Mahkota Cheras access road to remain open

Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed said that the Cabinet has decided that the Mahkota Cheras access road to remain open until the court case is completed.

This decision should stop the thugs from harrassing the residents.

Tan Kee Kwong must quit BN

DPM Najib Tun Razak said that the FT Gerakan chief Dr Tan Kee Kwong must quit BN as he has accepted a post under Selangor’s Pakatan Rakyat government.

Cabinet committee recommends setting up the Public Transport Commission to govern licensing, enforcement, and supervision of the sector.

Metrod’s new plants capacity in US , India , China for semi-finished copper rods, wires to double in 3-4 years when fully operational.


Anuar Shaari, ex-PKR Permatang Pauh chief and ex-private secretary to Anwar Ibrahim, applies to join Umno, submits form to DPM Najib Tun Razak.

Yesterday, Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth leader Ezam Mohd Nor returned to Umno.

Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he welcome Ezam ‘s return to the party but Ezam was not promised any party position or privileges.


To a question posed by the interviewer to Anwar Ibrahim from Bloomberg whether there will be more defection from Keadilan, he said he expects there will be more defection from BN because he believed there is no future for them in BN.

He said Ezam left Keadilan about two years ago and did not participate in the recent general election.

Mohd Ezam says that he rejoined Umno to ensure changes are made for the good of the nation, and not because he was offered any position in the party.



FIFA provisionally lifts its 12-month ban on Iraq playing in international competition. Iraq is to play Australia in World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Noh Omar said that the Government is to liberalize the bus industry. It will reduce the operating costs by reviewing toll rates, road tax and insurance, remove fixed fares for some.

US dotcom Google unveils new phone to compete with Apple’s iPhone, email pact with MySpace, and more powerful Google Earth at user conference.

A Harry Potter prequel, an 800-word short story by JK Rowling, will be auctioned off by Sotheby’s in London in June, proceeds to go to charity.

A donor who touches your hearts

He is no ordinary donor. He is a donor that let the world stand up, touches your hearts. Let you feel small.

Thugs involved in Mahkota Cheras barrier

27/5 Mahkota Cheras residents who had gathered from afternoon to dismantle new barricade built to block toll-free access have dispersed voluntarily.

And you know why? Because there is a group of thugs involved.

From the newspaper report, Utusan Malaysia photographer Roy Azis Abdul Aziz was beaten up when he tried to snap some photographs.

Several residents were attacked by the group armed with sticks and helmets.

Several cars parked at the roadside were also smashed by the group.

The group of men sat on the blocks, not allowing the residents to remove them and threatened to attack those who tried to go near the barricade. However, the group disappeared when the police arrived later.

Getting ugly? Are we still a civilized society or we can take the law at out own hands?

28/5 Dewan Rakyat passed part of Supplementary Supply Bill 2007 through block voting instead of voice for the first time;92 voted for and 60 against.

More allocations for schools in East Malaysia

Hishamuddin said that the Education Ministry will review 9th Malaysia Plan to give higher priority and also ask for more allocations for schools in Sabah and Sarawak.s

This is probably to appease the East Malaysia MPs so that they would not cross-over to pakatan rakyat.

Penang ferry services are back to normal after 4 hours of disruption caused by 270-tone barge capsizing 70 m off Butterworth berth.

The Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim said that the Government will amend law to expand the powers legal aid officers to enable them to settle cases and to alleviate backlog.

Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack, of Tootsie and Out of Africa fame, dies of cancer at age 73.

British cops charge 21 year old man with last week’s murder of teen actor Robert Knox, who plays student Marcus Belby in next Harry Potter movie.

DPM Najib Tun Razak said that NS is targeting “zero-death” at camps by ensuring all sick trainees are sent to hospitals, even for minor ailments.

Thaksin to build modern city in Cambodia

Thailand’s ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra is planning to build a modern city with a financial district and port in Cambodia.

This is a business opportunity for all investors. If you are a construction company, you could contact Thaksin for contracts. If you are talented, you could contact Thaksin for a job.

FIFA suspends Iraq from International competition ahead of World Cup qualifier against Australia after Baghdad dissolved Iraq Football Association.

Government to open up law sector to international firms

Government is considering opening up law sector to international firms, especially for specialized areas, says de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull tops US weekend box-office with US$101 mil(RM331 mil) sales, biggest opening of the year.

Sichuan hit by 6.4-magnitude aftershock again.

Sichuan was hit by 6.4-magnitude aftershock. This is the strongest since May 12 quake that killed 60,000-plus people. There is one killed and 260 hurt by this Sunday’s aftershock.

401 families from Kuala Muda, Penang who lost their homes in 2004 tsunami take delivery of new RM 45,000 houses. They only pay one third of the cost.

77 year old MinBahadur Sherchan of Nepal reaches Mt Everest summit to set new record as oldest ever to conquer world’s highest mountain.

Education Minister Hishamuddin: school uniform won’t be changed, nothing “sexy” about it, not fair to blame students for crimes against them.

Prices of subsidized goods will be standardized all over the country in June

Prices of subsidized goods will be standardized all over the country in June, says Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad.

ICJ’s ruling on Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge can lead to overlapping territorial rights, says Johor MB Abdul Ghani Othman.

International Court of Justice decides 12 to 4 that Pulau Batu Puteh belongs to Singapore, and 15 to 1 that Middle Rocks belongs to Malaysia.

Police have detained 23 people involved in a baby-for-sale racket in Johor, 4 babies rescued after raids on a clinic and four houses

ISA to review

Minister in PM’s Dept Zaid Ibrahim, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, A-G Abdul Ghani Patil have been tasked with reviewing some sections of ISA.

Myanmar junta has agreed to admit all aid workers to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis, UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon says.

Umno supreme council agrees to continue to support PM Abdullah

Umno Supreme Council agrees to continue to support PM Abdullah. It will create plan to strengthen party to regain the trust of members and the people.

Umno Supreme Council has received and accepted Dr Mahathir’s resignation letter. DPM Najib says he hopes Dr M will rejoin Umno in the future.

Umno supreme council held a special meeting last night and Tun Dr. M’s resignation were among matters on the agenda. This was revealed by sec-gen Tengku Adnan Mansor before the meeting.

Former Kedah Umno treasurer Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir and former Kota Setar MP Dr Abdul Hadi Derani have joined the list of party members who have quit Umno.

On Wednesday night, two more joined the list.

They were Lubuk Kawah Umno branch chairman Anuar Zainon and Sik Pemuda Umno division vice-chief Abdul Razak Bahari. Lubuk Kawah is under the Kubang Pasu division.

Mokhzani Mahathir has quitted Umno

Businessman and former Youth Treasurer Mokhzani Mahathir has quitted Umno, two days after his father Dr Mahathir resigned from the party.

The Star sent in this sms news at 9:49am this morning.

After Mahathir announced his decision to quit, his wife also followed his footstep. Later Sanusi Junid joined in. Makhzani Mahathir is the third followers.

Many political observers say that Tun Mahathir should not make such a move because he has ruled for 22 years, he has already had his says. He should help in building the country's economy instead of playing so much politics. His good image has been affected. From the newspaper report, his move to quit the Umno was prompted by a PAS member.

From the newspaper report, we read that Umno MPs have rallied behind Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and rejected calls for them to quit in protest against his leadership.

Let us see what some leaders had to say:

Rafidah: Dr M is being disloyal to party.

Muhyiddin: Quitting doesn't solve anything.

Mat Taib: It is unprecedented for Dr M to demand for Pak Lah to quit.

Ali Rustam: Opposition will gain from this move.

December is the Umno election. Even if Dr M is not happy with Abdullah, he can always put up a candidate to contest against Abdullah in December. After all, just wait for 6 months. Now, Dr. M's move has created some political uncertainty. Luckily, so far there is not much respond from the grassroot in Umno.

Mukhriz Mahathir is not resigning from Umno

After the announcement of Dr Mahathir's resignation from Umno on Monday, only former Kedah Mentri Besar Sanusi Junid followed his footstep.

Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir said he is not resigning from Umno, but urged Abdullah to step down as PM and Umno president.

Umno Youth Chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein condemns Mukhriz Mahathir for setting conditions for Pak Lah to step down as Umno president.

PM Abdullah is shocked at Dr Mahathir’s resignation. He didn’t expect him to leave, but Abdullah says he will continue to fight for the party.


Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah refuted rumours that he will quit Umno, said he will stay on to challenge PM Abdullah in Umno polls in Dec.


Umno veteran and former Kedah Mentri Besar Sanusi Junid also said he has quit Umno, will release official statement later.

We have to wait and see whether other Umno members will follow Tun Mahathir's action. If there are many Umno members followed Tun Mahathir, then it is a very clear signal for Abdullah to step down. If there are only a few members, then Abdullah can continue to be the Prime Minister and do what is necessary as a Prime Minister.

Businessman Chee Kok Wing claimed trial at KL sessions court to 6 bribery charges amounting to RM 3.1 m. He also faces 2 bribery charges in PJ today.

Ma Ying-Jeou took the oath of office as Taiwan’s new President this morning, taking over from Chen Shui-bian.

19/5 Tremors felt in the Klang Valley and Malacca when earthquake measuring 6.1 on Richter scale occurred at 10.26pm in Sumatra, 336 km SW of Klang.

I was watching TV in my Batu Caves home and also felt the tremors. I don’t believe it is tremors until I saw the SMS news.


Asean will set up a task force that will work with UN and Myanmar government body to channel all international aid across to Cyclone Nargis victims.

18/5 Badminton: China beats South Korea 3-1 and become 2008 Thomas Cup champions.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: Lobby

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: Lobby


1. In some ways Malaysia is ahead of some developed countries in the appreciation of what is right and what is wrong.

2. In the United States lobbying is permitted and honourable. Many famous figures, especially former members of the Government have firms which offer lobbying services.

3. Foreign countries, including Malaysia find this service very convenient. We lobbied for some favourable policy to be shown for palm oil, tin and rubber imports into the United States for example.


4. Independent think tanks can lobby for their ideas on foreign policy like the New American Century to be made the foreign policy of the United States. They were successful and a million Iraqis died as a result.

5. Before Castro the Cuban Lobby ensured that sugar produced by Cuba would be imported into the United States. Now an anti-Castro Cuban Lobby ensures that Cuban sugar is banned in the United States.

6. All these lobbyings are legitimate. You pay the lobbyists a fee (which need not be revealed) and they will lobby for whatever you want them to lobby.

7. In Malaysia we do not have professional lobbyist. But we also do not have a law against lobbying. Nor do we specify what constitute lobbying; which kind would be permissible and which would not.

8. But now we have apparently decided that lobbying is a crime and those who lobby or who are lobbied are criminals. I say, syabas Kerajaan you have made Malaysia more honourable than the United States.

9. Prime Ministers and Ministers and just about anyone with any influence or authority in Government are continuously approached to back someone or something. They may be asked to write letters in support of something or someone.

10. I should also mention Deputy Prime Ministers. They too are lobbied by a whole lot of people. I did not think they were doing something wrong.

11. But supposing a Deputy Prime Minister writes a letter of recommendation for his sister-in-law to an official or minister of another country who could be expected to take a serious view of the recommendation because the writer is a Deputy Prime Minister of a friendly country and the recommendation is for his sister-in-law, does this constitute lobbying, or corruption or abuse of power. We need to know so that such letters of recommendation would not be written again. We need to know if they were written before, can action be taken against them now since we are now taking action on things which happened in the past. By being very clear about the past, the present and the future Malaysia would become highly regarded as the epitome of righteousness and the practitioners of the rule of law.


My Comment: Dr. Mahathir, are you referring to the Royal Commission video clips and those people who were mentioned in the enquiry? We don't have that kind of freedom as in America. You want to compare with America, you should make Malaysia like America during your 22 years as Prime Minister. Now you want your successor to give more freedom than you normally allowed? Abdullah probably can allow the same degree of freedom that you would normally permit in the past.

When we have the ISA, what kind of freedom you want to talk about? You can only lobby to the extent that the government of the day could permit. What is the extent? What is the degree? You have to play it by ear. It all depends on the circumstances.

Mahathir quitted Umno at 12.35 today

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that he has quitted Umno at 12.35 pm today.

Would this create an impact to the political scene in Malaysia? We have to wait and see. But the country can only have one Prime Minister and now is Abdullah Badawi.

Mahathir has his says for 22 years, what is more to say? Let the rakyat decide, let the Umno delegates decide.

It is shocking that Mahathir quitted Umno. That is his right, just like he has the right to voice out and to write blog. He is an ordinary citizen now. But because he is our former prime minister, he still enjoys some privileges, though he may be a non Unmo member. The people are watching to see what is his next move. He probably will campaign to ask more people to quit as a sign of no-confidence in Abdullah's leadership.

Mahathir said he would rejoin Umno after Abdullah had stepped down. Can you actually join a party when a person you dislike stepped down and leave when you suddenly do not like the leader? Umno itself has its rules and regulation and also it is a party with some kind of discipline.

One day before he quitted Umno, the Star made the following report:

PETALING JAYA: The Malays have loosened their grip in political power to the point where non-Malays no longer respect them and their institutions, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

The former Prime Minister said everything deemed as Malay privileges had been questioned and challenged by the non-Malays.

“And the Malays are not doing anything to counter all these and strengthen their positions,” he said in his latest posting on his blog www.chedet.com.

Instead, he said the Malays asked others to defend their position.

“But this is 'passing the buck' including the excuse that it is all because of Dr Mahathir who led for 22 years and chose Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as his successor.”

Dr Mahathir said that in the 50 years of independence, political power was in the hands of the Malays and they could call themselves tuan (masters).

However, he said the Malays could only become tuan if they were capable and successful economically and socially.

“This can be achieved if we are willing to master knowledge and skills in the IT era. But we are lacking efforts in that direction.

“We are more inclined to look for short cuts and let others feed us everything.”

Dr Mahathir said the fate of the Malays was in their hands.

He said Malays could not call themselves tuan if they had to depend on others and it was pointless to call themselves tuan when they were actually slaves.

“We can be tuan if we act boldly, we are willing to face risk, we make efforts to conquer knowledge and efficiency until there is no need to depend on anyone.

“Denying reality will not result in anything. Only by admitting that we have a big problem and we act to overcome it, can we redeem our dignity. Then we can call ourselves tuan. The world will recognise us as the real tuan,” said Dr Mahathir.

Lim Guan Eng called for immediate revies of cases decided by Eusoff Chin and Fairuz

Penang CM Lim Guan Eng has called for immediate review of cases decided by former CJs Tun Eusoff Chin and Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he is willing to be investigated and taken to court over the Royal Commission of Inquiry Report’s recommendation.

EC Chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said that the Cabinet did not approve indelible ink for March 8 polls but he was told to take responsibility.


PM says the decision to scrap the use of indelible ink for the March 8 polls was the Cabinet’s suggestion to the EC and not a directive.

The indelible ink costs million. It has been ordered but not being used meaning it is a waste of money.


The Government has not revoked Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy’s passport as he has reportedly claimed, says Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

The Cabinet agrees for AG’s Chambers to probe allegations in report against VK Lingam, Vincent Tan, Tengku Adnan, Eusoff Chin, Ahmad Fairuz and Dr. M

The Cabinet agrees for AG’s Chambers to probe allegations in report against VK Lingam, Vincent Tan, Tengku Adnan, Eusoff Chin, Ahmad Fairuz and Dr. Mahathir.

Royal Commission of Inquiry Report costing RM 541.60 will be available from Legal Affairs Division of PM’s Dept in Putrajaya from Tuesday afternoon.

PM’s Dept has lodged police reports against several newspapers for publishing Royal Commission of Inquiry Report before it was made public.

Thomas Cup: China beat Malaysia 3-2.

China’s military has airlifted 29 stranded foreign tourists, including 26 Malaysians, from Maoxian to Chengdu, a Chinese radio station reported.

Pandikar Amin Mulia has quit as Kota Marudi Umno division chief, move made in interest of neutrality of his Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s post.

ACA has nabbed a 57 years old NGO chairman in Klang for demanding RM 1 million to settle a murder case in KL High Court. The suspect has been remanded until May 20.

Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board suspends KBES unit Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung’s 232 bus licences suspended for 1 month.

Najib:Government had never paid commission for submarines and fighter jets

DPM Najib Tun Razak said that the Government had never paid commission to anyone for the procurement of 2 Scorpene submarines and 18 Sukhoi fighter jets.

DPM Najib Tun Razak reiterated in Parliament that he had never met nor knew murdered Mongolian woman Altantunya Shaariibuu.

Malaysian badminton team beat Japan 3-0 in the Thomas Cup to advance to the semi-final where it faces China.


Two homemade bombs were hurled at Wisma DAP building in Ipoh at 2.30am today. The police is investigating if the target was Perak DAP Headquarters or the restaurant below.

MAS Everyday low fare programme saw 150,000 seats taken, especially for flights between Peninsular and Sabah, Sarawak.


Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah says mosques and suraus in the state must be used as placed to forge unity among Muslims instead of conflicts.


Perak government is to send a representative as liaison officer to keep families informed on search and rescue efforts for 26 missing tourists in China.

Court rules that PM used ISA correctly

Federal Court rules that PM Abdullah, as the the Internal Security Minister, used ISA correctly on 5 Hindraf leaders; unholds their 2 years detention.


The UN’s disaster centre has warned Myanmar of another cyclone as 2 million victims of Cyclone Nargis on May 3 still wait for food and water.


Government is in the final stages of studing how to scrap certificate of Legal Practice and move to Common Bar course and Common Bar Exam, Minister Zaid Ibrahim.

Malaysian women qualified for Uber cup quarter-final

Malaysian women’s badminton team beat Japan 3-0, qualifying for the country’s first Uber Cup quarter-final.

Squash No. 1 Nicol David is being named Sportswoman of the year for 2007; men’s badminton pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong are being named Sportsman of the year.

Sex education, danger of HIV/AIDs will be among new National Service courses, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen.

SAPP head Yong Teik Lee said that no MPs from SAPP will crossover for now, but he did not discount the possibility after August unless BN serves Sabah better.

Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim said that the cabinet will decide on Friday whether to make Special Commission report on VK Lingan videoclip available to public.

Guan Eng in the Economy class

I received the following article and photos from a friend. That me is not me. It is Ning's friend. Ning Baizura is a famous Malay singer.


Friday, May 02, 2008

As Ning and I were lining up to board our flight to Penang on Wednesday afternoon, I spotted a familiar face standing in front of us in the queue. So I whispered to Ning.

Me: Look in front of us. It's Guan Eng.

Ning: Who?

Me: YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang.

Ning: No lah.

Me: Yes lah! I know how he looks lah. It's the CM lah.

Ning: Takkan CM jalan sorang sorang. If he's the CM, where's the bodyguards and the officers and the rombongan and kaum kerabat?

Me: Tak percaya? Watch and learn.


So I walked up to Yang Amat Berhormat, introduced myself and asked to take a picture. He smiled and obliged.

YAB CM: Hey, I know you! You're Ning Baizura!

Ning: YAB Lim, good afternoon.

YAB CM: Come, come, we take a picture. Vernon, here's my card. Email me the pictures OK.

Me: Definitely, sir.



Ambik kau. CM pun peminat katanya!



Ning and I really felt honoured. But we felt more surprised that the Chief Minister of a state was travelling all by himself like any normal rakyat jelata. But the biggest surprise in store for us was yet to come.

As usual, we sat in First Class. I expected the CM to be seated somewhere in front of us but then I realised he wasn't in First Class. Where did he disappear to???

I popped my head round the curtain that veils First Class and Economy Class and guess who I saw sitting in the front row seat of Economy quietly reading the newspapers?



YAB Mr. Lim, you have my deepest respect. You have made history by being the first Chief Minister in this country to sit in Economy Class whilst in office as Chief Minister. You really mean what you say when you talk about cost-cutting. Sir, you have shown me leadership by example.

Of course I asked permission to take his picture sitting in Economy and he laughed. And I said I'd blogged about it and he laughed some more, and gave permission. Ketua Menteri yang berjiwa rakyat.

China deploys 20,000 troops in Sichuan quake rescue efforts

14/5 China deploys 20,000 troops in Sichuan quake rescue efforts, 30,000 more to be sent in. Official death toll now past 13,000.

13/5 Official death toll from Sichuan quake, China's worst in 30 years, now at 10,000; at least 10,000 still buried in Mianzhu city. A second earthquake, measuring 5.7 on Richter scale, hit Sichuan province in China at 3.07 pm, reports Malaysian Meteorological Department.

Magnitude 7.8 quake reported in Sichuan, China, more than 10,000 people died in Beichuan county, 80% of buildings collapsed; death toll expected to rise.

Tremors were felt as far as Hanoi, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand.

Nature has begun to get angry. We have yet to settle the cyclone issues in Myanmar where we witnessed winds of 190 kph and a storm surge 4.5 meters high pounded the Irrawaddy delta, killing or leaving missing more than 60,000 people. Now, we have a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in China.

Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar, accused in Altantuya trial, file police reports against blogger Raja Petra for saying they had threatened him.

Royal Court says Karpal Singh's statement on Sultan interfering in executive matters as baseless and irresponsible.

Royal Court of Selangor says statement by Karpal Singh that Sultan was interfering in executive matters of state as baseless and irresponsible.

Government is waiting for court decision on a lawsuit before negotiations resume with concessionaire and Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents on access road.

KL City Hall, MCMC and Packet One Networks to deploy 3,500 WiFi hotspots in Klang Valley, also targets 90 % household with broadband by 2010.


A 33 year-old man was charged with trafficking 2 Thai women in JB; he is first to be charged under the new Anti-Trafficking in Person Act 2007.

A well-known business woman in Sabah is to be charged with graft today; said to have offered RM 8,000 bribe to Domestic Trade ministry officer.

An anonymous woman donated RM 235,000 to Myanmar cyclone victims

Myanmar state TV says death toll from cyclone now at 28,458, with 33,416 still missing; UN agencies say death toll closer to 100,000.

They say cyclone is the power of nature. Anyway, if we can extend our helping hand, do our part.

Here is one:

Singapore media reports an anonymous woman donated $$100,000( RM 235,000) to Myanmar cyclone victims, she paid in cash with $$1000 notes.


Penang cops release 5 Hindraf supporters detained earlier today after a rally, 2 more are still in custody as at press time.(May 11, 2008, 22:14:34)

Karpal Singh says he fears for his safety after PM asked A-G to decide whether to charge him for questioning the powers of the Perak Sultan.

Nepal cops detain more than 600 Tibetan women protesters, including many Buddhist nuns, after breaking up marches in capital city of Katmandu.

China unveils its own jumbo jet maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, which will compete against Airbus and Boeing, says state media.

PM:Civil service efficiency level test(PTK) will not be abolished; no written test for Grade 1 to 16 civil services.

PM: Retirement age for civil servants raised from 56 to 58, effective July 1.

Fong Po Kuan calling for the suspension of National Service programme

Several DAP leaders are calling for the suspension or even the scrapping of the National Service programme.

Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan said she had submitted a notice to table an emergency motion in Parliament following the latest death of another NS trainee.

“There have been many deaths, which goes to prove that the programme is a threat to the safety and health of those taking part.

“One death is already too many,” she told reporters Friday after paying a courtesy call to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin at the State Secretariat here.

The latest casualty, 18-year-old Too Hui Min of Geo Kosmo National Service Training Camp in Kuala Kubu Baru, died at the Slim River Hospital on Wednesday at 10.45pm after complaining of constipation.

My comments:

I share the same feelings as Fong. When I read the newspaper today about the above incident, I told myself I wouldn't want my kids to take part in the national service. Just as I was thinking, I overheard my colleague said, " you all better don't send your kid to the national service." It is just unbelievable, when you send your kid there, he or she is alive, and few days later, he or she just died, returning with a dead body." They died at such a young age, just unthinkable.

VK Lingam Royal Inquiry report submitted to the King

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video tape has submitted its report and recommendations to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.


Two armed robbers were shot dead by the police at Butterworth Kulim Expressway toll plaza at about 2.30pm today.


Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin was released on bail at 9:30 am.

Penang Syariah Court allows Muslim convert to return to Buddhism

Penang Syariah Court allows Muslim convert Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah ( Tan Ean Hung) to return to Buddhism.


Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali apologized to 30 disabled people at Parliament for hurting their feelings, but refused to say sorry to Karpal Singh.

Reforms put in place to clear backlog cases in courts; results expected to show in six months, said de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

Framework for judicial appointment commission expected to be tabled to Cabinet in 3 weeks, says de factor law minister Zaid Ibrahim.


Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin met wife and agreed to accept bail. It was reported at 12.18 pm that she is on the way to PJ sessions court to post bail.

BN needs the cooperation of Opposition to fight graft said minister Nazri Aziz; fighting graft was priority in 2004 but hard to do in a short time.

The Foreign Ministry has set up a disaster fund to help channel monetary aid to Cyclone Nargis victims in Myanmar.

Chinese climbers carrying a special high-altitude Olympic torch reached the summit of Mount Everest at 9 am (Malaysian time).

Raja Petra Kamaruddin Claimed trial for publishing a seditious article

Raja Petra Kamaruddin claimed trial at PJ Sessions Court because of publishing a seditious article at the Malaysia Today news portal on April 25.

Earlier, The Star sent out a SMS news saying that:Raja Petra Kamaruddin, editor of Malaysia Today news portal, has now been told to go to PJ Sessions Court to be charged with sedition.

Even earlier than the above news, it was reported that Raja Petra Kamaruddin arrived at magistrates court on Jalan Duta at 9.06 am to be charged for sedition. There was a big crowd gathered outside the court.

Apparently, late last night, Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been told to go to the Jalan Duta Magistrates Court at 9.30am the next day where he will be charged for sedition. And when he arrived at the Jalan Duta Magistrates Court, he was told to go to PJ Sessions Court.


Businessman Syed Akbar Ali was charged under Section 4(1)c of Sedition Act 1948 at a KL sessions court for posting a comment on Raja Petra’s site.

You will be responsible for what you wrote, whether you are been paid or not. If you write to a friend, no body will care. But when you write a blog, you are writing for the world to read. The authority cares what you wrote. That is why not many people dare to become a blogger because you have to be brave enough.

The Information Ministry plans to set up blogs to disseminate information to and receive feedback from the public.


Dewan Rakyat will debate an emergency motion tabled by Salahuddin Ayob on sharp increase of price of rice at 4.30pm.



Police have not found evidence that indelible ink was brought in from Thailand in the run-up to the elections: Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.


The Government paid RM 39.11 mil for the Angkasawan space programme, says Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili.

MPs are matured adults

Dewan Rakyat live telecast could be extended beyond 30 minutes if MPs continue to behave well, says Information Minister Shabery Cheek.

MPs are matured adults. They are no kids. Shabery Cheek is like telling his kids, “you have to behave well, otherwise, I won’t give you sweets. If you continue to behave well, I will give you more sweets.”

KL High Court grants the Catholic Church leave to seek judicial review over use of the word “Allah” in its weekly publication, Herald.

Perak Government will issue a letter to Jamry Sury today, reinstating him as Religious Dept director, says State Secretary Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim.

Train services to the south and East Coast have resumed as tracks affected by the Express Rakyat derailment on Saturday have been cleared.

Home Ministry cannot impose requirement for Malaysian women traveling alone overseas to get family consent, says Syed Hamid.

Penang EXCO adopt Northern Corridor Implementation Agency Act

3/5 Penang CM says state exco agrees to adopt Northern Corridor Implementation Agency Act which empowers the agency to implement the NCER.

This is good news. At least the Federal government cannot say now the State government is not supportive of the project.


Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim’s proposal that women get family consent before going abroad is a violation of women’s rights, says Ng Yen Yen.

Representatives of Dalai Lama and Chinese officials begin talks on Tibet in Shenzhen, China’s President Hu Jintao hopes for “positive outcome”.

3/5 10 passengers injured after Ekspres Rakyat Butterworth-Singapore train derailed along Jalan Seremban-Tampin at 3.35pm. The driver of the train died.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: A Weak Government is not good for Multi-racial Malaysia

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: A Weak Government is not good for Multi-racial Malaysia

Cabinet decided to continue live telecasts of Parliament sitting

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek confirms that Cabinet has decided to continue with half-hour live telecasts of Parliament proceedings.

This should be the way. Whether circus or no circus, the people can decide.

Many MPs, including some Ministers and senior parliamentarians, want the live telecast of the Dewan Rakyat proceedings to go on despite Wednesday's circus".

Perak Sultan orders MB Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin to reinstate Jamry Sury as Perak Religious Dept director as royal consent was not given for sacking.

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is being investigated by police under the Multimedia Act 1998.

Tun Mahathir's article

A Weak Government is not good for Multi-racial Malaysia

I would like to thank all visitors to chedet.com. for their kind words and for welcoming me to the blogosphere. To be honest, I was indeed surprised by the overwhelming response to my weblog.

To my critics and detractors I welcome your comments, but I would appreciate that responses be focussed on the issue that I blog. This is to allow a healthy debate and to gauge points of view which differ from my own.

I apologise that due to the overwhelming traffic, I may not be able to respond to all comments and queries as much as I would like to. I will be selective and respond to points repeatedly raised by commentators in relation to what I've posted.

I shall also not respond, unless absolutely necessary, to issues that have been raised and answered by me in other forums, especially those pertaining to unsubstantiated allegations.

With regards to my first posting on the appointment of judges, most commentators disagreed with my comment that when Government works with the opposition it is a sign of weakness, and that I consider the opposition as the enemy.

Politically, the opposition is the enemy. Being forced to work with the opposition is not undemocratic but it shows up the weakness of the Government.

A weak government is not good for multi-racial Malaysia. It leads to unwarranted challenges against its authority. Governments cannot please everybody. If a Government cannot be firm and is forced to flip-flop there will be a lack of confidence which does not augur well for the smooth implementation of policies or project. Some people might already have noticed this.

A Government with little need for opposition support would be better able to disregard the sniping that all Governments must face. It should however take note of opposition views and respond where necessary.

In today's context, the Federal Government is unable to initiate necessary changes to the constitution and would be held to ransom every time.

One of the most important things about a two-thirds majority is that there would be hardly any threat of defection. Today we hear of this threat everyday. The leadership of the Barisan Nasional is like a cat on hot bricks. And cats on hot bricks cannot achieve anything.

Previous Federal Governments had never failed to obtain the two-thirds majority. As a measure of strength, a two-thirds majority allows a Government to do everything on its own and be totally independent.

But perhaps the proposed request for opposition support is made with sincerity in the spirit of democracy.

The question is why now? Why not when the Government had 90 percent majority after the General Election of 2004? Changes to the way judges are picked could have been done after the 2004 resounding victory.

I have always been of the opinion that this country must have a strong and independent Federal Government which can then serve the country and people without fear or favour.

But I have been on record in advocating a strong opposition. This is to ensure the Government does not stray from the right path, or abuse its authority.

The combination of a strong (two-thirds majority) Government and an Opposition with the capacity and willingness to check abuses by the Government would serve Malaysia well.

As to the Government's latest proposal to set up a judicial commission, is it because it now thinks it is a good thing or is it a desperate attempt to win back the support it has lost?

As for my criticisms of the leaders of the present Government, I believe I have every right to do so. Retiring from the Government simply means giving up authority and power. It does not mean I must abdicate my role as a citizen. I have every right to be concerned over the flip-flopping mismanagement of this country and that of the party I helped to revive in 1987. The party does not belong to Dato Seri Abdullah alone. Nor is it meant to support him as leader even when he mishandled the elections and the country. The party does not belong to me either. It belongs to all its members. Presently the members are not permitted to be critical. They can merely say yes to what Dato Seri Abdullah says or does.

Since the opposition is also supporting Dato Seri Abdullah, if I do not criticise, then no one will. And without criticisms the Government and Dato Seri Abdullah can really go wrong.

(Reminder: I welcome criticisms and critical comments and I will publish them. However, I will not publish comments containing profanities and demeaning references to certain names. Anonymous postings will also not be published.)

The above article is taken from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed's blog:www.chedet.com

My comments:


Tun Mahathir said:The combination of a strong (two-thirds majority) Government and an Opposition with the capacity and willingness to check abuses by the Government would serve Malaysia well. Can Malaysia have a strong Government and a strong opposition? It cannot be strong-strong when the BN has two-thirds majority. I think the people will allow the BN to have its two-thirds majority if it listens to the voice of the people.

Since Tun is an influential citizen, I rather he used his influence to promote business, commerce, and industry which will be more beneficial to the country.

Parliament sitting live telecast might be scapped

PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he is ashamed of what transpired on first day of Dewan Rakyat sitting, agrees that live telecast be scapped.

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek will propose to Cabinet tomorrow the cancellation of Dewan Rakyat telecast because of misuse by MPs.

What is happening? According to The Star, “THE Dewan turned into a “zoo” after the seating position of Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Ind – Pasir Mas) became a bone of contention between the Speaker and the Opposition.”

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has called for comprehensive live telecast of Parliament proceedings so that the people can judge for themselves, the performance of their elected representatives.

It should not be scrapped just because of outbursts among MPs on Wednesday -- rather it should be telecast live and every proceeding should be made available to the people, he said.

“I was actually ashamed after reading reports that MPs heading into Parliament do not have questions, nor written inquiries,” he said.

The live telecast should be continued despite the questionable behaviour of some MPs, but it is their right to choose how they want to behave, he said.

I agreed with Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s views that live telecast should be continued.


All 3 DAP assemblymen detained earlier released after Malacca cops recorded statements, accused of causing mischief during unlawful assembly.

The three included party secretary Lim Jak Wong, They were detained after demonstration in Kampung Lapan, Malacca this morning.


Human Resources Minister Dr Subraminiam: Ministry to conduct safety audits on all public sector workplaces to ensure safe working conditions.

Manila deploys 3000 cops as thousands of Filipino take to streets to demand higher wages in face of soaring food prices and inflation.

US Senate confirms career foreign service officer Scot Marciel as its first ever ambassador for Asean affairs.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined the swelling ranks of politicians going online with his own blog simply named “Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” at www.chedet.com.

“This site is dedicated to publishing my writings as and when I am able to pen my thoughts and opinion,” he says.

In his first posting The Appointment of Judges on Thursday, he tackles the issue of judicial reform, noting that there have been no details on how the recently announced Judicial Appointments Commission will work.

Heated moment at Parliament this morning

There were heated arguement this morning in Parliament when the Speaker disallowed supplementary question because of time constrained.

Lim Kit Siang wanted the speaker explained why he disablowed supplementary question. The PM suggested to the speaker to allow one or two questions. Later, the speaker allowed only one supplementary question.

The viewers loved to see the heated arguements between the speaker and the opposition MPs during the Parliament sitting.

PAS’s motion to discuss review of oil royalty agreement between Federal government and Terengganu state government was rejected by Dewan Rakyat.

Ling Ling, the famous male giant panda that China presented to Japan as a gift in 1992, died in a Tokyo zoo because of old age. He was 22 years 7 months old.

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery said the ministry will re-look into live telecast of Parliament sitting. He said that this morning’s disruptions was because MPs played to the gallery.

Question time in Parliament starts 30 min late as Opposition MPs raise procedural issues, with MPs calling each other names.

The war of words between Samy and Toyo

This is just very exciting. Dr Khir Toyo said that it is MIC president who had asked him on Nov 15 to demolish the Kampung Rimba Jaya Hindu temple near Shah Alam.

Samy defended himself by saying that the temple had been "demolished"in October when devotees removed deities from the temple and what remained was just a structure and Dr Khir was to be blamed for the demolition.

Who is telling the truth?

Obviously one of them is not telling the truth. They wanted to prove they should not be blamed for demolishing the Indian temple, they better show the proof.

The PM asked them to stop their war of words.