Police - Out of Control, Controlled, or Neutral ?

For quite some time now, especially after the General Elections (GE) last year, the reputation of our police force has turned ugly. Many of their actions lately have not gone down well with the public. So the question is, are the police out of control, controlled (by who ?) or are they still neutral as they should be ?

Below is a list I’ve made on why the reputation of the police has dropped.

1. Police have disrupted countless of ceramah’s made by politicians from the opposition….but almost none by BN.

2. Police disrupting countless of harmless & peaceful candlelight vigils by the public. What happened to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees Malaysians the freedom of assembly ? Is it still freedom if a permit is needed ?

3. Countless of harmless & peaceful people who participated in many candlelight vigils have been arrested.

4. Countless detainees died under police custody. The late Kugan is a recent & controversial case. The case was classified as murder. However, nobody has been punished so far.

5. Police seized forensic examples of the late Kugan from the office of a pathologist. Are they trying to cover up something ?

6. 1,535 deaths in police custody between 2003-2007.

7. Police arrested mother & 6-year-old daughter with 10 others when they attempted to submit a letter at the PM Department's office in Putrajaya, appealing for ISA detainees to be freed.

8. Police gave Chang Jiun Haur (below) an a**-whopping a.k.a excessive force, in May 2008. The policemen who did it are still not known & neither has any action been taken so far.

9. Police seized a video camera from a MalaysiaKini journalist during a candlelight vigil in November 2008. There were recordings of the acts of the police attempting to disperse the crowd. The tape was finally returned….edited.

10. Police scalded hot water on a man in December 2008.

11. Police arrested opposition politician, Ronnie Liu, while he was going to a state cabinet meeting in November 2008…Have any BN politician ever been arrested ?

12. Police banned opposition politicians from any mention of the murdered Altantuya during the Bukit Gantang by-election campaign. PKR’s Badrul Hisham Shaharin is being investigated for this “offence”. Have the police forgotten that Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees Malaysians the freedom of speech & expression ?

13. Police banned opposition politicians from any mention of linking Najib with the Perak political crisis. Lim Kit Siang is being investigated for this “offence”. Strangely, the police report was made by the police themselves & not any member of the public. Since when have the police been responsible to protect the reputation of BN ??

14. Police arrested 21 people in Ipoh for participating in a peaceful hunger strike in protest against the unethical, undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional power grab in Perak.

15. Police told public not to wear black at the Perak state assembly in May 2009.

16. Police break up peaceful protestors while they’re singing the national anthem, Negaraku, at a candlelight vigil held in November 2008. Despite video evidence, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar denied this.

17. Police allowed a mob to use a public address system to threaten the organizers & participants of a controversial forum held in August 2008. Doesn’t this show that the police supported the mob ? What kind of crowd control or law enforcement was that ? Where were the water cannons & FRU ?

18. Police raid DAP headquarters in May 2009 without a search warrant, first time in DAP’s 43-year history & never allowed to be done by the first five PM’s of the country.

19. Police fired tear gas to the public outside the Palace & into the compound of Masjid Ubudiyyah who were protesting over the Perak crisis.

20. Police sprayed chemical-laced water at about 300 supporters of detained Hindraf leader, P. Uthayakumar.They were accompanying nine people, who intended to lodge police reports alleging that Uthayakumar was denied proper medical attention for his ailment.

21. Police fired tear gas & used water cannons containing chemical-laced water, on a large & peaceful crowd consisting of elderly people who wanted to submit a memorandum to the British embassy in KL.

22. Police fired tear gas & water cannons at demonstrators at Batu Caves Temple in November 2007.

The list above is quite short. It can be made to be longer…but 22 points is enough right. After all that, police brutality, biasness, foul play & what not must be stopped. The police are supposed to be a neutral party without any involvement in the dirty game of politics.

Instead of intimidating people, being busy with by-elections, the Perak crisis, & tackling opposition politicians,…the police should focus more on fighting crime & making the public feel safe to walk on the streets again. That is their primary duty, to serve & protect the country. I hope they make improvements soon.

30% Bumi Equity Gone!!...Hello Open Tender System!!

On April 22nd 2009, our PM, Datuk Najib made a bombshell announcement. He scrapped the 30% Bumiputera quota on equity ownership in 27 sub-sectors with immediate effect. These sub-sectors are health & social services, tourism services, transport, business, the computer industry and other related services. He also announced an open tender system for government contracts.

I was shocked when I read the news at first. Yet, as I thought about it further, it made good sense. Najib is an intelligent man. With all the huge controversies & scandals about him, he knows he won't be PM for too long. So I guess with this announcement, he hopes to finally really help the Malays whom are slowly swaying away from UMNO...& also try to win back the votes of the non-Malays. If all this works in his favour, he might be able to stay in power a bit longer.

Anyway, some might be wondering,...what is this 30% Bumiputera equity ?

It's part of the Malaysian "New" Economic Policy (NEP) which was launched in 1971 by Najib's father who was an ex-PM himself. It's a controversial policy with the intention to increase the status of Malays socioeconomically in a controversial manner.

The 30% equity is compulsory for public listed companies to have a minimum of 30% of their shares owned by Malays, a.k.a Bumiputera's. Or if a foreigner intends to set up a business here, the foreigner must have a Malay partner...at least 30%. If not, the foreigner can't set up the business at all.

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Now to be honest, I see more cons than pros in the NEP & 30% Bumi equity. Mainly because it greatly restricts the amount of foreign investment in the country. Why should a foreigner be forced to have a Malay partner anyway ? They might as well invest their money elsewhere.

Moreover, it only hinders the progress & competitiveness of Malays. Simply because they hardly have to work for getting that equity or partnership. It's automatically given to them regardless of their qualifications. Even for foreigners, it's highly likely for them to only get sleeping partners.

With this quota, everything becomes limited. The amount invested, the profit made, the progress & competitiveness of a company,...are all limited. Without such a quota, a company & its people can go on to achieve much more as there is nothing holding it back anymore. In a globalised world, a policy aimed for protection will only do more damage than good in the long run as business is now carried out globally & not just locally anymore.

The NEP is also known to only help the rich Malays get richer & the poor Malays remain poor. This is due to some Malays having political links & connections. So these lucky ones get all the government contracts & make big $$$. There wasn't even an open tender system for government contracts before...until now. This will help a lot to reduce corruption.

Even though changes are going slow, but they are big. It will help to increase competitiveness, attract more foreign investment, & stimulate the economic growth & financial sector of Malaysia. The Malays will now be able to compete among one another to progress & bring out the best in society. Quality of products & services will increase & the cost will decrease due to competition.

Najib also mentioned that the economy will be liberalised on an on-going basis. Which means that other discriminative policies in other sectors will slowly be removed in the near future. I personally am highly convinced that this is one thing that Najib will really do. He is a controversial man, but intelligent as well.

Najib knows that the Malays will not be able to survive in future if this protection mentality & policies continue any longer. Lastly, I'd like to mention a saying. Fish for your son, & he is full for the day. Teach your son to fish, & he is full forever.

Muhyiddin's Silly Statement

Tan Sri Muhyiddin

Our new Deputy PM, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, gave this statement on 5.5.2009. This was when the Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman, M. Manoharan, was still under ISA. Manoharan was released from ISA detention on the 8th of May 2009...just a day after the chaos & barbaric behaviour displayed by BN in the Perak state assembly. Was Manoharan's release an eyewash from BN ? Hmm...100% YES!! Many are now aware with the countless "coincidences" played by BN.

This statement was made because Manoharan was considering to step down from his seat.

Anyway, while Manoharan was under ISA, Muhyiddin said...

'After winning an election, it's time for him to get to work. He should be responsible enough and not step down unnecessarily as is being done by those from some political parties.The exceptions are when he is declared a bankrupt, convicted or dies'.

Firstly, let me remind you that Manoharan won his seat in the General Election 2008 while he was under ISA. That itself is a great feat & shows that many people are fed up with BN.

As for the statement, how is Manoharan suppose to get to work while under ISA detention ? He's not allowed to leave the detention centre. Every habeas corpus application filed by him to the court to be released was rejected.

Documents nor reports were being sent to him at the detention centre to be reviewed or studied whatsoever. He wasn't being sent to Parliament in the morning & returned to detention to continue his sentence. Neither was he allowed to meet his constituents as he can't leave the detention centre.

So how did Muhyiddin expect him to carry out his duties ??

Now that Manoharan has been released, looking very frail, I hope he gets back into shape & helps his constituents...which I'm sure he will.

British English vs. Malaysian English

This is a humourous post I saw online...Enjoy  ;)

WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS

Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.

Malaysians: No Stock.

RETURNING A CALL

Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone page for me a few moments ago?

Malaysians: Hello, who page?

ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY

Britons: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?

Malaysians: S-kew me

WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY

Britons: Hey, put your wallet away, this drink is on me.

Malaysians:No-need, lah.

WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION

Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?

Malaysians: (pointing the door) can ar?

WHEN ENTERTAINING

Britons: Please make yourself right at home.

Malaysians: Don't be shy, lah!

WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE

Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.

Malaysians: Where got?

WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER

Britons: I'd prefer not to do that, if you don't mind.

Malaysians: Don't want la...

IN DISAGREEING ON A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Britons: Err. Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you're coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.

Malaysians: You mad, ah?

WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE

Britons: Excuse me, but could you please ! lower your voice, I'm trying to concentrate over here. Malaysians: Shut up lah!

WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU

Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time.. Do I know you?

Malaysians: See what, see what?

WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION

Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.

Malaysians: Die-lah!!

WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED

Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened?

Malaysians: Wat happen? ... Why like that?

WHEN SOMEONE DID SOMETHING WRONG

Britons: This isn't the way to do it. Here, let me show you.

Malaysians: like that also don't know how to do!!!!

WHEN ONE IS ANGRY

Britons: Would you mind not disturbing me.

Malaysians:Celaka u.

Religion + Politics = Havoc

Religion and politics can’t mix. It’s a bad combination, a recipe for disaster. Why you may ask ? Well, all this is purely just my opinion. So if you disagree, just ignore me.

When I say religion, I mean all religions...Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Jainism, Confucianism, Bahai, & all the other religions.

When I say politics, I don’t mean only Malaysian politics, I mean politics of all countries worldwide.

Firstly, I say religion is personal, politics is not. Your faith & beliefs is a matter that lies solely between you and God…nobody else. Politics is everybody’s business in one way or the other.

Religions preach of what’s right & wrong, whereas some politicians don’t practice what they preach at all.

Religions can create extremists & fanatics. Politics can too. However, both have different purposes & ideologies. Put two & two together,.…boom!!

All/some religions have a holy book. The teachings of a religion & Holy Scriptures are stored in them. Whereas some politicians have violated the law book & even dare to talk about religion.

Each or some religions have its own perception of the truth…& truth is subject to interpretation. Some politicians don’t seem to care about the truth & even twist the truth to their own liking. Therefore, resulting in different interpretations which can differ & possibly lead to big fights.

People can argue non-stop over religion. Politicians can use this to incite racial hatred among the people just to stay in power.

Religions range from hundreds to thousands of years old. Politicians can’t run a country in the 21st century based on beliefs/practices/ideologies that are thousands of years old.

Religions basically tell you this is this & that is that. Some politicians tell you this is that & that is this.

Religions are complex, each with its own practices & principles. Earth has roughly 6 billion people. There are at least 10 religions, each having millions of followers. With nearly 200 countries in the world with their own political situation, & if religion is mixed in, isn’t an argument inevitable ?

Religions have places of worship where people go to pray & seek solace. Some politicians can destroy these places of worship & cause a big fight among people.

So that's basically my point. Religion & politics can't mix. You may have noticed that I haven't provided any examples for any of my points. This is because I don't want to. I won't give you the chance to think I'm racist or favouring a particular religion. So if you want examples or more justification, kindly think for yourself or look it up.