Strategizing Change

Another day at Parliament

2008-05-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/9/parliament/21195296&sec=parliament

Ibrahim’s refusal to apologise to Karpal causes commotion
A COMMOTION broke out in the Parliament lobby during a meeting between Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent – Pasir Mas) and a group of disabled people who demanded that he apologise to Karpal Singh.
The group, known as Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD), urged Ibrahim to retract his recent statement in Parliament requesting that Karpal Singh (DAP – Bukit Gelugor) stand up while speaking in the Dewan Rakyat.
Ibrahim had apologised to the group initially for hurting their feelings over the remarks he made in the Dewan.
However, when he refused to apologise to Karpal Singh, who is wheelchair-bound, several from the group became agitated and this led to a shouting match.

“My problem was with Karpal Singh and never with all of you. I have never offended you and I love disabled people from the bottom of my heart.
“But if you all have misinterpreted my meaning, I extend my sincerest apologies.
“I hope you don’t misunderstand this because there are groups trying to take advantage of you,” he said, referring to several Pakatan Rakyat leaders – Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Lip Eng, Loh Gwo Burne, Gobind Singh Deo and others – who had escorted the group into Parliament.

40-yr old Leaks, MPs using the word "bocor", calling each other "big monkey", not raising right hand during swearing. Can it get more pathetic than this?? When will we move on to more serious issues..... are you sure you voted the right guy??? and really, who really cares whether anwar is returning to Parliament. this is the guy who almost put us in a big debt with IMF and World Bank during the Asian financial crisis. Read my earlier postings about Anwar and his cronies. In the end, they are all the same. How do you think they financed election campaigns and running your constituency during your 4-yr term? with a 8k salary and 8k allowance. yea right.

Youth wing faces new dilemma

2008-05-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

BM: Apparently according to JT, DMM is garnering huge support from outside the party and not from within. I may disagree with that but we'll know for sure after the General Assembly in December. Yes, UMNO needs to start embracing the young, thinking Malays and make the party appealing for this group of youngsters. This is the only way UMNO will revitalize itself to be at par with PR, which has quite a number of young pros holding important portfolio. UMNO needs to rebound and rebound it will. The image of UMNO being to worried about projects and internal politics must be changed to one that is fighting for the true cause. Only thinking Malays emphasize that, not those who are afraid of losing power.

THE STAR:
Umno Youth’s two top leaders are struggling with their own demons as the wing struggles to find its direction in the new political landscape.

DATUK Mukhriz Mahathir was recently featured on the cover of a lifestyle magazine alongside Nurul Izzah Anwar.

The two newly elected MPs, one for Jerlun and the other for Lembah Pantai, were photographed standing back-to-back, in James Bond poses, with the caption, “It's our turn”.

Mukhriz is definitely in demand these days.

He is seen as a voice going against the political conventions in Umno and there is much interest in and curiosity about what this Jerlun MP has to say about politics and Umno.

On Wednesday, he was the prime speaker at a Sekretariat Melayu Muda gathering in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The other speaker was Akhramsyah Sanusi, an oil and gas engineer who also has a famous father, namely, former Umno strongman Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.

The warm reception accorded both men was also because of who their fathers are, given that the audience hailed from the “Mahathir generation”, people who grew up in the Mahathir era.

Both men were essentially speaking to a home ground kind of crowd because the Sekretariat Melayu Muda membership comprises youngish, well educated and, more important, thinking Malays. They are not into yes-men type of politicians and they appreciate critical thinking.

The crowd that evening was essentially seeking answers to the future of the country's Malay leadership after the March 8 results. And because quite a number of those present were Umno members, there was also an unmistakable concern about the sort of political culture surrounding Umno and the future leadership of Umno Youth.

“When you sit down and listen to what people say about Umno these days, it can be a painful experience,” said Akhramsyah, 34, an Umno member since age 20.

Many of them are watching developments in the Youth wing, especially the unfolding contest for the Youth leadership.

There is no doubt that Mukhriz appeals to their notion of a young political leader. They are quite critical of Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo and even more critical of Khairy Jamaluddin, the two other potential candidates.

But the trouble is that young Malays like them are not part of Umno's realpolitick and, thus, have little say on who leads the Youth wing.

And that is Mukhriz's dilemma. His appeal outside the party is greater than his appeal within. For instance, his attempt to meet up with Umno Youth division heads in Kedah resulted in only the Youth heads from Jerlun, Pendang and Merbok showing up.

But as some have pointed out, the Youth wing itself is facing its biggest crisis since the debacle of 1998.

Outgoing chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein is still reeling from the backlash from his apology of sorts over the keris.

The Umno rank and file basically find little wrong with Umno Youth's use of the keris, however offensive it may have been to those outside Umno. They regard Hishammuddin's apology as a sign of weakness.

Malay blogs have slammed him mercilessly and his aides have been deluged by critical smses.

To be fair, Hishammuddin had apologised to non-Malays as well as Malays. To the non-Malays, he said his intention was not to cause fear and that he regretted it. To the Malays, he was sorry he had been unable to defend their cultural symbol.

Hishammuddin was supposed to move on from the Youth wing in a blaze of glory but the general election losses have turned things topsy-turvy.

And with the apology backfiring in his face, he is probably at the lowest point in his political career. As the Malays say, it is truly a case of keris makan tuan (the keris has stabbed its owner).

He is quite aware of that and a few days ago, he said that he was willing “to sacrifice my political career for the party.”

He probably took a calculated risk in biting the bullet.

“I asked him about it and he said it was better to state it now than later. It is now up to the grassroots to evaluate and react to what he had said and done. He is prepared for the consequences,” said Penang Umno Youth chief Datuk Salim Bari.

Hishammuddin, as some have pointed out, is basically an urbane and civilised person at heart.

“He knew people were unhappy with him and he is trying to put the issue to rest so that people can move on to focus on the real issue,” said Umno Youth secretary Datuk Rahman Dahlan.

Hishammuddin is not alone in his dilemma. His deputy Khairy has also been badly damaged.

Actually, public opinion had not favoured Khairy even before the general election but like many political leaders, they seem cushioned from the real world outside and it took the March 8 results to drive the reality home.

It is ironic that groups like the Sekretariat Melayu Muda do not identify with him for he is basically of their generation.

Khairy's problem is the reverse of Mukhriz’s. He has support within Umno Youth but enjoys little respect outside the party.

Many people have noticed how Khairy has taken a much lower profile since the elections. He has in a way lost the mandate to comment on public issues and the next few months will see him concentrate on his role as a parliamentarian.

In that sense, most of the obvious candidates for the top Youth post are imperfect in their own ways.

But the bigger dilemma is that with the two top Umno Youth leaders struggling with their own demons, the wing is finding it hard to play its role or find its way out of the election aftermath.

Hishammuddin has been going down to meet the wing's grassroots leaders in states where the Barisan Nasional lost. He has been to Kedah and Penang and the feedback has been fierce and demanding. But underlying the complaints voiced, there was also a sense of confusion about where Umno Youth was heading.

The Youth wing is not as resilient as the Wanita wing and those in the Pakatan Rakyat-controlled states are probably feeling quite lost.

Whoever takes over will have to seriously revamp the wing and bring in a new political culture.

Umno Youth has become rather too pro-establishment over the years. It has to try to reflect young Malay priorities rather than constantly defend the top leadership's stand on issues.

The next Youth chief also has to realise that he cannot be a Malay ultra in the party and still hope to be seen as a national leader to those outside. He will have to learn how to strike a balance.

It is also a known fact that many young people were turned off by politics because they see politicians as self-serving and politics as dirty and corrupt. Many of the Umno Youth politicians probably do not realise how off-putting it is to see young politicians arriving for village functions in a convoy of expensive SUVs.

Given that, many young Malays if not Malaysians, are likely to be drawn to the idealism and less conventional style of the new and young faces on the Pakatan Rakyat side.

These new wakil rakyat from the other side will be Umno Youth's biggest rivals for the support of Gen X.

Umno Youth will have to match the new talent from the other side if it wishes to re-establish itself among a wide spectrum of young Malays, be it rural youth or thinking professionals like those in the Sekretariat Melayu Muda. Going for it: Mukhriz, seen here with Hishammuddin in Parliament, is making a concerted bid to become the new Umno Youth chief but his dilemma is that his appeal outside the party does not match that inside the Youth wing. Khairy: The Rembau MP has

support in Youth wing but public opinion is against him. Salim: Up to the grassroots to evaluate Hishammuddin's apology about the keris.

Malays must not be a circus elephant

2008-05-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Tan Sri Ali Hashim is spot on when he reminds the Malays not be like a circus elephant, which looks strong and mighty but is still shackled down. To me, Malays must get rid of the subsidy mentality and strive to attain knowledge and skills to further the cause. For those who unable or unexposed, it should be the responsibility of the educated minds and the priveleged few to influence the young and especially in the suburban area. For those who can afford it, discuss with your alma maters, return to your schools and inspire the young ones. That's the least you could do. Adik Angkat programs are also becoming popular where you 'sponsor' one or more students by giving them monthly and book allowances. With this connection, you could personally educate and influence them.

Don't just complaint, start doing some work or just shut your yap about the quality of Malays in education. I look forward to suggestions.

Melayu jangan jadi gajah sarkas

JOHOR BAHRU 2 Mei - Orang Melayu diingatkan supaya tidak menjadi seperti gajah sarkas yang hanya mengikut telunjuk jurulatih hingga hilang kekuatan yang ada pada dirinya.

Pengerusi Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia (DPIM) Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim berkata, apabila orang Melayu menjadi gajah sarkas ia akan hilang kekuatan kerana mindanya dijajah walaupun pun badannya gagah sehingga ia terlupa kekuatan yang ada kerana telah biasa diberi makan tanpa bersusah payah mencari makanan sendiri.

"Kalau kita menonton pertunjukan sarkas, gajah itu jika disuruh berlakon, maka ia akan berlakon. Apa juga persembahan yang diarahkan, gajah berkenaan akan mempersembahkan seperti yang dilatih, walaupun kakinya dirantai dengan rantai yang kecil, tetapi dia tidak tahu kekuatannya," katanya.

Muhammad Ali yang juga Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Johor Corporation (JCorp.) berkata demikian ketika membentangkan kertas kerja bertajuk Kedaulatan Ekonomi Melayu.

Pemimpin Melayu Perlu Berunding

2008-05-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

One of the smartest thing I've heard all week, I said "Why not?":

Saran pemimpin Melayu berunding

KUALA LUMPUR 1 Mei - Pemangku Ketua UMNO Bahagian Bandar Tun Razak, Datuk Rahim Baba mencadangkan agar pemimpin Melayu dalam UMNO, Pas dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) mengadakan perbincangan meja bulat demi survival orang Melayu di negara ini.

Beliau berkata, langkah itu penting kerana perpaduan Melayu pada hari ini tidak merujuk kepada UMNO semata-mata, tetapi perpaduan semua orang Melayu di seluruh negara.

''Demi masa depan orang Melayu, saya menyeru supaya kesemua pemimpin ini membuat persidangan meja bulat. Duduklah semeja bagi survival orang Melayu,'' katanya.

No Cencorship for Parliamentary Sessions

2008-05-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

Quite disagree with the proposal to cancel the telecast. This should be continued, in fact, broadcasted for the whole session by allocating a special channel for it, like C-Span in the US. That way, we can all see which MPs are the hooligans and the 'big monkeys' so that we won't vote for them again, irregardless of party. If we only allow the media to cover, we all know which paper is inclined to cover and filter what.

On a different note, no wonder the Opposition is getting popularity online, by updating their blogs on parliamentary proceedings and presenting facts. BN should start the onslaught and shred them to pieces with quality debates and rebuttals. I'm tired of us getting checked, we need to start checking back instead of being on defensive mode! Let's go guys!!

PM: Cancel telecast in Dewan Rakyat

KUWAIT: The Prime Minister said he was ashamed at what had transpired in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday and agreed that live telecast of the proceedings should be scrapped.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was in the Dewan at the time, adding what happened was just “too much.”

“I felt ashamed if people watched television and saw what was happening in our Dewan. In my heart, I also felt that all this happened because there was a live broadcast at that time.

“Each (MP) wanted to make himself or herself seen debating or ‘aksi’ (acting) in the Dewan. That was how I felt,” he told reporters yesterday after a brief visit here to attend the 4th World Islamic Economic Forum closing session.

To a question, he said that if Information Minister Datuk Shabery Cheek decided to cancel the live telecast, he would agree.

He said the question of transparency of what went on during proceedings should not arise because sessions were open to all, noting that the media was free to cover the proceedings and report on whatever happened....

Tan Sri Nasimuddin passed away....

2008-05-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Al-Fatihah. I've just been informed that our Malay entrepreneur Tan Sri Nasimuddin of Naza has just passed away due to lung cancer. He was in the US.

Dialog bersama Dato' Mukhriz Tun Mahathir

2008-04-30T21:10:00.001-07:00

A dialogue was held yesterday with YB Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and Saudara Akramsyah Sanusi discussing about current political issues. Kudos to SMM for organizing. Highlights:

Malays have forgotten fundamental characteristics of being a malay: Bersopan santun, menghormati orang tua. The young ones are too eager to attain power and ignoring our wise forefathers who have built the foundation for us. The young ones do not understand why certain policies were put in place. Anak2 Muda perlu mendekati yang tua sebelum mereka semua pergi buat selamanya.
discussion on NEP and its relevance: NEP as a whole was formulated to combat poverty, irregardless of race. Only 2 out of 9 principles covered the special privilege (not rights) of the Malays. The quota of 30% was intended for university entry and entry into government service. Young professionals especially the Malays feel that they are superior and able to compete with other races and globally. They must not forget that they are the minority - Dato' Mukhriz welcomes anyone to join him in Jerlun to visit the hard core poor. The NEP also does not discriminate race. The creation of institutions such as MARA, MRSM, UITM and other higher learning institutions are products of NEP - abolishing the NEP would also imply that we have never agreed to create these and that we should demolish these down.
The infamous keris by DSHH: It was suggested that the keris was highly misinterpreted. A lot of quarters are furious about it. No one seems to remember the incident when Lim Kit Siang pissed on the Malaysian flag in 1969 in front of Dato' Harun's house! What is the keris compared to an act of treason and disgust!
DMM gives his preference to be DNR to be the next PM and urges AAB to expedite the transition of power. It is better for the post of president not to be contested to avoid further split. The rest of the positions should be contested in the spirit of democracy. DNR currently heads 36 cabinet committees and he is literally running the country, although he does not have the final say. It is timely for him to take over because of his vast experience. TSMY will be an excellent deputy.
The huge loss by BN was because of the inability to resolve issues. There were numerous especially in Selangor with the demolition of a temple, Dato' Z's mansion, Bukit Cahaya, Exco houses, flood, etc. Issues are on going but previous administration had the ability to resolve disputes and not just create commissions to resolve something. The election date was also untimely as issues were still hot and BN had one more year remaining in the term.
Cybertroopers of UMNO were established back in 1998 but fundings were cut because of policies from 4th floor. Pakatan Rakyat has intelligently managed this election and won 80+ seats in Parliament and secured 5+1 states. We need to revive our cybertroopers to also tell our story.
UMNO and politics are dirty because the 'clean' people leave it to the 'dirty' people to run it. Young pros are normally 'busy' with work and family. Perjuangan tidak bererti sesuatu perkara yang mudah dan memerlukan pengorbanan, seperti masa, mungkin wang, tenaga, dan sebagainya.

Questions and comments from the floor:

Projects are normally awarded to the minority in UMNO and among cronies. No one else has benefited from the 30% quota to generate a strong economic force to be able to compete with others.
What will DMM do if he wins as KP Malaysia? - DMM will make it easier for people to join UMNO. His own application way back in the 90's took 8 months and that's him being son of President at that time! UMNO people are 'worried' when they see competition. All this mentality needs to change and that will be his drive if he wins. The next election will see 65% being young Malaysian below the age of 40. He will definitely listen to the young ones closely and admits that the voice of the young was not paid attention to. He intends to make a better effort to get to know more NGOs and listen to the grouse of the people.
Land issue in Perak - how Malays now regret swinging their votes to opposition, in the end, the C have made steps to acquire lands for their empire and also demanding the position of Timbalan Menteri Besar.

Ikatan Keluarga dan Politik; Fenomena Global

2006-10-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Dominasi politik keluarga bukanlah satu prekara baru di dunia dan tidak pula tertumpu kepada wilayah atau negara saja.

Trend itu menjadi satu fenomena global yang wujuk sejak berzaman dan seolah-olah tidak lekang dek panas dan tidak luput dek hujan, ia terus mewarnai suasana politik masa kini.

Dari Asia, Timur Tengah hingga ke Amerika Syarikat, soal anak mengikuti jejak langkah ibu, bapa atau datuk dalam meneraju pimpinan politik dan negara memang tidak asing lagi, malah ada yang menjadikan kepimpinan negaar sebagai 'dinasti keluarga'.

Keluarga Nehru, misalnya, mendominasi kepimpinan politik India melangkaui empat generasi - dari datuk turun kepada anak perempuannya dan kemudian cucu.

Anggota keluarga ini yang diterajui Jawaharlal Nehru "memerintah" India selama 37 dari 53 tahun India merdeka. Semua mereka Nehru (1947-1964), Indira Ghandi (1966-1977) dan sekali lagi daripada 1980-1984 dan Rajiv Ghandi 1984-1989 adalah Perdana Menteri negara itu.

Kini janda Rajiv Sonia Ghandi, wanita keturunan Itali pula meneruskan dinasti keluarga ternama India itu. Beliau kini adalah ketua Parti Kongres dan juga ketua pembangkang di negara itu.

Dominasi politik keluarga ini paling ketara, selain India, ialah di Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka dan Nepal.

Keadaan yang sama juga berlaku di Amerika Syarikat yang mana keluarga Kennedy dan kini Bush meneruskan legasi kepimpinan politik keluarga di mana George W Bush kini menjadi Presiden ke-43 Amerika. Bapanya George Bush senior pula adalah Presiden ke 41.

Nama-nama lain yang tidak asing lagi ialah Megawati Sukarnoputri, anak perempuan presiden pertama Indonesia, Sukarno; Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presiden Filipina sekarang, Lee Hsien Loong, Perdana Menteri Singapura, Bashar Al-Assad, Presiden Syria yang mengambil alih pucuk pimpinan selepas kematian bapanya.

Megawati, wanita pertama menjadi presiden Indonesia mengetuai Negara itu dari 2001 hingga 2004, sementara Arroyo adalah anak presiden Filipina ke-12 iaitu Diosdado Macapagal.

Lee Hsien Loong pula adalah anak sulong bekas Perdana Menteri Singapura Lee Kuan Yew yang kini masih menjadi menteri kanan berpengaruh dalam Kabinet negara itu.

Hakikatnya, memang sudah menjadi tuntutan sejarah bahawa ikatan kekeluargaan dan politik adalah satu perkembangan yang bukan luar biasa untuk dicemburui.

Maka apabila sejarah Malaysia masa kini menyaksikan cucu Abdullah Fatim menjadi Perdana Menteri dan anakanda Tun Razak Hussein bakal menjadi Perdana Menteri selepasnya, tidak wajar menjemput rasa irihati mana-mana pihak.

Begitupun tidak dapat dinafikan ikatan kekeluargaan bukanlah faktor penentu jatuh bangunnya atau maju mundurnya seseorang tokoh politik.

Banyak faktor lain umpamanya, Dato' Seri Abdullah dan Dato' Sri Najib memang mempunyai karisma, punya kelayakan, pengalaman, keterampilan dan personaliti unggul yang menyaksikan mereka maju menjadi Perdana Menteri dan Timbalan Perdana Menteri.

Cerahnya masa depan barisan pemimpin pelapis seperti Dato' Sri Hishamuddin, Khairy dan Dato' Mukhriz juga bukan semata-mata kerana faktor kekeluargaan.

Dato' Seri Hishamuddin seorang peguam lulusan University of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom, yang mewarisi darah perjuangan datuknya, Dato' Onn Jaafar, terbukti tenang menghadapi segala cabaran politik, punya karisma sesuai dengan citarasa generasi muda seangkatannya dan lenggok politiknya amat dewasa dan matang setaraf rakannya dalam Kabinet dan Majlis Tertinggi.

Begitu juga Dato' Mukhriz Mahathir yang mendapat undi tertinggi dalam pertandingan jawatan Exco Pemuda UMNO. Graduan bidang pemasaran dari University Boston, Massachusetts, Amerika itu bijak melakar imej politik dengan menerajui Gerakan Aman Malaysia tajaan Pemuda.

Di situ beliau memahat nama sebagai insan muda yang penyayang, tangkas bertindak membela mangsa tsunami, mangsa kekejaman peperangan, mangsa gempa bumi.

Begitu apabila tiba masanya anak-anak muda seperti Dato' Sri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein - cucu Dato' Onn Jaafar dan Dato' Mukhriz, anak Tun Dr Mahathir - muncul mewarisi kepimpinan negara. Kita terimalah ia sebagai aturan Allah SWT yang tidak mampu kita sekat, halang atau kita curigai dan yang pentingnya mereka semuanya sama-sama layak, sama-sama memiliki karisma dan sama-sama punya daya juang.

Perkara yang sama berlaku untuk Pihak Pembangkang di mana kita menyaksikan Wan Azizah dan anaknya Nurul Izzah sebagai ahli Parlimen, Lim Kit Siang dan anaknya yang juga Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng, Karpal Singh dan juga anaknya.

Screw Lim

2006-10-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

OK Lim, the report from ASLI is full of shit because:

Are you saying that because the government is controlled by UMNO, and UMNO is a Malay party, and because GLCs are owned by the Government, so naturally the Malays own the GLCs?

Are you saying that because Malays are priveleged to have 30% of stake in companies going for listing and usually they divest their interest for a profit and because of that the companies must maintain the 30% of Malay equity, that it is a leakage in the system, and the Malays are taking advantage of an 'instant' wealth program? When the report states that the divestment by the Malays are usually channelled back to properties and such, that the volume of Malay wealth is not necessarily decreased, what about the volume of Chinese wealth?

"The rise of the Malays in emerging sectors, especially in key executive positions is a good indication that Malays no longer need the NEP" - well, it doesn't mean we own these companies.

I've got more points, but I hate to argue more. I'm not an economist, but I think even my grandma understands that the report is just crap.

_______________________________________________________________

Lim free to resign based on principle, says Mirzan

PETALING JAYA: Asli’s head of Centre for Public Policy Studies Dr Lim Teck Ghee has resigned over the controversial studies on bumiputra equity ownership in Malaysian companies.

Dr Lim: Disagreed with Mirzan

His resignation, effective from the end of the month, came after Asli (Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute) president Mirzan Mahathir issued a statement on Tuesday that the studies by the centre that showed bumiputra equity ownership could be as high as 45% could not be vigorously justified.

Mirzan said that after re-examining the methodology and conclusions of the report, Asli had concluded that there were shortcomings in assumption and calculation that led to conclusions that could not be vigorously justified.

He also expressed deep regret over the “hurt and confusion felt by all Malaysians” caused by the report.

“Since I cannot agree with Mirzan’s statement and because of the need to defend the position and integrity of independent and non-partisan scholarship, I will be stepping down from my position at the end of the month,” Dr Lim said in a four-paragraph press statement here yesterday.

Kuan Yew sends reply to Abdullah

2006-09-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

This is Singapore's attempt to destabilize politics in Malaysia and Indonesia. Their attempt to duplicate Israel's way of crushing their enemies is sub par. In addition, this is another attempt to temporarily divert attention from their plans to continue to kill off our effort to build Port Tanjung Pelepas and KLIA to steal more businesses from Singapore. What we need to ponder as Malaysians is this, what can Malaysia offer to the world in the future when we become net importer of oil? 87% of manufacturing work will be setup in China. Almost all IT outsourcing work will be in India. Will we be the provider of food to the world? We can't even be self-sufficient and have a RM1 billion-food bill. Will we be the batik center of the world? What kind of GDP will that generate? Will we be the next Biotech Nexus? How many scores of years and number of failures do Biotech ventures need to go through before hitting it in the bull's eye? Will we be the chosen logistical stop in South East Asia? This is more probable. All we need is another private air courier service, strengthen Senai, connect Senai to PTP, and ensure that the bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore is up to enable ships to by pass Singapore port.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s founding father and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has written to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over his recent remarks about the Chinese being marginalised in Malaysia.

The Straits Times quoted Lee’s press secretary, Y. Y. Yeong as saying the letter was now with the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

“(It) is ready to be personally conveyed to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi,” she said.

Abdullah wrote to Lee last week seeking clarification over the controversial remarks.

On Sept 15, Lee, 83, told a forum on good governance that the attitude of Malaysia and Indonesia towards the republic was shaped by the way they treated their Chinese communities.

“My neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful, they’re hardworking and therefore they are systematically marginalised, even in education.

“And they want Singapore, to put it simply, to be like their Chinese, compliant,” Lee had said.

The remarks drew protests from Malaysia and Indonesia, with the foreign ministries of both countries summoning Singaporean envoys to explain Lee’s remarks. – Bernama.

'Jihad' auto dealer ad upsets U.S. Muslims

2006-09-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

CINCINNATI (Reuters) -- A car commercial proclaiming a jihad on the U.S. auto market and offering "Fatwa Fridays" with free swords for the kids is offensive and should not be aired, Muslim leaders said on Sunday.

The radio advertisement for the Dennis Mitsubishi car dealership in Columbus, Ohio, has "a whole jihad theme," said Adnan Mirza, director of the Columbus office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"They are planning on launching a jihad on the automotive market and their representatives would be wearing burqas ... ," Mirza said. "They mentioned the pope in there and also about giving rubber swords out to the kiddies -- really just reprehensible-type comments."

Details of the radio ad, which has not yet been broadcast, have been reported in the local media, but officials at the dealership declined to comment about the content of the radio spot.

Two employees at the dealership said they had been deluged with calls about the commercial.

"The ad has has never been released, it is not out for public listening," said one employee who declined to give his name.

Mirza said several local radio stations had already rejected the ad and he hoped the controversy would convince the dealership to rethink its sales strategy.

"We've made it clear to this dealer that this campaign runs contrary to our company values and we strongly urged him not to run the campaign," Mitsubishi Motors North America said in a company statement released Monday afternoon. "The dealer has agreed not to run it."

Mirza said the Council on American-Islamic Relations would likely contact the dealer to "offer some kind of cultural or sensitivity awareness training."

New IGP on the roll

2006-09-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

Tan Sri Musa spared no time to fight for the basic rights of our men in blue. RM650 as a constable! Yikes, so maids even get more than that and you expect these guys to patrol the streets 24 hours a day and stay clean all day. Funny thing is, even Datuk Johari Baharom missed the boat on this. He was too busy with the election in Kubang Pasu that he forgot to do his job. It's quite a rare occassion when your Minister supports a motion by the IGP, not the other way around. And please, Tan Sri KPPA, stop shooting the cops and give them some support. Yea, we understand that now you're saying hospital helpers get less than that, but they don't have to put their lives on the line for the public.

So we wait for our leadership to support this lonely man in blue.

PUTRAJAYA: The police want a salary revision to meet rising living costs and higher public expectations.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said that low-ranking policemen, including constables, were now drawing a monthly salary of as little as RM650, putting them among the country's hardcore poor.

Musa: ‘A new salary scale is being studied and will be submitted to the ministry’

A salary review, he added, was necessary not only for these policemen to gain respect but also to prevent them from being enticed with money by criminals in exchange for not performing their duties.

“A new salary scale is being studied and will be submitted to the Internal Security Ministry,” Musa told newsmen here yesterday.

“I understand that we cannot ask too much from the Government as there are many people involved (in the force) but their salary is very low.”

The police had their last salary revision about 10 years ago.

GPMS Nafi Laporan Kaitkan Pihaknya Berkempen Di Kubang Pasu

2006-09-11T03:24:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur -- Gabungan Pelajar-Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) kecewa dan menafikan laporan di laman web alternatif yang mengaitkan GPMS dalam kempen pemilihan perwakilan untuk UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu yang akan berlangsung Sabtu ini.

Dalam satu kenyataan ringkas kepada laman webPemuda, Setiausaha Agungnya, Mohd Nardin Awang menafikan GPMS telah digunakan oleh pihak-pihak tertentu dalam UMNO untuk berkempen dari rumah ke rumah bagi memastikan bekas Presiden UMNO, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tidak terpilih sebagai perwakilan untuk ke Perhimpunan Agung UMNO, November ini.

Sehubungan dengan itu jelas beliau tidak timbul isu GPMS menghantar ahli-ahlinya untuk turut serta dalam kempen 'anti-Mahathir' sebagaimana yang di laporkan dalam laman web tersebut.

"Agenda perjuangan GPMS berlandaskan kepada pendidikan. Justeru GPMS akan menumpukan kepada asas perjuangan GPMS dalam memperjuangkan dan menjaga hak-hak, mengemukakan segala permintaan dan memperbaiki keadaan pelajar-pelajar Melayu dari segenap lapisan", katanya.

MPs’ right to immunity ‘Civil servants must not question it’

2006-08-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

MP Jasin should be awarded Best Actor or Best Kaki Taichi 2006. What started from him asking favor from Customs to close one eye on his timber import became a barrage on hard working civil servants. Add that with some fiery comments from Nazri Aziz and Bung Mokhtar, some MPs really made the Parliament an august institution in the world (yea rite). Sure Raja Zainuddin, I understand that MPs have priveleges at the Parliament to debate on issues freely, but you must also realize that any ordinary man pushed into a corner naturally would defend himself, as such in the case of Malacca Customs Enforcement Director. You also need to adhere to freedom of speech for the people. So I hope next time if your own flesh & blood gets a threat SMS that you won't go to the Press.

I guess you're scared that people would know that there is a total of 160 names of VIPS who got cars dirt cheap from Customs, ooops, I'm not supposed to say that, sorry, is your name there too? You lambast the civil servants, beat them up real good, and expect the jentera to perform well for 9MP, expect them to be transparent, expect them to service the rakyat efficiently and courteously, expect them to go home with that small salary and be thankful that at least they have a job. I'm sure you sleep well at night dear MPs.

TAIPING: Civil servants should not question the immunity enjoyed by legislators in Parliament, said Backbenchers Club acting chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.

He said immunity was a right enjoyed by MPs all over the world.

Raja Ahmad Zainuddin said he was concerned over a newspaper report yesterday that Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman would meet the Attorney General to discuss the immunity of MPs who attacked government departments in Parliament.

Samsuddin had said that Government agencies had a job to do and should carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour.

“The proposed meeting with the Attorney General should not happen as immunity is our right in Parliament,” said Raja Ahmad Zainuddin after the opening of the Bukit Gantang Umno delegates meeting by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here yesterday.

“Such a move seems as if he (Samsuddin) has no respect for us as the country’s legislators and policymakers.

“I don’t know why this matter (immunity) is being raised as we have been given the freedom to speak and present our views and opinions on every Bill tabled.

“If we don’t play our role, we may be perceived as rubberstamps,” he said.

“Government agencies should concentrate on improving the delivery system and reducing bureaucratic red tape,” he added.

Anwar Simpan Fail Rafidah???

2006-08-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

Bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim mendakwa bahawa beliau ada menyimpan kertas pendakwaan terhadap Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz. Beliau berkata demikian ketika menyampaikan ucapan di Dungun, Terengganu diatas jemputan PAS tidak lama dulu.

Menurut Anwar, beliau berjaya mengambil kertas pendakwaan tersebut dipejabatnya sebelum beliau dipecat dari jawatannya sebagai Timbalan Perdana Menteri.

Menurut Anwar lagi, sebelum itu beliau pernah menyerahkan fail tentang Rafidah itu kepada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (Tun) untuk diambil tindakan terhadapnya.

Sementara itu, difahamkan punca-punca yang boleh dipercayai bahawa Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pernah meminta Rafidah meletakkan jawatan, tetapi beliaau dikatakan enggan berbuat begitu. Dan adakah is mempunyai kaitan dengan pengagihan AP yang bertimbun-timbun kepada dua individu tertentu?

Dalam pada itu bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad baru-baru ini ada menyebut bahawa sebelum beliau mengundur diri, beliau telah diminta Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi agar mengambil tindakan terhadap seorang pemimpin tertentu setelah siasatan dijalankan ke atasnya tetapi menurut Tun Dr. Mahathir, Pak Lah tidak mengambil tindakan apa-apa terhadap pemimpin berkenaan. Mungkinkah pemimpin yang didakwa itu adalah Rafidah atau ada seorang lagi?

Sebenarnya, banyak lagi perkara yang membabitkan Rafidah yang tersiar dalam internet dan sesungguhnya menurut ramai pemimpin, Rafidah sebagai Ketua Pergerakan Wanita UMNO Malaysia sudah tidak layak lagi memegang jawatan itu kerana nama beliau sudah tercemar.

So persoalannya ialah, kenapa DSAI simpan fail Rafidah? Untuk sabotaj atau minta favor?

Crisis in the Government

2006-08-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

So a little bird has just informed that Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat has gotten both Agong and one Sultan Pahang to do lobbying work for him for the KSN seat. Let's just go through this guy's profile.

During the last general election, he was seen holding a Nokia Communicator for Pak Lah on National TV, standing on the stage at Bilik Gerakan and passing the phone to Pak Lah. Some machai. Not really professional, has got nothing to do with politics and there he was, sucking and licking.

Son was suspended for money politics against the now Ketua Pemuda Putrajaya during the race for Ketua Pemuda Putrajaya. Apparently the son used his dad's position to mobilize some money from Pelita Nasi Kandar.

Reported to have bomoh working for him.

He was so excited about the prospect of becoming the next KSN that he gathered his closed cronies with the senior govt officer group and promised them promotions and kickbacks if they support him.

What does he gain from being the next KSN? Damn, just about everything within the power of KSN. Now that RMK9 is about to kickstart, look out for a lot of land acquisition approvals within Wilayah Persekutuan.

I hope he tries to enter politics after his retirement, would like to see him get stomped and slapped around.

Oh wait, did I mention that his cousin is the KP of ACA, so don't even worry about him getting screwed for corruption. KP himself has 6 petrol stations across the Peninsular.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Now we know the real story behind the foreign labour issue

NEWS FLASH

The Immigration Department is currently facing a dilemma. Azmi Khalid, the Minister under which the department comes, has issued licences to six companies giving them approval to bring in foreign labour. One of the companies is controlled by his son, Johan, while another by Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, the ‘Six Million Dollar Man’ from Perak, a close acquaintance of Tan Sri Megat Junid, also a Perakian.

(Megat Junid was the Minister then who was the kingpin of the foreign labour syndicate and who removed Dato’ Syed Daniel from the Immigration Department when he tried to smash the syndicate).

Azmi Khaid issued the licences during the time of the moratorium declared by the Prime Minister. The Secretary General of the Ministry, Aseh Che Mat, says he knows nothing about these licences though copies have been sent to his department.

The Immigration authorities are in a quandary as to whether the letters of approval are genuine or fake though they have been signed by the Minister himself and on official government letterheads. On the other hand, they are also scared of complying with the letter as this runs contrary to the orders from the Prime Minister's office.

Perhimpunan Gabungan Pemuda Malaysia - 22 Aug 06

2006-08-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Baldy: second from left, instigated crowd by promoting Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim during Anti-Israel campaign (get a life bro)

UMNO, MCA, PAS, Keadilan, DAP, Gerakan, MIC in the same room? Sounds far fetched, but that was what happened at Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka tonight. Perhimpunan Gabungan Pemuda Malaysia was organized by DBP to show unity of voice in condemning the Israeli invasion in Southern Lebanon. It's the first time in my lifetime to witness all Ketua or Naib Ketua Pemuda of these parties sitting together with their supporters behind them voicing out the same issue. The Pemuda Malaysia condemns the invasion with their utmost distaste and disgust. All of Ketua Pemuda took the podium and delivered sound speeches on the brutality of the Israeli Defence Force (mind you that only Singapore and Israel carry the word Defence for their Armed Forces).

Of course Naib Ketua Pemuda Keadilan Shamsul Iskandar a.k.a. Baldy (maybe baldi sounds better) had to play spoiler like always. He started his speech with "Salam Sejahtera Tuan2 Puan, Salam Reformasi". He had to include political content in his speech. He said that if it were Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in power, this whole movement of youth leaders to condemn the attacks would have taken place the minute Israel began their invasion, not a month after! That's when the whole hall started booing and shouting. Keadilan supporters stood up and started protesting, seeing their leader dead on his tracks and being target practice for Pemuda UMNO supporters. Of course there were only a handful of them, so their rationale kicked in and they sat down quietly.

MCA Youth Leader then took the podium and lambasted the fool to dust.

The grand finale was Dato' Seri Hisham's speech, which as always excited the crowd with his fiery words. He took a second jab at Baldy by telling everyone this is not the forum for political purposes.

Baldy, sorry man, it wasn't your night after all.

Hall of Shame

2006-08-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

What a mess. I don't know how NST got these figures, but it's shocking. No wonder UMNO suggested earlier that Mayor of cities be elected. Maybe PAC can start auditing these guys one by one to enhance confidence of the people in the authorities involved.

NST Aug 20:
RM10m spent on study tours
RM33m spent on cars

Nobody is perfect. Least of all the local councils. For too long, they have been accused of operating behind a thick veil of secrecy, running the councils as if they were their fiefdoms. Transparency, accountability, consensus - these words don't exist in their vocabulary.

So why are the ratepayers always critical of local authorities? Here's why:

Kuala Lumpur City Hall spending RM10.5million over five years on trips abroad for its officials; RM33.4million to buy vehicles; and RM5million to fete its employees;
A RM350,000 flagpole erected at the Ipoh Padang;
The Seberang Prai Municipal Council gave a multi-million ringgit contract for the supply of fresh flowers to its office;
A bus and taxi terminal in Cameron Highlands not built to specifications by the district council;
The Selayang Municipal Council sending some officers and others on a "foreign study" tour although it had no money;
The Selayang Municipal Council, again, forcing residents to buy bins from it or risk not having their rubbish collected;
Subang Jaya Municipal Council directing all eateries to engage the services of a seven-company consortium providing pest control services at exhorbitant fees. And the seven were not even registered with the National Association of Pest Control Companies;

Freshmen calculus: Socialist =/ Malaysia

2006-08-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

So who's really hyped up about forming a Socialist Party in Malaysia? Why should we sponsor the lazy bums and beach bums when we slave ourselves at work or at the farm trying to earn a living?

Thank God Its ROS

OK, here’s the deal Dr Nasir Hashim, first of all, you wish to start up a national political party but you can’t even get representation from 7 states. Well, hard work would pay off, as long as UMNO rules, Malaysia will be a democracy, and as long as democracy strives, you will have a chance to form your own party, with 7 reps from diff states of course.

Court of Appeal says “no” to PSM

Putrajaya: Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s PSM bid to form a political party at national level has again failed after the Court of Appeal dismissed its appeal yesterday. “This is not the end, we will continue to fight”, said pro tem chairman Dr Nasir Hashim. Justice Datuk Gopal Sri Ram said is it the ROS’s policy not to grant national level registration unless there is representation from at least seven of the states in the committee of a political society.

Yikes my 15min WIFI access is almost up!!!

Aiming for Ketua Pemuda or Cabinet seat next?

2006-08-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hero Melayu, reporting from across the border after a good massage and heavy dinner with ex-gf. Still can't figure out the difference between "no monopoly" and "it was open tender but only one company submitted proposal".

Selangor MB Dato’ Sri Khir Toyo needs to step up against bombardment of attacks since the Bukit Cahaya deal, flooding in Shah Alam after announcement of Selangor Maju, the controversial RM40million Exco residences and now billboard issues. Selangor grass root making noise about representation of Selangor YB’s in the cabinet, which is nil. Well, here’s your chance unless you think MB seat is pretty damn warm and relaxing to leave.

The Sun reported today that Selangor MB indicated “heads will roll after admitting there were material differences between what the EXCO approved and what his officers committed the government to on the issue of billboards. Promising an investigation into who and what caused the mess, the state government has been caught in, he said “I was not aware of this (the discrepancy) until I received the agreement”.

Although Mohd Khir said there is no monopoly, no open tenders were invited and neither was there any competitive bidding – only one company’s proposal was accepted. The letter to Bernam Kiara was signed by a senior officer Azizan Mohd Sidin and a copy was extended to exco member Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahlan. If there was something wrong, surely Mokhtar would have kicked up a ruckus.

“Everybody can have their own signboard but they need to contribute to the state or to the local authorities. That is our position, we don’t keep changing our word”, he said. “We encourage any company that wants to build bridges. Kalau the Sun nak buat, we are willing. We are very happy because the cost is very high. We have to build about 60-100 overhead bridges and we will stick to our decision. Build a new bridge and you can put up your billboards”.

Wrong info circulated via SMS - Lina Joy

2006-08-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

If you happen to receive the following SMS, ignore it!

"Lina Joy dah menang kat court. Pertubuhan Melayu Murtad (IFC) dah diluluskan. Pergi ke www.myislamnetwork.net untuk bantahan. Cukup 1 juta petisyen, IFC akan dibubarkan. Sebarkan msg ni, plz!"

Malay brilliance - Just add water

2006-08-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

So who would have thought that our Malay scientist could invent a car engine that uses water as supplementary fuel? Dr Halim Ali from Johor has done just that and the engine boasts 50% fuel consumption saving. 2 models were launched by YAB PM yesterday, the Tourer priced at RM58,888 and the Trekker at RM84,888, both carrying 2.4-litre engines. 80% of the cars will be exported to the Middle East and Asean countries. The launching of the 2 models took place at the Zon, JB, owned by the famous Datuk K. Also present were Dato' Seri Khaled Nordin, MECD minister and Dato' Shahrir Samad, JB MP.

Because of the potential growth in this product, President and chief executive officer Abdul Uzza Shikh Mohamed had asked YAB PM to give JB automotive hub title, same as Gurun or Tanjung Malim.

The night before, YAB PM was at the official residence of Johore MB to meet Johore politicians and businessmen. All 26 Division leaders of Johore pledged undeniable support to YAB PM.

Pemuda PJU: Program Jasamu dikenang bersama Tun Mahathir

2006-08-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

So here's the juice. Pemuda UMNO Bhg Petaling Jaya Utara planned to invite Tun Mahathir to officiate their Mesyuarat Perwakilan, without the consent of Ketua Bahagian, Senator Dato' Ikhwan and crew. So after the big hoo haa that Tun Mahathir cannot officiate any UMNO official functions, Pemuda UMNO PJU decided to organize a separate function for Tun called 'Jasamu dikenang'. This program was supposed to be after the Perasmian of Mesyuarat Perwakilan. So we waited patiently this morning for the arrival of Tun M, Dato' Ikhwan and gang. When the MC took over, he gave the normal welcoming speech and passed the mike to Timbalan Setiausaha Pemuda. This guy announced that there was a slight change of plan. They postponed the Perasmian to 3pm and moved up Tun's program. Of course, everyone was happy about it, except for Dato', hahah, should see the look on his face.

Azli, Ketua Pemuda PJU, took the floor. He mentioned that he's not sure why people are afraid of inviting Tun M. He doesn't care about the repercussions because to him, honoring a national hero is more important than to tow the line. Well, good luck to him and his political career.

Don't get me wrong. I respect Tun Mahathir to death, but rules are rules. First, if you're planning to invite Tun to your Bahagian, what's the problem discussing it with Ketua Bahagian. He's not there for nothing. No. 2, if you really want to have Tun to speak, you can always use other platforms, i.e. NGO. No. 3, on top of that, you embarassed your Ketua Bahagian and made his program less important. Remember that you're gonna be long in that Bahagian, you are just Pemuda.

Anyway, Tun started with his appetizers of Malaysia's history, that Malaysia has been colonized for 450 years since some screwed up guy from Portugal came down and conquered Malacca. He then talked about the past leadership and their contemporaries. Although leaders come and go, UMNO will continue to move on.

For his main course, he gave an analogy of imam and saf. If imam fumbles during prayers, the jemaah is obliged to advise. Same with the current political scenarios. He talked about the bridge and why we are offering our kedaulatan to Singapore if we allow planes to fly over Johor airspace and make Singapore 1.5times bigger by selling sand to them and allowing them to build casinos.

For dessert, he talked about the AP kings and how the priveleged few were misusing the concept of helping out Bumiputera in the automotive industry.

Sorry folks, nothing controversial was discussed today.

Sijil Pembaptisan Lina Joy

2006-08-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

PEMBELA gabungan NGO-NGO Islam, menyokong penuh inisiatif Hj Taib bin Hj Hashim yang telah membuat laporan polis berkaitan sebuah gereja, Church of Our Lady of Fatima, beralamat di Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields yang telah mengeluarkan sijil pembaptisan kepada Lina Joy. Inisiatif beliau ini dilihat sebagai lambang keprihatinan rakyat Malaysia berhubung dengan isu-isu melibatkan kedaultan Islam dalam masyarakat.

Dalam laporan tersebut, beliau juga menyatakan gereja tersebut bercanggah dengan Perkara 11(4) Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan menjadi satu jenayah di bawah Seksyen 298A Kanun Keseksaan.

PEMBELA memohon Polis DiRaja Malaysia menjalankan siasatan serta-merta berhubung laporan tersebut. Sekiranya perkara tersebut mempunyai asas, gereja tersebut perlu dikenakan tindakan sejajar dengan lunas undang-undang negara. Tindakan tersebut secara terang-terangan boleh menggugat ketenteraman dan keharmonian beragama di negara ini. PEMBELA memandang isu ini sebagai satu kesalahan yang serius.

2 times 5 = MP Jasin??

2006-08-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

Kereta idaman Datuk

So what's Datuk Mohd Said up to? He is trying to clean up his own mess or is he diverting attention? So it's ok for him to tell Customs to close one eye, but it's not ok for ex-government officers to work for contractors of Govt. 2 kali lima je. He needs a better political advisor to advise him on how to create political mileage or maybe he doesn't have one. MPs, where's the follow up? You're gonna let this guy get away with the timber import? Kalau politician ada girlfriend, gossip satu bulan, but on more serious issues, buat tak tahu.

MP: Ex-senior government staff should not deal with former departments

By NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

PENANG: Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof said retired senior government officers should be barred from taking up positions in private companies dealing with their former agencies.

He cited an example of some retired senior Customs officers who were now working as advisers to a well-known company that import and assemble cars.

“Their job is to make sure the process of bringing in foreign cars runs smoothly. Networking with former subordinates and colleagues works to their advantage,” he said.

Citing another example, he alleged that a retired senior Immigration officer had been appointed an adviser to an agency involved in securing foreign workers.

Mohd Said, who made headlines in June after allegedly calling Customs officials to “close an eye” on the size of the logs his company imported from Indonesia, said it was wrong for retired officers to take advantage of their networking within the agency for the benefit of the company they were working for.