Prophet Muhammad`s (PBUH) Farewell Sermon

Today is Maulidur Rasul. Let us read and understand Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) last sermon.

After praising, and thanking Allah he said:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people".

A good decision by the government

Zulkipli's Contract As ACA Chief Not Extended
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor's contract as director-general of the Anti-Corruption Agency, which ends Saturday, will not be extended, the Prime Minister's Office announced in a statement.
The statement expressed gratitude to Zulkipli for his services since his appointment to the post on secondment in April 2001 and subsequently on contract from July 2005.
"Under the leadership of Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor, various proactive and renewal efforts were undertaken including upgrading the network of collaboration at the international level.
"The government takes this opportunity to express the highest gratitude and thanks to Zulkipli for his services as the ACA director-general," said the statement received by Bernama here.
Zulkipli is currently under investigation by the police following allegations of corruption and abuse of power against him.
According to the statement, Zulkipli was appointed on secondment as the ACA director-general from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2003.
"This was extended three times; from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004, April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005, and from April 1, 2005 until July 19, 2005 when he reached compulsory retirement age.
"Subsequently his service as the ACA director-general was extended on a contract basis from July 20, 2005 until July 19, 2006, and again from July 20, 2006 to March 31, 2007," the statement said.
Zulkipli, 57, who holds a Political Science and Comparative Economics degree from the Universiy of Kansas, United States and Masters in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Lancaster, United Kingdom joined the Royal Malaysia Police in 1949 as an officer in its Special Branch and moved up the ranks until he became its head.
He had also served as the Johor police chief for a year in 1996 and was appointed Sarawak Police Commissioner in 2000 before his secondment to the ACA in 2001.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said he would make an announcement soon as to whether Zulkipli's contract would be extended.
Efforts to reach Zulkipli for his reaction regarding the decision by the government not to renew his contract failed.
On the latest developments regarding the allegations against Zulkipli, the police today confirmed that they had recorded a statement from him on Wednesday.
Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee said a special team formed last Tuesday comprising 10 officers from Bukit Aman and Kuala Lumpur police met Zulkifli to get some documents and to take his statement.
Thursday, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said 21 people related to the case had aready had their statements recorded.

tunku : it is a very wise decision by the pm department not to extend zulkipli's contract. we are not saying that he is guilty but if his contract is extended the implication on ACA agency will not be good. people will talk either you're guilty or not and as a important agency ACA can't be lead by someone who is accused of corruption etc.the investigation should be carried out thoroughly and without delays. at least if he's not guilty then he could carry on his life peacefully.

Tun Mahathir slams gov't move to scrap pro-Malay policy

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday slammed the government's move to open up the economy to foreigners, saying it is akin to selling out the country.
After a lull of over a month, partly since he was recovering from a mild heart attack and flu, Tun Mahathir was back on track in his campaign against the government.
Speaking at a forum entitled "Malay leadership in the globalization era" organized by the Kulai branch of the ruling party, the United Malays National Organization, Tun Mahathir said the Malays are not ready to compete.
He especially took exception to the plans by the government's initiative to develop southern Johor State that borders Singapore, a country that is Tun Mahathir's favorite punching bag.
Malaysia aims to turn an area three times the size of Singapore in southern Johor into a metropolis akin to what Shenzhen is to Hong Kong.
Last week, in a move to woo foreign investors to the region officially known as the Iskandar Development Region, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced a slew of incentives including tax holiday and the abolition of the 35-year-old property gain tax.
But the most radical was the scrapping of the requirement to give 30 percent equity ownership to ethnic Malays as enshrined under the country's affirmative action policy.
Foreign investors are allowed 100 percent ownership of their business and they also do not have to adhere to the 30 percent Malay employees quota.
Tun Mahathir, however, sees the moves as throwing the country back to colonial times.
Malays, he said, would once again be "enslaved" in their own country and end up being "chauffeurs" to foreigners.
"The Malays will have no place. I am not trying to use racialism. If we give up willingly to foreigners, we are giving up our rights," he told some 400 people who thronged a small hall in Kulai town just 20 kilometers from Johor Baru, the capital of Johor, to hear him speak.
Early in his speech, Tun Mahathir remarked that while in power he used to have thousands coming to listen to him speak.
"Thousands would gather and all want to kiss my hand but now...don't know what is my fault," he said.
Tun Mahathir has accused Abdullah of creating a "police state," using threats to stop people from meeting him or inviting him to officiate their functions.
Tun Mahathir, who handed over the reins to Abdullah in 2003, has been on a warpath against his successor especially after the latter last year stopped the bridge project linking Johor to Singapore, a project initiated by Tun Mahathir.
"Singapore was booted out of Malaysia by Tunku Abdul Rahman but today, we have to bow to Singapore," he said.
Tunku Abdul Rahman was Malaysia's first prime minister. Singapore gained an acrimonious divorce from Malaysia in 1965.
In his speech, Tun Mahathir again blasted Abdullah, calling him a liar and accusing him of corruption and nepotism.

Government Asked To Curb Bloggers

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The government has to find ways to curtail bloggers from abusing the Internet to spread lies and defame the leaders, said Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera).
"We notice that a lot of bloggers have been sowing the seeds of discord among the races, religions... I believe there must be a limit," he said in a debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
He felt that there ought to be a law governing bloggers like those imposed on the print and broadcast media.
"The people believe more in the bloggers than the newspapers... I am aware that a newspaper was censured by the Internal Security Ministry for publishing a sensational story but the bloggers could continue churning out malicious stories," he said.

tunku : sabri use your brain and ask why people believe more in bloggers than newspaper, because mainstream newspaper full of craps.even our former prime minister said he only reads utusan and the star, that is also full of craps but better than nst,berita harian.tv3 and rtm news need not to explain, it's all what the government want to say and not what the public want to hear.

Malays allowing themselves to be colonised again

Malaysiakini
Bede Hong
Mar 29, 07 10:12pm
Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped up his criticisms against the Pak Lah Administration today by saying that the Malaysian government is bowing out to Singapore's demands, and that leaders would rather play golf to appease foreigners than defend the country's sovereignty.
Stating that Johor is losing its independence by allowing the free trade Iskandar Development Region to continue, he said Malays are allowing themselves to be colonised by foreign powers again, this time by the Israelis.
The former premier's main contention was the government greenlighting the free trade area, which allows land ownership by foreign companies. He said Singapore would take advantage of such a situation.
“Foreigners can come in without using their passports. They can build skyscrapers which could be owned by anyone,” he said during a public forum organised by Umno Kulai Besar branch. This was his first Umno-invited function of the year.
“Who would come in? We all know that Singapore would. Even the Israelis can come in. They have an embassy in Singapore ... They call me anti-Semitic, but it is a fact that anyone can come in,” he said to an audience of 500. The forum was entitled “Malay leadership in the era of globalisation.”
He said if Singapore had been mostly populated by Malays, there might not have been secession.
“Who knows what would have transpired in the event that the island was populated mostly by Malays ... Now we are surrendering this area to people who can enter without using passports,” he said in his two-hour speech which was also spiced with humour.
Mahathir said the Malays are under threat of becoming “enslaved” to foreign powers yet again.
“I am not using racialism, but if we surrender our rights, who would come stand for us. Who can we depend on but ourselves,” he explained.
He said Malaysia is losing its sovereignty over Johor and that the country's administrators are afraid of “foreigners.”
“People have said I voiced my concern because the bridge is my pet project. My baby. Yang mana bukan saya punyan projek (Which is not my pet project?). I have been in office 22 years, a lot has been done,” he said.
Why bridge a necessity
The former premier explained that the bridge is a necessity because of increasing traffic over the causeway.
“The number of cars are not going to decrease. We have to plan ahead before it becomes a problem. The causeway was constructed in 1927 ... I'm not sure but I think by now there are a little bit more cars moving across the bridge,” he said.
He said he had sought co-operation from Singapore over the bridge issue, but in vain.
“Twenty-two years in office .. mereka (Singapore) tak layan kita (They never entertained us). Saya pun tepuk belakang (I also pat people in the back). He's (former prime minister Goh Chok Tong) is quite tall.
“But I didn't play golf. I don't know how to play golf. We never came to hugging though,” he said.
“Now because we are afraid of them (Singapore), we play golf and pat them in the back,” he added.
Mahathir pointed out that the bridge would allow ships to move from Pasir Gudang Port to the Tanjung Pelepas Port.
“Even the water can pass through which would clear up the straits,” he said.
“If Tunku (Abdul Rahman) were alive today, he would feel utterly disappointed because we gave up our sovereignty,” he said.
Mahathir said the cost of the Centre of Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) had shot from RM800 million to RM1.4 billion.
“It is an increase of RM600 million in cost. This is an example of mismanagement. This is how we save our money,” he said.
'We have the money'
Later, the former premier also defended the move for increased government expenditure during his tenure.
“The money is there for a purpose. If we just kept the money under a pillow, its value would depreciate eventually,” he said.
If the money was not spend on development, he said, “would you prefer us to build houses on tree tops? We can save a lot of money that way, but we would be living in the jungle.”
“Believe me, we have the money. From oil,” he said, citing Petronas' profit of RM86 billion this year.
He said the Malays were colonised for 450 years because they did not question the sultanate.
“Whatever the King decreed, we just resigned ourselves to it.”
He rehashed Malay politics from the end of World War II onwards, crediting much of the country's progress towards independence to Umno politicians such as Onn Jaafar, Nik Ahmad Kamil and Tunku Abdul Rahman.
He said Umno fought the formation of the Malayan Union because of the public support.
“People deserve the government they get,” Mahathir added.
Bad economy: Chinese may 'return' to China
Where do you think Malaysian Chinese would go if the economy does not improve?
As far as Dr Mahathir Mohamad is concerned, they will 'return' to China where a rebust economy is at work.
The former premier said this when commenting on the lackluster Malaysian economy which has produced grumblings among Umno grassroots for the lack of projects
A poor economy produces many unforseen consequences, which include the brain drain and migration of non-Malays overseas, he cautioned.
“I know for the Malays, this might be unpleasant to hear ... but if they (Chinese and Indians) do not enjoy the benefits, something might happen which we have to consider.”
He said many Chinese businessmen have made their fortunes in China.
“There are many opportunities they found in China, and the expertise (from Malaysia) is brought there. In the past they came to Malaysia because there were no opportunities (in mainland China). If there are little or no opportunities here, some would return to China,” he said.
The former premier mentioned close associates who have settled down abroad: “Their children will grow up and not identify themselves as Malaysians.”
“Who would take their place? Who would run the shops and businesses. I come here to Kulai, and I see most of the shops here are run by Chinese. Are the Malays ready to take over should they leave?” he asked to voices of 'no' in response.
Nasi Kandar in Perth
Mahathir also made a cryptic attack on Pak Lah, stating that the prime minister had left the country while Johor was flooded.
“Some leaders, they boast, oh my son is rich ... They talk about their AUD25 million home. That's RM60 million. So strange, to have such a big house ... and there's no nasi lemak to be had. And we have a leader who went all the way to Perth to attend his brother's opening of a ... what ... nasi kandar restaurant.”
“Between being in the country when it is in turmoil and overseeing at the opening of a nasi kandar restaurant, which is more important? Tentulah nasi kandar (Of course, nasi kandar!)," he said sarcastically.
He also attacked former ACA officer Mohd Ramli Manan: “He thinks that I cold- storaged him for six years ... Well I think he is a kaki rasuah (corrupt person) ... that's what I think lah.”
Mahathir said corruption index has risen and that crime has also gone up.
“Corruption was a problem that the administration had pledged to eradicate .. and yet you see it rise .. we have gone up in the international corruption index.”
“It's now not just a matter of what they want to snatch from you. You can lose you life, nowadays ... You have mothers killing babies,” he said.
Umno Youth loses direction
the media
Mahathir also spoke on a change of his reading habits since being “censored” by the media.
“I no longer read the New Straits Times. I still read Utusan (Malaysia), although everything is negative in there now.
“I now read the Star. Their circulation is double that of NST you know? More than NST, which was the premier English newspaper. Now it has dropped.”
“I can't blame them, because of the management ... Kalimullah (NST deputy chairperson) yang cukup bijak (Kalimullah is very smart).
"He's angry at me ... but I was just confused about his name because it is a mix of a Hindu god and a Muslim cleric. Kali ... Mullah,” he added in jest.
At a question-and-answer session later, Mahathir said Umno Youth has lost its direction.
“They have not taken the Afta (American Free Trade Act) discussions seriously.”
“It is not merely a case of making demonstrations in front of the US Embassy (protesting the (month-long) Israel-Lebanese war) which was planned ahead anyway. We want Umno youths to be activists ... to fight for and protect Malay rights,” added the former Umno president.

Cuban Anti-Cancer Vaccine To Be Clinically Tested In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- A therapeutic anti-cancer vaccine being developed by Cuban scientists is expected to give new hopes for patients in the advanced stage of lung cancer in terms of a longer survival rate and better quality of life.
Known as Epiderma Growth Factor (EGF), the vaccine, discovered by Dr Gisela Gonzalez Marinello of the Centre of Molecular Immunology in Cuba in 1992, will be clinically trial-tested in Malaysia for the first time.
Dr Gonzalez, who is also its project manager, said 230 advanced stage lung cancer patients had been identified in 12 hospitals to participate in the clinical tests in what could be a landmark trial for the drug.
She said based on previous clinical trials in Cuba, Canada and United Kingdom, the vaccine had demonstrated its ability to promote longer survival rates of up to six months, and up to two years in some cases, while helping to improve the quality of life among lung cancer patients who responded to the vaccine.
She told Bernama in an interview here that the EGF was safe, had no prolonged side effects and could be used in tandem with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Dr Gonzalez stressed that the vaccine was not a cure for cancer but helps to fight against the growth of cancerous cells, adding that it was administered through monthly injections on four different parts of a patient's body.
Set to begin in May, the clinical trial in Malaysia is expected to take about two-and-a-half years and is being sponsored by Bioven Sdn Bhd, a local company specializing in advanced technology and life sciences.
Bioven chief executive officer Dr W. Shermal Perera, who was present at the interview, said the clinical trial would be monitored by the Cancer Research Centre of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
"This clinical trial in Malaysia is important to us because the data collected will be used to penetrate Europe and other countries," he said.
Bioven has the intellectual property rights for EGF here and in Southeast Asia.
Dr Perera said: "We have bought the licence and the patent has been assigned to us. We have the rights for Europe, Australia, Japan and New Zealand as well." EGF, now in the process of getting registered in Cuba, is expected to be marketed in that country in the next few months.
"In Malaysia, we hope to get it approved and register within the next three years," he added.
He said if the clinical trials went well, Malaysia would become the second country after Cuba to have the drug.
He also urged lung cancer patients keen on the clinical trial to contact the company.
Bioven Chairman, Dato Mukhriz Mahathir said it will be a great breakthrough and big blockbuster for Malaysia.

The barks

NEP must be replaced, says Anwar
PETALING JAYA: A new affirmative policy should benefit the poor of all races in Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview on Al Jazeera.
He said the New Economic Policy (NEP) had only benefited a few rich Malays when it was meant for poor Malays.
“The Government should dismantle the NEP and replace it with a policy to benefit the poor of all races. A policy to correct the imbalance of the marginalised should be implemented.
“The Government must introduce a policy without any racial lines to benefit all races,” he said in an interview on the channel’s Riz Khan talk show, in Washington.
When interviewer Anand Naidu asked Anwar how he planned on becoming prime minister when he was banned from political activity (until April 2008), he said that he was looking forward to a pardon.
“It is up to the King to grant the pardon,” said Anwar.
On his anticipated election as the Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader in May, Anwar urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to allow him to lead the party.

tunku : when he was in the government he had made his cronies became million/billionaires that till today they are still funding the money to him.this type of person should be hang by the balls.now not in the governments he barks with a different tone.

Bakun Hydroelectric Dam To Start Operations In May 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The Bakun hydroelectric project in Sarawak is expected to be fully operational in May 2011, the Dewan Rakyat was told Wednesday.
Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the main dam was 65.9 per cent completed and was expected to be ready in the third quarter of 2009 with the first turbine to swing into action in October that year.
The overall project was 60 per cent completed physically, he said in reply to Billy Abit Joo (BN-Hulu Rajang) who wanted to know the latest development in the project.
On the supply of electricity generated by the project to peninsular Malaysia via seabed cables, Hilmi said the government was studying the matter and had yet to make a decision.
He said the Bakun hydroelectric project had an install capacity of 2400 megawatts and firm capacity of 1773 megawatts, which was smaller than the nation's overall need.

tunku : this project supposed to be completed in 2005,then 2008. now extend again to 2011. the delays has increased the cost tremendously, i'm sure.with the capacity of 2400megawatts it is too huge for sabah and sarawak.may be the seabed cables to peninsular would be a very good idea.Malaysia's energy policy has traditionally been based on a four-fuel strategy that is gas, oil, hydroelectric and coal. Of these, gas is dominant, with about 70 percent of the country's requirements supplied by gas-fired power plants. During the country's general election in November 1999, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud accused Anwar of sabotaging Bakun and other large development projects in Sarawak. Taib said that in front of the prime minister Anwar supported all development projects in Sarawak, but behind his back he criticized and canceled these projects.
a dubai based company was to build the a 500,000-tonnes-per-year aluminum smelter in Sarawak with a RM2 billion investment to set it up.they had paid deposit to the government but later was rejected by the present government, god knows why.

Nine Japanese shipping companies, which transport lumber from Sarawak, Malaysia, allegedly failed ...

(Kyodo) _ Nine Japanese shipping companies, which transport lumber from Sarawak, Malaysia, allegedly failed to report some 1.1 billion yen of income in total during a period of up to seven years through March 2006, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.
Such tax irregularities have occurred as the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau determined the companies' remuneration payments to a Hong Kong company, which has a connection with Chief Minister of Sarawak Taib Mahmud and his family, were rebates, not legitimate expenses, the sources said.
Although the Hong Kong agency did very little in the way of substantive work, the shipping companies are believed to have used rebates as a lubricant to facilitate their lumber trade, the sources added.
Lumber export is controlled by the Sarawak state government on grounds of forest resources protection.
Rejecting the tax authorities' conclusion, the shipping firms claim the transactions with the Hong Kong firm Regent Star have been legitimate and deny wrongdoing.
The companies accused of the alleged tax evasion include Mitsui O.S.K. Kinkai Ltd. and NYK-Hinode Line Ltd. belonging to the Nanyozai Freight Agreement (NFA), a cartel formed in 1962 to avoid excessive competition in import of lumber from Southeast Asia. The 12-member group is exempt from the Anti-Monopoly Law.
The shipping firms will likely be slapped with well over 400 million yen of back taxes along with heavy penalties, the sources added.
According to the NFA and other sources, the Japanese cartel concluded an agreement in 1981 with Malaysia's Dewaniaga Sarawak regarding lumber transport. Dewaniaga is a state-affiliated concern in charge of lumber export control and is headed by the Sarawak chief minister's younger brother.
The deal secured certain amounts of lumber for export for the NFA. On the other hand, the shipping companies ever since have paid "mediating charges," whose sums were tied to the amounts of lumber exported, to Hong Kong agency Regent Star as instructed by Dewaniaga.
Regent Star lobbied Dewaniaga to ensure the Japanese companies would be able to continue shipping lumber to Japan and the shipping firms posted the payments to Regent Star as expenses for transport operations.
The tax authorities, however, have concluded that the Hong Kong firm performed little work that deserved to be paid for and that the payments by the Japanese companies were kickbacks that went via Regent Star to senior Sarawak officials, according to the sources.

Malaysia Govt Still Considering YTL Bullet Train Proposal

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- The government is still considering the YTL Corp Bhd's RM8.1 billion proposal to build a high-speed rail project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy today.
"The government has not made a final decision. We are still looking at the proposal," he told reporters after attending the MCA presidential council meeting here, Tuesday.
Chan, who is also MCA deputy president, was commenting on a news report that YTL would commence work on the project by year-end.
The report also said the proposed private finance initiative bullet train project was expected to be ready by end-2009.
Asked when the government was expected to make the decision, Chan said: "We don't want to set a time frame as the government has to thoroughly evaluate the project."
The report, which quoted a company official, also said the Malaysian and Singapore governments had given the thumbs-up for the project.
It said YTL has started work on the design and track laying (DTL) plan, which would include a prototype design quite similar to the bullet trains in Japan and Taiwan and would submit to the respective agencies for approval in the next four to six months.
The official also said the DTL plan was handled by experts who would also be studying details of environmental preservation and would involve minimal relocation of people along the stretch.

tunku: this is another project that will benefit singapore not malaysia.if the government to allow this project than the track should end in JB not singapore. just imagine 90 minutes to singapore with this bullet train, the airline industry will suffer for this sector and not only that klia will lose out to changi airport as more people will travel oversea from singapore.the singapore government now is considering for a bridge if this project is on, just look at their selfishness, if it's not benefited to them they don't agree with the bridge construction but now are looking into it. i hope the government will really look into this matter.don't sell malaysia pride anymore,please.if the bridge is to be constructed then make it high so that the ships can sail thru selat tebrau, don't just built it for this bullet train purposes only. we don't need this project as it is not cheap, the ticket for the bullet train will cost us higher than airasia or maybe mas to jb.are we going to build it for singapore?

Pak Lah comments on police's salary,Zulkipli Mat Noor and Iran

Govt Mulls Salary Hike For Cops - Abdullah
PUTRAJAYA, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Government is considering a salary rise for the 97,000-strong police force, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Tuesday.
He said the Public Service Department (PSD) was studying the request by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan at the recent National Implementation Task Force meeting.
"The PSD is working on the request and will forward its recommendations (to the Government for consideration). As to the quantum of the raise is a detailed matter (to be studied).
"But I admit the salary drawn by policemen now is not high.
"This may lead to other problems related to corruption and so forth," said Abdullah, who is also Finance Minister, to reporters after chairing the Third National Water Resources Council meeting.
He said the PSD study on salary increase was for the entire police force.
Asked when a decision would be made, he said: "I don't know when, let the PSD forward its initial views."
In a special interview to mark the bicentennial celebrations of the Royal Malaysia Police, Musa had said the force needed at least a 20 per cent salary increase.
On another issue, Abdullah said he would make an announcement soon if the tenure of Anti-Corruption Agency director-general Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor would be extended or otherwise.
"I will announce soon," he said.
Zulkipli is being investigated for alleged corrupt practice and threatening witnesses.
On Iran, which was slapped with additional sanctions by the UN Security Council two days ago, Abdullah hoped Tehran would cooperate with the world body to lift the sanctions.
"Imposing additional sanctions on Iran is a decision agreed to by all the members of the UN Security Council. I hope Iran will comply with the sanctions as it is a UN decision.
"Although it's tough for Iran, for Iran to defy is going to be very difficult. Iran must take action to fulfill what was sought by UN," he added.

tunku : the police salary increment have been studied quite long ago, since last year, hope that PSD will work on it ASAP.
as for zulkipli i think it will be best for the government not to extend his services anymore once it's expired.if he will come out clean, the public will always have doubt about it.so it's best not to continue his contract.
On Iran issue i'm quite disappointed with pak lah comment, UN decision is not unanimously done, it always the decision of the superpower.US,israel etc should stop it's nuclear programme before asking others to stop.

No Decision Yet When To Re-start Water Talks, Dewan Rakyat Told

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Government has not decided when to resume negotiations with Singapore on the water issue, Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary Ahmad Shabery Cheek told the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.
He said the Government had taken action through negotiations to review the water pact with Singapore but the ongoing talks since 1990s had failed to show fruition.
The water agreements between Johor and Singapore, signed in 1961 and 1962, would lapse in 2011 and 2061, respectively.
"The Government is studying further steps to find a solution to the long-standing issue, whether to bring it to arbitration or to re-start the talks although Johor no longer depended on treated water from Singapore and the republic too has its own source of water -- Newater," said Ahmad Shabery.
He was replying to Datuk Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) who wanted to know whether the Government proposed to re-visit the water pact with neighbouring Singapore.
On stalled talks with Singapore on the ownership claim to Pulau Batu Putih and the customs, immigration and quarantine complex, Ahmad Shabery said the Government had decided not to discuss the issues for the moment.
"For the time being, these issues will be put aside until we resolve the construction of a bridge to replace the Johor Causeway which has been tied to granting airspace and supplying sand to Singapore.
"These sticky issues created a lot of pressure on both sides of the causeway, with Malaysians responding emotionally.
"That's why we've decided to put aside these issues and will not discuss them until we feel the people's feelings have been nursed over time before we start fresh negotiations," he added.

tunku : what an answer from shabery, we put aside these issue and will not discuss them till we feel the people's feelings have been nursed over the time. this is the tactic pak lah administration is doing, wait and wait till people forgets about it.but pak lah we will not forget about it until these matters resolved.what is our RIGHTS we have to defend it no matter what.we ask to review the water agreement because that is our right,we ask to construct the bridge and demolish the causeway, that is our right, CIQ, Batu Putih we have the right. But airspace and sand Singapore DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT. so what are you people waiting for?

A good suggestion by Radzy about PDRM

tunku : this is a comment from a person name Radzy but for sure not that radzi sheikh ahmad guy.i think the police management people should read this and i believe the police will read this.

If you wants A RESPECTABLE POLICE FORCE YOU MUST CONSIDER GIVING RESPECTABLE SALARY! Any way selamat menyambut harijadi ke200 tahun PDRM!
PDRM have undergone such tremendous development since its inception in 1807. From a traditional to a modern day policing. Compared to some of the police forces in the world, PDRM have gone through all sorts of challenges which other countries have never experienced.
Name any threat whether from sea or land that have been all but well managed and overcame by our PDRM. They fought gallantly against the communist and brought to order when the nation face the public order situations. All these have gone down well in our history!
As an observer of the most effective police force in this region, I would like to make a few suggestions for the PDRM senior officers to dwell on. The improvement on supervisory sector of management of the force is still very much to be desired. This is so when it come to criminal investigation procedures. The young investigation officers should be well guided and supervise by the senior officers otherwise the Man Datuk episode will recurs.
The second suggestion is to re-enhanced the sector policing . I found that most of the successes in PDRM's fight against communist and gangsterism are due to the diligent policemen managing their designated sectors. They know the areas within their sector well and able to identify each every resident through their a must-everyday tour of their sectors. Those days these policemen used bicycle (basikal tua!) to make their rounds. This is a must voluntary chore. Tak kenal maka tak cinta, that was exactly the motto of the sector police constables! That was the very reason why PDRM managed to disabled the supportive activities be it of communist or gangsterism/triads.Believe me if this basic policing is being given priority, half of the battle against any threat is won!! I still remember those days when the OCS do the round up, all the suspected bad-hats in the surrounding area should a house breaking being committed. By throwing the net, the OCS not only being able to apprehend the culprits but also to instill the feelings of insecurity by the bad hats hence giving good cooperation to the police!
I think for the PDRM to go through a rebranding process is well and good. I still prefer enhancements in all aspect of PDRM are very much relevant.To exemplify this, I would suggest more efforts are given to basic training of officers and men. You have the retired very experienced police officers who could mould these young trainees on the various police tradecarfts so that when they are posted to the ground they may be able to cope with all the challanges.
Selamat Bersedia Berkhidmat!!!!

Malaysia as International Islamic Banking Hub

Malaysia chasing funds as global Islamic bankers meet
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Central bank governors from Iran to Saudi Arabia are to attend Malaysia's first international Islamic finance forum this week as the nation works to cement its future as an Islamic financial hub.
The four-day Global Islamic Finance Forum starting Monday is expected to attract about 800 regulatory authorities and industry players.
Malaysia's central Bank Negara, the event organiser, said it aims to highlight business opportunities as the nation ramps up efforts to draw foreign money -- Muslim and Middle Eastern funds in particular.
"The forum will provide an avenue for global investors, issuers and financial industry players to discuss investment and business opportunities in Asia," Bank Negara said in a statement.
Islamic finance fuses principles of sharia or Islamic law and modern banking. Funds are banned from investing in companies associated with tobacco, alcohol or gambling considered taboo by Muslims.
Malaysia has been promoting itself as a centre for Islamic finance but faces rivalry from neighbours Singapore and Brunei.
The mainly Muslim nation has 10 fully-fledged Islamic banks, after establishing its first in 1983, while a series of conventional banks also offer Islamic financial services.
Malaysia fast-tracked the liberalisation of its Islamic banking sector three years ahead of schedule in 2004, encouraging domestic financial institutions to set up Islamic banking units.
It also opened up the industry to foreign players. Licences have been awarded to Kuwait Finance House, Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank, and the Asian Finance Bank, owned by a consortium led by Qatar Islamic Bank.
Meor Amri Meor Ayob, who rates Islamic financial instruments at Rating Agency Malaysia, said the conference will promote Malaysia to foreign players amid regional competition for the Muslim dollar.
"This will showcase Malaysia as a country with the capability, capacity and human resources to provide Islamic financial services," Meor Amri told AFP.
Malaysia has the infrastructure and a vibrant capital market that is "very conducive" for the growth of Islamic finance, he said.
"There is a lot of opportunities for Islamic banking" because the industry in Malaysia is still young, Meor Amri said.
Bank Negara has said the forum will also tackle contemporary issues relating to Islamic finance including regulatory standards, which analysts say are crucial for development of the sector in Malaysia.
Senior economist at Malaysia's Bank Islam, Azrul Azwar, said a major topic likely to be discussed is differences in the interpretation of compliance with sharia, which bans the earning of interest.
Countries in the Middle East have a more strict interpretation of sharia rules, compared to Southeast Asian nations, he said.
"I think this is one of the challenges that Malaysian regulators should address. We should work towards higher convergence of sharia interpretation," Azrul told AFP.
As part of the forum, the Islamic Financial Services Board -- an international standard-setting body that regulates the Islamic financial industry -- will hold its annual meeting as Malaysia assumes the 2007 chairmanship of the board's council.
Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz will chair the high-level meeting to be attended by 15 central bank governors or their representatives, and the president of the Islamic Development Bank, a Saudi Arabia-based institution set up to promote economic development in Muslim countries.
Governors expected to attend include those from Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Malaysia's Islamic banking assets amounted to 117.4 billion ringgit (33.9 billion dollars) as of June 2006.
Total worldwide assets of Islamic financial institutions exceed an estimated 250 billion dollars and are growing 15 percent annually, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Where are these so call pahlawan

Are they hiding behind the sarong or busy kissing someone hand?No one voice out about the IDR issue, there seem to be a black out in our mainstream media, what is wrong with these people? you want your country to be conquered again in a different way? are we allowing the history to repeat when the british approach as one of "divide and rule.


In Malaysia, everybody knows that Malays are the masters of this land. We rule this country as provided for in the federal constitution. Any one who touches upon Malay affairs or criticizes Malays is [offending] our sensitivities. ~ Azimi Daim

Don’t stir the hornet’s nest called Malay rights ~ Badruddin Amiruldin

In 2005, Hishamuddin became infamous for waving the keris (traditional Malay dagger) at the UMNO Annual General Meeting. Commentators perceived this action as meant to defend ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) and to threaten those who opposed the Malay special rights as set out in Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia and in the social contract

kayjay-needless to quote him as he is like "lalang", he whack both side.what about pemuda-elegant silence?

the best part even pas is not saying anything about it.i am being racist here, it just when it comes to foreigners,my temperature is up.every malaysian should be given first priority then only outsiders.there should be a limit for foreigners to purchase land in IDR.

More leaders leaving PKR

Anuar Shaari keluar PKR
BUKIT MERTAJAM 25 Mac – Seorang pemimpin kanan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Anuar Shaari hari ini mengisytiharkan keluar dari parti itu kerana mendakwa kecewa dengan sikap dan sandiwara pucuk pimpinan PKR.
Anuar, 38, yang juga Ketua Keadilan Bahagian Permatang Pauh mengumumkan peletakan jawatan itu dan keluar dari PKR berkuat kuasa serta-merta semasa berucap pada mesyuarat agung tahunan bahagian berkenaan di Penanti di sini.
Turut hadir pada mesyuarat agung tersebut ialah Presiden PKR, Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
‘‘Saya mengambil keputusan ini kerana begitu kecewa dengan hala tuju parti yang terlalu banyak politiking, sandiwara dan sikap pemimpin atasan yang double standard,” dakwanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Anuar yang merupakan antara pemimpin kanan parti tersebut adalah bekas Setiausaha Sulit bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Beliau menyertai parti itu pada 1999 selepas Anwar dipecat pada 1998 dan kemudian bertanding di kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Penanti pada pilihan raya umum 2004.
Pada pilihan raya tersebut, Anuar tewas kepada Ketua UMNO Bahagian Permatang Pauh, Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid dengan majoriti 667 undi.

tunku : what is happening to keadilan, more and more leaders leaving the party. Something fishy is going on.

keadilan won't participate in Machap by election

Parti Keadilan Rakyat tidak akan menyertai pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Machap pada 12 April depan, jelas Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pilihan Raya Pusat parti itu, Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Keputusan itu dicapai dalam mesyuarat Biro Politik yang bersidang pada 21 Mac lalu.
“Biro Politik telah meneliti semua pandangan yang merangkumi profil dan analisa DUN Machap, input dan maklumbalas dari pimpinan masyarakat tempatan serta peranan SPR yang masih dipertikaikan,” kata Azmin.
DUN Machap, jelasnya adalah salah satu kawasan tumpuan yang sudah dikenalpasti amat sesuai untuk Keadilan bertanding dalam Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12.
Kerusi itu kosong berikutan kematian bekas ADUN Machap mendiang Datuk Wira Poh Ah Tiam, dari Barisan Nasional pada 15 Mac lalu akibat kanser.
Penamaan calon bagi pilihan raya kecil itu ialah pada 3 April ini.
DUN Machap mempunyai seramai 9,623 pemilih, termasuk 108 pengundi pos, berdasarkan daftar pemilih yang dikemaskini sehingga 15 Mac lepas.
Dijangka DAP akan menyertai pilihan raya kecil tersebut bagi menentang BN.
Dalam pada itu, Azmin berkata tenaga dan perhatian akan ditumpukan sepenuhnya untuk memperkasakan Keadilan dan menjayakan harapan rakyat agar Keadilan memimpin agenda perubahan dan memenangi Pilihan Raya Umum yang akan datang.
“Matlamat utama keADILan ialah untuk melaksanakan strategi pilihan raya yang komprehensif termasuk mengenalpasti kawasan-kawasan tumpuan yang berpotensi untuk keADILan.
“Jawatankuasa Pemandu (JKP) Pilihan Raya Umum telahpun menyiapkan senarai kawasan-kawasan tumpuan khususnya di Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Perak, Selangor dan Melaka.”
Pertimbangan itu, katanya dibuat berdasarkan komposisi kaum di kawasan berkenaan, organisasi serta pengaruh parti di kawasan tempatan, prestasi Keadilan yang memberangsangkan dalam tahun 1999 dan penerimaan masyarakat bukan Melayu terhadap Keadilan yang semakin meyakinkan semenjak kebelakangan ini.
Sehubungan itu, kata Azmin, Keadilan akan menuntut supaya kerusi DUN Machap dikembalikan kepada parti itu dalam perbincangan pembahagian kerusi antara pakatan pembangkang.

tunku : this donkey party is not participating in machap, pas is not having cooperation with dap and vice versa. what kind of opposition we have in malaysia, and they think they can defeat BN in the next general election. keep dreaming oppositions.by right if they want to achieve good result in the next GE they should join hand in hand in Machap , disgusting lots.

IGP proposes better deal for cops

KUALA LUMPUR: The police want 20% more in basic salary than any government servants so that more and better-qualified people will be keen to join the force, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said.
He said a new and better scheme of service was needed as the force was undergoing a massive restructuring exercise.
“This must be done if we want to reduce corruption and also to reach out and provide better delivery to the public.
“The restructuring exercise will also see the deployment of additional manpower and logistic support to highly populated and crime-prone districts in the country,” he told The Star in a special interview in conjunction with the 200th year celebration of the police force today.
He added that he had submitted the proposal to the Public Service Department.
The current salary of a police constable is RM690 while the starting pay for an officer with the rank of inspector is RM1,100.
Musa said the other major aspect of the restructuring, aimed at developing a competent and committed force with integrity, involved the intake of recruits, especially for the post of Inspectors and for the rank-and-file.
He said that, previously, diploma holders could apply for the post of Inspectors. Now, they would only be taken in as Sergeants.
Previously, degree holders could join as cadet Assistant Superintendents (ASP) but since the abolishment of the cadet ASP rank, degree holders would now only be eligible to apply for the post of Inspectors.
Musa said the force needed young sergeants who could keep up with the times and would get opportunities to be assistant investigation officers before moving up the ranks.
“We have also decided to do away with interview-based promotions and will replace it with performance-based promotions.
“The force needs people who can lead, people who know the job, people who have the experience and who are academically qualified. There is no point in promoting someone who is just academically qualified but has no experience and no leadership qualities,” he said.
Musa also said the Cabinet had approved the recruitment of 60,000 personnel and the intake exercise was in progress.

tunku : tan sri musa is right, the government should pay better salary to our force personnel in order to have quality people.we are paying peanuts to our police.The constable salary should start from RM1200.just imagine currently constable salary start with RM690.many of them risk their life in order to carry out their duty.i hope that government will increase their salary ASAP.this will boost up the police force and will reduce corruption.of course we need more police personnel,currently there are 96000 of them looking after 25million of Malaysian.they are looking after our peace and order.we need to double the force.

and the prince is from........

earlier i posted a news about Prince beat up his lover-police not accepting report. the prince is from johor. according to MStar the prince lover was having an affair with a married policeman and the policeman was given 24hours notice to transfer.i really hope the police will take this matter seriously and have thorough investigation. the girl tried to lodge report after beaten by the famous married prince in johor and she was turned down and had to go to bukit aman to lodge the report.i hope bukit aman will probe why the police in johor refused to take her report. as we know that no one is above he law.the girl should be investigated too, we never know nowadays some are just trying to take revenge or trying to make a fortune out of it.anyone know who this girl is?

Prince beat up his lover-police not accepting report

Kerabat diraja disiasat kes pukul kekasih
24-03-2007 05:01:34 PM ( MStar)
KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang anggota dekat keluarga diraja sedang disiasat berhubung dakwaan menyerang seorang gadis baru-baru ini.
Siasatan awal menunjukkan wanita muda itu, dalam lingkungan 20-an, dipukul selepas dia didakwa bermain kayu tiga dengan kerabat tersebut.
Wanita itu, yang cuba membuat aduan polis di sebuah negeri, terpaksa membuat laporan kes tersebut ke ibu pejabat polis persekutuan di Bukit Aman selepas tidak ada balai sanggup menerima aduannya.
Putera itu turut membuat aduan polis berhubung kes tersebut.
Difahamkan seorang pegawai polis bahagian anti-dadah, yang telah berkahwin, didakwa mempunyai hubungan cinta dengan gadis itu ditukarkan dalam tempoh 24 jam ke Sarawak untuk kerja-kerja pejabat.
Polis sedang menyiasat dan dalam proses mengambil keterangan beberapa saksi.

tunku : what is happening, the police is not accepting the report and the girl has to go to Bukit Aman to lodge the report. Tan Sri Musa please look into this case if it's true, sack or take stern action against those who are not accepting the report. royalties are not above the law.law is made for everyone.this is a very serious matter.

FTA negotiation will continue

Malaysia and US to talk next month on elusive FTA
WASHINGTON: The United States and Malaysia will discuss next month the best way to continue working on a free trade agreement after formally missing a March 31 deadline to finish the pact, US trade officials said on Friday.
“A Malaysian team will come to the United States in mid-April for consultations.
“We look forward to concluding a high-quality, comprehensive FTA and obtaining legislative approval for such an agreement,” Steve Norton, a spokesman for the US Trade Representative’s office, said in a statement.
The United States launched talks on a free trade agreement with Malaysia, its 10th largest trading partner, a year ago.
Although both sides had been optimistic of reaching a deal by early 2007, the talks were delayed by a change in Malaysia’s lead negotiator and hesitation to open its government procurement market to more US firms.
After the last round of talks last month, Malaysian officials said they needed to reach a new political consensus on how to proceed.
“Resolution of that process is a necessary step before the negotiations can continue,” Norton said. – Reuters

Dems Challenge Bush With Iraq Timetable

WASHINGTON March 24, 2007, 9:41 a.m. ET · The House voted Friday for the first time to clamp a cutoff deadline on the Iraq war, agreeing by a thin margin to pull combat troops out by next year and pushing the new Democratic-led Congress ever closer to a showdown with President Bush.
The 218-212 vote, mostly along party lines, was a hard-fought victory for Democrats, who faced divisions within their own ranks on the rancorous issue. Passage marked their most brazen challenge yet to Bush on a war that has killed more than 3,200 troops and lost favor with the American public.
He dismissed their action as "political theater" and said he would veto the bill if it reached his desk. The Senate is about to take up its own version.
The $124 billion House legislation would pay for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year but would require that combat troops come home from Iraq before September 2008 — or earlier if the Iraqi government did not meet certain requirements. Democrats said it was time to heed the mandate of their election sweep last November, which gave them control of Congress.
"The American people have lost faith in the president's conduct of this war," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "The American people see the reality of the war, the president does not."
Just over an hour following the vote, Bush angrily accused Democrats of playing politics and renewed his promise to veto the spending legislation if it included their withdrawal timetable, despite administration claims that the money is needed next month by troops.
"These Democrats believe that the longer they can delay funding for our troops, the more likely they are to force me to accept restrictions on our commanders, an artificial timetable for withdrawal and their pet spending projects. This is not going to happen," he said.
Congress so far has provided more than $500 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including about $350 billion for Iraq alone, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Across the Capitol, the Senate planned to begin debate Monday on its own war spending bill, which also calls for a troop withdrawal — and also has drawn a Bush veto threat.
The Senate's $122 billion measure would require that Bush begin bringing home an unspecified number of troops within four months with a non-binding goal of getting all combat troops out by March 31, 2008.
These bills "offer a responsible strategy that reflects what the American people asked for in November — redeploying our troops out of Iraq and refocusing our resources to more effectively fight the war on terror," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
While Friday's House vote represented the Democrats' latest intensifying of political pressure on Bush, they still face long odds of ultimately forcing him to sign such legislation.
In the Senate, Democratic leaders will need 60 votes to prevail — a tall order because that would mean persuading about a dozen Republicans to join them.
And should lawmakers send Bush a measure he rejects, both chambers would need two-thirds majorities to override his veto — margins that neither seems likely to muster.
Voting for the House bill were 216 Democrats and two Republicans — Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland and Walter Jones of North Carolina. Of the 212 members who opposed it, 198 were Republicans and 14 were Democrats.
Those opposing Democrats included seven of the party's more conservative members, including Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall, Tennessee Rep. Lincoln Davis and Mississippi Rep. Gene Taylor, who say they do not want to tie the hands of military commanders.
The other seven dissenters were members of a liberal anti-war caucus who routinely oppose war spending and would accept only legislation that would bring troops home immediately.
Fearing that other liberals would join them and tip the scales, Pelosi had spent days trying to convince members that the bill was Congress' best shot at forcing a new course in Iraq — an argument that was aided when the Democrats added more than $20 billion in domestic spending in an effort to lure votes.
Pelosi received a boost this week when several of the bill's most consistent critics said they would not pressure members to vote against it, even though they would oppose it themselves.
The vote was considered a personal victory for the new speaker, whose husband watched the debate Friday from the gallery overlooking the House floor.
Anti-war groups remained divided on whether passage of the bill was a good thing, and protesters tried to disrupt debate Friday and pressure members to oppose the bill.
"This is just the beginning of the beginning of the end of this war," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., among those who opposed the bill.
The emotional debate surrounding the bill echoed clashes between lawmakers and the White House over the Vietnam War four decades ago.
"We're going to make a difference with this bill," bellowed Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a Vietnam War veteran who helped write the legislation.
"We're going to bring those troops home. We're going to start changing the direction of this great nation," he said, bringing a standing ovation and hugs from his colleagues.
Republicans countered that the bill would be tantamount to conceding defeat.
"The stakes in Iraq are too high and the sacrifices made by our military personnel and their families too great to be content with anything but success," said Republican Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said they planned to try to strip the withdrawal language from the Senate bill — which would probably require a difficult-to-achieve 60 votes.
"We're not prepared to tell the enemy, 'hang on, we'll give you a date when we are leaving,' said McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

tunku : this moron wants to bring in democracy to other countries but not applying to himself. when the congress voted out and not to his favour, he will use his veto power.what kind of moron did usa select to be their president.

Keadilan is not relevant anymore

Pemimpin PKR keluar parti sewaktu mesyuarat agung
Seorang daripada pengasas Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Kelantan, Saufi Daud hari ini mengumumkan keluar parti kerana kecewa dengan kepimpinan tertinggi parti itu yang disifatkannya tidak mampu berfungsi dengan baik.
Ketua Keadilan Bahagian Tumpat itu berkata beliau juga meletak jawatan ketua bahagian yang disandangnya sejak 1998 dan melepaskan jawatan Timbalan Pengerusi I Kelantan yang dipegangnya sekarang.
"Keputusan untuk keluar daripada parti terpaksa saya buat kerana saya berpendapat perjuangan PKR sudah tidak ada hala tuju sebenarnya.
Ia juga sudah lari daripada matlamat asalnya," katanya selepas berucap pada mesyuarat Agung PKR Bahagian Tumpat di Pantai Sri Tujoh, hari ini.
Beliau membuat keputusan itu setelah perjalanan mesyuarat agung berkenaan diganggu sekumpulan lelaki yang didakwanya penyokong kepimpinan PKR negeri.
Kumpulan yang didakwa Saufi bukan terdiri daripada perwakilan dalam mesyuarat itu cuba membuat "kacau" dan mengambil alih perjalanan mesyuarat sehingga memaksa pengerusi sementara menangguhkan majlis kira-kira 15 minit untuk meredakan keadaan.
Sebaik mesyuarat bermula, kumpulan berkenaan berbuat bising menyebabkan ada anggota perwakilan bertindak keluar dewan.
Melihat keadaan itu, Saufi terus mencapai mikrofon dan membuat pengumuman beliau meletakkan semua jawatan dalam parti sebelum dibawa keluar beberapa penyokongnya daripada dewan berkenaan.
"Apa yang saya lihat ramai yang berminat masuk Keadilan untuk mendapatkan tempat, terutama sekarang ini sudah dekat dengan pilihan raya umum. Ramai yang bercita-cita nak jadi calon agaknya.
"Apa yang berlaku dalam Keadilan kini, sudah ada yang punggah perwakilan dengan bas untuk mesyuarat, sudah wujud budaya samseng dan main politik wang. Ia sudah tidak sesuai lagi dengan saya," katanya.
Beliau berkata pada pendapat beliau perkataan "keadilan" pada parti itu hanya slogan semata-mata kerana perjuangan Keadilan (sebelum bergabung dan dinamakan PKR) ialah untuk membebaskan bekas timbalan perdana menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dari penjara.
"Bila Anwar sudah bebas, ia hilang hala tuju," katanya. - BERNAMA

tunku : keadilan members should quit the party as it's not relevant anymore. more leaders should leave the party like saufi daud did.people like nalakarupan can join this party what is left to say.anwar....hahaha, expired donkey,no longer worth.that is why he is trying his best to come back to umno.he is praising pak lah nowadays.

Public Support For Gov't Is Strong, Says Ahmad Zahid

BAGAN DATOH, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Information Ministry said research conducted by its agencies has revealed that support for the government from members of the public in urban and rural areas currently is very strong.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the research carried out by officers from the Information Department and the Special Affairs Department (JASA) had been analysed by the strategic information division of the ministry.
"Although there are isolated inadequacies and weaknesses, these do not weaken the people's support for the present government leadership," he told reporters after the annual general meeting of the Parent-Teacher's Association (PTA) of Sekolah Menengah Tun Abdul Razak, Selekoh, near here yesterday.
He said the research also revealed that public confidence in the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was growing including from the entrepreneurs and businessmen.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the member of parliament for Bagan Datoh, said the Islam Hadhari or Civilisational Islam concept introduced by Abdullah had also been accepted by the minority group and had not affected the solid support for the government.
However, he said the problem of support for the government cropped up among the middle-class group who felt that their demands had never been satisfied.
"They comprise the antagonistic group who are never happy nor satisfied with the current pace of development," he added.

tunku : zahid, are you trying to fools bagan datoh folks? they may believe you but not us. i'm not included in the survey and believe that millions others are not included too. if the support is very strong than better to call for election now.open your eyes zahid and never fool us please.

SEPANG F1 6,7 & 8 April 2007 - Be There.

Mokhzani driven by the excitement of F1
PETALING JAYA: He has been the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman for three years now – but the job is not getting any easier for Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir.
In between challenges like continuously surprising people and ensuring that SIC does a perfect job, he knows he has to ensure that the F1 Grand Prix race stays in Malaysia past 2010.
“I am always a tough guy. It will be the same during negotiations,” Mokhzani said in an interview.
“We have taken away all the reasons why it should not be held here. Now, it is about giving Formula One Management (FOM) all the reasons why it should.”
Last year, SIC renewed its contract with FOM, the worldwide rights holder of the F1 World Championships, for five years.
Mokhzani said on Wednesday that the Government was committed to ensuring that the country remained on the Grand Prix circuit beyond 2010.
He added that the challenge was to ensure that the race was a win-win situation, adding that a lot of justification needed to be given to the Government and FOM.
Mokhzani also said he was “not very worried” about other countries, like Singapore, bidding to host F1 races.
At least five races will be hosted in the Asia-Pacific from 2010 – one each in Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan and South Korea.
“F1 has done for Malaysia what other media cannot,” said Mokhzani, adding that the race was a “fantastic tourism tool” for the country.
“You just have to tell them about F1 and they will ask when is it. Nine times out of 10, people want to watch it.”
In spite of a hectic lifestyle, being SIC chairman is probably the one thing he has his father’s blessings to do.
“I am honoured to do this. It was one of his dreams and now I understand why he supported F1,” Mokhzani said of his father, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Mokhzani said motorsports also gave him the chance to meet people he would otherwise not have met, such as racing legend Jackie Stewart and the Ferrari team.
“I am a man who loves cars and people like Jackie Stewart and the Ferrari boys were those you saw in posters. Now they are my friends. We speak the same language,” he added.

U.S. gives up FTA deal with Malaysia before fast-track deadline

(Kyodo) _ The United States has given up completing negotiations for a free trade agreement with Malaysia in time for submission under President George W. Bush fast-track negotiating authority expires, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative said Friday.
The move came in response to Malaysia's recent notification to the United States that the country needs time to "seek a political consensus" within its Cabinet on a number of important outstanding issues, spokesman Stephen Norton said in a statement.
"We made clear to the Malaysian Government the requirements of our Trade Promotion Authority and that, at this point, submission of a U.S.-Malaysia FTA under the current TPA statute is not possible," he said.
The United States and Malaysia have been trying to conclude negotiations by the end of March, 90 days before Bush's fast-track authority expires. Despite the latest U.S. decision, both have agreed to continue to negotiate for a future deal.
The Trade Promotion Authority enables the president to negotiate trade deals that must be deliberated by Congress on an accelerated basis that bars any amendments. To use the authority, the president is required to give Congress a 90-day advance notice.

tunku: hopefully it will never happen. this maybe a tactic from the us to make us rush to sign the fta

Anti-Racism Day: "Israel is guilty of apartheid and colonization"

Report, Intifada, 23 March 2007
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the world comes together to reaffirm that racial discrimination is an assault on the foundation of the human rights system - the principle of equality. On this occasion, Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated, "a society that tolerates discrimination holds itself back, foregoing the contribution of whole parts of its population, and potentially sowing the seeds of violent conflict." She added that despite the fact that many states have accepted to fight racial discrimination "a reality check demonstrates that formal commitments are not enough."
Thirteen years after the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa, Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and in Israel still face multiple forms of racial discrimination, including occupation, apartheid and colonization.
In the past few weeks, Israel has come under criticism from both the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the OPT for its regime of institutionalized discrimination.
Since 1948, Israeli laws have been shaped not only to prevent the return of about 7 million Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons, but also to change the demographic composition of Israel and the OPT. This population transfer is aided by the Israeli Law of Return, which allows any Jew in the world to 'return' to Israel and be granted citizenship. According to CERD, the denial of the rights of many Palestinians to return and possess their homes in Israel "is discriminatory and perpetuates violations of fundamental human rights." CERD also applied the concept of apartheid to some of Israel's practices towards Palestinian citizens of Israel, notably in the managment of land and resources.
The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the OPT, Prof. John Dugard concluded that Israel's discriminatory practices towards Palestinians amount to apartheid and colonization. Since 2002, thousands of Palestinians have been displaced by the construction of the Wall and its associated regime, something that Dugard criticized saying that "the "closed zone" is gradually being "cleansed" of Palestinians, where land will in due course be transferred to land-greedy settlers." He called upon the International Court of Justice to rule over the legal consequences arising from the Israeli regime of occupation in the OPT, as was done in the case of apartheid South Africa.
Similarly, in the pursuit of its discriminatory policies against the Palestinian citizens of Israel, the Israeli government confiscated over 12,000 dunams of Kafr Bir'im village inside Israel refusing to allow the residents, who were forced out in 1948 and are now internally displaced, to return to their village. The same applies to the Palestinian Bedouin of Arab As-Shubeih whose lands were and continue to be nationalized for the purpose of exclusive Jewish settlement and development.
Israel's policies aim to create a Jewish majority through the de-Palestinization of Palestinian land, a fact concluded by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2003 which said that "Jewish nationality" is ground for "exclusive preferential treatment" resulting "in discriminatory treatment against non-Jews, in particular Palestinian refugees."
On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, BADIL asks states to act according to their obligations and to ensure Israel's respect for humanitarian law and human rights, because in the words of Dugard, "if the West, which has hitherto led the promotion of human rights throughout the world, cannot demonstrate a real commitment to the human rights of the Palestinian people, the international human rights movement, which can claim to be the greatest achievement of the international community of the past 60 years, will be endangered and placed in jeopardy."

Tyranny Cannot Contribute to Progress, Growth

Autocrats Divorced From Prophetic Teachings
YAZD 23 March 2007, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Friday that many oppressions and injustices at the global level are perpetrated by despots divorced from the path of the holy prophets and worship of God.
Speaking in the final leg of his 26th provincial tour in Yazd province, he noted that oppressors have brought nothing for the people but pain, agony and more suffering, ISNA reported.
“They (oppressive powers) have talked a lot about freedom and democracy, but have in fact only plundered the people’s wealth and who now hate them.“
Tyrants and despotic regimes are infuriated by the progress and success of other nations, the president recalled. He said that although prophets preached and strongly recommended to their followers to celebrate the progress of other humans, oppressors all to often envy the advancement of other people, particularly the freedom-seeking nations.
“Repressive regimes seek to prevent nations from making progress and enjoying independence and freedom,“ Ahmadinejad told a public rally in the central province.
One of the biggest lies of history is that the West, particularly the US, claims that Iran’s nuclear program has deviated from the declared peaceful path, he added.
Commenting on his government’s decision to invest in Yazd province, he said new funds would help pave the way for creating jobs and improve the quality of life in that part of the country.
“We have added 1.5 trillion rials to provincial budget to help establish new manufacturing and other units,“ he said and pledged to further contribute to the economic and social development of the province that has gradually emerged as a major industrial hub.

Najib seconded it

IDR Adopts New Approach To Attract Foreign Investors
PUTRAJAYA, March 23 (Bernama) -- The Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in Johor needs a new approach to attract foreign investors, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday.
"This area needs an approach that can draw foreign investors because our intention is to develop the area on a large scale...this cannot be achieved if we don't adopt a new policy and approach to open the area and give as much flexibility as possible to foreign investors," the deputy prime minister said.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the National Council on Local Governments here.
He was asked to comment on the government's decision to exempt the Iskandar Development Region from policies that favour the bumiputeras in a bid to attract investors.
The government's move was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his keynote address at the Invest Malaysia Conference yesterday.
Najib said the capability of the bumiputera community in trade and industry had improved and so too had their participation through the government linked companies.
"If there are certain opportunities available in this area, the bumiputera interest to participate will be given consideration.
"For example, if there are six five-star hotels to be built, surely there are bumiputera interests that are capable of participating but at the same time, there are also foreign investors interested in investing there, so they will get more opportunities to invest," he said.
He said the federal government would explain the new strategy to the leaders from Johor soon.

tunku : foreigners first, bumis given consideration only

PAS mahu pinggirkan Hadi?

Oleh FATHI ARIS OMAR
mStar
Rencana PAS mula memikirkan pengganti presidennya sekarang Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang yang dilihat tidak begitu berkesan sebagai seorang pemimpin sebagaimana terbukti dengan kekalahan teruk dan memalukan dalam pilihanraya umum 2004.
Dengan barisan pemimpin yang sedia ada, PAS dikhuatiri gagal mengulangi kecemerlangan baru dalam pilihanraya umum ke-12 yang dijangka diadakan tahun ini atau tahun depan.
Terengganu, selepas berjaya dikuasai selama lima tahun sejak 1999 bawah kepemimpinan Abdul Hadi, tewas teruk dengan 28 kerusi dikembalikan kepada Umno, sementara empat kerusi sahaja berjaya kekal di tangan PAS. Ketewasan yang paling buruk sejak 1990.
Sementara Kelantan, negeri tradisi PAS, tinggal nyawa-nyawa ikan sekarang dengan baki majoriti satu kerusi selepas Pengkalan Pasir jatuh ke tangan Barisan Nasional.
Dua pemimpin puncak parti Islam itu kini dalam fokus utama pengamat di luar parti dan juga pemimpin serta aktivis PAS.
Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, yang kerap jatuh sakit akhir-akhir ini, sering dispekulasi akan meninggalkan jawatan Menteri Besar Kelantan. Kemungkinan besar jawatan itu jatuh kepada tokoh muda, seorang exco negeri dan juga naib presiden PAS Datuk Husam Musa.
Jika Nik Aziz berundur daripada jawatan aktif dalam parti, kedudukannya sebagai Mursyidul Am dikatakan ingin diserahkan kepada Abdul Hadi, bukan timbalannya sekarang Datuk Dr Haron Din.

tunku : pas should get rid of all the expired "lebais" in their leadership and put some fresh person with brains.hadi is a gone case.the man has no charisma anymore.by the way the title above make me laugh, the words "pinggirkan" make me thinks of anwar, he like to "meminggir".

Can he achieve it - 30% bumi equity by 2010

THE 30 per cent Bumiputra equity target will not be abolished, the prime minister said.
Abdullah Badawi said the equity target was still needed to create an even distribution of wealth among the ethnic groups."The minimum 30 per cent equity for the Bumiputera by 2010 is an agenda which will ensure that development will be equally-distributed between the ethnicities and regions in the country.If he can achieve this , hats off to him but if he can't achieve this than better resign.IDR already abolished the bumi's equity, just wonder how?

PPP thinks they are smart

Dr M won’t get involved with PPP
PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has no plans to get “involved” with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and will not accept any offer to play a role in the movement.
The former prime minister admitted that PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas had come to see him “a long time ago but there was nothing.”
“I am not involved with PPP, even if there is an offer. But no-lah, tak ada (no, there is none),” he said when met after the Aman Malaysia charity event on Wednesday to raise money to build a mosque in Pattani, Thailand.
Asked why he would not take up the “offer” should he be approached, Dr Mahathir said: “There is no reason, it is not my job.”

tunku : kayveas think that Tun Mahathir will accept his offer, what la you kayveas,yennadey.Nobody can manipulate the Grand Old Man.

They Don't Care

Ghani and Shahrir back move to drop quotas
Bumiputra investors have the capability to participate in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in southern Johor despite the Government’s move to exempt qualified investors from foreign investment committee (FIC) rules, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said.
Abdul Ghani said he agreed with the move to exempt IDR from policies that favour the bumiputras in a bid to attract investors.
“IDR is a very defined area and there is enough bumiputra strength to participate in the development despite the FIC rules being relaxed completely,” he told reporters after the launch of IDR and the second Penang Bridge projects at the Invest Malaysia Conference here yesterday.

Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad said the public should not be alarmed with the move because exemptions were already given for certain industries such as the Multimedia Super Corridor-status companies.
“We have to be clear and careful. We have to understand the actual situation. People have the impression that everything requires a racial quota. It’s not exactly something new,” he said.
“There are precedents. MSC-status companies are not required to have a racial quota. Foreign investors can have 100% ownership, 100% foreign workers and it is a free trade zone concept.”
On the new incentives announced by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for certain zones within IDR, Abdul Ghani said the move would make the growth area very attractive for foreign investors to work and live in.
In his keynote address at the Invest Malaysia Conference 2007 here yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that qualifying companies in creative industries, educational services, financial advisory and consulting, healthcare, logistics and tourism related services, would be exempted from FIC rules, and have freedom to source capital globally.
The IDR is the largest development project announced by Abdullah to push economic growth. He is seeking foreign investors to help fund the RM383bil, two-decade-long project, which will transform Johor.

tunku : musa has told pak lah regarding this issue much earlier and pak lah agreed.now musa will spin it when he is entrusted to go to the grassroot(at johor) to explain about the decision. again pak lah will shut his mouth and let cleaners do things for him

So it's confirmed

No bumi quota, but ...
Husna Yusop
KUALA LUMPUR (March 22, 2007): Foreign investors in selected zones and sectors within Johor’s Iskandar Development Region will be exempted from the Foreign Investment Committee rules, which include the 30% bumiputra equity participation requirement.
In an announcement that drew immediate approval from various quarters, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said qualified companies were also free to source capital globally and to employ foreigners within the approved zones.

tunku : good bye bumis, no special privileges in IDR, singapore is very happy, the straits time wrote : Latest News
KL throws Johor project wide open to foreigners. yea lets buy out johor.

musa the bumi's policy scrapper.

musa the scrapper





Musa Told Aspiring Leaders To Emulate Tun Dr Ismail
JOHOR BAHARU, March 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's current and aspiring leaders should emulate former deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman who put the interest of serving the public above everything else.
In making the call, former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam said he admired the leadership style of Dr Ismail, noting that the latter never took advantage of his position to satisfy personal interests.
The late Dr Ismail served under the country's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak.
"Emulate the man (Tun Dr Ismail) and the principles he stood for. This goes to all aspiring and current leaders. When you want to serve as a political leader or be in the public sector, it should be service before self," he said.
Earlier, Musa launched a book by author Ooi Kee Beng, titled "The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail And His Time", at Danga Bay, here Thursday.
He said that despite his powerful job, Dr Ismail never misused it to enrich himself and this was illustrated by his modest house in Kuala Lumpur and the simple lifestyle of his children.
Musa also advised future leaders to use elements in books on Dr Ismail to emerge as "Towering Malays" or "Glokal Malays" as inspired respectively by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
When launching the 311-page book, he said that Dr Ismail was a modern and progressive leader and did not fit into the "Melayu Lama" category although he lived in that era.
Musa said that Dr Ismail contributed greatly in shaping up his political career, admitting that he never stopped from being overawed by the man.
He further said that Dr Ismail never suffered from the "Singapore Syndrome" and was an admirer of Singapore's approach towards development as he foresaw how Johor certainly could benefit from it.
"His ideas were happily shared by his Singapore counterpart, Goh Keng Swee, who, like Dr Ismail, did not suffer from `Malaysia Syndrome'," said Musa.

tunku : musa black has admitted that he is a great admirer of singapore, that is why he wants the bumis policies in IDR to be scrapped. musa please advice your buddy not to enrich his family as what you had said about Tun Dr Ismail.Don't use the power for family interest.

Construction Of Penang Monorail Tracks To Begin Soon

PENANG, March 22 (Bernama) -- Construction of the RM1.2 billion Penang monorail tracks is expected to begin soon once the routes are approved by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
State Executive Councillor for traffic management Datuk Dr Teng Hock said the routes proposed by the state government were being considered and an EPU technical team had visited them recently.
"We are waiting for a report from the EPU and if everything goes well, construction will get underway," he told reporters after opening the Industry Expo 2007, here Thursday.
The monorail is one of two mega projects in Penang announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad last year, the other being the RM2.6 billion second bridge of which preliminary work has started.
In another development, he said that those commuting to the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone would have another option in using public transport when RapidPenang starts operations in August.
He said people would be able to use a dedicated bus to go to the various factories, hence reducing congestion in the area.
Statistics show that 150,000 vehicles pass through the zone daily.
He said existing bus companies could continue with their operations provided they abide by the conditions stipulated in their permits.

tunku : how soon will it be and who will get the project? well one of the company who bids for it is scomi.