Mr PM, Please Attend a Lecture on Democracy!

Ask your ministers to attend too. This lecture comes gratis, and thelecturer is only seventeen years old, but Malaysian. Student. Studying overseas. Very concerned about Malaysian affairs because he cares for other Malaysians like Desi he left behind to enlighten himself an an American university and return four or five years later armed with a PhD to serve NegaraKu better. Maybe Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,you should invite young&articulate johnleemk back to address the Parliament instead of inviting all your UMNO Clubs' representatives back for an annual Rah-rah-rah session at the PWTC.


From infernalramblings.com:


Freedom is fundamentally not about some artsy-fartsy freedom of speech. Freedom and democracy are fundamentally about the right to do what makes you happy — to marry the person you love, to eat the food you like, to even just walk down the sidewalk. To deny Malaysians democracy is to deny us more than things like freedom of speech — it is to rob us of the very right to be happy.

Written by johnleemk on 5:46:07 am Dec 11, 2007.

(One line censured by Desi,in line with ZAM's stricture about hisdemocracy,and sometimes I amsscared for this 17-year-old mentee ofmine, often enough turned mentor -- YL Chong)

For a brief moment, I I seriously considered using that sentence for the title of this article, because that is really all I feel at the moment. After the events of the past month, I simply cannot and do not understand how anyone can be sympathetic at all to those in power, to those who say we do not need any more than the little illiberal democracy we have (if that is democracy at all).

To anyone still pretending we are a democracy, despite my complete demolition of this notion on so many occasions (the most recent being when the Prime Minister refused to meet with representatives from a non-governmental organisation), today's events should be far more than sufficient refutation of this completely bankrupt belief.

Where do we begin? Should it be with Anwar Ibrahim, who was detained after being told he was on an immigration blacklist, and only released after questioning? How is it democratic to prevent a Malaysian citizen from returning to his home country, simply because he is an opposition politician? How is it democratic to effectively criminalise dissent from the ruling party?

Or should it be with the recent arrest of a hundred lawyers and civil society activists, who were simply walking down a sidewalk in Kuala Lumpur? You can make the argument that the BERSIH rally last month, and the more recent Hindu Rights Action Force rally deserved to be dispersed. It's a horrible argument, but you can feasibly make it without sounding more than a bit stupid.

But what do you do with a hundred lawyers and activists who wouldn't hurt a fly? Who weren't blocking traffic? Who were just walking around, down the sidewalk? How the bloody hell is that a crime? Is walking down the street now a crime if it has anything to do with opposition to the government?

The greatest irony is that these people weren't even doing this as a show of political support for any organisation. If Barisan Nasional stands for the happiness and prosperity of the Malaysian people, it has no choice but to stand for human rights — the right to pursue happiness, the right to believe what you want to believe, the right to think what you what to think. That is what the Bar Council and its friends were walking down the sidewalk for — and you arrest them for that?

Or how about today's events at Parliament? A bunch of opposition politicians and activists came to Parliament to submit a memorandum. They weren't disrupting traffic. They weren't harming anyone. They were exercising the democratic right of dialogue with one's representatives, on property paid for and maintained by their taxes. Nobody got molotov cocktails thrown at them; nobody was attacked.

Naturally, what happens is the Police enter the grounds of Parliament and arrest the politicians and activists — some of them right in front of the Leader of the Opposition. Then they confiscate the car of an opposition leader and torch it. What kind of fucking crime is it to drive to Parliament to talk with the delegates you elected? What kind of f**king democracy is this?(The ** replaces two letters just in case one fcuking ex-CM fromMalacca peeps at my Post today and he wanna die for his daily dose of fcuk!--Desi)

Now, maybe you don't care about democracy. Maybe you're a purist "bread-and-butter" voter. Fine. But ultimately, democracy is inseparable from your bread and butter. If you look at history, real democracy and putting food on the table are basically the same.

Before democracy, before this idea of equality before the law, the government could do anything it liked to you. It could take away your home, put you in jail, exile you to a foreign land — whatever it liked. That's how things worked in pretty much every dictatorship on record.

Democracy has enshrined this idea that you have the right to hold property — that you have the right to own things, and to decide how to use them. That you are master of yourself, of your own will, and of the things you earn by exercising your own judgment and making your own decisions. That is democracy in a nutshell.

When you take away the right of people to make their own decisions, to make their own judgments, to be their own masters — when you subjugate them to the will of another equally fallible human being as if that person knows better than you what really makes you happy — you have basically taken away every right that a human being can have.

You may think your rights aren't important — but you are wrong. Freedom is what lets you choose to work, lets you choose what to study, lets you choose who to work for, lets you choose which school to send your children to, lets you choose what food to eat. All these are freedoms — fundamental freedoms. And they all boil down to the freedom to do what makes you happy as long as that doesn't harm anyone else.

Maybe you say, "Well, in that case, don't bother the gomen and they won't disturb you lah! What for make so much trouble?" But the problem is, democracy is all about bothering the government. If we aren't going to put our representatives on the spot and demand that they work for us, that they implement policies which will ensure our right to pursue happiness and satisfaction, if we are just going to keep voting for and supporting them until kingdom come, what is the point of holding elections? What is the point of maintaining even a facade of democracy?

The problem with this thinking is that it assumes the only reason you would dissent is because you like making trouble. But we all dissent from the government everyday — we do it not because we are troublemakers, but because we feel that something is just not right. As even the Prime Minister admitted a few days ago, things are not perfect in Malaysia. As long as things are not perfect, there will be mistakes to point out and disagreements on how to address them.

In other words, each and every one of us will disagree with the government at one point or another. We already do this everyday. If the government can lock lawyers up for walking down the street, and torch the cars of opposition leaders, we're only a hop and a skip away from throwing people in jail for voting for the opposition or simply pointing out an error in government policy. If we say that the right to drive where we like or marry who we love depends on whether we like the government of the day, we might as well say that there is simply no right to lead our lives as we wish.

When the government says that it has the right to stop you from doing something which does not harm anyone else, it is putting an end to this fundamental freedom — the right to seek out what makes you happy, what fulfills you, what gives your life meaning. When the government says you can't marry this person, you can't practice this religion, you can't attend this school, you can't walk down this street, it is basically saying that you have no such right to be happy.

And that is why democracy matters — because in a democracy, there is no such arbitrary "I know what's best for you" decider. When every man is equal before the law, no man has the right to tell another how he should run his life. Democracy is as vital to our existence as the very air we breathe, and to so repugnantly disdain it as this government repeatedly has for the over five decades it has been in power is not just a crime against democrats or opposition politicians. It is a crime against every Malaysian who wants to be happy. It is a crime that cannot be tolerated any longer.

DESIDERATA: Mr Prime Minister, Do You Hear The YoungOnes Sing?

Mr PM, Please Read the UN Declaration of Human Rights

Malaysia this year sits on the UN Council on Human Rights,if I amnot mistaken,
and as my fellow Blogger at jeffooi.com said,
Monday 10 December 2007 marked a black day for NegaraKu,
when instead of celebrating the occasion
with songs of human dignity and dance of solidarity and unity,
the Government chose to arrest dozens of Opposition leaders, Bar Council members,
and several individuals (mostly NGO activists).

I reprise on the 59th anniversary of the UN's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to remind the Prime Minister, before he sleeps every night, and
his topdogs and lowdogs and medium ones too, to read and digest the articles
well spelt out and proderly and duly endorsed by the Barian Nasional-controlled Government since Independence 50 years ago.




Universal Declaration of Human Rights


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948




On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

DESIDERATA:
I pray very hard that what has been happenig the past 2 X 24 is not the beginningof Ops Lallang II; the first in 1987 saw 106 Malaysians arrested under the ISA, comprising mostly Opposition members and NGO activists, and a token number of BN members, the latter group of whom were released without much ado after a short detention.
I, as Jeff Ooi does, too weep for my country.
For some of us, the tears have run dry.
God save NegaraKu and wake up the GOoD people,
and damn those topdogs who have gone to the dogs.
Amen.

UPDATEd @9.41pm:

sg.news.yahoo.com carried this item and Desi is a li'l late in catching up as he was caught twice in "traffic jams"in the capital city -- again, manmade, more accurately, police-made, more precisely, PDRM set up several roadblocks to cut off some moving tragts headed towards Jalan Parliamen! The news that AFP filed explains it all:

Malaysia detains Anwar, arrests 20 at parliament protest

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11, 2007 (AFP) - Malaysian authorities Tuesday detained opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim at the capital's airport and arrested at least 20 protesters who defied a ban on handing a petition to parliament.


The incidents were the latest moves in a government crackdown on its critics who have organised a series of street demonstrations that have drawn tens of thousands and sent shockwaves through the nation.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday he was willing to sacrifice public freedom to maintain national security, justifying the arrests of dozens of people on charges including attempted murder and sedition.

Anwar, the former deputy premier who became a vocal government critic after being sacked and jailed in 1998, said he was held for an hour on his return from a trip to Turkey and told he was on a "suspect list".

"Under the guise of preserving public safety, in the last three days the authorities have increased their repressive tactics against Malaysian citizens and arrested key opposition figures and civil rights leaders," he said.

"These repressive tactics are a sign that Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's leadership of Malaysia has run its course."

An immigration spokesman told AFP he had no knowledge of Anwar's detention at the international airport, but that names for the blacklist are usually provided by police.

Keadilan officials said however that the move was linked to Anwar's involvement in the Bersih electoral reform movement which staged a mass rally last November as well as Tuesday's petition protest.

More than 400 police surrounded the parliament to block electoral reform campaigners who were forced to march there on foot after all roads leading to the building were closed off, causing traffic chaos in Kuala Lumpur.

Police said 20 people had been arrested, including several members of Anwar's Keadilan party and the hardline Islamic party PAS, while Keadilan said 25 were detained including a 13-year-old boy, although nine were later freed.

"We did not want the crowd size to get big," assistant police commissioner Sofian Yasin told AFP. "We detained the protestors as their arrived so that there would be no scuffles and clashes and no one would get hurt."

Trees lining the streets were posted with copies of a court order obtained by police that banned the campaigners from parliament.

The petition against a proposed constitutional amendment was eventually given to opposition members of parliament to be passed to the speaker.

It urged lawmakers to reject the proposal that would extend the retirement age for Election Commission officers, likely allowing current chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman to stay in the role during polls expected next year.

"Abdul Rashid, whose service is continuously marred with recurring electoral frauds and manipulations, is not fit for the job and must go immediately," it said.

Cabinet minister Nazri Aziz, who is in charge of justice issues, defended the police action.

"They want to come and demonstrate today's amendment to the constitution. So they want to come in big numbers. We will not allow that," he told reporters at parliament.

"We have taken action against them and we are using the court system to prosecute these people."

Last month, nearly 30,000 demonstrators calling for free and fair elections massed in the capital in a protest led by an alliance of opposition parties and civil society groups.

A week later, at least 8,000 ethnic Indians protested alleged discrimination by Muslim Malays who dominate the population.

Police dispersed the crowds with tear gas and water cannons and arrested scores of demonstrators.

CSM for an Escapee from myASYLUM:)

Hear's some charity that Walski escaped from hisASYLUM to promote,
and Desi before joining the madnurse that's Koala Lumpuh to earn B&B
feels much badder already, doin' my byte for charity by travellin' the cyber journey wit' or wit'out Morrie on this warm Tuesday:)
GOoD Dae to awe my mates and ER in blogosphere:)
p
e
A
c
e

_____________________________________________________



Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The Budimas Year-End Charity Bazaar



With all the turmoil that's been reported of late, it sometimes helps to do something nice. Both for yourself, and for others in need. And that's where you come in...

Get something nice and help the needy in the process.

The charity bazaar is sponsored by The Budimas Charitable Foundation, in support of orphanage homes under their sponsorship. At the bazaar, you'll find a variety of stuff, ranging from clothes and accessories, to food, handicrafts and even temporary tattoos! A portion of all proceeds will be go to the foundation

So how can you help? Well, in two ways.

The first, is of course to attend the bazaar, which will be held on December 18 & 19 (next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday), from 11am to 7pm, at the lobby of Menara MAA (located at 12 Jalan Dewan Bahasa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur).

If you're not entirely sure how to get there, you can find a location map of Menara MAA here, via Streetdirectory.

(Desi: how else you can help, in the full post: surf 2 asylum60.blogspot.com)

The second way you can help, is by promoting the event. Tell your friends and family, or if you own a blog or website, put it on there. To help you, Walski's created the button below (which will also be at the top of this blog in a day's time).

A simple button, for a good cause

To copy the image, right click and copy the shortcut (if you use a 3rd party storage service), or right click and select "Save target as...". Paste it on your site just as you would other images, then link it back to this post. Simple. Unfortunately, it's only available in the one size you see above. But, let Walski know if you need an alternate size, like for your sidebar.

Hope that if you happen to be in KL on either one of those two days, you'll drop by. Since Christmas is just around the corner, it's the perfect opportunity to get something, and do something nice.

Ahh... Walski feels so much better already...

PS: And who's Walski?
I feel honoured in his company for I was listed in one Hi-roll with him for some Blogers' Award nominations, butt I don't think it's worth 20million, moo_t, please work doubly hrad on the sale of myPlace at eBoy! OK, thy CONmissION is no 1% amore, at 31!


"walski69
I look at life through cynical lenses, peeling the dead epidermis to peer at life from the depths of our decaying humanity. Cutting through bland exteriors hiding the turmoil that is our existence. Relishing the chaos, drinking the fear, and understanding our being here. Pretending all the time that life is good, life is grand. Well life, in a nutshell, is what we make it - this is merely a personal journey towards understanding my universe (HINT: Don't take what you read here TOO personally)"

World Human Rights Day, and Malaysia Chooses

to be a Pariah Dog.

We aim to join the league of advanced countries' topdogs, pure blue blooded canines who win prizes at international competitions, but our so-called pemimpin/leaders behave like pariahs. Someone jest pointed out to Desi pemimpi rimes nicely with pimp. I will highlight three todieO:(:(:(

But I also observe that many ***SOME TOP DOGS, EVEN FROM UMNO, DO TALK SENSE POST-RETIREMENT.

0:( no. 1

Page N4 of MSM whose nama I won't mention, in case
you get conned parting wit' RM1.20 todie:(
better treat Desi to tehtarik:)


Lawyers not above the law
PM: Those involved in illegal activities wil have to face the consequences

From the frontpage:

Police swoop

> Eight people who were
involved in the Bersih rally
on Nov 10 were picked up
from various parts of the
country



The topdog was of course commenting on the "arrest of eight people" (Jeff Ooi and I believe se7en because one was most likely one of the police kind -- an AP, agent provocateur-lah, Ignoramus!) The taiko of Blogosphere rsiding at jeffooi.com (now as I write hosted by Peace Hill CCID, I hear) and Desi xchanged views yesterday near the Bar Council doorsteps in front of whichwe witnessed the 7, mostly comprising lawyers, for Walking to mark World Human Rights Day, which is universally celebrated today. Yes, some of us would fight for something to die for, for our fellow brothers and sisters who suffer under a repressive government regime. No, we are not like "Myanmar or Zimbabwe nyet nyet" -- but why do we want to compare with low-down bitches when we should benchmark against pure breeds of topdogs?

O:( no.2

Page N12, from the failing Fourth Estate asking for a coffin donation -- hey, any tycoon out dare? -- cometh a grand double-Datuk mouthing saliva as if it had been seized by rabies bytes:(

A step closer to ISA?

"The campaign
has gone
overboard and
terribly wrong"

:
:
:

"Yesterday, about 100-odd people,
including lawyers, some linked to
Parti Keadilan Rakyat, and activists,
(Desi: Yeah, zorro and Desi were aong 'em, so?)
went ahead ith a protest march
although the Bar Council had called
it off. As lawyers, they should know
the law better, even if they disagreed
with it and taking to the streets is
something new to Malaysian poli-
tics."

Desi's Q1: MSM topdog, Where were you when two junior TOPDOGS UMNO Youth Chief
and his deputy were waving keris at the PWTC several times --
to demonstrate
the spirit of peace and harmony and goodwill aong Malaysians, izzit?

Desi's Q2: "...something new...", REALLY?

Where the blardy hell were you when the deputy, again! -- under the protective gear of being a special SIL, therefore a special law applies? -- broke through police cordons to protest -- against something which most Malaysians dodn't even know of or care! -- visiting US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice?

O:( no. 3

Samy Vellu:
Indian
community
doing well

Desi's Q1: REALLY? If that is so, why do you think some 30,000 members of your community chose to march to face the might and power of cannons and water laced with chemicals, and some suffering
bodily harm from the very people who were charged with protecting'common citizens and maintaining law and order?

Desi may not agree with Hindraf's issues and causes,
BUT I SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
when it was clearly assured they would march in the spirit of
civil disobedience advanced by Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Gandhi.

Desi's Q2: You even supported the PM's right to invoke the ISA to detain
these Hindraf marchers, but you maintained "elegant silence"
when Hishamuddin Hussein -- is he the Education minister? +++Waving the keris to promote peace and harmony? -- and his deputy waving the keris every year without fail at the PWTC?

+++Oh mg goodness,
is that what they teach you in schools nowadays?

Dear EsteemedReaders, I feel very low wit' all these
barkings and yellings by the topdogs,
so wrt ******SOME TOP DOGS, EVEN FROM UMNO, DO TALK SENSE POST-RETIREMENT.
Can I urge that you be patient,
visit me again tomorw.
As I have said oft times,-- you guys never listen ah? --
Miss Patience is also Virtuous,
and in such depressed times such as ours,
it's good to acquire such attributes.
Desi offereth thee goblets of tehtarik
Pu-Erh in small cuplets,
and Rut Bir in FRU-I-picked-up canisters
for testing thy patience overly.
I may even serve thee
CON BF tomolow wit' pomelo
and sum
~~~~~~~
Petronas dollars,
thy naional oil corporation jest announced se&en percent jump
in profits for half-year ended September 2007,
you don't know ah? Okay, stay an Ignoramus,
IGNORANCE IS BLISS:)~~~~~~~~

thrown on top the peanut B&B!
CHOW!

A POEM FOR MY BROTHERS

I: For Bernard Khoo aka Zorro, My Brother

A heart of a lion’s span
Where doeth stand another man
Of my brother’s stature
Living up to God’s gift, justice to Mother Nature
You rage against speakers who don't walk the talk
Never mind, it'shuman nature
Let's look ahead at the BIG picture
You have me, I have you
And we have Nathaniel too

Dear Bernard, you’re my comrade
I’ll come walk with thee
It’s not the distance that detereth
It’s not whether it’s dark or light
It’s for our brothers born or yet to be
Dull, ignorant, smart or bright

I’ll come up from Furong
Because I know my brother would not like to be alone
Neither would I
IF
I were in his shoes
So I’ll leave at dawn
To keep my date with thee, My Brother

II: For Nathaniel Tan, my fave palindrome, My Brother

I read your heart’s desire
A young and articulate voice, yet mature before time
I’m so honored to befriend thee
I aim to be thy mentor, yet oft times I’m thy mentee
You know no fear
Treading minefields
Tough men wouldn’t venture anywhere near
I’d rise early this morn to join thee, My Brother
Because you love thy brethren
Just as Bernard and Desi loveth thee

III: For my brothers yet to be

Where art thou?
Those who have hearts but hydeth away
From unknown fears and worries
But ponder My Brothers yet to be
It thou feareth the ISA
So do VVe
But when vve do the Right Thing
Our fears are diminish’d
As we link our arms like a chain
We are strong and our burden lighten’d

So when vve do the Honourable Thing
We know that’s the Right Thing to do
And te fear’s soon gone
As more of our brothers gather
Knowing there’s Strength in Unity
God’s with us, so He is showering
Abundant blessings
And mount a shield
To protect, to embrace
Above colour, above creed, above race
All My Brothers yet to be
Dear brothers out there
Stand up and be counted
On Gandhi’s Peace Pedestal
VVVVVVVe are mounted

Composed at 12.01am
Sundae, December 9th
In the year of our blessed awe-seeing Lord
Two-oh-oh-SE7EN.

PS: Inspired by brudder zorro who publicly declared at a forum: “Should I not stand up to be counted, I wouldn’t know how to answer my grandchildren when they asK:’Gong-gong, what did you do about the Government’s abuses of human rights?’”
Inspired by Nat Tan for standing up in the true spirit of Martin Luther King Jr and Mahathma Gandhi, for standing by their brothers and sisters, fighting for civil rights, in peace and justice, and paying a price of being incarcerated for his principles.

Brothers to be, let’s go forth in unity
Let’s Salute our brothers who stand up
For Truth and Justice -- Desi

UPDATEd @8.53pm:

Desi arrived at the Central Market (from Seremban-lah, yes, I'm from Peyton Placesque Ulu...:) at 7.40pm. Sent a hand signal to brudder zorro and received Boy Scout or GGuide's return signs that he and a band were already at Sogo's and that the number of police personnel was equal to the Sundae Walkers to swell the ranks to about 400-500.

I huffed and puffed to mee the throng, and was just past KFC (no time to snack the Colonel's finger-lucky chics!) along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman when I sighted the marchers heading towards me. The outriders on two legs were the VIP wayfarers. A senior oficer was constantly stopping the gatherrers to give some pep talk and warning about "his officers would be ordered to arrest" anyone misbehaving, I think.
If Desi's wrong, pardon me, for there was a din. And some spin.And lots of photographers doing their thing.

ASIDE: Now surf to http://suzannelee.smugmug.com/gallery/ and see if you can catch bernard khoo who deserted zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com, okay for only a w'ile, the reason that motivated Desi to join him for Da Walk to mark World Human Rights. Martin Luther King style or ala-closer to home, Gandhi on high PEACE pedestal.

There were some hot exchanges between the peaceful assemblers and the policemen, and as far as I could tell, several walkers were bundled into a few police vans. Seven lawyers or activists I hear, but please visit the news portals to verify. Desi was at one stage "intervewed" for his views on "Why did you take part in this illegal march?" I hope I did justice to this initially-initiated by Bar Council initiative for social justice. But they abandoned us on acount of some teling off by the IGP's men? I don't really know, but I think many of these men and women suited office-bearers were influenced by some chickens that escaped Colonel Sander's cooking pot. No, Desi did not smoke any writHing this entry and swipe. I was inspired by zorro's remark that the Bar Council's retreat was not popularly accepted by Bloggers in general, hence our attendance.

Along te way I spied Rockybru, jeff ooi, shar OBE (who I tickled with a jibe -- hey aren't you wit' Hindraf in UK as their adviser? -- nuraina, tony yew (or yeah I think, who was taking video streaming to send onto Hollywood -- that's according to the rumour whine:) , and et cetera, and so on, I can't list the long rollcall, or I run out of steam to finish this Post.

Then we arrived at te Bar Council at about 9.00am? I think time stood still and Desi's LOST like Li'l Red Riding Hood seeing some "bloody" ops adjacent the tents put up for several NGO booths to promo their cause. I xxchanged books with Sdr Amir Mohammad -- autographed so that we, especialy Desi, joineth the late SA of IJOK, the books would be worth at least 1,000 times amore, for it's tradition for dead poets' society members' wroks to become collectibles. Go invest RM20 small bucks on Amr's Politikus say the darndest thingy or somethin' and Desi's asspiring poems which would be well coated after death?

Then the Bloggers Gangz led by rocky, jeff and yes, HARIS IBRAHIM, adjourned to Antarabangsa for nazi lemak BF or SpecialBrunch, but definitely it'sneither free nor flee. But we did enjoy the free fellowship -- and BTW, fellow is gnder-neutral hear! -- it was a fun-D outing. mGf allofhelen.blogspot.com was stopped from arriving by helicopter from Ipoh because she was not allowed by her Sig Other John Lee from doing the jump. Maybe we'll meet at the next walk in the silver state. Or at the pearl of the orient. Then we'll adjourn for Hor fun or char kuey teow. I dunno why -- I almost got caught up by helen'sinfluence writing a Food post tonight as I update, signing off 9.23pm.

Chow, which means "Eee ya!" or "Come, let's eat!" if thou can track Desi down by mazey, hazey, crazey Furong way. Do't come, I hear toight many wolves from Koala Lumpuh have migrated down south... That's w'ile LI'l Read Ridin's ... fade off...

PS: Now be a GoodBoy, and this's also gender-neutral!, surf to rockybru.blogspot.com for his more interesting newshound's report, with pictures -- a department in which Desi's deficient unless CathyZJone's in the chamber -- for you to feel the atmospherics.

I stole the lust two paras:

"I was walking with many brave girls. There were about 100 walkers. More than two dozens journalists. 500 cops (the Malay Mail reporter asked Supt Che Hamzah the question). And a chopper in the sky.

Bloggers who walked include Nuraina Samad (Sunday Human Rights Walk ....), Jeff Ooi (Cops outnumber People: 5 to 1), Tony Yew, Bernard Khoo aka Zorro, Haris Ibrahim, Michelle Gunaselan, Shanghai Fish (Human Rights ... What Rights?), Shar 101, Desiderata (was I dare, fool of errata?), and Melvin Mah.For professional pics, go to Suzanne Lee's site."

PPS: If there were more than the usual number of typos in Desi's UPDATE, jest attribute it to exhaustion. The chopper that rockybru referred to REFUSED -- the audacity of it awe! -- to give Desi alift home!:(
GOoDnite, GB!:)

ENOUGH! of spinning, gomen and MSM...

Nowadays, I frown whenever I read two of the English MSM -- the Star and NST -- and today one gomen's organ blares it out loud on frontpage:

THE NST SAYS
ENOUGH!

For the sake of the nation's silent majority and peace

'ISA will be an
option which I will
decide upon when the
time is right. If they
are deemed a threat
to national security,
we will know what to
do. That's why they
have to be monitored
closely.'

(ER: Visualise the pic of a constantly smiling -- if he's not half-asleep --
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)


DESIDERATA: Like mGf bernard khoo aka zorro letting off at zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com white anger, then incense, then rocket blasts over the Bar Council's flip-flop decision on its planned Walk for Human Rights tomorrow, now CANCELLED, and its festival of cultural activities MOVED INDOORS! DESI is also incensed.

WE have bunches of idiots/nincompoops/nazi clones (pick any wan! Bloggers are very democrazy people:) manning various c'unters -- consistentlyNews Room, now The Bar too?

I can undersatnd the Fourth Estate highlighting Gomen's propaganda as it tallies with the miniSTER Zam-zam Aaa Kazam's Ganda-ganda Wang Anda
policy.

But Bar Council -- so easily cowed?

And the NST -- so you speak for the nation's silent majority, eh?
How come you can only chalk up, or down, about 135,000 circulation, eh?
Sometimes, you better follow thy Master's Voice's policy of maintaining "elegant silence" because, paraphrasing someone greAt who should be your GEIC:

It's better that you remain silent and others think you are a fool
THAN TO OPEN YOUR BIG MOUTH
and confirm the public's suspicion you are indeed a blardy fool,
and a smelly mouthful.

As for "PEACE", go read the many "racist" slants planted by your MSM brothers at Utusan Malaysia to know truly who are the peace-disrupters!
Hey, NST reported that only 4,000 came for the Nov 10 BERSIH Rally, then up-ed it to 10,000 the following day. DO YOUR REPORTERS AND EDITORS HAVE EYES like those of MPfor Jasin, Said Yusof, Close One Eye? Or doubled with Zakaria, CLOSE BOTH EYES?

Mama mia, a RM7-10million mansion in Port Klang's low cost district, and that qualified as "small"! Wonderful fairy tail spinning indeed...

I wonder if MSM editors and some politicians have that indefinable God's-gift called CONSCIENCE?

And Mr Prime Minister, Do You Hear The People Sing?

And my parting APpeal to the PM, plaese monitor your Malay dailies daily:
They add oil to fire!

And also remember, please send the silent majority's best regards to keris wavinf UMNO Youth chief and his deputy, also to SA Zakaria Mad Deros, and MP Said Yusof, models for the rkayat to promote peace and harmony and prosperity.
_______________________
PS: Dear EsteemedReaders, excuse Desi for not writing that piece on PetronasDec 5's announcing about 7% jump in profits for the half-year to September -- I AM STILL GATHERING aMORE INFORMATION, donwan to be hauled up and be questioned on my writHing authenticity eh!

APpeal to ER: Those who have any information related to Petronas financials,pls forward to chongyl2000@yahoo.com, can? I won't disclose your identity, Scout's or GGuide's pledge!

I also promise thee endless rounds of tehtarik, or limited rounds of PU-ERH cha:)

UPDATEd @2.12pm:

ENJOYING PREMIER STANDING,
the NST put himon the RHS of the PM!

Wah, another clone of VIP stature called
Datuk Denision Jayasooria
Social Strategic Foundation
executive director


Partially extracting the NST quote:

'...If
Hindraf leaders claim
to be followes of
Ghandian principles,
the act of throwing
stones and opposing
authority would not
have come about.'

DESI borrrows from a Y&A, my fave palindrome, Nat Tan, in his Post @jelas.info:) as his was a fantastic rationale, Desi claims to be his mentee, as I often promote "Role Reversal"~~~~~~~:)



O_O ?!

I’ll concede that perhaps Hindraf leaders have yet to fully internalise the teachings of Gandhi.

But “opposing authority would not have happened”?

This demonstrates an ignorance of history that borders on imbecility.

This is the guy who coined the term “civil disobedience,” fool.

If Gandhi did not oppose unjust authority, exactly as we face now, India might still be the crown jewel of the British Empire, and Malaysia probably no different.

The suggestion that the Mahatma was some subservient guy who took authority lying down shocks and disgusts me.


Second Update @8.57pm -- SEE how hard Desi's working for thy benefit, dear ER, be gratefool and write me that check-n-balance for 20million, K!:)

The following news on page 6, of theSUN -- (hey,I paid 30sen for the copy Okay unlike you stingy pokers, lining up at 7ELEVEN at 6.00 in the dark and rainy moUrn to save 30sen! OR did the CCTV capture thee taking away multiple kopis?:( -- lifted Desi's heart more than a byte:)


theSun is nly English
daily to grow circulation

PETALING JAYA: English daily
newspapers in te country saw
growth of 10.5% in circulation for the
12 months from July 1, 2006 to June 30
this year, but the growth was largely
driven by the big increase in the
circulation of the free paper, theSun.

Desi giveth thee the first para -- you wanna read the item in full?
Track Desi down in hazey,mazey and lazey Furong and I'lll part with it for
60sen (Yes, 100% ROI!) as tis copy for a media man is a collectible! AND
Who wants my Morris Minor/Major for 20million?


Other facts gleaned from the sunny paper:

* Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) figures showed
theSun rising from 174,179 copies a day to256,486 copies
for a growth of 47% or 82,307 copies.

** The Star's circulationdropped 0.3% to 309,181from 310,008.

*** The New Straits Times' (NST) circulation was virtually unchanged at 139,763 copies;
while The Malay Mail's plunged 40% to 19,828 from 33,496 copies.

DESIDERATA: So the nST is best qualified to representthe "silent majority"? Yes/NO?Undecided/F*** it, it doesn't matter. Multiple choice for my EsteemedReaders, as easy as ABC!

Fool of Integrity...

And subheaded: He just doesn't know what LOGICAL THINKING is all about.

I know mGf 17-year-old johnleemk (surf to -- and thats a court order! infernalramblings.com please) can provide better rationales or justification when debating with Desi, even when we don't sit atop the half-past-six cabinet...

As I got back from the wolfish city of Koala Lumpuh after a hectic three days navigating through the mad rush that defines the capital city, Desi heaved a sigh of relief on arriving at the Bus terminus called TerminalOne in Seremban. With some time to kill before a friend came to pick me up (Yes, small town people always telephone mates on arrival home to "pick them up", and here "picking up" has not the red-light district connotations of Chow Kit Road and Jalan Alor, okay!

So I flipped through the NST, and this item on page 20 caught my eye (Yes, I closed one eye whenever I browse through MSM as then one is focused.. You try it, you are likely to be diverted to a second item if you open both eyes!) The headline now, some 12 hours later than most folks reading the print version at BF -- reproduced from the online edition -- reads:



NST Online » Local News
2007/12/07

Zaki a person of integrity, says Nazri




KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Zaki Azmi's role in Umno will not influence his performance in his latest position as the Court of Appeal president.

In defending Zaki’s appointment, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said, except for being Umno’s Disciplinary (Technical) Committee chairman and Selection Committee secretary, the 62-year-old did not hold any other post in the party.

“He’s not an MP, assemblyman, division or even a branch head.

“The only reason we roped him in was due to his past performance and his character, which is of a person of integrity,” he said, adding that among the legal fraternity, Zaki is known as a “straight fellow".

He said Zaki, the son of former Lord President Tun Azmi Mohamed, should not be punished over his role in Umno.

The Bar Council had expressed surprise over the appointment of Zaki as it felt there were other suitable candidates in terms of seniority and service in the judiciary.

The council was also concerned over his involvement in Umno, as well as his short stint in the government service.

Three months ago, Zaki became the first lawyer to be directly appointed to the Federal Court.

Regarding Zaki’s fast-track appointment, Nazri did not think there was anything wrong with the matter.

“There is no law againstthe fast-track appointment of Zaki. We are not doing something unconstitutional or illegal,” he said at parliment yesterday.

Nazri also shot down a proposal by Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat), who had suggested that a select committee on the judiciary be set up to ensure the integrity of judicial candidates before they were appointed or promoted.

“I don’t agree with the proposal as the three branches of the government — legislative, executive and judiciary — must be independent.

“How can the appointment of judges be discussed in a committee? No way.”

He said if such committees were set up, judges would have to be very nice towards MPs as their appointments and promotions would be heavily dependent on them.

“There will be undue influence, so definitely, no.

“The judiciary must not only be free from the executive, but also free from outside influences in order to function properly.”

PIC Caption:
Tan Sri Zaki Azmi is known as a ‘straight fellow’ in the legal fraternity
Pic comment by Desi: Yeah, so also Desi is a 'straight" fellow, along wit' many lawyers and judges. But some judges and lawyers have mastered the art of walking like a crab.Desi's still trying...

DESIDERATA: this fellow named Nazri is an expert in what I term DIVERTING from the core points in contention.

Let me dissect as a vet would a guinea pig, cat or a dog.

"Tan Sri Zaki Azmi's role in Umno will not influence his performance in his latest position as the Court of Appeal president" -- an assurance given on the second highest judicial officer by another party -- that is the Minister in PM's Dept in charge of legal affairs Nazri -- coming with vested interests of his political affiliation, UMNO, surely?

For once this MSM got it "correct, correct, correct!" -- opening secnd para with "In defending Zaki’s appointment...", with the word "defending" implying there is indeed some question mark over the appointment. "Syabas, Copy Editor on duty, I hope you haven't received any call from the guy, nyet?" from YL Chong, the journalist-in-me.

So what if this was 100% correct that "He’s not an MP, assemblyman, division or even a branch head" COMPARED WITH THE fact that he (Zaki) had indeed served at positions close to the top UMNO echelon's sphere of influence as "...Umno’s Disciplinary (Technical) Committee chairman and Selection Committee secretary,..."

Does Nazri truly expect us ordinary Malaysians, the MAJORITY who don't hold UMNO membership cards, to believe that "Zaki can be 100% free agent" as the second ranked judicial officer with no "beholdenism" to UMNO that must surely have played a role in fast-tracking his appointment, and now a quick promotion, into the judiciary inner hub of power? ALL THESE HAPPENING AT LIGHTNING SPEED -- two quick fell swoops in a period less than four months!

I am stopping now with just reprising the Bar Council's stance BEFORE I PUKE:

"The Bar Council had expressed surprise over the appointment of Zaki as it felt there were other suitable candidates in terms of seniority and service in the judiciary.

The council was also concerned over his involvement in Umno, as well as his short stint in the government service."

PS: One more hop-step-n-jump TOWARDS THE ABYSS?
Dear EseemedReaders and fellow Malaysians, do you plan to just sit there and sigh? ***Or do something about it!

Note the preceding LAST LINE*** did not end with a question mark. It's Desi's courtly order -- and who says I cannot sit as a court judge? It is just that I had not bothered to apply for UMNO mebership!

When Petronas Profits Rise, Do You Jump with Joy?

This was the question that rushed to mind when i read the following news headline:

Petronas profits up 7.7 percent in first half

The national oil company posted a net profit of RM26.6 billion against RM24.7 billion for the same period last year.

DESI: I'll be back with aMore -- if thou art in the mood for love after drinking some Pu-Erh to drown the sorrow you ain't get any of Petronas oil to stomach! -- come back tonight when I update this important item. Your country's future - and my health -- is at stake hear! These past two days required my VIP presence (VIP , newly minted, stands for Very Inconsequential Present -- like Pet....?) in Kuala Lumpur. Truth of the matter, earning some kaya to pile on top of the plain B&B. aMore importantly, to catch up wit' my Blogger buddies (Hi-dare, Joshua Chin, next round we ENJOY PU-ERH, eh? and Zorro-zorro, drop wan zorro and bring along Catherine Zeta Jones sext time. Hey, I envy Josh -- he HSAD A DATE with' CZJ when she was in town doin' ENTRAPMENT! Desi would trade places with 17-year-old-somethin' Josh to be TRAPPED, foregoing SE7EN rounds of Pu-Erh for his ONE and onLY butt knot lONEly ("loony" mayhaps) round with Catherine:):):)

The above diversion is dedicated to the two pals who made up the quorum of THREE at yesterday's G7 Bloggers Meet in Section 14, PJ. The absentees, you miss'd Josh's secrets about CZJ, wich are best left unmentioned and in Zorro's chamber. JOsh and Desi will just peep and update you wit' what we saw if you make it to the next G7 of G8.The attire being consdered: G-string:) G is4 Guitar, wat you thinkin'?Played in the F*** keys. U know Alicia, anywan?

7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

and ONE GOoD Reason to Drink Pu-Erh Tea:)

Yahoo! News Foods has this story.

Posted Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:54 am PST

The steady stream of good news about green tea is getting so hard to ignore that even java junkies are beginning to sip mugs of the deceptively delicate brew. You'd think the daily dose of disease-fighting, inflammation-squelching antioxidants - long linked with heart protection - would be enough incentive, but wait, there's more! Lots more.

CUT YOUR CANCER RISK

Several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea's famous for - seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

SOOTHE YOUR SKIN

Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids. And that's not all. In the lab, green tea helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, whether you drink it or apply it directly to the skin - which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.


Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea's big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

STAY YOUNG

The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.

LOSE WEIGHT

Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body's calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

and that

ONE GOoD Reason to Drink Pu-Erh Tea:)?

DESIDERATA has jest recently been introduced by amGf Sdr ChooNC -- a democrat now-turned super-kapitalist -- to the art of enjoying PU-ERH Tea all the way from Meng Hai and Xiaguan factories in Kunming, and now I look more and more like my idol Albert Einstein. So next time you want to savour Desi's company, remember to bring that plastic that Einstein and Desi didn't invent -- the one you don't leave home without it -- because you gonna pay for the Pu-Erh tea session wit' me. Like Green Tea, Pu-Erh also makes thee
STAY YOUNG.

Now I am feeling thrt-somethin' after jest three sessions.
I plan to join the seventeen year olds romping around Malacca after another three.
If you are keen -- but not current and former MBs and CMs! -- you can join Desi.
Jest a reminder -- DON't LIVe At HOMe WIt It, BRINg HEr ALONg:):)

Morningtown Rides

Or morning writes.
Even morning 'rites, which ever suits my Esteemed Readers,
as part of the Blogging benefits to share some fun-D!

Believe you me (imitation an Aussie precedent before going on a haughty "I know it all" discourse. But sometimes he becomes the but of jokes. I didn't use he/she/it because 99.9 percent the speaker is a boastful -- or is it mouthfool like some of sleepin beaut's cabinet wooden minSTERS? -- male. Leave out writHers like Desifor we are often times sarcastic, satirical, even spiteful, but SELDOM BOASTFUL. If one is boastfulinone's rites of passage in this wordsmithry circle, you tie yourself up in knots. Then how do you expect to earn B&B. Desi still wants some "kaya" thrown on top of his multi-layered peanut butter French or Hainanese toast.

Why Hainanese you dareth ars(K)eth?

Seek Desi out tomorrow at tea break at YUT KEE kopitiam (the Boss is also SerembanKnight, so he giveth thee 30% discount, jest mention YL Chong's nama. No, he doesn'tknow my "creative" nameand he might top up the charges by 31% if he knew you were the mostly femail, semi-employed or quartered Blogger. As for male chauvinsitic Bummers (2007 going to bum2008 26 dies from now, another Oz slang:) mate. No,I did not come back from Down Under to die ... the gold-crested coffin could not get through Queensland customs, I didn't no how to fill up the blardy Aussie emigeresen forma. And yes, I wasn't trying the Diplomatic lane (blue or red or green, ah? That I think is reserved for the ilks of MBs, CMs, no understand Ingerris, nahind, got bagfools of dollars nuf-lah!

Now where was I? LOST in the forestry of self-coined words and worthless, so I have to head for KL/PJ soon for two long days to, yes, say it again Sam, earn Bread&Butter&Broad. Ooops, Board! Worsmiths shouldn't prostitute themselves toomush. A wee (VVV) byte okay-lah, where got saints on earth wan?
I was wandering if I should head in an hour's time for the bus or train station ...

Then the Seekers -- olde ornew, you find out, OK! -- send their nostalgic lyrics o'er half-awake mind, so here's sharing:


Department of Health & Human Services
Children's Privacy and Other Disclaimers
Can't Hear the Music?



Morningtown Ride


Words and Music by Malvina Reynolds
Performed by The Seekers (1966)

Train whistle blowin', makes a sleepy noise
Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way

Driver at the engine, Fireman rings the bell
Sandman swings the lantern to say that all is well
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way

Maybe it is raining where our train will ride
All the little trave'lers are warm and snug in-side
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way

Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day
Somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles a-way
Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way

All bound for Morningtown, many miles a-way

PS: This Post is dedicated specially to Dr Lim TG, Din Merican, wan madmonk trying darndest to free himself from the nunnery next to a Chinese temple and Chef Choi's where the temptation is akinto that fellow tryiong to jump over the wall. "Hey, matey, the Berlin Wall came down a couplde of decades ago!"

Freedom is in the air.
Sad, wenow can't join the Freedom Walk for Human Rights on Sunday.
Never mind, I give thee a goody ride on Morningtown.
Mayhaps,remember to bring aong that Kad, don't live at Home wit' it! when I
See you at Mamak Shop in Section 14, PJ next to da Pos Opis, 4pm-7pm today,
yes, WedNURSEday, not a day of woe,
'cos
Bloggers world if 1/2ful of glee and te other 1/2fool of hehesheshe. LOL!:)

Sorry, someone's chicken!

But Down Under, some one's a lion. Dissociates with Deputy Sheriff role in Southeast Asia.

Today Desi is saddened to read theSun frontpage news headed:

MP says sorry,
no action
to be taken

KUALA LUMPUR: S.K. Devamaney is a relieved
man. After admitting that he regretted the re-
mark he made in the Dewan Rakyatlast week,
which was seen by some as breaking ranks
with Barisan Nasional (BN), no action will be
taken against him.

:
:
:
DESIDERATA:
I only gave you, my dear ER, just one para, you know why?
You can actually write the rest of the script -- just put on the mindset of
BN taikor UMNO deputy chief lecturing an MIC dwarf and you morre or less, get it!
GOT IT? And that mGf, is a rhetorical Q! Unless you want a mouthfool from Desi. And Desi's not beyond swearing. F*** off! As I said earlier, ***stands for a night bird:)

Desi was the first to say "SYABAS" to this MP (CAmeron Highlands) when
he spoke up for Hindraf Rally two Sundays ago, also citing the figure of 40,000 Ralliers.
Today I say, Sorry I spoke too soon. I now call you "Chicken". "Sorry" to Kentucky Flied Kithen2...

But it seems this MP from MIC has not only chickened out, following a pep talk -- maybe some tongue lashing, or is it wagging? -- by DPM Najib Razak. "He (Najib) was very nice to me. I told him I regretted the statement," he said. Yeah, "nice" to be assured as candidate for GE... Any AP promise?

Some politicians -- from both BN and Opposition, go read about one ex-Speaker who just passed away, jumping ship from DAP to Gerakan, so God help him, but the people in Penang cannot celebrate like Ijokians, NO bye-election! Came 4 years to late, but still better late than never... -- don't have balls. That is, they sell even their mothers after losing their own souls. So Hindraf, you now know you did the RIGHT THNG not going to MIC!

You can visualise at an earlier heart2heart counselling2 by the semi-valued-and-long-overstaying-his-welcome minister that quiet as a mouse/chicken, no MP would have been lashed: IF YOU WANT TO BE BN CANDIDATE FOR COMING ELECTIONS, Devil -- Ooops, Deva -- you know what to do-lah!?
Also, BN cheap Pak Lah is vely de angly, wat!

Now here's what a POLITICIAN OF PRINCIPLES can teach us Malaysians, from one of my fave countries, yes still Lucky Country!

theSun page 15 ran a short version. Desi is kind hearted today giving you the Ori -- because he gets lifted that there are still some politicians worth emu-lating -- even if they come from foreign shores. Hey, this is the world of Globalisation. As a fellow journalist THOMAS FRIEDMAN -- fame by aRssociation! agin -- preaches: "The world is flat". Yes, I'm reading this bible of the global village, you badder do if you wanna keep pace wit' Desi!:)

Monday December 3, 09:10 PM

Australia ratifies Kyoto pact

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, took the oath of office on Monday and immediately signed documents to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, ending his country's decade of opposition to the global climate agreement.

The move isolates the United States, which will now be the only developed nation not to ratify the agreement which sets binding limits on developed countries to curb the carbon emissions blamed for global warming.

"This is the first official act of the new Australian government, demonstrating my government's commitment to tackling climate change," Rudd said in a statement.


Climate scientists said the development was a major step for Australia and sent a clear message to Washington.

"This has given America no excuse now. They are now the only country who won't ratify Kyoto, they are the ones most responsible for the problem and they are not living up to their responsibility," said Barry Brook, professor of climate studies at Adelaide University.

Rudd, 50, led the centre-left Labor party to victory at the November 24 election, ending nearly 12 years of conservative rule, by promising a new generation of leadership and committing to sign the Kyoto pact.

The former conservative government refused to ratify Kyoto, saying it would unfairly hurt the Australian economy with its heavy reliance on coal for energy and export income, while countries like India and China were not bound by targets.

But a new report from the environment think tank the Climate Institute, written by government and university scientists, found that Australia's economy could easily cope with strong cuts in greenhouse emissions.

It said growth would fall by only 0.1 percent of gross domestic product annually if Australia set a target of 20 percent cuts in emissions by 2020 and aimed to be carbon neutral by 2050.

"Leading the way on climate is an affordable, prudent and achievable investment," Climate Institute chief executive John Connor said on Monday.

Shortly after Rudd was sworn in, the Kyoto decision was approved by Governor-General Michael Jeffery, who represents Queen Elizabeth in Australia's constitution and who must approve all international treaties.

Under U.N. guidelines, full ratification takes place 90 days after the United Nations receives the formal Instrument of Ratification, meaning Australia will be a full member of the Kyoto club by the end of March.

The way is now clear for Rudd to play a stronger role at the U.N. climate talks in Bali, which opened negotiations on Monday on new carbon emission targets for beyond 2012. He is to lead a delegation of four Australian ministers at the conference.

The previous government said Australia would meet its Kyoto targets, despite not ratifying the pact, but Rudd said the latest advice suggested it would miss its target to curb greenhouse emissions growth to 108 percent of 1990 levels by 2012.

"We are currently likely to exceed, or overshoot, our target by one percent," Rudd said, adding that Australia faced penalties under new targets beyond 2012.

Rudd has set a long-term target of cutting carbon emissions by 60 percent of 2000 levels by 2050, but has yet to announce an interim target for emissions by 2020.-- Reuters

DESI: I note for the record that John Howard became the latest victim playing second fiddle -- sheriff to US Marshall Bush? -- to the American President, after UK's Tony Blair and who else?

I pray whoever the Visionary Leader Malaysia would get as the next Prime Minister would amend legislation to limit the PM's term to maximum of TWO Parliament terms (i.e. 5X 2 years), which translates itno 10 years or less if the incumbent PM calls for early elections. Even the US Marshall of the wolrd gets the max of eight years, and you can see the havoc (Iraq conquest that failed; now pondering Iran adventure? as lusty farewell to gift the successor?) how a war-inclined chief can wreak on the Injuns of the universe, and we may see the Last of the Mohicans, whether Up Over or Down Under.

But come on fellow Malaysians, VVVVVVVe
will not only survive, vvvvvvve Will "V"ENI, "V"idi, "V"ici:).

See you on Sunday at the World Human Rights walk with the Bar Council, again!

UPDATEd 7.33am Dec 6, 2007 on The Sunday Walk, here's something I C&P from rockybru.blogspot.com:

"9/12 Walk ON?


Lawyers to walk despite Bar's decision. I was with some lawyers last night. They weren't happy with the Bar Council's decision to cancel the People's Freedom Walk. Lawyers have walked for the last two years to mark the World Human Rights Day (celebrated on Dec 10 every year) so they don't see why the Bar should cancel the walk just because the Information Minister said so.

These lawyers said they and others will walk on December 9. "It is important, more now than ever, that we walk this Sunday."

I got an assurance from mGf over cups of tehtarik in PJ yesterdae, zorro, he'd BE THERE to rock2! Any SerembanKnight goin' dare, Desi needs a lift!

When Zam crtiticises, you know you're on the right path!

TheSun was chastised for publicising in a Nov 29 report next Sunday's "Peopl's Freedom Walk", quoting the Bar Council's human rights committee chairman Edmund Bon, who provided the details on the time and venue to gather for the walk.

When the criticism comes from the miniSTER of Propaganda-ganda Wang Anda aka Zam-zam ala Kazam, I say: SYABAS!
You Are Walking the Right Path of Responsible Journalism!

From page 4 of the 30sen daily Dec 3, 2007 (you cheapskates, fled with all the free copies by the time Desi walketh to 7ELEVEN at 7.00am, eh!):

Street protests
will only harm
racial unity,
says Zainuddin

Yeah, this guy wants the Al-Jazeera reporter to ask sanitised questions,
preferable forwarded to his Ministry of Disinformation in advance,
before appearing on TV on the Hindraf Rally two Sundays ago.

Datuk Zam, of the Malacca sultanate's mindset, so you think the foreign news wires -- like BBC and ABC - operate like BERNAMA? Which, BTW, in ts first day coverage of the BERSIH, put the number of ralliers at 4,000, equal to the POLICE and FRU personnle on duty. Which translatres as one-to-one patrolman to djohnny walker!

The following day, the national news agency up-ed the number to 10,000 -- sheepishly used by both The Star and the NST, how accurate can they be? -- when the actual figures were upwards of 40,000. (TheSun did not publish on Sunday -- a pity!-- so Desi could not comment on its coverage. Its rivals prostituted themselves. Fellow bloggers Dr Bakri Musa
and Malik Imtiaz used the "same" description, so Desi's not alONE!

So if Zam had his way, all foreign agencies' reporters must in future send their questions ahead if they wanted to interview any Malaysian miniSTER regarding Malaysain goings-on. BUT if they inflated the numbers (by 2 or 5 times?) of guests coming to PWTC for Paka Lah's Hari Raya gathering, or Zakaria the Charitable Klang State Assemblyman's
do/deed/done, I guess they might make it to the next Royalty's birddie list, Datuk or Dan Si, anywan? The sext Face of NS indeed!

Second SYABAS to Bar Council'schairman, AMBIGA SRENEEVASAN, who has invited other members of the ublic, including BERSIH members, to walk next Sunday (Dec 9) in conjunction with World Human Rights day. Desi's greAtings to BC (not an offshoot of BBC, Zam boy, FYI!) members -- Stay The Course, mGf!:)

Sunset Serenade for My Muse

You are weary
I know
From stress at work
Insincerity of colleagues
But I try to be your friend

You cry tears even in broad daylight
When 'friends' who said Yes, but meant No
I am not sure if I can help
But I try my best, and 'I say, I do'

As the sun breaks into smiles
of red, blue and various hues
on the far horizon
bidding a long day's goodbye
We seek our rest

In soft conversation
magic in your eyes
Unspoken words
That heal like magic herbs
Relax body, mind
And Soul

Duks brings me soft music
With lyrics that spring forth with evenin' breeze
As the first shy crescent of the moon
gives us a flyin' kiss

Ah, go away daytime woes
Of talkin' politicians who know not what's in people's hearts
Talk is cheap, talkin' smart
Leave us folks alone
We'd rather eye the moon
t does not mock
It does not hurt

It warms up the night
I surely know I care, I believe you dare too
I string some lyrics
To rhyme with your rhythm
Even in times of stress
That disappears with a caressin'
Of the evening breeze and your embracing'
comprehending eyes
I like thy music
this I know
You're
My Muse

Quirks of English language, Singlished and Mangled

desiderata.english

enervating

Before opening up your mind Desi's way, how about tasting some "FreeRice"?
No, it doesn't come with a Condo or Leeza, for that, please approach Prez Bush on dainty feet, he's worth at least two birds in the hand!
Test Your Vocabulary
50 levels of difficulty. 100% Free. Takes just 10 seconds to try it!
www.FreeRice.com

en·er·vate (nr-vt)
tr.v. en·er·vat·ed, en·er·vat·ing, en·er·vates
1. To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of: "the luxury which enervates and destroys nations" Henry David Thoreau. See Synonyms at deplete.
2. Medicine To remove a nerve or part of a nerve.
adj. (-nûrvt)

Deprived of strength; debilitated.
[Latin nervre, nervt- : -, ex-, ex- + nervus, sinew; see (s)neu- in Indo-European roots.]
ener·vation n.
ener·vative adj.
ener·vator n.

Usage Note: Sometimes people mistakenly use enervate to mean "to invigorate" or "to excite" by assuming that this word is a close cousin of the verb energize. In fact enervate does not come from the same source as energize (Greek energos, "active"). It comes from Latin nervus, "sinew." Thus enervate means "to cause to become 'out of muscle'," that is, "to weaken or deplete of strength."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

DESIDERATA:

I was interrupted while C&P-ing the above from dictionary online, and it rocks my mind to share wit myGOoDfriend some of the interesting features, some quaint and puzzling -- I call them QUIRKS -- I've encountered in the colonial master's language which I deem myself to have mastered to quite an exquisite level. Yes, blowing one's horn, or is it the trumpet.? But I dare not challenge Louis Armstrong. Mine is definitely weak:).

I recently had a tutorial of Copying graphics onto my Posts, but this slow pictorial dog -- but I am a quick newshound !-- got stumped trying to reproduce the GRAPHICS linked recommended by mGf-host, or correctly hostess, of sweetspirits.blogspot.com, so I'd have to work out a barter trade with another mGf for another tutorial.

Another mGf Moo_t surely ENJOYS language -- I gather he's a Chinoserie expert like my counsellor Mr Coww, but I won't nickname Moo_t Mr Goatie, as it would mis-lead, and he is not a she! And why am I stating the obvious?

Anyhow, I leave thee with one last lesson on quirky English.

Normally, to use the prefix "in-" with ad adjective, it would yield the new word the OPPOSITE meaning to the root word.

e.g. -- note that for example strictly has a fullstop after "e" and a period after "g" although the flow is not of a monthly nature for "g", and neither "g" implies it must be female. A goat is neutral, okay! But being lazy bums, most of us, especially in this era of SMS, shorten e.g. to eg, yes? If you replace "yes" preceding here with a "no", it's still okay! The blardy wonder of the Englishman's language.

And where was I? It's okay, or OK, if I ask: Now, where am I?

Back to prefix "in-" --
Yes, adding in- as the prefix to certain words yielding the Opposites, or Synonyms:

valid X invalid, meaning "not valid"
sincere X insincere, meaning "not sincere"
secure X insecure, meaning "not secure"

But when you prefix "valuable", it becomes "invaluable"!
And mGf, follow Moo-T's advice, don't assume "invaluable" makes the object "to be without value", look up the Dickshenary -- oops, poor spelling! -- Dictionary.

PS: This Post was inspired by one veryGOoDfriend who suggests Desi should
make his English language skills pay for his journey to that I-LAND named

spirite
DES
tination.

Why not, eh?
That's when Bloggers and my Esteemed Readers find Nirvana on that RM20million island in the sun, and mGf sweets will be grinning from ear-to-ear.
Me? I'll be FLASHING! Hey, what were you thinking?

Displaying my Einstein's naked body
wearing e-birthday suit?

No way can! -- Jest flashin' my darkie-white SE7EN s-mile-s

************** ASS ********* oh! **************** ASS **********

PS: I tried several times to grap the "FleeLice" here -- I'll fly yu sum lateer, ok! -- but Desi, like Jack, is "one of all trades, master of just wan -- Writing!:) No worries, I jest sent an "SOS" to mGf, and further, Miss Patience is also Miss/Mr/in-between Virtuous.


PPS: MEANw'ile, da princessly gardner of primroses.blogspot.com assk Desi to C&P some flour from Yukay to go with Malaiyshen Yau zha kuai (4angmokuai to tly-lah:) for non-CON BF!


From telegraph.uk.co online:

Trouble and strife: Singlish
By Rosie Milne
Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 07/11/2007




I was having lunch with two Singaporean Luscious Ladies, both of whom had babies with them.

We’d been chatting, as you do, about the deleterious effects of introducing solid foods on babies’ nappies, when the talk turned, as it does, to my appalling grasp of Singlish.

“In two and a half years here you should know some more” they chided.

Everyone in Singapore can speak excellent English, but local people slip into Singlish at will. As its name suggests, this is the informal, spoken English indigenous to Singapore.



Geographically Singapore is in the middle of the Malay world, but it is an immigrant nation, like America.

Its people draw their heritage from Mainland China, and from India as well as from the ethnically Malay countries. Hence Singlish includes influences from a variety of dialects and languages.

From China, it includes element of Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, and Mandarin. From India it has inherited words in Tamil, and from the Malays come words in the various Malay dialects.

“It’s a bit like a rojak, is Singlish” said one of the Singaporean Luscious Ladies, using the Singlish word for salad - an actual rojak is a mixture of vegetables and fried snacks, served with a sweet, spicy sauce.



My lunch companions put me to shame. In addition to flawless (ordinary) English, one of them could speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew and Malay, “but not Tamil,” she apologized.

The other could speak Cantonese and Mandarin. She is married to an Irishman, and she claimed also to speak Irish, but, frankly, I didn’t believe her.

Like a schoolboy looking up rude words in the dictionary, I asked these Polyglot Paragons to teach me a few phrases of Singlish that I shouldn’t know.

Hen-pecked husbands

They kicked off by teaching me a mild insult often used of hen-pecked husbands. These unfortunates are apparently described as Kiasu-kaici-kaibor – three words spoken all in a rush, as though they were one.

Kiasu is a word you hear all the time in Singapore, and even I knew what it meant. Somebody who is kiasu is afraid to lose out to others, or always wants the upper hand.

If you say to somebody “don’t be so kiasu,” it means “don’t get so caught up in the rat race.”

Kaici, my friends told me, literally means “don’t want to die”. But they seemed to think it didn’t literally mean “don’t want to die” in the Kiasu-kaici-kaibor formulation. However, they couldn’t tell me what it actually did mean, so there you go.

Kaibor, meanwhile means “scared of the wife.” Ah. I like to think The Banker is kaibor. However, you can take it from me he’s not bolampar. My friends told me this is a word businessmen use to denigrate each other.

If one businessman says of another that he is bolampar, then, translated literally, he is saying that the poor chap has no balls.

As in the English accusation that a man has no balls, it means he has no guts, or, more particularly, that he in incapable of making a decision.

By this time I thought we’d had enough of being rude about men, so I asked about insults that applied to women.

“If you describe a woman as cibei hiao,” explained my friends, “it means she’s a very vain lady, very full of herself.” They went on to say that cibei is a swear word, in Hokkien.

Naturally I immediately asked what it meant. But they wouldn’t tell me. I pressed them, hard, and eventually one of them mumbled it meant: “my dead father’s something or other.”

Of course I asked for elaboration, but neither of them would give it. My next question was a glaringly obvious one.

“How do you say ‘lazy, spoiled expat wife’?” I asked, expecting to be given a slew of insults; expat wives are, after all, derided throughout Asia.

My friends glanced at each other. “Singaporeans are very courteous.”

One of them said “We have nothing negative to say about expat wives.” Right. If you believe that, you’ll believe anything.

Red haired dogs

My friends did, however, consent to tell me that ang mo gau, the phrase for “foreigner”, often abbreviated to ang mo, is a Hokkien phrase that translates literally as red (ang) haired (mo) dog (gau).

So, there you have it, in Singapore, we western expats are red haired dogs, although no one now uses “ang mo” as a racial slur.

After lunch was over I nipped into a bookshop and bought An Essential Guide To Singlish, which has no author attributed, but is published by Gartbooks.

I intended to look up “lah” which Singaporeans sprinkle at the ends of their sentences as liberally as Ingrish (Singlish for English) people sprinkle salt and vinegar on their chips. But I kept getting distracted.

I particularly liked:

• Fatty bom bom, meaning a fat bottomed person
• Humtum, meaning to whack
• Whack, meaning to do something with reckless abandon
• Mm sam mm say, meaning neither here nor there.
• Ya ya, meaning boastful, or showing off.

When I finally looked up “lah” I discovered that it is often used as “a tag word with no particular meaning at all.” Okay lah, I get it.

I also discovered that “lah” is only one of a multitude of sentence-ending words. An Essential Guide To Singlish illustrated the range by using the word “can” as an example

• Can ah? Means can you, or can’t you?
• Can lah Means yes.
• Can leh Means yes, of course
• Can lor Means yes, I think so
• Can hah? Means are you sure?
• Can hor? Means you are sure, then?
• Can meh? Means are you certain?

This reminded me of my all time favourite piece of Singlish, the immortal “everything can, but sometimes cannot, lah.”

I think it means go away and stop bothering me, but I wouldn’t swear to it.

Rosie Milne's novels How To Change Your Life and Holding The Baby are both published by Pan, they are available through Amazon UK.

John Huggett is an artist and illustrator whose works are available through his website at www.johnhuggett.com

Desi's last kopi of his Midnight Voices and Other Pomes goes under the hammer&chisel at Lenardo da vinci's studios tonight @2400hrs. Minima prize:20mil oh,oh! No money, no tokkok. Bring that plastik thingy they say: Don't live @home without it!:(

Chow, which means Seeya,:)
OR Come Eat,:):)
OR Go away,now!:(:(:(

Filip's flied lice, anywan?

Mr PM, Really? You're Listening...?

Saturday December 1, 2007

From The Star online, I don't buy the print edition anymore.


I’m aware of complaints and will deal with them, says Pak Lah



SUBANG JAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has assured the people that he is listening with his “big ears” to all complaints and grievances.

The Prime Minister said he was aware of complaints about “what is happening to our economy, ... to this, and that.”

“I listen. The Prime Minister has big ears.

“At times pedih lah telinga ini – macam macam dengar (it is painful to these ears - hearing all sorts of things),” he said at the official opening of SJK (C) Ladang Harcroft in Puchong yesterday.

Abdullah stressed that he was not merely listening, adding that it was his duty to deal with problems and work on remedies.

“We are not keeping quiet. If we do not attend to problems, grouses, feelings of uneasiness, uncertainty and even anger, then one day we will suffer, everybody will suffer,” he said.

“If you are getting impatient, then I’m even more impatient,” he added.

Abdullah said while some matters could be resolved quickly, others took time and some issues needed even more deliberation.

He said the country had gained tremendous ground in eradicating poverty, cutting it down from 50% in 1971 to 5.7% at present.

“This is not something to be scoffed at. We Malaysians have every reason to be proud of the achievement,” he said, adding that the Government would continue to help the people regardless of race.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that eradicating poverty would not be an easy task.

“It’s not something that can be achieved in a short number of years. But we will persevere,” he said, citing education as an important tool in helping people break free from the scourge of poverty.

In a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia, mutual respect and understanding among the races was essential, he pointed out.

He revealed the workings of his Cabinet, saying that ministers like Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who is the MCA president, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Gerakan advisor Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik and Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein often “ganged up” on some issues.

“There is no feeling of difficulty, embarrassment or fear to speak up in the Cabinet on education, religion, culture or economy.

“We are not suspicious of one another. We are friends so we can be sincere and open with one another. That is the truth,” he said, adding that the Cabinet was comfortable with this kind of relationship, which was based on understanding and mutual respect.

“If there is no mutual respect, the Government can never survive in this kind of environment,” he said.

Abdullah reiterated that Malaysia’s strongest asset was its unity, strength and value in diversity.

“This will make Malaysia a truly great nation in the future,” he said.

In HONG KONG, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government was committed to addressing the “legitimate concerns” of any community in Malaysia.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who was speaking at a press conference during his roadshow to promote Malaysia to fund managers, said the rally by the Hindu Rights Action Front was due to exploitation by opposition parties anticipating the general election.

He described the New Economic Policy as an affirmative action policy that benefited all communities.

“Otherwise, this Government would not have been returned to power in each general election,” he said.


DESI: Mr DPM, art thou kidding me?You don't know the meaning of Gerrymander, Stupid3!