SPEAK UP! :: theSun Says
Support effort to tell full PKFZ story
TRANSPORT Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Kiat seems to be besieged by all kinds of problems simply because he refuses to succumb to the “tidak apa” attitude so often adopted with relative ease by others when challenged. Furthermore, he wants to live up to his reputation as a straight talker, a reformer and a fighter. He could have just laid back and savoured his election to MCA’s presidency and his appointment to a top cabinet post. Of course what he does in his party is of little concern to most Malaysians but how he leads a ministry with such a huge budget and so much on its plate is of much concern to all the people of this country especially when it is saddled with a multi-billion ringgit scandal of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) – probably proving to be the most expensive debacle ever. He could have relegated it to the bottom of his priorities as the scandal happened during his predecessors’ watch but he decided that the rakyat must know about the billions that were spent and the billions more that may have to be spent to rehabilitate the zone. To him the government and the ministry he leads owed them that. And so he sanctioned several independent investigations, one of them by PricewaterhouseCoopers, into the badly managed project. The results highlighted the poor level of oversight and governance and numerous conflicts of interest in PKFZ’s development. That was the beginning of the problems for him. There were moments when it seemed he would be overwhelmed by them. The onslaughts against him have not stopped and may look like they are meant to distract him from his ministry’s current priority of getting to the bottom of the scandal. It is for a cause like this that everyone from those in the cabinet to the poor taxpayers must rally behind the man who is leading the charge. In the past Malaysians had been shocked by a number of public scandals. But after some days or even weeks of front-page treatment by major newspapers they subsequently were relegated to the inside pages and eventually just faded away. They resurface occasionally in reports on preliminary findings of a task force or special committee. But by that time Malaysians had already lost interest in whatever had happened even though it was their money that was involved. Even though the culprits were exposed – the public had known about them long before the findings were announced – reactions were mostly muted. But the PKFZ scandal just refuses to die or fade away. Malaysians should, therefore, support the efforts to keep it that way until they know the full story of the PKFZ.
Updated: 12:47AM Wed, 19 Aug 2009 The Sun
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Asked for a Salary Raise.
The Day the Penis asked for a Salary Raise
I, the Penis, hereby request a raise in salary for the following reasons:
I do physical labour.
I work at great depths.
I plunge headfirst into everything I do.
I do not get weekends or public holidays off.
I work in a damp environment.
I work in a dark workplace that has poor ventilation.
I work in high temperatures.
My work exposes me to contagious diseases.
Sincerely,
P. Niss
The Response
Dear Penis:
After assessing your request, and considering the arguments you have raised, the administration rejects your request for the following reasons:
You do not work 8 hours straight.
You fall asleep after brief work periods.
You do not always follow the orders of the management team. You do not stay in your designated area and are often seen visiting other locations.
You do not take initiative - you need to be pressured and stimulated in order to start working.
You tend to throw up on the job.
You leave the workplace rather messy at the end of your shift.
You don't always observe necessary safety regulations, such as wearing the Correct protective clothing.
You will retire well before you are 65.
You are unable to work double shifts.
You sometimes leave your designated work area before you have completed the assigned task.
And if that were not all, you have been seen constantly entering and exiting the workplace carrying two suspicious-looking bags.
Sincerely,
V. Gina
I, the Penis, hereby request a raise in salary for the following reasons:
I do physical labour.
I work at great depths.
I plunge headfirst into everything I do.
I do not get weekends or public holidays off.
I work in a damp environment.
I work in a dark workplace that has poor ventilation.
I work in high temperatures.
My work exposes me to contagious diseases.
Sincerely,
P. Niss
The Response
Dear Penis:
After assessing your request, and considering the arguments you have raised, the administration rejects your request for the following reasons:
You do not work 8 hours straight.
You fall asleep after brief work periods.
You do not always follow the orders of the management team. You do not stay in your designated area and are often seen visiting other locations.
You do not take initiative - you need to be pressured and stimulated in order to start working.
You tend to throw up on the job.
You leave the workplace rather messy at the end of your shift.
You don't always observe necessary safety regulations, such as wearing the Correct protective clothing.
You will retire well before you are 65.
You are unable to work double shifts.
You sometimes leave your designated work area before you have completed the assigned task.
And if that were not all, you have been seen constantly entering and exiting the workplace carrying two suspicious-looking bags.
Sincerely,
V. Gina
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Ong Tee Keat - Smear campaign just another obstacle 抹黑手段仅是自爆奇丑
轉载自 翁诗杰部落格
作者： 翁诗杰
2009-08-12
自巴生港口自贸区特别调查小组报告公布后，对于有心人士在媒体上对我作种种无中生有、一派胡言、恶意中伤等等的抹黑手段，早在我意料之中。
如果我真的有以个人或党的名义，收取任何的金钱或财务援助，我理应特别照顾给我支持的一方，而不是揭发他们的败行。如此一来，我不但把自己和家人的人身安全置于险境，我个人的诚信也将会备受质疑。
拿督斯里张庆信声称我收取他的“借贷”充当党区会的基金，背后很明显有几个议程。当中包括转移大家对巴生港口自贸区特别调查小组报告的视线。这也可能蓄意制造外界及党员质疑我的操守，影射我私吞该笔款项。他特别标榜那笔“贷款”，或许他等着看我就此惹上官非，好借机羞辱我一番。
拿督斯里张庆信引据有误。事实上是在2008年，我还是只是副总会长，到了同年10月，我才出任总会长。身为副总会长，为区会筹款只是萧规曹随。而当我出任总会长的时候，我已有权利运用党的资源。只要理性的思考，就可以知道所谓的“一千万元”是无稽之谈。
我感谢拿督法依查承认曾经租借飞机给我的部门。这也证明我并无率意使用特权。即使我需要这些服务，我也愿意付款。我并不会选择接受特别待遇。
我的部门至今仍未收到任何的单据。如果该公司是有效率的话，我的部门早已针对这些帐单付款。我相信没有一间公司会透过媒体发出帐单。
我将寻求律师的专业意见，探讨这一切是否将构成诽谤。
我把这一轮的攻讦，当成为我生命中的其中一项挑战。这绝不会影响我坚持继续调查巴生港口自贸区弊案的决心，这是为了政府的公信，也是为了人民的利益。任何再恶毒的谎言和污蔑，也动摇不了我向巴生港口自贸区涉案者追讨公道，及索回上亿元人民血汗钱的立场。我也希望，人民利用雪亮的眼睛判别是非黑白，让事实证明一切。
Written by Ong Tee Keat
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
I am not surprised that the smear tactics and character assassination against me had picked up pace especially with the latest revelations by the PKFZ Task Force.
If indeed I have received pecuniary and financial benefits for myself or the Party, there will be more reasons for me to protect the interests of the givers, as opposed to proceeding to expose their misdeeds. By doing so, I am risking my personal and family safety as well as my own credibility.
The allegation by Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing that I have taken the RM10 million "loan" from him for use by the Party's divisions, are obviously made with several motives, including diverting attention away from the alleged irregularities exposed by the Task Force. It could also be meant to create suspicion among my Party comrades that I have pocketed funds meant for the divisions. The fact that he indicated that it was a loan could mean that he wants the option of taking me to court to further embarrass me.
The period mentioned by Dato' Seri Tiong was 2008, during which I was vice-president until I assumed the presidency in October. The need for me as vice-president to raise money for the divisions was a non-starter. Later, as President, we already have access to party funds and allocations. I doubt any reasonable person would part with RM10 million based on such a story.
I am very glad that Dato' Faisal Abdullah has admitted that those jets have been chartered by my office. This clearly indicates that I don’t accept privileges. If I have to, and am willing to pay for plane rides, I clearly do not accept bribes or favours.
In any case, my office has yet to receive invoices for the services rendered. If the charter company has been more efficient, I am sure my office would have already made prompt payments. I am sure businesses do not issue invoices through the press.
I will consult my lawyers and seek legal advice on the defamatory allegations.
I treat this latest obstacle as one of the challenges I have to go through. In no way will it deter me to ensure that the PKFZ issue be resolved in the best interest of the Government and the people. I also ask that I be judged based on my actions.
Written by Ong Tee Keat
作者： 翁诗杰
2009-08-12
自巴生港口自贸区特别调查小组报告公布后，对于有心人士在媒体上对我作种种无中生有、一派胡言、恶意中伤等等的抹黑手段，早在我意料之中。
如果我真的有以个人或党的名义，收取任何的金钱或财务援助，我理应特别照顾给我支持的一方，而不是揭发他们的败行。如此一来，我不但把自己和家人的人身安全置于险境，我个人的诚信也将会备受质疑。
拿督斯里张庆信声称我收取他的“借贷”充当党区会的基金，背后很明显有几个议程。当中包括转移大家对巴生港口自贸区特别调查小组报告的视线。这也可能蓄意制造外界及党员质疑我的操守，影射我私吞该笔款项。他特别标榜那笔“贷款”，或许他等着看我就此惹上官非，好借机羞辱我一番。
拿督斯里张庆信引据有误。事实上是在2008年，我还是只是副总会长，到了同年10月，我才出任总会长。身为副总会长，为区会筹款只是萧规曹随。而当我出任总会长的时候，我已有权利运用党的资源。只要理性的思考，就可以知道所谓的“一千万元”是无稽之谈。
我感谢拿督法依查承认曾经租借飞机给我的部门。这也证明我并无率意使用特权。即使我需要这些服务，我也愿意付款。我并不会选择接受特别待遇。
我的部门至今仍未收到任何的单据。如果该公司是有效率的话，我的部门早已针对这些帐单付款。我相信没有一间公司会透过媒体发出帐单。
我将寻求律师的专业意见，探讨这一切是否将构成诽谤。
我把这一轮的攻讦，当成为我生命中的其中一项挑战。这绝不会影响我坚持继续调查巴生港口自贸区弊案的决心，这是为了政府的公信，也是为了人民的利益。任何再恶毒的谎言和污蔑，也动摇不了我向巴生港口自贸区涉案者追讨公道，及索回上亿元人民血汗钱的立场。我也希望，人民利用雪亮的眼睛判别是非黑白，让事实证明一切。
Written by Ong Tee Keat
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
I am not surprised that the smear tactics and character assassination against me had picked up pace especially with the latest revelations by the PKFZ Task Force.
If indeed I have received pecuniary and financial benefits for myself or the Party, there will be more reasons for me to protect the interests of the givers, as opposed to proceeding to expose their misdeeds. By doing so, I am risking my personal and family safety as well as my own credibility.
The allegation by Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing that I have taken the RM10 million "loan" from him for use by the Party's divisions, are obviously made with several motives, including diverting attention away from the alleged irregularities exposed by the Task Force. It could also be meant to create suspicion among my Party comrades that I have pocketed funds meant for the divisions. The fact that he indicated that it was a loan could mean that he wants the option of taking me to court to further embarrass me.
The period mentioned by Dato' Seri Tiong was 2008, during which I was vice-president until I assumed the presidency in October. The need for me as vice-president to raise money for the divisions was a non-starter. Later, as President, we already have access to party funds and allocations. I doubt any reasonable person would part with RM10 million based on such a story.
I am very glad that Dato' Faisal Abdullah has admitted that those jets have been chartered by my office. This clearly indicates that I don’t accept privileges. If I have to, and am willing to pay for plane rides, I clearly do not accept bribes or favours.
In any case, my office has yet to receive invoices for the services rendered. If the charter company has been more efficient, I am sure my office would have already made prompt payments. I am sure businesses do not issue invoices through the press.
I will consult my lawyers and seek legal advice on the defamatory allegations.
I treat this latest obstacle as one of the challenges I have to go through. In no way will it deter me to ensure that the PKFZ issue be resolved in the best interest of the Government and the people. I also ask that I be judged based on my actions.
Written by Ong Tee Keat
Malaysiakini - 张庆信证实捐一千万当马华基金
轉载自 Malaysiakini 杨凯斌及黄凌风
巴生港口自贸区主要承包商Kuala Dimensi私人有限公司两位主要负责人今日向媒体引爆他们与交通部长翁诗杰的关系。
该公司首席执行员张庆信声称，他曾在2008年捐献一千万令吉给现任马华总会长翁诗杰；至于其副手，KDSB母公司威加雅巴鲁国际有限公司（Wijaya Baru Global Berhad）集团的副行政总裁兼执行董事费查阿都拉（Faizal Abdullah）则证实，翁诗杰确实曾乘坐该公司旗下飞机五次，而且还拖欠该公司逾4万美金的费用没还。
分三次交现金给翁诗杰
也是国阵后座议员俱乐部主席张庆信证实，他是在翁诗杰的要求下，在去年以现金方式，分三次把一千万令吉交给翁诗杰。以便“充当马华区会的活动基金”。
张庆信强调，捐钱一事与翁诗杰去年出任交通部长后即开始调查的自贸区风波没有任何关系，也不是政治贿赂。
最近政坛及部落格炽热盛传，张庆信是于2008年在翁诗杰的要求下捐了1000万令吉给马华。《光明日报》报道，马青中委林文议昨日也针对此事发表文告，表示本身不相信翁诗杰会向张庆信要求捐款，并抨击一些人士在部落格或互联网胡乱散播谣言及进行不确实的评论，以达到推翻和破坏马华领袖声誉的目的。
“更夸张的是竟然有谣言指巴生自贸区的主要承包商拿督斯里张庆信，于2008年在翁诗杰的要求下捐了1000万令吉给马华。”
“况且众所周知，翁诗杰在去年得知自贸区在发展期间涉嫌滥权和管理不当，坚持要求进行独立审查。”
林文议要求张庆信向各界澄清以上的谣言，因为上述谣言对马华与总会长的声誉皆产生极严重的负面影响，同时逐渐摧毁马华和总会长过去所有的努力。
《当今大马》曾经致电翁诗杰想要他回应上述事项，可是翁诗杰并没有接听电话。记者也发短讯给他及联络其新闻秘书，可是至截稿为止并没有接获任何回应。
张庆信：这个是事实来的
针对上述的传闻，张庆信（左图）今日接受《当今大马》电话询问时，一开始时不愿置评，反要求记者去询问翁诗杰。
不过，在记者契而不舍的追问下，张庆信才坦诚说：“这个是事实来的”。
“去年，他（翁诗杰）要求我支持他，他刚刚出来做领导，需要活动基金。大家都是做政治的，在政治上需要活动基金。”
“这些钱我本来是要还给人家的，但是基于大家互相帮忙，我先给你用。”
“他说，这些钱是要给马华所有区会，但是有没有交给区会手上，我就不知道。这个应该由马华的党员去问他。”
“如果这些钱没有到马华区会的手上，那么就是他欺骗我，他一定要还钱给我。”
张庆信表示，本身并非透过银行转帐，而是直接从银行提出现款，分成三次交给翁诗杰，因为后者表示需要现金给马华区会。
不过，他无法肯定，当时候翁诗杰是否已经出任马华总会长。
有第三者在场可以作证
他说，本身与翁诗杰会面交钱时，有第三者在场可以作证，只是当时候没有其他马华领袖在场。
“如果翁诗杰敢讲没有拿到这些钱，叫他来找我，我会清楚告诉他，在哪里拿钱的。”
他指出，他与翁诗杰的会面，其中两次是在八打灵再也，另外一次是在吉隆坡。
“当时他还答应要给我收条，但是我到现在都没有收到。”
张庆信也是民都鲁国会议员，他目前出任巴生港口自贸区主承包商Kuala Dimensi首席执行员，并陷入自贸区风波之中。
无关自贸区非政治贿赂
张庆信强调，本身捐钱的事宜，与翁诗杰去年上任交通部长后即开始调查的自贸区风波，没有任何关系。
“这不是政治贿赂，如果我贿赂你，为何你不去报警？”
著名部落客拉惹柏特拉在7月31日于其网站《今日马来西亚》上也披露，翁诗杰在担任交通部长后，曾乘搭张庆信的私人飞机出访5次，甚至列出翁诗杰乘搭飞机的日期和时间。
第六次租借飞机遭拒绝
与此同时，也是KDSB副首席执行员的费查沙阿都拉（Faizal Abdullah）也向《当今大马》声称，翁诗杰曾向该公司“租借”旗下飞机，但是事后却分文未付。
费查表示，他们并非向翁诗杰索取包机费，只是“好像你向人家借车，你总得支付司机、汽油等成本”。
他说，翁诗杰的五次行程，分别是前往槟城、关丹、沙巴、古晋和新山，最后一次是在今年4月20日，费用超过4万美金或逾12万令吉。
他说，由于翁诗杰乘搭其飞机五次却分文未付，因此当后者第六次提出要求时，该公司就以已经有人租借飞机为由，拒绝借给翁诗杰。
“不知道是否巧合，就在我们拒绝翁诗杰乘搭飞机后的3、4个星期，自贸区的报告就引爆了。”
根据费查提供的资料，翁诗杰搭乘张庆信的5班飞机的日期、时间与机号等详情如下：
2月12日 G450 SZB-JB-KCH-SZB
2月19日 G450 SZB-JB-SZB
3月7日 Learjet 60 SZB-Kuantan-SZB
3月24日 Learjet 60 SZB-JB-SZB
4月20日 Learjet 60 SZB-JB-SZB
值得一提的是的费查所提供的详情与著名部落客拉惹柏特拉早前在《今日马来西亚》（Malaysia-Today）上的“爆料”完全如出一辙。
轉载自 Malaysiakini
巴生港口自贸区主要承包商Kuala Dimensi私人有限公司两位主要负责人今日向媒体引爆他们与交通部长翁诗杰的关系。
该公司首席执行员张庆信声称，他曾在2008年捐献一千万令吉给现任马华总会长翁诗杰；至于其副手，KDSB母公司威加雅巴鲁国际有限公司（Wijaya Baru Global Berhad）集团的副行政总裁兼执行董事费查阿都拉（Faizal Abdullah）则证实，翁诗杰确实曾乘坐该公司旗下飞机五次，而且还拖欠该公司逾4万美金的费用没还。
分三次交现金给翁诗杰
也是国阵后座议员俱乐部主席张庆信证实，他是在翁诗杰的要求下，在去年以现金方式，分三次把一千万令吉交给翁诗杰。以便“充当马华区会的活动基金”。
张庆信强调，捐钱一事与翁诗杰去年出任交通部长后即开始调查的自贸区风波没有任何关系，也不是政治贿赂。
最近政坛及部落格炽热盛传，张庆信是于2008年在翁诗杰的要求下捐了1000万令吉给马华。《光明日报》报道，马青中委林文议昨日也针对此事发表文告，表示本身不相信翁诗杰会向张庆信要求捐款，并抨击一些人士在部落格或互联网胡乱散播谣言及进行不确实的评论，以达到推翻和破坏马华领袖声誉的目的。
“更夸张的是竟然有谣言指巴生自贸区的主要承包商拿督斯里张庆信，于2008年在翁诗杰的要求下捐了1000万令吉给马华。”
“况且众所周知，翁诗杰在去年得知自贸区在发展期间涉嫌滥权和管理不当，坚持要求进行独立审查。”
林文议要求张庆信向各界澄清以上的谣言，因为上述谣言对马华与总会长的声誉皆产生极严重的负面影响，同时逐渐摧毁马华和总会长过去所有的努力。
《当今大马》曾经致电翁诗杰想要他回应上述事项，可是翁诗杰并没有接听电话。记者也发短讯给他及联络其新闻秘书，可是至截稿为止并没有接获任何回应。
张庆信：这个是事实来的
针对上述的传闻，张庆信（左图）今日接受《当今大马》电话询问时，一开始时不愿置评，反要求记者去询问翁诗杰。
不过，在记者契而不舍的追问下，张庆信才坦诚说：“这个是事实来的”。
“去年，他（翁诗杰）要求我支持他，他刚刚出来做领导，需要活动基金。大家都是做政治的，在政治上需要活动基金。”
“这些钱我本来是要还给人家的，但是基于大家互相帮忙，我先给你用。”
“他说，这些钱是要给马华所有区会，但是有没有交给区会手上，我就不知道。这个应该由马华的党员去问他。”
“如果这些钱没有到马华区会的手上，那么就是他欺骗我，他一定要还钱给我。”
张庆信表示，本身并非透过银行转帐，而是直接从银行提出现款，分成三次交给翁诗杰，因为后者表示需要现金给马华区会。
不过，他无法肯定，当时候翁诗杰是否已经出任马华总会长。
有第三者在场可以作证
他说，本身与翁诗杰会面交钱时，有第三者在场可以作证，只是当时候没有其他马华领袖在场。
“如果翁诗杰敢讲没有拿到这些钱，叫他来找我，我会清楚告诉他，在哪里拿钱的。”
他指出，他与翁诗杰的会面，其中两次是在八打灵再也，另外一次是在吉隆坡。
“当时他还答应要给我收条，但是我到现在都没有收到。”
张庆信也是民都鲁国会议员，他目前出任巴生港口自贸区主承包商Kuala Dimensi首席执行员，并陷入自贸区风波之中。
无关自贸区非政治贿赂
张庆信强调，本身捐钱的事宜，与翁诗杰去年上任交通部长后即开始调查的自贸区风波，没有任何关系。
“这不是政治贿赂，如果我贿赂你，为何你不去报警？”
著名部落客拉惹柏特拉在7月31日于其网站《今日马来西亚》上也披露，翁诗杰在担任交通部长后，曾乘搭张庆信的私人飞机出访5次，甚至列出翁诗杰乘搭飞机的日期和时间。
第六次租借飞机遭拒绝
与此同时，也是KDSB副首席执行员的费查沙阿都拉（Faizal Abdullah）也向《当今大马》声称，翁诗杰曾向该公司“租借”旗下飞机，但是事后却分文未付。
费查表示，他们并非向翁诗杰索取包机费，只是“好像你向人家借车，你总得支付司机、汽油等成本”。
他说，翁诗杰的五次行程，分别是前往槟城、关丹、沙巴、古晋和新山，最后一次是在今年4月20日，费用超过4万美金或逾12万令吉。
他说，由于翁诗杰乘搭其飞机五次却分文未付，因此当后者第六次提出要求时，该公司就以已经有人租借飞机为由，拒绝借给翁诗杰。
“不知道是否巧合，就在我们拒绝翁诗杰乘搭飞机后的3、4个星期，自贸区的报告就引爆了。”
根据费查提供的资料，翁诗杰搭乘张庆信的5班飞机的日期、时间与机号等详情如下：
2月12日 G450 SZB-JB-KCH-SZB
2月19日 G450 SZB-JB-SZB
3月7日 Learjet 60 SZB-Kuantan-SZB
3月24日 Learjet 60 SZB-JB-SZB
4月20日 Learjet 60 SZB-JB-SZB
值得一提的是的费查所提供的详情与著名部落客拉惹柏特拉早前在《今日马来西亚》（Malaysia-Today）上的“爆料”完全如出一辙。
轉载自 Malaysiakini
Monday, August 10, 2009
民聯治國無固打制？ 星洲日報
轉载自 星洲言路 作者：慕灑
安华在一项与华社的集会活动上，指责国阵的种族固打制局限了专才的发挥空间，导致国家无法善用人才，并说民联的治国理念是各族平等，没有种族固打制。
安华对固打制的批判，可谓一言中的，也道出了许多在此制度下深受影响的非土著社群的心声；而民联废除固打制的治国理念，也无疑是高瞻远瞩的。但理念归理念，民联到底会不会在执政中央后废除固打制，以及她现阶段有没有废除固打制，却是人民在检验这些理念的诚意时不能不问的两个问题。
基于民联如今尚未入主中央，因此第一个问题未免言之过早。至于第二道问题，我们则能通过对民联州属施政的观察，来得到答案；而我们难免有以下的疑问：
一、既然民联不要固打制，为何由民联执政的吉打州，不仅没有废除固打制，还变本加厉，将土著房屋固打从国阵时期的30%提高到50%，而在该州非土著社群表达不满后，民联中央还任由吉打政府一意孤行？
吉打州的50%土著房屋固打政策还有一点与前朝国阵政府不同的地方，是人们比较没有注意到的，那就是之前国阵政府的政策实际上较具弹性，即如果30%土著固打无法在6个月内售出，是被允许公开向各族出售，但民联州政府连这个规定也一并废除，意味着这50%配额将很难被非土著购得。
因此，这个政策影响的不止非土著的购屋者，还包括土著与非土著的发展商或承包商，最终受打击的是整个吉打州的房产业与经济发展。
国阵主导新经济政策
二、今年的回教党代表大会议决要求政府保留30%土著固打制，还呼吁中央政府收回经济领域的开放措施，与民联不要固打制的理念明显有所冲突，但安华和民联中央同样对此没有表态。
如果说以上两个例子是回教党引发的困惑，并不能代表民联的原则，但问题是，如果在民联仅仅掌握州政权的现阶段，也无法实现其不要固打制的理念，或者说无法说服回教党放弃固打制，那么在民联有朝一日执政中央后，又可以如何说服回教党，以兑现承诺？
更何况，据某家网络媒体与吉打州回教党行政议员帕罗拉兹的专访中所言，公正党行政议员根本没有在行政议会里反对50%土著房屋固打，因此这就不仅仅是回教党的问题了。
三、由公正党州议员担任州务大臣的雪兰莪州，早前发生非土著不能担任政府机构高职的事件（即刘秀梅事件），也显然与安华所说的“各族平等，没有种族职位分配固打制”的民联治国理念不符。废除固打制由公正党提出，但种族职位固打却发生在公正党掌政的州属，这是安华与民联更不能不解答的疑惑。
在国阵的主导下，种族固打制与新经济政策执行多年，关于应不应废除的问题，其中已渗入了许多种族因素的考量，而不是单纯的经济问题。要求民联在一夜之间废除固打制，当然是不公平的，但至少，民联在作出这样的承诺时，应考虑本身有没有在治下的州属加以实践。
星洲言路 作者：慕灑
安华在一项与华社的集会活动上，指责国阵的种族固打制局限了专才的发挥空间，导致国家无法善用人才，并说民联的治国理念是各族平等，没有种族固打制。
安华对固打制的批判，可谓一言中的，也道出了许多在此制度下深受影响的非土著社群的心声；而民联废除固打制的治国理念，也无疑是高瞻远瞩的。但理念归理念，民联到底会不会在执政中央后废除固打制，以及她现阶段有没有废除固打制，却是人民在检验这些理念的诚意时不能不问的两个问题。
基于民联如今尚未入主中央，因此第一个问题未免言之过早。至于第二道问题，我们则能通过对民联州属施政的观察，来得到答案；而我们难免有以下的疑问：
一、既然民联不要固打制，为何由民联执政的吉打州，不仅没有废除固打制，还变本加厉，将土著房屋固打从国阵时期的30%提高到50%，而在该州非土著社群表达不满后，民联中央还任由吉打政府一意孤行？
吉打州的50%土著房屋固打政策还有一点与前朝国阵政府不同的地方，是人们比较没有注意到的，那就是之前国阵政府的政策实际上较具弹性，即如果30%土著固打无法在6个月内售出，是被允许公开向各族出售，但民联州政府连这个规定也一并废除，意味着这50%配额将很难被非土著购得。
因此，这个政策影响的不止非土著的购屋者，还包括土著与非土著的发展商或承包商，最终受打击的是整个吉打州的房产业与经济发展。
国阵主导新经济政策
二、今年的回教党代表大会议决要求政府保留30%土著固打制，还呼吁中央政府收回经济领域的开放措施，与民联不要固打制的理念明显有所冲突，但安华和民联中央同样对此没有表态。
如果说以上两个例子是回教党引发的困惑，并不能代表民联的原则，但问题是，如果在民联仅仅掌握州政权的现阶段，也无法实现其不要固打制的理念，或者说无法说服回教党放弃固打制，那么在民联有朝一日执政中央后，又可以如何说服回教党，以兑现承诺？
更何况，据某家网络媒体与吉打州回教党行政议员帕罗拉兹的专访中所言，公正党行政议员根本没有在行政议会里反对50%土著房屋固打，因此这就不仅仅是回教党的问题了。
三、由公正党州议员担任州务大臣的雪兰莪州，早前发生非土著不能担任政府机构高职的事件（即刘秀梅事件），也显然与安华所说的“各族平等，没有种族职位分配固打制”的民联治国理念不符。废除固打制由公正党提出，但种族职位固打却发生在公正党掌政的州属，这是安华与民联更不能不解答的疑惑。
在国阵的主导下，种族固打制与新经济政策执行多年，关于应不应废除的问题，其中已渗入了许多种族因素的考量，而不是单纯的经济问题。要求民联在一夜之间废除固打制，当然是不公平的，但至少，民联在作出这样的承诺时，应考虑本身有没有在治下的州属加以实践。
星洲言路 作者：慕灑
Sunday, August 9, 2009
國陣如何贏回雪州- 星洲日報 鄭丁賢
轉载自 星洲言路
納吉要雪蘭莪州回到國陣手中。
我願意提供國陣一些建議，或是貼士。正值國慶月，作為國慶獻禮，這項服務就當作免費，雖然我通常並不是這麼慷慨。
（一）放棄基爾――難道你們不知道，國陣輸掉雪州，很大程度關係到兩個人物，一是查卡利亞，二是基爾。
查卡利亞已經不在，願他安息！然而，如今看來，老查只是個小人物，基爾才是老大，他比老查強太多了。
連基宮都比查宮宏偉華麗太多；基宮是泰姬陵，查宮只不過是酋長屋。
基爾送掉了雪州國陣江山，然而，迄今還是州議會的反對黨領袖，州國陣的領袖。
以他呼風喚雨的能力，有時候，我甚至以為他還是州務大臣，或者，他已經成立一個雪州地下王國。
翻一翻他擔任反對黨領袖之後的紀錄，從養豬場、行政宮、郭素沁被捕、黃潔冰照片、卡立牛與車、趙明福、售酒等等課題，他的炒作和立場，令人驚嘆他的道德和臉皮之對比。
如果國陣重新執政，意味著基爾極可能回朝擔任州務大臣；雪州人民晚上會睡不著覺。
（二）重組雪州反貪污委員會――眼前的大象不放在眼裡，卻拿著放大鏡，到處去搜尋小螞蟻，這是雪州人民對這個機構的疑問。
基宮佔地5萬多方尺，難道看不到嗎？幹嘛要花人力和時間，埋頭在舊紙堆裡去找幾幾行只是關係幾千令吉的數字？
（三）發放地契――作出承諾，只要一日執政，就發放永久地契給華人新村、馬來重組村或即裔村，以及農業用地；讓州內人民免于居住和生活的擔憂。
（四）資助獨中――雪州四間獨中，每年不敷數百萬令吉；只要宣佈國陣政府每年將撥款給每間獨中100萬令吉，肯定受落。
（五）增建小學――雪州境內的住宅區，只要某一族群的家庭超過1000戶，就規劃地段興建居民所需要的小學，不分國小、華小或淡小。
（六）尊重民主和民意――國陣要保證，絕對不使用非民主的方式，包括利用跳槽方式，來取得州政權；國陣保證只會通過選舉和選票的決定來得到州政權，讓人民信服和安心。
如果國陣接受這5項建議，執政雪州可期。
星洲日報／馬荷加尼 作者：鄭丁賢
納吉要雪蘭莪州回到國陣手中。
我願意提供國陣一些建議，或是貼士。正值國慶月，作為國慶獻禮，這項服務就當作免費，雖然我通常並不是這麼慷慨。
（一）放棄基爾――難道你們不知道，國陣輸掉雪州，很大程度關係到兩個人物，一是查卡利亞，二是基爾。
查卡利亞已經不在，願他安息！然而，如今看來，老查只是個小人物，基爾才是老大，他比老查強太多了。
連基宮都比查宮宏偉華麗太多；基宮是泰姬陵，查宮只不過是酋長屋。
基爾送掉了雪州國陣江山，然而，迄今還是州議會的反對黨領袖，州國陣的領袖。
以他呼風喚雨的能力，有時候，我甚至以為他還是州務大臣，或者，他已經成立一個雪州地下王國。
翻一翻他擔任反對黨領袖之後的紀錄，從養豬場、行政宮、郭素沁被捕、黃潔冰照片、卡立牛與車、趙明福、售酒等等課題，他的炒作和立場，令人驚嘆他的道德和臉皮之對比。
如果國陣重新執政，意味著基爾極可能回朝擔任州務大臣；雪州人民晚上會睡不著覺。
（二）重組雪州反貪污委員會――眼前的大象不放在眼裡，卻拿著放大鏡，到處去搜尋小螞蟻，這是雪州人民對這個機構的疑問。
基宮佔地5萬多方尺，難道看不到嗎？幹嘛要花人力和時間，埋頭在舊紙堆裡去找幾幾行只是關係幾千令吉的數字？
（三）發放地契――作出承諾，只要一日執政，就發放永久地契給華人新村、馬來重組村或即裔村，以及農業用地；讓州內人民免于居住和生活的擔憂。
（四）資助獨中――雪州四間獨中，每年不敷數百萬令吉；只要宣佈國陣政府每年將撥款給每間獨中100萬令吉，肯定受落。
（五）增建小學――雪州境內的住宅區，只要某一族群的家庭超過1000戶，就規劃地段興建居民所需要的小學，不分國小、華小或淡小。
（六）尊重民主和民意――國陣要保證，絕對不使用非民主的方式，包括利用跳槽方式，來取得州政權；國陣保證只會通過選舉和選票的決定來得到州政權，讓人民信服和安心。
如果國陣接受這5項建議，執政雪州可期。
星洲日報／馬荷加尼 作者：鄭丁賢
多事之秋的民聯 - 星洲日報／言路 作者 南方客
轉载自 星洲言路 南方客
近期，民聯領導的雪州又再鬧內哄，雪州回教黨公然要求撤換來自行動黨的州行政議員劉天球。這已經不是第一次民聯3黨出現摩擦了，民聯執政的檳城和吉打之前也出現大大小小的紛爭。
308大選，給了回教黨、行動黨和公正黨一個機遇，組織一個名為民聯的共同陣線來領導數個州政府的政權。不斷宣稱以民為本的民聯，執政一年多來，在一些政策上的確是照顧到了州內各階層人士的福利，也贏得民眾不少掌聲。但這些還不是重點，人民更想迫切知道的是：一個要成立回教國的政黨，碰上一個以非華裔為主的政黨，再加上一個只能依靠一位政治人物為號召力，但也成為一些國陣政客尋找從政生涯第二個春天的政黨，當這3個不同目標，不同政治理念的政黨加在一起，而且假使有一天真的執政中央，究竟能為國家和人民帶來甚麼福祉？
7月初，民聯成立了一個類似“影子內閣”的“民聯議員部門委員會”，由3黨各派一位代表來監督國陣政府相關部門和部長。這本是一個好的開始，在國外，如英國和加拿大等國家，皆有“影子內閣”，除了監督內閣部長，本身也可吸取經驗，瞭解部門應作，為將來執政做好準備。可惜的是，成立至今，“民聯議員部門委員會”卻毫無表現。例如在廢除英化數理課題上，3黨各自表述，掌管教育部門的3黨代表也沒有對這個影響深遠的國家教育問題提出一個宏觀性的看法。這無疑令人感到“民聯議員部門委員會”只是門面功夫，但實際作用不大。
回教黨副主席沙拉胡丁表示，要在民聯精神下解決問題。只是，他沒有進一步清楚說明何謂民聯精神。在同一個陣線上，政黨之間有紛爭和矛盾是正常不過的事情，要如何解決這些分歧就得看3黨領導人的政治智慧了。
林吉祥說過，民聯成立至今經歷兩個信心危機，一個是巫統和回教黨要成立聯合政府的課題，另一個是吉打行動黨因宰豬場風波而退出州政府的問題。但是，筆者更是認為，民聯正處在一個多事之秋的時刻，只要人民產生一次的信心危機，那民聯就要與放眼執政中央的目標說再見了。因此，當前重要的是，民聯3黨最高領導人是時候認真探討彼此在政治理念上的矛盾和問題了，以鞏固合作的關係，以免加深彼此的心結，最終與以民為本的理念漸行漸遠。
星洲日報／言路 作者：南方客
近期，民聯領導的雪州又再鬧內哄，雪州回教黨公然要求撤換來自行動黨的州行政議員劉天球。這已經不是第一次民聯3黨出現摩擦了，民聯執政的檳城和吉打之前也出現大大小小的紛爭。
308大選，給了回教黨、行動黨和公正黨一個機遇，組織一個名為民聯的共同陣線來領導數個州政府的政權。不斷宣稱以民為本的民聯，執政一年多來，在一些政策上的確是照顧到了州內各階層人士的福利，也贏得民眾不少掌聲。但這些還不是重點，人民更想迫切知道的是：一個要成立回教國的政黨，碰上一個以非華裔為主的政黨，再加上一個只能依靠一位政治人物為號召力，但也成為一些國陣政客尋找從政生涯第二個春天的政黨，當這3個不同目標，不同政治理念的政黨加在一起，而且假使有一天真的執政中央，究竟能為國家和人民帶來甚麼福祉？
7月初，民聯成立了一個類似“影子內閣”的“民聯議員部門委員會”，由3黨各派一位代表來監督國陣政府相關部門和部長。這本是一個好的開始，在國外，如英國和加拿大等國家，皆有“影子內閣”，除了監督內閣部長，本身也可吸取經驗，瞭解部門應作，為將來執政做好準備。可惜的是，成立至今，“民聯議員部門委員會”卻毫無表現。例如在廢除英化數理課題上，3黨各自表述，掌管教育部門的3黨代表也沒有對這個影響深遠的國家教育問題提出一個宏觀性的看法。這無疑令人感到“民聯議員部門委員會”只是門面功夫，但實際作用不大。
回教黨副主席沙拉胡丁表示，要在民聯精神下解決問題。只是，他沒有進一步清楚說明何謂民聯精神。在同一個陣線上，政黨之間有紛爭和矛盾是正常不過的事情，要如何解決這些分歧就得看3黨領導人的政治智慧了。
林吉祥說過，民聯成立至今經歷兩個信心危機，一個是巫統和回教黨要成立聯合政府的課題，另一個是吉打行動黨因宰豬場風波而退出州政府的問題。但是，筆者更是認為，民聯正處在一個多事之秋的時刻，只要人民產生一次的信心危機，那民聯就要與放眼執政中央的目標說再見了。因此，當前重要的是，民聯3黨最高領導人是時候認真探討彼此在政治理念上的矛盾和問題了，以鞏固合作的關係，以免加深彼此的心結，最終與以民為本的理念漸行漸遠。
星洲日報／言路 作者：南方客
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Malaysian Insider - Lim Kit Siang warns open squabbling could turn Pakatan into one-term wonder .
The Malaysian Insider
Friday August 07 2009
Kit Siang warns open squabbling could turn Pakatan into one-term wonder
Lim wants all Pakatan Rakyat partners to show more cohesion and common sense of purpose. By Leslie Lau. Consultant Editor.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang today urged all Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners to show more cohesion and common sense of purpose to strengthen public confidence, and avoid the kind of public quarrels which could result in the alliance becoming a “one-term wonder”.
His remarks show the measure of concern being felt by national PR leaders over the succession of squabbles between DAP and PAS which has damaged the credibility of PR state governments.
Selangor PAS chief Datuk Hassan Ali had openly called for his state executive councillor colleague Ronnie Liu from the DAP to be stripped of his portfolio following a dispute over a minor issue of unlawful beer seizures.
Last month, DAP had also threatened to pull out from the PAS-led Kedah PR state government over the issue of the relocation of an abattoir.
“All Pakatan Rakyat leaders of PKR, DAP and PAS must exercise responsibility and discipline to strengthen public confidence in the credibility, cohesion, integrity and common sense of purpose of Pakatan Rakyat if PR is not to end up as a one-term wonder.
“If a state exco member of a Pakatan Rakyat state government can publicly demand the removal of another state exco member from another Pakatan Rakyat component party from his portfolio, and be supported by the state Youth wing of that party to the extent of wanting to hold a public demonstration, then the same thing can be done by the other Pakatan Rakyat component parties,” said Lim.
Lim said the result of such open squabbling would be utter chaos and the PR alliance would be discredited.
PR leaders and component parties, instead of Barisan Nasional (BN), would then become PR’s own biggest enemies.
“It is imperative therefore that any unhappiness and dissatisfaction by any Pakatan Rakyat component party or leader must be raised and dealt with internally in the grouping.”
Umno and BN have in recent months been gradually chipping away at the level of public support which PR parties have been enjoying, largely due to open squabbling and a absence of a joint platform for voters to compare with what the ruling coalition has to offer.
Umno has also successfully used race and religious issues to drive a wedge between the more conservative factions in PAS and the more secular DAP.
The PR national leadership is now working feverishly towards fulfilling legal guidelines and registering the alliance officially to underline its commitment towards being a viable alternative to BN.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the former Umno minister who joined PKR recently, has been given the task of coordinating activities of the joint PR secretariat.
It is understood that a series of discussions will soon be held for PR parties to come up with a common platform.
Friday August 07 2009
Kit Siang warns open squabbling could turn Pakatan into one-term wonder
Lim wants all Pakatan Rakyat partners to show more cohesion and common sense of purpose. By Leslie Lau. Consultant Editor.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang today urged all Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners to show more cohesion and common sense of purpose to strengthen public confidence, and avoid the kind of public quarrels which could result in the alliance becoming a “one-term wonder”.
His remarks show the measure of concern being felt by national PR leaders over the succession of squabbles between DAP and PAS which has damaged the credibility of PR state governments.
Selangor PAS chief Datuk Hassan Ali had openly called for his state executive councillor colleague Ronnie Liu from the DAP to be stripped of his portfolio following a dispute over a minor issue of unlawful beer seizures.
Last month, DAP had also threatened to pull out from the PAS-led Kedah PR state government over the issue of the relocation of an abattoir.
“All Pakatan Rakyat leaders of PKR, DAP and PAS must exercise responsibility and discipline to strengthen public confidence in the credibility, cohesion, integrity and common sense of purpose of Pakatan Rakyat if PR is not to end up as a one-term wonder.
“If a state exco member of a Pakatan Rakyat state government can publicly demand the removal of another state exco member from another Pakatan Rakyat component party from his portfolio, and be supported by the state Youth wing of that party to the extent of wanting to hold a public demonstration, then the same thing can be done by the other Pakatan Rakyat component parties,” said Lim.
Lim said the result of such open squabbling would be utter chaos and the PR alliance would be discredited.
PR leaders and component parties, instead of Barisan Nasional (BN), would then become PR’s own biggest enemies.
“It is imperative therefore that any unhappiness and dissatisfaction by any Pakatan Rakyat component party or leader must be raised and dealt with internally in the grouping.”
Umno and BN have in recent months been gradually chipping away at the level of public support which PR parties have been enjoying, largely due to open squabbling and a absence of a joint platform for voters to compare with what the ruling coalition has to offer.
Umno has also successfully used race and religious issues to drive a wedge between the more conservative factions in PAS and the more secular DAP.
The PR national leadership is now working feverishly towards fulfilling legal guidelines and registering the alliance officially to underline its commitment towards being a viable alternative to BN.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the former Umno minister who joined PKR recently, has been given the task of coordinating activities of the joint PR secretariat.
It is understood that a series of discussions will soon be held for PR parties to come up with a common platform.
Astronomy Pictures of the Day (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States government.
Explanation: The July 22nd total solar eclipse was the longest of the 21st century. From the point of maximum eclipse along the Moon's shadow track across the Pacific Ocean, the Moon completely blocked the Sun for a total of 6 minutes and 39 seconds. But from the deck of this cruise ship the duration of the total eclipse phase was extended to a whopping 6 minutes and 42 seconds by the ship's motion along the shadow track. This panoramic view of the scene shows the shimmering solar corona in a darkened daytime sky, with clouds silhouetted by a bright sky on the distant horizon, beyond the Moon's shadow. Mercury can be seen near the eclipsed Sun. Venus lies near the upper right edge of the frame.
Explanation: This wide, sharp telescopic view reveals galaxies scattered beyond the stars at the northern boundary of the high-flying constellation Pegasus. Prominent at the upper right is NGC 7331. A mere 50 million light-years away, the large spiral is one of the brighter galaxies not included in Charles Messier's famous 18th century catalog. The disturbed looking group of galaxies at the lower left is well-known as Stephan's Quintet. About 300 million light-years distant, the quintet dramatically illustrates a multiple galaxy collision, its powerful, ongoing interactions posed for a brief cosmic snapshot. On the sky, the quintet and NGC 7331 are separated by about half a degree.
Explanation: The sharpest image ever of Betelgeuse shows a mammoth star that is slowly evaporating. Betelgeuse (sounds a lot like "beetle juice"), also known as Alpha Orionis, is one of the largest and brightest stars known. The star is a familiar orange fixture easily visible to the unaided eye toward the constellation of Orion. The above recent image from the Very Large Telescope in Chile resolves not only the face of Betelgeuse, but a large and previously unknown plume of surrounding gas. This plume gives fresh indications of how the massive star is shedding mass as it nears the end of its life. Conversely, a series of previous observations indicate that the surface of Betelgeuse has noticeably shrunk, on the average, over the past decade. If Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star about 640 light years distant, were placed at the center of our Solar System, the plume would extend past the orbit of Jupiter. Since Betelgeuse is known to change its brightness irregularly, future observations may determine if changes its appearance irregularly as well. Betelgeuse is a candidate to undergo a spectacular supernova explosion almost anytime in the next few thousand years.
Explanation: The July 22nd total solar eclipse was the longest of the 21st century. From the point of maximum eclipse along the Moon's shadow track across the Pacific Ocean, the Moon completely blocked the Sun for a total of 6 minutes and 39 seconds. But from the deck of this cruise ship the duration of the total eclipse phase was extended to a whopping 6 minutes and 42 seconds by the ship's motion along the shadow track. This panoramic view of the scene shows the shimmering solar corona in a darkened daytime sky, with clouds silhouetted by a bright sky on the distant horizon, beyond the Moon's shadow. Mercury can be seen near the eclipsed Sun. Venus lies near the upper right edge of the frame.
Explanation: This wide, sharp telescopic view reveals galaxies scattered beyond the stars at the northern boundary of the high-flying constellation Pegasus. Prominent at the upper right is NGC 7331. A mere 50 million light-years away, the large spiral is one of the brighter galaxies not included in Charles Messier's famous 18th century catalog. The disturbed looking group of galaxies at the lower left is well-known as Stephan's Quintet. About 300 million light-years distant, the quintet dramatically illustrates a multiple galaxy collision, its powerful, ongoing interactions posed for a brief cosmic snapshot. On the sky, the quintet and NGC 7331 are separated by about half a degree.
Explanation: The sharpest image ever of Betelgeuse shows a mammoth star that is slowly evaporating. Betelgeuse (sounds a lot like "beetle juice"), also known as Alpha Orionis, is one of the largest and brightest stars known. The star is a familiar orange fixture easily visible to the unaided eye toward the constellation of Orion. The above recent image from the Very Large Telescope in Chile resolves not only the face of Betelgeuse, but a large and previously unknown plume of surrounding gas. This plume gives fresh indications of how the massive star is shedding mass as it nears the end of its life. Conversely, a series of previous observations indicate that the surface of Betelgeuse has noticeably shrunk, on the average, over the past decade. If Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star about 640 light years distant, were placed at the center of our Solar System, the plume would extend past the orbit of Jupiter. Since Betelgeuse is known to change its brightness irregularly, future observations may determine if changes its appearance irregularly as well. Betelgeuse is a candidate to undergo a spectacular supernova explosion almost anytime in the next few thousand years.
Hubble & Spitzer Space Telescopes
This image provided by NASA this July 23, 2009 is a photo made by the Spitzer Space Telescope of the galaxy, called NGC-1097, is located 50 million light-years away. It is spiral-shaped like our Milky Way, with long, spindly arms of stars. The 'eye' at the center of the galaxy is actually a monstrous black hole surrounded by a ring of stars. In this color-coded infrared view from Spitzer, the area around the invisible black hole is blue and the ring of stars, white. The black hole is huge, about 100 million times the mass of our sun, and is feeding off gas and dust along with the occasional unlucky star. The galaxy's red spiral arms and the swirling spokes seen between the arms show dust heated by newborn stars. Older populations of stars scattered through the galaxy are blue. The fuzzy blue dot to the left, which appears to fit snuggly between the arms, is a companion galaxy. This image was taken during Spitzer's cold mission, before it ran out of liquid coolant.
(AP Photo/NASA)
This infrared picture provided by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Wednesday Aug. 5, 2009 shows a cloud, known as DR22, bursting with new stars in the Cygnus region of the sky. Spitzer's infrared eyes can both see through and see dust, giving it a unique view into star-forming nests. The blue areas are dusty clouds, and the orange is mainly hot gas. The image is on of the first to be taken during Spitzer's warm mission -- a new phase that began after the telescope, which operated for more than five-and-a-half years, ran out of liquid coolant. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech) This image is one of the first to be taken during Spitzer's warm mission -- a new phase that began after the telescope, which operated for more than five-and-a-half years, ran out of liquid coolant. The picture was snapped with the two infrared channels that still work at Spitzer's still-quite-chilly temperature of 30 Kelvin (about minus 406 Fahrenheit). The two infrared channels are part of Spitzer's infrared array camera: 3.6-micron light is blue and 4.5-micron light is orange. This picture was taken while the telescope was being re-commissioned, on July 21.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Malaysiakini-封面报道指控为“最大马来叛徒” 安华向慕尤丁与前锋报Utusan索偿1亿
(转载 Malaysiakini)
8月3日 傍晚6点57分
由巫统控制的《马来西亚前锋报》的报道再次惹祸，这回是今日的封面头条新闻《安华叛徒》（Anwar pengkhianat）引起这名国会反对党领袖的强烈不满，发出律师信要求该报与发出这项言论的副首相慕尤丁撤回言论与公开道歉，并作出1亿令吉的名誉赔偿。
要求二造在7天内公开道歉
安华的代表律师山卡拉向媒体表示，“我的当事人对指责他是本身族群叛徒的不当与不实言论感到极度厌恶”。
“这完全不正确，根本怀有恶意。”
他已在今日发出律师信给《马来西亚前锋报》与慕尤丁，要求二造在7天内公开道歉。律师信也要求二造分别作出1亿令吉的名誉赔偿。
慕尤丁抨安华扭曲巫统斗争
根据《马来西亚前锋报》的报道，慕尤丁是在昨日于柔佛峇杜巴辖为巫统四加亭区部主持大会时，形容安华是“最大的马来叛徒”，扭曲巫统捍卫马来人的斗争。
“他向所有人说巫统残酷，但是你现在告诉我，我们如何残酷了？为什么他成为我们（巫统）的领袖时却没这么说？”
他也指反对党侮辱与不尊敬马来族群。
被视为巫统喉舌的《马来西亚前锋报》今日大肆营造舆论谴责上周六的反对内安法令大集会，指反对党举办这场集会别有居心，真正目的是要破坏国家形象，以反制首相纳吉广受欢迎的新政。
现身大集会领导参与者的安华因此成为该报与众巫统领袖的箭靶。
Dari Utusan Malaysia
Anwar pengkhianat
Oleh SAHBULAH DARWI
pengarang@utusan.com.my
BATU PAHAT 2 Ogos – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin menyifatkan Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebagai pengkhianat besar terhadap perjuangan orang Melayu.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri turut menyifatkan Anwar sebagai pemimpin lidah bercabang kerana sanggup memutarbelitkan fakta mengenai usaha UMNO untuk memartabatkan orang Melayu.
“Dulu dia pernah menjadi Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Timbalan Presiden UMNO seperti saya sekarang, tetapi dia sekarang menggunakan cara yang memperdayakan untuk memusnahkan perjuangan kita,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika merasmikan Persidangan Perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Sri Gading di Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) di sini semalam.
Muhyiddin berkata, Anwar selaku Ketua Pembangkang kini menyebarkan dakyah untuk mencipta persepsi negatif terhadap usaha UMNO dalam mempertahankan hak keistimewaan Melayu dan institusi raja.
“Dia kata kepada semua orang bahawa UMNO zalim, tetapi beritahu saya sekarang dalam cara apa yang kita zalim? Kenapa dia tidak beritahu ini semasa dia jadi pemimpin kita?” soalnya.
Beliau mendedahkan taktik pembangkang mengulangi pembohongan hingga rakyat mempercayai penipuan itu.
“Hingga sampai ke tahap ini, orang menganggap apa yang dilakukan oleh UMNO adalah salah dan apa sahaja yang dilakukan kita tidak baik untuk rakyat.
“Maka semua kebaikan yang pernah kita lakukan membangunkan negara sejak 50 tahun lalu tidak lagi dihargai,” katanya.
Muhyiddin mengakui UMNO bukanlah parti yang tidak pernah melakukan kesilapan namun ia telah melakukan yang terbaik untuk menghapuskan rasuah, keangkuhan dan pengurusan yang tidak cekap.
“Tiada masalah untuk mengkritik kerana kita bukan maksum tetapi saya tidak boleh terima kalau pembangkang menghina dan tidak menghormati orang Melayu,” jelasnya.
Sehubungan itu, beliau menyeru ahli dan pemimpin UMNO mengubah persepsi negatif pembangkang terhadap parti dengan terus mendekati rakyat terutama di peringkat akar umbi.
Menurutnya, pendekatan itu jika dilakukan secara berterusan akan menyedarkan rakyat terhadap perjuangan ikhlas UMNO dalam membela nasib mereka terutama bangsa Melayu.
“Kita hanya mempunyai dua tahun untuk mengubah persepsi dan imej buruk itu,” katanya.
Menurutnya, UMNO juga bukan parti yang semata-mata mahukan undi rakyat pada setiap pilihan raya, tetapi untuk membela dan membangunkan mereka.
“Tetapi disebabkan dakyah serta pelbagai tuduhan pembangkang terhadap UMNO menyebabkan timbul persepsi buruk rakyat terhadap parti sejak kebelakangan ini,” katanya.
Ekoran itu, beliau berkata, tindakan segera perlu dilaksanakan mulai sekarang bagi mengembalikan semula keyakinan tersebut agar UMNO dapat terus berjuang untuk membela mereka.
(Dari Utusan Malaysia)
Why do Malaysians march?
From The Sun
(Comment & Analysis)
Editor : Yeo Yang Poh
WHY march, when the government has said that it will review the Internal Security Act? Why march, when there are other very cosy ways of giving your views and feedback?
One would understand if these were questions posed by nine-year-olds. But they are not. They are questions posed by the prime minister of this nation we call our home. Answer we must. So, why?
Because thousands who died while in detention cannot march or speak any more. That is why others have to do it for them.
Because persons in the corridors of power, persons who have amassed tremendous wealth and live in mansions, and persons who are in the position to right wrongs but won’t, continue to rule our nation with suffocating might. And they certainly would not march. They would prevent others from marching.
Because the have-nots, the sidelined, the oppressed, the discriminated and the persecuted have no effective line to the powerful.
Because the nice ways have been tried ad nauseam for decades, but have fallen on deaf ears.
Because none of the major recommendations of Suhakam (including on peaceful assembly), or of the commissions of inquiry, has been implemented. Because the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is not in sight, while corruption and insecurity live in every neighbourhood; and (despite reasoned views expressed ever so nicely in opposition) Rela (people’s volunteer corps) is being brought in to make matters even worse.
The proponents in “Su Qiu” (remember them?) were not marchers. In fact it is hard to find nicer ways than “su qiu”, because the term means “present and request” or “inform and request”. In terms of putting forward a view or a request, it is the height of politeness. Yet they were labelled “extremists” – they who did not march.
And now you ask, why march?
Because you gave non-marchers a false name! You called them the “silent majority”, who by virtue of their silence (so you proudly argued with twisted logic) were supporters of government policies since they were not vocal in raising objections. You claimed to be protecting the interest of the “silent majority”. Now some of them do not want to be silent anymore, and you are asking why?
Yes, because double standards and hypocrisy cannot be covered up or explained away forever; and incompetence cannot be indefinitely propped up by depleting resources.
Because cronyism can only take care of a few people, and the rest will eventually wake up to realise the repeated lies that things were done in certain ways purportedly “for their benefit”.
Because the race card, cleverly played for such a long time, is beginning to be seen for what it really is – a despicable tool to divide the rakyat for easier political manipulation.
Because it does not take much to figure out that there is no good reason why Malaysia, a country with abundant human resources and rich natural resources, does not have a standard of living many times higher than that of Singapore, an island state with no natural resources and that has to import human resources from Malaysia and elsewhere.
Because, in general, countries that do not persecute marchers are prosperous or are improving from their previous state of affairs, and those that do are declining.
Because Gandhi marched, Mandela marched, Martin Luther King marched, and Tunku Abdul Rahman marched.
Because more and more people realise that peaceful assemblies are no threat at all to the security of the nation, although they are a threat to the security of tenure of the ruling elite.
Because politicians do not mean it when they say with a straight face or a smile that they are the servants and that the people are the masters. No servant would treat his master with tear gas, batons and handcuffs.
Because if the marchers in history had been stopped in their tracks, places like India, Malaysia and many others would still be colonies today, apartheid would still be thriving in South Africa, Nelson Mandela would still be scribbling on the walls of Cell 5, and Obama would probably be a slave somewhere in Mississippi plotting to make his next midnight dash for the river.
And because liberty, freedom and dignity are not free vouchers posted out to each household.
They do not come to those who just sit and wait. They have to be fought for, and gained.
And if you still want to ask: why march; I can go on and on until the last tree is felled. But I shall
obviously not.
I will end with the following lines from one of the songs sung in the 1960s by civil rights marchers in the US, without whom Obama would not be able to even sit with the whites in a bus, let alone reside in the White House:
“It isn’t nice to block the doorway
It isn’t nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways have all failed
It isn’t nice; it isn’t nice
You’ve told us once, you’ve told us twice
But if that’s freedom’s price
We don’t mind ...”
Yeo Yang Poh is a former Bar Council president.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
