27 March 2011
22 March 2011
Pudu Rotary Club's wheelchair donation
Irene Medona
Danny Tan Wee Mun
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 11:24:00
Rotary Club of Pudu
KUALA LUMPUR: To help patients unable to afford wheelchairs, the Rotary Club of Pudu yesterday donated 20 of these essential aids to the Ampang Hospital.
The hospital's Department of Medical Social Works will assign the wheelchairs to needy patients based on demand.
Still, they are not enough and Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who made the donation for the club urged other corporate bodies and the public to make similar contributions.
Commenting on the Rotary Club's "Wheelchair for Poor Patients" project, he said: "I look forward to projects like this and would like to urge other NGOs to join the government sector in serving the needs of local communities."
The idea was the brainchild of former Pudu Rotary Club president Ng Sim Bee, who said: "I visited a friend who was admitted in Ampang Hospital and realised some patients who had difficulty walking, didn't have wheelchairs.
"Upon asking them why, most said they could not afford one."
Ng then called on Pudu Rotary Club members to plan a special project for poor patients.
Danny Tan Wee Mun
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 11:24:00
Rotary Club of Pudu
KUALA LUMPUR: To help patients unable to afford wheelchairs, the Rotary Club of Pudu yesterday donated 20 of these essential aids to the Ampang Hospital.
The hospital's Department of Medical Social Works will assign the wheelchairs to needy patients based on demand.
Still, they are not enough and Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who made the donation for the club urged other corporate bodies and the public to make similar contributions.
 |
| CHARITY: (From left) Rotary Club of Pudu president Leong Choy Ying, Rotarian Tam Peng Huat, Ng, Ong and Ampang Hospital vice president (Medical) Dr Roosli Muhamed Salleh with one of the wheelchairs from Rotary Club of Pudu |
The idea was the brainchild of former Pudu Rotary Club president Ng Sim Bee, who said: "I visited a friend who was admitted in Ampang Hospital and realised some patients who had difficulty walking, didn't have wheelchairs.
"Upon asking them why, most said they could not afford one."
Ng then called on Pudu Rotary Club members to plan a special project for poor patients.
Some past PKA board members may walk free
Karen Arukesamy
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR (March 21, 2011): In less than 10 days, some of the 28 past directors of the Port Klang Authority (PKA) could be walking free as the Limitation Act would have excused them from any civil action with regards to their involvement in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
The Act excludes officials of statutory bodies from civil action due to economic loss, after six years.
With the March 31 deadline looming – after previous board meetings which approved the additional works at inflated costs that brought the PKFZ bill to over RM12 billion – at least a dozen directors are expected to escape.
This is if the PKA does not initiate civil suits against these individuals soon.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Chor Har, when met at the MCA extraordinary general meeting last week, could only muster a smile when asked if these former directors would be let off the hook.
Former transport minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said there was a recommendation to sue the ex-board of directors when he was in office.
“When I was minister, I gave PKA the decision-making power in the case and did not influence nor interfere in its decisions.
“At that time, they wanted to proceed with the civil suit but I do not know what transpired after my time,” he said after launching a community project "Wheelchair for Poor Patients" by Pudu Rotary Club today.
Ong said normally the decision whether to sue or not is up to the current board of directors, yet PKA must follow instructions of the Transport Ministry.
“I am not sure if this is the minister’s decision or not,” he said.
When he was the minister, Ong had promised to bring to book all those responsible for the scandal .
PKA general manager Kee Lian Yong and chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng declined comment.
However, it is understood that the current board is waiting for one of the directors to seek his own legal counsel before deciding on endorsing the decision to sue the past directors.
A final decision is expected to be made by the board next week.
Updated: 09:55PM Mon, 21 Mar 2011
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR (March 21, 2011): In less than 10 days, some of the 28 past directors of the Port Klang Authority (PKA) could be walking free as the Limitation Act would have excused them from any civil action with regards to their involvement in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
The Act excludes officials of statutory bodies from civil action due to economic loss, after six years.
With the March 31 deadline looming – after previous board meetings which approved the additional works at inflated costs that brought the PKFZ bill to over RM12 billion – at least a dozen directors are expected to escape.
This is if the PKA does not initiate civil suits against these individuals soon.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Chor Har, when met at the MCA extraordinary general meeting last week, could only muster a smile when asked if these former directors would be let off the hook.
Former transport minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said there was a recommendation to sue the ex-board of directors when he was in office.
“When I was minister, I gave PKA the decision-making power in the case and did not influence nor interfere in its decisions.
“At that time, they wanted to proceed with the civil suit but I do not know what transpired after my time,” he said after launching a community project "Wheelchair for Poor Patients" by Pudu Rotary Club today.
Ong said normally the decision whether to sue or not is up to the current board of directors, yet PKA must follow instructions of the Transport Ministry.
“I am not sure if this is the minister’s decision or not,” he said.
When he was the minister, Ong had promised to bring to book all those responsible for the scandal .
PKA general manager Kee Lian Yong and chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng declined comment.
However, it is understood that the current board is waiting for one of the directors to seek his own legal counsel before deciding on endorsing the decision to sue the past directors.
A final decision is expected to be made by the board next week.
Updated: 09:55PM Mon, 21 Mar 2011
16 March 2011
Chua Soi Lek displays his ignorance on Christianity
Malaysia Today
LETTERS/SURAT
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Saturday, 12 March 2011
I take offense that a non-Christian like him has the cheek to suggest that our sacred text be treated like some illegal book that needs to be supervised.
By Chan Lilian
MCA President, Dato’ Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has issued a press statement which he posted on Facebook regarding the Bahasa Malaysia Bible issue. He has shown blatant ignorance of Christianity.
First of all, he said ‘It is used in the study of the bible’. For his information, we do not study the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God to us Christians and not a textbook.
Next, he proposed the bible “be allowed to be circulated to churches with proper supervision.” As a Catholic, I take offense that a non-Christian like him has the cheek to suggest that our sacred text be treated like some illegal book that needs to be supervised.
Further, he also said ‘We can be sure that the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the learning and teaching of Christianity would not be abused with proper supervision by the churches themselves.’Again, I am aghast that he has repeatedly use the word ‘supervision’ again.
Has God died and made Chua Soi Lek the almighty to ensure that we Christians are being under constant supervision of the Government and our churches? May I remind Chua Soi Lek that he has no rights to put on his self- righteousness to call for ‘supervision’ on us Christians again and again?
Lastly, I can see how pretentious his press statement is. He ended his statement with ‘The issue should not be allowed to be turned into a political issue during the Sarawak elections.’ So, as we can all see, it is just a matter of political survival for Chua Soi Lek and his BN counterparts. It is not his sincere, earnest hope to help us Christians to resolve this issue of BM Bible ban.
So, Dr Chua, thanks but no thanks. We can do it on our own. We do not need politicians like you to be our champion of Christianity.
*Chan Lilian is a vocal blogger, a Catholic and had voiced out about this issue since 2008. She joins all Christians in Malaysia who are ‘fed-up’.*
Her blog is at: http://www.chanlilian.net/
Comments (11)
written by alpha1, March 13, 2011 14:26:19
Typo-apostrophes on knows... wild imagination running whenever PornStar Leks name is mentioned!
written by alpha1, March 13, 2011 14:21:12
He know's no shame.. He know's no embarassment... He know's nothing except coming from behind and he's none other than the Make Chinese Angry president.. PornStar Lek! How dare a person with no integrity like him touch on religious issue? Shameless traitor!!
written by Concerned_Citizen, March 13, 2011 11:30:23
Don't touch on religious issue, go and watch out for your porn video collections, don't let your master steal them!!! Talking about morality and religions, go talk cxxx!!!!!
written by batsman, March 13, 2011 10:57:48
This immoral and sinful man also sees fit to comment on Cikgu Mala wearing gloves when shaking hands with males voters. He is shamelessly playing the role of UMNO's gangster and provocateur.
written by Alice, March 13, 2011 09:02:25
Chua Soi Lek should go for some serious soul searching. How about giving up on porno and joining a monastery for a while Chua?
written by malsia1206, March 13, 2011 00:22:10
A pornographic actor commenting on what the Bible is all about? Is this the best MCA can offer?
written by albert zacharias, March 13, 2011 00:03:55
Dear Soiled Leg...
Your sex DVD with a woman who is not your wife can be circulated with freedom and you want to supervise the BIBLE.. word of GOD????? Who the fark are you??? You will meet GOD and he will surely put you to Hades...
Sorry lah Christians for my unkind words but what do you expect? Be gentle as a dove but ???? like a serpent?
written by arazak, March 12, 2011 23:40:47
This porn star do not know about Islam, Christianity or for that matter any other religion. He only knows oral sex, cow-girl, reverse cowgirl, missionary, doggy style, spooning, etc. etc!
written by cpchen, March 12, 2011 23:20:19
This shameless porn-star want to be vocal in POLITIC but remember, BIBLE & Religion is not POLITIC. Stupid fool.
written by earthman, March 12, 2011 23:00:26
The government controlled the religious practice of Muslims and Islam. Therefore they assume that other religions must be controlled like Islam. A good example would be the recent raid and arrest of Shiite Muslims. To them all practice even believing or faith must be approved by them before it can be carry out.
written by eloofk, March 12, 2011 22:46:03
This Porn Star has no morality to speak on something religious!!!
written by alpha1, March 13, 2011 14:26:19
Typo-apostrophes on knows... wild imagination running whenever PornStar Leks name is mentioned!
written by alpha1, March 13, 2011 14:21:12
He know's no shame.. He know's no embarassment... He know's nothing except coming from behind and he's none other than the Make Chinese Angry president.. PornStar Lek! How dare a person with no integrity like him touch on religious issue? Shameless traitor!!
written by Concerned_Citizen, March 13, 2011 11:30:23
Don't touch on religious issue, go and watch out for your porn video collections, don't let your master steal them!!! Talking about morality and religions, go talk cxxx!!!!!
written by batsman, March 13, 2011 10:57:48
This immoral and sinful man also sees fit to comment on Cikgu Mala wearing gloves when shaking hands with males voters. He is shamelessly playing the role of UMNO's gangster and provocateur.
written by Alice, March 13, 2011 09:02:25
Chua Soi Lek should go for some serious soul searching. How about giving up on porno and joining a monastery for a while Chua?
written by malsia1206, March 13, 2011 00:22:10
A pornographic actor commenting on what the Bible is all about? Is this the best MCA can offer?
written by albert zacharias, March 13, 2011 00:03:55
Dear Soiled Leg...
Your sex DVD with a woman who is not your wife can be circulated with freedom and you want to supervise the BIBLE.. word of GOD????? Who the fark are you??? You will meet GOD and he will surely put you to Hades...
Sorry lah Christians for my unkind words but what do you expect? Be gentle as a dove but ???? like a serpent?
written by arazak, March 12, 2011 23:40:47
This porn star do not know about Islam, Christianity or for that matter any other religion. He only knows oral sex, cow-girl, reverse cowgirl, missionary, doggy style, spooning, etc. etc!
written by cpchen, March 12, 2011 23:20:19
This shameless porn-star want to be vocal in POLITIC but remember, BIBLE & Religion is not POLITIC. Stupid fool.
written by earthman, March 12, 2011 23:00:26
The government controlled the religious practice of Muslims and Islam. Therefore they assume that other religions must be controlled like Islam. A good example would be the recent raid and arrest of Shiite Muslims. To them all practice even believing or faith must be approved by them before it can be carry out.
written by eloofk, March 12, 2011 22:46:03
This Porn Star has no morality to speak on something religious!!!
ORIGINAL POSTING http://www.malaysia-today.net
**Note certain word/s have been censored here (in Blue)**
Eclimo electric two-wheelers debut
Star Motoring
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 5:22 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Homegrown Eclimo Sdn Bhd has unveiled three models of its own-developed electric two-wheelers, promising consumers with an alternative riding experience that is environmentally-friendly, smooth and quiet.
The models are the ES 10 and ES11 scooters, and the EB25 motorcycle which are powered by in-wheel electric motors and lithium batteries with a recharging time of 3.5 hours using a normal household wall socket.
The ES10 and ES11 promise a performance of a 125cc scooter with a top speed of 100kph and a range of 100km.
The ES10 looks similar to a normal scooter while the ES11 has a more futuristic look with body panels covering up most parts of the machine.
The EB25 motorcycle, meanwhile, is the most powerful of the trio and claims a performance of a 200cc motorcycle with a top speed of 150kph and a range of 160km.
The EB25, which is designed in Japan, bears a sleek and futuristic look that could be something straight out of a Tron movie set. It has an electronic instrument panel and comes with LED head and tail lights.
The electric two-wheelers were unveiled by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin here today.
Eclimo chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman said lithium batteries offer greater performance and were environmentally friendlier compared again lead-acid batteries which were banned in several countries.
He also said the sales of the electric two-wheelers would begin after the Road Transport Ministry’s vehicle-type approval was obtained.
The Road Transport Act was amended last November and now allows electric-powered vehicles to be used on public roads.
Eclimo director K.B. Woo said all models come with a five-year warranty on body and parts, and a three-year warranty on battery.
The lithium batteries are produced by Penang-based ETI Tech (M) Sdn Bhd using lithium cells from Panasonic, while the two-wheelers are assembled by Naza.
“We are expected to launch the ES11 in two month’s time and the other models soon after,” he said.
Woo said the company was finalising its nationwide dealership which might have between 180 to 200 dealers in 12 months’ time.
To help Malaysian own the ES11, Woo said the company had worked out a financial package with a local financial institution and MasterCard consisting of a RM199 monthly payment for a five-year period.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 5:22 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Homegrown Eclimo Sdn Bhd has unveiled three models of its own-developed electric two-wheelers, promising consumers with an alternative riding experience that is environmentally-friendly, smooth and quiet.
 |
| The ES11 scooter will be the first to start selling in June. |
The ES10 and ES11 promise a performance of a 125cc scooter with a top speed of 100kph and a range of 100km.
The ES10 looks similar to a normal scooter while the ES11 has a more futuristic look with body panels covering up most parts of the machine.
The EB25 motorcycle, meanwhile, is the most powerful of the trio and claims a performance of a 200cc motorcycle with a top speed of 150kph and a range of 160km.
The EB25, which is designed in Japan, bears a sleek and futuristic look that could be something straight out of a Tron movie set. It has an electronic instrument panel and comes with LED head and tail lights.
The electric two-wheelers were unveiled by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin here today.
 |
| The Eclimo EB25 electric motorcycle (left) and ES11 electric scooter. |
He also said the sales of the electric two-wheelers would begin after the Road Transport Ministry’s vehicle-type approval was obtained.
The Road Transport Act was amended last November and now allows electric-powered vehicles to be used on public roads.
Eclimo director K.B. Woo said all models come with a five-year warranty on body and parts, and a three-year warranty on battery.
The lithium batteries are produced by Penang-based ETI Tech (M) Sdn Bhd using lithium cells from Panasonic, while the two-wheelers are assembled by Naza.
“We are expected to launch the ES11 in two month’s time and the other models soon after,” he said.
Woo said the company was finalising its nationwide dealership which might have between 180 to 200 dealers in 12 months’ time.
To help Malaysian own the ES11, Woo said the company had worked out a financial package with a local financial institution and MasterCard consisting of a RM199 monthly payment for a five-year period.
Speech at the unveiling of three Eclimo electric motorcycles
Submitted by webmaster on Wed, 2011-03-16 12:00
Speech at the unveiling of three Eclimo electric motorcycles by Dato Sri Ong Tee Keat
Ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me great honour and pleasure to be given this opportunity to address everyone present.
I am honoured because at least, in my short stint as transport minister, I am still remembered for having encouraged the venturing into green technology in the transport sector.
Pleasure because it is a historic occasion for Malaysia’s foray into electric vehicles (EVs) and to be part of this unveiling.
While as transport minister, transport-environment related issues had bugged my conscience.
I told myself that Malaysia and mankind cannot go on polluting our beautiful earth and hope for a prosperous future for our generations.
As transport minister, it was therefore incumbent on me to try and encourage businessmen to seriously venture into cleaner alternative modes of transport.
EVs are definitely cleaner than fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. The only hitch is technology and cost. But we have to start from somewhere.
With today’s unveiling and launch of sales soon, Malaysian businessmen have taken a giant leap into reforming transport and the way man commutes daily.
As in everything else, the cost of EVs is expected to be brought down over time due to competition and aggressive Research & Development (R&D). Just look at technology development of wireless hand phones and lap tops. They are getting more and more affordable by the day.
That is due to demand, R&D and healthy competition.
Transport is one of the biggest culprits of air pollution, contributing to global warming concerns via exhaust pipe emissions.
Let us also not forget the traffic congestions in the cities.
Up to end of 2009, the number of active petrol and diesel-powered vehicles on the road, according to Road Transport Department records, is 19 million. Of the 19 million fossil-fuel powered motor vehicles, 8.9 million are motorcycles.
Can you imagine how much cleaner our environment will be when EVs replace all those polluting motor vehicles that are on the roads today.
The rapid pace of economic development and the need to overcome traffic congestion makes it all that urgent for the government to really encourage businessmen to tap the tremendous potential for EVs, especially starting with electric motorcycles.
Why electric motorcycles? There is growing consensus that electric vehicles are the closest “near to market” green technology.
The battery technology, particularly the application of lithium batteries, has been developing rapidly. The cost of this technology is falling while petrol/diesel fuel prices continue to rise. Fossil fuel prices are likely to continue to rise in the future, making EVs more cost-effective.
EVs are also softer on maintenance compared with conventional motor vehicles, thus contributing to reducing consumer cost.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Based on my years of experience with the government, the success of any initiative will depend on how committed we are in enforcing a policy.
In this case, whatever is the government’s Green Agenda or Green Technology policies, the political will to ensure strict and efficient enforcement will determine success or failure.
To realise the holistic green policies, enforcement must be based on the adopting of truly green technology. Therefore, cost must never be the overriding factor in enforcement and approvals.
If there is a premium to be paid by consumers for adopting truly green technology, so be it, as long as it is commercially viable.
We might as well not venture into EVs if approvals are based only on the lowest cost. Cheap is not always cleaner. Neither is it of better technology.
Enforcement agencies must, therefore, be suitably knowledgeable in the technicalities of green technology in order to make the right decisions.
Once a wrong decision is made and implemented, it is an awesome task to withdraw, as demonstrated in the past.
To propel Malaysia into taking a global lead in green technology and tackling global warming issues, the government must be fully committed to implementing holistic policies.
I see the government taking a step in the right direction by introducing a green technology ministry last year and for tax cuts in EVs in the Budget for this year.
That is a good start and of course there is much more to be done to forward Malaysia’s green agenda.
I wish everyone all the best in playing a role in greening our environment.
ORIGINAL POST From http://ongteekeat.net
Speech at the unveiling of three Eclimo electric motorcycles by Dato Sri Ong Tee Keat
Ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me great honour and pleasure to be given this opportunity to address everyone present.
I am honoured because at least, in my short stint as transport minister, I am still remembered for having encouraged the venturing into green technology in the transport sector.
Pleasure because it is a historic occasion for Malaysia’s foray into electric vehicles (EVs) and to be part of this unveiling.
While as transport minister, transport-environment related issues had bugged my conscience.
I told myself that Malaysia and mankind cannot go on polluting our beautiful earth and hope for a prosperous future for our generations.
As transport minister, it was therefore incumbent on me to try and encourage businessmen to seriously venture into cleaner alternative modes of transport.
EVs are definitely cleaner than fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. The only hitch is technology and cost. But we have to start from somewhere.
With today’s unveiling and launch of sales soon, Malaysian businessmen have taken a giant leap into reforming transport and the way man commutes daily.
As in everything else, the cost of EVs is expected to be brought down over time due to competition and aggressive Research & Development (R&D). Just look at technology development of wireless hand phones and lap tops. They are getting more and more affordable by the day.
That is due to demand, R&D and healthy competition.
Transport is one of the biggest culprits of air pollution, contributing to global warming concerns via exhaust pipe emissions.
Let us also not forget the traffic congestions in the cities.
Up to end of 2009, the number of active petrol and diesel-powered vehicles on the road, according to Road Transport Department records, is 19 million. Of the 19 million fossil-fuel powered motor vehicles, 8.9 million are motorcycles.
Can you imagine how much cleaner our environment will be when EVs replace all those polluting motor vehicles that are on the roads today.
The rapid pace of economic development and the need to overcome traffic congestion makes it all that urgent for the government to really encourage businessmen to tap the tremendous potential for EVs, especially starting with electric motorcycles.
Why electric motorcycles? There is growing consensus that electric vehicles are the closest “near to market” green technology.
The battery technology, particularly the application of lithium batteries, has been developing rapidly. The cost of this technology is falling while petrol/diesel fuel prices continue to rise. Fossil fuel prices are likely to continue to rise in the future, making EVs more cost-effective.
EVs are also softer on maintenance compared with conventional motor vehicles, thus contributing to reducing consumer cost.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Based on my years of experience with the government, the success of any initiative will depend on how committed we are in enforcing a policy.
In this case, whatever is the government’s Green Agenda or Green Technology policies, the political will to ensure strict and efficient enforcement will determine success or failure.
To realise the holistic green policies, enforcement must be based on the adopting of truly green technology. Therefore, cost must never be the overriding factor in enforcement and approvals.
If there is a premium to be paid by consumers for adopting truly green technology, so be it, as long as it is commercially viable.
We might as well not venture into EVs if approvals are based only on the lowest cost. Cheap is not always cleaner. Neither is it of better technology.
Enforcement agencies must, therefore, be suitably knowledgeable in the technicalities of green technology in order to make the right decisions.
Once a wrong decision is made and implemented, it is an awesome task to withdraw, as demonstrated in the past.
To propel Malaysia into taking a global lead in green technology and tackling global warming issues, the government must be fully committed to implementing holistic policies.
I see the government taking a step in the right direction by introducing a green technology ministry last year and for tax cuts in EVs in the Budget for this year.
That is a good start and of course there is much more to be done to forward Malaysia’s green agenda.
I wish everyone all the best in playing a role in greening our environment.
ORIGINAL POST From http://ongteekeat.net
13 March 2011
Is Chua arrogant or just a lousy politician?
Stanley Koh
freemalaysiatoday
March 12, 2011
The MCA president’s recent utterances make us suspect that he has lost both his cool and honesty.
The latest controversy surrounding MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek should explain why more and more people are finding it easier to believe in comedians than in politicians.
Chua’s recent “4-letter word” rampage on Twitter.com has quickly become famous. The offensive tweets to his critics – as well as his response to critics of the tweets – speak of a politician who has lost both his cool and his honesty.
In a 2008 press interview, he was asked whether he was misled into publicly apologising for appearing in a sex video.
“I maintain an active public life, continue to receive invitations and nobody talks about it anymore,” he said.
“There is a Chinese magazine which went to do a survey and found that most of the people find it a very private affair.”
The reply implied that he believed the public had forgiven him. He might have been right. Unfortunately, though, many have refused to forget his indiscretion.
In the same interview, he was asked to rate himself as a politician.
His response: “The public is a better judge. I do my work, I call a spade a spade and that offends a lot of people. That’s why some say I am a lousy politician.”
Why has he now retaliated against critics of his tweets in a manner that is so contradictory to the stance he took in 2008? Is it because he is now the MCA president?
Why would he refuse to admit to the hidden vulgarity of his messages?
Does he think the public is stupid?
Instead, he has accused opposition politicians of overplaying the issue, preposterously suggesting they were taking revenge for losing in recent by-elections.
Or is Chua so sure that Chinese voters are returning to support his party that he thinks it does not matter how arrogant he appears in the public eye?
The truth is that while the Twitter episode is the talk of the cyber circuit, MCA itself is virtually invisible to the public radar. Many have already written it off as a political party.
Significant event
Nobody bothers or even knows about MCA events, such as tomorrow’s extraordinary general meeting, which is in fact a significant event. It is to debate whether to amend the party constitution to allow for postponement of internal elections.
A high-level party official said Chua would prefer that the elections go ahead considering that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak might call for a general election within these two years. Chua wants a clear mandate to lead his party into the general election.
Yet, some party insiders contend that his political survival is synonymous with his ability to draw back the Chinese votes for the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Will he able to pull back those votes at the next general election? Will he be able to make the improbable probable, the way he made his political comeback by being elected party president despite a sex scandal?
His ability to project his non-involvement in 2008’s “MCA Snoop Squad” affair and the “Save MCA” campaign spoke much about his capabilities in political manoeuvring.
In 2008, when asked to comment on the MCA’s internal politics, he said:
“There must be room for consensus and freedom to be critical. Something is wrong when everybody sings the same tune.”
In 2009, in a party campaign against his expulsion, he said: “I support my plan to bring back integrity and I want to come back as an ordinary MCA member. I want to retire as a MCA member.”
Chua succeeded in returning into the party’s fold, not as an ordinary member but as party president, in 2010. He beat a former president, Ong Ka Ting, and incumbent Ong Tee Keat.
What he has failed to bring back is that elusive “integrity”.
Political survival
Some pundits believe that Chua’s political survival hinges on his ability to help BN regain its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The recent BN claim that it has managed to draw back Malay and Indian votes, if true, is a breather to Chua because it means that his party stands a good chance of winning many mixed electoral seats that it will contest.
The dip in popularity of PKR (because of controversial internal elections) and PAS (over the lottery ban) has also boosted the fighting morale within MCA.
What is worrying are the Chinese-majority and urban seats to be contested against the DAP.
Can MCA overcome uncertainties about its electoral future by winning more of the popular votes? In 2008, it captured only 84,0489 popular votes. That was shameful, considering that it had more than one million members. Since then, it has registered thousands of new members. We will have to wait to see whether the larger membership will translate into a bigger share of popular votes.
Allegations are flying around in cyberspace that in recent by-elections, MCA blatantly bought votes and that the so-called 1Malaysia NGO that distributed goodies during the campaigns is associated with the party.
Not too long ago, when asked to comment on MCA’s political strength, Chua said the party could be looked at as having two domains – the structural domain and the personality domain.
“Structurally,” he said, “the party is good and very strong in networking.”
The trouble is in the “personality” sphere. A long-standing problem with the party is the public perception that its leaders lack integrity and credibility. Chua’s recent 4-letter outbursts and the dragging to court of former party president Dr Ling Liong Sik and former transport minister Chan Kong Choy over the PKFZ scandal will not help much in erasing this prejudice.
Within the party, potential challengers against Chua and his key supporters are just biding their time. Who knows, something might happen, and then it will be time again to “cleanse” the party of “tainted” leaders.
Chua has more than once spoken of “divine help”. Will he be needing it again?
The answers to some of our questions may or may not unfold in the near or distant future. For now we are certain of only one thing – that whatever MCA pledges to do, it will continue to be subservient to Umno. At the same time, as long as MCA does not have credible support from the Chinese, it will be a parasite on Umno.
Stankey Koh is the former head of MCA’s research unit.
freemalaysiatoday
March 12, 2011
The MCA president’s recent utterances make us suspect that he has lost both his cool and honesty.
The latest controversy surrounding MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek should explain why more and more people are finding it easier to believe in comedians than in politicians.
Chua’s recent “4-letter word” rampage on Twitter.com has quickly become famous. The offensive tweets to his critics – as well as his response to critics of the tweets – speak of a politician who has lost both his cool and his honesty.
In a 2008 press interview, he was asked whether he was misled into publicly apologising for appearing in a sex video.
“I maintain an active public life, continue to receive invitations and nobody talks about it anymore,” he said.
“There is a Chinese magazine which went to do a survey and found that most of the people find it a very private affair.”
The reply implied that he believed the public had forgiven him. He might have been right. Unfortunately, though, many have refused to forget his indiscretion.
In the same interview, he was asked to rate himself as a politician.
His response: “The public is a better judge. I do my work, I call a spade a spade and that offends a lot of people. That’s why some say I am a lousy politician.”
Why has he now retaliated against critics of his tweets in a manner that is so contradictory to the stance he took in 2008? Is it because he is now the MCA president?
Why would he refuse to admit to the hidden vulgarity of his messages?
Does he think the public is stupid?
Instead, he has accused opposition politicians of overplaying the issue, preposterously suggesting they were taking revenge for losing in recent by-elections.
Or is Chua so sure that Chinese voters are returning to support his party that he thinks it does not matter how arrogant he appears in the public eye?
The truth is that while the Twitter episode is the talk of the cyber circuit, MCA itself is virtually invisible to the public radar. Many have already written it off as a political party.
Significant event
Nobody bothers or even knows about MCA events, such as tomorrow’s extraordinary general meeting, which is in fact a significant event. It is to debate whether to amend the party constitution to allow for postponement of internal elections.
A high-level party official said Chua would prefer that the elections go ahead considering that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak might call for a general election within these two years. Chua wants a clear mandate to lead his party into the general election.
Yet, some party insiders contend that his political survival is synonymous with his ability to draw back the Chinese votes for the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Will he able to pull back those votes at the next general election? Will he be able to make the improbable probable, the way he made his political comeback by being elected party president despite a sex scandal?
His ability to project his non-involvement in 2008’s “MCA Snoop Squad” affair and the “Save MCA” campaign spoke much about his capabilities in political manoeuvring.
In 2008, when asked to comment on the MCA’s internal politics, he said:
“There must be room for consensus and freedom to be critical. Something is wrong when everybody sings the same tune.”
In 2009, in a party campaign against his expulsion, he said: “I support my plan to bring back integrity and I want to come back as an ordinary MCA member. I want to retire as a MCA member.”
Chua succeeded in returning into the party’s fold, not as an ordinary member but as party president, in 2010. He beat a former president, Ong Ka Ting, and incumbent Ong Tee Keat.
What he has failed to bring back is that elusive “integrity”.
Political survival
Some pundits believe that Chua’s political survival hinges on his ability to help BN regain its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The recent BN claim that it has managed to draw back Malay and Indian votes, if true, is a breather to Chua because it means that his party stands a good chance of winning many mixed electoral seats that it will contest.
The dip in popularity of PKR (because of controversial internal elections) and PAS (over the lottery ban) has also boosted the fighting morale within MCA.
What is worrying are the Chinese-majority and urban seats to be contested against the DAP.
Can MCA overcome uncertainties about its electoral future by winning more of the popular votes? In 2008, it captured only 84,0489 popular votes. That was shameful, considering that it had more than one million members. Since then, it has registered thousands of new members. We will have to wait to see whether the larger membership will translate into a bigger share of popular votes.
Allegations are flying around in cyberspace that in recent by-elections, MCA blatantly bought votes and that the so-called 1Malaysia NGO that distributed goodies during the campaigns is associated with the party.
Not too long ago, when asked to comment on MCA’s political strength, Chua said the party could be looked at as having two domains – the structural domain and the personality domain.
“Structurally,” he said, “the party is good and very strong in networking.”
The trouble is in the “personality” sphere. A long-standing problem with the party is the public perception that its leaders lack integrity and credibility. Chua’s recent 4-letter outbursts and the dragging to court of former party president Dr Ling Liong Sik and former transport minister Chan Kong Choy over the PKFZ scandal will not help much in erasing this prejudice.
Within the party, potential challengers against Chua and his key supporters are just biding their time. Who knows, something might happen, and then it will be time again to “cleanse” the party of “tainted” leaders.
Chua has more than once spoken of “divine help”. Will he be needing it again?
The answers to some of our questions may or may not unfold in the near or distant future. For now we are certain of only one thing – that whatever MCA pledges to do, it will continue to be subservient to Umno. At the same time, as long as MCA does not have credible support from the Chinese, it will be a parasite on Umno.
Stankey Koh is the former head of MCA’s research unit.
03 March 2011
Good to pass this on to your children....
This is a powerful message in our modern society. We seemed to have lost our bearings & our sense of direction.
One, young, academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.
He passed the first interview. The director who did the last interview, made the last decision.
The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research. He never had a year when he did not score.
The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" The youth answered "none".
The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old. It was my mother who paid for my school fees."
The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as a clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.
The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me."
The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands and then see me tomorrow morning."
The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to her son.
The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tears fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled and that there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.
This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes every day to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.
After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.
That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.
The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes and asked, " Can you tell me what you did and learned yesterday in your house?"
The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hands, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes.'
The Director asked, " Please tell me your feelings."
The youth said,
- Number 1, I know now the meaning of appreciation. Without my mother, there would not be the successful me today.
- Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only now I realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.
The director said, " This is what I am looking for in my new manager.
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. Son,you are hired."
Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.
A child, who has been over protected and habitually given whatever he or she wanted, would develop the entitlement mentality and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. This kind of person, may be good academically and may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel a sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more.
 If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?*
You can let your kid live in a big house, eat good meals, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let him experience it. After a meal, let him wash his plates and bowls together with his brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love him in the right way. You want him to understand, no matter how rich his parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young man . The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. Son,you are hired."
Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.
A child, who has been over protected and habitually given whatever he or she wanted, would develop the entitlement mentality and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. This kind of person, may be good academically and may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel a sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more.
 If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?*
You can let your kid live in a big house, eat good meals, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let him experience it. After a meal, let him wash his plates and bowls together with his brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love him in the right way. You want him to understand, no matter how rich his parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young man . The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.
02 March 2011
Water arrears dispute with Syabas resolved
News Date: Wed, 2011-03-02
By OTK Info Unit
KUALA LUPUR (March 1, 2011): The outstanding accumulated water bill arrears dispute of nine blocks of Taman Lembah Maju apartment residents with SYABAS have been resolved.
By OTK Info Unit
KUALA LUPUR (March 1, 2011): The outstanding accumulated water bill arrears dispute of nine blocks of Taman Lembah Maju apartment residents with SYABAS have been resolved.
Pandan MP Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat announced at a Chinese New Year community rally dinner on Feb 16 that SYABAS executive chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail had agreed to a review of the arrears based on residential instead of commercial rates from Jan 1, 2008.
“The details of the arrears are to be ironed out in due course and there will be no water cuts as long as the current bills are remitted accordingly,” he said to the cheers of those present.
Shortly before Chinese New Year, the threat of water cut was again looming for the residents.
“The details of the arrears are to be ironed out in due course and there will be no water cuts as long as the current bills are remitted accordingly,” he said to the cheers of those present.
Shortly before Chinese New Year, the threat of water cut was again looming for the residents.
SYABAS, Selangor’s water concessionaire, had issued an ultimatum to all property owners to settle their arrears dating back to 2008 or water supply would be cut.
The residents approached Ong to help settle the dispute but they were skeptical that their MP would be able to resolve the impasse amid negative speculations that he would be dropped by the Barisan Nasional in the next general election.
Ong, however, hurriedly arranged with SYABAS for immediate negotiations for an amicable solution.
As early as 2005, the residents had been remitting their water bills at commercial rates unknowingly.
The residents approached Ong to help settle the dispute but they were skeptical that their MP would be able to resolve the impasse amid negative speculations that he would be dropped by the Barisan Nasional in the next general election.
Ong, however, hurriedly arranged with SYABAS for immediate negotiations for an amicable solution.
As early as 2005, the residents had been remitting their water bills at commercial rates unknowingly.
The Joint Management Board (JMB) comprising the residents grudgingly took over the arrears on Jan 1, 2008, but the unjust remittance at commercial rates was only discovered last July when Ong detected the error while scrutinising the residents’ complaints.
This was immediately addressed by SYABAS through Ong’s help and the rate was revised from RM2.28 per cubic metre (commercial rate) to RM 1.38 per cubic metre (residential rate) effective last July 2010.
However, the arrears remained unresolved as negotiations with SYABAS hit snag. This led to the pre-Chinese New Year water-cut threat in January.
Ong quickly spearheaded fresh negotiations with a proposed formula that was acceptable to SYABAS.
This was immediately addressed by SYABAS through Ong’s help and the rate was revised from RM2.28 per cubic metre (commercial rate) to RM 1.38 per cubic metre (residential rate) effective last July 2010.
However, the arrears remained unresolved as negotiations with SYABAS hit snag. This led to the pre-Chinese New Year water-cut threat in January.
Ong quickly spearheaded fresh negotiations with a proposed formula that was acceptable to SYABAS.
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