Some spinning from PWTC, some stoning from Seremban!

Desiderata hails from Furong, the capital city of Negri Sembila, the home state to a more famous/notorious son Deposed UMNO VP and ex-Menteri Besar Mohd Isa Samad. Today you get some stone-throwing from Seremban, on earth and in space. I'm mighty proud to die, grinning from ear to hear ~~

From BERNAMA
(when I learnt some Journalism101 practice; though I know not aboput some seniors.)


November 15, 2006 17:34 PM

M'sian Astronauts To Spin Top, Toss Batu Seremban In Space


KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- The Malaysian pioneer astronaut will spin top and toss "batu seremban' (five-stone game) as part of an experiment during his space travel.

"The astronaut will also paint a batik motif and make 'teh tarik' ('pulled' tea) which would be shared with his fellow astronauts," said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.

Rohani, who was representing the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) in the Dewan Rakyat, here Wednesday.

('Batu seremban' is played by throwing one stone and sweeping another on the floor and then simultaneously catching the one thrown earlier.)
+(Interruptus by Desi: Was playing this game with a seven-year-old first galfriend, not mGf!, in Mambau, NS, but we called it "FIVE STONES". At that time, Helen, we were very "innocent", I swear I never touched her soft, silk-smooth hands, only the rough prickly stones...)+

On Marcus's original question, Rohani said a lot of scientists had forwarded their research proposal in space to the astronaut.

"The main objective of sending an astronaut into orbit is to carry out scientific experiments under microgravity - a situation alien to the earth. As such the National Aerospace Agency has opened doors to our scientists to show their mettle and capabilities through the National Astronaut Programme," said Rohani.

She said the outcome of the experiments would be studied on earth with the hope that it would unravel the mysteries in science, education and medicine.

"The National Astronaut Programme is not only aimed at despatching an astronaut into space but it will be a continuous affair as it will benefit the people."


She said the programme was not borne by the Treasury, but derived by offsetting the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia by the Defence Ministry.


Two Malaysian astronaut candidates Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed are now undergoing rigorous 12-month training at Star City, Moscow where eventually one of them will be selected as the pioneer Malaysian astronaut who will lift off from the International Space Station.

-- BERNAMA

DESI: Out of this world indeed -- is Space part of this world?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~ space, airie fairie ~~~~~~~~~~

more space to her head ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

give her space , okay, some oxygen , hey 02 Deprivation, where art thou, outa space? ~~~~~~~


"She said the programme was not borne by the Treasury, but derived by offsetting the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia by the Defence Ministry." May I ask this dumbbelle does she mean "...by offsetting the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia...", the Malaysian astronaut is getting a free ride?
WoW, the Miistry of Defence funds come from outa space!

~~~ space ~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ malaysian astronaut in russian spaceship

~~~~ more space ~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ some stones thrown, don't know if it hit any
actor/actress on Da PWTC Stage~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

with his feet not touching the ground, and his head spinning,

hand also spinning, top spinning, stone spinning

some MEDIA also spinning!


From The Star, Nov 16, 2006, page N4~~



PM wants to see freer media

IT is meaningless to develop infrastructure for information technology if the nation’s leadership flinches from a culture that is more open to and accepting of the media, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In making a call for an open and freer media, the Umno president said Malaysians should accept the realities of the information technology era which demanded openness.

A nation should provide channels for its people to voice their concerns and where constructive criticism was encouraged, the Umno president said in his opening speech yesterday at the party general assembly.

“Differences of opinion should be viewed objectively and not necessarily be seen as being anti-government,” he said.

The media, he noted, now had greater freedom to publish news highlighting the mistakes of the Government and its agencies. The Government, party and elected representatives, he said, were not immune to criticism.

“But there are those in the Government and the party who are uncomfortable with this freedom. There are those who believe that the Prime Minister is not in control.


“The truth is that I would rather see heated exchanges in the pages of the press than to see raging riots on the streets.

“I want Malaysian society to accept the realities of the information technology age; it is an era which demands openness,” he said.

Abdullah, however, cautioned the media against sensationalising issues which could erode racial harmony, threaten public security or adversely impact national security.

"Freedom has its limits. Freedom must be shaped in the context of a young nation that is made up of many religions, races, cultures and languages.

“We cannot and will not compromise when it comes to the unity and harmony of our multi-racial and multi-cultural society.”

He said the practice of discourse and discussion was also very much alive in the party, in the Cabinet and the Government.

In an apparent reference to the cancelled Johor-Singapore new bridge project, Abdullah said the Government would never allow its sovereignty to be compromised, nor place itself in a situation where legal action could be taken against the country.

"We will never let anyone take advantage of us,” he said.

Abdullah said the Government would not proceed with an action if the outcome meant compromising national interest.


DESI:

I am comforted by Pak Lah's assurance, or re-assurance for I think he has give this pledge several times before, that he would promote a freer and more open media environment. I believe he means well ... in this context: "Abdullah, however, cautioned the media against sensationalising issues which could erode racial harmony, threaten public security or adversely impact national security.


Desi for once endorses his stand with no reservations, BUT...


(1) Unless regressive legislaton like the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 are done away with, the media, epecially the MSM, will remain docile and mostly "toe the Government line". You don't want to lose your annual licence putting your bread and butter at stake, do you?

(2) Also do away with Selective Prosecution/Persecution of the Media, when clearly DOUBLE STANDARDS are practised when sterner action is swiftly meted out to more independent minded Press (Vernacular ones, Guang Ming Daily News evenig edition suspended, for example; also Sarawak-based English papers, Sarawak Tribune, RIP ~~ remember?) compared with UMNO-controlled press like the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia, No?)

(3) Why are political party organs suppressed -- like PKR's Suara Keadilan, which still has its application for a permit PENDING after a few yaers, according to Tian Chua, PKR spokesman? And Harakah, the official newspaper of PAS, being curtailed in its publishing frequency and circulation?

The Prime Miister must be bold and progressive to do away such hurdles that stand in the way of Opposition ideas, for he must show he's a Visionary Leader who won't flinch from good, rational debates and discourses.

I am heartened by your views, Mr Prime Minister, ~~

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***
“The truth is that I would rather see heated exchanges in the pages of the press than to see raging riots on the streets.

“I want Malaysian society to accept the realities of the information technology age; it is an era which demands openness,” he said. ****

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So to be consistent and to walk the talk, please

Promote a healthy environment for
THE CLASH OF OF IDEAS
For Democracy, Accountability and Transparency, Mr Prime Minister?