Al Gore the Hypocrite

On politicians and environmentalism ....

Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9PRrjWa-eI

Do we have such people in Malaysia? Please share with me!

Elizabeth W'r'ong on Bukit Gasing

It's shocking how politicians make claims without first checking their facts. Or perhaps, they do know their facts but choose to twist the information for whatever the reason?

According to an article in The Sun dated 28 March 2008 titled "Clearing work begins on Gasing hillslope", Bukit Lanjan Assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong who lives in the area, said that "there is now a significant clearing in the area on the Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing. They just started. I don't know how many trees have been chopped down, but the point is that they should not even be touching it."

According to The Star that also featured an article on this issue on the same day, residents of Bukit Gasing received letters from the developer. Elizabeth, who lives in the Bukit Gasing area must also have received this letter:

Web Posting: 24 March 2008 (www.sanctuaryridge.com.my)

A Community Relations Initiative

Greetings from Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd! We are the developer of Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur City, a low-density, luxury residential development in Kuala Lumpur.

As development will shortly commence and as part of our program, clear and informative postings will be issued to keep you informed of our progress from time to time.

Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur City Website

Firstly, we are delighted to inform you that this website is the best source of up-to-date information on our development. If you haven’t done so already, do take some time to read more about current and future launches, details of the development such as the location, home designs, and other exciting features in the section called ‘The Development.’ Should you need someone to attend to you personally, please call any of our sales consultants in ‘Contact Us,’ and they will respond to you promptly. The ‘Community Relations’ section addresses the information needs of neighboring communities and other communities at large. In here, the ‘FAQ’ section provides answers to questions on safety, environment, approvals, and other areas of note and interest.

Erection of Site Hoarding

Secondly, you may be interested to know that we will commence hoarding at the perimeters of the Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur site over the next several weeks. The hoarding is being erected pursuant to approvals dated 2 October 2007 (ref no.(185) dlm.DBKL.JPRB.5114/77PT.1) and 16 November 2007 (ref no.BGN BS S1 2007 SEM 6).

Public Safety Announcement

Hoarding is a barrier which is required before the start of any work involving construction, alteration, repair or demolition of buildings. For safety reasons, we strongly advise that the general public refrain from any movement into the construction site. If you have children and/or pets, please keep them away (from the construction site) at all times.

Sustainable Hoarding Method

Shrubs will be cleared to make way for the perimeter fencing. To reduce the need to fell trees, we will hoard around trees that fall on the pathway of the perimeter. This will increase the time and effort needed to complete the entire hoarding process. However, as responsible developers, we feel that this effort is necessary to reduce unnecessary felling.

Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur City is a high quality, low-density residential enclave that will be the catalyst to transform and enhance the Bukit Gasing area. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to practice sustainable and responsible development for this positive transformation.

Thank you.

K. C. Tan

General Manager

No Apology in the Media

I would say bravo to Berita Harian for being the only newspaper to highlight Lim Kit Siang's apology to the Sultan of Perak on March 18, 2008. I went around asking friends who read various papers and below is the summary of papers that covered the story (and not) based on their input.

Featured
1. Berita Harian - Yes, Main, Pg 1

No Apology
2. Guang Ming Daily
3. Sin Chew Daily
4. NanYang Siang Pau
5. China Press
6. Kosmo
7. Harian Metro
8. Utusan Malaysia
9. The Malay Mail
10. New Straits Times
11. The Sun
12. The Star

However, in the days that ensued, probably due to criticism by the public, the apology was mentioned in some papers but the manner it was presented suggests that the apology was mentioned in passing or that it was meant to be buried in obscurity. Quite a stark contrast compared to the wide coverage lambasting Lim Kit Siang on the boycott.

Fine Example

Admittedly, I had my share of traffic summonses from being a little heavy-footed occasionally. Once I pile up a stack worth a trip, I would then troop over to pay my fines. If I 'merayu' successfully, I could event get a 'discount.'

With the recent decision by the CM of Penang and Perak (who stupidly followed suit) to waive off summonses, there is no need for me to make such trips any more. Just wait till the next election and see what happens lah!

I totally agree with the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) that this is the wrong move and that the message it sends out to the public is wrong. People (like myself) who paid our fines dutifully, are most unhappy.

In www.thestar.com.my

Thursday March 13, 2008

CAP: Reconsider summons waiver

PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has been asked to reconsider the decision to waive summonses issued by the local councils.

The Consumers Association of Penang expressed shock that Lim had made such an announcement before the state executive council had been formed.

He has no power to bend the law« S.M. IDRIS“We believe he has no power to bend the law,” president S.M. Idris said in a statement yesterday.

He said Lim should not “reward” the lawbreakers and discriminate against the law-abiding citizens who had settled their summonses.

....

I strongly urge that the decision be reversed. WTF!

Why I Love TVSmith

He really has a talent for political satire. I envy his ability to just simply extract the nuances and quirks of human behavior and put it plainly and hilariously. Mockery served with 2 tight slaps.

I'd like to share a good laugh:

http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/190308_plsb.html

Adios.

Lose Heart Zakaria

Former Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros died after suffering a heart attack early Tuesday morning.

It is disheartening to know that there are people who are above the law and have extra special privileges. Not to sound cold or anything, but no one actually thought he deserved an eulogy.

Annie Freeda Cruez of NST today wrote:

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros, 62, was unknown to most Malaysians until 2006 when he became the most controversial figure in the land.

Relatives, supporters and friends at Zakaria’s mansion yesterday.The media focus was on him after it was revealed that a piece of land worth RM1.3 million had been alienated to his wife, Datin Zizah Ngah, for just RM180,000.Then it was discovered that he had begun work on a palatial home, later dubbed Istana Zakaria, without planning approval.Despite being summoned by the sultan of Selangor and being chastised by all segments of society, Zakaria was unrepentant.He hosted a dinner for orphans at his mansion a day after he moved in on Oct 9. Reporters who were invited to cover the event were stunned when they were taken on a tour and saw for themselves the sheer size of his home.

Zakaria's mansion sits on a 43,000 sq metre plot. On the grounds are a large koi pond, a swimming pool and a mini golf course, among other facilities.In the house, the floor of the main hall is of top quality marble. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling. As the media spotlight continued to be trained on him, it was discovered that he had been operating a popular satay restaurant in Klang without a permit. The restaurant was subsequently demolished by the authorities. It was also revealed that he had defaulted on RM45,000 in assessment for three properties. When this became public, he paid up.He was rebuked by the prime minister and also summoned by the sultan to explain his actions.

Zakaria, who rose from a railway gate keeper to political strongman, said: "It was never my intention to boast or show off by building a bigger house. My wife and I merely wanted a more comfortable dwelling for our 11 children, seven daughters- and sons-in-law as well as 11 grandchildren."

He said the grounds had facilities for the community such as a surau and a tuition and community activity centre.Zakaria, who was Klang division Umno chief, came under more fire when his son Zainuri, the acting Klang Umno Youth chief, and daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil, the Klang Puteri Umno chief, were appointed as MPK councillors. He himself was not re-appointed.

On Aug 24 last year, Zakaria made the headlines again when he and six other company directors escaped 37 charges under the Companies Act 1965. They were fined RM1,400 for various offences that included the failure to submit their financial statements and not holding annual general meetings.

Nothing seemed to be going right for Zakaria as last Nov 1, his name came up again over the Selangor Badminton Association's successful application for land from the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS). Zakaria was the association president and PKNS chairman.Tragedy struck Zakaria's family on Jan 16 when his brother-in-law, 45-year-old Fathil Ahmad, a general worker at Northport in Port Klang, was found hanged in his home in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran. On Feb 21, Zakaria was not picked to re-contest the Port Klang state seat but the nomination of his daughter-in-law, Roselinda, 32, sparked an outcry as well.Roselinda lost to Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Badrul Hisham Abdullah.

Friends Like Lingams'

The first time I encountered a hypocrite, I was about 12 years old. Being a young boy, that 'word' wasn't in my vocabulary. But I could certainly relate to the feeling of anger and disappointment from the betrayal.

As naughty school boys, my friend and I plotted to put some glue on our Math's teacher chair. We were absolutely gleeful as we squirted the sticky mush onto her chair. We laughed happily, confident that we would never be found out.

My friend decided to take a leak so I waited for him in the classroom. While waiting, the disciplinary teacher walked past and saw me alone in the classroom with a pot of glue in my hand. Mortified, I just stood there not knowing what to do. My friend, who just came out from the gents, just walked past the classroom, avoiding eye contact with me and pretended he had no part in this. The next day, when I was punished during assembly, he even nodded agreeably when the discipline teacher went on and on about being respecful to teachers, etc, etc.

Needless to say, I've never spoken to him since.

Today We Vote

Today we vote for a better Malaysia.

Throughout the long-ish campaign, we hear promises, promises and more promises.

Tomorrow, it's time to deliver. Let's wait and see.