Mexico's "Illegitimate President"

Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the opposition leader who lost in the recent Mexican presidential election has held his own swearing-in ceremony declaring himself as the new president of Mexico challenging the President-elect Felipe Calderón. López Obrador claimed there was a massive election fraud and he doesn't recognise the election results........hmmmmm same tone at the recent Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election by Jean-Pierre Bemba who lost.

López Obrador was "sworn in" by Senator Rosario Ibarra, a human rights activist and member of his party, who placed a red, green and white presidential sash across his shoulders before an estimated 100,000 supporters in the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square. Oh mine, this will lead to more chaos in Mexico with 2 major camps opposing each other. Let's pray that it's just a political gimmick with the intention of setting up a shadow government which monitors the current government.

A poll in the Reforma newspaper yesterday showed that 56% of those questioned oppose his decision to name himself "legitimate president" while just 19% back him. (source: Boston Globe)

Tags: Mexico, President, López Obrador, Felipe Calderón, Election, DR Congo

Malaysia glocal

Glocal means... you get into a global space to play local games. According to Bernama, the Parliament was told that the two Malaysian pioneer astronauts will spin top (gasing) and toss "batu seremban' (five-stone game) as part of an experiment during his space travel.

The astronauts will also paint a batik motif and make 'teh tarik' ('pulled' tea) which would be shared with fellow astronauts from other country.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry parliamentary secretary Rohani Abdul Karim. Rohani, who was representing the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry at the parliament, said the outcome of the experiments -- gasing, batu seremban, batik, teh tarik et al -- would be studied on earth "with the hope that it would unravel the mysteries in science, education and medicine".

Thanks to Najib Razak, as it was revealed that the Malaysian Astronaut programme was not borne by the Treasury, but derived by offsetting the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia by the Defence Ministry. Would anyone mind passing this blog entry to Michael Backman of The Age, Australia? (source: Screenshots)

The best part of this blog in Screenshots was the comments made. Some of them, I do really pass it off as jokes of the year.
Tags: Screenshots, Bernama, Astronaut, Space, Science, Technology

US Midterm Election 2006

Republicans was handed a defeat at the hands of the well oiled Democrats in USA's Mid-term Election 2006.

Source: CNN

With 1 seat yet to be decided at the Senate, the Republicans could still hold on to the Senate provided the Republicans win the last seat at Virginia. But with Republican George Allen of Virginia conceding another defeat, election for his U.S. Senate seat went to Democratic challenger Jim Webb. Earlier, Republican Sen. Conrad Burns conceded defeat to Democrat Jon Tester for the Montana seat. With 49 seats in the bag and both Independents Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut pledging to work with Democrats, Democrats now have a majority in the Senate too. A thumping win indeed for the Democrats from the last election.
Tags: Republicans, Democrats, Election 2006, George Allen, Jim Webb, Jon Tester, Conrad Burns, Bernie Sanders, Joe Lieberman, House, Senate

Saddam Hussein's Court Verdict

Saddam Hussein and his half brother were convicted and sentenced on Sunday to death by hanging for war crimes in the 1982 killings of 148 people in the town of Dujail, as the visibly shaken former leader shouted "God is great!" After the verdict was read, a trembling Saddam yelled out, "Life for the glorious nation, and death to its enemies!"

In addition to the former Iraqi dictator and Barzan Ibrahim, his half brother, the Iraqi High Tribunal convicted and sentenced Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the head of Iraq's former Revolutionary Court, to death by hanging. Iraq's former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan was convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Three other co-defendants were convicted of murder and torture and sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. One defendant was acquitted for lack of evidence. (source: Associated Press)

Pray that the court verdict will not cause further eruption of conflicts in Iraq.
Tags: Saddam Hussein, Iraq, Iraqi High Tribunal, Court

Another Mansion Without Approval

Another Selangor municipal councillor has been found to be building a mansion without getting approval from the Klang Municipal Council (MPK). How many more is the question?

Mazlynoor Abdul Latiff’s mansion at Kampung Raja Uda along Jalan Lengkungan is about 80% completed and resembles the controversial four-storey mansion built by Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros. MPK president Abdul Bakir Zin confirmed yesterday that Mazlynoor had not submitted plans for the construction of the mansion.

MPK president said “MPK will investigate how the mansion came to be built up to this stage without the enforcement or planning department imposing a stop-work order or even alerting me. Work should not have gone on until plans submitted are approved." Yeah, should investigate and anyway, I have the answer already why it can be built anyhow ..... I'm sure many people also knew why it could be built no matter what.

The best part was, when contacted by The Star, Mazlynoor claimed that other councillors had also built mansions within the area without building plans. “So, you visited the area. You took a lot of photographs. No reason for you to highlight the matter. Everyone is doing it, but my house is small,” he said. Will this open up a can of worms? I'm sure it will unless the government enforced another gag order on this issue. Your comments?
Tags: Politics, Municipal Councillor, Klang Municipal Council, Selangor, Mansion, Port Klang, Datuk Zakaria Md Deros

ASLI Retracts Its Findings

With reference to my earlier blog on 9 Oct, Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) has retracted its findings. ASLI president, Mirzan Mahathir, had said that on re-examining the methodology and conclusions of the report, "ASLI has concluded that there are shortcomings in assumption and calculation that led to conclusions that cannot be vigorously justified."

As a result of ASLI's action, Centre for Public Policy Studies's Director, Dr. Lim Teck Ghee has resigned on his own accord. Dr Lim was a former UN regional advisor and World Bank Senior Political Scientist. He is also a recipient of international academic awards.

In his resignation statement, Dr. Lim says, as Director of the CPPS, he takes full responsibility, and stands by the findings of the study and the other studies that were submitted in a comprehensive report to the Government on the 9th Malaysia Plan in February 2006. However, Dr Lim adds that since he cannot agree with Mirzan's statement, and because of the need to defend the position and integrity of independent and non-partisan scholarship, he will be stepping down from his position as Director at the end of October.
(source: Screenshots & Malaysiakini)
Tags: Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute, ASLI, Centre for Public Policy Studies, CPPS, 9th Malaysian Plan, Mirzan Mahathir, Methodology

Malaysian Scenario

Patriotic Motivation & Semi-Value Project
(source: Zunar's Book of Malaysia Boleh Cartoons)
Tags: Jokes, Funny, Humour, Malaysia, Politics, Zunar, Malaysia Boleh Cartoons

Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik has SHOT DOWN (thought it was sensitive to use this 2 words lately) any suggestion of a tender to appoint a central clearing house operator, a lucrative job, for the implementation of Mobile Number Portability (MNP).

“There will be no tender. There will be only one company,” he told reporters after delivering the keynote address at the seminar. Lim did not identify the company but when asked, he said: “Wait.” Dr Lim had said one company, Talian Gerak Alih Sdn Bhd, had presented its plans to him and that he was impressed with it because of its US-based technology partner, Telcordia Technologies Inc.

A clearing house operator is required to manage the database of all mobile subscribers and re-route all calls and data traffic for a fee that will charged to the telcos up to a rate of RM0.001 per re-routing.

BUT WHY NO TENDER? Talian Gerak Alih Sdn Bhd is reportedly owned by Sinar Aturan Sdn Bhd, which in turn is 70% owned by Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail (the son of the current King of Malaysia). A La Trobe University, Australia graduate too.

FYI, Singapore has it since 1997.
Tags: Mobile Number Portability, MNP, Clearing House Operator, Mobile Subscriber, Data Traffic, Technology

Nuclear Bomb Test By North Korea

What is the yield of the North Korean nuclear test bomb?
South Korea recorded a tremor of 3.58 Richter scale; the US Geological Services measured 4.2 Richter scale. Based upon these data, South Korea puts the explosion as being equivalent to 550 tons of TNT, or 2.6% of the 1945 Nagasaki atomic bomb. However, Russia estimated the yield to be 5,000-15,000 tons or equivalent to the Hiroshima atomic bomb which killed 240,000 people.
Reuters - UN Council Members Condemn North Korea's Actions
Associated Press - World Leaders Condemn North Korea's Nuke Test
North Korea - Official Homepage
Tags: North Korea, Nuclear, South Korea, USA, TNT, United Nations, UN Security Council

Military Junta in Myanmar

The rulings generals in Myanmar can now argue that the world leaders were quiet on the coup d'etat in Thailand. As democracy was put aside by the Thai military leaders, ruling generals have a time-out now as they can say that if the Thais can do it, why keep hitting us all the time.

Tags: Myanmar, Military Junta, Thailand

Coup d'etat in Philippines

Is it going to happen in Philippines too? Coup d'etat is not uncommon words in this country. Seems that the modus operandi used in Thailand's coup could trigger similar situation in Philippines. President Gloria Arroyo doesn't seem to be ready to hand over her presidency in her comfy Malacanang Palace to anyone yet while there were past situations whereby coup d'etat almost happened in Philippines.
Tags: Philippines, Thailand, Gloria Arroyo, Malacanang Palace

Auditor-General's 2005 Report

The Chief Minister of Selangor quoted this statement (7 Sept, STAR) when responding to an additional RM21mil in expenses for the delay in constructing two slaughterhouses under the Auditor-General's 2005 Report:-

"I have checked with the economic planning unit and the Veterinary Department. There are no such projects in the state. I would have known if there were. The projects might have been a private initiative or done in other states but mistakenly attributed to Selangor" (saying that the Auditor-General's office made a mistake??)

Just last month, he was so sure that there was no monopoly contract for outdoor advertising BUT proven otherwise.
Tags: Politics, Chief Minister, Selangor, Auditor-General, Veterinary Department

No Holds Barred

PM: Alright. So what should I tell the press?
Tan Sri: You can tell the press we are going to make sure that this kind of thing will never happen again.
PM: Good. I am glad that finally the police are beginning to agree with us. So they will stop this practice of beating up suspects? This is the assurance the IGP gave you?
Tan Sri: Heavens no YAB! Why would we want to do that? How else can we get the suspects to confess if we don’t beat them up?
PM: Oh, so what action are you talking about then?
Tan Sri: With immediate effect, the police are going to ban all hand-phones in the lockup. This will ensure that no more nude squats or beating videos get leaked to the public.
Tags: PM, Tan Sri, Jokes, Funny, Humour, Politics

UK Sports Academy

Well, this Sports Academy (proposed to be constructed in UK) thingy is springing up again and it seems that the Ministry of Youth & Sports will respond/update, by end September, upon the completion of an in-depth study. In-depth study? The project is definitely not viable so why still need to carry out an in-depth study. Many people have voiced out that this project will be a "white elephant" once constructed.

RM490 million (approx. US$132.4 million) could be better utilised if it was used to upgrade existing sports centre in Malaysia. Otherwise, it could be used to build more sports complex (smaller scale) to be used by sportsmen/women participating in the bi-annual SUKMA event.

Or the fund could be used to send elite/proven sportsmen/women to Australia (having the best Sports Institute in the world) for further improvement.

Alternatively, the fund could be used to finance elite/proven sportsmen/women to participate in certain sports event that could benefit them.

Otherwise, the fund could be used to build more sporting facilities for the public's usage and rental of such facilities could be obtained too.

By building such a big facilities overseas, who will manage the sports complex? what's the maintenance cost like as UK pound is high on the currency exchange rate? what's the usage rate going to be? Reason given was that the new sports complex could be used as a base for sportsmen/women in preparation for sporting events to be held in similar kind of weather conditions. Who could that be as majority of the M'sian (not looking down on them) do not qualify for the major sporting events. Even sporting giants (referring countries) only send their sportsmen/women to the host country few weeks prior to the event for acclimatisation purposes. And M'sia is trying to do one better - by having a costly underused overseas base.

The current batch of squash and badminton players (who have excelled in their events) do not such costly overseas base and they still succeed. It's all in their minds. But I'm wondering what's in the mind of those government officials who are so adamant to have this sports complex.
Tags: Politics, Sports Academy, UK

Non-Kosher Goods And Services

UPDATE
No boycott:
The government has no intention to boycott goods from the United States and Britain to protest against their support for Israel's assault on Lebanon because the action can backfire on Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said those who called for a boycott should think very deeply about it.

"We should not talk big and then have to backtrack when our action becomes a burden to us," he told reporters after performing the ground-breaking for the Universiti Darul Iman Malaysia (UDM) campus in Kampung Tembila here Monday. (source: Bernama)

Pak Lah has the last word. As for the others: KNOW HOW TO TALK BIG ONLY BUT NO ACTION!!!!
(extracted from Aisehman)
Tags: Politics, Boycott, Israel

Ethnic Relations

I wonder what pushed a local uni to rush a subject when the so-called not ready textbook which is so bias & untruthful. The main purpose of the Ethnic Relations' topic is to integrate the multi races in Malaysia but the so-called suggested textbook has topics which blamed certain parties for certain past events in Malaysia (a bit racial too). Reasons given for that were history could not changed.

What was going through their heads when this topic was to bring everyone closer? I really cannot understand. But thanks to the wisdom of our Prime Minister, he ordered the so-called textbook to be withdrawn immediately.

Urgent steps need to be taken too as certain youngsters are also influenced by external parties for various selfish reasons....... as seen in this video, which was taped at the UPM's canteen recently Incident at UPM.

Police intervened after receiving calls but swept under the carpet as they considered it's internal uni matters due to no injuries/assault.

It's really sad to see such situation knowing that in future all this undergraduates are going to be in the real working-life world.
Tags: Politics, Education, UPM, Ethnic Relations, Racial

M'sia to Build 'RM490 Mil' Sports Academy in UK

Wow!!!!! BIG news.......but I'm sad to hear about it. As it caters only for selected sportsmen/women to assist them in preparation for various sporting events held in Europe or countries with same climate as UK.

But how do you get these young sportsmen/women to be selected with the limited sports facilities in Malaysia. My former secondary school was known to have the biggest sports field in Petaling Jaya and now school buildings have taken over it and it seems their sports activities were not as good as "those days" when I was schooling. Gone are those days.

And yet, funds are being funnelled overseas to cater for a limited group of people to use. How often do we send our sportsmen/women to participate in overseas competition, rarely as far as I knew.

Who will be managing the sports academy? Who will work there (foreigners?) ? What's the usage rate like? Why can't we send our sportsmen/women to USA or Australia where there are specialised sports institute catering for such training. The idea was blurted out to the media without much info to the public.

I'm an avid sportsman myself and at times couldn't get a good sport facility to enjoy my sports as general/public facilities are so limited. Hopefully more funds could be generated to build more sports facilities in Malaysia.
Tags: Sports, Sports Academy, Politics, UK