Solidify before fragility sets in

The formation of the Pakatan Rakyat government since post election has brought hope and euphoria to many of us who wished for a change in this seemingly omnipotent Barisan National government that has been dictated by Umno so much that sheer arrogance is the rule of the day.

It has been more than 100 days since the formation of PR and much has been written about its so called ‘100 days Performance Report’. To be fair and considering all the ‘shits’ inherited, to expect PR to perform to expectations within 100 days is a Herculean task which the BN has failed to achieve even after 50 years in power.

After having lost five states in the election, the BN is in fiery and vengeful mood to regain back the states, by hook or by crook. Thus, any cracks in the PR coalition will be capitalized to the fullest by the BN controlled main stream medias. Constant publications of false or twisted information will ultimately be taken as the gospel truth by the people. Therefore PR must have its own ways and means to disseminate correct information, especially to the grassroots and rural supporters.
The BN has already displayed its vengeful mood in the state assembly with its constant verbal attacks against the PR over trivial issues and withdrawing development funds and projects in Penang.

With so many obstacles created by the BN, it is only logical for the PR to solidify itself before it self-destructs through its fragility. It must show that it can truly govern with its CAT concept of governance. The state of Penang will be the catalyst and prime example that it can be as self-reliant as possible to bring prosperity to all. If it can succeed in doing so, than the next election will be a forgone conclusion.

I would like to stress again that it is of paramount importance that PR stays truly united and adhere to its core policies of good governance. The enemies have already reared its ugly heads and are just waiting to pounce and assail with malevolence.

At this point in time, the 100 days performance report of the PR government is nothing much to shout about. The initial hope of an alternative government seems to have been obfuscated by its fragility. This cloud of obfuscation must be removed so that the road leading to good governance can be clear and smooth to allow for greater solidarity.

We have waited 50 years for this political change and this country cannot afford to have another 50 years under the incompetent, inefficient and arrogant rule of BN. To do so, it will certainly take us all to hell politically, socially and economically.

It is the fervent hope of the people that PR be the savior of this blessed country, by hook but never by crook.

Today in history

She was the former First Lady of the United States and the Senator for New York.She campaigned with full of confidence and was the hot favorite of the Democrats.
Yes! We are talking of Hilary Rodham Clinton who has lost the nomination for President of the United States.The seemingly unbeatable has been beaten.

He is a son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas and the Senator for Illinois.
He started the campaign as the underdog of the Democrats.With political savvy and charm,he managed to win the hearts of the Americans,including the whites.His campaign speeches were powerful, focussed and articulate.
Yes! Barack Obama has won the nomination for the President of the United States.
Today history is in the making.Tomorrow history will be made.

It is interesting to note that all the presidential candidates' campaign speeches,from the Democrats and the Republicans,were very focussed on key issues of the country and even outlined the needs to address these issues.This is what we called professionalism.
Non of Barack Obama's presidential opponents ever attacked him as being black.Race is never an issue,even among the voters.This is what we called democracy and fair play.

Now,for the million dollar questions:

1) Can Malaysia politics survive a two party system?

2) Can Malaysian politicians perform their duties away from the sick and damaging world of racial politics?

3) Can Malaysian politicians talk facts instead of twisting the facts and talk sense instead of cow sense?

A week-end holiday

Its school holiday again and like most loving fathers,a holiday trip with the children seemed inevitable. As time was not on my side,I chose to visit Ipoh and the surrounding towns.

Saturday 31st May 08 : We arrived Ipoh at about 2.00pm and after having checked into the hotel,we set out to explore Ipoh by roaming the surrounding areas.Well, there is not much of changes since my last trip almost ten years ago.
We visited the caves temples which Ipoh is famous for although most look alike.

It was indeed very surprising to see Ipoh 'eerily' quiet by 7.00pm.And it was a Saturday!
Almost all the shops were closed as if the people are already very contended with life.
At the pasar malam which we visited,there were only a handful of people.It was a boring walk as most of the stalls were selling basically the same stuff ie. cloths,bags,shoes,spectacles and belts.

Come on Ipoh, 'you' have already achieved city status, please have some life to show that you have 'grown-up'.

Sunday 1st June 08 : We checked out at 7.00am and was surprised that there is a pasar pagi in front of the hotel which is a stark contrast to the pasar malam.
The traders here sell practically anything.There are plenty of antiques like clocks,irons,fans, very old books,magazines,records,wheelchairs and even urine pots!This is certainly an interesting place to visit,especially antique collectors.No wonder this place is known as Memory Lane.
The government should let this place operates at night and in a more systematic manner like the Jonker Walk in Melaka which is always packed with visitors.

We headed for Taiping to visit Bukit Larut(formerly known as Maxwell Hill) and to our disappointment,tickets for the jeepney ride up the hill were sold out although we reached there at 12.00pm.Anyway,we took in the beautiful sights of the Taiping Lake.It is big, serene and well kept.

On the way back to KL from Taiping,I used the trunk road to explore other towns and kampungs instead of the boring drive of the Plus Highway.
Along the trunk road,I detoured to visit Kellie's Castle which was built in 1909-1910 by a Scottish entrepreneur named William Kellie Smith and is rumored to be haunted till today.

Before reaching the town of Kampar,I saw a sign pointing to Gua Tempurung.With some time left to spare,I detoured again.
Well, well, this was a gem of the whole trip.

The cave is simply magnificent and astoundingly captivating the moment you walked in.
We joined a group of about 30 visitors with a guide who lectured us on the cave's history and showed us the pictorial formations(caused by stalagmites and stalactites and also the bats' droppings) on the wall with his torch light. There is Mona Liza, Osama,Buddha,elephants,snakes and many more interesting formations.
I was surprised to see that there were not many foreign tourists.

Having thoroughly enjoyed this adventurous visit, we left for Kampar to try the curry chicken bread for dinner before we left for home.

Conclusion: There are many more places of interest to visit which a two-day trip is definitely not enough. I see great potentials in Perak's tourism industry and as such, I hope the Perak government already has a comprehensive and aggressive plan to boost this industry.

When the clowns act, there is no laughter.

Supporting Act #1 :The Umnoputras as usual, have overreacted again over the decision of the PSD to increase the scholarships to non-bumiputras, although there are still many non-bumi students who are top scorers have failed to obtain the scholarships.
Why must the Umnoputras be so sensitive over this issue?
Aren't these students who excelled in their studies Malaysians too?
Is it kulitfication that produces unemployable graduates more important than excellent qualification that produces quality graduates?
Do the Umnoputras know why Malaysia is always going backward?
And when the country is short of professionals,the government will 'beg' them to come back.
Poorah!

Supporting Act #2 : The March 08 political tsunami has suddenly made Sabah and Sarawak the king makers now. Sabah has demanded the Federal government to take immediate and drastic action against the illegal immigrants that has plagued them for a long time.
Badawi has recommended a Cabinet Committee to tackle the issue which Sabah have rejected.This Cabinet Committee has been formed in the year 2000 and has failed to be effective as it is a powerless committee. They want nothing short of a Royal Commission of Inquiry(RCI) that has the power to take action against the witnesses and the wrongdoers.
Why is the Federal Government so reluctant to form a RCI?

Supporting Act #3 : The police have acted very swiftly by arresting the four persons who are accused of rioting against the police during the Bandar Makhota Cheras standoff with Grand Saga.The extension of bail against them is indeed very disturbing to most right thinking citizens.
Although there have been reports lodged against several policemen for hurting innocent victims, nothing much has been done against them.
Furthermore,there have also been reports that thugs were engaged to threaten the local residents, no outcome of the investigation,if any,is in sight.
Is this what we call justice?

Main Act #4 : The drastic action of increasing the hefty price hike in petrol to control the subsidy and the increased electricity tariff will certainly bring a lot of hardships to the people. The spiraling cost of living from the chain reaction is going to be great.
When the financial burdens of the people are stretched to the limits, many questions will be asked:
What happen to the oil revenue from Petronas?
Will Petronas be transparent and reveal its account?
Can the government make corruptions a zero sum game?
How much of money are wasted from failed projects?
Can the government trimmed the overstaffed civil service to save unnecessary expenses?

For most middle income earners with a small family,this might be still manageable with careful financial planning.
My greatest concern are the lower income earners with a big family.
How are they going to cope?
I have no qualms if the government is to provide them greater subsidies,regardless of race of course.
How about the Umnoputras?
Are they going to brouhaha and talk about kulitfication again?

Review : This whole bunch of clowns deserved to receive rotten eggs on their faces instead of the accolades. No matter how,they just failed to bring cheer and happiness to the people.
Are they dimwits,useless or just plain silly?

When there is not enough food to feed and not enough money to spend on basic needs,the temptation to turn to crimes will be high. We are living in a very difficult environment now:politically,socially and economically.
So,dear all, please be careful and take care.