Categories
Humor Society

[1269] Of the Malaysian government’s war on crime

So, after failed war on drugs, war on tobacco, war on Mat Rempit, war on inflation, etc, now we are on the verge of another war: war on crime.

Here is a few tips on how to reduce our horrible crime rate.

  1. The Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has a brilliant idea: the press should stop reporting on crime and violence that occur in our society. Indeed that there is a positive correlation between the number of crime committed and news reporting on crime. Surely because of the positive correlation, the reduction of one factor would reduce the other. Never mind that correlation is not causation. Besides, fighting real crime is tough. We need to be smart and fight the easier battle. If the easier path leads to the same result, why not take the easier path? Biggest bang for the buck!
  2. It is all about mind over matter. If nobody is aware of any crime committed anywhere, then there is no crime at all. Seriously, who would hear a falling timber in the middle of a jungle, in the middle of nowhere? And here is the beauty of this rationale: if the press stops reporting on crime, the public would be unaware of any crime and then, voila, no crime! Seriously, there is no fork and there is no crime.
  3. People always forget that the crime rate we all hear or read about everyday in the news is actually reported crime rate. This is an important realization because if the police force records less reports, that would mean lower crime rate! Hence, the police force should just refuse recording reports from the public. The refusal would lead to lower crime rate!
  4. Oh, oh, do not forget this. More compulsory religious classes! Religion is the panacea to all of worldly miseries. Of course, crime committed in the name of religion, like kidnapping, is not crime but rather, justice as demanded god. Kill all infidels!
  5. We all know how nice we all are. We do not commit rate. In fact, the immigrants are the cause of all our woes! Do not trust statistics that says we as locals commit more crime that the immigrants. You know that statistics is untrue. But enough of statistics and here is a solution: send all of those immigrants back to hell! We do not need them (but please let me keep my maid).
  6. Ban content from the West! Western culture is corrupting the purer and better eastern values and moral. We need to censor those no good western values.
  7. Eight, redefine crime! Crime is no more crime and protesting against crime is a crime! It is imperative to arrest those that protest against crime because such protest raises awareness about crime. If awareness increases, it creates crime and that is unacceptable! Refer to number 2.
  8. Recruit criminals as crime fighters. If all criminals are now crime fighters, all criminals are basically the cops now. Hence, no more criminal to commit crime. It might have failed with the Mat Rempit but trust me, it will work now!

If implemented properly, we all would be living in a safe society. Definitely safer than living in Baghdad. Fret not Malaysians, the government will win this war for us!

Categories
Conflict & disaster Liberty

[1268] Of Fouad Ajami on the Fatah-Hamas conflict and Palestine

It isn’t a pretty choice, that between Hamas and Fatah. Indeed, it was the reign of plunder and arrogance that Fatah imposed during its years of primacy that gave Hamas its power and room for maneuver. We must not overdo the distinction between the “secularism” of Fatah and the Islamism of Hamas. In the cruel streets and refugee camps of the Palestinians, this is really a distinction without a difference. [Brothers to the Bitter End. Fouad Ajami. NYT. June 20 2007]

Categories
Economics Humor

[1267] Of tricked by a miser

From Marginal Revolution:

Paddy O’Brien died and as is the Irish custom the mourners were throwing money into his coffin.  The town miser, whom everyone despised, cried out “I loved Paddy O’Brien.  Whatever anyone else puts into the coffin, I will double!”  Thinking the miser a little bit drunk the townspeople took this as an opportunity to teach him a lesson.  Gathering all their money they showered the coffin with $3012 in bills and coins, more than had ever before been given at a funeral.  The miser then gathered the money, wrote a cheque for $6024 and threw that in. [Hell Money. Marginal Revolution. June 20 2007]

Categories
Liberty

[1266] Of crime by both sides?

A lot of people are hung up with the murder of Altantuya. It is perfectly understandable. This is a huge case and to be honest, and crude, it is not everybody a person is blown up in Malaysia. To add spice to the case, it involves one of the country’s top adviser which is related to the Deputy Prime Minister. With conspiracy theorists running abound, bam!

Murder is a transgression of right and all libertarians take it seriously. Extortion, due to violation of the non-aggression axiom is another act which libertarians are typically critical of. Both of course are criminal acts and Altantuya is alleged to have committed the latter offense.

On arriving in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 8 last year, the 28-year-old Altantuya tried in vain to meet Abdul Razak who refused to see her.

In desperation, she left several notes for Abdul Razak, including a threat that his daughter would be in danger if he did not give her money. [DPP: Razak planned it. The Star. June 19 2007]

Amid the cry for justice for Altantuya, pardon me if I do not plan to express my sympathy for her. Instead, may I ask, where is justice for Abdul Razak Baginda?

Too bad that it is useless to prosecute the dead.

Categories
Photography

[1265] Of aging railway cars

I am trying to finish up a book. So that promise on the Asian Financial Crisis has to be postponed. So too with the Endau Rompin and Bangkok trips.

In the meantime, another photo.

By Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved.

This is somewhere within the compound of the old railway station, close to the general post office.

Okay. Let me finish up my book.