Lim Guan Eng - My Facultymate At Monash University, Australia

Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, was in Sibu speaking at a ceramah with a turnout of more than ten thousand.  He is simply a crowd-puller!

When I was in Year 3 at Faculty of Economics & Politics,  Monash University,  doing my Bachelor of Economics majoring in accounting, Lim Guan Eng was there in Year 1 undertaking the same course.  That was way back in 1980.

Soft-spoken and shy-looking, Lim Guan Eng then was commonly known to the Malaysian students as Lim kit Siang's son.

I used to see Lim Guan Eng in Student Music Room on Level 1 of Student Union Building during lunch break enjoying some fine music.

In 1980, Lim Kit Siang was in Monash University giving a high-powered public forum on Malaysian politics at Rotunda Hall.  The hall that evening was packed with a crowd of more than 500.  I noticed Lim Guan Eng sitting at the front row giving his father some moral support.

Johnny Ong's Cartoons

If you are looking for a political cartoon blog to freshen you up, then johnnyongcartoons is the right one. Check out yourself and you will know why! johnnyongcartoons

Malaysia Has Not Lost A Decade, But Has Lost Two Generations - Part 3

An article from Sin Chew Daily

鄭丁賢•夢醒時分
2009-12-02 20:49

你是否和我一樣，發覺身邊的親戚和朋友，似乎少了許多。
以往接近過年時，各種聚餐排得滿滿的，而今年，似乎沒聲沒息。
即使是平常日子，電話少了，與大家見面也少了。
也許，大家各忙各的；或者，目前流行“宅生活”，儘量避免出門。
也不盡然如此。再想一想，很多老友和親戚，已經不在了。嗟！大吉利是，他們都還好好的，只是離開了馬來西亞。
老余去了中國大陸開工廠；王子不做工程師，移民到澳洲開小食檔；阿風離開本地大學，去香港做講師；青蛙去了台灣，開展事業第二春；還有的到了美國、英國，唔，還有去印尼的……。
起初，以為這只是個別現象，逐漸的，旁人也有同樣發現；原來，這不是個別現象，而是社會現象；這不是少數，而是相當大的數目。
外交部早前披露了一個數字，說明這個現象是多麼真實，多麼貼近。
從去年3月(2008)到今年9月，已經有30萬大馬人移民他國；其中20萬人是今年1月到8月(2009)出走的數目。
累積下來，已經有超過200萬大馬人移民，接近今天印尼外勞在大馬的人口。
不同的是，移居他國的大馬人，多是專業人士、中產階級。
他們有很多出走的理由，追求事業發展，為了孩子前途，尋找個人更大空間……，概括一句：對馬來西亞失望。
50年前，大家說，馬來西亞真好，好過香港，甚至日本。
30年前，大家說，馬來西亞還不錯，比得上韓國、台灣（不提香港和日本了）。
20年前，大家說，馬來西亞還可以，至少超越中國、泰國（不能和台、韓比了）。
10年前，大家說，馬來西亞再差，還不至於像越南、印尼（中國已是不同級別）。
今日，越南和印尼的經濟成長率遙遙領先大馬，社會活力和知識發展也勝過一籌；距離愈來愈近了。
怕甚麼，還有菲律賓和柬埔寨、緬甸。
但是，一位經濟學家最近到菲律賓考察之後，認為再過20年，大馬可以取代菲律賓，出口馬籍女傭到全世界了。
半個世紀以來，馬來西亞是在大宅院裡，用封建方式，分配祖宗家業，消耗社會資源，浪費和逼走人才；不談競爭力，忽略生產力，討厭績效制。
亞洲金融風暴來襲時，大馬把門關起來，以為避過一劫，有人還自我陶醉，自以為是天才策略。
然而，其它國家面對風暴，走出風暴，進行體質改革，跨步向前，登上另一個水平；大馬卻還在原地踏步。
馬來西亞，該醒一醒了。
星洲日報�鎅迆懐[尼•作者：鄭丁賢•2009.12.02

Malaysia Has Not Lost A Decade, But Has Lost Two Generations -Part 2

Subject: THE COUNTRY HAS NOT LOST A DECADE, BUT HAS LOST TWO GENERATIONS said Dr Chen Man Hin

The signs foretell that Malaysia will be left behind during the rising of Asia
(Speech by Dr Chen Man Hin, DAP life adviser to members of the Hakka Association of Negri Sembilan in Seremban on 13th December 2009)

I am most honoured to be invited to attend the formation of the Negri Sembilan Hakka Association, which will include all the hakka clans to form a single body.
Hakkas originated from Kwang Chow and Fukkien provinces, and are comprised of several clans, Moi Kong, Fui Choo, Char Yong, Hoi Look Foong, Tai Poo, Moi Yen,
Although mandarin is the common language, there are different dialects among the chinese in Malaysia.
Dialect Population
Hokkien
1,848,211

Hakka
1,679,027

Cantonese
1,355,541

Teochew
974,573

Mandarin
958,467

Hainanese
380,781

Min Bei
373,337

Foochow
249,413

Total
7,819,350


Hakkas are known for their courage, discipline and hard working habits. As Malaysians they will continue to unite and educate their children to be useful citizens of their country, Malaysia.

MALAYSIANS OF ALL RACES ARE LOYAL AND WANT A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

Although Malaysian Chinese have different dialects, they are all Malaysians and their loyalty is fully committed to Malaysia. Although they form a minority of 25%, their contribution to the political, economic and social development can be very meaningful and substantial.

That goes the same for all other communities, the Malays, Indians and other indigenous communities. They want justice, democracy and opportunities to gain a better way of life. The people worry about the recession, the corruption, cronyism, no rule of law and inequality, which are bringing hardship to the unemployed and the poor.
There are no signs that life is getting better. All the promises made by PM Najib about 1 Malaysia, no corruption and more opportunities are not delivered.

THE LOST DECADE. The situation is very serious, and this probably prompted the Deputy Minister of Finance to declare that the period after the Asian Crisis 1997, the country’s economy has not improved. He said that the 10 years after 1997 was a LOST DECADE! His revelation is nothing new. The DAP has been saying the same thing for many years. However the Deputy Minister of Finance’s statement was only a half truth.

THE COUNTRY HAS NOT LOST A DECADE, BUT HAS LOST TWO GENERATIONS.

Ever since the launching of the NEP in 1971, the economy has stagnated, there was mass migration of talent, shameful waste of human capital through a faulty educational system which discouraged meritocracy, and mass migration of skilled people to couintries like Australia and Singapore.

ACTUALLY THE COUNTRY HAS LOST TWO GENERATIONS BECAUSE OF THE NEP
PER CAPITA INCOME (US$)
Country 1971 1981 1991 2001 2008
KOREA REPUB
302
1,648
7,119
10,243
19,505

TAIWAN

4,859
8,077
14,426
17,040

SINGAPORE
1,061
5,645
17,750
20,865
38,172

HONG KONG
1,107
6,015
15,353
24,695
31,887

MALAYSIA
406
1,805
3,099
3,701
7,000



THE FIGURES TELL THE STORY OF HOW THE MALAYSIAN FELL FAR BEHIND THE ‘FOUR ASIAN TIGERS’. THE STAGNATION BEGAN IN 1971, THE YEAR THAT THE NEW ECONOMIC POLICY WAS LAUNCHED BY TUN RAZAK, FATHER OF PM NAJIB.

The NEP stifled economic development, because investors, both local and foreign found the NEP regulations unattractive and not business friendly... The prevalence of corruption and cronyism of the NEP made many Umno cronies rich, but the poor malays remained poor.

From 1971 to 2000, a period of 40 years, the BN government lived in their own world, and implemented policies which drove away investors, and depended on the revenue from oil and commodities to fund the restructuring of the economy and so that there would be no identification of race with economy.

WHY SOUTH KOREA, TAIWAN, HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE BECAME THE ASIAN TIGERS? BECAUSE THEY EMBRACED FREE MARKET POLICIES.

Analysts say that between 1980 and 2005. The world embraced free market policies. These caused living standards to rise sharply, educational standards rose, poverty declined and democracy improved, and life expectancy rose.

China is the leading example of the miraculous effects of free market policies. Former Premier Deng Xiao Peng is the father of the success of the economy in China because he launched off a free market policy in 1978.

PM Najib can repeat the same miracle for Malaysia. Would he choose the free market way or would he walk away and return to the old policies of the NEP, cronyism, and corruption.
The ball is now at the foot of PM Najib.
Will he do the right thing, so as Malaysia can join the rise of Asia movement?


Wow....are we so far away.

Malaysia Has Not Lost A Decade, But Has Lost Two Generations -Part 1

Subject: Fw: Sin Chew - THE COUNTRY HAS NOT LOST A DECADE, BUT HAS LOST TWO GENERATIONS said Dr Chen Man Hin

Subject: FW: Sin Chew - THE COUNTRY HAS NOT LOST A DECADE, BUT HAS LOST TWO GENERATIONS said Dr Chen Man Hin
THE COUNTRY HAS NOT LOST A DECADE, BUT HAS LOST TWO GENERATIONS said Dr Chen Man Hin


LOOK AT THE STATISTICS, THEY DONT LIE!!!!!

These countries exchange rate used to be

Hong Kong RM 1 to HK 3 But today only worth HK 2 ( Lost 33 %)
S'pore RM 1 to S$1 But today only worth S$ 43 cent ( Lost 57 %)
Taiwan RM 1 to Tawain $ 16 Today only worth Taiwan $ 9 ( 44 % )
Korea ????

And look at our per capital income !!! pitiful. This Govt has make Malaysian poor after 30 yrs of corruptions and mismanagement.!!!!!

阿Jib哥

阿Jib哥的 Facebook

Najib has moved the battleground to the cybersphere. This has made the coming GE a lot more interesting!

阿华哥

阿华哥！

The battle is now on facebook!

Malaysia's Submarines Deal To Go To Court In France

The following article came out in today's Merdeka Review. It is worthwhile to read through the report.


新突破：发现巨额佣金交易
潜艇采购案可望在法国开审
作者／本刊梁康 May 30, 2011 01:40:32 pm

【本刊梁康撰述/苏晓枫摄影】马来西亚人民之声去年将我国向法国采购潜水艇的军购案带上法国法庭，而今此案司法程序有进展，该案可望在法国公开法庭开审。该案涉及逾马币6亿元巨额佣金交易。

马来西亚人民之声（Suara Rakyat Malaysia）今天在隆雪华堂召开记者会，宣布上述消息。此案一旦在法国法庭开审，将可望揭露涉嫌我国和法国滥用公帑的内情和关于蒙古女子阿尔丹杜雅（右下图）炸尸案干案动机的真相。

这两宗具争议案件都是在我国时任首相纳吉担任副首相兼国防部长期间发生。

人民之声今日发表的文告指出，有关最新调查进展为，除了发现总值马币70亿元的鲉鱼（Scorpene）潜水艇军购涉及马币5亿元的佣金交易，还发现另两笔交易，分别是法国DCN军火制造公司支付给Thales公司的3000万欧元（约马币1亿3975万元）及后者支付给不知名人士的250万欧元（1075万元）。

文告点出，这笔250万欧元的佣金，是要说服马来西亚政府采购更多军购，而3000万欧元的用途是作为Thales公司的“谈判与执行合约的商业费用”。

案件的进展更促使我国国防部长阿末查希（Ahmad Zahid Hamidi）表态，一旦案件开审及传召他，只要获得内阁首肯，他愿意到法国出庭供证，有鉴于此，人民之声呼吁马来西亚反贪污委员会开档调查此案，因为将有更多事随着法国审讯浮上台面。

马来西亚人民之声（SUARAM）去年4月入禀法国法庭，以调查马来西亚和法国购买两艘“鲉鱼”（Scorpene）级及一艘“阿格斯塔”级（Agosta）潜水艇合约是否涉及贪污。【点击：调查潜水艇交易是否涉贪法国法庭独立能承受压力】

促纳吉亲自供证

人民之声董事柯嘉逊和辛西娅（Cynthia Gabriel）也呼吁，希望阿末查希能够代表我国国防部到法国法庭供证，或者由当时的国防部长纳吉亲自出庭供证。

辛西娅（左图）说：“很多人会问我们，为何要把案件带到法国，这是因为一些重要的人士可能涉案，但是却没有看到马来西亚反贪污委员会采取任何行动。”

“由于在我国有官方机密法令，以致我们的纳税人无法从国防部文件获悉公款如何使用，因此，我国有需要通过法国法庭厘清相关文件。”

她指出，尽管一些民联国会议员也通过国会发问关于潜水艇案的问题，但是，却只能获得简短和不完整的答案，有时候甚至会出现不一致的答案。

厘清阿尔丹杜雅命案动机

柯嘉逊（右下图）也指出，上述审讯也涉及调查阿尔丹杜雅命案的干案动机，并相信一旦案件开审，将会有更多的内情浮出台面。

阿尔丹杜雅于2006年10月杪失踪，并于一个月后在雪兰莪州莎亚南丛林发现其被炸毁的遗骸，根据其留下的书信指出，她是纳吉前幕僚萨巴金德（Abdul Razak Baginda）的情人，并遭抛弃后尝试勒索对方50万美元。

这宗命案曾轰动国内外，最终纳吉的两名保镖被控谋杀，使用军用炸弹炸死阿尔丹杜雅，而被控参与谋杀的拉萨巴金德则无罪释放，纳吉也曾严正否认他涉及此案。

人民之声文告也说，我国法庭审理阿尔丹杜雅命案不曾触及潜水艇军购舞弊案，检控官、辩护律师及法官都谨慎地避免纳吉的名字在审讯中出现，而两名保镖的杀人动机仍未厘清。

我国政府也曾在国会声明，我国政府不曾给Perimekar公司马币5亿元潜水艇军购佣金，反之佣金是由法国造舰局支出，作为该公司替相关潜水艇进行训练潜舰潜艇交易的“协调与支援服务”费用。

而该公司引起的争议点，包括被指是拉萨巴金德控制的公司，其股东是拉萨巴金德妻子马兹琳达（Mazlinda Makhzan），以及缺乏经营相关领域经验，并在获得潜艇合约的数个月前才成立。

拥有足够证据入禀开审

辛西娅说，人民之声的法国代表律师佐瑟布翰（Joseph Breham）通知他们，自去年开始入禀的第一阶段，案件已进入第二阶段，即将会决定是否委任法官在公开法庭承审此案，而他们有足够的证据将此案带上公开法庭。

文告指出，法国之前的调查也显示，我国政府的说法与该国出现矛盾，我国指称支付给我国Perimekar公司的5亿元款项来自法国方面，作为其进行潜水艇工程的“协调与支援服务”服务；有关军购合约是在2002年签署。

但是，法国检察署方面的消息则相反，鉴于要避开触犯自2000年成立的“经济合作与发展组织”（OECD）规定的国际商业交易舞弊公约，因此5亿元款项是由马来西亚政府支付。

文告说，法国方面目前也在调查，我国的潜水艇交易是否如同之前两宗同样涉及法国国有军火公司DCN的案件，即提供巴基斯坦的潜艇军购及提供台湾的军舰军购合约，也有法国高层涉案，以便获得“佣金回报”。

我国方面涉及的公司是DCN的子公司DCNS公司，文告说，一旦法国法庭批准开案开审，作为调查庭其中一方的人民之声将有权获取调查过程的细节，包括DCNS公司支付佣金给我国政府官员的证据。

法国律师亲自来马讲解案情

另外，人民之声今日发动以“鲉鱼行动”（Ops Scorpene）为名的筹款运动，呼吁我国人民支持诉讼行动，以便筹得马币10万元作为该团体针对上述案件入禀法国公开法庭的律师费。

该组织解释，佐瑟布翰目前暂时为人民之声提供免费法律服务，然而，一旦案件正式开庭则需要支付费用，因此，该组织恳求我国人民慷慨解囊协助筹足律师费。

辛西娅也坦言，即便马币10万元兑换为欧元仍然还是杯水车薪，只足够作为入禀案件的费用，因此，未来还需要筹募更多的法律基金。

辛西娅也指出，佐瑟布翰也预定会在七月份来到我国，届时该组织将举办活动，以便亲自讲解在法国的案情。

人权律师法蒂亚（Fadiah Nadwa Fikri，左图）补充说明，活动定于7月21日及23日，分别在槟城及吉隆坡举行下午餐宴会和筹款晚宴，并会进行售票。

接受支票的户口为丰隆银行（Hong Leong Bank）帐号0300-0065-200，并注明由Suara Inisiatif Sdn. Bhd.接收.

Sibu Has Lost An Outstanding Political Leader

YB Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew's demise was a shock in Sibu.

Although Robert Lau was controversial at times in his political career, he was admittedly a charismatic leader. His contributions to Sibu during his tenure as MP of Sibu are noteworthy.

My salute to an outstanding Sibu leader!

Submit To The Majority

As our CM put it, the rule of the game is simple and straightforward: Submit to the majority!

SDC is a test of political maturity of the party's delegates.

By casting their votes on Oct. 25, they hold in their hands the fate of the political life of SCT. More than just that, collectively they are voting for a clearer emergence of leadership succession of the party.

This SDC is a lot more than just resolving the mess of Dudong. There is undercurrent going on.

Dudong "Branch" Of SUPP - All In The Hands Of Delegates Of SDC

The saga of "Dudong Branch" is now on its way to SDC of SUPP which is scheduled on Oct. 25.

The turn of the event did not come as a surprise at all. The committee of five failed on Sept. 27 to reconcile the two factions and that effectively paved way for a SDC. How could they possibly talk face to face when Dudong group was adamant that the formation of the branch be brought up to the party's highest level?

Between now and the day of SDC, a lot of tricks may set in to give a twist to the infighting. A sizzling hot talk now in Sibu kopitiam is that vote-buying is definitely not to be ruled out.

It is really getting exciting!

N 12 Penanti By-Election - A One-Man Show

When BN decided to shy away from Penanti by-election, PR is running a one-man show now (some independent stooges aside).

Some political pundits called it a BN's strategy. But Tun DM challenged BN to brave the electorate.

Tun has a valid point here.

Proposed Campus Of TAR College

It was an all-out pinpointing at DAP yesterday, saying the opposition party was the culprit responsible for the scrapping of the proposed campus.

The mentality will not destroy Bintangor, but it may kill the party!

What do you reckon?

Photo: Meng Lei

Sobbing Sibu - Sibuians Are Still Awaiting

A heavy downpour landed half of Sibu in water!

With some of the main roads filled up to higher level to ease off flooding woes, the residential areas along the roads are now more flood-prone due to poor drainage system.

Sibuians are crying out in despair.

According to the local dailies, a sum of 400 million ringgit has been granted to Kuching and Sibu to mitigate the perennial floods.

The proposed campus of TAR College in Bintangor has just gone with the wind. Sibuians would certainly not want to see the proposed flood mitigation project to follow suit.

The above photo is by courtesy of Meng Lei. Meng Lei worked harder than a lot of politicians during flood hits. Let's give him a cheer!

Dudong "Branch" Of SUPP - Cooking Up An Old Dish

My buddy Alex told me that day he had got quite sick of the infighting in SUPP over N.40 Dudong constituency.

I told him it all boils down to a matter of conflict of interests.

The core question now is: Who has got a bigger muscle to flex now?

But never overlook the invisible hand which is pretty tough.

Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing & TAR College

Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing dropped a bombshell two days ago with a no-joke announcement that he had forthwith aborted his plan to set up a branch campus of TAR College in Bintangor. Tan Sri cited "inadequate response" as the ground for giving up his ambition.

Who has/have been taken for a ride now? Can someone out there enlighten me?

PR Won The Court Battle - Nizar Is The Legitimate MB Of Perak

The High Court of KL ruled today that Nizar of PR is the legitimate MB of Perak. This is a severe blow to BN.

Our concern now is whether the court ruling would bring the embattled Perak to a more tranquil state, or is it a prelude to a bumpier path ahead.

Please stay tuned in to the developments in Perak.

Power of Media & Information

Left to right: Steve Ling, Tiong Huat (in his yellow T-shirt which is now his trade mark) and Yong Sun.

Meng Lei (left) and Tiong Kii (right).

Hii Tiong Huat believes strongly that the opposition parties' papers worked wonder in the last general election which saw a dramatic change in the political landscape of Malaysia, commonly referred to as political tsunami.

DAP, PKR and PAS were believed to have penetrated extensively into all sectors through their party papers which brought the shady sides to light.

As such, Tiong Huat has been promoting the opposition papers vigorously in Sibu, hoping to enlighten a wider public.

At Ah Chiong's wedding lunch reception at Blue Splendour Restaurant on March 21 , we met Tiong Huat who was there on table -t0-table hawking video clips of the public debate between YB Dato' Tiong and David Wong.

The media and information are breeding a generation with maturity in thinking politically.

Najib's New Cabinet Line-Up

Today has been proven to be equally exciting as the 3B by-elections! The highlight of the day was none other than Najib announcing his cabinet line-up at 3:00 p.m.

It was truly an excitement for all the political watchers. In fact it became the topic of the day for most of us.

My rough count told me that the most asked question about the new cabinet was: Would KJ be in the line-up?

After Najib released the name list, I received the breaking news from KL through mobile phone, informing me that KJ was out!

KJ seemed to be in the limelight for the whole of the day.

Photos: Malaysiakini

Batang Ai By-Election - Malcom Mussen Emerged Winner

Malcom Mussen of PRS emerged the winner in Batang Ai by-election. A hotly contested seat, Batang Ai was widely viewed as a testing ground for PR in its ambitious political agenda to build extensive inroads into Sarawak.

A greenhorn or fledgling as you may call him, Malcom Mussen beat Jawah Gerang of PKR, a veteran, flat with a surprising majority of 1,854 votes.

Both BN and PR need some quiet time to plan for the upcoming state election.

Photo: Steve Ling