As I sit here smoking my cigar while monitoring the news on the mainstream media I can’t help but feel extremely nauseous. What crap our government is spewing out. I have totally lost my merriment mood and hereby declare by royal decree that the New Year’s Eve celebration tonight has been cancelled.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Mediators to ease tensions
Volunteers to defuse religious, racial disputes in their neighbourhoods
Malaysia's government plans to train special mediators to resolve disputes between neighbours of different races in a bid to prevent communal tensions in the ethnically diverse country, officials said yesterday.
About 300 volunteer community representatives will undergo mediation courses next month as part of the government's efforts to curb racial and religious friction, said Datuk Azman Amin Hassan, director-general of the National Unity and Integration Department.
'They will be residents who can talk to both sides in a dispute to defuse racial problems,' he said.
The authorities have acknowledged that racial polarisation has increased in recent years, even though the Malay Muslim majority still has generally amicable relations with the large ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, who are mainly Buddhists, Christians and Hindus.
Malaysia has not suffered major ethnic violence since 1969, when riots fuelled partly by Malay rancour over Chinese wealth left more than 200 people dead. Nevertheless, grievances between ethnic communities have occasionally sparked bloodshed. A dispute between Malays celebrating a wedding and their Indian neighbours who held a funeral at the same time prompted violence that killed six people near Kuala Lumpur in 2001. But in a country where politicians often take charge when racial or religious tensions arise, or are sometimes accused of being the cause of the tensions, it is unclear where the mediators will fit in.
The plan is believed to be the first time that Malaysians are to be formally trained to handle disputes involving different communities and religious groups.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said recently his mission before retirement was to cool racial and religious tensions. 'I am thinking of how to handle the issue of race relations and the issue of religious tensions,' he said two weeks ago. 'Muslims think from their own perspective. Non-Muslims think from their own perspective.'
He had suggested setting up an institution 'where all communities' could take their grievances. The answer could also lie in legislation, clarifying grey areas in laws on religious disputes, he said.
Sociologist Wan Abdul Halim Othman, who will train the mediators, said the programme will initially be implemented in urban areas where the risk of racial disputes is relatively high because multi-ethnic residents live alongside one another. 'We need neutral mediators who can prevent the usual conflicts between neighbours from accumulating and transforming into ethnic problems,' he said. 'In disputes involving different ethnic groups, people...tend to take sides based on race, but nobody mediates.'
The programme will initially be rolled out in Kuala Lumpur, and in Selangor, Penang and Johor states. If successful, it will be implemented nationwide.
Ethnic divisions have deepened amid increasing complaints by minorities about special privileges enjoyed by Malays in jobs, education and other areas. Some also say their religious rights have become secondary to Islam. The government has denied any unfair treatment. - AP
Election system needs to be reviewed, says Abdul Rashid
Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said the country’s election system need to be reviewed to give it autonomous power and total control over the election process, the media included. - Bernama
Police report lodged against blog
MARAN: The district Umno Youth lodged a police report on the existence of a blog containing insults of Prophet Muhammad, which had stirred anger among Muslims.
State Deputy Criminal Investigation Department Chief Superintendent Mohd Haris Daud said the report was lodged on Saturday by the movement's vice-head Hairul Amin Othman, 33, at the district police station at 3.45pm.
Haris said the movement felt it should fight for Islamic rights as the blog owner had insulted Prophet Muhammad. He said police would carry out investigations under the Sedition Act. - NST
First, let me talk about Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s comment. He said he is going to sue opposition leaders who slander him. Well, maybe Rashid can reflect on the many official meetings the opposition leaders had with him over the last ten years in his office in Putrajaya. I was there, in case Rashid would like to know, and let me remind him how disastrous those meetings turned out to be.
The main grievance was with regards to postal voters. Why do we still need the police and armed forces to vote by post when they are no longer located in the deep jungles of Malaysia for nine months at a stretch? They are all now located in their barracks or quarters and the polling stations are within walking distance from where they live.
All they need to do is walk a few minutes to the polling stations to cast their vote. And they need not do this five days before Polling Day and by post like now. If not because of the postal votes, the opposition would have won all 11 Parliament seats in Kuala Lumpur instead of only 10 like it did on 8 March.
Rashid’s reply to the proposal to abolish the postal voting system is that if they do that then none of the cabinet ministers would be able to retain their seats. When the shocked assembly asked Rashid is not the purpose of the Election Commission to ensure that they run a fair and free election, he shocked the assembly even further by retorting that the purpose of the Election Commission is to ensure that the Malays do not lose political power.
The Malaysian election system is rife with fraud and manipulation. The gerrymandering is preposterous and makes a mockery of democratic elections. Rashid, sue me. Take me to court. I am waiting to meet you in court so that I can reveal all the evidence we accumulated since 1999 about how you have fucked up the election system so bad that, last year, I actually appealed to the opposition to boycott the elections.
I am glad they did not do as I suggested though because 8 March 2008 proved the people were so disgusted and wanted change so bad that the 'big swing' managed to offset the cheating. But imagine if there was no cheating. Today, with a mere 300,000 votes more, Pakatan Rakyat would have formed the federal government. Yes, Pakatan Rakyat missed forming the government by a mere 300,000 votes. The postal votes alone, had they not been all mysteriously marked ‘Barisan Nasional’, would have given Pakatan Rakyat the federal government.
Rashid, you robbed Malaysians of a new government and I hope they have a special hell for people like you.
In 2004, the general election that saw Barisan Nasional perform its best ever, many seats like Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Selangor, etc., saw a 130% voter turnout. The national voter turnout averaged 75% or so. But many opposition strongholds fell to Barisan Nasional because of the more than 100% voter turnout.
What about the hundreds of Indians from Telok Kemang registered as voters in many kampong houses in Ijok during the Ijok by-election? What about the man voting as a woman whom we caught in Putrajaya and who was still allowed to vote, as much as we protested? What about the hundreds of voters having their residential address at graveyards? ‘Pengundi hantu’ maybe? These are but some of the many cases and let me assure you we have much, much more.
So, sue me Rashid. Take me to court, you slime-ball, scumbag and poor excuse for a human, and let all these details surface in my trial. I eagerly await your Writ of Summons.
Next, on the police report made by those Umno cronies against that Blog, which is alleged to have insulted the Prophet. I too made police reports, but which were totally ignored. One police report was with regards to the assault I suffered at the hands of the Criminal Investigation Department head, Bakri Zinin, the gangster in uniform. He beat me up in front of my wife and six other Reformasi activists on Hari Raya Haji Day in 2001.
I was asked about my police report during my ISA detention in 2001 and I told the Special Branch officers that Bakri had the assistance of more than ten other police officers when he beat me up. I then threw a challenge that I would meet Bakri for a one-to-one fight. He is very brave when assisted by ten police officers, I retorted. Meet me for a one-on-one and let’s see if he is still that brave. I was prepared to fight him to the last man standing and I promised that it would be between him and me and, come what may, I will not make it into a police case.
Either the Special Branch did not deliver that message to Bakri or he did not dare accept my one-to-one challenge. Anyway, he later arrested one of my friends who was selling Harakah on the streets and my unfortunate friend was handcuffed and thrown into the police lockup. Since when is it a crime to sell Harakah, the PAS party organ that has a publishing permit?
Bakri subsequently entered the lockup and tried to punch my friend. My friend managed to block the punch and gave Bakri a kick between his legs and got him right on his balls. Bakri went limping out of the lockup, groaning in pain. My friend ended up two weeks in the lockup but he was satisfied like hell and did not mind even if it was two months.
My second police report was against Jakim. Jakim was one of those who got me detained under the ISA recently on grounds that I had insulted Islam and the Prophet. But the government does not allow the ISA detainees to perform their Friday prayers and this was the basis of my police report.
The minister, however, said that ISA detainees and prisoners are not allowed to perform Friday prayers. In the US, prisoners are allowed to perform Friday prayers. Yes, that’s right. In the ‘kafir’ US, prisoners perform their Friday prayers, but not in ‘Islamic’ Malaysia.
Now that is an insult to Islam and the Prophet, a real insult. Why aren’t these ‘Muslims’ perturbed about this? In fact, the highest conversion rate to Islam is in the US prisons. Many prisoners, especially Blacks, become Muslims in prison. This is because Islam is well propagated in the US prisons. But not in Malaysia. In Malaysia you are not even allowed to do Friday prayers.
Finally, on the matter of race relations. One of the charges of my ISA detention was an article I was alleged to have written that said the mosques propagate hate in their sermons. (See what prison has taught me? I now use the term ‘alleged to have written’ so that they can’t use this article to say I admit I wrote that article and then come get my arse, yet again).
My Special Branch interrogators took me to task on this article (which I don’t admit writing, may I add, though it carries my name) and said I am causing racial tensions.
Hey, I replied, the loud speakers blast the Friday prayer sermons for all and sundry to hear. You mean to say the non-Malays do not hear what the imams preach? If the government is worried about race relations then get the mosques to stop these hate sermons. Anyway, is not what I was alleged (note ‘alleged’) to have written true?
The Special Branch officers admitted that it is true but that is not the issue. The issue is I should not have written about it as this may upset the non-Malays and may trigger racial problems.
Aiyoh, the non-Malays already know that Umno, the government, government-controlled mosques, Umno-backed Malay NGOs, and so on, are racists and spread hate, I argued. Whatever I write or do not write is not going to change anything. If the government wants to avoid racial problems then the government should first take the lead and make racism a crime.
Forget about these so-called ‘mediators’ that the government is proposing. It will not solve the problem. The same day the government proposed these mediators, the Umno-backed Malay NGOs organised a demonstration of a couple of thousand to protest the non-Malays ‘questioning Malay rights and privileges’. You think the plan is going to work? Everyone knows that the government and Umno are not sincere about improving race relations. This is just a move to court the 8,000 Chinese voters in Kuala Terengganu.
If you really want to solve the problem then introduce a Race Relations Act in the coming session of Parliament. Make it a crime under the new RRA for anyone who makes a racist statement and punishable with a RM20,000 fine or three-year jail term or both. And start indicting some people under the RRA. That will solve the problem.
I know we can’t legislate conduct. I, for one, am against legislating conduct. We need to educate people into behaving properly, not put people who misbehave into jail. But let this be the first step. Then we educate people. We must teach people to be ashamed that they are racist. Only when we are ashamed of being a racist will we stop being one. Meanwhile, until we can educate them, send them to jail first.
Ban the word Bumiputera. Abolish the need to fill in your race and religion in all forms, applications, etc. Why the need to fill in ‘bangsa’ and ‘agama’ in all the forms? Just have ‘warganegara” or nationality (Malaysian or foreigner).
Ban the use of the word ‘pendatang’ for Chinese, Indians and whatnot. How can they be pendatang when they are all born in Malaysia? And why do we say ‘Malay’ and ‘non-Malay’ (or ‘Muslim’ and non-Muslim)? Are the Malays (or Muslims) the ‘benchmark’ while all those who do not fit in to ‘Malay’ (or ‘Muslim’) became ‘non’?
Can you imagine in the US all whites being called ‘White’ and others are called ‘non-White’? Or maybe ‘Christians’ and ‘non-Christians’? I mean, since White-Christians are the majority in the US, then all non-White-Christians should be ‘non’ or classified as ‘immigrants’ (pendatang), just like how we do it in Malaysia.
No, no need for this new ‘mediator’ to be set up. Malaysians can live with each other and not hate each other as long as the government does not become the catalyst for bad race relations, like what is happening now. It is the government and Umno that are spreading hate. What we need is a government and political party in power that knows how to respect all Malaysians and treat all Malaysians as one. That is the root of the problem. And we can’t solve this problem by creating ‘mediators’ when the mediators themselves are racists.
Oh, and maybe we should also ban same-race marriages. By law you must marry outside your race. In 20 years time the majority of Malaysians would no longer be Malays, Chinese, Indians or whatever. They will all become ‘rojak’ like me. And my children are even more rojak with my wife being Thai-Chinese. Now I am a Rojak with a Kojak hairstyle. And see what a delightful chap I turned out to become?
written by rpremkumar2u, January 06, 2009 23:35:01
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written by astina, January 06, 2009 05:19:32
May 2009 brings about much happiness for all of us in Malaysia.
May umNo have a change of heart and disbands..
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written by magickriver, January 04, 2009 17:01:36
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written by whiteheart, January 04, 2009 05:31:59
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written by aspiring blogger, January 03, 2009 11:07:13
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!! I see Pete "The Boss" is back in top form. My greatest respect to you. Keep up the good work. My turn for wishful thinking..... that all the other Rojaks who claim to be of a certain descent are able to think rationally like you.
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written by LFLee, January 02, 2009 17:23:15
Who is your friend who kick Bakri in his balls (did Bakri even have one?)?
Let us know, I am sure all MT readers want to treat him a meal as a thank you for him.
Thank you, friend of Pete, for kicking Bakri balls so hard!
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written by rainmanpj, January 02, 2009 13:25:36
Happy New Year to you & your family.
As always , your articles always command respect.
Let us all pray that the KT election will show Ummo that they are goners.
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written by amoker, January 02, 2009 05:58:32
Took a look at the 'problematic' areas that these mediators will be put in and you can see that it is where the rojaks are. That is trully an insult. So, an all Malay area is not problematic.
Oh, and is it not funny when PEWARIS put in their banner that only "Malay( Islam)" can attend. The chinese and Indians etc. who converted to Islam cannot. haha
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written by freerpk, January 02, 2009 00:39:15
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written by Almighty, January 01, 2009 14:45:30
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written by malgal, January 01, 2009 13:51:29
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written by EUGTAN, January 01, 2009 12:10:24
Mediators? This is a classic case of treating the symptom rather than the disease. So long as the political parties are race based, you can have all the mediators in the world and the problem will be there, festering and growing.And the mediators? So doubt it will be the ones who favour a more equal society who will be counselled...that's a given.
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written by liberal, January 01, 2009 08:12:53
I certainly don’t mind your suggestion to ban same race marriage as a lot of Non Muslim males would like to get marry to Muslim females in this country as they are known to be more obedience to the husband and very much less demanding. The biggest obstacle is they have to convert to Islam whenever they get marry to Muslim which majority of them don’t intend to. Unlike in Indonesia, you can hip-in and hop-out of Islam whenever they like or even retain your present religion when you get marry to a Muslim. There is no law in Indonesia that can prevent you from converting to another religion be it Non Muslim to Muslim or Muslim to Non Muslim. In a way, they are very much more liberal than the Malaysian.
Perhaps, you can write a thesis or proposal that take into account of above conversion and put on MT and let public debate on it.
TQ.
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written by jasongaust, January 01, 2009 04:00:10
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written by Angela Ooi, January 01, 2009 03:57:25
another round of throwing our good money after the bad. Will someone tabulate how much this idiotic scheme's gonna cost us?? EVERYONE knows (save the stupid OH NOputras themselves) they are the guilty ones causing all this hate and tension and wasting more money organising those 'empty vessals making lots of noise' demos to prop themselves up.
Dear Raja Petra, I hope you did not have to beat up anyone last night. Please save all your energy for KT ok? Your boxes of COHIBAs awaits you. Happy New Year!
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written by RumahPanjai, January 01, 2009 02:27:01
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written by PRman, January 01, 2009 01:02:55
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written by Vince, January 01, 2009 00:54:25
First and foremost, Happy New Year and best of health to you and your family!
Well, I too had a very quiet and sober New Year Party at home and watching the fireworks just from my street outside my house. There is not much to celebrate about judging by what lay ahead of us for 2009! But I did try to enjoy the festive mood with a glass of brandy(just 1 shot)!.
Anyway, as mentioned in your article above, I for one are hoping that the day will come when we are all treated equally and proudly call ourselves "Malaysian" and not "Chinese Malaysians" or "Indian Malaysians" or "Bumi".....I sincerely hope this day will come before our children grows up as it is already so difficult during our times, I cannot imagine what our children will be facing when they reach adulthood.
Anyway, thank you again for what you have done for the "little" people like us and god bless you and your family. Cheers & Happy New Year!
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written by Futurist, January 01, 2009 00:51:34
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written by ylcc, December 31, 2008 23:05:23
Happy New Year to you & your family!
Staying quiet during New Year's eve, is not bad actually. I am sure Marina and your family appreciated having you alone to themselves. Nothing can replace the support, understanding, love, and warmth of your family.
Hope you feel much better today. Each time I am down, my husband will always tell me "no point worrying or being depressed, as the problem will remain until you solve it". Take care.
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written by LukeJr, December 31, 2008 21:47:37
Do u define it as:
1) every race in this country gets a fair share of everything, in other words the development of every race in this country should be equally well.
or
2) Everyone in this country, disregarding race or religion, should be treated equally in the eyes of the gov. like u said, the term bumi and non-bumi are ought to be banished
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written by Ben, December 31, 2008 21:41:28
9 !
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written by LukeJr, December 31, 2008 21:39:27
i cant be happier to agree with that statement! Double hands up! Even legs are up! angkat tangan angkat kaki!
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written by Msian Idol3, December 31, 2008 20:54:15
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written by Siapabohong, December 31, 2008 19:44:07
Some of us here said government affirmative policies have made the Bumis too dependent and inhibit their progress and creativity. Then how about reverse the policies, instead of helping the Bumis, let the government help the non-Bumis, then the non-Bumis will become lazy and not progressing and the Bumis will work hard and become more creative in order to survive and to progress.
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written by onnetline, December 31, 2008 18:45:43
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written by onnetline, December 31, 2008 18:37:19
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written by tryme, December 31, 2008 18:23:29
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written by othman hitam, December 31, 2008 18:11:40
That's why when I hear voices telling DSAI its not ethical to take-over the federal government thru the back door, make me want to puke. Given the gerry meandering by this raSHIT, is the present government legitimate in the first place? U may escape punishment now but on Judement Day, u will know where u stand raSHIT
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written by SotPlug, December 31, 2008 17:56:38
Sooner or later, these mediators will be the Judge Dredd of Malaysia - I AM THE LAW!
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written by coolandy, December 31, 2008 17:32:25
You are my Malaysian of the Year.
May you & family be blessed with good health and strength always.
Happy New Year 2009
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written by goman2k3, December 31, 2008 17:11:08
Next time you see a polis spit on them, maybe only by doing this, these idiots will then behave like decent human beings and deserve their salary from hard earned tax payer money.
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written by gorshan, December 31, 2008 16:46:59
may God bestows and distribute more generously wisdom on all fellow Malaysians irrespective of creed or religion, or else same shits will be repeating this year
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written by goman2k3, December 31, 2008 16:44:46
Cina/mca/gerakan do you want to vote for UMNO and BN again??
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written by CatV5, December 31, 2008 16:18:01
2009 is gonna be a crazy happy year... Happy New Year MTers!
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written by justice6, December 31, 2008 15:43:28
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written by Goodbites, December 31, 2008 15:35:52
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written by roggon, December 31, 2008 15:16:55
And to this Bakri guy, KK sabah is a small city every one knows you and your family. I have met almost all of them including your nieces..there are not swear nor kick at people. It is unbelievable that you are now gangster taiko in uniform. If you rae reading this bro, I once was slapped by a police inspector when I was 17 cos we were spotting long hair. I mean not that really long just covering the collar of my school uniform. During that time, police were authorised by the ex sabah cm, tun mustpaha, a suluk arsehole. Ok back to this inspector guy. after being slapped, he grabbed me and my other friends by the collar and gave a military haircut. Before, i left the scene I memorized his name. 15 years later, I met him in town. He was retired. Looked haggard, skinny and pathethic. I introduced myself and related what he did to me 15 years ago.Of course, his response was, "I could not remember" and he quickly dissapeared. I think by now he is dead coz I havent seen him anymore. By the way, probably died of cancer not becauseI slapped him. So bakri, you might end up like this in the future. By the you are powerless. No uniform, just pension. Its useless going to likas mosque every friday to seek forgiveness. You should start behaving nad treating people like human beings before you really end up like one. By the way, I just got a crossbreed dog. Im going to name him bakri.
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written by Jivathma, December 31, 2008 15:03:48
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written by cinapek, December 31, 2008 14:48:21
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written by IbnAbdHalim, December 31, 2008 14:44:12
Very true indeed and I suppose the only solution is to get rid off all political parties the like of UMNO, MCA and MIC from the political scene once and for all.
Happy New Year!
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written by DontPlayGod, December 31, 2008 13:59:30
UMNO is the cause of disunity and racial strife. They even have BTN in the Prime Minister's department(actually they are UMNO's propaganda machine to spread hate) paid by the rakyat's taxes,and I don't see any of the PM's in Malaysia's history closing BTN down. In fact, BTN has the blessings of the PM. The PM has to give his blessings to continue its race hatred activities, otherwise, how is the PM to get the support of UMNO?
So unity has nothing to do with getting race mediators to prevent any misunderstandings and to solve disputes, it has nothing to do with vernacular schools, and nothing to do with Rukun Tetangga, and many so-called goodwilled activities. UMNO is only giving lip service to such activities. But IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH UMNO. UMNO is the cause and the reason for the bad race relations, disunity, and emmity amongst the races. And UMNO intends to maintain this status quo as it wants to remain in power forever.
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written by peter, December 31, 2008 13:42:29
...while monitoring the news on the mainstream media I can’t help but feel extremely nauseous
I can't remember how long since I stopped watching / listening to the bolehland gomen's garbage. I've better things to do than waste my time watching the garbage the idiotic bolehland gomen is spewing on tv or the newspapers. They are truly brainless. Period.
We're into 2009 and the umNO's gomen has not changed an iota. And every year that passes our dear country is left even further behind other nations that gained independence at almost the same time as us. It's really sickening to know that in the new year there is nothing to look forward to. Just more racism and the religious bigots get more powerful.
Happy New Year.. if there is anything to be happy about.
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written by Mirage, December 31, 2008 13:03:56
Imagine if Obama's policies are only for the blacks and not applicable to the whites or other races and immunity is given to the democrates for their wrong doing. This will not only create race riots but a war not only among races but parties. If we can see this so clearly why cant we see the same of what BN has created. The weak MCA which I see is currently trying to reinvent themselves not to be Yes man anymore and the MIC which has still no idea what they are doing and how to get the Indian's support and the ever adamant UMNO who are given immunity for issues clearly inciting racial tension.
All in all I can say that BN did not and could not move with the times and change of political scenerios and the fact globalisation has created a new breed of leaders. Take a look at Anwar Ibrahim's blog, facebook and fact of argument coming into debates. Now take a look at Najib's blog which came much later and his attempt to address the public which showed he and BN did not have any idea of how to address the citizens except through the old way of cangkul and ceramah when election comes. Look at the fact that BN Shaberry presented during the debate against Anwar. More personal attacks than actual facts. Look what happen on March 8 with this old method. Who sounded more convincing and consistent? Who is the leader and who is the follower? I think Najib should listen to his own brother's (Nazir) interview on leadership. During the interview he mentioned that leaders must always change their way of thinking and that he has a coach to help him developed the visibility and vision to lead and move forward with the current changes. Failure to do so its either the CEO must change or change the CEO. I thought that was a pretty powerfull words of wisdom for the coporate leaders from a coporate leader. In this context, BN has failed and has become the follower.
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written by needchg, December 31, 2008 12:56:09
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written by DezMalaysia, December 31, 2008 12:50:44
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written by BennyG, December 31, 2008 12:33:11
WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May Malaysians be a little wiser next year. May Malaysians vote against racism, corruptions and abuses of religion.
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written by cahaya, December 31, 2008 12:30:51
if you can talk, you can sing; if you can walk, you can dance. - - African proverb
tell me who's your friend, and I'll tell you who you are. - - Russian proverb
a joy that's shared is a joy made double. - - English proverb
worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. - - Swedish proverb
man plans; God laughs. - - Yiddish saying
when elephants fight, the grass always is the one that suffers. - - Swahili saying
wherever the heart is, the feet don't hesitate to go. - - Togo saying
the beginning of health is to know the disease. - - Spanish proverb
a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures - - Irish proverb
if you are planning for a year, sow rice. If you are planning for a decade, plant trees. If you are planning for a lifetime, educate people. - - Chinese proverb.
RPK, we (readers of MT) look forward to more of your writing, speaking, and ‘whacking’ in 2009. Cheers!
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written by Kuku Burung, December 31, 2008 12:29:25
I was at the registration department renewing my IC last year, the lady there insisted that I put my race and religion. When I mentioned that I am a Malaysian and I only believe in God and no religious affiliation, she went berserk. I refused to budge and she took upon herself to fill in for me the rest.
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written by lynn, December 31, 2008 12:27:51
On one hand, the govt maintains BTN to brainwash the Malays against the non-Malays, instil hatred feelings, then on the other hand, it gives false hope on "racial & religious harmony" - by pursuing this so-called mediation courses: this is the height of hypocrisy.
Come on, BN govt, we are not all idiots, morons or walking brain dead. You people fcuked-up this country, now you want to make "an effort" to remedy the situation. Good governance shld have ensured racists like Ahmad Ismail never existed; he got away with a slap on the wrist.
Cut all the pretence; if Malaysians are truly united & trust each other, BN govt will be history.
Happy new year to you, RPK, Marina & family!
I want to say, a big thank you to you for your huge contribution and untiring effort to make this country a better place.
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written by asguard, December 31, 2008 12:21:22
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- +6
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written by Susuit, December 31, 2008 12:16:14
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written by Shimshon, December 31, 2008 11:48:41
Shouldn't they be asking, "Oi! How come you guys call the botak guys, Kojak? Please explain. What's/Who's Kojak, ahhh?"
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- +5
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written by arnab76, December 31, 2008 11:44:04
Blame the leaders for the failure and power crazy. They dress smart but OTC - they went to school for nothing. The degree they receive are probably fake....They are at the top not because they are great or genious....People are laughing at them...jeust go to Singapore and starp a tpoic on Malaysian leaders....you can continue to hear on their stupidity from even the younger school children...So shape up or get F--- out. Useless piece of wood.
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- +9
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written by truthbespoken, December 31, 2008 11:15:33
Ask them to be honest and go to the core solution. Dismantle all racial parties and enact a Anti-Racial Discrimination Bill like what Indonesia did recently. Then it will be the start of a long journey to peace in unsettled Malaysia.
This is my hope, a naive and fat hope perhaps, but still a Malaysian Hope for 2009 and thereafter. Happy New Year to RPK and family and ALL!
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- +12
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written by macaufan, December 31, 2008 10:47:25
R u like Wong Fei Hoong ! hahaha.....
it's a good write up to end this year !
anyway, Happy New Year to u & family and may God bless u guys with good wealth & good health !!!!!!
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- +6
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written by carribeanking7, December 31, 2008 10:17:55
I agree, the mediator project is even more laughable then the race relations act they proposed.
I feel that Pak lah seems desperate for a legacy, he seems like Clinton who tried to force trough peace talks at camp David in the 11th hour of his presidency, which just worsened the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.
Our problem Pete is that far too many in BN are so arrogant that they do not need to improve themselves,this arrogance also makes their ego rule over the heart.
Such persons will fail as mediators because their heart is in the wrong place.
It is not easy to be a mediator, even online, when 2 groups are having a free for all bashfest, sometimes the peacemaker ends up getting bashed, I have experienced this first hand.
The poet and nobel laureate Rabindramath Tagore once said- to build a nation you must first build a school.
At a tender age our children are seperated and taught by bigoted teachers, they grow up to be bigots and have bigoted offspring.
You say that behaviour cannot be legislated, very true sir - I am however convinced that wholesome values and a proper upbringing plays a big part.
BN thrives on racial conflict, if there was racial harmony parties like UMNO , MCA& MIC will die a natural death.
So for them to talk about racial harmony is like a drug dealer talking about eradicating drugs.It is against their vested interests.
BN needs to be removed from power and all race based parties abolished, in fact if I had my way I would have the constitution and societies act ammended to prohibit political parties based on race.
Those who want to keep culture and traditions alive can form associations or clubs within limits.
Only then can the healing begin.
Happy New Year Pete
Vijay Kumar Murugavell
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- +21
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written by Kathy, December 31, 2008 09:29:50
Delighted to experience your sting again. You've been pretty quiet of late.
I agree with what you say about this proposed nutty scheme to bring in mediators to defuse racial tension. If it does go ahead, the mediators should start with the Cabinet and some of its UMNO members.
Anyway, I wish you and your family and all MT bloggers a happy 2009. May it bring us the new govt. that we had been waiting for in 2008. We can but hope for without it what else is there?
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- +6
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written by ASK4u, December 31, 2008 09:18:38
Finally,Ameno will see to it that all this will not materialize, for their very own survival lies in successfully segregating the races and make them lock horns every now and then, especially so during elections. Look how Obama managed to win the hearts of majority of Americans, White, Black, Hispanic, Asian,...They accepted Obama as one of their own. In the History of the world, there probably wasn't a country any-more racist than America was. But today, it's truly free from the clutches of racism and fear. Malaysia boleh, but a lot of ground work needs to be done.
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- +8
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written by The dragonheart, December 31, 2008 09:14:18
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- +7
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written by mountainking, December 31, 2008 09:06:48
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written by fireduck, December 31, 2008 08:46:59
Happy New Year to you, Kojak Pete. And to all the M2day readers. May 2009 bless us all with good health, joy and prosperity.
Oh, Pete, you might want to explain a little on 'Kojak' as I think a lot of the younger readers probably have no idea who he is.
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written by gogsard, December 31, 2008 08:45:29
I dont even finish the mediator news .. I feel like puking on my keyboard ! What a stupid idea ! BN promote racist, now they are sending people to ease it up.
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- +8
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written by Concerned Malaysian, December 31, 2008 08:38:40
My new year wish is to see a new dawn for Malaysia where all malaysian live in peace & joy. For that to happen I need to sleep as only in my dreams yet it is a good dream to have.I wish Najib does not become the next PM and UMNO racist lose their grounds and the Malay Muslim majority live with pride and earn their respect than become a "Masyarakat Kebajikan" hoping hand outs from the government. If any readers out there think that I am non Malay thinking I am stirring issues....b@lls to u!I am a self made man without any hand outs from anyone! There it goes Pete, wish you and your family a Happy New Year and wish you well.
W'salam
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- +10
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written by orangmsia, December 31, 2008 08:06:02
Happy new year 2009 to RPK and all the readers.
Take me to court. I am waiting to meet you in court so that I can reveal all the evidence we accumulated since 1999 about how you have F**ked up the election system
Well said, indeed the EC last minute U-turn before GE 2008 on indelible ink use cost BN a lot of votes.
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- +8
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written by steviewonger, December 31, 2008 08:03:18
Enjoy your cigar and cool beers.
To all Malaysians , happy new year and the year of the OX will bring prosperity and good health... also the downfall of Ameno.
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- +6
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written by Eskay Lim, December 31, 2008 08:02:43
And since you are at it, Rashid also told major newspaper reporters just before the GE-12 that " Umno is the only political party that is capable to rule this country". Yet he claims to be neutral. LOL.
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- +20
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written by densemy, December 31, 2008 08:01:54
Volunteers to defuse religious, racial disputes in their neighbourhoods"
Meanwhile there are more than 300 members of UMNO trying their hardest to stir up racial and religious tension
... and no doubt THEY are being paid
Another Malaysian WANK!!!!
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written by Lim Lim, December 31, 2008 07:45:45
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written by miwaki, December 31, 2008 07:33:23
Pete is right to say this "mediators" would not solve race reletion problems because these so call mediators themselves are racist in the first place.The only beneficiaries to this program are people who organize these programs as they would be given budgets to conduct this stupid courses.So you see,all these nonsense can generate income to certain people who are close to the policy maker.
Does it mean that our government then is so mediocre that it can't actually make Malaysians of all races become united and love each other ? The answer is of course they know but it is not to their advantage when people of Malaysia regardless of color and creed become united.There are lots of benefits to the policy maker when we are divided and hate each other.
So people of Kuala Terengganu,we hope all of you can be united and show BN the exit in this by-election.Lets come out and vote on the polling day and choose someone who can be trusted,clean and with wisdom.
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- +13
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written by gorshan, December 31, 2008 07:26:00
I find it painful to explain to people in Peninsular Malaysia, where can they learn about race relation without having to establish a formal institution as mentioned above. Sabah and Sarawak don't need! Not a joke go and find out. We have no problem with race and religion unless you -Peninsular people export it to these two states-read Kadayan Journal
true kah? like this next time maybe all you kedayan will vote for chinese or indian to be your leader ,no? since you all do not kira bangsa, agama?
and what about this "pukek cina" remarks the dayak are so fond of remarking?
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- +5
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written by born2reign, December 31, 2008 07:25:12
Thank you Mamathir and Bodowi for developing such UMNO Malay quality. One day the scientists of the world will recognise the special privileged UMNO Malay race, defined by their single digit IQ.
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- +10
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written by malaysianohope, December 31, 2008 07:24:38
By now you should have gotten used to such nincompoop ideas coming of these people in power. They got to their government posts because of who they are not what capabilities they have. They are just bunch of cheaters, liars, bullies, molesters and all those sins encouraged by the devil. If I were you I just let them be & come the next GE will take my revenge once & for all.
Meantime lest be merry & enjoy the new year lo!!!
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- +9
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written by Rainbowseahorse, December 31, 2008 07:19:37
Edge of the New Year and on edge with anticipation what the new year might bring! And…hehehe..shorter of breath and one day closer to death too!
Yup, the past year has been full of changes, but yet many things remained the same in need of change!
Reading your last article for 2008 (is it?), I can feel and share your anger, frustrations, disappointments, anxieties, but yet quietly harboring some hope and optimism for Malaysian politics. Have these turbulent years added wisdom into your life? I would say a definite “Yes†as you have acquired the word “alleged†into your vocabulary!
Cheers and all the best for the New Year and, as always, May Allah be with you in whatever you set your sight on.
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- +14
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written by Motherchell, December 31, 2008 07:17:47
1)Though the celebration is canceled--- UMNO secure orgies will carry on .
2)When on earth have UMNO ever solved a problem well without the ISA??
3)Asking Rashid to bring about reform to the EC is like asking the vulture to take care of the carcass.
4) I condemn any form of religious insults . But what were the authorities doing ? monitoring the 50 million sites in g****e ? . The way it is approached only makes the bigots take another Amsterdam. We have to build that and teach the young not to make fires burn . This is where the authorities are tardy in matters like this !
I wish every soul, white , yellow . black , brown , pink , grey . green ---- the best for the New Year . Let LOVE be the binding force for we are nothing but one made from GOD!
http://sjsandteam.w*******s.com/
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- +13
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written by cheekhiaw, December 31, 2008 07:11:36
Every day is the start of a new year and every day is the start of a great day if we wake up everyday with a sense of purpose for the greater good, one of which is to kick the ass out of those thieves, liars and murderers that bedevil this country.
xxx
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 07:08:13
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- +8
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written by johanssm, December 31, 2008 07:05:00
It is high time the Rakyat set things right.
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- +23
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written by Badaksumbu, December 31, 2008 07:02:27
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- +16
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written by Rozlan, December 31, 2008 06:56:57
Tq for telling us abt your friend who kick Bakri Zinin balls..He truly deserve that.I was truly satisfied.I believe that bugger wont dare to hit others again after that that..Sometime these police officers were too stupid to differentiate between the real criminal and political detainees.It show they treat us as far worse than criminals
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- +12
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 06:43:02
You all have lost our votes forever!The door is close for any negotiation.This kind of altitude is unpardonable and unforgiveable!
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- +27
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written by Richard Lo, December 31, 2008 06:41:43
truly you are a delightful chap RPK. Anyway, wishing you and your family a wonderful new year! Don't be too merry with you punching tonite.
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- +16
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 06:39:47
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- +44
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written by quietguy, December 31, 2008 06:38:45
Happy New Year 1430 & 2009!
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- +9
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written by chanatak, December 31, 2008 06:37:29
Rashid’s reply to the proposal to abolish the postal voting system is that if they do that then none of the cabinet ministers would be able to retain their seats. When the shocked assembly asked Rashid is not the purpose of the Election Commission to ensure that they run a fair and free election, he shocked the assembly even further by retorting that the purpose of the Election Commission is to ensure that the Malays do not lose political power.
BN must come down. UMNO must come down. I am rounding up my friends to campaign actively against them in the next election. PR must promise to put his dishonest, evil man into jail when they come into power in 2012. We want to see him rot away there in his old age.
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- +37
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written by apa jadi, December 31, 2008 06:35:30
The Chinese saying "human also BN, ghost also BN". One end BN embark on racist project like BTN to spew racial hatred, the other end they try to pull wool over our eyes "training" volunteers to "ease tension".
I think the next moment they will train Gestapo like informers to check on your neighbourhoods.
I know how it spoils your new year mood, RPK. I too am irked. But I am not going to let them spoil my day.
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- +18
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 06:31:09
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- +39
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written by joeawk, December 31, 2008 06:30:29
Stop the discrimination and malaysia will be a better place for all.
There is no problem with privillege for those in need but how can a rich malay be fovoured over a poor non malay.
If UMNO has just a ittle bit of cow sense, then UMNO would have known that it is not privillege but discrimination that makes people unhappy.
There is no need to change us, just change yourself and all will be well. Or better still, cast UMNO into hell and Malaysia will be heaven like.
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- +36
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written by PRman, December 31, 2008 06:27:57
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- +16
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written by wartank, December 31, 2008 06:20:43
You made my new year eve more joyful!
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written by Malaysia Digest, December 31, 2008 06:20:30
It clearly show that our Education system suck.
Malaysia Digest
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- +24
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written by temenggong, December 31, 2008 06:18:57
Perhaps we may have to amend the laws so that those already married can marry again a person of a different ethnicity? We really want to contribute to nation building.
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- +20
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 06:17:34
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- +26
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written by wartank, December 31, 2008 06:17:31
Hilarious and a fun read.. as usual. Almost got me to tears. No wonder rojaks are getting more popular by the day.
RPK, If you ever decide to write a book, give a holler. I definitely want to be amongst the 1st in line to get one. It will be a sell-out!
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- +27
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written by Raja Petra, December 31, 2008 06:16:50
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- +119
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written by Bloodhound, December 31, 2008 06:16:11
You had better keep those documents/evidences and proofs in a safe place. Knowing how the authorities will react, it's a safe bet to say that your house will once again be raided under ridiculous pretenses to seek out your evidences!
Expose them to the hilt...but, keep the evidences in safe places because without the proofs/evidences, nothing will stick to those who sought to blatantly commit crimes against the rakyat.
Keep thee public informed and they will show their disgusts at the ballot boxes.
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- +33
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written by megahyper, December 31, 2008 06:15:56
If we now have a debate between RPK and 10 UMNO leaders on the subject, RPK would win hands down.
Virtue, righteousness and justice always win the day.
Happy new year pete. I am going for a kojak hairstyle now.
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- +34
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written by Democrats, December 31, 2008 06:14:12
Hope you have a good one, even if you do not intend to celebrate.
You are the TRUE MALAYSIAN, beyond race and religion. If only No Holds Barred column can reach to the masses for them to understand what being MALAYSIAN is all about.
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- +51
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written by Spear Bing, December 31, 2008 06:14:12
" So, sue me Rashid. Take me to court, you slime-ball, scumbag and poor excuse for a human, and let all these details surface in my trial. I eagerly await your Writ of Summons"
............................
Over to you Rashid.....RPK has thrown you the challenge.
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- +95
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written by mrbean, December 31, 2008 06:14:05
I am dumbfounded that the gorment is introducing this Special Mediators. This is just a temporary and remedial action on the cancer which has been spreading in our society. It is similar like a chemotherapy. The more you want to treat it the worse it might become.
We must tackle the root cause of the racial issues in this country.
They are:
1. Racial discrimination policies by the government:
- Discrimination is local university placement
- Discrimination in prices consumers have to pay for new houses
- Discrimination in promotion and career advancement in civil service, GLC company and to a certain extend MNCs
- Discrimination in allocating IPOs to the citizen
- Disrimination in awarding government contracts.
- Lacksaidal and lazy attitude in certain ethnic group to progress as a result of the gorment policies.
2. Failure of the educational system:
- Mixing religion with education in Kebangsaan School
- Teachers using the influence of religion to discriminate and to ridicule non muslims in kebangsaan schools
- Failure to ensure meritocracy in providing scholarships especially to overseas.
- Failure to apply meritocracy in placement in local Universities (I am talking about real meritocracy not the bs which is now being practised)
- Not abolishing Matriculation system as this is a form of discrimination
- Not teaching children from young about non-discrimination and fairness
- Not allowing the teaching of other religions in Schools, otherwise no religion should be taught in Kebangsaan school as this is another form of discrimination. In this case, teaching of religion should be done after school hours by another institution
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3. The whole screwed up system of the political system:
- Politicians who are allowed to use racial sentiments without being prosecuted
- UMNO politicians have abused their position to hurl abuses against non Malays and yet escapes ISA. e.g Ahmad Ismail. This sets a precedent and shows to the extremist that they can use racial sentiments to gain political strength
- Failure of MCA and MIC to do anything at all. They are just tigers , not only without teeth, but without spine and balls.
- No leadership by example
4. Of course not to mentioned, having "smart" and non qualified people in the government. For this, the rakyat is to be blamed for electing them. We must emulate Singapore where they have professionals in their cabinet and not any drop out undergraduate.
Ok.. i need to go to the hospital now.
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- +120
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written by Spear Bing, December 31, 2008 06:11:35
Never revealed before, this is the breaking news even though they occured many moons ago.
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- +75
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written by Raja Petra, December 31, 2008 06:11:15
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- +45
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written by commonfolk, December 31, 2008 06:10:56
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- +34
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 06:06:41
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- +80
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written by Ben, December 31, 2008 06:06:15
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- +59
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written by Milo, December 31, 2008 06:03:52
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- +55
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written by quietguy, December 31, 2008 06:03:09
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- +84
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written by teo siew chin, December 31, 2008 06:02:42
I say, how's about a new year resolution to write only about what's good? oops, no can do? blank page? now that'll be a first for you !
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- +13
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 05:59:38
Wait for the next election and see what they are up to.Their defeat is imminent.
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- +105
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written by choong, December 31, 2008 05:52:34
more distractions and appearance of work being done...
true statesperson would take this opportunity to bite the bitter pills and led the nation to transform itself for the better with the current crisis. i am sure if everyone are asked to sacrifice to ensure a better future for this nation, who would say no? but it is surely not worth it when those called to led decide to lead in selfish gluttony...
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- +38
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written by Admiral Tojo, December 31, 2008 05:52:18
Stupid.
Peace
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- +120
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written by ahmadneil, December 31, 2008 05:45:09
I sincerely hope that you too have a great New Year 2009.
Yeah! you are what the chinese called the kangkong with cuttle fish.Mixed till the end your grandchildren will find it so hard to untangle.
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- +104
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written by Zym Zym, December 31, 2008 05:41:24
Another project by Barisan Nasional. BN is good at providing or creating jobs for their unemployed cronies. At the same time, they are also good in "siphoning" some m0n3y for themselves when they are not being watched.
So say the Chinese, "In every crisis there is an opportunity." UMNO has learned well.
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- +197
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written by binarytan, December 31, 2008 05:36:09
Happy New Year to you and good article again.
It takes long time for Rome to be built, the problems in Malaysia will need long time to resolve which has been haunted by UMNO.
I do not have any faith on PAS too on their ugly political tactics.
If we need a better future, get UMNO and PAS out of malaysia politics or let them be the minority.
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- +135
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