cakap cakap...LKY and Mahathir again!

LKY says he never undermined successors like Dr M

By Leslie Lau

Executive Editor

January 27, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew said in a recently published book that he never undermined his successor in the way former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did in Malaysia, and that his only role was to advise the next generation of leaders in the republic.

“That was my intention. If the new PM fails, I have failed,” Singapore’s founding father said in his latest book, “Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going”.

Steadyaku47 comment:

Alamak this LKY can really cut you so deep!

“If the new PM fails, I have failed”

How graciously he puts it!

He did not say that Mahathir had choosen his own successor and so if Mahathir thinks his successor had failed – then it is Mahathir that has failed!

He did not say that Mahathir had 22 years of absolute power to put things right and if things do go wrong after he left – then it is Mahathir that has failed!

Nor did he say that the corruption, nepotism, greed and arrogance allowed to breed unchecked during Mahathir’s 22 years in power inevitably led to the devastating Barisan Nasional’s loss of it’s two third majority at the 12^th general election.

He did not say any of the above but in that short “I have failed” he told Mahathir that it is time Mahathir himself took responsibility for what Malaysia has now become – a country where race and religion are used to advance the interest of the ruling party. Where the treasures of the country were used to enrich a few. Where Malaysia's own leaders have abused the trust placed upon them by their own people.

 Mahathir please stand up…take a bow and say

“I have failed!”  

Gua Soil Leak - the "Berani Mati" guy!

Just when I think that our days of having national leaders who are capable of putting their foot in their mouth while engaging their brains in dialogue

Was over with the delayed departure of "Samy the Velu who bikin the Indian malu” guy….along comes this comedian call Gua Soil Leak aka President of MCA.  The first mistake Soil Leak made was being born!

What took Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik many years to accomplish this Soil Leak did in just over two years. While Rahim is still languishing as Chairman of Risda, President of Gabem – Gagasan Badan Ekonomi Melayu, Executive Chairman of ARTAC Holdings Sdn Bhd, Chairman of Yayasan Penggerak Wawasan (YPW) and all round member of the UMNO first tier leaders club….Soil Leak is already President of MCA. Both these men allowed their prick to leave them up the creek without a paddle. With Mahathir, PDRM and the Judiciary riding shotgun with him, Rahim Thamby Chik managed to run the gauntlet of religious and legal prosecution with ease but the political fall out meant many years in the political wilderness which has yet to end.

Not Gua Soil Leak. Soil Leak is a rarity. He was caught with his pants down and his “you know what up” and graphically captured on a digitally enhanced format which has been keenly distributed first in Muar and then nationally – if not globally through the auspices of the world wide web. I would venture to say that if you were to turn to the person on your right and then to your left and ask of them if they have seen “Yours Truly aka Soil Leak” displayed in all his glory ….nine time out of ten, the answer will be in the affirmative. I have it on good authority that the Malaysian Cabinet was also polled on this and the respond was a ten out of ten. On the grounds that he might incriminate himself, the Prime Minister refrained from participating in this exercise! It would not be remiss for me to say that almost all the people in Malaysia would have seen Soil Leak in all his glory, or would know of somebody who have seen Soil Leak in all of his glory or in the worst possible scenario, like Najib, will not want to say that they did or did not, on the grounds that they will discriminate (yes discriminate not incriminate!) themselves as being anti Gua Soil Leak (read ahli ahli MCA here!)

And this Gua Soil Leak is the President of the Malaysian Chinese Association? What does it say of the ahli ahli in MCA? This canny Soil Leak knows the ahli better them they know themselves to know that he would be welcomed back as the conquering hero  - and welcomed him back they did! As their President mah! Then he goes on to appoint his son to “take care” of MCA’s assets! Aiyah man where got road? Again the ahli ahli in MCA said “OKAY LAH!” Now Soil Leak has power and access to funds –and with money and power his position in MCA seems secure – at least for now.

Secure enough for him to volunteer to be the “berani mati” guy for Barisan Nasional at the Tenang by-election. UMNO cannot say anything to belittle Normala’s preference to not shake hands with the opposite sex because to do so would be akin to UMNO having a death wish in Tenang – because after all this is the Islamic way. So send in this Soil Leak guy to do the dirty work for them. And he obliged with this “brave” comment:

"So what is so great about that? That is your religious value which I don't know. How am I to know about the religious values when I'm not practising that religion? I have the right to say that it's basic manners to shake hands with people. That's my values. Understand? You also must value my value, which is good manners, which includes shaking hands."               

In politics doing a “brave” things is either doing something stupid or suicidal. Anyway it is done and UMNO can truthfully claim that it was that Soil Leak Chinese guy who did it not UMNO. MCA not UMNO. Anybody but UMNO!

And that is how things are in Tenang today. Gua Soil Leak is confident his position within MCA is strong enough to allow him to go in and bat for UMNO as their “berani mati” guy. He will have his rewards when he asks for it from UMNO–never fear.

But this is what bothers me. Despite their earnest claims our national leaders think nothing of evoking race and religion to win votes. Again and again we see gutter politics at its worst from Barisan Nasional despite Najib’s pledges on 1Malaysia and all that it promised.

Pakatan Rakyat is no better too. They are not beyond bringing out the dirt on the Barisan Nasional’s candidate because they too subscribe to the notion that all is fair in love and politics.

Only we, the people, are outside the box looking in. We will have our own views about shaking hands with the opposite sex and about tainted ADO. We will have our own views about basketball courts being built and white envelopes being handed out. We will have our own views about DSAI challenging Najib to a one-on-one debate on their personal integrity or the lack of it….but at the end of the day when the dust has settled, we know that our politicians are what they have always been – political beasts to whom winning is everything because the winner takes it all and the loser takes a fall.

It will be hard for these politicians to change the habit of a lifetime. Harder still to make themselves relevant to the times we now live in and understand our hopes and our aspirations. And so I ask you all to think deeply and with much rationality. The change we want can only come when we put good, decent and responsible individuals in high public office. For now they are as rare as a Bill Gates or a Steve Job and yet we need to find one in Malaysia if we are to begin the dawn that we have hoped for after the 13^th General Election. It is almost impossible to find a Dato' Onn Jaafar within the ranks of our politicians now. A Tunku? Perish the thought! Too many Mahathir wannabees and Gua Soil Leak clones that might even overshadow the comic and tragic genius of another “Samy the Velu bikin Indian malu” guy.

And so my friends brace yourself for the coming circus extraordinaire that is the 13^th general election. Prepare yourself for clowns and death defying religious and racial interludes with amazing feats of political wizardry that would astonish all of us. After intermission there will be a return of BN’s past rich (very rich!) greats – d Tempe Man, Liong Sik, Thambi Chik, Samad Isa and maybe guest artist appearances of Razak Baginda, Tajuddin Ramli and Amin Shah – all paraded into out midst to do what they best do – trickery, sleight of hands feats involving vast financial instruments in front of our very eyes . For the grand final a return to the “Ketuanan Melayu” deception that UMNO hope will be able to mesmerize all the Malays within the audience into clapping for UMNO again!

May I suggest that you enter the Big Top for this Circus Extraordinaire with your wits around you?  Enjoy and laugh to your hearts content at each and every act performed for your enjoyment. Clap and shout bravo if you think it is deserved but never forget that when all is said and done – it is just an act!

When the lights dimmed and its time for you to leave make sure that you have got your money’s worth. After all it is your money. Your vote.  Once every five years. It must only be given to those truly deserving of your trust. Your future, your children’s future and all our future depend on your vote. You are one. With me we are two.              

PLA Chinese Military

The Ugly Malaysian : Men in Uniforms.

The cruelty inflicted by these Malays upon another human being is a sad reflection of how bankrupt of morals and decency some Malays have become because they learn from the examples they see from their own UMNO leaders. The same UMNO leaders who allow PDRM to murder Kugan, the same UMNO leaders who accepts that MACC murder of Teoh Beng Hock is collateral damage, and the same UMNO leaders who sent in the troops to kill Malays at Memali. In all these instances fellow human beings were treated worse then animals by the very people tasked to protect them. So these people do the same  to those who are under their care and protection without regard to pity or sympathy for another fellow human being.    

The $50K man

---

• Reporter: James Thomas
• Broadcast Date: January 25, 2011

It is the classic moral dilemma: what would you do if you found $50,000?

One Aussie battler faced this exact question when he found that amount of cash abandoned on a Sydney train.

It is more than his annual pay, but the good Samaritan located the owner and gave it back.

Here is the exclusive report on a very honest Aussie and the woman who almost lost fifty grand.

Perry Como - It's Impossible

Isabel and Sofia

WHITNEY HOUSTON..ONE MOMENT IN TIME

Shirley Bassey - Never Never Never

Dusty Springfield You Don't Have To Say You Love

cakap cakap...as I see it.

I know, you know, they know. Everyone knows that while UMNO is ready to go into the 13GE with all guns blazing, Pakatan Rakyat is now finding itself in unfamiliar territory. Bereft of any sense of real solidarity within its ranks and the shifting of sands on the very ground that they now stand, PR now faces a Rakyat that questions their increasingly fragile claim to being the legitimate alternative to the BN government.

Pakatan Rakyat entry into national politics has been much too easy. And that which is won too easily can also be too easily lost. Sadly the euphoria of the 12^th GE has not been galvanized into solid gains for PR in the realm where it matters – into the potential of getting votes from the people for the next general election. What should have been a dream run into the 13^th GE to ensure final victory and government for PR has now turn into a logistical and political nightmare for PR with all it attendant problems and systematic loss of popular support from the very people that voted for them in the 12^th GE. UMNO has steadily reinforce its electioneering capabilities to prepare itself for the coming GE. PR with the notable exception of Penang, has been resting on its laurel’s. PR was content to basks in the after glow of its breathtaking victory in the 12^th GE  - and now it is faced with its nemeses - UMNO. The 13^th GE is almost upon them. They now have to face UMNO again in battle–UMNO is ready, PR is not.

We the people of Malaysia are witness to these two political adversaries now circling each other to see who will win this battle. We watch to see which of them will have our votes and which will have our commiserations. There are, of course, the faithful and die hard for both sides whose mind are already made up no matter what–but it is us, the voters, who will deliver the critical mass to ensure victory.

And what do this critical mass want?

• Leaders they can trust.                    For sure.
• Leaders who will inspire.                  For sure.
• Good Governance.                          For sure.
• The dawn of a new and Invigorated 
• Malaysia where we are all one 
• people in thoughts, aspirations 
• and in fact?                                   For sure.

And there are many other things we want and need but that can all wait. For we need good, honest and trustworthy leaders first – once we have them, all else will surely follow.

And where are these leaders? Where can we find them? Not Malay leaders, not Chinese not Indians. Not Kadazan, not Ibans not Dayaks. No we want leaders who are Malaysians in thoughts and in deeds.  If Najib or Anwar can be this Malaysian leader that we seek then they will lead their party to victory and they will have our votes. They are both trying but the dynamics that interplay within themselves and without has not made it possible for either of them to claim the mantle of being this Malaysian leader – at least not yet. The perception is that they both need to do more.

Then who else?

Hard to say really. For now there are only these two on stage shadow boxing with each other. Both unable to grasp the illusive and intangible wants of the rakyat. Both unable to give themselves totally to the needs of the people. Both their past in politics raising more questions then answers. Even now their past seems to accentuate their weaknesses rather then reinforce their strengths. Their past is history and yet they cannot each draw much strength from their history. Much as they want to they both cannot break from their past to move into the present and prepare themselves for the future that will come. So what then for our country? Is all lost?

The answer will lie in the wisdom of the people. It will lie in the wisdom of Najib and DSAI to do what they must if either of them is to become our Leader.

For Najib he has to make happen what he said he would do. 1Malaysia, ETP etc - all this must not just be words that are spoken because he knows that is what the people want to hear. It must also be what BN/UMNO wants in the truest sense of the word. Make it happen and the people will vote for you.

For DSAI he must be the force for hope and change that he has promised us all that he will be. Break free from the limitations of party politics and factionalism and petty self interests. Discard your comfort levels. You want to lead the nation not just PKR. If you want to lead the nation then you must take yourself to a place where you put the people and country interest above all else. Do this and the people will come and be with you – and they will give you their votes.

The others are merely players and a supporting cast to these two combatants.  And yet when all is said and done, it is the supporting cast, it is us, that will decide which of these two will win. So they have to take note of this reality. The people will decide. Ignore the people at your own peril. Either of you might choose to masses as you busy yourself with the task of surviving politically.  Either of you will, at the end of the day, go back to the comforts of your palatial homes and bosom of your loving family to recoup and ready yourself for another bruising day of politicking the next day. While you are cocooned in your own comfort zone spare a thought for the people for whom putting food on the table for the family dinner is a daily struggle. For those people who have to face the uncertain future to earn a decent living and for the people who do not want to face another tomorrow because there is no hope for a better day no matter what they do.

For these are the people that will vote for you in the numbers you need to ensure victory. These are the people who will make the difference. And when you do….maybe….just maybe you will start to understand that winning and losing the GE is in the hands of Malaysians who wants real change. No corruption, no nepotism, no deceit, no jobs for the boys and for cronies. The people of Malaysia want accountability, responsibility and transparency in government. Give us that hope and you will have our votes. No more, no less. We Malaysian are all faced with the same decision–who will govern us after the 13^th GE. We should face it together. You are one, with me we are two.

Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

The Ugly Malaysian : Ibrahim Ali

cakap cakap...bodoh punya orang!

...
written by lelong _sick, January 24, 2011 11:23:56

From what I know, steadyaku47 is an UMNO blogger.. for an UMNO man to write such a script, he either going for a suicide or there is bigger agenda behind him. If the script doesn't come from UMNO, I bet you he will be in ISA in less than 24hours!
PR supporter please don't be too gullible to take his bait by going all out against the Sultans.. you will be surprise that there are more of those atas pagar (fence sitter) whom will turn around and vote UMNO. The only people whose going to loose are the oppositions.. if you think the Sultan doesn't have followers, think again.. I bet they still have many more follower than you can imagine..

steadyaku47 comment:

I have been called a lot of names in my life and an UMNO blogger a few times too. The above was a comment in MT re my article "Are the Sultans relevant?" When I come across such comments I am amazed at the audacity of idiots who are so sure that what they think is the gospel truth. All you would need to do is read what I write - I am not pro any body -only pro WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT OF WRONG - and pro common sense. First this idiot has got to understand that I am writing from outside Malaysia - so the ISA is not an option anybody can lay on me! As for the script coming from UMNO...bloody hell who froze my BSN account in Bangsar? Stupid is as stupid does! And what do i think of this idiot? Look below!

Tennis streaker

The Sultans: No more relevant?

Does anyone in politics, whether in the government or in the opposition, have the backbone to say that our country needs the Sultans like we would need a hole in our head? Or is this a side issue only for the Malays to decide? I say “NO.” If the money to upkeep them comes from everybody pockets then everybody has a say! There have been many discussions about the relevance of Ketuanan Melayu in the times that we now live in….…should there not be a corresponding discussions on the relevance of the Sultans…or do I have to start it?

Of course there is political cowardice on this issue because anybody prepared to go there will lose votes most probably from some Malays and Chinese Latuks too – who will vote to keep the Sultans around for a few more years simply because they like bowing and kissing the hands of other human beings to acknowledge that these human beings are superior then them. The questions I would like to ask them are this: How are they a better human being then us?

Can somebody tell me why we should keep these “almost rich”, idle and unelected individuals in their Palaces and riding around in Rolls Royce’s that we pay for? As I see it they have the same value as a Paris Hilton. They give the media good copy by their sexual high jinks and “entertain” us by the bad behaviour of the Sultans and their families. At least with Paris Hilton she is good to look at….what redeeming features have these Sultans have?   

They are a sorry excuse as symbols of Malay supremacy no longer play a role in conflict resolution or conflict prevention. Hell for most of the time they are the reasons for the conflicts.

I can see few hands being raised in disagreement with me! I am being told that the Sultan of Perak had a role in taking back Perak from the DAP (good for the Malays!)

The Sultan of Selangor, when he is not too busy making money or socializing with u-know-who does his bit to keep PKR on their toes in Selangor.Good for UMNO.

There was a game of musical chairs in the state of Kelantan recently which saw a son disposing off his father “for the good of the state” – no mention of the good it did to him by appointing himself Sultan – always it is for the people and the State.  

The Pahang Sultan is great at public relations for himself but is really a pain the arse – for the state and federal government. If he not asking for more timber concessions and other business goodies he is off sowing his wild oats wherever he can. A Timber concessions here and a daughter there….very busy Sultan.

And something did just occur to me. These Sultans are not gender friendly. How come there are no Female Sultans? What would they call female Sultans anyway? Sultanee?

What are the duties and importance of our traditional rulers or royals?

If we are to trace back the lineage of these “Royals” the truth will out them to be really no more then pirates or a happy accident of history and questionable British decisions in their Nation Building exercise.  There really is no “Royal” lines. They are as “Royal” as me, Yap Ah Loy or for that matter that Mamak from Kerala.

If truth were told they did not gain prominence and wealth through conquest of other men or state. Their air of superiority and self-importance was gifted to them by the British and by the self-serving needs of UMNO. In return for being Sultan they have given up territories, cede their powers to the British, the Japanese and to UMNO just so that they could continue to live a decadent live financed by the Nations coffers.

Name me one Sultan that cares for the welfare of their subjects? I do not count riding in motorcycles convoy to visit their subjects, descending from the skies in a helicopter and throwing them a few bags of rice and groceries after floods and attending “meet and greet” get together in their state as showing concern for the welfare of their subjects.





If anything every time they move anywhere causes problems and further hardship for their subjects. Police escorts are required to move them in a convoy, their subjects are pushed aside to allow them clear access to wherever important that they are going to – money, people and time are wasted to make these Sultans think that they are what they are: SULTANS!   

And all others, including me, are call commoners? Why, these sultans are born into this earth “ROYALS?” Or was there a definitive period in their life when they became “ROYALS?” When? When their ancestors stopped being pirates and settled down? Or when they cede Singapore to the British?

I stand to be challenged, corrected or refuted by anyone who disagrees with me – but really this Sultan issue need to be debated and the people allowed to decide the relevance of the Sultans in the times that we live in now.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Joke Lagi....but seriously he is right!


written by me_in, January 24, 2011 13:47:55

My father is Sultan .
I have cousins whose father are also Sultan
Fortunately we are not Royalties.
We are all anak Sultan who came to Malaya 100 years ago from India
Rawther Sultan, Hamid Sultan, Syed Sultan, Dawood Sultan
To hell with the other type of Sultans

The SULTANS : Our Money their Cars.

NEGRI SEMBILAN

PERAK

PAHANG

KEDAH

JOHOR

Tengku Ampuan Bariah Trengganu

PERLIS

SELANGOR

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Two Princes fight over a Bentley Brooklands 

Two Malaysian princes have finally achieved an out-of-court settlement, finishing a row over who had the right to use the Bentley owned by their father.

The dispute between the sons of Sultan Tengku Ismail Petra has humiliated the royal household of Malaysia's eastern Kelantan state and wound up a recent power struggle among palace figures while the sultan was stricken by a heart-related illness.

Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, the sultan's third son, took his eldest brother, Tengku Muhammad Faris, to court last September to seek an order that he had the right to use the Bentley Brooklands uber-coupe worth £330,000.

Fakhry assumed he had paid for the car in 2008 for his father's and own use, even though the sultan was registered as the official owner. In July, representatives of Faris took away the car while Fakhry was abroad and refused to give it back to him.

Fakhry's lawyer, Haaziq Pillay, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that Fakhry was withdrawing his action on the wishes of his father, who will determine who gets to use the car. Mr Haaziq said Fakhry managed to use the car recently and has no objections if his brother also wants to drive it.

Faris did not explain why he apprehended the car, but insisted in a court statement earlier this year that Fakhry's lawsuit was "frivolous".

Sultan Ismail's illness over the past year has resulted in a scuffle between his sons and their allies for influence over palace decisions and, potentially, succession to the throne. The feud dribbled into the public eye, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of royal households that generally enjoy immense privacy and privilege.

The Ugly Malaysian : Adnan Yaakob

Adnan Yaakob - Go to Hell

Adnan Yaakob - Aksi Lucah Menteri Besar Pahang Untuk Rakyat

Malaysian Maverick

Book on former Malaysian PM Mahathir flies off Singapore's shelves

By Leong Wee Keat, TODAY | Posted: 11 January 2010 0856 hrs

SINGAPORE: The book has stoked controversy in Malaysia by alleging that former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad squandered up to RM100 billion (S$41.3 billion) during his 22 years in power.

And while Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times is being withheld from sale in Malaysia, pending a review by Malaysia's Home Ministry, it has sold out in several Singapore bookshops since its launch last month.

Over 600 copies of the 363-page hardcover have flown off the shelves of major bookstores, making it to the best-seller list for some of them.

At Times bookstores, the book has been the chain's second best non-fiction seller since its launch.

"We have currently sold more than 100 copies," said its spokesman last Thursday.

The book's author, former Asian Wall Street Journal editor Barry Wain said that there were "strong pre-release orders placed by local bookshops" ahead of the December 4 release date.

At one stage, he added, additional copies of the book had to be sent to Singapore by courier from the United Kingdom to meet Christmas orders. The book sells for S$49.90 at most bookstores.

Only two stores had copies; one sold its final copy which was for display, while another had eight left. The other stores said their copies had sold out and that they had fielded numerous inquiries from customers.

The publisher, UK-based Palgrave Macmillan, is now printing its third run of the book in Asia.

"Most copies of the book sold in Singapore are being bought by Singaporeans, for whom Dr Mahathir remains a fascinating and little-understood leader," said Mr Wain, a writer-in-residence at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

"At the same time, anecdotal evidence indicates there has been a steady flow of books to Malaysia, where Malaysian Maverick is not yet available."

On Friday, The Malay Mail quoted a source as saying that Malaysia's Home Ministry has recommended that the book be banned because of content "that was not only erroneous but also damaging to" Dr Mahathir.

The allegations had led to a call by opposition MP Lim Kit Siang for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter.

On his blog, Dr Mahathir welcomed suggestions by his detractors to set up an inquiry, but he also said that he reserved the right to sue Mr Wain and others who had cast aspersions on him.

Mr Wain has countered that feedback from individuals have been overwhelming.

"People I hardly know contact me to say how much they enjoyed the book. I'm particularly gratified they think it's accurate, fair and well-written, qualities I value highly," he said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has rejected the call to investigate Dr Mahathir for allegedly squandering Malaysia's wealth, saying there cannot be a royal commission for every single complaint.

The Malaysian government said it will decide by January 18, after a 60-day review, if it will allow the book to be sold in the country.

"Naturally, I hope Malaysia will clear Malaysian Maverick for sale and not remain the only country where the book is restricted," said Mr Wain.

- TODAY/sc 

cakap cakap : Mahathir

Singapore gags citizens’ criticism, says Dr M

Aisehman Dr M saya malu bila I see those headlines today. Macham there is nothing wrong in our country that you have to go and throw rocks at other people houses. It does not make sense to me why we need to worry about Singapore. Why? Malaysia is perfect? I would not be telling you a lie if I were to tell you that 7 out of 10 people in Malaysia will react to those headlines with a shake of their head and a comment bordering around “Tun ni dah nyanyok!”…"Tun is getting senile these days.” The other 30% are the same people who think that Ketuanan Melayu means that the Malays can become Tuan  in Malaysia just by voting in UMNO. 

Tun you said that Singapore gags citizen criticism. Now if you were talking at a close door meeting with UMNO cawangan Hutan Melintang then I can understand that you are just trying to impress the cawangan members with your knowledge of what Singapore citizens can and cannot do – though I suspect that the same cawangan members would rather hear about what the government is doing to support their boat-building industry and improve tourism in their area! 

And then you say that the Singaporeans were required to “be nice in Singapore ” Dey Thambi…look at your former Deputy DSAI  - what happened to him when you thought he was not being nice to you? Look at the personal attacked you launched on Pak Lah when you thought he was not being nice to you? And remember Ops Lallang? Alahai Thambi tolong kaji diri sendiri sikit! I sure would like to see what you and the other UMNO leaders will do if Lee Kuan Yew were to say the “Ketuanan Melayu” is a racist policy? We will have the whole bunch in the Malaysian Cabinet jumping around like a Gorilla on heat demanding that Singapore do not interfere with the affairs of Malaysia.

But Singapore do things– they do not just say. How long do you think Genting will last with another casino in Singapore? Thank God Genting diversified into other things for they know that sooner or later their golden goose will stop laying its golden eggs. And they have the F1 Grand Prix in Singapore now - and seeing it I know that they are better organize and the world would prefer to go to Singapore then Sepang! By any standards you care to use, Singapore are  ahead of Malaysia. Their transport system is better then ours. Their education is better then ours. Heck their government Minister are better then ours – though you can make the argument that our Ministers are better then Singapore in at least one thing–corruption. The same with our Police, our government servants, our politicians…need I go on?  By any level of excellence Singapore leaves Malaysia behind. And yet you chose to make the observation that Singapore gags it's citizens. For sure they do. I know that and the world knows that. But why chose to go there? Why not talk about corruption, about cleanliness, about their ability to excel when they do not have what Malaysia has? Our vast natural resources and population base for example.People are giving you the same kind of look the Russians give to Putin every time he claims that the Russian people are free to elect whoever they want to govern them.

You must be running out of things to talk about to bring attention to yourself. Cukuplah Tun…quit while you are ahead. Quit before you are in the news for the wrong reason…..like making comments on things that is really none of your business. Stick to Ketuanan Melayu, focus on your favorite cause-Ibrahim Ali and Perkasa. And you really need to work on getting that son of yours to get promoted to being a full Minister….he cannot do it on his own steam. I know you have done all the hard work for him but that is what you get when your son is a  millionaire (no thanks to the people's money in bailing out his business interest!). He would prefer to go do the nice things in life rather then be in cabinet just so that he could protect your legacy! What legacy? Running the country into the ground with your mega projects is not a legacy. Causing great racial divisions within the various races in Malaysia is not a legacy. And talking about the internal affairs of another country is certainly not a legacy to leave behind. The only legacy that people will talk about in the years to come are the legacies of ruins and debts you left behind after your years as Prime Minister.  

Would You Permit Me?

In a country where thinkers are assassinated, and writers 

are considered infidels and books are burnt.

In societies that refuse the other, and force silence on mouths and thoughts forbidden, and to question is a sin,

I must beg your pardon, would you permit me?

Would you permit me to bring up my children as I want, and

not to dictate on me your whims and orders?

Would you permit me to teach my children that the religion

is first to God, and not for religious leaders or scholars

or people?

Would you permit me to teach my little one that religion is

about good manners, good behaviour, good conduct, honesty

and truthfulness, before I teach her with which foot to

enter the bathroom or with which hand she should eat?

Would you permit me to teach my daughter that God is about

love, and she can dialogue with Him and ask Him

anything she wants, far away from the teachings of anyone?

Would you permit me not to mention the torture of the grave

to my children, who do not know about death yet?

Would you permit me to teach my daughter the tenets of the

religion and its culture and manners, before I force on her

the 'Hijab' (the veil)?

Would you permit me to tell my young son that hurting

people and degrading them because of their nationality,

colour or religion, is considered a big sin by God?

Would you permit me to tell my daughter to revising her

homework and paying attention to her learning is considered by God as more useful and important than learning by heart Ayahs from the Quran without knowing their meaning?

Would you permit me to teach my son that following the footsteps of the

Honourable Prophet begins with his honesty, loyalty and truthfulness, before his beard or how short his thobe (long shirt/dress) is?

Would you permit me to tell my daughter that her Christian friend is not an infidel, and ask her not to cry fearing her friend will go to Hell?

Would you permit me to argue, that God did not authorize

anyone on earth after the Prophet to speak in his name nor

did he vest any powers in anyone to issue 'deeds of

forgiveness' to people?

Would you permit me to say, that God has forbidden killing

the human spirit, and who kills wrongly a human being is as if he killed all human kind, and no Moslem has the right to frighten another Moslem?

Would you permit me to teach my children that God is greater, more just, and more merciful than all the (religious) scholars on earth combined?

And that his standards are different from the standards of those trading

the religion, and that his accountability is kinder and more merciful?

Would you permit me?

Nizar Kabbani

   Syrian Diplomat, Poet, Writer