16th September Coup?

Kelana Jaya Stadium, PJ. 15th Sept,2008. Picture by Choo Choy May

Is it really happening today? Well, only Anwar Ibrahim knows!

Anyway, history is suppose to happen today. So far nothing yet (duh!).

I was recently with some friends engaging in conversation about the current political issues at various kadai-kadai kopi that are within the radius of my natural habitat ( I thought I sounded like a beaver from National Geographic just then!).

The topic that was discussed about was "would Anwar Ibrahim be able to pull 16th September off?" Well, most Sabahans today are at the wait and see stage. Others simply don't care or were jaded due to the botched 1990 political coup that was attempted by the then Opposition state government of PBS, UMNO splinter group of Semangat 46 and Sarawak's PBDS. The time when cool leaders like Yong Teck Lee (left), Bernard Dompok (right) and others still reigned supreme. 

                            

Well, coming back to the point, we agreed 16th September won't happen but the coup will occur only not at the advertised date. Later on, my friends started throwing their own undisputed theories around about their take on what's going to happen on the 16th September. As usual, I let them drawl on and on while I waited until somebody paid for the drinks, for my time for listening to their mini ceramahs, before I took my leave of them.

Why should I muscle in by wasting my breath when I can use my fingers to do some blogging?

Anyway,

My take is simply this; Anwar Ibrahim is a veteran politician who is also a former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was the main man in charge of the nation whenever Dr Mahathir Mohamed went abroad. He wrested back Permatang Pauh with a thumping majority after a decade of absence.He is also the brightest of his generation.

We got all this wonderful credentials and then one fine day he said he'll take power on 16th September 2008. Why did he say that? I'm sure he knows the moment he opens his mouth that way the result will be as what's happening right now. Maybe 16th September is merely a point of distraction.

Before RPK's incarceration by the ISA, he mentioned that Anwar Ibrahim will take power on 16th September or he'll lose everything because he set up his own deadline. So therefore if that doesn't materialize, he'd be likened to a foolish clown (see below)

I beg to differ. I believe that Pakatan Rakyat will be ushered to power within the next few weeks and it doesn't need to be on 16th September. I believe the date is designed and engineered to get people worked up and hyped up to the point that the government can no longer control the situation. And after witnessing the series of flip-flops throughout the year, the Anwar Ibrahim Political Gambit is working. He will be the next Prime Minister. It is a matter of time now.

I could be wrong... for all we know he's already having a celebration bash with the defectors! But that's just me thinking and its my say and blog. (Thanks RPK!) 

So there!  I've said my piece and I'm signing off. But please do take a glimpse of this interesting article that I unashamedly swiped from The Malaysian Insider.

Happy Holiday* Everybody!

*Please ignore this if you're from neither Sabah nor Pakatan Rakyat states!

the malaysian insider Anwar: We are ready to take over

By Shannon Teoh and Debra Chong PETALING JAYA, Sept 15 - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed tonight that his Pakatan Rakyat alliance is ready to form the government in the next 24 hours, but pointed out that the opposition was, however, prepared to delay the formation. Speaking at PR's Malaysia Day celebrations at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya, he reiterated that the opposition coalition had the numbers in hand to form the next government. While Anwar made his claim, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi scoffed at the suggestion at a separate function tonight that the opposition was on the verge of forming the government.

Anwar, however, also suggested the change of government may not happen within the next day. "Why are we not changing tomorrow? We don't want to do it by force. To go to Putrajaya and drag them out. So, we want to negotiate with the prime minister to see if he wants one week or two weeks. "But our promise is that we will not follow the rule of the jungle. There will be no witch-hunting - what is done is done. What we want is to rule without corruption, detention without trial or theft of the people's resources." The opposition leader also told the crowd that he had already sent a delegation to Abdullah with a letter from the leaders of its three component parties seeking to discuss a peaceful transition of power. "Tomorrow is D-Day. We are ready to form the government. We have enough numbers and tomorrow we will make our stand clear," he said to over 10,000 gathered at the stadium. He spent much of his speech criticising the Barisan Nasional government especially with regards to the recent ISA arrests. He also made a raft of guarantees - to free all ISA detainees, reduce the cost of living immediately after taking his oath of office as prime minister. "Once I take the oath of office, we will free all the ISA detainees," he told the cheering crowd. Anwar also mocked Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for suggesting Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested to protect her from threats to her life. "When they arrested me they even asked me to take off my underwear. What kind of protection is that?" he said. Earlier, Anwar made a dramatic entrance to the music from the Terminator 2 soundtrack to deafening cheers from the crowd. He started his speech by quoting from the famous "date with destiny" speech made by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, pointing out that "the appointed day has come... yet the turning point is past, and history begins anew for us." "This is also Malaysia's date with destiny," he said.

An Night Out... Revisited

Decided I have, tonight go out, I do not. Its mostly due to not wanting to drink for awhile. Well, mostly its about my health. My body is heavily abused as it is already! 

So opted out, I have.

In fact I'm pretending to have forgotten about tonight's drinking session. More fulfilling, find I, blogging than in pubs,smashed  I get.

Besides, I got many things to ponder about especially about business. However, that would soon be in another posting... Its public holiday tomorrow in Sabah, so I've got time to spend for blog-posting.  

The pros and cons of tonight's decision?

Pros: Healthier mind and body

Cons: Disappointed fans.

Decision: with healthier mind and body, endeavor I will to make up time lost.

I'm starting to sound like fucking Yoda..... 

MalaysiaKini SMS 15/09/08

Anwar Ibrahim told a 25,000 strong rally tonight in Kelana Jaya Stadium that he had the numbers to form a new government tomorrow.

ISA : Incredibly Sad Arse

On 12th September 2008, Tan Hoon Cheng, reporter for the Chinese paper, Sin Chew Daily was arrested by the SS.... sorry ISA, where she would be detained for the next 18 hours before being released. Upon her release, she was said to be frightened during her captivity but who wouldn't be?

There were so many countless others like, Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Jeffery Kitingan to name but a few. These people were incarcerated for years as the ISA is empowered to detain individuals for 2 years without trial. Some were given extensions. So we cannot really say much about the ISA's system except that it is whimsical just like any other government agencies.

What I'm getting at is with the ISA's sudden spot checks and arrests is enough to strike fear into their victims' being. The fear of the unknown is being used to intimidate whoever the ISA's prey may be. I remember, when I was still growing up, my political relative was also living in fear since we were opposition during those days. 

Without anything much to add to this sad,sad episode in this generation's history, I must say that I'm feeling sicker as the day goes by. I am yearning for the change of government just like many others here in this nation.

"I am arrested under the ISA. Even though I'm scared, I have to face this reality. But I'm worried about my parents, friends and relatives, they must be very worried about me."

Tan Hoon Cheng, after her release from the ISA on 13th Sept.2008

Meanwhile, Zaid Ibrahim (left), tendered his resignation as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department today, as protest against the government's use of the ISA. 

I have to say that I admire this principled man for standing by his beliefs especially in times like nowadays.

"We have a government that commits to laws and reforms, we can't be using old-style politics or resort to creating fear. We have laws and they (the detainees) should be charged in court. If my position is untenable, I will leave," Zaid Ibrahim during the recent MalaysiaKini interview

Now the question is; what's next?

Today's date is 15th September 2008. Tomorrow is suppose to be the deadline of the change government. I'm doubting it but at the same time I'm hoping for it to happen.

Why am I hoping, one might ask?

It's only because I want to breathe the same air that I breathed in on 8th March 2008, the night of when the Opposition caused a major dent in the Umnoverse...

Money

I'm brooding... again.

In fact, I've been doing that a lot since I've taken over the running of this company. I can't say what is the nature of our business but what I can say is that, it will involve lots amount of money.

And that's my topic of the day.

Money.

In my experience, it has both been a blessing and a curse. A blessing because money can alleviate many financial woes. A curse because money can elevate many financial woes. 

I am often surprise of human nature when it comes to dealing with money. When they can see and calculate how much they would make, a killing mostly, then we are sure to expect a mad rush coming. They will be devoid of all decency and common sense when it comes to making tons of money; to the point they would forget about the company that needs nurturing.

For me, I see this business as giving me a job and salary. I don't need to make tons of salaries. I just need enough to get through the day. Well, I would probably buy a fancy new handphone in the market. 

But that's not my point. My point is millions is not for me personally. I would see the millions as an opportunity to create jobs and help the community. I would think on how to improve my staffs' welfare. I would think of how to ensure the longevity and stability of my company to pass on to the next generation of the family.

But millions for my own personal consumption is not for me.

I don't love money but that doesn't mean I don't respect money.

So I do respect money.

I respect money like a loaded gun.

Too bad my partner don't share the same view point as me. From my conversations with him today felt like he is unloading lots of stuff out from our company. It appears that he doesn't want to have anything to do with us in the future. I later found out that he has had conversations that the bulk of the money is to be made at the outside instead from inside the company. That he can also call the shots by moving a team of free-lancers to support our company or not. That he will be in a position to demand for increase or else he'll pull his support away.

I may not be as street-smart nor aggressive as him. 

But I'm certain that we'll prevail because of one thing;

I don't fuck with the law of nature.

I believe that I was put here where I am today by unseen forces. I never asked for it. In fact I never wanted it. 

I just want to be happy and I don't need millions to that. Sure it'll help alleviate lots of stuff but it can also elevate lots of problems that we don't need like greed, jealousy and pride. Most of the time I wish I don't have these problems but at the same time I need some of the money for my own household. So I'll just accept what is bestowed upon me and do the best I can with it.

I pray to God for wisdom in every decision-making that I have to make so that I don't lose money or make people jealous and angry.

But most of all... I pray that I won't lose my soul.

ISA : Insecured Stupid Arseholes

 Raja Petra Kamarudin

I read the news today, oh boy!

RPK got arrested by ISA!

Just a few days ago, Ahmad Ismail who caused obvious racial tension with full media coverage galore, which by right, should also merit an ISA treatment, received a mere 3 year suspension from UMNO.

RPK, who blogged about his 2 cents worth (which is the truth by the way) of how messed up this country is, is starting his first day rotting away in ISA.

We don't know for how long this time but this wanton act of bias and abuse is truly ridiculous. The government should be matured enough already to realise that people aren't backwards anymore. And that the word 'control' is a dirty one. They should learn to work with the new Malaysia instead of resorting to Gestapo tactics and curtail every bit of negative comments they would see as acts of sedition. The government by imprisoning RPK just shows everybody around the globe as an immature and insecure spoil brat.

The internet represents the people's inner thoughts. To take that away is to kill an individual's will to innovate in becoming a better person.

I sometimes disagree with RPK's postings but that is his way in expressing his heart and soul, be it right or wrong, that's just his own opinion. You want to win points with the man, do so within a debate so that both sides may be allowed to challenge each other, so its outcome may bring forth solutions to further advancing this nation's growth.
 Ahmad Ismail

Meanwhile, the government left Ahmad Ismail alone, he who stoked the racial flame and who can easily recreate May 13 in this generation.

I find myself already numbed by the double standards that are currently being practiced by this government.

Like many Malaysians right now, I am also waiting for the change of September 16 that was promised by Anwar Ibrahim. I don't know much about Anwar Ibrahim but right now any form of change is good enough for me.

 Psycho Clown

Anything is better than the current regime!

Cool Rider

I was at the Hyatt a few nights ago when I witnessed a convoy of big bikers rode past us to chill at a coffee house nearby.

I didn't know who this guy was at first. But I can tell you that it was cool the way he led his group with his yellow BMW big bike (cannot say whether its a sportsbike or not). I can't remember much of the others but a few of them were riding Harley Davidsons and BMWs. That alone was impressive. I knew that they were rich because of the location so that didn't faze me.

However when the leader with the yellow BMW removed his helmet, I couldn't believe who I saw... I had to get my wife to confirm of who this guy was.

Anifah Aman.

That's right. 

THAT YB Datuk Anifah Aman.

Member of Parliament for Kimanis.

You know the type of cool guy in school that you looked up to when you're kid? Well, I felt that way when he walked passed us. Cool guy with a cool bike!

To para-phrase Mr Mugatu from the 2001 movie Zoolander;

"Anifah Aman! He's so hot right now! Anifah Aman!"

Keep riding Datuk!

An Night Out

Some friends wants me to join them for a drinking session on next monday at a local pub. 

I was okay with that at first however I'm now having second thoughts. I can't help thinking about these friends' motives and their hidden agendas.

They will be entertaining some people from a government institution which is definitely business motivated. And they will need some clout to seal the deal. And I believe that's where my presence comes in the picture.

I don't mind helping my friends at all but I don't like it when I'm being manipulated into it.

What is pissing me off right now is that they are not coming out clean with me. Why can't they just come out and ask? 

I know how this sounds so petty about the importance I place about a night out and having few drinks. The problem is a family member of mine is a pretty influential person in government. From past experiences, people are always trying to get us do things that are to their own advantages. So that alone has set in place a defense mechanism in us. 

Isn't it sad that we have to be in doubt at most the time? That we can't trust anybody but ourselves?

Anyway, I'll go through my usual pros and cons sequence before making my final decision.

Dialysis

I just got back from visiting a friend who is undergoing dialysis treatment. When he showed me the areas on his body poked and prodded, I felt sick and sad.

I felt sick because of the dehumanization that he has to endure in order to prolong his life. I can't imagine being in a situation where my kidneys failing and heavily dependent on machines to keep me alive.

My friend looked so fragile. I remember back in 1999, he was the fittest among his peers and looked good with his muscles bulging. Then suddenly in 2004 his kidneys failed him. Now his undergoing dialysis.

The treatment is expensive but then again, aren't they all?

He needs money to keep going.

When the money ends, he ends too.

That's why I felt sad.

His advice to me is to drink lots of water.

He also told me to lose weight... but that's another post altogether!

I started thinking on ways how we can rectify this problem within our society. Perhaps since I'm in an NGO we might be able to help organize a fundraising in aid of dialysis research in order to keep the cost low. Refer to link below;

Cost Effectiveness Evaluation of the Ministry of Health Malaysia ...

Anyway, this topic will be expanded upon later. For now, all I can say that our friend is being positive and time to time I'll drop by over his place/phone just to see how he's doing.

I'm now finding myself appreciating life each day for it is so short. There's so much to do in so little time. We should make the most of living life. 

More on this next time. Meanwhile please check out Living With Dialysis

Psycho

I feel deeply sorry for the gentleman above; he was emotionally charged and the people who pushed his buttons are now gloating with glee. I am pretty sure that once he has the opportunity to ponder upon his actions, he'd be quietly embarrassed that he was politically manipulated.

At a different time and place,  he would probably be the most pleasant person to sit down and to have coffee with. Probably he spends his time doing charity works and all sorts of other things.

Anyway we would never ever know.

People only remembers the worst things about other people.

Remember this classic?

Instant hit, right?

And now the only thing that 27 million Malaysians are going to remember forever is just this one...

Hidup Malaysia...