Anwar should do the honourable thing and resign from office, says The Star - do you agree?

I do not wish to be seen doing "The Star" bashing but unfortunately, this is the only newspaper left that I read. Whilst, I want to remain apolitical, each time I read an article which I find so unfair that I have to add my 2 sens worth.

I also wanted to comment on last Sunday's THE STAR SAYS but did not have the time. It was also an article attacking the opposition.

I read the newspaper articles about the video and whilst one expert from Korea said that he was sure the man in the video is Anwar Ibrahim. However, the others said that the video is original and undoctored. I may not be the most smartest person but surely these two statements do not have the same conclusion?

The spin is getting more and more unrealistic. Why they want to treating us as fools? If you have facts, then just report the facts, don't spin and spin.

Until the next time, cheers.

Sunday June 26, 2011

Anwar should do the honourable thing and resign from office

THE STAR SAYS

MULTIPLE expert analyses have now identified Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the man in the sex video.

But his unlikely resignation from public office will remain unlikely, since public interest here is easily shunted aside.

Earlier, a local video professional and a Korean expert had also pronounced the video as genuine and undoctored.

Now Prof Hany Farid and Asst Prof Lorenzo Torresani of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire concur with those findings. Dartmouth is a top-notch Ivy League institution and among the most distinguished educational establishments in the world.

Prof Farid himself, a leading researcher and chair of Dartmouth’s Neukom Institute for Computational Science, had even developed some of the latest techniques of video analysis.

All the available evidence and all the best forensic science now point overwhelmingly to Anwar.

Farid and Torresani’s findings are said to be of “99.99%” certainty because to be 100% certain, a witness would have to be in the room at the time. That person is Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, who never had any doubts who was with him in the room.

But none of this will suffice for those who would insist on argument by denial.

A familiar combination of denial, spin and protestation would junk key witness testimony and top forensic analyses.

Reasonable people now know the truth, however much those with desperate political ambitions may deny and distort it.

PKR’s partners in DAP and PAS must also know what they are unable to bring themselves to acknowledge publicly.

Adultery or even patronising a prostitute may not seem such a great crime. However, the stakes multiply for a Muslim leader, particularly one with an Islamist background who is aiming for the highest public office in the land.

PAS had earlier said it might have to review its Pakatan partnership with PKR if Anwar is the man in the video. Since there is no longer any reasonable doubt that he is, PAS now has to do the honourable thing as a reputedly forthright party with vaunted moral values.

But if nothing changes within PKR or Pakatan, that should also be no surprise.

In politics, doing what is honourable can often be difficult, especially for those who like to accuse their opponents of all kinds of intrigue and plots.

The Star begins the attacks

The frequency in which The Star has recently made attacks on the opposition governments of Penang and Selangor is probably a sign of the inpending general elections. While we all know that The Star is controlled by MCA and being a member of the BN is also part of the Government.

Last week, in an editorial, they questioned Yayasan Selangor but in my opinion, the Pakatan government has achieved much more than the earlier BN Government if we take into account the resources available to them.

Issues on the massage centres and illegal advertisements are other issues being brought up but again who started all these in the first place?

Today, The Star brought up the issue of independent councillors. For me, this is a non issue. I think the local government today is much more transparent than in the past but still way off from being satisfactory. They seem to work harder also now.

I am not a member of any political party but I think the problem with BN is that they have lost touch with the people and their needs as they have governed since independence. I feel that they have forgotten that government is to serve the people and not the other way around.

Therefore, it is good to have some opposition to ensure that they do not forget this. When one is fearful, then one may work harder for those who voted them in. I am really hoping for this.

I think both sides have good and bad leaders and elected representatives. Therefore, we should vote for the right people and not just the right party. If this happens, then the elected representative will have to work for the rakyat and do the right thing. Then, there will be check and balance.

Am I dreaming? Can this ever be achieved? Even if not but enough people try, then I am sure that we can well be on our way to a better place to live.

Until the next time, cheers.

MACC man slashed outside his house

Read this article in The New Straits Times today, 22 June 2011 (Wednesday). Working for MACC is becoming hazardous. If they don't take action, people complaint and if they do, their life is in danger. Earlier another MACC man had his car splashed with red paint just 2 weeks ago, I think. 

How can we read this? Again weak leadership. If we want success, our leaders must have the will power to see it through. Obviously, if our leaders only provide lip service, then anything we do will only be for superficial purpose.

I watched the ICAC movie (not sure how much is true) but at the beginning, they faced huge obstacle but in the end ICAC is now one of the most respected agency. 

So, do we have it in Malaysia? Time will tell.

Until the next time, cheers.

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation department officer was attacked by six men in front of his house in Sungai Besi here yesterday. 

Moses Lawrence, 36, was closing the front gate of his Taman Sungai Besi Indah house to go to work in Putrajaya when the men, armed with parang, attacked him about 6.30am.

Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Adnan Abdullah said the victim, who had served in MACC for more than 10 years, was slashed on his left hand when he tried to block a man from slashing him.

"The victim, however, managed to run and entered his car, which he had left with the engine running, and drove away.

"He was sent to Serdang Hospital by his wife, who was also in the car when the incident occurred.

"He is warded at the hospital and in stable condition. Police believe that this was a robbery attempt."

Adnan said police were still investigating the incident, adding that no eye-witnesses had come forward yet.

It was learnt that Lawrence is an investigation officer attached to the MACC headquarters' forensics investigation unit.

MACC deputy director-general Datuk Shukri Abdul, when met at the hospital, declined to comment on the incident as it was being investigated by police.

"I cannot be making presumptions on what had happened. Neither do we know the motive behind the attack -- whether it was a robbery or some other motive."

An MACC source said he believed that the attack was not an attempted robbery as the assailants went straight for the victim and started attacking him, without trying to take any of his valuables.

"It is not a robbery. The victim was attacked by three men, who were moments later joined by three others."

Another source from the commission said the victim was one of the key officers investigating numerous high- profile cases.

"He is one of the officers whom we regard as an old-timer and is very well respected. He was involved in investigating high-profile cases nationwide, including conducting undercover jobs," said the source.

The New Straits Times visited the hospital and tried to get an inter-view with Lawrence but was not allowed to enter his room which is well guarded.

I think this man deserves "The Best Father" award

This article appeared in The Star, Wednesday, 15 June 2011. I know we that we always talk about how lucky we are and probably shed a tear or two whenever we read a sad story. Somehow, when I read this story (probably for the upcoming Father's day, this Sunday), I really felt for this man. To me, he is more of a hero than most people. It is people like him that gives hope to this world that there are still good people in this sea of greed and selfishness.

It is amazing to see his ability to be positive and cheerfully response to the challenges whilst most of us would probably have given up. You can see the joy the children gives to him and also the love he has for them and vice versa. All the money in this world cannot give us that. Most of the time, it is the opposite, family with wealth but lacking the love and joy.

I offer up a prayer for him that he will continue to have the inner strength and love for his family and that God will also bless him and family both spiritually and materially.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers.

Until the next time, cheers.

A father's dedication to his disabled child

Chong is his happiest when he is with his children.

By WONG LI ZA
Photos by AZHAR MAHFOF

Chong Yu Xi n was born premature at six-and-a-half months. Her mother’s water broke while she was mopping the floor, resulting in an emergency delivery.

Now 10, Yu Xin suffers from spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy where the person’s arms and legs have abnormal stiffness. Her right arm is also shorter than her left by about one foot (0.3m). She also has attention deficit disorder (ADD) and very poor eyesight. She wears leg braces and walks with the help of a walker.

Yu Xin and her brother Kai Jet, eight, are taken care of by their father Chong Hoi Khow, 42, who operates a noodle stall in Ampang Tasik Permai in Selangor.

Their mother left when they were younger but now visits them two or three times a month. She also takes Yu Xin for her medical checkups.

Currently, Yu Xin can converse in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Cantonese. Her voice is soft and she breaks into a smile easily. It has been six years since Yu Xin started going to the Special Children Society of Ampang (SCSOA) in Selangor – the not-forprofit organisation where she learns to read and write. She also undergoes an hour of physiotherapy every morning, as well as hydrotherapy and fine motor skills training. Her father pays RM300 a month for all the sessions and lessons.

“Since going to SCSOA, she has become more talkative and sociable, and has learnt to speak English and Bahasa Malaysia. The centre has done a lot for her physically, too,” says Chong. When Yu Xin first enrolled there, her legs were crossed over and it took five teachers to hold her during her physiotherapy sessions.

 

Chong takes his daughter by motorcycle to the Special Children Society of Ampang every weekday.

Chong sends Yu Xin by motorcycle to the centre every weekday morning. After she finishes class at noon, the society’s van takes her to her father’s stall in a coffeeshop, where she waits for him to pack up at about 2.30pm before they head home together.

The girl is a familiar face with the shop owners and patrons, many of whom have a soft spot for her.

 

Yu Xin reads while her dad works at his noodle stall in a coffeeshop.

“She can be very cheeky. When she hears customers order kopi-o, she will also order a cup. She understands everything and can answer questions posed to her,” says Chong in Cantonese, with a hint of pride.

Home to the family is a rented place nearby, located above a shoplot. Chong shares the small unit with his sister, who works in the hotel industry.

He usually carries Yu Xin all the way up the dark and dank stairway.
 

Chong carrying Yu Xin up the stairs to their rented home in Ampang Tasik Permai.

He then bathes Yu Xin.

“She loves to take her bath and fiddle with the tap,” says Chong.

After her bath, she plays with simple things like plastic boxes and coins in a container; sometimes she flips through her brother’ s old school books, or watches TV.

“She loves to listen to Malay songs and sing them, too,” Chong adds.

Despite his hardship, Chong maintains a jovial disposition.

His hope for the future is that Yu Xin will be able to walk without aid.

“Most important is for her to learn to walk and take care of herself. The doctors initially told us she should be able to walk by seven or eight years old. Now, she is already 10,” says Chong, in a somewhat dejected tone.

“Sometimes when I think about her future, I will worry,” he says.
 

Chong helping Yu Xin to put on her leg braces. (Below) Chong, after work, with Yu Xin, who also has poor eyesight, and her brother Kai Jet.

The story of Sung-Bong Choi on Korea Got Talent

I was really amazed by the story of this 22 year old Korean. His story is one of pure personal strength. After what he has to go through out  his life and yet without a trace of bitterness is amazing. He also told his story only when asked and did not do it in a way to seek sympathy or pity.

It really hit me when he said he ran away from the orphanage at aged 5 after some people beat him up and have lived on the streets for more than 10 years. I wonder how many 5 year old can even fend for themselves for a day. 

This should be a story for all children living in comfortable surrounding that your problems can be very small in comparison to others.

I hope that with this video, he will now be able to live his dream and his life will be much better from now. God bless him.

The Youtube link is :    http://youtu.be/BewknNW2b8Y

Taking care fo the maids' welfare

P Gunasegaram in his Question Time column has written on an issue that has been on my mind for some time. I have always had the opinion that the short end of the deal is always the poor maid. I am very sure that if the agents' fees (both local and foreign) are reduced to a reasonable level, most employers would be only too happy to give the maid an increase they deserve.

As in most things in Malaysia, the "layering" cost is getting from bad to worse. Costs increase without any value added. The agents always complaint that they do not get much. If this is the case, then "open the books". Are there people who are skimming from the top?

We must recognise from a practical point of view that Malaysia need these maids. Therefore, it should be the Government's priority to look properly into the issues. We must abolish wastages or unwarranted costs to make us more efficient. If not, these costs will be passed on indirectly to all anyway sooner or later.

With all the tranformation talk and all the big words and acronymns, let's talk less and do more.

Below is the article from The Star.

The Star, 8 June 2011 - Taking care of maids’ welfare

Question Time
By P. Gunasegaram

A fair solution entails just wages, a contract to safeguard the rights of maids and employers, and cutting the take of middlemen.

IT’S a problem prickled with myriad moral and ethical issues. Those who employ maids are concerned with how well they serve them at reasonable cost, but there is an overriding need to ensure that the welfare of the maids is not compromised.

While safeguards to ensure decent working conditions are lacking, net wages are unreasonably low. Middlemen siphon off as much as half what the maids earn in two years. The solution has to be both financial and humanitarian.

Middle Class Malaysia, or MCM, is spoilt. A lot of that has to do with the relative poverty of our neighbours. In how many countries around the world can the middle-class afford to have live-in maids?

At mid-morning coffee sessions or afternoon tea, the conversation among some privileged housewives turns too often to complaints about their maids.

But seldom do they pause to reflect that the leisure that they enjoy is due to the maids they employ. Until things change.

After supply dried up from Indonesia when the country banned exports of maids to Malaysia in June 2009, MCM felt the pinch and turned to other countries such as Cambodia with unsatisfactory results sometimes.

We looked to Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar and Philippines to replace the lost numbers from Indonesia but the laments grew loud and raucous.

Those who could not afford the Filipinos or did not like their relative desire to have a life of their own opted instead for Cambo­dia.

But the cultural and language divide often proved to be too great. If you can’t communicate with your maid and if their way of life is too alien from yours, then you simply can’t get much done without a considerable amount of training.

The crux of the matter is MCM is too dependent on foreign maids, just as a country we have become way too dependent on cheap foreign manual labour. It will not be easy to wean us off from this and it will take time even if we could.

Now a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia and Indonesia promises the return of maids from Indonesia, by far the main source of maids previously. But resistance is likely to come from the middlemen in both the countries because the MOU envisages a significant cut in what the maid agencies receive.

Ensuring fair wages is the most difficult task. Maids pay six months of their future salary to agencies in their home countries and a further six months to the local agency as commission, which is paid in advance by their employers in addition to other fees the employers pay.

That means maids have already lost a year of their two years of salaries – a ridiculous 50% of their compensation goes to the agencies. If the respective governments cut out the middlemen or reduced their cuts, maids will benefit immediately.

But often, in both countries people have to deal with maid agencies whose licences are often obtained by a system of connections and patronage with links to the immigration authorities. This has to be broken.

Currently, employers pay as much as RM6,000 in agency fees to obtain a maid, plus a number of other charges to the Government, medical check-ups and so on which over two years, will take the bill easily up to RM8,000, or RM330 a month over two years. Add that to the maid’s salary of at least RM550 a month and the figure works out to RM880 a month.

They typically pay six months salary in advance to the agencies, which amounts to RM3,300 or a total of around RM11,300 in upfront costs. If the maid leaves after six months, the employer has lost the agency fees and needs to pay up again.

To add insult to injury, the employer has to make a police report and then be fined RM500 by the authorities for – I don’t know what – perhaps contributing to the addition of one more illegal before he can apply for a maid.

The only clear winner in this entire series of transactions is, yes, the maid agency which not only gets paid upfront, provides little if any training typically and takes hardly any risk.

The Malaysian agency takes as much as RM9,300 up front or 70% of the salary that the maid earns in two years.

If you take out the one year in salaries (assumed to be RM550 a month) that the maid pays out to agencies here and abroad, the Malaysian agency alone earns 140% of the net salary of the poor maid. How unfair is that!

Now add on the other humanitarian aspects. Maids come here out of economic necessity and poor living conditions in their home countries.

They leave their families and friends behind, often have no social life and are almost completely at the mercy of their employers.

While many or even most Malaysians are likely to treat their maids decently, there are lots of others who take advantage of them, force them to work long hours, don’t give them a day off even if they want to and mistreat them in a thousand other ways.

It will be foolhardy to rely on human generosity to ensure maids’ rights.

These should instead be written clearly into the contracts, especially the right to a day off if maids want it, minimum hours of sleep and categorising the kind of work they should be doing. And it is important that these rights are explained to the maid.

Yes, I can hear the complaints already. What if the maids run off with their boyfriends, or keep bad company, or don’t want to continue with their work?

Well, as with any other job, that’s risk that the employer has to bear together with his agency. Maids are not chattel to be owned, used or abused by their employers.

As prickly as the maid problem is it can be mitigated by cutting profiteering, recognising the rights of maids and giving them an avenue for redress, and safeguarding the rights of employers by getting agencies to share risks and be more responsible. Essentially, that’s all it takes.

In the longer term, we should look towards weaning ourselves off maids and any other kind of cheap labour.

Until the next time, cheers.

New spacious homes

This article appeared in The Star Monday, 6 June 2011 edition. Everytime I read about low cost housing, it always leave me feeling sad and guilty. One has to see the conditions how children has to grow up in such a condition. Families are mostly large and the available space is so small. When in such a situation, no wonder social ills are rampant.

In addition, the services and security of the area also leave much to be desired. There is virtually no proper maintenance and cleanliness is not a priority.

I suppose this is all a catch 22 issue. With no money, how can the Govt provide proper services and maintenance. On this point, I agree fully with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his speeches. if we stop wasting money, then there will be enough for the poor. However, as the saying goes, talk is cheap and the proof is in the pudding. Well, does he deserve a chance? This, is for another time and place for debate.

Anyhow, I believe very strongly that the Government (which ever one in power) must not play games with the poor. They may be less educated and more guillable. Politicians take advantage of them during election time by promising heaven and earth and then, nothing.

We have so much natural resources and must take more actions to help them.

Below is the article in full.

The Star - New spacious homes

Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost housing schemes built in the early 1970s and 80s are no longer conducive for living. The Government’s effort to redevelop these houses to provide comfortable housing and a better living environment should be lauded. StarMetro reports.

A GROUP of children played along the corridors of the Seri Pulau Pinang low-cost flats in Bandar Tun Razak Cheras — oblivious to their messy surroundings. Without caring for the world, they laughed and chased each other from one end of the corridor to the other in excitement.

It makes one wonder whether in a few years time, when these children were older, wiser and more aware of their living conditions, would they still be hanging out at the corridor?

It is no secret that Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) older low-cost flats and housing schemes are too small with no facilities like open areas or recreation spots for children to play and hang out.

The cramped living conditions often drive these children to hang out elsewhere, and at times the places they run away to seek respite from their overcrowded homes, are not always a healthy environment.

Often, to get away from their overcrowded abodes, they often hang out with wrong individuals and get mixed up in seedy activities.

Melati (not her real name) who lives at the Seri Pulau Pinang low-cost flats in Cheras, said she often found her two-bedroom unit stiffling and overcrowded.

“I live there with my parents, four brothers and two sisters,’’ said the 17-year-old.

“Sometimes I wish I could just run away and go somewhere where I can be alone. It is so stressful here (home),’’ she added.

Melati’s feelings is not uncommon. In fact many children who were born and bred under such circumstances often seek to escape elsewhere and at times many get involved in illegal activities like stealing and illegal motorcycle racing.

The truth is the younger generation are not the only ones affected by the situation.

 

All going: Residents of the low-cost flats in Bandar Tun Razak will get better facilities and bigger units.

 

Newlywed Kasturi (not her real name) lives at Seri Melaka low-cost flats with her husband and in-laws.

“It can get a bit overcrowded here and at times it creates tension within the family,’’ said the 31-year-old kindergarten teacher.

“I sometimes wished that I could move out and get my own apartment, but we can’t afford that at the moment,’’ she said.

Mokhtar Ranib has been living in a two-bedroom unit in Seri Melaka flats for over 28 years with six members of his family. He recalled how difficult it was especially when his children were growing up.

“Everyone was on each other’s nerves all the time and things often got out of hand with minor squabbles among the children,’’ the 67-year-old said.

When the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin announced that the Government was building more comfortable houses by redeveloping the older units recently, it got everyone in the neighbourhood excited.

The redevelopment project will see an end to the one- and two-bedroom units, as all the new units being built will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms with bigger space and better facilities including recreation areas.

Under the project, tenants who prefer to buy the units can purchase them at RM42,000 or those who could not afford may continue to rent the unit at RM124 — the current market rate.

No doubt many tenants expressed their excitement over the project, but they were concerned about securing bank loans to buy the units.

Mokhtar was pleased that his apartment has been earmarked for redevelopment plans. But he was worried that he may not be able to afford it when it is ready. “I am 67. Who is going to give me a loan to buy my place,’’ he lamented.

Securing the loan to buy their dream home would probably be the biggest hurdle for urban dwellers like Mokhtar and Kasturi.

The Government is doing something to resolve this setback and hopefully they would be able to find a solution and enable poor urban residents to finally buy the homes of their dreams.

Until the next time, cheers.

When things go wrong don't shout at the person on the frontline

This article appeared in The Star on Monday, 6 June 2011.Written by Soo Ewe Jin in his Monday Starters column, I find him one of the most  non controversial writers in The Star. He writes about normal daily lives and stays clear from controversial topics unlike some of the others. He writes from a very grounded perspective and that is why I find his columns rather appealing to read.

Anyhow, I suppose this topic will be strike quite close at heart to most. We have definitely find ourselves in this situation countless times. While he has raised good points, I just want to add a couple of points of my own.

If business have proper avenues for us to make our complaints or comments, then it may be easier for us. Have you tried to do this with any large corporation? It's so frustrating. In addition, if the frontline staff, whether new or old do not seem to care, it may ignite our outburst just out of frustration.

However, I agree that we should cut some slack to them provided they know their mistake and take initiative to correct them. I fully agree that some use their high and mighty positions to make life difficult for the staff due to their huge egos.

His article is reproduced below.

WHEN things go awry, it is human nature for us to lash out at the person on the frontline. I have seen many instances of people getting angry with the waiters when the service is not up to mark. Or giving the cashier at the hypermarket a mouthful when the bills don't tally.

In this modern era of virtual customer service, whether by phone or online, many also rant and rave at the unseen and unknown person at the other end of the line only to realise at the end of it all that they shouldn't take it out on that poor individual.

I was recently at a restaurant where the waitress who took my orders got it all mixed-up. But I could see that she was new to the job, and obviously struggling to get it right. She needed encouragement, not criticism. And, as the rabbit Thumper said in the Disney animated classic Bambi, “if you ain't got nothing nice to say, don't say nothing at all.”

Let me give an example of how a complaint can have consequences. I know someone who runs a high-end shop who related to me how a customer, a man of some standing, came to his outlet and was served by a fairly new worker who was still learning the ropes. He was not pleased with the service and so he called up my friend to tell him so.

So what did you do? I asked. He was still on probation, so I fired him, of course, he replied.

This was some years ago but the impression it left me is that many employers are not exactly sensitive to the welfare of their frontline staff. When there is a situation, they tend to operate by the maxim that “the customer is always right”.

I do not like poor service either but when you consider that those who serve at the frontline have to deal with so many different people in a day and handle difficult and irrational requests at times, it is good to cut them some slack.

We have to make a distinction between poor service and unethical behaviour. Certainly, if a frontline staff is demanding a bribe to get things going, he or she should be reported. But if it is just a case of you getting iced lemon tea instead of Earl Grey, or being offered chicken breast instead of drumstick, surely there is no need to make a hue and cry over the service.

Some of you who read this column work in the front line. But all of us, no matter what position we hold, have to deal with frontline staff on a daily basis. Whether it is the bank teller, the toll attendant, the customer relations officer, the restaurant waiter or the civil servant, it is good to remind ourselves that everyone is entitled to a bad hair day.

And let us also apply this same principle to the unseen workers who work in our offices, getting things done right in the background all the time. They probably do not get a pat on the back for 99% of their work, so go gently on them if they falter on the 1%. To err is human, to forgive, divine.

Until the next time, cheers.