The I can, you can't syndrome...

Is the "I can, you can't" syndrome governing our daily lifes? If it is, something must be done now to break that shackles. To do that, I expect politicians to be "conscious driven" and not "party driven". Can they do that?

1. Being a public figure, one's privacy is no longer privy. Being one, you have to be cleaner than clean, whiter than white, purer than pure. In short, you must not only be seen clean but must also be proven clean.
   
2. Popular artiste have better chance surviving scandals, not because they have immunity but because being idols, they can also be demonised the same way they are idolised. Examples are plenty and recently artists have been put under the spotlight for "failing" to submit his urine for dope testing whilst his partner was rumored to be consuming alchohol although she verhemently denied ever doing that thus far in her life.
3. I bet, this issue will just fade away in a couple of months just like what happened to a married actor who were caught in close proximity where sometimes the syariah court will take ages to sentenced those found guilty. These are actors and TV hosts. Malaysian politicians live by a different set of codes and rules.
4. Granted that our flag is quite similar to the star and spangled banner. The similarity ends there because in Malaysia, politicians could not be judge separately between his personal life and his political inclination. In Malaysia, both personal and public life is treated as one. No separation there.
   
5. For Malaysian politicians, nothing will pull them down faster than a scandal. Regardless of race, the scandals has no known boundaries. Some were put to an early retirement scheme like what happened to Vijandran. Some use alledged scandal to put out potential opponent, regardless whether the evidences were fabricated or not - a good example is Anwar. Others caught in compromising positions were forced to leave the corridors of power, albeit temporarily as in the case of Chua SL.
6. Of course, they are not the only one involved. For every one caught in the act or proven to be scandalous, there are many others who escape the dragnet. Some go to higher offices whilst some choose to stay out of action. A friend of mine personally confided that one of the main reasons for him to be politically active are the perks and the "golden chances" he had during AGMs' and what nots...
7. That is not all. Being politicians, espescially if you are from the "winning team", there are many things you can do do that others can't. A glaring example is using the political and the parliament's immunity to accuse others. Look at how BN accuse the oppositions as power hungry bending to "create turmoil" during the recent budget approval voting. Actually what happened then should be a lesson to both camps and for the voters to see how our elected MPs' continuously hoodwinking us in believing that they always act for the nation's interest. Do they really?
   
8. As for the opposition, this scribe failed to see why they are "desperately" trying to link another politician to a criminal case. Wouldn't it be better if they can move on to other more important and pressing issues? But being MP's, these politicians can say almost anything under the sky with immunity protection. Something that we, as normal citizen could not.
9. Obviously, the goldmines are too tempting for the politicians to the stage that they are willing to fight tooth and nail to remain relevant. Look at Kayveas and Murugiah, Mahathir and Anwar, Ong TK and Liow. That does not mean the opposition do not have their fair share of power struggle. Just watch at Nik Aziz and Hadi/Nashruddin, Lim Kit Siang and Lee lam Thye.
10. To remain relevant, politicians maximise the MSM to write in their favour belittling their opponents, be it within the same party or from the opposing sides. See how Hishamuddein get away, when he is clearly taped waving the unsheathed kris. Look how Karpal Sing make his escape when he declares that "Singh is King".
11. However, politicians are masters at words. They can say expletives and touch on sensitive issues and at the same time remains unscathed, provided that they are on the "right side of the track". If not, be prepared to answer to countless police reports which by the way, keep the police diverted from carrying out their main duties ie fighting and preventing crime.
12. Lately, there is another unhealthy trend setting in the political system. That of nepotism. Once, we accussed Mahathir of cronyism and nepotism but what happen now?
13. What about Abdullah Badawi "promoting" KJ? Or Lim Kit Siang "nurturing Lim GE? Nik Aziz "appointing" Ariffahmi? We are not touching Lik Keng Yaik, Ling Liong Sik, Chua Soi Lek, Anwar Ibrahim, Mohd Rahmat, Taib Mahmud, Samy Vellu yet. All of them are grooming their sons and daughters to take their place in the political arenas.
14. That does not mean that those who are not in the list are free. They may have their own reasons - maybe their sons and daughters are still too young to take the stage...
15. This "I can, you can't" syndrome should stop. The various agencies empowered to carry out duties should do so without fear and favour. As a simple example, the police should issue summons tickets to those Mercs, Alphards, and other glamorous VVIP cars for flaunting the law. If they can buy big and fanciful cars, don't tell me they can't park in proper parking lots? They may be VVIPs' but that does not give them the license to park indiscriminately.
16. If I have to observe the speed limit of 110 kph on highways, why must these politicians exempted from observing the same rules, or at least seen to be let off the hook? Laws are laws and they should be applied to all, regardless of their standings.
17. If these politicians can be part of business deals then the same chances should be given to others. Is it due to "priviledged" information that drives Tiong KS and Wee SK to PKFZ? Is it the same "priviledged" information that puts past Transport Ministers in trouble?
18. If politicians can, then can others use the same "priviledge" to skim Malaysia? Look at how our jet engines "gone" for "repairs". Are we facing a "systematic meltdown"? Are we in the stage of failing to differentiate "national interest" and personal interest? Is everything up for grab and for sale in Malaysia?
19. In politics, those who get more votes will be declared winners. To be winners, are we selling off our integrity by producing ICs' to "friendly and obliging" parties? If this can be done on large scale, what stops others to follow suit on a smaller scale? And some take the initiative to go straight to the source - selling babies to Malaysian nationals and registering them as Malaysians?
20. Some love comparing us with our southern neighbour and praising our neigbour as if the sky is the limit. Are they really that good? Are you sure? The difference between our neighbour and us is that their laws are applicable to all. No exemption. Can we do the same? At least, can we start that from 2010 onwards?
21. To do that, deadwoods have to go. It is time for us to rise from ashes and to rebuild the public's confidence in various agencies. Maybe, what we really need is a major "system overhaul" starting from the judiciary, the legislative and the executives. We are becoming to dependent on the "few". A case of point is the Anwar's first sodomy and corruption charges - those who are prominently involved in the case are elevated to higher office. (If you don't believe, just do a quick mental check).
22. The same is repeating for the Perak's case. Some have been promoted and I bet the rest will be elevated soon - as bonus for their role. By the way, if our Judiciary head is damn good, when can the federal court sits to determine who is the rightful MB of Perak? Or do we have a "super express lane" for BN's favoured cases and a slow loris trail for the rest?
23. In the end - is the "I can, you can't" syndrome governing our daily lifes? If it is, something must be done now to break that shackles. To do that, I expect politicians to be "conscious driven" and not "party driven". Can they do that?
    

Happy New Year...enjoy the fireworks display and the free concerts. Me? I am better off sleeping :)

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More

Of ECH : Contract, fluctuation, robotic project management and ...

1. ECH stands for East Coast Highway. Mooted after the completion of NS highway, it is meant to shortened the travelling time from East coast to the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.
2. Since news are focussing on the monogamy, bigamy and polygamy of politicians and the yellow bloods, let us forget about them and see what ECH has in store for us.
   
3. Due to political differences, ECH stopped at Kuantan and only after BN re-capture Terengganu ECH phase 2 covering the Terengganu portion were launched where several Contractors were awarded to build the stretch of highway up to Chendering, Terengganu.
4. That was the good part. The increase in fuel price and steel reinforcement bars caught the Contractors off-guard. You see, in normal highway projects, fuel and steel is the main components because of massive earthworks (machineries need fuel) and bridges (they need reinforced bars to build bridges).
5. Although one can point out that fuel price is subjected to world price, the same cannot be said about our steel bars. Words spread that the reinforcement bar price were manipulated and controlled by selective few and big traders (read manufacturers/salesmen) demand extra money to deliver the bars. Maybe some Contractors are willing to vouch on this.
6. As a direct result of unexpected shortage and price increase, ECH Contractors were caught with their pants down. It has been widely circulated that some of the Contractors opt to surrender the project back to JKR, the implementation and supervision body, to recall for tenders.
7. The balance Contractors choose to soldier on. Now they are faced with another man-made obstacle - that of robotic project management.
8. JKR as the implementation and supervision body has adapted a rigid approach in handling this project. For them, everything is pure and simple. If a Contractor delays by more than 60 days, they will issue a recommendation for the Contractor to be terminated. Fullstop. However, what JKR failed to realise or choose to ignore is the weather condition in Malaysia.
9. Being a purely infrastructure project ie highway and bridges construction, JKR will surely understands that roadworks just could not proceed during raining season when then grounds are wet. Choosing to ignore the weather condition will land Contractors in bigger trouble ie stranded machineries, idling manpower, poor compaction, site flooding and others.
10. What is confusing is the way JKR is acting. Is this a failsafe mode to avoid finger pointing if ECH is delayed? Or is this the way of the "new" JKR - producing robotic project managers?
11. Although the completion period is targetted in 2011, it seems that majority of the Contractors are opting to surrender the project. Why?
12. Some bats are squeeking that collectively, the Contractors has submitted to JKR on the cost implication due to fuel pricing and reinforcement bars. It is understood that the Contractors are requesting JKR to study their proposal on price variation. It is further understood that the implementing agency agree that the price increase is reasonable BUT there are hidden hands working very hard to get the Contractors terminated so that new Contractors can be appointed. It is also widely believed that the hidden hands are looking at new Contract price which is much higher that the revised price quoted by the Contractors. Is this true?
13. Some Contractors choose to opt for an easy way out by surrendering the project before 31st December 2009. In this way, their firms will not be black-listed as this is deemed to be mutual termination. The question is - why is the robotic project management so inhumane and strictly follow the guidelines regardless of the fact that it was raining rains and cats in November and December? Will these robots accept shoddy workmanship due to adverse weather? Isn't there such thing as Extension of Time due to inclement weather?
14. The best part is - there are genuine efforts by some to rope in the ex-MB's service to convince KL that the Contractors should be given a chance to complete their works. It is also understood that a meeting on this nature was held early this week in the east coast.
15. The question is - Do this ex-MB still has the bite? Afterall, he has fallen from grace and accussed of being the ringleader against the present MB. Will his reasonings be heard in KL?
16. AAB talked on human capital. Najib wants to build his 1M theme of "Rakyat didahulukan, prestasi diutamakan". Then why are we subjected to robotic project management in ECH? Where is the "rakyat didahulukan" when efforts are being made to fleece more money from ECH? Do we need to engage new Contractors for ECH? New Contractors or more "toll"?
17. Frankly, this scribe looks forward to travelling on ECH right up to Kelantan. If not Kelantan, Terengganu will do. Is it necessary to delay ECH for the benefits of the few "hidden hands"?
18. I believe the present Contractors can perform and complete the job. The question is - is JKR willing, is the Government obliging? If the price variations submitted is too high, isn't JKR as the implementing agency has the right professionals within the organisation to counter-propose? Or, is everything in the hands of EPU who do not know the difference between earth and sand to dictate the project?
19. In short, this is what happen when financial decisions are made by those who are devoid of the necessary expertise.
20. Maybe, 2010 will be another booming season for the "hidden hands" whilst the ECH Contractors will suffer from their losses...is anybody listening?
    

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More

OIM : Equatorial X'mas

Snow in Pavilion, KL

I-city, Shah Alam

Mid-valley

1. Malaysia may not experience "white christmas" but all the same, they celebrate Xmas here too.
2. As this is the season to be jolly, let me take time off to wish Merry Xmas to all who celebrate it.
3. OIM we have all the races joining hands celebrating holidays.
4. Hopefully, Santa Claus will bring good tidings to Malaysia...now and in future. Guys and gals, make sure the chimneys are all cleaned and not blocked :). Have the big and handy stocking ready for presents.
   

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More

OIM : The big spenders

1. Now that I get your attention, can we go down memory lane on Malaysia's spending, thus far? (I have taken the liberty to remove the cartoon on request by ...)Enjoy the short video clip...first :) Hope you can download it....
   
   
   
2. If we need to spend, spend wisely and prudently. There is a Malay saying "Sediakan payung sebelum hujan".
3. It's not about Tun Mahathir, Tun Abdullah or 1MPM6. It is about how our elected representatives rubberstamped the spending, on our expense.
4. Just think about it - it we were to list out the unnecessary spending carried out by Malaysia, we are so worse off than the poorest nation.
5. Is it corruption? Is it fund mismanagement? Is it poor project management? Lack of project supervision? Too many unsolicited "toll collectors"?
6. There are people who belief that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You may be surprised to see that in Malaysia's case, the leprechaun at the end of the rainbow wears business suits and have collections of Mercs, Jags, Porches in the garage.
7. What makes it worse is that these toll collectors talked with forked tongue, always pleasant but always scheming to cream off the nation's wealth.
8. OIM, you have past, immediate and present leaders spending the nation's wealth as if there is no tomorrow.
9. On top of that they can do it in style - whilst standing on the dais singing "Malaysia Boleh, Malaysia Gemilang, 1Malaysia (kami punya)"
10. Someone better start checking with the treasury - how much more do we have for our present crop of leaders to spend in 2010. What say you 1MPM6? Ready to go for another spending binge?
    

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More

OIM : The defense...

Definitely not TUDM's...

1. Let's get our abbreviations right first...OIM is not the reality show of "One in a Million" which launched Suki and Faizal Tahir. This time OIM stands for "Only in Malaysia" because, like it or not, we are closing in as an International laughing stock.
2. In sports, coaches will determine their team's playing style and I love to see Laker's "fast break", Mick Doohan's "cool approach" in negotiating bends. I believe that when the defense holds, the offense will work although there are many who believe in "offense is the best defense". The same goes in protecting the country's sovereignity - you must have a good and able defense to deter threats. In Malaysia's case, is our defense rock solid??
3. TUDM's missing jet engines sure stirs things up. Somehow, questions will be raised on the "missing" skyhawks which never lands on Malaysian soil. You don't need Bermuda triangle to make planes vanish...just pass it to TUDM and they can get the job done no questions asked.
   Once, we had this
4. TLDM, protector of our seas fare no better when their carrier flagship KD Sri Inderapura burnt and rendered useless. That was in October 2009 barely 2 months before the missing jet engines hit the headlines.
5. TDM? Remember the botched arms deal when retired armed forces personnel nearly ink a deal to sell assault rifles to Burundi. The price? Malaysia almost (nearly) censured by United nations (UN).
6. Simple questions that needs simple answers - what happen to our defenses? Are we that poorly organised to a stage that we don't have proper inventory? Are we that bad to the extent that we can't even properly maintained our ships? Are we that poor until our retired armed forces personnel needs to do "black market" arms deal?
7. I am not going to speculate the whys, the whos, the ifs. the whens, the whats. The answer is is in the wind - just sniff around and you will get the source.
8. OIM you have all the three branches of the army is such disarray. In soccer, if you have a bad keeper, a disorganised back four, and lacklustre defensive midfielders - your team will be doomed.
9. For make-up purposes, you will hear empty promises of politicians and ministers - we will investigate teh cause, we will charge those involved bla bla bla...but really, will it ever happen? OIM the offenders sleep easy in the comfort of mistresses and concubines.
10. Afterall, easy come easy go...what say you, 1MPM6? Minister of Defense? Are we closing 2009 on sour note?

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More

Celebrating 1 Muharram 1431 AH

The call to Lost world of Tambun

Wishing all a happy Muslim New Year...1 Muharram 1431 AH (18th December 2009). On triviality, do you know that 1st Muharram 1431 AH starts after maghrib prayer where Zulhijjah ends and Muharram takes over? For Gregorian calendar, new year starts from 12 midnight of 31st december :)

When I was small, wise old men reminded me to avoid (if possible) travelling on 1st Muharram. Since then, I have tried my best to observe the reminder. It is up to you to believe or to label the reminder as superstitious or not...:)

Come this Sunday, a trip to the Lost world of Tambun is in the cards before hitting the back roads again. Prior to getting lost in Tambun, there will be a detour to Pavilion first for an unforgettable experience of tropical snow... before going through the night with the international marching bands in KL football stadium...

after experiencing tropical snow in Pavilion

and blending with the music

How I wish we can put all 222 of our MPs' in Tambun's retreat to sort out their differences...and if they think that they can enjoy the retreat with dips in the hotspring,

Maybe the 222 MPs' think they are going for a sauna trip

then they are dead wrong. I will put them in "made to order" suites so that they can be close to nature...

What about these suites for 222 MPs' retreat?

and be more responsible in managing Malaysia...afterall, we have been working our blood, sweat and tears to cough up their salaries and perks. It's payback time and these 222 MPs better perform better in 1431 AH before this scribe really lost his temper and cool... an angry nightcaller is not someone they want...not with Z's fart chambers already operating, WJ K ever ready to nuke the budget, Rocky's stripping errr striking back, AK 47's gunning down issues, penarik beca's strip dancing, de fella's getting personal, Nobisha's opinions, and anil's livefeed.

The only compensation thus far is al banjari's possible "retirement" with fisha still looking for her house on the pertiwi hill whilst the 'dirty dozen..oops bunch" are still weekly drowned out in the tavern. Who knows things will get better in 1431 AH for Malaysians or maybe there is a need to demonstrate to the government that we are serious in our demands for better governance. Whatever...wherever...this scribe is always ready...

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More

Of 66 - 63: Too close for comfort

The "absentees" - plucked from Zorro unmasked

Whilst most are rejoicing Malaysian soccer team's chance to end 20 year-medal drought, another cliffhanger was being played in the real corridor's of power.

1M PM6, Ong TK and Koh Tsu Koon had to rush to the parliament's house to secure a slim 66-63 2010 budget approval. Imagine these :-

• We have 222 elected MPs' and only 129 were present during the crucial voting. That's only 58.1 % attendance;
• Where are the balance 93 MPs'? Are all of them on oversea missions? Are all of them in Viantine, Laos? Are all of them in front of TVs' rooting for Malaysia at the expense of the budget approval?;
• BN has 137 MP's and yet they can only secure 66 votes which is 48.17 % of their actual strength. Where are the balance 71 BN MPs?;
• Better still there are 3 independent MPs' in the house. Were they there last night? If they were, which side did they vote? If all 3 were present and all 3 voted for BN, then BN owes them a lot;
• PR has 82 MPs' and 63 were in the house. That's 76 % attendance which is quite good. But where are the balance 19 MPs? Although some were allowed to attend to their function elsewhere but what about the others?
• Is it that crucial to have the voting done at night? If the courts decided that MACC could not interrogate suspects after office hours, what about parliament voting? Is it necessary to carry out the voting that particular night? Couldn't they postpone the voting to the next morning?
  

It shows that BN is still too complacent and that complacency almost cost 1MPM6 his 2010 budget. It is time for DPM as BN's whip to start cracking. Remember when AAB called on BN's MPs' to attend the parliamentary sessions? Where are their attendance book? Who have been playing truants at the peoples' expenses?

I see that the opposition has been quite responsible in carrying out their duties. BN? It seems that they never learn or rather unwilling to learn from the harsh lesson of 2008. If 1MPM6 cares about his seat after GE13, he should start his house cleaning early and bring in dedicated party workers.

As for the opposition, they are getting there. What tehy need is sime refinement. It is too taxing to have some of their MPs' doubling uup as state reps as well as Menteri Besars. The opposition must learn how to share the cake. One person juggling between various commitments may be too taxing for him too.

It is also time for the 3 independent MPs' to flex their skinny muscles. Now is the right time for them to vote based on their conscious and it will not be too much to say that both BN and PR will be more than willing to meet their needs.

That said, Malaysia needs a strong government and BN MPs' should not be lulled into complacency anymore. If BN MPs' wanted to serve the people, they better serve now or else they should be packing their bags and their seats in the coming elections...

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More