Category: Politics & government

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Conflict & disaster Environment Politics & government

[1018] Of New Orleans of Malaysia

What had happened in New Orleans during the aftermath of Katrina is happening in Johor. Looting has been reported:

SEGAMAT: The ugly side of human nature has started to emerge from the floods that have hit several states — there are reports of looting and people are claiming that certain parties, including uniformed personnel, have asked for money before rescuing victims.

This is a major disaster, make no mistake of that. But where is the Prime Minister?

Just like in New Orleans, this is becoming a failure in leadership.

Borrowing Bakri Musa’s phrase: Undurlah Pak Lah!

p/s – Ego amid disaster:

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) — Malaysia does not need foreign help to tackle the severe flood situation in the country, which so far has claimed six lives, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.

Najib, who is also Defence Minister and chairman of the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee, said Malaysia was capable of handling the situation and that flood relief efforts were put in motion the moment floods struck in the states of Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan and Melaka.

“We will handle it ourselves. The situation has stabilised… no need (for foreign help),” he said at a press conference at the Defence Ministry here today when asked if Malaysia would accept foreign help in tackling the disaster.

If I were the top executive person in the government, I’d accept any sincere help from anybody.

pp/s – the PM is finally back in Malaysia, more than five days after tragedy struck:

During his visit Saturday, Abdullah took a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the extent of the floods in several districts of Johor, such as Muar, Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi.

The prime minister also saw the extent of the floods in Melaka.

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Environment Politics & government

[1015] Of where’s Prime Minister Waldo?

Despite all the bad decisions Bush had made, at least during the aftermath of Katrina, when New Orleans fell into anarchy, he as the President of the United States committed himself to the rescue effort mobilized throughout the affected areas. While Johor and several other states are suffering major flooding, one has to wonder, where’s our Prime Minister?

He’s not in Malaysia but instead, he’s still on holiday, vacationing, somewhere abroad. When I read a blogger expressing his disgust of that fact, I share the blogger’s sentiment. Moreover, with people, real Malaysians, are cut off from power, clean water and food as long as four days, the Prime Minister is more interested in defending himself against an allegation that he purchased a MYR 30 million yatch.

As far as the flood is concerned, I honestly believe that our Prime Minister has failed us, Malaysians. In absence of the top executive person in the country, the Deputy Prime Minister taken over the job of sorting this out. The Johor Chief Minister seems to be active in the rescue effort too. Kudos to them but the jury is out there. They will have to excel if both of them prefer history to be kind to them.

I’m so glad that a state-wide emergency has been declared:

Malaysia had declared a state of emergency yesterday and civil defense personnel, volunteers, and members of the armed forces took part in evacuation and rescue operations.

I can’t find any local media reporting an the declaration of the emergency. I’m not sure whether that’s due to my ignorance, the fact that the media has yet to report it or the foreign source is wrong. Assuming good faith, nevertheless, if this is an emergency as I understand it, the emergency allows state and federal machineries to direct full energy into the ongoing rescue effort. The declaration of emergency however makes the Prime Minister looks even worse — Prime Minister is nowhere in sight amid state-sanctioned emergency!

Today, the Prime Minister expresses sadness over the disaster:

Najib said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi expressed his sadness over the flood situation and asked the Federal and state agencies to help the people. Abdullah had conveyed the message to Najib over the phone.

Mr. Prime Minister, merely expressing sadness is not enough. You must act on it. Come back home and supervise the rescue effort in Johor and other states. According to a news report, residents in the affected areas have been without food and water as many as four days. How long since you last had your dinner, Mr. Prime Minister?

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Politics & government

[1013] Of dear minister, what if the communists…

I’m attracted to a post by The Sensintrovert that highlights an episode on the current communist memorial controversy between Malaysian information minister Zainuddin Maidin and certain fraction within the Chinese Malaysian community. In the article by Bernama:

Zainuddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Merbok, had alleged during a speech at a Merbok Puteri Umno function last week that such memorials had been found at private Chinese cemeteries in Sarawak and in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

According to him, memorials should only be erected for those who had fought for the country’s independence or against the communists, irrespective of which group or movement they belonged to.

Dear minister, what if the communists had fought for Malayan independence? When the communists were fighting for Malayan independence, where was UMNO?

The communists did fight for Malayan independence and by your own qualification, memorials for the communists could be erected.

Regardless, not that I support typical communist ideals, sir, it’s none of your business. Those memorials are on private properties.

“We should not pay tribute to one movement or group that involved only a particular race but individuals or larger organisations that had played instrumental roles for the benefit of all the races in the country,” he said.

Oh, really? What about UMNO which its membership involved only a particular race?

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Politics & government

[1002] Of hold your horses Democrats

Remember the Democratic victory in the US Congress?

The balance might tip against the Democrats:

Johnson was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital in Washington yesterday afternoon after becoming disoriented during a conference call with reporters.

Control of the new U.S. Senate may depend on Johnson’s health after Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the Nov. 7 midterm elections. If Johnson’s seat were to become vacant, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds, a Republican, may appoint a Republican replacement.

All the best, senator.

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Liberty Personal Photography Politics & government Pop culture Society

[987] Of satire at Istana Seri Menanti

It’s 2 AM on a Sunday. I just got back from a dinner event at Istana Seri Menanti.

To those that organized the sketch, I salute thee. It takes courage to stage it in front of the King and the Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan. Thanks goodness that we still have some freedom of expression in this country, despite daily erosion.

Some rights reserved. By Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams.

If this is the kind of quality play held at every annual MCOBA dinner, I wouldn’t mind attending the next edition. And the next too. Great job guys.

And, haha, thanks to Project Sayong for sponsoring my ticket. But I wonder, would this play hurt the project? LOL!

p/s – Nik Nazmi describes the play.