other crazy thought 16

God’s existence rests with the individual, not science Ken Cowan, US Sep 30, 05 2:27pm


Arbibi Ashoy's letter God's existence, mathematically initially appears to be interesting, but a closer scrutiny of it, or even familiarity with basic physics for that matter, shows that it has several faults. First off, not all religions believe in one god. The Greeks certainly did not, nor did the Mayans, the Celts or countless other religions. The idea of a monotheistic religion first appeared during the Egyptian reign of Amenhotep IV, also known as Akhenaten, and disappeared for centuries following his death. The current idea of a single god, so in vogue at the present point in history, is a comparatively recent development in the history of global religion. Even in many modern religions, such as Wicca, the idea of a single deity is denied. To state that, ‘All religions believe in one God, just the name differs’ then, is folly, or ignorance, at best. Secondly, while Arbibi is to be commended on his knowledge of Einstein's Theory of Relativity and the classical Second Law of Thermodynamics, his understanding of them appears to be flawed, or incomplete. Einstein's equation posits that energy and mass are the same thing, merely in separate states, much as water can appear as a solid, liquid, or gas. The equation E = MC2 is actually the exchange formula for figuring out how much of one you get when you convert the other. Energy does not, then, ‘create’ matter, as Arbibi states, any more than gas-state water ‘creates’ ice. As to including the Second Law of Thermodynamics (energy can neither be created nor destroyed), well, put simply, that is wrong. Yes, on a larger scale, the Second Law does hold true, but once we begin to examine the laws of quantum physics, we see that this is, simply put, untrue. Instead, we see matter and energy constantly popping in and out of existence in a state called ‘vacuum fluctuation’. So long as the energy balance eventually returns to zero, matter and energy can be created and destroyed as much as one wishes. Some physicists have actually postulated that our entire universe may simply exist as one particularly long-lived vacuum fluctuation. None of this, naturally, refutes or proves the existence of a God or gods. Neither science nor mathematics can do that, at least as we presently understand them. The question of whether or not God exists, then, remains just as much on the individual, rather than science, as it ever has.

property 4

Not all non-bumis can afford houses Sue Sep 29, 05 3:18pm


I would like to give my two sen worth of opinion as regards to the letter Housing discounts are a help to bumis. I am of the view that Jan has missed the point here. Jan is arguing that discounts are needed by the bumis because they cannot afford to buy the houses at the prices quoted. My question to Jan is, does Jan sincerely think that all non-bumis can afford the houses that are sold on the market today? I am almost 40 and am earning a four-figure salary. And I don't have a house in my name. Even if I was a bumi, I still cannot afford the houses that are on sale today. If I get a bank loan, I would have to work myself to the bone to settle my debt to the bank. Worse still if it is a loan dragged on for more than 20 years. Arggh ... I have to work until it is time to go to my grave! The point is, what is the purpose of giving discounts? Because the truth is, bumis or non-bumis, no one can afford these houses unless they are some 'orang kaya' who by the way may not necessarily be a non-bumi. So Jan, open your eyes and your heart. I truly believe you do not have many friends of other races to understand that they, too, are struggling to make ends meet, that they too have no time to be with their families or go for holidays. They, too, are staying in rented houses or putting up with their parents. Those lucky ones who do manage to buy a house are bonded for life with you-know-who - the biggest loan sharks of all. So Jan, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Start feeling for others too, irrespective whether they are bumis or not.




Housing discounts there to appease ordinary bumis Deserving Citizen Sep 29, 05 3:16pm


I refer to Jan's letter Housing discounts are a help to bumis. As far as I know, there never has been an instance where non-Malays have ever been against the five percent housing discount being given to those who deserve it. If the deserving case is a bumiputera, so be it. But to provide this incentive even to rich and undeserving bumiputeras has been what the non-bumiputeras are against. The debate has shifted to how an elite group of bumiputeras have used the NEP to enrich themselves, not only at the expense of the non-bumis, but worse still, at the expense of deserving bumis referred to as the marginalised bumis. Believe me Jan, if the bumis need help, and indeed we believe there are deserving cases, then providing them with this sort of affirmative action would be gladly welcomed by the non-bumis. If my understanding about you from your letter is correct, you too realise that such a deserving and underprivileged group exists among all the races. When the government mooted the NEP, it was to eradicate poverty among all the races. Totally hijacked by the Umno-led government, most of the millions (or billions) ended up in the coffers of unworthy Umnoputras at the expense of ordinary and deserving bumiputeras like you. If you are still oblivious to what is happening and what the real truth is, you are certainly barking up the wrong tree. These small housing discounts are to appease the ordinary bumis whereas the big tenders are for them to keep. Please wake up and understand that we are in the same boat with you

property 3

Housing discounts are a help to bumis Jan Sep 28, 05 2:00pm



This letter is a response to my fellow Malaysians who had sent the following letters APs bad, but race-based house pricing worse and Five percent bumi housing discount - PM too? Part of being Malaysian is to not only think of oneself but also to think of the fate of others. In this case, the real scenario involves residential housing and the five percent discount afforded to bumiputeras who by the way, are not just Malays. Currently, I am renting in Penang in a residential area with 120 units. Here, there is one Malay and three Indian house owners while the rest are Chinese. This is the reality of Penang's housing scenario even after the NEP policy was enforced.
The crux of the matter is most middle-income earners like myself cannot even afford the house prices here even with the five percent discount! Bumiputeras like me will eventually have to resort to buying a house or an apartment out of Penang island and commute the one hour or more each day to work (that is, if there is no Penang bridge jam). With the rising cost of petrol, toll charges and not to mention the time spent on the road instead of with my five children, I wonder what the writers above are complaining about. Maybe they do not care at all what happens to the rest of us Malaysians. Wouldn't it be nice if out of 120 units, we have neighbours who are of from the various races and backgrounds so that we could learn more about and from each another while living side by side? Even with this five percent housing discount, most middle-income earners cannot even afford housing on Penang island. The prices for three-bedroom houses here start from RM300,000 onwards! A few months ago, I lined up at a developer’s office in Sungai Petani, Kedah and ended up talking to a man (non-bumiputera) from Penang who was apparently purchasing his fifth house which he will either resell or rent. The sales person told me that most of the people who were there were into property investment. Kudos to them for being able to afford it, but I can't help thinking that without the five percent housing discount, there is no way people like me and other bumis can even afford to own our own home to live in. I am not for economic disparity between the races and social class as it will only escalate racial tensions and instability. Perhaps as Malaysians, we should examine the scenario objectively instead of just pouting our lips and whining that some have been treated unfairly by the five percent discount.

It is better to offer to all races. In this way nobody will complain. Now as it is other races will feel that they are not worthy to stay in the country. All benefits should be shared by all irrespective of a race, religion and background. Share the wealth with the people. Why can't the government do the walk less talk? Look around ourselves...I dont think many working adults can afford to buy houses. Even if they can, they have to struggle for at least 15-20 years to pay off their housing loans and not forgetting car loans, study loans, mothers loans, children loans etc As it is every one ( those who are struggling ) can't afford to buy a house. The best way is to rent but when old age comes along the benefits accrued in young age will have to pay back when one is growing old....where is the roof over the head? I have seen people suffer when they grow old...without homes to stay

other crazy thought 15

God's existence, mathematically Arbibi Ashoy Sep 28, 05 1:37pm


I refer to the letter Who created the creator then? by SK Wong. According to the law of mathematics, if you keep dividing any number, you will go on for eternity until you divide the number by the same number in which case, you will get the number one. Also, if you keep adding the digits in any number you will always end up with the number one. Which is why the Quran states: "Say, that God is one". In mathematics, the number one is the smallest prime number, and the ultimate square root of all numbers is always the number one. All religions believe in one God, just the name differs. Albert Einstein's equation states that Energy = Mass x C2. The law of physics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Which means the energy that created the universe cannot have a beginning nor an end. Also, there must be something that existed before the universe and that will continue to exist after the universe. That is the definition of God. By applying Albert Einstein's formula, the universe must have a creator because the universe has mass (M). God does not need a creator because God does not have mass (M). God is energy (E). Thus when people ask the question, "If God created mankind, who created God?", they mistakenly imagine God as having a form or mass. Only mass needs a creator, not energy. The creator of mass is of course, energy. The theory of God's existence is in line with mathematical theory.

God is One nothing could make it more or less. He remains the same forever yet there are people who make it more than one!

i am out 52

Bank Negara’s chaffy credit card guidelines SM Mohamed Idris Sep 28, 05 1:50pm



What is the use of a guideline if nobody follows it? Or if it cannot be enforced? This is the problem with Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Guideline on Credit Cards, which came into effect on March 2003. The guideline looks good on paper but it appears that nobody, including BNM, takes it seriously. After all, BNM even allows a bank to be exempted from the guideline. For example section 8 of the guideline says that the bank “shall require their cardholders to make a minimum monthly repayment amount of 5% for the total outstanding balance.” Yet in one foreign bank’s Payment Break campaign, the cardholder did not have to pay anything outstanding (not even the minimum 5%) on his monthly statement and the balance would be carried forward to the following month’s statement. We brought this ‘Payment Break’ to BNM’s attention. BNM’s reply came as a shock. The bank concerned had been given permission by BNM to carry out the campaign. Also under section 14 of the guideline, a credit card issuing bank should conduct a consumer awareness and education programme on a continuing basis, which shall include amongst others “advice on prudent use of credit cards” Yet banks have been carrying out various types of campaigns to do the exact opposite which is to get cardholders into debt. Under another foreign bank’s ‘Smart Balance’ campaign carried out in May and October last year, credit cardholders who chose to pay interest instead of settling their monthly statement account in full would receive gifts. As encouraging cardholders to get into debt can no way be considered ‘prudent use’ of the card, we enquired what action would BNM take against the bank for introducing ‘Smart Balance’ not once but twice in a year. BNM did not reply but the bank concerned did (even though we had not written to it), denying that the campaign was intended to encourage cardholders to get into debt. Who decides whether the guideline has been broken - the bank involved or BNM?
ecently a local bank sent out cheques of RM5,000 to its cardholders. Once the cheque is deposited into the cardholder’s savings or current account a handling fee of RM150 is charged. The bank will also charge interest of 18% per annum on the outstanding balance if the cardholder does not settle the monthly statement in full. Again, is not sending out unsolicited loans going against the guideline? Most importantly, does BNM have the power to enforce the guidelines even if it wishes to do so? Or do the terms and conditions of the credit card contract render the guidelines useless? In one case, a credit card was stolen and by the time the report was made (about two hours later) a fraudulent transaction had been carried out. Subsection 13.2 of the guideline clearly states that the “the cardholder’s maximum liability for unauthorised transactions as a consequence of a lost or stolen credit card shall be confined to a limit specified by the issuer of credit card, which shall not exceed RM250, provided the cardholder has not acted fraudulently or has not failed to inform the issuer of credit cards as soon as reasonably practicable after having found that his credit card is lost or stolen”. We argued that given the circumstances of the case, the bank had been informed as soon as “reasonably practicable”. However, the bank insisted that the cardholder is responsible for the transaction because according to the credit card agreement, all transactions will be borne by the cardholder until the bank has been informed about the loss of the card. We enquired from BNM the circumstances under which the guideline would apply and the cardholder will only have to pay RM250. Unfortunately BNM’s reply was to ask the complainant to approach the Financial Mediation Bureau if he was unhappy with the bank’s decision. If the credit card guideline is never going to be enforced or cannot be enforced, it is redundant and BNM might as well do away with it. To protect consumers, the proposals in the guideline must be incorporated into the Banking and Financial Institution Act 1989. However, our concern about BNM guidelines extends beyond that of credit cards.
BNM has issued many guidelines. Examples include the Guidelines for Consumer Protection on Electronic Fund Transfers, the Guidelines on Duties and Responsibilities of Directors and Appointment of Chief Executives and Guidelines on the Credit Limit to A Single Customer. Are the banks abiding by these guidelines? What happens if they do not? How often are exemptions being given? The public deserves answers from BNM The writer is the president of the Consumers Association of Penang.

This is too many cooks spoilt the soup. In this case too many guidelines but nobody really enforces it by BNM. It is always very smart on paper on the guidelines yet when action is required it runs opposite. The Finance Minister never says as much as to alleviate the problems face by the man on the street. You can just see the very small print....you need a magnifying glass to see it....so beware of all the gimmicks indirectly sanctioned by BNM!

i am out 51

Dengue fever grips the country. Fogging hasnt made aedes mosquitoes disappeared. It has become immune to the fogging. Too much of everything in one place has breed the toughness of the enemy or the laziness of the people. The careless attitude of the masses has made the spreading of the dengue fever. Every one must play a role to eradicate dengue fever. Yet it is so easy to say with words but action fails in most cases. Even in schools we find grounds for aedes mosquitoes to breed. What happen to the teachers and headmasters? They can only teach in theory but action they just can't make it. Cleanliness is so important in our lives that everyone should take cognizance of it. Sadly it has never happened in many ways. Take a walk after a party or congregation on the fields. The mentality and attitude sink our own degradation. No wonder the aedes mosquitoes arent afraid of us.

In September the statistics showed for 1st week it was 507 cases and now it was 752 cases in the country. What gone wrong? No fogging? The raining season is coming on the 4th week of Sept to October...and parts of November. This is the breeding season of the mosquitoes

i am out 50

Housing cooperatives strangled by quota rule Nathan Sep 26, 05 12:47pm


While several letters have appeared on the housing discount for bumputeras, the situation is worse for cooperative housing societies. As a member of a housing cooperative in Johor which is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, I would like to add my views on providing affordable housing for all Malaysians. Cooperatives are based on the basic principle of ‘All for one, and one for all’.where 'profit' is not the motive but rather 'service' is the objective. For this same reason, 'profit' is actually termed 'surplus'. The other important principle in cooperatives is that no matter how large one's share capital is, in the society, the member has only one vote. It therefore follows that members are truly shareholders of the society's assets like its land bank and the housing projects undertaken, and have every opportunity to actively participate in the running of the organisation through annual elections. Cooperatives therefore occupy a unique position, where they are neither 'public' nor 'private' enterprises, focusing on 'self-help' for its members. What is distressing is that housing cooperatives, too, are compelled to comply with government policies on housing by reserving 30 percent of their houses for bumiputeras, which may remain unsold for sometime, leading to damage by vandalism, and thus further loses on these unsold units. Further, the cooperatives are compelled to give a discount of 10 to 15 percent to bumiputeras, who have as yet not participated in the accumulation of share capital and assets of the cooperative, thus leading to more frustration among existing members, who end up paying a higher price to cater for the discount policy for would-be bumiputera members. These factors put a great strain on cooperatives, trying on the one hand to provide a service to its members while at the same time trying to compete with the private sector, and yet have to comply with all the political guidelines, while straining to be a ‘self-help’ organisation, the membership of which is open to all Malaysians irrespective of creed, colour and religion. These regulations imposed upon on housing cooperatives by state governments, run contrary to the basic principles and philosophy on which cooperatives are founded upon. How much longer can housing cooperatives survive in such trying circumstances? I wonder.

This is what the majority rules. You can't change the fact unless you can change the government through the proper election every 5 years. The winner always takes all. There is, I believe, no sharing of the winning ticket. If you strive to achieve 'win-win' situation, you can't get it. Every one craze about power and authority. Look around ourselves. How much longer this policy will rule? Change the government! No doubt I dont agree with it yet the government is still wanting to get the 30% for the bumiputra stake...The power base begets more powerful until the cry of other citizens fall on the wayside. This is the natural rule of power vested in the majority.

sex education 15

S. African AIDS Expert Urges Circumcision

By CLARE NULLIS, Associated Press Writer Sun Sep 25, 7:27 AM ET

A South African AIDS expert Saturday advocated male circumcision as the best available "vaccine" against the virus in his country, where an estimated 6 million people are infected and more than 600 people die every day.
Francois Venter told a congress of health activists in the Treatment Action Campaign that a recent survey in the Soweto township indicated that circumcised men were 65 percent less likely to contract AIDS than those who had not been circumcised.
"We dream of a vaccine which has this efficacy," said Venter, clinical director of the Reproductive Health and HIV Research at the University of Witwatersrand. "The results are phenomenal."
The association between circumcision and a reduced risk of HIV was noted as early as 1987, when Dr. William Cameron of the University of Manitoba in Canada reported findings from a study in Kenya. Some researchers in early studies have said they believe cells in the foreskin may be particularly susceptible to infection.
Venter urged the Treatment Action Campaign, an influential movement of 13,000 activists, to consider promoting circumcision as a vital prevention tool, given that existing methods were failing to slow the spread of the epidemic.
South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Nearly 30 percent of pregnant women are infected, according to a health department survey published in July, and in the hardest hit province of KwaZuluNatal this rises to 41 percent. The disease is now one of the main causes of death among young adults and infants.
Some traditional communities in South Africa practice circumcision, but there are calls for tighter medical controls to limit health risks from blunt and contaminated instruments.
"We don't want our men to go to the chop shop but have medical circumcision," said Zackie Achmat, an AIDS activist who said the congress — which meets every two years — would debate whether to encourage mass circumcision.
Achmat, who is HIV positive, said much more needed to be done on prevention. He said that even though government distribution of condoms increased from one million in 1994 to 40 million in 2004, this still only amounted to 35 condoms per sexually active male per year.
He said that 73 percent of young people without the virus believed that they were not at risk of catching, and 62 percent of young people with the virus also believed there was no risk.
Achmat criticized the government's record on treatment. Of the 500,000 people who need AIDS therapy, only 76,000 are currently receiving it through the public health sector. The World Health Organization has singled out slow progress in South Africa as one of the main reasons it will likely miss its target of putting 3 million people worldwide on therapy by the end of this year.
"We are dying. We are still dying," he said.
Achmat has for years attacked the government for doing too little too late against the AIDS epidemic. In a sign of the mutual antagonism, health ministry officials refused invitations to attend the congress.
"President Thabo Mbeki tragically still shows symptoms of AIDS denialism," said Achmat. Mbeki reputedly doubts the link between HIV and AIDS. Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has repeatedly voiced doubts about the safety and efficacy of antiretrovirals, instead stressing the benefits of a diet heavy in garlic, lemon and olive oil.
The Soweto study, was conducted by French researchers between 2002 and 2005 with more than 3,000 healthy, sexually active males between 18 and 24. About half the volunteers were circumcised by medical professionals, and the rest remained uncircumcised.
All the men received counseling on AIDS prevention. But after 21 months, 51 members of the uncircumcised group had contracted HIV, the AIDS virus, while only 18 members of the circumcised group had gotten the disease.
The World Health Organization and UNAIDS welcomed the results of the study, released at a conference in Brazil in July, but says that more trials should be conducted before circumcision can be recommended as a preventive method.
A study conducted by the U.S. National Health Institute involving 5,000 individuals is now under way in Uganda.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. }
Copyright © 2005 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

AIDS yet people never take really serious about the disease. Now it is not about rich or poor countries. It is about what needed to prevent to the spread of the disease. Every doctor or scientist can supply information and guidance yet it is the person who would have to know what to do with these information. It is no use at all if he/she doesnt take cognizance of the situation. The mix of colors blowing with the wind....believing nothing can happen, last minute changes, it comes too late

i am out 49

As I had predicted Daniel won the Malaysian Idol! I had explained to some this talent contest is about face to sell and market. It is not so much about how you sing. The judges can comment what they want. It is the marketing driven image that would sell for profit. In this case Daniel is the obvious choice. He could face stiff competition from Faizul but Faizul was voted out..Nita appeal to a different crowd not the teenagers but this crowd is busy watching football or what? So she lost the contest. What she has to do now is cut an album and test her popularity with the adults. Daniel must improve his diction and diction. He can't sing English songs with his diction. The best choice for him is Malay song or Mandarin song where I think he is more with himself. So I see how he fares in the actual market when he cuts his album.

I am out 48

Hadith are applicable until the end of time Ibnu Sahih Sep 22, 05 7:14pm


Darwinist Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad is sinking further and further into his own abyss. He is now contending that some hadith are no longer relevant for today's world. I believe that Syed Alwi is still a practising Muslim. When I say that he is still a practising Muslim, I mean that he still prays five times day and fasts during the month of Ramadzan. Syed Alwi, as a Muslim, must accept that authentic hadith are applicable until the end of time. To say that an authentic hadith is only relevant for the Arabs according to their then their socio-economic conditions, depicts ignorance. Islamic rules and teachings are sent down through our Prophet (pbuh) for the whole human race. The Quraish tribe was simply a microcosm of the moral and socio-economic decay that had evolved over the centuries since the arrival and departure of the prophet before Muhammad (pbuh). Syed Alwi seems to be quite proud of the great progress of today's world. I wish to ask him some simple questions. After all these centuries, decades and years, does he think there are economic and social justice in this world, be it in Muslim or non-Muslim countries? At least in Muslim countries I can say that the absence of justice has nothing to do with Islam. But in non-Muslim countries, particularly the US, it is clearly the outcome of blind capitalism and secularism. Should we be proud of junk bonds and all kinds of 'IOUs' that pervade this so-called modern economy in which money is not merely a medium of exchange or payment but a tradeable commodity itself. Do you think there will be justice when an economic system is based on interest rates fixed by the Federal Reserve Board or central banks? Does he realise that through the Internet the women in non-Muslim countries suffer much more humiliation and exploitation . We know that Internet porn is a huge industry now. Syed Alwi must know that Islam teaches moderation. There is enough time to pursue wealth, sleep and also to face Allah to ask for his blessings and forgiveness for all injustices one might have committed against one’s fellow man.

1400 years ago the hadith was passed down to the muslim followers. This is the saying and teaching of the prophet at that time. One can't accept in totality the teachings and saying of a teacher. Time and event has changed and so are the methods. At one time it could be the norm but events have taken out its meaning. Likewise in martial art it has to change. The students will find new methods to incorporate the old system. In the end the students become a better martial artist. Of course the old teachers they do show their respect but the way of learning change. So likewise in the teaching of the prophet certain sections must be viewed differently in the context of today's global proliferation. One can't just follow blindly what had been done in 1400 years old. Even in the Bible scriptures have gone alterations to tune it to the present generation. Will it help to get to the Creator's grace? The foundation is routed in stone which couldnt be changed; it is the branch that could be trimmed to make it look better...

i am out 47

Just do the right thing Malaysian Sep 21, 05 3:30pm


In the tedious discussions as to whose land this is and whose language and culture must be dominant let us focus on simply doing what is right and just. Help the poor and underprivileged and if most of them happen to be of a particular ethnicity or religion so be it. Let us recognise the fact that we are all Malaysians whether our ancestors came from China, India, Sabah, Sarawak, Indonesia or from here. Let us respect our differences whether they be physical, cultural or spiritual. It is possible that we can learn much from each other. All of us have the same concerns – we want good education, we want jobs, we want quality housing, clean air, a good health system. We want high standards in our schools and universities. We should not regress to a point where we convince ourselves that only members of our race or religion will look after us and no one else should be trusted. We should not act and behave as if our responsibility extends only to members of our race and religion. We should recognise each individual in this country whatever his or her ethnicity, whatever his or her religion and whatever his or her gender as having the same rights. As far as language is concerned we have accepted Malay as the National Language. And we have accepted the fact that English is an important language. And for emotional and cultural reasons some will continue to learn and speak their mother tongues. Why should that be a problem? Why should anyone be prevented from learning his mother tongue? Let anyone learn three, four or five languages if he wants and has the ability to do so. Someone famous said ‘Knowing only one language is like living in a cage.’ Open the door of your cage by learning other languages.

One has to think of a country as a whole to benefit for her riches in soil, capital, labour, and services. It shouldnt be centred on a race type benefit which will corrupt the system. Failure will be suffering headaches for those living in the country. One can't rid off the rich to become richer; and the poor to become poorer. It is in the hands and mind of each person to make it happen. No government should lend a hand to support a particular race. Spoon feeding is bad for any race to make a mark in the world economy. One has to fight in the name of a country. It shouldnt be on race. It never ends the story of race base benefits eventually each race will become lazy.....Learn more languages to take the challenge to the borderless world. Even China has encouraged her people to learn more than one language.

i am out 46

Certain hadiths have become irrelevant Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad Sep 16, 05 1:28pm



I would like to comment on the issue and nature of Hadith in Islam as was discussed by Abdul Rahman Abdul Talib (Clearing the confusion on hadith).
I do not deny that the Hadith complements the Quran in Islam. That is a given since the authentic Hadith comes from the Prophet (pbuh). However account must be taken of the prevailing socio-political and economic conditions during the time of the Prophet. Would the Prophet have said the same things today? I do not think so. I believe that the Prophet interpreted and elaborated upon the Quran as he saw fit for the social conditions of his time. Was the Hadith meant to be eternal and immutable? I do not believe so. To pretend that the context of the Hadith has not changed over the past thousand years is sheer folly. I accept the Hadiths where they may apply in today's social conditions. But I do not at all doubt that some Hadiths cannot be followed because they refer to social conditions of 7th century Arabia and are no longer relevant today. That is the harsh reality facing the Sunni Islamic schools of jurisprudence. Until such time when this fact is openly acknowledged - I guess the debate will go on.

The laws or regulations are framed on that time. What were said and did then could only serve as a guideline for this modern time. There are however certain laws and guidelines still applicable even today. Sexuality is one of them. Even in Bible and Torah are many laws applicable to this century. One shouldnt be blind to it. Understand it and apply to the everyday undertakings. The only drawback I think of all the religious textbooks is the parable talking...it leaves everyone conjuring different colors

birds flu H5N1

The latest report for South East Asia was a 37 years old man from Indonesia died from the virus. As reported in the UN no country is equipped to combat the bird flu virus. This is the curse for the 21st century yet many countries are ill-prepared if there is a wide spread of the disease. Currently there is no reporting of this strain affecting the poultry stock. The government is keeping quiet about it. The Health Minister doesnt highlight it so the people think it is H5N1 free....There is a calm before a storm! It is coming........the demon will not hide away unless one knows to exterminate it at source.

property 2

Tenure:

Freehold:	A title which is valid for perpetuity.
Leasehold:	A title which has a maximum validity of 99 years from the date of issue.
Malay Reservation Land:	Designated as such must remain in the hands of Malays

property 1

Lessons on leasesThe Star 29/10/2002 Articles of Law with BHAG SINGH

BUYING a house involves large sums of money and the buyer spends a good part of his/her life repaying the bank loan taken to purchase the property. This obligation turns out to be more onerous when it transpires that the information received is either incomplete or misleading. To this I would add information received which is not fully appreciated. In this context a reader who is about to purchase an apartment in the present atmosphere where many properties are being sold at bargain prices asks whether this is the time to pick up a unit and what he should look out for when purchasing such a property. Whilst the aspect of timing involves various factors, it is also not easy to state what you should actually look out for from the legal point of view. Another aspect is that buying an apartment, condominium or flat falls into the broad category of purchasing compartmentalised units. Of course apartments, condominiums and flats denote different levels of comfort, facilities and luxury. However there appears to be no fixed legal meaning for any one type. This is because one property may be an ordinary condominium and another a luxury apartment. Only the actual facilities and levels of maintenance will distinguish between the two. It is helpful to consider a number of aspects when purchasing such a property, especially in view of the intensity of advertising and the manner in which information is disclosed. One important point to consider is whether the land is freehold or leasehold. If it is leasehold, then it would be useful to know whether it is for 99 years or a shorter period. This is vital because some advertisements merely describe the land as leasehold without mentioning the number of years. It would be unwise to presume that all leases are for 99 years Even if it is known that the lease is for 99 years because it is so advertised, it would be prudent to check what the remainder of the lease is. This need arises because there may be land which was alienated as a lease, say, 27 years ago and the housing developer may take another three years to complete the construction. In this case, only 69 years of the lease may be left even though it is a 99 year lease. As far as the buyer is concerned, he is only getting a 69-year lease. The thing about leasehold land is that, once the lease expires, the land reverts to the state. The owner will then have to either apply for a renewal of the lease before its expiry or apply for a fresh alienation if the lease has expired. These will involve the payment of a hefty premium which would be close to buying the land all over again with perhaps some discount. Therefore when buying such a property it would be advisable for the house buyer to enquire about the nature of the land and the unexpired term of the lease. Advertisements which are silent or incomplete in this regards should be viewed with caution. Another important aspect to look out for is the availability of a covered car park and whether the sale includes it. The cost of a covered parking lot can be substantial and can amount to almost 15% of the cost of the property. Unlike a landed property such as a terrace house, a car park may not automatically come with the purchase of a compartmentalised unit. In a society where a car is a necessity, the absence of a car park would be a serious disadvantage. Therefore there is a need to pay attention to this aspect when purchasing a property. Most compartmentalised properties include a covered car park as part of the purchase. This, however, is no reason to assume that this is always so. After all the right of parties will be enshrined in the Sale and Purchase Agreement. If a car park is not included in this contractual document, the property buyer cannot assume that this is normally the case. One other aspect that must be mentioned is the facilities offered. It would be useful to know whether the facilities are for the full term of the lease period. The writer is reminded of a case where the advertisement announced the development of land that had a 99-year lease. However, the land on which the swimming pool was constructed had only a 30-year lease. When the 30-year lease expires and is not renewed, the condominium owners could end up without a swimming pool. On the other hand, if the lease is renewed, it could mean the payment of a premium which would then have to be paid by the condominium owners.

i am out 45

Show us the right way, Mr Samy Dr Mathew Sebastian Sep 14, 05 3:07pm


Road signs in Malaysia has reached such disastrous levels that we wonder if there really exists any responsible department in charge of maintaining and supervising these signboards. There are numerous roads being built and constructed in this country. These roads costs billions and billions of Ringgit. Yet there don’t seem to exist one single sane person who is bothered or interested about signboards. In the last few years, the Klang Valley seem to be inundated with highways and flyovers. Quite frankly the region has seen a pathetic display of flyovers such that the whole region has been turned out to be an ugly concrete maze. When I say maze I mean it till the last letter. Who did the designing of these highways ? Was there any one really in charge? Was it meant to serve the citizens or was it meant merely for the sake of creating another road construction contract so that the businessmen involved could make a hearty sum of cash in return. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that the flyovers are an absolute maze. If a newcomer is driving on the road looking for a destination, it would be maddening. One can be driving on and on looking for a destination. Our signboards are an absolute disaster. It looks like these are being constructed and displayed by some less intelligent individuals with no sense of decency or respect for motorists. Here’s an example. If one is driving from SS4D Kelana Jaya to SS21/12 Damansara Utama using the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highway, we see some signboards stating Damansara Utama. However, where is the continuity ? After passing the last signboard stating Damansara Utama there are no more signs that actually direct you to Damansara Utama. Let us say we have finally reached Damansara Utama by some stroke of luck, then how do we reach SS21/12. There are absolutely no road signs that can lead to this destination. We can stop any number of road users to ask for directions but most are equally confused. Sometimes sign boards are erected right at the spot which divides two straight roads. By the time one reaches the spot it would be too late to take the correct road. What should be the correct and proper procedure of constructing and displaying sign boards? I would reckon it this way. Even if someone from a foreign country decides to drive around, he should be able to reach his respective address with ease and peace of mind. Instead of this, driving on our roads especially in the Kelang Valley is fraught of frustration, fear and anger as well as a waste of money, fuel and precious time. Our Works Minister must, right now, without wasting a single day, order for immediate rectification of the problem by concerned parties. Don’t declare roads open in the absence of proper signboards. I suggest that our minister take his car and go on a solo drive perhaps. Have an address in hand and see if he can reach his destination within a set time. The chances are he would be sick and disgusted of the people who set up the signboards. Every time I want to drive towards a particular destination, it would be utter frustration. The people in charge either are not interested in their jobs or they are merely making fools of motorists. Frankly, I am exasperated with the utter apathy that exists as far as signboards are concerned. This matter is absolutely urgent and needs immediate attention. Look at Singapore, for example. The utter chaos pervades the whole of Malaysia but is more pronounced in the Klang Valley. I call upon all news organisations to report on this until the problem is corrected.

How true the road signs on the road! I can't get myself acquinted with it. So I always take a longer cut to reach my destination. Even there are signs to lead, I always feel I am at a lost every time I travel back home. At one time in the KLIA airport I nearly turned right as I came out from the airport terminal instead of left. I did stop for awhile to look at it. If I didnt, I would go to Concord Inn. In fact it is quite dark on the road..So the Works Minister should walk the talk and see for himself...Dont waste time talking Samy!

i am out 44

UMNO, the political party, is not UMNO, the nationalist movement.

UMNO, or the UMNO Baru today, is not the nationalist political organisation that brought this country independence. UMNO that brought this country independence died in 1987, by court order, and in its place rose UMNO Baru. That UMNO Baru is formed is orchestrated by leaders of the old UMNO who led UMNO Baru. They were still in power, and they ordered the registrar of societies to declare Tengku Abdul Rahman's request for UMNO to be re-registered. He had filed the application several days earlier, but it was Tun Mahathir's UMNO Baru that was registered. As it happened, the founder of UMNO, Dato' Onn bin Jaffar, and the first UMNO president of Malaysia, and his son, the fourth president and third Malaysian prime minister, went to their graves without joining UMNO Baru. The flag of UMNO Baru is of different dimensions than of UMNO, but at first sight, they seem similar. In the Johore Bahru byelection, when UMNO Baru warlord, Dato' Shahrir Samad, stood as an independent but with strong support of the old UMNO adherents, the present Prime Minister, Pak Lah, told me at that time that when the two processions met at the crossroads before the nomination station in Johore Bahru, tears came to his eyes, for he saw two UMNO processsions where the two parties had met. It goes without saying that it was the independent who won. It is UMNO the political party that rules, and Dato' Shahir joined the party afterwards, and remains in Parliament as UMNO Baru MP. The question asked by diplomats and even UMNO bigwigs and members is whether Pak Lah would be challenged. I think he would, Dato' Shahrir Samad being the last minute candidate if the other warlords decide not to. Pak Lah is UMNO Baru president held hostage by UMNO warlords, which is why he has not sacked from his cabinet the two warlords - Dato' Isa Samad, found guilty of money politics; and Datin (or rather as she would prefer to be called, Dato') Rafidah, who was guilty of giving her son-in-law a monthly wage of about Rm 1.5 million by giving him sufficient APs. (It is said, and not in jest, that she should be known as Rafidah AP Aziz). But both will not resign from the cabinet and neither will they be sacked. They hold enormous power in their areas of strength, Isa in the Linggi area and possibly Malacca; and Datin Rafidah, in the Kuala Kangsar area that she is MP of. Fearing that either or both would go to those opposed to Pak Lah in UMNO is why they both remain in the cabinet.
UMNO Baru, or UMNO the political party, remained strong while Tun Mahathir remained its head and the country's prime minister. But even he was careful not to cross swords with the warlords. The two times he did - the Johore Bahru byelection, which emerged Dato' Shahrir as a stronger figure than he was then and could well challenge Pak Lah in 2007; and dismissing Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a sodomist but refusing to attend court on his trial. Dato' Seri Anwar went on a rampage that proved his crowd pulling status, and he has ruled out rejoining UMNO. Pak Lah would like him in, provided he would agree to become deputy prime minister. I have not spoken to Dato' Seri Anwar on this, but his returning to UMNO would spell danger to the UMNO Baru deputy president and Malaysian deputy prime minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak. As I see it, Dato' Seri Anwar would come back into UMNO on a free pardon, which he would not apply for. This would enable him to challenge Dato' Seri Najib for the deputy presidency of UMNO Baru and be the next deputy prime minister. But in this scenario, Pak Lah has not considered that Dato' Seri Anwar may prove more dangerous than Dato' Seri Najib in the cabinet. The other version I had heard is that he would join PAS as its president. Either way, it would be a defeat for former UMNO president and Malaysian Prime Minister, who probably had heard of the moves to slander Dato' Seri Anwar once more. Whatever Dato' Seri Anwar might do about a legal action, Tun Mahathir had lost. Tun Mahathir would be remembered in history books for having sacked Dato' Seri Anwar, and not for which he should be. He fights a rear guard battle, at 79, to prevent this happening, but he is not leader of all he surveys now. But he represents a major political force against Pak Lah, and all those who does not like him automatically gravitate towards the ex-Prime Minister.
Tun Mahathir has lost power and esteem in today's Malaysia, Even the senior officials do not respect him. They did not think it important that he be consulted, as adviser to Proton, that the Proton CEO, Tengku Mahaleel, had been sacked. He returned to Proton, in a huff, the cars that Proton had given him. But he had lost ground. He suffers the same fate as Mrs Indira Gandhi, who turned Congress Party the nationalist movement her father was its leader into the political party that now rules India. By so doing, she landed in jail, and was instrumental in the Congress Party the political party being in the opposition. The Congress Party in power today is as head of a coalition. The Prime Minister is in the Upper House from Assam although he is a Sikh. Mr Junichiro Koizumi, the same position with his LDP warlords, took a chance and went to the polls, and won handsomely. He could do it because he was more popular than the party, and he threatened the warlords, with their untold electioneering campaign funds, that he would oust them from his cabinet if they did not support him. That he succeeded has reduced the power of the warlords. The Western media has made privatisation of the Post Office as the cause of the election. But he quits as leader of the LDP in 2006, that is next year. He wanted to reform the LDP, not to privatise the post office. The Japanese bureaucracy is slow moving, and the privatisation of the post office cannot be completed in a year's time. UMNO Baru is not the LDP, but Pak Lah has shot down his Barisan Nasional partners, promising those who failed in party positions the jobs they held when they were in the government in the pre-election of the party.
People in UMNO Baru fought for independence, but the party, founded in 1987, did not. The first, second and fourth UMNO presidents did not join UMNO Baru and died not as UMNO Baru but as Malaysians, The president of UMNO Baru youth executive, who son is the eldest son of the forth minister, agreed with a resolution passed a year ago, that those who left UMNO are traitors. Is he telling all Malaysians tophat his grandfather, Dato' Onn Jaffar, who founded UMNO in 1946 but left in 1951, and his father, Dato' Hussein Onn, are traitors to the Malay cause? UMNO Bahru youth executive had no right to pass such a resolution, since they are not involved in the early struggles of UMNO. On second thoughts, the UMNO youth executive resolution had as much effect on Malaysian or UMNO Baru history as pissing in the wind has on a man. It just showed how out of touch UMNO Youth is on events in Malaysia. It is an early warning signal of a stroke in UMNO Baru, which will land it eventually in the opposition benches of Parliament. The UMNO Baru supreme council or its president should have vetoed the UMNO Baru youth resolution. But it did not. It was a serious resolution that made UMNO Baru itself a fool.

M.G.G. Pillaipillai@streamyx.com

As the late Tunku said politics is a dirty business. If one can't stomach it, one shouldnt hop on the wagon. Politics to me is a lie, deception, greed and cronism for one so desires to sit on the throne. The truth will become untruth. Even history too can be changed to suit its taste eg Japan. Likewise Merdeka! is only meant for West Malaysia because we got our independence on 31 August 1957. Apparently now it is included Sabah and Sarawak. Actually Malaysia Day should be celebrated on 16/9/05. Malaysia was formed on 16 Sept 1963. So now we can see how politics shifted the truth to untruth...many people just flow with the wind.

i am out 43

Who really fought for independence? Nicole Tan Sep 12, 05 2:42pm


I read with great interest Joceline Tan's analysis ‘The true fighters for Merdeka’ (Sept 7). I also read Ronnie Liu's ‘The real fighters for Merdeka’ (Sept 3). The latter has provoked Umno Youth to challenge DAP to repeat that statement in the Parliament. Who’s wrong or who’s right? Let me juxtapose four individuals who ‘fought’ for independence, against each other and let you decide. Mahatma Gandhi ‘fought’ for the independence of India from British colonial rule, empowered by tens of millions of common Indians. Throughout the struggle of the Indian campaign for home rule, he opposed any form of terrorism or violence. He used the highest moral standards. By means of non-violent civil disobedience or demonstrations, Gandhi helped bring about India's independence from British rule, inspiring other colonial peoples to work for their own independence and ultimately dismantling the British Empire. Lee Kuan Yew having observed the communists to be very totally dedicated and devoted to their cause, collaborated with communists like Fang Chuang Pi (‘the Plen’), Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan. Anti-colonialism was their common cause. While he preferred to play within the existing legal framework by using pragmatism to achieve Singapore's independence, the communists wanted to replace the existing system with communist rule, which inevitably meant bloodshed. Nonetheless, he played along with pro-communists' popularity. Once in power, Lee Kuan Yew sought to dilute the influence of the communists in a bigger population by merging with Malaya and at the same time achieve independence from the British. Lee Kuan Yew later admitted that it was the communists who supported him in becoming the prime minister in 1959, in his memoirs. He defined the official position of the PAP as being "non-communist" rather than "anti-communist". During the constitutional struggle for independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman did not adopt a manifesto denouncing colonialism. We cannot deny the fact that Tunku was indeed a very senior civil servant of the British government. He was part of the system. I guess the adage “if you can’t beat them, join them” comes to mind. The difference is however, Tunku did not just to join them but he chose to “fight” them within the system. Tunku used negotiations and consultation in order to “fight” for independence. The Alliance, a coalition of Umno; MCA and MIC, was formed as a formula for a stable self-government. Of course, the pressure mounted by the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) and the Baling talks added weight to the “fight”. Chin Peng “fought” the Japanese and British. He waged war against the enemies and invaders. He chose the harder road of guerrilla warfare because of he had gone through the ghastly period of the corrupt British Military Administration in Malayan towns and villages and seen the sufferings and poverty due the Japanese atrocities. In fact, Maharajalela killed JWW Birch in Pasir Salak and he is now a hero. CPM killed Sir Henry Gurney and they are now terrorists. Armed struggle all over the world is rooted in a deeper cause, provoked by discontentment arising from the breakdown of the socio-economic and political system they are in. The government has acknowledged that the CPM did play a part in hastening the independence of Malaysia. Abdul Rahim Noor affirmed this fact at the signing of the Haadyai Peace Accord of 1989 at the Lee Garden Hotel. Communism failed in Malaysia because of the Briggs Plan; infighting; and most importantly, there was no close and strong ally, like what Vietnam had in China. This is definitely a blessing in disguise. Joceline Tan is astute in her observations that had the communists succeeded, the country would have been a little communist state with Cultural Revolution and Great Leap Forward to boot. One interesting point I would like to highlight is that the CPM was actually started in a little rubber estate in Kuala Pilah back in April 30, 1930 presided over by Ho Chih-Min! I would gather that Kuala Pilah might have more significance if the country swayed to the left, hypothetically speaking of course. In fact, if the country had been left to its own devices, it could have ended up like Vietnam and the rest of the Indochina countries. The smokescreen here is that both parties’ (DAP and Umno Youth) contention on the correctness of their argument. To me it is crystal clear, they were all the true fighters against the colonial masters. Fighting can be in many ways. Whereas some individuals and parties resorted to violence and guerrilla warfare, Gandhi resorted to non-violence civil disobedience; Lee Kuan Yew resorted to a collaboration with the communists (ie, a pseudo-communist means) for a democratic end; and Tunku Abdul Rahman resorted to democratic means, preceded and hastened by the “fight” by Dato’ Bahaman, Mat Kilau, Mat Kelubi, Maharaja Lela, Chin Peng and CPM, PKMM and API (although there was no collaboration) for a democratic end. The real test is not whether the “fighters” were jailed, killed or maimed but whether they succeeded in achieving their goal. To me, they were all true fighters as they contributed one way or another to achieve their common goal: independence. As Gandhi said: "I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills."

The road to freedom in the country was fought by different people of the country. Their objectives could be different yet they had the burning desire to achieve independence from the British Government then. No party or race should claim the honour to have fight for it alone. As history had recorded it was the people who wanted the British to go. What they had seen in India they knew they could get it from the colonial government. So they got it!

i am out 42

MT] Parti Keadilan Rakyat: Is it coming or going?
Malaysia Today 09 September 2005
Parti Keadilan Rakyat: is it coming or going?

Raja Petra Kamarudin

'Parti Keadilan Rakyat keeping a low profile', said the header of Shahanaaz Habib's piece in The Star last Sunday.
According to the party's Youth Chief, Ezam Mohd Nor, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has been deliberately keeping a low profile as it is currently weak and is not up to the mark yet. Ezam added that its six- year struggle has taken its toll on the party and a number of people have given up due to financial and other constraints.
'Many of our people are apolitical. They are simple people who just wanted Anwar out of prison.'
'Now that he is free, they feel they have fulfilled their responsibility and they want to be on the sidelines. So, our capacity has been reduced.'
Ezam was quoted as saying that although support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was still evident by the strong turnout at gatherings, the party itself is weak.
'We are not up to the mark to be the ruling government. Gauging our strength right now, we cannot carry the election.'
'For the 2008 general election, we are going for the win. The party machinery must really be capable. We want a competent machinery that will be on par with Anwar's standing.'
Ezam also revealed that since Anwar's release, PKR has been having informal chit-chat sessions with some Umno division leaders and Youth Exco members.
'Anwar still has many friends in Umno. So there have been many phone calls and friendship meetings. There's a lot of interest now that he is out. But these are not serious discussions, such as a roadmap for him to rejoin Umno,' said Ezam.
He also said there was no urgency for Anwar's wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to give up the PKR presidency yet.
'She will serve as president until 2007. She's become quite a politician now compared to seven years ago when she first started.'
This is probably the most candid statement yet ever to come from a PKR leader, a leader viewed as not only very close to Anwar but also within his inner circle. Ezam, just like Azmin Ali, is considered the right-hand man of Anwar. The fact that they served Anwar in the Finance Ministry and Prime Minister's Department means their association with Anwar goes way back to the days when he walked through the corridors of power.
What Ezam said, however, is not news. If at all, what he said was merely to reiterate what many have been saying all this while. Somehow though, those in the party's decision-making circle chose to go into self-denial mode rather than address the issue head on. The mind boggles as to why the 'simple people', as Ezam put it, those who are 'apolitical' (again to quote Ezam), could see this while the seasoned and more experienced politicians at the top echelon of the party with decades of experience under their belt could not.
Let us take one example quoted by Ezam: the party's weak election machinery. And let us look at one example where there was a total lack of such machinery: Putrajaya.
The then party Deputy President, Haji Abdul Rahman Othman, now its Treasurer, contested the Putrajaya Parliament seat in the last general election. Putrajaya is the seat of the government and therefore a most significant constituency from the image and morale point of view.
Even though Rahman was the number two man in the party, and Putrajaya the nation's capital, the party put very little effort into winning this seat. Rahman was left entirely to his own devices, to manage single-handedly the best he could. And the result was disastrous. In fact, not only did Rahman lose the election, he even lost his deposit, something absolutely shameful for someone of the stature of the number two in the party.
But can we blame Rahman for the massacre he suffered? PKR did not own a single branch in Putrajaya, let alone a division. All it had was about half a dozen or so supporters who were not even card bearing members.
Come Nomination Day, Rahman had to draw upon PAS to help put up the flags, banners and posters. At first, the PAS members, who were mostly Putrajaya members mind you -- so PAS was therefore well- established in Putrajaya and could probably have done better than PKR -- did not want to help. And could you blame them? They had been slowly building up their base in Putrajaya over the years and at the eleventh hour, after all that hard work, they had to make way for a PKR candidate.
Anyway, they agreed to bury their disappointment and work with PKR. The fact that he was the party's number two meant they were prepared to 'give face' to Rahman. If it had been Raja Petra who was going to contest the seat they would probably have told me to go screw myself.
Almost the entire Putrajaya election machinery comprised of PAS members; with a handful of PKR workers 'imported' from all over the place who came and went, and went more than came if some hard Ringgit were not placed into their hands.
Umno, however, had a mammoth election machinery complete with a string of brand new four-wheel drives; and every time the PAS boys left camp to put up the flags and posters, the Umno paramilitary force would surround it and would not let it move. So what we saw was a sea of Umno flags and posters and a spattering of PKR colours.
Then the Umno boys stuck their flags on the flagpoles of the PKR flags and their posters over the PKR posters, clearly in breach of the election rules. And when they went on their mischievous rounds they were given police protection while ASP Ibrahim, the Special Branch Chief for Putrajaya, would constantly harass the opposition workers.
I too received a phone call from ASP Ibrahim who complained that we were illegally using Bangladeshi workers, which is in breach of the election rules, and unless we stopped action would be taken against us. When I went to investigate the incident at the location ASP Ibrahim mentioned, I found that the Bangladeshis were in fact putting up Umno and Barisan Nasional flags and posters. I further discovered that our flags and posters had mysteriously disappeared and in their place were the ruling party ones.
I then lodged a police report and also complained to the election commission but no action was taken for many days. Finally, I took matters into my own hands. I went round Putrajaya and cut down all the Umno flags tied to our flagpoles. In a flash, two carloads of Umno paramilitary chaps escorted by a police car arrived on the scene. They charged at me, clearly with intent to beat me up, but when they saw the Bowie knife in my hand they backed off and instead asked the police to arrest me. I responded by shouting 'fuck you!' and drove off, much to the chagrin of the Umno paramilitary chaps who were scolding the startled police for not handcuffing me.
I tried calling in reinforcements from other PKR divisions so that we could go head-to-head with the Umno paramilitary, but all and sundry I contacted said they were facing exactly the same crisis in their own constituencies and that they too were grossly underpowered. Night after night, SOS messages via SMS were sent out, but no one came to the aid of the PKR-PAS workers in Putrajaya.
The Umno paramilitary force became so bold they even punched Rahman's son in the face in broad daylight as he was distributing leaflets. And they would vandalise PKR posters and flags in front of us and all we could do is watch and bite our lips. They also kidnapped Rahman's seconder to try to get him to leave PKR and join Umno in an attempt to get Rahman disqualified as a candidate and of course the police did nothing even though a report had been made.
Putrajaya was a hopeless case. We had lost the election even before Nomination Day. We had no workers and those few who came from all over the place to lend a hand eventually gave up when they realised that PKR just did not have what it takes to win the election.
Winning elections requires more than just ideals. It needs money and manpower as well. And PKR does not have both. The way things are now, it would be better if PKR just boycotts the election and let Barisan Nasional win uncontested. After all, the voters do not want to help build up a strong opposition. They just want the present ruling government that can guarantee them money in the pocket. Since BN is seen to be the only party that can guarantee them this, and since this is what the voters want, then let them have their BN and let Malaysia be reduced to a one-party system.
Ezam can talk till the cows come home about building up a potent election machinery that can give BN a run for its money in 2008. If this could be done, it would have happened in 1999. If it could not be done in 1999, then it certainly will not happen in 2008.
Malaysian voters want their cake and they want to eat it too. They want BN to remain in power and they want a strong opposition to keep BN in check to ensure that absolute power does not corrupt absolutely. But they want all this as long as they do not need to work or pay for it.

The question then would be: whom the hell do they expect should work and pay for it?

I had seen the worsening situation in PKR. Somehow the experienced hands didnt stop the rot. Maybe because there is no money to be made. It is still money made the decision. Look at this way - businesses make money; services require money to be paid; nothing is given free or something to have in future - hedging -The objective had met - the release of Anwar Ibrahim- yet the party should focus what they have - Anwar Ibrahim again. He is the leader who could make waves at home and abroad. So work on this. If you think about it, politics is money. Period.

i am out 41

Umno Baru is not Tunku’s Umno OS Sep 9, 05 4:41pm


In the controversy on Communist Party of Malaya’s contribution to the nation’s independence, I find it amusing to read Khairy Jamaluddin and Hishamuddin Hussein defending the legacy of Tunku Abdul Rahman and his Umno which was founded in 1946. Do these two young opportunists realise that the Umno of which Tunku was a founder had been legally and politically dead in 1988 after the Kuala Lumpur High Court declared it illegal? Do they know that the Tunku had never joined the Umno Baru formed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad only in 1988? The Tunku and his Umno have nothing to do with the bogus Umno of Khairy Jamaluddin or Hishamuddin Hussein. Tunku’s Umno and Mahathir’s Umno are two fundamentally different entities.


These two must go back to study history. UMNO Baru was formed by Dr Mahathir after the High Court declared UMNO was illegal in 1988. Dr Ling was then appointed temporary as the Barisan Chairman until the new UMNO is registered. Through the years these present leadership dropped the word 'Baru' and represented themselves as UMNO....well like the fable story of Count Dracula....'I am back in soul and spirit!' And they are still sucking our mind dry....'I am the government and no one else can do a better job' Yet they are afraid of one man...
Anwar Ibrahim....the vampire slayer..

i am out 40

Anwar very much a leader after six years Ah Chong Sep 8, 05 3:22pm


It appears that Anwar Ibrahim is stronger and in an even better position to lead this multi-racial country compared to six years ago when he was deputy prime minister. His time in prison has helped him mature as a leader of character. He confesses that he himself is now more patient. His enemies meant for him to rot in prison and to disappear into irrelevance but he has risen from the grave, so to speak, and is even more stronger then before. He still commands respect internationally and locally and judging form the crowd at his Hari Raya open house, he still has a large following. Ironically, Anwar may now have completed his ‘education’ to perhaps becoming one of Malaysia's best leaders. The world is changing. Physical borders which used to separate people and trade across the globe are no more and the world is becoming more competitive. However, the citizens of the world, ironically, are more divided than ever before. Not separated by physical borders anymore, the world is now separated by ideology and religion. Hostility, therefore, could exist within a nation’s own borders. Listening to and reading about Anwar has helped me see that perhaps this man of peace who holds fast to his religious convictions is able to respect others’ beliefs and worldview will be able to initiate crucial dialogues. This is perhaps the reason why he has been sought internationally to aid in bridging the great divide between the Judeo-Christian West and the Islamic Arab world. Anwar has friends in both and is respected both internationally and locally. Malaysia is now at a crossroad. It can continue to shut the world out by persecuting dissenters and keeping the media choked or it can allow a free expression of ideas and views and allow a true democracy where the nation’s Constitution remains sacred and no matter which political party governs. A mature and civil society, which if you listen correctly, is Anwar's call for the new Malaysia. Thanks in no small part to Anwar's sacrifices, Malaysia has come out of its racial cocoon. The nation now, especially in fighting for justice and rule of law, is not divided along racial lines. It is now instead divided between the ordinary rakyat and the ruling elite who are rich and corrupt. Very much like in old England where you had the ruling aristocrats who lorded over the peasants they oppressed. Many non-Malays have found themselves drawn to Parti Keadilan Rakyat due to this very reason of fighting for justice and rule of law. Malaysia can forever remain shackled to the fears of May 13 or it can move on to become the best example of a mature and civil society which does not tolerate corruption or cronyism. The Barisan Nasional government, of course, will never allow us to forget May 13. The truth is many of us were not even born or were too young to understand what actually occurred on that day. Many young Malaysians today would really identify with a multi-racial political party which fosters true unity and works within the context of the Malaysian Constitution. Although hindered from taking part in active politics for the past six years, Anwar is very much a leader to many in Malaysia. We will continue to pray that he is able to continue taking an active part in politics and God willing, take the helm of the nation's leadership one day soon.

I always believe Anwar is the better choice for PM in the country. The charges against him were a ploy to hinder his political growth. During that time I was one of those who didnt agree that he did those charges. In the years followed I sighed a sense of accomplishment that the court ruled him not guilty and freed him. Yet his former political party UMNO couldnt accept him back because the current elite is afraid of his engagement within the party. Outside he is still a major political heavy weight...I had listened to his speech in Penang He could really engage the crowd of various races to listen to him. I still believe he is the man for the country..

sex education 14

Emergency Contraception

What do you do if you've had unprotected sex or the birth control method you were using failed? Don't panic. Your next step may be the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) one of the best-kept health secrets of modern contraception. ECP is available from your doctor, hospital or birth control clinic by prescription. ECP can be useful for preventing pregnancy in many situations including:
a condom slips or breaks
a diaphragm becomes dislodged or moves out of position
you forget your usual method of contraception and have unprotected sex
you missed taking your oral contraceptive pills
you are forced into having sex
you miscalculate your most "fertile" days and have sex without birth control
How does emergency contraception work?
There are basically two types of emergency contraception available:
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) method - The ECP method or "morning after pill" uses a high dose of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) to prevent conception. The OC method is effective if used within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
The Intrauterine Device (IUD) method - This method involves the insertion of an IUD into the uterus by your doctor. The IUD creates an unfriendly environment for egg and sperm. The IUD must be inserted within 7 days of unprotected sex.

sex education 13

What is the Rhythm Method?

The rhythm method, also known as "fertility awareness," is a method of birth control that uses the menstrual cycle to predict your most fertile time of the month - that is when you are most likely to become pregnant. Once you have identified your most fertile time you simply don't have sex or use a barrier method of birth control during that time period.

How does it work?

Fertility awareness birth control methods are based on the fact that:
sperm may live in the female reproductive tract for up to 7 days
the female egg lives for only a day
fertilization may occur even days after intercourse
"safe days" occur 2 days after ovulation and continue until your next period

There are several methods of determining which are the most fertile days of your cycle; a family planning clinic or your doctor will suggest one of several methods to help you identify the safest time during your cycle for having intercourse. These include the:
Calendar Rhythm Method - This method requires that you keep track of your cycle for a few months to determine your own individual pattern of ovulation. The pattern will help you keep track of when is most "dangerous" to have sexual intercourse.
Basal Body Temperature Method - This method involves keeping track of your body temperature so that you can tell when you are ovulating. Body temperature rises two days prior to ovulation.
Ovulation Method - This method requires you to check your cervical mucus to determine the time of ovulation.
Symptothermal Method - A combination of the first two methods.
Ovulation Predictor Kits - Available at the drugstore, these kits are used to test your urine to identify hormones that indicate ovulation is about to occur.

How effective is it?

No method guarantees 100% efficacy but the rhythm method may be trickier than some. You should choose a fertility awareness method only if:
you have a partner who is willing to cooperate
you are aware of and have a regular, steady monthly cycle
you are willing to invest the time and effort required to learn about fertility awareness methods
you and your partner are prepared to accept the fact that protection against pregnancy is not perfect

Are there side effects?

No.


This method is sanctioned by the Church as they feel it doesnt go against the holy scriptures "go forth and multiply" If you read the scriptures carefully, there are leeways where God allows it to happen. The valves that one can release the sexual urge...

i am out 39

MIC should leave the BN Frustrated Citizen Sep 2, 05 3:54pm


After almost 48 years of independence, the Indian Malaysians are at the lowest end of the economic scale. Sometimes, I feel that the Indians are to be blamed for this as I believed that many craved for handouts similar to our Malay brethren. However, of late I do realise we cannot be placed in the same boat as the Malays, simply because for the Malays it is one of wasted opportunities but for the Indians it has been always been that of opportunities denied. For the sake of appeasing the common people, the catch-phrase has always been that MIC and the Umno-led government have always dealt with problems in the so-called Barisan Nasional spirit. However, looking at the fate of Indians and the size of the economic pie, I have serious doubts about this. Under the guise of poverty eradication, one race sets a clear path for its domination and I do not think this sorry state of affairs will ever change. It is not that the MIC had not tried. In fact, I believe it has gone over and above the norm in giving a helping hand to the community. But without government support, there is nothing much MIC can do. Resolution after resolution at their assemblies have been not even worth the paper they were written on. I appreciate and salute the faith and perseverance the MIC has to somehow uplift the economic status of the Indians but alas, there is only so much it can do. It is time that the MIC seriously think of leaving the coalition. The argument against this may be that as a minority race, we will then not stand a chance for economic or other betterment. My argument point is that if after 48 years independence, we still only hold 1.5 percent of the nation’s economic capital, why should we remain in the BN? It has not done any good either. For better or worse, it is better to shape our own fate and future. If the MIC is reluctant, then Indian Malaysians on their own volition, should opt for this stand. We are being sidelined because of our weak position in the coalition where we are nothing more than subservient ‘yes men’. This country is not the same one it was after Independence or in the 60s. Believing otherwise is a folly and expecting it to change in the future would be a double folly. Or, as one parliamentarian crudely put it , ‘If anyone doesn’t like it, just get out of Malaysia’.

In partnership there is a general partner and a limited parter. The one which gets the most risk controls the partnership. Likewise in a coalition, the one which gets the majority base rules it. The rest of the partnerships just follow what the cake will be. Since every one is talking about race politic not on Malaysian politic for Malaysian so it is better that all race parties opted out from the coalition and contest on its own banner. In this way the people can vote which party to represent them - on race. As Badruddin put it crudely, he doesnt know his history! I know this guy. I dealt with him before when he was a businessman. Now he wasnt the same guy I did business with....so you see that power melts one's mind - greed comes to smile

i am out 38

The day I was proud to be Malaysian Chew Swee Yoke Sep 2, 05 3:52pm


I would like to echo Dr Mohd Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman’s call to Hishammuddin Hussein to start emphasising Malaysian rather than Malay. This is the Age of the Internet and the Global Village and we need all the resources we have on our Malaysian soil to compete with the rest of the world. It reminds me of a story which I’d like to tell to show that if you leave it to the ordinary Malaysians instead of politicians with skewed vision, Malaysia would do very well indeed. Years ago, I acted for a Malay kampong somewhere in Kuala Lumpur on behalf of the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (LAC). Hundreds of Malay settlers were being threatened by the government-controlled developer, a company which was run by Malays. The settlers were called squatters whereas the late Tun Razak had invited them to be the settlers to clear jungle and develop it as part of the Green Book Plan in the 1970s. In the long saga of court proceedings on behalf of the settlers, LAC lawyers were fighting bulldozers and ‘samseng’ characters as well as the police who arrested the ketua kampong (village head) a few times and put him in the lock-up only to be rescued by mostly non-Malay LAC lawyers. I remember attending a few meetings called by Barisan politicians who tried to settle the sticky issue between the settlers and the developer. At one memorable occasion, the politician in attendance was an Umno MP for the area and every time he asked a question or suggested a settlement term, the ketua kampong turned to me and asked me what he should say. After a while, the Umno MP raised his voice in frustration and asked the ketua why he had to ask me, a Chinese, when Umno was the umbrella of the Malay race! The ketua politely told him that to him and the other settlers, I was not Chinese, I was a Malaysian and their lawyer, and they trusted only me. That was the day I truly felt proud to be a Malaysian.

This is what I considered one race one vision one unity. It is the political party which made it into a racial party which divides the society. Every time a politician opens his mouth he talks about his race not about the country or her people. "I want this for my race" One day I hope it will change otherwise another Majapahit Empire eh?