Halimah M. Sadique: The Superwoman of CVLB

What she said makes me sit up and feel good. We now have a person who would put the CVLB right and upright. She is Datuk Halimah Mohamad Sidique. She is the newly appointed chaorman of Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB)

Could the public transportation woes be resolved?

"Yes, I think we can," she said.

I believed her! I think she can. I'm sure it is not a mere puff nor is she a braggart. She has a lot of determination and the will.

"I am here not because I am a woman but because it is expected of me to get the job done. When the minister called me, I knew this was one challenge I could not say no to, neither could I fail."

After taking over from Datuk Markiman Kobiran on June 15, Halimah's first move was to draft an action plan to ensure the board meets the Key Performance Indicator set.

"First, I have to study the CVLB Act 1987, its functions and role. Then we will seek expert advice and solutions to public transportation issues.

"KPI is all about delivering the best to the people.

"To be successful means to satisfy the needs of the people and that will be CVLB's very own KPI."

"CVLB has to serve the people from both sides of the fence -- the operators as well as the passengers.

Unfortunately, the reality is far removed from the ideal. The operators have a long list of complaints and the users suffer poor and unreliable service.

"We have to come up with solutions to end, once and for all, these woes. With a proper system and workable action plan, we can," says Halimah.

Halimah said some of the complaints were about city taxis charging exorbitant fares, refusing to use the meter or sub-letting the taxi to foreigners.

"We will proceed with refresher courses for both taxi and bus drivers while increasing the enforcement operations to nab errant drivers."

There is an urgent need to re-educate the drivers on delivering good service.

CVLB hopes to get 50 express bus companies to have online-ticketing systems and their own web portal for easy access and 20 companies to use the global positioning system on their buses, by the end of the year.

"The GPS system will allow us to monitor the movement of the buses and whether the drivers stick to their routes and if they are speeding."

Halimah said she also hoped to make the headquarters and the regional offices more conducive for staff and clients.

"Do not imagine I'm ordering bouquets for the side tables. Conducive here would mean serving our clients better by providing them more useful information and assistance."

Her goal before the end of the two-year contract is to see a change of mindset of public transport operators.

"I want to see a day when we get into the taxi and be greeted by the cab driver with 'Yes Encik, where would you like to go?'

Yes, Halimah, I have high hope on you that it will happen and we are resting our hope on you. It's being a long time since I heard of such intellectually sound management processes and action plans. I hope she will get it right soonest.

Source: NST

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A Passage in the journey of Life: Another day for celebration

She did it again!

Another record is set!

She's my daughter-in-law.

She makes us all proud.

Cogratulations, Pauline!

Unanswerable criticism or unoffended intellect?

Retired judges, no longer bound by the vow of silence, should respond and defend themselves in the electronic media if they feel their judgments have been unfairly criticised by former Court of Appeal judge Datuk N.H. Chan, said Federal Court judge Datuk Gopal Sri Ram.

"The fact that they have not done so must mean only that the criticism is unanswerable or that their intellect has not been offended. Either is a damning condemnation of the worth of the judgments under review by my brother," he said when launching the second edition of Chan's book How to Judge the Judges here yesterday.

Saying criticism was a part of the environment in which a judge functioned, Sri Ram pointed out that every lawyer and judge was, in fact, a critic of the errors of others. It was only through criticism that one acquired knowledge, he said. Cautioning against over-sensitivity to criticism, Sri Ram said it could only lead to ignorance or, worse, intellectual arrogance.

"But where a judgment is tainted with intellectual dishonesty, there is nothing much you can do except to expose the fallacy of the grounds put forth to justify a conclusion already reached before hearing counsel. Fortunately, there are not many of them."

***************************

SOURCE: NST

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Why did Sri Ram add the last few words? Was it that there are not so many of them or much more? Sri Ram should know.

*****

Malaysian Parable: Noah & the Ark

In the year 2003, Angel Gabriel came unto Noah, who now lives in Malaysia, and said: Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and God wants you to build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans.

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Six months later, Angel G looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard but no Ark.

Noah! Gabriel roared, God is about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?

Forgive me, begged Noah, 'but things have changed.

First I need to have a PKK Licence and a Bumi partner who is linked to UMNO and then I needed a building permit from DBKL and also have to pay money to get the permit .

Then I've to argue with the BOMBA inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.

My neighbors complained to The Malay Mail of the height of the ark I was going to build and the next day it was in the headlines claiming that I've violated the building by-laws that my Ark is exceeding the height limitations. I appealed to the political masters and it was later approved.

The Opposition took advantage of the situation and said I was a government crony and did nasty things with my face in the Internet. I don’t know how they superimposed my face on a naked body with naked MP’s and portrayed it on the U TUBE. Oh Lord, you are the all knowing and I did not take the photos with the MP.

Then I received a stop work order even before I could start work. The Badan Rasuah arrested me for pornography.

I talked to a lawyer who looks like Ambitah Bachan, who talk slike him and acts like him but is not him ...and he said he knows the CJ and the PM the Apa ..nama ... and can clear my name but I have to buy them tickets to New Zealand.

After clearing my name, I had to again go to the DBKL Appeal Board for a decision to allow me to build the Ark.

Then government after approving the plans said I must use only SIRIM approved goods and must engage sub-contractors from their list of CLASS F registered contractors who do not have the ability to buy the materials and wanted me to buy on their behalf and to pay them 15% advance payment.

Then the TNB and JPJ demanded a banker's guarantee to be deposited and pay the fees for the costs of relocating the power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. Jabatan Hutan said there's a ban on cutting trees in order to preserve the orang utans.

I tried to convince Jabatan Hutan that I needed the wood to save the orang hutan, but they said no go.

When I started gathering the animals, JAKIM and an Animal rights group sued me. JAKIM said I cannot put the chickens and the pigs next to each other as it is haram and the animal group insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then Jabatan Kerja Raya and Jabatan Kajian dan Galian ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study, the drainage and road systems.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many bumiputera sub-contractors I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Then Jabatan Immigresen and Rela wants to check the status and working permits of workers.

The trade unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with Ark-building experience.

As I started to clear the area to build the Ark, 6 gangsters came and demanded for protection money. And said they will control the area for selling of drugs and prostitution to my workers.

When I complained to the POLIS... the next day they sent an ASP who came in full uniform. Unfortunately he also happens to be know the gangsters and arrested me for suspicion of protecting the gangsters.

Then there was a by election and I was asked to be an UMNO member to get my permits approved and made to pay a donation by the candidate in the so called spirit of MUHIBBAH; otherwise my life would be difficult.

Every department I turn to is asking for a cup of kopi-o”.

I calculated that if I had to pay all the so called kopi money and give some other donations the cost to build the ARK will be 20 times more higher… I refused to give pay for the kopi-o as I am faithful to you Oh Lord.

Then some top level politicians we very disappointed with me and called me a murtad but I told them my name is Noah not murtad; they got very angry and said something like ... derhaka.

Suddenly I am a suspect behind the murder of the Mongolian lady because the place where she was murdered happens to be on the land where I am going to make the Ark and was arrested.

To make matters worse, the Jabatan HASIL seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. I have just been released from ISA.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, 'You mean you're not going to destroy the world?'

'No,' said the Lord.

'The Malaysian Government beat me to it!'

*******************

Story from: Celia Cat

The New Paradoxical Era of Consultancy

Government appoints consultant to resolve AirAsia airport tax arrears

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 – The government has appointed a consultant to resolve the issue of airport tax arrears of RM65 million owed by AirAsia Bhd to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government has studied the matter and it would be used as a basis to resolve the problem.

“There is still a gap between AirAsia and MAHB and we have appointed a consultant to find the middle path ... it has been studied now by the government and we will use that as a basis to resolve the problem between them.”

“It will be seen as an objective, we are not going to take side ... we will decide on the basis of principle,” he said at a press conference after officiating at The National Baitulmal Convention 2009 at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan here today.

– Bernama

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Malaysia is now moving towards the paradoxical age of Consultancy in negotiations and project management. MAHB-AirAsia airport taxes, duly paid by passengers, and not paid by AirAsia to MAHB has become a problem for the government. PKFZ was an idea, a great idea,, to have the world-class Integrated Shipping Hub to shore our dream of V2020 and ended up with a possible $12 billion problem. CIQ is the most advance Custom and Immigration Terminal designed with world-class efficiency and is now used as a security checkpoint.

In Charles Handy's words, it's the age of Paradox as Capitalism has not proved to be as flexible as it was supposed to be, and government have not been as wise or far seeing as it should have been.

In the Age of Paradox, it is about so many things that seems to contain their own contradictions and so many good intentions to have unintended consequences, and so many formulas for success to carry a sting in their tails.

Paradox has indeed almost become the cliche of our times. It is the dilemma of knowing more while getting more confused, and the more we increase our mental and technical knowledge capacities, the more we observed the government becoming incapacitated.

After all, life is a struggle for many and a puzzle for most.

Happy Computer Day

Today is Father's Day and a Sunday. Since my desktop PC is giving me some problem. Each time I boot up the screen is black and I had to reboot; then it works. I thought I might as well sent it to Moni's place at Sunway Pyramid to do a checkup. The PC doctor said it was the VGA Card fault. I had to pay $300 for a Nvidia V719.

When I got home to install the LCD screen could not boot up. I called Moni and discovered that I had to use a DVI cable or to use a DVI adapter. That damn Moni did not tell me earlier and I had to go to Sunway to buy that piece of adapter.

Again, as I got back the PC wouldn't boot and as I tried to reboot the plastic button got stuck. Again, I had to sent it back to Moni. This time the PC doctor said it could be due to the DVD player. I am not sure but I decide to change a new Samsung DVD player which is only $100.

The test was done and it works. I thought I might as well buy a new wireless keyboard and mouse to replace my existing one which is also a wireless set. After all, it was about spending money and maybe spending some money will heal the problem. It did! The problem is resolved and I can now do my blogging.

Bayi's Gift

My good buddy BayiSingh is now back to South Africa. Before he boarded the flight he told me he had a surprise for me. wow .... this is the surprise ...

dang-dang-dang-dang ...

It's a ...





It's a nice gift!!!

Thank you, my dear brother. Thank you so much.

I decide to give this to my godson Ramon, but I will use it first for some days ... ok Ramon?

***

Wisdoom

Rules of Wisdom

# 1 If time doesn't wait for you, don't worry.
Just remove the damn battery from the clock and enjoy life!

# 2 Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is like expecting the lion not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.
Think about it ....!!

# 3 Beauty isn't measured by outer appearance and what clothes we wear, but what we are inside. So, try going out without clothes tomorrow and see the admiration!

# 4 Don't walk as if you rule the world.
Walk as if you don't care who rules the world ! That's called attitude!
Keep on rocking!

# 5 Only one percent of boys have brains; the rest have girlfriends!
Are you the brainy one?

# 6 All desirable things in life are either illegal, banned, expensive or married to someone else!


******************************
Supplier of Wisdom: Stanley

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Back from Kota Kinabalu

Just returned from a tiring trip to Kota Kinabalu for a meeting.

Some readers here told me that they had become bored with my postings of late. I am sorry about that for various reasons.

Firstly, politics in Malaysia had become stale and predictably patterned and you can predict almost accurately what is going to happen and what is expected. Secondly, Najib is the new PM and it is not fair to judge him at this moment. Added to that, we must give 1Malaysia a chance as it is good and fair. And Pakatan Rakyat had barely anything to be credited with; Penang may have a perceived cleaner government but the economic news of Penang isn't encouraging. Selangor is struggling with Khalid's style of corporate management in the political context and the Alam Flora contract apportionment is a guessing game.

Secondly, the bloggers' have divided and split - one group with Rocky Bru and the other associated with RPK-Haris-Zorro. Another group of bloggers have become MPs and ADUNs and there writings are now blinkered.

Thirdly, the economy is not good and the signs of a recession is intact. We must brace ourselves for the bad times and start to collect woods.

Lastly, but not the least, my workload had expended so much that I hardly had time to rest. And I forgot that Father's Day had just passed.

Happy Father's Day Message

"Dear God, this year please send clothes for all those poor ladies in Daddy's computer, Amen."

From: Stanley's daughter.

Poem for today

May you be blessed
by Kate Nowak

With all things good
May your joys,
Like the stars at night,
Be too numerous to count

May your victories
Be more abundant
Than all the grains of sand
On all the beaches
On all the oceans
In all the world

May lack and struggles
Only serve to make you stronger
And may beauty, order and abundance
Be your constant companions

May every pathway you choose
Lead to that which is
Pure and Good and Lovely

May every doubt and fear
Be replaced by a deep, abiding trust
As you observe evidence
Of a HIGHER POWER all around you

And when there is only darkness
And the storms of life are closing in
May the light at the core of your being
Illuminate the world

May you always be aware
You are loved beyond measure
And may you be willing
To love UNCONDITIONALLY in return

May you always feel protected
And cradled in the arms of God
Like the CHERISHED CHILD you are

And when you are tempted to judge,
May you be reminded
That we are ALL ONE
And that every thought you think
Reverberates across the universe
Touching everyone and everything


And when you are tempted to hold back
May you remember that
Love flows best when it flows freely
And it is in giving
That we receive the greatest gift

May you always have music and laughter
And may a rainbow follow every storm

May gladness wash away every disappointment
May joy dissolve every sorrow
And may love ease every pain

May every wound bring wisdom
And may every trial bring triumph
And with each passing day
May you live more abundantly than the day before

May you be blessed
And may others be blessed by you

This is my heartfelt wish for you
May you be blessed.

SOURCE: www.blessyoumovie.com

Paradox: Marriage of Romantic Dreams & Money

Smart Girls Marry Money:
How Women Have Been Duped Into The Romantic Dream--And How They’re Paying For It.

Authored by:
Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake

Women can't have it all - they can't have romantic life and all the money they wanted, at the same time, sleep with the same man in the same bed, performing the same art, with the same passion.

The thesis - that money and the marrying of it is essential for women, because, given the current working culture, women are rarely able to earn as much as men, and should their marriage fail it is a fact that women rarely bounce back, professionally or financially, as easily as men, nor even romantically. Most men becomes richer after divorce.

In recent research by Professor Stephen Jenkins, director of the Institute for Social & Economic Research, it was reported that 5 years after divorce, men were 25% richer, whereas women has less money than they did pre-split. Professor Jenkins conclude that until true equality exists in the labor market and in the way people come out of divorce, women remains at a disadvantage.

Smart Girls Marry Money was written by Daniela Drake and Elizabeth Ford. Elizabeth is a single mother, whose husband traded their marriage for a younger model - a chick 15-years younger than her. She swears she is not bitter; it's just that if she knew then what she know now, there's a lot of great and essential things she would get from that man she married. "I can attest from almost marrying someone for love (who also happened to HAVE money), there’s no way to prevent or take the burn out of being left brokenhearted, " she added.

MC: You're both accomplished working women, but you're telling us we should marry for money. What gives?

FORD: The juggling act required to be a successful woman, to be a good mom and to be a careerist, makes you want to say, "Screw it, I should've married money."

MC: So you're saying we should quit our careers?

FORD: You should definitely keep your job. But we haven't climbed the ladder as far as we should have. We have to keep that in mind when looking for a partner, and steer clear of seductive slackers.

Miss Drake divorced her first husband because she felt that passion and love were gone from their relationship. She said: "Things might have been different if I'd known then that LOVE is TRANSIENT, that it doesn't exist, that a lack of it is not a reason to get out of your marriage." He first husband has now gone on to be quite rich. She remarried and is now happily married.

So, why does society applaud a girl who falls for a guy with big blue-eyes yet denounces one who chooses a rich-ugly man? After all, isn’t money more a reflection of a man’s values and character?

Smart Girls Marry Money challenges the ideals and assumptions women have blindly accepted about love and marriage—and shows how they’ve done so at their own economic peril.

In their book, Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake use cold hard facts and true stories to present a compelling case for why mercenary marriages make the most sense for future happiness.

Smart Girls emphasize on "Female “empowerment” - women working hard to look sexier than ever, while demanding more than their fair share financially. Yet sadly, statistics prove that: not only do women continue to earn far less than their male counterparts, they also suffer far more economically when marriages fail. Ford and Drake think it’s high time that women get their heads out of the clouds and start caring about their own security—the kind that can be measured in dollars and common sense.

In a straight-talk tone, the authors serve up an intriguing strategy for how women can truly “have it all": that sexual fulfillment is dependent on discovering yourself through masturbation; that it is imperative to marry young, while you have the seductive powers of the sexually attractive and fecund; that women must be aware that men are prone to trading up once women no longer have the great skin or looks; that sleeping with your boss is fine if you can do so without harming your feelings or prospects.

According to Merryn Somerset Webb, the editor-in-chief of MoneyWeek, "Even really smart women are victims of their own Cinderella Syndrome." Webb wrote "Love is Not Enough" after her husband asked her: "How do you intend to keep yourself in old age?" "I said, 'I'll share your money. To which he replied, 'No. Sort your own finances out." In the "Marrying-Money" agrument, Webb says, "It's all very well, as long as the money you marry don't leave you on your own in a poor financial position. Marrying money isn't a solution - it is not emotionally satisfying. Marriage is exhausting enough with someone you love - imagine doing it with someone you don't. I don't think people would marry purely for romantic love."

The book would surely spark conversation and controversy, Smart Girls Marry Money intends to empower women with a new way to take control of both their economic and romantic lives.

While the book is intended for the audience of "young supple beauties squandering their hotness," there is good news for single women whose "sell date is long overdue": Women over 40 "may still avoid working until you drop dead." (review by Bonnie Goldstein of doublex.com)

Read: timesonline

A Passage in the journey of Life: A year of celebration

I am proud of her.

She's my daughter-in-law.

Congratulations Pauline and you deserved the accolade.

UEM news - big news?

My good friend Dato' S has written an article today here about UEM.

He has also posted an Initiatory Pleadings of an impending suit filed by the Qatar Public Works Organization (Qatar PWO) against UEM Berhad (who is the main contractor) who is sued jointly with Parsons International Ltd (the first defendant who is the design consulting engineer) and Qatar Insurance Company (the third defendant).

The suit filed against UEM Bhd concerns the construction of the Qatar Highways - Salwa International Road - 1st Phase. It was alleged that part of the road had collapse due to rainfall and the plaintiff (Qatar PWO) attributed it to an error relating to the paving design and UEM was alleged to have made mistakes in the execution resulting in the road failures.

Qatar PWO is seeking QR878,318,972.06 (which is approx. RM850 million). The conversion rate is RM0.9676 = 1 Riyal.



(Picture taken from anotherbrickinwall.blogspot.com)

That must be a very bad experience for UEM.

Sometime ago, UEM Builders Bhd paraded at their official website and proudly pronounced the success stories on this project.

"We are proud for being involved in the expansion and upgrading of the Salwa International Highway Phase 1 project which connects Doha to the South-Western town of Abu Samra on the Qatar-Saudi Arabian border.

"The 81km, dual four-lane highway with 10 major interchanges, 3 camel crossing underpasses and 22 Qatar Petroleum culverts was completed in December 2008.

“It is our singular hope that this success will open the door to many more opportunities, especially in the Middle-East, as we have proven our capability, credibility coupled with quality delivery,” Dato’ Ridza Abdoh, Managing Director of UEM Builders said.

It is interesting to note that on 18th August 2008 Bernama news reported that UEM World Bhd has received approval from its shareholders for its restructuring exercise, which would eventually see it being de-listed while its property unit UEM Land listed in mid-November.

UEM Land took over the listed status of UEM World on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

UEM Builders Bhd was also taken private together with OPUS Group, PHARMANIAGA and CEMENT INDUSTRIES OF MALAYSIA. (read the news of the MGO here)

I hope UEM have a way to solve this mega suit.

Hopefully, the Qatar government is gracious enough to extend some kind of goodwill to our Malaysian government and forego this suit.

Maybe Najib can help persuade the Qatar govt to drop this case and settle it amicably.

*****

At the Crossroad

In life we do often have to face the difficulty of making decisions when we arrived at a crossroad - turn left or right - and often we do not know what is the right path to move forward. The decision is often paradoxical and whichever way we chose could have its own consequences and after effects.

I too have reached such a point in my life and in the next few days I would need to make one - paradoxically far reaching - and change the course of my journey to the destination I had envisaged.

I will take a few days off and go for a holiday before I decide.

Penang 2nd Bridge

I was told the government through UEM has appointed Maunsall Zakaria Sharma as the submission structural consulting engineer for the Penang 2nd Bridge.

MZS was also the same consulting engineer for the MRR2 project which was later diagnosed with design error.

The repair and strengthening of MRR2 was said to have cost RM80 million and since it was attributed as design fault that contributed to the structural failure there exist a design guarantee bond, provided under the contractual terms, by the contractor and also a professional indemnity bond provided by the design engineer to cover and indemnify the government in such event.

Interestingly, it seems the government was gracious and forgiving, and disquietly forgetful too.

Bayi Story: A Little Gas

While walking in the convent a priest passed one of the nuns and noticed she was gaining a little weight. "Gaining a little weight, are we Sister Angela?" he asked. "No, Father," Sister Angela said, "It's just a little gas."

A month or two later, the priest noticed that she had gained yet more weight. "Gaining some weight, are we Sister Angela?" asked the priest. "No, Father, just a little gas," she again replied.

A couple of months later, the priest noticed Sister Angela pushing a baby carriage through the convent. Approaching her, he leaned over, looked in the carriage and said, "My, what a cute little fart!"

*****************
Story by: BayiSingh

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Alien repair Gong Badak Roof

I was informed that the space-framed roof at Gong Badak Stadium was repaired this morning.

The photo was sent to me by someone whom I don't know.








By late afternoon, the new photo was sent to me again:




***

The roof is re-covered.

But has it become a water-park???


***

Gong Badak Stadium: Roof Collapse

I just saw this stadium last week when I was in Kuala Terengganu.

Today, it was reported that the rood has collapsed.

It was also reported that the roof construction was done by a foreign expert contractor.

I don't think so. My good friend Razali should be able to tell us more.

Zaid torches Utusan, reports Malaysiakini

Zaid torches Utusan for stoking racial flames
Jun 1, 09 7:00pm
Malaysiakini.com

Zaid Ibrahim has lashed out at Utusan Malaysia for playing up racial sentiments.

He said the articles which appeared in the daily's Sunday edition reminded him of how far removed the paper is from the reality of life in Malaysia.

"This is probably the reason why its readership is on the decline. It's theme and main plot is race, race and race," he added in a blog posting.

Zaid cited a particular article with the heading 'Melayu dikhianati?' (Malays betrayed) penned by Awang Selamat.

In the article, the former Umno leader said, the writer lamented that he is hurt by the demands, which reek of racism, of the non-Malays since the last general election.

"In other words, Malaysians must not hurt the feelings of Awang Selamat because when Awang Selamat is hurt, Umno is hurt and when Umno is hurt, the Malays are hurt.

"This is the logic of Awang Selamat," he added.

Zaid said the writer made no mention of the 'extreme' demands made by the non-Malays in his article.

"If they (the non-Malays) are asking about scholarships, land allocation and employment opportunities, can't these questions be addressed rationally and based on facts?

"Why get hurt so easily?" he asked.

Are all their demands baseless?

The former de facto law minister also questioned if all the demands of the non-Malays, whose rights are enshrined under the Federal Constitution, were baseless?

According to Awang Selamat, he said, this appears to be the case because "50 years ago Umno and the Malays were generous enough to offer citizenship to their (non-Malays) ancestors."

"Since Umno had been gracious in according them citizenship, their descendants should never make any demands because they must always be grateful to Umno," he added.

Zaid pointed out that this is the exact mindset which is no longer viable and has been rejected by all races.

When a citizen, be it a Malay, Chinese or Indian, asks for something, he said it is the duty of the government and the media to evaluate it in order to grant the request.

"If the demand is excessive, explain but don't raise history to cover up shortcomings. Do not get angry always, threaten and dish out pieces of incomplete history for political mileage," he said.

Zaid also reminded that the country obtained independence because the British agreed with the alliance on the terms. "When we agree, we must honour the agreement," he said.

In view of this, he said there was no reason to state that "we were being generous in granting citizenship to the Chinese and Indians."

"The fact is, that is the term we agreed to. At the time, it was impossible for the British to relinquish Malaya if the issue of citizenship for Chinese and Indians was not resolved.

"The British were strict on this issue and Umno agreed. That is the price which the Alliance accepted with an open heart. Does Utusan have different historical facts?" he added.

Zaid said even if one went by the perception that Umno was generous in giving citizenship to non-Malays, there is still no room for Awang Selamat's 'feudalist mindset' in a modern nation.

Those with 'blind hearts'

Meanwhile, he said another article by senior writer Zulkiflee Bakar had advised Utusan readers not to be 'historically blind'.

"I suppose Malays like myself are historically blind. But history is not difficult to learn and I am interested in knowing more.

"However, the most unfortunate people are those whose hearts are blind. When our hearts are blind, no amount of facts or knowledge can fill the void," he added.

Zaid said instead of stoking racial sentiments, Utusan should help the prime minister find ways to develop the economy via pragmatic and just policies.

"To Utusan, the Malays fail because of the Chinese and Indians. Wake up Utusan, non-Malays and Malays themselves can tell the difference between the Malay race and Umno, they know that when an Umno policy is criticised, it is not challenging the Malays but Umno.

"Much effort is being put into creating friction between the Malays and Chinese. Believe me, racial flames will not burn as brightly as before," he said.

"The Malay mindset has changed. They know the challenges that lie ahead in the world and the changes which they must make. Only Utusan has not realised this," he added.

Source: Malaysiakini.com

Also read: Dari Lensa Zi


****

Whatever Awang and his Utusan says, it must be intended to represent the Malays as all Malays are deemed to be represented by Awang.

****

The Whites and Blacks and all those who migrated to USA, Britain, Australia, etc, must also be grateful to the ... uh, still the Whites, who after all are now the legitimized originator.

Oh, we Malaysians must also be grateful to the British to grant us Independence and citizenship.

Oh, we must also be thankful to those who allowed and granted the British control over us.

Oh, we must be thankful to Awang for generously giving citizenship to Filipinos and Indonesians who came here as illegal immigrants working in the Plantation and Construction Industry and ultimately acquiring the citizenship to boost the electoral lists.

Oh, we must also be thankful to Param (the man called Parameswara).

We are after all thankful.

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