Piracy crackdown ... Ha! Ha!

Here's an extract from The Malaysian bar's website ... If you think it is harmless to keep a few copies of pirated discs at home, be warned. The police can knock on you door anytime, China Press reported today. Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob told the daily police are discussing with copyrights holders and relevant units on steps to be taken to crack down on music and film piracy. He said police can launch a crackdown anytime. Ayub said police have been carrying out raids on sellers of pirated discs but are unable to stem out the scourge.

I saw this story in the newspapers and I nearly fell off my chair, spat my drink out and ... well, you get the drift. You see, with this new action taken by the police, my 8-year son will have to be sent to jail.

That's not all ... but all the shops, malls, hawker stalls, music clubs, offices, pasar malams, etc will have to be closed - for I am absolutely certain that there will be at least 1 (one) pirated disc on their premises.

Our dear Penang Police Chief has shown his total incompetence in attending to a situation - does this mean that he will soon be raiding houses to check on pirated apparel, shoes, watches, etc.

After all, he did say that the police were carrying out raids on sellers of pirated discs but are unable to stem out the scourge.

Have they gone about addressing the issue of other pirated things? Why just pirated discs?

This is the nincompoop that has risen to the status of Penang Police Chief and has a Datukship accorded to him to, most likely, showcase an appreciation towards his contributions to society in crime prevention.

Dear sir, with people like you, criminals will continue to thrive in this nation of "becoming not so plenty. All I can say is focus and look at the big picture - don't just use a band aid solution to appear as if you are doing something to help the public. Please give the average Malaysian more credit than that!

In fact, there is a remote possibility that soon, our beloved nation will see a population that will be walking naked - after all, that shirt, watch, jeans, sneakers and possibly, that beer you're holding are probably not original.

Mr. Policeman sir ... please remember that you might also need to take away the computers - as they have the potential to download pirated material off the Internet.

Psst! Wanna buy a watch?

She steals ... he steals?

She has stolen RM220 from a man - claiming as a single mother, she was at her wits end to feed her 3 school going children. This was reported in The Star online today.

Meanwhile, he (and his entourage of wife, children and maid) are alleged to have made "technical visits" to Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Florida. He is alleged to have spent approximately RM1.7 million on those visits - and he says it was done 'by the book'. Interestingly, he did not meet any Disney officials and there was no "report" on the visit.

He did this using the people's money - and if the MACC decide to investigate (this is a line every Malaysian comedian should have in their repertoire - it will surely crack up the audience!) - and wouldn't this be tantamount to stealing.

If a person gets jailed 4 years for stealing RM220 (i.e. RM55 per year) - then RM 1.7 million works out to approximately 30,909 years. The ruling coalition uses the scales as a "check and balance" on how to rule the nation ... guess its slightly tipped to favour certain people (read Saya kenal ...)

We "live" the dream ... that one day, we as One Malaysia, will be able to do this together and show our children the road to success is indeed in Malaysia - The land where "Apa pun Boleh!"

Saya kenal ...

In Malaysia, the land where anything and everything is possible - there's a local adage that's very well understood by almost all Malaysians. It is our nation's motto - our doctrine .

It starts from day one ... at the hospital that you're delivered - to getting a place in school - to getting a job - getting awarded the contracts ...

The 6 degree of separation (on being able to link up with someone related) is definitely in evidence in this country. There is always "someone you know who can tolong you" ... whether that contact is from your father, uncle, auntie - there is someone who knows someone.

Remember this line well ... it could be your route to success. "It's not what you know, it's who you know".

We welcome the new Malaysian cabinet and hope that their KPI will be monitored - and reported accordingly to the public. After all, you are the CEO of the country ... in a manner of speaking! You decide who makes it - and who doesn't!

Well, sort of :)

He speaks with a forked tongue!!

Very young in life we learn that good things are never free - there is always a price to pay for it. We too have learned this through the years with the BN Government ... he that gives with one hands and snatches the goodness away with the other.

Lies! Nothing but lies from our "well-loved and highly charitable"politicians. What am I getting at ?

Well, many Malaysians would have read with joy the news on the scrapping of toll payments at 2 toll plazas on the NPE. The Salak Jaya toll (south-bound) was abolished on Tuesday (24/2) while the toll at PJS2 (Kuala Lumpur-bound) of the New Pantai Expressway was abolished on Feb 13.

Could it be true that the ruling national Government was doing something for the public during these tough economic times? Was there a remote possibility that they understood and were aware of the peoples sentiment towards them - that as a badly defeated ruling Government party, they could get back on the good side of the Malaysian public through various "good deeds" (ala "abolishing tolls"). We can only pray!

Well, the truth is that bubble has burst almost as fast as it was blown. This is an extract from the Star Online, dated Thursday February 26, 2009.

The toll rates for five highways will be increased from March 1, Works Minister Datuk Mohamad Zin Mohamed announced on Thursday. Read full story here.

I was absolutely speechless when I read this report. How could they? What right did they have to further burden the Malaysian public? Do you honestly believe that these highway concessionaires would be suffering without the increase?

There used to be a song titled "Ayo yoSamy" (click here to enjoy the song). Ironically, we have managed to rid one but not the other ... he has left us an indelible mark on Malaysian roads for ages to come.

When the Government raised the petrol prices due to the spike in worldwide oil prices, Malaysians were burdened with an increase in the cost of daily necessities - and when the fuel prices were reduced, the cost of our daily needs remained high. No action was taken against operators who increased prices and did not lower it when lower costs of fuel came into play.

We are today paying the price for the Government's folly - a Government we elected - and a Government that is becoming increasingly unpopular. The Pakatan Rakyat coalition should be rubbing their hands in glee - victory appears to be served up in a silver/gold salver.

Now, the the PR mantra should be ... Keep it simple!! Let's not do anything foolish - the Governance of Malaysia is being handed to us on a platter. Let's not screw up!!

You da man! Daulat Tuanku!

Brilliant. Accurate. Smart. Exact. Responsible.
These are just some of the acknowledgments and superlatives that the Sultan of Selangor deserves for his "advice" in the Eli Wong saga. He said all the right things and expressed it in all the right words - to effectively say that "my advice is for you to decide".

Please do not see this as a case of passing the buck - it is in fact, very sound, precise and excellent advice.

I was born in Ipoh, Perak and have been residing in Selangor for almost 20 years. The decision by the monarchy in the state I call home today makes me tremendously proud and happy to be a part of a state that will continue to thrive and develop under the right stewardship. This is how respect is earned and "the wisdom of the monarchy" appreciated.

Below is the statement from HRH the Sultan of Selangor (with thanks to BERNAMA).


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Following is the full statement by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, over the controversy involving Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, issued by his private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani.

I am pleased to inform that Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Khalid Bin Ibrahim, the Dato' Menteri Besar Selangor has sought an audience with His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 and duly informed His Royal Highness on the political development and the issue which involved Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping, the Selangor State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan who is also the State Selangor Exco Member.

His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, has commanded me to inform that His Royal Highness could not offer any guidance or advice to the Yang Berhormat Dato' Menteri Besar of Selangor in the matter related to the issue of Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping as it was still under police investigation and it involved her political position. It is His Royal Highness' stance as the Sultan of Selangor to be above politics.

His Royal Highness believes that whatever decision that is going to be made by the Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Menteri Besar of Selangor will made with accurateness, fair and with wisdom by taking into consideration the interest of the Rakyat in particular and the State of Selangor generally. His Royal Highness is upset and worried as of late the intrusion of someone's privacy and private rights was being used to destroy one's dignity and reputation. It is a sad thing as one's life and private rights were being made public and subject to public scrutiny by publicising in the mass media.

To Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong, His Royal Highness felt sad and sympathised with her as to the unfortunate event she had suffered and hoped that Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong will remain calm and be patient in continuing with her life henceforth.



Dato' Haji Mohamad Munir bin Bani

Dato' Lela Bakti Private Secretary to His Royal Highness

The Sultan Of Selangor

Real People ... Real Lives

Much has been written and said about Elizabeth Wong, the outspoken Bukit Lanjan assemblyman over nude pictures of her that have been circulating via MMS. I have not seen the pictures - but from all accounts, it appears that she did not pose for it. Moreover, in today's world of modern technology, nothing (especially the body) is scared anymore.

Just ask Chua Soi Lek ... it was adultery and is there a sense of wrong there? In a land where morality rules, I guess he had no option but to do the right thing and resign. (Although, I did not take too kindly his comments and rationalization of his adulterous affair).

There's also the phrase ... there's no smoke without a fire! And there have been many instances of our truly exalted leaders being mentioned 'in the same breath' of various immoral activities (that includes corruption). Did they resign? Hmmm ....

Today, a gay woman (lesbian) has been named as the Prime Minister of Iceland, and we all vividly remember Bill Clinton (ex-President USA) getting caught with his pants down. This is reality ... and it is here to stay in Malaysia, and let us not be a 'katak di bawah tempurung'.

We must realise that pornography is at the click of a button on the Internet and accessible to just about anyone at any age. So parents, do remember to install Anti-Porn for your kids - although they will certainly find out about the birds and the bees (very graphically) in school. I know I did!

Everyone is entitled to their privacy and the shameless person that has circulated Elizabeth Wong's photographs should be 'half buried in sand in the hot blazing sun, with honey poured over and a million fire ants released in the vicinity (some bees might also want to be included in the fun)'.

I have no affiliations towards Elizabeth Wong, except that I believe she is a "real person experiencing life in the real world" ... having a boyfriend, having sex, trusting someone and getting betrayed. That appears to be a normal situation that most people would have lived through ... albeit without the pictures! (although we have heard of many similar horror stories).

Elizabeth's reputation has been tarnished but for the rest of the country ... this is all about reality, her personal life ... so, deal with it and get on with your daily lives. The press and the police (authorities) should also play their role in identifying the perpetrator/distributor of the pictures and not pursue the politician. We can only hope and pray this will be the path taken ...

She should not resign ... although she probably will (have too). C'est la vie :)

Tilam! Tilam! Beli baru tukar lama!

Tour de Langkawi ... Brainless twits!

I am a huge sports fan and enjoy watching a variety of sports as entertainment. Heck, I have even played the occasional game or two (with some distinction).

Today, in what is predicted to be an economic slowdown (recession), the organisers of the Tour de Langkawi have shone through like a shining beacon ... thinking with their heads in their arses.

They have decided to close a few roads in KL from Friday to Sunday to facilitate the event. I have nothing against this ... but why do it during peak hours of a working day when the Malaysian public needs to get to work (and school) and eke out a living. In the day when every Ringgit and sen counts, you make us late for work, make us burn unnecessary fuel sitting idly in our car and pollute the environment through the emission of exhaust fumes.

Why haven't the organisers learnt after all these years? Why does the government allow this to happen? People need to work - earn a living - feed their children ... and yet, you show no consideration in planning for better execution of the event. Instead, you with the out-riders to move you smoothly along towards your destination have not a care in the world ... just remember, March 8 2008.

Please use that grey matter that you were blessed with to better use. After all, it is the Malaysian public that allows you the luxury to use it ... it could be made redundant.