before the "Yeh Yan" starts, and you don't want that, do you?
Back to home-grown entertainment:
From The Star Page N26, two related items reproduced in full so that my ER can make their own discerning assessments, maybe slightly influenced by Desi's views (which you can skip if you so choose-lah!:)
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Salleh reveals new facts
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Salleh Abas has expressed his thanks to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for agreeing to a review of the 1988 Judicial Crisis should “new and important facts” emerge.
And to fulfil this condition set by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the former Lord President issued a five-page statement yesterday, “touching on five incidents only in general terms”, which saw his dismissal and that of two other Supreme Court judges.
Among the five incidents were that he had been asked to step down by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a meeting on May 27, 1988 after being accused of being biased in the discharge of his judicial duties.
Salleh :‘I hope the truth will be uncovered’
Salleh claimed he had strongly denied the accusation and refused to resign but Dr Mahathir threatened to have him removed by instituting a tribunal under the Constitution.
During the 1988 Judicial Crisis, Salleh was sacked from his post as Lord President after a tribunal had tried him.
Another tribunal sacked Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman Pawanteh and Datuk George Seah, two of five Supreme Court judges who had ordered a halt to the proceedings against Salleh.
Salleh claimed a “very important officer of the Government” had also paid him a visit on the same day as the meeting.
He said the officer tried to persuade him to resign by promising him a lucrative job in Jeddah as a director of an Islamic bank with “a high salary I could never have dreamed of, coupled with unlimited entertainment and travelling allowances.”
Salleh said the officer, who told him he had been authorised to pass the message to him by a “very important minister”, also threatened him with dismissal and “the ignominy of having to face a tribunal” after he declined the offer.
Apart from the incidents mentioned in his statement, Salleh said there were also other incidents that would emerge if the review were held.
“I hope Nazri will present the proposal to the Cabinet for a review of the 1988 Judicial Crisis so that the truth of this important episode in our nation’s history is uncovered,” Salleh said.
~~~~~~~~
Dr M: I personally asked Salleh to resign
PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had personally asked Tun Salleh Abas to resign from his post as Lord President in 1988 as he thought it was the best move.
He said Salleh had first agreed to step down but a few days later refused to do so, which prompted the Government to take the necessary action to remove him.
“He agreed first, then later on, I don’t know how many days later, he decided that he should not step down.
“Then of course the Government was forced to take action,” he said, adding that Salleh did not give reasons as to why he had decided against stepping down.
Dr Mahathir was responding to a statement by Salleh yesterday, where he claimed he was asked to resign by the former premier.
Salleh also claimed he was offered a high paying job as a director of an Islamic bank in Jeddah if he resigned.
When asked about the job offer, Dr Mahathir said since Salleh had refused to resign, it meant he did not want to take up the job.
When asked if there was indeed such a job offer, Dr Mahathir said he could not remember what he had exactly offered.
“I don’t remember exactly what I offered him but I did ask him to step down so as to prevent any scandal or necessity to take action (against him),” he said, adding that he later started the necessary process to remove Salleh as the Lord President.
“Removal of a judge requires a decision by his peers as required by the Constitution, so we have to abide by the Constitution.
“The Agong thought that it was just a matter of dismissal by me.
“I don’t have the power to dismiss anybody, any judge,” he said.
(Dr Mahathir, who is the new president of Perkim, was speaking to reporters here after breaking fast with Perkim members at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here yesterday.
At the event, 40 converts also received cash aid and goodies.)
DESIDERATA:
Yhe highlights (THUS BOLDED) are Desi's. Also, I bracketed the last two paras as they are not the subject of scrutiny in this POst, and I hope my ER will just focus of the issue of the former Lord Prsident Salleh's sacking.
This latest FACE-OFF again reprises the on-going Face-Off between the former PM and the current PM. The events are triggered by One Man's DESIRE TO MAINTAIN POWER at all costs according to his vantage point and according to his -- no one else's determination.
Now Justice must be done, and seen to be done if in the ongoing review and writing of the history of NegaraKu that we can detect any injsutices have been committed by any individual circumventing the country's law to perpetuate his DESIRE FOR POWER to be maintained at all cost.
Desi is a firm believer of justice, fair play and equal treatment of all Malaysians before the Law. I am also a Truth-seeker, like Tun Salleh Abas.
Ours is a country to be ruled by Law according to the Constitution and the laws enacted properly and constitutionally by The Parliament , NOT BY ANY INDIVIDUAL LEADER'S DECREE, be it the Minister, ordinary, or Prime, Past or present.
All God-fearing people should not be afraid of The Truth. If a Royal Commission has to be instituted to get to the bottom of the 1988 sacking of then Lord President Tun Salleh and two other senior judges, then let the Commission be set up as soon as possible. Pak Lah is urged by this humble citizen to lend a helping hand. Before any protagonists breath their last and not see the Truth before saying a GO o D bye, which will be a greater targedy, Yes?
In the final goodbye lies an all-seeing GOD. No man escapes this judgement. So we might as well get our earthly accounts closed before entering those gates of H'aven or H'll, No?
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The Englishman and his Chinoserie Mission
mGf Yan@yantouch.wordpress.com recalls someone who has had left a strong imprint of her growing days -- it's a case of her finding what I believe "The Singer and His Song" comtemporarneously.
BIG word, used out of necessity.
" The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
contemporary
SYLLABICATION: con·tem·po·rar·y
PRONUNCIATION: kn-tmp-rr
ADJECTIVE: 1. Belonging to the same period of time: a fact documented by two contemporary sources. 2. Of about the same age. 3. Current; modern: contemporary trends in design.
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. con·tem·po·rar·ies
1. One of the same time or age: Shelley and Keats were contemporaries. 2. A person of the present age.
ETYMOLOGY: Medieval Latin contemporrius : Latin com-, com- + Latin tempus, tempor-, time + Latin -rius, -ary.
OTHER FORMS: con·tempo·rari·ly (-tmp-râr-l) — ADVERB
Sisdar Yan aka Phyllis Wong in the more formal settings of Chinese and English press world, particularly in The Land Below The Wind, wrote a piece yesterday that resonated with Desi's mental landscape of late -- fidning his way back as a Malaysian with Chinese blood ancestry, trying to find the best of the cultures -- historical and present and future -- that impacted/continue to impact on a national of a country entering its 50th year of nationhood. We are a people in "transition" -- hence many among my category are fidning out slowly the ripeness of the "bana" in me. Banana is a rcih fruit commonly found in many lands -- even in the wild -- so it's not a disparaging comparision. Be thee proud, Saudara Mave SM, that your, okay, my, yes, Our Prime Minister, Pak Lah, likes to eat bananas! Furthermore, he had much Chinoserie blood flowing through his (and his beloved wife, the late Endon Mahmood's, bless her soul) veins.
From "Yan’s Corner - In Touch
Home September 25th, 2006
I left part of myself in Sarawak
"Thanks to Winnie of The Connection for putting up a Hymn of Praise written by Rev David Hill MacDonald that prompted me to find out this interview done by me on 13th September 2002 and published in The Borneo Post.
"I have the priviledge of walking down memory lane with some very imspiring and distinguished persons for the past four months in my course of work. Life of journalist is colourful and just full of life!
If you are from Sarawak, in particular from Sibu, if you are struggling with learning of Chinese, if you want to know what’s Bishop’s Soup, if you want to know how a person could leave part of himself in Sarawak and take part of Sarawakians with him, please read on …. it’s a little of history, may be nostaligic to some, but surely all honour and glory go to God!
'The engine throbs into life, and the boat vibrates... People are still clambering up the gangplank, women carrying children and bundles of vegetables, followed by other small children sucking on ice-cream…
Highways are waterways in Sarawak. Some people ply the river in small craft powered by outboard motors, but most are content to let the public launch trundle them home from market.
Bicycles, sacks of meal, oil-drums, timber, pigs, hens, ducks, edibles and passengers all seem to constitute a legitimate load...'
This was how Rev David Hill MacDonald described Sarawak, in particular Sibu back in 1959.
Rev MacDonald was one of the early missionary pastors from England who served in Sarawak from 1957 to 1960.
After 42 years, he is back “home” here in Sibu. During the afternoon at Ida Mamora’s house, I joined Rev MacDonald as he reminisced about life back then. He bantered on about old friends, missionary work, the youths in Sarawak, sowing seeds, and studying Chinese."
~~~~~~~~~~
I am always beguiled by Chinese classics like The Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin and Dreams of the Red Chamber?; oh yes, those martial arts movies,made famous by Bruce Lee, Ti Lung, and Jet Li, Chow Yun Fatt, Chen Loong? -- but pretty "selectively". I tried reading the originals in Mandarin, but patience being not such a youthful virtue, this half-baked 'goreng pisang', (Theels, does this description fit thee?) often gave in to temptation reading the English translations, often abridged. It was through direct exchanges with Mr Coww -- who just came back from doing seven months' International Service! in China; bordeless world, remember? -- that prompted Desi's write yesterday on his China's journey "second home". I'd put down anything I plan to do when Mr Coww calls for a coffee talk while I sip teh-C. Holy Cow, How apt, a 2-in-1! -- a more scholarly Chinoserie plus Shakespearean classicist combined into one is hard to come by than Mr Coww.
And tonight we are planning a Royale Banquet with Miss Zhang Ziyi!Indeed, many of us are Coming Home.
Don't anyone here accuse Desi and friends of being any less patriotic merely on account that we also appreciate our cultutral roots. WE were born with Chinoserie blood -- no one can change that FACT! -- and in defining patriotism to King and Country, I would refer any contending Thomases to refer to two Merdeka Day Essay Series in this humble blog.
Back to present day's nostalgic journey back to just before and after Merdeka 1957 Malaya -- when Sarawak and Sabah had NOT joined the later expanded Malaysia -- Yan's article recorded a common feature that impacted loys on the Malayan residents in the British settlement days. When the British and their stiff upper lipped British Residents and Estate managers and British companies' bosses, led lives of leisure and pleasure served by Chinese samfoo-ed maids and Ahmad chauffeurs, and the Indian gardener at their Master's and Maam's beck and call in their villas. In Kuala Lumpur, they rank their stengah at the Dog and in rigid. regimented ways stole glances at the local Chinese lasses with their bee-shaped slender bods waspin/wisping by as the maddogs played cricket in the blazing killer Malayan sun.
Quite a "breed" (again this word is used with that positive quality, unlike normal disdainful one, in it:)apart from these upper class of colonials were the missionaries. They took as their first task to learning the local languages, inclduing Chinese, Malay, and some rare species, maybe Tamil. mGf Yan's nostalgic story yesterday reaffirms in my mind that despite all the "evils" of British dominance, there is a treasure they left us which enriched?continues to enich our Malaysian ways -- their language. And to some grateful sections of the population,the Missionary Work in the outskirts that brought early benefits of the civilizational process. The opening of the mind.
People like Yan and Desi will forever have a place in their hearts for this brave class of souls who ventured out of home territory to serve. Service beyond self. Like what some writers also learn to do, but often several walks behind. That sort of service is for people fired by a calling. A writer's call can be hot and fiery -- but never nigh that of a man called to be a voice fo The Word. I can say with privileged knowledge Yan and Mr Coww possess some of thhat fire. For Desi, by contrats, it's merely candle light.
When that runs out, we make do catching some fireflies among the bushes and throns and twigs, yes?
BIG word, used out of necessity.
" The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
contemporary
SYLLABICATION: con·tem·po·rar·y
PRONUNCIATION: kn-tmp-rr
ADJECTIVE: 1. Belonging to the same period of time: a fact documented by two contemporary sources. 2. Of about the same age. 3. Current; modern: contemporary trends in design.
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. con·tem·po·rar·ies
1. One of the same time or age: Shelley and Keats were contemporaries. 2. A person of the present age.
ETYMOLOGY: Medieval Latin contemporrius : Latin com-, com- + Latin tempus, tempor-, time + Latin -rius, -ary.
OTHER FORMS: con·tempo·rari·ly (-tmp-râr-l) — ADVERB
Sisdar Yan aka Phyllis Wong in the more formal settings of Chinese and English press world, particularly in The Land Below The Wind, wrote a piece yesterday that resonated with Desi's mental landscape of late -- fidning his way back as a Malaysian with Chinese blood ancestry, trying to find the best of the cultures -- historical and present and future -- that impacted/continue to impact on a national of a country entering its 50th year of nationhood. We are a people in "transition" -- hence many among my category are fidning out slowly the ripeness of the "bana" in me. Banana is a rcih fruit commonly found in many lands -- even in the wild -- so it's not a disparaging comparision. Be thee proud, Saudara Mave SM, that your, okay, my, yes, Our Prime Minister, Pak Lah, likes to eat bananas! Furthermore, he had much Chinoserie blood flowing through his (and his beloved wife, the late Endon Mahmood's, bless her soul) veins.
From "Yan’s Corner - In Touch
Home September 25th, 2006
I left part of myself in Sarawak
"Thanks to Winnie of The Connection for putting up a Hymn of Praise written by Rev David Hill MacDonald that prompted me to find out this interview done by me on 13th September 2002 and published in The Borneo Post.
"I have the priviledge of walking down memory lane with some very imspiring and distinguished persons for the past four months in my course of work. Life of journalist is colourful and just full of life!
If you are from Sarawak, in particular from Sibu, if you are struggling with learning of Chinese, if you want to know what’s Bishop’s Soup, if you want to know how a person could leave part of himself in Sarawak and take part of Sarawakians with him, please read on …. it’s a little of history, may be nostaligic to some, but surely all honour and glory go to God!
'The engine throbs into life, and the boat vibrates... People are still clambering up the gangplank, women carrying children and bundles of vegetables, followed by other small children sucking on ice-cream…
Highways are waterways in Sarawak. Some people ply the river in small craft powered by outboard motors, but most are content to let the public launch trundle them home from market.
Bicycles, sacks of meal, oil-drums, timber, pigs, hens, ducks, edibles and passengers all seem to constitute a legitimate load...'
This was how Rev David Hill MacDonald described Sarawak, in particular Sibu back in 1959.
Rev MacDonald was one of the early missionary pastors from England who served in Sarawak from 1957 to 1960.
After 42 years, he is back “home” here in Sibu. During the afternoon at Ida Mamora’s house, I joined Rev MacDonald as he reminisced about life back then. He bantered on about old friends, missionary work, the youths in Sarawak, sowing seeds, and studying Chinese."
~~~~~~~~~~
I am always beguiled by Chinese classics like The Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin and Dreams of the Red Chamber?; oh yes, those martial arts movies,made famous by Bruce Lee, Ti Lung, and Jet Li, Chow Yun Fatt, Chen Loong? -- but pretty "selectively". I tried reading the originals in Mandarin, but patience being not such a youthful virtue, this half-baked 'goreng pisang', (Theels, does this description fit thee?) often gave in to temptation reading the English translations, often abridged. It was through direct exchanges with Mr Coww -- who just came back from doing seven months' International Service! in China; bordeless world, remember? -- that prompted Desi's write yesterday on his China's journey "second home". I'd put down anything I plan to do when Mr Coww calls for a coffee talk while I sip teh-C. Holy Cow, How apt, a 2-in-1! -- a more scholarly Chinoserie plus Shakespearean classicist combined into one is hard to come by than Mr Coww.
And tonight we are planning a Royale Banquet with Miss Zhang Ziyi!Indeed, many of us are Coming Home.
Don't anyone here accuse Desi and friends of being any less patriotic merely on account that we also appreciate our cultutral roots. WE were born with Chinoserie blood -- no one can change that FACT! -- and in defining patriotism to King and Country, I would refer any contending Thomases to refer to two Merdeka Day Essay Series in this humble blog.
Back to present day's nostalgic journey back to just before and after Merdeka 1957 Malaya -- when Sarawak and Sabah had NOT joined the later expanded Malaysia -- Yan's article recorded a common feature that impacted loys on the Malayan residents in the British settlement days. When the British and their stiff upper lipped British Residents and Estate managers and British companies' bosses, led lives of leisure and pleasure served by Chinese samfoo-ed maids and Ahmad chauffeurs, and the Indian gardener at their Master's and Maam's beck and call in their villas. In Kuala Lumpur, they rank their stengah at the Dog and in rigid. regimented ways stole glances at the local Chinese lasses with their bee-shaped slender bods waspin/wisping by as the maddogs played cricket in the blazing killer Malayan sun.
Quite a "breed" (again this word is used with that positive quality, unlike normal disdainful one, in it:)apart from these upper class of colonials were the missionaries. They took as their first task to learning the local languages, inclduing Chinese, Malay, and some rare species, maybe Tamil. mGf Yan's nostalgic story yesterday reaffirms in my mind that despite all the "evils" of British dominance, there is a treasure they left us which enriched?continues to enich our Malaysian ways -- their language. And to some grateful sections of the population,the Missionary Work in the outskirts that brought early benefits of the civilizational process. The opening of the mind.
People like Yan and Desi will forever have a place in their hearts for this brave class of souls who ventured out of home territory to serve. Service beyond self. Like what some writers also learn to do, but often several walks behind. That sort of service is for people fired by a calling. A writer's call can be hot and fiery -- but never nigh that of a man called to be a voice fo The Word. I can say with privileged knowledge Yan and Mr Coww possess some of thhat fire. For Desi, by contrats, it's merely candle light.
When that runs out, we make do catching some fireflies among the bushes and throns and twigs, yes?
Monday, September 25, 2006
Chinoserie tales
Art thou mGf of Chinese blood ancestry a true-blue Chinoserie?
Today's post on bluesy Mondae is to lighten up thy day in recompense for Yesterday's Inter:Lude which is not the norm serving "socio-politico" stuffings, "Vely heavy" I know.
Most of my Malaysian friends with Chinese ancestral blood are what Anak Merdeka frankly admits: Bananapeople, yellow on the Outside, totally white on the Inside.Which means to say, we can't speak the Chinese language, termed formally as Mandarin, and we are 70-80% at home with using our colonial master's lingo, English. The other 20% is for Chinese dialects like Kantonis, Hakka or Hokkien, etc.
But I have a few friends who are as strong in Mandarin as in English -- I call them a ripe Banana -- Yellow on the Outside, and Yellowish on the Inside. One is mGf Yan nigh Catsville. Another is a just returnee from mainland China I had introduced to my ER here as Mr Coww. Desi is in strange land -- neither here nor dare:( If you don't understand what I mean, it's not important enough for me to explain me here. Catch me through the Seremban Maze for an insight...
After seven months of rendering "international service" at Kunming, capital city of 4million tru-blue Chinoserie, in Yunnan Province,China, Mr Coww came back last Friday for recuperation and re-energising on typical Malaysian foods -- you people like to call it cute-sins? -- like nazi lemak, nai fun and sea food. Why sea food? Because Kunming is far from the seas, hence ordinary fish which we consider "almost discards" would cost RM20 per kg. But other types of cuisine cost about one-quarter of local rates -- so the Chinoserie folks could make do comfortably with 500rmb a month.
He is considered an "expatriate" -- receiving an enviable allowance to get by with more than enough to spare many times over. I can't disclose the pay as the IRB will get to Desi for "hiding" an "unpatriot" income -- the outcome can be disastrous for both of us -- YOU READERS CAN BE CONSIDERED A-ccomplices! An acomplishment eh?
If you wanna hear more folksy tales about Mr Coww's excursions, come down to Furong and have a tit-a-tete with Desi savouring Siew Pau and teh-tarik, with coffee for Mr Coww and get flee entertainment for a few hours. Please bring platinum card along -- I told one Mave SM that for an appointment with "seeFei" and he went MIA!:(
A typical outing to XinWen Road (News Road, my unofficial translation-lah!) is to a 4-storey Book City, where one company would display millions of titles on all floors. But the setback is 90% are in Chinese; only 10% are bi-lingual (Engllish & Chinese) or monolingual (English) books and other publications. One set of an abridged classic like Wuthering Heights plus movie (VCD and DVD options) only costs 20 yuan (rmb). But please don't complain if you only see the films in B&W! Collectibles:) Jane Eyre, Pride and Perjudice and all the "juices" of English classics are at thy calling, at Butler's service level-price!
"Gone with the Wind" comes in in 4 dics plus the Book costs only 20 yuan! When I join Mr Coww in his next trip back, I would have to bring two scouts haversacks which I can steal have in Da Store-room.
Today's post on bluesy Mondae is to lighten up thy day in recompense for Yesterday's Inter:Lude which is not the norm serving "socio-politico" stuffings, "Vely heavy" I know.
Most of my Malaysian friends with Chinese ancestral blood are what Anak Merdeka frankly admits: Bananapeople, yellow on the Outside, totally white on the Inside.Which means to say, we can't speak the Chinese language, termed formally as Mandarin, and we are 70-80% at home with using our colonial master's lingo, English. The other 20% is for Chinese dialects like Kantonis, Hakka or Hokkien, etc.
But I have a few friends who are as strong in Mandarin as in English -- I call them a ripe Banana -- Yellow on the Outside, and Yellowish on the Inside. One is mGf Yan nigh Catsville. Another is a just returnee from mainland China I had introduced to my ER here as Mr Coww. Desi is in strange land -- neither here nor dare:( If you don't understand what I mean, it's not important enough for me to explain me here. Catch me through the Seremban Maze for an insight...
After seven months of rendering "international service" at Kunming, capital city of 4million tru-blue Chinoserie, in Yunnan Province,China, Mr Coww came back last Friday for recuperation and re-energising on typical Malaysian foods -- you people like to call it cute-sins? -- like nazi lemak, nai fun and sea food. Why sea food? Because Kunming is far from the seas, hence ordinary fish which we consider "almost discards" would cost RM20 per kg. But other types of cuisine cost about one-quarter of local rates -- so the Chinoserie folks could make do comfortably with 500rmb a month.
He is considered an "expatriate" -- receiving an enviable allowance to get by with more than enough to spare many times over. I can't disclose the pay as the IRB will get to Desi for "hiding" an "unpatriot" income -- the outcome can be disastrous for both of us -- YOU READERS CAN BE CONSIDERED A-ccomplices! An acomplishment eh?
If you wanna hear more folksy tales about Mr Coww's excursions, come down to Furong and have a tit-a-tete with Desi savouring Siew Pau and teh-tarik, with coffee for Mr Coww and get flee entertainment for a few hours. Please bring platinum card along -- I told one Mave SM that for an appointment with "seeFei" and he went MIA!:(
A typical outing to XinWen Road (News Road, my unofficial translation-lah!) is to a 4-storey Book City, where one company would display millions of titles on all floors. But the setback is 90% are in Chinese; only 10% are bi-lingual (Engllish & Chinese) or monolingual (English) books and other publications. One set of an abridged classic like Wuthering Heights plus movie (VCD and DVD options) only costs 20 yuan (rmb). But please don't complain if you only see the films in B&W! Collectibles:) Jane Eyre, Pride and Perjudice and all the "juices" of English classics are at thy calling, at Butler's service level-price!
"Gone with the Wind" comes in in 4 dics plus the Book costs only 20 yuan! When I join Mr Coww in his next trip back, I would have to bring two scouts haversacks which I can steal have in Da Store-room.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Disparate, Discordant or Congruent Voices...
This Sundae's Inter:Lude is special. Democracy has been much on Desi's mind, mayhaps because of what happend last week in neigbouring Thailand. It made me sit up. Feeling sombre. Reflective. Then wondering. I am confused. I won't write much Prose. Some Poetry maybe. Hence e evn on a weakday I gave thee Wandering. I am glad for some blessings in NegaraKu. Yet there is this disquiet. I have some answers. And Questioning on others.
But this Sundae 'll make do with some Other Voices, and my dear ER, it's again my democratic spirit at work that you pick form these voices ~~ Which is disparate; which is discordant; and which is congruent. I am doing it occasional lest I be accsued of being a brainwashing taiko. I dislike that role, I'd rather be a someimes Mentor, most times Mentee. Or vice versa if thou would choose to be generous in spirit. I strive to.
Again the perennial question troubling my mind lots lately, perhaps on some other Malaysain minds too?: Captain, My Captain -- Quo Vadis?
First serving on CON BF dae, warts and all; typos and awe too in my short Commento~~
Brudder Imran wrote a simple but eye-opening art-ickle recently which I think is worth stealing. I did it in broad dielight, from civil strife-laden Sri Lanka. That's where he's gone MIA!:)
Individual Made for Rapturous Arousing and Naughty Affection
The Individual Says…
posted: Tue 12th Sep, 2006, categories: Rant
What an ungrateful lot we, Malaysians, in general are. Everyday when I blog-hop, all I ever read is people lambasting the government. I agree that the way things are at the moment, it is justified. But as a whole, we should seriously take stock of how far we have actually come under the Grand Old Man’s tenure. No one is perfect. Look at the Tony Blair’s and George W. Bush’s erraneous ways, declaring war on a nation without justifiable proof. Thank god our sandiwara back home has not reached such great heights.
Living in a country like Sri Lanka is such a humbling experience. I have seen with my very own eyes how bad the people have it here. Over 42% percent of them get by on a measely amount of Rs.200, which is the equivalent to RM8 in a month. They are so much worse off in comparison to us. Yet we are not grateful for what we have. I admit that things back home leaves much to be desired, but at least we should be happy we are not struggling to make ends meet. We still have our cars to drive looking at the the ever increasing traffic congestion. We still have many pubs and discos cropping up everywhere. We still have mega shopping complexes coming up at unexpected places, which are filled with shoppers during weekends.
I for one will never compare Malaysia to any other foreign country like most other people who are currently overseas. My argument is that Malaysia is still at an infancy stage, taking baby steps towards becoming a developed nation. Rome wasn’t built overnight, neither will Malaysia. Of course there will be hiccups along the way, of course the will be corruption and greed. But the main issue is are we doing anything to address it?
It is truly heart warming that whenever I mention that I’m from Malaysia, the first thing that comes to the mind of the locals here is Tun Dr. Mahathir. Yes, the local people here wished that their government is helmed by someone as capable as him. I’m not trying to cajole the Old Man’s ego and neither am I a staunch supporter of him, but he did Malaysia proud. There’s no denying that. And it’s a shame that after all he has done, he is treated like a pariah. This is like treating your own parents like dirt. Maybe we will never know why he did the things he did. Maybe he had his reasons. Just maybe. But to condemn a man, who is held in such high regard everywhere else except in his own country is truly mind boggling.
I have never been prouder to be a Malaysian as I am today, here in this foreign country. True I am making a living overseas, but I still am working for a Malaysian company. I still am a Malaysian, as it says on my passport and MyKad. We can be so much worse off, but we are not. So just be grateful for what we have, for our achievements, for our failures. The question is what are we going to do to improve ourselves? Are we just going to foam at the mouth proclaiming that we are capable of doing one better but never walk the talk? I’d rather have someone who has less talk and more walk.
4 Comments but I'm reproducing only Mine. that's simple curt-sey! ~~ DEsi. For other readers' comments, please visit time2rise.wordpress.com...»
Comment by ylchong, September 21, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
I can stand beside you on almost 90% of what you wrote.
Except the subtle point that many Malaysians based overseas “complain” with good faith — that the concerns are genuine and it’s up to the leaders to take note and improve.
Otherwise, Malaysia is a good country, but we can make it Great! Not Mat Rempit style — Nobel prize towering avchievers, yes? ~~ Desi
PS: Good to see you writHing sensitive/sen-sible stuff — I may even bollow this for wickedend, can?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Without Fear or Favour writer, a partial extract only, and the highlights (THUS BOLDED) are mine. You are advised to read the full message (to do justice to RPK and thyself!:) @malaysia-today.net:
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Walking the talk
Raja Petra Kamarudin
It was certainly politically incorrect in this day and age for the Pope to utter a statement that would rub the sentiments of Muslims the wrong way. The world of today is not the world of yesterday that the Pope was quoting from. Yesterday’s world had borders, you on one side and me on the other. Today’s world is borderless and you will find many non-Muslims in Muslim countries and vice versa. In fact, there are more Muslims in non-Muslim countries than the other way around, and the Muslim population in these countries is growing at a faster rate than the non-Muslim population, party because the birth rate of Muslims is higher but mainly because of immigration.
There will come a time when the Muslim and non-Muslim population will be delicately balanced and almost equal. Malaysia is one case in point where this has already happened. The only way to distinguish whether the country is a Muslim or non-Muslim one would be based on what its Constitution says. Countries like Malaysia have written into its Constitution that Islam is the official religion of the land. But does this make Malaysia a Muslim country, or rather an Islamic country?
The jury is of course out on this one.
:
:
:
Muslims are passionate about their religion. But this is not a ‘crime’ confined to just Muslims. Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, and all the others are equally passionate about their religion as well. Maybe the only difference between Muslims and those of the other religions is that Muslims like to demonstrate this passion openly.
:
:
:
Indians, Pakistanis, Turks, Persians and of course Malays are passionate people as well. Just see the way they write, observe how they debate and ceramah, read their poetry. The finer side of these people can be seen in their creations. And it is a piece of work filled with passion. But it is not just passion at play here. Malays, Indians, Pakistanis and people from the Middle East are not ashamed of being emotional as well. They would cry openly, wailing at the top of their voices. A Caucasian would find this most unmanly and not something you would do in public. But a public demonstration of breaking down and losing control of one’s emotions is not something that a Middle Eastern or someone from the greater continent would consider anti-social behaviour.
We see many Muslims demonstrating, running riot, and losing control of their emotions at their objections to the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad or more recently the Pope’s speech. This appears to be the Muslim response to those who insult Islam or the Prophet. But it is not a Muslim response. It is an Arab, Persian, Turk, Indian, Pakistani or Malay response. It is not the Islam in them that makes them retaliate violently. It is the fact that they are Arabs, Persians, Turk, Indians, Pakistanis and Malays.
This of course sounds very racial of me to say this but it is not meant as something racial. In fact, there are many non-Muslim ethnicities that are very passionate or emotional as well. I suppose only the British can claim to have a ‘stiff upper lip, always cool under any situation and never allowing their emotions to get the better of them. But then this is how they were raised. They read history books about how Sir Walter Raleigh (or was it Sir Francis Drake) bowled while the Spanish Armada sailed up the English Channel. He did not panic. He was not emotional or in a huff. He coolly continued his game until the end then took care of the Spanish Armada. And the Spanish Armada was burnt before it touched British shores in what is now known as the ‘singeing (burning) of the King of Spain’s beard’.
:
:
:
Anyway, now that we understand that the Muslim passion and emotion has nothing to do with Islam but with who they are, let us go back to what the Pope said recently and to the earlier cartoon outrage. How should Muslims respond to these situations?
My sentiments on this whole thing would certainly be the minority view. And it is based on logic and common sense rather than emotions or passion. Muslims say that Islam is a peaceful religion. We say that our God, Allah, which we claim to be the God of all mankind and not only of Muslims, is most kind, merciful and ever forgiving. In fact, we have 99 names for Allah, all positive. Would it not then be better that we demonstrate what Islam stands for by preaching peace instead of war and by forgiving all those who we perceive as having insulted Islam and our Prophet? I mean, if Islam stands for peace should we then not practice what Islam preaches? When we meet a fellow Muslim we do say ‘peace be upon you’. But then we talk war.
Allah is kind, merciful and forgiving plus 96 other ‘characteristics’. If our Allah can be all these, then why can’t we too since we too are his creation? When we say Allah is kind, to whom is He kind? When we say merciful, to whom is He merciful? And the same goes for forgiving as well. Who do we forgive if not those who transgress? We do not forgive our friends or those who have done us no wrong. It is our enemies we forgive.
I would rather demonstrate what Islam stands for by practicing its tenets. And what better way to do this than to show compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and much more to those who we regard as having insulted Islam and our Prophet. That would be living testimony to the goodness of Islam, something no one, even how critical they may be of Islam, would be able to dispute or deny. But then, as I said, I am the minority view here. Or am I?
posted 12:30 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And from an MSM (I Apologise here I did NOT properly record the particular paper...~~ Desi)
Tun DrM to Muslims: Don't go overboard
CYBERJAYA: Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called upon Muslims not to go overboard with their reactions on the comments made by Pope Benedict XVI linking Islam with violence.
He said the reaction by Muslims should not go to the extent of them getting physical about it.
"It should not (be) to the point of burning embassies and like that," he told reporters today (Sept 22, 2006) after delivering a talk at the Multimedia University here titled "Universities For Vision 2020".
On improving the relations with Muslims following the statement of the Pope, Mahathir said more should be done (by the Vatican) instead of just pointing fingers.
Earlier in his talk, Mahathir said a university which promotes and inculcates a desire to learn among its students will be at the forefront of becoming a premier university.
"A university should be a place not only where knowledge is acquired but where such knowledge is increased," he said.
Thus, in order to achieve this, research papers and studies conducted on various branches of academia, particularly Science, are quite essential to chieve this first class status, he said.
"In 2020, a quality university is not a place to obtain a degree, but a place where you can gain and seek more knowledge," he said.
Mahathir added that in 2020 when the country would have achieved a developed status, the universities themselves must strive for this goal, so as not to be left behind.
:
:
:
Mahathir also hoped that with improving academia quality, the country would be able to produce its first Noble Laureate by the year 2020.
Updated: 02:00PM Fri, 22 Sep 2006
~~~~~~~~~
And from Page 2, Sunday Star, from your PM, okay my PM2, and yes, from Prime Minister of the whole of NegaraKU, two voicings~~
V1:
I want to get an explanation from Lee, says Abdullah
SEPANG: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will write to Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew asking him to explain his statement that Malaysian Chinese were being marginalised.
The Prime Minister said he agreed with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that Lee's statement was “naughty,” and would seek clarification over the matter.
“I want to get an explanation from him on what he said and the reason for making the statement,” he told reporters upon his return after a two-week trip to Finland, Cuba, the United States and Britain.
On Sept 15, Reuters quoted Lee as saying that it was vital for the predominantly ethnic Chinese state to stand up to its two bigger, Muslim majority neighbours.
Abdullah said Lee's statement was not supported by any specific analysis.
He added that race relations in Singapore was not 100% good either.
Stating that Lee’s statement was not fair and inappropriate, he said the statement was tantamount to instigating the Malaysian Chinese.
He said if Malaysia were not stable, Singapore would also be affected as the island republic had economic interests in the country.
During a press conference in London on Friday, Abdullah said no community in Malaysia was being marginalised.
Stressing that this was a fact, he said the progress achieved by the country’s multi-racial community showed that no one had been sidelined.
Abdullah said the success of the Chinese community, for instance, was clearly reflected through its participation in various fields.
The Barisan Nasional, he added, was a responsible government that looked after the interests of all the communities and the Chinese, through the MCA and other parties, were involved in the Government’s power-sharing process.
Earlier, Abdullah likened the comparison in economic development between Malaysia and Singapore to that of a ciku and durian.
“It’s not for comparison. Singapore did well because it is only a city-state specialising in areas such as its airport as well as financial and banking services,” he said, adding that the Klang Valley could be compared favourably with the republic.
::
::
V2:
Overseas grads can help check brain drain
LONDON: Overseas Malaysian graduates have been told to help check the brain drain by providing input on what makes their alma mater tick.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said they could give a fair assessment of what they had seen and experienced during their university days.
He said their feedback on the foreign institutions' long-established academic systems and teaching methods would benefit universities back home.
“For instance, we cannot allow university bureaucracy to frustrate our top brains and force them to seek work overseas,” he told more than 150 Malaysian students during a dialogue at the Malaysian High Commission on Friday.
The students, from about 40 British universities, had come from all over Britain including Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton and London.
Abdullah was replying to a question on the brain drain issue from postgraduate student Dr Syed Nasirin Syed Zainol Abidin who said Malaysians could tolerate low salaries but not bureaucracy.
The Prime Minister said Malaysian graduates here could hold regular discussions about their experiences studying in top British universities.
Abdullah said he would instruct Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed to give priority to PhD holders to give their input on the university systems in developed countries.
“We don’t need to listen to experts who tell us what to do with our curriculum development and other aspects. We can harness the experience of our post-graduate students to help us improve our academic systems,” he said.
Abdullah said the government wanted to seek the best way to study as well as the best curriculum and training for its teachers and professors.
He asked: “What’s so different here from what’s back home? Are we doing better or them?
“If they’re better, there must be something we can learn from what they have provided in their universities where our students have been studying for years,” he added.
Earlier, another student urged the government to instil a sense of awareness, patriotism and religious obligation among Malaysians overseas to help curb the brain drain.
Just a short PS, can?~~~~~~~:)
There is some resonance or congruence in my Commento to brudder Imran's leading piece earlier, is there not. A pat on Imran's back and Desi's piggie-back!
Mayhaps Pak Lah has time for Blog-rolling in between his naps in London and had spied Imran's art-ickle and Desi's thinking allowed? Mayhaps brudder Imran has a hotline to PuteriJaya, I dunno who I'm inter-acting with in blo=GO=spear!:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And finally, on a Note of Peace and Rumination on GOoD, Beautiful Sunday, I stole this Gem, or Witstaker Choc, from sabbie @pavlova.blog.co.nz
Sunday | September 17, 2006
"Do It Anyway "
This poem is on the wall of the late Mother Theresa's office, but it is NOT written by her. Apparently is written by Professor Kent who is teaching at University of California.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will
forget tomorrow,
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and
it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got ... anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is
between you and God,
It never was between you and them anyway.
"PeAce to Awe",
I:
S:
A: men/min. ~~ Desi
But this Sundae 'll make do with some Other Voices, and my dear ER, it's again my democratic spirit at work that you pick form these voices ~~ Which is disparate; which is discordant; and which is congruent. I am doing it occasional lest I be accsued of being a brainwashing taiko. I dislike that role, I'd rather be a someimes Mentor, most times Mentee. Or vice versa if thou would choose to be generous in spirit. I strive to.
Again the perennial question troubling my mind lots lately, perhaps on some other Malaysain minds too?: Captain, My Captain -- Quo Vadis?
First serving on CON BF dae, warts and all; typos and awe too in my short Commento~~
Brudder Imran wrote a simple but eye-opening art-ickle recently which I think is worth stealing. I did it in broad dielight, from civil strife-laden Sri Lanka. That's where he's gone MIA!:)
Individual Made for Rapturous Arousing and Naughty Affection
The Individual Says…
posted: Tue 12th Sep, 2006, categories: Rant
What an ungrateful lot we, Malaysians, in general are. Everyday when I blog-hop, all I ever read is people lambasting the government. I agree that the way things are at the moment, it is justified. But as a whole, we should seriously take stock of how far we have actually come under the Grand Old Man’s tenure. No one is perfect. Look at the Tony Blair’s and George W. Bush’s erraneous ways, declaring war on a nation without justifiable proof. Thank god our sandiwara back home has not reached such great heights.
Living in a country like Sri Lanka is such a humbling experience. I have seen with my very own eyes how bad the people have it here. Over 42% percent of them get by on a measely amount of Rs.200, which is the equivalent to RM8 in a month. They are so much worse off in comparison to us. Yet we are not grateful for what we have. I admit that things back home leaves much to be desired, but at least we should be happy we are not struggling to make ends meet. We still have our cars to drive looking at the the ever increasing traffic congestion. We still have many pubs and discos cropping up everywhere. We still have mega shopping complexes coming up at unexpected places, which are filled with shoppers during weekends.
I for one will never compare Malaysia to any other foreign country like most other people who are currently overseas. My argument is that Malaysia is still at an infancy stage, taking baby steps towards becoming a developed nation. Rome wasn’t built overnight, neither will Malaysia. Of course there will be hiccups along the way, of course the will be corruption and greed. But the main issue is are we doing anything to address it?
It is truly heart warming that whenever I mention that I’m from Malaysia, the first thing that comes to the mind of the locals here is Tun Dr. Mahathir. Yes, the local people here wished that their government is helmed by someone as capable as him. I’m not trying to cajole the Old Man’s ego and neither am I a staunch supporter of him, but he did Malaysia proud. There’s no denying that. And it’s a shame that after all he has done, he is treated like a pariah. This is like treating your own parents like dirt. Maybe we will never know why he did the things he did. Maybe he had his reasons. Just maybe. But to condemn a man, who is held in such high regard everywhere else except in his own country is truly mind boggling.
I have never been prouder to be a Malaysian as I am today, here in this foreign country. True I am making a living overseas, but I still am working for a Malaysian company. I still am a Malaysian, as it says on my passport and MyKad. We can be so much worse off, but we are not. So just be grateful for what we have, for our achievements, for our failures. The question is what are we going to do to improve ourselves? Are we just going to foam at the mouth proclaiming that we are capable of doing one better but never walk the talk? I’d rather have someone who has less talk and more walk.
4 Comments but I'm reproducing only Mine. that's simple curt-sey! ~~ DEsi. For other readers' comments, please visit time2rise.wordpress.com...»
Comment by ylchong, September 21, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
I can stand beside you on almost 90% of what you wrote.
Except the subtle point that many Malaysians based overseas “complain” with good faith — that the concerns are genuine and it’s up to the leaders to take note and improve.
Otherwise, Malaysia is a good country, but we can make it Great! Not Mat Rempit style — Nobel prize towering avchievers, yes? ~~ Desi
PS: Good to see you writHing sensitive/sen-sible stuff — I may even bollow this for wickedend, can?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Without Fear or Favour writer, a partial extract only, and the highlights (THUS BOLDED) are mine. You are advised to read the full message (to do justice to RPK and thyself!:) @malaysia-today.net:
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Walking the talk
Raja Petra Kamarudin
It was certainly politically incorrect in this day and age for the Pope to utter a statement that would rub the sentiments of Muslims the wrong way. The world of today is not the world of yesterday that the Pope was quoting from. Yesterday’s world had borders, you on one side and me on the other. Today’s world is borderless and you will find many non-Muslims in Muslim countries and vice versa. In fact, there are more Muslims in non-Muslim countries than the other way around, and the Muslim population in these countries is growing at a faster rate than the non-Muslim population, party because the birth rate of Muslims is higher but mainly because of immigration.
There will come a time when the Muslim and non-Muslim population will be delicately balanced and almost equal. Malaysia is one case in point where this has already happened. The only way to distinguish whether the country is a Muslim or non-Muslim one would be based on what its Constitution says. Countries like Malaysia have written into its Constitution that Islam is the official religion of the land. But does this make Malaysia a Muslim country, or rather an Islamic country?
The jury is of course out on this one.
:
:
:
Muslims are passionate about their religion. But this is not a ‘crime’ confined to just Muslims. Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, and all the others are equally passionate about their religion as well. Maybe the only difference between Muslims and those of the other religions is that Muslims like to demonstrate this passion openly.
:
:
:
Indians, Pakistanis, Turks, Persians and of course Malays are passionate people as well. Just see the way they write, observe how they debate and ceramah, read their poetry. The finer side of these people can be seen in their creations. And it is a piece of work filled with passion. But it is not just passion at play here. Malays, Indians, Pakistanis and people from the Middle East are not ashamed of being emotional as well. They would cry openly, wailing at the top of their voices. A Caucasian would find this most unmanly and not something you would do in public. But a public demonstration of breaking down and losing control of one’s emotions is not something that a Middle Eastern or someone from the greater continent would consider anti-social behaviour.
We see many Muslims demonstrating, running riot, and losing control of their emotions at their objections to the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad or more recently the Pope’s speech. This appears to be the Muslim response to those who insult Islam or the Prophet. But it is not a Muslim response. It is an Arab, Persian, Turk, Indian, Pakistani or Malay response. It is not the Islam in them that makes them retaliate violently. It is the fact that they are Arabs, Persians, Turk, Indians, Pakistanis and Malays.
This of course sounds very racial of me to say this but it is not meant as something racial. In fact, there are many non-Muslim ethnicities that are very passionate or emotional as well. I suppose only the British can claim to have a ‘stiff upper lip, always cool under any situation and never allowing their emotions to get the better of them. But then this is how they were raised. They read history books about how Sir Walter Raleigh (or was it Sir Francis Drake) bowled while the Spanish Armada sailed up the English Channel. He did not panic. He was not emotional or in a huff. He coolly continued his game until the end then took care of the Spanish Armada. And the Spanish Armada was burnt before it touched British shores in what is now known as the ‘singeing (burning) of the King of Spain’s beard’.
:
:
:
Anyway, now that we understand that the Muslim passion and emotion has nothing to do with Islam but with who they are, let us go back to what the Pope said recently and to the earlier cartoon outrage. How should Muslims respond to these situations?
My sentiments on this whole thing would certainly be the minority view. And it is based on logic and common sense rather than emotions or passion. Muslims say that Islam is a peaceful religion. We say that our God, Allah, which we claim to be the God of all mankind and not only of Muslims, is most kind, merciful and ever forgiving. In fact, we have 99 names for Allah, all positive. Would it not then be better that we demonstrate what Islam stands for by preaching peace instead of war and by forgiving all those who we perceive as having insulted Islam and our Prophet? I mean, if Islam stands for peace should we then not practice what Islam preaches? When we meet a fellow Muslim we do say ‘peace be upon you’. But then we talk war.
Allah is kind, merciful and forgiving plus 96 other ‘characteristics’. If our Allah can be all these, then why can’t we too since we too are his creation? When we say Allah is kind, to whom is He kind? When we say merciful, to whom is He merciful? And the same goes for forgiving as well. Who do we forgive if not those who transgress? We do not forgive our friends or those who have done us no wrong. It is our enemies we forgive.
I would rather demonstrate what Islam stands for by practicing its tenets. And what better way to do this than to show compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and much more to those who we regard as having insulted Islam and our Prophet. That would be living testimony to the goodness of Islam, something no one, even how critical they may be of Islam, would be able to dispute or deny. But then, as I said, I am the minority view here. Or am I?
posted 12:30 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And from an MSM (I Apologise here I did NOT properly record the particular paper...~~ Desi)
Tun DrM to Muslims: Don't go overboard
CYBERJAYA: Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called upon Muslims not to go overboard with their reactions on the comments made by Pope Benedict XVI linking Islam with violence.
He said the reaction by Muslims should not go to the extent of them getting physical about it.
"It should not (be) to the point of burning embassies and like that," he told reporters today (Sept 22, 2006) after delivering a talk at the Multimedia University here titled "Universities For Vision 2020".
On improving the relations with Muslims following the statement of the Pope, Mahathir said more should be done (by the Vatican) instead of just pointing fingers.
Earlier in his talk, Mahathir said a university which promotes and inculcates a desire to learn among its students will be at the forefront of becoming a premier university.
"A university should be a place not only where knowledge is acquired but where such knowledge is increased," he said.
Thus, in order to achieve this, research papers and studies conducted on various branches of academia, particularly Science, are quite essential to chieve this first class status, he said.
"In 2020, a quality university is not a place to obtain a degree, but a place where you can gain and seek more knowledge," he said.
Mahathir added that in 2020 when the country would have achieved a developed status, the universities themselves must strive for this goal, so as not to be left behind.
:
:
:
Mahathir also hoped that with improving academia quality, the country would be able to produce its first Noble Laureate by the year 2020.
Updated: 02:00PM Fri, 22 Sep 2006
~~~~~~~~~
And from Page 2, Sunday Star, from your PM, okay my PM2, and yes, from Prime Minister of the whole of NegaraKU, two voicings~~
V1:
I want to get an explanation from Lee, says Abdullah
SEPANG: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will write to Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew asking him to explain his statement that Malaysian Chinese were being marginalised.
The Prime Minister said he agreed with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that Lee's statement was “naughty,” and would seek clarification over the matter.
“I want to get an explanation from him on what he said and the reason for making the statement,” he told reporters upon his return after a two-week trip to Finland, Cuba, the United States and Britain.
On Sept 15, Reuters quoted Lee as saying that it was vital for the predominantly ethnic Chinese state to stand up to its two bigger, Muslim majority neighbours.
Abdullah said Lee's statement was not supported by any specific analysis.
He added that race relations in Singapore was not 100% good either.
Stating that Lee’s statement was not fair and inappropriate, he said the statement was tantamount to instigating the Malaysian Chinese.
He said if Malaysia were not stable, Singapore would also be affected as the island republic had economic interests in the country.
During a press conference in London on Friday, Abdullah said no community in Malaysia was being marginalised.
Stressing that this was a fact, he said the progress achieved by the country’s multi-racial community showed that no one had been sidelined.
Abdullah said the success of the Chinese community, for instance, was clearly reflected through its participation in various fields.
The Barisan Nasional, he added, was a responsible government that looked after the interests of all the communities and the Chinese, through the MCA and other parties, were involved in the Government’s power-sharing process.
Earlier, Abdullah likened the comparison in economic development between Malaysia and Singapore to that of a ciku and durian.
“It’s not for comparison. Singapore did well because it is only a city-state specialising in areas such as its airport as well as financial and banking services,” he said, adding that the Klang Valley could be compared favourably with the republic.
::
::
V2:
Overseas grads can help check brain drain
LONDON: Overseas Malaysian graduates have been told to help check the brain drain by providing input on what makes their alma mater tick.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said they could give a fair assessment of what they had seen and experienced during their university days.
He said their feedback on the foreign institutions' long-established academic systems and teaching methods would benefit universities back home.
“For instance, we cannot allow university bureaucracy to frustrate our top brains and force them to seek work overseas,” he told more than 150 Malaysian students during a dialogue at the Malaysian High Commission on Friday.
The students, from about 40 British universities, had come from all over Britain including Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton and London.
Abdullah was replying to a question on the brain drain issue from postgraduate student Dr Syed Nasirin Syed Zainol Abidin who said Malaysians could tolerate low salaries but not bureaucracy.
The Prime Minister said Malaysian graduates here could hold regular discussions about their experiences studying in top British universities.
Abdullah said he would instruct Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed to give priority to PhD holders to give their input on the university systems in developed countries.
“We don’t need to listen to experts who tell us what to do with our curriculum development and other aspects. We can harness the experience of our post-graduate students to help us improve our academic systems,” he said.
Abdullah said the government wanted to seek the best way to study as well as the best curriculum and training for its teachers and professors.
He asked: “What’s so different here from what’s back home? Are we doing better or them?
“If they’re better, there must be something we can learn from what they have provided in their universities where our students have been studying for years,” he added.
Earlier, another student urged the government to instil a sense of awareness, patriotism and religious obligation among Malaysians overseas to help curb the brain drain.
Just a short PS, can?~~~~~~~:)
There is some resonance or congruence in my Commento to brudder Imran's leading piece earlier, is there not. A pat on Imran's back and Desi's piggie-back!
Mayhaps Pak Lah has time for Blog-rolling in between his naps in London and had spied Imran's art-ickle and Desi's thinking allowed? Mayhaps brudder Imran has a hotline to PuteriJaya, I dunno who I'm inter-acting with in blo=GO=spear!:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And finally, on a Note of Peace and Rumination on GOoD, Beautiful Sunday, I stole this Gem, or Witstaker Choc, from sabbie @pavlova.blog.co.nz
Sunday | September 17, 2006
"Do It Anyway "
This poem is on the wall of the late Mother Theresa's office, but it is NOT written by her. Apparently is written by Professor Kent who is teaching at University of California.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will
forget tomorrow,
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and
it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got ... anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is
between you and God,
It never was between you and them anyway.
"PeAce to Awe",
I:
S:
A: men/min. ~~ Desi
Saturday, September 23, 2006
BPP: I picked a Winner!
No, it's not a new branded oil that I picked. Coming out a Winner.
It's was BIAS for a Seremban-ite. A-Lass! Besides Anak Merdeka and Desiderata, Furong also now boasts A (-nother) Millionaire -- SUKI!I am thinking of carving her name across the Lake Gardens in a Au banner...Do I need a billboard permit? I'll give a call to Nades in a second; No, in 24.
She's -- and I don't mean Nades! -- no Japanese, like Honda or Suzuki. She's LOW SOOK WEE.
From page N27, The Star, bright and shiny Sept 23, 200s'x:
It's the "B" in BPP that spells BIAS that motivated to send one Vote by SMS, costing a significant 50sen "in suki" to 32728 that could have added up to make a difference.
Seremban could have been the Peyton Placeof Malaysia in the 1970s, but not in mod 2000s because though the town be small, I don't even know her. Suki I mean. No, she's not mean. It's mine. I know AM but I haven't met her eeether, or Ayether. Rather, mayhaps she hasn't picked up the bravado for the encounter. Hence my counter at Desi's Place picked up one less visitor!:(
NB: Had I removed the brackets frpm "A (-nother) Millionaire" above, AM and Desi would have retired long ago -- and not blogging and wasting thy youth away!:):) Or maybe I under-estimated AM's worth in dollars & senSE?I'll confront her with this q when, and if, I meet up with this *Musk.
Suki wins One in a Million
KUALA LUMPUR: Form Five student Low Sook Wee, popularly known as Suki, won 8TV’s biggest talent-search reality show, One in a Million (OIAM), last night.
She beat two other finalists – Muhammad Alif Mohd Satar and Ahmad Faizal Mohd Tahir – and clinched the RM1mil prize consisting of cash and a recording contract, that includes collaboration with top producers and artistes, and a marketing campaign.
Met right after the show, Suki said:
“I’m happy and I thank my fans for voting and believing in me. Now that the contest is over, I plan to focus on my studies.
“I will discuss my future plans with my parents and 8TV when I complete my studies,” said Suki, who won the hearts of viewers with Audi Mok’s original composition Berdiri and pop duo M2M’s Everything.
OIAM, which was first aired on May 26, is different from other talent-search shows as it is open to both amateurs and recording artistes.
Among the artistes who participated in the show was Dayang Nurfaizah, who was voted out in the final elimination round last week.
The contest saw the finalists singing English and Bahasa Malaysia songs.
OIAM is the first local talent-search reality programme that allows viewers to vote for or against their favourite and least likeable contestants.
More than 5,000 hopefuls auditioned for the reality show with hopes of winning the one million prize.
8TV’s Quickie presenter Marion Caunter and Awal Awal Ashaari hosted the show.
PPS: She's also a smart and level-headed teenager ~~ "“Im happy and I thank my fans for voting and believing in me. Now that the contest is over, I plan to focus on my studies.
~~~~~~~~~
Now, the first 'P' from BPP; okay, the second "P" also: ~~~
PREJUDICE.
(mis)-PERCEPTION
Don’t get worked up over Lee’s statement
IPOH: Malaysians should remain united and not fall into the trap of getting worked up over a recent statement by former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Malaysia knew what it was doing and would not allow those remarks to create unnecessary disharmony and suspicion.
"As a former prime minister, he should know this kind of remarks could have a negative impact on neighbouring countries,” he told reporters after a briefing with Batu Gajah MCA division members in Pusing, near here, yesterday.
Lee, who is Minister Mentor for the island republic, had been quoted as saying on Sept 15 that it was vital for predominantly Chinese Singapore to stand up to its bigger neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Speaking at a forum on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings, he also said the attitude of Malaysia and Indonesia towards Singapore had been shaped by the way they treated their own ethnic Chinese minorities.
Lee said Singapore’s neighbours had problems with their Chinese communities because they were successful and hardworking and “therefore, they are systematically marginalised.”
Ong said that Lee’s statement was not fair to the Malaysian Government and to Malaysians of all races.
In Kuala Lumpur, MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Lee should “mind his own business” as Malaysians knew how to live in harmony and had done so for a long time.
“This proves that the Malaysian formula works in producing a strong rakyat Malaysia who can compete at the international level,” he said.
DESIDERATA:
Please note the highlighted points (THUS BOLDED by Desi): My EsteemedReaders are invited to see through the mindsets of the Protagonists in the latest Mal-Sin spat as reported in the following report. Please categorise the SINS of the Players involved. Desi has his Bias, Prejudice and Perception in the case, but he's NOT telling except on one, viz:
"Lee said Singapore’s neighbours had problems with their Chinese communities because they were successful and hardworking and “therefore, they are systematically marginalised.”
It's minister Lee's PERCEPTION that (Malaysians) ...are systematically marginalised.
Both DPM Najib Tun Razak (who described Lee's statement as "naughty") and Ong Ka Ting begged to disgaree of course. I believe many Malaysians also begged to disagree with Ong, also Najib, also Lee. A TIME poll may just verify the distribution curve.
Why Time, you may ask. Why not the New Straits Times, The Star, or Singapore Straits Times. That's Desi's BIAS speaking. I deem TIME is best suited as a "neutral" party not aligned to Sin or Mal - land, and if you beg to dis-A-gree, do you think this Scribe now from milliuonaire-smallsville cares?
Now behave yourself, get rid of all Bias, Prejudice and Digest the rest of what your Leaders say or posture or regurgitate -- my final word on this. I did not urge Perception on your part because God gave each of us a unique mind, remember. Hence, it's to be expected that your perception and YL Chong's, and Najib Tun Razak's and Ong Ka Tig's, and Minister Lee, will differ. CHIAROSCURO, remember?
It's was BIAS for a Seremban-ite. A-Lass! Besides Anak Merdeka and Desiderata, Furong also now boasts A (-nother) Millionaire -- SUKI!I am thinking of carving her name across the Lake Gardens in a Au banner...Do I need a billboard permit? I'll give a call to Nades in a second; No, in 24.
She's -- and I don't mean Nades! -- no Japanese, like Honda or Suzuki. She's LOW SOOK WEE.
From page N27, The Star, bright and shiny Sept 23, 200s'x:
It's the "B" in BPP that spells BIAS that motivated to send one Vote by SMS, costing a significant 50sen "in suki" to 32728 that could have added up to make a difference.
Seremban could have been the Peyton Placeof Malaysia in the 1970s, but not in mod 2000s because though the town be small, I don't even know her. Suki I mean. No, she's not mean. It's mine. I know AM but I haven't met her eeether, or Ayether. Rather, mayhaps she hasn't picked up the bravado for the encounter. Hence my counter at Desi's Place picked up one less visitor!:(
NB: Had I removed the brackets frpm "A (-nother) Millionaire" above, AM and Desi would have retired long ago -- and not blogging and wasting thy youth away!:):) Or maybe I under-estimated AM's worth in dollars & senSE?I'll confront her with this q when, and if, I meet up with this *Musk.
Suki wins One in a Million
KUALA LUMPUR: Form Five student Low Sook Wee, popularly known as Suki, won 8TV’s biggest talent-search reality show, One in a Million (OIAM), last night.
She beat two other finalists – Muhammad Alif Mohd Satar and Ahmad Faizal Mohd Tahir – and clinched the RM1mil prize consisting of cash and a recording contract, that includes collaboration with top producers and artistes, and a marketing campaign.
Met right after the show, Suki said:
“I’m happy and I thank my fans for voting and believing in me. Now that the contest is over, I plan to focus on my studies.
“I will discuss my future plans with my parents and 8TV when I complete my studies,” said Suki, who won the hearts of viewers with Audi Mok’s original composition Berdiri and pop duo M2M’s Everything.
OIAM, which was first aired on May 26, is different from other talent-search shows as it is open to both amateurs and recording artistes.
Among the artistes who participated in the show was Dayang Nurfaizah, who was voted out in the final elimination round last week.
The contest saw the finalists singing English and Bahasa Malaysia songs.
OIAM is the first local talent-search reality programme that allows viewers to vote for or against their favourite and least likeable contestants.
More than 5,000 hopefuls auditioned for the reality show with hopes of winning the one million prize.
8TV’s Quickie presenter Marion Caunter and Awal Awal Ashaari hosted the show.
PPS: She's also a smart and level-headed teenager ~~ "“Im happy and I thank my fans for voting and believing in me. Now that the contest is over, I plan to focus on my studies.
~~~~~~~~~
Now, the first 'P' from BPP; okay, the second "P" also: ~~~
PREJUDICE.
(mis)-PERCEPTION
Don’t get worked up over Lee’s statement
IPOH: Malaysians should remain united and not fall into the trap of getting worked up over a recent statement by former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Malaysia knew what it was doing and would not allow those remarks to create unnecessary disharmony and suspicion.
"As a former prime minister, he should know this kind of remarks could have a negative impact on neighbouring countries,” he told reporters after a briefing with Batu Gajah MCA division members in Pusing, near here, yesterday.
Lee, who is Minister Mentor for the island republic, had been quoted as saying on Sept 15 that it was vital for predominantly Chinese Singapore to stand up to its bigger neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Speaking at a forum on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings, he also said the attitude of Malaysia and Indonesia towards Singapore had been shaped by the way they treated their own ethnic Chinese minorities.
Lee said Singapore’s neighbours had problems with their Chinese communities because they were successful and hardworking and “therefore, they are systematically marginalised.”
Ong said that Lee’s statement was not fair to the Malaysian Government and to Malaysians of all races.
In Kuala Lumpur, MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Lee should “mind his own business” as Malaysians knew how to live in harmony and had done so for a long time.
“This proves that the Malaysian formula works in producing a strong rakyat Malaysia who can compete at the international level,” he said.
DESIDERATA:
Please note the highlighted points (THUS BOLDED by Desi): My EsteemedReaders are invited to see through the mindsets of the Protagonists in the latest Mal-Sin spat as reported in the following report. Please categorise the SINS of the Players involved. Desi has his Bias, Prejudice and Perception in the case, but he's NOT telling except on one, viz:
"Lee said Singapore’s neighbours had problems with their Chinese communities because they were successful and hardworking and “therefore, they are systematically marginalised.”
It's minister Lee's PERCEPTION that (Malaysians) ...are systematically marginalised.
Both DPM Najib Tun Razak (who described Lee's statement as "naughty") and Ong Ka Ting begged to disgaree of course. I believe many Malaysians also begged to disagree with Ong, also Najib, also Lee. A TIME poll may just verify the distribution curve.
Why Time, you may ask. Why not the New Straits Times, The Star, or Singapore Straits Times. That's Desi's BIAS speaking. I deem TIME is best suited as a "neutral" party not aligned to Sin or Mal - land, and if you beg to dis-A-gree, do you think this Scribe now from milliuonaire-smallsville cares?
Now behave yourself, get rid of all Bias, Prejudice and Digest the rest of what your Leaders say or posture or regurgitate -- my final word on this. I did not urge Perception on your part because God gave each of us a unique mind, remember. Hence, it's to be expected that your perception and YL Chong's, and Najib Tun Razak's and Ong Ka Tig's, and Minister Lee, will differ. CHIAROSCURO, remember?
Friday, September 22, 2006
Bias, Prejudice and Perception
Let Desi put in simple language his layman definitions of the three terms before applyig to some current issues besetting the nation, or the world, or our "human" reality.
Bias -- attitude or feeling of taking a certain side on an issue or regarding a person/party;
Prejudice -- preconceived view or attitude towards an issue or regarding a person/party;
Perception -- what a person thinks or feels about an issue or person (which may or may not conincide with the facts or reality)
The Star frontpage features a call by esteemed Prime Minister speaking at that world forum and lamenting Man's perennial problems ...yes, stemming much from Bias, Prejudice and (Mis-)Perception
Stop the bias
NEW YORK: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made an impassioned plea to Western countries to have a better understanding of Islam and not be prejudiced by the works of extremists.
“Much of the ills in the affairs of our world were the result of irrational actions caused by prejudices,” said the Prime Minister, adding that much of the prejudices stemmed from ignorance about what Islam stands for.
Abdullah told the 61st UN general assembly here on Wednesday night of his concerns over the growing schism between the West and the Muslim world, citing that dialogues which had taken place involved parties “talking at” instead of “talking to” one another.
Calling for more honest dialogues, he said: “Any dialogue would certainly fail if it is already predetermined that certain states are ‘rogues’ or that certain countries are necessarily ‘evil’.”
He explained that Islam was not the source of intolerance between peoples of different faiths.
The “perverse words and evil deeds” of extremists from the fringes of Muslim societies must not be confused as a reflection of Islamic culture, he stressed.
“The demonisation of Islam must be stopped and Islamophobia must be removed,” he said.
The suppression of Palestine, the invasion of Afghanistan and the destruction of Lebanon, among others, were carried out in the name of the war against terrorism, he said, but the Muslim world would view these actions as a complicity to humiliate Muslim countries.
“The fact is that the sense of humiliation felt by the Muslim world is the root cause for the loss of trust between the Muslim world and the Judeo-Christian civilisation.”
He pointed out that the greatest discord today existed among the descendants of Abraham – the followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – who had shared a common beginning which was the religion of Abraham.
Abdullah also reminded UN member countries that the world body was created to be a “Parliament of Man”.
“Six decades since then, we have yet to achieve the intentions of the UN Charter,” he said.
The “human family”, he said, still could not find solutions to their own problems.
He also urged the UN to stop social and economic injustices such as poverty and disease.
DESIDERATA:
The Prime Minister was taking the world stage as his canvas yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly, and he spoke like a statesman, not a politician. The UN has not been able to achieve its main mission of "world peace", some 60 years after its formation. This annual gathering of world leaders allows for national leaders and statesmen to engage in self-glorified speech-making -- often in self-centred verbiage, full of grandiose semantics, but on close examination, the meat is all meandering on the peripheries of the core problems besieging the world.
It's Man's perennial problems -- inherent by its very nature of being a member of the species called Homo sapiens.
So is the diagnosis by Pak Lah anything new, or fundamentally fresh?
My short answer is a BIG NO.
Fundamentally, the issues and problems he outlined have always been, are and will continue to be the stuff of more such speeches on the world stage. It's only the local MSM who'd like to make us believe as if the nation's leader has come up with something new or fresh. No, the same old problems will always beset the peoples of the world. And the leaders will contiue to beat around the bush.
A prime example Pak Lah cited is a good case of what MIS-Perception is, viz: "The suppression of Palestine, the invasion of Afghanistan and the destruction of Lebanon, among others, were carried out in the name of the war against terrorism, he said, but the Muslim world would view these actions as a complicity to humiliate Muslim countries.
One party "deems" it a war against terror -- but another party "thinks" it a complot against it.
Party A deems Party B as The Terorists;
Party B deems themselves as Freedom Fighters. And call Party A The Terrorists!
Differences in Perception? Or it's all Semantics again?
So who can reconcile the oposing views?
It's not for a small fry such as you or Desi to offer solutiuons.
We are human beings watching, waiting. Maybe sometimes we pray. We indeed live from century to century -- about the maximum life-span of the individual human possible at the moment -- quite an advance from perhaps 50 years some few centuries back. Mainly thanks to scientists, no, not the politicians. We don't know if the Madcaps out there will terminate the Earth we know today with the next World War -- or as some parties put it, the last World War has already started.
Big Brother the USA will always "talk at" or "talk down" to other nations, especially after the dismantling of the other "balancing" super-power The Soviet Union. Until and unless maybe China or Germany can rise to be near equals half a century hence?
"Talking to" is only possible among Equals, and the US is not about to recognise ant other nation to being "close" to be an equal.
The clash of Muslim world and the Christian-Judeo civiklization will pose the greatest challnge facing us. Nay, this clash may even be the determinant of the survival of the human race -- and the sad answer is that world leaders are nowhere nearer to an Answer since the end of World War II in 1945 that led to the birth of the UN, hoping to succeed where its, The League of Nations, had failed.
But Pak Lah has done his expected duties on the world stage. What awaits him at home when he returns to face similar challenges in NegaraKu -- is a microcosm of the BIG prolems on a lesser scale. Bias, Prejudice and Perception. Can he arrest the yawning chasm between Islam followers and members of the other minorities, believers of Christianity, Hnduism, and Buddhism, and what have you. All chiefly flowing from Bias, Prejudice and Mis-Perception, much comp[licated by self-serving politicians? The politicians p(o)ut on the face of a Statesman on the world stage.
Bias -- attitude or feeling of taking a certain side on an issue or regarding a person/party;
Prejudice -- preconceived view or attitude towards an issue or regarding a person/party;
Perception -- what a person thinks or feels about an issue or person (which may or may not conincide with the facts or reality)
The Star frontpage features a call by esteemed Prime Minister speaking at that world forum and lamenting Man's perennial problems ...yes, stemming much from Bias, Prejudice and (Mis-)Perception
Stop the bias
NEW YORK: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made an impassioned plea to Western countries to have a better understanding of Islam and not be prejudiced by the works of extremists.
“Much of the ills in the affairs of our world were the result of irrational actions caused by prejudices,” said the Prime Minister, adding that much of the prejudices stemmed from ignorance about what Islam stands for.
Abdullah told the 61st UN general assembly here on Wednesday night of his concerns over the growing schism between the West and the Muslim world, citing that dialogues which had taken place involved parties “talking at” instead of “talking to” one another.
Calling for more honest dialogues, he said: “Any dialogue would certainly fail if it is already predetermined that certain states are ‘rogues’ or that certain countries are necessarily ‘evil’.”
He explained that Islam was not the source of intolerance between peoples of different faiths.
The “perverse words and evil deeds” of extremists from the fringes of Muslim societies must not be confused as a reflection of Islamic culture, he stressed.
“The demonisation of Islam must be stopped and Islamophobia must be removed,” he said.
The suppression of Palestine, the invasion of Afghanistan and the destruction of Lebanon, among others, were carried out in the name of the war against terrorism, he said, but the Muslim world would view these actions as a complicity to humiliate Muslim countries.
“The fact is that the sense of humiliation felt by the Muslim world is the root cause for the loss of trust between the Muslim world and the Judeo-Christian civilisation.”
He pointed out that the greatest discord today existed among the descendants of Abraham – the followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – who had shared a common beginning which was the religion of Abraham.
Abdullah also reminded UN member countries that the world body was created to be a “Parliament of Man”.
“Six decades since then, we have yet to achieve the intentions of the UN Charter,” he said.
The “human family”, he said, still could not find solutions to their own problems.
He also urged the UN to stop social and economic injustices such as poverty and disease.
DESIDERATA:
The Prime Minister was taking the world stage as his canvas yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly, and he spoke like a statesman, not a politician. The UN has not been able to achieve its main mission of "world peace", some 60 years after its formation. This annual gathering of world leaders allows for national leaders and statesmen to engage in self-glorified speech-making -- often in self-centred verbiage, full of grandiose semantics, but on close examination, the meat is all meandering on the peripheries of the core problems besieging the world.
It's Man's perennial problems -- inherent by its very nature of being a member of the species called Homo sapiens.
So is the diagnosis by Pak Lah anything new, or fundamentally fresh?
My short answer is a BIG NO.
Fundamentally, the issues and problems he outlined have always been, are and will continue to be the stuff of more such speeches on the world stage. It's only the local MSM who'd like to make us believe as if the nation's leader has come up with something new or fresh. No, the same old problems will always beset the peoples of the world. And the leaders will contiue to beat around the bush.
A prime example Pak Lah cited is a good case of what MIS-Perception is, viz: "The suppression of Palestine, the invasion of Afghanistan and the destruction of Lebanon, among others, were carried out in the name of the war against terrorism, he said, but the Muslim world would view these actions as a complicity to humiliate Muslim countries.
One party "deems" it a war against terror -- but another party "thinks" it a complot against it.
Party A deems Party B as The Terorists;
Party B deems themselves as Freedom Fighters. And call Party A The Terrorists!
Differences in Perception? Or it's all Semantics again?
So who can reconcile the oposing views?
It's not for a small fry such as you or Desi to offer solutiuons.
We are human beings watching, waiting. Maybe sometimes we pray. We indeed live from century to century -- about the maximum life-span of the individual human possible at the moment -- quite an advance from perhaps 50 years some few centuries back. Mainly thanks to scientists, no, not the politicians. We don't know if the Madcaps out there will terminate the Earth we know today with the next World War -- or as some parties put it, the last World War has already started.
Big Brother the USA will always "talk at" or "talk down" to other nations, especially after the dismantling of the other "balancing" super-power The Soviet Union. Until and unless maybe China or Germany can rise to be near equals half a century hence?
"Talking to" is only possible among Equals, and the US is not about to recognise ant other nation to being "close" to be an equal.
The clash of Muslim world and the Christian-Judeo civiklization will pose the greatest challnge facing us. Nay, this clash may even be the determinant of the survival of the human race -- and the sad answer is that world leaders are nowhere nearer to an Answer since the end of World War II in 1945 that led to the birth of the UN, hoping to succeed where its, The League of Nations, had failed.
But Pak Lah has done his expected duties on the world stage. What awaits him at home when he returns to face similar challenges in NegaraKu -- is a microcosm of the BIG prolems on a lesser scale. Bias, Prejudice and Perception. Can he arrest the yawning chasm between Islam followers and members of the other minorities, believers of Christianity, Hnduism, and Buddhism, and what have you. All chiefly flowing from Bias, Prejudice and Mis-Perception, much comp[licated by self-serving politicians? The politicians p(o)ut on the face of a Statesman on the world stage.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Several Related Issues
But some quarters are at liberty to claim they are disparate.
Never mind, this is a Free World, or is it?
All the news reports/extracts are from the NST today:
starting at its frontpage , so it's mainly Cut&Paste, and the emphasis (THUS BOLFDED) is Desi's:
I'm minimising my usual comments lest I be alleged to be guilty of speaking on my ER' behalf (behalves?) on highly complex, and potentially controversial, issues. Disparate or desperate, your choice. Democracy always at work, with yellow rbbons, red roses (Scarlet Pimpernel, anyone?) and piping hot Teh-C.And you don't want a war with Desi, do you?~~ Desi
Guns, roses
and king
Soldiers with yellow ribonsand flowers : A different kind of coup
THE COUP LEADER
GEN. SONDHI
BOONYARATKALIN
Will act as prime minister for
two weeks until a new leader
is found. Genwral election to
be held by October 2007.
Says ousted Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra can return
to the country, but warned he
could face criminal charges.
WHY HE DID IT: Says
Thailand's first coup in 15 years
was necessary to heal mounting
rifts in THai society and to end
government corruption, insults
to the revered King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, and what the general
called Thaksin's attempts to
destroy democratic institutions.
~~~~~~~~
And from page 8:
Malaysian firms expect business as usual
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies expect it to be business as usual despite the unexpected Thai military coup on Tuesday night which toppled the government.
Coups in Bangkok are historically non-violent and the public is quite informed of what to expect, said Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Yeap Swee Chuan.
"Some of our new members may be a little concerned, but those of us who have been doing business here for a long time, we are not too worried," he said.
"I’ve been in Thailand for 20 years and been through many coups. All this while there was no violence.
"The first one I experienced was 19 years ago and this time, there’s hardly any danger," he told the New Straits Times in a telephone interview from Bangkok yesterday.
Established in 2002, the Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce comprises 90 Malaysian and Thai companies and individuals doing business in Thailand.
Among members of the chamber are Malaysia’s state-owned Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd, ceramic tile maker White Horse Bhd, construction company Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, car parts manufacturer Ingress Corp Bhd, DRB-Hicom Bhd, insurer Kurnia Asia Bhd, RHB Bank and others.
Last year, Malaysia was the second largest foreign investor in Thailand after Japan which invested US$4.38billion (RM16.12 billion).
Other businessmen and analysts said, however, that the Thai coup, which rattled regional markets and the baht currency yesterday, may come as a blessing in disguise for Malaysia which is vying hard with other neighbours for foreign investments.
The coup reflected political instability in Thailand, a factor that really puts off investors, and there was a chance some of the investments originally headed there could be put on hold or diverted to neighbouring nations like Malaysia.
:
:
~~~~~~~~
And from page 36
Economists still see a slowing Thai economy
THAILAND'S economy may be hit by a drop in foreign investments and the number of tourists, as it deals with its first coup in 15 years, economists say.
However, they are not changing their prediction that the economy will slow this year.
DBS Bank said while the coup means more uncertainty in the region, its outlook for a slowing economy still holds.
"Until a clearer picture emerges of what military rule will look like, we see no clear reason to alter our forecasts for GDP growth of 4.9 per cent year-on-year in 2006 and 5.1 per cent in 2007," said economist Aathira Prasad.
She felt that the tourism sector is likely to suffer, especially in the next few weeks, until the military makes known their stand. Foreign investment may also be affected.
International rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor's have put Thailand on negative watch for a possible downgrade.
Aathira said that "if the interim Government passes a budget and puts some attention on long-delayed investment projects, it could mean better growth prospects for Thailand in 2007."
But she warned that the last coup in the country saw an amendment to the Constitution and that took almost a year to materialise.
The Thai economy grew 5.5 per cent in the first half of the year, led by exports and rising tourist inflows.
"Political uncertainty over the past year has led to very weak domestic demand, with consumer confidence and business sentiment hitting new lows by the month," she said, in a report.
Private investment has also been postponed in the absence of clear government policies while public investment spending had been held back by the lack of a budget. Aathira said things had been looking up for the economy with the Election Commission in place and an election scheduled to take place by mid-November.
Standard Chartered Bank's regional head of economics, Nicholas Kwan, said in Kuala Lumpur that he expects some volatility on the Thai baht traded offshore.
Apart from the currency market, the uncertainty in the political situation is expected to affect the stock market too.
"But unlike the financial crisis which affected the region following the devaluation of the baht, we only expect similar political contagion in countries like Taiwan and the Philippines," he said at a briefing on the economic outlook for Asia in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
~~~~~~~
Finally, from page 17, I'm like that Tuition Teacher about to earn RM5,000 to RM10,000 a month depending on response from gullible students and more gullible parents -- DO SOME HOMEWORK to seek from wisdom from a royal item of which I shall tantalise thee with a peek at the headline, enough? ~~
'A king is more than a symbol'
Seya and have FUN-d!
Never mind, this is a Free World, or is it?
All the news reports/extracts are from the NST today:
starting at its frontpage , so it's mainly Cut&Paste, and the emphasis (THUS BOLFDED) is Desi's:
I'm minimising my usual comments lest I be alleged to be guilty of speaking on my ER' behalf (behalves?) on highly complex, and potentially controversial, issues. Disparate or desperate, your choice. Democracy always at work, with yellow rbbons, red roses (Scarlet Pimpernel, anyone?) and piping hot Teh-C.And you don't want a war with Desi, do you?~~ Desi
Guns, roses
and king
Soldiers with yellow ribonsand flowers : A different kind of coup
THE COUP LEADER
GEN. SONDHI
BOONYARATKALIN
Will act as prime minister for
two weeks until a new leader
is found. Genwral election to
be held by October 2007.
Says ousted Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra can return
to the country, but warned he
could face criminal charges.
WHY HE DID IT: Says
Thailand's first coup in 15 years
was necessary to heal mounting
rifts in THai society and to end
government corruption, insults
to the revered King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, and what the general
called Thaksin's attempts to
destroy democratic institutions.
~~~~~~~~
And from page 8:
Malaysian firms expect business as usual
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies expect it to be business as usual despite the unexpected Thai military coup on Tuesday night which toppled the government.
Coups in Bangkok are historically non-violent and the public is quite informed of what to expect, said Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Yeap Swee Chuan.
"Some of our new members may be a little concerned, but those of us who have been doing business here for a long time, we are not too worried," he said.
"I’ve been in Thailand for 20 years and been through many coups. All this while there was no violence.
"The first one I experienced was 19 years ago and this time, there’s hardly any danger," he told the New Straits Times in a telephone interview from Bangkok yesterday.
Established in 2002, the Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce comprises 90 Malaysian and Thai companies and individuals doing business in Thailand.
Among members of the chamber are Malaysia’s state-owned Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd, ceramic tile maker White Horse Bhd, construction company Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, car parts manufacturer Ingress Corp Bhd, DRB-Hicom Bhd, insurer Kurnia Asia Bhd, RHB Bank and others.
Last year, Malaysia was the second largest foreign investor in Thailand after Japan which invested US$4.38billion (RM16.12 billion).
Other businessmen and analysts said, however, that the Thai coup, which rattled regional markets and the baht currency yesterday, may come as a blessing in disguise for Malaysia which is vying hard with other neighbours for foreign investments.
The coup reflected political instability in Thailand, a factor that really puts off investors, and there was a chance some of the investments originally headed there could be put on hold or diverted to neighbouring nations like Malaysia.
:
:
~~~~~~~~
And from page 36
Economists still see a slowing Thai economy
THAILAND'S economy may be hit by a drop in foreign investments and the number of tourists, as it deals with its first coup in 15 years, economists say.
However, they are not changing their prediction that the economy will slow this year.
DBS Bank said while the coup means more uncertainty in the region, its outlook for a slowing economy still holds.
"Until a clearer picture emerges of what military rule will look like, we see no clear reason to alter our forecasts for GDP growth of 4.9 per cent year-on-year in 2006 and 5.1 per cent in 2007," said economist Aathira Prasad.
She felt that the tourism sector is likely to suffer, especially in the next few weeks, until the military makes known their stand. Foreign investment may also be affected.
International rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor's have put Thailand on negative watch for a possible downgrade.
Aathira said that "if the interim Government passes a budget and puts some attention on long-delayed investment projects, it could mean better growth prospects for Thailand in 2007."
But she warned that the last coup in the country saw an amendment to the Constitution and that took almost a year to materialise.
The Thai economy grew 5.5 per cent in the first half of the year, led by exports and rising tourist inflows.
"Political uncertainty over the past year has led to very weak domestic demand, with consumer confidence and business sentiment hitting new lows by the month," she said, in a report.
Private investment has also been postponed in the absence of clear government policies while public investment spending had been held back by the lack of a budget. Aathira said things had been looking up for the economy with the Election Commission in place and an election scheduled to take place by mid-November.
Standard Chartered Bank's regional head of economics, Nicholas Kwan, said in Kuala Lumpur that he expects some volatility on the Thai baht traded offshore.
Apart from the currency market, the uncertainty in the political situation is expected to affect the stock market too.
"But unlike the financial crisis which affected the region following the devaluation of the baht, we only expect similar political contagion in countries like Taiwan and the Philippines," he said at a briefing on the economic outlook for Asia in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
~~~~~~~
Finally, from page 17, I'm like that Tuition Teacher about to earn RM5,000 to RM10,000 a month depending on response from gullible students and more gullible parents -- DO SOME HOMEWORK to seek from wisdom from a royal item of which I shall tantalise thee with a peek at the headline, enough? ~~
'A king is more than a symbol'
Seya and have FUN-d!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Woe be gone!
After a heavy lunch, I went over to boringest.blogasian.com and came away not bored at all.
~~~~~~~
Ze Art Thief…September 20, 2006 o9 10:57 am | In Funny | No Comments
This has to be the corniest joke I've heard so far:
Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his Econoline ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied:
(brace yourself)
(this is going to hurt.)
"I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh."
~~~~~~~~
DESI: I stole the art-ickle from a co-host of Robertchai.com; I did not make any payment because the hoRst says it doesn't accept MyKad, Au, Ag or Pl. Just for the record, Desi's Place will note some happenings which might impact on NegaraKu in some ways, boring or woeful I don't know, but surely, it's of some import. Or export, whichever my ER like IT. Democracy at work at its best ...
I'm not adding my personal Comments to these world events because as they unfold, our voices however loud or allowed won't make an iota of difference as to how the globe turns.
It's still going to be 24 hours in a day.
And the Sun will still rise in the East at dawn.
And the Moon will still be blue once in a long w'ile.
Until the Elegantly Silent BOM-b falls to Annihiliate the w.w.w.
TheSun Sept 20. 2006frontpage~~
Coup in Thailand
THAI ARMY SEIZES BANGKOK,
THAKSIN DECLARES STATE OF
EMERGENCY FROM NY
BANGKOK: The Thai army took control of Bangkok yesterday without a shot being fired and announced a commission to reform the constitution, despite the prime minister's declaration of a state of emergency from New York.
A government spokesman with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the United Nations said the coup could not succeed and "we're in control".
Tanks and soldiers took over Government House in Thailand's first coup in 15 years and a coup spokesman said on television the army and police were in control of the capital and surrounding provinces.
The seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon, retired Lt-Ge Prapart Sakuntanak said on all Thai television channels.
The army declared martial law, told all soldiers to report to base and banned unauthorised troop movements, suggesting the military leadership was worried that Thaksin loyalists in the armed forces might attempt a counter-coup.
Prapart said the armed forces and police had set up a body to decide on political reforms, ousting billionaire telecoms tycoon Thaksin in the midst of a political crisis stemming from accusations he had subverted Thailand's 74-year-old democracy.
"Never in Thai history have the people been so divided," Prapart said.
"The majority of people had become suspicious of this administration, which is running the country through rampant corruption," he added.
"Independent bodies have been interfered with so much they could not perform in line within the spirit of the constitution."
Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a previous government, told Reuters he believed royal adviser Sumate Tantivejakul would head the reform commission and an interim government would be formed while political reforms were agreed.
Elections would be called soon and Thaksin would be allowed to take part, he said.
After mass street protests against him in Bangkok, Thaksin called a snap election in April, hoping his firm rural following would counter his metropolitan opponents.
However, opposition parties argued that Thaksin had skewed neutral bodies such as the Election Commission in his favour and boycotted the polls. That rendered the election result invalid. (Reuters)
:
:
:
Desi: My dear EsteemedReaders, we live in interesting times, at home or abroad. Just pray for a safe landing!
Read the rest of Reuters story, or other versions as this is on the front pages in all papers!
~~~~~~~~
From The NST, page 2 ~~
Understand Muslims better, Bush urged
NEW YORK:
MALAYSIA has urged US President George W. Bush to have a better understanding of Muslims.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi held a 55-minute meeting with Bush on Monday and said they discussed the importance of cultivating respect among people of different religions.
Bush "admitted that we (Muslims) wanted peace, and he, too, wanted peace, but our approaches were different", Abdullah said.
The PM, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, expressed hope that Bush would acknowledge efforts by those involved in conflicts in the Middle East to find their own way to resolve the problems.
Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) nations, told Bush that America’s support for the proposed unity government in Palestine was urgently needed as the efforts by the Fatah and Hamas factions should be accepted as a legitimate Palestinian government.
Washington’s refusal to acknowledge Hamas as the ruling government in Palestine has stopped other nations from providing financial assistance to the ailing state. Palestine is facing a major shortage of funds to support the daily operations of various public services.
"The government must be one that represents Palestine in whatever negotiations that may take place later on," Abdullah said, adding that he plans to meet with Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the efforts.
Both leaders also talked about the UN-brokered ceasefire that ended the recent fighting between Hizbollah guerillas and Israeli forces in Lebanon.
:
:
Desi: Same adice applies as before: Read in full the report yourself. No more pampers after Yesterday,
When all my roubles seemed so far away...
~~~~~~~~~
DESI: It took the former PM almost two decades to finally meet with the American President, but Pak Lah did it in under 3.
I wonder why. Thinking Allowed and Aloud, 'rite?
And that's also a blardy rhetorical q!:(
~~~~~~~
Ze Art Thief…September 20, 2006 o9 10:57 am | In Funny | No Comments
This has to be the corniest joke I've heard so far:
Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his Econoline ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied:
(brace yourself)
(this is going to hurt.)
"I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh."
~~~~~~~~
DESI: I stole the art-ickle from a co-host of Robertchai.com; I did not make any payment because the hoRst says it doesn't accept MyKad, Au, Ag or Pl. Just for the record, Desi's Place will note some happenings which might impact on NegaraKu in some ways, boring or woeful I don't know, but surely, it's of some import. Or export, whichever my ER like IT. Democracy at work at its best ...
I'm not adding my personal Comments to these world events because as they unfold, our voices however loud or allowed won't make an iota of difference as to how the globe turns.
It's still going to be 24 hours in a day.
And the Sun will still rise in the East at dawn.
And the Moon will still be blue once in a long w'ile.
Until the Elegantly Silent BOM-b falls to Annihiliate the w.w.w.
TheSun Sept 20. 2006frontpage~~
Coup in Thailand
THAI ARMY SEIZES BANGKOK,
THAKSIN DECLARES STATE OF
EMERGENCY FROM NY
BANGKOK: The Thai army took control of Bangkok yesterday without a shot being fired and announced a commission to reform the constitution, despite the prime minister's declaration of a state of emergency from New York.
A government spokesman with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the United Nations said the coup could not succeed and "we're in control".
Tanks and soldiers took over Government House in Thailand's first coup in 15 years and a coup spokesman said on television the army and police were in control of the capital and surrounding provinces.
The seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon, retired Lt-Ge Prapart Sakuntanak said on all Thai television channels.
The army declared martial law, told all soldiers to report to base and banned unauthorised troop movements, suggesting the military leadership was worried that Thaksin loyalists in the armed forces might attempt a counter-coup.
Prapart said the armed forces and police had set up a body to decide on political reforms, ousting billionaire telecoms tycoon Thaksin in the midst of a political crisis stemming from accusations he had subverted Thailand's 74-year-old democracy.
"Never in Thai history have the people been so divided," Prapart said.
"The majority of people had become suspicious of this administration, which is running the country through rampant corruption," he added.
"Independent bodies have been interfered with so much they could not perform in line within the spirit of the constitution."
Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a previous government, told Reuters he believed royal adviser Sumate Tantivejakul would head the reform commission and an interim government would be formed while political reforms were agreed.
Elections would be called soon and Thaksin would be allowed to take part, he said.
After mass street protests against him in Bangkok, Thaksin called a snap election in April, hoping his firm rural following would counter his metropolitan opponents.
However, opposition parties argued that Thaksin had skewed neutral bodies such as the Election Commission in his favour and boycotted the polls. That rendered the election result invalid. (Reuters)
:
:
:
Desi: My dear EsteemedReaders, we live in interesting times, at home or abroad. Just pray for a safe landing!
Read the rest of Reuters story, or other versions as this is on the front pages in all papers!
~~~~~~~~
From The NST, page 2 ~~
Understand Muslims better, Bush urged
NEW YORK:
MALAYSIA has urged US President George W. Bush to have a better understanding of Muslims.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi held a 55-minute meeting with Bush on Monday and said they discussed the importance of cultivating respect among people of different religions.
Bush "admitted that we (Muslims) wanted peace, and he, too, wanted peace, but our approaches were different", Abdullah said.
The PM, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, expressed hope that Bush would acknowledge efforts by those involved in conflicts in the Middle East to find their own way to resolve the problems.
Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) nations, told Bush that America’s support for the proposed unity government in Palestine was urgently needed as the efforts by the Fatah and Hamas factions should be accepted as a legitimate Palestinian government.
Washington’s refusal to acknowledge Hamas as the ruling government in Palestine has stopped other nations from providing financial assistance to the ailing state. Palestine is facing a major shortage of funds to support the daily operations of various public services.
"The government must be one that represents Palestine in whatever negotiations that may take place later on," Abdullah said, adding that he plans to meet with Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the efforts.
Both leaders also talked about the UN-brokered ceasefire that ended the recent fighting between Hizbollah guerillas and Israeli forces in Lebanon.
:
:
Desi: Same adice applies as before: Read in full the report yourself. No more pampers after Yesterday,
When all my roubles seemed so far away...
~~~~~~~~~
DESI: It took the former PM almost two decades to finally meet with the American President, but Pak Lah did it in under 3.
I wonder why. Thinking Allowed and Aloud, 'rite?
And that's also a blardy rhetorical q!:(
wedNURSEday's childe
On Googling, I extracted that 'This old nursery rhyme "Day's of the Week" is said to have been written to help children learn the days of the week.'
One mGf@primroses.blogspot.com says she has an Almanac which can help identify one's Day of the Week you were born. Lucky her, she jest celebrated her Friday's Childe birthdae -- full of gifting on the wings of love.
And, meself? I hope I was knot born on a Wednesday...here's the long Y to come in gOod dime! Send thee the bill later for this short, but significant, English lesson, especially if you asspire to be a broadcast journo.Like Connie Chung. If you never heard of her, nah mind, it's just you're not into the 4th Estate. And if you think that's some sort of real estate in Subang Jaya or Langkawi or Penang, you're jest knot Journalism material!
(This is a variation of an olde post, but some nursery rhymes are worth re-reciting, Yes?)
Monday's Child is fair of face
Tuesday Child is full of grace
Wednesday's Child is full of woe
Thursday's Child has far to go
Friday's Child is loving and giving
Saturday's Child works hard for a living
But Sunday's Child is fair and wise
and good and gay
~~ author unknown
DESI: This Post is necessary to underscore the point that unconsciously, children have been educated into poetry APpreciation from their kindie days, yes, singing along with Teacher, the NURSEry Rhymes.
I don't know why the majority can't graduate to appreciating Poems in adult days -- maybe they aloud the cares and wear and tear of earning Bread&Butter to sap away childhood ways of innocence and enjoyment of life, come what May, or September.
We grow old, we sledom grow up. A familiar line I borrow from another mGf@ yancorner.blogspot.com. She has moved on to wordpress, but Desi's loyalty/royalty is still at BC.
Now to foolly answer the Quiz ChallengiA which elicited severeal responses after Desi applied Da Stick following a one-carat gift unsolicited from a wanderer that only attracted "elegant Silence"? Trying to collect more asses to join Poet-aspirant bandwagon now proudly have on board (bread too) joespsc, dreAmerI -- WoW, even a Maverick -- not Sharir or Zaid-lah, though could be their crony! -- has stealthily climbed the horse like a Marlboro Man:)
Okay, Answers to Da Posers, T'anks for bearing with me, finally!
He ain't heavy, he's a writHer!~~
Poser1 to ER: Tell Desi what's the "ellor"?
Answer1: "Penang CM says FDI up 400% to RM4bil in 2005 ..." -- From RM1bil to RM4bil is 300% increase,Dr Koh. Dr Watson says it's "elementary" Arithmetic, not even Maths!
AS Joepsc says:"Desi:
Many thanks for your wandering verse. I too am wondering if that image on page will materialise to match your discerning mind.
The DR is confused by 'increased to' and 'increased by'. The sum is increased to 400%, but it is increased by 300%.
The yellow people cannot manage 'L' with their tongue, so 'clock' is 'cock' or possibly 'crock'.
By Joepsc, at 10:46 AM "
PS1:So do you agree with DESI that Some reporter, a sub-editor, a news editor, and the CM's press secretary were sleepig on the job?
Poser2: What do Koreans, Japanese and Chinoserie have in common in their tongues?
Jest one extract of a CONverse~~
MS: You have experts to repair my clock then?
KCL: Yes, we have many certified cock experts. We have some 100 over such cocks to be serviced in our shop."
Klue: Remember Dr Mahathir relating how the Japanese stewardess extending a warm welcome to the air passngers, then wishing them: I hope you enjoy a conmfortable fright?
Desi: I like FAshionistA's response~~
"OKla....i give face to desi and do the quiz. :>
Q1, its 3 fold increase therefore should be 300%
Q2: they can't get the L and R r(l)ight???
Q3: easy this one, desi visit the pretty nurse every weds!! must be the highblood pLeasure...hehe
Q4; dunno...
By Fashionasia, at 10:58 AM "
Poser3:
Why do you think Desi often spells the third day of the week thus: wedNURSEday?
and Poser4 (taken together with Poser3 as they belong to each other:)
Have you noticed two Community Messages over Light and Easy the past month or so that have this word in common: MEDICINE?
Q4:What's Da Jarring Note?
DEsi: And here's Helen of Troy's 75%-plus correct answers~~
"Q1 : If FDI was 1 billion in 2004, 100% increase would equal 2 billion rite? 200% = 3 billion, 300% = 4 billion and 400% = 5 billion?
Q2 - What do Koreans, Chinese and Japs have in common with their tongue? Errrr, I'm tempted to say many amazing feats K/C/J can do with their tongues but I know you don't want that on your blog hor? :-) (but knowing me, I'm sure Desi knows what my filthy mind is thinking...)
Q3 - WednuRseday? Mr Desi is fond of the purring cat. Think Cheshire Cat...
Q4 - I'm lost in wonderland... I need my medDEEcine. lol
I like your 'wandering' very much. Don't wander too much, OK? I know for a fact we WILL meet one of these days. That's for sure! :-)
By Helen, at 5:48 PM "
CONCLUSION:
Many of so-called pratitioners of the Fourth Estate, especially in broadcast journalism, need to realise that when it comes to the audio-visual medium, a key ingredient for success -- and not make a fool of oneself -- is to do some research on PRONUNCIATION before one oes on air.
"Wednesday's child is a child of woe"
So Desi's case is that we all need lots of NURSING on this third day of the week, more so for those who are born on a wedNURSEday!
But if you're reading news of national TV or a pre3senter of community message on national Radio, please remember the "e" in "nes" in Wednes-day is Elegantly Silent.Yes, consider the NURSE being off-duty, cry baby!
Likewise, the "d" in "di"(ERRATA: the "I", not the "d"!) in "medi" cine is also Elegantly Silent. Now I wonder if Pak Lah is still in Madison Square, shopping? Or is the PM 'walking the talk'?
PS2: I'd like to make TV and Radio presenters sing Julie Andrew's "A spoonful of sugar makes the 'medsin' go down..." Remember that cute ditty?
PS3&4: Do you know how to pronounce "annihiliation" of the world when WW4 descends of poor buggers like us? The conquerors say if you got IT correct, they will let thee live. Othervice, it's the nuclear bomb, and Da "b" -- which one, you ask Desi? Who do I arse? -- is also Elegantly Silent when it falls, okay? And that's a rhetorical Q.
Final P''S: If you have to ask what the meaning of r........is, please get the hella outa of hell! And I remind forgetable ER:
The path to hell is paved with good attention...
(With Apologies to some Johnson!)
One mGf@primroses.blogspot.com says she has an Almanac which can help identify one's Day of the Week you were born. Lucky her, she jest celebrated her Friday's Childe birthdae -- full of gifting on the wings of love.
And, meself? I hope I was knot born on a Wednesday...here's the long Y to come in gOod dime! Send thee the bill later for this short, but significant, English lesson, especially if you asspire to be a broadcast journo.Like Connie Chung. If you never heard of her, nah mind, it's just you're not into the 4th Estate. And if you think that's some sort of real estate in Subang Jaya or Langkawi or Penang, you're jest knot Journalism material!
(This is a variation of an olde post, but some nursery rhymes are worth re-reciting, Yes?)
Monday's Child is fair of face
Tuesday Child is full of grace
Wednesday's Child is full of woe
Thursday's Child has far to go
Friday's Child is loving and giving
Saturday's Child works hard for a living
But Sunday's Child is fair and wise
and good and gay
~~ author unknown
DESI: This Post is necessary to underscore the point that unconsciously, children have been educated into poetry APpreciation from their kindie days, yes, singing along with Teacher, the NURSEry Rhymes.
I don't know why the majority can't graduate to appreciating Poems in adult days -- maybe they aloud the cares and wear and tear of earning Bread&Butter to sap away childhood ways of innocence and enjoyment of life, come what May, or September.
We grow old, we sledom grow up. A familiar line I borrow from another mGf@ yancorner.blogspot.com. She has moved on to wordpress, but Desi's loyalty/royalty is still at BC.
Now to foolly answer the Quiz ChallengiA which elicited severeal responses after Desi applied Da Stick following a one-carat gift unsolicited from a wanderer that only attracted "elegant Silence"? Trying to collect more asses to join Poet-aspirant bandwagon now proudly have on board (bread too) joespsc, dreAmerI -- WoW, even a Maverick -- not Sharir or Zaid-lah, though could be their crony! -- has stealthily climbed the horse like a Marlboro Man:)
Okay, Answers to Da Posers, T'anks for bearing with me, finally!
He ain't heavy, he's a writHer!~~
Poser1 to ER: Tell Desi what's the "ellor"?
Answer1: "Penang CM says FDI up 400% to RM4bil in 2005 ..." -- From RM1bil to RM4bil is 300% increase,Dr Koh. Dr Watson says it's "elementary" Arithmetic, not even Maths!
AS Joepsc says:"Desi:
Many thanks for your wandering verse. I too am wondering if that image on page will materialise to match your discerning mind.
The DR is confused by 'increased to' and 'increased by'. The sum is increased to 400%, but it is increased by 300%.
The yellow people cannot manage 'L' with their tongue, so 'clock' is 'cock' or possibly 'crock'.
By Joepsc, at 10:46 AM "
PS1:So do you agree with DESI that Some reporter, a sub-editor, a news editor, and the CM's press secretary were sleepig on the job?
Poser2: What do Koreans, Japanese and Chinoserie have in common in their tongues?
Jest one extract of a CONverse~~
MS: You have experts to repair my clock then?
KCL: Yes, we have many certified cock experts. We have some 100 over such cocks to be serviced in our shop."
Klue: Remember Dr Mahathir relating how the Japanese stewardess extending a warm welcome to the air passngers, then wishing them: I hope you enjoy a conmfortable fright?
Desi: I like FAshionistA's response~~
"OKla....i give face to desi and do the quiz. :>
Q1, its 3 fold increase therefore should be 300%
Q2: they can't get the L and R r(l)ight???
Q3: easy this one, desi visit the pretty nurse every weds!! must be the highblood pLeasure...hehe
Q4; dunno...
By Fashionasia, at 10:58 AM "
Poser3:
Why do you think Desi often spells the third day of the week thus: wedNURSEday?
and Poser4 (taken together with Poser3 as they belong to each other:)
Have you noticed two Community Messages over Light and Easy the past month or so that have this word in common: MEDICINE?
Q4:What's Da Jarring Note?
DEsi: And here's Helen of Troy's 75%-plus correct answers~~
"Q1 : If FDI was 1 billion in 2004, 100% increase would equal 2 billion rite? 200% = 3 billion, 300% = 4 billion and 400% = 5 billion?
Q2 - What do Koreans, Chinese and Japs have in common with their tongue? Errrr, I'm tempted to say many amazing feats K/C/J can do with their tongues but I know you don't want that on your blog hor? :-) (but knowing me, I'm sure Desi knows what my filthy mind is thinking...)
Q3 - WednuRseday? Mr Desi is fond of the purring cat. Think Cheshire Cat...
Q4 - I'm lost in wonderland... I need my medDEEcine. lol
I like your 'wandering' very much. Don't wander too much, OK? I know for a fact we WILL meet one of these days. That's for sure! :-)
By Helen, at 5:48 PM "
CONCLUSION:
Many of so-called pratitioners of the Fourth Estate, especially in broadcast journalism, need to realise that when it comes to the audio-visual medium, a key ingredient for success -- and not make a fool of oneself -- is to do some research on PRONUNCIATION before one oes on air.
"Wednesday's child is a child of woe"
So Desi's case is that we all need lots of NURSING on this third day of the week, more so for those who are born on a wedNURSEday!
But if you're reading news of national TV or a pre3senter of community message on national Radio, please remember the "e" in "nes" in Wednes-day is Elegantly Silent.Yes, consider the NURSE being off-duty, cry baby!
Likewise, the "d" in "di"(ERRATA: the "I", not the "d"!) in "medi" cine is also Elegantly Silent. Now I wonder if Pak Lah is still in Madison Square, shopping? Or is the PM 'walking the talk'?
PS2: I'd like to make TV and Radio presenters sing Julie Andrew's "A spoonful of sugar makes the 'medsin' go down..." Remember that cute ditty?
PS3&4: Do you know how to pronounce "annihiliation" of the world when WW4 descends of poor buggers like us? The conquerors say if you got IT correct, they will let thee live. Othervice, it's the nuclear bomb, and Da "b" -- which one, you ask Desi? Who do I arse? -- is also Elegantly Silent when it falls, okay? And that's a rhetorical Q.
Final P''S: If you have to ask what the meaning of r........is, please get the hella outa of hell! And I remind forgetable ER:
The path to hell is paved with good attention...
(With Apologies to some Johnson!)
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