KL Trip (Part 1) : Tweetup with LKS & Tony Pua & Tweetup at The REEF!

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 1,319 views

I was in KL for the weekend. After breaking up many promises to go and chill out with my friends on the other side (so sorry peeps for that!), finally I made a last minute decision to go. Booked my ticket on Thursday and flew down on Friday evening. I am glad I made it to KL because I had the chance to attend few very important tweetups, meeting old friends – especially my lovely comrades from Facebook, and hanging out with many new friends from Twittersphere.

I touched down at LCCT around 7.30pm, took a bus to KL Sentral which took me an hour to reach there.  Another 10 mins wasted to find a cab. First cab asked for RM35, I told him to go back and sleep, then I went to the roadside and managed to catch a macha. We had a good chat about Sarawak (after he learned that I am a Sarawakian), tuak, toddy, samsu and a little bit on politics. I was heading to Rocket Cafe to attend a tweetup with Lim Kit Siang. Tony Pua was there as well. I was late, reached there around 9pm and luckily I just missed the session about half an hour.

Teeetup with Lim Kit Siang and Tony Pua

The tweetup make-up is a very multiracial one, something different from the usual DAP organised gatherings I have been to. In fact, Vijay whispered to me halfway during the tweetup, “Hey Bong, you know this is the first gathering I’ve been that I see so many races, normally.. majority Chinese and few Indians, very seldom got Malays. Tonight we have so many”.

Many questions and comment were raised during the tweetup. Questions on Lim Kit Siang’s call for boycott during the swearing in ceremony in Perak post GE 2008, September 16 and many more.

I had the chance to ask few questions and make some comments on the image of DAP as a multiracial party hampered by its inability to get the right mixture of members and leaders to reflect a true multiracial party. Many other tweeples jumped in and gave their comments on how DAP is still perceived among Malays as a Chinese party. Something need to be done to change this perception.

Lim Kit Siang gave a good answer on this. He pointed out that in principle, DAP never close its door to any Malaysian, be it Malay, Chinese, Indian etc. The party does not limit any Malaysian of any race and religion to join the party. He then mentioned some prominent Malay leaders in DAP – a well-known Malay, MP Ahmad Nor, who was its vice-president until his death in 2003, Tunku Abdul Aziz the current party vice-president as an example of DAP multiracial and open to all. approach. It’s wrong to say that the DAP is not interested broadening its appeal to the Malays.

But DAP has difficulties to attract other races especially Malays because there are so many other parties to choose from and most of the time being an opposition party doesn’t help. Malays can choose from Umno, Gerakan, PPP then only PAS, PKR and lastly DAP. For those who are pro-opposition, before PKR was formed they would choose either PAS or DAP but now they can choose PKR.

Hmm, for me I personally feel the problem with DAP trying to attract Malay members is that DAP does not have enough specifics in their programmes or policies for the Malays as a specific community. How DAP is going to assist the Malays in their development, what kind of policies DAP has for them. Reaching out to the Malays is different from reaching out to the Chinese and Indians and other Natives for that matter. Religion is one crucial factor.

Another issue brought up was on the dissemination of information to the ground. DAP specifically or Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in general could have done many good things but all this good news are not delivered to the right people due to the distortion, manipulative and blackout in mainstream media.  This problem is also related to the previous question and comments where DAP is perceived as a Chinese party when DAP has always been multi-racial in its composition and outlook.

PR also does not have an official one stop centre’ for all the news, press statements, commentaries on policies and current issues, blogs for its leaders, members and supporters. Independent or alternative media who are pro PR like Malaysia Today and Malaysiakini are not enough. TV Selangor is a good example on how Pakatan Rakyat can use it to present PR’s side on any story and issues of current interests, offering counter-statements, interviews on various issues and showing all the good works carried out by PR. Heck it even has live parliamentary session, something Malaysian cannot get from RTM channels or any mainstream electronic media.

I also commented on the cooperation between Pakatan Rakyat parties – PKR, DAP and PAS where PR still does not portray itself as a coalition with united voice when you have situation where PAS will take lead on a certain issue, DAP will take lead on another issue. I suggested that for DAP to portray and show that it is a party who is after Malaysians’ interests, it should always go to the front.

Tony Pua replied “Let’s say for an example, on the Allah issue if DAP was the first to go out and say ‘It is okay for the Christians to use the Allah word’ and then PAS followed after that, how people would think? How the Muslims would think? Don’t you think Umno and BN would jump to the opportunity to say PAS ‘ikut telunjuk’ (PAS is DAP’s puppet)? That is why for certain issues, we find it is better for us to sit back and let other parties take the lead.

Valid point, which I gave my next comment ‘Then, to avoid such problem, giving impression to the people out there on the disunity of PR parties, of who’s taking the lead and who’s taking the back seat, shouldn’t Pakatan Rakyat issue some sort of joint-statement when dealing with an issue? That way, no question of each party issuing its own statement or the possibility of contradicting each other. It is also more difficult for PR detractors to accuse any party of being submissive to other party. Any statement or comments coming from other PR leaders or parties after the official statement are considered as just personal opinions/views since the official stand has been made.”

Hmm….

Too bad, time was running out and the only reply I got was “Well, that’s an idealistic thinking”. Hmm….

Tweetup at The Reef, TTDI

A friend was waiting for more than 15 mins downstairs for me and Vijay to go for another tweetup at The Reef, TTDI. So after we took some group photos, we left for The Reef. I was so happy to meet up with the regular tweeples in person – @Asohan, @orangasle, @feistyflo (Thanks for inviting me cayang hahaha!), @zeffri (and his lovely wife), @IcedNyior, @thechannelc (she left without saying goodbye! Easier to sneak out than saying goodbye eh??), @sureshdr, @rachelweiyi, @iemzhar, @JcrT, @auzani (he came a bit late after). Sorry if I miss out your name, writing this off the top of my head.

Had so much fun, gyrating to the 80’s tune. We even made a toss to #yorais! We were so loud and at one point chanting “U2, U2, U2″ asking for songs from the band to be played. Too bad, our requests were ignored.. huargghhh! Nobody was taking photos of the tweetup, I think @IcedNyior took some and twitpic-ed it, may need to check her tweets for the photos. We adjourned to the mamak opposite the bar and I had my sleep around 4.30am. I was staying at D’aman Ria, the place where I stayed when I was working in Klang Valley. Thanks CM for opening the door at 4am LOL!

To be continued… (Next post -  fish head noodle, Kanna Curry House farewell lunch and Teh Tarik Tweetup with Anwar Ibrahim)

Of Al Islam row, KJ’s ‘missed the train’ comment, rule of law and gomen’s inconsistencies.

Saturday, February 27th, 2010 1,344 views

I thought I would slow down writing on socio-political issues since I jumped on the Twitter bandwagon and spending most of my time there on such issues, but I need to pen down more than 140 characters for this particular issue.

Remember the covert mission by two Al Islam journalists who went undercover to spy on Catholic church by pretending to be Christians and taking part in its rituals – receiving and spitting out the Holy Communion wafer for photographs – believed to take place somewhere in April 2009? Malaysians were only made aware of such unethical and insensitive actions of Al Islam journalists after a police report were made in July 2009 after an article titled “Tinjauan Al Islam Dalam Gereja: Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad” was published in the May 2009  issue of Al Islam magazine.

In the latest development, our very wise and forward thinking Attorney General has decided to let the two Al Islam journalists of the hook, without any reason given for such decision. So he is playing judge as well, deciding whether criminals can be let free or not, eh?

The duo were then investigated under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.

It was reported yesterday that the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, through the officer in charge of the case, had sent a letter to the complainant telling him that the AG’s office would not be pressing charges.

No reason was given for the decision.

Well, guess who came to the AG’s rescue for his decision? Khairy Jamaluddin, Umno Youth chief, who also happened to be the first Malaysian Muslim politician to condemn the action of the two irresponsible Al Islam journalists when the issue came out.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (picture) said today the Attorney General’s decision to let two Al-Islam magazine journalists off the hook for allegedly desecrating Catholic Communion hosts should not matter so long as the magazine has “learned its lesson from this episode.”

Allow me to use famous point-form blog writing style ala Che Det here.

1. Stupid reason for not prosecuting.

So long as the magazine has learned its lesson from this episode‘ is one of the most stupid reason for not prosecuting.

What kind of signal the government is trying to send out? That rule of law can be undermined by politics? This episode happened way before the cow-head incident (happened in September 2009),  churches arson attacks (happened early of January 2010) and pig head incident (happened end of January 2010).

When it happened, no swift and immediate action was taken, apart for the usual condemnation by politicians and promises to investigate the matter. Because of the efficiency of such inaction by the government and the authorities, it gave some sort of blessings for more untowards incidents to happen after, which we witnessed.

2. Lackadaisical action by the government and authorities in dealing with ’sensitive’ matters like this.

Lackadaisical action by the government may have led to a perception that certain groups of people with vested interests and subversive tendencies have the immunity to carry out their despicable acts to disturb the peace and harmony in the country.

When the ‘cow head incident’ took place, the government and the authorities took the ‘cow head incident’ played down the incident, taking it lightly and were even seen to show some support and sympathy for that provocative, senseless and insensitive action (Hishammuddin ‘Keris’ Hussein even went to defend cow head protester!). Malaysians couldn’t help but to think that those people had the blessings of someone or some groups with the required political clout to protect them.

Thanks to many sensible Malaysians who made it clear that such nonsense and ineptitude cannot be tolerated. Had it not been for the public outcry over that heinous behaviour, those responsible would not have been charged in court. Even that has been rather slow and lacked the urgency or importance for a highly-sensitive provocation with seemingly religious overtones.

3. Missed the train? Get on a plane, chap!

In few Twitter exchanges with Khairy Jamaluddin – @khairykj regarding his comments over AG’s decision, he explained that his comments were in the context of now, as we have missed the train.

@bongkersz Perhaps, but the train has left the station on ‘taking action’. Tensions must be eased first. 3:36 PM Feb 26th via UberTwitter in reply to bongkersz

Well, if I miss the train, I’ll be sure to take a plane to catch up, or at least give chase and not letting the train goes without me. To be honest, Malaysians are sick of inactions over matters like this, not the timing of such actions to be taken.  Also interesting to note, this argument by Khairy.

He, however, argued that the decision may have been reached to “balance out” the racial and religious tension caused by the “Allah” row in a bid to prevent further unease.

Funny, because these two journalists were investigated under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion. Now, instead of using available laws provisioned to take care of offences that will jeopardise harmony or unity, we should ‘let go’ to get the same result – maintain harmony and unity? Aiseh, this is so confusing..

“I don’t want to speculate on the reason..but there are things that you can take to court and others best to leave it to other sensible ways for solution,” Khairy said.

Letting them off the hook is a sensible way of solution? This ’sensible’ solution is to please few stubborn extremists or the many good Muslims and Malaysians? Are we going to sacrifice the rule of law under the pretext of maintaining peace and harmony at the mercy of few troublemakers? What, they got the AG (government, police and KJ) by the balls now? Malaysian is held hostage by these crooks?

Many good Muslims out there would see the wrong committed by these two journalists and to press charges would bring satisfaction to many. (except for people like Ibrahim Ali) Give Malaysians more credits, they are wiser now and united to crush any element of chaos and destruction to their peaceful and harmonious living.

4. Glaring inconsistencies

Why we are letting some people off the hook for major issues, but calling heads for minor issues? Why the cow head protestors are charged but the two Al Islam journalists not? Would there be a lesser sentence meted out for the cow head protestors later if they are found guilty, because this is their first offence and they have learned their lesson well? Just recently, Malaysians were mind-fucked by this piece of news:

Man who raped minor gets sentence reduced

SEREMBAN: A 32-year-old odd-job worker had his jail sentence for raping a minor reduced by 10 years, after the High Court here took into consideration that he was a first-time offender and had cooperated with the police.

WTF is that?

Oh, I think Gunasegaran of The Star should use such argument over his caning article episode. Home Ministry is considering to take action against The Star and Gunasegaran for sedition (see what I said about inconsistencies?) so maybe Gunasegaran should say he has learned his lesson too. For greater impact, Khairy Jamaluddin can help to put out a good word for him and The Star too.

We cannot, in any way compromise the security, peace and harmonious living of the Malaysian community. We must reject those who use it to gain political superiority and power. Anything that threatens these vital requirements for a progressive and tranquil way of life should be dealt with swiftly while imparting a strong message to the perpetrators of the severe consequences of their actions.

The government has to set strong examples that Malaysians do not condone any disruption to their normal way of life, so enjoyed and valued for a nation of great hope. The right decision must be made in a swift and consistent manner.

ps: Of course, I am writing this with the assumption the rule of law still has meaning here. *chuckles*

Quoting Pete Teo in his reply to me when I tweeted that I was going to write this entry to highlight the inconsistencies of the government in dealing with Al Islam issue.

Consistency? That assumes the rule of law still has meaning here. Rule by cabalistic fiat is the new byword.

Have a great weekend peeps!

Shiet! I cannot save the world in 140 characters ;) More please!

Thursday, October 1st, 2009 864 views

I laughed my ass off when I read that Isa Samad was named as BN’s candidate for upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election. Is it Umno so devoid of good candidates that it needs to put a recycled thrash for contest? Funny how BN apologists started the battle by defending its candidate credibility at the word ‘go!’.

Predictably, just like how they usually do whenever people question or criticize any decision made by BN, they would use the idiom ‘pot calling kettle black’ on the person by pointing out incidencies where similar decisions were made by BN’s political enemies (in this case, PR) in order to justify BN’s action for doing so.

For this, they would always assume the critics are speaking on behalf of the other party (in this case, PR) and supporting the past actions taken by PR (which was pointed out to justify BN’s decision) So how BN people defended their party action for nominating Isa as the candidate for the Bagan Pinang by election?

By pointing out that PR accepted Zaid Ibrahim who was also found guilty together with Isa Samad by Umno Diciplinary Board for involving in money politics. Their reason is, if people can accept Zaid Ibrahim (especially PR supporters), why not Isa Samad? Their reason, both were found guilty for the same offence.

Zaid was found guilty and given warning but he lashed out at the Disciplinary Boardfor its decision and he earned a suspension for doing that. Yes, he was suspended for criticising the Board in the media. Not for money politics. (I hate the term ‘money politics’. Bribery is bribery. What money politics? Ah, that was the my idealist doppel ganger speaking out.) Pak Lah then called him back to be the Law Minister and the rest is history. So, why he was not sentenced? Not enough evidence? Interesting to note that Umno Youth Chief was also given a warning for the same offense as Zaid Ibrahim last year before he won his position now in the party election.

Isa Samad was found guilty for money politics and sentenced to 6 years suspension which was then reduced to only 3 years for reasons only Umno knows.  Isa quietly accepted his fate, while Zaid made a big noise over it, he even challenged the board to prove the allegation. Berani kerana besar, takut kerana salah, anyone?

Clearly, we can see how Isa and Zaid Ibrahim ‘earned’ their suspensions from Umno. One for criticizing the Discplinary Board for issuing a warning for his offense and another one for being found guilty and probably with more evidences too since not a warning but a sentence was given. Hey, I’m quite good at spinning lol!

Putting all the arguments on who is more guilty and who’s not aside, the only question Umno needs to answer is: Is there no other better candidate to offer but Isa Samad? Someone with a better background (although this task, for Umno is like finding a needle in haystacks) and credibility? After all it is a strong seat for Umno and with 5000 postal votes ehem, according to political gossips mill are secured, so why not try to do the right thing for once?

Maybe Umno has become so desperate to win that it has no qualm to compromise everything. Just imagine, Hishammuddin the Home Minister which is also one of the Umno Supreme Council member could come up with things like. ‘Halal guilt and haram guilt’. What the fuck is kosher guilt and sinful guilt? I don’t know.  Then, another idiot who I forgot the name said choosing Isa as a candidate is a “necessary compromise”.

Ok, that’s enough craps from Umno or else some of my Umno friends reading this may think I am so much in love with Umno and that’s I can’t stop talking about it. An analogy given to me by a friend is that his father hates him smoking, so the father keep on nagging and telling him to stop smoking, for one and only reason – out of fatherly love. I replied, “Well your father probably wanted to say you’re an idiot for killing yourself slowly but decided not to say because because it would be reflected on him. Saying your son is stupid, is as you’re telling the world you don’t know how to teach your son.” Ehe!

If it is of your interest, do join me wasting time in Twitter, pretending to solve political complicated political issues in 140 characters. Check out the tweets by the usual suspects on Malaysian politics in Twitterville: @khairykj @auzani @syahredzan @carribeanking7 @victorliew @ckgord @nxa0004 @Aisehman @bongkersz @anthraxxxx @stephendoss @walski69 @timmysay @radarpath

ps: Going to Kuching tomorrow for PTD test on Saturday ;) Don’t laugh, I’ll choke slam you.

pss: I’m ‘merempit-ing’ starting today. Car still in workshop. Vroom vrooomm!

What ‘cawat’? “Nadai gi kami ngena cawat deh!”

Monday, July 27th, 2009 996 views

What is the fuss over the ‘cawat’ remark by Hadi Awang?

Much have been said about the ‘cawat’ (loincloth) remark. It’s getting really annoying reading the recycled, repeated craps in the paper nowadays. Our papers especially love to quote some stupid politicians moronic comments, I wonder if that helps them selling the papers. It’s downright insulting to read the spins by these idiots and with the rubbish journalism we have in Malaysia, it’s hard to find alternative or opposing views in our mainstream medias anymore. Everyone is parroting the same shits, treating us like dumbs.

First thing, nowadays you can’t see any Dayak wearing cawat (loincloth) anymore except perhaps on ceremonial or festive occasions. Not forgetting when posing for Tourism Malaysia posters, which is somehow fine and not insulting for the Dayaks to be portrayed that way, I wonder.

Long long time ago, our ancestors were wandering around naked, wearing nothing. Then somehow they found it embarassing not to cover their jewels so they scavenged anything they could think of to cover those parts. It evolved from wearing leaves, then to loincloth and now we can have brief or boxer and jeans, shorts, khakis over to double cover, triple cover our precious-yet-embarassing-to-be-let-free-for-view parts.

Yes, Dayak tribes did wear cawats back then (probably my earliest ancestors back then did as well) and that was so fashionable at that time, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of the fact, even today. No thanks to idiots from Barisan Nasional, the so called Dayak-fighters like Alfred Jabu ak Numpang and James Jemut Masing who jumped on this issue and fanned it to stir emotional angst among the Dayaks.

They interpreted the loincloth remark literally, knowing it would cause discontent among Sarawakians especially the Dayaks. They are hoping all Sarawakians would be so dumb and illiterate to take the meaning literally.

Listen to James Masing -

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dr James Masing said Hadi’s comments suggested that the Batang Ai voters, the majority of whom are Dayaks, were uncivilised.

Now Alfred Jabu -

Irked by Hadi’s comments which was made in the run-up to the Manek Urai by-election which was won by PAS, Jabu said anyone who had offended any community should apologise if he was a sensible person.

“I have covered Lubok Antu very extensively, well before the by-election, during and after it and under normal circumstances, you don’t see anyone wearng ‘cawat’, except during traditional dances when traditional costumes are displayed,” he said, adding it had been demonstrated that Barisan was very strong in Sarawak.

Trust James Jemut Masing and Alfred Jabu ak Numpang to spin the loincloth remark to their own benefits. James Masing is only partially correct in his statement. Yes Hadi’s comments suggest the Batang Ai voters, the majority of whom are Dayaks were uncivilised, but it was a reference to the ‘uncivilised, backward mentality’ of Dayak voters for keep voting the government that neglects them all this years.

In the case of Batang Ai, under the guise of ‘political development’, BN offered instant goodies for the voters and they were easily appeased and contented with such ‘political bribery’. Little that they remember, ALL governments exist for the purpose of assisting ALL their citizens and there is nothing to be thankful or grateful for what’s rightfully belong to them. I wrote something along this line before – Should we be thankful for what’s rightfully ours?

BN even had the audacity to declare East Malaysia states as its ‘fixed deposit’, clearly insulting and at the expense of ignoramus East Malaysian voters when it comes to exercising their votes wisely.

Najib Wants Sabah To Remain BN’s ‘Fixed Deposit’

KOTA KINABALU, May 4 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants Sabah to remain as the ‘fixed deposit’ for the Barisan Nasional (BN).

He said that this was to ensure the BN would continue to be at the helm of the country’s administration.

As if it is something to be proud of, we have an idiot in the name of Abang Johari quickly making a bold statement declared that “Sarawak also BN’s fixed deposit”. WTF? Is this worth fighting for? Something to be jealous of when Najib ‘praised’ Sabah? This is an insult! Not praise and glory, you blinking idiot!

So, why nobody kick a fuss when this guy daringly made a statement insinuating the votes of Sarawakians are taken for granted? Where were you Alfred Jabu? James Masing? Obviously, BN all this while treat Sarawakian voters as idiots. Their votes worth shit and are easily bought with instant goodies? Isn’t this affirming the ‘cawat’ mentality among the voters in Sarawak?

I would like to share some very interesting and valid points made by Sarawak Headhunter in his post Why Are Some Dayaks Getting Their Cawats In A Twist?

What line did Hadi cross? Was he telling a lie? Did he say it to insult anyone? Is the truth insulting? If any Dayaks really felt insulted, perhaps they should mend the error of their ways and stop supporting oppression of their own people by Taib and his regime.

Did Hadi really want to make the people of Lubok Antu and the Dayaks as a whole look uncivilised? Was that his point? Again, why should anyone feel sensitive above Hadi’s remarks unless they were true?

All sadly but typically missing the point, perhaps purposely. Why should the opposition deliberately want to hurt the feelings of the very people whose support they need?

Everyone, including Hadi, knows very well that the Dayaks no longer “run around” in cawats. But that doesn’t mean that the Dayaks have yet managed to outgrow their ‘cawat’ mentality, just like many Malays (read “UMNO Malays”) have still not managed to outgrow their feudal mentality.

Obviously Hadi knows that the people don’t literally wear cawats any more. Anyway, don’t Dayaks wearing cawats still appear in official BN government tourist brouchures and cultural performances?

What Hadi meant, Sarawak Headhunter thinks, is the cawat or backward mentality of the Dayaks, who in spite of being the victims of Taib’s regime, still supported their oppressors and victimizers.

Dayaks are marginalised because of their ignorance of Taib’s regime’s manipulation and oppression of their own people and other Sarawakians, or if they are not ignorant of this, then because of their own stupidity.

Read more of his post here.

Yes, Hadi was right about Sarawakians still wearing ‘cawat‘ on their heads covering their eyes and ears. Let go of this invisible ‘cawat’ and start doing the right thing. Be critical and not submissive. Be skeptical when necessary.

Being critical means you care about our nation and want to improve things and correct what you think is wrong and it doesn’t necessary means anti-establisment. Being sceptical means you are not naive and do not accept everything you read or hear.

That said, if the opposition wants to woo the voters in East Malaysia especially in Sarawak, it needs to do more research to understand the voters mentality, especially why they are still trapped in this ‘cawat’ mentality. Making such remarks without finding solutions to address the issue do no good to all and already many Sarawakians find West Malaysian politicians are ridiculously ignorant about this part of the world. Not mentioning some arrogant and patronising statements.

Remember, for any side to form a federal government in Malaysia, winning some of the minimum 25% of the seats allocated to East Malaysia states is paramount, so buck up and get wise.

ps: “Nadai gi kami ngena cawat deh!” – We are wearing loincloths no more!

pss: Seriously, if the Dayaks feel insulted by this ‘cawat’ remark, they should sue Tourism Ministry for using posters of ‘cawat‘ wearing dude’ to promote Sarawak. Heck, if I am a horny, dumb blonde tourist and I want to make a trip to Sarawak just to meet some good looking ‘cawat’ wearing dudes because of the posters, how? What? I didn’t see any disclaimer saying ”The product images are for illustration purposes only” so it must be real!

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