Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The Yellow Wave of November 10

I wasn't able to attend the peaceful march from Dataran Merdeka to Istana Negara to hand over the Rakyat's Memorandum calling for free and fair elections to the King due to my herniated disk. Below are some links to blog posts that describe the rally.

  • BERSIH: Demonstration, Malaysian-Style (?) by Tricia Yeoh

  • Open Letter To Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, PM. Fiction writer Beth Yahp writes in support of Malaysian Journalists

  • Not One Step Backwards. Unfortunately marred by an idiotic colour scheme that makes reading the blog all but impossible!

  • Kaki Blog. This young blogger experienced tear gas for the first time in his or her life - and will never trust the BN propaganda machine again!

  • A blogger's first-hand report of an action-packed adrenaline-driven day in KL.

  • Photos of an action-packed adrenaline-driven day in KL.

  • Lulu's first-hand reports of an action-packed adrenaline-driven day in KL.

  • Joshua's first-hand reports of an action-packed adrenaline-driven day in KL.

  • Haris Ibrahim, The People's Parliament


  • BTW, it appears the Polis Di Raja Malaysia (PDRM for short or Royal Malaysian Police in English) were TOTALLY UNPREPARED for the scale and popular support for this peaceful march. At about 11 am on the morning of Saturday, November 10 motorists driving north along the PLUS Highway around Kulai were startled by a convoy of 20 police vehicles ~ motorcycle outriders, patrol cars, red trucks carrying Federal Reserve Unit (FRU, read riot squad) personnel ~ that overtook them at speed. I say TOTALLY UNPREPARED because they had to get reinforcements from as far away as Johor as the Polis has grossly underestimated the manpower required to "keep the peace" (I use that phrase facetiously as it was the Polis themselves that broke the peace).

    The Polis even had road blocks in Putrajaya ~ there was one on the border between Putrajaya and Selangor on the B15 between Cyberjaya and the Puchong toll plaza on the LDP.

    Interesting to note that we have a new Deputy Inspector-General of Polis Datuk Ismail Omar as of Monday, November 12. I hope he's not part of "the rot" as the institutional corruption in the PDRM is often referred as.

    From this transcript of the interview by Al-Jazeera of the Chief Spindoctor of Malaysia it is abundantly self-evident that the Mamak of Merbok has earned the moniker of ZAM Goblok.

    Funny how we’ve been so indoctrinated by the Barisan Nasional (BN ~ National Front, in English) bullshit that we’ve seem to have accepted their notion that OPPOSITION is a bad word. Don’t you realise that an OPPOSITION is a necessary prerequisite for a DEMOCRACY? We’ve been so blinded by the spindoctors of the MADHATTER DICTATORSHIP/AUTOCRACY that we accepted the PAK BLAH MEDIOCRACY. All that has happened when BOLEHLAND changed leaders is that we’ve exchanged one DE FACTO DICTATOR and his cronies for another and his bunch of nespots and cronies. The fun will start when the MADHATTER kicks the bucket and Mr I’m-in-politics-to-avenge-my-suicided-dad KJ will start the witchhunt on the MADHATTER cronies and progeny with the help of the KeADILan “ANWAR-REVENGE” PARTY. ANWAR is his almost-father-in-law.

    Here are some philosophical musings by Antares on kings and the divine mandate to rule:

    "One blogger's report on the YELLOW WAVE that swept through KL on 10 November 2007 - and there are HUNDREDS of bloggers celebrating the triumph of justice and human values over the BN's arrogance and criminal misuse of police power:

    To my friends in the mainstream media: the line has been drawn across the sand! Enough of playing spin-doctor for Dr Ummmm...NO! The Earth supports INTEGRITY as she ascends.

    http://melvin-mah.blogspot.com

    "According to Confucianism, the King is symbolized as an avatar of God
    on earth. And the signs of thunder above serves the warning against the
    police. Mencius, who lived B.C. 372-289, and devoted himself to the task
    of spreading and consolidating the Confucian teachings, made no attempt
    to lead back the Chinese people towards their early beliefs in a
    personal God and in a spiritual world beyond the ken of mortals. He
    observes in a general way that "those who obey God are saved, while
    those who rebel against Him perish. Those came are loyal to the country
    and the king, and in that Mencius context means they can be saved, while
    whoever attempts to kill or torture can be punished (perished). Coincidence?

    "Mencius said, "He who uses force as a pretense of Humaneness is the
    de-facto strongman among the princes. But such a strongman must have
    a large state in order to be effective. The man who uses his virtue
    to practice Humaneness is the true king. To be a real king you don't
    need an especially large territory. T'ang did it with only seventy
    li and King Wen did it with only one hundred li. When you use your
    power to force people into submission, they will never submit with
    their hearts; it is only because they don't have enough strength to
    resist. When people submit to virtue, they are happy from the bottom
    of their hearts, and they submit sincerely, the way the seventy
    disciples submitted to Confucius." (2A3, tr. Muller)
    "

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Saturday, November 10, 2007

    My Herniated ("Slipped") Disk

    Just a short blog post to update everyone on the progress of my herniated disk ~ what laymen incorrectly refer to as a "slipped" disk.

    At about 11.45 am on Thursday, November 8, 2007 I sustained a left lower back injury while lifting some heavy stuff into my car boot. I paid a visit my chiropractic physician, Dr Zafer Yama, at the Chiropractic Speciality Center in Plaza Damansara at about noon the next day. Upon examining me, he diagnosed a herniated disk between my L4 and L5 vertebrae.

    I had some Interferential stimulation to reduce oedema, some ultrasound stimulation to prevent and break down the formation of scar tissue and, of course, a chiropractic manipulation.

    In addition, I continued with my dietary supplements of glucosamine 500 mg b.d. and chondroitin 400 mg b.d. which I have been taking since my October 19 fall at the KTM Serdang Station. Glucosamine and chondroitin are prominent precursors in the biochemical synthesis of joint tissue, cartilage and intervertebral disks. Both are widely used dietary supplements for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

    In the evening, I received a Releasing statement from Heiko Niedememeyer, who had studied under the founder of the Lindwell Releasing Technique, Dr E. E. "Isa" Lindwall (1919-2007) and so I made that Releasing statement.

    Also, last night I slept on my ionising mat on my traditional Malay wooden sleeping platform (a solid meranti pangkin).

    As I write this at about 9 am on Saturday, November 10 I am in no acute pain, just experiencing some dull soreness and stiffness in my left lumbar region that should go away in a few days together with any residual swelling.

    I am NOT taking any painkillers or medications at all.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Friday, October 26, 2007

    RACE RELATIONS IN MALAYSIA

    Reposted from:
    Malaysia is a Racist and Totalitarian Nation (or is it?)

    If you want a can-be-taken-seriously neutral name for this Malaysia is a Racist and Totalitarian Nation (or is it?) group, then may I suggest we call it simply:

    RACE RELATIONS IN MALAYSIA.

    Race Relations is a multi-disciplinary subject with experts in genetics (read about M3, M9 and M12 DNA markers in the Human Genome Project), political science, law, history, sociology, cultural anthropology, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, language, religion, spirituality and etc. all able to provide valuable input.

    Yes, we don't talk about Race Relations in Malaysia often enough, objectively enough or even rationally enough.

    The time for change is NOW. After 50 years of Merdeka, 50% of the nation are still calling ourselves Malaysian Indians and Malaysian Chinese. Semantically, it should be Indian Malaysians and Chinese Malaysians. If you understand why this semantic change is correct, it can bring about a mindset change that is progressive.

    But the critical paradigm shift I'm looking for is when we stop even having to qualify our identity ethnically ~ we are Malaysians, yes, albeit an artificial political contruct.

    Yes, we are different, we celebrate our diversity, we do not need to conform or subscribe to a single majority viewpoint on every issue. We embrace different points of view and perspectives, we embrace dissent.

    We encourage people to speak their minds. Who knows, one of them may actually be speaking that elusive Truth we're all been seeking half our days...

    Please invite your friends who have an interest or expertise in genetics, political science, law, history, sociology, cultural anthropology, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, language, religion, spirituality and etc. to join this group and participate in a rational, enlightening, information-sharing discussion.

    The days of political polemics and ideological diatribes are over, we are fed up of politicians who spout these. We've had enough of them. Time for change. The time is now.

    (",)::~~~
    Founder
    Green Alliance of Malaysia

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Wednesday, October 24, 2007

    Jim, a Vanished Friend

    Author Unknown

    Around the corner I have a friend,
    In this great city that has no end,
    Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
    And before I know it, a year is gone.
    And I never see my old friends face,
    For life is a swift and terrible race,
    He knows I like him just as well,
    As in the days when I rang his bell.
    And he rang mine but we were younger then,
    And now we are busy, tired men.

    Tired of playing a foolish game,
    Tired of trying to make a name.
    'Tomorrow' I say! 'I will call on Jim
    Just to show that I'm thinking of him.'
    But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
    And distance between us grows and grows.
    Around the corner, yet miles away,
    'Here's a telegram sir,' 'Jim died today.'
    And that's what we get and deserve in the end.
    Around the corner, a vanished friend.


    (“,)::~~~

    Remember to always say what you mean.
    If you love someone, tell them.

    Don't be afraid to express yourself.
    Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you.
    Because when you decide that it is the right time
    it might be too late.

    Seize the day. Never have regrets.

    And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family,
    for they have helped make you the person that you are today.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Friday, October 12, 2007

    Rudyard Kipling

    Two of my favourite poems by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). The others include The Elephant's Child and Blue Roses.

    The Thousandth Man
    by Rudyard Kipling

    One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
    Will stick more close than a brother.
    And it's worth while seeking him half your days
    If you find him before the other.
    Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
    On what the world sees in you,
    But the Thousandth man will stand your friend
    With the whole round world agin you.

    'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
    Will settle the finding for 'ee.
    Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go
    By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
    But if he finds you and you find him.
    The rest of the world don't matter;
    For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
    With you in any water.

    You can use his purse with no more talk
    Than he uses yours for his spendings,
    And laugh and meet in your daily walk
    As though there had been no lendings.
    Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call
    For silver and gold in their dealings;
    But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all,
    Because you can show him your feelings.

    His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,
    In season or out of season.
    Stand up and back it in all men's sight--
    With that for your only reason!
    Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide
    The shame or mocking or laughter,
    But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
    To the gallows-foot--and after!


    If--
    by Rudyard Kipling

    If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
    If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too:
    If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
    Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
    Or being hated don't give way to hating,
    And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

    If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
    If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
    If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
    And treat those two impostors just the same:.
    If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
    Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
    And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

    If you can make one heap of all your winnings
    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
    And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
    And never breathe a word about your loss:
    If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
    To serve your turn long after they are gone,
    And so hold on when there is nothing in you
    Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

    If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings--nor lose the common touch,
    If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much:
    If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
    Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
    And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Tuesday, October 09, 2007

    Of Lies and Turning Over a New Leaf

    It has always intrigued me why people lie. Or have to lie. I can tell when I'm being lied to, and I don't like it. And neither would most people, I suspect.

    Life is so much simpler when you just tell the truth ~ because there is only one truth but when you weave a web of lies, especially when they are not self-consistent (and by definition lies are never consistent with the truth, and most likely not with other lies as well) it becomes a terrible, horrible mess, whatever your intentions may be to the contrary.

    The past three weeks has been a very instructive time for me, in understanding the psychology of a compulsive liar, a pathological liar, perhaps. My interest in writing this article is to explore why people resort to lies, and in doing so, to get to the truth of the matter.

    On a Sunday evening in mid-September this year, I met one such compulsive liar. One can tell almost immediately she was someone who had a lot to hide. Don't ask me me how I could tell ~ let's just call it in Six Thinking Hats jargon, a red feeling.

    There is a fine line between non-disclosure and omission of the truth and actually fabricating an untruth. You can decline to disclose information about yourself, that's fine and people will respect that decision and leave it at that.

    But when you start telling white lies, there is a tendency for these to be inconsistent with each other and there comes a point when a bigger lie has to be constructed so as to make the inconsistencies plausible. As her stories became more and more incredulous, I was determined to seek out the truth.

    It would not be necessary to detail every single disgusting fact here, but a few of the more important facts that I have discovered would serve to illustrate the point. And what I found out was a past so shameful, so horrifyingly full of mistakes that I just immediately understood why she had to re-invent her past. It was the only way to be acceptable, for any rational person would never have anything to do with someone with such a sordid, horridly tainted and unpalatable past.

    I, for one, have zero tolerance for people who consistently lie to me. In my last communication to her at about 6 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2007 I wrote in my last ever sms to her (reconstructed from memory):

    "And you're a compulsive liar. There was a time I would have given you the benefit of doubt, but no longer. You are not worthy of my trust, friendship or affection. I pray that you have a long life so that you have sufficient time to reflect upon and atone and repent for your many sins."

    I received one last sms from her, a parting shot, I suppose, and have never had any communication from or with her since. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.

    Its okay to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect, everybody makes mistakes. After all, the past is the past, we cannot go back to correct our mistakes. Boy, don't we all wish we could do that? I'm sure all of us have our favourite "if only" story. "If only I hadn't done this" or "if only I had done that" and our lives would be so radically different now. The critical thing is for us to learn from our mistakes or else we are be eternally doomed to repeat them.

    There were clues in her "stories" that tripped her up. The most obvious was her address, or rather, where she purportedly lived. She told me that she lived with her parents in Damansara Heights. Although she has declined to give the street address, that was simple enough to ascertain. After all, I lived in Damansara Heights for a quarter of a century and regularly take my dogs for walks in the neighbourhood, making a mental note of people, places and parked cars. A quick phone call to the house got her mother on the line who all but said "Why are you calling this number, she doesn't live here!"

    So where does she actually live, then? A search on her car registration number gave an address in Shah Alam; and sure enough a drive pass the house confirmed the car in the porch. But the car wasn't registered in her name, but in a man's name. And it wasn't her ex-husband's name, either. An sms asking her if the registered owner was her ex brought such a deluge of threats, that I knew I was on to something. There was something big hiding behind all those threats.

    Was he her sugar daddy? Did he give her the car to use while paying for it? Then it becomes known that the house is her mother's. But the intriguing thing is, she hardly spends time at this Shah Alam house either, only "a few days a month," according to an informant. The car is often seen at a condo behind Eastin Hotel in Petaling Jaya. What is it doing there? Does she have a love nest there? All these are things we can only speculate upon unless she is prepared to tell us the truth. For now, they remain nothing but unanswered questions.

    She had admitted that she had a lover for five years until they broke up in November 2006, when he had pointedly asked her to pack her bags and leave, over some disagreement. From this, it is self-evident that she was living with him. But she had categorically denied ever living with him ~ that had just met occasionally. Another inconsistency.

    She had also let on that she has been divorced for at least five years, from before she got involved with this lover. But the public records show that the divorce was only granted last year. No wonder she had so much to hide.

    She has just broken up with yet another lover when I had met her that fateful Sunday evening. She showed me an sms from him ~ he had refused to be treated the way she had treated him. He explained that a relationship was a partnership, but that she was not committed, or, at least, not as committed as he was. He had given her the handphone as a birthday present ~ together with a camera and a Sony Vaio notebook computer. She said he had spent almost RM200,000 on her birthday party alone, turning a whole floor of a hotel into a spa, with free flow of champagne and whatever alcoholic beverage you care to name. She said he had lavished RM400,000 in total on courting her.

    And to summarily dump him at the drop of a hat beggars disbelief. Apparently, they had planned to get married in London in December, or so that was what she had told all her friends and relations.

    I suppose she wasn't prepared to tell him the whole truth about herself. Like how she had all but disowned her autistic son soon after birth, who is now, aged ten, being cared for by her maternal aunt at her parent's house in Damansara Heights. Looking back, this rejection of her first-borne son reflects her own birth and childhood. She had told me that she was the second of three siblings, with an elder sister and a younger brother. Her mother was so much expecting a boy that when she was born, and turned out to be a girl, her mother rejected her ~ and she was then brought up by her grandparents in another state. She even has a given name that is a boy's name.

    Another unsavoury skeleton in her cupboard is what was probably a long string of extra-marital affairs she had while her husband was working abroad. To be fair, on his part, he had secretly married a foreign wife whilst away.

    They say a leopard doesn't change its spots. But don't you think people deserve the chance to start on a clean slate? To be able to turn over a new leaf?

    She can tell the truth to the next man in her life and say "that's me, warts and all. You make the choice, despite all that about me and my past, if you can accept me, I'm yours."

    "If you can't, no matter how much I want you; I can forsake my feelings for you and move on."

    But what she had chosen, instead, was to paint a different story of her past ~ as George Kelly would say ~ create an Alternative Construct, one more palatable, more acceptable to her suitor. But this means that the whole basis of their relationship, the whole foundation of their intimacy, is based on a lie.

    And what kind of marriage would that make?

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Friday, October 05, 2007

    15,000 receiving dialysis treatment

    MORE than 15,000 kidney patients are undergoing dialysis treatment in the country now and it is increasing at a rate of 2,500 a year.

    More than 60% of kidney failure cases were brought about by diabetes and high blood pressure, according to a press release from National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF).

    Those with kidney stones, who were obese and above 50 years were prone to kidney disease.

    The NKF had embarked on a nationwide health screening campaign for early detection and prevention of kidney since 2006.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Thursday, October 04, 2007

    Land Rover Defender for Sale

    Land Rover Defender for sale.
    RM25,000
    Petrol engine, 490,000 km mileage.
    Please contact me to arrange viewing.

    019-282 9526

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Monday, October 01, 2007

    COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES FOR SALE

    COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES FOR SALE AT THE
    AIRPORT CITY BUSINESS CENTRE
    (next to Salak Tinggi ERL Station)
    KOTA WARISAN
    BANDAR BARU SALAK TINGGI - THE AIRPORT CITY
    43900 SEPANG


    I have two shopoffice units for sale at the Airport City Business Centre,
    Kota Warisan, Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi (The Airport City):

    53 Jalan Airport City 1
    Three storeys.
    Ground Floor: 1,200 sq ft (tenanted)
    First Floor: 1,400 sq ft (untenanted)
    Second Floor: 1,400 sq ft (tenanted)
    Lot Size: 20 x 70 feet
    Ground and Second floor tenanted.
    Asking Price: RM450,000
    Earnest Money: 3% (RM13,500)
    Upon Signing S&P Agreement: Another 7% (RM31,500)
    Balance of 90% (RM405,000): within 90 days of signing S&P Agreement
    Loan: Can be arranged with HSBC Bank


    26 Jalan Airport City 2
    Two storeys.
    Ground Floor: 1,200 sq ft (untenanted)
    First Floor: 1,400 sq ft (untenanted)
    Lot Size: 20 x 70 feet
    Asking Price: RM300,000
    Earnest Money: 3% (RM9,000)
    Upon Signing S&P Agreement: Another 7% (RM27,000)

    Call 1-700-80-POST, 019-28-AZLAN for appointment to view properties that interest you. For more info about Kota Warisan, click here.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    It Takes Courage

    Author Unknown

    It takes strength to be firm,
    It takes courage to be gentle.

    It takes strength to conquer,
    It takes courage to surrender.

    It takes strength to be certain,
    It takes courage to have doubt.

    It takes strength to fit in,
    It takes courage to stand out.

    It takes strength to feel a friend's pain,
    It takes courage to feel your own pain.

    It takes strength to endure abuse,
    It takes courage to stop it.

    It takes strength to stand alone,
    It takes courage to lean on another.

    It takes strength to love,
    It takes courage to be loved.

    It takes strength to survive,
    It takes courage to live.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Thursday, August 30, 2007

    The Minister for Tidak Apa

    by Jonathan Kent
    4:58 pm Sunday, Aug 26
    From http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=4759229211&ref=nf

    Malaysia is turning fifty at the end of this month and is celebrating half a century of economic success. With the exception of Singapore it’s done far better than its neighbours in South East Asia. Yet there are those who think it has underperformed. Indeed it is having to work hard to attract foreign investment in the face of competition from China, India and Vietnam among others. But as Jonathan Kent reports from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia’s biggest challenge is not from abroad but from within.

    There are a couple of very handy Malay phrases that encapsulate two of this country’s biggest problems; One is ‘tak boleh’ – meaning ‘not possible. It’s a favourite of all those petty officials who want to exercise the little power they have, sometimes to elicit a bribe. The other is ‘tidak apa’, don’t care. Recently I came face to face with the minister for ‘tidak apa’ at an official function.

    The minister had recently stood up a colleague from Iranian TV who’d wanted to interview him. I asked him if he was aware that he’d let her down. He shrugged dismissively. ‘It’s not my problem,’ he replied and blamed his press secretary.

    It was the sort of response I’ve encountered all too often in Malaysia but rarely in such an unashamedly blunt form.

    By the standards of the region Malaysia’s physical infrastructure is excellent albeit sometimes poorly planned. It’s sent thousands of students to study in the UK, Australia and the United States over the years and has a pool of talent. In those sectors out of which the government keeps its sticky finger there’s innovation and entrepreneurialism. But for a country with so much going for it, it seems ambivalent about letting the world know. Finding critics who’ll bemoan its protectionism, moribund government listed companies and unfriendly foreign investment rules is easy. Finding someone from the government who’ll defend it or simply sing its praises is surprisingly hard. I suggested to the minister that Malaysia is guilty of telling a good story very badly.

    “I don’t care,” the minister replied. “Why should we care?”

    Well, I pointed out, it’s costing you billions of dollars in foreign investment every year.

    “We don’t care,” he said giving me the strong impression that he really didn’t care.

    But I persisted – Malaysia is strugging to attract foreign investment much of which is going to its neighbours. China, India and Vietnam all offer a lower cost base than Malaysia while Singapore may be pricey but offers a far better regulated business environment that makes it a natural choice for finance houses and multinationals looking for regional headquarters.

    “It doesn’t matter” said the minister for tidak apa. “We’re not competing with anyone.” That was the point at which my smile froze. Not only do some Malaysians not care about the outside world, they think they’re insulated from it. “Have you been to Vietnam?” I enquired.

    “Yes,” said the minister and told me Malaysia is very happy for Vietnam’s success but that it’s irrelevant to Malaysia. “I’ve been a minister for nine years” he told me. “I don’t care what they say.”

    Malaysia is doing well, but it could be doing better. It has perhaps fifteen years until its oil reserves no longer subsidise government largesse. Right now it needs to invest wisely in infrastructure and education so that when there’s no oil there’s still a future. The boys on the fourth floor as Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s young team is known have a pretty good take on what ails Malaysia. They know it must face up to globalization, tackle corruption, cut red tape, liberalise its markets, manage its state linked companies better, improve planning and cut waste if it is to stay ahead in South East Asia. Meanwhile there’s another handy Malay phrase for the ‘not possible’ and ‘don’t care’ brigade that thinks globalization won’t affect Malaysia; ‘bodoh sombong’ – too proud to admit they don’t understand.

    Monday, August 13, 2007

    Grass-cutting services



    Pejabat BayarBil Kota Warisan
    Kota Warisan BillPayment Office


    Grass-cutting, Tree-pruning
    and Weed-killer Spraying Services

  • Grass-cutting ~ we cut grass, lallang and even carpet grass.
  • Tree-pruning ~ we cut branches and tree trunks for you; however, we don't do topiary.
  • Weed-killer Spraying Services ~ we poison lallang for you.
  • Weeding ~ we can get rid of weeds in your garden by manually removing them.

  • Our charges are very affordable and reasonable.
    Just call us 019-282 9526 for a quotation!

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Thursday, August 09, 2007

    My Country

    PRESS STATEMENT

    The intimidation and harassment of bloggers has been taken one step further through police interrogations of the family members of bloggers, in this case the interrogation of Marina Lee, the wife of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin. As a further sign of the crackdown on freedom of speech in Malaysia, the Ministry of Internal Security, Ministry of Education, Ministry Culture, Arts and Heritage and the Youth wing of the ruling party UMNO have all threatened a Malaysian student in Taiwan, who produced a video of his rap version of the national anthem. The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned that these incidents are part of a clampdown on expression critical of the ruling coalition, particularly UMNO, in the run-up to the next general election.

    On August 8, the wife of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was questioned by police about her husband's website Malaysia Today, which UMNO alleges has insulted the Supreme Ruler, or Agong. Marina who has no connection with the blog other than through her husband, said that during the 40-minute interrogation, police were looking at jointly charging her and her husband.

    ASP Alzafny Ahmad, one of the officers interrogating Marina, declined to comment to enquiries by CIJ. Raja Petra himself was subjected to police questioning for eight hours on 25 July following a police report lodged against him by UMNO.

    On August 7-8, Malay tabloid Harian Metro carried full-page reports attacking the student who produced a music video of the national anthem and uploaded it onto YouTube. The reports quoted the Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who said his ministry will recommend that the Attorney General take action against a Malaysian student for "disparaging" the national anthem. It also quoted threats of action by the Ministry of Internal Security and the Ministry of Education. The UMNO Youth website also carried article quoting its Education Bureau Chief Ahmad Ikhmal Ismail attacking the student and the music video.

    The video is a rap version of the national anthem Negaraku in which the singer known only as "Namewee", includes lyrics critical of the ruling coalition, its policies and police corruption. It appeared in YouTube in mid July and is reported to have been watched 400,000 times. However, on August 8 Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Najib Abdul Aziz said in the national news agency, BERNAMA that the police cannot persecute the video producer as the video was produced abroad.

    CIJ is concerned that the government's action displays a disregard of democratic practices and fundamental liberties, including the freedom to dissent. By further aggravating dissatisfaction among Malaysians, the government is risking alienating the support it seeks for the general election.

    We urge the government to take note of the risk and immediately stop action against citizens who voice dissenting views.

    The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a media organization that aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through advocacy, research and analysis, training and practical work. Started in 2001, CIJ has initiated various projects in developing grassroots communications skills through training, infrastructural support and direct action.
    Ends
    Issued by
    Gayathry Venkiteswaran
    Executive Director
    Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ)

    My Comments:
    As someone who has seen the offending video by Negarakuku, I don't think it has much artistic merit ~ but then, I'm not much of a music critic. Neither do I understand its lyrics as its in Chinese.

    But I do like the juxtaposition of the photos of a police road block and a cup of coffee and its "duit kopi" allusion to rampant police and, by extension, government corruption.

    The powers-that-be have to make a show of going through the motions whenever a national icon is "disparaged." I once had a long chat with artist Datuk Ibrahim Hussein about his detention over a painting he made about the May 13 incident featuring a blacked out Malaysian flag that was the subject of the government's ire.

    It took the personal intervention of Tun Razak, after hearing Ib's explanation of artistic symbolism, to set him free.

    I'm not particularly disgusted by the butchery of the Negaraku by Negarakuku ~ the government did a marvelous job of that all by themselves with no help from us mere citizens when they changed its tempo to a march some years back.

    Negarakuku should milk this incident for all it worth ~ your 15 minutes of notoriety will do no harm ~ and we should get as much mileage out of this furore to open the eyes of Malaysians to what is wrong with this 50-year-old country of ours and its political "personages" ~ I hesitate to use the word "leaders."

    What puzzles me its the slowness of the Government reaction ~ it took them three whole weeks to get to the bottom of this. One wonders how swiftly they would act if there really was a serious threat to our national security...

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Friday, July 27, 2007

    Housing Wanted

    ACCOMMODATION WANTED
    IN KOTA WARISAN


    If you are a landlord with property in Kota Warisan, please contact me as I have a long waiting list of tenants looking for accommodation in Kota Warisan.

    Azlan Adnan
    Real Estate Negotiator
    019-282 9526

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    No Holds Barred

    I reproduce these two articles (see also previous post) on Malaysian political reality in their entirety as I received them by email not only because I believe they deserve a wider audience but also because the www.malaysia-today.net website has all but packed up due to a record number of visitors trying to access these two insightful articles. For background info, please read Jonathan Kent's Malaysia cracks down on bloggers.
    (",)::~~~

    Raja Petra Kamarudin
    Editor, Malaysia Today
    Tuesday, July 24, 2007

    It seems there is a certain ex-Menteri Besar who made a police report against Malaysia Today and me. This ex-Menteri Besar who has two Muhamads is his name does not have even half the qualities of Prophet Muhamad S.A.W. let alone twice the qualities although he carries two Muhamads in his name.

    This is the Muhamad who started life as a schoolteacher but does not speak a word of English. When caught carrying millions of dirty money into Australia, he pleaded ignorance of the English language and was acquitted by the Australian court the crime of smuggling money. What many people failed to realise is that when he resigned as a schoolteacher to contest the general election, the government made a claim of RM80,000 against him because he was on contract and was bound by this contract to serve the government to pay off what he owed.

    You see, Malaysia has this unique system of giving underprivileged Malays government loans to further their studies. They must, however, serve the government for a certain period of time once they graduate and if they refuse to do so or resign before the expiry of their contract then they have to pay back the government the amount of their loan. This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name therefore owed the government RM80,000 and if he did not pay back the amount then he would be denying other Malays the benefit of this money and therefore would in that same process be denying other Malays the benefit of a tertiary education.

    This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name then appealed to the then Minister of Education, Anwar Ibrahim, for exemption from paying back the government the RM80,000 that he owed and Anwar, being the smart politician that he was (or maybe still is, I am not sure of that), waived the rule so that this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name need not pay back the nation the RM80,000 that he owed and which could have gone to other less-fortunate Malays who needed government assistance to further their studies.

    What boggles the mind is how this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name could suddenly have millions in his pocket and which he was arrested for as he entered Australia when just barely a few years before that he could not even pay back the government the RM80,000 that he owed and needed Anwar Ibrahim to exempt him from the rule of paying back the money.

    This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name has made a police report against Malaysia Today and me saying that I insulted the Agong and Islam and that I raised racial sentiments which could probably result in racial conflicts in Malaysia. He was of course acting on behalf of Umno and represented Umno as its Information Chief.

    It is mind-boggling that this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name would accuse me of insulting the Agong who is also the Sultan of Terengganu when the Agong is my buddy. When the Agong, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu, was merely the Raja Muda of Terengganu, I used to ride horses with him along the beach in Kuala Terengganu. I also made trips to London to meet the Agong who is also the Sultan of Terengganu when he was still just the Raja Muda of Terengganu and a student in London.

    The then Raja Muda of Terengganu who is now the Agong and I would drive around London in his Ferrari and together with my sisters and wife would visit the famous London night-spots such as Longfellows where all the action is. When he was back in Kuala Lumpur I would take him to the then famous Tin Mine where we would just sit and talk as he was not a disco-dancer but preferred to just enjoy the music and talk.

    Would I insult my long-time friend who is now the Agong when I sembah and kiss his hand and he would withdraw it and refuse to allow me to kiss his hand as he considered me a buddy rather than a subject? This, the ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name did not realise when he made that police report against Malaysia Today and me.

    I will offer to make an audience (mengadap) with the Agong who was my buddy since the days he was merely the Raja Muda of Terengganu and if His Royal Highness is of the opinion that I have insulted him then I will subject myself to any form of punishment befitting a subject who has insulted his Agong. Such a punishment befitting the crime of insulting the Agong can include the death sentence and I will walk to the gallows to have my head separated from my body with the dignity of a true subject of the Agong. An Anak Raja Bugis is loyal to his Agong and a true Anak Raja Bugis looks death in the face with the dignity expected of an Anak Raja Bugis. I am not a descendant of Upu Tenribong Daeng Rilaka in vain and I shall not smear the name of my ancestors by avoiding the punishment of insulting his Agong. The Agong is one of the Raja-Raja Melayu and I am more than just an Anak Raja Melayu; I am an Anak Raja Bugis.

    This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name accuses me of insulting the Agong when he himself insulted the late Agong who was the Sultan of Selangor and my uncle. This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name eloped with the Sultan's daughter who is also my cousin and secretly married her in Thailand.

    When the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, asked this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name whether he (the ex-Menteri Besar with the two Muhamads in his name) had married his (the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor) daughter, this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name denied it. Marrying secretly in Thailand is a crime and one can be punished for it. Furthermore, marrying a woman without the consent of her father goes against Islam and Malay culture and, being a Menteri Besar, this is even more of a no-no. After all, a Menteri Besar is not a man-on-the-street but the head of government of a state. But this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name denied he had married the Sultan's daughter secretly in Thailand and swore in the name of Allah that the allegation is a lie.

    Eventually, this ex-Menteri Besar with the two Muhamads in his name divorced the Sultan of Selangor's daughter, my cousin, and paid her RM12 million as a divorce settlement. This upset the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, who made a photocopy of the RM12 million cheque. The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, was not upset that his Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name had divorced his daughter, my cousin. He did not mind this. The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor was upset that his Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name had paid his daughter RM12 million as a divorce settlement. The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor then made a photocopy of the cheque and showed it to the Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and demanded to know how a mere Menteri Besar could afford to pay RM12 million as a divorce settlement to his daughter, my cousin. This proves that Selangor has a corrupt Menteri Besar, said the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle.

    And this is the ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name who made a police report against Malaysia Today and me. This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name is corrupt, a liar who married the late Agong's and Sultan of Selangor's daughter and denied it, and who insulted the Malays and Islam by secretly marrying someone's daughter in another country without the permission of her father.

    But this man is not a mere man-on-the-street. This man was then a Menteri Besar. And this man had two Muhamads in his name. And the woman is not a mere woman-on-the-street. This woman is the daughter of the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor. So this crime of the ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name is ten times worse. And any other man would have been arrested and convicted of the crime of marrying a woman secretly in Thailand. But this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name was not arrested and put on trial. He was also not arrested and put on trial when he paid RM12 million as a divorce settlement and could not explain where he got the money from and how he could afford to pay such an amount on his meagre Menteri Besar's salary.

    I understand that this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name can't speak English. This is what the Australian court said and this is why the court acquitted him of the crime of smuggling dirty money into Australia. This means he also can't read English. How this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name managed to figure out that I insulted the Agong in my article is beyond me when I write in English and not in Malay. Umno should have chosen another man who can speak English to make that police report against Malaysia Today and me.

    Many people from the media phoned me today to ask me my comments on the police report against Malaysia Today and me. Well, this is my response to that police report against Malaysia Today and me. I would just like to say: go to hell Muhamad the son of Muhamad. You are a disgrace to the Muhamad name. And let me tell you Muhamad the son of Muhamad: you should thank your lucky stars that this is 2007 and not 1907. If this was 1907 instead of 2007 I would challenge you to a duel. It would be a man-to-man, one-to-one duel. It would be a duel to the death with kerises.

    But no, I don't think you would accept my challenge to a duel with kerises. You may have two Muhamads in your name but you have no class. You eloped with the late Agong's and Sultan of Selangor's daughter and secretly married her in Thailand. Then you denied it when the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor asked you about it. Only someone with no balls would do this. A man with balls would not deny it. So there is no way you would accept my challenge to a duel with kerises.

    I know that when the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, found out that you had in fact married his daughter, my cousin, and that you had lied about it, you arranged for Umno Youth to organise an anti-Sultan demonstration. The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor was very hurt and he cancelled his birthday celebration that year. So that year no datukships were awarded and you had to return the money to all those who had paid you for their datukships.

    This act of yours, Muhamad the son of Muhamad, is treasonous. If this was 1907 instead of 2007 you would have been put to death. And you accuse me of insulting the Agong? You committed treason. You can send me to jail if you wish. You would have been put to death if this was 1907 instead of 2007.

    But I know why you made that police report against Malaysia Today and me, Muhamad the son of Muhamad. You want to make a political comeback. You want to contest a parliament seat in the next general election. And you want to be made a federal minister when you win that parliament seat. You hope that the present Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, will fall and that you can take his job. That is why you made that police report against Malaysia Today and me, Muhamad the son of Muhamad.

    Muhamad the son of Muhamad, see you in hell. And if I go there first I will wait at the gates of hell to greet you on your arrival, Muhamad the son of Muhamad. Ini Anak Raja Bugis bercakap yang mati dengan keris di dalam tangan.

    P.S. Malaysia Today has been very sluggish today because there is a 97% load on the server. I have arranged to upgrade the server to double the present capacity so hopefully you will no longer face access problems.

    See also Special Statement: Police Report on Raja Petra.

    A comedy of errors

    I reproduce this article on Malaysian political reality in its entirety
    as I received it by email as I believe it deserves a wider audience.

    26/07: A comedy of errors

    Category: General
    Posted by: Raja Petra

    THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
    Raja Petra Kamarudin


    Yes, guilty as charged. I have stolen this line from Shakespeare. But I can’t help it. What better way to describe the eight hours I spent under interrogation at the Dangi Wangi Police Station yesterday other than it was a comedy of errors? By the way, before I go on, I have received more than a thousand phone calls, SMSes and e-mails from well-wishers and supporters. I have not found the time to reply to each and everyone yet so I hope you will forgive me for my rudeness. I am certainly touched by the concern and the messages of support posted in Malaysia Today’s blogs. From the bottom of my heart, and with sincere humility, I thank you all and promise you that the fight for more freedom in Malaysia shall continue come hell or high water.

    I received a call from the police at 8.00am yesterday that they want to record my statement on the police report lodged by an ex-Selangor Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name. I saw the phone call coming and was not only expecting it but was hoping that they would summon me for interrogation so that I can expose this entire episode for the farce that it really is. In short, I pushed their hand with the ‘See you in hell Muhamad son of Muhamad’ article so that they would be forced to make their move on me.

    They wanted me in at 10 but I told them I can only make it at 11. I wanted to update the website first in case my visit to Dangi Wangi ends up a two-week stay.

    According to the press reports, the police report made against me was with regards to an article I wrote on 11 July 2007 that they regard as insulting the Agong and Islam. By the way, in case you did not know, Malaysia does not have a king so please stop referring to the Agong as King. Agong does not translate to king. Agong means supreme and it merely means he is the Supreme Ruler of the nine rulers, a sort of ‘first amongst equals’ situation.

    I brought along two shopping bags of four copies of the Quran in Arabic, English and Bahasa Malaysia, the Salasilah or family tree of the Selangor Sultanate, and an ‘approved’ version of Selangor’s history written by Buyung Adil. I could of course have also included Joginder Singh Jessy’s, DJ Tate’s and Winsted’s versions as well, but I thought the Buyung Adil version, which is in Bahasa Malaysia, would be less strenuous on the more simple-minded.

    The police informed me that my interrogation was not about my article of 11 July 2007. In fact, on 11 July 2007, I never wrote any article. I did on 8 July though and again on 13 July, but never on 11 July. According to what the newspapers reported, I was alleged to have insulted the Agong and Islam, so the purpose of the two shopping bags of books was to debate Islam and the Agong with those who were about to interrogate me. But they did not want to talk about any of my articles. They only wanted to talk about some of the comments in the blogs posted by Malaysia Today’s readers.

    I told the police I refuse to talk about the comments in the blogs. I did not write these comments so I refuse to talk about what I did not write. I only want to talk about what I wrote and defend myself against charges that I have insulted the Agong and Islam. But no, the police did not want to talk about my articles. They only wanted to talk about the comments in the blogs.

    I told the police I still refuse to talk about the comments and if therefore they want to charge me for sedition under the Sedition Act then go ahead. I banged the table with my fist and shouted, “Charge me! Charge me now!” The police said that they do not wish to charge me yet but only to take my statement. I can refuse to reply if I wish or reply that I do not know anything. But they have no choice but to take my statement because a police report had been made against me.

    It boggles the mind that they MUST take my statement barely two days after the police report against me was made whereas they do not feel they MUST do anything on the hundreds upon hundreds of other police reports made the last ten years or so since 1998. Take, as one example, the police report made by four Umno delegates to the Kubang Pasu AGM last year alleging that they were each bribed RM200 to not vote for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Malaysia Today published copies of these police reports. One of the Umno delegates who made the police report was subsequently beaten up in his house in front of his family. He made a second police report on the beating and even fingered those who had beaten him up because he knew them personally. Again, nothing was done. So this MUST take your statement once a police report has been made against you is as truthful as I am still a virgin.

    When that ex-Selangor Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name went to the Dang Wangi Police Station on Monday to lodge his police report, he did not have any details to support the allegation that Malaysia Today had insulted the Agong and Islam. He was told that the evidence to support this allegation must be attached to the police report. They then tried to get onto the internet to access Malaysia Today so that they could look for the evidence. But they did not know how to and could not find Malaysia Today.

    They then enlisted the help of a journalist from one of the Chinese newspapers who was there covering the event. Through the good help of this Chinese reporter, they finally found Malaysia Today and went through the comments in the blogs to find the evidence that they needed to support the police report.

    Malaysia Today was launched on 13 August 2004 and since then we have about 20,000 or so items with an estimated five million comments in the blogs. Looking for the evidence would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. We must note that at this point of time they had lodged a police report but lacked the evidence. They were now putting the cart before the horse. They now needed the evidence to support the police report.

    They finally found about a dozen or so postings amongst five million that looked strong enough to prove that Malaysia Today has insulted the Agong and Islam. One was my own posting that said if you insult any race or religion then I would have no choice but to delete your posting and ban you from further posting comments in Malaysia Today. Another was by Indianputra who was appealing to Malaysia Today’s readers not to fight and argue as some people might take advantage of the squabbling and exploit it to divide the races. What we want is a peaceful country, argued Indianputra, so if we engage in a civil manner then we will be able to unite all the races. And so on and so forth. Basically, this was the evidence they were working on to prove that Malaysia Today insulted the Agong and Islam.

    I asked the police whether these postings are insulting the Agong, insulting Islam, and are trying to divide the races, or whether they are actually the reverse. The face of the ASP interrogating me turned red as he tried to explain that he was just doing his job and that he was ordered to take my statement. I replied that the person who made the police report is a stupid person who can’t speak English. So what do you expect from someone like that? He can’t even understand comments that are appealing for national unity and instead interpret it as calling for racial strife.

    “Do you know that that orang bodoh ran away with the Sultan’s daughter and then denied it?” I asked the police. They just smiled. “Well, I am going to reveal this to the world,” I continued. “I am going to publish the letter he wrote to the Sultan where he denied he had married the Sultan’s daughter whereas he had in fact already secretly married her in Thailand. You tengoklah. I akan balun si bodoh tu habis-habis.”

    The police appeared amused at what I had to say although their only retort was, “Banyak maklumat kita dapat hari ini.”

    They then wanted to know the identity of those who post comments in Malaysia Today’s blogs. I told them I do not know who they are but I do know that amongst them are 25 Umno cyber-troopers headed by Azalina and Norza.

    “Azalina?” they asked.

    “Yes, Azalina lesbian,” I replied.

    “Oh, Azalina Othman.” Apparently they know who I meant by Azalina lesbian.

    “I did not say Azalina Othman. I said Azalina lesbian. You are supposed to record everything I say the way I say it. That is what a cautioned statement under Section 112 is all about. Saya kata Azalina lesbian. Bukan Azalina Othman. You record what I say and I will sign the statement.”

    The second police officer stopped typing and scratched his head with a sheepish grin on his face. “Okaylah, I don’t want you to get into any trouble. Drop the lesbian and change it to Othman.” The second officer continued typing while chuckling. He was certainly enjoying himself.

    I pointed out a few IDs that belonged to the Umno cyber-troopers and the second officer recorded them down. “How do you know they are Umno cyber-troopers?” the first officer asked me.

    “Because I have received information from inside Umno,” I replied.

    “You have people planted in Umno?”

    “Of course I do, and I bribe them to feed me information. I just slam RM1,000 onto the table and ask them to tell me everything and they sing like a canary. It is not that hard to buy information.”

    The four police officers in the room smiled and shook their heads in disbelief. “Can we record this in your statement?”

    “Of course you can. The reason I am telling you this is so that you can record it in my statement. I want it on record that Umno is attacking Malaysia Today with 25 cyber-troopers and they are the ones who are posting racial statements. Sometimes they even masquerade as Chinese and whack the Malays and Islam. Then other cyber-troopers would respond and whack the Chinese. The Umno cyber-troopers are the ones behind this racial and religious bashing in Malaysia Today. Then they make a police report alleging that Malaysia Today insults Islam and stirs racial sentiments.”

    All this exchange was of course recorded as anything you say under Section 112 interrogation is recorded and you are made to sign the statement at the end of the interrogation. And you go to jail if you make a false statement.

    At the end of the eight-hour interrogation, I asked them whether we are finished and they said yes. “Okay, now I want to make my additional statement,” I informed the police.

    “Of course, we will ask you before we end whether you want to add anything more to your statement. That is the procedure.”

    “Okay, now I will make that statement. Malaysia Today’s domain name is registered in the UK,” I told the police. When you click on the domain name malaysia-today.net you are sent to the server of the registered IP address in that domain name. Our server is in Singapore. But what you see is only the front page. Then you choose which item on the front page you want to read and you are sent to the blog. The blog sits in the US. When you post a comment it goes straight to the blog. For all intents and purposes, Malaysia Today is a foreign website and not a Malaysian website. We therefore do not come under Malaysian laws.”

    “Let me put it another way,” I told the police. “Sodomy is a crime in Malaysia and you can get sent to jail for nine years for the crime of sodomy even if you are a Deputy Prime Minister. In England, men can marry men and you will even receive a congratulatory message from the British Prime Minister. So, sodomy is not a crime in the UK and you do not go to jail.”

    “In short,” I summed up. “Your Sedition Act is valid only in Malaysia and not outside Malaysia. So you cannot impose Malaysia’s Sedition Act on Malaysia Today which resides outside Malaysia. I can actually tell you to go to hell and that I will not waste eight hours answering all your questions. But I do not want you to think I am sombong so I was prepared to spend eight hours with you answering all your questions as I know you have a job to do and it is not your fault.”

    I knew this officer was under tremendous pressure because every half an hour he would receive a phone call from his OCPD as well as the IGP asking about the progress of the interrogation. The top bosses were monitoring the whole situation and my interrogation was not a routine one at all. One senior Chinese officer who sat there the entire duration without opening his mouth revealed his true role when the only time he spoke was to utter the statement that I am trying to topple the IGP. That was what the police really wanted. It was payback time for the revelations of the links between the IGP and the Chinese organised crime syndicate.

    Umno, however, had other motives. It was not about Malaysia Today insulting the Agong or Islam. They did not even have any evidence of this until that Chinese reporter helped them get onto the internet and access Malaysia Today’s website. What they were perturbed about is my article in my column No Holds Barred on 8 July 2007 about the powers of the Agong.

    If you read Article 150 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia -- which I have reproduced below -- you can see that the Agong has the power to remove the Prime Minister if the Agong perceives the Prime Minister as totally incompetent and a danger to the economic life and well-being of Malaysians. Of course, this has never been done before except in 1969 to address the problem of the May 13 race riots. But this does mean it cannot be done, just that it has never been done or done only once in 1969.

    Note the key points in Article 150 such as:

    1) If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied
    2) That a grave emergency exists
    3) Whereby the security, or the economic life, or public order in the Federation or any part thereof is threatened
    4) He may issue a Proclamation of Emergency making therein a declaration to that effect.
    5) A Proclamation of Emergency may be issued before the actual occurrence of the event which threatens the security, or the economic life, or public order in the Federation
    6) Except when both Houses of Parliament are sitting concurrently
    7) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that certain circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action
    8) He may promulgate such ordinances as circumstances appear to him to require.
    9) The Houses of Parliament shall be regarded as sitting only if the members of each House are respectively assembled together

    Now, Article 150 is very clear in that the Agong can interpret the situation as he sees it and take action that he thinks is befitting the situation. Basically, it is his opinion and only his opinion that rules and he can act based on his opinion.

    When this article was first published on 8 July 2007, it sent shockwaves right through the fourth floor and right up to the fifth floor of the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya. They suddenly realised that if the Agong perceives the Prime Minister as incompetent and a danger to this country, then the Agong can remove the Prime Minister and appoint anyone he so wishes to replace the Prime Minister. It need not be the Deputy Prime Minister or any of the Umno leaders. In theory, it can even be the Agong’s gardener if the Agong thinks he is better than the Prime Minister and the best man to lead this country.

    And that was when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decided to quietly sneak out of the country with his entire family. They suspected that this article of 8 July 2007 was not a coincidence but was instead a hint that the Agong may act within his powers under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia to sack the Prime Minister and replace him with someone better. The Prime Minister then summoned the IGP and the Director of the Special Branch to Australia to obtain feedback as to whether he is in danger of being ousted.

    Earlier, Abdullah had announced the extension of the IGP’s tenure on contract basis beyond 13 September 2007 when he is supposed to retire. Abdullah received a major blow yesterday during the Rulers’ Conference when the Rulers rejected the extension of the IGP’s tenure on grounds that they have not been prior-informed about it. That was the Rulers’ very strong message to Abdullah that they are not happy with the way he is running this country.

    Abdullah is worried that Malaysia Today might be playing a role of ‘instigating’ the Rulers to sack him. They then sat down and came out with a plan to turn the Rulers against Malaysia Today by accusing Malaysia Today of insulting the Agong and Islam. They hope that by doing this the Rulers would get angry with Malaysia Today and be very grateful to Abdullah for putting Raja Petra in jail and in that same process protect and defend the image and dignity of the Rulers. In short, Abdullah wants the Rulers to think that Malaysia Today is their enemy while the Prime Minister is their friend. So, no need to sack Abdullah. Instead, put Raja Petra in jail. And with that Abdullah and his family can continue to live happily ever after as the First Family of Malaysia.

    Abdullah is due back on 27 July 2007. According to his office, he may delay his return until the first week of August. Abdullah was hoping that by the time he returns on 27 July 2007, Raja Petra would be safely tucked away behind the high walls of the Sungai Buloh Prison and he can then request an audience with the Agong to inform the Agong how he defended the image and dignity of the Agong by punishing Raja Petra for the crime of insulting the Agong and Islam.

    But they sent a fool to undertake the job of assassinating Raja Petra. This ex-Selangor Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name botched the mission. Abdullah now has to rethink his strategy as well as the date of his return home. Would he still be walking in the corridors of power or would he have to stay in Australia and apply for PR status? Yes, we live in interesting times. A certain Datuk from Abdullah’s camp phoned me last night and I told this Datuk to inform his boss that Raja Petra is bent on destroying Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and ensure that all that remains of him is a pile of dust. An Uncle to the Agong phoned me two days ago and said “Bodoh betul Mat Taib!”

    Round One: Raja Petra. But will I also win Round Two? I don’t know yet. We will have to wait and see. Time will of course tell. But what I do know, it is a fight to the death and I really do not care whether that will be me.

    Article 150 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia

    (1) If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security, or the economic life, or public order in the Federation or any part thereof is threatened, he may issue a Proclamation of Emergency making therein a declaration to that effect.

    (2) A Proclamation of Emergency under Clause (1) may be issued before the actual occurrence of the event which threatens the security, or the economic life, or public order in the Federation or any part thereof if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that there is imminent danger of the occurrence of such event.

    (2A) The power conferred on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by this Article shall include the power to issue different Proclamations on different grounds or in different circumstances, whether or not there is a Proclamation or Proclamations already issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Clause (1) and such Proclamation or Proclamations are in operation.

    (2B) If at any time while a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, except when both Houses of Parliament are sitting concurrently, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that certain circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such ordinances as circumstances appear to him to require.

    (2C) An ordinance promulgated under Clause (2B) shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, and shall continue in full force and effect as if it is an Act of Parliament until it is revoked or annulled under Clause (3) or until it lapses under Clause (7); and the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to promulgate ordinances under Clause (2B) may be exercised in relation to any matter with respect to which Parliament has power to make laws regardless of the legislative or other procedures required to be followed, or the proportion of the total votes required to be had, in either House of Parliament.

    (3) A Proclamation of Emergency and any ordinance promulgated under Clause (2B) shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and, if not sooner revoked, shall cease to have effect if resolutions are passed by both Houses annulling such Proclamation or ordinance, but without prejudice to anything previously done by virtue thereof or to the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to issue a new Proclamation under Clause (1) or promulgate any ordinance under Clause (2B).

    (4) While a Proclamation of Emergency is in force the executive authority of the Federation shall, notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, extent to any matter within the legislative authority of a State and to the giving of directions to the Government of a State or to any officer or authority thereof.

    (5) Subject to Clause (6A), while a Proclamation of Emergency is in force, Parliament may, not-withstanding anything in this Constitution make laws with respect to any matter, if it appears to Parliament that the law is required by reason of the emergency; and Article 79 shall not apply to a Bill for such a law or an amendment to such a Bill, nor shall any provision of this Constitution or of any written law which requires any consent or concurrence to the passing of a law or any consultation with respect thereto, or which restricts the coming into force of a law after it is passed or the presentation of a Bill to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his assent.

    (6) Subject to Clause (6A), no provision of any ordinance promulgated under this Article, and no provision of any Act of Parliament which is passed while a Proclamation of Emergency is in force and which declares that the law appears to Parliament to be required by reason of the emergency, shall be invalid on the ground of inconsistency with any provision of this Constitution.

    (6A) Clause (5) shall not extend the powers of Parliament with respect to any matter of Islamic law or the custom of the Malays, or with respect to any matter of native law or custom in the State of Sabah or Sarawak; nor shall Clause (6) validate any provision inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution relating to any such matter or relating to religion, citizenship, or language.

    (7) At the expiration of a period of six months beginning with the date on which a Proclamation of Emergency ceases to be in force, any ordinance promulgated in pursuance of the Proclamation and, to the extent that it could not have been validly made but for this Article any law made while the Proclamation was in force, shall cease to have effect, except as to things done or omitted to be done before the expiration of that period.

    (8) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution:
    (a) the satisfaction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong mentioned in Clause (1) and Clause (2B) shall be final and conclusive and shall not be challenged or called in question in any court on any ground; and
    (b) no court shall have jurisdiction to entertain or determine any application, question or proceeding, in whatever form, on any ground, regarding the validity of-
    (i) a Proclamation under Clauses (1) or of a declaration made in such Proclamation to the effect stated in Clause (1);
    (ii) the continued operation of such Proclamation;
    (iii) any ordinance promulgated under Clause (2B); or
    (iv) the continuation in force of any such ordinance.

    (9) For the purpose of this Article the Houses of Parliament shall be regarded as sitting only if the members of each House are respectively assembled together and carrying out the business of the House.

    Sunday, July 15, 2007

    Journey into Islam


    Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization (Hardcover)
    by Akbar Ahmed (Author)

    Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Author, "Journey into Islam" together with Jonathan Hayden, Project Coordinator, "Journey into Islam", Frankie Martin, Research Assistant, "Journey into Islam" and Hailey Woldt, Research Assistant, "Journey into Islam" discusses his book, "Journey into Islam" which details their journey into eight Muslim countries, namely Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, Qatar and Syria.

    The discussion took place on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. An mp3 file of the discussion can be downloaded here and a rush transcript of the discussion may be viewed here.

    In response to the events of September 11, 2001, Ahmed, Islamic studies professor at American University in Washington, D.C., set out in 2006 to visit Muslim nations in the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia. Accompanied the entire way by two non-Muslim American students and occasionally by others—including one American student who was Muslim—the Pakistani-born professor hoped to improve his understanding of the contemporary Muslim realm in all its diversity.

    Not so incidentally, Ahmed also wanted to shatter the stereotype of the U.S. as a war-mongering, Islam-hating nation. The result is a fascinating account of how he and his students braved danger to build mutual understanding in Pakistan, India, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, Malaysia and Indonesia.

    As academics, they administered detailed questionnaires to Muslims in each nation, while as social creatures, they sat through seminars, luncheons, dinners and casual conversations looking for a candid exchange of ideas about religious, political and cultural differences.

    Ahmed has long been one of the beacons of the Muslim spokepersons in the West. Here he comes across as an honourable man who believes that the future of the human race depends on international dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims. He breaks new ground by taking the theme of dialogue as guiding light. This is a wonderful way to get a sense of the textures of conversations among contemporary Muslims.

    Praise for Journey into Islam by Akbar Ahmed

    More information about Journey into Islam by Akbar Ahmed

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Thursday, July 12, 2007

    Kalau Tak Mati...

    The lengths some (well, at least one) people will go to protect their durians...

    From Musings with Me by Blue Wonder

    "Well a couple of weeks back, my hubby and I met his friend who happened to be on his way to put up a “No Trespassing” sign on his vacant land. Apparently people have been trespassing and even dumping rubbish on his property. Not one to put up with all these nonsense, he customized a special sign which was Big and Bold indeed! When I read what was written, I just couldn’t stop laughing. You have to be a person like A, with his strange sense of humour, to be able to come up with such gems."

    Suhaimi bin Hassan, Abu Hanifah bin Hassan, Zulkarna'n bin Hassan, Siti Fatanah binti Hassan, Rozita binti Hassan, Rozali bin Hassan, Kamal Dahlan bin Hussein and families ~ You have been warned ~ Strictly No Trespassing!

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Wednesday, July 04, 2007

    Durian Kampung

    Hey folks, durian season is here again!


    Durian kampung (including kepala gajah cultivar) from my kebun in Kampung Sungai Penchala (next to TTDI/Penchala Link) are available from a roadside stall under the cherry tree next to Masjid Jamek Tengku Abdul Aziz Shah, Jalan Sungai Penchala.


    Just follow the red and white DURIANS THIS WAY directional signs from the traffic lights.


    Lima biji for 10 ringgit. Enjoy!


    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Tuesday, July 03, 2007

    Tuesday, June 12, 2007

    BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

    Whatever it is you are wanting of you.
    Whatever you choose in your lifetime to do.
    So what if it's something that's totally new.
    Believe in yourself. See it through.

    It isn't important if others believe it.
    What counts is that you were the one to conceive it.
    And just how sincerely, you truly believe it.
    Believe in yourself. You'll achieve it.

    People will scorn you. Affect your decisions.
    Fill you with doubt towards your current ambitions.
    Don't fall a victim to their inhibitions.
    Believe in yourself and your missions.

    Know in your heart, what you're doing is right.
    Know you can do it, with all of your might.
    Know that the goal is one clearly in sight.
    Believe in yourself. You'll shine bright.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Saturday, June 02, 2007

    Don't you think Elaine's hot?



    We're living in a world full of illusion
    Everything is so unreal
    My mind is in a state of confusion
    But I can't deny the way I feel

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Sunday, May 27, 2007

    MALANG TAK BERBAU


    MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT KOTA WARISAN ON MAY 26, 2007
    KEMALANGAN JALANRAYA DI KOTA WARISAN PADA 26hb MEI, 2007


    Do you have
    Personal Accident Insurance?

    Adakah anda dilindungi oleh
    Insuran Kemalangan Diri?



    For full coverage, please contact:
    Untuk perlindungan sepenuhnya, sila hubungi:


    We've Got You Covered!

    AZLAN BIN ADNAN
    Authorised Agent
    Wisma Azlan
    6 Jalan Airport City 2
    Airport City Business Centre
    Kota Warisan
    43900 SEPANG
    03-8706 3800 • 019-282 9526

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    Friday, May 25, 2007

    APARTMENT FOR RENT


    Kota Warisan is home to some of the most magnificent and
    breath-takingly spectacular sunsets you'll ever live to see.
    (Click on the above photographs for more sunset pictures.)


    (Click on Map to Enlarge)
    Kota Warisan's strategic location puts it within easy
    reach of KLIA, LCCT, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, & etc.



    PRIMA APARTMENT FOR RENT IN
    43900 KOTA WARISAN

    Click here for More Photos.

    Click here for Location Map.

    Semi-furnished third-storey end-lot Prima apartment for rent in Kota Warisan. 736 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms. Extra windows, overlooks Security Guardhouse.

    Strategically located ~ just minutes away from Cyberjaya and Putrajaya via the toll-free B15; near to KLIA, LCCT. Next to Salak Tinggi ERL Station with twice-hourly KLIA Transit trains to KLIA, Putrajaya Central, Bandar Tasik Selatan and KL Central.

    Monthly rent only RM500, negotiable (Rent Discount available to eligible tenants).
    Security Deposit = RM1,000
    TNB Deposit = RM200
    SYABAS Deposit = RM100
    Tenancy Agreement = RM150 + RM50 for setem hasil.

    Unique Features of Kota Warisan Properties:
    Breath-taking views of green rolling hills and spectacular sunsets, three minutes' drive from Salak Tinggi KLIA Transit ERL station, two minutes' drive from primary school (SK Kota Warisan), 10 minutes' drive to Cyberjaya via B15, 15 minutes' drive to Putrajaya via B15, Pasar Malam Kota Warisan every Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm.

    No longer available ~ already rented out.

    This apartment has already been rented out and is no longer available. For more info about Kota Warisan, click here. For more photos of this apartment, click here.

    Copyright 2003-2007 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

    House for Rent in Kampung Sungai Penchala


    Location Map 1 (based on DBKL plans)



    View Larger Map
    Location Map 2 (from Google Maps)


    Satellite Photo (from wikimapia)

    Address:

    3061-8 Taman Dato' Adnan (Rent: RM680)
    Jalan Sungai Penchala
    Kampung Sungai Penchala
    off Penchala Link
    60000 KUALA LUMPUR




    Taman Dato' Adnan is located within walking distance of the neighbourhood mosque.

    These photos show the view of the mosque from the driveway of 3061-8 Taman Dato' Adnan.


    A local landmark, the village mosque is called
    Masjid Jamek Tengku Abdul Aziz Shah.


    Taman Dato' Adnan is located along Jalan Sungai Penchala.


    Look out for the 2 ft x 4 ft red & white signboard with "3061 THIS WAY"
    in white lettering (not in this photo). Turn right into the lane that goes slightly uphill.
    This lane in in the process of being widened.


    3061-8 has been recently refurbished and has ample parking space.


    3061-8 is set in a mature fruit orchard with lush greenery.


    Terms & Conditions

    You may click on the above photographs for a larger image.

    SINGLE-STOREY SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE FOR RENT IN
    TAMAN DATO' ADNAN
    KAMPUNG SUNGAI PENCHALA
    OFF PENCHALA LINK
    60000 KUALA LUMPUR


    Unfurnished single-storey semi-detached house for rent. 3 bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, 1 bathroom. Set in mature fruit orchard with lush greenery. Recently refurbished and repainted.

    Strategically located ~ just minutes away from Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas, Damansara Heights, Bangsar via Penchala Link. Next to LDP, NKVE, TTDI, 1Utama, IKEA, The Curve, Kota Damansara.

    Monthly rent only RM680 (non-negotiable).
    Security Deposit = RM1,360 (3061-8).
    TNB Deposit = RM250.00
    SYABAS Deposit = RM150.00
    Tenancy Agreement = RM150 + setem hasil (to be calculated).

    Available NOW for long lease!

    Call 019-282 9526 for appointment to view.

    Last Updated on August 17, 2008. Copyright 2003-2008 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice