Malaysia, of course, like many other countries, faces a shortage of doctors. Even more scarce are doctors of courage and conscience. In fact, we had been quite convinced that there were none in Malaysia, until a group of doctors at Tung Shin Hospital proved us wrong today. They are, as reported in Malaysiakini, Musa Nordin, Sheikh Johari Bux, Ng Kwee Boon, Ng Swee Choon, Ronald Macoy, David Quek, Mary Cardozo, Farouk Musa, Mazeni Alwi, Pixie Low and Steve Wong.
For a noble profession, too many succumb to the temptations of money, position and sometimes power, rather than to the more onerous duty of dedication to their fellow man. This could be probably because they start off on the wrong foot, studying medicine for all the wrong reasons. Like for money, position in society or because their parents want them to.
In some cases, as in the A.Kugan case, the pathologist appeared to be complicit with the authorities in engineering a cover-up. From the MMA, he received a mere reprimand. In the Anwar trial, doctors appeared to have no qualms about bearing false witness or suppressing documents which would exonerate Anwar. Liow Tiang Lai, the Health Minister, exposed for a liar, took refuge in semantics and blamed those who briefed him. He will not own up to his mistake,a self-serving one. And he fails in his duty as Health Minister to safeguard all hospitals.
Those members of the medical profession who continue to remain silent in the face of an increasingly despotic government may have forgotten the following line in the Hippocratic Oath;
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
Doctors do indeed have a special obligation to their fellows, as do lawyers. Lawyers in Malaysia, to their credit, have not shirked their responsibility, unlike their timid brethren in Singapore. But doctors, until today, had not lived up to their oath, in Malaysia. Until the outrage of tear gas and acid water and violent arrests in Tung Shin Hospital.
Still, it has been left to a small group of them to protest. The MMA remains, shamelessly, silent.
Doctors can, and must stand up, for what is right and condemn evil whomsoever the perpetrator.
It is both their moral and Hippocratic duty.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
KL Central's Tunnel Of Doom
A pedestrian would find unremarkable the underpass that he has to pass through on his way from Brickfields to KL Central for his daily commute. Nor would it be of particular interest to him that the underpass has been turned into a tunnel by construction works.
But it would be in this unobtrusive tunnel that a key incident, nay, an atrocity, would be perpetrated on an august group of Malaysian parlimentarians, NGO leaders and citizens making their way to join the Bersih rally in the Kuala Lumpur city centre on July 9th.
They included Anwar Ibrahim, Dr.Wan Azizah, Ustaz Hadi Awang, Lim Kit Siang, Ambiga Sreenivasa, A.Samad Said, Khalid Samad, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tian Chua and N.Surendran among others. As they walked towards the exit they were confronted by the FRU. Tian Chua and Surendran walked ahead, presumably to negotiate with the FRU, both being veterans of many a confrontation with the authorities. But the FRU were already aiming their guns. Surendran, seeming to sense trouble, started moving back towards the main group, calling on Tian Chua to move back. But Tian Chua kept advancing, like a latter-day Lord Cardigan, not willing to believe perhaps, that the police would actually fire on such a distinguished group. In the next instant, the scene dissapeared in acrid, lung-burning tear gas smoke as the police, without warning, discharged their weapons. The looks on the leaders faces, as the scene dissolved, was one of stunned bewilderment. Those attempting to escape by retreating backwards were met by another FRU phalanx and more tear gas canisters. Incredibly, the police were aiming directly into the body of the crowd, instead of over them. And there was no way out!
In such a closed environment, the results could have been deadly. Tear gas in a closed environment can cause permanent pulmonary damage, asphyxiation, cynide poisoning, severe vomitting and death. It is used often on civilians in Malaysia when it is, in fact, banned as a weapon in war, being considered a chemical warfare weapon.
There was no provocation offered by the marchers to justify this potentially deadly use of tear gas. They were walking towards the Merdeka Stadium, and that was all. Dr. Wan Azizah, Lim Kit Siang and Ustaz Hadi were not likely to suddenly start pelting the FRU with stones. Yet the walkers were attacked. It was either a malicious plan by the BN government, or the police in KL Central were led by an incomprehensibly stupid commander. Either way, the BN is responsible.
When the smoke cleared enough for visibility to return, Anwar Ibrahim was bleeding from the head and the knee. He had fallen in the rush and would be rushed to Pantai Hospital for a CT scan. Khalid Samad was seriously hurt from being hit by a tear gas canister. Anwar's bodyguard, Fayedh, was standing with a 4 inch hole in his cheek in a blood-drenched shirt, still loyally protecting Anwar and refusing to attend to himself. Surendran stood next to them, his shirtsleeves bloody, gasping for breath like everybody else.
Tian Chua had been arrested, as had Ambiga and several others, including Anwar's youngest daughter Nurul Iman, a carbon-copy of her mother, Dr.Wan Azizah. Nurul Izzah had been told she was arrested, but seeing herself unattended to, left to help a vomitting marcher; and was thus, by her own fiat, unarrested! Miraculously, despite the reckless use of tear gas in a closed environment by the police, nobody was dead. Across the city, though, in front of the KLCC, a protestor would die on July 9th of the effects of uncaring use of tear gas.
This incident in the KL Central may well mark the end of the BN regime for good. No right-thinking Malaysian can vote for a brutal and barbarous government which thinks nothing of gassing respected oppositionists and parliementarians.
Note : The above is based on composite eyewitness accounts.
But it would be in this unobtrusive tunnel that a key incident, nay, an atrocity, would be perpetrated on an august group of Malaysian parlimentarians, NGO leaders and citizens making their way to join the Bersih rally in the Kuala Lumpur city centre on July 9th.
They included Anwar Ibrahim, Dr.Wan Azizah, Ustaz Hadi Awang, Lim Kit Siang, Ambiga Sreenivasa, A.Samad Said, Khalid Samad, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tian Chua and N.Surendran among others. As they walked towards the exit they were confronted by the FRU. Tian Chua and Surendran walked ahead, presumably to negotiate with the FRU, both being veterans of many a confrontation with the authorities. But the FRU were already aiming their guns. Surendran, seeming to sense trouble, started moving back towards the main group, calling on Tian Chua to move back. But Tian Chua kept advancing, like a latter-day Lord Cardigan, not willing to believe perhaps, that the police would actually fire on such a distinguished group. In the next instant, the scene dissapeared in acrid, lung-burning tear gas smoke as the police, without warning, discharged their weapons. The looks on the leaders faces, as the scene dissolved, was one of stunned bewilderment. Those attempting to escape by retreating backwards were met by another FRU phalanx and more tear gas canisters. Incredibly, the police were aiming directly into the body of the crowd, instead of over them. And there was no way out!
In such a closed environment, the results could have been deadly. Tear gas in a closed environment can cause permanent pulmonary damage, asphyxiation, cynide poisoning, severe vomitting and death. It is used often on civilians in Malaysia when it is, in fact, banned as a weapon in war, being considered a chemical warfare weapon.
There was no provocation offered by the marchers to justify this potentially deadly use of tear gas. They were walking towards the Merdeka Stadium, and that was all. Dr. Wan Azizah, Lim Kit Siang and Ustaz Hadi were not likely to suddenly start pelting the FRU with stones. Yet the walkers were attacked. It was either a malicious plan by the BN government, or the police in KL Central were led by an incomprehensibly stupid commander. Either way, the BN is responsible.
When the smoke cleared enough for visibility to return, Anwar Ibrahim was bleeding from the head and the knee. He had fallen in the rush and would be rushed to Pantai Hospital for a CT scan. Khalid Samad was seriously hurt from being hit by a tear gas canister. Anwar's bodyguard, Fayedh, was standing with a 4 inch hole in his cheek in a blood-drenched shirt, still loyally protecting Anwar and refusing to attend to himself. Surendran stood next to them, his shirtsleeves bloody, gasping for breath like everybody else.
Tian Chua had been arrested, as had Ambiga and several others, including Anwar's youngest daughter Nurul Iman, a carbon-copy of her mother, Dr.Wan Azizah. Nurul Izzah had been told she was arrested, but seeing herself unattended to, left to help a vomitting marcher; and was thus, by her own fiat, unarrested! Miraculously, despite the reckless use of tear gas in a closed environment by the police, nobody was dead. Across the city, though, in front of the KLCC, a protestor would die on July 9th of the effects of uncaring use of tear gas.
This incident in the KL Central may well mark the end of the BN regime for good. No right-thinking Malaysian can vote for a brutal and barbarous government which thinks nothing of gassing respected oppositionists and parliementarians.
Note : The above is based on composite eyewitness accounts.
An Unneccessary Death in Kuala Lumpur
The Acting KL CPO, Amar Singh, has rushed to declare the death of a protestor in the Bersih rally yesterday as due to a heart attack. We were, of course, much impressed by his efficiency in deducing cause of death. It is a pity that he has absolutely no basis for his pronouncement other than self-serving, biased opinion.
Lest we judge him too quickly, or too harshly, we did check whether he was a pathologist turned policeman. We find that he is no such thing.
The protester died after being hit with teargas. He died after being left unattended for an hour and a half, despite those who were with him asking the police for help to send him to the hospital. They were ignored and no help was rendered, according to eyewitness accounts. And so he was left to perish, unneccessarily.
A Malaysian is dead, and those responsible for his death, by acts of commission, omission or negligence, must be punished. Ultimate responsibility for his death lies squarely with Malaysia's less than competent Home Minister, Hishamuddin Hussein.
The protestor's name is Baharuddin Ahmad. He was married with two sons and a daughter.
He deserves justice, and his family deserves closure, which cannot come without justice being served on the guilty.
Lest we judge him too quickly, or too harshly, we did check whether he was a pathologist turned policeman. We find that he is no such thing.
The protester died after being hit with teargas. He died after being left unattended for an hour and a half, despite those who were with him asking the police for help to send him to the hospital. They were ignored and no help was rendered, according to eyewitness accounts. And so he was left to perish, unneccessarily.
A Malaysian is dead, and those responsible for his death, by acts of commission, omission or negligence, must be punished. Ultimate responsibility for his death lies squarely with Malaysia's less than competent Home Minister, Hishamuddin Hussein.
The protestor's name is Baharuddin Ahmad. He was married with two sons and a daughter.
He deserves justice, and his family deserves closure, which cannot come without justice being served on the guilty.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Mr.Najib Goes To New York
We had been watching with interest Mr.Najib's visit to New York. Would he perform some miracle which would pull Malaysia out of the economic mess it is in, thanks, in no small measure, to his own incompetence as an economic manager?
We were greeted one morning with the news, in bold headlines in the mainstream media, that he had managed to extract RM 18 billion in investments from companies in the US. Fantastic news! Or perhaps too fantastic to be believed.
Who were these generous investors? Mr.Najib responded that he can't reveal them right now. So, these deals haven't been signed yet, right? They are little more than polite expressions of interest to a visiting dignitary, we suppose. So, why announce them in such haste? Because the elections are coming, of course.
Meanwhile, in the real world, as opposed to Mr.Najib's fairy tale one, prices continue to rise. Plus, Malaysians get to pay for Mr.Najib's pointless trip!
But in today's papers, we see that we are mistaken, and that Mr.Najib is a man with a plan after all. For splashed all over, are pictures of Mr.Najib and his wife attending his daughter's convocation in New York. How very co-incidental, not to mention convenient!
Is this what Mr.Najib's trip was all about? It is a sad sight indeed to see the Prime Minister of a struggling nation, behaving like a mid-level bureacrat, organising official visits around his private schedule.
We were greeted one morning with the news, in bold headlines in the mainstream media, that he had managed to extract RM 18 billion in investments from companies in the US. Fantastic news! Or perhaps too fantastic to be believed.
Who were these generous investors? Mr.Najib responded that he can't reveal them right now. So, these deals haven't been signed yet, right? They are little more than polite expressions of interest to a visiting dignitary, we suppose. So, why announce them in such haste? Because the elections are coming, of course.
Meanwhile, in the real world, as opposed to Mr.Najib's fairy tale one, prices continue to rise. Plus, Malaysians get to pay for Mr.Najib's pointless trip!
But in today's papers, we see that we are mistaken, and that Mr.Najib is a man with a plan after all. For splashed all over, are pictures of Mr.Najib and his wife attending his daughter's convocation in New York. How very co-incidental, not to mention convenient!
Is this what Mr.Najib's trip was all about? It is a sad sight indeed to see the Prime Minister of a struggling nation, behaving like a mid-level bureacrat, organising official visits around his private schedule.
See What You Need To Do!
In the end, the only thing the PAP understands is the crack of the whip on their well-fed posteriors. No amount of writing or complaining or reasoned argument could convince them to change clearly wrong-headed policies. But punish them at the polls, and they jump to obey (finally) the people.
Well, sort of. It is not enough. It is far from enough. A 'committe' has been set up to 'study' Ministerial pay. The 'committe' should understand that a 10% pay-cut will not be sufficient. In fact, today's ministerial pay cannot be used as a baseline at all. Because today's ministerial is ludicruos. Politicians in Singapore cannot be paid more than leaders in the US, who run a nation of 300 million people. If it's not good enough for them to perform public service, then the nation is well rid of them. The baseline, if the committee wants one, is zero. They may work from there but they would be well-advised to stop at S$25,000 a month. With the kinds of silly perks these guys get, it should be more than enough.
And what about all these draconian laws? Is Mr.Lee planning to repeal them? No, of course not; the message is not clear enough, perhaps.
Meanwhile, Mr.Lee Kuan Yew and Mr.Goh Chok Tong, resigned from posts that they had not been appointed to yet, in a joint statement! What are they, The Two Ronnies?
We must say though, that it is a serious mistake by the opposition to accept the NCMP posts. The PAP will use it again in the next election, to their detriment perhaps.
Well, sort of. It is not enough. It is far from enough. A 'committe' has been set up to 'study' Ministerial pay. The 'committe' should understand that a 10% pay-cut will not be sufficient. In fact, today's ministerial pay cannot be used as a baseline at all. Because today's ministerial is ludicruos. Politicians in Singapore cannot be paid more than leaders in the US, who run a nation of 300 million people. If it's not good enough for them to perform public service, then the nation is well rid of them. The baseline, if the committee wants one, is zero. They may work from there but they would be well-advised to stop at S$25,000 a month. With the kinds of silly perks these guys get, it should be more than enough.
And what about all these draconian laws? Is Mr.Lee planning to repeal them? No, of course not; the message is not clear enough, perhaps.
Meanwhile, Mr.Lee Kuan Yew and Mr.Goh Chok Tong, resigned from posts that they had not been appointed to yet, in a joint statement! What are they, The Two Ronnies?
We must say though, that it is a serious mistake by the opposition to accept the NCMP posts. The PAP will use it again in the next election, to their detriment perhaps.
Desperate in the BN
If there is a ruling party in desperate straits in this part of the world, it is Malaysia's Barisan Nasional. They have trapped themselves in an economic and political morass from which there is no escape.
Years of incompetence and mismanagement of the economy, of natural resources and of human capital are now converging into a tightening straitjacket, which wriggle as they might, there is no way to get out of.
Prices of goods, essential items and transportation are in a never-ending upward spiral, and the people are increasingly affected, and ever more discontented. Experience shows that the economy, more than anything else, will affect votes.
So strained is the government's financial circumstances, that they are talking of cutting subsidies (a sure vote-loser), during this already difficult time for Malaysians. They have no choice, their back is against the wall.
The BN has now taken to playing the race card to try and save themselves. It is unlikely to work. Malaysians are a far more discerning lot these days. They will see right through the BN's ploy. And there is now a proven alternate in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat.
It is a desperate coalition that holds the reins of power in Malaysia these days.
Years of incompetence and mismanagement of the economy, of natural resources and of human capital are now converging into a tightening straitjacket, which wriggle as they might, there is no way to get out of.
Prices of goods, essential items and transportation are in a never-ending upward spiral, and the people are increasingly affected, and ever more discontented. Experience shows that the economy, more than anything else, will affect votes.
So strained is the government's financial circumstances, that they are talking of cutting subsidies (a sure vote-loser), during this already difficult time for Malaysians. They have no choice, their back is against the wall.
The BN has now taken to playing the race card to try and save themselves. It is unlikely to work. Malaysians are a far more discerning lot these days. They will see right through the BN's ploy. And there is now a proven alternate in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat.
It is a desperate coalition that holds the reins of power in Malaysia these days.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
English Not Welcome
Not in the continent, anyway. If in France, it is best to say something in French, like 'Bon Jour', before ordering your coffee. You may actually get some service.
The same applies if you're in Italy or Spain, it seems. But say something in French in a Madrid cafe, and you will get prompt service, and a 'Merci, Monsieur' as you leave. The French are viewed as cultured, the English as barbarians. English food is considered bland, French food a delight. As far as the food is concerned, it is indisputably true. And not even the English are immune to this French cultural imperialism, despite all their jokes about the French.
The roots of this linguistic discrimination is hard to pin down. The French have quarreled too often with the English perhaps, and so will not tolerate their language. And the Spanish may yet mourn their armada.
But if you're planning to stroll down the Champs Elysee, now filled with American stores, or walk down the shady sidewalks of the Paseo De La Castellano on your way to the Prado, you may want to pick up a smattering of French first.
Note :
Americans are more tolerated, they are such generous tippers.
The same applies if you're in Italy or Spain, it seems. But say something in French in a Madrid cafe, and you will get prompt service, and a 'Merci, Monsieur' as you leave. The French are viewed as cultured, the English as barbarians. English food is considered bland, French food a delight. As far as the food is concerned, it is indisputably true. And not even the English are immune to this French cultural imperialism, despite all their jokes about the French.
The roots of this linguistic discrimination is hard to pin down. The French have quarreled too often with the English perhaps, and so will not tolerate their language. And the Spanish may yet mourn their armada.
But if you're planning to stroll down the Champs Elysee, now filled with American stores, or walk down the shady sidewalks of the Paseo De La Castellano on your way to the Prado, you may want to pick up a smattering of French first.
Note :
Americans are more tolerated, they are such generous tippers.
Saving Pakistan
Eight hundred yards from the house where Mr.Osama was shot, stands Pakistan's version of West Point. This is in Abbottabad, which teems with serving and retired army personnel, security checks and ID checks for residents. It is impossible to believe that the Pakistanis did not know.
But what possible motive could Pakistan's Intelligence Agency, the ISI, have to shelter Mr.Osama? The answer may be partly a very earthly one, money. As long as Mr.Osama was free, the US would continue to spend freely to find him and to fight terrorism. Much of that funding would find it's way to Pakistan.
He had become a feared symbol in the United States; killing him every American President's, and for that matter, most Americans, fantasy. For the Pakistani Army, he may have been a cash cow. If so, they had to keep him alive, and they had to keep him hidden. Where better, than in the ultra-safe city of Abbotabad. Meanwhile, keep feeding the Americans red herrings, and have them searching Afghan caves. Of course, there was the danger that he would keep ordering up bombings and killings all over the world. But perhaps, they just sipped their teas, shook their heads, and dismissed it as the nature of the beast.
The Americans, despite their success in eliminating Mr.Osama, look terribly foolish now, for having generously funded Pakistan. They will not be easily mollified or appeased. And they are in possesion of information that they collected at Mr.Osama's hideout.
It would be best for Pakistan and it's army now, to move away from those they may have supported in the past, for whatever reasons. Terrorism is a doubled-edged sword, as likely to hurt it's wielders as it's targets. And terrorists, are not amenable to being managed. Cross them, and they will surely turn on their backers, whoever they may be.
The complicated game that Pakistan's army and the ISI seem to play, of attempting to play off the US against China, the US against Terrorism, India against China, and of seeking to control Afghanistan through queit support of the Taliban, may be wholly unnecessary. It is also fraught with contradictions, which results in contradictory policies, and general confusion.
Pakistan is not a safe place for anybody to visit now, and if the authorities don't institute radical changes, there is never going to be a Visit Pakistan Year. It is a pity, because it is a beautiful country and is blessed with the stunning Pakistani Himalayas, rarely visited now by climbers, trekkers or tourists.
Pakistan will also have to be safe, before it can save it's economy. It's people are intelligent and industrious, but unemployed and made desperate by poverty. Foreign investment in the economy is hard to come by, and will be even harder now. A few more years in this seemingly insolvable imbroglio, and Pakistan will surely become, like Somalia already has, a failed state.
Pakistan is worried constantly by it's giant neighbour India, but they will have to let this unhealthy obsession go, if they are to progress. They are the same people, after all, and speak the same languages. There is a Punjab in India and there is a Punjab in Pakistan. In both cases, it is populated by Punjabis. They are separated only by religion. Pakistan has the 2nd largest Muslim population in the world, and India is 3rd, with 160 million Muslims. But India progresses and is on it's way to becoming an economic superpower, while Pakistan, sadly, regresses. It may be time now, to look past old quarrels. Money spent on guns, could be spent on infrastructure and development.
The army will have to renounce politics in any form, and stay away from business. It must occupy itself with defense, and extending it's fiat over what are now lawless regions, and only that. Politicians and their parties will have to become mature and more responsible, but this cannot happen if the army keeps toppling them. Corruption will have to be totally eradicated, and for this they will have to look to Hong Kong for example. For economic policies, they will have to look to Singapore, or Malaysia, or even, sometimes, to India.
But it is not challenges of policies that Pakistan really faces, it is the challenge of changing deeply-ingrained mindsets. And it is the challenge of leaving behind a siege mentality that is no longer relevant.
When Mr.Jinnah fought for an independent Pakistan, he cannot have imagined the chaos that it is descended into now. Nor would he have envisioned it becoming a failed state.
If Pakistan is to be saved, it is now.
But what possible motive could Pakistan's Intelligence Agency, the ISI, have to shelter Mr.Osama? The answer may be partly a very earthly one, money. As long as Mr.Osama was free, the US would continue to spend freely to find him and to fight terrorism. Much of that funding would find it's way to Pakistan.
He had become a feared symbol in the United States; killing him every American President's, and for that matter, most Americans, fantasy. For the Pakistani Army, he may have been a cash cow. If so, they had to keep him alive, and they had to keep him hidden. Where better, than in the ultra-safe city of Abbotabad. Meanwhile, keep feeding the Americans red herrings, and have them searching Afghan caves. Of course, there was the danger that he would keep ordering up bombings and killings all over the world. But perhaps, they just sipped their teas, shook their heads, and dismissed it as the nature of the beast.
The Americans, despite their success in eliminating Mr.Osama, look terribly foolish now, for having generously funded Pakistan. They will not be easily mollified or appeased. And they are in possesion of information that they collected at Mr.Osama's hideout.
It would be best for Pakistan and it's army now, to move away from those they may have supported in the past, for whatever reasons. Terrorism is a doubled-edged sword, as likely to hurt it's wielders as it's targets. And terrorists, are not amenable to being managed. Cross them, and they will surely turn on their backers, whoever they may be.
The complicated game that Pakistan's army and the ISI seem to play, of attempting to play off the US against China, the US against Terrorism, India against China, and of seeking to control Afghanistan through queit support of the Taliban, may be wholly unnecessary. It is also fraught with contradictions, which results in contradictory policies, and general confusion.
Pakistan is not a safe place for anybody to visit now, and if the authorities don't institute radical changes, there is never going to be a Visit Pakistan Year. It is a pity, because it is a beautiful country and is blessed with the stunning Pakistani Himalayas, rarely visited now by climbers, trekkers or tourists.
Pakistan will also have to be safe, before it can save it's economy. It's people are intelligent and industrious, but unemployed and made desperate by poverty. Foreign investment in the economy is hard to come by, and will be even harder now. A few more years in this seemingly insolvable imbroglio, and Pakistan will surely become, like Somalia already has, a failed state.
Pakistan is worried constantly by it's giant neighbour India, but they will have to let this unhealthy obsession go, if they are to progress. They are the same people, after all, and speak the same languages. There is a Punjab in India and there is a Punjab in Pakistan. In both cases, it is populated by Punjabis. They are separated only by religion. Pakistan has the 2nd largest Muslim population in the world, and India is 3rd, with 160 million Muslims. But India progresses and is on it's way to becoming an economic superpower, while Pakistan, sadly, regresses. It may be time now, to look past old quarrels. Money spent on guns, could be spent on infrastructure and development.
The army will have to renounce politics in any form, and stay away from business. It must occupy itself with defense, and extending it's fiat over what are now lawless regions, and only that. Politicians and their parties will have to become mature and more responsible, but this cannot happen if the army keeps toppling them. Corruption will have to be totally eradicated, and for this they will have to look to Hong Kong for example. For economic policies, they will have to look to Singapore, or Malaysia, or even, sometimes, to India.
But it is not challenges of policies that Pakistan really faces, it is the challenge of changing deeply-ingrained mindsets. And it is the challenge of leaving behind a siege mentality that is no longer relevant.
When Mr.Jinnah fought for an independent Pakistan, he cannot have imagined the chaos that it is descended into now. Nor would he have envisioned it becoming a failed state.
If Pakistan is to be saved, it is now.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Attempted Assasination Of Anwar?
Mr.Anwar Ibrahim's driver has lodged a police report on a possible attempted assasination of Mr.Anwar Ibrahim. Applying the brakes routinely on April 19, the car shook violently and he heard a loud bang at the back of the vehicle. Somehow he manged to steer to the side of the road. The Mercedes had to be towed away. In the event, Mr.Anwar was not in the car, but his wife was.
Upon examination, it was found that a caliper-guide bolt-pin that secures the disc brake had been removed. They are not known to fall off and dissapear by themselves.
If the ruling BN is behind this, they are becoming ever more desperate. They have thrown everything at Mr.Anwar, and he is still standing. Obviously fabricated allegations of immorality do not stick; the Malaysian electorate is a highly sceptical one. Shooting him is not an option, the backlash will tear the nation apart, and spell the end of the BN's rule. Enter, perhaps, an 'unfortunate accident'.
Meanwhile, at least until the next general elections are over, Mr.Anwar will have to increase his security, and he will have to watch his cars as well.
Upon examination, it was found that a caliper-guide bolt-pin that secures the disc brake had been removed. They are not known to fall off and dissapear by themselves.
If the ruling BN is behind this, they are becoming ever more desperate. They have thrown everything at Mr.Anwar, and he is still standing. Obviously fabricated allegations of immorality do not stick; the Malaysian electorate is a highly sceptical one. Shooting him is not an option, the backlash will tear the nation apart, and spell the end of the BN's rule. Enter, perhaps, an 'unfortunate accident'.
Meanwhile, at least until the next general elections are over, Mr.Anwar will have to increase his security, and he will have to watch his cars as well.
The PAP In Decline, Drop Lee And Goh, And Reject The NCMP Posts
It was a small step, but a meaningful one, for Singapore, on May 7th. The PAP's popular vote was slashed to 60% from the 66% of five years ago. And in Aljunied they were betrayed by their own foul creation, the GRC, losing 5 seats. It can no longer be disputed, that the PAP is in decline.
The voters of Aljunied rejected the PAP's old politics of threats and fear-mongering. Indeed, they rebelled against it. This despite a direct threat from Mr.Lee Kuan Yew, that they will 'regret' it. Mr.Lee had thought it was the 60's and that he could intimidate voters, while they have reminded him that it is 2011, and that it is the age of the Internet. We will watch with interest, and report, whatever the PAP does to Aljunied. Every act of 'revenge' that they attempt, will be another reason to vote against the PAP in the next General Election.
Mr.George Yeo is a casualty of the PAP's overbearing actions and policies. He had called for a more open system, but did nothing about it. He promised to be the 'voice of reform' in the PAP. He has had 20 years to do that. If he was the 'voice of reform', he was an ineffectual one. His line of promising to be one, 'from now onwards', is not something he should expect an increasingly sceptical electorate to buy. He is a lesson for other PAP parliamentarians, they had better walk their talks, now.
Mr.Goh Chok Tong has won, but has had his winning margin slashed. He will perhaps learn some humility now. Mr.Lee Hsien Loong will be wise to drop him from the cabinet, as he should drop Mr.Lee Kuan Yew. They are both outdated liabilities to the PAP.
The NCMP post, like the GRCs, is another, and equally foul creation, of the PAP. It's sole purpose is to convince Singaporeans to vote for the PAP, and think that there will be an 'opposition' voice in Parliament anyway. Oppositionists must stand on principle, and reject it.
The voters of Aljunied rejected the PAP's old politics of threats and fear-mongering. Indeed, they rebelled against it. This despite a direct threat from Mr.Lee Kuan Yew, that they will 'regret' it. Mr.Lee had thought it was the 60's and that he could intimidate voters, while they have reminded him that it is 2011, and that it is the age of the Internet. We will watch with interest, and report, whatever the PAP does to Aljunied. Every act of 'revenge' that they attempt, will be another reason to vote against the PAP in the next General Election.
Mr.George Yeo is a casualty of the PAP's overbearing actions and policies. He had called for a more open system, but did nothing about it. He promised to be the 'voice of reform' in the PAP. He has had 20 years to do that. If he was the 'voice of reform', he was an ineffectual one. His line of promising to be one, 'from now onwards', is not something he should expect an increasingly sceptical electorate to buy. He is a lesson for other PAP parliamentarians, they had better walk their talks, now.
Mr.Goh Chok Tong has won, but has had his winning margin slashed. He will perhaps learn some humility now. Mr.Lee Hsien Loong will be wise to drop him from the cabinet, as he should drop Mr.Lee Kuan Yew. They are both outdated liabilities to the PAP.
The NCMP post, like the GRCs, is another, and equally foul creation, of the PAP. It's sole purpose is to convince Singaporeans to vote for the PAP, and think that there will be an 'opposition' voice in Parliament anyway. Oppositionists must stand on principle, and reject it.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Root Of All Singapore's Problems (Last Post Before The Elections)
It is not housing, rising prices, transportation, immigrants or flash floods. Nor is it overpaid Ministers, or incompetent ones like Wong or Vivian. All of these are symptoms.
The root evil in Singapore that leads to all these problems is the suppression of free speech and press freedom. It is the suppression of freedom in all forms. It was never possible to have robust discussion about any topic because you could be hounded from your job, suffer petty tyrannies, be arrested, or be bankrupted. Without free and robust input, the PAP has gone terribly wrong.
They are their own counsels, and only a fool would appoint himself to such a post. The decision-makers are surrounded by syncophants, who are quick to agree with them, right or wrong. There are no robust discussions in the PAP; it is an in-bred party. Though we do not doubt that they love their country, even as they set it firmly on the path to ruin.
The shadow of Lee Kuan Yew still smothers the PAP. His prescriptions from another age are the wrong medicine for today's Singapore. He thinks he helps, when in fact, he crushes civilised progress with his gnarled iron fist.
Mr.Lee Hsien Loong, despite being educated in a free England, lacks the will to do the needful, to release Singapore from the yoke of Draco's code. He seems bereft of a mind of his own, and appears to blunder about like his father's zombie.
The PAP cannot change, they can only be changed at the polls by the people. This is not the time to think about whether you will get a better bus-stop, or relinquish your vote for a packet of rice. Whatever form that packet of rice may take. It is not the time to worry about oneself or one's own constituency. This is not a time for fear.
This is the time for her citizens to stand up for Singapore.
The root evil in Singapore that leads to all these problems is the suppression of free speech and press freedom. It is the suppression of freedom in all forms. It was never possible to have robust discussion about any topic because you could be hounded from your job, suffer petty tyrannies, be arrested, or be bankrupted. Without free and robust input, the PAP has gone terribly wrong.
They are their own counsels, and only a fool would appoint himself to such a post. The decision-makers are surrounded by syncophants, who are quick to agree with them, right or wrong. There are no robust discussions in the PAP; it is an in-bred party. Though we do not doubt that they love their country, even as they set it firmly on the path to ruin.
The shadow of Lee Kuan Yew still smothers the PAP. His prescriptions from another age are the wrong medicine for today's Singapore. He thinks he helps, when in fact, he crushes civilised progress with his gnarled iron fist.
Mr.Lee Hsien Loong, despite being educated in a free England, lacks the will to do the needful, to release Singapore from the yoke of Draco's code. He seems bereft of a mind of his own, and appears to blunder about like his father's zombie.
The PAP cannot change, they can only be changed at the polls by the people. This is not the time to think about whether you will get a better bus-stop, or relinquish your vote for a packet of rice. Whatever form that packet of rice may take. It is not the time to worry about oneself or one's own constituency. This is not a time for fear.
This is the time for her citizens to stand up for Singapore.
The Mountbatten Faker Resurfaces
Here's Mr.Lim Biow Chuan resurfacing again. For those who don't remember he is the guy who claimed that 23,172 people had 'liked' his facebook page when the true number was 244.
According to him, the NSP has no record of serving the people in Mountbatten. Well, how could they, when the PAP has gerrymandered, threatened and bought their way to victory at every election? He's probably not even talking to Mountbatten voters; they're more likely to have been ferried there by chartered buses from Tanjong Pagar and supplied with food packets.
Talk is cheap, he went on to say. Yes, he's right, and so is faking the number of people who 'like' you on Facebook. Mr.Lim clearly has a desperate need to be liked. Caused, no doubt, by some childhood trauma. Invite him to 'Oprah' and all will be revealed!
According to Mr.Lim, Ms.Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss only surfaced 2 months ago. This despite the fact that she grew up in Mountbatten!
The Straits Times also reported that "On Mrs Chong-Aruldoss' claims that she is a better-qualified candidate that Mr Lim, he said: 'I have thousands of residents in my constituency who are equally qualified, but being an MP is more than just about intelligence and talent."
It's also about being a PAP suck-up, we suppose. And about being a nodding syncophant in Parliament so that you may eventually be appointed a PAP Minister and be paid S$2 Million a year!
According to him, the NSP has no record of serving the people in Mountbatten. Well, how could they, when the PAP has gerrymandered, threatened and bought their way to victory at every election? He's probably not even talking to Mountbatten voters; they're more likely to have been ferried there by chartered buses from Tanjong Pagar and supplied with food packets.
Talk is cheap, he went on to say. Yes, he's right, and so is faking the number of people who 'like' you on Facebook. Mr.Lim clearly has a desperate need to be liked. Caused, no doubt, by some childhood trauma. Invite him to 'Oprah' and all will be revealed!
According to Mr.Lim, Ms.Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss only surfaced 2 months ago. This despite the fact that she grew up in Mountbatten!
The Straits Times also reported that "On Mrs Chong-Aruldoss' claims that she is a better-qualified candidate that Mr Lim, he said: 'I have thousands of residents in my constituency who are equally qualified, but being an MP is more than just about intelligence and talent."
It's also about being a PAP suck-up, we suppose. And about being a nodding syncophant in Parliament so that you may eventually be appointed a PAP Minister and be paid S$2 Million a year!
Vivian Spins Excuses
"The YOG exceeded it's budget 3 times over because it was the first time such an event was organised" says Mr.Vivian Balakrishnan, as reported by the propagandic Straits Times.
Since the PAP uses the private sector as an excuse for their fat salaries, then they should be held to private sector standards of performance. By those standards, Mr.Balakrishnan should have been fired for incompetence. We can understand a deviation of plus or minus 20% from budget, but a 300% over-run is certainly grounds for sacking. It shows the minister up for a fool who does not even know how to plan a budget.
He then went on to say that 70% of the budget went to local companies for services provided. So what? Is that supposed to be an excuse for so ludicruous a budget over-run? This is precisely the problem with the PAP and it's officials. Instead of addressing the issue, they try to confuse it, to fool Singaporeans. Whether it went to a Singaporean or foreign company has nothing to do with the fact that Mr.Balakrishnan is an incompetent manager.
It is clear that a formal investigation must be conducted by independent bodies, and we mean independent of the PAP, to look into the details of this YOG scandal. All elements must be investigated, every line item examined, and any unusual relationship between the companies involved and Mr.Balakrishnan, his officials or the Ministry examined in minute detail.
Needless to say, it must be a public enquiry.
Since the PAP uses the private sector as an excuse for their fat salaries, then they should be held to private sector standards of performance. By those standards, Mr.Balakrishnan should have been fired for incompetence. We can understand a deviation of plus or minus 20% from budget, but a 300% over-run is certainly grounds for sacking. It shows the minister up for a fool who does not even know how to plan a budget.
He then went on to say that 70% of the budget went to local companies for services provided. So what? Is that supposed to be an excuse for so ludicruous a budget over-run? This is precisely the problem with the PAP and it's officials. Instead of addressing the issue, they try to confuse it, to fool Singaporeans. Whether it went to a Singaporean or foreign company has nothing to do with the fact that Mr.Balakrishnan is an incompetent manager.
It is clear that a formal investigation must be conducted by independent bodies, and we mean independent of the PAP, to look into the details of this YOG scandal. All elements must be investigated, every line item examined, and any unusual relationship between the companies involved and Mr.Balakrishnan, his officials or the Ministry examined in minute detail.
Needless to say, it must be a public enquiry.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sorry No Cure!
Mr.Lee Hsien Loong has said he is sorry for past mistakes. It's funny he should choose to say it now, in the middle of an election campaign where it has become clear that the PAP is going to take a bruising.
We know what it is of course, it is an 'Election Sorry'. An 'Election Sorry' is much like an election promise, it means nothing. His sorry did not stop the flash floods in Ang Mo Kio today, a result of poor planning by his PAP government.
No, Mr.Lee is not at all sorry. He just wants you to keep voting for him, and will say anything he thinks you want to hear.
All this time Mr.Lee has been adamant about how good his government is, and how wonderful his Ministers are. Mr.Lee has also consistently insulted the intelligence of Singaporeans by trying to sell the NCMP idea. Now he is suddenly 'sorry'.
Is Mr.Lee sorry enough to restore freedom to Singaporeans by freeing the press and stop the stifling of freedom of speech? Don't even think about it! Mr.Lee is the Prime Minister who recently gazetteed TOC in a crackdown on freedom of speech in the Internet.
Perhaps Mr.Lee Kuan Yew should say sorry for blatantly threatening the voters of Aljunied, or for putting down the entire Malay community. But that day is unlikely to come.
If Mr.Lee Hsien Loong is genuinely sorry, then he should state exactly what he is sorry for. Which are the mistakes he is referring to? It is hardly just public housing and transport! And we mean details of the mistakes, like who recommended them, who made the decion, and most of all, what was the PM doing when all these mistakes were being made?
And Mr.Lee should state what he will he do about all these mistakes if he is re-elected, in detail!
Note :
We hope the list of mistakes is released in spreadsheet form. We are sure to have some to add. Microsoft Excel, please!
We know what it is of course, it is an 'Election Sorry'. An 'Election Sorry' is much like an election promise, it means nothing. His sorry did not stop the flash floods in Ang Mo Kio today, a result of poor planning by his PAP government.
No, Mr.Lee is not at all sorry. He just wants you to keep voting for him, and will say anything he thinks you want to hear.
All this time Mr.Lee has been adamant about how good his government is, and how wonderful his Ministers are. Mr.Lee has also consistently insulted the intelligence of Singaporeans by trying to sell the NCMP idea. Now he is suddenly 'sorry'.
Is Mr.Lee sorry enough to restore freedom to Singaporeans by freeing the press and stop the stifling of freedom of speech? Don't even think about it! Mr.Lee is the Prime Minister who recently gazetteed TOC in a crackdown on freedom of speech in the Internet.
Perhaps Mr.Lee Kuan Yew should say sorry for blatantly threatening the voters of Aljunied, or for putting down the entire Malay community. But that day is unlikely to come.
If Mr.Lee Hsien Loong is genuinely sorry, then he should state exactly what he is sorry for. Which are the mistakes he is referring to? It is hardly just public housing and transport! And we mean details of the mistakes, like who recommended them, who made the decion, and most of all, what was the PM doing when all these mistakes were being made?
And Mr.Lee should state what he will he do about all these mistakes if he is re-elected, in detail!
Note :
We hope the list of mistakes is released in spreadsheet form. We are sure to have some to add. Microsoft Excel, please!
Looking Into The Abyss, In Abbotabad
The White House has admitted that Mr.Osama bin Laden was unarmed when he was shot dead. His wife, who rushed at the SEAL team, was shot in the calf.
Why not capture Mr.Osama and put him on trial? Apparently, he had made a 'threatening' move. Against armed to the teeth members of SEAL Team Six with their legendary training? Was Mr.Osama a master of karate? Even then that elite squad would have easily contained him. And, if they needed to shoot him, why not in the leg, or the arm? Why deliver a precise kill shot to the head?
Clearly, it was a kill mission. By doing this, the US loses the moral high ground. The greater danger in their battle with terrorism was not that they would lose, but that they would lose their humanity, and become, like their enemy, unhesitating killers. Nietzsche understood humanity well, when he said "When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you". No matter how great an individual's crime, he must be tried, and given the opportunity to defend or incriminate himself as he sees fit. To shoot an unarmed man in the head is not an act of bravery, it is one of extreme hatred or worse.
It is unfortunate that Mr.Obama and Mrs.Clinton would choose to sit and watch this live. It is worse that only Mr.Obama could have given this order. He may win the US elections on the strength of this action, but he has diminished himself, and he has diminished the office of the President of the United States. He will no longer be able to stand tall and speak on questions of justice, or human rights or morality or preach to the world on such topics. On what should be his day of triumph, he has blundered, and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Americans will find it harder to feel good, and may even be aghast, about this event now, because a sense of fair play is ingrained into them. Even in the old West, you could shoot a man dead, but that man must have a gun in his hand. Otherwise, it is murder.
This shot in the head and the hasty dumping of Mr.Osama's body in the ocean, instead of his capture and trial, will not help the US and the world in their fight against terrorism. Thanks to Mr.Obama's poor judgement, Mr.Osama bin Laden finds victory in death. He will now become the stuff of ballads and legend. His wife, Amal Ahmed Abdul Fatah, who was shot in the calf is destined, inevitably, to become an iconic heroine. The Muslim world is already disturbed by the nature of Mr.Osama's burial, and the circumstances of his death will now add fuel to the fire. It is pointless to warn would-be jihadists that "we will get you, no matter how long it takes", when they are only looking for opportunities to blow themselves up. It is not death the US should be dealing out, it is justice. And justice cannot be said to have been done without a trial, a prosecution and a defence.
We are proved wrong in the support we felt for Mr.Obama during his presidential campaign against Mr.McCain. We do not believe Mr.McCain would shoot unarmed men in the head. Like many Americans, though continents away, we had wanted to see this fairy tale of a black man becoming the President, come true. And so his youth and inexperience were excused.
But when that red phone rang, like Mrs.Clinton predicted, he proved himself unequal, and unready, to the task.
Why not capture Mr.Osama and put him on trial? Apparently, he had made a 'threatening' move. Against armed to the teeth members of SEAL Team Six with their legendary training? Was Mr.Osama a master of karate? Even then that elite squad would have easily contained him. And, if they needed to shoot him, why not in the leg, or the arm? Why deliver a precise kill shot to the head?
Clearly, it was a kill mission. By doing this, the US loses the moral high ground. The greater danger in their battle with terrorism was not that they would lose, but that they would lose their humanity, and become, like their enemy, unhesitating killers. Nietzsche understood humanity well, when he said "When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you". No matter how great an individual's crime, he must be tried, and given the opportunity to defend or incriminate himself as he sees fit. To shoot an unarmed man in the head is not an act of bravery, it is one of extreme hatred or worse.
It is unfortunate that Mr.Obama and Mrs.Clinton would choose to sit and watch this live. It is worse that only Mr.Obama could have given this order. He may win the US elections on the strength of this action, but he has diminished himself, and he has diminished the office of the President of the United States. He will no longer be able to stand tall and speak on questions of justice, or human rights or morality or preach to the world on such topics. On what should be his day of triumph, he has blundered, and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Americans will find it harder to feel good, and may even be aghast, about this event now, because a sense of fair play is ingrained into them. Even in the old West, you could shoot a man dead, but that man must have a gun in his hand. Otherwise, it is murder.
This shot in the head and the hasty dumping of Mr.Osama's body in the ocean, instead of his capture and trial, will not help the US and the world in their fight against terrorism. Thanks to Mr.Obama's poor judgement, Mr.Osama bin Laden finds victory in death. He will now become the stuff of ballads and legend. His wife, Amal Ahmed Abdul Fatah, who was shot in the calf is destined, inevitably, to become an iconic heroine. The Muslim world is already disturbed by the nature of Mr.Osama's burial, and the circumstances of his death will now add fuel to the fire. It is pointless to warn would-be jihadists that "we will get you, no matter how long it takes", when they are only looking for opportunities to blow themselves up. It is not death the US should be dealing out, it is justice. And justice cannot be said to have been done without a trial, a prosecution and a defence.
We are proved wrong in the support we felt for Mr.Obama during his presidential campaign against Mr.McCain. We do not believe Mr.McCain would shoot unarmed men in the head. Like many Americans, though continents away, we had wanted to see this fairy tale of a black man becoming the President, come true. And so his youth and inexperience were excused.
But when that red phone rang, like Mrs.Clinton predicted, he proved himself unequal, and unready, to the task.
Ferried Crowds At PAP Rallies
The PAP organizes it's crowds by ferrying them from other locations. They are given packets of rice or noodles. Buses are chartered and they are then ferried from their RCs to the relevant PAP rally.
One such example was revealed at an Ang Mo Kio rally for Mr.Lee Hsien Loong. The citizen was from Tanjong Pagar and revealed that the food packet was given by her RC. You can watch for yourself here .
The PAP's Mr.Chan Chung Sing, now an MP from the dubiously won seat of Tanjong Pagar, interrupted the reporter and tried to stop the conversation.
It was sad to watch the citizen's reaction when approached by Mr.Chan in his all-white PAP garb. She said 'sorry' and cringed away from him while holding tightly on to her food packet. Mr.Chan tried to put on a show of camarederie with the voter, but it rang patently false.
The PAP rules by fear, threats and open bribery in Singapore today. Their election rally attendees are often bussed in to avoid embarassing empty seats at their rallies. Their support is clearly dwindling and they may yet learn a harsh lesson on May 7th.
One such example was revealed at an Ang Mo Kio rally for Mr.Lee Hsien Loong. The citizen was from Tanjong Pagar and revealed that the food packet was given by her RC. You can watch for yourself here .
The PAP's Mr.Chan Chung Sing, now an MP from the dubiously won seat of Tanjong Pagar, interrupted the reporter and tried to stop the conversation.
It was sad to watch the citizen's reaction when approached by Mr.Chan in his all-white PAP garb. She said 'sorry' and cringed away from him while holding tightly on to her food packet. Mr.Chan tried to put on a show of camarederie with the voter, but it rang patently false.
The PAP rules by fear, threats and open bribery in Singapore today. Their election rally attendees are often bussed in to avoid embarassing empty seats at their rallies. Their support is clearly dwindling and they may yet learn a harsh lesson on May 7th.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Luca Brasi Sleeps With The Fishes?
We do not know if the US has got around to sending a dead fish wrapped in Mr.Osama's jacket to Mr.Ayman. But we are not at all sure about the identity of this executed individual. So far, the only proof we have is say-so evidence. Mr.Obama says so, Mrs.Clinton says so and so do all their officials, in chorus. But we live in a place where the government routinely lies, so we are sceptics, and expect proper proof.
No news service seems to have seen fit to demand more proof before publishing this news. Not CNN, not the BBC, not even Al-Jazeera. All journalistic rules were forgotten in their rush to get this news out. There were no sceptics. CNN, in fact, was behaving practically like a propaganda channel. Doubters were denounced as 'conspiracy theorists'.
Not a single picture or video has been released. Even if such a photo or video were to be released, how do we really know it's him? It could be a double. Having doubles is a common enough practice.
DNA evidence might prove it, and it has been announced that there has been a match. But doesn't it take 2 weeks to do proper DNA testing? Even if there was a match how do we know it was not one of Mr.Osama's siblings; any one of them would provide the same match. Mr.Osama's father, after all, had 54 children from several different wives.
And why would Mr.Obama make an announcement before the conclusion of the DNA test? Clearly there was political benefit to Mr.Obama in making this announcement quickly. The impact would not have been the same if it was all over twitter and facebook for days. Mr.Obama's approval ratings had slipped to Jimmy Carter levels with presidential elections looming. Libya is a stalemate. The economy is still a mess. Clearly, Mr.Obama needed a win, and he appeared to have got it, in remarkably timely fashion.
The only real proof was the body. It could heve been examined by non-partisan experts and proper tests conducted according to procedures. It could have been identified by his relatives. Yet the US government chose to quickly dump it into the ocean.
It is all terribly fishy, we're afraid.
No news service seems to have seen fit to demand more proof before publishing this news. Not CNN, not the BBC, not even Al-Jazeera. All journalistic rules were forgotten in their rush to get this news out. There were no sceptics. CNN, in fact, was behaving practically like a propaganda channel. Doubters were denounced as 'conspiracy theorists'.
Not a single picture or video has been released. Even if such a photo or video were to be released, how do we really know it's him? It could be a double. Having doubles is a common enough practice.
DNA evidence might prove it, and it has been announced that there has been a match. But doesn't it take 2 weeks to do proper DNA testing? Even if there was a match how do we know it was not one of Mr.Osama's siblings; any one of them would provide the same match. Mr.Osama's father, after all, had 54 children from several different wives.
And why would Mr.Obama make an announcement before the conclusion of the DNA test? Clearly there was political benefit to Mr.Obama in making this announcement quickly. The impact would not have been the same if it was all over twitter and facebook for days. Mr.Obama's approval ratings had slipped to Jimmy Carter levels with presidential elections looming. Libya is a stalemate. The economy is still a mess. Clearly, Mr.Obama needed a win, and he appeared to have got it, in remarkably timely fashion.
The only real proof was the body. It could heve been examined by non-partisan experts and proper tests conducted according to procedures. It could have been identified by his relatives. Yet the US government chose to quickly dump it into the ocean.
It is all terribly fishy, we're afraid.
The Rhetorical Ms.Fu
Ms.Grace Fu, dressed like an escapee from a mental asylum, outlined her '3H' plan for Yuhua. Apparently, 3H stands for hope, heart and happiness. None of those things are even remotely associated to what the PAP offers Singaporeans.
With the PAP in power, there is no hope for change. The PAP has never shown heart, preferring to brand the less successful as lazy or not working hard enough. And how can there be happiness if you are condemned to a lifetime of drudgery just to survive and forced to face unnatural competition for jobs due to the PAP's immigration policies.
Ms.Fu then followed up with a series of rhetorical questions. Apparently these questions are addressed to the opposition, but none were invited to respond. That is the usual modus operandi of the PAP, to indulge in one-sided conversations, because they are afraid of the answers.
We will answer her despite the immaturity of her questions. She said "During the global financial crisis, where were they when we needed them most?"
They were suffering alongside ordinary Singaporeans while Ms.Grace Fu and her colleagues in the PAP were collecting fat salaries from public funds. This despite their clear incompetence in being unable to shield Singaporeans from the crisis.
"When we were losing our jobs, where were they?"
Firstly, Ms.Grace Fu did not lose her job. Neither did any other PAP functionary. What does she know about losing jobs?
Secondly, the opposition was not in charge of the government, the PAP was. And the PAP was responsible for the loss of jobs, even if, as usual, they prefer to point the finger instead of accepting responsibility.
"More importantly, do they know you? Do they understand your problems?"
Why wouldn't they? They are Singaporeans just like the citizens of Yuhua!
Have they walked the streets of Yuhua? Over the past 5 years, have they visited you at your home?”
We are sure they have walked Yuhua's streets, but they were not the MP, were they? Ms.Fu, meanwhile, only walks the streets during election campaigns, otherwise she has her chauffered limousine. And we are not sure how many people want Ms.Fu's presence in their home.
She finally decided to admit to the PAP's failures by giving the excuse that she is human. Well, in that case, she should immediately give up her superhuman salary!
With the PAP in power, there is no hope for change. The PAP has never shown heart, preferring to brand the less successful as lazy or not working hard enough. And how can there be happiness if you are condemned to a lifetime of drudgery just to survive and forced to face unnatural competition for jobs due to the PAP's immigration policies.
Ms.Fu then followed up with a series of rhetorical questions. Apparently these questions are addressed to the opposition, but none were invited to respond. That is the usual modus operandi of the PAP, to indulge in one-sided conversations, because they are afraid of the answers.
We will answer her despite the immaturity of her questions. She said "During the global financial crisis, where were they when we needed them most?"
They were suffering alongside ordinary Singaporeans while Ms.Grace Fu and her colleagues in the PAP were collecting fat salaries from public funds. This despite their clear incompetence in being unable to shield Singaporeans from the crisis.
"When we were losing our jobs, where were they?"
Firstly, Ms.Grace Fu did not lose her job. Neither did any other PAP functionary. What does she know about losing jobs?
Secondly, the opposition was not in charge of the government, the PAP was. And the PAP was responsible for the loss of jobs, even if, as usual, they prefer to point the finger instead of accepting responsibility.
"More importantly, do they know you? Do they understand your problems?"
Why wouldn't they? They are Singaporeans just like the citizens of Yuhua!
Have they walked the streets of Yuhua? Over the past 5 years, have they visited you at your home?”
We are sure they have walked Yuhua's streets, but they were not the MP, were they? Ms.Fu, meanwhile, only walks the streets during election campaigns, otherwise she has her chauffered limousine. And we are not sure how many people want Ms.Fu's presence in their home.
She finally decided to admit to the PAP's failures by giving the excuse that she is human. Well, in that case, she should immediately give up her superhuman salary!
Rebutting Lee and Goh
Mr.Lee Hsien Loong says he doesn't get why Singaporeans think NCMPs aren't real. After all, they get to ask questions in Parliament, even if the answers are evasive. And they get to introduce bills, which will never be passed by the ridicoulous PAP majority. And they get to vote, except on anything that is important, like finance and confidence motions. The answer to Mr.Lee's question, is that Singaporeans aren't stupid!
Meanwhile Mr.Goh Chok Tong has taken to running down his former employee, Mr.Tan Jee Say. He was not good enough and so left the civil service, he said. Mr.Tan has exposed his lie by rebutting him that it was Mr.Goh who asked him to stay on when he resigned the first time. It is most unprofessional of Mr.Goh to say such things, even if it were true, which in this case it patently is not. Mr.Tan is doing a good job of exposing the going-ons in Temasek and the GIC, and he can take comfort in the fact that Mr.Goh's low attack has only made him(Mr.Tan) more popular.
Incredibly Mr.Goh described the campaign so far as gentlemanly! Yes, the opposition may be, but Mr.Goh most certainly is not, a gentleman!
Meanwhile Mr.Goh Chok Tong has taken to running down his former employee, Mr.Tan Jee Say. He was not good enough and so left the civil service, he said. Mr.Tan has exposed his lie by rebutting him that it was Mr.Goh who asked him to stay on when he resigned the first time. It is most unprofessional of Mr.Goh to say such things, even if it were true, which in this case it patently is not. Mr.Tan is doing a good job of exposing the going-ons in Temasek and the GIC, and he can take comfort in the fact that Mr.Goh's low attack has only made him(Mr.Tan) more popular.
Incredibly Mr.Goh described the campaign so far as gentlemanly! Yes, the opposition may be, but Mr.Goh most certainly is not, a gentleman!
Monday, May 2, 2011
How About Some Proof?
It's all over the news that Mr.Osama bin Laden has been killed by US Forces. It's been reported on CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera and every newspaper you can think of. Significantly missing is any proof that he is indeed dead. Everybody has decided to take Mr.Obama's word for it. This is hardly objective journalism!
We do not doubt that helicopters flew into Abbootabad. Or that some kind of firefight took place there. But we do need to see the evidence that it was indeed Mr.Osama who was killed. So far we are told that imaging techniques were used to identify him. Surely this is insufficient!
We are also informed that the body has been disposed of at sea! No explanation has been given for this strange burial. He was said to have been killed deep inland. Why adopt this Tony Soprano-like method to get rid of his body? Should it not have been returned to his family? It is all becoming, as Alice would say, curiouser and curiouser.
We certainly hope this is all cleared up soon. Or we will be left wondering whether it was indeed he, and if so, has he really been killed or is he in some dungeon wearing an iron mask.
We do not doubt that helicopters flew into Abbootabad. Or that some kind of firefight took place there. But we do need to see the evidence that it was indeed Mr.Osama who was killed. So far we are told that imaging techniques were used to identify him. Surely this is insufficient!
We are also informed that the body has been disposed of at sea! No explanation has been given for this strange burial. He was said to have been killed deep inland. Why adopt this Tony Soprano-like method to get rid of his body? Should it not have been returned to his family? It is all becoming, as Alice would say, curiouser and curiouser.
We certainly hope this is all cleared up soon. Or we will be left wondering whether it was indeed he, and if so, has he really been killed or is he in some dungeon wearing an iron mask.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Hypocrite Of Tanjong Pagar
Mr.Lee Kuan Yew yesterday drew comparison with the British Parliament. He wanted the Opposition to form a 'Shadow Cabinet'.
In the first place, Cabinets and Shadow Cabinets are only formed after elections, not in the middle of campaigns.
The British Parliament is also elected in a system where the press is free, freedom of speech is an inalienable right, and oppositionists are not bundled of to prison or bankrupted on whim. It is a far cry from the repression of the PAP.
The United Kingdom is a free country with a people who will brook no interference with their freedoms. Singapore is under the oppressive rule of the PAP, run by a succession of petty dictators, assisted by fawning minions.
If Mr.Lee seeks a comparative system, he should look to Syria with it's iron-fisted rulers. It would be a better fit.
In the first place, Cabinets and Shadow Cabinets are only formed after elections, not in the middle of campaigns.
The British Parliament is also elected in a system where the press is free, freedom of speech is an inalienable right, and oppositionists are not bundled of to prison or bankrupted on whim. It is a far cry from the repression of the PAP.
The United Kingdom is a free country with a people who will brook no interference with their freedoms. Singapore is under the oppressive rule of the PAP, run by a succession of petty dictators, assisted by fawning minions.
If Mr.Lee seeks a comparative system, he should look to Syria with it's iron-fisted rulers. It would be a better fit.
Threatening the Voter, In Malaysia
According to Mr.Najib, the Chinese must vote for BN component parties, meaning the MCA, or lose representation in Government. The MCA has said the same thing recently.
This is the BN's idea of endearing itself to the voter; by threatening them.
There is a better way to ensure representation for all communities in the government, and that is for the voters to reject the BN and vote en masse for Pakatan Rakyat. It is far better than giving in to political thuggery and extortion.
Interestingly, for all it's big talk, the MCA did not pull it's existing Ministers out of the Cabinet even though it had been roundly rejected in the 2008 General Elections.
This is the BN's idea of endearing itself to the voter; by threatening them.
There is a better way to ensure representation for all communities in the government, and that is for the voters to reject the BN and vote en masse for Pakatan Rakyat. It is far better than giving in to political thuggery and extortion.
Interestingly, for all it's big talk, the MCA did not pull it's existing Ministers out of the Cabinet even though it had been roundly rejected in the 2008 General Elections.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Repenting in Aljunied
According to The Straits Times, Mr.Lee Kuan Yew said, "If Aljunied decides to go that way, well Aljunied has five years to live and repent". So voting for the opposition is a 'wrong' action and like other wrongdoers, the Aljunied Electorate must repent.
We are sure many voters in Aljunied are already repenting of voting for the PAP all these years. Only to be threatened in this fashion, by the ingrates in the PAP.
Mr.Lee rolls out the same old threats year after year. Is he not aware that 75% of Singaporeans have access to the internet now? They are no longer dependent on the propagandic rubbish printed by 'newspapers' like The Straits Times.
Mr.Lee also says that Aljunied is the only hot seat in this election. He is misinformed, or he is lying. His objective is to make Aljunied feel isolated. It is a common tactic of tyrants. Has he not heard that Mr.Chiam is standing in Bishan-Toa Payoh?
Every seat in Singapore is a hot seat in this election, except for Tanjong Pagar, which Mr.Lee won dubiously.
We are sure many voters in Aljunied are already repenting of voting for the PAP all these years. Only to be threatened in this fashion, by the ingrates in the PAP.
Mr.Lee rolls out the same old threats year after year. Is he not aware that 75% of Singaporeans have access to the internet now? They are no longer dependent on the propagandic rubbish printed by 'newspapers' like The Straits Times.
Mr.Lee also says that Aljunied is the only hot seat in this election. He is misinformed, or he is lying. His objective is to make Aljunied feel isolated. It is a common tactic of tyrants. Has he not heard that Mr.Chiam is standing in Bishan-Toa Payoh?
Every seat in Singapore is a hot seat in this election, except for Tanjong Pagar, which Mr.Lee won dubiously.
Malaysia Chronicle Predicts A Singapore Tsunami
We excerpt from the Malaysia Chronicle :
"Change is coming to Singapore. For sure this time. Large crowds are attending the opposition's rallies and more than 20,000 flocked to hear the Workers' Party at Hougang a few nights ago.
Singapore practises a unique kind of electoral system where 75 of the seats are gathered into groups of 4, 5 or 6 and called GRC's. Ostensibly, it is to ensure minority participation but in actuality it stacks the deck against the opposition. In past elections, it was difficult for them to gather the numbers to contest GRCs. It also increased the cost barrier for them, and as a result, the PAP would win the GRCs mostly uncontested. Not this time, though."
Full article in the Malaysia Chronicle at http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/ titled "Singapore Tsunami - Much Closer Than You Think!"
Singapore practises a unique kind of electoral system where 75 of the seats are gathered into groups of 4, 5 or 6 and called GRC's. Ostensibly, it is to ensure minority participation but in actuality it stacks the deck against the opposition. In past elections, it was difficult for them to gather the numbers to contest GRCs. It also increased the cost barrier for them, and as a result, the PAP would win the GRCs mostly uncontested. Not this time, though."
Full article in the Malaysia Chronicle at http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/ titled "Singapore Tsunami - Much Closer Than You Think!"
The PAP's False Analogies
The other day Mr.Lee Hsien Loong compared Singapore to a plane. He wanted it to be a fighter plane, instead of an Airbus. Hee neglected to mention that fighter planes are more likely to go down in flames. Today he compared Singapore to a car.
It is a pity that Mr.Lee has been reduced to comparing a country to transport vehicles. Here are some more for him to use in the coming days. Singapore should be a sleek air-conditioned bus, not an old jalopy. Singapore should be an ocean-liner, not a sampan.
They are all false analogies of course, meaning their substance is flawed. Countries are complex entities, and cannot be compared in such simplistic ways. Two drivers may not be good for a car, but a strong opposition is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. While differing views and constant scrutiny ensure governments don't go wrong. If Mr.Lee and the PAP are as clean and competent as he claims, and if they are not doing anything wrong, then why such fear of scrutiny?
It would make sense, if voters were all 12 years old, for him to talk this way. But all voters are above 21, and it is simply disrespectful, not to mention an insult to their intelligence. The PAP and Mr.Lee never seem to tire, of treating Singaporeans like they are a bunch of schoolchildren.
It is a pity that Mr.Lee has been reduced to comparing a country to transport vehicles. Here are some more for him to use in the coming days. Singapore should be a sleek air-conditioned bus, not an old jalopy. Singapore should be an ocean-liner, not a sampan.
They are all false analogies of course, meaning their substance is flawed. Countries are complex entities, and cannot be compared in such simplistic ways. Two drivers may not be good for a car, but a strong opposition is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. While differing views and constant scrutiny ensure governments don't go wrong. If Mr.Lee and the PAP are as clean and competent as he claims, and if they are not doing anything wrong, then why such fear of scrutiny?
It would make sense, if voters were all 12 years old, for him to talk this way. But all voters are above 21, and it is simply disrespectful, not to mention an insult to their intelligence. The PAP and Mr.Lee never seem to tire, of treating Singaporeans like they are a bunch of schoolchildren.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Time For The Opposition To Cross-Campaign
It's heartening to see the large numbers of people attending opposition rallies across Singapore. The Worker's Party for example, attracted a stunningly huge crowd yesterday at Hougang.
It is reminiscent of Malaysia's 2008 elections, where the huge crowds that gathered in Penang and Selangor translated into votes, and the BN's decades long government was thrown out in those states.
Despite whatever the PAP says, change is coming to Singapore. The opposition has a few stars among them, like Mr.Chiam, Mr.Low, and of course Ms.Seah, among others. This would be the right time for them to campaign for each other. For example. Mr.Chiam could speak at Marine Parade, Mr.Kenneth at Bishan-Toa Payoh or Mr.Low at Holland-Bukit Timah and so on.
Certainly it would increase the average Singaporean's confidence level in the opposition's ability to form a united government.
It is reminiscent of Malaysia's 2008 elections, where the huge crowds that gathered in Penang and Selangor translated into votes, and the BN's decades long government was thrown out in those states.
Despite whatever the PAP says, change is coming to Singapore. The opposition has a few stars among them, like Mr.Chiam, Mr.Low, and of course Ms.Seah, among others. This would be the right time for them to campaign for each other. For example. Mr.Chiam could speak at Marine Parade, Mr.Kenneth at Bishan-Toa Payoh or Mr.Low at Holland-Bukit Timah and so on.
Certainly it would increase the average Singaporean's confidence level in the opposition's ability to form a united government.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The NCMP Scam
Mr.Shanmugam would like Singaporeans to vote en masse for the PAP. There is no need to worry about opposition voices in Parliament, he said today, because nine of them will be non constituency MPs. We very much doubt the opposition will accept such odious charity from the likes of Mr.Shanmugam. And they should make it clear they will not.
NCMPs are powerless, pale caricatures of MPs. They may be ignored at will by the PAP because they were not elected and therefore represent nobody. The system has been introduced simply to fool Singaporeans into continuing to vote for the PAP.
You may be tempted to think that Mr.Shanmugam is a half-wit to think he can succeed in such a transparent scam in this election. But you would be wrong to come to such a conclusion. Mr.Shanmugam is not a half-wit, he thinks you are!
NCMPs are powerless, pale caricatures of MPs. They may be ignored at will by the PAP because they were not elected and therefore represent nobody. The system has been introduced simply to fool Singaporeans into continuing to vote for the PAP.
You may be tempted to think that Mr.Shanmugam is a half-wit to think he can succeed in such a transparent scam in this election. But you would be wrong to come to such a conclusion. Mr.Shanmugam is not a half-wit, he thinks you are!
Wong's Waterloo?
Mr.Wong Kan Seng, who exhibited gross incompetence in the escape of Mr.Mas Selamat, and then compounded it by refusing to resign and accept responsibility for it, faces what could be his Waterloo in the Bishan Toa-Payoh election. His opponent is Mr.Chiam See Tong, Potong Pasir's redoubtable MP.
If Singaporeans want their leaders to be accountable, they must throw Mr.Wong out. Voting for the PAP in Bishan-Toa Payoh will send them the message that refusing to be held accountable is acceptable to Singaporeans.
If Singaporeans want their leaders to be accountable, they must throw Mr.Wong out. Voting for the PAP in Bishan-Toa Payoh will send them the message that refusing to be held accountable is acceptable to Singaporeans.
A Chauvinist in Marine Parade?
According to The Straits Times, Mr.Goh Chok Tong said, "The four men seem to be leaving it to the young lady to campaign and say all the things.” He was speaking of Ms.Nicole Seah in Marine Parade.
Precisely what is wrong with Ms.Seah taking the lead? Does it bother Mr.Goh that she is a woman taking the lead? Does he feel that she should meekly follow? Or does he perhaps feel that she belongs in some kitchen?
Ms.Seah is intelligent, she is articulate and she has a huge following on Facebook, more than Mr.Goh certainly. If she speaks, it is because people are interested in what she has to say.
Mr.Goh should take his own advice, and focus on the issues, instead of taking cheap and possibly chauvinistic shots, at oppositionists.
Precisely what is wrong with Ms.Seah taking the lead? Does it bother Mr.Goh that she is a woman taking the lead? Does he feel that she should meekly follow? Or does he perhaps feel that she belongs in some kitchen?
Ms.Seah is intelligent, she is articulate and she has a huge following on Facebook, more than Mr.Goh certainly. If she speaks, it is because people are interested in what she has to say.
Mr.Goh should take his own advice, and focus on the issues, instead of taking cheap and possibly chauvinistic shots, at oppositionists.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Different Rules For Different Parties!
The opposition's team in Tanjong Pagar was disqualified today. Apparently, their seconders, proposers, and assentors were not all seated at the end of nominations! So what, if they were standing? What has it to do with an election? It is a silly rule, enforced selectively by the PAP's Elections Department! To add insult to injury, they were apparently only 35 seconds late! Perhaps they should add more rules, like you should not scratch your nose, or pull your earlobes, or raise your eyebrows at discrimination. Why not, the rules would only be enforced on the opposition, after all!
If Mr.Lee Kuan Yew had been standing, or even standing on his head, we doubt the Elections Department officials would have enforced this rule. In fact, they may all have taken to standing on their heads as well!
Mr.Lee then unashamedly proceeded to give a 'victory speech'. We are certain he did not want a challenge, for the ballot boxes would have been filled with many protest votes against the PAP and it's policies. Mr.Lee would have been embarassed by a victory with a small margin, or even a loss, and he would have been proven to be merely a tin god . We will never know, for they have chosen the poltroon's path to victory. Mr.Lee and his team are not legitimate victors, and Singapore's unfair elections are off to a troubling start.
Meanwhile, the SDP's protest on the PAP's Ms.Sim Ann has been dismissed with no reason given by Election Department officials. She had written on her papers, that she was 'unemployed' while the SDP says she is still serving her notice.
If this is accurate, then writing a falsehood on your nomination papers is apparently acceptable to the Election Department's officials, if you're a PAP candidate. However if you're from the opposition, and are standing instead of sitting, you will be promptly disqualified!
The Election Department's decisions seem to have little to do with infractions of rules, and everything to do with which party you're from!
Note (Update):
The Public Services Division has come out and said that Ms.Sim Ann is no longer in the civil service. Whether this is true, or was made to come true after the SDP's protest, we will never know. The fact remains that the Elections Department chose to quickly dismiss the protest, when it clearly warranted a detailed investigation.
If Mr.Lee Kuan Yew had been standing, or even standing on his head, we doubt the Elections Department officials would have enforced this rule. In fact, they may all have taken to standing on their heads as well!
Mr.Lee then unashamedly proceeded to give a 'victory speech'. We are certain he did not want a challenge, for the ballot boxes would have been filled with many protest votes against the PAP and it's policies. Mr.Lee would have been embarassed by a victory with a small margin, or even a loss, and he would have been proven to be merely a tin god . We will never know, for they have chosen the poltroon's path to victory. Mr.Lee and his team are not legitimate victors, and Singapore's unfair elections are off to a troubling start.
Meanwhile, the SDP's protest on the PAP's Ms.Sim Ann has been dismissed with no reason given by Election Department officials. She had written on her papers, that she was 'unemployed' while the SDP says she is still serving her notice.
If this is accurate, then writing a falsehood on your nomination papers is apparently acceptable to the Election Department's officials, if you're a PAP candidate. However if you're from the opposition, and are standing instead of sitting, you will be promptly disqualified!
The Election Department's decisions seem to have little to do with infractions of rules, and everything to do with which party you're from!
Note (Update):
The Public Services Division has come out and said that Ms.Sim Ann is no longer in the civil service. Whether this is true, or was made to come true after the SDP's protest, we will never know. The fact remains that the Elections Department chose to quickly dismiss the protest, when it clearly warranted a detailed investigation.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Vivian Balakrishnan, Gutter Politician
One would expect someone who had to spend his life burdened with a name like Vivian, and a member of a minority, to show more empathy. But Mr.Vivian has shown that he will sink to any depth, to win an election.
He has clearly picked up a thing or two from Malaysia's Mr.Mahathir. Mr.Mahathir too, will do and use anything, true or false, and no matter how low, to win an election.
Mr.Vivian has asked that some opposition politicians should 'come out of the closet'. Perhaps, like in Borat's Kazakhstan, he would like all gays to wear blue hats, next? Or perhaps he seeks a 'final solution' to this 'problem' like the Nazis did? Is Mr.Vivian, perhaps, a closet Nazi?
This is the ugly face of the PAP, a discriminatory face, and it is a shame to Singapore. Mr.Vivian will not find it so easy to get a visa to some Western countries, the next time he applys. Such homophobia should not be tolerated, and has no place in civilised nations.
We do not know whom he is accusing, but we wonder whether he is certain, that there is nobody 'in the closet' in the PAP.
Note :
The silver lining in this deplorable episode, is that as the PAP becomes ever more desperate, it shows ever more clearly, that they are headed for a thrashing in the elections. And if anybody is unfit for high office, it is unscrupulous politicians like Mr.Vivian.
He has clearly picked up a thing or two from Malaysia's Mr.Mahathir. Mr.Mahathir too, will do and use anything, true or false, and no matter how low, to win an election.
Mr.Vivian has asked that some opposition politicians should 'come out of the closet'. Perhaps, like in Borat's Kazakhstan, he would like all gays to wear blue hats, next? Or perhaps he seeks a 'final solution' to this 'problem' like the Nazis did? Is Mr.Vivian, perhaps, a closet Nazi?
This is the ugly face of the PAP, a discriminatory face, and it is a shame to Singapore. Mr.Vivian will not find it so easy to get a visa to some Western countries, the next time he applys. Such homophobia should not be tolerated, and has no place in civilised nations.
We do not know whom he is accusing, but we wonder whether he is certain, that there is nobody 'in the closet' in the PAP.
Note :
The silver lining in this deplorable episode, is that as the PAP becomes ever more desperate, it shows ever more clearly, that they are headed for a thrashing in the elections. And if anybody is unfit for high office, it is unscrupulous politicians like Mr.Vivian.
Living In Disneyland
Mr.Lee Kuan Yew has been kind enough to inform Singaporeans today that they are not living in Disneyland. For some reason, he must think that Singaporeans feel they are living in Disneyland.
Why would Singaporeans think they live in Disneyland?
It could be because of the fact that the subways, like Disneyland's rides, are packed.
Or because, like Disneyland, Singapore is full of people from all different parts of the world, having fun.
The locals in Disneyland, have to work at jobs, sometimes dressed in silly costumes.
Like Disneyland, there are no free rides in Singapore, not even for the poor or unable.
And, like Disneyland, everything is way too expensive.
Singaporeans have some advantages over Disneylanders, though. While people from Disneyland have to drive for hours or catch a 1 hour flight to get to Las Vegas and it's casinos, the PAP has brought the casinos to Singapore.
We doubt if Singaporeans feel they are living in Disneyland. For a struggling family, such a suggestion would be a trivialisation of their difficulties. That Mr.Lee would make such a suggestion, shows the disconnect between the PAP's leaders and the average citizen.
Mr.Lee himself, however, has very reason to think he is living in Disneyland. He is the King who lives in a castle, his son is the Prince, and he may do and have anything he wants. And his Ministers will be quite happy to put on any mask he wants them to, to please him. Though we do not know if he will feel quite so flippant, after this election is over.
We do agree with him on one thing, that Singaporeans have to make the right choice for the future of their children and grandchildren. And that choice should be for a strong opposition in Singapore's Parliament and for a two party state.
Or else their children and grandchildren too, will have to live in a repressive state, led by an in-bred, declining, much detested party, which will fear-monger and sell insurance to stay in power, at every election.
Why would Singaporeans think they live in Disneyland?
It could be because of the fact that the subways, like Disneyland's rides, are packed.
Or because, like Disneyland, Singapore is full of people from all different parts of the world, having fun.
The locals in Disneyland, have to work at jobs, sometimes dressed in silly costumes.
Like Disneyland, there are no free rides in Singapore, not even for the poor or unable.
And, like Disneyland, everything is way too expensive.
Singaporeans have some advantages over Disneylanders, though. While people from Disneyland have to drive for hours or catch a 1 hour flight to get to Las Vegas and it's casinos, the PAP has brought the casinos to Singapore.
We doubt if Singaporeans feel they are living in Disneyland. For a struggling family, such a suggestion would be a trivialisation of their difficulties. That Mr.Lee would make such a suggestion, shows the disconnect between the PAP's leaders and the average citizen.
Mr.Lee himself, however, has very reason to think he is living in Disneyland. He is the King who lives in a castle, his son is the Prince, and he may do and have anything he wants. And his Ministers will be quite happy to put on any mask he wants them to, to please him. Though we do not know if he will feel quite so flippant, after this election is over.
We do agree with him on one thing, that Singaporeans have to make the right choice for the future of their children and grandchildren. And that choice should be for a strong opposition in Singapore's Parliament and for a two party state.
Or else their children and grandchildren too, will have to live in a repressive state, led by an in-bred, declining, much detested party, which will fear-monger and sell insurance to stay in power, at every election.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lies, Half-Truths, Najib And Mahathir
Mr.Najib has warned Malaysian bloggers against spreading half-truths and lies. It is remarkable coming from a Prime Minister who presides over a mainstream media that spreads, precisely that. Utusan, not content with merely disseminating half-truths and lies, spreads racial hatred as well.
Not satisfied with issuing this warning, Mr.Najib then contradictorily proceeded to declare the Malaysian blogosphere as the most free one in the world. We do not know where he gets his statistics from, but there are few countries in the world where bloggers are as harrased as Malaysia's. Many have been arrested, some jailed and others, threatened with lawsuits.
No self-respecting Malaysian blogger would have been caught dead in a meeting run by Mr.Najib, and assisted by, of all people, Mr.Mahathir. Mr.Mahathir ran Malaysia with an iron fist where dissent was always quickly crushed. He now pretends to be a blogger, when he is in fact an untransparent propagandist, and often enough a racist one, of his own, and the government's views.
If Mr.Mahathir and Mr.Najib want to do something for freedom of speech, they may repeal the draconian Printing Presses and Publications Act, instead of making hypocritical speeches to a selected and tame audience.
Not satisfied with issuing this warning, Mr.Najib then contradictorily proceeded to declare the Malaysian blogosphere as the most free one in the world. We do not know where he gets his statistics from, but there are few countries in the world where bloggers are as harrased as Malaysia's. Many have been arrested, some jailed and others, threatened with lawsuits.
No self-respecting Malaysian blogger would have been caught dead in a meeting run by Mr.Najib, and assisted by, of all people, Mr.Mahathir. Mr.Mahathir ran Malaysia with an iron fist where dissent was always quickly crushed. He now pretends to be a blogger, when he is in fact an untransparent propagandist, and often enough a racist one, of his own, and the government's views.
If Mr.Mahathir and Mr.Najib want to do something for freedom of speech, they may repeal the draconian Printing Presses and Publications Act, instead of making hypocritical speeches to a selected and tame audience.
Grace Fu's Little Knowledge
A little knowledge, it is said, is a dangerous thing. To prove this right, we have as example Ms.Grace Fu, who will probably be standing in Yuhua.
Ms.Fu has said that shifting out of manufacturing into services will result in a loss of service jobs! We did not make this up, it was published by the PAP's pliant propagandist, The Straits Times, here .
Would not focusing on the service sector result in more jobs in the service sector? Not, apparently, if you are a PAP administrator.
Ms.Fu feels that she is qualified to make such statements because she sat on an Economic Strategies Committee that looked into other countries. We had thought that she would have published a paper on it, to make so broad and sweeping a statement. Ms.Fu appears to be suffering from that unique delusion common to PAP functionaries, that Singaporeans will swallow whatever they say, no matter how ridicoulous!
The US has for long now started to move from manufacturing to services and it has certainly helped their service sector. During the Great Depression, we remind Ms.Fu, the US economy was predominantly manufacturing based.
It is the knowledge worker who is Singapore's future, not the assembly line worker. In fact, these are jobs that are increasing too fast and by too many, the number of foreign workers in the country. The PAP is trying to cover up for it's failure of foresight in not developing the services sector by coming up with such fallacious arguments.
Ms.Fu advances the outdated argument that R&D and manufacturing are tied together like twins and both must situated in the same place. She would have been more correct, 20 or 30 years ago. The world is now borderless and it is common to have R&D in one country, manufacturing in another and distribution all over the world.
The SDP has put forward a most reasonable proposal in suggesting a shift to the services sector. The PAP should, if they retain power, pay attention to it, instead of behaving like stubborn ostriches.
Ms.Fu has said that shifting out of manufacturing into services will result in a loss of service jobs! We did not make this up, it was published by the PAP's pliant propagandist, The Straits Times, here .
Would not focusing on the service sector result in more jobs in the service sector? Not, apparently, if you are a PAP administrator.
Ms.Fu feels that she is qualified to make such statements because she sat on an Economic Strategies Committee that looked into other countries. We had thought that she would have published a paper on it, to make so broad and sweeping a statement. Ms.Fu appears to be suffering from that unique delusion common to PAP functionaries, that Singaporeans will swallow whatever they say, no matter how ridicoulous!
The US has for long now started to move from manufacturing to services and it has certainly helped their service sector. During the Great Depression, we remind Ms.Fu, the US economy was predominantly manufacturing based.
It is the knowledge worker who is Singapore's future, not the assembly line worker. In fact, these are jobs that are increasing too fast and by too many, the number of foreign workers in the country. The PAP is trying to cover up for it's failure of foresight in not developing the services sector by coming up with such fallacious arguments.
Ms.Fu advances the outdated argument that R&D and manufacturing are tied together like twins and both must situated in the same place. She would have been more correct, 20 or 30 years ago. The world is now borderless and it is common to have R&D in one country, manufacturing in another and distribution all over the world.
The SDP has put forward a most reasonable proposal in suggesting a shift to the services sector. The PAP should, if they retain power, pay attention to it, instead of behaving like stubborn ostriches.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Jurong's Nostradamus
The GST will not go up for the next five years, Mr.Tharman has asserted. We must remind him that he has not won the election yet, nor been appointed the new Finance Minister. He is, clearly, a presumptuous fellow!
In the event he does win, and is appointed, we are sure that the GST will go up, and soon. At which time, Mr.Tharman will tell you, no doubt, that it is because of some international crisis or the other.
And there will be nothing you can do about it.
Will Mr.Tharman be embarassed to contradict himself? Not at all. He is, after all, not embarassed to be Finance Minister despite having been convicted of being negligent with secret financial figures, and fined S$1,500, in 1993.
The higher the number of seats that the PAP wins, the more arrogant and uncaring of public opinion they will be, and the higher the odds that the GST will go up!
In the event he does win, and is appointed, we are sure that the GST will go up, and soon. At which time, Mr.Tharman will tell you, no doubt, that it is because of some international crisis or the other.
And there will be nothing you can do about it.
Will Mr.Tharman be embarassed to contradict himself? Not at all. He is, after all, not embarassed to be Finance Minister despite having been convicted of being negligent with secret financial figures, and fined S$1,500, in 1993.
The higher the number of seats that the PAP wins, the more arrogant and uncaring of public opinion they will be, and the higher the odds that the GST will go up!
A Liar In Ang Mo Kio, A Faker In Mountbatten
Singapore, says Mr.Lee Hsien Loong, is not a one-party state. The man is a bare-faced liar! What other lies, it makes you wonder, has he been telling?
Perhaps he does not understand the meaning of the word. Or perhaps he hopes that if he repeats a lie often enough, like Goebbels, it will be believed.
He then went on to say that this is not an election where the PAP gets 95% of the vote.
Nor did the PAP get 95% of the vote in 2006, we must point out to him. It got 65% of the vote, but still ended up with 98% of the seats.
And that is because Mr.Lee, and the PAP, engages in gerrymandering, and has rigged the system with abominations like the GRCs.
Note :
Meanwhile, Mr.Low Biow Chuan, PAP's MP for Mountbatten, has claimed that his Facebook page was 'liked' by 23,172 people, when in actuality, it was 'liked' by 244 people. Is the PAP a party made up entirely of fakes and liars?
Perhaps he does not understand the meaning of the word. Or perhaps he hopes that if he repeats a lie often enough, like Goebbels, it will be believed.
He then went on to say that this is not an election where the PAP gets 95% of the vote.
Nor did the PAP get 95% of the vote in 2006, we must point out to him. It got 65% of the vote, but still ended up with 98% of the seats.
And that is because Mr.Lee, and the PAP, engages in gerrymandering, and has rigged the system with abominations like the GRCs.
Note :
Meanwhile, Mr.Low Biow Chuan, PAP's MP for Mountbatten, has claimed that his Facebook page was 'liked' by 23,172 people, when in actuality, it was 'liked' by 244 people. Is the PAP a party made up entirely of fakes and liars?
Friday, April 22, 2011
1 EMail To Rule Them All
It made no sense to us that the shares of Tricubes, the Malaysian company that had apparently offered to spend RM50 million on the dubious 1Malaysia email project, had skyrocketed from 5.5 sen to 32.5 sen.
Considering that they were listed under GN3 on the Stock Exchange, which means they required debt restructuring, or in layman's terms that they did not have RM50 million to splurge, made the rise in their stock even more strange.
Could it be that they were hoping to recoup their investment and turn a profit by running advertisements on their email site? We doubt it.
Mr.Najib has said that this is a privately funded project and would not be depending on government funds. How then could Tricubes be financing this totally redundant email system?
And then we read, in Malaysiakini, that a Pemandu representative has said that government agencies may be charged $RM0.50 per transaction to send their emails.
So, assuming there are 10 million Malaysians who qualify for this email, that would be RM5 million per transaction paid to Tricubes!
No wonder the stock is flying!
Considering that they were listed under GN3 on the Stock Exchange, which means they required debt restructuring, or in layman's terms that they did not have RM50 million to splurge, made the rise in their stock even more strange.
Could it be that they were hoping to recoup their investment and turn a profit by running advertisements on their email site? We doubt it.
Mr.Najib has said that this is a privately funded project and would not be depending on government funds. How then could Tricubes be financing this totally redundant email system?
And then we read, in Malaysiakini, that a Pemandu representative has said that government agencies may be charged $RM0.50 per transaction to send their emails.
So, assuming there are 10 million Malaysians who qualify for this email, that would be RM5 million per transaction paid to Tricubes!
No wonder the stock is flying!
Goh Chok Tong, From The Gutter, Calls For A 'Clean' Campaign!
It is almost surreal to read of Mr.Goh Chok Tong's call for a 'clean' campaign. Among other things, he doesn't want to be personally attacked nor does he want to be called rude names.
He appears to have conveniently forgotten that he personally bankrupted Mr.Chee Soon Juan. To give credit where it's due, Mr.Lee Kuan Yew helped. That is how dirty Mr.Goh plays. He bankrupts political opponents who are a threat to him and his PAP. Nor has he had the courage to respond to Mr.Chee's challenge to him to allow Mr.Chee to stand by waiving his damages.
It mattered little to Mr.Goh that Mr.Chee was a Singaporean with a family to support, who was exercising his right to disagree, and his right to fair comment. Mr.Goh was intent on bankrupting him. To silence Mr.Chee and to serve as an example to others from daring to do the same. And he appears to feel no twinge of conscience that he collects S$3 million a year from public funds, while Mr.Chee remains penniless.
We assume Mr.Goh is afraid, among other things, that his and his wife's association with the NKF scandal will be made an election issue. It should, because it is a shame.
Or perhaps he worries that his running mate, Ms.Tin Pei Ling, will become the butt of more joke.
Whatever his reasons, calls for clean campaigns should come from those with clean consciences. Such calls should not be from a politician who uses the dirty tactic of bankrupting his political foe, and whose claim to fame rests on little more than being Mr.Lee Kuan Yew's fawning factotum.
He appears to have conveniently forgotten that he personally bankrupted Mr.Chee Soon Juan. To give credit where it's due, Mr.Lee Kuan Yew helped. That is how dirty Mr.Goh plays. He bankrupts political opponents who are a threat to him and his PAP. Nor has he had the courage to respond to Mr.Chee's challenge to him to allow Mr.Chee to stand by waiving his damages.
It mattered little to Mr.Goh that Mr.Chee was a Singaporean with a family to support, who was exercising his right to disagree, and his right to fair comment. Mr.Goh was intent on bankrupting him. To silence Mr.Chee and to serve as an example to others from daring to do the same. And he appears to feel no twinge of conscience that he collects S$3 million a year from public funds, while Mr.Chee remains penniless.
We assume Mr.Goh is afraid, among other things, that his and his wife's association with the NKF scandal will be made an election issue. It should, because it is a shame.
Or perhaps he worries that his running mate, Ms.Tin Pei Ling, will become the butt of more joke.
Whatever his reasons, calls for clean campaigns should come from those with clean consciences. Such calls should not be from a politician who uses the dirty tactic of bankrupting his political foe, and whose claim to fame rests on little more than being Mr.Lee Kuan Yew's fawning factotum.
A Valley Of Elah, In Marine Parade
The PAP's champion, Mr.Goh Chok Tong, like an aged Goliath, has strode forth for almost 3 decades now, shouting his challenge. For the last 20 years, his challenge has gone unmet.
But this election, a Singaporean David steps forward, in the unexpected form of Ms.Nicole Seah. Like David, she is young, and like David, she is courageous. She could have taken the easy route by throwing in her lot with the PAP, but she has chosen the hard and thankless path, of being an oppositionist in Singapore.
Mr.Goh is hampered now, by many things. By the weight of a too-long incumbency, by association with the NKF scandal, by his scolding of Singaporeans for complaining about the PAP's haplessness in the face of floods, by his mammoth salary, by his many foot-in-the-mouth comments, and not least, by the burden of Ms.Tin Pei Ling tightly clinging on to his coat-tails.
If at all a message is to be sent to the PAP, it will be sent by speeding Mr.Goh on his way to his long overdue retirement.
We hope Ms.Seah does not blanch at Mr.Goh's inevitable arms-flailing charge, and that she aims well.
It would be a pity indeed if Goliath wins, though those modern day philistines, the PAP, will rejoice.
But this election, a Singaporean David steps forward, in the unexpected form of Ms.Nicole Seah. Like David, she is young, and like David, she is courageous. She could have taken the easy route by throwing in her lot with the PAP, but she has chosen the hard and thankless path, of being an oppositionist in Singapore.
Mr.Goh is hampered now, by many things. By the weight of a too-long incumbency, by association with the NKF scandal, by his scolding of Singaporeans for complaining about the PAP's haplessness in the face of floods, by his mammoth salary, by his many foot-in-the-mouth comments, and not least, by the burden of Ms.Tin Pei Ling tightly clinging on to his coat-tails.
If at all a message is to be sent to the PAP, it will be sent by speeding Mr.Goh on his way to his long overdue retirement.
We hope Ms.Seah does not blanch at Mr.Goh's inevitable arms-flailing charge, and that she aims well.
It would be a pity indeed if Goliath wins, though those modern day philistines, the PAP, will rejoice.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Mr.Lee's Strange Remarks
According to the Straits Times (here ), Mr.Lee Hsien Loong said that "Foreign workers help create good jobs for Singaporeans". It would have made some sense if he had said foreign investors!
There are few nations which would accept the building of an electronic plant, if it required that 40% of that factory's workers be foreign. There will be negative effects in terms of social issues, housing, and overcrowded subways among others. In a small nation, such effects will be magnified.
This is not natural growth. It is a forced, unnatural push to meet some target.
Possibly a target which will result in a higher bonus for the Prime Minister and his team!
There are few nations which would accept the building of an electronic plant, if it required that 40% of that factory's workers be foreign. There will be negative effects in terms of social issues, housing, and overcrowded subways among others. In a small nation, such effects will be magnified.
This is not natural growth. It is a forced, unnatural push to meet some target.
Possibly a target which will result in a higher bonus for the Prime Minister and his team!
And Now, Here's More Threats From The PAP
According to Mr.Lim Swee Say, the PAP's well-paid Minister without portfolio, but with much to say, Singaporeans should not 'gamble' with their future. It is strange advice, indeed, coming from a member of a Cabinet which authorized the building of two huge casinos in Singapore.
Apparently, not voting for the PAP will be a losing bet, in which Singaporeans will lose their future. When you bet in a casino, he says you will lose only money! And if money is lost, will that not affect the future? Not if you're an overpaid Minister in Mr.Lee's Cabinet, it seems.
It is voting for the PAP which is the losing bet. By voting for the opposition, Singaporeans may win themselves a two-party state, their freedom and a government that listens. As a bonus win, you will rid yourselves of arrogant fear-mongerers like Mr.Lim Swee Say.
Apparently, not voting for the PAP will be a losing bet, in which Singaporeans will lose their future. When you bet in a casino, he says you will lose only money! And if money is lost, will that not affect the future? Not if you're an overpaid Minister in Mr.Lee's Cabinet, it seems.
It is voting for the PAP which is the losing bet. By voting for the opposition, Singaporeans may win themselves a two-party state, their freedom and a government that listens. As a bonus win, you will rid yourselves of arrogant fear-mongerers like Mr.Lim Swee Say.
An English Lesson For Shanmugam
First World and Third World are English expressions which refer to advanced and backward states of existence. It need not refer to specific countries, as Mr.Shanmugam ignorantly suggests.
An example of a Third World state of existence, if he must have specifics, is Singapore's just dissolved Parliament. When one party controls 98% of the seats, it means that the people's will has been subverted. Especially when the party that has 98% of the seats, as in 2006, only got 65% of the votes.
The people's wishes have been denied by the PAP's crude, Third World system of gerrymandering using GRC's. As well as by the PAP's Third World repression of those pillars of any true democracy, freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
If Mr.Shanmugam needs further understanding of the Workers Party's concept, he only needs to read their manifesto. Unless he is too busy organizing the hangings of misled, poverty-stricken children like Yong Vui Kong.
Mr.Shanmugam would do better to occupy his time with improving the PAP's own flimsy manifesto, which is so sadly short on specifics, and which is so clearly inferior, to the WP's manifesto.
An example of a Third World state of existence, if he must have specifics, is Singapore's just dissolved Parliament. When one party controls 98% of the seats, it means that the people's will has been subverted. Especially when the party that has 98% of the seats, as in 2006, only got 65% of the votes.
The people's wishes have been denied by the PAP's crude, Third World system of gerrymandering using GRC's. As well as by the PAP's Third World repression of those pillars of any true democracy, freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
If Mr.Shanmugam needs further understanding of the Workers Party's concept, he only needs to read their manifesto. Unless he is too busy organizing the hangings of misled, poverty-stricken children like Yong Vui Kong.
Mr.Shanmugam would do better to occupy his time with improving the PAP's own flimsy manifesto, which is so sadly short on specifics, and which is so clearly inferior, to the WP's manifesto.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
WP Manifesto vs. PAP Snake Oil
The Workers Party manifesto consisted of 17,440 words while the PAP's manifesto was a flimsy document of 1,688 words. The PAP's 1,688 words included a used-car salesman type sales pitch by Mr.Lee Hsien Loong.
We are quite convinced that the PAP manifesto was written by a PR consultant. It is full of empty words, unmeasurable promises, and high-sounding rhetoric. It is generic gibberish! Whoever wrote it, he is a slippery fellow; he promises you everything, but you can't hold him down to anything. In the event the PAP loses and he is booted out of his job, he will no doubt be found standing on a street corner in some disreputable part of town, selling snake oil!
The Workers Party manifesto is, by contrast, a thoughtful and carefully put together piece of work. They seem to have burned the midnight oil, and perhaps brainstormed for long hours, with input from ordinary citizens, before completing it. It is very clear, that they have the competency, to succesfully manage Singapore.
If you think us biased, please read both manifestos for yourself.
The Workers Party manifesto is here .
The PAP manifesto may be found as a silly set of children's slides at their website. We can only conclude that the PAP is used to treating Singaporeans like schoolchidren, and so present their manifesto in this way.
,
We are quite convinced that the PAP manifesto was written by a PR consultant. It is full of empty words, unmeasurable promises, and high-sounding rhetoric. It is generic gibberish! Whoever wrote it, he is a slippery fellow; he promises you everything, but you can't hold him down to anything. In the event the PAP loses and he is booted out of his job, he will no doubt be found standing on a street corner in some disreputable part of town, selling snake oil!
The Workers Party manifesto is, by contrast, a thoughtful and carefully put together piece of work. They seem to have burned the midnight oil, and perhaps brainstormed for long hours, with input from ordinary citizens, before completing it. It is very clear, that they have the competency, to succesfully manage Singapore.
If you think us biased, please read both manifestos for yourself.
The Workers Party manifesto is here .
The PAP manifesto may be found as a silly set of children's slides at their website. We can only conclude that the PAP is used to treating Singaporeans like schoolchidren, and so present their manifesto in this way.
,
Temasek Review Downed By DDOS Attacks
If you can't access the Temasek Review, it is because it has been downed by DDOS (denial of service) attacks. Similar attacks during the Sarawak Election brought down Malaysia's Alternative News Sites like Malaysiakini, Malaysia Chronicle and the UK-based Sarawak Report. The Sarawak Report was forced to go 'on the run' moving from server to server as each new server came under attack.
In the case of Malaysia, there was little doubt that the attack was ordered by the BN. The PAP seems to have taken a leaf out of the BN's dirty tricks playbook and may be intent on doing the same to the Temasek Review. These attacks, we note, are illegal.
The Singapore voter is expected to swallow the propagandic gibberish spewed by the Straits Times and other such 'news' sources to make his or her decision. The fact that the PAP is engaging in such tactics should be reason enough to vote against them. They wish to deny the Singapore voter, access to their most implacable, and no-holds barred, critic, the Temasek Review.
It is an insult to the Singapore voter's intelligence that tactics seen as being succesful against natives in Sarawak's remote interiors are being used to deny them information.
It is a clear sign that the PAP is afraid, and the PAP is desperate. And they now seem willing to use methods favoured by Malaysia's disreputable BN. No matter how despicable, or how illegal, such methods are.
In the case of Malaysia, there was little doubt that the attack was ordered by the BN. The PAP seems to have taken a leaf out of the BN's dirty tricks playbook and may be intent on doing the same to the Temasek Review. These attacks, we note, are illegal.
The Singapore voter is expected to swallow the propagandic gibberish spewed by the Straits Times and other such 'news' sources to make his or her decision. The fact that the PAP is engaging in such tactics should be reason enough to vote against them. They wish to deny the Singapore voter, access to their most implacable, and no-holds barred, critic, the Temasek Review.
It is an insult to the Singapore voter's intelligence that tactics seen as being succesful against natives in Sarawak's remote interiors are being used to deny them information.
It is a clear sign that the PAP is afraid, and the PAP is desperate. And they now seem willing to use methods favoured by Malaysia's disreputable BN. No matter how despicable, or how illegal, such methods are.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Putting An End To The PAP's Habit Of Bankrupting Their Political Opponents
The only way to end their unhealthy habit, is for you to pay the fines!
Because it would immediately defeat their purpose.
And the PAP's purpose is simply to scare everybody into keeping silent. They do this by frightening critics that they will lose all their possesions.
But if the fines are paid by all citizens, then nobody will lose their possesions. And they may then do what Singapore so desperately needs, speak out when they see wrong.
In addition, citizens who keep having to fork out money to the Lees or Mr.Goh Chok Tong or any other PAP luminary, will be very angry.
And the PAP would not like such public anger focused on them, not when they are carefully pretending to be the good guys.
Alternatively, and to save yourself some money, you could just vote them out!
Because it would immediately defeat their purpose.
And the PAP's purpose is simply to scare everybody into keeping silent. They do this by frightening critics that they will lose all their possesions.
But if the fines are paid by all citizens, then nobody will lose their possesions. And they may then do what Singapore so desperately needs, speak out when they see wrong.
In addition, citizens who keep having to fork out money to the Lees or Mr.Goh Chok Tong or any other PAP luminary, will be very angry.
And the PAP would not like such public anger focused on them, not when they are carefully pretending to be the good guys.
Alternatively, and to save yourself some money, you could just vote them out!
Muzzling Chee Soon Juan
Mr.Chee will not be able to stand in the Singapore Elections just announced. He has been declared a bankrupt, and may neither stand nor involve himself in the elction campaign. The first he cannot overcome, but the second rule we know he will defy.
If there is one trait he has consistently exhibited in all these years, it is defiance of unjust authority. In Singapore, it is a most unusual trait. His struggle, consciously or not, appears to be based on Gandhian principles. He advocates non-violence, goes on hunger strikes, refuses to pay unjust fines, and would rather be incarcerated than compromise his principles. Every one of which acts, Mr.Gandhi too embraced. Mr.Chee has been ridiculed by his political enemies and called 'a dud' by Mr.Lee Kuan Yew. Mr.Gandhi was called a 'fakir in a loincloth' by Mr.Churchill. Not that we are comparing Mr.Churchill to Mr.Lee; Mr.Churchill was no shameless bully.
It is a pity that Mr.Chee cannot stand in this election because he would most likely win. Which is why the PAP fears him and why they will not allow him to. They cannot handle him now, and they do not want to have to contend with him in Parliament.
It may be time for Mr.Chee to ask Singaporeans to donate towards paying off his fine. He owes S$300,000 to Mr.Lee Kuan Yew and S$200,000 to Mr.Goh Chok Tong. We are certain he will be able to collect enough. Though it is a shame that even more of Singaporean's hard earned money, will find it's way into Mr.Lee's and Mr.Goh's already thick wallets.
If there is one trait he has consistently exhibited in all these years, it is defiance of unjust authority. In Singapore, it is a most unusual trait. His struggle, consciously or not, appears to be based on Gandhian principles. He advocates non-violence, goes on hunger strikes, refuses to pay unjust fines, and would rather be incarcerated than compromise his principles. Every one of which acts, Mr.Gandhi too embraced. Mr.Chee has been ridiculed by his political enemies and called 'a dud' by Mr.Lee Kuan Yew. Mr.Gandhi was called a 'fakir in a loincloth' by Mr.Churchill. Not that we are comparing Mr.Churchill to Mr.Lee; Mr.Churchill was no shameless bully.
It is a pity that Mr.Chee cannot stand in this election because he would most likely win. Which is why the PAP fears him and why they will not allow him to. They cannot handle him now, and they do not want to have to contend with him in Parliament.
It may be time for Mr.Chee to ask Singaporeans to donate towards paying off his fine. He owes S$300,000 to Mr.Lee Kuan Yew and S$200,000 to Mr.Goh Chok Tong. We are certain he will be able to collect enough. Though it is a shame that even more of Singaporean's hard earned money, will find it's way into Mr.Lee's and Mr.Goh's already thick wallets.
MIC's Smoke And Mirrors Show
Last Friday, MIC held a gathering for Malaysian Indians, in the 5-star Mines Resort in Kuala Lumpur. Considering that the majority of the Indians in Malaysia are living in poverty-stricken conditions, it is indeed a curious venue to choose. It would have been more appropriate for the MIC to organise their 'gathering' in one of the many dilapidated estates or urban slums where most Malaysian Indians actually live, in penniless penury.
Twelve thousand Indians gathered, or rather, were gathered, like so many sheep to the slaughter. Some were paid to gather, and some were bussed in in paid transport. The objective of this 'gathering' was to celebrate the Indian New Year. There is, in fact, little for the Indians to celebrate about.
Fifty years of marginalisation by the Barisan Nasional, have turned the Indians into 3rd class citizens in the nation of their birth. They are practically, now, a slave peoples, and their overseers are the MIC. Ilegal immigrants, not being burdened by having the MIC as a representative, are doing better than them! The MIC is too servile (to Umno) and too inept a party to aid the Indians in any real way. And so, to hide it's shortcomings, it puts on such shows.
How much did the MIC spend, in this false presentation? How much for the venue? For the food? For the singers, the entertainers? How much for the transport to bus in the attendees? A million? Two million?
Whatever the sums, it would have been better spent on tangible projects, instead of this expensive, unproductive nonsense. MIC neither cares to, nor knows how to, help the Indians so they throw them a party instead!
Of course, the MIC has it's own, self-serving reasons for this orchestrated 'gathering'. The election is coming, and they would like to pretend that they have have regained the support of the Indians that they lost in 2008. They would particularly like to pretend so to Umno, to ensure they get enough seats and that those seats are in places which can be won, courtesy of Malay Umno voters. They can then continue to posture as the representatives of the Indians, while doing, as usual, nothing to improve their lot.
In 2008, outraged by the sight of police beatings and persecutions of their fellows, the Indians mostly voted for the Opposition. It would be a pity if they are taken in by the MIC's charlatans, and vote for the BN in the next elections. Neither the MIC, nor the BN, are the answer to Indian woes; they are the cause of them.
The only real hope for change for the Indians is in the establishment of a 2-party state and in a system where those who are disadvantaged will be assisted regardless of their race. And to achieve that, their only choice, for now, is Pakatan.
Twelve thousand Indians gathered, or rather, were gathered, like so many sheep to the slaughter. Some were paid to gather, and some were bussed in in paid transport. The objective of this 'gathering' was to celebrate the Indian New Year. There is, in fact, little for the Indians to celebrate about.
Fifty years of marginalisation by the Barisan Nasional, have turned the Indians into 3rd class citizens in the nation of their birth. They are practically, now, a slave peoples, and their overseers are the MIC. Ilegal immigrants, not being burdened by having the MIC as a representative, are doing better than them! The MIC is too servile (to Umno) and too inept a party to aid the Indians in any real way. And so, to hide it's shortcomings, it puts on such shows.
How much did the MIC spend, in this false presentation? How much for the venue? For the food? For the singers, the entertainers? How much for the transport to bus in the attendees? A million? Two million?
Whatever the sums, it would have been better spent on tangible projects, instead of this expensive, unproductive nonsense. MIC neither cares to, nor knows how to, help the Indians so they throw them a party instead!
Of course, the MIC has it's own, self-serving reasons for this orchestrated 'gathering'. The election is coming, and they would like to pretend that they have have regained the support of the Indians that they lost in 2008. They would particularly like to pretend so to Umno, to ensure they get enough seats and that those seats are in places which can be won, courtesy of Malay Umno voters. They can then continue to posture as the representatives of the Indians, while doing, as usual, nothing to improve their lot.
In 2008, outraged by the sight of police beatings and persecutions of their fellows, the Indians mostly voted for the Opposition. It would be a pity if they are taken in by the MIC's charlatans, and vote for the BN in the next elections. Neither the MIC, nor the BN, are the answer to Indian woes; they are the cause of them.
The only real hope for change for the Indians is in the establishment of a 2-party state and in a system where those who are disadvantaged will be assisted regardless of their race. And to achieve that, their only choice, for now, is Pakatan.
Chua Soi Lek's Gambit
Mr.Chua has called on the SUPP not to accept any posts in the Sarawak cabinet. This was after the SUPP, which purportedly represents the Chinese in Sarawak, was thrashed at the state polls.
Why would Mr.Chua have any interest in the matter? Because he wants to send Peninsular Chinese a message. His message is vote for the Opposition, and you will have no representatives in the Cabinet. Some, of course, will argue that it is better to have none, than to have a servile party like the MCA represent them.
Mr.Chua was asked why he did not stop the MCA, which was similarly thrashed by the DAP and PKR in the 2008 elections, from accepting posts in the Cabinet. He replied that he was not the President, then. In that case, why didn't he pull them out when he became the President?
We do not think Peninsular Chinese will be made fearful by Mr.Chua's latest transparent scare tactic. They are more likely to be convinced, that Mr.Chua and his entire BN coalition, should be dumped, where they belong, in history's rubbish bin.
Why would Mr.Chua have any interest in the matter? Because he wants to send Peninsular Chinese a message. His message is vote for the Opposition, and you will have no representatives in the Cabinet. Some, of course, will argue that it is better to have none, than to have a servile party like the MCA represent them.
Mr.Chua was asked why he did not stop the MCA, which was similarly thrashed by the DAP and PKR in the 2008 elections, from accepting posts in the Cabinet. He replied that he was not the President, then. In that case, why didn't he pull them out when he became the President?
We do not think Peninsular Chinese will be made fearful by Mr.Chua's latest transparent scare tactic. They are more likely to be convinced, that Mr.Chua and his entire BN coalition, should be dumped, where they belong, in history's rubbish bin.
Mahathir Calls DAP Racist!
Mr.Mahathir, as unrepentant a racist as you could find outside of the KKK, has labelled the DAP a racist party. This, apparently, is how they doubled their number of seats in the Sarawak election, by being racist.
We were sure the reason why the DAP got more seats, was because, among other reasons, the Sarawak State government was widely perceived as being corrupt, being unresponsive and because Mr.Taib Mahmud is much reviled. We thank Mr.Mahathir, for correcting us. For who would know more about racism, and racist parties, if not Mr.Mahathir.
He reigned for decades over Umno, which only accepts Malays into it's fold. His major coalition partners MCA and MIC, were respectively only for Chinese and Indians. With this anachronistic coalition, Mr.Mahathir ruled Malaysia for decades. His party's mouthpiece, Utusan, to this day, has never grown tired of running racist articles.
It is laughable that Mr.Mahathir would think he was in any way qualified, to comment in this way, on such matters. But then, he did claim a few years ago, that his right to free speech was infringed upon, by Mr.Baddawi. It was a remarkable claim, considering that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he had used every method, including brutal ones, and the ISA, to clamp down on dissent.
We do have to grant Mr.Mahathir one thing.
He is not at all afraid, of looking a fool!
We were sure the reason why the DAP got more seats, was because, among other reasons, the Sarawak State government was widely perceived as being corrupt, being unresponsive and because Mr.Taib Mahmud is much reviled. We thank Mr.Mahathir, for correcting us. For who would know more about racism, and racist parties, if not Mr.Mahathir.
He reigned for decades over Umno, which only accepts Malays into it's fold. His major coalition partners MCA and MIC, were respectively only for Chinese and Indians. With this anachronistic coalition, Mr.Mahathir ruled Malaysia for decades. His party's mouthpiece, Utusan, to this day, has never grown tired of running racist articles.
It is laughable that Mr.Mahathir would think he was in any way qualified, to comment in this way, on such matters. But then, he did claim a few years ago, that his right to free speech was infringed upon, by Mr.Baddawi. It was a remarkable claim, considering that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he had used every method, including brutal ones, and the ISA, to clamp down on dissent.
We do have to grant Mr.Mahathir one thing.
He is not at all afraid, of looking a fool!
Goh Chok Tong Distances Himself, From Tin Pei Ling
Given his way, it seems doubtful that Mr.Goh would want to have Ms.Tin Pei Ling on his 'team'.
It was reported in TodayOnline, that "When asked whether the PAP's youngest candidate, Ms Tin Pei Ling, 27, will be an asset or liability to his team in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, he said he will not know until the election results are out".
He could not bring himself to say that she would be an asset.
Mr.Goh then goes on to say :
"Of course unfortunately for her, YouTube, people have put it on, and then it's a complete distortion and of course some soundbites of her which pitted her as a rather light weight person. Well, that's a superficial view of her."
We watched an entire interview of Ms.Tin, and still found her terribly light-weight. The only reason she is on the PAP ticket, we suspect, is because she is young, and the PAP is under threat, of being rejected by Singapore's youth. Ms.Tin Pei Ling, then, is their superficial solution to their problem!
Mr Goh also said "... Is this election about Tin Pei Ling? No. This election is more than just Marine Parade GRC. It's about the future of Singapore."
We must point out to him, that elections anywhere, are automatically always about the future of countries. Stating the obvious is not going to save him from having the details scrutinised.
And this particular election in Singapore, is also, among other issues, about rising costs, about the loss of jobs of Singaporeans to too many outsiders, about Mr.Goh and his colleagues fat salaries, about the dubious quality of some of the PAP's candidates, and about the need to have more oppositionists in Parliaments to stop the in-bred PAP from going wrong. Which they most certainly have.
It was reported in TodayOnline, that "When asked whether the PAP's youngest candidate, Ms Tin Pei Ling, 27, will be an asset or liability to his team in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, he said he will not know until the election results are out".
He could not bring himself to say that she would be an asset.
Mr.Goh then goes on to say :
"Of course unfortunately for her, YouTube, people have put it on, and then it's a complete distortion and of course some soundbites of her which pitted her as a rather light weight person. Well, that's a superficial view of her."
We watched an entire interview of Ms.Tin, and still found her terribly light-weight. The only reason she is on the PAP ticket, we suspect, is because she is young, and the PAP is under threat, of being rejected by Singapore's youth. Ms.Tin Pei Ling, then, is their superficial solution to their problem!
Mr Goh also said "... Is this election about Tin Pei Ling? No. This election is more than just Marine Parade GRC. It's about the future of Singapore."
We must point out to him, that elections anywhere, are automatically always about the future of countries. Stating the obvious is not going to save him from having the details scrutinised.
And this particular election in Singapore, is also, among other issues, about rising costs, about the loss of jobs of Singaporeans to too many outsiders, about Mr.Goh and his colleagues fat salaries, about the dubious quality of some of the PAP's candidates, and about the need to have more oppositionists in Parliaments to stop the in-bred PAP from going wrong. Which they most certainly have.
Chok Tong Ducks The Real Issue
Mr.Goh came up with this one yesterday :
“I would not duck the issue, because politics is about people’s livelihood. Therefore, rising cost is a very big issue facing, not just Singapore, but facing every other country,”
Now he says Singapore is like every other country. It is strange, because the he and the PAP are always saying that Singapore is not like every other country. That, they usually justify, is why Singapore can't have a free press, freedom of speech, or any other freedoms. That is also part of the justification for Mr.Goh's monstrous salary, and that of his colleagues.
The issue Mr.Goh is ducking, while pretending not to, is that the PAP is entirely responsible for rising costs. They run the Government, always have run the Government, and seek, by any means available, to always continue to do so.
He also says that having more opposition in Parliament will not solve the problem. In fact, that is precisely what Singapore needs. More opposition in Parliament, to question the PAP. More opposition in Parliament, to force the PAP to listen to voters. What Singapore's Parliament is filled with today, is a bunch of nodding PAP syncophants, falling over each other to agree with their leaders.
Mr.Goh is running away from responsiblity, by attempting to blame Singapore's problems on some global malaise. The troubles in Singapore, are of the PAP's making.
“I would not duck the issue, because politics is about people’s livelihood. Therefore, rising cost is a very big issue facing, not just Singapore, but facing every other country,”
Now he says Singapore is like every other country. It is strange, because the he and the PAP are always saying that Singapore is not like every other country. That, they usually justify, is why Singapore can't have a free press, freedom of speech, or any other freedoms. That is also part of the justification for Mr.Goh's monstrous salary, and that of his colleagues.
The issue Mr.Goh is ducking, while pretending not to, is that the PAP is entirely responsible for rising costs. They run the Government, always have run the Government, and seek, by any means available, to always continue to do so.
He also says that having more opposition in Parliament will not solve the problem. In fact, that is precisely what Singapore needs. More opposition in Parliament, to question the PAP. More opposition in Parliament, to force the PAP to listen to voters. What Singapore's Parliament is filled with today, is a bunch of nodding PAP syncophants, falling over each other to agree with their leaders.
Mr.Goh is running away from responsiblity, by attempting to blame Singapore's problems on some global malaise. The troubles in Singapore, are of the PAP's making.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Mr.Taib Goes To Vote, In A Silver Rolls Royce!
As the Chief Minister of one of Malaysia's poorest states, one might have expected Mr.Taib Mahmud to be a little more careful about flaunting his wealth. But no, Mr.Taib must go to vote in a silver Rolls-Royce.He enjoys absolute power in Sarawak, and is unconcerned with appearances. Or, for that matter, public opinion.
Mr.Taib has won another term as Chief Minister, of the exploited state of Sarawak. He will face more elected opposition members in this term, than he has ever dealt with before. But he still wields a two thirds majority, which allows him to amend the State's Constitution, as he pleases.
If the elections had not been marred by fraud, Mr.Taib would not still have his 2/3rds. And may even have lost. Tellingly, Mr.Taib had barred all independent observers from entering Sarawak, including the former head of Malaysia's Bar Council, Ms.Ambiga Sreenivasan.
In Senadin, a thousand postal votes miraculously turned up to save the BN candidate. Their candidate still only won by 58 votes! The results are being disputed as we write, but the Election Commission official, of course, refuses to allow a recount.
In Bakun, BN won by 227 votes the last time. This time their margin of victory was close to three thousand! A remarkable turn-around in voter sentiment, indeed. It is, of course, preposterous! They may have overdone it. Rigging votes, is clearly a tricky business. Rig too little and you might lose. Rig too much, and you may get, a Bakun!
Based on their "success", we expect Malaysia's ruling party, the BN, to call for the General Elections soon. They will have a much harder time, in Malaysia's West. Mr.Taib's odious formula for winning elections, combining the ingredients of fraud, rampant vote-buying, and intimidation, will not work so well there.
Mr.Taib has won another term as Chief Minister, of the exploited state of Sarawak. He will face more elected opposition members in this term, than he has ever dealt with before. But he still wields a two thirds majority, which allows him to amend the State's Constitution, as he pleases.
If the elections had not been marred by fraud, Mr.Taib would not still have his 2/3rds. And may even have lost. Tellingly, Mr.Taib had barred all independent observers from entering Sarawak, including the former head of Malaysia's Bar Council, Ms.Ambiga Sreenivasan.
In Senadin, a thousand postal votes miraculously turned up to save the BN candidate. Their candidate still only won by 58 votes! The results are being disputed as we write, but the Election Commission official, of course, refuses to allow a recount.
In Bakun, BN won by 227 votes the last time. This time their margin of victory was close to three thousand! A remarkable turn-around in voter sentiment, indeed. It is, of course, preposterous! They may have overdone it. Rigging votes, is clearly a tricky business. Rig too little and you might lose. Rig too much, and you may get, a Bakun!
Based on their "success", we expect Malaysia's ruling party, the BN, to call for the General Elections soon. They will have a much harder time, in Malaysia's West. Mr.Taib's odious formula for winning elections, combining the ingredients of fraud, rampant vote-buying, and intimidation, will not work so well there.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Communications Jammed In Sarawak
The tactics used by Egypt's Mubarak, are now being used in Sarawak. Mobile phone networks have been disrupted. Radio Free Sarawak has been jammed. Alternative news sites, like Malaysiakini and Sarawak Report (both now on Wordpress), have been brought down by cyber-attacks. Dirty work, is clearly afoot.
The lessons of history, as in Egypt, are being ignored, even though they are only months old. We wish to point out to the BN and the tyrannical Mr.Taib, that their actions will be counter-productive. We know, as do most of the people, in case they think themselves disguised, that it is they who are behind these actions and attacks. And it is causing a lot of anger, which will be directed squarely at them, in polling tomorrow.
These are actions of desperate men. And the BN right now, is a coalition of increasingly desperate men. Their ceramahs attract few listeners, while the opposition's attracts voters in the thousands. To disrupt the opposition speakers, BN plays loud music opposite, hires goons to jeer loudly and then invites listeners to free buffets, if they will only leave the opposition ceramah!
All these sinister and sometimes farcical machinations will not stop the BN from being dealt a resounding blow in the elections tomorrow.
The lessons of history, as in Egypt, are being ignored, even though they are only months old. We wish to point out to the BN and the tyrannical Mr.Taib, that their actions will be counter-productive. We know, as do most of the people, in case they think themselves disguised, that it is they who are behind these actions and attacks. And it is causing a lot of anger, which will be directed squarely at them, in polling tomorrow.
These are actions of desperate men. And the BN right now, is a coalition of increasingly desperate men. Their ceramahs attract few listeners, while the opposition's attracts voters in the thousands. To disrupt the opposition speakers, BN plays loud music opposite, hires goons to jeer loudly and then invites listeners to free buffets, if they will only leave the opposition ceramah!
All these sinister and sometimes farcical machinations will not stop the BN from being dealt a resounding blow in the elections tomorrow.
Barring Ambiga, And Rigging An Election
Ms.Ambiga Srinivasan is the former president of the Bar Council and currently the Bersih 2.0 Chairperson. Bersih 2.0 is an organization focused on ensuring free and fair elections in Malaysia.
She was barred from entering Sarawak today, the day before polling, by the office of Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. He seems to be supremely arrogant, and frightened out of his wits, all at the same time.
Ms.Ambiga is the fourth activist to be barred from Sarawak in the past two weeks. The others were Steven Ng, Wong Chin Huat and Haris Ibrahim. PKR's Mr.Sivarasah was also barred a few weeks ago.
His reason for barring Ms.Ambiga, who is committed to ensuring that elections are not rigged, can only be because that is precisely his intention. If Mr.Taib cannot win by fair means, and we know he cannot this time, he means to win by foul.
But if the swing against the BN is strong enough, even Mr.Taib and his thugs, will not be able to silence the long-suppressed voice of Sarawak's people.
This tyrannical despot and his party may yet be cast out of power in Sarawak, including in his own seat of Balingian.
And then Sarawak will be free.
She was barred from entering Sarawak today, the day before polling, by the office of Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. He seems to be supremely arrogant, and frightened out of his wits, all at the same time.
Ms.Ambiga is the fourth activist to be barred from Sarawak in the past two weeks. The others were Steven Ng, Wong Chin Huat and Haris Ibrahim. PKR's Mr.Sivarasah was also barred a few weeks ago.
His reason for barring Ms.Ambiga, who is committed to ensuring that elections are not rigged, can only be because that is precisely his intention. If Mr.Taib cannot win by fair means, and we know he cannot this time, he means to win by foul.
But if the swing against the BN is strong enough, even Mr.Taib and his thugs, will not be able to silence the long-suppressed voice of Sarawak's people.
This tyrannical despot and his party may yet be cast out of power in Sarawak, including in his own seat of Balingian.
And then Sarawak will be free.
Barring Haris
Why bar Mr.Haris Ibrahim, of all people, from entering Sarawak? He is not a particularly influential figure in Malaysian politics. He is more of a civil rights activist, and could under normal circumstances, have little say in Sarawak.
He has only been barred, we believe, for one reason. To stop him from exposing SNAP, with which party he was associated until recently.
SNAP is not a part of the BN, but it was BN which barred Mr.Haris. SNAP is, however, standing, and forcing 3 way contests in seats where it should be a straight fight between BN and PKR. This is SNAP's value to the BN. They will help split the opposition vote, and this will benefit BN. The BN does not want Mr.Harris turning up, and spilling the beans on SNAP.
We cannot confirm the rumours that SNAP has been bought over by the BN, but the ugly nexus between BN and SNAP, as in this act of barring Mr.Haris, is undeniable.
Voting for SNAP in Sarawak, is as good as voting for Mr.Taib Mahmud and the Barisan Nasional.
He has only been barred, we believe, for one reason. To stop him from exposing SNAP, with which party he was associated until recently.
SNAP is not a part of the BN, but it was BN which barred Mr.Haris. SNAP is, however, standing, and forcing 3 way contests in seats where it should be a straight fight between BN and PKR. This is SNAP's value to the BN. They will help split the opposition vote, and this will benefit BN. The BN does not want Mr.Harris turning up, and spilling the beans on SNAP.
We cannot confirm the rumours that SNAP has been bought over by the BN, but the ugly nexus between BN and SNAP, as in this act of barring Mr.Haris, is undeniable.
Voting for SNAP in Sarawak, is as good as voting for Mr.Taib Mahmud and the Barisan Nasional.
Dissociated In Sarawak
Sarawakians have a chance to free themselves on the 16th of April. And they do not need to resort to the methods employed by Egyptians, Libyans or Ivorians. All they have to do, is mark the X in the right place, for the opposition, on their ballot papers.
They have suffered long enough, and their leaders have been profligate in their excesses enough, that their decision should be an easy one. Yet there are many, who will still vote for the BN in the form of the PBB and the SUPP. Though there will be much less of those who vote for the SUPP.
There are several posible reasons for such self-defeating behaviour. Some may be suffering from a form of Stockholm Syndrome where captives or victims of kidnappings develop positive feelings for their captors. In some cases they will even feel adulation for their tormentors. A key element for this kind of scenario to develop is for the perpetrator to show some form of kindness to the victim. The victims will then, in a bid to protect themselves, focus on the kindness rather than the abuse. This will not happen if the abuser is unremittingly harsh. Lack of abuse may also be seen as kindness.
The BN shows this temporary 'kindness' to Sarawakians every five years or so, during elections. They hand out impermanent goodies when they should be developing the state for the long-term good of it's residents. Mr.Taib Mahmud has shown little interest in doing that. Nor, are we certain, if he actually wanted to, that he knows how.
A Dissociated state, a psychological defence mechanism, may also stop people from acting in their own interests. People become accepting, and dissociate themselves, from the abuse they have to endure, in one form or another. They may not take the chance to escape, even when they can.
These are conditions that also existed in Peninsular Malaysia, until 2008, as they still do, in Singapore. Penang became free then, as did Selangor. Kelantanese had long ago rejected the BN. Both Penang and Selangor are far better off today, than they were under the BN.
It is up to Sarawakians now, to set themselves free.
They have suffered long enough, and their leaders have been profligate in their excesses enough, that their decision should be an easy one. Yet there are many, who will still vote for the BN in the form of the PBB and the SUPP. Though there will be much less of those who vote for the SUPP.
There are several posible reasons for such self-defeating behaviour. Some may be suffering from a form of Stockholm Syndrome where captives or victims of kidnappings develop positive feelings for their captors. In some cases they will even feel adulation for their tormentors. A key element for this kind of scenario to develop is for the perpetrator to show some form of kindness to the victim. The victims will then, in a bid to protect themselves, focus on the kindness rather than the abuse. This will not happen if the abuser is unremittingly harsh. Lack of abuse may also be seen as kindness.
The BN shows this temporary 'kindness' to Sarawakians every five years or so, during elections. They hand out impermanent goodies when they should be developing the state for the long-term good of it's residents. Mr.Taib Mahmud has shown little interest in doing that. Nor, are we certain, if he actually wanted to, that he knows how.
A Dissociated state, a psychological defence mechanism, may also stop people from acting in their own interests. People become accepting, and dissociate themselves, from the abuse they have to endure, in one form or another. They may not take the chance to escape, even when they can.
These are conditions that also existed in Peninsular Malaysia, until 2008, as they still do, in Singapore. Penang became free then, as did Selangor. Kelantanese had long ago rejected the BN. Both Penang and Selangor are far better off today, than they were under the BN.
It is up to Sarawakians now, to set themselves free.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
For A Strong Opposition, Vote The PAP Out Of Office!
Well, if the PAP loses the election, they will be the Opposition, and Singapore would automatically have, a strong opposition!
The leader of the opposition, will be Mr.Lee Hsien Loong, who will be feeling rather silly, when he starts clamouring, for freedom of speech! As he will, when he starts demanding, for a more transparent government!
Or Mr.Lee Kuan Yew, may decide that Singapore 'needs him', and return to head the PAP. For he has long forgotten, that the PAP is not Singapore, and Singapore is not the PAP!
Of the rest of them, many, and we mean many, will jump ship. They will not be able to tolerate a life, where they are not living off, public funds.
The other possibility is that the PAP's cadre will rebel, and dump the Lees.
In which case, they will start, the Lee Family Talk Show.
For they do very much, like to talk.
The show's ratings will quickly plunge, as they mostly like to talk, about how clever they are!
Or perhaps they will start, a travelling circus, which we think, will do rather well, even if they only feature; themselves!
Note :
If you think Singapore cannot do without the PAP, you may be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
As an immediate remedial measure, stop reading The Straits Times and other mainstream papers, and stop watching TV.
The leader of the opposition, will be Mr.Lee Hsien Loong, who will be feeling rather silly, when he starts clamouring, for freedom of speech! As he will, when he starts demanding, for a more transparent government!
Or Mr.Lee Kuan Yew, may decide that Singapore 'needs him', and return to head the PAP. For he has long forgotten, that the PAP is not Singapore, and Singapore is not the PAP!
Of the rest of them, many, and we mean many, will jump ship. They will not be able to tolerate a life, where they are not living off, public funds.
The other possibility is that the PAP's cadre will rebel, and dump the Lees.
In which case, they will start, the Lee Family Talk Show.
For they do very much, like to talk.
The show's ratings will quickly plunge, as they mostly like to talk, about how clever they are!
Or perhaps they will start, a travelling circus, which we think, will do rather well, even if they only feature; themselves!
Note :
If you think Singapore cannot do without the PAP, you may be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
As an immediate remedial measure, stop reading The Straits Times and other mainstream papers, and stop watching TV.
We Sell Out, To The BN!
We've sold out, guys!
Because it's the fashion nowadays!
Because the offer was too good to resist!
Because all our legal problems will go away!
Because we miss roti canai, and we miss teh tarik, and it doesn't taste quite the same, in London!
We will be giving an interview soon, to a state-owned TV Channel, possibly TV3. We may even do it in several parts, then we can draw the issue out longer, and so that it coincides with the Sarawak Elections!
In future all our posts will be sickeningly, unstintingly, toadyingly, in support of the Barisan Nasional.
Because they're actually all lovely people, and also because they are being very generous to us now!
Oh, and by the way, for the real news go to the NST, The Star, Utusan and, of course, Malaysia Today!
Because it's the fashion nowadays!
Because the offer was too good to resist!
Because all our legal problems will go away!
Because we miss roti canai, and we miss teh tarik, and it doesn't taste quite the same, in London!
We will be giving an interview soon, to a state-owned TV Channel, possibly TV3. We may even do it in several parts, then we can draw the issue out longer, and so that it coincides with the Sarawak Elections!
In future all our posts will be sickeningly, unstintingly, toadyingly, in support of the Barisan Nasional.
Because they're actually all lovely people, and also because they are being very generous to us now!
Oh, and by the way, for the real news go to the NST, The Star, Utusan and, of course, Malaysia Today!
The Emperor Has No Clothes On!
He's not particularly clever, is he, Mr.Lee Hsien Loong? Certainly not on his Q & A session on Channel NewsAsia the other night.
What we saw was an average politician giving run-of-the-mill answers. If he showed any special skill during what became a duller-by-the minute session, it was in being evasive. Whatever he is worth, it is not S$4 Million a year.
He was assisted by a 'moderator', who seemed to be have been deployed for the purpose of deflecting difficult questions, and abruptly changing the topic. It is also a rare sight, to see a moderator, herself asking questions! Helpful ones, of course!
Why would his well-paid PR advisers put such mediocrity in so exposed and public a display? It seems to be an indicator of the low opinion they have of Singaporean's intelligence. Mr.Lee may waltz in wearing a pink shirt, act surprised when told NCMPs are unrepresentative, avoid the issues, make threats; and they are convinced that you will still vote for them.
He had no qualms about publicly stating that he would discriminate against those who vote against his party. It is an undisguised, uncivilized threat. In many countries, it is a crime to make such threats. It will be a pity if Singaporeans allow such political thuggery to frighten them.
Development funds should not be based on whether the voters in an area voted for the PAP or not; it should be based on need.
Yet Mr.Lee and the PAP, insist on treating Singaporeans like a pack of mules, with their carrot and their stick. Mr.Tharman offers them carrots in the form of S$800 bribes, then Mr.Lee turns up armed with a club!
Withholding development funds based on politics, has not worked in Malaysia. Those Malaysian voters so persecuted, grow more sullen still, and continue to vote for the opposition.
We doubt the voters of Potong Pasir and Hougang will appreciate, or give in, to such threats.
Nor should any other voter.
What we saw was an average politician giving run-of-the-mill answers. If he showed any special skill during what became a duller-by-the minute session, it was in being evasive. Whatever he is worth, it is not S$4 Million a year.
He was assisted by a 'moderator', who seemed to be have been deployed for the purpose of deflecting difficult questions, and abruptly changing the topic. It is also a rare sight, to see a moderator, herself asking questions! Helpful ones, of course!
Why would his well-paid PR advisers put such mediocrity in so exposed and public a display? It seems to be an indicator of the low opinion they have of Singaporean's intelligence. Mr.Lee may waltz in wearing a pink shirt, act surprised when told NCMPs are unrepresentative, avoid the issues, make threats; and they are convinced that you will still vote for them.
He had no qualms about publicly stating that he would discriminate against those who vote against his party. It is an undisguised, uncivilized threat. In many countries, it is a crime to make such threats. It will be a pity if Singaporeans allow such political thuggery to frighten them.
Development funds should not be based on whether the voters in an area voted for the PAP or not; it should be based on need.
Yet Mr.Lee and the PAP, insist on treating Singaporeans like a pack of mules, with their carrot and their stick. Mr.Tharman offers them carrots in the form of S$800 bribes, then Mr.Lee turns up armed with a club!
Withholding development funds based on politics, has not worked in Malaysia. Those Malaysian voters so persecuted, grow more sullen still, and continue to vote for the opposition.
We doubt the voters of Potong Pasir and Hougang will appreciate, or give in, to such threats.
Nor should any other voter.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Lee Hsien Loong, Donald Duck And The ISD
For those who didn't notice, we were at the Q & A session with Mr.Lee Hsien Loong last night. To make sure you didn't miss us, we were wearing a full Donald Duck costume. Imagine our surprise, when we watched the replay and found we had been completely edited out. What an outrage! Blatant censorship! Just when we finally got to be on TV!
At the start of the session, we found ourselves sitting on an uncomfortable ugly green lighted box. Why, we asked, can we not have a chair, like Mr.Lee over there? Because, we were told, we want you to focus on how uncomfortable you are feeling, instead of coming up with clever questions, which may stump Mr.Lee. Besides, it makes for good TV and you musn't forget that we are playing pretend.
Apparently, we were all playing pretend that Mr.Lee is an open, friendly PM who can sit down with the people and answer all their questions without having them arrested, in the middle of the night, by the ISD. None of us would be bankrupted either. Unless, we asked such questions tomorrow, or after the show. Then we would be labelled an unconstructive troublemaker and possibly, a dud, who deserves whatever he/she gets.
We got into trouble, shortly after. Mr.Lee was saying, waving his hands about, that politics was, in Singapore, "a tussle for power". No kidding, we found ourselves interjecting. It was a mistake, we had brought attention to ourselves!
What, Mr.Lee demanded, is Donald Duck doing here? He is an American, and this session is only for citizens!We are new citizens, we tried. We ran away from Disneyland, after Tin Pei Ling threatened to visit. Rubbish, he rebutted us, she was only going to visit Universal Studios. It is nearby, we persisted, she might have made a side visit.
It was no good, we were summarily ejected and spent the rest of of the night, in an ISD cell. In case you are wondering where the ISD came from, they were hiding behind the curtains, at the back of Mr.Lee. We were only released after signing many autographs, as "Donald Duck".
We will not be able to use our Donald Duck costume again. ISD may figure out; that we are not actually Donald Duck. We will perhaps wear a Mickey Mouse disguise, since it would better suit, Mr.Lee's mickey mouse answers to important questions.
At the start of the session, we found ourselves sitting on an uncomfortable ugly green lighted box. Why, we asked, can we not have a chair, like Mr.Lee over there? Because, we were told, we want you to focus on how uncomfortable you are feeling, instead of coming up with clever questions, which may stump Mr.Lee. Besides, it makes for good TV and you musn't forget that we are playing pretend.
Apparently, we were all playing pretend that Mr.Lee is an open, friendly PM who can sit down with the people and answer all their questions without having them arrested, in the middle of the night, by the ISD. None of us would be bankrupted either. Unless, we asked such questions tomorrow, or after the show. Then we would be labelled an unconstructive troublemaker and possibly, a dud, who deserves whatever he/she gets.We got into trouble, shortly after. Mr.Lee was saying, waving his hands about, that politics was, in Singapore, "a tussle for power". No kidding, we found ourselves interjecting. It was a mistake, we had brought attention to ourselves!
What, Mr.Lee demanded, is Donald Duck doing here? He is an American, and this session is only for citizens!We are new citizens, we tried. We ran away from Disneyland, after Tin Pei Ling threatened to visit. Rubbish, he rebutted us, she was only going to visit Universal Studios. It is nearby, we persisted, she might have made a side visit.
It was no good, we were summarily ejected and spent the rest of of the night, in an ISD cell. In case you are wondering where the ISD came from, they were hiding behind the curtains, at the back of Mr.Lee. We were only released after signing many autographs, as "Donald Duck".
We will not be able to use our Donald Duck costume again. ISD may figure out; that we are not actually Donald Duck. We will perhaps wear a Mickey Mouse disguise, since it would better suit, Mr.Lee's mickey mouse answers to important questions.
Lee Hsien Loong And The Cardboard NCMPs
Mr.Lee Hsien Loong has assured Singapore's electorate that there will always be opposition MPs in Parliament. He said this today during his Q & A session with 12 members of the public on that Channel 9. It is very generous of him. You may now vote for the PAP with no misgivings as there will always be 9 appointed members of this pseudo-opposition in the House. We can then, he said, "have a debate".
One of the 12 however, Kurt Wee, was unconvinced. They would not be, he more or less and quite rightly said, be representative of the elctorate. Mr.Lee looked suitably perplexed. Well, he tried to look suitably perplexed and went so far as to furrrow his brows, but being perhaps a graduate of the Britney Spears Shool of Acting, he did not succeed very well. He looked, in fact, like he was acting. "But why not" he squeaked, in a hurt, surprised voice. Clearly, more acting classes needed. He was quickly saved by Melissa Hyak, the 'moderator', who abruptly moved to another question!
There is one other problem with this concept. Singapore will now have to pay for, an addittional 9 MPs simply because they didn't in the first place, elect some opposition members. This would result in addittional costs, in the form of allowances and administration.
As it is taxpayer money, we have, we think, a brilliant suggestion, on avoiding this expenditure. Mr.Lee could commission 9 cardboard cut-outs and have them play the role of Non-Constituency MPs. Other than the initial outlay on cardboard and a box-cutter, they would cost nothing. They would be as representative of the electorate as Mr.Lee's human appointees would be.
He may still debate them, but would save much time, as they are unlikely to have anything to say. It would be a perfect arrangement. Singapore's electorate will have their opposition, pseudo and wooden though it may be, and Mr.Lee would have, his way!
Note :
We hope Singapore's Opposition parties, and members, reject this sham system. It only benefits and perpetuates the PAP's rule. The electorate should be informed that they may vote or not for the opposition candidates, but if none win, then there will be no opposition MPs in Parliament, not even pseudo-ones. They must take a joint stand that none of them, including Sylvia Lim, will accept such posts. It is a psy-war that Mr.Lee is engaged in, to mislead the elctorate, and the opposition should not be suckered into it.
One of the 12 however, Kurt Wee, was unconvinced. They would not be, he more or less and quite rightly said, be representative of the elctorate. Mr.Lee looked suitably perplexed. Well, he tried to look suitably perplexed and went so far as to furrrow his brows, but being perhaps a graduate of the Britney Spears Shool of Acting, he did not succeed very well. He looked, in fact, like he was acting. "But why not" he squeaked, in a hurt, surprised voice. Clearly, more acting classes needed. He was quickly saved by Melissa Hyak, the 'moderator', who abruptly moved to another question!
There is one other problem with this concept. Singapore will now have to pay for, an addittional 9 MPs simply because they didn't in the first place, elect some opposition members. This would result in addittional costs, in the form of allowances and administration.
As it is taxpayer money, we have, we think, a brilliant suggestion, on avoiding this expenditure. Mr.Lee could commission 9 cardboard cut-outs and have them play the role of Non-Constituency MPs. Other than the initial outlay on cardboard and a box-cutter, they would cost nothing. They would be as representative of the electorate as Mr.Lee's human appointees would be.
He may still debate them, but would save much time, as they are unlikely to have anything to say. It would be a perfect arrangement. Singapore's electorate will have their opposition, pseudo and wooden though it may be, and Mr.Lee would have, his way!
Note :
We hope Singapore's Opposition parties, and members, reject this sham system. It only benefits and perpetuates the PAP's rule. The electorate should be informed that they may vote or not for the opposition candidates, but if none win, then there will be no opposition MPs in Parliament, not even pseudo-ones. They must take a joint stand that none of them, including Sylvia Lim, will accept such posts. It is a psy-war that Mr.Lee is engaged in, to mislead the elctorate, and the opposition should not be suckered into it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)