A Piece of My Mind

Excuse me, what's BERSIH again?

2011-07-10T18:40:00.001+08:00

It has been a long time since I blogged. I have officially moved to twitter!

This BERSIH guys are getting on my nerves and I have a lot to say. First of all, let's start with - WHAT's BERSIH? An organization calling for clean and fair elections heavily backed and coordinated by Pakatan Rakyat. Come on, don't come and tell me "it is by the rakyat, for the rakyat". You don't speak for 28 million Malaysians.

I can hear you say, "so what if it is by Pakatan Rakyat? We want clean and fair elections!"

Now, here's some stats for all of us to ponder.

Nik Aziz has been Kelantan MB for 21 years, elected rep (ADUN/MP) for 44 years.
Lim Kit Siang has been an elected rep (ADUN/MP) for 37 years.
Karpal Singh has been an elected rep (ADUN/MP) for 28 years.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw has been an elected rep (ADUN/MP) for 29 years.

.
.
.

The list goes on.

The Government which you accused of rigging the elections somehow kept the country's loudest, most vocal Opposition figures around so that the Government can have more headaches and trouble.

In a crucial time when "Chinese votes" are most important to Najib, BN Sarawak actually doubled their losses in Sarawak State Election 2011 and analysts pointed out that Najib has yet to win over the Chinese votes.

The Barisan Nasional Government also "conveniently" lost two of the highest income generating States - Selangor and Penang - to Pakatan Rakyat. Yes, these are "trophy states" to Barisan Nasional and they lost them.

In fact, here's the overall view of the Malaysian General Election results to date.

To see folks like Anwar Ibrahim and Saifudin Nasution shouting for free and fair elections, it is more like a comedy to me when PKR's Party Elections were reportedly tainted, rigged and unfair. Hug him if you wish, but he's not going to be my Prime Minister, no way!

(picture from Malaysiakini)

Just in case you forgot, he's the man sitting in the middle of the table in this press conference with the "organizer" sitting to his right.

Excuse me, what's BERSIH again? Wake up Malaysians.

2011: Najib must plan well

2011-01-01T10:02:00.000+08:00

As we welcome the New Year 2011, we prepare ourselves for a year of political action.

If 2010 was a year of by elections, 2011 promises the most interesting political battles - the 13 GE, Sarawak State Elections and 4 Pakatan Rakyat held State Elections. Well, knowing Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat's style, they might not bother about any Agong or Sultan's decree to dissolve the State Assemblies and would rather choose to have Constitutional battles in courtrooms.

Taking a look at the report card of Najib's administration, things are going pretty well in several areas - reducing street crime, improving public transport system, fighting corruption, eradicating poverty, good fiscal management.

There are, however, a lot more to be done. When I was in Canberra, believe it or not, the buses there arrive on time according to the schedule at each bus stop. The buses leave on time too.

The Government should consider improving the public transport system along these lines. We don't need consultants for this.

There are many things the Government can learn from Canberra. If we can invest a few billion Ringgit to connect the whole Klang Valley and have transport system like Canberra, I believe many will leave their cars at home and vote BN in the next few series of elections.

Also, street crime affects specific target groups only. To win hearts, Najib should consider battling syndicates and gangs on kidnappings, home invasion and drugs. Keep our kids safe in the streets.

These things are the real "transformation" that will swing votes. The people are watching the Government and see if those who walk along the corridors of power can deliver, regardless of the Opposition's performance.

Time to map the plan for 2011 as we are still very much in the region of "too close to call" if we go for election today. Happy New Year dear readers and may this New Year bring many happy memories to all.

1 Malaysia logo banned

2010-12-23T19:11:00.000+08:00

For a very long time, the Opposition hid behind veils. They accuse BN of putting pressure on the finances of the rakyat by increasing prices of necessities. Yet, they accuse the Government of having a high subsidy bill which depend heavily on Petronas funds.

In fact, some states have increased some Government rates and this was swept under the carpet away from the media's attention.

Now, we have this : Selangor bans 1M’sia logo on billboard ads

Excerpt from the article

The 1Malaysia logo is a political logo, said state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu, adding that this contravenes local by-laws.

Selangor is the first state to introduce the freedom of information bill. This created the impression that under Pakatan rule, the rakyat will enjoy greater freedom. But the most fundamental freedom which is freedom of expression has been stripped off from the rakyat as of now.

This is bad. What more to say when Selangor decides that this logo is a political statement

But this is not a political statement and totally acceptable.

Pakatan is full of nonsense.

I totally agree with Pakatan Rakyat. In the 13 GE, we should vote for change. But please, my fellow Malaysians, vote for CHANGE of Government in Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan. Selamatkan Malaysia dan undilah Barisan Nasional.

Wikileaks on Anwar

2010-12-12T13:30:00.006+08:00

The following piece is in today's Sydney Morning Herald papers. The online article is available here: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar's political sex trap. Anwar must be thanking his lucky stars that this article came after his Australia tour last month in Sydney and Canberra or he will have a tough time answering!

When can we start the Courtroom trial?

Don't worry. Nurul Izzah and Wan Azizah have a lot to answer too. They will join you in Court, brother!

Whatever it is, Nik Aziz won't know what Wikileaks is. Someone please brief him before the PR convention. Just in case he plans to declare Anwar as Khalifah or something. (big enough to get your attention, I hope)

Philip Dorling and Nick McKenzie December 12, 2010

MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy charges are the result of a ''set- up job'' which the politician ''walked into'', according to an assessment by Australia's peak intelligence agency. A leaked US state department cable reveals that Singaporean intelligence officials told their Australian counterparts that Dr Anwar engaged in the conduct for which he is accused, a claim he has steadfastly denied.

Australia's Office of National Intelligence also states the conduct was the result of entrapment by Dr Anwar's enemies.

The cable is one of several that deals with the highly explosive private views of senior Singaporean officials, including claims that:

>Malaysia is in a ''confused and dangerous'' state due to its incompetent politicians;

>Thailand's political elite are dogged by ''corruption'' and the country's crown prince is ''very erratic and easily subject to influence'';

>Japan and India were struggling to deal with China's influence due to their ''stupid'' behaviour;

> and some Asian leaders wanted the junta to retain power in Burma to ensure the country's stability.

The cable that deals with Dr Anwar's sodomy case, dated November 2008 and released exclusively to The Sun-Herald by WikiLeaks, states: ''The Australians said that Singapore's intelligences services and [Singaporean elder statesman] Lee Kuan Yew have told ONA in their exchanges that opposition leader Anwar 'did indeed commit the acts for which he is currently indicted'.''

The document states the Singaporeans told ONA they made this assessment on the basis of ''technical intelligence'', which is likely to relate to intercepted communications.

The ONA is also recorded as saying that Dr Anwar's political enemies engineered the circumstances from which the sodomy charges arose.

''ONA assessed, and their Singapore counterparts concurred, 'it was a set-up job and he probably knew that, but walked into it anyway','' the cable states.

Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia and carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years.

Dr Anwar, a former Malaysian deputy prime minister, was jailed in 1999 on charges of corruption and sodomy after a falling out with then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

He later had his sodomy conviction overturned and was freed from jail in 2004.

In 2008 he was charged again with sodomy. Dr Anwar has maintained the case against him is fabricated and trumped up by his political enemies who fear his political resurgence.

The case against Dr Anwar has drawn widespread international criticism and has included some bizarre twists. Earlier this year, a prosecutor in the sodomy trial was dropped after she was accused of having an affair with the star witness.

The witness, 25-year- old Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, worked as an aide in Dr Anwar's office. He has accused the 62-year-old of sodomising him in an apartment in Malaysia.

Earlier this month, Australian politician Nick Xenophon travelled to Malaysia to observe Dr Anwar's ongoing court proceedings, which were adjourned.

In December 2009, a month after ONA's brief assessment of Dr Anwar's case, the Malaysian criticised Kevin Rudd for not meeting him during his visit to Australia. He accused Mr Rudd of appeasing Malaysia's ''corrupt leaders'' by snubbing him.

''He [Mr Rudd] was too obsessed with interests of getting the two countries together [and therefore] appease Malaysia's corrupt leaders,'' Dr Anwar said at the time.

Anwar and his stories

2010-12-11T20:42:00.000+08:00

It is always good to remind us what sort of person Pakatan Rakyat is putting forth as Prime Minister material if the Federal Opposition takes over the Federal Government.

Check out Minit 1:38. "Saya [baru] dapat mesej, telefon, sms, emel dari ribuan ... Afrika, Asia, Arab, India, Pakistan [yang] kagum dengan keputusan rakyat Kuala Terengganu."

Go on. Roll on the floor and laugh!

Today, fresh from Apanama2020 : Kg Buah Pala - Revisited

Well, good news is, nothing has changed either for PAS and DAP as described by Anwar (in the following video). Read : Pakatan to avoid Islamic state debate at convention

Malaysia's transformation costs

2010-12-07T10:15:00.001+08:00

For those who missed the news, read this: McKinsey paid RM36 mil to set up Pemandu

Back in the 90s days when the economy was booming, the stars on the stage were MTEN, EPU and several notable civil servants as well as corporate leaders.

PEMANDU's significance today to Najib is as much as MTEN and EPU was to Tun Dr Mahathir. When PM mentioned that the days where Govt knows best are over, naturally the private sector had to lead the way.

From what I heard and what I was told, PEMANDU consulted many top CEOs, senior Vice Presidents, Group Heads, and industry leaders from across the nation (not the GLCs lah, REAL CEOs).

No doubt, at the same time, there were several professional consultants involved during the Lab phase (these consultants don't exist till today if they are not good or if their recommendations produce crappy results lah).

So what were the actual fees paid to these consultants? Malaysiakini seem to know and they have unnamed sources that pointed out that PEMANDU's operating expenditure is as high as RM 66m.

Let's do some simple mathematics and with simple assumptions. Let's not waste time arguing or guessing if PEMANDU's opex is RM 10m, RM 40m, RM 66m or whatever. We assume that PEMANDU's opex is RM100m per annum, i.e. by 2020 they would have spent RM 1 bil.

If PEMANDU's figures are spot on and we will achieve RM 1.7 trillion GNI as opposed to the approximately RM 660 billion GNI at the moment, that's nearly 3 times the value.

Let's look at two simple cases (I don't have time to explore other cases today, busy!).

CASE 1
Expected Income = RM 1.7 trillion
Hypothetical costs = RM 1 bil
Cost per dollar of expected income (%) = 0.06%

CASE 2
Current Income = RM 660 billion
Hypothetical costs = RM 1 bil
Cost per dollar of current income (%) = 0.15%

If Tony Pua walks up to Anwar Ibrahim to tell him that he can triple Anwar's wealth by paying about 0.06% of his expected wealth or 0.15% of his current wealth, I believe Anwar will kiss him!

Of course, if we pay RM 1, we will get RM 1 results (Dr M: Anwar right person to bankrupt Selangor)

Ketuanan Anwar Diperkasakan

2010-11-28T11:46:00.000+08:00

When Mahathir was PM of Malaysia and UMNO President, most of the delegates went straight to issues related to their party, the Govt policies and the leadership. Hardly were there any Perhimpunan Agung UMNO (PAU) that sang praises of Mahathir like he was a demi-God.

Malaysians made him the Prime Minister for 22 years for his economic and political policies that ensured FDIs inflow and stability.
As we moved on from Mahathir to Pak Lah to Najib today, life goes on. UMNO was and still is as democratic as any party in the world. It was always the Government and Party first, never about any individuals.

From a "self declared political victim" in 1998, Anwar was then appointed as a De Facto Leader. Every ounce of that title symbolises dictatorial leadership, hardly any democratic element in it. (There's a de facto leader also in PAS by the way)

Today, in Wan Azizah's speech at the PKR National Congress, Anwar was immortalized as a "God sent leader" and not just a De Facto Leader.

Let's ask ourselves. Ever since he became the De Facto Leader, what reforms have been done and how influential is he among leaders of PAS and DAP?

Any real reforms taken place in Kelantan? Kelantan is still talking about getting clean water. Read CTS's piece - Air bersih di Kelantan 17 tahun lagi

Any real reforms taken place in Penang?

Any real reforms taken place in Selangor? Selangor's economy is not good even after he became the Economic Advisor.

What about Kedah? Kedah, contrary to Wan Azizah's "Ketuanan Melayu harus ditinggalkan", is in fact getting more discriminatory. Read Tan Keng Liang's piece - PKR should first abolish Ketuanan Melayu concept in Pakatan states

After reading Tan Keng Liang's article, we now feel assured that Barisan Nasional, led by UMNO, has been fair to all races all these while comparatively.

Anwar often travels overseas and he often speaks of his experiences and encounters with global leaders. Well, if Anwar was that influential globally, he would have attracted countless state level FDIs and ensured that the economy of Kelantan, Kedah, Penang and especially Selangor enjoy rapid growth!

Anwar is not God sent, never. God would never send such a person who prefers rhetorical speeches rather than delivery of results, political demonstrations rather than stability and hatred rather than peace. But like it or not, the Chameleon is now God-like.

Ketuanan Anwar Diperkasakan, Kedewaan Anwar Diperkenalkan.

MCA and Friends of BN

2010-11-23T11:53:00.000+08:00

I am sure MCA saw it coming when PM announced that there will be direct membership for BN without alliance to any political parties.

Back in those days when Tee Keat was President of MCA, there were worrying analysis that Hua Zong or any respectable Malaysian Chinese might be placed as candidates for the 13 GE to replace MCA.

Today, there is no guarantee that the same won't happen with Soi Lek as President even after taking into account his good rapport with the Chinese guilds and associations (I wonder if Tiong Lai is doing his job as Bureau Chief. I only see my President moving around)

Read: MCA uneasy over polls ticket for BN friends

MCA was quick to state their uneasiness on the direct membership matter but the election matters most especially the 13th GE. The Party must make clear their position in the coalition to fellow BN members.

BN should never replace traditional MCA seats with others from any Chinese association and guilds in the upcoming General Election. This will be suicidal both to the BN political machinery and to the candidate.

The Supreme Council of BN must not forget the true friends of BN are those sitting at that long table who have fought for the coalition through rain and shine and when it matters most.

It worries me when the PM, alone, is saying THIS (Najib: Seats for Barisan parties not for direct members). MCA should get the Supreme Council to agree to the PM's words especially when members vote on issues during the meetings (you never know when the PM's words will get overruled by component members).

In the coming 13GE, which everyone seems to be excited about, the Supreme Council should also address issues on campaign machinery. I hope that all BN parties campaign together with a concerted effort in their constituency regardless of which component party gets selected for the seat.

By-elections are never good measures of success as compared to a grand scale General Election. So, don't tell me we all clicked well, had a great campaign and won the by-elections.

Many times, I have heard about boycotts, uncooperative component parties or poorly organized local political campaign machinery during elections. BN can no longer afford such things in the 13GE and those who disobey the chain of command in the political campaign machinery should be hauled to the Disciplinary Committee.

In any "too close to call" battle, the winner has always been the side with the most dynamic and efficient campaign machinery.

Know your "true friends" and you shall win the elections.

MCA accused of handing out RM

2010-11-03T20:00:00.002+08:00

It is sad to see the level of politics today and how foolish Pakatan Rakyat's "value chain" can be. Right from the top of the Ketua Umum (sounds like Kim Jong Il equivalent by the way) down to the spin doctors led by the alternative media.

The public is against public funds mismanagement and corruption ESPECIALLY electoral vote buying practices. Clearly, this was captured when Idris Jala's PEMANDU organized the Government Transformation Programme lab and acknowledged that corruption is one of the National Key Result Areas.

The people are more tech savvy these days and with the electronic media as well as the social networking sites, the truth is out there and no one can hide.

Now, put yourself in MCA's shoes and think rationally if MCA will go around telling the folks that "hey, we are giving out money if you vote for us!".

This is like telling the people "hey, vote for me and I pay you cold hard cash, tell the world!". In other words, this is no different than MCA shooting themselves with a gun.

MCA might have their weaknesses but will never commit to such corrupt acts - crystal clear corruption lah my friend! Siapa percaya?

I wonder who was paid to spread the rumour and who organized the trips for the people to queue up at MCA for this "payment". The fact that DAP reps were present at the "queue" is enough for me to have my own personal interpretation.

As proven over the past years in every election, Barisan Nasional has always adopted the "rakyat friendly policies" such as welfare payments to the poor, better infrastructure and facilities, religious worship places, and schools.

That is the level of intelligence Barisan Nasional has and clearly, the "I buy your vote" strategy has never taken place. You should ask if PKR, DAP or PAS practices that in their own Party elections. Itu saya tak tahu lah.

Having said these, this one might be a different story. See this (I am not and I did not say anything. Just see the picture!): What do you call this

If that's not enough, consider this - PAS Offers Transportation Cost For Galas Voters

Well, the number of outstation voters was said to be 1557 people. That is RM 250 x 1557 = RM 389,250 cold hard cash budgeted to be spent by PAS for the by-election in Galas. If you ask me, that is a lot of money and it is RM 250 per vote!

Rakyat mudah lupa. Kita maju bersama Barisan Nasional.

Liew Chin Tong vs PEMANDU

2010-11-02T10:21:00.000+08:00

Seriously, from the news articles and war of words in the press between Bukit Bendera MP YB Liew Chin Tong (DAP) and Senator Dato' Sri Idris Jala, I came to the conclusion that YB Liew is embarrassing himself.

Let me show you why. At first

The MP further alleged that a RM729.4 million operating budget was allocated for 2011 which has mostly been channeled to international consulting firms” (The Malaysian Insider)

As a learned MP with Political Science and Asian Studies degrees from the Australian National University (ANU), I would expect some level of professionalism from you my dear Senior.

What made you to come up with the allegations that most of the RM 730 million allocated to PEMANDU has been channeled to international consulting firms? Assuming "most" is equal to say "50%", that's at least RM 365 million paid to international consulting firms, Senior!

These wild allegations, which smell of "cari publisiti" intention, by YB Liew was shot down by CEO of PEMANDU who clarified that

PEMANDU's operating budget for 2011 is RM40 million. This comprises manpower costs/emoluments; services and supplies; assets under existing and new policies; one-off payment for non-recurring items including costs of conducting labs, open days, workshops, surveys, consultancy fees, research and benchmarking exercises; travel and logistics; and media costs.

Then, YB Liew didn't give up when he slammed the ETP.

This is clearly not in line with the spirit of the NEM. In the NEM 1 document, the National Economic Advisory Council categorically declared that the era of “centralised strategic planning” in which “guidance and approval from the federal authorities for economic decisions” is over. (The Malaysian Insider)

YB Liew clearly do not understand and did not try to understand. I can hear the thousands of people involved with the ETP from the public and private sector laughing already.

Senior, the ETP is not a PEMANDU or Najib Administration production. In layman's terms, the ETP is a compilation of brainstorming session recommendations by captains of industries in Malaysia as well as the private sector's plans to invest in specific sectors over the next 10 years. It is a programme and not a plan as Idris Jala likes to put it.

So, it is neither a "central planning" nor a guided economic decision by the Government.

Just because the CEO of PEMANDU is interactive with the people and the press, it doesn't mean that YB Liew should exploit it blindly to place yourself in the news!

Not everyone can be a Tony Pua or Kit Siang lah, Senior. Next election, it is time for Bukit Bendera folks to vote for Chia Kwang Chye!

Mahathir was never wrong

2010-10-30T10:28:00.001+08:00

The Opposition is actually heading down the wrong road. More often than not, the Opposition choose to link Dr Mahathir to every political issue.

Take for example, the recently announced Budget. As usual, it was DAP leaders who provide comprehensive review of the Budget and never PAS or PKR as they have sensational statements prepared even before the Budget is read out.

But DAP leaders were also clueless, such as Lim Kit Siang. The Budget was described as Mahathir-ish. Kit Siang must have been in the game for too long and spent his life opposing Dr Mahathir without considering whether Dr Mahathir was the right fit or not.

Kit Siang made "Mahathirism" sound bad. But in actual fact, Mahathirism is a good injection to a very crappy economy back then. Neither were Mahathir's Budgets and if Najib's budget is Mahathir-ish, then Najib is on the right track.

To understand what Mahathirism is all about, read

To add on, Dr Mahathir ensured UMNO's stability and indirectly the country's stability when he "politically managed" his former deputies such as Tun Musa Hitam, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Ghaffar Baba.

We cannot deny that under Dr Mahathir's years, the political arena was well controlled and ensured that the country's development and progress continued smoothly.

One phrase sums it all. Dr Mahathir was never wrong.

He was not wrong when he pressured Tun Abdullah Badawi to resign even though our friends in Pakatan Rakyat thinks he is a good Prime Minister (this shows what sort of quality we have in PR, hopefully they invite Pak Lah over to their party to lead them in 13 GE since he is so good).

I mean, seriously. Who in their right mind will want Pak Lah, Tun Musa Hitam and Anwar to be PM of Malaysia in the 21st century and expect them to lead us to be a developed and high income nation by 2020?

Now, Dr Mahathir finally sees results in Najib when the sitting Prime Minister announced his budget and launched the Economic Transformation Programme.

PM, heartiest congratulations. The word from the ground and the coffee shop stories I hear, the PM has successfully shown that he is a man who only care about getting the job done professionally regardless of race, religion or politics.

As a parting shot, the next time you read anything on politics, think if I'm right when I say the Opposition can never put aside race, religion and politics. It is in their blood.

Together we transform the nation.

We don't need Talent Corporation

2010-10-20T10:42:00.004+08:00

I am very sad whenever people talk about the Brain Drain issue. Everyone seems to have an opinion especially senior Government leaders but none were able to point out what I call the immediately executable solution!

To overcome this issue of Brain Drain, we now have a Talent Corporation under the Prime Minister's Department. If I may, I say we don't need this Talent Corporation. What for?

Each year, a scholarship fund which amounts to BILLIONS OF RINGGIT is created to ensure that 2500 of our top students get proper and high quality education.

Out of this figure, approximately 1500 gets to go overseas to universities like Yale, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, ANU, Melbourne, Osaka and many more. The remaining 1000 students are sent to top local colleges such as Taylor's, INTI, and HELP to pursue a foreign degree locally.

Of course, we have the local public universities JPA scholars also but unfortunately, I don't have any figures for that pool.

These are the top universities in the world whose graduates get employed by Barclays, Mc Kinsey, Macquarie and many more top institutions in the world. I am not making up stories and any senior HR executive can clarify this.

Surely, these graduates mean something. Unfortunately, the Government is not exploiting this pool of talent (JPA sponsored students with contractual bond).

My fellow taxpayers. Let me tell you.

Our money is used to sponsor 2500 students ANNUALLY

Only a handful is called up to serve their contractual bond with the Govt.

The rest either proceed to stay on at the host country, work in Singapore (closest model of Malaysian lifestyle) or end up working in Malaysian private sector.

Even if called up, scholars are not given proper jobs that match their specialist knowledge and in fact.

In fact, if a scholar is called up, there are loopholes around the JPA - SPA system which a Oxford scholar can probably exploit and continue with his work at Barclays while totally ignoring the Government's notice or his contractual terms.

Now, I have no problems with scholars who end up working in Malaysian private sector. But there is no clear mechanism that all those 2500 scholars, who didn't get a "please serve your contractual bond" notice from Govt, end up contributing to the nation.

It seems to me many are in the first and second category - stay on at the host country or work in Singapore, the closest model of Malaysian lifestyle.

So yes, my fellow taxpayers. We have been financing the brain drain probably up to a conservative estimate of 1000 top scholars per year (out of an estimated 2500 private education scholars).

Now, tell me, why the hell do we need a Talent Corporation to identify talent when we are not even exploiting the academic but unpolished talent of Malaysia in the form of JPA scholars?

I do understand. JPA might not be able to hire all 2500 JPA scholars ever year. I have no problems with that.

But the geniuses in Government should have considered a solution to this. In the scholarship contract, it is easy to put in a clause to say that the JPA scholars are required to serve in the country with any company for a certain number of years, if not for the Government.

Don't tell me this can't be done. I heard Singapore is using this clause too.

If given a chance to act on this, I will surely tell those who walk the corridors of power that we don't need a Talent Corporation for now and please make full use of the 2500 students which the Government sponsors every year.

Every year, my fellow taxpayers, we are the financiers of the Brain Drain in Malaysia. On top of that, we have loopholes to the whole system! When will the leaders come to their senses and at least listen to me?

We really need a Civil Service Transformation Programme.

Dear MCA

2010-10-15T10:14:00.010+08:00

There are questions which I believe no one can answer me and I doubt even MCA leaders can answer. Come on my fellow friends and leaders in MCA, prove me wrong.

Convince me, dear MCA.

What does MCA mean to the learning youth, to the trader, to the executives n to the man walking on the street?

What is MCA to kids in schools, to youth in colleges, to working class in offices, to professionals in suites?

What can MCA offer in 13GE to the Malaysian Chinese that DAP is not already doing? What about to other communities?

I believe if MCA can answer these questions and work towards this directions, then we are all good. We can then walk to PM Office in Putrajaya and tell the PM, "Sir, rest assured. You have the Chinese votes in the bag".

MCA 57th AGM

2010-10-12T10:29:00.001+08:00

MCA, since establishment, is seen as a representative entity of Chinese community that covers various Chinese based guilds, associations and chambers of commerce. That's a massive organization and not even DAP enjoy that sort of connections.

And PM spoke at the AGM that Malaysian Chinese today are not pendatang but rightful citizens who had contributed much to the development of the country. Thank you PM!

Judging from the Prime Minister's reform initiatives lately, he is definitely on track as compared to the "de facto leader" who was too busy teaching Election Commission on clean and fair elections but ended up having a questionable one in his own Party. Take that, Anwar!

Anyway, back to the MCA AGM. Let's look at statistics first.

MCA Youth and Wanita MCA had approximately 45% delegates who weren't interested in the AGMs. And approximately 20% of the seniors weren't there for the national MCA AGM as well! One can go around saying that this is due to the fact that people have religious events to attend to but come on, 45% of them?

Also, the alternative media reported about Wanita MCA's criticism of the President's morality issue. The ladies claimed that they couldn't answer back whenever they get involved in a debate and the Opposition raised the President's you-know-what case. Hey, these ladies have a point! MCA Infocom, send someone to help Wanita MCA on how to deal with this. Send someone to teach me too.

Lately, the Presidential Council of MCA has been very vocal on many national issues with heavy support from The Star (yeah, you know why).

Actually, we can see evaluate this from two angles. One is that MCA is doing her job and finally speaking up. Two is that MCA is part of the Government and the Party is giving advice publicly to the Government which is quite contradicting!

Speaking out is one thing. If MCA talks too much publicly and the Government ended up not able to do the things which MCA said, then this matter will end up haunting Barisan Nasional. The Chinese will start saying "itu Barisan dan MCA, cakap saja pandai".

It will also jeopardize the relationship of MCA with her partners in the coalition.

Take for example, we talked about low Chinese participation in civil service for the past 10 years. Wanita MCA raised this point again this year. When will we solve it and how to overcome this issue?

So my advice is let's keep it controlled and manageable before it is too late. More importantly, we must not start pointing our guns at each other in Barisan Nasional as it might escalate to the "blame game" level one day and send Barisan Nasional crashing down.

Remember, MCA. We are Barisan Nasional first, MCA second (I doubt Kit Siang can say he is Pakatan first, DAP second and neither can Nik Aziz).

Barisan Nasional's macro objective is our priority number one. The clear cut opponents of MCA is not any of our coalition partners but the Crescent, the Moon and the Rocket which takes them to the land of nowhere.

During Tee Keat's days, he was brave enough to face the Opposition. In fact, in Youtube, there are videos of Tee Keat and Dr Wee Ka Siong debating against DAP leaders back when he was younger.

The current MCA leadership must shift its focus on the Opposition's agenda and shred it to pieces, just like how Tee Keat did while able to defend MCA too. No doubt, MCA won't win Election by being vocal on issues alone.

Perak DAP's Ngeh-Nga

2010-10-02T20:45:00.001+08:00

In Dec 2009, I wrote an article - All good in Perak DAP ?

Well, this problem inside DAP started way before in fact. In 2008, the well respected "cili padi" of Perak - YB Fong Po Kuan - announced her decision to quit as candidate for the 12th General Election.

Many believed that her decision was due to Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming's style of grabbing safe seats for themselves (I let DAP fellas tell you this, if they are not subject to any gag orders from Lim Sr).

YB Hee Yit Foong left after the 12th GE even though she was the Deputy Speaker of Perak and today she is a nobody after leaving DAP to be BN friendly.

In her maiden interview with SinChew after she announced her decision to quit DAP, she hinted that it was due to YB Ngeh Koo Ham and YB Nga Kor Ming (they are cousins in DAP Sendirian Berhad).

Nobody believed her story and in fact, some Perakians did this :

After that, we had the famous story of a YB who wept openly when delivering a speech (YB Leong Mee Meng of Jalong). The story too was linked to Ngeh-Nga.

Today, online news portals were splashed with Perak DAP Deputy Chairman and MP Ipoh Barat - YB M Kulasegaran - saying "Just finished DAP leadership meeting in Ipoh. Sad day as I will announce what is lacking in Perak leadership 2molo n why I have 2 leave 4good".

Yes, a fool will also tell you this is linked to Ngeh-Nga. YB M Kulasegaran, time to call for EGM. Takkanlah DAP ni tak ada demokrasi atau DAP hanya berfungsi mengikut titah daripada Bapa dan Anak keluarga Lim?

The people in Perak should now be wise enough to judge for themselves on Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming. These two arrogant and power crazy guys must be sent packing by all means.

There is clearly a problem internally in DAP with heavily divided factions and the downfall of Pakatan Rakyat Perak might be due to Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming.

Some questions from me.

Will the Lims protect Ngeh-Nga just like how they protected Ronnie Liu?

Or will they just issue a meaningless "stern warning" like what they did to YB Teng Chang Khim's "OMG, real culprit is freed" tweet?

This is a problem when DAP's Lim Sr and Lim Jr sweep everything under the carpet all the time. Dear YBs, please go and check on your comrades in Kedah also. For those who don't know what's happening there, google it or give DAP Kedah a call.

Whatever. DAP Sendirian Berhad, that's your problem. The quickest way to solve these is to issue a gag order.

What's next, Government?

2010-09-28T10:37:00.005+08:00

In every organization that requires a turnaround plan, what are our priorities as the Commander in Chief ?

Cut costs
Find additional source of revenue
Improve revenue from current operations/sales

With the ETP showcased to the world on 21 Sept 2010 at PWTC, it is clear that the Government is serious and wants to elevate us into a high income nation. This clears POINT NUMBER 2.

Now, we all know that the Government did a Subsidy Lab and the findings were shocking - Idris Jala announced that we could end up like Greece soon if we don't reduce our dependence on subsidies (direct and indirect).

So yes, the Government had announced subsidy cuts and is expected to announce more of these some day based on those findings. That clears POINT NUMBER ONE (no need to payout so much subsidy) and POINT NUMBER THREE (Government gains from taxes, royalties etc).

Unfortunately, by doing so, the Government is hurting the people's wallet and gets unpopular each time they slash subsidies. By lifting subsidies before our wallets get filled, we all might end up with depression pretty soon won't we?

To me, the Government's message seem to be saying "we are all in a painful mess now, so let us hand-in-hand overcome this".

Unfortunately, Mr Prime Minister, the Government needs to look at the biggest action for POINT NUMBER ONE, just like what the private sector always do. No survey was conducted, but I am pretty sure a majority will tell you that we need to reduce the size of our civil service especially in Putrajaya.

Of course, we cannot sack the civil servants (guys, it is a fact and I know this for sure) and we cannot give them a big hug, big kiss together with a Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS).

But there are things that need to be done and can be done with regards to this, my dear Government. For starters, the Pegawai Khidmat Singkat (PKS) must go to cut costs and the Government can continue operating under the eyes of the Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik (PTD).

And we roll on from there to downsize our civil service - perhaps PEMANDU should roll out a Civil Service Rationalisation Lab / Programme !

Also, at a small corner of my mind, I am beginning to wonder if the current Government's New Economic Model, 10th Malaysia Plan and Economic Transformation Programme will go along or gel together somehow.

And the biggest worry, from my personal point of view, is that we might end up like Japan - a rich country with a poor population. Oh well, what a way to start the morning!

KL ETP Open Day

2010-09-24T20:45:00.003+08:00

The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) Open Day was held on 21 Sept 2010 at PWTC. It was indeed a historic moment not just for the Government but more importantly for the private sector. Why so, some may ask?

If we can recall, a couple months back in June-July period, the private sector which includes multinational corporations and key Malaysian industry players were gathered together to

brainstorm on our economic roadmap
share their business operations and plans
discuss on the available opportunities and necessary steps to achieve key results

From there, the private sector and Government worked together to produce what we all saw at the Open Day. In other words, the ETP is a result of private sector initiatives and targets.

At 10am in the morning, Datuk Seri Idris Jala's team began the keynote presentation and speech. The Merdeka Hall, it seems, could only fit about 3000 people.

Many did not get to enter as the hall was filled till it didn't have any standing space left. The public had to settle down with the large projector screen outside of the hall instead.

Such was the response and interest on the Programme (not a plan, in Idris Jala's words) that attracted Malaysians from all walks of life - corporate executives, analysts, investors (foreign and local), researchers and many more.

For those who missed it, Idris Jala's presentation slides can now be downloaded at http://www.pemandu.gov.my or even better, download the interview of Idris Jala with BFM radio HERE.

Now, ever since the ETP Open Day was held, many critics began to come out of the jungle and speak like experts. This is especially so among the Opposition.

However, at the Open Day, the relevant people such as PEMANDU team, private consultants, analysts, and private sector members including corporate leaders were all there to engage the public to share their findings after the 2 months Labs for all 12 NKEAs.

All praises to all those who came, raised their points/questions and got the relevant clarifications to any doubts they had over the 12 NKEAs be it in terms of terminology, programme, classification or calculations.

And when I say I well done to those who came, this includes YB Teresa Kok (DAP) who came to see or to understand the nation's long term plan to be a high income nation. The rest, saya tak nampak pun (I was there almost the whole time).

So, I don't know why are the bloggers, politicians and critics from the Opposition running around acting like "experts" and condemning the private sector driven Economic Transformation Programme from their own cosy leather seats at home instead of being there at the Open Day to engage the representatives from the private sector and Government present.

At the end of the day, the people can judge for themselves what Najib's Administration can do and will do for the country.

Critics can go on all day long about how bad or how unacceptable this or that is. But when we ask them back, "you have any suggestions on how to transform us into a high income economy?", they will stutter and stammer.

This, clearly is, the right description of the Opposition and the critics while Najib and Idris Jala get things running as they carry the burden of transforming the nation for the better past the finish line.

Economic Transformation Programme

2010-09-15T12:35:00.002+08:00

When Tun Dr Mahathir was the Prime Minister, Malaysia experienced rapid development and achieved results that none of our parents could have imagined. The respected Statesman was visionary and showed Malaysians "the way to success".

The year 2020 is not far away and we have 10 years left. We could have been on track to achieve the criteria of a developed nation, if not for a few years of administration which basically was on "auto pilot" mode.

To achieve Vision 2020 - the brainchild of Dr Mahathir, something bold must be done and a transformation programme is needed. As such, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak brought in talent from the private sector and the civil service under one roof - Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU).

To date, under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), the NKRA results have been met and statistics have shown that welfare is being channeled to the needy poor, rural areas will enjoy basic infrastructure and the crime rates at hot spots are being tackled with specific mechanisms.

With the great success of the GTP, the Government had to look at the nation's dull economy. Let's be frank. The economy needed a boost after a sleepy period under YOU-KNOW-WHO.

As such, the idea of an Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) was born. The private sector spent weeks if not months mapping out the future of our country together with the civil service and stakeholders of core industries which we call National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) today.

After all the hard work and energy sapping efforts, the Economic Transformation Programme (12 NKEA) is ready and will be showcased to the world on 21 Sept 2010 at PWTC from 9am to 5pm.

One word truly describes the ETP - bold. Be there to find out more of the economic roadmap by Najib's administration and the private sector to achieve Vision 2020!

On a personal note, I hope that when the Vision 2020 time capsule containing Tun Dr Mahathir's message is unlocked, we will be proud to tell Dr M that "as Malaysians from Tun's generation, we have not failed you and we are now a sovereign and developed nation".

Pakatan Rakyat, time for you to go back to school and the drawing board to learn how to be a Government.

Raya

2010-09-10T10:05:00.001+08:00

Selamat Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends. Let this Raya be a happy and memorable one to all. Salam 1Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi !

To those who are traveling, please do so safely and patiently in the midst of the crowd and rush.

Have a good Raya and holiday, everyone!

GOH WEI LIANG

13th General Election

2010-09-06T10:17:00.002+08:00

I am curious and wish to know how the Opposition and The Economist Intelligence Unit can come up with conclusions on the 13th General Election dates.

Check them out :

And today, The Malaysian Insider played a story - Umno tells Najib to go slow on snap polls. Well if you ask me, I think the Opposition is excited to go for war in the most crucial Elections ever in Malaysia's politics!

Politics First, Putrajaya Now

Whatever it is, I can say for sure, Barisan Nasional is ready to face the over confident Pakatan Rakyat anytime. We have already kicked off the first bold transformation plan which is the Government Transformation Programme (6 NKRAs) last year.

Clearly, that was a sign that we have successfully moved away from a brief period of "auto pilot" in the Government under YOU-KNOW-WHO to a new era of transformation.

Soon, the Government will be announcing 2 major plans that will lift Malaysia from a "contender" country to be a developed nation.

New Economic Model (by NEAC)
Economic Transformation Programme (by PEMANDU)

People First, Performance Now

The plans and models are READY for the Barisan Nasional Government to execute and develop the nation. These are clear guides on where the country should be heading towards and how the country can transform from a "dull economy" into a vibrant and resilient economy - all formulated by economists, academicians, top civil servants and successful private sector members.

The 12th General Election, no doubt, was a slap on the face for BN. But in the coming 13th General Election, the Opposition must face 3 realities:

Barisan Nasional loyalists who voted against BN will return to vote BN,
Barisan Nasional loyalists who spoiled the votes will return to vote BN and
Fence sitters who disagreed with Business As Usual (BAU) by the Govt will return to vote BN.

Just to add and state the obvious, no political analysts had ever estimated how many votes for PR were from

PR loyalists
fence sitters' sympathy
BN loyalists (protest votes against Pak Lah's Administration)

And hidden under a pile of online articles is a piece dated 27 August 2010 which I think is interesting at Free Malaysia Today - Pakatan staring at massive loss in next election

The author noted that the electoral projection is based on a post mortem by PR themselves.

A good Prime Minister

2010-08-25T21:10:00.000+08:00

I am happy to read that the Prime Minister of Malaysia did not forget his team of 1.24 million civil servants who fought with him and Barisan Nasional's leadership all these years.

Missed the news? Read it here: Najib announces RM500 Aidilfitri special payment for civil servants, g'ovt pensioners

Perak, by the way, announced a similar package for the State civil servants too ! I do know for a fact that all the civil servants work tirelessly everyday, especially those from Grade 41 to JUSA and Turus level.

As much as we criticize the civil servants for being lazy to act and think, I do somehow disagree at times. Some civil servants, especially those in the Grade 52 to Turus I work from 6.30am till 6.30pm, a complete 12 hour cycle.

And if needed to, they will even work till the midnight, just to get things done and going especially when it comes to National Budget, Taxation, Accounting, Auditing etc. Hey, even during preparation of policies !

Today, we do have among the fastest service related Customs and Immigration Department, if not already the fastest.

We have dedicated teachers, medical personnel and law enforcers and not forgetting, those who guard our borders at the Straits and jungles up North !

I believe the PM has all of them in mind, his "People First, Performance Now" transformers and leaders who work to serve the Malaysian community better at a competitive level.

Based on that, Datuk Seri, cheers to you !

Dinar PAS Untuk Semua

2010-08-18T11:23:00.004+08:00

I am extremely impressed with the silence by DAP leaders. A news search disappointed me actually. Where are the brilliant Economists and lawyers of DAP ? MCA challenged you, but you chose to duck.

I have several questions for you guys on PAS Untuk Semua.

What are the legal and economic implications of the dinar currency implemented by PAS and the State Government ?

Was that a PAS Government policy or Pakatan Rakyat Government policy ?

Was the decision endorsed by the Supreme Council of Pakatan Rakyat or we actually don't have a Pakatan Rakyat but we have a DAP Government, a PKR Government and two PAS Governments (i.e. pecah belah dan perintahlah sesuka hati) ?

What are the professional and political opinions of the "two most prominent Economists" of Malaysia - Tony Pua and Anwar Ibrahim, the RM 1 Advisor to Selangor ? Why don't we do it in Selangor too ?

What is the Islamic policy of Pakatan Rakyat and how does DAP juggle this together with the PAS Untuk Semua ambitions ?

If Pakatan Rakyat eventually wins the General Election with PAS emerging as the largest victor, will DAP say yes to a PAS-led Federal Government ?

Has there been any opposition to date by members of DAP and PKR towards PAS policies and vice versa ?

Are these all hush-hush close door style or kowtow system which does not fall under the FOI Bill ? (Mengapa semua fail BN diletakkan di bawah FOI Bill tetapi semua isu PR bukan main sembunyi di sini sana ?)

Now guys. In one hand, we have Barisan Nasional.

As much as some of you hate the previous policies while some appreciate the achievements of the past, we have today several master plans called the

Government Transformation Programme (kicked off);
Economic Transformation Programme (kicking off); and
New Economic Model (kicking off).

All these falls under the People First Performance Now concept. Unfortunately, when we look at the other hand, we have

PAS Untuk Semua;
Middle Malaysia; and
A New Dawn

Seems to me each party in Pakatan Rakyat is racing to be the "leader" of the pack and outdo each other to be Prime Minister.

There is no clear plan of what they intend to do together besides creating chaos and overthrowing the Government. Any Pakatan Rakyat geniuses care to explain, minus the profanities and unruly behaviour (guys, you need to grow up) ?

Hello, you cannot just run a country by digging up every dirty burrow or hole in every corner of the country and expect to create miracles in generating income for the millions of Malaysians.

I believe people are wiser as the days go by and I am confident that in the next election, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak will receive a 2/3 mandate.

Teoh Beng Hock's Suicide Note

2010-08-11T11:41:00.000+08:00

Less than a day after news broke out that there is "suicide note" written in Chinese (apparently by Teoh Beng Hock), one news portal was quick to add some spice, flavor and twist to it.

Read this piece : Ten questions about ‘Teoh’s note’. That is, the alternative media my friends.

Here comes my 10 questions.

If it was an accusation note that accused the Government of brutal tortures when in custody by Teoh Beng Hock, will the lawyers say no and use all sorts of laws to disqualify it ?

Why discredit the note with all sorts of questions when in fact it could change the course of the case ?

Why worry about the case being analyzed from another point of view when in fact we are seeking the truth and provide an answer to Teoh's family ?

Does it mean that the lawyers representing Teoh's family and the Selangor State Government planned to work towards a certain answer only ? (which probably is political prosecution of the MACC and Barisan Nasional)

How do the lawyers evaluate the statements by Dr Shahidan Md Noor, Dr Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, and Dr Peter Vanezis in the event that they all conflict ? (i.e. Will it be in the best interests of party politics or justice for Teoh?)

What are the criteria used by the lawyers of Teoh's family and Selangor State Government to evaluate the case and how to proceed further at the Inquiry ?

What if the case is really linked to the corruption cases, the scandals and the gangsterism links in Selangor and Teoh Beng Hock was really the one that exposed DAP Selangor to the MACC ?

What if the lawyers for Teoh's family and the Selangor State Government suddenly realizes the above mentioned scenario mid way through the case ?

Will the lawyers for Teoh's family and the Selangor State Government then say "Hey guys, damn, DAP and PKR caused this mess. They are the murderers and culprit" IF the hypothetical scenario is a reality ?

Finally, if the hypothetical scenario and the political prosecution against MACC and Barisan Nasional are not realities, will the lawyers allow a room to study the possibility of a suicide ?

I urge the lawyers representing Teoh's family, the Selangor State Government and the Opposition to refrain from disqualifying the "suicide note".

Since the lawyers are from the Opposition, I also believe that they should all step down as there is a clear cut evidence that conflict of interest arises. Kit Siang and Son, Karpal Singh and Son, as well as the DAP warlords know this.

So, where is the Truth for Teoh Beng Hock ? Where is the real, genuine, sincere Justice for Teoh Beng Hock ?

The sensational story making forensic expert is expected to testify in Court soon. It is going to be interesting since she said the case is 80% homicide.

Time to revisit this blog also - http://t4tbh.blogspot.com - as we begin to explore other options to sincerely seek justice for Teoh.

PKFZ - Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (2)

2010-08-04T11:55:00.002+08:00

The Government's process is straight forward.

If a particular Ministry wants to get opinions on any finance related matters, the Ministry can write to the Finance Ministry together with any appendices attached as well as their own analysis.

The Ministry concerned can also write to the Finance Ministry on behalf of the agencies/corporations/councils under their jurisdiction and portfolio on any finance related matters.

Just to add, annual budgets by the agencies must also be submitted to both the Ministry concerned and the Finance Ministry.

In the first place, when the matter has been evaluated by say, the Transport Ministry, the Minister will then pass it on to the Finance Ministry.

Once the Finance Ministry completes its own evaluation of the case and a comprehensive review of the recommendations/comments attached by the Transport Ministry, they will write back to the Transport Ministry.

Several people will know, or at least one of them, about this matter somewhere along the lines. Who?

Finance Minister I / Finance Minister II

Deputy Finance Minister I / Deputy Finance Minister II;

Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan (KSP); and

Valuation Division Under Secretary (SUB).

If Tun Dr Ling is charged for having hoodwinked the Cabinet and not following the Finance Ministry evaluation, why didn't the above mentioned senior civil servants or political leaders of the Finance Ministry raise the issue during the Cabinet meeting ?

If not during that time, what about the post Cabinet meeting of the Finance Ministry ? No one brought it up at all at that time ? I am surprised.

For the case to proceed, I believe the following documents are necessary to be declassified and presented in Court:

the Division meeting minutes of both Ministry during that period

the post Cabinet meeting minutes of both Ministry during that period

the Cabinet meeting minutes of the date Tun Dr Ling was charged for misleading the Cabinet on this matter

all PKFZ related files in both Ministries

The people that should be required to testify in Court will surely be the senior civil servants and political leaders at that time which include:

FROM THE FINANCE MINISTRY (MOF)

Finance Minister I / Finance Minister II

Deputy Finance Minister I / Deputy Finance Minister II;

Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan (KSP); and

Valuation Division Under Secretary (SUB) / Director (Pengarah).

FROM THE TRANSPORT MINISTRY (MOT)

Transport Minister

Deputy Transport Minister

Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) Kementerian Pengangkutan

MOT Under Secretaries (SUB-SUB) tasked to manage and monitor the project

This is gonna be an interesting case which will even overshadow Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial that seemed to be postponed from time to time for gazillion times. We shall let the Court decide. Let this be judged in a legal Court and not the public court of opinions.

All are innocent until proven guilty and all have the right to be heard in Court.

PKFZ - Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (1)

2010-08-01T11:06:00.001+08:00

When news broke out that Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik was charged in Court, one thing crossed my mind right away.

Why did the AGC (Attorney General Chamber) spend time on the least expected to be charged, Tun Dr Ling, in the PKFZ case when the Government has a bigger headache - the legal obligations to continue paying the turnkey developer?

Facts that the Government of Malaysia and the Attorney General must know are:

Till date, the PKFZ project incurred a cost of approximately RM 7.453 billion, with the total cost estimated at RM 12 billion by 2051 if no efforts are done to make the project a success.

KDSB alone has been paid approximately RM 1.9 billion thus far. (I stand corrected)

The original cost quoted in 2001 was RM 1.957 billion.

Why not use the time to find laws to halt the payments and bring the support letter writer, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, and the turnkey developer to Court instead for their right to be heard ?

Both their whereabouts are unknown and one is still the BNBBC Chairman. Why, if I may ask?

Some in BN and the Opposition are saying that this lawsuit shows MCA is not indispensable and MCA is irrelevant already.

Just by putting a Tun from MCA in Court is not enough to show that MCA is no longer a force in BN.

Who in Barisan Nasional dares to take the risk and suggest during the BN Supreme Council meeting that MCA and Gerakan can get the hell out of the coalition? Who in the Opposition dare to say that MCA and Gerakan leaving BN won't help boost their election chances?

Let this not be an excuse to be used by fellow BN members that MCA can be arm twisted and bullied into all sorts.

Neither should the members of the Opposition or the public speculate that it is Tun Dr Ling's fault entirely over this PKFZ issue, if any.

It might be true that MCA is irrelevant and will sink IF they continue to adopt the China-men mentality (we shall discuss this some other day) but it is untrue if we relate it to this lawsuit.

The former Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, had once stressed that MCA has never been involved in PKFZ. Read more HERE.

I believe Tee Keat's words carry weight and is credible since he is a respected figure among Malaysians, even from the Opposition.

MORE TO COME

DAP irrelevant in Pakatan Rakyat

2010-07-28T11:21:00.002+08:00

During the peak of the Sports Betting License issue, the Opposition leaders were the most vocal ones against gambling. The justified their opposition to the issuing of the license by outlining the negative implications that comes along with it.

Nothing was mentioned about the positive implications. The intellectuals in DAP and PKR disappoint me.

Then, PAS scholars made headlines when they said they will call end gambling outlets in Pakatan led states - PAS wants end to gaming premises permit (the same shout-out-loud-for-nothing they did in year 2008).

Till today, may I ask, what has been done ? Did Pakatan Rakyat ban the number forecast outlets in Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan ?

After claiming that betting and gambling will only bring bad effects to the society and after the fiery speeches, everything is business as usual.

Habis cerita. Pakatan Rakyat oh Pakatan Rakyat. Politics First, Putrajaya Now.

So, sports gambling is bad, gambling is bad and must oppose the efforts of BN. But Pakatan Rakyat will continue to issue number forecast outlet permits even though they can ban them?

What sort of justifications by DAP and Pakatan Rakyat, I don't know. I see only contradiction by a bunch of hypocrites.

Also, the Ministry of Finance should reconsider this issue. The file should not be closed just like that. The longer we wait, the longer will be our efforts to eradicate gambling habits or provide social services and advices to gambling addicts.

Just awhile ago, Tony Pua made a call for the abortion of the Bumiputera discount on luxury property sales. This of course rang a lot of bells and made many politicians sit straight up from their half asleep positions.

In what I call an immediate response, PAS Selangor has called for a careful review of this matter which in laymen's words will probably mean "forget it and don't bring it up anymore".

Khalid Ibrahim then stressed that it will only be for properties worth RM 500,000 and above. I wonder if Khalid has the political will to do it, given his weak position.

If we can recall the year 2008-2009, in Kedah, PAS increased the Bumiputera ownership quota for any property development projects from the standard 30% to 50% (no idea what their policies are at the moment)

And during that time, Malaysia was among those affected by the economic crisis. Dr Zambry (the legitimate Perak MB) knew he had to introduce people friendly and investor friendly policies. As a result, this is what Dr Zambry relaxed the Bumiputera land quota.

DAP looks more like what they used to criticise MCA to be - a barking dog with no bite.

Dulu bukan main hebat kutuk MCA sedangkan MCA mengamalkan semangat berpasukan bersama-sama dengan UMNO, MIC dan Gerakan.

MCA stands firm that they work closely with UMNO, MIC, Gerakan and other component parties in BN together instead of barking pointlessly and act like heroes with no brains.

Time for DAP to live up to their billing as a principled and just party? The marriage of the three parties seem like a nightmare after all. All 3 different ideologies living under one roof will only mean that a divorce is on the papers soon/someday.

Tan Sri KSN defends Nik Ali

2010-07-22T11:01:00.001+08:00

Excerpts from The Malaysian Insider:

Mohd Sidek, who is also the Cabinet Secretary, said the Cabinet at its meeting today took a serious view on Lim’’s statement against Nik Ali particularly on the issue over illegal sand mining in Balik Pulau, demolition of the arches at the Penang Botanical Garden and the allegation that no seat was provided for the Penang Chief Minister during the launch of the Penang Hill Railway. “These three issues, for which Nik Ali was blamed by the Penang Chief Minister, were not under the jurisdiction of the officer as the State Development Officer,” Mohd Sidek said in his brief statement, here today.

Well said, Tan Sri KSN.

Government officers have a set of strict rules to adhere to. Except for the Ministerial team which include SETPOL, SUSK, SUS, SUA, and PTTK, the rest of the Government officers are not allowed in any way to be involved in politics.

This of course covers civil servants right from the top - KSU/KSP/KP - down to the support staff group.

Civil servants are frequently reminded to be non political and serve the Government of the day - be it at Federal or State level.

The officers and support staff have all been vetted for being non political and they get trained to stay focus on their work as a Malaysian Government officer without any personal interests or agenda.

Such is the system of the Government. Otherwise, you would have seen Guan Eng and Khalid Ibrahim asking Jobstreet right after the 2008 elections to advertise that all jobs in their State Government are up for grabs.

We didn't see that, right ?

Many times, people who are not familiar with the Government system communicates with the wrong Ministry/Department/Agency.

Then, more often than not, people tend to throw a blanket blame on civil servants when some grouses are not attended to or queries were returned with "I don't know".

Little does the majority know, even NGOs and the private sector make mistakes when inviting the wrong Ministries for functions.

So yes. Guan Eng should not blast the Nik Ali for this matter.

Nik Ali gets nothing out of this mess. Every civil servant knows that it is best to avoid being a chess piece be it for BN or PR. They know they are better off doing their job, grab their salary, and go out to to enjoy some nasi lemak with friends.

Perhaps, Tan Sri KSN should write a firm formal letter to the Penang State Government to end this once and for all.

Malaysia's "Economists"

2010-07-10T10:52:00.001+08:00

I have to say, last week's statements on the economy were the most disastrous and contradicting ones I have ever read since Pak Lah's administration.

Malaysia may slip into a double-dip recession if European countries face a similar slowdown, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (TDM, Bernama)

The Malaysian economy is on the right track towards achieving the projected annual six per cent growth, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (TSNMY. Bernama)

Malaysia’s recovery may slow in the second half of this year, Prime Minister Najib Razak said, as risks to global growth increase ahead of this week’s central bank decision on interest rates. (Najib Razak, Bloomberg)

"Along with the better manufacturing data in May, we reckon it would likely support a reasonably high GDP growth in the second quarter. Our estimates are that GDP could grow at least eight per cent to nine per cent in the second quarter," it added. (Kenanga Research, Bernama)

Seems to me TS Nor Mohamed Yakcop and the PM have different views of the economy. But never mind. That's not the issue and the PM can always lecture his own Minister if he made any mistakes.

Now let us go back to basics. When an economy is expected to slow down, the agencies which deal with the economy should consider appropriate actions and policies.

Though we understand that Central Banks revise the monetary policy based on reported data, Bank Negara Malaysia's decision to increase the OP rates in Malaysia could put a strain to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's economic transformation efforts.

First year's achievements are always the decider of whether to believe the ambitious programmes and efforts or not laid by national leaders in any country.

And there is no point to be Number One ahead of our regional Central Banks to push the rates up in view of high growth in Quarter One when we are looking at gloomy days in the 2nd half of the year.

Well, this is the problem when independence is accorded to the Central Bank by law. It was also one of the contributing reasons why John Howard lost the election and thus his position as Prime Minister of Australia back in 2007.

In future, I hope that the "bright, young, talented" Economists in the Government can be more proactive and engage all Government related agencies that handle our economy.

Together we transform and develop the nation.

Sports betting license scrapped?

2010-06-29T10:22:00.004+08:00

The sports betting license was not awarded to Ascot Sports. The reason given is that many are against it.

It was followed by a comment by a Datuk that he was pleased that the sports betting license was not given or else match fixing in local football might occur.

Both reasons are equally unacceptable to me. Let me first answer the comment from the Datuk.

I wonder if he had any experience of seeing how things operate in developed countries.

Countries like Australia and UK have sports betting. In fact, their sports betting games cover not just soccer but various other sports including tennis, horse racing and even greyhound races.

Specifically, if we look at just soccer alone, the Australians and British hardly face any match fixing scandals. If any, they are dealt with swiftly by the cops.

And the best part is - both Australia and England are participants in the World Cup. Their games and spirit to play were not damaged at all.

So, dear Datuk, and the rest who used the excuse that it could destroy our game, please don't ever use it again. Tak masuk akal.

The Opposition is dancing away knowing that what they opposed have been agreed by the Government. But those guys practice Politics First, Putrajaya Now concept.

We, on the other hand, being the loyalists of 1Malaysia Government who uphold the concept of People First, Performance Now, surely can do better than those clowns in the Opposition.

Double standards should not be applied on sports betting and numbers forecast betting.

By not awarding the sports betting license with all sorts of reasons given which cover religion, politics, popularity and impact on society, there is little reason left to defend the numbers forecast betting games and horse racing betting games. Right or not ?

What is the justification to ban or not allow sports betting but to allow numbers betting now? Will we see a ban of numbers betting soon too ?

Some Datuk or Tan Sri from the relevant Government Ministry or agency must now come up with a clear explanation. Don't just close the books and say we should move on.

I am of the opinion that the sports betting license should be awarded. I am not a gambler. But there are reasons to this.

Sir, even without the sports betting license and even with the eradication of illegal syndicates, the people can still access the Internet to place sports bets with registered bookies from other countries.

What's next ? Bring in MCMC ? I wonder.

It is always important to have an identifiable target group. This "legal" population of sports gamblers can then be subject to targets from the various Ministries that deal with social ills.

We can then adopt all measures possible to solve issues such as addiction to gambling under effective campaign measures.

You can get more details from my article - The Sports Betting License.

MCA Party Assets

2010-06-26T10:24:00.000+08:00

When Chua Tee Yong was made Deputy Minister, the first thing that came to my mind was MCA might be walking down the road which DAP took.

Not only we have the father and the son actively in politics but we are also slowly transforming to be like DAP.

Indeed the Chinese wants MCA to speak out, but there are many ways to do so. And the wrong way is to only critically evaluate fellow component parties and the Government's policies.

MCA must understand that UMNO, MIC and other component parties are not enemies.

So, any press statements should be studied cautiously on the implications that they will bring to the coalition - Barisan Nasional.

Or else, why be in Barisan Nasional ? I refer you to The Star's newspaper articles lately and you will know what I mean.

Again, when Tee Yong was made a Deputy Minister, Soi Lek was happy that MCA was given the portfolio of a senior Ministry and that the appointment was justified as Tee Yong was a qualified man.

But browsing through The Star, Tee Yong is extremely quiet while other MCA office holders do the talking. Why is that so ? I can only wonder.

I don't see where the Party is going in terms of its asset management. The Party's assets have all along been managed by MCA leaders with advisors from well established individuals in commerce.

Now, all the assets will not be directly under MCA but they will be transferred out to a professional management team.

I don't know. Surely this will mean that MCA must pay them professional fees, administrative fees and all sorts of perks.

I believe it will be better if MCA asset management team comprises of qualified MCA members. This is because whenever we do things for the Party, it is all because of our love for the Party.

Though they (MCA members) should be paid, but at least everything they do, we know it is for the Party. The compassion and passion might not exist in the hearts and minds of the professional management team.

But why was this not done ? Maybe the 1 million members in MCA do not have the qualifications at all.

Read : MCA Presidential Council To Submit Proposal To Protect Party's Assets

My Story on JPA Scholarships

2010-06-23T10:03:00.000+08:00

I have written many times - to the Press and in my blog - with regards to the JPA scholarships issue.

As far as I can see, politicians are merely mumbling away and none of them actually truly understand both the JPA scholarship standards as well as the actual scholarship holders background.

Time after time, MCA leaders are saying all sorts of things about the JPA Scholarships. But hardly anyone hit the facts right.

Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong's recently said that"Over 3,000 Chinese students have received the scholarships since 2001 and they will be serving in the public sector for 10 years" (Maintain overseas undergrad scholarships, says Wee - The Star)

If there were only 3000 Chinese JPA overseas scholars since 2001 and I believe the figures are up to 2009, it means that on average 333 Chinese are rewarded with a JPA Scholarship annually.

Out of the 3000 Chinese JPA overseas scholars, did Datuk Dr Wee clarify how many were actually called back to serve in the public sector ?

And please. Not all JPA scholars have a contractual bond of 10 years. The figure vary from 4 to 10 years actually.

Perhaps MCA should skip any further announcements of figures based on races or matters with regarding the JPA Scholarship. It is not helping the Party at all.

Being a former JPA scholar myself, I have many stories to tell. I can tell you a clearer picture than the politicians, though I am almost like one myself.

I do know many JPA scholars who don't want to be called up by the Government to work in the public sector as warranted by their contractual agreement.

Some either ignore the call up for public service entrance evaluations or some will just consider paying back the total costs of their scholarships. (Yes, many JPA scholarship holders are not affiliated to any political parties but are classified as rich)

This is because graduates working overseas like in US, UK and Australia can allow them to have savings of AT LEAST RM 3000 a month.

A fresh graduate in Malaysia will earn probably in the range of RM 2400-RM 4500. Savings can range from RM 500-RM 2000.

So we all know why even JPA students don't want to return home. They will beg, cry and accuse the Government if they are not given any scholarships that are worth about RM 350,000 to RM 1 million to study overseas.

But unknown to the taxpayers, not all JPA overseas students get called up to serve in the Government for various reasons which include the "excuses" above.

I do know also that there are many loopholes which allow JPA overseas students to make themselves not eligible for public service. These need to be patched up, I believe.

If I outline it all here, I will be in trouble with the Government but I will be more than willing to be contacted and to assist the Government to plug the loopholes once and for all.

The Prime Minister needs to know that all overseas scholars need to be summoned back to serve in the public sector or at least to work in Malaysia.

The JPA Overseas Scholarship have long been abused as a "brain drain machine" whereby our scholars are paid by the Government to study overseas but they end up working for foreign companies and countries.

I realise that many JPA Domestic Scholarship holders were called back to serve their bond as opposed to JPA Overseas Scholarship holders but priority must be given to those sponsored to study overseas.

The Government should not be spending so much money to send students overseas, only to allow them to go freely and instead choose to tap the knowledge of local sponsored students only.

The logic is not there.

Taxpayers deserve to know all these now. Do take this piece of article to be published elsewhere in the electronic media with due credits given to the author.

My previous articles on JPA scholarships :

As for where MCA should fit in, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong should form a committee or taskforce to look into education appeals. A permanent bureau needs to be established with sub committees based on specific cases and to assist the appellants to find alternatives.

The sports betting license

2010-06-13T11:48:00.000+08:00

I was told that for every RM 1 that Berjaya makes from the sports betting business, the illegal sports betting syndicates earn RM 2.

In other words, by legalizing the market, the Government will be able to pull 1/3 of the illegal gamblers away from the syndicates if the information I received was right.

From here, the Government will be able to tax these gamblers and channel the money elsewhere for others who need or want to enjoy more welfare benefits.

That is, of course, if we look at this case only from a monetary point of view.

If we don't, we will be able to look at things differently.

By awarding the license to Berjaya, not only do we get monetary returns to the Government's funds, we can also successfully pool together a target cluster of identified gamblers.

This "legal" population of sports gamblers can then be subject to targets from the various Ministries that deal with social ills.

We can adopt all measures possible to solve issues such as addiction to gambling under effective campaign measures.

Hand in hand, the enforcement agencies can look at cases of illegal gambling syndicates and eradicate them as time goes by.

For all we know, more than 1/3 of the gambling population might move away from the illegal syndicates to legal outlets.

This is because there are worries at times that the illegal syndicates might not pay out if the amount gambled and the winning payout has a large spread.

So, we might end up having more "identified legal outlet gamblers" who migrated from the illegal gambling cluster which will make it easier for the Government to educate or assist them on addiction of gambling.

Why an open tender was not made, I believe Guan Eng can answer it well since he is also using selective tender after experiencing the troubles and negative side of open tender.

As such, I believe the awarding of sports betting license is justified to Ascot Sports and effectively to Berjaya Group.

The public and the Chinese community must not question Barisan Nasional on this matter since they did not attack Guan Eng too.

Or else, I am beginning to believe more and more by day that the Chinese are blindly going against Barisan Nasional and that all talks of "we are more concerned about issues" will turn out to be fairy tales.

On another issue that Pakatan Rakyat opposed the sports gambling license, I think we all know that sports gambling, horse gambling and the numbers gambling make no difference. It is still gambling.

Unless of course Tony Pua and the leaders of DAP can present to us the social effects differences and why sports gambling should be opposed or banned in Pakatan Rakyat states while other form of gambling can happily continue operating.

Well, DAP folks have another headache now since PAS leaders are calling for a phase out of gambling outlets in Pakatan Rakyat states. [ PAS wants end to gaming premises permit ]

Salam 1 Malaysia.

Wrong direction, Petronas

2010-06-06T12:59:00.001+08:00

I was surprised to read a news article posted in The Star and The Malaysian Insider 2 days ago.

Now what I didn't understand was Datuk Shamsul's plans (medium to long term?) for Petronas. Quoting from The Star's report,

"Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will search for more oil and gas reserves in Malaysia at the expense of overseas exploration and has changed its management structure to have its executive vice-presidents in charge of key operations to shoulder more responsibility. Domestic oil exploration would see Petronas drill deeper for oil and gas on the shallow waters of Malaysia but the company is also looking to increase the amount of oil it pumps out from existing wells in Malaysia."

Petronas' operations were mainly focused on Malaysian shores resources - East and West Malaysia - in the initial stages.

Tan Sri Hassan Marican transformed Petronas rapidly into a global company with oil explorations and business joint ventures with overseas partners.

Approximately 49% of Petronas revenue came from overseas operations under Tan Sri Hassan Marican's leadership.

Now, Datuk Shamsul is saying that Petronas will search for more oil and gas reserves in Malaysia at the expense of overseas exploration.

Clearly, what is in Malaysia belongs to the Malaysian Government since we are a sovereign nation.

And based on Malaysian legislation, Petronas is the sole custodian on behalf of the Government for all oil and gas reserves in Malaysia.

No one has a right to take it, unless some smart leader gives or trades the oil field for something else with another country.

When oil and gas head towards scarcity, by the law of economics, oil and gas prices will go up. No practical alternative energy is available at the moment for oil and gas also.

The oil and gas fields in Malaysia remains a "secure revenue" for Petronas and the Malaysian Government in the long run.

So, it makes little sense to search for more oil and gas reserves in Malaysia at the expense of overseas exploration.

Petronas should continue to explore oil and gas fields overseas with the appropriate risk assessments considered.

Revenue should be generated from oil reserves that belong to other countries first as long as it is profitable even though the contractual bids and exploration incur substantial costs.

If the opportunity is there overseas, why not attempt to grab it ? The "secure revenue" at home won't run away and will stay miles under the sea bed.

Rockybru has a brief summary of what Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas, the hot man favored by the Prime Minister over Tan Sri Hassan Marican, in his "meet the Editors" session recently.

You can read it here : We won't sell KLCC

The "MCA" Cabinet reshuffle

2010-06-02T11:24:00.004+08:00

Current list of MCA Ministers (4)

Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha (Transport)
Datuk Chor Chee Heung (Housing and Local Govt)
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (Health)
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen (Tourism)

Current list of MCA Deputy Ministers (7)

Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (Education)
Dr Hou Kok Chung (Higher Education)
Chua Tee Yong (Agriculture and Agro-based Industries)
Senator Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai (Finance)
Senator Gan Ping Sieu (Youth & Sports)
Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Home)
Senator Heng Seai Kie (Women, Family and Community Development)

Previous list of MCA Ministers (4)

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (Transport)
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (Health)
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen (Tourism)
Datuk Kong Cho Ha (Housing and Local Govt)

Previous list of MCA Deputy Ministers (7)

Datuk Chor Chee Heung (Finance)
Datuk Wee Ka Siong (Education)
Senator Heng Seai Kie (Information, Culture, Arts and Communications)
Dr Hou Kok Chung (Higher Education)
Wee Jeck Seng (Youth and Sports)
Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Women, Family and Community Development)
Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Foreign Affairs)

Current list of MCA MPs

YB Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting
YB Datuk Ong Tee Keat
YB Dato' Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn
YB Dato' Seri Ong Ka Chuan
YB Dato' Liow Tiong Lai
YB Dato' Dr Ng Yen Yen
YB Dato' Chor Chee Heung
YB Datuk Lee Chee Leong
YB Dr Wee Ka Siong
YB Wee Jeck Seng
YB Teng Boon Soon
YB Chua Tee Yong
YB Dr Hou Kok Chung
YB Tan Ah Eng
YB Dato' Kong Cho Ha

MCA representation in the Government remains at 4 Ministers and 7 Deputy Ministers.

Out of the 11 Cabinet posts held by MCA, 8 are elected representatives, 3 are appointed representatives (Senator). Previously, we had 9 elected representatives and 2 appointed representatives in the Cabinet under MCA.

The MCA elected representatives not included in the new Cabinet are

Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting
Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
Datuk Wee Jeck Seng
Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn
Tan Ah Eng
Teng Boon Soon.

I have faith in Yen Yen and Ka Siong as Government representatives for MCA but I hope the other 9 are capable enough to be part of the 1Malaysia transformation and able to stand tall in Parliament when facing the Opposition. (Otherwise, please resign and don't embarrass MCA or the Government)

Also, I don't deny that Chua Tee Yong possess the qualifications to be a leader someday and he is an elected representative after all.

One cannot escape but question if Tee Yong's political career has been expedited by his father, the President of MCA or was it solely based on personal merits.

Thus far, Tee Yong is a

Deputy Minister,
Presidential Council member
Party Asset Management Team Deputy
Young Professionals Bureau Chief

Congratulations, MCA. You have transformed "very well".

The Subsidy Rationalisation Puzzle

2010-06-01T11:59:00.002+08:00

The current public debt is at RM 362 billion which is 54% of GDP. The Minister said that at 12% growth of public debt per year, we will be bankrupt by 2019.

Public debt is expected to be equal to GDP in 2019 at RM 1.158 trillion. This probably means that our economy is expected to grow annually by 6 to 6.5 percent by simple calculations.

But the Government might cause ripples/shocks to the economy. Malaysia should reduce their subsidies periodically. A calculated phase out must be done.

Don't let the people decide the duration of the phase out (Look at the 2nd question above). The economists from the private and public sector should decide.

Who doesn't want to pay fuel at RM 1.80/litre for the longest duration possible as opposed to probably paying RM 2.80/litre ?

The Government should announce welfare packages targeted at the lower middle and poor income groups hand in hand with the reduction of subsidies.

Otherwise, people with lower middle income and low income will see no safety nets in place in the near term.

Proper schemes should also be announced to ensure that the middle and upper income aren't badly affected either but the core benefits should go to lower middle and the low income groups.

One thing is for sure. Individual cost of living will rise. Individuals in the low income group won't have much money left to spend or invest in other areas after consuming necessities and utilities.

It is indeed a painful path that we need to take if we want to transform into a high income + high cost economy.

Anyway, I wonder what will the Government say if the official statistics show that the people voted against the Subsidy Rationalisation Plan.

The last time we were told to absorb higher costs individually for fuel, the Government promised us better public transportation. We were hoodwinked by the former administration.

It is said that the Subsidy Rationalisation Plan will save us RM 103 billion over the next 5 years.

Unfortunately, it will only be a saving of RM 20.6 billion a year on average. Compare it to a 12 % growth of public debt from current level which comes to about RM 43.44 billion. Saving RM 103 billion over the next 5 years won't help us for long.

So, after cutting costs in the listed categories (and hopefully other sectors also), the Government must really look into sectors that can generate more revenue and also improve the ease of doing business in Malaysia.

Communications and transportation sector please, Sir !

MCA big names in Perak

2010-05-26T10:38:00.001+08:00

The announcement of Dr Chua Soi Lek as part of the Perak BN Election Committee came as no surprise to me. He is after all the Perak MCA State Chief.

However, being the President of MCA whose base is in Johor, I wonder if it is the right move.

Let us take a look at what Dr Chua Soi Lek will be facing. Perak MCA consists of strong leaders who weren't in the same page as Dr Chua before the Party EGM election on 28 March 2010 (328).

Notably, Datuk Lee Chee Leong was with Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and he was frequently seen in campaigns with the former MCA President. (Datuk Lee received support from all 3 camps in the recent election which made him a CC member with the most votes)

Another heavyweight is the popular Perak politician Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, whose support was given to Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting for his Presidential bid in March.

Ka Chuan is currently the MP for Tanjung Malim which is categorized as a safe seat for Barisan Nasional.

Changes of plans on the part of the incumbent could also spark a "misunderstanding" between the camps of the popular Perak politician and the Party President.

With the President holding the baton in Perak, any failure to lead his charges to victory will be used to assess the President's popularity, support and leadership be it the result of a machinery sabotage or a genuine lack of public support.

The situation is quite fragile, I must say. Any wrong move will be disastrous and I hope everyone sticks together for the Party's plans in Perak.

DAP currently has more seats than MCA in Parliament and they certainly have more support from the Chinese as compared to MCA, generally speaking, with or without internal conflicts (an excuse used by MCA for the poor Chinese support in Hulu Selangor).

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is based in Ipoh Timur together with titans of DAP such as M Kulasegaran in Ipoh Barat and Fong Po Kuan in Batu Gajah ( who is very quiet since 2008 by the way, why? ).

It will be hard for any local MCA leaders to break DAP apart in Perak, but let's leave that aside for now. It is certainly a mammoth task even for Dr Chua Soi Lek, from Johor, to win it big for Perak MCA.

Take a look at the current list of MCA big names in Perak.

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (Former Health Minister, MCA President)

Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha (Cabinet Minister, MCA Secretary General)

Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (MCA Central Committee member, Former Cabinet Minister),

Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (MCA Deputy Youth Chief, Perak State Exco)

Datuk Tan Chin Meng (MCA Central Committee member, Perak MCA Secretary, Special Officer to MB)

Senator Heng Seai Kie (Wanita MCA Vice Chairman, Deputy Minister)

Datuk Lee Chee Leong (MCA Central Committee member, Deputy Minister)

Perak MCA lost badly in the 12th General Election. With so many top ranked Party and Government leaders from Perak, I don't know what to say if Perak MCA fails recapture a majority of seats contested in the next election.

Failure is certainly unacceptable.

PKR's New Dawn

2010-05-21T11:07:00.000+08:00

YB Wee Choo Keong left PKR recently. He is not the only one.

He joins a long list of Pakatan Rakyat leaders who have left the marriage pact formed on the principles of convenience by 3 strange bedfellows (as a mainstream blogger puts it correctly).

This is the argument by JebatMustDie - Mereka yang telah meninggalkan Anwar Ibrahim. And the blogger wrote a strong argument.

Jika mereka yang di atas, yang pernah menjadi orang kuat dan panglima terkanan Anwar Ibrahim sudah meninggalkan parti PKR dan Pakatan Rakyat, mengapa saudara saudari sekalian yang saya rasa tidak pernah mengenali Anwar secara dekat, yang hanya pernah melihat beliau dari jauh atau hanya dalam televisyen, atau mungkin pernah berjabat tangan hanya sekali dua dengan beliau, masih mahu menyokong Anwar?

I will go one step further. People from the Opposition, especially PAS, labeled Tun Dr Mahathir with all sorts of names - diktator, mahafiraun, kejam, kuku besi.

Some in DAP accuse Tun Dr Mahathir of cronyism, nepotism, corruption, and scandal laced.

Interestingly, almost all of Tun Dr Mahathir's men did not leave him and in fact, his supporters base remain strong till today.

Many Government officials, senior leaders, and experts who served under Tun Dr Mahathir continue to vouch, argue and stand by the well respected statesman.

In contrast, some of Anwar Ibrahim's loyalist left him and remained in UMNO when the former DPM was sacked.

Some of course joined him and they are widely known today as the Reformasi boys. But today, his list of close confidantes are slowly but surely getting shorter by day. Why, we ask ?

The best thing is, all of them left with a lot of negative accusations and allegations be it on the mechanics and functions of their former Party or their de facto leader.

Anyway, PKR wants their elected representatives to quit the Party within one month once and for all.

They don't even know who is loyal and who is not in their Party. They don't even know who can be trusted and who can't. Not so long ago, they told the voters to believe in A New Dawn and support them to form a Federal Government.

While BN works and propels ahead with the Government Transformation Programme and New Economic Model, Pakatan Rakyat continue on with their political games.

I waited for quite some time, but neither Ronnie Liu nor Gobind Singh filed any defamation lawsuit against Wee Choo Keong for his blog posting that Ronnie Liu knew about the sand mining scandal since February.

Wee, a practicing lawyer, surely knew the law before he published such an attention grabbing blog posting and possess some form of concrete evidence ? He provided a new article for this - Sand mining scandal in Dengkil

Salam 1Malaysia.

Hanky Panky Selangor Government

2010-05-18T11:06:00.002+08:00

At first, we had the scandal of Elizabeth Wong. When the photos popped up in the internet, Pakatan Rakyat leaders were quick to point their fingers at Barisan Nasional.

[ Article : Irresponsible Statements ]

However, as the truth began to unfold that Hilmi Malek was at that time an aide to a PKR MP, PKR leaders began to sing the same tune - leave Elizabeth alone and let us not talk about it anymore.

Tian Chua went a step further though when Agendadaily posed a question to Tian Chua about his relationship with Eli.

He scoffed at Agendadaily's reporter and said "If you ask me again, I smash your head".

[ Article : A Reflection for Pakatan Rakyat 2 ]

Then, we had A Thiruvenggadam who claimed that Alam Flora contracts are divided by percentage among the 3 political parties in PKR.

Well, these were later rebutted by the Selangor State Government as false allegations and A Thiruvenggadam was subsequently dropped from being a MPPJ Councillor.

[ Article : Selangor Govt crumbling ]

Of course, next we had Teoh Beng Hock's mysterious death. Pakatan Rakyat leaders were quick to politicize it and linked up with Teoh's family.

At the peak of the hoo-haa over TBH's mysterious death, one man came up to say something. This came from YB Wee Choo Keong - a PKR MP at that time.

YB Wee Choo Keong mentioned about an open secret where a Selangor EXCO misused his/her office for underground business activities two weeks ago.

[ Article : Teoh's death mystery ]

Recently YB Wee left Pakatan Rakyat - the coalition which promised a Sept 16 Federal Government and A New Dawn.

Before he left, he wrote a blog article - YB Ronnie Liew knew about the sand mining scandal in February 2010!

It came hot with the allegation by PKR MP of Kapar on the Selangor sand mining scandal in the State owned Kumpulan Semesta Berhad - only to be "rewarded" with red paint splashed at his cars and death threats.

Many questions go unanswered in Selangor.

Why is Selangor DAP so quiet when they are the loudest proponents of competency, accountability and transparency ?

Should there be a Royal Commission Inquiry formed to investigate this and if so, why didn't Kit Siang propose it as he always will when it involves BN ?

Will the national Disciplinary Board of DAP haul up Ronnie Liu for questioning ?

What happened to the Selcat Inquiry by Speaker Teng Chang Khim and Azmin Ali not so long ago ? No results ?

What will be the outcome if there will be an internal party investigation ?

Why wait for MACC when Selangor Menteri Besar and his State Exco Members know what is happening in Selangor unless they are sleeping on the job ?

What are the comments of Selangor State Economic Advisor ?

For now, I will stick to a rumored story that Selangor PKR Government's mess is due to the political tussle between factions in PKR while DAP ... (you fill in the blanks) ...

And I think young leaders like YB Hannah Yeoh should be more pro active in learning about their State Government leadership before going out to preach the holier than thou concept.

Time for Khalid Ibrahim and the Selangor State Government leaders to resign.

Sydney From My Lens (2)

2010-05-16T11:07:00.000+08:00

This is a continuation from Sydney From My Lens (1). For this Part 2, I will share with you some pictures of Sydney's Central Business District (harbour view) and pictures taken INSIDE the Sydney Opera House.

Click on the pictures for bigger images.

Sydney From My Lens (1)

2010-05-14T13:48:00.000+08:00

Dear readers and followers of A PIECE OF MY MIND, allow me to share a personal collection of my pictures of Sydney.

I was browsing through my pictures recently and found several nice shots that I took when I was studying in Australia.

Enjoy. This will be Sydney From My Lens Part 1 - Sydney Harbour Bridge & Sydney Opera House.

Cyril Takayama's magic in Taiwan

2010-05-12T11:32:00.000+08:00

A very interesting magic video, thought I should share it will all my readers. My close pals were shocked and puzzled too :)

If anyone knows how Cyril did it, do share with me ! ( Political articles will come in a week or two, kinda busy at the moment! )

To Hell With MarGeeMar

2010-05-11T13:21:00.003+08:00

I believe my blog readers and followers all have interests in politics. Allow me to point to you why Barisan Nasional folks are way better than Pakatan Rakyat.

From my writing thus far, I write based on hypothesis, facts and reasoning. Compare it with this blog, I let you judge - http://margeemar.blogspot.com

I have no idea why but this blog's writers have constantly been attacking me personally and politically.

I am fine with having differences politically but to discredit me or bring my family members into the scene clearly reflects the level of civilization in Pakatan Rakyat supporters camp.

Since I am pro Barisan Nasional, lately I have been subjected to intense efforts by pro Opposition netizens behind veils of anonymity

to counter me on Facebook
attack me at my blog
impersonate me or sign off with my name when commenting at blogs

I wish to clarify that whenever I write any comments, it won't be an anonymous comment but it will be under a Google/Blogger account name : Goh Wei Liang.

If clarifications are needed for any comments made online at other social networking sites or blogs, I can be reached at my email. All clarifications will be replied promptly.

Hiding behind veils of anonymity make you no warrior, leader or true politician. Only cowards and dirt-coated folks do that.

Attacking my family members is far worst than being cowards. It is the act of fools which also reflect the level of maturity and professionalism of the blog.

I can say that MarGeeMar has crossed the line. To hell with MarGeeMar.

(No information will be released on career placement/employer/family at the moment to protect the image, interests and privacy of all parties)

Extremism in MCA

2010-05-09T13:17:00.000+08:00

MCA is actually a party heavily divided not just by warlords but also by objectives.

Some groups are in MCA for business purposes and they don't care what happens to the country as long as their pockets are save.

There is another group who cares only about positions and play politics all the time where they sway their stand according to the wind flow.

Our focus today is on a group which always talk about the Chinese without ever thinking of other races.

This group is actually a pain for MCA because they are largely influential in MCA politics and they are heavyweights within the Party's four walls.

"More Chinese schools, more money for Chinese education, more businesses for Chinese, more contracts for Chinese, more allocation for Chinese NGOs ..... "

Any failure to fulfill these, the MCA leadership will have to be prepared to be voted out in the next party election.

Change the word "Chinese" to "Malay" and make it Perkasa's demands, won't MCA criticize it ? Why slam the role of Perkasa and its relationship with UMNO or former leaders ?

All these while, MCA and the Chinese NGOs and the extremist Chinese group in the Party are like blood brothers.

So, am I wrong to say MCA has extremist elements ? No I am not.

So before the leaders start talking about UMNO and Perkasa, my advice to MCA leaders is to first look at our own backyard first.

This is coming from someone who boldly and vocally supports MCA, me.

Why are we slamming others when our backyard looks dirty and we make ourselves vulnerable to retaliation attacks which we probably can't defend ?

Will MCA dare to distance themselves from the Chinese NGOs ? MCA leaders cannot and must not be seen as saying one thing but doing another.

The fault does not lie solely in Perkasa for MCA's failure to win Chinese votes. So, please. Get the cards right.

Next, I will point out to you why MCA's New Media Unit might turn out to be a big joke. And yes, MCA copied not just UMNO's concept but their unit name also - Unit Media Baru (UMB).

MCA & Perkasa

2010-05-02T08:49:00.000+08:00

I didn't want to say much about MCA & Perkasa but due to demands at my Facebook page and my blog, here it is.

I was wrong when I turned sour grapes after BN lost at Bukit Gantang but I realized that if a certain cluster of the population is not voting us, we must see why and how we can improve on it.

Turning our backs to them will only make things worse.

I believe UMNO Youth, Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Ti Lian Ker were right in criticizing Ibrahim Ali's suggestion to cut spending to the Chinese community in Hulu Selangor and I share their views.

But one cannot deny the facts and the truth of Ibrahim Ali's response to Dr Chua.

The words were so true that I don't see any MCA leader comment further on this matter at all except to say that Ibrahim Ali is looking for publicity. A cornered argument I must say.

Datuk Ibrahim Ali's haunting words were

"Whether Perkasa exists or not, the results would have been the same. The Chinese voters have rejected MCA even before Perkasa was formed."

MCA is really in an awkward position. He has a point, you know ?

These days, everyone keeps focusing on what UMNO leaders and Perkasa's struggles are. Naturally and evidently, these two organizations champion the causes of the majority - the Malays - in Malaysia.

Every word UMNO and Perkasa's leaders utter, it will be classified as uncomfortable to the Chinese and Indians.

May I ask, what MCA's struggles or objectives are if not for the Chinese ?

Week in week out, we have the Chinese NGOs collaborating and discussing with MCA on various Chinese issues - commerce, education and welfare.

And what gives MCA the rights to talk about Chinese community matters but not Perkasa on Malay related issues ?

As far as I know, Ong Tee Keat was the only one in MCA talking about the interests of not just the Chinese but Malaysians as a whole.

He wanted to change the way we think in MCA and the way we function though he could not proceed now.

If you ask me, from my observations, MCA leaders aren't clear at all where they are heading politically.

"Chinese Extremism in MCA" is probably my next article.

Blame yourself, Pakatan Rakyat

2010-04-27T21:20:00.001+08:00

I took some time off to ponder the recent election results of Hulu Selangor. Congratulations to P Kamalanathan for being elected as the people's representative there.

PKR's loss can only be blamed on two matters. First of all, the choice of candidate ain't good. Secondly, PAS must be blamed too.

PKR's style of using recycled BN rejects will not work anymore. Grassroots of PKR, who fought tooth and nail for Anwar during the reformasi days, do want to see themselves on stage instead of being butlers for superstar rejects from Barisan Nasional that are cherished in PKR.

Using a Kota Bahru man surely didn't help and that was one of the reasons why P Kamalanathan's issue of being a non local (from Rawang) wasn't played up heatedly by Pakatan Rakyat.

After all, P Kamalanathan is a Selangor man as opposed to the man from Kelantan. The newly elected YB will know the State issues and the locals better than Zaid.

Moreover, placing Zaid as the candidate left PKR with no issues to play except recycling national issues, spearheaded by Anwar Ibrahim's rhetoric.

DAP would have handled it in a better manner though if it was a DAP State Government.

The brainiacs in DAP will know that in such a situation with two imported candidates (non local), only candies and carrots will win the election which Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim failed to do so convincingly.

Thumbs down to PKR. But the matter does not end there. PAS, I feel, tried to stay away from the controversial Zaid Ibrahim.

Zaid said his drinking days were his past and he is over it now, thus in other words, he admitted his religious error and seeked forgiveness.

But PAS cannot be seen as endorsing his actions or else the conservatives in PAS will slam the leadership.

After all, such a move will mean that one can go against the religion, admit the fault and seek forgiveness and things will be forgotten which I doubt the Syariah laws operate in such a way.

Moreover, Selangor PAS made a controversial statement during the campaign that they will commit 20% of their staff only.

God knows what that meant and how committed they are when big guns from other component parties came from across the nation.

P Kamalanathan whom I previously described as "Humble, informative, visionary and a simple man whose smile captures the hearts of many", stands to serve the constituents better than a former BN Minister who joined PKR and became a "senior leader" without rising through the ranks of thousands of PKR grassroot members.

So, Pakatan Rakyat can only blame themselves and well done to Barisan Nasional.

Vote for P Kamalanathan

2010-04-23T20:30:00.000+08:00

Let me first list down the accusations made against P Kamalanathan (BN) chronologically.

P Kamalanathan kissed Tan Sri Muhyiddin's hands so he kowtows to UMNO

P Kamalanathan has a fake degree

P Kamalanathan is a phantom voter in Sg Siput

These are all lies, to be honest.

He has always been fair with his words about the relationship of component parties in Barisan Nasional.

In fact, he dares to stand up and state his stand to UMNO leaders, MIC leaders as well as MCA leaders on various political issues.

If P Kamalanathan's hand-kissing act is regarded as kowtow-ing to UMNO, then what about

UMNO leaders in Chinese-style shirts,
their desire to learn Mandarin and Tamil to serve the people better,
or the writing of "unity" in Chinese at a recent Hua Zhong event ?

Does that mean kowtow-ing to the Chinese, Indians or MCA ?

It is purely culture and we respect the culture of other races. This is what we call 1Malaysia and P Kamalanathan has done just that.

God knows what Pakatan Rakyat supporters and leaders will say if P Kamalanathan wears a baju Melayu one day.

I don't know what sort of Middle Malaysia or Malaysian Malaysia which the Pakatan Rakyat fellows are preaching.

Strange Pakatan Rakyat bedfellows who cannot even understand the respect of cultures and how 1Malaysia attempts to blur the racial lines to assimilate and integrate races in Malaysia.

And yet, Pakatan Rakyat constantly ask us to vote them in to govern Malaysia.

As for the fake degree, P Kamalanathan won't go around claiming he has a degree if he doesn't have one. Hey, if he wants to lie, he might as well choose a top ranked university and lie, right or not ?

After all, the repercussions and adverse effects politically from lying about education qualification is clear cut.

To clear things up, P Kamalanathan published a scanned copy of his degree online as promised to counter such baseless allegations.

Read : Kamalanathan shows proof he's a Bachelor and Olympia confirms Kamalanathan's degree

For preposterous talks regarding P Kamalanathan as a phantom voter, I refer you to BDDC. His arguments are based on good researches carried out on this matter.

Put all things aside, this is a battle between Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and P Kamalanathan. A former Barisan Nasional man against the Barisan Nasional's MIC Information Chief.

If you ask me to describe P Kamalanathan, I will say the same thing I tell everyone. Humble, informative, visionary and a simple man whose smile captures the hearts of many.

Vote P Kamalanathan, for Hulu Selangor and the country !

Hari Keputeraan Sultan Perak ke 82

2010-04-19T14:10:00.000+08:00

Ampun Tuanku, Sultan Perak. Patik sembah tahniah Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah sempena Hari Keputeraan Tuanku yang ke-82.

Semoga Tuanku dilanjutkan usia dan Perak terus maju di bawah pemerintahan Tuanku.

Sempena dengan Hari Keputeraan Tuanku, seorang pendidik yang dihormati dan disanjungi ramai anak Perak iaitu Brother Vincent Corkery, diberi pengiktirafan dengan anugerah gelaran Datuk (D.P.M.P)

(Congratulations and the best of health to you, Brother Vincent Corkery ! )

Ampun Tuanku. APOMM sembah tahniah Ke Bawah DYMM Tuanku. Kebijaksanaan, keadilan dan kedaulatan Tuanku Sultan Perak kekal di mata anak-anak Perak.

A La Salle Brother's plight

2010-04-16T21:08:00.001+08:00

I came across an article written by Zorro Unmasked on April 1st, 2010. In that article, Zorro Unmasked mentioned about Brother Vincent Corkery and his citizenship application.

And on 14 April 2010, I read Ipoh Echo online and saw THIS article. The title caught my eye and attention - Plight of a Forgotten La Salle Brother

After posting this article online, Madam Tan Cheng Liang was kind enough to provide me pointers on how to proceed further.

I went to school immediately this afternoon to see Brother Vincent Corkery at La Salle Centre, St Michael's Institution.

It is indeed interesting that Brother Vincent remembered my contributions to the school's best ever debating achievement back in 2002 and 2003.

My fellow friends and I became the National Runners up for Parliamentary English Debates organized by the Ministry of Education in 2002, which involved all the schools in Malaysia, as well as winning the coveted Kinta Rotary Club Challenge Trophy in 2003.

I talked to Brother Vincent about the "plight" and volunteered to help him personally since I have the time.

Brother Vincent Corkery shared his opinions with me that he is happy to keep his European citizenship while enjoying the benefits of a Malaysian PR which is as good as citizenship.

He needed a citizenship in the past in his role as an educationist and as head of school to serve the students and school better, which is no longer necessary now.

I hope no socio political blogger or newspaper columnist will politicize this matter further.

Though I must say, the State Government should consider a provision of gratuity in monetary form besides providing him with any further assistance he needs.

He has done a lot for sons of Perak and deserves to be rewarded or given due recognition.

Whispers in the school were loud and I have news that Brother Vincent Corkery, a La Salle Brother and well respected educationist in Perak, will receive a royal award (I know the title which will be conferred) from the Palace on Monday (19 April 2010) at Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

Tuanku has proven from time to time that the Palace will give recognition where it is due.

Anak Perak berdoa, semoga usia Tuanku dilanjutkan dan Perak kekal cemerlang di bawah pemerintahan Tuanku Sultan Perak.

Daulat Tuanku Sultan Perak ! I am proud to be a Perakian.

Dr Pornthip's safety guaranteed

2010-04-14T12:26:00.001+08:00

It is good to read that the Attorney General Chambers under Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein guarantee the safety of Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand to Malaysia.

Dr Porntship's safety is guaranteed if she returns to Malaysia to testify and justify her "80% homicide" statement she made on October 21st, 2009. Good move to guarantee her safety I must say to the Government !

The ruling coalition is at the losing end in terms of image and perspective in this case. Logically speaking, the Government desperately need Dr Pornthip to return to prove her claims, theory and report in Court.

Do take note that there cannot be a blanket guarantee for Dr Pornthip's safety rationally. Just like no one can guarantee a tourist's safety when he or she is traveling overseas.

Hey, you never know what will happen right ? And that is why there are insurances out there ! So I really hope that the Home Minister and the AG know what they are doing.

However, I must caution the Federal Government that Dr Pornthip is a forensic expert appointed by the Selangor Government.

The Selangor Government should also play a role in ensuring the safety of Dr Pornthip.

Dr Pornthip must be given full security details fit for a Royalty with Gobind Singh Deo or a member of Teoh's family at her side for 24 hours as watch and witness.

This is vital to avoid any spin doctors from working their magic in pushing the blame to either side of the political divide in case of any unfortunate events.

Whatever the decision is, please give us a conclusion for the Teoh Beng Hock inquiry.

It has been ongoing for far too long. We are talking about a dead person here and his family members deserve to know. May the truth prevail.

My predictions ? With Pornthip's views being different from that of Dr Shahidan Md Noor, the piece that could solve the puzzle is in the hands of Dr Peter Vanezis from Britain.

BN must name G Palanivel

2010-04-11T13:38:00.000+08:00

MIC's candidate will be known on April 15 while PKR will announce their candidate on April 13

It is brilliant of the PM to stop matters from getting worse as UMNO and MIC leaders in Selangor battled for the right to be the candidate when the PM announced that the seat is reserved for MIC.

The PM stopped short of endorsing MIC's choice of candidate for Hulu Selangor's by election.

MIC has openly supported Datuk G Palanivel who is a familiar face in Hulu Selangor and 4 term MP of that constituency.

Several bloggers have pushed for P Kamala Nathan, MIC's Information Chief, to be the candidate for MIC.

I had once met up and shared ideas with him a few months ago personally and I have no objections to him being a Barisan Nasional candidate for any election at any seat.

MIC is in need of leaders who can reach out and communicate with the people easily and he is indeed a suitable candidate some day to be the MIC President.

But for this Hulu Selangor seat, I hope the Barisan Nasional leadership do not interfere with MIC's preferred choice in Datuk G Palanivel.

Let the Party decide as I believe the Party has their own plans - succession plan and strategic transformation.

Datuk G Palanivel is tailored to be the next MIC President. If the Hulu Selangor candidacy is given to someone else, MIC will be in a dilemma.

They could face a problem of either a "just one term MP" (if the chosen one gives way to Datuk G Palanivel in the 13th GE) or they could have a "non MP President" for quite some time.

This will definitely disrupt MIC's succession plans and open the flood gates for a Party crisis.

You can't really expect a 4 term winner at Hulu Selangor to be a fresh face at another town and win comfortable, right ?

Let Datuk G Palanivel have a chance again in Hulu Selangor, although he lost in the 12th General Election to the late Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad from PKR.

The results, win or lose, will be able to help dictate Barisan Nasional's plans in Selangor in future as well as provide a clearer path for MIC leadership succession plan.

BN must name G Palanivel on April 15.

MCA Office Holders Analysis

2010-04-09T10:22:00.001+08:00

Official List of MCA Party Office Holders

MCA Central Committee Members, Presidential Council members and MCA State Chiefs - Full list

MCA National Bureau Chairman and Deputy Chairman - Full list

Interesting observations

Chua Tee Yong has been appointed as Presidential Council member. Under the Greater Unity Plan of Ong Tee Keat - Chua Soi Lek, Chua Tee Yong was appointed by the former President as Central Committee member.

According to news report, Chew Mei Fun has resigned from her posts - Wanita MCA Chief, Wanita MCA Selangor Chairman, Party’s Crisis Relief Squad Chief, Senator and Deputy Minister. Not in the list is her position as Presidential Council Member (but I assume she lets it go too)

When Tee Keat was President, he appointed many who weren't his staunch supporters to core Party positions. He was criticized by his detractors. When the Party was embroiled in a crisis, Tee Keat's move of appointing loyalists were slammed too.

Jalan kiri kena marah, jalan kanan pun kena marah. Now, is Soi Lek's "Cabinet" better than Tee Keat's ? That we have to ask the Central Delegates, Liow Tiong Lai, Wee Ka Siong and Chew Mei Fun.

Out of MCA's 24 Bureau, how many are actually active, functioning and hands on ?

Datuk Lee Chee Leong is the Deputy Foreign Minister. Why is he 2nd to Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Finance Minister, in the International Affairs Bureau ? What is the logic ?

Datuk Chor Chee Heung holds two positions in the Bureau list - Chairman of International Affairs Bureau and Deputy Chairman of Economic Bureau.

Dr Fong Chan Onn is also holding two positions - Chairman of Economic Bureau and Chairman of INSAP. The others, if my eyes are right, hold single positions only.

Chua Tee Yong is the Young Professionals Bureau Chief. Together with MCA Youth Chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, I await to see how MCA will attract talented members and leaders.

I once proposed to MCA Infocom and received ridiculous replies. Since the "crisis" is over, I await to see if Senator Heng Seai Kie will perform in her Bureau.

Tee Keat's projects when he was President include the Direct Presidential elections and the Party NKRA. Will these materialize under the new leadership ? Or will it be status quo also, Dr Chua ?

Now that Chew Mei Fun has honored her word and upheld her principles, which shocked me by the way, an article highlighted by my fellow friend - justice4otk - will probably see another resignation take place.

In an interview with The Sun and when answering a question on Soi Lek, Liow said "If I’m supposed to work with him and he becomes president (laughs) I better resign."

MCA Party Positions

2010-04-02T12:31:00.002+08:00

The new MCA President, Dr Chua Soi Lek, must decide who among the Party leaders should be

Ministers (4),
Deputy Ministers (7)
Senators (10)
MCA State Chiefs (12)
Secretary General
Treasurer General
National Organizing Secretary
appointed Central Committee members (8)
MCA bureau Chiefs (25)

There are 2 units which could face a revamp or reshuffle - INSAP and MCA Information and Communications Bureau.

The main thrusts of Soi Lek's team are to unite and rejuvenate the Party. To do so, he must appease all 3 factions - his own supporters, Tee Keat and Ka Ting's team as well.

To me, MCA's election results has all along been necessary to be used as a convenient excuse for a Cabinet reshuffle since the rumor of a reshuffle came around late last year.

Any other excuses will not be strong enough and will invite the criticisms from the Opposition.

Dropping Tee Keat as a Minister could work against the Prime Minister and Soi Lek's efforts for a stronger Party, coalition and Government.

People will go around town saying that Tee Keat's removal as Transport Minister is linked to the PKFZ independent audit report.

Perhaps may I suggest to Soi Lek and the Prime Minister, if seniority and results of MCA Election matters, that Tee Keat should be given the portfolio of Housing & Local Government Minister ?

I believe Tee Keat's performance thus far as a Minister has been good and good Ministers should not be dropped.

A recent poll by Merdeka Centre also showed that Tee Keat has the support of Malaysians and the Chinese community.

Tee Keat's team is the minority now in MCA. This showed that the MCA delegates have voted against the results of the independent poll.

I challenge MCA's new Central Committee 2010-2011 to propose a new independent poll to measure the acceptance of the Party's new leadership by 3 categories of the population - the youths, the Malaysian Chinese community and all Malaysians.

This will provide the 1 million members in the Party a clear feedback on where the leadership stands.

MCA 2010 Election Analysis

2010-03-29T11:43:00.001+08:00

The results for MCA 2010 Election were disappointing. I have many things to say but I shall highlight a few of my thoughts based on my inside information.

MCA's new office bearers consist of leaders who have investigation files with MACC, PAC as well as the Police which have yet to be concluded or announced. Google and newspapers are easily accessible to confirm this.

Yen Yen is the first one to say that MCA has forgiven Soi Lek. Note that she said MCA. And MCA is possibly the first party in the world to have a sex scandal politician as President though I must agree that is his personal problem.

Ong Tee Keat's team must do a post mortem and see where they went wrong. An honest and sincere reporting must be handed up to the Chief - be it the fault of the team or the errors made by the former President himself.

It is also said that someone in the former President Ong Tee Keat's camp betrayed the team at the last moment by asking the Delegates not to vote for the President. Can anyone confirm this ?

Congratulations to all the new office bearers. All the best to all of you. You are now the "trustees" and "representatives" of the national body for 1 year.

The circus in MCA will take place again in 2011 (Constitutionally required Party Election) with many Branches and Divisions starting their meetings as early as the end of this year.

Will MCA move towards a similar structure like the DAP (Father - son) ? Will MCA continue to speak up and be vocal on issues ? Or will MCA be pushovers and eunuchs ? Is MCA able to face DAP and rise again to be relevant ?

The Malaysian community will be watching MCA with hawk eyes. Tee Keat has some words to say to all. Read his note here - Congratulations to the Victors of MCA elections

But Wanita MCA Chief Chew Mei Fun must resign with immediate effect. She said that if Soi Lek is made President, she will go. Latest news : Chew to consult committee before making quit decision. We still remember what she told the former President.

27 March 2010, Wisma MCA

2010-03-27T21:35:00.001+08:00

This afternoon, the Facebook group administered by a group of youths - You'll Never Walk Alone <> We Walk With You - decided to check out the final campaigning day at Wisma MCA.

It is also a day when the 2378 Central Delegates begin to arrive and register. Registration begins at 3.30pm but many of the candidates' supporters were already there early.

The men in orange are volunteers who turned up to help Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat's campaign machinery. Some are strong supporters from the Facebook group.

It is interesting to note that there were volunteers who came from various States across the nation - Johor, Pahang, Perak, and KL.

A pat on the back to those men in orange who worked hard with only a bottle of water in hand to drive them on throughout the day.

Tee Keat's men troop on, regardless of the challenges they face or the arrogance and disrespect other candidates' machinery show to them.

I wish the President the best for tomorrow's Election Day. A vote for Tee Keat is a vote for transformation of MCA.

A PIECE OF MY MIND has been a supporter since the early days and will continue to support his vision regardless of the outcome tomorrow.

Supporters of Tee Keat, 28 March 2010 is a day when all of us wear orange regardless of where we are across the nation - be it at home, outdoors or at Wisma MCA !

The following are some pictures taken at Wisma MCA today.

Tee Keat's Election Campaign

2010-03-26T21:30:00.003+08:00

I apologize for not writing much on MCA recently as I was away for a short trip to Down Under. Moreover, I believe my previous two articles were good enough to tell all about MCA crisis and 2010 Party Elections.

You can read them again - Ong Ka Ting's politics and Ong Tee Keat must win

As for the recent polling results that Tee Keat is the favourite, I am skeptical. No doubt, I am a strong supporter of the incumbent President.

But I am also one who likes to criticize the President and his team's strategies. This time, I think they made a disastrous move again.

The election team were all on the right track. Until of course, a recent hyped up polling result by Merdeka Centre which favored Tee Keat.

It was followed by an article that interpreted Tee Keat's comments that he is now the favorites, no longer the underdog.

I wasn't quite happy to read that, to be honest.

One must not be played by polling results and the favourites tag. Or else, one will lose the sympathy and fence sitter votes which are crucial in any election.

Over confidence can push one over the cliff but humility will win the war. Take it as an advice from a political analyst, like it or not.

Also, I proposed that Tee Keat should post recorded video messages online for the benefit of all as part of the election campaign. There are reasons to this.

There are many delegates whom are controlled by warlords. Some of these delegates don't dare to attend Tee Keat's campaign meetings, luncheon or dinner.

So they don't get to hear the President's words or election manifesto.

The videos could have boosted his chances and all 2378 Delegates can hear his messages at their own time, privacy and pleasure.

I didn't see any of the videos online but perhaps the President and his team are wiser than me.

I can be the President's strongest supporter but I do not want to be a silent one or a yes man.

Ong Tee Keat 2008 Campaign Videos

2010-03-19T10:36:00.000+08:00

Ong Tee Keat must win

2010-03-17T10:58:00.001+08:00

In MCA Political Alliances, I said that if it is a 3 horse race for the Presidency, the winner will most probably receive only 40% of the Delegates votes while the remaining two could possibly get 30% each.

In other words, the winner of the Presidential campaign will command only 40% of the delegates support and 60% of the Delegates don't think he is the right man. MCA crisis will possibly continue.

Well, for MCA's sake, Tee Keat should be made President with 50% or more votes from the Delegates regardless of the number of Presidential candidates.

Or MCA will be at the losing end. In my previous article, Ong Ka Ting's politics, I pointed out why Ong Ka Ting's faction won't bring any good to MCA.

I also said that the Tee Keat-Ka Chuan combination is probable though not desirable. (Yes, I said this)

Allow me to add more here. MCA knows they must reform after losing badly in March 2008. The Chinese community slapped and kicked MCA while shouting the words "Change your ways!".

If the MCA Central Delegates choose to vote for Ong Ka Ting's faction to return to power, I don't see how such a decision reflect the calls by the Chinese community.

The party will not be seen as changing their ways or reforming the Party's political structure if the Central Delegates choose to return to the old leadership's ways.

DAP has presented themselves successfully as a Party represented by professionals and well educated youth. What do we have in MCA ? Old men, old methods and old mentality.

So going back to the old ways, MCA will be on the path to the end of days. Choosing the old leadership will also see MCA being blasted from day to night by the Opposition with all sorts of issues.

Then, we ask. What about Soi Lek ? Thus far, we know that the loyalists of Soi Lek are Loh Seng Kok and Tan Chai Ho.

One of my buddies said correctly. Which political party in this world makes a man with a sex scandal the President of the Party ?

Moreover, I believe Loh Seng Kok and Tan Chai Ho cannot be compared to the talented, young and eloquent leaders of DAP. And neither are they comparable to Ong Tee Keat's team.

MCA must understand, we must not make the Party a laughing stock when we are constantly being compared with DAP's elected representatives. There must be some minimum standards and qualities to consider, no ?

This leaves us with Ong Tee Keat. The incumbent President has managed to attract a string of well qualified loyalists and supporters. In fact, Ong Tee Keat commands the support from professionals whom are non members of MCA.

Like it or not, the only solution MCA has is to see Tee Keat winning with more than 50% votes from the Central Delegates. All other solutions won't bring any good to the Party as pointed out in my article MCA Political Alliances.

By the way, I heard that there is a faction leader going around campaigning against two relatively small but upcoming leaders of MCA : Datuk Ti Lian Ker and Senator Heng Seai Kie.

My, my. Instead of explaining his faction's agenda, manifesto or what he can do for MCA, he chooses to tell people not to vote for Datuk Ti Lian Ker and Senator Heng Seai Kie regardless of which post they contest for.

I am very interested to hear the reasons on why this faction leader dislikes one of MCA's vocal, direct, no-nonsense and uprising leader Datuk Ti Lian Ker as well as the nice and humble Senator.

I welcome the announcement by Senator Heng Seai Kie to contest for a Central Committee position.

Ong Ka Ting's politics

2010-03-14T11:44:00.001+08:00

When Ong Ka Ting was President, the Presidential office was successful. The marketing boys branded the President as a Mr Nice Guy.

We see in the papers day to day that Ong Ka Ting is close to the Chinese community and helped the people - be it in commerce or education.
But Ong Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy's era were not without controversies. Which Minister has ever handed over a Government Ministerial position to a kin ?

And then, there were chatter on vice, phantom members, triads, money lending licences (Ah Longs), PKFZ and nepotism. Some of these issues are still haunting MCA today.

When Ka Ting and Kong Choy stepped down with the Central Committee being their men, it is said that Tee Keat will be supported to be President while Ka Chuan will be the Deputy President.

In other words, probably Tee Keat was to be a puppet President and allow Ka Chuan time to consolidate his position to takeover as President of MCA.

Just like the plans in UMNO's triangle power transition of Mahathir - Abdullah - Najib. The only difference is this involves brotherhood and dynasty rule.

The former leadership had many men in core MCA bureaus and committees including the Chinese dailies. Do I need to name them ?

No MCA President has ever been attacked by the Chinese press with a vendetta and Tee Keat was the first. But things didn't go according to plan back in Oct 2008 and Ka Chuan lost to Soi Lek.

Indeed, I cannot stop myself from thinking whether Chua Soi Lek was also played out when he announced his resignation as Deputy President recently.
If the rumours are true that Liow Tiong Lai seconded a nomination form for Soi Lek to be President, then why are Ka Ting's men calling for the former President to make a return ?

In fact, by now, 8 Johor Divisions have called for Ka Ting to return. And in December 2009, Soi Lek's Johor MCA meeting was attended by 13 out of 26 Johor MCA Division leaders only.

Didn't Soi Lek sense something wrong was going on at his own home ground ?

It is probable that Ka Ting's men have all along been using Tiong Lai as a tool to allow the top two titans Ong Tee Keat and Chua Soi Lek to clash. This is then followed up by the latest flowery words from MCA leaders to ask Ka Ting to return and "save MCA".
Will Ka Ting really come out of retirement when Ka Chuan had just announced that he will be contesting on March 28 ? The whispers are getting louder that he is.

But if you ask me, I think it is just another play.

I believe Ong Ka Chuan is the man who will be the leader of Ong Ka Ting's faction. And in my previous post, I said that the Tee Keat-Ka Chuan combination is probable though not desirable.

Oh my, I think I have written too much .... fiction. Ignore me :)

MCA : Political Alliances

2010-03-13T17:45:00.000+08:00

MCA is in a mess. The political alignment ain't clear. Even if it is now, it might just be smokescreens. Let me share with you some insights of MCA.

1. Chua Soi Lek - Liow Tiong Lai

This alliance won't last. Liow Tiong Lai's support comes from the camps of Ong Ka Ting, Ong Ka Chuan, Wee Ka Siong and Chew Mei Fun.

But Dr Chua is still licking his wounds from the snoop squad case. Any such alliance will fail for sure.

Moreover, Chew Mei Fun was reported to have said that if Chua goes for the Presidency, she will quit. If they team up, both parties are expected to play each other out.

Soi Lek could possibly work with Ka Siong while collecting support from his loyalists like Tan Chai Ho and Loh Seng Kok.

2. Ong Tee Keat - Chua Soi Lek

By now, I doubt anyone in Tee Keat's camp will trust Soi Lek anymore.

I warned the leaders that we must not take Soi Lek's goodwill and support blindly as I don't trust him much even though he was a good Minister of Health.

In the end, my warning became a reality and Soi Lek turned the tables on Tee Keat's camp.

So, no doubt, the chances are not there for them to work together, regardless of Soi Lek's philosophy of "politics is about making the impossible possible".

3. Chua Soi Lek - Ong Ka Chuan

Soi Lek will say no to the Ong brothers.

Soi Lek's career was prematurely ended by the sex scandal and he was once accused of attempting to topple the then President Ong Ka Ting.

4. Ong Tee Keat - Ong Ka Chuan

This is actually possible. It was said that Ka Ting's men backed Tee Keat to be the President in Oct 2008.

The "chai dan" (menu) back then was for Tee Keat to be President and Ka Chuan to be Deputy President.

But Tee Keat will be at the losing end again if he teams up with Ong Ka Chuan.

The incumbent President risks losing his loyal supporters and could possibly be a puppet for Ong Ka Ting-Ong Ka Chuan's faction.

Thus, this leaves us with the final possibility of a 3 factions war with NO ALLIANCES.

5. Ong Tee Keat vs (either Ong Ka Ting or Ong Ka Chuan) vs Chua Soi Lek

If the Presidential contest sees 3 candidates, whoever the winner is won't have a strong grip of the Party either.

I foresee MCA to face the same problems as UMNO Youth now.

The winner will most probably receive only 40% of the Delegates votes while the remaining two could possibly get 30% each.

In other words, the winner of the Presidential campaign will command only 40% of the delegates support and 60% of the Delegates don't think he is the right man.

MCA crisis will possibly continue until the next MCA elections in 2011.

Next up, I will share with you on Ong Ka Ting's politics.

A complex MCA Crisis

2010-03-12T08:53:00.001+08:00

The political analysts are saying different things. For instance

1. Tee Keat and Liow may team up again
2. Chua-Liow alliance to block Ong?
3. Three Blocs In MCA Fresh Polls?

Back in 2009, I was pro Ong Tee Keat and I also warned that we must not take Dr Chua Soi Lek's goodwill or support blindly.

In fact, I refused to shed off the possibility that Ong Ka Chuan is still a man who wields great influence in MCA.

Actually Tiong Lai is in a Catch-22 situation since his support base is mainly from Ong Ka Ting's men.

He knows Dr Chua is still hunting for the people from the snoop squad case.
And it ain't a secret that Ong Ka Ting's men aren't a fan of Dr Chua.
Liow knows Dr Chua won't be sincere if they work together.
Dr Chua knows Liow won't be sincere if they work together.
Both know clearly well that their "marriage" most probably will fail if they team up in MCA.

I leave the rest for you to ponder. I might write up something once I see a clearer political alignment.

One article caught my attention. Okay for Tee Keat to defend post, says Mei Fun

"Asked whether she still maintains that if Chua is going for the No. 1 post she will quit her party post, Chew said she will provide an answer when "this thing really happens".

Oh my. Really, Datin Paduka said that before ?

Already, we know that the Wanita Chief and Pemuda MCA Chief refused to call for fresh elections in their own wings because they maintained that only the national body is embroiled in a leadership crisis.

Principles. I wonder if Dr Wee Ka Siong will attack Mei Fun and give her a lecture on "Principles" if Soi Lek actually contests to be President of MCA.

Fake MCA Facebook Fan Page

2010-03-11T09:11:00.000+08:00

Right after the pro Tee Keat Facebook group was formed, I noticed something interesting. Newcomers to Facebook - Chua Soi Lek and MCA(Malaysian Chinese Association).

Whether or not Chua Soi Lek and his team manage the account or it is fake, I don't know. But I was overwhelmed with joy that MCA finally set up a Facebook Fan Page.

I thought that MCA can at last deliver and serve the people better, minus all the bureaucracy and hassle of visiting a service centre (which is closed most of the time in some area).

But I wasn't happy and wanted to blast MCA Infocom for an obvious error. Acronyms are meant to be in brackets, not the full name itself.

Until I checked one thing. The "NOTES" section. All the notes there are from Dr Chua Soi Lek's blog. I suspected something was wrong and immediately raised this matter yesterday morning.

Indeed I was right. MCA Infocom instantly clarified that the MCA(Malaysian Chinese Association) Fan Page is not managed by MCA HQ - thus a fake one !

Hmm. Dr Chua and his men has some explaining to do. Do I smell scents of arrogance in Chua's camp ? If it is the work of Dr Chua's supporters, then shame on you.

Don't use MCA's name as a machinery to promote one's agenda - especially a leader who is not even the President of MCA or an appointed spokesperson for the Party.

Chatter on MCA Crisis

2010-03-10T09:06:00.003+08:00

Rockybru and Dnightcaller have listed down a clear cut and simple analysis on Tee Keat's position.

You can read the two articles :

1. Najib's headache, Tee Keat's heartache
2. Of MCA's presidential turmoil : My wish ...

Others have decided to use this opportunity to attack MCA and Ong Tee Keat as racists and conspirators with Gerakan and DAP on Chinese rights in Malaysia all these while.

Well, let me be honest with you. I have talked to MCA leaders as well as grassroots men. I can say that MCA has never conspired with Gerakan or DAP. I know this as a matter of fact.

Moreover, if we are conspirators with Gerakan or DAP, then MCA's Vice President would not have said "MCA will sink or swim with UMNO" in January 2009.

We won't slap ourselves in a time when the Chinese were already saying that MCA leaders are not fit to represent the community.

Thus, we are not conspiring with anyone but we work hand in hand with UMNO, MIC, Gerakan and other BN component parties to develop our beloved country.

Also, MCA has never blackmailed the BN leadership and neither is it true that Chinese will take over in the next election as warned by Perkasa.

What Dong Zong, Jiao Zong, Hua Zong and the ACCCIM demand is not the official stand by MCA at all. MCA merely facilitates and hand up the comments or suggestions to the Government when necessary.

But they do have their rights to voice out their inputs to the Government, just like how Perkasa, MPM, and others execute theirs.

In fact, recently, there were strong rumours that these Chinese NGOs are to replace MCA. Surely, it wasn't MCA's idea.

So please. Get the facts right first before pouring out the unfounded arguments. I do not wish to see baseless accusations being used to destroy the coalition's unity and to sink MCA.

We walk with you, Tee Keat

2010-03-07T11:09:00.000+08:00

Dear readers of A PIECE OF MY MIND, do join us in our Facebook Group : You'll Never Walk Alone <> We Walk With You

The following is the information cum declaration of this group. I will blog more on MCA politics beginning from Tuesday as I am busy with other matters. Come back for more.

Members of the press can pick this up, if interested.

- START -

We are here to share our thoughts and ideas on the leadership of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat as MCA President. Datuk Seri is a good leader who has never turned his head away from helping the Chinese Community and Malaysians. We do hope we can invite more people to join this Group and to give him our utmost support, vote of confidence and words of encouragement.

<< 人生没有多少个十年　，华社没有多少个好领导者，　但愿我们可以一起为翁诗杰共勉之．我相信我们可以一同凝聚最大的力量，谁知道在最后所有的中央代表都被我们的真诚所打动, 然后为翁诗杰打气．我相信公道旨在人心，　谁是真人，谁是为君子，到最后就得靠中央代表去决定 >>

We believe in DS OTK as he is a man who has the will, the courage and the ability to reform MCA. His principles are worthy of our respect. Practices of transparency, accountability and good governance have all the while been the core principles of DS OTK

Being handed down a Party in search of answers for political restructuring and survival in 2008, DS OTK created a new political brand for MCA. Vocal, reformist, courageous, no-nonsense and People First Performance Now. He wants to change the party to be more transparent, accountable and to place importance in the people above all else.

Namely, the independent audit report on PKFZ and the cancellation of support letters for bidders or lobbyists for all government tenders, be it those called by the Transport Ministry or other ministries. At the Party level, DS OTK worked on Direct Party Elections system to make the voting process in MCA more democratic via a larger decision maker platform.

Sadly, being vocal, courageous and direct do not bode well with many in the Party. Somehow, opportunists are not willing to support the new brand of MCA politics due to their stakes in businesses which have long been associated with MCA. Party Elders and warlords are not willing to allow such change to happen simply because they are not willing to let go their authority. Yet, they speak of reforms and the need to engage the youth.

MCA must now decide. Whether to choose the person who walks the talk courageously and charismatically or to choose to return to the old ways while hiding behind veiled words of reform. We believe, as a matter of fact, DS OTK is the window of hope and opportunity for MCA to move forward with the Chinese community and to meet challenges in the new millenium.

We need a strong and determined leader to reform and develop our country while acknowledging and preserving the fundamental rights and opportunities of the Malaysian Chinese community.

It is time for us to speak out loud and make ourselves heard. We need Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to lead the Malaysian Chinese Association and to ensure the success of the community, the Party and the nation as a whole.

Datuk Seri, we have nothing to offer, but words of encouragement that you are not alone. You have us and we walk down the challenging path with you, Datuk Seri. For MCA !

《〈人生没有多少个十年　，华社没有多少个好领导者，　但愿我们可以一起为翁诗杰共勉之．
我相信我们可以一同凝聚最大的力量，谁知道在最后所有的中央代表都被我们的真诚所打动, 然后为翁诗杰打气．我相信公道旨在人心，　谁是真人，谁是为君子，到最后就得靠中央代表区决定〉〉

I have nothing to be offered, but blood, toil, tears and sweat... Whatever you have thought, there is a must to bear in mind that we must succeed in life...

WE WALK WITH Dato Seri Ong Tee Keat, 让我们一起与翁诗杰一起奋斗吧。。。。

- end -

MCA : Greater Unity Plan failed

2010-03-04T18:06:00.003+08:00

Today, Dr Chua Soi Lek announced his resignation as MCA Deputy President. Together with this, 7 of his ardent supporters in the Central Committee resigned as well.

The total number of resignations in Wong Foon Meng's hands are 21 which is the minimum number of resignations needed to call for fresh party polls.

Back in December 2009, I sounded the warning bells and dropped hints in my blog articles. I raised concerns about Dr Chua Soi Lek's style in party politics.

Also, I sent some private messages in text form in the middle of Dec 2009 regarding the party politics played by certain leaders and what could be the results of those moves back then.

I was skeptical and doubted the sincerity of Dr Chua Soi Lek & Co. privately. Though he gave his support for the GUP and to the Presidential team, I was wary.

My words were clear when I raised my concerns and I did not mince a single word. "We must not take Dr Chua's goodwill and support blindly".

I await to see the next course of action that will be taken. I said it before and I will say it again. I have full confidence and faith in Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to lead MCA.

Win or lose, I walk with Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat till the end for the good things he did for us and for the hope he gave us Malaysians.

Proton Emas

2010-03-04T10:33:00.002+08:00

Enter the new era of Proton. Enter PROTON CONCEPTS. I believe in you, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Founder & Advisor Proton Holdings Berhad)

I believe in you, Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh (Chairman Proton Holdings Bhd)

I believe in you, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir (Managing Director Proton Holdings Bhd)

(Picture from Malaysian Mirror)

To all in Proton Holdings Bhd, make Malaysians feel proud of you. We believe in you ! Malaysia Boleh ! For more pictures, visit :

Exodus from Pakatan Rakyat

2010-03-03T09:48:00.001+08:00

ALLIES of Anwar

Ezam Mohd Noor

quit UMNO in 1998, joined PKR
former PKR Youth Chief (1999-2005)
former Political Secretary of Anwar Ibrahim
Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti Korupsi (GERAK) Chief
Was jailed for 2 years under OSA, arrested under ISA
fought for Anwar with demonstrations and political speeches
left PKR and rejoined UMNO (May 2008)

Anuar Shaari

former MoF officer
worked for Anwar (1996-1998)
once contested under PKR's ticket

M Nallakaruppan

Anwar's very close ally
tennis partner of Anwar
once said that Anwar received RM 60 mil of Magnum money from him
former Kepong PKR Chief
quit PKR in 2007, formed MIUP

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES who quit the Party (since 2008)

Jamaluddin Mat Radzi - ADUN PKR Perak (Feb 2009)
Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu - ADUN PKR Perak (Feb 2009)
Hee Yit Foong - ADUN DAP Perak (Feb 2009)
Mohd Radzhi Salleh - ADUN PKR, Kedah State Exco (Aug 2009)
Badrul Hisham Abdullah - ADUN PKR Klang (Oct 2009)
Zahrain Hashim - MP PKR Bayan Baru (Feb 2010)
Salehuddin Hashim - PKR National Secretary General (March 2010)
Mohd Fairus Khairuddin - Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (March 2010)
Tan Tee Beng - MP PKR Nibong Tebal (March 2010)
Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri - MP PKR Bagan Serai (March 2010)

Did I miss out anyone ? Drop me a message, I will add to the list.

Of course, after Pakatan Rakyat leaders exit their component parties, all sorts of accusations will be thrown at them by Pakatan Rakyat leaders :

they are frogs
they were being bought
they were under performing representatives/leaders
they are unqualified representatives with no standards
they are BN agents

If a Pakatan Rakyat leader speaks out against the leadership, the leaders will attack and label the critics as BN agents planted in the party. Then, they will be told to be a man and quit the Party.

After a Pakatan Rakyat leader quits the Party, they will be thrown with allegations and will be labeled as poor performance leaders and frogs who have been bought with money.

The script circulates along these lines ONLY when Pakatan leaders speak out against the Party AND when Pakatan leaders quit the Party.

The script is getting boring and lamer by day. Anything new ? PR must come to their senses. It is just like the 308 tsunami.

People voted for PR not because PR is holier than thou or their leaders are more qualified. People supported PR because BN weren't doing a good job and have many problems.

The same applies in the exodus of PR representatives, leaders and members from PR. They resigned mainly because of their unhappiness of the leadership in PR.

Instead of reviewing their policies and stand, the PR leaders slam these people as frogs. I urge Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Nik Aziz to tell all on :

who among the CURRENT leaders and elected representatives are LOW QUALITY and won't be selected for the next election

who among the CURRENT leaders and elected representatives have scandals linked to them - from the Free Anwar Campaign days onwards till today.

Anwar should also stop saying that those who quit PKR played the Malay and Islamic card. This will create an impression among the non Malays and moderate Malays that PKR is a fighter for all.

Back in November 2008, there was an article : Anwar - Pakatan committed to ensuring Malay rights
For the sake of the people, don't mislead the people and do tell us all.

Treachery in MCA (2)

2010-03-01T09:46:00.003+08:00

This is Part 2. In the previous article, I highlighted one important point.

Several meetings were organized and held. These meetings were to discuss and collude on who to fill the "vacancies" before the Central Committee even met to discuss the results of the 10-10-10 EGM and produce a solution.

There were NO CALLS from the "cartel" back then for fresh elections to determine who to fill those "vacancies" either.

They colluded among themselves and coaxed others to force the constitutional President and Deputy President to step down.

But today, they act like righteous proponents of democracy by saying it is a "FAIR REQUEST" to call for fresh elections to determine MCA's leadership.

MCA Central Committee members and legal advisers warned that any fresh election can only be held if 21 CC members resigned.

Thus far, only 13 tendered their undated resignation and the fresh election cannot be held based on the Constitution.

Naturally, the 3rd force who cannot get their wishes fulfilled continue to claim that the Party is in crisis and that the Central Committee members must pave the way for fresh election.

Well, I cannot stop but wonder why Tiong Lai didn't follow Soi Lek's footsteps. When Soi Lek wanted his suspension from MCA overturned, he went all over the country to get signatures and requisitioned for an EGM.

Based on the MCA Constitution, ONE THIRD signatures from Central Delegates are necessary to requisition for an EGM.

Tiong Lai claims he has the support of 1200 Central Delegates. Then why didn't he, Mei Fun and Ka Siong use the same method as Dr Chua ? I am curious.

As time goes by, we can only deduce that the support of 1200 Central Delegates is A BLUFF.

Clearly, Tee Keat and Soi Lek's men said okay to fresh polls during closed door negotiations to solve the MCA crisis.

Datuk Ti Lian Ker then said that if fresh election is the way, then have it at all levels in MCA.

In addition, Tee Keat and Soi Lek's supporters highlighted that if we go for fresh elections now, we still have to go for Party Elections in 2011, thus rendering the 2010 Fresh Election pointless.

But problems arise when the 3rd force leaders said there is NO NEED to reelect the MCA Youth Chief and Wanita MCA Chief positions and they want the fresh elections to be held as soon as possible.

And Dr Wee Ka Siong had the guts to scoff at Datuk Ti Lian Ker's recent comments that the resolutions for MCA's Annual General Meeting in March are unconstitutional.

Dr Wee said, "My response? I laugh. This entire issue here is a matter of principle — we are not here to fight but as a politician, we need to have guiding principles. If upholding our principles is construed as a wrongdoing then... I laugh." (The Malaysian Insider)

When some cannot argue based on the Constitution which is the highest order in the Party, they throw in lectures on Principles.

Principles.

Treachery in MCA (1)

2010-02-27T09:58:00.007+08:00

When Tee Keat finally went for a show down with Soi Lek (the famous 10.10.10 EGM), all the knights of MCA were FULLY, UNANIMOUSLY supporting Tee Keat - Liow Tiong Lai, Chew Mei Fun, Wee Ka Siong, Wong Foon Meng etc.

Remember ? You forgot ? This can perhaps remind us all.

But some analysts realised that the 10-10-10 EGM might go awfully wrong than intended. These were based on the attendance at the pre EGM dinner and sentiments on the day of the 10.10.10 EGM before votes were casted.

One politician highlighted an important point to me recently - MCA politics thus far is all a numbers game. Both camps knew their support and their numbers.

Using the "Central Delegates voting" system, support and votes can be pre determined or calculated all these while.

Tee Keat's support were measured and calculated and so was Soi Lek's prior to the 10-10-10 EGM. Not all, but to a large extent as some Central Delegates tend to remain independent of current and past MCA warlords' influence.

I cannot stop but wonder if someone pulled the carpet from Tee Keat's leg. Someone must have known the numbers game very well.

If it is true, then the "traitors" in Tee Keat's camp must have considered the payoffs of the EGM if the three resolutions go against Tee Keat and Soi Lek during the campaigning period as we approached the 10-10-10 EGM.

The payoffs surely would have benefited those whom are next in line - the Third Force as first hypothesized by Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

With perfect information on the numbers game in hand, only minimal effort is needed to influence a small group of Central Delegates to cater for their intentions (e.g. own support base).

After the 10-10-10 EGM, "a cartel" arranged several meetings on their own. One of these involved coaxing MCA Central Committee members, Ministers and Deputy Ministers to sign a letter to pressure the President. (Hotel N**** ?)

Several meetings were organized and held to discuss and collude on who to fill the "vacancies" before the Central Committee even met to discuss the results of the 10-10-10 EGM and produce a solution.

There were NO CALLS from this "cartel" for fresh elections to determine who to fill those "vacancies" either.

They decided to collude and decide on the office bearers among themselves. And to them, that is democratic and acceptable.

The status quo now have caused a particular group to be seen as knife and dagger wielders out for career progression while riding on righteous but veiled values like democracy, principles and respect.

Let me now point to you what Liow Tiong Lai once said about Ong Tee Keat and you can compare it with his stand today.

"Today, in MCA's core leadership, the pair of Ongs is more capable in agglomerating and leading the party. This is too important for MCA," said Liow. (My Sinchew - 23 September 2008)

The MCA is now on a difficult and tedious journey to redeem itself and to win back the support of the Chinese community in particular and all Malaysians in general. We need a leader who has the credibility and moral standing to make the MCA a modern, reconfigured and cohesive party that is able to support and strengthen the Barisan Nasional (BN). Ong is our clear choice to perform such a task. (joint statement by MCA Ministers and Deputy Ministers, My Sinchew - 23 July 2009)

MCA leaders at all levels have pledged their full support to party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in overcoming the current challenges, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. He said the delegates understood the hurdles that Ong is facing and believe that what he is doing is in the interest of the party and Barisan Nasional. (The Star - 17 Aug 2009)

Today, a different tune is sung.

Are these the sort of leaders which the Chinese community want and support ? And are these the type of leaders that UMNO, MIC and Gerakan want to work with ?

I will publish two more related articles soon and I will republish an old article over the next few days. It is time we end this once and for all.

I call these Treachery in MCA and I call the 3rd force "a cartel".

Brain drain solution

2010-02-26T11:16:00.000+08:00

In my letter sent to The Star and NST some time ago which was not published by the two news portal, I proposed a solution for the brain drain.

Let us walk the talk and stop the brain drain. There is no point for us to have a NO ACTION, TALK ONLY policy.

So, read on. I shall call it, an Open Letter to the Cabinet of Malaysia. (Interested parties - bloggers, politicians, and the press - can reproduce this article with credits to APOMM)

The Brain Drain Solution !

With reference to the call by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to the best Malaysian brains to return home made recently in London, I say it is a wise statement and an assurance that the Government knows the issue of brain drain.

However, I wish to bring to the attention of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that such effort should begin from within the country and Government.

Each year, the Public Service Department, Petronas, MARA and various other GLCs sponsor a total of 3000 students approximately to local and foreign universities.

Needless to say, these students are among the creme de la creme of the country not just in education but in other aspects such as co curricular achievements as well. In other words, these are all rounder scholars.

I can't speak much for MARA or Petronas scholars since I was once a JPA sponsored student. I shall comment from the perspective of a JPA Scholar.

At the moment, JPA sponsored graduates have a waiting period of within 1 year for SPA's interview or arrangement which is not even guaranteed. Many private firms and agencies are hesitant to hire due to our underlying contract and uncertainty of a call up by SPA.

Year after year, I have heard many JPA Scholars who graduated from top universities in New Zealand, UK, Australia and United States were not offered positions by the Government.

I do personally know friends whom are top graduates under JPA and did not get called up even for an interview by the Public Services Commission (SPA).

The Government must improve this matter of brain drain by first looking at scholarship holders.

For starters, sponsors like MARA and JPA should liaise and create a network with private and public listed Malaysian corporations as well as Goverment-linked companies (GLCs).

If the Government cannot accommodate or provide jobs to the JPA and MARA sponsored graduates, then the Government should place them in a network with Malaysian firms especially GLCs for screening and employment opportunities.

This can be done with the condition that the Bond of the scholarship is transferred directly to the potential employer of the scholars.

Such a move will definitely ensure that

the tax payers money are not wasted and
top Government sponsored scholars return home to contribute to our country.

An optimistic rallying call by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must be met with efforts and coordination to ensure that the best brains in the world return to the country to improve and develop the nation especially the scholars sponsored with tax payers money.

I can be reached at my email for further clarification if needed by interested parties.

Sincerely,
GOH WEI LIANG

Proposal for MCA

2010-02-23T10:02:00.000+08:00

Some time ago, I did approach MCA Infocom with a proposal to create an actively managed MCA Facebook Fan Page (official one).

It was purely simple, logical and practical which had been implemented by UMNO, MIC, Gerakan and BN as a whole for a long time. (just like the Opposition parties)

I doubt those involved or those who have heard my proposal will take it seriously (I might be wrong). I am skeptical. So I decided that I should go public via A PIECE OF MY MIND after such a long time.

I don't claim to have the best proposals and neither am I stuffing the proposals down the throat of the Department.

I just want the best for MCA and if I can see some youths coming together to do it for BN as a whole and some leaders doing it for UMNO, MIC and Gerakan, why can't the 2nd largest component Party called MCA do such things ?

I did receive some replies in our communication with the initial one saying that it would be considered but I would say it wasn't quite a reply. I wasn't happy with the replies to be honest.

At first when I penned this blog article down, I planned to tell all. In the end, I reasoned it out with myself that I am not on a witch hunt here but I want to see positive work being done.

Allow me to write publicly my proposal to MCA. Whoever wants to follow this up, do it please ! Whoever wants to attack me, feel free. I await the wonderful excuses which I don't like but I will accept logical reasoning.

MY PROPOSAL (just a brief version - some rebuttals edited due to confidentiality of Party matters)

I wish to see a MCA Facebook Fan Page online just like UMNO and MIC where the Rakyat flock to these pages to share their thoughts, request for help and raise their grouses. Why?

MCA should bridge the gap between Leaders and the Rakyat. We should be able to provide an avenue of communication for the people to share their opinions, input suggestions or bring matters to the attention of MCA elected reps and leaders across Malaysia.

In other words, MCA should transform to be a service oriented political party (at least in our Online campaign). People First, Performance Now.

This official Fan Page should have a major objective which is to encourage the people to come forward to raise grouses, share opinions and request for help or assistance in ONE CENTRALIZED PAGE.

Some are not comfortable and find it inconvenient to go to the MCA Service Centres to seek help, raise grouses or share opinions. Some don't even know where to voice out or interact with MCA.

The Facebook method which is free and centralized should be used to interact and engage the people. No need to take big sum of money from the Party to set up official websites or online portals (I heard something like this happened before - hearsay or just a rumour maybe).

Word can be passed around easily among the people such as - "You have complains ? You need help ? Which area are you from ? Easy, just post your questions, suggestions or complains on MCA's Facebook Fan Page Wall and they will look into it."

Isn't this better than - "Eh you got problems ? Ok why don't you go online to search for the MCA Division website ? None ? Maybe you can try searching for numbers with Telekom or MCA main website. Hm what's the website ah ? Wait let me check....can't remember now. Oh your local MCA service centre is not doing anything ? Wisma MCA will entertain our complains meh? Hmmm....you hardly see your reps around also huh...Aiseh. I also don't know who to tell." (After office hours, how ? Facebook is available 24 hours and convenient for all at their own will or leisure time)

For example if we receive a complain that some areas in Penang need help on our Facebook wall, the relevant State MCA Chief will be informed immediately and he/she can follow up. (Fast, free, easy and definitely People First Performance Now)

State MCA leaders can play a role whereby any complains or appeals for help in their States will be dealt with swiftly when raised by netizens. Of course, State leaders and Cabinet MCA leaders can disseminate information or make announcement for the Rakyat using this MCA Facebook Page as well.

Many people do not know about grants or scholarships up for application or Government welfare payments for the needy based on their personal conditions. This Fan Page can surely be used to create a corner called "Do you know that .... " (If MCA Infocom don't know how or don't understand, please learn from MIC or call me, I can teach you)

People nowadays are always in one centralized networking page called Facebook. Tell me, who doesn't have Facebook ? Many do. Even my relative at the age of 70++ has a Facebook account !

I doubt many will take the trouble to type and click http://www.mca.org.my to contact the relevant people when in fact with a Facebook Page actively managed by MCA, they can just post a comment or question on the Wall at their own leisure and pleasure. (It is free oi !)

And I don't care if I make enemies at such a young age in politics. Kalau saya rasa tak betul, saya tegur. That's my policy. I await to see MCA Infocom's progress.

If you are not capable, officers in the Department should quit their posts and let others do it.

PEOPLE FIRST, PERFORMANCE NOW

Malaysia's top 20 schools

2010-02-20T11:53:00.003+08:00

Today, we shall analyse the "top 20 schools" vs Australia's latest move. Two weeks ago, it was hotly debated in the Letters to Editor section of The Star.

Do you know that we once had "Program Sekolah Bertaraf 5 Bintang, 4 Bintang, 3 Bintang" ? I remember hearing from educationists that schools also had a classification called Sekolah Premier.

Now, at the national level, we have 20 Sekolah Terbaik di Malaysia. Does it help to improve our education system and competitiveness among students or schools ?

The star ratings of schools did not, the Sekolah Premier status did not. I have more questions in fact.

How will justifications of budget allocation to schools be done ? Do we give a large chunk to the best schools or do we give a large chunk to the under performing schools ?

Do we go all out to focus on the creme de la creme - i.e. best teachers, best allocation funding, best facilities, best programs, best rewards ?

Or do we trade our focus away from the elite schools and spend time nurturing or developing The Last, The Least and The Lost (I think we should) ?

Will there be proper monitoring systems on the 20 best Malaysian schools so that the PTA, the Board of Governors and the School administration do not abuse their status for higher school fees, "expedition of application", membership fees for co curriculum activities or use of facilities ?

I once heard that some Premier school(s) encourage "donations" to be made to the school funds if the Parents want to enrol their children there.

But browsing through the list of top 20 schools, 10 of them are full residential schools !

Aiseh Tan Sri Muhyiddin, this is not right. The list has so many residential schools which are not accessible to all students - only the creme de la creme with quota policy as well.

We aren't sure if it is because of the school, the discipline, the commitment, the environment and the teachers that contributed to the successes or is it due to the fact that the pool of students are already the best among the rest ?

I was surprised to see VI or SJI not among the list, to be honest. Come on.

Victoria Institution, Catholic High School, St. John's Institution (Najib's alma mater) are also elite schools who have produced CEOs, Directors, Ministers, Politicians and Academicians.

Year after year, they produce top folks you know ?

Having said all these, I heard that the Japanese education system ranks their schools too. I was told that La Sallian schools are among the best in that country when I was studying in Japan.

My only worry is that The Last, The Least, and The Lost will not receive ample attention if the hype surrounds the elite schools only.

Now, there are plans to extend the list to "100 best schools".

Just a suggestion, the Education Ministry should take a look at this - My schools : Private vs Public by Australian Government (Julia Gillard).

The latest news article explains Rudd's plans to expand the My Schools Website. Read it HERE.

We should do the same to compare the academic and non academic achievements of private and public schools, or something similar.

I think Rudd Government's guidelines and regional comparisons are better. And someone should read TSMY's KPI by Syed Akbar Ali - PM must change team

Politicized CNY celebration

2010-02-17T15:01:00.001+08:00

2 main news made way to my ears and caught my attention in the midst of my hectic schedule with friends and family.

First of all, we saw the embarrassing and immature anti Ong-Chua banners unfurled at Wisma MCA on 14 February 2010.

Liow Tiong Lai must control his “supporters”. Word must have travelled up to Wisma MCA way earlier on.

I am quite sure someone silently “encouraged and endorsed” the banners to be printed and unfurled for all to see – journalists, politicians, community leaders and the rakyat – at Wisma MCA on the 1st day of CNY.

Indeed, it is unprofessional and unbecoming of MCA politicians to embarass the Party on such an important day.

Visitors and well wishers to Wisma MCA as well as National leaders were uncomfortable at the sight of such banners which ridiculed and criticized the top two leaders of MCA while praising the Vice President Liow.

Such acts only happen in the Opposition camp where they pursue the acts of intimidation, defamation and affirmation seeking. So, perhaps Tiong Lai should reconsider his strategy and political moves.

If Tiong Lai condemned the acts, then I challenge him to take the initiative to table a motion during the Central Committee meeting and serve warning letters to those who showed great disrespect to the Party and the Chinese New Year celebration.

As for Ronnie Liu, his days are numbered I believe. Feared DAP warlord Teng Chang Khim grilled him for finishing up his allocation (RM 600,000) in 6 months. [Read : Rep grilled over yearly allocation]

Ronnie Liu wasn't aware of his spending pattern. But you can only hear deafening silence from Opposition leaders, alternative media and pro Opposition blogs.

Pro Opposition bloggers and alternative media would have spun the story interestingly if it was by a BN elected representative.

Then, it was rumoured that Ronnie Liu ordered the removal of banners by private companies and residents around midnight.

These banners and welcome notes were erected by the public to welcome Malaysia’s Prime Minister to the National CNY Open House at Klang Valley. There were claims that smooth traffic implementation (several road closures) were objected and ordered to be canceled.

There wasn’t any calls for Royal Inquiry either when Wee Choo Keong exposed that there is a Selangor Exco who used his office for meetings with underworld leaders – the source of Malaysia’s high crime rate. It was rumoured that Ronnie Liu is the one.

Speaking of Royal Inquiries, a DAP assemblyman was also reported to have knocked down a Malay kid who has been admitted to the hospital’s ICU. [Read : Student fighting for his life]

Ng Suee Lim was said to be drunk at that time. It seems to me that every Pakatan Rakyat leader is so quiet and they contain the news from their supporters. (Can anyone update me on this ?)

If it was done by a BN leader, the story would have been played like a symphonic orchestra piece in hundreds of blogs by Pakatan Rakyat cyber troopers and politicians.

Back to the main point, my stand all these while has been consistent.

When Hindraf, RPK supporters and Anti ISA activists brought their political fight to a Hari Raya open house hosted by Tun Abdullah Badawi in 2008, I was irritated.

Do not politicize festivals or cultural celebrations. Do not be so obsessed with politics, Ronnie.

I remember the good old days when Kit Siang and his entourage will visit Tun Dr Mahathir at Seri Perdana to wish the Statesman “Selamat Hari Raya” at almost every open house.

Even Anwar can enjoy a quiet tea session with Najib during a Parliamentary session break at Parliament House.

What more to say a National Level Chinese New Year open house where EVERY rakyat regardless of race, religion and status is invited to attend ?

This year, approximately 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to attend the National level CNY open house.

Festivals are meant for us all to come together, shake hands and share a meal. We share laughters, joy and memorable moments together during celebrations and open houses.

Why play politics on a day when every rakyat wants to enjoy their holiday, food and joy with friends and family ? Be a professional and mature politician. We cannot expect or even consider people like Ronnie Liu to be a Federal Minister one day.

For more in depth information, please read - The Sheer Arrogance of Pakatan - which I find it interesting and well written.

Happy Chinese New Year

2010-02-12T22:48:00.001+08:00

On 11 February 2010, my mom and I visited a handicap children welfare home. My family has been visiting this home for several years already with food and drinks.

The place is called Persatuan Kebajikan Rumah Orang Kurang Upaya (Handicap Children's Welfare Home) and it is located at Jalan Haji Eusoff (Housing Trust) - about 100 metres behind The Store at Jalan Kampar of Ipoh.

Never once I stopped to talk to the caretaker except a simple "Hello, this is for the children. Can we come in and share the food and drinks with them for a while ? Here, let's open some food and drinks now and you keep the rest for later."

The caretakers will say, "Yes of course".

This year, since I am back for good and carefree now, I decided to stop and talk to the welfare home management (two senior people) for once.

I asked, "Sir, how do you all maintain this place ? Did the Government give any aid ?"

The man replied, "Not at all. We have applied many times but we always get rejected. They say our area is an elite area, we operate without license, and .... " (I can't remember)

I was surprised. How can this home which is Ipoh's Housing Trust be an elite area ?

Okay let us assume that is not a reason.

I don't understand. Why reject Government aid to a welfare home which genuinely supports these handicap children ? Not even a small sum ?

This kid here (pic below) is blind and suffered from either fits/epilepsy (hazy memory..but I know he is blind). His parents left him at the General Hospital and the caretaker was informed about it.

The kind lady, Mary who is the Head of the Welfare Home, took this boy back and cared for him ever since.

There was another boy whose parents died in an accident. He is with the welfare home now but he moves around like a frog (as described by the caretakers, not me).

My mom went over and fed him some biscuits since he couldn't eat on his own. And he has eating/chewing/swallowing difficulties too.

This home houses 24 handicap children and require approximately RM 4000 monthly for maintenance - food, utilities, rent, etc (I was told).

My dear Barisan Nasional Perak Government, have a heart please and go to this home. Listen to them and reevaluate their application for Government aid.

My fellow Perakians, let us stop for a minute and not pray for our own prosperity only. Think about these kids. Spend some time and money to help them or any welfare homes you know.

Every effort, support and thought counts. No matter how small they are.

I am sure there are many more welfare homes with similar problems. But at least, in this case, I am doing my part and highlighting one welfare home's plight.

I hope this article is passed on to

Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (UMNO Perak),
Datuk A Ganesan (MIC Perak),
Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (MCA Perak)
Datuk Chang Ko Youn (Gerakan Perak)

To all Malaysians, please travel safely on the road. Biar lambat asalkan selamat !

Happy Holidays to all of you and Happy Chinese New Year to those who are celebrating the new Tiger Lunar Year. Best wishes to all of you.

All pictures here were taken using my mobile phone with permission from Mary (the Pengerusi of the caretaker).

A Confusing Dr Wee Ka Siong

2010-02-11T16:10:00.003+08:00

I am sad to see news after news of our MCA Youth Chief which placed him in the limelight for the wrong reasons.

While MCA Youth suffers from dismal new signup figures, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong has been unsuccessful in shedding off the suspicions of his links to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal thus far.

This scandal is very dear to me actually. Since the early days when YB Lim Kit Siang brought up the matter, MCA was quick to be blamed as the beneficiary of the scandalous money flow in the PKFZ project.

Only one man stood up to clear the mess - Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. On 26 July 2009, he unshackled MCA from the PKFZ scandal. In Datuk Seri Ong's own words,

"If any individual from MCA, irrespective of his position, was involved in his individual or personal capacity in such a debacle, he should subject himself to public scrutiny and investigations conducted by the authorities concerned. I did it in the interest of the people and I believe the truth must prevail."

These days, Dr Wee Ka Siong is continuously linked to the PKFZ fiasco by NGO leaders, MCA politicians and even the Opposition !

In my humble opinion, why stop Tan Sri Robert Phang from talking about the Port Klang Free Zone during a Bernama LIVE talk via a Court injunction ?

It was said that Tan Sri Robert Phang was about to announce some damning evidences on Dr Wee's links to Port Klang Free Zone and the perhaps drop the strongest hints on the flow of the scandalous project.

I do not see the point in seeking a Court injunction to gag Tan Sri Robert Phang or silence any of the MCA Youth Central Committee members.

Such an act will only create a climate of fear among MCA leaders or to a greater extent - those who speak out without fear or favor !

If the words are deemed defamatory or classified as half truths and lies, surely, seasoned politicians with professional legal advisors will know that they can put the commentator in the dock with a defamation lawsuit.

That way, Dr Wee can prove to the world that "Hey, see, he was lying !" and pocket some money as compensation for the defamatory remarks which could potentially harm his career in politics and his name.

The market value for defamation lawsuits on national leaders are approximately RM 100 million as Anwar Ibrahim had shown to us which also seem to show his trust in the Malaysian judiciary ironically.

A report in The Star on 25 December 2009 quoted Dr Wee that he did not receive any payment for the "Conceptual design and feasibility study on the need for port development in the Port Klang".

Then, on 10 January 2009, the Managing Director of Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd announced that Dr Wee sold off his controlling stake in the company in 2008.

The MD further added that "The conceptual report has got nothing to do with the physical PKFZ. Neither was PKFZ included in the study nor in any future expansion of it."

Just to note, the study was mooted in 2005. Yes, the year 2005. Okay, noted ? Let's move on.

Well, such an announcement surprised me actually. Just a few days before this announcement, Chia Seia Yang said that a company search showed Dr Wee's name owning 490,000 plus shares in Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd with the records said to be updated as at 1 January 2009.

Then, Seremban MP John Fernandez said a search with Companies Commission of Malaysia on 25 Jan (2010) showed that Dr Wee owns 49,998 shares in Hijau Sekitar.

Today, 11 February 2010, I came across an exclusive interview by The Sun with Dr Wee Ka Siong. "Now, they may say that I have over 40% but I am not a major shareholder. So, whatever the company does has nothing to do with me."

I don't know Dr Wee, but 40% to me is a big deal (based on your own words) and everything the company does has everything to do with you.

If I own 40% of shares in a company and if the company makes RM 100 million profits, with or without dividends, the 40% shareholder has a claim to the pie based on personal shareholdings.

And I think the analogy between Hijau Sekitar-WBSB and PwC-PKFZ was a bad one, Dr Wee ! PwC is an independent audit firm with no interests in the projects. It is a completely different story when it comes to Hijau Sekitar - WBSB.

I can only continue to thread on suspiciously and ask the MCA Youth Chief who is also a national leader in his capacity as Deputy Education Minister to come clean for good.

I am equally confused as everyone else by now. Why not sue the CCM if Dr Wee had really sold off or transfered all or just his controlling stake but records still show that he still own shares of different amounts on two different dates ?

As Deputy Minister, he must not hold controlling stakes (either that or any shares) when he is sworn into office. But Chia Seia Yang said he has 490,000 plus shares based on a compay search on 1 January 2009. Now, John Fernadez argued that Dr Wee still has 49,998 shares. And from the interview with The Sun, the percentage is said to be 40% ?

So, 40% means how many shares (from the interview published) ? Only 3 explanations. Either Dr Wee hasn't been transparent, CCM's records are wrong or Dr Wee himself is confused.

Can Dr Wee or the Cabinet declassify Dr Wee Ka Siong's asset declaration to the Prime Minister of Malaysia which I assume that it must hold as a truth and the onus of honesty or responsibility is on the side of MCA Youth Chief ?

Dr Wee should also stop accusing The Star for his current political dilemma also.

Some bloggers are already saying that Dr Wee has become a "Kaki sue" when he decided to take action against The Star. Rockybru has a better take on this - Another politician kaki sue (MUST READ)

MCA cannot walk the talk or go the ground to tell the people "Sir, please vote me" if their leaders are heavily linked to all sorts of scandals, projects or hanky panky matters.

MCA must stand up strong, tall and mighty. MCA is a political entity that owes the people the basic elements of good governance whereby the leaders must be competent, accountable and transparent.

Dr Wee, why not settle this in the "public court of opinion" and tell all ? Evidences as well as black and white documents can clear your name if you are not involved in any way.

MCA will not be able to move on or stand tall and proud if this goes on. Let's clear it once and for all.

I stand corrected.

(Credits to The Malaysian Insider and The Star for the photos)

"Tun" for Hassan Marican

2010-02-10T18:36:00.001+08:00

I hope to see due recognition given to Tan Sri Hassan Marican for his contributions to Petronas and Malaysia as a whole.

Malaysians owe him a great deal. Without his business acumen, his vision and his dedication, Petronas might have fumbled.

Many have misunderstood and threw misleading arguments that anyone could have done the same. I beg to differ. Petronas' operations were mainly focused on Malaysian shores resources - East and West Malaysia - in the initial stages.

Tan Sri Hassan Marican transformed Petronas rapidly into a global company with oil explorations and business joint ventures with overseas partners.

Approximately 49% of Petronas revenue today come from overseas operations under Tan Sri Hassan Marican's leadership. This should be seen as a standard to be matched by the incoming Petronas Chairman and CEO Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas.

Not everyone could do the same and one reader highlighted a valid point. Compare Petronas to Pertamina and you will see the differences.

All these while, Malaysians depended on subsidies, grants, soft loans, and all sorts of Government intervention in the economy for the people's welfare. The funds mainly were from Petroliam Nasional Berhad.

Any slight removal or reduction of these Federal assistance, the lives of many Malaysians would be totally different today.

Just throughout the last 6 years, Petronas contributed a total of RM 276.8 billion to the Malaysian Government which was subsequently used for the Federal Government's budget and policies.

I believe Tan Sri Hassan Marican deserves the title "Tun".

(Credits to Bernama for the pictures)

Compulsory service for doctors

2010-02-09T11:46:00.002+08:00

At first, there was a eye catching headline made by Datuk T Murugiah.

I quote from The Malaysian Insider's article - Move to extend compulsory government service for doctors, T Murugiah said :

" The government proposes to extend the compulsory public service for doctors to five or 10 years from the current three to overcome the annual shortage of doctors in its hospitals. The doctors should not only think about profit. They also have to think about the country’s interests — your contribution to the country. "

That surprised me and I don't know whether it was his idea or it was a result of his advisors' brainstorming session.

Whatever it is, ask all Malaysian medical students if it is a good idea. If there are punters taking bets on this, I place my money on "Bad idea".

Now, the latest news from Liow Tiong Lai (Health Minister) said that the Government will reduce the compulsory service period. Read it here : Shorter service for new doctor

"The suggestion is not practical at all. We must make it attractive for doctors to join the service. We cannot force them to work."

And it was backed by the Health Ministry Director General too :

"We are providing more incentives to retain the doctors who are in service, attracting Malaysian doctors from overseas, allowing locums, providing extra allowances for overtime and making arrangements to hire foreign doctors to work with us on fellowship programmes."

My advice ? Simple. Every year JPA sponsors tonnes of medical students overseas to Middle East, Czech Republic, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, Scotland, United States, Australia, New Zealand.

Did I leave out any ? Yes, there are those sponsored to local medical institutions like IMU and Monash University Malaysia.

Ask them to provide you with feedbacks. They tell me all sorts of stories and frequently I hear about the system in the country they were sent to study in compared to ours in Malaysia.

Some friends can point out what is the "turn off" for not returning to Malaysia as a qualified medical doctor.

Do I need to lay out the methodology to gather feedback from them or how to reach them ? I can easily lead you to a handful of JPA sponsored medical students who will tell you what is in their minds.

And please. Share with them your plans to see if they think it is good or not. Brainstorm with the FUTURE doctors as well.

I have many medical friends who have plenty to say about the current system and I believe addressing such issues will settle the "crisis" in our public medical sector ONCE AND FOR ALL.

It is getting very dull and boring each time you tell us "yes we know the problems" and "yes we are planning to attract them back".

Tan Sri Hassan Marican

2010-02-06T11:54:00.003+08:00

The political muscle flexed by Najib Tun Razak's administration on the business of Petronas is very unprofessional.

Throughout the years, Dr Mahathir allowed Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin and Tan Sri Hassan Marican to have sufficient freedom in making their business decisions while ensuring that Petroliam Nasional continuously backed the Government's Budget and economic plans.

It was more like a win-win and "you happy, I happy" concept between the Government and Petronas.

The political interference began with the Omar Mustapha saga. The BOD, whose confidence lies with TS Hassan, initially rejected the "appointment" of Omar Mustapha to the Board.

The Prime Minister's office was not willing to budge and in the end, Omar Mustapha was "reluctantly" accepted as Director of Petronas.

Of course, this drew unhappiness among several mainstream bloggers (source: Rockybru ; related : BDDC). TS Hassan Marican lost Round 1 there.

But TS Hassan Marican won Round 2 when he made a "purely business" decision to sponsor Mercedes F1 team instead of Lotus F1, a project led by Tony Fernandes and Co.

Finally, TS Hassan Marican lost Round 3 when his contract was not renewed and his "in house" succession plan was snubbed.

After saying all these, the Petroleum Development Act 1974 should be amended I feel. At the moment, Petronas is answerable solely to the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

I would prefer to see a collective decision making system which involves

the Advisor of Petronas,
the Management and Board of Directors as well as
the Prime Minister himself.

This triangular form of organization - Advisory panel, Management as well as the Prime Minister's Office - will be a better "Government - Business" model.

Whatever it is, I am irritated to see how Najib's Administration sidelined Tan Sri Hassan Marican and his management team lately.

There was actually a succession plan laid by Tan Sri Hassan Marican but by now, we all know it has been "shredded".

In fact, a new succession plan is rumoured to be formulated and prepared by Najib and Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas.

The last time Dr Mahathir lost his cool, our Statesman blasted Abdullah Badawi for not renewing Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff's contract with Proton which had strong financial standing under him. The end result saw tePak Lah'snure as PM "shortened" than intended.

I am interested to hear Tun M's comments on the latest revelations in Petronas. Before this, there were reports that Tun M backed the renewal of TS Hassan Marican's contract

Datuk Shamsul will be under pressure to maintain the trust placed in him by Najib. But I doubt that the stakes are high though.

Any failure on his side will only further substantiate a greater plan.

The "soon-to-be-groomed" successor in the new succession plan should be "ready" to be appointed by Najib as Chairman and CEO of Petronas then, right ?

The way TS Hassan Marican's exit was handled showed great disrespect to his contributions and commitment to Petronas all these years.

Surely, his "retirement" looked like a forced one. It is unfair to the man who continued the legacy of Tan Sri Azizan and dynamically reinvented Petronas into a global Fortune 500 company which some of us agreed to describe as a Malay corporate success.

I believe the staff in Petronas share similar opinions with me too.

Whatever it is, thank you Tan Sri Hassan Marican for transforming Petronas into a strong and profitable company that benefited Malaysians in all forms of subsidies, fiscal policies and economic plans YEAR AFTER YEAR !