Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri - Malaysiakini

Wishing all Muslims 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, maaf zahir dan batin'.

The mentally-challenged PM - Malaysiakini

I'm afraid this flip-flopping Prime Minister Badawi is mentally challenged as well!!

Malaysiakini reported that "a ransom was paid for both the ships (MISC oil tankers). We delivered the money with the help of the navy. It was cash on delivery", quoting MISC chairperson Mohamad Hassan Merican.

Ok, fine. Let's not argue whether it is morally correct to give in to the demands of the hijackers. Right or wrong, what's proven is that Hospital Bahagia will get a new patient soon. How soon? Well, maybe on or before 09/10/2008.

The evidence that this mentally challenged flip-flopping lame duck Prime Minister is certified to check-into this asylum? The report in details; (please pay attention to the highlighted texts in bold)

Release of tankers called 'gift from God'

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the release of two tankers held by pirates in the Gulf of Aden was "a gift from God to us."

Somali pirates had been holding the two MISC Berhad vessels for 40 days. The MT Bunga Melati 2 was released Monday and the MT Bunga Melati 5 was freed Sunday with their crews unharmed, the Malaysian news agency Bernama reported.

"This is a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gift from God to us, especially the families of the crew of MT Bunga Melati 2 and MT Bunga Melati 5," Badawi said.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the Malaysian celebration of the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

MISC Berhad Chairman Tan Sri Hassan Marican told Bernama the company had no plans to change the routes of its ships through the pirate-infested waters of the Gulf of Aden. He said such changes would require the vessels to take a longer time to reach their destinations.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/30/Release_of_tankers_called_gift_from_God/UPI-41881222776243/

Melamine: Do you have faith in our govt? - Malaysiakini

As at today, what are the products that are suspected to be tainted with melamine? Instead of providing a list of suspected products, the health ministry prefers to supply us a long list of products that it clears safe for consumption

Yet again, there are doubts. On 23/09/08, I sounded a warning that there could be tainted products on our Malaysian shelves.

Across the causeway, the AVA of Singapore acted firmly and quickly to remove products. That is a very commendable act in the name of protecting the citizens from harm or even death.

Prevention is always better than cure but as if our clowning Health Minister found wanting of being in the know, he declared and boasted that "we were quicker than Singapore in banning products from China and expanding our scope".

Now, as we know, we are still not given a list of products banned in Malaysia and we still don't know how far this bimbo health minister has expanded the scope.

The problem with melamine taited products is far from over. The latest development;

1. Cadbury chocolates is off the shelves in Hong Kong.

2. In Thailand, FDA found melamine in milk powder imported from China by Dutch Mill Co while FDA's off the shelves list are;
i) M&M chocolates
ii) Lotte koala biscuits
iii) Oreo wafer sticks
iv) Dove milk chocolates
v) Snickers caramel peanut bars and nougat
vi) Mentos yoghurt candies
vii) Mao Huad coffee and oatmeal crackers

3. In Indonesia, Kraft Food Inc. and Mars Inc. suspend sales of Chinese-made Oreo, M&Ms and Snickers.

Over here, these companies are spending big bucks advertising in newspapers that their products are safe for consumption after given the all-clear green light by MOH.

Is there something wrong with our government?

Is this country called Malaysia or Malaise-ia?

Kanasai!

Victims of hate - Malaysiakini

Malaisie: Victims of hate

Residents and traders have claimed that the number of Africans and other foreigners, mainly students from institutions of higher learning, was growing steadily and that their large number was intimidating. 
In Sunday's incident, HELP University College business studies undergraduate Abdel Aziz was murdered.

By Teoh El Sen and Aizat Sharif      
 
African undergraduate Abdel Aziz Hassan Abdraman, 22, will never again see his eight-month-old daughter and 19-year-old wife because he was the “victim of a hate crime” that claimed his life. 
Abdel Aziz had planned to return home to Chad for Aidilfitri this week and his friends said he was overjoyed at going back to be with his family. 
Sunday’s mob attack on 10 African undergraduates in Wangsa Maju caused his death and injured the rest, the victims claimed yesterday. 
They said they had been harassed and mocked by the same youths for four consecutive days before the attack. 
They further claimed that some youths had even gone up to their Tar Villa apartment and demanded money and cigarettes. 
Police confirmed that the victims had been regularly ridiculed by the youths who expressed their displeasure at the increasing presence of Africans in the neighbourhood. 
In one incident, a student was also kicked at an Internet café. 
Residents and traders have claimed that the number of Africans and other foreigners, mainly students from institutions of higher learning, was growing steadily and that their large number was intimidating. 
In Sunday’s incident, HELP University College business studies undergraduate Abdel Aziz was murdered. He sustained stab wounds to the right abdomen and died in the ambulance on the way to Kuala Lumpur Hospital. 
Several other students, also from Chad, were injured when they were attacked by some 20 youths wielding metal rods, sticks and knives near the Wangsa Maju LRT station. 
Sentul district police chief Assistant Commissioner Zakaria Pagan told Malay Mail that initial investigations revealed that the attack stemmed from the uneasiness of the residents over the behaviour of the Africans. 
“We believe the youths who attacked the Africans wanted to teach them a lesson to behave themselves in public.” 
Police have detained three men, in their 20s, from Wangsa Maju to assist in investigations. They will be under remand until Saturday. 
Police are also examining closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) images near the LRT station to ascertain the events leading to the attack. 
Malay Mail learnt the drama unfolded when three undergraduates were on the way to board the LRT to perform terawih prayers at a nearby mosque at 8.30pm.
They were confronted by some 20 youths who were believed to have hurled abuse at them and demanded money. 
When the trio ignored them and walked away, the youths, carrying switch blades, pursued them and struck one of them on the head. 
The students took refuge at the LRT station and sought assistance from their African friends living nearby. 
Seven of their friends, including Abdel Aziz, went to their aid and together they went back to where the trio was attacked. 
Abdel Aziz’s cousin, Abdraman Moussa Mohamat, 23, said: “We asked the youths who were seated at the stalls why they had attacked our friends but they came for us suddenly without saying a word. 
“We ran for our lives when they began swinging metal rods, sticks and knives at us. In the fracas, Abdel Aziz was stabbed from the back.” 
The mob fled after Abdel Aziz collapsed by the roadside some 15 metres from the stalls. 
Lamine Moustapha Ahmat, 22, a Rima College student, said he carried the victim while his friends tried in vain to stop a taxi. Many taxis waiting to pick up LRT commuters refused to budge. A passerby then called for an ambulance. 
Note: Abdel Aziz first enrolled with the International Islamic University of Malaysia before switching to HELP University College. 
His father, who runs a palm oil import-export business, was informed about the tragedy on Sunday night and his brother will arrive today to claim the remains. 

Dimanche 28 Septembre 2008 - 17:06

Lu 57 fois

http://www.dabio.net/Malaisie-Victims-of-hate_a2804.html

Anwar preferred as PM: poll Malaysiakini

According to a Bloomberg report, a majority of Indians and Chinese supported Mr Anwar (above) while Malays favoured Mr Najib. -- PHOTO: AFP

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim would make a better prime minister than Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's deputy, Mr Najib Razak, said the Malaysian Insider, citing a poll by Merdeka Centre.

Results of the poll, based on 1,002 people of voting age from the country's three main ethnic communities, showed that 39.3 per cent supported Mr Anwar and 33.8 per cent favoured Mr Najib.

The online newspaper said, according to a Bloomberg report, that a majority of Indians and Chinese supported Mr Anwar while Malays favoured Mr Najib. The poll was conducted from Sept 11 - 22.

Mr Abdullah has delayed a leadership election at the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and said he will decide in the next two weeks whether to contest the position of party chief.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_283244.html

Let racial harmony prevail - Malaysiakini

Let racial harmony prevail even without Race Relations Act

THIS letter published in an online portal caught my attention this week. Let me share the writer’s views with you all as I find it interesting and worth a discussion here.

“It puzzles me to see the government’s efforts to improve race relations through the enactment of new legislation. While the goals of the proposed law are noble, we must not forget that creating a harmonious multi-ethnic multi-religious society begins with equality.

“Recognising that all Malaysians are created equal, that all our forefathers had toiled and bled for our nation and therefore enjoying equitable rights in Malaysia is fundamental to achieving the stated goal.

“Secondly, value-based education as espoused by former president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam who visited Malaysia recently, beginning at homes and continued in schools, reinforcing that all of us are Malaysians with different cultural backgrounds but equitable rights in this country, is essential.

“We also need political will to ensure that race-based politics, ethno-discriminative laws and practices are abolished. For example, I have primary-school going cousins who are made to feel the differences between Muslims and non-Muslims from a young age.

“Even the school time table is adjusted for Muslims and non-Muslims and I have difficulty answering to their numerous ‘Why is that so?’ questions. I particularly remember a Standard 6 cousin of mine who was ecstatic when she found out that she and her best friend, a Malay girl, had both signed up for a school camping trip.

“However, upon arriving at the pick-up point, the teacher announced that non-Muslims were not allowed to participate in the trip. How can we promote race relations when children are denied the opportunity to mix, even at such a tender age?

“For the record, there is no such thing as non-Muslims. There are however Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Taoists and others. We need to educate our young children, not insulate them from learning about other religions, cultural beliefs and practices. Remember, ignorance breeds danger.

“Until all Malaysians feel they have equal rights in this country and are taught to respect one another, to learn about each others cultural background and religion, enacting legislation to promote race relations would be futile.

“Politicians making grand announcements such as ‘Malaysians respect each other’ or ‘We are all equal’ will merely be spouting rhetoric, until all of us Malaysians actually feel that way. Sadly, that is not the case today.”

Isn’t it ironic that after 51 years of independence (45 years for Sarawak and Sabah) we now find it necessary to legislate laws in order to inculcate racial harmony among Malaysians?

Sad as it may be — it is true that race relations in our country is something that we can no longer be proud of, at least in Semenanjung Malaysia.

Call me a biased Sarawakian if you will, but isn’t it true that racial issues (or even religious issues) have never been a major problem in Sarawak. The last time I heard of murmurs of the racial kind was the drinking of ‘Ribena’ — depicted as the blood of a certain community. But understandably, that was during the heat of an election campaign many many years ago and after that, it was no longer heard nor made an issue.

Those who disagree with me, please relate a recent incident in Sarawak where a racial issue had gotten so ugly that warranted government intervention. Honestly, I can’t think of any.

I can agree totally with the two points brought up by the letter writer — one, that creating a harmonious multi-ethnic multi-religious society begins with equality and two, value-based education beginning at homes and continued in schools, reinforcing that all of us are Malaysians with different cultural backgrounds but equitable rights in this country, is essential.

Let us look at years gone by. During my school days in Kuching, there was no such thing as racial segregation of any kind. The writer’s narration that his primary-school going cousins are being made to feel the differences between Muslims and non-Muslims at such a young age is something unheard of during my time.

Indeed, having the Race Relations Act may not solve the fundamental issues at hand. It all boils down to our education system. A good education system must nurture in its students a desire to live in peace with people of different races and religion, and to contribute to national unity.

Back then, we were allowed to ‘roam’ freely, so to speak. There was freedom to choose between taking Mandarin or Malay (then known as Bahasa Kebangsaan) classes. And as ours was a Catholic school, even Malay students were given the option to choose Scriptures as a subject for a public examination. No one complained because it was clear that other than for academic purposes, there was no motive to convert anyone into any religion.

Above all, I think everything was okay because no rowdy, racist politicians of the kind you find today existed during that time. Yes, I blame racial tension in the country today solely on politicians — the kind who have no right to be in politics in the first place.

And I am truly concerned that some of these people are now involved as legislators in the process to enact the Race Relations Act. These politicians are the last people on earth who should be involved in the drafting of the proposed Act, as they should take 100 per cent blame for the current poor race relations in Malaysia. I believe readers are aware of the kind I’m referring to here. Honestly, I shudder at the thought of their involvement in the proposed legislation.

My solution to the strengthening of racial ties among Malaysians is actually very simple, yet a monumental task too.

It is incumbent upon all of us, young or old, to play our part in maintaining and improving racial harmony in our neighbourhoods, schools, universities, work places and in the public sphere. Seriously, there is no way we can depend on the Race Relations Act or any legislation to ensure racial ties among Malaysians are strengthened.

Yes, it is really up to us to let racial harmony prevail. No law can force us to do that.

(Comments can reach the writer at paulsir99@hotmail.com)

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=41860

Illegals gain citizenship; Sahabans lose theirs - Malaysiakini

Illegals gain citizenship; Sabahans lose theirs'

Kota Kinabalu: The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) on Friday demanded that the National Registration Department (NRD) undo its mistake of turning a Sabahan Bumiputra into a Permanent Resident. Its Deputy President Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing said what had happened to 78-year-old Yong Lee Hua @ Piang Lin, a Sino-Kadazan, was simply outrageous and warrants Upko seriously reviewing its position in the Barisan Nasional if found to be not just an isolated case. "How can this happen to a Malaysian citizen who was born here and holding a Native Certificate to prove her citizenship," he said. He said that if the NRD had committed a genuine mistake, it should have reverted Yong's new status back to a Malaysian citizen right away. "If the department had purposely committed the atrocious act, they must undo its gross mistake," he said, adding it is sending a bad signal across the nation, particularly to genuine citizens. "Illegal immigrants can easily acquire MyKads that subsequently enable them to purchase Native Title (NT) lands. "What is happening with the NRD? This is totally unacceptable. And if this is the tip of the iceberg, I'm afraid we cannot guarantee protection to the genuine citizens," he said. He said if the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government is not willing to look into this matter as well as into how illegal immigrants could mysteriously acquire Malaysian Identity Cards, Upko will take up the matter and fight for the people. "If the NRD or government has no satisfactory answer, I strongly urge Upko to seriously review its position in the BN because an identification document is a very important matter as it shows their sense of belonging." Bumburing said if the NRD is unable to handle Yong's case, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar must intervene. Yong's life had been turned upside down as a result of the NRD oversight and incompetence. Her nightmare began when she lost her IC at a Supermarket at Penampang Baru on Feb. 12. On the same day, she lodged a police report and subsequently on Feb 26, applied for a replacement IC at the NRD office in Donggongon. After several months, she went and collected her replacement IC at the NRD office and was given a red IC. She asked the officer why it was red and the lady officer said for senior citizens who lost their IC, the department normally replaced them with red ICs. She didn't find anything amiss with the officer's explanation until she reached home when her children said red ICs were issued to people with Permanent Resident status. With the help of her children, they brought the matter up with the NRD together with supporting documents such as her Native Certificate that was issued by the Native Court on Sept 24, 1963, bank books and passport. The NRD officer admitted there could have been an error but instead of rectifying it, Yong was asked to "apply for Malaysian citizenship" which she duly complied by submitting an application form to the office on July 2, last year. Her problem did not end there because soon after, her bank accounts at Amanah Saham Nasional and Alliance Bank were frozen making her unable to withdraw money for her daily expenses. Fluent in Kadazan and Chinese, the mother of seven sons and one daughter can no longer travel outside the country as she could not renew her expired passport. Strangely, she was allowed to cast her vote at Peak Nam Thong Kindergarten during the recent Mar 8 general elections using her driving licence as identity document since her record in the polling list was still intact. But her identification records at the Immigration Department, however, had completely "disappeared". Everywhere Yong goes now, she only uses her driving licence as proof of identity because she is too embarrassed with her predicament. She now feared that her "new status" would have serious repercussion on her sons and daughter. Resource Development and Information Technology Assistant Minister, Donald Peter Mojuntin who helped highlight Yong's case, said if it could happen to her, the children's citizenship could also be withdrawn. "There has never been a case like this before when genuine Malaysians had their citizenship cancelled. If this can happen to her, it can happen to anybody (Malaysians)," he said. As Upko Bureau Chief for Citizenship and Security, the Moyog Assemblyman said he would be pursuing the matter with Sabah NRD Director and also with the Home Minister. He said that for the NRD to admit their mistake and then asking Yong to reapply for citizenship is simply illogical.

Race and prejudice in Malaysia - Malaysiakini

So, it is not as one assumes it would be, huh? Things are definitely not right in Malaysia. 

Race and prejudice in Malaysia

The TehTarik sessions are the brainchild of a group of young Malaysians at Cambridge University who desired a non-partisan platform to foster open discussion on burning issues. Sessions are open to all as long as they have a shared passion for Malaysia. The following is based on the discussion that took place over a hot cup of self-made teh tarik.


The all-too-familiar tourism advertising gimmicks portray Malaysia as a multi-cultural and pluralistic society, an emerging democracy where people of all cultures, races, and religions live and prosper together; a society where cultural differences are honoured and enduring ideals of humanity can thrive. However, how far do these perceptions differ from the reality of the Malaysian social fabric?  

In Malaysia, the third question succeeding name and gender is almost always regarding race. We are identified by our race and the fact is, for better or for worse, the concept has been institutionalised. Though possibly relevant historically, the current generation must ask whether these institutionalised concepts are still appropriate.

At the time of independence when races served different economic functions, leaders would have envisioned the country moving away from such divisive concepts. But looking back 51 years on, it seems that divisions have persisted and we have still not moved forward. 

Notwithstanding the methodological limitations of opinion polls, the results of the Merdeka Centre poll on race relations reveal a lack of understanding, poor interaction and strong stereotypes across races.

A mere 36% of Chinese respondents as compared to 89% of Malay respondents said they understand Malay culture. Interestingly, 84% of Chinese respondents thought that Hari Raya Puasa is a Malay New Year celebration.

With regards to stereotypes, 60% of Chinese and Malay respondents agreed that Malays are lazy. 60% of Chinese and Malay respondents agreed that Indians cannot be trusted as compared to 20% of Indian respondents. A majority of Chinese and Malay respondents agreed that the Chinese are greedy.

The conceptions of racial groupings have often been controversial for scientific as well as social and political reasons. While the general consensus favours a biological basis for such divisions, it is possible for a Chinese to be genetically further apart from a fellow Chinese than a Malay.

Furthermore, the definitions of race have been fluid. For example, whilst Arabs may be considered Malays in Malaysia, they would be Arabic in origin.

Take the path of most resistance

Race concepts have been reinforced throughout the colonial era and used as powerful organising tools for western governments. In Rwanda, divisions between the Tutsis and Hutus were non-existent until the arrival of the Belgians, who started classifying them according to the size of their anatomies.  

Unlike ethnically Malay countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia where races are not rigidly defined within the confines of religion, the definition of Malay is uniquely enshrined in the Malaysian constitution as a Muslim who speaks Malay and practices Malay customs.

Nevertheless, the term bumiputera has never been formally defined in any official documents. The late Tunku Abdul Rahman in his answer to the parliamentary debate of November 1965 stated that the term had no legal meaning except to denote the natives of Malaya and the Borneo states, Chinese and Indians who have been born locally for several generations, and natives less able to compete with others.

He was eventually pressured to accept the definition which excluded all Chinese and Indians, a concept used politically. Subsequently, the Malays and bumiputeras possess special rights under the constitution. However, the constitution is equivocal as to whether the rights are permanent or remedial and transitional. It is also silent on the time frame. These are contentious issues at the core of race relations in Malaysia. 

Studies suggest a cultural basis for race where segregation stems from perception and evolves through differences that are humanly defined.

When the Americans first arrived in Japan, they perceived the Japanese as lazy. Probably there was no economic reason to be hard working in a then slow-paced and isolated Japan. Today, the stereotypes pertaining to Japan are anything but lazy. Similarly, any form of racial stereotypes should not be accepted by Malaysians as a given but as a man-made construct or misconstruct.

Perhaps the way forward for racial integration is the path of most resistance. Perhaps everyone should be compelled to learn the all the languages of other races in schools to facilitate greater understanding amongst races. This is not impossible if we look at countries such as Switzerland where citizens are fluent in three official languages.

Also, education curricula should be revised to provide an impartial perspective of subjects such as history. The original objectives of the New Economic Policy (NEP) to help the needy regardless of race should be strongly advocated and not manipulated to the whims and fancies of certain parties. 

We’re suspicious of one another

The problem of racial strife is that of perception. Remedies suggested have always involved major political changes which are beyond the reach of any one individual. However, we need not be too ambitious and underestimate our roles in the civil society. The fact is not so much that there exists interracial animosity but that we are suspicious of one another.

This is partly because we did not have the opportunities to develop friendships with people of other races at the personal level. Many are brought up from a mono-racial background and attend vernacular schools. Instead of defining ourselves against other races, we should endeavour to place ourselves through the lenses of the other races and empathise with their situation. The quid pro quo approach would be the first step to racial integration.

For the non-Malay, would you be willing to sacrifice your special rights if you were Malay? For the Malay, would you give up vernacular schools if you were non-Malay?  

It is argued that one cannot discuss racial issues without touching on the ill-fated May 13 incident. Although politicians have taken the stance of ignoring the big elephant in the room, perhaps the only way we can solve the problem of interracial distrust and suspicion is by digging out and examining old skeletons. The question is, are we willing to be objective or do we continue to have a chip on our shoulder?

---

JOSHUA CHU and MOHAMMAD A HAMID anchored this session. Chu is an alumnus of St John’s College. Mohammad is an engineer by training, currently taking one year off from work to pursue masters degree after 10 years in the industry. Interests include voluntary work with young people and writing. 

WILLIAM TAN edited this article. He is currently reading chemical engineering. An arts and music enthusiast who plays the piano during his leisure, Tan also takes interest in and discusses passionately about economical, political and social issues pertaining to Malaysia.

Ghana: Don't go to Malaysia - Malaysiakini

Malaysia: Not A Country To Go

In the wake of recent serial killings and severe discrimination of the Africans by mainly the Malaysians I wish to advice my fellow Africans who were made to believe that Malaysia is a “humble” destination for foreigners to consider Malaysia as “not a place to go”. Malaysia appeared to be a country of mixed races namely, the Malays, Indians, and the Chinese. One would expect that there should be high degree of racial tolerance. One would also expect that Africans or foreigners in general should be tolerated under normal circumstances. We once heard of our own Kofi Anan urging other countries to emulate Malaysia due to her racial harmony. I wish to tell him and all Africans that “she” cannot be our role model. We should not forget that a country that is racially harmonious must tolerate people from all walks of life. Malaysia is not such a place, this is due to the fact that (1) Africans are regarded as social misfits (2) we are not protected by the law and (3) we don’t have job security.

SOCIAL MISFITS

The African had been and continues to be a “nuisance” in the eyes and minds of the citizens of Malaysia, not excluding the police personnel. Do not be astonished if you realize that the moment they see any black color from Africa he or she is perceived to be a criminal. Their conclusion is that all blacks are criminals. This perception was long ago infused in their minds by the media. The media always portray the negative and the deplorable states as well as the conflict zones of Africa. The youth always refer to us as “Negros”. These very bad remarks ended in the painful death of many Africans in Malaysia. In the recent periods two Nigerians were poisoned in a restaurant, a Yemeni guy lost 3 fingers as he was trying to block a knife that was aimed at his chest, 2 Egyptians were asked by some locals to give whatever they have, when they refused, a fight broke out and all the locals at that area came to fight the Egyptians without knowing the reason!!! Another Egyptian was robbed of RM4000 and beaten up. In Melati Utama, bikers usually rampage the net cafes from time to time with knifes and baseball sticks frightening the people in it and taking whatever they have. These are just very few of the cases.

Let me give you a recent case in Wangsa Maju that has led to the untimely death of an African student from Chad. African undergraduate, HELP University College, Abdel Aziz Hassan Abdraman, 22, (his picture shown above) was brutally murdered just because of his color.

On Saturday, there was a mob attack by some 20 youths wielding metal rods, sticks and knives on 10 African undergraduates in Wangsa Maju which landed in his death and injured the rest, they were unjustly harassed and mocked by the youths for four consecutive days before the attack. The youths even went up to their Tar Villa apartment and demanded money and cigarettes. According to the students and as reported by the Malaysian Newspaper ”Malay Mail” the drama unfolded when three undergraduates were on the way to board the LRT to perform “terawih” prayers (long prayers by the Muslims after they have broken their fasting) at a nearby mosque at 8.30pm.

They were confronted by some 20 youths who were believed to have hurled abuse at them (they called them Negros) and demanded money.

When the trio ignored them and walked away, the youths, carrying switch blades, pursued them and struck one of them on the head.

The students took refuge at the LRT (Train Station) and sought assistance from their African friends living nearby.

Seven of their friends, including Abdel Aziz, went to their aid and together they went back to where the trio was attacked.

Abdel Aziz’s cousin, Abdraman Moussa Mohamat, 23, said: “We asked the youths who were seated at the stalls why they had attacked our friends but they came for us suddenly without saying a word.

“We ran for our lives when they began swinging metal rods, sticks and knives at us. In the fracas, Abdel Aziz was stabbed from the back.”

POLICE CONFIRMATION

The police confirmed that the victims had been regularly ridiculed by the youths who expressed their displeasure at the increasing presence of Africans in the neighbourhood.

BUT WHAT WAS THE REACTION OF THE POLICE?

Sentul district police Chief Assistant Commissioner Zakaria Pagan told Malay Mail that initial investigations revealed that the attack stemmed from the uneasiness of the residents over the behavior (increasing umber of students) of the Africans.

Therefore:

“We believe the youths who attacked the Africans wanted to teach them a lesson to behave themselves in public.”

What a shit?

WHAT ABOUT THE TAXI DRIVERS?

All the taxi drivers categorically refused to pick up the boy when he was injured. Within 15 minutes all the taxis DROVE AWAY without even stopping. It was not a surprise since they always don’t want to pick up blacks. You may be at a taxi station waiting hours while there are taxis available but will refuse to go just because you are a black man.

It is clear in all material respect that Africans are treated like animals and must not live together with “them” in the society. Discrimination we acknowledge is everywhere but not to this extent. I could remember the very first time I arrived in Malaysia, right at the airport people distanced themselves far away from me as I approach them. I could not ask anyone for direction. It was a foreigner who rescued me. In the classroom, Malaysians sit far away from us unless they have no choice. Lecturers themselves who were suppose to be agents of change follow the same suit when marking our papers. We work very hard to achieve excellent results and they try very hard to making sure that we land in futility. They do not want us to outcompete the local students. We thank God, despite all odds we do emerge as the best of all in all.

INSECURITY

The security system in Malaysia is well designed and perfectly carved to protect the Malays. We foreigners have no security. Anytime we have a dispute it always goes against us. Any case reported to the police is discarded if the Malaysian is found to be guilty. “We believe the youths who attacked the Africans wanted to teach them a lesson to behave themselves in public.” You teach us a lesson by killing us? The police records will prove that about 99% of the reported cases were initiated by the Malays. Many were arrested for a crime they did not commit. The only misbehavior as they claim is that we blacks talk loudly thus disturbing them. Therefore, as the number of students increases they feel uneasy.

I urge all prospective students who wish to study here to reconsider their decisions. Malaysia is not a suitable atmosphere for education due to intense discrimination and insecurity. It has the entire physical infrastructure needed to facilitate learning but the student’s mind is constantly occupied by security concerns. Almost every month, if not a week, a student must die like an animal without any concern by the government of Malaysia. The worse of it all is that the African embassies in all these cases voiced not. We did not know before we stepped in. Now you know make a wise decision. Our lives worth nothing in the face of their security personnel. Some of us may not see our families and loved ones in the years to come if still in Malaysia. Some dropped their studies prematurely and went away just to feel secured.

JOB INSECURITY

For those who came here in the name of job and went back home within some days will bear us witness. It is very difficult to secure a job. Once you are through you could be dismissed anytime unnoticed. They don’t just trust foreign workers. Jobs that they consider as demanding, dirty, risky, and dangerous to their lives were those given to foreigners. Examples are working in the petrol shell, shopping malls etc. Just this month, the government came out with a decision to have a zero percent of foreign workers in these areas. Hence, the companies in the mentioned areas were told to terminate the contracts of all foreign workers since the Malaysians are now ready to work. On top of that, all foreign companies in Malaysia are now required to employ only locals with narrow space for the foreigner.

In fact students here face difficulties to getting companies for their industrial training. Not because of our academic inability. We have the potential. We usually turned back to our nations if affordable for the training. Master and PhD students in most cases have no choice than to teach in the primary and Junior high schools. The lucky ones may get senior high schools which otherwise they will not have accepted if at home. Exceptional cases may lead some of them to university level.

In a nutshell, let us not again risk our lives to travel all the way from Africa to Malaysia for education or in search of jobs. Let us stay where our dignity is respected, where our minds find rest, and where our blood will not be shed just because of our color. LET’S LOVE OUR HOME COUNTRY AND WORK TOWARDS MAKING IT A BETTER DESTINATION AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEEN. STAY IN AFRICA… FOREIGN AFRICAN STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS SHOULD GO BACK TO AFRICA AFTER STUDIES TO SHARE THEIR TALENT.

African in Malaysia qarsumi@yahoo.com

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/diaspora/artikel.php?ID=150654

Lose MyKad, lose citizenship! - Malaysiakini

She lost MyKad, now citizenship gone too

PENAMPANG: At 78, Yong Lee Hua alias Piang Lin's life as a Malaysian has been put on hold.

She is no longer recognised as a Malaysian citizen after losing her MyKad to a pickpocket last year. 

The National Registration Department replaced her lost MyKad with a red identity card -- that for permanent residents -- though she was born and raised in Sabah, 

Yong is now unable to withdraw money from her bank or Amanah Saham Nasional accounts, transfer land to her children or renew her passport to travel -- something she has been wanting to do since her husband of 60 years died a few months ago.

"I was born in Kampung Mahandoi (about 5km from here), grew up, got married and bore eight children here. The eldest is 58 years old and the youngest is 32. But suddenly, I am stateless," she said at her home in Kampung Nosoob.
Yong, of Sino-Kadazan parentage, had appealed to the National Registration Department for a MyKad but was told to apply for citizenship. 

She obliged, although not quite understanding why she had to when she was already a citizen.

Yong sought the help of Moyog assemblyman Donald Mojuntin, to solve her predicament and "reclaim" her citizenship.

Mojuntin heads the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation party's citizenship and security bureau. He said he would seek an appointment with the NRD director to help resolve the matter.

He will also ask Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to bring up the matter with the Home Ministry.

He questioned the department's rigid stance and their failure to find out why someone with an identity card and a passport could be stripped of citizenship and made a permanent resident.

A Mission to revitalise MCA - Malaysiakini

UMNO's Best Friend

UMNO wants someone who will do anything to please them, get MCA.

UMNO wants someone who will do their biddings, get MCA.

UMNO wants someone who'll make a total fool of himself because he's so glad to see the master, get MCA.

UMNO wants someone who eats whatever they put in front of him and never says his mother made it better, get MCA.

UMNO wants someone who's always eager to go out any time they ask and anywhere they want to go, get MCA.

UMNO wants someone who'll be content just to snuggle up to keep them warm in bed, and who they can kick out of bed if he slobbers and snores, get MCA.

UMNO wants someone who never criticizes anything they do, doesn't care how good or bad they look, acts as though every word they say is worth hearing, never complains, and loves them unconditionally all the time, get MCA.

On the other hand, MCA's Best Friend

UMNO never comes when they call him, totally ignores them when he walks in the room, messes up the place, walks all over them and expects a gratitude for friending them.

So, it's time to rethink. It's a mission to revitalise MCA.

And to quote, Q & A between Eileen Ng and Ong Tee Keat,

Q: You are well-known for disdaining the cai tan (menu) culture, while outgoing president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting had tried to stamp it out. Yet, the cai tan culture is still alive in the party.

A: I hate it. The cai tan culture is an insult to the delegates' intelligence. Normally, it is just a list of endorsed numbers representing certain candidates without any information on the candidates' background, vision or experience. It is like asking delegates to vote blindly. 

However, I have no problems with initiatives aimed at either introducing or recommending candidates, but it must come with basic information so that delegates know who they are voting for.

And ah! What did the joke about God creating the dog sez?

On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the animals of the Earth to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labour for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and the man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but He had to walk the dog.

Moral of the story? Dogs will always be dogs!

A super-duper Brilliant Idea! Gaji Buta - Malaysiakini

To what extent will this Kanasai Gomen go to prove its idiocy and its inability to govern the nation? RM3 million a month in Gaji Buta hiring housewives and students to supplement the existing enforcement officers to monitor the prices of goods?

Now, the law states that all sellers must display the prices of goods, failing which, actions can be taken. Correct? Isn't it simpler and more effective to impose on the sellers to display a price list of controlled items in a visible signboard displaying a complain number for the consumers to call to complain? 

It is already mentioned in this news article that the Meru wet market has a booth for consumers to lodge complain. Not enough? Or is something missing? Is it because consumers do not know the ceiling prices of price controlled items? If so, even a kid can tell you that you simply need to get the sellers to comply to display a list together with the telephone numbers to call. Better still, like the Meru wet market, have a booth!

So, RM3 million in gaji buta, huh? These so-called undercover agents only need to report IF they uncover (or discover) irregularities. Any guarantee they will be working? Who monitors them?

By the way, the list of price controlled items only totals 17 items! For goodness sake, you asked the rakyat to change lifestyle and you waste good money?

Damn it! Force the hypermarkets and wet markets and every goddamned market to display a list of the 17 items with their ceiling prices. This also educate the consumers who will immediately realise IF and WHEN they are cheated!

Kanasai! This is what a Kanasai Gomen looks like .... 

 

Enforcer housewives on the prowl

By EDWARD RAJENDRA

KLANG: Their worst nightmare is about to be unleashed on errant traders at wet markets and hypermarkets -- housewives and university students working undercover for the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Overcharging is more likely to appear on the “radar” of housewives and university students who usually work on a shoestring budget.

As such, for the Ramadan period, the ministry has enlisted 2,000 housewives and university students nationwide on an annual contract with a montly allowance of RM1,500.

Ministry director-general (Enforce-ment) Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said housewives and students were ideal as the ministry’s eyes and ears to identify traders looking to make quick profits during the festive season.

The “undercover agents” who responded to an advertisement in a local newspaper were chosen after extensive interviews in March, he said.

Housewives and students are more conscious of prices because most of them visit markets or hypermarkets at least twice a week.

From now until Oct 8, they will take note of prices while doing their marketing and report if there are any irregularities, he said, adding that under the price control scheme 17 items have a ceiling price.

“For example, a kilo of red chillies is priced at RM10 and if they sell it for more, we will issue a maximum fine of RM7,500 per offence,” he said.

Earlier, Roslan conducted a check on prices of fresh produce and sundry items at the Meru wet market here together with an enforcement team of 30.

He was satisfied that traders had complied with the price ruling and commented that some even sold their items below the ceiling price.

“We also have a booth at the Meru wet market for consumers to lodge complaints if they feel items are priced unfairly.

“Our aim is to protect consumers. We also urge consumers to compare prices with hypermarkets before buying,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/25/nation/2110386&sec=nation

Murugiah tells Syed Botak Hamid to shut up - Malaysiakini

Ah ha .... we have another one here who dares tell Syed Botak Hamid to shut up!

Murugiah to Syed Hamid: It IS my business

By CHRISTINA TAN

KLANG: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah has hit back at Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for asking him not to “interfere” in his ministry.

Murugiah said he was surprised to hear such comments from a senior minister because he was merely doing his duty -- attending to complaints and solving problems.

“His statement asking me not to interfere in other people’s affairs is asking me and 270 staff in the Public Complaints Bureau to close shop.

“The bureau has received an average of 180 complaints about each ministry from January to August, and how can I do my job if I can’t ‘interfere’ in another ministry?” he said.

“The Public Complaints Bureau is above all ministries when it comes to handling complaints,” he said after visiting SJK (T) Batu Ampat in Jalan Kota Raja here on Thursday.

Syed Hamid was reported as saying that it was inappropriate for Murugiah to interfere in the affairs of another ministry.

He also said that Murugiah’s action in speaking on behalf of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok on complaints she was not served proper meals while in detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was akin to being a “spokesman for the Opposition.”

Murugiah added that Syed Hamid should talk to him directly instead of making comments publicly.

“I’m trying to do something good for the general public, treating everyone fairly regardless whether the complaints are from the Government, the Opposition or members of the public.

“As a junior minister, I will always accept with a open heart if he (Syed Hamid) would like to guide me or show me the best way to do my job,” he said.

This is the second time Syed Hamid has hit out at his Barisan Nasional colleagues for “interfering” with his ministry.

Earlier this month, he slammed Barisan leaders for criticising his decisionto detain three civilians -- including Kok -- under the ISA

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/25/nation/20080925163018&sec=nation

The Kanasai Gomen We Have - Malaysiakini

The first thing that comes to the mind of many when Najib cancelled his trip to New York to make his maiden speech at the United Nations assembly was that something had happened. But what? That's where the minds begin to play tricks. Speculations rule the day.

Accordingly, his office issued a statement that it is due to the current global economic situation which requires his attention to ensure the country's economy stays strong. How strong is strong? How weak is weak? What's the current health of our economy.

It was reported that RM125 Billion had taken flight out of the country. What? Wow! Don't pray pray ah, I tell you. That's what Phua Chu Kang would say. 

We are equally concerned about this flight of funds. We had witnessed how such situation could wreak havoc on an economy ten years ago that was dubbed 'The Asian Financial Crisis'. But the current phenomenon is only limited to Malaysia and it is doubtful that it will spread to regional countries.

Concerned, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development World Investment Report 2008 said that FDI outflow in Malaysia surpassed inflow by RM8.99 Billion in 2007. 

FDI outflow? This is almost never unheard of until recently. A scary scene, Malaysia is the odd one out within the 10-member Asean trading bloc! Economist Dr Lim Teck Ghee told Malaysiakini that 'this could perhaps be a sign of a prolonge lack of confidence in the government and its economic policies'.

Hear that? A sign of lack of confidence. So while Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat is trying to get this flip-flopping lame duck Prime Minister to convene an emergency Parliament session so that the vote of no-confidence could be tabled, foreigners are already casting their votes!

The latest news, Transparency International today called on this UMNO government to free all ISA detainees or risk further foreign investments. Whatever happened to Justice Bao that was promoted to the rakyat back in 2004? MCA sold this flip-flopping lame duck Prime Minister to the electorate and the people at large that Badawi, dubbed Mr Clean, as Justice Bao.

A lot of people were taken in in the 2004 General Elections, including the famous blogger now turned MP, Jeff Ooi who voted for BN. Yes, how easily the rakyat were duped into believing such a corny idea.

Immediately after Badawi was announced and appointed as a DPM, he came to my hometown, Muar. It couldn't have been an official visit as he visited his buddy at his private home. Some leeches who are friends of his buddy took advantage of the situation and managed to get some close up shots of them together. 

The picture made its way to a Chinese Daily. Yes, framed up, hanging on the wall, it makes a statement of whoever is in the picture pictured with this flip-flopping lame duck Prime Minister. That also made me recall how another businessman whom I went to Indonesia with during the height of the Asian Financial Crisis ten years ago. He had in his folder a picture of him with the then President Suharto. A picture is a statement, more powerful than the status of a Datuk!

Shortly after, this buddy of his met with an accident along the Plus highway and was warded at Pantai Hospital. Yep, Badawi took time off to pay him a personal visit. This ain't any secret to the people in this sleepy hollow. 

People began to speculate how this buddy of his will reap benefits out of the 'strange relationship between politics and business'. Oh pardon me, in Malaysia, there's no such word as 'strange' when it comes to politics and business. If Jeff Ooi were to be reading this part, I'm sure he'd recall that these were the similar comments I left in his blog.

Anyway, somewhere along the way, calls were made to remove chicken from the list of controlled items. That was in March 2008. Three months later in June, Badawi's administration removed chicken from the list of controlled items. The RM6.00 per kg ceiling was abolished! 

I wasn't blogging then but on the same news article, it gives us a perfect view of the mentality that our Ministers are made of. We have had enough laughters from Syed Botak's infamous ISA jokes but that one was from Shahrir!

"Since the country produces more chicken than it needs, it would no longer be SUBSIDISED"! 

"The poultry industry has always operated on a commercial basis and that the ceiling price regime was unfairly imposed on producers in the ABSENCE OF SUBSIDIES from the Government".

The above statements, one was uttered by Shahrir while another was by Kwei Yew Tong, FLFAM's broiler unit chairman. I'm sure any one of you can pick out who said what.

Anyway, this sparks the spiralling cost of living as chicken is considered the cheapest meat that is consumed across the races. This was one of the factors that led to inflation so much so that we've hit record high of 8.5%, a first in 27 years. Meanwhile, The Star carries a news flash that Leong Hup sales will surpass the RM1 Billion mark in FY2009.

The rakyat suffers. Who gains? As in the case of the so-called fuel subsidy, read again what I posted earlier and you would again realise that a weak Ringgit benefits the government in terms of OIL profits while the rakyat is forced to fork out more to travel from point A to point B. I'm not just talking about vehicle owners but those who take public transportations too. Many things could've been avoided to lessen the burden of the rakyat but this strange kanasai government which practises rent is the reason why the rakyat are made to suffer.

Gajah same gajah lawan, pelanduk mati di tengah-tengah. That about sums up what's happening to this country that has gone to the dogs today. 

Day after day, we are kept on our toes to know what's going on and to know what's happening and how this nation is moving ahead. The picture is cloudy, very very cloudy indeed. As a matter of fact, now that Anwar Ibrahim has dismisses 'deadline' for taking over as the government of the day, it is Najib's turn to keep us in suspense as he ain't answering any questions. His only commitments are that 'political questions will only be answered tomorrow' after the UMNO's supreme council emergency meeting tomorrow.

To the rakyat, they are already burdened with this spiralling high cost of living and they work hard to make ends meet. Some even wonder if they can afford to put a decent meal on the table to feed mouths. 

As Hari Raya approaches, I see a lack of pelita brightening up the night. To some Muslims, this could be the bleakest Hari Raya celebrations they ever celebrated. And while they try to put up the best, UMNO neglects them.

What exactly does the future hold for everybody? Will Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat work harder and faster to butt-out this UMNO government and bring back the spark of life to the people?

To the Muslims, I wish you 'Selamat Berpuasa'.

7 words and an acronym to describe BN - Malaysiakini

What 7 words can one think of to describe this BN government? Hmm....

Kleptomaniac

Abase

Narrowband

Abash

Sadist

Absurd

Idiot

Hah! There you are. That also makes the acronym KANASAI! 

That's our BN government ... KANASAI!

Jokessssss of the Day - Malaysiakini

When was the last time that one gets an overdose of jokes reading the news? I can't recall a better day when jokes were abundant, all in a day's reading! Here you go, the jokes of today. Roll, roll, roll .... we start with ....

"He (Saiful) is in good condition" - Zamri Idrus, Saiful's lawyer.

Yes, this is the Saiful who claimed that his sorry arse was sodomised by the elderly man with an backache, Anwar Ibrahim. A doctor had earlier examined him and found his sorry arse in good condition.

If that doesn't top the chart, upon public outcry that what would have the Malaysian government done if Singapore's AVA had not made public its findings and to ban the tainted products containing Melamine, our Health Minister chips in .....

"We were quicker than Singapore in banning products from China and expanding our scope" - Health Minister Liow Liow Tiong Tiong Lai.

Instead of displaying the list of products that you declare 'safe', how about giving us a list that you have declared 'not safe'? I wouldn't want to go to a hypermarket carrying a long list to check if the product I'm buying is in the list. I would prefer a short list that will quickly highlight the tainted products that are 'not safe'. But well, this is Malaysian way of doings things.

Then come the battle between Muhyiddin and KJ as to who is funnier ......

"We want UMNO to continue to be respect not only by the Malays, but by all the rakyat" - Muhyiddin.

"I will be a leader for all Malaysians" - the famous SIL, Khairy Jamaluddin.

Even among the Malays, is UMNO respected? If not, don't-lah assume the rakyat! And this KJ will be a leader for all Malaysians? Hello, were we born yesterday, huh?

Finally, the best joke among them all ... the OSCAR winner today ....

"What is important is we did not ask for the women. He supplied them to us. If people sedekah (donate), don't you want to accept the sedekah?" - Zul Hassan.

Wow! What can I say? I had earlier blogged about arrogance before assuming power and now I'm hearing news! In the event that these buggers are proven to be guilty of corruption, will they rephrase "what is important is we did not ask for the money. He supplied them to us. If people sedekah, don't you want to accept the sedekah?"

That's not all, try to digest this piece of news. IF you are a trader and your supplier supplies you with goods costing RM11, at what price would you sell? The controlled price is RM11.50!

A ministry official told traders that they have NO CONTROL over suppliers but they have CONTROL over the traders! That means, if the suppliers were to sell to the traders at prices close to or beyond controlled prices, the ministry can't lift a finger to charge the suppliers but will not hesitate to take actions against the traders. 

Oops, head I win, tail you lose .... and it is this example that gives rise to suspicion why the Health Ministry isn't releasing a list of tainted products unsafe for consumption rather than providing us a very very long list of products that are safe to consume. 

Will I buy any of those dairy products? If in Singapore, yes, I would. Right here in Malaysia? I'm afraid there's a crisis, a confidence crisis, and I ain't betting my luck on it! 

ID-Ten-T problem that plague Malaysians - Malaysiakini

"The recent fall in world oil prices plus the weakening Ringgit gave the government a window of opportunity to lower pump prices (of fuel)".

So sez flip-flopping lame duck Prime Minister Badawi. How is it justified? How are pump prices derived? Well, that's a protected secret within the Finance Ministry and to hold it could mean being charged under OSA.

Are we being taken for a ride? Have the UMNO government been treating us as fools who can't calculate? Is there something called a fuel subsidy today as claimed by Shahrir, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister? In due time, readers, you will see how this minister is lying through his teeth!

How does currency fluctuations affect the pump prices of fuel? Is Shahrir trying to hide from the fact that a money flight away from the country has deep impact on the nation, especially in the current issue of fuel. RM125Billion flying away from Malaysia is not a small thing that we can close one eye to.

The Ringgit had strengthened to about RM3.15 to the greenback recently only to weaken again to the current level of about RM3.42. Let's play with some maths. But before that, let us also remember that crude oil had retreated to about US90.55 lately.

As the price of crude fluctuates daily, we shall use an average price. Ok, fine, simple calculation. Average of 90 and 120 makes 105, and that's about the current trade price of crude oil at this moment.

So, we shall have 2 sets of calculations. One at RM3.15 while the other at RM3.42. And we shall contra the claimed subsidy of 33 sen against the cost of refining, transportation, commission etc, at 32 sen. Fair huh?

@RM3.15
US105 X RM3.15 / 159 = RM2.08

@RM3.42
US105 X RM3.42 / 159 = RM2.26

Clearly, due to the difference in exchange rate, there's a difference about 18sen!

Next, have we forgotten that we are a nett oil exporter? That means, we are profiting from oil. Let's do some simple maths how we earn from fluctuations in exchange rates once more. At the end of the day, what matters is that, as seller, the cash comes back home. That means, the end results of the transaction would be Ringgit.

Again, we use RM3.15 and RM3.42. Let's assume crude oil remains stagnant and is fixed at US100 after our great UMNO government manages to peg both the Ringgit and control the price of crude oil! (hahahaha)

At US100 per barrel, the end result of cash flowing back to this land called Malaysia, taking into account the fluctuation of currencies, and using the two figures above, it is clear that a weak Ringgit favours the seller, which is, Malaysia.

So, on the one hand, a weak Ringgit favours the country but does it work the same way for the consumers who happen to be the rakyat, the boss?

Not enough evidence that we're being taken for a ride? Let's look at pump prices in United States.

Current pump price for different grades are;

Ron 98 : USD 3.32 / gal
Ron 95 : USD 3.21 / gal
Ron 92 : USD 3.02 / gal

Now, don't let the figures deceive you. That's what the UMNO government wants you to. First, we must remember that oil is tax-free in Malaysia while in the United States, the average taxation per gallon of fuel is USD0.494. Average because different state in America imposes different tax rate.

So, let's adjust the pump price of fuel deducting the tax.

Ron 98 : USD 2.826
Ron 95 : USD 2.716
Ron 92 : USD 2.526

America practises free trade and therefore I deem this the best comparison to our local pump prices of fuel. So next step, 1 US gallon equals 3.785 litres. What fuel grades available locally is Ron 97 and Ron 92 and therefore we drop Ron 95. However, bear in mind that Ron98 is higher grade than Ron 97. We shall use the current exchange rate of RM3.42 to a greenback.

Therefore, pump price of the said fuel in a free market, the United States of America are;

Ron98: USD2.826 / 3.785 = USD0.7466 per litre or RM2.55 per litre

Ron92: USD2.526 / 3.785 = USD0.667 per litre or RM2.28 per litre

Ah ha! clearer now? Let's compare these prices from a free market to our Malaysian market that is claimed to be subsidised:

Ron98: USA (RM2.55) vs Malaysia (RM2.45)

Ron92: USA (RM2.28) vs Malaysia (RM2.30)

Does anyone of you see something? Is there something wrong?

Kanasai! As it is, it looks like after a subsidy of 33 sen, our Ron92 is more expensive than in  America!

And maybe, just maybe, if the funds did not take flight from Malaysia to a tune of RM125Billion and that the Ringgit didn't weaken, supposing that it stays at about RM2.20 .... well??

The UMNO government always tells us that this is an ID-Ten-T problem and the people swallow everything A to Z. Hey people, wake up!

ID-Ten-T is simply ID10T if you replace the TEN with numerals!

Kanasai! This ain't subsidy! This is cheat!

10 sen? Kannimbeh, sial! - Malaysiakini

Is that it? Only 10 sen reduction in fuel price? At the time of blogging, crude oil is at US107.91 per barrel having fallen to recent lows of about US90.00 per barrel.

And what reasons did this flip-flopping lame duck Prime Minister give? "The recent fall in world oil prices plus the weakening Ringgit gave the government a window of opportunity to lower pump prices".

Hey, you BN genius economists were the ones who said that fuel price hikes will not affect the economy nor will it affect inflation. Yeah, buah pelir engkau! Look at the inflation spike in relation to the fuel hike in June:

May: 3.2%

June: 7.7%

July: 8.3% (revised downwards from 8.5% by Department of Statistics)

August: 8.5%

Kannimbeh, sial! 

I've blogged earlier about the price expectations of pump prices and I'm angry that this price reduction is meagre. I expected something like a 30 to 40 sen reduction. Don't you BN arses try to bluff about subsidy again. I simply don't believe a subsidy exist today, at current pump prices!

The faster BN falls the merrier! 

Kannimbeh, sial!!!

We Are All Pendatangs (3) - Malaysiakini

Humans have been journeying for thousands of years, arriving in new lands in migratory waves. “All humans are ultimately Africans because our last common ancestor lived in Africa about 200,000 years ago,” said Dr Jiao.

In that sense, regardless of ethnicity, we are all descendants of migrants.

Common roots

ZIYING'S BRUSH

In the remote past, Tanshishan was home to the ancestors of the Malays and Polynesians.

THE late 19th and early 20th centuries were a peak immigration period for old Malaya when the forefathers of most Malaysians of Chinese descent came to the country seeking refuge from dire circumstances in their native land.

The Indians and other minorities too, have their own poignant stories. All these immigrants suffered unspeakable hardships and made immeasurable contributions to their adopted land.

For a long time, it was posited that the early ancestors of the Malays migrated south from what is now China’s Yunnan province. That there might yet be an additional source, also in China, of the peoples of archipelagic South-East Asia is perhaps less well-known, but is now widely accepted by anthropologists who consider coastal south-eastern China the original homeland of the Austronesians, a grouping which, of course, includes the Malays.

Songxia: The ancestors of the Austronesians may have left long ago, but some coastal Fujianese still rely on the sea for their livelihood

Upon migration to Taiwan, these littoral people who were intrepid sea-farers dispersed throughout Oceania (Samoa, Hawaii, etc) as well as South-East Asia, eventually reaching the Malay Peninsula 2,500 years ago (Lost Maritime Cultures, Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu). Evidently the progenies of these peripatetic Austronesians became an integral part of modern Malaysia’s majority population.

Just an hour and a half from my grandfather’s village in Fujian and barely 20 minutes from the provincial capital Fuzhou is an archaeologically significant 5,000-year-old Austronesian site named Tanshishan, reportedly the most scrutinised in the region.

I first heard of it from Dr Tianlong Jiao of Honolulu’s Bishop Museum, whose research on Austronesians brings him frequently to Fujian which, he says, is one of the most important places for studying their origins.

A few months later, on a routine trip to my ancestral village, I visited the pre-historic location with Dr Jiao. A brand new museum comprising three separate buildings housing half a dozen galleries, as well as shops, restaurants and educational and multimedia facilities now sits on the 30,000sqm Tanshishan (Pond Rock Hill) site.

The busts of two proto-Austronesians - a male and a female modelled on excavated skulls - greet the visitor in the main building’s foyer. The female is strong-featured and full-lipped, appearing remarkably Polynesian (at least to my eyes), while the male looked much like the natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

The foyer leads to a gallery showcasing stone tools, cooking vessels and containers of thin ceramic.

“Some of these are as fine as 2.5mm,” said museum director Lin Gongwu, adding that they share similarities with artefacts found in Taiwan, which implies a pattern of cultural exchange and migration.

In the gallery on daily life, reconstructions of the early inhabitants show individuals perhaps 1.5m tall. As expected of littoral peoples, fish and shellfish were their dietary mainstay, supplemented by rice.

After our museum visit, Lin invited us to a lunch of local fare at a home-style eating place. Fresh seafood was the main feature, with steamed crabs, oyster omelette, fish, clams, shellfish and finally, a pot of soup with sweet, tender mussels easily 7cm or 8cm long. Looking at the spread before us, it occurred to me that we were eating the very same food that the Austronesians might have consumed four to five millennia ago, and probably at the very same spot.

When we arrived at Tanshishan, Lin and his team were in a flurry of last-minute preparations for the museum’s opening on June 14 and not all the exhibits were ready. The facility is completed now and I am told it is impressive.

Dr Jiao tells me there are a number of other locations in coastal Fujian where researchers are conducting studies on vanished nautical cultures. What is clear is that over the centuries and for whatever reasons, these populations left their homeland and eventually found new abodes across the seas, including in present-day Malaysia.

Humans have been journeying for thousands of years, arriving in new lands in migratory waves. “All humans are ultimately Africans because our last common ancestor lived in Africa about 200,000 years ago,” said Dr Jiao.

In that sense, regardless of ethnicity, we are all descendants of migrants.

Ziying can be reached at ziyingster@gmail.com

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/9/24/lifefocus/2078202&sec=lifefocus