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2013-05-22 16:08:46 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

This is a really strong political statement to make and I hope many who share his political views would also share his strong actions in support of those ideals...

2013-05-22 09:35:19 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Malaysians will probably soon start paying a 7% GST for all their purchases when the next Parliament convenes and passes the bill. 

Don't complain, you all voted for them.

2013-05-18 00:15:51 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

Since it is already #caturday here in Europe, I thought I'd share something I saw on one of my walks today - this was taken just outside the Basilica of Notre Dame in Fourviere.

Not sure why a cat is used to represent ira (wrath)..

2013-05-17 16:16:32 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Test

2013-05-17 15:48:25 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

To gauge a respondent’s level of racial tolerance, they posed a simple question. Respondents in more than 80 countries were told to identify whom they would not want as neighbours.

One possible answer was “people of a different race”. The proportion of people picking this answer from any given country was then used to show the relative tolerance of that society.

Up to 29.9 per cent of Malaysians said they would not like living next to a person of a different race, which was approximately the same percentage in Thailand and the Philippines, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Mali and Zambia.

2013-05-17 15:41:24 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

How to get ahead politically in Malaysia - family connections. Shared to me privately so I won't say who I got this from. This simple chart links together the nomenklatura of Malaysian politics including three prime ministers, some chief ministers and other federal ministers.

It's a family business and it's part of why things are so corrupt.

2013-05-16 22:37:29 (34 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Why Malaysians are so goddamn pissed off

The Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak explained his coalition's poor performance in the most recent elections on the "Chinese tsunami", ominously implying that one racial group has turned against his coalition.

That is, however, a gross mischaracterisation (what we common folk call a lie). What Najib and his coalition faced is not a revolt by the Chinese but by the middle classes who are fed up of being short changed and shoved around by the high-handed tactics of the 57-year old dictatorship that is the rule of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

To see why, let's take some examples from my life. I graduated (from a well-regarded British university) with a relatively small debt thanks to some good fortune with bursaries and the like that helped offset the true economic cost of my education.... more »

2013-05-16 21:27:32 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

He won't be missed. Illustrious my foot.

2013-05-16 21:27:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

He won't be missed. 

2013-05-16 21:19:52 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

A month ago, the UMNO government was singing sweet songs to Malaysians telling them about the good things they would do if Malaysians voted them back in again.

One day after being appointed as Home Minister, UMNO VP Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and noted half-wit insults Malaysians once again by spewing rubbish from his gob:

Newly-appointed Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysians who are unhappy with the country’s political system should leave the country, stressing that loyal citizens should respect the rule of law.

2013-05-15 23:07:58 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I've been a bit out of the loop but I just realised that Google+ will finally be getting rid of games. I'm not really a fan of Google+ Games but I seem to recall there were some people in my circles who at least played the games for a little while.

Is Google getting rid of the Google+ Games simply because there aren't enough people playing them to justify their continued inclusion?

2013-05-15 09:41:05 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Malaysia's questionably legitimate prime minister Najib Razak is now announcing his new cabinet packed with hapless failures and sellouts.

P Waythamoorthy (formerly of Hindraf) as a deputy minister (rumoured)? That's probably what he was angling for all along. What a sellout.

Hishamuddin Hussein's appointment as a minister with the defense portfolio once again proves that it matters not what competence you have but how close your relations are to the failure-in-chief.

So glad I'm out of Malaysia even if it's only temporary.

2013-05-12 22:01:52 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Quite a lot of unhappiness about the recent Malaysian elections. 125,000 or so people went for a rally to protest the death of democracy in Malaysia in my home state, which is really intense considering the total population of about 1.1 million.

2013-05-12 08:45:58 (55 comments, 5 reshares, 30 +1s)

One of the most comfortable feelings that I have, now that I am about 6000 miles away from home, is that I can take a more sanguine view towards people like this. For "dumb jerk" of the day, I present this specimen who was a former Court of Appeals judge in Malaysia.

Former Court of Appeal Judge Mohd Noor Abdullah today warned that the Chinese Malaysians must be prepared for a backlash from the Malay community for their "betrayal" in the recently concluded 13th general election.

"The Chinese betrayal towards the Malay's hand of friendship - that is true. Because they plotted to seize political power even though they have already have economic power," he said to raucous applause at a forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

The  forum, titled “GE13 post-mortem: Muslim leadership and survival”, was organised by UiTM Malaysia Alumni Associationand ... more »

2013-05-10 21:33:33 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Sometimes, some of the best food you can have is cooked at home by people who are not professional chefs.

One thing that I will miss about England is this mind-blowing briyani from a friend of a friend who only cooks to raise money to build an extension to his mosque....

And this collection of Pakistani and Afghan food whose names I cannot remember but whose tastes will probably remain in my mind for years to come.

Even better, of course, was enjoying this spread in the house of an old family friend and surrounded by friends and family.

Glorious way to spend a day after the sins of Soho. ;)

2013-05-10 13:48:03 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Soho really doesn't change. It It is, as always, filled with seedy characters.

2013-05-09 17:59:02 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

I guess every parent must relate to this.

2013-05-09 11:51:58 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Traffic sure appears to be congested but London, in peak hours, still doesn't seem as bad as KL.

2013-05-12 14:02:06 (8 comments, 6 reshares, 27 +1s)

How to win at chess Malaysian style

From "that other" social network.

2013-05-08 07:15:11 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Malaysian ingenuity

A rather clever deterrent to car theft, I thought. However, it's kind of sad that measures like this are even needed.

2013-05-08 06:54:51 (24 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

So jetlagged

Fortunately, this pig's trotter made everything feel better...

2013-05-07 03:47:49 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

More race baiting from Malaysians largest Malaysia language newspaper. What else do the Chinese want? Yes, because according to the official rhetoric, the Chinese population are just like the hated Jews: always plotting and scheming to take over the country.

2013-05-07 02:04:08 (22 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Off to the airport

I'll be offline for at least 16 hours. Not going to reveal where I'll be going next but draw a 16-hour flight radius around Singapore and have fun guessing! ;)

2013-05-07 01:58:28 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Chua Soi Lek agrees to step down

After his party got decimated in the previous elections, the president of the MCA agrees to step down by the end of the year. Before doing so, however, he could not resist the chance to fire one last salvo proving once again he really is a cantankerous wanker.

“It is clear voting was made along ethnic lines with the Chinese believing that the DAP can change the government."

No it wasn't, you cheeky bastard

2013-05-06 15:23:40 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Very sad account by a Malaysian on the election results

I mentioned yesterday that the election results had the potential to precipitate an even greater brain drain from Malaysia to foreign shores. It would appear that I'm not the only person to be worried about it, this (long) comment from Malaysiakini essentially sums up a lot of what I'm hearing from people I know: the dream is over. It is dead. There is no future in Malaysia any more. Get out while you still can.

Sad that it has come to this.

_________

As a young Malaysian working in Australia, I always harboured the vague hope that at some point, in some parallel universe, the day would come where the hated yoke of Umno and the cultural and political apartheid of Ketuanan Melayu will be lifted off the neck of Malaysians.

Something was always there, quietly hoping that in setting... more »

2013-05-06 09:58:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

More from the blackout meme that's trending on that other social network..

2013-05-06 06:52:40 (12 comments, 3 reshares, 28 +1s)

Democracy in Asia. This is pretty good and, as I understand it, comes from Hong Kong. There's Malaysia 2013, Hong Kong 2017 and China since 1949.

2013-05-05 17:22:27 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

After that farce of 2008 in which the people of Perak had the state government they had voted for stolen from them, they turned around in 2013 and voted for the party that stole the state government!

I have no words for this...

1.01am: Perak Pakatan has conceded that BN has successfully retained Perak.

2013-05-05 17:08:26 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Congratulations to supporters of the Barisan Nasional

I am sure you must all be feeling as happy as supporters of change in Malaysia are feeling dejected.

The results are, however, the results and we will all need to come to terms with how the chips have fallen.

However, know this. If you think Malaysia has been experiencing a brain drain before, these elections will probably precipitate an even greater brain drain. There are many thousands, perhaps millions, of people who feel thoroughly disillusioned and who will consider taking their talents and skills elsewhere where they feel more appreciated.

2013-05-05 16:49:11 (23 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

:(

Actually, you know what? What's the point of even voting anymore?

12.45am: The Election Commission has thus far confirmed 108 Parliamentary wins for BN. This means they need just four more to form the federal government with a simple majority.

2013-05-05 16:04:07 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

More results out

From our tally so far - Pakatan Rakyat has picked up -16- ( should read 18 ) seats from BN but lost four, with a net gain of 14 seats. Pakatan needs to win another 10 seats from BN to attain simple majority.

Gains

1) Stampin (DAP)
2) Sarikei (DAP)
3) Lanang (DAP)
4) Kluang (DAP)
5) Kampar (DAP)
6) Miri (DAP)
8) Gelang Patah (DAP)
9) Sandakan (DAP)
10) Sibu (DAP - lost in 2008, but won in 2010 by-election)
11) Lumut (PKR)
12) Beaufort (PKR)
13) Penampang (PKR)
14) Bukit Katil (PKR)
15) Miri (PKR)
16) Alor Setar (PKR)
17) Pandan (PKR)
18) Temerloh (PAS)

Losses

1) Titiwangsa (PAS)
2) Padang Serai (PKR)
3) Kuala Selangor (PAS)
4) Pendang (PAS)

2013-05-05 14:34:30 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Some good news at last

10.15pm: DAP wins all 11 state seats and two parliamentary seats contested in Negri Sembilan and Pakatan is likely to win the state.

Negri Sembilan has been a Barisan Nasional stronghold since independence  and this, if confirmed, is some welcome news!

2013-05-05 14:14:51 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

Life in exile

It doesn't have to involve suffering when you wake up to views like this.

2013-05-05 12:27:52 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

This is my home state. I was confident that my home state would not fall to BN and it looks like they won't!

From http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pkr-sounds-alarm-in-lembah-pantai-lumut/

Unofficial results show that the DAP has trounced Barisan Nasional (BN) in all 19 state seats it contested in Penang, giving it a commanding lead in its defence of the northern state.

2013-05-05 12:22:31 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Some of the unofficial results so far

More at www.malaysiakini.com

Three strong results including a potential upset at 8:06 pm!

8.20pm: In Lembah Pantai, incumbent MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR) maintains her lead against Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin (BN) in the vote count.

PKR - 11,941 
BN - 10,623
Independent - 74

Total voters: 72,533  
 
8.13pm: Lim Kit Siang (DAP) continues has widen his lead over Abdul Ghani Othman (BN) in Gelang Patah, Johor.
 
DAP - 7,619
BN - 6,336  

Total voters: 106,864 
 
8.06pm: In Labis, Johor, DAP candidate Ramakrishnan Suppiah is leading against incumbent MP Chua Tee Yong (BN).

DAP - 3,561
BN - 2,225    

Total voters: 37,787

2013-05-05 07:52:54 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Let's hope things don't turn up as negative as portrayed in this article. Come on, guys.. what's wrong with you?!

2013-05-05 01:25:38 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Methylated spirits make indelible ink mostly delible.

2013-05-05 00:59:22 (20 comments, 1 reshares, 32 +1s)

Second in, first out

The deed is done. I have cast my vote and it turned out I was the first out of the polling station. I ran into the next MP candidate for the constituency of Bukit Bendera himself queueing up to be registered and had a picture taken with him.

And now for the obligatory finger shot.

2013-05-04 22:50:10 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

I'm up

I don't normally get up for breakfast. I don't normally get up for work either; since I have flexible hours, I tend to work late at night more than I work early in the morning.

But I'm fired up and ready to go and cast my vote even if it means standing in line early at the polling station because this is the big one. Whoever wins this election is likely to run Malaysia for the next 10 years. All the energy and resources are thrown into this - the final push towards Putrajaya. 

If we lose today, the momentum for change will be seriously derailed: the top generals have announced their retirement should this push fail and it will take time for new top leaders to emerge from the ranks. It's unlikely that we will see voters voting in such earnest the next time round, with stories of voters from the US, Europe, Australia, and other far-flung... more »

2013-05-04 16:52:08 (7 comments, 5 reshares, 8 +1s)

A petition to the White House

I hope very much that those friends who have followed me and who have enjoyed my posts sign this petition.

A little something for you guys to do before I sign off :)

2013-05-04 16:14:48 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

It is the 5th of May

Election day for Malaysians. I am going to bed... well, pretty soon, so I can get up first thing in the morning and be among the first at the polling station.

This time it really feels different from previous years. I can hear fireworks going off, cars honking their horns even from my normally quiet street. I can even hear the common battle cry now...

五月五换政府!!! 
五月五换政府!!!
五月五换政府!!!

(May the 5th, change the government!)

It really does feel like it might happen this time... I guess a lot of people are feeling the rush of excitement like on the eve of a great battle.

The attached are the three generals who will be leading the troops to battle.

2013-05-04 14:15:49 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Yet more dirty tricks

Flash mobs to support the hitherto opposition's efforts to win the elections have been held throughout Malaysia and have been generally peaceful. Except for this one in the northern city of Ipoh when a few peaceful participants were attacked by a mob of unruly pro-government thugs.

We will not be cowed. Millions will go out to vote first thing tomorrow morning for change.

2013-05-04 12:10:36 (21 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

If you are still keen on voting for BN

Don't complain when you get your AES summonses next month. Just shut up and pay up.

Don't complain if you or your loved ones get robbed or fall victims to snatch theft. Tell yourself you deserve it.

Don't complain if you get stopped at the airport and are denied travel because you have not paid your PTPTN loan promptly. You asked for it.

Don't complain if car, house and household prices go up. Shut up and live like a beggar with the BR1M - a few hundred ringgit once every 55 years.

Don't complain if you are of Indian descent and you are called a pariah or a keling. Or if you are told to go back to China, you filthy Chink. You deserve to be treated in this fashion.

Don't complain to anyone if your child is unable to get a scholarship even though they got straight As in their... more »

2013-05-04 07:33:02 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

This is Dr. Mahathir, a recalcitrant arsehole until the very end. 

Asked about politics in Asia, Dr Mahathir said: "I still think Asia needs strong leaders.

"They like to be democratic but they don't really understand democracy."

2013-05-04 05:02:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Even more dirty tricks in the last leg of the electoral campaign

This is how the ruling government tries to get people to vote for it: through fear and intimidation.

8.30am - Bau, Sarawak: BN national vice-chairperson William Mawan warns civil servants and government-appointed community leaders who campaign against BN will be removed.

According to Borneo Post yesterday, Mawan (right) says this is fair as it is BN’s government who is paying their salaries and allowances.

2013-05-04 03:44:44 (29 comments, 3 reshares, 27 +1s)

I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to read the following few paragraphs. This is why we are voting for change tomorrow.

-----
Back in 1994, the then Chief Minister of Malacca, Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, was reported to have raped a 15-year old Malay school girl (under Malaysian law, sex with a minor constitutes statutory rape). Lim Guan Eng, currently the Chief Minister of Penang and the then MP for Kota Melaka, spoke out against the rape of a minor after the girl’s grandmother-cum-guardian, who was also Lim’s constituent, turned to him for help.

However, far from deserving justice, both Lim and the school girl received their “dues”. Lim was jailed for 18 months for speaking up against the rape. However, released after 12 months on August 25, 1999, due to his incarceration, he was disallowed from standing for election to public office for a periodof 5 ye... more »

2013-05-03 18:51:14 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Most of this is done by supporters of the ruling party who are afraid that they may actually lose power for the first time in the country's history.

2013-05-03 17:42:35 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 6 +1s)

World's first atomic stop-motion movie, wow

2013-05-03 17:30:21 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Widely tipped to be Malaysia's first woman prime minister in the years to come.

2013-05-03 16:49:21 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

Pictures from the rally just now

Turns out this was the biggest rally ever for the opposition. 120,000 people turned up (unofficial numbers). That is huge for Penang island with a total population of about 700,000!

It was an awesome experience and one could really feel the desire to change the government. My family and I parked about a 20 minute walk away (there wasn't any way to get any closer) and just got absorbed into the crowd marching to the field with party flags.

It was standing room only at the field and Malaysians of all ages and races were present in large numbers. The mood was especially festive with vuvuzelas blaring (personally, I found these a bit annoying), flags waving, and then the rousing chants:

"Wu yue wu, huan cheng fu" (5th of May, change the government!)

"Jail Mahathir!"
... more »