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The Bible in Malay Language Released.

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:39:35 -0500

Malaysia:

The assumption in Malaysia is that every Malay is a Muslim. This assumption has been strengthened by provisions in the Malaysian Constitution which among others states that the official religion of the land [Malaysia] is Islam. However, people of other religions can practise and worship in peace.

In practise, however, there is an aberration in the state of Sarawak. The Melanau of Mukah, Oya,Balinggian and Dalat which is a sub-branch of the Malay group are not all Muslims. Only some are Muslims while the rest are animist, pagan and Christian. Nevertheless, the high level of tolerance is noticeable here.

A few weeks ago, the Interior Ministry seized several consignment of the Christian Bible written in the Malay Language. This event proved to be quite explosive especially with the controversy concerning the usage of the term 'Allah" still in High Court.

The string that tied up all these events are the usage of the Malay Language in Christian worship. The Malaysa held their Language in very high esteem and regarded the usage of the Malay Language in the Bible as equivalent to an attempt at proselytizing among the Malay community.

Fortunately, in light of the high level of tolenrance showed by none other than the Prime Minister himself, The Bible was released without conditions imposed.

Minimum Income of RM24,000.00 for a card.

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:54:34 -0500

Malaysia:

The Central Bank of Malaysia or Bank Negara Malaysia as it is popularly known here have placed a new restriction of RM24,000.00 for those who wanted to apply for a credit card.

This new guideline came in the wake of calls to stop commercial banks in the country from issuing Credit Cards to those who has just entered the job market.

The Central Bank has received calls from many Non-Governmental Organisations across the country to place restrictions on individual Malaysians who applied for the cards.

Credit Cards are very popular among the young as it proved to those around them that they have indeed arrived. Commercial Banks stressed that it was not the ownership of those cards that led to the many cases fo insolvency in the country.

Even social scientists joined the foray by stating that many young graduates who possessed the cards are lacking in financial discipline. Thus, they tend to be careless and maxed their credit Cards.

Politicians has been besieged by parents whose children are now facing bankruptcy.

The Central Bank also stressed that those who earned less than RM36,000.00 per annum are only eligible to hold only two cards at the same time.

Report to the MACC, saya Zahid.

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:11:24 -0600

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia:

'Report to the MACC if you have the facts," the Defence Minister of Malaysia,Zahid Hamidi told reporters in the nation's Capital. He was referring to allegations made by Tony Phua in his blog which was quoted by the media.

Tony Phua, a member of the Lower House representing the Opposition Pakatan Rakyat Coalition alleged that several purchases by the Defence Ministry to equip its Navy was several millions over budget.

One example cited by Tony Phua was the contract to buy several Coastal Patrol Vessels from a local contractor. Phua said that each vessel costs about RM6 million. Top Defence Officials said the cost involved weaponry and all the equipment needed.

Top defence Officials noted that the contract was signed years ago but shelved for a few yeras due to the global economic crisis. Now that the economy is booming again and the Ministry decided to go ahead with the plan.

Citing security as an aspect which should not be taken lightly, the Ministry added that all the equipments are of an upgraded version.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or MACC however said that they have yet to receive any official report from Tony Phua. It reiterated that an intensive investigation will be lauched once they receive the report.

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Operation Pyramid Unfairly Politicised, says Najib.

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:03:31 -0600

Daro, Sarawak,Malaysia:

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak says that the Government's effort to bring out Malaysians stranded in Egypt during the recent disturbance has been unfairly politicised.

The Opposition Pakatan Rakyat had earlier criticised the move as an effort to gain political mileage. The Opposition had also alleged that it was a sign the General Election will be called shortly.

By today, almost all the eleven thousand plus Malaysians who are mostly students in that troubled country will be safely back on home soil.

The Operation known as Operation Pyramid involved the cooperation of Malaysian Airline and Air asia, two of the country's main airline company. The Air force and the Malaysian Royal Navy are also despatched to Saudi Arabia, the transit point in the plan.

The Prime Minister alleged that the Opposition was jealous as those rescued included who are sponsored by the Opposition-controlled states.

The move was also praised by majority of the population.

Taib Got The Inspiration.

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 05:51:55 -0600

Daro,Sarawak,Malaysia:

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak told the press in the nation's capital recently that Taib Mahmud, the Chief Minister of the state of Sarawak has got the inspiration as to when is the best time to dissolve the state's Legis lative Assembly.

The state of Sarawak is one of the fourteen regions that formed the Federation of Malaysia. It is the biggest in size and the last state election was held in 2006. Another state election must be held again this year.

At the moment the state of Sarawak is ruled by a coalition of four political parties known as the National Front. It is predicted to be returned to power again this time around.

The soft spot in the state's coalition is the Sarawak United People's Party which is based in the urban areas. The SUPP is largely followed by ethnic Chinese witha smattering of native members.

Taib Mahmud who is now the Chief Minister came from the native based party of Bumiputera Pesaka Bersatu. He has been the Chief Minister since 1982 and has recently voiced his intention to step down shortly.

Seven of the seventy-two seats in the state Legislative assembly is held by the Opposition Democratic Action Party. The Democratic Action Party is also the Opposition at the federal level.

Has Facebook Affected Privacy?

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 15:26:37 -0600

The use of Facebook has had a significant impact on user privacy. No longer is a user’s life truly private. Depending on the Privacy Settings on a user’s account, it is now possible for strangers to easily have access to various kinds of personal information in another user’s account, such as their Home Address and Phone Number.

In addition, an increasing number of Facebook users have grown more comfortable posting Status Updates. Status updates often detail someone’s daily plans or activities publicly on Facebook. Since the popularity of Facebook has increased, it has become commonplace for people to update their Facebook status to share everything from their location at a particular time to how a job interview they had may have gone.

Futhermore, the use of Facebook as a tool for communication has changed the way that communication takes place. An increased number of Facebook users have stopped calling people to communicate with them. These same users are more likely to opt for sending people a message on Facebook or writing a note on the Wall of their friend on Facebook. While Facebook may be a fast and convenient method of communication, people are at an increased risk of the further erosion of their privacy. Aspects of their lives that once remained private, people now publicly display on Facebook for anyone who has a Facebook account to see. This often includes items such as Baby Pictures, which were once private property of one’s family.

The impact of Facebook on our privacy has not been very positive. As a result of these changes, it is the responsibility of each of us to be more cautious and vigilant about safeguarding our privacy. Ignoring these changes and not taking steps to protect our privacy could have terrible and serious consequences.

Taking a few minutes to perform the necessary steps to protect one’s privacy on Facebook makes the unauthorized access to their Account and other personal information much less likely. As someone who has taken these steps, it is my belief that users are much more secure when using Facebook after they take a few minutes to go into their Facebook account to activate or modify the Privacy settings of their Facebook account. It is very crucial to treat Facebook the same as any other website. One should not post items on Facebook that they would not want to make public or have seen by strangers.

State Election Just Around The Corner.

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:18:47 -0600

Sarawak,Malaysia.

The State of Sarawak is now into the last stretch of its Legislative age. Its last State Election was held in June 2006, exactly five years ago.

The Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud, has been in power for the last thirty years. He is the leader of the Coalition known as the National Front which is also the ruling party nationally.

The components of the State's Coalition are the Bumiputera Pesaka Bersatu, Sarawak United People's Party, Sarawak People's Democratic Party and the People's Democratic Party. Together they control sixty-one of the state's seventy-two seat in the Legislative Assembly. The other eleven seats is held by the Democratic Action Party and is the Opposition.

Sarawak is the only state which does not hold its state election simultaneously with the other states. This state is also the largest in terms of its size and some said is also the richest.

This time around, the Pakatan Rakyat which is the Opposition at the national level, have sounded warnings that it will try to take over the state's Legislative Assembly.

"Bold words' said those who were sceptical of their intention.

Yes, many have tried and they all fell by the wayside. Such is the support accorded to Taib Mahmud by the people. Well, the political pundits said that maybe the year 2011 will bring in a different story. Just, may be.

Is it a real blunder?

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:13:08 -0600

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia:

'It is a betrayal and a treason to this country,: so says the Malays of kuala Lumpur.

That bitter statement is a reaction to contents of the closing speech by none other than Wan Azizah Ismail at Party Keadilan Rakyat's triennial convention held recently.

Dr Wan Azizah, the President of PKR which is the main component of Malaysia's Opposition Coalition. She is also the wife of Anwar Ibrahim who is the supreme adviser to the Opposition Coalition.

Earlier, in her speech, Wan Azizah had called on the abolition of the so-called Malay Supremacy. By doing so, she had unintentionally hinted on the abolition of the Monarchical System. However, Malaysia practised only the Constitutional Monarchy which means that the Law of the land is supreme.

The Malays are the biggest racial group in Malaysia and for years have called this region as 'Tanah Melayu' which means the Malay Land.

As a reaction to that particular speech by Dr Wan Azizah, various NGO's and common citizens had lodged several Police reports. Demonstrations where her photos and other images were burnt took place across the land.

There were signs that even the Royalties were offended.

How BN can really gain from Pakatan Rakyat's paroxysm.

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:32:23 -0600

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia:

There are voices from within UMNO and the other component parties calling for the deregistration of Party Keadilan Rakyat. The current shocking state of affairs in the party prompted cynical recollections of the Opposition’s attempts to walk to Putrajaya on the sixteenth of September 2008. Alas, history proved that particular audacity to be no more than their collective daydreams.

Now, not only that well-publicized attempt to brazenly grab power in Malaysia’s bright daylight turned out to be the lovelorn songs of the barn-owl [bagaikan pungguk rindukan bulan] but their ship is convulsing due to over indulgence in self-denial.

Once again, the omen is number two [2]. The fight for the post of Deputy President is the straw that broke the camel’s back. This is one camel that made the top post in the country his/her/their only dream.

In a few days time every Malaysian will know who will be Anwar Ibrahim’s deputy. The President, Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, will relinquish her post as President. The General Assembly will as expected appoint Azizah’s husband, Anwar Ibrahim, as the new President.

Getting back to the ruling coalition’s various comments on account of the storm that lambasted the Opposition’s Principal partner, the PKR, it is heartening to note them as appropriately controlled. The refusal of UMNO and the others to over-indulge in mud-slinging their enemy should be taken as positive. Here, the lessons of Permatang Pauh is well-learned.

The new light in the National Front’s camp pointed to the continuous effort by the nation’s leaders in addressing the people’s problem and needs. Losses suffered by the population as a result of the recent flood are being calculated and will be alleviated. Ways and formulas of alleviation are being thought out.

The recent agreement to accommodate the various bodies and Non-Government Organizations into the National Front’s [BN] fold is well-received by the people. The people pointed out that such decision is a manifestation to the top leadership’s ability to unite the country.

Malaysian Opposition's Woes.

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:23:53 -0600

Kuala Lumpur:

Zaid Ibrahim, a former Supreme Council member of Party Keadilabn Rakyat will make it clear and elaborate on why he decided to leave the party today.

PKR or Party Keadilan Rakyat is a component of the Malaysian Opposition coalition or the Pakatan Rakyat. Its adviser, Anwar Ibrahim, is also the Supreme leader of the coalition.

Lest we forget, the ruling government is also a coalition of fourteen political parties, some of which did not hold any seat in the Parliament. The ruling coalition is known as BN or the National Front. Before defecting to PKR Zaid was also a member of UMNO and a former minister.

The chaos in PKR have been brewing for several months. The mud-slinging and name calling got worse as more divisons held their elections. This series of election will climaxed in the Triennial Convention whereby national leaders will be chosen. Zid Ibrahim was once a candidate for the post of Deputy President. Other contenders for the post were Azmin Ali and Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, both close confidant of Anwar Ibrahim.

Of the three contenders of course the whole nation knew that Azmin is Anwar Ibrahim's favourite. Azmin is also accused by both Mustaffa Kamil and Zaid as the manipulator behind PKR's election fiascos. Both Mustaffa Kamil and Zaid have also called on Azmin to step down from his post.

The storm that is now brewing in PKR puzzled some people. However, the men in the streets of Kuala Lumpur knew it will happen. The people knew that Anwar Ibrahim is trying to divert the public's attention away from his personal trials. Of all his court cases, the charge of sodomy against his former aide, Saiful Azhar, is perhaps the most sticky. This is the second time he was accused of sodomy. The most damaging fact is that most Malaysian believed this time he is in a more precarious position.