Prime Minister Datuk Seri Naif Ton Rasa, Who.

The new PM.

clipped from www.bernama.com Speaking to reporters after being sworn in as a senator, Dr Koh who has more than a decade’s experience of running one of the most developed states, said he would work hard to ensure the task would be carried out effectively. “I feel humbled and honored to be given this trust by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Naif Ton Rasa to be in his team in promoting the One Malaysia concept to all. “I appeal to my Cabinet colleagues, those in the administration and government agencies to help and guide me in achieving our common goals,” he said.

The Masked Men Of Malaysia

Most of us are intrigued at this photo of a masked man, who never showed his face, and this could have been caused by his remorse over something he did, or he did not want publicity, or possibly he was afraid of ghosts and spirits may get at him if the face is revealed. Whatever the reason, his anonymity is guaranteed.

I was reading this blog entry of a masked man in the blog Eyes Wide Open, and my thoughts travelled back a few decades to a Tamil version of a masked man movie made in the year 1958. I have got the preview of the movie Uthama Puthiran, and old timers may have nostalgic memories of this film and the 50’s.

Anyhow for posterity, let us remember our Malaysian masked man, he is a first in our country and I dare say he may be the last. Possibly, Alexander Dumas the originator of the the Iron Mask, will be pleased we Malaysians emulated his story with a different twist.

Technorati Tags: masked man,Uthama Puthiran,Dumas

http://www.geocities.com/bbreviews/month/uputhiran.html

UTHAMA PUTHIRAN

A movie review by Balaji Balasubramaniam

---

Cast:
‘Sivaji’ Ganesan, Padmini, Nambiar, Thangavelu, Ragini, Kannaambaal

Music:
G.Ramanathan

Direction:
T.Prakash Rao

Old, black and white movies contain a certain charm. Especially the historicals. With strong storylines, grand settings, swordplays and lots of double and triple crossings, they rarely fail to entertain. Uthama Puthiran, released in 1958, is one of my favorite movies from those times. Adapted from Alexander Dumas’ The Man in the Iron Mask, it combines the best elements of historicals in a delightful mixture. It has good performances, melodious music, an engaging screenplay and is hugely entertaining.

It is a joyous time for everyone in Malarpuri when the queen of the land becomes pregnant. Everyone except her brother(and commander of the army) Naganathan(Nambiar) who has his eye on the throne. So he pays one of the maids to deliver the newborn to him. He then proceeds to hand it over to his henchman Somu, ordering it to be killed. But the queen gives birth to twins and the king, ever suspicious of Naganathan, passes an order that forces Naganathan to take care of this baby. But he decides to raise it as his hand puppet. Meanwhile, Somu desists from killing the baby and instead, raises it in another town. So the twins grow up separately – Parthiban(Sivaji), a good, honest and brave man and Vikraman(Sivaji), a drunkard and womaniser who is dependent on his uncle for everything. Parthiban falls in love with Amuthavalli(Padmini), the daughter of the minister at the palace and on one of his nocturnal visits, runs into his brother and his mother. Vikraman, his mind poisoned by his uncle, clamps an iron mask on his face and locks him up.

The movie moves at a fairly fast clip to keep us engrossed throughout. It is just a little slow-paced during the initial portions with the song sequence that details the growing up of the two princes not being particularly catchy. But it is necessary for the setup and the movie is not lacking in intrigue or emotions even during these portions as the king’s clever plan to ensure the safety of his second son and Nambiar’s heartless acts demonstrate. The Sivaji-Padmini romance is quick and low-key and Thangavelu’s comedy is not funny. But the movie moves into top gear once the two Sivajis meet. From here, one is kept on the edge of the seat with the twists and turns in the screenplay.

The scene in the dungeon is very well handled. Both the queen’s (as she implores Vikraman to spare his brother’s life) and Nambiar’s(as he poisons Vikraman’s mind with the threat to his throne) dialogs are strong and convincing. The path the movie takes after this, with first one Sivaji and then the other trapped inside the mask, is captivating. The scene where Parthiban scares Thangavelu by pretending to be Vikraman is one of the few genuinely funny scenes in the movies.

The technical skill evident during the first scene the two Sivajis meet, as one appraises the other while moving in a circle around him, is admirable, especially considering how old the movie is. Infact, any of the scenes involving both Sivajis would stand up to those in most movies involving a double role today. There are also a couple of nicely-handled fights between the two Sivajis, a task that is by no means easy and is mostly clumsily done even today.

One thing that keeps me away from older movies is the multiplicity of songs. Even Yaar Nee, though not as old as this movie, suffered from this phenomenon, with too many songs at inappropriate places sapping away the interest in the movie. Surprisingly, inspite of being a historical, Uthama Puthiran does not have that many songs and so, the songs appear at reasonable intervals. Most of them are also very good with Mullaimalar Mele… taking the top spot. Anbe Amudhe… and Unnazhagai Kanniyargal… are the other good songs. As far as song sequences go, the exuberant Yaaradi Nee Mohini… has little competition. With its fast beats, well-choreographed dance and Sivaji’s stylish gestures, it is a treat to watch.

There is not a single wrong step in Sivaji’s performance. Inspite of no visual differences, the distinction between the two characters is beautifully brought out with just body language and style of talking. Vikraman is easily the more interesting of the two and offers more scope for acting. Sivaji very obviously enjoys himself immensely in the role. He is charming and his scenes with Nambiar, where he takes his advice on all matters(with a beautifully delivered "Mama") are very enjoyable. No wonder he manages to earn our sympathy when pleading with Parthiban to not make him wear the iron mask, inspite of being wicked. Padmini looks almost divinely beautiful and her dancing prowess is on full display during the Kaathiruppaan Kamalakkannan… sequence. Nambiar shows why he was one of the most enduring and longlosting villains on the silver screen. Kannaambaal plays the fiery, emoting mother role she is so familiar with while Thangavelu and Ragini provide comic relief.

Ulaganathan Another Police Death

Kugan died, then we had 6 Indians gunned down in Sungei Patani, and now Ulaganathan who died in Police custody in 2003. The Director General of the Health Ministry Merican has more or less defended the 12 Policemen who caused the death, and being a doctor himself, has failed miserably to fulfil his Hippocratic oath which among others defines injustice being done. He may defy human oaths but but there is yet another divine maker who has got to judge him. Surely, as a DG forgetting his credentials can think as a human and feel funny to give a statement Kugan died not because of beatings but more because of physical ailments. Good God I was never his patient during his younger days.

And now Ulaganathan, and with people like the DG, police brutality against Indians will continue without abatement. Thank you Merican.  

Inquest Into Death In Police Custody Of a 19 Year Old Boy : Ulaganathan a/l Muniandy

>Published by “>sethchairman April 8th, 2009 in Law Enforcement.

In reference to above matter, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) would like to inform you that the inquest into death in police custody case of Ulaganathan a/l Muniandy will be held as below after postponed for the 10th time. The previous inquest was on 22 July 2008.

Ulaganathan Muniandy (19 year old) an Emergency Ordinance detainee was detain at Kajang Police Station since 15 May 2003 and had died suddenly in 21 July 2003 at Kajang Hospital. According to the Kajang hospital the cause of death “cannot be determined” while the family suspect foul-play.

According to Ulaganathan’s mother – Tamil Selwee a/p Ramasamy, she found that there were few bruises on Ulaganathan’s body, including swollen eyes, bruises around the region of eyes and swells on the legs during she made visit to the Police lockup.

When the family finally with the help of SUARAM and Bar Council wanted to do a civil suit, now the Attorney general have finally requested for an Inquest being carried out – 5 years after the death.

The details of the inquest as below:

Date: 09 April 2009 (Thursday)

Time: 2.30pm

Venue: Magistrate Court Kajang (Bersidang Di Putrajaya)

Aras 1 & 2, Zon Selatan (Bangunan Annexe)

Palace Of Justice, Presint 3, 62506 Putrajaya

Death in Police custody is a fundamental human rights violation and goes against the right to life.

MIC Now Begs

MIC now begs for a second Ministerial post from Najib. With Najib trying to streamline the cabinet, it is nigh impossible that he would agree. The joke going around is Samy Vellu will be made a Senator and may walk in through the back door to possibly get back his Works Ministry or Minister of Indian Affairs as they did in Perak. Najib must be dumb enough to do that.

T.Mohan the youth coordinator may not know the history of MIC, but it was Samy Vellu who in the seventies did not want a second Minister after Athi Nahappan died. Samy Velu asked for and got a deputy Ministers post to replace a Minister. Sam was frightened of rivalry.

T.Mohan may not know, if Athi Nahappan had not died in 1976, we would have missed Samy Vellu being the President of MIC, and what a frightful thought it is. Indians without Samy Vellu. Just can’t imagine.

Read my earlier posting here.  

Technorati Tags: MIC,Samy Vellu,T.Mohan,Athi Nahappan

MIC seeks second ministerial post

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to consider giving another minister post to the party.

Its coordinator T. Mohan said this was necessary as the Indian community faced numerous social problems and issues which could only be addressed by an Indian appointee.

He said the MIC used to have two ministers during the tenure of Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn. The then MIC president Tun V.T. Sambanthan was in charge of the Unity portfolio while Tan Sri Athi Nahappan was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Mohan said that the present one full minister and two deputy ministers was inadequate to serve the 1.9 million Indians in the country.

He said the additional post would make it easier for MIC to go to the ground and regain the lost support for Barisan.

 

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/7/nation/3646744&sec=nation

Kugan – Allergic To Water

Basically, if all the bones in Kugan’s body were broken, then it was a sure case that the beating caused his death. No bones broken, so he died of a disease, What beautiful conclusion. One must congratulate the chief  Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood and nine other experts some coming from far as Singapore and Saudi Arabia. They have done an excellent job and it must go on record as the best piece of investigation report ever compiled. Now, Kugan can rest in peace and his family, relatives, friends and the public who saw red can kiss the hands of the 10 people involved in this travesty not forgetting the DG of the Health Ministry, Ismail Merican. This case was blown up beyond expectations and has caused a ripple in the Police and Medical circles, and quite frankly if not for this timely report by the DG, the poor 12 chaps put to do desk jobs and the pathologist at the Serdang hospital would have been blamed unnecessarily – what an inconvenience.

Appearances can be deceptive. Merican failed to emphasise on this. After all pictures lie, now that you have so much of software, like Photoshop, to add or minus what was actual, to air-brush, contort, change the appearance of the original and so forth.

Don’t forget too, this 22 year old had problems with his heart and lungs, and the prolonged investigation was too much, and in view of the unseen weakness of these organs, which even which the deceased was not aware of took its toll. Death was caused by karma or fate. Don’t cry.

Now this committee which has brought to light the actual cause of death, did not physically examine the body, the photos were doctored, and reading between the lines and a lot of mumbo jumbo, and their experience in reading reports, saw through the two reports made earlier and brought out an interpretation worthy of praise and gratitude. Gratitude because they speak the truth. 

Technorati Tags: DG Health Ministry,Ismail Merican,Kugan,Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/101810

Blunt force trauma did not cause Kugan’s death

Apr 6, 09 4:46pm

Police detainee Kugan Ananthan had died of acute pulmonary oedema due to acute myocarditis, or acute inflammation of the heart muscle, compounded by blunt force trauma, an independent committee investigating the two post-mortem reports on him concluded.

MCPX

Health Ministry director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said today Kugan was found to have a underlying acute myocarditis, while the blunt force trauma could have led to acute renal failure aggravating the acute myocarditis, resulting in acute pulmonary oedema.
"Acute myocarditis is an acute inflammation of the heart muscle which may be caused by infections or toxins. It is a known cause of sudden death in young adults and gross examination of the heart appears unremarkable in up to 30 percent of the cases," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Ismail said all body injuries noted on Kugan were insufficient, either individually or collectively, to cause death directly.
"There was no evidence of injuries to the internal organs and no skeletal fractures were detected," he said.
Kugan, who was detained by the police on Jan 15 for investigation for alleged car theft, died on Jan 20 while in police custody.
The post-mortem done by the head of the Forensic Unit of Serdang Hospital, Dr Abdul Karim Tajuddin, concluded the cause of death as acute pulmonary oedema.
Kugan’s family requested a second post-mortem, which was done by the University Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) pathologist, Dr Prashant N Samberkar, who gave the provisional cause of death (pending toxicology) as acute renal failure due to rhbdomyolysis due to blunt trauma to skeletal muscles.
The discrepancies between the two reports had raised some questions and this led the Health Ministry to set up a committee to investigate.
As Kugan’s body was cremated after the second autopsy, the committee is believed to have made its findings based on the two conflicting post-mortem reports.
UUMC doc ‘misidentified, misinterpreted’
Ismail said the committee, which was chaired by Kuala Lumpur Hospital senior consultant forensic pathologist Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood and comprising nine other local and foreign doctors including those from Singapore and Saudi Arabia, also found that both pathologists who did the post-mortems had no intention of misleading or hiding any information on the findings.
However, he said, the second pathologist had misidentified and misinterpreted some of the post-mortem changes as being part of the initial injuries sustained by Kugan.
He said the pathologist also misinterpreted the patterned imprint injuries on the body as ‘burn wounds’, as there was no evidence of inflammatory infiltrates or thermal injuries in the skin from the back of the deceased, which would be present in thermal injury.
"It has to be emphasised that the autopsy report by Dr Prashant is a provisional report because he has not completed the autopsy as the toxicology is still pending, as stated in his report," he said.
Ismail said the committee also was not able to establish how and where Kugan’s body was kept after being released to his family until it was brought to UMMC for the second post-mortem, as it would significantly affect the physical state of the body.
The report would be handed over to the attorney-general tomorrow and it is up to him to take any actions needed, he said.

Whereto Hindraf

It is surprising that there is so much of confusion among Hindraf members on whether to support the Bukit Selambau candidate S.Manikumar, although the chairperson P.Waythamoorthy has given full support of Hindraf to stand behind Pakatan Rakyat candidates. If the members don’t agree with the chairperson, it is a pity these disgruntled members are not in touch with the sentiments of the Indian population at large. Hindraf started well, had fixed ideologies and the members faced tear gas and chemical laced water because of agreeing to the ideology the Indians were marginalised. They did not sacrifice to gain positions or name. The March tsunami and the defeat of Barisan Nasional in 5 states gave rise to the popularity of Hindraf leaders who then were people not interested in gaining anything. Within a year the tide has changed, Hindraf leaders want political posts, although the party is not a political one. Human greed takes over and ideologies are forgotten. The silent Indians, who don’t belong to Hindraf are taking note of ambitions among the leaders, they are no better than MIC where it is power and money. These silent Indians can make a decision as to which candidate to vote and the legacy of Hindraf as a neutral entity only concerned with the welfare of the Indians, is slowly being eroded.

Should Manikumar fail, Hindraf will be blamed. Then there will be a backlash from the Indians who want changes, and the hitherto support and sympathy may be lost, and quite rightly the influence of Hindraf among Indians will wane and disappear altogether. I think Hindraf should consider this.

With the present awareness, and the bickering in Hindraf, Indians will vote the way they want, and Hindraf will have no influence over their decision. What a sad way for Hindraf to go.

Technorati Tags: Hindraf,P.Waythamoorthy,S.Manikumar,S Shanmuganathan,Sanjeeviramah Subramani,Thanenthiran

 

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/101661

Waythamoorthy’s stand divides Penang Hindraf leaders

Athi Veeranggan | Apr 4, 09 11:44am

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy’s open support for Pakatan Rakyat candidates in next week’s by-elections in the country met mixed reactions from two leaders in Penang.

MCPX

While Hindraf coordinator on Penang island S Shanmuganathan backed his London-based leader’s political stand, its Penang deputy coordinator Sanjeeviramah Subramani, also commonly known as Sanjay, from the Penang mainland declined to heed the call.
Sanjay (pic, left) insisted that although Hindraf activists respect and accept Waythamoorthy’s decision, many of them, especially from Penang mainland and southern Kedah, would continue to boycott PKR candidate S Manikumar in Bukit Selambau.
Shanmuganathan, however, pointed out that although Hindraf would remain a bi-partisan movement, the group’s supporters on the island would back Pakatan candidates in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang (Nizar Jamaluddin).
“We support Waythamoorthy’s call to support Pakatan for mutual interests and benefits.
“It’s imperative for Hindraf to back Pakatan in the by-elections to defeat our common enemy Barisan Nasional,” he stressed.
He said among the common political platforms that Hindraf and Pakatan share were the abolition of the draconian Internal Security Act, release of all ISA detainees and closure of the Kamunting Detention Centre.
Uthayakumar in poor health

Hindraf and Pakatan leaders have also condemned the authorities for not providing proper medical care for detained Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, who is suffering from worsening health condition.
“Both Hindraf and Pakatan are committed towards creating a free, equal, just and liberal society.
“We will dispatch campaign teams from Penang island to Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang to campaign vigorously for Pakatan candidates,” Shanmuganathan told Malaysiakini.
On dissenting views among grassroots Hindraf leaders on Waythamoorthy’s stand, Shanmuganathan said such differences of opinion were common in a democratic movement like Hindraf.
In declaring support for Pakatan candidates, Waythamoorthy warned that if Hindraf and the opposition coalition failed to work and act together to get rid of BN in the next general election, the chances to dislodge BN and for Pakatan to take over the country’s reign will be gone forever.
"Once this happens, Pakatan would crumble and crack from then on.
"The chance to end BN political hegemony will die permanently," said Waythamoorthy.
Sanjay, on the hand, reiterated that a segment of Hindraf grassroots leaders and supporters, especially from Penang mainland, would continue to boycott PKR in Bukit Selambau to protest the candidature of Manikumar.
‘We are actually against Manikumar’

“We are actually against Manikumar, not PKR or Anwar (Ibrahim) or Pakatan,” said Sanjay, who had lobbied with the PKR top leadership to field Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran as candidate indeed.
Sanjay and several local leaders are angry that PKR de facto leader Anwar had chosen Manikumar ahead of Thanenthiran and several other credible candidates.
This led to Sanjay and other leaders to boycott Manikumar in the Bukit Selambau state constituency, while backing former Perak menteri besar Nizar in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary contest.
Manikumar faces 14 rivals, including MIC S Ganesan and 13 independent candidates, in Bukit Selambau, while PAS strongman Nizar faces BN candidate Ismail Saffian and independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris in Bukit Gantang.
Sensing that a Hindraf boycott on PKR would severely undermine the party’s chances to harvest a majority of the Indian votes, which make up nearly 30 percent of Bukit Selambau’s 35,140 registered electorates, Anwar had a “clear the air” phone chat with London-based Waythamoorthy a few days ago.
Following this, Waythamoorthy declared that Hindraf would fully back Pakatan to defeat their common enemy, BN.
Thanenthiran, meanwhile, did not pick up his phone calls despite several attempts by Malaysiakini to reach him today.

Carcosa And Badawi

Wow, not bad, a golden hand shake of RM87.1 million, for Badawi. Let’s wait further developments.

http://anotherbrickinwall.blogspot.com/2009/04/was-carcosa-that-finally-made-abdullah.html

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Was Carcosa that finally made Abdullah final?

Due to his constant flip flop in decisions, not many believed Abdullah would transfer power in 2010. Let alone 2009 and on the eve of his last few days.
Whatever he claimed on the last day of the UMNO General Assembly, many still believed, if he had his way, he would stay on, sleep on his job and his non-punctual ways.
What made Abdullah willing to vacate his Prime Ministerhip post?
Before we try to ponder over it, lets recall that Abdullah was obviously upset with Muhyiddin for initiating pressure to expedite the power transfer.
In fact, the stupid move by Dato Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to offer himself for the Deputy President was at Abdullah’s insistance to revenge Muhyiddin. So does the challenge by one-term Vice President, Dato Ali Rustam and possibly Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib as safe measure to split Muhyiddin’s votes.
There had been talk of Abdullah trying to avoid the boot and save his family, financially and politically. Many conspiracy theories was floating of Najib being denied the Prime Ministership and be left with only the UMNO President position. Dr Mahathir himself spoke of such possibililty.
The pervading question to all these theories is how will it take place. One can call it continuity or stability but the fact is, in Malaysia, unexpected events like coup d’tat never happens.
Our post independence experiance with such emergency situation is only the racial riot of 1969. One theory said there will be an emergency proclaimation and Najib will be denied the Prime Minister post. However, such happening is remotely possible without a public unrest or catastrophe occuring. The excess politicicking now is not sufficient to claim the situation as lost of public order.
The YDP Agong’s prerogative to call for an emergency must be based on the advise of the cabinet. That would be the last the Cabinet would resort to in the event of any public unrest for it means admittance to their inability to administer and provide the leadership to the nation.
There must have been winds blowing that caused tree shaking talks of Unity Government and UMNO-PAS Talk. Abdullah did not met up with Anwar out of the blue.
Anwar tried hard to discredit Najib since Ijok by-election in 2007. On the eve of Najib’s formal confirmation to the Presidency of UMNO, the foreign press and major global newspapers came out with conspiracy stories on the Altantunya murder and millitary deals. Anwar’s hand behind it is too obvious.
As one former MP informed yesterday, Anwar was trying hard to get an appointment with the Agong in the last 10 days to no avail. He went further to say Anwar used Federal court judge and legal advisor to Agong, Dato Kadir Sulaiman to seek Agong to not accept Abdullah’s resignation.
In the meanwhile, the former MP said Azmin and few other Pakatan leaders were tryng to convince Abdullah to meet and listen to what Agong had to say without expressing intention to resign.
Despite mistake by the Chief Secretary to Government to announced ahead of the palace, Abdullah resignation this morning seemed almost inevitable.
Thus the question is what made Abdullah decide not to be funny? For a while, he had kept the incoming PM and the public in the dark for a long time on his last date and was said yet to confirm the Istana’s planned farewell dinner for the 14th April.
Abdullah’s statement after the UMNO General Assembly raised suspicion.
On Sunday, the newspaper reported him saying the 28 projects for Kepala Batas will continue. That would be for the people of Kepala Batas and is of no consequence. It was his statement for the resumption of the RM4.3 billion Penang Bridge and RM2 billion Penang Central that puzzles me.

When did the Government announced resuming the Penang Central project? Does it comes with the controversial Penang Global City Centre project? Penang Central was shelved by the Federal Government and Equine Capital’s PGCC was shelved by the newly installed DAP Government.
Having heard from sources in Penang that Lim Guan Eng is rearing his true self with the Low Yat Groups, is there a deal cut between Abdullah and Lim Guan Eng?
Yesterday, Bigdogdotcom revealed that Abdullah is seeking for the two acre Carcosa land on Federal Hill as a golden handshake.

Carcosa used to be the residence of the British High Commissioner to Malaya/Malaysia until it was taken back by Government in 1984. It is now a premier land worth RM1,000 psf.
Coupled with a Tunship for himself and undeserved 21 month wife Jeanne, are these terms demanded by Abdullah to resign from the Prime Ministership post and dump other dubious plans he had up his mind?
One wonders now if he really meant what he said in his Damai Abadi poem. Perhaps, one shouldn’t ponder too much for we have a huge task ahead to repair the damage left in the trail of Abdullah. As someone once told me, the damage of Abdullah’s five years will take 15 years to repair.
As for me today, I will be going for my much needed haircut upon confirmation from the palace.

Good Money In Politics

Being a politician in this country appears to be the in thing nowadays considering 15 people are contesting for a single seat in Bukit Selambau. The money is there, and don’t worry about what you have to do. The people who voted you in come second, the first priority is money, readily available from the ruling party which doles out cash not a few thousand but in millions – which most of these lucky fellows would have never seen in their lives.

Recent cases of money power brings to the mind the case of missing Bala, who did a Houdini and disappeared into thin year and till now in untraceable. The perception is he did a turn-around not because he wanted to but led like a sheep to the slaughter house with money being dangled in front him, he was defeated . Millions are mentioned and there is talk a lady went to some foreign place to gift Bala the money. Hamid the homely minister has banned the mention of Altantuya, murdered in this country because it brought memories of shame, but also fellows started using her name in a song. Hamid before he may go off from his homely duties by the 8th of this month may also make an order to ban the use of the name Bala. I will have a problem here. My good friend is Bala. If I mention Bala does that refer to my friend or the Altantuya Bala. To be specific Hamid boy will surely come out with details. 

Then of course we had the 3 monkeys in Perak who are also alleged to have been influenced by bananas, sorry money, and they left the people in the lurch to drive a new Mercedes Benz and of course induced by the few millions in cash offered. Then the ultimate money, meaning something more than millions was, I am told, changed hands to make a winning team the loser as happened in the Perak state assembly fiasco. Money talks.

Some irritated reader will surely comment, where is the proof. I have no concrete proof but I also know there is no smoke without a fire.

Finally, with documented proof, I place before you TOYO, the biggest benefactor in the arena of politics, who, without mercy squandered good money by his extravagant trips and tours. I am told he even took his wife, children and his maid on some of the tours, and I fail to understand why he must allow his family to be castigated for his mistake.   

Technorati Tags: Bukit Selambau,Mohd Osman Jailu,Jamaluddin,Balasubramaniam,Hee Yit Foong,Hamid

Wolf Dressed As Sheep

From day one Samy Vellu could not stand Hindraf. This is understandable. Samy Vellu claimed he championed the cause of the Indians. What marginalised he said, MIC would never allow that, he boasted in India that the Indians were better of than others or at par. He called Hindraf terrorist groups, and was with the government when the 5 were arrested under ISA. The corruption, the one man party, the dictatorial way the President ran the party, all these came out after the election lost and the fact that Hindraf opened the eyes of the Indians that they were being used as pawns for the betterment of Samy Vellu, his friends and cronies than the Indian masses. Today he comes in a wolf in sheep’s clothing to work with Hindraf. Imagine there is an upset and the MIC candidate wins, he will turn into a wolf once more. 

Technorati Tags: Samy Vellu.Bluff,Hindraf,B.S Thanenthiran

SUNGAI PETANI, April 1 – Looking to capitalise on the uncertainty among Indian voters in Bukit Selambau, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu visited Hindraf coordinator R. S. Thanenthiran in hospital yesterday and claims that Hindraf will play ball with him.

While PKR has brushed aside talk of dissent among its Indian support after a few grassroots leaders in Kedah left the party, the move by Hindraf to boycott Bukit Selambau over the choice of candidate has given Barisan Nasional (BN) hope of picking up votes from Indians, who make up 30 per cent of the electorate here.

With Hindraf’s influence, so instrumental in delivering the Indian votes to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the last general elections, acknowledged as the biggest factor in swaying the Indian votes, Samy’s move to visit Thanenthiran in Penang after the Hindraf leader was hospitalised due to heart complications appears to be a master stroke.

“He told me that after all that he has done for Anwar, nobody from PKR visited him. He said he would see me to discuss what are the problems and how we could work together to bring change to the Indian community,” Samy claimed, referring to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Noting that the release of its five Internal Security Act detainees is an issue close to the heart of Hindraf supporters, he added that he would continue to press for their release.

“I have seen Pak Lah many times and written three letters to him and he promised me he would look at it,” he said of outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

Samy said that he would also press Datuk Seri Najib Razak once he replaced Abdullah to release the five leaders as “there is no meaning in their detention and it does not help anyone.”

However, Hindraf events coordinator R. Kannan told The Malaysian Insider that the visit was merely on a personal basis and no political discussions were held.

“Samy offered his help on any Indian problems we are engaging but Thanenthiran told him that now was not the right time to talk about it,” he said.

Kannan added that the withdrawal from the triple header by-elections was limited only to Bukit Selambau but it was still backing PR in Bukit Gantang.

Samy has been campaigning vigorously in Bukit Selambau, starting his visits more than two weeks before Sunday’s nomination in what is seen as a referendum on his refusal to step down as MIC president despite the party being decimated at last year’s national polls.

He admitted today that Bukit Selambau is “the greatest test case” for him and his party, where he is spending all except a couple of days during the campaign period for the triple header April 7 by-elections.

“I like the challenge and I feel the response even in opposition areas has been good,” he said defiantly.

Losers

Compare this action with that of Rais Yatim, Azalina, and Hamid. They are not welcome by the UMNO members but stick out their neck depending on the charity of Najib. I don’t think Najib wants any losers in his camp and the performance of these 3 ministers, at times caused embarrassment for Badawi.

Technorati Tags: Shahrir,Rais Yatim,Azalina,Hamid

April 01, 2009 14:58 PM

Shahrir Hands In Resignation Letter

PUTRAJAYA, April 1 (Bernama) — Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad handed in his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Cabinet meeting here today.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the Perdana Putra building here, Shahrir said he tendered his resignation as a Cabinet minister effective on April 8.

Abdullah, who will relinquish his post to his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, chaired the meeting for the last time.

Shahrir decided to step down as a Cabinet minister after he failed to defend his seat in the Umno Supreme Council on April 26.

– BERNAMA