Then and now ...

Chrissie Hynde - I Shall Be Released

The music and song that was good then, and still good now.

Counting days ...and turning the screws on

Looks like Pakatan Rakyat is covering all bases and wretching it up!

Raja Petra Kamaruddin has come out with a Statutory Declaration stating information in his knowledge to assist the investigating authorities in the Altantuya murder case. The very act blocks Najib's path to the Premiership, in case one of the scenarios for Monday is the case and the Black Wizard gets his way.

The actual Statutory Declaration is now in the public domain as it has been published elsewhere and at Malaysia-Today.net

Meanwhile after Pak Lah and SIL accused him of being "greedy" and "immoral" Yong Teck Lee shot back and ssid Pak Lah's overtures to win him over smacks of bribery!

Sam's angst ...

Photo The Star

tunkuaisha.blogspot.com has an alert on Sammy Vellu's comments carried by Bernama. Not wishing to be dragged into further controversy, the MIC leader humbly defaced himself and sighed, "I'm just dust!"

The angst, Mahathir has caused on all those who have backed him! But wasn't everyone supposed to "wash dirty dishes after makan?"

Changing perceptions ...

Photo: www.smh.com.au

The Dalai Lama is revered as "a living, breathing representative of unsullied goodness".

Does he help in the real evolution of the Tibet nationhood?

Brendan O'Neill who doesn't kowtow to the China government thinks differently,

Far from "helping Tibet", the slavish western worshippers of the Dalai Lama are helping to stifle the development of a real, lively movement for liberty and democracy in the Tibetan regions. One author on the Tibetan independence movement argues that "the Dalai Lama's role as ultimate spiritual authority is holding back the political process of democratisation", since "the assumption that he occupies the correct moral ground from a spiritual perspective means that any challenge to his political authority may be interpreted as anti-religious".

At least one reason why the Dalai Lama can pose as "the ultimate spiritual authority" and all-round supreme leader of Tibetans and their future is because influential elements in the west have empowered him to play that role. In doing so, they have been complicit in the infantilisation of the Tibetan people. Tibetans now suffer the double horror of being ruled by undemocratic Chinese officials on one hand, and demeaned by the Dalai Lama and his western supporters on the other.

The full story from the Guardian Newspaper, UK

A clique clock joke

[Fair Use Only]


A guy dies and goes to heaven.

His tour guide starts to show him around the whole place; the Giant Steel Plant, the Towers , when they come upon a room full of clocks, some are going fast, some slow and some normal.

" What's with all the clocks?" the guy asks his tour guide.

"Each clock is for each person on earth. Every time they tell a lie, their clock goes faster," he said.

Well that makes sense the guy thought to himself.

Just then he noticed a clock on the ceiling going tremendously fast , and much faster than all the others.

"What's that?" the guy said pointing to the ceiling.

"Oh, that's Linggam's clock. We use it as a fan."

Mahathir's turn ...leadership and, what an example!

Dr Mahathir hits back at Ian Chin, Zaid and Karpal

PETALING JAYA (June 18, 2008): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad today denied having at any time threatened judges, as alleged by Justice Datuk Ian Chin earlier this month.

In a posting on his blog www.chedet.com today, the former premier said he had not responded immediately to Chin's allegations as he needed time to recall events which happened more than a decade ago and to find documents which may give credibility to his explanations.

Chin had made the "revelation" in open court on June 9, before hearing an election petition challenging the results of the Sarikei parliamentary seat which was won by the Barisan Nasional by 51 votes.

He claimed the "thinly veiled" threat was made in a judges conference in April 1997 after he handed down two judgments - a libel case involving MGG Pillai and Tan Sri Vincent Tan where he refused to give what he considered an astronomical award, and an election petition where he ruled against BN candidate Mong Dagang.

Chin claimed the prime minister who had expressed unhappiness with what he termed the "Borneo case" had threatened to remove judges by referring them to a tribunal, and stating that, "though it may be difficult, it was still done".

Mahathir in his blog today noted that some judges and ex-judges had refuted what Chin said about his threatening judges, quoting the The Singapore Straits Times which reportedly quoted how Chin's colleagues were stunned by his statements.

"There was nothing like that at all. It would have been so shocking that I would have remembered it," he quoted the paper as reporting.

"Those contacted by the Straits Times 'did not remember him (the ex-PM) issuing a threat to sack judges who did not take his view'. Nor did retired senior judges Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, Tan Sri Lamin Yunus and Datuk Shaik Daud Ismail, who were quoted in the New Straits Times," said Mahathir, adding that several judges have since disputed Chin's version of the event.

Mahathir said he attended only one judges conference and he remembers talking on only two subjects - the mandatory death sentence on drug traffickers and litigation.

"At no time did I issue any threat against the judges," said Mahathir who went on to respond to Chin's claim that he and selected judges were packed off to a boot camp in an attempt to indoctrinate with the view "that the government interest was more important than all else".

Denying they were boot camps, Mahathir said they were courses on "Tata Negara" or "National Creed" at work camps attended by civil servants, corporate leaders, politicians and university staff where the speakers try to explain Malaysia’s political system with particular reference to the BN concept, ethics and moral values and democracy in Malaysia.

"For three to five days the participants stayed in the camps and followed certain programmes. This included getting up very early in the morning (for prayers for Muslims), physical exercises and many hours of lectures.

"One of the chores was to wash your own dirty plates after a simple meal. When I gave talks in these work camps, I too wash my dirty dishes. It was part of leadership by example," said Mahathir, adding that thousands of people from all walks of life attended these work camps with hardly any complaints.

"I was told by a judge who was in the same batch as Chin that he absconded before the course was over. Perhaps he did not like getting up early and washing his own dirty plates," said Mahathir.

"The course clearly did not have a positive effect on him," said Mahathir who also expressed his disgust with de-facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Bar Council president Datuk S.Ambiga and DAP chairman Karpal Singh for immediately assuming that Chin was telling the truth.

"Zaid even went so far as to say this is normal, as if I threatened judges all the time," lamented Mahathir, adding that he would be writing a little more on Chin so that the public will become more acquainted with him.

Ian Chin's first salvo is H E R E !

Never say Don't ....?!

Photo - Sun2surf.com | Image Hosting by imageshack.us


What a wet wedding! Should it be any other way?

Is that a Joker you're hiding? UPDATE #2

Nik Aziz, PAS spiritual Leader, says Yong's move is a stab in the back by a spurned lover, "tikam belakang yang dilakukan oleh orang yang kecewa". He added further that there should have been discussions, "sepatutnya kita kena bincang".

Anwar had declared to have had discussions with Yong and the plot thickens if Yong is doing it on a different tangent to band together with UMNO splinter groups which may send Abdullah Badawi onto the precipice. But that's quite meaningless, if it's on a split UMNO that stays away from the Pakatan as no one group will have a useful number for majority status and thus paving the way for a new General Elections. But if this splinter bonds with Pakatan, they can really play ball, with Mukhriz sent off on a red card.

However, the matter may not end there as Pakatan and Abdullah's UMNO may slumber together as they say, to spite Sauron, the Black Wizard. The Court declares Anwar's (although he had publicly said he's only looking for a moral victory only) sacking bad in law and Najib gets a bye-bye from Pak Lah.

There are talks also that Abdullah Badawi may have a chance to use the permanent ink during the No Con Vote, not to stain public fingers but faces of UMNO people voting against him. The ACA have paid a courtesy call to Pos Malaysia and it points to Mukriz on what else is coming his way, possibly.

It's not clear, whether Pakatan will date Abdullah's UMNO, or any other UMNO but turncoat UMNO members especially since Anwar's public utterings have made it clear in any circumstances, they will not fall for that like a ton of bricks.

So where are we? We are 4 days away from Monday! ;)

Is that a Joker you're hiding?

It sounds like Yong Teck Lee of SAPP is all pumped up for the Monday "kaboom"! Whilst Lim Kit Saing and Nazri caution for the pitfalls of the success of the No Confidence Vote, Anwar may have a joker up his sleeve!

Or simply there is an an issue that required urgency"! What would that be? The sun will drop from the sky? The Tsunami alert goes off?


Meanwhile, you wait! Go out and grab some fake nails to bite. Or set up a sand bag to whack! You know, to release!

The Money people say -

An analyst with a local bank-backed research house said there had already been signs that further change in the local political landscape would take place.

“If we look at how the Opposition-controlled state governments are open in inviting BN component party members to take up positions to help the state government, it is very progressive and appealing to the people.”

“These are times when investors would exercise caution as external factors like the US economy are not favourable as well,” he said.

The Edge Daily

The Minister of Finance says -

"I do not see Bursa Malaysia facing problems or challenges because our economic foundation and earning growth were good.

"There is no issue of political uncertainty following the withdrawal of support for the Barisan Nasional by SAPP. It is a small political party and will pose no threat to the government".

Bernama

Who knows? I don't!

UPDATE #1

---

National Front Secretary-General Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told reporters that the vote called by the Sabah Progressive Party was "an unprincipled, unethical" act.

International Harold Tribune

That's from a very principled member of the BN! Believe it!

Sarawak Dayak Union

KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) have mutually agreed to merge to consolidate the Dayak's political strength.

The breakthrough came following several rounds of talks between top officials of the two Dayak-based Barisan Nasional component parties.

With the agreement, the two parties have shortlisted three names for the merged new party: Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak (Beras), Demokratik Rakyat Sarawak (Deras) and Bersatu Progresif Rakyat Sarawak (BPRS).

The merged new party, which has 16 state assemblymen and 10 MPs, will beat Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) to become the second biggest component in the state coalition. SUPP has 11 assemblymen and six MPs.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) led by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is the state Barisan backbone.

SPDP's secretary-general Sylvester Entrie said his party and PRS had agreed to merge as it would be in their best interests.

He said the two parties would get feedback from the grassroots on which of the three proposed names should be picked for the merged entity.

The Star Online

That sounds good, ain't it? Unite. There's just a problem with unity. Together you will rise. Together you will fall! It's just the full equation, that's all.

But the names proposed are interesting:

1.(Beras) - Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak [ This I like. "Beras" is positive. ]

2.(Deras) - Demokratik Rakyat Sarawak [ I don't know about this one. It sounds like a crash is imminent ]

3.(BPRS) - Bersatu Progresif Rakyat Sarawak [ This is terrible! It sounds like the happy go lucky BPR ]

Names are names. What's init? More formidable is the name of the "boss" or the leader of the new united Sarawak Dayaks.

Shakespeare murmured ...

[Fair Use Only] |

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Shakespeare murmurred in the Corridors of Power whilst players paced back and forth and around and around in the tiled courtyard.

I went to the CIMB to send some money and a girl walked up to me and wanted to sell me a credit card!

The rains came and I walked off to my car.

Petronas - It's BBQ time!

[Fair Use Only]|

I agree! Employees of Petronas should not be made scapegoats! In fact, corporate leaders and top managers there should not. They've been wearing their superman's cape for so long you forgot what they look like without it. No! No scapegoats!

Minus, the ordinary employees, these people should be "korban" meat! So take out your BBQ cooker and smoke out their fat!

For his inept attitude by lumping all the employees together, and trying to hide under "employees" skirt this Hassan-San should be exiled to Sudan.

PETRONAS & ITS EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOT BE MADE SCAPEGOATS, SAYS ITS PRESIDENT

Bernama - Wednesday, June 18

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Petronas and its employees should not be made scapegoats for the increasing high crude oil price and the resulting move to raise petrol and diesel prices in the country.

The plea was made by its president and chief executive officer, Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican in his first live interview with a television channel, here today.

He said about 30,000 Malaysians work with Petronas and they have been subjected to various negative comments.

Some of the workers take heavy risk when carrying out their work at sea but they are being hit with various negative comments, he said during RTM 1 programme "Bersemuka Dengan Media" today.

The high petrol price is a global problem and not Petronas', he pointed out.

The one-hour interview received over 1,000 short message service. Many of the SMS were on how the government had spent the money paid by Petronas and why the subsidising cannot be increased. -- BERNAMA

Irrepressible spirit

Pix by AP [Fair Use Only] | Image Hosting by imageshack

"...
Sangzao is a farming town of 30,000 where merchants sell vegetables from blankets on the road. It has two middle schools, one administered by the township, where a dormitory collapsed during the earthquake, and the other administered by the county. Mr. Ye works in the second. Families from across Sichuan send their children there because of its reputation. [The New York Times]
..."

Out of the rubble and through the dusts over the China quake came a heartwarming story - of how Mr Ye pestered and pushed officialdom in China for money to beef up his school's building, and saved lives.

The FULL story from The New York Times.

"Ceko" checking out - UPDATE (4)

That zest, that indomittable spirit ... nothing will put these down!

Irrepressibly Happy Boys || Image hosting by imageshack




A Man of Peace by great aroma || Image hosting by imageshack

Brighter days for Sarawak rice ...

Sarawak rice fields.

So, how come rice is cheaper in the Philippines?

What makes the Filipino rise to the gloom of food crisis?

Apparently, it is "effective use of logistics and timely market infusion of the commodity". Meaning they work hard and they work smart. Yeah, but you say Malaysia pun boleh! In Malaysia sure got people boleh one---like KJ and the 2M boys boleh! The rest of Malaysians are A to Z excluding K,J,M,A and B!

In Philippines, the average price for rice to the less affluent is RM1.35 per kg (P18.25) and RM1.85 per kg (P25) at "accredited" stores. In Malaysia, you get maybe 500gms or less for RM1.35.

So do you salivate only?

The good news is Musa Hitam is going to plant rice in Sarawak. He can't wait to start. I really think he can. We should then hope for golden harvests with that effort---no two ways about it. We can look forward to brighter days!

I have a feeling fried rice is going to "naik"!

Hmm! No peace for the dear departed ...

"...Rantau Panjang [Sibu, Sarawak] longhouse residents [were asked] to remain calm after 20 of their ancestral graves were levelled by a land-clearing shipyard owner by mistake. ..."

More at the H E R E.

"Ceko" checking out - UPDATE (3)

This scene was taken at the Sarawak River. "Ceko" is on the opposite bank. The foreground is so... cool! |Image Hosting by imageshack.us

The Image Hosting site imageshack.us seems difficult to upload to, horribly slow and takes ages.

I've managed to upload some and you may like to look them over at -

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/tsalak/.

If you like them tell your friends. If you don't, please tell me! ;)

Rise and donate

Click Image to donate | Image hosting by Imageshak


We could save some from disaster with a little donation. So rise and donate!

We could survive on 1,000 word vocabulary all our life like the goblok did. But let's donate some rice!

Cheap and cheaper

So Tony Fernandex, the cheapskate, wants to travel free on Golden Wings, MAS!

If I were Idris, I'd be generous. There are plenty of space outside starboard, port side and the bow!

And inside there's the cargo hold. It's also airconditioned, some more ! :-))

Next thing is, Idris' family should not have perks. Go fly AirAsia! :-))

And the last thing is, that MAS people should stop flying weekends to London on our account. Stop dipping into our inkwell! >:((=)

Is that a bad moon rising?

Things rise. Things fall. If you don't want to fall don't rise. Well, let it fall and it will never fall again!

Just about everything is rising in Malaysia. The wisdom is, or nearing was, I'm talking to you. Do you hear? This rising and falling don't apply to me! Why not? You see, you can do all the falling and rising. Read my lips. It won't bother me none! [Wink! Wink! Nudge! Nudge!]

There's a potent rise. No credit if you guess it's rice. No! The rates, interest rates may rise come July. So said Shamim Adam for Bloomberg. If the rates rise, what little you got gains on savings. It means, selling your car, even your house cheap to get the cash. You could buy a boat or bus, convert it into a home. So you gain more money from interests in savings to keep body and soul together. You won't be buying much and you won't care for those who want to sell you a bottle or box of effervescent air.

So what will happen? I wouldn't know. Probably nothing.

Malaysia May Raise Rates on `Generalized' Price Gains
bloomberg.com


Malaysia May Raise Rates on `Generalized' Price Gains (Update1)

By Shamim Adam

June 15 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia's central bank may use interest rates to tame inflation if there is a ``generalized'' increase in prices, Governor ZetiAkhtar Aziz said today.

The country faces the risk of slower economic expansion and the bank will decide at its next monetary policy meeting in July whether there's a need to change its official growth forecast for this year, she told reporters at the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Kuala Lumpur.

``We'll assess very carefully what the impact of rising costs has on the general prices and if it results in generalized price increase, then interest rates may be the instrument that'll be used,'' Zeti said. ``At the same time, we'll look at what the growth outlook is and right now, there is also the risk that we may have slower growth.''

Central banks around the region have raised interest rates to quell price pressures amid record food and oil costs. Indonesia and the Philippines both raised rates on June 5, while Vietnam and India increased borrowing costs in the past week.

Bank Negara Malaysia kept its overnight policy rate at 3.5 percent for a 17th straight meeting on May 26 and isn't scheduled to review its interest-rate policy until July 25. The central bank in March forecast economic expansion of 5 percent to 6 percent this year, after growth of 6.3 percent in 2007.

Malaysia may miss the upper end of this year's economic growth forecast, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters today in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur.

Growth of 5.5 percent is ``achievable,'' rather than 6 percent, the top end of this year's forecast range, he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Shamim Adam in Kuala Lumpur at sadam2@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: June 15, 2008 08:10 EDT
[FAIR USE ONLY]

It's really not that bad. 3.5% is still a pretty figure. Double that is my lucky number. In Zimbabwe, it's 785% !!! There, it's to have and to have---not to have and to have not. If in our nation of bounty, you have say RM50,000, there you can have, in a manner of speaking, you can also have "-RM50,000". There they have -1.10m tons of maize!

Maybe it's time to take a break, "pergi MAKAN ANGIN" !

"Ceko" checking out - SPIN OUT #1

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What could he be thinking? [#Sorry, the close-up shot is no good and lacks clarity: the lines on the brow and forehead are not visible.]

Did he have a bad night before? Or was he just having one of those bad days?

Of that soulfull look, could he be saying -

When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured
Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the door

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please, help me?

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I've never done before

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please, help me?

When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured
Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the door

Then, let's put rythmn and sounds to the rhyme and listen to the plea!

# I forgot to put the camera on "Auto". Later realised shot was on those signs I've yet to look up on the manual!