Hudud and The By-Election

First of all, let's not get roped into the propaganda that is being promoted by BN in lieu of the by-election in KT. The Hudud law is not an issue that should be blown out of proportion simply because, there's a lack of understanding on what it really is.

Hudud law is basically the criminal law in Syari'ah which aims to punish those who have committed a wrong based on the Quran. The law itself is very limited and only covers several specific offences.

Recently, KJ questioned Husam on whether or not PAS is going to implement Hudud in Malaysia if they do take over. Husam answered with a confident 'yes'. While KJ himself cowardly denied saying he would do the same (cowardly because he does not want to be made the scapegoat if BN loses the by-election and the support of non-Malays even though he knows Hudud is prescribed in Syari'ah - the law of the religion he places his conviction).

Now, the MCA is asking DAP and PKR to make their stand known, do they or don't they support PAS on this matter. Whether they will let PAS make such statements without checking with the other two. Whether they will allow PAS to freely implement Hudud if PR takes over (I guess he also believes PR will take over).

What are the motives of these questions now? Surely after 50 years of Malaysian independence and ever since PAS was formed many-many years ago everyone knows that PAS would like to implement Hudud laws. The obvious question to KJ's query is, 'yes'. Whilst MCA's reaction to the answer is a bit dumb, because they know that has always been the case. Even PKR and DAP knows that that is the case.

So why is PAS so adamant on implementing Hudud even though they could well cost it for PR and PAS themselves?

The answers are simple; they are Islam, they adhere to Islamic principles, they believe in Islamic law, they believe in the hereafter (heaven and earth) and the need to act upon Allah's rulings and conditions.

It is like when Allah asks us not to drink liquor or commit prohibited sexual relations or steal, the Muslims must adhere to it. That, everyone understands and everyone accepts - Muslims and non-Muslims alike. However, why is it then that if someone break those rules and commit those offences the other half of the rules cannot be accepted? I must say, those rules does not just involve spiritual and other worldly ramifications, it is also the rules of this world, much like common law.

One thing which I'm sure have been stated time and time again (but still there's a misunderstanding) is this, Hudud law only falls upon the Muslims and does not cover the non-Muslims. Non-Muslims can continue drinking and have free sexual relations without being subjected to Hudud. If they steal or commit highway robbery then they have the English common law to deal with them.

With that being the case, why are non-Muslims jumpy when it comes to PAS' proposal (or in fact, mission) to implement Hudud?

I can only presume that the right message and understanding of Hudud have not been passed to our non-Muslim friends. Also, why are a lot of people so afraid of Hudud (Muslim and non-Muslim alike) and would rather uphold the law of England? The last time I read the national statistics, English is not one of the main race in this country.

They would argue that English common law is universal and readily accepted by all (secular). Since when? This country has not got it's origin from Britain. We used to have our own customary law (which is in fact according to each individual customs). Why do we uphold the law of our past colonial masters so highly?

For all intent and purposes, Islamic law has been in existence way before English common law. This country consists of a Muslim majority. Also, even if we do apply it, the non-Muslims can still have their ancestral law that is the common law (this is, if you haven't noticed, a sarcastic remark).

Furthermore, Hudud law applies to those who committed a wrong and is found to be wrong by the many rigorous procedures already conditioned before punishment. It also upholds the rule that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and the medium for conviction is, beyond reasonable doubt.

Do you really think anyone caught (stealing for example) would have their hands cut-off? It's not that easy. There are several things to weigh like witnesses, intention, the amount and other stuffs. Adultery for example, 4 witnesses must actually see the act being committed (penis into vagina) and testify in court. The witnesses must also be of those who are trustworthy, do you think that's easy?

Plus, why be afraid of such laws if you're not going to commit it? Why are we so afraid of the law if we know that we are not going to be subjected to it. Only one rationale applies here and that is, we have the intention of committing a wrong or we have committed a wrong and are afraid of the heavy consequences. That alone shows how effective Hudud is. It inflicts fear upon people, enough so as to hinder people from committing a crime (this I will relate to UMNO later).

Now let's go back to politics and focus on KJ and his UMNO people. What are his intentions asking such a rhetorical question? He knows the answer for it, I'm sure.

Based on my negligible analytical thoughts, I would say it has got something to do with 3 things: the by-election, the solidarity of PR and the confidence of non-Muslims and some Muslims.

With such questions being raised, the confidence and support of non-Muslims on PAS would erode (apparently) because they do not agree with PAS (but I don't understand why, due to reasons mentioned above). So the subsequent MCA questioning raises one thing, and that is doubt in PR and therefore a minor rift on the stand of DAP and PKR with it's coalition member PAS. Thus, a minor squabble.

Lastly, the by-election. With confidence in PAS eroding, and the PR seemingly have a minor squabble, (distracted by such events) they would not be able to perform well in the by-election. UMNO wins, and they can hold their head up high. Also, they can hide their own internal struggle which everyone knows but as the Malay say, 'malas layan'.

My question to UMNO is this, where do they stand on Hudud? They say they are the protector of Malay and if you read the Federal Constitution, Malay is Islam. Thus, they are also the protector of Islam. Since they are the heads of government, they have the right to implement Hudud (subject to amending the Federal Constitution by way of 2/3 majority) and in fact, they must implement Hudud or answer to Allah. Of course, this shows they are very secular and again they must answer to Allah. Remember, Hudud is for the Muslims only.

My own analysis can be explained in this chain of matters; they are Muslims and therefore subjected to Hudud laws. They are also corrupt and known to be stealing from the people. Stealing is part of Hudud law. You steal you get your hand cut off one at a time (if you do it again you get another limb cut off). So, as thieves who do not want to be impaired, they create a perception, one that is wrong and not comprehensive which denies the non-Muslims the correct information on Hudud. If indeed Hudud is implemented, half the Muslim cabinet members, and maybe 1/4 of UMNO might also be OKUs as a result.

The greatest threat of Hudud would be on UMNO themselves. Vote for the right Malay and Muslim Kuala Terengganu-ians if you want to eradicate and punish corrupt leaders.

Peace :)

Sex, HIV and The Problems

Worrying news: the percentage of female HIV carriers in Malaysia has increased dramatically by 16.3% last year from 1.1% in 1990.

In order to curb the increase, the government’s think tank thought of the method of introducing a mandatory HIV screening for persons who are planning to get married. Some even suggested the screening to be implemented on the non-Muslims who plan to get married.

The more worrying fact of what is happening is this, why are so many woman infected with HIV? HIV can be transmitted through the orthodox method of needle sharing (I say orthodox because that is the traditionally known cause) or by any other means, e.g. active sexual relations.

I thoroughly do not believe that 3,500 woman participates in a needle fest so I’d say the sexual activity cause would be more realistic in modern times.

I laud the government’s effort in trying to curb this problem by joining a UN programme and requiring mandatory HIV test and so on, but I think the social illness that is spreading throughout the urbanites and seeping into the more conservative kampung areas is the crux of the problem.

Back when I was a kid, I used to watch the short movies in RTM which displays the fall of a drug addict and the undesirable lifestyle of drug addicts that was portrayed dramatically. It created a lasting impact on me; I’m never touching that thing ever.

But now, the problem is not with the medical needles, it is with the other needle. Ehem…

What is surely lacking right now is proper guidance and education for these young people (which I am also included) and the right manner of approaching this group. I am of this generation and I am very much aware and exposed to their lifestyle. It sickens me.

There are no boundaries anymore - and that is what they want. They want that “freedom”, they want their “right” and they want no restrictions on how they conduct their lives. The parents have no control over them. No parent wants to get on the bad side of their children nowadays. No more whipping and grounding or set of rules or curfews; it’s just not cool. Parents nowadays worry more on being uncool than being alert.

Of course to blame the parents would be unfair because kids nowadays are just out of control. I guess this is the impact of westernization. The west are a bunch of spoilt, right-mongering, independence-wanting people which culture not only break into the more traditional easterners, but also now, determine the future of the easterners.

What the government should do now is educate and punish. Education is the key because the younger generation, the generation after mine, are more exposed to the western culture. They have been exposed at such a young age, the age when I used to catch tadpoles at school and totally ignorant of this, sex.

I know this because the fact is, children in primary schools have been caught committing illicit acts in school (I’ve heard of this since my secondary school days). If that’s not an indication of what is to come then I don’t know what is.

We totally lack the enforcement. We hear everyday how people are caught in brothels and cheap hotels and bars but then that’s it. A fine, a slap on the wrist, a warning and you’re free to go to teach others the trick of the trade. I have friends who do all these things and are quite addicted to it. I have friends who are staying together in a house, unmarried and yet undeterred.

When religious officers raid clubs and houses people scream at these officers as if they are the ones who are in the wrong -- they should not invade other people’s privacy and they should not disturb other people’s business. I don’t know about non-Muslims, but in Islam, it is wrong! Free sex, consuming alcohols even touching members of the opposite sex is just wrong.

But due to pressures not only from some quarters of the non-Muslim but also from some Muslims themselves (the protector of human rights and liberal Islam), these religious officers have their hands tied behind their back. Even people who are known to have committed a syari’e wrong do not get any punishment (e.g. Hanif Basri who admitted to having had an adulterous relationship with Norita but wasn’t convicted of murder, who later on walks out proudly to calls of “told you he’s not guilty!”…of murder but surely of adultery, right? I can also assure you, this is not an isolated case - Malaysian celebrities, politicians, Datuks, Tan Sris etc. are known to be drawn to this "club life")

That is why I sometimes pity PAS in their pursuit of having a cleaner society. Sure some of their demands doesn't really suit the lifestyle of the non-Muslims, but their demand usually focuses on the Muslims' way of life. They cannot but protest for the banning of concerts, sale of prohibited food and drinks and so on, because the ignorant "Muslims" take advantage of this unperturbed access towards prohibited stuffs. If PAS don't do that then they are not fulfilling their job as a Muslim and a khalifah on this earth. That too is wrong. So if we disturb others' rights, the others should also realise that letting it be is disturbing our way of life. Where's the line then?

Now that the social illness has gotten out of hand, the HIV rate has gone up dramatically, the Muslims (and therefore the majority of the nation's population) are in a whirlpool of social wrong very much against the principle of Syari'ah, whose to blame?

Sad...

The Plight Of Our Judiciary

The PM has tried to lay down a new foundation for the judiciary with the JAC bill. However, as the new foundation is set up, the old plan is used. Basically it is just like the MRR2, you patch up the whole thing but the cracks will still appear.

Sadly, it’s nothing new. The PM has not got the real message behind the people’s cry for a new method to appoint judges; the executives should not interfere! Democracy stems from independence of judiciary and independence of other organs of government, it’s that simple.

What’s sad is that, the executives do not want to let go of the power which they are not entitled to in the first place, according to the system which they heartily promote and proudly ‘represent’.

From what I can see, they represent only themselves and in no part is there the good old democracy being expounded. There’s a Malay saying; be brave if you are truthful (berani kerana benar), fearful if you are wrong (takut kerana salah) - and this is exactly what it is.

If you are defending the truth and wants to do the right thing, what’s wrong with letting go of your power to appoint judges? Better qualified people can do that since you also have the whole nation to look after, especially the economy and defence.

I’m quite amused by the defence that somebody must also look after those who would eventually appoint the judges (thus defending the new bill which states the power of the PM to appoint the JAC). Don’t tell me other people cannot do that. Don’t tell me the PM is the most responsible person for that role. Where did this people learn the theory of democracy?

Not only that, the PM also has an all-encompassing power on the A-G (if I’m not mistaken the A-G is contractual). Meaning, the A-G whether he likes it or not, has to listen to the PM. This also means that high profile cases are within the grasp of the PM. I know this started at the time of the last PM, but the new PM should change this if it is a matter which encroaches upon the rights of justice - which it eventually will.

Then further down the ladder, the A-G has the power over the lower courts. Yes, the lower courts have to answer to the A-G as their superior (A-G is part of the executive but it has power on the lower courts that’s basically the judiciary). That alone shows that there are conflict of interests everywhere in our judiciary. That is why Puan Komathy is very much a hero when she went against the boss to hold that the Anwar case cannot be transferred to the High Court because the A-G cannot interfere. Crazy isn’t it?

Don't get me started on the ACA. The MACC? Haih...It's a start. But the power of the PM and the A-G is still there. Thus, it will go round and round.

The only way out of this mess, which is getting messier by the day, is to go with a new regime. As rightly pointed out by the Malaysian Insider, the state of judiciary and also the corruption won't go away unless the source of it all goes away. Hence, let's start off with Kuala Terengganu and move on from there (I will insert as many forms of campaigning for the PR candidate as I can in each of my entries, starting from the last entry).

*My other wandering thoughts*

Have anyone ever wondered what happened to Ezam? The old protégé turned enemy (some say back stabber) of Anwar? Where is he? What about all his claim of wanting to expose this and that? Where has all that gone to? Of course this is not the first he has made these claims. Sigh...

Also, a month (or two) ago Chedet said that he wanted to reveal those involved in money politics. He hasn’t yet, at least not that I know of. This claim is easier than 9/16 but even this claim has not materialized. That’s how hard it is to hold to a promise in Malaysia.

Peace :)

To Change or Not To Change

There's a lot of wasting going on in Malaysia and it's costing quite a lot. The impact is of course felt by the people.

In today's world of course the use of power is important and all but do we really have to waste it? In the news today for example, TNB is paying IPP for excess power which it does not require. This is solely down to bad planning.

TNB said that we will all feel the impact of the global economic crisis in January or February next year, or in other words, we will be raising the tariff again. Anwar has already said in the debate with Mr. Foamy that this excess is what's costing us.

Also, in Parliament, Nazri said that the government pays RM5.6million for electricity monthly and part of the reason is because the lights are left on at night - for security reasons.

I understand, security is very important in courts because of the evidence and all. But won't it be cheaper to hire security guards then to pay so much for electricity?

I go to courts quite regularly and I've got to tell you, there are a lot of stuffs there that are unnecessary. Lots of things are not used but are left as decorations. It's a beautiful building no doubt, but why make it so when all that is needed in there is the dock, the judge's table, the benches and some other stuff for trial purposes. Is it because we can expect a lot of Dato' and Dato' Seri and Tan Sri or even a Tun in court more regularly?

I think it's in our government's culture to waste. Sure we the people save a lot, and that's one of the reasons why our banks are still looking strong in these times of turmoil in the global economic outlook but, our government doesn't reflect the same attitude. They waste, a lot.

Few months ago we heard the government reveal in Parliament that several millions are used by the BN coalition MPs for Raya open houses even though only months before we hear rumblings of "the government is going to start saving because we need to save because we are not thrifty before but we are thrifty now because we don't have much money because most of it have gone into past and present leaders' pocket and we feel bad but not that much".

Also, projects are abandoned when certain people, who thought that these projects would rake in huge income without much research done initially, but then was pointed out by someone of a certain flaw in the project, decides to not go through with it. E.g. the LRT in Putrajaya. Millions have already been siphoned into the project but was abandoned after about 30% of the works have been done. Stupidity at it's best.

Not to mention other projects as well, like the youth club championship whatever the name was, the Monsoon million dollar competition, the crystal mosque which does not really make any sense, the MRR2 which was a mega waste of money gone to God knows where...I can list everything in here but you get my point.

The source of the problem is only too common (as in other parts of the world as well), and that is, the elitists are the ones that are at the head of the administration. The problem with this type of people is this; they do not know any other way to live.

Therefore we need to change!

We cannot change them. They've lived in that state of mind since they were a fetus. Unless all of them go bankrupt, none would probably know the value of saving. Too greedy to care I guess.

How do we change then? Well that's entirely up to us. For me, I think it is better to change government in a few years time so that every party could learn the ropes of each side. I.e. the opposition learns the hardship of maintaining a good administration and the current leaders learn to do everything else other than being greedy and snobbish.

Let's start with a little by-election in Terengganu. Show them where the rakyat stands, ruffle a few of those expensive gold plated feathers of theirs and shake them up a bit. The rakyat can benefit a lot just by changing the landscape of that one little constituency, believe me. Then in 4 years time, let's change the political landscape of this nation.

Peace :)

Mind Your Language...Or Their Language?

“Hei, you tak kemas-ing ke?”

“No laa”

This is just a snippet of the conversation I heard in the office today, uttered by 2 non-Malays - my colleagues - who have a strong grasp of the English language.

All the huu haa about the Malay language being butchered slowly but surely and that we do not respect the language of our fore fathers is simply a load of crap.

I say, it’s the other way around.

People are of two sets in this country. One that is pro and one that is anti (I refuse to recognize that there are neutrals, I’d rather consider them unimaginative - they play safe)

When we talk about the Malay language in Malaysia, we have one set of people who are pro, as in, we must follow the globalization trend and be progressive and not let others leave us behind. We must learn English to better ourselves and better equip us for the global takeover.

Then we have the anti; the sign language must only be in Malay, the education system must be solely in Malay, the Malay language must be preserved at all costs (even though our organization, an organization that protects the Malay, isn’t aptly named in an appropriate Malay language because it would not sound nice when uttered in a sentence).

The anti would always say that we are being polluted with colonial thoughts and that we must preserve everything we have. Whilst the pro don’t care that much about preserving things like the language and would rather see the country move forward like other countries who are loyal subjects of the globalization process.

On the contrary, I believe that it is the ability of the Malaysians to manipulate the globalization process that will see the nation not only preserves the Malay language, but also butcher the English counterpart - butcher being okay as I will explain later.

(This is not a neutral stand, but it is a proactive one - because in the end, both the pros and the antis are negative one way or another)

It is not a process of creating a new identity for the language like the Singaporeans claim to have done with their “Singlish”. It is more of our ability to adapt all the differences in this country, and in this world in fact, into one relaxed and common speak-able language.

We are not changing the Malay language and certainly are not abandoning it. We are changing the English language to better serve our people.

In today’s world, it is not uncommon for the less-able-to-speak-English people to feel a bit left behind with others who are much more able speak them. It comes to a point that those who are able are seen as snobbish when they start to speak the ‘foreign’ language with foreign language speaking people, while those who are not able to speak them are seen as uneducated.

I agree with the idea that education should be multilingual. Like it or not, and no matter how much we deny it, English is the lingua franca of the modern age. If we are proud that during the Malacca period people spoke our language because it is easier to communicate, then when the tables have turned, the tide is irresistible and we must accept it.

It is better to have a middle ground where the English is spoken in a more relaxed manner and people are not ridiculed by it. This is only in terms of everyday speech which should not reflect their educated ability.

Okay now to tackle those who say, why butcher the English language and bring shame to our country? (Reference: Mawi and Siti Nurhaliza). Why feel ashamed of altered English? We are not the British. That is not our mother tongue. Get your head out of the British ass and open your eyes to where you are. Do you see people in kain pelekat and Chinese old man selling vegetables on bicycle? Yes? Then you’re in Malaysia dumbass!

What we get today is not the Malay language being butchered as a result of this. Why be so negative? It is the English language that is being butchered to accommodate us. I’m proud of it. We can’t have a win-win situation because it’s either; preserve Malay totally and forget English but then lose out in the world stage or pro perfect-English and leave those who can’t behind.

We will always have the Malay language as the basic language of Malaysians. Those who are too afraid that even that is lost should really get their head checked because, that is never going to happen!

As for road signs: For those who cannot see the big Malay language on top of those small ‘other’ languages, then you better get your eyes checked and go see a psychiatrist because I think your mind is blinded by what I call, dumbassism.

Peace :)

Unselfish UMNO? Probably Not...But Good Either Way

In an unprecedented entry, I would like to dedicate this one to the fast acting and efficient workings of the UMNO people with regards to the Bukit Antrabangsa tragedy.

I applaud the effort and the instant reaction of the UMNO people for the relief and whatever contributions they could muster to ease the burden of the residents in Bukit Antarabangsa.

From the evacuations, the stop and checks, the accommodation, the donations and all the other humane effort produced. Muhyiddin is reported to have started donation by forking out RM30, 000 and several other UMNO constituents have started donating thousands as well.

I do not know how much of it are for political mileage, but if that’s what it takes to get the best out of these people, then so be it. I’m not saying we need more disasters to get more out of them, it’s just that, if they could care more for others than their self interest then they should. Political mileage or not, the people need help.

This is only one tragedy which in all honesty, is not the end of the tragedy here in Malaysia. What needs to be done is to preserve the environment and work to rebuild the natural state of the earth.

Enough with hill side residential development, it’s just a tragedy waiting to happen. It’s common knowledge that the hills and mountains are the pillars of the earth. The more we grind it down, the more susceptible we are to disasters. Sure it looks nice to have a house on top of pillars that is on top of concretes which are on top of rocks that’s on top of hills. But after awhile, nature’s going to take its course and do what it must. Nature won’t be so forgiving.

But again, UMNO people should work in this manner to start winning back the hearts of the people. I’m not sure what the PR people are doing, as I for a fact know that they are doing something but as things goes in this country, they won’t get the same exposure as those in BN. Sad but true.

Now is the time to realize that the only way forward is to be logical. When you’re on top of a hill, your only way is down. When that hill is slippery, the easier it is to go down. No matter how impressive your engineering and structures are, when nature wants something done, they’ll probably win the battle no matter what - even if takes them a year, two years or even a decade.

Peace :)

Of Ketuanan Melayu and a Lousy Poem

So the big news this week is that Canada jumped the gun ahead of us with its 'undemocratic' reforms via the vote of no confidence (which never happened because apparently their Prime Minister is a bigger coward than ours is). To me, anything that happens within the purview of democracy (like in Canada) is democratic simply because democracy allow it to happen.

That's just a brief acknowledgment of the world news.

In Malaysia however, talk is still rife with regards to ketuanan melayu (Malays are the boss). It's like it will never go away. But I worry more that the stark reality would also never go away with such talks, i.e. the Malays never really looked like being the tuan anyway.

I think as more of these kinds of talk goes on, the more it is apparent that we (the malays) are like a desperate leader trying to hold on to power that is fast fading. We are like the Canadian PM Stephen Harper or the Thailand PM Somchai Wongsawat, realising that the tide is against us, we are willing to throw everything to stem the tide.

Unless we take a closer look at ourselves, being a tuan only means that we were here first and the others came in later. Imagine having a land but with loans charged to the land. If we are not able to pay such loans, then we might as well kiss the land good riddance.

Thus, how do we pay the loan? By generating income of course. Now what the government is trying to do is give us the helping hand so that we can pay the loan consistently, i.e. through the NEP. The NEP's great, it goes against the very laws of human nature - helping the majority sustain life in its own country - and also it gives the already impaired community of Malay a sense of security with its own undoubted flaws.

However, that's not what I really want. Personally this concept of ketuanan melayu gives me the chills. There can be no tuan, like Mahathir said, if there's no parity. We the Malays are never on par with the Chinese economically. Sadly enough, being below par with the Chinese gives us the upper edge with regards to policies and throws our confidence and aspirations level all over the tarmac.

We have never believed in our own ability. Some do, but as the majority don't, so we don't. I have a friend who said that we the Malays would always need help because that is just how we are naturally and that's how we will always be - he said this to defend the Malays' position in Malaysia.

Many Malay argue along the same line, which is crazy because the simple basis of argumentation have not been fulfilled there - we should defend ourselves using our abilities and capabilites instead of our weakness you dumbasses!

How are we ever going to be tuan if we cannot even defend what we own with what we have? Also, believing in what we have.

I know Malays will never be driven out of the country or get second class treatment because there's too much riding against that, with the constitution, the monarchy, the populace and so on so forth. That itself is a comforting enough security for me. To go to the extent of NEP and quota systems and cronyism and what not, that's just weak.

Allah does not make man different from one another to the extent that one is born smarter than the other, or one is born socially impaired than the other. We Malays (i.e. in Malaysia should also mean Islam) believes that Allah is just and fair and so why do some of us believe that the Chinese are made smarter than us?

Being fair means that Allah made us all the same (except physically of course) and it is how we conduct ourselves that creates the difference. We expect Allah to be fair to us when we cannot even be fair to our fellow human beings?

UMNO is promoting ketuanan melayu nowadays because that is where their support lies. PR is not so much for it because that is where their support lies. I however don't even know what it means anymore because the definition, the reality, the interpretation and the promotion just doesn't click anymore and to be frank, doesn't make sense.

It's like reading an already lousy poem. One person says it means so and so while another person is confident that it means this and this. Trying to get the author to explain is impossible because the author is dead. So we continue life trying to interpret the said lousy poem with little knowledge of what it means and try to accommodate it to what we feel would satisfy our personal interest which is already lousy as it is.

Peace :)

UMNO's Indisciplined Disciplinary Actions...and Mahathir

With the sacking of Zaid from UMNO, I thoroughly believe that UMNO is not a party that cares about dignity and rights of the nation, but care only about themselves.

Zaid was sacked because he believes too much in apolitical causes like the right of individuals, being against a draconian law and also attending events to promote goodwill (okay he did also go to a political event, but he was asking for the boot anyway).

If that's a strong case for sacking (to be seen at another party's event) then it just shows how this big nation is actually governed by a under-developed island government. Explanation: UMNO is an under-developed island because the people in that island cannot venture out to other lands - no roads and bridges you see.

On another disciplinary action taken, Abu Zahar of the PJ Selatan division is suspended for 3 years for making too much allegations against the leaders. I'm not saying I agree totally with Abu Zahar for making open allegations against your own leader, but as the cases alleged of haven't even been investigated, is it fair to just take action against him? This shows the brutality of the Mahathir like governance - i.e. question me, prepare for the consequences.

Even if you do want to take action against him, is 3 years suspension fair? Isn't that the same period as Ahmad Ismail who created an uproar with his racist remarks? Is making allegations that are not yet investigated thoroughly, equivalent to creating social unrest among the nation's population?

Is it fair also that, having Zaid sacked and Abu Zahar suspended for 3 years and having all this talk of wanting to eradicate political corruption and money politics in UMNO, certain people who have been found practising money politics gets less of a punishment then those two? And no one is sacked for money politics...hmm...

This means that if you practise or do something that could well destroy the nation (or at least worsen the condition), you would only get a 'go to your room' type of punishment. But if you try to go against the party/leadership line, then you would get the belt treatment. In fact, does this mean eradicating corruption is not the party line?

One question, in this great nation of ours, do they allow the government to be mixed? I mean like the US cabinet members can be from both the Republican and Democrats, can BN for example take a PR member as a Minister or Deputy Minister? Then again, when Penang took a Gerakan member into one of the committees, and that caused an uproar. Does that mean it is not allowed, or are we just immature politically?

On another set of development, Mahathir is so afraid that Abdullah doesn't want to hand down his PM portfolio to Najib to the point that he is saying Abdullah might bribe the other members of Parliament so as to maintain his position as the PM, despite losing his seat as the UMNO President. What kind of third class mentality is this? Such is his paranoia of Abdullah and his bad perception of UMNO itself that he creates all these wonderful and yet distasteful situations that he believes 'could happen'.

I want Abdullah to go as much as half of the nation's population, but I won't think so low of him so as to allege him committing such a move. Even if he does contemplate on doing such a thing, I think he would be rational enough to know that he is not wanted anymore (in UMNO and otherwise). He's not that stupid, just sleepy most of the time.

Peace :)