On the Horizons

Malaysia slides further in competitiveness ranking

2010-09-10T15:27:00.003+08:00

Malaysia has dropped two spots in the World Economic Forum (WEF) competitiveness index, coming in 26th out of 132 countries, with security, productivity and higher education identified as areas for improvement.

This is the second year in a row Malaysia has dropped in the rankings after falling from 21st to 24th spot last year. If present trends continue, the country risks falling out of the top 30 competitive economies entirely.

Switzerland continued its reign as the most competitive country in the world, followed by Sweden, Singapore, US and Germany. Among the Asian giants, Japan climbed from eighth to sixth position, while China improved from 29th to 27th. Korea, however, fell from 19th to 22nd.

Abstracted from MalaysiaInsider

MACC can't investigate beyond normal office hours

2009-11-19T16:45:00.003+08:00

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today delivered a stunning rebuff to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigation procedures, ruling that witnesses in investigations must not be questioned beyond normal office hours, from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Malaysia worsen in corruption index

2009-11-19T14:51:00.012+08:00

Malaysia dropped nine places to 56th position out of 180 countries surveyed in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2009, the anti-corruption watchdog announced yesterday.

Malaysia’s decline from 47th spot in 2008 is the steepest among the Asean countries in the ranking this year, although it fares better than all member countries except Singapore (3rd) and Brunei (39th), which is participating for the first time.
In the latest survey, Malaysia scored 4.5 points out of 10, where 0 means highly corrupt, and 10 is the best possible score.

"A fall of 0.6 from 5.1 in 2008 to 4.5 in 2009 is alarming not only to the people of Malaysia but also the government of the day,” said Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Datuk Paul Low at a press conference here to announce the survey results.

He attributed Malaysia’s poorer showing to the perception that there had been little progress in combating corruption and that political will was lacking in implementing effective anti-corruption measures.

DAP Lim Kit Siang in his blog, said heads must roll – starting with the resignation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan – for Malaysia’s worst single-year plunge in Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking and score since the introduction of TI’s annual CPI in the past 15 years.

Malaysia’s TI CPI ranking and score from 1995 to 2009, which ranges between 10 (highly clean) and 0 (highly corrupt), are as follows:

In the nine years from 1995 to 2003, Tun Dr. Mahathir as Prime Minister saw Malaysia’s TI CPI score stuck in the narrow groove between 4.8 in 2000 to 5.32 in 1996 while the CPI ranking fell 14 places from No. 23 in 1995 to No. 37 in 2003.

In the five-year premiership of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia’s TI CPI ranking fell 10 places from 37 in 2003 to 47 placing in 2008, while CPI score stuck between 5.0 to 5.1.

In his seven months as Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak presided over the worst single-year plunge in TI CPI ranking and score, i.e. a nine-placing fall from No. 47 last year to No. 56, with the score plunging to the lowest ever of 4.5, when in the past 15 years, Malaysia had only twice fell below the score of 5, viz: 4.8 in 2000 and 4.9 in 2002.

Malaysia rated 47th least corrupt

2009-09-25T14:35:00.002+08:00

Global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), has ranked Malaysia as the 47th least corrupt nation in the world and commended the island state of Penang for its anti-corruption efforts. Malaysia came in 47th out of 180 countries in the index, tied with Hungary and Jordan

Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden was listed by TI as the top three least corrupt countries as measured by the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks countries in terms of the degree to which businessmen and country analysts perceive corruption to exist among public officials and politicians. Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands, Australia and Canada rounded off the top 10 least corrupt countries.

In its report on Malaysia, TI highlighted the Malaysian practice of the "revolving door" whereby individuals move from government to business, or business to politics, and back again, and estimated that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year.

"Significant government participation in the private sector and considerable business participation in politics means that the movement of gatekeepers to players and players to gatekeepers has a negative influence on the concept of checks and balances," said TI.

"The complexity of the relationships between politics and the public and private sectors means that corruption may take place with impunity. Until drastic action is taken to separate the cosy relationship between government, business and politics, the anti-corruption effort will remain no more than a token gesture," said TI.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says he is "humbled" by the recognition by TI and added that he was concerned over the fact that that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year – an amount equivalent to 1 or 2 per cent of GDP as pointed out by the GCR when it cited the findings of the special government business facilitation task force Pemudah and the World Bank.

Additional report contents that were of concern to Lim was Malaysia’s per capita spending of only RM5 on anti-corruption efforts and the fact that only about 10 per cent, or just 7,223 potential corruption cases, of the total 71,558 reported between 2000 and 2006 were investigated by the Anti Corruption Agency, the precursor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, with a conviction rate of less than one percent.

"The GCR 2009 concluded that this illustration of the Malaysian government’s inaction in the light of the serious corruption allegations, along with its seeming inability to catch the big fish instead focusing on the ‘small fry’, suggests that what anti-corruption efforts exist are mere tokens," said Lim.

Further details, please download from Transparency International

Principle-Centre Planning

2009-09-02T13:59:00.000+08:00

Great article from Dr. John C. Maxwell on Planning.

Four Types of Planning

Passive planning happens when leadership allows the raft to travel downstream at the mercy of the current rather than steering, rowing, and turning. This kind of non-planning eventually leaves you unprepared to face whitewater rapids. Worse yet, in the absence of a plan, the current may take the raft over the edge of a dreaded waterfall.

Panic planning happens only after the raft is in trouble. At this point, all of the organization's resources are scrambled in a reactionary pattern in an attempt to solve the problem. With panic planning, you may or may not come out alive and well, but you are guaranteed some bumps and bruises.

Scientific planning is viable, but can be laborious, mechanical, and often ends up abandoned in the process. Imagine if a raft guide constantly tried to measure the depth of the water, the distance between rocks, the wind speed, and the water current. Although the information might be helpful, oftentimes the water would be moving too swiftly to take the measurements. In a like manner, leaders often have to respond to change in an instant. There's no time to collect scientific data on all of the variables before deciding which course of action is best.

Principle-centered planning is the key to effectiveness. It is the artistic or leadership approach. Principle-centered planning recognizes that life in general (and people in particular) can't be graphed on a chart, but sees that planning still remains essential.

Reasons Why People Don't Plan

You don't have to be in leadership very long to learn that planning pays off. Even so, many people don't plan. Here are four reasons why people neglect planning.

1) They don't possess planning skills or knowledge.

Some people don't have an innate ability to project themselves into the future. They've never been taught to prioritize their day or to prepare for tomorrow.

2) They're caught in the tyranny of the urgent, and they believe that they don't have time.

Some people allow themselves to be pulled into the vortex of minutiae. As a consequence, they end up buried under a sea of details, and they can't pull their heads above water long enough to plan.

3) They don't like the perceived hassle of planning.

Instead of planning one event at a time, they become overwhelmed by the mountain of things to plan.

4) Many people don't plan because the outcome varies greatly.

"After all," they say, "When I do make a plan, it normally doesn't end up happening, so why bother?"

Why Planning Is Essential

We all have desires and dreams, yet we'll never accomplish our dreams in life just by wanting them bad enough. Planning bridges the gap between our desires and dreams by calling us to action. As noted by William Danforth, ""No plan is worth the paper it is printed on unless it starts you doing something." A concrete plan supplies us with tangible steps to take in the direction of our dreams.

Qualities of Principle-Centered Planning

Principle-centered planning allows us to be flexible without losing focus.

Principle-centered planning allows us to be creative without losing concentration.

Planning is the structure. Principle-centered planning is the flesh.

Planning is the roadmap. Principle-centered planning is the movement.

Planning is the idea. Principle-centered planning is the action.

Planning is the paper. Principle-centered planning is the power.

Summary

It's been said, "By failing to plan, you plan to fail." I wholeheartedly agree. People who ignore planning handicap themselves and stifle their effectiveness.

The good news about planning is that it's a relatively simple discipline. Anyone can do it. No PHD is required to make a solid plan - only a window of uninterrupted time for focused thought.

Malaysia's Unemployment

2009-08-14T14:13:00.003+08:00

Domestic unemployment rate may rise to 4.5% by year-end from 3.7% last year, according to International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir.

“To us, the figure is high and we have never reached this high a figure before. At the same time, we are trying to reduce the jobless rate,” he told reporters after launching the Third National Internship Challenge yesterday. He said most factories that had laid off workers had begun to take back former employees after demand picked up. As of July 7, Mukhriz said, statistics compiled by the Human Resources Ministry showed a cumulative figure of 38,732 workers retrenched due to the economic crisis.

Upon coming to the 8th month of this 2009, there were nothing concrete (noticeable seen) executed to minimise the unemployment. Mostly are talks. The main reason is that our ministers, DPM and PM are too busy trying to 'battle' in out with the oppossition in the political arena. Little afford and more so serious methodology is look into to keep Malaysia in the competitive edge. Just look at how much propaganda being done for 1 Malaysia concept which is nothing new about it. Most of us makes it in the true form minus the faking, branding, talking. When will Malaysia arise to it true calling?

Singapore ranked most trade-friendly nation

2009-07-10T10:01:00.004+08:00

Singapore is the most trade-conducive economy in the world, according to an influential report which put great rival Hong Kong at second.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) pointed to Singapore's many advantages, including policy approaches, that have made it No. 1.

Its Global Enabling Trade Report cited the open market, highly efficient and transparent border administration, well-developed transport and communications infrastructure, and an open business environment.

“Customs procedures are assessed as the least burdensome in the world, and time and cost for both import and export are among the lowest for all countries covered,” the report said.

The WEF highlighted that the Singapore government is highly transparent and efficient, while exporters face relatively low tariffs in target markets.

The other economies in the top 10 are Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Norway, Finland, Austria and the Netherlands.

Should Najib wanted to continue to reform as he sincerely does or said he would, Singapore is really a good example to follow. Nothing wrong in following what other have successfully done and more so recognised. The biggest huddle for him is in the area of transparency and efficient of the ruling BN governance. Just think about it Mr. PM

Najib scores a pass with 65pc

2009-07-08T16:04:00.002+08:00

The poll by the Merdeka Centre shows that Najib approval rating is 65 per cent, a spike from the tepid 46 per cent in mid-May and 42 per cent just before he became the country’s sixth leader.

When he entered office in early April, he owned one of the lowest approval ratings of any incoming Malaysian Prime Minister.100 days later and after a slew of measures to reform the economy, Malaysians appear to be warming up to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, a latest survey by an independent polling house shows.

Since becoming PM on April 3, Najib has tried to stake out his credentials as a reformer and architect of a new economic model for the country.He liberalised the financial services sector, allowing foreigners to own larger chunks of investments banks and insurance companies.Last week, he dropped the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity requirement for Malaysian firms seeking listing and trimmed the role of the powerful Foreign Investment Committee (FIC).In addition, he also announced that from next year, a new category of merit-based scholarships will be awarded to Malaysian students.

These changes and policy initiatives are aimed at making Malaysia an attractive destination for foreign investment, nurture the services sector and help the country retain its best brains.There is also a political imperative.The moves proposed by the Najib administration are also aimed at regaining some of the support Umno/Barisan Nasional lost in Election 2008, particularly among the non-Malays.The Merdeka Centre survey shows that Najib’s support is strongest among the Malays.

No doubts the changes made was positive in the recent months. One must look at it with an open mind when rating performance of such high profile leader. The most important are the motives and agenda set behind what public can't see. That is what matters. And that is what will be rated whether it stands the test of on-going and future challenges.

Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues

2009-07-08T15:43:00.002+08:00

PUTRAJAYA, July 8 — The government today decided to end the policy of teaching mathematics and science in English or PPSMI in both primary and secondary schools effective from 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in an announcement today, said the two subjects will be taught in Bahasa Melayu in national schools and Tamil and Chinese for vernacular schools.

The Education Minister added that the changes would not affect Form Six and matriculation programmes.

"The government made the decision after studying closely research on PPSMI that shows that PPSMI could not be implemented as expected," Muhyiddin told a special press conference here.

Introduced in 2003, the policy has been heavily criticised by Chinese educationists and Malay language activists, but a recent survey by the independent Merdeka Center showed that 58 per cent of 1,060 voters interviewed supported the policy.

Muhyiddin had admitted in Parliament last month that students had not shown significant improvement in the two subjects over the past six years ago.

I don't know how the minister (previous and current) and their group of advisors made the call. To me it is a flip flop policy that have 'hurt' and 'damage' the very group of students affected by it. Be it the subjects to be teach in English or BM, please make a decisive studies and recommendation before any implementation. I for one would disagreed with DPM saying that there were no significant improvement made for the last 6 years. Please then don't make us and our children a guinea pig.

Swine Flu: Reported on Four Continents

2009-04-29T17:11:00.003+08:00

More evidence of the global spread of a deadly flu emerged Tuesday, with new cases reported on four continents and a growing number of people in the U.S. requiring hospital treatment. Health authorities said they have found possible cases of the new strain of A/H1N1 swine flu in the Middle East and Asia.

In the U.S., the number of confirmed cases rose to 66, including five people in California and Texas being treated at hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments.

The new data indicated the strain was causing more severe illness in the U.S. than originally seen; only one of the first 40 confirmed cases had to be hospitalized. President Barack Obama on Tuesday asked Congress for $1.5 billion in additional funds to fight the epidemic, and lawmakers convened for a hearing to evaluate measures taken so far.

Many of the people confirmed with the swine flu outside Mexico were infected on trips to the country, officials said.

World leader salary

2009-04-17T16:46:00.003+08:00

Based on Forbes finding, the world highest paid leader is Singapore Premier Mr. Lee Hsien Loong with US2.05 Million per annum. Topping rich economic country leader like Japan or German and even USA.

Malaysia Prime Minister apparantly was paid RM22,000 per month or RM264,000 per annum, about USD73,000 per annum.

For more detail, refer Forbes

Malaysia 2009 economy to shrink 2.2pc

2009-04-15T16:56:00.003+08:00

MALAYSIA'S export-dependent economy will shrink 2.2 per cent this year, more than the government and central bank are forecasting, the country’s top economic think tank said today.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) said in a report that the central bank could cut interest rates to 1.5 per cent or lower, down from 2 per cent at present. MIER said that Malaysia’s economic growth should bounce back to 3.3 per cent in 2010 as the global economy recovers. - Reuters

Asian corruption survey

2009-04-12T19:42:00.002+08:00

According to the survey by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC), Indonesia and Thailand are perceived as Asia's most corrupt economies, with last year's cellar-dweller the Philippines making a marked improvement, an annual survey of foreign business executives showed Wednesday.

Singapore and Hong Kong retained their top two rankings as the region's least corrupt economies, although there are concerns about private-sector fraud.

Table of the corruption scores of 14 Asian economies as seen in a survey of more than 1,700 expatriate business executives by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC). Australia and the United States were included in the survey for purposes of comparison.

On a scale of zero to 10, zero is the best possible score.

1. Singapore, 1.07

2. Hong Kong, 1.89

3. Australia, 2.40

4. United States, 2.89

5. Japan, 3.99

6. South Korea, 4.64

7. Macau, 5.84

8. China, 6.16

9. Taiwan, 6.47

10. Malaysia, 6.70

11. Philippines, 7.0

12. Vietnam, 7.11

13. India, 7.21

14. Cambodia, 7.25

15. Thailand, 7.63

16. Indonesia, 8.32

Najib 'hopeful' Cabinet 2009

2009-04-12T19:22:00.002+08:00

The following are the full list:-

Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Deputy Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz
Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim
Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz

Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk Johari Baharom
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim
K. Devamany
Datuk Hassan Malik

Finance
Minister: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Second Finance Minister: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Deputies: Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Datuk Kong Cho Ha

Defense
Minister: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop

Internal Security and Home Affairs
Minister: Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
Deputies: Datuk Chor Chee Heong, Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh

Housing and Local Government
Minister: Datuk Ong Ka Chuan
Deputies: Datuk Robert Lau, Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Works Minister
Minister: Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad
Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

Energy, Water and Communications
Minister: Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Minister: Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputy: Datin Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim

International Trade and Industry
Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies: Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

Foreign Affairs
Minister: Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputy: Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar

Education
Minister: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies: Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Razali Ismail

Higher Education
Minister: Datuk Khaled Nordin
Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Datuk Idris Harun

Transport
Minister: Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Deputy: Datuk Anifah Aman

Human Resources
Minister: Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam
Deputy: Datuk Noraini Ahmad

Women, Family and Community Development
Minister: Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy: Noriah Kasnon

National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage
Minister: Datuk Shafie Apdal
Deputy: Datuk Teng Boon Soon

Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister: Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy: Fadilah Yusof

Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development
Minister: Datuk Noh Omar
Deputy: Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah

Natural Resources and Environment
Minister: Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
Deputy: Datuk Abu Ghapur Salleh

Rural and Regional Development
Minister: Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib
Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Joseph Entulu Belaun

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Minister: Datuk Shahrir Samad
Deputy: Jelaing Mersat

Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister: Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy: Senator A. Kohilan

Youth and Sports
Minister: Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaacob
Deputy: Wee Jack Seng

Health
Minister: Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

Information
Minister: Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

Tourism
Minister: Datuk Seri Azalina Othman
Deputy: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib

Federal Territories
Minister: Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique
Deputy: Datuk M. Saravanan

For copy of the New Cabinet 2009 photo, click here

Uncertainty remains for Malaysia

2009-04-08T08:50:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's economy could see gradual recovery in 2010 after declining 1 per cent this year, but there is still a large degree of uncertainty ahead, the World Bank says in its latest regional economic report.

Malaysia grew 4.6 per cent last year, compared with 6.3 per cent growth in 2007. This was mainly due to a slowdown in exports of the manufacturing sector, particularly electrical and electronic goods.

The slide was somewhat offset by resilience of private consumption and the government's stimulus packages, the World Bank said in its half-yearly East Asia and Pacific Economic Update released yesterday.

The World Bank said with exports now expected to fall more sharply than imports, the poor outlook for the world economy is likely to drag Malaysia's open economy into contraction.

Developing East Asia, under which Malaysia is clustered together with China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia, is expected to grow by 5.3 per cent in 2009, down from 8 per cent in 2008 and 11.4 per cent in 2007.

"In Malaysia, high and undiversified dependence on exports of electronics, oil and crude palm oil, all of which are falling sharply, coupled with its relatively small domestic market, underpins the projection of real GDP (gross domestic product) falling," the bank said.

It said Malaysia will not escape global conditions that are unlikely to improve.

External demand is expected to face an intensified contraction (from -3.8 per cent in 2008 to -21.8 per cent in 2009). For 2009, a lower trade surplus will likely materialise, causing the current account balance to drop to 15.1 per cent.

The World Bank believes that faster recovery in the region beyond 2009 could be helped by China, but will ultimately depend on the pace of recovery in the advanced economies, because China's exports depend on consumers in these markets.

Even if growth in developed countries starts picking up in 2010, it said, there will still be a sizeable output gap for several years, including high unemployment and weak consumption and imports. Consumers in developed countries will also be adjusting to lower wealth levels while banks complete the de-leveraging process.

The World Bank report said low- income countries in the region are expected to be among the worst affected by the slowdown and the limited room for government intervention to help those in need. These include Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, it said.

How low can we go

2009-02-14T12:35:00.000+08:00

As reported in Business Times, it speaks a lot (if not partly) of the real governance condition of this country. The first step to realize as developed nation, government has no choice but to be more open and transparent on its policies. Citizens a large are more concern nowadays on how our leaders steering the nation financially as well as politically. That if our leaders are focusing on the correct agendas.

MALAYSIA fared poorly with score a mere 35 per cent in the Open Budget Index 2008 (OBI), an independent global survey on budget transparency across 85 countries. Indicating that the government provides minimal information to the public on its budget and financial activities during the course of the year.

Malaysia came in below average compared with other countries that participated in the survey. It fared worse than Indonesia (54 per cent), the Philippines (48 per cent), Bangladesh (42 per cent) and Thailand (40 per cent).

The report highlighted that it is difficult for people to track spending, revenue collection and borrowing during the year.

Meanwhile, countries that came out tops in the OBI were the UK (88 per cent), South Africa and France ( 87 per cent each), New Zealand (86 per cent) and the US (82 per cent).

Light of freedom

2008-09-19T15:54:00.000+08:00

Penangites, show your support! Like Anil Netto said, lets get the others out.

Teresa is out!

2008-09-19T14:57:00.000+08:00

From Malaysiakini.

AP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was released at 1pm today after being held under the Internal Security Act for a week, revealed her lawyer Sankara Nair

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said that she had been released at 1.30pm after investigations showed there was no reason to detain her any further. She was released unconditionally.

I guess the authorities has come to their senses (at least). Of course Teresa should not be detained because the reason was damp clear already. Boy, what takes them so long? Or perhaps what Uncle Kit said "The irresistible pressures against her unjust and undemocratic detention had succeeded". Uncle Kit also caution "While in celebratory and jubilant mood, we must also be mindful that the recent spate of ISA arrests demonstrate that this iniquitous law must go".

I have to agreed with him. The treat of ISA claw is still uncertain with recent Pak Lah statement on Anwar being a 'treat' but then again he said he had no plans to use the Internal Security Act against anyone. Hmm...... you know what history tells us when he said this, tomorrow comes that.

Anyway thank God Teresa is out. Next RPK and the others will as well. Penang informed by Anil Netto is going to have a long "Light a candle every week" campaign at Dewan Sri Penang organised by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI).

Late Comer

2008-09-16T21:59:00.000+08:00

Ladies and gentlemen and bloggers, Najib (the late comer) has join in the internet band wagon. Yes he has launch his own website 1Malaysia today say thestaronline.com.

I have check out the website. Overall not really interesting especially the first impression and the layout design. Please it is very lame and boring. Doesn't reach the mark of a DPM standard. I thought he has a lot of think tank behind him? A lot of improvement ought to be look into soon if he want to continue to attract visitors.

If I may, I would like to recommend the installation of a counter tools. See whether his 'popularity' is there. Maybe just maybe, try to match Dr. M record of RM1 Mil in 1 month!

Face off

2008-09-16T17:28:00.001+08:00

The making of 916

2008-09-16T16:49:00.000+08:00

Anwar Ibrahim broke the silence today and further prove the critics on the long waited subject of 'crossing'. He said in the press conference held at PKR HQ, PR have more than 31 MPs will be crossing over and ready to form a new government. Request to meet with Pak Lah have been sent yesterday to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership and to seek his assurance on the following important matters:

1) That the BN shall not hinder or prevent their BN MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience, constitutional rights and independent judgment;
2) That the BN government shall not invoke the Internal Security Act to detain any of the MPs who will join Pakatan Rakyat, or any of the present 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs;
3) That the BN government shall not invoke emergency or police powers, or suspend the constitution, or dissolve parliament in response to our intention to form a new government;
4) That the Barisan Nasional government shall not impose road-blocks and impede the MPs from gaining access to the House of Parliament and the institutions of government.

Anwar said the transition of new government can be happening in next few days!

Are you ready Malaysian especially for those who yearn for this day to come? There is no turning back as far as it's concern. No way! This is a one way ticket to reformation, change and betterment of our beloved Malaysia. That day has finally come and this is not a BLUFF!!!